Lauderhill's 5th Annual International Cricket Cup

Mayor Kaplan receiving his Cricket Bat back, after being signed by the players on the USA Team, that played recently in Falmouth, Jamaica

The 5th Annual International Cricket Cup Tournament has begun. Each Saturday night, from 5 PM until 10:30 PM, two games will be played. Teams represent 10 different countries, and admission is free. Food is available for purchase. For more information: http://lauderhill-fl.gov/se_cricketindex.html, or call 954-730-3000.

Notes of the Special Commission Meeting and Annual Retreat of 1/12/07

On January 12, the City Commission met at a Special Commission Meeting to approve 2 items. One was the funding for the upcoming Unitown Event which the city is a sponsor. See a previous article concerning this for your high school children to participate in. The other was the approval of spending $50,000 in support of the Dr. Bobby Jones Gospel Complex. In return the city will be receiving a significant amount of advertising during the Super Bowl. The Gospel Complex is a designated charity for the NFL players and will be highly promoted during the upcoming festivities.

After the special meeting, the City Commission held its Annual Retreat to discuss the next 5 years, and what steps we could take to continue the developments in the city. Notes of the Annual Retreat will be subsequently posted when received from the facilitator. Included in the notes will be goals and strategies to implement those goals.

Gymnastics Program

The City of Lauderhill sponsors a gymnastics program for children ages 3 and up at Veteran's Park, 7600 NW 50th Street. Preschool (ages 3-5) costs $65/month; Beginner/Advance Beginners is $75/month; and Intermediate and Cheerleading Tumbling is $85/month. The program is on Friday and Saturdays through May. Please call instructor Ali Hammoud at 313-478-2212 for more information or the City of Lauderhill at 954-730-3084. Applications are at Veterans Park.

Lauderhill Police Report Update

On Tuesday evening, January 23, members of the Narcotics Unit made six drug arrests in different areas of the city. Three drug arrests were made in Mission Lake Plaza, two at Calypso Cay Apartments, and one at Jimmies Market in Broward Estates.

On Wednesday evening, January 23, the SWAT team executed a drug search warrant at 1864 NW 55th Ave. Apt. 1 in Windermire. Amy Hosey and Kenneth Weaver were arrested for possession of Cocaine, possession of Cannabis and drug paraphernalia. This location was one of the supplier locations for Mission Lake Plaza.

The graffiti pictures of the painted walls were sent to Sgt. Santiago and the county gang unit. A suspect has been developed who lives in the Northwest area of our city. An unmarked vehicle has been assigned to the midnight shift for surveillance. I have Lt. Cochran looking into a particular type of paint where spray paint rolls off. This paint has been used by some larger cities.

Our detectives have two bait cars set up for burglaries. These vehicles have been placed in front of residences in the Northwest part of our city with items left visible inside. Detectives watch the vehicles from a distance.

A Strategic Planning session was conducted by the Police Chief with all staff members on Jan. 25, to assess our needs for the next three to five years to include such things as technology, marketing, recruiting, and staffing.

Free Prescription Savings Card

A free prescription savings card for individuals and families without prescription drug coverage is available through the Together Rx Access Card. It provides cardholders savings of 25%-40% on over 275 brandname medicines and products. To find out more: www.togetherRxAccess.com. For more information, determine eligibility and/or to order the card, call 800-250-2864.

Baseball Registration

From January 15 thru February 9, 9 AM to 9 PM, the City of Lauderhill will have Baseball Registration for kids 4 to 15 years of age. Four year olds will play in an instructional league only. Registration is at Veteran's Park, 7600 NW 50th Street. Baseball registration is $95.00 for the first child, $75.00 for each additional child. Tee Ball is $75.00 per child. Price includes uniform (hat, socks, pants and shirt) and trophies will be given out at the end of year awards event.

Try out dates are: T-Ball (5-6 years old) and coach pitch (7-8 years old), Monday February 13; Double A (9-10 years old) and Triple A (11-12 years old), Thursday, February 15; and Majors (13-15 years old), Friday, February 16. Practices start Monday February 19. Your coach will call you for time and locations.

Please bring copy of birth certificate and insurance to registration. For more information call 954-572-1459.

Lauderhill Police Report

Detectives from the Lauderhill Police Department, with the assistance of members of the U.S. Marshall’s Office Fugitive Task Force and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested 29 year old Raul Gibson in connection with a drive by shooting that occurred on January 11, 2007.

At about 4:00 pm, on January 11, 2007, an altercation began between the occupants of two vehicles in the 3400 block of Broward Boulevard. The occupants of one of the vehicles fired on the driver of the second vehicle, Gauntlette Henningham, of Lauderhill, striking him in the arm and face.

Information obtained by investigators from Lauderhill, the Marshall’s Office and FDLE led them to the Evergreen Lakes Apartments in Coconut Creek where they observed and apprehended one of the shooters identified as 29 year old Raul Gibson. At this time investigators are still attempting to determine Gibson’s permanent address.

A search warrant was executed on the apartment where Gibson was staying and investigators were able to locate two (2) assault rifles and nearly 20 pounds of marijuana.

Investigators are attempting to identify one additional shooter in this case. That individual was a passenger in the vehicle driven by Raul Gibson. Anyone with additional information on this crime is urged to contact Detective Gary Celetti of the Lauderhill Police Department at (954) 497-4719, or the Broward County TIPS Line.

Adult 4 v 4 Flag Football League

Registration has begun to join the Lauderhill Adult 4 vs. 4 Flag Football League. There are two age groups: 18 to 29, and 30+. The season is 10 weeks long, plus playoffs. Division winners and playoff winners will receive trophies and t-shirts.

To register, go to Lauderhill Middle School, 1901 NW 49th Avenue. Cost is $200/team of up to 10 players. Fore more information please call: 954-730-3084.

Unitown 2007 Youth Leadership Training Program

Lauderhill has been participating in a multi-city youth program for several years. This program has been extremely well received in the past in breaking down cultural barriers, and has left a lasting impression on all the youth who have participated. Also, many lasting friendships has been developed.

The City is actively recruiting high school students (9th, 10th and 11th grades) to represent the City of Lauderhill at the Unitown 2007 Youth Leadership and Diversity Training Program. About 65 youth participate in this program each year. Contact Joy or Jackie at 954-321-2450 to obtain a program description or to answer any questions. If you know of any deserving youth, preferably who are active in the community (Lauderhill residents preferred) please have them complete an application.

The event run from Saturday morning, February 17 to Monday afternoon, February 19. Although the program costs $150/person, the student is only asked to pay a $30 registration fee, which will be refunded to the student upon attendance and completion of the Camp. This includes room and board for the weekend, T-shirts, materials, photographs and receptions. It is conducted at a Camp in Lake Worth and transportation is included.

This program also qualifies for community service hours for those high school participants who need them. Please feel free to pass this information on to churches, civic organizations and businesses in Lauderhill who may also know of youth who would benefit from this program and please do not hesitate to call Jackie or Joy for any questions that you may have concerning this program.

Broward Magnet School Program

Broward County Schools has released information for those considering having their children attend a Magnet Program for the school year 2007-2008. Magnet Programs are in a variety of areas like International Affairs and Business, Liberal Arts, Pre-Law and Public Affairs, and Science/Pre-Engineering. The schools are for Elementary, Middle and High Schools, so that your child can attend at any level and are at schools located throughout the county.

Many of the schools are having open houses beginning in January. Sign up for the program must be submitted by March 26, 2007. If submitted after that date, the application will be processed pending space availability. Applications can be made electronically at: http://www.browardschoolsmagnetprograms.com, or a written application can be filled out and mailed in. Written applications are available at the Lauderhill City Clerk's office on Oakland Park Blvd. More information can be obtain through the link above or by calling 754-321-2380, and for Nova Schools 754-321-3035.

Notes of the Commission Meetings of January 8

The City Commission met on January 8 at a Special Workshop and at Regular Commission Meeting. The following is notes of specific interest:

SPECIAL WORKSHOP - DR. BOBBY JONES GOSPEL COMPLEX

The Lauderhill Commission received a presentation concerning the development of a Gospel Complex at the corner of 441 and Sunrise Blvd. Consensus was obtain to have a special commission meeting on January 12 at 9 AM at the Golf Center, before the Annual Retreat, to receive additional requested information by individual members, receive a recommendation from administration, and to vote on supporting the facility. Included is a proposal to provide funding at $50,000 by the city.

REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING

A) PRESENTATION - Honoring the Lauderhill Lions in the Pee Wee Division for winning the Super Bowl for 2006

B) RESOLUTIONS:

1) Tabled Resolution to Co-Sponsor the Unitown Event because the Agenda Request form was missing from the package. The form does not add additional information to the items, but summarizes the back up. The matter will be heard at the special commission on the 12th.

2) Approved a 3 year extension to the Caribbean National Cultural Association to hold Unite-a-Fest. The agreement does not include an contribution from the city, but does include the ability to cancel the agreement upon 60 days notice. Appropriations to support the event are made through the budget process each year.

C) QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS:

1) Approved the allowance of a Drive-Thru Bank at the site of United Theatre on Commercial Blvd., which will be torn down.

2) Approved the allowance of a Drive-Thru Restaurant at the site of United Theatre on Commercial Blvd., which will be torn down. The restaurant is a proposed Steak and Shake. Also on site will be a Chili's. NOTE: The issue about the wall on the rear of the property has not been resolved. The Northwest Homeowners Association will be meeting to discuss this issue, and the Commission is expected to hear a variance to reduce its size. The Commission reserves the right to revisit the height of the wall through the special exception process, or as part of any other variance that may come up on this matter.

D) OTHER BUSINESS:

1) Received consensus for the city to pursue, with the City of Lauderdale Lakes, a traffic engineer, to study a turnpike interchange at Oakland Park Blvd. The cities met with their mayors, city managers and officials of Florida Medical Center, to discuss on proceeding with the study. Cost will be divided between the cities to the extent the cost is not picked up by the MPO. Mayor Kaplan is seeking funding from the MPO for the study.

2) The city will be contributing to the Friends of the Library-Town Centre Branch a $1000 donations for their operations.

3) The Commission cancelled the Regular Workshop meetings of January 15 (MLK Day) and February 19 (Presidents Day).

Disposal of Christmas Trees

Regarding the disposal of Christmas trees our garbage hauler is Waste Management for every area other than in the newly annexed area. Christmas trees can be placed at the side of their garbage bin on their prospective garbage pick-up day and it will be picked up.

For additional questions, they may be directed to Waste Management at 954-974-7500.

Basketball and Cheerleading Registration

Registration for Boys and Girls, ages 7 to 16, will begin February 1st thru 28th, at the Sadkin Center. You must register Monday thru Friday, 5 PM to 8 PM, until teams fill up. The cost is $50. For more information call 954-321-2450.

Free College Education for Black Males

Do you know any Black Males who are in Senior High School who want to go to college out of state for Free. The Black Colleges are looking for future black male teachers and will send then to universities/college for 4 years FREE. This is for MALES ONLY.

Read the Mission Statement. There are about 10 different colleges or universities, http://www.callmemister.clemson.edu/index.htm.

The CALL ME MISTER program is an effort to address the critical shortage of African American male teachers particularly among South Carolina's lowest performing schools. Program participants are selected from among under-served, socio-economically disadvantaged and educationally at-risk communities. The CALL ME MISTER program is contributing to the talent pool of excellent teachers by identifying and supporting young men like Mr. Mark Joseph, who are literally "touching the future" by teaching children. Mark's teaching degree was made possible through the CALL ME MISTER program.

Police Action Updates

On Friday evening a traffic crash occurred where a van struck the top of a City lift station in the 5000 block of University Drive. The driver was arrested for Driving while Intoxicated.

Officers responded to 3831 NW 8th Street concerning two males with expensive wheels and tires attempting to conceal them in a neighbor’s yard. Two suspects were arrested and charged with possession of stolen property.

There was a Robbery attempt at the Subway, 7744 West Commercial Blvd. When the cashier screamed the robber ran out.

Officers stopped a vehicle in the area of 4160 NW 21 St. (Calypso Cay) and arrested two suspects who had Cannabis packaged for sale. A 2006 Dodge Magnum and $1,500 were seized.

The Police Department will provide a report on the reverse drug operation today.