Digital Television: Are You Ready?

Effective February 17, 2009, all television broadcasts must be transmitted digitally. Any television that can only receive an analog signal will no longer work, unless they obtain a digital to analog converter box (about $40 to $70), or use a paid TV service (cable or satellite). Anyone connected to Comcast will not have to worry about this problem. This conversion was ordered by Congress, and TV's purchased today should be digital but you must confirm it.

Between now and March 31, 2009, all US households will be eligible to request up to two coupons, worth $40 each to be used toward the purchase of the converter box. For more information, visit the NTIA website at http://www.dtv2009.gov/.

Recognizing a Stroke

STROKE IDENTIFICATION:
During a BBQ, a friend stumbled and took a little fall - she assured everyone that she was fine (they offered to call paramedics) .....she said she had just tripped over a brick because of her new shoes.

They got her cleaned up and got her a new plate of food. While she appeared a bit shaken up, Ingrid went about enjoying herself the rest of the evening.

Ingrid's husband called later telling everyone that his wife had been taken to the hospital - (at 6:00 pm Ingrid passed away.) She had suffered a stroke at the BBQ. Had they known how to identify the signs of a stroke, perhaps Ingrid would be with us today. Some don't die.... they end up in a helpless, hopeless condition instead.

It only takes a minute to read this...
A neurologist says that if he can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours he can totally reverse the effects of a stroke... totally. He said the trick was getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

RECOGNIZING A STROKE
Thank God for the sense to remember the '3' steps, STR . Read and Learn!

Sometimes symptoms of a stroke are difficult to identify. Unfortunately, the lack of awareness spells disaster. The stroke victim may suffer severe brain damage when people nearby fail to recognize the symptoms of a stroke .

Now do ctors say a bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:
S * Ask the individual to SMILE.
T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (Coherently)
(i.e. It is sunny out today)
R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.
If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

New Sign of a Stroke -------- Stick out Your Tongue

NOTE: Ask the person to 'stick' out his tongue.. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other , that is also an indication of a stroke.

The Fighting Squids Invade Lauderhill

The Ft. Lauderdale Fighting Squids Australian Rules Football Team has moved its practices and games to the new Central Regional County Park in Lauderhill. Australian Rules Football enjoys worldwide support and play, but, as you would expect, originates out of Australia as one of its favorite sports.

The game is played on a cricket field, and resembles Rugby. Numerous teams exist throughout the United States and Canada, with several teams in Florida. Annually, national tournaments are conducted, known as the "Nationals," and since Lauderhill has the first cricket field in the US with permanent stands, the national organization, USAFL, affectionately known as US Footy, is hoping to hold the event at our park in 2009. Participation at these events usually involve over 5,000 participants.

It has also been announced that the Spring Invitational will be played at the Regional Park April 11-13. Six teams have already been invited, and 4 more are expected to enter the tournament.

For more information about US Footy: http://www.usfooty.com/usfooty/

For more information, including how to sponsor, play, learn about the game, or otherwise get involved locally: http://www.fightingsquids.com/

Practices generally are at the park on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays, depending upon the week, from 7 to 8:30 PM. Their web site can provide contact information.

Lauderhill Looking to Mentor Future Firefighters

Through the Lauderhill Mentorship Program, the city has put out a Public Service Announcement looking for our future firefighters and paramedics. In the near future, the city is expecting to have several openings in the department that must be filled. Due to budget constraints, no additional positions will be created.

Lauderhill residents, followed by minorities, are given preferences in hiring. For more information: http://www.firementorship.com/.

Federal Update Affecting Cities

Federal Agencies Announce New Foreclosure Help

On February 12, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and HUD Secretary Alfonso Jackson announced that the HOPE NOW alliance, which is comprised of the nation's six largest mortgage lenders, would join together in a new effort to reduce the number of home foreclosure across the nation. The new effort is called Project Lifeline.

As part of this effort, the six lenders, Bank of America, Citigroup, Countrywide, Chase, Washington Mutual, and Wells Fargo, will reach out to "seriously delinquent homeowners" whose mortgages they hold and who face the greatest risk of losing their homes. Foreclosure proceedings against homeowners who respond to the outreach will be "paused" for 30 days, during which time the homeowner and loan servicer will attempt to come up with a loan modification that allows the homeowner to keep their home. Although the lenders have committed to outreach, struggling homeowners do not have to wait for a call from the mortgage servicer. Homeowners can call their servicer directly and ask about Project Lifeline or call the national foreclosure helpline operated by the HOPE NOW alliance at 1-888-955-HOPE.

Treasury Secretary Paulson said he expects the number of lending institutions participating in Project Lifeline to grow in the future.

Stimulus Package Includes Help for the Housing Market

Just in time for Valentine's Day, President Bush signed legislation to jump start the struggling U.S. economy by putting tax rebate checks ranging from $300 - $1,200 in the pockets of millions of Americans and providing incentives for businesses.

The $168 billion economic stimulus package also included provisions to help the troubled housing market. The package raises temporarily the limit on Federal Housing Administration - insured loans from $362,790 to $729,750, as well as the limit on loans that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can purchase from $417,000 to $792,750. Changes in these limits are intended to ease the credit crunch in the market for "jumbo" mortgages, which are often necessary in high-cost housing markets. The crunch, a fallout from the subprime mortgage collapse, has made it difficult, if not impossible for homebuyers in those markets to get new mortgages or refinance existing ones.

As far as who will receive a rebate check, most people who earned at least $3,000 in qualifying income during 2007, including through Social Security or veterans' disability benefits will receive a rebate of up to $600 for individuals and $1,200 for couples, with an additional $300 for each child. Single individuals making more than $75,000 and couples with income more than $150,000 will get smaller checks, up to the top limits of $87,000 for childless individuals or $174,000 for couples. To get any rebate, a 2007 tax return with a valid Social Security number must be filed.

Council Member Testifies at Brownfields Reauthorization Hearing

Earlier this week, the House began laying the groundwork for reauthorizing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's brownfields program, which expired in 2006. On February 14, the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, James Oberstar (D-MN), introduced reauthorization legislation, and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, held a hearing on the program.

Matt Zone, Council Member, Cleveland, Ohio, testified at the hearing about the importance of the brownfields program to local governments. Additionally, in his testimony, Zone called on Congress to increase the overall funding authorization level for brownfields programs; to increase the cap on assessment grant amounts; to increase technical assistance offered to communities; and to address and resolve the disincentives created by the potential exposure to liability for municipalities who attempt to facilitate reuse of brownfield properties. Members of the Committee told Zone they would work with cities to resolve the liability issues for local governments in any effort to reauthorize the Brownfields program this year. To view the hearing and Zone's testimony, click here: http://transportation.house.gov/hearings/hearingdetail.aspx?NewsID=422.

Notes of Commission Meeting and CRA Meeting of February 11

On February 11, the Commission held its regular commission meetingand CRA Meeting, and the following matters of interest were discussed and acted upon:

CRA MEETING

1) Approved the buying out of SNH Coin Laundry at Renaissance Plaza (f/k/a Mission Lake Plaza).
2) Movement is still going forward on developments along 441.


REGULAR MEETING

Held a Moment of Silence for the deaths of Ann Totino and Charles Boothe, Sr.


FIRST READING:

1) Passed permitting family day care home in all residential zoning districts. State law mandated these changes. However, the city made 3 modifications which legal counsel advised would be sustainable: #1 Clarify this does not override Deed Restricted Association that prohibit it; #2 Grandfathered in those day care facilities that were presently operating legally under the existing city ordinances; and #3 Included a distance requirements of 1000' between such facilities.


SECOND READING:

1) Passed adding a new category for Family Home Day Care with a $50 local business tax.

2) Passed purchasing property at 3801 NW 4th Street for $350,000, to be added to a new park being developed in Broward Estates.


RESOLUTIONS:

1) Passed 4 to1 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPROVING THE CONSULTANT SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH CPENZLERSPORTS LLC TO PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FLORIDA-CARIBBEAN GAMES FOR MAY, 2010. Commissioner Berger voted against it.

2) Passed A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPROVING A DONATION OF $2,500.00 TO SUPPORT THE FAMILY LITERACY AND LIFE SKILLS PROGRAM.

3) Approved A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPROVING A DONATION OF $2,500.00 TO SUPPORT THE KIDS AND THE POWER OF WORK (KAPOW) PROGRAM.

4) Approved A RESOLUTION APPROVING THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL AND MOSS/D. STEPHENSON JOINT VENTURE TO PROVIDE ALL MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, LABOR AND SERVICES TO MANAGE AND CONSTRUCT AN APPROXIMATELY 43,000 SQUARE FOOT MUNICIPAL COMPLEX.


QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS:

1) PASSED A RESOLUTION GRANTING LESSEE AND APPLICANT, IGLESIA CHRISTIANA LA GLORIA DE DIOS. A/D, INC, A SPECIAL EXCEPTION DEVELOPMENT ORDER, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW WITHIN THE GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING DISTRICT, THE RELOCATION OF A STOREFRONT HOUSE OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP WITHIN THE SAME SHOPPING CENTER, KNOWN AS THE ATRIUM SHOPPING CENTER.

2) PASSED A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAUDERHILL APPROVING THE SPECIAL USE DEVELOPMENT ORDER OF FINE ENTERTAINMENT AND ELEGANT AFFAIRS, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS, TO ALLOW AN APPROXIMATE 3,173 SQUARE FOOT PUBLIC DANCE BALLROOM ON AN APPROXIMATELY 2.33 ACRE SITE AT THE CORNER OF 44TH STREET AND ROCK ISLAND ROAD.


NEW BUSINESS:

Approved to cancel the March 10 Commission Meeting due to a lack of quorum expected.

Broward Central Regional Park Hosts First Major League Sporting Event

Broward County’s newest park, Broward Central Regional Park, will host its first Major League Soccer sporting event. The Colorado Rapids will take on the Real Salt Lake Friday, February 22 beginning at 7:30 p.m. at the Broward Central Regional Park, 3700 N.W. 11th Place, in Lauderhill.

Following the game will be an autograph session, featuring star players Pablo Mastroeni, Kyle Beckerman, Nick Rimando, Andy Williams, Jeff Cassar, Robin Frazier, and Coach Fernando Ciavijo.

Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for youths under age 18. Tickets will be available at the gate. For more information, call 954-321-1170.

Federal Update Affecting Cities

Federal Legislation
The House moved quickly to pass the "Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act of 2008" (HR 5140), a $146 billion package aimed at jump-starting the nation's lagging economy. The bill was introduced and passed through the chamber in less than 24 hours after intense behind the scenes negotiations between the chamber's leadership and the White House. The Senate took up the legislation later in the week but made it clear that they would consider a larger, more expansive bill than the one that passed the House. Members of the Senate have said they may consider adding funds for state and local governments when their version of the bill reaches the chamber floor, which is expected to happen shortly.

Although the bills do not contain any direct grants to cities and towns, both bills provide a limited measure of assistance to stimulate the housing market. The bills would temporarily increase the size of individual mortgages that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored mortgage finance institutions, could purchase, as well as the size of mortgages that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) could insure. Under the House bill, the limit for Fannie and Freddie would be increased to $729,750 from $417,000, and the limit for FHA would be increased to $633,500 from $362,000. The goals of these provisions are to help increase mortgage capital in the housing market and to encourage lenders to increase mortgage refinancing options available to homeowners struggling to refinance high-interest adjustable-rate subprime loans and avoid foreclosure. Each bill also gives investment incentives to businesses, although the details differ.

Details of what else may be added to the Senate bill are still up in the air. The House-passed bill would cost $145.9 billion in 2008. The competing Senate package would cost at least $10 billion more-and could increase if additional proposals are added when the bill reaches the Senate floor.

The Foreclosure Crisis
National and Federal Resources Aid Response to the Home Foreclosure Crisis Recent reports indicate that overall foreclosure activity increased by 75 percent in 2007 with last December marking the fifth straight month that more than 200,000 foreclosure filings were reported nationally.

The following is a list of foreclosure mitigation resources to help local elected officials help their constituents:

* HOPE NOW
HOPE NOW is a voluntary alliance of housing counselors, mortgage lenders and servicers, investors, and other mortgage market participants who are coordinating efforts to reach out and assist homeowners in distress. The U.S. Departments of the Treasury and Housing and Urban Development formed an alliance that includes such lenders as Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, Countrywide, and Bank of America, as well as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. HOPE NOW operates a nation-wide helpline, 1-888-995-HOPE, that places homeowners in contact with qualified housing counselors. More information on HOPE NOW can be found on their website at http://www.hopenow.com/.

* The Homeownership Preservation Foundation
The Homeownership Preservation Foundation is a nonprofit participant in the HOPE NOW alliance that partners with local governments, nonprofit organizations, borrowers and lenders to help families overcome obstacles that can result in the loss of their homes. Through the foundation's website, http://www.995hope.org/, homeowners can access online housing counseling sessions.

* NeighborWorks America
NeighborWorks America and its network of 240 local organizations have been at the forefront of efforts to preserve homeownership and sustain communities in the face of rising foreclosures. Last December, NeighborWorks launched a $180 million program with funds appropriated by Congress to increase the availability of foreclosure counseling services across the country. In addition, NeighborWorks has partnered with the Ad Council to create a national public service awareness campaign that is available for any community. Foreclosure resources offered by NeighborWorks can be found at: www.nw.org/network/foreclosure/default.asp.

* Department of Housing and Urban Development
The HUD website offers a number of foreclosure resources. HUD provides tips for avoiding foreclosure at www.hud.gov/foreclosure/index.cfm . In addition, a list of HUD-approved housing counselors by state can be found at http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/hcs.cfm. Finally, HUD, through the Federal Housing Administration, has implemented a new program called FHASecure that gives credit-worthy homeowners, who were making timely mortgage payments before their loans reset but are now in default, a second chance with a FHA insured loan refinancing product. Details about FHA Secure can be found at http://www.fha.gov/.

* The Federal Reserve
The Federal Reserve is the nation's banking and monetary regulator, and as such, is responsible for supervising the mortgage finance system. The Federal Reserve offers a list of foreclosure resources across several different federal agencies at www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/foreclosure/default.htm. In addition, they offer a Consumer Handbook on Adjustable-Rate Mortgages at www.federalreserve.gov/consumerinfo/default.htm. Finally, consumers can file a complaint against any federally-chartered bank if they think their lender was unfair, misleading, or discriminatory, or if the consumer suspects their mortgage loan violated federal regulations, by visiting http://www.federalreserveconsumerhelp.gov/, or calling the Federal Reserve, toll-free, at 1-888-851-1920.

* ACORN
The national non-profit ACORN Housing has been providing free housing counseling to low and moderate income homebuyers since 1987. ACORN operates HUD-certified, Fannie Mae-approved housing counseling offices across the United States. ACORN Housing provides one-on-one mortgage loan counseling, first-time homebuyer classes, and helps clients obtain affordable mortgages through unique lending partnerships. More information on ACORN, including a checklist of good loan practices and warning signs of a predatory loan can be found at www.acornhousing.org/TEXT/predlend.php.

* National Vacant Properties Campaign
The National Vacant Properties Campaign exists to provide everyone - individuals, advocates, agencies, developers, non-profits, and others - with information resources, tools, and assistance to support their vacant property revitalization efforts. Although the campaign is not a resource for homeowners struggling to prevent foreclosure, it is a good resource for local leaders that need to address the vacant housing that arises from foreclosure. Information can be found at http://www.vacantproperties.org/.


Sen. Dodd Outlines Housing Agenda for Reminder of Year
Last week, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, outlined an ambitious housing agenda for the remainder of the 110th Congress. Sen. Dodd announced that he would seek a significant increase in the CDBG program, up to $10 billion, to allow local governments to purchase foreclosed housing to rehabilitate and resell, to use as rental housing or to demolish and bank the land for future development needs. He also announced his intentions to unveil a proposal to create a Homeownership Preservation Corporation that would purchase mortgages from lenders and investors that are at risk of foreclosure and provide those borrowers with new, affordable mortgages. According to Dodd, this proposal would need initial appropriations of $10 to $20 billion. Other legislative proposals Sen. Dodd's committee will consider include bills to reform the Federal Housing Administration and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac permanently; reform the mortgage finance system and crack down on predatory lending; and reauthorize federal homeless assistance programs.

Senate Committee Holds Hearing on California-EPA Decision
Appearing before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee last week, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Stephen Johnson vigorously defended his rejection of California's effort to regulate vehicle emissions and maintained that politics did not play a role in the decision. Johnson's comments did little to assuage the overwhelmingly Democratic group of lawmakers who appeared at the hearing and repeatedly charged that the decision appeared to have little basis in existing law.

On the same day as the hearing, Sen. Boxer (D-CA) introduced S. 2555, a bill directing the Administrator of the EPA to grant California's request for the waiver, which will allow California to implement its greenhouse gas emissions standards for motor vehicles. The waiver will also permit other states to adopt California's emissions standards.

Last December the EPA rejected a waiver request from California to require new cars to achieve 36 mpg by 2016, four years sooner than what is required under the recently enacted federal energy law. California's law calls for even deeper cuts beyond 2016.

A total of 18 states, representing 45 percent of the nation's auto market, have either adopted or pledged to implement California's proposed tailpipe emissions rules. Fifteen of those states have joined California in a suit against the EPA.

Advertise In The New Chamber Directory

Notes of the Commission Meeting of January 28

On January 28, the Commission held its regular commission meeting, and the following matters of interest were discussed and acted upon:

FIRST READING:

1) Passed adding a new category for Family Home Day Care with a $50 local business tax.

2) Passed purchasing property at 3801 NW 4th Street for $350,000, to be added to a new park being developed in Broward Estates.

SECOND READING:

1) Passed establishing guidelines for location and relocation of public transit amenities.

RESOLUTIONS:

1) Passed approving a partnership between Royal Caribbean Cruises, the city and KAPOW.

2) Passed approving the interlocal agreement to obtain, by using the County Parks Bond funds, 4 acres of property at NW 31st Avenue and 16th Street, to be used as a green space.

3) Approved transfer $39,805 of CDBG funds to Community Shuttle Bus Transportation Program.

4) Approved a bid of $2,440,000 for construction of Pump Station Basin B.

5) Approved use of federal forfeiture funds of $132,000 for use of purchasing a special response team vehicle.

6) Approved an agreement between the city and La Mirage HOA for local traffic control and public safety.

QUASI-JUDICIAL MATTERS:

1) RESOLUTION NO. 08R-01-21, requesting to approve amending the Special Exception Use of Sembler Company, on property on Commercial Blvd. (at the old movie theatre), to allow a restaurant drive in to have extended operational hours then previously granted to them. Previously, the hours start at 10 AM, and the request was to make it 6:30 AM, with the elimination of Sunday hours altogether.

This item was tabled from the prior meeting to afford an opportunity to interested parties to work out a solution to the situation. Issues were concerning having a 10' wall installed (only a 8' wall is required by code), and the hours of operation.

Sembler offered installing a 10' wall along the entire length if they can have a 6:30 opening time Monday thru Saturday. If they are required to open at 7 AM, then they will only install a few areas of the wall to be 10', and it would have an curve on the wall like a wave. It would give some relief to some of the homes, but not to all of the homes. Residents were accepting of the 10' wall, but were concerned about the opening time. They would prefer 7 AM, which the applicant did not agree to.

Because of the need of the 10' wall for the length of the property, several residents supported the application, but they would have preferred a 7 AM opening time for the drive up. The Commission voted to approve the application being it satisfied the requirements of the code, and that the need of the 10' wall for the length of the property was a definite need for all the adjoining residents.

Lauderhill's Annual Retreat

On February 8, 9 AM to 4 PM, at the Inverrary Country Club, the City of Lauderhill will hold its Annual Retreat. The Annual Retreat serves as the city's first meeting of 2008 to help shape the budget for 2008-9 and to set long term priorities for the city. It is expected the city will discuss the future of the city's financial condition, taking into account the economy, dropping property values, the passing of the new homestead/portability constitutional amendment, and state budget revenue sharing shortfall to cities. All of these issues are financially having a negative affect upon city revenues. Future programing and services are also topics that are likely to be reviewed to determine how Lauderhill will respond to the signficantly reduced revenues.