Green Series – “Local Benefits of a Community Garden”

Hosted by Vice Mayor Ken Thurston

Thursday, November 7 (6 pm – 7:30 pm)

City Hall Multi Purpose Rooms

Veterans Day Program

Hosted by Commissioner M. Margaret Bates

Thursday, November 7 (4 pm)

Veterans Park 

Successful County Toilet Rebate Program Begins its Third Consecutive Year

Over the past two years, the Broward Water Partnership, a collaboration of local governments, has provided more than $344,000 in rebates for replacing more than 3,700 outdated, water- guzzling toilets. Now, beginning its third year, many Broward County residents will once again have the opportunity to save money by replacing their old inefficient toilets with new high-efficiency models.

If your home was built prior to 1994, your toilet may be the original, making you eligible to participate and receive up to $100 in rebates per toilet for the purchase and installation of up to two new water-saving models. The goal is to replace toilets that use more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush with a new, WaterSense® certified, high-efficiency model that uses 1.28 gallons per flush or less.

Broward County and 18 cities and water utilities, including Lauderhill, have partnered to help residents obtain rebates and conserve water when they purchase a new, high-efficiency toilet. The Broward Water Partnership is offering rebates to qualified homeowners through its Conservation Pay$ program.

Some residents will also be eligible to receive free low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads. The older the original fixture, the greater the potential water savings, as much as 70 – 90 percent, depending on the device.

The thousands of residents who have replaced their old toilets and installed other water saving devices have helped our community save more than 165 million gallons of water annually over the life of the program!

Commercial and multifamily properties, along with nonprofit organizations, are also eligible, with the total number of allowable rebates determined on a case-by-case basis. High efficiency prerinse spray valves are available for commercial kitchens. Each replacement can save up to 400,000 gallons per year, the equivalent of 27 residential swimming pools. All participants must be pre-approved and other restrictions apply.

To see if your community is participating, visit ConservationPay$.com or call 1-800-270-9794 for more information.

Green Series – “Fertilizers: Organic or Chemical?”

Hosted by Vice Mayor Ken Thurston

Thursday, October 24 (6 pm – 7:30 pm)

City Hall Multi Purpose Rooms

Two Lauderhill Elementary Schools Get Funding for Magnet Programs

The School Board of Broward County has received a $11.9 million federal grant to create and expand on magnet programs.  Two of the programs under this grant will be at Royal Palm Elementary and Broward Estates Elementary.

Royal Palm Elementary will use these funds to create a new STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) program, and Broward Estates Elementary will add Engineering studies to its existing program.  

Both of these schools feed into Lauderhill 6-12 Lab which is a STEM magnet which is a requirement to get the grant.

Since the schools are underenrolled, other students outside the boundary lines of these schools can apply in December.  However, those within the boundary lines will automatically be eligible to attend. 

Greater Fort Lauderdale National College Fair – October 23

Students can register online at Browardschools.com/collegefair

        College-bound students and their families will be able to meet representatives from over 200 colleges and universities from around the country at the Greater Fort Lauderdale National College Fair, which takes place at the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center on Wednesday, October 23, 2013, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 5 – 8:30 p.m.  Sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) and hosted by the Southern Association for College Admission Counseling (SACAC) and Broward County Public Schools, the college fair. The Convention Center requires visitors to the College Fair to present ID. Parking fee is $5.

        As the process of applying to and selecting a college becomes more and more competitive and complex, students and parents need all the help and information they can get. Attending a college fair is the best way to gather information about colleges and universities. The National College Fair program provides valuable resources for students and parents attempting to navigate the college-admission process.

        The college fair allows students and parents to meet one-on-one with admission representatives from a wide range of national and international, public and private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Participants will learn about admission requirements, financial aid, course offerings, and campus environment, as well as other information pertinent to the college-selection process. At the fair’s counseling center, students and parents can discuss their individual needs with college experts. Students with special needs will be able to learn about programs and services at colleges and universities for students with disabilities.

        Evening workshops will cover such topics as Financial Aid and the Bright Future Scholarship Program, Highly Competitive Colleges, Hot Jobs and Majors in the 21st Century and Preparing Your NCAA Athlete. Translators will also be available.

“The resources and opportunities that the National College Fair provides for students and their families are invaluable,” said Greg Ferguson, NACAC Director of National College Fairs Programs and Services.

        

        For registration, information and a schedule of evening information workshops, visit (browardschools.com/collegefair). Students are encouraged to register prior to attending the event. By pre-registering, students can print a barcode or use a QR code if they have a smart phone. With this code, students will be able to place themselves on the mailing lists for specific schools. They will also be able to inform these schools of their personal interests and intended majors.

        If you have questions about the Greater Fort Lauderdale National College Fair, contact College Fair Chair Ralph Aiello at 754-321-2119.

City of Lauderhill Commission and Broward County Commission Meet to Discuss Resolving Dispute over Annexation

On October 3, at the Central Regional Park, both Commissions of the City of Lauderhill and Broward County, met to discuss the possibility of how to resolve an ongoing dispute concerning the Annexation of St. George, Swap Shop and West Ken Lark in 2005.

At the time of Annexation, Agreements and other discussions had taken place to provide for the transfer of county assets to the City of Lauderhill.  A dispute developed as to the transfer of the water and sewer system.  To date, though the residents in these areas are in Lauderhill, their water and sewer is controlled by Broward County.  

The City of Lauderhill authorized the implementation of legal action to settle these disputes.  Under Chapter 164, before proceeding in Court, Florida Law requires the Staffs meeting to discuss settlement, followed by the Elected Bodies of each government to meet to discuss settlement.  If no agreement is met, then the parties must enter in Mediation.  Following Mediation, if no settlement is obtain, then Lauderhill may then proceed in Court.

On October 3 the two Commissions met and several proposals were given by both sides, but neither side could agree to a settlement.  It was decided that the respective Staff's would continue to discuss resolution for an additional 60 days (ending approximately December 3).  If still unsuccessful, then it is declared no agreement could be obtain and they would continue onto Mediation.

Ultimately the City Commission has already advised that they will proceed to litigation if the settlement discussions do not result in a agreeable solution.

BROWARD COUNTY TRANSIT BUS OPERATOR OPENINGS

Broward County Transit is currently seeking qualified applicants for bus operator positions. Required and
preferred skills along with employment benefits are:

BENEFITS
• Paid Training
• Annual Vacation and Sick Leave
• Medical Coverage and Retirement

SALARY
• $14.41 - $23.54 hourly
• $29,972.80 - $48,963.20 annually
(excluding overtime)

REQUIREMENTS
• Must enjoy working with people
• High School Diploma, GED, or previous transit operator experience
• Minimum 3 years driving experience
• Meet Driving Record Criteria and able to perform essential functions
• Willingness to work varied work schedules including nights, weekends, and holidays
• Must successfully complete job related tests and relevant training
• Knowledge of Florida and local motor vehicle regulations
• Good communication skills
• Ability to serve the public and fellow employees with honesty and integrity
• CDL class “B” with airbrake and “P” endorsement or Learner Permit
• Able to pass drug and alcohol test and criminal background check

HOW TO APPLY:
• Apply online at the County’s web site www.Broward.org/Careers
• Select “Job Titles” category
• Enter “bus operator” in the job title box (be sure to include quotes) and click “Search”
• Click on “Bus Operator”
• Job details will appear
• Click on “Apply” at the bottom of page
• Click “Register” to create a user name and password
• Follow application instructions and “Submit”

You may also visit the Broward County testing center at the Governmental Center located at:
115 S. Andrews Avenue, Room 509, Fort Lauderdale, FL

Libraries Host Free Affordable Care Act Information Sessions

Public invited to how-to workshops on health-care program basics and enrollment. 

Need information on your healthcare insurance options for 2014? Broward County Libraries will host a series of free Affordable Care Act workshops, presented by the League of Women voters and AARP.

The workshops will run from October 2 through November 16 at Broward County Library locations throughout the county. Each includes a PowerPoint presentation, informational hand-outs and a Q&A session. All workshops are free and open to the public.

Affordable Care Act 101 – Workshop Dates and Locations In the Lauderhill Area:
October 5 -11 a.m. to 12 noon, Lauderhill Towne Centre Library, 6399 W. Oakland Park Blvd.,Lauderhill, FL 33313, 954-357-6406
October 9 - 6 to 7 p.m., African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311, 954-357-6282
October 17 -11 a.m. to 12 noon, Lauderdale Lakes Library, 3580 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes, 33311, 954-357-8650
October 24 - 11 a.m. to 12 noon, Lauderhill Mall Library, 4257 N.W. 12 St., Lauderhill, FL 33313, 954-357-7833
October 28 -11 a.m. to 12 noon, Tamarac Library, 8701 W. Commercial Blvd., Tamarac, FL 33351, 954-765-1500

Stakeholders Meetings at Broward Estates Elementary and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Elementary

In preparation for the submission of State Options plans for Priority Schools, there will be several community meetings in conjunction with the school's SAC meeting.  District personnel will be involved with presenting information regarding the option plans that the school will choose for the 2014/15 school year.  

Schools have been asked to vigorously reach out to their stakeholders for their involvement and presence at these meetings.   The schools, dates, and time are listed below:

Broward Estates Elementary - 6:00pm - October 3 (Thursday)

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary - 6:00pm - October 21 (Monday)