FEBRUARY 2013
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Legacies Are Born Out Of Cost And Sacrifice By Mayor Eric H. Jones Jr.
In City Government
WHO’S WHO
In historical terms, a legacy is something handed down from one period of time to another. Legacies are, more or less, what we remember about a person, a people, or a nation. What is done in one period of time may, in the future, be regarded as important enough to be thought of as a legacy from that era. Each year we celebrate many legacies of various people and national occurrences remembered because of the impact that was made on humankind. February is a month that we celebrate the legacy of a people. What is called Black History Month originated in 1926, founded by Carter G Woodson as Negro History Week. The month of February was selected in deference to Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln who were both born in that month. The son of a slave, Carter G Woodson was born in New Canton, Virginia on December 19, 1875. He began high school at the age of 20 and proceeded to study at Berea College, the University of Chicago, the Sorbonne, and Harvard University, where he earned a Ph.D. in 1912. Carter G Woodson founded the Association
WEST
Mayor Eric H. Jones, Jr.
for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 to train Black historians and to collect, preserve, and publish documents on Black life and Black people. He also founded the Journal of Negro History (1916), Associated Publishers (1922), and the Negro Bulletin (1937). Woodson spent his life working to educate people about the vast contributions made by Black men and women throughout history. Woodson died on April 3, 1950, and Black History Month is his legacy. Today Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by Black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans bin U.S. history. Other countries around the world, including Canada, and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating black history. Each of us, regardless of our vocation and degree of influence that we have in our home, city, state, or nation, are called to practice what I call "charity towards our fellowman." God tells us that when we are stirred by charity and commitment to the common good we have a greater worth than any secular or political stand. Dr. Martin Luther King was one that lived and left behind a legacy. We
PARK
Vice Mayor Felicia M. Brunson
The City of West Park Commission and Staff Celebrated 2013 City Cultural Diversity Month.
remember him because he lived and died standing for the common good. He was not neutral in situations of injustice. He chose the side of the oppressed. Dr. King left a legacy not only to be remembered but one to be followed. Each year as we celebrate legacies we can leave speaking of Doing Good, or we can Do Good. I quote Dr. King when he said, “Our lives begin to end the day
CITY
Commissioner Thomas Dorsett
we become silent about things that matter.” Our city has a legacy in its own right. From our inception until today we have made numerous strives toward a better city each year. Listed below are just a few from the year of 2012.
OFFICIALS
Commissioner Sharon Fyffe
,
––––––––––See LEGACIES page 3
Commissioner Rita Peaches Mack
City Manager W. Ajibola Balogun
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LEGACIES, from page 1 ––––––––––– By Mayor Eric H. Jones Jr.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS 2012
OF
• Completed the codification of our ordinances, thus making the City’s policies available worldwide, via the Internet. • With the continuation of dedicated services to our residents and businesses, we were successful in increasing the number of businesses in the City, thus generating 15% increase in businesses tax revenue. • Worked with the County’s Supervisor of Elections office in administering a successful city election. • Successfully dedicated State Road 7 (Federal Highway 441) as West Park Boulevard from County Line to Pembroke Road. • Completed McTyre Park Master Plan. • Completed construction design plans for the bus shelters and bus benches along Pembroke Road and Hallandale Beach Boulevard.
• Completed Traffic Calming studies for Areas “A” and “B.”. • Completed Traffic Calming Phase 1 construction along Ronald Road, Sutton Road, and Harvard Road. • Commenced Traffic Calming Study for Area “C.”. • Completed the installation of safety surface for McTyre Parks' playground. • Completed construction design plans for Martin Luther King Jr. (SW 56 Avenue) Improvements. • Completed storm water drainage system maintenance. • Implemented the Red Light Camera Program. • Implemented the Nuisance Abatement Program. • Commenced The Code Enforcement Liens and Fines Amnesty Program. • Completed the construction of the City’s Welcome Sign along Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, just north of County-line Road. • Successfully negotiated law enforcement service agreements for a reduction in expenses for the 2012-13 Fiscal Year. • Successfully implemented all the City’s events and programs, to include: • Mary Kendrick Thanksgiving Feed
The Needy Feast • Holiday Toy Drive • Earth Day/Recycling Program • Mother’s Day Breakfast • Father’s Day Picnic • Relay for Life • Bahamian Independence/Goombay Festival • Summer Camp (Camp Bravery) • Senior Program • Established West Park Football & Cheerleading Program • Established the Youth Advisory Council • We secured approximately half a million dollars ($500,000) in grants and donations for the following projects and programs: • Recycling Program • Outdoor Fitness Equipment at the Park • Security Cameras Installation at the Parks • McTyre Park Tot Lot Safety Surface • McTyre Park Parking Lot Drainage Improvements • Construction of The City’s Welcome Sign along SW 56 Avenue • Neighborhood Traffic Calming Study Area “C” • Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
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(SW 56th Ave.) Improvement Construction Cost. We have come a long way and still have a ways to go. With a successful past behind us and a committed Commission, staff, and your support we will go farther as long as we are willing to continue to pay the price. Cost and self-sacrifice do not make something hard. Nobody feels sorry for the athlete who wins an Olympic medal, even though the person paid an incredible price through grueling effort behind the scenes, denying himself or herself certain things, probably for several years, all for one hopeful brief moment of glory. There are costs and self-sacrifice to be made, but that does not mean it is hard to achieve your goal. Hard is when you compete but never win, invest but lose everything, work but receive nothing for your efforts, and show love, but receive hate in return. When we compare our costs and self-sacrifices as a city what we have already received and will receive in return, the costs and selfsacrifices are insignificant!
GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR CITY
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Remembrance By Vice Mayor Felicia M. Brunson
The City of West Park is proud to celebrate Black History Month this February. We are in celebratory remembrance of the millions of countless contributions of African descendants whose labor and sacrifices in education, music, science/technology, arts /entertainment, politics and social consciousness add to the making of this great nation. During this month, the world and this city pause and absorb the tremendous plight and journey of a people, whose history begins with slavery, was devastated by segregation, and had to seek justice in a courthouse for their rights and equality. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King wrote, “It is necessary to understand that black power is a cry of disappointment. The black power slogan did not spring full grown from the head of some philosophical Zeus. It was born from the wounds of despair and disappointment. It is a cry of daily hurt and persistent pain.� Let us not forget that the civil rights movement was required, that Dr. King and many others were not just a symbol for African Americans facing the ugly tyrannies of oppression and segregation, that freedom does cost, that ignorance can only be overcome through knowledge, and that change without action is merely a six letter word. West Park we must become more diverse, it is important to set aside time to acknowledge and educate others on the contributions and diverse abilities of people within our city, while at the same time, reminding ourselves of our rich heritage and promising future.
The time upon us is for the individual and collective rise as an organized force against the echoes and tones of separatism, unemployment, educational failure and poverty. Have we heard the alarm of a deeply troubled economy, can we now bear arms against ignorance and indifference rather than man to man? Can we raise the volume of the often faint whispers about lives lost to unnecessary gun violence, homelessness and foreclosed dreams and hopes? The month of February is the time set aside nationally to celebrate black history and culture. But we are not simply restricted to the shortest month of the year to celebrate our heritage. Our story is a long and growing one and can't possibly be compacted to just 28 days. So create traditions, establish times to gather, share the stories and the songs before they are lost. We therefore must declare that 2013 will not be another cycle, without the dialogue of economic empowerment, that the days of the typical black history month will in fact be a point of liberation from the still painful history. It's important to remember for when the children ask, "What do these things mean?" we can proudly respond. It’s important to remember because, the eyes of the future are looking back at us and they are praying for us to see beyond our own time. They are kneeling with hands clasped that we might act. That we might leave room for remembrance of the life that is destined to come. Remember to contact me at City Hall with your ideas, suggestions or concerns. I represent you and appreciate your input into the continued success of our beloved city. I can be reached at (954) 889-4164 or email fbrunson@cityofwestpark.org.
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CERTIFICATE OF USE:
Purpose and Process By Sarah Sinatra
Planning Department Manager
Prior to opening any business in the City of West Park, a Certificate of Use must be obtained. The Certificate of Use assures that the business is allowed in the zoning district where it is located. It also verifies that the structure was built for the proposed type of business. Businesses must also have a Local Business Tax Receipt. The Certificate of Use allows for the occupancy of the structure as well as certifying that the use is permitted. However, the Local Business Tax is a tax on the business activity. After a Certificate of Use has been issued, a business may apply for the Local Business Tax Receipt. In order to receive a Certificate of Use, business owners may submit a Certificate of Use application to the City of West Park. Prior to the formal submittal of the application, the City offers a courtesy, no charge, zoning review. The purpose of this review is to determine if the use is permitted prior to the applicant investing in the property or signing a lease. This is not mandatory and is only a benefit to the potential business owner. The application is first reviewed for compliance with relevant
zoning regulations by the Planning and Zoning Department. If the application meets zoning requirements, the Building Department and Fire Department will review the application and inspect the property to ensure building and fire codes are met. If the application passes Building and Fire Department reviews and inspections, the Certificate of Use is issued. Once the Certificate of Use is issued, the property owner can apply for a Business Tax Receipt. If the application does not pass Building and Fire Department review and inspection, the Certificate of Use process goes on hold. The applicant may then apply for a building permit to correct deficiencies. The building permit application is reviewed by the Planning and Zoning Department for compliance with relevant zoning regulations. The Building and Fire Departments also review the application and performs inspections. If the building permit is approved, the Certificate of Use may be issued. Once the Certificate of Use is issued, the applicant may apply for a Business Tax Receipt. An application for the Certificate of Use may be found on the City’s website at www.cityofwestpark.org.
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