WEST
PARK
CITY
OFFICIALS
MARCH 2013
www.communitynewspapers.com
WHO’S WHO In City Government
305-669-7355
YOU WIN OR LOSE BASED ON WHAT YOU CHOOSE By Mayor Eric H. Jones Jr.
Mayor Eric H. Jones, Jr.
Vice Mayor Felicia M. Brunson
Commissioner Thomas Dorsett
Commissioner Sharon Fyffe
Commissioner Rita “Peaches” Mack
City Manager W. Ajibola Balogun
Every four years, the world’s attention turns to the summer Olympic Games. For a few days, men, and women from around the globe gather to compete against the best. Amazing records are broken, and new ones are set at these games. Just a few decades ago, track-and-field experts proudly declared that no runner could break the four-minute-mile barrier. It was said that a human being could not run that distance that fast. "Experts" conducted all sorts of profound studies to show it was impossible to beat the four-minute barrier, and for years, they were right. Nobody ever ran a mile in less than four minutes but one-day a young man came along who did not believe the experts’ opinions. He did not dwell on the impossibilities. He refused to let all those negative words form a stronghold in his mind. He began to train, believing he was going to break that record. Sure enough, he went out one-day and broke the fourminute-mile barrier. He did what the experts said could not be done. His name was Roger Bannister, and he made sports history. Now here is what is so interesting about the Roger Bannister story. Within a month, the Australian runner John Landy had broken Bannister’s record, but Bannister had the satisfaction of beating Landy at that summer’s British Empire Games in Vancouver. In a race billed as "The Mile of the Century," both runners beat the four-minute time, but Bannister came in first at 3:58.8 to Landy’s 3:59.6. Within 10 years after Roger Bannister broke that record, 336 other runners had broken the four-minutemile record as well! Think about that. For hundreds of years, as far back as
Broward County Vice Mayor Barbara Sharief presented a $2,000.00 Grant Check to the City of West Park for the City’s Holiday Events.
statisticians kept track-and-field records, nobody ran a mile in less than four minutes; then, within a decade, more than three hundred people from various geographic locations were able to do it. What happened? Simple, the barrier to running a four-minute mile was in the athletes’ minds. For all those years, runners believed what the experts were saying. They were convinced that it was impossible to run a mile in less than four minutes. ROBER BANNISTER IGNORED THE BARRIERS … In life there are statements that can encourage and statements that discourage, I call them “basement and balcony statements.” Basement statements are the discouraging reports that cause us to question our ability. They may be accounts from our past, or present, but the words go with us everywhere we go. They are the negative thoughts that influence in our lives and the words go something like this: "You can't do that." "That's a stupid thing to do." "When are
you going to get it right?" "You will never get it right." "You will never amount to anything." Basement statements divert us from our hopes and dreams. They constantly point out what is wrong, rather than what is right. In contrast to them are the "Balcony Statements." They are reports full of encouragement and cheer us on. They encourage us to be courageous and determined. They thoughts that settle in the balcony of our minds like a home team cheering section, saying, "You can do it." "We believe in you." "You are special to us." Balcony Statements are the great encouragers in our lives, and we all need them! As a city we have had both. The question we had to answer was will we be guided by statements from the basement or statements from the balcony. Will we be a basement or balcony guided City? The choice was
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WIN OR LOSE, from page 1 ––––––––––– ours to make. Years ago I picked up a poem named "The Choice." I do not know where I got it nor the author, but it illustrates the importance of building up. This poem raises the question of whether we will "tear down or build up."
"I watched some men tearing a building down, a group of men in my home town. With a heave and a ho and a mighty yell, They swung the ball and a side wall fell. And I said to the foreman, "Are these men skilled, the type you’d hire if you want to build?" And he smiled, then laughed and said, "No indeed, common laborer is all I need. For we can tear down in a day or two, what it took a builder years to do." As I turned, I shook my head, I knew there was truth in what he said.
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And I thought to myself as I walked away, which of these roles am I going to play? Am I a builder as I work with care, measuring life by the rule and square? Am I shaping my deeds to a welllaid plan, carefully doing the best I can? Or am I a wrecker as I walk the town, content with the labor of tearing down?” There are many signs that attest to the fact that we live in a Balcony City. Let us continue moving forward as we build for the future. As we prepare for Spring, remember that it teaches us one on many things and that is, “what appears lifeless on the surface is still alive beneath and when the conditions are right the life will reappear on the surface
GOD BLESS AMERICA, GOD BLESS OUR CITY AND GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
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One Community, One CauseWalking for Cures! By Vice Mayor Felicia M. Brunson
Visions of Images, Inc. will present One Community, One Cause- Walking for Cures taking place at McTyre Park located 3501 SW 56th Ave in West Park on Friday, April 12th beginning at 7pm thru Saturday, April 13th at 7am. Unlike any other event, the 12-hour One Community, One Cause- Walking for Cures event will bring people together in a healthy environment for a worthy goal- to Empower, Educate, Advocate and FUNDRAISE for the following: Alzheimer’s, Autism, Cancer, Diabetes, Heart disease, HIV/AIDS, and Sickle Cell Anemia. The One Community, One CauseWalking for Cures will be fun for families and will build camaraderie among surrounding communities. It will provide hope, empowerment and a sense of community. Participation will show your commitment to the larger scale movement to conquer Alzheimer’s, Autism, Cancer, Diabetes, Heart disease, HIV/AIDS, and Sickle Cell Anemia. Funds raised will support research that will help those living with the above ailments to look forward to longer, healthier lives. In honor of your battle, we invite those survivors and their caregivers to join us in celebration of survivorship by walking the first lap of the One Community, One Cause- Walking for Cures. Your strength and courage are a personal testimony of the progress we are making in our fight. One person, hand in hand with another, can make a difference. When the sun goes down, hundreds of L.I.F.E. (Love Is For Everyone) bags will light the way under the stars, and a moment of silence falls during the Ceremony of L.I.F.E. Each bag will represent a person with a name and a story to tell. We invite you to participate in this moving ceremony as we gather to remember those lost, support those fighting, and rejoice with those who have fought the disease and won. Here are the facts.... Diabetes: Each year more than 15,000 children and 15,000 adults - approximately 80 people per day will be diagnosed with type
1 diabetes. AIDS: In Broward county alone 1 in 30 are living with HIV/AIDS. One in 216 are white, 1 in 50 are black and 1 in 190 are Hispanic. South Broward County has the highest accounts of HIV/AIDS. Autism: It affects 1 in 88 children and 1 in 54 boys. More children will be diagnosed with autism this year than AIDS, diabetes and cancer combined. Heart disease: Someone has a heart attack every 34 seconds and every minute someone dies from a heart disease related event. It is the leading cause of deaths for Blacks and Hispanics. Sickle Cell: Nearly 100,000 people live with sickle cell. One out of every 500 African American births and 1 out of every 36,000 Hispanic births have sickle cell. Alzheimers: Today, 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease– 5.2 million aged 65 and over, and 200,000 under the age of 65. Alzheimer’s disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States and every 68 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s. And we all know the alarming facts about Cancer… This year 564,830 Americans are expected to die of cancer, that’s more than 1,500 people a day. Cancer is the second most common cause of death in the US, exceeded only by heart disease. In the US, cancer accounts for 1 of every 4 deaths. Formed in 2005, Visions of Images, Inc. is a non-profit organization that continues to advance the cause of being a caring corporation that volunteers invaluable services, initiatives and opportunities that are directed toward nurturing people from all walks of life. Visions of Images, Inc. is proud to bring the One Community, One CauseWalking for Cures event to McTyre Park as its inaugural event. Everyone has a reason to walk- which one is yours? For sponsorship, L.I.F.E. Bags, survivor registration, vendor, volunteer or general event info please call (954) 963-9687 or log on to www.visionsofimages.org. 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.
March 2013
Honoring our own unsung military heroes
On Saturday, February 9th, the Charmettes Incorporated of Broward County held their Third Annual Cancer Research and Scholarship Fundraiser- A Supper Club Gala. The theme was “Honoring our Unsung Military Heroes.” Three of West Park’s own were honored: Sergeant Vernon Nelson, Corporal JC Hardemon and Sergeant Marvin Price.
Left to Right (Sergeant Vernon Nelson, Corporal JC Hardemo, and Sergeant Marvin Price) By Vice Mayor Felicia M. Brunson
Sergeant Nelson received numerous medals, two Purple hearts and the Army Commendation Medal for Valor. He was honorably discharged in 1968. He married Frankie Whiting in 1973 and today has four children and ten grandchildren. After thirty one years of working at the Post office, Sergeant Nelson retired. He is a current member of the Veterans for Foreign Wars Post 8195. His hobbies are golfing and fishing. In 1942, Corporal JCHardemon joined the 92nd Buffalo Soldier Infantry Division during World War II. This division was re-activated for duty less than a year after Pearl Harbor and was made up almost entirely of Black soldiers from the south. Although his birth name is JC, the military changed it to James Charles. Corporal Hardemon’s military tour included Casablanca, Africa, Rome, Italy and Germany. On the day the Germans surrendered, the 92nd Division had lost almost one-fourth of its men through causalities. Three hundred and thirty had been killed in action, 2,215 wounded and 616 were missing in action. Corporal Hardemon received an Honorable Discharge on January 20, 1946. After his discharge, JC purchased 40 acres of farm land southeast of Plains, GA and donated 5 acres to his family to build a church. In 1949, he met and married the now deceased Carrie Pierce. Wanting a better life for his wife and children, he moved to
Broward County in 1955. In 1957, JC became a Deacon at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church in West Park. Today he is still a Deacon there and attends the West Park Senior Citizen program every day where he was crowned “King” at their annual Prom. At 91 years old, he still takes brief walks and loves to dance. Sergeant Marvin Price was born in a little town in South Georgia known as Marlow. In June of 1968 he joined the United States Air Force. He has served in Japan, Korea and Alabama as a Crew Chief (Jet Engine Mechanic) on F-4 Fighter Jet plans that flew Sorties into Vietnam. He was honorably discharged in October 1974. In January 1972, he moved to West Park where he has been President of the Carver Ranches Homeowners Association for the past 14 years. He is also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8195 and has held numerous positions. Sergeant Price married Betty Young and has been blessed with two children and one grandchild. Today he enjoys his retirement by volunteering with the senior citizens in West Park, golfing, fishing and travelling. Congratulations to our three unsung military heroes of West Park! 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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From the Desk of
Commissioner Fyffe Hello Neighbors, I am sitting in my office listening to the rain pouring down outside. Hooray, Yippee, finally we are getting a much needed downpour. Soon the days will heat up, we will close the windows and turn on the AC. At this time of season, FPL does their FREE Ceiling Insulation Program. FPL will come to your house and insulate your attic to keep your ceilings cool and save energy and money. If you wish to participate in this FPL program, call Mr. Hamilton Hernandez at 305-206-8958 or email him at hamilton.hernandez@fpl.com. Last night the City of West Park’s Green City Advisory Committee met for their February meeting. I would like to introduce you to three members of the City’s Green City Advisory Committee, Chair, Mr. Bill Moritz from the Miami Gardens area, Ms. Karen Goldstein from the Lake Forest area, and Ms. Cristina Eveillard also from the Miami Gardens area. Not Pictured in the photo below is Committee member Ms. Marie Davis from the Lake Forest area. (Pictured Below) These residents are working to bring to our City various programs that can help conserve water, save energy, promote recycling, and much more. You are welcome and encouraged to participate & attend one of the Green Advisory Committee meetings. They meet every second Thursday of every month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. On March 23, 2013 at 8:30 p.m. the Committee will celebrate “Earth Hour”, which is an annual global event where hundreds of millions of households, along
with businesses and municipalities from all over the world will participate by turning off their lights for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. Please join us in celebrating Earth Hour this year. Then on April 22, 2013 the Committee will celebrate Earth Day. “Ever wonder how Earth Day started? The observance arose in 1970 from an interest in gathering national support for environmental issues. San Francisco activist John McConnell and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson separately asked Americans to join in a grassroots demonstration. McConnell chose the spring equinox (March 21st) and Gaylord Nelson chose March 22nd. Millions of people participated and today Earth Day continues to be widely celebrated with events on both dates. The most common practice of celebration is to plant new trees.” The City of West Park each year schedules an event to celebrate Earth Day. This year it will be a Fair on the front lawn of City Hall. Come one, come all. There will be booths and give-a-ways by many of the businesses in our city. Waste Pro Man will be there. Event date & time will be announced in our Community Newspaper. NOTICE: If you are planning on planting a vegetable garden this season, our local businesses just received their displays of garden seeds. It’s a good time to grab what you need before they are gone. We are looking for residents to participate on the Committee for the 2014 MLK Event. The MLK Committee meets on Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. for one hour. We need help to plan the parade, the ceremony, the services and the youth night.
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Storm Drain Cleaning
Storm Drain Cleaning
As part of the City of West Park’s ongoing commitment to manage the stormwater by improving the quality of our surface water while controlling flooding, the City has secured the services of Envirowaste Services Group to provide storm drainage system cleaning services. With over 15 years of experience throughout the state of Florida, Envirowaste is now servicing the City with the latest and most advance storm drain cleaning equipment and methods available. They will continue servicing our stormwater system throughout the Miami Gardens, Carver Ranches and Lake Forrest communities. If you have any questions about our storm drain cleaning program or if you think the drainage structure on your street needs cleaning, please call Mr. Dan Millien, Superintendent of Public Works at 954-964-0284.
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Notice Of Bid Invitation
City Of West Park Bid No.: 13-0318 The City of West Park will receive sealed proposals until 3:00 P.M. local time, Monday, March 18, 2013 at the City Clerk's office, City of West Park City Hall, 1965 South State Road 7, West Park, Florida 33023, for the following project: McTyre Park Parking Lot Drainage Improvements 3501 SW 56th Avenue West Park, Florida 33023 The project consists of removal and reconstruction of existing parking lot for drainage improvements. The new pavements will include parking lot, emergency access entrance; relocation of entrance, two roundabouts, landscape, electrical and other incidental items. The project will impact the western 1.1 acres (approximately) of McTyre Park and is located east of SW 56th Avenue. This is a federally funded project for the 37th year Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). All HUD Federal rules and regulations pertaining to this project are applicable. Federal DavisBacon Wage Rates for work classifications are specified and must be complied with. Fringe benefits must be added to the prevailing hourly rates where applicable. Bidders must comply with Section 3 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 which requires that economic opportunities to the greatest extent feasible be given to low and very low income persons and to businesses that provide economic opportunities for these persons. The City encourages local general contractors and irrigation companies who reside and/or do business within the City of West Park to participate in the bidding process. Bids will be opened publicly at or shortly after 3:05 P.M. on Monday, March 18, 2013 at the City of West Park City Hall, City Commission Chambers,
located at 1965 South State Road 7, West Park, Florida 33023. Bid documents (plans and project manual) may be obtained from www.demandstar.com or from the city’s website www.cityofwestpark.org or from City Hall on or after Tuesday, February 26, 2013. The City of West Park’s City Hall is located at 1965 South State Road 7, West Park, FL 33023. A non-refundable deposit of $100.00 per set of plans and specifications is required for bid documents picked up at City Hall. The bid will be awarded to the lowest responsible responsive bidder. If, however, the City Manager deems it to be in the best interest of the City of West Park, the City Manager reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities or minor defects in any bids, and to increase or decrease the quantities shown in the Bid Form. Bids, which contain irregularities of any kind, may be rejected as informal. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at City of West Park City Hall, City Commission Chamber, 1965 South State Road 7, West Park, Florida 33023, at 11:00 AM, local time on Tuesday, March 12, 2013. All interested contractors are invited to attend. The City of West Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages the participation of certified County Business Enterprise (CBE) contractors. Sarai Lobaina City Clerk
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Barbara Buxton, J.D., LL.M. Florida Attorney Nursing Home Medicaid • Elder Law & Estate Planning Florida Medicaid Planning & Eligibility Asset Protection • Wills, Trusts, Living Wills Powers of Attorney • Guardianships Probate: Estate Administration
Serving Dade, Broward & Palm Beach Counties Tel.: 305.932.2293 Miami-Dade County 954.760.7077 Broward County www.buxtonlaw.com
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WEST PARK CITY EVENTS
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The City’s recent “Extreme Mailbox Makeover” program was a great success. Congratulations to the recipients of the second set of new mailboxes awarded from the “Extreme Mailbox Makeover” contest. During the City Commission Meeting in Wednesday, February 20, 2013, the Commission awarded the last
set of mailboxes from the “Extreme Mailbox Makeover program. The installation of the mailboxes at the homes of the awarded recipients commenced on Thursday, February 28, 2013. The program was funded from a Home Depot Foundation grant that was awarded to the City for a community beautification initiative.
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The City and the Health Foundation of South Florida Installed Fitness Zones at Mary Saunders Park & McTyre Park The City continues to make great strides in ways to improve facilities and services for its residents. In our latest efforts and with the generous grant award from the Health Foundation of South Florida, we have added fitness zones to McTyre and Mary Saunders Parks. The project has also allowed for the addition of an ADA compliant water fountain and walking/exercise trail to Mary Saunders Park. With more than $90 million grant making dollars provided in MiamiDade, Broward, & Monroe Counties since its inception in 1993, The Health Foundation of South Florida worked with the City to help prevent disease and improve health by providing funding for fitness equipment at the City’s parks. The project provides needed enhancements to both parks and is intended to increase the participation of children and adults alike. The project entailed
the excavation of a trail that surrounds the playing fields within the perimeter boundaries of the park offering participants of all ages (children, adults, & seniors) the opportunity to enjoy the trail with full connectivity within the park itself. The fitness zones offer the strength and conditioning necessary to build strong bones and healthy joints for all those who utilize the equipment. The ADA compliant water fountain allows for the necessary accommodations to all park patrons to alleviate the risk of dehydration. A City Commission ribbon-cutting event has been scheduled to take place at Mary Saunders Park (4750 SW 21 Street, West Park, FL 33023) on Saturday, March 23, 2013 beginning at 10:00am with all members of the community welcome to attend. During the event, certified trainers of FIT CAMP who will review the proper technique of how to use each piece of equipment.
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REDUCING & MANAGING STRESS By Kenneth Kronheim, Licensed Psychotherapist
Further Reading: • Excessive Anger Can Be Bad for Your Heart • Anger Danger in Stroke Patients • Death by Angry Outburst • Why Am I So Angry? Tips to Control Your Anger Problem • Being Angry All the Time Hurts Heart • Always Angry? Lungs May Age Faster • Simmer Down Anger to Avoid Injury • See All Anger Management Topics It may seem that there’s nothing you can do about your stress level. The bills aren’t going to stop coming, there will never be more hours in the day for all your errands, and your career or family responsibilities will always be demanding. But you have a lot more control than you might think. In fact, the simple realization that you’re in control of your life is the foundation of stress management. Managing stress is all about taking charge: taking charge of your thoughts, your emotions, your schedule, your environment, and the way you deal with problems. The ultimate goal is a balanced life, with time for work, relationships, relaxation, and fun – plus the resilience to hold up under pressure and meet challenges head on. Identify the sources of stress in your life Learn about hidden sources of stress Stress management starts with identifying the sources of stress in your life. This isn’t as easy as it sounds. Your true sources of stress aren’t always obvious, and it’s all too easy to overlook your own stress-inducing thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Sure, you may know that you’re constantly worried about work deadlines. But maybe it’s your procrastination, rather than the actual job demands, that leads to deadline stress. To identify your true sources of stress, look closely at your habits, attitude, and excuses: • Do you explain away stress as temporary (“I just have a million things going on right now”) even though you can’t remember the last time you took a breather? • Do you define stress as an integral part of your work or home life (“Things are always crazy around here”) or as a part of your personality (“I have a lot of nervous energy, that’s all”).
• Do you blame your stress on other people or outside events, or view it as entirely normal and unexceptional? Until you accept responsibility for the role you play in creating or maintaining it, your stress level will remain outside your control. Look at How You Currently Cope with Stress Think about the ways you currently manage and cope with stress in your life. Your stress journal can help you identify them. Are your coping strategies healthy or unhealthy, helpful or unproductive? Unfortunately, many people cope with stress in ways that compound the problem. Unhealthy Ways of Coping with Stress These coping strategies may temporarily reduce stress, but they cause more damage in the long run: • Smoking • Drinking too much • Overeating or Under eating • Zoning out for hours in front of the TV or computer • Withdrawing from friends, family, and activities • Using pills or drugs to relax • Sleeping too much • Procrastinating • Filling up every minute of the day to avoid facing problems • Taking out your stress on others (lashing out, angry outbursts, physical violence) Learning Healthier Ways to Manage Stress If your methods of coping with stress aren’t contributing to your greater emotional and physical health, it’s time to find healthier ones. There are many healthy ways to manage and cope with stress, but they all require change. You can either change the situation or change your reaction. When deciding which option to choose, it’s helpful to think of the four as: avoid, alter, adapt, or accept. Since everyone has a unique response to stress, there is no “one size fits all” solution to managing it. No single method works for everyone or in every situation, so experiment with different techniques and strategies. Focus on what makes you feel calm and in control. Not all stress can be avoided, and it’s not healthy to avoid a situation that needs to be addressed. You may be surprised, however, by the number of stressors in your life that you can eliminate.
• Learn how to say “no” – Know your limits and stick to them. Whether in your personal or professional life, refuse to accept added responsibilities when you’re close to reaching them. Taking on more than you can handle is a surefire recipe for stress. • Avoid people who stress you out – If someone consistently causes stress in your life and you can’t turn the relationship around, limit the amount of time you spend with that person or end the relationship entirely. • Take control of your environment – If the evening news makes you anxious, turn the TV off. If traffic’s got you tense, take a longer but less-traveled route. If going to the market is an unpleasant chore, do your grocery shopping online. • Avoid hot-button topics – If you get upset over religion or politics, cross them off your conversation list. If you repeatedly argue about the same subject with the same people, stop bringing it up or excuse yourself when it’s the topic of discussion. • Pare down your to-do list – Analyze your schedule, responsibilities, and daily tasks. If you’ve got too much on your plate, distinguish between the “shoulds” and the “musts.” Drop tasks that aren’t truly necessary to the bottom of the list or eliminate them entirely. If you can’t avoid a stressful situation, try to alter it. Figure out what you can do to change things so the problem doesn’t present itself in the future. Often, this involves changing the way you communicate and operate in your daily life. • Express your feelings instead of bottling them up. If something or someone is bothering you, communicate your concerns in an open and respectful way. If you don’t voice your feelings, resentment will build and the situation will likely remain the same. • Be willing to compromise. When you ask someone to change their behavior, be willing to do the same. If you both are willing to bend at least a little, you’ll have a good chance of finding a happy middle ground. • Be more assertive. Don’t take a backseat in your own life. Deal with problems head on, doing your best to anticipate and prevent them. If you’ve got an exam to study for and your chatty roommate just got home, say up front that you only have five minutes to talk. • Manage your time better. Poor time
management can cause a lot of stress. When you’re stretched too thin and running behind, it’s hard to stay calm and focused. But if you plan ahead and make sure you don’t overextend yourself, you can alter the amount of stress you’re under. If you can’t change the stressor, change yourself. You can adapt to stressful situations and regain your sense of control by changing your expectations and attitude. • Reframe problems. Try to view stressful situations from a more positive perspective. Rather than fuming about a traffic jam, look at it as an opportunity to pause and regroup, listen to your favorite radio station, or enjoy some alone time. • Look at the big picture. Take perspective of the stressful situation. Ask yourself how important it will be in the long run. Will it matter in a month? A year? Is it really worth getting upset over? If the answer is no, focus your time and energy elsewhere. • Adjust your standards. Perfectionism is a major source of avoidable stress. Stop setting yourself up for failure by demanding perfection. Set reasonable standards for yourself and others, and learn to be okay with “good enough.” • Focus on the positive. When stress is getting you down, take a moment to reflect on all the things you appreciate in your life, including your own positive qualities and gifts. This simple strategy can help you keep things in perspective. Some sources of stress are unavoidable. You can’t prevent or change stressors such as the death of a loved one, a serious illness, or a national recession. In such cases, the best way to cope with stress is to accept things as they are. Acceptance may be difficult, but in the long run, it’s easier than railing against a situation you can’t change. • Don’t try to control the uncontrollable. Many things in life are beyond our control— particularly the behavior of other people. Rather than stressing out over them, focus on the things you can control such as the way you choose to react to problems. • Look for the upside. As the saying goes, “What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” When facing major challenges, try to look at them as opportunities for personal growth. If your own
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Business Tax Receipts Frequently Asked Questions What is a Local Business Tax? The Business Tax is a tax for the privilege of engaging in or managing any business, profession or occupation within the city limits. In order to operate a business based in the City of West Park, you will need to pay the Business Tax. Whether your business is operated from a commercial location or is homebased, the Business Tax is required pursuant to both local and state laws. Why is it required to have a Business Tax Receipt? Licenses are required for three main purposes: • To identify your business and make sure you are accountable for your actions • To protect the public health and safety • To keep track of your finances for tax purposes What are the benefits for having a Business Tax Receipt?
The City showcases Businesses with current Business Tax Receipt in West Park Newspaper and the City’s website. By having records of the types of businesses in the City, the City is able to seek for and make available incentive for our local businesses. Incentives such as Enterprise zone opportunities. Businesses within the Enterprise zone are able to take advantage of: • EZ Job Tax Credit; • EZ Property Tax Credit; • Building Material Sales Tax Refund; and • Building Equipment Sales Tax Refund. What about Zoning requirements? The City is divided into a variety of commercial and residential zones, which groups similar types of uses together. It is important to check to see if the location you choose allows for the type of business you want to do. You may contact the City Building
Department for courtesy zoning review for your proposed business. How much does a Business Tax Receipt cost? Business Tax Receipt fees vary from one classification to another and many fees are based on variables like "Type of Business" or "cost of inventory." New business tax receipts are prorated if the business starts on or after April 1. The cost is reduced by 50% of the regular fee. Do I need just one business tax receipt for my business? Many businesses operate under more than one of the nearly 200 business tax receipt classifications and are required to have a business tax receipt for each classification. Additionally, each location of a business is considered a separate business and requires separate business tax receipts. When will my business tax receipt expire?
The business tax receipt year is October 1st - September 30th. All business tax receipts expire September 30th. How do I renew my business tax receipt? Renewal courtesy notices are mailed August 1 and are due no later than September 30th of the year, to avoid penalties of up to 25%. Failure to receive a notice is not an excuse for nonpayment. Once your payment is received, your tax receipt will be mailed to you. When you receive your tax receipt it must be posted in a conspicuous place, visible for public inspection. We except Check, Credit Card and Money Order for business tax receipt payments. For further information, please contact the Permit and Account Analyst at 954-989-2688.
REDUCING, from page 18 ––––––––––– poor choices contributed to a stressful situation, reflect on them and learn from your mistakes. • Share your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend or make an appointment with a therapist. Expressing what you’re going through can be very cathartic, even if there’s nothing you can do to alter the stressful situation. • Learn to forgive. Accept the fact that we live in an imperfect world and that people make mistakes. Let go of anger and resentments. Free yourself from negative energy by forgiving and moving on. Beyond a take-charge approach and a positive attitude, you can reduce stress in your life by nurturing yourself. If you regularly make time for fun and relaxation, you’ll be in a better place to handle life’s stressors when they inevitably come. Healthy Ways to Relax and Recharge • Go for a walk. • Spend time in nature. • Call a good friend. • Sweat out tension with a good workout. • Write in your journal. • Take a long bath. • Light scented candles. • Savor a warm cup of coffee or tea. • Play with a pet. • Work in your garden. • Get a massage. • Curl up with a good book. • Listen to music. • Watch a comedy. Don’t get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that you forget to take care of your own needs. Nurturing yourself is a necessity, not a luxury. Why do I need to register or sign in for WebMD to save? We will provide you with a dropdown of all your saved articles when you are registered and signed in.
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Pet Fire Safety Reminder from BSO Fire Rescue Take Safe Measures Before Your Home Is Threatened By District Fire Chief Kenneth Kronheim
Further Reading: • Excessive Anger Can Be Bad for Your Heart • Anger Danger in Stroke Patients • Death by Angry Outburst • Why Am I So Angry? Tips to Control Your Anger Problem • Being Angry All the Time Hurts Heart • Always Angry? Lungs May Age Faster • Simmer Down Anger to Avoid Injury • See All Anger Management Topics It's a fact: a fire could destroy your home at any time, particularly by misuse of space heaters in the winter, or by a natural fire in the summer. Most families have evacuation plans that include their pets. If you haven’t created a plan, consider making one today. To start, check the batteries in your smoke alarms to be sure they’re working. Then designate one human family member who would be responsible for each pet. Other steps to keep your pets safe in case of fire include: Alert Firefighters to Indoor Pets Place a Pet Rescue Fire Safety Sticker in your window. These stickers, which are available free from most pet stores and non-profit humane organizations, stick to your front window and tell firefighters to “Please rescue my pets!” They let fire crews know that you have pets inside the house, how many, and what kind. Since owners are often not home when fires occur, these stickers have saved many pet lives. You can search online non-profit humane organizations to request a free pet emergency sticker. Keep Outdoor Pets Away From Danger Keep pet houses or pens away from brushy areas. Fire departments will warn you to clear dry brush away from your home, but that also applies to your pets. If you have a doghouse or a pen for a rabbit, pot-bellied pig or other outdoor pet, make sure it’s at least 20 feet away from any brush that could possibly
become fuel in a fire. That way, you’ll have time to go out and rescue your pet if such a fire does threaten your property. Always evacuate your pets on a leash or in a pet carrier. Pets will panic at the smell of smoke, and may bolt when outside, making them impossible to find. Locate Your Pet's Hideaway Know their hiding places. Remember, during a fire, your pets will be terrified, and they’ll most likely run to in the places they feel most safe. If you don’t know their common hiding places, you could run out of time to save your friend. Find all the best cubbyholes and niches, map them out on a piece of paper, and include the map in your fire escape plan. Have an Emergency Kit On Hand Prepare an emergency kit for each pet. The kit should contain some of your pet’s food, his veterinary paperwork, prescription medications, if any, and photo/description of your pet. You may have to board your pet at a kennel or other facility until you get settled after a fire, and they will require proof that your pet has current vaccinations. Secure Your Pet during Danger Always evacuate your pets on a leash or in a pet carrier. Just as with fireworks, pets will panic at the smell of smoke, and they may bolt when outside, making them impossible to find. Put your dog on a leash; you can carry a cat in a carrier. Create an Open Access Leave an outside door open. If you must evacuate and can’t find your pet in the house, leave a door open that leads to the outside, and then call the pet’s name once you get out. With luck, he’ll hear you and head for your voice, although this works better for dogs than cats. Be prepared; he’ll be panicked. Be sure to have a designated meeting place near your home for everyone to meet so everyone will be accounted for away from the fire. With a little planning, you can ensure that everyone on two and four legs will be safe in case there is a fire in your home. For more information about pet fire safety, visit the Humane Society.
March 2013
Gun Safety and Responsibility “In an effort to address the problem of rising gun violence in our nation and in our community, the Broward Sheriff’s Office is developing a multifaceted public safety campaign that will focus on reasonable gun control measures, enhanced school safety precautions and responsible gun ownership”. Often times people view me only as the sheriff of Broward County. They seem to forget that I am a father and husband first. My primary responsibility is to protect my family. However, as your sheriff, it is also my responsibility to ensure the very same safety for the citizens of Broward County. I can assure you that the safety of our community is not something I take lightly. Working in law enforcement for over 30 years, I have seen some horrific things. Most recently, I was extremely disturbed by the senseless killings in Newtown, Connecticut and Aurora, Colorado. These despicable tragedies claimed the lives of many innocent people. These incidents are proof that no community is immune from tragedy. Through education, enforcement and safety initiatives, we can try to deter them from happening in our neighborhoods. In an effort to address the problem of rising gun violence in our nation and in our community, the Broward Sheriff’s Office is developing a multifaceted public safety campaign that will focus on reasonable gun control measures, enhanced school safety precautions and responsible gun ownership. I firmly believe that prevention cannot exist without education. As part of this initiative, we will develop an educational program for parents, students and all gun owners to teach safe firearm practices and awareness. Another component of getting guns out of our neighborhoods is the Gun Stoppers program. Often, there are family members or friends who know of someone illegally possessing a firearm, but they don’t know what to do about it. I want you to know that
you can do something and report it anytime – day or night. The Gun Stoppers program is administered by Broward County Crime Stoppers. The tip line number is 954-493-TIPS (8477). Our enforcement efforts on weapons violations will be fierce. We will target not only possession of illegal weapons but also the criminals with a history of violent use of weapons. These people give responsible gun owners a bad name. I fully support legislation to reinstate the federal assault weapons ban. Enforcing a uniform national background check before the sale or transfer of firearms and prohibiting large capacity magazines and armor-piercing bullets are also essential steps in better protecting our communities. The passage of these reasonable restrictions also allows for the protection of our Second Amendment rights for all law-abiding gun owners. As we have all seen, a more aggressive approach to combating gun violence is imperative. I firmly believe that with the implementation of this comprehensive public safety campaign and the development of a national database to track weapons used in the commission of a crime, gun violence and illegal gun ownership in our community is a problem that can be more effectively reduced. Remember, Broward County is your home as well as mine. I encourage each resident to be alert and observant. Always report a crime or information about illegally-owned guns by calling Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477). We all play a part in keeping our community safe.
March 2013
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March 2013
1st Annual Mitzvah Chapter Slot Machine Tournament: Join us for dinner and slot machine tournament to raise funds for Hadassah, a 501(c)(3) organization,which raises funds for Israel,medical research and women's health and social issues. Buffet dinner and slots. 5pm. Sunday, April 14, Mardi Gras Casino 821 N. Federal Highway, Hallandale, FL $ 54 per person. For information and reservation, call Marianne, 305-931-0609
The City and The Health Foundation of South Florida Installed Fitness Zones at Mary Saunders Park & McTyre Park The City continues to make great strides in ways to improve facilities and services for its residents. In our latest efforts and with the generous grant award from the Health Foundation of South Florida, we have added fitness zones to McTyre and Mary Saunders Parks. The project has also allowed for the addition of an ADA compliant water fountain and walking/exercise trail to Mary Saunders Park. With more than $90 million grant making dollars provided in Miami-Dade, Broward, & Monroe Counties since its inception in 1993, The Health Foundation of South Florida worked with the City to help prevent disease and improve health by providing funding for fitness equipment at the City’s parks.
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––––––––––See FITNESS ZONE page 23
March 2013
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FITNESS ZONE, from page 22 ––––––––––– The project provides needed enhancements to both parks and is intended to increase the participation of children and adults alike. The project entailed the excavation of a trail that surrounds the playing fields within the perimeter boundaries of the park offering participants of all ages (children, adults, & seniors) the opportunity to enjoy the trail with full connectivity within the park itself. The fitness zones offer the strength and conditioning necessary to build strong bones and healthy joints for all those who utilize the equipment. The ADA compliant water fountain allows for the necessary accommodations to all park patrons to alleviate the risk of dehydration. A City Commission ribbon-cutting event has been scheduled to take place at Mary Saunders Park (4750 SW 21 Street, West Park, FL 33023) on Saturday, March 23, 2013 beginning at 10:00am with all members of the community welcome to attend. During the event, certified trainers of FIT CAMP who will review the proper technique of how to use each piece of equipment.
Fitness Zones at Mary Saunders Park & McTyre Park
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March 2013
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