WEST
PARK
CITY
OFFICIALS
SEPTEMBER 2013
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WHO’S WHO In City Government
305-669-7355
ALL FOR THE GREATER GOOD 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
Well, here we are. Children are back in school, vacations are over, and we are settling in to reality. During the summer months we had another successful year with our park programs, we gave out scholarships, helped many children with our back to school give-away, the installation of bus benches, the upgrading of McTyre Park’s parking lot, the preparation of 56th Avenue for construction, and other projects are on the table for future implementation. Much thanks to our City Administrator and his staff, who successfully applied for and received grants that will aid us in making our city a more appealing place to live. As elected officials we want to earn constantly your confidence and support. I read a story about how U.S. Marines, trained for duty in Iraq were getting drilled in people skills as well as heavy weaponry. They were receiving instruction about staying respectful as well as staying alive. Marines are still taught to fight. They are gifted in heavy weaponry and with the tools to use them effectively; but in order to diffuse hostility borne of suspicion they are taught to ask questions first and shoot later. Yes, there is great risk to such a strategy. An enemy certainly can exploit it for his purposes, and Marines still will have to be alert to defend themselves, but they are being asked to believe that people in Iraq "can still be won over if American troops treat them with more dignity, patience and understanding." So they are being asked to use their fighting skills wisely, to employ them with discretion, remembering the greater mission of working with the people of
Groundbreaking Ceremony for SW 56th Avenue (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.) Improvement. Pictured from Left to Right: Ajibola Balogun, City Manager; Commissioner Rita Mack; Commissioner Thomas Dorsett; Commissioner Sharon Fyffe; Mayor Eric H. Jones Jr.; Vice Mayor Felicia M. Brunson; State Representative (District 101) Shevrin Jones; Greg Perry, P.E., Palm Engineering; Persaud Khamedat, Broward County Community Development; Claudio Martinez, Florida Engineering Superintendent; Fedrick Shepard Broward County Community Development; and Walta M. Tolbert, U.S. Representative Frederica S. Wilson Congressional Aide.
Groundbreaking Ceremony for McTyre Park Parking Lot Improvement. Pictured from Left to Right: Ajibola Balogun, City Manager; Commissioner Rita Mack, Commissioner Sharon Fyffe; Commissioner Thomas Dorsett; Vice Mayor Felicia M. Brunson; Mayor Eric H. Jones Jr.; State Representative (District 101) Shevrin Jones; Bill Lynch, P.E. , The Corradino Group; Naomi Harrison, of Mc Harry & Associates; Walta M. Tolbert, U.S. Representative Frederica S. Wilson Congressional Aide; Fedrick Shepard, Broward County Community Development; and Persaud Khamedat, Broward County Community Development.
Iraq to promote peace. This means they will sometimes pull back instead of fighting. Some of their intimidating
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Groundbreaking Ceremonies for SW 56th Avenue (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard) Improvementand McTyre Park Parking Lot Improvement The City Commission, staff, consultants, contractors, residents, State Representative, and Congresswoman Federica Wilson’s staff participated in these groundbreaking ceremonies on Friday, August 23, 2013. The first ceremony was held at the intersection of SW 56th Avenue and SW 22nd Street for the proposed improvements to SW 56th Avenue. The improvements will include, the resurfacing of the roadway; construction of bike lanes; brick
paved intersections; new sidewalk, landscaped median; and the installation of ornamental streetlight, while providing much needed traffic calming along one of the most traveled roadways in the City. The second groundbreaking ceremony was held on the McTyre Park parking lot to formally commence the much needed drainage improvement and the realignment of the parking lot to meet City Code.
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Grandparents Are Special! By Vice Mayor Felicia M. Brunson
Did you know……
7 million
The number of grandparents whose grandchildren under age 18 were living with them in 2011.
2.7 million
The number of grandparents responsible for the basic needs of one or more grandchildren under age 18 living with them in 2011. Of these caregivers, 1.7 million were grandmothers and 1.0 million were grandfathers.
594,000
The number of grandparents responsible for grandchildren under age 18 and whose income was below the poverty level in the past 12 months compared with the 2.1 million grandparent caregivers whose income was at or above the poverty level.
5.5 million
The number of children under 18 living with a grandparent householder in 2011. Nearly half, 48 percent or 2.6 million, were under age 6.
10%
Percentage of children in the U.S. living with a grandparent in 2012, totaling 7.1 million.
Many families in the United States observe National Grandparents Day on the first Sunday of September after Labor Day. This day honors grandparents. We too in West Park join in this celebration! Grandparents are special in so many different ways. Their hearts are filled with love and they brighten up our days. Grandparents are great listeners when we need them to advise, because they’re always understanding and are truly very wise. Grandparents have great smiles because they’ve been smiling for so long, and they even make us smile when everything is going wrong. Few can bring the warmth that can be found in their embrace, and little more is needed to feel loved than the smile on their face. They’re a supply of precious stories yet they’ve time to wipe a tear, and give us reasons to laugh as they grow more precious through the years. Nobody can do for grandchildren what grandparents are willing to do, because grandparents sprinkle stardust over our lives in all that we do. Grandparents are so generous and they make sure we have the best, so I’m thankful for my grandparents and I know I’m truly blessed. May the land yield unto them a perfumed garden always growing, with a warm breeze and a quiet sea that’s filled with love overflowing.
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HAPPY GRANDPARENTS DAY 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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Twin Lakes Water Control Advisory Board
T
he Twin Lakes Water Control District Advisory Board shall have all the powers and duties granted to it under this Ordinance and may undertake such activities as are consistent with the comprehensive water management plan adopted by the county. The powers and duties of the district advisory board are to: (1) Review and propose contracts; review and make recommendations concerning proposals for buying, acquiring, selling, owning, using, controlling, operating, improving and leasing all land and personal property as the governing board may deem necessary or proper in carrying out the provisions of this Ordinance; do any and all other acts and things authorized or required to be done as an advisory board of the water control district; and do any and all things necessary to accomplish the purposes for which it is created. (2) Prepare a proposed budget to be submitted to the board for its approval prior to August fifteenth of each year. The proposed budget shall include an estimate of all necessary expenditures of the District for the next ensuing fiscal year and an estimate of income to the District from the taxes and assessments provided for pursuant to this article. The advisory board shall hold a public hearing on such proposed budget. Notice of the hearing of the budget shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation within the District in Broward County, Florida, once a week for two (2) consecutive weeks; providing that the first publication shall be not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the date of the hearing. The notice shall further contain a designation of the date, time and place of the public hearing. The procedures and requirements for adoption of the budget by the governing board shall be in accordance with the procedures and requirements of law for the adoption of the City’s budget and as established by Broward County for municipal service taxing units. (3) Act for the governing board in such matters regarding the District as the governing board may authorize.
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Mes de la Herencia Hispana
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month: Serving and Leading Our Nation with Pride and Honor By Vice Mayor Felicia M. Brunson
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402. The day of September 15 was significant because it
GREATER, from page 1 ––––––––– apparel is removed. The course talk and the gruff demeanor, which are so much a part of the military’s image of power, are toned down. It is not just semper fi anymore. It is semper respectful. That is the way it has got to be when you are trying to win the peace. Wars are fought and won with an indiscriminate use of force; but if you are trying to build consensus you need to exercise your power with greater precision and tact. You need to use the tools at your disposal with greater care so as to unite and not divide, so as to encourage and not dissuade, and that is true, as well, when it concerns a Nation, a state, or a city. For the sake of this article, I will focus on our city. The city is a part of our lives. We know what we mean when we make statements about “our city” because we have certain ideas about what it stands for. As elected officials we are expected to build up the city. While doing this we are to be respectful, considerate, and concern about the needs of those who elected us to serve and not just our own. We are to work for the greater good of all as our ultimate goal. With your input and help we will strive to do this. There is scarcely a direction you can look in West Park without seeing someone hard at work making our city the great
is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September18, respectively. Also, Columbus Day or Día de la Raza, which is October 12, falls within this 30 day period. The term Hispanic or Latino, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, refers to Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race. According to the 2010 Census,
place it is to live and raise our families. We have many excellent volunteers and are always looking for more people who care about West Park and want to be part of making it a great place to live, work, and play. At this point I want to give a shout out to our city staff, city commission, and all the volunteers here in the city. Although we have a small staff, they accomplish a lot. They work very hard and sometimes do the work that two or three people do in other cities. I also want to say to our city commission that I appreciate all that we do together. We have had some hard decisions to make and been able to find common ground with the good advice of our City Manager. I know that hours are spent going through information so as to make decisions with the best interest of the city at heart. I cannot reiterate enough how grateful we are for our volunteers. There is no way we could have such a lean staff without the volunteers who work to make West Park a great place to live. This spirit of volunteerism is one of the many reasons it is great to live in West Park! On another note, let us remember that if we are going to have a great city there are certain rules that must be adhered to. The city of West Park strives to maintain a healthy community and has adopted Ordinances to assist in maintaining the health and safety of its residents. Adherence to the ordinances
50.5 million people or 16% of the population are of Hispanic or Latino origin. This represents a significant increase from the 2000 Census, which registered the Hispanic population at 35.3 million or 13% of the total U.S. population. In the City of West Park, there are 4091 Hispanic residents which make up 28.9% of our city. West Park, I am happy to join in this celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month to remember the vast accomplishments of the Hispanic community. We honor the dedication of Hispanics for making important economic, social, and political contributions. 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.
is necessary to promote a safe, healthy, and neighborly community. Code enforcement follows guidelines that the city has set in it resolutions and ordinances. They are not out to make your life miserable but to keep our city clean and you, the resident safe. I hope all will understand our efforts to maintain a clean and safe city and not see it as intimidation. Often a timely response to any violation can work in your favor. Planning for a better tomorrow- starts with keeping strong our commitment to the safety and quality of life here in West Park today. Enough said about that. I want to close by leaving you with a few safety tips. TO SAFEGUARD YOUR HOME: • Keep all windows and doors closed and locked even when you are home. • Install a deadbolt and peepholes. • Leave a front porch light on all night; motion sensing lights add extra protection. • Trim or eliminate shrubbery where a criminal could hide. • Make an inventory of your valuables, include serial numbers, make and model, and store them in a safe place. Purchase an engraving tool for items that do not have serial numbers. Use a unique number (not your social security number). This facilitates the return of stolen property. • Roll the windows all the way up
and always lock your car even if it is parked in the garage. • Never leave the keys in an unattended vehicle, even to let it warm up in the morning. • Remove all personal property from your car. • Report crimes, call 9-1-1 for situations involving immediate threat to live, safety, property or any crime in progress. Call the BSO to report suspicious circumstances or any other matter you think needs the attention of a patrol officer. TO SAFEGUARD YOURSELF: • Stay tuned in to your surroundings. • Trust your instincts, if something or someone makes you feel uneasy, avoid the person or leave the area. • Carry your purse close to your body, not dangling from the straps. Put wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket, rather than the back pocket. • If you think someone is following you, change directions, and go to a business with lots of people. Do not be afraid to yell for help. There is a lot you can do to safeguard your home and yourself. Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
God bless America and God bless the City of West Park.
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From the Desk of Commissioner Mack Volunteers Needed for the Broward Sheriff's Office Citizen Observer Patrol (BSO - COP) BY COMMISSIONER RITA “PEACHES� MACK
A
s a resident, together with BSO we can be a great team. Our BSO believes that with residents helping the officers spot suspicious activities, they can stop crimes before they are committed. BSO is asking residents to volunteer for the COP Program. BSO's COP Program is a volunteer group sponsored by the Sheriff's Office that uses a simple approach to safeguarding neighborhoods through residents' involvement. COP volunteers are local residents who help BSO fight crime by patrolling their community, looking out for suspicious activity or potential hazards and offering assistance to local residents. Typical assignments in addition to patrol activities include performing checks on unoccupied residences (at the owner's request), checking on elderly or homebound residents (as requested) and reporting potential problems and neighborhood hazards to BSO. COP volunteers wear uniforms and drive specially marked vehicles, adding to the crime-fighting presence in the community. I'm asking residents of West Park to volunteer for the COP program. Volunteers must be 18 years of age, pass a background check, possess a valid Florida driver's license, complete at least four hours of the training program and comply with all program policies and procedures. To apply, you may cut-out the application provided in this newspaper or you may call BSO at 954.321.4100. As always, if you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to call me at 954.889.4156.
September 2013
CITY DEPARTMENTS
DIRECTORY
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CITY COMMISSION Mayor Eric H. Jones
954.889.4153 / ejones@cityofwestpark.org
Vice Mayor Felicia M. Brunson
954.889.4164 / fbrunson@cityofwestpark.org
Commissioner Thomas Dorsett
954.889.4163 / tommydorsett@comcast.net
Commissioner Sharon Fyffe
954.963.7745 / sharonhous@aol.com
Commissioner Rita “Peaches” Mack 954.889.4156 / rmack@cityofwestpark.org
ADMINISTRATION
City Manager City Attorney City Clerk Building & Permits Dept. Business Tax Licenses Public Works Trash/Recycling McTyre Park Mary Saunders Park Code Enforcement Planning and Zoning Dept. Finance
Police Dept./BSO Fire Dept./BSO
954.989.2688 954.768.9770 954.989.2688 954.989.2688 954.989.2688 954.964.0284 954.964.0284 954.964.0284 954.985.1990 954.766.2715 954.266.6495 954.903.0712
954.765.4321 954.831.8200
CONGRESSWOMAN FREDERICA WILSON 954.364.4449 REPRESENTATIVE SHEVRIN D. JONES 954.893.5010
Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson’s District Office in West Park, FL Now Open Monday – Friday
Location: West Park City Hall at 1965 South State Road 7, West Park, FL 33023 Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Phone: 954-989-2688 Constituent Services
Signs & Pavement Markings
Nighttime driving is statistically more risky than daytime driving- the nighttime crash rate is about 3 times higher than the daytime crash rate. While many factors are at play during nighttime conditions, drivers generally acknowledge that their nighttime visibility of the roadway and roadside is significantly reduced compared to their daytime visibility. Traffic signs and pavement markings are made with retro-reflective materials to help increase their visibility during nighttime conditions. Retro-reflective materials are unique in that they shine headlamp light back toward the driver. The Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) requires most signs and pavement markings to be retro-reflective. The MUTCD has new standards that were built on the nighttime needs of older drivers to see and read traffic signals. Recent research results from the Florida Highway Administration (FHWA) shows, that not only does the retro-reflectivity of the pavement markings appear to be linked to safety, but so does the width of the pavement markings. Wider edge lines on twolane highways are a cost effective, statistically-sound approach to reducing run-off-
the-road crashes and fatalities. Wider edge lines are an effective countermeasure in their own right and can also be considered in combination with other countermeasures such as rumble strips. Rumble strips address crashes where the driver is distracted, drowsy or otherwise inattentive and can be effective even during rain. Also, wider edge lines seem to be effective where the driver is looking at the roadway/striping or where the driver’s peripheral vision is picking up the marking. Traffic safety professionals continue to improve the signs and pavement markings on our nation’s highways to provide a safer and more comfortable driving experience. The goal is to ensure adequate visibility for nighttime drivers.
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2013 Hurricane Preparedness Guide Continued
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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.
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