Vote for your favorites online at hollywoodgazette.com. until Oct. 10
Yo ur
ult im at e
s o u rce
f o r
al l
t h ings
hollywood
Vol. IX No. 2 • OCTOBER 2009 • www.hollywoodgazette.com
IN THIS ISSUE
29
This month’s Pet of the Month ‘Chalie’ is looking forward to the Blessing of the Pets.
blessing of the pets The Humane Society of Broward County will hold a Blessing of the Animals Event on Sunday, Oct. 11 in honor of the Feast of St. Francis, the patron saint of all animals. Father Joseph, a Franciscan Priest of the St. Francis Friary, will perform the blessing at the east lawn of the shelter located at 2070 Griffin Road. Father Joseph will also bless each homeless animal in the shelter, as well as the Humane Society of Broward County’s two mascot pets, Tweety the Cat and Oscar the Bird. Anyone may attend the blessing with his or her pet, but the Humane Society asks that all pets be in a secure carrier or on a leash. For more information, call the Humane Society of Broward County at 954-266-6848 or the St. Francis Friary at 954-731-8173.
Commission approves CRA consolidation Beach and Downtown CRA now directly accountable to city manager’s office Hollywood’s Assistant City Manager Catherine Swanson-Rivenbark proposed the new organizational jennifer sandomir structure for the merger of both the Downtown and Beach Community Redevelopment Agencies (CRA) to a special joint City Commission/ CRA meeting Sept. 24. “I looked at every expenditure from 2008 and 2009 up to Aug. 1 and sat through all budget discussions,” said Swanson-Rivenbark, who claims she found significant several-digit expenditures that (the Commission) was not aware of that prove it needs oversight. The big issue in question was ultimately to whom the executive director will report. “It is appropriate for the CRA director to report to the CRA board (also the City Commission) through the city manager,” said Swanson-Rivenbark, claiming this recommendation works with other CRAs. Swanson-Rivenbark was asked if the CRA board was willing to move forward with this recommendation, and if she would
Postmaster: Time sensitive material.
5
3363 sheridan st. suite 209 Hollywood, FL 33021
Municipal update featuring questions from the community answered by Mayor Peter Bober
be willing to provide the oversight she recommends. “I love redevelopment,” she explained, ref- Swanson-Rivenbark erencing more than 20 years of experience in Coral Gables with redevelopment projects. Manuel Pila, Beach CRA’s director of marketing and communications, presented the alternative organization which ultimately has the CRA director the “one person you can hold to account.’’ He suggested an Advisory Council of experts be created to meet monthly to “ask questions, seek information, advise, recommend and even disagree in some cases” with proposed CRA agenda items. According to the CRA presentation, the newly formed council would consist of the assistant city manager and all City department directors related to the CRA who would serve in an “advisory capacity only.” Commissioner Fran Russo was the first to speak in opposition to the city overseeing the CRA, directly citing problems from the past. Commissioner Heidi O’Sheehan asked SwansonRivenbark’s thoughts on the issue of creating the committee. “If you all decide to follow a reorganization that the CRA has proposed, I would ask that you ensure that all H.R. and procurement decisions are truly reviewed by that committee because today they are not. The statement that they were is just not true. We have a memo from 2007 that says budget and procurement
cont. on page 8
Heart Gallery comes to Hollywood
Johnathan and Sheaundra photographed by Hollywood resident Courtney Ortiz.
By Caron Conway Lead Correspondent On display at Hollywood City Hall this month is a unique traveling exhibit that showcases the hopes and dreams of Broward County children in need of a loving and stable home. The Heart Gallery features the photos and stories of nearly 70 foster care youngsters who are available for adoption. Some have a medical or emotional diagnosis, some are older children and some are part of a sibling group that must be adopted together. But they’re all alike in their hope of someday finding their forever family. Through its traveling exhibit and Web site, the Heart Gallery of Broward County shines a spotlight on these special children whose birth parents have had their parental rights terminated by the courts and
Barbara Schechter, executive director of the Heart Gallery of Broward, with Board Member Marta Prado at the Sept. 16 Party with a Purpose at Dave & Buster’s.
who are technically orphans. The first annual Heart Gallery exhibit created in May 2007 led to homes for 15 of the 71 featured children. The following year, the Heart Gallery celebrated more than twice as many adoptions, with 34 of the 98 featured youngsters finding permanent homes between July
cont. on page 30
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 1498 SO FL, FL