MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR
Pembroke Pines UPDATE By Frank C. Ortis
Dear Readers, This year has some very exciting new events and programs, as well as favorites that are coming back for our residents and businesses to enjoy. We have also made a few city changes with our recycling and trash services (which you can get info on via our website at www. ppines.com) and our utility billing service (visit www.ppines.com/newutilitybill) to enhance customer experience and ensure more efficiency and effectiveness for our residents. With any transition, there are hiccups and questions, and I thank you all for your patience as these changes launched. I especially encourage everyone to participate in the billing system’s new Citizen Self-Service (CSS) portal where customers can sign up for easy and convenient access to their utility account information 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. This portal will give customers the ability to review their monthly consumption, billing, financial history, pay utility bill(s) online, sign up for auto-pay, print bills, and much more. Please be sure to visit the city’s YouTube channel at Pembroke Pines Media for several tutorial videos should you have any questions. I’m happy to announce that Pembroke Pines has once again, for the 29th consecutive year, been named 2021 Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. This is a national recognition for the city’s commitment to effective urban forest management. Our Kindness Initiate event is now back. On February 5, 2022, please join the City of Pembroke Pines and Broward County School at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, located at 601 City Center Way, for an afternoon of sharing kindness. There will be performances on stage, poetry, storytelling, yoga and peaceful activities. For more information, please call the Special Events Office at 954-392-2116. And our very popular Taste of Pines will take place on Thursday, February 17,
2022 at the Charles F. Dodge City Center. This event sells out quickly, so please get your tickets in advance to ensure you are part of the festivities. Participants have an opportunity to sample the best of the best cuisine from our local restaurants, wines and enjoy live musical entertainment. The annual Taste of Pines benefits the City of Pembroke Pines Charter School Foundation. For more info, please call 954-392-2116. We will also be holding the Mayor Frank C. Ortis Annual Pembroke Pines Charter School Golf Tournament which will benefit the Pembroke Pines Charter
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Schools. It will be held on March 18, 2022 at the Pembroke Lakes Country Club, located at 10500 Taft Street. To ensure your place and to get more information, please email Carol Campisi at ccampisi@ ppines.com. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my office at 954-435-6505, or by email at fortis@ppines.com. Sincerely,
Mayor Frank C. Ortis City of Pembroke Pines
