Author: commtims

     The old adage, you can’t fight City Hall may be true, but at least  you can get a thorough  tour of it! Would you like to come?

                          
                                  City Hall

    

     Tim’s Tours are back for this season.

     Our first tour of 2013 will be Fort Lauderdale City Hall. We will be led through the backrooms of the bureaucratic bees’ nest where all the action happens- where the $605 million dollar budget is collected and spent!

     City Manager Lee Feldman will be conducting the tour personally!

                                  

     Last year, groups of citizens toured the deep underbelly of the Police Station, drank Rum drinks while touring the best kept secret in Fort Lauderdale – the Bonnet House, and wandered through the giant Wastewater Treatment Plant! So fun!

                            

     This years’ tours should be a blast also. We will be starting with the City Hall tour next Wednesday, January 16th, at 5:30 p.m.

     You need to let me know if you will be attending, as we can only accommodate about 15 people..

                  …… e-mail me at Tim@TimSmith.com and say ” I’ll see you Wednesday at 5:30 pm”

                  …….. please be at the south entrance of City Hall (100 North Andrews Avenue)  about 5:20 pm ……

                                         Tim
    

     Nancy is still homeless –  still living on the ground in a Fort Lauderdale park.

     Two weeks ago, I introduced you to Nancy. She has disabilities, is a hopeless alcoholic, and has been homeless since her mother died, and the house was sold.
 
     She has been living in the city park for about 6 months, rain or shine. This morning, on my regular morning walk, I checked to see if anything had been done about Nancy.

        

     It hasn’t.

     After I informed officials about Nancy weeks ago, I figured the professionals would swoop in and find the right place for Nancy. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

      Instead, I was copied on this e-mail from some of those officials,  just yesterday – 

     Phil and Sandi, as a f/u on this the Rangers checked the park last few day for
this person they were not in the park at the time we checked.

Gerald Roberts

Captain Park Rangers
Public Safety Liaison
Parks & Rec Administration
City of Fort Lauderdale 


     I called again yesterday, and they asked me to meet with a Park Ranger. I agreed, offering to lead him to Nancy’s lair. 
                      

                               

     Nancy stays just behind the 6th Silver Buttonwood tree, off the highway – we could see her from the parking lot as the Officer was taking the report. The Ranger took it seriously, and I hope he can bring in the right resources.

     Anyhow, on my way back home, I came across Nancy leaving her lair, undoubtedly for her first breakfast beer. She was with another girl, Tammy, who has now joined Nancy in park life. Yikes!

               

     Nancy told me she has been molested, been sogged from the rain, has no circulation in her legs, has trouble talking, but still resides here on a dirty blanket, on the ground, under the 6th Silver Buttonwood tree…………

                         Is this the best we can do?    

     There is a Fort Lauderdale City Election in just twelve days,  on Tuesday, January 15th.


                           

      Did you know that? 

     You might not, because there is only one thing on the ballot, the primary of the special election for District II City Commissioner. Only those of you who live in District II will get a chance to vote this time, but all of you taxpayers will be paying for it – about $225,000!

     That’s because former City Commissioner Rodstrom quit her Commission seat just weeks after winning it last year, and ran for a County Commission seat (which she lost). The City Charter says there must be a special election to fill the seat. So now Rodstrom is running for that same City Commission seat – all over again!

    Three others are in the race.


        Lester Zalewski



          Chuck Black



          Dean Trantalis


     I’m voting for Trantalis.


     I’ve supported Charlotte Rodstrom in the past, but can’t this time.

                      


     It’s time for both Rodstroms (John and Charlotte) to take a break. Between the two of them, they have served almost forty years in government. And John Rodstrom reportedly has over a half million in government pension benefits due him from his long elected service.

    
           John

     John was term limited out this year as a County Commissioner, but a friend, attorney William Scherer, sued to try and overturn the citizen-  voted term limits, so John could serve another forty years – ( the lawsuit failed).

     So out of the remaining three candidates, Dean Trantalis is the best choice by far. He is exceedingly bright, mannered, knows how to work the City system, having served for three years as District II City Commissioner, and seems to have found a new passion to serve again.

     The other two candidates, Black and Zawleski have strengths, but neither is prepared for the difficult job as District II City Commissioner.

     I say vote Trantalis.

    

     I want to thank you all for reading and commenting on this blog this past year – 2012!
 
     The blog is in its’ 5th year now, and soon the 500th post will be written! …. Wow !


                         

     We have a lot to talk about this year – for sure !…… I’m looking forward to it….  and hope you are too!

      But you’ll have to wait a few days ….. Cindy and I are away, … checking on our businesses in the North Georgia mountains  ……..



                


     We will be home in a few days, god willing, …but if you’re thinking of coming up  to visit our factory …….  consider this  – 


              


            …….   talk soon ……….. Tim











      

         

     Nancy is 50. Nancy is a drunk. Nancy has lived in one of the City parks for about 6 months now. She used to live with her mother before her mother died.


            

     This is Nancy’s lair. It is a little nook behind some overgrown bushes and some silver buttonwood trees.


          

     This is Nancy, this morning, under that blanket, on the ground.


      What should be done?


          

                        First off – Merry Christmas ! …..

                  If you are Jewish, Happy Hanukkah ……

                 and if you prefer ….   Happy Holidays!

                             
                     ………………………………………………..

     Yesterday was a sweet day in the Middle River Terrace Park in Fort Lauderdale. A group of neighborhoods and businesses called the 13th Street Alliance, pulled off a very special event.

     About 200 people met and honored some special little kids….
    
     The 64 honored kids had been chosen by their schools for doing very well in school, despite tough or challenging home lives….

                   Here’s the event in pictorial form

           First there was chow  …

                         

    Everyone checked out the cool Fire Truck!

            


          The music played on!

           


           Santa and the gifts arrived!

                   


           A dashing Candy Cane Hunt before the ceremony!


            


     Then the real business got underway. The kids that the schools picked, got to do their own picking, a toy of their choosing! Their number was in a hat, and when it was called, they got to work! 

     This little girl was having a hard time…Too many choices!

                        

           She settled on Barbie!


                      


     This little cutey had fun!

               


     This honoree needed carrying help with this cool train set!


               

    And this kid just smiled ear to ear !


                 

     The race is really on for the open seat for Commissioner – District II – Fort Lauderdale. 

     One candidate has actually spent $1000.00 on a private investigator  ….read on!

     The race for $$ – (political donations) –  often tells a lot about how the political horse race is proceeding! Here is the latest on the race for campaign donations

              …………………………………………………..

     Rounding the corner, heading for the final stretch  …

      Dean Trantalis is ahead, with Charlotte Rodstrom hanging back on the final turn, Chuck Black running a distant third, and Lester Zalewski still in the starting block – details below!

  Trantalis has collected $22,295.00

     His donors are mostly Fort Lauderdalians, though there are a sizable chunk of Wilton Manors donors, which is where the Trantalis Law Firm is located.

     Trantalis seems to have more of the grassroots leaders in the District than the other candidates.

     Donors include beach activists Mel Rubenstien, Steve Glassman, Shirley Smith, and Art Seitz –13th Street neighborhood leaders Sal Gatanio, Randall Klett, Marge Anderson and Rick Gibson, and Victoria Parkian Mark Ketcham.

     Other big name donors to Trantalis include attorneys Robert Lochrie and Ken Keechl, Property Appraiser Lori Parrish, mega-property owner Caldwell Cooper, and historic preservation activist Diane Smart.


 Charlotte Rodstrom, who is trying to win back her seat after vacating it to run for County Commission has raised $17,500.00

     Her donors include the big County lawyer/lobbyists – Friedman, Poliakoff, Platt and Schiller, City land use attorneys Lochrie, Toothaker, and Crush, car magnate Michael Marrone, William Telli ( sued to overturn term limits), and local celebrity lawyer Bradford Cohen.  She is also supported by local bloviator Charlie King.

     Rodstroms’ most curious expenditure for her campaign is for private investigator Max Caulfield. Her campaign has paid him $1000.00

                                       
                                       Caulfield

     Caulfield is a nationally known P.I., with expertise in many areas, including Mob investigations. He is also a Special Appointed Process Server by the Sheriff of Broward County.

     I had a quite interesting chat with Caulfield. But as expected, he said he is not at liberty to confirm or deny  ….   said he didn’t recall if he’d ever heard the name Rodstrom!  …..  told me he would get back to me should details change!

 Chuck Black is a newcomer on the political scene, but has gained some traction, mostly with the business community, mostly downtown.
    
     Donors include Ali Waldman, developer Alan Hooper, attorney Sam Poole, president of the downtown civic association Ron Centamore, Riverwalk big shot Mark Budwig, and beach biggies Ina Lee and Fred Carlson.


 Lester Zalewski says he refused to play the political money game, but has lent his campaign $10,000.00

    Unexplainable tragedy.

    What to do now?

    The Nation will discuss mental illness, gun control, the “climate of violence”. Hopefully our national leaders will taken action –  and now!

    In Fort Lauderdale, we should talk local. 

     I suppose we can call ourselves fortunate. The type of carnage that met the town of Newtown last Friday hasn’t happen here. 

                            
                                  Bennett Elementary
                                 
     But we have had terrible shootings in our schools.

    An Assistant principle was shot at Dillard High years back by a student she suspended. Before he shot her he said “here’s something to suspend me for”.

     At the same school, just a few years back, a student shot and killed a classmate in the hallway over a dispute.

     An 8 year-old brought a gun to Walker Elementary, but it was reported before anything happened.

                           
                                North Side Elementary

     
     We have Police Officers in our Middle and High Schools, but we quit funding them in our elementaries some years ago when budgets got tight.

     Last week, I visited a few or our elementaries, as our 13th Street Alliance is holding a special party for kids doing real well in school, despite difficult home lives. I went to the schools to meet with the School Administration to explain the program to them.

     Then I got to thinking this weekend, after watching hours of the news coverage –

     – I had walked into one of our elementaries without question, just last week. No one asked me who I was, what I was doing! I didn’t get buzzed in, and though there was a man near the door, he just sent me down the hall to the office.  

     We should take another hard look at the security of our schools – are they safe?

           

    For those who like political debates, the Central Beach political debate at the B Hotel last Monday night was a doozy!

     It was the second debate for candidates for the open seat of District II in Fort Lauderdale. District II is an odd political district, rich and poor, starting at the beach, up through the Las Olas Isles, through Victoria Park, and west to some troubled neighborhoods.

     I represented this district and labeled it the Bermuda Triangle of political districts – most politicians flew in, crashed, and were never heard of again ( I broke that trend .


     

     The debate started as they usually do. The moderator, beach President John Weaver, thanked the crowd and went over the ground rules. Each candidate would have two minutes for an opening statement, then there would be some “uncomfortable” questions for each candidate to start off the evening.

     The crowd was intrigued!

     Former Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom was asked to start off with her two minute opening statement. She offered the expected, I was your Commissioner, I was successful at it, I want to finish the term I had to leave to run at the County level ….. and then –

     …… “and there is another meeting down the road about the beach erosion, so I’ll have to leave now” ……..


       

     ….. and out she went !


       

     There was an air of disbelief in the room. The remaining candidates spread out and gave themselves some more elbow room on the dais, and candidate Dean Trantalis asked the moderator if it would be alright to remove the Rodstrom name-tag from the dais. There was muffled laughter.

     The three remaining candiates gave their usual opening statements and then the first question came from the moderator.

     “The first question is for Charlotte Rodstrom, and she just left, but I’m going to ask the question regardless – “Ms. Rodstrom, you resigned your City Commission job just weeks after winning to run for the County Commission post. That move will cost the City $250,000 for this special election – how do you respond?”

     The moderator then said – “Ms. Rodstrom is not here to answer that question, but the rules call for a one minute rebuttal from any of the challengers, would any of you like to rebut?” ….
    
     Rebut they did!

     Each of the other candidates had tough questions prepared for them also….

 They asked Trantalis why they should elect him to a seat that he only served one term on, and resigned citing personal conflicts with that same job…

     Trantalis said he had decided not to run for re-election then as his father was dying and he thinks he made the right decision…. He continued that he was the only candidate that could hit the ground running, said District II had immediate needs and that he could best tackle them.


 They asked Chuck Black how he thought he could be competitive when no one seemed to know him. Black humorously quipped, “look at this face, I’m an everyday guy” (inferring that everyone knew him). He went on to promote his military service, world experience,  and his ability to commit to a tough job.


 They asked  Lester Zalewski about him being removed from their very own Board. Zalewski countered that there were members of the Board whom he had conflicts with, but that the residents in the area felt a different way about him.
 
     Zalewski went on to point to his extensive record in business and entrepreneurialism. He said he was a rebel, but that’s what City Hall needed. 

     They finished with their concluding comments, all except for Rodstrom!
      
       

     Meet the future!

     A space-age new crime fighting technique may be coming to a neighborhood near you, if Police Chief Frank Adderley has his way.

               

     Burglaries are an ever increasing and troubling crime in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere.

    Five years ago in 2006, there were 1470 burglaries in the City, last year there were 2610! Something needs to be done –

                              Enter SmartWater

                           

     The Chief wants to partner with this company, SmartWater, that has engineered a creative way to catch those pesky burglars.

     Now this Smart Water you don’t drink.
 
     It is a “forensic liquid” that is given out to homeowners. It comes in a little bottle that looks like a “mascara tube with brush”. You take out the brush and put a little of the invisible water on your jewelery, lap top, big screen TV, art work, even your telephone. 

           


     When the burglar takes your items, the items will “glow in the dark” under UV light nearly forever. They will be encoded with a number that is specifically yours, and if they try and pawn them, police can nab them. 

     SmartWater also has a spray system, that can be put in a car, or even a house. If a car thief or burglar enters, a trigger can spray the forensic liquid on them and the thieves can’t wash it off! 

                        

     The company says they had a 100% conviction rate in the United Kingdom, where they started. They are also in Tallahassee, where the Police Chief there says the burglary rate fell 33% in the year since SmartWater was brought in.


                  

     City Manager Feldman is as excited as the Police Chief about trying the product in Fort Lauderdale. They want to spend $15,000 out of a confiscated funds account (taken from criminals) for a pilot project in the South Middle River neighborhood, that had 275 burglaries last year. 

     It is not a sure thing though, as former City Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom is raising concerns about “by passing the procurement process”, and the “lack of a competitive process”.
 
     The company says there are a few other companies that have the technology, but none that have perfected it and proven it as they have.    

     The item is expected before the Commission in January.