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This morning, 25 % of the candidates for the Fort Lauderdale City Commission, got up early and met at the Main Library to draw attention to the miserable conditions there  ..

It was a bigger success than I expected, let me tell you why …..

 

…. Though it was on short notice, and many of the candidates had conflicts, we did see candidates Ben Sorensen,  Marie”Peaches” Huntley, Dr. Warren Sturman and myself.

First, we decided to look around and take in the problem, before we got busy picking and sweeping ……

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weakest amongst us live there, outside in the rain and the filth  ….

 

But here comes the silver lining of the whole adventure …..

……………………………………………………….

On Friday, I called County Commissioner Ryan’s office and spoke with his wonderful aide Kristen Carter, to give them a heads up that candidates from Fort Lauderdale were coming to try and do something with the garbage at the County facility… She said she would let “facilities ” know!

When we pulled up, you know what we saw ……..

 

…..facilities

 

and facilities

 

and facilities ……

Funny how things work sometimes  ...

……………………………………………..

So we ( the four candidates) decided that after this success, we should continue on and do something else productive  ……  We are asking the City to let us tour the Sewage Treatment Plant, (as sewage is the number one problem on everyone’s mind), on (Monday, November 27th, from 11;30 to 12;30, lunch hour:-), so everyone can understand the whole complicated system, ask tough questions, be ready to govern..

I’m hoping for an even greater turn – out of the candidates there  …

…………Tim

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is an actual  challenge to all the fine women and men who have filed to run for the Fort Lauderdale City Commission  ….Dean, Charlotte, Bruce, Heather, Chad, George, Lester, Steve, Robert, Marie, Donna, Walter, Ben, Warren, and me ….

……. Keep open this Sunday, November 19th, at 9 am  ( details below)

 

 

This is the filthy Main Library, right in the middle of our downtown… ……this morning, it looked even worse than this older photo…

It is certainly, totally unacceptable to us all, but because it is the County’s property, it stays looking this way, with dozens of troubled people using it as an unsanitary  “tent city” ….

 

 

So why don’t we, who are  asking  to serve the City, start this Sunday by cleaning up this disaster   …..  I will bring bags, gloves, mulch, a couple of rakes and good spirit ( and coffee) ….. You bring some of your supporters …. ( and Dean, wear work clothes 🙂

I am calling Henderson Health, BARC, and the Homeless Assistance Center today to see if they will attend and maybe start the process of alleviating these sad folks of their homeless status ….

Let’s show the citizens that we wanna-be politicians have a little more than just hot air !!!

I hope all see all you candidates ( and all the rest of you) on Sunday ……. Tim

 

 

The most important job of a City Commissioner is to see to it that the citizens are safe. 

I’ve always made that my number one priority as a City official….  Today, I’m exceptionally proud, because those Police men and women that make up the FLPD Fraternal Order of Police have given me their endorsement!

 

Now our Department is very highly rated and citizen involved. Below is our Police Chief with the FLPD Fight Breast Cancer Police Car…

 

……. but when things do go bad, and they need to act fast, and tough …..

 

they can and they do…..

Our force is highly trained and ready …… and that is why we need to attract the best of the best to serve.

So thanks FLPD-FOP, for the endorsement, and let’s continue to improve, I hope I am there soon to help the mission!

……………………………………………

Here is my current supporter list, hope you are on it, or are willing to join the Elect Tim Smith team ….

Call me anytime at 954-822-4727

 

Nina Randall ( former Middle River Terrace Pres)

Tim Schiavone ( Parrot Lounge)

Rob Edlin ( Flagler Village)

Howard Steinhols ( Seven Isles)

Vicki Mowrey ( Central Beach)

Abby Laughlin ( Central beach)

Steve Jacobson (former VP Lakeridge)

Marge Anderson (former Pres Middle River Terrace)

John Aurelius ( former Ft laud CC )

Ron Weinbaum

Logan Ritter ( MRT)

Jen Brugman (MRT)

Ross Parker ( Call of Africa)

Pastor Petit Frere

Ben Session ( former pres SMRCA)

Sal Gatanio ( former pres SMRCA)

Katherine Barry (past Pres CCA)

Charlie Ladd- small developer

Lorraine Saunders ( past Pres MRT)

Maureen ( Eat the Tea)

Donna Collins ( sec. SMRCA)

Cindy Smith – wife

Timmy Smith- son

Frank Palenco ( House of Art)

Rev. Luke Harrigan

Pastor Diane Mann

Dave Justin ( former treasure MRT)

Randall Klett ( former Prres MRT)

Mark Hensel ( former Pres MRT)

Sean (Le Boy)

George Mihau- newsletter publisher

Chuck Gregory – Board of CCA

Michael Haerting ( Cycle Party)

Chris ( cycle party)

Johua Tiktin ( Mass District)

Mark Hartman ( former Pres MRT)

Don Crinklaw- reporter

Elaine Viets ( famous local author)

Louise Birminham – MRT

Steve Greer – MRT

Gail Jacobson – Lakeridge

Hubert and Terry (SMRCA)

Rob and Carmen Smith (SMRCA)

Rayon Piper ( VP of CCA)

Jessica Piper – MRT

Dan Lewis – former mayoral candidate !

Tore Heubel – MRT

James Brady

Robin Merill

Doug Snyder

Caldwell Cooper

Rocky Bowell- Pride Factory

Justin Greenbaum – CRA

Derrick Caglianone – 13th Street

Pam Caglianone- 13th Street

Amy Jones Hamilton – former Pres. Laudergate Isles

Vicki Eckels- – also District 4 resident supporting Ben Sorensen

Barry Curtis – MRT

Diane and Bill Smart- preservationists

Bob Oelke

Neysa Rich Brady

Jack Moroney – 13th Street

Harris Soloman-

Howard Elfman – former Dist II candidate !

Rob Stiegle- small developer

Linda and Karl Shallenberger

Mel Lenet- 13th Street

David and Susanna Coleman – MRT

Cliff and Michelle Stickler – MRT

Ray Thrower – SMRCA

Tom Rose

Jim Ober

Richard Eberhard – MRT

Steve and Beverly Stahl – MRT

Nick Saknofsky – former candidate

Brad Laird _ SMRCA

 

Frank Link – Central Beach

Ray Parker – Parker Playhouse

Michael Madfis- architect

Michael Ferber – former candidate Dist II

Anthony Abbate- famous guy

Dil Hatchette – MRT

Dan Murphy – MRT

John Day- famous guy

Marc Dickerman

Mark Lambert = Central Beach

Darrin Mowrey – Central Beach

Tony Esposito – Flagler Village

Marilyn Hurst –

Mike Tucker – President FOP

Genia Ellis

P.J. Espinol – SMRCA

Nicole and Janette – SMR

Dick Ellis

Diana Centorino – fmr. P&Z

Percy Johnson

Tom Recca- CityView

Mike Moscowitz – former candidate Dist. II

Christine Jones – VP-  Lauderdale Manors

Fenel Antoine – Haitian Community leader

Jeff Torkleson – Bike Project

James Campbell

Tony Curatolo

Marie McGinley – South Middle River

Doug Blevins – former Pres SMRCA

 

 

…. see me in the community, or send me an email or call me at 954-822-4727 to add your name  …thanks, Tim

 

[wpedon id=”1741″]

paid for and approved by the Tim Smith campaign for City Commissioner Fort Lauderdale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…. So I took off early this morning for the beach and my daily run …..  I knew the beach would be busy, with the Boat Show, but I figured if I got there really early, I could park, run, and fly!

…… So I headed for  the City lot, where I usually put in my  two dollars and run !

What ?  ….. $20 at my usual $2 City lot !  ….. geez …

Alright, not doing that, let’s ride around  –

Well that’s just confusing !

 

It’s getting worse !

 

….and worser !

 

 

…. now that’s almost vulgar !!

 

 

I could Valet here at the Swimming Hall Of Fame   ….. forget about it !

 

OK, I get it……  then I drove further north  …

 

A good ole’ meter  …. I parked !

 

I ran down to see what was making parking so ungodly expensive  …

 

 

You can smell the money !

 

 

I want the OctoPussy Yacht … only a gazillion dollars !

 

maybe I’ll buy these $50 flip flops ….. NOT !

 

OK, that all made me unusually tired, I’m going to McDonalds for a $1 Senior Coffee  !

 

……………..Tim

………………………………………………………………………………………

And, if you can help me get elected – Donate button below

[wpedon id=”1741″]

Paid for and approved by the Tim Smith Campaign for Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Districe 2

 

 

So I’m running for City Commissioner– Fort Lauderdale District II,  just like I first did almost 15 years ago, and I find myself just as I was then ……

 

 

…..  The Underdog ! …..When I ran for my first term, I was in a race with seven others for an open seat…… I was running against a former Speaker of the House, Tom Gustafson,  and people said with the money he was raising, I might as well go home …

 

 

…..Well I didn’t go home, battled on, and won in the primary by just 4 votes ! ( every vote counts!)

……Now I find myself in another open seat race, and this time, the Big Dog is a top lawyer- lobbyist who is bragging about raising $10,000 in just 6 days for his heretofore unknown candidate….

Here is who I think he raised the money  from …..

 

 

….. Fat Cats   …. lawyer Lobbyists !

……Now I need your help   … I have always had a policy of only accepting $25 donations  ….I know that big political donation money is the root of evil, and I’ll have no part of it  …… So I need $25 from all of you, please

   …… To donate on this site, hit the DONATE  button below and send me $25  …. It will be greatly appreciated….. I promise I will not let the Fat Cats win, so I primed the Tim Smith campaign with $10,000 of my own money ( I mean me and Cindy’s money) and will stay competitive no matter what…. But I sure hope you will join the Tim Team with $25, so I can quit sleeping on the couch !

Lastly, The Tim Team will have it’s organizational meeting next Wednesday. November 8, at this place

 

 

at 530 NE 13th Street , November 8 at 5:30 …. Food will be served !

…..OK, here is that dreaded DONATE button ! ….thanks, talk soon …..  Tim

(Paid for and approved by the Tim Smith campaign for Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Dist 2)

[wpedon id=”1741″]

I’m feeling quite humbled by the response from my fellow citizens to my last post when I told you I was in the race for City Commissioner for Fort Lauderdale, Dist. II ……. I wasn’t sure if  you would support my effort to re-enter politics, but it seems you have (at least most of you 🙂 ……And  if I’m lucky enough to be elected, this will be my daily mantra …

…( I’ll list some of the folks that have given me the green light this week to publicly list them as supporters,( at the bottom of this post)

But first,…..  let me tell you some of the things I am thinking need attention immediately  …..

We can’t have sewage floating in the street – ever .….

yuck ! ….. unacceptable ! …. though the City has appropriated 15 million and is working the worst lines, there needs to be much much more done – now ! – I mean yesterday !

 

The problem is the half of the City that didn’t get the new lines during the Water Works program ( I was  on the Commission that fixed the first half). Many of these 50 year old lines have leaks in them … When we have heavy rains, (like this week), the rain water goes into the waste lines through their holes, (infiltration) and the poo mixture can’t go into the treatment plant fast enough, so it bubbles up through the manholes and into the streets …..OMG

This has to be item number one! …..  ( I have more thoughts on funding sources, timetables etc, but that is for the next posts).   We need to get at this right … right  away,  so we can continue to redevelop the areas of the city that still need redevelopment badly.

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

Secondly, we need to find ways to reassure ourselves that we will not be swallowed by our own successes   …… We are in an overcharged economy, and many citizens want things slowed down, and they worry, reasonably,  that development is out of control, traffic a disaster, – and no one is tending to it   ….

Truth is, our population in Fort Lauderdale  has only grown by 5 % over the last decade or so…….  But Broward County, has exploded, and every day, 350,000, ……… yes 350,000 people,  western Broward residents, come into our City, and clog things up    …. I think there are things we can do, both short term and long term – (permanent solutions to this problem do exist), and I want the City to jump on this issue like a flea to a dog !!!

 

Can’t wait to post again !   ..…..   please keep an eye on this site and give me your feedback ….

 

here are just some of my supporters, so far 🙂 ……. pls. join !

Nina Randall ( former Middle River Terrace Pres)

Tim Schiavone ( Parrot Lounge)

Rob Edlin ( Flagler Village)

Howard Steinhols ( Seven Isles)

Vicki Mowrey ( Central Beach)

Abby Laughlin ( Central beach)

Steve Jacobson (former VP Lakeridge)

Marge Anderson (former Pres Middle River Terrace)

John Aurelius ( former Ft laud CC )

Ron Weinbaum ( Poinsettia Hgts Pres)

Logan Ritter ( MRT)

Jen Brugman (MRT)

Ross Parker ( Call of Africa)

Pastor Petit Frere

Ben Session ( former pres SMRCA)

Sal Gatanio ( former pres SMRCA)

Katherine Barry (past Pres CCA)

Charlie Ladd

Lorraine Saunders ( past Pres MRT)

Maureen ( Eat the Tea)

Donna Collins ( sec. SMRCA)

Cindy Smith – wife

Timmy Smith- son

Frank Palenco ( House of Art)

Rev. Luke Harrigan

Pastor Diane Mann

Dave Justin ( former treasure MRT)

Randall Klett ( former Prres MRT)

Mark Hensel ( former Pres MRT)

Sean (Le Boy)

George Mihau

Chuck Gregory – Board of CCA

Michael Haerting ( Cycle Party)

Chris ( cycle party)

Johua Tiktin ( Mass District)

Mark Hartman ( former Pres MRT)

Don Crinklaw

Elaine Viets ( famous local author)

Louise Birminham – MRT

Steve Greer – MRT

Gail Jacobson – Lakeridge

Hubert and Terry (SMRCA)

Rob and Carmen Smith (SMRCA)

Rayon Piper ( VP of CCA)

Jessica Piper – MRT

Dan Lewis – former mayoral candidate !

Tore Heubel – MRT

James Brady

Robin Merill

Doug Snyder

Caldwell Cooper

Rocky Bowell

Justin Greenbaum – CRA

Derrick Caglianone

Pam Caglianone

Amy Jones Hamilton – former Pres. Laudergate Isles

Vicki Eckels

Barry Curtis – MRT

Diane and Bill Smart

Bob Oelke

Neysa Rich Brady

Jack Moroney – 13th Street

Harris Soloman

Howard Elfman – former Dist II candidate !

Rob Stiegle

Linda and Karl Shallenberger

Mel Lenet

David and Susanna Coleman – MRT

Cliff and Michelle Stickler – MRT

Ray Thrower – SMRCA

Tom Rose

Jim Ober

Richard Eberhard – MRT

Steve and Beverly Stahl – MRT

Nick Saknofsky – former candidate

Brad Laird _ SMRCA

Frank Link – Central Beach

Ray Parker – Parker Playhouse

Michael Madfis

Michael Ferber – former candidate Dist II

Anthony Abbate

Dil Hatchette – MRT

Dan Murphy – MRT

John Day

 

 

………    would you add your name ?    …… comment on this blog or reach me at tim@timsmith.com

 

 

Today, I  went for it ! …. I did it! …..

…. I  filed papers with the City to run for the Fort Lauderdale (District II)  City Commission  ! …. again !

I told you all in my last post that I was looking for something really productive to do, in my ripe old age of 61, and I decided that this is it !

OK, sure …. that’s my first yard sign from my very first campaign in 1997, but after all, I’m a fiscal conservative ! …

All joking aside, it’s an especially challenging time for all of us in Fort Lauderdale. We have major infrastructure issues, the future growth of our  city needs to be planned, now, ….  public safety is, as always –  priority #1, …. and I hope you will find me the candidate best able to help get these important issues settled  … ….

More to follow  …..   call me anytime at  954-822-4727

……………  humbly, …. Tim

 

 

 

 

Dear friends ( and even the rest of you 🙂 …….

Cindy and I had a very nice thing happen to us last week …….

…. Right at the time that Cindy and I  were celebrating our nearly 40 years together, we sold our  Bear Creek Lodge and Cabins- the cabins we have bought and built and developed in the Georgia mountains over the last 15 years  …..

We started Bear Creek after I served for two terms ( 6 years) on the Fort Lauderdale City Commission, self term limited myself to run for Mayor ( against Jim Naugle), and lost   ……

(This was me smiling before the loss ……)

Since leaving public office in 2003,  Cindy and I have been traveling back and forth to Georgia to tend to the cabins, then back to Fort Lauderdale to continue our decades long mission to work with our team to finally fix the 13th Street part of Fort Lauderdale ….

 

….. So next Saturday, we are kind of declaring victory for 13th Street, with this super fun event above, (you should come) …. So not only will I not be traveling back and forth to Georgia, but I can consider the 13th Street/4th ave area of Fort Lauderdale nearly  trending !!

So, at the ripe young age of 61, I am thinking of a new adventure   ,,,, I feel great, have time ( and some money but don’t tell Cindy I said so 🙂  …..

I want to continue to make a difference in our adopted great City – Fort Lauderdale !

Hope to see you all next Saturday, maybe you will give me some ideas !

 

 

OK, here it  is   …….  time to forget about hurricanes and lack of electricity and cable ….. it’s

….Time to PARTY !

… We are reopening the brand new NE 13th street on Saturday Oct 21 with a big, big shindig   …. starting at 3 pm, walk or run the length of the street with us in the Funky Fun Run (go to funkyfunrun.org to register). then we cut the “official” ribbon, then the party is on …..nationally recognized blues band  – Blues Riders, lots of food and booze choices, a pet parade and doggie contests, vendor booths, art,  pony rides for the kids, so much fun it should be illegal !

………… See you there  …… Tim  ….. ( if you know a vendor that wants in, call me at 954-822-4727)

 

………  So friends, click on this arrow above, and if nothing happens, click on the link below  …… you need to know !  ….thanks, Tim

http://www.smilebox.com/playBlog/4e4455314f5463784d6a453d0d0a&blogview=true