Odds and Ends and Odds

     Here’s a few items of interest – will be looking for your comments!

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

     1.    

     Forbes magazine does lots of lists! And last week, one of their lists was not kind to Fort Lauderdale – their ranking of Cities with the best/worst climate for business.

      The list of 200 Cities put Fort Lauderdale at #192, just barely above the bankrupt City of Stockton, Calif., who came in #196. The listing was titled Fort Lauderdale, but actually included all of Broward County.

     This poor showing incensed the Greater Fort Lauderdale Alliance ( the County’s business group), who disagreed with the county ranking, and sent out a list of talking points, meant to argue the point. Most of the City’s leaders were sent the “points” which then drew this response from long time civic activist and lawyer John Wilkes –

                                      

                                                     actually John Wilkes Booth, all I could find

                                              “Having
just returned from New Jersey – when Newark and Camden (having driven
through each) are ranked above our fair City, it is a sad day indeed!
While State and local efforts in each have focused on a plan for
recovery, with the window dressing of public arenas, they have a long
way to go from advisable to avoid to desirable to live.

     As for Fort Lauderdale, it is time for a real self – evaluation, not self-laudatory recap”.

     I agree with John!


     2.

    The Fort Lauderdale City Commission  backed a change to the city’s Charter to allow future Commissioners to extend their possible time on the Commission to 12 years, (currently they can only serve 9 years) . The change will have to be approved by the voters.

    Only Commissioner Rogers spoke against the plan, saying the 12 years were too many, but he ultimately joined the rest of the Commission in the unanimous vote.

     When you see the proposed change on the ballot – You Should Vote NO! (12 years is too many!)

     3.

             

      The Fort Lauderdale City Manager Lee Feldman says they are still taking the Broward County Schools to the “Special Master” for building violations uncovered when they butchered multiple healthy, large Mahogany trees, but the hearing has been postponed. The School Board lawyers requested a 30 day continuance, so the hearing is now scheduled for  Aug. 16.

         

       Hopefully, they can take away all their chain saws until then!

    

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