Tim Smith's Fort Lauderdale

     The Voters of Fort Lauderdale will finally get chance to substantially alter their City Commission in March 2009.

     For the first time ever in the history of Fort Lauderdale, term limits will kick in, which will effectively remove three of the five members of the Fort Lauderdale City Commission. In the last 97 years since Fort Lauderdale’s incorporation in 1911, city politicians could serve and serve and serve some more! Incumbents have nearly always won re-election, and most left office only for reasons of death, relocation, or indictment! 

     This is how things are stacking up so far:

     Mayor – The Mayoral seat opens after being held by Jim Naugle for 18 years. Naugle was first elected as a commissioner in 1985, which puts his tenure in elected office at 24 years. (Yikes!)

                                  

     Five are currently vying for the post. They are:

City Commissioner Cindi Hutchinson – term limited as City Commissioner
State Representative Jack Seiler – term limited as State Rep.
Dean Trantalis – former one term City Commissioner
Earl Rynerson – local businessman and former San Francisco official
Steve Rossi – local lawyer best known for his advertisements on bus benches

     There has been talk of others getting in the race, but even with the five already announced, a record has been set.


     District I –  this area covers most of the northern part of the City, and is widely believed to be the most affluent (and most Republican). It is currently represented by City Commissioner Christine Teel, who is running for re-election. If she wins, she will serve her last three year term, and be term limited herself. She has drawn two challengers so far;

 Bruce Roberts – former Chief of Police
Inger Garcia – local lawyer and Galt Ocean Mile activist

     District II – This District is the most diverse district, which swings through the beach, up Las Olas, through Victoria Park, and out into neighborhoods with serious crime problems and poorer immigrants. It is currently being served by first term Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom, and though no one has yet announced their intention to run against her yet, word is that these folks are probably getting in the race soon;

Steve Glassman – Central beach Alliance President
Mike Vondermulen – Poinsettia Hgts President
Howard Elfman – Victoria Park activist and local businessman

     District III – This district encompasses the poorest parts of the City, and was configured to elect a black person to the historically all white Commissions. The current Commissioner Carlton Moore is term limited, ran for a County Commission seat and lost, and has resigned his City Commission seat effective November 4th. His seat will be filled by an appointment who will serve from November until the March election. There are currently four announced candidates for his seat and at least two others who are expected to jump in soon. They are;

Jimmy B. “O Glory” Witherspoon – local youth pastor (pictured below)
                              
                           

Bobby Dubose – local businessman 
Nadine Hankerson
Cameron L. Mizell

and expected to join race soon – 
 
Bernadette Norris-Weeks – local attorney and well known city activist
LaRhonda Ware – Dorsey Riverbend President

     District IV –  This district is the original Fort Lauderdale. Las Olas, Harbor Beach, and the rest of the areas south of the New River make up it’s constituency. It’s known to be more conservative, anti-growth, and houses most of the native Fort Lauderdalians. The open seat has attracted three candidates so far:

Romney Rogers – grandson of State Representative Rogers and local lawyer. Romney represents the conservative side of the district.

Coleman Prewitt – local lawyer and favorite of the city’s best known civic activists. 

Jim Lewis – local lawyer and famous as the lawyer for Lionel Tate.


     So that’s the scoop, as it exists today ! Twenty-one candidates and counting. But the week is young ! .. … Stay tuned!

              







 
                                  

    Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Frank Adderley has returned to his roots. Due to some rather volatile circumstances in his personal life, Adderley needed to abruptly change his address recently!

     He now lives just off Sistrunk Boulevard in the home he grew up in. With the recent passing of his Mom, and Adderley’s need for a fresh domicile, the fit couldn’t have been better. “I’m never leaving Fort Lauderdale again” , Adderley said .

     Adderley grew up in the impoverished area when all blacks that grew up in Fort Lauderdale grew up off Sistrunk Boulevard. That’s where they were allowed to live.
 
     Adderley excelled, joined the Police Force, and made his way all the way to the top, Chief of Police. He had been living a quiet peaceful life, commuting daily to his home in Plantation, but that was then, and this is now.

      Adderley says he is working through his family matters, and hopes people will leave that private part of his life private.
        


                                                          


     Chief Adderley’s new circumstance might just be a boon for Fort Lauderdale. He is said to be working long hours, developing new strategies to fight Fort Lauderdale crime, and is even thinking about working one day a week as a Patrolman, to keep his finger on the pulse of the community. He says the neighbors come by his new home with problems, but he doesn’t mind. ” I took this job to make a difference” , Adderley explained. 

     In one ironic case, even the local thugs are being helpful. Reports have it that they chased off a news crew last week that were staking out Adderley’s house yelling “leave the Chief alone”.  

     I guess there is a silver lining to every dark cloud !

     
    

…..It’s official !
 
     Former Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Bruce Roberts is in. As we first heard the rumor and shared it with you months ago, the 35 year Fort Lauderdale Policeman will now fight to serve as a Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner!

                                         
    
     He will be challenging two term incumbent Commissioner Christine Teel and local lawyer Ingrid Garcia. 

      It’s bound to be one for the record books. Roberts resigned as Police Chief just a few months ago under protest. He sent a public, and very sharp letter to City Manager George Gretsas, accusing the Manager of interfering with his duties as Chief, ordering retribution against Union Officials, and even withholding important Police Safety Gear. 

     Now he is asking the citizens to hire him (as a Commissioner) to be Gretsas’ boss! Such irony!

     I asked Roberts to respond to a few short questions this afternoon, and here they are with his responses.

     ……….So Chief, you’ve gone and done it!  What made you decide to go for it?

     Roberts ….. For the past three years, I have been thinking about running. Remember your letter to me then, asking me to run for a position? Well, I never really dismissed that invitation. Planning for my retirement, I started to focus more on that option during the last year or so; a lot of people also asked that I run for office. With my whole life (35 years) dedicated to public service, I just wanted to continue to serve….. it’s what I do best. I have lived here since 1964 and feel I know our community and it’s needs. I have no special interests to create conflicts. As a Commissioner, I believe I can do even more.

     ………. What are your goals and priorities?

     Roberts ….. Our goals and our priorities will be posted on our web site in the next two weeks (just wanted to throw my hat into the ring today and serve notice that I will be running). Suffice it to say, our main goals are
                    …. Public Safety
                         …. Bring back government by the people/ community involvement in political      
                               decisions
                         …. Team building/ Commission consensus
                         …. Economic Development

       ……….. So, are you going to fire Gretsas?

    Roberts ….. You know me as a Professional with integrity, and therefore know that I will not comment on personnel decisions.

     ………..  I figured he’d say that !  … Just thought I’d slip that in!  …It’s definitely going to be one for the record books!

     Her name is Inger Garcia.
 
     And she is the first competitor to jump into the race against current District I City Commissioner Christine Teel. At least one other challenger,former Police Chief Bruce Roberts, is expected to follow Garcia’s lead soon.

                                      

     Garcia is best known on the Galt Ocean Mile, a string of High-Rise condominiums that make up a large voting block in District I. She’s had a standing column about condo law in the The Fort Lauderdale City News, a splashy monthly alternative newspaper that has been known to hit hard and rile feathers, and has a very large distribution in the City. 

     I interviewed Garcia on her 46th birthday, and found her quite effervescent and effusive in her remarks about her candidacy.
 
     Here are some examples:

……..  So Ingrid, why did you decide to run for District I Commissioner?

          “I want to help Fort Lauderdale … make a difference…. I’ve spent my whole career helping people, and now I want to fight for the rights of the people! …. This is a job I want!”
      
……..  And what makes you think you can beat the incumbent? 

         ” [she jokes] , my campaign manager hasn’t told me yet! …. but really, lots of people are unhappy with the incumbent. I’ll listen to the people!

……..  Can you give me some examples of how Teel doesn’t listen to the people?

           “She didn’t listen to them when they told her to protect the golf courses from development, she doesn’t listen to them when they tell her to stop the planes from flying over their heads. She [has the wrong ideas] about naming parks.  And she’s not focusing on making Fort Lauderdale green/organic and protected for the families. 

……..  So how will you approach the job differently?

         “First off, I will have an open door policy. I will tell my constituents to come to my house, knock on the door. I want to balance the budget, and pay some City employees a more realistic salary.

……..  Are there any specific employees you are talking about?

         “Well, lets just say that the City Manager is going to have to be able to explain his high salary to the citizens. If they think he deserves it, fine. 

……..  Anything else you want to say to your prospective voters?

        ” Just that I’ve spent the last 20 years helping people achieve their goals. Now I’m ready to help the citizens as a Commissioner”


     So the race is on in District I. Things should began to get very interesting from here on in !
    

     ….. It was big…. it was fun… see for yourself!

         
………..   the 1000’s of attendees (crowd estimate by Mickey Markoff !)

                            



                           ………..   and were they happy !

                        

                             ………..   some a little too happy!

                                   
                                                     busted!

         …….   ooooo…ahhhh …. the FOOD

                              

 ………. and the fun !

                                     the thrill of VICTORY!
                                    

                                           the agony of DEFEAT!

                                

  
                   …………      the Cops and Robbers excitement! 

                                                         this….

                             

                                                           and that!
                                


 …………   and the serious business at hand!

                                         the girls say THANKS …

                              

                                   the Citizens really mean business !


                      

                             Hey Chiefs ……. 
                            
                           please give your men and women a message !
                                       
                                        ….from the Citizens of
                                             Fort Lauderdale

                   


                                              
THANKS…………….

 

     Well, the Dog Days are upon us, the heat is oppressive, the chance of the big hurricane increases by the day, …. but have no fear ….  Politics Live On !

     Here’s the latest political scoops, as I’ve heard them!

    One of the biggest rumors of the year seems to be about to come true.


                            
     According to numerous credible sources, former Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Bruce Roberts is about ready to throw his proverbial hat in the political ring. He’s told numerous insiders that he feels his 35 years of dedicated work for Fort Lauderdale did not end with his resignation as Police Chief, and he feels he can be most effective as a City Commissioner.

     Roberts lives in District I, now represented by Commissioner Christine Teel. 

     You might remember that the former Chief left office with a rather fiery resignation letter to City Manager George Gretsas, charging him with interfering with the Police Chief’s duties, ordering retribution against union leaders, and withholding important Police safety gear. 

     If Roberts gets elected, he would be in the elite group of five that has the power to retain or fire Gretsas. Currently, only City Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom has publicly called for Gretsas’s removal. It’s probable that Robert’s would make that two, and Gretsas would be hanging by his proverbial thread ! 

     I first discussed this rumor with you in May, check out what we said then!  

 http://blog.timsmith.com/2008/05/12/police-chief-cancels-speech.aspx .


     And then there’s Rodstrom’s seat. She is the first term Commissioner for District II, widely believed to be the most difficult District in the City to represent (it’s true!) The District includes most of the Fort Lauderdale beach, which is the center of the largest industry in town (tourism), but also includes trendy Victoria Park, some of the Downtown, some of the Northwest.

     We first reported in April that beach leader Steve Glassman was thinking of challenging Rodstrom. He issued a non-denial denial then, but has been very busy since then meeting with neighborhood leaders and feeling out the mood. 

     I’ve heard from many of them that say that Glassman isn’t happy with Rodstrom and is almost certain to run.

     OK, that’s all for now!…Stay tuned

    

     Mark Yurex, of Middle River Terrace, says it’s certainly ruining his !

     Middle River Terrace is a middle class, mostly blue collar neighborhood that sits almost exactly, (geographically), in the middle of Fort Lauderdale. It’s had it’s share of problems over the last twenty years, but soared in value, and stabilized, during the boom years.
 
     And like other neighborhoods in Fort Lauderdale and elsewhere, the boom went bust. Lots of would be millionaires just packed up the dishes and flew the coop. Here is what they are leaving behind! 

                       How would you like to live next door to this beauty of a pool?


                                         


     Thought buying a home on the water would protect you from bad neighbors? … Guess again.


                                       


                          Is this home using the Real Estate tip of “curb appeal”? NOT! 


                                  

                                           So what’s the City doing about it? 

     According to Michael Maloney, Code Enforcement Manager for the City, the City is keenly aware of the problem, has established a Task force and is working on solutions to the problem. He says that Yurex’s neighbor’s house is on the bad list, and they are trying to figure out how to tackle the problem. He says that the wrinkle is that no one claims responsibility for many of these properties, and the City Ordinances aren’t strong enough to fix this complicated mess. He lamented that there are “100’s and 100’s” of these abandoned and degrading homes, dispersed “through-out the City”.
 
     He also said that the City Commission is looking for the City Management to suggest new laws that will be effective. Until then, the City is adverse to just swooping in, draining the pools, and mowing the grass, as the City wouldn’t ever be paid for their efforts.

     As far as Yurex is concerned, he could care less if the city collects or not. He doesn’t feel the City should let these dangerous and rotten conditions exist. In a letter today to the Mayor and City Commission, he rather forcefully states that he is tired of the City’s excuse. “Since my letter of two weeks ago, the weeds are two weeks taller, the pool and ponds have been the breeding ground for a million more mosquitoes, and my property values continue to drop”.

     When Code Manager Maloney was reached for a comment, he said the pools and ponds would be treated tomorrow.

     Something should be done! 




       

     We were all aghast!

     Our brand new Police Chief, Frank Adderley, had been lying in bed, when his wife burst in and leveled a 9 mm Beretta pistol at him and fired away. She missed, thank God! She chased him into the yard, continuing to fire away, (continuing to miss)! The details are sketchy, the citizens are perplexed.
                          
                                          
                                    Adderley as young Officer with
                                                       former Chief McCarthy and
                                                   Captain Urschalitz in background

 
      And that’s crazy for sure. And we are all correct in being shocked, and wanting an explanation. After all, we adopt our public figures as if they are our own. But is it the craziest thing that has ever happened here in Fort Lauderdale?

     Not by a long shot! (excuse the pun)
                           ……………………………………………..

     Here are some of the more insane things that our cherished town has produced and that have been on the front page of the papers over the years. We’ll start right from the start! And I’m expecting you send in more examples. 

  
   …… Most of the towns residents were viciously murdered by Seminole Indians before the town was even incorporated!

     …… The City’s founding father, Frank Stranahan, who served as the first Postmaster and City Councilman, tied a sewer grate around his foot and jumped into the New River as a most creative way to commit suicide.

                                               
                                            Stranahan during happier times

      …… We weren’t always so progressive. “No Jews” signs were posted along many of the beachfront hotels in the 1940’s and 1950’s and “Colored” toilets were in the Courthouse, and the “Colored Beach” was in Dania!

     ……  In the 60’s, The owner of the “Button”, a raucous and raunchy Spring Break bar, was arrested, after undercover Police Officers witnessed contests where crazed college kids were actually performing sex acts, on each other, on stage.

                                        [no picture available!]

     ……  In the 80’s, the downtown headquarters of the International Gold Bullion Exchange on East Broward Boulevard was raided after it was learned that the tens of millions of dollars of “gold” they were selling and storing in their vaults was actually gold painted wood blocks.
                          
                                             
                                          Gold Wood Bars Cheap!
 
     …… And in the 90’s, Vice Mayor Doug Danziger, who had led an effort to close the topless bars and adult businesses in the City, resigned from office after it was learned that he was a client of the infamous local high priced call girl Kathy Willets.

                                                   
                                          Kathy after surgery


     So there is some perspective. We will probably find out over the next few weeks or months all the sordid details of why Police Chief Adderley’s wife saw fit to “try and scare him”, (so she says), but all in all, it may be that we all just live in a really crazy town!
   

   And now there are five ! …


     Just in case you are keeping count, the fifth candidate for Mayor of Fort Lauderdale jumped into the fray this week! More about him in a minute!

     If you’ve been following what is sure to be an interesting political cauldron bubbler, you will remember that the race began simple enough; a three term, term limited Commissioner, (Hutchinson), the only candidate for months.

     Then, in came the other big gun, the State Representative (Seiler), and the race was on.
                 
                                  
                              Seiler’s well attended fund raiser last week


     But, as usual, just to make sure there would be a primary in the Mayor’s race, in jumped relatively unknown, but well resourced attorney, (Steve Rossi). The newest news on Rossi is that he has officially moved into the city from Wilton Manors (as has Seiler), and word is that he is coming out with a very provocative City financing plan soon!

     Then, when some thought it would stop with the three, in leaps former City Commissioner Dean Trantalis. Trantalis is talking confidently about his chances. Trantalis is rather locally famous, and was the only gay citizen in the race when he got in. Add his popularity with much of the beach folks and some other slow-growth residents, and you could see where his entry into the race could muddy things up!

     Then came the Colonel, now there are five!

     His name is Earl Rynerson, former Gulf War Lt. Colonel, and also GAY ! Now there are two gays! Wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall at the Naugle household this week ? 

                                  
                                   
                                   Rynerson at the Florida Dem’s Convention 

     Rynerson has been a resident of Fort Lauderdale for about a decade. He has no political experience here, but boasts that he served as a Commissioner in San Francisco, (that’s an appointed position in S.F., kind of like our Advisory Boards, but with real budget approving authority). 

    Rynerson has little name recognition, but he could get some footing, as it appears that he has made millions in different businesses he has owned. His current business is Clad Tile and Stone, near Fort Lauderdale High School. Rynerson has been making the rounds of the big names in the City, and what he lacks in familiarity, he seems to make up with his personal gusto.

     So, stay tuned, I have been predicting 7 total candidates by election day, so there might be two more to go! 

     Democratic Candidate for State Representative in District 91, Christian Chiari, is really pissed.

     His big and expensive political signs, (that we have begun to see more and more of with the November election coming fast), are being trashed. And not just pulled down, but slashed and stomped and split and kicked. 

     Chiari says , “one thing is certain, someone feels threatened by my signs”. He added that his big signs are sponsored by individual donors and that he “doesn’t have the heart” to tell his sign sponsor, a little old lady on the beach, that her sign has met an untimely end.
                  
                              

     Now this is nothing new. The unseemly sport of yanking the oppositions’ campaign signs has been around forever, but the Chiari signs are being unusually battered.

     Therefore, Tim Smith’s Fort Lauderdale is offering a $1000.00 REWARD, leading to the conviction of the slasher/stomper.

     Chiari says he thinks he knows which political opponents’ camp is behind the pummeling. So I reached out to the Bogdanoff campaign for a comment. None has been forthcoming, as of yet.

     The Reward money is in the bank. Give me a call……Tim