COVERS Fall 2011_Layout 1 - City of Plantation
COVERS Fall 2011_Layout 1 - City of Plantation
COVERS Fall 2011_Layout 1 - City of Plantation
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A message from Mayor Bendekovic<br />
Dear Neighbors,<br />
<strong>Plantation</strong>, as do most cities, continues to struggle<br />
under financial pressures created by the state-mandated<br />
tax revenue rollback in 2007 and the dramatic decrease<br />
in taxable property values. The state’s “one size fits all”<br />
mandate penalized cities like <strong>Plantation</strong> who have historically<br />
had low millage rates.<br />
As with many households who have had to tighten<br />
their “purse strings,” <strong>Plantation</strong> is no different. As we<br />
navigate through the budget process when creating a<br />
balanced budget, the decisions made are not always easy<br />
ones, but they are absolutely necessary.<br />
So, it is with regret that I notify residents that due to<br />
budgetary constraints, this will be the last edition <strong>of</strong> the<br />
<strong>Plantation</strong> Quarterly. However, information on recreational<br />
activities and events will be available for our<br />
residents on the <strong>City</strong>’s website at <strong>Plantation</strong>.org, and<br />
in the <strong>Plantation</strong> Sports & Activities Directory.<br />
There are some positive signs <strong>of</strong> recovery during these<br />
difficult economic times. <strong>Plantation</strong> is one <strong>of</strong> the few<br />
cities in Broward County that has had a slight increase in<br />
our property values and is currently experiencing an<br />
increase in the issuance <strong>of</strong> building permits. As one<br />
travels through the Midtown corridor, there is a buzz <strong>of</strong><br />
redevelopment activity in The Fountains, and even more<br />
to come with two recently approved major developments:<br />
One <strong>Plantation</strong> Place, and Midtown 24, Phase 2.<br />
Westside Regional Hospital recently broke ground on<br />
their 40,000 square foot medical <strong>of</strong>fice building, and<br />
84th Avenue will soon be receiving a facelift.<br />
In the months to come “Team <strong>Plantation</strong>” will<br />
continue to work on defining expense reductions, generating<br />
revenues, absorbing the cuts, and creating minimal<br />
impact on our residents, all without altering dramatically<br />
the delivered services.<br />
The following quote reflects our outlook: “There is no<br />
medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic<br />
so powerful as the expectation <strong>of</strong> something better<br />
tomorrow.” Orison Swett Marden, American author.<br />
Mayor Bendekovic<br />
Adopt-a-Shelf Program<br />
HELEN B. HOFFMAN PLANTATION LIBRARY<br />
An opportunity for Volunteerism and for Student Community Service<br />
TO MAINTAIN THE ORDER and<br />
appearance <strong>of</strong> the Library so patrons<br />
can locate materials easily.<br />
TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES for<br />
volunteerism and student community<br />
service.<br />
Volunteers choose an area <strong>of</strong> the library to be responsible for. This area may be<br />
a range <strong>of</strong> shelves in fiction, non-fiction or the children’s room. You are asked to<br />
come in once a week at your convenience to straighten that area. The books must<br />
be kept in proper Dewey and/or alphabetical order. The shelves must be kept<br />
neat by aligning books with the front edge <strong>of</strong> shelf whenever possible and shifting<br />
when necessary. Shelves need to be dusted when necessary. Any books that need<br />
new covers, cleaning or repair should be brought to the Reference Librarian.<br />
Volunteers sign in and out in a log. Staff then fills out any necessary forms for<br />
student community service hours based on logged hours.<br />
NECESSARY VOLUNTEER SKILLS<br />
3 Spend al least 1 hour, one day a week on a consistent basis<br />
3 Stooping, stretching, standing and use <strong>of</strong> footstool are required<br />
3 Ability to reach top and bottom shelves<br />
3 Ability to work with the Dewey Decimal system and alphabetical filing systems<br />
3 Ability to follow oral and written instructions<br />
3 Attention to detail<br />
3 Proper library behavior at all times<br />
TRAINING: The program supervisor will provide group or one-to-one training<br />
and orientation at the time <strong>of</strong> placement.<br />
**Volunteers need to meet the minimum required time commitment,<br />
behavior, and accuracy standards.<br />
For more information about our Adopt-a-Shelf<br />
Program, call Tanya Field at 954-797-2144.<br />
REVERSE 911<br />
WATER BILL INSERT CORRECTION<br />
A recent message in the <strong>City</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Plantation</strong>’s<br />
water bills mistakenly <strong>of</strong>fered residents the<br />
opportunity to contact the Fire Department to<br />
register cell phone numbers, or other means <strong>of</strong><br />
contact, with the <strong>City</strong>’s Communicator NXT or<br />
“Reverse 9-1-1” system. Residents are asked to<br />
please refrain from this. The Reverse 9 -1-1<br />
system is designed to alert residents via land line<br />
phones <strong>of</strong> specific hazards within an area or<br />
areas <strong>of</strong> the <strong>City</strong>. The contact list is generated<br />
from the phone company and cannot be added to.<br />
We apologize for the error.<br />
Get the Fax!<br />
The Helen B. H<strong>of</strong>fman <strong>Plantation</strong> Library has a<br />
self-service FAX kiosk available for public use<br />
(outgoing faxes only).<br />
$1.50 first page and $1 each additional page<br />
The fax machine accepts:<br />
VISA, MasterCard, AMEX & Discover credit and debit cards.<br />
<strong>Plantation</strong> Quarterly <strong>Fall</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />
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