COVERS Fall 2011_Layout 1 - City of Plantation

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A message from Mayor Bendekovic Dear Neighbors, Plantation, as do most cities, continues to struggle under financial pressures created by the state-mandated tax revenue rollback in 2007 and the dramatic decrease in taxable property values. The state’s “one size fits all” mandate penalized cities like Plantation who have historically had low millage rates. As with many households who have had to tighten their “purse strings,” Plantation is no different. As we navigate through the budget process when creating a balanced budget, the decisions made are not always easy ones, but they are absolutely necessary. So, it is with regret that I notify residents that due to budgetary constraints, this will be the last edition of the Plantation Quarterly. However, information on recreational activities and events will be available for our residents on the City’s website at Plantation.org, and in the Plantation Sports & Activities Directory. There are some positive signs of recovery during these difficult economic times. Plantation is one of the few cities in Broward County that has had a slight increase in our property values and is currently experiencing an increase in the issuance of building permits. As one travels through the Midtown corridor, there is a buzz of redevelopment activity in The Fountains, and even more to come with two recently approved major developments: One Plantation Place, and Midtown 24, Phase 2. Westside Regional Hospital recently broke ground on their 40,000 square foot medical office building, and 84th Avenue will soon be receiving a facelift. In the months to come “Team Plantation” will continue to work on defining expense reductions, generating revenues, absorbing the cuts, and creating minimal impact on our residents, all without altering dramatically the delivered services. The following quote reflects our outlook: “There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, and no tonic so powerful as the expectation of something better tomorrow.” Orison Swett Marden, American author. Mayor Bendekovic Adopt-a-Shelf Program HELEN B. HOFFMAN PLANTATION LIBRARY An opportunity for Volunteerism and for Student Community Service TO MAINTAIN THE ORDER and appearance of the Library so patrons can locate materials easily. TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES for volunteerism and student community service. Volunteers choose an area of the library to be responsible for. This area may be a range of shelves in fiction, non-fiction or the children’s room. You are asked to come in once a week at your convenience to straighten that area. The books must be kept in proper Dewey and/or alphabetical order. The shelves must be kept neat by aligning books with the front edge of shelf whenever possible and shifting when necessary. Shelves need to be dusted when necessary. Any books that need new covers, cleaning or repair should be brought to the Reference Librarian. Volunteers sign in and out in a log. Staff then fills out any necessary forms for student community service hours based on logged hours. NECESSARY VOLUNTEER SKILLS 3 Spend al least 1 hour, one day a week on a consistent basis 3 Stooping, stretching, standing and use of footstool are required 3 Ability to reach top and bottom shelves 3 Ability to work with the Dewey Decimal system and alphabetical filing systems 3 Ability to follow oral and written instructions 3 Attention to detail 3 Proper library behavior at all times TRAINING: The program supervisor will provide group or one-to-one training and orientation at the time of placement. **Volunteers need to meet the minimum required time commitment, behavior, and accuracy standards. For more information about our Adopt-a-Shelf Program, call Tanya Field at 954-797-2144. REVERSE 911 WATER BILL INSERT CORRECTION A recent message in the City of Plantation’s water bills mistakenly offered residents the opportunity to contact the Fire Department to register cell phone numbers, or other means of contact, with the City’s Communicator NXT or “Reverse 9-1-1” system. Residents are asked to please refrain from this. The Reverse 9 -1-1 system is designed to alert residents via land line phones of specific hazards within an area or areas of the City. The contact list is generated from the phone company and cannot be added to. We apologize for the error. Get the Fax! The Helen B. Hoffman Plantation Library has a self-service FAX kiosk available for public use (outgoing faxes only). $1.50 first page and $1 each additional page The fax machine accepts: VISA, MasterCard, AMEX & Discover credit and debit cards. Plantation Quarterly Fall 2011 7
City Prepares FOR THE BIG ONE! FIRE I BUCKET BRIGADE IS HOT! City leaders and department heads meet each year to review preparations and procedures for the upcoming hurricane season. On June 6, City officials once again met to review emergency operation plans for the upcoming hurricane season. Fire Chief Joe Harris reviewed the City’s process when a storm or other major emergency is pending. Department officials were asked to review their current plans and discuss future needs. “The greatest issue,” said Harris, “ is communications. Keeping the public and our own employees informed is a tremendous task.” Harris expressed some concern about complacency. “We have not had a storm in several years. People forget easily. And, many of the current residents have never experienced a hurricane.” Just prior to Hurricane Wilma, the City of Plantation formed the Plantation Joint Information Team. The team is responsible for mass communications during a major emergency. “The Joint information Team has an extensive plan to keep the community informed,” stated Harris. “We have several layers of technology and tools which will be available regardless of the intensity of the event. An electronic version of the Recreation Quarterly will be available at Plantation.org _________ For a printed copy of recreation activities, other events and information about Plantation, the Sports & Activities Directory is available at all of the City of Plantation recreational facilities, City Hall, schools, libraries, hospitals, Publix, CVS and many local business. If you would like more information about the Sports & Activities Directory please call 954-649-4441. Members of the Plantation Firematics Team dump the last few pails of water into the barrel to complete the Bucket Brigade portion of the competition. Team members compete against the clock to fill a 55 gallon drum with water from a trough, located several feet away. FIREFIGHTERS CLAIM STATE CHAMPIONSHIP FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR It is said when you win once you’re a champion, twice is a streak. Three times and you’re a dynasty! On June 11, Plantation’s Firematics Team declared its dynasty when they traveled to the Gulf Coast to compete against eight other teams, statewide, in the Florida State Firefighter’s Association, State Firematics Tournament held at the Bass Pro Shops in Fort Myers. Teams compete in six different events involving a variety of firefighting skills including a crowd favorite, an old fashioned Bucket Brigade. Plantation earned first place honors in three events, including the Bucket Brigade, and second in a fourth event. For the third consecutive year Plantation qualified for first place, and to bring home the revolving State Championship Trophy. This is the eighth time, since 1987, Plantation has finished first. Plantation’s Firematics Team claimed the State Championship for the third year in a row. Plantation has won the title a total of eight times! ARE YOU LISTENING? PLANTATION INFORMATION RADIO WQFL 1620 AM u Weather u Traffic u Emergencies u Events u Information GIVE US FIVE MINUTES WE’LL GIVE YOU THE KEYS TO THE CITY Plantation Quarterly is printed on recycled paper. PLEASE RECYCLE THIS MAGAZINE. Flip the magazine over for the Recreation Quarterly. 8 Plantation Quarterly Fall 2011
Page 1 and 2: Plantation AN OFFICIAL CITY OF PLAN
Page 3 and 4: Sponsored by the City of Plantation
Page 5 and 6: Tennis and Pool Camp for ages 6 to
Page 7: “Race to Read”@ the Library wit
Page 11 and 12: Identity Theft HOW TO PROTECT YOUR
Page 13 and 14: WHAT’S HAPPENING IN Plantation Sc
Page 15 and 16: Plantation Business ACCESS TO CAPIT
Page 17 and 18: BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER! Planta

COVERS Fall 2011_Layout 1 - City of Plantation

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