June 2006 - The Parklander Magazine

Parkland MayorMichael UdineCoral Springs MayorScott J. BrookAnother school year has come and gone. Is it just me or are theygoing by faster and faster? In my many visits to all of the greatschools throughout the City, I see firsthand our top quality schools.Our children are working hard and excelling in their studies. Wehave top quality teachers and administrators who are alwayswilling to go the extra mile, and parent volunteers who are secondto none.Recently I attended a small lightingceremony for the stadium lights at the newDouglas High School Stadium. Prettysoon, the Parkland community will beable to enjoy home games at Douglasunder the lights. Douglas excels invirtually every area—academics, athletics,the arts and leadership and has led theCounty in CAPPY awards for its dramadepartment. Douglas High is well on itsway to Principal Traeger’s goal ofbecoming the number one public highschool in the nation.Westglades Middle School serves as anexample of great leadership and teamwork among itsadministration, teachers and staff. As a member of Westglades SACTeam, I see each month, firsthand, a middle school that is second tonone. From the success in the “brain bowl”, science fair and on allacademic levels, Westglades seems to be doing everything right ineducating our children. Attending its awards night rightfullyserves as a source of pride for everyone involved.Our elementary schools are filled with some of the best and thebrightest minds throughout the County. Riverglades has had itsMeet the Masters program for a number of years and each year itgets bigger and better. I enjoy checking out the artwork throughoutthe school.This year, Parktrails had its first D.R.E.A.M. event focusing oncultural arts as well. It was a great night that gave the kids a chanceto show off their creative side. And did they ever! Both schoolsshould be proud of their young artists.I would be remiss if I didn’t compliment Mary Help of Christianson a successful first year of educating children in its new facility.Attending the dedication ceremony was a positive experience andthis school is a great addition to our City.As a City, we want to do our part and continue to do everythingwe can to assist the schools in Parkland. We have recently made ourappointments to the City of Parkland’s first Educational AdvisoryBoard. This new City Board brings outstanding residents andvolunteers together on a monthly basis to help advise the City oneducational issues. Whether you have a child in school or not, greatlocal schools contribute to our community in so many ways! Toeveryone involved, enjoy your well-deserved summer break.Mayor Udine actively encourages your comments and wants to hear yourconcerns. He holds office hours at Parkland City Hall on the last Wednesdayof each month. Please feel free to stop by.You can also make an appointmentthroughout the month by contacting him via email atMUdine@cityofparkland.org, or by calling (954) 753-5040.Douglas HS Lighting CeremonyIt has been an extraordinary ride so far to be your Mayor. I havemet so many wonderful citizens, shared pizza parties with greatchildren at the Coral Springs Christian Academy and the DaySchool of Coral Springs, and I am truly blessed to work with sucha fine City Commission. We have recently completed the beststrategic planning session I have ever been a part of, and I lookforward to an ambitious businessplan that aspires to meet all of ourcommunity's needs.So long as I have enough peoplewho are interested, I will be hosting aGovernment Leadership class in thefall for people of all ages. TheGovernment Leadership class willeducate you and your children aboutlocal government, the roles of the CityCommission. Hopefully, it willinspire you as well.We have recently received surveyresults that reveal tremendouscustomer satisfaction in ourcommunity as well as a few areas that weplan to focus on improving. We haveheard from many of you who want betterand more consistent Code enforcement.Some of you are absolutely sick ofspeeding and the dangers it presents toyour children.Many are concerned about theupcoming hurricane season. As yourMayor, and one of five dedicated electedofficials who serve you, let me assure youthat these concerns are also ours and wewill do everything we can to empower our employees to haverules “with teeth” to protect our community, and an even strongeremergency plan this summer and fall.If you want to help our community in case of a disaster, I urgeyou to join the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).The training given is invaluable. My wife, Brenda, and I are proudgraduates. For more information, please visit our website atwww.coralsprings.org.The City has implemented a Tree Replanting program wherewe are helping those who qualify replace street trees. Please stopby City Hall to pick up one of our brochures or come by my lawpractice at 3200 N. University Drive, Suite 208, to say helloin person.There is so much that our City offers and so many opportunitiesto get involved. I urge you to take advantage. Lastly, I want towish our extraordinary City Manager, Mike Levinson, a speedyrecovery. Mr. Levinson does an incredible job running the City ona daily basis and I am proud to work with him.Mayor Brook is looking for two interns to work with him this summer.Themayor can always be contacted at (954) 757-5551 or atSbrook@coralsprings.org.110the PARKLANDER