Parklander Column: Help Available

We have good news. The City has been awarded $3,378,142, the maximum allocation available to us, in order to provide purchase assistance to qualified home buyers. Please look at our website for details, www.Coralsprings.org. The City will also attempt to leverage some of the bailout funds in order to address our citizens' need for financial assistance through a unique financing arrangement. Luckily, we happen to have a financial expert in the form of our City Manager. As a team, we will continue to do whatever is in our power to minimize the effect of the economic crisis on our citizens.

We are also putting together a job fair, working hard on our Buy Coral Springs Campaign and working well with our various small business units to facilitate assistance for all of the businesses in our community. I am also hosting office hours with a focus oin community outreach and economic assistance that is open to all on Friday, February 20 at Whole Foods from 8:30 am to 10 am. The event is open to everyone, but I urge you to reserve a seat by calling Cyndi Amaya at 954-757-8898. Whole Foods is located at the Plaza on the Northwest Corner of Atlantic BLVD and University Drive, in between Home Depot and Sam's Club.

As the unemployment rate continues to rise throughout the country, Coral Springs wants to help its residents. The City will be hosting a free Career Counseling Workshop on Tuesday, February 24 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Northwest Regional Library. The workshop will target both employees seeking guidance in a complicated job market and businesses looking to find the best local talent. Speaker Ron Daratany, President and founder of DMR Global, Inc., is an executive career consultant and is recognized as an expert in the employment industry. He will provide tips on how to create an impressive resume, how to handle an interview and more. He will also discuss ways for employers to make the best match with candidates. The workshop is free to Coral Springs residents, but interested participants must register to sign up. For more information or to sign up, please call 954-344-1148.

Soon-to-be-available Buy Coral Springs Coupons will help our residents save some green while shopping at participating local stores and keeping more dollars in the community. Simply visit any of the participating businesses listed on the coupon, save a percentage off your entire purchase and make sure an employee collects your coupon. To participate and get your Buy Coral Springs Coupon, check the City's web site for full details and look for upcoming ads in local media.

SUPPORT YOUR CITY, ITS BUSINESSES AND BENEFIT YOURSELF SIMULTANEOUSLY.

On Sunday, February 8 there will be a remote hazardous waste collection at City Hall South, located at 9530 West Sample Road. If you have any household hazardous waste items, such as paints, used motor oil, pesticides, flares, and propane tanks, this is the perfect time to get rid of them in a safe manner.

Congratulations to the Taravella High School Band for its honor in representing the City and the State during the inaugural parade. We are so proud of you!!

As always, please visit coralsprings.org for City news and visit our Event Calendar to view the Commission's scheduled office hours. Feel free to email me at sbrook@coralsprings.org if there is anything I can help you with. Happy Valentine's Day to you and your loved ones!

Posted: Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009