Dear Citizens and Neighbors
Dear Citizens and Neighbors:
Our fiscal year is coming to a close on September 30 and we are finalizing our budget for next year. Thanks to some additional property tax revenue that was unanticipated we will have the ability to fortify some of our reserves that was so severely impacted by Hurricane Wilma. As always, we will continue to strive for provision of the most cost-effective services without sacrificing quality.
Thank you to those of you who have exercised patience while we have dealt with incredible demands for permits, especially in regards to roofs. Thanks to our staff members for putting in so many grueling hours to expedite requests to make our residents safer.
Many of you have asked me what its like to be the Mayor and how much time does it take. Well, it is an honor and a pleasure to be Your Mayor and work with and for such fine people. For the first three months I devoted about 40 hours a week. Recently, the time commitment is closer to 20 hours a week, allowing me to practice law full-time. I couldn't do what I do without the support of our City Manager, Mike Levinson, my Wife, Brenda, my City Commission, our City Attorney, Sam Goren and my law firm staff, especially Jodi and Kim.
The City is blessed to have hundreds of volunteers and we are looking for more. Please look at www.coralsprings.org for numerous opportunities to serve your community and/or obtain service hours for your teen. Our website's homepage also has information about metal roofs, our Tree Subsidy Program and how business owners can receive free customer service training. Please also stop by any of our City facilities, such as the Gym or the Aquatic complex, to get a new City business card with important numbers for your easy reference.
Recently, Commissioner Ted Mena has announced regular office hours and I am so pleased to announce that you can now meet with the entire City Commission, at different times, at your convenience. While we may not always agree with your point of view, you can certainly count on each of us to LISTEN.
With the support of the City Commission, I am hoping that we will join Parkland and the Broward County School Board, with School Board Member Stephanie Kraft, for an educational forum/summit on Thursday, August 17, at Stoneman Douglas High School at 6 p.m. For more information, please contact me at Scottbrook@scottjbrookpa.com.
Please also save October 19 on your calendar for PNA's third Annual Festival of the Flutes at the Marriott Heron Bay. Thanks to the Marriott, Cafe Como, Java D'Lites, Bank Atlantic, WCI, Amtrust Bank, Kiwanis and Dr. Gerald Gluck for being early sponsors. For more information, please view www.pnanetwork,com or www.festivaloftheflutes.org. All net proceeds will benefit SOS Children's Village and the Coral Springs Community Chest.
Our July 4 Festival was an astounding success! Thanks Tom Messenheimer, Nedra and all the staff and volunteers for putting on such a great show for our community and neighbors.
Summer is here and our children will be able to enjoy the two new artificial turf fields at Cypress Park. The new fields are designed to handle heavy usage, bad weather, and provide year round play. The fields will only close during lightening storms. The synthetic turf will not require watering, chemicals, or sod replacement, which will result in major cost savings.
I want to encourage responsible adults who are available to spend time with a student and make a personal contribution to that child’s future. I mentor a junior at Stoneman Douglas and it has not only helped the student, but it has improved my relationship with my own teenagers. All mentoring is done on school campuses during school hours. The City of Coral Springs will offer mentor training starting in August for the upcoming school year. After an initial training session, mentors usually contribute one hour per week for a one-year commitment. For more information, contact Pat Mirabello, Training Coordinator, at 954.344.5907.
Lastly, if you’d like to reach me directly, feel free to e-mail me at Sbrook@coralsprings.org. I welcome your input and appreciate your time.
Posted: Friday, Jul 7, 2006