Two good things happened in Fort Lauderdale last week, thanks to YOU!
Two good things happened in Fort Lauderdale last week, thanks to YOU!
Two positive steps occurred last week here in Fort Lauderdale and it was through the efforts of YOU!
Things are getting better!
The first thing was the Las Olas fence. As you recall, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) began installing ugly barrier type fences along Las Olas Blvd. I posted 6 articles about this debacle, including who was originally involved in the discussions and who dropped the ball (City Manager Gretsas). Enough of you raised a ruckus with our Mayor, Commission and with FDOT that the fence portion of the project has been put on hold. Our Commission has decided to look at other fence options that will instead add beauty to the area.
On July 12, Commissioner Rodstrom sent this letter out to Las Olas residents:
“I would like to express my sincere thank you to all who came out last week to the City Commission meeting and for the many emails in support of Las Olas Blvd. As a result of your advocacy, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) District Secretary agreed to put the rails on hold to provide time for the city to look into decorative railings (including costs) versus powder coating the current railings and to provide community input with regard to selection. In the meantime, FDOT advised that they will modify the current railings to adjust for safety concerns”.
The second issue that you changed was the proposed additional Homeless Feeding Center on NE 8 Street.This proposed site was the result of a request by our City Commission last year to look for an additional feeding center in Fort Lauderdale. This was something that our City Commission should have never gotten involved with in the first place; homeless issues are the domain of (and are funded by) Broward County Government. Our Broward County property taxes fund service programs for the homeless. Fort Lauderdale City Government should be keeping their noses out of County programs and not trying to add an additional layer of bureaucracy that we have to pay for.
Again, you flooded our Commission with calls and emails. They got your message. The 8 Street location is no longer being considered.
On both of these issues, you spoke up. Our Mayor and Commission heard you and are making corrections. Congratulations. You are helping to make Fort Lauderdale an even better place to live!
Earl Rynerson
Reader Comments
Yeaaahhh!!! Our Citizenship and united efforts are finally being heard. Our momentum is gaining strength day by day.
I know, Rome wasn’t built in a day but let’s do our best to hurry it up.
And THANK YOU! for keeping all these important issues in front of us. You are the best.
there is a dog problem at 1830 nw 26 terrace and 1751 1761 nw 26 terrace what can be done i know that jusr recently there was a littter of nine pups born thanks for any help u can provide
Robert- If you need assistance with a domestic animal, such as a dog or a cat, you need to call your local Broward County animal services for assistance. They can help you out with issues such as stray dogs, stray cats, spay & neuter programs, vaccinations, licenses, pet adoption, bite reports, deceased pets, lost pets, local animal complaints and to report neglected or abused animals.
Broward County Animal Control:
954-359-1313
Earl
To the animal problem. I had one with a tenant. I called in the evening after work. The Broward County Animal hotline responded to the problem immediately and removed the abused animal from the premises. I heard about it from the neighbors the next day.
Earl your the best! We need you to continue to care about our city. The next step is to control spending
Stay tuned-
Earl
Great job Earl!!!!!!!!!!!! Please keep trying to get us off our couches!!!!!!!!
The Humane Society of Broward County can also help with animal problem.
Congratulations to Everyone! We citizens have rid ourselves of a millstone—a most expensive and divisive city manager.
Now we can get a chance to see how well he trained his assistant. I am holding my breath. Still needed is a cohesive method of City Council operations. We still need consistent Leadership from the Mayor, not just spasmodic awakening to items of his personal interest. We still need alert and interested members and we still need some Goals.
I hope that everyone will keep up to speed on the budget effort. It is very important!
Thank you Earl you encourage so many of US to get involved it makes a better Government !!!!
Well Earl, let’s just hope that with the money the city saves by dodging the hungry homeless bullet, they can use it to pay for that fancy fence. It’s nice to know what is really important!
Thanks for your email Kevin- Please understand that we already funnel millions of tax dollars into homeless services here in Ft Lauderdale through Broward County’s efforts; and we pay for that through our Broward County property taxes. City government should not be involved. You comments sound like you feel we should be spending more…Please think about what a homeless street person (generally an addict or an alcoholic) really needs. Do we need to make their life easier on the street, with more food, more services? How much is enough? Do you not understand that by providing more services, you make it harder for them to want to get off the street? We are spending tax dollars to enable them to continue their destructive lifestyle. We are actually hurting them. Until they can demonstrate through steps they take, I feel it’s unwise (and a waste of taxpayer money), to continue to follow the same policies that we have been taking. I have years of experience in this area and I know what I’m talking about-
Earl
Earl:
It really isn’t the homeless situation that bothers me so much as it is the fence thing. I have commented on this issue a couple of times already and still feel that it is something that is needed and should have been done years ago. The barrier that has been installed already is fine. To tell you the truth, most passers by (I talking locals) haven’t even noticed that it was installed. As I said before…”It’s up, it’s done, and that’s that”. Let’s not waste more time and more importantly, money on replacing it with something fancy that’s going to scream fence.
I hope the folks who have taken action regarding animal abuses realize that Animal Control is not a no-kill facility. Humane Society is a better choice for strays and animals that can be taken there by residents who are able to do so. The Sun-Sentinel recently ran a letter from an anguished woman who tried in vain to find the owner of a beautiful, apparently healthy, stray dog and put a lot of time into that activity, with no success. She ultimately took the dog to, probably, Broward County Animal Control, not Humane Society. She agonized over it, and will be rewarded for her kind act by learning that the dog has already been put down. Please check with animal control about the fate of animals you turn over to them, before you do so.