Mayor Cites Progress
In State-of-the-County Address

Broward County Mayor Ben Graber hailed the County’s progress in creating affordable housing, providing community wellness and improving transportation in his outgoing State-of-the-County address, delivered October 24 at a County Commission meeting at the Governmental Center in Fort Lauderdale. Visit www.broward.org and click on 2006 State of the County for the text of the address.

“The state of Broward County is excellent,” he said. “We are heading in the right direction, but the road to the future will be filled with challenges, as well as opportunities.”

Mayor Graber cited the County’s accomplishments during the 2005-06 fiscal year, which ended on September 30. “From securing our aviation and port facilities—to preserving hundreds of acres of green and open space—to achieving a score of 100 on our grant application for Ryan White (HIV/AIDS) funding, we have tackled many of the quality of life issues that are important to the residents of Broward County,” he said.

Graber cited the 10.6 percent reduction in the County’s millage rate for the new fiscal year, which began on October 1. He said the reduction was the highest percentage decrease of any county in the state and the largest millage rate reduction in Broward County in 24 years. “We worked diligently to make cuts everywhere,” he said. “In the end, we delivered a $3.1 billion budget that is lean, but efficient, while retaining the quality public services our residents want and expect.”

Graber, who represents the northwest portion of the County, was elected to the County Commission in 2000 and reelected in 2004. He submitted his resignation from the County Commission, effective November 7, 2006, to comply with state law regarding filing for another elected office. Commissioners will meet for their annual reorganization meeting on November 21 to select a new Mayor and Vice Mayor.

Fantasy of Lights Opens
At Tradewinds Park

Broward County’s Parks and Recreation Division will host its annual Holiday Fantasy of Lights (HFOL), beginning November 17 at Tradewinds Park in Coconut Creek. Last year’s event was cancelled after Hurricane Wilma caused extensive damage at a number of park facilities.

This year, the drive-through light show will run through New Year’s Day. The park is covered with millions of twinkling lights along with illuminated and animated displays. Patrons stay in their cars while traveling through a winter wonderland of lights. The drive-thru spectacular will be open seven days a week, including holidays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission for vehicles with fewer than 20 passengers is $7 per vehicle, Mondays through Thursdays, and $10, Fridays through Sundays and holidays. Vehicles with 20 passengers or more pay $40.

A number of theme nights are planned for November: November 17, Food Drive Night, get 50% off the weekend admission price if you bring three cans of food to benefit Women in Distress; November 18, Kids’ Night, the first 2,000 children (ages 10 and under) will receive goodie bags with a special activity book, crayons and more; November 20, Special Edition, receive a calendar commemorating the 50th anniversary of Broward County Parks and Recreation; November 29, Motorcycle Night, 50% off week night admission of $7; and, November 30, Bring Your Pooch Night, doggies will get treats and bandanas.

Prior to the opening of the holiday light display, Broward County’s Parks and Recreation Division will host its annual HFOL 5K Run and Fitness Walk on Saturday, November 11. The unique evening race is set on a USA Track and Field-certified course. The 5K Run begins at 6 p.m. and the 2.5-mile Fitness walk begins at 7 p.m.

Jewish Heritage Month
Celebrated at Libraries

Broward County Library will celebrate Jewish Heritage Month during November with events and programs at libraries throughout the County.

A new Main Library program for toddlers is Shalom!, a Hebrew and English story time led by educator Devorah Kaplan of the Chabad of downtown Fort Lauderdale. The program will be held every Thursday in November (except Thanksgiving Day) from 10:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m.

Holocaust survivor Eva Cutler, who was liberated in 1945 from the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at age 20, will speak to teens and adults at the Weston Branch Library, 4205 Bonaventure Blvd., Weston, on November 9 at 6:30 p.m. Cutler lives in Pembroke Pines and will answer audience questions about her life in the concentration camp and her life as an adult.

Interested residents are invited to attend a renewal of marriage vows as part of a program entitled “Anniversary Waltz: An Ongoing Dance of Love - How Jewish Wedding Ceremonies Have Changed through the Years,” on November 12 at 2 p.m. at Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Dr., Coral Springs.

Noted Jewish scholar Dr. Abe Gittelson will discuss the “Influence of Judaism on Colonial America” on November 14 at 11 a.m. at the North Regional/BCC Library, 1100 Coconut Creek Blvd., Coconut Creek.

On November 15, in conjunction with Jewish Book Month held at the David Posnack Jewish Community Center, 5850 S. Pine Island Road, Davie, Broward County Library will sponsor Michael Wex, author of Born to Kvetch: Yiddish Language and Culture in All of Its Moods at 7:30 p.m. The fee for this program is $7.

Brenda Serotte is the author of The Fortune Teller’s Kiss and will discuss her childhood as a Sephardic Jew growing up in New York after World War II. Serotte will have the book signing on November 29 at 2 p.m. at the Northwest Regional Library, 3151 University Dr., Coral Springs.

For more details and a listing of other programs planned for Jewish Heritage Month, pick up a copy of the November Bookings at any library or visit www.broward.org/library.

Property Tax Bills
Delivered to Property Owners

Broward County’s Revenue Collection Division mailed tax notices for 2006 to hundreds of thousands of property owners during the first week in November. The tax bills include taxes for Broward County, the Broward School Board, municipalities and other taxing authorities.

Discounts for early payment of taxes are available. For residents paying taxes during November, the discount is four percent; in December, three percent; in January, two percent; and in February, one percent. There is no discount for paying taxes in March. Tax bills become past due on April 1, 2007.

Tax bills can be paid online at www.broward.org/revenue. Electronic checks (no fee) and credit cards (Master Card, Visa, Discover and American Express) are accepted. Check cards with a Master Card or Visa logo will also be accepted. In order to provide this service, there is a convenience fee charge added, based upon the amount of the transaction. Broward County receives no monies from this convenience fee. New this year, tax bills can be paid by telephone using credit cards: call 1-800-601-1069. Taxes can also be paid by mail, using the return envelope included with your bill: Revenue Collection, P. O. Box 29009, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33302-9009. Payments can also be made in person, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Governmental Center Annex, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room A-100, Fort Lauderdale and the South Satellite Courthouse, 3550 Hollywood Blvd., Room 185, Hollywood. For additional information, call the Broward County Call Center at 954-831-4000.

Volunteers Needed to Assist
Low Income Residents with Taxes

The Volunteer Tax Assistance program (VITA) is seeking volunteers to assist people who cannot afford professional assistance in preparing their federal income tax returns. VITA volunteers help prepare basic tax returns for people with special needs, including persons with disabilities, those with low to limited income, non-English speaking persons and elderly residents. Tax assistance is primarily given at Broward County Library locations from late January until April 15. Volunteer training is scheduled to begin in December. Residents interested in volunteering for this federally-sanctioned program should contact Auguste Lilavois at 954-423-7629.

Last year, VITA volunteers in Broward County assisted nearly 5,000 people, generating refunds of more than $6.3 million.

Storm Spotter Training
Scheduled for November 18

Are you interested in becoming a Storm Spotter? Storm Spotters play an important role in helping meteorologists predict storms and weather conditions. This year, free SKYWARN Storm Spotter training will be given on Saturday, November 18, Broward Emergency Management Agency, 201 NW 84th Avenue, Plantation. SKYWARN classes are ideal for anyone who is interested in weather and wants to serve their community. A National Weather Service meteorologist will conduct the training at two levels: Basic/Refresher from 9:30 a.m. to noon, and Advanced from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The deadline for registration is November 13. To register, email Robin Terrill, Broward County SKYWARN Coordinator, at n4hhp@comcast.net, or phone 954-249-5343. Space is limited and will be reserved on a first come, first served basis.

Public Workshops Scheduled
On FEC Transit Corridor

A public hearing on proposals for future transit services along the Florida East Coast (FEC) railway corridor will be held on Wednesday, November 15, 5:30 p.m., Broward County Main Library (parking is available adjacent to the library, with garage entrance on Southeast 1st Avenue). The hearing will begin with a presentation by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), followed by public testimony.

The initiative is a component of the South Florida East Coast Corridor (SFECC) Study, sponsored by District 4 of FDOT, the Metropolitan Planning Councils of Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade Counties and the public transit agencies for each county.

Broward County Seeks Applicants
For Children’s Services Council

Broward County Commissioners are seeking applicants interested in serving on the County’s Children’s Services Council. The council provides leadership, advocacy and the necessary resources to enhance children’s lives. Qualifications: applicants should be registered to vote and a resident of Broward County for at least 24 months. Applicants should have no affiliation with any agency funded by the Children’s Services Council.

Applications are available online at www.broward.org or from the Broward County Human Services Department. The application consists of two parts: a Broward County Questionnaire and a Questionnaire for Gubernatorial Appointments. Both questionnaires must be completed and submitted together. Nominations will be submitted by the County Commission to Governor Jeb Bush, who will make the final appointments. The deadline for submitting completed applications is 5 p.m., Friday, November 10. For additional information, contact Marlene A. Wilson, 954-357-6385.

Receive Community Update
By Email Each Month

Interested in receiving Broward County’s monthly newsletter, Community Update, by email? It’s faster than regular mail and saves printing and postage costs. To subscribe, email: publicinfo@broward.org or call 954-357-6990.