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It was a proud moment when I was elected to represent the people of District 2 on the County Commission in 1998. It has been my privilege to earn your trust and confidence as I fight for issues important to our neighborhoods, cities and the future of Broward County. During my tenure on the County Commission I served as Broward County Mayor in 2005 and as Vice-Mayor in 2004. My title may have changed from time to time, my goals didn’t!
My first priority continues to be my work as an outspoken advocate for protecting Broward’s quality of life. Whether fighting for a common sense approach to growth management planning, protecting our environment, securing fair wages for workers, doing what’s right in order to create attainable housing, or creating a public transportation system that moves people not cars; it is your home, family and neighborhood I am working to sustain.
I know that these are lofty goals, but by staying focused on building a better future for Broward I have made a lot of headway!
Certainly the welfare of our community is dependent on a healthy environment. Clean drinking water, breathable air and soil free of toxins are necessary elements to sustaining life. Few people realize our water supply is finite and that if we don’t change our water use practices, we’ll pay dearly for it in the future. While going “green” is a popular practice now, it was several years ago that I championed the NatureScape Broward and Water Matters initiatives. Each volunteer program promotes water conservation, wildlife habitat creation and pollution prevention through the use of Florida Friendly landscape practices. The principles espoused in these preservation programs brought the national spotlight to Broward County when we became the first county in the nation to be certified by the National Wildlife Federation as a Community Wildlife Habitat in 2005.
Protecting our environment is important, but providing a wage which sustains and supports a family living in Broward County is perhaps our most difficult challenge and is certainly just as important to our economy and quality of life. At my urging, the Commission approved in 2002, a Living Wage Ordinance, which guarantees a decent salary for county government employees and for employees of companies doing business with the Broward County Commission. These workers are guaranteed a salary of not less than 10 percent above the Federal Poverty Level for Broward County families.
We have so much to be thankful for in Broward County. I promise to continue to forge ahead supporting projects and initiating programs to enhance our quality of life for generations to come.
To learn more about me, click through the links on this web page. While you’re visiting the website, take a minute to subscribe to my E-newsletter, check out the menu at your left. Finally, I always welcome your comments and questions, as they help me in making decisions which impact the future of Broward County. I can be reached anytime by phone, fax or email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Kristin Jacobs, Commissioner
Broward County
Broward County Governmental Center
115 South Andrews Ave., Room 421
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301
954- 357-7002 |
