Public Involvement

Archives: 2004 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 Taking It To The Streets 2005 COMMUNITY OUTREACH ACTIVITIES MPO staff surveyed many fair goers in the World Expo. Many attendees took the time to fill out an MPO survey. Broward County Fair November 19, 2005 It was a great Saturday to be at the Broward County Fair…and with MPO staff on hand to address transportation-related questions, the day was an educational one too! Residents of Pompano and the surrounding areas enjoyed the fair, many of them, unfamiliar with the Broward County MPO and the transportation planning process. Experts from the MPO staff addressed questions on bicycle and HOV lanes and more than 20 people took time to fill out the MPO Transportation Survey. There were many cultural exhibits in the World Fest area, where the MPO exhibited. Even a local news anchor from the NBC affiliate and members of a local marching band came by the booth and got information.   The kids have to decide whether to build a 6-foot sidewalk or an 8-foot sidewalk around their school. Buddy teaches the importance of being involved in the transportation planning process. Virginia Shuman Young Elementary School May 26, 2005 As the school year wrapped up on June 2nd, Buddy, the remote controlled car and his buddies Chic and Egg visited Virginia Shuman Young Elementary for one last stop before the school year ended. Members of the Broward MPO staff were on hand to help Buddy teach basic principals about the transportation planning process. The most important lesson in the teaching module was that everyone really does have a voice in the process of how our local communities take shape and progress into the 21st century.   The students can't wait to see what happens next! Lahoma Scarlette, Public Education Coordinator for the Broward County MPO, presents Ms. Reid with a plaque for participating in the program. Dillard Elementary May 25, 2005 The Broward County MPO Children's Outreach Program visited Dillard Elementary in 2005 and introduced Buddy and his friends, Chic and Egg to a new audience of students. Dillard Elementary was the site of the first pilot program for the curriculum and the students there were enthusiastic to be the second class of 4th and 5th graders to participate in the program. The school assistant principal offered each student 100 Dillard Dollars if they returned the transportation survey homework.   "The Eggs" ring in first place in a game called "Don't Crack the Egg!" All kids participating in the program received goodie bags. Coral Cove Elementary School May 19, 2005 Coral Cove Elementary was a unique stop on the Children's Outreach tour of six visits. The students, based on their grade level, are located on two different campuses. On this visit, Buddy and his MPO colleagues visited the temporary campus located at Silver Springs Middle School. Mrs. Holmes, the school principal, stressed to the students that as they moved through the transition to a new school, how important the roads, sidewalks, and greenways would become when they move to the new site in August of 2005.     The 4th annual Diversity Festival was great fun for all ages. MPO staff was on hand to answer quesitons while event goers participated in a transportation survey. Diversity Festival May 14, 2005 The 4th annual Diversity Festival took place at Robins Open Space Park in Davie and the Broward MPO was on hand with an exhibit to engage and educate attendees about the transportation planning process in Broward County. The festival had ongoing entertainment from local bands, instructional demonstrations on karate and belly dancing, as well as children's activities. The festival also had many vendors from diverse cultures. All vendors had useful information and knowledgeable attendants. Many visitors to the MPO booth were interested in high-speed rail and the reduction of congestion on 595. The MPO collected a total of 57 surveys and spoke with over 100 attendees regarding transportation issues in Broward County.   All the students love Buddy! The students cooperate and work together to answer the tough questions. Lakeside Elementary May 12, 2005 As fifty 3rd and 4th graders looked on at Lakeside Elementary, the MPO staff introduced some of the basic principals of how the MPO functions. The main goal of the youth program is to teach children early that everyone has a say in what our local communities should look like and that when everyone gets together to make a decision, the final outcome can be useful and enjoyed by everyone.     The students learn some of the BIG questions, such as Why is the MPO important in our local communities? The students think hard before answering the question! Coral Springs Elementary May 4, 2005 Buddy and his friends, Chic and Egg, visited Coral Springs Elementary to teach a group of fifty 3rd and 4th grade students about transportation planning in Broward County. In a fun and interactive presentation, Buddy and the moderator, Brad Ostendorf, introduced several educational modules that explained the importance of having a voice in the transportation planning process. The students were very receptive and were able to answer each of the questions that Budd wy asked. At the end of the presentation, each student was given a lunchbag and teeshirt for participating.   Attendees listen to 30-minute presentation during the Lunch N' Learn on May 24th. Everyone takes time to enjoy lunch and learn more about the Broward County MPO. Roger Del Rio, Acting Director of the Broward County MPO, takes time to answer questions after the presentation at the NW Regional Library in Coral Springs. Lunch N' Learn Presentation Series Event One: FAU Commercial Blvd. Campus May 3, 2005 Event Two: Northwest Regional Library May 10, 2005 Event Three: South Regional Library May 17, 2005 Event Four: Broward County Main Library May 24, 2005 During the month of May, the Broward County MPO conducted a series of educational presentations throughout the County. The MPO invited various opinion leaders including commissioners, mayors, heads of cultural groups, business owners, County and city employees. The Lunch N' Learn events were structured to provide a 30 minute PowerPoint presentation, along with an explanation of the transportation process and how the community is integral to the process and eventual finished project. Many questions were answered regarding both public and private organizations and how they can enhance the transportation process with their input and opinions.   Over 110 attendees filled out transportation surveys. MPO Fact Sheets and other MPO informational pieces were distributed. Earth Day POW W.O.W. April 23, 2005 On April 23, 2005, the Earth Day POW W.O.W held this year at Deerfield Beach, has become the signature Earth Day event in Broward County. This year's event, which marked the 35th Anniversary of Earth Day, proved to be not only a place for residents and visitors of Deerfield Beach to celebrate Mother Earth, but also an opportunity to participate in Broward County's transportation planning process. Broward County MPO staff set up an informational booth at the event to answer transportation planning questions and gain valuable feedback from event attendees. Many festival attendees escaped the summer heat while completing transportation questionnaires at the MPO booth, under the awning of the Mobile Information Station (MIS). Over 110 individuals completed written transportation survey forms. Many festival participants were visitors from neighboring South Florida counties and expressed interest in regional and community transportation issues including bicycle and pedestrian facilities, Tri-Rail, and bus scheduling. Traffic congestion was also a common concern.     Buddy rolls in with friends Chic and Egg. Students learn how important their voice is in the transportation planning process. Larkdale Elementary April 19, 2005 On April 19, 2005, the Broward MPO staff embarked on a six-school tour with the rollout of the Children's Outreach Program. Buddy, a remote controlled car, was on hand to teach the students of Larkdale Elementary all about the transportation planning process. He rolled in, along with friends Chic and Egg, and provided the students with food for thought…on how important each voice is to the transportation planning process. The children had a great time interacting with Buddy and it wasn't long before they all started choosing new names for Chic and Egg, the two new mascots of the Children's Outreach Program. The students and faculty at Larkdale really enjoyed the educational program.   167 transportation surveys were collected. The festival was a family-oriented event. Hispanic Fest 2005 April 17, 2005 Hispanic Fest 2005 was held on April 17, 2005 in Hollywood and the Broward County MPO was on hand with Spanish and English speaking staff members to reach the local community and educate them about the MPO. By distributing bilingual newsletters and surveys, the MPO provided a great opportunity to get involved in the transportation planning process. The surveys provided valuable input with regard to what transportation issues are of importance. The MPO staff collected 167 surveys at the event. The top three issues of most interest to the surveyed group were traffic congestion, mass transit, and safety. Of those surveyed, 53% felt the presentation helped them learn more about the MPO. The MPO staff shared current and future transportation improvements with the community, while focusing on significant components of Broward County's history, growth and development. The information gathered from the surveys assists MPO staff with developing transportation plans that meet the public's needs. Many participants expressed an interest in the regionalization of transportation, one of the current endeavors in which the MPO is involved. For additional information on how you can become involved, please visit www.broward.org/mpo or contact the MPO staff at (954) 357-6608.     The MPO was on hand with their Mobile Information Station. Residents of Ft. Lauderdale and the surrounding areas attended the festival. One of the top concerns of attendees is traffic congestion. Sistrunk Historical Festival February 26, 2005 A multitude of locals gathered along Sistrunk Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale to observe the marching bands, drill teams, and parade floats that comprised the 25th Annual Sistrunk Parade. The parade concluded at Delevoe Park where the Sistrunk Festival in the Park commenced. Not only was there plenty of live entertainment, great food, and a cast of unique merchant vendors, the Broward County MPO was also there with their exhibit and the Mobile Information Station (MIS). The MPO was on site to provide an opportunity for event attendees to participate in the transportation planning process. Named for Dr. James Sistrunk, a medical pioneer in the Black community, the parade and the Festival in the Park were held, said event organizers, "to celebrate the accomplishments of African and Caribbean Americans throughout the Broward County community." This event was part of a week of festivities collectively known as the Sistrunk Historical Festival. A number of festival attendees completed written surveys. Some applauded transportation projects completed and underway in the North Lauderdale area. Others expressed interest in congestion management, roadway safety, and transit improvements.     The parade ran along Sunrise Blvd. Well over 100 participants took the time to complete written transportation planning questionaires provided by the MPO. Families throughout the Ft. Lauderdale area gathered to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Event at Joseph C. Carter Park January 17, 2005 When families throughout the Ft. Lauderdale area gathered to celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day with a parade along Sunrise Boulevard, the Broward County MPO was on hand to take its message to the streets. Immediately following the parade along Sunrise Boulevard, celebrants of the national holiday gathered at the newly renovated Joseph C. Carter Park. The park setting presented a perfect opportunity to engage the public regarding the MPO's purpose and activities. Despite the chilly weather, the crowd seemed to represent the 10,000 attendees that event organizers had estimated. Many visitors to the MPO booth display expressed particular interest in congestion management and were grateful to learn of the recent 511 traffic information system expansion. Others expressed interest in long range planning, funding, safety, service for the transportation disadvantaged, and the need for aesthetic improvements along roadways. Well over 100 participants took the time to complete written transportation planning questionnaires provided by the MPO.