A Message from Broward County Commissioner Dr. Barbara Sharief
It’s officially summertime and there is no place I’d rather be than in Broward County! We have so much to look forward to as we enjoy another exciting season in Sunny South Florida! From award-winning beaches to serene parks, there are plenty of places where you can light up the grill and create lasting memories with family and friends. Please visit Sunny.org for additional resources to help guide you with activities for all ages.
As your District 8 Broward County Commissioner for the past 9 years, I am more committed than ever to service and support of our local communities. From the development of our roads and transportation, to airport and port safety and efficiency, to our parks and libraries, I am dedicated to serving and advocating for the residents of Broward County.
Here’s to a safe, fun and prosperous summer!
Barbara
I welcome your comments and want to hear which issues are important to you. Send an email to me at
Bsharief@broward.org or call my office at 954-357-7008. Also, check out the Barbara Sharief Facebook page at /barbara.sharief.3 or follow me at
Twitter.com/bestmom39.
Summer Fun at Parks
Broward County has four Water Parks in various parts of the County (C.B. Smith Paradise Cove, Central Broward Tropical Splash, Quiet Waters Splash Adventure, and T.Y. Castaway Island) for your splashing pleasure and all of them have lightning prediction systems. Water Parks are open from 10AM to 5:20PM daily. Seasonal passes are available. Bring a cooler (no glass containers and no alcohol please) and make a day of it. Funbrellas, which can accommodate up to 30 people, are available to rent.
American Red Cross/ Hurricane Preparedness
The American Red Cross has a hurricane app that can be downloaded free to your mobile device. The app sends location-based weather alerts, includes tips on how to assemble an emergency kit in the event of a power outage or evacuation, and a real-time map to help you find the location of shelters should you need to leave your home. The app can be found in smartphone app stores by searching for American Red Cross, texting ‘EMERGENCY’ to 90999, or by going to redcross.org/apps. Please share this information with family and friends. Find more information
here on what to do before, during and after a hurricane.
Managing Mosquitoes
Summer brings heavy rain to Broward County and rain brings mosquitoes. Mosquitoes can be a public health issue. You can help prevent mosquito borne diseases from spreading by eliminating standing water on your property. The life cycle of a mosquito is approximately seven days. They can breed in small amounts of water that collect in bottles, cans, buckets, hoses, drains and plants. Some mosquitoes, such as the variety that carries the Zika Virus and Yellow Fever, breed indoors and outdoors and bite any time of day or night. Broward residents experiencing mosquito problems can request service by calling 311 or http://webapps.broward.org/mosquito/request.aspx.
Back to School Tax-Free Holiday
If you’re shopping for back-to-school supplies this year, mark your calendar for the first weekend of August. That’s when the tax “holiday” approved by state lawmakers will apply to clothes, backpacks and various school supplies, meaning such items will be exempt from sales taxes when purchased. The tax-exempt period runs from August 2nd to midnight August 6th and is part of a $121 million package that legislators approved in May. Here’s what’s included in the exemption:
- Clothing, shoes, wallets, or bags, including handbags and backpacks (but not briefcases or suitcases) that are $60 or less - School supplies sold for $15 or less including pens, pencils,
erasers, crayons, notebooks, paper, tape, scissors and
calculators - Personal computers or personal computer-relatedaccessories sold for $1,000 or less, including electronic
book readers, laptops, desktops, handhelds, tablets,
or tower computers (excluding cellphones).
National Night Out Against Crime
The National Night Out Against Crime enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community. We look forward to an exciting evening with food, games and more on Tuesday, August 6th from 5:30 to 8:30PM at Shirley Branca Park located at 6900 Miramar Parkway. Participants include Miramar Police, Miramar Fire & Rescue, the National Guard and Coast Guard. Come meet your local servicemen and women who are committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe and friendly. For additional National Night Out events, check your city’s website.
Labor Day
Labor Day in the United States of America is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the development, growth, endurance, strength, security, prosperity, productivity, laws, sustainability, persistence, structure, and well-being of the country. Check with your local city to participate in a Labor Day celebration near you!
Five Friends Learning, Health and Wellness Program
Five dear friends who are members of the Links Incorporated, Inc. hosted a Learning, Health and Wellness Program for the Carver Ranches Boys and Girls Club on April 29th. The goal of this service project was to highlight to 3rd and 5th graders the importance of education, mental health, safety, physical wellness and nutrition and juvenile diabetes. The service project consisted of a series of presentations to engage the students in meaningful dialogue, and encouraged them to participate in physical activity, gardening and more. One of the most memorable highlights was seeing the students enjoy their own bundle of fruit as they learned about healthy food choices.
Autism In Flight
We embarked upon our 7th Annual Autism in Flight Program at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on May 22nd. We partnered with 4th and 5th graders from 8 Broward County Schools, along with teachers and the students' parents, to provide a learning experience for children diagnosed with Autism. Students and their families had a chance to walk through a full airport experience including check-in and ticketing, security process and TSA, boarding a JetBlue plane, taxiway ride on the tarmac, and a water salute on their return to the gate. Overall, participants received an opportunity to become familiar and more comfortable with the airport and flight environment to reduce stress for all during future travels. I thank Mr. Jason Annunziata- Director of JetBlue, the airport staff, and ALL of our partners for a job well done.
1st Annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner
It was my honor to host the 1st Annual Ramadan Iftar Dinner for Broward County in partnership with the Muslim Communities of South Florida. The event was rich in culture and diversity, with representatives from the Muslim communities, city and county government officials, and members from various faith-based organizations. Attendees came together in a spirit of unity, embracing the similarities and differences of all. To conclude the program, we enjoyed an Iftar dinner to end the day’s fast. The event was a huge success.
Serving on County Boards
We are seeking residents with an interest in public service to represent the needs of the District. If you are interested in being considered, please forward a detailed resume to
bsharief@broward.org. Be sure to include your permanent address, phone number and email address; whether you are a registered voter; whether you are a registered lobbyist; whether you serve on any other board, authority or agency (dual office holding); whether you are related to any Commissioner; and whether you have any potential conflicting business relationship. For a description of Broward County Boards, visit
www.Broward.org/Intergovernmental and select BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.
Helpful Resources
Broward’s Family Success Administration Division assists individuals and families with accessing the services they need to build a stronger, healthier and self-sufficient family unit. The centers provide assessment and case management, and, if eligible, rent/mortgage and utility assistance. If you have recently had a loss of income, received an eviction notice/mortgage default letter, or a water/electricity shut off notice, visit
Family Success Website or call 954-357-5650 or 954-357-5001 to find out how they can help you. The South Family Success Center is located in Commission District 8 at 4733 SW 18 Street, West Park, 33023 (Broward County Transit Route 5). If you are over 60, or a veteran, contact the Elderly and Veterans Services Division at 954-357-6622.
2-1-1 Broward is available 24 hours a day to help you find food, housing, health care, senior services, child care, legal aid and much more. For a complete list of services, dial 2-1-1 or (954) 537-0211, TTY (954) 390-0492 211, or go to
211-Broward.org.
To receive communications (such as this newsletter) from my office via email, or to arrange for myself or my Community Outreach Liaison, Terressa Franklin to attend your neighborhood or homeowner association meeting, please contact Terressa at 954-357-7008 or
Tefranklin@broward.org.
Other Resources
Emergency Financial Assistance:
954-357-6367
Legal Aid Services of Broward County, Inc.:
954-765-8950
If you or any one you know is experiencing homelessness, call the Homeless Helpline at 954-563-HELP (4357) for a friendly voice that can help you get the information, service or assistance you need to get back on your feet. They are available Mon. - Fri.: 8:00am to 6:00pm and Sat. - Sun.: 8:00am to Noon, Broward.org/Homeless
