April 2018
It’s been a whirlwind start since the new City Commission was sworn into office March 20. As a new day has dawned at City Hall, my colleagues and I have been working hard to follow through on election promises and take other steps to improve the quality of life in our community. 
Rolling back the Wave
 
Residents from throughout the city have spoken up that the Wave streetcar project downtown should be scuttled in its current form. The problems are clear – a price tag that has spiraled out of control, outdated technology based on overhead wires and in-ground tracks, and a route that encompasses few of the city’s significant destinations. 
 
While we are hamstrung by the fact that the former commission recommitted the city to the Wave weeks before the election despite the strong public opposition, a majority of the new commission is on the record for changing course.
 
To that end, we’ve asked our auditor to review all Wave expenses. We’ve directed our lawyers to research our legal options. And, we set a special workshop for April 30 to discuss our next move after the Florida Department of Transportation receives its final round of bids. 
 
Everyone agrees Fort Lauderdale needs a viable mass transit system that services the downtown. Our goal is not to kill the Wave and do nothing. Rather, we want to invest in the technology and the approach that are best suited for our community. 
 
We appreciate members of Congress fighting hard over many years to obtain financing needed for the Wave. I’m confident that we can re-purpose that money to a better mass transit system. 
Sober homes regulations coming
 
The City Commission is adopting new, responsible regulations on sober homes, residences where people stay while recovering from substance abuse.
 
Residents across the city have complained that poorly operated facilities have overwhelmed their neighborhoods and negatively affected their quality of life. Until recently, there was little that cities could do because of federal fair housing laws regarding people with disabilities. 
 
Thanks to the help of U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel, there are new guidelines from federal agencies. Our ordinance follows this guidance as well as a carefully crafted law written in Delray Beach. 
 
We are requiring that these residences be licensed by the state. This means operators must meet certain minimum standards with a prohibition on drug and alcohol use, firm intake procedures, a good neighbor policy and programs that support recovery. Importantly, there is a 1,000-foot separation requirement between sober homes so they cannot cluster together.
 
Current sober homes would be allowed to operate for six months, but then would have to come into compliance. With good enforcement, we hope to protect our neighborhoods better while also ensuring those in need of help have access to well-run facilities.
Guns shows at War Memorial to end
 
The horrific events at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland have driven home the need for change both locally and nationally. 
 
Shortly after the shooting occurred, I persuaded the former City Commission to send a resolution to state legislators in favor of meaningful gun reform. Fortunately, we have since seen some progress in Tallahassee. 
 
Gov. Rick Scott signed into law an increase in the minimum age to buy rifles and shotguns, an extension of the three-day waiting period for handgun purchases to include long guns, and a ban on bump stocks that allow guns to mimic automatic fire. 
 
State law still prohibits cities from adopting our own gun regulations, but Fort Lauderdale is taking action where it can. The gun shows at War Memorial Auditorium will cease by year’s end. 
 
I’ve long argued that the shows should be discontinued because of the location in the middle of Holiday Park. We should not allow the sale of firearms near where children play. 
 
Our agreement to host the gun shows expires in November. After that, the City Commission is committed to gear the auditorium more toward park and recreational activities.  
 
We aren’t saying guns cannot be bought in Fort Lauderdale. Many gun stores remain, and the show operators could re-locate.
 
Our nation has undergone soul-searching in the time since the Parkland shooting. Our youth have been bravely standing up for needed change. While many Americans are passionate about gun ownership, we need to find a commonsense balance as a society. 

Sincerely,



Dean
Joined by Commissioners Steve Glassman and Heather Moraitis, Mayor Trantalis presents a proclamation to Dev Motwani as part of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society History Makers event. 
Mayor Trantalis starts the Mercedes Benz Corporate Run in which some 8,000 people ran through downtown Fort Lauderdale from Huizenga Plaza.
Dr. Horacio Saavedra Archundia, the area's consul general for Mexico, meets with Mayor Trantalis to discuss cultural relations and business trade between Mexico and Fort Lauderdale.
Mayor Trantalis joins U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, former Broward Mayor Ilene Lieberman and attorney Mitchell Berger in announcing that Congress has earmarked $190 million to build a new federal courthouse.
U.S. District Judge John K. Olson swears Mayor Trantalis into office. Mayor Trantalis won the March 13 election with 65 percent of the vote, the largest victory ever for a candidate running for a first term as mayor.
Mayor Trantalis poses with the rest of the new City Commission -- Steve Glassman, Ben Sorensen, Heather Moraitis and Robert McKinzie at their swearing-in at Parker Playhouse.
Mayor Trantalis joins the newly elected District 2 commissioner, Steve Glassman, at a meeting of the Central Beach Alliance at the Ritz Carlton.
Mayor Trantalis speaks at a forum regarding gun violence and school safety. On stage with him are U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, state Sen. Gary Farmer and U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings.