Dear Neighbor,
Decisions are made by those who show up. The 2022 Primary Election is approaching. Voting is the cornerstone of our democracy and it's a great responsibility to elect our leaders and to make key decisions in our communities. On August 23rd, you will decide who will represent us in our schools, in our courts, in our County Commission, in Congress, and in our special districts. Voting your voice is one of the greatest attributes of our constitution. Below, I have listed important information regarding dates, deadlines, and voting resources.
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2022 Primary Election - August 23
Important Dates & Deadlines!
Deadline to register or change party: Monday, July 25, 2022
https://registertovoteflorida.gov/home
Early Voting: 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. - August 13, 2022 through August 21, 2022
Deadline to request that a Vote-by-Mail ballot be mailed to you: 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 13, 2022. Any VBM requests received after 5:00 p.m. on August 13th will NOT be accepted or processed for this election. You may vote in person early or on Election Day. Vote By Mail Voting (browardvotes.gov)
Deadline to return your Vote-by-Mail ballot: 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 23, 2022
Election Day: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 23, 2022
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Did you know that you can track your ballot status? |
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New Info on Redistricting 2022! |
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On April 28th, the Fort Lauderdale City Commission approved a new Commission District Map in response to the need to reestablish Fort Lauderdale's Commission district boundaries to ensure population equity based on 2020 U.S. Census data. Due to this development, we want to make sure you have all the informational resources necessary to vote with ease and confidence this August and November.
The Broward Supervisor of Elections office has started mailing new voter registration cards. The new cards are larger than the traditional size which was about as big as a drivers license that could be carried in your wallet. The new voter registration card is now the size of a large postcard. Because the key information is not perforated, it’s intended for voters to file away in personal papers at home, and not carry to the polls or around town. This is not a form of ID.
Recent Neighbor Concerns on the Newly Mailed Registration Cards:
My office has received concerns regarding the redistricting in Poinsettia Heights and how it relates to their voter information card. Neighbors in Poinsettia Heights have reported that their new voter information card incorrectly identifies them as still in Fort Lauderdale District 2. Please note that Poinsettia Heights was redistricted from Commission District 2 to Commission District 1 and their voter registration cards should reflect that information.
On July 6, 2022, I reported this matter to the Broward County Supervisor of Elections Office and received confirmation that they will be sending out new voter ID cards to the districts affected.
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Saturday, August 13, 2022 through
Sunday August 21, 2022.
10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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Early Voting Location Change:
Kindly note that the Coral Ridge Mall is no longer an early voting location. The new early voting location will be at ArtServe.
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Primary Election Day - August 23, 2022
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Locations will be open from 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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Problems:
My office has received many complaints regarding polling locations being very far from residences. We have brought this to the attention of the Supervisor of Elections.
Specifically, most complaints center around the fact that the Election Day polling location at the Coral Ridge Mall has been reassigned to St. Sebastian Church which is over 6 miles away for voters within that precinct. I have reached out to Joe Scott, the Supervisor of Elections, to see if we can find a better solution.
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Traffic Advisory: Full Closure of Henry E. Kinney Tunnel (US-1) | July 18-22, 2022
Heads up, Downtowners! US-1 & Las Olas Boulevard will be undergoing full roadway closures next week as part of the Henry E. Kinney Tunnel & Pedestrian Plaza project. This is an exciting step towards a rehabilitated tunnel and new pedestrian plaza stretching over US-1.
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July 18-22: US-1 between Broward Boulevard & SE 7 Street
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July 20: Las Olas Boulevard between SE 5 Avenue & SE 8 Avenue,
with Thursday, July 21 as a contingency date.
Please plan ahead and seek alternate routes when travelling in the area. Please view the flyer below or click here for additional details on the closure.
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From the DDA - Economic Engines |
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DowntownFTL and the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport are two essential economic engines with similar levels of annual foot traffic and economic impact.
In 2022, both DowntownFTL and the airport are projected to have annual foot traffic in excess of 30 million people.
DowntownFTL has an annual economic impact of about $30 billion. This is of comparable value to the airport and Port Everglades. Combined these economic engines have an impact of about $100 billion.
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By the Numbers: The Evolution of Las Olas
From the DDA
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On Friday, July 8, 2022, Greater Fort Lauderdale Sister Cities International received
the 2022 Sister Cities International Innovation in Business, Trade and Professional Exchange Award! This achievement recognizes one out of five hundred affiliates who demonstrated promoting peace through mutual respect, understanding, and cooperation within their community.
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Brent Rutemiller Announces Retirement as ISHOF CEO and Swimming World Magazine Publisher |
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Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and the City of Fort Lauderdale host Media Day, June 6, 2022 |
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The Fort Lauderdale Aquatic Center and the City of Fort Lauderdale host Media Day, June 6, 2022 Lauderdale Aquatic Center was quite the exciting place on Monday, June 6, as they hosted their first Media Day, with the new 27-meter tower front and center, in conjunction with USA Diving and Red Bull.
The event highlighted members of the Fort Lauderdale Diving Team from the grassroots lesson programs to Olympians and World Champion high divers. Topping the list, was World Champion, Stephen LoBue and 2020 Olympian Brandon Loschiavo, performing dives off the new state of the art tower, which is the only one in the western hemisphere. For more information on media day, read the great article by the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel: Read Here
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Congratulations to Susan, Anthony, and Chris on their new roles with the City! |
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Incoming City Manager Greg Chavarria has announced these new appointments effective July 23, 2022. The appointments are made ahead of time to support planning efforts during this City Manager transition period.
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Anthony Fajardo, Assistant City Manager
Anthony has worked for the City since 2005, rising through the ranks from Urban Planner to Zoning Administrator, and most recently as Director of Development Services since 2016. Prior to joining the City, Anthony earned a master's degree from FAU and worked on several projects with the Army Corps of Engineers, the South Florida Water Management District, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, including the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project. Throughout his career in Fort Lauderdale, Anthony has worked on multiple code amendments, managed large city-wide planning projects, supported historic preservation and code enforcement initiatives, and has actively served as a liaison to multiple quasi-judicial boards, as well as a member of various boards and committees.
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Susan Grant, Assistant City Manager/Finance Director
Susan brings a wealth of experience, having served as the City's Finance Director since 2019. Since joining the City, she has overseen numerous bond issues, negotiated multiple interlocal agreements, coordinated the receipt of $47 Million in CARES and ARPA funds, and managed the City's conversion to the Florida Retirement System in January 2021. Her 30-year track in public service includes serving as Deputy City Manager, Director of Financial Services, Director of Human Resources, and City Controller for the City of Coral Springs. She was instrumental in earning the Malcom Baldrige Award and the Florida Governor's Sterling Award three times. Susan is currently an ex-officio member of both the City of Fort Lauderdale's Police and Fire Pension Plan and the General Employees' Retirement Plan.
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Chris Cooper, Director of Development Services
Chris Cooper has over 18 years in local government with agencies like Marion County, City of Gainesville and most recently with the City of Fort Lauderdale. Prior to becoming the Deputy Director of DSD, Chris worked as a housing and community development planner for Marion County, intergovernmental affairs and grants coordinator and code enforcement manager for the City of Gainesville. Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from FSU and a Master of Arts in Political Science/Public Affairs from UF. Chris also earned an AICP certification from the American Planning Association and is a Florida Association of Code Enforcement certified Code Enforcement Professional. During his tenure in Fort Lauderdale, Chris has been instrumental in the codification of the downtown master plan, central beach development code amendments, the development of the City's affordable housing policy, and the implementation of the Uptown zoning districts.
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The Broward Up (Unlimited Potential) Program is moving to places in your community with convenient access. No need to go to an existing campus- with Broward Up, the opportunities come to you! Learn more about Broward College's Adult Education Programs, some courses are tuition-free.
Join Broward College for an informational Broward College YMCA Event:
Monday, July 18
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
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New Project Underway in Flagler Village! |
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Click on the images below to view transportation reports for Lake Ridge, Victoria Park, and South Middle River. |
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Fort Lauderdale Welcomes Cultural Affairs Officer
Joshua Carden
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Please welcome Joshua Carden, the City’s new Cultural Affairs Officer. We’re thrilled that he’s joined us in this role where he will guide a citywide cultural affairs and art program, cultivate partnerships with organizations dedicated to the arts and cultural programming. Joshua will oversee the City Hall Lobby Art Gallery program, work closely with the Public Art and Placement Advisory Board, and will collaborate with our ever-growing Fort Lauderdale arts community. Having advocated for this position, I look forward to the possibilities. Every great city understands the importance of arts and culture for both residents and visitors.
Joshua has an extensive background in cultural affairs encompassing organizational oversight, curation, development, and arts administration. Over the last 6 years, he has worked with communities in Broward and Miami-Dade County with the goal of increasing quality of life and instilling a passion for the arts.
Most recently, Joshua served as the Cultural Affairs & Art in Public Places Coordinator for the City of Miami Beach. He oversaw the City’s art collection, commissioned temporary and permanent works for Miami Beach’s Art in Public Places program, and developed cultural programs throughout the city. Previously, he served as the Chief Curator for the City of Pembroke Pines and of The Frank C. Ortis Art Gallery and Exhibit Hall (The Frank) where he developed and implemented a comprehensive exhibition, cultural event, and arts education program.
Joshua earned a Master of Arts degree in Arts Administration from the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History.
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Help our youth get ready for a
great school year!
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Four of the Fort Lauderdale Beach lifeguard towers
have a new look!
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Several years ago, I proposed to the Commission that we create an art gallery on Fort Lauderdale Beach by wrapping the lifeguard towers in art. The first four towers are complete with more to come! The City of Fort Lauderdale’s Public Arts & Placemaking Advisory Board selected Djerlens Chery (DJ) to design the wraps for these towers. His vision incorporated local wildlife and other elements that make Fort Lauderdale Beach unique. Congratulations DJ!
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Major Project Underway at the George T. Lohmeyer Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant
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The George T. Lohmeyer Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant is undergoing a major $18 million project to replace critical equipment with new energy-efficient technology that enhances reliability. The improvements will be protected within a new 6,400-square-foot building designed for sea-level rise and future expansion.
Check out this video and follow along as we continue to make progress on this important investment that’s anticipated to be completed in December 2023.
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Business Tax season is here! |
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Renewal window: July 1- September 30
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The Evolution of Downtown Public Spaces
Featured in July's Las Olas Blvd & Isles Magazine
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Vibrant, growing cities like Fort Lauderdale are raising the bar on new and redesigned urban parks. Downtown’s growth has created an opportunity to create high-quality experiences for residents and visitors alike as we rethink how we are utilizing our key public spaces.
Read what DDA Board Chairman Steve Hudson told Las Olas Boulevard & Isles Magazine about DowntownFTL's public spaces in their summer issue at lasolasboulevard.com/magazine.
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Starlight Musicals have returned to Holiday Park! |
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Effective Wednesday, June 1, 2022, all LauderGO! Community Shuttle service routes will be restored to their pre-COVID-19 schedules:
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We have the following Board Vacancies below. Please email Erica Franceschi [email protected] if you are interested in serving on a Fort Lauderdale City Board.
Board of Adjustment
Cemetery System Board of Trustees
Central City Redevelopment Advisory Board
Code Enforcement Board
Community Appearance Board
Community Services Board
Education Advisory Board
Fire-Rescue Facilities Bond Issue Blue Ribbon Committee
Insurance Advisory Board
Marine Advisory Board
Nuisance Abatement Board
Sustainability Advisory Board
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The greatness of our community starts with passionate citizens like you.
Please do not hesitate to contact our Outreach Coordinator, Ashley Cacicedo, with any questions, comments or thoughtful suggestions [email protected] or 954-828-5923.
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Steve Glassman
Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner, District 2
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