Week of Mar. 15th: Broward Days in Tallahassee. Regular city and county commission and CRA meetings will resume Mar. 23d. Also: the final city ethics committee meeting Mar. 25th.
GAZETTE
Americans No Longer Capitalists? They Also Hate DST - 03/13/10
The latest Rasmussen polls show 53% of American adults still believe capitalism is better than socialism. 20% say socialism is better. 27% aren't sure. Only 37% of adults under 30 prefer capitalism, 33% socialism. Only 13% of adults 40 and over believe socialism is better.
R's favor capitalism 11-to-1 while 30% of D's favor socialism. 48% of independents are capitalists while 21% opt for socialism.
Yet only a year ago, 70% of U.S. voters told Rasmussen a free market is better than one managed by the government.
As for Daylight Saving Time, 47% of Americans don't think the time change is worth the hassle. 40% like DST.
Don't forget to change your clocks anyway, Comrades.
More Poll Numbers
Broward Ethics Commission Sends New Code to County Commissioners - 02/19/10
As reported by the Sun-Sentinel:
A first-ever code of ethics for Broward County commissioners has been drafted, and now it’s up to county commissioners to decide what to do with it.
Commissioners would lose much of their control over choosing what companies win county contracts. They wouldn’t be allowed to moonlight as lobbyists. They also would be banned from accepting gifts from lobbyists and would have to disclose more details about their contacts with lobbyists.
Enforcing the sweeping set of new rules would be an inspector general with the power to seek fines of up to $5,000 and refer cases to state and federal prosecutors.
A task force unanimously approved the 27-page code Friday, wrapping up a year of work that voters demanded in 2008. The County Commission must either approve within the next six months or place on the November ballot.
The Draft
PD&E Study Presents Two A1A Options + Do Nothing - 02/12/10
DB beach residents might want to keep an eye on FDOT proposals for A1A.
Both working options will require an additional northbound lane and bicycle lane on A1A south of Hillsboro. Plan B would also extend Northeast 20th Terrance south to Hillsboro, but A1A traffic would not be diverted to this road as proposed under the CRA plan.
Both plans include improvements along the S-Curve and additional parking along Northeast 20th Terrace. Plan A also calls for widening A1A north of Hillsboro.
A decision is expected early next year. FDOT could decide to do nothing if there is substantial public opposition.
CALENDAR
Florida v. Capellini - 03/18/10, 9:00 a.m.
Former mayor Al Capellini is charged with receiving unlawful compensation. A jury trial previous scheduled for Mar. 5th was canceled. A defense motion will be heard by Judge Cohen on this date and a calendar call is scheduled for April 30th.
City Ethics Committee - 03/25/10, 5:00 p.m.
This is the final meeting. The committee's report and recommendations concerning the ethics code will be transmitted to the city commission. The committee is expected to recommend changes to the gift provisions of the code, a requirement that complaints of ethical violations be submitted under oath or affirmation, and other technical changes.
Rubio-Crist Debate - 03/28/10, 6:00 p.m.
Fox News Sunday will televise a debate between GOP senatorial candidates Marco Rubio and Gov. Charlie Crist. FNS host Chris Wallace will moderate.
Planning & Zoning - 04/01/10, 7:00 p.m.
No agenda available at this time, but the P & Z Board is expected to be presented with plans to develop three DB golf courses at its April Fools' Day meeting: Tam O'Shanter, Crystal Lake, and the DB Country Club. Tam and Crystal Lake are owned by Old Saybrook Golf Capital LLC.
Florida v. Gonot - 04/14/10, 9:00 a.m.
Former commissioner Steven Gonot is charged with grand theft in the 3d degree, official misconduct, and falsifying public records. A calendar call is scheduled before Judge Rodriguez on this date. This is not a trial date.
District 1 Meeting - 04/15/10, 7:00 p.m.
Commissioner Joe Miller will hold a town hall meeting in the commission chambers.
Florida v. Capellini - 04/30/10, 9:00 a.m.
Former mayor Al Capellini is charged with receiving unlawful compensation. A calendar call is scheduled before Judge Cohen on this date. This is not a trial date.
Ethics Workshop - 05/04/10, 12:30 p.m.
A two-hour county-level ethics workshop is scheduled for this date. Presumably this will be a discussion among the county commissioners of the proposed code of ethics for Broward County. The county commission is required to approve the code or submit it for a referendum vote in Nov. 2010.
ACTIONS TAKEN
CRA Board Special Meeting - 03/09/10
Item #5.1: Authorization to enter into a contract with Volkert, Inc. for Design and Construction
Phase Services for Pier Reconstruction. Approved. This contract is only for design and engineering for the reconstruction of part of the pier structure. It does not include the construction itself, but may include "construction services" (meaning, more or less, oversight of the construction). It also does not include the pier entrance structures, but all projects must coordinated.
The CRA director also gave the board an overview of various ongoing projects in the CRA district, including the A1A study and progress on the Cove project. It was the sense of the board that the CRA should proceed with the Cove project without unnecessary delay.
|