Broward Directory Blog

Today is our Primary, so make every effort to find time to vote.

If you need to know who is on the ballot:

Find your Precinct:
http://www.browardsoe.org/PrecinctFinder.aspx

Sample: The Current People in Office for Precinct T011
http://www.browardsoe.org/ElectedOfficials.aspx?PrecinctID=2234

Sample Ballot for Precinct T011
http://www.browardsoe.org/SampleBallot.aspx?eid=113&PrecinctID=2234

Still undecided – or you have no clue who to vote for?

First it is important to know your candidates, but for those that need some “guidance”:

SunSentinel:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-newmezzpost-statewideprimaryraces,0,7758121.storygallery?track=ss-mark-admail-august10-endorsements

Broward Teacher’s Union endorses school board candidates

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/educationblog/2010/07/broward_teachers_union_endorses_school_board_candidates.html
(Be sure to read the comments)

T.J Reddick Bar Association Endorses Judicial Candidates for August 2010 Election
http://browardsblog.blogspot.com/2010/08/tj-reddick-bar-association-endorses.html

I am only providing information for people to see what others are recommending. I do not support or condone the recommendations or views of these articles. It is your right to understand what you want and whom you feel best represents your views in office.

Today is the day to exercise your right to vote.

Broward County commissioners may raise tax rates and cut services

Bills would go up for some; services would go down for all
By Brittany Wallman, Sun Sentinel
August 17, 2010

Taxpayers, you’ll see it in the mail soon, if you haven’t already. Broward County commissioners are poised to raise the tax rate that pays for general county services for the first time in 12 years.

What’s not in your tax notice is this bad news: County services will get worse.

Read more…

Red-light camera tickets drop with new law
Looser enforcement triggers 77 percent decline in right-turn violations
Michael Mayo – Sun Sentinel Columnist
August 16, 2010

Mercifully, at least one South Florida city has stepped on the brakes when it comes to overzealous enforcement at red-light camera intersections.

Hallandale Beach’s lone red-light camera has generated more than $1.3 million in fines since it went live in January, but there has been a huge decrease in right-turn violations since a new state law took effect on July 1.

Must Read Article…

The new Florida State law:
The law says cities are no longer supposed to cite offenders who make slow-rolling right turns “in a careful and prudent manner.”

Red Light Camera Locations:

Broward rehires many laid-off teachers, thanks to federal stimulus money
U.S. House poised to pass education stimulus
By Rafael A. Olmeda, Sun Sentinel
August 9, 2010

Hundreds of Broward County  teachers who thought they’d lost their jobs this summer are getting phone calls and letters telling them to report back to work next week, thanks to an expected influx of federal money coming to Florida.

Read more…

Read the comments – they range from the left to the right

Davie council approves red-light cameras
By Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel
August 5, 2010

DAVIE —

Red-light cameras are coming to Davie — along with $158 fines for those captured by them.

Read more…

Other Cities that approved red-light cameras or have them in use:

• Fort Lauderdale
• Hollywood
• Pembroke Pines
• Hallandale Beach
• Aventura
• West Palm Beach

Davie rejects Sheriff’s Office takeover
By Susannah Bryan, Sun Sentinel – August 5, 2010
DAVIE —

Town officials said no to BSO Wednesday night, despite a cost proposal from the Broward Sheriff’s Office that promised to save taxpayers $9 million.

“Timing is everything in life,” Councilman Marlon Luis said after hearing a brief presentation from Col. Rick Frey of the Sheriff’s Office. “And I don’t think the timing is right.”

Read more…

(be sure to read the comments at the bottom)

Broward School Board wrestles with budget that includes some layoffs, some program cuts
By Akilah Johnson, Sun Sentinel
July 30, 2010

Four minutes before midnight on Friday, the Broward School Board gave tentative approval to the district’s $3.4 billion budget, which had been reached through layoffs and cuts — but no eliminations — to art, music, physical education and library programs as well as some technology upgrades.

The board emphasized “tentative” when approving $33.4 million that the district wants to use to rehire 465 laid off teachers by raising property taxes by $20 per $100,000 of taxable value.

Read More…

Budget cuts may force end of deputies in schools, Lamberti says
By James H. Burnett III, The Miami Herald
8:29 p.m. EDT, July 13, 2010

Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti said if he isn’t granted a reprieve by the County Commission this summer, his department’s participation in the decades-old program that puts law enforcement officers in every Broward public school is over. He’s been asked to cut about $60 million from the Sheriff’s Office’s proposed $700 million-plus 2011 budget, but so far has managed to trim just about $6 million.

Read more…

Property values plunge across Broward County
By Jennifer Gollan, Sun Sentinel

Property values in Broward County  plunged 11.7 percent last year — the third yearly drop in a row — marking one of the worst declines in history.

As a result, residents face tax increases and service cuts as local leaders confront budget deficits.

Read more…

Florida Gov. Crist tours Miami Beach (Courtesy of the Sun-Sentinel)

(Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist on Miami Beach. The Governor visited Miami Beach to discuss the Gulf Oil Spill impact on our state with local business leaders.