"Best of Broward" Highlights County Services
Each month, a Broward County Commission meeting will open with the “Best of Broward,” a brief presentation intended to provide viewers with a greater understanding of various programs and services offered by County government. Presentations have included the following:
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Aviation Department Receives Prestigious Award
The Aviation Department was the recipient of the 2011 Airport Minority Advisory Council (AMAC) Award of the Organization, which is given to an individual, airport, or a firm for significant contributions and efforts toward Disadvantage Business Enterprise and/or Equal Employment Opportunity goals at an airport. AMAC is the only national, non-profit, trade association that promotes full participation of minority-owned, women-owned, and disadvantaged business enterprises in airport contracting and the inclusion of minorities and women in employment.
From L to R: Kent George and Jasmine Jones (Aviation, and Norm Taylor and Wayne Burns (Small Business and Economic Development)
Posted: Wednesday, August 10, 2011
FLL Customs and Border Protection Receives Pilots’ Award
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, received second place honors for best U.S. Customs Facility in the 2011 Pilots’ Choice Award. The association responsible for gathering the votes, Flightplan.com, is the largest professional full service flight planning and tracking system for general aviation. The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport General Aviation Facility and the Executive Airport ranked 1st and 2nd respectively as the busiest general aviation facilities in CBP.
Posted: Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Home Damage Assessment Program Wins Technology Award
The Home Damage Assessment Program, conceived and implemented by the Emergency Management Division, and designed and developed by Enterprise Technology Services, was named a 2011 International Data Group Computerworld Honors Laureate in the Innovation category. The program, allows residents to participate in damage assessment activities in the aftermath of an emergency, such as a hurricane. For more information, visit www.broward.org/hurricane and click HOME DAMAGE ASSESSMENT PROGRAM.
Posted: Monday, August 1, 2011
Phil Allen Selected as 2011 South Florida Business Leader
Phil Allen, director of Broward County's Port Everglades, has been selected as Seafarer’s House 2011 South Florida Business Leader of the Year. Honorees are selected by their peers for their acknowledged leadership in their field, entrepreneurial background and long-term contributions to the success, diversity and breadth of the South Florida business community as well as for their philanthropic contributions to the communities where they live and work. Seafarers' House at Port Everglades is a place for mariners that offers many services including low cost international phone calls, free transportation, Internet access, counseling services, liaison with authorities as well as recreational facilities.
Posted: Monday, August 1, 2011
North Perry Airport Inspection Equals Zero Discrepancies
The Florida Department of Transportation conducted an annual inspection for Broward County’s North Perry Airport, which included examinations for runway and taxiway lighting, signage requirements and pavement condition. The Airport had zero discrepancies and no recommendations. The State of Florida Aviation Office also commented on how excellent the airport continues to be operated and maintained.
Posted: Monday, July 11, 2011
Commissioner Barbara Sharief Appointed to FAC Policy Committee
Broward County District 8 Commissioner Barbara Sharief has been chosen to serve as a vice chair on the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) Health and Human Services Policy Committee. FAC policy committees work with Commissioners from around the state to build the Association's legislative platform for the coming year and set FAC legislative priorities.
Posted: Monday, July 11, 2011
Purchasing Division Wins National Award for Achievement of Excellence in Procurement
Broward County Purchasing Division won the Annual Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) award from the National Purchasing Institute (NPI), which has been recognized organizational excellence in public procurement since 1995. This is the sixth year that the Purchasing Division has been honored by NPI, an association of public sector purchasing organizations dedicated to the educational and professional development of its members. Last year, the Purchasing Division facilitated 61,341 purchases with a total value of more than a half billion dollars to support countywide operations.
Posted: Monday, July 11, 2011
Commissioner Kristin Jacobs Elected Chair of SFRTA Governing Board
Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs has been elected chair of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) Governing Board, which she has served as a board member since 2009. Commissioner Jacobs has championed issues to improve and protect Broward County's quality of life and has been a longtime advocate of public transportation, light rail development, green buildings and greenways, sustainable growth and eco-tourism.
Posted: Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Broward County's Workplace Wellness Program Garners National Recognition
Broward County has received national recognition from the American Heart Association (AHA) for its workplace wellness program. The County was designated as a 2011 "Fit Friendly" company and was the only organization in Broward County to receive the AHA's Worksite Innovation Award.
The American Heart Association's Fit Friendly Award is a national recognition bestowed upon companies and organizations that promote healthy living among employees through comprehensive programs that emphasize total physical and emotional wellness. Organizations that also receive the Worksite Innovation Award have further demonstrated their commitment to employee health and are leading the charge by developing and implementing creative solutions to promote wellness in the workplace.
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Terry Karda Recognized by Florida Water Environment Association
Water and Wastewater Operations Division Director Terry Karda was recognized by the Florida Water Environment Association (FWEA) for his professionalism in the water environment industry and contributions to the industrial pretreatment field. Karda manages Broward County’s Industrial Pretreatment Program (BCIPP), which serves as a model for other County projects and best management practices for compliance by industrial users. The BCIPP also received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Second Place, Clean Water Act recognition award for pretreatment program excellence, which was the first for a state program. Karda remains committed to utility excellence and provides quality service to the community.
Posted: Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Commissioner Wexler Inducted to Broward Senior Hall of Fame
Broward County Commissioner Lois Wexler has been inducted to the Broward Senior Hall of Fame, which is coordinated by the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Broward County to honor elder excellence in the volunteer sector. Commissioner Wexler hosted Broward County's first Elder Services Summit in 2007, which resulted in a comprehensive needs assessment and business plan for Broward County senior citizens. In 2006, she introduced the Communities for a Lifetime initiative, which was unanimously adopted by the Broward Commission and several municipalities. She currently is chair of the Broward Housing Council and remains an active member of the Broward Aging Alliance.
Posted: Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Commissioner Sharief Receives American Dreamer Award
County Commissioner Barbara Sharief has been chosen to receive an "American Dreamer" award by Hispanic Unity of Florida. The American Dreamer award is given to South Florida entrepreneurs who stand out for their steadfast success, business acumen and community service. Commissioner Sharief was elected to the Broward County Commission in November 2010 and previously served as a Miramar City Commissioner and vice mayor. She is the founder and chief executive officer of South Florida Pediatric Homecare, Inc., a mother of five, an involved member of the PTA with a passion to enhance the quality care for the elderly and children of Broward County.
Posted: Monday, May 9, 2011
Magazine Names Dale Holness "Public Official of the Year"
Broward County Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness has been named "Public Official of the Year" and one of the "50 Most Powerful Black Professionals in South Florida" by Legacy Magazine. Holness, who was elected in 2010, was quoted as being “motivated to change.” The Magazine highlights his efforts to strengthen the County’s economy and create jobs, which include his involvement in talks to with Caribbean airlines to bring services to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, participation in trade mission to Trinidad and Tobago, and hosting a Partnership and Economic Growth Forum with more than 400 businesses and residents in attendance. For more information on Commissioner Holness, visit www.broward.org/District9.
Posted: Monday, May 2, 2011
Veterans Services Shows Their Best
The Elderly and Veterans Services Division featured “Veterans’ Services” for the monthly "Best of Broward" presentation at the April 5 County Commission meeting. The division's Veterans Services Section provides free advocacy and claim assistance services to Broward County's nearly 127,000 veterans and their families. More…
Posted: Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Taylor and Wilkinson Selected to Join Six Pillars Caucus System
Office of Economic and Small Business Development Director Norman Taylor and Economic Development Manager Deborah Wilkinson have been selected to serve on the Florida Chamber Foundation's Six Pillars Caucus System. They will join other leaders from across the state to help craft the first-ever, state-wide strategic plan for Florida's economic future.
The Six Pillars Caucus System is a qualitative research program aimed at developing a plan for Florida's future economy that includes high-wage jobs, global competitiveness and vibrant communities by the year 2030. Photo at left: Director Norman Taylor and Deborah Wilkinson of Broward County Office of Economic and Small Business Development.
Posted: Tuesday, April 12, 2011
County Lifeguards Win Aquatic Safety Awards
Lifeguards from the Broward County Parks and Recreation Division received 2010 International Aquatic Safety Awards from Ellis & Associates International Aquatic Safety & Risk Management Consultants. The lifeguards at TY Park’s Castaway Island, Quiet Waters Park’s Splash Adventure, and Tropical Splash at Central Broward Regional Park & Stadium won Gold Awards. Lifeguards at Paradise Cove at C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines won a Silver Award. The awards are given only to aquatics professionals who score in the top percentages of the audit criteria. This year Castaway Island, Splash Adventure, and Tropical Splash scored in the top 30 percent of audit criteria, while Paradise Cove scored in the top 42 percent. From Left to right: Paige Beattie, Brett Enlow, Jessica Fields, Don Huntley and Kristina Goodwin.
Posted: Monday, March 28, 2011
Cultural Division Awarded a Silver Addy Award
Broward County Cultural Division received an Silver ADDY award for the production of CreativeBROWARD 2020, a plan for economic and cultural development in Broward County. The research involved more than 1,000 community members and included more than 30 meetings with focus groups and town hall forums; more than 750 citizens interviewed by telephone and more than 350 residents responded to online surveys.
Posted: Friday, March 25, 2011
Commissioner Jacobs Selected to National Ocean Council Governance Coordinating Committee
Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs was appointed to the Obama Administration's National Ocean Council's Governance Coordinating Committee, the nation's first "comprehensive, integrated" group to work on stewardship policies involving oceans, coasts and the Great Lakes. An executive order signed by President Obama created the cabinet-level National Ocean Council to coordinate across the federal government on ocean policy, and directed the establishment of the inter-governmental Governance Coordinating Committee (GCC). The 18-member GCC will coordinate with the National Ocean Council on inter-jurisdictional ocean policy issues. Members of the committee were chosen from pools of candidates submitted by governors, tribal and local officials across the country. Commissioner Jacobs is one of three elected representatives selected to represent the coastal states.
Posted: Monday, March 21, 2011
NatureScape Broward Receives PLANT Award
Natural Resources Planning and Management Division's NatureScape Broward Team received a Plantation Landscape Award for Nurturing Our Town (PLANT) by the City of Plantation that acknowledges people, businesses and organizations who "nurture our town, thereby making Plantation a great place to live, work and play." The agency provides programs such as NatureScape education seminars, Water Matters Day, National Wildlife Federation and Flyways Coalition partnerships and several others. Photo includes: Plantation Mayor Rae Carole Armstrong, third from left, with NatureScape Broward team members, left to right: Rudy Rudolph, Bob Carew, Aaron and Dr. Jennifer Jurado, Karen Moore and Diana Guidry.
Posted: Monday, March 14, 2011
Traffic Engineering Gives Drivers the Green Light
Green means "go" and the going is not only good - it's getting even better in Broward County. That's the word from the Traffic Engineering Division, who has been hard at work over the last six months on the Green Lights program, which is synchronizing traffic signals along major corridors in the County. More…
Posted: Thursday, March 10, 2011
Waste and Recycling Services Receives Silver Addy® Award
Broward County Waste and Recycling Services won a Silver ADDY® award for its Design A Greener Future 2010 Calendar. The calendar highlights the winners of the Design a Greener Future Recycling Bin Decorating Contest. The ADDY® Awards, which are sponsored by the American Advertising Federation, are the nation’s largest advertising competition that honors excellence in advertising and cultivates the highest creative standards.
Posted: Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Broward County's Water and Wastewater Services Bonds Rated AA+
Broward County’s series of utility revenue bonds being used to finance capital improvements in the County's water and wastewater services program has received a AA+ rating from Fitch Ratings. Fitch affirmed the bonds as a "stable financial profile" and commended Water and Wastewater Services for its healthy financial operations. Broward County Water and Wastewater Services operates a combined water and sewer system. The water system services approximately 59,000 residents and one wholesale user. The wastewater system services 80 percent of the residential water customers and 11 wholesale users. The County also operates a wastewater treatment plant, with a capacity of 100 million gallons per day. The bonds are secured by system revenues.
Posted: Friday, February 25, 2011
Torey L. Alston Reappointed to FAMU Board of Trustees
Florida Governor Rick Scott has reappointed Torey L. Alston to serve on the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) University Board of Trustees for a term that will continue through January 6, 2015. Alston is Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief's Chief of Staff for District 8. He was first appointed to serve on the Board of Trustees by former Gov. Charlie Crist last year.
Posted: Thursday, February 10, 2011
Broward County Receives More than $9 Million Toward Ending Homelessness
Broward County was the recipient of 18 project grants totaling $9,579,307 from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This award funds Supportive Services, Transitional, Permanent Supportive Housing (including Shelter and Care) and helps to fulfill goals set out in the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness, which was approved by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners in December 2005. Of the 18 awards, 12 were for permanent housing, including 632 beds, and five for transitional housing, renewing 408 beds. One other program was for supportive services for 200 emergency shelter beds. These programs will serve homeless adult and youth clients: individuals, families and veterans; those with mental, emotional and physical disabilities; substance abuse disorders; mothers with children; pregnant women; and those who are "chronically" homeless and who have co-occurring disorders.
Posted: Thursday, February 10, 2011
"Defrost Your Swimsuit" Campaign Highlighted as "Best of Broward"
Broward County Commission meetings will now open with the “Best of Broward,” a brief presentation intended to provide viewers with a greater understanding of the programs and services offered by County government. On February 8, the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau presented an update on the economic impact of Broward’s 10.8 million visitors in 2010, and shared humorous highlights of their “Defrost Your Swimsuit” campaign promoting Broward County as a tourist destination for New Yorkers. More…
Posted: February 9, 2011
North Perry Airport Receives FAA Safety Award
North Perry Airport has received the 2010 Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Southern Region Runway Safety Partnership Award. The award recognizes the airport’s outstanding work and contributions made this past year to enhance safety. Broward County Aviation Department employees designed a "Special Emphasis" Program to enhance operational safety, which included runway safety education for tenants, enhancements to the airport drivers' training program and monthly runway safety meetings with airport tenants. North Perry Airport is a general aviation airport managed by the Broward County Aviation Department and is located in Pembroke Pines. It consists of 511 acres with over 300 aircraft based at the airport and had about 130,000 take-offs and landings in 2010. Operators include five flight schools, two banner towing companies, several news helicopters, and two fixed-based operators.
Posted: Friday, February 4, 2011
Port Everglades Named Best U.S. Homeport
Port Everglades has been selected for the third consecutive year as the Best U.S. Homeport by Porthole Cruise Magazine, a world-class leading cruise travel magazine that annually picks the best in cruise itineraries, destinations, attractions, and excursions. Port Everglades' cruise numbers are expected to increase over the next few years with Royal Caribbean Line's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, the largest cruise ships in the world. A new 15-year agreement with Carnival Cruise Lines will also increase capacity and guarantee 25.5 million cruise passenger moves over the term of the contract.
Posted: Tuesday, February 1, 2011