COMMUNITY NEWS ROUNDUP
By BY SUN-SENTINEL AND FORUM PUBLISHING GROUP STAFF
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
City Commission approves keeping current tax rate
The City Commission recently approved keeping its $4.77 maximum tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value.
Commissioners also passed a proposal to increase the maximum assessment fee for fire rescue services by $19.37. The rate now is $64.33. The rate and assessment is the maximum that the city can set. In the next few months, commissioners will debate the final rates.
Residents can speak on the proposed taxes during a public hearing at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 15 at the City Commission Chambers, 9090 SW 50th Place.
Gov. LeRoy Collins Park will be dedicated Aug. 9
The city will dedicate the Gov. LeRoy Collins Park on Aug. 9.
The city purchased the 52-acre plot to enhance its park system. The park is named after Collins, who supported racial integration. Collins died in 1991.
The dedication is at 5 p.m. at Shotgun Road and Southwest 36th Street
Property Appraiser's Office providing tax assistance
Representatives from the Broward County Property Appraiser's Office will be at the Beach Community Center to help residents apply for homestead and other tax exemptions from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Friday.
Officials also will answer property tax questions. The community center is at 3351 NE 33rd Ave. in Fort Lauderdale.
To apply for a homestead exemption you must bring a Florida driver's license or Florida ID card; a Broward voter registration or a declaration of domicile; and the Social Security numbers for all owners. Resident immigrants must bring a permanent resident green card or proof of asylum or the INS 1-485 letter showing that application to convert to permanent resident is complete.
For information, go to www.bcpa.net or call 954-357-5579.
City program sends teens on trip to South Africa
Three Lauderdale Lakes teenagers recently spent nine days touring South Africa, participating in a city program that pushes cultural diversity and community involvement.
Jessica Esdelle, 18; Tiara Jewel, 17; and Jasmine Barber, 16, are members of Lauderdale Lakes' Future Leaders of the World Club, a city organization that raised most of the trip's cost through donations and other contributions.
In addition to visiting Cape Town and Johannesburg, the youths traveled to smaller townships and learned about hardships the poor face.
Now club members are planning several projects, including collecting shoes, to benefit students in the township of Phillipi, just outside Cape Town.
For information call 954-535-2785.
Chamber of Commerce plans membership breakfast
Business owners and executives are invited to network at a Chamber of Commerce membership breakfast in August.
New members will be honored at the meeting, hosted by the Miramar Pembroke Pines Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Businesses may showcase their services by reserving a tabletop
The gathering will run from 7 to 9 a.m. Aug. 12 at the Southwest Focal Point Senior Center, 301 NW 103rd Ave. in Pembroke Pines. Admission is $7 for members; $12 for nonmembers.
Public Works providing trees to increase the tree canopy
On Saturday , the city will continue its decade-long program to increase the tree canopy by giving away trees from its Public Works nursery.
Those who present identification such as a driver's license or water bill that proves residence within city limits are eligible for two plants that Public Works nursery employees raised from seeds.
The trees, all 2 to 6 feet tall, will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Plants include gumbo limbo; wild tamarind; autograph tree; firebush; paradise' royal poinciana; green buttonwood; mahogany; live oak and queen palm.
Instructions will accompany each tree. The city nursery is at 1000 NE Third Ave. and Northeast 10th Street. For information call 954-786-5516.
Learn about crime prevention, see McGruff at Night Out event
Take a bite out of crime on Aug. 5, when the Police Department holds its annual Night Out Against Crime event.
The event will feature free crime prevention information and products such as car clubs and child fingerprinting.
McGruff the crime dog is scheduled to make an appearance. The department will also have a canine demonstration.
For information, call 954-746-3392. The event is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. will be at the Sunrise Civic Center at 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd.
Expert on child welfare gives report on ChildNet
National child welfare expert Peter Digre was contracted by Florida's Department of Children & Families to evaluate the county' lead child protection agency, ChildNet.
He recently released his review that included recommendations for improvement.
Digre suggested four changes: build a strong working alliance between DCF and ChildNet; actively engage parents and families; decrease the reliance on residential shelter and group care for children under age 12; and reconsider licensing responsibilities.
ChildNet is a private, not-for-profit organization selected by the state to serve the local community. It manages local services and supports for abused, abandoned and neglected children and their caregivers.
For information, go to www.ChildNet.us or call 954-414-6000.
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