PEMBROKE
PINES - For several months last spring, no one wanted to go to West
Broward High School.
Parents passionately argued that their children should remain at Cypress
Bay High School in Weston because West Broward, off U.S. 27, was too far
away. Students begged to stay at Cypress Bay, saying they wanted to stay
with their friends and stick with its sports teams and extracurricular
activities.
But the tense, hours-long boundary discussions are history. West Broward
High is ready to open its doors to 1,900 students for the first time
Monday.
New principal Dan Traeger is ready to bring together students from
Cypress Bay and
Everglades high schools to create a new community at the school.
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NEWS AND ALERTS Posted October 23, 2008 I received this letter today from FP&L regarding our power issues along with a lots of pertinent information to our power outages. Below this letter are links to some of the brochures he sent me that I attached here. They sent me quite a few different brochures, I haven't put them all on but from time to time I'll put more on. -Val
See attached file: FPL Distribution System See attached file: Electric Disturbances See attached file: Right Tree Right Place and Tree Pruning Posted October 17, 2008 After contacting the Public Service Commission regarding our constant 1 second power outages in our entire development, I received the following emails as well as phone calls from two different specialists at FP&L. I was told that several nurseries in our area are growing trees directly under the power lines that are touching the wires and causing our power to go out for a second here and there and FP&L is doing whatever they can to trim the trees down that are causing these problems as well as fixing anything else that needs to be fixed. He explained it in a pretty technical manner regarding the feeders and multiple feeders and drops in voltage at the substation and I took notes but I asked him to send me something that I can relay to you that will make more sense than my scribbled notes. When I receive more information I will post it here. -Val Mrs O'Connor, Eliezer Cueto Val, Posted October 17, 2008 I attended the I-75 PD&E Study - Broward MPO Presentation On October 14th and met the new project manager, Joshua Salazar and got a chance to talk to several of the FDOT workers present at the workshop. To see some of the photos I took at the workshop click PHOTOS. All these photos and more are on FDOT's website www.I-75Vision.com. To see the updates of the I-75 Project Development and Environment Study see UPDATES. -Val O'Connor First Posted September 16, 2008 We appreciate your continued participation in the I-75 PD&E Study - Broward MPO Presentation and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming Public Workshop, scheduled for October 14th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Broward County SW Regional Library. Additional details on the meeting can be found on our project website: www.I-75Vision.com Thanks again and feel free to call me or FDOT's Project Manager (Mr. Joshua Salazar, 954-777-4635) with any question on this Study or the upcoming workshop.
Will
Posted October 3, 2008 Ivanhoe residence: I do not know how many of you are experiencing the constant power outages on a daily basis? Today, was another last straw for me, I called FP&L, again to lodge the complaint and was advised that they have had no complaints from Ivanhoe-Hawkes Bluff or any other community in Ivanhoe. That is very hard for me to believe, since, I know I’ve placed many calls into customer services to advise FP&L of the continual daily outages. However, they claim not to have any history of past call ins. Regretfully, I did not document my calls. I have spoken to a few neighbors who have had to replace appliances due to numerous surges and outages, and were thinking they could put a claim in with FP&L. In speaking with FP&L, if you lose a major appliance, and you have not reports these outages they will not be able to reimburse you or contribute a portion for the replacement appliance. Only if you have history in your customer records and at that point they would have to submit it for review of their executive committee. The representative had stated they will do an investigation, and will be in touch with us, however, from the calls I made in the past I never received a follow-up from FP&L. The number to report outages or intermittent outages, brown outs, etc, is 1-800-226-3545. If you are experience the same as us, it would be in your best interest to call in and report the problem. Please feel free to pass this message on to other neighbors of Ivanhoe. Thank you. Diane Marotta-Eccles Email: dmeccles@bellsouth.net Posted October 1, 2008 I am aware of two cases of identity theft that was perpetrated on residents of Waverly Hundred, both on Hawkes Bluff Ave. Today I went with one of the couples to the Davie police station to report the crime and to get a police case number to be able to fill out the bank forms. I am attaching the information that the police officer gave to them which are instructions of what to do if it happens to you. If this happened several times in our community it has to be someone going through the mailboxes or garbage. I told them to get a paper shredder to shred their documents. This couple are not on a computer so it has to be something that was on the outside of their home like garbage or mail. Be careful, don't put mail out the night before and try to shred your documents that have any pertinent information of them before putting them into the garbage. Click here to read the instructions from the police: Identity Theft -Val O'Connor, Secretary and Webmaster of Waverly Hundred Posted October 1, 2008 To bring you up to date on the case of the peeping tom in our neighborhood: My heart goes out to my husband who from day one has said that he was going to stick with this and make sure that justice would be served. And he did. When most people would give up and just say the system doesn’t work – he fought through it – He would call the State attorney and just stayed with it; voiced his feelings on what he wanted and what would be best for his family – This man Giovanni Franceso Pugliese invaded our privacy and not only ours but our neighbors as well – something we didn’t ask for and put our family through some tough times – The emotions of our kids, the questions they would ask and most of all the fear that they have. However, we did get what we set out for. He is now in jail – Giovanni Francesco Pugliese is now at the stockade facility. He was charged with voyeurism (6 months in jail for this count) and for the battery charge (2 counts – one year probation for each count) I want everyone to know that even when his projection sentence ends (3/14/09) he is not permitted in our neighborhood. If he is seen here that is a violation of his probation and if he is seen, people should call the police department and give as much information as possible. You can view his arrest record at www.browardsherriff.com - then on the right side of the screen type in his name. This will bring up his arrest record and picture. We want to thank everyone for their thoughts, support and prayers during this difficult time. -a resident of Waverly Hundred
Posted September 16, 2008 We appreciate your continued participation in the I-75 PD&E Study - Broward MPO Presentation and look forward to seeing you at our upcoming Public Workshop, scheduled for October 14th from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the Broward County SW Regional Library. Additional details on the meeting can be found on our project website: www.I-75Vision.com Thanks again and feel free to call me or FDOT's Project Manager (Mr. Joshua Salazar, 954-777-4635) with any question on this Study or the upcoming workshop.
Will
Posted August 28, 2008
Dear
Ivanhoe Residents & Friends,
Many of you
might have noticed increased mosquito activity in your neighborhood. I
know I certainly have. It was brought to my attention by Hawkes Bluff
of Ivanhoe Board Members Terry Coulton & Mo Christie at our HOA meeting
last night that Broward County no longer automatically spays for
mosquitos. You have to request mosquito service from them. The way to
request this service is to go to their website at
www.Broward.org and go to "Request Mosquito Service" on the right
hand side under "Top Online Services". It's very easy to request this
service for your residence. You can also call Mosquito Control at (954)
765-4062 or fax them at (954) 985-1959 to request this service. The
more of us that request this service, the less mosquitos we will have to
deal with in our neighborhood. So please call, fax, or e-mail today.
click here to go directly to the page :
Request Mosquito Service
Best Regards,
Robert Giordano - Coldwell Banker
Residential Real Estate (Hawkes Bluff
of Ivanhoe Treasurer and Crime Watch Co-Ordinator)
Posted August 27, 2008 Friends and Neighbors, Our Ivanhoe and surrounding area cast 567 votes, we gave Beverly Gallagher 392 of these votes (nearly 70%!!!!) and we represented over 11% of her winning margin of 1,905 votes in only FOUR voting precincts. This included a very good early voting and absentee voting! We sent quite a message, which is…. don’t mess with Ivanhoe! If you don’t already know, Beverly Ann Gallagher is our newly re-elected School Board Member. I am sure she would love to hear from each of you who supported her. Do not let anyone tell you that Ivanhoe does not vote! This was a very low turnout election and we did great job. There are too many individual people to recognize, but you all know exactly who you are. This was a very, very ugly race filled with a load of negative campaigning, but we always kept it professional and prevailed. We also have to thank the Hawkes Bluff E-mail guru Bob Giordano, Val O’Connor for the Ivanhoe Civic Association website and Ken Cimetta from Keep us Rural website for spreading the good word. Reminder… The FIRST WEST BROWARD HIGH Parent/ Teacher Student MEETING (PTSA) is TOMORROW NIGHT ….THURSDAY at 7pm (Media Center) !!!!!!!! Please go to the West Broward High website to see the new information: http://www.westbrowardhigh.com or contact the PTSA at …. West Broward HS PTSA [westbrowardhsptsa@gmail.com] Just please take the time to show up and see what a great program and school we will make the best in the county! We all have busy schedules, but what is more important than your child’s education? Go Bobcats! John Pickett Hawkes Bluff
Posted August 23, 2008 Friends and Neighbors, We have a wonderful new High School in West Broward High, we have an A rated Hawkes Bluff Elementary and attend a great “A” middle school in Silver Trail. I believe we have Beverly Gallagher to thank as our incumbent representative for keeping the quality of education for our students. We have found ourselves with a credible, honest, effective and dedicated school board member and we need to re-elect her, so she can continue her work on our behalf. Please call her with questions or concerns at 954-829-6621. We need to remember to vote NEXT TUESDAY August 26th and vote FOR Bev Gallagher, District 2 School Board. Countywide, I believe we need to choose Dee Schroeder, who will listen to our needs and who is honest. John Pickett Hawkes Bluff
Posted August 16, 2008 Troubles are history, future an open book at new West Broward High SchoolNew high school to open on edge of the Evergladescontinued troubles are history
Posted July 10, 2008 As a follow up to the incident that happened in Waverly Hundred in February as well as other areas of Ivanhoe, regarding the guy who was caught hiding in the bushes beneath windows of houses, the upcoming court appearance is currently scheduled from July 21 thru July 25 in room 347 at 8:30 a.m. The exact date to appear is not confirmed yet but will be on the website when it is known. If anyone wants to come out to the courthouse and show their support it would be greatly appreciated. This guy needs to be put away and not be allowed to drive around our neighborhoods and pose a threat to our children. Will keep you posted as to the exact date of the hearing. The following are the original posts to remind you of the incidents: Posted February 4, 2008 Today, at 6:30 a.m. a man was arrested on Ravenswick Terr. after he was found hiding behind some bushes, under a homeowners window. The window was at his daughter's bedroom. After a violent struggle with the homeowner and then finally some neighbors, he was held until the police arrived. The suspect is a 34yr. old male that lives in Pembroke Pines. His record has shown he has done this before. When he was caught this morning, his zipper was down. Please pass this on to friends, family and/or neighbors and remind them to keep their doors locked and windows closed. Keep a look out for each other and don't be afraid to call the police if anything in our neighborhood look suspicious. Thanks, Al Hollinger Update February 8, 2008
When
showing his picture one of the neighbors has recognized this man. He is
posing as a window washer in the neighborhood. He is persistent in
wanting to perform this service. You might want to post the description
of his car to be on the look out in case anyone sees this person in the
neighborhood again. He currently drives a newer model Hyundai Sonata
Limited- Dark Blue - 4 door - Tag number: X60 9R0.
Several
people have seen him in the area - so I think everyone needs to have
their guard up!!
Posted June 6, 2008 Dear friends & neighbors. This last Wednesday, supposedly, the “Staff” at the Town of Davie put an ordinance on the Town Council agenda: increasing the distance for adult establishments to 1000 feet vs the current ordinance of 450 feet….. from certain areas, like school, daycares, churches, etc… What this ordinance would do is increase certain locations within Davie. One of those areas would add a piece of Regency Square (Publix/Outback/) shopping center as a POSSIBLE future location for an adult establishment. Obviously, we do not believe an adult establishment is appropriate for this shopping center. At The Last Minute, in the afternoon of the meeting date, this ordinance motion was WITHDRAWN, so a vote was NOT made on it. Why was this added to the Davie agenda in the first place? There is a Federal lawsuit with Eden Club (on University Drive in Davie) vs. Town of Davie being heard this month asking for additional opportunities for these establishments to have more opportunities to start a business. The current 450 foot rule effectively stops establishments of adult businesses in most areas of Davie. Nobody seems to want to take responsibility on who wanted this on the agenda at the Town or how it was placed on the docket. All we know is there was less than full and timely disclosure and a load of people (Forest Ridge, Ivanhoe) were put into an uproar over something this important to our community. This is typical for our town, not knowing “who’s is on first”…etc… To complicate matters, Mr. Marlon Luis, our council representative for the Town was out of town on vacation. Anyway, THIS IS A WAKE UP CALL FOR OUR AREA! If we are NOT aware of what is going on it is our own fault. Do NOT think you will be informed of such dealings by the Town. This seems like someone in the Davie Staff wanted to slip this by us. I do not think this was ill intentioned, it was just not disclosed to the Public very well. Keep cards and letters and e-mails going to the Town and let the TOWN know how you feel. By writing our Town Council and Town Administrator, at least they know our opinions. If you have ANY problem, the people in the CC area (above) are who we need to contact. The Town also has a website for input, which is accessed easily and a link is on all our HOA’s websites. John Pickett Ivanhoe Civic Association Posted June 4, 2008
You're Invited to Join us Endorsed by: Broward Teachers Union, Education, Technical Support and Charter Schools AFL-CIO, Police Benevolent Association, Broward Principals and Assistant Principals, Broward Community College, Broward Para-Professionals Association, BTU-Retire Chapter as we kick-off
Beverly "Bev " Gallagher's Posted May 31, 2008 Dear friends, I am thinking about speaking at the Town Council meeting during the OPEN Forum next week, being the first council meeting of the month. Residents will have three minutes to express opinions and I intend to inform them of the outcome of the high school boundary issue and the apparent and probable elimination of the MMM construction project. Davie opposed any consideration to build MMM in Davie and did NOT feel compelled (until the very last second) to support our area (Ivanhoe/south of Griffin) to help us in this boundary concern. As a county we will certainly have more MEGA schools, with more additions vs. any new schools to address overcrowding. Many believe the school board is no longer in the business of building any new schools after this last round of workshops and boundary decisions. We will have to drive much, much farther to our designated school, West Broward High but we as a community have embraced the school as evidenced by the majority of participation in the PT(S)A and SAF coming from Ivanhoe and Southwest Ranches. As a FACT, Marlon Luis, who represents us here in Ivanhoe has endorsed Beverly Gallagher, who as our district member was the ONLY School Board member fighting for our needs here in Ivanhoe. Other Davie elected officials, who do not represent us, are non-committal or are siding with Bev’s opponent, who has not been representing our needs. Many of us living here or having businesses in Ivanhoe have the overall feeling that Davie (as a town council and government body) does not participate or have much of an interest in assisting our area, unless they feel it can politically help them out or somebody complains about something. They seem to be reactive, not proactive. I heard last week a resident state that we are “step-children of Davie, not real residents”. One council member has referred to us as “non-horse residents”. I wonder what they call Imagination Farms, Long Lake Estates and Shenandoah? The fact is we out here have a HUGE commercial base of tax money that supports the entire town and we need more attention as citizens. Unless we speak up, we will continue to be ignored. As many say, no participation means there are no problems or needs. Here are a list of issues that many residents feel need attention and participation from our Davie elected officials. We need a few more Ivanhoe residents to participate in this opportunity to speak on issues they feel need to be “pointed out” to the council. My three minutes will be used up by the education issue unless we can get a member of the PTSA to speak at the meeting... Þ I-75 wall issue (funding or assistance to get a better wall built, maybe extension of the existing wood fence) Þ Participation of possible construction of multi-use path over I-75 on Stirling, between 148th and Dykes Road. Where are the plans? Meetings? Þ NO indoor gym or youth sports programs on the west side, we have outside facilities: tennis courts, sand volleyball, basketball and racquetball at Waverly 100 and Waterford – do we want to look into having built an indoor gym or better indoor facility at Waverly Park where there is room? Many of us feel the outside facilities are underused, because of the heat issues and an inside gym facility would be better utilized. Where do our kids go to participate in sports? Weston or Pembroke Pines? Þ Roads have not been recoated or repaved since inception of the community and many sidewalks are cracked and broken. Þ Greenway areas are in poor shape and are mostly weeds, just mowed occasionally with no irrigation. Because of our communities “manicured look” should we have upgraded landscaping and better maintained in the medians? (Stirling Road / around parks) Þ Police presence – Most of the HOA’s PAY separately for extra detail patrols and a question is why do other areas get better coverage from our Police Department? We have had too many break-ins and crime Þ Other issues:????? Please keep communicating our needs to Davie, as these are all important issues and you all know the adage; the squeaky wheel….. John Pickett Hawkes Bluff (Ivanhoe Civic Association) Posted May 31, 2008Plan scrapped for new high school in SW BrowardSuperintendent says prices for Davie and Weston sites too steep to considerFORT LAUDERDALE - A new high school
for southwest
Broward County set to be approved this year has been delayed, with
School Board members Tuesday backing Superintendent
James Notter's recommendation to shelve the campus.
Posted May 23, 2008 Needed by Tuesday 5/27, in the early AM at the latest! Please read the following article. The newspaper article shows there are only 700 kids over for this new school…??? !!! ) These articles justify 100% our requests for NO boundary changes until we knew what was happening with MMM. We are settled in West Broward High and we should be grateful. This issue is certain to bring the true colors out of the Weston folks. I have to agree with Mr. Notter that how can they justify $120 million for a small school when they moved so many students in the last recent boundary change? ANOTHER “private” high school in Weston? There are 700 seats open at Plantation alone. 10,000 for the whole county. If you are so compelled to write and or let the powers to be know how you feel, please do so to the following e-mails or call the school board. supt_notter@browardschools.com schoolboard@browardschools.com To Mr. Notter, thank him for a wise and prudent recommendation. To the Board write your opposition to the MMM funding. Also, Please do NOT forget to participate in the school by joining the West Broward PSAT ( PTA ). Dues are only $5 for students and $10 for parents and business partners. - John
Superintendent: Hold off on high school in west BrowardPlans for a new high school in western
Broward suffered a setback Tuesday, with Broward Schools Superintendent
James Notter recommending the School Board reject offers to buy land
and, instead, wait to see whether the school is still needed.
Posted
May 20, 2008
Dear Ivanhoe Residents & Friends,
Below
please find an e-mail I received from a Falcon's Lea Resident.
Apparently there were (2) break-ins last Friday in Falcon's Lea. It
happened during the time most home burglaries occur (between 9:00 a.m.
and 1:00 pm) when the kids are at school and many people are at work.
These guys are slick and fast. Please reply to this e-mail if you have
any additional information regarding these burglaries. Please call the
Town of Davie Police Department at (954) 693-8200 if you have any
pertinent information. Let's be extra vigilant and keep on the lookout
for this vehicle & possible suspects and for anything suspicious.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Police Department (911 for
emergencies) if you see anything.
Robert Giordano - Hawkes Bluff of Ivanhoe Crime Watch Co-ordinator
On Friday May 16 between 9:20 am and 9:45 am two residences were broken
into. One was on Ridgelock Court and the other on West Falcons Lea
Dr. The two suspects were male Hispanics driving a white vehicle,
possibly a Mercedes with black emblem on the grill area. They back up
into the driveway so they can get out quick. One individual will
stay in the car while the other bangs on the door and window to see if
someone is home. They proceed to use a crowbar or other device to
force the deadbolt open. They are brazen and bold, doing this even
when other neighbors are home. They don't care if you have an alarm
because they are in and out fast probably within 2 to 3 minutes.
They target jewelry and cash heading to the master bedroom first and
foremost.
Posted May 17, 2008 Dear Friends & Neighbors who will be attending West Broward High School, A VOTE and selection of the members for the West Broward High School Advisory and PTA will be held on: May 21, Wednesday at 7pm at the SOUTH AREA offices, SUNSHINE ROOM corner of Sunrise Blvd and 136th Avenue. On the SW corner opposite Sawgrass Mills Mall. See address and directions below. SHOW UP EARLY! IF you are interested in having a voice on the direction and wish to be involved with our new HIGH SCHOOL, please attend this meeting and VOTE for our representatives to these important advisory boards. IN the past, our resident parents have NOT been as involved in these advisory boards and therefore we were less informed than many other parents in surrounding communities. Currently, we will have about 300 children attending West Broward High from our Ivanhoe Communities. WE NEED representation on these boards and the ensuing committees !!!!. DUES will be collected for these groups this evening, so bring your checkbook. (Small amount $5-$10) You received a recent phone message at home concerning this meeting urging your attendance. Currently, Pembroke Pines has the majority of members on the Silver Trail advisory boards with almost NO representation for Davie and Southwest Ranches. As a community, we have seen where involvement and participation in these parent groups can have an extreme impact on what happens at the school level. WE ALL HAVE SAID WE WILL EMBRACE OUR SCHOOL AND BECOME ACTIVE. THIS IS YOUR CHANCE. There is time involvement, but more important is the participation in the ideals, integrity and morals that we want to have instilled in our school, WEST BROWARD HIGH! GO BOBCATS! See you at the meeting…………… Please RSVP at jjpickett@bellsouth.net and let us know of your intention to show up and vote or become an active board member. Remember, there will be a VOTE and we NEED to be represented!!! SEE address below… or call West Broward High at 754-323-2600. The meeting is in the “sunshine room”. This office is at the corner of Sunrise Blvd and 136th Avenue. On the SW corner opposite Sawgrass Mills Mall. (It is a tricky drive once you are in the complex.) Driving directions: From I-75: Sunrise Exit and turn Right at light 136th Ave (which is also Harrison Parkway) Directions from Flamingo Rd.: turn Right at light 136th Ave (which is also Harrison Parkway) Turn right into Sawgrass Technology Park, and immediately turn left at sign that says SAW (for SAWGRASS) Drive all the way around towards the back, go past two lakes on the left side Turn right at the second light, you'll see Building H, it's a red tiled building, the door is next to AMRO The meeting will be in the Sunshine Room. Actual address: South Area Superintendent’s Office 1643 North Harrison Parkway Building H Sunrise, Florida 33328 (754) 321-3600 Posted May 13, 2008 MEDIA ADVISORY Rep. Martin David Kiar (D-97) to host Environmental Fair and Light Bulb Exchange Davie, FL –Florida State
Representative Martin David Kiar (D-97) and Philips Lighting are teaming
up to give two compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) to anyone who brings
in at least one incandescent bulb, while supplies last. The CFL bulbs use
75% to 80% less electricity and last up to ten times longer than a
traditional incandescent bulb, and produce considerably less heat. Old
bulbs will be recycled. This event will take place on
Saturday, May 17, 2008 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM in Robbins Park, located
at 4005 Hiatus Road in Davie. Other exhibitors will include the South
Florida Water Management District, Florida Power & Light, Broward County
Environmental Protection and Growth Management Division - Air Quality
Program, 4-H Broward County, Florida Department of Environmental
Protection, Florida Natural Energy, Broward County’s Water Resource
Division and the Town of Davie. “Given the need for each of us to
eventually convert to eco-friendly bulbs, it made perfect sense to partner
with these great organizations and offer this to my constituents and all
area residents,” said Kiar. “Having grown up right here in Broward
County, I’ve always appreciated the wonderful environmental landscape in
which we live. In order to preserve that quality of life for future
generations, we need to become conscious of our carbon footprint and learn
how to take steps now to conserve water and electricity, which is a simple
way for us all to begin this process.” Philips Lighting has generously
donated these bulbs for our residents, to maintain their goal of “working
to meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the
ability of our future generations to meet their own needs.” For residents unable to attend the event, please call the office at 954-346-2813 for information on how to exchange your incandescent bulb for a new CFL.
Posted May 9, 2008 The latest news is that Dan Trager, the new principal at West Broward High School, will be available to attend our general PTA/SAC/SAF meeting at Hawkes Bluff Elementary on May 15th at 6:30pm. This invitation is extended to the Town of SW Ranches to join us. Posted May 9, 2008 Neighbors, At last night's CEHOA meeting Deputy Roselli gave the crime report and asked people to be aware of a recent model black pick-up truck (2000-2008), make unknown, with 'specialty rims' that is suspected of being involved in two recent (April) burglaries in the area, and to call BSO if you see it or have any additional information. The non-emergency number is (954) 765-4321, (and as always call only, never approach when observing anything suspicious). --Lesley The Non-Emergency number for the Town of Davie Police Department is (954) 693-8200.
Modified Phase II Water Order Begins April 18 (see Community Links) Posted April 17, 2008
The boundary changes are to relieve "critically
overcrowded" Cypress Bay High School (pictured) and to fill new West Broward
High School. (Staff photo/Lou Toman)
Thousands of SW Broward students to shift high schools
Apr 17, 2008
The battle over the southwest Broward student reshuffle raged until a final vote late into the night Wednesday, and most people weren't happy.
Posted April 14, 2008 Dear friends of Ivanhoe (Hawkes Bluff Elementary) children, This Wednesday, April 16th will possibly be the last chance to speak for or against the proposed Cypress Bay boundary changes. 5:30 at Plantation High. There are differing opinions on this subject, however most opinions I have heard lean to allowing the existing students to serve out their high school careers at Cypress Bay, then start this change with the new high school for the incoming freshmen. This amendment has been floated by school board members this week. Read the blog at sunsentinel.com and there are some interesting opinions. As you know some of us (are diehard’s) disagree, and feel the school board should not perform any boundary changes until MMM is determined to either be built or not built. These are serious times, both financially and politically and this boundary and MMM vote affects many, many children and families. There is so much wasted money in this process. Just in transportation today at over $3.35 per gallon of gas, we need to watch this process carefully. Many believe, with justification, this process has been basically high-jacked from the inception by the staff in the boundary department with much influence from those few Weston residents with the goal to maintain a “Weston Only” city high school. There is no other logical, financial or “overcrowding” reasoning, at least until the “MMM” site is decided upon. There WILL be many changes again next year and we (as Ivanhoe) do NOT desire to be placed in this position just four short years down the road. Now we hear through the Sun Sentinel article this weekend, a report to lower the MMM capacity from 2000 students to 1700, which would effectively give them TWO Weston City schools, if the Bergeron property is chosen. The process can keep our community out and attempt to bring back the Bonaventure children. This is a tough battle for our little community, since basically every SW Broward political candidate, elected official and school board member in Broward County has some stake (?) in this decision. Weston officials and residents have proved more interested and politically savvy in this process than Davie, however, we still think there are ”things” going on, none of us are aware of at this point. They truly believe Cypress Bay High should be a Weston School vs. a county school. We know Cypress Bay is in need of restrooms and possibly a cafeteria upgrade, but that is a whole lot cheaper than building a new school. We are however in a great position, being West Broward IS a new school albeit so, so incredibly far from our neighborhood. Attend this Meeting Wednesday at 5:30pm at Plantation High. If you wish to speak or see our school boards “political machine” in action. click here for: Past related Newspaper Articles Posted April 13, 2008
Local Roads Master Plan Workshop
Thursday, April 24, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Final Draft to be Presented
The Town of Davie will host the third and final workshop for the Local
Road Master Plan on April 24, 2008, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The meeting
will be held at the Davie Police Department Community Room located at
1230 South Nob Hill Road.
Posted April 13, 2008 School Board faces choice on building high school in SW Broward Boundaries could change if new campus not approvedDespite an abundance of empty classroom desks countywide, some Broward
school officials are willing to pay a premium for land to build a new high
school. The problem: Most of the crowded schools are in southwest Broward, and
most of the empty desks are in central and east Broward. Money tightRedrawing boundaries "has always been a short-term solution," said
Jaffe, whose children next year will enter Cypress Bay in Weston —
currently the largest high school in the nation, with about 5,500
students. "My intent in this whole process was never to [move] out all of
these people from Cypress Bay but to get a new school." Akilah Johnson can be reached at akjohnson@sun-sentinel.com or 954-356-4527. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/sfl-flbmmm0413sbapr13,0,1262672.story Posted April 1, 2008 The pictures below are of a vehicle that continues to park his Transportation Vehicle in front of our development. He and another truck driver park their trucks all night on the northwest side of Stirling at the entrance to Hawkes Bluff and the southeast side of Stirling at the entrance to Waverly. Sometimes their running lights are left on all night that bothers the residents living behind where they park. Not only is this an eye-sore for all residents, it is illegal. This driver continues to do this every week. If anyone knows these individuals please tell them to park elsewhere.
Posted March 14, 2008 Dear Friends & Neighbors, This morning at about 2:15am, the Broward School Board voted 8 -1 (with Beverly Gallagher dissenting) to send the students currently attending Cypress Bay High, those south of Griffin Road to West Broward High School. There is a final vote on April 16th. Generally, once this first vote occurs, it is simply and normally ratified at the second pubic hearing. We all should intend to continue the fight to “phase-in” this move for at least the existing students, however, that does not appear to have support. Literally hundreds of people attended and many spoke. The Sun-Sentinel has an article of the meeting in the local section as does the Herald. We have hundred of families and students affected here in Ivanhoe and thousands across Southwest Ranches, Pembroke Pines and the Old Bonaventure section of Weston. We are certain that this decision does NOT relieve the Cypress Bay Main Campus to any significant amount. Their own numbers and data confirm this fact. We were simply beat politically because this vote finally “cleansed” Cypress Bay from the surrounding cities and has given Weston a city school paid for the taxpayers of Broward County. This has been a few parents goal for several years and this year they finally had enough political clout to over-ride logic. . In any case we all need to send a clear message to the school board and the media that: “WE WILL NOT BE MOVED AGAIN!!!”. Most believe MMM will never be built and all the surrounding high schools must be super-sized if that is the case. We also need to support financially and in our votes FOR our School Board Member, Beverly Gallagher in the next election. We need to vote against Robin Bartleman and Jennifer Gottlieb, who are supposed to represent the entire county, but chose to support only Weston constituents. We KNOW that our Town Council in Davie, did NOT support our efforts. Although our district council person, Marlin Luis made an attempt in the early stages of this process, he also did not attend this very important boundary meeting to speak in support of our positions. Even more disturbing, neither did Mr. Truex, our Mayor or Ms. Starkey, Mr Crowley or Mr. Caletka. If any of them were in the room, we did not see them. We applaud the City of Cooper City and Town of Southwest Ranches for not only attending the meeting, but these two cities entire councils were there. Mayor Fink and all commissioners spoke for Southwest Ranches and Debbie Essinger of Cooper City with several of her council stood and asked for support. If our Davie Town council felt we were important enough to at least place the date in their calendars to show up, it would be a different story and we would at least feel like our Town cared about Ivanhoe. In addition, there were many factions fighting basically for the same goal, however politically we decided to voice our positions separately. We in Ivanhoe were cohesive and had five volunteers who were on a “committee” and each had several supporters and we all need to thank them for coming out and helping. Our e-mail communications did help as well. This is also the core of the Ivanhoe Civic Association. In the end the competition and the school board did not and do not respect our collective communities as people who can hurt them in the polls. Weston residents were organized, their city commissioners showed up at EVERY meeting. They had letters from ALL of their homeowners associations in support and were collectively on the same page with the exception of the area in NW Bonaventure who were also moved in this boundary change. ON A POSITVE NOTE, our children will attend a wonderful, new, shiny state of art high school. The principal and staff are certain to be professional and caring. Yes, it is farther away, however we have the opportunity to make a sincere impact on it’s student parent boards and have serious input in the spirit of the school. I know many of you have children who will have to re-establish their high school careers & lives at the new school, please guide your children with grace and good intentions as I know we will. This is a challenge, but we can all make this a positive experience vs. a negative one.
Posted March 10, 2008
I have been speaking with Kristi Krueger of Channel 10 news about the
Cypress Bay boundary situation. She is trying to get a news crew out to
the School Board Public Hearings to cover the story (and hopefully put
pressure on the School Board to do the logical thing). I think it would
help if Southwest Ranches residents would bombard her with e-mails so
the station would see how volatile and emotional the situation is.
Please e-mail Kristi with your story, complaint, opinion at
kkrueger@wplg.com. Forward this to all of your Southwest Ranches
friends so we can hit her with as many e-mails as possible.
Judy Harden
954-434-6507
Posted March 9, 2008
Dear Friends &
Neighbors,
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