Grassroots Effort Finally Arrives
A small group of Citizens really can make a difference!
This Citizen led effort began nearly three years ago, in September 2006. They called it "Citizens for a Better Code", but the City has now renamed the effort the snappy - "Neighborhood Development Criteria Revisions"!
It started like this: A group of friends were e-mail complaining amongst themselves about the out of scale townhomes that were being built in many of the City's neighborhoods. They questioned the City's rules that allowed those townhouses and duplexes to be built nearly on top little single family homes.
rather imposing eh?
They also wondered why the development Code was allowing things to get built that ended up looking like this -
I challenged them to quit their bitching and go "do something about it"!
I invited them into my home for an initial meeting and it grew from there.
The group was well balanced. It included neighborhood leaders that often preached slowing down re- development, like former City Commission candidate Charles Jordan, and activists Cal Deal and Ray Dettman, but also included local architects Michael Madfis and Gus Carbonelle. Green activists Linda Brown and Vicki Eckels pushed enviromental issues, and I was there to keep the peace and keep the pace!
The group looked at a myriad of other development issues too, like -
too many cars, not enough spaces!
and .......
too many cans..not enough hiding places!
The group met for about a month and came up with the document "Citizens for a Better Code". They went to the Council of Civic Associations and officially offered their proposal! The Council, under the capable leadership of it's President, Genia Ellis, and their tireless Committees Chair, Richard Mancuso, moved it along to where it is today.
Fort Lauderdale City Commission, now it's your turn!
This Citizen led effort began nearly three years ago, in September 2006. They called it "Citizens for a Better Code", but the City has now renamed the effort the snappy - "Neighborhood Development Criteria Revisions"!
It started like this: A group of friends were e-mail complaining amongst themselves about the out of scale townhomes that were being built in many of the City's neighborhoods. They questioned the City's rules that allowed those townhouses and duplexes to be built nearly on top little single family homes.
rather imposing eh?
They also wondered why the development Code was allowing things to get built that ended up looking like this -
I challenged them to quit their bitching and go "do something about it"!
I invited them into my home for an initial meeting and it grew from there.
The group was well balanced. It included neighborhood leaders that often preached slowing down re- development, like former City Commission candidate Charles Jordan, and activists Cal Deal and Ray Dettman, but also included local architects Michael Madfis and Gus Carbonelle. Green activists Linda Brown and Vicki Eckels pushed enviromental issues, and I was there to keep the peace and keep the pace!
The group looked at a myriad of other development issues too, like -
too many cars, not enough spaces!
and .......
too many cans..not enough hiding places!
The group met for about a month and came up with the document "Citizens for a Better Code". They went to the Council of Civic Associations and officially offered their proposal! The Council, under the capable leadership of it's President, Genia Ellis, and their tireless Committees Chair, Richard Mancuso, moved it along to where it is today.
Fort Lauderdale City Commission, now it's your turn!
What a great example for showing that paying attention and stepping up to do something about the situation really CAN pay off. Most of these kinds of issues are not so much a matter of 'fighting City Hall' as they are of 'getting City Hall's attention'. Congrats to everyone who banded together and made this happen...and I'll see you tonight at the District IV Neighborhood Development Criteria Revisions (NDCR) at Croissant Park, where the labors of all of you begin to take shape!
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Good job "Commish" Tim. Kudos...Gremlin
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Thank You Tim.... you made the Difference !!! .. Myself , I have the passion with many Issues and I am known as the very involved Famous Trouble maker. .. I can stir the Pot and cause hell ... I do believe I have done some good but you have stronger talent in the ability to assist in putting Issues on the right Path ... and someone that puts the work into it without causing the Hell raising that I do most of the time. ...Again You are and have been a Outstanding Public Servant. .. Sincerely Yours, Ray Dettmann
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Far too many people have opinions on how others should fix things,with no intention of stepping up to the plate to get things done.
I miss your presence at city hall-but then again,you do as much or more now that you aren't there...
Thanks for being a true leader with big kahuna's-keep on keeping on!!!!!
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Wednesday evening, the third of four meetings took place to collect public input. District 1 went first with a very impressive turn out of over 60 people, followed by District II with well over 50 people turning out followed by District IV last night with over 80 turning out (the loudest of all of the districts). Tonight will be District 3, the one in most need of reform and change. Any of the public that has not been able to make the first 3 meetings should take advantage of this 4th opportunity and participate. Much has been learned by the public as well as the government in this process and a genuine partnership has begun.
It is important that the public keep the leadership engaged in these discussions and others to achieve the much needed change.
Carter Park tonight in the Social Center at 6 PM - please come and participate!
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Themeeting at Carter park produced another good batch of interested citizens intent on helping make some reform. District III turn out was excellent and again a fair showing of people who couldn't make the other meetings from District 2 and 4 came to get their voices heard.
Many familiar faces were there and some new ones wanting to be involved.
Great effort and the city gets chops for doing a very good job.
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