Margate Moves Forward with Lobbyist Registration System and Fee

To conform to Broward’s new Code of Ethics aimed at cleaning up governmental corruption in the county, Margate Commissioners approved last week advertising an ordinance for the city’s new lobbying registration system and fee.

The result of sweeping ethics reform brought about by Broward County voters in 2010 and which took effect this year - any person retained with or without compensation to influence, convince or persuade city officials with the purpose of effecting decision-making authorities in Margate must first register with the city and pay an annual fee.

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Margate Launches Department of Economic Development

Opening a business in any city can be intimidating, frustrating and downright confusing. Between local building codes, permitting and county and state regulations; being an entrepreneur means more than just expertise in your field. It requires patience, business savvy and lots of due diligence.

To make things easier for business startups looking to set up shop in Margate, the city unveiled the Department of Economic Development earlier in the month, headed by Margate City Planner, Ben Ziskal.

The goal of new agency is to streamline city processes and allow businesses to open up faster and with fewer unknowns.

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Global Response Promotes Quality of Work Life

In a day and age when finding good help isn’t easy, more employers have recognized the need to promote a quality work environment. Open door policies, flextime and childcare are the new norm in the modern workplace, and along with competitive pay and benefits a culture of promoting from within has proven effective in attracting and retaining skilled workers.

“Our employees stay with us because we reward good work, offer exceptional benefits and make a sincere effort to respond to their needs,” said Steve Majeski, Marketing Director for Global Response, a brand care call center in Margate. “Some people have worked with us 20 years and more. We’re like family here.”

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Say Goodbye to Margate Carwash

After months of back and forth to determine whether the Margate Car Wash is worth keeping or demolishing, carwash owners, the Margate Community Redevelopment Agency (MCRA), made its final decision last week...

...Knock it down.

At the January MCRA meeting, Margate City Manager and MCRA Executive Director, Yolanda Rodriguez, said the date to close and demolish the carwash would be set in the near future.

In the meantime for Margate residents who use it...

...Find another carwash.

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Article updated 1-26-2012
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City Abandons Fire District Bill. Broward Delegation Hasn’t

The fate of a Fire District Bill presently in the hands of the Broward Delegation still yet has to be determined.

According to Margate City Attorney, Eugene Steinfeld, the Delegation failed to establish a quorum for their last scheduled meeting to determine whether they will allow Coral Springs, Coconut Creek and Margate to withdraw support for the bill before the Delegation lobbies in favor of the Fire District in Tallahassee. But even if cities are allowed to backout, Steinfeld said, the Delegation can still bring the bill to fruition.

“I think they’re trying either today or tomorrow for a quorum,” Steinfeld told MargateNews.net on Tuesday. “If at least one Senator doesn’t show up, they don’t have a quorum.”

A total eight Florida Senators sit on the Delegation, including two from Miami, all rife with legislative committee and subcomittee assignments.

Article Updated 1-27-2012:

Faith Lombardo from the Broward Delegation informed MargateNews.net on Friday that the Delegation had formed a quorum on Thursday and agreed on a "Strike Off' for the bill, which effectively removes it from session. This was in response to lack of support for the bill by cities, she said.

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Life's Getting Tougher for Criminals in Margate

Evading police by hiding behind a bush in the dark won’t be so easy anymore now that Margate Cops have the Thug Finder (Thug FindIR).  This one-of-a-kind handheld thermal imaging system not only makes it easier for police to catch criminals hiding in the dark, but it aids in locating missing persons, K-9 tracking, surveillance and other law enforcement activities where using heat-seeking Superman eyes comes in handy.

At a cost of about $7,000 each, Margate Commissioners approved the purchase of one Thug FindIR for Margate Police at a January city meeting. The expense will be funded by Margate’s Law Enforcement Trust Fund, an endowment fueled by criminal assets and cash seized by police during the commission of crimes.

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Early Voting has begun for Margate Republicans

For Margate’s roughly 7,300 registered Republicans, early voting starts January 21, at 10 a.m. and runs through January 28, at 17 Broward County locations.

Early voting sites for the Jan 31, Presidential Preference Primary closest to home or work can be found by clicking 2012 Early Voting Sites. Registered voters may go to any of the early voting sites in the County.

Because of a state law passed last year, early voting for the four Republican Primary candidates: Newt Gingrich; Ron Paul; Mitt Romney; Rick Santorum, lasts only eight days, down from 15 days previous.

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