Margate Has New City Manager
Yolanda Rodriguez started at Margate's Northwest Focal Point Senior Center as Director in 1998. Ten years later she was promoted to Assistant City Manager under then City Manager Frank Porcella who retired last year. After 13 years with the city, Rodriguez is Margate’s new City Manager.
Rodriguez holds a Bachelor Degree in Economics from University of Florida and brings to the table a formidable background in community and health services. Highlights on her resume include civic leadership and scholarly excellence awards. She speaks fluent English, Spanish and French.
Rodriguez is the first woman and Hispanic to assume the position of Margate City Manager. At age 47, she is the youngest.
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Margate Officials Declare 2012 Legislative Priorities for City
Every year Margate city officials decide which legislative actions and Bills to support at the state level as a new Florida Legislative Session approaches. The list is long for 2012 and includes a ‘watch’ on energy and water policies and a careful eye on pension reform.
Support for Bills that impact municipal advertising, group homes, economic development, CRAs and revenues were also discussed at the city’s legislative workshop in December.
Click here for a rundown…
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City Recognitions
Detective Julio Fernandez, Police Department – 10 Years
Fernandez serves the city’s Detective Division investigating person crimes and homicides.
“He’s a tenacious individual who is determined to catch the bad guy, he does a good job for us and we appreciate his service not only in the Police Department but in the Criminal Investigation Division as well,” said Margate Police Chief, Jerry Blough.
More recognitions...
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City Breaks Tie with Past Lobbying Practice
Former lobbyist for Margate, Jack Tobin, passed away from cancer in April while representing the city’s interest during the states last legislative session in Tallahassee.
With an early session starting in January 2012, Margate Mayor, Pam Donovan suggested the city hire another lobbyist to look after sensitive issues that may come before state lawmakers this year.
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City Approves Union Agreements with Firefighters and Fraternal Order of Police
Following months of negotiations, two of Margate’s four labor unions have agreed to sign contracts with the city. The Fire Union a three-year contract that provides additional compensation to 27 dive team members and 18 senior rescue lieutenants, and the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) a one-year contract that includes a one-time $1,000 bonus to the union’s roughly 100 members.
Because state pension reform now requires Florida Retirement System (FRS) participants to pay three percent yearly toward pensions – saving the city money, said Mayor Pam Donovan - the city is giving the savings back to the unions in good faith.
“Instead of having them lose that money out of their pocket, we offered the three-percent back to them to use whichever way the unions wanted to use it,” Donovan said at a special city meeting last week.
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Margate Approves FY 2012 Operating Budget
At last week’s final public hearing for next year’s city budget, commissioners approved a roughly $57 million budget that includes no increase in the millage rate (will remain at 7.75), no layoffs of city employees and no decrease in city services. City Manager Frank Porcella said the $40 increase in the fire fee (now $225 a year per household approved earlier in the year) will be offset by a $3.76 monthly decrease in the cost of garbage pick-up.
“This is a fair and equitable budget for all concerned residents, businesses and employees,” Porcella said at the hearing.
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Margate City Planner Honors Family with Flags
Margate’s weeklong Field of Honor tribute was like no other in South Florida. A thousand American flags signifying heroes and loved ones from all branches of the military and civil service standing tall along State Road 7 for all to see and admire. Margate’s Field of Honor was truly a sight and the result of countless hours of hard work by city officials and volunteers.
Among the sea of flags were four dedicated by Margate City Planner, Ben Ziskal, in salute to family members who served in the U.S. Air Force.
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Reader Email
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Margate State Rep Waldman Slams Right
It’s no secret most of South Florida is Democratic. Even here in Margate, you’ll hear ‘D’ city officials bash Republican Governor Rick Scott’s slashing of government jobs and budgets; his calls for deregulating business and making government workers pay into pensions.
One can hear in Margate, “I don’t know anyone who voted for Rick Scott, how did he get elected?” – to which there may be some truth.
Broward voters ‘beat down’ Scott in November’s General Election, choosing Democratic frontrunner Alex Sink by more than 130,000 votes.
In other parts of the state, Scott reigned victorious.
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‘Stop and Remember’ the Heroes
The New York City Fire Department lost 343 brave men and women in the trade tower attacks on September 11, 2001. The NYPD lost 23 and the Port Authority 37. By most accounts, nearly 3,000 civilians died that day in one of the worst attacks on U.S. soil in American history.
Since, more than 6,000 American military troops have died fighting terrorism in wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere.
This September 11th Margate city officials are asking residents and businesses in the city to stop what they’re doing at 1 pm. and, as a matter of resolve and respect for an entire minute, solemnly remember a day in history no American should ever forget.
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Read Survivor Stories
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Margate Holds Executive Session Wednesday to Determine Fate of Unions
It seemed like labor negotiations were going smoothly in Margate this season. Most Margate labor unions had two shots at the negotiation table to come to an agreement with the city and one union had one. Head negotiator for Margate, City Manager Frank Porcella, has clearly stated to union heads that there is only so much money to go around and instead of comparing worker salaries and benefits to those of other Broward cities, should consider what they have here in Margate. A city whose “mission has always been to treat employees fairly while delivering quality services to residents,” Porcella said to the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) bargaining unit earlier in the month.
Alas, all union negotiations have come to a halt. Porcella told MargateNews.net that he needs direction from city commissioners before moving forward and has cancelled all previously scheduled negotiations until after Wednesday’s Executive Session at City Hall - subject to change pending Hurricane Irene.
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At what point does a city replace needed fire rescue vehicles and equipment?
The recession has been long and the challenges to municipal budgets hard. Taxpayers seemingly want cuts no matter what, while city officials attempt to balance fiscal responsibilities with future growth and the safety and well being of residents. Not an easy task, particularly with limited tax dollars and a public experiencing a high level of joblessness, zero home equity and seemingly endless increases in the cost of gas and consumer goods – better known as inflation.
As part of the city's yearly budget process, department heads in Margate submit items to the City Manager they would like to see funded for their departments in the upcoming fiscal year. This year from the city's Fire Chief comes a list totaling about $1.6 million.
“At some point you [the city] can’t keep putting this stuff off,” Margate Fire Chief, Tony Stravino, told MargateNews.net, referring to the replacement of certain Margate fire-rescue apparatus.
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Margate Fire Union close to Handshake Agreement; Federation Public Employees (FPE) offered 3% Wage Increase
In an attempt to shore up union contracts in the city before retiring in October, head labor negotiator for Margate, City Manager, Frank Porcella, said the city is in pretty good fiscal shape and he would like to leave it that way.
During negotiations with labor unions Tuesday, Porcella said his goal is to avoid the type of financial debacle currently plaguing the City of Hollywood by being fair to union workers without exceeding budgetary constraints.
"This is strictly business," said Porcella. "It doesn't mean you don't deserve more, it's just what we have to offer."
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Tis the Season to Negotiate: Margate Labor Unions
City officials Monday held talks with two Margate labor unions: the IAFF (International Association of FireFighters) Local 3080, representing more than a hundred Fire/EMS personnel in the city, and the Margate Police Benevolent Associationn (PBA), speaking for Margate’s seven police Lieutenants and three Captains. It was the second pow-wow for the fire union and the first for PBA cops.
After a brief caucus during each of the two negotiations, Margate City Manager, Frank Porcella, told union officials they may be close to an agreement.
“I have to run some numbers to get a better idea of where we stand,” Porcella told the fire union.
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Public Hearing on Fire Fee Wednesday at City Hall. City to consider Raising Fee from $185 to $225
Commissioners will hear the public on Wednesday July 6, 2011 regarding a proposed Fire Fee hike from $185 to $225 a year per Margate household for Fiscal Year 2011-2012. Because of the significant decline in the city’s property tax base resulting from recession and eroding home values, Margate City Manager, Frank Porcella is recommending commissioners approve the fee increase effective October 1, 2011.
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No job or salary cuts proposed in Margate budget
In what he announced as his last budget before retiring in January 2012, Margate City Manager, Frank Porcella said balancing Margate's Fiscal Year 2011-2012 $50 million plus budget will not require pulling money from the city’s reserves. Nor did the manager propose laying-off city employees or cutting salaries as he presented a balanced FY 2011-2012 budget to city commissioners in a public hearing Wednesday at City Hall.
Shrinking the size of Margate government from 688 full-time and part-time employees to 605 since he took over as city manager in 2006, Porcella maintained the city runs on a barebones staff – with some employees doing the job of two people.
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Margate City Manager proposes balanced budget for FY 2011-2012
In speaking with residents regarding his proposed Fiscal Year 2011-2012 city budget, Margate City Manager, Frank Porcella told the public that frugal spending and cutbacks last year have paid off for taxpayers in the form of a balanced FY 2011-2012 budget.
“This year we found the money through buyouts, conservative spending and labor negotiations…we're dead even going into next year,” said Porcella at one of two budget meetings held Monday to solicit taxpayer input in the budget process.
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Margate Budget Workshops scheduled for Monday June 13 at 10 am and 7:30 pm. City to propose raising fire fees $950,000
Between a recession that brought Margate property values to their lowest in 20 years and a double homestead exception passed by voters in 2009, ad valorem taxes in Margate are way down. Ad valorem taxes, aka property taxes, are what fund Margate City services and salaries.
At least 2700 households in Margate pay zero property tax and another 5,000 households pay less than $100, leaving the city with little choice but to propose raising fire fees from $185 to $225 per household in Fiscal Year 2011-2012, said Assistant City Manager Yolanda Rodriguez. An increase the city attempted last year but failed.
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State Rep Waldman says less costly and more effective to rehab first time drug offenders than jail them
Florida laws aren't always good at distinguishing between drug possession and drug trafficking. Though most law-abiding citizens don't condone drug abuse, misuse or the ‘friendly’ sharing of controlled substances or paraphernalia, fact is the Florida prison system is overrun with misdemeanor offenders many of whom wouldn’t be considered criminals or even dangerous by family, friends, neighbors or co-workers.
“We should not be filling our jails with people charged with misdemeanors who need help. Diversions programs work,” said State Representative Jim Waldman (D-Margate) after getting HB 4035 passed in the Florida House Friday. “…these programs significantly reduce recidivism, which in turn increases public safety.”
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Public Speak Rules Change at City Hall: No more yellow cards, vote commissioners
One of the first changes Margate’s newest Mayor, Pam Donovan, decided to make when taking office in March was to eliminate the yellow cards residents are required to fill out prior to speaking at city commission meetings.
The motivation behind the change, Donovan said, was to save the City Clerk’s Office time in filing records, reduce the need for paper storage and to allow Margate residents more opportunity to openly discuss topics that impact the City of Margate.
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Outgoing Margate Mayor lauds City Accomplishments
Serving Margate voters for 27 consecutive years, Korean War Veteran and Margate Commissioner, Joseph Varsallone has never lost an election. Celebrating his 79th birthday Monday, Varsallone said he will campaign for City Commission again in 2012.
“I’ll run [for office] until I die,” Varsallone told MargateNews.net. “The city of Margate is my life.”
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Pam Donovan New Margate Mayor
Every year, Margate City Commissioners vote on a new Mayor from among their ranks. At the March 16 city meeting, Commissioner Pam Donovan was nominated for the mayoral spot by Vice Mayor Frank Talerico.
Commissioner David McLean seconded the nomination and Donovan was unanimously selected as Mayor by her colleagues on the dais.
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Margate residents object to city commission accepting federal housing grant
Contrary to the wishes of five Margate residents - all who encouraged commissioners to turn away a federal housing grant - the Margate City Commission accepted $1.1 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funding from the department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) at a February city meeting.
The NSP grants are notorious for attracting poverty said one resident, while another referred to the notion of accepting grant money from the debt-stricken federal government as “insane” “nuts” and not very intelligent.
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Was the Margate Fire Chief coerced into Early Retirement?
Margate Fire Chief, Garrison Westbrook, scheduled to retire from the city in August, is no longer employed by Margate. He’s been replaced by retired Deerfield Fire Chief and former Longwood, Florida Fire Chief, Tony Stravino, who started with the city on Monday. Margate will be Stravino's third Fire Chief job in the last 15 months.
Article ammended 10 am 3-4-11
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Reader Opinion
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Bizarre attempt by Margate City Attorney to restrict campaign speech
A law that would restrict politicking at city events by candidates running for office was voted down unanimously by city commissioners at the January 19, city meeting.
Margate City Attorney, Eugene Steinfeld, introduced the law in the form of a resolution on the meeting’s consent agenda, saying that in 2008 the item was considered in the form of a motion, but was never voted on by commissioners.
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Commissioner-elect Peerman tells city to cut salary
After taking 10 of Margate’s 24 voting precincts by storm Tuesday, candidate for Margate commission, Le Peerman, beat out 12 other special election candidates vying for one seat on the Margate dais. Tuesday’s special election resulted from the passing of former Commissioner, Arthur Bross, who occupied the seat for 22 years and who died of cancer in October.
Scheduled to be sworn into office at the city’s January 19th city commission meeting, Peerman’s arrival on the dais can be construed as legendary in two ways.
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Special Election Candidate Videos Available Online
About 40 condominium leaders listened while 11 of Margate’s 13 Special Election candidates spoke for roughly two minutes each at the Charlie Katz Community Center during the monthly meeting of the Margate Association of Condominiums (MAC) Monday.
Campaign issues ran the gamut, from improving the city’s parks and recreation infrastructure to encouraging small business investment and taking a closer look at the city’s CRA (Community Redevelopment Agency).
Videos of candidate presentations can be found on the MargateNews.net YouTube Channel. Candidates not in attendance at Monday’s MAC meeting were Patricia Maher and Tony Lliteras.
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Margate City Clerk gets Pay Raise
At the December 8, city meeting, Margate commissioners awarded Margate City Clerk, Leslie Wallace May, a 7.8 percent pay increase to $83,885. May has been employed by the city for six years and has lived in Margate since 1996.
May said she has saved taxpayers $40,000 a year by merging the records department with the City Clerk’s office and, for the first time in the city, has implemented a records management program aimed at improving customer service at City Hall.
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Margate offers to up Firefighter Cap on Overtime to $350,000
After cancelling a scheduled hearing before city commissioners to discuss impasse resolution in November, Margate’s International Association of FireFighters (IAFF) Local 3080 sat down with city officials on Wednesday to reopen talks regarding next year’s fire union contract.
The city and fire union went to impasse over the one-year contact during September negotiations, when Margate city officials froze longevity bonuses and welfare trust benefits for fire department new hires, and said no to lifting the $250,000 cap on firefighter time.
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January Special Election to cost Margate Taxpayers $176,000
The estimated cost for Margate’s special election scheduled for January 11, 2011 to replace the late Arthur Bross (seat 3) is $176,000, or approximately $37 per vote cast, Margate City Manager, Frank Porcella, told city commissioners and the public at Wednesday’s city meeting.
Porcella expressed dissatisfaction with the quote from Broward’s Supervisor of Elections, whose estimate was based on a projected turnout of 4700 voters at the polls in January. Porcella said the cost is far above what the city expected to pay.
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Margate Commissioners to put Term Limits on January Special Election Ballot
In what may be considered a landmark political decision in the city, Margate Commissioners unanimously approved the advertising of two ballot items for Margate’s special election in January to replace the late commissioner, Arthur Bross.
The first ballot item: term limits for Margate Commissioners effective 2012. The second, an amendment to the city charter allowing commissioners to appoint a replacement for a commissioner who may no longer be able to carry on the duties of the office.
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Margate offers buyout to senior employees
As a means of “getting a grip on future costs in the city,” Margate City Manager, Frank Porcella, proposed at a recent city meeting a retirement option for 38 senior employees in the city.
The proposal targets early retirement for the city’s DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program) and DROP-equivalent employees and aims to save taxpayers almost $2 million through 2015.
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Margate City Manager proposes Balanced Budget
At the first of two public hearings on the proposed Margate Fiscal Year 2011 budget, City Manager Frank Porcella told city commissioners that he has closed the city’s $3.8 million deficit by freezing pay citywide, halting capital projects, reducing operating costs and eliminating unfilled positions in the city.
The millage rate for residents would remain at 7.75, said Porcella, but the charge for debt service would be raised to .2288 from last year’s .1835 rate.
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Commissioners form Recreation Foundation aimed at Quality of Life in city
In order to gain access to funds otherwise not available to municipal governments, Margate City Commissioners recently formed the Margate Recreation Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization targeting federal and state monies available to enhance the recreation and leisure of Margate residents.
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Margate Commissioner owes more than $15,000 in delinquent Sales and Use Tax
When special agents from the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco (AB&T) inspected business records at McLean’s Bar & Grill in January, they found 53 receipts for the purchases of beer and wine from retail vendors – not from licensed wholesale distributors as required by law.
Consequently, Margate City Commissioner, David McLean forfeited his 2COP beer and wine license and was issued a tax warrant in March by the Florida Department of Revenue for almost $16,000 in Sales and Use Tax the city official collected from customers, but never paid to the state agency.
Revenue officials also placed a $400 lien on McLean’s Bar & Grill for Unemployment Tax due.
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Margate Salaries Doom City Coffers
Salary increases for city employees issued in fiscal year (FY) 2010 may have largely contributed to the almost $3.8 million budget deficit Margate taxpayers now face in 2011. While the rest of America was tightening their belts, city officials in Margate approved salary increases despite having the knowledge and foresight at hand to plan for the recession ahead.
While ad valorem taxes in the city had already begun spiraling downward, city salaries and matching costs (benefits) paid for by Margate taxpayers increased by almost $750,000 last year.
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Fire Fee increase rejected by Margate Commissioners
After listening to Margate residents speak to high unemployment, low disability checks, fixed incomes and foreclosures – for almost two hours Wednesday night, Margate City Commissioners in a 4-1 vote decided against raising household fire fees in the city from $185 to $225 yearly.
A staunch supporter of Margate’s Fire Service, Commissioner Arthur Bross dissented.
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Drop in Margate’s taxable value not as bad as neighboring cities
Although Margate’s almost 19 percent drop in taxable land value in 2010 is tied with Tamarac for Broward County’s fifth steepest decline for fiscal year 2009 - 2010, it’s better than the almost 22 percent average drop in taxable land value for North Lauderdale, Lauderhill and Lauderdale Lakes.
Click here to read more.
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Margate fire fees increasing to $225 a year
Effective October 1, 2010 Margate Fire Rescue fees are proposed to increase more than 20 percent for Margate residences, from $185 per Margate household to $225 annually.
A public hearing on the matter is scheduled for July 7, 2010 at Margate City Hall at 7:00 p.m. in Commission Chambers.
Click here to read more.
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Florida Senator shares gaming concerns
Florida Senator, Jeremy Ring, in his legislative update at Margate City Hall last week, made some poignant remarks regarding his stand on casino gambling and the Seminole Compact. Although Margate’s share of the Seminole Compact helps to mitigate the increase in police and fire costs associated with the Coconut Creek Casino, Ring said, “I don’t think it [the Compact] addresses the bigger need.”
Click here to read more.
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Margate Commission throws code enforcement under bus
As Margate Code Enforcement puts its best foot forward cleaning up sign code violations in the city, Margate City Commissioners, without public notice, approved a moratorium Wednesday night on “truck sign” violations, effectively calling off code enforcement efforts.
Margate City Commissioner, David McLean, acting on calls from local business owners who said they were being cited for truck signs by Margate code enforcement, asked fellow commissioners to side with him in approving the last minute moratorium, which was neither listed on Wednesday’s city commission agenda nor procedurally noticed to the public.
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Macaroni & Cheese and other City Business
The Junior Honor Society of Margate Middle School is asking residents to drop off boxes of Macaroni & Cheese at City Hall to help Kids in Distress. The Macaroni & Cheese program was started two years ago by a Margate 6th grader and has provided more than 3,000 boxes of Macaroni & Cheese to needy families and children throughout Broward County.
Click here for more city business.
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Margate Freezes City Worker Pay
The message was the same for Margate city workers represented by the Federation of Public Employees (FPE) and Margate police captains and lieutenants represented by the Broward County Police Benevolent Association:
“What you’re making today, you’re making tomorrow,” Margate City Manager, Frank Porcella, told union representatives in the first round of negotiations at City Hall Tuesday, essentially freezing wages for the second year in a row.
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Margate’s Newest, Oldest Mayor
Margate City Commissioner, Joseph Varsallone, was sworn in as Margate’s new mayor at the city commission meeting on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, replacing acting Margate Mayor Arthur Bross, 73, in the annual mayoral rotation.
Every year, Margate City Commissioners choose a new Mayor and Vice Mayor from among the ranks. Although votes are tallied on the dais, historically, Margate City Commissioners are known to occupy the mayoral seat in sequential order.
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Margate Commissioners to Oppose Term Limits
Each year Margate city officials send a wish list of issues they want state lawmakers either to support or oppose during the spring legislation session in Tallahassee. The list is compiled by the city manager and put before commissioners for approval.
This year, city officials in Margate are requesting that Governor Crist and the Florida Legislature oppose Senate Bill 598 and House Bill 495 intended to mandate Term Limits for elected officials at the municipal level.
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Reader Opinion
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Cell Tower on Golf Course Denied
After a presentation by cell phone provider T-Mobile followed by a lengthy, heated debate among Margate city officials and residents at Wednesday's city commission meeting, T-Mobile's request to place a cell tower disguised as a flagpole on Margate’s Oriole Golf Course was denied.
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County Commissioner holding Town Hall Meeting in Margate
The economy, budget concerns, environment, public transportation and the outlook for the future are just some of the general topics that Broward County Commissioner Kristin Jacobs will discuss at a town hall meeting in Margate on Thursday, December 10, at the Northwest Focal Point Center, 6009 N.W. 10th St., beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Click here to read more.
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Margate Grants: the needy, the greedy, the connected
Every year for the past few years, the City of Margate receives ‘Free Money’ in the form of grants that trickle down to the city from State and Federal housing programs designed to foster low income housing initiatives in Margate. Once approved, the money is managed by ‘New Community Strategies’ (NCS) a third-party services provider chosen by city officials to administer grant programs in the City of Margate.
Click here to read more.
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Margate may be mismanaging taxpayer dollars
The last thing taxpayers want to hear is that their city’s finance department is carelessly keeping track of hard-earned taxpayer dollars, especially in the face of rising property taxes and a drop in home values.
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State Rep Hopeful asks Margate Commissioners to take Pay Cut
Margate resident and candidate for the Florida House, Scott Yardley, publicly asked Margate City Commissioners to “sacrifice” like everyone else in the down economy and take a pay cut in the upcoming fiscal year.
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City Meeting Highlights: August 19th
Back from summer break, the city commission agenda Wednesday was brief. Worth noting:
Rezoning AZTEC on State Road 7 for a Luxury RV Park passed unanimously on second hearing. Margate resident, Robert Perkis, spoke in favor of the project, pointing to the potential for economic benefit. Resident, Rich Popovic, asked city officials how a developer who doesn’t own the land could petition for rezoning. No one on the dais answered.
Click here to read more.
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Proposed Budget Saves Jobs and Bus Service
As part avoiding job cuts in the city and preserving Margate Inner City Transit routes, City Manager, Frank Porcella, is proposing to Margate City Commissioners a property tax hike of $1.02 (includes debt service for GO bonds) for every $1,000 in home value, hiking the city's mil rate from $6.90 to $7.93.
Click here to read more.
Reader Opinion
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Luxury RV Park Getting Green Light
As part of an effort to clear the way for a Luxury RV resort where the former Aztec mobile home park lay barren on State Road 7, Margate city commissioners took a necessary step, Wednesday, toward expanding the future land use scope of the 100-plus acre Aztec property to include Recreational Vehicles.
The RV resort, scheduled to open in October/November 2010, will be home to more than 600 Class-A Recreational Vehicles, say investors, and be run as a condominium association complete with clubhouse and pool.
Click here to read more.
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Tough Budget Year for Margate
Similar to cities across South Florida, city officials in Margate will have their hands full making ends meet in the 2009-2010 budget year. There are overtime issues to deal with, longevity bonuses, salaries and diminished funding from the County for Margate’s inner city transit.
Last year, Margate budgeted more than $293,000 in overtime, excluding Police and Fire Departments. More than half of overtime dollars budgeted was for wastewater treatment, a direct result from numerous vacant, hard-to-fill positions.
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Local Leaders to fight 'Muzzle Law'
Sweepingly approved by the Florida Senate and signed into law on June 10 by Governor Charlie Crist, Senate Bill 216, aka the “muzzle law,” is questionable as to how it’ll impact Florida cities like Margate.
The new law plainly states that Florida municipalities, such as Margate, can no longer use tax money for ballot campaigns. They can’t use public funds to buy ads in newspapers advocating for or against a particular ballot issue, nor can they use tax-supported media, like a city website, to convince you to vote one way or another.
“They can still go out and rally the troops,” said Florida Senator Charlie Justice. “It doesn’t lock them in their office.”
Click here to read more.
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Margate Sign Law may need closer look
Back in 1997, Margate city officials adopted the daunting task of revising city sign codes that had not been looked at since 1978. The goal was to clean up the look of Margate, say city officials, and to increase the uniformity of commercial districts.
More specifically: “to create the framework for a comprehensive and balanced system of sign control, thereby facilitating clear and attractive communication between people and their environment,” as stated in Margate City Code.
Click here to read more.
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Margate Lobbyist Returns with News
In a Florida legislative session consumed by budget talks and spackled with higher fees, Margate got a few things, said Margate Lobbyist, Jack Tobin. Tobin spends the majority of session in Tallahassee rallying against policies proposed by lawmakers that could negatively impact Margate. He says it's one of his most ‘intense’ sessions yet.
Click here to read more.
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Margate's Fair Share of the Stimulus
Hot off the press is a report released by Congressman Robert Wexler’s office (District 19) entitled Reinvesting in Florida’s Economy: an Economic Stimulus Guide for the South Florida Community, a composite version of Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment act that more clearly defines how federal stimulus funds might impact South Floridians.
Click here to read more.
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Don't have a Business Tax Receipt?
Data retrieved from the Secretary of State by MargateNews.net indicates that almost 3,500 registered Florida Corporations call Margate home, an estimated 1,500 more than the number recorded by Margate’s Business Tax Receipt office. “A potential treasure trove of uncollected taxes for the city,” said Dr. Sabrina Segal, DBA, Nova Southeastern University.
The data has been handed over to the City Planner’s office. If you’re a Florida Corporation and list Margate as your primary place of business, you better have a tax receipt, declare city officials. Margate Tax Receipt Office.
Click here to read more.
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Frank Porcella 35 Years with Margate
Margate City Manager Frank Porcella started working for the city the same year Sonny & Cher aired their last show. Gasoline was around $0.65 a gallon and, facing impeachment, Richard Nixon resigned as America’s 37th President. Films released the year Frank signed on as a Margate firefighter include The Lords of Flatbush, The Godfather Part II and wouldn’t you know it, The Towering Inferno. The year was 1974. The City of Margate was 19 years old.
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New Mayor Sworn in Tonight
Mayor Pam Donovan steps down in regular Mayoral rotation while current Vice Mayor, Arthur Bross steps up to Mayor. If rotation goes as planned and everyone sticks to it, says Margate Commissioner, David McClean, Commissioner Joe Varsallone (seat 4) will be Margate’s next Vice Mayor.
Meeting starts at 7 p.m. at Margate City Hall
Click here to read more.
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Housing Perks for Margate Workers
Margate city staff proposed to commissioners
Wednesday night that $200,000 in grant monies coming from the federal government be used to subsidize housing for Margate employees and for those working in city special districts, such as the Hospital District and CRA.
Click here to read more.
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Hair and Nail Salon looking for break on rent from taxpayers
Margate’s Hair We R Unisex Salon in the Ace Hardware Plaza on Margate Boulevard has asked landlords, the Margate Community Redevelopment Agency, for a reduction in monthly rent. Although salon owners were not present at the MCRA meeting Monday night, Margate Commissioner David McLean made a motion to charge tenants in the Ace Hardware Plaza a maximum $10 per sq. ft., effectively granting the salon's request.
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What are all those white signs?
In an effort to attract developers and entrepreneurs to Margate, town officials approved a massive rezoning of North State Rd. 7 from the hospital south through the proposed City Center to Atlantic Boulevard. The white signs around town were to notify the public that they could attend the rezoning meeting and contribute their input.
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Margate Zoned for American Idol
While millions of Americans watched Idol’s first Hollywood show, the Margate Board of Adjustment was deciding whether or not to grant Rio Grande a beer and wine license within 180 feet of a preschool. Rio Grande is a new Mexican Restaurant in the Penn Dutch plaza.
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"Whoop Bingo! Right in the canal!"
“Whoop Bingo, right in the canal!” is what my wife’s grandmother used to say 20 years ago when reading stories in the newspaper about cars floundering into city canals. Recently, Margate city officials decided to start charging car owners a $1,000 to retrieve their car from the canal, whether it got there by accident or on purpose.
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