August 1998 Newsletter

For several years our State Representative Tracy Stafford has 
supported our community in the on going efforts to create a 
greenway in our neighborhood. He was instrumental in acquiring a 
list of publicly held lands by the State of Florida, for the 
purpose of trade possibilities with the 5 acre Bennett David 
Property on the New River. He has made many requests, both 
written and verbal, in support of the "Riverland Woods" greenway 
park project to both local and state governments on our behalf. 
Recently, through his continued efforts, he was successful in 
acquiring a $50,000 state appropriation for "Riverland Woods Park 
Project" and also had the opportunity to obtain a list of 176 
grant opportunities for the project. He continues  to work  with  
our neighborhood and has offered his help to preserve what is 
left of "Riverland Woods."
    On behalf of our entire community, we would like to take this 
opportunity to thank him for all his hard work, especially 
acquiring the $50,000 appropriation, (which was not easy). 


THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD
From The Editor

It has been an honor to serve this community for the last four 
years as president of the LICIA. However, I have decided that it 
is time to step aside and let other community residents take the 
front seat. I want to thank the board members, trustees, and many 
civic supporters who have worked together as a team to accomplish 
so many community projects. The numbers of successful projects 
far outnumbered the ones that were not. The net effect of our 
team efforts has been a huge plus for this community.
    Some projects remain uncompleted and I'm sure many new issues 
will show up in the future. This community needs a few new faces 
to assist in running the civic association. Sure, it takes time, 
but it is very important to keep the momentum going.
    If you are considering getting involved but are concerned 
that you don't have any experience - don't worry! Experience is 
not needed. I intend to make myself available to new civic staff 
for general training and I'm going to ask my board members for 
the same support. This association has developed a strong working 
relationship with the Broward County Commission, many Broward 
County Departments, the City of Fort Lauderdale, our State 
Representatives, Lift Up Davie Boulevard, Broward Urban River 
Trails, the Marine Industries Association of South Florida, and 
many others. 
    We have also enhanced the connectivity of our community with 
General Meetings, this newsletter, and our new web site 
LICIA.ORG. It is very important that volunteers step forward now 
so that these community services will continue into 1999 without 
interruption. 
    A nominating committee will be set up at the General Meeting 
August 20th, 1998 to begin the process of collecting applicants 
for the positions of President, Vice President, and Treasurer.
Please take the time to attend this meeting. And, if at all 
possible, please consider running for one of these offices. It 
would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.



AIRPORT NOISE UPDATE 
by George Counts  

Our last meeting was on June 8, 1998, 6 PM in Conference Room A 
of the Broward County Aviation Department.  The next meeting is 
on August 31 at the same time and place.  If you would like to go 
call Bud Johnson at 797-8915, or me at 584-4926 after 4 PM.       
    Elena Langlois, a consultant on aircraft noise modeling 
methodologies compared new modeling strategies with older ones.  
She indicated aircraft operations were up 4%, so keep calling in 
those jet and large helicopter overflights to 359-6181 during the 
day and 359-1200 nights and holidays.  



A MESSAGE FROM YOUR VICE PRESIDENT
by Joan Sheridan

As a resident of Lauderdale Isles since 1963 and homeowner for 35 
years, I have served on the Lauderdale Isles Civic Improvement 
Association Board for over 25 years.  I have volunteered as 
Trustee for Key Largo Lane (12 years or more), Secretary (9 
years), and Vice President (4 years).  I regret to inform you 
that I will not be running for an officer's position in November.  
I have been taking care of my 81 year old mom whose serious 
health challenges this year have been overwhelming for me.  Many 
of you know how hard we have been working over the past years to 
improve our neighborhood.  Some things we have been able to 
accomplish and some things are still pending. The most important 
thing is that we have a great neighborhood with lots of caring 
residents who live here. We need to preserve our community and 
our property values.  This takes the effort of ALL of us - not 
just a small few.  With this in mind I am appealing to YOU to get 
involved and run for the board.  We really need your help. There 
will be three officer positions open in November - President, 
Vice President and Treasurer.  We need some new blood on the 
board because frankly, some of us are burnt out.  You will be 
amazed at what you can do if you at least try.  Won't YOU try?       
    Now, I would like to take this opportunity to thank our 
entire board for all their hard work over the past four years. I 
especially want to thank Gary Starkweather for all the wonderful 
things he was able to accomplish as President for four years.  
Gary not only volunteered his time, he also volunteered his 
office, computers, employees, supplies, expertise, etc.  And how 
about that great newsletter you receive?  It was a pleasure 
working with him as his Vice President.  We made a great team.  
Thanks, Gary.
    I would like to see as many residents as possible turn out 
for our August 20th General Meeting and make a commitment to get 
involved and run for the board. IT'S YOUR TURN NOW!!!!  


CLASSIFIED ADDS ON LICIA WEB}
(From the July 1998 Trustee Minutes)

Terry Simonds raised the issue of the "Classifieds" page at our 
web site.  After some discussion, it was MOVED and SECONDED that 
the following restrictions and conditions be placed on the use 
of this page:

    (a) Use of the page is restricted to paid members of LICIA;

    (b) Only personal property, not real, is to be offered for                                          
sale, trade, or barter;
   
    (c) Advertisements, business cards, or other items that are, 
or may be construed to be, associated with a commercial activity 
of any kind will not be accepted.

     (d) There is no maximum amount of sale or value of
trade/barter of items listed;

     (e) Items will be posted to the "Classifieds" page for a
maximum of 60 days after which time the item will be removed;

     (f) Any single posting must be not more than six lines and
shall consist of text only;

     (g) When an advertised item has been disposed of, the person
who submitted the article in the first place must notify the
maintainer of the web site so the item can be removed from the
page.  The above restrictions and conditions will be reviewed 
from time to time by the maintainer of the web site and may be
modified or revised as appropriate or necessary.

The motion PASSED.

At present, the web site is maintained by Terry Simonds,
Secretary, 792-8080 or fsimonds@icanect.net.



WANTED: BRAIN DONORS
By Ann Guardino, Trustee for Okeechobee Lane

Brains must be fresh and lively!  No experience required.  May 
not be related to any LICIA trustees.  What nonsense is this you 
ask?  Actually, it is a serious request for at least three or 
four volunteers to form a committee to again address the issue of 
annexation.  The trustees would like to have a totally 
independent and impartial committee report to local homeowners 
with our options so there can be no complaints of collusion or 
bias.  The reason for this request is that Broward County has 
offered to pay for the services of a consultant to study the 
options available to us.
    As you may be aware, property taxes assessed by Broward 
County for "municipal services" were increased a dramatic 25% for 
the October 1st, 1998, tax bill.  The amount has gone from $1.52 
to $1.90 for each $1,000 of assessed value.  At this point, the 
dollar amount of the increase is only $38 for a home assessed at 
$100,000.  However, the rate has risen because several areas have 
already been annexed.  As a result, the tax base of the 
unincorporated areas shrank and a smaller population has been 
left to bear the cost of county services.  We expect this trend 
to continue.  Where does that leave us?
    This question is what the committee would try to answer.  In 
1996, the Broward Legislative Delegation adopted a policy stating  
that  all  of  the  county's unincorporated areas must join a 
city by the year 2010.  In 1996 seven Broward cities filed to 
annex unincorporated areas.  More filed in 1997.  Basically, the 
county will continue to be responsible for regional issues such 
as health, welfare, libraries and traffic.  The cities will 
become the main suppliers of municipal services such as police, 
fire, garbage, water, parks and recreation.
    Broward County has offered to provide, free of charge, the 
services of a consultant to neighborhood associations who are 
grappling with this question.  There is no rush to take advantage 
of this offer as it is available to us for at least 3 more years.  
Is there any advantage to using the services of a consultant now?  
What are our options at this time?  Should we ask to be annexed 
in the near future or wait as long as possible to see if there 
would be more cities bordering us with whom we could join?  These 
are the types of issues the committee would explore.
    At this time, at least 7 areas have elected to have the study 
done.
        -A large area north of Pompano Beach
        -The Intracoastal beach area between Pompano and  
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
        -The North Andrews Garden area
        -Palm Aire Village, north of Fort Lauderdale, south of 
Pompano
        -Area A, the central Broward unincorporated area between 
Fort Lauderdale and Plantation
        -Broadview
        -Pine Ridge near Pembroke Pines
    There are eight consultants available to us, varying from 
Nova University to various private consulting firms.  They are to 
provide reports on demographics, land use, financial and service 
provision impacts including profile and comparison of levels of    
service, and proposed capital improvements and facilities.  Since 
each study is expected to cost approximately $50,000, the 
decision to ask the county to hire a consultant for us should       
not be undertaken lightly. The information will probably only be 
valid for a year or so before it becomes outdated, Therefore, we 
would  want to take action on it upon receipt of the report.  
    If you have a lively brain and want to  take control of your 
destiny (and your  property values?), please come to the next  
general meeting on August 20th or call the  trustee for your lane 
to volunteer for the committee.
    If you want to get further information  on your own before 
your sign up, please do  not hesitate to call Donald Stone of the  
Comprehensive and Neighborhood Planning  Division of Broward 
County at 357-6673. 



CONSULTING FIRM TO BE SELECTED
by Joan Sheridan

At the May General Meeting those present voted to choose a 
consultant at the August General Meeting, to do an independent 
study for our residents on annexation.  Many other unincorporated 
communities have already selected their consultants.  Broward 
County has selected the following qualifying firms eligible to 
conduct the studies:

      1. Carr Smith Corradino
          3313 W. Commercial Blvd.
          Suite 110 - Ft. Lauderdale
          Contact: Matthew Schwartz
          Phone: 1-800-887-5551
      2. Community Redevelopment Associates
          10221 Taft Street, Suite 2
          Pembroke Pines
          Contact: Martin Larsen
          Phone: 954-431-7866
      3. Dickey Consulting Services
          P. 0. Box 892 - Ft.  Lauderdale
          Contact: Sheryl Dickey
          Phone: 954-486-0889
      4. Florida Atlantic University
          220 S.E. 2 Avenue, Room 612
          Ft. Lauderdale
          Contact: Dr. Jerry Kolo
          Phone 954-762-5255
      5. Keith and Schnars, P.A.
          6500 N. Andrews Avenue
          Ft. Lauderdale
          Contact: Steve Lysik
          Phone 954-776-1616
      6. Nova Southeastern University
          3301 College Avenue
          Ft. Lauderdale
          Contact: Dr. Irv Rosenbaum
          Phone 954-262-1510
      7. PMG Associates, Inc.
          3880 N.W. 2 Court
          Deerfield Beach
          Contact: Kathleen Gonot
          Phone 954-427-5010
      8. Richard Rubin & Associates
          4801 S. University Drive, Suite 310 W
          Davie
          Contact: Keven Klopp
          Phone 954-680-6550

Please come to the August 20th General Meeting to vote on the 
consulting firm YOU WANT.



ENTRANCE WAY LANDSCAPING BEGINS
By Joan Sheridan

In case you haven't noticed Gulfstream Lane is the first street 
to put the landscaping in.  Thanks to Ginny Chaffinch and Randy 
Cordrey; looks great guys.
    For your information, all the landscaping material is ready 
for pick up at McCall Nursery & Landscape, Inc., 4621 S. W. 58th 
Avenue, Davie, Florida, (954) 581-4782.  The contact person is 
Steffany and their nursery hours are, Monday - Thursday 7:30 A.M. 
to 4:30 P.M., Friday 7:30 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. and they are CLOSED 
ON SATURDAY.
    Below is a list of all the lanes that are to be planted. Some 
of the lanes have coordinators and some do not. If you live on a 
lane that has a coordinator and you want to help, CALL THEM.  If 
you can help coordinate your lane or volunteer to help plant a 
lane or maintain it, please call Joan Sheridan at 581-0816. (I am 
not planting any other lane but mine, Key Largo.)
    I have organized removing the old signs and putting in the 
new ones.  I have also coordinated the plans with the help of Ted 
Vitale, Broward County Neighborhood Improvement Program, the 
county Landscaping Architect, Pamela Stanton and McCall's 
Nursery.
    Now it's up to YOU to do your lane.  A copy of the design is 
available to any volunteer that would like to coordinate their 
lane.  It's a no brainer!!!!

ANDROS LANE - NO VOLUNTEER YET
BIMINI LANE - NO VOLUNTEER YET
CAT CAY LANE - MARION DUNN 587-8831
DUCK KEY LANE DIANNE - HILLENBRAND 587-7788
FLAMINGO LANE - NO VOLUNTEER YET
GULFSTREAM LANE - FINISHED
KEY LARGO LANE - JOAN SHERIDAN 581-0816
MARATHON LANE - NO VOLUNTEER YET
NASSAU LANE - JIM KIBLER - 584-6900
OKEECHOBEE LANE- HANK & ANN GUARDINO - 321-0507
SUGARLOAF LANE - BOBBYE ATHA 581-3663
TORTUGAS LANE - GERI CONNELY - 584-0550
WHALE HARBOR LANE - KITTY STACK - 587-2732



THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING RIVERLAND WOODS...
    So where do we go from here?
By Gary Starkweather and Joan Sheridan 

(Riverland Greenway Properties Diagram--NOTE: Large File!) 

Recent events have virtually destroyed hopes for Riverland Woods 
as  originally planned.  Despite  huge community opposition, 
parcel C is going to become a public storage  facility. However, 
parcels A & B are still available as well as parcel D. The Sara 
David Realty Trust recently sent a letter to the Broward County 
Real Properties Director, Mr. Frank Fry, expressing their 
willingness to exchange their parcel of land for county land, 
plus cash, if the valuations are acceptable to Broward County to 
create a fair swap.  This brings us one step closer to some type 
of park or greenway facility on parcel D.
    Although unconfirmed at this time, there is speculation that 
the owner of U-Store-It would allow a foot path or easement on 
the west side of parcel C to connect parcels A/B to parcel D. 
While this is certainly second choice to the continuous greenway 
originally planned, it may open up new possibilities for the City 
of Fort Lauderdale to become active in the creation of  a quality 
entryway into their city that also has connectivity to Parcel D.
    Parcel D has waterfront access so there are many exciting 
possibilities with this parcel of land.  We are still working to 
create something positive with the remaining parcels.



MEET YOUR CANDIDATES
Florida House of Representatives District 92      

It really helps to meet the candidates when trying to figure out 
who to vote for in each election, so your civic association has 
invited the District 92 candidates to the August 20th, general 
meeting.
    Incumbent Mr. Tracy Stafford and his running opponent Mr. 
George LeMieux will attend the August 20th General Meeting of the 
Lauderdale Isles Civic Improvement Association.  Each will be 
given 10 minutes to make a presentation and/or address the 
audience.
    This will be an excellent opportunity for you to become 
familiar with the candidates.  November 3, 1998 is just around 
the comer, so take this opportunity to learn more about these 
candidates.  



ANNEXATION UPDATE 
Editorial--By George Counts  

There is no pressing need for Isles residents to begin steps to 
become annexed --- just examine our options, keep our guard up 
and bide our time. 2010 is a long way off.
    Many of the legislative architects and facilitators of this 
alleged wonder drug for urban ills will be history long before 
then.  The deadline is not set in concrete as some would have us 
believe.  It could be history in a few years along with its 
pushers if we vote for County Commissioners and legislators 
willing to speak up and clearly oppose such a "trust me, it will 
work - it's got to work", edict.  After all, things may get worse 
instead of better under such a broad experiment with 
decentralization encouraging duplication and inefficiencies that 
have been eliminated in recent years.
    The biggest annexation proposal ever shot at unincorporated 
residents has gotten its first jolt of reality. Civic leaders in 
north Broward have rightly become concerned about the ability of 
cities struggling as a result of being in one of the nation's 
fastest growing areas.  Many of them are not without teetering 
treasuries and bumbling bureaucrats.  As a result, some Broward 
lawmakers who aren't "lame ducks" are finally beginning to listen 
to constituents.
    This isn't happening on its own, rather because local civic 
leaders there are speaking out against such a brash, ill-thought 
out edict.  This "trust me it will work"-"it's got to work 
"scheme is being guided by a soon to be history annexation chair 
who didn't even know enough about the unincorporated areas        
to state their correct number at public hearings.  He quoted the 
magic number for the day from a local paper.
    Don't miss this month's general meeting.  It will be a chance 
to address local advocates and possibly government hired guns as 
they gaze into their crystal ball. After all, most of us are 
still trying to figure out how another layer of bureaucracy and 
taxes could be so heavenly.  Don't despair, there is an 
alternative despite implications to the contrary by some.  
Register to vote if you haven't.  Get out and vote for candidates 
who support Single-Member Districting for County Commissioners 
and the right of unincorporated residents to decide on their own 
if, and when they want to be annexed.  Tracy Stafford and Scott 
Cowan have not indicated they support the preceding or intend to 
do so in the future.
    When questioned about this at the last General Meeting , our 
state representative Stafford, who is running against George 
Lemieux in our district 92 in November, indicated he doesn't have 
plans to sponsor legislation to rescind the forced annexation 
bill.  Nor does he have plans to introduce legislation to put 
more accountability on the County Commission via Single Member 
Districting.  Some of his colleagues don't have such a cozy 
relationship with the County Commissioners and discussed the 
possibility this past session.
    When questioned further about annexation, Stafford indicated 
many Broward legislators supported it because it was what the 
County Commission wanted. When forced to take a position on 
annexation, many commissioners usually say , "Oh, we are against 
forced annexation".  Their actions don't support this, as they 
vote on other measures to try and force it.  Stafford was chair 
of the legislative delegation when the annexation hearings were 
held.  Your County Commissioner Cowan is running unopposed.  He 
has never been a fan of Single Member Districting.  You may still 
vote for other commission and Legislative candidates who haven't 
jumped on the (bandwagon.)  
  


SAY HI TO A BIMINI LANE BABY
By Neil Leibowitz

In the February issue we featured the Whale Harbor Lane fox and a 
local flock of ibis. This issue we present to you a manatee with 
a baby alongside.
    Neil Leibowitz went outside to his dock and saw what he 
thought was a plastic bag.  As he got closer he realized that it 
was not a plastic bag and ran for his camera.
    Surprisingly enough, when he got back with his camera, the 
manatees were still feeding under his dock. The baby was so 
small, it might have been a newborn.  The pair stayed around long 
enough for Neil to take several pictures.
    It is great to see manatees and other wild life living in our 
area.  Fact is, there are a lot of critters in the isles. Some 
are better accepted than others.  Without a doubt, we share this 
area with them.
    They come in all shapes and sizes.  Many like the, 
comfortable surroundings and tasty food found in our homes.  You 
probably won't see a manatee wandering into your living room, but 
don't leave your back door open at night unless you intend to 
share!  A possum or a racoon might think you left them an open 
invitation.
    We tend to think of animals in terms of the typical 
domesticated animals and maybe a pot belly pig or two.  But the 
most common animal by far in our neighborhood is the wild animal.  
Most of these critters pry into and around our homes much more 
than you might think.
    Some folks have a hard time accepting the concept of sharing 
our neighborhood with lots of little critters.  My suggestion is, 
get to know them.  They don't necessarily have to move into your 
home (gecko lizards excepted).  Just keep your doors shut and 
your garbage can lids on. Most of the critters that call our 
neighborhood home are really a lot of fun.
    Next time you spot some of your neighborhood critters, pause 
for a moment and just enjoy them.   
  


DIXIE-PEELE WELLFIELD UPDATE
By Neil Leibowitz  

Our water supply comes from the Dixie-Peele Wellfield near 441. 
About half of it was contaminated by a now defunct petroleum 
reprocessing plant about a decade ago.  Several EPA public 
hearings have been held about this problem.  The most recent was 
a Superfund cleanup proposal on June 18th at the Sunview 
Recreation Park building near Peters Road.  Most in attendance 
would probably agree the building could use an FPL energy audit.  
One woman brought her own fan but had trouble finding a place to 
hook it up.
    Testimony was taken from the general public and government 
officials, as well as lawyers and engineers representing 
customers who sent used oil to the facility.  Those customers 
have to help pay for the cleanup.  Brad Jackson, EPA's Remedial 
Project Manager from Atlanta (1 -800435-9234), conducted the 
hearing. His mitigation proposal was supplemented by testimony 
from EPA lawyers, engineers and consultants.  EPA felt that 
spending millions of dollars extra in an attempt to complete a 
cleanup of all contaminants deep in the earth was unnecessary 
now.
    They prefer to let the deep pollutants dissipate naturally as 
they institute extensive soil and groundwater remediation to 
minimize spreading.  Meanwhile, our drinking water is processed 
through a stripper so it meets state and federal standards.  
Jackson and a Ph.D. in hydrogeology testified their model 
indicated the contamination left would dissipate in about two 
decades on its own.  They opted for this "Natural Attenuation" 
approach along with aggressive area source control and rigorous, 
long term monitoring of the site.  Should this plan not live up 
to their expectations, they would implement the more costly plan 
of pumping the water out, cleaning it and pumping it back.  
However they are reviewing the public hearing testimony and will 
make a decision in September on which plan to implement.
    Our drinking water meets all federal and state standards.  An 
update should appear in the next newsletter The EPA also 
collected two samples from the North New River Canal. They found 
no organic chemicals, elevated metals, pesticides or polychlori-
nated biphenyls.  I hope more sampling is in order before 
definitive conclusions are drawn.  If you have facts to the 
contrary from a state certified water lab, call me and we will 
check it out.  Reports on the Dixie-Peele Superfund Program and 
addresses, etc. of authorities to contact are at the Reference 
Depts. of the Riverland and Main libraries.