Our Children, Our Schools, Our Infrastructure and the Environment.
As someone who grew up and attended school in this community, Parkland’s children are especially a priority of mine. This is the reason why the commission and I fought so hard for a nee elementary school which is now in the process of being constructed with a proposed completion date of August 2009.
What this commission has learned is that even though the school board controls our schools, the Parkland commission is able to influence decisions by having dedicated parents involved at all levels.
A safe learning environment includes smaller class sizes where teachers can focus more on individual students. When I attended school I had over 40 kids in my class and spent my entire freshman year at Douglas in a portable. It is for this reason that we fought for a new addition to Marjory Stoneman Douglas. This addition will provide over 30 new classrooms, which should reduce the overall class size and hopefully remove portables from the school site.
I also know that if we provide our kids with recreational activities, it will keep them healthy and out of trouble. I hear from many residents telling me their children do not have sufficient access to sports fields. On the day I took office I made this issue one of my priorities. I am happy to report that 3 new softball fields have been built along with a new multi-purpose field. In addition, we have also built many new playgrounds for the younger generation. We will continue to upgrade our facilities that parkland children can have the best fields, courts and equipment.
While the city provides many services none are more important than our police and fire services. During the last year we have added an additional 15 firefighters to expand and further improve our fire coverage. These changes are vital as they will increase response times to all Parkland residents. In addition we will see an increase of about 3 police officers on patrol at any one time. This will increase police presence hopefully deterring the rise of small crimes within the city of Parkland. We are also in the process of constructing Parkland’s first permanent fire station.
As many of you are already aware this commission has made a commitment to the environment and to reducing energy consumption. This commission has instituted new recycling measures and has installed several solar panels throughout the city. This commission will remain dedicated. In addition, I am proud to report that the new elementary school being built is the first green school in Broward County.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if there is anything I can do to help make your voice heard.
Sincerely,
