Tamarac Mayor Michelle J. Gomez {City of Tamarac}
Dear Neighbors
It’s a leap year! As February has 29 days this year, I’m sure there are plenty of things we can do to fill it up, especially as it is a month dedicated to love, friendship, and compassion. These are traits we can demonstrate to others every day of the year. Remember, a smile can brighten up a stranger’s day, as well as yours!
February is also when we pay tribute to America’s history by celebrating our nation’s Presidents and recognizing the rich history and amazing contributions by the African American community. On February 28, we will recognize five outstanding African American Leaders for their impactful contributions to the community during the 9:30 a.m. City Commission Meeting.
For many, February also marks the beginning of tax season. Hispanic Unity of Florida and the City of Tamarac are sponsoring the VITA Program (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), which offers free tax return preparation for people who qualify. Appointments are required, and assistance is available in English, Spanish, and Creole. For more information or to make an appointment, please call 954-597-3642. This program runs from now until April 13, 2024, at the Tamarac Park Recreation Center (7501 N. University Dr.) at the following dates and times:
- Tuesdays: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Thursdays: 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Saturdays: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Join us on Thursday, February 8, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Tamarac Community Center (8601 W. Commercial Blvd.) to hear the results of your input on the City’s creation of a Multimodal Transportation Master Plan. Learn more about initial project recommendations, share your opinions and suggestions, and ask questions. The goal is to create a vision, set objectives, and project ideas to make it safer and more comfortable to move around Tamarac. The plan will offer guidance for making more effective transportation choices in the upcoming years and assist the City in attracting grant funding to support the implementation of priority projects.
Come celebrate our City’s unique blend at our One Tamarac: Multicultural Festival on Saturday, February 10, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Tamarac Sports Complex (9901 NW 77th Street). Free shuttle buses will be available to visitors departing from City Hall (7525 NW 88th Ave.) and the Community Center (8601 W. Commercial Blvd.), as on-site parking is limited. Stop by and enjoy an evening of entertainment, cultural exhibits, food trucks, a fun zone for the kids, and a beautiful laser-light display. You won’t want to miss it!
I hope you will join me on Friday, February 16, for this month’s Move with the Mayor Beat Burners fitness class. This free hour-long session will start at 7:00 p.m. at the Tamarac Community Center (8601 W. Commercial Blvd.). As I have not yet taken this class, it will be a fun new experience for all of us newbies who attend!
We’ve been listening and know that responding to residents’ needs is the City’s utmost priority. To provide residents a quick and easy way to connect with us, we encourage everyone to use our “See, Click, Fix” online platform. Here, you can share compliments, provide feedback, and submit City of Tamarac service requests. To get started, please visit Tamarac.org/Help, and let’s make Tamarac Shine Together.
This Valentine’s Day marks the 6th anniversary of the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland. Our thoughts are with the families of the victims and everyone affected by the tragic event. May we recommit to spreading love and kindness today and every day!
Valentine’s Day is also National Donor Day, which raises awareness of life-saving donations like organs, tissues, marrow, platelets, and blood. Did you know that about 20 people die daily waiting for an organ transplant? Or that for patients in need of a bone marrow transplant, 70 percent of them do not have a matching donor in their family? One step you can take is becoming a registered organ and tissue donor. Another is joining the donor registry to become a living donor. To register, visit registerme.org.
Additionally, February signals the start of National Cancer Prevention Month and American Heart Month. As a breast cancer survivor, I encourage you to take care of your body and reach out to your healthcare provider to monitor and discuss ways to improve your health. To learn more about cancer prevention, please visit the American Association for Cancer Research website at cancerprogressreport.aacr.org. According to the CDC, in the U.S., one person dies from heart disease every 34 seconds, and it is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people from a majority of every ethnic group in the country. For advice and tips to protect yourself from this deadly disease, please visit cdc.gov/heartdisease/prevention. Health is wealth, and taking care of ourselves is one of the greatest acts of love we can carry out in this lifetime.
Want to make a positive impact on people’s lives? Please consider donating blood to help increase reserves at local health facilities for accident victims and those undergoing cancer treatments and surgery. To find a location near you, please visit aabb.org/for-donors-patients/give-blood or oneblood.org/donate-now.
Save the Date:
As a Mom to three dogs and two cats, I’m looking forward to the Furever Friends Pet Expo on Saturday, March 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Tamarac Park, 7501 N. University Drive.
I’m proud to host this event with Vice Mayor Morey Wright and Commissioner Elvin Villalobos co-hosting as well! Attendees will learn about pet CPR through a demonstration by the American Red Cross and receive a voucher for free rabies vaccines, microchipping, and spaying/neutering from Broward County (while supplies last). Local vendors will offer on-site pet services, pet food, and one-of-a-kind products.
We’re also accepting canned pet food donations for our City’s pantry to help residents with pets and for other charities.
There will also be on-site pet adoptions! Whether it is a young puppy, kitten, or an older one (already trained ), they all have one thing in common – they just want to be loved! Come find your unconditional furbaby (or two) to adopt!
Even if you are not ready to adopt, come on out and enjoy the morning with us. We look forward to seeing you and your fur babies!
Tallahassee Update:
Last month, your Commission went to Tallahassee to advocate for: Tamarac 94th Avenue Traffic and Pedestrian Safety and Roadway Improvements
In response to safety concerns and in collaboration with school officials, parents, and the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the City has proposed NW 94th Avenue upgrades, including traffic calming measures by Challenger Elementary and Millennium Middle Schools and improving the drainage system on the roadway. The project involves installing two raised school crosswalks with Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon Pedestrian Crosswalk Systems, centerline traffic separators, and modified bike paths. Additionally, it includes drainage infrastructure installation, landscape median work, removal of existing pavement, and roadway resurfacing.
Tamarac Canal Culvert Gate and Aluminum Headwall Improvements
Funding would provide for new gates, precast concrete headwalls, and aluminum headwalls at culvert crossings to protect against erosion, the culvert pipes, prevent sediments from entering the waterway and support the roadway. The proposed project will be located on Nob Hill Road, between NW 67th Street & McNab Road, and Hiatus Road, between NW 67th Street and McNab Road.
Tamarac Park Safety and Health Enhancements and Upgrades
The scope of this project will include a redesign of the fields and removal of scorekeeper stations, dugouts, and batting cage at Tamarac Park, and also the installation of enhanced safety and/or health amenities, such as an updated lighting system with additional lights, new and extended fencing, installation of Code Blue Emergency phones, and the installation of a fitness/walking path. The requested funds will help implement these safety and health enhancements at the park, benefiting all ages, visitors, and residents alike.
In addition to our visiting with our Broward legislative delegation, I also meet with Senator Jim Boyd, Senator Jennifer Bradley’s staff, Senator Geraldine Thompson, Representative Wyman Duggan, Representative Vicki Lopez, Representative Katherine Waldron and Zack Brodersen of Senator Jason Brodeur, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Environment, and General Government, to discuss above and concerns regarding insurance and condo association reserve requirements. I appreciate Vice Mayor Wright, Commissioner Villalobos, and Commissioner Daniel for joining me in a few of the meetings.
I believe our voices were heard. Partial funding for each of our three projects is included in the preliminary Senate and House budgets, and there are some possible legislative adjustments regarding insurance and reserves on the horizon. We will remain hopeful and keep you posted as the legislature is still in session.
Local Reminders:
Food distributions continue every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., or while supplies last, at the South Florida Global Methodist Church (a/k/a Korean United Methodist Church), 6501 W. Commercial Blvd.
The next BSO Operation Medicine Cabinet/Shred-A-Thon in Tamarac will be on Saturday, May 11. The event is from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at King’s Point, 7629 Nob Hill Road.
DATE CHANGE: – The State of the City is being moved from 7:00 p.m. on February 14 to 7:00 p.m. on April 10. The Highlights video, originally scheduled for March 13, will probably be rescheduled to May. More details will be provided when available.
Happy Black History Month, Chinese New Year, Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, and Presidents’ Day!
Warmest regards,
️ Michelle
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