Cooper City Budget and the City Manager

The upcoming budget will be a very challenging experience and it will test the commission as to where they are heading on serious issues. Are they going to massively raise your taxes again? Our Budget Workshops are upcoming to set millage rates, debt levy, adoption of initial assessment resolutions and to set times and dates for public budget hearings, all at city hall. Visit CooperCitFL.org for dates and times.

The decisions made during this upcoming budget process are going to be difficult and will affect all residents in an adverse way, and I am doing everything possible to avoid that on your behalf. It’s past time to address the issue of solutions in order to reduce costs, not continuing to promote unnecessary feel good services while continuing to neglect and not improve core services instead of select favorite programs. The likelihood is that your commission majority will massively raise taxes again because this isn’t a primary election year.

One reason I see that the city is such a mess financially is that most career politicians on the dais care far more about keeping their political jobs than about helping you keep yours. My recent challenge to my fellow commissioners is “what’s the tough choice in 2018 that you’re going to make in order to make Cooper City better, more efficient and less costly to run?” You guessed it…no responses by anyone on the commission. Just the typical rhetoric regarding the budget process which doesn’t put more money in your pocket.

I recently motioned to terminate the city manager due to this continuing fiscal incompetence, lack of providing detailed information on agenda items, lack of providing information to residents and appointed board members. You guessed it, no support on your behalf from the political alliance. How unfortunate that those who run the city seem to not care a wit about those who pay their salary.

The city faces immediate tough choices in order to make this next fiscal year a priority to increase services, reduce taxes and improve customer service. My first priority after public safety is creating local jobs and lowering your taxes. Jobs are created here in our city by local business owners, not in Tallahassee or in Washington. This is why we need to elect like-minded residents, so they can save money and create more jobs.

One final note, there are candidates running for Districts 1 and 2 in November 2018, and I'm sure there are more to come. Hopefully you will make the right decision to seat commissioners in Districts 1 and 2 who will always look out for your best interests, not the interests of themselves and their political future or those who are political hacks of those on the commission.

To those of you that are concerned about what this commission wants to do regarding this upcoming budget process, please forward your concerns to me. I will voice them but I can assure you, they may be ignored if it puts money in your pocket.

Commissioner John Sims

CITY COMMISSION EXPRESSES ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SPEEDING IN COOPER CITY - YOU'VE BEEN WARNED!

CITY COMMISSION EXPRESSES ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SPEEDING IN COOPER CITY

COOPER CITY, FL (September 13, 2016) --- In response to the resident concerns about the ongoing speeding problem in Cooper City, the City Commission has encouraged BSO to "step-up" traffic enforcement, with a zero tolerance policy for drivers who ignore speed limits and stop signs.  The discussion began with an item on the September 12th Budget Hearing agenda, regarding a traffic study for 118th Ave. All members of the Commission were in agreement that action must be taken to deter drivers from exceeding speed limits throughout Cooper City.

It was stressed that every officer should be ticketing every driver who is speeding. Residents are complaining and they are afraid for their children's safety, but they are also the ones who are speeding. The Commission complimented BSO's enforcement activities and shared that District 16 deputies issued a total of 534 tickets citywide, just during the month of August. A Labor Day weekend traffic blitz resulted in 141 tickets. Speeding violations have warranted 358 tickets on SW 118th Avenue and 146 tickets on SW 49th Street alone for the year to date.

Acknowledging that BSO must "walk a fine line" between enforcement and community relations, It was stressed that BSO make a concerted effort and take whatever measures are necessary to curb this problem. Captain Cates has full authority to enforce the City's speed limits and issue any citations that are necessary. Captain Cates agreed that speeding in dense urban areas is a chronic problem throughout South Florida and will develop a strategy to hit this issue hard to gain community compliance.

Additional traffic details will be presented to the Commission at the Final Budget Hearing on September 20th at 6:30 in City Hall.

Response to the 'Salem Trial'...

It is unfortunate that my colleagues have spent their time seeking to prevent me from the  exercising  my 1st amendment rights. My comments are reflective of my views of  the continued highly questionable activities of this commission. I have been elected  by the voters in Cooper City three consecutive times, because  they have come to rely upon me to speak the truth no matter what the consequences may be. Whether it offends some or not, the truth must come first. I fully stand by my comments...

Cooper City Resident Speaks Out About Mayor's Corruption!

Brian:

I look forward to reading your analysis. Hey! You didn't speak to any local activists!  

Our mayor is going too far. Greg Ross seems to be the one aggressively pushing this Resolution. While I understand his concern about the letter Sims sent to the Judge, the breadth of the proposed Resolution is very disturbing. There are very serious allegations set out yet there is no clear procedure about submitting any sort of evidence backing up the allegations. The word "illegal" is even used. Is the plan by Ross to go in, the city attorney reads the resolution, someone moves to vote on the resolution, and after a member's second they proceed to vote? Commission members do not have to speak. They can vote on this w/o any real discussion. This has all the makings of a drumbeat court martial to be followed by an execution.  

Our mayor is supposed to be an experienced Florida attorney. Someone who appears before local state courts in civil and criminal matters. Yet none of the rules or procedures related to this "special meeting" seem clear. It is not even clear why Mayor Ross felt the urgent need to bring forward such a highly unusual matter.  

I wrote the mayor for information on the planned procedures & received no response. The Resolution has the appearance of a not very well thought out tantrum. Yet, because due process, notice, minutes, etc., seem to be of only marginal interest to many of those in Cooper City government, it looks like the plan is to just barrel ahead. Why not? That's the way things are done in Cooper City.  

There is a background to all of this going way back. Back to Greg Ross before he was mayor coming into meetings to criticize Sims. Back to about the very first thing Ross did when elected mayor- when he pushed an expedited agenda item to de facto censure Sims for a Sims Facebook posting criticizing Obama. Ross got away with that, his city attorney saying and doing nothing. The latter saying nothing despite a written city policy seeming to direct "hands off" on a commission member's off the dais political speech. The city got away with it in a well-established local procedure. Anything troublesome, anything possibly an impediment? Just ignore it.  And so it has gone since that first Ross move in 12/2012.  

In the last two months the majority of the commission under Ross' leadership have, in my view, taken steps towards ripping up the City's Charter. They are making changes that affect the City's most important appointive board w/o allowing residents to vote on those changes in a referendum. It has been outrageous and insulting, and it has been backed at every step by the day to day city attorney.  It is clearly the case the majority of the commission wants to exercise control over the city's Charter Review Board, and nothing is going to stop that. Even when legal opinions and analysis had no references or citations to legal authority, it did not matter. Even when a commission member made inaccurate assertions about receiving a "second opinion" from the AG on a vital question, it did not matter. Even when it meant setting aside or ignoring well-established precedent, it did not matter.  

The local political situation is that nothing gets in the way of our commission's majority. They are increasingly authoritarian and as indicated by this new Resolution, completely out of control. They are far too free from any effective oversight, and their insensitivity to the will of the people is clearly reaching critical mass.  

In my opinion Sims' perception is the city has no respect for any law or rules that impede its desires. Sims obviously believes the day to day city attorney is a mere "yes man" for whatever the majority (his paymasters) orders him to do. That is what John Sims believes. I am not defending Sims' letter. But in my opinion Commissioner Sims' actions and intent can only be understood and analyzed within the context of why he so distrusts the day to day city attorney and the majority of his colleagues. 

Sent from Skip Klauber's I phone  

Bois ton sang, Beaumanoir, la soif te passera

The First Amendment and Freedom of Speech is not perfect...

The First Amendment and Freedom of Speech is not perfect. It allows truths to be told and it allows lies to run rampant. It does not have the ability, in and of itself, to determine what is correct and what is incorrect. Rather, this imperfect amendment, with no safeguards as to veracity, allows the listener to make their own decision, allows the teller to put his foot in his mouth and allows those with various opinions to have various takes of what was said and what they heard. Anything short of this imperfect amendment would show just how perfect this amendment is. - Jamie Benjamin

Cooper City Mayor Greg Ross Censures Commissioner for exposing Fraud & Corruption

@CooperCityGOV Mayor & commissioners censure commissioner for telling the truth! Corruption rules in #CooperCityFL and so does lies, deceit, fraud and political corruption (In my humble opinion)
READ The Letter to the Judge regarding lies and a FRAUD ON THE COURT by Cooper City Attorney and Mayor ('ambulance chaser'/defense attorney Greg Ross) regarding the MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CLASS ACTION lawsuit that Mayor Greg Ross touted as "FRIVOLOUS"...another lie to the constituency (Yes, the 4th DCA approved the class) Now the citizens of #CooperCity will pay hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars for the FRAUD and LIES by #JamesCurran, #GregRoss#, #LisaMallozzi, #JeffGreen...and #DavidWolpin

Sunshine week was rainy in Cooper City

Sunshine week was rainy in Cooper City

The week of March 11^th was Sunshine Week. Such has not been the case as of late in Cooper City. Sunshine Week is observed annually throughout the US to point out that the public's business must be open to the public and that Government, must be open to public inspection. It is a national 'open government' initiative spearheaded by the majority of Americans to raise the awareness and educate the public about the importance of open government and the dangers of excessive secrecy.
 

It coincides with the birthday of James Madison, a Founding Father of our country known for his emphasis on the checks and balances in government and his advocacy of open government, a view that I continue to strongly support. Open government and transparency are essential to maintaining our freedoms from repression by government as well as free speech. As such, political discourse and full expression of opinion is a necessary and vital element for a healthy society to survive.



The words describing open government and transparency are words that may well be ignored. These words are being propagated yet ignored deep down in the bowels of the bureaucracy of government administrations. Given my experience and based on mine and other's observations, I have concluded and am disappointed to report that transparency and open government, along with freedom of speech, are not being put into practice in our city as required. We saw this in the recent State Attorney’s criminal investigation in Cooper City regarding secretly held meetings and again just last month regarding lack of notice to the public for Planning and Zoning Board meetings.



The Privacy and Freedom of Information Acts, along with constitutional amendments regarding Free Speech and Free Expression, are not meant to limit the flow of information and communication between the government and its electorate, but quite the opposite. The disregard by government of the clear language of the law is disheartening. It is quite appropriate that during Sunshine Week, although already passed, I bring out the turbulence that our local city government has created in abeyance of our Constitution and Sunshine laws.



I have placed on the agenda, an initiative to demand full, open and vast public notice of any and all ‘non-shade’ meetings in Cooper City.  I am not referring to just the bare minimal legal requirements. We will see if my colleagues on the commission support your rights, or protect the established methods that smacks of a complete and arrogant disregard for our public duty, our Oath of Office and our collective consciousness when it comes to fully informing the public.

 

During Sunshine Week, hundreds of truly dedicated elected representatives who understand the great and vast importance of this issue, media organizations, publishers, civic groups, libraries, nonprofits, schools and other participants, engage in public discussion on the importance of open government throughout many coffee shops, gatherings with family and friends, news programs, featured articles and hundreds of opinion columns, Web pages and blogs, editorials, cartoons, public service advertising, public seminars and forums.

As such, I implore you to do what you can to demand open government, improve open government and transparency, to communicate more effectively with your local elected officials and provide a full range of commentary not just on political issues, but on your everyday issues. Only the future will show who will step up to the mandates of open government in Cooper City. 

Cooper City’s Future

Cooper City’s Future

Thank you Cooper City! I would like to thank all of Cooper City’s residents for my recent re-election victory despite the staunch opposition. This was a grass-roots movement motivated by demanding change in how our city has been led and how it will be led in the future. This was indeed a victory for ‘We The People’.

It was important for me to run again because I’ve seen our community continually headed in the wrong direction. We’ve become way too complacent. Governments are instituted to protect the people’s rights and liberties, and that’s what’s lacking in our city. Too many have been playing politics as opposed to representing the wants and desires of their constituents.

I am pro good government. I want to see limited, effective government. As such, I will continue to work for you, the resident and business owner, advocating lower taxes, a smaller more accountable government, personal responsibility, a strong police presence and protection individual rights, and I will continue to stand by my voting record and my fiscally conservative actions while representing the people and business owners of Cooper City.

Based on our recent budget, the city must implement severe cost-reduction measures rather than fund our future on increased taxes. If not, we will either have to continue raise taxes, or make some serious cuts. And, nothing can be held harmless in making those deep cuts.

We can’t fund our city’s future on the fly, yet viable solutions are absolutely within reach. The city at all levels must stop and think “what’s good for Cooper City and its residents?" when making decisions. With that, I will remain fully committed to review and implement any and all cost cutting/cost sharing measures which provide a more accountable, efficient and effective city government at a reduced cost for the residents of our great city.

There are only two parts of the issue of success on the city commission, and they are mutual assistance and mutual respect. That has been lacking for quite some time, and now is the time to continue to hold each and every commissioner accountable. Mutual respect means that although we may not agree on issues, we must work through these differences, honestly and openly, and the end result must be solely on your behalf. We can WIN together but only if we WORK together. The past is behind us, the present is an opportunity, and the future is in our hands. My friends, good things do not come to those who wait. We’ve tried that, and now we now must reach...together.

In closing, I would like to once again thank the residents of Cooper City for allowing me to serve as your ‘Go To’ Commissioner. It is an honor to continue to represent you. You can view my website at www.KeepSims.com, or I am readily available by telephone at 954.445.6997 or via email at commissioner_sims@coopercityfl.org. Please allow me to continue to help resolve your concerns.

 

Commission Swearing In Ceremony Tuesday Night Nov. 25th @ 6 PM

Friends & Neighbors:

Janet and I cordially invite you to join us this coming Tuesday, November 25th at 6:00 PM – at City Hall located at 9090 SW 50 Place, in the Commission Chambers where I will be sworn in as the senior member of the city commission, and as City Commissioner for Cooper City for District 1. LET'S PACK THE HOUSE!

 

Your support over the past 7+ years, and especially over the last few months has been absolutely overwhelming. Last election day, November 4th, I succeeded in winning every precinct but two, thanks to the support of Cooper City residents who voted not just for me, but for continued and increased fiscal responsibility, ethical government, honesty, open government and communication, and most of all government transparency. Simply put, your voice was heard loud and clear despite staunch opposition by the unbefitting political faction who fortunately no longer controls our lives, our city and our local government!

 

You have given me the continued responsibility to keep a keen watch over our city government, the opportunity to change the way our city does business, and to ensure your hard earned money is not wasted on wants, but real needs. And...I will work with my colleagues, as they have again promised in collaboration on your behalf, to do just that as I again take my place on the dais, unfortunately for my final term in office.

Together, we will continue to make Cooper City an even greater place, yes, more than just 'Someplace Special' for our working families to live and prosper.

I look forward to seeing you at city hall Tuesday night at 6!

Repost from a Cooper City Resident regarding Campaign Sign Theft by the Opposition Candidate...

Walt Jolliff -- Recent events in the singular election contest in Cooper City has brought out the real nature of the challenger to Commissioner John Sims. The opponent and his supporters started their campaign of destruction and thievery by stealing campaign signs during the darkness of night, signs legally placed upon local property and on business locations provided to the Sims campaign. 

 Such behavior is more like that of adolescent youngsters and it is totally unacceptable for adults who seek to govern our city. The fact that destruction and thievery of political signs not only reflects upon the character of the perpetrators and the candidate they support but is a slap in the face of the residents who regardless of their political view support the freedom of speech which allows all of us to express our view openly and without concern or fear of the stealth of vandalism during the night upon our property or the property of others. 

 The financial impact of these nefarious activities has now reached the point of constituting theft at the level of Grand Theft, that’s right grand theft. Hundreds of dollars in signs, lumber and manpower paid for by well intentioned residents in support of their candidate of choice has been tarnished by the childish acts of adults thinking that this is the political process of disapproval that we in Cooper City condone. 

Can there be any excuse for such behavior? This is not the mischievous behavior of youngsters, this is the conduct of a person or persons who seek to advocate their choice of candidate to govern our community by theft of the expression of others in their choice. 
   
I think it is time to call upon the decent law abiding residents of Cooper City to show their disapproval of this disgusting and illegal conduct by doing what all law abiding people do in our country. Express your disgust with this nefarious conduct and use your belief in the manner that all good citizens believe in. 

It is up to you to decide what type of persons you want in your local community government. One which operates during the darkness of night by destruction and thievery or one that which conducts its self openly during the light of day. It’s up to you to make the call.

 Exercise your precious right to elect the person you think can do the best on your behalf by your VOTE on Nov. 4th. I am casting my vote for John Sims.

2015 Budget Final Hearing, Storage Lot Fees & More...

I want to let everyone know that the Cooper City Commission is proposing, in the upcoming final budget hearing on Monday, September 22^nd at 6:30 PM, to approve a nearly $50 million dollar budget! During the first budget hearing on September 15^th, the only item that was discussed in regards to this entire budget was the Storage Lot Fees. Commissioner James Curran demanded that the storage lot fees remain the same and NOT be reduced, as previously promised to the Storage Lot tenants. Please come to the final budget meeting and show your support for Item 6-D-5, ‘Approving an amendment to the Lease, Lease Rates and Rules and Regulations for the Municipal Parking Facilities – Res. No. 14-9-12’. Come out and tell Commissioner Curran that we are sick and tired of him wasting our hard earned money and not living up to his promises! What do you have to say about this? Let’s keep the storage lot fees low! Please, come out and let your voice be heard!

The issue of the Cooper City Commission giving themselves a hefty pay raise is on the commission agenda for public hearings on Tuesday, October 14^th and October 28th, at 6:30 PM at City Hall. The pay raise is scheduled to be anywhere between 100 and 233%. I object to the pay raise for many reasons as I have previously stated. Please be there to voice your opinion and concerns.

The Education Advisory Board of Cooper City is sponsoring a Candidates Forum on Wednesday, October 15th at 7PM in the Cooper City Hall Auditorium. As your ‘Go To’ Commissioner, it is my pleasure to invite you to participate in this event.

The issue regarding the closure, or opening, of 53^rd street and Palm Avenue has been addressed for the ‘umpteenth time’ at our last commission meeting. I have received many, many emails and calls about this issue, and I have always supported the resident’s wishes on this issue. There are legitimate concerns by the residents who live along 53rd Street that too many vehicles use it as a through street from 106th to 100th Avenues, with many of them speeding while they do so. With the left turn blocked off, this concern was mitigated, but the traffic has had to shift up to 51st Street or down to the Sterling Springs entrance, forcing residents to wander through other streets to get to and from their homes, and simply transferring a problem from one street to another. There are no stop signs on 53rd Street, so it has been the preferred route compared to 51st with its two stop signs, for traversing from 106th to 100th. It is suspected that many of the drivers using the shortcut to 100th Avenue do not live in the neighborhood, making it even more frustrating for locals. In addition, rather than quote all of the details and facts, you can read more about it at http://aroundcoopercity.wordpress.com There is a great amount of detail in addition to the background and history synopsis of this issue which can be viewed at http://www.johnbsims.com/SW53StreetBackground.pdf

The city commission directed the city manager to remove the barrels on a temporary basis, perform another traffic study over the next few weeks if the county approves and agrees to it, which will include traffic counts, and speed monitoring on the neighborhood thoroughfares. This was the only way to get the county to do the study in order to resolve the issue in the long run. At that point, in order to be able to obtain real time and reliable data, the county will remove the barrels from Palm Avenue and perform a subsequent traffic study in order to justify stop sign implementation, enhancing the position that the 53^rd street thoroughfare is unsafe in order to possibly install stop signs in the future.

Cooper City residents will be rewarded very soon since we implemented a recycling points program. Cooper City will offer RecycleBank, an online rewards program that distributes points based on the amount of material recycled. Homeowners can trade those points for discounts at local restaurants, obtain retailer coupons and also obtain free items such as magazine subscriptions and other goodies. Currently, our residents recycle an average 150 pounds of per year which is a 20 percent increase in recycling after the city introduced the larger rollout carts last year. The truck will be weighed after each route and the points equally distributed among those who sign up for the program. Other ways to earn points are to report "green actions," such as riding a bike to the store or walking to school, taking surveys or quizzes and watching educational videos. I certainly hope RecycleBank will increase our recycling efforts, and in addition, the program will certainly help educate all of us on other ways to be "green" and also to help promote local businesses.

If you haven’t seen the new (now old) Face Book page for Cooper City, (Cooper City Community Corner) you’re too late… All of the posts, comments and the entire page have been forever deleted! That’s too bad, especially since there were over 4,000 participants, in addition to some great discussions and issues presented that directly affected you. However, you can visit my Face Book page at https://www.facebook.com/keepsims

Also…you can vote from home! Absentee ballots in Broward County will be delivered in less than a few weeks! I wanted to confirm that you’ve registered to vote by mail. If not, you can do so now, and it only takes a few minutes…Check your status, or order your absentee ballot, by clicking here right now. 

Have your vote from home counted first by voting by mail. It is the easiest and most convenient way to participate in our upcoming election. If you have any questions, email me personally at johnsims@bellsouth.net  or call me on my cell at (954) 445-6997. If you've already registered to vote from home by mail, please forward this email to your Cooper City friends and neighbors and ask them to do the same. Voting from home by mail is simple and it saves time. Sign up now and avoid the long lines and the wait!

More…

• The City Commission will hold a 2^nd Budget Hearing for FY2014-15 on September 22^nd.
• The next Regular Commission Meeting will be held on October 14^th.
• The Education Advisory Board will host a Candidates Forum on October 15^th.
• BSO will be hosting a 1-day AARP Adult Safe Driver Course on October 27^th – Register NOW.
• CrimeMapping Feature on the BSO Website allows you to view Reported Crimes in your area.
• Sign-up to receive Emergency Notifications via Text and/or E-Mail through CodeRED!

• Don’t miss the Annual Community Garage sale on October 11^th.
• The Popular Community Book Swap will be held on October 17^th.
• Register NOW for the AARP 2-Day Adult Safe Driver Course on October 29^th & 30^th.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for my next Town Hall meeting on Monday, October 20^th at 7 PM, at the City Hall Commission Chambers. Please be there to voice your concerns and to show your support!

Thank you for your unwavering and continued support, and if you would like a yard sign, please let me know. Also, any and all donations are gladly and humbly accepted. You can donate any amount on my website at http://www.KeepSims.com

Have a great weekend!

School SMART Bond, Timberlake pipe replacement & More...

I hope all of you had a great Labor Day weekend! The issue of the Cooper City Commission giving themselves a hefty pay raise is on the commission agenda for tomorrow, Thursday, September 11^that 6:30 PM at City Hall. The pay raise is scheduled to be anywhere between 100 and 233%, Why that day was picked still remains a mystery…Please be there to voice your opinion and concerns.

I would like to comment on the Utilities dept. and say what a great job they have done in managing the water pipe replacement in Timberlake! Not only has Mike Bailey and his dedicated crew done a fantastic job, but so has Killebrew, the contractor. This project is nearing completion, and there has been a minimal impact and minimal service outages throughout the development. Kudos to Killebrew and the Cooper City Utilities Department…great job!

The Flag ceremony at the community center very successful and everyone commented how well it was performed. Unfortunately, a personal commitment prevented from attending. I would however remind you that the Governor has proclaimed tomorrow as Patriot Day and has asked that all flags be flown at half-mast to remember those who gave their lives and in remembrance of the citizens who lost their lives, in addition to their families, on September 11^th. Please say a prayer or give a moment of silence for them. They will always be remembered…

On September 15, 1024 at 6.30 pm in the Cooper City Commission Chambers, a presentation will be made by of the results of a recently completed traffic study conducted Calvin & Giordano at Pioneer Middle School. As you are aware, the traffic conditions associated with the drop off and pick up of students has a deleterious impact on traffic and student safety. The study was commissioned by the City to determine what remedies, if any, could be found.  The study and its results will be presented at the Commission meeting and we request your attendance as we address this significant safety concern.

I also want to let everyone know that Cooper City is proposing (at the last budget workshop), in the upcoming budget, to appropriate a $100,000 ‘donation’ to Cooper City schools. You can see where the Cooper City portion of the $800M bond is going to be allocated at http://www.KeepSims.com/SMART.pdf What do you have to say about this? Please, let your voice be heard!

Our sewer rehabilitation contractor USSI Inc., will commence work in the Rock Creek and Flamingo Gardens areas.  This will involve work inside all of the manholes and also smoke testing of the system.  During this test, the contractor will force smoke into the sanitary sewer lines to check for leaks, breaks and defects in the system.  Prior to the smoke testing, the contractor will distribute door hangers to notify residents, and we will also follow up with another message to you in advance.  Jeff Roberson (954-434-4300 ext-118) is the administrator for this project.  Please pass this along to anyone you think might be interested and let us know if you have any questions.

If you haven’t seen the new Face Book page for Cooper City, then check it out! You can 'LIKE' the page at http://www.facebook.com/coopercitycorner  All of the posts have been great so far...LIKE and participate!

Thank you for your support and if you would like a yard sign, please let me know. Also, any and all donations are gladly and humbly accepted. Have a great weekend!

Keeping you informed,

John

Commissioner John Sims

Cooper City Commission Set To Give Themselves a 100%-233% Raise

We are asking all of our Cooper City residents to come out to the special Commission meeting on September 11th at City Hall beginning at 6:30 PM. The Commission is discussing giving themselves a minimum of a 100% to a maximum of 233% pay raise! While the charter gives them the power to do it, it doesn't state the amounts. I can't imagine themselves giving THEMSELVES that kind of an increase. As Taxpayers this will mean a minimum of $30,000.00 per year up to $70,000.00 total per year, each. It is important to remember that it is an elected position and a part-time one at that, but of course Comm. Curran will attack me on that premise. We pay a city manager over $150K to run our city.

You can view the entire discussion at the Commission Meeting at http://cooper.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2... . If you would like to see the Commissioners discuss the topic of their raises click on http://cooper.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2... and go to 1:58. We went three times around before the vote. Listen to the rationale of some of the city commission members as to why they are voting for a pay raise...ridiculous, and absurd in my humble opinion as to why the commission deserves a raise! This is all about public service, not about making money on your dime!

Apparently some on the Commission have publicly stated that I voted NO at the above referenced meeting (and I quote) 'because it is an election year'. Let me set the record straight with truth and facts...I voted NO for the reasons explained on record in the above referenced video. In addition, I have voted NO for commission pay raises at least twice in the past, since I have been so fortunate to represent your best interests, for the same reasons. Don't be fooled...I think it is absurd for the commission to ask for a pay raise when there are families in Cooper City who are still struggling to make ends meet...

Hope to see you on September 11th at 6:30 PM at City Hall.

Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/coopercitycorner

Cooper City Commission Pay Raise Survey

Please take the Poll/Survey on the issue of whether or not the Cooper City Commission should give themselves a pay raise between $12,000 and $20,000 annually, located further down on this page in the right navigation pane...

Cooper City Pay Raises, Dog Parks and more...

Effective immediately, our District 16 BSO office will serve as safe havens for online buyers and sellers to meet in our parking lot or lobby area. This initiative is expanding the public service (child custody cases, etc.) and practices we already have in place at District Offices. The District 16 Police department is located at 10580 Stirling Road, and can be reached at (954) 432-9000 (non-emergency number)

NEW! There is a new Face Book page for Cooper City! You can 'LIKE' the page at https://www.facebook.com/coopercitycorner Some of the posts have been great so far...LIKE and participate!

An issue that has arisen at the last Commission meeting is that of allowing dogs in our parks. There have been some valid and health concerns raised from residents. I have always loved dogs and don't necessarily agree with allowing them in our parks for a multitude of reasons. Health, safety and bacteria are just a few. I do however, fully SUPPORT a Dog Park in Cooper City! We have plenty of open space and funds to be able to support this effort in our community. I have already heard from numerous residents who support a dog park. Do you? Please let me know your thoughts on this issue...

One of the most controversial issues as of late has been the issue of the Cooper City Commission giving themselves a hefty pay raise. I am here to set the record straight (for the third time). You can view the entire discussion at the Commission Meeting HERE. If you would like to see the Commissioners discuss the topic of their raises click on THIS LINK and go to 1:58. We went three times around before the vote. Listen to the rationale of some of the city commission members as to why they are voting for a pay raise...ridiculous, and absurd in my humble opinion as to why the commission deserves a raise! This is all about public service, not about making money on your dime!

Apparently some on the Commission have publicly stated that I voted NO at the above referenced meeting (and I quote) 'because it is an election year'. Let me set the record straight with truth and facts...I voted NO for the reasons explained on record in the above referenced video. In addition, I have voted NO for commission pay raises at least twice in the past, since I have been so fortunate to represent your best interests, for the same reasons. Don't be fooled...I think it is absurd for the commission to ask for a pay raise when there are families in Cooper City who are still struggling to make ends meet! I am sure the 'politricks' will escalate between now and November 4th.

I also want to let everyone know that Cooper City is proposing (at the last budget workshop), in the upcoming budget, to appropriate $100,000 to Cooper City schools. While I am all for education, I also want to assure you that I do not support this effort based solely on the commentary I have received from our residents to date, especially when the Broward County School Board wants an $800+ million dollar bond referendum in November!

As I stated at the Commission Workshop meeting, I will more than likely in the very near future, be labeled as the 'anti-education/kids/schools' commissioner for opposing this unnecessary expenditure on the backs of Cooper City residents and business owners. Handing over so much money to a county run school, when our seniors need so much besides a monthly lunch and bingo, among other more pressing issues in our city, is disgraceful! What about the Charter Schools? Why shouldn't we give them the same amount (being consistent as the Commission touts)? There is still a plethora of unanswered questions...

There is absolutely no justification for this 'donation' to the school board, no cost-benefit analysis, no discussion as to the infrastructure and maintenance of such an expenditure, and (as Commissioner Green says repeatedly) we cannot set a precedent in this regard, otherwise everyone will want $100K for their cause...What do you have to say about this? Please, let your voice be heard!

On another note...The Cooper City staff invites all of you to share your stories, pictures and memorabilia about life in Cooper City. We already have a time capsule for the future. The 'PRESERVING COOPER CITY'S PAST' event is an event for residents and friends to come see our historic room and to bring and share your own pictures, documents, videos, pictures and stories from decades prior to 1980. Please join us...

The event will be held Sunday, July 27th at the Cooper City pool and Tennis Center in Rock Creek from 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, please contact the Recreation Department at (954) 434-4300 Extension 233. YOU are the key to preserving Cooper City's past!

Keeping you informed,

John

Commissioner John Sims
Your 'Go To' Commissioner

Cooper City news, asbestos, BSO, food trucks and more…

Lately there have been rumors regarding possible asbestos in our water. Let me assure you that this is not true. Our Utilities Director cleared the air and stated the facts at our last meeting, and reassured us that Cooper City still has the best quality water available and it is regularly tested for contaminants.

Cooper City has recently received a state grant for over ½ million dollars to replace our water pipes in Timberlake and have started the replacement process, with more areas to be replaced in the future. The contractors have been doing a very good job in keeping the water turned on, and have been able to accomplish the task with minimal damage to private property.

Thanks to Ron Book (our lobbyist) who was able to help in obtaining the grant money. I supported retaining Mr. Book because he was the right man for the job, even though there was opposition to my support. This grant (your tax) money has allowed us to replace the older water pipes without increasing taxes or fees in order to do so. If there are any issues that you may have with the water or the construction of the new pipes, please let me know and I will do what I can to resolve the problem as your ‘go to’ commissioner.

Our 2014-15 budget season is now upon us and we will have budget meetings on Wednesday and Thursday, July 16 and 17^th. Our budget now tops $50 million annually. There are diverse issues of our proposed budget which may interest you, and if you are interested in receiving a copy you can either email me or go to the city web site and browse the budget department to download it for yourself. If there are concerns please come to the budget meetings and voice your concerns to your commission.

Other good news in Cooper City is that our crime rate is down by nearly 15% from last year. The crime rate went from 2.83 down to 1.8. I commend Broward sheriff’s office for doing a fantastic job in keeping our communities safe. Safety of our community and our families are government’s number one priority and as such, I will continue to support BSO in order to keep you and our local business owners safe.

Our home’s taxable value increased this year. It was 8% last year and is valued at 7.35% this year. Even though this is a substantial increase, those with homestead exemption will see no more than a 1.5% increase based on the current year’s CPI.

Also there has been some discussion regarding the food truck explosion in Pennsylvania. Rest assured that I have addressed this issue with our city manager. I have been assured that the Fire Marshall will be inspecting the food trucks and will require them to have business tax receipts in addition to the inspections in order to do business in Cooper City. I hope that the city will step up and support our local businesses as much as they do the food trucks.

The $6 Million dollar "Soccer Park"...Can you say 'Red Herring'?

(Comments from a resident I was asked to post, and gladly obliged...)


What’s really going on?


What is really behind the planned $6+ million dollars to be spent on the soccer field, AKA West Sports Complex (Flamingo Road between Sterling & Griffin Roads),  Debbie Eisinger's Folly, you know the park..., the one on the far, far west side of Cooper City just south of Stirling Rd. on Flamingo Rd? 

I wonder if Southwest Ranches would like to join with us in providing a sports facility for their city. Just what every parent wants, is that their kids will have to traverse the dangerous roads and intersections at the corner of Flaming Road to get to this lavish Soccer Sports Field...Of course NOT!


Questions begin to arise when a meeting of the commission members (Workshop Scheduled May 8th 6:30 PM) is conducted in ‘secret’ (April 12, 2012). City officials quickly denied that the meeting was secret (The public was NOT notified regardless of what the city attorney opines). Strong responses from city officials proclaimed that a notice was posted on the bulletin board (inside the foyer) at city hall. The City attorney quickly jumped in with ‘legally sufficient’ applied to it and the minutes submitted (as an email from the city manager), all 24 words (in a meeting that lasted well over an hour and a half).


There were several slip ups on the veracity of the participants however...A recent blog comments to the lack of remembrance on the part of Commissioner Mallozzi (this one). City attorney syas he was not present contrary to Commissioner  Mallozzi in her published article (In the Davie & the Ranches Magazine) to the residents that the city attorney was there, Hmmm...


Commissioner Curran who, since 2008, has been designated by the city commission as being the 'Optimist Liaison', very aggressively proclaimed that he has attended some 18 meetings on the subject of  the Flamingo Soccer Park. (City personnel vigorously deny that it is a soccer park...) It is noteworthy that Commissioner Curran has never provided any commentary during commission meetings, sent any memos, discussion papers, or anything that could be construed as being informative regarding the agenda, topics, and agreements with the Cooper City Optimists regarding usage of the sports field. (Informal commentary by members of the Optimists seems to indicate that the Optimists have required that the field be designated, designed and constructed to meet the needs of the Optimists. The main purpose of which is to consolidate the fields for the convenience (ease of use) of the Optimists).


Does this raise the question...Has a deal been struck? If so with whom? What was given in return? (Let's not forget, the city attorney stated that the Optimist 'Field Use Resolution' was a valid and binding contract between the city and the Optimist club). When anyone asks for some sort of explanation, lockjaw sets in. It sounds too absurd to believe that the self declared righteousness of the Optimist Club believes that they are above reproach regarding any suggestions of political ‘quid pro quo’ regardless of somewhat dubious actions in handing

You draw your own conclusions....

(Note from Comm. Sims: As your 'Go To Commissioner' my sole concern regarding this issue is 1) Does the Optimist Club owe the City any 'Non-Resident Fees', and if so, 2) Who will be held accountable for not making that happen?

Water shut off in Timberlake

As part of the SW 51st Street Water Main Tie-in Project, water will be SHUT OFF TONIGHT at 8:00PM until 4:00AM, Friday, February 21st. The areas of shut off are as follows:  SW 92nd Avenue, from 50th Place to 51st Street  AND SW 51st Place, from 92nd Terrace to 51st Street.   Residents of these areas have all been notified.  My apologies for the late notice but I received it just this afternoon... Keeping you informed, John Commissioner John Sims www.keepsims.com

West Parking/Storage Lot Notice

The installation of the new security fence at the West RV lot will begin on Monday, February 24.  Below is a letter that will be mailed this week to persons leasing spaces in the West RV lot to notify them they will need to remove their items from the lot for two weeks during the installation.
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February 7, 2014

West RV Lot Lessee

The City of Cooper City is preparing for the installation of security fencing at the West Vehicle Storage Compound.  We are sending this courtesy letter to notify you, as the lessee of a spot in the Storage Compound, that your property (ie: vehicle, boat, trailer, camper etc) must be removed from the Vehicle Storage Compound by 5:00 P.M. Sunday, February 23, 2014.  Should your vehicle not be removed by this date, the City will have your vehicle towed by our towing contractor.  It will then be up to you, the owner, to pay for any and all expenses associated with the towing, storage and recovery of your vehicle.  In addition to the removal of your real property, all debris must be removed from your spot and surrounding area.  Any and all items left behind will be permanently removed and disposed of by the City.  We anticipate this project to be completed by 9:00 A.M. Saturday, March 8, 2014, at which time you can re-enter the storage compound.  There will be absolutely no public access to the storage compound during this work period.

The City has notified Code Enforcement of the project and the need for all vehicles to be stored elsewhere.  During the week of February 23 thru March 8, 2014, you will be allowed to store your recreational/commercial vehicle at your residence.  Please keep this letter as acknowledgement by the City of permission to park your recreational/commercial vehicle at your residence.  Should you have any questions please contact the Public Works Department at 954-434-2300.

Keeping you informed,

John

Commissioner John Sims

Commentary on the Cooper City Budget Regarding Meals on Wheels and the new 'Soccer Park'

In last month's Davie & the Ranches Magazine, Commissioner's Mallozzi & Curran wrote op-ed articles for regarding the expenses, budget and recreational facilities in Cooper City. Commissioner Mallozzi rightfully noted the sad and abrupt loss of the much needed Meals on Wheels program which is designed to supplement fixed income senior's and to keep them healthy and alive, allowing them to survive within their extremely limited means of doing so. 

Commissioner Curran's article boastfully commented on the city commission earmarking $1.6 million dollars for the new so-called 'Soccer Park' on the West side of Stirling Road and Flamingo Road, among other expenses not designed to do anything except make us 'look good' in his opinion. Needless to say, I found it incredibly but typically absurd that Commissioner Mallozzi would lament the City's loss of the Meals on Wheels program, supposedly for lack of funds (The City will profit to the tune of $13M this year, or more), while Commissioner Curran spreads the self aggrandized joy of a $1.6 million dollar seemingly unnecessary expenditure for a 'Soccer Park' that really is not needed in my opinion. In addition, there have been no meaningful discussions, nor are there any specific facts whatsoever to support this expenditure! 

While I find spending money for the new Soccer Park versus "sorry, we have no money for feeding hungry old folks" deplorable and unconscionable  I regard it as a symptom of a much larger disease that has infiltrated the current Cooper City commission, spending other people's money on 'feel good' items rather than absolute necessities under the guise of "We are cleaning up Cooper City so it doesn't look like West Hollywood"...

Many residents, including myself, want to know why we are spending millions of taxpayer dollars without any "due diligence" having been done regarding the absolute need for a 'Soccer Park', one which will more than likely not be able to be used by the public and their kids...just like at the 'other park' located just East on Stirling Road.

As a final comment, our City Commission has several members who speak of their religious faith and even practice it in government owned facilities, but fail to understand that Jesus' command to feed the hungry comes way before spending taxpayer dollars on seemingly unnecessary recreational facilities, especially one which has no data to support its construction.

To paraphrase a more secular source, pride tends to be at the bottom of all our mistakes. In this case, the self-aggrandizement of a Soccer Park supersedes any interest by the Commission in the Meals program...and oh yes Commissioner Curran, I disagree on one other subject…Kids + Sports does not equal success, Kids + Reading, Writing and Arithmetic makes success!