Action on many fronts in Plantation

Well, folks, it’s September and that means activity is picking up. I have some updates on schools, activity by us city leaders and a couple of other notes. Let’s dive in:

EAB doing well

 The relationship between our schools and our city continues to strengthen. We had principals from six of our 10 public schools in Plantation show up at the monthly Education Advisory Board meeting on Sept. 9.

 First off, plaudits go to them for enduring yet another meeting. Second, the EAB, acting as an arm of the city, and the principals had good exchanges over what we can do to help. They also gave updates that can then be shared with city leaders. The main project, led by EAB chair Andrew Dolberg, is to beautify the schools: That could mean fund-raising for plants, tapping into a business connection or even putting on your gloves and getting down to digging.

If interested, contact him at ASDolberg@Gmail.com.

Friends of the Library

 I attended a gathering for Helen B. Hoffman library supporters on Sept. 9, something that I likely should have done, oh, 25 years ago. But better late than never. The highlight of the morning for me came when members announced that a book sale the weekend before raised almost $1,700.

Overall, the Friends raised about $43,000 last year to help the library. The group meets again Oct. 14, with snacks and social at 9:30 a.m. and getting down to business at 10 a.m.

 Spine road

 Mayor Lynn Stoner showed members of the Midtown Advisory Board the route for a “spine road” traversing between University Drive and Pine Island and running from Cleary Boulevard to Peters Road. The road will divert some people who likely would take either major artery. (If you haven’t noticed, we’re trying to improve traffic flow on those two roads.)

 The mayor also reported that outside funding has been approved for a bridge that would go over the canal between University and Pine Island and lead cars onto westbound State Road 84, with work starting in 2021. The city needs to pay only for the design. So the Midtown board voted to support using no more than $700,000 from its fund to improve the spine road and help us get the bridge.

Budget progress

 The city council approved the first reading of the tax rate and the budget for Oct. 1, 2019, through Sept. 30, 2020. There are two readings, both with opportunities for public input. I will likely devote next week’s newsletter totally to the details of the budget. For now, let’s just say I’ve been in “college finals mode,” lugging around a 474-page three-ring notebook with all the details.

The council meets again at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, to finalize the budget.

Personal note

 I’ve been a little more home bound in recent days, following a knee scope on Sept. 10 to treat a torn meniscus on my right knee. Recovery has not been difficult, other than following doctors’ orders to stay off my feet. My thanks, as usual, to my wife, Robyn, for all the TLC, and the, um, gentle reminders to take it easy.

Coming up

 You could skip Wednesday’s council meeting, or even do both: Hump Day Food Truck Night runs from 5-9 p.m. at Volunteer Park 12050 W. Sunrise Blvd. There also will be music and a full bar.

The annual indoor flea market to benefit the Plantation Historical Society is from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Volunteer Park. Call 954-797-2722.

This newsletter originates on NickSortal.com and is shared via various platforms. The best way to get it is to subscribe to my Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/NickSortalPlantationCityCouncil. Sharing is encouraged. My email is NSortal@Plantation.org and my phone is 954-498-5337.