2012 Cooper City Taxation: Is It moral? Is It Good Public Policy

- Bigger % increases on low income families than higher ones?

- Taxing champions --- AGAIN! When people are hurting?
   Leads all Broward tax authorities in the tax increases for residents!

- Bad economics--- how are people to increase spending and job
  creation locally if the Cooper City government takes more of their
  squeezed incomes?

Hard to believe? Yet that is what 4 commission members and some on the staff seem to be supporting.

1. Their tax/fee package will result in those with lower valued homes paying a bigger % increase than those of us with higher valued homes.

A sample of 13 homes shows the following % increases in Cooper City taxes

Market value per Tax Appraiser       % Cooper City                  % increase all other
                                                          tax increase                         Broward govs

$100,000 to $199,999                              6.9                                      (1.8)

$200,000 to $299,999                              4.4                                      (2.1)

$300,000 plus                                         3.2                                      (3.1)

So, Cooper City is raising taxes and fees while the others are decreasing them.

Taxing champions AGAIN! AND, hitting the lower income folks hardest.
Taxes include the normal property taxes and the fire assessment “fee”. Re: the
Fire assessment “fee’: to paraphrase Harry Truman.
"If it is on your tax bill, looks like a tax, is collected like a tax and you pay it with the same check, it’s a tax."

This form of taxation is called regressive taxation, where you hit the lower income people by a higher % than those with higher incomes.

I doubt that 5 % of Americans support this or believe it to be just and moral.


2. Bad economic policy. It is a form of Cooper City economic de-stimulus.
We all know the hard times many of our people face. Governments taking more purchasing power out of the hands of consumers will decrease consumer spending and job creation. It will add its bit to our economic problems. You can count on a major fraction of the tax increase resulting in lower local consumer spending, jobs and sales.

Broward Senior Hall of Fame

May is OLDER AMERICANS MONTH and isn't it lovely that the older residents are recognized and honored in the Month of May!



"The golden days of our lives should be celebrated with the respect and dignity merited by years of service and commitment toward building a beautiful America.


As pioneers of the past, today's seniors paved the paths
to preserve democracy. Many will be our Nation's
role models for the future. They are our heroes forever."


         Edith Schaffer Lederberg, author
         Executive Director, Areawide Council on Aging

This past Friday morning I had the honor and privilege to attend the Broward Senior Hall of Fame Breakfast at Diamante's Banquet Center. Eleven Broward County Seniors were inducted into the Senior Hall of Fame started by Dr. Nan S. Hutchison. This was the twenty-eighth Annual Installation Breakfast. I have been very fortunate in attending a number of them over the years. It is so very moving to see those seniors as they approached the podium to receive their honor for their volunteering in their Communities.


One inductee, Maria Thereza Mayo, used a walker to the podium. A tiny lady with beautiful white hair and a great voice. At 92 years young, she conducts the water aerobic class in her community EVERY day--seven days per week! What a wonderful spirit!


Cooper City's SHINE Volunteer(Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders), Bea Hedigan, was among the eleven who were inducted into this year's Hall of Fame. Bea could not attend, however, her beautiful granddaughter accepted for her. I know Bea was with us in spirit and I am very proud to know Bea and her great work with the Seniors in Cooper City.


Broward County Commissioner Lois Wexler was also inducted. I was very pleased to sit at her table with her, her daughter and friends. I have known Commissioner Wexler for many years during which she has helped me in my endeavors time and time again.


I have had Cooper City friends who were inducted into the Senior Hall of Fame:


1983 Phyllis Werner
1989 Constance J. Senatore
1985 Lillian Hargan
1995 Eleanor Locascio
2011 Bea Hedigan




"And when we see their pride in life
Portrayed by deeds that touch our lives,
Hearts beat in cadence to their march
Into Eternity's Hall of Fame!"


 Edith Schaffer Lederberg, author


Posted by
Gladys Wilson

Cooper City Seniors' Luncheon

The December 22 Christmas Luncheon at the Community Center for the Cooper City Seniors  was  abuzz  with laughter, happy greetings and hugs,  and smiling  folks!   Colorful Christmas decorations on the tables and walls with the lovely volunteers wearing their Santa hats brightened the room.  This was the setting for a bountiful buffet luncheon served at Noon.



As the guests arrived, Santa Claus (Commissioner Jamie Curran) stood in an alcove to greet them and a photographer took pictures of Santa and guests.  These pictures were ready to pickup prior to the guests leaving the luncheon.  What a great treat!


The seventy Cooper City residents who attended  went through the line with sliced ham or meatballs and ziti as their entree choices and a huge variety of vegetables and salads.  Two long tables held the many different pies, cakes, brownies and cookies  from which to choose for dessert.  Many groaned and declared they were so "full" but continued to make dessert selections!

Commissioners John Sims, Jeff Green, Lisa Mallozzi and City Manager Bruce Loucks attended and talked with the guests.  Commissioner Green and Mr. Loucks helped serve.  Their presence added to the joy of the day!


Games preceded the luncheon  with lotto scratch-off tickets as prizes.  The beautiful poinsettias which were the centerpiece of each table were taken home by a winner  sitting at that table.


The guests left  having enjoyed a delicious  luncheon with their friends and neighbors, having  talked with  Santa Claus and carrying the cherished pictures taken with him.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all!

Attention Cooper City Seniors

Identity thieves target Medicare recipients – again
By Bob LaMendola, Sun Sentinel
3:20 PM EST, December 10, 2010


Florida seniors are again getting phone calls from scammers trying to steal personal and financial information, this time by claiming a Medicare HMO owes them a refund.
The callers in the latest scheme claim to work for insurance giant Humana or its CarePlus subsidiary, and say they need the senior's birth date, Social Security, bank account and Medicare numbers to arrange the refund, Humana officials said.


Scammers typically use such information to take out credit or debit cards in the senior's name and run up big bills. It's unclear if any seniors have given the callers their personal details or had any money stolen, company spokesman Mitchell Lubitz said.
In one case, a Medicare recipient in Hialeah arranged for the caller to come to her house to pick up money for a Medicare payment but notified Humana and summoned police, who arrested the person on the spot, Lubitz said.


The callers do not work for the health plans, and officials try to track them, Lubitz said. Medicare forbids insurers from making sales calls to seniors unless they ask in advance for a call, so an HMO sales agent on the phone should be a red flag, Lubitz said.
"Seniors are not going to get unsolicited calls from a legitimate health plan. And any legitimate caller is certainly not going to ask for their personal details," Lubitz said. "It's emanating from South Florida so far. This is the time of year when seniors have to be extra careful."


Like most U.S. seniors, Florida's 3.3 million Medicare recipients are in the midst of signing up for 2011 coverage through Dec. 31. Most are getting letters and invitations to promotional signup events and may be talking to agents from HMOs and drug plans.
Scammers have stepped up phony cold calls to seniors in the past five years, since Medicare started offering prescription drug coverage through insurers. Medicare has issued warnings about the problems regularly, including twice this year.


The government urges seniors to be skeptical when someone asks for personal details and to give the information only to people they are sure about.

Bob LaMendola can be reached at blamendola@SunSentinel.com or 954-356-4526.
Copyright © 2010, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Less Than 48 Hours To Go! "LET'S MAKE THIS A HUGE VICTORY-GW"

Message from Commissioner John Sims;

We Need Your Help

Having fought a tough battle, I am now about to meet an important deadline in less than 48 hours. You have been incredible throughout this campaign, but it's not over.

Those that would like to continue to raise taxes and use government and your hard-earned money as the solution to our economic crisis, are targeting you and me in Cooper City’s election.

I need your help to make sure we keep this seat in the hands of those that understand big government and control of your purse strings is not the answer. HERE is why you should vote for John Sims!

Please help us spread our message by supporting the campaign with your vote on Tuesday, November 2nd. Your vote is an investment in Cooper City, and in our future.

While the support and friendship is greatly appreciated, I respectfully ask that you help in any way possible to get out the vote and do so by making a personal plea and calling 5 of your friends and neighbors in Cooper City, and having them call 5 of their friends by tomorrow, asking for their support.

Regardless of how much you were able to generously donate to the campaign, which is greatly appreciated, you will be an important part of our success, and I will be extremely grateful for your support.

Enjoy your day and have a safe Halloween!

Sincerely,

John Sims
954-445-6997
www.KeepSims.com


P.S. Help us meet our vote numbers in this election! Don’t forget to call 5 of your friends today and ask for their support! Ask them to do the same! Thank you!






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RAY IS HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL!

Ray and I want to thank everyone in Cooper City for their caring concern and prayers for Ray's recovery. It is so great to know we live in such a lovely City of neighbors who care and express their concerns!

Thank you
Gladys and Ray Wilson
Mattie and Trixie, our dogs, were so very happy to see him as well.

Cooper City Civic Group Candidates Night No Shows

Response to the anonymous remark: Why should candidates show up to the Civic Group's Candidates night when they have selected their favorite candidates.

The Cooper City Civic Group remains non partisan however its members can be partisan and have favorite candidates and use their signs and campaign for them BUT THE CIVIC GROUP IS A NON PARTISAN GROUP. Their Candidates Night was very professionally produced and conducted. No partiality, no deviation from its professionalism of all the years past!!

Thanks for your question!

We respect your Right to Freedom of Speech BUT.....

Cooper City residents do respect everyone's Right to Free Speech BUT...

Outside the doors to the Cooper City Hall Auditorium, prior to the OCTOBER 26TH City Commission Meeting, stood a former City Commissioner passing out a printed page of absolute lies and lies by omission regarding a sitting Commissioner!

How very sad this person feels so disenfranchised that he would think he "should inform our residents" by way of this printed sheet of lies. Especially when this person, as a City Commissioner, was deeply involved in the "Drinking and Dining scandal" of just a few years ago. This is the scandal in which the present Mayor and the then Commissioners went out to eat and drink in order to become better acquainted! All this on the residents Tax Dollars, too! If he is so involved in "telling the truth", why did he not reveal this drinking and dining aspect of his Mayor and fellow Commissioners? Never a word until a reporter revealed the scandal on Channel 4!

His method of telling lies via a piece of printed paper is a definite display of the lack of character and integrity which we would expect from a former Commissioner.

THEN there is the person who gets up at the Open Meeting portion of the Commission Meetings and reads her litany of "right to free speech" denigrating and lying about a particular City Commissioner about whom she has very negative feelings. She is a "wanna be" Commissioner!

She feels she has to have a BSO Deputy to escort her to her vehicle following the Meetings. Actually, not a single resident would approach her because her lies and spewed vitriol could be turned upon them!

Elliot Kleiman and Diane Sori are not protected by the Freedom of Speech portion of the First Amendment because the Supreme Court has established that the First Amendment does NOT guarantee persons the right to communicate their views"at all times or in any manner that may be desired"!

The City Commissioner about whom they spew their vitriol is the only one who really does his homework and speaks with absolute knowledge of the topic at hand. He is the only Commissioner to whom the residents can go and then be assured their problem will be solved! Yes, our "Go To" Honorable Commissioner John Sims!

Just why do Diane Sori and Elliot Kleiman feel they must behave publicly like fools at election time? This entire scene is very sad and should never happen in Cooper City!

Commissioner Sims has been a fine representative of District 1 and he will continue to be so when he is re-elected on November 2.

Our Cooper City residents simply do not fall for the likes of Kleiman and Sori who show up at election time to attack!

VOTE ON NOV. 2 AND VOTE FOR THE GO TO COMMISSIONER JOHN SIMS.

The Candidates Forum -- 10-25-10

This Blogger's perception of the remarks made by the Candidates tonight....WORDS...WORDS...WORDS.

As everyone might know, This Blogger has attended years and years of Candidates Nights and Candidates Forums....more than 24 years of them! Then following the elections, This Blogger has observed those same candidates who were elected to sit upon the dais. Very interesting!

Two very diverse groups were seated at the front of the auditorium:

1. The Candidates who are truly knowledgeable about what they spoke and
2. The Candidates who were truly unaware of, and had no knowledge about what they spoke, BUT did they ever speak!

Group No. 1. Commissioner John Sims, Candidates David Nall and Dan Barrett.

Commissioner Sims spoke from the heart and was passionate about the financial problems which he recognizes will face Cooper City in the next few years. He also mentioned how to solve those problems. He has had excellent business experience as an executive, in budgets, payroll, hiring and firing.

Candidate David Nall spoke specifically about the financial problems which face this City and offered ways to solve them through having more experienced financial men on the dais to work together in solving those problems to get Cooper City back into solvency. And the residents won't have to face higher taxes and fees each year!

He is a family man, volunteered to work and play with his children and the children of others through the Optimists, has a responsible and full time job in the financial field. He, like Comm. Sims, was specific and knows exactly about what he spoke.

Candidate Dan Barrett has also worked full time as an executive
in the corporate business world. He, too, is a financial man who has done the Budget routine, payrolls, through hard economic times and good economic times. He is fully knowledgeable in operating a successful and profitable business.

Then there is Group 2. The Group who used many, many words but absolutely NOTHING SPECIFIC in those words. Ms. Megna talked so fast that she really lost the listenener very quickly. She simply used WORDS.....WORDS.......WORDS that said NOTHING!
had no meaning in how they were used and described NOTHING concrete with regard to tthose serious financial problems facing the City. And, she works for a government entity not a private corporate business. Her current job pays her with our tax dollars.

Mr. Laufenberg uses WORDS as well. Many words. BUT NOT RELATING TO OR SPECIFIC ABOUT the financial problems of our City. His professional career has been in one field: real estate. Just how much does he know about Budgets, P & L reports, CAFR's? WORDS, WORDS, WORDS, many WORDS, do not provide us any detail regarding his knowledge or lack of knowledge in operating a City's financial department.

Why should he have to worry about that little old thing called Cooper City's under funded pension funds? Taxes which keep rising and fees which are illegally increased? He has Judy Stern and Debby Eisinger supporting him for his seat on the dais. If he knows and meets so many residents as he said, has he not heard about the Tax and Spend Mayor which Cooper City has? Has he not heard about the over 400 homes in foreclosure and yet he works in real estate? Has he not heard how unhappy the residents are at seeing their property taxes increased every year? What about jobs lost, underemployment? Little or no money in families to live a decent life in Cooper City?

And then there is Ms. Mallozzi! My gosh, she is a busy person attending all those meetings and holding all those positions in those meetings. Why did she not use the information which she claimed to learn at these meetings to improve life in Cooper City? We never heard one thing from her about all those meetings while she sat on the dais. Did she never learn anything which could be used by our City Finance Director to save our pensions? to save the cancelled shuttle bus for our residents? And, how hard is it to get a cross walk for our Seniors? She couldn't do it with all her meetings, could she?

AND, what about all those endorsements which she listed as received for her re-election to the Commission? It is this Blogger's opinion that endorsements are not worth the paper on which they are written if they cannot be used to help the City in some way. Our tax dollars spent for nothing for our benefit!

ENDORSEMENTS...ENDORSEMENTS...ENDORSEMENTS...........WORDS...WORDS...WORDS.....RATTLE....RATTLE....RATTLE!
Can anyone name one thing achieved by Ms. Mallozzi while on the Commission which earned her all those endorsement?

Ms. Mallozzi's husband's paycheck comes from his working for a government and is tax dollars.

Mr. Green's job is WORDS! His job requires him to interact with the public. WORDS...WORDS...WORDS... Mr. Green's paycheck comes from our tax dollars by his working for the Government!
Mr. Green has never built a Budget from scratch, written a P & L Sheet bec ause the Federal government is not interested in profit or loss, after all, they just get more and more of our tax dollars!
His job is WORDS! not worrying about Cooper City's under funded pension funds like Comm. Sims, Mr. Nall and Mr. Barrett!

Ms. Megna, Mr. Laufenber and Mr. Green appeared at the Chamber of Commerce Candidates Forum BUT they did NOT appear at the Cooper City Civic Group's Candidates Night on Oct. 21. Was it fear, was it the lack of cameras and microphones? Or was it simply the disrespect of the folks at the Cooper City Civic Group? Disrespect which will be shown by them to the residents if they ever sit on the dais!

On a personal note

Gladys Wilaon's husband Ray is in the hospital. He was taken there late last Saturday night after a fall in their home. He is currently undergoing tests to determine the problem.

We all wish for the very best and will keep Ray and Gladys in our prayers during this difficult time.

1. Have You Had Enough ,,,,Yet? OR, 2. Enough is Enough?

Yes, We have had enough! And, yes, Enough is Enough! How dumb do the Mayor's Pets think we are? Frankly, we are not dumb at all!!

The Cooper City Civic Group held its Candidates Night last Thursday. We had a very good crowd attending. Filled the room!
Many took advantage of our refreshments others did not. BUT, the refreshment table was very neat and no mess to clean up! Respect was shown to the Hostess!

The Candidates spoke, were very civil, pleasant and knew their business! The audience was also very quiet, respectful of the speakers and asked some hard questions. But the exchange remained polite and respectful. Absolutely nothing out of line.
Mutual Respect!

Comm. Mallozzi chose to attend the meeting because her opponent was going to be there. We give her credit for that.

The Mayor's other candidates, Megna, Laufenberg and Green chose not to attend. They were either afraid of the questions which they would be asked or ashamed to appear because of the horrid, untrue words and deeds which were spoken and circulated by e mail regarding Comm. Simms and Candidate Nall. Their absence reflected negatively on their character, integrity and honesty.

By the way, has anyone seen the Mayor's red Lexus automobile with the Gary Laufenberg sign emblazoned on the hood? He cannot deny he is a Mayor's "pet" candidate! Extremely UNPROFESSIONAL of the Mayor. She really wants everyone to know she supports his candidacy, doesn't she?

However, the residents all have the same question regarding Candidate Laufenberg who worked for Debby Eisinger's former brother-in-law for over 20 years preparing titles and papers for real estate closings. $600,000 of client's money disappeared and the brother-in-law was disbarred. How could Gary Laufenberg work for that business for over 20 years and NOT KNOW what was going on within the business and with his boss?

If Laufenberg could look the "other way" in those circumstances, do you think he could look the "other way" while the Mayor continues her Tax and Spend. Spend, Spend actions? Lets not give him a chance!

Ms. Megna says she wants to be able to continue to walk her dog at 5:30 am by keeping Cooper City safe! Many of us dog owners walk our dogs late at night or very early in the morning, I have not heard of a dog being attacked in the past 26 years, have you? Walk your dog, Ms. Megna, you are safe because of other residents speaking at the Meetings and Comm. SIMS who VOTED to keep all residents safe with the additional BSO Deputies!

Comm. John SIMS ADVOCATED AND VOTED FOR the additional Deputies to our BSO roster. Where has she been? We are safe on our streets! Recently, she claimed to have attended Commission Meetings in the past year BUT that vote for additional Deputies took place several years ago, where was Ms. Megna?

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! NO MORE TAX AND SPEND!

KEEP Commissioner John Sims in his seat and we KNOW the Mayor won't be able to continue her TAX and SPEND ways if David NALL and Dan BARRETT are also sitting on the dais!

VOTE FOR HONEST, INTELLIGENT, RESPONSIBLE AND RESPONSIVE CITY GOVERNMENT.

KEEP ....John SIMS
ELECT...David NALL and
...Daniel BARRETT

It is time the residents receive respect from our City Administrators, Mayor and Commission! We absolutely will with SIMS, NALL and BARRETT!

If anyone needs a ride to the polls, call 954-434-1047, Gladys Wilson. Please call prior to Nov. 2 so we can set up an appointment for you.

Cooper City Civic Group Candidates Night Meeting 10-21-10

The Cooper City Civic Group's Candidates Night Meeting took place tonight with three of the candidates missing. Melissa Magna, Gary Laufenberg and Jeff Green who sent their regrets but made no excuse for not attending! Like a death in the family!

This is the first time in 11 years that our Group has held Candidates Night and had candidates not appear. We can assume that the disrespect which those three showed our Group will remain the same if they were to be elected to the Commission. That is with complete and utter disrespect for the older folks in the City!

Melissa Magna, Gary Laufenberg and Jeff Green are the Mayor's picks to win this election. We all know the Mayor disrespects the Elders in Cooper City so these three reflect how she treats the Elders! The good news is: they will become Elders one day, too!!! Even better news will be that they did not win their seats on the Commission! Commissioners should show compassion and respect for ALL residents from the little children to the Elders!

Commissioner John Sims, Candidates Dan Barrett, David Nall and Commissioner Lisa Mallozzi attended and each had the opportunity to speak and answer questions for 15 minutes.

This length of time permitted them to freely express themselves as well as answer questions from the audience. The audience had some very pertinent questions to ask!

Everyone attending expressed how much they had learned and enjoyed meeting the candidates for a more relaxed period of time.

The meeting was moderated in a very professional manner
by Gladys Wilson. As she has done in all the previous years of the Civic Group Candidate Nights!

Monday, October 25th at 7 PM, The Davie/Cooper City Chamber of Commerce will present their Candidates Forum at Cooper City Hall. It will be interesting to actually hear Melissa Magna, Gary Laufenberg and Jeff Green talk about the issues which are important to the residents.

All Ms. Magna has said is that she would like to be able to continue to walk her dog at 5:30 am each day and feel safe. Gary said he is interested in keeping the Broward School Boundaries in order. (City Commissioners do not perform those duties, The Broward School Board does!). Jeff Green has not made a statement on anything of great importance or else this writer would remember! So, we look forward to Monday's Forum and to hear the sound of their voices and what they have to say!




Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 6 PM will be the Cooper City Commission Meeting.

The Time has come to take Control

What this Cooper City really needs is business oriented leadership. The total budget of Cooper City is pushing 50 Million, that's right Gertrude, Five O Million, that is Fifty with 6 zeros.

The Mayor has never, that’s never held a responsible job with any financial authority based upon her entire resume. Thus, she can be and quite frankly has been led down a trail of financial legerdemain, ( AKA Sleight of hand or prestidigitation as in the set of techniques used by a magician (or financial types ) to manipulate numbers or coins secretly.)

The commissioner from Embassy ( you know the one, "I'm good with that",) was elected on the skirt tails of the Mayor. His job resume is sorely lacking in budgets, financial analysis or other sorely needed skills required for the challanges of this administration. Neal, "I'm getting out of here" de Jesus has shown little business leadership and even far less ‘stand up and do the right thing’ when it comes to budgetary control. But he does do a fine job driving around the city and directing the Public Works personnel on what streets need fixing first. Good Luck, and I hope that Al has a strong constitution.


The PTA Mom, Commissioner Lisa Mallozzi, has done a really good job at the school. Unforunately her background suggests no experience with financial responsibility (please disregard her personal foreclosures) and her past performance on the commission clearly shows no understanding of these matters. (however, rumor has it she is great on tape recording, splicing and other covert operations. I hear that the CIA is recruiting.)

Cooper City is on the verge of going off the cliff of financial debt on Pension Funds and other less visible areas. The legacy, if this continues, will be a taxable nightmare of historic proportions to be borne by the homeowners of Cooper city.
BTW, Commissioner Mallozzi does NOT own and therefore does not pay any taxes on property in Cooper City.

The time come has come for a realistic look at the Commission of Cooper City and the awakening of the TAXPAYERS and VOTERS is NOW. Let's make some positive changes.

It is as easy as 1 2 3,Vote Dist.1 Sims, Dist. 2 Nall, and Dist. 3 Barrett.

Cooper City Commission POLITRICKS at their VERY WORST!

This Blogger told you Politricks in The Commission race would get down and dirty: you know by now they really are!

The Cooper City Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) Police Benevolent Association (Union) "selects their picks" for our City Commission. They have done so for this race AND, in This Blogger's opinion, The PBA have selected the worst possible candidates as "their choices"!

I heard who one of the "choices" was BEFORE they interviewed that person's opponent.

They, meaning our Cooper City BSO PBA union member deputies, who are sworn to uphold the law and protect our safety, did not follow the letter of the law when they made these decisions! Remember, OUR TAX DOLLARS pay for their rental services.

Of their selections, one is a former employee of the Mayor's brother-in-law(since divorced) who is more concerned about School Boundaries than our City's Tax and Spend Commission and Mayor! School Boundaries are in the care of the School Board not our Commission. He has known the Mayor for over 20 years.

Another is the wife of a Police Officer who just happens to be a really nice guy! She does not understand nor does she know how a business is run, and certainly is totally in the dark about our City Budget and City Finances. A close friend of the Mayor's!

The third, who ran for a commission seat around 2005, knew absolutely nothing about how the City is operated and especially, nothing about the Budget and money operation of the City. BUT, he is employed by the FBI in their employee division NOT an agent.

Are you seeing the picture yet? I will help: A. very long time friend of Debby Eisinger; B. husband a cop but not an active helpful commissioner for her District, very close to the Mayor; C. works for FBI but not an agent, knows little to nothing about the City's government!

Selections made without PBA interviewing all candidates in order to SELECT THE BEST CANDIDATE! Kind of appears as if the Mayor made those selections FOR the PBA, doesn't it?

HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH.....YET?

FOR AN HONEST AND FINANCIALLY SMART COMMISSION. IT IS AS EASY AS 1, 2, 3

District 1 JOHN SIMS
District 2 DAVID NALL
District 3 DANIEL BARRETT

IS ENOUGH REALLY ENOUGH?

Cooper City Residents think seriously about that vote you will cast on Tuesday, November 2 for our Cooper City Commission candidates!

Have you had enough of the current TAX AND SPEND Commission?

Have you had enough of our services being cancelled or cut back yet you are paying more and more of your money to the City for those services which you no longer have available to you?

Have you had enough of the careless and reckless spending by your City Commissioners to their friends?

Cooper City Residents, HAVE YOU HAD ENOUGH .....YET?

If so, please read on to learn how to show City Hall you HAVE HAD ENOUGH! No more reckless spending! No more cutting our services while increasing the budget spending! No more new City vehicles! No more City Budgets which are so difficult to read because you CANNOT FOLLOW THE MONEY? No more of the lack of transparency at City Hall? No more unresponsive City Government!

To change the present City Commission to a resident friendly and business oriented, financially responsible City Commission.
It is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

VOTE FOR:

District 1 John SIMS
District 2 David NALL
District 3 Daniel BARRETT

If you need transportation, please call 954-434-1047, for Gladys.
We will pick you up and deliver you back home AFTER you have voted.

Remember 1, 2, 3.

Candidate Night @ the Community Center

THE COOPER CITY CIVIC GROUP

will hold its Election Year Candidates Night

Thursday, October 21 at 7 PM

Cooper City Community Center


We invite and welcome all Cooper City Commission Candidates
to participate in our Program.

Please send with your RSVP
a short Bio/Info prior to October 15 for introductions.

We look forward to seeing you and having you share your thoughts and plans for Cooper City with our audience.

Thank you.

Gladys Wilson, President
THE COOPER CITY CIVIC GROUP

rwilsonatcc@cs.com

Seniors are a Part of Cooper City

To All Concerned Residents of Cooper City,

I learned today that Kathie Osborn, who has been with the City since Nov. 1, 2008, as Recreation Supervisor, at the Community Center has quit for another position which she says is "more suited to her training" In Sunrise.

She and Neal de Jesus coworkers at the Sheridan House are now both leaving. Any connection? I don't know!

As far as we know there are no plans to hire another person for the Seniors. Patti McGuire Williamson), the fulltime bus driver for the Shuttle bus which was cancelled July 8, has been kept on since the Shuttle was cancelled. I suppose this is the reason why. She is to take over "some of Kathie's duties". Which ones we do not know yet and probably will not be told!

What this means is the Seniors will not have a full time "Director" since Cindy Healy left and our participating population has dropped tremendously since 2008.

The Meals on Wheels Program, known to many and assisted financial by Ed Wooley and Walt Jolliff may be in jeopardy and another victim of fiscal arbitrariness. Sandy Miller, the Meals on Wheels program coordinator, was told that she needs to up the participation to 20 people per day. This is nearly impossible without help which has NOT been received from the City. I and others have kept the attendance at least 6 per day.

Why the suddenly need to increase more than three fold to 20 meals per day rather than the earlier mentioned 6 per day or they may have to shut down Cooper City's Meals on Wheels program? Just when Kathie Osborn is leaving? Sandy was advised that , "I hate to do it but we may have to close your program in Cooper City". That would mean Sandy an employee and resident of Cooper City would lose her much needed job!

It should be pointed out that NO help has been received from anyone at the Recreation Center or City Hall for any Senior Programs, trips or activities.

I had Emailed the city manager Bruce Loucks, Linda Good, Ken Richardson, and Kathie Osborne about a week ago to alert them to the Cooper City High School production of the play HAIRSPRAY. $10.00 per ticket. The Elders residents really enjoy that type of program. It is very inexpensive, easy to get to and a live play performance!

I have previously mentioned to Kathie about the idea of asking the Cooper City High School if the seniors could come to a dress rehearsal of their Band near Christmas when they prepare for their annual Concert. Again, easy to get to, cost is free, and the Elders would love it immensely.

My EMAILS HAVE BEEN IGNORED! Does City Hall suffer from email aversion?

The Summer camp program has all kinds of activities and an ample supply of employees as well as the NO School days and school vacation times. Most often the they use the City bus for all kinds of trips!

It is utterly contemptible how the recreation department has treated the Elder population in Cooper City. Their programs are few and "old hat", the same ones year after year. New suggestions are typically ignored!

The luncheons which they have each month cost us $3.00 per person and we have to take a "dish or dessert". Ray's and my lunch on that day exceeds $11.00 to $13.00! I make a fresh fruit bowl with honeydew, cantaloupe, watermelon, pineapple, strawberries and grapes. Sometimes the out of season fruit is not included. The folks love it. Sure, because they don't get it often and it is different from store-bought desserts or a can of green beans, store made potato salad or coleslaw. Ray and I have always done more than our share in order to really make it nice for others.

The Shuttle Bus has been cancelled and Mary Marchetta, who lives at Baffy Woods, a young 91 years, told me last Friday, she stays home on Saturdays now. She and others used to get on the bus and go have lunch and do some shopping. They are no longer able to do enjoy that outing. No bus service on Saturdays! So, they sit home contemplating their ‘Golden Years‘.

The City paid $450.00 for the July 28th SENIOR FORUM, conducted by Steven Person, reportedly from FIU. I had asked for a copy of his conclusions when it came to the City. I finally received a copy about 2 weeks ago after e-mailing several requests to the City. I can tell you one thing, if they paid that man for that report, then I am a monkey's uncle! Poor grammar, bad spelling, repeated phrases, my gosh, a 5th grader could have done a better job than he did. No letterhead, name and address typed on the sheet but no phone or email address or contact numbers. It is a joke, and a bad one at that.

I have been active at our Community Center for over 22 years and I know what they are doing; reducing the services for the Senior population (because nothing is of interest there) and probably others as well so that this will be a building which can go to the Broward School Board as well.

The Elders of this City should be treated better than this. We should be searching them out and offering proper activities, lunches, transportation and other functions etc., In the Same Manner as They do for all of the Other age groups.

Thank you for reading this message. This was said without a single naughty word, too! But I am just as passionate about our Seniors in Cooper City as I am about the taxes. I cannot in all good conscious sit by and let this situation continue! I seek your assistance as well.

Respectfully,

Gladys Wilson
954-434-1047

Here she goes again......Mayor Eisinger getting into more trouble!

Yep, here she goes again...

Remember in 2008 how the Mayor helped Jamie Curran at every turn of his campaign to become her Elected Commissioner Buddy? Her "Yes man"?

Well, she is doing the same for Gary Laufenberg. This is real payback for him! She is "grooming" him!

He worked for her ex-brother-in-law in his title business. They got in over their head and the business went bankrupt and the former brother -in-law was dis-barred.

PAYBACK TIME: I will get you elected to the City Commission and you vote how I tell you and all will be well with your world. Just be my little patsy boy!

Debby Eisinger has known Gary Laufenberg for over 20 years. So, this is just business as usual for her. Remember, she forgot to tell us that she knew the Weiss Serota Law Firm which the City had just hired --until it was forced out of her! Nothing like putting your friends in high places, is there? Especially where big money is concerned. That is, the residents big money paid to her friends.

I digress: Mr. Laufenberg does not seem to have the slick talker appeal which she loves so she is walking the streets with him, knocking on doors to introduce him and assist him in selling his ability to be our Best City Commissioner.

Gee, Mr. Laufenberg announced to all at our last City Commission Meeting that he is running for City office while wearing a T shirt emblazoned with his name and District and begging for your vote. He began his "lengthy" list of Cooper City achievements starting by saying that he used to swim at the "swimming pool next to that building" pointing to the Community Center. I hate to burst his lying bubble BUT the swimming pool was located west of "that building" which did not exist when he said it did! The sequence: the pool was closed, the land filled and THEN "that building was constructed". AND, "that pool" was ALWAYS referred to as THE PLAY PATCH not the pool!

The Mayor was then reminded by another Commissioner as Laufenberg read on and on that THE RULE needed to be enforced: A candidate for City Office can ONLY announce his/her running for office and that is all. The Mayor finally acquiesced. At her reluctant request he stopped reading and took his seat. Not once did she mention that the political sign painted T shirt was not legal in City Hall during a Commission Meeting.

This Blogger had to remove a very small(1/2 inch diameter) political pin before I could speak. I guess I am not special to her like he is!

This Blogger says: If he can't be trusted to walk and campaign for himself, he can't be trusted by the residents when he sits up there next to her!

Mr. Laufenberg is the candidate who put his signs out months before it was legal to do so. He is also the one who has two signs on one property, in many places. On City property! Not legal. If he is ignoring the laws and rules now, what will he do as a City Commissioner and very close friend of the Mayor?

Know your candidates before you vote. Look for honesty, integrity, character, a great business background and experience. Mr. Laufenberg seems to fall very short in most those areas. Ask yourself, will he remain loyal to you, the resident? Or will he take his orders from the Mayor just like Jamie Curran? If he mimics Mr. Curran, then you will come out on the short end of the stick! and the long end on paying more and more increased taxes and fees! She is the Tax and Spend Mayor!

Vote November 2. Be certain to make your vote count--vote wisely!

Re-elect John Sims, elect Dan Barrett and David Nall. We cannot afford another Tax and Spend Commission!

Cooper City Candidate speaks 9-27-10 Commission Meeting

A resident got up to announce, at the Open Meeting portion, that he is a candidate for District 1 Commission Seat. He made the initial announcement, name, address, etc. but then started on a long list of his activities he has done and is doing in Cooper City to make his announcement valid in the eyes of the viewer and voter!

Mayor Eisinger was letting him run on and on until Commissioner Sims reminded her of THE RULE that gives guidance to announcing one's self as a candidate at a Commission Meeting. Comm. Sims read THE RULE to her so she reluctantly had to abide by HER OWN RULE!

No. 1 This was a final Budget Hearing and the Two Tax and Spend Commissioners and Mayor voted to increase our taxes,
against the wishes of all the speakers and the audience.

Comm. Neal de Jesus had the nerve to say that ALL THE RESIDENTS WITH WHOM HE TALKED WANTED THEIR TAXES INCREASED. Talk to me, I have a great Bridge I can sell you cheap!

No. 2 This Budget Meeting was heated, volatile, and not a meeting to announce you are running for office in Cooper City when you have been openly running for several months and have your signs all over on City property as well as another government's property(illegal)!

Oh! But this Blogger forgot to tell you: This person announcing his candidacy is an over 20 year friend of Mayor Debby Eisinger! He worked for her former brother-in-law for over 20 years. That is, Debby's sister's former husband! And it is said that Debby had an investment in the brother-in-law's firm-----which went bankrupt!

Also. Debby. her friend Lori Green, Diane Sori and Comm. Lisa Mallozzi are helping him with his candidacy: of course they want him to win so dirty politics are in play-----Big Time!

He is Debby Eisinger's "plant" in the election against Commissioner John Sims! We all know she wants to get Comm. Sims out of her hair! We want to keep him up there!

The candidate's name is Gary Laufenberg. Now you know not to vote for him! We don't need another "yes" man up there next to her. We have to take her power away from her.

Comm. John Sims has stood up for the residents and their issues in every way he could and tonight he voted AGAINST this year's Budget as he has for his past years on the Commission!

We need Commissioner John Sims on the Commission because he is the only one who knows what he is talking about when it comes to the City's business. He is polite and respectful of the residents who attend the meetings which is not true of the other four! The Mayor was in her usual nasty form and pushed the "OFF" button on the microphone system so the speaker could not be heard! The mayor should not have that button within 50 feet of her fingers. Maybe someone could cut the wire! Hint! HInt! Or else this Mayor has got to go! She is useless to the residents in this City but she needs our money!

Cooper City Tree and Plant Program at City Hall 9/25/10

This Blogger was prepared to see the annual Mayor Eisinger and Comm. Lisa Mallozzi political prancing at our Tree and Plant Program this morning. They were a no show! With the absolutely awful publicity and shame which they heaped on this fine City this past week, no wonder they stayed under the covers! In the fetal position? Sucking your thumbs? Ashamed?


As usual the Tree and Plant Program was professional and delightful and we enjoyed our learning experience. The room was full of residents, some of whom attend every year. Congratulations, Jeanette Wofford, Cooper City Arborist, another successful Tree and Plant Program for 2010!

This is such a well planned and executed day for the residents that we are already looking forward to next September! Our sincere thanks to Jeanette and all the gang at Public Works who assisted her.