Economy stalls plan to build Margate City Center; Monday meetin...

For four years, Margate officials mapped out plans for a 32-acre city center that would feature homes, offices and stores.

[Get Real]

The only people who want this are the city officials, so they can take the payoff and bribe money; and the builders who will get tax breaks and whatever else they can get from the city.

[Dumb idea]

What is going to go into the proposed area??? Judging from the rest of 441 in Margate it will be filled with pawn shops and section 8 housing...Margate has done a horrible job attracting any major businesses to the area...You want to see the future Margate...Look south from Lauderdale lakes to Broward Blvd...That's whats heading this way...

[Dick]

A $30 Million Dollar "City Center" in Margate?

That is kind of like filling up the tank in a car that is sitting in a junk yard.

Why?

[neptola grubbs]

STOP THE BULLSHITTTTTTT !!!! STOP THE KICKBACKS......STOP THE OVERBUILDING.......PLANT AN ORANGE GROVE ........ DO REMEMBER WHAT THEY ARE ?

[madaboutittoo]

Get Real wrote:

The only people who want this are the city officials, so they can take the payoff and bribe money; and the builders who will get tax breaks and whatever else they can get from the city.

RIGHT ON!!!

NO ONE voted for this!!

MCBodyfat,DUMDUMdonovan, and their cronies were the only ones who wanted this, they OVER SPENT and now are trying to use the economy woes as a very lame excuse for their being very lame in the first place!

Meanwhile, they're all scrambling likes ants on a sugar mound to rake up whatever revenues they can, like hiking up the property taxes, emergency services taxes, etc. and fining anyone who even stares at city hall too long!!

Some of attempted to vote them out, but they have all of these stupid old farts, most of whom are beyond reasoning and driving ability, still keeping them in office and that is who they keep sucking up to...

We've got EIGHT empty houses on my block alone here in Margate, but oh yeah, we really needed that stupid, stupid 'end around' and that idiotic, Boca-wannabe clock in the middle of it, didn't we (NOT!)?

I think the citizens of Margate are getting 'the end around' here!!

IMPEACH 'EM!!!!!!!

[Red Forman]

You can't polish a turd.

[Girly]

In the zoning world, drive-in movie theatres are known as "future site of condo develoment." It was a good idea for the city to take over the Swap Shop as having it there front and center made the city look low-end. Save the low-end stuff for North Lauderdale, whose commission will never get above a rafters mentality because they're carribean foreigners and so is their population.

Margate has the potential to be upscale. And the city is well-administered comparative to the cities it abuts.

A city center is a good idea. The market is down now but it wont be down forever. It will come back up and that swatch of 30 acres of open space will be valuable again. So, what to do in the interim...well, pay on the loan somehow, then when the market comes up, entertain other proposals. A towne center with residences, shops, municipal center, is the way to go. People want to walk out of their home and walk down to shop, dine, entertainment, leaving the car in the garage. These are successful equations for well-managed cities and Margate is well-managed. North lauderdale isn't. Lauderhill is well-managed, but its spoiled..ie, good people running a city that sadly is populated by worthless thugs. Kinda a waste of good people in government.
But Margate has a good mix of demographics and it will get more expensive to live there, so fortunately, this will drive out the low-life to...well, North lauderdale where they belong.
And the police department kicks butt so the thugs in Margate will never get the upper hand, so Margate will continue to be a good place to live. Just keep voting in New York old farts because they dont put up with thugs and they tend to keep the riff raff out. Old people may be crotchity pains in the arses, but they know who belongs in the neighborhood and who doesn't. This, Martha, is a good thing.

[Floridian]

Let's see. They have succeeded in assassinating all of the myriad small businesses which thrived in that area and now they have this "pretty" total waste-land which looks like any of the "pretty" total waste-lands that dot Florida. Before it was not too "pretty" but there were lots of small merchants making a living, offering decent products at great products. Now they have sand and palm trees. Oh yes, the chiming clock....

[margateleo]

I love the waterpark, I love what they've done with downtown so far (and want more!), I love the events Margate puts on, and I love the overall parks and recreation dept. And for the idiot who said we're doing a bad job at attracting major businesses- can you say Wal-Mart, Applebees, Staples, Ross, Marshalls, etc? What a moron- please move out of Margate! I think Pam, Joe and Dave are the best thing that ever happened to us and I'm looking forward to the rest of the downtown project with shops, dining, and entertainment!They are doing the right thing by pulling back a little bit due to the economy and for the record: its not their fault stupid people signed on the dotted line for mortgages they couldnt afford. I love that my block has 6 empty houses- its nature's natural pruning process!

[FINE]

Just vote those damm greedy out of office. Put the flee market back there please, I love to buy cheap grocery over there.

[lpeerman33063]

Get Real wrote:
"The only people who want this are the city officials, so they can take the payoff and bribe money; and the builders who will get tax breaks and whatever else they can get from the city. "
madaboutittoo wrote:
"RIGHT ON!!!
NO ONE voted for this!!"

Yeah, ya kinda sorta did vote for it. Back in 96 when the CRA was forming and they had a charette to figure out what was going to be there the residents that showed up had a say in what was going to happen(the clock). If you weren't there then your silence voted for you. The CRA board at the time was made up of business people. I tried to get on it at one point as a resident and was told by a Commissioner that "it wasn't really a board for the residents it dealt mostly with businesses" guess my definition of Community was different than hers. That CRA did seem to have an plan of getting rid of the small business people by making and enforcing codes that they could not afford.
In 2004 the city commissioners took over the board using the logic that the old board was not accountable to the residents and that they were, so if the residents didn't like what was going on they could vote them out. It was a good decision because this CRA board actually listens to the residents at times. The old charette has been updated and I believe is still being updated.
This is a lousey time for the ecomony for everyone so it doesn't surprise me that developers aren't jumping in but I do think they will. I believe the potential is there and if you look outside of what was you can see it too.
The CRA will be using the property to bring back the fall festival and other events and eventually people will get used to going downtown.
It just takes time,patience and faith that it can happen.
Le

on a side note: Wilma did alot of removing businesses in the one shopping plaza since it was unsafe after she hit.

[lpeerman33063]

I forgot to post the link to the CRA website so anyone can look at the plans. Course it also tells you when the meetings are too.

http://www.margatecra.org/index.htm

Le

[Common Sense]

margateleo wrote:

I love the waterpark, I love what they've done with downtown so far (and want more!), I love the events Margate puts on, and I love the overall parks and recreation dept. And for the idiot who said we're doing a bad job at attracting major businesses- can you say Wal-Mart, Applebees, Staples, Ross, Marshalls, etc? What a moron- please move out of Margate! I think Pam, Joe and Dave are the best thing that ever happened to us and I'm looking forward to the rest of the downtown project with shops, dining, and entertainment!They are doing the right thing by pulling back a little bit due to the economy and for the record: its not their fault stupid people signed on the dotted line for mortgages they couldnt afford. I love that my block has 6 empty houses- its nature's natural pruning process!

Are you kidding me...You think Donovan is doing a good job? Well, if you call yourself a Margate LEO, then you would know that your local union FOP Lodge # 75 doesn't support her. You would also know that the city can not afford to pay their officers and fire fighters anymore, but instead of them looking for other options, they want to hold on to what they have for the fear of losing power. Thats all Donovan, cares about is power. Donovan made it pretty clear in last months final budget workshop meeting that she did not care if the police department losses guys to other agencies. You call that leadership, she wants to destroy the police department and the morale. I bet you are also for the proposed joke of a contract that they proposed to the police union. Listen, before you start pointing fingers and calling people morons you first might want to get on board with your union. And if you then can't figure it out, then you need to point the finger to yourself when it comes to calling someone a moron.

[Citizens of Margate]

Citizens of Margate. I think it is time for you to know the facts about your leadership in this city. At this very moment, the city has still yet to ratify or settle contracts with your police and fire unions. As of right now, the police department is the lowest paid in the county. Your officers double and sometime triple the call volume from their Coconut Creek counterparts. At this moment, Coconut Creek officers top out as a police officer at 78,000+. Your police officers only top out at 67,000. Now, the city wants to provide a cost of living increase that will still keep your officers the lowest paid in the county. Currently, 47 officers within the department are not vested in the retirement plan. These officers can leave to other better paying agencies. As a matter of fact, we have a few who already in the process of being hired by other agencies. If the police department losses ten to fifteen officers, this will seriously impact services to you.

At the last budget workshop meeting, FOP Legal Council made it clear to the city commission the impact they would have on this city and their officers if they could not provide a fair cost of living increase. After the legal council finished his statement, your Mayor, Pam Donovan told him (In a very aggressive tone of voice) that if the officers want to leave to other agencies let them go. Your mayor told everyone in attendance, including the thirty plus police officers that she doesn't care. As a matter of fact, she allowed her emotions to control her speaking. I don't think she understands the unrepairable damage that she has caused to the police officers and to the citizens. However, in past meetings she has made it clear that she doesn't want any of Amendment 1 to impact the city employees and they she will support them in anyway they can. This is a lie, because if she did, she would have not told these officers to go to other agencies. It is up to you to push this issue with your elected officials to stop the non-sense and provide a decent 5% cost of living raise to the police and fire unions. They will tell you that they cannot, because they do not have the money. This is true they don't. Because of waste and improper spending and planning, your city cannot afford these services for very much longer. Its time for a change and it needs to happen soon.

This is only a small portion of the issues going on in your city and it appears that they all have to do with power. A few of your commissioners are aware of these issues and haven't done anything to resolve them.

[lpeerman33063]

Citizens of Margate wrote:

It is up to you to push this issue with your elected officials to stop the non-sense and provide a decent 5% cost of living raise to the police and fire unions. They will tell you that they cannot, because they do not have the money. This is true they don't. Because of waste and improper spending and planning, your city cannot afford these services for very much longer. Its time for a change and it needs to happen soon.
This is only a small portion of the issues going on in your city and it appears that they all have to do with power. A few of your commissioners are aware of these issues and haven't done anything to resolve them.

Citizen
Where is the 2% supposed to come from since you said it is true they don't have the money? Should the millage rate be raised higher? Should the longevity bonuses for the employees be done away with? Where does it come from? I 100% believe our police and fire should not be the lowest paid in the county that should have been addressed during the years that the city was raking in money. What do we do now tho? I probably won't get a raise this year, teachers may not get a raise this year, many companies are not giving raises this year how can we afford a higher millage rate than what was already raised? I didn't vote for Ammendment 1 but because of those that did my services are being threatened. I don't much like threats I like solutions. I didn't hear any solutions offered at that budget meeting as to where the money could be found to give more than what was already allotted. From reading the contracts up for approval on Wed. there is a clause that says if any other bargaining unit gets more than the 3% then they get the higher percentage as well, so it isn't just coming up with 2% for police and fire unions it is the PBA and possibly the FOPE(their contract wasn't online)as well.
Give me some possible solutions to where the money will come from cuz I woud give it to you if I had it I just don't have it to give.
Le

[GREEN]

lpeerman33063 wrote:

<quoted text>
Citizen
Where is the 2% supposed to come from since you said it is true they don't have the money? Should the millage rate be raised higher? Should the longevity bonuses for the employees be done away with? Where does it come from? I 100% believe our police and fire should not be the lowest paid in the county that should have been addressed during the years that the city was raking in money. What do we do now tho? I probably won't get a raise this year, teachers may not get a raise this year, many companies are not giving raises this year how can we afford a higher millage rate than what was already raised? I didn't vote for Ammendment 1 but because of those that did my services are being threatened. I don't much like threats I like solutions. I didn't hear any solutions offered at that budget meeting as to where the money could be found to give more than what was already allotted. From reading the contracts up for approval on Wed. there is a clause that says if any other bargaining unit gets more than the 3% then they get the higher percentage as well, so it isn't just coming up with 2% for police and fire unions it is the PBA and possibly the FOPE(their contract wasn't online)as well.
Give me some possible solutions to where the money will come from cuz I woud give it to you if I had it I just don't have it to give.
Le

Well, from what I have read so far, it appears that the only solution is for the city to contract law enforcement services with BSO... I mean, if they can't afford to compensate their employees, then maybe it's time to move on. If they can't pay then now, how are they going to come up with raises in the future? So, the only suitable arrangement is contract with BSO...

[Police Officer Greed]

Citizens of Margate wrote:

Citizens of Margate. I think it is time for you to know the facts about your leadership in this city. At this very moment, the city has still yet to ratify or settle contracts with your police and fire unions. As of right now, the police department is the lowest paid in the county. Your officers double and sometime triple the call volume from their Coconut Creek counterparts. At this moment, Coconut Creek officers top out as a police officer at 78,000+. Your police officers only top out at 67,000. Now, the city wants to provide a cost of living increase that will still keep your officers the lowest paid in the county. Currently, 47 officers within the department are not vested in the retirement plan. These officers can leave to other better paying agencies. As a matter of fact, we have a few who already in the process of being hired by other agencies. If the police department losses ten to fifteen officers, this will seriously impact services to you.
At the last budget workshop meeting, FOP Legal Council made it clear to the city commission the impact they would have on this city and their officers if they could not provide a fair cost of living increase. After the legal council finished his statement, your Mayor, Pam Donovan told him (In a very aggressive tone of voice) that if the officers want to leave to other agencies let them go. Your mayor told everyone in attendance, including the thirty plus police officers that she doesn't care. As a matter of fact, she allowed her emotions to control her speaking. I don't think she understands the unrepairable damage that she has caused to the police officers and to the citizens. However, in past meetings she has made it clear that she doesn't want any of Amendment 1 to impact the city employees and they she will support them in anyway they can. This is a lie, because if she did, she would have not told these officers to go to other agencies. It is up to you to push this issue with your elected officials to stop the non-sense and provide a decent 5% cost of living raise to the police and fire unions. They will tell you that they cannot, because they do not have the money. This is true they don't. Because of waste and improper spending and planning, your city cannot afford these services for very much longer. Its time for a change and it needs to happen soon.
This is only a small portion of the issues going on in your city and it appears that they all have to do with power. A few of your commissioners are aware of these issues and haven't done anything to resolve them.

Maybe you should tell the real truth. If those cops can get paid so well else where why are they here???Because it is a lie. They don't have a contract and yet they still stay??? Why because ofther cities are in the same boat.
The poorest workers public works, parks and rec ditch diggers value their jobs and benefits and voted for their contract. These police unions are only telling the bottom line for pay they are telling your the cadallaic insurance benefit they have for them and their families they have take home cars they use peronally they get overtime, they get off duty security pay. There are residents paying their salaries and benefits with out insurance without raises and in some cases with out jobs and don't forget they have defined retirement so when the rest of us are losing everything in our pension 401k because of the economy

[GREEN]

Police Officer Greed wrote:

<quoted text>
Maybe you should tell the real truth. If those cops can get paid so well else where why are they here???Because it is a lie. They don't have a contract and yet they still stay??? Why because ofther cities are in the same boat.
The poorest workers public works, parks and rec ditch diggers value their jobs and benefits and voted for their contract. These police unions are only telling the bottom line for pay they are telling your the cadallaic insurance benefit they have for them and their families they have take home cars they use peronally they get overtime, they get off duty security pay. There are residents paying their salaries and benefits with out insurance without raises and in some cases with out jobs and don't forget they have defined retirement so when the rest of us are losing everything in our pension 401k because of the economy

Well, if you actually lived in Margate or the county, then I would take the time to debate this with you. However, since you are Sanford Florida, which is completely different from Margate Florida, we are talking apples to oranges, but thank you for playing...

[lpeerman33063]

Police Officer Greed wrote:

<quoted text>
...they have take home cars they use peronally...

Since this was mentioned can I ask a question?
I really don't know how this works,people have asked me and I can not give them an answer so if any of the police officers that post here can answer for me I would appreciate it.
Some questions I get are:
Who pays for the gas?
Who pays for the maintance?
Who gets to take home a car?
Is it Margate officers specific or can a car be taken home to another city or county?
Does the city insurance cover the car when it is taken home or does the officers personal insurance kick in?
What happens if an accident happens while off duty?
Are the officers family members covered if they are allowed to ride in the car?

I think that it does deter crime when there is a police car in the neighborhood so this is a question from me. When I see a Ft.Lauderdale( insert any city PD)PD car speeding thru Margate going away from Ft.Lauderdale with no lights on, is that officer doing something illegal?
As always you can email me the answer if you prefer. [e-mail]
Thanks
Le

[GREEN]

lpeerman33063 wrote:

<quoted text>
Since this was mentioned can I ask a question?
I really don't know how this works,people have asked me and I can not give them an answer so if any of the police officers that post here can answer for me I would appreciate it.
Some questions I get are:
Who pays for the gas?
Who pays for the maintance?
Who gets to take home a car?
Is it Margate officers specific or can a car be taken home to another city or county?
Does the city insurance cover the car when it is taken home or does the officers personal insurance kick in?
What happens if an accident happens while off duty?
Are the officers family members covered if they are allowed to ride in the car?
I think that it does deter crime when there is a police car in the neighborhood so this is a question from me. When I see a Ft.Lauderdale( insert any city PD)PD car speeding thru Margate going away from Ft.Lauderdale with no lights on, is that officer doing something illegal?
As always you can email me the answer if you prefer. [e-mail]
Thanks
Le

Ok, it's just not Margate Officers, but almost every agency in south Florida offers take home cars. This is a benefit used to attract quality candidates. Second, if you are an out of county employee, there is a certain distance that you are allowed to take your car home. In addition, out of county employees who take their cars home can not use it for personal use, only to and from work. By having the take home program, this actually saves the city money. If they were to have a pool of cars that ran 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, they would be purchasing new cars every year to keep up with the ware and tear. However, by having the take home program, they are now turning these cars over every 7 to 10 years. As far as maintenance to the vehicle, we are prohibited from altering, repairing or doing anything to our vehicles. The only people authorized to maintenance our vehicles are the mechanics and public works. As far as who pays for this, the city provides this service. Again, this is a benefit to the officers, in addition a benefit to attract quality candidates.