Lauderdale Lakes Mayor, Hazelle Rogers, lauded her city for its resiliency and preparedness in her June 29 virtual State of the City address. Celebrating the city’s 59th year, the Jamaican-American Mayor spoke about the city’s aggressive yet mindful response to the global pandemic.
“COVID-19 has changed the landscape of life as we know it…On March 1st our lives changed when we were mandated by the federal and state governments to shelter at home. On March 12th I declared a state of emergency with a focus on ensuring that our city was qualified for emergency funding from the federal and state governments. We are now being forced to work through the Broward League of Cities for our rights to administer our fair share of federal dollars. Lauderdale Lakes, we are prepared for that challenge”, declared Rogers.
The Mayor noted that difficult decisions had to be made mandating restrictions and closings in order to preserve the safety of Lauderdale Lakes residents, visitors, and business owners. Emphasising that safety is the priority, Rogers explained that the city installed plexiglass at service counters, distributed Personal Protective Equipment to all staff, and instituted six-feet-apart working areas. The city’s parallel trajectory is to reopen to stimulate economic growth.
“We continue to be focused on our economic recovery, however health safety will be a priority. Safe, smart, step-by-step will continue to be our method for reopening our city with a focus on science behind the daily COVID-19 reporting”.
Rogers revealed that the city submitted 15 projects for funding from the 30-year countywide surplus transportation tax and was approved for funding in cycle one. These funds will be used for traffic maintenance programs, the NW 50th avenue improvement project, Westgate Community roadway, sidewalk re-pavement and repairs, citywide drainage improvement just to name a few.
Strong Financial Status
According to Rogers, the city has maintained a strong financial status over the past few years with a healthy fund balance ranging from $10 million to $13 million. In addition, increasing property values based on new high quality developments in the city and collaboration with the business community, especially since the pandemic, has been her focus in order to rebuild successfully.
“We are aggressively redefining strategic initiatives as a result of the corona pandemic. Focusing on safety and financial stability, providing virtual programmes for summer school, and ensuring the wellbeing of seniors, and our Alzheimers families. We are focused on funding received by all agencies to ensure that services are being received by our residents”.
In fiscal year 2020 the city applied for a total of eight grant opportunities and were awarded two, with others pending. Its partnership with the Greater Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Broward College will create educational and employment opportunities for its residents said Rogers. In addition, the roadway improvement project on one of its critical transportation corridors, NW 31st Avenue, at a cost of an estimated $1.4 million, with assistance from the Lauderdale Lakes Community Redevelopment Agency, is expected to stimulate the city’s economy and boost property values.
Rogers implored residents to stand together to rebuild the local economy and our families.
“Bigotry and racism has reared its head in a manner many of us have never seen before… Lauderdale Lakes will remain intolerant of police brutality and racism and we will remain united in our stance. We must prepare for the opportunities that the death of George Floyd will create in communities because the heart and soul of America will change… Resiliency is not numbness. Resiliency is experience, it’s life, it’s falling, it’s getting up”.
