Cooper City in Tallahassee Commissioner John Sims

I recently attended Broward Days at the state capitol in Tallahassee along with the entire Commission and the City Manager which provides a venue for the Commission to voice the concerns of the citizenry and focuses on issues that matter and directly affect all of us at the state legislature. Broward Days coordinates the annual two-day state legislative issues forum at the state capitol in Tallahassee. Broward Days also hosts monthly meetings and promotes workshops dealing with appropriations, Sunshine Law, and advocacy in Broward County. With less and less tax money coming to the state for supporting basic government responsibilities; health, safety and welfare issues, it's not going to be easy getting anything out of the Florida Legislature this year, especially if it involves any substantial sums of your hard earned tax dollars. As an appointed member of the Metropolitan Planning Organization, I supported the Transportation team's mission which is to seek legislative solutions to provide the residents and businesses of Broward County and the Tri-County region with a viable funding source for regional transportation facilities. These regional facilities will improve the quality of life for the flourishing urbanized community in a current time of increased Traffic Congestion on the existing transportation facilities. The mission of the Technology team which I supported is to educate the Legislature on issues of importance to the high-tech industry and demonstrate the critical role that the high-tech industry plays in the health and diversification of Browards economy. The mission of the Pre-K-12 Education Team, which I also fully support, is to raise public awareness about the lack of adequate funding for Pre-K through 12 public education in the State of Florida and to provide holistic solutions to key policymakers, such as the Governor and State Legislature. I met with the Governor, his entire Cabinet and members of the Senate and the Legislature in regards to my support of the aforesaid initiatives and I also let the Governor know that I support his three Es, Education, Environment and Ethics. I also attended the panel on Open Government and met with the President of the First Amendment Foundation and discussed issues regarding open government and public access to government on issues that affect us all such as public records and the Sunshine laws. I would like to proudly announce my appointment of Reverend Bob Sands to the Cooper City Planning and Zoning Board. Please welcome him as he is an invaluable resource, a wealth of knowledge, and a great person! Rev. Sands will indeed be a great asset to the operations and recommendations of the P&Z Board. Welcome Bob! I would also like to thank you, my supporters and our residents, for expressing your concerns to me, asking questions and demanding answers on how the city does business the way it does. I encourage and appreciate your concerns and look forward to helping to continue to resolve them. As always, you can contact me any time at either 954.434.4300 Ext. 260 or by e-mail at Commissioner_Sims@CooperCityFl.org.

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