The Landings & Bay Colony

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Commissioner’s Message

Bruce G. Roberts

District 1 Commissioner

HAVE A HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON:We would like to personally wish you all a very
happy and safe holiday season. Despite any challenges we may have faced this past
year, we are reminded to be thankful for family and friends and the many advantages
and opportunities we have. Everyone in District 1 should know that we are grateful
for all the input you have provided on the many issues that come before Commission
and those that affect our quality of life. We truly appreciate the opportunity to work
with and serve you, as we find solutions that will allow the City to remain one of the
most beautiful and best cities in which to live, work, play and raise a family. Be safe
and let us all welcome in 2016 with high spirits, a vision for the future and a pride in
our home - Fort Lauderdale!

FORT LAUDERDALE’S 56TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW:We welcomed
the 56th boat show November 6-9, 2015 to approximately 130,000 attendees. It is
important to remember that visitors from around the world visit Fort Lauderdale, and
that this event helps to contribute to over half a billion dollars to our local economy,
generates tens of millions of dollars in marine commerce, showcases our City to a
worldwide audience, and provides a tremendous economic boost to our hotels,
restaurants, retail and entertainment establishments. I would like to thank all of you for
helping to make this such a successful event as I know the amount of traffic that comes
to Fort Lauderdale can be an extreme burden within our community.

BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR WHEN IT COMES TO FIREWORKS:There are several times a
year when our neighbors like to celebrate by using fireworks and New Year’s Eve is
not far off. If not used in a designated area, these fireworks can be dangerous, as
well as illegal. Several people are affected by fireworks especially veterans. The
flashes and loud bangs from fireworks can trigger painful memories from the
battlefield. Thousands of Americans, many of them children, are injured each year in
incidents associated with fireworks. Most of these injuries occur during the Fourth of
July holiday and include serious burns, loss of fingers and blindness. Our pets can
also suffer, especially when left alone. Some can run off and get lost or injured. When
fireworks are being used in your neighborhood, it should be reported to the police at
954-764-4357. We want everyone to enjoy the Holidays…please be a good
neighbor and refrain from illegal use of fireworks. 

CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE – TOP 10 SMALL AMERICAN CITIES OF THE FUTURE
2015/16 AWARDS:The City has received two awards from Foreign Direct Investment
(fDi) magazine at the 2015 International Economic Development Council conference.
These two awards are for the “Small American Cities of the Future 2015/16”
category. Small cities are defined with populations between 100,000 and 350,000:
(#1 Sunnyvale, CA; #2 Waterloo, Ontario; #3 Stamford, CT; #4 Irvine, CA) and
ranked #2 in the Economic Potential category (#1 Sunnyvale, CA; #3 Irvine, CA; #4
Waterloo, Ontario; #5 Salt Lake City, UT).

WE MADE A DIFFERENCE:Congratulations to all of our Community Builders who
participated in Fort Lauderdale's second "Make A Difference Day" on Saturday,
October 24, 2015. This citywide day of service featured more than 20 volunteer
community projects that enhanced our City. Close to 300 participants cleaned up the
beach and City streets, removed invasive plants, and beautified neighborhoods
through landscaping, painting and mulching projects. It was uplifting to see so many
Community Builders, neighbors, schools, businesses, non-profits, agencies and

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