Transcript Plantation Government

Plantation
City of Wonder
1st Hour AP European History 2005
Introduction
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Welcome to a presentation of the many aspects
of the City of Plantation. The following slides
will cover the area’s history, government,
education, community, and more.
Sit back and enjoy!
History
Plantation’s Early History
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In 1906, the Army Corp of Engineers attempted to drain the Everglades
and the New River. During this period, many large land sales occurred and
residents were moving into the area. In 1911, a drainage district out of Lake
Okeechobee and the Florida Everglades was completed in what would
become Plantation.
Even through the 1920s, Broward County
remained a frontier with little development
and infrastructure other than the Florida
East Coast Railway and Dixie Highway,
which was barely two lanes. As the decade
continued, so did the project to drain the
Everglades and to create a canal system.
These projects led to a 'land boom' in South Florida.
In 1941, Frederick C. Peters took advantage of the cheap land and bought
10,000 acres for $250,000. The area was practically undeveloped. Although
the City of Plantation was not even a conception yet, the area was
nicknamed Plantation because many large tracts of land were purchased by
city dwellers, who called them "plantations".
Plantation’s Early History,
continued
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With a population of less than 500 and a budget of $1,288, the City
of Plantation was born on April 30, 1953. The first Council Meeting
was held on May 11, 1953 in an old feed warehouse near the
intersection of East Acre Drive and Broward Boulevard. This site
would be later used for the construction of the first City Hall, Fire
Station and Police Department. Ellsworth D. Gage was the first
Mayor of the City.
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It was decided that local elections elections
would be held on odd years; so that National,
State and County elections are not in conflict.
In the beginning, the elected officials did not
have a salary.
In 1949, the Plantation Homeowner's Association was formed by Dr.
Abram Hoffman. They were considered the unofficial government of
Plantation and lived and led by their motto, "Unity-VigilanceSecurity".
Growth of a City
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Plantation came into existence a suburb of Ft. Lauderdale. In
1955, the Police Department was organized because the City
Council wanted to provide professional protection for residents.
The City Council hired Henry C. Donath at an annual salary of
$4,200 to work 8-hour shifts and to be on call 24-hours a day.
One year later, a second policeman was hired onto the force. In
1957, the Plantation Volunteer Fire Department was founded by
residents.
In 1956, the budget grew to $34,000 and the elected officials still
were not paid. The city did not have any schools, so children
were bussed to nearby Fort Lauderdale. In the Late 1950's the
Florida Turnpike was opened. Mailing addresses changed from
Fort Lauderdale to Plantation around 1958.
Growth of a City, continued
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In the 1970s, Central Park and Deicke Auditorium were
built, and Plantation had around 25,000 people. At the time,
the city stretched from one block east of State Road 7 to
Flamingo Road, a distance of about seven miles
and from north of Sunrise
Boulevard south to North
New River Canal. The city
continued to grow through the
60s and 70s, but the population
really exploded in the 80s and
90s. By 1982, the population had grown to 50,000 and the
budget was $64 million dollars. Plantation continues to
flourish as a city in its own right.
Government
Plantation Government
Mission Statement
Our goal is to provide high quality, timely service to the Mayor, City Council,
City staff, the general public and other agencies. We strive to give our citizens
open access to government and to provide quick and accurate documentation and
information in a friendly and helpful manner.
Mayor Rae Carol Armstrong
Rae Carole Armstrong was
elected Mayor in 1999, and
recently ran unopposed for her
second term in office. Before
assuming her role as Mayor,
Rae Carole Armstrong was the
first female City Council
Member, and held that position
for 16 years. During that time,
she promoted and supported
the local athletic leagues, street
tree and community landscape
programs, neighborhood
enhancement, educational
partnerships and other
important community projects.
The Plantation City Council
consists of five members
who are elected at-large.
The Council is responsible
for promulgating policies
and ordinances. They are
also responsible for
approving major projects,
zoning issues and the City's
$100 million budget. The
Council structure has a
President, a Pro Tem, an
honorary Treasurer and two
Council Members.
Mayor Rae Carole Armstrong and City Council
L to R: Bruce Edwards, Sharon Uria, Mayor Armstrong,
Diane Veltri Bendekovic, Dr. Robert Levy, Jerry Fadgen
Thanks to investment and
beautification grants, the eastern
business district, Plantation
Gateway, is quickly becoming one
of South Florida’s most desirable
locations for redevelopment.
Professional and medical office
space, restaurants and retail
businesses can all be found within
six planned sub-districts.New
residential projects include Lennar’s
Park Place, a townhome community
within Plantation Gateway, and
Lakeside Village at Plantation, our
first mixed use project in Plantation
Midtown.
Education
Public Schools of Plantation
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In Plantation, there are a total of 10
public schools. Listed are some of their
student populations and years of
establishment.
 Elementary:
Central Park – 1215 students; 1989
Mirror Lake – 852 students; 1983
Peters – 877 students; 1958
Plantation
Plantation Park
Tropical
 Middle:
Plantation – 1398 students; 1970
Seminole
 High:
Plantation – 3040 students; 1963
South Plantation – 2398; 1972
All of these schools are part of the
Broward County school system, and
must abide to the county’s ordnances
and regulations.
There are no public colleges in the city
of Plantation.
School Boundary System
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Elementary
school
boundary
High school
boundary
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Since the 10 public schools of
Plantation are part of the Broward
County school system, their student
enrollment must be based on a
boundary system.
The boundary system files students
into certain schools based on the
location of their home.
 Since there are so many more
elementary schools than any other
level, these schools feature smaller
boundaries.
 Plantation schools can feature
boundaries that extend outside of
the city’s boundaries.
Boundaries are a highly debated subject
in the Broward County school system,
because they must balance the student
population of schools not only in
terms of school capacity, but students’
ethical backgrounds as well.
Plantation Private Schools
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There are approximately 14 private schools
in Plantation:
 Alpha Academy
 American Heritage Academy
 Andover Academy
 The Blake School
 Broward Christian School
 Developmental Pre-School &
Kindergarten
 Jacaranda School
 Laser Christian Academy
 Neighborhood Kids
 Our Savior Lutheran
 Plantation Christian School
 Plantation United Methodist
 Ramat Shalom Nursery School
 Seventh Day Adventists Christian
School
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These schools do not have to abide to
the regulations and standards of the
Broward County school system.
Plantation Libraries
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Helen B. Hoffman
501 North Fig Tree Lane
Plantation, Florida 33317
West Regional
8601 West Broward Blvd.
Plantation, FL 33324
-Established in the 1950’s
-Major Contributors are
Bill and Melinda Gates
-Opened in 1983
Business
Plantation Economy
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Income -Plantation's residents are relatively
affluent with a median household income of
$44,090 in 1994 and $46,289 in 1998. In 1998,
the national median household income was
$38,135. A Plantation household earns $8,154
more than the median American household.
Labor - In 1998 Plantation had a labor force of
45,198 men and women and 1,598 unemployed
persons.
Plantation Industries
Major Private Employers (with more than 200 employees)
American Express - 4,500
Motorola - 3,500
Florida Power and Light - 1,900
Kemper National Services - 1,200
Plantation General Hospital - 827
Westside Regional Medical Center - 821
InPhyNet Medical Management - 800
Sears - 430
J.C.: Penny - 425
Cigna Dental Health - 300
Burdines - 300
Dillards - 215
The Travelers Insurance Company -200
Population and Leisure
Population Timeline
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1947- The first homes are built
in Plantation by Chauncey Clark. Property was valued at $200 an acre.
1948- There are 12 homes in Plantation. The population is 36.
- The first baby is born in Plantation: Gene Carter.
1949- The number of homes reaches 40.
- The Plantation Homeowners organization is founded.
1950- The city's population reaches 200.
1958- The city's population reaches 1,600.
1965- Plantation's population reaches 6,500.
1970- Population booms to 23,000 people.
1975- Population reaches 40,200.
1982- The city's population reaches 50,000 and the city budget reaches $12
million.
2000- The population reaches 84,000 people.
Population, continued
General Florida population information:
Activities for Kids
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Playgrounds -- These parks in Plantation offer playground
facilities: Central Park, Deicke Park, Jim Ward Community
Center, Pop Travers Field, Seminole Park, Sunset Park at
Jacaranda, Volunteer Park, Liberty Tree Park., Fig Tree Park.
In addition, Plantation also offers many seasonal activities just for kids:
--Daddy Daughter Sock Hop: Friday, July 29th 6:30-9:30 at Volunteer Park
--Free Children’s Carnival: 4th of July, 5:30-8:30 pm at Central Park.
--Library Storytimes at Helen B. Hoffman Library: June 6-July 26.
Bars
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Plantation offers a variety of clubhouses and bars for
those who enjoy the night life.
-Plantation Place Clubhouse -- 6750 Cypress Rd Plantation, FL 33317
-Pat’s Macabi Cigar Bar -- 801 S University Dr Plantation, FL 33324
-Hops Restaurant Bar & Brewery -- 8285 W Sunrise Blvd Plantation, FL
33322
Organizations
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Plantation Athletic League – PAL is a
volunteer athletic program that provides
for the youth of the city of Plantation,
Florida. It uses city parks, athletic fields
and facilities for games, tournaments
and practices.
Kiwanis Club – With meetings taking place at the
Jacaranda Country Club, this branch of the Kiwanis
International is quite active. Like other branches, their
main goal is to “serve the children of the world,” and
they sponsor extracurricular clubs at schools around the
city, like our Key Club here at Plantation High.
City Parks
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Central Park – Located along Central Park Drive, this
park has facilities for baseball, soccer, football, tennis
and track. It also has a pool and a lake, and is used in
many PAL sponsored activities.
Deicke Park – Located within the depths of the
Fountain Springs development,
this smaller park is still a great
one for leisure. It has a
volleyball net, a basketball
court, and a large playground.
Restaurants
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Cheesecake Factory- The Cheesecake Factory is a unique, upscale
casual dining restaurant offering more than 200 menu selections
including Appetizers, Pizza, Pasta, Seafood, Steaks, Salads, Sandwiches,
and more. The menu also features specialty dishes like Chicken
Madeira, Miso Salmon, Cajun Jambalaya Pasta, and The Factory
Burger. Famous for the 50 delicious cheesecakes and desserts.
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Outback Steakhouse- An Australian
steakhouse open for dinner only.
Although beef and steak items
make up a good portion of the menu,
the concept offers a variety of chicken,
ribs, seafood, and pasta dishes.
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Red Lobster- “Whether your family comes together over a big plate of
succulent crab legs, you celebrate life's special moments by dipping
into Lobster Fondue or you mark your calendar for Lobsterfest year
after year, Red Lobster is undoubtedly where America goes for great
tasting seafood.” – and it can be where the Plantationite goes as well!
Other Information
Plantation Fire Department
* Plantation Fire Dept. is a Combination department. This means that part of
the department is made up of career employees, and the other part volunteer.
* With more than 250 members, PFD is the largest single volunteer fire
department in the State of Florida.
* The Department is made up of five major divisions. They are Suppression,
Rescue, Prevention, Mechanics and Administration.
Chief Robert S. Pudney
Plantation Fire Department
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PFD operates six fire stations, with multiple fire trucks in each station.
Qualifications for Fire Fighters
The Plantation Volunteer Fire Fighter
Association was established in 1957.
1. Be 18 years of age
2. Be a high school graduate or possess (G-E-D)
3. Must have or be eligible for a Florida Driver's license and
possess a safe driving record
4. Weight must be in proportion to height
5. Vision must be 20/20 or corrected
6. Must be in good health as determined by a physician
7. Be of good character and reputation
8. Must not have been convicted of any felony or serious
misdemeanor
9. Must past a test for illegal drugs
10. Live within 2.5 miles of Plantation corporate limits
Law Enforcement
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Over 344 employees
Operating budget of 25
million dollars
Dual accreditations;
Commission on Law
Enforcement Agencies
and Florida Commission
on Law Enforcement
Larry L. Massey Jr.
Law Enforcement
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The Vice, Intelligence and Narcotics Division is responsible for the
investigation of all narcotics and vice related activity
Crime Prevention Programs include: N.E.T. (Neighborhood
Enhancement Team), Neighborhood Watch Program, Operation
Identification Program, Trespass Program
The Investigations Division prepares cases to be presented to the
District Attorney and includes two major crime teams that work
specific cases, including homicides, robberies, burglaries and
aggravated batteries.
The End
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Thank you for your interest in the wonderful
city of Plantation, where the grass is greener!