During March, we celebrate Women’s History Month, “spring ahead” one hour on the 12th, shout, “Erin go bragh!” on the 17th, and welcome the equinox on the 20th. Broward and Dade County schools will observe spring breaks, so do take extra caution when out driving.
Thank you Lori Parrish and Geoff Cohen for opening your home for the February SRHOA meeting and celebration of Sally Brokken and Judi Parker. It was a wonderful evening full of hospitality and friendship.
Current News and Updates:
If you would like to host the DPD flashing traffic sign on your swale, please notify the Town. They will help you coordinate with the department. Also, please review (and keep) the valuable information provided on pages 11 and 14 within this issue.
The Comprehensive Board is discussing the fireworks and dangerous dog language/ordinances. The Drainage Board is discussing fill language/penalties. Please attend these meetings and have your voices heard. All town board meeting dates/locations may be found at southwestranches.org.
The 2023 Election Committee consists of the following residents: Geoff Cohen, Wendi Halberg, and James Starkweather. Elections will take place on March 29th.
To encourage harmony be
tween humans and wildlife, our publication shares information which provides factual, practical, and humane alternatives to conflict. Here is a valuable resource: https://predatorguard.com/ This is a company providing humane alternatives to predator control. As well as protecting farms, gardens and livestock, their products protect native predators, creating a means for people to co-exist with wildlife.
Community events:
Please support SWR by attending Water Matters Day at Tree Tops Park this March 11th. Visit SWR’s live demonstration garden which is an annual hit.
The SWR Farmers’ Market continues to run each Saturday at Green Meadows Sanctuary. Come and support our local vendors and artisans.
Stay Connected:
Support Southwest Ranches’ Certified Community Habitat status by certifying your own backyard through the National Wildlife Federation’s backyard habitat program…it is easy, plus you may purchase and proudly display a certification sign. Go to nwf.org/certifiedwildlifehabitat today to certify.
Mayor Breitkreuz’s “Q & A with Mayor Breitkreuz,” occurs on the second Wednesday of the month. Please join Steve for an info
rmal discussion pertaining to your concerns.
Remember, the Council meets face-to-face at Town Hall on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Occasionally, dates may change. Please check the Southwest Rancher and/or www.southwestranches.org for meeting dates, times, and agendas. Internet viewing is also an option, just go to your YouTube connection and type “Town of Southwest Ranches Official Channel.”
Please stay connected…join our SRHOA Gmail (sunshinerancheshoa@gmail.com), visit our website (www.sunshineranches.org), or view our posts at facebook.com/SunshineRanches.
As always be safe, be happy, and be loved.
Chris
Current News and Updates:
If you would like to host the DPD flashing traffic
sign on your swale, please notify the Town. They will help you coordinate with the department.
Thank you to the Broward Delegation for their continued efforts to curb fireworks displays in our equestrian community.
Thank you to Lori Parrish, Bob Parker, and Hernan Linares for serving as the SRHOA 2023 Nominating Committee. Please note our bylaws: “Any Member desiring to be a candidate for the Board shall give written notice to the Secretary of the Association not less than thirty (30) days prior to the scheduled election.” The 2023 slate reflects two new candidates: Nicole Alluin and Jonathan Pirie.
Our sincere thanks to both Judi Parker and Sally Brokken for their unwavering dedication, and many years of service, to the SRHOA.
The 2023 Election Committee consists of the following residents: Geoff Cohen, Wendi Halberg, and James Starkweather. Elections will take place on March 29th.
Thank you to our own Councilman Kuczenski for his monthly articles. We appreciate the work you are doing for the community.
We live in an amazing area with abundant environmental gifts. As a result of development, Florida's wildlife and human populations encounter each other more than ever before, and the circumstances which create conflicts with wildlife are as varied as the environment of Florida itself. As people develop more open space and wildlife habitat is reduced and fragmented, conditions are often created which attract wildlife. Such contacts between people and wildlife often result in conflicts. Understanding wildlife behavior can help you appreciate and coexist while reducing negative impacts. The FWC is here to help. Please visit the following link to learn more. https://myfwc.com/conservation/you-conserve/wildlife/
Community events:
Please attend/support the “Love My Pony Fun Horse Show” on February 11th, 9 AM, at Sunshine Ranches Equestrian Park.
The SWR Farmers’ Market continues to run each Saturday at Green Meadows Sanctuary. Come and support our local vendors and artisans.
Stay Connected:
Support Southwest Ranches’ Certified Community Habitat status by certifying your own backyard through the National Wildlife Federation’s backyard habitat program…it is easy, plus you may purchase and proudly display a certification sign. Go to nwf.org/certifiedwildlifehabitat today to certify.
Mayor Breitkreuz’s “Q & A with Mayor Breitkreuz” occurs on the second Wednesday of the month. Please join Steve for an informal discussion pertaining to your concerns.
Remember, the Council meets face-to-face at Town Hall on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. Occasionally, dates may change. Please check the Southwest Rancher and/or www.southwestranches.org for meeting dates, times, and agendas. Internet viewing is also an option, just go to your YouTube connection and type “Town of Southwest Ranches Official Channel.”
Please stay connected…join our SRHOA Gmail (sunshinerancheshoa@gmail.com), visit our website (www.sunshineranches.org), or view our posts at facebook.com/SunshineRanches.
As always be safe, be happy, and be loved.
Chris
President Chris Brownlow welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order at 7:35 PM. Tommy Crivello led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Davie Police: Detective Hobales reported that we had a good month with traffic: 73 citations in Sunshine Ranches and 189 in Southwest Ranches. Regarding crime, many were related to people leaving their purses in their cars. Also, there were 4 people arrested in Landmark who were stealing cars there. Officer Larry said we had 153 Vacation Watches for the month, which is a great thing. Holiday tips for shopping were also shared; remember to take your shopping bags out of your cars!
Council Updates: Mayor Steve Breitkreuz
Special meeting this month regarding fireworks and their effect on farm animals, and the mayor is looking forward to receiving input from residents. The mayor’s call is on Wednesday, January 11, 2023.
Council Member Gary Jablonski gave an update on the Green Meadows program, as well as the various drainage and transportation projects that are underway. Also, the speed trailers are working and helping to reduce speeding in our area.
Vice Mayor Jim Allbritton also referenced the speed trailers. We are also working with Waste Management (WM) to update the maps for the schedules.
Council Member David Kuczenski will be giving updates on traffic and crime in the upcoming Council meetings to bring more awareness. Also, if you have a drainage or fill issue, please attend the Drainage Board meetings.
Council Member Bob Hartmann thanked everyone who supported him during his election campaign; his campaign’s key themes were about keeping us rural, protecting agricultural and animal needs, keeping our taxes reduced and keeping our families safe. He heard a lot of comments from folks, including those related to public safety, which he feels really needs to be improved in our town.
President Chris introduced Carlos Martinez who gave an update about his property on Hancock and Griffin; he has a contract from a person who wants the property as a personal residence and a backup contract from a developer who wants to use the land as a community facility property. Carlos introduced Mark Fisher who showed his projected plan. He wants to purchase the full 40 acres and build 3 residences for personal use, plans to build a horse trail, and provides other enhancements. There were many positive changes made after the September presentation to the HOA, per the residents’ comments. Chris opened up for questions, comments, and concerns.
Council Member Gary Jablonski asked Mark Fisher to consider a few additional items including moving a north/south horse trail to 136 Avenue, as well as extending the canal on the south side of the property 950 feet to 136 Avenue. He also confirmed that what Mark proposed seemed like a viable project and pretty much everyone will support it once all of the conditions are met.
Mr. Fisher responded to Council Member Jablonski, stating that he was never informed about extending the canal. He also stated that extending the canal, especially on someone else’s property, would be a deal-breaker.
Jason Halberg then called the question in the motion, “Does the community of Sunshine Ranches support Mark Fisher’s proposed development as presented this evening where it will be 3 residential plots on the 40 acres with no rec center as previously presented, and Mark has agreed to deed-restrict all 3 properties so that they cannot be further subdivided in the future?” All were in favor. None were opposed. Council Member David Kuczenski announced that he was refraining from voting to avoid any conflicts.
Finally, Marianne Allen had the floor for comment and requested for the town to put in an ordinance regarding fill issues. A specific resident is bringing a lot of fill onto their property. Chris would like for Marianne to be appointed to the Drainage Board.
Mayor Steve stated that he listened in to the entire meeting, and that of course, he would not be able to comment, but that it was a great meeting.
The next meeting will be on January 25 at 7:30 pm.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 PM.