Current News and Updates:
Congratulations, Councilman Kuczenski, on winning 2nd place in the Chili Cook-off! The Car Show festival was great fun and a tremendous success.
Thank you to everyone who attended our SRHOA Party in the Park. We all shared a relaxing afternoon. We look forward to seeing you for our April soiree!
Get ready to enjoy more wonderful artwork by our very own Laura Warren as she continues work on the mural located in Founders (Poliakoff) Park just behind the CVS.
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 those of you who were kind enough to respect the livestock areas and keep the fireworks noise to a minimum. We appreciate your efforts as we work hard to maintain our rural atmosphere and the safety of our pets.
The Drainage Board will be drafting fill ordinance language. You are welcome to join their monthly meetings to provide input.
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.”
Thank you to Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz and State Representative Robin Bartleman for all the funding they acquired for our town this past year. Folks, they are both working hard for our community.
We remember our resident, and past SRHOA president, Susan Winn. She now lives in love and light with her father, Sherman, and husband, Stuart. She will be missed.
Community events:
Please support the SWR Country Fair taking place January 12th -16th at the corner of Dykes and Griffin. Great family fun will be had by all.
Stay Connected:
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. The SWR Farmers’ Market continues to run each Saturday at Green Meadows Sanctuary.
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.
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.
As always be safe, be happy, and be loved.
Chris
Meeting was called to order at 7:40 by President Chris Brownlow. The pledge was led by one of our Veteran members attending the meeting. We proceeded to recognize the 40 years of service to our Chief Police Detective Jeff Hobales with a cake presentation organized by DaNell D’Alfonso. Our chief was very moved and thankful for the tribute from the SRHOA board and members.
Police report by Det Jeff - informed about people walking at about 3 in the morning with backpacks full of mail from different municipalities with over 206 pieces of mail which resulted in the apprehension of 2 female suspects and a person in a vehicle assisting them. He also mentioned the addition of new Laser Units giving positive results with speeders.
Council member David Kuczenski informed about the Broward County animal control to reconsider the time animals are held with police before they are returned.
Council member Bob Hartman spoke about Vince Falletta, his contributions to the drainage committee, ethics, knowledge, and experience in different boards and committees. He asked to name a canal in his memory and proposed the canal on Stirling and Luray.
Council member Gary Jablonski presented a town report on Drainage projects in Southwest Ranches, surtax due to inflation, TSDOR, stormwater project schedule, and future construction on the council agenda for approval. Also discussed were town safety projects. Waste Management started services to the Town of Southwest Ranches on October 1st, it is expected to facilitate solid waste and recycling. Updates on trash and bulk pickup.
Additional information and venues discussed:
HOA’s $1200 contribution to the artist’s wall mural at Gary A. Poliakoff Founders Park
Hay bale contest Oct 29; Sign entrance Green Meadows; Photo contest underway
Holiday light contest award December 9th; Rolling Oaks Halloween event
November 17th, Erica Garcia’s presentation on fireworks and effects on animals. The Mayor is planning a special workshop for this.
Green Meadows civic association thanked SRHOA for their donation.
Our guest speaker was Marty Kiar, who provided valuable information to the residents. Asked the residents if there were any valuation adjustments for their properties to call or email BCPA to check and adjust accordingly. Exemptions: Homestead is capped at 3% increase regardless of the increase in value, additional exemptions based on income tax. Long-term Senior exemption if they live in the town for 25 years or more. Florida ranks first for Title Fraud in the country. Fight the fraud and sign with OWNER ALERT notification program to protect owners from fraudsters from BCPA. Fraud is targeted to Seniors, Low Income, properties paid in full. BCPA works with every city in Broward, FBI, Secret Service, US Attorney, etc. It is mandatory to have an email for a quicker notification from BCPA.
Jason Halberg presented the new potential owner proposal of the ongoing project with Carlos Martinez, the property is under contract with a project to build a 40,000 sf home and a larger 50,000 sf accessory-use building to be used as a sports facility. This would require a variance from the Town. Members discussed the potential of increased traffic with such a large facility that could affect Hancock Road.
Mary Ann Allen provided a report on the ongoing issue related to illegal fill. She mentioned how one property owner, to the rear of her neighbor, brought in and dumped 58 truckloads over the weekend without a permit. She then explained how the property owner only applied for and received a Level II permit (which is good for just 8 truckloads) afterward bringing in 58 truckloads. Upon a stop work notice issued by the town for a fill violation, the property owner then applied for a Level III permit. The resident Mrs. Allen further mentioned that this property owner sits on 2 town advisory boards and is the chair of the drainage board. She shared how she moved here in 1989, and that the rules should apply to everyone. At a recent Town Council meeting, she explained in detail to the Council about the ongoing illegal fill issue and how an urgent change is needed to the town’s fill policy to address these concerns moving forward.
Long-time resident and member of SRHOA, Bob Parker, made a motion to donate $1,500 to the Southwest Ranches scholarship fund, seconded by DaNell D’Alfonso, and approved by the members.
Events coming: Hawks Bluff event, and on Saturday, December 10th, Chili Cook-off and Party at the Sunshine Ranches Equestrian Park hosted by the SRHOA on December 11th from 1-3 pm.
Jason Halberg called to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 pm.
Updated: Dec 22, 2022
HOLIDAY GREETINGS TO ALL!
MAY THE SEASON BRING ALL OF YOU LOVE, LIGHT, AND THE JOY OF FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
Current News and Updates
CONGRATULATIONS COUNCILMAN HARTMANN ON YOUR RE-ELECTION! Both he and Councilman Jablonski have been sworn in for another four years. Gentlemen, we could not be happier for you.
Owner Alert is a free service through the Broward County Property Appraiser’s office to help you protect your property from scams or fraud by notifying you if a document is received by BCPA changing the ownership of your property. Please sign-up for this important app (web.bcpa.net/owneralert).
Thank you to Bob Parker for your motion to donate $1,500 to the scholarship fund...it was seconded and approved! Thank you to all of you who continue to support this great cause...you’re the best!
REPORT ANY INCIDENTS OF ILLEGAL FILL OR TREE CUTTING! Unfortunately, we are coming across many cases of work being done without permits. This is illegal and will not be tolerated! Do not hesitate to call Town Hall (954.434.0008), or the Davie Police Department should you feel the situation is unsafe (954.693.8200).
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR MAIL IN YOUR MAILBOX OVERNIGHT. LOCK YOUR CARS AND DO NOT LEAVE YOUR KEY FOBS OR VALUABLES INSIDE. We cannot stress enough the importance of thinking ahead and practicing safe habits.
While we are still working on legislation regarding fireworks and livestock as it pertains to our area, please be vigilant on New Year’s Eve. Folks, be kind to your neighbors and respect the welfare of their animals as you would your own. Enjoy fireworks responsibly and in areas that respect the rural community in which we live.
Community events
December 10th @ Rolling Oaks Park: Chili Cook-off and Car Show sponsored by The SWR Parks Foundation and benefitting all our local SWR parks featuring classic cars, chili competition, music, vendor booths, kids-zone, and so much more.
December 11th @ Equestrian Park: Sunshine Ranches HOA holiday gathering with food, beverages, dj, petting zoo, police & fire demos, and so much more.
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. The SWR Farmers’ Market continues to run each Saturday at Green Meadows Sanctuary.
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.
HAPPY 98TH BIRTHDAY TO RUTH WOLFF
As always be safe, be happy, and be loved.
Chris