Mike Levinson

“Roy’s impressive track record as a City Commissioner and strong business background makes him my choice for Coral Springs Mayor.” – Mike Levinson, retired Coral Springs City Manager (1995-2010)

Roy Gold also recently received the endorsements of the Coral Springs Forum and the REALTOR Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale. The Coral Springs Forum writes, “Gold, a commissioner since 2004, has a distinguished level of experience and accomplishments, which make him the preferred choice for the  post.  …Gold has the proven track record and is the stronger choice for the post.”

Roy has been endorsed by many U.S., state, and local leaders, including former Congressman Robert Wexler, Congressman Ted Deutch, Congressman Ron Klein, State Representatives Ari Porth, Martin Kiar and Jim Waldman, as well as the Metro Broward [Coral Springs] Professional Firefighters [Local 3080], the Broward County Council of Professional Firefighters, the Florida Professional Firefighters, and the Broward AFL-CIO. See the complete lists of endorsements by public officials and community leaders.

Money Magazine Cover

Read the report: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2010/top100/index2.html

Read the articles in the Sun-Sentinel and Miami Herald.

As some residents struggle with the disappointing reality of mortgages worth more than the appraised values of their homes, so too are cities working to strike a balance between fiscally responsible budget cuts and providing the services that residents need. Cities are focused on finding the best short- and long-term solutions to serious budget shortfalls, and this process involves many difficult decisions.

Unfortunately, the need for city services spikes up during a recession, just as the city’s ability to pay for those services is strained to the max. For example, when faced with unemployment or a dip in income, parents who previously might have sent their children to private summer camps now look to city parks and recreation facilities for summer activities. Fire stations, police and other services experience an increase in demand during hard economic times, when municipalities are struggling more than ever to provide them.

Whether the debate is over trimming payrolls, raising taxes, privatization, cutting some services and saving others, or any of the other painful decisions cities are facing today, the smartest solutions require reviewing data and the knowledgeable input and collaboration among residents and their elected officials. Misinformation, deliberately inflating potential scenarios and politicizing the discussion are in no one’s best interest at critical junctures like these.

Times are very difficult for some cities and less challenging for others. In any case, the decisions residents and elected officials make today will impact our communities for many years to come. Whatever the best solutions may be, there is no quick fix for budget shortfalls.

As president of the Broward League of Cities, I wish to underscore that it is in our collective best interest to make sure the decisions we make are well informed, sustainable, apolitical and get us back on track toward fiscal stability.

Roy Gold is president of the Broward League of Cities and a Coral Springs city commissioner.

As published in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, July 31, 2010:

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/commentary/fl-property-value-forum-20100731,0,5083152.story

Initiative would hurt growth

In politics, creative marketing may be the difference between success and failure. That’s why convincing Florida voters to oppose Amendment 4, the so-called “Florida Hometown Democracy” constitutional amendment, is no easy task. After all, how could “Hometown Democracy” be anything but good for our state?

However, Amendment 4 will stifle growth and adversely affect our state unlike any other ballot initiative in recent memory. It requires that the adoption of all local governments’ comprehensive plans and any amendments to such plans be subject to the approval of the electorate at a referendum election.

Read more: Initiative Would Hurt Growth (PDF)

As published in the Miami Herald, July 11, 2010

As an active resident of my City of Coral Springs and a member of the Sustainability Committee of the Broward League of Cities, I continually see first-hand the positive impact volunteering has on our community and its residents. There are countless opportunities for each of us to find the causes we care most about, apply our particular talents and do our part to make Broward County a better place today and in the future. The first steps are simply determining what is most important to us and identifying how we can help.

April, designated as Earth Month, reminds us to preserve our precious natural resources for generations to come. Few initiatives have greater bearing on our community than assuring the health of our waterways. For 15 years, I have volunteered my time as one of 25 site leaders for the Marine Industry Association of South Florida’s Annual Broward Waterway Cleanup. In March, more than 1,800 volunteers arrived by land and sea at locations throughout Broward County to help clean our canals, rivers, Intracoastal and coastline.

I had the pleasure of leading 522 volunteers from all walks of life, from Girls Scouts to local firefighters, who braved the cold weather to support the countywide initiative. Various companies did their part as well, from Whole Foods Market offering granola bars to Lowe’s Home Improvement providing the wooden sticks for trash pick up. Working together, we removed 15 tons of trash from our waterways, ranging in size from gum wrappers to shopping carts.

The positive impact we had on our waterways was outstanding, but the warm sense of community created by working side-by-side for a common cause was equally as great.

Since my first year leading 90 volunteers, I have witnessed growing support every year from increasing numbers of residents. Through word-of-mouth and the hard work of my team of coordinators, we have generated a groundswell of volunteerism in Coral Springs. This shared commitment bodes well for our city’s future.

If all of us take the first step toward volunteering for causes we care about, we’re well on our way toward preserving our environment and the unique lifestyle that makes South Florida a great place to live, work and raise a family. For more information on volunteering opportunities throughout Broward County, please visit www.BrowardLeague.org.

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Roy Gold is a Commissioner for Coral Springs and a member of the Sustainability Committee for the Broward League of Cities.

Originally published to the Broward League of Cities Facebook page

Coral Springs Commissioner Roy Gold Assumes Presidency of Organization

FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – On Friday, May 7th, the Broward League of Cities formally installed Coral Springs Commissioner Roy Gold as president of the Broward League of Cities along with the 2010-2011 Broward League of Cities Board of Directors during a installation dinner in Coral Springs. He succeeded Wilton Manors Mayor Gary Resnick as president of the Broward League.

“It is my great honor to represent this collaborative organization at this pivotal time in the County’s history,” said Roy Gold in his address to the Broward League of Cities. “It is my goal for us to work together so that we may continue to make a positive difference for the 31 cities of Broward County.”

Roy Gold brings more than 30 years of experience in the political field, serving as a commissioner and vice mayor for the city of Coral Springs, chair of the Broward County Management and Efficiency Study Committee, chair and vice chair of the Broward County Water Advisory Board and the Florida Advisory Council for Barack Obama.

In addition to his position as president of the Broward League of Cities, Commissioner Gold is a program leader for Adopt-A-Mile, a site leader for the city of Coral Springs for the Broward County Waterway Cleanup and the creator and director of the Teen Political Forum.

Joining Commissioner Gold in leading the Broward League of Cities is the newly elected executive board. Each member will serve on the board of directors for a one year term:

• First Vice President – City of Weston Commissioner Daniel Stermer
• Second Vice President – City of Tamarac Mayor Beth Talabisco
• Treasurer – City of Plantation Mayor Rae Carole Armstrong
• Secretary – Cooper City Mayor Debby Eisinger

“With the installment of Commissioner Gold, the appointment of our board of directors and the launch of our new website, we are poised to continue increasing awareness and providing resolutions to issues facing Broward County residents,” said Rhonda Calhoun, executive director of the Broward League of Cities. “We are excited for the 2010-2011 year and look forward to serving the community’s interests on topics that affect day-to-day operations at the county, state, and federal levels.”

(more)

(The Broward League Appoints New President, continued)

The Broward League recently launched a newly redesigned website at www.browardleague.org.  Through the website, residents can read about current issues facing Broward County, review resolutions the League has passed and the positive impact of the organization’s decisions. The website also offers resource links, a calendar of upcoming events, information about members and valuable articles designed to provide residents with a comprehensive guide to legislation and issues in Broward County and the State of Florida.

The Broward League of Cities is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to raising awareness and resolving issues facing Broward County’s 31 cities and municipalities at the local, county and state level.

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About Broward League of Cities

Chartered in 1957, the Broward League of Cities is a non-partisan, non-profit organization representing the 31 municipal governments and more than 80 associate government, non-profit and business organizations within Broward County. The organization is dedicated to increasing awareness and providing resolutions to issues that affect day-to-day operations at the county, state, and federal levels. Read more at www.browardleague.org.

Locals Clean Up Broward Waterways

By Racine Higgins
Staff Intern

Teens all across Coral Springs and Parkland recently gathered together at Riverside Park for the annual Broward Waterway Cleanup arranged by Coral Springs City Commissioner Roy Gold.

When the gates opened early that morning, parents and students alike piled through all heading to registration tables, getting equipment such as pikes, grabbing a granola bar by the concession stand and moving on their way.

More than 500 residents helped to clean up the Broward waterways. Some found shoes, trash, and keys among other items.

Local teens Ashley Schentov and Megan Lindsteron, who attend Coral Springs Charter School, both showed up on crutches to support the cause. One might think typical teenagers would be fast asleep until midday, but not these two. When asked what really brought them out of bed for the cleanup, they responded, “support.”

One small group of children giving up their Saturday morning cartoons for volunteer work were the American Heritage Girls or AHG. They are a Christian base group that has a growing rate of many troops in 33 states.

Coral Springs City Commissioner Roy Gold was very pleased with the outcome this year.

“The cleanup started 15 years ago, and this is probably the most participants we’ve had since last year. At least 90 volunteers took part to help this organization grow,” said Commissioner Gold, “I am personally grateful of the support from the schools in the area. Some of the other sponsors included Kilwins and Whole Foods Market, among other community businesses and residents.”

Susan Spencer, who has been working with Gold to help with the cleanup for six years, was in charge of registering the hundreds of participants.

“In my opinion, this is more people than ever. I’m glad that the community has come together to work like a well oiled machine. The group of volunteers make everything easier,” said Spencer.

Read the Our Town News story (page 2 of the PDF)

“Note that the same information contained herein has also been timely filed with the Coral Springs City Clerk, as required by Section 106.07, F.S., and may also be viewed there, as a public record.”

• April to June 2009
• July to September 2009
• October to December 2009