1028 NW 3RD AVENUE AT SUNRISE BLVD., CONTINUES TO PLAGUE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

As of Thurs., Nov. 13th the Nuisance Abatement Board recommended foreclosure of the property at 1028 NW 3rd Ave.

Now it goes before the City Commission. Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom will help South Middle River neighborhood on this important issue. Please call Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom and City Manager George Gretsas at 954-828-5000 and voice your support for foreclosure of 1028 NW 3rd Ave. so we can begin clearing this area of drug dealing. Please stay tuned.

charlotte-rodstrom-letter

Please click on above and read Charlotte’s invitation to our community. The betterment of South Middle River depends on you. You are the key!

Thank you for your participation and your input.

Vivian Dempsey will give a “Citizen Presentation” at Fort Lauderdale City Hall Commission Chambers, during the City Commission meeting on Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at 6:30 pm. 

Please click on following link to see page 24 of the Fort Lauderdale City Commission meeting agenda vivian-dempsey-broken-sidewalks-0908  (pdf file).

She will speak about the problem of broken sidewalks in South Middle River on 17th Street from Powerline to Andrews.  She needs our support so please attend this important meeting and in the process, learn more about how City government works.  For more information please call Vivian Dempsey, 954-763-5084.

An “alliance” of powerful neighborhood associations and their representatives is in the formative stages and moving very quickly to improve the 13^th Street corridor.   On August 14, 2008 at 5:45 at the office of the Alliance’s elected President Kathleen Barry of HOMES, Inc. the newly formed Board met to further progress to improve our City and SMRCA. 

Representing SMRCA on the Board are;   Rick Gibson, Past-President, P.J. Espinal, SMRCA Board Member, and Ray Thrower, SMRCA Member and Chair of the SMRCA Strategic Planning Committee.    This particular meeting was dedicated to key decisions which will result in bylaw formation, possible branding and more.   The most notable topic which may have tremendous positive implications for 13^th Street was the rapid advancement to utilize beautiful African artwork, stored currently without appreciation in the medians on 13^th Street.    The artwork, which is extremely striking and impressive, will be placed on the medians along 13^th Street, by utilization of a City grant already approved.   This improvement should be enjoyed by residents prior to the end of 2008. 

Otherwise, the Alliance consists of Lakeridge, Middle River Terrace, South Middle River and Poinsettia Heights.   This is going to be a powerful alliance to further the interests of all of our neighborhoods and our quality of life.   Please look forward to further updates.

Many thanks to Father Charles, City Manager George Gretsas, FLPD Chief Frank Adderley, Captain Karen Dietrich, Captain John Labandera, Rick Gibson, Sal Gatanio, Robert Alcock and many others for making this event a huge success!

On Saturday, August 2, 2008 South Middle River Civic Association (SMRCA) held a Crime Walk and Rally at Divine Mercy Catholic Church located at 1105 NW 6^th Ave. at 3:30 pm. The focus was on the area South of NW 13^th St. Father Charles and his congregation of Divine Mercy Catholic Church provided us with tremendous support. The church was our starting point and a DJ provided music. Food and beverages were also provided. Guest speakers included Father Charles, SMRCA President Rick Gibson and Fort Lauderdale City Manager, George Gretsas.

For a few months SMRCA’s Crime Committee focused attention on NW 3rd Ave. and the FLPD’s “Raiders” made several raids

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My family moved into our first home in South Middle River in 1979 and now realize we were pioneers of a wonderful neighborhood. We loved the location, Beach, parks and shopping.  Our neighbors were a dream.  South Middle River cared for their homes and gardens.  

Things began to change in 1985, as things always do.  One day I saw two broken bottles on our street. Over the next year more broken glass appeared wherever we walked.  My children made a little game of keeping our block safe from this hazard.  We did not understand the reasons for change but loved our home and neighborhood so were determined to persevere.  We remain determined.

Unkempt rentals sprang up and pride in ownership appeared to decline.   It seemed we were losing a battle but knew we must continue our passionate efforts to maintain our homes and dreams.   Our future, we realized as time was moving slowly, was going to be in the hands of the children, so we saw that stopping the cycles would be a legacy and in their hands.

SMRCA and the City of Fort Lauderdale needs to support our chldren and those who want to help.  Jim Howell, Teacher at Thurgood Marshall Elementary and Sandra Sullivan, Director at Warfield Park need your help. If you can read, you can help. 

The children at Warfield Park would also love an “end of summer” cookout.   Call Jim today and learn what you can do to enrich the lives of children, SMRCA and your own by giving however you are able.