<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">
<title>Ramblings - Feb 2, 2010 Happy Ground Hog Day</title>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="City"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceType"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="PlaceName"/>
<o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"
name="place"/>
<!--[if !mso]>
<style>
st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) }
</style>
<![endif]-->
<style>
<!--
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
</head>
<body lang=EN-US>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Ramblings - Feb 2, 2010 Happy Ground Hog Day!</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>We had a special treat today. Mayor Woody McDuffie did our program! </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>He reported that the City of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Delray</st1:place></st1:City>,
despite the bad economy, has a lot of things going for it. We are in good
financial shape. Business is still strong here. The Delray community is
strong. The Avenue is still thriving. There are many events to attract and
engage families. Visitors are still coming back. The city supports the Art Festival,
the 100 ft Christmas tree, the 4<sup>th</sup> of July festivities, Jazz on the
Avenue. During the Pro Bowl celebrations, NFL football players came here to
visit the pediatric ward at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Bethesda</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Hospital</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The challenge is to continue to think of new things to keep making
Delray even better. We do rely on downtown and the beach a good deal. The
other challenge is that the economic environment has affected Delray just like
everywhere…Revenues were down while expenses were up…Property taxes
account for over half of the revenue to the city. We have experienced a 14.65%
drop in property values while at the same time interest income from the
city’s investment dollars has decreased significantly. The city
struggles to keep its services at full force to protect and serve the
citizenry.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Surveys done show the citizens of Delray rank the city highly as a
great place to live and for the quality of life here. Even with the downturn,
new businesses like Linda Beans Lobster Roll have opened up shop. To the east,
the new Seagate Hotel has opened. We continue to work on getting pavers all
the way to I-95. There are new luxury rental condos available. Downtown is
funded, safe, and fun.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The City of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Delray</st1:place></st1:City>
is going to continue to market and have more global visibility so we can
attract people from everywhere. Francisco Perez is in charge of economic
development to help attract more corporations. We have 16.5 square miles of
CRA owned property that can be used for corporate relocations to our area. We
have reserves for natural disasters. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>We need to attract more corporate business to Delray. In order to do
that, we must examine what executives look for in an area. First, they want a
strong sense of community and diverse background acceptance. They want quality
recreation and cultural activities. Delray has recently re-surveyed and
replaced historical markers. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>One other important aspect of a corporation’s decision to locate
to any area is the quality of the school system. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Delray’s schools have increased their overall grade and continue
to offer great programs to their students. The graduation rate for incoming
high school students at Atlantic High is 94% today. <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName
w:st="on">Carver</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Middle School</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>
has implemented a morning program. We have an active Mayors Literacy Program.
The after school-mentoring program continues to be strong. Delray has its own
Youth Council that has 25 kids as members that speak to city members on what
they need and what’s on their minds.</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Delray is trying to go Green where it can. Some city vehicles will be
replaced with hybrids where possible. Most noteworthy, since 1965, the city
has been pumping 16.5 million gallons of reclaimed sewage per day into the
ocean. As of April 1, 2009, the outfall was completely shut off! The city is
giving back green spaces to the public. They leased Hilltoper Stadium and have
a great place for youth soccer and football. </span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Palm Beach</span></font></st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">County</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> is establishing an
Ethics Committee with an inspector general. This will add cost onto each
government contract but it will also help police public officials. Gifts of
over $100 will have to be reported. The cost of not having an Ethics Committee
is greater than the cost of implementation.</p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>All in all, Delray is in great shape!</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Green Hat today was $243.00 #534, Linda Parker drew but didn’t
get the ever illusive Ace! Better luck next week!</span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>