If you live in Coral Springs, Tamarac, Parkland or parts of North Lauderdale, it is my honor to represent you on the Broward County Commission.

Broward County keeps moving forward and I hope that 2013 will continue on that path. Our unemployment numbers are below the State of Florida and national averages, in part because Broward County is putting people to work. We are expanding Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport with a new runway and updated terminals. We are building a new County Courthouse, too. I’m proud to say I led the initiative on both of those projects and construction is underway on both.

The airport runway project will create more than 11,000 new jobs and add millions of dollars into our local economy. Best of all, it will increase the already booming tourism industry in Broward. For 2012, visitors to the Greater Fort Lauderdale area spent over $9 billion dollars – a record.

My overall goal on the County Commission is to make the quality of life for all Broward residents ideal for everyone, from young families to retirees. At the same time, we need to keep our property taxes in check. All of the projects I’ve mentioned that help our economy did not raise local property taxes one cent, an amazing feat. We were able to get through the tough times with our priorities and principles intact.