Dear voter,
Every day I travel up and down District 4 – on Federal Highway, A1A, Oakland Park Boulevard, Commercial Boulevard, Hillsboro Boulevard, Atlantic Boulevard, all the way to Port Everglades and FLL. I see what you see – abandoned buildings that have been boarded up, “For Sale” signs on vacant lots, and the look of an economy that has met disaster. These are difficult times for Broward County residents, as we battle 10.7% unemployment and one of the highest foreclosure rates in the country. What’s worse, the Broward County Commission is either too concerned with dodging federal investigators for ethics violations or too busy hiding behind their fancy desks and $92,000 per year salary plus benefits to do anything about it.
As your County Commissioner, I will not run, hide or wait, simply hoping that the recession will soon be over. Instead, I’m actually proposing a plan: The 4/4/4 Plan – 4 Steps, 4 Years, for District 4. This is a list of goals that I and the new District 4 team will prepare and execute in the next four years to bring jobs back to Broward, revive our economy and make this county thrive once again. Have a look below – and, as always, let me know what you think!
Regards,
Chip
Chip LaMarca’s 4 Steps, 4 Years, for District 4
1. A six-month to one-year tax moratorium on all new small business and entrepreneurship in Broward County. I believe that taxation and government should never, ever stand in someone’s way when they want to start a new business. America is all about opportunity – and the Broward County Government imposes far too many fees, taxes, and red tape to start your own business and bring jobs to the county. Let’s cut the red tape and let our citizens do what they do best – innovate and create opportunity.
2. A real Convention Center Hotel. We live in a perfect area for business conferences, annual meetings, and business expos. We need and deserve a convention center hotel that will bring money, business, and national exposure to Broward County. Unfortunately, the Broward County Commission recently voted down a perfectly good project that would have brought a top tier luxury Convention Center Hotel to Broward County – and to District 4 – with no impact on taxpayers. Why didn’t they pass it? Because the same lobbyists that line their pockets come election time and campaign season fought tooth and nail against it – showing that the special interests always prevail on this dais. As County Commissioner, I pledge to you that I won’t be “up for sale” when it comes to voting for progress in our county. Projects like a convention center hotel are needed to bring jobs to the area as well as market Broward County effectively.
3. Place a two-year “tax hold” on all new responsible construction projects. Buildings and homes in Broward County that have been vacant for the past three years give our county a blighted look that tells tales of woe and stagnation. In order to revitalize our area, we must be open to new projects and new construction for a more modern and welcoming environment where our citizens can live, work, and play. In order to envision progress, we must do our part to create an environment that respects our past but looks forward to a bright future. Placing a tax hold on new environmentally responsible construction will bring jobs to this county and encourage growth in the private sector.
4. Attract two (2) major companies to relocate to or establish offices in Broward. Recessions give government excellent opportunities to innovate and think outside the box. Recessions also give companies of all sizes the rare ability to re-assess their business models and even the locations of their corporate headquarters. I want to visit with these companies and sell them on Broward County – and convince them to relocate to South Florida. Not only will Broward gain residents, but an influx of new jobs will occur. Florida is a business friendly state, and it is high time we took advantage of that.
