Jennifer Gottlieb (At-Large)

First, on Aug. 11, School Board member Dave Thomas of Coral Springs says he is resigning. Now, one day later, it has been confirmed by the School Board that Jennifer Gottlieb (At Large) is also resigning, effective today.

While Thomas’ resignation letter has been officially released to the press, Gottlieb’s has not at this time. Thomas said his decision to leave “is prompted by a recent family medical situation…”

Gottlieb, who went through the Broward School system herself and graduated from Nova High School, was originally elected to the board in 2006.

Any person who leaves the School Board will have to be replaced and that decision will remain in the hands of Governor Rick Scott.

Dave Thomas

At  10:00 a.m. this morning a fire was reported at Peking Tokyo Buffet Located at 1219 S. Federal hwy in Deerfield.  Flames were seen coming through the roof in the back.  Deerfield Fire responded with a full battalion.

The area was blocked off by BSO and is still an active scene.  Cause of fire unknown. Updates to come. See video of the scene on Observer TV

This tax “free” holiday, Chipotle Mexican Grill is offering its Florida guests FREE Food With Integrity.

Simply eat at any Miami or Ft. Lauderdale Chipotle on Tuesday, August 9, or Wednesday, August 10, and save the receipt. Return any time during tax “free” weekend, August 12 – 14 and receive a free burrito, bowl, order of tacos or salad with your receipt. No charge. No tax. No strings attached.

According to the Ron Ishoy,spokesman for the State Attorney’s Office, former Deerfield Beach Commissioner Steve Gonot was adjudicated guilty and sentenced Friday to 364 days in jail and five years probation for his conviction on three campaign finance-related corruption charges.

Broward County Circuit Judge Barbara McCarthy set a $15,000 bond while Gonot appeals the decision. Besides jail and probation, Gonot must also complete 500 hours community service.

Gonot was convicted May 10 of Official Misconduct and Grand Theft over $5,000, as well as a misdemeanor charge of Falsifying Records.

Gonot had been accused of unlawfully misusing $5,135 in campaign money for his personal use by writing a check from his campaign fund to a long-time friend for “supplies and equipment reimbursement” for his campaign. Investigators determined that no such equipment had been delivered by the time Gonot had falsely listed the transaction on his campaign treasurer’s report.

Assistant State Attorney David Schulson prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Broward State Attorney’s Office and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The 2011 redistricting effort will provide for extensive public participation, including public workshops, public hearings, and a process for members of the public to submit maps for Commission consideration.

Public Workshops

A series of workshops will be held at various locations around the County to inform the public about the process and requirements for completing the new County Commission district map. Five workshops have been scheduled:

September 12, 2011 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
African American Research Library & Cultural Center
Library Auditorium
2650 Sistrunk Boulevard
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

September 19, 2011 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
North Regional Library
Library Auditorium, Room 154
1100 Coconut Creek Boulevard
Coconut Creek, FL 33066

September 26, 2011 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Tree Tops Park
Oak Auditorium
3900 S.W. 100 Avenue
Davie, FL 33328

September 29, 2011 from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Government Center West
Hearing Room
1 University Drive
Plantation, FL 33324

October 3, 2011 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
West Lake Park – Anne Kolb Nature Center
Mangrove Hall
751 Sheridan Street
Hollywood, FL 33019

Public Hearings

The County Commission will hold two public hearings, in October and early November of 2011.

Public Submissions of Maps

The State of Florida is developing Web-based software, called “MyDistrictBuilder,” which the public can access for free to draw Federal congressional and State legislative maps that they want to submit for consideration. This software is expected to be fully operational in July 2011, and can also be used to draw custom maps for Broward County Commission districts.

Once the software is available, staff from Broward County Planning and Redevelopment Division will be available to help train members of the public on the use of the software and the process for submitting maps.

Paper maps will also be available, with voter precincts and current Commission district boundaries noted, for members of the public interested in drawing maps by hand.

Planning and Redevelopment Division staff will review all maps submitted by members of the public to ensure consistency with the Broward County Charter and Fair Districting Standards, and submit maps meeting those standards to the County Commission for consideration.

All maps submitted for consideration by the County Commission will be posted to this Web site.

By David Volz…

The Pompano Beach City Commission completed its budget hearings on Thursday, July 21.  The proposed millage rate is 5.2027 and the proposed budget is $212,818,466.

The Observer Newspaper has been closely following the District 2 commissioner race in Deerfield Beach, and of the four candidates, Ben Preston has cleared the hurdles to become the next commissioner by a very close vote of roughly 15 votes difference. Read Thursday’s paper to learn more about today’s special election or watch election coverage on ObserverTV.

July 19–This pup is on borrowed time, he is at Coral Springs Humane Unit, they are giving him a short period of time before he goes to animal control. Dogs Rule is full, but we will do anything we can to help. He is not even two years, well behaved and very sweet.  Call Dogs Rule Rescue at 954-263-5934.

ObserverTV is broadcasting LIVE from City Hall tonight 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tune-in for LIVE updates on election results and a LIVE interview with the winner at 7:30 p.m.

A Transportation Security Administration employee was caught stealing an I-Pad computer from a suitcase, and Broward Sheriff’s Office detectives say he’s responsible for a string of similar thefts over the past six months.

Nelson Santiago, who worked in Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport’s Terminal 1, which houses Southwest and Continental airlines, was arrested Monday and charged with two counts of grand theft. Santiago, 30, told detectives that he stole electronics such as computers, GPS devices and video cameras from luggage he was screening. He would immediately take a photo of the stolen item with his cell phone, post it for sale online and often sell it by the time his shift ended. Detectives estimate he stole about $50,000 worth of electronics over the past six months, and the vast majority of the items were sold very quickly.

A Continental employee who saw Santiago slip an I-Pad computer out of a suitcase Monday and into his pants confronted Santiago and reported the theft to a Continental supervisor. The supervisor then contacted BSO and the TSA. TSA is cooperating with the investigation.

Santiago was arrested Monday and was released on bond the following day. He has been a TSA officer since January 2009 but no longer works with the agency. BSO’s investigation is ongoing, and additional charges are pending. Detectives are trying to locate possible victims, though most will never recover their property.

Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of theft at the airport can report information to BSO Det. Michael Sweeney at (954) 359-6417 or report information about the investigation anonymously to Crime Stoppers of Broward County at (954) 493-TIPS (8477) or online at www.browardcrimestoppers.org.