Photos: Marina Mile Association Breakfast Speakers Senator Eleanor Sobel and Representative Evan Jenne Address an Appreciative Marine Industry Audience

Friday, June 19, 2009

Newly elected State Senator Eleanor Sobel (on left) returns to Marina Mile Association with Executive Director Margaret Croxton (on the right) for her first Florida legislature session report.

State Representative Evan Jenne takes questions from Marina Mile Association members about his goals for next year's legislative session.

State Senator Eleanor Sobel reaffirms her support for the marine industry.

MMA Vice President Joe Rubano, RPM Diesel Company, thanks the speakers for their support with the City of Dania Beach and FDOT for promising landscaping improvements to Marina Mile Blvd.

Former 20 year legislator and MMA Board member Steve Geller adds his expertise to the political discussion.

Florida Department of Revenue representative Barbara Buckbee explains recently passed legislation to extend yacht visits to Florida from 90 to 180 days without penalties.

Jamie Hart, City of Fort Lauderdale Marine Division expert, explains how he worked to get Marina Mile Blvd. signs corrected.

Marina Mile Association breakfast crowd at the monthly third Thursday meeting, June 18, 2009

Click here for the Marina Mile Association at fort-lauderdale-marine-directory.com MONTHLY BREAKFAST MEETING JUNE 18TH, 2009 @ 8 A.M. The Ramada Inn, 2275 Marina Mile Blvd. (SR 84) The Florida State Legislature has adjourned and our state senators and representatives are home! Don't you just want to grab one or two of them and ask them questions? Or give them a piece of your mind? Or say thanks? Well you are going to have your chance next week at our regular monthly 3rd Thursday Breakfast meeting. Joining us to give their versions of the recent legislative session will be newly elected State Senator Eleanor Sobel, who replaced Senator Steve Geller (now on our board) and State Representative Evan Jenne who was elected in 2006 and reelected in 2008. He serves as House Minority Whip. In keeping up with Eleanor during the session through regular reports "home", I found her reasons for voting against the final state budget interesting. She believes we need a "new economic vision" to stop raiding trust funds and patching-up problems. She said, "We will have to rely on our own ingenuity and not the federal government's temporary infusion of billions of dollars." In the next session she suggests increasing alternative sources of revenue, fixing tax inequities, and removing tax exemptions for those who do not need them." Evan is recognized in Tallahassee as a legislator who can effectively work with both Democrats and Republicans. He has a focus on "returning common sense to the legislative process" and is willing to fight for his constituents. He serves on several crucial committees. Both want your suggestions for legislation next year. Please come thank them for their attention to Marina Mile issues. I made mention of Steve Geller who retired after 20 years in the legislature and has joined the law firm of Greenspoon Marder PA. Steve joined our board and continues to show his long standing interest and support for the marine industry through the Marina Mile Association. You will recall Greenspoon Marder's major sponsorship (along with The Triton) of our once a year big event-the Holiday Luncheon (which this year will be Friday, Dec. 18th-and it is not too early to mark it in your calendar.) Because he has always been a staunch supporter and effective leader while in office, some members of the Marina Mile Association--notably our Officers: Bill Bigger, Joe Rubano, Bob Roscioli & Dick Polcini-- thought of a way to not only thank him, as we recognized his contributions upon his retirement, but a way to show support of his desire to represent our constituency on the Broward County Commission. Invitations are now going out for an event the same day as our Thursday June 18th breakfast meeting next week. Our Ramada Inn Board Member/Host Mike Epstein has graciously offered the upstairs night club and lounge COCO LOCOS for a select gathering of Marina Mile Association members for cocktails and hors d'ouevres, and a DJ if you feel like dancing afterwards. Time will be 5 o'clock p.m. Please make the time to let me know personally, or any of the officers that you plan to support this endeavor! Please participate yourself and bring anyone you like to get to know Steve better and what he stands for. As we saw in this year's elections, our industry can make a difference in the people who represent us. So, this month you can get up close and personal with at least three people who have and can make things happen for you, your business, and your organization! We have a landscaping meeting with city, county, and state officials set for June 16th at Dania Beach City Hall and are working on the Marina Mile Blvd. signage issue raised last month and will have information on the agenda for you at the Thursday breakfast. Hope to see you at the Ramada - downstairs and up! MARGARET CROXTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Supporting Cities: Dania Beach, Davie, Ft. Lauderdale c/o Margaret Croxton Enterprises 1315 S. Miami Rd., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33316 Phone: 954-494-1900 FAX: 954-524-1220 E-mail: croxtonma@aol.com