Re-ELECT
Jim Allbritton
for TOWN COUNCIL
SOUTHWEST RANCHES
PRESERVING THE PAST... PROTECTING OUR FUTURE
ABOUT ME - AND MY COMMITMENT TO THE TOWN
I was born and raised in South Florida and proudly served in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. In 1985, I was fortunate to build my current home in the wide-open spaces that later became Southwest Ranches. Around that same time, my wife and her two daughters were very much involved with their four horses and a 4H Horse Club, while my son and I enjoyed fishing and long bike rides. For the past 35 years, my family and I have truly enjoyed this unique and rural lifestyle.
Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with many of you on planning and setting up town events. I currently sit on both the Comprehensive Planning Board and Fire Assessment Board in making recommendations, along with the residents’ input, to the current council for consideration.
During my 40-year career, I learned how to effectively lead a team, negotiate contracts, budget, and most importantly, listen to all sides of an issue before making a decision.
I feel that the time has come for me to run for council to PROTECT our town from the recent threats of turning our precious greenspace into dense residential communities and commercial developments. We MUST protect this unique rural town of ours so that our grandchildren and their grandchildren can enjoy it, just as we do. You have my promise that I will fight to preserve our town and the lifestyle that we all enjoy.
ABOUT JIM ALLBRITTON
I was born and raised in South Florida and proudly served in the U.S. Army with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. In 1985, I was fortunate to be able to build my home in the wide-open spaces that later became Southwest Ranches. Around the same time, my wife and her two daughters were very much involved with their four horses and working with a 4H Club, while my son and I enjoyed high school football and long bike rides.
I enjoyed a 40-year career with the Operating Engineers Union and served as Union President for the final 18 years. As President, I chaired the Pension, Health and Apprentice Trust Funds where I successfully negotiated contracts, worked with attorneys, and developed the ability to listen to all sides of an issue to make a fair and equitable decision. As your Council Member, I will continue to use these skills to help Keep Southwest Ranches a great place to live.
MY COMMITMENT TO THE TOWN
Over the past twenty-four years I have had the pleasure of working with many of you, both on the planning and setting up of great town events that were enjoyed by all. As your Council Member, I have devoted the last four years, working with the Town Council and the residents of Southwest Ranches, to protect Our Town from any threats of turning our precious green spaces into dense residential communities or commercial developments. When I campaigned four years ago, I repeatedly heard from you five major issues you felt needed to be addressed. I am proud to say that I was able to address those five issues in a favorable way. I currently serve as the Town’s representative on the Broward League of Cities Director’s Board, the Broward County Water Advisory Board and the South Florida Regional Planning Council. Serving on these boards has allowed me to better understand how government works and deals with issues on a regional and local level. I attend all the Town’s Homeowner and Civic Association meetings, and all the Town’s Advisory Board meetings. What better way to learn firsthand what our residents’ concerns and wants are.
Many issues will be facing our town in the upcoming years, none more important than keeping a Waste to Energy Plant out of our backyard and out of Broward County all together. My wife and I are committed to this issue by being involved in the Town’s newly formed Zero to Waste Advisory board. I also speak about this issue at all the board meetings I attend. The Town is in the early planning stage of building an Emergency Operation Center to better provide services for our residents in the event of an emergency or natural disaster. Our town is also getting older, and we must find ways to keep our parks and recreation facilities in good shape for all our residents to enjoy.
I am asking for your support to allow me to continue to serve all of you and keep Southwest Ranches a unique place to live and raise a family as I have for the past 39 years. I would greatly appreciate your support of my re-election campaign.
ON THE ISSUES
Maintaining our Rural Lifestyle:
I have voted against all proposals to increase the density of our Land Use Plan, to maintain our quality of life in the Ranches. I voted against any new nurseries except on our major roads with NO impact on our existing nurseries.
Drainage:
There have been several drainage projects that have been completed and several more scheduled to start. These will greatly improve how the water is drained from our residents’ properties. I am talking with Town Hall to see that the contractors on these projects are the most qualified contractors we can hire for our tax dollars.
Taxes:
I have worked to keep our taxes as low as possible these past four years by lowering the millage rate by almost one full mill. One of the lowest in Broward County.
Waste and Bulk Pickup:
We terminated our previous provider and hired a company with more modern equipment, which means our swales are not being dug up from bulk pickups and our garbage and recycling is being collected on a more efficient schedule.
Safety and Traffic:
I sponsored the creation of a Town Safety and Traffic Advisory Board. I helped establish a program to move our portable speed trailers throughout the town where residents can call and ask to host a speed trailer on their swales. I voted to approve the purchase of new Laser speed guns and update the radar units in all our patrol cars. I approved the purchase and installation of “TAG READERS “covering all the major roads throughout town. I voted to approve the purchase of permanently placed speed signs. Twelve are currently being installed and there are plans to purchase twelve more later this year.