It is with great pleasure that I wish all of you a happy holiday season with your loved ones. We hope the New Year brings you more happiness and joy! The good will of those we serve is the foundation of our success. It's a real pleasure at this time for me to say Thank You, and I wish you all good health, wealth, happiness, joy and laughter for you and your family in 2012. For those of us who have seen more than a few holiday seasons, they also are times of appreciation and reflection. I was first elected in 1984 to the City Council where I served until 1990. I returned to the City Commission in 2004, and I have been working diligently to make Lauderhill a great city where people of diverse cultures work together to make Lauderhill one of the most desirable places to live. I trust that you had a very good holiday season and that you are looking forward to the New Year with great expectations.

The construction at the Lauderhill Aquatic Center is now complete. A Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 19th, 2012. The Aquatic Center is located at John Mullin Park, 1900 NW 55th Ave. The 4,000 sq. ft. Aquatic Center include a 25-meter pool with eight lanes, that can be heated and cooled, and a “funbrella” splash feature for children. Also included are meeting rooms and classrooms, a concession stand and locker rooms; and, as a LEED Silver building, the facility has low-volume water fixtures, high efficiency air-conditioning and a low energy lighting system. This is one of the few facilities in Broward County where high school children can practice in an Olympic-sized pool. The

Lauderhill Cultural Museum is being built at the Wally Elfers Park, 1080 NW 47th Ave. The 3,000 sq. ft. Cultural Museum will also incorporate LEED environmental standards and have space for classes, homeowners' association meetings and other community events. It will also have displays of old photographs, artifacts and other items associated

Both facilities were funded through the Great Neighborhoods Bond, a $35 million general obligation bond. The Cultural Museum will cost an estimated $500,000 and the Aquatic Center about $1.4 million. A $150,000 grant was also used to help pay for the Aquatic Center.

How You Can Fight Mold In Your Home: South Florida’s tropical weather makes household water leaks a common problem here that can lead to mold and mildew. September is National Mold Awareness Month, and the non-profit company Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics recommends several strategies for preventing and cleaning up mold at home.

Mold represents a health risk, especially for the approximately 50 million people in the U.S. affected by allergies. Bleach and other toxic cleaners commonly advertised to kill mold spores are airway irritants known to trigger asthma and upper respiratory symptoms. We always encourage families to choose non-toxic options instead because they work.

Mold is a serious issue for southern and central Florida residents because they are often impacted by hurricanes and tropical storms. Mold thrives in moisture, and in addition to the excess water from storms, Florida’s high humidity helps promote mold growth.

Experts recommend the following:

• Detect it: To prevent mold you must stop water from getting inside your home. Keep an eye out for leaking roofs, cracked foundations, clogged drains and faulty plumbing. Regularly check around kitchen and bathroom sinks, refrigerators and attics.

• Dry it: Invest in a shop vacuum or water pump, which also can be rented from a local home improvement store that you can use to remove water in the event of sudden flooding. Once water is removed, use fans to dry out areas; open doors and windows if possible, as well as closet and cabinet doors to help allow air to circulate.

• Ditch it: Don’t be reluctant to throw out water and mold-damaged items that are replaceable. If in doubt, throw it out, including carpeting, padding and ceiling tiles. If drywall has absorbed water, cut out 12 inches above the water level and replace once the room is dried out.