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RVCA Outgoing President's Message

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

lot has happened in the last 14 years. In 2004 we had invaded Iraq in the first
Gulf War; Gravity topped the theater box office; The Boston Red Sox won their
Afirst World Series in 86 years; a Harvard student named Mark Zuckerberg
launched a social media company called Facebook…and 2004 was when I was first
voted in as your President of RVCA.
I have been honored to serve you as the 2nd longest-running neighborhood President in
Fort Lauderdale's history but have decided to announce my resignation from the RVCA
Board. During this time Fort Lauderdale has seen tremendous growth, experienced
ballooning traffic, King Tides flooding, infrastructure stress and endured the wrath of
four hurricanes. Yet our neighborhood has flourished through it all. We have worked to
expand and improve our five surrounding parks--Young, Hector, Hardy, Abreu and
Warren Sturman, MD Stranahan Landings (Tunnel Top anchor to Riverwalk), including adding park space,
Outgoing President, RVCA playgrounds, railings, ground covering and shade.

We have seen property values in Rio Vista soar, not only because of the houses and landscaping, but because of your
support for our neighborhood, making this the most desirable neighborhood in the entire city. RVCA has brought back
our popular Campout/Cookout in the Park, the Golf Cart Parade, Antique Car Show on Ponce, Boat Parade viewing in
Abreu, organized Halloween in the Park and added an annual Scavenger Hunt, Fishing Tournament and outdoor movies
in the park. And our annual Rio Vista Holiday Party each December remains the ultimate community bonding event.
Thanks to our Protect Rio Vista Security Patrol we have the lowest crime rate in the entire city. A new Fire Station 8 is
being returned to this side of the railroad tracks. Our precinct has consistently had the highest voter turnout in all of Fort
Lauderdale. And we have benefited from a continuous neighborhood seat representing us on the city commission,
starting with Mayor James Naugle, Commissioner Romney Rogers, and now Commissioner Ben Sorensen.

But we still have work to be done. While Fire Station 8 will be built east of the tracks, they moved it 15 blocks southwest of
its target location, leaving much of Rio Vista with unacceptable response times. The city compromised by promising us a
medical rescue unit to be built close to the tunnel, but funding for this was eliminated when the annual budget came out last
month. As Fort Lauderdale grows we are seeing the pressures placed on traffic and infrastructure. The rise in sea level and
King Tides impact our low-lying areas more than just about any part of the city. Starting next year profits from water/sewer
fees previously going into the general fund will be returned to public works to fix infrastructure, leaving a $20 million
shortfall in or city's annual general fund. With the departure of Lee Feldman, the city will be searching for a replacement for
the city manager. With the WAVE streetcar gone, we are searching for new, modern, efficient public transportation to serve
downtown, SE 17th Street and Las Olas. The city, county, business leaders, Broward Health and United Way are now
actively working together on solutions to the homeless problem.
This has been an awesome 14 years. I have loved every minute of it. I thank you all, my friends and neighbors, for
making this the best neighborhood in the city to come home to. And especially to my family, who have been gracious to
allow me to share my time with you -- I love you dearly. We have a tremendously dedicated Rio Vista Board that
volunteers countless hours simply to enhance our community. To each of you, you are my colleagues, my neighbors and
my friends. I thank you all.
See you in the neighborhood. RV

Sincerely,

Warren Sturman, MD
President, RVCA

6 6 rio vista civic association • www.riovistaonline.com