Upscale projects, including high-rises, are going up across Hollywood. At the same time, however, residents of this South Florida coastal city notice that quality of life services are being neglected.
I learned about this problem firsthand by knocking on doors with Catherine “Cat” Uden, who wants to replace Josh Levy as mayor on November 5.
We’ve walked in Parkside, just south of downtown Hollywood, where development is spreading from one area to another. We’ve met people in Hollywood Hills, a middle-class neighborhood, in Boulevard Heights in the western part of the city, and in Rotary Park, just south of the Hollywood YMCA.
I expected to hear people say they’re voting for Mayor Levy one last time. But that hasn’t been the case most of the time. Over and over again, we’ve heard complaints about quality-of-life issues: It takes months to get a permit to put up a fence at my house, is one refrain. Yet major developers get permits fast; garbage pickup is sporadic on some streets, sidewalks are not being fixed; and flooding has occurred even in middle-class neighborhoods, not just older parts of Hollywood. Adding insult to injury, I keep hearing that folks can’t always count on getting help when they call the city or even sometimes from an elected representative.
This series of concerns explains why I’m supporting Cat Uden for mayor, even though I voted for Josh when he ran the first time in 2016. The young, intelligent, competent attorney won a second term unopposed four years later.
But after eight years of Josh, it’s clear that we need fresh blood. We need someone whose major focus isn’t development or what I view as support for over-development. We need a mayor who will question how much development we need to build a stronger tax base and ask exactly what kind of construction makes sense for a city hammered the past two springs by epic rainfalls that caused flooding.
Of course, the visits from Mother Nature are perhaps a prelude to what awaits us as sea-level rise and climate change continue their inexorable march.
So we need a full-time mayor as Hollywood prepares to celebrate its 100th birthday. If elected in November, Cat will quit her full-time job to help pass environmental legislation. Instead, she will devote her energies full-time to the six districts that comprise the City of Hollywood. Cat will continue knocking on doors and visiting community groups. Equally important, she will take the information she collects back to City Hall. And Cat will meet with the City Manager, who runs Hollywood daily under our system of government. She also will be a voice for all residents, including long-time homeowners who can no longer afford dealing with escalating property values that generate higher property tax bills, or homeowners just to the north and south of booming downtown who don’t want to live near a condo that was built next door after their neighbor sold an aging home to a developer. The noise, pollution, and increased congestion are some of the byproducts of what is happening here.
In short, it’s time to address all of these concerns.
Still, make no mistake, Hollywood desperately needs development. After all, dealing with sea-level rise and climate change will cost us an unknown amount of money over the next few decades. Of course, it’s unrealistic to expect an indebted federal government to print enough money to meet our needs. It’s also unlikely the state and county governments have the means to provide the necessary financial support.
So, it’s up to us to build a stronger and sustainable tax base.
But saying it’s up to us creates responsibility; it doesn’t simply grant permission to offer knee-jerk support for upscale project after upscale project.
No. From my perspective, we need leaders who ask questions in public: How much is enough? What type of development best serves our needs as flooding continues to get worse and scientists warn parts of South Florida are sinking? What happens if we have another 100-year hurricane, as we did around the time Joseph Young founded our city? That hurricane devastated Hollywood in the years before the Great Depression. Population declined, and the real estate market suffered, according to Marla Sherman Dumas, a long-time Hollywood resident and planning consultant who has served as a Broward County Historical Commissioner. You can find her article, “An Early Neighborhood in Hollywood Worthy of Historic Designation,” online.
So, even as we are living in boom times, I want our leaders to ask: Can what happened 100 years ago happen again? And if so, are we making matters worse by flooding downtown Hollywood – and Young Circle – with high-rise buildings? The traffic in the area is already difficult to negotiate. What will happen if people in the high-rises need to evacuate? Will the early warning systems we have these days be enough? And will the people with money who move into our luxury properties seek safer places to live?
In other words, let’s not support short-term gain at the expense of possible long-term pain.
The solution? We need to elect our first full-time mayor on November 5.
You can learn more about Cat here.
You can also find out about the decision the Levy family made to sell Hollywood Kia here.
According to the June 5 press release, Joe Levy, the former owner, said, “…we have decided to focus our efforts on real estate development.”
Steve Schneider says
From The Florida Squeeze, on the 1926 Hurricane to hit South Florida:
https://thefloridasqueeze.com/2024/07/24/great-miami-hurricane-of-1926/
Silence DoGood says
Sooooooo…you DON’T want growth in the city?? Every other city is prospering, but you want to keep Hollywood stuck in the 70s? Get it….. the hippie dippy world you were raised in has passed you by. Modernity is here and you can’t stop it. Maybe you should stop crying about forward momentum and prosperity and stick with the name that has worked for the city, instead of one with no experience.
Steve Schneider says
Shame on you for playing your political game.
Our future is too important for you to twist and distort the serious disagreement that we apparently have.
So, to repeat: We need development — responsible, sustainable development.
Therefore, why don’t you come out from hiding and engage this point honestly?
Or is it possible you can’t handle the truth? to quote a great actor in a wonderful film, “A Few Good Men”.
Steve Schneider says
Oh, a last point or two, Mr. or Ms. Silence DoGood:
It’s cool that you read my article.
In fact, it’s groovy, man.
But you really ought to consider changing the name you’re hiding behind. Silence DoGood sounds like a slap at our First Amendment.
So, I’ve got to ask this anonymous writer: You do believe in First Amendment remedies — free speech, right?
Eduardo Flores says
Development is necessary and beneficial when it is implemented correctly. My administration would focus solely on providing affordable housing, infrastructure which will address our constant flooding issues, preparing us for hurricanes, and promoting overall quality of life improvements to the city of Hollywood. In addition, I would like to create a Community Investment Trust which will then turn those developments back into profits for our residents. It’s time city hall elects a mayor who won’t be “Full Time” but rather dedicates their life to public service. Ford created what most refer to as the 40 hour work week, which most consider full time employment.
The office of the Mayor is a 24/7 365 day a year job.
I plan to dedicate all of my being, and all of my to the progress and success of each and every resident in Hollywood, FL.
Hollywood needs a public servant, not someone whom will only be “Full Time”
Vote Smart, Vote Flores
People First, Politics Second.
Steve Schneider says
I hope Josh, Cat and you will meet and discuss and/or debate issues before Nov. 5.
Because…If I get what you’re saying, you have differences with both of them.
So, whatever happens in November, you can provide a public service by pushing the other two candidates to spell out what they’re saying, and what they want to do with the power they want us to give them.
And I hope Peter Hanna doesn’t take offense when I mentioned two candidates in the previous paragraph. I spoke with Peter at his W. Park Road “address”. He is a nice guy. But I left his front door still wondering why he’s running for mayor, or who may have encouraged him to put his name on the ballot. And why.
Just saying.
Eduardo Flores says
I’ve asked both Josh and Catherine to debate openly and publicly.
Neither has accepted the challenge.
Rick Goldman says
Cat Uden is the only one who is a proven public servant who is truly for the people. The current mirror sold his Kia dealership and wants to be a full-time real estate developer and part-time mayor. Then we have a candidate who uses ChatGPT to give all of his responses. Cat Uden is the only one who has consistently year after year spoken for the people of Hollywood.
Steve Schneider says
You’ve made an important comment.
So, it prompts me to make this invitation to all of the candidates for Hollywood mayor.
Please feel free to use this comment section to document what you’ve done in and for our city prior to running for mayor. Name the committees you’ve joined. The projects you’ve supported for free with your time and energy. The educational ventures you’ve participated in to learn about the City of Hollywood and how it functions?
And for what it’s worth, I’ve gone online to learn about all four of the candidates who will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. I haven’t found anything at all that Eduardo Flores and Peter Hanna can claim in digital ink in this comment section.
Steve Schneider says
What follows is what I’ve learned about Cat Uden, from her campaign website:
Leadership and Experience
City of Hollywood Sustainability Advisory Committee
Chair, City of Hollywood Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.
City of Hollywood Citizens Police Academy 2022
Broward County Schools Human Relations Committee
Leadership Hollywood Class 45, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Environment Day Chair, Leadership Hollywood, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.
Education Day Co-Chair, Leadership Hollywood, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
West Lake Village Architectural Control Board
Vice President, Stirling Elementary PTA
Grade Chair, Stirling Elementary
Chair, Executive Board, Surfrider Foundation Broward County Chapter
Sierra Club Cypress Award 2021
P3 Eco Challenge Award, Broward County Schools
National Wavemaker Award, Surfrider Foundation
Member and volunteer, Hollywood Women’s Club
Member, Hollywood Lakes Civic Association
2024 Environmental Champion Award, Broward Sierra Club
Sylvia Meyer says
I don’t think I’ve ever shown up to a city event and not seen Cat there. I met her when we both served on the Sustainability Advisory Committee. At that time she was also serving on Parks and Rec as well as attending and advocating at city meetings, organizing clean ups and mentoring high school students. She has boundless energy and commitment. She shows up and does the work. She does’t lay down the shovel after the cameras are gone., Cat encourages, supports and inspires others to do the same . A true and proven public servant, I am looking forward to her serving as our next Mayor come November.
Steve Schneider says
Thanks for this comment. I’ve invited Eduardo, and the other candidates for Hollywood mayor, to use this space to tell readers what they’ve been doing here to learn about our needs, what volunteer efforts they’ve participated in, what city-sponsored “courses” they’ve taken to learn how the city works.
Steve Werthman says
One reason I am supporting Cat Uden is she is a tireless advocate in the public interest. I have lived in Broward, mostly Hollywood, since 1960 and I’ve seen them all. Cat Uden reminds me of another tireless public servant and that was Anne Kolb, for whom the park is named. Steve S. recounts Uden’s history of community involvement. Hollywood will be best served by a full-time mayor in the public interest, not special interests and personal advantage as we see with this incumbent
Julie Greenfield says
Like so many, I met Catherine “Cat” Uden through her activism in the City. She continues to be the voice of the people and the environment, preserving and protecting our city today and for years to come. She spends countless hours volunteering and her own dollars to enhance Hollywood for everyone to enjoy. I moved to Hollywood because of the height restrictions and charm along the barrier island and Cat has been instrumental in bringing attention when developers try to seek variances. She doesn’t stop with the beach and development, as a former educator, she organized supporters to keep Hollywood and Dania schools open and she advocates for safe schools. Her career in nonprofits positions her well to be the Mayor of Hollywood. Her focus is on the needs of the people and she exhibits this by listening to their concerns. Her platform is not based on her wants, but those of the people. She has the experience, dedication and poise to represent Hollywood locally, at the state and national levels.
Jack Jones says
Steve great read and I think you’re on track!
Steve Schneider says
Thanks, Jack.
Steve Schneider says
I found this information about Mayor Josh Levy on his campaign website, below. It explains some of what he did in Hollywood before he ran for mayor:
Mayor Levy is a graduate of the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Leadership Hollywood program, the Hollywood Police Department’s Citizens’ Police Academy, and is a recipient of the City of Hollywood’s Great Neighborhoods Challenge Community Spirit Award.
Steve Schneider says
Here is more information I found about work Mayor Josh Levy performed in Hollywood before becoming mayor. I found this information on the City of Hollywood website. It says:
Mayor Levy began as a volunteer with the city 25 years ago, when he served as a law clerk in the City Attorney’s Office.
Years later he was appointed to serve as a member of the city’s Planning & Zoning Board, a position which Mayor Levy held for twelve years.
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