Regards,

• A new "Video" section is now online. Click on the tab above.
• If you are looking for the Open Letter to Davie Police and Fire-Rescue Personnel, you can click the "rumors" tab above or go to my blog at www.davie.tv.

Welcome to my website. I've tried to provide you with helpful information to assist you in making your decision--hopefully to re-elect me--in our March 10th Davie elections (to find your precinct and polling place, visit the Broward County Supervisor of Elections, "Precinct Finder.").

I've spent a lot of time during the past several months meeting Davie residents in a variety of settings--many of you as I've walked door to door in your neighborhoods. I've spoken to you. But more importantly, I've listened to you. Several common themes come across to me loud and clear, as issues which are important to Davie residents:

• Most people are happy with the direction Davie is moving. Frankly the success of our Town in the past has been a team effort. We built on the efforts of previous generations of Davie's leaders to create the unique quality of life which we enjoy today. But this is no time to rest on past accomplishments. I'm not content with just clinging to our past and preserving our quality of life. Davie is at a crossroads. We need strong leadership to insure we continue to improve our quality of life in the future.
• Davie residents are concerned with the encroachment of over-development. Fighting over-development and inappropriate development has been one of my most important priorities since I moved to Davie more than 20 years ago. Before being elected to the Town Council, I fought to preserve and enhance the Griffin Road Corridor. As chairman of the Davie Charter Review Board, I fought to create the framework for our Rural Lifestyle Ordinance; and proposed the rule which makes it very difficult to change land use/zoning for more intense uses. I have promised to never sacrifice any neighborhood to development. However, just trying to obstruct any and all development and redevelopment is a failed strategy. We need to continue to plan our future and manage growth. Putting development/redevelopment in the right places, and protecting existing neighborhoods is key. More urban sprawl is unacceptable. As an environmentalist, I'll continue to insist on smart growth and green technology.
• Residents want to keep taxes low and are concerned with the local economy. I oppose raising taxes for our residents during a recession. Davie residents have enough problems making ends meet without being hammered with higher tax bills from the government. I've fought to decrease our property tax rate every year I've served on the Town Council. As a result, we have lowered our millage rate and cut our Town spending in recent years. We've set money aside in our reserve funds to help bring us through the tough budget years ahead. Owners of businesses--large and small--have overwelmingly supported my re-election. They trust me, as a longtime small business owner in Davie, to support our local businesses. We need appropriate businesses, in the right locations, to sustain our tax base, so that we can pay for the services the Town of Davie provides.
• Open Space, parks and trails are vital to our way of life. Since I've been your mayor, our parks and open space lands have increased by hundreds of acres. We've added miles of equestrian and recreational/paved trails. Thousands of families participate in our recreation and sports programs. These amenities are important to you and to me.

In short, your priorities are my priorities. We have accomplished much, but we have a lot of work left to do. Davie has a long, colorful history. With your help, Davie's best days are ahead of us!

Regards,

A particularly mean and untrue rumor was recently circulated about me. It was contained in an email blast originating with a union official who should have checked his facts AND called me before the email was sent to the four corners of the world. The email said in part:

We have learned that a story that will be published in [a local daily newspaper] in a few days will say that our current Mayor, Tom Truex, has set abolition of the police and fire pensions as his first goal upon reelection. He also wishes to freeze our contract and not give us the next two raises that are contained in it.

Please note the following:

1. No such newspaper article will ever appear because the rumor is false. I've given your leadership of both the police and firefighters unions the names and phone numbers of the individuals at the newspaper in question, so that they can independently confirm the rumor is not true.
2. I do not favor abolishing police and fire pensions. The concept of abolishing pensions is asinine. Most of Davie's police and fire-rescue personnel are hard working and dedicated. You deserve the certainty of a pension in your retirement. And such an idea would never be seriously considered by anyone in Town Hall, even if it was suggested.
3. It's therefore not my first goal, or even a goal at all.
4. I do not want to "freeze" approved raises in existing contracts. I doubt it would be legal. And I do not promote breaking contracts.
5. If plans such as these were even remotely being considered, there would be a "contingency plan" for these savings in the ongoing budget process for fiscal year 2009-2010. There is no such plan or possibility of such a plan. No one is even considering it as a possibility.

This is my position on the status of Davie's union contracts: "They are not sustainable in the long term." I've used almost the exact words in public meetings and in private, for years. If we continue on the path we are following, at some point in the not too distant future, the Town will -- together with most other local municipalities -- reach a budget crisis. Revenues in future years simply will not continue to skyrocket as in years past. Decisions reached in a crisis atmosphere generally involve selecting from a menu of bad choices. Politicians are famous for ignoring problems until they become a crisis. I'd rather solve problems before they become a crisis.

There are several key factors in resolving contract issues before we face a budget meltdown:

1. Cooperation between the unions, Town Administration, and Town Council in future contract negotiations. I've purposely avoided putting forth "my plan" for a solution, because all parties need to work on a solution together.
2. Reasonableness and fairness, recognizing both current economic reality, and the tremendous service of our police and fire-rescue personnel.
3. A transition, so that no one has the rules of the game drastically changed just before retirement.

I am not the Town's negotiator for contract discussions. I am otherwise available, now or after the election, to discuss your concerns.

Regards,

Mayor Tom Truex

I've spent a lot of time during the past several months meeting Davie residents in a variety of settings--many of you as I've walked door to door in your neighborhoods. I've spoken to you. But more importantly, I've listened to you. Several common themes come across to me loud and clear, as issues which are important to Davie residents:

• Most people are happy with the direction Davie is moving. Frankly the success of our Town in the past has been a team effort. We built on the efforts of previous generations of Davie's leaders to create the unique quality of life which we enjoy today. But this is no time to rest on past accomplishments. I'm not content with just clinging to our past and preserving our quality of life. Davie is at a crossroads. We need strong leadership to insure we continue to improve our quality of life in the future.
• Davie residents are concerned with the encroachment of over-development. Fighting over-development and inappropriate development has been one of my most important priorities since I moved to Davie more than 20 years ago. Before being elected to the Town Council, I fought to preserve and enhance the Griffin Road Corridor. As chairman of the Davie Charter Review Board, I fought to create the framework for our Rural Lifestyle Ordinance; and proposed the rule which makes it very difficult to change land use/zoning for more intense uses. I have promised to never sacrifice any neighborhood to development. However, just trying to obstruct any and all development and redevelopment is a failed strategy. We need to continue to plan our future and manage growth. Putting development/redevelopment in the right places, and protecting existing neighborhoods is key. More urban sprawl is unacceptable. As an environmentalist, I'll continue to insist on smart growth and green technology.
• Residents want to keep taxes low and are concerned with the local economy. I oppose raising taxes for our residents during a recession. Davie residents have enough problems making ends meet without being hammered with higher tax bills from the government. I've fought to decrease our property tax rate every year I've served on the Town Council. As a result, we have lowered our millage rate and cut our Town spending in recent years. We've set money aside in our reserve funds to help bring us through the tough budget years ahead. Owners of businesses--large and small--have overwelmingly supported my re-election. They trust me, as a longtime small business owner in Davie, to support our local businesses. We need appropriate businesses, in the right locations, to sustain our tax base, so that we can pay for the services the Town of Davie provides.
• Open Space, parks and trails are vital to our way of life. Since I've been your mayor, our parks and open space lands have increased by hundreds of acres. We've added miles of equestrian and recreational/paved trails. Thousands of families participate in our recreation and sports programs. These amenities are important to you and to me.

In short, your priorities are my priorities. We have accomplished much, but we have a lot of work left to do. Davie has a long, colorful history. With your help, Davie's best days are ahead of us!

Regards,

Although the accomplishments of our Town are essentially a team effort of the entire Davie Town Council, I am proud that we have accomplished much under my leadership. Specifically we have:

• Decreased our tax rate, while improving the level of services
• Eliminated wasteful spending
• Greatly improved and expanded our Fire Rescue services and attained full certification for our professional Police Department
• Added hundreds of acres of park land and miles to our trail system

There is much work to be done. I will continue to work long and hard to achieve what is necessary to keep Davie the jewel of Broward County. Today is a sunny day in our Town, and with good leadership we can have an even brighter future.

Please call anytime or visit my website to learn more about me. I hope to see you soon, either at a campaign event, or as I continue to serve you as your Mayor.

Your Neighbor,

Most people who live in Davie are glad they do. Many people who don't live in Davie wish they did. If you agree with me that Davie's future is as bright as our past, and that we can continue to manage growth and development in a manner that will guaranty our desireable quality of life for generations to come, than I urge you to Join TEAM TRUEX today!