Mayor Hunschofsky’s December Message to Parkland Residents

by Guest Contributer December 3, 2018

by Guest Contributer December 3, 2018 14 views

Mayor Hunschofsky’s December Message to Parkland Residents 2

By: Mayor Christine Hunschofsky

After a long and challenging year, the month of December is upon us. I hope everyone had a very Happy Thanksgiving and was able to spend some quality time with family and friends. So often it is easy to get caught up preparing for the holidays that we may forget to slow down, enjoy the special moments and remember what the holidays are really all about. Personally, this is my favorite time of the year. The weather is (slightly) cooler, there are several holiday events throughout the community where we can catch up with friends, and my family’s schedule lightens up so that we can spend more time together.

For those who are missing loved ones, the holidays are an especially difficult time of year. Please reach out to your friends and family members who are missing loved ones. Let them know you are thinking about them and you are there for them if they need you. No one should feel alone during the holidays.

As a community we are saddened by the loss of a great friend and public servant, Coral Springs Mayor Walter “Skip” Campbell. Skip was a giant in the legal field, a longtime public servant and a caring family man. Whether serving in Tallahassee as a State Senator, running for Florida Attorney General or serving as Mayor of Coral Springs, Skip always served with passion, ethics, care and a will to make a difference in the lives of others. His intelligence, sense of humor, compassion and faith made him one of the most beloved and respected elected officials in Broward County. He is sorely missed.

We have several events and activities happening in December in Parkland. The Farmer’s Market continues with an additional craft fair on December 16 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Equestrian Center. This is a great opportunity to get some last-minute holiday gifts and enjoy our wonderful outdoor market. We also have a “Light Up The Park” event on December 8 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Parkland Amphitheater in Pine Trails Park. There will be a holiday show, food trucks and stage performances.

December 20 is the annual Parkland Snowfest for our residents. Kids and parents love this event complete with snow—including dual snow slides so kids can race their friends. There is a special area for toddlers and everyone can enjoy crafts, music and more. This year the event will be held at Pine Trails Park to accommodate more people. Registration for this event opened to Parkland residents on December 3 at 9 a.m. at the P-REC. This is one of the most popular events of the year and it fills up quickly so register early.

Our next city commission meeting is on Wednesday, December 5, at 7 p.m. We will have a special presentation from New Zealand youth leaders who hosted and worked with several MSD students during a leadership summit this past summer. Additionally, we will have a workshop at 6pm to discuss recycling. You can view all commission and advisory board meeting agendas at www.cityofparkland.org/cc. Also, I will be holding office hours on Tuesday, December 4, from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m. at Parkland City Hall. There is no appointment necessary. If you are unable to make it to my office hours, please feel free to contact me via email at chunschofsky@cityofparkland.org with any questions or concerns you may have.

As 2018 comes to a close, we have much to reflect upon. It has been a very difficult year for so many and yet so many more in our community came together to support and help one another. May we continue to focus on shared goals and working together toward common solutions. I would like to extend my best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful holiday season and great start to 2019. Thank you for being part of our community, thank you for all you do and thank you for continuously paying it forward and giving back.

I always love hearing from members of the community, so please feel free to reach out to me via email, 954-753-5040 at city hall, or any time you see me out and about at community events in Parkland.