Name: Pauline L. Ricketts

Campaign website: pauline4lauderhill.com

Date and place of birth: 9/4/81 West Palm Beach, Florida

In your opinion, is your city generally on the right track or wrong track, and why or why not?
I think that our city is in between the right and wrong track. I believe that the city could make smarter investments in programming, branding and improve in the area of being more diverse.

List in order of importance the three most important issues in the city and briefly explain what you would do about each. 
Public Safety, Economic and Community initiatives, and Infrastructure Improvements. I would like to work to implement robust community policing plan and invest in technology to help solve crimes and increase police visibility. I would create a local business roundtable where different business sectors discuss opportunities and bottlenecks that they may be facing in their business industry. Further assess our roadway conditions and ageing underground infrastructure to create improvement plans that are attainable.

Do you support or oppose Amendment 3, and why?
I oppose Amendment 3 first because I am a public servant who understands the ramifications of losing the revenue in local government agencies. Secondly, it’s not in the best interest of the community in terms of the reduction that would impact community services,

If you are elected and Amendment 3 passes, you will have to reduce services or raise other fees. Can you cite a specific city program or service that is wasteful or unnecessary? 
Travel and City funded Events spending could be modified.

How would you assess your city’s ability to manage growth, development and related issues such as traffic, noise, pollution and demands on city infrastructure?
I believe our city is growing, but we have to make sure our infrastructure, and city services grow with it. Growth can bring new opportunities, but it also brings challenges like traffic, noise, drainage, and increases demand on our roads and utilities.

Working in Public Works Engineering, I understand the importance of planning ahead, listening to residents, and making responsible decisions. I don’t want to stop growing, I want to make sure we manage it properly and protect the quality of life of the people who call Lauderhill home. We don’t have must available land to build in our area so we must be wise.

What single factor most distinguishes you from your opponent and why?
I offer a different approach to leadership and that’s listening to the residents and what they want in their community.

List in reverse chronological order colleges or universities attended with years of attendance and degrees. 
Florida Atlantic University, Public Management 12/2015 to Present, Broward College, Urban & Regional Planning, 08/2007 to 12/2015

List in reverse chronological order your work history for the past 15 years.
City of Fort Lauderdale 3/2016 – Present

Board of County Commissioners, Broward County 10/2005 – 03/2016

Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details of the case and disposition.
No

Have you ever been charged or convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, including an adjudication of guilt withheld? If so, provide charges, dates and terms of sentence.
No

Why should voters elect you instead of your opponent(s)?
Voters should elect me because I understand where they are coming from. I’m a working person, a member of this community, and I understand the everyday challenges that working families face because I live them too.

For more than 21 years, I’ve had the privilege of serving the public. That experience has taught me how important it is to listen, show up, and get things done. I know that change doesn’t happen simply by making promises it takes experience, hard work, and a genuine commitment to the people you serve.

I’m running because I believe Lauderhill can continue to grow and improve, while making sure that the voices and needs of our residents remain at the center of the conversation. I’m ready to bring my experience, my understanding of our community, and my commitment to service and move our city forward.