Catforhollywood.com<\/a><\/p>\nDate and place of birth: 1\/6\/76, NY<\/p>\n
In your opinion, is your city generally on the right track or wrong track, and why or why not?
While there have been some positive things that have happened over the last few years like the finalization of the Storm Water Master Plan (SWMP), I am concerned that our city is beginning to head down the wrong track in terms of development. While we need development and redevelopment to bring in revenue, development needs to be smart, sustainable, and planned with a community vision. Planning decisions need to be made with quality of life in mind, and residents are extremely concerned about overdevelopment in vulnerable areas. This would include the barrier island which is suffering from stormwater flooding and tidal flooding, and the Lakes areas in District 1 which are still years away from upgraded infrastructure like adequate pump stations. Those projects are in the SWMP, but we should not overload these areas with massive towers and thousands of new residents and cars. Hurricane evacuation is a concern, especially when our hurricane evacuation routes flood in a regular rainstorm. It is also a life and safety issue if rescue vehicles can\u2019t get through streets because of flooding and stalled cars. Residents in my district often struggle to get to and from work, school, and medical appointments because of flooded roads. The 5 year \u201cBeach Overlay Program\u201d proposed for the beach (30-49 story condo towers) is just not responsible, and I worry about spending more staff time and resources on condo towers in these areas instead of focusing on what is going to make our beach (and downtown) successful. In a recent city commission meeting, Commissioner Hernandez suggested 100 story towers or unlimited height on our very narrow, barrier island. Five of our current commission members (including the mayor) voted for a 30 story \u201caffordable\u201d housing tower on our public oceanfront land, an idea that residents (including myself) have been opposing for 6 years. Hollywood has so much potential, and there is no reason why our city shouldn\u2019t be successful. We should focus on design and property standards, nice hotels, ecotourism, cleanliness, better marketing, public safety, and family friendly events and activities. We need to focus on what will make Hollywood a desirable place to live, lean into our strengths, expand retail options, and improve our parks and green spaces.<\/p>\n
List in order of importance the three most important issues in the city and briefly explain what you would do about each.
1. Flooding- In District 1, the issue that is concerning most residents is flooding, both from stormwater and tidal flooding. Our infrastructure has been neglected for years, and it needs massive upgrades. Hollywood lacks proper drainage and stormwater retention, and overdevelopment can make it worse. Some residents need immediate relief because they have experienced repetitive loss. I have always attended stormwater meetings, climate vulnerability meetings, and floodplain meetings. Recently, I sat with staff for a lengthy meeting on SWMP updates. I would continue to support the Public Works staff and their consultants in the execution of the SWMP and do what I can as a commissioner to help advance projects quickly and secure the grants and funding needed. Flooding affects our insurability and our home values. I will prioritize the stormwater master plan, support green infrastructure, and not make decisions that are counterproductive, such as approving high density towers in vulnerable areas. When developing our Comprehensive Plan 2050, we need to involve more residents, as well as the chief resilience officers from both the city and county. In meetings, residents were told that eventually, A1A will need to be raised. I will focus on sea level rise projections and plan for 100 years and beyond.<\/p>\n
2. Over-development- When developing our Comprehensive Plan 2050, we need to involve more residents, and our resilience experts. Because of my environmental background, I understand that there are unique environmental challenges when considering development in Florida, including saltwater infiltration, extreme heat, and lack of space for landfills. I would attempt to reign in the influence that developers have in the planning process and, above all, respect the wishes of the residents and taxpayers which have been ignored over the last few years. I have stood with residents to oppose private condo towers on public open space. Residents want smart, sustainable, responsible redevelopment. They choose Hollywood because it is not as overbuilt and congested as Miami or Fort Lauderdale. I am against overpopulating our barrier island, a mandatory hurricane evacuation zone, vulnerable to tidal flooding, storm surge, and stormwater flooding. Residents are worried that large projects will contribute to more flooding, more traffic, and urban heat islands. When developing our Comprehensive Plan 2050, we need to prioritize resident quality of life. I would like to see a sustainability position on our Planning and Development Board, and the Planning and Development Board should be required to attend some presentations about sea level rise and extreme heat. Some redevelopment is needed, but it has to be done with proper planning. I will work with the Florida League of Cities to push back against Tallahassee\u2019s attempts to erode local control on planning decisions.<\/p>\n
3. Open government, transparency, and communication- Trust in City Hall is lacking, and many residents do not feel heard or respected. More collaboration and input from stakeholders will lead to better decision making, fair and sensible policies, and improved community relationships. Many residents know me because I\u2019ve been helping to amplify important issues in the city for many years, informing them about opportunities to participate, and helping residents navigate how to participate in meetings. Hollywood is only one of two cities in all of Broward County that holds all City Commission meetings during the work day. City Hall should make it easier for working families to participate in city meetings. We must give better information to the public on how our City Hall, Commission, and departments function and where to find information. I have spoken publicly about the injustice of charging residents a fee to view recordings of public meetings. I pushed for residents to have the ability to speak from home for Citizen Comments, and I participated in City Charter Review Committee meetings to push for Citizen Comments at 2 meetings per month instead of only 1. We need ethics and accountability. Residents and small business owners should feel that City Hall is a partner, not an adversary or an obstacle. Because I\u2019ve been involved for years and have also worked with many different municipalities across Florida, I can make comparisons and identify areas of improvement.<\/p>\n
Do you support or oppose Amendment 3, and why?
I have mixed feelings about Amendment 3. I understand the frustration with government, and agree that we should always be looking at ways to tighten our belts so that we can lower taxes for homeowners. Many residents have a lack of trust that our city is spending money wisely. We pay very high property taxes, only to hear that the city can\u2019t maintain or remodel our community center, and only a 30 story condo tower will fix it. Hollywood pays high salaries for top positions, and I hear that we had one of the highest paid CRA directors in the state. Our city commission snuck in a vote on large raises and extra perks for themselves without listing it as a vote on an agenda, so there was no public comment. Because residents are hurting from the high cost of living, I have a feeling that Amendment 3 will pass. Of course, I have concerns about a decrease in revenue to pay for services and projects that are important to residents, such as public works, parks, special events like Hollyweird and St. Patrick\u2019s Day, inspections and permitting, public safety, cyber security, storm preparation, property improvement grants, and county services like mosquito control. With the Beach CRA sunsetting soon, I want to make sure that the beach is adequately maintained and patrolled. Many residents are worried that if Amendment 3 passes, it will raise rates on city and county services, increase sales tax, increase cost of living for renters, and put more control in the hands of Tallahassee. No matter what happens with Amendment 3, I want to assure residents that I will make it a priority to be fiscally responsible, include residents and small business owners in budget decisions, and push for transparency, communication, and accountability. The FY 2027 budget is over a billion dollars, and I will work with Hollywood\u2019s Office of Budget and Strategy and the new city commission to set priorities and make adjustments as needed.<\/p>\n
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?
Most city programs and services do serve a valid purpose, so singling out one or two is challenging. There are programs and services that could be managed better, and we should always be doing cost-benefit analysis. I would make it my mission to examine that in depth. One area that should be looked into is staffing. For example, 20 years ago, Hollywood had a City Manager and one Assistant City Manager. Now, the City has a City Manager and 4 Assistant City Managers. Granted, the population has grown, but the physical area of Hollywood has not. These higher positions come with higher salaries. This is one example of personnel overstaffing that could be looked more closely as a way to reduce the operating cost of the city should Amendment 3 pass. We need to require developers to pay their fair share and contribute to the city instead of making deals that often seem to overwhelmingly benefit the developers. Line by line, we could determine what is necessary and beneficial. Some city contracts could be examined to determine value. Low maintenance native landscaping could be installed instead of grass that needs to be mowed, which would also save water. We need to be careful with purchasing decisions. For example, Dania Beach\u2019s lifeguard towers were about half the price of Hollywood\u2019s, and their lifeguard towers were made with better materials. Hollywood spent almost half a million dollars on a pothole machine that did not work. In CRA budget discussions, it was noted that the beach\u2019s splash pad maintenance was an astronomical expense.<\/p>\n
How would you assess your city\u2019s ability to manage growth, development and related issues such as traffic, noise, pollution and demands on city infrastructure?
Over-development is one of my biggest concerns, as many residents are frustrated with traffic and infrastructure failures. While we hear that there is still considerable capacity in the regional water facility that Hollywood operates and services numerous other local municipalities in Broward County, at what point does too much growth effect our ability to deal with more sewage? Same for traffic. Many streets in Hollywood are becoming difficult to navigate due to population and density, and flooding makes the problem worse. People can\u2019t get out of their cars and walk to work or to bus stops in extreme weather conditions, which is happening more frequently. Waste Pro, the city\u2019s sanitation contractor, continues to fall down on the job with poor garbage, recycling, and, especially, bulk and brush pickups. All this can result from over-redevelopment and poor planning. In planning ahead for the future of Hollywood, resident voices must be prioritized. The City should never rezone a neighborhood, make Live Local deals on public land, or make drastic changes to development rights without first notifying surrounding blocks, communicating with residents, and making sure that the decision will positively affect the surrounding neighborhood. Most residents do not want 30, 49, or 100 story buildings on the beach, for good reason, and some residents who live on the beach don\u2019t even know that this is being considered.<\/p>\n
What single factor most distinguishes you from your opponent and why?
Over many years, I have already established that I will always put residents first. I\u2019ve listened to, spoken out, and advocated for residents. My community involvement over many years proves that I am the most qualified, informed, and dedicated candidate for District 1 Commissioner. I have knocked on thousands of doors across the entire city and have participated in civic meetings in all 6 districts, listening to residents. Elected office is about public service. I have served on the Hollywood Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, the Hollywood Sustainability Committee, graduated Leadership Hollywood with the Greater Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, completed Citizens Police Academy with the Hollywood Police Department, was Chair of the Surfrider Foundation Broward Chapter, and taught advocacy workshops at FAU. I have volunteered with and been a member of community organizations for many years, long before I filed to run for office. These include the Hollywood Lakes Civic Association, Hollywood Women\u2019s Club, PTA organizations in public schools across Hollywood, West Lake Village Architectural Control Board, and the Hollywood Historical Society. I served on the Broward County Schools Green Advisory Committee and the Human Relations Committee, and was a 2025 Honoree from the Broward County Commission on the Status of Women. I return every year to volunteer for the Leadership Hollywood program as Day Chair. I also have good relationships with leaders in civic associations across the city. I speak at many city meetings, and I am the only District 1 candidate to participate in the public feedback meetings for Comp Plan 2050, Beach Feasibility\/Overlay, City and CRA budgets, City Charter Review, Stormwater, Floodplain, and Climate Vulnerability. My experience working with diverse groups of lawmakers in many different municipalities, and passing bipartisan legislation on all levels of government, has given me the experience needed to serve in this role. The most pressing issue in District 1 is flooding. I understand Florida\u2019s unique environmental challenges and have been participating in stormwater and resiliency meetings across South Florida, long before I considered running for office. I have the experience, the passion, the respect for the community, and the leadership skills to move Hollywood forward without destroying it.<\/p>\n
List in reverse chronological order colleges or universities attended with years of attendance and degrees.
\u2981 2001-2003- Florida International University and Barry University, post graduate coursework for Elementary Education.<\/p>\n
\u2981 1994-1997- Florida International University. BA Psychology.<\/p>\n
List in reverse chronological order your work history for the past 15 years.
\u2981 2018-2026- Senior Field Representative for Oceana, international nonpartisan, nonprofit working on environmental policy.<\/p>\n
\u2981 2003-2018- Teacher, Broward County Public Schools.<\/p>\n
Have you ever been a party to a lawsuit, including bankruptcy or foreclosure? If so, provide details of the case and disposition.
No<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Why should voters elect you instead of your opponent(s)?
District 1 needs an involved, responsive, and qualified representative they can trust to listen and advocate for them in City Hall. My votes will be based only on what is best for the city and our residents, not for personal gain or favors for business partners. I was a public school teacher for 15 years because I care about education and the future of our youth. In 2018, I left to work on environmental policy because I care about the future of our oceans and planet. Now, I am running for office because I care about the future of Hollywood and I want to preserve what is special and unique about our city as we move the city forward. I will protect our public land and vote for projects that are good for the community and the future sustainability of the city. I will work to increase transparency and provide residents better access to City Hall and public meetings. I am deeply passionate about protecting our beach and making it a safe, clean, and family friendly destination. I have years of service to our city, but I can do more to make our city thrive when I\u2019m in office. I\u2019m eager to work with my new colleagues on the city commission to make Hollywood a desirable place to live, where quality of life for residents is at the forefront.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Name: Catherine \u201cCat\u201d Uden Campaign website: Catforhollywood.com Date and place of birth: 1\/6\/76, NY In your opinion, is…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":425904,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[483,249,251,250,482],"class_list":["post-425903","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fort-lauderdale","tag-commentary","tag-fort-lauderdale","tag-fort-lauderdale-headlines","tag-fort-lauderdale-news","tag-opinion"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/425903","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=425903"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/425903\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/425904"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=425903"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=425903"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=425903"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}