Cindi Hutchinson was elected to the Fort Lauderdale City Commission District IV seat on March 14, 2000. She served as vice mayor from 2002 - 2003 and from 2006 - 2007.
Hutchinson is a native of Fort Lauderdale and has resided in the Edgewood neighborhood for 49 years. She has been self-employed for most of her adult life and has been actively involved in civic affairs, serving as president and board member of the Edgewood Civic Association for 11 years. During her term, she helped research, develop and implement Edgewood's Neighborhood Master Plan and she served as neighborhood liaison to the Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport.
As an elected official, Hutchinson emphasizes the importance of citizen involvement and has initiated a pilot program, "Citizen Presentations" to solicit citizen input at City Commission meetings. Once a month, citizens are given time on the agenda to address the Commission and discuss issues of concern. Hutchinson also spearheaded the Neighborhood Recognition Program, which officially recognizes neighborhoods and gives them a variety of incentives as part of that recognition. In addition, she chairs the Citizens' Volunteer Corps (CVC). During her involvement, the CVC has completed a record number of civic enhancement projects along the beach and in our City's parks and public plazas.
Commissioner Hutchinson currently serves as the City Commission liaison to the Board of Trustees of the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society, the Downtown Development Authority, and the Downtown Fort Lauderdale Transportation Management Association. In these important roles, she works hard to ensure that neighborhoods have the appropriate representation in future development.
Cindi Hutchinson is also a Board Member of countless local organizations including: the Downtown Council Steering Committee, the Broward County Airport Task Force, the Cancer Advisory Board at Broward General Hospital, the Broward League of Cities, the Broward County Land Preservation Advisory Board. Hutchinson is also a member of the Community Relations Council of Broward General Hospital and serves as the Secretary & Treasurer for the Group City EMS Coalition of Broward County. Until recently, Commissioner Hutchinson served as the Commission liaison to the School Board Facilities Task Force and the Noble A. McArtor Advisory Council.
Throughout her career in public service, Commissioner Hutchinson has been an active participant and advocate for City and neighborhood programs. Hutchinson is a graduate of the Fort Lauderdale Citizen's Police Academy, the Fire Rescue Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and the Neighborhood Leadership College ("Inside Your Local Government"). Hutchinson has been a proponent of local initiatives related to homelessness and airport relations; and has been instrumental in coordinating numerous public education and fundraising events. She was the initiator of the State Road 84 Design Charrette and coordinated the efforts of four adjoining neighborhoods (River Oaks, Edgewood, Croissant Park and Poinciana Park) to bring this plan into play. She also helped to secure a $500,000 enhancement grant from the State for State Road 84.
Commissioner Hutchinson is a member of Neighborhood USA (NUSA). She has been a workshop presenter at NUSA on topics such as "Neighborhood Revitalization" and "How to Groom Good Leaders." She has also been an attendee and workshop presenter at the Florida Neighborhood Conferences for the last 4 years. She was co-chair for the Florida Neighborhood Conference held in Fort Lauderdale October 6-7, 2000.
Commissioner Hutchinson is an active member of St. Jerome's Catholic Church and volunteers on a regular basis.
Commissioner Hutchinson is a strong and consistent advocate for empowering the interests of "regular people." She is strongly committed to the protection of our neighborhoods and she has a clear and compelling vision for the future of our city.
Commissioner Hutchinson welcomes e-mail at CHutchinson@fortlauderdale.gov. |
