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By: MIASF Staff

Date posted: May 04, 2022 Wed

At the local level, we are preparing to see a significant shift in the City of Fort Lauderdale commissioners as three current commissioners have officially announced their plans to step down. Commissioner McKinzie plans to run for a county commission seat, Commissioner Sorensen officially announced he is running for the Congressional seat opening when Congressman Ted Deutch steps back to work in the public sector, and Commissioner Moraitis will see her term through and step down at the election cycle in November. We thank all three commissioners for their time serving our city and wish them the best as they enter their next endeavors. 
Additionally, at the local level, the City of Fort Lauderdale Marine Advisory Board currently has multiple seats open to be filled. The MAB meets the first Monday of every month to study and make recommendations to the City Commission on matters related to the waterways of the city.  If you live in or have a business in the city and want to have input in water-based decisions, please consider applying to serve.
A highlight this month was attending the US Coast Guard Foundation Tribute to the Seventh District dinner at the Marriot Harbor Beach Resort.  It was great to see Master of Ceremonies, Reggie Rivers, on stage for the evening as the event raised money to support the Foundation. After a couple of years off due to the pandemic, it was great to return to this in-person gathering that is internally considered one of the best events for the U.S. Coast Guard, coming in second only to the main event held in Washington D.C. The event capped off with Admiral Karl Schultz serving as keynote speaker and we especially appreciated his special recognition to the recreational marine industry present that night.
This month we also had the privilege to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Sector Miami Change of Command ceremony. Captain Christopher Cederholm has officially taken the helm of the district. He has most recently served at Sector Puget Sound but has also previously served as XO of Station Fort Lauderdale so he is familiar with the area and will be a good fit. Captain Jo-Ann Burdian was promoted to Rear Admiral and will be assuming a post in DC. She is the youngest officer to receive this promotion and as a local graduate from Piper High School, we are proud to see her doing great things and wish her the best as she relocatesd to Washington D.C.