Vote for Catherine Uden for Hollywood Mayor on November 5, 2024

HELLO HOLLYWOOD!

My name is Cat Uden. I am running for Mayor of Hollywood to improve our quality of life and protect and establish our city for the future.

My husband and I have lived and raised our family here for over twenty years. I taught elementary school in Broward County public schools for 15 years, 13 in Hollywood. I have extensive legislative experience. For the past 6 years, I have been working on environmental policy on the local, state, and federal levels. I am a volunteer and civic activist promoting good government, neighborhood integrity, and sustainable growth.

As mayor, I will listen to and respect residents, workers, associations, and act only to represent the people of Hollywood. I will fight for open and transparent government, great schools, smart development, economic opportunities, infrastructure improvements, and protection of our green spaces. I will prioritize the stormwater master plan to reduce flooding and plan for sea level rise.

When elected, I will be a full time mayor. My only focus will be serving and representing the communities across our great city.

I am asking for your support, contributions, volunteer/field work, and endorsement. We are 6 districts, but we are one Hollywood. Together, we can unite all Hollywood as a community of choice for now and the future.

Platform

One Hollywood

We have 6 districts, but we are one Hollywood. I will encourage collaboration and community by planning workshops, volunteer opportunities, town halls, and events in all districts. There is more to the city than the beach and downtown, and City Hall should value every district so that no neighborhoods are neglected. When elected, I will resign from my current position to serve as a full-time mayor and look forward to spending even more time getting to know the concerns of residents, associations, neighborhood schools, workers, and business owners across the city of Hollywood.

Smart, Sustainable Development

Over-development reduces our quality of life, increases traffic congestion, worsens flooding, and harms the environment. Some redevelopment is necessary and financially beneficial for the city. Development proposals are presented by City staff and the City manager, but the City should value and incorporate public input and concerns from all residents and stakeholders. We should discuss what is appropriate and where, compromises that should or shouldn’t be made, and how to grow responsibly while maintaining quality of life. Development should take into account flood zones, mandatory hurricane evacuation zones, sea level rise and climate change, schools, traffic, proximity to grocery stores, east/west public transportation, mass transit, hospitals, emergency response times, sustainability, and green protected spaces. I believe in preserving historic structures and what is unique and special to Hollywood while preparing for the future. Nobody in my family is involved in real estate development or short term vacation rentals. Population density on flooded streets and in mandatory hurricane evacuation zones requires a great deal of resources. It is not safe or fiscally responsible to place more residents at risk.

Infrastructure & Stormwater Management

Residents are concerned about flooding and our aging infrastructure. We need a full evaluation of our aging sewer system and its capacity and weaknesses and adopt a master plan. Developer impact fees should be adjusted to accommodate our city’s needs, and we need to employ skilled grant writers to secure state and federal funding. Our neighborhoods need relief from flooding, so I will prioritize the stormwater master plan and encourage nature-based solutions as well as conventional infrastructure. Storm drains need to be maintained and cleared on a regular basis. Debris, including litter, should be regularly picked up. We should increase water retention areas and stop paving over green space.

Open Government and Transparency

City Hall should work for its residents. This includes making it easier for working families, homebound residents, non-English speakers, and people with disabilities to participate in City meetings. Hollywood is one of the few cities in Florida that makes Commission meetings inaccessible to working people by holding meetings in the middle of the workday. We must give better information to the public on how our City Hall, Commission, and departments function and where to find information. There should be no fee for recordings of public meetings, and they should be easily accessible. I will advocate for anti-corruption policies, including campaign finance reform.

Quality of Life and Neighborhood Integrity

I will work to strengthen relationships between City Hall and Hollywood’s civic associations. We need to reduce response times for neighborhood concerns, including Code Enforcement violations, short term vacation rental violations (“party houses”), crime/public safety, street lights, traffic and speeding, litter, and illegal dumping. Our treasured recreational and green spaces need to be preserved and maintained. Residents want value for money, which means improved City services. We need to cut wasteful spending and prioritize funds. I will work with the City Manager to provide programs and services based on community needs assessments and surveys. As a former public school teacher, I know that a strong community begins with good schools. We need safe, high quality youth programs, schools, and childcare options for parents. As a full time mayor, I plan to be very active and involved with the Florida League of Cities. I will work together with other mayors across Florida to pressure Tallahassee to allow local municipalities to enact more meaningful regulations on short term vacation rentals.

Environment and Sustainability

I have volunteered for environmental groups and causes for many years, and I have worked for almost 6 years on environmental policy on the local, state, and federal levels. Through this work, I have helped to pass legislation to protect our beaches, waterways, and marine life by collaborating with residents, coalition partners, and lawmakers across the state of Florida. A mayor of a coastal city has an enormous responsibility to protect the barrier island and plan for sea level rise and resiliency. By not preparing adequately for the future, we are putting the city at risk. I take climate challenges like extreme heat seriously, and know that shade trees are important community infrastructure. I will work to reduce unnecessary waste, decrease harmful litter, and promote environmental stewardship. Taking care of our air, water, and green spaces is important for the mental and physical health of our community. This year, Hollywood was named one of the dirtiest cities in the United States. We need to do better.

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