Hometown News and Views

By Anne Siren
PELICAN STAFF
Pompano Beach - Mayor Lamar Fisher, announced this week that he will seek a third term as mayor of this city.
Fisher, 52, opened his campaign account Oct. 3. Speaking at his office on Cypress Road, where he is president of Fisher Auction, a family business, he said the city “is on the cusp of really breaking through to becoming the number one city in Broward County.”
He says there are many actions taken by this commission that have paved the way for Pompano Beach, a city that came to life as a farming community, to be in the forefront of urban and economic development.
“Our east and west community redevelopment agencies are growing,” he said.
He cites a new downtown Pompano Beach that incorporates a new library on West Atlantic Boulevard with a “connectivity” zone that incorporates development on Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard to the Flagler business area with landscaping, lighting, business centers and a proposed cultural center.
“We have the best beaches in Broward County, and we have now added the position of a tourism manager to focus on bringing more people to our city,” he adds.
More than two years ago, Fisher, initiated a “Mayor’s Stimulus Package” that focused on several innovations that would power economic growth. “We have expedited the city’s permitting process that speeds up final approvals. All departments can read and comment on proposals at the same time. But the best part is that developers can immediately see if there are any issues,” he says.
He is proud of the fact that a recent survey by the city indicated that the city has a 98 percent approval rating. “I have to give credit there to the friendliness of our departments and to this commission. We work as a team.”
“Residential and commercial values have risen in the city, and people are really seeing the results of development on the east side. We will see the opening of the Mariott Hotel at the beach in 2013,” he said. “And this week we will officially open the transit center on Dixie Highway and Martin Luther King Boulevard. That is the key to developing the Transit Oriented Corridor (TOC) which will generate more development.”
Another big issue to Fisher is the idea of unity in the city. Another part of his stimulus plan was the creation of “Unity in the Community,” an annual event to bring city residents together in a multi-generational and multi-ethnic festival. This year’s festival boasted several hundred participants.
Fisher gives credit of the city’s success to the leadership of this commission, but he gives all of the credit to a higher authority.
“When I leave my office for a city meeting, I pray for guidance all the way to city hall. God has blessed me,” he says.
Fisher is married to Suzanne. They have two children, Trisha, a graduate of Nova University Law School and Paul, a senior at West Minster Academy.
In many ways, Fisher follows in the footsteps of his recent ancestors.
His grandfather, Louis Sr. served as mayor of Pompano in 1943. His great grandfather, Clint Lyons,  signed the articles of incorporation for the city in 1908.