Another historical milestone for Hazelle Rogers
Garth A Rose
When Hazelle Rogers, former Florida Representative is sworn is Mayor of the City of Lauderdale Lakes on Monday November 21, she will make history as the first Caribbean-American, first black woman and first woman to be a mayor in that city.
Rogers previously made history in 1996 as the first Caribbean-American from the English-Speaking Caribbean community to be elected to office in the South Eastern United States in 1996. That year she was elected as a commissioner of the Lauderdale Lakes city commission, after losing by 2 just votes in her previous election bid in1995.
Rogers was elected by an overwhelming majority over former city commissioner Dr. Edwina Coleman in the mayoral election held on November 8. Although Rogers, when she termed out of the Florida House this year, could have sought to be elected to the Florida Senate or other office as some of her former peers in the Florida House did it was her “heartfelt desire” to return to Lauderdale Lake to serve the city where she has lived since she migrated to Florida from New York City in 1981. She served the city as commissioner for 12 years before being elected to the Florida House in 2008.
Having prevailed at the polls Rogers says she is now motivated “to work with my colleagues on the City Commission to bring an atmosphere of civility to the dais.” She said she believes this will come with respect for self and each other. “My leadership will be engaging and I invite those that are interested to serve on our established boards to do so as quickly as possible through the city clerk’s office. The first commission meeting will be on November 22, and my top priority will be code enforcement, addressing the esthetics and image of our city as perceived by our residents and business community and protect the assets of our city though our community redevelopment efforts and public safety programs.”
Rogers said she wants the commission to set a policy process that mandates a mid-year budget review. “I would like my colleagues and I to be on the same page financially and otherwise so we can achieve what is best for the city that we call home and would like for others to visit and do business.”
