Resolution naming the Downtown Park after Jaco Pastorius
1 BACKGROUND HISTORY
During the regular City Commission meeting on November 7 2007 the Commission directed staff to bring forward an agenda item to officially name the Downtown Park site for Jaco Pastorius The application provided by Oakland Park resident Robert Rutherford
on March 7 2007 was found to meet the standards set by Resolution R98 044 The item was initially discussed at the City Commission workshop on October 24 2007 and brought forth for additional discussion at a regular meeting on November 7 2007
2 FINDINGS CURRENT ACTIVITY
On November 15 2007 the total count of signed petitions totaled 1 123 and is broken down to 37 Oakland Park names 264 throughout Broward County 59 in Miami Dade County 49 in Palm Beach County 62 throughout the State of Florida 69 supporters in the United States 35 International signatures including 548 on the online petition website wwwpetitiononline comli acopark Based on the information provided at the November 7 2007 meeting staff researched other potential programs to include Jaco Pastorius name and to further promote his legacy in the City of Oakland Park Main Street has committed to assisting the City with programs and special events to promote the park and Jaco Pastorius The Historical Society has verbally committed to assisting the City with displays memorabilia and programs relating to the preservation and education of Jaco s life Northeast High School his Alma Mater is currently the home ofthe Jaco Pastorius Scholarship Program although not active at this time it once provided financial assistance to students in the fine arts program and furthering their studies in the field of music Preliminary discussions have already begun with the school and Main Street for joint ventures in the
reinstatement of the scholarship program music festivals and promotion of this hometown legend The City is also considering incorporating his name into specific aspects of our cultural educational and musical programs including the Performing Arts
Program The City s consulting firm upon Commission approval is ready to incorporate Jaco Pastorius into the design ofthe park The firm is just beginning the design stage after the purchase and incorporation of the second site OS 152 The arts and music will be the
focus ofthe park in Jaco s honor
Re: Resolution naming the Downtown Park after Jaco Pastorius
It's now official, Jay, and everyone, an unanimous "yes" took place at City Hall tonight, there was also one resounding "absolutely yes" from a commissioner, we now can confidently spout: JACO PASTORIUS PARK... JACO PARK.... JACO'S PARK...it's real! <3
Re: Resolution naming the Downtown Park after Jaco Pastorius
Thanks, Frank, it was also great hearing the Mayor of the City, Larry Gierer, announce it, give a very eloquent and honoring speech during the December 2 Anniversary evening. Mayor Gierer has been a supporter from the beginning. {Dutch name you think, JJ?}
The commissioners responsible for pushing the naming through:
