About Romney

As a Fort Lauderdale native and a third-generation resident, I am pleased to announce my candidacy for District IV of the Fort Lauderdale City Commission, the district in which I was raised.  My name is Romney Rogers and I trust this information will give you insight into who I am, why you should vote for me and where my priorities as your commissioner would be. 

Background & Family

My roots in the community are deep; the Rogers family arrived in Fort Lauderdale in 1925.  For 30 years I have been involved in community service as well as carrying on the traditions as a third-generation lawyer in the law firm which my grandfather founded and where my father spent his entire 60-year professional career.

My elementary education was at Southside School on Andrews Avenue and S.E. 7th Street. I attended middle school at Rogers Junior High School, which was named after my grandfather who was the first congressman from Fort Lauderdale.  In 1971, I graduated from Stranahan High School. Whether by bicycle, boat or car, I believe that over the course of my life I have been on most every street in our district.

My college degree is in business administration from Rutgers University and I received my law degree from Mercer University in 1978.  My wife, Candace, and I have been married for 31 years.  We have two adult sons, Dwight L. Rogers, IV, who after attending college on a golf scholarship and playing professionally for a year, is now the singles minister at the First Baptist Church of Fort Lauderdale, and Romney C. Rogers, Jr., who just graduated college with a business degree with plans to attend law school.

Watching Fort Lauderdale grow into a world-class city with a diverse mix of people from many backgrounds and cultures has created both benefits and challenges.  Now we must work together to preserve the traditions of our past while moving forward as a sophisticated city of excellence.  Preserving the character and security of our neighborhoods is a priority, since they are the very bedrock and lifeblood of our community.  Making sure that we have a safe, secure and attractive environment in which to live, work and play is a worthy goal that we all need to work together to accomplish.

We will always have the challenges of efficiently providing for essential police, fire and emergency services and balancing neighborhood preservation with private property rights and economic development.  But as we reignite a spirit of community pride and cooperation, these issues will be addressed and the residents of Fort Lauderdale will face the future with hope, enjoying all the benefits of living in the "Venice of America."

Leadership & Service

More than anything, our city needs proven, visionary leadership to address issues with both historical perspective and creative solutions for the future.  My pledge to you as a Commissioner is to face every challenge with an open mind in order to find the best possible solution, not only for District IV, but for the community at large.  I will work diligently, with integrity, always adhering to the highest ethical standards.

My community service began 30 years ago with my involvement at the Broward County Bar Association and has continued until now.   I have served on over a dozen community Board of Directors and have chaired many of those Boards.  Currently, I serve as Secretary/Trustee of the City's Police and Fire Pension Board and have served in that capacity for six years, overseeing a $500,000,000 pension fund which has recently required over $20,000,000 of city contributions.  I am a founding member of the Board of Directors for the Broward Housing Partnership, which is a community-based coalition of organizations which grew out of an initiative I fostered as Chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce.  I am also Co-Chair of the Fort Lauderdale Mayor's Prayer Breakfast Committee; member of the Board of Directors of SunTrust Bank/South Florida; and I am an active member of my church, where I have been Chairman of the Deacons, Trustee and also taught small group classes.  

Through the years, I have acted as a City Attorney for two separate cities.  I have advised City Commissioners, written municipal ordinances, negotiated union contracts and successfully prosecuted pornographic purveyors for maintaining public nuisances.  As President of Stranahan House, I initiated an endowment to ensure its continued maintenance and support.  During my tenure as President of the Fort Lauderdale Rotary Club, we partnered with the City and neighborhood residents to create Virginia Young Park.  I served on the Historic Preservation Board for the City.  I have also enjoyed coaching youth soccer, football and baseball at both Holiday Park and Floyd Hull Stadium for 12 years.

Commitment

Whatever the issues, I promise to seek public input and will use the expertise of not only my experiences, but all facets of our community to make our government more responsive and efficient.  I will maintain an open-door policy and always be willing to listen.

I am very proud of our community, as I am of my family heritage.  I was taught at an early age that "giving back" is an essential role of every citizen. I am proud that I was educated in the same district that I now hope to represent.

As you know, Fort Lauderdale has so much to offer.  With your support, I will ensure it continues to be a family-oriented, quality place to live for our year-round residents, a relaxing escape for our snow birds, and an exciting destination for the many tourists who visit each year.

Success in the tasks ahead is only possible with the support of good people like you.  Please let me know how I can serve you.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,
Romney Rogers