‘It never was canceled.’ Pines commission clashes over golf tournament changes
The Pembroke Pines City Commission held its first meeting of the year on Wednesday, Jan. 7, unanimously approving all seven consent items on the agenda, including citywide infrastructure projects and funding for senior services at the Southwest Focal Point Senior Center.
The meeting’s longest discussion item, introduced by District 2 Commissioner Jay D. Schwartz, centered on concerns over changes to a long-running golf tournament that benefits the Pembroke Pines Charter School Foundation.
Schwartz introduced Item 9 on the agenda, questioning what he described as the cancellation of the Annual Honorable Mayor Frank C. Ortis Golf Tournament.
The event traditionally is held the Friday before spring break. The agenda item indicated that a new date was selected for a different tournament on March 13, breaking the long-standing tradition and prompting concerns that the Ortis tournament had been canceled.
Schwartz claimed that in canceling the long-standing tournament, there would be financial repercussions for the Charter School Foundation, an independently run 501(c)(3).
Schwartz said he contacted city staff after reviewing the calendar and read email correspondence into the record. According to Schwartz, staff informed him the city would not be producing the Ortis tournament and would instead move forward with a new event benefiting the We Love Pembroke Pines Foundation.
“It appears through public records that our charter schools were already working on the 5K and that the FCO tournament was canceled before we were even notified of the date,” Schwartz said, referring to a new 5K race intended to benefit the charter school foundation.
City Manager Charles F. Dodge pushed back on Schwartz’s characterization, saying the Ortis tournament was not canceled but rescheduled.
“Since I am the president of the Foundation and these questions weren’t directly asked of me, I certainly could have responded to them differently than what’s being represented in emails back and forth,” Dodge said.
“So if there’s a particular question regarding the foundation, regarding fundraising and regarding the Frank C. Ortis golf tournament, it never was canceled. It’s being rescheduled for a different date.”
Dodge said his decision to hold a new golf tournament in March was tied to launching fundraising efforts for the We Love Pembroke Pines Foundation, which was established by the commission.
“The postponement for the foundation of the Frank C. Ortis doesn’t have any negative impact whatsoever on any financials for the Charter School Foundation,” Dodge said.
He added that the Ortis tournament typically represents about 30% of the charter school foundation’s annual fundraising.
Schwartz then criticized what he described as a lack of transparency and communication among commissioners.
“The fact that there’s only one member of this Commission who knows about whatever the agenda was to move things around, is unacceptable,” Schwartz said.
Dodge said the matter did not require commission approval because the foundation operates independently.
District 3 Commissioner Maria Rodriguez said she supported trying new fundraising approaches for the Charter School Foundation.
“I just wanted to say I think it’s exciting for the Charter School Foundation to try something new like the 5K,” Rodriguez said. “I appreciate the tradition of that tournament ... but it’s also important to branch out and get to know other sponsors ... going out to do something different might bring a different kind of sponsorship.”
Dodge said the Ortis tournament is tentatively planned for October, adding that the decision rests with the Charter School Foundation, not the commission.
What’s next?
The second January commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 6:30 p.m.
Residents can tune into the meeting by watching the livestream on the city’s Pines Media channel on YouTube or attend in person at the Charles F. Dodge City Center, 601 City Center Way.
