The clandestine plans of the City of Lauderhill to annex parts of the City of Plantation are much further along than originally thought, according to documents obtained by REDBROWARD. Last month, REDBROWARD exposed a meeting between two political newcomers–Lauderhill Commissioner Lawrence “Jabbow” Martin and Plantation Councilwoman Jennifer Andreu. Martin contacted Andreu to discuss plans to have Plantation “de-annex” a historic commercial district in order to allow Lauderhill to annex the property. According to emails, the land coveted by Martin was located along 441 from Broward Boulevard north to Sunrise Boulevard and then west along Sunrise to the Florida Turnpike.
When contacted by REDBROWARD about the meeting, Jennifer Andreu dismissed it as a simple introductory meeting. She wrote, “I had a Zoom meeting with Commissioner Martin to introduce myself and for us to get to know each other. There was not a deal proposal or deal.” Andreu told us she discussed several topics with Martin.
When pressed, Andreu stated she would not support de-annexation of the Plantation Park East neighborhood.
When asked if she discussed this plan with any other Plantation council members or other politicians Andreu said, “[T]his was an introductory meeting and there was no need to discuss it with anyone.”
Yet, new documents obtained by REDBROWARD show the City of Lauderhill has engaged in elaborate planning for the “annexation of Plantation” since at least the beginning of January 2021.
“ANNEXATION OF PLANTATION”
In addition to emails to Jennifer Andreu, Lauderhill emails and documents obtained by REDBROWARD show Commissioner Lawrence “Jabbow” Martin discussed the plan with City administration as well as the City Attorney.
One document, titled Commissioner Martin’s “to-do list,” includes an entire section on Plantation. Under the heading “Annexation of Plantation,” Martin’s list lays out the plan to get key pieces of land from the City of Plantation.
Martin’s plan includes meetings with the Lauderhill city manager and the Lauderhill city attorney. Martin is advised to, “Discuss meeting with City and State Reps.” Also, Martin needs to “get with the Broward delegations and the City of Plantation about this matter.” Then, the list instructs Martin to contact the “City of Plantation Commission (sic).”
Martin’s list includes instructions to, “Contact the big 4 State Reps (DuBois, Thurston, Debbie Wasserman, +,+).” It appears Martin’s list is referring to State Rep. Bobby DuBose, State Senator Perry Thurston and Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz. Plantation Councilwoman Jennifer Andreu is a lifelong friend of State Representative DuBose.
This list defines the “annexation” area as “Broward to Sunrise/441, 441/Sunrise to Turnpike.”
REDBROWARD obtained a map of the area in question. It appears to have been created by City of Lauderhill staffers. Another document lists the contact information for the owners of the properties along the east side of 441 in Plantation.
In a January 26, 2021 email, Lauderhill city attorney W. Earl Hall tells Lauderhill city manager Desorae Giles-Smith he has discussed the annexation plan with Commissioner Martin. “Please place the Plantation de-annexation discussion on the next COVID workshop agenda,” Hall wrote.
REDBROWARD asked other members of the Plantation City Council if there was any contact from persons promoting this annexation plan. Councilman Tim Fadgen and Councilman Nick Sortal said no one had discussed the matter with them.
