From the office of Broward Mayor Ken Keechl

Written by Kimberly Maroe

Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl’s first official day as Mayor was jam packed. Mayor Keechl and County Commissioners welcomed in the world’s largest cruise ship, greeted passengers flying into Fort Lauderdale on a new airline and celebrated the official designation of A1A as a “scenic highway” on Wednesday. Keechl was selected by the Broward Commission to serve as Mayor on Tuesday.
“Great things are happening in Broward County. We’re working our way through a recession, but our economic opportunities at Port Everglades and the Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International airport are growing and tourism will surly rebound this year,” said Mayor Keechl.
Broward Commissioners and elected officials from Fort Lauderdale and Dania Beach officially welcomed Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas into Port Everglades on Wednesday. Mayor Keechl and Commissioner Stacy Ritter presented Captain William Wright with a key to the County and received a plaque in return at the customary “plaque and key” ceremony that takes place when new ships come into port. The Oasis of the Seas is the world’s largest cruise ship with a capacity to host 5,400 passengers. Its homeport is Port Everglades’ Terminal 18, which recently opened to accompany the giant ship. Terminal 18 is the largest single ship terminal in the world.

Broward County Mayor Ken Keechl and Commissioner Stacy Ritter present Oasis of the Seas Captain William S. Wright with the key to Broward County.

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport was the also the center of attention Wednesday when Virgin America airlines began non-stop service from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco and Los Angeles. Sir Richard Branson, the billionaire founder of the Virgin Group, welcomed passengers flying in from those two cities. “Everybody wants to have fun and live a little,” said Branson. “Some companies take themselves very seriously, we don’t.”
Virgin America flies new Airbus A-319 aircraft that feature mood-lit cabins, Wi-Fi internet service, custom leather seats and power outlets. Each seat has a video touch-screen and remote control with a choice of movies, live TV, video games, seat-to-seat chat and on-demand food service.

“The decision to make Fort Lauderdale the newest destination in the airline’s network is a testament to the investments made in our airport and the strong tourism economy of our region,” said Mayor Keechl. “The move to provide new nonstop service will create jobs, stimulate tourism and improve service for local travelers.”
Mayor Keechl and Commissioner Ilene Lieberman presented Branson with a proclamation naming November 18th as “Virgin America” day in Broward County.
A-1-A, which stretches from Deerfield Beach to Hallandale Beach in Broward County, has officially been designated as a Florida “Scenic Highway.” The designation will be noted on all local, state and national maps and on markers placed along the highway. “This designation means that A1A in Broward is unique in its beauty, heritage and resources,” said Mayor Keechl, who attended a ribbon cutting ceremony that took place at the Bonnet House Wednesday evening.
The Mayor noted that tourism is a mainstay for Broward’s economy (Broward County welcomed more than 10-million visitors this year alone) and that many people will be drawn to this stretch of highway to experience the beauty and natural resources that this designation promotes.

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