COOPER CITY, Fla. ā As the 2024 election approaches, the race for Cooper City mayor is heating up, with former city commissioner James Curran squaring off against attorney Hofit Lottenberg.
Both candidates are seeking to bring their vision to the tightly-knit community known as āsomeplace special.ā
Curran, who previously served as a city commissioner for two terms before terming out in 2020, is eager to continue his involvement in city affairs. A father of five and grandfather of ten, Curran has deep ties to the community, having coached local soccer and basketball teams.
āI donāt think thereās a neighborhood or part of this city that I donāt know, and I think thatās what city residents are ready for,ā Curran said. āI think theyāre ready for a mayor that has his cell phone number out.ā
One of Curranās top priorities is addressing the cityās code enforcement policies, which he believes should shift more responsibility to the city rather than burdening residents. He also wants to revitalize the cityās infrastructure, including water systems, sidewalks, and tree maintenance.
āInfrastructure ā trees, the water, sidewalks ā they belong to the city, and they need to be maintained by the city, and thatās day one,ā Curran said. āI believe the money is here. I believe the resources are here. I just believe theyāve been allocated in the wrong places.ā
Curran is counting on his community involvement and familiarity with the city to propel him to victory.
Lottenberg, a mother of three and a practicing attorney with 16 years of experience advising governing bodies, also has extensive civic involvement. She has served as a special magistrate for Cooper City and chaired the Business Advisory Board.
Lottenberg is focused on ethics, fairness, and fiscal responsibility. She aims to address the cityās infrastructure needs, particularly tree trimming and sidewalk repairs, while ensuring that city spending is kept in check.
āThe infrastructure comes up, and itās not just the tree trimming, which I know thereās been a lag in over the last year. Also, the sidewalks,ā Lottenberg said. āGoing over the budget, making sure thereās no frivolous or wasteful spending.ā
Both candidates have been racking up endorsements and presenting their platforms at forums, including a recent event hosted by the League of Women Voters of Broward.
Curran believes his longstanding ties to the community will give him an edge, while Lottenberg emphasizes her focus on ethics and responsible governance.