From David Volz
Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook was installed as president of the Florida League of Mayors (FLM) during the organization’s Business Meeting on August 9 in Orlando.
A major goal for Brook is the improvement of mental health services in Florida. He wants to encourage all Florida mayors to work together to improve their communities and the state. “I want to make sure we have the resources to deal with the mental health crisis in nation. I am excited to share best practices throughout the state. I want to engage with other mayors and learn from them.”
Brook said, “I want to make sure our cities have the resources to deal with the mental health crisis, sharing connection and best practices with mayors throughout the state and regularly inviting our state leaders to hear from mayors so we can collaborate much more than in the past.”
For Brook, mental health is a serious issue. During Coral Springs Commission meetings, he regularly addresses this issue, and he encourages city personnel and residents to seek mental health care. He is known as an advocate for mental health awareness. He has set up meetings with the city’s young people to discuss various issues they are facing. Brook wants people to feel comfortable seeking care for various mental health issues they are experiencing. He has seen how people in the community have suffered from a wide variety of problems. Many people in the Coral Springs and Parkland area suffered following the shooting in 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Others have experienced anxiety and depression because of COVID. Some lost loved ones to the disease while others faced economic problems because of business closures.
“I want to raise awareness of the importance of good mental health. I want to eliminate the stigma associated with seeking mental health care. I want people to know it is OK to not be OK. In Coral Springs city personnel can seeking mental health care confidentially.”
Brook won a Telly Award and an Emmy Award for a video in which he presented a message about suicide awareness and prevention.
Brook is also concerned about the disconnect between city government leaders and Florida legislators. He wants to encourage a better dialogue between city leaders such as mayors and council members and state legislators. He wants senators, representatives and commissioners and mayors to sit down and talk out their differences. “At the city level, we are non-partisan. I want to reduce the divide between city leaders and state legislators.”
Brook also wants to engage citizens and to encourage them to become more active in city leadership.
Brook is a lawyer who practices family law in Coral Springs. He began his political career by serving as city commissioner beginning in 2002 and then as Mayor from 2006 to 2010. He was elected Mayor again in Mary 2019 following the death of Mayor Skip Campbell in October 2018. As an elected leader, he as worked to bridge the gap between residents and the city government. He believes in the importance of transparency and community. Brook is proud of the fact that during his first term as Mayor, Coral Springs was the first city in the U.S. to win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Brook earned a law degree from the University of Miami School of Law in 1992. He graduated from Tulane University in 1985 and then earned an MBA also from Tulane, according to City of Coral Springs information.
The FLM began in 2005 to serve the educational and professional needs of Florida’s mayors. They provide leadership training, educational activities and networking opportunities. An important goal for the FLM is to foster an environment that promotes cooperation for the general improvement and efficient administration of Florida’ municipalities. The membership statement focuses on vision, leadership and public service. Brook has been a member for four years, and this is first appointment as president of the organization, according to City of Coral Springs information.
The installation and meeting happened at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. Various FLM members attended as did members of the Coral Springs Commission and Coral Springs City Manager Frank Babinec and City Attorney John Hearn, according to City of Coral Springs information.
