Cites Neglect, Disrespect, and Millions in Lost Funding
By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
POMPANO BEACH, FL — In a decisive move that is already reshaping the political conversation in Pompano Beach, former Florida State Representative Patricia Hawkins Williams has officially announced her candidacy for City Commission, District 4. Her message is direct, unapologetic, and rooted in what she calls “a year of watching dysfunction up close.”
“I have attended commission meetings for a year,” Williams told the Westside Gazette. “I watched them attack employees, vote for things they knew would hurt — or were simply not good — for the community, and talk about the Northwest area as if we’re a third-world country.”
Her announcement has electrified many residents in Northwest Pompano, a historic community with deep cultural roots, long-standing disparities, and a growing sense of frustration about how decisions at City Hall continue to unfold.
A COMMUNITY DISRESPECTED — AND MISREPRESENTED
Williams minced no words in describing what she views as a pattern of disrespect from members of the current commission.
“There are commissioners who do not respect the district in which I live,” she said. “They need to understand we’re a resilient community. We have doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, pastors, principals, police officers, detectives, social workers, entrepreneurs — people who have kept us fed, grounded, and moving forward.”
District 4 — which includes much of Pompano’s Northwest community — has long struggled with uneven redevelopment, delayed capital projects, and chronic underinvestment compared to the rest of the city. Yet it remains one of Pompano’s cultural anchors and economic engines, home to families who have lived there for generations.
Residents have repeatedly voiced concerns about:
*Stalled infrastructure improvements
*Inconsistent code enforcement
*Lack of transparency in redevelopment decisions
*Insufficient investment in youth and community programming
*A widening divide between East and West Pompano priorities
Williams says those issues are not accidents — they are direct consequences of poor leadership and misplaced priorities.
THE $6.5 MILLION QUESTION
One of the most explosive criticisms in Williams’ launch centers on what she describes as “leaving $6.5 million on the table.”
Though she did not disclose details in her initial announcement, the remark most likely refers to a major funding opportunity —The Community Benefits Trust, City leadership failed to secure or act upon.
Trust commits $6.5 million over 10 years to improve the quality of life for Northwest Pompano residents impacted by the Downtown Project. Funded through amendments to the Master Development Agreement (MDA), the Trust supports programs the City or CRA typically cannot fund. For a district where infrastructure gaps, housing inequities, and economic barriers are well-documented, the loss of such a sizable investment is seen as a profound setback.
“Leaving $6.5 million dollars on the table is unacceptable,” Williams said. “No responsible leader — at any level — should allow something like that to happen.”
Her legislative background gives weight to the claim. As a former State Representative, Williams is no stranger to navigating Tallahassee or bringing resources back home. Supporters argue that her experience is precisely what District 4 needs to avoid missed opportunities and overlooked funding.
A CITY AT A CROSSROADS
Williams’ entrance into the race comes at a time when Pompano Beach is facing:
*Rising concerns about transparency in commission decisions
*Public criticism over treatment of city employees, including accusations of hostility and overreach
*Continued tension surrounding redevelopment in historically Black neighborhoods
*Questions over whether the city’s growth benefits all residents — or only certain ZIP codes
Many longtime Northwest residents say the tone coming from the dais has grown increasingly dismissive.
“When our own commissioners talk about the Northwest like it’s a blighted wasteland, it sends a message,” said one resident who asked not to be named. “It tells investors not to come, it tells the city not to care, and it tells our children they don’t matter.”
Williams echoed those concerns, emphasizing that community pride should not have to stand in place of equitable treatment.
“We are not a third-world country,” she said. “We are a community of professionals, elders, students, families, and leaders who deserve respect — and results.”
THE CAMPAIGN AHEAD
Williams is expected to run on a platform focused on:
*Restoring integrity and professionalism in city leadership
*Securing previously lost or ignored funding streams
*Ensuring equitable redevelopment — not displacement
*Strengthening city workforce morale and accountability
*Championing District 4’s history, people, and economic potential
Her candidacy immediately positions her as the most experienced contender in the race. She is also one of the few individuals in the city’s recent history with a direct legislative track record and long-standing community roots.
Observers say her entry may signal a shift in political energy across Northwest Pompano — a district with a powerful voice and an even more powerful memory.
“I’m From District 4 — and I’m Standing Up for District 4.”
As Williams put it:
I just can’t sit on the sidelines and do nothing (when you know something is wrong and you sit and do nothing, you’re part of the problem) it’s time for the northwest area to rethink, refocus and rebuild. It is time to think about the future for the generations to come. It is time to agree to disagree for the betterment of the people. It is time for a change. I am a former State Representative. I am from District 4. And I refuse to stand by while our community is disrespected or left behind. This is our home — and it’s time for leadership that honors it.”
With election season approaching, one thing is clear:
Pompano Beach District 4 is no longer sitting quietly.
