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Motion to remove Sheriff Nick Navarro's name from Flamingo Park Field 7 fails after split arguments
Summary
A motion to remove the name of Sheriff Nick Navarro from Field 7 at Flamingo Lakes Park failed on Jan. 15 after commissioners debated whether to strip the name in light of a state attorney review of historic cases. Supporters of keeping the name cited Navarro's overall record; the motion did not pass.
The City Commission considered a proposal on Jan. 15 to remove Sheriff Nick Navarro's name from Field 7 at Flamingo Lakes Park in response to a Broward State Attorney review of historic law‑enforcement practices.
Commissioner Schwartz introduced the motion after reading a media release from Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor describing a review of arrests and convictions from 1988–1990 "related to manufactured crack cocaine" and announcing steps to vacate or remove judgments tied to those incidents. Schwartz moved to remove Navarro's name "in light of the findings" described in the state attorney's release.
Opposing views: Mayor Castillo and other commissioners argued the matter involved events that occurred long ago, that Navarro is deceased and that naming often reflects a person's whole record of service. The mayor noted Navarro was the first elected Hispanic countywide in Broward County and said, "When you name a ball field, you name that field on the basis of a person's totality of work." Vice Mayor Good said he did not support removing a name based on an accusation without due process.
Vote and outcome: The motion to remove the name was seconded and put to a voice vote. The tally in the record showed at least one 'aye' and multiple 'no' responses; the mayor announced, "The motion fails." No formal ordinance action followed.
Context: The proposal came after public discussion about recent actions by the Broward State Attorney's Office to review old files and pursue vacaturs or record relief for certain cases. Commissioners said they would not, at that moment, remove the name, and no further administrative action was taken at the meeting.
