| December, 2012

CRIME WATCH

Posted on 13 December 2012 by LeslieM

DEERFIELD BEACH

Dec. 7 A man reported that his car parked at 825 W. Sample Rd. was broken into and $160 in rolled quarters, a duffel bag with papers, and bag containing keys were stolen.

Dec. 7 A woman reported that someone broke into her home at 2178 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd. and stole jewelry valued at several thousand dollars.

Dec. 7 A man was arrested and charged with a narcotics felony at 4700 NE 2 Way. The man was observed eating crack cocaine.

Dec. 9 A man reported that another man walked up to him in the Wendy’s parking lot at 1197 S. Military Trail and asked for money. The man refused to give the suspect the money. Suspect then pushed the man on his chest and grabbed the man’s gold chain, valued at $120, and fled.

Dec. 9 It was reported that a home at 1100 SW 8 Ave. was entered. Suspect stole a laptop computer, shoes and money – for a total loss of $7,290.

Dec. 9 A car parked the Extended Stay at 1200 SW 11 Way was broken into. Jewelry and coins were stolen. Total loss was estimated at $1,750.

DEERFIELD District 4

Dec. 1 Residential burglary took place on Kelley Brook Lane – Deer Creek. Victim stated that between 2 and 4 p.m., unknown suspect(s) entered her residence by prying open a rear sliding door. Once inside, suspect(s) removed jewelry boxes and jewelry.

Dec. 3 Converyance burglary was reported at 4600 N. Powerline Rd. At 4:46 a.m., unknown person smashed a passenger window and stole a Navigation radio, also chipped the steering column in apparent attempt to steal vehicle. Vehicle processed. Latent fingerprints were retrieved.

Remember, if you see anything suspicious, call 911 immediately.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Posted on 13 December 2012 by LeslieM

RE: Homeless man killed

 

Editor’s note: On Saturday morning, Dec. 1, Bradley Suessine, 42, was stabbed in the alley between Rattlesnake Jake’s and the Sea Girl shop in Deerfield Beach. His family wishes to share their memories of Brad.

 

Dear Editor:

 

I was Brad’s cousin and pretty close with him growing up.  We are the same age.

Although it has been about 10 years since we spoke last, I have many childhood memories [of growing up] and celebrating the holidays together.  We caught back up later in life after high school.

 

We shared a very close and special relationship that I will forever cherish.

In our 20’s we went to college together.  It was the best!

He would come to my house and pick me up and we [would] drive together.  It didn’t matter, our class times being different. He was thoughtful that way.

We did things together outside of work or school.  My friends were his then and vice versa.

We did things on the weekend or went to parties together and always had a fun time. Never ever a bad moment, never ever any type of arguments, only great times.  People even commented about how they couldn’t believe we were cousins — we got along so well.

Now, [all] I have is memories, but I am blessed and thankful that I have those and was granted those special moments in life to spend with him. It was a privilege and I am tremendously glad I was granted that in life.

I am so deeply affected by how this vicious act was done upon him and it keeps me awake [at night], his last moments, how tragic they were, and that he was not with his loved ones.

He was an amazing guy, one of the best.

I know the newspapers state “homeless” over and over again, but life’s journeys take us all down different paths. Though he didn’t have the traditional roof over his head and all of what one would expect to be normal, really,what is “normal?” I guess that is to one’s own description now.

His way of life to him at that time was normal.  It was living life the way he knew best and how it made the most sense to him at the time and what made “him” ok.

That doesn’t discount his value in our society, in life or as a valued citizen.

His importance to all his mom/dad, brothers and all of us extended family and friends was great.  I feel for my aunt/uncle and cousins (his brothers) who have to deal with this great loss.  This is not fair.

I hope that he can see us and look upon us, knowing that he was really loved and really meant a lot.

You hear too often that “life is short” or the “would of’s, could of’’s” but it’s too late for all that now.

We have to try to find a way to deal with this great loss and how he was so cruelly taken from us.

He will be in my heart and thoughts — and I am sure many others’ — for eternity and I will love him always.

 

I hope Brad is always that twinkling star above now and a true angel that I hope will hear me always.

 

His loving cousin,

 

Deanna Letourneau

Bradenton, FL

 

RE: Baumgardner incident

 

Dear Editor:

On Sept. 30, my brother [Tom] was physically assaulted while riding his bicycle back to his home in Deerfield Beach.

Allegedly, there was a verbal altercation between my brother and an individual in a truck.

The alleged attacker got out of the truck and punched my brother, leaving him with a severe brain stem injury, eye injury, multiple facial fractures and a broken clavicle. He then fled the scene, without rendering aid, leaving my brother unconscious and unresponsive in the roadway.

The Broward County Sheriff’s investigating detective tells me the alleged attacker did text a friend in the Deerfield Beach fire department and paramedics were dispatched to the scene. I have asked what that text message said and that information has not been shared with me or my family.

The medical report indicates paramedics found my brother unconscious and unresponsive and transported him to the hospital. He remained in a coma for 6 days on life support, in the hospital a total of 25 days, and then was transported to a neurologic rehabilitation center, where he remains.

I understand the alleged attacker has been questioned; however, there have been no charges filed. I have had no further update from the Broward County Sheriff’s office other than the case was presented to the state attorney with no further action.

To the individuals and friends who organized a recent fundraiser [Nov. 19 Baumfest at Tipperary Pub] to assist with my brother’s medical and living expenses, my family extends our greatest appreciation for your kindness and generosity.

To the individual who did this to my brother, I hope every day you think about how you forever changed the life of a vibrant, gainfully-employed man and that of his entire family.

Gina Firsching

Binghamton, NY

 

 

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HAPPENINGS

Posted on 13 December 2012 by LeslieM

Sisterhood of Temple Beth Israel

Thursday, Dec. 13 – 11:30 a.m.

Temple Beth Israel 201 S. Military Tr. Deerfield Beach, Fl 33442

Chabad Children’s Choir entertains. Menorah candles for Chanukah. Mini-lunch served. Guests welcome. Donation: $2.50. 954-428-7060.

Deerfield Beach Arboretum

Thursday, Dec. 13 – 7 p.m.

Arboretum at Constitution Park 2841 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

FREE Event. Speaker: Dotty Molski, Sawgrass Nature Ctr. and Wildlife Hospital FREE plant raffle. Open to public. 561-391-3735.

DB GFWC Woman’s Club

Thursday, Dec. 13 – 7:30 p.m.

910 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Cookie Swap: Bake 3 doz. of favorite recipe, take home an assortment. Join this fun activity! Call 954-421-4700.

Family Hayride & Campfire

Friday, Dec. 14 – 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Quiet Waters Park 401 S. Powerline Rd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Fee: $3.50/person, ages 3+ (includes 1 hayride, 1 bag of s’mores fixings). Pre-registration/payment required at park office. Note: Gate fee applies – $1.50 per person (children 5 & under free). Visit: broward.org/parks/things to do or call 954-357-5100.

Coffee and Conversation” series

Friday, Dec. 14 – 10 to 11 a.m.

St. Stephen Evangelical Lutheran Church 2500 NE 14 St. Causeway, Pompano Beach, 33062

Topic: End of life issues, highlighting information and resources that can helppeople be more prepared, whether anticipated or unexpected. Speaker: David L. King, Business Development Director of Hospice of Broward County. Refreshments provided. 954-942-4473.

Christmas Auction in the Park

Saturday, Dec. 15 – 10 a.m.

Westside Park Johnny Tigner Rec. Center 445 SW 2 St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Fun, food, music. Wear holiday attire. Benefits Kiwanis Deerfield West project which aids in support of scholarships. FREE. For information or to make donation, call 954-732-9883.

Bake & Yard Sale for Hurricane Sandy victims

Saturday, Dec. 15 – noon to 4 p.m.

Istanbul Cultural Center 2500 W. Sample Rd. Pompano Beach, FL 33073

Handel’s Messiah

Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012 – 2 p.m.

Pompano Beach High School Gymnasium 600 NE 13 Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Featuring New Presbyterian Church 100-voice Concert Choir, Soloists and Orchestra. No tickets needed. Offering taken. Call 954-448-5083 or visit www.newpres.org.

Dixieland/ Hot Jazz Session

Sunday, Dec. 16 – 1 to 4 p.m.

Henry’s Hideaway 1500 S. Andrews Ave. Pompano Beach, FL 33069

Presented by the Hot Jazz & Alligator Gumbo Society Adm. $10. 954-563-5390.

Deerfield Beach Hadassah Meets

Monday, Dec. 17 – 11:30 a.m.

Century Village-LeClub 3501 West Drive Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Dr. Jordana Herschthal, dermatologist, will speak on seniors’ skin problems. Refreshments served, guests welcome. 954-427-4970.

Holiday Donation Drop Off

Monday, Dec. 17 and Tuesday, Dec. 18 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Wednesday,Dec. 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Jim & Jan Moran Family Center 4700 NW 3 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33064

Toys for boys & girls: infant to 12 yrs.; teen gifts for boys & girls: 13 to 17 yrs.; gifts for moms and dads that children will select to give to their parents. Benefits Women in Distress of Broward County. New and unwrapped gifts only, no stuffed animals or toy weapons.

Oasis Reading Rm. Open House

Tuesday, Dec. 18 – 5 p.m.

Deerfield Park Elementary 650 SW 3 Ave. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Following grand opening is the book fair and holiday concert.

History at High Noon

Wednesday, Dec. 19, noon

Butler House 380 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Hosted by Deerfield Historical Society. Special exhibit of vintage amateur images of old Deerfield. FREE. Donations welcome. Light refreshments served. 957-429- 0378.

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CLERGY CORNER: The Four C’s

Posted on 13 December 2012 by LeslieM

If you are looking at diamonds, then you had better know something about the Four C’s. The combination of Color, Cut, Clarity and Carat weight can make the difference between a gem that appears dull and lifeless vs. one that sparkles.

Chanukah is a time for us to remember that we are all gems and that we have the capability of reflecting the light of G-d. Sadly, as we age, we sometimes feel as though we are losing our luster, our value, our worth as human beings.

But those of you who work with gems know it would be foolish not to see an appraisal before purchasing a gem. And the funny thing is, if you buy a diamond of quality, you can be pretty sure that as it ages, (even in the midst of a bad economy), that diamond is going to go up in value. Each of us is a child of G-d; we are all his gems. I know there are those who might try to make you feel as though you have lost much of your value. But don’t be fooled by such people. In sickness, in infirmity, and, yes, even in your golden years, your value continues to climb.

On the first night of Chanukah, we lit the Shamus and used it to light the first candle. Each night since, we have added a candle. When I took my Chanukiah (my Chanukah Menorah) out for the holiday, it was a bit dusty and dull from being stored away. I had to clean it up, but in no time it was sparkling again.

I have been using that same Chanukiah for a good many years. I think it looks even more beautiful now, as, now, it has a history behind it – the history of which friends and family members were with me on any given year that we stood together as we lit the lights of the Menorah.

That Chanukiah was a wedding gift. My wife Carol, and I used it for our first Chanukah as husband and wife. That Chanukiah was used the first time we had my parents and my wife’s parents over for the potato latkes that Carol and I made together. That Chanukiah was there when we had family in from Israel and we served Sufganiyot, the fried jelly donuts that are traditional fare for the holiday in the Holy Land. That Chanukiah brought back beautiful memories after my wife had passed and the light from the candles lit up my heart and warmed my very soul.

Hasdai, Ben haMelech ve HaNazir, said that “Light is especially appreciated after the dark.” Many people who have come down here for the winter from up north understand that saying well now. All too often, we take the light in our life for granted. Who in New York, or down here in sunny Florida, ever thought about how blessed we were to have electricity that brought us light and power? But after a hurricane, after we had to live in the darkness for a while, we came to know how very blessed we are, and it is only after we realize our blessings that our light can truly shine like the brightest of gems and bring light where there is darkness. Shalom, my friends, and, again, a very joyous Chanukah,

Rabbi Craig H. Ezring

Rabbi Ezring is a member of the National Association of Jewish Chaplains and serves in this capacity in a number of healthcare settings in the area including Advocate Home Care Services and L’Chayim Jewish Hospice in Partnership with Catholic Hospice of Broward County.

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SUV slams into Deerfield condo, Man hospitalized

Posted on 06 December 2012 by LeslieM

(Deerfield Beach, FL) – An elderly driver escaped serious injuries after his sport utility vehicle slammed into the living room of his condo late Tuesday afternoon. Just before 4 p.m., BSO deputies and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue were called to Century Village. The 60-year-old male driver of the Chevy Envoy was transported to Broward Health North for treatment of neck and back injuries that were not serious. The BSFR Technical Rescue Team also responded and determined there was no structural damage to the building. The Deerfield Beach BSO Traffic Unit is continuing the investigation.

 

BSO Deputy Steven Rossman investigates the crash in Century Village Tuesday afternoon.

Photo by Mike Jachles/Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue © 2012

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Delaney gets hole-in-one

Posted on 06 December 2012 by LeslieM

By Gary Curreri

It took a little more than half a century; however, Bill Delaney finally got his second hole-in-one.

Delaney’s first ace came as a 14-year-old at the George Wright Golf Course in Boston when he used a 5-iron from 145-yds. out on the fourth hole.

He recorded his second hole-in-one on the 17th hole at the Palms Course at Pompano Beach Municipal during a Pompano Beach Men’s Golf Association Two Best Balls of a Foursome tournament on Halloween.

“I think my skill level had something to do with it,” joked Delaney, 65, of Ft. Lauderdale, who used a 5-hybrid on the 155-yd. hole. “It didn’t allow me to get any closer. It’s actually the luck of the draw. I have had seven or eight balls that I have left inside of 2 in. of the cup. I have had three or four that I have left literally hanging on the cup.”

Delaney, a retired printing company president, helped his team – George Disch, Don Mann and Carlo Spirito – to a third place finish in the tournament with a 121.

“It was nice day,” Delaney added. “I was playing very well. I was hitting it straight all day long. There was a fair amount of humidity in the air and there was a moderate breeze.”

Delaney said after hitting his shot straight as an arrow, the ball hit the pin and dropped straight down into the hole.

“I knew when it hit the pin that it was in,” Delaney said. “It hit the pin with such a loud smack, I felt pretty confident that it went in and, sure enough, when we got up there, we saw it in the hole. My understanding is that when someone gets a hole-in-one, they come in groups. I sincerely hope that between now and when I am 70, I will get a three or four more.”

Delaney started playing golf when he was 12 years old and tries to play three to four times a week. He has an 18-handicap at Pompano because of the conditions; however, he said his actual handicap is around a 12. He said he plays a fair amount of golf at Palm Aire, Heron Bay, Woodmont and Woodlands Country Clubs in Broward County.

Delaney is an admitted chocoholic, so it was pretty fitting and sweet when he scored the second hole-in-one of his golfing career on Halloween. “Given the fact that I love candy, this was probably as good,” Delaney said. “I have absolutely no favorite (candy). As long as it is chocolate, I’ll devour it. I had a jar of candy when I got home that night.”

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FLICKS: Rise of the Guardians & March of the Wooden Soldiers

Posted on 06 December 2012 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

I had no interest in seeing Rise of the Guardians until I heard about Guillermo Del Toro’s involvement.

Visually, this film is full of Del Toro details that reference his mentors, H.P.Lovecraft, Arthur Machen and Algernon Blackwood.

Yet as a narrative, Rise of the Guardians seems to be stitched together by two or three short stories involving Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy, the Sandman and Jack Frost.

Frost (Chris Pine) is the central character. He is commissioned to become a guardian in an effort to help children keep their innocence. Like any hero who reads Dr. Joseph Campbell’s “Hero with a Thousand Faces,” Jack refuses the responsibility. The master antagonist, this time it is a character named Pitch (Jude Law), who threatens the dreams of children and Jack Frost rises to the occasion. Sad to say, midway through one of the many animated action sequences, I lost interest.

One Christmas movie I never lose interest in is March of the Wooden Soldiers, based on the Victor Herbert Operetta starring Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. Until the last decade, this holiday classic used to play on television in rotation with Miracle on 34th Street and Bells of Saint Mary’s. While grownups might feel that children are prejudiced to black & white movies, please expose them to this classic.

Laurel and Hardy are toymakers for Santa Claus. Instead of creating 600 one-ft. wooden soldiers, Laurel reverses the order and creates 100 6-ft. soldiers. While Santa Claus finds this mistake amusing, the pair lose their jobs.

To make matters worse, they are trying to help pay Little Bo Peep’s mortage from the evil Barnaby. Things become more dire when Barnaby unleashes the Boogey Men upon Toyland, Little Bo Peep’s community.

The conclusion is a wild epic, which involves a cameo from an unbilled Mickey Mouse. Yes, the special effects are not as slick as Rise of the Guardians, but March of the Wooden Soldiers has so much more heart. Do yourself a favor, pick up March of the Wooden Soldiers from your local library!

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Everything’s Coming Up Rosen: Lincoln and the fruits of compromise

Posted on 06 December 2012 by LeslieM

By Emily Rosen

ERosen424@aol.com

www.emilyrosen424.com

I’m a sucker for movies with high emotional tension that dig into the human condition.

(I cry at parades, too.) And freedom lover that am, I’d be happy to see the movie Lincoln as a prerequisite for breathing in the United States.

Oh, how we have been conditioned to hate politics, and all the machinations, corruptions, hypocrisies and hatreds it engenders. But amidst the muck of all those negatives, we often lose sight of the gleaming glories that finally emerge as highminded, moral achievements. It takes years, decades, a century even, to be able to stand back and look at how some of our legislation became landmark triumphs. We owe so much to the diligence of historians who are able to dig through what, to the layman, can be intensely boring archives to come up with the lost lessons of our past. And how we apply any of that to the present is always a conundrum.

The movie progresses from the background of wartime killing fields to the passionate idealism of a president determined to achieve the goal of human equality as he swims with that passion in a sea of politics that make our current impending fiscal cliff look more like a bump in the road. The pandering, finagling, pretending, arm-twisting, pleading and lying to obtain enough votes to pass the constitutional amendment that freed the slaves are a metaphor for the gross messiness of democracy. And in the end, it comes down to that old philosophical cliché “Does the end justify the means?” and its disturbingly ambivalent evasion, “It depends.”

In this case, only the hardened racist is likely to want to undo that amendment, despite the shenanigans that brought it to fruition. “Shenanigans,” I might add, that might have eluded the historically-challenged, who are unfamiliar with that drama. If ever one needs to apply a magnifying glass to the elements of that “compromise,” that it is now. And given the timing of the distribution of this film, viewing our current (and probably eternal) crisis within its context might be helpful for anyone trying to figure out an answer to Washington’s intransigence. Having read of the many ways that legislation has become law in the past, one can envision an antcolony of activity currently going on in Washington – with people of all stripes offering and withholding bags full of goodies to produce an acceptable (compromised?) balance between revenue and expenditures.

David Brooks, (New York Times, Nov. 23) argues that “politics is noble because it involves personal compromise for the public good.” It’s hard to imagine the personal and emotional toll on Lincoln, having chosen between prolonging the final peace, thereby costing many lives, and achieving the end of slavery. In a way, he was blessed by not having lived long enough beyond that victory to suffer perpetual remorse over those lost lives. If one hadn’t been connected to a fallen soldier, he or she would surely argue that the greater good prevailed.

Much as we citizens revere transparency, it is probably for the better that we are not privy to many of the behind-the scenes skullduggery that produce final legislation that basically makes no one totally happy, but everyone somewhat relieved.

And oh, by the way, see the movie for Daniel Day Lewis’ acting tour de force and for seamless directing from that reliable perfectionist, Steven Spielberg.

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CRIME WATCH

Posted on 06 December 2012 by LeslieM

DEERFIELD BEACH

Dec.1 A woman was arrested and charged with a narcotics felony at 300 E. Sample Rd. She was stopped on a traffic matter and found to be in possession of cocaine.

Dec. 1 A man was arrested and charged with a narcotics felony at 5111 NE 6 Ave. Deputies responded to a disturbance call and saw the man discard cocaine.

Dec. 2 A man was arrested and charged with shoplifting at Publix at 1337 S. Military Trail. The man stole $36.85 worth of merchandise from the store.

Dec. 2 A man was observed stealing a 12-pack of beer from CVS at 1829 W. Hillsboro Blvd. The man is known to have stolen from other CVS stores. His theft was recorded on surveillance video.

Dec. 2 A man reported his car stolen from 820 Tivoli CC.

Dec. 2 A man was observed driving up to Olympia Flame Diner at 60 S. Federal Hwy. The man smashed the window of another car, reached in and stole a beach bag and a laptop valued at $500.

 

DEERFIELD – District 4

Nov. 19 Conveyance burglary was reported at Target, 3599 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Sometime between 12:55 and 1:10 p.m., an unknown suspect smashed out the right passenger window of a work truck and took a backpack with some personal belongings. Reporter of the crime parked the truck and went shopping in Target. There were no witnesses.

Nov. 19 Conveyance burglary took place at Klinik Spa & Nails, 1903 W. Hillsboro Blvd. Between 10:20 and 11 a.m., (V1) 2012 Toyota Highlander FL tag #ALPG96, parked to the rear of the business. Unknown suspect broke driver-side front window to gain entry into the vehicle. Suspect stole a purse, $400 cash, Prada sunglasses and Bank of America checkbook. Crime scene was processed, latent fingerprints lifted.

Nov. 19 Residential burglary occurred in Riverglen on NW 1 Drive at 4:15 p.m. Master bathroom window was pried open. Victim left home at 1 p.m. to run some errands. Upon returning at 2:41 p.m., she discovered the front door unlocked and the interior of the house ransacked. Laptop computers, jewelry, watches were taken. The area was canvassed and latent fingerprints lifted.

Remember, if you see anything suspicious, call 911 immediately.

 

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Nov. 27 A woman reported that two men stole her vehicle and her cell phone from 3150 NE 48 Court. One man pointed a gun at the woman and demanded she give up her car. She did so. The car was later recovered at 5370 NE 5 Terr.

Nov. 27 It was reported that a home at 3215 NE 27 Terr. was broken into and a computer stolen from the kitchen. The upstairs bedroom was ransacked.

Nov. 29 A woman reported that while she was shopping at the Dollar Tree at 3780 N. Federal Hwy., two women bumped into her. She thought it was an accident, until she went to the register. Then she realized her billfold with $90 and Florida Driver’s License was stolen.

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Letters to the Editor

Posted on 06 December 2012 by LeslieM

Editor’s note: At the Nov. 27 Special city commission meeting, Deerfield Beach commission decided to do the evaluation themselves regarding potential operators for the pier restaurant. [A panel presented them with a final ranking on Nov. 27.]

On Nov. 29, the commission did their own final ranking based on their individual rankings.

  1. Class Act Restaurant Group LLC
  1. Burgerfi (Two Together LLC)
  1. Brewzzi International Inc.

According to Purchasing Manager David Santucci, the commission voted unanimously to accept the ranking and authorized staff to negotiate a lease. The lease is currently being worked on by the city attorney. The matter will come before the commission again to approve the lease.

City Attorney Andy Maurodis said, “the ranking has been approved, nothing has been awarded. It states in the RFP [Request for Proposals] that the final lease must be approved by the city commission.”

 

Pier Restaurant

Dear Editor:

I was taken aback by typical Deerfield Politics being played.[Nov. 29 Special city commission meeting to re-rank pier operators.] No different than in the past! They may argue with this, but it’s a very self-serving group as many of us see it.

As a resident, I am disgusted with the commission, except Joe Miller on this particular vote, though it should not count. Joe actually stood his ground last night and went with whom the staff recommended. As the staff did not play politics. They were looking out for what was best for the city, but obviously the mayor and commission thought otherwise. It’s like a broken record, I have seen and heard this before.

However, all this said, no one, including our city attorney, who I believe knew this, went ahead and let the commission proceed with giving a lease to Class Act.

I am disgusted, as many others are.

John Grassi

Deerfield Beach

 

Hello Mr. Grassi:

I appreciate your interest in the selection process for the Pier Restaurant operator.

The process employed last night [Nov. 29] was strictly according to the law and City Charter.

I assume your concern is with the provision of the Charter requiring a 4/5 vote prior to the award of a lease for the Pier Restaurant (Section 7.09).

I am sure you are aware that last evening no lease was awarded.

What did occur was a ranking process.The ranking was then approved by all four commissioners present. The resolution provided for negotiations with the No. 1 ranked firm with the commission having the final say in approving a lease for the Pier Restaurant if staff felt that an acceptable lease had been negotiated.

The resolution also indicates that if the city does not negotiate an acceptable lease with the No. 1 ranked firm, the commission could authorize negotiations with the No. 2 ranked firm for eventual consideration by the commission.

When an actual lease is presented to the commission for award, it must be approved by a 4/5 vote – we are not at that stage yet.

The resolution, adopted [Nov. 29] by a vote of four commissioners, should make all this clear.

1. No lease was awarded and thus Section 7.09 of the Charter is not applicable.

2. The commission merely approved a ranking and authorized negotiations; as it happens it did so by a 4/5 vote (though this was not necessary).

3. When a final lease is awarded, it will require a vote of 4/5 of the commission.

Andrew Maurodis

City Attorney, Deerfield Beach

 

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