RE: Street Lights

Dear Editor:

A couple of weeks ago, I saw an article in the Deerfield Observer [June 12] giving thanks to Broward County for listening to the Observer when they requested a turn signal be placed at Federal Highway and NE 2nd.

This prompted me to fireoff a torrid of emails to city officials, asking them how could this be done so simply in less than a year when District 2 residents had been requesting this for the last 30 years and I had, most recently, been petitioning the City since September/October of 2011 to look into adding turn signals and street lights along with bringing the truncated domes up to code at Hillsboro and MLK.

Then, after the tragic death of a friend in early 2012, I stepped up those efforts to ensure that the pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist safety concerns in that area were taken seriously so that this senseless tragedy did not happen again. To no avail.

There was a lot of back and forth, a lot of run around, and then finally, an answer. We were told that the City didn’t have the money, then we were told that traffic doesn’t warrant a turn signal.

So I took it upon myself to videotape the conditions at that intersection at night, so I could present it to the commission. I was denied my many requests by the then-mayor, District 2 commissioner and city manager.

I kept fighting, petitioning, and presenting my legitimate concerns and request but was thwarted by the then city commission and staff at every turn.

FDOT came out and installed the yellow truncated domes that are now present at the intersection of MLK and Hillsboro bringing that section up to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliance.

Fast forward 2 years and this brings us to that Observer article. After reading it, I fired off e-mails and asked the current mayor if I could now show my video.

The mayor gave me permission to show my video and gave me time to speak on the issue. Then, when FDOT responded to the City, advising they would indeed now install the signal and would look into the street lights during the 2016 resurfacing, she was the only one to reach out to me and inform me of this.

I wrote a blog post indicating that I would write a congratulatory letter if the City/ FDOT or whoever would take care of this issue for District 2, so here goes…

“Thank you FDOT and The Honorable City of Deerfield Mayor for answering the many prayers and request of the District 2 residents for the last 30 years. Also, for answering my personal request since 2011.

“So, on behalf of all the residents of District 2, I once again want to say, “Thank You for finally listening to us.”

David Cody

Deerfield Beach