| January, 2012

LHP’s new commissioners: Lysengen and Maucker

Posted on 31 January 2012 by JLusk

Supporters of newcomers Becky Lysengen (seat 3) and Earl Maucker (seat 1) gathered at Packy’s Pub in Lighthouse Point eagerly awaiting the results of the campaign.  At approximately 7:30 p.m., the results were in and Lynsengen had won out over incumbent Susie E. Gordon and Maucker won over Tom Hasis.

For complete story, look in Feb. 2 print issue of The Observer newspaper.    Interviews with winners on ObserverTV.

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Cong. Allen West to leave Dist. 22

Posted on 31 January 2012 by JLusk

Congressman Allen West has announced that he will be leaving Dist. 22. In a statement released on Jan. 31, he announced his decision to seek reelection not for Dist. 22, but for the 18th Congressional District. In his statement, he said:

“After much prayer, reflection and discussion with my close friends and family, I am announcing today my decision to seek reelection in Florida’s proposed 18th Congressional district.  I have always believed the state of Florida would be best served by having both Congressman Tom Rooney and myself in the House of Representatives working to solve our nation’s most pressing problems.  I have never waivered from my vision; to work to create jobs, restrain federal government spending, reduce America’s ever increasing national debt, and provide for a strong national defense to ensure a safer and more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.

Congressman Rooney is a statesman and has been an honorable public servant to the constituents of Florida’s 16th Congressional district.  It is my goal to continue the success Congressman Rooney has had in Florida’s 16th Congressional district in the newly proposed 18th district.  I welcome the challenges and excitement that lie ahead.

As a 22-year United States Army veteran who commanded troops in combat, one should never underestimate my ability to be a strategic thinker.  My voice for the restoration of constitutional principles for our Republic shall continue to resonate through Florida and on Capitol Hill.”

 

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LHP Elections; Steady Voters Stream to Polls

Posted on 31 January 2012 by JLusk

Voters were lined up at Dixon Hall before 7a.m.  voting was steady through

8:30a.m.  City residents were voting for Commissioners and some for

the Presidential primary.  Early polling by ObserverTV showed a 3 to 1

vote in favor of Romney at St. Ambrose Church for the Presidential primary.

We will be out all day and LIVE tonight in LHP

to call the city election results. To see video of early morning voting

click on ObserverTV

 

Becky Lysengen arrives at

Dixon Hall to cast her vote.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Observers paperboy Paul Kepinski votes for the first

time in the presidential

primary as a republican

after just turning 18

a few weeks ago

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Elderly woman drives car into CVE lake, dies two days later

Posted on 27 January 2012 by JLusk

No one knows at this time why 80-year-old Josefa Luz Garcia drove her Chevy Impala into a lake near Ashby D in Century Village in Deerfield on Jan. 27.

BSO Traffic Homicide Unit detectives have determined that she backed her car out of her designated parking space and proceeded to continue down the embankment and into the lake. Two onlookers tried unsuccessfully to help the woman escape as the car went deeper into the 12-foot lake. The first responding firefighters and deputies were able to pull her free from the brackish lake and worked feverishly to aide her. She was in cardiac arrest when brought to shore. After being cared for at North Broward Medical Center for two days, she, unfortunately, lost her life at 11:13 a.m. on Jan. 29.

Photo and story by Rachel Galvin

To see video, including interview with the deputies and firefighters involved in the rescue, go to ObserverTV.

 

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2012 Taste Around Lighthouse Point

Posted on 26 January 2012 by LeslieM

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Man burned, firefighters rescue cats in 2-alarm apartment fire

Posted on 26 January 2012 by LeslieM

(Deerfield Beach, FL) – Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue crews quickly brought a two-alarm fire under control in a Deerfield Beach apartment building Monday evening, Jan. 23. The fire was reported just after 6:30 p.m. at the Lime Tree Apartments, 1180 SE 4 Ave. First arriving firefighters encountered heavy fire in apartment 100 and began extinguishing the blaze. Other firefighters searched adjoining apartments and rescued several kittens and a cat from a smoke-filled neighboring unit. The male resident of unit #100 was found outside by firefighters with burn injuries and was transported by BSFR to North Broward Medical Center. His age and condition were not available Monday night. The kittens and cat were treated by firefighter/paramedics on the scene and administered oxygen through pet masks carried on BSFR rescue units. A total of five apartments were uninhabitable however, three of the five units were vacant at the time of the fire. The American Red Cross Disaster Action Team was called to assist six displaced residents. Inspectors from the Broward Sheriff Fire Marshals Bureau and State Fire Marshals detectives worked late into the evening investigating the cause and origin of the fire.

 

 

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‘Shoelace’ making a name for himself in college

Posted on 26 January 2012 by LeslieM

Denard Robinson (center) became the first player in NCAA history to pass for 2,500 yards and rush for 1,500 yards in a single season in 2010. He is pictured above in the Wolverines’ 40-34 victory over Ohio State this past season. Photo courtesy of University of Michigan Photo Services

By Gary Curreri

Denard Robinson has been making a name for himself on the football field since he was a member of the Deerfield Beach Packer Rattlers.

However, not by his birth name of Denard Xavier Robinson, but “Shoelace,” a nickname he got when he was 10 and playing for his Pee Wee team with his shoelaces untied. That practice has still continued to this day and Robinson hasn’t been tripped up from making noise on the college gridiron.

Robinson, who led the University of Michigan to an 11-2 record this year and a 2012 Allstate Sugar Bowl Championship as he threw for two TDs in a 23-20 overtime victory over Virginia Tech at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, recently announced he would forgo the NFL draft to return to school for his senior year.

“It’s been a dream to play in the NFL, and, hopefully, after next year, that becomes a reality,” Robinson said. “But, I wouldn’t pass up being here with my teammates and coaches for anything. It’s my second family. I love my teammates. I love Michigan.”

“Seeing how the seniors led our team this year, I want to be that type of leader,” Robinson added. “We made steps and had a good season, but we didn’t accomplish our No. 1 goal. We’re still hungry.”

Robinson, who threw for 2,173 yards and ran for 1,176 in his first season under new coach Brady Hoke, is one of the early favorites for the Heisman Trophy.

From his Pee Wee coach Sammie Huggins to his Deerfield Beach High School football coach Art Taylor, his coaches knew they had a special athlete in Robinson, the son of Thomas Robinson, Sr., and Dorothea Robinson.

“He listened,” Huggins said. “That was the difference … Denard’s attitude was always great. That’s why you knew he’s going to go somewhere.”

In his junior year (2007) at Deerfield Beach High School, Robinson was one yard short of taking the Bucks to the state championship game and an upset victory over the nation’s No. 1 ranked team, Miami Northwestern.

Taylor marveled at the athleticism and the leadership of Robinson.

“As soon as he stepped on that field his sophomore year playing varsity, we knew we had something special,” Taylor recalled. He also laughed at the nickname. “After 25 years coaching, if the kid can throw it 90 yards in the air and is accurate and the kid can run as fast as he does … as long as he feels comfortable not lacing his shoes, fine with me. The kid’s been doing it all his life, why mess with it?”

Robinson has made quite an impression at Michigan as well. He became the first player in NCAA history to pass for 2,500 yards and rush for 1,500 yards in a single season in 2010, and just the fourth player in NCAA history to gain 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 rushing in a season twice in his career (2010, ’11) – joining Missouri’s Brad Smith, UAB’s Joe Webb and Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick.

There is even a YouTube video out, put together by The Friars, an a capella group at the University of Michigan, that is a unique way of honoring the Wolverines quarterback.

During a concert on Dec. 3, the group performed a parody of Simon & Garfunkel’s Mrs. Robinson, set to the Michigan star. To view it, go to: tinyurl.com/72pklav

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Flicks: Albert Nobbs & House of Pleasures

Posted on 26 January 2012 by LeslieM

By Dave Montalbano

AdventuresOfCinemaDave.com

Robin Williams took on his first serious role in The World According to Garp, though his costars Glenn Close and John Lithgow earned Best Supporting Oscar nominations. Lithgow portrayed Roberta Muldoon, an ex-NFL football player who became a transsexual. Thirty years later, Close has been nominated for best actress for Albert Nobbs, which explores the issues of sexual identity.

As the title character, Close portrays a woman who is identified as a skinny but reliable butler in 19th Century Ireland. Since it is not safe to be a single woman in that land, Nobbs blends into the scenery of an upper class household.

When handyman Hubert Page (Janet McTeer) takes on a job, Albert is forced to take in a roommate. This chance encounter forces the repressed Albert to think about other possibilities in living an authentic life.

With an attention to detail and a steady pace, Albert Nobbs is a thought-provoking movie in line with James Joyce’s short story, The Dead. A passion project produced by Close (who also co-wrote the theme song), this film captures the thin line between Irish tragedy and comedy.

With a strong ensemble cast, it shines with reliable performances. Upon first stereotypical appearances, both Close and Janet McTeer manage to invest audience empathy through nuanced performances. Both actresses have earned their actor’s kudos on the awards circuit.

Floating around at local art house cinemas is The House of Pleasures, writer/director Bertrand Bonello’s ode to the last brothel in Paris. A French film with English subtitles, House of Pleasures examines the business of lust. Like an employee primer, one is given a textbook procedure on how to seduce a person for cash.

Many characters cross the fine line between fantasy and reality in this film. One Madam scars her face into a permanent smile in a quest for eternal happiness. Both Albert Nobbs and House of Pleasures explore this fine line between fantasy and reality with stunning results.

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Crime Watch

Posted on 26 January 2012 by LeslieM

DEERFIELD BEACH

Jan. 20 A woman reported that someone broke into her home at 626 NW 1 Way by prying open the back door. Once inside, the person ate some of her food and stole a backpack, bicycle and clock radio.

Jan. 20 A woman was arrested and charged with grand theft. The woman stole $560 worth of merchandize from Winn Dixie at 1019 S. Federal Hwy.

Jan. 21 Someone stole $11,000 worth of kitchen equipment from the rear of the Mozart Café restaurant at 1250 W. Hillsboro Blvd.

Jan. 22 A person stole a heavy duty truck battery from Roofs To Go at 1650 S. Powerline Rd.

Jan.22 A person stole a truck battery from a vehicle parked at Chemical Pollution of Florida at 4500 N. Powerline Rd.

Jan. 22 A woman reported that a person broke into a home at 325 SW 1 Terr., the home previously occupied by her deceased aunt that is now unoccupied. The woman reported two televisions, a china set and two metal bases to a living room set stolen.

Jan. 22 A man was arrested and charged with grand theft. He stole $637.01 worth of merchandise from Target at 1200 S. Federal Hwy. and fled on foot from a deputy. The deputy used a taser to take down the subject.

Jan. 22 A woman reported her car stolen from 1523 E. Hillsboro Blvd.

 

DEERFIELD — District 4

Jan. 18  From 9:45 to 11:15 p.m., deputies were dispatched to a Deer Chase Apartments residential burglary in progress.  Dispatch advised that the victim was chasing a burglar on foot through the complex. Deputy set up a perimeter. The papa unit and K9 were called for assistance. Moments after the perimeter was set up, deputy advised that he observed the victim chasing the burglar. Moments later, deputies were able to apprehend and detain the burglar. The victim, who watched the apprehension, advised that subject was, in fact, the burglar he caught in his home. Victim said as he walked out of his bathroom, he saw the subject exiting his roommate’s bedroom, carrying his roommate’s property. Subject threatened that he had a gun as victim fled residence. Deputies recovered stolen property on the subject, which was later learned to have been stolen from a conveyance burglary at 207 NW 48 Ave. Two other subjects were apprehended shortly thereafter by BSO detectives. Detective responded for interviews. As of this writing, there is property that was in the subject’s possession that has not been identified. It is believed that there may be some unreported burglaries at this point.

Arrestee gave a post-Miranda confession to this crime to include intimate details of the event at the residence. Arrestee was charged with burglary to an occupied residence, conveyance burglary, two counts of grand theft and violation of parole for burglary.

 

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Jan. 5 A woman reported that her unlocked apartment at 2813 NE 27 St. was entered and a computer stolen.

Jan. 6 A police officer noticed a Publix employee chasing a woman outside the Publix at 3700 N. Federal Hwy. The officer saw fish and meat packages from Publix sticking out of a bag the woman was carrying. The Publix employee said he saw the woman take meat and fish from the store and leave without paying for the items. The woman was arrested and charged with stealing $137.38 worth of fish and meat.

Jan. 9 A woman reported that she had some change converted to currency at the Publix at 2450 N. Federal Hwy. After a time, she realized her money was missing and filed a report.

Jan.10 A man reported his pickup truck stolen from 3030 NE 44 St.

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Letters to the Editor

Posted on 26 January 2012 by LeslieM

Is CVE becoming a police state?

Dear Editor:

I have been banned from the CVE clubhouse for a month because I videoed my wife in a dance class.  I was escorted to the office by two big guys.  My ID was taken.  A week later, I went to the office of Lea Kennedy, the new boss, for a hearing. ”You broke the rules, so no club house.” What rules?

I have been taking video in CVE for years. She opened a drawer and removed a 2- in. thick stack of papers, each with an ID. “These are the people banned from the  clubhouse.” Hundreds. Unbelievable. What bad thing could 70-, 80-, 90-year-olds have done? Every day, I hear the ambulance. A heart attack? A death? We are old  people. Wake up CVE!  Before they turn this place into an “Auschwitz”!

William Garofalo

Cambridge G, Deerfield Beach

 

Repair of All My Children entranceway

Dear Editor:

When the group that was working on Rescinding the 10% utility tax was looking for a place where they could have their meetings after hours, the owners of All My Children Academy at 377 NW 3 Court offered the use of their facility. When the meetings took place, it was obvious that the driveway for the school’s entranceway was badly in need of repair.

Being a firm believer in Charity begins at Home, the following good Samaritans opened up their checkbooks to make the transformation a reality. They were Dr. Leo J. Robb III, Mike Robb, Tommy Hostetler, and Cove Bagel and Deli.

The muscle needed to do the manual labor was provided by Michael Hunter and Cliff Strowbridge, who earned every penny paid them.

What amazed us was those who like to stand in the spotlight and claim credit for the monies they raise chose not to donate one dime to this project. It’s time that Deerfield Beach support those pleas for money that benefit the residents of Deerfield Beach.

Jean M.Robb

Deerfield Beach

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