Election date issues

Dear Editor:

On the day of the most important Presidential Election of our time, Deerfield Beach commission scheduled an official city meeting. It is not as though they have not cancelled meetings throughout October, November and December. Why this meeting on this historical day?

Was it so they could pass a resolution indicating that the next Municipal Election would take place on Tuesday, March 12, 2013? At that time, the mayor’s seat held by Peggy Noland, the District 3 seat held by term-limited Marty Popelsky, and the District 4 seat held by Bill Ganz will be up for election.

Now they take the time to set the date for the election, but when it was suggested that the date be made to coincide with this Presidential Election on Nov. 6, it was not even put to a vote.

This lack of action cost the city $62,000 that would have been saved with the date change. Many of our neighboring cities took advantage of this saving opportunity, but NOT OUR GROUP.

When a great number of our residents are struggling to make ends meet, why bypass the opportunity to save $62,000? That savings would pay the salaries of two of the commissioners, add money to our youth programs, light up the dangerous intersection in District 2, or pay back some of the money taken from city employees.

Now that they have told you that [the Municipal Election] is on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, you can tell them how you feel. Let them hear your voices.

Steve Krevoy

Deerfield Beach

Pier history

Dear Editor:

The new, beautiful, family-friendly Deerfield Beach pier facility will soon have its grand opening. [Dec. 7, 6 p.m.] Let’s not forget that back in 2004, we nearly lost this public treasure to an individual who almost got a 54- year lease on the pier property and was going to build an 18,000 sq. ft. massive restaurant and banquet facility right at the pier entrance.

The members of the Deerfield Beach Original Save Our Beach (“OSOB”) committee found out about this and sprang into action to protect the pier. We fought a long hard battle to prevent this “taking” of our public property. We had the full support of the people of Deerfield Beach, who were adamantly against the idea of giving away our pier area. Due to our love of the beach and pier area, and our firm belief it needed to be preserved for future generations, we fought the battle and the residents won.

So, as the city and its residents celebrate the opening of the new pier facility, remember that if it had not been for the “OSOB” committee and our supporters, this beautiful, family- friendly pier facility would only be a dream. www.originalsaveourbeach.org.

Pam Militello

Deerfield Beach