RE: Black soot

Dear Editor: 

In the June 30 Observer newspaper, you wrote a story that contained a piece about the 892 units in Independence Bay and the black soot the residents say is all over their patios and the air they breathe [“City commission passes variation on moratorium, 3-1.”]

I live on SE 2 Street (just down from the Butler House) and also have that black soot. I have had it since I moved into this house in 1994. It really is terrible, it gets all over everything.

Why I am writing is — I wonder if I can be included in [any]level of protection should the city decide to do something?

Anyone is welcome here to see the black soot, should they need to.

 Donna Lavoie

Deerfield Beach

RE: TRASH

Dear Editor:

In response to J.Huffman’s letter on June 23, I, too, agree we are all lucky to live here in Deerfield Beach. I see there have been a few temporary trash cans put around the parking lot in The Cove, but with the 4th of July weekend, we need some dumpsters as well. I also would like to see the trash picked up lining both sides of the bridge. We must have some people doing community service or get some prisoners out for a day and let them help keep our city clean. Thank you.

M.Herderson

Deerfield Beach

Governor’s cost cutting measures

Dear Editor:

Gov. Rick Scott tried to disband the FL Highway Patrol. No wonder he is the “least popular governor in America.” He has slashed funding on high-speed rail, aid for homeless veterans, unemployment insurance, education and now, according to Florida’s Capitol News, he tried to disband the FL Highway Patrol.

Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight, who served on Scott’s transition team, rebuffed the idea. After supporting Republicans for governor for 20 years, Florida police unions have abandoned the GOP. The Broward County Police Benevolent Association held a “Party to Leave the Party” two weeks ago, in which their members switched their voter registration from GOP to Democratic or Independent.

Brad Burtner

Deerfield Beach

RE: Utility tax

Dear Editor:

I am very upset about the utility tax. We also live on a fixed income. To some, it may not mean much. With the price of gas, decline of the dollar, and food prices roaring with inflation, a 10 percent  tax hike is not needed right now.

The problem is once the tax is approved, I’d have a heart attack if it ever was removed or went down. The majority of the times, it eventually goes up.

Prior to the recession, when property taxes were rolling in, the politicians never seemed to have enough money. They do what is required by law or whatever, but they never put extra monies away for a “rainy day.” They have to spend every dollar and then try to figure out how to get more. They never have enough to spend of taxpayer money.

On the front page of the [June 9] Observer, right next to “Utility Tax,” is an article “Broward School District loses millions in grant money.”

As usual, it’s “always the other guy’s fault.” I sure hope the voters remember this at the next election! I sure will!

Bob Zukas

Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

A 10 percent levy on water and electricity will only cost the average homeowner $10 a month.  Of course, that is if you never drink water, take a shower, live in a cave and use your electricity sparingly.

How come no mention is made of the real cost of this fiasco as it affects the business community? Didn’t someone from Publix at the public hearing mention it would cost them another $400,000 annually? Do you really believe that Publix will not turn around and increase their costs to the consumer?

If there is such a crying need for the improvements claimed, why is the commission using a revenue tax to make the improvements? Could it be because the voters have no say when it comes to a utility tax, as long as the city can identify a source for repayment? That is the reason for utility tax. The millage could be reduced 1 mill without it, but then the commission would not be able to go out on a spending spree to finance their pet projects.

Do not allow your financial future to rest in the hands of three commissioners who never heard what the public had to say. If you really love your city, you will sign the rescind petition as soon as it is available. Let 4,500 voters be your voice.

Lillian Lorraine

Deerfield Beach

RE: Utility tax

Dear Editor:

On Tuesday, June 7, Deerfield Beach city commission passed an ordinance to implement a municipal public service tax on utility services such as electric, water, gas and fuel oil/kerosene, which will go into effect October 1, 2011.  Implementation of a public service tax is an example of doing the right thing, even though it may not be popular. I’d like to take this opportunity to address the issue.

Prior to the city commission’s approval of the public service tax, we were one of only four municipalities in Broward County that had no public service tax. The other three cities have populations of 2,500 and less — our population is 75,000, with  the financial demands to match. As I look around the county, I
see other cities that have weathered the economic crisis far better than Deerfield Beach because their revenue is diversified, and not solely reliant upon property taxes. Nearly 46 percent of the city’s revenue is derived from property taxes, placing the brunt of the tax burden on property owners. In general, cities that have a public service tax have proportionally lower millage rates, as the tax stabilizes the city’s revenue stream.

The city commission has gone on record to say that implementation of this tax must come with a corresponding decrease to the millage rate, and we stand by that statement. In fact, the City Manager has targeted a decrease of 1.5 mills as the goal for this year’s budget.

The public service tax will also be used to fund a revenue bond to provide for important capital projects, such as improving the city’s roads and parks system. Our infrastructure is the key to our economic future, as these are the elements that attract high caliber businesses, as well as young families and professionals. All of the above are critical for our city to survive and flourish.

For the average resident, the public service tax is equal to less than $10 a month, but the benefits that this income stream will bring to our city are immeasurable. If you love this city as I do, I urge you to think not only about the services that you and your family rely upon and enjoy, but also about the future of Deerfield Beach for generations to come. By making the difficult decision to implement a public service tax now, my fellow commissioners and I are planning for the future of Deerfield Beach.

Mayor Peggy Noland

Deerfield Beach

Giving benefit of doubt on kayak, goes awry

Dear Editor:

On Saturday morning, my husband, Phil Lane, woke up, went to our dock and realized his fishing kayak was missing.

We have lived here for almost three years and have always left our kayak and equipment unsecured. On that morning his kayak, personal floatation device and paddle were missing.  We called BSO, they made a report, and in mid-afternoon my husband went looking for his kayak in my son’s kayak.

He rode around for approximately two hours and when he was almost home, about a block away, he noticed some kids loading up their kayak. When he looked at the yard, there was his kayak. Long story short, he got his kayak back.

The kid’s story was that his friends “found it” floating three days ago. But by the time my husband spoke to him, he admitted his friends may have stolen it.  His mother spoke to my husband and cried and told him it was his friends. My husband made the mistake of letting them go. We later called the sheriff to tell them the story and they advised us against dropping the charges, but we did.

Well, last night, my dog woke up barking and I jumped up out of bed. This time we have the kayaks next to our bedroom window and I saw a kid jumping over the fence.  The police were called and BSO tracked down the person responsible.

We have been Deerfield Beach residents for a long time. We have twin boys, age 15, who are law-abiding citizens and we tried to give these juveniles the benefit of the doubt. I want to make sure all The Cove residents are on alert. Unfortunately, they need to safeguard their property. Many in the area have had items removed from cars, bikes stolen, etc. [See video on web].

Michelle Alban Lane

Deerfield Beach

Park going to the dogs

Dear Editor:

Around the corner from where I live, there’s a pretty little park where I take my grandsons. Not anymore! Unfortunately, many dog owners seem to have the same idea to visit this pretty little park. But that’s where the similarities end. These “people,” and I use the term loosely, allow their pooches to defecate everywhere without picking up the precious bundle left behind. The park has plastic bags and trash receptacles so there is no excuse. What is the problem here people, laziness? Tell me, if your pet has an accident in your home, do you just leave it? Come on folks, the parks are for everyone, let’s not use it as a toilet for your animals. This lady is tired of doing the new dance called “The Feces Side-Step.”

Lorraine Barsher

Deerfield Beach

TRASH

Dear Editor:

We are all lucky enough to live in the beautiful town of Deerfield Beach, so why do people insist on throwing their trash all over? The new Cove Parking Lots project is very nice, but there’s not a trash can in the lot, although the future plans must include them. The local restaurants and bars are not doing their part in picking up after their patrons. The American Rock bar and New Two Georges partrons leave bottles and cans everywhere. Both sides of the bridge crossing the Intercoastal are filthy with trash. Why don’t we all pull together and try to do a better job of keeping Deerfield Beach a cleaner place to live?

J. Huffman

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s Note: Trash receptacles were removed from The Cove to install new paver sidewalks. New receptacles are ordered and will be installed upon completion of the sidewalks, according to CRA Coordinator Kris Mory.

RE: Utility tax

Dear Editor:

It was interesting reading the Editorial page of the Observer this past week [June 9]. There was more opposition than support for the utility tax, yet it passed.

There was a claim that the city could no longer put the financial burden on the backs of its employees. However, the majority of city employees have not suffered any real burdens beyond those that its citizens are already bearing. Most of the individuals who were laid off were victims of waste and duplication fostered by the city commission for years. Furthermore, the city commission has not contributed any of its compensation or benefits, nor has the union representing public safety employees done so, except for temporarily freezing already lucrative pay and benefit packages.

On top of that, one of the commissioners is still questioning why a rate increase on property taxes from 5.79 to 6.7688 is not a 17 percent increase. Yes, there may have been some lower tax bills in the mix, but the only way that someone’s property taxes stayed the same or went down would have been because that property suffered a 17 percent or greater decline in value, year after year. I doubt that anyone would feel good about that. It’s surprising that any of the city commissioners still do not get that. Maybe if it’s said often enough, people will start believing it.

It’s also amazing to me that this city commission continues to approve tax increases that the people do not want, while not recognizing the additional burdens placed on a citizenry that has been hit with layoffs, stagnant or declining fixed incomes, and a continuing distrust of elected officials. It is correct to say that we voted for these folks. I’m just wondering, why?

David Nace

Deerfield Beach

Cove Entrance

Dear Editor:

The New Cove Entrance is something we have needed for a long time, thank you, but since when do we accept substandard work? I’ve been a State Certified General Contractor for 30 years, and I want to know, who are the ones setting the standards for “Quality Control” of our construction?

It has happened again at the beach, elevations of the columns and their metal roofs, and now the stucco job on our New Cove Entrance building – it is so thin, you will see the joints after it’s painted, for what, maybe $75? It needs to be fixed, now, before the roofing is applied.

As a 50-year resident of this city, I should be proud of my city, not embarrassed by the quality of workmanship our leaders are allowing. I, and others, have paid good taxes and have accepted your raises of our taxes, and duly feel, as a “tax paying citizen,” we deserve better.

Scott E. Martin,

Deerfield Beach

Will paint cover this up?

Impressed by Allen West

Dear Editor:

How I envy many of you reading this today. A number of you live in the Congressional district [District 22] represented by [Lt.] Col. Allen West. You truly have in office a rare commodity. U.S. Representative West is a man of intellect, honor, loyalty and dedication. I wish he were my congressman. Better yet, I wish he were to be the next President of the U.S.A. Some have approached Congressman West about running for the office of President, but he maintains he already has a job as your Congressman, and would never consider leaving the post you elected him to without your encouragement to do so.

Would you do that? Would you contact the Congressman, his offices in Washington D.C., Ft. Lauderdale, or West Palm Beach and tell him that you would release him to seek the office of President of the U.S.A? What a gift that would be! More than ever, we need the best. You have the best right now, and he is not seeking any other job. Sometimes, the best have to be sought out and encouraged to move up, to accept the challenges of a higher mission. In effect, the most highly qualified person must be drafted. West is that person who would always have the best interests of our nation and its citizenry at heart. Please encourage him to run. He is your Representative. West is best!

Creston D. Hall

Washougal, WA

To the commission RE: Utility tax

Dear Editor:

At last year’s budget hearings, this commission raised the millage rate by 17 percent and increased the fire assessment fee. You said these increases were necessary to balance the budget. We learned to live with these increases because we were led to believe that was the end of your adding to our tax burden. Now you want to add a 10 percent levy on electric, water and metered gas. It’s only $10 or $12 a month. That’s easy to say if you’re earning $169,000 or $126,000 or $30,000 for a part-time job. But for a lot of people, $12 to $15 a month means putting food on the table or gas in your car.

My newspaper carrier just quit his job because he could not afford the gas for his car to make deliveries. What is the carrot you are using to encourage support for this tax increase? It is the promise of lowering the tax rate by 1 mill. But you’re not reducing the tax rate. We are. Once again you plan to use our money.

Right now, the city has $11 million in its undesignated reserve. Take $3 million from that. Don’t panic. We know that to maintain our bond rating, we must have 5 to 15 percent of our General Fund in reserve. Last year, our General Fund totaled $74 million, so $8 million in reserve meets the 10 percent criteria. The city plans to gain $2,970,000 from the 5 percent pay back by everyone employed by the city. That money plus $2 million from the undesignated reserve equals $4,970,000, which gives you a 1 mill deduction in the millage rate. You still have a million from the reserve to help balance the budget, and if it takes an increase in the fire assessment fee to make it work, then so be it. At least we will be dealing with something we have a year to budget for and it is deductible, while a utility tax is not.

I am sure you are aware that the forecast is for a double dip recession in the economy. Obviously, this is not the time to be spending money we don’t have on recreational improvements – we will have to do without for the time being. If such improvements are a dire necessity, then put it to the voters in the future, but not now.

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: During commission comments, Commissioner Bill Ganz said he’d like to clear up some of the numbers that have been floating around. Specifically, he challenged the 17 percent. About half of residents, including him, did experience an increase in property taxes last year. About half, including his neighbor, did not, he said.

Total millage rate for FY 2010-11 was 6.7688, up from 5.7900 for FY 2009-10.

Dear Editor:

As I mentioned to [City Manager] Burgess Hanson on Monday, we now have the votes to stop this Utility tax, and further, I think we should also go to the people about the Fire Department. There are many reasons behind this, but I would hope that you all consider pulling these as it will only cost the city more money, nearly $102,000.

It is time that the people in Deerfield, all the people of Deerfield, have a voice and are presented with all the facts and answers in decisions that will affect them in the years to come. Further, I think it is time that you also move these up to the front of the agenda, to save us all a lot of time and aggravation. We are sick and tired of these childish moves. We have a lot to do [rather than] sit there throughout the meeting waiting for what we are all there for. This form of a meeting needs to change and the ethics behind it. We are sick of it.

This is not your city, it is ours.

John Grassi

Deerfield Beach

*Letter sent in Tuesday, prior to commission meeting.

Jacksonville Mayor Election a Harbinger to 2012?

Dear Editor:

Last week, a Democrat was elected Mayor in Jacksonville. This is a huge upset. Republicans control northeast Florida, and Jacksonville has ALWAYS been a GOP stronghold. Duvall County Republican Chairman Lenny Curry said, “The liberal organizers who want to keep the American people enslaved by wasteful spending and hideous deficits need to know that they have jumped the gun on 2012 and have awakened a sleeping giant.”

Republicans better hope Curry is wrong about the race being a harbinger to the 2012 elections. A Democrat was elected mayor to Florida’s largest county. President Eisenhower stated, “Should any political party attempt to abolish Social Security, unemployment insurance, and eliminate labor laws and farm programs, you would not hear of that party again in our political history. There is a tiny splinter group, of course, that believes that you can do these things. Among them are a few Texas oil millionaires and an occasional politician or businessman from other areas. Their number is negligible and they are stupid.” Not that I am a fan of Ike but today the Republicans would denounce the former GOP President for this remark. Maybe the Jacksonville mayor election is a harbinger of the 2012 elections.

Brad Burtner

Deerfield Beach

Memorial Day

Dear Editor:

I was proud to attend the Memorial Day Ceremony held at the Deerfield Beach Memorial Cemetery this past Monday. What made me feel proud was not only the participation of the organizations that assisted remembering our Veterans, but the number of persons who attended.  It gave me a real feeling of pride that these persons took the time to remember our heroes, and, to that, “I applaud each and every one of you.”

Steven P. Nowatka

Deerfield Beach

Utility tax

Dear Editor:

This Utility Tax is a perfect example of “taxation without representation.” I have talked with or e-mailed our commissioners, with my comments falling on deaf ears. I live and own a business in Deerfield so I, along with a lot of business owners who live and work in Deerfield, are going to be paying double the taxes. So much for the fair share scenario. Also, the commission is saying that they are going to reduce the millage rate with this tax. I don’t think we’re going to see that anytime soon. This reminds me of something my Dad told me: “You want a guarantee in life, buy a toaster.” Mayor Noland is already talking about how to spend the money on lighting for parks and ballfields, etc. I would like to see in writing this guarantee they’re talking about.

Steven J. Fabrizio

Deerfield Beach

District 2 complaints and BSO

Dear Editor:

At recent Deerfield Beach Commission meetings and on certain blogs, I hear many complaints about how the residents of District 2 are treated.  One complaint was that crime is overlooked in District 2 and BSO [Broward Sheriff’s Office] does nothing about it.  In the next complaint, deputies were decried as being too aggressive in their duties. One complainer even created outlandish stories and lies, which were all disproven by the deputy’s videotapes.  A takedown of the wrong house – a regrettable mistake, but one with the good intentions of apprehending criminals – was complained about loudly and at length.  Now, we hear complaints that people with criminal pasts and histories of sexual predation should be allowed to interact with our youth under the auspices of Parks and Rec.

I am more than a little tired of their whining.  Did they forget that actions have consequences?  Do they not realize that some consequences last forever?  Do they think it is reasonable to expect Law Enforcement to protect them from crime when they complain that the same Law Enforcement is too aggressive in pursuing criminals?

It is time for that moral part of District 2 – that is the majority, by the way — to stand up and say, “NO MORE!” It is time for residents to turn their backs on criminals and let the police do their work.  In fact, it is time to help the police.  It is time to admit that if a person is a criminal, be he a stranger, a neighbor, or a loved one, he is bad for your community and he has to go.

Gerald Behan

Deerfield Beach

Where Does the Buck Stop?

Dear Editor:

One of our municipality’s tallest flag poles is erected at the east end of Hillsboro Boulevard on the beach.  Just before this year’s spring break (early April) and the Easter activities, the flag came up missing and is still missing the latter part of May.  Inquiries to various employees, officials, firemen, lifeguards, pier staff, local police, maintenance workers, etc.  all came up with similar replies such as “I didn’t know,”  “I’ll see about it,” or “I’ll tell so and so.”  I feel that all who replied were sincere, but they had other responsibilities to tend to at that time.  The thought I had after some 30 days or more of no visual actions is: “Who’s in charge to get things done?”  Whoever [it is,] it seems is not doing it or willing to say he or she is the one!  It appears that perhaps, we need to keep better track of what is going on.

Just a Vet

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: Did you know about the city of Deerfield Beach’s new Customer Connection? Call 954-480-4477 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays to talk with a LIVE operator. Have your call routed to the right place and receive a follow-up call. Or go to web.customerconnection@deerfield-beach.com to make your inquiry.

RE: BSO presentation on Fire-Rescue

Dear Editor:

There is no doubt in my mind that if you, Deerfield Beach Mayor and Commissioners, decide to have BSO take over the Fire-Rescue department, you must hold a referendum to approve their use of the city-owned facilities.  It is very clear in the Charter.

The Deerfield Beach Charter (Section 7.09.) covers a mandated referendum on public property worth more than $750,000 in the case of: “Sale, gift, trade, transfer or lease.” The wording in the charter that makes a vote necessary if BSO takes over the Fire-Rescue operations is: “Lease is defined as a contract for possession or use of real property.”

Just in case your thinking is “We’re going to do this anyway and let someone try to stop us”  —  I must say that is not a wise course of action.  Very likely there will be a lawsuit brought if the city tries to allow BSO to use the facilities without following the Charter provision.

I assume that a suit will cost more to defend than an election, which could be relatively inexpensive if done by mail.  Costs aside, think of the results of entering into a contract with BSO, followed by the inevitable lawsuit.  The city would undoubtedly lose the suit, forcing a referendum.  Think of the mess if the voters refuse to allow the use after already having signed a contract with BSO.

You already have residents up in arms about the possibility of the Commission making this decision without public input, legally mandated or not.  The last time the city was deliberating a move to BSO, following the direction of the Charter, a referendum asking if voters favored allowing city-owned properties to be used by BSO was voted down.  The important impact of that vote was not just the “yes” or “no” vote, but that there was a vote at all.  Clearly, the legal opinion was that it was needed, as it is in the current case.

If the commission votes that they would like to switch to BSO, let the voters have the information that convinced you.  Let’s have the pros and cons, spell out your reasons. And then let us vote.  It’s the law, and even more important, it’s the right thing to do.

Bett Willett

Co-president, Original Save Our Beach Committee

Deerfield Beach

Relay for Life: “A Success”

Dear Editor:

I am calling Saturday night a success. You can only worry about the things you have control over, and all the major things we had control over went well.

The opening ceremonies, survivor lap and dinner by JB’s on the Beach were great. The Luminaria ceremony under the pavillion was unconventional, but moving.

We also raised over $11,000 Saturday night and have made our ACS goal 0f $80,000. We will keep pushing to the $100,000 mark.

Thanks for all you do. Next time I’ll get to see you and your husband perform!

T.J. Eagen

Relay for Life Event Chair

Deerfield Beach

Utility tax

Dear Editor:

Are the voters in Deerfield Beach aware of the effect of the 10 percent utility tax on the businesses and residents of the city? The commissioners insist that we are the only major city in Broward County that does not have one. It was rescinded by the voters in the 1970s, opening the door for businesses such as the Sun-Sentinel, Publix, Southeast Toyota, and many other businesses, to choose to locate in Deerfield Beach.

The mayor had said that this will lower our ad valorem tax rate — among the highest in the county. The city manager claims he needs the $6 million to balance the budget, and the finance director says this tax is needed for capital improvements and to stabilize the millage rate. Stabilizing doesn’t sound like reducing! Show us the figures. We run businesses and, like you, should clearly understand what you are doing. We need to plan for the future, as obviously we will have to pass all these further increases on to the consumer. [Commissioner] Ganz claims [this would mean] a reduction in the millage rate. It would take $4,910,521 to reduce the millage 1 mill. Show us the figures.

John Grassi

Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

At the commission meeting Tuesday night to introduce the utility tax, a great deal of emphasis was placed on the levy on electric bills. Not a word about the 10 percent levy on water bills that will not be cut in any way. As far as the levy on electric bills – that supposedly will be cut in half when the fuel charge is subtracted – get out your electric bill, subtract the fuel charge, and I am willing to bet it does not cut what you will pay in half, as you were told Tuesday night.

I cannot believe that I must come to the defense of Century Village, but obviously [Commissioner]  Popelsky did not. When [Commissioner] Ganz was denigrating the Village and claiming they are not paying their fair share, why didn’t Popelsky say the rationale behind passage of the Fire Assessment fee was so that everyone would be made to pay?

I do have a question though, if the Fire Department goes to the county, will that negate the fire assessment fee? And in order to make sure everything is legal and above board, a referendum should be held. Not on whether the fire department should go to BSO, but rather on an amendment to Section 7.09 paragraph 2 [of the city charter] that would add just four words. “exempting other governmental agencies.” That could easily be done by mail-in ballot. I believe that the cost was previously estimated at $30,000.

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

Code/building violations

Dear Editor:

The city of deerfield beach code enforcement and building department have once again dropped the ball. The city departments are great at going after the average resident for garbage cans left out in front of your house, but will not go after a restaurant that is doing construction without any permits. A group of residents have brought this to the building department and code enforcement several times and they have fined Aroma grill, which used to be half-time bar and grill. But let them continue to do unsupervised, unsafe work. The job of these departments is to help maintain safe conditions for the city’s residents [yet] they continue to let them work without a permit. I guess it’s easy to go after the low fruit on the tree. Having a yard sale this weekend… I bet they rip out my yard sales signs.

David H. Franko

Deerfield Beach

RE: Teen violence

Dear Editor:

I wanted to give the community an update on the beating of the 15-year-old boy in Pompano Beach [April 14 Observer, Letters to the Editor]. His name is Jason Carvalho. At this time, Jason is still at a major hospital in South Florida. He has had two major brain surgeries and the family is hoping that will be all. He did suffer from pneumonia, but that also has mended. At this time, we are watching blood clots in his arm and possibly his leg. He is now out of the coma and resting. Surgeons are not sure what the final outcome will be at this time nor in the future. Once he continues to stabilize, we will know more.

Many people have contacted us and have sent their prayers and warm wishes. The family would like to thank you all from the bottom of their hearts. Jason has a page on facebook, if you are interested in keeping up and sending well wishes.  www.facebook.com/jasoncarvalhopage. At this site, you will also be able to see when an upcoming benefit will be.

Again, we thank all of the well-wishers and the Observer for giving us this opportunity to speak out on Jason’s behalf.

Dana Wade

Deerfield Beach

“Saving Medicare”

Dear Editor:

I heard a radio commercial asking me to call Allen West and thank him for saving Medicare. Allen and the GOP didn’t mean they were saving Medicare for elderly Americans, but saving wealthy Americans from the rising costs of Medicare. Instead of dealing with the rising costs of healthcare, the GOP gives the wealthy another 10 percent cut in taxes. Instead of trying to fix Medicare, the GOP have voted to engage America in two wars which weren’t funded, voted to give the wealthiest Americans tax cuts that were not funded and voted for a Medicare prescription drug entitlement program that wasn’t funded and is more expensive than President Obama’s healthcare bill. Allen West and the GOP voted to end Medicare by changing it to a voucher/subsidy system run by private companies. If the elderly are fortunate enough to find coverage, it will cover about 20 percent of their medical costs.

Bradley Burtner

Deerfield Beach

Keep Deerfield beach clean, please

Dear Editor:

I have written before and personally delivered a letter to Mr. Miller’s office regarding the dogs and bikes on the beach, but got no response. Now that he is re-elected, I am hoping to pursue my complaint.

We have a very beautiful beach and the word is out.  Everybody comes to our beach from all over and leaves the vicinity with garbage overflowing and trash all over.  A lot of people who live here walk on the paved area of the beach.  One time, I saw so many dogs that I started counting them.  For the one hour I was there, there were seven dogs.  I did not count those little ones in the strollers and thank God for those smart owners.

Some of these people have the nerve to be angry when they are told ‘no dogs on the beach.’  They either cannot read the big sign or they are too stupid to care.  After all, nobody is really going to issue them a ticket.  Sometimes, you see dog poo on the beautiful paved path that we have.

If we are serious about having no dogs or bikes or skateboards on the beach, then let’s reinforce it.  Otherwise, take out the sign and let all of the dogs come.  It is a big joke!  The money you collect from imposing a fine seriously on these offenders will more than pay for personnel who can ticket them.  And then you will see a big improvement on the beach because they know they can’t get away with it.

The beach is crowded enough to dogs and bikes and skates.  Please help us get this problem addressed by contacting the right people who can make the difference.

I thank you for your time and appreciate your assistance.

G. Wilson

Deerfield Beach

Trees safe for now

Dear Editor:

The Hillsboro Boulevard Tree Landscaping project (AKA: the chainsaw massacre) has been put on hold pending further notice. Thanks to Commissioner Ganz, the project is being reviewed and will not proceed as planned.

Wonderful words, “on hold.”  Even more wonderful would be “PROJECT CANCELLED.”

Bett Willett

Deerfield Beach

RE: “Obama wants more jobs? He needs to decrease taxes … for everyone!”

Dear Editor:

Your Publisher’s Perspective in the April 28 publication of the Observer is nonsense. If it were up to me, the tax on earned income above $250,000 would be 90 percent. The only people who have sympathy for individuals in that tax bracket are people who are in the upper bracket, politicians, and anyone who profits from statements supporting the rich. If cutting taxes produced jobs, where are they?

Tom Ciulla

Deerfield Beach