RE: Code Enforcement

Dear Editor:

How about stopping code enforcement from citing residents who don’t plant sod. Sod is not native to south Florida. Sod is environmentally wrong for this area. It needs water, fertilizer and pesticides. Water restrictions are being continually applied to communities across the state. Fertilizers and pesticides run off into area canals causing algae blooms and fish kills. To force folks to plant and maintain sodded lawns is environmental suicide to fresh water. What ever happened to xeriscape project? To quote Marjorie Stoneman Douglas “Water is Florida’s life blood.”

Ray Bish

Deerfield Beach, FL

Thank you from new Dist. 4 commissioner

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for your trust and confidence in making me your new District 4 commissioner.

The next four years will present unique challenges to our district and city as a whole, first and foremost being the proposed construction to SW 10 Street and its I-95 and Sawgrass Expressway/Turnpike connections. You can rest assured that I will be closely monitoring this matter and reporting to you any updates. There is an FDOT event on April 6; I’ve included all of the details in the events below. I strongly encourage you all to attend.

To better serve you, I will be holding Saturday office hours from 10 a.m. to noon on the first Saturday of each month. We will begin April 1 and appointments will be necessary so please feel free to call the City Manager’s Office at 954-480-4263 to schedule your appointment as they are expected to fill-up quickly. Additional Saturdays may be added depending on the response. I look forward to the next four years and the opportunity to serve you in any way I can.

Todd Drosky

Dist. 4 Commissioner

RE: Beach preservation

Dear Editor:

Many thanks to Patrick Bardes, Deerfield Beach’s Coastal & Waterway Coordinator for the effort he is making in preserving our beaches.

This effort to install plantings along the beach uses volunteers from youth organizations and commerce, especially TD Bank. The ecology experts come from the Audubon Society and Deerfield government. Many thanks to all!

The local elected officials and City Manager would do well to strongly support these efforts.

First, the plantings will mature over time and significantly reduce blowing sand onto the boardwalk while building the dunes. I overlook the boardwalk and the cost in labor and machinery from each wind event is expensive. The faster the plantings are installed the lower the cost will be. It is a solid and significant return on investment.

Second, the plantings are far, far more aesthetically attractive than the old black plastic and current brown fabric wind-screens that stretch most of the beach. Face it, they are simply ugly and have a high labor cost each time installed and taken down. A lot of the seniors who look at the ocean from the benches and grass areas are blocked from viewing.

Lastly, the plantings set the stage for future more attractive plantings of low lying scrubs that will be even more effective and attractive.

The hotels, condos and frequent users of the beach should strongly support this effort with volunteers and resources where possible. It is to everyone’s benefit.

George Cherenack

Deerfield Beach, FL

Thank you from new mayor

I would like to thank every single one of you in District 4 for your unwavering support, your input and, most importantly, your voice over the last 8 years. I also want to take this opportunity to thank you for your vote. It will be my greatest honor and privilege to serve District 4 and all of Deerfield Beach for the next four years as your Mayor.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce Todd Drosky to all of you as your new District 4 Commissioner. I have worked closely with Mr. Drosky over the years and feel confident that District 4 is in good hands. Todd will listen to you and he will fight for you. I am proud to welcome him as my esteemed colleague on this new, united City Commission.

You can now find me on Twitter @DFB_MayorGanz. You can tweet your questions or send me a direct message. If social media isn’t your thing, just email me at bganz@deerfield-beach.com.

FDOT Tree Removal Along Hillsboro Boulevard

I want to thank those of you who came out to our Regular Commission Meeting last Tuesday and voiced your opinions about the trees that have gone noticeably missing from the medians/swales along Hillsboro Boulevard in recent weeks.

As many of you are aware, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is working on a roadway improvement project along Hillsboro Boulevard, from Military Trail to Federal Highway/US-1. This project will be completed in two phases. Phase one, which is currently underway, is from Military to Dixie Highway and phase two is from Dixie Highway to Federal Highway.

This project unfortunately, impacts our urban Tree Canopy, which is essentially the layer of trees that cover the ground when viewed from above. Much to our surprise, State Transportation Landscape Architect, Jeff Caster stated at a recent presentation that their agency does not mitigate the trees that they remove from the canopy.

Protecting the integrity of our city’s canopy is important for environmental as well as economic reasons. Trees can help us combat climate change, enhance air quality and conserve energy. “The appearance of healthy foliage can also be a stimulus to economic development, attracting business and tourism and can increase property values and commercial benefits,” according to the USDA Forest Service, Arbor Day Foundation.

I believe trees are vital to our community and I am disappointed that a state agency like FDOT does not take better measures to replant those trees that are removed for their state-owned roadway projects.

I want the public to be assured that we are doing all that we can to mitigate the results. FDOT removed twelve Mahogany trees between Martin Luther King, Jr., and Dixie Highway. Our City Landscape Architect fought to keep one of those specimen trees and three native Oak trees in the medians. Trees will be replanted at the cost of the city along areas identified by FDOT, near the sidewalks.

Rest assured the City will make every effort to replace as many trees as we can. Replacing large trees is an expensive endeavor and one that was not contemplated; therefore, I can tell you that this will be discussed and considered during our summer budget workshops. I encourage everyone to attend.

Bill Ganz

Mayor

Re: New Dog Park

Dear Editor:

My name is Joseph Batavia, and I live on the east side of Deerfield Beach. Due to my disabilities, I have a young service dog named “Baby.” Baby needs regular exercise, and is in training for the second phase of her certification, but there are currently no dog parks in Deerfield Beach. To get to the nearest dog park, Baby and I must take a bus, wait an hour to take a second bus, then walk to the dog park. A visit to the dog park takes Baby and me an entire day. I have had knee injuries, so walking that far is not practical for me. A dog park is planned for the west side of Deerfield Beach. I think we also need a dog park on the east side of Deerfield Beach, so other volunteers and I are circulating a petition to put a dog park east of U.S.1, as well.

Besides fulfilling my personal needs, I want to do something that will benefit our community as a whole. Dog parks will provide healthy exercise and recreation for the many dogs and dog owners who live in our community. Dogs can run free, play catch, and maybe enjoy a doggie fitness course, all without disturbing other park users.

I like to think that helping my community is a way of carrying on my father’s legacy. I lost my father, Andrew, “Drew” Batavia, when I was 12 years old. He was a quadriplegic as a result of breaking his neck in a car accident when he was 16 years old, but he didn’t let his disability stop him from having a full life. He graduated from Harvard Law School and from Stanford Medical School with a Master’s Degree in Health Services Research, went on to become a White House Fellow and to write the regulations for the Americans with Disabilities Act, (ADA). He advocated for the rights of people with disabilities, worked to establish national healthcare, and presented Amicus briefs in the U.S. and Florida Supreme Courts in support of assisted dying. He taught Health Law at Florida International University, and left behind extensive publications in support of the causes he believed in.

My goal is to get 15,000 signatures to bring to the Jan. 17, 2017 commission meeting. So far I have obtained over 200 signatures. However, due to my disabilities, walking around to get the signatures has proven too difficult. I have been attempting to seek permission from the City of Deerfield Beach to use one of their parks or facilities to allow people to stop by and sign the petition at one location. As of today, I have yet to receive a response. If you have any ideas or would like to help, please call me at 561-945-7087.

Joseph Batavia

Deerfield Beach

RE: Type of government – LHP

Dear Editor:

[Mr. Bentz is seeking to change the form of government in Lighthouse Point from a “strong mayor” system to a “city manager” based system, which he feels is more modern. He presented his points at a Nov. 8 commission meeting].

I have copied below a portion of our City Charter that sets out the powers and duties that a newly elected “strong mayor” must be ready to assume and to carry out.

1) Supervising, directing and coordinating the activities of the city’s executive branch including its operating departments.

2) Enforcing within the city the provisions of the charter, city ordinances and all laws of the State of Florida.

3) Exercising powers granted to him in this charter and the laws of the State of Florida, concerning the appointment and removal of certain administrative employees and members of boards, commissions and committees.

4) Submitting annually to the commission for its consideration an operating budget and a capital improvement program and budget.

5) Exercising such other powers and performing such other duties as may be prescribed by this charter, by ordinance or resolution, or by applicable laws of the State of Florida.

6) Unless otherwise provided herein, the mayor shall be the appointing authority of all officers in the executive branch, subject to the approval of the city commission.

What would the average business person, with no prior government management experience, know about our charter, our hundred plus pages of city ordinances and all laws of the State of Florida?

If I asked all our former mayors, most of whom were former commissioners, if they ever read our charter or code of ordinances before or after being elected, I am sure the answer would be no. Most of our mayors have been persons with full-time jobs or professions and with families to raise. How much time do you think they could devote to administering and being responsible for the activities of 50 or so employees and their department heads. At least our current mayor is a CPA and he may understand the internal working of our entire budget.

Think about our residents willing to seek election and serve as our new mayor. They should not be held responsible to cure the errors or mistakes that were made by prior mayors.

Leo L. Bentz

Lighthouse Point, FL

RE: Caboose’s rails moved

Dear Editor:

On Saturday, Nov. 5, we moved three 30 ft. sections of historic vintage railroad trackage from the old Florida East Coast Railway/Deerfield Builders Supply siding to the grounds of the Old School House Park.

Once again, the dynamic duo of Bill Muenzenmaier and Dan Bogner led the charge starting at O-dark thirty [at the site] with FEC Rail security and safety staff on-hand.

Abundant thanks to Joe Williams and Allegiance Crane for their seamlessly professional lift out, transport and spotting on the new rail bed at City Hall.

Again thanks to the Florida East Coast Railway for their generosity in donating the rail trackage.

As anticipated, many (actually most) of the 70-90 year old railroad ties did not survive the lift out and we’ll need to replace approximately 40. We have the ties on site at old Deerfield Builders Supply and will need to transfer them to Old School House site and mobilize labor to lift the track sections and position and spike in the replacement ties. Volunteers anyone?

The caboose’s interior has been completely gutted (thanks Bill and Dan!) and prepared for its ultimate restoration.

Roof repairs, already underway, will be completed during the next 10 days and then we’ll be ready for the big move.

Many thanks again to Charlie DaBrusco and his crew for the perfect site preparation. Outstanding!

Ed Dietrich, Jr.

Deerfield Beach Historical Society

Dear Editor,

In answer to Mr. Forman’s letter of last week, I wish to state I am in agreement with him when he says that in the past District 3’s commissioner forgot about at least half of the district. That has to change. Where a commissioner lives is not the problem, but how he thinks and acts is. Too many years have passed where a policy of us against them has been the accepted way you have been treated. We have to be united with each resident having equal representation. That way we can grow the District to be the best it can be. When all of District 3 along with Commissioner Ganz delayed the 10th Street project from starting by banding together and fighting to protect our whole district, we succeeded.

Bernie Parness

Deerfield Beach, FL

RE: Election

Editor’s Note:

The election is less than a week away. This year, it seems more than ever, lines have been drawn and people have adamantly declared their affiliations in harsh rhetoric, or they have, with frustration, said “none of the above.” Who you vote for is a personal decision and a right in our democracy not to be taken lightly. Who you choose will come down to what matters affect you and your family. Take the time to do the research for yourself on each issue and candidate to help you make the decision that best meets your needs and reflects your personal values. On page 7, there is a ballot for your reference showcasing issues and candidates that affect our area. The recommendations made do not necessarily reflect the opinion of all of The Observer staff.

RE: Districts

Dear Editor:

I sat through last night’s Oct. 18 Deerfield Beach Commission meeting and started to wonder, “What happened to our elected officials?” The commissioners complain about their having a “full-time” job with only “part-time” pay and being overworked. Then, when the time comes to do something about it, they voice their opinions to stay with what we have now for our district boundaries. They could have added two new districts, and their workload would be reduced significantly, but no action was taken on their part.

We were told by Mayor Robb at the outset of the presentation by Mr. Scott Burton, or Meehan Burton Assoc., that our “population,” and not our voter registration count would be the only criteria used in drawing these new district boundaries. That certainly is one of the factors that should be used here, but I feel there are other very important factors which need to be considered, and were ignored by the commission.

Ask yourself this question: If you lived in the District 3 today, would you be happy with our current boundary lines? We’ve had a Century Village (CV) commissioner/dominance for as far back as I can remember, and that only goes back 20 years. City government can’t allow this inequity to remain any longer. Most District 3 quarterly meetings are held inside the CV complex, and that’s in spite of the fact that we’ve annexed Crystal Lakes a few years ago with all its problems. We have almost half the “population” of District 3 living outside Century Village, and yet we’re still “attached” to this unfair arrangement.

There’s something very wrong with a commission that will not address this serious problem of CV dominance in District 3 when given the opportunity for change. It looks like a “stacked deck,” and a “done deal” for the commission not to take some action when now is the time for all good citizens to come to the aid of their community.

Fred Foreman,

Deerfield Beach, FL

RE: Trump, the business man

Snopes and PolitiFact, the “go to” fact checkers are not very good at fact checking when it comes to reporting the correct number of Chapter 11’s relative to The Trump Organization. Easily evidenced by checking with the appropriate state filings for the Trump Organization, The Trump Organization filed only four bankruptcies, including and limited to Trump Taj Mahal, 1991; Trump Castle, 1992; Trump Plaza & Casino, 1992, and Trump Entertainment and Resorts, 2009. The Plaza Hotel was sold, and the Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts underwent a name change to be Trump Entertainment Resorts and were not part of any bankruptcy.

Besmirching Donald J. Trump’s business reputation has become a full-time job for both televised and print media in an effort to derail his Trump train in route to the White House as the 45th President of the United States.

As a builder and an all-around businessman, Donald J. Trump has successfully negotiated transactions worldwide for years, and some folks erroneously believe that he would not be able to deal with foreign officials. Donald J. Trump has been rubbing elbows with a lot of those same folks for decades, often as an invitee to soirees and in other cases conducting business. Donald J. Trump started with one and a half million dollars given to him by his father. With all the business experiences that have come and gone, tens of thousands of jobs provided by the organization, and Donald J. Trump at the helm, he now sits on assets totaling over several billions of dollars. It is naïve and even ridiculous to claim that this man is not a smart, top-performing, most successful and qualified businessman. Donald J. Trump is exactly who we need as President of the United States, particularly during these financially challenging times. Help make America Great Again – vote Donald J. Trump. Visit www.donaldjtrump.com for policies and updates.

Rosie Reid

Deerfield Beach, FL

RE: Hurricane clean-up

A great big thanks of appreciation to the city and all its staff for working overtime in preparation for Hurricane Matthew and the aftermath clean-up. It was very well-coordinated and everyone did a fantastic job, especially cleaning the beach area. The beach rake did a great job cleaning and leveling the beach. The city workers did a very good job cleaning up additional trash and extra sand. We feel that everybody in the city put forth their best efforts in this challenge of getting everything back in order, also in other areas in the city, that includes the lifeguards, police, firefighters, paramedics, store owners, restaurant owners and many others. We live in a truly great place. Our paradise is Deerfield Beach!

Phyllis Mavrikis and

Ellyce Plotkin

Deerfield Beach, FL

RE: Monkey Business

Dear Editor:

My name is Nicole Davis, a property owner in Deerfield Beach. I am a small breeder of marmoset monkeys, a class 3 animal under the Fish and Wildlife code. I have been registered with Florida Fish and Wildlife since 2013, and maintain a license that is renewed once a year to possess and sell class 3 animals at my home address: 606 NE 2 Ter., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441.

In August 2016, code enforcement for the City of Deerfield Beach sent me a courtesy notice stating that I was not allowed to possess monkeys according to City Ordinances, and to remove them immediately. I contacted Fish and Wildlife who told me that no city in Florida has the power to create any ordinance which contradicts the state laws on wildlife, set and governed exclusively by Fish and Wildlife as per the Florida Constitution. They provided me with a copy of the law and over 20 pages of case-law on the subject showing that many cities have tried to fight against the state law, but none have won.

After speaking to FWC, I made a trip to City Hall where I presented my Class 3 license (issued to my current home address) showing I was in compliance with all state laws and legally able to possess the monkeys on my property; however, the code enforcement officer was not present. I left a copy with the office and called the code officer, Angelica Morales.

A few days later Angelica called me to tell me that despite reviewing my license and state law, she would follow the city code which states I am unable to possess monkeys and thus I needed to remove them in accordance with the notice she sent me.

Angelica Morales is fully aware of the law, as it was sent to her, yet, despite knowing the law, she has chosen instead to disregard it and has continued to harass me about my monkeys, to the point of issuing me a court hearing notice. I spoke to her supervisor Bernard Pita at the same contact number. I informed him of the state law and that the City of Deerfield Beach has no authority to create ordinances that conflict with state law. I informed him that attempting to prosecute me based on an illegal city ordinance created in defiance of state law was in and of itself illegal. He sided with Angelica and stated that he did not answer to the state, rather the city of Deerfield Beach and thus I needed to remove my monkeys immediately.

The city has further threatened me that if I did not remove my animals by Oct. 6, the issue would proceed to a court hearing and I would be assessed any costs related to the city’s expense of prosecuting me, despite the fact that the city is choosing to prosecute me in defiance of state law and is acting with authority they do not have. I am now scheduled for hearing and have had to hire a lawyer to assist me in fighting against these rogue code enforcement agents who are enforcing an illegal ordinance and turning a blind eye to state law.

Nicole Davis

Deerfield Beach, FL

RE: “The Branding of an Island”

Dear Editor:

Please inform the people trying to give Deerfield Island a name that it already has one – see this page on broward.org

Also let them know the island’s birds, protected sea turtles and other wildlife said they don’t need any bumper stickers or frisbees to identify with their home. [This is in reference to an article in last week’s Observer].

Eileen Lovre

Deerfield Beach, FL

RE: Signage

Dear Editor:

At the last City Commission meeting, I proposed a simple but important feature for all present or future signs on buildings. They should all feature in large letters the address of the establishment or residence. As you ride down the street looking for an address right now, it is almost impossible to find a location either because the address is too small to read or non-existent. This simple remedy would make finding any address a lot easier and would benefit all.

Bernie Parness

Deerfield Beach, FL

Re: Chuck Sussman

Dear Editor:

This week, we lost one of the good guys. Former Town of Hillsboro Beach Mayor Chuck Sussman passed away just weeks after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Chuck is the stuff legends are made of. With a gruff voice and a hearty laugh, this self-made, successful businessman would be the first one to hitch up his suspenders and roll up his sleeves to get a job done. He was as down-to-earth as they come. Hillsboro Beach was fortunate to have his official guidance for a remarkable 18 years, and I was fortunate to have him as my next-door neighbor and friend for the past decade.

Chuck opted to retire from politics in 2007 when he decided his “just-git-‘er-done” style of doing business was no longer the order of the day. “Retirement” gave him the opportunity to travel and spend more time with his family, his beloved Harley-Davidson and his antique car collection, but he always carried a soft spot in his heart for our Town.

With so much controversy in our world today, I just wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to a man who made the world a better place.

Chuck Sussman was one-of-a-kind, and he will be sorely missed by many in Hillsboro Beach.

Deb Tarrant, Mayor

Town of Hillsboro Beach

Be informed at the voting polls

With the primary election at the end of the month and the general election only three months away, I wondered, “What should I know before casting my vote?” I should be prepared to know who and why I will make my choice for that next senator, [congressman], circuit court judge, school board candidates [and the sheriff]. In addition, there is an amendment on the ballot — Amendment No. 4 — that will need our decision.

For most of us, there is no valid excuse for not making informed choices. With the aid of the Internet and newspapers, plus the many political advertisements crowding our mailboxes, we can do a little research to help us read up on the candidates and make those informed choices at the voting poll.

Working up to the General Election, there are a lot of speeches and debates to help us make up our mind. All it takes is a little willingness to get started. After all, this is about our government, folks, and how we want our country to be run. So, we need to get busy.

Does anyone remember the old Jay Leno “Jaywalking” skits on “The Tonight Show” years ago? Jay played “the man on the street” and he would walk around in Hollywood, CA interviewing people. He would ask them general questions about the government and the Constitution and he would get the funniest and most bizarre answers, which were so wrong. One of the funniest responses he got from a young, college girl was when he asked, “What is the first amendment of the Constitution?” Her answer was “Never cheat on your wife!” The answer to who said “give me liberty or give me death?” could be any response from John Hancock to Colonel Sanders. Of course, when one is put on the spot with cameras glaring at you, it is easy for the mind to go blank.

Now is the time to get involved and know who will be your choice for this election. Let’s exercise our right to vote and keep America the great nation that it is.

Mary “Franki” Klemyk

Lighthouse Point

RE: Pompano Dog Park

I enjoy taking my little dog to the Pompano Dog Park [Canine Corner Dog Park, 1101 N. Federal Hwy]. There are seven benches in the park. Five of them are fine. But the two new ones have horizontal slats instead of being grated like the other five, so it is very dangerous for little dogs like mine because when they jump up, their paws go right through. It is okay to have those types of benches in the big dog park, which they do, because big dogs will be okay when they jump up. But, for the little dogs, it is very dangerous. I have contacted the park about this, but have heard nothing. I have stopped going to the park because it is not worth my dog getting hurt. You can’t watch your dog every minute and the whole point is to let your dog run free. I know a lot of other dog owners who have also stopped going because of this. I am hoping this letter will get their attention and they can fix the bench situation so I, and others, can return to the park. The park should represent a safe haven.

Stan Freeman

Deerfield Beach, FL