Coast to Coast raid brings relief

Dear Editor:

Regarding the [Dec. 16] drug raid next to the Butler House, we were relieved to say the least!  We were hosting a “Tea” that day and saw the undercover cars parked along Hillsboro Boulevard and realized what was going on.  I am very happy to see the place closed and I hope it stays closed!  Hopefully, we can get new neighbors there who will be a benefit to our community.

Carolyn Morris, Executive Director,

Deerfield Beach Historical Society

Hats off to Deerfield BSO

Dear Editor:

I wanted to let your readers know about the top quality group of police officers and detectives who protect the citizens of Deerfield Beach. I am a contractor and certified Arborist who had a brush chipper stolen Feb. 2002 — almost 9 years ago. Recently, I just happened to be driving by the folks who stole this $20,000 machine. It was at a job site where they were working in Ft. Lauderdale. I got out and checked the VIN # and it was my “machine!” Sgt. Dan Christoper (USMC) and Det. Jonathan Brown (USN) went above and beyond the call of DUTY to a fellow U.S. Marine and helped me recover my stolen property even though it wasn’t their case. Sometimes, it seems, all we hear is the negative side of police work. I want to say my hat is off to Great men and women of the BSO Deerfield Beach — and to all veterans serving each other!

L/cpl Thomas L. Bornaman

Pompano Beach

Reader questions delays with Hillsboro Streetscaping

Dear Editor:

Would you please try and find out what’s “not happening” with the finish of construction on Hillsboro Boulevard, from Federal  Highway to the bridge.

I traverse this area on a daily basis and there has been no work performed for several months.

It appears that all that needs to be done is finish the water sprinkling system, install the grass and trees, and lay the final coat of asphalt.

What’s the delay?

Roger Reynolds

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s Note: See pg 1, the paragraph about Hillsboro Streetscaping, for the latest update.

23 Dec 2010

Reader requests more info on BSO substation

Dear Editor:

I, as a concerned taxpayer, have several questions concerning the BSO substation just north of  SW 10 Street on Powerline Road.

1. What is their purpose?

2. What are their hours of operation?

3. Are they required to wear a uniform or civilian clothing?

4. What are their salaries and how many officers are stationed there?

The reason is, on Monday, Oct. 25 at approximately 3 p.m., I traveled to the substation to inquire about a traffic ticket. After knocking several times, I had no luck. There have been many occasions that my neighbors have complained about the same experience. They are never in uniform and it’s hard to determine if they are citizens or officers. No matter what time of day, it’s hard to receive the services necessary. Since the city is in a budget deficit, I feel they need to take a look at the substation. [To me] it is a waste of time and a waste of taxpayer’s money.

A concerned taxpayer

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s Note: According to BSO Executive Officer Lt. Kevin Granville, the substation is mostly open 9 to 5 but there are times when the entire Community Policing Unit may be out doing an event. Community groups such as the Teen Center and homeowners groups sometimes hold meetings there as well. A total of 11, including the sergeant and deputies, operate out of the substation. Many are detectives, so there may be times when they are in uniform and times when they are not. If the reader went to the substation and did not receive an answer, they would be advised to go to the main BSO station behind City Hall. This is the best location to go and inquire about a ticket.

Opportunities to speak on CRA “hot-button” issues

Dear Editor:

There will soon be more opportunities for the public to speak to the Deerfield Beach CRA Board about “hot-button” issues. Marge Hilton’s Letter to the Editor (Dec. 16, “To Deerfield CRA Board”) suggested that the CRA needs to decide what to “fix in the beach area.” This CRA response to her letter emphasizes that everyone is encouraged to provide their suggestions. To help accomplish this, the CRA Board has decided to have 2 additional public hearings and to hold the hearings within the redevelopment area (locations to be announced – watch for announcements in the Observer or at www.Deerfield-Beach.com).

Hearings have been tentatively set for the evenings of Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011 and Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011. Agreed upon projects may be listed in the CRA staff’s proposed 5-year capital improvement plan, which will be presented for the Board’s consideration next Spring.

Keven Klopp, CRA Director

Deerfield Beach

16 Dec 2010

To Deerfield CRA Board Commissioners

Dear Editor:

For the past 12 years, I have attended commission meetings, Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meetings and Public Input meetings regarding city issues on a very regular basis.  During that time, I have witnessed sincere, open discussions.  I have also witnessed what appeared to be meetings with a pre-arranged propaganda view and certain people having prior knowledge of the purpose of the meeting, but the general public not being given such prior knowledge.

The City Commission, City Manager and CRA Director have a duty to be open and forthright in public meetings with their constituents regarding all city issues.  The protocol at the Nov.  8 CRA meeting was not what I consider a fair meeting for the public.  The official agenda for that meeting called for a Public Workshop regarding the CRA 5-Year Capital Plan.  However, this was not the focal point of the discussion at the CRA meeting.  Rather, the meeting focused on two specific areas within the CRA: the Main Beach Parking Lot and Sullivan Park.  If the meeting was going to focus on these two areas, the agenda for the CRA meeting should have specified so.  The public could have known what the meeting was really going to be about so ALL of the people in attendance could have been prepared to speak about these hot-button issues.

In 1998 and 2002, referenda were passed by 75 percent of the voters to protect the Main Beach Parking Lot from overdevelopment.  They voted against a water feature, an amphitheater and a garage.  What they wanted was a parking lot with open space, where they could park their cars and walk across the street to the beach. The CRA money should be spent wisely at the beach. Fix infrastructure, update landscaping and lighting at the Main Beach Parking Lot and repave it.  Also help with business façade improvements and go forward with the approved Pier improvements.  But do not destroy what the public voted to keep a few years ago.

The public will be impressed with the CRA in what they can fix in the beach area – not what they can destroy.

Marge Hilton

Deerfield Beach

Vehicle vandalism

Dear Editor:

On Dec. 7 at 4 p.m., while parked at a lot near 380 S. Federal Hwy. in Deerfield, my van was vandalized. The catalytic converter was sawed off and stolen. This was a very costly and stressful problem.

I want to make the public aware of this major issue. I notified the Sheriff’s office and the person I spoke with said he was unaware of an existing problem. There needs to be more public awareness about this.

Not only should the vandals be punished, but also the parties that are buying the converters from them. If the criminals do not have anywhere to sell the items, it might help to stop the problem from escalating.

Marie Anderson

Deerfield Beach

9 Dec 2010

RE: What do you think? Sullivan Park, Main Beach Parking Lot

Dear Editor:

The Deerfield Green Market is a great idea and one that’s long overdue in our town.

Let’s make the Deerfield Green Market really GREEN!  Sullivan Park is a great venue and very appropriate.  Let’s keep it a passive park.  More GREEN!

The people of Deerfield Beach have already spoken and fought the proposal to build a parking garage at the beach.  We need to preserve the beauty of our beach.
Let’s spend our efforts, our attention and our limited resources on projects that have long been discussed, planned and started, but not completed, e.g., Hillsboro Boulevard (it’s a mess and a safety hazard!) and The Cove Shopping Center to name just a few.

Tom and Laura Elling

Deerfield Beach

RE: Pension payouts

Dear Editor:

As a proud member of Deerfield Beach Fire-Rescue department for over 28 years and a Fire Pension Board Member, I must address some of the “facts” portrayed by former Madame Mayor Jean Robb in her Nov. 11 letter called “Pension Payouts.” Comparing the Fire Pension Plan (FPP) with the Non-Uniform Pension Plan (NUPP), former mayor Robb makes the assertion that (FPP) plan members accrue a pension multiplier of 3.25 percent for all years served. The fact is that both the (FPP) and (NUPP) earn 3 percent for the first 10 years of service. The (FPP) begins to accrue at 3.25 percent after 10 years of service. Both plans max out at 90 percent. Robb fails to mention that the multiplier was changed for the (NUPP) in the late eighties — from 2 percent per year to 3 percent — a full 1 percent increase. This change caused a “huge” retirement of General Employees who never contributed the additional 2 percent to bring them up to the (FPP) 9 percent of salary contribution per year. If memory serves me correct, this had a cost to the City budget of over $1 million to fund this change. This change happened under former mayor Robb’s term in office.

Robb makes the accusation that overtime pay is only allowed for (FPP) members’ benefit and not (NUPP) members. Again, this is not the case, as both plans allow this.

She points out that the (FPP) has both the “Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) and 20-and-out,” and that (NUPP) members do not. What she fails to mention is that both of these issues were properly negotiated under contract negotiations that the City participated in and agreed to — the General Employees have every right to bargain for these items under contract negotiations if they choose to. The fact that members can retire earlier saves pension liability for the City and helps increase funding status for the plan — which is over 90 percent funded, one of the best in the State of Florida. To date, fewer than 6 have utilized 20-and-out.

The former mayor tries to enrage the citizen “taxpayers” with the absurd accusation that the recent DROP members, myself included, have gotten a 24 percent increase in salary. We have always earned our incentive pay; the so-called increase in salary is based on the 9 percent member contribution which ceases upon entering the DROP. The fact is also left out that the City no longer has to contribute the required “City “portion from the budget per member.

Citizens should be concerned about the future loss of younger members, who will be leaving our department and all the experience and training they have acquired with Deerfield Beach taxpayer dollars, to the benefit of other cities, based on the recent cut in benefits structure. This is truly a waste of taxpayer funds that could be prevented!

I am very thankful to the Citizens of Deerfield Beach for allowing me the opportunity to serve you and our great City. As Jack Webb used to say on the TV program Dragnet, “Just the facts Ma’am” or in this case, “Just the facts Madame Former Mayor.”

Douglas Watler

Deerfield Beach Fire-Rescue

25 Nov 2010

Post-Election thoughts
Dear Editor:
One can argue from a Republican political point of view, the mid-term election was an incredible success.  House Republicans picked up at least 63 seats and defeated many senior Democratic chairmen, such as, Jim Oberstar )D-MN) (Transportation Committee) in Congress for 18 terms;  Ike Skelton (D-MO) (Arms Services Committee), there for 17 terms; and John Spratt (D-SC) (Budget Committee) who had 14 terms.  Unfortunately, they also defeated many Blue Dog Democrats, such as, Gene Taylor (D-MS) in office for 10 terms and Allen Boyd (D-FL) who had 7 terms.
The Republicans, as of Nov. 5, have 239 members, Democrats have 187 members, and 9 are still undecided.  The House will be more liberal than before.  Many of the Democratic moderates and conservatives are gone.  When I first came to Congress, the Democrats controlled the southern states and there were few Republican office holders.  When the new Congress gets sworn in 2011, there will be only 16 white southern Democrats among 105 House members.
One of the key votes is election of the minority leader. Nancy Pelosi will remain as House Democratic leader.
President Obama is still a terrific orator and good on the campaign trail.  If the Republicans had taken the Senate, he would have been able to run against the Congress just as Harry Truman did in 1948.  Now President Obama has a problem in attempting to get the Democrats in the Senate to go along with his program.  They have seen what happened in 2010.   The new U.S. Senate has 51 Democrats, 47 Republicans, and 2 Independents.  However, in 2012, there are only 10 Republicans running; 21 Democrats, and 2 Independents, giving the Republicans number-wise, a great advantage.
Furthermore, from a practical political standpoint, three Tea Party Republican candidates lost in Delaware, Nevada, and Colorado.  Each of these Republican candidates had taken some extreme positions.  If they were in office, you could be sure that every day, The Washington Post, New York Times, MSNBC and other liberal outlets would have a wonderful time reporting what they said, putting the Republicans in the Senate and around the country on the defensive.  Harry Reid will apparently stay
as the majority leader in the Senate.  He is not a dynamic leader or speaker.  His presence will continue to remind people of the high unemployment in his state and throughout the country.  Again, the Republicans couldn’t ask for a better choice.
As far as President Obama goes, it is not clear yet what he is going to do or what he is willing to do.  He has recently followed a strategy that has worked for Presidents for years and years.  If you are not running well in Indiana, go to India or to some foreign country where you can get a favorable reception.  I believe the problem for President Obama will not be just the Republicans, but that Democratic members have seen what supporting President Obama can do.  For instance, of the 63 House Democrats who lost, 41 voted for the healthcare law, 59 voted for the economic stimulus plan, and 36 represented districts won by McCain in 2008. Democratic members can look at polls which showed at election time: 59.1 percent of the country thought we were on the wrong track; that President Obama’s unfavorable percentage had risen to 43.8 percent; that President Obama’s job approval was only 50 percent; and that 74 percent felt that the recession is ongoing.  In other words, nearly all recent polls reflect that the Obama administration is not doing well, and that a great deal has to be done if he is going to win re-election.  Most telling is the fact that only 38.6 percent of Independents approve of President Obama, while 51.8% disapprove.
In politics, a day is a lifetime.  However, some days, such as Nov. 2, are more important than other days.  Republicans have not a second chance but a last chance.  They have to take on the issues that President Obama ignored.  They have to take a common sense approach to our economic problems and must lower the unemployment and debt.  The next four months will tell us if Democrats can regain their momentum or Republicans can continue on to a win in 2012.
Lou Frey, Jr.,
Member of Congress (FL ’69-’79)

18 Nov 2010

What’s best for Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

All of us want to do what is the very best for the city of Deerfield Beach, and so does Commissioner Poitier.  None had to travel the same road as Sylvia has in order to get where she is today.  Let her tell you about going into the fields to pick crops alongside the migrant workers.  And how she was not permitted to walk on the grass in front of the white elementary school.  That is the Deerfield Beach that Sylvia Poitier grew up in.  And yet, in her 75-year history in this city, Sylvia has been elected to both the county and Deerfield commissions.  While she was with the county, Deerfield could depend on her to look out for our interests.  When she first returned to run in Deerfield, she was elected by 66 percent of the vote.  The last time she was up for election, she had no opposition.  That should tell you something.

Now, Sylvia has approximately four months left in this term.  If she chooses to run again, the voters of District 2 will determine her fate.  If she is indicted for anything criminal, the Governor will take action.  Never in the history of the city of Deerfield Beach has a commission taken action to remove one of their own from the dais.  Never has a commission decided they can sit as judge and jury to punish one of their own.  Don’t allow yourselves to be the first.  There has got to be a better way, and there is.  Sylvia’s fate should be determined either by her voters or by the Governor.  There really is no reason for you to do anything.

Jean Robb

Deerfield Beach

Thank you

Dear Editor:

The 2010 elections are over, and people all across our state and country have exercised their voting rights and made their voices heard.  In June, I qualified to run for reelection for my fourth term on the Broward County Commission. At the end of qualifying, I faced no opposition.  As such, I am deeply honored and humbled to have earned your support, and to have the opportunity to serve as your County Commissioner for four more years.

I came to the County Commission in 1998 with a simple mission: fighting for a common-sense approach to growth management planning; protecting our environment, coastline and water sources; securing fair wages for workers and creating a public transportation system that moves people, not cars.  I believe we have seen much progress on all of these fronts.  There are more than 3,000 NatureScape certified homes and businesses across Broward, up from zero in 1998.  We have a living wage ordinance that ensures fair pay to those who do business with the county.  We joined with our neighboring counties to create and sign the Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact to coordinate our environmental protection efforts – the first of its kind in America.  And our long-range transportation plan now includes improved commuter rail service; urban design elements, like bicycle lanes and pedestrian pathways, and rapid transit on dedicated bus lanes.  Even with the economic recession that has swept the nation, we have managed to preserve and improve services to our residents and visitors.

On Tuesday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m., I was sworn in alongside our new and returning County Commissioners.  (See photo above).

There is much work left to be done and much progress left to be made, and I have full faith that together we will achieve great things.  My door is always open. Broward County’s best days are still ahead.

Kristin Jacobs

County Commissioner, District 2

Broward County Commission

Missing from the ballot

Dear Editor:

Missing from the recent election ballot was a city referendum to change the municipal March elections to November. This change will save us $100,000 every election cycle. This neglected opportunity is just another example of self proclaimed proactive elected officials failing to indeed be proactive.

Gary Lother

Deerfield Beach

Honoring military service members and veterans

Dear Editor:

This [past] week was a very special one for all of our military veterans, their families and our community. Each year, on the on the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause to honor the military service members and veterans who have chosen to wear our country’s uniform.

I will never forget when I was traveling in Afghanistan and met with a solider from South Florida. He told me it was his wedding anniversary, and he had just gotten off Skype with his wife, telling her how much he loved and missed her. This is exactly the kind of sacrifice our service members and their families make every single day, and it moved me to tears.

It is up to all of us to serve those who have served our country. To our veterans and active duty service members, thank you for your service.

Ron Klein

U.S. Representative, District 22

Boca Raton

11 Nov 2010

Clarke-Reed thanks supporters

Dear Editor:

We did it!  Your support of my re-election to the Florida State House of Representatives, District 92, was really great.  I will be going back to Tallahassee knowing that you believe in me.

This session will bring lots of challenges to those of us who are serving in the Legislature.  With the election of a new governor, cabinet members, and leadership in the House, I expect to see many changes.  Whatever the path we must take, I will be there remembering the trust you have invested in me.

My office will always be available to assist you in any way we can.  Please feel free to call or come by my office at any time. Staff is there to help with your needs.  When you are in Tallahassee and need a break, do stop by.  The telephone number is: 954-786-4848.

Thank you for your contributions, support and well wishes.  I will remember you and look forward to hearing from you.

Gwyndolen “Gwen” Clarke-Reed

State Representative, District 92, Democrat

CVE reader wants to be heard

Dear Editor:

The Century Village East Reporter continues to stifle dissenting views.

In April 2008, I wrote a short letter to the Reporter noted “for publication” asking several questions, including:

1. How are Reporter columnists and regular contributors selected?

2. Does the Reporter have an ethical code? Is there a differentiation between news articles and opinion?

3. On what basis are submissions by CVE residents accepted or rejected? Are those whose submissions are rejected notified by a Reporter representative? Is a rationale for rejection provided? What percentage of submissions are rejected?

The letter was not acknowledged and not published.

In December 2009, I wrote to then Reporter Board President Eugene Goldman again asking questions 1 and 3 above, and some additional ones, noting the apparent absence of Reporter policies and procedures. (The implicit policy seems to be that the Board approves the editor, who then decides every issue unilaterally, a virtual prototype of autocracy, particularly when the editor wearing his hat as COOCVE President nominates that Board that grants him cart blanche.)

Apparently, Mr. Goldman circulated this letter.  Its content was not revealed to those at its next meeting in February 2010, but it was referred to a Board  member for a response.

As of Nov. 8, I’ve gotten no response.

A letter recounting this situation was submitted to the Reporter for publication last month.  In spite of the editorial statement in every Reporter issue, “We encourage letters that enable our readers to ‘sound off’ on any subject,” the letter was neither acknowledged nor run.

We seem to have a problem with transparency and accountability at our CVE institutions.

Bob Bender

Keswick C

Deerfield Beach

Pension payouts

Dear Editor:

With union negotiations coming up, I believe the following is important information.

No one is denying that the fire department as paramedics do a great job. The problem comes from the advantages they enjoy pension-wise over any other city employee.

Take those who chose to remain in the non-uniform pension plan. They too contribute 9 percent of salary to the plan, but they don’t have the DROP plan or the 20-and-out that the fire pension provides. Whereas the non-uniform multiplier for their pension payout is 3, the fire department’s is 3.25 and the non-uniform do not enjoy overtime benefits. The non-uniform have to work 35 years until age 55 to retire.

There are 7 members of the fire department who opted to join the DROP plan in the last fiscal year.They are William Bonner, Michael Heffernon, Mark Hightower, Francis Marr, Thomas Ray, Keith Rozak and Doug Watler. For all practical purposes, 5 of them who collect the 15 percent incentive pay also got a 9 percent increase in salary since they no longer contribute to the pension fund. Two of them who collected the 15 percent never go out on a call. How many of you out there got a 24 percent increase in salary this past year?

The way to eliminate this inequity is to do what Pompano does. No administrative people can collect incentive pay. That would save us some money now and when pension payouts are figured.

There is not much the city can do at this point to stop the pension bleeding of taxpayer money, but there are some steps that can be taken to slow the flow.

First and foremost, the city needs to audit just how the overtime is allocated. There also should be a cap placed on the amount of overtime money that can be added to final pension payouts. That will stop the pension padding that has occurred in the past, and, of course, eliminate the 15 percent incentive pay for all adminstrative personnel.

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

4 Nov 2010

Rick Scott— was ethical as CEO of HCA!

Dear Editor:

Several people have asked me if Rick Scott indeed bent the rules on coding Medicare reimbursements when he was CEO of HCA, and I can answer with a high degree of confidence that there isn’t a shred of evidence that is true.  I have discussed this in great detail with the former CFO of HCA, another friend who was high up in HCA’s finance department, my former administrative assistant who used to be Scott’s assistant, and the former head of HCA’s construction/development department. None of these folks are big fans of Scott’s but all said that he was highly ethical and didn’t break the law or bend it in any way.

The background is this: HCA, the country’s largest hospital management firm was started by the Frist family (today still major stockholders — mostly Republicans such as Sen. Bill Frist) who no longer wanted to run it day to day and they brought in an outsider, Rick Scott, to be CEO.  He became a major enemy of Hillary Clinton’s and devoted much effort to killing her proposed national healthcare plan (and publicly told her she was an idiot to her face in front of a huge healthcare conference in Denver).  When Hillarycare died, the Clintons started a witch hunt of HCA with 300 FBI auditors.  After three years of investigation, there was no evidence found of company-wide misdoings, or any evidence the top management in HCA had done anything wrong.  To bring this burden to an end, HCA paid a lot of money for the investigation to be settled and the Frists took over management again and said good-by to Rick Scott and his second in command.  A couple of low level folks were prosecuted for “upcoding” reimbursements at one or two hospitals, and maybe one of them served a few months in jail.  (It is also pertinent to know that determining reimbursement codes is often subjective — it is very complicated and not a black-and-white decision process).

More on Rick Scott.  He was not liked by most people who worked for him. He did away with many of the traditions at HCA.  He is very bright, but was an outsider who had a reputation of driving subordinates too hard.  He had an over-riding obsession that every department had to make plan all the time or people’s jobs would certainly be on the block.  He was not adverse to rule by fear and intimidation, but he certainly wasn’t a crook or [someone who] bent the law, according to people who reported to him at HCA.  You will have to figure out if he will make a good governor for Florida.  But, our federal government probably spent over $100 million of taxpayer dollars trying to assert that he was a crook and came up with nothing. (How many people would pass that test?)  Even though he rubbed many Nashvillians the wrong way, I have never heard anyone knowledgeable here say he was unethical or crooked.

Steve Iler

Nashville, Tennessee

Pompano residents: City Amendments 1 and 2

Dear Editor:

I’m writing on behalf of the Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce Board of  Directors to encourage Pompano residents to support the referendums to City Amendments 1 and 2 in the Nov. 2 election.

Amendment 1 is a housekeeping amendment which would remove the definition of the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) from the city charter.  Most cities define their ZBAs in city ordinances.  Pompano Beach defines our ZBA in both the charter and city ordinances.  So, for us, it is more difficult to keep the ZBA definition up-to-date because the charter can only be changed by voter referendum.

There is no desire or intention to make any material change to the role and function of the ZBA.  The purpose of this amendment is simply to allow the commission to make future housekeeping changes to the ZBA without having to go to the voters repeatedly.

City Amendment 2 would streamline the city’s ability to transfer city-owned land to the Pompano Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) by eliminating the present requirement that the city put surplus city land up for bid.

Currently, if the city would like to transfer a parcel it owns to the CRA, say, to enable the CRA to assemble several parcels in pursuit of the city’s redevelopment plans, the parcel would have to be offered up for public bidding.  This could enable a higher-bidding third party to block the city’s master redevelopment plan by preventing the city from transferring the parcel to its own Community Redevelopment Agency.

We urge the residents of Pompano Beach to vote “YES” for both charter amendments 1 and 2 on Nov. 2 and help clear the way for what we believe is a very exciting period of economic revitalization for the city. If you have any questions, contact your Pompano Beach City Commissioner.

Melissa Rapkin

Chair 2010,

Greater Pompano Beach Chamber of Commerce

Amendment 4

Dear Editor:

Amendment 4 is a change in the way things are done that will NOT negatively impact communities with tremendous expense (people vote at a regularly scheduled election), nor cause job losses.  It will help to curtail overdevelopment, greed, and land speculation.  We already have high taxes, deflated property values, congested roads, overcrowded schools, students performing poorly, water restrictions, rising crime, foreclosures and already approved unfinished projects.

Presently, when land -use changes are made that negatively impact our neighborhood, we can’t stop them.  We have to wait to vote these politicians out of office. By then it’s too late!  The damage is done and can’t be reversed.

Passing Amendment 4 gives citizens a seat at the table with lobbyists, special interests, developers and their lawyers, land speculators, and politicians.

I will vote YES, because I want a seat at the table, a final say in what is best for my neighborhood.

“For evil to flourish, all that is needed is for good people to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke

Marti Mc Geary

Deerfield Beach

West-Klein race

Dear Editor:

I am disappointed in Ron Klein.

Maybe I’ve missed it, but I haven’t seen one article or ad in which Klein focuses on the issues. Rather, all I’ve seen or heard are personal attacks against Allen West. Klein’s campaign avoids touting his support of the increasingly unsustainable national debt that we are passing on to our children’s children, his support of the stimulus bill and his support of Obamacare. (That’s the health reform bill that Speaker Pelosi explained would need to be passed so we all can know what’s in it.)

Instead, Klein has continuously attacked the character, honesty and integrity of Allen West. By carefully selecting brief quotes of West, all of which lack context, he has accused retired Lt. Col. Allen West, who bravely served our nation in both Iraq and Afghanistan, of everything from personal irresponsibility to inciting an insurrection. If Klein were a Republican and West were a Democrat, the attacks made by Klein against West would be condemned as racist, playing on the stereotypical racist view that black men are basically irresponsible.

When I participated on the debate team during college, I learned from the debate coach that if one’s arguments are weak, attack the opponent. Klein apparently had the same debate coach that I had.

Mary Drabik

Deerfield Beach

Kudos to Observer’s West-Klein coverage

Dear Editor:

Because of the arrangement of the tables at the Deerfield Beach Rotary Club [Tuesday] it was impossible to position the camera in such a way to prevent people from walking in front of it. Nevertheless, you can see that the quality of the video streaming over the Observer’s website is superb. The Sun-Sentinel proved they were incapable of successfully streaming video over the Internet at the Lynn University debate recently and WPTV also demonstrated their incompetence in doing so during the debate they hosted. The Observer is the only news outlet that has the technical expertise necessary to do this correctly. Kudos to Vice President Jim Lusk and the Observer staff who have made this possible.

Russ Deboo

Boca Raton

21 Oct 2010

Firemen’s Pension Trust Fund

Dear Editor:

The Deerfield Beach Firemen’s Pension Trust Fund is one of the most responsibly managed municipal plans in the state of Florida.  Through smart financial decisions, it is more than 90 percent funded, compared to the standard measurement of 80 percent for a healthy pension fund. In other words, our pension has in hand more than 90 percent of its assets for all current and future payouts. Overall, the pension fund is in good health, even in these troubled economic times.

We invested carefully because we appreciate the contributions from the city and state. The annual return on the market value of assets was more than 12 percent based on the most recent information, while the average pension fund lags 5 to 8 percent behind the market index. Members of our pension plan aren’t expecting a free ride. Throughout their careers they have contributed 9 percent of their salaries to help fund their pension benefit, one of the highest member contribution rates in the state. Their pension payouts will remain static, unlike other departments in Broward County whose pensions include an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA).

Deerfield Beach firefighters and paramedics are hardworking, dedicated men and women. Every day they risk their lives and livelihood to protect the people and property of Deerfield Beach they so highly respect.

Sean Crofutt

President, Local 1673

Deerfield Beach

Thank you, Deerfield Fire-Rescue

Dear Editor:

I would like to take a moment to thank Deerfield Beach Fire-Rescue. Specifically, Captain Hightower, Dave H., Justin H., Ed Parkinson, Brian Williams and Bill Bonner for responding to my 911 call on Sept.5.  I am eternally grateful to you for arriving so quickly and taking care of my husband.

Your compassion for my husband and for myself, being 8 months pregnant, was overwhelming.  The follow-up at the hospital the next day made both of us ever so thankful to have you in our backyard.  On behalf of all the people you have rescued, whose lives you have saved, we thank you and applaud the heroes that you are.

Anissa & Jim Alonzo

Deerfield Beach

LHP resident angry, water rate increase

Dear Editor:

I am writing regarding the “notice of rate change” for residences with a 1″ meter.

The increase is 315 percent over the 2010 fiscal year rate of $8.13. Please answer the following:

According to the NOTICE OF RATE CHANGE,  “the new rates were established to provide equity between groups of customers and are designed to charge customers in accordance with their POTENTIAL DEMAND (minimum monthly charge) and actual use (volume charge) of the system.”

Please define “Groups of Customers” and the reason for segregating them, when 1 gallon of water used should be the same charge for all.

Potential Demand?  You are charging an arbitrary 315 percent increase for POTENTIAL DEMAND?  How about the 20+ years of use at the same address based on average?  If I control what I do and I’m under average, I get a break. If I’m over, you charge a little more. That’s equitable for all groups.

What is the ratio of 5/8″ vs. 1″ residential meters in Broward County?  Please supply the actual total of residential 1″ users.

Since I consider this an unnecessary and exorbitant overcharge, I would also like to know which county employees were responsible for voting this into action.  I am forwarding this letter to the County Commissioners and every Broward County resident on my mail list.

I urge  friends and neighbors to write as well: www.broward.org/WATERSERVICES/Pages/1InchMeters.aspx?print=1

I also suggest they vote out of office everyone involved.

Ron Melchiorre

Lighthouse Point

Reader calls for return to old-school values; Businesses closed on Sunday

Dear Editor:

While returning from a recent trip to Daytona, I exited Hillsboro Boulevard heading east to home. At Dixie and Hillsboro, I saw Tire Kingdom & AAA Automotive open. Did I mention it was Sunday afternoon?  As I own a two-man repair shop in Deerfield, that I close to go away 2 times a year. How is a small business supposed to compete with the big chains — Firestone, Goodyear, Sears, Pep Boys, etc? Are we supposed to work 24/7 and not spend any time with family?  As it is, we probably work 60-hour weeks already. I know it might be convenient to get your car serviced on a day off like Sunday, but I think we need to start going back to old-school values and not work on Sundays. Keep small businesses alive, as we all know that this is the backbone of this country!

Steven J Fabrizio

Deerfield Beach

14 Oct 2010

Something has to give

Dear Editor:

There is no such thing as equality if you are an employee of the city of Deerfield Beach. During my short tenure as a member of the non-uniform pension board, I tried to convince the commission to allow non-uniform employees with 30 years or more of service to be permitted to retire even though the mandated age was 55. Not a chance.

Firefighters hired at ages 19 or 23 could retire at age 39 or 43 without penalty, and the city would have to pay their medical expenses until age 65. At present, there are 8 firefighters who could retire at age 40.

When, at the public budget hearing, it was suggested that something had to be done about excess overtime, Commissioner Ganz claimed that some things could not be changed. Perhaps, he should have asked how the city got into this financial stranglehold with the fire union. Mayor Noland would have been the one to ask.

It goes back to May of 1994 when the commission voted to reopen the defined pension plan for the fire department only. Commissioner Noland cast the third and deciding vote claiming that her vote would not affect her fireman husband, so no conflict of interest was filed. That vote has cost the city in the last 16 years more taxpayer money than any financial conflict that Commissioner Poitier is accused of having.  Mayor Noland was a member of the commission that created the DROP plan for the fire department only. Noland was part of the commission who voted in 2002 for the 20 years and out for the fire department only. The DROP plan allows any active member of the department who had attained age 47, regardless of years of service, to elect to participate in the DROP plan. Monthly retirement benefits that would have been payable to the pension would go into a DROP plan on a monthly basis for 5 years. In the meantime, the pensioner would not be paying the annual 9 percent cost required to the pension plan. It was added to his salary.

You can figure the impact on the taxpayer money from the defined pension plan, the DROP plan and the 20 and out.

The DROP plan has been used by the upper echelon with their inflated overtime and the 15 percent incentive pay for calls they never made to pad their ultimate pension pay-out. I must make it clear that the outrageous payment of overtime does not filter down to the firefighters who are the real worker bees.

On Sept. 27, I requested the figures on what the pensions will be for those firefighters who recently entered the DROP plan after their obscene overtime payments were exposed. To date, my request has not been honored, but as soon as I get the information, I shall be sharing it with you.

Jean Robb

Deerfield Beach

Absentee Ballot: Vote By Mail

Dear Editor:

I would like to clarify some misconceptions that exist among many of our citizens regarding the so-called “Absentee Ballot” for voting in the Nov. 2 Election; the correct term that should always be used is “Vote By Mail.” This method is open to all registered voters regardless if they are here or away.

The ballot that is used is identical to the one at the polling stations. Your home or apartment becomes your private voting booth.

You are free to choose whatever time is best for you to fill out the ballot, even piecemeal over a few days, if you wish. After completion, you seal the return envelope and it’s ready to mail.

Ten days after you have mailed it, you can contact the Supervisor’s office by phone or e-mail to receive verification that your ballot was received.

This is especially helpful for seniors who cannot get around easily and others who can take advantage of setting their own time when it is most advantageous to complete this task. Also good for those who do not like standing in line.

What more could anyone ask for? Supervisor of Elections Dr. Brenda Snipes has termed this method “Convenience Voting” and how right she is.

The ballot must reach the Elections Office by 7 p.m., Election night. There is still time to request your free ballot now. [Postage to mail completed ballot to the Election Office is $1.22.]  For more information, call 954-357-7055 or visit browardsoe.org

Herbert Siegel

Deerfield Beach

RE: Red light cameras

Dear Editor:

Mayor Fisher and Pompano commission were quoted on pg 4 in the Oct. 7 Observer as saying that red light cameras are about safety, not money.

If this is true, the City should commit to send the camera proceeds to the U.S. Federal Government general fund to reduce the national debt.

If they won’t commit to that, then it’s about the money …

Joe Nord

Lighthouse Point

Thank you for supporting the fight against cancer

Dear Editor:

On behalf of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Deerfield Beach/Lighthouse Point, we extend our gratitude for your support of our bowling fundraiser, “Spare Lives and Strike Out Cancer,” July 30. You published invaluable press releases. From this event, we were able to donate over $3,500 to the American Cancer Society. Good-hearted people, such as you, are making a difference in our fight against cancer!

We had a wonderful turnout of over 120 participants and 8 volunteers, who all had a great time. We also had 8 sponsors who purchased advertising and bowling packages and 12 businesses that donated items for prizes. To see pictures taken at the Bowling event, please go to Facebook and become a fan of our Relay page. On the facebook search bar, search for: Relay For Life of Deerfield Beach & Lighthouse Point, FL.

Thank you so much for your continued support of the Relay For Life, Deerfield Beach/Lighthouse Point,

Nona Breitenstein

RFL Bowling Chairperson

www.relayforlife.org/dblpfl

Editor’s Note: To benefit the fight against cancer, The Observer also covered Pink Fire Trucks in the Sept. 23 issue. (Video, observernewspaperonline.com.) The next event is Making Strides at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 23 at Mizner Park, Boca Raton. SAVE THE DATE!  RSVP to Jennifer Siesel at 561-394-7751 ext 5311 or via e-mail: jennifer.siesel @cancer.org

7 Oct 2010

Resident calls for attention to School Board race

Dear Editor:

The big news is the arrest of Broward School Board member Stephanie Kraft & her husband, Mitch.  This is the second board member to be arrested in one year on corruption charges.  I also found pictures of both on the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) website — good “mug shots.”

Greed is evidentally the “disease” these board members are sickened with.  I am just wondering, who will be the next to fall? Just how far up the ladder is this investigation going to go? Who else, besides the board members, are also guilty? I hope it will continue until all involved are brought to their knees, regardless of their status.

Our children have been short-changed due to these actions — all employees of the school system have been short-changed. And the electorate. Hopefully, there will be an investigation into how Vista became the insurance company for the school system. Seems like I heard it just happened — no one knew about it until it was already in place.

We vote and elect these people.  We listen to their speeches, their promises of what they are going to do, and we do our best to make the right choices. Little do we know that it is not us and our children they are thinking of, but of their own purses.

So many depend on our choosing the right people who will be working in the best interests of all.

Hopefully, all who are guilty of impropriety for personal gain will be found out, and we will be able to elect some honest, caring, individuals who know right from wrong.

Virginia French

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s Note: The Observer will preview races for the November ELECTION over the next few weeks. Stay tuned for coverage.

RE: Letter from the Mayor — The Budget

Dear Editor:

Once again, the taxpayers have been subjected to a long-winded explanation in print to justify our tax increases. Has the mayor forgotten or wasn’t she the mayor in 2010 when $9.1 million was used to balance the budget?

All of a sudden, she is concerned about using reserve money to balance the budget when that is exactly what this commission has done in 2009 and 2010?

When talking about clean-up after Wilma, didn’t the city get repaid for its clean-up costs by FEMA?

John Grassi

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s Note: Letter from the Mayor – RE: The Budget ran in the Sept. 30 Observer.

Hazard to walkers and cyclists

Dear Editor:

I was cycling on the sidewalk on Hillsboro Boulevard, and, of course, to use the bike lane is tempting fate.
Between the boulevards of Deer Creek and Country Club, there are some mighty wicked sawgrass bushes that are overlapping the sidewalk. This is a major hazard to walkers and cyclists alike. So Deer Creek maintenance people, are you listening? Wake up and cut back, cut back, cut back!

Signed: Scratched up but still pedaling.

Lorraine Barsher

Deerfield Beach

Dedication ceremony, Our Lady of Mercy

Dear Editor:

I am writing to let the Observer know that there will be a dedication ceremony for the new church just built by Our Lady of Mercy at 5201 N. Military Trail, Deerfield Beach, 33064.

Archbishop Thomas Wenski will be in attendance.  The ceremony will start at the 11 a.m. Mass on Sunday, Oct. 17.

Most of our parishioners are from Deerfield Beach and we would be most appreciative if you could find a little spot to announce this upcoming event?

Regina Edmonds

Deerfield Beach

30 Sep 2010

RE: The Budget

Dear Editor:

After reading the Letters to the Editor in last week’s paper, I feel compelled to address the widespread confusion and misinformation surrounding the city’s operating budget for Fiscal Year 2011, and the overall economic picture.

This City Commission understands the economic realities of the many variables that contributed to the nearly $17 million shortfall in this year’s budget. We also understand that we have little control over many of those variables. In his budget message, City Manager Burgess Hanson was very clear: We must recalibrate our operations this year to meet a new era of economic uncertainty, and most importantly, map out a plan for our city’s future. Smart decisions today are the only factors we can control.

We also understand that this economic crisis impacts the city on a very personal level, through our residents and businesses. Your City Commissioners are residents and business owners too. With this in mind, city management painstakingly cut this year’s General Fund expenditures by nearly $6.5 million from last year’s budget — an 8 percent decrease. These cuts were carefully analyzed to ensure we could preserve service levels to our residents and businesses. Deeper cuts would have had a direct impact on both.

Reserve Fund

Another reality we faced this year was the city’s dwindling reserve fund. To understand why this matters, it’s important for taxpayers to know that the reserve fund is the city’s “emergency fund.” In previous administrations, a practice termed “cash carryover” was used to balance the city’s budget. An example is FY 2010, where $9.1 million was transferred from the reserves to balance the budget, leaving approximately $10.5 million. Some have suggested the city should have tapped into the reserve fund this year in order to reduce the city’s millage rate. The idea of using reserves to balance the budget is short-sighted, and more importantly, not sustainable.

To put this scenario even more into perspective, let’s go back to 2005, when the city paid more than $15 million in clean-up and other associated costs for Hurricane Wilma. Who would have predicted that a storm that made landfall in the Gulf would have caused such extensive damage? Imagine the results if Hurricane Wilma had hit Deerfield Beach directly! We, as a City Commission, will not follow in the footsteps of New Orleans and allow our city to be unprepared when it comes to a major catastrophe.

Budget involvement

We have heard from some residents and business owners that they were not able to have their voices heard by the City Commission. The most important point  I want to reiterate is that my fellow Commissioners and I are available to hear your concerns throughout the year, not just during budget planning. The City Manager also has an open door policy. Call us, e-mail us and attend the City Commission meetings each month to ensure your voice is heard. We can all be reached through the City Manager’s Office at 954-480-4263 or via e-mail at web.commission@Deerfield-Beach.com.

As for the budget process itself, anyone who wants to better understand the budget and its proposed elements should attend all of the public workshops leading up to the public hearings held in September. While it is true public comment is not permitted at these meetings, they do give insight to the budget content, and therefore, allow an opportunity to contact your elected officials with any concerns early in the budget process. This year, a total of six budget workshops were held prior to the first public hearing. Keep in mind also that the recommended budget is always presented one month before the public hearings, giving residents time to learn more about what is being proposed, and again, to contact the City Commission to voice concerns.

Moving forward

As part of the City Commission’s plan for the future of Deerfield Beach, administration will soon begin negotiations with the city’s three labor unions. This year, for the first time, an executive member of the management team, Human Resources Director Mike Milanowski, will represent the city during negotiations. Milanowski has a law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law, and brings extensive experience in labor relations and contract negotiations. Previously, these duties have been handled by outside counsel. With the recent hiring of Milanowski, we are fortunate that we now have access to an in-house expert on labor matters.

Many residents have expressed interest in the provisions of labor contracts for the city’s unions. Many people may not realize that labor negotiations are public meetings, and open for the public to attend. The meetings are always posted at the entrances to City Hall and distributed to the media. They are also posted at www.Deerfield-Beach.com, where you can subscribe to receive automatic notice of public meetings held by the city.

I want to express my gratitude to the City Commission for their display of leadership, while making extremely difficult decisions for the betterment of our city. I’d also like to thank city staff and the City Manager, all of whom went above and beyond in preparing a sound and responsible budget under trying circumstances. Most importantly, I want to thank the residents and businesses for their passion for Deerfield Beach. Working together as a team, we will be successful in realizing the great potential our city has to offer.

Although we will inevitably face challenges on this journey, I am confident that our city is moving in the right direction for the first time in years. We are redefining how we provide our services, redirecting our resources, and rediscovering what makes Deerfield Beach a great city.

Sincerely,

Mayor Peggy Noland

Pink Heals Tour brings hope to Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

Cancer awareness saves lives. Saving lives is our passion as firefighters and paramedics living and working in Deerfield Beach. With this in mind, our colleague Doug Watler worked to bring the Pink Heals Tour 2010 to Florida to spread awareness in a state where cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death behind heart disease.

On Sept. 20, the tour’s hot pink fire trucks came to Deerfield Beach to support women suffering from cancer and inspire men to be involved. To assist in the effort, we organized a parade, beach event, T-shirt sales and visits to shut-ins, cancer survivors and schools to show support for those affected by cancer, teach prevention and raise money to help fight the disease. (To see more photos of the event, visit www.pinkhealsdb.com.)

We were humbled by stories about love, loss and the hope stirred just by knowing that a collective group of firefighters, locally and from across the nation, stand behind the women and men who suffer from this heartbreaking disease.

Dollars raised from the day’s events will stay in the community, with donations to Sylvester Cancer Center in Deerfield Beach and Boca Hospital’s Eugene M.& Christine E. Lynn Cancer Institute. Money also will be set aside to pay for mammograms for uninsured women.

The firefighters, paramedics and members of Local 1673 appreciate the wealth of support shown by community organizations, businesses and volunteers. In accordance with the firefighter’s creed, we were proud to serve so that others might live.

Sean Crofutt

President, Local 1673

International Association of Fire Fighters

RE: The Budget

Dear Editor:

Our city commission has, much to the dismay of taxpaying citizens, approved a new budget and a 17 percent millage rate increase without really listening to resident concerns. Most cities in Broward County have been able to hold the line on taxes, but not Deerfield.  Many people have lost their jobs or taken significant pay reductions during this recession. Our elected officials have no problem increasing property taxes and raising the ridiculous fire assessment fee (is anyone really sure what this is?) by 36 percent.

Although a layoff of over 100 people is unfortunate, it should have been enacted before to stop the financial hemorrhaging.  Next on the agenda should be the sheriff’s department and firemen’s pay scale and retirement benefits — before it’s too late  Also, the reins should be pulled on commission perks and benefits.

If our commission is not competent enough to run this city like a business and watch expenses, perhaps they should not be afforded the opportunity to “serve” the city when it’s time for their re-election. If private businesses operated as government does, they would be bankrupt in short order.

Steve McKean

Deerfield Beach

Cove parking lot expenditure

Dear Editor:

I’ve mentioned this to almost everyone that I can, and I’ve mentioned it to Commissioner Ganz also. I don’t care where the funds are coming from. I don’t care when it was allotted. Times change. The majority of The Cove Shopping Center owners are not participating in the façade program that has been offered for three years. Why are we spending money to pave a parking lot that no one cares about when we just laid off over 100 employees? One of our Commissioners always said he’d like to see certain monies go back into the cookie jar. I want to see those funds go to putting our people back to work. No jobs, no income, no spending money at The Cove. Wake up folks, it’s not too late!

Steve Miller

Deerfield Beach

23 Sep 2010

Reflections on the Second Budget Hearing, 9-21

Dear Editor:

This was supposed to be the public hearing on the proposed millage rate and the budget. I emphasize the fact that it was a hearing for the public; however, it was not treated that way. The audience was forced to submit to a 35-minute rehash of the city’s justification for the 17percent increased tax rate, courtesy of the city manager.

What most people wanted to hear was how they planned to reduce the millage rate. Not a chance.

I offered a plan to reduce the millage to a 6 by taking $3,775,000 out of the reserve kept for emergencies. I believe that this economic climate is an emergency. That would have left $6,748.000 in the reserve, giving the city 9 percent of its General Fund balance – which is $74,486,073 – thereby protecting the city’s bond ratings.

After the public hearing was closed, we were chastised by Commissioner Ganz as to why there could not be such a small amount left in the reserve account. He insisted on pontificating about how irresponsible we were to demand some tax relief by using money that, in actuality, belongs to the taxpayer. The only commissioner who held out for the taxpayers was Commissioner Poitier. The Vice Mayor only parroted what Commissioner Ganz had said, and Commissioner Popelsky was unusually silent. Nobody bothered to tell the public that they received a payment from FEMA for past hurricane clean-up, and the money had already been deposited. Most business people would establish a line of credit with a bank to handle any future emergencies, so depending entirely on the reserve is a false argument.

In addition, there were multiple suggestions from Dan Herz that could be immediately implemented to bolster the amount of money in the reserve. Since we all have to bite the bullet, why are the commissioners providing themselves with pensions, and if they were really serious about fiscal responsibility, why haven’t they cut their own salaries? This entire budget shows a complete lack of imagination or initiative.

This is why no one believes politicians, and to be perfectly frank, why should the taxpayers of Deerfield Beach be any different?

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

Winners and losers on the budget and property taxes

Dear Editor:

Tuesday night’s commission meeting was a rewarding display of how our city government works and reacts to its citizen’s concerns.  Those who wanted less than a 17 percent increase in the millage rate made no headway in convincing 4 of 5 commission members to respond favorably to their request.  The commission was obviously dug into their position that the 17 percent millage rate increase, in addition to a 36 percent increase in the fire assessment fee, were both necessary to keep the ship afloat, so to speak.  All of this occurred without another scolding from the commission for exercising our constitutional rights to object to their current or pending decisions.

More important, commission members did concede that some of the ideas offered by citizens to reduce expenses or generate revenue were not considered or would not be counted on to relieve the current situation. This suggests that the current process of not allowing citizen input to the budget prior to the first and second vote is not in our best interests. Perhaps, the commission can initiate citizen feedback for the next budget process with as much available notice and information as possible, including a proposed millage rate before they have determined their position at the first and second vote on both the budget and the millage rate. Unlike at the budget workshops, citizens would need to be able to speak.  This would require genuine participation from all interested citizens, as well as from the city commission.

Finally, we did hear a commitment from several of the commissioner members to further review cost cutting from all areas, including the unions.  Except for the recent layoffs, which were unfortunate but long overdue, there has been no pain inflicted on union workers’ salary and benefit packages, which are riddled with previously-approved (by the city commission) extravagances.  Some of those were pointed out at Tuesday’s meeting, including incentive payments paid to some who did not perform the incentive work, the defined benefit retirement plans that are very costly and to work rules that detract from efficiency. Our job as citizens is to hold the city commission accountable to deliver on the promise to unwind costly provisions of these union contracts.  I’m in.  Are all of you?

David Nace

Deerfield Beach

Congratulations Deerfield Beach: We are 29th out of 30!

Dear Editor:

Out of 30 Broward County cities, our city manager has proposed a millage rate percentage increase on our property taxes that is higher than 29 of those cities. The city explains they need to do this to bring in the same amount of property tax revenue as last year. I don’t know about anyone else, but my business has had to make do with a lot less revenue than last year. Apparently, our city manager and commissioners do not grasp the new reality of having to cut back. Our last chance to do this came and went on Sept. 21.

Dan Herz

Deerfield Beach

Road rules

Dear Editor:

On Aug. 26, I decided to go to the beach (Deerfield), drove over the Hillsboro bridge, proceeded through the green light and was summarily pulled over by a Broward sheriff. I asked what the problem was and he stated that it was illegal to drive straight across A1A on Hillsboro Boulevard. I stated that was how I drove to the beach for the past 15 years and did not ever see any signs to that effect. He further stated that I should have turned left on A1A and made a loop by the Whale’s Rib (which we all know is a bottleneck) or go south on A1A and turn around and then proceed north, where I could now turn right on Hillsboro. If this bit of foolishness is to be enforced (and there are no signs to tell us of such a rule), I am sure this would add approximately 200 – 300 more vehicles going into that already overwhelmed turn on A1A. I looked at these two officers and could tell they were somewhat embarrassed to be doing such foolish duty.

I would think that the sheriff’s office would use better judgment before sending their men on such frivolous details.

Leonard Lavallee

Lighthouse Point

Beautification Project

Dear Editor:

Driving on Hillsboro Boulevard between Federal Highway and the Intracoastal, I noticed that the beautification project is still not done. It’s been months since this started. It seems as though the brakes were put on, and we are on hold. When is this project supposed to get done? Right now, it is an eyesore. Will this get done before the snowbirds arrive?

G.J. Alexander

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s Note: Hillsboro Streetscaping is slated for completion, February 2011.

16 Sep 2010

Making Deerfield Beach the most patriotic city in America

Dear Editor:

Deerfield Beach has always considered its beach its greatest asset. And recently, strides to this end have taken place to ensure that it continues to be our greatest asset — such as the Green Pier Renovation, the safety of longer hours for lifeguards to protect residents and tourists, and a “no smoking” area on the beach.

As I’m sure most of you are aware, Pompano Beach has just expended $75,000 to hire a marketing firm to brand their city to make them stand out from the surrounding cities. I believe Deerfield has done this with the strides that I mentioned above.

To this end, I have another thought. I have mentioned to some of you that after the mayor was kind enough to put appropriate-sized American flags on the lifeguard stands. I thought, why not have Deerfield Beach be known as the most patriotic City in South Florida, heck … in America? Then, as I watched TV one night, I saw a segment about Cape May, NJ, which has a flag ceremony on their beach, and realized there already is a more patriotic city and a beach city to boot in America. I told Jack Disher about this (when we were meeting about other beach concern issues of mine) and he told me that imitation is the best form of flattery. And so it is.

We already have the flagpole south of the Pier that can be used to this end. Basically, this is a ceremony for loved ones to honor their fallen loved ones. The flag that was given to the family will be used to honor their loved one. When the flag is lowered, a recording of Kate Smith singing “God Bless America” plays, followed by an instrumental recording of the “Star Spangled Banner” and, finally, “Taps.” People stop, salute and pay respects. I find it quite moving. Cape May has been doing this for 40 years!

Hopefully, the community will participate in a flag ceremony: The veteran’s groups may care to sponsor this event perhaps by taking care of the scheduling duties. Also, in Cape May, school children learn how to properly fold the American flag to give back to family member(s). Perhaps, the Boy and Girl Scouts could participate as well.

A side benefit to the city – families who come to honor their loved ones might utilize our hotels, restaurants and shops. Perhaps, they’ll take their vacation here.

Caryl Berner

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s Note: Caryl Berner presented her idea at the Tuesday, Sept. 7 Deerfield Beach City Commission meeting. The former New Yorker said she once commuted from Hoboken to the World Trade Center.  Mayor Peggy Noland said she liked the idea of a patriotic Deerfield. She asked if staff might consider it for the future. There wasn’t enough time to put something together in time for Saturday, Sept. 11, she said.

RE: The Budget – DO IT NOW

Dear Editor:

These indeed are the times that try men’s souls. It was particularly apparent at the first public hearing on the millage rate and the budget. Many residents complained about the increased cost of living in Deerfield Beach. It is time to stop the rhetoric and to take definitive action.

There is $10,500,000 in the undesignated reserve, which is kept for emergencies. If the present economic climate is not an emergency, I don’t know what is.

The millage rate being proposed is 6.775. The millage rate should be cut to a 6. That would require an additional cut of $3,775,000. DO IT NOW.

Take the $3,775,000 out of the reserve and leave $6,725,000.
The concern has always been that at the very least, there should be 5 percent of the general fund balance in reserve in order to maintain the city’s bond rating. The city’s general fund stands at $80,912,369. The city achieves 8 percent of its general fund balance with $6,472,989 of the remaining $6,725,000, which protects the bond ratings.

In actuality there will be $11 million in the reserve after the audit. I have used the $10.5 million figure because the commission already has allocated $500,00 of the reserve to offset the increase in the fire assessment fee. This provides the relief that taxpayers are demanding. It also gives the commission the opportunity to increase the reserve fund during the next budget year by utilizing a number of avenues.

Consideration should be given to eliminating the commission pension plans, privatization of the pier operation and the recycling division. Utilization of incentives to encourage early retirements and elimination of the beach parking sticker program in December to increase meter revenue. The commission must move to close the defined pension plan and  equalize water and sewer base rates for all multi-family users.

Jean Robb

Deerfield Beach

RE:Guest Editorial: “A black man goes to Glenn Beck’s rally,” by Jerome Hudson

I want to thank Mr. Hudson for inspiring me to write this response. I attended the Glenn Beck rally on 8/28, “Restoring Honor.”  I, like Mr. Hudson, was deeply moved by every aspect of this somewhat unexpected and historical event. Since the event, I have had many ideas and thoughts about my role in changing things for the better, particularly in regard to race relations.  Mr. Hudson’s comments compelled me to take this first step in creating a dialogue between people who are different outwardly but not inwardly.

I am a white woman, married, age 53, with two children. Like Mr. Hudson, I was most moved by the comments of Dr. Alveda King, proclaiming her dream that one day “white privilege” would “become human privilege.” I found that comment profound and provoking. Since the 8/28 event, I have thought a great deal about my privileges and from where they are derived.

When I think back on my life as a child and young adult, I am not reminiscent of an endless stream of special privileges, connections, arrangements, trust funds, referrals, networks, favors and opportunities resulting from the color of my skin.  What I recall are two very young parents, my mother (handicapped from a childhood disease) and my father (working two jobs to support our family), who with unwavering devotion and unrelenting sacrifice, made sure to see that our needs (physical, emotional and spiritual) and wants were provided for.  Regardless of their circumstances, their steadfast love was the ultimate privilege that we acquired, a privilege that should be colorless.  Thus, I agree again with Mr. Hudson in calling for restoration of the family as the foundation of American society.  Perhaps, we should be discussing how to cast the net of family privilege over all Americans.

Deborah W. Brown

Deerfield Beach

9 Sep 2010

The ruse of No Tax Increase is exposed

At Tuesday’s Deerfield city commission meeting, there was a lot of lively discussion about the recent nearly 20 percent property tax increase proposed by the city.  After initially trying to sell the proposed millage increase as “no increase”, the city commission, thanks to prodding from Commissioner Poitier, reluctantly redefined their no-increase position to mean no increase in revenue to the city even though there are increases to many taxpayers.

Finally, the truth came out on that subject, despite the city attorney’s and the interim city manager’s attempts to position the millage increase as no increase.  Commissioner Ganz gets it and was the only commission member, besides Commissioner Poitier, who was honest and sympathetic with the large group of residents who attended the city commission meeting.

The real elephant in the room is that the city commission feels they must have the same amount of revenue as last year to run the city and, short-term, that may be the reality.  Is that because the costs of the previously negotiated union contracts continue to account for a greater portion of the city’s resources each and every year?  Oddly, there was no mention of any cuts to the largest portion of the city’s budget (the union contracts) at the meeting.  Rather than tackling the biggest drag on the budget (the union contracts), the commission has chosen to cut areas that impact children’s programs, the Historical Society and other easy targets that hurt individual interests. We can only hope that the commission has the stomach to renegotiate and minimize the excessive costs of the union contracts in the future to avoid or at least minimize any more tax increases.

David Nace

Deerfield Beach

Dilapidated home an eyesore, invitation to trouble

Dear Editor:

We have lived on NE 6 Avenue since 1999. The same year, the home across the street (and adjacent to our dock property) was purchased by an out-of-state man who has never resided there. It not only has steadily deteriorated and filled with weeds, rodents and homeless squatters (some of them felons), but has been posted multiple times for demolition by the county as an Unsafe Structure.

This disgraceful property is the gateway to Pioneer Park’s waterway and the entrance to our community. Anyone who has lived in Deerfield Beach or launched a boat at the marina knows about this infamous structure.

Our home values have steadily declined, long before everyone else … due to this eyesore.

No matter how hard we all have worked to maintain our own homes — it does not matter, as long as this structure is allowed to remain.

Two years ago, the entire community circulated and signed a petition about this disgrace and threat to our security. It was presented to Commissioner Joe Miller and has been read by both city and county officials. We have been told, time and time again, that the man who owns this “knows how to work the system.”  He does not live here!  We do!  Yet, he seems to get much more say in our community than any of us who live and vote here. What spell does this man hold over our officials?

Because the owner never followed through in the past when he applied for permits, the city denied him further permits. However, this past January the owner was allowed a permit to repair the seawall. A few weeks ago, work was begun to repair a small portion of the seawall. It was never completed and the structure is beginning to collapse along the waterway. The Unsafe Structure sign is still posted. Water and electricity was turned off several months ago, just days before the demolition date was, again, delayed. Again, he has worked the system … and the “system” has allowed him to.

Editor’s Note: Petition and photos of property below.

Jim and Lynne Newberry

Deerfield Beach

2 Sep 2010

RE: Utility Tax

Dear Editor:

In 1974, Statue 166.23 allowed the imposition of a utility tax on the purchase of electricity, water, fuel oils and metered and bottled gas. Deerfield had that tax until 1979, when the voters rescinded the tax by referendum. In 1986, the commission attempted to pass a modified utility tax which, once again, was  overwhelmingly defeated by a 2 to 1 margin. The city attorney now says there is no requirement to go to the voters to re-impose a utility tax. The voters have spoken twice on this issue.

The argument is: it will equalize the burden on all users.Really? Take the water tax. The newly annexed areas do not have city water so they will not pay the tax. Most renters have water included in their rent costs, so they won’t pay. Most condos and townhouses have their water bills paid by their associations. With the number of properties bankrupt or in foreclosure, this is just what the associations need to add to their financial burden. Once again, the single family homeowners will bear the brunt of these new taxes.

Our ad valorem is high because we do not have a utility tax. Could that be why Publix located its 1,200,000 square foot distribution center in Deerfield? The same goes for the Sun Sentinel location here in 1989.

On Aug. 3, the commission voted to remove the exemption to the fire assessment fee for the non-profits in the city. It would cost some churches approximately $60,000. Now they are proposing a future water and electric tax. Where does it all end?

Jean Robb

Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

Well, here we go again. Instead of the city commission being more responsible with our money, they want to raise taxes. Case in point: beach property, worth by county assessments, in the mid $200,000s, they pay $500,000. How about firing a city manager [Mahaney] who was doing a good job? How much did that cost the city? A couple of hundred thousand or more? We will never know. Now, let’s not forget The Cove project they’re thinking about, which I think needs to be done. I live in The Cove, but let’s finish Hillsboro Boulevard first. I own a small business, very small, and I, for one, do not need any more expenses like a UTILITY TAX. Let’s get out and vote for some people who know how to run a business and maybe even turn a profit in these tough economic times.

Steven Fabrizio

Deerfield Beach

Cove parking lot

Dear Editor:

… I can tell you what I saw and heard that night [Aug. 24] at the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting [with Cove business owners].

Nearly everyone voiced some version of “You’re going to put me out of business. Don’t do this project now under any circumstance.” You could hear the genuine fear in people’s voices. Particularly unnerving was the plan to occupy larger areas (more available parking) via a brand new “4 Phase Plan.” What that said to beleaguered business owners was “Great news. Less parking for everyone.”

One of the speakers came armed with statistics from a 2005 University of Florida study about construction impact from similar projects in Jacksonville and Tallahassee. That report was grim. It found businesses lost between 35-90 percent of their business while their plaza was being worked on. And that was 2005! How much better was the economy then?

All the while, Keith & Associates representative Dodie Keith took the heat from desperate business owners. Meanwhile, the CRA Director twice repeated that “this meeting is to discuss when and how – NOT IF – this project goes further. The constant harping about a 9-month schedule instead of 15 months sounded a lot like: “Would you prefer to go out of business in 9 or 15 months?”

Meanwhile, there was NO real suggestion on how to assuage the issue of losing customers. Or even how to keep the hearty souls safe who try to make it to their favorite shop during construction. There was NO input from the representative from West Construction. What plan do they have to help the business owners and customers?

Finally, about half of the meeting involved discussion of the drainage problems in the alleyway to the south of The Cove. Question was raised as to why the City is going to spend $2M on drainage improvements to the main Cove parking lot when it doesn’t flood – and is spending $0 on the alley that floods mightily. Can we get that answer?

Mark Hoffman

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: After the Aug. 24 meeting, a possible solution was offered the following day. 16 out of 25 business owners turned in temporary construction easements by Aug. 25, compared to 6 out of 25 at the time of the meeting.

Help Save History

Dear Editor:

You have all undoubtedly read the news about city cutbacks and job lay-offs. Well, it also affects your local Deerfield Beach Historical Society.  The city has cut out all of our funding (from $50,000 to ZERO).  We understand cutbacks when times are tough. We are also cutting back on expenses from within.

Our focus remains true to our mission: to preserve and share our rich Deerfield history.  We are fighting as hard as we can to garner outside support from local businesses, corporations, and other donor support, but it takes time to build such support.  Here is how you can help: we propose to the city a 3-year transition period to allow the Society the time needed to build outside support.

We are not asking for a hand-out, but have come up with proposals and ideas of what we can do to make up the difference.  We are asking for a 3-year transition from the $50,000 we received this year to a $25,000 (year 1) donation; reduced to $15,000 (year 2);  and finally (year 3), a $10,000 donation.

If you care about history, like I do, please send an e-mail to your commissioner – no, to all of the commissioners, asking them to support our Historical Society.  We cannot do this alone, your support is more important than ever before.

Carolyn Morris

Executive Director, Historical Society

Deerfield Beach

26 Aug 2010

Fire assessment fee: non-profits not exempt anymore?

Dear Editor:

For the first time in the history of the city, preliminary [departmental] budget workshops were held at the Public Works Building — then they wondered why no one from the public attended. I doubt whether many of the residents even know where that building is.

In June, the commission passed resolution 2010/120, setting a tentative fire assessment fee at [up to] $149.99, subject to change. The commission did something else at their Aug. 3 meeting. Looking at additional revenue of $467,000, they voted to rescind the exemption for non-profits on the fire assessment fee. If the fee were $149, St. Ambrose, with square footage of 78,655 square feet, would pay in excess of $33,775, while Christian Love Fellowship with 34,438 square feet, would pay $20,265. Zion Lutheran, the Baptist churches, the Temples, can figure their costs according to square footage by referring to the table in Appendix A of the 2010/120 resolution. Even if the fee were reduced to $135, it would still have a devastating effect on the large churches and temples.

Although there is a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 13 at 9:30 a.m. to discuss the fire assessment fee, the public should attend the first public hearing on the budget set for Tuesday, Sept. 7. That is when the commission can take action to reinstate the fire assessment exemption for all the non-profits. The commission needs to hear from the public on this matter.

Jean Robb

Deerfield Beach

Received its tax notice:

First Baptist        $20,265

Grace Baptist     $59,000

Zion Lutheran    $33,000

Temple Beth Israel          $  6,755

Young Israel       $13,510

Property tax charade

Dear Editor:

It always amazes me how some politicians and administrative government representatives assume that the general populace is stupid. For instance, take the comments from Deerfield Beach Interim City Manager, Burgess Hanson stated that he did not believe the 16.8 percent increase in the millage rate (from 5.35 to 6.25) would result in higher city taxes due to the 14 percent drop in overall property values.  That comparison alone would generate a 2.8 percent increase if you do the math, so to speak.

But wait, how about those of you covered by the Save Our Homes (SOH) statute that mandates a minimum 2.7 percent increase in your taxable base for tax purposes. I believe in that case, your city taxes could go up by 19.5 percent (2.7 + 16.8) if Mr. Hanson’s recommendations are approved by the Deerfield City Commission. Many homeowners are still included in the SOH program. Perhaps, Mr. Hanson needs to revisit his claim that city tax bills will not be higher. How about the 36 percent increase in the fire [assessment] fee that is assessed to all homeowners?

I hope this same fuzzy math used by Mr. Hanson was not used in the budgeting process. If so, how can we believe that the integrity of the budget is any better than Mr. Hanson’s claim of no resulting tax increases?

As taxpayers, you have the right to the truth and, in this case, you are not receiving it. The real truth is that, despite some sacrifices that have been made to the normal tax and spend process that usually takes place in the budgeting process, the city is failing to make the hard decisions that should be considered to make the budget even lower while giving relief to the taxpayers. Many Deerfield Beach residents have experienced job layoffs, mortgage foreclosures, reduced business activity, frozen Social Security benefits and other losses in their retirement assets due to the recession. I recognize that there were layoffs of two full-time and many more part-time city workers and I feel truly sorry for their fate. However, there has been little or no sacrifice in administration costs of government (salaries, travel and entertainment expenses) or union benefits for the city’s public safety organization. It is true that the expected cost of living raises for the public safety employees have been delayed for this year and possibly next, but there have been no layoffs, salary or benefit cuts or any other significant attempts to lower the costs of public safety employees.

Tell your elected representatives to cut more from the budget, stand up to the union bosses who have hijacked your financial future by pushing our politicians to agreeing to high cost salary and benefit programs. Most importantly, ask for the truth from these elected and appointed officials. Don’t let Mr. Hanson’s fuzzy math fool you!

David Nace

Deerfield Beach

Remembering Hiroshima

Dear Editor:

Aug. 6,1945, Hiroshima, the beginning of the end (of WW II) – the first ever atom bomb dropped on a nation. Without this happening, there would be a million less Americans surviving WW II. I was there, a few hundred miles from where this happened. I could not have been more happy. I was and still am happy this happened.

If you had been there, SO WOULD YOU BE HAPPY.

Bud Garner (U.S. Navy, 1943-1946)

Pompano Beach

National Lighthouse Day coverage brings out first-time visitors

Dear Editor:

The Aug. 7 celebration of National Lighthouse Day at the Hillsboro Lighthouse was a huge success and very well attended. There were many first-time visitors who learned about the tour as a result of the publicity in the Deerfield Observer.

Thank you for all your help in letting the public know about our event. Our next tour date is Saturday, Nov. 13.

Mike Hager

Hillsboro Beach

5 Aug 2010

Problems at Century Village East

Dear Editor:

I haven’t written anything in a long time, mainly because I’ve been so disgusted with our readers here in Century Village East. But, since lots of people have come up to me and asked me to write, I said I would. The president of my building is an owner of more than one Florida home so he is not always here. We mostly fend for ourselves.

It was decided the building would be enhanced by painting the doors, putting up new and larger numbers on the top of the doors, and the floors would be fixed by smoothing the surface and whatever had to be done. We really did not know what we, the few who were left behind when the snowbirds went home, were in for. A painter was hired to do the doors and railings. She and she alone had the keys to all of our apartments, opening the doors to everyone’s units who were not there. I came home one day to find she had entered my home, painted the inside door frame while I was gone. When I approached her, she said, “Oh, you can trust me.”

She is a stranger entering my home alone. No other board or building members and I should trust her. I feel violated and sickened not only by the lack of common sense, but arrogance and uncaring by another human being. It cost me $283.20 to have a new lock installed. Imagine, in this economy … to throw away money because now you cannot know who or what is in your home [while you are away]. I called the chairman of our area building and he said, “Well, you voted him in; now, vote him out.” I did report it to security and others. I was told to file a police report for breaking and entering.

The sprinkler systems do not work. On Sunday night, our landscaping company put on the sprinklers and walked away and we had a geyser gushing up to the third floor and soaking patios and a river in the back of the building. I called up the landscapers and after four calls, plus security being notified, I think they came. Someone put a plastic bag over the water until they came. Dumb, dumb, dumb.

There are no enclosures while [people] sit and wait for buses. It’s ‘burn, baby, burn.’ But money was wasted on signs, which were done wrong and had to be done over. That money could have gone toward enclosures!

Marilyn Fernando

Oakridge A

Deerfield Beach

28 Jul 2010

Thanks Observer, good turnout, donors

Dear Editor:
Thanks to the Observer newspaper, we, the American Legion Post 142, and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 142, had 17 blood donors on Saturday, July 10.
Virginia Stein
Pompano Beach

Deerfield Budget
Dear Editor,
I attended all of the Deerfield Beach budget workshop sessions. The directors of each department presented their budget requests to the commission. There were only about six people from the public at each session, which is sad because we can learn which departments are good stewards of our money and which are not. Senior services seems to be responsible and the rest need improvement.
The Public Works director told the commission that he did not like to send five men out on a job and have two working and the other three standing around. He didn’t say he didn’t have five men available; he just doesn’t want the public to see this kind of waste. He also said that he could contract out a sidewalk repair for less than it would cost to send city employees to do it. This shows that the city’s cost structure is bloated. Also common sense tells us that if the city has employees who can repair a sidewalk, but they contract it out, the taxpayers are paying twice for that sidewalk repair.
Two years ago, it was made public that the city had 44 employees, all managers, who were being paid more than their salary cap. Some are being paid more than $20,000 above their salary cap. No one knows who authorized this; in commission discussions, the City Attorney said these payments were made with “no authority.”
It’s like when you have children and you come home and find the lamp broken and peanut butter and jelly on the wall and you ask the children, “What happened?” Nobody knows anything.
I ask the city commission to reduce the salary of managers who are being paid more than their job allows, not just to the cap, but below the cap by the same amount they have been overpaid by for years. This is not out of line with pay reductions in the private sector. Most, if not all, of the small business owners in Deerfield Beach have lost income in this recession. Many have lost it all and this can be seen in the office and storefront vacancies in Deerfield Beach. Business owners cannot tell their customers to pay more because sales have declined. The city should reduce waste and salaries of managers and not increase taxes and fees on struggling families and businesses.
Robert Lloyd
Deerfield Beach

21 Jul 2010

RE: Pioneer Park

Dear Mayor Nolan and Commissioners:

My name is Jason Roberts, a resident of District 1 in Deerfield Beach. I am writing to voice concern over the vitality of one of Deerfield Beach’s most precious assets, Pioneer Park.  Over the past three years, I have seen many changes in the park, a place I visit daily. Some are positive, but the lion’s share have been negative.

First, since reconfiguration of the park and building of the new ballpark, the boat-ramp area has been severely compromised. The loss of parking has led to boaters parking in swales, on the grass, destroying the green areas and sprinkler systems. This has led to weeds taking over the grass and a general unkempt look. There is plenty of ‘fenced off scrub’ that used to be great parking for the boaters, but now it is just a weed field. The grass is not fenced off so that got trampled.

I support the boat ramp and fishing dock as I think it is one of our best assets in the park. It just seems that we need to support it with adequate parking, perhaps supported financially by parking permits (like the beach!) or by pay meters. Pompano has a great meter system at their 14 Street dock … something to consider.

Second, since the new playground was built some 20+ months ago, it has been closed and taped off like a crime scene for nearly a year. What is the issue? Is the manufacturer providing a safety recall? What a waste of funds to build such a beautiful playground to let it sit unused.

The same is true for the water fountains installed in the kids’ play area. It ran for perhaps the first month after it was installed. Now, a park bench is placed squarely in the middle and it hasn’t run in over a year.  These park features draw families to the park for essential play and recreation time. Those families spend money with local shops and restaurants. Again, it’s a waste to invest in such an expensive water feature and not use it.

Third, the overall care for landscaping is inadequate. Beautiful sod surrounded the new ballpark a year ago. Now, due to lack of attention to watering and weed control, it is barren and overcome with weeds.  Sprinklers in the park and along the cemetery are in complete disrepair. For the past three weeks, an orange construction cone has been placed over a broken sprinkler head to prevent it from shooting 20 feet in the air. Every day, sprinklers run and flood the street rather than watering the grass they are intended to water.  Someone at the city cared enough to ‘cover up’ the broken sprinkler head, but not to fix it. As a resident who honors the water restrictions for my own lawn, I find it insulting that the city can waste hundreds of gallons of water every day by not maintaining the sprinklers.

On a positive note, the tennis center seems to be very well maintained and utilized! There seems, though, to be a double standard at work on how those facilities are maintained vs. the rest of the park.

I understand that there may be a master plan for the park. I cannot find it listed in any ‘project list’ online. I would love to be informed of the long-term plans for the park and to provide constructive feedback if it is welcomed. This park is a huge asset to our community. We should take better care of it.

Jason Roberts

Deerfield Beach

15 Jul 2010

To Deerfield Citizens and Business Community

Dear Editor:

Now that the dust has settled and I am able to clearly see what has happened, I would like to express my feeling to the citizens and business community of our wonderful city.  I would like to take you on a walk down MY memory lane in hopes of bringing back some fond times we have shared together during the past 12 years.

The beginning of my tenure came with a hurricane approaching and the chamber having windows from floor to ceiling and no shutters… what shall I do?… I do not think masking tape will work.  After several conversations and much cajoling, the chamber became part of the FEMA dollars for coastal cities to retrofit for hurricane protection. Thanks to Deerfield Builders Supply and FEMA dollars, our windows became hurricane proof. And James Lee Witt, Director of FEMA, celebrated with the chamber and city.

There were the Power Boat Races, when the director of Parks and Rec came to me and said that without the chamber, this event would not be successful. Thus began several years of the Power Party on the Pier sponsored by the chamber in celebration of the Power Boat Races.

The firefighters hosted an event on the beach called the Firefighters Challenge and wanted to increase awareness and participation. They asked me for help. We created the Corporate Firefighter Challenge where companies would compete against each other to perform the same skills as firefighters. So many companies participated and I fondly remember List Industries giving it their all.

I believe the greatest success of the chamber was the Leadership program I created along with all those individuals and corporations who had enough faith in me to contribute their time and resources into making our chamber one of the best leadership programs in the state. As I look around the city, I see the mark leadership has left on this community from Constitution Park to the chamber, Butler House, NE Focal Point and the American Legion. It has created city leaders: our police chief Pete Sudler; Fire Chief Chad Brocato, as well as community leaders: President of Kiwanis, Historical Society President and members of the Cultural Committee, Chair of the Cuisine of the Region and board member of NE Focal Point and many more interested in making our city unique.

Ten years ago, a very young girl from the American Cancer Society was hired to do an event called Relay for Life. She came to me for advice and I gave her entry into the Deerfield Beach business community. Today, Deerfield Beach Relay for Life is one of the most successful relays in the state of Florida. The baton has been turned over to Gordon Vatch, who with my help and support over the years, has become a major voice and advocate for this incredible event.

Our chamber has been a source of guidance for both tourists and residents. During my tenure, countless tourists have come to our chamber looking for activities, restaurants and accommodations. I cannot begin to tell you the stories of people I have helped and phone calls I have made to help the stranded tourist without a reservation, the family who can’t find their loved one, the person whose car is broken down or who is a victim of a petty crime, the elderly lady waiting for the NE Focal Point shuttle or the chamber member whose child discretely needs community service hours.

And finally, to all our members, who I worked tirelessly to help their businesses grow, to all of the calls I made to City Hall to help our business community navigate the system, to working with commissioners to tell them the plight of the small business owner, to making sure I was fair to existing members by always expressing the importance of protecting their membership to those who wanted the advantage of being a member without wanting to pay:

I was certainly not your perfect executive director, but I was dedicated, respectful and loyal to this wonderful community. I miss my role as the director of your chamber, but please know that I did my best for what I believe was always in the best interest of this beautiful community where we work, live and play.

Janyce Becker

Deerfield Beach

Thank you, BSO!

Dear Editor:

I want to say “thank you” to our BSO officers who have helped resolve a traffic issue in the Deer Run neighborhood. Chief Sudler, Lt. Grenville and Sgt. Williams and their Road Patrol deputies have all shown a strong desire to help the community resolve traffic issues that are plaguing the neighborhood. The speeding and disregard of the stop signs is a safety issue with the many kids who live in the area. They, along with Ms.Shafer from city hall, all have been great to deal with and deserve a big “atta boy” for their efforts in keeping us safe. Thank you all.

Ira Goodstadt

Deerfield Beach

8 Jul 2010

Pioneer Park ice machine asked to move due to Flyover

Dear Editor:

I recently became a customer of the bulk ice vending machine located on the west side of Pioneer Park just north of the tennis courts on the east side of Dixie
Highway. I am extremely satisfied with the convenience, uniqueness and quality of the service offered by this company, courtesy of the City of Deerfield Beach (who I am sure charges a fee to Mondo Ice to provide the service).

On my last visit, I noticed a copy of a letter from the Interim City Manager of Deerfield Beach informing Mondo Ice to cease operations and remove their machine due to the Flyover construction. I can only assume this service is one that has been utilized and appreciated by those who frequent the park and boat ramp (which is also a unique feature our city offers to residents and non-residents alike, I presume, AND in spite of the fact that it is more difficult to get to since the demolition of the Community Recreation Center).

I can assure you, had I been aware of this convenient and economical service previously, I would have been a customer much sooner.

The ice is less expensive, better quality and greater quantity than other local sources and a lot easier than handling bags of ice. Is there no other place in the park area to relocate this machine/service? What alternative is the city planning to offer, if any? Is it going to be as economical as the existing machine/service? The fact that this machine has been in its present location for some time (although I don’t know how long and in spite of my ignorance to its value and convenience to the community previously) is indicative of it’s value and convenience to the community. Why take away an obvious benefit that assists in making Deerfield Beach unique to its neighbors? Please don’t negate the value of the Flyover improvement by removing an enhancement to the community that perhaps you (and a few others?) are not aware of either.

Jeff Hafer

Deerfield Beach (resident since 1982)

RE: Coast to Coast

Dear Editor:

I work at a pharmacy in Louisiana. Upon receiving two narcotic prescriptions from Coast to Coast Healthcare in Deerfield within the span of a week, we began to ask questions. The doctors at C to C verified both of them, as required by Louisiana state law. The Florida DEA will, hopefully, return or answer our phone calls sooner or later. But a few Internet searches led me to this newspaper and the letters to the editor discussing the questionable legitimacy of said clinic.

And for bringing this information to light, I would like to thank you, both for your efforts and those of your contributors. Future patients will have substantially less luck getting their narcotics from us.

Zachary A. Dupre

Gonzales, LA

1 Jul 2010

Road Construction & Intracoastal wake

Dear Editor:

Short and sweet: The difference between government and private enterprise – we can build a Walgreens at Federal Highway and Hillsboro Boulevard in a few months, but the road construction is taking forever.

Also, the article in the June 17 issue says the speed limit in the Intracoastal is 25 mph — correct but the sign also says maximum wake is 15 inches, not 4 feet (as stated). If people obey signs, the Intracoastal would be a more enjoyable place.

Steven J. Fabrizio

Deerfield Beach

RE: Road Construction

Dear Editor:

Can someone please explain with a valid reason why the Hillsboro Boulevard project is still incomplete? So far, this has taken over a year-and-a-half and it looks half a—d! When asked this question, all I get from the city is that they’re waiting for FPL to pull the underground cables so the old utility and light poles can be removed. Seems to me that this would have been planned way back when the project was started. This is the road to our beach, the beach we’re all so proud of, which makes Deerfield Beach such a great place to live and work. So let me put this question to the city commission: Is this acceptable to you? Why haven’t you fought to get this done? What are you doing to get it done?

Henry Gould

Deerfield Beach

Car Show

Dear Editor:

Thank you for your charitable ad space for our car show. You should be proud to know that with your efforts in promoting this event, we were able to raise $2,000 for the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Our sincerest gratitude for your efforts, dedication and support. You’ve helped create a world with less breast cancer and a world with  more birthdays!

Patty Zolis Miranda

Event Co-Chair, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer

Deerfield Beach

24 Jun 2010

Mango Festival

Dear Editor:

What a shame this past weekend at Mango Festival. To those people hired as security or staff, hoping to earn some extra money, no luck! To the vendors selling food and souvenirs, gone.  And, most of all, to the people who bought tickets to enjoy some fun and entertainment for a weekend, NO REFUNDS! Deerfield City Commissioners and the promoter should hang their heads LOW. What a way to ruin a beautiful weekend. Thanks for nothing!

G.J. Alexander
Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: Other than the $25,000 already budgeted toward Mango Festival, the city deemed the 25th Mango Festival ‘a private event’ because it charged admission.

Community cares RE: Firing of employees

Dear Editor:

Two of our city’s finest employees were terminated [Khaled Coury – Aquatics Director at DB Aquatics Center, former swim coach and Ocean Rescue Lifeguard, full-time since 2004; and Kenneth Brighton – Lifeguard, Swim Instructor and Swim Coach, part-time employee].  Both employees have impeccable personal files with no reprimands.

Both are accused of falsifying documents – time card for Brighton from last August-September.   Brighton was scheduled more hours than the city allows for a part-time employee.  The city does not allow overtime so they “bank” the hours.  This practice has been going on for at least 12 years. It occurs in other departments as well.  It is also common practice in the city of Pompano Beach, according to a former lifeguard and swim coach there [Chris Hoch, Palm Beach Fire- Rescue Officer].

All of the hours Kenny worked were documented by his boss and verifiable by employees who worked with him. He worked the hours he was given and had no reason to believe it was against city policy. He was paid for the extra hours in a subsequent paycheck after he had stopped working for the city for the summer.  Neither the time card nor the hours documented were written or signed by Kenny.

In both termination meetings, their boss told them the order for termination came directly from the mayor’s office. This was said to both Khaled and Kenny in two separate meetings in front of the Union Steward. This is against city policy.

The annoying part of all of this, is there are employees presently working with huge infractions and written reprimands to their personnel files. Why was Khaled fired for a practice that has been a long-time protocol and never told not to continue it or that it was against policy? He never received a warning, written or verbal. Why was Kenny fired for working hours he was scheduled by his supervisor?

Julie Cusmano

Deerfield Beach

RE: Firing; To the city of Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

We are all aware of the allegations against [Khaled Coury and Kenny Brighton] and we are all aware of the inequity in this matter. Kenny Brighton is being terminated for simply working the hours he was scheduled to work and reporting the hours to his supervisor per his request. Khaled Coury is being terminated for a policy that has been utilized within the city for at least the past12 years and is still practiced today. The fact that there are employees still working for the city with actual infractions, some of them actual crimes, confirms that the handling of this situation has not only been unfair but also inequitable. The fact that they were told, not once but twice, that this came “directly from the mayor’s office” confirms there is more to this issue than meets the eye.

We implore you to consider the facts in a manner free from political agenda and personal prejudice.  We are confident that as the City Manager, you are willing to do so and will see this issue with the required amount of impartiality.

This situation has not only been an unnecessary black mark on the otherwise clean records and reputations of these two men, but has also had a deeply detrimental effect on the countless children and parents who know and appreciate the character of these two gentlemen. Please restore the confidence of the citizens of Deerfield Beach by correcting this blatant injustice. [The undersigned created a petition that was signed by concerned parties and sent to the city as well].

Deerfield Beach Dolphin Swim Team Swimmers and parents

Deerfield Beach Aquatic Center Patrons

Deerfield Beach Water Aerobics Patrons

Deerfield Beach Aquatic Pre-Competitive Swimmers and parents

Deerfield Beach Aquatic Swim Lesson Participants and parents

South Florida Recreational Swim League Members

Editor’s note: Khaled and Kenny had their appeal meetings with the city Tuesday. As of press time, Kenny had gotten his job back. Awaiting word on Khaled, but hopeful.

17 Jun 2010

Amendment 4 allows voters to weigh-in

Dear Editor:

Amendment 4, will give the voters a seat at the table. We’re the ones who watch tax dollars go to extend the schools, police, fire, water, sewer and roads to new developments that politicians keep approving. We should get a vote before we’re forced to pay.

Here’s how Amendment 4 works: Local city or county commissions will study, hold public hearings and vote on proposed changes to the overall master plan (local comprehensive land-use plan) just like they do now. Here’s the new step: [voters] will veto or approve their decision on the next regularly scheduled Election Day.  No special elections required.

Amendment 4 requires voter approval only for changes to the overall master plan. It doesn’t require votes on re-zonings, variances or individual development approvals. In other words, you won’t weigh in on every new grocery store or hotel, but you will get a vote when a speculator wants to change, for example, farmland to apartments or turn a residential area into a commercial zone. I want the chance to vote, and I think most people want it too.

Marge Hilton

Deerfield Beach

Don’t believe developers

Dear Editor:

[RE:] Amendment 4’s passage would stall development. There’s already enough land approved for development in Florida’s local master plans to accommodate 100 million residents – five times more people than now. There’s no need for land-use changes. Under Amendment 4, the only time citizens would vote is when a developer insists on building outside already-approved areas.

Since the 1985 Growth Management Act, a blizzard of land-use plan changes has assailed one community after another, making wise, long-range planning impossible. Planning has been gutted. People all over Florida have protested unwanted developments, only to find the deck stacked against them by the building industry and their well-rewarded, pro-development politicians.

The result has been an unending effort to catch up with the expensive infrastructure that these plan changes require, with existing residents paying the tax bills. We’re forced into fighting a rear-guard action to protect Florida’s wetlands, rivers, water table, agricultural lands and natural areas prized for recreation … In this instance, we’ll be regaining our decision-making power over land-use changes by having the final say at the end of the local politicians’ approval process.

Winston Perry

Member Amendment 4 Statewide Coordinating Committee

Homosassa, FL

10 Jun 2010

RE: “A Soldier Died Today”

Dear Editor:

Thank you so much for the printing of “A Soldier Died Today” poem (May 27 Observer). I am going to frame it and hang it next to my husband’s flag. He was a Korean vet and also had almost 25 years of honorable service to his country between regular reserve and callbacks to duty. Many thanks to you and the writer, whoever he may be.

Marilyn Fernando

Deerfield Beach

RE: Noise problem

Dear Editor:

I am in my early 70s and do not consider myself to be a grouchy old coot. I am a “snowbird” – soon to be going home. I am also a property owner and taxpayer, having arrived in the area in 1982. I have a few problems with my surroundings regarding quality of life issues.

First of all, let me point out that the Empire State Building in NYC was built during the Depression in one year. Will I live long enough to see the Hillsboro Boulevard project come to completion? It is like the Energizer Bunny … it goes on and on!

Second, Deerfield Beach must have noise ordinances. Why don’t they enforce them? Most motorcyclists are law-abiding. However, there are enough mutants in the area who can and do harm the quality of life; they have inadequate or no mufflers. They enjoy roaring down A1A between NE 2 Street and Hillsboro Boulevard. They know their noise is intensified by reverberations off the tiered parking lot on the west side of A1A and buildings to the east. The noise sets off the car alarms, wakes up kids and others, gets dogs barking, etc. They wouldn’t get away with this in [other cities]. Why here? By stationing a sheriff within a decibel meter and summons book in the area, this problem could be alleviated. As an added benefit, a couple of dollars could be added to the city’s coffers.

Roland Donahue

Deerfield Beach

Chaz Stevens’ resignation letter to mayor

Dear Editor:

When I filed my application for the Deerfield Beach Housing Authority Board, I did it in the hope of helping those most in need, firm in my resolve to not make the board appointment about me, my blog or my life.

Unfortunately, Mr. Connick, Mr. Emery and Mr. Crawford have now purposely made it about me.

• I did not want to make it into a circus. Connick did.

• I turned the other cheek.  Crawford couldn’t.

• I forwarded public information to the Kessler agency.  Emery accused me of misconduct.

I invite you to review the audio tapes from the meetings, my e-mails and such.  You will find my conduct exemplary. In a not-so-strange twist of reality, those folks who ridiculed my name-calling resorted to the same whereas I choose the moral high ground.

But, in the end, my mere existence as a board member diverted attention from the important task of providing housing for those most in need.  To be a part of such foolishness is no longer acceptable to me.

Notwithstanding the extreme criticism I have leveled at you in the past, I do not wish you any fallout from my departure.  I told you I would leave quietly if need be and that is what I am doing.

Therefore, please accept this letter as my notification that I am tendering my resignation from the Deerfield Beach Housing Authority effective immediately.

Regards,

Chaz Stevens, Commissioner

Deerfield Beach Housing Authority

3 Jun 2010

Mayor follows up on Youth Violence Roundtable with Schools Superintendent James F. Notter

Dear Editor:

It is with great humility and pride in the City of Deerfield Beach and its residents that I write in support of Deerfield Beach Middle School, its students, families and faculty. In a desire to publicly address the seriousness of the recent incidents of violence at Deerfield Beach Middle School, a Mayor’s Youth Violence Roundtable was held in the City of Deerfield Beach on March 31. As you are aware, Deerfield Beach Middle School serves a broad and diverse student population, with 14 sister cities sending resident students to this school. The roundtable was attended by a cross section from the community, to include concerned citizens, educational offi-cers, law enforcement officers and other stake holders. The roundtable provided a significant opportunity to express concerns, identify challenges and discuss current programming and strategies already in place — with the goal to prevent, monitor and investigate incidents of bullying and youth violence.

Specifically, Deerfield Beach Middle School and High School Principals Christine Flynn and Jon Marlow, together with BSO Captain John Nesteruk and BSO Deerfield Beach Police Chief Jay Fernandez and other law enforcement panelists were extremely reassuring as to all steps being taken and the full range of anti-violence and bullying strategies and systems already in place.

I have been advised by roundtable panelist Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren, Broward County Mental Health Court Judge and former SAMHSA National Advisory Council Member, that as a grantee of The U.S. Department of Education Safe Schools Grant, expert technical assistance is and has been continually provided to the Broward County School District.

On behalf of myself and all the attendees of the Deerfield Beach Roundtable, March 31, I wanted to offer our help and commitment to actively participate in any and all community efforts to educate and engage all sectors of our community in a campaign to prevent youth violence and bullying…

One overriding theme to emerge from the roundtable was that strategies and solutions must come concurrently from all levels and sectors of the community. The problem of youth violence is not owned or confined to the school system. We all must join together as one community to ensure and provide for the safety and well-being of our children in their school environments.

I look forward to meeting with you or any designees in furtherance of these goals.

Peggy Noland, Mayor

Deerfield Beach

RE: Kessler report

Dear Editor:

Instead of keeping the City’s finances in order, the City wastes precious taxpayer money in blindly pursuing a forensic audit against a separate and independent Chapter 421 Housing Authority over which the City has no legal authority other than to name and remove Board members.

Recently, the City, with no legal authority ordered a forensic audit of the Housing Authority. A forensic audit is traditionally done when there is suspicion of Criminality — yet there is absolutely no suspicion of criminality concerning the Housing Authority.

This unlawful forensic audit by the City was prompted by Internet reputation assassin Chaz Stevens.  Recent disclosures reveal that Stevens latched onto a disgruntled former Housing Authority employee, Leslie Hall, and has perpetuated exaggeration and misinformation in order to attempt to discredit the Housing Authority. Stevens has had all questions asked at Housing Authority meetings answered fully. He  will continue to attempt to destroy the Housing Authority to feed his ego.

Since there is no legal authority to order a forensic audit of the separate and independent Housing Authority, the City is attempting to do indirectly what it cannot legally do directly by a Public Records Request for massive quantities of documents from the Housing Authority — from which the City will have a forensic audit done. Cost to taxpayers for the voluminous records requested and for this unnecessary audit is expected to exceed $100,000! At a time when the City needs to concentrate on responsibly spending taxpayer money, the City is instead throwing taxpayer money away.

Note: So everyone will know, an independent audit of the Housing Authority is done every fiscal year by an independent CPA in accordance with Federal audit standards of public housing agencies pursuant to F.S. 421.091. Current audit of the Housing Authority is anticipated to be completed and distributed in June 2010.

If there is any well-founded suspicion of criminality, that suspicion should be reported to HUD. HUD has the jurisdiction, power and authority to do a forensic audit if it deems such an audit desirable. If there were a need for a forensic audit, which there is not, the audit should be done by a CPA pursuant to a Request for Proposal.

Thomas Connick, Attorney at Law

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: On Friday, May 28, Chaz Stevens resigned his position on the Deerfield Beach Housing Authority.

27 May 2010

RE: Deerfield Chamber reorganization

Dear Editor:

I want to share my feelings of shock and disappointment that the news of the ouster of Janyce Becker from the DFB Chamber of Commerce has wrought.  Janyce worked tirelessly on behalf of the membership, at all times fostering relationships, increasing business prospects and creating exciting opportunities for old and new member businesses alike.  At present, the Chamber is headless and in lock-down;  no Executive Director, no Chairman, no staff, closed doors and with a Board seemingly forgetful of the fact that they were elected to carry out the wishes of the majority.  Janyce, you are already sorely missed.  What a waste of an enormous talent.

Mary Stefl

Deerfield Beach

As Janyce Becker departs as Executive Director of the Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce, she takes with her 12 years of dedication to strengthening area businesses, improving the lives of area residents and encouraging tourism.

She has ably guided the Chamber in its day-to-day activities, gaining the participation and cooperation of its members, as well as adding to its roster.  Monthly meetings involved speakers from the political arena, government officials, business leaders, etc.  She emphasized the networking of members as they held on during the economic downturn.

Janyce was a major player in such local events as Relay for Life, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society held every year in May at Quiet Waters Park, Pigout in the Park, a family-oriented barbecue and entertainment event, the Chili Cook-off, the Firemen’s Challenge on the Beach, golf tournaments, etc.  The list is endless and her personal involvement contributed to their success. Chamber members enjoyed monthly meetings, Business After Hours and luncheons, all designed to foster increased business. Janyce’s creative mind worked overtime, planning activities for the benefit of Chamber members and the citizens of Deerfield Beach.

Her many supporters and admirers are saddened and feel the void as she leaves the Deerfield Beach Chamber of Commerce.  We wish her well as she seeks new challenges.  Janyce Becker has made her imprint on Deerfield Beach and will continue on a successful path in all her future endeavors.

Ann B. Kreiman

Deerfield Beach

Making greener choices after oil spill

Dear Editor:

After the tragic oil rig explosion in the Gulf Coast, many people are rightfully concerned that the oil spill will reach our shorelines, polluting beaches and devastating marine life. Unfortunately, there isn’t much we can do to undo the destruction or bring back the workers who are presumed dead. We can, however, at least try to negate some of the environmental damage by making greener choices in our daily activities.

Choosing vegan foods, for example, can help reduce pollution and conserve resources. More than 1/3 of the fossil fuels produced in America are used to raise animals for food, and factory farm waste lagoons are a leading source of water pollution. According to the EPA, chicken, hog and cattle excrement has polluted at least 35,000 miles of rivers in 22 states and contaminated groundwater in 17 states.

Eating vegan foods will help animals too. Most of us aren’t able to assist rescue groups in their efforts to save seabirds and other marine animals in the gulf, but we can each help save hundreds of other sentient animals by going vegan.

Heather Moore

Norfolk, VA

20 May 2010

“Pill mills” should go!

Dear Editor:

“Pill mills” need to be immediately shut down now! Any “medical facility” that only accepts cash for payment is owned by non-medical personnel (many which are convicted felons), use doctors who write ‘scrips for 200 or more oxy’s per patient per-visit and cater to out-of-state clients is NOT a medical facility. Funny, there is no rehab for supposed injuries involved at these pill mills. If you want to know what is happening to your children or friends, please watch a video done by an undercover reporter who risked her life to get the real story: www.hulu.com/watch/100279/vanguard-the-oxycontin-express. You will be well-educated and know what to look for.

I wish to thank our great political representatives in Tallahassee for allowing this to happen. I’m sure the pharmaceutical companies have well compensated them for their lack of having a spine or a brain.

Phil Adamo
Deerfield Beach

“Pill mills” are trouble

Dear Editor:

Pill mills are trouble and we all know it. Any time you drive by Coast to Coast Healthcare Management on Hillboro Boulevard, you can see the string of out-of-state cars and people waiting in the car, under trees and anywhere they can get into the shade.

While it may take awhile for the laws to catch up with them, any professional involved with this organization knows exactly what is going on.

So isn’t it time for a little community action?

Ron Coddington
Deerfield Beach

RE:  “Street Cleaning? Really?”

Dear Editor:

In this April 29 Letter to the Editor, Donna Lavoie states that the “street cleaning truck came down the street” with a big cloud of dust behind it. She proceeds to say how the truck came back down the street “(AGAIN!)” two hours later. “I watched more carefully this time and noticed he was talking on his cell phone so I guess he was not paying attention to the fact that he had come by here already!” I would like to say that street sweeping of our residential streets is very important to our community. Street sweeping can be an effective measure in reducing pollutants in stormwater runoff. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) considers street sweeping a Best Management Practice in protecting water quality. Street sweeping really does help our environment and plays an important role in the Stormwater Division. Many residents appreciate getting their street swept. It removes trash from the road and helps keep the neighborhood clean.  As far as the sweeper returning down the same street, maybe the operator was sweeping the other side of the street when he returned. Or perhaps the operator felt the sweeper needed to make a second pass to ensurethe street was cleaned sufficiently.

As far as the driver “talking on his cell phone” and “not paying attention,” the City does issue Nextel phones to certain employees. These phones have a walkie talkie feature and are indeed cell phones but only the “direct connect” feature is activated. Perhaps the operator of the sweeper was getting a call from his supervisor about another area that needed sweeping. I believe the operator did submit a copy of his personal cell phone records to his supervisor and it was found that no personal calls were made or received on his personal cell phone while he was operating the vehicle.

It is sad that there are lay-offs happening and [there was] consideration of a library closing. To answer your question Ms. Lavoie: Yes, the City of Deerfield Beach really does need a residential street sweeping truck.

Anthony Rivera
Deerfield Beach

13 May 2010

Trip to Post Office becomes magical mystery tour

On April 29, I went to the Deerfield Post Office and noticed the parking lot was packed with spillover cars from the clinic across the street. It was row after row of out-of-state plates. This was strange. I looked around at the back of the clinic and saw groups of people standing around talking. A group of five men were gathered in the swale of the post office so I grabbed our ObserverTV camera and when they saw it, they took off down the street.

This was getting weird. All these cars were pulling up to the clinic and people piled out and were replaced by other people who were already there. One guy saw my camera focused on him and pulled his hat down and pushed his sunglasses up, as if to conceal his identity. After a few more minutes, I heard someone shout, “Hey video punk! What’s the camera for?” I replied, “The local ObserverTV.”

One of them shouted “get out of here” while the other lunged at me, trying to grab my camera. All he got was the foam microphone cover.

I had to order a new microphone cover for the camera and when the FedEx lady brought it, I told her what happened. “Oh Boy” she said “I was making a delivery next door to that clinic a few days ago and while doing my paperwork, two guys jumped up into my truck and said, ‘did you just make a delivery to that clinic?’ I shouted, ‘No! Now get out of my truck!’”

I hope someday soon it will be little kids jumping up into the FedEx lady’s truck, asking if she just delivered the newest car models to the hobby shop that took the place of the clinic.

ObserverTV will continue to film activities at the clinic.

Jim Lusk
Vice President
Observer Newspaper

Pill mill spells trouble

Dear Editor:

I totally agree with Regina Sargent, who wrote on May 6 regarding the Coast to Coast Healthcare pill mill. I’ve seen what this kind of business can do to a community. It is certainly something we do not need nor want in Deerfield Beach. Are we not supposed to say no to drugs? However, here it is on the main street in our town for everyone to drive by and use. I know, from keeping up on current events, other towns are banning these businesses. Deerfield needs to act and act quickly. This is not something to be taken casually.

Joyce Babcock
Deerfield Beach

Clarification re: Goodwill

Dear Editor:

Perhaps, I should clarify my previous letter to the Observer. I have nothing against Goodwill stores, thrift shops, etc. What I was objecting to was the location of the Goodwill store. I do not believe it is the proper place for such a store. There also are not sufficient parking spaces. This is my opinion. I am not a snob, as one woman who wrote to me suggested. I believe there should be some type of control over where certain businesses are located and also the look of new/old buildings, i.e., color of the paint. If you feel I have insulted the Goodwill stores, which was never my intent, perhaps you should actually read what I said and not misconstrue my words.

Regina Dallin
Deerfield Beach

Looking forward to Goodwill

Dear Editor:

I have donated to Goodwill stores since 1938. The people at these stores have always been super nice and grateful for everything you give them. There are a lot of people who need to shop at these stores, especially today.

There is nothing disgraceful about the Goodwill. They help a lot of people. I look forward to this store coming to Deerfield Beach.

Lee Parker
Deerfield Beach

6 May 2010

Goodwill Center good idea?

Dear Editor:

I agree with Mr. Imperatrice regarding the Goodwill Center.  Here we are improving the look of Hillsboro Boulevard and Federal Highway and now the city is allowing a Goodwill store to move into the area? It is a disgrace to do this to our city. Across the street, you have a beautiful shopping center. Just what kind of businesses are you trying to attract?  This is certainly not the type of business that should be in this area. Also, what about the parking situation? I hope something can be done about this. How can we stop this from happening?

Regina Dallin

Deerfield Beach

Wake Up Citizens of Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

I find it appalling that this city has allowed a business that partakes in drug trafficking to operate in, what was once, a family-oriented community.  I am talking about Coast to Coast Healthcare on Hillsboro Boulevard. This is not a healthcare clinic. It is a legal place to buy and sell lethal presciption drugs. The parking lot, streets and Post Office parking lot are overflowing with in state and out of state vehicles.  Anybody who follows the news knows that these people are not here to receive healthcare treatment.  What is going on here is an epidemic that is killing people and Deerfield Beach is allowing it to perpetuate.  This, from a city that will not allow you to park your boat in your yard because it is an eyesore.  And they don’t want you to smoke on the beach because the cigarette butts create trash.  Oh, but this kind of trash is OK? Not to mention the fact that the elementary school is right down the street.  This place needs to be shut down.  In light of all the bad press that Deerfield Beach has gotten lately, this is clearly not the kind of business that serves this city well.

Regina Sargent

Deerfield Beach

29 Apr 2010

Opposing State & Municipal Pension Benefit Reductions

Dear Florida Legislators:

My name is Rose. I’m honored and proud to be the wife of a loyal, dedicated long-time serving Veteran Law Enforcement Officer. For over 23 years, my husband, alongside his associates have unselfishly risked their lives to protect and serve the people of this community. They furnish us, our children and our families with safety as a nation. We ask that you protect the very important people who protect us and have protected us throughout the decades. Give justice to the men and women who upheld justice for us. Give them the benefits they worked hard for and are rightfully theirs. I can’t think of any better shovel-ready projects than supporting your public servants.

Rose Jackowski

Deerfield Beach

Street Cleaning? Really?

Dear Editor:

Today, Friday the 23rd, the street cleaning truck came down the street. Behind it was a big cloud of dust! Two hours later, the street cleaner came down the street (AGAIN!) and left another big cloud of dust. I watched more carefully this time and noticed he was talking on his cell phone so I guess he was not paying attention to the fact that he had come by here already! With all the lay-offs and all the closures going on now, even considering closing a library (what?), does the city really think we need a street cleaning truck?

Donna Lavoie

Deerfield Beach

Recycling contract reeks, says resident

Dear Editor:

Just when you thought the Deerfield Beach commission was getting its collective act together, a majority of commissioners do the unthinkable.  This one really reeks, and this time it is garbage (or recycling to be exact).  At the city commission meeting on March 23, a then 4 to1 super majority approval granted the City’s recycled materials drop-off contract to three companies.  For the past seven years, the contract was monopolized by just a single company (Sun Recycling). Competition is good after all.  In fact, moving to three companies for drop-off would have saved the City of Deerfield Beach and its residents over $216,000per year. However, at the April 20 commission meeting, a new majority of 3 to 2 reversed course and gave the recycling drop-off contract back to Sun Recycling.  This lone act will cost us residents $216,000 per year for the life of the new contract.  In a year where the City’s budget shortfall is expected to be $16 million or more, we the citizens deserve a real explanation, not the same old recycled politics. This whole issue should be brought back to the City Commission and open to public discussion.

Deeply concerned,

Joan Maurice

Deerfield Beach

22 Apr 2010

Decline of quality retail establishments

Dear Editor:

I am writing regarding the declining state of quality retail establishments along the Deerfield Beach/Lighthouse Point
Federal Highway corridor.

Since moving to the area in 2008, many quality chain stores and restaurants as well as locally owned small businesses have closed. As a property owner and taxpayer, I am very concerned about the types of stores replacing these recently closed establishments.

Is Federal Highway near Hillsboro an appropriate spot to open a Goodwill retail center or additional pawn shops and tattoo parlors? Don’t misunderstand me, I believe the Goodwill organization is stellar with regard to its mission and I myself have a tattoo.

My point is that the city community development staff should be paying much closer attention to the types of business opening in their core retail corridors and work overtime on attracting more desirable types of businesses. Also, zoning laws should tweaked. What are the consequences of not doing this? Residents, like myself, will head west and north to shop, as I find myself doing more frequently.

Anthony Imperatrice

Lighthouse Point

Bees be gone!

Dear Editor:

Kudos to the City of Deerfield Beach for getting a bee keeper to expeditiously remove that humongous bees nest on 4th street in Deer Run. I called on a Friday and the next Thursday it was removed.

Service with a smile, anyone?

Lorraine Barsher

Deerfield Beach

Thanks for keeping Cal Thomas

Dear Editor:

I read “Letters to the Editor” all the time. A week or so ago, two of the letters were complaining about articles written by Cal Thomas. They felt your paper should include a liberal point of view. The column was missing that week and I was very upset. However, it was back in the next week’s paper.

Thank you for keeping it! If someone doesn’t like the column, they don’t have to read it. Ninety percent of the media (TV and newspaper) are liberal and often seem to leave out a lot of the facts. I like to hear both sides and make up my own mind. Thanks again!

Bob Zukas

Deerfield Beach, FL

15 Apr 2010

SW 10 Street sidewalk a wise use of funds?

Dear Editor:

Last week a 9-year-old boy was hit and killed by a bus on Disney property near Orlando. Where this happened, the sidewalk is next to a busy road, which in my opinion is a dangerous situation. A few months ago, Deerfield Beach City Commission approved the creation of a similar dangerous sidewalk along the south side of SW 10 Street next to Century Village. During the meeting where this $75,000 sidewalk was approved, a lady spoke before the commission and pointed out the hedges on the south side of SW 10 Street are broken down in several places, where cars have run off the road. She also asked the Commissioners “Are you out of your mind?”

The only difference between this sidewalk and the one at Disney is that in Deerfield Beach, no one will use it because we already have a sidewalk on the north side of SW 10 Street that is a safe distance from the speeding traffic on that street. This is being paid for by Broward County so the City Commission wasn’t concerned about the waste of money. The last time I looked at my tax bill, both Deerfield Beach and Broward County took a large cut.

With property values “dropping like a rock,” to quote Charlie Crist, it is time that the City and County got serious about saving money. Commission rules allow any commissioner who voted on the prevailing side of an issue to bring it up for reconsideration. In this case, that is all the commissioners. In the interest of saving money and lives, I am asking the City Commission to put this on the agenda and tell Broward County to cancel this sidewalk and put the $75,000 in reserve for future projects that make sense.

Anne Lloyd

Deerfield Beach

RE: Deerfield Beach Faith Community March Against Youth Violence

Dear Faith Community:

I was told the reason “I didn’t participate in the march because it doesn’t make a difference” or “I was not led to march because I am called to do other things” is your prerogative, perception and preference. I can’t argue with that, all I can do is share my heart.

This march did show that some people were led to stand up because we have had enough of the outpour of negativity about and within Deerfield Beach. It was a way for us to break down the barriers between denominations and come together since we don’t do this on Sundays! It was a time to show those who have lost faith in the church to see us team up beyond color, socio-economic status and age, a way to show the media that there are GOOD people in Deerfield Beach!

You may have not felt called to March Against Youth Violence, but please don’t tell me that it did not make a difference. It made a difference to the youth who marched, it made a difference to those who were in their front yards and saw us take a stand, it made a difference to all the people driving by on the corner of Hillsboro and Dixie as we held up our signs and prayed over our family, churches, schools and government!

I poured my heart into this march because, as a mental health counselor, I SEE and FEEL the pain that our youth are going through. I SEE and FEEL the weakening of families. I SEE and FEEL the decline of the moral fiber of society!

This was a way for one person to be able to show Deerfield Beach, the community that I love so much, that we care … and that my friends, makes a difference!

Diana Santiago Rice, M.S.

8 Apr 2010

Ending teen violence: Shifting the educational paradigm

Dear Editor:

I was moved and outraged by the brutal beating of Josie Ratley by Wayne Treacy.  What could cause one young person to attack another – someone he didn’t even know – with such fury?  I learned from the philosophy of Aesthetic Realism, founded in 1941 by poet and educator Eli Siegel, that all cruelty and violence arises from a person’s desire to have contempt for the world – “the addition to self through the lessening of something else.”

At that moment, Wayne Treacy saw Josie as representing a world he wanted to obliterate. This same contempt is present in a sarcastic remark, a racist statement and is central in the bullying, ever more deadly, running rampant in our schools.

How can this youth violence end?  The Aesthetic Realism Teaching Method, which I used for 30 years in New York City High Schools, has this principle by Mr. Siegel as its basis: “The purpose of education is to like the world.” This method enables young people to learn successfully AND become deeper, kinder persons. It enables them to see, through the subject, that the world has a logical, beautiful structure of opposites related to their lives. Students’ respect for the world, which every subject stands for, increases. They learn with ease that they are more than just individuals. Until students can use the subjects they study to see likeable meaning in the world, the same world that can pain and confuse them, this cruelty will continue unabated. For more info, visit www.aestheticrealism.org

Rosemary Plumstead

Bloomfield, NJ

‘Distorted minutes by condo newspaper’ – and rebuttals

Dear Editor:

Century Village East (CVE) is an 8,400-unit senior condo development in Deerfield Beach. Each of its 253 buildings is a separate corporation. The Condominium Owners Organization of CVE (COOCVE) is an umbrella organization with a 350-member board of directors (BOD). It collectively owns the for-profit CVE Reporter, a substantial monthly publication distributed free to all condos. It is virtually the sole source of published information about what happens in CVE. The COOCVE President nominates the CVE Reporter members’ BOD to the COOCVE BOD, which routinely rubber stamps them. That Reporter BOD “oversees” its Editor-in-Chief, currently the same COOCVE President who nominated that BOD.

For many years, CVE decision-making was dominated by Mr. Trinchitella, who built a powerful autocratic political machine with interlocking membership on formal decision-making bodies. A new group is effectively following in his wake, resulting in the following instance of distortion of information:

The CVE Reporter BOD met Feb. 23, 2010 and their Minutes, recorded by their Secretary, also the COOCVE Secretary between 2008 and this year, were published in the March CVE Reporter. These Minutes are distorted to flatter the Reporter and diminish its critics. In past similar situations dealing with COOCVE Minutes, the critics found no recourse for presenting our views to the public.

The question I asked the Board was: “What policies do you have which govern the Reporter…?” Eventually, Reporter director and lead columnist/reporter Ms. Judy Olmstead explained that their editorial policy was the six-line statement in their masthead. At the Reporter Board meeting, Editor-in-Chief and COOCVE President Mr. Steven Fine interrogated me about what I wanted.

My main point – that the Reporter BOD has no significant policies which govern the paper’s operation, so that, among other things its editor could and did censor all views with which he disagreed with impunity – was completely omitted. CVE would benefit as a community if more of our residents participated actively in our affairs. That would help counter the autocratic control of those in interlocking authority!

Bob Bender

A Critic of CVE Autocracy, Kenswick C

1 Apr 2010

All for some, none for others

Dear Editor:

I have lived in Deerfield 20 years now. Not a fan of the politics here, never have been.

I follow the happenings of the CRA in The Cove area and the beach. Nice lighting, pavers, underground wires, soon a new entrance to the pier. I guess the city has lots of money. Bond debt you say? Who pays for the bonds? We do!

And I have to ask, again … what about those of us just west of Federal Highway? What do we get? A flyover! How attractive, what value this will add to our homes!

Between Federal Highway and Dixie Highway, this stretch of Hillsboro Boulevard is the only part without a median and the plantings that go with it. You could land an airplane here. I hope someone does not say “Oh, it is because of the school crossing.” Not true, there is a school crossing just past Powerline Road.

Time for the city to spend some money where their voters live, not just make things pretty for tourists.

Donna Lavoie

Deerfield Beach

Raccoons running rampant

Dear Editor:

My daughter was the child involved in the incident on Feb. 9 when a raccoon came from nowhere and bit her and my two dogs. I am really concerned about our security in this neighborhood [The Preserve at Deer Creek, at Hillsboro Boulevard and Powerline Road.] We are afraid to walk the dogs at night and would like better propaganda on this issue, so more people can be aware of the risks and work together as a community to prevent over-population of raccoons in our environment.

I would be very grateful to have some help with this issue.

Thank you very much

Julia Lopes

Deerfield Beach

RE: Cal Thomas

Dear Editor:

I am a resident of Deerfield Beach and enjoy reading the Observer. I am disappointed that the newspaper carries a weekly column by Cal Thomas but offers no balance by publishing a weekly liberal columnist. I would suggest that either you alternate weeks with a conservative one week and liberal the other week, or publish both political viewpoints weekly. For a liberal point of view, I would suggest Jim Wallis, Ellen Goodman, Leonard Pitts Jr., Maureen Dowd, Paul Krugman, E. J. Dionne Jr., Clarence Page, Richard Cohen, Bob Herbert, Garrison Keillor or David Sirota.

Brad Burtner

Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

I enjoy your newspaper but do not understand why you subject your readers, week after week, to the rantings of Cal Thomas. Why print the viewpoint of someone out to polarize and divide the country against itself? Mr. Thomas does not provide any answers or suggestions for the problems our country is facing, so he resorts to instilling fear and disrespect of our government. Many of his accusations of the Obama administration are outright false. If you cannot drop Mr. Thomas’ byline altogether, can you at least provide a weekly column with an alternate point of view?

Rachel Leach

Lighthouse Point

Publisher’s Response: Thank you for your letters. However, it is not practical financially for us to contract with numerous columnists.

25 Mar 2010

Save Lives, Enhance Revenue!

To the Editor:

When the Surgeon General made the statement that walking daily for your health is a good habit to establish, she apparently never spent time in Florida — the deadliest state in the U.S. for pedestrians. I can speak from personal experience:  my next door neighbor was hit and killed by a motorcyclist as he was crossing A1A on Hillsboro Boulevard, just a few years back.

I drive the scenic route to my office in Delray Beach most mornings.  I stopped today to let walkers go by (just inside the Deerfield/Boca border on A1A). I counted 9 VEHICLES (including a police cruiser from another jurisdiction!) zoom right by, with no consideration for the people attempting to cross the street.  This was at a designated crosswalk, with a neon green sign and arrow!  What in the world is wrong with this picture?

Want to bump up tax revenues?  Here’s the perfect solution:  Place some motorcycle patrolmen at regular side-streets alongside A1A for a couple of weeks.  Start ticketing these people. People pay attention when it hits their pockets!  Make running a crosswalk an expensive  moving  violation, no acceptions!  It’s the Law-Stop for Pedestrians in Crosswalk. Make it tough for them to get away with their potentially life-threatening behavior on the road.

Let’s start educating through enforcement, and let’s use some of those additional revenue streams to provide more education, more crosswalks and more flashing lights at crucial areas of high pedestrian traffic.  After all, why should walkers use the crosswalks designated for their use if drivers are not required to stop for them?

Joan R. Gould

Deerfield Beach

Dear Mayor Fisher

To the Editor:

As a Pompano Beach business owner and resident, I wholeheartedly support the plans for the pier development, especially with the on-street parking that allows the public to have a good connection between various East CRA developments. It would be really nice to go to dinner at the pier, and then take a stroll on the sidewalk along Pompano Beach Boulevard to walk off the meal or go and have dessert at Café Al Mare.

I believe the on-street parking is a crucial element to promote a user-friendly walking promenade and to avoid dead zones that can lead to crime and the perception that an area is not safe.

My group of five small lodgings flank the East CRA immediately to the North and South along the beach. Our guests are upscale business and vacation travelers, who bring money into Pompano Beach, which helps the area prosper. The first thing they ask me about the beach road is “Is it safe to walk there?” They all want to be able to take an evening stroll, but right now, it looks spooky.

If we had on-street parking, it would be an invitation for folks to come and enjoy the beach and walk up and down Pompano Beach Boulevard.  This new vitality spurred by on-street parking would be a threat to Pompano’s less desirable thugs and homeless who rely on dark, empty streets to prey upon the few that come along.  With on-street parking and the life it would bring when enough people are around, no one would be afraid to take a nice evening stroll there.

Elaine Fitzgerald, President/CEO

Beach Vacation Rentals

Pompano Beach

18 Mar 2010

Water rates, firefighters’ retirement costs

Dear Editor:

Recent letters to the Observer cry out for clarification and comment. The letter from the Canadian resident of Century Village concerning the equalization of base rates for water and sewer usage obviously does not understand that it has nothing to do with water usage. The base rates of water and sewer make certain that when the user turns on the tap, there will be water to be used. Everyone should pay the same for the privilege.

Tim Hanley’s touching farewell to taxpayers upon his recent retirement failed to tell residents just how much his and Tony Strevino’s service has cost and will continue to cost taxpayers in the future.

Tony Strevino: Age at retirement 53

Annual pension: $91,592.04

City will pay his health insurance until age 65

$306.83 x 12 x 12 = $44,183.52

As of November 2009, his DROP plan held $406,567.08

Tim Hanley: Age at Retirement 50

Annual Pension: $75,797.76

City will pay health insurance until age 65

$306.83 x 12 x 15 = $64,949.40

As of November 2009, his DROP plan held $290,499.15

If the commission does not take action, the city will soon be bankrupt. The commission should eliminate the defined pension plan for all future hires in the Fire Department, take a good look at all who get the 15 percent incentive pay but never go out on a call, and drop the DROP plan which exists solely for the Fire Department. Make those people retire.

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

Memories of a great angler

Dear Editor:

I am writing to tell you about a man who was a great angler, friend and mentor to many young anglers. His name is Charlie Walker. He was the teacher and advisor to all who needed to learn about South Florida fishing. He took kids under his wing and would get them hooked on fishing instead of the other things in life that could destroy them. He operated Walkers Bait  And Tackle in Deerfield Beach for more than 30 years. His customers would come from Boynton Beach to the north and from  Ft. Lauderdale to the south to learn the tricks and techniques of fishing offshore to the everglades. I have known him since 1973 and he was my best friend. We fished locally from the Keys to the Bahamas. He touched everyone with a smile and a wealth of fishing talent. He was a gentleman and a friend to everyone he met. He would go out of his way with time and patience to be sure they understood what they were learning. I am sad to say this local legend has passed. Those who knew Charlie will most certainly miss the kindness he shared with a cup of coffee and a smile as he taught you to be a great angler and respect nature. He fought for regulations at many, many meetings to help conserve the fisheries, whether it was here or at the capitol. He once coined the phrase “release today and fish for life.”

Captain Tony Rizzo

Pompano Beach

Deer Run signs

Dear Editor:

Who are the powers that be who decided to erect two lovely wooden Deer Run signs a quarter of the way down 4th Street? Running parallel to 4th street, you can’t see them from Powerline Road. The signs should have been angled out for a better view.

Lorraine Barsher

Deerfield Beach

11 Mar 2010

RE: Freedom of the press?

Dear Editor:

Commenting on the letter of Mr. Bender March 4, I, too, find it a glaring conflict of interest when the hitherto independent Reporter is now managed by an Editor-in-Chief who at the same time controls COOCVE as its elected president.

Although I had successfully written for the Reporter for many years, a clear example is his arbitrary censoring and eliminating of my column, which apparently expressed a conflicting political point of view.

As to the late Mr. Trinchitella, as a long-time resident of Century village for over 30 years, I was actively involved in numerous programs, working closely with him for a number of years.

While I concede “Trinchie’s” autocratic style, his whole effort, however, was always dedicated to the benefit of Century Village and the betterment of its residents.

Rolf Grayson

Richmond A

Deerfield Beach

RE: Water rates spark discussion

Dear Editor:

Concerning your March 4 article, “Water rates spark discussion at District 4 meeting:” It is commendable that Commissioner Bill Ganz is seeking to “even out the rate” with his district and Century Village East.

The rates, as I understand them, for water and sewage, are based on usage. So the rule of thumb is the more you use, the more you pay.

1) In CVE, all of the more than 8,600 units are occupied by either one or two persons, whose use of water and sewage is significantly less than homes with children.

2) In CVE, a large number — estimates are more than half of the units — are unoccupied for anywhere from six to eight months a year, as many of the co-owners are either snowbirds or snowflakes, and only occupy their units for a part of the year.

So one can easily see why the CVE charge is that much lower than single-family homeowners. The figures the City has used as a lower average base rate, being lower than the nearby District 4, with owner-occupied full-time family residents is justified. It should be noted that multi-family units in District 4 also pay less than single family home-owners, presumably because of lower usage, although not nearly as low as CVE because they are predominantly year-round dwellings.

However if Mr. Ganz wants to “even things” out, would he be willing to eliminate the vast differential in property taxation between permanent residents and snowbirds and snowflakes, who pay a disproportionately higher share of city, county and hospital taxes, even though we do not use their facilities for much of the year?  Now that would be real justice.

Sidney Margles

A proud resident of CVE [Deerfield Beach]

and a proud Canadian Snowbird

4 Mar 2010

Pre-K program short on money

Dear Editor:

The State of Florida may be short on money, but we, as Pre-K providers, are not short on quality. We continue to strive to meet the state-mandated guidelines. We also seek to meet the needs of our students and their families.

As the article Sun-Sentinel, Feb. 3] states, “It was never well-funded in the eyes of early childhood professionals in the beginning.” Florida ranks 34th out of 38 States [that fund Pre-K]. That is setting the children of Florida up for failure. The voters want a “high quality” program.

As a private faith-based provider the success of our pre-kindergarten program relies on the voluntary pre-kindergarten funding for 4-year-olds. We cannot survive on the reductions of per-student spending. Curriculum is always fine-tuned at our school to meet the children’s basic needs. Once these are met, the child can concentrate on learning.

I am praying that the lawmakers in Tallahassee will find the funds to continue this valuable program. Just as the article states “… the irony, to many program advocates, is that pre-K has been successful, despite the financial difficulties.”

As long as First Christian is able to operate the school in these difficult financial times, we will continue to create an environment supporting the leaders of tomorrow.

Helen M. Magnuson

Director – First Christian Day School

Pompano Beach

Freedom of the press?

Dear Editor:

For many years, Century Village East (CVE) decision-making was dominated by Mr. Trinchitella who built a powerful autocratic political machine with interlocking membership on decision-making bodies.

A new group is effectively following in his wake, resulting, in the instance below, in suppression of opinion within CVE.

The umbrella organization of the numerous local CVE building associations is the Condominium Owners Organization of Century Village East, whose elected president is Mr. Steven Fine.

The substantial monthly newspaper and the main source of information available to residents distributed free to each of the buildings is the CVE Reporter. Its Editor-in-Chief is the same Mr. Fine, who serves under a board appointed by the COOCVE Board, at the recommendation of COOCVE President Mr. Fine. His appointments are his close allies, including two of the CVE Reporter’s prime columnists/reporters.

1. Mr. Fine informs CVE in his Reporter December column as COOCVE President that he will require the COOCVE Board of Directors to assume the legal costs he is incurring, which are not covered by Directors and Officers insurance policy or he will leave his volunteer positions. Mr. Fine is a defendant in two actions brought against him, one by the State of Florida for assaulting a COOCVE owner, the other a related civil suit, plus two actions he brought against owner-critics for defamation.

2. Opponents of his position respond with their arguments.

3. Reporter Editor-in-Chief Mr. Fine refuses to print their response as a letter to the CVE Reporter, giving specious reasons at a public meeting when asked about it.

Freedom of the press indeed is enjoyed by those who control the press. Democracy and Fairness are victims.

Bob Bender

Kenswick C

Deerfield Beach

25 Feb 2010

Time to look at Deerfield budget, says former mayor

Dear Editor:

The time is now to start taking a look at what is to be a rather tight budget. The former manager transferred $9 million from the undesignated reserve to balance the last one. That option is not open this year. There are only tough choices to be made.

First and foremost is increasing revenues and eliminating expenditures. The city could increase revenue in water and sewer bills by $455,000 by making every multi-family unit pay the same base rate for water and sewer usage. Garbage rates could be reduced by $2.2 million with elimination of the recycling division and a contract for Waste Management in its place. Lower water and sewer and garbage bills might make residents more amenable to increasing the ad valorem, which is tax deductible while those other bills are not.

Now is the time to lease the pier to private enterprise and eliminate $315,000 from the budget. There has to be an increase in beach parking stickers or elimination of the program. Last year, 1,800 residents bought stickers and the city earned $90,000, but it lost a bundle of money on those meters that were taken out of usage. We had 1,800 city residents being subsidized by the other 65,000. The commission has to look at closing the defined pension plan for new hires in the Fire Department. Their pensions are killing us. And there should be no 15 percent incentive pay for any member of that department who never goes out on a call.

If the (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) DROP plan were dropped, those top-heavy employees of the department would retire, making room for advancement of the lower echelon, and the city would save their high-end salaries.

Time also to eliminate a number of managerial positions. Get an actuarial study to determine what the cost would be and how much would be saved in salaries if the city allowed employees with 30 or 25 years of service to retire without penalty — regardless of age. Employees from the recycling division could fill those positions.

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

18 Feb 2010

Thank You and Goodbye

Dear Editor:

This past Saturday, I had the great pleasure of participating in the Founders’ Days Parade. This was not my first parade as a member of the Fire Department. However, it will be my last.

On Saturday, Feb. 27, I will work my last shift for the Department after more than 29 years of service. As the parade began and we moved slowly east on Hillsboro Boulevard towards the beach, I took greater notice than ever before of the scenery, the people and the moment. Smiling faces young and old took in the spirit of the procession as I attempted to soak up all that I could. I remembered the many times, as a child myself, sitting on the sidewalk by the main fire station watching, waving and racing for the candy being thrown by people riding on the various floats. Also, I was reflective of the many emergencies along this corridor through the years. The Founders’ Days Parade has always been special, but Saturday I seemed to make more eye contact and connect with more people than ever before. I looked at every child I could, with the intention of somehow convincing him or her that someday s/he could view the parade from my perspective as a member of Deerfield Fire-Rescue. Perhaps someday, a young Firefighter will tell this older one that’s what their motivation was. Along the route, I saw longtime friends, former schoolmates and even people that, through the years, needed to call on me while on duty to help with an emergency. None of them knew that I wasn’t waving hello, I was waving goodbye!

This letter is to thank all of you for extending me the privilege and the honor of serving you. No longer will I be responding to your calls for assistance, but I will always be there in the spirit of those still answering the alarm and rendering aid. They are, after all, an extension of me, and that — I am very proud of!

Captain Tim Hanley

Tequesta, FL

Kudos to city workers

Dear Editor:

This is to express my admiration for the City of Deerfield Beach workers who so quickly, efficiently and cheerfully removed the debris left by the Founders’ Day Parade. Their professionalism and goodwill spoke well for the city of which I am proud to be a citizen.

Loretta Jones

Deerfield Beach, FL

4 Feb 2010

One wonders why…

Dear Editor:

As a resident and taxpayer of Deerfield Beach and a weekly visitor of the beach for the past 28 years, this weekend I noticed the two vertical blue fish sculptures and the Adirondack chair signage from the front door of Harpoon Louie’s were removed. The new owners of the old Luna Rosa Restaurant (across from the pier) have made so much of a spiffy improvement to that location inside and out, it is an asset to the beach. But for some reason, these things were not in compliance.

With all the poor planning and questionable decision-making on the Pier Restaurant and adjacent land deal, one wonders why the City of Deerfield couldn’t work something out with the owners, rather than causing friction, extra expense … and most of all, the same week of the Art Festival that would have given them and the city some pleasing exposure.

Bill Waskiewicz

Deerfield Beach

28 Jan 2010

Children need civics education

Dear Editor:

Our children are being drastically shortchanged in know-ledge of our government.

Most of you have heard the statistics: A poll in Florida indicates that only 40 percent of our society is able to name the three branches of government, much less know how they are intended to balance each other. It is long overdue for students to learn what their government is about. In the 2010 Legislative Session, I will introduce a bill in the House of Representatives that provides for a curriculum in civics for middle school students followed by a test to discern whether the students understand the basics of government.

While it is important for everyone to register and to vote, students need to learn why our freedom is so important, how it was won and why it is so critical for us to maintain. If they don’t understand how their government works, they will not be motivated to vote or to serve in the military. The cost is well worth the price, and the end result is that it will impact every person who values their freedom. We must not let another generation go through school being completely ignorant of what makes this country great.

If you agree with me about this need, please urge your Florida Representative or your State Senator to Support House Bill 105.

Charles McBurney

State Representative

District 16, Florida House of Representatives

21 Jan 2010

Residents ring in on Mahaney

Dear Editor:

It is unfortunate that the taxpayers are represented by such reprehensible politicians who had the audacity last Friday to fire the City Manager, Michael Mahaney. Mr. Mahaney was the victim of the Noland political machine because [he] would not cave in to the constant requests by the firefighters’ union for more pay, benefits and anything else they can get their hands on. Everyone knows that the Noland family is well-represented in the firefighter’s organization. Yet, at least two more of Deerfield Beach’s commissioners, Bill Ganz and Marty Popelsky, joined Noland in her “witch hunt” despite the huge conflict of interest in this action. Beware of the city caving in to the firefighters’ union demands post-Mahaney. Wasn’t it Mr. Mahaney who gave Deerfield Beach a balanced budget with no layoffs and a minimal tax rate increase? Let’s see how well Noland and Company can do now that the feeding trough is once again open for the firefighters’ union (did I mention the CONFLICT OF INTEREST issue?) There is a phrase used many times over when politicians abuse the power given to them by the electorate, including taking actions against the will of the people. It goes THROW THE BUMS OUT! Unfortunately, a trusting electorate such as us just voted some of them in.  They think we will forget about this abuse of power. I guess we’ll have to prove them wrong. Unfortunately, by that time, the firefighter’s union will once again have had its way and our taxes will be higher. Is that what you want? Then forget about the actions of your elected politicians.  If that is not what you want, remember what they did to you last Friday when you next go to the polls, THROW THE BUMS OUT!

David Nace

Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

I want to thank Commissioner Ganz for tackling the difficult task of moving the city forward with a new city manager. The city of Deerfield Beach has the same problem General Motors had before the government bailed them out. Our retired firefighters cost the city more than the working firefighters. The costs of our retired workforce will escalate at a faster rate than that of General Motors because GM workers needed 30 years of service to retire, our firefighters only need 20 years. [Firefighters pay for this with “175 money.”]

The City Commission (except Major Noland, of course) should instruct the new city manager to change the firefighters pension plans to 401K or similar plans that will not bankrupt the city. If the city cannot solve this problem in the worst economic collapse since the great depression, Deerfield Beach will turn into Gary, Indiana or Detroit, where a house sells for $25,000.

Note: New hires have the option of participating in the city’s 401(K) or firefighters’ defined-benefit program.

Robert Lloyd

Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

Many of Deerfield Beach residents certainly agree with the Observer [Publisher’s] letter last week, that we should indeed give our City Manager a chance to meet reasonable expectation by the commission. But, I must bring attention to the costs of his firing that were left out of the letter. Certainly, we will incur the costs of severance, new-hire search, headhunter fees and an increased compensation package by the newly hired City Manager…

It doesn’t stop there. When have we ever had a City Manager who stands up to the Firefighter Union like this one did, and what new City Manager would do it again after seeing where that got this one? So, certainly, we can expect revisiting of COLA’s, DROP, Merit increases, new top salary ranges, better benefits, shorter hours, better health insurance, manpower increases, new Ops center, redesigned new state-of-the art fire stations, and on and on … And I can see it coming, shouldn’t Deerfield Beach consider a Strong Mayor charter instead of a Strong City Manager? Oh God, I can’t believe I even thought it. Let’s stick together, Deerfield Residents, we can fix all of this at the next round of elections.

Ron Coddington

Deerfield Beach

14 Jan 2010

Resolve differences with city manager, not replace him

Dear Editor:

The Deerfield Beach Original Save Our Beach Committee (OSOB) is disappointed that there is serious discord among some of the Deerfield Beach Commissioners and the City Manager.  We believe that it is in the best interests of the City that those Commissioners who are dissatisfied with Mr. Mahaney try to work out their differences with him.

Replacing the City Manager will be a financially costly and disruptive process for the City, and should not be done unless absolutely necessary.  It is not too late to attempt to resolve the differences and no harm done if it takes some time, as there is no urgency in replacing Mr. Mahaney.

The communication issues between the City Manager and some of the Commission obviously need to be improved, but people of good faith can and should make that happen.  There are areas of performance in which Mr. Mahaney can improve. However, Mr. Mahaney has shown himself to be honest, has kept our city on sound financial footing, even during these very difficult economic times, and has the overall best interest of Deerfield Beach taxpayers in mind when making decisions.

For the good of the City, we urge the Commission and the City Manager to make a serious attempt to resolve their differences and strive to do what is truly in the best interest of the citizens of Deerfield Beach.

Marti McGeary

Deerfield Beach

RE: Mahaney — Mayor’s conflict of interest

Dear Editor:

I wanted to take a moment to contact you regarding your article titled “Deerfield moves to terminate City Manager.” As a concerned taxpaying citizen of Deerfield Beach, I am appalled by what is going on and how Peggy Noland is manipulating the termination of Mike Mahaney. It is obvious that Mike has gone up against the fire union and has not allowed them to get their way, as they always do, with their union contract. Peggy Noland is working behind the scenes on behalf of her husband and son, who are both firefighters, and has put undo pressure on Mahaney to cave in to the fire unions’ demands, directly benefiting her family.  She should have NO say in any decision about his future with our city, due to a clear conflict of interest. The city should ask her to step aside and allow the other commissioners to vote on this matter. Based on what I understand of Mahaney’s performance, there is no other valid reason for his termination.

Aside from a conflict of interest by the Mayor, the city manager is presently under contract, and with budget negotiations going on, it is NOT in the best interest of this city to have him terminated.

Patrick Jolivet

Deerfield Beach

Thank you, Publix

Dear Editor:

I’d like to compliment Publix at Hillsboro and Federal Highway. Perry Smith, the manager, is terrific – always helpful and smiling. But, my letter is regarding the Little Clinic within this store. I returned home from Chicago with a terrible head cold, and after the ninth day, went to Publix to ask the pharmacist for help. He suggested I see the lady in their (clinic). This young lady, a family nurse practitioner, was so good. I already feel 50 percent better! I was given an extensive check-up, and she explained everything about sinusitis that I did not know. Her home remedy suggestions were used by my mom years ago. Thank you, Publix.

J.M. Harte

Deerfield Beach

7 Jan 2010

Angels who walk amongst us

Dear Editor:

For the past six months, it has been my pleasure to become acquainted with the hospice services in our community. These people go about this very important duty with little or no fanfare. I believe that the public should know more about what they do.

There are only two inescapable facts of life – being born and dying. The road of life is filled with adventure, some good, some great and some bad. When we come to the end, these are the people who make the difference. Death is never easy, especially for friends, family and loved ones. When someone dies unexpectedly, some relatives grieve and, hopefully, move on with their lives and retain fond memories of the departed, which can be savored at any time. But [for] another large segment of the population, death is a slow and agonizing process. Cancer, heart ailments … the list goes on … terminal illnesses can take an extreme toll on families – emotional and physical. A lot of families will reach out and contact hospice.

Hospice does not discriminate because of race, ethnicity or ability to pay. The patience and caring these nurses provide on a daily basis is unequalled in the medical profession. These angels of mercy must deal with families in their worst emotional moments and try to provide sense of purpose to the events. They must travel to hospitals, nursing homes and residences, not knowing what they will encounter. Some families are angry, others sad, but all share a common bond in the sorrow of losing a loved one. We must try to imagine what these nurses are feeling as they go to these places and give a piece of their heart and soul to families and the patients themselves. These truly are dedicated people; what they do is not about money or hours, but because they care.

Leonard Lavallee

Lighthouse Point

Stop the “Lame Duck” Abuse!

Our unemployment problem is easy to fix — simply send the illegal workers home —

Obama wants more jobs? He needs to decrease taxes… for everyone!

Deerfield’s City Manager Should be Given Another Chance

Time to put Florida Power and Light in its Place

Published: 17 Dec 2009

Jewel of Deerfield is back!

Dear Editor:

It’s great to see the Pier Restaurant open again – a new coat of paint and new management, but the same ol’ place that so many people enjoy as the “Jewel” of Deerfield. It’s a real treasure to locals and tourists alike with great value and an even better menu. Best wishes to Brian Handleman and his staff and congratulations for getting Deerfield’s best located restaurant back into operation.

Dave Gravelle

Deerfield Beach

Published: 3 Dec 2009

Steep drop in revenue worries nation’s mayors

Mayors from four U.S. cities said they are facing a once-in-a-generation fiscal crisis and that federal stimulus funds have, so far, been largely unhelpful in efforts to balance budgets hit by steep drops in nearly every source of municipal revenue.

Comments from mayors of Philadelphia; San Jose, CA; Mesa, AR and Bowling Green, KY, at a panel discussion sponsored by the Brookings Institution and the National League of Cities, underscore how the recession for local government is far from over.

Mesa’s mayor, Scott Smith, said steep drops in sales-tax revenue, the city’s primary source of money, are “changing our reality.”

The mayors said deep budget gaps have forced them to make cuts to basic services, including police and fire protection, and that fiscal strains emphasize the need for money-saving changes to pension and health benefits in the heavily unionized public sector.

Conor Dougherty

Washington, D.C.

*Excerpted from 11-20 The Wall Street Journal.

Published: 18 Nov 2009

Taking life in your hands

Dear Editor:

Shortly after the last municipal election (March of 2009) I left a message for Chief Stravino alerting him to the peril of attempting to cross the parking lot to get to Office Depot. What I told him was, “I know you do not favor speed bumps, but crossing is like taking your life in your hands.” I guess he figured since I lost the election and was never one to favor any of the financial demands made by the fire union, he did not have to respond to anything I had to say. Subsequently, a woman was killed at that crossing. I now see that the speed bumps have finally been placed in that parking lot.

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

Aquatics facility naming

Dear Editor:

It was mentioned at one of the last one or two commission meetings that the Middle School Athletic Complex should name the Aquatics facility after someone special. Well, I cannot think of another individual more worthy of such an honor as our very own Beach Patrol Captain Lee Magnuson Jr. He has served the city for over 30 years with dedication and professionalism as our Beach Patrol Captain. Lee has an impeccable reputation as a leader in Aquatics throughout the state, has taught hundreds of Red Cross training classes and supervises one of the best Ocean Rescue Departments in Florida. No one else in our city even comes close to his achievements in aquatics. What better way to honor his devoted service to the citizens and visitors of Deerfield Beach!

Michael Weiss

Deerfield Beach

Published: 12 Nov 2009

Ignorant parents raise ignorant kids

Dear Editor:

I wholeheartedly agree with Marti McGeary’s [Oct. 22] letter [about youth violence] 100 percent, but the No. 1 reason is – women are having children and could not care less how they grow up. They do not get married. There is no one teaching these children right from wrong because they don’t know right from wrong themselves. How do the ignorant teach civility, honor, goodness, kindness, just plain humanity? Women today – some are just as stupid as some men. They don’t think with their heads or brains. All they think about is a good time with a willing partner, so who winds up paying for it monetarily? The taxpayer and the children who are taught nothing and think harming others is fine just because they want to. When I worked in a hospital emergency room, a nurse asked a woman who came in with a lot of children why she had so many. The answer?  “Because welfare pays me for each child.” Hello … is someone listening? I once thought China was a terrible country for limiting a married couple’s family to one child. Not anymore. I now think they have the right idea. The United States is letting in people from all over the world who are having their babies here. Who is paying for them? We – the once overtaxed, overworked and underpayed — now the to-be-known-as jobless. Where does it all end?

Marilyn Fernando

Oakridge A

Deerfield Beach

The $10 million man

Dear Editor:

When did we lose control? I am responding to the publisher’s relevant commentary regarding the over-compensation of firefighters in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. This is a situation that has to stop now. This is not just exclusive to firefighters, it transcends throughout the police and other municipal compensation plans. When these groups of workers hit their retirement funds, the cash outlays defy comprehension. For example, when the 19 firefighters at $300,000 and the 161 at $200,000 retire, [annual] retirement expenses [just for those 180 people, will cost Dade County taxpayers over $37 million per year.] How will that pension fund sustain itself — and this is only for a relatively small group of employees? The answer is simple. Just tax and tax an already over-burdened populace. There has to be one pension system for all the people, with the same benefits throughout. The current plan cannot sustain itself much longer. In the end, we will all suffer.

Leonard Lavallee

Lighthouse Point

A great town hall meeting

Dear Editor:

I’d like to compliment Joe Miller and all who participated in his District 1 meeting. It was the most precise, respectful meeting I’ve attended at City Hall. All the participants were well-informed regarding their position and responsibilities.  Miller had control of the meeting, with ease. Questions I needed answers to were answered. I can relate to the difficulty a position such as Miller’s entails. To him, I say, keep up the good work. Our city needs your positive approach.

J. M. Harte

President, Little Harbor Homeowners’ Association

Deerfield Beach

Published: 5 Nov 2009

Ignorant parents raise ignorant kids

Dear Editor:

I wholeheartedly agree with Marti McGeary’s [Oct. 22] letter [about youth violence] 100 percent, but the No. 1 reason is – women are having children and could not care less how they grow up. They do not get married. There is no one teaching these children right from wrong because they don’t know right from wrong themselves. How do the ignorant teach civility, honor, goodness, kindness, just plain humanity? Women today – some are just as stupid as some men. They don’t think with their heads or brains. All they think about is a good time with a willing partner, so who winds up paying for it monetarily? The taxpayer and the children who are taught nothing and think harming others is fine just because they want to. When I worked in a hospital emergency room, a nurse asked a woman who came in with a lot of children why she had so many. The answer?  “Because welfare pays me for each child.” Hello … is someone listening? I once thought China was a terrible country for limiting a married couple’s family to one child. Not anymore. I now think they have the right idea. The United States is letting in people from all over the world who are having their babies here. Who is paying for them? We – the once overtaxed, overworked and underpayed — now the to-be-known-as jobless. Where does it all end?

Marilyn Fernando

Oakridge A

Deerfield Beach

The $10 million man

Dear Editor:

When did we lose control? I am responding to the publisher’s relevant commentary regarding the over-compensation of firefighters in Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. This is a situation that has to stop now. This is not just exclusive to firefighters, it transcends throughout the police and other municipal compensation plans. When these groups of workers hit their retirement funds, the cash outlays defy comprehension. For example, when the 19 firefighters at $300,000 and the 161 at $200,000 retire, [annual] retirement expenses [just for those 180 people, will cost Dade County taxpayers over $37 million per year.] How will that pension fund sustain itself — and this is only for a relatively small group of employees? The answer is simple. Just tax and tax an already over-burdened populace. There has to be one pension system for all the people, with the same benefits throughout. The current plan cannot sustain itself much longer. In the end, we will all suffer.

Leonard Lavallee

Lighthouse Point

A great town hall meeting

Dear Editor:

I’d like to compliment Joe Miller and all who participated in his District 1 meeting. It was the most precise, respectful meeting I’ve attended at City Hall. All the participants were well-informed regarding their position and responsibilities.  Miller had control of the meeting, with ease. Questions I needed answers to were answered. I can relate to the difficulty a position such as Miller’s entails. To him, I say, keep up the good work. Our city needs your positive approach.

J. M. Harte

President, Little Harbor Homeowners’ Association

Deerfield Beach

Published: 29 Oct 2009

Re: The Hedge Incident

Dear Editor:

For those who read the Oct. 15 “Observer,” who is Kathy Richards?  Someone who lives not on the perimeter, but one who maybe has a unit somewhere in the center of Century Village East (CVE). Instead of writing how bad a cut job Seacrest did with the authority of Master Management (MM), she, with her pen, condones it.  I live on the perimeter of SW 10 Street. We never had to worry about the law of 6 ft. The hedges were 15 ft. high and, twice a year, CMM cut them down to 13 to 14 ft. The hedges blocked the view of seeing in or out to SW 10 Street. Yes, they will grow back with care and fertilization, but how and when will they fill in the areas where there are NO plants left. There seems to be no outcry of unit owners and/or area chairs who live on the perimeter where the hedges were cut. Maybe they were not thinned out, but CMM never received the dollars that Seacrest was getting to do this job.

Norm Kaplan

President Farnham K, CVE

Deerfield Beach

Two steps to help save our freedom

Dear Editor:

Our federal government is out of control. Most federal representatives completely ignore our Constitution, that they took a solemn oath to uphold. The feds are responsible, but the real blame is that we, the people, have allowed it to happen. And it will continue to get worse unless we stop it.

We can start by contacting our Senators and Congressman and demand that they make no changes to our healthcare. The current administration wants, over time, to take total control of our heathcare.

Our dollar is no longer backed by gold or silver. It is fiat money made legal tender by the federal government. Furthermore, the unconstitutional Federal Reserve Bank, a private entity not responsible to anyone, determines how much money should be in circulation. We need to make a first true audit of this organization by urging Congress to pass H.R. 1207, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009.

If we can get enough people to contact Congress about these two items, we will be well on the way to reining in our runaway federal government.

Edward Milton Ventresca

Canyon Country, CA

Resident’s rebuttal; support of straw ballot

Dear Editor:

At the City Commission Meeting, Jun. 16, Caryl Berner, who ran for political office, chose to vilify the Deerfield Raging Grannies. Like she did with the ministers, she wanted the commissions to get rid of me speaking (for my response, view city commission minutes, Aug. 18). At the Sept. 15 city commission meeting, she claimed we are both witches. She is Jewish, a Lay Minister, Sister Zelda and now a witch. Witches are practitioners of Wicca, a religion. I am not a member of any religious group. I did not initiate this and was entitled to respond! (View city commission minutes, Oct. 20).

Mayor Peggy Noland wants City Attorney Andy Maurodis to draft some sort of a law to stop people from speaking on personal matters, and I agree. I have been trying for quite awhile to have this commission vote on a straw ballot, a.k.a. referendum, as has been done in many other cities. Foreign and domestic policy when it pertains to the straw ballot is “City Business.” Rep. Robert Wexler is resigning and there will be a special election. It’s about time this commission vote to include the straw ballot, as these two wars have hit home. Give the people a vote for: “The immediate end to the operation of Afghanistan and Iraq, and bring all of the Troops Home Now.”

Barbara Miranda

Deerfield Beach

Published: 22 Oct 2009

Dear Michael Brewer

To the Editor:

It is with great shame that I read five boys burned your young body over just a few dollars.  I want to apologize for this terrible horrible injustice so cruelly performed.  For those of us who have had children in burn wards, we would do anything not to have this happen to our children.  Please purge your heart of any anger towards these hooligans with forgiveness, so you will not change in any way inside or change the goodness I can see in your picture.  You cannot give in to this kind of evil. They have publically shamed their mothers, their fathers, their sisters, their brothers, and their grandparents.  We, the public, are to rebuke them until they acknowledge their horrible crime and are punished sufficiently.  Again, I am so sorry. May the Lord be with you.

Lori Rice

Valley Falls, KS

What is happening to our children?

To the Editor:

Not so long ago, I watched in horror a news video of a young high school student beaten to death just because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Yesterday, the news reported that children conspired to douse a classmate with alcohol and light him on fire. This horrific act happened within a few miles of my home.

What is happening to our children? Are they becoming desensitized by things they see and hear daily? Are these things erasing compassion for others and filling their heads with hateful ideas? Are they viewing atrocities on TV/ the Internet and playing games that glorify violent acts that make them feel powerful? Too much music is the instrument of foul language, hateful acts and blasphemy. Our children tune in for a daily dose.

We worry about our men and women fighting a war to make us safe from our enemies and terrorist acts, but in our own cities so many of our children are on a path of self-destruction and violence. They learn to make bombs, steal, shoot guns, abuse drugs and bully each other.

Who do they have as role models?  Our news headlines report daily that:

• Sports figures are arrested for murder, animal abuse, domestic violence, drunk driving, rape and acts of violence

• Political leaders are arrested for embezzling, drug trafficking, pornography and are excused by too many for extra-marital affairs that destroy their families.

• [Entertainers] are charged with rape and promiscuity. Their lifestyles glorified, their transgressions minimized because they may be intelligent and talented.

• [Teachers, priests] are arrested for child abuse and molestation.

As a society, we must begin to find ways to guide our children to make the right choices. We need to be [good] role models and show an outpouring of community involvement and love for our neighbors.

Marti McGeary

Deerfield Beach, FL

Are you smarter than a 5th Grader?

To the Editor:

Recently, the powers that be in Deerfield Beach felt the need for a “Retreat.” The mission was to figure out how the City Commission could find a vision for the city. So $15,000 of our tax money was spent to find out that Communication is the key! I have a feeling that a 5th grader would have come up with a better solution and for a lot less money.

I believe District Meetings might benefit the city more and for a heck of a lot less money. Only one commissioner at this time conducts a District Meeting. The city manager with the district commissioner could hear what the people want. When each commissioner knows what their district wants, perhaps the city manager would be in a better position to help the city form a vision for the betterment of the entire city. There is also no reason why the mayor can’t hold a city meeting towards the same goal.

Caryl Berner

Deerfield Beach, FL

Published: 15 Oct 2009

Dream home attained thanks to Deerfield city employees

Dear Editor:

Recently, my husband and I purchased our first home in the city of Deerfield Beach. We have been renting in this city all of our lives. When I was living with my parents they rented, and since I’ve been with my husband we rented. How fortunate we were when the opportunity arose for us to be in a financial position to purchase our dream home. During the last week in September, this dream home was almost not attained due to the banks and title companies. If not for the City of Deerfield Beach administrative staff, we would still be renting today. I am writing to commend the efforts of Mr. Charles DaBrusco, Ms. Marcia Stevens and Ms. Kathi Edward. Their quick response, compassion to my plight and ability to cut through the red tape was exemplary. There was an issue with a variance and we had no idea what to do until we walked into the city office. These people took time out of their busy day to help me resolve the situation. They sent me to the correct city departments and called ahead to let each department know I was coming. I am grateful to have met and worked with these awesome city employees. My family would like to thank and praise them for being our guardian angels. We could never have purchased our first home without their help. Each one deserves to be “Employee of the Year.”

Megan Schneider

Deerfield Beach

Published: 8 Oct 2009

Reader speaks of gratitude and firefighters

Dear Editor:

If the Deerfield firefighters don’t want to sacrifice a little, I’m sure there are qualified unemployed people who would be grateful for the work. I don’t have a job, a guaranteed pension or paid health insurance. However, the Deerfield commissioners voted to pass a higher tax rate to cover the city employee’s pensions and health insurance. They all should be grateful they have a job.

Eileen Lovre

Deerfield Beach

The value of public safety

Dear Editor:

Most vital to our society are the Police, Fire Department, and medical care. Why do the “higher ups” insist that our sheriff cut down on expenses when crime continues to worsen? We need the police more than ever. Wise up and let Sheriff Lamberti do his excellent job!

Most sincerely,

Lorraine C. Taylor

Deerfield Beach

What’s up with Dunkin?

Dear Editor:

With the sudden closure of the three Dunkin Donut franchise stores, some explanation is owed to the community. The Ali family made a FORTUNE selling their products/services to the Deerfield community. Either they and/or corporate owes us an explanation.

Arnold Samuels

Deerfield Beach

Published: 1 Oct 2009

Healthcare: The Section 330 solution

Dear Editor:

Perhaps the most successful approach to delivering healthcare [ to those who need it] is the Section 330 Primary Care Clinics that have been installed in areas of the U.S. designated as “Medically Underserved Areas” (MUAs).

Everyone using these clinics pays something on a “sliding fee” scale, from a minimum fee that can be only $1 to a maximum fee based on the actual average cost of a clinic visit (the program sets standards based on formulas embedded in the enabling legislation–about $30 – $50). This model can be applied to secondary and tertiary level care. All health and health-related products, services, equipment and other healthcare resources eventually can transition to operate under this model. To be successful, the transition process will be important, must be carefully designed and most likely should be gradual.

Changing the health insurance payment system alone may somewhat impact the cost, but it will not reform health service delivery as it now exists in the U.S. Furthermore, implementation of this model does not represent a government “takeover” of healthcare in the U.S., as claimed by supporters desiring little or no change in the current unworkable private insurance company payment system. It is imperative that a viable alternative be set in place for those who are forced to decide between family survival and the loss of a family member due to an unaffordable but treatable terminal health issue!

The Section 330 model is not “socialized” medicine in any sense — only private corporations are directly involved in delivering the healthcare. The government is only involved in subsidizing its actual cost for those who are unable to pay and [establishing] sorely needed standards of care.

Dr. Nicholas B. Louis

Lighthouse Point

PALs donations: A little could equal a lot

Dear Editor:

Today I received a call from the Pompano Beach Chapter of the Police Athletic League (PALs). The solicitor started the conversation by saying that he apologizes for any inconvenience, but they only call when they are in great need.

He introduced the organization and how the Athletic League consists of Law Enforcement volunteers who create opportunities for at-risk kids and “teach them to shoot pool instead of shooting each other.” I thoroughly enjoyed the comedic intermission.  He followed by asking if I would be willing to give.  Immediately, I replied “yes,” and he sounded surprised at my lack of hesitation.

I told him that I … was happy to give … every little bit counts.  He told me that most small businesses were giving around $200 or $300. I told him that all I could afford is $10. He was taken aback. He told me that he didn’t want to sound ungrateful, but they only take gifts from $100 and up.

With as many “no’s” as they receive for $100, they would actually be earning more money with $10 “yes’s.”   If you walked up to me in my current financial need and offered to give me $10, I would gladly be gracious and thankful for it.

Stephen Martin

Lighthouse Point

What about FEMA’s Flood program?

Dear Editor:

I see on TV and read a lot about hurricanes, preparations, etc. in our newspapers these days. However, nobody is telling us about how to save money (millions) on Flood Insurance. Even the City of Deerfield Beach recently sent everyone in town an ill-advised flyer with lots of [questionable] statements about the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA)  National Flood Insurance Program. Herein lies a major story crying to be told.

Frederick Foreman

Deerfield Beach

Published: 24 Sep 2009

Dion draws rave review

Dear Editor:

Thank you for the great picture of David Eller and the great “Dion.” I haven’t seen or heard of him in quite a while. That was [from] my good old days in my native New York and brought back some great memories. What a great pick me up, thanks again.

Marilyn Fernando

Oakridge A

Deerfield Beach

Hillsboro beach renourishment needed

Dear Editor:

I am writing this letter as a representative of the Overlook, a condominium of 104 homes … 104  families you are supposed to represent.

I have a question for you, Madam Mayor and Commissioners. Have you walked the beach recently?  Not the north mile, which which we all know is imperiled, but the middle mile running between Opal Towers and The Ocean Grande.  At high tide, there are sections where the water stops less than 2 feet from the protective vegetation.  Madam Mayor, it is not only the northern mile that is desperate for sand, but at least 2/3 of the town is in dire straights.

You are risking the integrity of the island by your short-sighted decision not to replenish the beach.  If you walk the beach, you will see that the entire island is at risk.

It is imperative that sand be injected into the system.  This is not my opinion but the opinion of the engineering firm that has been paid $100,000 of tax payer money.  I quote John Studt from the minutes of the June 2 meeting: “You have to have some sand source. That’s what the ’97 plan stated and again, this project would need to be done again if you don’t do this, then over time, this other 2 miles would begin to look like the northern mile  — if you don’t do anything.”

There is no way we, the residents, can get the appropriate permits to do a restoration of the beach below the mean high water mark. Only you can renourish our beaches.

If you delay, we lose the opportunity to piggy back with Boca. This would make the job even more expensive and you risk not being able to do the renourishment at all if this issue becomes tied up in the courts.

The moment has arrived for you to stand up for Hillsboro Beach. Vote for the renourishment. Don’t let our homes be destroyed because you are faint of heart.

Claire Schubert

Hillsboro Beach

Bigger is not necessarily better

Dear Editor:

Who do you want making decisions about how our city grows?  Do you want politicians, lobbyists, developers or YOU making those decisions?  Think about our golf courses, our beach property, our parks and other open spaces.  How do you think the developers see them?

Developers, and politicians for allowing it, through overdevelopment, have harmed our economy; the market is flooded with vacant foreclosed houses, condos, offices and stores. The weakened economy has forced city and county commissions to raise taxes and fees, and cut library hours, law enforcement, and other services to balance their budgets.

Now that they have ruined the economy, politicians are being lobbied by developers (who donate massive amounts of money to their campaign chests) to weaken controls on growth.

It happened recently at the state level with the passage of Senate Bill 360, signed by Gov. Crist, which repealed major state growth management laws, and it’s happening at the local level across the state.

Once the economy improves, if we allow this, we will be inundated with overgrowth — which will once again fuel the boom-and-bust cycle.

The real estate disaster has created an electorate more than ready to vote “yes” for the Florida Hometown Democracy’s Amendment 4 on the November 2010 ballot.  They want control back in the hands of the people who reside in the communities.

Amendment 4 gives community voters a veto power over inappropriate development.  It’s the check and balance we need for good government that truly represents OUR interests. If Amendment 4 is passed, and a community wants to change a land use, the voters will have to approve it.

Bett Willett

Deerfield Beach

Published: 17 Sep 2009

Remembering 9/11

Dear Editor:

Sept. 11 is a special day for firefighters as well as all Americans. Firefighters work every day, caring for others. It is what we do. On Sept. 11, 2001, 343 FDNY brothers gave the ultimate sacrifice. We choose to honor our brothers. For many, perhaps, this sort of display is getting old and unnecessary, but that will never happen with firefighters because we are committed to “never forget.” That day embodies the spirit of service that lies within all firefighters. Sadly, it is not shared by our Fire Chief.

Our department was invited by Boca Raton Fire Rescue to participate in a 9/11 memorial event. We were even asked to assist them in flying the American flag from our ladder truck. It is a tradition on this day and any day a fallen firefighter is honored, that a form of apparatus is sent to represent each Fire Department. Fire apparatuses from numerous cities in South Florida – representing scores of Fire Departments – arrived to honor our fallen brothers and sisters who gave their lives that day. We asked our Fire Chief to allow us to represent our Fire Department by taking our ladder truck to our neighboring city, just a few miles away. The answer was “NO.” The Fire Chief was asked to reconsider on numerous accounts and his reply was still “NO.”

On the actual day of remembrance, our fire stations wanted to lower the flags to half mast. The question was presented to our shift commander. ‘This would need Fire Chief Approval,’ was his reply. Our Fire Chief was asked and he said, “No, the City Manager has to authorize it.” This unacceptable order was met with outrage. The Mayor was called, the City Manager was called, and then, and only then, was the request granted.

We then found out that most of the Fire Department Administration, Chiefs and their Secretaries attended the 9/11 Memorial Event in Boca Raton.

Please, City of Deerfield, support our traditions and on these very special events, send a Fire Truck to represent our city and our department. Also, out of sincere respect, be the first to lower the flags, not the last. Thank you.

The Men and Women of

Deerfield Beach Fire Rescue

Healthcare reform

Dear Editor:

This is a response to an [Aug. 20] Cal Thomas column on healthcare. He misses a lot of points, but I will ask two questions: Why are we spending so much more in healthcare than other countries and where does the money go? The U.S. spends $2.4 trillion for about $950 billion worth of care.

The problem with the U.S. healthcare system is the profit. We need to remove the profit out of the system. It is a myth that foreign healthcare systems are inefficient and bureaucratic; U.S. health insurance companies have the highest administrative costs in the world: they spend 20 cents for every dollar for non-medical costs (paperwork, reviewing claims, marketing, etc.).

Most doctors are paid on a “fee for service” base, which gives them the incentive to provide as many services as the insurance will cover (many of them unnecessary). This is true of specialists, who receive very high fees for expensive tests and procedures.

The bottom line is that the money is going to profits, overhead, exorbitant prices and medically unnecessary procedures. It is a system that maximizes income, not health.

Silvia Hall

Boca Raton

Deerfield Beach made a difference

Dear Editor:

I just wanted to stop and say “thanks” to my family and the entire Deerfield Beach Community. Thanks for helping me understand the importance of education and the opportunities that it provides.

I am so proud to represent my family and the Deerfield Beach Community first as a member of 1991 LSU’s track & field program and in my current role as an administrator for the LSU Tigers Football program.

Thanks and good luck to the young men playing football in Deerfield this season!

GO BUCKS, RATTLERS and RAIDERS!

Sherman J. Morris, MBA

Director of Player Personnel, LSU FOOTBALL

Baton Rouge, LA

Published: 10 Sep 2009

Reader questions commission on pier, ethics code

Dear Editor:

[What’s this about]  leaving Labor Day weekend with the pier grill closed, with no food at the pier and no income for the city?

Is our commision suggesting that they never read the ethics code? If you are against something for legitimate reasons, don’t you owe it to yourself to know what you are against? Oh, but as soon as two are reminded of the ethics code, they decide it is no good. So, we postpone the award of the pier contract because our mayor and commisioner voted for the firm that didn’t read the ethics code and now we have to throw out the bids.

If the pier grill sits idle for one or two months, how long will it take to make up the loss with the difference in bids between JB’s and Kelly’s grill? Heck, maybe we can make up the loss with some kind of grant money, because we know that’s not real money, it’s funny money like we bought the beach property with.

I know it’s a long time until new elections, but remember what’s going on now, watch what goes on in the future, and how about we get a few voters out there next time.

Oh, it’s gonna be a long four years, but it’s gonna be fun watching the show!

Ron Coddington

Deerfield Beach

Two reasons for healthcare reform

Dear Editor:

As a United Methodist clergy person in the Florida Annual Conference (on loan for awhile to Minnesota) and as the Executive Director of Friends for a Non-Violent World, a small nonprofit with one full-time employee (me!) and no group health plan, I understand the need for meaningful healthcare reform.

First, the selfish reason for reform: The last two years have seen my partner Amanda’s and my insurance premiums increase 25 percent and 20 percent. We now pay 24 percent of our income on health premiums; more than 75 percent of our income goes to these premiums, rent, utilities and food. And we haven’t even gotten to auto insurance, dental insurance, renters insurance, clothing, etc. As you can see, we can use some help to alleviate the strain to our budget, and we’re in a “solid” position compared to the millions of uninsured people in the United States.

Now, for the faith perspective on reform: As a follower of Jesus, I am called to love neighbors and enemies, to seek justice for the poor and to help heal the sick. No amount of theological wrangling can get around these facts. So, for me, helping people stuck in poverty afford healthcare fits right in with my responsibilities as a Christ follower.

I suspect that the vast majority of Christians agree with the ideas presented above. But, I’m concerned over how easily many of my sisters and brothers in the faith seem to be swayed by the misinformation about healthcare reform being spread on TV, the Internet, by many of our politicians and even by some of our religious leaders. These rumors have been discredited on every front. So please, let’s base our decision on facts, not misinformation. With issues as important as serving the poor and providing affordable healthcare, we need a debate marked by generosity and clarity, not by fear.

Healthcare reform would mean better lives for many people in our communities.  Let’s not allow the opportunity to pass us by.

Matt Hunter

Minneapolis, MN

Editor’s Note: Matt Hunter is the former Director of The Shepherd’s Way homeless ministry in Ft. Lauderdale.

RE: City of Deerfield’s Drama Camp

Dear Editor:

I read Mr. Papagno’s Letter to the Editor this past week (9-3 Observer). I do understand and I would, as well, like to see more of the kids get an opportunity to have a bigger part in the performance. However, in my opinion, these comments are a bit harsh. First and foremost, my intention is not to start a “mud sling,” but to voice my opinion based on four years of participation. This is a Summer Camp, not a Drama School. Drama is simply the theme. There are Drama Academies and Clubs for more serious students of the theatre (at a much higher cost I might add). The staff here is friendly and attentive; these same people have run this camp the four years we have attended. If there is any issue (good or bad) there is no hesitation, they will call or seek you out at drop off/pick up — I’ve always felt informed. It is a blessing to go through my day, knowing my son is in good hands and safe. Learning the play/songs is a great way to keep the mind working; my son takes pride in memorizing his parts. Drama is only one facet of the camp; there is always a good mix of other activities to keep their attention.  Ms. Robin, Bill, Mr. Daniels, thanks for keeping my son safe the past four years! I look forward to seeing you all again next summer.

Dean Watson

Lighthouse Point

Published: 3 Sep 2009

Perspective on FY 2009-10 budget

Dear Editor:

A lot depends on what action the [Deerfield Beach City] Commission takes on Sept. 14 at 9:30 a.m. at the public hearing to set the fire assessment fee. Without the $50 increase, there is a $3 million hole in the budget, and the contract with Hillsboro Beach would be reduced by $110,600.

The $500,000 revenue that is supposed to come from installation of red light cameras might never materialize since there are proposed class action suits against at least 16 local governments to put a stop to the red light traffic cameras.

This would be the perfect opportunity to bid the fishing pier and the restaurant as a package deal. We have 12 employees costing the city $368,169 a year for the operation of the pier. The income from that operation includes merchandise $123,000; admissions $237,000; and parking $142,000 — for an alleged profit of $133,831.

Without the $142,000 in parking fees, we now have a cost of $368,169 to earn $360,000 — putting the operation run by the city at a negative $8,169. It’s time to go out to bid.

Social Security recipients have been told there will be no cost of living raises for the next two years.

The same should hold true for uniform and non-uniform city of Deerfield Beach employees. Take a good look at what some of the members of the fire department are costing us. There are 134 members getting the 15 percent incentive for being paramedics.

Yet there are nine who collect the 15 percent and never go out on a call. In addition, five of those nine are in the DROP plan, which means they got a 9 percent bump in salary since they no longer had to contribute to their pension plan. That equates to a 24 percent salary increase plus whatever cost of living they were given in the salaries they were collecting. Stop telling the taxpayers to look at what other cities are doing. It is time to look at what the city of Deerfield can afford.

City financing should only extend to the 4th of July [celebration]. Originally, the Mango Festival was financed with private contributions. If the promoters of that and the other events want to proceed, they should find the money to finance them and not count on the taxpayers to foot the bill.

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

Published: 27 Aug 2009

Something Fishy At The Pier And It’s Not The Fish

Dear Editor:

Deerfield Beach bought off the lease holder of a city-owned restaurant for $80K to settle a lawsuit and make him go away. Deerfield Beach recently gave Pete Boinis $525K ($325K in grant money…every Floridian’s tax dollar plus $200K from Deerfield Beach) to make him go away. Please note that Peggy Noland was a commissioner when they voted to let Boinis buy this piece of beach for $200K. As mayor, she used her tie-breaking vote to give Boinis $525K to get this piece back! Note the economic times we’re in (nice to make such a profit, isn’t it?) Also of note; this piece of beach land is virtually useless. If Boinis had realized his dream for a monster restaurant at the beach, only then would this piece be useful to an entrepreneur.  His plan was defeated by the outcry of concerned citizens. Another note: JB’s was in favor of Boinis building a monster restaurant. If JB’s  acquired this “temporary” lease, I have no doubt there would be a JB-Boinis association at the Pier. In fact, Commissioner Sylvia Poitier recently looked at the Boinis plans for his “now dead” restaurant.

The question now is what to do with a restaurant that will be vacated Aug. 31. Although proper procedure may have taken place, (and I use may lightly) a vote at Tuesday night’s commission meeting [Aug. 18] had the commission voting for a temporary lease holder. This came as a surprise to  the watchful citizens of Deerfield Beach. Once again, the same two commissioners plus the mayor voted to give the lease to JB’s on the Beach.  Of special note, the mayor worked for JB’s as a hostess. Plus her son, the fireman who got a slap on his wrist for stealing campaign signs of his mother’s opponents, also worked and/or works for JB’s. Noland says she has no conflict. I beg to differ. Our City Code of Ethics states that JB’s needed to declare any association with commission members and they did not. It also states that officials need to disclose any dealings they have with people coming before the commission to do business with the city. Neither one did.

Caryl Berner

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note:  Considered action of the bid awards for the Pier Restaurant Operation is the subject of a Special City Commission Meeting on Aug. 27. [see pg. 7]

City of Deerfield’s Drama Camp is a Waste of Time

Dear Editor,

My child attended the city’s drama camp this year and I was deeply disappointed. The camp had approximately 150 kids enrolled and was held during the weekdays at the Deerfield Beach Middle School. They spend all summer learning a play/musical, which culminates in a final performance for the parents and friends. What they do not tell you is that the camp is divided into the “have” and “have-nots”. Basically, there are 7 main characters and then “the rest”. During the final performance, the main characters wore microphones and are 90% of the show. The remaining kids are delegated to insignificant presence on the stage, or kept completely off the stage for most of the play. My kid, and apparently many others, actually watched a movie backstage for most of the final performance. Unless your child was one of the lucky ones to be chosen as a main character, it appeared that this camp was a waste of time for the remaining 90% of the children.

Not surprisingly, the camp director’s child got the lead role in the play. From what I understand, this is not the first year this has happened. Her child got plenty of acting experience and stage presence. I wonder if she would be willing to be camp director next year if the city told her that her child couldn’t be one of the main characters. It may sound like I am crying sour grapes, but actually my kids have been in the drama camp since its first year – approximately 8 years ago. Some years they have gotten better roles than others, and that has always been acceptable. However, for the first few years of the camp, less than 50 kids were enrolled and the previous director was able to involve ALL kids actively into the program. With 150 kids, I do not believe that is possible. The city needs to limit this program to 50 kids or do three summer sessions each with 50 kids. In the meantime, I will not be reenrolling my child back into this camp, and am grateful that I did not win the drawing for free tuition into next year’s camp that was handed out at the end of the performance.

Travis Papagno

Cycling Doesn’t Have to be Ugly

Dear Editor,

The ugly incident that occurred between cyclists and a motorist along A1A on Aug. 13 should serve as a wake up call to all involved.

I wasn’t there and can’t attest to who is at fault. More important than assessing blame is that all of us who enjoy the roads need to adopt a more forgiving and peaceful attitude, especially the cyclists.

Emotions are too close to the surface these days and we allow them to boil over too quickly.

Virtually everyone is a motorist and only a few of are cyclists. To me that means that cyclists are the ones with a broader perspective towards sharing the road. We should be the “smarter ones”. A tap on the horn behind you doesn’t mean “I want to fight”.

Bicycles enjoy the protection of the motor vehicle statutes but with that comes responsibility to obey traffic laws and drive “without rage”.

Police enforcement of traffic laws on cyclists has increased dramatically over the past year in towns from Boca Raton to Ocean Ridge. The message is clear, if cyclists don’t share the road as they demand that vehicles do, the riding experience on A1A will become less fun over time.

Since my favorite place to ride my bike is on A1A between Ft. Lauderdale and Palm Beach, I hope to see conditions improve.

For cyclists, I suggest that you don’t partake in group rides where the leaders don’t wear helmets and ride aggressively, inviting danger.

For motorists, not all cyclists are hot-headed and impulsive. Be patient with us.

I invite cyclists to take the first step in creating peace along A1A and I implore motorists to follow suit.

Bill Hanifin

Lighthouse Point

Published: 20 Aug 2009

DROP questioned

Dear Editor:

There are only 47 employees remaining in the non-uniform defined pension plan. All of the members of the Fire Department are included in their defined pension plan. When I asked the commission to allow six members of the non-uniform plan to retire without penalty at any age, the proposal was not considered. However, if these employees had been firefighters, they could have retired after 20 years of service at any age with no penalty, and the city would have paid their health insurance until they reached 65. When Noland and Trinchitella championed this change in the fire pension plan, the rationale was that after 20 years, a firefighter is burned out. REALLY? Why then is the union pushing to extend its DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Plan) from 5 to 7 years? A former fire chief retired with an annual pension of $97,000 plus $235,000 from the DROP plan and $56,000 in unused vacation and sick time. More recently a retiree at age 51 will cost the city $372.35 for his health coverage for the next 14 years until age 65 for a total cost to the city of $53,618.40. In these times of economic stress, it is important to ask for the unions to give back. There is no DROP plan for non-uniform employees. And why aren’t those firefighters or chiefs who want to continue past their retirement not also burned out?

Then there is the matter of incentive pay for those who are EMS [Emergency Medical Services] certified. That is given to members of the department who have the certification but never go out on a call.

All over the country, unions are being asked to give back or modify benefits that taxpayers can no longer afford. If the commission is saying “NO” to non-uniform workers retiring after 30 or more years of service at any age without penalty, let’s see what they do with the firefighters’ 20-and-out with no penalty. The times they are a changing.

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: A DROP plan is an arrangement under which an employee who would otherwise be entitled to retire instead continues working. The monthly pension money he would have received goes into the DROP plan administered by the Firemen’s Pension Board. The account earns interest at a rate stated in the plan or based on the earnings of the trust managed by the Board. The employee continues to receive his salary for the time he works plus whatever salary increases were given during that time.

Counterpoint: Healthcare

Dear Editor:

Whether or not one supports healthcare for all Americans, we need to acknowledge some important facts.

Yes, wealthy people come to America for our fine healthcare. But, that healthcare is not available to the average American. Many Americans go to foreign countries for necessary treatment because they have no insurance or their co-pay would be more than it costs to fly to another country, stay in a hotel and pay for the surgery.

Many Americans order their drugs from Canadian pharmacies because they are considerably cheaper and often there are generic alternatives that are not sold in the U.S.

For a variety of reasons, more than 45 million legal American citizens have no health insurance. These people sometimes die on the street, at home and even waiting in emergency rooms. Uninsured emergency room treatment is passed on to the insured, thus raising costs to the insured and ultimately our insurance rates while insurance executives draw salaries in the 10’s of millions.

After three years of being able to afford only catastrophic health insurance, I have the Best insurance I can afford  — and I am consistently denied the best drugs, treatments, and even reimbursement for routine doctor visits and tests.

I am not advocating for free care for everyone, but I believe a civilized society takes care of its most vulnerable — the young, the elderly, the poor and the mentally and physically ill. At this time, we Americans are not meeting that responsibility. We must offer an affordable alternative and to do that, we must get out of the grips of the drug and insurance companies whose only motive is profit.

Dianne Sammons

Lighthouse Point

Published: 13 Aug 2009

Resident responds to resident on Wellfield

Dear Editor:

In response to a Letter to the Editor on Aug. 6 [“Resident wants to see budget cuts”],  I would like to clarify something very important stated in this letter.  The City Commissioners did not approve to pay $900,000 to move the generator building for the Wellfield project on SW 10 Street. The Commission approved to spend $278,000 to move the building and the Floridan Well.  The funds will come from the Bond that passed in 2008 and is NOT an expense affecting the General Budget.  The mayor, commissioners, city manager, city staff and contractors spent uncounted hours to work to have the generator building moved away from the original plan, where it was located a few feet from single-family residential homes.  The funds to accommodate this better location will not be reflected in an increase to water rates or a change in the city’s tax base.

Denise Bogner

Waterford Homes Resident

Deerfield Beach

Firefighters’ contract negotiations

Dear Editor:

As published in last week’s Observer [Aug. 6], the firefighter’s union is once again strong- arming its way to the city feeding trough in search of more pay and more benefits, but with no change in its antiquated work rules. For example, three union employees per ambulance run in Deerfield Beach, compared to the more commonly-held standard of two adopted by other fire-rescue organizations (as published recently in the Observer).  According to the Observer, they are asking for a three-year deal with 4 percent cost of living adjustments [COLA] in each of those years.  If only the taxpayers of Deerfield Beach were receiving such increases in their pensions, investment accounts or home values.  The union is also asking for comp time buyouts, which requires the city to pay out cash it doesn’t have for a benefit the city never should have agreed to.  Most companies offer comp time on a use it or lose it basis for up to 12 months.  Why can’t our firefighters have the same program?

Believe it or not, I am a strong supporter of our firefighters.  They are dedicated, hard-working public servants who deserve to be rewarded with fair compensation and benefit programs that support themselves and their families, and are affordable by the taxpayer base.  What I do not support are the spiraling costs and/or reluctance to adjust to more efficient work rules of any public servant organization that does not consider the state of the economy and the financial position of the taxpayers when that organization demands more and more.  The city employees not represented by the firefighters union are being asked to sacrifice cost of living and merit increases for at least the next 12 months and possibly longer according to the Observer.  Those same employees have been subject to layoffs and reduced hours.  Perhaps the leadership of the firefighters union should consider a less aggressive bargaining position this time around.  What do you think?

David Nace

Deerfield Beach

Minimum Wage increase

Dear Editor:

If I have done the math correctly, the minimum wage hike [in the July 30 issue of the Observer] represents a 9 percent increase in wages — good for the teenagers and older workers. HOWEVER, the additional payroll, insurance (both medical and liability [as payroll is incorporated into premiums]) and tax increase to small business owners, who represent the MAJORITY of employees, SHOULD ALSO BE REPORTED. Hence, this will most definitely add to unemployment as small business owners continue to suffer to make ends meet. In turn, those left earning an additional 9 percent will work harder as their co-worker/workers have been let go to make ends meet. THEN, the small business owner pays an additional percentage for the unemployment percentage quarterly for those applying.

Anyone thinking about the “big” picture? Where are the winners?

Anita Cayuso

Lighthouse Point

Published: 6 Aug 2009

Resident wants to see budget cuts

Dear Editor:

The tax base in Deerfield Beach is being cut in half.  A townhouse in the Waterford Courtyards just sold for $80,000.00.That is about what they sold for new 23 years ago. Last year’s taxes on this property were $4,017.15. Next year’s taxes will be a fraction of that. The city and county took every bit of the increase when property values were soaring. Now, they need to give back every bit of the decline as our property values collapse. An increase in the millage will not be acceptable to most residents in Deerfield Beach.

I am asking the Commission and City Manager to cut the budget and give the taxpayers a break. They are not serious about cutting costs. For example, to help pay an outrageous charge of $900,000 to move the generator building on SW 10 Street before construction started, they eliminated brick pavers. Excuse me, why was the city putting expensive brick pavers around a utility building that only city employees will visit?

Every year, they waste money on the Water Quality Report by mailing a slick publication with separate postage instead of putting it on a couple of sheets of standard paper and mailing it with the water bills as some cities do.

The only way to cut wasteful spending in Deerfield Beach is to cut every department’s budget by 20 percent and force them to do what families and business owners are forced to do — look at where they can cut unnecessary spending.

Robert Lloyd

Deerfield Beach

Reader watches TV special on healthcare

Dear Editor:

After watching 20/20 last night I wanted to vomit. Then, I realized that I would not be able to receive care for vomiting if Obama’s healthcare plan comes to fruition. What the President is attempting to initiate is appalling.  The segment on 20/20 showed the long lines of people attempting to just register to see and be seen by a doctor in Canada and Great Britain.  In addition, they also showed how world leaders from other countries come to the United States to receive treatment that is unavailable to them because of their medical system — the very system that bit by bit Obama is attempting to bring to the U.S. This begs the question, what will this mean to the medical system in the U.S?  How will my pump- dependent diabetic husband get his supplies?  In the system that Obama wants, it would often take time for his supplies to be approved to be shipped to him.  He would literally die in line before being seen by his doctor. On 20/20 it showed how MRIs and scans are available on a daily basis in Canada if you are an animal. But for a person, it can take a week to get an appointment. They also showed how a child couldn’t get in a hospital for her seizures because there weren’t enough rooms.  Gee, I wonder how they would handle professional athletes who got hurt during a game?  Do you think they would have to wait?  Do we really want to become a society that allows people to remain ill, grow increasingly ill or die because we do not have enough room in a hospital or our name has not come up in a medical lottery system?  I felt like cattle being blindly taken to the slaughter after watching 20/20.  I cannot help but wonder how President Obama would feel having to tell one of his daughters she had to wait for her insulin because of the new medical system he implemented.

Wendy Kalis

Deerfield Beach

Published: 30 Jul 2009

To report on fire activity?

Dear Editor:

Please consider adding a regular feature to your paper which lists all of the fire department’s activities (fires and rescues) as you do with the crime activity for the police. We would like to know how valuable to us our fire departments are.

Paul Coviello

Lighthouse Point

Publisher’s Note:  The police report is intended to help our readers and business advertisers know about certain criminal activities going on in our area, so they can better protect themselves. There is no similar public benefit in reporting the fire/paramedic activity; and certain privacy issues would also need to be taken into account.

Century Village Bus Drivers

Dear Editor:

I have been reading a little discussion going on in Century Village Insider between Kathy Richards (Observer) and Louis Herring (Quality Transport), the van company that Century Village just contracted with. Mr. Herring is a very nice, soft spoken man with an English accent, but he is very unaware of what transpires on the routes. The drivers are having personal conversations on their cell phones while driving; they eat while driving; they write on their statistic boards while driving … I have witnessed it all firsthand!

Very sincerely,

Roslyn Nehls

Deerfield Beach

Published: 23 Jul 2009

The Historical Series

Dear Editor:

The Publisher’s Historical Series has been a delightful look at life in the early days of Deerfield Beach. As a frequent visitor, who is refreshed by your citizen’s unpretentious hospitality, the candid and informative recollections of one whose family has inhabited Deerfield Beach for nearly a century are particularly illuminating.

Wes Hiller

Delray Beach

Depression is a good teacher

Dear Editor:

I used to think when you had depression, you took a pill or two and it would go away. But the Depression [Recession] we have today affects our pockets and, for awhile, it’s here to stay.

Believe it or not, it’s a good teacher in its own way. It’s like going to school again, the things you have to learn. Like seeing how far a buck can go or finding a place where it can earn … going to the store and looking for the bargain of the day or finding a two-for-one or whatever else they are giving away … finding fun without spending a dime. Just being with family and friends and having a good time.

So enjoy your life the best you can and will. You can do it without having to take a pill.

Carmen Friedman

Deerfield Beach

Budget woes

Dear Editor:

Anyone who reads the papers these days knows that the cities that are struggling the most to balance budgets are those that have employees’ defined pension plans. In Deerfield, the Fire Department has theirs and the non-uniform have only 47 members left since the plan was closed to new non-uniform hired since 1993. This commission now has the opportunity to reduce the members left in that non-uniform plan by allowing participants with 30 or more or even 25 years to retire without penalty, regardless of age. The savings in salaries would more than offset the cost to the city as the Broward School Board figured.

The Broward School Board paid employees that were earning big salaries a $10,000 incentive to retire. Deerfield could also use other city employees to fill in the gaps; thereby, negating any reason for employee layoffs as other cities are threatening.

If they had to hire replacements, they could do it for a lot less than the salaries the retirees were making. THE commission needs to take a look at what was being recently proposed.

Lillian Lorraine

Deerfield Beach

Published: 16 Jul 2009

Proud to grow up in Deerfield

Dear Editor:

I am very thankful and proud of the fact that I grew up in Deerfield Beach. My family and I, the children of the late Rev. Moses L. Bryant (the first black policeman in Deerfield Beach), appreciate the editorial that was published in the Observer on July 9. He was chosen by Commissioner Marlin Eller for that position. I am Clarence Bryant Sr., the third son. I retired from the Broward County School Board in 2006. On behalf of Rev. Moses L. and Essie Mae Bryant, we thank you very much!

Clarence  Bryant Sr.

Deerfield Beach

Thank you, Honey Bunch!

Dear Editor:

I’d like to thank Honey Bunch Florist for the beautiful bouquet my mother-in-law won through their weekly contest. I saw their ad in the paper and nominated my mother-in-law because she watches my 10-month-old and could use a good cheering up. She won!

The bouquet was delivered in a nice basket overflowing with beautiful, bright- colored flowers. They were delivered over a week ago and are still looking good.

Thank you Honey Bunch! My mother-in-law loved the flowers and I got some extra brownie-points. Oh, and my daughter loves them too. Only she wants to eat them.

Leslie M.

Pompano Beach

The Iguana Invasion

Dear Editor:

If your’re up for a futile challenge, there is[now] “iguana-proofing” your property. Broward County lists the following methods:

Prevention

• Never feed iguanas.

• Protect plants with cages or screen enclosures.

• Use iguana-resistant plants such as citrus, milkweed, pigeon plum, oleander, coontie, etc. in your landscape.

• Install sheet-metal cylinders approximately 18 inches from the base of trees to prevent iguanas from climbing.

• Create an L-shaped wire barrier along the bottom of seawalls and other fixed objects to prevent iguanas from digging underneath.

Habitat Modification

• Avoid planting iguana favorites such as hibiscus, orchids, impatiens, roses, garden greens, melons, etc. • Remove protective cover such as dense tickets and piles of landscape timber or rocks.

• Fill vacant burrows with rocks.

Humane Harassment

• Keep a water hose ready and available to spray basking iguanas on pool decks or boats.

• Use startling noises to create an unwelcome atmosphere for a sunning iguana that feels a little too much at home poolside.

• Install CDs near seawalls or dangle them like wind chimes from trees or prized plants. Their reflective surfaces often scare away iguanas.

(Courtesy of broward.org/parks/pr142.htm).

As we all know, this issue will continue to spin out of control before anything is done. (Remember the pet chimp and its owner?) No law-abiding and nature-loving citizen wants to take iguana extermination into their own hands and many will try. With Salmonella being a serious health concern and the iguanas being so widespread, one would expect government intervention — right? Just like when the FDA intervened to prevent “Salmonella in our salads” not too long ago.

Amazingly, iguanas are still allowed and sold as pets all over Florida. (Does the word “BAN” come to mind?) Who needs to buy one, when we all have them as pets now?

VA Edwards-Cordoba, Esq.

Lighthouse Point

Published: 9 Jul 2009

4th of July

Dear Editor:

I’d like to thank the city of Deerfield Beach for the wonderful fireworks display this past 4th of July. In these tough economic times, with people losing their homes or going bankrupt, it would be very easy for the city to say they didn’t have enough money to put on the great display they did.

We who live in Deerfield Beach sometimes take for granted the wonderful things our city does for us – how clean they keep our streets and beach. What a wonderful job our police and firemen do in keeping us safe 24 hours a day. I’m proud to call Deerfield Beach home!

Keep up the good work!

20-year resident,

Max Johnson

Deerfield Beach

An evening out turns for the better

Dear Editor:

My parents and friends recently visited The Cove restaurant for the lobster special last Tuesday evening. Having a reservation for six or more people made sure that they would have lobsters waiting for their mouth-watering anniversary dinner. The waitress took their order, got drinks and then informed them a half-hour later “All out … no lobsters!”

“What, we had a reservation, please call the manager over.”

The owner, Sue, arrived and listened to their unhappiness, saying she would be right back. She was running around the restaurant all night; it was packed. She came back immediately to our table and said, “You will have your lobsters tonight.” Not only did she take care of it, but she sent over a pecan pie for the whole table and took time to sit down and get to know us.

Thanks, Sue! You made our evening enjoyable and memorable. This is a professional business woman who takes care of her clientele.

Sheila Pascar

Deerfield Beach

Fabulous Fireworks

Dear Editor:

A super “shout-out” of thank-you’s for a fabulous, wonderful and exciting fireworks display this year with the economy …for the City to help thousands of us forget what is happening. How great a celebration it was!

Peggy H.

Deerfield Beach

Kudos Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

I have been a resident of Deerfield Beach for 15 years and I love this town. I went to the fireworks display and was in awe of how well the day went. The area was clean. Everyone picked up after themselves and I saw no one get out of hand. The fireworks, themselves, were beyond beautiful. They were the best I have ever seen. The entertainment was great and I was happy to hear Mayor Peggy Noland remind us of what the 4th of July is all about and to not forget the U.S. military and the soldiers putting their lives on the line for this country every day.

Kudos to Deerfield Beach. You’ve done us proud.

Bob Ebery

Deerfield Beach

Published: 2 Jul 2009

Vet concerned about immigration

Dear Editor:

This is the month of JULY and a very important month in the history of this, our great country, the United States of America! On July 4, 1776 we got our INDEPENDENCE from Great Britain after very hard-fought battles, sacrifices, etc. of that period of time. No need to go into details because we all should know them … or do we? All those millions of illegal immigrants, do they? I don’t think they do. Yeah! I have a gripe.

I’m a WWII veteran, one of many million of us who served, and the popular saying afterwards was “If you value your independence, thank a WWII veteran.” That made me feel very good and was all the recognition and credit I needed. At that period of my life, I didn’t know or think I was fighting for anything other than my great country, its survival and freedoms we had earned by being lucky enough to have been born here.

That is all it took, “luck!” Of course, help and belief in my friend “up there” helped. At that time in our history, illegal immigration in the U.S.A. was under control. Now, in this time period, it is a daily subject…

God Bless You ALL! God Bless America!

Harvey Beaber

Deerfield Beach

Former mayor says her piece

Dear Editor:

I seem to have a penchant for collecting firsts in the city of Deerfield Beach. In 1969, I was the first woman to run a mayoral campaign for George Schott. In 1972, I was the first woman to chair a committee for an ad valorem bond issue referendum. I was the first woman ever to be chosen as chairperson for the Deerfield Planning and Zoning Board. I was the first woman to be elected city-wide as mayor for 13 years. I was the first woman to serve as chairperson for both the police and fire Pension boards when it was mandated. I was the woman chairperson of the recent Charter Revision Committee. Now I lay claim to being the first woman ever to be publicly humiliated and removed from an advisory board after serving three months.

Two of the commissioners who voted for my ouster have served 74 days. Commissioner Ganz, who introduced the motion, stated his reason was I neglected to call him after he demanded I do so to explain my actions. Commissioner Miller obviously did not read the material given him, when he claimed it would cost the city half a million dollars.

Then the commission insisted that the [city] manager be permitted to negotiate, although the union president had already stated the pension issue would not and had not been part of their negotiations.

What was up for consideration was an amendment to the existing pension ordinance to allow those employees with 30 or more years of service to retire without penalty, regardless of age. Only the commission can amend an ordinance NOT the city manager.

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

Publisher’s Note:

Contrary to Jean Robb’s statement, Commissioner Miller was correct. Her recommendation would have cost the city well over half a million dollars per year.

Published: 25 Jun 2009

Retired teacher glad for Deerfield upbringing

Dear Editor:

I am proud of being a citizen of Deerfield Beach. I was born in Shamrock, FL in 1942. I moved here with my father, Rev. Moses L. Bryant; mother, Mrs. Essie Mae Bryant, and two older brothers – Bobby Lee and Robert Lee. I was the third son. Since then, there were three more boys and four girls born into the family.

I am very proud that the city honored my father, who was chosen to become the first black policeman; SW 5 Court was renamed Rev. Moses L. Bryant Court at the street unveiling ceremony held on Oct. 27, 2007.

I attended Braith Waite Elementary, where I was captain of the basketball team and became a slate member of the school’s first newspaper. I helped to name it “The Star.” From 1957-1963, I attended Blanche Ely High, where I played basketball and football and received several scholarship offers. Then, I chose to attend Allen University in Columbia, SC and became an elementary school teacher. I retired from the Broward County School Board in 2006.

Clarence Bryant, Sr. (BDAT)

Deerfield Beach

CVE bus drivers treated poorly

Dear Editor:

I am very happy that there is someone else who has the nerve to complain about the buses in Century Village. I have been writing letters to your paper for over a year – first the trolleys, now the buses.

We have a bunch of the nicest and sweetest people who are caring, helpful and bend over backwards to help anyone on and off buses with their canes, walkers and bundles. These drivers are truly dedicated to their fellow man and, yet, they are treated like slaves. Why? They cannot walk through the front door to go to the bathroom or get a drink from the machine. They were told to go through the back and knock on the door. Does the committee know that slavery has been abolished?

The drivers would also like to stop at Hillsboro Boulevard to let people off to go to the doctor and J & J for produce, but that, too, is a no-no. The owner of the trolleys has no backbone to fight for his workers. Maybe he should take his own advice and pray – he is, after all, a Rabbi. These are bad times, true, but when you compound them with misery, ignorance and suppression, instead of compassion, you have a big problem. It’s true money talks and bull— walks, but hey, what goes around comes around and, in the end, will bite you (you know where). So, my advice to the committee is help, don’t hinder. One day, you will need help and maybe no one will be there for you.

Marilyn Fernando

Oakridge A

Deerfield Beach

Planned parking for The Cove benefits its restaurant

Dear Editor:

I read the letter to the Observer entitled “Cove parking questioned” [in the June 4 issue]. Andrew Beny, who wrote the article, asked the question, “Who does a parking garage at The Cove benefit?” Those of us who are residents and live near The Cove Shopping Center know the answer to that question — The Cove Restaurant.

His statement that you can always find a parking space, with the exception of Friday night, is definitely true. I decided to check it out by going to the shopping center at different times of the day and evening and found that there is always parking space available.

Why would anyone want to spend the amount of money that it would cost to build and operate a parking garage right now? It does not cost the patron anything to park. You can be sure the patron will park in the parking lot, rather than in a garage where it would cost them money.

I think we need to concentrate on moving forward with the plans that were approved by the City Commission. Improvements will be made to the design and layout of the parking lot, which will add 27 parking spaces to the current 501 by reconfiguring the parking lot and going to smaller spaces for a total of 528. The parking lot will have enhanced landscaping and safe pedestrian walkways. To me, this is common sense, especially in these economic times.

Vivian Jeffers

Deerfield Beach

President’s national health initiative

Dear Editor:

The United States can’t afford to be without a plan that offers the opportunity for all Americans to have health insurance. We shouldn’t pass the problems of the insurance industry’s failure on to those individuals and families who are suffering, because the insurance industry won’t let them participate in health care plans. For more information, go to http://lnk.ms/0FmWK

Don Cleveland

Deerfield Beach

Published: 18 Jun 2009

Happy Father’s Day!

Dear Editor:

Our dad is the greatest! He owns and works at Gulf Stream Window Company, which was voted the No. 1 window company in Deerfield, but always has time for us. We go on many trips together in our motor home. Our friends are always welcome to join us on these trips, as they are welcome in our home.

He is very supportive in our sports, always attending our games in softball, baseball, soccer, flag football, skateboarding, and in our school activities.

We know we can count on him at all times. We also support him in his hobbies — cars and racing. We go to many car shows with him, as we know he enjoys them.

Our dad wants us to check in with him when we are away. He wants to know where we are, what we are doing and who we are with. We do not mind doing this because we know he cares for us.

Our dad is John Foster. He is our role model for dads and our lifeline.

We both love you, dad.

Happy Fathers Day!

Kathlynn and Connor

Deerfield Beach

Library open to public

Dear Editor:

I refer to the letter of 6/14/09 from Jaqueline Castro referring to this “library inside Century Village.”  She is misinformed. This library is open to the public. It is located in a public shopping area that is accessible from Hillsboro Boulevard and Military Trail. It is a shame that any library has to close.

Lillian Mandelman

Deerfield Beach

Keep library open

Dear Editor:

I was in Percy White late one Saturday and every computer was in use … I can’t imagine having a town like Deerfield Beach without the facilities that the library provides. Our property taxes are pretty high and we shouldn’t lose these public amenities.

If you have to cut back then cut out the movies and videos. You can rent them anywhere but you can’t rent a book, or for that matter, buy a book anywhere nearby.

Patricia Mahfood

Deerfield Beach

Visiting Deerfield Fire Station

Dear Editor:

My 2½-year-old son, Nick, loves fire trucks, so my husband and I decided to take him to the Deerfield Beach Fire Station (Fire Station #66) so he could see a fire truck up close. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by Firefighter Jimmy Hall, who took Nick up into the fire truck and showed him some of the buttons and switches that the fire fighters use to operate the truck. Then, they got out and Firefighter Hall let Nick help him press the button to lower the ladder and raise it back into place on top of the truck. Nick was so delighted to be helping a real firefighter. Firefighter Hall offered Nick his helmet to try on, but Nick was a little weary of it, so he instead gave Nick a Junior Firefighter helmet to keep as his own. Nick wears his firefighter helmet every day now, he absolutely loves it!

I wanted to write this to express my gratitude to Firefighter Hall for taking time out of his busy day to show my son his fire truck, and I also wanted to thank all of the fire fighters for everything that they do every day.

Jennifer Hall

Deerfield Beach

Published: 11 Jun 2009

God Bless Deerfield Medics

Dear Editor:

In all consciousness, I could not let another day go by without writing this letter in praise of the Deerfield medics. On Apr. 24, I was trying to put out recyclables when I tripped in my garage and injured my leg. Being on Coumadin, the wound on my leg was bleeding profusely.

At the time that I fell, the recycle man arrived. He helped me get up and called my neighbor, who, in turn, called 911. Four medics arrived and eased my fears, dressed my wound and brought me into my home.

It was early morning and my two little Chihuahuas were still in their crates. They had not been walked yet. Not only did those wonderful medics care for me, but they also offered to walk my dogs. I would say they went beyond the call of duty. I do not know their names, but may God bless them all. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank them.

Ann Grignon

Deerfield Beach

Don’t close Percy White library!

Dear Editor:

I just read that the library is most likely going to be closed. Have our leaders not looked around? We don’t have a bookstore here. Florida is something like 47th out of the 50 worst states in education. We are dumbing ourselves down. I know how the last administration has ruined our great nation by elevating greed over learning. But we must not let this keep America or Deerfield Beach from education and books. Please … someone save our library! God Bless Deerfield Beach!

Shane Bracewell

Deerfield Beach

Unleashed dogs prohibited

Dear Editor:

There seems to be a problem in Lighthouse Point with unleashed dogs going for walks with their owners. Why? People trust their dogs and think that nothing bad can or will ever happen on such walks. Such individuals erroneously believe that if their dog is “friendly,” no leash is needed. Perhaps, these owners are unaware that it is actually against the law to do so.

Walking an unleashed dog is dangerous for the dog, its owner and residents. Unleashed dogs are easily distracted, can cause property damage, become injured or cause injury during such walks. Additionally, owners may face liability for damage their dogs cause against person’s or property.

In Broward County “dogs at large” are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, dogs on walks with their owners. An owner may have his or her dog “impounded” and/or receive a citation for this violation.

Broward County Ordinances Chapter 4, Section 4-3 states the following:

Sec. 4-3.  Dogs at-large prohibited.

(a)          It shall be a violation of this section for any person to permit any dog to be at-large as defined herein.

(b)          No dog shall be allowed to stray, run or go at-large upon any public property or street, sidewalk, park or on the private property of another without the consent of the property owner.

(c)           Any dog that is on private property without the consent of the property owner or resident may be captured in a humane trap or otherwise humanely confined. A person capturing an at-large dog will be responsible for the humane care of the dog until the captured dog is turned over to the Division, other humane organization or licensed wildlife trapper. A person shall not entice a dog to become at-large for the purpose of trapping or apprehending when that dog would otherwise not be at-large.

(d)          Any person confining or leashing a dog must do so in a manner that is not injurious to the dog’s health.

(e)          In order for a dog to be allowed on a public street, road, park or other public property, unless otherwise specifically permitted, the dog shall be under the direct control of the owner or keeper, except while hunting, pursuant to a permit or during an obedience demonstration, show, trial, training exercise, competition, show and/or match or educational program, so long as sufficient precautions are taken by the owner of the dog and/or sponsor of the event to ensure the safety and protection of both the public and other animals.

(f)           Any dog at-large that has attacked or bitten any person or domestic animal in an unprovoked attack shall be in violation of this section.

(g)          “At-large” shall not include dogs actually working livestock or dogs being trained to work livestock.

(h)          Any dog found by an officer to be at-large may be seized and impounded and, as an alternative or in addition to impoundment, the officer finding said dog at-large shall issue a citation as provided in section 4-28.

In conclusion, unleashed dog walking is against the law for good reasons. The message is simple: Enjoy your walks, but do it with a leash. Not doing so is not worth the consequences.

V.A. Edwards Cordoba, Esq.

Lighthouse Point

Published: 4 Jun 2009

Learning History from your column

Dear Editor:

Well, I just found out by watching the video of the interview with Mrs. Merle Johnson that the Observer has online at observernewspaperonline.com some news about my grandparents that I never knew. I knew Pop Eller played the piano and I learned to play on his piano, but I never knew that my grandmother also played.  In all the years we got together as a family and sang, I don’t remember her playing the piano. I do know she sang alto. Thank you for giving me a little more history about my family. And I agree with Mrs. Johnson — Deerfield was a great town to grow up in! My class in Pompano High School in 1956 was the first class to graduate 100 students. As kids, we never felt any fear skating or riding our bikes all over town or to our friends’ houses. I was blessed. Keep on with the history columns and who knows what else I might find out. I didn’t know my brother skipped church to go fishing in the canal either.  But, I was probably the one who got in trouble for it. I love my brother anyway, both brothers.

Linda Eller Boudet

Vero Beach

Cove parking questioned

Dear Editor:

Are you kidding me — a parking garage for The Cove? Who does that benefit? One business on Friday night!  At any other time, you can park anywhere you want to. If the businesses there won’t even take advantage of grants to improve the aesthetics of the area, why should we spend tax dollars to help with parking? Show me that you want to help yourselves before we help you. We need parks for kids not parking for a rundown shopping center.

Andrew Berry

Deerfield Beach

NO! To Closing Library

Dear Editor:

I for one have been living in Deerfield Beach with my family since 1974.

It has been my right as a taxpayer to have the privilege of using the library. I have even donated many books for the public’s use.

It would be an outrage if our library was to close.

I want to know if the citizens of our city would have access to this small version of a library that sits inside Century Village.

I THINK NOT!

Come on people, let’s get together and let our feelings be known. What a travesty it would be to lose our Library.

Stand up commissioners and make sure the county hears that we will not stand quiet on this issue. Make our feelings known LOUD and CLEAR.

People, write your thoughts to your commissioners.

This a a problem that needs your attention here, at home, not in Washington.

Jacqueline Castro,

President, Single Family Home Owners Association

Deerfield Beach

In support of keeping Percy White Library open

Dear Editor:

Our son, Sean Booty, has been participating in the after-school reading program Monday through Thursday from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Sean is a second grade student at Deerfield Beach Elementary. His reading comprehension has increased to the fifth grade reading level — thanks to this amazing program offered at the library. To deprive children of this wonderful educational opportunity would indeed be a travesty.

This library has been a source of joy to our daughter, Shaina, as well, as she has the opportunity to choose her favorites from the vast selection of children’s books. Please do not even consider closing our library, as you would be depriving the city’s children of the many opportunities the library provides. Our commissioners should let the county know the devastating effect this closure would have on the children of Deerfield Beach.

Shannon and Danny Booty

Deerfield Beach

Published: 28 May 2009

Stamp out Hunger

Dear Editor:

I would like to thank Mr. Volz and your newspaper for coverage and promotion of the recent Letter Carrier Food Drive.  Postal employees appreciate your support of the largest one-day canned good collection in the country.  We’re still counting the cans, but it looks like this year’s drive was another overwhelming success!  As you know, the canned goods remain in the local community so we are happy to help “stamp out hunger” in our own neighborhoods.

Thank you.

Debra Fetterly

Public Information Officer

US Postal Service – South Florida District

Pembroke Pines

Boinis property revisited

Dear Editor:

The headline for the Boinis property purchase should have been “City acquiesces to profiteer’s ransom demand.”

The citizens of Deerfield deserve better fiscal management than this. Spending nearly half of our meager reserves for a portion of the beach that’s assessed by the Broward County Property Appraiser at $172,480 is irresponsible.

This land is not required to bring the existing restrooms up to ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] compliance. It would be far better to reconfigure the existing structure and to let Mr. Boinis enjoy his unusable slice of beach, “no trespassing” signs and all.

Richard Carlson

Deerfield Beach

A new sandbox!

Dear Editor:

Recently, I returned from the University of Florida to my home of Deerfield Beach. But things have certainly changed in our community. After new elections, the era of corrupt local government was thought to be over. Yet, how do our elected politicians justify spending half-a-million dollars on a sandbox? Oh … wait for it, our dear mayor Peggy Noland says it’s for the “children.” What kids does the mayor speak of? The kids playing on my busy street? The very kids who break up their game every minute or so because another car comes barreling down 4 Court? The kids left with no close neighborhood park? Surely, it must be them. So kids, please come out of the street and run down to the pier. The mayor just bought you a half-a-million-dollar sandbox. Granted, I think they are past the building-sandcastle stage.

Unfortunately for Deerfield Beach, it seems our elected officials never grew up. They never left the sandbox. Commissioner Miller says the city is only spending 200K. Mr. Miller, I hate to break it to you, but a grant is real money. It’s your job to come up with the best way to spend that money. I wonder if there was no better way to spend 310 K. Perhaps, and I know this is a crazy far-fetched idea, just perhaps, the city could have bought an abandoned foreclosed home, torn it down and built a beautiful inviting neighborhood park? That would have been such a wonderful open space.

In such tumultuous economic times, what message are we sending to “our children” by irresponsibly spending half-a-million dollars on a sandbox? How is this sandbox in the interest of the whole community? Truth be told: It isn’t. It’s in the interested of Pete Bonis who made out like a Fortune 500 CEO, with his golden parachute.

Congratulations Deerfield Beach! Break out the shovels and buckets. You have a new sandbox probably worth more than the house you’re living in.

Steve Campion

Deerfield Beach

Decision to buy Boinis property applauded

Dear Editor:

Congratulations and thank you to the Mayor and two commissioners who voted to purchase the Boinis beach property, putting an ugly past behind us.  Like it or not, our options were limited and failing to do so would have allowed an open sore to fester for many years to come.  The argument used against this purchase by two opposing commissioners only shows their stubbornness and inexperience.  Gaining permission from Boinis to demolish the existing bathrooms for relocation would not have come without an expensive court battle. Add in the cost of new bathroom construction and we would have easily exceeded the $200,000 paid for this property.  The commission did not bail out Boinis; rather they proactively decided to protect our interests and that of our children.  Good job Peggy, Sylvia and Joe!  And good riddance to Boinis.

Gary Lother

Deerfield Beach

Commissioner Ganz goes the extra mile

Dear Editor:

I have a house in Waterford Homes and at the end of April, our home was burglarized. Our Commissioner Bill Ganz called our house when he found out to make sure that my family and I were all right and said that if we needed anything, don’t hesitate to ask. I appreciate the dedication he has to his job and concern he showed for our family. Our family thinks he is a great man who is turning out to be a great Commissioner.

The Lagasi Family

Deerfield Beach

Published: 21 May 2009

Kudos for coverage

Dear Editor:

Accolades to Diane Emeott and her faithful intern [Asia] for covering the Century Plaza Branch Library story in such an interesting and professional manner. Perhaps our city officials will read and recognize how many average citizens use this and the Percy White Library in lieu of wasting their free time hours.

Thank you again for your fine article.

George Brauer

AARP Instructor

Deerfield Beach

Library has long history

Dear Editor:

Those of us who have been here a long time remember when the main library was housed in a storefront in The Cove Shopping Center. I remember because I bought them their first book, an explanation of the Dewey Decimal System, which organizes books on library shelves in a specific order.

When the library outgrew that facility, a number of us contributed $3,000 to purchase the property on Hillsboro Boulevard where the library now sits. It’s too bad that the plaque that had the contributors’ names listed cannot be found.

The first controversial vote I had to cast as mayor in the 1980s was to send the library to the county. The feeling was that there would be more services available to the public than the city could afford to provide. That premise has proven true through the years as the library has expanded and offered a multitude of services. Those of us who are lifetime Friends of the Library would be outraged should the main library be closed in favor of the smaller version that sits in Century Village and has limited use by the general public. The commission should let the county know that Deerfield Beach will not tolerate the closing of either of the library facilities in our city. Make our case loud and strong.

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

Deerfield citizens, be vigilant

Dear Editor:

At the May 19 commission meeting, I believe I witnessed one of the most fiscally irresponsible expenditures in the history of Deerfield Beach. Mayor Noland, with Commissioners Poitier and Miller voted to use contingency funds to purchase land from Mr. Boinis. Commissioners Popelski and Ganz presented sound, logical reasons not to approve. But Mayor Noland’s demeanor from the dais demonstrated she would not be swayed by the voice of reason, or differing opinions. Commissioner Miller stated we are really only spending  $200,000 of OUR money.

This is the controversial beach property Mr. Boinis bought for $200,000 with intent to lease the city’s fishing pier to build an upscale restaurant.  The citizens of Deerfield Beach were outraged and his sweetheart deal fell through.  Tonight Mr. Boinis got a bailout using our tax dollars, $310,000 [in ] grant [money] plus $200,000 in contingency funds totaling $510,000.  Thousands of people are losing their homes, their jobs, and their savings, but Mr. Boinis goes to the bank a happy prosperous man.  Congratulations, Mr. Boinis, you did get your sweetheart deal. You have the business sense that it seems the majority of our commission lacks.

My sympathy to the people of Deerfield Beach, I think you have been sold out.  Pray we don’t have an emergency and need those spent contingency funds.

Marti McGeary

Deerfield Beach

Boinis Property

Dear Editor:

Although I am not a resident of Deerfield Beach, my wife and I use the beach with great frequency. When I first observed the “no trespassing” signs, I surmised that there was a problem with the pier. Then, I read the article about a sales dispute regarding that parcel of sand. I question how a piece of town property was sold to a private individual. This is an insult to the public trust! But, since Mr. Bonis and his attorney feel the property is worth such an exorbitant amount of money, I hope he is paying property taxes based on his values. The town could sure use the tax dollars! Further, I question whether it is legal to put those trespassing signs on a public beach that has received any federal assistance.

Leonard Lavallee

Lighthouse Point

Published: 14 May 2009

Has anything changed in Deerfield Beach?

I’m sure we all remember the Boinis sweetheart deal that caused more strife in this city than was deserved or necessary. Because Boinis didn’t get the deal he wanted, he put 17 no trespassing signs on the beach property he bought in hopes of combining it with the land he was hoping to lease from the city. This quarter acre of beach is nothing more than a sandbox to anyone. It can’t be built on. The EPA has seen to that. Boinis is the man who told the commissioners he loved children and now seems not to care if a child playing on the beach runs into one of his poles and hurts himself. Is it good for us to buy the land? ABSOLUTELY. Is it good for us to let a bully extort us? NO.

One of the reasons America is in the predicament it’s in is because of people like Boinis, who want to take whatever they can. We know about Wall Street. We know about the CEOs. We know about the heads of bailed-out companies giving bonuses to themselves and employees while many in America are facing foreclosures, etc. Boinis is a Fat Cat. If he took the $310 grant money, he would still be making a profit on his original $200K purchase. In today’s real estate market, to be able to claim any profit is unbelievable. And yet, he wants more. He wants more because he’s angry he didn’t get his way, his ego is bruised and he’s going to show us. Instead of acting with dignity and accepting that this business deal didn’t work out for him, he’s gotten to some people on the dais who feel he’s entitled to make a larger profit regardless of the economy and regardless of how little it would leave in the city’s contingency fund, which is where the $200K would be taken out to pay him.

I understand this may be an expedient way to deal with Mr. Boinis, but is it ethical? There’s more than one way to “skin a fat cat.” The commission can ask our City Attorney to write an ordinance limiting the number of signs on a beach property. At one point, the City Attorney was researching this until the new commission arrived and apparently put an end to his research on this matter. Furthermore, a person involved in one of the two audits for the city told me he had no other “useless” beach property to compare this with since beach properties can usually be built on. Comparables on other beach properties took place when real estate was a good investment and therefore high appraisals were the norm. This sandbox is overvalued at $310 K in today’s market. I, and others, would appreciate Mr. Boinis doing the decent thing — accept the $310 K offer and let the city heal, instead of dividing the new commission on this issue.

Caryl Berner

Deerfield Beach

Thanks for Relay for Life

Dear Editor:

I am writing this letter to thank the City of Deerfield Beach and Lighthouse Point for all the help the cities gave us during the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, held this past weekend at Quiet Waters Park. I want to thank Mayor Peggy Noland, Commissioners Joe Miller, Sylvia Poitier, Marty Popelsky, Bill Ganz and City Manager Mike Mahaney for attending along with Mayor Fred Schorr, Sandy Johnson and Chip LaMarca of Lighthouse Point. As a special surprise to us, our friend and survivor, State Rep. Gwen Clarke-Reed attended as well. Our Sheriff Al Lamberti read the Care Givers Pledge. A “special thank” you to our city employees, Mr. Fred Scott and his associates who were there to assist us with sound, light, park, etc. Mickey Gomez and Neill Mathes from Parks and Rec, as well as Amy Hanson, for all their help during the 18 hours we were at the park. We could not have done this Relay without their help.

Our Relay was a HUGE success with 99 Survivors, plus their caretakers! This is the most we have ever had. Dinner was served to them compliments of CJ’s Draft House. To date, we have raised approximately $75,000. There will still be fundraisers held to reach our goal of $100,000. These funds will help us with Research to find a cure for this disease. I want to take this opportunity to thank the 375 participants and 40 teams that attended. This has been the largest Relay for Life we have ever had. We thank the Citizens of Deerfield Beach and Lighthouse Point for their turnout and the fantastic support they have given Relay for Life. And on a personal note, as a survivor, THANK YOU!

Gordon Vatch

Event Chair Relay For Life – 2009

Deerfield Beach

Save Century Plaza Library

Dear Editor:

As we age, it appears that more and more is taken away from us.

Sometimes we lose our eyesight, or perhaps it is our hearing that goes, or our ability to drive is taken from us, and then our bodies lose mobility. All of these are very disturbing, but why must we now be plagued with the possible loss of our Century Plaza Library, the branch of the Broward County Library System that is adjacent to Century Village East (CVE) in Deerfield Beach? This library is extremely well utilized, very busy, informative and a wonderful resource to the residents of an 8,500-unit senior community at Hillsboro and Century Boulevard, as well as to children and families in the surrounding  community. The Century Plaza Library is the place where computers are available for use, books and tapes and DVDs can be taken out, educational programs are given, newspapers and magazines can be read, and foreigners can learn the English language by attending the English Café.

The residents of Century Village East urge the Broward Commissioners to make budget decisions to save our Century Plaza Library, as we no longer have the mobility to get to any other public library.

Carol Lerner

Century Village East

Deerfield Beach

Beloved Percy White Library

Dear Editor:

This is the first time I have written to a newspaper in a very long time. I feel very strongly on this issue.

Please help us alert the public to the fact that Percy White Library in Deerfield Beach may be closed. The announcement that Century Village was to be closed was met with opposition from the residents of Century Village, and now the Broward Library Board is threatening to close Percy White and keep Century Village open.

It is regrettable that any library has to be closed down but certainly you don’t close a larger, more accessible and vibrant facility in order to appease a few (compared to the rest of the city) complaints.

Percy White is a true community library that is utilized by many on a daily basis. The selection of books and DVDs, the accessibility of computers and the Internet, the after-school and summer programs for children, various programs for adults (assistance in obtaining food stamps, counseling on resume writing, etc.) are just a few of the programs and opportunities that Percy White Library has to offer. A lot of these programs are funded by Friends of the Library, a group of men and women who volunteer to run our used bookstore.

We are very fortunate to have Lisa Manners, our head librarian, overseeing these programs as well as the daily operation of our facility. Admittedly, the facility is understaffed, but one would never know as the employees there are extremely knowledgeable, helpful and cheerful.

I implore you to send one of your reporters to check out the usage and programs our library has to offer. The public needs to be alerted about this outrageous development.

Irene Turner

Deerfield Beach

Published: 7 May 2009

Caryl Berner speaks at Deerfield Commission meeting

At the Deerfield Beach commission meeting I attended on May 5, it was disappointing to hear that Caryl Berner feels her voice has been silenced by our newspaper.

I am not aware of any organized effort here at the Observer to disregard all Letters to the Editor she may have submitted or submits. We have published many letters on her behalf over the past 24 months. We receive letters weekly and many times have to choose which ones to publish based on available space that week and timeliness of the subject matter.

Many letters have been published from residents of Century Village east and have many times put others on notice if residents have been treated unfairly. We feel good about helping Century Village readers with their concerns.

In fairness to your charge that this newspaper refuses to print your submissions, here is the letter we were unaware of receiving. It was resent to us at our request on May 6.

Jim Lusk

Vice President

Observer newspaper

Hats off to City Clerk’s office

Dear Editor:

With all the turbulance that has gone on in Deerfield Beach, I would like the citizens of this City to know that they have a City Clerk’s office that is well above average. During this last campaign, I know all the candidates were well taken care of by Ada Graham-Johnson, our City Clerk and her staff. During the hectic pace of running a campaign, these women made sure our reports were in on time and saved many a day for me. When I would thank them, their response was, “We’re just doing our job.” In this day and age, just doing your job gets a “thank you” from me since most people don’t even do that. These women went above the call of duty and [are] always doing it pleasantly. I’m confident that I can speak for all the candidates in expressing our appreciation to the City Clerk’s office.

Caryl Berner

Deerfield Beach

Thank you so much!

Dear Editor:

The write-up you did for the [Apr. 30] Observer covering the “Cuisine of the Region” was wonderful; thank you again for the great job you do covering our events around town!  The exposure for the [NE Focal Point] really helps keep everyone aware of that very special community center and what we accomplish for so many!

Joan Roberts-Gould, CLTC

Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

I certainly concur with Joan on the coverage of the Cuisine in the newspaper.  We are also very grateful for the Observer TV publicity concerning the Cuisine of the Region. It is definitely a community event of which the Observer is a major part of our community.

Thank you for all you do to promote positive articles concerning the entire  NE  Focal Point  Campus  activities and  programs. We appreciate you and all your support. Have a great day and a wonderful weekend!

Donna DeFronzo,

Director, NE Focal Point Senior Services Center

Deerfield Beach

Published: 30 Apr 2009

Bus stop needed, says reader

Dear Editor:

I was truly hoping that the newly-elected officials would be doing us justice this time around, especially since they opted to call a first-time-ever Town Hall meeting on Apr. 24. But alas, it’s the same old, same old.

I was not informed that if you’re on the board in your building, you could not speak. But that’s okay since the question I had prepared was asked by someone else who was very rudely told, “You keep asking me and I keep telling you we’re looking into it.” How long does it take to look into having a bus stop across from Century Village to go to the doctor? It is a bad crossing and, in time, someone will get hurt or killed trying to cross with a walker or cane. How much for a human life?

It does not take that long to stop and drop someone off.

All board officials have cars. Why don’t they stop using their cars for one month, take the buses and see how they like being at the mercy of someone else – and spending all their time writing [about it]?

Marilyn Fernando

Oakridge A

P.S. I don’t need to be told if I don’t like it to move. I’m trying. But it’s bad timing.

Published: 23 Apr 2009

Dear Editor:

I was thrilled and greatly heartened to see how the American people responded to the “Tea Parties” that were held throughout our country (including Joe the Plumber)!

Maybe we are not as divided as I thought we were and there is hope for us after all. Bravo to the people who initiated them.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Lorraine C. Taylor

Deerfield Beach

Local newspapers do matter

Dear Editor:

In response to Glen Scherer’s guest editorial: “Why Local Newspapers Matter” on Apr. 16, one of my daily pleasures was having my morning coffee and reading the daily paper on my front porch. My subscription to the Sun-Sentinel ran out and, unfortunately, we find the cost too prohibitive to re-subscribe. I understand that advertising rates at newspapers, in general, depend on the number of subscribers. However, newspapers seem to be shooting themselves in the foot by raising the price of the newspaper. Perhaps there is no other way? I don’t know what the answer is. I really miss my paper, but I suppose I’ll get over it.

Jim Barteld

Pompano Beach

Published: 16 Apr 2009

DUI checkpoints

Dear Editor:

Your article concerning the DUI checkpoints and the participation of MADD really could not have been more appropriate. I had just returned home from Philadelphia, where I attended the sentencing hearing for the drunk driver who killed my 13-year-old granddaughter in July of 2008. Words cannot adequately express the pain and suffering and the devastation that the drunk driver inflicted upon the entire Robb family. The death of a child is a lifetime sentence of grief. No one should have a problem with DUI checkpoints.

Jean Robb

Deerfield Beach

Tri-Rail & bus costs confusion

Dear  Editor:

In Letters to the Editor of 4/9/09, Mr. Richard Cooke wrote:

1) “Tri-Rail claims rising costs are forcing it to cut 20 trains on weekdays and to eliminate all weekend service.”

2) “The county recently discounted all free bus transportation for them, claiming it had run out of money. Good luck all you seniors!”

3) However, mysteriously, there is enough money in the municipal piggy bank to pay for a $515 million … for the Marlins

Re (1): In fact, Tri-Rail claims that the three counties’ cuts in their FY2010 shares of operating expenses may cause the draconian service cuts, assuming no further dedicated revenue source enacted by the legislature.

Re (2): His use of the word “discounted” makes no sense therefore it is not possible to understand his concern for all seniors.

3) For non-sports fans, it might have been useful to note that the Marlins’ stadium is a crucially important matter to Miami and Miami-Dade taxpayers, not Broward taxpayers.

Dan Glickman

Deerfield Beach

Published: 9 Apr 2009

Another reader upset by bill

Dear Editor:

I am an avid reader of the Observer and, yesterday,  I received my Mar. 2 edition. What has bothered me is the [letter] from Virginia French of Deerfield Beach in reference to her Sun-Sentinel newspaper charge. A week-and-a half-ago, I received my renewal charge. It was for $62.49. At the time, I thought it did not sound right, so I went back into my January bill and, in January, I paid $50.19. Quite a difference! I called the 800 number and told the customer service person I was not pleased with the raise I received and she said to me that supplies used for printing the paper have all gone up and that is the reason. Well, maybe I should have been lucky to get someone in Manila. Then I would have had my account corrected. I cancelled my paper after 26 years of receiving it and only took the weekend order of Saturday and Sunday. I am very displeased to hear the story printed and maybe the Sun-Sentinel should get copies of these complaints. After speaking to my friends, they are now going to look into their new bills when they arrive. I feel it’s cheaper to buy the paper at the newsstand.  A very disgruntled customer …

Marie Arciprete

Lighthouse Point

Published: 2 Apr 2009

Senior upset by bill

Dear Editor:

Being I am a senior citizen, I am very careful of the bills that I pay. Last week, I got the renewal notice for my daily home delivery of the Sun Sentinel newspaper. Since I pay every three months, my January bill of $50.35 indicated that I was paying for delivery through Apr. 11.

My new bill that I just received last week showed an increase up to $63.09 and that the expiration date of my former bill only paid me through Apr. 4 — not the date of Apr. 11 as indicated in the January invoice. Thank goodness I looked back at my January bill or I would not have known this.

I immediately called the 800 number and was fortunate, after punching and punching on my phone, to reach a gentleman in MANILA. He pulled up my records and rectified this error.

What I want to say to all Sun Sentinel subscribers who have home delivery is this:  Be sure to keep good records of the dates you are paying for. When that bill comes in and you are writing that check, go back to the old one and check the dates you are paying for. To have your invoices back-dated, as mine was, for only one week, amounts to a lot of money and just who is paying for this? We, the ones who are getting home delivery, are.

I do not know who is responsible for this but as I told the man in Manila, I don’t think that I can be the only one.

Virginia French

Deerfield Beach

Transportation cuts hurting riders

Dear Editor:

Tri-Rail is handling record numbers of riders to get them to their jobs from Palm Beach to Miami and all points in-between. Yet, Tri-Rail claims rising costs are forcing it to cut 20 trains on weekdays and to eliminate all weekend service.  Good luck all you workers, tourists and students. Many elderly residents of Broward County who can no longer drive have depended on free Broward County bus transportation to get them to doctor’s offices and grocery stores. But the county recently discounted all free bus transportation for them, claiming it had run out of money. Good luck all you seniors! However, mysteriously, there is enough money in the municipal piggy bank to pay for a $515 million — costs will no doubt escalate fast once construction begins — state-of-the-art ballpark for the Marlins, a team that has, for years, ended up dead last in attendance figures for all Major League ballparks nationwide. Average attendance per game last year was just over 16,000, far less than half the capacity of the planned new stadium. And some games attracted as few as 500 fans. In addition, while Tri-Rail and Broward buses service South Florida residents year-round, the Marlins’ new multi-million dollar digs will operate only during baseball season. Good luck all you Florida taxpayers! You, who depend on municipal transportation, get shafted by the politicos while a handful of baseball fans get the red-carpet treatment. No wonder we continue to be the laughing stock of the rest of the country.

Richard Cooke

Deerfield Beach

Published: 26 Mar 2009

Loved the Learjet story

Dear Editor:

Admired the thoroughness of the Learjet incident. Grade the website: A.

Thomas J. Flatley

Deerfield Beach

Farewells needed for Capellini

Dear Editor:

The administration recently heaped praise on those commissioners who had served the city for a few months. Noticeably absent from the departing elected officials was Mayor Albert Capellini. No matter what the circumstances or what your feelings are about the former mayor, this was a man who had served the city for 20 years, with the last 16 being as the mayor. He should have been given the opportunity to say his farewells.

I don’t buy the argument that he was suspended and therefore not entitled. The manager had no problem putting Al in his car and taking him to the MPO meeting to speak on behalf of the city in getting the stimulus money for the Dixie flyover. I think that the city showed a lack of class in not extending the invitation.

Jean Robb

Deerfield Beach

Discrimination at the flea market?

Dear Editor:

On Sunday, Mar. 15, my husband and I left on a bus from Century Village with 22 other residents for a trip to the Festival Flea Market at Sample Road. When we arrived, we all went to the information table to get Festival Discount Coupons.

The woman at the table gave us a hard time. She said that Century Village has to give her a list of names of people coming to the Festival.

It’s funny that people who are coming from hotels, motels and their houses aren’t subject to such discriminatory requirements. Festival doesn’t mind when folks from Century Village leave our money with vendors – which is often quite a bit. When my husband and I were told to take up our problem with their administration office, we spoke to another woman and received the same reply.

My husband and I will now think long and hard before returning to a place which discriminates against Century Village residents.

Joe and Judy Goldfarb

Deerfield  Beach

Published: 19 Mar 2009

Transparency in Government

Dear Editor:

Many important issues, decisions and ideas will be discussed this session, but I want to begin by placing a magnifying glass on government operations in an effort to reinstate Floridians’ faith in our state government and its spending decisions.

Elected officials are merely individuals whom their neighbors have chosen to entrust with the responsibility of making decisions for their family and community. With that responsibility, comes an obligation of accountability to those who have trusted in their officials. Honesty and transparency stand as the foundation of that very trust.

Speaking forthrightly is essential to passing real, long-term solutions. Portraying a rosy picture, while Florida is facing unprecedented challenges, leaves false impressions on Florida’s families. Floridians must have access to factual information regarding their government’s operations and decisions and must be provided with a method to make meaningful suggestions based on that very information.

It is for that reason that the Florida Senate is crafting legislation to enhance transparency in state spending.  After all, the money we allocate to services and programs is not our money. It is your money and we are mere stewards.

This new age means of accountability will be introduced in an online, user-friendly manner where Florida’s budget will be posted line by line, with in-depth information on agency, office and program spending. Every state expenditure needs to be visible in the light of day – open to scrutiny. If an expenditure is not legitimate, it should be eliminated. Details regarding Florida’s spending decisions will no longer lie in the shadows.

This legislation is one of many steps to ensure that every function of government is held to the highest standards of performance and the most rigorous tests of scrutiny.

Jeff Atwater

Florida Senate President

Published: 12 Mar 2009

Deerfield Commission ethics

Dear Editor:

I attended last week’s commission meeting for the first time to learn the issues involved with the ethics code. The first speaker looked like an attorney but never introduced himself before he made his well-prepared pitch. I did not know who the man was, so I approached the podium and asked who he was. Mayor Poitier mistakenly claimed that he had identified himself, which someone in the audience then disputed. Commissioner Pam Militello then stated that he was a “pro bono attorney.” I later learned that he was a Coral Springs attorney, who apparently drafted the code of ethics for Commissioner Militello.

Apparently, the commissioners all knew who he was, but did not believe that it was important for the general public at this public meeting to know who he was and what his involvement was. Talk about unethical behavior! Will he be the same lawyer the city hires for $50,000 to handle ethics complaints in the future?

Al Hirsch

Deerfield Beach

Water rates need explaining

Dear Editor:

I hope that the new administration addresses water rates that have doubled and even tripled … although our incomes have been reduced or eliminated. But then, is there an alternative to water? Guess we’re stuck!

Explain to me how condo associations can run up thousands of dollars in water bills, but single family homes have their water shut off if they are a few days late making their much-inflated and unreasonable payments.

Explain to me how city property can water anytime they want and for as long as they want. Are the taxpayers paying for their own water and for the City’s also?

It isn’t only due to the dry weather that so many yards in Deerfield Beach are brown but due to the fact that few of us can afford to water them for the two days a week that we are allowed.

Lynne Newberry

Deerfield Beach

Published: 5 Mar 2009

Because former mayor Jean Robb was shorted on her time allocation in Tuesday’s Observer-sponsored forum at the Hilton Hotel, the following is part of the closing statement she intended to make:

Accomplishments as Deerfield Beach Mayor

As Mayor, Jean Robb devoted herself full-time in responding to your telephone calls and problems.

Robb has a proven record of protecting the taxpayer. She will stop out-of-control spending and cut costs.

She has a Community Association Manager’s license (CAM). Accordingly, she knows and understands the financial burden placed on owners when other owners are in foreclosure.

Robb has a proven record of protecting the safety of our residents. She coordinated the move to the Sheriffs Department to provide our residents with superior cost-effective police protection.

She also has a proven record of prudent beach improvement by advocating the protection of property for taxpayer’s use. She had the thatched huts on the beach built by the Seminoles; widened the beach walk, supported the installation of grass along the walkway; and added the decorative lighting.

Robb also secured the first Alzheimer’s Day Care Center through a 1984 bond issue.

She worked for three solid years to bring about Quiet Waters Elementary School – the first new elementary school in Deerfield in 26 years.

Robb has a proven record of creativity and innovation in benefiting Deerfield. This includes hiring a helicopter for a video presentation to the county, which resulted in the North Regional Courthouse being awarded to Deerfield Beach.

She also organized the Cultural Committee to sponsor the beach concerts and the annual Art Festival. She got the city to purchase its own Showmobile.

Memberships:

• Mayor of Deerfield Beach – 13 Years

• President Princeton Place HOA 2000 – 2008

• St. Ambrose Catholic Church

Lifetime Memberships:

• Deerfield Women’s Club

• Deerfield Historical Society

• Friends of the Library

Jean Robb

Deerfield Beach

________________________________________

Hearing praises for Hearing Institute

Dear Editor:

I am a snowbird living in Century Village and I had an experience today that should not go unnoticed. I had an appointment at the Healthy Hearing Institute here in Deerfield Beach and met up with a young woman who is the owner and also has a hearing impairment. Harolyn Farber is intelligent, warm and extremely patient. My husband has Alzheimer’s and we were at the institute for over two hours. Harolyn made sure that we both understood how to use our hearing aids that we had purchased in New York. She had no vested interest in us and we were treated like part of her family. This woman should be noticed. I found her through the Observer and I hope you write about her. She is very warm and very special. I highly recommend her and would encourage people just to visit the institute. It is just a great experience. Thank you for your attention.

Edith Long

Century Village

District 4 candidates

Dear Editor:

I’m writing in regards to the upcoming election for District 4 Commissioner. Looking at the candidates, we must ask ourselves who is the best candidate to vote for? On one side, we have a political newcomer, who has been a community activist the past two years and has recently received the endorsement of the Firefighters Union. On the other side, we have the retired Fire Chief, who served the city for 29 years and has been an active volunteer for over 20 years. When I examined each campaign, I noticed that Mr. Lother is running on his experienced leadership as Fire Chief and his long service to our community as his qualifications. At a recent homeowners meeting, and in recent news ads, Mr. Ganz has asked the voters to do their “homework” and ask why our former Fire Chief was not endorsed by the Fire Union. Well, I did my homework, and from what I gather, Mr. Lother listened to the citizens of Deerfield Beach two years ago when the Fire Union wanted to have our city Fire Department taken over by the Broward Sheriff’s Office.  This would have been a financial windfall for the firefighters, but a bad deal for taxpayers. As Fire Chief, Mr. Lother recognized and took an unpopular stance by standing up for keeping our Fire Department within the city, against the Fire Union’s wishes. Now, the current Fire Union is supporting Mr. Ganz. When asked at the recent Commissioner’s forum about voting on budgets for the fire department, etc., Mr. Ganz circumvented the issue by speaking out of both sides of his mouth. In these current economic times, we need an experienced leader, who tells it to us straight, is fluent with dealing with government at the city, county and federal level. I believe Gary Lother is the best candidate for District 4 City Commissioner.

Bill Mei

Deerfield Beach

Published: 19 Feb 2009

Look at the facts

Dear Editor:

Where’s the transparency in Deerfield politics? I, for one, am growing tired of the political shell games some politicians are playing. At a recent HOA meeting, I witnessed Gary Lother accusing his opponent, Bill Ganz, of mud slinging. Mr. Ganz was referring to Mr. Lother’s public record when serving as Fire Chief in an attempt to demonstrate the differences between them. When did stating the facts of public records become mud slinging?

These two men are running for office or better yet, applying for the job of District 4 commissioner.  It is important for us to realize that we need a candidate who values open communication, has strong management skills, and endeavors to find a win-win negotiation style. Both their records should be examined and be part of their resumes. Mr. Lother’s record as Fire Chief is what we have to evaluate his abilities. In the past two years, Mr. Ganz has been active and productive, working on committees to improve our neighborhoods and our property values. His record is public. His approach is thoughtful, intelligent, and reasonable.

We need leaders that will put the residents and businesses of Deerfield Beach first.  I encourage all Deerfield Beach residents who seek transparency and integrity in our local leadership to look at the facts and records of their candidates. The best decisions are made when we deal with facts.

Joan Maurice

Deerfield Beach

Dog dilemma

Dear Editor:

We have what we consider a very big problem in our building. One of our residents bought a shrill barking dog. That is against the rules in Century Village of Deerfield Beach. This individual knows very well the bylaws, having lived here many years. But this resident wishes to ignore the rules, in spite of our board telling the resident that the dog must immediately go because the board has unanimously voted against the dog. Well, the dog is still living here and the weeks have run into months (since April).

Recently, most of our residents signed a petition for that person to give away the high-pitched barking dog. The resident chose to ignore the board’s decision and the petition of 60 people as well. The resident claims that this dog is a “service dog.” This person is not blind, is not in a wheelchair nor with a walker. It is her pet. What possible way can this be called a service dog? And how is this person handicapped and in need of a service dog? Not at all! Neighbors complain and have written letters that they hear the dog barking at all hours (including early a.m. and late p.m.). This individual feels that the bylaws of Century Village are not to be followed and can be broken to please her own desires.

Miriam Lourenso

Deerfield Beach

Published: 12 Feb 2009

Vote them all out

Dear Editor:

It is my honest opinion, these spend-thrift commissioners don’t give a darnn about the people of Deerfield Beach.

They are now spending $6 million on an unnecessary project on Hillsboro Boulevard between Federal Highway and the bridge. So far, it’s taking six or more months working “piecemeal” and it is far from completion, using up that money.

Now these commissioners want to do a big, unnecessary rebuilding of the parking lot in The Cove. As far as I can see, it is a perfectly good parking lot in a business center. It seems they want to make it into a possible park. Why? I understand the plans are already approved and it will cost a fantastic $430,000 just for the plans and supervision, and they say two years to complete.

How can the commissioners even think of spending that much money [not to mention] the taxes it will have to raise to pay for it? Don’t they realize that this is not the time to put another burden on the taxpayers, with the economy causing so much grief?

They should be thinking of ways to help those unfortunate people by lowering taxes and finding ways to help them save their homes and find jobs.

I wonder how many people will be enriched by this project. Any commissioner voting for this should be voted out of office.

Frank Cuomo

Deerfield Beach

Reader reports difficulty on bus

Dear Editor:

This is the latest on what no one is supposed to know. On Sunday, Jan. 18 a huge [number] of people came out to wait for the bus to take us to the Festival Flea Market. There was pushing and shoving, pure mayhem. Someone had to call for a second trolley. Still there was not enough room. People were allowed to stand in the bus. Imagine elderly people standing from Century Village all the way to Festival, the long way. It made stops at Sawgrass Prominade, Winn Dixie, Broward Hospital etc. The schedule is for a bus every 75 minutes, last bus being 3:30 p.m. There turned out to be different schedules so you can imagine the confusion.

Coming back on the 1:50 p.m. trolley, we were 24 seated passengers. The rest were standing. All in all, there were 38 people on the little white bus cramped in like sardines. One woman fainted. Someone called 911. It was hotter than hell. The trolley was so heavily loaded down we thought it would just stop. It went so slow because of the heavy load of people.

This is what we are supposed to look forward to on a Sunday. No more trolleys. Cramped little buses, not enough seats and don’t ask anyone for information because no one knows anything.

Is anyone minding this place? Where are the so-called coordinators? We are people, not cattle. We are elderly. That’s why we opt to live in an elderly community. We are not illegals waiting to be shoved in a bus across the county. Whose wonderful idea was this? This was not a very well-thought-out plan. So to whom do we give our thanks? To whom do we give our monthly praises?

Marilyn Fernando

Oakridge A

Deerfield Beach

Published: 5 Feb 2009

Pioneer Park concerns

Dear Editor:

Wake up citizens, and let’s find out what has happened to our city.

One of the jewels of this once grand city was Pioneer Park. This beautiful, quiet park was one of the original city parks and sits opposite our entire city administration offices and center of politics.

While Deer Creek residents were getting relief from the invasive cell towers, the city politicians jumped to action and we spent thousands of dollars to keep the tower from being built. At the same time, the city was placing the ugly, several- year-old “temporary portable radio tower in the northwest corner of the park. At the same time, we bought the two duplexes and several other structures, which have made our great city the biggest slum lords in the area.

These duplex structures have had plywood-covered windows and sand for a lawn since the city bought them years ago. They have been used as city warehouses in violation of our own zoning laws.

In mid 2008, area residents were promised that the deplorable structures would be demolished by Nov. 30, 2008. When that didn’t happen, the city promised us they would be demolished by Dec. 31, 2008.

Drive by the 6 Avenue entrance to Pioneer Park and observe for yourself what great landlord and keepers of the city we now have in elected office and high-level, paid positions.

While you are looking at that mess, think about the fact that I offered in 4th quarter 2008 to have my construction company demolish the building for free if the city supplied dumpsters to haul off that debris. Sorry now, but with today’s economy, I can’t extend that offer today. But the city had its chance.

Ron Coddington

Deerfield Beach

Commissioner for The Cove

Dear Editor:

I would like to suggest to all those living in The Cove neighborhood to look around and ask yourself: Has The Cove area improved since Pam Militello has been commissioner? Unless you are blind, the answer is NO; it is clearly WORSE – even dumpy.

I have contacted her about code enforcement on numerous occasions; and still NO change. She thinks it is not an issue and that the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) can do the job.

I spoke to Joe Miller; he agrees that better code enforcement is key to improve the way the area looks.

Patrick Murphy

Deerfield Beach

Don’t waste $2.7 million +/-

Dear Editor:

For years I have listened while a small group of Deerfield Beach residents and [The] Cove shop owners pushed through a plan to improve The Cove Shopping Center, which is old and obsolete in every way and does not warrant a multimillion dollar investment by the city.

Years ago, I asked who was going to pay for the maintenance once the center was improved. I received no reply and with the state of the economy today, once more I ask: How are the costs going to be paid? Right now the owners in The Cove Shopping Center feel the taxpayers should pay. I say, “no, no, no.”

The answer is a “cam,” a common area maintenance, which is assessed to each tenant or owner of a building per square foot of space leased or owned. This payment will [take care of] all costs of the parking lot area from cutting of the grass to security.

One other way is to install parking meters, thereby reimbursing the city for the cost of improving the parking lot and maintenance over the years.

Remember this, as a resident of Deerfield Beach, you own this parking lot in The Cove Shopping Center and, being such, I am sure you would want a return on your investment. It is your “tax money.” I am sorry to say that with the state of our economy and the commercial real estate sector in such turmoil, the city should not spend one dollar of our taxpayer’s money on The Cove Shopping Center parking lot.

Please call the City Clerk’s office at 954-480-4213 and let your commissioner know you do not want your tax money spent on The Cove Shopping Center at this time. It is time to save money, not spend it.

Tom Treacy

Deerfield Beach

In defense of the former mayor

Dear Editor:

I have been a resident of Deerfield Beach since 1982, have served as director on a community board, have made many appearances at city board meetings and know most directors. Francis DeMaio and I were responsible for the reconstruction of the Bridge at Villa D’Este but to accomplish this, we needed the evaluation of an engineer.

At that time, Al Capellini, mayor of Deerfield Beach, gave of his time and expertise in getting the job done. He was very clear in addressing the matter. Any suggestion of payment was out of the question. He wanted it that way and was concise and above-board in every detail.

We were fortunate to have the mayor living here at the time and believe he is good for the city of Deerfield Beach. Whomsoever is behind the allegations against him is playing a game of Dirty Politics.

Please recognize the many years he has given to this city and remember to vote wisely during the March 2009 election.

Chris Peacock

Deerfield Beach

Published: 29 Jan 2009

No respect

Dear Editor:

[I have] been living in Deerfield Beach for over a year now and I have noticed that the city has no respect for its residents. Let’s start with List Industries that operates most of the time 24/7 and pollutes the air with paint fumes and the noise that comes from this company, which should be in a industrial district. Then you have the train. I don’t know why they have to keep blowing their horn and keep everybody awake, maybe if the freights would be on Dixie [Highway], which is a nonresidential area, the residents of Deerfield Beach might be able to have peace and quiet. But you have garbage pickup on Saturday at 6 a.m. and I mean those huge dumpsters, again no rest for the residents that work hard all week and maybe would be able to rest on Saturday morning. Deerfield Beach is a beautiful city but has no respect for its residents. I hope this letter falls in the hands of someone who cares for people and makes sure the appropriate office is advised. Thank you

Pierre Poirier

Deerfield Beach

Upcoming commission election

Dear Editor:

I am writing you in reference to the upcoming commission elections in March.

Marty Popelsky has been a commissioner for quite some years. In addition to all he has done for the seniors in Century Village [East] (CVE), I truly feel he has done a lot for the people in Deerfield Beach and is a dedicated person.

Donna Capobianco is currently the president of Master Management here in Century Village. She has made a lot of changes and improvements in the village –- all for the betterment of CVE. We have experienced a lot of change, which has been sorely needed.

The only thing I’ve read about Caryl Berner is the time she has wasted at commission meetings arguing over the use of prayer, even threatening to file a lawsuit. I really wonder if she will take the time to really represent our needs, or argue about the use of prayer, Christmas or the menorah?

With all the corruption, mismanagement and outright stealing by so many of our elected officials as noted on TV and in the newspapers, God forbid we have a prayer of any kind, whether it be Jewish, Catholic, Baptist, etc., asking for help from a higher power. The way things have been going, we need all the help we can get from wherever…We as humans can’t seem to get it done.

Bob Zukas

Deerfield Beach

Irresponsible spending?

Dear Editor:

With a New Year beginning and with all that is going on in the economy and with public officials right now, I was hoping you would do a story on “Irresponsible Spending by our city.”

Do the citizens of Deerfield Beach really know where their hard-earned money is going? Do they know how much wasteful spending the city does?

City departments spend tax dollars paying for:

• Floral arrangements to commissioners, organizations, private acquaintances, even to employees.

• Donations to churches, private organizations, personal advertisements.

• Petty Cash – What exactly is this money to be spent on and how much is allotted to each department?

• Education – Why is the city paying for employees to attend courses/classes that are not job-related or beneficial to the city?

• Contract Employees – Who, why and how much? Does the city really have a need to hire temporary employees or are we doing favors?

• Office/Equipment Supplies – Why do departments over-order or purchase unnecessary supplies/equipment at the end of the fiscal year? Does the city not provide in the next budget year for office supplies/equipment?

Don’t the City Commission and the City Manager have a responsibility to the citizens to make sure the money entrusted is being spent wisely and efficiently? I am very curious as to what has been spent in the past 5 to 10 years in the areas mentioned above.

There is still time in this budget and the upcoming ‘09-‘10 budget to make the city accountable for wasteful spending. I would like to see a tighter rein on what is being spent. Maybe the City Manager should take more of an interest in what staff is purchasing.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. Hopefully, this information will pique your interest enough to become a future article.

Mary S

Deerfield Beach

Published: 22 Jan 2009

Kudos to publisher

Dear Editor:

Kudos to the publisher. It was astonishing to read the guest editoral [Jan. 15 issue of the Observer] which had the courage to name the political parties and practice despite most of the bias in today’s larger media organizations.

Gail Lebaron

Deerfield Beach

Ladies, govern yourselves appropriately

Dear Editor:

I would like to make a comment about a very timely article written by Anthony Man (a political writer), on Friday, Jan. 16 in the Sun Sentinel.  I found it ironic that his article came out the morning after I (along with many others) had the misfortune of witnessing the very unprofessional, unfriendly behavior of several individuals that were upfront and “in the faces” of a group of business people who had gathered for a Chamber of Commerce event, to celebrate a grand opening and ribbon cutting for a new business opening here in Deerfield Beach.  The women I am speaking of know who they are, and their behavior was a direct reflection on our incumbent commissioner for Deerfield Beach, District 1. I do not deny the Old Save Our Beach Committee their right to campaign. However, if we are asking to change things for the better, make strides for improvement in our community, perhaps it is time that we take some lessons from the presidential elections and create fair and realistic expectations of the people that we have representing those in positions of authority and leadership in our community. This behavior is exactly why the majority of registered voters choose not to be involved with our local politics — and it will continue to disillusion voters and taint the very reputation of the folks who aspire to help make a better community for those who live and work here.

I learned from Man’s article that Broward County has a Fair Campaign Practices Committee that is ready to act as a neutral arbiter of “sleazy” attacks and other unsavory campaigning during the next eight weeks with 14 cities, towns and villages holding elections. Isn’t it a crying shame that everywhere we turn, we must have watchdogs to police the behavior and ethics of the people that should be looked up to with respect as pillars of our community?

Going back to the incident of last Thursday evening; I don’t know if rude behavior qualifies as a violation of clean campaign guidelines, but civility in our city politics is hard to find and for lack of a better way to say it, “ladies, govern yourselves appropriately,” it is an embarrassment to see adults behave so rudely in the name of politics

The individuals who have chosen to run for public office, hopefully are doing so because they live here, work in and love this wonderful community at least as much as I do. They all want to make it a better place. Let’s dispense with the petty stuff, grow up and have some respect .

Joan Gould

Deerfield Beach

Published: 15 Jan 2009

Readers write in on upcoming election

Dear Editor:

It is election time.

The Fire Rescue Union of Deerfield is beginning its campaign for candidates to best serve its interests.

I encourage every potential candidate for commission or mayor to avoid answering any questions which may compromise the economic position during the current union/city labor negotiations period.

We are in hard times. Don’t commit to any position which may strain our tax basis.

P.S. There are only about 12 union members who reside in Deerfield Beach.

James A. McGeary

Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

We in America, the state of Florida, and the city of Deerfield Beach are all experiencing difficult financial times. We need political leaders not afraid to make the hard choices for our city. I will recommend Jean Robb, who has a proven record of getting things done.

She will keep our taxes low as she has done in the past. I am sure she has a plan to tighten the City of Deerfield’s budget and also help those who are in foreclosure keep their homes.

I agree with the Observer’s opinion of Jan. 1. We can save Deerfield from bankruptcy. Jean has the time and the experience to lead our city forward. We have a great city and people. Let’s keep it that way.

Sam Sherrard

Deerfield Beach

Sheriff looks for four more years

Dear Editor:

The past year has been a monumental year for me both professionally and personally. On Nov. 4, 2008, the citizens of Broward County elected me to continue leading one of the finest public safety agencies in the nation. During this year, we managed to restore public confidence in our agency and although I am proud of what we have accomplished, there is much more work to be done.

We are going to get back to the fundamentals of good, tough police work and getting criminals off the streets. We will implement new and modem law enforcement techniques in order to protect the public and to pursue, find and secure criminals. We will protect the most vulnerable in society – our children and the elderly. We will stay on the cutting edge of advanced life support technology in  EMS [Emergency Medical Services] and continue to provide more efficient regional services in fire rescue. We will continue to be open, honest and fiscally responsible to the public we serve.

The 6,000 professionals that make up the Broward Sheriff’s Office are good, decent people who care deeply about this community. They are here because they want to make life better for you – the citizens of Broward County. Never before has an organization been better prepared, better organized and more motivated to take on that challenge.

To the law enforcement and detention deputies, firefighters, paramedics and civilian personnel who serve so bravely with the Broward Sheriff’s Office, thank you for your service — I am honored and grateful to serve with you.

And to the people of Broward County who make this, our community, such a wonderful place to live, work, visit and raise a family, thank you for your trust, your prayers and for your everyday acts of kindness to the men and women who serve here in America’s finest public safety agency. I am proud to be your sheriff!

Again, thank you for your support.

Sheriff Al Lamberti

Margate

Published: 8 Jan 2009

Century Village residents need transportation

Dear Editor:

On Jan. 11, [2009] Century Village East (CVE) will no longer have the transportation we were told would be ours upon purchasing our condos. How anyone in their right mind can concoct a new situation such as this one –- listen to this –- there will be county-wide, 20-seaters coming down areas where people will have to walk to certain stops for the ride to the highway, where they will be left off to walk to the shopping center for food. The white county “seaters” will not go into the mall. First of all, if you can’t get a seat you have to wait 45 minutes. If you can’t get a ride you have to walk –- people with walkers and canes, and people who walk slow will never be able to stand in the hot sun waiting for a ride, and will also miss the transportation. Only “one” county bus will be allotted to CVE. It will go down Hillsboro towards the beach.

I sent a letter to the governor, who said he could do nothing because it is a county problem, not a state problem. He said he was sending my letter to the [Broward] county commissioners. That’s the joke! These commissioners do nothing to help us. Where do the commissioners’ salaries come from? Why don’t we get a detailed list of who gets how much? We now have to pay 60 cents each way extra even though we pay for the transportation in our “envelopes” (maintenance money). Now we’re paying extra. The commissioners refused to pay for the trolleys but they’re telling us to vote for them [the politicians] in the next election. Why, so they can mistreat us some more? The Pembroke Pines Association President got [it] together. They are paying for their trolleys. They take care of their own, not like over here. Master Management spent $50,000 to have a study done for the irrigation system. We got no report. They spent $50,000 on signs you can’t see or read that have to be redone.

We need transportation. Hello, is anyone listening? Who’s minding our Senior Citizens here in Broward? How much comes off the top to the so-called Board –- from whom you can’t get answers or ask questions?

Marilyn Fernando

Oakridge A

Deerfield Beach

Reader asks for comparison study of firefighters’ compensation

To the Editor:

The Observer Opinion column in the [Jan. 1] edition brought up an interesting observation about the “bloated standard negotiated here” regarding the number of paramedics (3) that are sent per incident vs. a more common nationwide standard of 2. Simple math would conclude a 50 percent increase in manpower costs that Deerfield Beach taxpayers have to bear vs. most of the rest of the country every time there is an incident requiring the services of a paramedic team.

It might be an interesting exercise if the Observer would publish a comparative analysis of all of the compensation differences including other work rules that exist in the current and proposed union contracts for the firemen and paramedics vs. national averages so as to enlighten all taxpayers and voters as to what we are actually paying for vs. other localities.

Such a comparison might help to settle the confusion for one of our sarcastic local businessmen who has previously chastised the analysis of the published numbers reported in the Observer regarding union contracts for firefighters and paramedics and who suggested that anyone who criticized the costs to the taxpayers was somehow unpatriotic, unknowledgeable and should be censored by the Observer.  This same local businessman suggested that criticizing the costs of providing for public safety servants indicated a lack of support for the public safety members that protect the citizens of Deerfield Beach.  Nothing could be further from the truth but everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.

Specifically, is the Observer up to the challenge of publishing such a comparative analysis?  If so, we could all be educated and decide for ourselves whether the costs of the union contracts for firefighters and paramedics are reasonable.  Perhaps a comparison with other communities of response times, lives saved and any other performance criteria that are used for firefighters and paramedics could also be published so that we can judge whether premium compensation and “bloated” work rules are justified.

David Nace

Deerfield Beach

Century Village Insider … Out of Touch

Dear Editor:

Most CVE residents have a different outlook today than often expressed in the Century Village INSIDER column. Owners consistently voice the desire for upgrades in signage, guardhouses, plantings, etc., along with infrastructure modernization like automated irrigation. Sad that such a valuable resource as the Observer chooses to keep the old, negatively cast CVE image alive. The column just seems more and more out of touch.

In touch residents know comparing the Recreation Committee to CVE Master Management Company, Inc., is apples and oranges. The volunteer Recreation Committee oversees the operating budget for our leased clubhouse, multiple pools and tennis courts and has a large, professionally managed, full-time paid staff planning for improvements and carrying out directives. Master Management has a 15-member volunteer Board of Directors and a three person, part-time administrative staff . They are responsible for all planning, policies and procedures, as well as managing and running the day-to-day operation required to maintain all CVE-owned common areas, facilities and services including signage, waterways, irrigation, security, transportation, cable, trash removal, roadways, lighting, etc., owning and operating a conference facility, office building, pool and four tennis courts. The budget is about double that of Recreation, with fees the Observer regarding union contracts for firefighters and paramedics and who suggested that anyone who criticized the costs to the taxpayers was somehow unpatriotic, unknowledgeable and should be censored by the Observer.  This same local businessman suggested that criticizing the costs of providing for public safety servants indicated a lack of support for the public safety members that protect the citizens of Deerfield Beach.  Nothing could be further from the truth but everyone is entitled to his or her opinion.

Specifically, is the Observer up to the challenge of publishing such a comparative analysis?  If so, we could all be educated and decide for ourselves whether the costs of the union contracts for firefighters and paramedics are reasonable.  Perhaps a comparison with other communities of response times, lives saved and any other performance criteria that are used for firefighters and paramedics could also be published so that we can judge whether premium compensation and “bloated” work rules are justifie

Deerfield Beach

Published: 1 Jan 2009

Deerfield’s own combat M.A.S.H commander

Dear Editor:

The Commission will be attempting to fill the District 4 commission seat in the coming weeks. We will be seeking someone with integrity, leadership and independence – one who has no further Deerfield Beach political ambitions. We have just such a man residing in District 4. He is a recently retired colonel and doctor, who commanded a combat M.A.S.H. unit, holding a Top Secret Clearance during the Iraqi campaign. Thus, there is no need to check his credentials and we can get three months of his desired expertise at no extra cost to taxpayers for background checks. He is Dr. Jamie Marlowe. It’s a “no-brainer.”

Richard F. McKay

Deerfield Beach

Historical series enjoyed; the question of Boinis’ beach

Dear Publisher:

I always enjoy your historical series; my all-time favorite is “Watching Hopalong Cassidy on TV in 1951 got me in trouble with the law.” It is a classic American story that is funny and paints a picture of life in Deerfield Beach in 1951.

I would like to request that you do a story on how we got into this odd arrangement of having the public restrooms at the beach built on land that does not belong to the city. I know the recent history: Pete Boinis bought it for $200,000 when he was trying to take over the pier and build a restaurant on it. Now, Mr. Boinis wants the city to pay him $600,000 for it. It doesn’t matter that real estate values in Broward County have declined by up to 55 percent. I understand that Mr. Boinis got an appraisal for over $700,000.00, but appraisals are primarily based on what comparable properties sold for, preferably in the past six months.

This property has no comparables. The closest comparable I know of is in three subdivisions that my brother and I developed in Georgia. Each time, we had some excess land left over that had no market value because it was next to a creek and could not be built on or the county required that 4 acres be set aside as green space. Each time, we donated the excess land to the county or the homeowners association. If a property produces no income and cannot be built on, it has no market value. It seems to me that this small parcel had no market value for years and only had value if a restaurant could be built on it. When that was shot down, it went back to a small strip of land with no market value. Mr. Boinis gambled on this property and he lost. Now, he wants the taxpayers to bail him out with a golden parachute, kind of like on Wall Street.

I have been going to our public beach for 30 years and I had no idea that it was not all public property. You would think that the owner gave the city permission to use it and the public-use would be grandfathered in. In that case, why would the city need to buy it? One more question that you probably cannot answer: Why do our city officials want to pay Mr. Boinis three times his purchase price when the value of everyone else’s property is collapsing? I’m sure that your readers would be interested in the history of this parcel of land.

Robert Lloyd

Deerfield Beach

P.S. I wanted to let you know that your paper is read in Clayton, GA by Timothy Butler, who lived in this area 10 years ago. You may know him. After my last letter about four months ago Timothy asked my brother, “Do you have a brother in Deerfield Beach who writes letters to the editor?” In that letter, I said that the last three houses my brother built in Clayton were sold to buyers from West Palm Beach, Pennsylvania and New York. The point being … not only are Floridians fleeing the state, but retirees from the northeast are avoiding Florida in favor of the other southern states where property taxes are much lower.

Firefighters Compensation issues to bankrupt Dade County

-may destroy hundreds of firefighter jobs-

Dion in Deerfield Beach

FPL’s abuse of power

Question: Why are people moving from South Florida?

Afraid of losing your job?

Ethical witch hunt

Meet my neighbor and friend … Joe Miller

George Will – Shame on you! – paid by Japanese to diss U.S. car manufacturers

Congratulations to Obama!

— and all our African-American friends, too —

Which Presidential candidate will be best to protect you and your loved one’s job?

If you liked Jimmy Carters’ Foreign Policy, you’ll probably love Obama’s

McCain made a good choice…

Warning, Non-Citizens who vote could go to jail along with those who assist them

The British love Deerfield…..to visit

Changes at the Observer

Moses in the Bible tried to warn Eliot Spitzer “be sure your sin will find you out”

Prayer at city hall?

Vote “Yes” on Amendment 1

How Long Do We Have?

HAPPY NEW YEAR, JANICE!

Immigration is number one issue

Published: 6 Dec 2007

A few years ago an American friend of mine, who had bought a Holiday Inn in Bimini, Bahamas, that included a marina for boats to park while their guests stayed at his hotel, called me. A three-day storm with winds exceeding 50 mph had blown a significant amount of sand from the ocean into the marina channel accessing his hotel, blocking boats, mostly American tourists, from entering or leaving. His business was in a crisis mode, and he was frantic to get the sand removed. He knew that our company had pumps capable of pumping sand. So he called me insisting I come over immediately to give him advice on what to do.

I arrived the next day at the Bahamian airport on a commercial airplane. I filled out the arrival forms and started through customs. I had a tape measure and a sight level (a six-inch engineering device for estimating elevation differentials) in my travel bag. The customs lady asked me about them, and I explained that I needed them in order to help my friend who needed some sand removed from his marina. She said: “So you are here on business!” I replied that I didn’t know whether I would actually be doing any business or not, but that I needed the instruments in order to make an estimate for my friend.

She asked me if I had a business permit for doing business in the Bahamas. I explained to her that I wasn’t doing any business yet, simply taking a look at a potential project, and assured her that if we actually did any business we would go through the proper channels to get all of the required permits. Suddenly she started shouting, and called for a policeman. She told the policeman that I was trying to do business illegally, and should be put in jail. The policeman, much more polite than the customs lady, took me by the arm and led me to a holding cell at the airport.

I couldn’t believe it. I asked the policeman if I could make a phone call to the Holiday Inn. He said I could, and took me to a phone. I called my friend and told him my predicament. He was as surprised as I had been, and said he would go get the chief of police for the island to come with him to get me. Within an hour my friend showed up with the Bimini police chief, who instructed the jailer to let me go.

I share this story because it is typical of what every other country in the world does when it comes to people entering, trying to get work. Other countries protect their own citizens’ jobs. Whether it is Haitians trying to get into the Dominican Republic, Central Americans trying to get jobs in Mexico, or Taiwanese trying to get jobs in Canada.

It is outrageous that our government has allowed over 12 million people to come here illegally and take jobs from Americans. That undoubtedly is why our local hero last week, Mark Spradley, was still unemployed. Some person here illegally has taken the job he otherwise would have had. It is time to stop the nonsense. Working Americans need to wake up and direct their votes in the next election to the candidates and political party who will best protect their jobs from the effects of illegal immigration.

David Eller, Publisher

Lower property taxes… by raising sales taxes

Published: 25 Oct 2007

A Realtor friend of mine recently lamented that our elected officials need to act soon to substantially lower property taxes. Otherwise, those of us who own homes, rental properties or businesses here will find ourselves on what he called… a sinking ship. He went on to give his opinion that our local city and county governments have loaded us down with so much real estate “tax cargo” that unless something is done, many more people will be forced to abandon this beautiful place called South Florida.

A local restaurant manager shared the same concern, with a slight twist, saying that people seem to be eating out less as the property tax burden has taken more of their money. It is a bit of a Catch 22 as our city and county employees who live locally also have to pay the same tax increases. Therefore, our local governments may have to consider outsourcing more to increase their overall efficiency, as many private companies have been doing.

The legislature keeps coming up with variations of “tax reductions.” However, it seems to have gotten very complicated as they apparently are trying to satisfy too many special interests. So what do we do?

I recently asked for a show of hands from a group of about 40 local citizens who were in attendance at our local Kiwanis Club meeting. I asked how many of them would support raising our sales taxes a cent or two, if ad valorem taxes were reduced proportionally and locked into place permanently? Every hand in the audience went up!

If you agree, cut this out and mail or fax it to your representative whose addresses are listed in the shaded box.

David Eller, Publisher

Florida Power and Light: A modern day robber baron?

Published: 6 Sep 2007

Last week was an expensive week in our household.  We received a $927 electricity bill from FPL, some 21percent higher than the same month last year. This was the result of the electric power rate increase which FPL was granted by the Public Service Commission, as a type of surcharge, to pay for their expenses for fixing lines and poles blown down during the previous hurricane season. In addition, last week we paid over $30,000 for a large electric generator to give us backup power.

A friend of our family who still works for FPL and used to be a lineman for them, shared with me that higher management pulled him and others off of regular pole and line maintenance a few years ago to do other chores. In fact, FPL reduced their workforce by a third, from 14,510 to 9,800. I don’t remember our bills being reduced any, but I have noted how FPL management brags in investment journals about their being one of the most, if not the most, profitable power companies in the United States. No wonder. They have cut their expenses by simply not maintaining their power poles and lines!  This is why you and I are suffering more power outages and having to spend hard-earned money on generators!

Then to add insult to injury, FPL brings in outside contract employees at $100 per hour to actually repair the lines and poles, and adds it as a surcharge on our bills!  It is a financial gimmick they have come up with to soak their customers, while paying huge bonuses to their management. In fact, Chief Executive Lewis Hays pays himself over $6 million per year!

This wouldn’t be happening if we went back to an elected Public Service Commission. When our governor Charlie Crist was running for U.S. Senate in 1998, he called for returning the PSC to elected positions as it was back in the 70’s. Legislation calling for an elected PSC has been filed several times in the legislature, but as soon as the FPL lobbyists get to work, it never gets out of committee. In fact it’s been reported that FPL maintains the highest number of lobbyists in the State.  It’s past time for the customers of FPL to get some relief, by reestablishing an elected PSC.  We all need to lean on our legislators and Governor to make it happen– sooner rather than later.

David Eller, Publisher

Get the shotgun Honey, and call 911

Published: 2 Aug 2007

Early last Sunday morning, about 1:30 a.m., I was sleeping lightly in our house near the waterway, when I heard a strange “thump, thump” noise coming from somewhere inside or outside of our house, and near our bedroom.  I turned on my back in order to hear well. I thought it may have been a squirrel. But when I heard it a second time near a different bedroom window I decided to wake my wife. We both lay still. Suddenly a louder sound came from just outside our bedroom wall in the living room area next to our indoor swimming pool. My wife jumped out of bed, threw on her robe, and before I could stop her, opened the locked bedroom door, flipped on the living room light, and shouted loudly: “Get the shotgun Honey, and call 911!” While I was getting my shotgun from the closet, my wife heard another loud sound in our patio area as furniture was being knocked over.

I grabbed my chrome plated, Winchester, pump action 12 gauge shot gun I keep in the closet and rushed through the bedroom door to protect my wife. I always keep it semi-loaded with four shotgun shells. The first shot would be a slug bullet, about 3/4 inch diameter, which is plenty big enough to bring down the largest man up close. The second and third are buckshot loads good for deer hunting in case I miss with the slug. The forth is bird shot, which shoots a wide pattern in case my first three shots miss. I stepped through the door and immediately pump-cocked the gun, which was already loaded but left in a half-way cocked position. “Ke-chunk, ke-chunk” it went loudly, which has got to be the worse sound a thief could hear. I stood there at the bottom of the stairs leading to our upstairs, and faced west toward the sliding glass doors, so I could cover both the stairs and the sliding glass doors going out to our patio and pool area. At that moment we actually thought someone may have already gained entry and were upstairs. Not seeing anything immediately, I gave my wife the gun (she’s actually a better shot than I am) and proceeded to the phone to call 911. I admit my voice was a little shaky as I told the operator, who answered after only two rings, where we were, what had happened, and could they send a deputy sheriff immediately.

I stuck another gun, a 38 caliber pistol in my pocket and came back out of the bedroom, taking the shotgun from my wife as she went to the front of the house to wait for the police. Two deputy sheriffs were at our house within five minutes. Deputy Bishop went upstairs first, searching thoroughly before declaring it “clean”. We then started looking around the patio and found the place the thief had entered. It was a sliding glass door at the corner next to our bedroom which we had neglected to properly secure, as it was covered with a large stained glass piece of art work my wife had made many years ago. The thief had popped open that door and pushed the stained glass piece forward about 10 inches. Unfortunately for him, we also have a baby grand piano in that corner which he was also pushing against. The piano slowed him down long enough for us to get up and into the same room. My wife’s flipping on the lights and shouting “Get the shotgun, Honey…and call 911!” apparently had its desired effect and he, or they, decided to make a quick exit, stumbling over patio furniture on the way out. The police found two other places they had tried to enter before selecting that particular sliding glass door.

Are there lessons to be learned from this experience? There sure are. The first is making sure you have complete security in ALL windows and doors. Thieves are experts at finding an unsecured opening.  We had extra locking pins and round wood blocking barriers in all the other sliding glass doors. It was only this one door, because it was covered by my wife’s stained glass work, which we did not have properly secured, and the thief quickly found it. Lesson one: Make sure all doors are properly secured.

Lesson Two: Although we have an alarm system, we had not armed it before going to bed. Big mistake. She thought I’d done it, and I thought she’d done it. Don’t make such assumptions. Set up a system and follow it. Lesson three: Be careful who knows when you are going to be away. My wife and I had been on a trip Thursday and Friday celebrating our 38th wed-ding anniversary. There were construction workers working on the outside of our house and our next door neighbor’s on Friday. Some of them knew we were gone. If it was related to one of them, they probably thought we’d be gone the whole weekend. Make sure no one knows except trusted neighbors or family when you’re going to be away.

And last, but not least, Lesson Four: Make sure you have the means to protect yourself if need be, and know how to use it. I’ve owned my Winchester chrome plated 12 gauge shotgun for about 30 years, but have not actually shot it in several years. For a moment, standing at the bottom of our stairs thinking I might need to pull the trigger, I was worried whether I had the safety on or off. It was off and ready to fire. But for a moment I was uncertain, and that moment might have made a big difference had the thief decided to stay and charge me. In other words, if you’re going to have a gun, you need to know how to use it, and practice occasionally. You also need to let the police know when you call that you have a gun in hand, so they don’t mistake you for an adversary and act accordingly.

Finally, even though I didn’t have to use it, I was sure glad to have that 12-gauge on my side last Sunday morning, Thank you, Mr.Winchester.

David Eller, Publisher

Uncontrolled immigration problem needs to be fixed!

Published: 28 Jun 2007

George Bush, Ted Kennedy and all the other politicians in Washington, D.C. are nuts! How dare they legalize at least 12 million people who have come here illegally! If they do that, there will be another 50 million illegals here ten years from now. Our country and lifestyle will eventually collapse without a limited immigration policy to regulate entry at our borders. This is what happened to Rome nearly 2000 years ago and we unfortunately seem to be on the same path. If you agree, you better let Senators Martinez and Nelson know this week as the Senate is expected to vote on it this week. Contact information for Senator Martinez is U.S. States Senate, 356 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC, phone 202-224-3041 and fax 202-228-5171. For Senator Nelson, U.S. States Senate Building, 716 Senate Hart Office Building, Washington, DC, phone 202-224-5274 and fax 202-228-2183.

David Eller, Publisher

Now is the time to speak out

Published: 17 May 2007

“If any man can show just cause, why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him speak now, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.”

Solemnization of Matrimony

The Holy Bible book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3 puts it this way:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;…..a time to weep, and a time to laugh…a time to get, and a time to lose….a time to keep silence, and a time to speak!

Now is the time to speak out if you are concerned about the property taxes on your home or business. The State Legislature just adjourned without resolving the issue, but will meet again in June for final discussions and a vote on the matter. Several options are on the table. The House of Representatives seems poised to possibly eliminate all ad valorem (property) taxes on our homes and business in exchange for an increase in sales tax to as much as 8 ½ cents on the dollar.  The Senate, on the other hand, seems unwilling to give any substantial property tax relief except over an extended period of time of about five years.  The question, therefore, is whether people and our economy can hold out for several years under the Senate plan, while people are stuck with high taxes and not being able to sell their homes. Apparently, many people are not willing to wait on the Senate, as “For Sale” signs seem to be sprouting up everywhere.

If all this affects you in some way, then now is the time to act. Your State Representatives and Senators are listed below.   Speak to them by email, letter or in person now, or you may as well “forever hold your peace”!

David Eller, Publisher

I’m proud to be an American…a Deerfield Beach American!

Published: 15 Mar 2007

Congratulations, citizens of Deerfield Beach. You stood up to one of the largest assaults ever attempted to take over a city in local modern history. Because you went out and voted (nearly 20 percent of our citizens here went to the polls, compared to half that in surrounding communities), you saved over $50 million in existing firefighter related assets from being taken over by out-of-town special interests; plus another $25 million in bonds they thought you would be foolish enough to borrow and give them!

Frankly, I’m embarrassed for my friend Sheriff Jenne, who badly overestimated his popularity and power in trying to take over our fire department and its substantial assets; and who raised and spent close to $53,000 from out-of-town interests in the losing effort. For what it is worth, the “locals” spent less than $3,000 to beat him!

I’m also embarrassed for former Mayor Robb, as well as members of the “Original Save Our Beach Committee” who jumped ship from “saving” our Deerfield Beach assets to support giving them away! I’m a little embarrassed for the large daily newspaper south of us that endorsed all the ballot positions that lost, and declined to run stories on the destruction of campaign signs taking place.

But most of all, I’m embarrassed for our firefighters, who were led into overreaching by their union leadership. Most of them are fine citizens, but some apparently participated in stealing and destroying thousands of dollars of their opponents’ legal campaign signs, while posting illegal campaign signs of their own on private and public property.

Now the City Commission and Mayor have heard from the citizens of Deerfield Beach. I’m sure they got the message.

Vote ‘NO’ On #3!

Published: 8 Mar 2007

Special interests out to get Deerfield’s fire department–

And they are out to get it on the cheap!

“Show me the money!” Cuba Gooding, Jr. shouted over and over again in the movie Jerry Maguire. “Show me the money!”

In a variation of that theme, Deerfield Beach taxpayers need to start shouting to our elected officials, “Follow the money! Follow the money!”

If they do follow the money, they will see that special interests outside of Deerfield Beach, mostly located in Sheriff Ken Jenne’s hometown of Hollywood, Florida, are financing this campaign to take over Deerfield’s fire department! Specifically, as of last week, $34,250 had been donated, with 95 percent, $32,500, coming from businesses in Hollywood, obviously aligned with the sheriff. Almost none is coming from Deerfield Beach, and that ought to tell you something!

Those special interests obviously intend to make lots of money on this deal, otherwise they would not be financing it. And what a deal it is! Deerfield taxpayers turn over some $55 million of buildings and equipment to the sheriff, which we still have to pay for, plus another $25 million if No.2 passes, for a total of $80 million. The sheriff and special interests get control of our buildings and equipment, but Deerfield Beach tax- payers still have to pay all the costs (over which we now have no control, including more lucrative pensions) for the firefighters!

This, of course, makes no sense and would never be happening were it not for the second main special interest pushing this: certain firefighters, most of whom do not live in Deerfield Beach, who stand to double up on their pensions if it passes.

Therefore, if you follow the money, you will see it is being taken from your Deerfield Beach pocket and flowing to special interests in Hollywood, plus fire-fighters, most living in other communities. It’s a bad deal for Deerfield Beach residents. Therefore, you need to call your Deerfield Beach neighbors and get them to join with you next Tuesday and vote “NO” to No. 3!

David Eller, Publisher

Vote “Yes” for more parks

-on March 13 Referendum Item No. 2-

Published: 1 Mar 2007

It is going to be difficult for many people renting or owning property in this city to vote to further increase their expenses to live here by increasing property taxes for any reason. However, if there was any expense that might be approved during normal times, it would most likely be related to adding additional parks and recreational facilities.

The timing of the referendum is unfortunate, however, as many people here are already in “tax shock.” Hopefully, the Florida Legislature will find a way soon to re-adjust the taxing methods to relieve property owners, renters and businesses in general. Meanwhile, available property on which to build parks and recreational facilities is dwindling. It will require an act of faith on the part of voters to trust our city’s elected officials to spend the money wisely if they vote to proceed on taxing themselves more to pay for some $30 million for additional parks in Deerfield Beach.

David Eller, Publisher

DEERFIELD, VOTE NO!

-on March 13 Referendum Item No. 1-

Published: 22 Feb 2007

“Thinking to get at once all the gold the goose could give, he (they) killed it and opened it only to find………nothing”

–Aesop, 550 BCE

Here we go again. The Deerfield Beach firefighters are again overreaching and trying to kill the goose that lays their golden eggs. The firefighters’ very politically active leadership may lead them over the precipice this time, possibly forever, as they seek to intimidate the public about this latest bond proposal. To his credit, the mayor voted against it, but the other commissioners questionably put on the upcoming ballot what is a horrendously bad deal for Deerfield Beach citizens and taxpayers. Specifically, they are seeking voter approval to borrow $25 million to be spent for additional firefighter related assets, and then, if the ballot passes, give it all, plus another $55 million in Deerfield assets we already own, to the Broward County Sheriff’s Department! That’s an $80 million transfer from the City of Deerfield to the Broward County Sheriff’s Department, with the City of Deerfield taxpayer stuck with the bill!

Sheriff Ken Jenne, who I admit is a friend of mine, is no fool. He was smiling sheepishly as he and I spoke recently about him receiving what amounts to a huge windfall for his organization. He told me that although he could not pay anything to Deerfield to actually buy those assets, he is willing to pay some rent. He further admitted that he has not seen any financial information from the city, and therefore could not speak to what amount he could justify paying in rent.

This, of course, makes no sense unless you look at it from the standpoint of some of the senior firefighters in Deerfield Beach who are pushing it. They are already the recipients of one of the most generous retirement benefits at an early age imaginable, but they still want more. Many are already receiving, and many more looking forward to receiving soon, from the taxes placed on our homes and businesses, in the area of $70,000 per year in retirement while still in their forties or early fifties. However, if they can get the Broward County Sheriffs Department to take over Deerfield’s Fire Department, these individuals can start accumulating a second pension benefit from us as Broward County taxpayers, while simultaneously receiving their Deerfield pension income. They can, therefore, substantially increase their current income from the Deerfield pension fund, while double-dipping on the same taxpayers for their new Broward County pension! As I’ve said before, we simply cannot afford to have more financial burden put on our homes, businesses and rental properties. After all, you can only get so many golden tax dollars out of the geese in this town. And speaking of birds, this Referendum Item No. 1 is a turkey, and Deerfield citizens need to get to the polls en masse on March 13 and shoot this turkey down!

David Eller, Publisher

Time to stop the charade…with the firefighters’ union

Tis the Season to decide your own Direction!

Firefighters about to kill the goose