“Wines of Passion” dinner

Thursday, June 16, 6 p.m.

Carmens Top of the Bridge, Bridge Hotel, 999 Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Will feature “pairings” of Argentinean wines from Septima, a subsidiary of the Codorniu group, Spain’s largest wine company with culinary selections from Chef Dudley Rich. 561-886-4570 or www.bocaratonbridgehotel.com.

Deerfield Chamber After Hours

Thursday, June 16, 5:30 p.m.

Comfort Inn, 50 SE 20 Ave., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

One drink and snacks included. 954-428-0650.

Cresthaven Neighborhood Watch

Thursday, June 16, 7:15 p.m.

St. Elizabeth Social Hall, 901 NE 33 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33064

Moonlight Melodies

Friday, June 17, 7 p.m.

Main Beach Parking Lot, SE 1st Street and Ocean Way, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Concert Series kicks off with performance by retro rock band 441. FREE. Bring beach chair or blanket. 954-480-4430 or www.Deerfield-Beach.com

2nd Annual Clint Session 55 Football Camp

Saturday, June 18, 11a.m. to 3 p.m.

Mitchell Moore Center Park, 901 NW 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL  33060

Hosted by professional football player, Blanche Ely High School graduate Clint Session and City of Pompano Beach. FREE lunch and T-shirts for first 400 registered participants. Drills, tournament, speeches, awards and autograph session with celebrity players from 2:45 to 3 p.m. Registration forms/waivers can be picked up at any Pompano Beach Parks and Recreation facility. 954-786-4111.

Hillsboro Lighthouse Tour

Saturday, June 18, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sands Harbor Boat Dock, 125 N. Riverside Dr., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

Tour historic lighthouse. Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society members free, non-members: $15. www.hillsborolighthouse.org/tours.html or call 954-942-2102.

Ice Cream Social

Saturday, June 18, 2 to 4 p.m.

Boca Raton Children’s Museum, 498 Crawford Bl., Boca Raton, FL 33432

Ice cream provided by Kilwin’s. 561-368-6875. www.cmboca.org.

Father’s Day Car Show

Sunday, June 19, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Mizner Park, 327 Plaza Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432

Free fun for Father’s Day. Take a look at classic cars from 1920s to 1960s and post-war European sports and exotic cars by Lou La Vie. Street parking will be taken, park in garages.

North Broward Democratic Club

Wednesday, June 22, 7:30 p.m.

Emma Lou Olson Civic Center, 1801 NE 6 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

FREE. Speaker: School board member Robin Bartleman. Light refreshments served. 954-783-8232.

Deerfield Packer Rattlers Football & Cheerleading

Through July 7, 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Westside Park, 445 SW 2 St., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

$70 per child. 561-756-0834.

Save the Date: Fishing for the Dream Tournament

Friday, June 24, 6 to 8 p.m. & Saturday, June 25, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lighthouse Point Yacht & Racquet Club, 2701 NE 42nd St., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Kicks off with Captain Party, including silent auction on June 24 at 6 p.m. The next day, boats will be fishing from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Weigh-ins at the club at 2 p.m. June 25. Post-tournament BBQ and pool party from 2 to 5 p.m. to follow. Proceeds go to non-profit organization Deliver the Dream, which provides retreats for families experiencing serious illness or crisis. www.DeliverTheDream.org

To the commission RE: Utility tax

Dear Editor:

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

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

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

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

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

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

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

Dear Editor:

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

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

This is not your city, it is ours.

John Grassi

Deerfield Beach

*Letter sent in Tuesday, prior to commission meeting.

Jacksonville Mayor Election a Harbinger to 2012?

Dear Editor:

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

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

Brad Burtner

Deerfield Beach

Where Does the Buck Stop?

Dear Editor:

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

Just a Vet

Deerfield Beach

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

RE: BSO presentation on Fire-Rescue

Dear Editor:

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bett Willett

Co-president, Original Save Our Beach Committee

Deerfield Beach

Joe at Biondo’s pizza tosses the dough for a pie.

By Becki Coffy

Biondo’s pizza has been open in The Cove Shopping Center in Deerfield Beach for the past 14 months. I wish I had discovered this quaint eatery a year ago so that I could be reporting on everything on their menu. Don’t let its small size fool you, the menu is large enough to satisfy your desire for great pizzas, subs, salads and more.

Joe Biondo decided to open an Italian restaurant 40 years ago in the Port St. Lucie area and enjoyed the fruits of his labor for many years. After a career change and partial retirement, he decided to go back into the business and we are so glad he did.

Joe does most of the cooking using recipes from his mother and other family members. He proudly states that the sauce is his mother’s recipe, which he still has handwritten on the paper she gave him. His uncle shared the pizza crust technique that he uses even now for his breads and pizza dough. Good food transcends time, and he is happy to share these family specialties with his customers.

Knowing that Joe makes dough fresh every day, we decided to start with the homemade garlic knots. They were served piping hot and covered with real butter and fresh garlic. They were crispy on the outside and oh-so-fluffy and tender on the inside. The butter added another dimension to the flavor and really stepped it up a notch.

Next, we ordered the Stromboli filled with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, sausage and peppers. It was stuffed with fillings and lots and lots of hot melted cheese. It was served with homemade red sauce rich with tomatoes, onions, basil and other seasonings. It was full of flavor, and, yet, light to the taste. We gobbled it up so quickly we needed a second helping to finish our dish.

Our final choice from the menu was the white pizza. Joe tells me it is one of the more popular dishes on the menu, although the pepperoni and cheese pizza always tops the list.

Again, the crust set the stage for a mouthwatering treat handmade by the owner.  Crispy and tender, it was just thick enough to hold up to the ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheeses loaded on the top. This was a little slice of pizza heaven. The pizza can also be ordered with spinach, but I thought it was perfect just the way it was served.

The menu offers 6- and 12- inch subs. The Italian combo is the most popular, but they also have a tuna salad sub, oven roasted turkey, roast beef, ham and cheese, and even a hamburger hoagie. Rounding out the sub choices are sausage and peppers, chicken parmesan, and meatball. I intend to try both the chicken parmesan and meatball, as these are prepared using “mama’s “ recipes; and if they are half as good as the red sauce, then I’m in for a treat.

Giving a nod to Joe’s lovely wife, Janet, they have completed their sub choices with the Philly cheese steak. Janet, originally from Philadelphia, thought her hometown should be represented too. She assures me it is the “real deal.”

Pizza’s can be ordered in 10-, 12- and 16-inch sizes and there are 18 topping choices from which to choose. Calzones and Strombolis have become very popular selections, and the true ‘Buffalo’-style wings can be ordered medium, hot, garlic and barbeque.  House, Caesar and Chef salads are available, and I am told by friends that the antipasto is delicious.

Before you order, be sure to check the desserts and save room.   The filling for the cannolis is prepared daily and the cannolis are made to order to ensure their freshness. Assorted flavors of Italian ices and New York-style cheesecake are also available.

Biondo’s is located at 1619 SE 3 Court in Deerfield Beach in The Cove Shopping Center.  Monday and Tuesday offers a 16-inch cheese pizza for $6.95 and several other specials are available. Call 954-427-7754 for pick-up or delivery.

Until we eat again …

SunFest

Through Sunday, May 1

Flagler Dr. along Intracoastal, (Okeechobee exit off I-95), West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Muscial line-up: Jason Mraz, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Ziggy Marley, O.A.R., Styx, Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, Gregg Allman, Jeff Beck and more. Food, drinks, wine tastings, Juried art & craft show, and fireworks the last night! TGI5k race on April 29 includes admission to festivities. www.sunfest.com.

Greater Pompano Beach Republican Club meets

Thursday, April 28, 7 p.m.

Emma Lou Olson Community Center, 1801 NE 6 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Officer Elections, guest speaker — Sheela Venero, secretary of Broward Executive Republican Committee & Spec. Assistant to Gov. Rick Scott. Discussion of current state legislation, grassroots activism in off-election year. Refreshments served. 954-786-7536.

City of Lighthouse Point Annual Arbor Day Celebration

Friday, April 29, 10 a.m.

Dan Witt Park, 4521 NE 22 Ave., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Members of Daughters of American Revolution giving LHP a tree. 954-943-6500.

LHP Chili Cook Off

Saturday, Apr. 30, 6:30 p.m.

Lighthouse Point Tennis Center, 3500 NE 27 Ave., Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Benefits; “Wishing Well International Foundation.” Music, auction, raffle and more. Also, tennis Round Robin (ages 18+) from 4 to 6 p.m. at LHP Yacht & Racquet Club, 2701 NE 42 St. Registration by Apr. 10. Call LHP Tennis Center: 954-946-7306.

8th Annual Jim Moran YATC S. Florida Golf Tournament

Saturday, April 30, 7:15 a.m. (registration)

Jacaranda Golf Club, 9200 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, FL 33324

Benefits local Youth Automotive Training Center (YATC). Registration followed by shotgun, putting contest, silent auction and raffle luncheon. 954-428-0909 or www.yatc.org.

1st Annual Deerfield Beach Wine & Food Festival

Saturday, April 30, 4 to 8 p.m.

The Cove Shopping Center, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Celebrity chefs from around the area, exotic wines, unique vendors along the Intracoastal Waterway. $47. 561-338-7594. www.deerfieldbeachwineandfoodfestival.com.

Boca Green Market

Saturday, April 30, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Royal Palm Place, S. Federal Hwy. & S. Mizner Park Blvd., Boca Raton, FL  33432

561-368-6875.

Spring Concert

Sunday, May 1, 2 p.m.

Pompano Beach High School, 600 NE 13 Ave., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Youth Choir from New Presbyterian Church brings together award-winning high school students from around South Florida singing classics to Gospel. Admission is free, but Love Offering taken. 954-946-4380 or www.newpres.org.

Deerfield Beach Green Market

Sunday, May 1, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sullivan Park, 1724 Riverview Rd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

954-480-4317.

Beauty & Beast Hair Show

Monday, May 2, 6 p.m. to midnight

Elks Lodge, 700 NE 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33060

Local cosmetology students, barbers, stylists from tri-county area compete for next level in the W.W.W. “hair smack-down” and 2012 Diva Hair Academy Awards prizes, etc. Benefits charity for handicapped kids, assists with medical expenses and sending them to camp. $45 — licensed barber/stylist or $40 — students/general public (dinner included). Tickets purchased at Exotic Hair, 1771 S. Congress Ave., Lake Worth, FL 33461. 561-434-3141.

LHP Library Summer Camp registration

Monday, May 2, library hours

Doreen Gauthier Lighthouse Point Library, 2200 NE 38th St, # A, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Runs June 13-17 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church Education Building. Pre-K-5. Sports clinics, Mad Science fun and more! Special guests daily. First 100 students receive T-shirts provided by Balkan & Patterson, LLP. $185/ wk. if you enroll by June 1, $205 after . 954-946-6398.

Save the Date:

Deerfield Beach Rotary Youth Scholarship Golf Tournament

Friday, May 13, 7:15 (check in), 8 a.m. (Shotgun start)

Deer Creek Country Club, 2801 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd., Deerfield Beach, FL 33442

Benefits scholarships given to local students by Rotary. Call for pricing and info, prices range as low as $100 (sponsor) or $125 each for foursomes. 954-640-6225.

Hillsboro Boulevard TREES

Dear Editor:

I see that they are going to cut down 121 trees on Hillsboro Boulevard. BUT, the city has the $$ to plant new ones! Isn’t that nice … How about some trees for Hillsboro from Dixie to Federal? How about throwing something our way (those of us who live in the area)? Give us a little something to ease the pain of the eyesore that is the Dixie Flyover! Hillsboro from Dixie to Federal is like a runway.

Donna Lavoie

Deerfield Beach

Dear Editor:

Deerfield Beach is known for its beautiful Hillsboro Boulevard median trees. The canopy is one of the most mentioned features of Deerfield, second only to the beach.

121 trees in the median of Hillsboro (the ones marked with yellow tape) are slated to be CUT DOWN. The mahogany and oak trees took decades to mature to their beautiful, tall, full-canopied form.

The city’s rationale for this chainsaw massacre is that the trees obstruct the visibility of tractor-trailer trucks along Hillsboro Boulevard.

Deerfield Beach wants to cut down 71 percent of the live oaks, 59 percent of the mahoganies, and 100 percent of the geiger trees. Of the 121 trees the City of Deerfield Beach wants to remove, at least 56 or 46 percent are recommended “Wind Resistant Trees,” according to the very publication the city cites as an authority. And all of the “Wind Resistant Trees” that the city wants to remove are also native species.

Yet of the 126 trees the city wants to use as replacements, only 52 percent are on the “Wind Resistant Tree” list — only if you consider Royal Palms as trees.

In summary, the City is planning to cut down 121 trees, and replace them with 126 trees (including palms), for a 6 percent net increase in “Wind Resistant Trees.”

The question of sight distance is not relevant because virtually all of the trees have canopies 5 feet or more above the sight line datum — consistent with DOT standards. Nor do the branches touch the trucks going by.

What is odd about this is the city says they applied specific criteria to determine which trees to cut and which trees not to cut, but the facts do not support their reasons.

Given this, how, in a county that is built out from the ocean to the everglades, can anyone justify allowing these majestic beauties to fall to the chainsaw?

Bett Willett

Deerfield Beach

Re: District 2 Special Election

Dear Editor:

My name is David Cody and I am a concerned, qualified elector and citizen of District 2 in the city of Deerfield Beach.  I have previously e-mailed you a copy of my blog post regarding the Special Election that will occur in Deerfield Beach between May 29, 2011 and June 28, 2011, if we follow the City’s Charter.

I wanted you to know that the consensus of most District 2 residents is that we want, no demand, that the Special Election take place as soon as statutorily possible.  We do not want to drag this out nor let the city drag this matter out.  We are ready to move forward positively toward a goal of District redevelopment and growth, and for that we need an elected representative in our city government.

We are hoping to resolve this matter as soon as possible, and, hopefully, no later than the 50th day or the following Tuesday, if it must be on a Tuesday.

In an attempt to have a good voter turnout, will you please consider having the election on a Saturday, when the majority of District 2 residents are not working.  If the goal of our democracy is to allow the people to vote for their representatives, then scheduling that vote on a day when the majority of qualified electors are available would be the most sensical thing to do.  However, I have no illusions that the electoral process is usually absent of common sense, due to statutory constraints.

Deerfield Beach seems to be the capital of Special Elections lately. And District 2 has not escaped that fate. With the removal of Sylvia Poitier on April 14, 2011, Deerfield Beach’s City Charter states that if no regular city election is scheduled within nine (9) months, the commission shall schedule a special election to fill the unexpired term of mayor or a commissioner held not sooner than forty-five (45) days (May 29, 2011), nor more than seventy-five (75) days  (June 28, 2011) following the occurrence of the vacancy or vacancies.

They may choose to appoint someone from District 2 to fill her position and we will, as a community of concerned individuals, attend every commission meeting to ensure that that individual is doing what is in the best interest of all his/her constituents. We know that 45-75 days is a long time and anything can happen if we are not vigilant and mindful. If the past couple of years has taught us nothing, then I hope it has taught us that.

David Cody

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: According to City Attorney Andy Maurodis (April 21 Observer), “there is no provision for an interim appointment in these types of cases.” Scheduling of a Special Election is up to the office of the Supervisor of Elections, when they can do it per advertising requirements.

Updated as of 4:22 pm on April 13 – Sylvia Poitier has turned herself in at the Broward County Jail just before noon on April 13. Once the Broward Sheriff’s Office releases more information about the charges, they will be posted.

Criminal charges have officially been filed against Deerfield Beach commissioner Sylvia Poitier. According to the Broward State Attorney’s office, Poitier is facing five misdemeanor charges related to voting conflicts of interests that could have benefited family members.

Prosecutors with the Broward State Attorney’s office and the Broward Sheriff’s office worked together to pull the charges together against Poitier whose brother manages a charity that she used her position to allegedly direct money towards according to the charges. The complaints originate with a vote two years ago, in March 2011, that Poitier voted fora grant in facor of the Westside Deerfield Businessmen Association. When she made the vote, a conflict of interest was not filed noting she shouldn’t vote for the $30,000 grant. Poitier’s brother, Lionel Ferguson had loaned $47,000 to the group and had not been paid back yet. Despite the city not approving the grant, it was a conflict because of the direct influence she used to benefit her brother receiving funds owed.

Poitier, 75, has been on the Deerfield commission at various times since 1975, including serving as vice mayor. This time, she was elected in 2008, winning a re-election bid this past March 2011. Poitier turned herself in this morning just before noon and was  released on bond at 3:17pm

She faces 5 counts of  FALSIFY PUBLIC OR COURT RECORDS all first- degree misdemeanors.

Sea turtle lighting

Dear Editor:

Regarding Margaret Feerick’s comments about lights on the beach near Embassy Suites [March 24 Observer], I was walking (I am 77) and my toe hit a crack or obstacle on the sidewalk. I fell flat forward on my chest and face and then flipped onto my back, head against the sidewalk. A man came over and helped lift me up. They have the lights shut off all the way back a block west of the beach. This is very dangerous for those who walk the area. Are turtles more important than people?

Dr. Charles Laser

Deerfield Beach

Schools questions

Dear Editor:

It is very interesting that the Broward School Board has been chastised for building too many classrooms and the [Observer’s March 24] School’s page article [“DBHS graduation day announced, location moved”] says that Deerfield Beach High School’s 2011 graduating class increased by more than 55 students over 2010? There is obviously something wrong in the numbers.

The next question is why do our schools have such a large student population? Doesn’t quality drop when enrollments are so high – DBHS has 2,800+ students. This means that the lower classes have more students than this year’s Senior Class.

My last question is why is there no facility in North Broward County that can handle a high school graduation? It doesn’t make sense.

Jack Burrie

Pompano Beach

Editor’s note: Recent grand jury report against school board noting “thousands of empty seats at under-enrolled schools” doesn’t identify actual schools. Deerfield Beach High School is above its projected enrollment by 53 students this year, according to http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/schoolboundaries/counts/1011/20th/AppendixE_
Grade1011.pdf. Michael Roland, school board business activities liaison, said one reason for showing too many classrooms is unused “portables are being called empty classrooms;” moving them is economically not feasible.

March 29, 2011

Dear Editor:

On this date, 65 years ago, I terminated a commitment to this country after serving for three years in the U.S. Navy, from 1943 until 1946

Standing in the cold rain in a courtyard at NAS Jacksonville, FL, at the same base I attended boot camp in 1943, here I received my honorable discharge. I was dressed in my navy blue dress uniform with the “ruptured duck” emblem newly sewn on the left breast of my uniform. One hour later, I was on a train heading south to Pompano, arriving here at 6 p.m. just at dark, and beginning a brand new chapter of my life.  As I look around today, I can only account for seven men from Pompano still living here and that is out of the hundreds who served from here. My only comment at this time is “WHAT A RIDE”

Bud Garner

Pompano Beach

Cove business owner wants answers
RE: landscaping maintenance

Dear Editor:

I called Commissioner Miller after his re-election to congratulate him. I also called him on March 22, early a.m. to ask why the new landscaping hasn’t been cut or maintained since its completion [December 2010]. No call backs.

Residents and shop owners in The Cove Shopping Center are also questioning the abandoned new sign tower. No one has been here for three weeks. It’s an eyesore.

You were quite proud of the accomplishments in The Cove Parking Lot during your recent campaign. Who is responsible for no maintenance to the landscaping or the halt to the entry. Where do we go from here?

Steve/Cove Bagel & Deli

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s Note: According to CRA Director Keven Klopp, landscaping maintenance for The Cove is in the process of transitioning from the city’s Public Works Department to the CRA hiring a private contractor. The Cove Parking Lot Construction is a phased project that isn’t done yet, and has not been technically turned over to the city. It is considered an active construction site.

• Maintenance work done as of March 25, was done by Public Works in assistance to the CRA to help the CRA write specifications for hiring out a private contractor. Klopp said it will be a much bigger job when the project is complete.

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS — A Form of Disenfranchisement

Dear Editor:

My wife and I proudly cast our ballot this morning [Tuesday] for our choice for Deerfield Beach city commissioner. Upon arriving at the assigned voting place, we were surprised to see that no one was in line ahead of us to sign up.  No one was in line at the voting booth and no one was in line at the voting authentification area.  We virtually had the place to ourselves except for the six or so workers who were very friendly and courteous. We were also reminded that there was only one item on the ballot.

At this point, I’m wondering why the city is willing to expend funds for the March elections when it is apparent that very few of the electorate are motivated to take the time and effort to vote for only one item.  It almost seems like the city officials like the prospect of being voted in (or not) by a small minority of the city’s voters (as few as 10 percent by some reports).

Is this a form of disenfranchisement cloaked in the message that perhaps we as voters are not able to handle multiple items that normally appear on the November ballot?  Do those who advocate the March municipal elections really believe that we couldn’t have handled ONE MORE item on the ballot last November? Do separate municipal elections favor incumbents? I think they do and I believe that is the only reason the mayor and the commission continue to support them.

Should we as voters and taxpayers continue to support a budget that perpetuates excess spending and possibly disenfranchisement like the separate municipal elections while cutting programs that directly affect our citizenry or raise taxes to support such waste?

The budget allows for $74,384 for elections.  Could we save $25,000 or more by combining municipal elections held in March with general elections held in November?  Would that allow for a higher number of voters to cast ballots for city officials?  Boy, what a concept!

David Nace

Deerfield Beach

Security at City Hall

Dear Editor:

Why is the public being denied access to the entranceway that is closest to the second floor elevator [near city commission chambers at Deerfield Beach City Hall]? I had occasion recently to go to City Hall in an attempt to conduct business with the City Clerk’s office. I have a bone spur in my right heel which makes walking extremely painful. I was forced to walk to the only public access entrance and then walk down the entire corridor to get to the elevator. Who makes these ridiculous decisions? I am sure there are other more disabled citizens that will find this completely unacceptable. What is the reasoning behind such a stupid regulation? And how much did this insanity’s implementation cost the taxpayers?

Don’t tell me it is for security reasons. If the reason for this fiasco is because some intruder was caught in the staircase leading up to the second floor, then why wasn’t something done to secure the stairway instead of inconveniencing everyone who wished access to the first floor and the elevator? Who are you afraid of, and do you feel more secure when everyone is forced like cattle to use one doorway?

Who decides who is entitled to an entrance card? This city seems to be getting nuttier and nuttier every day.

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: Since Monday, Dec. 6, 2010, the doors at the northeast entrance of City Hall have only been accessible to the public when there are meetings in City Commission Chambers. During normal business hours, the public has free and open access at the main lobby through both the east and west entrances. These measures were put in place as a complement to implementation of an upgraded city identification access card program, according to Rami Altherr Musto, marketing communications manager for the city.

Many municipalities across the nation have tightened security following the incident involving U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, which occurred Jan. 8, 2011.

Getting out the vote

Dear Editor:

There, obviously, were more votes AGAINST Joe Miller than FOR Joe Miller. It seems as though he thinks the complete district lies on “the island.” Maybe District 1 needs to be divided so that we, on the ‘wrong side’ of the water, also have representation.

Sneaky how Mr. Miller parked his company vehicles in the library’s parking lot on Election Day. Sneaky, but not surprising.

Lynne Newberry

Deerfield Beach

Hello from Cairo

RE: These are the times that try men’s souls