Surfateria overview

Dear Editor:

Although [Monday] night was disappointing, I realize that sometimes procedures may be more important than the long-term picture in the city commission atmosphere. I do still think very highly of Deerfield Beach and wish whomever is awarded the [pier] restaurant a successful 10-year lease life.

I am still looking for locations in beach communities – preferably on an oceanfront property with an indoor/ outdoor floor plan.

Mike Coner

Lighthouse Point

“Blessing of home” by local rabbi

Dear Editor:

Twenty years ago, my wife and I moved into a nice home in Wallingford, CT. While at our local Rotary Club, I was telling a brother Rotarian about the purchase. He was from Israel and was a religious Jew. He offered to do a traditional Jewish Blessing of our home, which we immediately accepted. It was a fine event.

This spring, we purchased a nice home in Lighthouse Point. The day after move-in, we were reading the Observer newspaper, and, in particular, were seeking a person to perform a traditional Jewish blessing of this home.

Did we ever “hit the jackpot!” That day, in “Clergy Corner,” we read a beautiful article by Rabbi Craig Ezring. We were flying north in two days, but the good Rabbi rearranged his busy schedule and performed the blessing the very next day. It was more meaningful and important than these words can describe. It was a true labor of love for this Godly man, who would only accept a beverage for all his efforts.

My wife and I are Christians and had been exposed to much Anti-Semitism in my early years. We met in Bible College, and, as I grew and matured, I praise God that I learned ALL human beings are precious regardless of religion, color, etc. Prejudice would have prevented us from having this wonderful experience with Rabbi Ezring. I would encourage your readership to read and be blessed by his “Clergy Corner” articles.

Bill Wadsworth

Lighthouse Point

Editor’s note: The following was submitted as a Letter to the Editor on 10-9-12.

RE: TLC Recovery

Dear Mr. Maurodis:

As the attorney for the city of Deerfield Beach, this is to serve as notice that on Oct 8. 2012, the Broward County Dept. Of Health came to 1550 SE 12 St. to inspect the house for the purpose of issuing a drug license to TLC RECOVERY. It should be understood that this was not the intention for the city to approve this facility for the use of housing people under the influence of any controlled substance for rehabilitation purposes. It was represented at our July 27 meeting at [City] Hall that the house would be used as a Sober Home “only” – which is drug-free in accordance with the Oxford Homes represented by TLC’s Attorney, Mr. Green. It should be noted that the original website and the information that was represented to the city was that of a Sober House. Since TLC has received its reasonable accommodation, they have totally changed their website to represent their facility to be used as a drug rehab. This is a clear bait-and-switch tactic on the part of TLC that will not be allowed to succeed. We, the residents of The Cove, expect the city to immediately send a cease-anddesist order to TLC, as well as to contact the Broward County Health Department to confirm the aforementioned information, at which time, they should have their reasonable accommodation approval withdrawn. I, once again, must reiterate that the residents WILL NOT ACCEPT AN OPERATING DRUG REHABILITATION DRUG FACILITY IN OUR SINGLE-FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD and Mr. Green has produced no case law supporting their ability to do so. It is clear that the city is being set up for a lawsuit by TLC, considering the fact that the city failed to specify in their reasonable accommodation approval that the property was only to be used as a Sober House and it is, with this in mind, that TLC is taking advantage of this oversight, which has clearly opened the doors for a threatened lawsuit. We expect to hear the city’s position on this matter as soon as possible.

Patrick Jolivet

Deerfield Beach

Deerfield High grad becomes Marine

Dear Editor:

As of Sept. 13, Marine Corps Pfc. Angela L. Dixon, daughter of Barbara and Freddie Hall of Pompano Beach, earned the title of United States Marine after graduating from recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC.

For 13 weeks, Dixon stayed committed during some of the world’s most demanding entry-level military training – in order to be transformed from civilian to Marine instilled with pride, discipline and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Training subjects included close-order drill, marksmanship with an M-16A4 rifle, physical fitness, martial arts, swimming, military history, customs and courtesies.

One week prior to graduation, Dixon endured The Crucible, a 54-hour final test of recruits’ minds and bodies. Upon completion, recruits are presented the Marine Corps emblem and called Marines for the first time.

Dixon is a 2012 graduate of Deerfield Beach High School.

Navy Public Affairs Support Element (NPASE) Norfolk, VA

Beach Parking

Dear Editor:

I want to thank City officials for making the revisions on the beach parking application process. As a full-time permanent resident who lives, works and votes in Florida, I commend your actions. My family and I enjoy the privileges and benefits that come with these fair requirements.

Thank you,

James Dack

Deerfield Beach resident for 16 years

Remembering Ray McAllister

Dear Editor:

The South Florida nautical community has lost a great dive buddy in Dr. Ray McAllister of Lighthouse Point. He learned to SCUBA dive in 1952 and with a little help from his friends, was able to still dive even at the age of 89.

You can visit Ray McAllister’s favorite reef by going to GPS Coordinates 26 13.144’N/ 80 04.213’W. This site is a little south of the Pompano Beach pier and about a mile off shore. Filled with a variety of reef fish, this spot was dedicated on his 80th birthday (June 26, 2003) by him diving with a group of dive buddies.

I was first introduced to Dr. Ray by purchasing his book Diving Location in the early 1980s. This book was first published in 1971, prior to GPS. He taught us how to “mark” our dive spots using the alignment of buildings along the South Florida coastline. He defined the South Florida reefs with his verbal descriptions, along with black-and-white underwater pictures of dive sites from West Palm Beach to North Miami.

But it was his respect for the reefs and the ocean that Dr. Ray McAllister will be remembered for.

I had the pleasure of working with him to place an artificial reef off Deerfield beach that ultimately led to the sinking and dedication of the shipwreck the Miracle of Life on June 6, 2009. Dr. McAllister was an early advocate of saving the reef and worked tirelessly to protect reefs for the enjoyment of future generations. He had a full and legendary life with the pristine South Florida reefs as his legacy.

May he be blessed with mild winds and calm seas as he navigates the oceans in heaven.

Jim “Chiefy” Mathie

Nautical Views columnist, Observer

Community support for Relay for Life

Dear Editor:

Thanks to the efforts of our local small business owners and residents, Relay For Life of Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point and Hillsboro Beach has raised over $100,000 this year to make the 2012 fundraising campaign another great success in the Relay’s 11-year history.

We owe a special “thank you” to Loren and Pheona Strassburg of Deerfield Thrift for organizing and sponsoring our final fundraiser of the year, a treasure hunt and car wash at their business, held on Saturday, August 18.

To all those who participated, we appreciate your generous support toward our fight against cancer.

Other local businesses who contributed to the success of this event with their financial support include: A Summer Place Consignments, Scuba Network, East Coast Services, Dalsimer Atlas Floral & Event Decorators, 101 Liquors, Denture Plus, X Terminator, Inc., Sunshine Gold Buyers, Cove Bagel & Deli, Boats 4 Less, Payless Jewelry, Barbara’s Cleaning Service, Inc. and The Final Cut.

While one year ends, another begins with our first fundraiser for the 2013 [fiscal] year. Please join us Sunday, Sept. 30 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Masterpiece Barbershop, 3640 N. Federal Hwy. in Lighthouse Point for a “Cancer Cutoff” featuring $16 haircuts. All proceeds go to Relay For Life.

In some way, cancer affects every one of us. Thank you to all members of our community who support us in our efforts to eliminate cancer.

Relay For Life

Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point and Hillsboro Beach

New requirements: Beach parking stickers

Dear Editor:

Recently, the city commission changed the requirements for a resident being allowed to purchase a beach parking sticker.

They say the changes are necessary, due to limited parking spots. They also say that this is how surrounding towns handle this issue. I remember the phrase, “If all your friends jumped off the bridge, would you?”

The city has taken out of the ordinance that you need to be a property owner to purchase a beach sticker. Instead, a Florida Voter Registration Card is the key. While I haven’t researched for myself how surrounding towns handle this problem, I do know how they handle it where I come from [New York]. ALL property owners and year-round renters are entitled to a FREE parking sticker. “Outsiders” can purchase a beach sticker according to availability.

If we were a year-round community with no second homeowners, what would the city do then? Our second homeowner residents pay more in property tax than we do, because we are homesteaded. They pay three times as much for all the services that we, as homesteaded people, pay, at least where I live.

For instance, while I pay $65.53 to Broward Public Schools by state law; they pay $212. I pay $28.50 to Broward Public Schools by local board; they pay $92 and they have never had a child go to our schools.

I pay $65.75 to Municipal Deerfield Beach, while the second homeowner pays $213 to this line item on our property tax bill, and so on.

When I spoke at the Sept. 4 [commission] meeting on this subject, two organizations came to the podium to thank Deerfield Beach and its residents for supporting their organizations. Our second homeowners footed this support by three times as much as homesteaded property owners!

Now, the commission rewards these residents by taking away their perk of buying a beach sticker? I believe you are treating these property owners as cash cows. These people, while they can’t vote for you, are your constituents, nevertheless.

I believe ostracizing these residents by not allowing them a beach sticker is unfortunate. They never complained about paying full price for a sticker they could only use half the year.

Go to any restaurant owner and ask how they’re doing business-wise. They’ll all tell you they are waiting for the snowbirds to get back. You have offended this segment of residents greatly and I believe you need to rethink this issue.

Caryl Berner

Deerfield Beach

Save Quiet Waters Park cats from death

Dear Editor:

I am writing to you because I am trying to change Broward County’s ordinance on Feral cats in County Parks. The ordinance is to trap and send to Animal Care, where these cats will be euthanized.

I have a meeting with [County Commission] Vice Mayor Kristin Jacobs on Oct. 4 to change that ordinance, instead of trap and kill, to Trap, Neuter, Return (TNR).

The parks can never get rid of Ferals, because it’s called a Vacuum Effect. Once cats are removed from an area, a new colony of cats move in.

If TNR is in place, those Ferals keep the outside cats from coming in.

I would like the public to beware of this, for I am only one voice. I have done plenty of research and studies show that the county will save money and be saving lives in the long run.

Mary Mollo

Deerfield Beach

Changes at Pompano Municipal Golf Course

Dear Editor:

We’re a nation of obesity, and Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course’s Advisory Board has decided by majority to restrict those who like to walk on their golf course.

No longer will the Pines Course of Pompano Beach Municipal allow walking. Walkers have received exercise while walking with golf shoes that have aerated the grass, thus promoting grass growth. Instead only 1,000 lb. golf carts will be allowed to pound down the earth.

Not only that, but the course has increased their membership dues from $800 for a single membership to $2,500. This also will contribute to restricting walkers who desire to stay in shape with a game they love.

Pompano’s sister course, the Palms, has also increased their walking fees 110 percent – from $8 for members to $17. Well, that tells you how those involved in the decision-making process feel about exercise, obesity and those who want desperately to continue playing golf at a price they can afford.

There are “Haves and Have Nots” in life and Pompano Beach’s Golf Advisory Board has decided to contribute to this process with their decision to increase cost drastically and severely curtail those wishing to get out and walk.

Scott Watkins

Pompano Beach

Not just a Number: An open letter of appreciation to a local, family-owned company

Dear Editor:

27 years ago I was fortunate to find not just employment in our community, but as it has turned out, an extended family in the very best sense of the word.

Being a single father of two boys, going through a 10-year bout with cancer, having the peace of mind that my job was not going to disappear was and is a great comfort. Recently, as my fight with cancer has escalated, the advantage once again of working in a family environment has hit home. I have been and continue to be truly blessed. I can only hope that my company and others like it will continue to survive and thrive – not only for our local economy, but for our nation’s ways that so many gave their last best measure to preserve. (I am a Vietnam Veteran.)

The life I have enjoyed and those of my fellow employees could not have been possible without the values and compassion missing from the heartless corporate world.

Thank you J. P. Miller & Sons for always being there.

Sincerely,

John W. Cox

Deerfield Beach

1982 Deerfield High reunion coming in October

Dear Editor:

I am currently on the class of the 1982 Deerfield Beach High School 30-year reunion committee. Many of the students and teachers of the class of 1982 are still living here in Florida. Our reunion is planned for Oct. 5 and 6 and we want to get the word out to individuals we have not been able to contact. For more information, call 561-223-3935 or email dbhsclassof82@gmail.com.

Lori Steinmetz

Coconut Creek

Boat lifts, zoning issues

Dear Editor:

About a year ago now, I installed two new boat lifts at my house — one for me and one for my 14-year-old son’s new boat. [I’ve ] come to find out that there is a city ordinance that only allows one lift when there is 80 ft. of sea wall, two lifts if you have 100 ft. I had to remove one lift at a great expense. Never mind, [it] broke my son’s heart. Maybe I should have said we were handicapped and used the ADA [Americans with Disabilities Act] as an excuse for the lifts. I don’t think the city would have given us a variance.

[RE: recent zoning issues], the city needs to stand up to these people and fight when they know they are right. Stop being intimidated by the threat of a lawsuit. I don’t think the ADA was meant to house drug addicts in multi-million-dollar homes on the Intracoastal.

P.S. Maybe I’ll move my six-bay auto repair shop to my house in The Cove. Think the city would let me?

Steven J. Fabrizio

Deerfield Beach

Time extension for Providers on Probation to submit improvement plans

Dear Editor:

I applaud the Florida Office of Early Learning (FLOEL) for re-opening the window for Providers on Probation (POP’s) to submit their Program Improvement Plans. The loss of these VPK services would be detrimental to the parents and the community.

I have been in contact with the Dept. of Education and the Early Learning Coalition, requesting that the closing date be extended for a number of Providers of VPK who had not previously responded.

I encourage the providers of VPK who fall into this category to submit their Program Improvement Plan before the closing date – August 20, 2012.

This is the FINAL opportunity to submit Improvement Plans before the start of the 2012-2013 program year.

State Representative Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed

Deerfield Beach

Beach parking stickers

Dear Editor:

Since cities and towns are having a hard time at budget time continue to offer programs to constituents, it’s hard to understand why Deerfield commissioners came up with the new beach sticker fees.

Thousands of snowbirds pay taxes and deserve the right to a beach sticker. How many beach stickers were sold to non year- round residents last year? When they return this year and are told they are not eligible for a beach sticker, they should make their voices heard in dissent.

If it’s necessary to give an edge to year-round residents, then why not have a non-resident sticker with a higher fee? That is how many northern beaches show their appreciation to these residents and acknowledge their contribution to town coffers.

Joe Rubino

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: See ordinance below, passed by Deerfield Beach city commission after June 19 first reading and July 11 second reading.

ORDINANCE NO. 2012

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF DEERFIELD BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 66-78(a) REQUIREMENTS FOR PARKING STICKERS, SETTING FORTH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DOCUMENTS A PERSON MUST PRODUCE IN ORDER TO BE ISSUED A PARKING STICKER; PROVIDING FOR INCLUSION IN THE CITY CODE; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

SECTION 1. Section 66-78 of the City of Deerfield Beach Code of Ordinances is hereby amended to read as follows: Sec. 66-78. – Requirements for parking stickers.

(a) No person shall be issued a city parking sticker unless he produces the following original documents or facsimile thereof:

(1) A valid current State of Florida vehicle registration in the name of the applicant or evidence that the applicant has a lease on the vehicle for which the sticker is to be purchased for a period in excess of 180 continuous days both of which must reflect a City of Deerfield Beach address; and

(2) One of the following:

a. A Southern Bell telephone bill showing that the applicant has paid a telephone bill for a residence within the city in the month preceding the month in which that person seeks to purchase a Deerfield Beach parking sticker. Where the telephone bill indicates payment for a Deerfield Beach address by a person with the same last name as the applicant, such bill shall be sufficient if the applicant can produce a valid Florida driver’s license held by himself and listing the same address. The address for which the telephone bill is listed must be a city residence;

b. A city water bill indicating that the person seeking the parking sticker has paid for water service within the city during the month preceding the month in which that person seeks to purchase a city parking sticker. The location for which the water bill was paid must be a residence. Where the water bill indicates payment for a Deerfield Beach address by a person with the same last name as the applicant, such bill shall be sufficient if the applicant can produce a valid Florida driver’s license held by himself and listing the same address;

c. A current voter’s registration card indicating that the person seeking a city parking sticker is a permanent resident of the city;

d. A Florida Power and Light electric bill indicating that the person seeking a city parking sticker received a Florida Power and Light bill for a residence located within the city during the month preceding the month in which the person seeks to purchase a city parking sticker. The address represented on the Florida Power and Light bill must be a residence; or

e. Such other evidence of residency as may be determined from time to time by the city commission by resolution.

(2) A current State of Florida driver’s license; and

(3) A current utility bill reflecting a City of Deerfield Beach address for the applicant or, in the alternative, a valid Florida voter registration card for the applicant with a City of Deerfield Beach address;

(4) The last name and address on all required documents must match.

(b) No person may purchase a city parking sticker who has outstanding and unpaid any city parking citation.

(c) Residents shall be permitted to purchase only one sticker per vehicle. When a sticker is purchased for a particular vehicle as indicated in the vehicle registration, it may not be used for any other vehicle.

(d) The chamber of commerce shall be permitted to purchase 25 stickers per year at the prevailing cost; provided only that each sticker purchased by the chamber of commerce is used to promote tourism and business activities in the city. The chamber may not sell these stickers for more than their actual cost.

(e)(d)The city administration is authorized to formulate an application form for city parking stickers. An applicant for a sticker must sign a statement indicating that he is a permanent resident of the city at the time the sticker is purchased and that the sticker shall not be placed upon a vehicle owned by a nonresident or on a vehicle which is not described in the valid vehicle registration presented with the application.

SECTION 2. It is the intention of the City Commission and it is hereby ordained that the provisions of this ordinance shall become and be made a part of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Deerfield Beach Florida, and the sections of this ordinance may be renumbered to accomplish such intent.

SECTION 3. If any word, phrase, clause, sentence, or section of this ordinance is for any reason held unconstitutional or invalid, the invalidity thereof shall not affect the validity of any remaining portions of this ordinance.

SECTION 4. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its passage and adoption.