RE: Beach parking stickers

Dear Editor:

I have owned property in Deerfield Beach for over 15 years and have enjoyed the city and the area.

I live in Florida 5 to 6 months of the year and participate in the community by becoming involved, volunteering and participating in community projects.

My automobile is registered in Florida. I pay property taxes. I have residential utility bills and hope to soon have a Florida driver’s license.

For years, I have purchased a beach parking sticker and enjoyed the beautiful beach.

This season, when I attempted to purchase the parking sticker for 2013, I was denied the ability to purchase the sticker because I did not have a Florida driver’s license. I had all the documentation that, in the past years, allowed the purchase of the [now] $100 parking sticker.

Why has this rule been changed so that we, who own property and contribute to the community, are prevented from having a parking sticker this year?

L. Roth-Moyo, M.D.

Deerfield Beach

Code enforcement questions

Dear Editor:

Although our family has lived in Little Harbor in Deerfield Beach since the early ‘70s, I’ve recently noticed a substantial change and I have a few questions and comments.

I’ve always heard “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.”

This is not the case here. Some neighbors were recently cited for having their hedges over 4 ft. from street to house and sent letters to cut them back within days or be fined. This IS a code violation. Yet others are to the street and well over 10 ft.

Is this a case of who’s who? I understand rules but they are meant for all, NOT a select few.

Also, a tree was requested for permit to be removed. It is damaging two vehicles and not promoting grass to grow, has termites (city states termites only in part of the tree)… Did I mention it is a Black Olive? Yet, the tree still stands. How can one better their property, better their neighborhood and make their property value and their neighbors’ go up?

With elections coming up, I would assume someone will gladly answer. I mean, I need to know before our family casts our vote. Fair is fair for all, NOT just a select few!!

D. Wade

Deerfield Beach

Local airman completes basic training

Dear Editor:

Air Force Reserve Airman Jose A. Santiago has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX.

He is a 2011 graduate of Olympic Heights Community School in Boca Raton. Santiago is the son of Ana Melendez-Pinto of Liberty Court, Boca Raton and grandson of Nora Vega of NE 48 Street, Pompano Beach.

The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.

Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Joint Hometown News Service

Ft. Meade, MD

“Thank You” Deerfield residents

Dear Editor:

The 33rd Annual Festival of the Arts was held on the beach on Jan. 26 and 27.

The city of Deerfield Beach Cultural Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all residents of Deerfield Beach and the surrounding areas whose attendance and participation at the Festival helped to make it an absolutely outstanding success.

It is important for you to realize that all monies raised by the Cultural Committee, an all-volunteer committee, are filtered back into the community to produce cultural events or scholarships. Your support of our events is greatly appreciated. Your support of our events, in full circle, benefits the whole community.

We would also like to thank the BSO COPs, the BSO PAL kids, the BSO Explorer Honor Guard, the DFB Kiwanis Key Club students, DFB Kiwanis members, Ms. Precious Baker, the sand sculpture artist, Jon May of Living Sands, all of our sponsors and restaurants who contributed so generously. And a special “thank you” to all the volunteers.

Each of these components is vitally necessary to produce a successful hometown event.

Our next event is the Second Annual Story Telling Festival to be held on March 9 at the Arboretum at Constitution Park in Deerfield Beach. Festival of the Arts event posters, T-shirts and carry bags remain available. Call City of Deerfield Beach Parks and Recreation at 954-480-4429 for event information or sale items. Thank you for your support. Wait until you see what we have planned for next year!

Cultural Committee

Deerfield Beach, FL

P.S. Speaking of people without whom the Festival of the Arts couldn’t happen, the Cultural Committee offers a heartfelt thanks to Citizens on Patrol (COPs). Deerfield Beach citizens comprise this organization which volunteers their time and efforts to assist BSO with crime prevention by patrolling our neighborhoods and providing traffic control at special events. We don’t do an event without calling upon them.

They were with us at the 2013 FOA from 9 a.m. on Saturday through 5 p.m. on Sunday. They are volunteers who are giving their time to help Deerfield Beach. So, when you see them at various events, say “thank you.”

No more ballot boxes

Dear Editor:

The Robb Campaign committee has decided to eliminate the use of lockboxes for the March 12 municipal election.

This action is being taken in order to comply with the wishes of the Supervisor of Elections.

Our sources tell us that the opposition had plans to challenge any of the ballots that were placed in the ballot boxes.

In order to prevent any of our voters from being disenfranchised, as they were with the 10 percent utility tax, we are asking our supporters who have requested absentee ballots to place the proper postage on the envelope and send the signed and sealed ballot to the Supervisor of Elections’ office so that their votes can be counted.

Jean Robb

Deerfield Beach, FL

RE: Beach parking stickers

Dear Editor:

I am a longtime resident of Deerfield Beach who has always purchased a beach parking decal each year.

On Wednesday, Jan. 2, I parked in the Main Beach Parking Lot at the beach and did my walk as I usually do.

Upon my return, I was surprised to see that I was issued a parking ticket for an expired parking decal. It expired on Dec. 31, 2012.

That was my mistake, but that’s not my complaint. My complaint is that the city allows people with a handicapped decal to park free for 4 hours in our parking lots along the beach.

These handicapped decals are issued on the basis of one’s health, not their income.

This policy must be changed, as we are losing a lot of revenue due to this free parking. Both Boca Raton and Pompano Beach charge people with handicapped decals to park in their cities.

John Daniels

Deerfield Beach

RE: Questions for our Mayor that need Answers

Dear Editor:

We would like to know why the person or entity who placed a paid advertisement in the Jan. 24 Observer newspaper did not divulge who they were before putting forth negative questions about our esteemed Mayor Peggy Noland and her role in various real estate transactions throughout the city (of which she has no control – i.e. zoning codes).

Whoever placed this ad, don’t you think, after all the negative advertising in the recent national election, it’s time to stand up, identify yourself (or selves), meet the courage of your convictions and tell us what your vision of Deerfield Beach’s future is — rather than continuing to dwell on negativity? Our local community and our leaders deserve better than this.

Residing in Deerfield Beach for over 25 years, we have seen more positive improvements, enhancements and, in general, a better quality of life for all of us living here since Mayor Noland has been in office. We will do everything we can to help effect her positive re-election this coming March.

If you have something to say, say something positive and don’t hide behind a paid political ad that you’re not willing to attach your name to.

Henry and Joan Gould

Deerfield Beach

Things must be good!

Dear Editor:

Things must be good in Deerfield Beach since we apparently just gave our commissioners and mayor a nice raise of about 10 percent.

[The mayor now makes $33,524 and commissioners now make $27,979.] All for a part-time job!

Things may not be so great for rank-and-file workers at Deerfield Beach, but with pay adjustments and reclassification of management, which resulted in nice salary increases, apparently the overall health of the city budget must be in great shape.

Maybe we should have raised the commission and mayor salaries even more if they have somehow taken Deerfield Beach to a level of economic prosperity not seen elsewhere in the country.

It’s starting to look like being a commissioner or mayor is now a full-time, full paying job when you add the benefits and pensions.

Great Job Mrs. Mayor and our honorable commissioners! Tell us how you did it, then tell the rank-and-file how it was done on their backs.

Ron Coddington

Deerfield Beach

Presidential nominees to Supreme Court

Dear Editor:

There was only one President who had not the opportunity to nominate a single justice to the Supreme Court. This was Andrew Johnson.

FDR , in his 5th year in office, had no appointments so he made a blunder by trying to pack the court. In the long run, FDR won, ended up appointing 8 justices to the court over the rest of his tenure and gained the objective — a liberalminded court for 7 decades or more.

President Obama appointed 2 women, after there had only been one woman in 200 years. He appointed the first Hispanic woman, after the fact that 50 percent of law school graduates are now women. One of the most important things a President can do is appoint a Supreme Court Judge who will be there for a lifetime, not just 4 years.

Many voters took that into consideration in the last election.

Marty Weisberg

Coral Springs

Arming teachers in schools?

Dear Editor:

Hooray for the John Birch Society and the National Rifle Association (NRA) for demanding that our school teachers be armed to protect our children by using their U.S. Constitutional gun rights and armed guards.

If the teachers had been routinely armed in the past decades, it’s obvious that the killings and the casualties would have been reduced by at least 90 percent.

However, our leaders and the police wouldn’t allow our teachers to be armed and by doing so they have directly violated our Constitution that they have sworn to uphold and facilitated the horrible death and destruction. They should be investigated and prosecuted for such acts against our children.

We should support the John Birch Society and the NRA in their efforts to arm our teachers and protect our children, and if the teachers bring their own guns, it will cost nothing.

Ed Nemecheck

Landers, CA

RE: Satellite dishes in CVE

Dear Editor:

I am astonished to read in the Reporter (Century village East publication) that the President of COOCVE went to the city in order to arrange inspections for satellite dishes on our buildings.

The statements given that these cause problems during the hurricane season and represent a hazard to residents could not be more incorrect. It is the air conditioners that flew away, causing damages to cars and not to people. Besides, I cannot picture anybody walking around during a hurricane. Satellite dishes for TV give both a better reception and a better choice of stations, and that explains why Direct TV is so successful in Florida, and believe me, those permanent residents do not remove their dishes in the summer and they do not ask or need a city permit to install their dishes. Why such harassment on snowbirds?

The dishes are installed by professionals licensed by the state of Florida and are very secure.

There is a dish on the COOCVE building for other reasons, but a dish is a dish, they do not remove it in the summer and did not ask for a permit to install it. The city has no regulations on dishes at this time, neither has the state for that matter.

Snowbirds from everywhere like to be aware of their local news, sports and events happening in their hometowns. People from New York, Quebec, Ontario or anywhere and people of all languages, have engaged in installing dishes to bring home away from home.

What would Century Village be without snowbirds? I believe we are a majority in CVE!

We pay more taxes than the average permanent resident due to the Homestead regulation. We have no problem with that. We consider that it is part of the cost of coming to Florida.

But when people start having unreasonable demands like an exception on dishes or depriving us of the right to have parking permits at the beach, that might be considered abusive.

While we are only temporarily living in this beautiful city, most snowbirds have more money to spend than average residents and we gladly do it here, encouraging restaurants, grocery stores, as well as clothing stores and the overall businesses. We even buy our insurance here and we certainly try to be example citizens.

Why such aggressive attitudes towards us?

Jean-Luc Belanger

Oakridge A

Deerfield Beach

A New Year and a new beginning at BSO

Dear Editor:

Each year, when we celebrate the New Year, it brings the opportunity for change. In a vote of confidence by the citizens of Broward County, I have been humbled and privileged to have been elected to serve as the Sheriff of Broward County.

Throughout my professional career, I have been faced with many tasks and challenges. Through every situation, I rose to meet those challenges and I am committed to doing the same as your Sheriff.

When we consider the responsibilities of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the nation’s largest fully accredited agency, it’s important to remember its mission to protect and serve the public. Our goals going forward will be to establish a cohesive, productive and diverse working environment within the Agency and to build strong, long-term partnerships with the community. We will focus on crime prevention; crime control and enforcement; fire safety and awareness; and maintain the highest standards for employee education, training and professionalism. The members of my Command Staff will lead by example, upholding the State and Federal laws and be open, honest and fiscally responsible to the community we serve.

To the men and women of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, I respect and appreciate you and look forward to working with you. Your hard work, dedication and professionalism sets this agency apart as a shining example in our community. We will work together, in support of one another and for the benefit of the nearly 2 million people we serve in Broward County.

On behalf of the men and women of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, I wish you and your family a very Happy and Safe New Year! I look forward to serving you as the Sheriff of Broward County and together building a safer community. Stay safe!

Sheriff Scott J. Israel

Real annoyance, these dishes?

Dear Editor:

In your Dec. 27 edition, in the column entitled “The dishes are still here,” Kathy Richards writes “It appears that the unit owners do not want to adhere to our rules and are doing what they want with total disregard to anybody or anything.” I do not agree with that statement.

First, the satellite dishes around Century Village East are not all illegal. Three years ago, before the installation, we contacted the authorities of Deerfield Beach, who told us we needed no permit.

“Now, the city is cracking down and fining people who have installed them without permits,” writes Ms. Richards. These satellite dishes were installed by technicians of a legally-recognized cable company in Florida, Shaw Direct. As well, many unit owners have obtained authorizations from their boards to put up satellite dishes and even signed agreements covering the locations, the wiring, the landscaping around, as well as recognizing financial responsibility if damages occur. They also take them down from April 15 to Oct. 15 of each year as a precaution against dangers in the hurricane season.

All the cost of the installation of bolted dishes and appropriate wiring was paid by the users only. It did not cost a penny to anybody else. These owners pay their monthly coupons like everybody else for Comcast . I don’t see why Canadians, many French-speaking condo owners, who spend three to six months here, should be deprived of their national news and TV programs.

Candide Charest

Cambridge C

Deerfield Beach

RE: Deerfield discusses creating NEW Public Safety position

Dear Editor:

Thank you for delaying publication long enough to publish a report on the meeting to create a new Public Safety Director. [in the Jan.3 dated Observer, which delivered Jan. 4] It looks like the mayor and the city manager are behind this. Clearly they wanted as few citizens as possible to know about the meeting. They didn’t allow viewing the meeting on the Internet like they do with regular commission meetings.

This is cronyism at its worst. How can they justify a new position that we don’t need when they fired 106 people? Why do they want to give Mr. Sudler an additional $100 K [$90 K plus benefits for a full-time position] on top of the generous pension he will get?

I want to thank Commissioners Ganz and Preston for showing some common sense on this issue.

Robert Lloyd

Deerfield Beach

RE: Beach Parking stickers

Dear Editor:

My husband and I have lived in Deer Creek for about 20 years. We have purchased a beach sticker for about 10 years. We would like to know why it doubled in price this year. It is now so high, we have decided to go back to putting quarters in the meter although the sticker was more convenient.

Thank you.

Arlene Mohr

Deerfield Beach

A New Year resolution for 2013

Dear Editor:

Freedom lies with all who choose to live for God each day, but chains of bondage shackle those who choose some other way. Just listen to God’s wisdom and your heart and be good to yourself and others.

Let us pray for the New Year 2013 – for the world around to be better and safe for all the families and children, a place without murder, raping, abusing and shooting.

Donna Marie Tilligkeit

Pompano Beach

How Israel approaches the right to bear arms

Dear Editor:

Israel did not want to get involved in the discussion as the National Rifle Association (NRA) did not tell the truth in their speech. I want to write you the facts. The NRA did not tell you the following as stated by the Israeli government. a) Israel has much stronger gun regulations than the USA.

In fact, they have the highest rejection rate for gun permits: 40 percent. b) Israel has the lowest rate of gun ownership and the lowest rate of violence in the developed world. c) Gun permits are only given to special people and they have to be renewed every year. (Only Israel and Switzerland have that rule.) d) It isn’t true that Israel had a great deal of school shootings, and it wasn’t armed guards that stopped killings but as stated by Israeli government- anti- terror policy is what they used to combat terrorism, which is not the same as school shootings. e) Israel understands the NRA is close to or mainly involved with the Republican Party and don’t believe “they should be used” when the facts presented weren’t true. f) Israel doesn’t believe in citizens arming themselves, except for a small number with good reasons to do so.

Marty Weisberg

Coral Springs

Beach sticker

Dear Editor:

Twelve years ago I purchased a home in the Deer Creek section of Deerfield Beach.

Each year since that time, I’ve purchased a beach sticker – which went up from $35 to $50 to $100.

Even though the number of times I visit the beach would never cost me $100 if I were feeding the meters, I chose to pay for a sticker so I wouldn’t have to hunt for quarters; plus, I felt I was helping to pay for the beach beautification. This year, I was told I can’t buy a sticker since my auto registration and license are registered in Indiana, where I continue to be homesteaded. This hasn’t changed in the past 12 years.

Since I pay property tax and utilities, I feel the more apt criteria would be proof of ownership.

While I was at the courthouse [City Hall], others were also being turned away. I really feel that Deerfield is now costing itself money.

I’d appreciate some feedback from the city manager on this issue.

Thanks,

Pete Troost

Deerfield Beach

Kudos to Pier Project

Dear Editor:

As a former resident (52 years) I do not miss the traffic or the hot weather. However, after visiting last week and walking on the new pier complex, all I can say is WOW!!!! Very nice, especially the night lighting and the paver walk to the north.

Gary Lawrence “Go Bucks”

Morganton, GA

The passing of Bill McBride

Dear Editor:

On [Dec. 22] our state [of Florida] lost Bill McBride, a true champion of the middle class and public education. Although Bill’s passing will leave a hole in our hearts, his lifelong commitment to public service will leave a lasting impact on our community and state.

Bill McBride was a mentor and friend. Anyone lucky enough to have known him will miss his incredible smile, kind heart and warm spirit.

My thoughts and prayers are with his wife Alex [Sink], his children Bert and Lexi, and the entire McBride family.

Alan Clendenin

Tampa

Editor’s note: McBride, 67, was candidate for governor of Florida in 2002. He defeated Janet Reno for the Democratic party nomination but lost to Republican Governor Jeb Bush.

Remembering Senator Inouye

Dear Editor:

Sen. Daniel Inouye [U.S. Senator, Hawaii] served 50 years in the Senate, was a war hero, lost an arm in WWII, and was awarded the purple heart for bravery.

Sen. Inouye was friends with Sen. Bob Dole. They were in the same hospital and were close even though they were from different political parties.

When the Japanese attacked, Sen. Inouye volunteered to serve in battle, a Japanese American who fought with other brave Japanese Americans.

After the war, Sen. Inoye, wearing an Army uniform, went into a barbershop in the U.S. and the barber stated, “Where are you from?” Sen. Inouye told him he was a Japanese American. The barber said, “We don’t serve Japs.”

Inouye wanted to hit him, but had respect because he was wearing an Army uniform. Almost all Japanese and Black Americans who served during WWII received the same bigoted treatment. Can you believe how they must have felt?

Sen. Inouye, may you rest peace.

Marty Weisberg

Coral Springs

P.S. President Obama and Sen. Harry Reid attended the memorial service for Sen. Inouye in Honolulu.