Parasailing regulation

Dear Editor:

In light of the most recent parasailing accident in Panama City, FL [2 Indiana teens injured July 1], I believe that my bill, HB-245, could have aided in avoiding this tragic accident.

The refusal of Rep. Debbie Mayfield, (R-Vero Beach, FL), to hear my bill in Committee shows an unwillingness to deal with issues that have a direct effect on the tourism and economics of our state.

Several legislative attempts have been made to bring regulation to the Parasailing industry.

During the 2013 Legislative Session, I filed HB 245 in an effort to bring regulation. (Senator Maria Sachs carried the bill in the Senate, SB 64). Representative Debbie Mayfield, (R-Vero Beach, FL), refused to hear the bill in the first committee of reference, Business & Professional Regulation Subcommittee.

I have spoken with Representative Jimmy Patronis, (R-Panama City, FL). He has indicated that there was push back from Aquatic Adventures of Panama City Beach to have the bill heard during this session. There was support for HB-245 from Water Sports Industry Association (WSIA), Daytona Beach Parasail, Inc., Broward County Marine Advisory Committee and Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission (FWC).

My thoughts and prayers are with the teen victims and their family members. I will be filing this bill again in the upcoming Legislative Session and I am hoping that the leadership will see the need for having this bill heard in committees and that it passes favorably on the floor of the House of Representatives.

State Representative

Gwyndolen “Gwyn” Clarke-Reed

Deerfield Beach

Another Boca Jewel

Dear Editor:

The other night in Wold Theatre on the campus of Lynn University [where the last Presidential debate was held] there was a packed house. The Atlantic City Boys gave a bravura performance that was applauded and cheered by all. How wonderful to have the Grand Dame of Boca Theater, Jan McArt, produce programs for all of Boca’s residents. This summer program is such a welcome respite from our becoming a closed-until-next-season town. While it is very nice to be able to park everywhere once the snow birds are gone, we still look for things of interest, enlightenment and entertainment. Cheers to Lynn University President Kevin Ross for the foresight in opening the theater for full time residents and summer visitors. Cheers to Jan McArt for doing her always impeccable job of bringing great talent to us. I’m definitely a fan and have renewed my subscription for next season.

Etta Schaeffer

Boca Raton

Practice Precaution – Prevent a Drowning Tragedy

Dear Editor:

It only takes a minute. You look away, you may not hear the splash and your child is nowhere in sight. Drowning – the harsh reality of losing a child in as little as 20 seconds.

Sadly, in 2012, Broward County lost nine children under the age of 4 to drowning accidents, and, since January 2013, there have been two more. Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) is committed to educating parents and caregivers about taking precautions to help end these preventable tragedies.

Living in South Florida, we are surrounded by water. Although children may know how to swim, if left unsupervised, they can drown in less than 2 inches of water. When participating in outdoor water activities, I encourage you to follow these safety-conscious behaviors:

• Never leave a child alone around water-not even for a moment!

• Teach your child to swim as soon as he or she is able to crawl.

• Always designate an Official Water Watcher. Similar to a “designated driver,” this person is solely responsible for keeping an eye on children in or around any body of water.

• Avoid distractions while watching children around a pool (i.e., texting, talking on the phone, barbecuing or sleeping).

• Utilize layers of protection including self-closing gates, locks on gates and doors, and pool covers.

• All doors leading to any body of water should have anaudible alarm to indicate when they are being opened.

• Keep lifesaving equipment nearby, including a cell phone, reach pole, and life preservers with a rope.

• Anytime a child is missing, immediately search all bodies of water first. Do not scan; look thoroughly!

• Learn CPR.

As we enter the summer months, I encourage you to visit www.sheriff.org/drowning to fill out a Pool Safety Survey and assess the watersafety precautions you have in place for your family. As a central part of the Drowning Prevention Task Force, the Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire Rescue Division also provides community education and awareness seminars to public and private organizations, such as condo associations, schools and businesses to help you identify potential hazards. To schedule a seminar for your community or business, call 954-831-8210.

While you are out enjoying a fun day in the water this summer, please remember to be responsible and practice safety. Make a commitment to safeguard our children from becoming victims of this entirely preventable tragedy.

As always, you can stay upto- date on BSO news and information when you become a fan of our Facebook page (Broward Sheriff’s Office – Official), follow us on Twitter@browardsheriff or sign up for our CyberVisor program.

Stay safe and enjoy your summer!

Sheriff Scott Israel

Open GREEN Space

Dear Editor:

There are those opposed to growing a useless, privately owned wasteland into an industrial park and open green space.

Why?

The residents want to rid themselves of the vermin and snakes from their lawns.

The city applauds the 1,500 jobs the project will create along with $1 million in tax revenue it creates yearly.

Turning a useless, privately-owned weed factory into a project that includes 47 percent of the land into open green space and a lake at the builder’s expense is a sensible move.

The only dissenters don’t live in the district.

The residents want the project. The commissioner of District 2, who represents the residents, wants it.

What is the real problem?

If the city doesn’t grow and create more commercial taxes, the burden falls on you, the citizens of Deerfield Beach, to make up what we need. Do we really need more taxes?

Bernie Parness

3074 Harwood F

Deerfield Beach

RE: Observer Letter, June 27

Dear Editor:

Concerning Mr. Dix’s comments that I have a biased self serving opinion regarding our fire department. No one wants a bad inefficient fire department, however, our fire fighters are paid well above the national standards of income. Firefighters work only part of the week (although 24 hours shifts) and hold down other jobs in many cases. I am shocked to see that we do not even meet the national standards in response time. I see the fire department ( I respect all of those fellows) bringing a giant fire truck plus an ambulance to condos, when a lady calls and says she fell off a chair. There are hundreds of wasted trips (they can justify as one can justify anything) where you do not need a fire engine. This merely justifies increased salaries and pensions. Pensions allow a firefighter to live a life of luxury when most people have to survive on Social Security. The average salary of a fire fighter is $62,800 plus enormous benefits. A Captain’s salary is $101,612, a Lieutenant $90,039.32, a fire fighter/paramedic $140,644,00 and it goes on and on. Confirmation on the Internet. The pensions are beyond belief compared to most American pensions. The average income for Florida residents is $39,256. I wish the average American had the kind of pension allotted to retirees of our Deerfield Fire Dept. I am as concerned for the safety of our people as anyone else.

Dr. Charles Laser LLD/HC

Deerfield Beach

RE: Resident wants to take back Fire Dept.

Dear Editor:

Dr. Lasser’s letter “Residents want to take back Fire Department,” [which ran in the June 20 Observer newspaper] is alarming and misses the point.

Proposing to cut the Fire Rescue budget 25-50 percent is outright dangerous and absurd.

Right now, the average response time that BSO Fire Rescue achieves is 4.6 minutes. The national benchmark is 3- 6 minutes.

The significant cut Dr. Lasser proposes will mean fewer firefighters and equipment. Under his plan, it will take longer for firefighters to arrive with enough people and equipment to save lives and put out fires.

Dr. Lasser’s plan WILL mean the difference in possibly saving someone’s life and/or property.

And with the current response time, BSO Fire Rescue is on track to achieve an ISO (Insurance rating) of Class 1. Class 1 designation will likely mean reductions in property insurance rates for businesses and homeowners.

However, an increase in response time under Lasser’s plan will likely also mean an increase in insurance rates for businesses and homeowners.

Deerfield Beach (including Hillsboro Beach) has seen a dramatic improvement in Fire and EMS response since BSO started providing services in October 2011.

Property saved: over $1,002,320. The investment taxpayers have made in this asset has paid off handsomely in terms of public safety.

Everyone should see Dr. Lasser (and his radical opinion) for who he is — a wealthy gas and oil consultant, who seems more concerned about making political statements than he is with the safety of the citizens of Deerfield.

Walter J. Dix

Ft. Lauderdale

Editor’s note: Walter J. Dix is president of Broward County Professional Firefighters and Paramedics Captain, with BSO Fire Rescue for 35 years of service.

Resident wants to take back Fire Dept.

Dear Editor:

Our taxes are going up because of a rich fire department where we have one of the highest-paid fire departments in the nation, where benefits far exceed those normally in the free enterprise system, and where firefighters can enjoy a life of luxury in their mid-fifties when the rest of us are struggling to pay our bills and taxes.

I support Mayor Robb that we should take our fire department back and cut expenses by 25 to 50 percent. We would still have a very fine department, able to meet the needs of Deerfield residents, and, at the same time, cut our taxes back over time.

This is out of hand and something has to be done. I hope the residents of Deerfield Beach will stand up and say, “enough is enough.”

Dr. Charles Laser

Deerfield Beach

Editor’s note: Contract with BSO Fire Rescue expires in 2015.

Personal information database

Dear Editor:

I bet you have never heard of the Federal Data Service Hub (FDSH) The FDSH will be the largest personal information database that the Federal Government is building in order to administer Obama’s Health Care Plan.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) are in charge of this monster. The IRS will input into the database your income and employment; combine them with records from Social Security to verify your identity; Homeland Security to verify your citizenship; Dept. of Justice to check your criminal record; HHS to input your enrollment, premium, subsidy and medical claims data; and then the states to verify your residency. This information is then transmitted to all of the states exchanges and/or marketplaces for their records.

We all should be concerned about the potential for abuse and access to our personal information.

James Stevens

Deerfield Beach

June 2013 proclaimed “Deerfield Beach History Month”

Dear Editor:

Whereas, for hundreds of years, the area that is now known as Deerfield Beach was home to the Seminole natives. The city’s history begins in 1877, when the first non-native glimpsed at the swamps in the area. In the early records of the Deerfield Beach area, dating back from 1890, a small group settled along the Hillsboro River; and

Whereas, On June 22, 1898 a post office was established at Deerfield, FL to serve a population of 20 settlers. It is said this name was chosen because of the numerous deer that grazed along the Hillsboro River. This river formed the northern boundary of Deerfield; and

Whereas, the intersections known as Hillsboro Boulevard and Dixie Highway became the center of the village’s activity, and by 1910, there were a few stores and hotels. The businesses were based on Deerfield’s railroad station, which farmers used to send their crops along the railroad built by Henry Flagler; and

Whereas, the Town of Deerfield was incorporated on June 11, 1925. George Emory Butler, Jr. was elected as the first mayor. 1925 also saw the opening of the first public library, which was serving a population that had climbed to 1,300 residents. In 1939, the name of the town was changed to Deerfield Beach, and the population numbered about 1,800;

Whereas, in 1951, the town name was changed to the City of Deerfield Beach. The economy gradually continued to evolve away from agriculture toward tourism. Now the economy is heavily diversified and includes distribution, manufacturing, and office industries, in addition to tourism. Deerfield Beach had a population of 50,000 residents. Its iconic pier and pink brick beachside walkway attract visitors year-round.

Whereas, The Deerfield Beach Historical Society has a mission is to continue the vision by keeping the city’s rich history alive.

NOW THEREFORE, I, JEAN M. ROBB, Mayor of the City of Deerfield Beach, Florida, in recognition thereof, do hereby proclaim the month of June 2013 as:

“DEERFIELD BEACH HISTORY MONTH” and urge every citizen to take time this month to engage with the Deerfield Beach Historical Society to help support the mission of the Historical Society, which is: to identify, preserve and maintain historical sites in the Deerfield Beach area; to acquire artifacts and data and make historical resources accessible to the public, to educate and encourage awareness of local history.

Dear Editor:

Hillsboro Cove Condominium has landscaped their grounds to a level that would practically qualify as a botanical garden. And, it has all been done by volunteers.

The effort was started by resident Mary Ellen Palenchar and is now co-chaired by Judy Martin. Many other residents contribute to create and maintain the park-like 20 acre grounds. Visitors regularly stop and compliment whoever they happen to see – often the volunteers themselves.

I have attached some recent snapshots of some of the gardens and shrubs.

I am a member of the board of directors and the [proud] husband of one of the volunteers.

Dick Martin, Deerfield Beach

Resident upset over new appeals process for potential coaches

Dear Editor:

On Tuesday evening, May 21, the Deerfield Beach city commission caved in by a vote of 4-1 to the demands of convicted felons for a “second chance” under the guise of exercising an alleged “right” to volunteer as athletic coaches for a variety of youth activities.

With a well-reasoned and resounding “no” vote, the District 4 commissioner was the only member of the city commission interested in protecting our kids from even the slightest possibility that one of the “reformed” felons demanding their “right” to coach children would be able to commit [further crimes].

Apparently unpersuaded by the Broward Sheriffs Office (BSO) refusal to even serve on the board that was created to hear appeals from the convicted felons (some of whom pridefully argued that “they did their time”), the District 1 and newly-elected District 3 commissioner spinelessly joined the District 2 commissioner and mayor, who led the charge for a “second chance.”

We can only hope and pray that the “second chance” given to convicted felons by the Deerfield Beach city commission doesn’t turn into a chance to commit sexual and violent crimes.

Patricia A. Phelan

Deerfield Beach

Review of Kingfisher Canal requested

Dear Editor:

We are asking our District 1 commissioner to make a motion that the city administration take into consideration the following 10 steps to improve and maintain the overall health of the Kingfisher Waterway, both visually and systemically.

1) Have a water analysis done which will be comparable to the 1998 analysis, particularly targeting those pollutants which were well beyond allowable limits in 1998.

2) Apply for dredging permits to include at least the westernmost 400 ft. of the Kingfisher Waterway, beginning at the SE 9 Avenue seawall.

3) FDOT to install pollution filtering device(s) in their 72-in. pipe – concerns are stormwater silt, floating debris, grease and oil, and fecal coliform.

4) Determine the routing of the city-owned 24-in. pipe and identify all the locations of drain openings. Replace two antiquated floating debris baffles with the latest technologically advanced pollution filtering device(s).

5) Contact stormwater management firms regarding stormwater filtering in metropolitan areas. Today’s technology is designed to separate and hold grease and oil, sediment and solids from stormwater run-off.

6) Repair the leaking pipe sending a continuous flow of liquid into the 24-in. pipe below the drain opening on the west side of 9 Avenue, directly in line with the Kingfisher opening.

7) Research any area residences that may not be connected to city sewer lines and are still utilizing septic tanks.

8) Monitor [a local] bar and other restaurants which are allowing their grease traps to overflow into the stormwater drains.

9) City Engineer DaBrusco has recommended aerators be installed in the area of the 12 Avenue bridge.

10) Assign regularly-scheduled clean-up personnel to scoop-net floating debris along the SE 9 Avenue seawall in the area of the 72- in. and 24-ft. concrete drains.

John Gerbino

Deerfield Beach

EDITOR’S NOTE: This letter, written by John Gerbino, was read by resident Sarah Moran at the May 21 Deerfield Beach city commission meeting. Mr. Gerbino also spoke. Following discussion, the commission said it will take into consideration the steps presented for the Kingfisher Canal. There was agreement about $1,200 to install floating debris barriers and $8,000-$9,000 for aerators (down from an original estimate of $25,000). City Manager Burgess Hanson asked to make any request for testing, dredging, part of the 2014 budget.

Mayor Jean Robb said the city should also consider adding a stormwater management fee (equivalent to about $3 a month on residents’ water bills) in the next budget, to pay for upkeep of local canals.

New Deerfield Beach Sign Ordinance NOT Business-Friendly

Dear Editor:

I am the Massage Envy arrow sign guy AKA Stephen “The Sign Guy From Heaven” on the corner @ Publix on US 1.

The new Temporary Sign Ordinance is not business-friendly at all. The arrow sign can only be 5 sq. ft. The massage Envy sign is around 7 sq. ft. According to the Human Sign stipulations, if I turn into a stone mannequin, that would make me suitable for the position as a dead Human Sign.

4. C says it all.

4. Human signs shall be permitted under limited circumstances set forth herein: c. Human signs are prohibited when the person holding a sign or other display is seated,is seated or standing on a prop or is on stilts, or when a person shakes, swings, oscillates, waves, rotates or twirls, or throws the sign; and

I talked to Stephen at Brew Dog this morning. He is getting on the docket for the next city council meeting [June 4]. I was at the last city council meeting and at the end asked the Mayor if I would get in trouble for dancing and spinning. I will keep her response to myself at this time. She is a nice lady and I know sympathetic to small business owners.

Stephen, ‘The Sign Guy From Heaven’

Deerfield Beach

Memorial Day

Dear Editor:

“Memorial Day is dedicated to service men and women who gave their lives for freedom and country.”

The William C. Morris Post 36, American Legion will hold their Memorial Day Ceremony at the Sandy Ninninger Statue on the Riverwalk in Downtown Ft.Lauderdale (directly behind the Performing Arts Bldg.) at 11 a.m. on Memorial Day, Monday, May 27.

This year’s ceremony will include the placing of one new brick in the “Wall of Honor” for Army Warrant Officer Joseph L Schiro of Coral Springs. Joseph was a South Florida native and a highly-decorated soldier who was part of Special Forces, also known as Green Berets. Joseph was on his fifth combat deployment when he was killed while on patrol in the Chak district of Wardak Province in Afghanistan. Joseph leaves behind his wife of six years Diana and three small children.

In Addition to Post 36, the Ceremony will include American Legion Auxiliary Unit 36, the Sons of American Legion Sqrdn 36, the 82nd Airborne Vets Color Guard, The American Veterans for Equal Rights Color Guard and American Legion Post 220 Color Guard, and The American Freedom Riders.

Immediately following the Ceremony, there will be a Barbecue at Post 36 in Honor of All Veterans.

For more information, telephone Dick Maggiore, First Vice Commander at 954-326-0800 or visit our website www.FlaLegionPost36.org.

Larry Sapp, Commander

Dick Maggoire, Vice Commander

William C Morris . Post 36 . American Legion

Broward’s First Post . Chartered June 11, 1919

1620 Marina Boulevard (SR84) , Ft. Lauderdale

Clean water rule needed

Dear Editor:

I am writing to you to urge the following two actions. As a concerned citizen, I would like to bring to your attention the dangers of mountaintop removal mining and the urgent steps we need to take to protect our nation’s Appalachian mountains and people before it is too late.

Mountaintop removal not only destroys and pollutes waterways and eliminates wildlife, but also affects access to clean water and contaminated air.

The President and Environmental Protection Agency need to set a strong, binding, clean water rule that will prevent the pollution and destruction of waterways by mountaintop removal mining waste.

Also, Congress must pass the ache act. I believe we have an obligation to preserve our national heritage for future generations, including our mountains and vital waterways, and to ensure that Appalachian communities are not bearing the brunt of our nation’s unsustainable energy decisions.

Sincerely,

Marsha Holbert

Deerfield Beach