RE: Homeless man killed

Editor’s note: On Saturday morning, Dec. 1, Bradley Suessine, 42, was stabbed in the alley between Rattlesnake Jake’s and the Sea Girl shop in Deerfield Beach. His family wishes to share their memories of Brad.

Dear Editor:

I was Brad’s cousin and pretty close with him growing up.  We are the same age.

Although it has been about 10 years since we spoke last, I have many childhood memories [of growing up] and celebrating the holidays together.  We caught back up later in life after high school.

We shared a very close and special relationship that I will forever cherish.

In our 20’s we went to college together.  It was the best!

He would come to my house and pick me up and we [would] drive together.  It didn’t matter, our class times being different. He was thoughtful that way.

We did things together outside of work or school.  My friends were his then and vice versa.

We did things on the weekend or went to parties together and always had a fun time. Never ever a bad moment, never ever any type of arguments, only great times.  People even commented about how they couldn’t believe we were cousins — we got along so well.

Now, [all] I have is memories, but I am blessed and thankful that I have those and was granted those special moments in life to spend with him. It was a privilege and I am tremendously glad I was granted that in life.

I am so deeply affected by how this vicious act was done upon him and it keeps me awake [at night], his last moments, how tragic they were, and that he was not with his loved ones.

He was an amazing guy, one of the best.

I know the newspapers state “homeless” over and over again, but life’s journeys take us all down different paths. Though he didn’t have the traditional roof over his head and all of what one would expect to be normal, really,what is “normal?” I guess that is to one’s own description now.

His way of life to him at that time was normal.  It was living life the way he knew best and how it made the most sense to him at the time and what made “him” ok.

That doesn’t discount his value in our society, in life or as a valued citizen.

His importance to all his mom/dad, brothers and all of us extended family and friends was great.  I feel for my aunt/uncle and cousins (his brothers) who have to deal with this great loss.  This is not fair.

I hope that he can see us and look upon us, knowing that he was really loved and really meant a lot.

You hear too often that “life is short” or the “would of’s, could of’’s” but it’s too late for all that now.

We have to try to find a way to deal with this great loss and how he was so cruelly taken from us.

He will be in my heart and thoughts — and I am sure many others’ — for eternity and I will love him always.

I hope Brad is always that twinkling star above now and a true angel that I hope will hear me always.

His loving cousin,

Deanna Letourneau

Bradenton, FL

RE: Baumgardner incident

Dear Editor:

On Sept. 30, my brother [Tom] was physically assaulted while riding his bicycle back to his home in Deerfield Beach.

Allegedly, there was a verbal altercation between my brother and an individual in a truck.

The alleged attacker got out of the truck and punched my brother, leaving him with a severe brain stem injury, eye injury, multiple facial fractures and a broken clavicle. He then fled the scene, without rendering aid, leaving my brother unconscious and unresponsive in the roadway.

The Broward County Sheriff’s investigating detective tells me the alleged attacker did text a friend in the Deerfield Beach fire department and paramedics were dispatched to the scene. I have asked what that text message said and that information has not been shared with me or my family.

The medical report indicates paramedics found my brother unconscious and unresponsive and transported him to the hospital. He remained in a coma for 6 days on life support, in the hospital a total of 25 days, and then was transported to a neurologic rehabilitation center, where he remains.

I understand the alleged attacker has been questioned; however, there have been no charges filed. I have had no further update from the Broward County Sheriff’s office other than the case was presented to the state attorney with no further action.

To the individuals and friends who organized a recent fundraiser [Nov. 19 Baumfest at Tipperary Pub] to assist with my brother’s medical and living expenses, my family extends our greatest appreciation for your kindness and generosity.

To the individual who did this to my brother, I hope every day you think about how you forever changed the life of a vibrant, gainfully-employed man and that of his entire family.

Gina Firsching

Binghamton, NY

Editor’s note: At the Nov. 27 Special city commission meeting, Deerfield Beach commission decided to do the evaluation themselves regarding potential operators for the pier restaurant. [A panel presented them with a final ranking on Nov. 27.]

On Nov. 29, the commission did their own final ranking based on their individual rankings.

1. Class Act Restaurant Group LLC

2. Burgerfi (Two Together LLC)

3. Brewzzi International Inc.

According to Purchasing Manager David Santucci, the commission voted unanimously to accept the ranking and authorized staff to negotiate a lease. The lease is currently being worked on by the city attorney. The matter will come before the commission again to approve the lease.

City Attorney Andy Maurodis said, “the ranking has been approved, nothing has been awarded. It states in the RFP [Request for Proposals] that the final lease must be approved by the city commission.”

Pier Restaurant

Dear Editor:

I was taken aback by typical Deerfield Politics being played.[Nov. 29 Special city commission meeting to re-rank pier operators.] No different than in the past! They may argue with this, but it’s a very self-serving group as many of us see it.

As a resident, I am disgusted with the commission, except Joe Miller on this particular vote, though it should not count. Joe actually stood his ground last night and went with whom the staff recommended. As the staff did not play politics. They were looking out for what was best for the city, but obviously the mayor and commission thought otherwise. It’s like a broken record, I have seen and heard this before.

However, all this said, no one, including our city attorney, who I believe knew this, went ahead and let the commission proceed with giving a lease to Class Act.

I am disgusted, as many others are.

John Grassi

Deerfield Beach

Hello Mr. Grassi:

I appreciate your interest in the selection process for the Pier Restaurant operator.

The process employed last night [Nov. 29] was strictly according to the law and City Charter.

I assume your concern is with the provision of the Charter requiring a 4/5 vote prior to the award of a lease for the Pier Restaurant (Section 7.09).

I am sure you are aware that last evening no lease was awarded.

What did occur was a ranking process.The ranking was then approved by all four commissioners present. The resolution provided for negotiations with the No. 1 ranked firm with the commission having the final say in approving a lease for the Pier Restaurant if staff felt that an acceptable lease had been negotiated.

The resolution also indicates that if the city does not negotiate an acceptable lease with the No. 1 ranked firm, the commission could authorize negotiations with the No. 2 ranked firm for eventual consideration by the commission.

When an actual lease is presented to the commission for award, it must be approved by a 4/5 vote – we are not at that stage yet.

The resolution, adopted [Nov. 29] by a vote of four commissioners, should make all this clear.

1. No lease was awarded and thus Section 7.09 of the Charter is not applicable.

2. The commission merely approved a ranking and authorized negotiations; as it happens it did so by a 4/5 vote (though this was not necessary).

3. When a final lease is awarded, it will require a vote of 4/5 of the commission.

Andrew Maurodis

City Attorney, Deerfield Beach

Graffiti in Deer Run

Dear Editor:

I recently took my 3-year-old grandson, who, by the way, can read simple words, to the park in Deer Run. I was appalled by the filthy words scribbled ALL over the playground equipment.

What is wrong with kids today, who think they have the right to deface property? Where were the parents to teach them right from wrong? Trying to figure out today’s youths is ONE BIG QUESTION MARK.

Lorraine Barsher

Deerfield Beach

Shirley, where are you?

Dear Editor:

For 52 years, he enjoyed our ocean and beaches. Several weeks ago, he parked at beautiful Deerfield beach and enjoyed the blue water with rounded white caps. Then, no view. It was blocked.

A woman stood between him and his ocean. When she turned, facing him and their eyes met, he asked: “Hungry?” She nodded slightly and her silent lips murmered softly, “Thank you,” as he passed a bill to her.

Then she turned around to again face their ocean.

She turned north to where the restaurants are. She disappeared into the crowd.

Harry wants to see Shirley again – for lunch or dinner at the new restaurant across from the new pier. He will park the little red car near the No.3 lifeguard station at 4 p.m. Thursday [today] through Sunday, and watch.

Shirley, where are you?

Harry

Lighthouse Point

Flying old glory

Dear Editor:

As a merchant marine captain, I find it a ‘disgrace’ and, as a matter of fact: illegal.

What I refer to is the way the American flag is or is not displayed on vessels leaving port and especially in the Intracoastal waters. And most amazing is that the BSO vessels don’t display ‘old glory!’

If you were to go to the Bahamas and did not display their flag, as required by international law, they can confiscate your vessel!

Protocol requires the vessel fly a flag of the country you are in, or a yellow ‘quarintine’ flag.

If you were to ‘get on this issue, maybe you could change the attitude of day sailors who don’t understand that we are at war … and flying the ‘colors’ is a matter of nation pride, along with being nautical protocol!

How about starting with the new [sheriff] and asking, “Why is it that your vessels don’t have a flag painted on their safety vessels … Or, for that matter, Why don’t the ‘BSO’ officers have a flag on their uniforms and equipment.

Are they not ‘American?’

Timothy R. Browne

Deerfield Beach

City’s response gets residents’ problem solved

Dear Editor:

For the past 3 years, the county has promised to install solid concrete privacy walls along the back of our development backing up to Military Trail.

The promises started with announcement of the expansion of the road making or adding turn lanes. To date, nothing has been done. The only thing we have received from the county engineer is one empty promise upon another. Each excuse thrown out would insult the intelligence of a frog.

I have tried unsuccessfully to reach our county commissioner, to no avail. Emails sent to her office go unanswered, text messages go unanswered, a request for an appointment with her more than 3 weeks ago was granted for Nov. 19 at 3:30 p.m. That was her ONLY time.

Deer Creek is the premier property in Deerfield Beach. There are over 4,000 residents living here.

I invited all the presidents of the other HOAs, including the master association of Deer Creek, city officials, along with county representatives to attend a Homeowners Meeting, Monday, Nov. 19, in the Hidden Woods clubhouse. We need answers, not excuses.

As of Monday, the county finally got a contractor to do the work they had promised.

I spoke to Commissioner Bill Ganz and he spoke to her [the county commissioner] to get things moving. I’m gonna tell you, that guy is phenomenal! If it wasn’t for Bill, I don’t think that project would’ve gotten done.

The other people in the city of Deerfield have been absolutely wonderful … [City Manager] Burgess Hanson, [Director of Environmental Services] Charlie DaBrusco and [City Landscape Architect] Harold Hoyte have bent over backwards to help us out.

Perri Cohen

President: Wildwood of Deer Creek

Deerfield Beach

Operation Shoe Box

Dear Editor:

With the cooperation of the Howard Beach Kiwanis Club NY and the Deerfield Beach Kiwanis Club in FL, we here in Deerfield Beach, with the support of the Mayor of Deerfield, Broward Sheriff’s Office with Fire Rescue of Broward County, have acquired a warehouse and necessities for the victims of the storm in Broad Channel and Breezy Point. This is called “Operation Shoe Box.”

Volunteers are filling the shoe boxes donated by the “99 cent stores” for distribution in those affected areas. “Atlas Van lines” has donated the truck and driver. It will have a Broward Sheriff’s police escort all the way to NYC.

The Mayor of Deerfield will fly to New York to personally oversee this distribution as she, Elaine, as well as myself, are former New York residents. We are working through the Howard Beach Kiwanis Club as to local logistics and coordination with the Police Captain of the local precinct.

If anyone from Florida wants to participate, they can volunteer or donate to the following address: Kiwanis Club of Deerfield Beach, 1901 Green Rd., Pompano Beach, FL 33064. [Questions, call 954-830-5773.]

We have an approximate ETA [estimated time of arrival] of the day after Thanksgiving!

Frank Congemi

Deerfield Beach

Election date issues

Dear Editor:

On the day of the most important Presidential Election of our time, Deerfield Beach commission scheduled an official city meeting. It is not as though they have not cancelled meetings throughout October, November and December. Why this meeting on this historical day?

Was it so they could pass a resolution indicating that the next Municipal Election would take place on Tuesday, March 12, 2013? At that time, the mayor’s seat held by Peggy Noland, the District 3 seat held by term-limited Marty Popelsky, and the District 4 seat held by Bill Ganz will be up for election.

Now they take the time to set the date for the election, but when it was suggested that the date be made to coincide with this Presidential Election on Nov. 6, it was not even put to a vote.

This lack of action cost the city $62,000 that would have been saved with the date change. Many of our neighboring cities took advantage of this saving opportunity, but NOT OUR GROUP.

When a great number of our residents are struggling to make ends meet, why bypass the opportunity to save $62,000? That savings would pay the salaries of two of the commissioners, add money to our youth programs, light up the dangerous intersection in District 2, or pay back some of the money taken from city employees.

Now that they have told you that [the Municipal Election] is on Tuesday, March 12, 2013, you can tell them how you feel. Let them hear your voices.

Steve Krevoy

Deerfield Beach

Pier history

Dear Editor:

The new, beautiful, family-friendly Deerfield Beach pier facility will soon have its grand opening. [Dec. 7, 6 p.m.] Let’s not forget that back in 2004, we nearly lost this public treasure to an individual who almost got a 54- year lease on the pier property and was going to build an 18,000 sq. ft. massive restaurant and banquet facility right at the pier entrance.

The members of the Deerfield Beach Original Save Our Beach (“OSOB”) committee found out about this and sprang into action to protect the pier. We fought a long hard battle to prevent this “taking” of our public property. We had the full support of the people of Deerfield Beach, who were adamantly against the idea of giving away our pier area. Due to our love of the beach and pier area, and our firm belief it needed to be preserved for future generations, we fought the battle and the residents won.

So, as the city and its residents celebrate the opening of the new pier facility, remember that if it had not been for the “OSOB” committee and our supporters, this beautiful, family- friendly pier facility would only be a dream. www.originalsaveourbeach.org.

Pam Militello

Deerfield Beach

Congrats on 50th Anniversary!

Dear Editor:

On behalf of the staff, participants and Board of the NE Focal Point, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you and the Observer Team on your 50th Anniversary.

Thank you for being a wonderful community partner! We enjoy reading the Observer newspaper each week to find out about our community, friends and neighbors. Our very best wishes for continued success!

Donna DeFronzo

Director of Senior Services

NE Focal Point

“Many homes do not even have a newspaper…”

Dear Editor:

When students don’t learn, many say ‘fire the teachers.’ It is never the students who don’t do their work, nor the parents.

There are many studies completed by top colleges like Yale, etc., that say it is not the teachers, it is the parents. Their academic success is [due to] “parental involvement.” (Really?) It doesn’t matter whether private or public school? It has been proven that just having books in the house makes a huge difference in a child’s development, [compared to] if your home just has video games, TV or, like Sarah Palin, who wrote on her hand because her father used to do it.

Yes, there are crappy teachers but so are there crappy parents, cops, soldiers, politicians, sanitation men, business executives, union leaders.

Do we say ‘let’s fire cops’ because crime in their area has increased or [question] did they fix the stats?

Many homes do not even have a newspaper (like The New York Times, Washington Post or The Wall Street Journal) and sports and partying is [considered] more important than studying.

Because the truth is that:

a) Improving education is a very long process that can take many years, but can be done.

b) Improving education means improving the area where students live and who their role models are.

We need to:

c) Change values in America, where football is considered more important than science

d) Create more jobs in the economy – and we know government can only do so much.

e) Spend more and wiser in inner cities, which are still racially and economically segregated.

f) Give minorities a chance, along with our fastestgrowing group of immigrants.

g) Reduce crime by police in “bad” areas.

Marty Weisberg

Coral Springs

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