I am offended at the statement made by Gary Lother in last week’s article profiling District 4 candidates. As Chairperson of the Nextel Tower Citizens Committee, I was appalled to read that Mr. Lother feels that he single-handedly “stepped in” to resolve the issue surrounding the placement of the Nextel communication tower that was slated to be built in the Villages of Hillsboro Park. A group of eleven concerned citizens were asked by Commissioner Gonot and the City Manager to work together in finding an equitable solution to a problem that was plaguing the residents of west Deerfield. Mr. Lother speaks as though only his efforts went into the resolution.
The initial problem of getting the cell tower out of the Villages park was due to the efforts of a group of homeowners who lived in the vicinity of the affected neighborhoods. Their persistence and strong showing at the City Commission meeting helped to get Nextel’s building permit revoked by the Commission. Only when the tower was proposed to go into the Target shopping center and, therefore possibly affecting his own neighborhood, did Mr. Lother become vocal on this issue.
The eventual location was brought to the forefront by John Miller, Executive Director of the Forum at Deer Creek.
Because Mr. Lother has decided to run for office, it should not give him liberty to change past history to suit his campaign. He should stick to the facts, even though it may not make for as many political points or self-aggrandizing sound bites.
Colleen Simpson-DiDonato
Deerfield Beach
An open letter to Sen. John McCain
Dear Sen.McCain:
Do you really, really want to be president of this great country, The United States of America? I believe you really do. Do you really, really mean you would “reach across the aisle” to make changes and run this country for the people? I really believe you would. Then why don’t you show that you really mean what you have said. Why wait? “Reach across the aisle” right now – immediately — to Sen. Hillary Clinton to be your running mate …vice president!
Now don’t get excited. This will not mean you are less of a Republican or Hillary less of a Democrat. It will mean the merger now of two very strong politicians making a very strong team for the American people. Yes, we the people! This would make your team INDEPENDENTS!
Sen. McCain, do you realize that about 45 percent of all eligible voters here in the U.S.A. are Independents! Yes, independents! We have been waiting a very long time to vote for the correct person — the strongest team — not led by the nose along “party lines!”
Now hear me out. I believe that Sen. Hillary Clinton does want to be vice president and if YOU approach her in the right way, she may seriously consider it. She would give you a younger, very experienced back-up and alleviate the question about your age. Remember, she got 18 million votes. Any ticket Hillary is on will make it very, very strong. You can work it out.
Obama has waited too long with his “committee” to pick a running mate. What will happen if a very serious problem or situation comes up? Will President Obama form a “committee” to take three months to solve? That’s not what I want. I want real experience, not somebody who wants to strut around and learn as he goes.
There is going to be changes no matter who gets in, so Sen. John McCain, why not start now?
Good luck!
Harvey Beaber
Independent
Deerfield Beach
Local businessman supports firefighters’ pay increase
To the Editor:
I am extremely disappointed that you allowed Mr. Nace’s letter to be printed without first checking to see if his allegations are actually true. Mr. Nace’s claims of a 24 percent to 34 percent pay increase for the city’s firefighters are completely false. Firefighters that are Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics receive five percent and 15 percent pay increases when they are hired by the city or when they achieve state certification. The five percent and 15 percent are notyearly pay increases; they are part of the normal pay scale because our firefighters have both fire and medical certifications. These certifications are similar to an accountant passing the CPA or a lawyer passing the bar exam. They demand more money because they have increased their level of expertise.
Also, his claims regarding the longevity pay increases are completely false as well. Longevity pay is a one-time pay increase for firefighters that have been with the department for a certain number of years. Only those employees who meet the City’s years of service criteria are eligible for the one-time pay increase.
The only thing that Mr. Nace is correct about in his letter of misinformation is the four percent cost of living increase and the five percent annual pay increase. Unfortunately, he is only half right about this issue. Deerfield Beach Firefighters will receive a four percent cost of living increase, but on the flip-side, the union had to make certain concessions in order to receive the cost of living increase. The five percent annual increase that Mr. Nace talks about isn’t available to the entire department. Those firefighters who are at the top of their pay scale aren’t eligible for the annual five percent increase. So, if a firefighter received a two percent longevity increase, which is mentioned above, chances are he/she will not receive the five percent annual raise set forth in the contract. So, in reality, most of the City’s firefighters will receive a pay increase somewhere between six percent and nine percent per year. This is some distance from the 24 percent to 34 percent that Mr. Nace cries about in his letter.
For 18 years, I have been a citizen, taxpayerand business owner in Deerfield. The job that the Police and Fire departments do here in the City is outstanding. In my opinion, when it comes to Public Safety, you get exactly what you pay for. After reading Mr. Nace’s letter, it seems he doesn’t really want to pay for anything.
Eight months ago, I was in a local doctor’s office when about 20 Deerfield Beach Firefighters walked into the waiting room. They were there to be tested because they had been exposed to tuberculosis (TB). Mr. Nace, when you go off to your job, are you exposed to TB? How about AIDS? Hepatitis? Are you in danger of bringing home some deadly disease to your wife and kids? Are you in danger of dying in a fire or being shot at by some criminal? Probably not. What kind of pay would you require to do a job like that? By the selfish tone of your letter, I’m pretty sure you would be demanding a whole lot more than what our Police and Firefighters are currently being paid. Most of the Police and Firefighters realize they are servants of the public, but these people risk their lives and they should be compensated for it. For you to tie the number of foreclosures in the area to what they should be paid is downright shameful. The fact that a group of people bought houses they couldn’t afford has nothing to do with how much we pay our Police and Firefighters. In conclusion, Mr. Nace, the next time you feel the need to write a letter to the editor, try picking a subject you actually know about.
