It isn’t often enough that we have occasion to say thank you to our elected public officials. However, here’s our opportunity to publicly give thanks to a very hard-working, conscientious official who really cares for the safety and welfare of his constituents.
We, the homeowners, our friends and others who, for many years now, have fretted and worried about getting safely through the intersection of Military Trail and SW 15 Street, owe a hearty thanks to Marty Popelsky for picking up our banner and doing something about our problem. Even parishioners from Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, 5201 Military Trail, have had great difficulty walking or driving through this dangerous intersection. The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) statistics show an increase in reported accidents here, many with injuries and at least one recent traffic death, let alone those minor “fender benders” that never got reported.
Well now, let me tell you that when this terrible situation was brought to the attention of our District Commissioner, District 2, Mr. Marty Popelsky, he jumped into action by notifying BSO, Deerfield Beach Traffic/Engineering Department and even called that very day to Broward County Commissioner, District 2, Kristin Jacobs and our Florida State Senator, Peter Deutsch. Now that’s unheard of in my neighborhood … an elected government official working for his people?
I’m sure we haven’t heard the end of this story just yet. From the look of things today, tomorrow will be a safer day for many hundreds of folks who pass through this intersection each day. The system really works, but one needs the help of other team members to get the job done…and done faster and better than going it alone.
Thank you in advance to all those hard-working public employees who will become involved in this noble endeavor.
Fred and Nancy Foreman
Deerfield Beach
Will off-base on auto industry
Dear Publisher:
Just above my “Funetiks,” [column in the Dec. 4 issue] I spotted your editorial about George Will.
I want to express my appreciation for your viewpoint about Will’s bashing of Detroit carmakers.
To be fair, American carmakers have shortcomings to account for, but they do not need Mr. Will’s putdown – bolstered by his wife’s involvement with the Japanese – or his pompous and irresponsible comments.
In all honesty, I am not a fan of Will’s. His elitist oratory is a bit much for me. But I did give him credit for being a gung-ho American at the very least. It appears he has disappointed both of us.
But I will go further: I think the Will agenda is not only un-American, it is also unconscionable from a patriotic viewpoint.
Perhaps, as Will says, “A bailout won’t fix the dying auto industry” but derogatory comments like Will’s will do nothing but hasten its death.
My argument is not so much with the car industry as with the public which demands ever more “improvements” to satisfy its lust for overkill.
I say the American auto industry will be fine if:
(1)It concentrates more on what customers need to drive in confidence and style than on what they want to flaunt.
(2)If unions will pull back a bit from excessive demands and work more reciprocally with automakers to level the playing field.
(3)If grumblers will think more about what American carmakers have done to help build America:given us, year after year, excellence in automotive transportation and hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs.
(4)If more of the public will rightly consider George Will and his ilk to be just another syndicated columnist, rather than lord of the piston rings and the god of impeccable syntax.
Again, kudos for your fine commentary.
Jim Moore
Tallahasse
Why NOT cover Women of Faith?
Dear Publisher:
In response to Richard Cooke’s Letter to the Editor [Nov. 20], why SHOULDN’T “news” like that be on the front page of the Deerfield Beach local weekly? Considering the number of women in attendance, and the fact that there was a photograph, I feel certain there were many women in attendance from the Deerfield area. The Observer has readers from all around Broward County, not just Deerfield Beach. I would be willing to venture that many workers in Deerfield live in Sunrise. (It’s really not that far to travel.)
That is not even the reason I felt compelled to respond to Richard’s comments. I, personally, feel one of the main reasons our society has become so harsh and uncaring about our fellow man/woman is because there isn’t enough attention given to “faith.” Just the fact that he felt so compelled to actually sit down and take the time to write such a negative piece supports my belief. I am not a “religious freak,” but I believe we all have “faith” in something; and why not show it and share it. Society needs more positive vibes. I much prefer to see photos like this than photos of our children shooting and killing each other.
There are many publications that I may not approve of or care for the photos and articles they choose to print, but after all … this is America. I believe it goes … “One Nation Under God …” Would you call that “faith,” Richard?
Mr. Eller and associates, I truly enjoy reading our Observer each and every week.
A Woman of Faith
(not religious, just faith in my country and the freedom I have)
