Water rates, firefighters’ retirement costs

Dear Editor:

Recent letters to the Observer cry out for clarification and comment. The letter from the Canadian resident of Century Village concerning the equalization of base rates for water and sewer usage obviously does not understand that it has nothing to do with water usage. The base rates of water and sewer make certain that when the user turns on the tap, there will be water to be used. Everyone should pay the same for the privilege.

Tim Hanley’s touching farewell to taxpayers upon his recent retirement failed to tell residents just how much his and Tony Strevino’s service has cost and will continue to cost taxpayers in the future.

Tony Strevino: Age at retirement 53

Annual pension: $91,592.04

City will pay his health insurance until age 65

$306.83 x 12 x 12 = $44,183.52

As of November 2009, his DROP plan held $406,567.08

Tim Hanley: Age at Retirement 50

Annual Pension: $75,797.76

City will pay health insurance until age 65

$306.83 x 12 x 15 = $64,949.40

As of November 2009, his DROP plan held $290,499.15

If the commission does not take action, the city will soon be bankrupt. The commission should eliminate the defined pension plan for all future hires in the Fire Department, take a good look at all who get the 15 percent incentive pay but never go out on a call, and drop the DROP plan which exists solely for the Fire Department. Make those people retire.                                                                             

Jean M. Robb

Deerfield Beach

Memories of a great angler

Dear Editor:

I am writing to tell you about a man who was a great angler, friend and mentor to many young anglers. His name is Charlie Walker. He was the teacher and advisor to all who needed to learn about South Florida fishing. He took kids under his wing and would get them hooked on fishing instead of the other things in life that could destroy them. He operated Walkers Bait  And Tackle in Deerfield Beach for more than 30 years. His customers would come from Boynton Beach to the north and from  Ft. Lauderdale to the south to learn the tricks and techniques of fishing offshore to the everglades. I have known him since 1973 and he was my best friend. We fished locally from the Keys to the Bahamas. He touched everyone with a smile and a wealth of fishing talent. He was a gentleman and a friend to everyone he met. He would go out of his way with time and patience to be sure they understood what they were learning. I am sad to say this local legend has passed. Those who knew Charlie will most certainly miss the kindness he shared with a cup of coffee and a smile as he taught you to be a great angler and respect nature. He fought for regulations at many, many meetings to help conserve the fisheries, whether it was here or at the capitol. He once coined the phrase “release today and fish for life.”

Captain Tony Rizzo

Pompano Beach

Deer Run signs

Dear Editor:

Who are the powers that be who decided to erect two lovely wooden Deer Run signs a quarter of the way down 4th Street? Running parallel to 4th street, you can’t see them from Powerline Road. The signs should have been angled out for a better view.

Lorraine Barsher

Deerfield Beach

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