Turn Signals at Hillsboro Blvd and MLK Now a Reality, Thanks!!!

A couple of weeks ago, I saw an article in the Deerfield Observer giving thanks to Broward County for listening to the Observer when they requested a turn signal be placed at Federal Highway and NE 2nd.  This prompted me to fire-off a torrid of emails to City Officials, asking them how could this be done so simply in less than a year when District 2 residents had been requesting this for the last 30 years and I, had most recently been petitioning the City since September/October of 2011 to look into adding turn signals and street lights along with bringing the truncated domes up to code at Hillsboro and MLK.  

Then after the tragic death of a friend in early 2012, I stepped up those efforts to ensure it that the pedestrian,bicyclist, and motorist safety concerns in that area were taken seriously so that this senseless tragedy did not happen again.  To no avail.  There was a lot of back and forth, a lot of run around, and then finally an answer.  We were told that the City didn't have the money, then we were told that traffic doesn't warrant a turn signal.  

So I took it upon myself to videotape the conditions at that intersection at night, so I could present it to the Commission.  I was denied my many request by then Mayor Peggy Noland, D2 Commissioner Ben Preston, and City Manager Burgess Hanson.

I kept fighting, petitioning, and presenting my legitimate concerns and request but was thwarted by the then City Commission and staff at every turn. FDOT came out and installed the yellow truncated domes that are now present at the intersection of MLK and Hillsboro bringing that section up to ADA compliance. 

Fast forward 2 years and this brings us to that Observer article.  After reading it, I fired off emails and asked current Mayor Jean Robb if I could now show my video.  I reached out to her first b/c she is the only one at City Hall who seems to care about D2 issues and she was the only one continuously asking when this area would be fixed.  Even when the D2 Commissioner showed only concern for debates, health fairs, and the beautification of 15th Street. The Honorable Mayor Jean Robb gave me permission to show my video and gave me time to speak on the issue.  Then when FDOT responded to the City advising they would indeed now install the signal and would look into the street lights during the 2016 resurfacing. She was the only one to reach out to me and inform me of this. 

Since I wrote a blog post indicating that I would write a congratulatory letter if the City/FDOT or whoever would take care of this issue for D2, so here goes... 

Thank you FDOT and The Honorable City of Deerfield Mayor Jean Robb for answering the many prayers and request of the District 2 residents for the last 30 years.  Also, for answering my personal request since 2011. 

So on behalf of all the residents of District 2, I once again want to say, "Thank You for finally listening to us".

DOA Cody ain't DOA, but Pissed!!!

The thing about the internet, blogs, and posts unlike books , magazines, or even conversations is that once you publish something on the internet it's there forever, not just until its burned, thrown away, or forgotten. So yesterday (6/13/14), after a great breakfast and a tearful reading of the 6/12/14 page 7 of the Deerfield Observer. I became obsessed with righting a wrong a had since let falter, but still held residual guilt for. The guilt stemming from the death of my friend Thetus Fleming Jr a few years back (I won't rehash b/c after yesterday all those old feelings were stirred up), but this blog is riddled with post about those tragic events. Suffice it to say that I went back and looked through the blogs and articles from the last 2 years while I was away on my self-imposed retirement and then last years health crisis. 

The first thing I did, after emailing the Observer, the City of Deerfield elected officials and manager, and certain social media sites, was to GOOGLE News about Deerfield Beach. Articles about Cappellini's trial, postponements, not guilty verdict, and the over $1,000,000.00 price tag his attorney billed to CoDB and its taxpayers (hopefully its covered by insurance and not a taxpayer expense) populated the screen. There were other miscellaneous articles, but the one that struck me the most was the Honorable Mayor Jean Robb, being called a racist by none other than...you'll never guess it!!! Go ahead and try....I'll give you 10 seconds. . . . . . . oh I can't stand it anymore...Chaz Stevens...yep!!! The guy who worships Satan (which is okay if your into eternal damnation-which from his life on Earth Chaz is into), the guy who has some not so nice words about well errrrrbody from me to the Christian Messiah Jesus Christ himself. The same guy who continuously tries to and impressively convinces many "small-minded" individuals that he is not a woman abuser because he filed a lawsuit against the female after she begged and pleaded the courts twice for a restraining order against him that was eventually mutually agreed to (poor woman). His claim is because he is a member of Amnesty International he could never abuse a woman or a child. Hmmmmmm... It gets better!!! He goes on to constantly to refer to, yet politely disparage, said female on numerous blogs, post and impromptu rants. Not to mention his constant use of the most unholy language that is socially unbecoming of any Gentlemen, let alone a member of Amnesty International including one of the most heinous words used to negatively describe, to belittle, to undignify, to berate, and to, quite literally, to piss off any woman...the "C" word and I don't mean "Comely". It's so inappropriate and offensive I refuse to repeat it, yet Chaz uses it quite often, even to refer to Ex-Mayor( Peggy Noland, which I didn't mind so much) and others. This is the same guy who only a couple of years ago referred to certain CODB "Afro-American" (I said it, yes its antiquated, but even my 80 something year old grandmother- who is "Afro-American" with an silver mane cropped into an actual afro- still uses that term) employees as animals and continuously attacks, belittles, and disparages almost anyone of color. Yet, he wants us to believe he is not racist because he is not only a !ember of Amnesty Intetmational , but also The NAACP. All you need to be a member of both of these groups is a credit card or a check book... 

Hell, i'm a member of the "Chick Fil-A" fan club and FACEBOOK page ( only b/c I signed up for it before the controversy-but will delete it now), but you will never find me patronizing their establishments, any longer in any fashion, due to their owners stance on religious and individual freedoms. Unlike back in the 1950-1970+ when it was commonplace for almost all proprietors and businesses to listen to their clientele and uphold the socially held beliefs of the majority..today's business world allows businesses and business owners to take political and religious stands...such as Chick Fil-A.  

Any business owner that wanted to stay in business did what they had to do to survive and some of the socially conscious individuals with concerns for the plight of all humans made their convictions known under the table doing what they could like Dr. Leo Robb, which from the stories my father...Moses Cody Jr. (Happy Fathers day, daddy) told me as a kid about Dr. Robb and his wife, Jean, then Dr. Robb although he did have separate waiting rooms, as was the custom of the time in the South, he quite often volunteered and gave of his time giving physicals so the Afro-American youth of the area, not only Deerfield, could register for their respective sports programs and schools. Even, if Dr. Robb held racist beliefs...he still did his duty as a doctor helping our community...scars and all. Yes some, like my father Moses Cody Jr.-who is listed in the Sun-Sentinel article being tauted by Jean's naysayers, are so scarred by the events of their youths spent as "colored" in the South that they become "Afrocentric" and anything else is considered an affront to our community. Well to the ones that care at least...like my Dad. I digress, Chaz Stevens, is a paid gun for whoever will give him money, like Domani Automotive and its luxury cars advertising on Chaz's site, so he will say anything and do anything for $$$. He has no scruples and he has no loyalties. If I paid him he would advertise for my site, which quite often disparages his own. Like a scene from the movie "Campaign".

If my father were alive today, as his son, I can honestly say he would be proud of the obstacles Jean Robb has overcome to be the no-nonsense woman she is today. He admired her, even then, ad do I now. Even in disagreements I admire her for taking chances and standing her ground, unlike some Ben Preston, who ate spineless jellyfish. Who have to be told what to do, before taking action. My father despised him and only after talking with my family did I realize that during the time my father was battling Jean Robb and the CODB regarding the Westside Gym naming...that Ben was the notable.   "colored coon" that my father referred to. I had no clue when I fist met him, only that I knew his namesake...his son BJ. I referenced in many post about Ben's inactivity in the "Afro-American" community prior to his being tapped by Peggy Noland, to be the "watermelon-eater" on the commission replacing Sylvia Poitier's forceful opposition to the City's will and political dominance in the Afro-American community. 

Well several court cases and a 2 elections later, Peggy got her "watermelon-eater" to push through with admittedly "little time to prepare" the BSO merger and Utility Tax. Outside of some beautification projects a few health fairs District 2 is no better than when he took office. Hell, even his own friends and allies, namely Chaz Stevens and City Management, have nothing but negative to say about him. If I'm being truly honest, truly brutally honest...I recall many negative conversations between myself, his son, and a couple of friends about "BJ's Dad". 


 All of that brings me to the original point of this post. Out of everyone at City Hall, Jean Robb is the only one that gave a damn about the blight in District 2, well with the exception of Ben who wants to sweep the blight under the rug, to present massa wit a presentable house, even if that house has termites, rotten boards, cracked windows, and shody electric. I apologize for using this imagery, but one can only take a picture of an island from beyond it, to paint the picture you have to be on it. The point is somebody at City Hall has to care and fight for my District and from what I see that is Jean, faults and all, in her capacity as Mayor(elected to represent all of Deerfield). District 2's ineffectual Commissioner, Ben Preston is nothing more than a figurehead being thrown crumbs by City Hall's Management to seem effectual.  Hillsboro and MLK leading to I-95 (even at the 200 block which is at the corner of MLK and Hillsboro) sees speeding cars leading to traffic violations and deaths...add to that the dark driving conditions and it is a recipe for disaster. 

It has been 3-4 years since this problem was most recently brought before the Commission and to the specific attention of D2 Commissioner Ben Preston and like a good little boy he parroted to us what FDOT and CODB staff told him with no noticebly additional effort, except to claim responsibility for something he actually had very little to do with and he did not initiate, but I guess that's politics. 

Now, to see Joe Miller's, District 1, get turning signals after less than a year of complaints and no deaths that I have seen or heard of in that area, period, is further proof to me that Ben Preston is ineffectual and Jean is District 2's only friend in the game right now. So for anyone to parrot off about her racist past over 50 years ago...its time to look at those individuals recent past and I get you'd be shocked even going back 20 years to see the effect the reported racist has had in the black community as compared to any of her present naysayers. 

So, if you want my vote and support, do for District 2 what is done for any other area of the City. You want "US" to believe this is ONE CITY, then prove it. Your actions are the opposite of your words City of Deerfield Beach. 

A cookie is not a "biscuit"...

City of Deerfield Beach's District 2 Calling. Will Anybody Listen???

                                                                  I have tried to refrain from getting back involved in City of Deerfield Beach politics and hoped someone else would pick up the torch in my community.

This morning after reading Thursday weekly "Observer" tears poured from eyes. On page 7, there is an article and picture showing that after only a about a year of complaints the intersection at NE 2nd Street and Federal will be getting a turn signal. Yes that's right the entrance to Deerfield on Federal from "BOCA RATON" has their prayers answered by Broward County, according to the article. The last line of the article states, "Thank you Broward County for listening".

I guess the numerous complaints, deaths, accidents, and pleas from the citizens of District 2 in Deerfield Beach begging for a turning signal at Hillsboro and Martin Luther King fell on deaf ears. As recently as 3 years ago the citizens complained to City Hall for action to be taken at that intersection. Then Mayor-Peggy Noland, along with City Manager-Burgess Hanson, D2 Commissioner-Ben Preston, and the other Commission members flailed and danced around the request, putting it off on Broward County and FDOT. Citizens then took their plight to Broward County and FDOT and were given the run around. Shortly thereafter, a horrible death on Hillsboro very near that intersection occurred. It was not the first and it has not been the last. The City and FDOT scrambled, after citizens pleaded with D2 Commissioner Ben Preston to finally get involve and do his sworn duty to act in the interest of his constituents and contact FDOT & Broward County, which he finally did and after months of wrangling and back and forth b/w Citizens, current Mayor Jean Robb and others, along with numerous editorials in several local news media outlets, including the Deerfield Observer, the D2 citizens were told no signal was needed at that intersection and that FDOT would look into other measures to protect the pedestrians and motorist of that intersection possibly in 2015. To my knowledge, since a couple of years ago no one, including myself, has complained or inquired about actions to be taken at that intersection. So when I read the congratulatory article in the Observer praising Broward County for their quick action and for listening to the Observer, I got pissed. 

Like I said I was hoping to avoid getting back involved with the "POLITCO'S" at Deerfield Beach City Hall, but maybe with current Mayor Jean Robb at the helm of the Dias, maybe the City and/or Broward County and/or FDOT will come through for D2, like they so quickly did for the affluent section of Deerfield leading into and from BOCA RATON.

I'll write the apologetic and congratulatory article myself, if and when the pleas of D2 at Hillsboro and Martin Luther King are finally heard and finally answered by ANYONE.

Questions for Deerfield Beach City Manager, Burgess Hanson.

Who is Melissa Cunicelli??? 


Who is Former Deerfield Beach BSO Chief Ron Refett?


How are these names connected to current Deerfield Beach City Manager, Burgess Hanson???


What really happened that would eventually cause one of these people to be demoted, one of these people to be arrested, and the other to speed out of town...Yet, the SAO would "publicly" come up with nothing.


Story to come...

City of Deerfield Beach and Commissioner Care More About Promoting Pride than Safety of its Residents...

Question:


If your City had the money would you want them to fix an inconvenient problem or would you want them to fix a safety problem.


Especially, if you know that the safety problem has a 90% chance of not being looked at until 2015.


This is the dilemma the residents of Deerfield Beach are faced with.


City of Deerfield Beach has about |$150,000 of funding which is about to expire at the end of September (according to a Community  Development rep).  The City wants to use those funds and build Ben Preston's archway of pride over at DBHS and fix an engineering problem that causes an inconvenience the parents who are dropping off and picking up their kids from the High School.

I wonder how many of those parents are actually residents of the low-income CDBG district and residents of Deerfield Beach...

So to me that is an inconvenience, not a necessity.  There has been no accidents and no deaths that can be attributed to this engineering problem and a lack of pride has never killed anyone..at least I don't think.


Ben Preston and Beulah Hill are more concerned about fixing the City's inconvenience and leaving a legacy for themselves than fixing a safety problem, which has has and can be attributed to deaths and that is the lighting situation over on Hillsboro and MLK.  

Ben, the legacy that you leave is not an archway by the High School, but the man who let his people "DIE".  The man who was more concerned with appearances than safety, The Man who had no "Pride" and who could care less about the safety of the residents he swore to protect.

Now, the City is holding to and using as an excuse as to why they will not look at using CDBG funding is because they think and "WANT"  FDOT to fix the problem.  FDOT has already stated that they won't even begin any project until 2015, even if a study reveals that it needs to be done.  This study was slated to begin in November of 2012 for possible implementation in 2015, at least that is the info that I received from FDOT.  Through lots of effort and hardwork since October 2011 working with FDOT, a fatality in February 2012, and then finally embarrassing the City Staff and Commissioner Preston into actually taking action, they finally stepped up and joined the residents and in March 2012 the City asked FDOT to perform a full street study analysis, which FDOT says should be concluded by the beginning of June...but who knows when the work will actually begin if any is recommended.


We do know, as of now, that the City of Deerfield Beach has the money to correct part of safety problem for its residents and why they would choose not to, is beyond me.  Waiting for a could be to happen three years from now..while putting our lives at risk is unacceptable.


Now, so both issues are for work that should have been done a long time ago, the DBHS engineering inconvenience for those dropping off their kids and the Hillsboro and MLK 0 lighting which may be attributed to fatalities, accidents, and other.


So, which do you think should be a priority of a City that claims to care about "ALL" it's residents.


The funding is there, but the City Manager, Burgess Hanson, and staff stubbornly want the residents, pedestrians, bicyclist, and motorist who utilize that area at Hillsboro and MLK to do so at their own peril, or at least until 2015 when funding may become available through FDOT to correct the safety issue that should have never been.


How many street corners on major highways and thoroughfares have 0 lights installed.  I mean come-on there are 7 alone at Hillsboro and Federal.


Ben Preston keeps talking about pride at the high school.  What about pride in the fact that YOU fixed a thirty year old problem that could save lives.  We have already lost one Deerfield Beach resident this year in that area, after the City was warned, how many more lives need to be needlessly lost for the City to act.


It is obvious you have the money through CDBG-R funding and/or CDBG funding.  It would be money better spent to protect the safety of the City's actual residents than for promoting pride and fixing an inconvenience for people who are mostly just passing through to drop off their kids to the IB/Magnet High School that just so happens to be in a low-income district eligible for government funding.


The residents safety should come first...

Precautionary Boil Water Notice in City of Deerfield Beach...I Hope Y'all Was Drinking Vodka

Well, remember this little post from Friday, April 20, 2012

City of Deerfield Beach to Residents: Let Them Drink Vodka!!!

How bout this one from Thursday April 26, 2012

City of Deerfield Beach: There May or May Not Be Truth to "There Must Be Something in the Water"

About 10 hours ago, we just received noticed that the City of Deerfield Beach is one of several cities on a "Precautionary Boil Water" notice.  The Sun-Sentinel and many other news media outlets have bombarded the airwaves and blogosphere with the "Boil Water" notice.


As reported by them 

A precautionary boil water notice was issued for parts of Broward County after a potable raw water well tested positive for a fecal indicator, officials said Friday. 

The water plant, which serves Broward County Water and Wastewater Services in Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Lighthouse Point and Coconut Creek detected the fecal indicator, which are microbes that indicate the water could have human or animal waste. 

The well is no longer in service. Officials said additional samples will be taken from the well on Saturday and Sunday and the boil water notice will probably be rescinded on Monday.
Officials said people shouldn't drink the water without boiling it first. It must come to a rolling boil and be boiled for one minute. 

People with severely compromised immune systems, infants or the elderly may be at more of a risk and should consult medical professionals. 

Call 1-800-426-4791 for the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline.

Which can be read, here. 


Maybe these stories are no related to the April 17, 20, 26 post about our water, but it is a little ironic and seems coincidental.


I remember the Observer having an article from the Charles Debrusca about the water problem and telling us about the 2 new water plants that have come on line.


I will continue to drink Vodka and I am now in full support of the City of Deerfield Beach voting to allow it's residents to purchase alcoholic beverages on Sunday before 12pm.  Since I will definately not be drinking City of Deerfield BEach water, even if this was coincidence and not related.  I just don't trust it now.


So, STOLI is my new best friend...


Thank you Charles Debrusca and City of Deerfield Beach.


This is from the City of Deerfield Beach website, though.

Top Stories Drinking water warning is ONLY for Broward County water customersONLY Deerfield Beach residents who are serviced by the BROWARD COUNTY water system are under a boil water order.Residents who receive water service from the City of Deerfield Beach DO NOT need to boil their water. If you are unsure who provides your water service, look at your water bill to see if it reads Broward County (WWS) or the City of Deerfield Beach. ONLY customers with bills from  Broward County (WWS) need to boil their water. The City of Deerfield Beach water system is safe and is not under a boil water order. For more information, call 954-831-3061 or 954-831-3250.Broward County Notice Map of area under Boil Water Order This information was updated at 9 AM on May 26, 2012. Continue to check this website or Broward.org for additional updates.

I will continue to boil any water, even though my bill is from the City of Deerfield Beach, thank you very much.

Chaz Stevens, Husky Boy???

I wonder who's HUSKY, BOY!!!

Chaz leaving the gym...












Oops!  Wrong Chaz...

I just want to issue a public apology to Chaz Bono for confusing him with Deerfield Beach's Chaz Stevens. 

The above Chaz seems to have respect for WOMEN.


This is the real Chaz Stevens...

This Chaz HAS seems to have no respect for WOMEN, Minorities, or anyone but himself.


But what do we expect from someone who repeatedly violated an injunction for protection against domestic violence and was court ordered to continue psychiatric treatment.


Did I mention he has no problem with stretching the truth until there is no semblance of it at all, calls women vulgar names, is an alcoholic and "other abuser", and he is apparently so delusional and out of touch with reality that he doesn't realize he is a "HUSKY BOY".

While you, Chaz, were sitting on your couch contemplating your own brilliance, this "Husky Boy" was on vacation with my friends toasting to you and your cohorts at Deerfield Beach City Hall who give me so much to talk about and fight against.

Oh and I do love a Lovely shade of PINK!

Save me one of those "funny" shirts...

Can I have one that says, "I'm with Sociopath"