The Black Perspective Up Close And Personal Unbought And Unbossed! Challenging Authority!

From a concerned Deerfield Beach High School parent.

2011-11-10T18:42:00.000-05:00

11-8-2011

The coaching staff at Deerfield high has suspended all the seniors from playing their last high school football game on Friday night because the didn't show up for practice. This is the 1st year in 15 years Deerfield has not gone to the playoffs due to poor coaching. The kids were upset and nobody cared about them. The coaches gave up on our seniors. And now they are just crushing them.

I feel the community should know what they're putting our kids thru before they pay to go see their child play and they're not playing. They held a meeting today and no parents were there to defend their child or to hear the threats they made about not helping them into college, not giving them game tapes, and to just belittled them. Not the fact they played and came to every practice, played for coaches some of who don't know what they're doing.

2011-10-31T18:12:00.001-04:00

"The Black Perspective"
Trust No One

Boca Raton to host 2012 presidential debate.

2011-10-31T17:24:00.001-04:00

Lynn University in Boca Raton to host a 2012 presidential debate on Oct. 22, two weeks before Nov. 6 election day

"The Black Perspective"

Community info

2011-10-22T10:44:00.000-04:00

Deerfield Beach residents: Check your FPL bills and water bills to see whether you were charged the 10% utility tax on services in September when the tax was supposed to go into effect Oct. 1. call city hall at 954-480-4263 and complain.

"The Black Perspective"

Sanitation Workers should attend this Assessment Workshop by Kessler Consulting Inc. on solid waste and recycling operations.

2011-10-18T16:28:00.001-04:00

Courtesy of city's website.

Title: City Commission Workshop Date: October 26, 2011 Start Time: 7:00 PM End Time: 8:30 PM Description: A City Commission Workshop will be held on Wed., Oct. 26 at 7 PM at the Public Works Facility, 401 SW 4th Street. Kessler Consulting Inc. will be presenting the findings of their assessment of the city's solid waste and recycling operations. Workshop will be preceded by a Special CRA Meeting, which begins at 6:30 PM. Address: Public Works Facility 401 SW 4th St. Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

TOP NEWS: Home burglaries on the rise in Broward County

2011-10-15T12:25:00.000-04:00

From the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

Home burglaries on the rise in Broward County

Most of Broward County 's largest cities reported stunning increases in home burglaries since 2007 despite a nationwide drop in crime.

The full story can be viewed at:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/fl-increased-burglaries-safety-20111004-54,0,1188809.story

Get the South Florida Sun Sentinel Android app from the Android Marketpalce.

"The Black Perspective"
Trust No One

The General Employee Union, (IUPAT) wins layoff Arbitraton against the City of Deerfield Beach. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!

2011-10-13T14:56:00.002-04:00

This contract language clearly provides the City with authority to determine which positions it could eliminate. The City exercised this authority reducing full time bargaining unit positions in the following job classifications:

1. Chemical Specialist

2. Community Code Investigator

3. Equipment Operator I

4. Equipment Operator II

5. Equipment Operator III

6. Landscape Technician

7. Maintenance Worker I

8. Parts Specialist

In three of these classifications [Community Code Investigator, Landscape Technician, and Parts Specialist] there was only one employee in the classification prior to the layoff. As such, when those employees were laid off the classifications were essentially eliminated. The other five classifications remained, with employees who were not laid off continuing to perform duties therein. The laid off full time employees were relieved of their duties effective on the date of the layoff, July 30, 2010. They were, however, provided with paid administrative leave time until September 30, 2010. Laid off part time employees were given two weeks of paid administrative leave, until August 13, 2010. It is clear that the City complied with the notice requirement of Article 13(2)(d) for both full time and part time employees.

There was no evidence presented to indicate that regular full time employees were laid off before emergency, temporary and provisional employees or probationary employees in possible violation of Article 13(2)(c).

Notwithstanding the above, the controlling contract language regarding which full time employees are to be laid off is found in Article 13(2)(e). That Section provides that full time employees shall be laid off on the basis of the following factors weighed equally:

1) Length of service in a class

2) Length of service with the City

3) Length of service with the Department

4) Performance evaluations for the last two years or the length of the employee’s service…

Employer’s Claim that the Union Arguments Raised at the Hearing Should Not be Considered

The City argues that the lack of specificity in the grievance should cause the Arbitrator to not consider the arguments raised by the Union at the arbitration hearing. The City contends that the Union has waived such arguments by failing to raise them prior to the hearing. The City argued that had the Union been more specific in the grievance or during the grievance procedure, any specific violations could have been addressed and corrected before the layoffs became effective. The City’s argument was carefully considered, but found to be not convincing. The grievance asserted violations of the seniority and layoff articles of the labor agreement. The arguments raised by the Union at the arbitration hearing did not introduce any new issues, but merely brought into sharper focus the specific claims of the grievance. The issue was at the outset and continues to be a violation of the layoff language in the contract. It would be surprising that the City, being experienced in the field of labor relations, and after having reviewed its actions in regard to how it determined which employees would be laid off, did not have a sense that the Union was concerned about the process used to select employees for layoff. In any event, the City did not state at the hearing that it was so taken back by the Union’s specific charges raised at the hearing that it needed time to prepare or strengthen its case. Arbitrators will often grant a request for a continuance when one party to a dispute contends that the arguments raised by the opposing side have caught it off guard. No such request for a continuance was made at this hearing.

Remedy

The record of this hearing compels a finding that the City did not properly prepare a list of regular full time employees in accordance with their rank on the four equally weighed factors of classification seniority, department seniority, City seniority and performance evaluations. The Union requests that in order to remedy this situation all laid off employees should be returned to work with back pay and made whole. The Union’s requested remedy is overreaching. It is likely that some regular full time employees who were laid off will, after a proper lay off list is prepared, remain in layoff status. In such case those employees would not be entitled to reinstatement or a monetary award. The City is correct in its view that to return all laid off employees to work with back pay would result in a windfall that some, perhaps most of the employees are not entitled to.

The City is ordered to prepare a list of all employees which ranks them on the four equally weighted factors of classification seniority, department seniority, City seniority, and performance evaluations for all classifications in which they have held permanent classification. If an employee has held permanent classification in more than one classification he/she shall have their classification seniority determined for every classification held in accordance with Article 13(2)(f) or Article 13(2)(h) as appropriate depending on whether their classifications were in the same classification division. Layoffs by job classification are to be made in accordance with the ranking of employees on that list. Employees who were laid off on July 30, 2010 and are shown to be properly laid off on the ranking list to be prepared under this order shall remain on layoff status. Employees who are shown on the ranking list to have been improperly laid off shall be returned to work with unbroken seniority and back pay from the effective date of the layoff less any unemployment compensation they received and are not obligated to repay, and less any income from wages they received from work undertaken to replace the income lost when they were laid off. Interest on net back pay is awarded at an annually compounded interest rate of 3.00 percent per year. Jurisdiction of this arbitrator is retained for a period of sixty (60) days from the date of this award to assist the parties with the implementation of its terms if requested.

IN THE MATTER OF ARBITRATION BETWEEN

INTERNATIONAL UNION OF PAINTERS
OPINION AND AWARD

AND ALLIED TRADES, AFL-CIO

DISTRICT COUNCIL 78, LOCAL 1010

Union
Layoff Grievance

and
FMCS Case No. 11-01763-3

CITY OF DEERFIELD BEACH

City/Employer

AWARD

Based on the evidence and testimony taken into the record in this case, the grievance is sustained in part and denied in part. The remedy described supra is awarded.

10/2/2011 James L. Reynolds

Dated: ________________________ _________________________________

James L Reynolds

Arbitrator

Awd26.11

IUPAT wins on the layoffs.

2011-10-13T14:38:00.000-04:00

Broward County

By Elgin Jones http://www.sfltimes.com/
ANOTHER MESS

The city of Deerfield Beach has suffered yet another embarrassing setback. In September 2010 city manager Burgess Hanson laid off more than 100 full and part-time employees without any notice or process. An arbitrator has issued a ruling that once again exposes the blatant incompetence of this city. Among other things, the ruling found the list the city used as the basis for the layoffs was done improperly and the process used to be in violation of the union contract. The ruling requires the city to compile a new seniority list, rehire some full time employees with full back pay, benefits and seniority. The city must also pay the affected employees 3 percent interest on their money. The final cost has not been determined, but taxpayers will get soaked because of mismanagement and a lack of foresight. Whew!

Update from Rescind Unfair Taxes

2011-10-12T18:30:00.000-04:00

At 5 p.m. this evening, I was informed by the city attorney that the petitions would not be ready for pick-up on Thursday as I had indicated. It seems that our contention that we could not proceed without the names of the 973 voters who were thrown out because of incorrect precincts finally hit the mark. The Clerk's office is dealing with the SOE to provide us with those names.Then we shall be able to get the petitions and start our amendment process.

An update from REscind Unfair Taxes

2011-10-12T10:44:00.001-04:00

On Thursday, October 13th, the Rescind Unfair Taxes will pick up the petitions to amend what we had submitted. Due to the insistence of the Deerfield city clerk and the city attorney, the Supervisor of Elections had to verify the signer's precinct number although that had never been a criteria in the past to determine if anyone was a registered voter. The city charter does ask for the precinct number, but nowhere does it insist that they be verified. As a result 973 Deerfield voters were disenfranchised. We need to collect 1234 new signatures in order to have the commission rethink their passage of the public service tax by sending it to referendum. As of this date, the 12th, we still do not have the names of those residents whose signatures were thrown out. How can we amend what we do not have? From the beginning, there have been a number of errors on the part of the city. Originally we were told we would have to get 4200 signatures. Now the city clerk tells us we only need 4,128. Just how many registered voters were there at the last municipal election? The figure we were given by the city attorney is not the same one that the city clerk is now offering. Why can't the city get its act together.

2011-10-02T09:20:00.001-04:00

"The Black Perspective"
Trust No One

Message from Rescind Unfair Taxes.

2011-09-03T14:41:00.001-04:00

By Jean Robb

The commission is grasping at straws to convince the voters that the people who circulated the petition did something wrong. The only thing we did was to give a voice to 6,000 plus registered voters who had no voice on June 7th when 3 of them voted to impose this tax. Who is lowering the real estate tax? You are. Not the Commission What they want you to pay monthly for the utility tax will be used to lower the millage. The city says it will only cost you 15.00 a month. That is 180.00 for the year. Did your tax bill go down that much? Check it out. The millage can be lowered without the new tax, but the commission is determined not to listen. Tuesday, September 6th, is the public hearing and it is your turn to be heard. The Rescind Unfair Taxes will speak. Listen to what they have to say and then get up and speak your mind. Tell the commission not to spend 102,000 to send this tax to referendum. Tell them to listen to the people they are supposed to represent and kill the tax now.

Community info

2011-08-23T16:59:00.001-04:00

Rescind Unfair Taxes will be making its presentation to the commission at the meeting Tuesday September 6 at 7 p.m. They will be asking for a vote to rescind the 10% utility tax. It is important that all be there to lend support to their effort.

Habitat home selection

2011-08-22T12:07:00.000-04:00

"The Black Perspective"
Trust No One

Guest Commentary

2011-08-18T07:16:00.001-04:00

By Jean Robb, Deerfield Beach Mayor 1980-1993

On Sept. 6 , the Rescind Unfair Taxes will present 6,000 signatures for verification by the SOE and ask the commission to rescind the action take on June 7th when the 10% utility tax was imposed. Since the 10% has already been plugged into this budget, there has to be a Plan B. The tax is supposed to generate 6 million dollars to lower the millage rate by using 4,622,065 of the money.

Last year's budget passed with 8 million in the undesignated reserve. This year there is 10,596,455 in that fund. Take 2,596,455 to lower the millage rate. The city can still maintain its bond rating with a percentage rating of the general fund which stands at 74 million. Where is the 2.9 million the city was to save with the BSO merger for the Fire Department? The budget sheet for the Fire Dept. lists costs at 18,192 thousand which reflects only 577,000 less than last year's budget.

We hear everyone should pay his fair share. If so, if the worker bees are giving back 5% than why aren't the people making over 100,000 giving back 10%? The fire assessment fee was passed to everyone pay his fair share. It would seem more logical to increase that deductible fee to offset the money needed to lower the millage. The Charter says the commission can not make changes in their own salaries, but there is nothing to prevent them from voluntarily giving back 5 % of their salaries and make a move to end their pensions as part-time emplyees are not eligible.

There are ways to lower the millage to 5.67 without adding a new tax to the mix.

Info

2011-08-06T04:55:00.001-04:00

If you have wanted to sign the Rescind Unfair Taxes petition, and you have not yet done so, the opportunity to do so presents itself. From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 13th, the petition will be available for signatures at the Chamber of Commerce building on Hillsboro Boulevard. Let your voice be heard.

"The Black Perspective"
Trust No One

LOCAL NEWS: Broward gets corruption hotline

2011-07-23T19:44:00.000-04:00

From the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

Broward gets corruption hotline

Imagine a team of corruption investigators sitting at the ready, waiting for your tips about government activity in Broward that looks fishy.

The full story can be viewed at:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/fl-corruption-hotline-20110723,0,2834073.story

"The Black Perspective"
Trust No One

Congratulations to Ben Preston, our new District 2 Commissioner.

2011-07-20T07:42:00.001-04:00

"The Black Perspective"
Trust No One

Ben Preston savors election victory.

2011-07-20T06:28:00.000-04:00

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/videobeta/7f2c4f44-1901-4869-ba1a-ca15d2c26e81/News/Ben-Preston-savors-election-victory

"The Black Perspective"
Trust No One

South Florida Times: Miami , Broward, Palm Beach, Breaking News & Weather at SFLTimes.com - Sexual battery charges dropped against noted physician

2011-07-13T18:24:00.000-04:00

http://www.sfltimes.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7529&Itemid=1

"The Black Perspective"
Trust No One

Watch "Beckett - Take Action" on YouTube

2011-07-09T05:35:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffs5YNg4i8c&feature=youtube_gdata_player

"The Black Perspective"
Trust No One

Longtime Deerfield Beach employee Johnny Tigner passes.

2011-06-22T22:17:00.001-04:00

A fixture at Westside Park for over 35 years, the man who guided the 60`s, 70's, 80' s 90's generation at Westside Park Recreation. Johnny Tigner passed tonight, Tigner, the soft spoken man will be missed by this community. I hope one day Johnny Tigner can have a part of Westside Park named after him, he certainly is well deserving of that honor.

"The Black Perspective"

TOP NEWS: Hollywood serves 13 police officers with layoff notices

2011-06-14T06:32:00.000-04:00

From the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

Hollywood serves 13 police officers with layoff notices

The City Commission on Monday laid off 13 police officers and handed a 10 percent pay cut to the rest of its already short-staffed police department.

The full story can be viewed at:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/fl-hollywood-police-layoffs-20110613,0,1723552.story

Get the South Florida Sun Sentinel Android app from the Android Marketpalce.

"The Black Perspective"

Judge Barbara McCarthy must go! Here is the form to start the process.

2011-06-12T18:09:00.001-04:00

The form: http://floridajqc.com/images/ JQCComplaintForm.pdf

This is the link for a Judicial complaint against Barbara McCarthy, who will be up for reelection in 2016. Equal protection didn't work for Max. We can make it happen.

It is my belief she violated the "appearance of impropriety" in the Ethics Law.

"The Black Perspective"

COLUMNISTS: Judge McCarthy lenient with LeVin, tough on local driver

2011-06-12T03:23:00.001-04:00

From the South Florida Sun Sentinel:

Judge McCarthy lenient with LeVin, tough on local driver

Two guilty defendants with criminal records, two driving offenses, one judge.

The full story can be viewed at:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/fl-levin-judge-mayocol-b060911-20110609,0,2332682.column

Get the South Florida Sun Sentinel Android app from the Android Marketpalce.

"The Black Perspective"

Broward Politics | Sun Sentinel Blogs | Five candidates seek to replace suspended Deerfield Commissioner

2011-06-11T01:03:00.001-04:00

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/news/politics/broward/blog/2011/06/five_candidates_seek_to_replac.html

"The Black Perspective"

VOTE YES ON IUPAT CONTRACT RATIFICATION VOTE ON JUNE 9, 2011

2011-06-05T20:39:00.000-04:00

By Wayne Adams

Last year over 100 Deerfield Beach city employees were laid off without any type of advanced formal notice, or may i say warning. Most people i knew were outraged, some of the laid off employees are still angry about Friday July 30, 2010. They have every right too, for they were never given this unique opportunity to bargain for their jobs.

The City of Deerfield Beach, in current contract negotiations is offering the General Employees a 3 year contract, with no layoffs or privatization with the exception of Solid Waste, Fire Department employees. In the third year Fleet Maintance could possibly be laid off. The Employees would have to take a 5% pay cut, rollback merit raises to those employees who received them in the last fiscal year, I'm being told that is about 38-50 employees affected. The employees must pay 10% towards now free healthcare insurance.

The financially strapped city hope to save $1.2 million annually. This city for years have slighted the general employees taking away from them and lining the Firemen pockets with gracious salary and pension benefits. For the first time in my memory, the city is looking for the same concessions from the firefighters, who are still in contract negotiations with the city.

The cuts are tough to absorb, I'm the first to admit that. But for city employees and some residents to imply that the IUPAT employees union have sold the membership out, is totally ridiculous at best. I have been on the negotiating team for 5 years, I have given my heart and soul for the employees of this city, but in these tough times when layoffs are occurring all over Florida, and across the U.S. Some Deerfield Beach employees, and residents are taking shots at this union, the union and their reps are always the easiest targets for disgruntled employees in tough financial crisis. This is the same union that got Deerfield employees 4% COLA raises for 3 years, when other cities were cutting back. The same union that got their part timers in Deerfield Beach benefits when some other cities deny their part timers any type of benefits.

Let's look at the sanitation/recycling, before and after layoffs only 9 out of 44 employees were union members. Many joined within the last 2 months only after the Florida Legislature threatened the existence of unions. IUPAT, has around 350 union eligible members in the unit. I was told the assessment report is in on the Solid Waste Department, the report I'm being told is in favor of keeping some functions of Solid Waste, and making some functions private. I think the level of service is excellent in Solid Waste and they should be retained by the city. We get the Cadillac of service with residential pickups.

I have always been cognizant of being a taxpayer and a city employee, it's a tough balancing act. The contract offered by the city isn't the best, but the majority of jobs will be saved. The employees this year have a clear choice with their destiny, the 100 or so employees last year didn't have a choice or chance to bargain for their jobs. What stands in my mind is 18 year former employee, William "Bo" Jackson, coming to me after getting laid off that Friday, the pain on his face, I'll never forget. I made a promise to myself, to never let that happen again if I'm a part of the union. The top union officials, who should be trying to advocate saving employees jobs are sending mixed signals to other employees by being quiet about the June 9 vote. They reportedly don't want to be perceived as giving in to management. The 100 or so city employees laid off last summer never had a chance to negotiate for their jobs.

I'm sure commissioners will sleep peacefully, knowing that employees were given a option this time around if layoffs occur. I'm hearing many employees in the excluded groups will vote no. It's like the "if I go down, everyone should mentality", that's spreading across the workforce.

In the past the blue collar employees wanted the same concessions from every worker, including management in the city, it was always denied. The management team granted the Union request after tense negotiations this year, everyone from the City Manager on down will take a 5% pay cut, and pay $30 a month for healthcare, that was once free.

My taxes on my home went from $1399.00 to $1735.00 in 2010. I can't afford to have another increase like that again. The city employees must understand that this city is in one of the worst financial crises, in my memory. I'm pro union, but I'm also mindful of the financial stability of our city. Some city workers seem to believe that the city has money stashed away. Some city workers and union officials want to roll the dice hoping that the City Manager Burgess Hanson won't layoff employees to close a $3 million gap. We saw what happened last July.

We saw DCF, give layoff notices to over 500 employees last week. We also saw the Broward County School Board hand out over 1,400 pink slips to teachers, with the Sun-Sentinel reporting another 500 supporting cast to be let go too. This budget crises isn't limited to Deerfield Beach, we know how the problem arose here with Mahaney depleting the reserves, but also saving jobs. Mike Mahaney came and talked to city employees in 2009, he warned all of us of the budget crises looming in the 2010/2011/2012 fiscal year. The Deerfield Beach city employees can act surprised if they want but Mahaney, with all his faults did warned all employees of this dreaded day.

It's too late to point fingers and place blame. The horse is out the barn and running around. We need a fix to this budget crises that has arose all across this country. The city employees can't win this battle like we did in 2003, with Larry Deetjen. The union took our fight to Arbitration, and lost, the commission was generous, all except Mayor Al, Trinchi led the way and we got our raises and COLAS retroactive too. The commission isn't on our side in this battle. I can count the votes. We had a majority of union friends on the Deerfield Beach Commission, those days are long behind us now. The contract offer on the table isn't the best, according to city officals, but it's the best they can offer at this time.

This contract has a reopeoner to bargain for wages before April of 2012, nothing is promised, but employees can attempt to bargain for wages before the end April of 2012. Employees who have been employed in Deerfield Beach, for over 17 years will tell you that this isn't the first time blue collar workers have been asked to have raises withheld. We worked with the city and no jobs were lost, in my memory this has happened at least three times in my over 22 years.

In tough financial times we have to pull together and hope not to become like the city of Lauderdale Lakes, who fired their City Manager a few weeks ago. The focus should be all about the well being and survival of Deerfield Beach, and not about some of our selfish greedy city employees, who could care less about the financial state of our city. Look at the city of Hollywood, their reserves dropped to $ 2 million dollars and forcing the city to declare "Financial Urgency" and asking the unions to enter into contract renegotiations. The Hollywood taxpayers will be hit with large increases.

It is also imperative that city leaders and administrators do not allow incompetance and mismanagement to continue to cripple our city, with no accountability and hefty raises given to cronies on the management team with no official oversight.

Property values dropped in Deerfield Beach by 4.6 percent. Most employees don't care about this city and don't live here so they could care less about the millage rate going up or down, or the thousands in this city living on fixed incomes.The only thing some employees care about is bleeding this city dry.

I've heard in recent days certain employees in certain departments are basically daring Burgess Hanson to lay them off. Some making foolish statements that they believe the City Manager to be making scare tactics of layoffs. This type of thinking is beyond my belief. Many are going around telling other employees to vote no on June 9. These are some of the same employees who gave up crucial benefits for a $500 bonus. Jim Jones and David Koresh led many people to their death, I'm afraid some employees, and some union officials are leading some city employees in that same direction with the ratification vote on June 9. This city has over 350 bargaining unit eligible union members. Most care about their jobs and understands the dire financial state of this city. Some just don't get it, and have their heads stuck in the sand.

With the budget hearings scheduled to begin on June 8, 2011 if this contract fails, I' m pretty sure the City Manager, with commission approval will possibly begain a repeat of July 30, 2010. The Union can't do a damn thing about it either, (oh, go to Impasse, we will lose that again too, and it will be imposed on us anyway) Last year union officials cut their phones off when hundreds of laid off employees begain calling. What do employees think will happen again? The layoff Arbirtration Hearing is Tuesday June 7, 2011.

So, why would anyone vote no on this contract ratification when jobs are clearly on the line? I've heard many theories, all absurd too. This union top priority should be trying to save employees from layoffs. The city, according to our contract, Article 4 section 1 under Management Rights: The city has the right to merge, consolidate or close a department or any part thereof; expand, reduce, alter, combine, assign or cease any job. How much clear is that for people to understand in the affected areas. Giving into the city demands isn't a sign of weakness as perceived by some in and outside of the city. It's being sensible in a society laced with unemployment. With Governor Rick Scott's new unemployment requirements, what fool would want to risk the chance rolling the dice and voting no on the contract ratification vote on June 9.

What this contract offer workers is protection from layoffs. The workers who are doing the jobs now will be doing the job next year. Ultimately, this union should be trying to prioritize job security, for which i haven't seen or heard yet. They seem to be bending over backwards to a few loudmouth employees, who are in every department. These selfish employees could care less if this city goes financially broke. In these moments of controversy, it's everyone responsibility to meet half way and get this city back on it's feet again. The employees didn't make this mess, but we have a moral responsibility to help clean this mess up.

I'm a 44 year resident of Deerfield Beach, and a taxpayer for the last 17 years who genuinely care about my community and it's workers. My family has resided in Deerfield Beach since 1926

Vote YES! on June 9, 2011 for IUPAT contract ratification. Vote YES! for common sense job protection.

'The Black Perspective'
Challenging Authority

Federal Judge delivers message to corrupt politicians

2011-06-01T19:39:00.001-04:00

By Sun- Sentinel

Federal judge delivered a tough warning to corrupt politicians and those who enable them as he sentenced former Broward power broker Dr. Alan Mendelsohn to four years in federal prison Wednesday. The Hollywood eye doctor had asked for compassion and a light sentence of house arrest and community service for his role in a lobbying and political fundraising fraud. Federal prosecutors suggested a term of two years in prison, arguing that Mendelsohn's influence-peddling had corrupted the political process and undermined public confidence in government. But U.S. District Judge William Zloch expressed distaste for Mendelsohn's crime and criticized the pay-to-play culture of Florida politics that Mendelsohn detailed when he pleaded guilty.

"The Black Perspective"

David Cody and Andre Samuels to appear on WHQT Fm Hot 105.1 tonight at 11:30pm

2011-05-29T20:58:00.002-04:00

Blogger David Cody and Andre Samuels will appear on Hot Talk, with Chief Jimmy Brown, to discuss the current political situation in Deerfield Beach. The show starts at 11:30 pm, you can call into the show at 954-522-9849
Sent from Yahoo! Mail on Android

Little League Football Coach Suspended After ESPN Broadcast. Read the full story on the Pulp

2011-05-25T23:48:00.002-04:00

On May 1, television sports giant ESPN broadcast an exposé on gambling in the South Florida Youth Football League --including a segment of Pompano Cowboys Coach Osbert Small allegedly gambling in the stands of a kids football game. According to ESPN, Small --an employee of Pompano Beach for more than 20 years --was suspended by the league Tuesday, only a few weeks after his embarrassing interview on ESPN's Outside the Lines. Small, who also owns Easy O.Z. Bail Bonds in Pompano Beach, was decrying gambling at youth football games in South Florida in his interview.

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2011/2012 Budget Workshop: It's Crunch Time!

2011-05-23T21:40:00.000-04:00

Title: Budget Work Session for FY 2011-12

Date: June 8, 2011

Start Time: 6:30 PM

End Time: 8:30 PM

Description: The public is encouraged to attend this work session to view preliminary presentations by key departments for the FY 2011-12 budget.

Address: Public Works Facility

401 SW 4th St.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33441

Location: 2nd Floor Meeting Room

Contact: 954-480-4200

City of Hollywood declares "financial urgency"

2011-05-19T17:04:00.001-04:00

The Sun-Sentinel

HOLLYWOOD--Angry and disappointed, Hollywood commissioners have dipped into the city's reserve fund to cover what the mayor called "an absolutely unacceptable and completely inexcusable'' mistake. "Somebody should be fired for this," Mayor Peter Bober said during the City Commission meeting. The city had expected to make money through its red light camera program, a gambling revenue share with the Seminole Tribe and increased occupational licensing. All are falling dramatically short. "The forecast was not conservative enough. It was too rosy," Bober said. The city will now dip into its reserves and take $7.3 million, leaving $2 million in city coffers. The Commission unanimously voted to declare the city under "financial urgency,'' which will allow it to enter into discussions with city labor unions to renegotiate pensions and collective bargaining agreements.

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Gregory Lewis, covered African American community

2011-05-18T06:45:00.001-04:00

Sun Sentinel

When Gregory Lewis joined the Sun Sentinel 10 years ago as a reporter covering the African-American community, he introduced himself to the politicians, business people and civic leaders who make news in South Florida. Then he visited the barber shops, stopped by the funeral parlors, lunched at the Elks Club, and walked Sistrunk Boulevard to get to know the people who live in the neighborhoods. And there he found his best material. "He was a passionate reporter who loved going out and getting stories," said colleague Douglas Lyons. "And because of that, Greg really became the face of the newspaper for a part of our community." Richard Gregory "Greg" Lewis died of cancer on Tuesday at Memorial Hospital West. A resident of Cooper City, he was 57.

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IUPAT vote on General Employees contract set for June 9, 2011

2011-05-17T13:31:00.001-04:00

City of Deerfield Beach offers job security for 5% pay cut.

City officials hope to save $1.2 million annually. I would hope city employees make the right decision to save themselves, and others jobs. The layoffs last year were devasting to employee morale, the difference this year is employees have a clear choice.

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Utility Tax

2011-05-15T14:26:00.000-04:00

To the editor:

What does it mean when the finance director indicates that the 6 million to be raised by the utility tax is to be used for capital improvements and to stabilize the millage rate. For Capital improvements, the commission will be able to pick and choose those projects which would best enhance their chances for re-election. Then they would float a revenue bond issue using the money from the utility tax to offset the cost. . In the past, most capital improvement projects were financed through ad valorem bond issues requiring voter approval. Not so with a revenue bond that can be enacted by the commission a long as there is a money source for repayment.That method once again circumvents the approval of the voters just as the push for this added tax has done.

Stabilizing the millage rate does not appear to mean lowering it. This is the bill of goods that is being sold to the voters. Noland is for the tax. Why should she care? Four of the Nolands are collecting salaries from the city, so they should not have any problem giving some of it back.Popelski is ceratinly not looking at the impact this will have on Century Village residents. Ganz insists it will lower the millage rate by has offered no figures to back that statement. Miller alone seems to be a No vote. He at least realizes the impact on district 2 that has no representation but houses a large portion of the city poor who are struggling to make ends meet.When business are forced to absorb these costs, it will be the residents who will end up paying twice-- once on their own electric and water and sewer bills but also on the products they purchase.

By Jean Robb
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Hollywood mayor asks FBI, state to probe anonymous complaints of graft, improper dealings at City Hal

2011-05-06T12:32:00.001-04:00

Hollywood mayor asks FBI, state to probe anonymous complaints of graft, improper dealings at City Hall

Page 1 of 2

By Megan O'Matz , Sun Sentinel

Story posted 2011.05.05 at 08:47 PM EDT

The mayor of Hollywood has asked the FBI and Broward State Attorney's Office to look into anonymous complaints of graft, misappropriation of city funds and improper dealings allegedly involving the city manager and two other municipal employees.

Meanwhile, the police department has launched its own internal investigation and has asked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to assist, according to a letter to the City Commission from Police Chief Chadwick E. Wagner.

Though the accusations came in unsigned letters, Mayor Peter Bober said they must be given serious scrutiny by outside authorities, given the public corruption scandals that rocked Hollywood in the not-so-distant past.

In 2008, Commissioner Keith Wasserstrom went to jail for urging colleagues to award an $18 million contract to a sludge processing company without revealing a deal he struck on the side to do lobbying work for the firm. And four city police officers were convicted in 2007 of escorting stolen diamonds, artwork and heroin for undercover FBI agents posing as mobsters.

"We don't have the luxury — in light of the history of the city — of taking serious allegations and sticking them into a file cabinet," Bober said in an interview Thursday.

In letters sent the same day, he asked the FBI and Broward State Attorney Michael Satz to investigate, saying: "It would not be prudent or appropriate for the City to conduct its own investigation since the allegations are against City employees."

The current concerns came to the attention of the City Commission this week via the two unsigned letters.

In one, City Manager Cameron Benson is accused, in late 2005 following Hurricane Wilma, of directing the police to purchase five generators with city funds and deliver one of them to the Lauderhill home of his parents, Mattie and Hayward Benson, who were without electricity.

The generator was not returned to the city, according to the allegations.

Hayward Benson, now a Lauderhill commissioner, told the Sun Sentinel he vaguely recalled police delivering a generator to his home in the aftermath of the hurricane, perhaps as a courtesy. Benson showed a news reporter visiting his home a Coleman Powermate generator in a box in his garage, but said he paid for it personally.

He later produced a personal check for $1,415, signed by his wife, and made out to Officer Daniel Dunn for "generators."

Asked by the Sun Sentinel if he had bought a generator for Hayward Benson, Dunn initially said: "When was this?...I'm not really sure."

He referred subsequent questions to Police Benevolent Association lawyer Barbara Duffy, who said Dunn had done nothing inappropriate and that "there was absolutely nothing done with regards to city funds."

Cameron Benson, through a spokeswoman, declined comment Thursday. But in a prior conversation regarding the generator, he told the Sun Sentinel that in the aftermath of Hurricane Wilma, when generators in South Florida were in great demand and short supply, a colleague had offered to assist his father in obtaining one.

"Someone took it over there for him … he paid and that was the end of the story," Cameron Benson said.

The second unsigned letter delivered to the commission accuses two Public Works employees of accepting free meals from representatives of Waste Pro, a multi-state garbage hauler that was bidding on, and ultimately won, a 10-year contract with the city worth nearly $50 million.

In one meeting, Waste Pro allegedly gave gift cards for home furnishings and a money order to one of the city employees, who later supposedly used them to buy items for Cameron Benson's second home in Nova Scotia, Canada, according to the letter.

Waste Pro Regional Vice President Russell Mackie defended the company in an interview Thursday, saying the allegations were totally false and "did not happen."

"We have never acted inappropriately," he said. "We work through a competitive bid process, and we were the low bidder."

Mackie said he was worried that that the anonymous claims were part of a plot to prevent the company from securing pending contracts in three additional Broward County municipalities.

"We have 105 municipalities," he said. "We've won 60 or 70 of those in the past five years, and it's been because we give excellent service at a very good price. And that's why we win the contracts we win. For no other reason."
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Gonot's Trial

2011-05-04T16:51:00.001-04:00

Corruption trial begins for former Deerfield Beach commissioner accused of theft, falsifying records⁠

Former Deerfield Beach Commissioner Stephen Gonot's trial for grand theft, official misconduct and falsifying records opened in Broward Court Tuesday. Prosecutors allege Gonot misused campaign funds, then falsified records to hide the crime.

By DANIEL CHANG

The public corruption trial of ex-Deerfield Beach commissioner and mayoral candidate Stephen Gonot opened Tuesday in Broward Court with testimony from his ex-wife, Deborah, a former co-worker and a state investigator supporting the state attorney's allegation that Gonot took more than $5,000 from his campaign fund for personal use, and then falsified public records to cover up the crime.

Assistant State Attorney David Schulson detailed for the jury of eight the alleged scheme, which began in fall 2007 when Gonot — facing a contentious divorce and mounting debts — wrote two checks from his mayoral campaign fund to the daughter of a personal friend, who then withdrew the money from their joint account and gave it to Gonot.

Gonot then listed the campaign checks on an official record as reimbursement for used office equipment and printed materials, though he could not produce those items until months after a state investigator first interviewed him about the expenditures in February 2008.

"You can't take campaign funds and use them for anything other than campaign purposes,'' Schulson told jurors in opening remarks, adding that the scheme amounted to "basically laundering money.''

Jeffrey Harris, Gonot's defense attorney, reserved his opening remarks, but raised doubts about the prosecution's case during cross examination of two witnesses: Christopher Tate, an agent with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement; and Theodore Burdusi , a network engineer for the Florida Department of Transportation, where Gonot once worked.

Harris began by challenging Tate's impetus for investigating Gonot: a complaint filed by Deerfield Beach activist and blogger Chaz Stevens, who attended the trial but was not called as a witness.

"Many of the allegations he makes are based on rumors and not on facts,'' Harris said of Stevens.

The defense attorney then challenged Tate's testimony that Gonot never mentioned having spent campaign funds on computers at the outset of the investigation.

"Obviously there wouldn't be any response using the word 'computer' because it wasn't asked,'' Harris said.

"I asked what he bought'' with the campaign funds, Tate replied. "He said office equipment.''

Harris then sought to address another inconsistency in Gonot's story: The campaign checks were written 17 months before the March 2009 election, but Gonot did not take possession of the purchased items for nearly six months after the check was cashed.

"A lot was happening in the personal life of Mr. Gonot,'' Harris said, explaining that Gonot's mother and father-in-law died in the interim, causing the candidate to temporarily suspend his mayoral campaign.

Though Gonot eventually produced two new Sony VAIO laptop computers and receipts for other equipment and services as evidence that the expenditures were campaign related, prosecutors said the computers were not purchased until well after the state's investigation began.

Burdusi, who procured the computers for Gonot, testified that he was not "seriously approached" about the purchase until April 2008. Prosecutors also produced an invoice showing the purchase was made in May 2008.

"There's no way it happened in '07,'' Burdusi said of the purchase.

Deborah Gonot also testified that her ex-husband "never" touched his city-issued laptop computer in the more than seven years he served on the Deerfield Beach commission.

"It was at the house for years,'' she said.

Gonot, who was first elected in 2001 and then re-elected in 2005, is not the only Deerfield Beach elected official facing criminal charges. Former mayor Al Capellini, arrested in December 2008, is awaiting trial on charges of unlawful compensation for voting on a project in which he allegedly had a business interest. And suspended commissioner Sylvia Poitier was charged in April with five misdemeanor counts of falsifying records for failing to report conflicts of interest.

Gonot's trial resumes Wednesday in Judge Barbara McCarthy's courtroom.
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Public Service Tax: It's crunch time and only the strong will survive.

2011-05-02T06:45:00.001-04:00

I'm against the Public Service Tax, but, I'm also a realist, who can count the votes. The only other realistic option, or a quick fix is the utility tax. Revenue is down and they can only cut so much, commissioners only other options in their mind at this time seems to be more layoffs, privatizing some departments.

Deerfield has escaped this tax for a long time. I knew it was coming, I was just hoping later than sooner. With the economy bad, the timing just doesn't seem right. I'm also fully aware that our reserves are low and not many options are left. This is the 4th quarter, and it's 4th and 20 with 4 seconds left in the game.

I just hope if the tax is implemented, the commission, present and future don't waste the money and keep raising the tax only for city staffers to give their cronies raises, as we have saw in surrounding cities across South Florida. There is plenty of blame to go around for this financial train wreck that has fallen upon Deerfield Beach. The majority of the players are somewhere else now, and we are left to clean up this mess that caused over 100 city employees to lose their jobs last July of 2010.

If anyone have any ideas for cost saving measures, now is the time to bring them to the Deerfield Commission, will city leaders listen? The jury is still out on that question.

Email the Deerfield Beach Commission at webcommission@deerfield-beach.com
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Former Deerfield Beach Commissioner Steve Gonot's corruption trial about to begin

2011-05-02T05:45:00.001-04:00

By Larry Barszewski , Sun Sentinel

Story posted 2011.05.02 at 04:31 AM EDT

DEERFIELD BEACH-- Former Commissioner Steve Gonot is set to go to trial Monday, charged with stealing from his campaign.

At the heart of the case, is an October 2007 check from his mayoral campaign and his friendship with Joseph dePrimo, described in court documents as a gambling buddy and Florida Department of Transportation co-worker.

Gonot was going through a divorce and his wife, Deborah Gonot, told investigators he went "ballistic" after she withdrew $4,600 from a joint marital account to cover support payments he had not made.

"He told me that he had checks bouncing all over town, and that I had stolen his money," she said in statements included in court records.

Weeks after the withdrawal, Gonot wrote a $5,135 campaign check to dePrimo's daughter, which dePrimo deposited in a joint account he had with her, along with a $1,365 check to his daughter Gonot had given him from a company owned by Gonot's brother and sister-in-law, according to court records.

Investigators said dePrimo withdrew the $6,500 the same day. While he told investigators it was common for him to deposit checks Gonot gave him made out to his daughter and then give Gonot the money, he said in this case he only gave Gonot the $1,365.

The campaign check, listed as reimbursement for office equipment, came 17 months before the March 2009 election. Prosecutors said no equipment was received for months after the check was written — and not until investigators began asking Gonot about the expenditure in February 2008.

DePrimo later used $4,000 to purchase two computers for the campaign, although Gonot never mentioned computers when he talked to investigators about the expenditure.

Deborah Gonot told investigators in September 2008 that one of the computers had been given to her son, who she said was not involved with the campaign.

Jeffrey Harris, Gonot's attorney, declined to discuss the case before trial. The charges against Gonot are grand theft and official misconduct, both felonies, and a misdemeanor count of falsifying public records.

"We've adamantly denied the charges," Harris said. "Once the jury's heard all the true facts, the verdict will be not guilty."

If convicted of the felony charges, Gonot could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.

Gonot, 54, is not the only Deerfield Beach official facing charges. Former Mayor Al Capellini was charged in 2008 with unlawful compensation, a felony, and suspended Commissioner Sylvia Poitier was charged last month with five misdemeanor counts of falsifying public records.

lbarszewski@tribune.com or 954-356-4556

Story posted 2011.05.02 at 04:31 AM EDT

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Bob Norman Headed to WPLG-Local 10

2011-04-30T23:17:00.001-04:00

Bob Norman Headed to WPLG-Local 10

By Bob Norman

Friday, Apr 29, 2011 at 3:36 PM

This is a tough one to write, so I may as well get to the point.

I've accepted a job at WPLG-TV (Channel 10) and will be starting there in a couple of weeks. The offer was pretty simple: Local 10 asked me if I wanted to bring my brand of journalism to the airwaves, and I accepted the challenge.

The truth is that if five years ago somebody would have told me this was going to happen, I wouldn't have believed them. I had no desire to go to TV; I've always been a true-blue print guy. But the more work I've done on-screen -- from Frontline to the documentary Outrage to This Week in South Florida (with WPLG's own Michael Putney) to True Crime With Aphrodite Jones -- the more I liked it. There's an immediacy and excitement in it that's easy to love.

That it was WPLG only made the decision easier. It's a Post-Newsweek station with a longstanding dedication to high-quality political and government reporting. I've got a lot to learn, but I also bring something to the table, so it has the makings of a great match.

Don't worry; things won't change much in terms of my journalism. I'll still be breaking stories about government and public officials, exposing scoundrels, and trying to get to the bottom of what's really happening with our tax dollars. I'll have a blog on the Local 10 website too.

As much excitement as there is in starting a new chapter, there's a lot of pain about leaving New Times too. Thirteen years ago, this newspaper (specifically its owner and founder, Michael Lacey) gave me a journalistic home like no other, one with wonderfully talented colleagues and unparalleled freedom. The newspaper basically said: We believe in you -- now go out and break stories. And what stories! I've had the opportunity to expose rampant mismanagement at the immigration service in the wake of September 11, conduct investigations of local politicians that have led to several indictments, shake up the courthouse, call out a derelict and bankrupt school board, and introduce you to the disaster that was Scott Rothstein.

But the real beauty of this blog is you, especially those of you who make yourselves known in the comments. I can't start listing you, because I would leave somebody out, but this is a joint effort, an interactive affair. I'm certain that as many people read this thing to see what you're saying as they do to read what I've written.

OK, now this is starting to sound like a farewell post. It's not. I'll be here until May 11, churning out blog posts and easing the transition before I start the new gig. The bottom line is that the Pulp will live on here and New Times, and I'm going to continue to dig up the truth in this town.

In other words, the beat goes on.
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Does anyone care?

2011-04-30T08:05:00.001-04:00

Does anyone care that the commission is introducing a utility tax for first reading on the May 3 agenda, so then if passed they can say they lowered the ad valorem by 1 mill while they are getting in your pocket for the utility tax which is not tax deductible. And does anyone care that there is talk of privatizing the sanitation department where 44 men will lose their jobs. They'll tell us that a specific of the mobe is that the company must hire our employees. Sure they take them on for a year and then they can fire them. That leaves the 44 with no civil service protection. And do you know anyone who is not happy with our Cadillac garbage service????????????

Jean Robb
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Al Lamberti needs to resign! What kind of police work are we getting?

2011-04-29T22:49:00.001-04:00

Public Defender calls for special prosecutor in BSO steroids case

Written by Elgin Jones

FORT LAUDERDALE – Broward County Public Defender Howard Finkelstein is calling for a special prosecutor to look into why an investigative report detailing Broward Sheriff's Office deputies' involvement in illegally obtained steroids was not turned over to his him and other defense attorneys.

READ THE BSO STEROID REPORT HERE

A 1963 United States Supreme Court ruling known as the Brady Rule requires that prosecutors and law enforcement agencies disclose and turn over to defense attorneys any evidence favorable to the accused.

"This is outrageous and I am very upset," Finkelstein said in an interview with South Florida Times. "They had this information and sat on it all these years. It's dishonest, it's corrupt, and it will not be tolerated."

"We are gathering information to see how many cases we have involving these officers and I will certainly be asking the governor to appoint a special prosecutor. I had heard rumors, but your article brought out all the facts," he said.

South Florida Times in its April 28 edition reported on details of a December 2008 investigative steroids report by BSO. The report concluded that more than a dozen deputies obtained steroids from the now defunct PowerMedica and other pharmaceutical firms with fraudulent prescriptions.

The investigation also concluded the deputies may have obtained the "controlled substances through fraudulent means" and may have committed numerous felonies. None of them have been disciplined or charged with any crime.

However, four private citizens have been sent to federal prison for their roles in the matter.

BSO did not respond to questions about Finkelstein's comments and did not explain why the information was not forwarded to defense attorneys.

Finkelstein said BSO's failure to comply with the Brady Rule is likely to affect hundreds of cases. He estimates his office is representing more than two dozen defendants in current cases involving the deputies.

"This is really serious. Because of this dishonesty, it will cost taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars to reopen these cases," Finkelstein said. "We will be filing motions to have any cases these officers were involved in dismissed or re-opened."

EJones@SFLTimes.com

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Comments (1)

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...
written by Mike, April 29, 2011

How about an investigation of Elgin Jones and this rag of a paper for publishing the home addresses of these police officers? What about violating their personal medical files?
Hanlon you are a piece of garbage. YOU were the Inspector General but you want to blame a captain? You took $170,000 a year from Jenne to protect him in the clearance scandal and now you and that lightweight fake Sgt. Fitzpatrick are trying to rewrite history.
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District 2 seat

2011-04-29T17:04:00.001-04:00

By Brittany Wallman April 29, 2011 02:01 PM

Staff writer Larry Barszewski reports:

Deerfield Beach – Would-be candidates interested in suspended Commissioner Sylvia Poitier's seat should circle July 19 on their calendars.

That's the date commissioners are being asked to approve on Tuesday for a District 2 special election to fill the vacancy. The date is several weeks later than called for in the city's charter, but City Attorney Andy Maurodis said the decades-old charter didn't envision all the notices that would have to take place first.

"This is as fast as we could get it in," Maurodis said. "This is substantial compliance with the charter. We would have had to ignore election laws."

If approved by commissioners, the filing period for candidates will be from noon June 6 through noon June 9.

The election would be for the remainder of Poitier's term, which ends in March 2015.

However, there's a chance the term could end earlier. If Poitier is acquitted, found not guilty or otherwise cleared of the charges against her, then the governor would restore her to office and the person elected in July would be divested from office.

Poitier was charged this month with five misdemeanor counts of falsifying public records.
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Awww Right Miami!

2011-04-27T07:24:00.001-04:00

The voice of the Miami Dolphins was silenced by Bile Duct Cancer. He will be missed by the Miami Dolphins nation.

1948-2011
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Judge Ilona Holmes

2011-04-26T23:49:00.000-04:00

Broward Circuit Judge Ilona Holmes got a first hand experience of what Deerfield Beach D-2 residents have complained about for years to deaf ears from city officials, and that is police misconduct and over aggressive officers.
Apparently, Broward Circuit Judge Ilona Holmes, 51, got a lesson in over aggressiveness, by BSO, who according to sources pulled their service weapons on the longtime Judge, even ordering her to the ground after she clearly identified herself as a Broward Judge. Judge Holmes has hired former U.S Attorney Kendall Coffey.

Deerfield resident Maximo Gordon came to City Hall in March, complaining of police misconduct by officers of the Broward Sheriff Office.

Police misconduct isn't new to Deerfield Beach. BSO Detectives Joe Vella and Jonathon Brown, even went as far as falsifying a subpoena header by adding Child Pornography to acquire my internet records after being given false information by Deerfield Beach city employees in the Environmental and PW Department, the city employees were led by the racist ex manager Jim Graham, now retired, and his racist secretary, who still continues to spout racist comments in the Environmental Service Department toward African American and other minorities.

The group claimed to feel threatened by a August 8, 2007 blog post/comment on the Deerfield Insider political blog. BSO Internal Affairs, at the time led by David Benjamin, 44, who is also under investigation for his role involving Ponzi schemer Ron Rothstein. BSO Internal Affairs investigators at the time, claimed to find no evidence of Willful intent by the rogue detectives working in conjunction with the Deerfield Beach District.
You didn't expect anything different from BSO brass, towards the rogue officers did you?

Only in Deerfield Beach.
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Boycott Bank of America

2011-04-26T19:40:00.001-04:00

Fort Lauderdale cop union pulls money from Bank of America over anti-labor legislation

Story posted 2011.04.26 at 06:43 PM EDT

Fort Lauderdale's police union is yanking its money from Bank of America over anti-union legislation being considered in Tallahassee.

Public employee unions would be dealt a major blow if legislators approve a bill that would ban automatic dues deduction from a government paycheck and require members to sign off on the use of their dues for political purposes.

Jack Lokeinsky, the head of the Fort Lauderdale Fraternal Order of Police, said Tuesday that four lodge accounts will be closed. "This will result in more than three-quarter of a million dollars that will not go into Bank of America," he said.

Leaders of public employee unions announced plans last week to withdraw $10 million from banks associated with the chamber. Regions, Bank of America, PNC, SunTrust and Wachovia all have executives who serve on the board of the state Chamber of Commerce. It's the latest tit-for-tat between the chamber and union community with the chamber promoting the anti-union legislation.

Lokeinsky said his lodge has not spent any dues on campaign contributions, but that Bank of America, spent at least $180,000 on campaigns during the past year. He said continuing business with Bank of America doesn't make sense "when their executive Jim Fields has opposed how the lodge collects the money we are putting in his bank."

Lokeinsky said it should be a matter of principle for all public employees covered by unions. "We will encourage our police officers to also strongly consider closing their personal banking accounts with Bank of America," he said.

Story posted 2011.04.26 at 06:43 PM ED
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Community Meeting

2011-04-26T19:03:00.001-04:00

Calling "All" Concerned Residents of Deerfield Beach…
Monday
May 2, 2011 @ 7pm

At Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church
Located at
1060 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Deerfield Bch., FL

We will be discussing ways to make Deerfield Beach, a better place for all residents.
Come with your issues, problems, and concerns and we look forward to all leaving with new positive ideas and solutions.

So don't meet us there, beat us there!
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Benjamin should be fired!

2011-04-24T16:08:00.001-04:00

Top BSO official still not cleared in Rothstein case

By Brittany Wallman , Sun Sentinel

Story posted 2011.04.23 at 04:12 PM EDT

A top official at the Broward Sheriff's Office who escorted Ponzi mastermind Scott Rothstein to his waiting getaway jet to Casablanca still has not been cleared of wrongdoing a year and a half later, but remains in a high-level position.

Broward Sheriff Al Lamberti gave tough talk in fall 2009 about the allegations against his right-hand man, Lt. David Benjamin, saying he had "clearly stepped over the boundary about what's permitted by a BSO deputy'' and would be investigated by the agency's Internal Affairs division.

On Friday, Lamberti said he couldn't comment on it because "it's currently an open I.A. investigation.''

Benjamin, a longtime friend of Rothstein's, had a private business that might have done unsanctioned work with him, the sheriff said in 2009. He also provided Rothstein a personal escort to the waiting private jet to Morocco, BSO said, as Rothstein fled, temporarily, from investors in his crumbling Ponzi scheme.

Rothstein's case is long closed. So are the cases of some other law enforcement officials Rothstein had personal or business relationships with, including Fort Lauderdale officers who guarded his home. But Benjamin's case remains open.

He's been allowed to work during the investigation, and is making $106,104 running the Juvenile Assessment Center, BSO spokeswoman Veda Coleman-Wright said.

Rothstein orchestrated the largest financial fraud in South Florida history — a $1.4 billion Ponzi scheme. He was sentenced to 50 years in prison; his incarceration whereabouts are a government secret.

Benjamin is one of two top BSO insiders who were close to Rothstein. The other, Undersheriff Col. Tom Wheeler, was cleared by BSO of wrongdoing for taking free jet trips with Rothstein.

Lamberti said he was investigating Wheeler, and BSO officials maintained that for a year, until Lamberti admitted in December that no such investigation was done. He said Wheeler's jet trips with Rothstein were looked at, but weren't a policy violation.

"We changed the policy,'' he said Friday about officers accepting things of value. "I was uncomfortable that it was not a policy violation. If that happens now it is a policy violation. If it's a conflict or has the potential to be a conflict, you can't do it.''

Both Wheeler and Benjamin are close allies of Lamberti's. Hired in 1986, Benjamin worked for years in Pompano Beach and then Weston, until Lamberti was appointed to the job in September 2007 and brought him in close. Benjamin and Wheeler, with Rothstein, helped get Lamberti elected in 2008, working together on the campaign, political consultant and former Rothstein associate Roger Stone told the Sun Sentinel.

Benjamin rose to high levels under Sheriff Lamberti, despite a past that includes being suspended for lying and making a disparaging ethnic remark about a co-worker, records obtained by the Sun Sentinel show.

Suddenly, in the space of a month in early 2008, when Lamberti filed paperwork to officially run for his office, Benjamin was given several raises, a total $13,232 bump, promoted from sergeant to lieutenant, and pulled in close to the sheriff to be his executive officer. Soon after, Lamberti elevated Benjamin to temporary captain status, running Internal Affairs, his personnel file says.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation looked at Benjamin for its national academy in July 2009, the personnel file reflects, just months before Rothstein's world fell apart and Benjamin's career took a swerve. Benjamin was removed from his Internal Affairs post immediately.

Benjamin was commended for good work 52 times over his career.

But he also was suspended a day and demoted, when BSO said he lied about why he'd seized someone's gun and hadn't checked it in as evidence. He was accused in that 1994 case of creating a "completely fictitious'' explanation that passed culpability to another employee, a move that "can be described as nothing less than an outright lie,'' his Pompano Beach chief, Stanley Tipton, wrote in his disciplinary letter. Tipton wrote that Benjamin also had made an "obvious and disparaging reference'' to the other employee's "ethnic background.''

Coleman-Wright said Benjamin's performance since then warranted his promotions.

Federal authorities said Rothstein's relationship with top law enforcement officials in Broward was part of a game to "curry favor'' in order to deflect their scrutiny.

Rothstein also was friendly with Fort Lauderdale Police Chief Frank Adderley, and with Lamberti.

bwallman@tribune.com or 954-356-4541
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Judge orders arrest of former union official in grand jury probe

2011-04-19T17:20:00.001-04:00

Judge orders arrest of former union official in grand jury probe

Written by Elgin Jones

FORT LAUDERDALE – A former official with one of South Florida's most powerful labor unions remains in federal custody after being arrested during a court hearing on Friday.

Torrence Little, immediate-past recording secretary of local 1526 of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) in Fort Lauderdale, is accused of failing to comply with a subpoena to turn over documents to a grand jury probing a range of allegations against the union.

The subpoena is related to an ongoing federal investigation into the union's financial dealings dating back to 2007. According to sources, the U.S. Attorney's Office, the FBI and the U.S. Department of Labor's Racketeering and Fraud Division are conducting the investigation.

The union's top official expressed surprise at the arrest.

"I just got back in town and I'm trying to gather all the facts and information, so I really can't comment," said Gus Wilkerson III, president of local 1526. "I got a call when I was out of town that Torrence had been arrested, so I'm just shocked and surprised."

The U.S. Department of Labor referred questions to the Miami headquarters of the U.S. Attorney's Office, which declined to comment.

"It is against Department of Justice policy to comment on any grand jury matters," said Annette Castillo, an assistant to spokeswoman Alicia Valle.

The investigation and grand jury inquiry are being conducted in secret and Little's arrest is shielded from public view. Subpoenas and other documents were issued under seal.

According to documents obtained by South Florida Times, Little was required to appear before the grand jury on March 17 and turn over minutes, recordings and notes taken of the union's meetings. He appeared before the grand jury.

His arrest came during a subsequent hearing at the federal courthouse in Fort Lauderdale, when U.S. District Court Judge William P. Dimitrouleas ordered him remanded into custody indefinitely for allegedly failing to comply with the subpoena to turn over union records.

"You are commanded to appear in this United States district court at the time, date, and place shown below to testify before the court's grand jury," Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence D. LaVecchio wrote in a March 1 subpoena.

"You must also bring with you the following documents, electronically stored information, or objects: Executive Board and Membership meeting minutes, in written and/or recorded form, including all original handwritten notes/minutes taken at the meetings, and any resolutions and authorizations for the period covering January 2008 to present."

After receiving the subpoena, Little informed union members and sent a letter to his successor, Carl Brown Jr., asking him to comply with the order. The letter was copied to the judge and investigators.

"On December 12, 2010, you were elected as Recording Secretary, ILA Local 1526. You were sworn in on February 8, 2011. I, Torrence Little, the prior Recording Secretary and Custodian of Records turned all records over to you as the newly elected Custodian of Records, approximately two (2) weeks after February 8. 2001," states the letter dated March 30.

"Prior to March 17, 2011, Pedro Ocasio, Special Agent, was advised that you had possession of all records after I received the subpoena to testify before the Grand Jury on March 17, 2011, at 9:30 a.m."

Despite that letter and his appearance before the grand jury, the judge still ordered Little to be taken into custody.

"Torrence Little has a wife, four little children and a grandmother at home but he is sitting in a federal jail for not turning over notes he told them he does not have," said Darrell "Mike D" Payne, immediate past president of local 1526.

"He handed the records over to the new secretary and the hand-written notes were destroyed after the official minutes were approved. Disgruntled members lied and told the judge he was boasting about having the notes, but was not going to turn them over," Payne said.

Over the past few years, federal agents have conducted several raids on the union's headquarters at 440 NW Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. The lead investigator is FBI Special Agent Pedro Ocasio.

According to sources, the investigation centers on how union funds have been spent. There are also allegations of kickbacks, financial fraud, and bribes being paid to union officials in exchange for employment opportunities at Port Everglades.

Payne denies the union engaged in any wrongdoing.

"I hear those rumors just as I have always heard them since joining the union in 1983," Payne said. "I can assure you that is not our standard or the way we perform. No organization is perfect, but the allegations are nothing but lies."

Payne said the investigation was initiated by disgruntled members and he attributed it to political in fighting.

"We are not perfect and we don't do everything right but, as far as kickback, payoffs or bribes? That's ridiculous and nothing but lies," Payne said. "Instead of this being our finest hour, we are being embarrassed by an investigation based on lies, gross exaggerations, and stretching of the truth."

Local 1526 of the ILA union was chartered in 1937. Today, all its officers are African American and a majority of its more than 800 members are also black.

They provide manual labor and skilled tradesmen to cruise and ocean-going freight lines at Port Everglades, the world's number one port for luxury cruises.

EJones@SFLTimes.com
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Community meeting for all

2011-04-17T10:30:00.001-04:00

Calling All Concerned Residents of Deerfield Beach…

Monday April 18, 2011 @ 7pm

At Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church

Located at

1060 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, Deerfield Bch., FL

⁠⁠

We will be discussing ways to make Deerfield Beach, a better place for all residents.

It's time to join hands in this effort, so

come with your issues, problems, and concerns and we hope to all leave with new and positive ideas and solutions.

So don't meet us there, beat us there!

Brought to you by the Community Action Team of Deerfield Beach

"Joining Hands to Create a Better Tomorrow, Today!"
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Tea Party photo from yesterday in Boca Raton.

2011-04-17T10:18:00.000-04:00

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Former Tamarac employee admits he took cash from developers

2011-04-17T10:15:00.001-04:00

By Paula McMahon, Sun Sentinel

7:20 p.m. EDT, April 15, 2011

Tamarac's former director of community development, Chris King, admitted to state investigators that he took personal cash payments from developer Shawn Chait while recommending Chait's Prestige Homes project to the city commission in 2006, court records show.

King, 48, of Palm Beach Gardens, said in a sworn statement that Chait gave him envelopes containing cash on two occasions — over lunch — while King was overseeing and reviewing the massive proposed housing project for the city. He said he took a total of between $1,000 and $2,000 from Chait, money King told the investigators he spent on groceries and other living expenses.

King approved the project and recommended it to the commission, several city boards and at community presentations, City Manager Mike Cernech said in an interview Friday.

Efforts to contact King were unsuccessful Friday despite a phone message left with a man who answered the phone at his home.

Surveillance video: Brutal beating along Hollywood Broadwalk

Getting the admission out of King was not easy, according to a transcript of his Aug. 5 statement obtained by the Sun Sentinel. Investigators from the Broward State Attorney's Office had questioned him a couple of months earlier and he had volunteered no useful information but they decided to subpoena him for a second interview about elected officials and place him under oath.

Because he was granted immunity for whatever he said, King cannot be prosecuted for his unexpected revelations about himself unless he committed perjury, Assistant State Attorney Jeannette Camacho said Friday. Shawn and Bruce Chait, who pleaded guilty to paying off former County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion and are cooperating with prosecutors, gave no indication they had paid him off, she said.

Tim Donnelly, the prosecutor in charge of the state's corruption investigations, said that it's sometimes necessary to subpoena potential witnesses and give them immunity.

"Because, as a prosecutor you are always pursuing the most culpable criminal but you have to have witnesses and evidence in order to convict. Without them, you have no case," Donnelly said. "I think the higher good is to get Lady Macbeth, rather than throw some spineless lackey in jail."

King left the city for another job in October 2006, about seven months after the Tamarac commission approved the Chaits' development. He took a job in Virginia, then returned to South Florida and was administrator of the Indian Trail Improvement District in Palm Beach County, a position he resigned in 2009.

During his second interview with investigators, King initially denied taking anything, then claimed he had turned down offers of cash from Shawn Chait but that the developer kept pushing him to take money.

"I don't know how — it was kind of, well just take it, it's not a big deal, kind of thing. And I said that I didn't want anything. [And Chait said] 'You know, maybe it will help pay a couple bills or something like that.' And so then he just gave me an envelope that had a little bit of money in there," King said.

King, an 11-year city employee whose salary at the time was $101,130, said he didn't deposit the cash in a bank but "then when I wrote a bill then just, okay, well, that's fine because I have money here in my pocket anyways so I don't have to buy groceries or whatever, I can just use what I have, cash-wise."

In his statement, King played down his role in approving the Prestige Homes project and repeatedly said he had little authority over the controversial residential development. The project later stalled and has not been built because of the downturn in the economy.

Cernech, the city manager, said he was stunned and disappointed when he learned of King's admissions more than six months ago.

"I think that my first reaction was shock, followed by anger and embarrassment," Cernech told the Sun Sentinel.

Cernech said King's description of his job was "laughable" and that he had seriously understated his role and responsiblities.

"Although he said he didn't [have sway over the Chaits' project] in his statement, he absolutely did and I assume that's why they paid him," Cernech said.

The city manager said the Prestige Homes project had moved through the approval process in King's department "in an incredibly expedited time." It was approved in about 30 days, Cernech said, while a less complicated project supposedly handled in an accelerated fashion took four months.

When Cernech found out about King's admissions, he said he immediately conducted a review of all development projects in search of any red flags about other employees' conduct. Narrowing the list of possible suspects was easy, he said, because the Chaits complained to city commissioners and senior city staff about almost anyone with power who challenged anything they did, Cernech said.

The review found no sign of any other city employee acting suspiciously, Cernech said, and prosecutors said they have no evidence to suggest any other Tamarac employees received anything of value from the Chaits.

While several former elected city officials have been criminally charged with taking money, gifts or other benefits from the Chaits, Cernech said the discovery that a city employee had been in their pocket took the scandal to a different level.

"The community is responsible for the elected officials and the elected officials are answerable to the community but I'm responsible for the organization," said Cernech, who was promoted from assistant city manager in January when his predecessor Jeff Miller retired. If Miller or he had found out that King, whom Cernech characterized as an unsatisfactory employee, had been taking money while on staff, they would have terminated him and asked prosecutors to consider filing criminal charges, he said.

"This isn't a corrupt organization and we're not going to run away from this," Cernech said. "We have 400 excellent employees who work for the community but for one guy to sully it is regrettable."

pmcmahon@tribune.com or 954-356-4533
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Broward's first-ever corruption watchdog Inspector General selected

2011-04-17T01:46:00.001-04:00

Broward's first-ever corruption watchdog Inspector General selected

By Brittany Wallman, Sun Sentinel

Story posted 2011.04.16 at 08:58 PM EDT

John W. Scott, a man who says he has spent his career "fighting corruption, fraud, waste and abuse,'' will be doing that for Broward County, as the county's first-ever Inspector General.

Scott, assistant legal counsel for Miami-Dade's Office of Inspector General, was selected unanimously Saturday by the committee formed to fill the new post.

The newly created inspector general job will be among the most powerful in Broward's public realm, with subpoena and investigative powers over all the county commissioners, every city official in Broward, and all the government employees, and all the vendors who do business with Broward's city and county governments.

The job pays $165,000, which is more than the Broward state attorney makes, and the office budget is yet to be determined by the Broward County Commission.

The actual official powers are in this blog post, where I linked the item voters approved in November.

The creation of this job and the office and staff that will come with it were prompted by a historic season of public corruption arrests across Broward, with one after another elected official facing corruption charges and public humiliation.

Scott spent two decades at the U.S. Justice Department, he says in his letter. Read it and his resume here.

He said in his application letter that he felt his career prepared him for just this job, and that this was a chance to make a difference in Broward.
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Tea Party Rally in Boca Raton, Fl. Congressman Allen West and millionaire Donald Trump were the keynote speakers.

2011-04-16T16:08:00.000-04:00

I got the pleasure of getting these photos from a Tea Party Rally. The crowd wasn't the hostile type usually seen on television. Criticism of Democrats and President Obama was the main focus of the rally.
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JIM CROW TACTICS RETURN TO FLORIDA: VOTER SUPPRESSION LAW MOVING QUICKLY DESPITE PROTESTS

2011-04-16T11:26:00.001-04:00

Blogging Black

Tallahassee, FL -- A new 151-page version of the Florida House of Representatives' elections bill HB 1355 surfaced late last night, making a bad elections bill even worse. The League of Women Voters of Florida, along with other voter groups, is still digesting this massive effort to increase regulations and obstacles for voters, Supervisors of Elections and third-party voter registration groups like the League.

HB 1355 stands to disenfranchise Florida's mobile citizens, including college students and relocating professionals, by disallowing address changes at the polls. The bill will also compromise, and likely eliminate, third-party efforts to register voters, as well as vastly increase the number of provisional ballots used -- ballots which are often uncounted due to the amount of time and effort needed to verify each one. When taken as a whole, HB 1355 unduly burdens Supervisors of Elections and third-party voter registration groups and assumes that voters are "guilty until proven innocent."

Despite Florida's well-executed 2008 and 2010 general elections, the legislature is reverting to Jim Crow-style tactics of disenfranchising voters at the polls and suppressing voter registration efforts via bureaucracy and fines. Given that a number of these provisions have already been overturned by the courts, League President Deirdre Macnab said that "citizens should be outraged over this waste of taxpayer money that will diminish voter registration and voter turnout in our state."

A new provision added last night would now require voters whose legitimacy is challenged by poll watchers to cast provisional ballots with no opportunity at the polls to defend themselves and cast a regular ballot. Provisional ballots are often not counted with election day results and are expensive and time-consuming for Supervisors to process.

Another area of particular concern to the League of Women Voters of Florida is a section that would disallow voters from updating address at their polling place on election day. Under current law, voters who have moved within the state of Florida are able to update their information at their polling place and still cast a regular ballot. If HB 1355 goes into effect, such voters who have changed counties would have to cast a provisional ballot, creating more work for their Supervisor of Elections, costing Florida's taxpayers more money and resulting in a greater chance that their provisional ballot will never be counted. This rule will impact Florida's university students in particular, along with other voters who move within Florida but outside their county. What is the point of this rule change, other than to disenfranchise the 1 in 6 citizens who move during any given year?

In addition to voters, now League members and those who volunteer their time to register new voters are not to be trusted either. HB 1355 also targets third-party voter registration groups such as LWVF. Just two years ago, the League of Women Voters of Florida, along with other groups, won a lawsuit to overturn an unfair law aimed at penalizing citizens who perform voter registration drives, including the League's own members. These volunteers will now need to go down to local Supervisors' offices, register by providing detailed personal information, take an oath and be held personally and financially liable if they do not deliver the completed forms back to the Supervisor within 48 hours. Fines will be levied up to $1,000 per person.

"How can we ask volunteers to take on a financial risk of $1,000 and their good name if they are late in returning registration forms?" Macnab said. "With this proposed law, Florida's leaders have taken aim at voters and the legions of volunteers who have over the past 91 years volunteered their time to register new voters, in the belief that active and informed citizens strengthen our democracy. This law brings back Jim Crow-style tactics to intimidate all Florida voters and volunteers who believe in the democratic process."

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Sources: Governor Rick Scott removes Commissioner Sylvia Poitier from office

2011-04-14T19:09:00.001-04:00

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The websites and blogs are watching for unethical, and criminal behavior.

2011-04-14T06:44:00.001-04:00

For any politician in Deerfield Beach, or in South Florida to think that the blogs, websites, media outlets, and everyday citizens aren't watching your political moves, would be totally ignorant and teeters on stupidity. Most South Florida politicians are arrogant and drunk with power, they come to believe they are untouchable and beyond prosecution.

Channel 10 News reported that the politicians, county, local, and federal are watching the blogs. Politicians can try and dismiss them if they want, the end result will be the Broward County jail or some ethic complaint. You hear politicians lie frequently about not reading the blogs.

You can try and dismiss the messenger of any blog or website, but crooked politicians are drawn to public office like a magnet. They see it as easy pickings for their personal use. When crooked politicians are caught with their hands in the cookie jar, they blame everyone but themselves for their indiscretions.

No one should feel sympathy for any politician arrested, for they take a oath to uphold their positions with honor. Voter apathy, voter ignorance, and a total lack of knowledge, compounded by our political pimps, who operate in every community, allow these dishonest, broke down politicians to remain in office, well beyond their time.

"The Black Perspective"

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2011-04-13T14:24:00.001-04:00

What a sad day!

2011-04-13T14:17:00.001-04:00

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News Release of Poitier's arrest.

2011-04-13T14:12:00.001-04:00

News Release On Arrest of Sylvia Poitier

STATE ATTORNEY

SEVENTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF FLORIDA

BROWARD COUNTY COURTHOUSE

201 S.E. SIXTH STREET

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33301-3360

April 13, 2011

Arrest Warrant Issued for Deerfield Beach Commissioner

The Broward State Attorney's Office and Broward Sheriff's Office has obtained a warrant for the arrest of Deerfield Beach City Commissioner Sylvia Poitier on five counts of falsifying public records.

The charges allege that Poitier did not properly disclose a conflict-of-interest she had between the city of Deerfield Beach and the non-profit Westside Deerfield Businessmen Association ('WDBA') that handles federal low-income housing funds for the city.

Poitier worked for the WDBA before her 2005 election to the commission and still serves as a volunteer. Her daughter, Felicia, was vice president and now serves as the WDBA president.

Broward Sheriff's Office detectives determined Sylvia Poitier solicited her brother, Lionel Ferguson, on behalf of the WDBA, to lend $46,024 in order to purchase tax certificates on seven delinquent properties owned by the WDBA. Lionel Ferguson was to receive 10 percent interest on his investment from the WDBA loan.

According to the arrest affidavit, Commissioner Poitier failed to properly disclose to her fellow commissioner's and the public that a financial relationship existed between the WDBA and Lionel Ferguson. This disclosure should have taken place, and the proper paperwork filed, each time the WDBA was a topic to be voted on by the city of Deerfield Beach Commission. If an official believes they have a conflict, they must file a formal notice, known as a 'Form 8B', pursuant to Florida Statute 112.3143, with the City Clerk. Investigators found Poitier did not disclose the conflict nor include the conflict on the paperwork she filed.

Broward County Court Judge Bernard Bober signed an arrest warrant for Poitier on Monday, April 11. She was scheduled to surrender at the Broward County Jail on Wednesday, April 13.

Poitier's five charges fall under Florida's "Falsifying Records" Statute 839.13, which is a first-degree misdemeanor. Each count is punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and 364 days in the Broward County Jail.

Ron Ishoy, Communications Manager

(954) 831-7910
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Quote of the day

2011-04-13T06:58:00.001-04:00

Why is the city paying 80,000 dollars to evaluate the Sanitation and the recycling departments? A simple survey of the users would have told them that Deerfield has the Cadillac of garbage service and they don't mind paying for it.- Ex Mayor Jean Robb.
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Former Political Pimp Arrested.

2011-04-09T19:19:00.001-04:00

Police Women of Broward County Arrest Former Political Pimp

By Bob Norman

Thursday, Apr 7, 2011 at 9:15 AM

Sun-Sentinel

Vicente Thrower got busted again.

Vicente Thrower was once a rising star in local politics.

But unfortunately the 31-year-old political activist was a protégé of imprisoned former Broward County Commissioner Joe Eggelletion. He learned from the worst -- and now it looks like he's going to follow Eggelletion into the big house.

TLC

Huerta

Thrower was arrested in a sting that was part of the production of the TLC show Police Women of Broward County, which is done in conjunction with BSO. The idea of the show is simple: Get video of female deputies -- preferably hot ones -- taking down criminals.

Seems the idea for this particular show was to dress up the girls as prostitutes and put them out on the street to pose as hookers to nab their customers. It's a dubious law enforcement exercise, but it makes great TV, especially when the undercover deputy looks like Erica Huerta, a deputy who was once overweight before losing 70 pounds and becoming a fitness model.

Seems Huerta and other Broward deputies starring on the show hit the streets to attract -- and arrest -- guys who craved their services. Vicente Thrower -- who was featured by the Sun-Sentinel in 2009 as a "full-fledged community leader" -- was apparently one of those guys.

And he had what must have seemed like an ingenius idea at the time. Why not engage two of the women to meet him in a motel and have

an oral sex "competition"? Sure said the TV cops, who likely drew out the drama in the nearby Relax Inn before throwing Thrower into the paddy wagon.

Thrower mug shot for corruption arrest.

It wasn't the first arrest for Thrower. Again, at one time he was considered a rising political star. He showed up for all the community meetings in Pompano and was appointed to several boards. Thrower was a young soldier in the Joe Eggelletion political mob, so it's not that surprising that he got popped last year for accepting some $50,000 in unlawful compensation from entities looking for him to use his influence on the CRA board.

Half of that money came from none other than the Habitat for Humanity in exchange for his help in getting the CRA to purchase land owned by the charity. Which begs the question: What the hell is Habitat for Humanity doing paying bribes?

Anyway, Thrower is still facing trial on the corruption charges. Now Assistant State Attorney Dave Schulson is asking to revoke Thrower's bond based on the most recent arrest, according to the Sun-Sentinel.

More coming.
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Miriam Oliphant Fired!

2011-04-01T14:06:00.001-04:00

Here is a little South Florida Breaking News: Former Broward County elections supervisor, guidance counselor Miriam Oliphant was fired, after just getting hired in a $72,000 position at the top of the pay scale. Former Deerfield High Teacher Coach William"Sandy" Muir, complained to the Sun Sentinel about not being interviewed for the position. Oliphant, just can't seem to catch a break.

www.blackwatchdog.blogspot.com
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Florida politics in Tallahassee.

2011-04-01T12:02:00.001-04:00

Prohibition of Project Labor Agreements (SB 1352 by Hays)

This bill makes it illegal for local governments to require contractors to provide their employees a living wage, health care or other employee benefits such as sick leave. It also bans requirements for local hiring or participation in registered apprenticeship.

Call the members of the Senate Community Affairs Committee today and tell them to VOTE NO on SB 1352. This is nothing more than a Big Government takeover of local government decision making.

Senate Community Affairs Committee Monday, April 4th 1PM
Chair Senator Bennett (R)

850-487-5078

bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov
V-Chair Senator Norman (R)

850-487-5068

norman.jim.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Dockery (R)

850-487-5040

dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Hill (D)

850-487-5024

hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Richter (R)

850-487-5124

ricter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Ring (D)

850-487-5094

ring.jeremy.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Storms (R)

850-487-5072

storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Thrasher (R)

850-487-5030

thrasher.john.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Wise (R)

850-487-5027

wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov
Elections Omnibus bill—A Sneak Attack on Democracy

This morning, in the House Government Operations Committee, a proposed committee substitute for HB 1355 was filed at 4:27PM Thursday afternoon, giving legislators and the public a mere 16 hours to review the 128 page bill that drastically alters our election code.

Rep Taylor said, "This electoral process is the most important process that we have. It has to be transparent. This is an extreme makeover of our election code...Just getting this last night, I haven't had time to fully digest what's in it." Tell him THANK YOU for standing up for voters!

dwayne.taylor@myfloridahouse.gov.

Rep. Baxley, the original sponsor of what (hours ago) was a 14 page bill, admitted that it was an omnibus bill. "Courtesy would go a long way in this atmosphere," said Baxley, while commenting on the provision that would further restrict where people can stand outside polling places. Call Baxley and tell him the public deserves similar courtesy when it comes to an open and transparent government. Rep. Dennis Baxley

(850) 488-0335

dennis.baxley@myfloridahouse.gov

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77 percent of Americans stressed at work, study says

2011-04-01T07:23:00.001-04:00

77 percent of Americans stressed at work, study says

By Marcia Heroux Pounds | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Story posted 2011.04.01 at 07:05 AM EDT

Here's a newsflash: Workers are stressed.

More than three quarters of Americans say they are stressed out about something related to their job, according to the 2011 Work Stress Survey by Harris Interactive released Wednesday. The survey was sponsored by Everest College, which operates in South Florida.

The survey of nearly 1,000 adults found that 77 percent of Americans are stressed about work. What are workers stressed about?

14 percent cite low pay

11 percent, commuting

9 percent, an unreasonable workload

9 percent, fear of being laid off

8 percent, annoying co-workers

5 percent, an annoying boss

5 percent, poor work-life balance

4 percent, lack of opportunity for advancement

"Most employers are becoming well aware of the need to address rising employee stress, and those who don't address it are likely to suffer lower morale and productivity," said Wendy Cullen, vice president of employer development for Everest College, in a press release.

The survey was conducted to coincide with April's National Stress Awareness Month, when health care professionals across the country join forces to increase public awareness about the causes and cures for stress.

"The impact of stress cannot be overstated," said Davis K. Brimberg, a Los Angeles-based psychologist who focuses on workplace issues. "Almost all psychological problems are worsened by it."

Everest College's 2011 Work Stress Survey was conducted by Harris Interactive from Feb. 9 to Feb. 20, 2011. A total of 953 employed U.S. adults (aged 18 and over) were surveyed by telephone. Results are considered accurate +/- 3.2 percent, 19 times out of 20.
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Time to Mobilize: War against public workers is on.

2011-03-29T20:09:00.001-04:00

Attacks on Retirement
The attack on the Florida Retirement System (HB 1405) is up in House Appropriations
Thursday 3/31 10AM. Our members on the committee are
Rep. Hukill 850-488-6653 and
Rep. Proctor 850-488-2977.   Tell them to
vote NO on HB 1405. Contact info for the entire committee can be found by clicking
here.
Worse yet, through the sneaky filing of a proposed committee bill (PCB), the Senate Budget Committee will hear PCB 7094
on Thursday morning3/31. This bill throws out two months of debate, hearings and workshops on FRS and brings back the most draconian cuts to the state retirement system.
Senator Lynn 850-487-5033, Senator Hays 850-487-5056and Senator Thrasher 850-487-5030 are all on the committee. Tell them to stop playing political games with the lives of working Floridians. Click
here for a complete committee list.
TABOR "Tax Payer Bill of Rights"—Defunding state and local governments SJR 958 (TABOR) is up at 2:45 Tomorrow (Wednesday) in the Senate Finance and Tax Committee. This so-called "Smart Cap" will impose a restrictive, inflexible limit on state revenues, starving state and local governments of revenue. Click here for a list of committee members. Also, a bill similar to TABOR (State Revenue Limitation) is in the
House Finance and Tax Committee tomorrow 3/30 from 2:25-7:15PM. Call
Rep.Van Zant 850-488-0665 and
Rep. Brodeur 850-488-0468and tell them to
VOTE NO ON PCB 11-02 State Revenue Limitation. For the rest of the committee members, click
here.
Wage Theft moves forward HB 241, a bill that legalizes wage theft in Florida, passed through Community & Military Affairs Subcommittee today on a party line vote. This bad bill makes it illegal for local governments to go after unscrupulous employers by passing and enforcing local wage theft ordinances. Rep. Costello is on this committee and voted for the bill that is heavily favored by the Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries and the Retail Federation. Contact him and tell him you're disappointed 850-488-9873fred.costello@myfloridahouse.gov. Or, just wait to see him FRIDAY in Ormond! Decertification Rumor has it that one of the bills that will cause the decertification of public sector unions below 50% membership will be placed on the House Government Operations Committee later this week. Stay tuned for more info and action items.
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D-2 chicken raising operation revealed on Craigslist.

2011-03-24T17:12:00.001-04:00

This information was on Craigslist, I think we now can be sure just how the chickens that has plagued D-2 for 7 years were being raised. The rest is up to BSO Code Enforcement to check.

Here is the Craigslist post.

Free - Large Chicken House (Deerfield Beach)

Date: 2011-03-23, 9:23PM EDT
Reply to: sale-a3wx8-2282919887@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

I have a very large chicken house in the backyard, and I must get rid of it. It would be a shame to destroy it. Would love to give it to someone who can use it.

This is a very large structure - 10 feet high X 9 feet long X 8 feet deep. It needs to be taken apart to be moved, and you will need a very big truck or trailer. You must come with the right tools and manpower to take it apart and transport it away. It is put together mostly with plywood, drywall screws, and some 2 X 4's.

You will need a Power drill, hammer, and possibly a crow bar for prying nails...

Please look at the photo. If this works for you, please contact me... It is totally Free if you take it away

Here is the link. http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/zip/2282919887.html
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Guest Editorial: Former Mayor Jean Robb

2011-03-24T12:07:00.000-04:00

By Jean Robb

3-24-11

Once again, the fat cats are looking to balance the budget on the backs of the employees that can least afford it. And then the suggestion that we dismantle the garbage department and recycling.
Lets look at some of the salaries dished out here in Deerfield Beach , and tell the public what cuts are going to be made.
Keven Klopp was hired as the CRA director by Mike Mahaney in 2009 with a salary of 86,000 dollars plus benefits. He formerly served as the city manager for North Miami Beach. At the 6-10-08 meeting of their council, he was chastised for a suggested balanced budget on the backs of those who could least afford it while pay raises were depend upon political acumen rather than ability. Sound familiar? On 6-24-08, Klopp was fired.
In November of 2010, he was handed the job of Assistant city Manager by Burgess Hanson with a 40,000 dollar bump in salary. Klopp then hires himself an assistant in the CRA paying her in the neighborhood of 80,000 dollars, the same salary he was hired at as the Director.
When Mahaney was let go, Burgess Hanson was installed as the interim city manager at a salary of 75,000 dollars with the understanding that a search would be made for a permanent replacement. That never happened, and Burgess who had never served as a city manager was given the position with a salary of 169,000 plus benefits. We know that Burgess served as Deetjen's assistant, but we also know how little power Deetjen allowed his assistant. At the present, the city manager has an acting assistant manager and a regular assistant,, and Keven Klopp has an assistant. These bloated payrolls are at taxpayers' expense while 103 worker bees lost their jobs. Before they were let go, they were placed on part-time status so they could not claim any benefits. And where was the well-paid city manager when the axe fell on the worker bees?
Then George Edmunds of Parks and recreation was fired from his job, and his replacement was given a contract for approximately 110,000. Then he was permitted to hire his own assistant from outside. Just how many assistants does the city need ? These new hires are making more money than our long-time employees.
We inherited Kevin Klopp from Dade County where CRA directors are not permitted to hold a second city position with an additional salary. In Pompano Beach, the city manager held the job of CRA director at no salary. The reason for Dade County's position is that Dade's CRA considers the 2 salaries " double dipping" and an abuse of the "separation of powers". Although there is no state law prohibiting such action, it certainly does not look good to have the same person helping to make up the commission agendas that ultimately could affect the CRA. Why is this allowed in Deerfield Beach? Klopp is earning 86,000 as the CRA director and 40,000 more as the acting Assistant City Manager and Amanda Shafer a former secretary, is listed as the Assistant to the City Manager with a boast in her salary. Gone are the days when there were no assistants to the manager since he was quite capable of doing the job he was hired for on his own. And where were the commissioners who keep telling us how fiscally responsible they are when our tax money is being expended in such a manner? How can we possibly expect our mileage rate to be lowered when there is such out of control spending? And when will the public be told that any changes in garbage or recycling will have no effect on the ad valorem tax rate since those departments are paid from the enterprise fund which is supported by your water and sewer bill.

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Boca Raton's 'No weapons allowed' sign under fire from Libertarians

2011-03-23T10:10:00.001-04:00

By Rebekah Monson | South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Story posted 2011.03.22 at 03:07 PM EDT

A sign banning weapons at Boca Raton's City Hall is under fire from the county's Libertarian Party.

The Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County sent a letter Tuesday to city officials stating that the "No weapons allowed" sign at the entrance to City Hall violated state law and asking that it be brought into compliance with the law within 45 days.

"Florida law says citizens with a concealed weapons permit can go into any municipal buildings, as long as the city council is not in session," said John Thompson, the Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County chairman. "We just don't want there to be any confusion about the law."

The County Commission overturned a ban on guns in parks in February because it conflicted with state law.

UPDATE (4:45 P.M.): The sign was left up by mistake, and city workers are removing it, said Mike Woika, assistant city manager.

Similar signs inside the building were removed about six months ago, when officials realized that they did not comply with the law, he said.

"We had a couple of signs up, and we took them all down months ago," he said. "We just forgot this one."

Here's the full text of the letter:

Libertarian party of palm Beach County

5970 SW 18th ST #331, Boca Raton, Florida 33433-7197

March 21, 2011

Leif Ahnell, City Manager

City of Boca Raton

201 West Palmetto Park Rd

Boca Raton, Florida 33432

SENT VIA Certified Mail # 70103090000364761913

RE: "No Weapons" Sign

Dear Mr. Ahnell,

At the entrance to Boca Raton's City Hall, a sign can be found above the door stating "NO WEAPONS ALLOWED" (see attached) which is a prima facie violation of Florida Statutes Sections 790.06 and 790.33. A member of our Party has made attempts for removal of the sign however his pleas have gone unanswered. Additionally, we have heard complaints about the signage from other Boca Raton citizens who possess concealed weapons permits. It is known that one citizen, who upon insisting it was his right to enter City Hall with his firearm on his person, Boca Raton Police were called and it was agreed he was correct so he was permitted to enter and be in the building for so long as he wanted.

This letter is a sincere effort to have the City of Boca Raton remove the signage or have it altered to comport with state law to avoid further confusion. Florida law permits citizens with a license to carry concealed weapons or firearms into government buildings, including municipal buildings such as your city hall so long as the city council is not in session at the time. The sign in question, as written, is in violation of state law.

Recently, at a Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County meeting, it was decided by a vote of the membership to move forward with effort to move the city into compliance with state law on behalf of all Floridians who are licensed to carry concealed weapons. We desire an amicable and rapid solution to the matter however should the City of Boca Raton choose not to comply within 45 calendar days of your receipt of this letter, our Party is prepared to file a Petition Seeking an Administrative Determination and/or file suit against the city in state court.

Respectfully,

John R. Thompson

Chairman

cc: Robert Fast, Esq., Mayor Susan Whelchel, Anthony Majhess, Constance Scott, Michael Mullaugh, Susan Haynie
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Sun Sentinel article

2011-03-17T04:50:00.001-04:00

Deerfield Beach commissioner needs money to sue nemesis

By Larry Barszewski, Sun Sentinel

Story posted 2011.03.16 at 05:03 PM EDT

DEERFIELD BEACH--

Fresh off her victory in last week's City Commission election, Sylvia Poitier is aiming to take on her No. 1 nemesis — blogger and activist Chaz Stevens — if only she can get someone to foot the legal bills for suing him.

Poitier sought the advice of City Attorney Andy Maurodis at Tuesday's commission meeting on whether setting up a legal defense fund to raise money for her to pursue a defamation of character suit against Stevens would run afoul of any legal or ethical rules.

"I don't have money to waste," Poitier said. "If I go out and get an attorney, you know it's not going to be cheap."

Maurodis told Poitier the advice she wanted would have to come from a private attorney and fell out of his purview as city attorney.

Poitier is upset about frequently being the topic of entries on Steven's blog (myactsofsedition.com), with its references to her purported imminent arrest on corruption charges and accusations that she has benefited illegally as commissioner. Stevens has filed numerous complaints against Poitier with the city, the Broward County State Attorney's Office and the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"Either he's going to have to call for a showdown or I'm going to have to file a lawsuit," Poitier told commissioners at the meeting.

"Either one is fine dearie," Stevens responded via a blog entry called "Thrilla In Manila." "You pick the time and place. I'll bring the press. You bring the lies. I'll bring the data."

When contacted, Stevens said he'd even be willing to pitch in.

"I'm contributing the first $250 to Sylvia's legal defense fund so she can sue me," Stevens said. "We look to make a circus out of this in court."

A different blogger came to Poitier's defense at the commission meeting and criticized commissioners for not "huddling" around Poitier in support against Stevens.

"I've heard the commissioners in different articles saying they want unity on the commission," said David Cody (myperspectiveis.blogspot.com), wearing a Poitier campaign shirt. "I didn't see any type of camaraderie between any of you to try to support your fellow commissioner."

The commission only months ago was considering taking action itself to remove Poitier from office, before deciding that it would be best to let her district voters decide her fate.

Mayor Peggy Noland had asked Poitier to resign in October because of issues raised in a federal housing audit. It will cost the city $42,211 because the audit showed Poitier didn't disclose a potential conflict of interest vote involving the Haitian American Consortium. Noland was also concerned about another alleged conflict of interest vote regarding the Westside Deerfield Businessmen Association.

Poitier has denied any conflict of interest.

lbarszewski@tribune.com or 954-356-4556
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Spence Jones Acquitted of Bribery.

2011-03-16T16:32:00.001-04:00

In a blow to Prosecutors, former Miami Commissioner Michele Spence-Jones acquitted in bribery case.
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Could a Recall happen in Broward County?

2011-03-16T10:15:00.001-04:00

Total Recall: Can It Happen In Broward?

By Bob Norman

Wednesday, Mar 16, 2011 at 10:02 AM

As we watch the images of the common folks -- and multimillionaire Norman Braman -- celebrating in Miami over the successful recall of Mayor Carlos Alvarez and Commissioner Natacha Seijas, it's easy to wonder: Can it happen here?

Can the people in Broward County dump the corrupt and/or negligent bums in office that haven't already been arrested by federal and state investigators?

So what if Ilene Lieberman got immunity from prosecution by the state, she's been part of a self-serving political cult of corruption.

Can we get rid of her ourselves?

Sure. But the road to recall is a long and difficult one -- and, without the aid of a billionaire, it can seem impossible. And the last time I looked, Wayne Huizenga was on the other side of the equation when it came to corrupt politicians. That guy loves them -- and has helped make a number of them.

When thinking of recall candidates, let's forget Lieberman. She's already toast, debilitated by the current scandal, and with just two years left on her term (she should be term-limited in 2012, and depending on how the appellate court rules on John Rodstrom's lawsuit, she may be yet).

A lot of folks are talking about recalling Rick Scott. Sorry, state politicians, incredibly, don't fall under Florida recall laws. There is legislation being proposed now to change that, but I seriously doubt they'll pass considering who is in office.

So let's look at the worst politicians remaining in office in Broward County. Obviously all the veteran school board members are viable candidates, those being Maureen Dinnen, Jennifer Gottlieb, Ann Murray, Ben Williams, and Robin Bartleman.

But as long as we're talking about it, let's go to rock-bottom: Stacy Ritter.

How exactly would you go about kicking Ritter's arrogant Spanx-wearing butt out of office? Well, first you have to

come up with legal grounds to do it. In a recall you can't just say you're doing because you don't like a politician. You have to come up with a legally sufficient reason to do it that must be endorsed by a judge. Those grounds include "malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty, drunkenness, incompetence, permanent inability to perform official duties, and conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude."

Again the grand jury report alone provides the fodder to qualify the school board members. In Ritter's case, there's obviously a wealth of malfeasance from which to choose. The wild misspending in the 2008 campaign by Ritter and her lobbyist-husband Russ Klenet would do the trick easily, especially since the state has already filed civil charges against her. A judge would likely find that her acceptance of the golf cart from the dirty developers Bruce and Shawn Chait would suffice. Other conflicts of interest with Klenet -- the shenanigans with airport manager URS and his then-firm's representation of Vista Health -- would probably do in a pinch as well. There's also the scandal involving Ponzi schemer Joel Steinger.

You can bundle this up in a bow; no judge could justify throwing out a well-formed argument against Ritter. Now comes the first really hard part: Getting the signatures.

Ritter's District 3 is up in northwestern Broward, with parts of Coral Springs, Parkland, Sunrise, and the dastardly Tamarac. I'm not sure of the exact number of registered voters in District 3, but I'm going to take an educated guess that it's somewhere around 120,000, give or take 15,000 or so.

With that size of a voter pool, state law says you need to get signatures from five percent of registered voters, meaning that in Ritter's case you would have to get roughly 6,000 (give or take a thousand). And you've got 30 days to do it, an average of 200 a day.

Anybody who has tried it knows that would be no small feat, even with a willing populace. You need numerous volunteers and they have to be willing to stand outside supermarkets and go everywhere else there are large numbers of people gathered and hustle while they are at it.

Even if you are successful at that and the signatures are approved by the Supervisor of Elections, you then need to go back and get a second set of signatures. The second time around you need to get 15 percent of the registered voters. In Ritter's case, about 18,000.

This is why organization -- plus public outrage, as you had with Mayor Carlos Alvarez and the one-sided Marlins stadium deal -- is crucial. You almost have to have a situation where people are running to you to sign the recall petition.

In the case of Ritter, you will have some of that outrage. A well-run organization, with a whole lot of hard work, could likely get the signatures. But then comes the election itself.

Ritter would likely raise a whole lot of money from the special interests that she's pandered to -- lobbyists, contractors, her husband's clients, etc.

But would that money matter?

Seijas in Miami raised more than $200,000 in a PAC to fight the recall. The recall backers came up with about $20,000. It didn't matter -- voters still ousted Seijas with a stunning 88 percent against her. Miami Lakes Mayor Michael Pizzi, who helped lead the recall effort, had this quote in today's newspaper: "Natacha Seijas is a poster child for everything that is wrong with Miami-Dade County government, a government that is out of touch with taxpayers and has sold out to special interests."

Replace "Natacha Seijas" with "Stacy Ritter" and you could envision the same quote coming the day after a Broward recall election.

In the case of Ritter, I would strongly believe the vote would be closer. But as her many transgressions are debated across the district, I doubt her fractured condo base would protect her from recall. One of her great political allies in the condos, Marc Sultanof, is one of those who has been arrested for corruption after all.

So could Ritter be successfully recalled? The answer is yes. Does anyone out there have the werewithal to put together the machine necessary to gather those signatures and run a campaign? There's the rub.

Hopefully the State Attorney's Office -- which is targetting Ritter in the corruption probe -- will accomplish the task soon without having to rely on the people to get it done.
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Boynton Beach city manager says layoffs, furloughs possible

2011-03-14T23:36:00.001-04:00

By Eliot Kleinberg, The Palm Beach Post

Story posted 2011.03.14 at 10:44 PM EDT

BOYNTON BEACH--

City department heads got grim marching orders on Monday morning: Cut 8 percent to 10 percent across the board.

City Manager Kurt Bressner also told them to look at the possibility of furloughs and layoffs.

"About 70 percent of budget is personnel," Bressner said Monday afternoon. "You can only cut so many paper clips."

In advance of the proposed 2011-12 budget, scheduled for consideration in mid-June, Bressner told his managers that, when assessments come out in a few weeks, Boynton Beach's taxable property value probably will have dropped another 6 percent to 8 percent just this year, and more than 40 percent since a peak in 2007.

Bressner said the numbers weren't much of a surprise.

"I'm sure it's being played out to all the communities in Palm Beach County," he said.

"The market has probably bottomed out for residential," Bressner said. "The wild card next year is what's going to happen with commercial and industrial."

Also, about $9.5 million in one-time money that was around last year, such as transfers from deferred capital projects and proceeds from local option gas taxes, won't be available in 2012, Bressner said.

He said the painful cuts are needed "to at least get us within striking distance of getting a balanced budget."

Right now, the city's employees, not counting police and fire, total 401 full-time and 84 part-time.

Bressner will get recommendations from the city's finance committee in about three weeks. The city commission has a regular meeting set for Tuesday.

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NY Times article on the murder of Lataurus Randall

2011-03-13T08:38:00.001-04:00

Jason Henry for The New York Times

Melvin Philpart was playing golf in Deerfield Beach, Fla., with his cousin, Lataurus Randall, when they were approached by two gunmen who may have entered through a hole in a fence. Mr. Randall was fatally shot.

By DON VAN NATTA Jr.
Published: March 12, 2011

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. - Sitting in a cart just to the side of Deerfield Country Club's 17th tee, the two golfers were still savoring their pars on the previous hole when they were confronted by two men wearing ski masks and flashing .38-caliber revolvers.

The gunmen ordered the golfers to the ground and demanded their money. One of the masked men then tussled with one of the golfers, Lataurus Randall, shooting him once in the back before both robbers fled, empty-handed, into a nearby stand of Australian pines bordering a low-income neighborhood.

Mr. Randall, a 35-year-old owner of a landscaping company who had a 9-year-old son, died in the hospital the next day. His golf partner and cousin, Melvin Philpart, who was unhurt, said he wished he had done more to help. But he said he was startled to see two masked men with guns on the golf course he has played most of his life.

"When these guys showed up, I first thought it was a joke," said Mr. Philpart, 43, who does auto detailing in nearby Boynton Beach. "I said to one of them, 'What do you think you're doing out here? This is a golf course.' "

South Florida has seen its share of armed robberies in surprising places, including a Fort Lauderdale church where parishioners were robbed at gunpoint during Sunday services a few years ago. But two months after the Deerfield Country Club murder, no one has been arrested and residents are still shocked by the crime.

It has also shaken the culture of the state's many golf courses, which market themselves as refuges from the stresses of life, if not the vagaries of golf swings.

Golfers are frequently warned in some pro shops to be vigilant. Some golfers now say they carry their wallets and keys, rather than leaving them in the golf carts.

Paul Connell, the Palm Beach County golf operations supervisor, said most public courses were patrolled by unarmed rangers. "We are concerned," Mr. Connell said. "But we have built-in security features that keep our courses safe, things like canals and fences."

Mr. Connell and others responsible for golf course security in South Florida recalled the case in 2006 when an employee at Forest Oaks Golf Course in Lake Worth was shot and killed by a robber as she was closing the pro shop. In 2009, the Miami police charged a 19-year-old man with shooting at golfers at Killian Greens in Kendall. No one was hurt.

Deerfield Country Club, a half-century-old public course described as "one of the area's best-kept secrets," is bordered to the east by a neighborhood that residents and the police say is plagued by open drug dealing and a rash of burglaries. But club employees and regulars say the golf course is a safe place to while away a few hours.

"This is a real nice place to play; we never have these kinds of problems," said Sheila Mahon, an employee in the clubhouse's restaurant. The club president, Bob Parton, declined to comment.

The masked men apparently slipped through a hole in a fence between the neighborhood and the 17th fairway, Mr. Philpart said.

The shooting, on Jan. 13, has baffled the police and continues to attract interest in the local news media and among golf bloggers, who warn that the shooting is a reminder that players should always be on the lookout, even on the greens.

"Clearly, no one should play golf in fear," Bart Pfankuch, a Southwest Florida golf blogger, wrote. "But it is worth a reminder to keep an eye out, and your instincts plugged in, whenever approached by someone who does not have a clear reason to be on the course."

Speculation about the gunmen's motive has also divided many residents here. Some say they suspect that Mr. Randall was targeted, and Mr. Philpart said it was possible because the gunmen initially confronted Mr. Randall rather than him. Others, including other members of Mr. Randall's family, say it was a random armed robbery.

In recent days, Mr. Randall's family members have prepared a wrongful-death lawsuit. In a recent interview, Mr. Philpart accused the Broward County Sheriff's Office and paramedics with Deerfield Beach Fire-Rescue of taking at least 20 minutes to respond to his 911 call.

He said he managed to get his cousin into the golf cart and raced to the club parking lot.

"He was on the ground in the parking lot for about 10 minutes, and still no police," Mr. Philpart said. "I think if they had answered the call quickly the way they should have, he'd still be here."

Mr. Randall died of internal bleeding the next day.

Mike Jachles, a spokesman for the Broward Sheriff's Office, disputed Mr. Philpart's account, adding that a patrol car was on the scene less than two minutes after the 911 call came in. "That's an amazing response time," he said. "You cannot get a better response time than that." Paramedic officials did not respond to several messages left seeking comment.

Mr. Jachles declined to release a copy of the 911 tape of Mr. Philpart's phone call, citing the continuing criminal investigation.

Mr. Philpart said that after he got off the phone with the authorities, he called Mr. Randall's brother, Troy, who was working at a nearby barber shop. Troy Randall said he arrived in the club's parking lot several minutes before the police and paramedics did.

"He squeezed my hand, and I squeezed his, and he told me he loved me," said Mr. Randall, 33. "I didn't think he was going to die."
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Former Deerfield Beach commissioner won't face criminal charge

2011-03-11T19:03:00.000-05:00

By Larry Barszewski, Sun Sentinel
6:56 p.m. EST, March 10, 2011

DEERFIELD BEACH
The Broward County State Attorney's Office has closed its investigation into former Commissioner Gloria Battle, saying it does not appear she acted criminally when she voted in 2009 in favor of a grant she helped write.
Battle was not a commissioner when she wrote the Haitian American Consortium grant application, and the $750 she was paid for it was before she had any expectation of being appointed to the commission, investigators concluded.
Battle, who served as an interim commissioner for two months, has said the money she received was reimbursement for office supplies.

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Sheriff's Top Aide May Face FDLE Scrutiny

2011-03-09T20:04:00.001-05:00

Written by Elgin Jones

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Broward Sheriff's Office (BSO) failed to submit a mandatory report to state officials over the suspension of Sheriff Al Lamberti's executive officer, who was disciplined for untruthfulness in official BSO logs and failure to take suitable action in an incident to which he was dispatched.

READ THE RULING HERE

In 2004, Donald Prichard received a 10-day suspension without pay over an incident in which he failed to show up at a home after the owner called police for help with roaming pit bulls that were attacking his pet dog, which subsequently died. An arbitrator finalized the suspension in 2007.

A BSO Internal Affairs investigation confirmed he merely called the homeowner and then misrepresented the facts in his daily logs. The homeowner complained, triggering the probe that led to Prichard being disciplined.

Law enforcement agencies are required to investigate and then report any disciplinary action taken to the Florida Department of Law Enforcment (FDLE).

"We don't have any record of having received anything from the Broward Sheriff's Office," said Glen Hopkins, bureau chief of Standards for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement's Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission. "By statute, they are required to investigate and forward us that information."

The Broward State Attorney's Office said it was never forwarded the case for review either.

BSO has not explained why the suspension was not reported to FDLE or if it will do so now. Hopkins said the department is still required to file a report, after which a review process will begin.

"The penalty guideline for that offense [falsification of documents] is prospective suspension to revocation," Hopkins said. "That means the commission can do anything from putting that individual on a suspension for up to two years, all the way up to revocation of the [law enforcement] certificate."

FDLE certifies officers and monitors their conduct though reports that law enforcement agencies are required to submit and it's Criminal Justice Standards & Training Commission holds quarterly disciplinary hearings. At its most recent meeting held last October, the commission stripped 118 officers of their certifications for various reasons, eight of them were for making false statements on official documents and nine for perjury. Another 103 officers voluntarily surrendered their certifications.

An officer who is decertified or whose certification is suspended is prohibited from working in law enforcement for the duration of the suspension.
Prichard, 28, who could not be reached for comment, became Lamberti's executive officer in 2010, three years after an arbitrator upheld the 10-day unpaid suspension and six years after the incident.

The incident for which he was disciplined goes back to the night of Sept. 22, 2004, when Derrick Miller called 911 to report pit bulls had entered his fenced backyard west of Fort Lauderdale in unincorporated Broward County. His young son and the child's mother were visiting his home at the time.

Miller told the 911 operator the pit bulls were "killing his dog," which was tethered to a trailer in his backyard. BSO records show the dispatcher noted that she could hear dogs "yelping in the background." Prichard was dispatched to the scene but, instead of going there, he called Miller on the phone. Miller said he expected Prichard to arrive but no help came.

Meanwhile neighbors had gathered at the scene. The pit bulls continued mauling Miller's pet until their owner arrived and pulled them off. The pit bulls' owner nursed Miller's dog for several hours while waiting on Prichard to arrive, but he never came. Meanwhile the dog died.

INTERNAL AFFAIRS COMPLAINT

Two days later, Miller complained to BSO over the matter, triggering the Internal Affairs inquiry. Prichard told investigators he was unaware that Miller's dog was being attacked, because during their phone conversation, Miller said the pit bulls were "just sitting in his back yard," according to the investigation summary.

A nine-week investigation concluded that Prichard had failed to take appropriate action; was untruthful in his daily logs about the incident and engaged in conduct unbecoming a deputy. A 10-day suspension without pay was recommended.

A disciplinary committee reviewed the case and upheld the suspension. Prichard then requested binding arbitration, which ended in 2007 with the original findings and disciplinary action being upheld.

"In reviewing the penalty of a ten day suspension, I reviewed the records submitted by both parties as to other officers who were disciplined," independent arbitrator J.H. John wrote in his Sept. 20, 2007 ruling. "In doing that examination and comparing the infractions and false testimony of Prichard with the other officer disciplinary suspensions, I find that the ten day suspension of Deputy Prichard meets the accepted standards of fairness and was consistent with the other disciplinary actions BSO has taken."

John also ruled that Prichard had no authority to disregard a 911 call he was dispatched to and criticized his rationale for doing so.

"First, Prichard placed great emphasis and explained his actions because he claims Miller told him the dogs were 'just sitting.' That statement flies in the face of reality of the known characteristics of the attack dogs," John wrote.

"If anyone knows anything about pit bulls, it is that breed just does not quit in the middle of a dog attack and then just quietly sit down."

Prichard joined BSO in 2001 and served 14 months in Iraq after being hired. He opened a campaign account to run for the Davie Town Council in 2006 but withdrew from the race.

He is also chairman of the 3,500-plus-member Broward Farm Bureau, a non-profit advocacy organization for farmers, ranchers, nurserymen and other agricultural interests.

When contacted about the unreported suspension, BSO Media Relations Director Jim Leljedal said he did not care to discuss it. He later added in an e-mail that "the IA incident involving Dep. Don Prichard took place long before Al Lamberti became sheriff."

While the incident occurred during the tenure of former sheriff Ken Jenne, the discipline was finalized under Lamberti. Asked what steps Lamberti would now take, Leljedal declined comment.

Elgin Jones may be contacted at EJones@SFLTimes.com
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The Spirit of America

2011-03-09T06:59:00.001-05:00

I also extend my best wishes to D-1 Candidates Cody Loomis and Ron Coddington.

In D-2 my best wishes go out to candidates Gloria Battle, Ben Preston and Ann Scott Woods.

They all showed the spirit of America, for running for public office. I would hope that all the candidates in D-1 and D-2 would stay involved, and make another run again in 2015.
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Congratulations to Commissioner Sylvia Poitier and Commissioner Joe Miller on their re election to the Deerfield Commission.

2011-03-09T06:53:00.001-05:00

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Just Vote Today

2011-03-08T07:10:00.001-05:00

Decision Day 2011 is here. Go out and vote.

If you are concerned about the future of Deerfield Beach, vote.

If you never see your elected officials until election time, vote.

If you District 1 Commissioner Joe Miller deserves a 4 year term, vote.

If you think Cody Loomis or Ron Coddington will make a better District 1 Commissioner, vote.

If you think the Cove situation was handled right or wrong, vote

If you care about taxes being raised, vote.

If you think Commissioner Sylvia Poitier deserves a 4 year term, vote.

If you think Gloria Battle, Ben Preston, or Ann Scott Woods can be a better District 2 Commissioner, vote.

If you're sick of the word corruption, vote.

If you think Public Ethics is a bad word, vote.

If your sick of hearing of Kessler, and HUD audit, vote.

If you think Deerfield Beach city government is a criminal enterprise, vote.

If you tired of people stealing campaign signs, vote.

If you care about water rates being higher for single family homeowners, vote.

If you think that the 122 people laid off was wrong, vote.

If you think there will be another layoff, vote.

If you're tired of all the Candidates Forums, vote.

If you are tired of the blogs and websites on Deerfield Beach, vote.

If you think the city employees pensions will break the city, vote.

If you think the city manager is doing a good job, vote.

If you think the city manager needs replacing, vote.

If you think all city employees are lazy, vote.

If you think District 2 looks worse than Haiti, vote.

If you think District 2 needs more community meetings, vote.

If you don't attend commission meetings, vote.

If your tired of the sleazy politics, vote.

If you are tired of all those phone calls and mailings from Deerfield Beach candidates, vote.

If you hate all the candidates and think that Deerfield Beach is a joke, still vote.

If you want to sit out today's election that will shape our city's future in Deerfield Beach, and don't vote.

Just keep quiet, because you have helped scar the American Dream. And you'll get the twisted, upside down, unfair, unjust Deerfield Beach government you deserve to get.
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The Karl Rove play book

2011-03-05T17:16:00.001-05:00

Back in 2005, I worked on Commissioner Poitier's campaign and when she ran against a political novice named Linda Knowles, a cousin to Commissioner Poitier by marriage.

In 2005 we ran a clean good campaign doing it the old fashion, honest way of knocking on doors and not making personal attacks. Well, in 2011, it is obvious that someone is coaching the incumbent commissioners campaign from the play book of Karl Rove.

I had numerous people over in the Common Highlands area call to say that certain members of Poitier's campaign team were allegedly passing out literature smearing Commission candidate Ben Preston. It didn't shock me. I received one as well, and it made me think about Medgar Evers, Dr. King, Dorothy Heights and others who would have never approved of this behavior by Civil Rights workers under them.

I thought I heard Mayor Noland ask the candidates to run a clean campaign at a Commission meeting. I believe this D-2 Commission race is about who can move this district forward, unite the community, bring jobs, redevelop Dixie Highway and reshape the residents thinking about our community. This election shouldn't be about slanderous attacks by any of the 4 candidates.

This is politics plain and simple. I'm just not used to seeing these types of attacks coming from D-2. We are all black, and live in the same community, and most call ourselves religious people. This commission job only pays $24,000. Is it really worth this scorch earth type of politics at the community expense?

On Tuesday night when the votes are tallied, I just hope some people take a hard look at themselves, and their actions, then look in the mirror and ask themselves, was it really worth dividing a community at the expense of getting into a damn $24,000 D-2 Commission seat?

I'm convinced this would have been a better community if the same people who are being used as attack dogs, would have been a little more concerned about our community in the past, and our city as a whole. I hope the campaign team make copies of this post and distribute it again, as they did last Saturday night at the campaign rally.

I am really disappointed in the campaign workers.
In 2005 our campaign team had members with character and integrity. Commissioner Poitier always reminded her campaign team to take our message to the voters with honesty. That message somehow has gotten lost in a desperate attempt at re election by a new breed of political mercenaries.

I just hope all involved in today's smear campaign are satisfied now. I hope they channel all that negative energy into making our city a better place to live, work and raise kids.

I predict that after 3 commission meetings,( if Poitier wins), most of the Poitier campaign team will filter away, and forget about she's the D-2 Commissioner. On Commission meeting night, usually reserved for a Tuesday, the campaign team will be back to business as usual, watching American Idol. While the same 4 blacks attending Commission meetings, will continue to watch our district fall into the abyss.

Get out and vote for someone on Tuesday March 8, 2011

"The Black Perspective"
Challenging Authority

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South Florida Times article

2011-03-03T07:31:00.001-05:00

Steroids for BSO Deputies Being Probed

Written by Elgin Jones

FORT LAUDERDALE – More than a dozen Broward Sheriff's deputies allegedly obtained steroids, growth hormones and other drugs through fraudulent prescriptions between 2005 and 2008, a BSO investigation has found.

BSO Sgt. Lisa McElhaney, an expert prescription drug investigator, wrote in her report, that "there is evidence to support numerous violations" of Florida law regarding obtaining a controlled substance by fraud.

The report does not indicate if the deputies involved were aware that their prescriptions were fraudulent.

McElhaney said in the report, which was finalized on Jan. 9, 2009, that the case was forwarded to BSO Internal Affairs for further review at the direction of BSO top brass. McElhaney was reassigned shortly after submitting her findings and is no longer involved in the case. The reason for her transfer has not been made clear.

The investigation found that 15 deputies and one civilian obtained muscle-building drugs such as Nandralone, Stanozolol and Testosterone Cypionate and the erectile dysfunction drugs Viagra and Cialis, using prescriptions that had not been authorized.

Without explanation, those findings have been under review by the Internal Affairs Division for the past two years, even though two doctors whose names are on the prescriptions authorizing the drugs gave statements saying the prescriptions were bogus.

"I think it's is still open, but I'll check," BSO Media Relations Jim Leljedal said. He did not respond further prior to publishing deadlines.

The probe was conducted by the Drug Diversion Unit of BSO's Strategic Investigations Division. The case was presented to the Broward State Attorney's Office (SAO) but BSO opened an Internal Affairs review. Ron Ishoy, Broward State Attorney's Office spokesman, said as a result the office did not open a file over the matter.

Ishoy said in an e-mail response to questions from South Florida Times that he checked with Tim Donnelly, director of the SAO's Special Investigations Division. Donnelly, he, recalled that the SAO had been asked "for some guidance" about PowerMedica, a Deerfield Beach pharmaceutical company that had been raided by BSO and the Food and Drug Administration in 2005. He said the Sheriff's Office, then headed by Ken Jenne, had decided to handle the matter administratively.

McElhaney's investigation was a follow up to the raid on PowerMedica. The items seized included dozens of prescriptions and invoices indicating BSO deputies were customers. PowerMedica distributed steroids, anti-aging drugs and medications to combat impotence. The company shut down eight months after the raid and founder Daniel L. Daily transferred his operations to another Deerfield Beach company he founded called Metragen.

Asked to comment, the FDA referred calls from South Florida Times to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

According to federal court records, Daily, 50, pleaded guilty in 2010 to conspiring to distribute human growth hormones and steroids. He has not been transferred to the Federal Bureau of Prisons but remains in federal custody as inmate 91427-004 at an undisclosed location.

The BSO deputies being mentioned in the case range in rank from supervisors to sergeants and lieutenants and some are females. The investigation found that deputies obtained the medications from local drug stores and anti-aging clinics without seeing or being examined by a doctor.

The drug stores and medical facilities named in the report include Medical Arts Pharmacy Services, Lifestyle Rejuvenation Center and Medical Arts Therapy all located in Coral Springs as well as Custom Compounding Pharmacy and Central Express Pharmacy located in Pembroke Pines.

According to the report, Lancelot James of Parkland is the principal owner of those businesses and it also states that Nathan Moy of Miramar is the "Owner and operator of Custom Compounding Pharmacy, partners with Lancelot James."

Efforts to reach James and Moy were unsuccessful. Several calls made to the businesses found some of the numbers disconnected and others were unanswered.

McElhaney, who headed the investigation, serves as vice-president of the National Association of Drug Diversion Investigators. The non-profit group collaborates with law enforcement, doctors and pharmaceutical companies to combat prescription drug abuse and trafficking.

Her investigation into BSO deputies' involvement in steroids included interviews with current and former employees of the pharmacies, as well as the doctors whose names are on the prescriptions. Video surveillance was conducted and credit card payments, bank statements and pharmacy invoices were linked to the 16 deputies named in McElhaney's report. The dates and amount of drugs the deputies allegedly obtained, along with their costs, were also documented in the report.

The bulk of the questionable prescriptions bore the names of Dr. William Lucky of Miami and Dr. Leroy Smith of Fort Lauderdale. Several calls from South Florida Times to their offices went unanswered and neither responded to messages left seeking comment.

The doctors did give sworn statements denying ever seeing the deputies as patients.

Lucky said he had been promised $2,000 per week but never received any money. He left Lifestyle Rejuvenations Center after three months and said any prescriptions bearing his name after December 2005 were "fraudulently manufactured."

Smith said James offered him $1,500 a week, plus cash bonuses for prescriptions he signed, but he turned the offer down after checking with state medical regulators.

"Dr. Smith advised that he never treated any patients but he got conned into signing 40-50 prescriptions a Dr. Lucky [sic]; he advised that Dr. Lucky had seen the patients and that he was unavailable and they needed to FedEx out the medications to customers," the report states. "Dr. Smith went on to state that, "And I knew that was wrong" and he advised the Board of Medicine of his actions and he was advised to cease and desist any further activity."

"I did not see these patients and I did not authorize prescriptions," Smith told investigators when they showed him the prescription forms, according to the report.

Elgin Jones may be reached at EJones@SFLTimes.com
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District 2

2011-02-27T11:16:00.001-05:00

Some people in D-2 just have short memories or maybe they just don't know the facts. For those just getting involved in politics, I worked on Commissioner Poitier's campaign in 2005. I knocked on over 300 doors in cold and hot weather conditions. I also stood on Hillsboro Blvd along with others to help get Commissioner Poitier elected in 05'

I put my heart and soul in campaigning for Miss. Poitier to be elected as Commissioner. I also attended the meetings after Poitier was elected, to give her moral support, I didn't leave her hanging. I want to know where were all these so called supporters in 2005 when Miss Poitier really needed the community support to get back into office? Where were these people the last 5 years? What I write is called tough love on our beloved commissioner, I stick to the facts concerning the issues. So for the people speaking of a personal vendetta against Poitier, couldn't be far from the truth, and they really don't know me. It's never personal on my part.

Now fast forward up to 2011, and because I write commentaries not favorable at times to Commissioner Poitier. I get angry emails from team Poitier saying "why am I so angry" " I misstated the facts about Thursday night". "What are my motives" Let's be clear about one thing. The questioning on any candidates civic involvement is fair.
But do you have to be involved in Founders Day, Mango, Packer Rattlers or Kiwanis, to be a Deerfield City Commissioner? No!

I have been attending Deerfield City Commission meetings for over 15 years and i care about my community. The residents need to understand that we have the right to support or not support any candidate running for office. The 3 candidates at the forum on Thursday night are all qualified to be D-2 Commissioner.

I stand by what I wrote on my blog. I wrote facts of the event and what I heard residents saying. I also wrote my opinion, for which I'm entitled to. I wrote MY take on what happened on Thursday. If a candidate or their campaign team feels he/ she can't take critical commentary, then they shouldn't be running for public office. Our democratic system is based on checks and balances. The media, bloggers and other political websites are here and keeping a keen eye on all the Deerfield Beach politicians. We all, including every day residents have a right to keep politicians honest.

I'm a opinionated black man that most in D-2 and other areas aren't used to seeing. My commentary concerning Commissioner Poitier has been fair. Whoever is elected on March 8, 2011 should be supported by all of us in D-2. That doesn't mean their job performances shouldn't be scrutinized. The mind set of D-2 voters is put the commissioner into office, and then leave them alone at meetings with no community support. D-2 residents then make some lame excuse for not going to meetings and supporting their commissioner and being informed on issues in the community and around the city. If not for the layoffs last July, you wouldn't see most of the faces you see now. They frankly didn't give a damn.

It is also the commissioners responsibility to hold community meetings and keep their constituents informed on the issues facing our district. This hasn't happened in 6 years. Can someone dispute that? Coming to City Hall on a one on one meeting isn't working. The residents of D-2 should be entitled to a meeting with city official present, to answer the questions from and be responsive to the needs of D-2 residents.

Whoever wins on Tuesday March 8, I'm gonna support them fully. I will keep the heat on whoever that person might be as our next D-2 commissioner. I and others should not give them a free pass, just because we know them. So for all of you writing me the hate emails, keep writing them. I'm focused as ever, and I will not let up! We can agree to disagree in a civil manner. The word is called "decorum"

Finally, all the people hurt, or shocked over my commentary yesterday, should look in the mirror and ask themselves, How many Commission meetings did I attend? Let's see this same passion for sending me emails, resonate into you sending emails over to City Hall asking them questions concerning our community, budgetary issues, crime, blight, and then, and only then, will your civic duties as a resident be fulfilled.

"The Black Perspective"
Challenging Authority
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A Off Night For Democracy At The District 2 Candidates Forum.

2011-02-26T10:00:00.001-05:00

What was at first advertised as a "Community Meeting" turned out to be one of the most disgraceful, if not despicable acts of conduct ever witnessed at a Candidates Forum. I know politics are dirty, but Thursday night debacle shattered my faith in our system. The people of D-2 and Democracy lost on Thursday night.

The candidates, Gloria Battle, Ben Preston, and Commissioner Sylvia Poitier (Annette Scott Woods, did not attend) all came to Rev. Fords Church, and from the beginning I had this strange feeling that a set up was in the making. The moderator Terry Scott, gave the grounds rules for the forum.

I attended the other two forums, sponsored by the Women's Club, and the Observer. Both were handled in a very professional manner. The forum at Rev. Fords church started out with candidate Gloria Battle, getting shorted out of 9 minutes of her 20 minutes time allotment for her opening statement.

The first hour of the forum had each candidate with a 20 minute allotment. That went smooth as each candidate made their case for being the Commissioner for District 2. Poitier claimed in her opening statement that a part of the City Charter was changed "when blacks started getting elected to the commission". This is when I knew the crowd was getting primed for the political theater and dirty tricks, that are associated with politics in District 2.

Then came the 8 p.m. hour, that's where the setup and hostilities were taking shape. The audience was asked to send questions up, and a woman out the audience was asked to read the questions. Gloria Battle was asked about her role in the Kessler report. Battle answered, saying "no one from HUD ever spoke/contacted her concerning the allegations in the report.

Even Stevie Wonder could see what was starting to develop. Then Ben Preston was asked "why as a firefighter, he never spoke essentially to black people, and now he wants the community to vote for him". Battle and Preston spoke of blight/poverty, during their opening statements. Both were widely rebuked by Poitier, for having bringing up a fact, that can't be denied about blight in D-2. Preston took a tongue lashing by Poitier more, for having a audacity to speak of blight. Poitier responded "how dare Mr. Preston would speak of blight, when it's in every black community, not just in Deerfield Beach. To Battle and Preston's credit, they stayed calm, cordial and professional during the slanted questioning.

When Poitier made the blight rebuke statement the moderator Terry Scott, openly said "amen" this got the hostile crowd really stirred up. Even the large crowd sensed the questions being sent up were addressed specifically towards only Ben Preston. The questions were personal at nature towards attacking Preston's character. Battle and Preston, saw through this sham of a forum being played out. At one point Terry Scott stopped and asked the audience about the questions being sent up to Preston, and acted as if he was taken aback, by the mean spirited tone in them. Scott paused, and with a sly smirk on his face, Terry Scott acted as if he didn't want to ask the question to Preston, who pressed Scott to ask the question, regardless of the tone of it.

By this time the crowd in the back started gasping in disbelief, of the personal attacks geared only at Preston. The words I heard most were "shameful" and "disgusting" You have the moderator, Terry Scott openly cheering for Commissioner Poitier.

Poitier even called me out sarcastically saying, "my good, good friend, Wayne Adams, said I had prior knowledge of layoffs last year" Poitier denied to the crowd that she had any knowledge of the layoffs last Summer. Poitier claimed she only was given a 2 hour notice, by the City Manager. I expected that attack, with my critical commentary of Poitier's performance as D-2 Commissioner, on "The Black Perspective blog. I made sure after the meeting, I went up to the stage to correct Poitier, for whoever quoted me, misstated the text of our conversation. The crowd didn't buy Poitier's denial of the layoffs.

What I saw Thursday night was a desperate Poitier campaign. The legitimate questions concerning D-2 got lost in the theatrics. The Poitier campaign played to the crowd, which 99% of them normally, never attends Commission meetings. Poitier played to their raw emotions, her campaign people are spreading rumors of trying to make Preston out to be a Black man being led by the white establishment or being pushed by other commissioners to oust Poitier. As a true, real black man. I see this political theater and rhetoric, all the time being played on Black people by our own. It serves no purpose, and has no place in politics.

The despicable events of Thursday night, played out with such hateful tones, in all places, a house of worship. These events and others, only makes my resolve clear on this blog. The only solution that I see is voters seeing through this charade and going out and voting on March 8, 2011.

The voters have the final say in 11 days. Whoever wins this election, the people should hold them accountable. They should not be given the keys to the car, with no accountability. On March 8, 2011 the voters in D-1 and D-2 that don't vote, will get the government they deserve.

By Wayne Adams.
The Black Perspective
02-26-11

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Ben Preston gets a big endorsement.

2011-02-23T17:16:00.001-05:00

Sun-Sentinel

Preston the choice in District 2

Benjamin Preston, 59, served 26 years as a firefighter in Deerfield Beach. The first black firefighter in the city, he would bring a fresh perspective to the city, and he is the pick of the Editorial Board in District 2, which runs from Dixie Highway west to around I-95.

Preston said it's important to bring a sense of pride to the community. He wants the "curb appeal" of the city to be enhanced, which will help to bring businesses into the area. He also wants the city to do more to identify at-risk children, and come up with more educational and recreational programs for children.

As for budget cuts, Preston would start by having every city employee, across the board, take a 5 percent cut.

Preston, an exercise physiologist, is opposed by incumbent commissioner Sylvia Poitier, 75, former commissioner Gloria Battle, 60, and Annette Woods, who was not interviewed by the Sun Sentinel.

Poitier, a Deerfield Beach institution who has served the district and the county well for years, is facing a conflict-of-interest controversy involving funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. That issue raises questions about her ability to govern, but the Editorial Board believes the fresh ideas and perspectives Preston brings would better serve the district and city.
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Deerfield Beach District 1 Candidates Forum

2011-02-21T10:41:00.000-05:00

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Deerfield Beach USA Article: Ben Preston

2011-02-19T10:06:00.000-05:00

Ben Preston - 02/19/11

By Jeff Sayles

Candidate forums rarely produce clear winners and losers except in the minds of supporters and opponents. Not the case at the Women's Club debate on Feb. 14 with the District 2 city commission candidates. Ben Preston was the hands-down winner.

Three candidates are running against the incumbent, Sylvia Poitier. They are Preston, former interim city commissioner Gloria Battle, and Annette Woods. Poitier did not attend. She was out-of-town, according to the official explanation.

Preston proved himself intelligent, articulate, and thoughtful in his positions. He says city government should be honest and pledged support for ethics reform.

The big loser was Poitier, the no-show. Sylvia Poitier does not deserve another term in office if she is not prepared to defend her actions and votes over the last six years.

Perhaps Ms. Poitier thinks she is so solid with "her people" she doesn't have to justify her positions and votes. Ergo, she doesn't need to confront her challengers in front of voters. (She will have another chance this week.)

It is encouraging to see people challenging Poitier for the District 2 commission seat. In 2009, she was unopposed for reelection despite all the gripes about her in her district. Everybody knows that it will be an uphill battle to oust her after all these years. A major problem: Voters may not show up at the polls on Mar. 8.

Sylvia Poitier, 75, has had a remarkable career as a city commissioner, mayor, and county commissioner. She's been in and out of office for nearly 40 years. She's twice served as mayor of Deerfield Beach (but was never elected to that office) and five terms as a city commissioner, including her most recent two-year term. Poitier was a Broward County commissioner from 1986 to 1998. Anyone with these credentials is bound to be formidable in an election.

But Poitier's history as a public official is not without controversy. She has been accused of numerous ethical violations. The most recent charges allege conflicts-of-interest in the disbursement of federal housing money. There are further allegations that Poitier is connected to missing funds from the Mango and Brazilian street festivals held in her district. To date, she has not been found guilty of ethical violations or charged with any crime.

Blogger Chaz Stevens' stated in a widely-distributed letter that Poitier was "[f]ound guilty of violating Federal Conflict of Interest laws, costing the city $40,000 or so." This statement requires elaboration.

A federal audit by HUD of city practices in dispersing housing assistance funds from the federal government found that city employees failed to disclose possible conflicts-of-interest, in that funds were awarded to community organizations with which Ms. Poitier has connections through her daughter and a cousin of her ex-husband. Consequently, the federal agency stated it did not have confidence that the funds were awarded without favoritism. HUD wants the federal funds back.

Had city officials (not Ms. Poitier) properly disclosed the possible conflicts-of-interest to the agency, HUD could have "excused" the potential conflicts if it found that the award was still in the best public interest.

Keep in mind that HUD is a federal agency whose mission is to give out money for housing assistance. HUD has no authority to find a local official guilty of unethical conduct under state or local law. The competent ethics agencies have yet to find that Poitier voted on any matter in which she, or a close relative or associate, gained any special personal financial benefits, the legal standard applied under state law. Of course, the city is unhappy with the HUD findings, because it will have to pay back a lot of money from its general funds at a time when it is financially distressed. Opinion is divided whether Poitier shares the blame for the city's errors.

There are other legitimate concerns about Ms. Poitier's conduct as a public official. One is the Mar. 19, 2009, vote to transfer funds received from HUD from one community housing organization to another in which her brother, Leonard Ferguson, was a major creditor.

Poitier did not disclose this fact or abstain in the vote, which was on her motion; however, as with other accusations against her, there are no formal findings or determinations that she violated voting conflicts laws. The feds did not consider this vote, incidentally, in their audit because the matter failed to carry and no HUD funds were dispersed. Moreover, it is only speculation, in the absence of such findings, that Poitier's brother would have gained financially.

Another matter of concern is an allegation that Poitier extorted money from organizations seeking federal housing assistance. Again, this remains to be proved.

Meantime, rumors abound that Poitier is soon to be arrested and charged with various crimes by federal and state agencies. Rumors are rumors. It is well to keep in mind that the "street" is unlikely to know the scope of the official investigations, the likelihood of charges, or the timing of an arrest, if any is to occur.

Still, it is not enough for a public official to avoid prosecution. A critical element of public ethics is that public officials work to avoid the appearance of impropriety in their votes and actions, even if they are on the up-and-up. This is work which must be actively and consciously pursued. In Ms. Poitier's case, she has treated public ethics with contempt.

Therefore, if voters have lost confidence in her, even if the allegations are unproven, they are perfectly right to consider another candidate in which they have greater trust. If Sylvia Poitier is formally charged and removed from office, the matter takes care of itself.

Last year, the city commission discussed removing Poitier from the commission mostly because of the HUD findings. (The city charter may or may not permit this.) Commissioners were advised privately by outside counsel retained by the city after which they decided not to pursue the matter.

After Mayor Al Capellini's arrest by state authorities and removal from office in Dec. 2008 for receiving kickbacks, Poitier assumed the office of mayor and Gloria Battle was appointed interim city commissioner to fill her seat until the next city election. Gloria Battle is now running against Poitier along with Preston and Annette Woods. During this short tenure, an ethics code was drafted and presented to the commission. Both the interim mayor Poitier and interim commissioner Battle voted against the ethics proposal.

Poitier has repeatedly stated she opposes ethics laws at the city level. Poitier voted to weaken the law earlier this year by allowing city officials to take gifts from contractors. Challenger Battle made it clear at the candidate forum that she still opposes local ethics laws.

Further, after her short term as city commissioner, Ms. Battle served on a city committee set up to review the recently enacted ethics code which she voted against. Battle was absent from many of the meetings and contributed little or nothing to the committee's work, except for her vote to repeal the code's strict gift standards.

Neither Poitier nor Gloria Battle seems to want high standards of conduct for public officials. Why is that? Battle, incidentally, is also under investigation for a vote she cast as an interim commissioner which involved a possible conflict-of-interest she had at the time.

Mr. Preston, asked about ethics at the candidate forum, supports local ethics laws and does not believe that local officials should accept gifts from city vendors and other persons having business with the commission.

There is still work to be done with respect to public ethics. If Mr. Preston were to be elected in District 2 and depending on who takes District 1, there is a chance that this work will advance. If either Poitier or Battle is elected, there will likely be no further consideration of public ethics (of an ethics code for city workers, for example). Repeal of the existing code is not beyond the realm of possibility if the votes are there.

Add to this Sylvia Poitier's disruptive behavior at the city commission meetings, including her habit of talking incessantly without substantive contribution, and you have a good case against her reelection. District 2 should have a commissioner who is not only beloved within his or her own community, but is respected throughout the city. Remember that a city commissioner represents not only a district, but all residents of Deerfield Beach. Poitier, for the most part, does not have the broader respect.

I think Mr. Preston would have that respect. He is a retired firefighter for the city and a local business owner. He has a master's degree from FIU. He's lived in Deerfield Beach for 30 years and is a family man with four kids.

Ben Preston is just what District 2 and the larger Deerfield Beach community need.

Conclusion: Ben Preston is the voters' best choice to serve as city commissioner from District 2

This is every reason for the voters in District 2 to vote in the March Election.

2011-02-16T12:23:00.001-05:00

A civil rights movement in 1964, named Freedom Summer, was a campaign launched to get African Americans in the southern United States registered to vote.

The murders of James Chaney, a 21-year-old black man from Meridian, Mississippi; Andrew Goodman, a 20-year-old white Jewish anthropology student from New York; and Michael Schwerner, a 24-year-old white Jewish CORE organizer and former social worker also from New York, symbolized the risks of participating in the Civil Rights Movement in the South during what became known as "Freedom Summer", dedicated to voter registration.

The case also shows the efforts of Jews in the Civil Rights movement.
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D-2 voters needs to hear from all the candidates. This is a crucial election, the people have a right to know.

2011-02-15T12:34:00.001-05:00

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Commissioner Poitier's Re-Election camp, is scheduled to hold a political rally masked as a Community Meeting.

2011-02-15T12:28:00.001-05:00

Come one... Come All

Community Meeting
Feb.24, 2011
7-9 p.m.

Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church
1060 S.W.3rd Avenue
Deerfield Beach, Fl

It reads- Stop listening to what they say...

Stop listening to what the media say...

Come out and hear the facts..

Come out and ask your questions...

Find out what is really happening in our districts...

Find out what YOU can do to save our district..

Don't meet me there...Beat me there!!!!

Sponsored by the Committee to Re-Elect Sylvia Poitier

Deerfield Beach City Commission, District 2

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Sylvia Poitier, Non Partisan, for Deerfield Beach City Commission, District 2.

This is where D-2 voters should see through this mirage of smoke and ask themselves- Why now? D-2 haven't had a Community meeting since the City Employees were laid off.

This is what disturbs me about these political mercenaries. They will stop at no cost to further their agenda.

D-2 voters should be insulted over this flyer. It insults your intelligence and most of all common sense.

D-2 voters should be getting treated to a debate/Candidates' Forum for the community on February 24, 2011. The voters could then see for themselves, who they believe to be the best candidate. The audience can ask the tough questions and see how all the candidates react and answer the questions. The February 24 event(billed as a Community Meeting) is a campaign event plain and simple. It's going to be in a controlled environment.

The questions voters should be asking.

1. Was Commissioner Poitier responsive to the needs of all of the District? The black and white voters.

2.Was she fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of Deerfield?

3.What are her accomplishments? What are her failures?

4.Was Poitier accessible to the voting public?

5. Why has this district had only 3 Community Meetings in almost 6 years?

I'm just presenting the facts. This Election isn't about how nice and charming Poitier is... She is as nice a lady, you can ever meet. I respect and love her. I worked on her campaign in 2005. I haven't turned against her as some might say. I've seen the light, if you will.

The black community will only suffer with this type of smoke screens and shenanigans by our politicians leading up to the March Election. The culture of D-2 politics has to change. We cannot continue to allow ourselves to be had, hud winked and bamboozled for another 4 years..

The African-American vote should be sacred and not just given away to any candidate. It should be earned for a deserving cause. It should be for a righteous cause, for human blood, from our black/white brothers and sisters was spilled on the ground for our right to vote.

The cowardly community leaders need to come out of hiding and help put a stop to this type of politics, being played on the predominately black voters by our own people, once and for all. We cannot afford to go backwards. "The Future Is Now" Let's not fight it.
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District 2 Candidates Forum Tonight at 7:00 p.m

2011-02-11T07:34:00.001-05:00

MEET THE CANDIDATES
Deerfield Beach District 2 Candidates Forum
Sponsored by the Woman's Club of Deerfield Beach

February 11, 2011, 7:00 p.m.

Woman's Club of Deerfield Beach Clubhouse
910 East Hillsboro Boulevard
Deerfield Beach

th
Located on the corner of Hillsboro Boulevard and SE 9Terrace
Parking behind the building in the lot across the street from the
rear of the Fire Station.

Come hear the candidates and ask them questions.
The candidates for the commission seat are:

 Gloria Battle
 Commissioner Sylvia Poitier
 Benjamin Preston
 Annette Woods.

The Forum will begin with brief opening statements from each
candidate followed by a question and answer period with ques-
tions on cards from the audience and conclude with a short
statement from each candidate.

An informal meet and greet will end the event. Light refreshments
will be available.
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Don’t go there, Mr. President.

2011-02-10T18:18:00.000-05:00

Date: Thursday, February 10, 2011, 6:28 am
By: Tonyaa Weathersbee, BlackAmericaWeb.com

Don't go there, Mr. President.

Recently, a Time magazine article featured Barack Obama on the cover hearting with Ronald Reagan – who died in 2004 and whose 100th birthday this month has conservatives salivating over the chance to saturate the media with more legend than truth about his life.

It seems that last May, Obama invited a small group of presidential historians to the White House to pore over lessons from his predecessors. According to Time, he seemed to be more interested in talking about Reagan than Lincoln or Kennedy. He was, the article stated, clearly impressed by the way Reagan transformed people's attitudes about government.

I guess Reagan had some qualities, such as an ability to tap into people's optimism that Obama might find worth emulating.

But Obama should stop right there. He shouldn't waste time obsessing over how to get people to see government as an ally in the way that Reagan did.

It'll be tough for him to do that because he's black, and Reagan was white. And now Obama's in charge, the same anti-government folks who were willing to give Reagan a pass as he raised taxes 11 times to keep the government running would scream socialism if he tried to do that.

This is where race matters.

Like Obama, Reagan was elected during a deep recession and a time in which the United States' world image and swagger had been shaken because of the crisis in which 52 Americans were held hostage in Iran for 444 days. People needed someone to believe in; to be reminded of American strength.

Who better to do that than a white, 69-year-old, former B-movie actor who conjured more nostalgia than reality?

Who better to do that than an old white man who reminded conservative white Americans of a simpler time in which there were no desegregation battles to contend with, no Voting Rights Act to worry about, and no welfare queens to call out?

Reagan was able to disparage government and decry taxes on the one hand, and then wind up raising them on the other hand, because he represented an image that was comfortable to many white Americans. Even today, most Reagan admirers can't let go of the myths about him.

Like most things with them, letting go is just too hard to

Now, we have Obama – a 48-year-old son of a white Kansas mother and a black Kenyan father, a man who is the face of the future, not of the past.

And it's a future that frightens many white Americans.

It's one in which Latinos and black people are on track to make up the majority of the population; one in which the white birthrate is declining. Census data analyzed by the Brookings Institution, in fact, showed that even among the youngest, whites make up less than half of all three-year olds.

So it's no surprise that suddenly, a whole lot of white people who didn't complain as Reagan ushered in the largest peacetime tax increase ever in 1982 are complaining now. It's no wonder that those whites who say nothing about the fact that their hero signed a sweeping law that granted amnesty to nearly three million illegal immigrants in 1986 are screaming now.
They no longer want to pay taxes because that means trusting their hard-earned money over to a government run by a man who might use it to help people who they believe are undeserving, people who, in their mind, have stolen their country from them.

For them, paying taxes and supporting changes such as the new health care law means that would make a future in America easier for brown and black people who pose a ..
threat to their notions of privilege.

To be sure, there's nothing wrong with a president trying to learn from those who came before him. Anyone can learn from anyone.

But I doubt if Obama will have the same luck in making people see government more positively in the way that Reagan did. That's because Reagan made many conservative white people so misty for the past that they shut their eyes to what he was really doing.

With Obama, their eyes are wide open. And their fears of the changing America he represents will probably still blind them to the truth.
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Commissioner Poitier's Bio

2011-02-10T14:12:00.001-05:00

Courtesy of Deerfield Beach website.

The Honorable Sylvia Poitier is a lifelong resident of the City of Deerfield Beach and of District 2, where she ran unopposed to serve a second consecutive term as Commissioner in March of 2009. Commissioner Poitier's professional background is a reflection of her deeply rooted commitment to the citizens of Deerfield Beach. She began her career as a Deerfield Beach business owner in 1956, opening the Deerfield Cleaners and Laundry. She went on to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education, earning a Certificate in Early Childhood Development from Broward Community College. Her experience led her to open Kiddies Kollege Kindgergarten as well as the Children's Cultural Center, Inc., before embarking into a career in Civil Service in 1973. Serving on the Deerfield Beach City Commission from 1973-1985, she served as Mayor from 1976-1977, and as Vice Mayor in 1975. Thereafter, she was appointed to the Board of Broward County Commissioners by Governor Bob Graham in 1985, and served on the Board from 1986-1998.

Commissioner Poitier has served on several Boards and Committees including Deerfield Beach's Unclassified Civil Service Board. With an impressive resume of philanthropic involvement and an unparalleled commitment to civic duty, The Commissioner currently serves as Chairperson for the Community Action Agency and is a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board. In addition, she served as the First African American President of the Broward County Council of Parent-Teacher Associations, as an Advisory Board member to the Red Cross, Broward County Chapter, as a member of the Community Service Council and Man Power Planning Association, and numerous other affiliations.

Commissioner Poitier is proud of her accomplishments while serving as City and County Commissioner: providing affordable housing to residents in Broward County, serving as a founding Board Member of the Deerfield Beach Boys and Girls Club, and being involved in the development of Westside Park. During her tenure as City Commissioner, Poitier intends to focus on economic development along the Dixie Highway corridor and bringing a sense of unity to the City at large.
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Sources: Deerfield Beach D-2 Commissioner Sylvia Poitier tell Sun-Sentinel, she is in favor of privatization.

2011-02-10T10:11:00.000-05:00

If that is true. Poitier told the IUPAT, at a meet and greet for D-2 candidates, something totally different...
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Decision on Poitier near?

2011-02-05T08:33:00.001-05:00

The Daily Pulp: Bob Norman

Inside, see a blast from the past: Call it Chaz' last stand.

As many of you know, Deerfield Beach activist Chaz Stevens has retired from the blog game. He said he's moving on to the next phase of his life.

Stevens has been controversial. He's been profane (here and elsewhere). And he managed to shake that town up pretty good. For the latter reason, I think his departure from the political scene is a loss to the county. What can I say? I like agitators.

This isn't Chaz

But he's not quite finished yet. Here's an email he copied me and several other members of the press and officials sent to Assistant State Attorney Tim Donnelly, who heads the state's corruption unit:

Mr. Donnelly;

Greetings and well wishes from this side of the monitor.

Well Sir, it appears, if my sources are correct, that your office is close to making a decision on the criminal disposition of Commissioner Sylvia Poitier. That news, dear chum, if true, is good intel indeed.

As it's my nature to help progress issues along to the rightful completion, allow me to reitierate the following claims about Poitier:

1) Found guilty of violating Federal Conflict of Interest laws, costing the city $40,000 or so.
2) Sworn testimony indicated that Poitier was to be paid $500 for each HUD application processed by a local contractor.
3) Numerous witnesses offered testimony that Poitier took an active role in the counting of Brazilian festival cash. Approximately $28,000 of which has gone unaccounted for.
4) Poitier offered several different voting strategies with regards to funding her daughter's WDBA organization. By my recollection, Poitier voted "yes", "no", "yes with conflict" and "yes with no conflict".
5) Poitier failed to disclose the relationship of her brother Lionel Ferguson as it pertained to his status of creditor to the WDBA.
6) From the Kessler audit, approximately $2.6M, that's M for million, seems to be in flux with regards to the Mango Festival. From the same report, Poitier's name and thumbprint is all over the event.
7) Poitier has very close ties with numerous local 501s that were found to be "of questionable nature".

Sadly, various elected officials from the City of Deerfield Beach, and in particular Mayor Peggy Noland, passed at a golden opportunity to remove Poitier from office by leveraging the findings of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's audit. A not surprising manuever by these political hacks - especially given the fact that Noland and her husband have, for decades, illegally pilfered from our city coffers. I suppose there is much to be said about birds of a feather, or in their case, crooks in prison stripes, tending to flock to one another.

I respectfully request, that should the opportunity for a Poitier Perp Walk (tm) present itself, your people will call my people and we'll send over a film crew.

My very best to you.

Chaz Stevens, Retired Activist At Large

For all of Stevens' posing and puffery, his work on Poitier was very solid. I'm rooting for him on this one.
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Gloria J. Battle Bio

2011-02-04T12:36:00.001-05:00

GLORIA J. BATTLE

Gloria J. Battle, a native Floridian was born on May 23, 1950 in Deerfield Beach, Florida. She received her formative education in the Broward County school system having graduated from Blanche Ely High School in 1967. Her Bachelors of Arts degree was earned at Bennett College for Women in Greensboro, NC in 1972. In 1976 she earned the Masters of Urban Studies degree with a concentration in Community Development from Howard University in 1976. In 1993 she completed coursework for the Doctoral Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Governmental Leadership at The Florida State University.

Gloria is the adoptive mother of one daughter, Britnye. Her four sisters (Dorothy, Lyvon, Pauline and Gail) all reside in Broward County. She also has one brother (Gene) currently residing in Tallahassee, Florida.

Before semi-retiring Ms. Battle held numerous professional positions. After receiving her Masters Degree, she was selected as Director of the Cultural and Human Interaction Center at Florida International University in 1979. In 1981 she was hired as Director of the Broward County Human Rights Division and remained in that position until she retired in 2000 and became a Human Rights Consultant specializing in writing, investigating and mediating employment and housing discrimination complaints. In 2008 Ms. Battle went back to work as a Senior Partnership Specialist for the United States Census Bureau.

In 1987 she was asked by the Florida Association of Realtors to assist them with the passage of a housing discrimination law for the State of Florida. Because of her efforts, the State of Florida Fair Housing Law was enacted in 1988. She has served on numerous State, National and International human rights boards and committees, the first Deerfield Beach Community Relations Board, and the Deerfield Beach Ethics Committee. She also served as an interim Commissioner for District 2 in 2009.

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Black History Months salutes late famed attorney Johnnie Cochran Jr.

2011-02-03T10:38:00.001-05:00

" If it doesn't fit, you must acquit" became the phrase used in final arguments during the Simpson trial. Johnnie Cochran was one of Black America's most brilliant minds. Cochran died of Brain cancer in 2005
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Hats off to Governor Rick Scott! A crook can easily spot other crooks stealing from Florida taxpayers. Calls for ending DROP, double dippers

2011-02-02T20:34:00.000-05:00

By Google News

Gov. Rick Scott unveiled his plan to reform the state's employee pension system in Naples Tuesday, promising $2.8 billion in savings over the next two years.

The savings would be achieved, Scott said, by requiring state workers in the Florida Retirement System to contribute 5 percent of their salaries to the system and have new workers join a defined contribution plan akin to a 401(k) retirement plan.

Workers are currently afforded the option of joining a defined benefit plan with benefits accruing after five years. Florida is one of the only states in the nation that does not require some form of employee contribution to state pension plans.

"We need to bring Florida in line with the private sector and nearly every other state in the country by requiring government workers to contribute toward their retirement plans," Scott said.

Legislators have warned that employee contributions to their plans were likely to be part of any pension reform package, but other parts of Scott's plan, like ending the Deferred Retirement Option Program, or DROP, reducing the annual service credit and phasing out the cost of living adjustment, have not been a central part of pension talks in committees.

Scott's plan would close the DROP to all employees on or after July 1. The DROP program has come under biting criticism in recent years as some employees used it to "double dip," or receive a pension benefit and a salary at the same time.

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Black History Month

2011-02-02T10:42:00.001-05:00

Black History Month Quote for the day: Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can't ride you unless your back is bent. -Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
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Poitier begs for 4 more years on Commission.

2011-01-31T11:53:00.001-05:00

Speaking to a capacity packed audience at Greater Bethel AME Church, on Family and Friends Day, Commissioner Sylvia Poitier, got up in Church yesterday and asked everyone in the community to pray for her, Poitier, 75, says she needs 4 more years on the Deerfield Commission to finish the job she started in 2005.
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Mark the Date Feb. 11

2011-01-30T12:20:00.000-05:00

The Black Perspective Up Close And Personal Unbought And Unbossed! Challenging Authority!

From a concerned Deerfield Beach High School parent.

Boca Raton to host 2012 presidential debate.

Community info

Sanitation Workers should attend this Assessment Workshop by Kessler Consulting Inc. on solid waste and recycling operations.

TOP NEWS: Home burglaries on the rise in Broward County

The General Employee Union, (IUPAT) wins layoff Arbitraton against the City of Deerfield Beach. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME!

IUPAT wins on the layoffs.

Update from Rescind Unfair Taxes

An update from REscind Unfair Taxes

Message from Rescind Unfair Taxes.

Community info

Habitat home selection

Guest Commentary

Info

LOCAL NEWS: Broward gets corruption hotline

Congratulations to Ben Preston, our new District 2 Commissioner.

Ben Preston savors election victory.

South Florida Times: Miami , Broward, Palm Beach, Breaking News & Weather at SFLTimes.com - Sexual battery charges dropped against noted physician

Watch "Beckett - Take Action" on YouTube

Longtime Deerfield Beach employee Johnny Tigner passes.

TOP NEWS: Hollywood serves 13 police officers with layoff notices

Judge Barbara McCarthy must go! Here is the form to start the process.

COLUMNISTS: Judge McCarthy lenient with LeVin, tough on local driver

Broward Politics | Sun Sentinel Blogs | Five candidates seek to replace suspended Deerfield Commissioner

VOTE YES ON IUPAT CONTRACT RATIFICATION VOTE ON JUNE 9, 2011

Federal Judge delivers message to corrupt politicians

David Cody and Andre Samuels to appear on WHQT Fm Hot 105.1 tonight at 11:30pm

Little League Football Coach Suspended After ESPN Broadcast. Read the full story on the Pulp

2011/2012 Budget Workshop: It's Crunch Time!

City of Hollywood declares "financial urgency"

Gregory Lewis, covered African American community

IUPAT vote on General Employees contract set for June 9, 2011

Utility Tax

Hollywood mayor asks FBI, state to probe anonymous complaints of graft, improper dealings at City Hal

Gonot's Trial

Public Service Tax: It's crunch time and only the strong will survive.

Former Deerfield Beach Commissioner Steve Gonot's corruption trial about to begin

Bob Norman Headed to WPLG-Local 10

Does anyone care?

Al Lamberti needs to resign! What kind of police work are we getting?

District 2 seat

Awww Right Miami!

Judge Ilona Holmes

Boycott Bank of America

Community Meeting

Benjamin should be fired!

Judge orders arrest of former union official in grand jury probe

Community meeting for all

Tea Party photo from yesterday in Boca Raton.

Former Tamarac employee admits he took cash from developers

Broward's first-ever corruption watchdog Inspector General selected

Tea Party Rally in Boca Raton, Fl. Congressman Allen West and millionaire Donald Trump were the keynote speakers.

JIM CROW TACTICS RETURN TO FLORIDA: VOTER SUPPRESSION LAW MOVING QUICKLY DESPITE PROTESTS

Sources: Governor Rick Scott removes Commissioner Sylvia Poitier from office

The websites and blogs are watching for unethical, and criminal behavior.

What a sad day!

News Release of Poitier's arrest.

Quote of the day

Former Political Pimp Arrested.

Miriam Oliphant Fired!

Florida politics in Tallahassee.

77 percent of Americans stressed at work, study says

Time to Mobilize: War against public workers is on.

D-2 chicken raising operation revealed on Craigslist.

Guest Editorial: Former Mayor Jean Robb

Boca Raton's 'No weapons allowed' sign under fire from Libertarians

Sun Sentinel article

Spence Jones Acquitted of Bribery.

Could a Recall happen in Broward County?

Boynton Beach city manager says layoffs, furloughs possible

NY Times article on the murder of Lataurus Randall

Former Deerfield Beach commissioner won't face criminal charge

Sheriff's Top Aide May Face FDLE Scrutiny ￼

The Spirit of America

Congratulations to Commissioner Sylvia Poitier and Commissioner Joe Miller on their re election to the Deerfield Commission.

Just Vote Today

The Karl Rove play book

South Florida Times article

District 2

Sheriff's Top Aide May Face FDLE Scrutiny