Term Limits
I would be very excited to see term limitations. I think it is embarrassing to the entire city to allow some of the present commissioners to be re-elected. As a resident since the 70s nothing good has come from their lifetime term in office.
There are 2 commissioners in particular that have been "dead wood" for years and should gracefully bow out and let younger people with fresh ideas and energy step in. They are supposed to serve the public, not their own greed for power and stature in the community. They have become the "joke" of the city. I have seen at least one of them at public events actually fall asleep and start drooling. I also find it particularly offensive that they pass around the position of Mayor between themselves. A Mayor should be elected by the public.
Margate is no longer a pristine area to live in - it now feels like we are living in the "hood" and the only way of bringing the city back to its original luster is to bring in new ideas and management.
Code enforcement has also become a joke. I have seen single family homes turned into duplexes right under code enforcement’s nose. When incidences are reported - code enforcement either ignores the report or states that this particular violation does not fall under their jurisdiction.
-- Resident
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Pit bulls need to go in Margate
I am a resident in North Springs in Margate. I read an opinion article this month in the Margate News that stated "I am a dog lover, and it is the owner not that dog that is at fault". I am also a dog lover and that is why I want pit bulls gone out of our area. My neighbor and her dog were attacked a while back and the neighborhood is held hostage by these vicious dogs. I don't blame the dogs, I blame the breed. I would never want anyone to lose their dog unless they have attacked. These dogs in our neighborhood attacked and should be gone. Especially since they are right next to a bus stop for children. I am not mean person, just a very concerned parent. They were made to put up a fence but we do not feel safe in our wonderful neighborhood. I miss seeing all of the neighbors walking their dogs in our neighborhood, but I can't blame them. I do not walk our dogs anymore.
-- Patti, Margate educator
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Reference the Marghetto story, the teen was right
I moved here from Boca and purchased a home on the Carolina Country Club area. I became disabled and moved into Paradise Gardens 3, the entire neighborhood is blighted. I have been struggling to have the HOA become more restrictive and improve the aesthetic quality of the neighborhood.
My neighbor is on the HOA board and keeps telling me it will improve,etc,etc. I have been hearing that for 12 years.....it is getting worse. As far as I am concerned most of the people in PG areas are trash and do not care of the aesthetic quality of the area they live in.
The code enforcement is not strong enough and people get away with just about anything. It could be a nice place to live but I for one have given up. Moved here to be close to my parents who were aging.
My Dad passed away two weeks ago,and I am hoping my Mother will approve me to sell her house. Mine has been for sale for 4 years. No insult to you but Margate became blighted and I do not want to live here any longer.
-- Joe L
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Margate is going down hill
I had to laugh at the article about teens calling Margate a ghetto. They are spot on. Fifteen years ago teens called it mudgate. Forget the home boarded up on Margate Blvd. What about one that has living room furniture and a BBQ on the same Blvd. right at their front door! Are there no code restrictions? 441 is disgusting. Why all of a sudden on the corner of Royal Palm Blvd. and Rock Island Road there appears a semi trailer, signs look like they belong on State Rd. 7 and debris being dumped there. Talk about unsightly. Look at the Chevy Chase strip center on Margate Blvd. That alone is not kept up and is run down looking.
Margate leaders can do this city justice by just cleaning up for starters. Also, fighting against term limits speak volumes of just keeping dead wood in city hall. We need fresh blood and fresh paint. For once the teens in Margate speak the truth. Margate is going down hill at a fast pace. Having stores like Payless foods, yet turning down a used book stores some years back, speaks volumes on the low intelligence going on in city hall.
- Margate Resident
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DO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS READ THE MARGATE NEWS
There has been a lot of topics concerning city government on these pages,but I have yet to see anything written by our elected officials,either acknowledging or denying what has been written.
I would like to see someone give a sensible reply to some of the problems stated on these pages.
- Marvin Schwartz
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PAYLESS FOODS Fiasco
After reading the article about the Payless Store's owner being so behind in rent: It is time to get rid of this filthy and disgusting store. I went there one time and was shocked at what I saw! The place is a dump and attracts low life clientelle. I couldn't get out of there fast enough! Get rid of it! Is there no regulation for this type of thing?
How embarassing to those of us who live here. I want our city leaders to start doing something that will be good for the city and it's residents!!!! Start with removing this disgusting business and replace it with something that we can be proud to have in Margate.
- Jan, CBA, Margate Resident
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Margate's use of herbicides in waterways
Poison in our waterways and canals. Why?
If it is an attempt at weed control; as one who boats and fishes on our canals, I can honestly say "it doesn't work"
If the use of herbicides were effective, Margate city crews would not have to be in the canals with power driven weed cutters choping the weeds,and letting most of them float around to eventually sink and cause more problems.
The weeds and grasses are habitat for fish and birds,and letting the grasses grow would not harm anyones boating enjoyment.
Weeds and grass are a natural part of south Florida..just look at Loxahatchee,or Sawgrass and Holiday park rec areas.
Eliminate the use of poisons in our canals.
- Marvin Schwartz, Margate Resident
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Margate has changed a lot
Thanks a million for Margate News. Since I have moved in this area more than 20 years ago, Margate has changed a lot. I still miss the Drive-In. We did not need to have a baby-sitter, just the two kids in their pajamas and we went to the drive -in on the corner on 441. It made it so easy. Perhaps with the new re-develoment, a small drive will be good for business. I am looking forward for the new shopping center.
- Resident
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Term Limits
I enjoy reading your news. I agree that this City is very long overdue to a term limitation of our Commissioners. It is self evident that we need new blood. Most of the City is still blighted,the Code Compliance regarding the unkempt yards is atrocious. Margate desperately needs A CITY BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM like they have in Tamarac,Coral Springs,Boca Raton. I am a resident only because I have aging parents and they need my help. However I have become so disillusioned with this City and the blight that I have put my house up for sale. I reside in PG 3 and the HOA has done absolutely nothing to improve the appearance of the neighborhood.
A very disgusted resident.......
IN GOD WE TRUST
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Term Limits
The very best in 2010. I enjoy reading Margate News. I have been living in Coconut Creek for the past 29 years and saw the changes in Margate and Coconut Creek, also how both Cities have grown.
Age or term should not be a factor to represent the government, if you are in good health and can do a good government job, be impartial and also can grow and adjust and accept changes (which always will be there) it should not matter how many terms.
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Money back from BSO
And it took how many years and how much money+ before our commission woke up to the fact that the taxpayers in Margate have been paying the Borward Sheriff for services we do not need. Will someone please poke those people and wake them up.
- Marvin Schwartz
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Does being fat make you stupid?
Regarding the article published 11/16/2009, authored by contributing Jack Drummond, I might be fat, but I’m not stupid, and yes, I’m offended. It’s not okay to be cruel. I’m not fair game, just because you’re fat, too. You could have published an informative article without being nasty. Fat discrimination and treating obese people rudely and cruelly is not acceptable. In my opinion, it’s the same as saying it’s OK to call an African-American the “N-word” if the name-caller is African-American, too. It’s not OK. It’s not acceptable. It is wrong.
And most of all, the message of what you wanted to communicate is lost. FYI…a person diagnosed with dementia is not stupid. The person has a disease. A terrible, debilitating, life-ruining, non-curable disease. Perhaps you have never known someone with dementia. But perhaps you have and think it’s OK to be cruel to a person with dementia, too. Comparing stupidity to dementia is out of line.
“Heard enough? Me too.” Yeah…I will be unsubscribing from your email list. No need to continue receiving drivel from uninformed, insensitive publications. There’s enough of that type of garbage out there for me to choose from…and I don’t choose any garbage. Oh…wait…did I offend you? Maybe I’m too stupid to keep reading because I’m fat.
-- Email
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Mismanaged City
I just wanted to add a message to the city officials and MCRA. How do you think it looks when I'm loosing my house and at the same time you are raising my property taxes?, then I walk down the street and you are installing Royal Palms? What do you want me to think or say to you? I understand that we need to upkeep the city but hard times call for hard decisions. It's not the time to be raising taxes but allowing the people that pay the taxes to take a breath to recoup and to strengthen. Then you can come back and ask them to pay something more to beautify the city.
Take a look at the property that the CRA bought 3 years ago (the SWAP SHOP) on which the county and the City of Margate use to collect $31,495.01 in property taxes. Now, since it belongs to the City, we do not collect anything. So not only did the city spend 15 million dollars on the property, it's already lost 30% of it's value because it was purchased for top dollar during the boom years.
Nice going guys. Smart veeeery smart. You guys should apply at AIG they hire people as smart as you. And this is just one property. Add up tax dollars from the rest of them and you will see how much money the city has lost from property taxes, then add what goes to the CRA as increment taxes and you probably find that the 4 million shortfall is not because values went down but because the city was mismanaged. The tax base was destroyed and now we call it a shortfall and need to raise the taxes of properties left to tax. Who is at fault here? City manager? commissioners? the attorney? all of them? Maybe the citizens/voters for allowing you to do all this.
I like to know where do commissioners get the idea that you can treat taxpayer money and a city as a private/public investment company and start buying properties all around the city. If it was a private or public investment company then you can do whatever you want with your money, well not anymore because even public companies today hold their CEO’s accountable. Maybe there is legal action here to take against the people responsible for putting taxpayer money at risk by investing without first outlining the risks the investor/taxpayer will be taking.
Are there any minutes and study outlining those risks prior to the commissioners taking these risks? Were taxpayers informed about the risk and given the chance to say “no I do not feel comfortable taking such a big risk. A question every taxpayer/investor should be asking his / herself, because don’t forget if the city was treated as a private investment company, then commissioners should be treated as CEO’s or brokers and should be held accountable by legal action.
- Taxpayer
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CRA Opinion Low
What people with a low opinon of the CRA can do to make it better
When there is a PUBLIC workshop by the CRA wanting PUBLIC input as there was last month and only 2 residents show up, the message the CRA hears is everyone is ok with what is going on. The first word in CRA is COMMUNITY. If the community does not come to meetings or express their concerns ( missinformed or not) then the community is letting the board make decisions for them.
What I would like to know is what do the people of low opinion want to do with the area? I believe that it will one day be a place that people will want to come to, will want to spend time at, where families young and old will gather to be a community. I have faith in Margate. No one is building or opening businesses right now, but at some point they will and because we own the land we will be in a better situation than most CRA's.
So what can people with low opinions do? Go to a meeting, ask questions, give opinions. Go to CRA sponsered events. The Green Market is a CRA event,(in keeping with the public opinion that Margatians want a Green Market from a survey they did.) The Sounds of Sundown will be a CRA event, an event that brought young and old together.
To focus on the clock tower (which was suggested by residents years ago) as the whole of the CRA is a disservice to themselves.
- Le
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Gravel Driveways in Margate
Re Mr Bookes comment about gravel driveways.
The Code Review Committee reccomended allowing for gravel driveways as an addition to a driveway. One of the main reasons was due to exactly what Mr Brooke wrote. Another was it was a less expensive alternative to needing extra parking space, example you have children they have cars you add a gravel driveway to accomadate the cars, children grow up and leave you can throw sod over the extra driveway that you no longer need if you want.
We fought pretty hard to get the recomendation passed by our committee, we worked with DEES to come up with something that would work for the city and residents. I am sure there is a copy of the recommendations at the city clerks office. If you want gravel driveways in Margate contact a Commissioner and ask about it. They have all the reccommendations.
- Le
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CODE COMPLIANCE
I just read with interest about the citizen who was cited for having a gravel driveway 10 years after its installation. I know NOTHING about the facts of this situation, but:
All property owners should be encouraged to have gravel or other porous driveways and walkways and paths. The less impermeable concrete we can have the better - less storm water run-off; better natural irrigation; better filtration of rain water where it falls; better looking; and on and on...
If there are complications involved in this particular driveway, it would have been nice to have them included in the article.
Otherwise, I would like to nominate this property owner for a citation -- for helping to protect our community from unnecessary run-off and the costs we all must bear to channel this run-off into sewers to be processed, or to catchments which cost money to build and maintain and ultimately the rest of us have to pay for this run-off through higher taxes. Let's use this case as an example, and all of us should consider less concrete, less asphalt; more permeable land surfaces.
I moved to Margate part time about 4 years ago. I had lived on Key Biscayne for most of the 80's and got very involved in our efforts to incorporate as a Village. We started with nothing and created a wonderful self-governed community with greatly reduced taxes,, massively improved services and a major effort to protect and improve the environment.
From that involvement and my interest in the communities where I live, I have learned enormously and feel that Margate could begin opening its eyes to some new, unconventional thinking.
-- William Brooke
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Doctor Danger
Just read your story and I was very moved... enough to write to you.
I'm sorry you suffer bi-polar but am glad you showed the strength and courage to nix Dr. Danger's pill "fix" and go the holistic route.
In the long run, it's better for you - as I'm sure you know.
Might I suggest you find a PCP (Primary Care Physician) with a holistic viewpoint? Dr. Ziton at the Sample Road Medical Clinic is very good and will "swing" holistic if that is your choice.
Further, whenever new meds are prescribed, ALWAYS check with your holistically-inclined PCP before filling the scrip. ASK for a holistic alternative. He or she might have a more natural, healthier suggestiion for your course of treatment. Yeah, it maybe costs you the price of a visit but how much will you pay in side-effects and pain (possibly death!?@?!?), if you proceed without heed?
I had a full hysterectomy 11 years ago and the ob-gyn dr mandated hormone-replacement therapy. I balked when I read on the scrip the (estrogen, I think), caused weight gain, darkness on the face, and maybe I'd grow a moustache (yikes!).
My holistically-inclined PCP doctors at the time okayed the use of phytoestrogen and evening primrose oil (available cheaply at health food stores), as a holistic alternative, a good multivitamin and gentle walking (30 minutes) every day. This was a recommendation by a friend who'd gone through the same thing and had the same horrified reaction I did at "mandated" hormone-replacement therapy.
I'm delighted to say it works! I'm now down to taking the phytoestrogen and evening primrose oil capsules just on the last week of the month when I'd usually have my cycle. I walk every day and, although I've gained a bit of weight, I'm blaming it on my love of chocolate, QP's with cheese and movie popcorn - not on synthetic estrogen.
Too many times the deal is "just shut up and take a pill to fix it." You have to advocate for yourself and be proactive and actively engaged in managing your health and care, as you found out.
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Where are the American Businesses?
I feel like I'm living in little Mexico or little South America!!! Where are any American businesses? Every time I turn around it's more hispanic restaurants, etc. ENOUGH ALREADY! How about some recognizable names? We do have a couple of very good Italian places, but why do I have to go to Coral Springs or elsewhere out of Margate to find something American??? And what happened to the place over on Atlantic (by Walmart) that has been closed down for so long now? Why haven't they been able to find something to occupy that like a Bru's or something? I don't care if someone says this is not politcally correct - I'M SICK OF THAT TOO!!! Margate is dying due to this - what do we have here? What's next tatto parlors? For all I know we already have that too! FED-UP AND DIGUSTED!!! The city leaders need to attract some business to Margate that will actually make people want to stay here that already live here or will want to actually live here. I myself wish I could afford to move - how sad - Margate used to be so nice when we moved here over 30 yrs ago.
-- Jan
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Investigate Officials
Yes, let's have all the commisioner's and all cra employees investigated. This city has been a good old boy same old people network for years. This city is becoming a dump. The CRA plan is a joke. Let us rid of this IMO parasite Tobin. Let everyone go under investigation. If you have nothing to hide you will come out smelling like roses. If not, it is time to get taken down. Enough of our tax dollars going down the drain. Enough of this downtown project making us all look silly.
-- Resident
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Public Opinion of Margate CRA is Low
The forever long term Commissioners got rid of the original CRA Board and elected themselves to the CRA with the idea that they could do a better job and have better control of the money. Well, they have good control of the money!
- Don Gray
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PIT BULL CONTROVERSY
Re the Pit Bull issue of whether Margate should ban them or not. I do not believe that any breed of dog should be banned. As a dog lover and owner all my life, I know that the problem with some dogs is not the breed of dog, but instead the owner. Dogs are inherently good. If they display bad behavior, it is because of the way they were trained by someone who is a BAD PERSON! Dogs should not be banned, they are truly a gift from God. Instead bad owners should be banned from owning a dog! Dogs bring us joy and pleasure in so many different ways that I could go on and on. People who own dogs that do not treat them right or train them to fight, etc. should be punished. Do not blame dogs due to what BAD PEOPLE DO!!!
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Taxpayer says give CRA money back to City
The city faced a $4.3 million deficit coming into budget negotiations because of the drop in property values in 2009.
The tax increment revenue for the CRA in 2008 was $5,949.939: CRA fianancials.
Taxpayers need to understand what tax increment revenue is. Tax increment financing is a unique tool available to cities and counties for redevelopment activities. It is used to leverage public funds to promote private sector activity in the targeted area.
The dollar value of all real property in the Community Redevelopment Area is determined as of a fixed date, also known as the “frozen value.”
Taxing authorities, which contribute to the tax increment, continue to receive property tax revenues based on the frozen value. These frozen value revenues are available for general government purposes. However, any tax revenues from increases in real property value, referred to as “increment,” are deposited into the Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund and dedicated to the redevelopment area.
Example:MCRA was created in 1996; the property tax in 1996 within the CRA boundries was, let's say, $1 million. In 2008, it's $2.5 million dollars, hence, $1 million goes to the city budget and $1.5 million goes to the CRA.
The problem is that the cost of police, firefighters, city workers and supplies all go up because of inflation, but the city continues to collect the same amount of money from the CRA area. So to compensate, the city increases tha taxes.
Problems:
Although generally sold to legislatures as a tool to redevelop blighted areas, some districts are drawn up where development would happen anyway, such as prime areas at the edges of cities. California has had to pass legislation designed to curb this abuse[citation needed].
The designation as blighted can allow governmental condemnation of property through eminent domain. The famous Kelo v. City of New London Supreme Court case, where homes were condemned for a private development, was about actions within a TIF district.
Normal inflationary increases in property values are captured with districts. Money that would have gone to the public coffers even without the financed improvements.
Districts are drawn too large, capturing value, again, that would have been increased anyway.
The process leads to favoritism for politically connected developers, lawyers, economic development directors and other implementers.
Funding often goes toward what have been traditionally private improvements -- from which developers profit. When the public "invests" in these improvements it is the developers that still receive the return.
Approval of districts can sometimes capture one entity's taxes without its official input, i.e. a school districts taxes will be frozen on action of a city.
What does this taxpayer think?
Money that goes to the CRA today should be going to fund the Margate City budget. If it did, we would not have a shortfall, taxpayers would not see their property taxes go up and public servents would not be arguing about who will get fired.
I say close the CRA for now, return the 21 million dollars that the CRA has to the city budget and do not raise taxes. If not, then at least consider suspending the CRA for three years and allow all the property tax money to be used for the city budget.
Then, when the economy starts turning around for real, we can re-visit the CRA.
- Taxpayer
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Save Our City
Once upon a time we had great city that thrived. Businesses & people making money, beautiful streets and homes,neighbors helping neighbors, The American dream at its best.
What Happened To Our City ? Now empty stores and lots, foreclosed homes, neighbors afraid to come out and say anything to anyone.
The city commission has just taken to much on, done to little to help its residents & businesses. It does what is best for them not whats best for the city.
OK, times are tough out there, I know this just like everyone else does. But the city has to do something to bring this city back. They dont do anything to bring people and businesses here, NOTHING.
Oh, you have a couple of carnivals & a green market with only a few dates for them to do business. Big Deal. You deny companies that want to do business and are reputable and let the bad ones do business here instead.
Case and point, You denied a new & used book store to come here here but approve a store that sells expired or close to it food, Payless Foods. HUH ???
You deny businesses like Sonic and Hooters because they dont fit your vision for the city, The Margate City Center that will do nothing for anyone except make the city commissioners resumes look better.
This city needs new blood, stop squashing the free enterprise system because it doesn't help you. It's not about you, it is about the residents of this city, the ones who pay taxes here and actually call Margate home.
Maybe if we had commissioners who actually 'lived' here in Margate this city would be in better shape.
Maybe then we wouldn't have 44 acres of undeveloped land, A silly clock tower, lower taxes & happy residents.
Look at how nice the surrounding cities are doing compared to us, OK they may not be perfect but at least they dont have a great lawn in the heart of the city on a major roadway.
Maybe the city commissioners should take a long hard look around and wake up and smell the coffee. Utilize what you do have, make it easier for businesses to do business, help the residents who live in our great city unlike you commissioners.
Need Ideas, try this. Use the former Swap Shop site for a REAL Green Market, one that is open 7 days a week. Hold Concerts &/or Movie night on the weekends. With concession stands by local businesses and others for a small fee.
Dont know where to get the money for this, cut the administrative costs and the over inflated payrolls. Leave the Police and Fire/ Rescue alone they should always be untouchable. Dont give out raises, Cut your own salaries ( part-timers shouldnt make what you do ) and you have to layoff some people or eliminate certain jobs that others can do.
Stop the spending except on the essentials the city residents actually need. Not what you want to make you and those entities involved look and feel good. Again It about the city not you.
Raising Taxes and fees to the residents & businesses in Margate will not balance the budget in the long run. It will only make our city unaffordable and you will get a bigger budget deficit.
Also get get rid of some of the 55 and older communities. Let some young blood and families in. Maybe then you can get some of the foreclosed and abandoned back on the tax rolls.
You could even get the banks who own those foreclosures to maintain them and pay taxes after all they now own them.
There are lot of thing the city could do if they really wanted to. The time has come to stop thinking about yourselves and start thinking of the businesses & people who voted for you and pay the taxes you need and are resident of this city.
Save Our City before we are more of a ghost town than we already are. Dont let that silly clock tower be the countdown to the end of the city.
- John Sweeney
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Should police and fire receive a pay raise?
Well the rest of the city gave up their pay increases why shouldn't they do the same. Be lucky you all have a job. Because there are alot of people out there who don't!!
- Zos
We cut out all sorts of programs, we have done everything to cut back on budget costs except to reduce the size of city employees. Now, if the City commissioners, and civil employess would like to take pay cuts and sacrifice a little, then by all means give the extra to police and fire. But I am not willing to pay for it. Every morning, I see a Code Enforcement truck just hanging out on the corner, do we really need eight Code Officers ?? During the Road improvement project there were three workers sleeping against my garage door, I have Pic's.
If you want to give raises, please make sure they are earned and can be paid for without making those of us who have not had a pay increase in four years or health care pay for it.
The other day there were a group of people who had lawn chairs set up under a tree on Margate Blvd and West River Drive, these people were all without shirts and just stiing there, in the meantime, the rest of the group was stting in front of their house, less than desirable, they have broken windows and about eight cars. I watched as three Margate Police Officers drove on past.
So when considering pay increases, maybe they sould be based on individual job performance.
- Jeannine Marcoux
At the very least a cost of living pay hike should be considered. If our police force and emergency medical personal are not properly compensated for their duties, then the first ones to complain will be the first ones who don't see a police officer or ems person two seconds after they call 911. We should be thankful and more considerate when it comes to public servants who are paid to serve the public sector. If you don't approve, don't complain!
- Dave
Yes, they should get a raise. When something is wrong or you need help who do you call, night or day. There will be some who will disagree with me on my next statement, I do not think that the office workers need one. I too have not had a raise in some time now, but I am not out protecting the city were I live, they are and it is very dangerous out there. I live in Margate and i have for over 10 years now. Thank you to all of you who try to keep us all safe at your expense!
- Barb
Yes, Yes, Yes. They should get and do very much deserve a pay raise. Many of these dedicated people are not the rich ones getting richer, they are just regular people who do and provide outstanding service to our community. They work long hours and in many cases are in dangerous situations. They so deserve a raise. Lets take away some of the money and benefits from the "rich" politicians and then things will change with this economy.
- Gayle
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Proposed Budget Saves Jobs and Bus Service
These types of articles keep addressing the fact that the city is so poor due to the property tax situation. However on the flip side I didn’t see any great increase in social services and beatification a few years ago when our property and house values and tax rates where having some of the largest increases in the nation. If the city/county/state/country are really so concerned why they don’t give up their health and pension plans to save jobs and continue services. If they don’t want to pay for my health and retirement, than I really don’t want my taxes paying for theirs either. I thought the definition of a public servant was to serve the public taking care of and protecting our needs, instead of leeching and threatening the loss of social services to protect their salaries and benefits. After all everyone in the private sector is pretty much below bare minimum and being forced to leave this state.
- James
Considering the down economy, should police and fire rescue personnel receive a pay raise?
They might be on the lower end of the Broward police pay scale, but they agreed to accept the position with Margate at the current scale. Yes they deserve pay raises with time on job , but during this current economic disaster they are not alone in their dilema. I have not recieved a pay raise in 4 years and recently lost my companies 401k matching. They still have a pension to look forward too that most people are not as lucky to recieve. When good times return so should their pay raises. I appreciate what they do for our community , but they need to suck it up and deliver the highest of work ethic regardless of pay freezes, I do.
- Mikal
Bus Drivers Face Pay Cut
People must be crazy! When fuel prices are over $3.50 per gallon you will be looking for affordable transit. These buses serve this community and its people 6 days a week with clean, comfortable transportation to all major shopping in the area as well as connections to all major BCT bus routes. Also the number of riders that is posted in the article is way off, I happen to know that this service carried 161,000 riders last year when fuel prices soared, this year it is on pace to carry over 140,000 riders. The elderly on fixed incomes and the residents that make sound decisions based on their economic position to use mass transit need these buses not to mention our children that ride the bus everyday during the school year because they live to close to get a school board bus. So lets put our moms and dads out there to find other ways to get around and lets let our children walk down 441 or Atlantic Blvd. Why don't we just raise the fare enough to help offset the budget and keep this service so that the people that need it can have it.
- Kendra P.
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PAYMENTS TO BSO
If the payment to BSO were not legitimate - WHY DID THE CITY PAY IT!
- Margate Resident, Bob Fedak
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The $40,000 Bus Stop
I applaud Margate building a large and functional shelter and for planning more of them!
In Lauderdale Lakes our shelters are similar and I can claim responsibility for how elaborate, large and durable, AND beautiful they are and those factors drive cost.
On bid basis our shelters cost $60,000 a copy and we have secured grant funding to build 12 so far!
Federal economic stimulus funding was recently reserved to build ten more here this summer!
The work, they are popular and the design (like that in Margate) allows you to move around under a wide and deep roof structure to avoid the angle of the sun and most rain events.
When rain “falls” sideways like it has been doing lately, then no shelter other than an enclosed building will keep you dry.
These are a vast improvement over unprotected ad benches, glass boxes in the sun, and other methods of shelter accommodation beyond the milk box or overturned shopping carts used throughout much of South Florida.
Our shelters have been awarded the Florida Redevelopment Association 2008 Transportation Award as well.
The public loves these things, they are full to over-flow on some routes and I am proud of our success in getting them designed, funded and built!
Most important they are: clean, safe, open and durable! These things can and will last for many, many years!
I say bravo to Margate for their efforts and will urge them to continue to make transportation more comfortable as we see gas prices creeping back up toward $4 again!
It’s all a matter of perspective I suppose, but I see these things as a great investment of public funds with real and meaningful public benefit.
The facts need to be known as to what is being done, how and why…in both Lauderdale Lakes (where I serve as the Executive Director of the Community Redevelopment Agency) and in Margate (where I participated in local planning as a resident) people made it clear that they wanted better bus shelters!
The City and CRA should not be cast in a negative light for providing what the people of the community need and want.
In both cities there is are large numbers of older and younger people, and both cities also have higher than average numbers of lower income people and families: transit is critical for these communities and to use it people should be allowed the dignity and comfort of getting out of the sun and rain while awaiting transit services. This is a worthy investment for our cities in my view as a taxpayer and as a planning and redevelopment professional.
Best Regards,
Gary Rogers
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The $40K Bustop
This is the first issue I have received. It is well done and factual. A plus for the community. I particularly like the new bus stop and am pleased that public transportation users have a good protected place.
Julian Lewis
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Traffic Cameras
Traffic cameras would be nice, if the Police would get tickets for running their emergency lights though the intersection only to turn them off after running the red light. This is not referencing the Margate Cops only those passing through or on their way home in their take home vehicles. The cameras would also be good if most left turn lights were longer than 10-13 seconds while you have to waite another 4 minutes for another.
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LUXURY RV PARK
I like the idea of re-opening the former Aztec RV Park - though I am not sure how narketable LUXURY RV's would be in this area. Let's face it, Margate is not considered an area that attracts wealthy people. I keep waiting for better stores and places to go, but it seems all we get are mostly small ethnic businesses that no one really likes - what would attract someone to Margate?
We have lived in the city for over 30 years and when we first moved here it was nice - now it is not due to what it has, doesn't have and what needs to be done to make it better and a place where people would like to live. All I hear from people are negative remarks about Margate - as a long time resident it's embarrasing.
I think it is fine to open an RV park, as I have absolutely nothing against them. But a better idea would be to reserve some space in it for people who want to vacation with their RV (which by the way, sometimes fall into the luxury RV classification). I do not think it should be limited to people just buying what is available and then live there.
I feel this plan is to satisfy the local business(s) now in Margate selling these RV's. What is REALLY needed in Broward County is a new RV resort park that caters to people who want to vacation here as the area is sadly lacking them right now. I have relatives from other parts of the country that have been complaining about that very thing for the last few years. Broward County (and Margate) is missing out on a very good idea of establishing a resort RV park for vacationers. Think about it!!!
- Jan, CBA
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Family Guy runs for State Rep
Dare we not forget Florida’s recent legislative session, when Republicans and Democrats gnawed at pork in the budget like the hungry elephants and asses that they are.
So, for all of us are wondering where our senators, state representatives and congressmen and women were when jobs were being shipped overseas, AIG was robbing Americans blind, seniors were losing pensions and banks and mortgage companies were sending paper securities around the globe, the answer is, we’ll never know, because they don’t. I can only surmise that they may have been too busy while it was all going on.
But busy with what?
Certainly not the best interests of the American people.
-MargateNews.net
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Dangerous Dogs in Margate
Almost three years ago, my lovely minpin, Penny, and I were attacked by a loose "family pet" pit bull, in another state, while we were out for an early evening walk. Penny was instantly killed by that pit bull. I still have frightening flashbacks and nightmares about that attack. I'm afraid to take my new small dogs out for walks, and, with some trepidation, I've only recently started taking them to a dog park in Tamarac. Pit bulls are generically unreliable and dangerous and should be banned from all communities. I cannot understand why Margate doesn't at least support the new state measure to restrict ownership of these terrible animals.
Thank you for your article in Margate News - Margate Resident
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Margate Blvd. Curbing
I am disappointed in the curbing construction going on in Margate Blvd. I realize being construction it would be messy, but this is crazy. The Blvd. has become just about non drivable. I find my self driving in the middle of the road. You have square deep pot holes and asphalt gravel lying all over the road. Not only is it making marks on my vehicle I just now found out my rear shaft is leaking. I will no longer drive on the Blvd. There has to be a way that it would not be as messy as it is. Sloppy work Margate!
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Former City Clerk reads MargateNews from home in PA
I have received a few inquiries re. the Margatenews that I forwarded to friends and family out of state. One being..our former Margate City Clerk, Shirley Baughman, who now lives in Pa.. She also really enjoyed it.. saying it was a great idea and asked how often it will be sent out. Do you have a regular schedule set up? Margate Resident - JN
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Not So Bella Cibo
Bella Cibo-went again Saturday and was most disappointed!
Hate to beat on them, but they need to get their staff trained, or replaced! And FAST!!
The place holds tremendous promises, but falls-down around poor staffing…the cigarette smoking and chatting as staff priorities, poor and slow service, the midriff shirts on waitress…
I’m bummed! - Margate Resident, GR
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Decade of Decline - Part I
With reference to "A Decade of Decline-Part I" I only have a short thought to share with you. Ever since I moved here in June 2001, all I have heard from Margate Governing Office is that taxes will be raised. The other fact I have heard is that, Commissioners, Mayors and other officials, exchange those positions on and off every other term or two and out of all expenditures suffered by Margate City is that these officials get richer by the year just for impersonating progress and that they are doing nothing for the City. It truly is regretful that these names that we have been hearing from over a decade ago are still around like leeches on a body, sucking the life out of the City and getting richer. Maybe one of us should become commissioner or even Mayor of the City of Margate. I believe we would do a lot more with a lot less. - Margate Resident, CC
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Margate Fireworks in Holding Pattern
Well that stinks! To bad our Commissioners spent 15 million on land that is now used for carnivals - then there would be money.
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Wexler condones obesity, lack of exercise and poor diet?
I’m sure I’m not the only Margate resident who has received Congressman Robert Wexler’s (D-FL 19th District) recent email regarding healthcare in America. The email opens with:
“Every 30 seconds in America, a bankruptcy occurs due to the outrageous cost of health care. Over 46 million Americans lack insurance, and for those of us who have it, each year we face higher co-pays and premiums.”
Click here to read more.
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Padlocks on Sentinel Boxes
Congratulations! It's great that you started the MargateNews.net
We were going to subscribe to the Sentinel, but it was stated that it takes from two to three weeks to receive as they mail second class. Didn't seem reasonable; so thanks for referring us to the MargateNews.net.
They do have this great page on the Sentinel site that has a chart which pinpoints the locations of crime. It is really clever, I think.
I love newspapers. They are unbelievably thin in this area now. A bitter reminder every morning of the sad state of the country. Speaking about dreary, I thought it was depressing to see all those Sentinel paper containers with padlocks in the front of most of the stores. What is their purpose?
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Fish City Grill Just Okay
Thank you for forwarding the review to us. Obviously I wish that it had been a better experience for your reviewer and that I could argue against their observations and experience but it seems like we had a very rough shift.
We have taken all comments to heart and we are addressing each of them. We will get these issues resolved and then I hope that we can have a future conversation regarding our First Tuesday Benefit – our monthly benefit that donates money to various local charities in our community.
It is our commitment to be a great and valued neighbor within the Coconut Creek community and the surrounding area.
- Bill Bayne, President and Co-founder Fish City Grill
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Smoke in your customers face
It always amazes me how non-smokers who can clearly see an ashtray or people smoking use that area to enter instead of using the other door. Or how about the ones who sit on the bench next to the ashtray when there is another one away from it. I try to be a considerate smoker but if you walk up to a smoking area then whose fault is it? If I was an owner of a business shouldn't I be the one who decides who I hire? Maybe the smoker works her butt off while the non-smoker steals. As a smoker I take offense to your assumption that I may be distracted by the habit and less considerate of other people.
While you are trying to fix offensive health hazards how about tackling the people who take a bath in perfume and go to a restaurant. Ever try to eat a steak while a cheap imitation of Chanel No. 5 is wafting across your food? Now there's a time to feel sorry for the waitress. Not the same as smoking being hazardous? Tell that to me when my eyes are watering, my throat is closing and my blood pressure goes up. Yep even allergies can be hazardous. Hey, I have an idea why not have a no perfume section of the restaurant and then eventually all the perfume wearers will have to eat outside and then if I walk thru that section knowing it is the perfume section I will keep my irritation to myself.
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The site looks great.
The site looks great. I can't wait to check it often. Good luck with it and let me know if I can do anything to help.
You really thought everything out, even the link to the weather. Good job.
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Nice website!
Great Job on the Margatenews.net website! My only observation is that you keep referring to Margate as a town, but by incorporation papers we are a City. Believe it or not there are differences. Keep up the good work!
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Opinions regarding this publication and news and events in Margate can be submitted via email to MargateNews@bellsouth.net or by clicking on 'Submit Article' on the left menu column of the homepage. You can also call 954-729-6164.
All submissions will be edited for readability and will remain anonymous unless you request otherwise.
Term Limits
I enjoy reading your news. I agree that this City is very long overdue to a term limitation of our Commissioners. It is self evident that we need new blood. Most of the City is still blighted,the Code Compliance regarding the unkempt yards is atrocious. Margate desperately needs A CITY BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM like they have in Tamarac,Coral Springs,Boca Raton. I am a resident only because I have aging parents and they need my help. However I have become so disillusioned with this City and the blight that I have put my house up for sale. I reside in PG 3 and the HOA has doen absolutely nothing to improve the appearance of the neighborhood.
A very disgusted resident.......
IN GOD WE TRUST
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