Black Friday. Shoppers Under the Influence
For the last several years I’ve been a Black Friday shopper. However, the recent trend of stores moving opening times to midnight may be enough to stop me this year.
Being a Black Friday shopper used to be about commitment to the game, to getting the best deal. It was about waking up at 3 am. for sales that started at 4, and commiserating with others who did the same. Last year, Wal-Mart changed all that, making Black Friday sales accessible to anyone who could stay up late.
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Government Waste
I recently read the article on the Margate Affordable housing program. While it appears that the city is doing a good job in the renovation of the property, it is another example of government waste masquerading as “economic stimulus.” The city was urged by many residents not to take the money. Instead our commissioners again ignored the concerns of residents and accepted the funds. Residents were worried about both the type of buyer the housing would attract and the economics of the grant. Even if you ignore the concerns about the buyers, the city acknowledges that it re sells houses for much less than the cost to renovate. Instead commissioners defend the program as improving property values and neighborhood improvement. Another rationalization for the housing program by city officials was the since the funding was federal, it did not cost the city any money. Despite the many voices urging the city not to contribute to the federal deficit by accepting the funds, commissioners ignored the protests and proceeded with yet another round of boondoggle.
It is exactly this type of program that has driven this country to the brink or economic insolvency. Waste of taxpayer dollars by local, state and the federal government elected officials is not something that should be supported or rationalized. As Tip O’Neal once said, “all politics is local.” Margate commissioners continue to focus on funding of pet projects such as the “Major League Dreams” little league stadium and the housing program while ignoring basic problems such as reducing the cost of government without or with a minimal reduction in city service.
Whitewashing over the economic losses incurred by the affordable housing program on the grounds that the funds are not the city's money is unconscionable. Apparently either none of our elected officials pay federal taxes or they have no grasp of even basic economic principals. As we all know and as recent headlines demonstrate, deficit spending can not go on forever. As some time, will we have to pay the piper and pay down our massive deficits. That payoff comes in one of two ways, either thru reductions in wasteful programs such as housing or by tax increases, most likely a combination of both. Accepting federal funds for housing programs commissioners know are wasteful only adds to the inevitable reckoning. While the city manager claims that the Margate budget is balanced, he ignores the fact that the budget “balance” was attained mainly thru tax increases and an increase in the fire fee paid by many of our seniors who can least afford it. Our elected officials need to spend much less time on funding new projects and more time on saving residents money and jobs. Unless we as citizens elect officials at all levels who are responsible stewards of our funds, our country is headed for a long period of economic decline.
- John A. Brekka Jr.
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Is your condominium or homeowners association being taken by board attorneys?
Remember the adage “He who represents himself has a fool for a client”? There’s a twist to this saying that South Florida community association residents should heed before losing control of their property rights and homes to overbearing community association law firms.
“He who doesn’t know what his or her board attorneys are doing is a fool...period.”
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Reader emails
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Why is Margate Vacant?
In 1988 I started a business in Margate. The business grew and soon I bought property and built a significant building in the city. In the interest of civic duty, I felt compelled to become a Board Member at Northwest Focal Point, donated monies there and offered my consulting services to City Manager at the time, Lenny Golub, at no charge.
I can't tell you how many things I did for the city. The list is long. My business employed over 30 workers.
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Margate City Attorney email
Letter to Rick Wilson from City Attorney
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Ask a firefighter why they endorse John Hall and they’ll probably say their union told them to
If a Margate Fire Rescue worker approaches you and asks you to vote for the special election candidate they endorsed, John Hall, the first thing you should ask that firefighter is why their fire union (IAFF Local 3080) is asking for more money and benefits during a time when few taxpayers have any money to spare. The union remains at Impasse with the city and one look at the city budget shows firefighters making a fair wage in this down economy – some firefighters make upwards toward $80K and $90K.
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Reader asks: “Muslim News, Catholic News coming soon?”
We recently received an email from a reader who asked: "Will MargateNews.net begin to have other sections similar to Jewish News? Will there be a Catholic News section?"
"Not everyone in Margate is Jewish therefore do not care to read Jewish News and what does a Boynton Beach synagogue have to do with Margate?"
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Coercion letter signed by Margate Commissioners blatant act of hypocrisy
Less than two weeks after Margate City Commissioners Frank Talerico and David McLean ask candidates running in January’s special election to refrain from negative campaigning, the two Democrats, along with commissioners, Pam Donovan (D) and Joseph Varsallone (D), threw insults at Scott Yardley (R-Margate) in the form of a letter endorsed by District 95 Florida State Rep incumbent, Jim Waldman (D-Coconut Creek).
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Margate Commissioners ask candidates to play nice in upcoming special election
In response to a sea of negative campaign ads in this year’s midterm election for Florida governor and U.S. Congress, Margate city commissioners, David McLean and Frank Talerico, suggested to candidates running in Margate's special election in January to refrain from negative campaigning.
The election to replace Margate Commissioner, Arthur Bross, who died in office on October 13, is scheduled for January 11, 2011. Candidate filing for the election will close at midnight on November 29, 2010 and the election will cost taxpayers between $100,000 and $150,000.
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Should kids should spend more time studying and less time playing football?
In a day and age when violence on TV, on the streets and in schools is on the rise - and more professional athletes are getting in trouble with the law - maybe it’s time to get our kids back to the books instead of having their heads and bodies collide dangerously in the name of pursuing a ball around a field.
After all, there are more effective means of staying fit with less chance of spinal injury or brain damage, especially during a time when healthcare costs are on the rise and American education is in decline.
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Reader Opinion.
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County-run fire rescue? You must be kidding
With the help of county legislators, the Broward County Council of Professional Firefighters is working on an opt-in county-wide fire district bill that would adversely impact Margate taxpayers.
The new district would add another layer of taxes to what Margatonians already pay for fire-rescue, and would diminish fire-rescue services in Margate—as neighboring cities with inadequate fire-rescue coverage per capita would rely on Margate firehouses (turned county) to support emergency services in their cities.
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Reader Opinion
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Moratorium on Pain Clinics? Why not ban gambling, drinking and fast food too?
Spend a little time with seniors and the disabled addicted to pain pills in Margate and you’ll find that most of these addicts not only get their pain medicine from local pain clinics, many of them pay for pain meds with taxpayer-supported Medicare and Medicaid benefits.
In fact, one addict said she goes to the pain clinic once a week for meds, pays for them with her disability check, takes what she needs and resells the rest in the street. Others with chronic pain say that without their pain meds they would probably slip into an irreversible state of depression.
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Reader Opinion
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Would he have lived if he wore a helmet?
Firstly my thoughts are with the family of Caesar Anthony Collazo who, at the young age of 22, was killed while driving his motorcycle through the intersection of Royal Palm and Rock Island Road on November 30. Witnesses alleged he was speeding and lost control of his motorcycle when he a struck a Jeep Cherokee at 11:30 at night.
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Should the Feds visit Margate?
Most of you are familiar with recent FBI probes into the lives and bank accounts of various Broward and Miramar Commissioners, a Broward lobbyist and Broward School Board member Beverly Gallagher. People whose actions are paramount to treason, as they may have sold Americans out through cover ups, bribe taking and misappropriating taxpayer dollars -- money you and I work very hard for and entrust with elected officials and those they appoint.
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Reader Email.
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Seniors: Don’t be intimidated by the Fraternal Order of Police
“Isn’t it nice to know that we have police patrolling our streets to protect us?” asked the caller.
“Are you looking for money?” I responded.
“Oh, I’m sorry, I just wanted to know if you thought it was nice to know that we have police patrolling our streets,” he answered back.
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Cops & Scholars: A World Apart
The media would have us believe that the Gates-Crowley incident is about race. I’m not so sure.
Remove the Obama connection from the scenario. After all, how many of you wouldn’t immediately back a colleague or acquaintance in such an incident? It is a knee-jerk reaction. While Obama may be the commander and chief, he’s not beyond being a regular guy who says what’s on his mind.
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Lobbyist Conflict: We the People. You Decide
Margate City Attorney, Eugene Steinfeld, went on record Wednesday night saying that there is no conflict of interest regarding Margate lobbyist, Jack Tobin representing private clients before the Margate City Commission while under the city’s employ as a lobbyist. In fact, Tobin’s contract with the city was amended in 2005, said Steinfeld, to allow for the activity.
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Margate Writer: the Beaches have lost their Luster
Recent news from Washington reveals 48 United States senators backing a bill called the “Travel Promotion Act,” a bill currently in Congress designed to jolt American tourism with global advertising campaigns funded by charging international visitors a $10 entry fee to the U.S.
At face, the bill sounds promising to South Floridians, as 70 percent of our economy rests on tourism.
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Family Guy Runs for State Representative
At a time when public trust in politicians is at an all-time low, one would think that they’ve got nothing to lose by voting for the underdog – at least that’s how Margate resident and Republican Scott Yardley sees it. The political neophyte has put his name in the hat to run for State Representative District 95 in 2010, a seat currently occupied by Jim Waldman, Democrat.
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Double Dipping in Margate not so easy anymore
In a well-orchestrated move to retire with big cash – and then return to work – Margate City Manager, Frank Porcella retired from public service at the end of June 2006, only to accept the Margate City Manager position 32 days later, taking full advantage of the states Deferred Retirement Option Program (DROP), a legal and lucrative decision on his behalf.
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Commissioners' Health Questionable
Now in his early seventies, some residents refer to Margate’s standing Mayor, Arthur Bross as being 'older than man.' His hearing is bad, his eyesight is poor, and he wheezes frequently over the microphone during city commission meetings when using his inhaler. His elder, Vice Mayor, Joe Varsallone, is approaching eighty, is easily frustrated and gets angry when faced with adversity.
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