Observerwww.observernewspaperonline.com Since 1962 Deerfi eld Publishing, Inc. © 2015

VOLUME 53 • NO. 11MARCH 12, 2015

DELIVERED TO:HOMES

& BUSINESSES IN• DEERFIELD BEACH• LIGHTHOUSE POINT • HILLSBORO BEACH• POMPANO BEACH• BOCA RATON

OF INTEREST

LHP - Seat 3page 4, 7

ALSO INSIDEOpinion ..............................6Business ............................8Schools ............................10Sports ........................11, 12Dining & Entertainment ....14Happenings .....................15Religion ...........................16Classifi ed .........................18

Hogfi shpage 8

Waterway Cleanuppage 3

Farm Heritagepage 2

“I know the plans I have for you, says

the Lord… They are plans for good.”

Jeremiah 29:11

DB Little League OPENS season 11ELECTION wrap-up 1, 4, 5, 7

Sheriff Israel talksFire Rescue at

DB commission

Sheriff at Deerfi eld commission meeting, March 3.

By Diane EmeottA contingent of Broward

Sheriff’s Offi ce (BSO) depu-ties lined the stairwell into Commission Chambers and the outer aisles, as Sheriff Scott Israel made a special appearance at the March 3 Deerfi eld Beach city commis-sion meeting.

Sheriff Israel said he and Fire Chief Anthony Stravino wanted to thank the city com-mission for their support of the Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue recent ISO Class 1 Rating.

“We’re all taxpayers. We’re all raising families and trying to make ends meet. In any audience [this size], half are going to be supportive, half are not going to be supportive [of the merger with Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue] for money-saving purposes. One thing people never complain about is public education and public safety – both are very important,” he said.

Israel said the ISO1 rating (which former Deerfi eld fi re chief Chad Brocato began the work on) means 10 to 30 percent savings on insurance for residents – besides being the greatest fi re department.”

A special presentation fol-lowed by the administrator of Deerfi eld Beach Firefi ghter’s Municipal Pension Board, updating the city commission on its operations.

As of Oct. 1, 2011, 160

Deerfi eld Beach fi re fi ght-ers merged with BSO for a 5-year contract. [Swearing in ceremony was held Sept. 30, 2011 at Le Club in Century Village under former Sheriff Al Lamberti.] BSO had al-ready handled the city’s law enforcement since the 1990s.

The $20.5 million annual contract at that time was said to include a value-added sav-ings of $2.9 million for the city, and to provide economies of scale in both police and fi re protection.

Several residents got up to speak last Tuesday night regarding the idea of “taking back our fi re department” in October.

Deerfield residents Joe Heinz, Anthony Dispenziere, Sarah Moran and John Grassi were among those advocating that it’s “a perfect opportunity to take it [the fi re department] back. Rehire the guys who actually run the calls. Don’t hide behind 17 administra-tors,” they said.

Commissioner Bill Ganz pointed out that some of the numbers being bandied about during the election did not represent an apples-to-apples comparison regarding costs for fi re rescue before and after the merger with BSO.

Specifi cally, an $18.1 mil-lion fi gure before the merger

See DB commission, pg 17

BSO applauds.

ELECTION – Deerfi eldPhotos by Diane Emeott

Joe Miller – District 1. Incumbent commissioner puts up signs, checks in at the polls outside St. Peter’s Anglican Church (across from Cornerstone Park) on March 10. “I’m humbled and grateful that the residents of District 1 still want me to represent them,” he said Wednesday.

Ron Coddington – District 1. The con-tender who battled Miller once before for the District 1 seat awaits Election results with family and friends in the back room at Casa Maya, Tuesday night. (Pictured here with wife Bonnie.)

Gloria Battle – District 2. “I’m happy that I won. I am ready to get to work on behalf of District 2. I’d like to thank Mr. Preston for his service to the community,” she said Wednesday. (Battle also ran against Preston in a July 19, 2011 Special Election.)

Ben Preston – District 2. In-cumbent District 2 Commissioner and Vice Mayor Ben Preston awaits Election results with supporters outside Philparts Auditorium, Tues-day night. Sup-porters included District 1, 2 and 3 residents.

More pics, pg 7

Hillsboro Propane fi re breaks out

At 2 p.m. on Monday, March 9, a propane fi re roars in the south end of Hillsboro Mile. (Photo by Mike Pauletti.)