Letters: Community impact doesn't bother developers
Letters Editor's Note: This month, national and statewide issues such as the war in Ukraine, Gov. DeSantis and the Florida Legislature dominated the news cycle and our letters section. At the end of each month The Post Editorial Board will recap letters on issues of local concern. We encourage our readers to weigh in on local developments. The following is a sampling — more are available online — of those local issues we received this month that resonated with our readers:
Community impact doesn't bother developers
It seems like every other day The Post is publishing stories of new developments in West Palm Beach, the latest being the Related Group announcement of building Ritz Carlton condominiums for the North End, not to mention several other high-rises going up on North Flagler. Downtown and South Flagler have a handful of new, deluxe condo buildings planned, with units going for $10 million or more.
Do developers ever consider the repercussions of this massive growth in a small city or is greed all that matters? I assume these new wealthy residents will shop at the Publix in the Town of Palm Beach, where parking is already close to impossible midday. My doctors’ offices are booked months in advance. How about traffic and parking for restaurants? It’s just a shame big developers care nothing for the quality of life for long-time residents.
Gigi Beach, West Palm Beach
'Davis Park' a bad idea
As tragic as the accident was that killed for Stanley Davis III on his dirt bike, he still was breaking the law. He was unlicensed, driving an unregistered motorcycle on a public road. If he had not crashed, he would have been arrested. How could a park be named after him? Is there no common sense in the world?
John Cerreta, Palm Beach Gardens
More: In emotional Boynton meeting, community asks for accountability of 13-year-old's death
Developers, help rehab local homes
I feel sorry for your letter writers who complain about their neighborhoods changing dramatically and feeling neglected by city officials who approve the applications for expensive housing that is unaffordable to local residents. It is all about politics and money. A view from the 20th floor of a high rise facing the ocean is more important than the views of letter writers who feel neglected as their neighborhoods change radically.
Developers should subsidize local homeowners to improve their own housing in a manner somewhat equal to the money builders will be earning by bulldozing ahead. The financial assistance will go a long way in countering the criticism ahead.
Robert Langer, Palm Beach Gardens
State indifferent to condo owners
I have owned a condo in Highland Beach, Florida for 10 years and have been an active, informed owner. I continuously educate myself on association governance and the realities of condo ownership in Florida. Neither brings a comforting confidence in how individual condo associations are operated, nor is it assuring at the industry level.
During this past session, the Florida Legislature failed to act on behalf of condo owners, leaving us unprotected in critical areas of preventive maintenance, financial management and disclosures. I am left to wonder about advocacy in the state for millions of condo residents subject to antiquated and inadequate protections.
Without critical protections in the laws, owners must be active advocates in their associations to keep them safe and financially secure. Owners must demand that association governing documents become a safety net where laws are nonexistent or inadequate. Condo owners need to be attentive and familiar with the presence or absence of meaningful protections and rights. Attempts to amend documents to restrict owners rights and protections should be dismissed as these rights may be their last protection in a vastly indifferent industry.
Jane V. Lisa, Highland Beach
Prosecutors' decision appalling
What an injustice to the Silus family. How dare the State Attorney's office state the law stipulates that "excessive speed alone is not enough to charge someone with vehicular homicide." Ryan Dolan was driving over 90 miles per hour and slammed into Silus and demolished her car and caused her needless death. Even though Silus may have been making a left turn and Dolan had the right of way, had he been going at the normal speed, this accident could have been avoided. How pitiful that we have laws that protect the guilty.
Ilean Guthartz, West Palm Beach
FOR SUBSCRIBERS: A horrific high-speed deadly crash results in no criminal charges and accusations of racial bias
Evaluate cops before hiring them
Your April 6 editorial regarding another ‘bad’ cop and his despicable behavior reminds me of how the vast majority of these bad actors can be eliminated: Either let go or never hired in the first place, before they misbehave.
A psychological test, such as the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI), can find evidence of negative characteristics such as sadism and impulsivity. A second psychological test, such as the 16 personality factor test elicits personal strengths that would augur well for a law enforcement officer. Finally an interview is held with the applicant. All the gathered information is made available to the interviewer. A number of psychologists have used this system with excellent results. If we truly want effective law enforcement officers, this is necessary.
Robert J Ashmore, Palm Beach Gardens
Citizens Against Loud Mufflers
As a member of C.A.L.M., I ask that you write to your state representative and senator and ask them to create a law with teeth that makes driving any vehicle with a noise enhancing modified muffler prohibitively expensive. In fact, let's extend this to leaf blowers too. I live near a busy road and endure the roar, pop and banging sounds of little boys who fantasize being racing car drivers. This goes on most of the day and night including at 3am. The fine is just not enough to entice a full throated effort by law enforcement to do much about it. It may be hard to catch someone speeding, but this should be easy to locate. I spent last Sunday at Highlands Hammock State Park and actually found a spot where all I could hear were the sounds of birds and the wind blowing through the trees. What a wonderful experience. Can't wait for all vehicle to become electric.
Carl Terwilliger, Lake Worth
Hoeffer sentence a little light
Re the April 6 article, "PBC man gets 18 months for threats:" He viciously threatened elected officials repeatedly, even after being visited by the FBI and warned about his activities. And yet, he got less than the minimum sentence under federal sentencing guidelines. What would have happened if he were a Black man? I very much doubt his neighbors describing him "as a good man, who got swept up in the divisive politics of the nation" and who "expressed remorse for his behavior and learned from his mistakes," would have made any difference in his sentencing.
Elizabeth Dodd, Boca Raton
Sidewalks becoming hazardous
It is becoming increasingly hazardous to walk along the lake in West Palm Beach, especially south of the Middle Bridge. Bicycles, on the sidewalk travel at speeds exceeding 20 miles per hour. Even more dangerous is the constant presence of motorized transportation's use of the sidewalks. Pedestrians and vehicles should not be sharing the same space. If this is not corrected, serious accidents will occur.
Denis P. Coleman, West Palm Beach
Beach parking a problem
I have been a full-time resident of Boynton Beach for two years and a part-time resident before that for four years. One of our most treasured activities has been to spend hours at beautiful Oceanfront Park in Ocean Ridge. I would get a beach sticker as soon as possible every year but this year has been the very worst for parking since the city replaced the gate shack with metered parking. Charge people without a parking pass, and let people with the pass ride for free. This would be a win for residents.
Peter Deary, Boynton Beach
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Developers in West Palm Beach don't care about their projects' impact
