Save the trees along Las Olas Boulevard | Letters to the editor
It was sickening to read the news articles about how the city of Fort Lauderdale may tear down the 16 olive trees in the median of Las Olas Boulevard.
These trees are iconic, and citizens and visitors enjoy them. They are lit up every holiday season, and every year posters are painted with them for the Las Olas Arts Festival.
Please stop chopping down our trees all over town. They serve as homes for hundreds of birds.
Shame on you, Mayor Dean Trantalis and city commissioners.
Save our trees!
Ronald Schwartz, North Miami Beach
Don’t destroy the charm
Please do not destroy the charm of Las Olas Boulevard.
Instead, consider creating a walkable promenade of a portion in the downtown area by diverting auto traffic to other roads.
Florida should not look like New York City. Trees are important, in that they provide an area of shade, especially during the heat of the midday.
Rudy Weingart, Coconut Creek
A rocky situation on A1A
This is in response to the Sun Sentinel news article: “‘They’re ugly:’ Critics not liking rocky medians along A1A in Fort Lauderdale,” by Susannah Bryan.
Fort Lauderdale is trying to beautify the area along A1A by placing rocks in the median. It is disgusting looking, especially when the rocks are not all the same color.
The idea that the rocks would prevent flooding and salt water intrusion is a joke, especially at intersection of Vistamar and A1A. This intersection does not flood, and salt water intrusion does not occur when storms hit this area.
It appears to me that city parks superintendent Mark Almy doesn’t know if there has been damage due to climate-related events at this intersection. Yes, sand has been seen at this intersection during and after storms, but no flooding. So there goes that theory for putting rocks in the median to prevent flooding and salt water intrusion. If you want to know where it floods every time there’s a storm or even a simple downpour, it’s the intersection of NE 9th Street and A1A. Anyone who lives in this area knows this, yet there are no rocks are placed near this intersection.
These big rocks are not good for pedestrians, especially kids, who will attempt to climb on them and possibly injure themselves. If that were to happen, there’s a likelihood the city would end up getting sued by the injured party. There are drought-resistant, low-maintenance plants that can be placed in the medians that would not cause harm to pedestrians or cars and would be great for the environment, too.
According to the news article, city commissioners stated they were not informed beforehand about the decision by the city manager and his staff. How many other things were they also not aware of that the city bureaucracy did without their knowledge?
Do they possibly have rocks in their heads? May it’s time for an audit on what City Hall is doing without the commissioners’ knowledge.
Richard Berg, Fort Lauderdale
Graham a true gentleman
I first met Senator Bob Graham in 1984 when he visited the law office of an attorney I was working for during that time. He took the time during his busy schedule to speak to each one of us. I am many years older now, but since briefly meeting him that day, I often read about his accomplishments and learned how much good he achieved during his lifetime.
It was my experience that he was a sincere, unassuming and true gentleman. We need many, many more like him in public office today. Rest in peace, Mr. Graham.
Linda D. Altavilla, Hollywood