VOLUME 48 • NO.

18
MAY 6, 2010
Legislative Session wraps 4, 7
DELIVERED TO: Casino development may help Pompano 4

Observer
HOMES
& BUSINESSES IN
• DEERFIELD BEACH
• LIGHTHOUSE POINT
• HILLSBORO BEACH
• POMPANO BEACH
• BOCA RATON
www.observernewspaperonline.com Since 1962 Deerfield Publishing, Inc. © 2010

OF INTEREST
Union UPDATE
By Diane Emeott
Recommendation is back
from Special Master Martin
O. Holland regarding the IM-
PASSE between the City of
Deerfield Beach and firefight-
ers. IMPASSE hearing for the
two groups was held Feb. 26.
“[Holland] did not take our
Photo by Scott Tillman
language. He did not take the
Free slice Crowd gathers by Bank of America Stage city’s language. He wrote his
page 8 own language,” said Sean
do not speak on anything in-
volving the Community De-
velopment Division Internal
Control Review by Kessler
International — except to the
City Attorney, City Manager,
Kessler International Auditor
or law enforcement officials.
The Kessler report alleges pos-
sible criminal activity.
The April 21 memo from
the Interim Manager begins…

SunFest shines in 2010 Crofutt, President, Deerfield

By Corinne Tillman
The 28 th annual SunFest opened
Wednesday, April 28 and closed May 2
in West Palm Beach. Despite protesting
police officers at the entrance, thou-
sands turned out for what is arguably
one of the biggest music/arts festivals
in the nation.
SunFest 2010 featured over 40 musi-
Scrappers win cal acts, a juried fine art and crafts
page 9 show, activities for the whole family,
and of course the Captain Morgan’s
Oasis — three floating barges that served
drinks and played music (with DJs spin-
ning records).
“I like that they (SunFest Organizers)
Field Day
page 10
(L-R) Nathan Ellis came from Lake Worth;
Rivers Cuomo of Weezer Chelsea Davis and Andrew Gould of Jupiter
Photo by Scott Tillman
Happy Mother’s Day!
page 14 Noon TODAY - National Day of Prayer Ceremony
The City of Deerfield Beach is observ-
ing the 59th Annual National Day of Prayer
“He who walks with on Thursday, May 6 at noon. The program
the wise grows wise, will be presided over by Vice Mayor Joe
but a companion of Miller, along with local spiritual leaders,
fools suffers harm.” and will take place at the northwest corner
Proverbs 13:20 of the Deerfield Beach City Hall campus,
150 NE 2 Ave., in Deerfield Beach. Na-
provide a way for people to experience
music and art,” said AT&T Pioneer vol-
unteer Rachel Kuzma. Over 165 artists
were displayed Friday, Saturday and
Sunday.
The increasing number of major acts
has been a draw for concert goers from
Deerfield Beach to Lake Worth to Jupi-
ter. “The bands get better every year,”
said concert goer Brian Puebla. This
year was no different, with acts such as
Weezer, ZZ Top, Rise Against, Patti
LaBelle, Maze featuring Frankie
Beverly, REO Speedwagon, Sean
Kingston, Five for Fighting, Ben Harper
and the Relentless7 and the B52s.
Photo by Diane Emeott
tional Day of Prayer was established by
the United States Congress in 1952 with
the intention that it would be a day when
members of all faiths could pray together
in their own way. The public is invited to
attend the observance. Refreshments will
be served. Call 954-480-4433 for infor-
mation.
Beach Firefighters and Para-
medics, Local 1673.
He said they are waiting to
see whether the city will ac-
cept or reject the recommen-
dation.
Brett Schneider, the city’s
labor attorney, could not be
reached for comment.
“We had a meeting [among
members]. We’re going to ac-
cept it. We’re not going to call
in a third party and then go
against it,” Crofutt said.
‘Don’t speak’ – City to
blue collar workers
Business Representative
Steve Hall for the Interna-
tional Union of Painters and
Allied Trades (IUPAT), Lo-
cal 1010, said he is going to
file a 20-day extension re-
garding briefs to be turned in
to Special Master Martin A.
Soll.
The City of Deerfield and
Local 1010 held their IM-
PASSE hearing on March 23.
Briefs from Hall and Schneider
were due to Soll by May 4.
On April 28, Hall told the
Observer that non-uniform
employees were required to
sign a memorandum from In-
terim City Manager Burgess
Hanson as a condition of em-
ployment. It mandates that they
Relay for Life
“In the report submitted by
Kessler International, there
were possible instances where
a City Commissioner may have
been provided recycled paint
by the Public Works & Envi-
ronmental Services Division.
An employee came forward to
Kessler International who had
witnessed at least once. Un-
der no circumstances should
any employee discuss this
matter with elected officials,
city staff, residents or indi-
viduals outside of our organi-
zation…
“Any discussion about the
content of the report on your
part could be misconstrued or
considered a hindrance of the
investigation. I will impose
severe disciplinary action to
anyone that does not follow
these instructions.”
Hall responded: “It says
anyone who doesn’t adhere,
there will be severe discipline.
Anytime something says ‘se-
vere discipline’ – it implies
you could lose your job over
it.
“Right now it’s the blue col-
lar union. I’m not sure if they’re
going to ask firefighters to sign
something,” he added.
Crofutt said “No,” firefight-
ers were not asked to sign any-
thing regarding the Kessler
report.

ALSO INSIDE DB commission talks Kessler report Round 2;

Opinion ............................ 6
Ethics recommendation Photo by Diane Emeott
By Diane Emeott been taken and he is getting attorney’s office.
Business .......................... 8
Following the 25th agenda ready to bring further actions Hanson said for Round 2 of Local boy watches lighting of the Luminaria during the
Sports .............................. 9
item at the May 4 Deerfield before the commission at the the investigation, they will annual Deerfield Beach-Lighthouse Point Relay for Life at
Schools .......................... 10
Beach City Commission meet- May 18 and June 1 commis- look at Purchasing Division Quiet Waters Park, May 1-2. Over 1,000 people raised
Dining & Entertainment .. 11
ing, Interim City Manager Bur- sion meetings. The report has contracts or bids and Build- $12,000 at the event to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Happenings ................... 14
gess Hanson began to speak already gone to the U.S. De- ing Division building permits Deerfield Beach/Lighthouse Point has raised $55,000 this
Religion .......................... 16
more on the Kessler report, pre- partment of Housing and Ur- involving the CDBG (Com- year to date toward a goal of $110,000. For additional
Classified ....................... 18
sented April 20. ban Development (HUD) gen- munity Development Block donations, go to www.relayforlife.org/dblpfl.
He said some actions have eral inspector and the state See more Relay photos, pg 3.
See Deerfield, pg 6