At the request of the Fort Lauderdale City Commission, Mayor Dean Trantalis and I met recently to discuss the ongoing dialogue surrounding the Bahia Mar redevelopment and related beachfront public improvements.
I emphasized that both the Bahia Mar development team and the Community Development District (CDD) remain committed to finding a solution rooted in common sense and good faith.
We are professional, responsible developers who care deeply about Fort Lauderdale, where our families live and work. From the outset, our goal has been to bring meaningful, positive impact to the city through the transformative Bahia Mar redevelopment, paired with the CDD’s commitment to fund the offsite public improvements outlined in the interlocal agreement.
In that spirit, once we learned that some members of the community wished to continue the dialogue about public improvements, even though our earlier plan to build two new beachfront basketball courts within the same park and using the existing parking area had been well-received by a large majority of the community, we immediately expressed our willingness to collaborate with the CDD board to identify yet another reasonable path forward.
Additionally, at the request of Commissioner Steve Glassman, we agreed to approach the CDD about extending the January 2027 sunset date for the city to complete the proposed beachfront public improvements. That request has now been formally made.
I also shared with the mayor and Glassman that we (the developer and CDD) are willing to explore a solution that retains the basketball courts in their current location provided that four pickleball courts are added just southeast of the Bahia Mar pedestrian bridge, with new exercise equipment in the same vicinity.
While our discussion covered a number of details, the overarching message was clear: We are committed to being strong partners with the city as we work collaboratively toward a balanced, community‑focused solution that benefits all of Fort Lauderdale.
James D. Tate, North Miami
‘A total breakdown’
As a Broward resident, I am deeply disturbed by the systematic failure of our state attorney’s offfice to prosecute the exploitation of our most vulnerable citizens. A recent case details a harrowing guardianship case that exposes a total breakdown in legal accountability.
Despite clear evidence of statutory violations — including the commingling of funds (Fla. Stat. 744.474) and failure to file mandatory annual reports for four consecutive years — the Broward justice system has remained stagnant. Most egregious is a documented $35,000 transfer from a ward’s spouse to a guardian’s private company. While law enforcement detectives have repeatedly presented probable cause affidavits, the state attorney’s office has allowed the statute of limitations to expire on key incidents.
When the very offices sworn to protect the elderly and disabled allow documented exploitation to go unpunished, they send a message of impunity to bad actors. Our detectives are doing their jobs; it’s the prosecutors who are failing. We must demand immediate transparency and prioritization of elder abuse cases. Justice delayed is truly justice denied for those who cannot fight for themselves.
Joseph M. Cobo, Sr., Fort Lauderdale
Editor’s Note: In response, State Attorney Harold Pryor’s office said: “Our prosecutors have had several conversations with Mr. Cobo and his representatives and have informed him that, so far, there is not probable cause to file criminal charges. Prosecutors also informed them in advance of their concerns about the statute of limitations. Our prosecutors continue to go above and beyond to investigate this matter. He is aware of the continuing investigation.”
A lack of competence
I recently read again that Donald Trump has threatened a military strike against Iran over its crackdown on nationwide protests. Isn’t this exactly what Trump is doing in the U.S.?
It’s true, his ICE agents and Border Patrol thugs have not killed as many as the Ayatollah, but they have killed and maimed. They carry out unconstitutional orders to illegally search and brutalize immigrants and American citizens and to exact abhorrent inhumane treatment upon those they have caged.
The eloquent speech recently delivered by the stately Prime Minister of Canada got me thinking: Could the U.S. become the 11th Canadian province? We desperately need a competent leader.
Patricia D. Geisler, Fort Lauderdale
Airport advisory
Little-known fact: Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport does not have de-icing equipment for its aircraft population. Expect delays when the temperature falls below 32!
Howard M. Singer, Plantation