What kind of rushed political game is the majority of the Hollywood City Commission playing with the public?

The cards are stacked.

It appears that elected officials are using the state Live Local Act to avoid broader oversight approval by Broward County that would jeopardize the current Related Group’s development plans to put a luxury high-rise on the beach (a key vote is scheduled for Wednesday at Hollywood CIty Hall).

By including some affordable housing to sweeten the deal, it will cause this project to fall under the Live Local Act, and under that law the city, not the county, would control the approval process.

That may be good public policy from a local government perspective, but many residents feel their opinions no longer matter about where affordable housing should be located.

Affordable housing for teachers, police, firefighters and government employees is important and commendable. The real question is: Why build it on valuable public oceanfront open space that is deeded for recreation, when many other suitable locations are available?

— Eleanor Sobel, Hollywood

The writter is a former Hollywood city commissioner who also served in the Florida Legislature.

Broken parks-bond promises

On March 6, 2019, the Sun Sentinel published my letter to the editor urging the defeat of what I called the city of Fort Lauderdale’s “blank check” parks bond referendum.

Fast forward to 2026. Voters unfortunately did not heed the warning and passed the referendum.

When city voters approved taking on debt for the new police station and park improvements, they agreed to higher property tax bills for 30 years. Only $59.4 million out of $200 million in voter-approved debt has been spent as of late 2025 on parks, much of it on designs.

So residents continue to pay hundreds of dollars a year in higher property taxes in interest to bondholders, and we have nothing of significance to show for it. Park projects that would have cost $200 million have now skyrocketed to $277 million.

Pointing fingers between staff and our elected officials just doesn’t cut it, nor does it solve the problem. Having commissioners like Steve Glassman saying that everyone is to blame doesn’t cut it either.

My letter in 2019 urged city voters to remember this when they go to the polls in November 2020 to elect a mayor and commissioners. Let’s remember again in November 2028, when some elected city officials seek reelection or elevation to higher posts.

— Howard A. Tescher, Fort Lauderdale

Marine animals, stuck in tanks

Fort Lauderdale commissioners have approved a plan to add an aquarium with live marine animals on the site of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, steps away from the ocean in a hurricane zone.

Species are sourced and trafficked from around the world to be held captive in tanks and exploited for profit. No tank can replicate the ocean ecosystem. Seeing captive animals in an unnatural environment is not educational.

This is a failure to progress to innovative methods such as oceanographic video immersive experiences that don’t entail animal suffering. It is not hard to imagine the trauma and stress to marine animals captured in tanks. If this is built as planned, I will not visit this abusement exhibit and I encourage everyone else to do the same.

— Judith Werr, Oakland Park

Pat Beall strikes again

Many thanks to Sun Sentinel columnist Pat Beall for her takedown of U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy’s cockamamie reality show. It simply staggers belief that a Cabinet-level leader could do his job and star in an on-the-road TV series at the same time.

This administration’s corruption is so flagrant, disheartening and endless, it’s a wonder Beall can keep up with it.

I used to think, and still do, that FBI Director Kash Patel would be next to get fired for his alcohol-related, frat-boy behavior, but Duffy has done something even more extraordinary. He’s given us an impeachable G-rated scandal that’s fun for the whole family.

— Alan Burnett, Plantation

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