1998,   A BUSY YEAR INDEED
By Gary Starkweather

The Riverland area neighborhoods are in the midst of several community development and planning improvements. Most of these projects have been in the active planning stages for years but many will begin or conclude some time in 1999. Some projects are more welcome than others but they are definitely happening. Change is on the way.
    The 441 road construction has already started as well as the U-Store It site construction. Both of these projects will be completed or reach near completion be the end of 1999.
The City of Fort Lauderdale has already set up a park development budget to construct the four acre parcel on Riverland Road at the former site of the City water waste treatment plant. Hopefully the City will begin developing the small park area in 1999.
    Fort Lauderdale and the County have a unique opportunity to work together on the Riverland Road landscaping project and combine their efforts in the area of the park. City Park development dollars and Riverland Road ISTEA Enhancement Grant landscaping development dollars overlap on all the frontage roadway at the park site. This opens up some options to provide extra development on the frontage of the park or on other areas along Riverland Road up to 31st Avenue, which need additional landscaping.
    Broward County is still working to conclude a deal with the Bennett David Trust for the five acre parcel between 441 and Whale Harbor Lane. Preservation of this area will be an essential ingredient in buffering Lauderdale Isles and Whale Harbor Lane from the noise of 441. Our community needs to continue to follow up with County staff. Park development of this tract will eliminate the risk of incompatible land uses or commercial development. In addition to buffering the west end of Lauderdale Isles from the noise and pollution of 441, Greenway type park development of this land will add waterfront access for area residents who want to enjoy the New River but currently do not have access to the New River.
    The entrance to Riverland Road at 441 is the point of entry for the south western edge of Fort Lauderdale. It remains to be seen whether the City will take the initiative to create a quality entryway into their City. There are still about 10 acres of land for sale at the southeast comer of the intersection that will be subject to commercial development if the City of Fort Lauderdale does not take a leadership role in using this land to create a quality entryway into south west Fort Lauderdale.
It's sad to say but this community has lost the dream of Riverland Woods Greenway. In spite of huge community support, what we have instead is a public storage warehouse development and 10 acres of land directly to the north which is now physically isolated from the New River to the south. This land is for sale and is at prime risk of commercial development.
    This community took extraordinary steps to create the Riverland Woods Greenway but after all was said and done, neither the City of Fort Lauderdale nor Broward County took charge of the total project with sufficiency to make the Greenway a reality. Precious years slipped by while no funding grants were applied for and no budget appropriations were approved. Both the City and the County passed resolutions of support for the project but valuable time slipped away until it was too late. In 1997 the Amsdell Corporation arrived and latched onto the old Pantry Pride property with a crazed death grip. Our community helplessly watched the grim spectacle of the birth of U-Store It and the death of Riverland Woods Greenway.
    Broward County is well aware of the damages to this community associated with I-595. After years of neglect with regard to this matter, this community planned and presented the neighborhood improvement concept of Riverland Woods to both the City of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. After four years of work, Riverland Woods failed with a resounding thud. Today many challenges face the City of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County and it will be interesting to see if there will be any initiative on the County's or the City's behalf to revive this area with positive noncommercial development. Hopefully we will hear something encouraging in 1999.
    The I-595 construction development project was heavily supported by Broward County and it was that project that was at the root of the demise of the Pantry Pride shopping center. So far, Broward County has escaped accountability to this community for the many negative impacts of this project. Although I-595 was completed years ago, there has never been much follow up agenda on the part of Broward County to mitigate the damages Lauderdale Isles suffered as a direct result of I-595. Sound mitigation was promised but nothing ever materialized. A new dialog in 1999 needs to take place with the County to address this issue. Lauderdale Isles needs considerable assistance with I-595 mitigation projects but it is clear that the County is not going to begin any initiative to do so if our community doesn't ask. We need to open a dialog with Broward County and the Metropolitan Planning Office and get things started.
    Storm water drainage for approximately 250 acres north and east of Lauderdale Isles has begun. The Broward County Office of Environmental Services (OES) has been working in this area to implement a large scale drainage plan. Many homes in this area are at very low elevations and improved drainage will be very welcome. The OES project has been designed to meet State minimum standards for storm water treatment which was a serious issue because most of the water outflow was directed into the New River. Hopefully most of this project will be completed during 1999.
    The Broward County Code and Zoning Enforcement Division has petitioned Broward County to rename the zoning classifications for most of the properties in our community as well as the surrounding neighborhood. Due to the lack of clarification with regard to the purpose of the petition, this civic association transmitted a letter of objection to the County on October 14, 1998. In general terms we asked for clarification of the petitioner's proposal and additional time for our consideration.
    These are just some of the highlights of what's in store for 1999. Keep in mind that there will be a substantial "changing of the guard" at the November 19, 1998 civic association general meeting. New community supporters will be needed to address these issues as well as the many new concerns that are sure to pop up throughout next year. Please get involved. Carve time out of your busy schedule, and step in to help guide the future of this unique and wonderful waterfront community, Lauderdale Isles.

 

WEEDS WEEDS WEEDS
By Neil Leibowitz

El Nino has sure made 1998 a busy, upside down year for those of us living on the water. Our normal dry season was the wettest in modern times. The beginning of our rainy season was the driest in modern times. Our summer has been the hottest seen since man started keeping records. June was made hotter and drier than any other due to an incessant westerly wind that seemed to blow for months. Areas in Florida that were literally underwater due to flooding rains earlier this year are experiencing tinder-dry and forest fire conditions only months later. Windy conditions made boating all but impossible in our area from last November until mid May. And in Lauderdale Isles we have seen our canals fill up with weeds for the first time in many years.
    It doesn't seem possible that a few months of rain could cause all of the weed related trouble we have seen in our canals this year, but it's true. The heaviest rains our state has ever seen fell in the Tampa - St. Petersburg area from September of 1997 through mid-winter of 1998. The rivers and lakes were swollen, Lake Okeechobee was at record high levels, and the Everglades were flooded. South Florida was spared much of this deluge of water, as many winter fronts seemed to park over central Florida, and then disappear, keeping us sunny and dry while drenching our northern neighbors. When these rains in Central Florida stopped, the backlog of fresh water made its way south, through the river of grass. South Florida water managers had the task of balancing the needs of retaining enough water for human consumption, while ridding Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades of the excess from all the rain.
    In Lauderdale Isles, we see this excess fresh water flow as discharge from the New River Canal dam in Plantation Isles, along State Road 84/I-595. Excessive fresh water causes the salinity in our tidal canals to drop, giving fresh water fresh and plants the opportunity to establish a foothold. In the past, we have had fairly minor problems with fresh water weeds during rainy years. The inevitable reintroduction of more saline water from the ocean solves the fresh water weed problem. This year, since we have had much more fresh water enter our local ecosystem, the weeds have been that much worse. In years past, hydrilla has been a minor problem. But in 1998, we have also seen blooms of hygrophilla floating into our canals after being pushed out of the Everglades by the fresh water that carries it.
    These weeds are fairly simple to control in a closed fresh water environment,, such as a lake. We introduce an herbicide in sufficient quantity, and the weeds die quickly. In our open tidal canals, this simply doesn't work. We try to introduce herbicides on the low tide, so that they will tend to stay in our canals as long as possible. As soon as the tide ebbs, the herbicide ebbs with it.
    What can we do? The Lauderdale Isles Water Management district has instituted a spraying program until the canal water is salty enough to kill the weeds naturally. In the past two months, we have spent approximately $7,000 in herbicides and labor to get the weed problems under control. We have had a crew try to manually remove the weeds from one canal, without much success. We have received many calls from people in the Isles who are concerned about the health of the canals.
    We will continue to spray the weeds as needed. But all of us who live on the water have to do more to help us keep the canals clean. We should all talk to our lawn services and ask them not to throw the clippings and trimmings into the canals. We have had far too many complaints about lawn services doing this. It is illegal, and if we can videotape this activity, the lawn service will have its equipment confiscated. We should educate our new neighbors who are new to waterfront living. And we can all help pull debris from the water whenever we take a cruise. We don't have to wait for the March Waterways Cleanup.
    The good news of all of this is that we have fewer barnacles plaguing our boats this year, and the manatees have been in abundance. One of the manatee families cruising our neighborhood this spring apparently gave birth in our area, and we now have a new, junior-sized resident manatee.
    The Water Management District has just passed its annual budget for fiscal year 1999. With all of the maintenance we have paid for, we have spent a total of $46 more than we received in revenue. This excess came out of our surplus we carry forward when we spend less than our revenue stream. Your Water Management Commission has a minimum of three public meetings per year, all of which are advertised in the Sun Sentinel Public Notice section. The Water Management District is funded by assessing your county tax bill. For fiscal year 1999, we have held the line at $15 per waterfront house. This amount has remained unchanged for more than a decade.
Good riddance to El Nino, until the next time.

 

ABOUT HOME IMPROVEMENTS
By Gary Starkweather

Home improvement is the living force that breathes new life back into our community. Think about it. Without home improvement the aging homes of Lauderdale Isles would continue to decline and eventually fall victim to the elements. Before long we would face the loss of our homes. In fact, there are already some homes in the Isles that have been condemned by the county.
    This community depends upon reasonable access to home and property
improvements as much as a scuba diver depends on a working air supply. Cut off our reasonable access to home and property improvements and this community will slowly choke to death.
    Many older communities are restrained by real estate economic
factors. In terms of property value, many home improvements simply end up being over improvements of the property which can never be recovered at the time of sale. But Lauderdale Isles waterfront homes have a greater capacity to accept improvements without becoming over improved because of the natural scarcity of and market demand of waterfront property.
    Our community is not totally without access to home and property improvements. But to use the analogy of a scuba diver, there is a serious kink in the air hose and we're turning blue. Speak to any Lauderdale Isles homeowner who has recently completed permitted improvements. Talk to any licensed contractor who has worked on permitted home improvements in Lauderdale Isles. These people know the Building & Permitting process is broken and they will freely tell you about the obstacles they encountered. (Usually in much more detail than you ever wanted to know.) The staff that directs and or works at these County offices didn't invent these departments. They are not solely responsible for how everything works. They are a part of today's process which means they can become involved in improving things.
    Your taxes pay for all the employees who work for the County Building and Permitting Department and the Code and Zoning Enforcement Department. So when employees from these departments appear to give you a hard time with matters related to your home improvement, you are actually paying them to give you a hard time. Sometimes construction plans are rejected for the sake of tiny details to the point that it looks absolutely petty. Sometimes your construction gets inspected and rejected for reasons that appear totally absurd. Sound unreasonable? You bet it is.
    For example. The Broward County Building and Permitting Department
and the Broward County Code and Zoning Enforcement Department both want property owners to follow all the rules with regard to pulling permits for their property improvements when required. (There shall be no sneaking around on weekends putting in unpermitted projects).
But did you know that if you pull a permit for something as simple, for example, as screening in your existing front porch that you will become subject to further inspection? Yep!
    By policy, any Building or Zoning inspector who shows up at your property to inspect regarding "the subject permit" may evaluate your property for compliance with all County codes and regulations.
    This policy is highly counter productive. It actually discourages some people from pulling permits. If you happen to be a property owner with several old unpermitted stealth projects completed by you or a previous property owner, what are the odds that you'll pull a permit for the next project and risk getting caught on the previous unpermitted projects? This is just one simple example of an area that needs some change.
    But where does one look for solutions? In simple frustration we often place blame and demand accountability but how can we fix this most serious of problems, that if not resolved, will have such a negative impact upon our community? Blamestorming and finger pointing will solve nothing.
    Traditionally you go see the boss. If you don't like his answer you go see his boss. So how high up the ladder do you climb the chain of command before you get satisfaction? Surprise! At the very top of the chain of command is you the tax payer. You're the boss.
    The ultimate accountability for having paid staff running around doing things other than what you want lands right back on us, the tax payers. Employees who lack direction are sure to wander off course. Left alone long enough they will be making up their own job descriptions and engaging in tasks that have almost nothing to do with what you hired them to do in the first place. Sound familiar?
    There is no easy answer. There is no quick fix. If the building inspector halts your job it is all too easy to blame the inspector. But the inspector is just doing his job. That is not to say that all inspectors are without fault and always use fair and reasonable judgment when doing their jobs. Inspectors are like all the rest of us. Sometimes they have bad days and sometimes they use bad judgment just like the rest of us. There is nothing to be accomplished by calling the inspector a bad guy. All the way up the chain of command you find individuals simply doing their job.
    So what do you do when the system works poorly? When the rules,
regulations, codes, policy, and accountability leave you, the tax payer, with a seriously crippled ability to make simple improvements to your property! When the costs, hassle, and headaches of the most simple home improvements exceed the trouble and costs of building a new home you begin to consider moving away. How many folks have you spoken to who decided to pack up and just leave Lauderdale Isles? Commonly they move out west where new homes are ready and waiting. Why do battle in a war that you can't win when it's easier to run away to a ready made home elsewhere? In reality, many do. But there is no more waterfront property popping up in Broward so if you want waterfront property, you'll have to face the music.
    I suggest that there is an answer to pave the path of improvement. The way things are now, if you don't like the procedures in place with regard to the regulation of construction you can call, complain, call some more, complain, and eventually tap dance to the tune of compliance or you'll never get anywhere. Multitudes of rules, regulations, inspections, and hidden regulations will surely drive you crazy, but the path of least resistance is to just try to reach compliance. This gets you to your specific goal but does nothing to change the system. Now at this point you could take leave of your job, seek financial aid from your rich uncle and fight for the cause of local governmental improvement. You could zero in on the South Florida Building Code and the layers of twisted bureaucracy that make the building regulatory agencies what they are today. Well, that will never happen.
    So without a white knight to ride to the rescue of all of us taxpayers, who will be charged with the deed of regulatory reform? Any volunteers? I didn't think so. Why don't we pay somebody to do it? Advocates can be bought, elected or appointed. They can be severed from the direct control or influence of existing regulatory agencies and be accountable exclusively to "we the tax payers." Having a fully employed advocate, when you find yourself trapped in a ridiculous nightmare of unreasonable regulatory restrictions and requirements you'd actually have someone to turn to for assistance. Not only assistance with your immediate concern, but assistance with the overall development of improved regulatory policy.
    Things can be improved. There is a reason to move forward. So you're concerned about the costs of a solution such as employing taxpayer advocates? I'm glad you thought about that because most folks are concerned about costs (taxes). What is the overall cost to a community like Lauderdale Isles where currently about one tenth of the property improvements desired by the homeowners are actually completed?  How much less would property improvements cost homeowners if regulatory policy was improved? And also, how much less would the regulatory staff cost if common sense and sensibility were factored into the building regulatory policy? Everyday our community is exposed to the ill effects of poor building regulatory policy. This may have little impact on the large residential tract developers operating in western Broward County, but to this community it is a very serious matter. The sooner these issues take center stage in a forum for productive change the sooner we may see an increase in property improvements throughout the Isles. Time is of the essence.

 

WHERE'S THE WATER?
by Terry Simonds

Several months ago, we mentioned that the city planned to run new water mains down some of the Isles. Well, the project has sailed into uncharted waters and apparently fetched up on a snag.
    The original contract set out for bids by the city called for a ditch to be dug along the edge of the street on the side where the water main is now. Sewer runs down one side; water down the other.
    New sections of pipe would be laid into the ditch. Then the feeder from your meter to the street would be disconnected from the old main and reconnected to the new. After testing, the ditch would be filled back in and your property restored to "as before or better" condition.
    The contractor that won the bid started work on the other side of I-95 many months ago, fully intending to be here in the Isles by this fall. However, one thing after another, including sabotage on the job, has caused the contractor essentially to come to a complete halt on the project. It appears now that the city may have to reissue invitations to bid and start the whole process again. "I wouldn't expect to see anyone working on our lanes into the early part of 1999," said one city engineer.
    In the meantime, rest assured that the safety of our water, if you can overlook its occasional resemblance to iced tea, is still very high.


ABOUT NEIGHBORHOOD CRITTERS
By Roberta Shaw

In March and April, nesting season begins for many endangered and threatened species of birds. Here in South Florida, many of these live year round. Unfortunately, nesting season coincides with hurricane season and many of you will be trimming your trees in preparation. Here are some suggestions that will help our local wildlife:

-Trim trees with caution. Check for nests. If a nest must be removed, call one of the emergency numbers listed below.
-Keep cats and dogs inside whenever possible. If you have an outdoor cat put a Snap-Away (safe) bell collar around its neck to alert parent birds.
-If you find an orphaned or injured baby bird do not attempt to feed it, as the wrong diet and care could cause more harm. Place it in a box with air holes and call for assistance.
-For help and information about local wildlife call:

1. Wildlife Care Center 524-4302
2. Rascals Wildlife Care 779-0364
3. Wildlife Alert Hotline 1-800-432-2046
* Ask for the nearest licensed rehabilitation to you for all wildlife (manatees, alligators, reptiles, mammals, birds)
4. Duck Haven (Muscovy only) 979-5044
5. Rabbit Rescue 749-1367
6. Broward Sheriff s Animal Abuse Unit 321-4830

Courtesy of Critter Tales, Roberta Shaw 581-1869



IT'S CLEAN UP TIME FOR LAUDERDALE ISLES
By Gary Starkweather

DON'T DRINK THE WATER! Most days there are no dead fish floating in our canals in the Isles. But most days I wouldn't drink the water either. Fish, crabs, and other life forms, however, do still live in our canals.
    For most homeowners in Lauderdale Isles the water is the most important enhancement to the property. For some, the water only means cheap transport to safe dockage and nothing more. For others, the water means a handy yard-a-pult for quick and easy disposal of anything unwanted. If you fall into that category, then this bud's for you.
    If the water in our canals cannot support life because of pollution they will turn into stinky sludge ponds. The very same water that today is an enhancement could become a serious detraction. The difference between a sludge pit and a healthy canal is the life sustaining capability of the water. It's that simple.
    In many previous articles I have tried to deliver the message about how important it is to protect the life in the water. I delivered biological facts. Didn't see a difference. I outlined the costs of pollution including dredging. Didn't see a difference. I even talked about the unlawfulness and quoted the county ordinances. Didn't see a difference. So now I'm gonna try the stink approach.
    Do you realize just how bad the stink will be if our canals die? You've no idea. Some neighbors who were here in the 60s remember. In the 60s they had water hyacinths so thick you could walk across the canals. Boats were locked in tight. The oxygen levels in the water dropped so low that the fish died. And there were dead ducks too. It was stink city! In desperation Lauderdale Isles promoted a fund raiser. They needed to collect $30,000.00 to hire the 3M company to spray the weeds. They sprayed the thick mountains of hyacinth which almost immediately sank to the bottom of the canals and began to rot. Oh charming! The rotting vegetation robbed the water of too much oxygen and almost all life in the canals died. The stink was horrible. Talk about your bubbling goo. Although navigation was restored it took about three years for life to return to the waters in the Isles.
    Seriously though, there are some cases where some of our neighbors are still treating our canals like sewers and garbage dumps and it continues to place our canals at risk. Most Isles residents have gotten with the program but many still need to get with it. Some of the folks who still don't pay attention to environmental issues are just new neighbors who don't know. They may live right next door to you. Or closer.
    A simple solution is to go to the general meeting on November 19th and pick up some flyers and pamphlets about the subject. We bring them to every meeting. They're great. They provide the information in summary form. It couldn't be easier. And if you have neighbors who find environmental responsibility a totally new concept, provide them several copies. Just get the word out.
    And then there are the more difficult cases. They usually throw this newsletter in the trash unread, rent dock space to live-aboards with no pump out service, plaster their lawns with pesticides and fertilizers, and aim their yard-a-pult towards the canal. Yep. We got'em. And sometimes they really do know about the environmental issues but they just don't care. There is one in every crowd. So unless you're 6' 7" and 285 lb., I don't really suggest that you run over and discuss the issue. (Although a cold beer in a recyclable aluminum can might work!) It's your call.
    On the other hand there are handy telephone numbers on the back page of this newsletter that can be stuck to your refrigerator door. Cheers.

 

THE ELECTRIC ISLES
by Terry Simonds

That's "Isles," not "eels..." For those of you who still haven't braved the World Wide Web, or WWW, there's a great place to visit. Lauderdale Isles has gone electronic, with our very own site on the Internet.
    Records show that almost 600 people have checked in so far to get a phone number, find out when the next meeting is scheduled, learn what happened at the last General or Trustee Meeting, or maybe just browse around to see what's happening. That's not a crowd by any means, but it's considerably more than who visit some of the other civic association web sites.
    For example, did you know you could find out from our site how much the people down the street sold their house for last month? Do you know what the average sales price of homes on a canal is, compared to those that do not have ocean access? For the answer, visit the LICIA web site and click the "Our Community" sign The sales we have tracked will give you a rough idea of what your property may be worth. Check it out.
    Want to see a chart showing the track of that hurricane pounding away out there? It's there in the "Interesting links section behind the "Good Stuff' sign.
    So, come visit our web site. We're sure you'll find something of interest there!

    Oh, yes! Thought you'd never ask... http://www.licia.org


LIFT UP DAVIE BLVD -- 3RD ANNUAL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY PARADE
by Joan Sheridan

Volunteers and Sponsors are desperately needed for the Lift Up Davie Blvd. 3rd Annual Christmas Parade. If you can help in any way, please call Diane Russo, Chairperson for the parade, at her beeper number 367-9154.
    The parade will be on Saturday, December 5th at 9am. The parade will start at the corner of SW 27th Avenue and will go west on Davie Blvd. to SW 36th Avenue.
    This is a wonderful family event, so please tell everyone to come and join us. Bring your lawn chairs and be a part of this neighborhood parade.


 

LICIA ELECTIONS MEETING -- NOVEMBER 19, 1998

There will be elections for the board of directors at the general meeting on 11/19/98, at 7:30 P.M. for the offices of:

President - Position Available
Vice President - Position Available
Treasurer - Position Available
Secretary - Will serve another term

Additionally, the trustees and alternate trustees for each lane will be elected and or reaffirmed.
If you would like to help protect your community and guide the future development of the area, please run for office. All positions are on a volunteer basis and are up for reelection.

NEWSLETTER EDITORS NEEDED

This could be the last newsletter. Most of the volunteers that have produced the previous 15 issues of the LICIA newsletter are stepping down after this issue. The LICIA newsletter has served to inform Lauderdale Isles residents of current activities and issues of local interest.
    If you're interested but have concerns or reservations about computers don't worry. ANI Site Development is on Riverland Road. Computers, scanners, printers and all the required facilities will be made available to any volunteer staff that would like to produce the LICIA newsletter.
    If you're a "computer phoebe" don't worry. Tutoring is available. The learning curve is not so serious. In just a few short training sessions you too can be writing newsletter copy like the pros.
    If you're interested please call Gary Starkweather at 581-9929 M-F 9-5 for further details.

URGENT BULLETIN!     GET YOUR NEWS FASTER
by Terry Simonds

At SR7 and Riverland Rd. you've probably noticed that DOT has marked the middle lane of Riverland for straight through only; no left turns from that lane.
    After hearing that someone had been ticketed for turning from that lane, we contacted the DOT and BSO Division Chief George Brennan to see if they could shed any light on the situation. Chief Brennan responded that it is a temporary change due to construction, and the old pattern will be reinstated as soon as possible.
    If you're just finding out now, then you're not subscribed to the LICIA News EXTRA! e-mail service offered by your civic association, it's free, it's confidential (we don't share the list with anyone), and it's timely. Notification of suspicious persons or vehicles, BSO alerts, traffic items, etc., will be e-mailed to you just as soon as we receive them.
    If you're interested in receiving neighborhood news via e-mail, contact LICIA at fsimonds@icanect.net     for more information.


CQ ALL ISLES HAMS

A check of the FCC database shows almost 20 hams here in the Isles. Would anyone like to form an informal group to swap yarns, drape wire in the trees, set up emergency net, etc.? Contact me if you're interested.