AskPROD.org

Hello Everyone:

Once again, I am excited to take the reins of PROD as President. Our past President and Vice-President have stepped down and I wish them well. Some of the PROD board members will be changing over the course of the next several months with the selection of individuals who have a wealth of experience dealing with issues and people and been involved in a myriad of community issues. The remainder of the officers and directors are the same individuals who have fought for your rights over the years and continue to observe and report on City activities, future development projects and City board’s results.

PROD has been an effective organization over the past twenty-five years caring for the needs of its members and the residents of our great City. Primarily a civic watchdog organization, PROD has had at times a tumultuous relationship with some of our City’s elected officials over height and density issues, spending, taxation, and a myriad of other issues affecting our everyday lives.

I, unequivocally, state that those days are in the past. I will not condone disruptive behavior by any PROD board member and will strive for a working relationship with our elected officials, that which we can be proud of and respected for.

I believe that a continually growing City, as Delray Beach, needs a civic organization to which residents can turn for support on issues affecting their quality of life. That is what an All America City should be about…residents helping residents relate their concerns to their elected officials and that is why PROD exists. We are here, not to be divisive or disruptive to our City, our City staff or elected officials, we are here to convey our collective concerns about development projects, spending, taxation and other issues affecting our quality of life.

The City is fortunate to have a Mayor and City Commissioners who have assured us during their campaigns for office that they will be available and open to discuss matters of mutual importance. I look forward to working with our elected officials for the benefit of all residents.

I also hope that you are ready to join and support your civic organization by joining, not only as members but helping where possible by joining committees to help PROD stay on top of issues. The dues have been set at 12 dollars per year and I hope that I will get to met each of you in the future.

Regards, Gerry Franciosa, President

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Delray Beach has had problems with “transient housing” for many years. It has now escalated to epidemic proportions. To define the problem we must look back on how this crisis evolved. Years ago, five retired nuns moved into a single-family residence and anticipated living together in retired harmony. At the time, the City had an ordinance that allowed only three unrelated persons to occupy a single dwelling. Since their total was five unrelated occupants, the City filed a complaint against the owner/occupants of the dwelling.

Nearby residents that did not mind the tranquil setting the nuns inspired, reached out to City officials to allow them to stay. In order to achieve compliance, the City’s elected officials passed a new ordinance changing three unrelated persons to five thus allowing the nuns to live together without violating the pervious three unrelated ordinance.

The five unrelated person ordinance has remained to this day. While elected officials attempted to correct a situation for the betterment of its residents, there were also unscrupulous individuals lurking who then found a way to profit, turning something good into evil, in order to destroy other people’s tranquility.

Now, forward to 2009 when these profiteers (who act without concern for the residents of Delray Beach to live a quality of life they expected when they buy into a home and a community) are overrunning the City with transient housing. Single-family homeowners did not buy into chaos created by these profiteers in their communities. Profiteers, disguised as landlords, “transient tenants” are very different from the five nuns this ordinance had originally planned to protect. Now we have some brave city Commissioners who are willing to change this ordinance back to three unrelated persons per dwelling.

In order for a new ordinance to become law there must be two public hearings and a vote by the City Commission at each public hearing to approve or disapprove the new ordinance. The first public hearing was held several weeks ago and this portion of the ordinance was passed by a three to two vote and moves on to a second public reading. The two Commissioners who voted no said they would prefer four unrelated persons per dwelling.

One of the profiteers hired a local law firm known for their finesse in getting their clients what they want on issues before the City Commission. The Progressive Residents of Delray (PROD) board of directors envisioned a win-win situation for our elected officials to pass an ordinance that would improve the quality of life of residents, has turned into a political nightmare.

The question we must all ask is why two of our elected officials are willing to compromise our quality of life, an issue they vowed to support, and voted against three unrelated per dwelling.

PROD believes THREE IS MORE THAN ENOUGH and hope that most residents feel the same way. Delray Beach residents must ban together on this ordinance as written, come together personally at the next commission meeting, and publicly voice their concern to our elected officials, especially those commissioners who voted no. Remember there is always hope and strength in numbers. Please join us at the meeting, City Hall, July 7, 2009 at 6 PM.

Gerry Franciosa, President

Comments posted on this website do not necessarily reflect the position of the organization. PROD's policy is discuss the issue and not the person. Articles that do not follow this policy will not be published. For full details click here Click here to make comments

Comments posted on this website do not necessarily reflect the position of the organization.
PROD's policy is discuss the issue and not the person. Articles that do not follow this policy will not be published.

For full details click here

Click here to make comments