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Redington Beach update
By Aaron M. Coder
REDINGTON BEACH – At the Sept. 16 meeting commissioners offered thanks to the volunteers and coordinators who took part in the dedication of the 9/11 Memorial in Friendship Park.
Town Clerk Janina Patrus said Redington Beach received positive feedback regarding the Sept. 6 ceremony. “We’ve been getting a lot of phone calls and positive comments,” Patrus said, noting that many people stopped to visit the memorial on Sept. 11, including members of the Madeira Beach Fire Department.
Patrus read several cards and letters from local residents and businesses offering their appreciation to the town and those involved in creating the memorial. “There was a lot of sweat and a lot of work that everybody put in,” Patrus said. “It’s a very positive and wonderful addition to the town,” she added.
Vice Mayor Mark Deighton mentioned Madeira Beach resident and retired FDNY Chief Ken Markgraf’s instrumental role in bringing the project to fruition. He recommended the commission make Markgraf an honorary resident of Redington Beach as a show of appreciation.
The Vice Mayor also read a letter from Mayor Leopold Bambula of Pelhrimov, Czech Republic, who received an invitation to the ceremony but was unable to attend due to prior commitments. Pelhrimov is the hometown of Vladimir Hostomsky, the Redington Beach resident and artist who created the 9/11 Twin Towers sculpture perched atop the memorial.
Town takes aim at neglected properties
Commissioner Fred Steierman said he hopes to introduce legislation that would allow for stiffer penalties levied against owners of neglected properties out of compliance with the town’s code of standards. He said the town has been footing the bill to maintain neglected properties and that the process of tracking down the owners of the properties and the legal fees associated with recovering those expenses can be long and costly with no guarantee of success.
Mayor Nick Simons said the problem stems mostly from homes facing foreclosure.
“It’s a code enforcement issue which is burgeoning because of people walking away from properties and not honoring their mortgage commitments,” Simons said. “We have a responsibility to see that the homes are in compliance,” he added.
Commissioner Steierman said he had been looking at ordinances from other municipalities to find a more proactive solution to the problem.
Town attorney Fabian Lokenauth said the town could consider stiffening the penalties associated with code violations to help offset the costs of maintaining the properties but there is no guarantee of collecting the fines.
Lokenauth said he would work with Public Works and code enforcement officials to find a solution.
Flooding woes swamp Redington Beach
Vice Mayor Deighton reported that upgrades to the town’s storm drain system, specifically the installation of larger outflow pipes to remedy standing water during heavy rainfall, had resulted in occasional flooding at the street level in several areas due to seawater backing up through the pipes during astronomical high tides and storm surges.
Mayor Nick Simons said the town experienced flooding in this manner recently, such as when Hurricane Ike
moved through the Gulf of Mexico. He said the town could form a committee to research the problem and costs associated with possible remedies.
Commissioner Michelle Fox expressed cautious optimism towards finding a solution. “We live on an island. You can only do so much,” she said.
Commissioner David Drillick said he is researching several types of valves that could be installed on the outflow pipes that would prevent seawater from entering while allowing rainwater to escape.
Mayor Simons thanked Commissioner Drillick for his efforts and suggested he continue researching possible solutions rather than assign a committee to look into the problem.
He said the town would likely call a public hearing on the matter to be announced at a later date.
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