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Condo News Online Local News Page

 

Condos of 

South Ocean Blvd., 

Palm Beach

By Madelyn Greenberg

Last Updated 07/30/2022


Condos of So. Ocean Blvd.  

view from Intracoastal at Lake Worth Bridge

Photos by Jimmy Shirley



FL Gov’s Push to Cut State Gas Taxes Gets Bipartisan Support

(12-16-21)

The following article is not about party affiliations. It is about how even in partisan times like these, you can look beyond politics and agree on doing things for the benefit of the people. A positive and productive idea, that is what bipartisanship should always be about. Not politics, but the people and their best interests.

We all know by now that inflation is on and appears to not be going away anytime soon. One of the obvious red flags in this situation, are the rising prices at the gas pump. This is especially dire, for those who make their living traveling to and from work, delivering products and even those in everyday life.

Florida’s Governor, with all that he is doing on so many fronts, has come up with a proposal for the Florida Legislature, in order to lower the State’s gas-tax. Even if it is a temporary measure, for six months, by dipping into Florida’s federal COVID-19 stimulus money, which, according to DeSantis, "…. the reduction in gas-tax revenue won’t hinder the state Department of Transportation’s annual road program.", as stated in a WUSF Public Media article.

The Governor’s proposal, has the bipartisan support from two of the possible opposing party candidates for Governor in 2022. Both Charlie Christ and Nikki Fried, also agree that there should be gas-tax relief for Floridians.

That indeed, is something that gets high marks as Bipartisan approval of Governor DeSantis’s proposal. Also, no doubt the same will be true for Floridians, their visitors, truckers, businesses, and tourists.

Florida, has no State income tax, so sometimes the State and even Counties use taxes to bring a steady income stream in. Gas/fuel costs are no different and no exception to this formula. Add to that, the rising gas prices for transportation needs from the growing inflation that our Nation is now experiencing.

In the last several months, the USA is no longer energy independent. Currently, due to certain actions by the federal government’s administration, our Nation finds ourselves submissive to countries in the world, that are far from friendly to our Nation or, reliable. Leaving OPEC, as more powerful than ever before, because of the USA’s new dependency on them to supply our oil energy needs, while cutting oil off in our own Nation. Which means, they can easily hold us hostage. This, undoubtably leaves the USA, at a great disadvantage.

Going from a Nation that was finally energy independent to one that is not. Add to that, the supply chain snarl, inflation growing within our economy, mandates that leave less workers, truckdrivers and more, and as those with less money due to it being worth less, means expensive gasoline becomes more and more of a hardship.

The positive for Florida, is that even with the escalating gas/fuel costs, at least for Floridians, there will be a temporary reprieve due to the Governor’s proposal push and hopefully Florida’s Legislature’s vote, to make that possible.

According to an article on this topic, from The Tampa Bay Times, in late November, "DeSantis said he was still working out the details with state lawmakers. He estimated that canceling the state gas tax for six months would save drivers $1 billion…" and the Governor said, "We want to protect Floridians as much as we can against the inflation that we’re seeing."

An article from the Epoch Times, "DeSantis said that ‘nothing has pinched people more than these gas prices.’ In addition to relief for Floridians via the tax cut, he called on fuel stations to reduce prices by 25 cents per gallon".

The article also describes, that DeSantis is "concerned that an increase in salaries and wages will not be enough to cover the rising costs of goods." The Governor is quoted as saying, "Even if you start making more money, if the prices [for goods and fuel] are going up faster than your wages or salary, you’re actually losing money in this inflationary economy."

The Governor said that he is pushing back at the "inflationary pressures" and that he wants to make a "meaningful difference".

According to my research, the Governor has spoken to executives at several large Florida-based gas stations and gotten agreements to lower the gas prices during the tax-cut period.

In the WUSF article, it was explained that Florida’s Governor feels that the "approximately 25-cent-a-gallon ‘gas tax relief’ proposal could save the average Florida family up to $200 over a five- to six-month period, while reducing state revenue by more than $ 1 billion. DeSantis wants lawmakers to approve it during the legislative session that starts Jan. 11."

The Governor said that in regard to doing the "gas tax relief", "…this is, I think, really, really big." The great news, is that both of the candidates that each hope to run from the Democratic party for Governor of Florida, both apparently agree with the Governor and think so too!

What better compliment can there be and encouragement for confirmation by the Florida Legislature, that both Democrats that hope to run in 2022 for Governor against the incumbent, are actually in agreement with this move being pushed and proposed by the Republican Governor!

HOW MUCH MORE BIPARTISAN CAN YOU GET!


Will Florida Be A Major Leader Out Of The Supply Chain Snarl?

(12-2-21)

It appears that Florida has become a Leader, among many of the current important issues within the 50 United States of America. The issue to be covered in this article is the present-day supply chain snarl and how it is a major negative impact for so many Americans.

This issue is not about politics, nor who we voted for and what our views are. The supply chain woes that we all have been hearing about for some months now and NOT getting any better, but possibly worse, are about logistics and getting the goods we need in a timely fashion.

Will not get into the blame game here, although there are some that are intertwined with the supply chain problems. The purpose of this article is to bring out the positive possibilities that are available out there and ones that can bring affirmative outcomes.

We all have heard that the ports in California and also in New York, have ships waiting out in the ocean for weeks due to the conditions at the ports that make offloading and sending out goods, impossible at this time.

In order to help this process, succeed, consideration of other alternatives need to be contemplated.

PJ Media, in an article dated 10/13/2021, said that the Florida Ports Council put out a Press Release, "that the state’s ports are open, staffed, and ready for business."

The Press Release went on to say that "Florida is where your success comes in, and our seaports are the solution to ensure the cargo shipping logjam doesn’t become the grinch that stole Christmas", stated by Florida Ports Council President and CEO Michael Rubin. In addition, "With inflation growing, shipping and manufacturing industries can save time and money by calling on Florida ports. Why pay to moor off the coast of California, when Florida shipping lanes are open and serving as the gateway for getting goods to America’s market?"

The article cited at that time that there were more than 60 ships waiting off-shore. Heard that number was more like 100 ships off-shore.

FL Ports Council President Rubin confidently stated, "Florida is open for business, and we are the solution to help resolve the global supply chain crisis. Instead of waiting off the coast of California, cargo vessels can offload and move their product to Florida and other discretionary markets in the same time it takes to find space in an increasingly congested California."

According to the Press Release: "The Sunshine State’s 15 public seaports are well-positioned to step up."

The Press Release also detailed that, "Thanks to Governor DeSantis, Florida is well-positioned to serve as part of the supply chain solution. Earlier this year, Governor DeSantis infused Florida’s 15 seaports with $250 million in stimulus relief to help offset the impacts experienced as a result of the pandemic. The stimulus is in addition to other port infrastructure and connectivity investments made in Florida to increase our capacity and ability to move cargo and passengers around the world…"

As to the article’s positive prediction, they hoped that shippers would reward Florida’s proactive attitude, so that Christmas trees, toys, sneakers, clothes and even toilet paper, can come ashore in Florida, sooner than anticipated to be delivered to California and the other slow-moving ports, so as to be moved-around within the USA.

The Washington Post gave additional details of the problem with the port crisis in California, by explaining that is also causing rail-yards to back up and logjams for Truckers too.

California has passed laws for Truckers, that eliminate owner-operators. Additionally, a law was passed that puts restrictions on the age of trucks that can legally operate in the state.

All these restrictions, including the VAX Mandate for Truckers and Port-Workers/Longshoremen, further impede getting all the goods out of the ports and in and out of the rail-yards.

According to Florida’s leaders, "Florida doesn’t have any of these restrictive rules."

To make things more difficult in California, US Rep. Michelle Steel of CA introduced Legislation to ban ships from idling or anchoring within 24 nautical miles of the Southern California coastline for 180 days. Do they have the right to this authority?

FLORIDA IN CONTRAST, IS OFFERING THE CARGO SHIPS A PLACE TO GO!

According to a Washington Examiner article, dated 10/24/2021, "Florida is encouraging ships to ditch backed up ports in the West Coast and head its way."

The Examiner said that Governor DeSantis, "…warned that the supply chain problems could worsen as the holiday season approaches."

Also, DeSantis was quoted as saying, "WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL THE NECESSITIES ARE THERE AND IF IT’S BECAUSE SHIPS ARE SITTING OFF THE COAST SOMEWHERE ELSE, AND THEY CAN BE REROUTED HERE, AND WE CAN GET ALL THOSE SHELVES STOCKED, THEN WE WANT TO BE A PART OF THAT SOLUTION."

Most importantly, a spokeswoman for JAXSPORT, which is the Jacksonville Port Authority, stated that "the facility welcomes any rerouted ships or new cargo vessels, whether temporary or permanent.". The spokesperson said that unlike the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which account for about 40% of US imports, ‘the Jacksonville port has not had container vessels backed up at any point during the pandemic’.

Florida’s Governor has sited Port Everglades, Port Tampa Bay and Port Panama City as having the capacity to bring in additional ships and offload cargo.

Certain vessels have to go to ports that can support their size. There are other States with ports, like Houston, Texas and Savanna, Georgia that can take more traffic. It is Florida though, that has openly and publicly reached out though. Mark Derks, chief marketing officer for Florida-based BlueGrace Logistics, who said "That IT IS LOGISTICALLY POSSIBLE AND COULD BE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE TO REROUTE SHIPS FROM CALIFORNIA TO FLORIDA."

DeSantis’s office is confident that the trip to Florida is well worth it.

The Governor’s Press Secretary Christina Pushaw, stated that the trip from the backlogged ports of Southern California to Florida, are much more practical and would expedite things rather than waiting up to five weeks or more to dock and unload cargo in California.

Another article in Health News Florida, dated 11/12/2021, "Over the last month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and other leaders have been promoting the state as a destination for cargo. They suggest ships avoid busy harbors like Los Angeles and Long Beach, sail through the Panama Canal, and drop anchor in the Sunshine State."

All said, Florida is a positive alternative for the choked-up supply chain crisis. The shame of it all, is that have heard very little about whether anything has come of Florida’s common-sense offer in order to expedite goods to get to Americans much faster.

IN ADDITION, THE USA NEEDS TO MANUFACTURE MORE GOODS, NECESSITIES AND PRODUCTS, RIGHT HERE IN OUR NATION! INSTEAD, OF BEING PLACED IN A BIND, WHEN THINGS ARE COMING FROM OTHER COUNTRIES, MOST NOTABLY FROM THE CCP IN CHINA.


Impractical Stance Will Come Back To Haunt Town

(11-18-21)

In a Palm Beach Daily News/USA TODAY NETWORK article dated 10/29/2021, it describes how the Town of Palm Beach is planning to ask the State’s "Resilient Florida Program" created by the legislature in 2021, for grant monies so the Town can "lift", "raise", "elevate" "infrastructure" within the Town.

The Town is planning to ask, as of September 1st, "for more than half a million dollars from a newly created state coffer…."

For such things as in their initial plan the Town now FINALLY plans on, "Lifting, lift stations that move sewage and wastewater, and elevating pump stations that handle sewage-free water."

The article goes on to tell us that Town Consultant Bob Hamilton "emphasized there are many more concerns to address, especially on the lagoon side of the island where homes, roads and the Lake Trail are the most vulnerable to rising waters."

Hamilton is quoted as saying, "There is a substantial present-day risk of flooding from the Lake Worth shoreline". Claiming it would likely come from "stormdriven surge through the Lake Worth Inlet that traps water in the lagoon, ballooning levels and overtopping seawalls." He also confirmed that this "present-day flood risk" "is anticipated to increase in the future."

The article also sites one of the most conservative assumptions that, in the future that new construction and some forms of remodeling of homes, WILL need to be RAISED UP, or ELEVATED, "TO 3 FEET ABOVE BASE FLOOD ELEVATION." Hamilton, also acknowledges that "THE FLOODPLAIN WILL EXPAND IN THE FUTURE." The house raising and remodeling of homes will be at the expense of homeowners.

Sounds practical, EXCEPT that the Town of Palm Beach has been within FEMA’s Most SEVERE SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD ZONE for many years now and done an absolutely minuscule job of planning, constructing and raising any elevation, EXCEPT WHEN REQUIRED by FEMA.

Instead of retaining a consultant to study and prepare projects for the Town’s "FLOOD VULNERABILITIES AND BUILD PROTECTION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE AGAINST WATER THREATS.", Palm Beach starting at least as far back as 2014, made "AESTHETICS" their major goal!

PROOF: Palm Beach PLACED THE MOST IMPORTANT INFRASTRUCTURE, ELECTRICITY, FOR THE ENTIRE TOWN AND ITS COHABITANTS, IN ABSOLUTE PERIL BY LOWERING IT, BURYING IT UNDERGROUND IN NON-WATERPROOF CONDUITS AND PLACING OTHER NON-WATERPROOF EQUIPMENT BELOW THE FLOODPLAIN!

ELECTRICITY AND THE RELIABILITY OF HAVING IT, IS MOST IMPORTANT FOR ANY PRIVATE HOMES, STRUCTURES, MUNICIPALITY, STATE OR FEDERAL PROPERTIES! BURYING A NON-WATERPROOF ELECTRICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEM WITHIN A SEVERE SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD ZONE, DEFIES LOGIC AND PRACTICALITY!

Instead, knowing that the barrier island had all the glaring vulnerabilities of: low-elevation, high water-table, salt-water intrusion, within a direct storm and hurricane alley, sea-walls due to the ability of water to rise up through the ground, can not only go over the top, but under the structure onto the properties- - the Town of Palm Beach Town Council CHOSE NOT TO ACCEPT the overhead high-tech hurricane-proof hardened poles, strong wires and constantly capable of updating smart technology.

Instead:

• the Town Council chose underground non-waterproof conduits with "taps" or seams, which as confirmed at the time from FPL, decomposes from saltwater flooding in the severe flood zones which cover the majority of the barrier island Town.

• Finally, the Council chose to install non-waterproof electric transformers directly within severe flood zones and below the base flood elevation level.

A community may look aesthetically pleasing, but Municipal Leaders should NEVER delay the most important priorities they are responsible for, which are: The Protection, Safety, Well-being and Property Values of those they represent!

When it came down to being PROACTIVE and PRIORITIZING FLOOD PREVENTION AND PROPERTY PROTECTION, the Town of Palm Beach has fallen dramatically short.

In 2014 up to and including 2016, the Town took on a direction and a Town-wide Project was pushed forward by the Town’s Leadership, that made no sense for their particular Municipality, either practicality wise, for safety or even, for future property values.

Instead of doing their due diligence in 2014, the Mayor and Town Council decided to vote to Underground their Electrical Utilities in a Town-wide Project. Then proceed to promote and finance their ill-advised Project with a Bond Referendum in 2016. Believe the beginning of construction on this multi-phase troubled Project came in 2017.

The give-away to the impractical stance of the Town’s decision-makers, came when Town Consultant Bob Hamilton said at the 5/27/21 Shore Board Meeting, how he has worked for the Town for 20 years. He then said that in 2014, he started to talk to the Town about their ‘FLOOD VULNERABILITIES’!

Coincidentally, without ever informing the residents of their flood risk vulnerabilities, the Town Council voted unanimously in October of 2014, to underground electrical utilities in a Town-wide Project!

In addition, Hamilton said that the Town Council had commissioned him in 2017, which was either just prior or at the VERY BEGINNING of the actual construction stage of the Electrical Underground Project, to do a supposed "Flood Vulnerability Assessment", which for some inexplicable reason was delayed and not completed until 2019.

CURRENTLY, AS RECENT AS NOVEMBER OF 2021, NOTHING HAS COME OF THE VULNERABILITY REPORT to bring any kind of practical protective Project. Wonder if the fact that the Municipality has still not completed the Town-wide Underground Utilities Project could have something to do with the ongoing delay?

Maybe it is because the Vulnerability Assessment was little more than a ruse by the Town, unless forced to do otherwise?

The Town should have planned for a Town-wide necessity and protective Project and FUNDED IT FIRST and foremost, PRIOR TO: financing and constructing a NON-WATERPROOF Town-wide Underground Utilities Project, renovating the Town’s Marina and making pretty parks and fountains. If the Town had instead built A NEW AND ELEVATED TOWN-WIDE WATER DRAINAGE AND PUMP SYSTEM, to lessen or eliminate the Town’s Flooding problems, that would have been the ONLY ESSENTIAL PROJECT that made practical sense to do first!

The answer as to why not, makes for much confusion and shows SKEWED PRIORITIES and lack of attention to the Town’s protection and safety!

The answer came directly from Public Works Director Mr. Brazil who represents the Town’s policies, regarding the drainage pipes, which are now underground. He said that it, WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE TO MODIFY IN ANY WAY.

FPL has said and confirmed more than once that when the Town-wide Underground Project is completed and there is the threat of storm surge, which occurs during many hurricanes, THE POWER WILL BE SHUT DOWN TOWN-WIDE!

Therefore, the antiquated storm drainage and pump system, which ARE RUN BY ELECTRICITY, will NOT FUNCTION AT ALL, when the power is turned off by FPL!

The current drainage and pump system will flood, since the water will likely "overwhelm it", plus the electricity will be turned off and make the Town’s current Drainage and Pump System totally useless!

So why then, has the Town wasted valuable time and taxpayer dollars on Aesthetic, "feel good" Projects, instead of at least having planned and initiated a new ELEVATED Town-wide Drainage and Pump System Project?

Plus, now what are they going to do about the loss of electricity they created with their new pet Town-wide Electrical Undergrounding Project?

What appears to be abundantly clear to anyone paying any attention in the Town of Palm Beach, is that THE IMPRACTICAL STANCE OF THE TOWN COUNCIL- -WILL COME BACK TO HAUNT THE TOWN’S RESIDENTS!


Deliberately Denying Treatments For COVID-19, What Rational Reason Can Justify This Action?

Part 2

(11-4-21)

Florida, with its growing population, including the greatest number of seniors than any other State, is suddenly, now on top of that denial list and their supply of the treatment, of Regeneron, has been "dramatically" cut.

According to several sources, the manufacturers have confirmed supplies within the USA, are ample and there WAS NO SHORTAGE OF THE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENTS.

Due to the Defense Production Act, the only entities that can actually purchase and distribute the Monoclonal Antibody Treatments available in the US, are the White House and its Agencies. Why was this instituted as part of the Act?

The average need for Monoclonal Antibody Treatments in Florida is 72,000. Due to this sudden policy change, that number was slashed to fewer than 31,000 doses.

DeSantis has said that move has resulted in cutting the essential supply by more than half to Florida. Which left the Governor and the State’s Health Agency scrambling and almost in limbo.

In addition, the Federal Government, who contracted two of three companies that produce the therapeutic, have made it so that Florida’s Governor, CAN NOT EVEN PURCHASE ANY ADDITIONAL SUPPLIES TO MAKE UP FOR THIS SUDDEN SHORTFALL, DUE TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S NEW RATIONING POLICY.

Left no other choice, Governor DeSantis was forced to purchase whatever number of doses they had available, from GlaxoSmithKline. Another pharmaceutical company that has the treatment, located in the EU and purchase these expensive treatments with State monies at $2,500 a dose, which he otherwise would have received from the Federal Government for free.

Heard on the news, that Nikki Fried, who is one of the Democratic candidates planning to run against Republican Florida Governor, Ron DeSantis in 2022, is also against the cut of Monoclonal Antibody Treatment dosages to the State of Florida. The report said she had asked Biden NOT to cut Florida’s dosages of the treatment. I attempted to contact Ms. Fried, but thus far received no confirmation of the report.

Proof, that saving lives, should be non-negotiable, regardless of party-affiliation!

This therapeutic was originally created, manufactured and stocked up under the previous Presidential Administration, where the plan was that any State could obtain as many dosages as each State deemed necessary. That plan was already set in motion, but completely underutilized until DeSantis’s initiation of it throughout Florida.

In fact, the Monoclonal Antibody Treatment was taken successfully by the previous President of the USA after he contracted the virus and as you may recall, he was back in business in 24 to 48 hours of taking it.

The lifesaving Monoclonal Antibody Treatment for some unknown reason, had been pushed aside, as the main focus became the vaccines, to prevent the virus from occurring. So instead, the use of therapeutics, for those that already contracted the virus, had been put on the back burner for many, many months. Unfortunate, because it could have possibly saved many thousands of lives.

Florida is possibly, the first State in our Nation to make the Monoclonal Antibody Treatments available! Through the previous Administration and the Federal Government, it was made free to any State.

The President of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama, Dr Aruna Arora explained that many patients who receive this antibody treatment feel better within 24 to 48 hours!

In an article from NewsRescue, it is suggested that if someone tests positive for COVID-19, "IT CAN BE A LIFE-SAVER IF GIVEN WITHIN THE FIRST 10 DAYS OF SYMPTOMS."

Ms. Pushaw’s strong statement for Florida’s Governor, should be universally agreed upon, by ALL Americans, "VACCINATED OR UNVACCINATED- DENYING TREATMENT TO COVID PATIENTS IS WRONG"!

Significant to note, studies and the facts demonstrate, that in Israel, where there is a heavily vaccinated population, COVID-19 is still spreading amongst the vaccinated people! In fact, there has been reports that recently Israel has had a "dramatic surge of new COVID-19 cases".

Monoclonal antibodies are engineered immune system proteins that boost an immune response against an infection.

Recall, when the virus first began, the previous administration sent ventilators, hospital ships, doctors, nurses, supplies and more, to those States who said they were in need. That happened to be in "Blue" States. The former President of the USA, regardless of what you may have thought of him, with those actions, plus the initiation of the unprecedented "Warp Speed", which created the COVID-19 vaccines in record breaking time, manufactured and paid for, so that as soon as they were approved, could go into arms, were all accomplished without skipping a beat. Therefore, "What has changed, since then, that could justify any treatment that can saves lives, currently being denied in any State that is in need?"

The current HHS response is that the agency will, "determine the weekly amount of mAb products each state and territory receives based on COVID-19 case burden and (Monoclonal Antibody Treatment) utilization" and that the new system "will help maintain equitable distribution, both geographically and temporarily, across the country…." Is nothing but a bunch of mumbo-jumbo. Especially, when this new policy, which begun around September 14, 2021 or so, had and still has no shortages of this treatment.

Life-saving treatments should always come before political policy decisions. That statement, comes from the fact, that at the time, the denial/rationing policy was made, coincidentally or not, the impacted States, were "Red" States only.

This sudden policy decision or action could lead to the loss of lives.

In a letter from Governor DeSantis to Biden and his Administration, the Governor stated that, as a result of DeSantis’s action, Florida has administered "100,000 treatments" and that Florida was "the first state in the nation to focus on early treatments for COVID-19 by setting up 25 treatment sites for monoclonal antibody treatments across Florida."

The Governor listed that due to his policy there was a "50% decrease in new hospitalizations; 24 consecutive days of declining hospitalizations; 2-month low in emergency room visits."

It appears that frustrated by the fact that DeSantis could not purchase any of the necessary treatments, due to the fact that the Federal Government has a lock on the two companies that manufacture the supply of the treatment in the USA, and the sudden over 50% decrease of the treatments by the Federal Government to Florida; must have led the Governor to accuse the current President, that this decision was, "….to make this about politics even if it means lives lost."

The Governor had a valid point, when he wrote, "This is bigger than politics. Lives are at stake."

What really makes no sense, because this should be an automatic agreement by the WH and Administration regardless of politics, is why the week prior to this sudden ration of life-saving therapeutics, Biden announced that HE WOULD IN FACT INCREASE SHIPMENTS OF MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENTS!

Then, only one week later, he flip-flopped on the issue and deliberately denied these life-saving treatments and slashed the dosage numbers in Florida by more than 50%!

WHEN YOU PUT SO MANY RESTRICTIONS ON TREATMENTS/THERAPEUTICS, WHY WOULD WE BE SURPRISED THAT SO MANY MORE PEOPLE SO FAR, WITH VACCINES, HAVE GOTTEN SICK AND EVEN DIED IN 2021 OF COVID-19, THAN IN ALL OF 2020?

So, I leave you with the question that began this article, "Deliberately denying life-saving treatments, whatever they may be, for those that have contracted COVID-19, what rational reason can justify this action?"

 

 

(10-21-21)

Part 1

 

There should be universal agreement within the USA, that every American has the ability to receive lifesaving treatments which will allow those individuals that are ill due to a pandemic virus, receive the medication in time to help them get better before their illness becomes life-threatening. Especially, if this lifesaving treatment not only helps the ill person, but also can keep them out of the hospital.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT priorities that any Leader should have!

In today’s current environment, there is so much confusion about what is actually factual and what is really just political theatre. One day, government officials say it is okay to do things one way and then, a week or, even a couple of months later, it completely changes. Those actions that have heightened over time, have caused mass confusion and division among the American population. Especially, due to all types of supposed experts and various Officials’ insistence one way and then, they flip-flop to the other. The worst part is, most often, the advice at one point in time vs. another, proves to be wrong. The obvious end result of this chaotic management and sometimes demands, have not only caused the obvious division, but even, mistrust of the unknown. All of this, as we can see in the news and, hear from people we meet, has unnecessarily confused and even angered the public.

THE ONE THING THAT SHOULD NOT CONFUSE ANYONE THOUGH, IS SAVING THE LIVES OF THOSE THAT DO CONTRACT COVID-19! THIS SHOULD BE NON-NEGOTIABLE!

We all know by now, that regardless of what we were told at different points in time, vaccinated people, DO STILL GET THE COVID-19 VIRUS. Also, can pass it on to those that are already fully vaccinated and those that are not. Just as unvaccinated people can contract COVID-19 and pass it on.

TO FURTHER PROVE THE POINT ABOUT THE FACT THAT, THOSE FULLY VACCINATED PEOPLE CAN AND DO STILL GET COVID-19, IS THE 10/18/21, RECENTLY REPORTED DEATH OF FOUR-STAR GENERAL COLIN POWELL, OF COVID-19 COMPLICATIONS AT THE AGE OF 84. COLIN POWELL WAS FULLY VACCINATED!

This is more evidence, that ALL the therapeutics that are out there, including the Monoclonal Antibody Treatments, properly utilized, should be made available in the United States, to every American!

A seldom discussed category of people, are those with "Natural Immunity". Those individuals, have already contracted the virus and recovered. There are many millions in that category. It has been determined by scientists that those with "Natural Immunity" have at least 27 times stronger immunity antibodies and T-cells than any vaccinated person. Since, there are few publicized studies, we do not know if their immunity lasts for more than a couple of years or, like those who prior to vaccinations, got measles, mumps and chicken-pox, last as much as a life-time.

Instead of creating an environment where people are, "running around with their hair on fire", which appears to be the way things have become for so many since this pandemic has continued. Our Leadership NEEDS TO NOT ONLY MAKE VACCINES AVAILABLE FOR THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO GET THEM, BUT JUST AS IMPORTANT, OR MAYBE EVEN MORE IMPORTANT, MAKE ALL THE THERAPEUTICS FOR COVID-19 AVAILABLE! SO THAT THE PEOPLE WHO DO CONTRACT THIS VIRUS CAN RECOVER! THOSE REALITIES NEED TO BE ABSOLUTE!!

Thus far, those treatments have either had little availability or even been denied to patients throughout the USA.

It is well known that Florida has quite a large population and is growing by leaps and bounds. Florida probably has THE HIGHEST senior population of any State. Florida and Texas are loaded with Veterans. Although, the vast majority of seniors in Florida have been vaccinated, those same vaccinated seniors, are still susceptible to different variants. Despite taking both vaccines and possibly even a third, they get what some call "break-through" COVID-19, in different levels of severity. This occurs because we now know, that the vaccines "LEAK" after a shorter period of months than anticipated.

THE POINT BEING, THERE IS A GREATER NEED IN FLORIDA, FOR THERAPEUTICS, SUCH AS MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES, THAN MOST OTHER STATES!

Florida Health website states: "Monoclonal antibody treatments can prevent hospitalization or death in high-risk patients with COVID-19 and are widely available in Florida." They go on to say that, "In clinical trials, monoclonal antibody treatment showed a 70% reduction in hospitalization and death."

It details that Regeneron cocktail that is currently being used, decreases the odds of getting sicker by 70- 80%.

There are other therapeutics that have had success when used properly, but at this time appear to be unavailable through government channels. In addition, there have been many reports of COVID-19 treatments as being denied to practitioners by local pharmacies in numerous States.

On the Florida Health website though, the Regeneron cocktail, is being made available within Florida.

IMPORTANT TO NOTE: The website also states that it is NOT a substitute for a getting a vaccine.

According to Florida Health, COVID-19 Response, "High-Risk Populations", "older adults and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions might be at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19." They explain that "Many conditions can cause a person to be immunocompromised…."

As to the fact that regardless of one’s vaccination status, excluding those with "Natural Immunity", who are thus far now still immune, Florida Governor DeSantis’s Press Secretary said that, "MORE THAN HALF THE PATIENTS GETTING THE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT IN SOUTH FLORIDA ARE FULLY VACCINATED"!

The Governor’s spokesperson, Christina Pushaw stated, that those patients have "breakthrough infections."

Most significantly, as the spokesperson for Governor DeSantis, Pushaw insisted on behalf of Florida’s Governor, these monoclonal antibody treatments MUST BE GIVEN TO THOSE IN NEED!

President Biden has stated and it is on video, that THE MONOCLONAL ANTIBODY TREATMENT IS SUCCESSFUL!

The question then becomes: "Why has the current administration in the White House, announced that the federal government would suddenly ration or, greatly decease, the doses to some States?"

FLORIDA, BEING ON TOP OF THAT LIST!

The next issue, Part 2 of this same article, IS A MUST READ, that lays things out in detail and gives new important information that every American should be aware of. In addition, it elaborates more deeply about the reason for the previous question, as well as the title of this article. So, stay tuned.

To be continued.


Yellow Journalism Practiced By Many Newspapers

(9-23-21)

How disappointing and unprofessional it has become so common place for "Yellow Journalism" to be practiced, instead of objective news reporting. It should be obvious for most thoughtful readers, that "Yellow Journalism" has become the norm in most newspapers, in order to serve a particular agenda and it is getting worse, every edition.

The particular subject matter being covered in this article, is the tragic collapse of a building, which happened to be a condo and the deaths that resulted from this horrendous accident that occurred in June, 2021 in the Town of Surfside, Florida.

"Yellow Journalism" is defined as a type of press and are American terms when a newspaper, "exploits, distorts, or exaggerates the news to create sensations and attract readers" and is of questionable, or poor taste. "Techniques may include exaggerations of news-events, scandal-mongering, or sensationalism."

As a good friend of mine described, it was "Yellow Journalism" that caused the Spanish-American War in the 1880s, after William Randolph Hearst in his 27 National newspapers started, "yellow journalism showed the media could capture attention and influence public reaction". Unfortunately, it appears that technique is being practiced NOW on steroids, and the condo collapse is a perfect example of it.

It appears that the tragedy of the collapse of the Champlain Towers South Condominium and the deaths caused during this catastrophe, have been abused and used in an on-going series of articles, op-eds and other sad excuses for scaring the daylights out of folks, in order to make Florida condos appear unsafe. Possibly to also encourage rushed-draconian mandates and policies in the State of Florida.

OBVIOUSLY, THIS JOURNALISTIC TACTIC, IS DEFINITELY A COORDINATED ATTEMPT, TO DEVALUE THE ECONOMIC ENGINE OF FLORIDA’S REAL ESTATE AND CREATE HESITANCY FOR BUYERS, OWNERS AND TOURISTS TO COME TO THE STATE AND MAKE INVESTMENTS.

About now, you may be asking yourself, "Why on earth would the press do that?" Well, there are various potentialities and, after covering this subject in more detail, the possible reason should come into clarity. So, let’s begin.

Knowing that Florida properties and moving to the State in the last couple of years has become known as a, "prima", incredibly desirable local to reside and invest in, plus, even visit- - has made this fear-mongering "Yellow Press" campaign, using the tragic collapse and deaths in order to amplify this catastrophe to its absolute maximum, a reality! A shameful and despicable way to make all kinds of "know-it-all" accusations, theories and opinions, appear like well researched news articles, including, expert OP-ED pieces.

An important fact to note: the larger newspapers throughout Florida, although they may appear to be local papers, are anything but. They are owned by very few, NON-Floridian, National news/media conglomerates. As for other large out-of-State well-known newspapers, also reporting by using this same scare-tactic method, like their sister Florida papers, all appear to have the same type of beat-down agenda. They are seemingly unified with the same goal, which is to propagate this constant fear-mongering in the news about Florida. By attempting to diminish its desirability or, defiling the State by the use of what was likely an "anomaly" and certainly a tragedy, using FEAR as their main staple.

There is much more of an agenda than a simplistic boost in readership or sales. One just has to look a little further than the obvious as to why this beat-down on Florida condominiums has been ramping up for months now. That will be revealed later in this article for readers to ponder.

The constant assault on the public’s psyche and their investments in Florida’s condominiums, kicked into high gear in August. The titles alone of the articles from NY, Washington DC and Floridian papers, were enough to enhance the fear with unsubstantiated theories as to why the collapse took place. Such as: "How a…could have caused a Florida condo building to fall"; "They were Bullies Inside the Turbulent Origins of the Collapsed Florida Condo"; "Corrosion Exposed in collapsed Fla condo"; "Designed to Fail"; "Aging condominiums in Florida"; "Up to nine Surfside victims may have survived collapse- - Questions over whether more could have been rescued" ( totally disgusting and insensitive article); "How a decade of dysfunction contributed to condo disaster"; "Surfside demands systemic changes" and more.

As you may recall, on July 7th, I interviewed world-renowned Forensic Structural Engineer, Allyn Kilsheimer, who has been retained by the Town of Surfside, Fl to do a forensic investigation and a detailed report on what actually "triggered" the collapse. He told me then about all the supposed experts and their comments as to the causation and that "none of them either have the expertise or, they don’t have enough data, to make those decisions, (hypotheses or theories), about what was the cause." He also said to me, without the forensic investigation results, they, "DON’T KNOW WHAT THE H… THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT"!

Important to note, Forensic Structural Engineer Kilsheimer told me, "A building DOES NOT KNOW, that it is a condo or any other kind of building"

He also made these significant statements, "BASED ON MY 63 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, I THINK IT WAS AN ANOMALY." When asked if a 40-year-old coastal condo/co-op building that is maintained, should have concern of a collapse, Kilsheimer said, "DOESN’T MEAN A 40-YEAR-OLD BUILDING THAT ISN’T MAINTAINED WILL COLLAPSE"!

He said that "SOMETHING IS THE INITIATING FACTOR". Also, he said, "THERE WAS A TRIGGER OF SOME TYPE AND IF THAT TRIGGER WOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED, MOST LIKELY IT WOULD NOT HAVE COME DOWN."

Kilsheimer said he will do a forensic investigation of every possibility, including: "AN EXPLOSION FROM BELOW; A CAR HITTING A COLUMN; PROBLEMS WITH THE ROOF SLAB DROPPING DOWN…" HE SAID HE WILL INVESTIGATE ALL KINDS OF PERTINENT INFORMATION.

As you may also recall in my previous article, I got responses from the top man in charge of the State of Florida, Governor DeSantis, regarding any policy changes in the aftermath of the condo tragedy. The Governor responded to my direct questions with, "IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE TO PREEMPTIVELY ASSUME THE CAUSES OF THE COLLAPSE BEFORE REVIEWING THE FINDINGS OF ANY INVESTIGATION." "A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED TO INFORM FACT-BASED, EVIDENCE-DRIVEN POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS." "IT WOULD BE RECKLESS TO SPECULATE WHAT LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE AT THIS POINT." "If anything needs to be changed in terms of policy, or regulations, those decisions will be made to prevent such a tragedy from ever happening again."

In spite, or maybe because of all of these points made by Forensic Structural Engineer Kilsheimer and Florida’s Governor, it appears that, the various newspapers in Florida, New York and Washington DC, have ramped up the fear-mongering articles.

These articles and op-eds, have encompassed, attacks on: the developers’ backgrounds; digging up dirt on part-time building inspectors; corrosion and salt-air scare/fear-tactics; trying to find all kinds of "condos" in Florida that they claim "averted tragedy"; attacking condo owners for not moving fast enough on maintenance matters throughout Florida, (as if that would cause a condo to collapse); encouraging the public to panic if they need any kind of "structural" repairs-must have immediate attention, (or their condo could fall like a house of cards); attacking Florida’s " Condominium Act", which was the first State to create such documents in 1963 and have been updated; attacking or insinuating Condo Boards are made up of idiots and in need of government take-over; Stating that special assessments for various items, should be passed and levied on owners immediately, (or, that could cause a collapse); BLAMING FLORIDA’S RULING PARTY LEGISLATURE, FOR THEIR ACTIONS ON FUNDING; these and more, just to name a few, of the endless unconscionable things covered in the "Yellow Journalist" blame-game.

Worst of all, was the article giving THE NAMES OF SOME OF THE DECEASED AND DETAILS FROM THE AUTOPSY REPORTS. Making statements and insinuations of how these victims who perished from this catastrophe and practically, describing how they must have suffered before dying under the rubble of the collapsed condo. Starting by taking credit for the paper’s investigation and what it "suggests". Such as, "Some medical examiner’s reports listed injuries that would not, on their own, be considered lifethreatening or result in immediate death." Claiming, "The (Their) investigation raises questions about whether any of the victims COULD HAVE BEEN RESCUED, AND HOW THE BUILDING COLLAPSE"(D).

That article was abhorrent and totally insensitive! What purpose did it serve? Just to panic condo dwellers that their building could not only collapse with them in it, but they can suffer a long and painful death. Despicable "Yellow Journalism"!!

What do you think might be motivating this? To get more readership? Doubtful.

Is it possible that the goal, is as simple as political motivation?

No tragedy or deaths should be made political, regardless of how the newspaper’s owners lean, vs. the party affiliation of a Governor. Presuming that in fact is what this "Yellow Journalism" is being used for, as a means to damage a Governor’s credibility and by extension, also the State’s no-tax policies and its standing in our Nation. IN THE EVENT THAT THIS TRAGEDY IS BEING EXPLOITED TO DIMINISH AND DESTROY FLORIDA ECONOMICALLY AND ITS REPUTATION, IT IS SHAMEFUL AND REPREHENSIBLE! It appears, that is about the only thing THAT EXPLAINS WHY FLORIDA IS UNDER FIRE LIKE THIS. If that is the answer, what else would the yellow-press stoop to?

TO PLAY WITH THE LIVES OF FLORIDIANS AND PROBABLY THE BIGGEST INVESTMENTS THEY HAVE MADE IN THEIR HOMES, IS ABOUT AS LOW AS YOU CAN GO!


Governor DeSantis’s Responses To Policy Changes In The Aftermath Of Condo Tragedy

(8-12-21)

(EMPHASES Added)

In this journalist’s quest to find out what should be done at this point in time, in the aftermath of the tragic collapse of the Miami Champlain Towers South Condominium, regarding possible new regulations/legislation/policies, upon older Floridian condos and all types of buildings that are a few stories high; I decided to reach out to the one man in charge of running the State of Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis.

The reason for wanting the views of the Florida Governor on this subject, has nothing to do with politics, but rather to keep people apprised of the facts and make sure Floridians that already own homes, rent, visit , or plan to buy, are accurately informed.

What lead me to seeking the top person in charge of policies and important decisions of the State, was the continual and ongoing fear-mongering reactions in the press. Through articles and even op-eds. All written by or about, supposed "know-it-alls", in the weeks following the building’s collapse.

I am grateful that with the incredibly busy schedule and time restraints that are required of a Governor, that I was able to get Governor DeSantis’s written responses to my questions on this most important subject.

Unfortunately, the press has been using this tragedy as their excuse for either: 1- Scaring the heck out of the public about older Floridian condos being unsafe and in danger of collapse, or 2- Insisting on reasons to make hurried and harsh new legislative and regulatory crack-downs on older condos and other residential buildings, claiming that they are unsafe and could collapse!

All property-owners/shareholders, should maintain their homes, whether they be multi-story buildings, duplexes, townhouses, or even single-family homes. Good maintenance though, or the lack there of, according to world-renowned Forensic Structural Engineer Allyn E. Kilsheimer, IS NOT THE REASON FOR A MULTI-STORY BUILDING COLLAPSING! As Kilsheimer told me, "Doesn’t mean a 40-year-old building that isn’t maintained, will collapse"!

My questions to Florida’s Governor, came as a result of all of the unsubstantiated, onerous and frightening news articles/op-eds, circulating in Local and National press and the fact that most of the publications contain unnecessary negativity that are frightening the public.

This misrepresentation of why the collapse occurred, could instigate premature changes with impulsive new over-reactive regulations, policies, legislation, with dire code enforcement consequences and more. All when, NONE OF THE REAL FACTS ARE IN, AS TO WHY THERE WAS AN UNPRECEDENTED COLLAPSE OF A CONDO IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, SPECIFICALLY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

The concern is these changes could happen, without decision-makers waiting to find out the real "cause(s)", "trigger(s)", or the "initiating factor(s)", as described by Kilsheimer, as to the real reasons why this catastrophe actually occurred.

The knowledge from Forensic Structural Engineer Kilsheimer, who said that this unprecedented tragic collapse of an older condo/multi-story building in Florida is, "BASED ON MY 63 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, I THINK IT WAS AN ANOMALY", gave me the impetus to ask the questions I did to the Governor.

These are the written responses I received from DeSantis to my questions.

1- When asked if the Governor thinks that new Legislation, Policies, or Regulations should be enacted regarding the possible collapse of older Condos/Co-ops and other multi-story buildings in Florida, prior to the final forensic report conclusions being made public?

GOVERNOR DESANTIS’S RESPONSE: "IT WOULD BE IRRESPONSIBLE TO PREEMPTIVELY ASSUME THE CAUSES OF THE COLLAPSE BEFORE REVIEWING THE FINDINGS OF ANY INVESTIGATION."

THE GOVERNOR STATED UNEQUIVOCALLY, that: "A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED TO INFORM FACT-BASED, EVIDENCE-DRIVEN POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS."

GOVERNOR DESANTIS: "We expect the investigation process to reveal a clearer picture of the factors that contributed to the collapse, which is a necessary condition to determine whether changes to State requirements or legislation should be considered- - and if so, what those changes might entail."

Most importantly, GOVERNOR DESANTIS RESPONDED: "If an investigation determines that the collapse was caused—in part, or in whole—by factors that could be mitigated via state-level policy change" He "would certainly give due consideration to any proposed reforms that could prevent such a tragedy from happening again."

GOVERNOR DESANTIS EMPHASIZED: "IT WOULD BE RECKLESS TO SPECULATE WHAT LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY CHANGES NEED TO BE MADE AT THIS POINT, WITHOUT THE FACTS THAT WE WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO OBTAIN FROM THE INVESTIGATION"!

The Governor also included with the responses, that he has offered the State of Florida engineering expertise to aid in the investigations. DeSantis fully supports the investigations by Forensic Engineer Kilsheimer’s firm, as well as the federal government agency National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) having started their own investigation, and OSHA, who is also doing an investigation. The Governor, "has committed to providing whatever resources are needed from the state."

In addition, the response included the following: "Local authorities are responsible for building code enforcement. Not only in Florida, but throughout the country."

2- "What would you like to say to the people of Florida and the Nation about this fear of older buildings collapsing in Florida?"

GOVERNOR DESANTIS’S RESPONSE: "Local authorities in Miami-Dade County (including Forensic Structural Engineer Allyn Kilsheimer), did emergency inspections of older residential buildings after the Surfside tragedy. THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. Even the Champlain Towers North, the sister building to the one that collapsed, was inspected by the local authorities (and most significantly, by Kilsheimer) and found to be in good condition."

GOVERNOR DESANTIS ALSO STRESSED: "Therefore, residents of Florida should not be worried. Everyone should be aware that local and federal investigations about the causes of the Champlain Towers South catastrophe are underway."

GOVERNOR DESANTIS’S RESPONSES CONCLUDED WITH: "Once we learn from those investigations IF ANYTHING NEEDS TO BE CHANGED IN TERMS OF POLICY, OR REGULATIONS, THOSE DECISIONS WILL BE MADE TO PREVENT SUCH A TRAGEDY FROM EVER HAPPENING AGAIN."

According to the, 8/2/21, Sun Sentinel, it was reported that there are municipalities, for example in Palm Beach County, that are already proposing "Beefed-up safety program may affect hundreds of buildings in…", "to prevent another tragedy like the June 24th collapse in Surfside…." And goes on to say, "affect buildings older than 30 years and taller than three stories or 50 feet." Implying that it is, "because of saltwater’s corrosive effect on structures". The article explained that the City’s staff, not the private homeowners and their Board of Directors, will "establish a schedule of needed repairs and begin sending notices to building owners…" The article went on to say that building owners in this municipality would, "typically be given six months to complete those repairs." Even more excessive over-reach, is, when it stated that if the owners do not comply to whatever the city staff determine and "…fail to do the required work by the deadline, code enforcement and a special magistrate can issue fines…".

Important to note: It takes longer than that time period to notify multi- property owners or shareholders; to special assess them for the repairs, only after a duly noticed meeting takes place; to find a good and reputable contractor; to schedule the work to be done; to get the permits, to give owners a chance to find other places to live during the repairs; to get the work completed and inspected on time and; to give owners/shareholders the opportunity and time to arrange a way to finance the special assessment.

The above is a perfect example of how unnecessary and excessive government over-reach on private properties can take place, on the State, County and Municipal levels. Which will occur, if they jump the gun with new legislation/regulations/policies BY USING A TRAGEDY, when they have NO proof, NO facts and NO data OF WHAT ACTUALLY CAUSED THE COLLAPSE TO OCCUR.

All caused by unproven and unsubstantiated hypotheses.

Worth repeating, as Forensic Structural Engineer Allyn E. Kilsheimer told this journalist, "Based on my 63 years of experience, I think it was an anomaly."

Here is hoping that Governor DeSantis’s responses as to how to handle things in the aftermath of the tragic condo collapse, is heeded by State Legislatures, County Officials and Municipalities throughout Florida.

Plus, that the public reads what Forensic Structural Engineer Kilsheimer says about why THERE IS NO NEED AT ALL TO FEAR OLDER BUILDINGS IN FLORIDA COLLAPSING LIKE THE CONDO IN MIAMI!


Forensic Engineer Kilsheimer Describes How His Investigation Will Proceed

(7-29-21)

This article will outline the investigation as specialist Forensic Structural Engineer Allyn E. Kilsheimer described it.

During my 7/7/2021 interview with Kilsheimer, among the most significant statements that he made about the partial collapse of the Miami, Champlain Towers South Condominium, through the lens of his 63 years in the field, was when he said that he believes the tragic event, "WAS AN ANOMALY" and also, "WE DON’T KNOW THE CAUSE YET".

That is exactly what his forensic investigation is seeking to find. As Kilsheimer informed me during our interview, "SOMETHING IS THE INITIATING FACTOR", what the "TRIGGER" was, because he said there was "A TRIGGER". The purpose of this forensic investigation process, is that after a thorough investigation, hopefully the "the trigger" will be revealed to all.

Significantly, Kilsheimer also stated, that "IF NOT FOR THE TRIGGER", it "WOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED. MOST LIKELY, IT WOULD NOT HAVE COME DOWN", referring to the collapse of the condo.

Important to also note: that whether a condo or other type building is well maintained or not, Mr. Kilsheimer asserted to me, "DOESN’T MEAN A 40-YEAR-OLD BUILDING THAT ISN’T MAINTAINED, WILL COLLAPSE"!

Just as significant, he also proclaimed, "I DON’T THINK THIS TYPE OF SITUATION IS SOMETHING THAT 40-YEAR-OLD BUILDINGS OR MORE, SHOULD WORRY ABOUT"!

As it is imperative, when a strange death occurs, an autopsy is performed before determining the specific cause of death. A forensic investigation on the collapse of a building, which was unexpected and the loss of lives, with the subsequent report to the Town of Surfside, who retained Kilsheimer, going out to the public, is a more high-tech type of scientific process than an autopsy.

The following was taken from another interview with Allyn Kilsheimer. I saw this on a local Miami news outlet, "Straight Arrow News". The video was taped prior to my interview with Mr. Kilsheimer. He described the process that he will take with this important forensic investigation. Which will result in a detailed and thorough final report giving the conclusions about what caused this catastrophe.

Keep in mind, this was prior to the search process for those lost souls being halted. As recent as Friday, 7/23/21, the halt of that search was announced.

According to Forensic Structural Engineer Kilsheimer, who simplified this for laymen, these are the basics of what the investigation process entails:

1st "You collect drawings, to the extent that they exist."

2nd "You listen to all the people that are experts and know exactly what happened and why it happened WITH NO INFORMATION AND NO BACKGROUND. Absolutely, but you have to listen to them. You have to pay attention to them."

3rd "We come up with 30 or 40 things (triggers) that might have happened."

4th "THEN YOU FIGURE OUT, WHAT YOU NEED TO DO. THEN, YOU REDUCE THE NUMBER OF POSSIBILITIES BY PROVING THAT THEY DIDN’T HAPPEN."

5th "And that is kind of where we are now."

6th "WE USUALLY TAKE A LOT OF SAMPLES: STEEL SAMPLES, CONCRETE SAMPLES AND OTHER CRITICAL MATERIALS."

7th "We keep collecting and finding things to understand it better."

8th "I looked at the two other buildings that are similar to this to understand it better." "I have looked at some other buildings at Surfside. Now, I just looked at another one in an adjacent Town." In one news report, Kilsheimer said, he would let his grandchildren stay in any of those buildings, without fear of a collapse.

9th "WE ARE DOING COMPUTER MODELS OF INFORMATION WHERE EVER WE CAN."

10th Kilsheimer had said at that time, that unfortunately, "The people we would want to talk to, are not around now. You learn a lot from the first minute or two. We have paid attention to some of the eye witnesses that said, ‘I was in my apartment and this is what I heard’." At the time of that interview with Kilsheimer, he stated, "I have not yet asked to interview those people first-hand, because I think they are still under shock. No reason to put them in anymore grief."

11th Just as Forensic Structural Engineer Kilsheimer told me, he announced in this interview, "WE ARE LOOKING FOR A TRIGGER TO SEE WHY THIS HAPPENED."

12th "WE TRY TO GET IT DOWN TO ONE, TWO, THREE TRIGGERS" (possibilities). He admitted the goal is to get it down to THE trigger, but sometimes that is difficult. "We are trying to do everything factually…"

In another short interview, Kilsheimer stated, "The bottom line is we will be able to do everything we have to do, IT JUST TAKES TIME TO DO IT."

In the process of my research, I found that Allyn Kilsheimer was asked, if he had a sense that Florida Building Codes or Code Enforcement will change significantly at all depending on what he finds?

Mr. Kilsheimer’s response, is important to take note of, he declared, "I THINK THE ANSWER IS, THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODES ARE ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY, BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE. BUT, UNTIL YOU KNOW WHAT ACTUALLY OCCURRED HERE, WE DON’T KNOW IF WE’RE GOING TO SUGGEST THAT THEY MIGHT MAKE ADDITIONAL CHANGES TO IT."

As an update on the Champlain Towers South tragedy. We now know that 98 people perished. We also know that the search for bodies has been halted, the site is mostly flat now and the rubble has been moved to a Miami warehouse. We know that Allyn Kilsheimer and the forensic work is ongoing, including examining the debris at the warehouse.

As a demonstration of Kilsheimer’s knowledge and expertise: As recently as last week, Kilsheimer wrote a letter that warned the Town of Surfside and Miami-Dade County that due to the void caused by the collapse in the hollowed out foundation , "If the wall were to collapse or rotate substantially, the retained soil under the street, (area of Collins Ave. near the collapsed condo), and sidewalk could move around it and could cause portions of the street to collapse and could seriously compromise the utilities under the street."

As a response to Kilsheimer’s warning, Miami-Dade sent in crews to shore up the remaining underground walls. Apparently, Kilsheimer knew that the underground walls from the condo, no longer had the support of the street level floors and heavy rains or more, could increase risks greatly.

Which clearly shows, Kilsheimer’s expertise and his statements to this journalist, about other older buildings, whatever type they are, are coming from decades of his knowledge and work experience.

Forensic Structural Engineer Allyn E. Kilsheimer’s assertions that the public should NOT BE CONCERNED this type OF COLLAPSE TAKING PLACE IN OLDER BUILDINGS, coastal or not, because it is likely an anomaly, are sound and extremely factual statements.

Therefore, it is imperative that this unnecessary fear that is being communicated, with unsubstantiated claims, for example: that the cement from older buildings is disintegrating, along with the rust of rebars, salt-air, salt-water, lack of enough and swift maintenance, lax code enforcement, climate change and other hypotheses, theories and opinions, from "experts" anonymous or even named, public officials and mostly the press- - NEEDS TO STOP!

NO ONE KNOWS WHAT CAUSED THIS UNPRECEDENTED TRAGEDY AND UNTIL, as the 63-years of experience, Forensic Structural Engineer, Allyn E. Kilsheimer stated in another interview:

"AT THE END, WE WILL HAVE A VERY LENGTHY REPORT. WE WILL HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION WE FOUND AND IT WILL BE ATTACHED TO THE REPORT. IT IS OUR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING BASED ON ALL THE DATA WE’VE REVIEWED, THAT THIS IS THE POSSIBLE CAUSE OR, CAUSES OF WHAT HAPPENED."

It would be sound reasoning and in the best interest of those owners and visitors to be impacted by any changes, stricter laws or regulations and enforcement, that UNTIL THAT INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETED AND THE REPORT BECOMES PUBLIC, however many months it may take - -that NO State Legislatures, NO Counties and NO Municipalities should create NEW regulations, legislation or, force condos or any older buildings, to engage in panic driven maintenance actions. ESPECIALLY WHEN, THEY MOST LIKELY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH A BUILDING COLLAPSING!

 

Renowned Forensic Structural Engineer Retained By Surfside Clarifies Escalating Rumors In Interview

Photo provided by 

KCE Structural Engineering of world-renowned Forensic Structural Engineer, Allyn E. Kilsheimer, who has been retained by the Town of Surfside, Florida, to do a forensic

investigation of the collapse of Champlain Towers South Condo in Miami, Florida.

(7-15-21)

I had the privilege of a phone interview on 7/7/2021 with esteemed and world-renowned Forensic Structural Engineer, Allyn E. Kilsheimer. He has been hired by the Town of Surfside, Florida, to do a forensic investigation of the partial collapse of the Champlain Towers South Condominium in Miami, Florida.

According to the N.Y. Post and my research, Allyn Kilsheimer is "world-renowned", a respected consultant retained on major disasters, like the 9/11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon and the collapse of the Florida International University pedestrian bridge in 2018. He also examined the Miami-Dade College garage collapse in 2012 and the partial collapse at the Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris in 2004. (According to Florida Politics).

Kilsheimer, owner of KCE Structural Engineers in Washington, DC, a forensic structural engineer, has overseen more than 400 projects, conducted more than 100 investigations, including more than 30 for structural collapse. Quite impressive.

I contacted Mr. Kilsheimer after reading about him in recent N.Y. Times and N.Y. Post articles, researching the tragedy in Surfside and listening to local Miami news reports when he spoke. This all lead me to go to the top and speak to the man who could clarify and quiet the swirling rumors.

These rumors and snowballing fear factor result from many expert hypotheses. Their frightening conclusions and theories, appear to serve to escalate the fear and panic about condos, that once they reach the age of 40 years or older, are in danger of collapsing like pancakes!

I stated my goal right up front to Structural Engineer Kilsheimer. To get the facts and try at the same time to hopefully diminish or abate the panic that is overtaking many: condo/co-op owners, their Boards of Directors, potential buyers, State Lawmakers, County and Municipal Leaders.

Kilsheimer’s response to me was, THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT HE WANTS TO ACCOMPLISH TOO. He also said, "I want to try and help some people feel not as panicked about where they live if I can."

I asked whether it is possible or even likely that, this terrible tragedy and collapse, IS AN ANOMALY FOR COASTAL CONDOS OR CO-OP BUILDINGS? First, he said, "A building does not know that is it a condo or any other kind of building."

Most significant though, was Allyn Kilsheimer’s response, "BASED ON MY 63 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, I THINK IT WAS AN ANOMALY."

When asked if a 40-year-old coastal condo/co-op building that is maintained, should have less concern of a collapse, Kilsheimer’s response was quite revealing. He said, "DOESN’T MEAN A 40-YEAR-OLD BUILDING THAT ISN’T MAINTAINED, WILL COLLAPSE"!

I asked him about the growing fear that older coastal condos/co-ops were possibly less safe than newer buildings. Kilsheimer’s response is an important one, "I DON’T THINK THIS TYPE OF SITUATION IS SOMETHING THAT 40-YEAR-OLD BUILDINGS OR MORE, SHOULD WORRY ABOUT." He has said, "The age of the building did not bring the Champlain South Towers down."

Is the age of a building the tipping point for possible collapse? Mr. Kilsheimer made the analogy to me that "speaking from experience, I’m 80-years-old. That doesn’t mean I’m in bad shape, right? The building being 40 years old, it doesn’t mean it’s in bad shape or will collapse either."

We talked about the fact that some articles suggest that cracked concrete or spalling in a parking garage under or between buildings, or water intrusion and improper waterproofing might cause the sudden collapse. He said that "Waterproofing has nothing to do with holding up the building."

Kilsheimer explained to me, that, "SOMETHING IS THE INITIATING FACTOR". "There was a TRIGGER of some type and IF THAT TRIGGER WOULDN’T HAVE HAPPENED, MOST LIKELY IT WOULD NOT HAVE COME DOWN."

In an interview on a Miami news program, Kilsheimer was asked about the photos of concrete spalling in the garage and other places from an engineering report and if it could have caused the collapse? He responded, referring to the photos, "Remember, those are very limited areas and you don’t know if that is one square foot out of a million square feet or not. He then made a very important statement, "I DIDN’T SEE ANYTHING IN THOSE PICTURES THAT WOULD MAKE ME SAY, ‘I THINK THIS BUILDING IS IN IMMINENT DANGER OF COLLAPSE’."

There is a theory that the pool was pitched in a way to get into the underground garage and the sub-foundation supports of the building and, that is what caused the building to collapse. Kilsheimer responded that, "THAT IS NOT WHAT MADE THIS THING FALL DOWN".

He said that every possibility WOULD BE investigated. Including, "AN EXPLOSION FROM BELOW, A CAR HITTING A (SUPPORT) COLUMN, PROBLEMS WITH THE ROOF SLAB DROPPING DOWN…. ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF."

He told me that he is getting all kinds of emails and hearing experts and various opinions about the cause for this collapse. Kilsheimer has said, "none of them either have the expertise or, they don’t have enough data to make those decisions, (hypotheses or theories), about what was the cause." He also said to me, without the forensic investigation results, they, "Don’t know what the h… they are talking about."

Clearly, since he expressed this frustration to me as well as in other news TV and video, it is borne out of the fact that Allyn Kilsheimer repeated to all, that, "NO, WE DON’T KNOW THE CAUSE YET." As he told me, this forensic investigation will take many months and must be done meticulously and methodically, BEFORE coming up with a thorough report and conclusions.

The reason that Mr. Kilsheimer is disturbed by all the frenzy that has come from the news reports, experts and their "opinions", is due to the fact that it has created an unnecessary panic about coastal Condos and Co-ops.

Since, rumors, opinions and theories are creating a frenzy of fear, even though NO ONE KNOWS WHAT REALLY CAUSED THE PARTIAL COLLAPSE, we can only hope that State, County and Municipal leadership, DO NOT JUMP THE GUN prior to the completion of Kilsheimer’s forensic report results! They all need to show restraint and wait the many months until the forensic investigation is complete with proof of the facts and causation revealed to everyone. Anything less would be a disservice to the public.

It appears, however, that without all the facts and forensic conclusive evidence in, some Floridian coastal Municipalities and even Counties are drawing their own conclusions. They seem to be considering enacting their own regulations/new policies upon older condo/co-ops, but not other buildings. DOING SUCH, WOULD BE PREMATURE, WHEN THE FINAL CONCLUSIONS, WHATEVER THEY MAY BE, WILL PROVE THE CONDO COLLAPSE IN MIAMI TO LIKELY BE AN ANOMALY!

Moreover, the worst thing to occur, would be IF BEFORE THE FORENSIC INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETED, State, County and Municipal Governments ENACT MASSIVE OVER-REGULATIONS on older Condo/Co-ops. This over-reaction will do more harm than good for those most impacted.

In another article, more facts from Kilsheimer on how this forensic investigation will proceed.


Tragedy Strikes When Miami Condo Collapses

Photos of television coverage images of the Champlain Towers South condo collapse (left photos) and responders carefully searching through debris pile (top right) and a memorial wall with photos of missing loved ones (bottom right)

(7-1-21)

When a tragedy strikes, it is only human to attempt to immediately find explanations for the horror and loss of lives. Rushing to judgment though, although with good intentions, is NOT necessarily what a thorough investigation will confirm.

Around 1:30 AM on June 24th there is video proof of the sudden collapse of the Surfside, Champlain Towers South Condo. The partial collapse of the building came down as if it were imploded and the collapse happened all at once. A video showed the center going down first and then within seconds, the tower, which is facing the ocean, collapsed immediately after. The 136-unit building had around 80 units occupied and there were residents and guests there at the time of this catastrophe.

Nothing like this has ever happened before, except during an implosion of an empty building, or when the Towers were struck on 9-11 and also in Oklahoma City from a bombing, but nothing like this in the USA specifically in a residential building without a deliberate reason.

Surfside’s Mayor, Burkett said on twitter and to the news that he felt that "there is no reason for this building to go down like that unless someone literally pulls out the supports underneath or they washed out. Or, there is a sinkhole or something like that, because it just went down."

The Mayor went on to say that, "Buildings in America do not fall down like this." He also told the News, "Something very wrong happened here and we need to understand what happened." Burkett concluded with, "I mean it looks like a bomb went off, but they are pretty sure a bomb didn’t go off."

Governor DeSantis issued a State of Emergency Declaration.

Both the Republican Governor, DeSantis and Democrat Mayor Levine Cava of Miami-Dade, agreed that there needs to be "a definitive explanation for how this could have happened."

DeSantis said that a "definitive explanation is needed in a timely manner." He also said, "It’s an explanation we don’t want to get wrong." The Governor explained at a press conference that it needs to be thorough, timely and absolute because, "You have families here that lost loved ones in this building collapse. They have the right to know. You have other folks who were able to get out safely, but then lost their homes… They have a right to know as well."

At the press conference he went on to say, "There is a lot of other people throughout this community and throughout Florida, who want to know: ‘Well how can a building just collapse like that?" DeSantis called this "a unique tragedy."

The Governor has had more than one press conference and had immediately flown down to Miami to the site. He said the State will support local investigative efforts that are already underway.

Due to the unusual circumstances of this catastrophe, the Israeli Defense Forces who specialize in this type of situation have been sent to assist.

At the White House, Biden was reminded by VP Harris before he left a press conference about the collapse and he said that the federal government is prepared to send federal monies.

Recently, there have been reports of MAJOR ISSUES BELOW THE POOL DECK of the partially collapsed condo. Most experts though, who referred to this and ANY OTHER PROBLEMS THEY FOUND, said that they did not know for sure that any of the issues found were the reason for the collapse.

None the less, hopefully this terrible catastrophe was an anomaly, but the loss of precious lives, including all those missing 150 people as of this writing, should be mourned by the State and even the Federal Government. Answers really need to be found. A thorough investigation is a necessity.












 

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The Condo News print newspaper is published every other Wednesday. It is circulated throughout Palm Beach County, from Delray to North Palm Beach, and from Singer Island, Palm Beach and South Palm Beach to Royal Palm Beach, in Condominium, Cooperative and Home Owner Association Communities. For more information, or to have the Condo News  brought to your community, e-mail us or write to: 131 Springdale Circle, Palm Springs, FL 33461. Tel:(561) 471-0329