|
Condos
of
South
Ocean Blvd.,
Palm
Beach
By
Madelyn Greenberg |
|
|
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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