City Commission’s Deciding vote Tuesday City Hall 6:00. Please attend and email the uncommitted Commissioners to Vote Against the WAVE Heather Moraitis Hmoraitis@fortlauderdale.gov Robert Mckenzie Rmckenzie@fortlauderdale.gov Reprinted from the SHARK TANK, Javier Manjarres, Editor www.SharkTank.com Javier Manjarres and his family reside in Fort Lauderdale and lived in Flagler Village. Javier opposes the WAVE and is a Candidate for Congress, opposing Representative Ted Deutsch. http://shark-tank.com/2018/05/01/fort-lauderdales-trolley-to-nowhere-rail-project-is-all-but-derailed/ Fort Lauderdale’s ‘Trolley to Nowhere’ rail project is all-but derailed The Wave, a light rail project that was to be built in Fort Lauderdale, Florida appears to be dead in the water. After years of planning the over-head electric wire/ rail system, developers are about to see their 2-mile-long endeavor dashed away due to the efforts of a group of concerned citizens that saw the Choo Choo for what it really is: an expensive trolley to nowhere. The Wave is 125% over budget with a completion price tag of $200 million dollars. Yes, a two-mile rail and overhead wire system will cost $200 million to build, and probably a whole lot more in maintenance in the years to come, if it’s built. Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz recently said that if the project was not approved, future federal dollars for the region would be in jeopardy. “Quite frankly, if we cut it off now, I can absolutely assure you that we will jeopardize the ability of our [congressional] delegation to get future federal transportation funding…” We will devastate our ability to bring home federal funding for transportation projects in the future.”-Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Sun Sentinel Enter President Donald Trump’s Infrastructure Program The WAVE project is federally funded by TIGER grants. Now, if local officials do not use the federal dollars earmarked for The Wave, chances are those funds will go back to the federal government, but that does not necessarily mean that Fort Lauderdale will never see money again for future infrastructure projects. The Trump Administration is focusing their efforts on roads and bridges and other infrastructure, so if Broward County and/or Fort Lauderdale need funds to rebuild or overhaul a bridge or street, there is a good chance that they will get the funding from the federal government, especially if they show they gave back the money from a WASTEFUL boondoggle project like The Wave. Broward County Mayor Beam Furr has already said that the project would not pass in his commission, but now the ‘little train that couldn't is up for a vote in the Fort Lauderdale City Commission. Of the 5 city commissioners, all but two have not stated a position on the project. Commissioner Robert L. McKinzie appears to be leaning in favor of the trolley, while Commissioner Heather Moraitis, a registered Republican and wife of state Rep. George Moraitis, has been quiet on the matter. We reached out to Moraitis but she was not available and has yet to return our phone call and text for comment. Concerned Fort Lauderdale residents shouldn’t be all that concerned in the day leading up to the vote, because Moraitis will most-likely vote against the project due to her past opposition to wasteful government spending. Mayor Dean Trantalis and Commissioners Steve Glassman and Ben Sorenson, are vehemently against the project. Traffic is already a mess in downtown Fort Lauderdale. So, do local elected officials really want to add to the traffic nightmare by voting in favor of this antiquated rail system? Whomever votes in favor of this project will probably all-but compromise any future political aspirations he or she may have in the area, or anywhere else. Comments I can’t understand why Heather Moraitis is not adamantly opposed to the WAVE. It’s Political suicide to support something that so many citizens are against especially wasteful public spending. I thought she was Republican. As for McKenzie, he rubber stamps whatever developers tell him. Maybe some day he’ll wake up too and do what’s right. Reply GreenToast3m The WAVE project is not in Debbie Wasserman’s Schultz Congressional District. She should butt out. She refers to “Congressional Delegation”. Apparently she speaks for Ted “Dunce” Deutsch because he is AWOL on this issue.