Soccer and safety

Fort Lauderdale taxpayers have watched prior city commissions give away our land and engage in sweetheart deals that are not available to the general public.

The fact that Inter Miami and Beckham United is a recipient of one of those deals involving the DRV-PNK Stadium may be a point of pride for some of the sitting commissioners, but to the taxpaying public, it’s another promise made but not kept. There doesn’t seem to be any accountability when celebrity is involved.

Commissioner John Herbst has the backs of all city taxpayers, so if his burden overwhelmed him in the time-suck of droning drama, I can appreciate his retorts.

I am also very grateful that Commissioners Pamela Beasley-Pittman and Warren Sturman are keeping residents in mind by supporting Herbst’s negotiating position with the DRV-PNK lawyers and lobbyists.

Without the benefits of building permits and regular city inspections, hastily assembled bleachers tossed together in the name of profit could become a worse story of collapse under the raucous enthusiasm of soccer fans.

I am perfectly fine with a few toes being stepped on in the name of public safety.

I call on the entire commission to protect us, the citizens who elected you to represent our best interests, and the safety of the ticket-buying public, rather than be worried about hurting the feelings of lawyers or lobbyists who will scatter in the midst of a tragedy if those seats come down unexpectedly, without permits or safety inspections. That’s what the world will be watching, not passive-aggressive chit-chat on the city commission dais.

Amy Hamilton, Fort Lauderdale