Florida the rules are different here- Chapter VI

Here is some typical Florida lunacy going on in Broward County. The City of Fort Lauderdale and The Broward County Commission are fighting over who has the responsibility for two communities that voted to be annexed by Ft. Lauderdale. As of October 1st people in these areas could have no police or fire services.

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FORT LAUDERDALE · Come Saturday, the communities of Rock Island and Twin Lakes North could be set adrift, with no government to provide police or fire protection, or to keep the street lights on.Both neighborhoods had voted in the past year to join Fort Lauderdale and are to be officially annexed Friday.

But a war has erupted between Fort Lauderdale and Broward County over who should be responsible for the communities of about 1,300 total residents.

Fort Lauderdale commissioners voted Wednesday night to file a lawsuit today at the Broward County Courthouse, seeking a judge to declare who should patrol the streets and give basic life safety services to residents while the fight between the two governments gets sorted out.

City Attorney Harry Stewart invoked an "Old African saying" to describe the situation:

"When two elephants fight, only the grass suffers."

That somewhat describes how Shahbanu "Bonnie" Dickey of Twin Lakes North feels."They have made what should have been a joyful experience for our neighborhood a complete nightmare," she said.

Dickey said her community is scared and upset that the county is holding them "hostage."The county and city are fighting because neither wants to pay to operate Osswald Park, currently a county park in the Rock Island area just west of Interstate 95. Twin Lakes North has been dragged into the fray.

Without the park matter resolved, the county won't sign an agreement transferring the unincorporated areas to the city.

The city says that without that signed agreement, the neighborhoods are not officially annexed. The county says the city takes over the neighborhoods regardless of any signed agreement.

Fort Lauderdale officials say that means no one knows which police agency will be in charge, nor which fire department. The disputed park in Rock Island would close, county officials warned recently."It's a very bizarre predicament," said Commissioner Dean Trantalis.

County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, who represents Rock Island, said recently the dispute should be resolved by staff and not by county elected officials.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday afternoon City Commissioner Carlton Moore asked, "Who do they call on Oct. 1 for police?"