To the Editor:
I am writing to express my firm position regarding the safety of North Morse Boulevard and the use of amenity funds for a multi-modal path (MMP).
In 2023, the CDD 1 engineering study by Kimley-Horn recommended moving golf carts off the roadway into an easement. These recommendations were not acted upon due to costs. Now, three years later, a new study suggests a more limited project using settlement funds rather than amenity funds, which keeps golf carts on the roadway.
The District maintains that amenity funds cannot be used for an MMP because it was not part of the original purchase from the developer. However, during my time on the AAC board, we have funded numerous projects that were not in the original agreement, including walking paths, maintenance buildings, fire pits, recreation center rebuilds, new fencing and upcoming putting greens. We are even looking at purchasing land for additional amenities.
It is inconsistent to fund these projects with amenity monies while claiming a multi-modal path—which is essential for resident safety—is ineligible. While the sheriff’s office may cite low fatality statistics to suggest the road is safe, any death on that roadway is one too many.
Getting golf carts off the roadway is the only viable answer to this safety issue. AAC amenity funds can and should be used to do this right.
I will never forget the lady who got up in one of our meetings and said, “I never want to see another dead body on that road!”
James Vaccaro
Amenity Authority Committee