Forum Brings Generations Together To Chart The Future Of Wellington By Julie Unger
Wellington leaders from the past, present and future gathered Wednesday, Feb. 18 for the Wellington’s Future Forum, hosted at the Wanderers Club by the Young Professionals of Wellington. Fifteen community leaders, covering a broad spectrum of interests within the village, met with 16 members of the Young Professionals of Wellington (YPOW) to learn from each other. Some of the topics covered included education, neighborhoods, healthcare, real estate, jobs, the economy and quality of life. “When the idea for this event was first conceived, we determined as a group that we wanted to do something unique,” YPOW President Meg Krueger said. The YPOW was able to gather many well-known local leaders for the forum moderated by Kelly Smallridge, CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. “It was quite an honor to moderate this forum, where some of the village’s most impactful business, government and education leaders gathered to provide feedback on many different components of the town that make it one of the greatest places to live, work, learn and play, ” Smallridge said. Smallridge directed a discussion that focused on the future of Wellington, the impact of charter schools on the public school system, Wellington Regional Medical Center’s expansion opportunities, upward trends in the real estate and rental markets, the future of
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the controversial K-Park property, the desire for a central gathering place, and the domino effect of benefits that arise from supporting local businesses. Attendees included: former Palm Beach County Commissioner Ken Adams; Tommy Baldwin, owner of Equestrian Sotheby’s Realty; Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions; Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office Capt. Jay Hart; Village Attorney Laurie Cohen; Bill Fleming, president of Palm Beach Atlantic University; restaurateur Juan Gando; Wellington Regional Medical Center CEO Robbin Lee; Binks Forest Elementary School Principal Michella Levy; local businessman Joe Maguire; Richard Schechter, CEO of the Bainbridge Companies; Village Manager Paul Schofield; John Wash, president of club operations at the International Polo Club Palm Beach; and former Mayor Tom Wenham. Adams said he was honored to be invited, which seemed to be a consensus among the speakers. “It’s always an honor, I think, when folks think you might have something to say or something to share about our community,” Adams said, jokingly noting that he felt he brought antiquity to the event. Having lived in Wellington for more than 40 years, Adams has been involved
with the village every step of the way. “I’m very excited where I think it’s going; its future. It’s great to see younger people get involved, professional people,” he said. Schofield, who was thrilled to see the younger residents of Wellington taking an interest in the future, felt old sitting with the YPOW members. “It did make me feel a little bit old because it was the young people surrounded by dinosaurs,” he said. With Schofield’s self-proclaimed dinosaur experience, he, along with Adams, provided well-versed explanations of the history of Wellington. Schofield offered a unique perspective about the operational aspects of the village and the things that have changed in the past 20 years. Wenham was thrilled with the evening, giving kudos to Smallridge in particular. “I thought that Kelly Smallridge did an outstanding job in moderating the meeting,” he said. “It was a great evening, I think, for the Young Professionals, and for those of us who were presenting the information. I was pleased and proud to have been part of it.” Bellissimo said he enjoyed participating in the forum and focused on all that the equestrian industry does to help the greater Wellington community. “We have enjoyed increasing local spectator support for our equestrian events at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center,” he said. “I hope that we can be