WELLINGTON TO SIMPLIFY REGULATIONS SEE STORY, PAGE 3
LOX COUNCIL PASSES NUISANCE RULES SEE STORY, PAGE 4
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RPB Council Approves ‘Common-Sense’ Gun Control Resolution
Volume 39, Number 15 April 13 - April 19, 2018
Serving Palms West Since 1980
GPL TOURNAMENT RETURNS TO IPC
At the Royal Palm Beach Village Council meeting on Thursday, April 5, the council approved a resolution regarding gun violence to be sent to the Florida Legislature and the United States Congress members who represent the Royal Palm Beach area. Page 3
Grand Opening At New Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic Florida Wellington welcomed the community Saturday, April 7 to the grand opening of its new facility at 2789 State Road 7 with tours of the building, free risk assessment screenings and wellness information, meet-and-greet opportunities with staff and much more. Page 5
St. Peter’s Methodist Church CEC Spring Fair
The St. Peter’s United Methodist Church Child Enrichment Center (CEC) hosted its 31st annual Spring Fair on Saturday, April 7. The CEC’s largest event of the year, it was a great afternoon with bounce houses, a petting zoo, kids’ games with prizes, a huge silent auction and raffle baskets. Page 7
Women’s Group Hosts ‘Fun, Fabulous & 40’ Fashion Show Lunch
The Women of the Western Communities presented its “Fun, Fabulous & 40” spring brunch, fashion show and auction on Sunday, April 8 at the Wanderers Club in Wellington. Emcees were Sally Sevareid and Mo Foster from KOOL 105.5. Fashions were provided by Dress Barn. Page 11
The ninth annual Land Rover Palm Beach International Gay Polo Tournament took place on Saturday, April 7 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. Tailgating party tents on both sides of the polo field were decorated with flair for an elaborate competition. Shown above, the Blush and Bashful Steel Magnolias won for best tailgate. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 17 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Jackie Larson Retires After 24 Years Of Service In RPB
By Betsy LaBelle Town-Crier Staff Report Jackie Larson has been a strong voice on the Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission for 24 years. She retired this month to accolades from village officials, including a certificate of appreciation from the Royal Palm Beach Village Council. Living in Royal Palm Beach for 32 years, she has worked diligently in reviewing plans, questioning issues, pointing out possible problems and suggesting solutions. Larson takes pride in the credentials of the people she has worked with. “I am most proud that when I started on the Planning & Zoning Commission that we had such technical people there,” she recalled. “We had planners, architects, engineers and landscape architects. I was the environmental expert.” It was work that she thoroughly enjoyed. “We would literally search
through everything in the plans submitted, and frequently we would find errors that could have created a problem, like for instance road intersections that did not line up correctly. We would catch those,” Larson remembered. “The purpose of the board is to review the application and make comments to go to the council. They are looking at what we have seen. The village staff has already done a huge amount of work. We are looking at it like a third party and passing it on from there. It’s a very important review.” The Planning & Zoning Commission is one of several advisory boards within the village, but it’s the only one required by the village charter. It serves several functions. In addition to planning and zoning work, it serves as the village’s Architectural & Aesthetic Review Board and as the state-mandated Local Planning Agency. “The Architectural & Aesthetic See LARSON, page 15
PHOTO BY BETSY LABELLE/TOWN-CRIER
Michael Drahos Named Wellington Vice Mayor
By Dani Salgueiro Town Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council appointed Councilman Michael Drahos to serve as vice mayor for the coming year on Tuesday, April 10. After being nominated by Councilman Michael Napoleone, Drahos accepted the nomination under the condition that Napoleone take over as vice mayor in 2019.
Drahos proposed that the council begin rotating the vice mayor position every year instead of every two years, as has been the norm for the largely ceremonial position in the past. Councilman John McGovern has served as vice mayor for the past two years. “It is an honor to serve [as vice mayor] on this council,” Drahos said. “Mr. McGovern has done a fantastic job these last few years
2018
GUIDE Pages 24 and 25
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Jackie Larson played a large role in advocating for additional parks in Royal Palm Beach.
The council recognizes Wellington High School student Hosanna Kropp for winning the state championship title for girls wrestling. PHOTO BY DANI SALGUEIRO/TOWN-CRIER
and has set a great example, but everyone on the council should get an opportunity to [serve]. So, I think doing it this way is the right thing to do.” Drahos was raised in Wellington. He was elected to the council in 2016. He previously served on Wellington’s Education Committee and was a member of the Wellington Planning & Zoning Board. An attorney, Drahos was also the founder of the Young Professionals of Wellington. Also Tuesday, the council recognized two important Wellington achievers — Wellington High School student Hosanna Kropp and Wellington’s Village Engineer Thomas J. Lundeen. The council honored 11thgrader Kropp for her outstanding performance as a wrestler at Wellington High School. Kropp made history for the high school’s athletics department when she won the 2018 state championship title in girls wrestling in February. Kropp is a member of the predominantly male wrestling team at Wellington High School. She See COUNCIL, page 3
LGWCD Prepares For Referendum On Dependency
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors approved several items on Monday in anticipation of a referendum on whether to become a dependent district to the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, including paying off a bank loan with money that has been held in escrow. Attorney Betsy Burden reported on the status of the referendum process, now that the local bill calling for the referendum passed the Florida Legislature and was signed by Gov. Rick Scott on March 23. “At this point, we can move forward with the referendum as required,” Burden said. “The first step would be passing a resolution initiating the process. You might then want to consider adopting procedures on how the referendum will be conducted, and that would be very similar to those you have
conducted for previous referenda. When you do set the date, you will need to have all the logistics in order — the personnel necessary, the accountant, the sheriff’s deputy, the ballots and those kinds of documents.” She said the referendum must be advertised twice, on the fifth week and the third week prior to the referendum, which must be held on or before Oct. 1, certified by the district and sent to the Florida Department of State. “If it were to pass, that is when the act will become effective,” Burden said. LGWCD Chair Anita Kane said the board is aiming for June 25 to have plenty of time. Proxies necessary for the referendum will be posted on the district web site. Supervisor Simon Fernandez asked if the referendum passes, will the district need to do a budget See LGWCD, page 4
‘GREASE’ LUNCHEON
The Royal Palm Beach Young at Heart Club hosted its “Grease” luncheon on Friday, April 6 at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center. Club members enjoyed live 1950s musical entertainment and an Italian meal. Shown above are Victoria Stewart, Annette Mulliken and Mike Stewart. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 9 PHOTO BY DANI SALGUEIRO/TOWN-CRIER
Wellington To Honor Earth Day, Arbor Day April 21
By Erin Davisson Town-Crier Staff Report It’s the time of year to think green, as the Village of Wellington hosts its annual celebration in honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day on Saturday, April 21 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater. Sponsored this year by Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, the event promises to be an afternoon of activities to teach families more about our planet and how to live greener, complete with prizes, gifts and activities for kids. “We’re excited to celebrate this event as we have in the past,” said Michelle Garvey, the coordinator for this event, who explained that there is plenty to keep every member of the family entertained at the celebration. About 20 vendors are lined up to display their wares around the amphitheater so that visitors can browse for that certain something they didn’t know they needed. Food trucks will offer a variety of
tempting treats from traditional to green inspired. Children can color trees and flowers on posters made especially for Earth Day/Arbor Day, and they can visit with Smokey Bear, the character that teaches everyone about the dangers of wild fires and how they can be prevented. There is even a face painting area for kids to have their faces decorated. “Except for the food trucks and vendors, basically everything is free,” said Garvey, who added that in addition to free seedlings and reusable bags to use instead of plastic ones, raffle tickets will be handed out during the event. Near the end of the event, at 7 p.m., one lucky winner will receive an indigenous tree in a 15-gallon container. Wellington is designated as a Tree City, and to honor that tradition, the Wellington Village Council will plant a bald cypress tree during this event. A bald cypress tree is native Florida flora. “The council wouldn’t plant a See EARTH DAY, page 15
RPB’s Seniors Helping Seniors Group Up And Running
By Betsy LaBelle Town-Crier Staff Report Representatives of Seniors Helping Seniors spoke at the Thursday, April 5 meeting of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council to update village officials about the new group, which is dedicated to aiding people, especially seniors, with their needs. Called Seniors Helping Seniors of Royal Palm Beach, the group of volunteers deals with thoroughly vetted agencies to provide information and assistance on health issues, Social Security, insurance, transportation, elder abuse and many others. “I am here to report on the group we are putting together called Seniors Helping Seniors,” Judy
Kohler said. “I want to thank the village council for its support. Last June, you adopted our recommendation for implementation to establish an advocacy team of volunteers to ensure seniors and caregivers gain access to appropriate services.” The concept was developed out of the village’s Senior Citizen Ad Hoc Advisory Board, which met last year to discuss the needs of senior citizens in Royal Palm Beach. “A group of us got together to ask what can we do to move this forward and make this happen,” Kohler continued. “That is where we are today. I really want to thank the village staff, including Lou Recchio and Jeannine Delgardio.
They have been absolutely fantastic.” Kohler explained that members of the group have also had a tour with the Area Agency on Aging and learned about their Circle of Care resources, as well as those resources available from Palm Beach County. “We’ve made a lot of contacts with people who can help,” she said. Sandy Rubin, another member of the group, spoke about their primary resource in helping local seniors, the Area Agency on Aging, based in West Palm Beach. “I am here to tell you about our tour,” said Rubin, who said the organization’s facility is huge. “The people are fabulous. They See SENIORS, page 4
(L-R) Sandy Rubin, Iris Levin, Judith Kohler, Helen Benvenuto and Elaine Plachter of Seniors Helping Seniors in RPB,
PHOTO BY DANI SALGUEIRO/TOWN-CRIER