Earth Day Should Be Observed Every Day Of The Year
As Palm Beach County residents gear up for the numerous Earth Day celebrations planned for next week, the day’s message of conservation and environmental responsibility should be at the top of everyone’s priority list. Although Earth Day is celebrated only once a year, it serves as a reminder of how we should behave the other 364 days. Page 4
Micah Bowonthamachakr with a cross craft and message.
By Mark Lioi
Town-Crier Staff Report
Residents of Wellington’s Paddock Park I neighborhood who were hopeful they would win the right to keep horses went home emptyhanded Tuesday. The Wellington Village Council voted unanimously to deny a proposal to allow the construction of stables in the northwestern Wellington neighborhood.
Village Tavern, the luncheon’s featured speakers were Palm Beach County School Board Vice Chair
Dr. Sandra Richmond and James Cooper, a career education specialist with the school district. Page 7
RPB Dispatcher
Receives Top Award
From Sheriff’s Office
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday awarded the title of 2009 Communication Officer of the Year to Lisa Walters, a dispatcher at the District 9 substation in Royal Palm Beach. Page 8
The village had drafted several versions of the ordinance, which sprang from a petition drive last year, in its progress through the village’s advisory committees and two reviews by the council. The version rejected by the council Tuesday would have granted homeowners adjacent to canal easements and equestrian trails the right to build two-stall stables on their properties if they met a series of further requirements.
Council members stressed the unequal bestowal of stable rights as part of their motivation for denying approval of the ordinance.
Village staff presented the council with the latest results of a survey of affected residents who were asked to support one of three options: allowing stables on every lot in Paddock Park I, allowing them only on homes adjacent to the easements and trails, or keeping things as they are. Stables for all was the vote of 33.3 percent of residents in the final tally, while 21.1
percent favored the more limited granting of stable rights and 45.7 percent supported no stables at all.
Paddock Park 1 residents actually enjoyed stable rights before 2003, when Wellington drew up its Equestrian Preserve Area in the village’s south and west, where large lots and equestrian-centered homes and businesses predominate. Paddock Park I, with smaller lots of about one acre each, was excluded because little equestrian development had taken place there, but a small number of existing stables have been allowed to remain in use.
As in previous hearings on the issue, dozens of neighborhood residents turned out to watch the proceedings or offer comment. Roy Rosner of Squire Drive was allowed to make a lengthy presentation in opposition to stables as he was representing some 16 residents also opposed.
Rosner argued that Paddock Park I was not singled out for denial of stable rights but became ineligible when the village laid out its equestrian area in 2002. “It simply did not, after considerable deliberation, deem it safe and practical to include Paddock Park I or any other neighborhood in Wellington with less than two-acre lots, within the permissive area for the construction of residential stables.”
Rosner also covered many of the other objections raised
against stables, including the possibility of horses posing traffic and safety hazards; the possibility of straw, feed and manure attracting vermin; the potential smell of manure encroaching on nearby neighbors; and the possibility that allowing some owners to build stables would lead to two tiers of property values in the neighborhood.
“Houses in Paddock Park I permitted to build stables might in the very long run increase in value as equestrians are attracted to the area,” he said. “Houses just across the street, excluded from the ability to build stables, would immediately as well as in the long term lose a very significant part of their property value since they not only can’t build stables, but they have to deal with all the threats, discomfort and inconveniences discussed above.”
Al Boyd, whose daughter Madison started the petition drive, said Rosner’s presentation was eloquent, but a little skewed, as the change away from stables was not apparently well researched, discussed or advertised by the village.
Boyd also contested claims by the anti-stable faction that horses would threaten the neighborhood with vermin, groundwater contamination and other health risks.
“There’s been discussions of infestations of biblical proportions that will come if we
See STABLES, page 20
By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington Village Council voted Tuesday to proceed with the design and construction of a long-awaited municipal complex expected to cost between $12.5 million and $15 million.
The site for the complex is along Forest Hill Blvd. near the Wellington Community Center. The new facility will be adjacent to a planned playground and a 3,200-squarefoot amphitheater already in the design stage.
Project Manager Richard Greene noted that the village is launching a series of redevelopment projects, one of them a major facelift to Forest Hill Blvd. “At the heart of that particular project is our town center,” he said. Greene touched on the many benefits of a municipal complex to house the village’s various departments and services, which are presently scattered in separate locations. The facility would save the village almost $350,000 in annual rental expenses as well as other expenses created by travel and communication between different offices, he said, adding that it would improve the public image of the village and also provide economic stimulus by creating jobs.
“With regard to economic stimulus,” Greene said, “if we build a 60,000 or so squarefoot complex of about $15 million total, we’ll generate 169 construction jobs, 286 total jobs, with economic employment earnings multiplied of approximately $12 million — that would be the impact to the area.”
Many municipalities are launching public works projects to stimulate the economy and take advantage of current low construction costs, he noted. The council voted 4-1 to approve the project, with
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Royal Palm Beach Village Council postponed consideration Thursday of a land use change that would allow for up to 330 apartment units on State Road 7 as developers try to work out a compromise with neighbors.
The council postponed transmittal of a comprehensive plan amendment that would change the land use of a 27.8-acre parcel west of State Road 7 and south of Anthony Groves Road from the county’s low residential land use to the village’s medium density, which would allow up to 12 dwelling units per acre.
Attorney Al Malefatto, rep-
Councilman Matt Willhite dissenting. Willhite said he feared the project would generate a few hundred project-related jobs that would last only 16 months or so, but the complex would ultimately put village employees out of work. He also questioned the wisdom of spending the money in uncertain economic times.
“The manager can look at this and say we can build this without raising taxes, but three and a half to five million dollars of this will come out of the general fund — that is your taxes,” he said. “We could have lowered our tax rate and given people a rebate this year and not built this. So we’re not raising our taxes and we have the money and we put it in the budget potentially to build it, but they couldn’t lower the millage rate, so we are raising taxes, in a sense, to build this.” In other business, the council voted in support of a state bill that backers say would bolster funding for fire-rescue services and lower property taxes at the same time. Fire-rescue services depend heavily on property tax revenue, which has fallen recently due to tax reforms and reversals in the real estate market. The bill, versions of which are currently under review by both houses of the State Legislature, seeks a sales tax increase of up to a penny to supplant property tax revenue. Fred Angelo, first legislative vice president for the county’s firefighters union, told council members that estimates suggest adding a half-cent to the existing 6.5cent sales tax would generate about $3.8 million annually in Wellington alone. The county would be required to lower ad valorem taxes in participating communities by the amount of esti-
resenting Futura Development, said his client is still trying to resolve differences with residents at Victoria Groves to the west of the proposed development.
The property was annexed by the village several years ago but still carries the county’s low residential density designation of two units per acre.
“There are still quite a few issues with the residents at Victoria Groves,” said Malefatto, adding that developer representatives will meet with residents during the postponement period and try to resolve the differences.
The village’s Planning & Zoning Commission recom-
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
A new elementary school intended to relieve overcrowding at schools in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington received Palm Beach County School Board approval Wednesday. However, the new school site is outside both municipalities, and some Royal Palm Beach school advocates say they wish the money had been invested in existing village schools. The school, known as Elementary School 03-W, is located on Marginal Road south of Southern Blvd. and just west of Florida’s Turnpike.
Royal Palm Beach Councilman Fred Pinto, liaison to
the village’s Education Advisory Board, said he feels the money would have been better spent expanding overcrowded schools in RPB.
Pinto estimated that such expansions could be done at about a quarter of the cost of building a new school. “That way you don’t have to bus kids to other schools, and they can stay within the confines of the village,” Pinto told the Town-Crier Thursday.
Declining enrollment and a faltering economy should make the school district rethink the strategy of building new schools and instead improve existing infrastructure, Pinto said.
Royal Palm Beach Education Advisory Board Chair
Carmen Campbell, who also sits on the school district’s Advisory Boundary Committee, said she was part of a campaign two years ago to improve the core facilities at Cypress Trails Elementary School that never came to fruition. “We were very hopeful that they would do what they had just finished doing at H.L. Johnson, which was expanding the core facilities and building additions,” she said.
At the same time, the school district wanted to build a new school in Royal Palm Beach but never came to terms with developers or the village as to where it could be built, so Elementary School 03-W was sited on Marginal Road, north of
Palm Beach Central High School, Campbell said.
The school district was going to move some students from H.L. Johnson and Cypress Trails elementary schools. However, two weeks ago Campbell learned that no students would be moved from H.L. Johnson because it is no longer considered overcrowded after its renovation. Instead, up to 300 students are slated to be moved from Cypress Trails, primarily students in the neighborhoods of Bella Terra, Nautica Lakes and Seminole Lakes.
“We would like the children of Royal Palm Beach to stay where they are,” Campbell said. “They could spend a fraction of the money they
are spending on the new school to improve the core services at Cypress Trails.” Campbell said she and Pinto have talked about a possible renovation option for Cypress Trails and thought they might be able to persuade the school district, but to no avail.
“What really moves the school board is when they get a large turnout of parents from a certain area protesting or in favor of a certain plan,” Campbell said. “We haven’t had that because, basically, I don’t think they know that their children are going to be moved.”
Campbell pointed out that Cypress Trails was built in 1989 to accommodate ap-
See SCHOOL, page 20
By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report
A veteran former state legislator cautioned the Wellington Village Council Tuesday not to seek too much with its expectations of Palm Beach Community College, which is seeking to build a campus in the village.
Former state senator Don Childers, who represented Palm Beach County in Tallahassee from the 1970s to the 1990s, told the council near the end of a five-hour meeting that PBCC would likely get the best of the village in negotiations on a campus lease agreement.
“I commend all of you for what you’re trying to do,” he said. “But the college is giving you a shell game, I can tell you. And I support them — my son went there, it’s a fine college, but I just think they’re giving you a shell game. I just hope I’m wrong.”
The college and the village have been negotiating for a year on a controversial arrangement to bring a PBCC campus to Wellington. The village has agreed in principal to lease its 67-acre “KPark” parcel on State Road 7 to the college basically for free.
One of the items on the council’s Tuesday agenda was an update on the status of the negotiations. Village
Attorney Jeff Kurtz told the council that the college would not accept the village’s recent offer of 45 acres of the land, and would not settle for anything less than about 60 acres. The college would also not consider paying anything other than a nominal monetary consideration in any of its dealings with the village. For its part, the village is seeking clarification or more assurances on several aspects of the agreement, such as an indemnification clause that would free the village of any liabilities, commitment to an inter-collegiate center that would involve other institutions and the schedule for construction of the campus. The latest college offer is to have an initial phase of 36,000 square feet completed and ready for classes by 2013, beginning construction on a 120,000-square-foot second phase in 2016, and the beginning of a 400,000square-foot third phase in 2026.
Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore said he wanted to see more commitments on paper from the college on the village’s concerns, including completion dates.
“What I’d like to see on April 28,” Priore said, “is something in writing that speaks to indemnification and
See PBCC, page 9
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Over the objections of Glades area officials, the Palm Beach County Commission on Monday approved transmittal of an amendment to the Port of Palm Beach master plan that could allow the location of an inland transportation center outside the county.
During the commission’s planning meeting, staff recommended approval of the amendment, which included “nearby areas of adjacent counties surrounding Lake Okeechobee” to language regarding the development of an “inland port” transportation center in the western Palm Beach County area.
The amendment is the port’s effort to incorporate language to promote development of the inland port and the necessary transportation system. The Port of Palm Beach District runs from the Atlantic coast west to Lake Okeechobee and from Southern Blvd. north to Donald Ross Road. A staff report noted the change as minor in nature, but representatives from the Glades area took umbrage.
Belle Glade Mayor Steve Wilson, representing the cit-
‘No
By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report
The Village of Wellington took steps last week to limit right turns on roads near Elbridge Gale and Equestrian Trails elementary schools due to congestion during pickup and drop-off times.
Drivers westbound on Forest Hill Blvd. approaching Royal Fern Drive and eastbound on Stribling Way at the right turn lane into Equestrian Trails Elementary School will now see signs barring them from making right turns during school hours while the signal is red.
Assistant Village Manager John Bonde said Thursday that the idea for the signs was generated by comments from residents who expressed concern at unsafe traffic situations arising near schools at opening and closing times. At both these sites, Bonde said, drivers taking a right on red would clog up the street to the point that drivers coming from the other direction, waiting to make a left turn, would be stuck because drivers taking a right on red from
ies of Belle Glade and Pahokee, said he wanted to go on record that the Glades area supports the county’s position to create an overlay and master plan, but requested that the project remain in Palm Beach County. “We have great concerns that the master plan will allow other counties to be included,” Wilson said.
South Bay City Commissioner Linda Johnson also asked that the center remain in the county. “We support the port’s effort to amend the master plan,” Johnson said. “I feel this would help them to create a plan that would promote economic growth for the Tri-Cities, something that could be reality.”
But Johnson added that she was very concerned about the language that might allow the inland port to be located outside the county.
“I could not believe there would be an amendment to include an outside site,” Johnson said. “To me, this appears to be our economic stimulus package for the Glades. I just want to be sure that we keep the inland port in Palm Beach County.” Port of Palm Beach Chairman Ed Oppel said the lan-
See PORT, page 7
the opposite direction would clog it up by continually taking places in the pickup line.
“The people turning right on red intentionally blocked all the available space, so that when you had a red light, and the other people had a turn signal, they could not get in line to go to the school,” Bonde said.
The rule will allow traffic to clear so those making a left turn will be able to get onto the street. Both intersections have been the scene of frustrated and discourteous drivers due to school-related traffic snarls, Bonde said.
“We had Angela Kahoe, our village engineer, go out there and take a look at the options,” he said, noting that the no-right-turn change “seemed to be the most simple fix.”
Bonde said the signs went up in the middle of last week. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has been notified of the new rule and will initially issue warnings to motorists who violate the signs, but will eventually issue citations.
As Palm Beach County residents gear up for the numerous Earth Day celebrations planned for next week, the day’s message of conservation and environmental responsibility should be at the top of everyone’s priority list. Although Earth Day is celebrated only once a year on April 22, it serves as a reminder of how we should behave the other 364 days — as thoughtful citizens who care about their planet.
Over the past couple of years, the “green” movement has grown from being seen as a novelty for environmental activists to part of mainstream culture. And while the concept of “going green” is often a marketing ploy by companies trying to remodel their image to fit current trends, it is also becoming a permanent part of the national conscience. Unfortunately for South Florida, a large part of our environmental concerns regard the ongoing rain shortage. Whereas the rest of the country is looking at Earth Day as a time to scale back on the use of fossil fuels and non-recyclable products, South Floridians have the added responsibility of monitoring the amount of water they use on a daily basis.
Going green doesn’t necessarily mean making big changes to one’s lifestyle. There are plenty of small things that can be done each day to minimize one’s impact on the environment, from reusing shopping bags to easing up on
I do hope that folks will read this with an open mind. The perception of many Wellington citizens is that the decision regarding the gift of 60 acres to Palm Beach Community College has already been made and that as a consequence, the concerns of citizens are not being given weight. That perception is there for a reason. Or rather, reasons. One member of the Wellington Village Council has been quoted, with regard to an appraisal made of the value of the property that is to be donated, as saying, “don’t know, don’t care. It’s irrelevant, really. The value of that property to the village is what we’ve got in it — that’s the value to us.” Many citizens do not understand such an attitude. To them, an appraisal has weight. To them, it makes a difference whether the value that is being given up by them (after all, citizens are the village) is small or large. It is the cost portion of a cost/benefit calculation. Without it, there is no calculation. It is already a done deal. Most members of the council have clearly expressed that they want to give the property to PBCC. The only alternative that has ever been considered was the original idea of a recreational facility. The only reason such use is no longer considered is because the village says that it hasn’t the funds to build and maintain it. What if the village sold a portion of the property and used the proceeds to build a park? Not even being considered.
At the April 14 council meeting, a presentation was made by LECOM that was, to me, eye-opening. Here is an institution that has a real and measurable track record. Unlike state-supported colleges that can almost never fail to grow (because local politicians trade back and
forth as they each pass appropriations to support them), LECOM has produced a laudable product, and in so doing has generated enough revenue to grow and grow. That is a real “track record.” What if the council decided to wait until talking with LECOM to make any decision regarding K-Park? What would be the harm? There might at least be an alternative to provide some measure of the relative benefit of giving the property away. Are council members afraid that PBCC will decide not to come here? And are you therefore afraid that the property will go unused? What would be the cost of that? Do you know?
In conversation with one council member, I was given many examples of decisions that were made in the past that were contrary to some public opinion. I was told that, nevertheless, there were wonderful consequences. That is an easy claim to make. It is simply not possible to go back and make a different decision and learn what the consequences would have been. There is no way of knowing whether the consequences might have been worse, the same, better, or even far better. Such claims have no real weight when considering a new decision.
PBCC clearly does not want to build and operate as rapidly as they initially claimed they did. That is an important, factual bit of information. Most [council members] choose to ignore it — another of the reasons that citizens are nervous about the issue.
At the meeting, one council member raised the question of the college’s profiting from a Starbucks. Lip service was given to that concern, but only for a moment. The council then went on to give a list of things that the college was to address, and that issue was not one of them. It is an important issue. As are many more that have never been raised.
It is my opinion, and I do
This column is for you, Sherry Jackson Brown. For the past couple of weeks, I have been back in Wichita, where I lay dying just two years ago with leukemia. This trip was to support someone else who lies dying with pancreatic cancer. Sherry is likely in her final days in her own bed, in a home she helped build with her husband, my brother Dick. That is where she instructed everyone to take her when there was nothing more the hospital could do. Today, she is surrounded by loved ones, friends and a hospice nurse trying to make her comfortable.
I’m sure she knows she is dying. But other than being tired much of the time and sleeping the rest, you would never know she was on her deathbed because she continues to exude so much life. She smiles and tries hard to engage everyone in conversation. There is no gloom or doom — only life. Let me tell you about Sherry and my brother Dick.
Regular readers of my column may remember Dick and recall that this is not the first time he has faced unspeakable tragedy. A man running from the police killed Dick’s wife Vicki on Thanksgiving morning in 2004. He crashed his speeding car into her car, killing
the gas pedal when driving on long trips. Here in the western communities, there are Earth Day events planned in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach. The Village of Wellington and the Wellington Tree Board will host the 2009 Earth Day Ceremony on Sunday, April 19 at 10 a.m. at the Peaceful Waters Sanctuary at Wellington Village Park. For more information, visit www.ci. wellington.fl.us.
In Royal Palm Beach, the village is teaming with local schools through a “greening” partnership. On April 22, Crestwood Middle School and H.L. Johnson, Cypress Trails and Royal Palm Beach elementary schools will use their morning programs to celebrate Earth Day with featured speakers, music, contest winners and tree planting. Over at Royal Palm Beach High School, students are collecting sneakers to be recycled into sports surfaces and playground mulch. The school has tree-planting and school beautification activities planned as well.
The most important lesson to be learned this Earth Day (and every day) is that everything we do affects the environment. The debate about whether our actions are causing global climate change is purely academic — and not very practical. It’s more important to focus on what is practical and what can be done on a daily basis.
not think that I am in a minority, that the council intends to quickly enter into an agreement with the college without having given any weight to real concerns of cost vs. benefit or of any other alternative approach to the utilization of K-Park. That is why you are hearing some pretty strident voices. K-Park is public property, and the public should be heard.
Phil Sexton Wellington
In response to Mr. Howard Sohn and Mr. George Unger, our council and staff sees a high crime problem in Wellington. In fact, they are about to adopt or have adopted a $1 million addition to our budget (debt) by hiring two sheriff’s deputies, two activists and two code compliance officers, and is not very clear on what else this million-dollar motion includes yearly (long-term).
The question becomes, will this solve our high crime in two areas or create another problem for our budget (debt) without raising taxes? Can there be another way to solve crime or code compliance? Maybe our village should rethink spending $1 million a year extra on two areas even though it said it’s for all of Wellington. We know it’s not. If our village has an open forum with the public, they may get some good ideas.
Bart Novack Wellington
Don’t
What on earth has made us so calloused as to shy away from standards of propriety?
Our government’s frantic infusion of bailout money to the tune of trillions of dollars is to stimulate our economy and not to beef up CEOs’ pockets. It’s mind-boggling that heads of various financial institutions on the brink
of collapse still get astronomical amounts in bonuses. Case in point: from close to $200 billion that insurance giant American International Group (AIG) got from Uncle Sam, it paid out over $165 million in bonus money to their “top dogs.” Their rationale, which by any stretch of the human intellect defies logic, is that they’re the only ones who can untangle the mess that they’re in and nonpayment of such bonuses will trigger an exodus of the “chosen ones” tantamount to wreaking havoc on the whole enterprise. What a bunch of hogwash! These white-elephant executives are the very reason AIG is in trouble in the first place and, without any qualms, we reward them for their lousy job that pushed their company hemorrhaging cash ($61.7 billion in the last three months of 2008) in an unabated fashion. Let’s join forces and vigorously impress upon the powers that be that giving bonuses to affluent CEOs is as immoral as it is despicable.
In the midst of Armageddon-like fiscal quagmire in which we now wallow, hefty CEO perks must be toned down, if not fully curtailed, until such time that we’ve gone back on the road to sustained economic recovery. Mario Casuga Royal Palm Beach
On Thursday, the Florida Senate unanimously passed a $65.6 billion budget. Our priority in producing this budget was to maintain those critical services that house, teach, heal, protect and create jobs for Floridians while protecting our state’s economic future.
On opening day, I committed that Florida’s classrooms would not receive any additional cuts. Protecting and investing in education is vital as we seek to equip today’s students with the tools nec-
essary to compete in the global economy. Therefore, the education budget maintains the 2008-09 classroom funding levels. It is also imperative that we continue to build intellectual capital on our university and community college campuses. Thus, we protect the higher education system from draconian cuts.
In order to protect our most vulnerable, we sought to align cost drivers in the healthcare budget with their sources, thereby preventing reductions in vital programs such as Medicaid services and eligibility, KidCare or community care for disabled adults, among others.
Florida is home to many unique and irreplaceable ecosystems. Accordingly, the Senate is working on a proposal to continue the historic Florida Forever program. Since its inception, this program has procured and preserved unique and endan-
gered areas — protecting Florida’s natural beauty for generations to come.
Realizing that infrastructure projects are the best economic stimulus and immediate job creators, the Senate budget invests in projects that employ individuals today and provides long-term economic benefits. Lastly, the Senate budget protects funding for the court and criminal justice system, ensuring that our judicial system continues to function and our prison doors remain closed. Make no mistake; many difficult and tough decisions were made to produce this balanced budget. As we begin negotiations with our partners in the Florida House, I remain confident we will reach an agreement that will serve Floridians and protect Florida’s financial integrity and economic future.
State Sen. Jeff Atwater Senate President
The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090 ; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTownCrier.com
Royal Palm Beach is partnering with the Town-Crier newspaper to produce a 50th anniversary souvenir magazine — and we’d like your help!
The Early Years — For Royal Palm Beach residents who remember the village’s early years (pre-1984), we want to hear your stories. Explain in vivid detail what life was like back in the “good old days.” Submissions of up to 200 words are welcome, and a handful will be selected for publication. Be sure to include full contact information so we can get in touch with you. In you submission, note if you have old photographs that may be useful.
The Next 50 Years — But what would a celebration of Royal Palm Beach’s past be without a nod to its future?
The Town-Crier would also like to hear your thoughts on where the village is headed over the next 50 years. This opportunity is open to anyone with ties to Royal Palm Beach. Again, submissions should be up to 200 words and include full contact information.
Submissions for both input opportunities can be mailed to the Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax submissions to (561) 7936090. E-mails can be sent to VORP50TH@aol.com.
to have had two wonderful women in his life.
By Don Brown
her instantly. Vicki’s killer was the first person in Kansas to be tried and convicted of first-degree murder under such circumstances. Dick and Vicki had a wonderful marriage and raised two beautiful daughters who now have children of their own. They were also best friends, and his life was devastated by her death. I loved Vicki and had the honor of delivering her eulogy.
Then, like a movie script, Sherry came into Dick’s life about a year later — tentatively at first, and then more seriously. They were friends for more than three years before they went to the courthouse and got married in a quiet ceremony. Their marriage was fitting for both of them in the twilight of their lives. I couldn’t have been happier. I considered my brother one of the luckiest people in the world
Dick regularly visited Vicki’s grave and (I don’t know for sure) probably thanked her for approving of Sherry. He’s that kind of man. Now his devastation is magnified. He told me he feels cursed because the two women he has ever loved have either left him due to death or are about to leave him. I told him that I thought he was blessed and remains blessed to have had them. The love for Vicki was demonstrated by a standing-room-only funeral in the largest church in Haysville, a suburb of Wichita. The love for Sherry is shown by the many friends and loved ones who visit the Brown home on a daily basis. Everyone seems to enjoy Sherry’s company. She always has a smile and warm comments for everyone. She adopted my family as much as we adopted hers. She remembers all the names of my nephews, nieces, grand nephews and grand nieces as much as I do, and the names and faces of my eight grandchildren who also love her. She made a mark in the Brown family where fools dare tread. My own friendship with Sherry began the first time I met her. I knew immediately how genuine she is. I was drawn to her. I wanted to be her friend, and that is what we became.
In fact, she was one of my best friends. She also became a good friend of my own significant other, Sheryl Sawyer. Dick and Sherry and Sheryl and I made trips together to Costa Rica and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Sherry was briefly declared to be in remission from her pancreatic cancer when we all went to the Virgin Islands a few months ago to celebrate her survival and mine. It was a wonderful trip. It seems that I have so many family members and friends who are surviving (or trying to beat) cancer. I never gave it a whole lot of thought, even though my father died of lung cancer a long time ago, until I was given my own death sentence two years ago. I survived, partly because of Sherry, and now I pay attention to everyone with cancer. One of the things I have learned is that cancer is everywhere. It is in all of our families and many of the people we love. That is why I want to remind you of the Relays for Life in the communities of Wellington (at Palm Beach Central High School) and The Acreage (at Acreage Community Park) on April 17-18, and in Royal Palm Beach (at Royal Palm Beach High School) on April 24-25. Join me there so we can comfort each other.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
By Jason Budjinski Town-Crier Staff Report
APRIL 12 — A resident of Blue Violet Lane called the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach early last Sunday morning with a criminal mischief complaint. According to a PBSO report, deputies from the Royal Palm Beach substation responded to assist the victim, who was following two suspects after they intentionally damaged the front door of his house and all four tires of his friend’s car. Upon making contact with the suspects, 26-year-old James Lindelof and 18-year-old John Hall, Lindelof acted aggressively toward the deputies, ignoring their commands and resisting arrest while one of the deputies attempted to place handcuffs on him. Lindelof and Hall were later identified by the victim and placed under arrest.
• • •
APRIL 9 — An employee of the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Thursday regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, a loss prevention officer observed 20year-old Kristen Lamoureux of Belle Glade select miscellaneous cosmetic items from the health and beauty department and women’s department, conceal them in her handbag and proceed to the checkout counter, where she purchased several food items. Lamoureux then attempted to leave the store but was apprehended. The merchandise, totaling $274.13, was recovered, and Lamoureux was placed under arrest and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.
victim’s 2006 Mazda with what appeared to be a pellet. The damage was estimated at $250. There were no suspects or witnesses.
APRIL 13 — A routine traffic stop in Royal Palm Beach lead to the arrest of a West Palm Beach man early Monday morning. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation was on patrol on State Road 7 and observed a silver Land Rover driven by 30-year-old Christopher Perez make a prohibited Uturn. After initiating a traffic stop, the deputy conducted a records check and learned that Perez had nine active suspensions for failure to pay traffic fines and an arrest warrant for grand theft auto in Martin County. Perez was taken into custody and transported to the county jail.
APRIL 13 — A resident of Belize Place called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Monday in reference to a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 1 and 5 a.m., someone entered the unlocked vehicle and stole an iPod, razor, phone holder and ear plug.
APRIL 13 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded Monday to the Wellington Business Center on Fairlane Farms Road regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 4 p.m. last Saturday and 10:30 a.m. on Monday, someone cut the fence to the premises and gained entrance. Once inside, the suspect cut the bracket of a trailer’s rear drop-down door. Stolen from inside was mowing equipment worth approximately $14,000.
APRIL 10 — An Acreage man was arrested on drug charges last Friday after a traffic stop in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a vehicle driven by 25year-old Shawn Martin was pulled over at the intersection of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and Heatherwood Drive after running a stop sign. The deputy ran a records check and learned that Martin’s license was suspended for failure to pay a fine. While talking to Martin, the deputy noticed a smell of marijuana coming from inside the vehicle. Martin consented to a search, which revealed 7.9 grams of marijuana and a pipe. He was arrested and issued a traffic citation.
APRIL 11 — A man was arrested last Saturday for indecent exposure at a bus stop near the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, 48-year-old Thomas Angiesey of Wellington urinated in front of a woman and her daughter while at the bus stop.
APRIL 13 — A Lake Worth man was arrested on drug charges Monday following a traffic stop in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation pulled over a vehicle driven by 33-year-old Joshua Gulley for a traffic infraction. Upon making contact with Gulley, the deputy learned that he had never been issued a Florida driver’s license. The deputy asked Gulley if he had any weapons or drugs, and Gulley said he did not. A second deputy searched Gulley’s vehicle incident to his arrest for driving without a license and discovered plastic baggies containing heroin residue and seven syringes. Gulley was additionally charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.
APRIL 11 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched last Saturday to a home on Manderly Drive regarding a vandalism complaint. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 7:30 p.m. last Friday and noon the following day, someone shattered the rear window of the
APRIL 14 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched Tuesday to a building complex on South Shore Blvd. in reference to a criminal mischief complaint. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 4 p.m. on Monday and 1:50 p.m. the following day, someone removed three door locks from three of the suites inside the building. Nothing else was disturbed or taken. The total cost of damage to the locks is approximately $100.
He has tattoos on both arms, chest and abdomen and a pierced tongue. Paige is wanted for violation of probation on convictions for possession of cocaine and possession of marijuana. His occupation is food prep. His last known address was Sandpiper Avenue in Royal Palm Beach. Paige is wanted as of 04/16/09. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc.com.
Town-Crier
By Carol Porter
Staff Report
Education was the theme at Tuesday’s Palms West Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Held at Nicole’s Village Tavern, the luncheon’s featured speakers were Palm Beach County School Board Vice Chair Dr. Sandra Richmond and James Cooper, a career education specialist with the school district.
Richmond discussed the status of public education in Palm Beach County, the school district’s capital budget and the possibilities to be explored through career education.
“As far as academically, we’re the only district in the State of Florida to receive a grade of A by the Department of Education for four consecutive years,” Richmond said. “It’s so important that we make sure all of our children have the advantages of high academic achievement, and that is our goal.”
Richmond said the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation had taken an interest in education throughout the nation and had chosen sev-
eral school districts for consideration. Richmond noted that the foundation had visited with members of the Palm Beach County School District and that district members had been invited back to Atlanta for a followup visit.
“We will be traveling up to Atlanta to meet with them and develop an RFP [request for proposals],” Richmond said. “The RFP would be for support and funding that would last several years. We are all keeping our fingers crossed. We are doing our best to follow through with this because it could mean millions and millions of dollars coming into Palm Beach County and into our schools to our children who need it.”
Richmond went on to discuss career academies, and how teachers and staff active with those programs feel it is vitally important that they be incorporated into the academic component of education to better prepare students for their careers.
Regarding the school district’s capital budget, Richmond said the district might
not proceed with some new schools because of a sharp slowdown in growth since the 2007-08 school year. But whatever happens, she said, the district will have a balanced budget and do whatever it can to keep teachers and staff working.
Still, Richmond is optimistic about the future.
“In the next year or two, when the economy goes fast and furious again, we won’t have the time to spend all the money we will have,” she said. “When we start the growth again, we will be successful. Together we can do this.”
Next to speak was Cooper, who previously worked at Royal Palm Beach High School as the lead teacher of the International Business Academy, providing students with real-world experience. He currently serves as president of the Florida Business Technology Educators Association. In 2007, he was named the Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club Local Teacher of the Year for Palm Beach County.
Cooper encouraged cham-
ber members to get involved with career academy programs and help teach their future employees. It is a partnership, he said, and both can help each other.
“Many of our career academies have summer internships, and that is one way you can assist us and we can assist you with the skill sets we have learned,” Cooper said.
“It’s an opportunity to give back and learn from the students. Our ultimate goal is to prepare them for what you need.”
At the end of the luncheon, Palms West Chamber of Commerce Education Committee Vice President Anita Foster announced the chamber’s annual scholarship winners: Michael Costa of Royal Palm Beach High School, Ariel Porto of Wellington High School, Cynthia Torres of Seminole Ridge High School, Ariana
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Gen. David Petraeus, the nation’s top military official in the Middle East, gave members of the Forum Club in West Palm Beach an overview April 9 of the difficulties the region poses and insight into the fight against terrorism.
As current commander of U.S. Central Command, Petraeus oversees U.S. military operations in the Middle East, Central Asia and Egypt.
CENTCOM’s area of responsibility or AOR includes 20 countries, Petraeus said, comparing his staff to a juggling act because they must keep many efforts going at the same time.
“The area includes some 530 million people from at least 22 major ethnic groups, who speak 18 major languages and subscribe to four major religions,” he said. “The area is rich in oil and natural gas but poor in fresh water. In 18 of the 20 states in the AOR, young people between the ages of 15 and 29 constitute 20 percent of the population. Economic opportunities are insufficient. These factors combine to produce a potent brew of challenges for the individual countries, for the region and for the entire world.”
Petraeus said that while the thousands of American and coalition military personnel
deployed in the area are an important component of the fight against al Qaeda and its extremist allies, those numbers must also be matched by diplomatic and economic efforts. Brute force alone is not the best option, he said.
“As we undertake this diverse range of activities,” Petraeus said, “a number of principles guide our efforts. Our efforts must be comprehensive and coordinated. There must be a deployment of military capabilities, intelligence agencies and other elements to ensure that more than military means are used, to not just address specific challenges, but to address the underlying challenges.”
Petraeus described confronting and defeating extremist networks as the most important aspect of CENTCOM’s mission.
“Throughout our area of responsibility, al Qaeda and other extremist groups carry out acts of indiscriminate violence and seek to impose oppressive practices on others,” Petraeus said, “and are striving to spread and enforce an ideology that most in the region do not subscribe to. The actions of these extremist ideologies in the region have claimed countless innocent lives and undermined legitimate governments and even extended to our homeland and to the homelands of our allies.”
Petraeus said violence in Iraq has been substantially reduced, which should enable the United States to withdraw all combat brigades by the end of 2010, as promised by President Barack Obama. Meanwhile, he said, CENTCOM would continue to build on the foundation it has established, “operating with and through our Iraqi partners to protect the people, to pursue the extremists and to continue the development of Iraqi security forces, which now number some 600,000.”
Afghanistan’s situation is contrary to that of Iraq, Petraeus said, and the insurgency in Afghanistan has doubled in its strength and influence due in large part to the presence of safe havens across the border in Pakistan and the steady flow of narcotics across the border. Also frustrating to many, he said, is the slow development of the fledgling Afghan government, furthered compromised by the difficulties with the security situation and its inability to provide adequate essential services.
Petraeus said CENTCOM is committed to preventing the use of Afghanistan as a sanctuary country for terrorists.
“Our fundamental objective in Afghanistan remains as President Obama stated: to ensure that transnational terrorists are not able to re-es-
tablish the sanctuaries in Afghanistan prior to the 9/11 attacks,” he said. “Accomplishing this aim requires not just killing or capturing terrorists, but also helping to develop the Afghan security forces and reducing the illegal narcotics industry that finances the insurgency.”
Reversing the cycle of violence is the first priority in Afghanistan, Petraeus said. “While military force by itself is not sufficient to do this, military action is vitally necessary,” he said. “All of this will take time. Doing this will require the additional U.S. coalition military and civilian resources and funding that were announced by President Obama two weeks ago. Our troops must be good neighbors in the communities they service, seeking to understand local situations, support local reconciliation and to promote Afghan solutions to Afghan problems.”
Petraeus stressed the vital importance of relations with Pakistan in achieving success in Afghanistan.
“The president emphasized this in his recent speech calling for a relationship with Pakistan that is grounded in support for Pakistan’s democratic institutions and the Pakistani people, and for the U.S. to demonstrate in deeds as well as words of the commitment that is enduring,” Petraeus said.
of
ment supporting the creation of an inland port in the Glades area. It passed 7-0. In related actions, the commissioners also approved a
send to the state supporting the creation of an inland port. Aaronson made a motion to transmit the port’s amend-
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday awarded the title of 2009 Communication Officer of the Year to Lisa Walters, a dispatcher at the District 9 substation in Royal Palm Beach.
During a ceremony at PBSO headquarters attended by more than 40 dispatchers and PBSO officials, Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw presented Walters with a plaque. In a letter of recommendation, Walters’ supervisor Cynthia Conrad wrote that Walters received three letters of commendation in 2008, including one from a co-worker for her handling of an armed robbery call.
“She’s on a public education team and a guardian ad litem for kids and did very well over the year taking
calls,” Conrad told the TownCrier, explaining that the 911 Public Education Team teaches children and adults the proper use of 911, and the Palm Beach Guardian Ad Litem program provides support to foster children in need of help.
Conrad, who supervises 13 dispatchers and other workers at the District 9 substation, wrote that Walters also volunteers for extra duties that come up, such as working the booth for District 9’s annual fair and Night Out Against Crime.
Walters’ other letters of commendation were from then-Capt. Tony Araujo for her passing out information to the public during an event held in the village and another from New Horizons Elementary School for her involvement with its career day.
Regarding the award,
Walters gave credit to other dispatchers she works with.
“It took me a while for it to register and really feel worthy of it,” said Walters, who has been with the PBSO for four years. “As long as I know in my heart we can share it with everyone in District 9 in my small communications family, I feel better with it.”
Walters said the work of the telecommunications division is central to law enforcement. “It’s extremely important,” Walters said. “It is the heartbeat of any police department. With the success and the top-notch rate we have here at the PBSO, we pride ourselves in keeping up with policies and procedures. And where one dispatcher may be weak in something, the other one is strong in their experience. We take great pride in doing our job well.”
The PBSO Communications Division consists of five dispatch centers handling more than one million phone calls annually. The centers are located at the PBSO headquarters, West Palm Beach Courthouse, the Glades, Palm Beach International Airport and Royal Palm Beach. Bradshaw told those attending that everything the PBSO does starts with the telecommunications group.
“We’ve gone through many changes, and the biggest changes have been in technology. We’re still trying to get that right. It’s not where we want it to be yet. We want to be sure that the technology is going to make your job easier and give us the ability to be on the cutting edge of not only technology, but how we give our service to the public,” Bradshaw said at the awards ceremony.
The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club presented a collection of money raised by Rotary members and their families to Yvette Branch of the Oakwood Center of the Palm Beaches. The special presentation, Pennies for PANDA, took place on Thursday morning at the Village Golf Club in Royal Palm Beach during Rotary’s meeting. Branch has been with the Oakwood Center for the past three years and is currently supervisor of the CASASTART and PANDA programs, which deal with substance abuse. Her responsibilities are to run the programs and supervise the clinical staff. (Right) RPB Rotary Club President Scott Armand with Yvette Branch and Tony Armour. (Far right) Dr. Ron Peterson gives a donation to Rotarian and PBSO Capt. Eric Coleman while Scott Armand looks on.
Members of the local congregation-based grassroots organization People Engaged in Active Community Efforts (PEACE) will come together on Monday, April 20 to present proposals to public officials in the areas of affordable housing and youth crime.
The PEACE assembly will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Redemptive Life Fellowship (2101 N. Australian Avenue, West Palm Beach). PEACE was founded in 1991 by local clergy mem-
County Commissioner Jess Santamaria will host a community forum Wednesday, April 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. in the center court at the original Wellington Mall (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The topic will be “From Good Growth to Gridlock,” a discussion of Senate bills 360 and 362, which involve proposed changes to growth management and traffic concurrency. Other issues will be addressed, time permitting. For more information, call Santamaria’s office at (561) 355-6300.
Villari’s Studios of Self
continued from page 2 how they’re going to deal with it, the university partnership, and how they’re going to deal with it — in writing — and phasing, and how they’re going to deal with it — starting, beginning, ending, whatever — how they’re going to deal with insurance, both property and liability, and the de-
bers seeking to address community problems. It has since grown to include 20 member congregations and organizations, including Wellington’s Temple Beth Torah. New additions include Holy Spirit Episcopal Church, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, St. Ann Catholic Church and Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church.
Each of the seven county commissioners has been invited to the event, as have several board members and staff of the Palm Beach
Defense in Wellington will hold its grand reopening Saturday, April 18 at 8:30 a.m. There will be an open Shaolin and tai chi workout in the morning, followed by the inaugural kick-athon for St. Jude Children Hospital. There will be a master seminar for all students in the afternoon with all proceeds going to charity. The studio is located at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 7 inside the original Wellington Mall. For more information, call (561) 792-1100 or e-mail sensei dave@villarisofwellington. com.
First Baptist Church of Royal Palm Beach (10701 Okeechobee Blvd.) will host a picnic on Sunday, April 19 at 12:30 p.m. This is a follow-
sign and master planning.”
The council directed village staff to arrange a workshop with the council and college officials to solve outstanding issues before the council’s April 28 meeting, in hopes of having a lease agreement ready by then. Because the council did not take an official vote on the issue, the floor was not opened to public comments, so Childers had to wait until the public forum near the end of the meeting to have his say. When he did, he told the
County Criminal Justice Commission. Thus far confirmed to attend are county commissioners Jeff Koons, Shelley Vana and Jess Santamaria for the affordable housing concerns, and Feirmon Johnson of the Department of Juvenile Justice, State Attorney Michael McAuliffe and Criminal Justice Commission Executive Director Michael Rodriguez for the youth crime issue. Last November, at another large assembly, approximately 250 PEACE members
gathered and voted to focus on the problem of youth crime. In preparation for the event on April 20, a committee has been conducting indepth research into the problem. During the assembly, the group will present its research, members of the Mothers Against Murderers Association will provide personal testimony, and a series of questions will be asked of the Palm Beach Criminal Justice Commission about establishing a neighborhood accountability board program.
up event to Easter and will involve the big tent for food along with bounce houses, a petting zoo, rock climbing wall, face painting, volleyball and soccer on the lawn. Classic cars will be on display, and there will be a horse shoe game for the adults. For more information, call the church office at (561) 793-2475 or visit www.royalpalmchurch. com.
Congressman Tom Rooney (R-District 16) recently announced the opening of a satellite office in Wellington. The Wellington office is located in the Wellington Community Center at 12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Rooney opened an additional office in Sebring as well.
“The opening of my two
council that straight answers to many of their questions would not be forthcoming.
“They can’t give you an answer unless things have changed since I was up there [in Tallahassee],” Childers said. “They have to go to the legislature for every building they construct. There are four campuses in Palm Beach County now; this will be the fifth. They can’t give you an answer because they cannot tie the hands of the legislature.”
Childers said that expect-
new satellite offices in Wellington and Sebring is an important step toward providing the best possible service for my constituents,” Rooney said. “My staff will be available at the new offices to provide assistance with federal agencies and programs ranging from Social Security and Medicare to veterans benefits. It is my hope to provide the residents of Highlands County and western Palm Beach County with the absolute best resources and services to help with any problems they may have with a federal agency.”
The Wellington office is open Tuesdays by appointment. For more information, call (772) 288-4668.
Lion Country Safari will
ing the college to offer guarantees on what the legislature would be willing to provide in ten years would be like predicting what a future version of the council would be able to accomplish.
Childers said that Ed Eissey was president of PBCC in the years he was in the State Senate, which included time on the senate’s education and appropriations committees.
“Each year we would give him one building for four campuses,” Childers said.
host the conservation celebration “Party for the Planet” Saturday and Sunday, April 18 and 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn how simple conservation efforts can make a remarkable difference to wildlife in your own backyard and beyond. At the Party for the Planet, Lion Country Safari will showcase its animals and their habitats, and educate the public about how actions they take in their own neighborhoods affect the environment where these animals make their homes.
Guests will be able to make crafts to take home and to vote for their favorite art work at the staff’s second annual environmental art exhibit.
The art show is sponsored by Lion Country Safari’s chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers. Proceeds from the art show will go to the animal/conser-
“That was it. Now we talk about all these years, they don’t ever give you an answer on how many buildings they’re going to have by 2010 or 2013 because they can’t. They cannot do it. And I just want to warn you that if you expect all this to be done by 2010 or 2013 or whatever it is, it’s not gonna happen. Now, if you’ve got people who can contribute several million dollars to a new building, that’s a different story.”
Childers said that considering the size of its other
vation charity of the winning artist’s choice. Party for the Planet is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s public education campaign “Conservation Made Simple,” which encourages families to learn about and conserve the planet. For more information, call (561) 793-1084 or visit www. lioncountrysafari.com.
The Royal Palm Beach Engineering Department will conduct a public meeting in the village engineer’s office on Monday, April 20 from 3 to 4 p.m. to review the request for qualifications for surveying services received on April 6 and to select the surveyor for services in the Village of Royal Palm Beach.
campuses, PBCC would likely be able to suffice with 30 acres for a Wellington campus, but the village had already tipped its hand when the college rebuffed its offer of 45 acres.
“They want all the land they can get, I can tell you that,” he said. “And they’re using shell games on you. And I’m telling you, don’t depend on what they’re going to tell you. And they’re not going to put it in writing. They’re not going to do that, because they can’t.”
Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) celebrated its 20th anniversary last Saturday with a picnic at Okeeheelee Park’s Micanopy Pavilion. While friends and families enjoyed jerk chicken and barbecue fare catered by Nuff Jamaican Jerk of Royal Palm Beach, clusters of tables under shade trees provided for a full day of dominoes play. Committee Chairman Henworth Ferguson also officially announced the champions of a recent dominos competition, Keith McKenzie of West Palm Beach and Percival Wood of Wellington.
Dressed in their Sunday best, colorful Easter morning celebrants at Wellington Presbyterian Church enjoyed fellowship during a community breakfast and egg hunt. Kids also played games like bocce egg and made crafts, including stained-glass crosses and cross necklaces. After the outdoor festivities, Pastor Eric Molicki shared the Easter message of forgiveness and salvation at the 11 a.m. worship service.
Evan Baumel, founder and president of the Wellington High School Young Democrats Club, welcomed new members to the club’s organizational meeting on Monday.
“If you’re interested in politics and in what ‘change’ is all about, then you’re in the right place!” Baumel said in his introductory speech. “The purpose of the club is to stimulate political thought and create a student political awareness organization. We will encourage an interest in our local, state and federal government. We will foster ideas through discussion, debates, guest legislative speakers and some social events. Our focus will be on education and issues that affect teens. Local representatives will discuss a variety of issues ranging from rising college tuition, problems in Darfur
and how the stimulus plan affects us.”
Baumel added that the club will feature guest speakers who will answer questions about current legislation. The club, Baumel said, will be a great opportunity for students to meet representatives and their legislative assistants, many of whom are very close in age to WHS students.
“Most importantly, we’ve learned from the last election that the Democratic Party has a voice in this community,” Baumel said. “Many of our students want to be part of that voice. They have questions and want to be heard.”
Guest speakers at Monday’s meeting included Matt McWatters and Kevin Cho, members of the Palm Beach County Young Democrats Club.
A variety of legislators and guest speakers will be on
hand during the 2009-10 school year. The entire student body and faculty will be invited to attend all lectures. Legislative assistants for a number of well-known politicians have already made verbal commitments to speak in the coming year. When representatives are in Tallahassee, members of the Palm Beach County School Board, Wellington Village Council and Palm Beach County Commission will lecture.
The WHS Young Democrats Club will hold its final meeting of the school year on Monday, May 18 at 3 p.m. New officers will be elected and confirmed. For those who are interested, there are still some officer positions available. Students interested in joining for the 2009-10 school year should see class sponsor Sharon Willcox in Room 2-121.
As part of Pierce Hammock Elementary School’s five-year anniversary celebration, local author Harvey E. Oyer III visited the school Wednesday. He presented passages from his book The Adventures of Charlie Pierce: The American Jungle, the story of South Florida’s early pioneer history through some of the real-life experiences of his great-grand-uncle Charlie Pierce.
Oyer compiled the stories passed down through five generations of his family and the diaries recorded by Pierce as a young boy to write the children’s book, published in 2008. Charles W. Pierce, one of the legendary Barefoot Mailmen, delivered mail by boat and foot along South Florida’s beaches from 1885 to 1893. Pierce eventually became Boynton Beach’s first postmaster and served until his death in 1939. Pierce Hammock Elementary School in Loxahatchee was named after him.
Throughout the past several weeks, Pierce Hammock students have participated in various projects about the book. Arts and crafts created
Harvey E. Oyer III signs books for students.
by the students were on display throughout the morning and included a treasure chest with Spanish doubloons, a palm frond sled, palmetto frond picture houses and maps drawn of the area in the days of Charlie Pierce and of the area today. Essays written by fourth-grade students based upon experiences
“while in Charlie Pierces’ shoes” were also featured during the event. Students dressed in period costume representing characters from the book were on hand to greet guests and circulate among the audience. A book signing took place immediately following each assembly.
Discovery Key Elementary School will hold its Eighth Annual Spring Carnival on Saturday, April 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
There will be plenty of fun and special activities planned, including games, pony rides, entertainment, crafters and
vendors, bounce houses, interactive inflatables, a rock wall, rides, face painting, cotton candy, snow cones, popcorn, pizza, funnel cakes, hot dogs, delicious baked goods, a silent auction and more.
The purpose of the spring carnival is to promote unity
and spirit, bring families and the community together, and raise money for the school. In previous years the carnival has brought as many as 3,500 people together. There are more than 250 volunteers working the event.
Elbridge Gale Elementary School in Wellington will host its kindergarten roundup on Wednesday, April 22 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. If you are the parent of an incoming kindergarten student who will be coming to Elbridge Gale this August, it’s time to schedule a physical and update immunizations. The school will offer kindergarten
registration packets.
A presentation by Principal Gail Pasterczyk and Assistant Principal Kevin Krieger will begin promptly at 5:30 p.m. Pasterczyk will introduce kindergarten teachers and staff. Teachers will speak about some of the exciting things they will be doing next school year. Parents can also gather additional information regarding Elbridge Gale’s dual-language and gifted programs. Information on school-aged child care will be available as well. Uniform polo shirts will be available to purchase for $20 each or two for $30. T-shirts will also be on sale for $10 each (cash only). For more information, call the main office at (561) 422-9300.
The Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School PTO will host its annual carnival and silent auction on Friday, April 24. The PTO is looking for community businesses to help sponsor the event. The cost ranges from $150 to
$600. In return for a sponsorship, the PTO will acknowledge each company the day of the carnival. Sponsors will also be allowed to provide fliers and business cards to participants.
The PTO can arrange to pick up items a business do-
nates, or they can be mailed directly to: Loxahatchee Groves Elementary, 16020 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves, FL 33470 c/ o PTO. For more information about sponsorships, call PTO President Shari Parisi at (561) 904-9238.
Osceola Creek Middle School recently announced the recipients of its ScholarAthlete Award for March.
The award is sponsored by the School Police and honors varsity athletes who also excel in academics, effort, behavior and school spirit, and serve as role models for others. This month’s honorees carry high grade point averages and play varsity sports. All of March’s honorees are eighth graders.
Girls basketball honored 13-year-old Kennice Rodney. “Kennice Rodney is extremely successful on and off the basketball court,” Coach Judy DeCosta said. “As an eighth grader at Osceola Creek Middle School, she has had an exceptional basketball season. As a captain for the team, she leads by example, demonstrating hard work, determination and sportsmanship. She is extremely focused and is very goal oriented. Off the court, Kennice maintains a 3.8 GPA and is a member of National Junior
Honor Society. We congratulate Kennice on being selected Scholar Athlete and wish her continued success.”
Kennice is undecided on a college, however she has decided on a career in the medical sciences.
Boys basketball recognizes 14-year-old Brian McKelton as one of March’s scholar athletes. “Brian McKelton played his second year with the Bears and was the starting point guard,” Coach Jay Mermelstein said. “As one of the top scorers, Brian exemplified leadership on and off the court.”
Brian, who is also on Osceola Creek’s track-and-field team and carries a 3.2 GPA, gives partial credit for his success to his outgoing personality. He wants to attend the University of Florida as a law major, followed by a career as an attorney.
Fourteen-year-old Stephanie Cardona was honored by girls soccer. “Stephanie has been an outstanding soccer player here at Osceola Creek,” Coach Tony
Bugeja said. “Her accomplishments in the classroom are even more impressive. Stephanie is a very well rounded student athlete. She wishes to travel to Rome and study abroad. We look forward to watching her exceed in high school and onto college.”
Stephanie is undecided on a specific college, but wants to attend one with a strong arts program, for she wants
to have a career in the acting profession. Stephanie has enjoyed success in the classroom as well, exemplified by her 3.5 GPA.
Supporting the ScholarAthlete Award program are Subway and Burger King (located at Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Orange Blvd.) and Dairy Queen (Royal Palm Beach and Okeechobee boulevards), which donated free food coupons.
Panther Run Elementary School in Wellington recently held its annual spelling bee for fourth and fifth graders. Approximately 25 students competed in the bee. Fourth grader Amanda Castro won first place after correctly spelling the word “bequeath.” Second and third place went to fifth graders Megan Michael and Kaitlyn Kramer respectively. All three winners received trophies, and Castro also won an online subscription to Encyclopedia Britannica. Pictured above are Principal P.J. D’Aoust, Castro, Michael, Kramer and fifth-grade teacher and spelling bee coordinator Shannon Culp.
Poinciana Day School performed exceptionally well at the 2009 Palm Beach County World Languages Fair at Palm Beach Central High School, earning a total of 38 awards. The school’s participants included students in all grades from kindergarten up through the eighth grade.
Poinciana Day School Spanish teacher Jael Nolan of Royal Palm Beach coordinated the school’s entries, along with Debbie Ullman of Wellington.
Kindergarten music teacher Jorie Osuna assisted with the entertainment portion of the competition. The World Languages Fair is a competition open to all elementary, middle and high schools in Palm Beach County.
Students who received a Superior Award for their performances are as follows:
• Entertainment — Danielle Holland (West Palm
Beach), John Osuna (Lake Worth), Miguel Osuna (Lake Worth), Schyler Patton (West Palm Beach), Zwaina Heinonen (Lake Worth), Morgan Davis (Palm Beach Gardens) and Madison Rosado (West Palm Beach) in kindergarten; Kasey Thomas (Greenacres) and Bella Circo (Singer Island) in first grade; and Annie Baumgartner (West Palm Beach), Isabelle Pampanelli (West Palm Beach) and Emmie Osuna (Lake Worth) in second grade.
• Vocabulary (Basic Level) — Christina Bacon (West Palm Beach) in third grade; Daquion Johnson (West Palm Beach) in fourth grade; and Kagen Thomas (Greenacres), Juli Cooper (West Palm Beach), Maeve A’Hearn (West Palm Beach and Lake Worth) and Kaitlyn Rivers (Lake Worth) in fifth grade.
• Vocabulary (Level One) — Patrick Brannen (West Palm Beach), Nelson Olagu-
ibel (Wellington) and Ethan Ridgway (Lantana) in fourth grade; and Blake Clement (Lake Worth) and Amar Maharaj (West Palm Beach) in fifth grade.
• Vocabulary (Middle School Level) — Naomi Cortez (Royal Palm Beach) in sixth grade; Shelley Martin (Atlantis and Loxahatchee) and Alden Thompson (Singer Island and Juno Beach) in seventh grade.
• Vocabulary (High School Level) — Tiana Simmons (West Palm Beach) in eighth grade.
• Video Commercials — Patrick Brannen in fourth grade; Jonah Baumgartner (West Palm Beach), Amar Maharaj and Blake Clement (Lake Worth) in fifth grade. Students who received an Excellent Award for their performances are as follows:
• Video Commercials Tiana Simmons and Sarah Templin (West Palm Beach)
in eighth grade. Students who received a Good Award for their performances are as follows:
• Projects — Naomi Cortez and Shelley Martin and Josh Thaw (Palm Beach Gardens) in seventh grade.
Located at 1340 Kenwood Road in West Palm Beach, Poinciana Day School is a small, independent private school for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. For more information, call (561) 655-7323 or visit the school’s web site at www. poincianadayschool.org.
The Royal Palm Beach Education Advisory Board Scholarship Committee recently announced its selection of six graduating high school seniors who will receive village scholarships for the 2008-09 school year.
The students are Andrew Cain of Summit Christian School, Stephanie Eisenberger and Michael Ross of Suncoast High School, Mark James of Seminole Ridge High School, and Sophia Lahlou and Alex Pantone of
the Dreyfoos School of the Arts.
The Royal Palm Beach Village Council will present each of these students with a $1,000 scholarship at a meeting on Thursday, May 21.
Members of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 9 substation in Royal Palm Beach and Explorer Post 611 recently visited Palms West Hospital and Wellington Regional Medical Center with the Easter Bunny to deliver new stuffed bunnies to children in the hospital. The Easter Bunny and stuffed animals were provided by the Easter Bunny Inc. of Orlando.
Capt. Brent Davis, public affairs chief of the 910th Airlift Wing, was recently selected to be promoted to the rank of major in the United States Air Force Reserve. He is a former resident of Westlake, Ohio and the son of Jack and Leota Davis of Wellington. Davis has served in the Air Force Reserve Command for nearly 12 years. He was recently awarded a humanitarian medal for his media relations contribution during hurricanes Ike and Gustav aerial
spray relief campaign. Davis has been awarded the Global War on Terrorism service medal, the Armed Forces Reserve medal “M” device, an Air Force Meritorious Service medal and the Air Force Expeditionary Service ribbon for his Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom media support. In 2007, Davis was awarded a medal for best public affairs support to Air Force Reserve recruiting for the command.
The Wellington Women’s Club will hold its annual spring fundraiser the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party on Saturday, May 9 at 11 a.m. at Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. In addition to a lavish lunch, the event will feature a silent auction with items including dining gift certificates, a Coach pocketbook, rounds of golf at area clubs, a one-year membership at the Palm Beach Yacht Club and services at Eau Spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Manalapan.
Guests will be magically entertained by the Amazing Mr. A, Richard Adler, with close-up table magic provided by Bob Barwald. And the tea party would not be com-
is Stevens with his birthday cake surrounded by friends and family.
high school seniors. Tickets cost $40 and can be obtained from Faye Ford at (561) 7907625. For more information, call Allyson Samiljan at (561) 798-6741.
Women’s Club Tea Party — Faye Ford, Laurie Piel, Cheryl Rivelli, Allyson Samiljan and Mair Armand. plete without a hat contest. Prizes will be awarded for the best hat in several categories. Proceeds will support the YWCA of Palm Beach County Harmony House and college scholarships for area
Chloe Isabel Burkholder — daughter of Darian and Christa Burkholder was born at Palms West Hospital on April 2.
Autumn Rayne Leali daughter of Thomas Leali and Tammy Riley was born
at Palms West Hospital on April 8. Bianca Agatha Baptiste — daughter of Agathe Virgile and Pierre Baptiste was born at Palms West Hospital on April 10. Adalyn Kyra Neal
daughter of Bryan and Arlene Neal was born at Palms West Hospital on April 10. Mi’Liyah Kennese Miller — daughter of Kennetra Mosley and Milton Miller was born at Palms West Hospital on April 11. • • •
Send Palms West People items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.
Area executives and leading members of the medical community representing businesses across Palm Beach County recently gathered to support the American Heart Association in the organization’s lifesaving mission as they lent their support to one of the county’s leading educational and fundraising successes — the “Start! Heart Walk.” The annual Palm Beach County Start! Leadership Breakfast, the official kickoff to the Start! Heart Walk season, was held on Wednesday, March 25 at Trump International Golf Club and sponsored by Merrill Lynch, the Pingleton Group.
The American Heart Association launched the yearround “Start!” initiative in 2007, a nationwide campaign aimed to elevate the level of physical activity in corporate America through walking programs in an effort to help increase workplace productivity and decrease rising healthcare costs.
The Start! Heart Walk, which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26 at the Meyer Amphitheatre in West Palm Beach and Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, is the signature event of the Start! movement.
WPTV NewsChannel 5 anchor and Wellington resident Jim Sackett served as the master of ceremonies at the breakfast and moderated a panel discussion on the state of the economy, its impact on the healthcare industry and
the vast need for continued research despite economic challenges.
Panelists included Craig Blessing, managing director and senior member of BlackRock’s Fixed Income Product Specialist Team; Gunster Yoakley chairman and shareholder George LeMieux; Dr. Ali Malek, medical director of the Neurointerventional Program at St. Mary’s Medical Center; and Gina Melby, CEO of JFK Medical Center and the chair of the 2009 Start! Heart Walk. Dana Herst, whose oneyear-old son was born with a congenital cardiovascular defect, shared a first-hand account of the effects of heart disease on her family and acknowledged that research made possible by the Ameri-
can Heart Association has in turn saved the life of her young son. To date, he has undergone two in-depth heart procedures. Herst spoke of her passion to help raise awareness about the need for continued research, which in turn saves lives and helps families just like hers.
Throughout the spring and summer months, the American Heart Association will work closely with area CEOs and medical community members as together they unite to support the Start! Heart Walk.
The organization will also introduce companies across Palm Beach County to all components of the Start! initiative including walking at work programs, online tools for tracking walking and Fit
Friendly national recognition opportunities for the company. Festivities at the 2009 Palm Beach County Start! Heart Walk will begin at 7:30 a.m. At the West Palm Beach site, the inaugural “Lawyers with Heart” 5K run will also take place at 7:30 a.m. Alfred LaSorte, partner with Schutts & Bowen, is the chairman of the 5K run held specifically for the Palm Beach County law community. The Start! Heart Walk will begin at 9 a.m. rain or shine at both Start! Heart Walk sites.
For additional information on how you can participate in the Start! Heart Walk, call the American Heart Association at (561) 615-3888 or visit www.palmbeachheartwalk. org.
Students from area high schools vied for top honors recently at the 2009 Envirothon, a regional competition sponsored annually by the Palm Beach Soil & Water Conservation District. P.J. Platoon of Wellington won third place in the competition.
Likened to an environmental Olympics, teams were judged on their action projects and tested in five different disciplines, including aquatics, forestry, soils, wildlife and this year’s current is-
Wellington pilot Thomas Barthle has given more than 200 young people a free demonstration airplane ride as part of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, which is introducing a new generation to the world of flight.
Barthle is among the more than 40,000 pilots around the world who have donated their time and aircraft to the effort. All pilots in the Young Eagles program explain the safe operation of airplanes and principles of flight before the short trips. Participating young people become official Young Eagles for their flight, receiving a certificate signed by the pilot and Young Ea-
sue, “Biodiversity in a Changing World.” Awards were presented by AnEta Sewell of the South Florida Water Management District, County Commissioner Shelley Vana and Palm Beach Soil & Water Conservation District Chair Eva Webb. Major sponsors included Pratt & Whitney, Sea World, Wal-Mart, Publix, Florida Power & Light and the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative of Florida.
gles Chairman Harrison Ford. The names of the pilots and the participants are also included in the World’s Largest Logbook, which is on permanent display at the EAA Airventure Museum in Oshkosh, Wis. and online at www.youngeagles.org.
The Young Eagles program was unveiled by the EAA in July 1992 and has flown more than 1.25 million people between the ages of eight and 17. The goal of the Young Eagles program is to allow young people to experience positive activities and discover the possibilities available to them within the world of aviation.
Saturday, April 18
• The Lake Okeechobee Survivor Series will be held in Pahokee and South Bay on Saturday, April 18. This adventure race presents physical challenges including biking, running and canoeing, as well as mental challenges. Call (561) 9140373 or visit www.lakeo survivorseries.com for info.
• The 31st Black Gold Jubilee will take place in Belle Glade on Saturday, April 18. This end-of-harvest celebration of rich soil features live entertainment, country fixins’, rides for the kids, arts and crafts, an art show, photo contest, parade, fireworks and more. Call (561) 9962745 or visit www.belle gladechamber.com for info.
• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will hold a stroll in Okeeheelee Park (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) on Saturday, April 18. Meet at the western entrance of the park on Forest Hill Blvd. at 7:30 a.m. and join in the Earth Day celebration at the park. Call Daisy at (561) 439-5780 for more info.
• If you want to quit living in CHAOS (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome) and need help restoring your cluttered home to order, join Kathy Andio in her “Let Go of Clutter Workshop” on Saturday, April 18 at 9 a.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center (100 Sweet Bay Lane). The cost is $19. For more info., call Andio at (561) 627-1386 or visit www.letgoofclutter.net.
• The West Palm Beach Fitness Festival will take place on Saturday, April 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gaines Park (1501 N. Australian Ave., West Palm Beach). Enjoy a day of free outdoor fitness classes. Bring water, mat or beach towel, sunscreen and proper footwear. Call (561) 2815895 or visit www.living fittoday.com for more info.
• Golden Grove Elementary School will hold its Community Yard Sale on Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Great bargains, food and crafts will be on sale to benefit the school’s safety patrol trip to Washington, D.C. Spaces are available for $15. Call Robin Levin at (561) 904-9700 or e-mail levin@palmbeach. k12.fl.us for more info.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold a Chess Club meeting on Saturday, April 18 at 2:30 p.m. for ages eight and up. Basic chess knowledge is required. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.
• The Henry Morrison Flagler Museum (One Whitehall Way, Palm Beach) will present its Fourth Annual Bluegrass Concert on Saturday, April 18 at 3:30 p.m. Proceeds benefit the Southern Art Foundation’s emergency fund for Gulf Coast culture institutions damaged by hurricanes. Admission is $30. Call (561) 6552833 or visit www.flagler museum.us for more information.
• Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) will host its Youth Talent Show on Saturday, April 18 at 5 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). For more information, call Nadine at (561) 351-6895. Sunday, April 19
• The Sixth Annual Temple Beth Torah Brotherhood Golf Benefit will be held at the Binks Forest Golf Club (400 Binks Forest Drive, Wellington) on Sunday, April 19. For more info., call Vincent Gerardi at (561) 309-7169, Barry Hirsch at (561) 723-7027, Greg Lowenstein at (561) 7935706 or Doug Barr at (561) 312-9809, or visit www. templebethtorah.net/golf.
• The 18th Annual Palm Beach Harley Owners Group Chili Cookoff and Fifth Annual Saddletime Mike Memorial Poker Run will take place on Sunday, April 19 to benefit Hospice of Palm Beach County’s children’s programs. The poker run starts at 10 a.m. at Boonie’s restaurant (14555 Southern Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves) and ends at 2 p.m. at Palm Beach Harley-Davidson (2955 45th Street, West Palm Beach). The cost is $10 per hand or three hands for $20. The chili cookoff will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at Palm Beach HarleyDavidson. For more info., call (561) 307-6639 or visit www.hpbcf.org.
Monday, April 20
• The 2009 Royal Palm Beach High School Project Graduation Committee will meet every Monday at 7 p.m. at the school until graduation day. For more info., call Cheryl at (561) 7238298 or Karen at (561) 3718377.
Tuesday, April 21
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Aligning Your Body” on Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Fitness instructor Cheryl Alker will demonstrate how to achieve a lean and lifted posture that is free from neck, shoulder and back pain. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Anime Grab Bag” on Tuesday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Get a sneak peek at some of the coolest new anime titles. Snacks will be served. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
Wednesday, April 22
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host an Earth Day Celebration on Wednesday, April 22 at 3:30 p.m. for ages seven and up. Celebrate the wonders of the world with stories, games and a recyclable craft. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.
Thursday, April 23
• The 14th Annual Palm Beach International Film Festival will take place at various locations in Palm Beach County from Thursday, April 23 through Thursday, April 30. The PBIFF celebrates the film industry with seven days of world premieres, special events, seminars, features, short films and documentaries. Proceeds go to Palm Beach County schools. Call (561) 362-0003 or visit www. pbifilmfest.org for more information.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Candy Sushi” on Thursday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Turn everyday snack food into delicious candy sushi. Supplies will be provided by the Friends of the Library. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Tom Jones on Thursday, April 23 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www. kravis.org for tickets. Friday, April 24
• Royal Palm Beach High School will host the American Cancer Society’s 2009 Royal Palm Beach Relay for Life overnight on Friday, April 24. For more info., visit www.relayforlife.org.
• The Loxahatchee Groves Elementary School PTO will host its Annual Carnival and Silent Auction on Friday, April 24. The PTO is looking for businesses to help sponsor the event. Costs range from $150 to $600. For more info., call PTO President Shari Parisi at (561) 904-9238.
• On Friday, April 24 at 2 p.m., the Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Genealogy Research: The Next Generation,” a demonstration of the genealogy research web site and databases as sources of family history information. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.
• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will hold its Annual Installation Gala, themed “A Night at the Oscars,” on Friday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Ave. South, Wellington). The evening will honor incoming chamber president Kevin DiLallo, CEO of Wellington Regional Medical Center. Tickets are $125. Call (561) 790-6200 or e-mail becky@palms west.com to RSVP. Saturday, April 25
• The Oasis Compassion Agency will host its Makeover Luncheon on Saturday, April 25 at the Players Club restaurant in Wellington. Tickets are $35 each, drawing tickets are three for $25. All proceeds go toward the Greenacres-based non-profit. Call the Oasis office at (561) 967-4066 or visit www.oasiscompassion.org for more info.
Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@gotowncrier.com.
Palm Beach County taxpayers will have the option of paying next year’s property taxes in four installments. The installment payment plan provides for a 3.5-percent discount; paying your taxes in full in November provides for a four-percent discount.
To participate in the installment payment plan, a taxpayer must have more than $100 estimated taxes due and complete an installment payment application available on the Palm Beach County Tax Collector’s web site at www.
taxcollectorpbc.com or at any of the county service center offices.
“Budgets are tight for most households right now, and the installment payment plan allows families some flexibility in paying property taxes,” Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon said.
The application for the installment payment plan applies to next year’s taxes. The application must be received in the tax collector’s office by April 30, and the first payment must be made by June
30. A taxpayer who elects the installment method pays based on an estimated tax equal to the actual taxes for the preceding year. After the tax roll is certified, the final two installment payments are adjusted to reflect the actual tax liability.
The payment schedule is as follows: the first installment is due by June 30, the second installment is due by Sept. 30, the third installment is due by Dec. 31 and the fourth installment is due by March 31.
The Office of the Tax Col-
lector collects property taxes for every local government agency that has the power to levy; serves the county as its agent for the administration of business tax receipts and tourist development taxes; serves the state as an agent for the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Department of Revenue; and serves the public as an educational resource.
Springtime is a great time to clean out the files and create a system for organizing and managing your finances.
Many consumers aren’t sure what to keep, how long to keep it, and how to file things for easy reference.
“Organizing your records and finances can reduce stress and save you time and money,” said Jessica Cecere, president of Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast.
CCCS offers some simple steps to help jumpstart your financial spring cleaning: OUT WITH THE OLD Do you really need to keep that water bill from 1998? How about your tax returns? Keeping good financial records is a critical part of managing your household finances, and spring cleaning is a great time to review them, purging what you no longer need. These records can help you ensure timely payment of bills and avoid late fees, dispute errors on credit card statements, apply for retirement or disability benefits, file insurance claims and more. Bankrate (www.bank rate.com) has an excellent table that summarizes how long to keep financial records. Here is a summary: Keep any tax-related records for seven years, keep records of IRA contributions permanently and keep quarterly retirement/savings plan statements until you receive an annual statement. If the
numbers match, shred the quarterlies and keep the annual summaries permanently. Shred unimportant bank records after one year; keep the rest permanently. Keep brokerage statements until you sell the securities. Most of the time you can shred bills once you get a cancelled check. Keep bills for big items permanently. Keep credit card receipts to reconcile with your statements; then keep the statements for seven years. Paycheck stubs should be kept until you receive your end-of-year tax statements. Keep house records permanently. Don’t just throw away statements and other records you no longer need to keep. Discarded financial records are a prime target for identity thieves, who look for account numbers and personal information to use. Purchase an inexpensive cross-cut type shredder and make sure it is conveniently located so that you will use it (e.g. right next to your garbage can). Shred all documents that contain personal or financial information, including credit card offers and receipts.
• Review your insurance coverage — Review your life insurance policy to ensure it provides adequate coverage for your family. You can also save money by raising your deductibles on auto and homeowners, or renters, insurance. Every several years, shop rates, comparing policies point for point.
• Request a credit report
— Request a free copy of your credit report by logging on to www.annualcredit report.com or by calling (877) 322-8228. Carefully review your report and promptly address inaccuracies in writing. By regularly getting reports, you can keep tabs on your credit standing, address questions and protect yourself from credit fraud or identity theft.
IN WITH THE NEW
Evaluate your current financial health. Visit www. cccsinc.org and take the 60second financial health exam. It will help you assess your financial risk and get a realistic picture of your current spending habits.
• Create a system and stick to it — You can organize your records in a filing cabinet, in hanging folders or some other system, but choose one that works for you so that you will use it.
• Develop a spending plan — Outline how you will spend, and save, your money. In addition to regular monthly expenses such as housing, utilities, groceries and insurance, you should also plan your spending for things like entertainment, lunches out, haircuts and an occasional luxury. If rising prices continue to account for more of your monthly expenses, reduce spending where you can such as eating at restaurants and your daily purchase of premium coffee. Don’t forget to plan your sav-
ings too. If you have a spending plan, you are more likely to stick to it.
• Track your income and your expenses — Use a calendar to note when you will receive income and also record when bills are due. Avoid late charges and unnecessary finance charges by paying bills on time. If you are mailing your payments, allow at least a week for them to arrive. If you pay online, be sure to adhere to deadlines by your bank or creditor to ensure timely payments.
• Record all spending, not just bills — That daily trip to the coffee shop, the few dollars you spend on lottery tickets, your highway tolls and other “forgotten” expenses can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars each month and can stand between you and financial freedom.
• Tax organization — Start a tax folder for 2009 and start gathering information that will help reduce your stress at tax time. Include receipts for charitable gifts and outof pocket medical expenses, documentation of work-related expenses like travel/mileage if not reimbursed, educational or child care costs, etc. Need help getting started? CCCS provides confidential budget counseling, money management education, debt management programs and other services to help consumers. Call (800) 330CCCS or visit the organization’s web site at www.cccs inc.org for more info.
Bellacino’s Pizza & Grinders Ribbon Cutting — The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for Bellacino’s Pizza & Grinders, located at 1760 North Jog Road, Suite 180, West Palm Beach. Bellacino’s is best known for its oven-baked grinders served on fresh-baked bread. For more info., visit www.bellacinos.com or call (561) 697-3000. Pictured above are Bellacino’s staff with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
When the staff at WellingTAN learned recently that the Folke Peterson Wildlife Center was in danger of closing due to a lack of funds, they decided to do something about it. On Saturday, April 25, WellingTAN will open its doors at 8 a.m. (two hours earlier than normal) and stay open until 8 p.m. Proceeds from half of all single-session tanning sessions will be donated to keeping the center open. A matching grant from the Batchelor Foundation means that all tanning session revenue will have twice the impact. Even if a customer has an existing rate plan, purchasing a single session will greatly help Folke Peterson. In addition, WellingTAN will offer free samples of lotion to students attending prom.
WellingTAN is located at 12797 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 6-A, in the Wellington Plaza. For more information, call (561) 383-8883
The Northern Palm Beach chapter of the American Business Women’s Association will host its monthly meeting on Wednesday, May 13 at the PGA Doubletree Hotel in Palm Beach Gardens. The speaker will be Chuck Suits, an adjunct professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Jupiter campus. His
For some much needed fun & help support the
Palms West Chamber Member, Florida Public Utilities welcomes you to a fun event at Nicole’s Village Tavern (12300 Southshore Blvd., Ste. 203, Wellington) Wednesday April 22, 2009 from 5 - 7:30 p.m.
$2.00 Drinks ~ Enter to WIN A FREE Tankless Water Heater ~ Enjoy Games &
As students and teachers anticipate vacation time and endless hours of Florida’s June sun, the final few weeks of the spring semester continue to drag on toward June 3. As the seniors’ last day and Advanced Placement testing approach, the athletic teams at Wellington High School are completing their season’s final games.
On Tuesday, April 14, the girls varsity flag football team played its Senior Night game on a windy night at Wolverine Stadium. The girls gritted out a tough 7-6 victory over Glades Central High School.
A pair of seniors, center Marlee Carnevale and cornerback Jessica Beckner, led the offense and defense respectively throughout the game. Beckner batted down several passes to prevent a Raiders score while Carnevale scored the Wolverines’ lone touchdown, which came in the first half. “I was incredibly excited and proud,” Carnevale said. “As the offensive captain, I was happy to lead the team to victory on Senior Night.” It was the defense though that prevented the Raiders from gaining momentum. Junior linebacker Kodie-Ann Wolcott pulled a total of six flags, stopping several rushing
By Josh Hyber
efforts before they gained positive yardage. Wolcott provided a stalwart presence in the middle of the Wolverine defense the entire game. Senior pass rusher Megan Gillen also provided quick pressure on the opposing quarterback.
The secondary was also a key to the Wolverine defense. Beckner, as well as defensive backs senior Kenisha James and junior Jackie Nowak, deflected a handful of pass plays. James and junior Kaleigh Crissman both had interceptions in the first half.
The offense was led by junior quarterback Courtney Lucas. For the majority of the game, junior receivers Sam Margiotta and Vicky Bean were limited in catches due to the wind. Lucas and junior running back
Charletta Philemy did most of the damage on the ground. A memorable halftime ceremony was put on by Coach Doug Baethke for the team’s six seniors. Carnevale, Beckner, Gillen, James, Emily Spotts and Stephanie Cohen were all presented with gift bags while a personal message from the coach was read over the public address system. “I felt sad because it was the final time I would be able to play on my home field,” Carnevale said.
Baethke recognized the team’s two captains, Beckner and Carnevale, who were both two-year varsity starters. He also pointed out Spotts as one of the team’s most caring players, noting she’s the team’s “mother” figure. Gillen and Cohen were acknowledged for their team-first attitude, while James was recognized as a player with great passion.
As the game resumed for the second half, the Raiders cracked the end zone on a long run play down the left sideline, which brought the score to 7-6. In flag football though, each team must go for a “conversion” type play, not kicking an extra point. On the extra point attempt, the Raiders tried a run, only to be stopped by Walcott once again.
Wellington Landings Middle School seventh grader Blaire Mulka recently returned from her spring break with two top-ten awards from the USA Diving Junior Olympic East National Championships.
The competition was held April 3-5 at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Mulka competed in the 12-13 age group. She took home a fourth place on the three-meter springboard and an eighth place on one-meter springboard. There were a total of 28 girls in Mulka’s age group competing in Knoxville.
All of the competitors had to qualify at regional meets throughout the eastern half of the U.S. This is Blaire’s fifth consecutive appearance at the East National Championships. Mulka trains year-round and dives for the Fort Lauderdale Diving Team under the direction of U.S. Olympic diving coach Dave Burgering.
The Levels 2, 3 and 4 girls competitive teams from Cats Gymnastics traveled to St. Petersburg to compete at Tropicana Field for the 21st Annual Gasparilla Classic. Once again, the girls dominated.
On the Level 2 team, Sidney Glaubrecht scored a 9.1 on vault and won three second-place medals with a wonderful performance on bars with a 9.350, 9.3 on beam, a 9.350 on floor and earning a second place all-around trophy. Faith Campagnuolo brought home four medals with a beautiful floor routine earning her third place with a 9.175, fourth place on beam with a 9.175, fourth place on vault with a 9.150 and an awesome fourth-place allaround.
Carlene Powers won a first-place medal with an astounding routine on bars with a score of 9.450, scored a 8.8 on beam and a 8.8 on vault earning her an all-around medal. Jordyn Maybrown won a third place medal on bars with an incredible 9.175 and scored a 9.050 on vault, also earning her an all-around medal. Stephanie Katz scored a fantastic 9.050 on vault and also winning an all-around medal.
On the Level 3 team, Renae Rovnyak scored a great 9.050 on floor, taking a third-place medal, an 8.9 on vault, 8.9 on beam, 8.8 on bars and winning a third-place all-around trophy. Belen Bengolea had an incredible and a consistent day, winning a third-place medal on bars with a 9.025, a score of 9.075 on beam, 9.0 on vault and 9.0 on floor, earning her an allaround medal. Together the girls
The Royal Palm Beach boys basketball program will be holding an offensive skills clinic on May 2. Coach Drew Quinn just finished his first season with the Wildcats, and prior to that spent ten years coaching at the high school and collegiate level. During this time he has picked up many offensive drills that future Wildcats can use to improve their game. The focus of the clinic will be ball handling, shooting and various other drills that an athlete can work on alone or with a partner. Since many of the drills can be made easier with the assistance of another person, and Quinn encourages parents to attend with their children. Parent participation is not mandatory to attend the clinic.
“I believe that anyone serious about becoming a better basketball player will be very pleased with the drills they pick up at this event,” Quinn said. “We also really want to encourage the parents to come out with the kids and participate with
brought home the sixth-place team trophy. On the Level 4 team, Michela Arbocco won a medal for a secondplace routine on beam with a 9.250, second place medal on floor with an 9.075, third place on bars and a second-place all-around trophy. Taylor Michie had an incredible day as well, winning first place on the bars with a 9.100, a second-place medal on vault with a 9.050 and a third medal for floor, and these scores earned her a second-place allaround trophy. Caitlin Flaherty had an amazing day, winning first on
them. This will be a fun event for the family.”
The clinic will be held Saturday, May 2 and the cost is $20 with the proceeds going toward the boys basketball program. Boys and girls are invited to attend, and athletes will be broken into two groups. Kindergarten through fourth grade will be from 9 to 11:30 a.m., and grades five through eight will be from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Limited space is available, and each player is asked to bring their own ball. Contact Quinn at quinna@ palmbeach.k12.fl.us or (561) 3988341 to sign up.
Royal Palm Beach High School
seniors Brad Zambito, Albert Pallante and Justin Lord have been selected to participate in the North vs. South All-Star basketball game on Saturday, April 18. The game will take place at 7:30 p.m. at Boynton Beach High School. The boys allstar game will be the last event of the day, which starts at 4 p.m. with
vault with a score of 9.1, a thirdplace medal on beam, third place on bars, fourth on floor and winning her a third-place all-around trophy.
Rayven Glaubrecht won a firstplace medal with her beam routine with a score of 9.050, second place on floor, fifth place on bars and fourth place all around. Together the girls proudly brought home an amazing four-foot-tall second-place team trophy.
The girls are dedicated and work hard with training from coaches Margarita Martinez, Felipe Restrepo and Mario Restrepo.
a middle school girls all-star game, followed by the middle school boys all-star game and then the high school girls all-stars.
Zambito, Pallante and Lord were the captains of this year’s Royal Palm Beach squad and lead the team to a 14-12 mark, with Zambito averaging 12.5 points per game, Pallante 11.5 points per game and Lord 11 points per game. Coach Drew Quinn from RPBHS has been selected to coach the North squad.
“It is a privilege to get the opportunity to coach these three young men one last time,” Quinn said. “They have worked extremely hard to lay the foundation for our program at Royal Palm, and I am exited that we can take the court together again.”
A new web site, www.dressagenews.com, was launched Wednesday to provide news and photo reports of dressage around the globe.
Based in Wellington, the web site was launched to coincide with the
The game ended with the Wolverine defense on the field, and they screamed with excitement as the referee blew the closing whistle. “We jumped in the air with joy,” junior punter Katelyn Shultz said. The future outlook of the team is bright, with its quarterback, running back and two main receivers returning. Sophomore Courtney Dobkins, who was called up to the varsity after the JV season ended, will provide match-up problems for opposing defenses as a skilled runner who can also throw the ball.
The defense will take several major blows, but will have some returning starters, including Walcott, Kaleigh Crissman and Sydney Cintron. Sophomore pass rusher Vanessa Plascencia and linebacker Victoria Torregrosa are two players from the JV level that may make an impact next year.
The team’s last two regular-season games will be Tuesday, April 21 at Jupiter High School and on Thursday, April 23 at Olympic Heights. Although the team has experienced its share of ups and downs, the girls played as a team on Monday — one last time for the home crowd.
Wellington Wrestling Club member Cody Walker placed third at the Brute Adidas National Wrestling Tournament April 3-5 in Kansas City, Mo. The top eight wrestlers in each weight class earned the honor of becoming an All-American Wrestler. Walker finished the tournament with a 4-2 record, including two pins against the nation’s top wrestlers.
The Wellington Wrestling Club meets for practice at Village Park on Pierson Road from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday (grades kindergarten through five), and Tuesday and Thursday (grades six through 12). Call Coach Travis Gray at (561) 827-8595 or e-mail graytra@ palmbeach.k12.fl.us for more information about the team.
Saint Andrew’s School fifth grader Tanner Fuller has been swimming for four years. His parents thought swimming would be a good outlet for their hyper seven-year-old. Now ten years old, Fuller has proven his athletic abilities over the years. Fuller qualified for the Junior Olympics in first summer of swimming and has competed in every Junior Olympics since. He has won the age group individual high point award four times.
For the last three years, Fuller has been a Florida All-Star swimmer. At the all-star meet last week, Fuller won five out of six events and received the title of MVP for the ten-and-under bracket.
Fuller’s love of competition and winning may explain why he holds every ten-and-under Wellington Swim Team record. He plans to win the 11-12 Junior Olympic high-point award. His plans also include dominating all of his events at the summer longcourse championship.
While Fuller may be only ten years old, his speed and talent have placed him in the higher age bracket during seasonal meets.
While leading in the pool, Fuller also maintains honor roll status and plays the trombone in his school band. His long-term goals include competing in the Olympics to win gold medals for our country and attending a top school such as Stanford to become a lawyer. In his spare time Fuller rides his Razor scooter and enjoys inline skating, skateboarding and going
start of the Rolex FEI World Cup in Las Vegas and will post extensive news and photo reports of the event.
The new site was created by Kenneth Braddick, creator of the glossy full-color magazine HorseSport USA that focuses on high performance dressage and jumping around the world. Dressagenews.com is free, supported solely through advertising.
“Our plans are to provide a wide range of services to the dressage community around the world,” Braddick said. “Some of the services, details of which will be disclosed soon, will be innovative and serve the entire dressage community with text, photo and video reports. Some of the world’s leading dressage riders and trainers will be active contributors, using their expertise for the benefit of all participants and fans of the sport we all love.”
Braddick noted that the initial focus of the web site is to present timely news and information. “To that end, dressage-news.com will bring on-the-spot news and photo reports from championships and premier events around the world while we develop other aspects of the site,” he said.
Braddick has helped organize and promote premier horse sport events. He has covered the world’s top equestrian events including multiple Olympic Games, World Equestrian Games, World Cups, Pan American Games, Samsung Super League, World Dressage Masters and other horse shows around the globe.
With his wife Ilse Schwarz, an FEI-level dressage rider and trainer, Braddock is the owner of several competition horses. Schwarz was awarded a doctorate for the study of joint lubrication in large animals and is highly regarded for the care, development and training of horses from breeding to mature competition mounts. She will be a frequent contributor to www.dressagenews.com. Braddick is a veteran news correspondent who has covered several wars and numerous other major events around the globe for several years before becoming a senior news executive in New York. He has extensive experience as a media executive and developer of high technology enterprises to serve the media worldwide.
Wellington’s Edge is not your everyday, run-of-the-mill tack and feed store. Yes, it carries tack, supplies, feed and hay for all sorts of creatures, everything from horses to pigeons, but it’s also a boarding barn, a training facility, and a clinic site for hire.
Seth Brier, born in New York, moved to Florida when he was an infant and was raised around horses. His dream was always to have a multi-use facility unlike anything else.
“My goal was to start a facility that would also offer basically anything horse people might need,” Seth said. “I also wanted it to be the kind of place that’s a great environment for kids and families, just clean, fun riding. Someplace that might keep kids out of trouble and off the streets.”
He bought the property, located on B Road in Loxahatchee Groves just north of Southern Blvd., in 2000 and worked on his dream for five years. The barn was completed in 2005 — just in time to be destroyed two weeks later by a tornado that spun off from Hurricane Wilma. The 28-stall barn is just about done (again), with the help of a group of students from the Seminole Ridge High School Construction Academy. There’s also a dressage ring and a huge outdoor arena with great footing, avail-
By Ellen Rosenberg
able for clinics, fun shows or exhibitions of any sort.
Marni Rifkin is the barn manager. Originally from California, she grew up in the West Palm Beach area and has been riding since she was five. She used to ride saddleseat, but now does mostly western trail riding with her two horses. She’s terrifically excited about Wellington’s Edge.
“I think a lot of people will appreciate what we have to offer,” she said. “This is a really unique place.”
The feed store celebrated its grand opening Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29. It was a combination grand opening and carnival.
In addition to specials on feed and hay, there were tents set up by various groups: Mana Pro, Pennfield Equine Feed, Rio-Vista Equine Shine, Kombat Boots (a feed supplement to
improve horses’ feet), Anything Animal, A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue, On Course Consignment Shop, Horses and the Handicapped, and the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center.
Various groups and individuals also had tables of used tack for sale. Tree’s Wings & Ribs and Pizzano’s Pizza supplied the food. Local radio stations WIRK and WILD had remote trucks out and different riders and groups put on demonstration rides. There were bounce houses for the kids and a mechanical bull for the older kids.
Rob Tassey of Jupiter was the man in charge of the mechanical bull. He works for Rentbull.com and has a good time with his interesting contraption.
“I’ve had people from all walks of life ride this thing,” he said. “A lot of them start out by saying they won’t get on it. Then they try it and have a blast. The women tend to ride better than the men — I think they’re just more flexible or maybe they’re in better shape.”
Each rider had to sign a release, then was handed a leather glove, given a leg-up, and given instructions about where to keep their legs and how to lean forward and back.
James Altman of Palm Beach Gardens gave it a try and did a fairly good job of hanging
on as the bull rocked back and forth and swung in circles.
“That was my first time ever trying something like that,” he said. “It was harder staying on than I thought it would be, hanging on and keeping my balance. It’s a good workout. I was on that thing for less than a minute, and I’m sweating and out of breath.”
After the exciting weekend was over, Marni said that the event had been quite successful. Many people had been out to see the new facility, and sales were pretty good. “We brought in a lot of new faces,” Marni said.
She was also pleased at the money raised from renting out the tables to people selling used tack; all of it was donated to Horses and the Handicapped.
The boarding barn should open in May, Marni said, and she’s really looking forward to an open barrel show on May 2. There will be classes in many divisions: Open, Youth, Peewee, Pony and Lead Line. The arena will open for practice at 11 a.m., and the show will start at 1.
“It should be a lot of fun,” Marni said. Wellington’s Edge is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. For more information, call (561) 753-OATS (6287.)
The Seventh Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Auction was held April 9-11 at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. The event featured muscle cars, classics, customs, specialty cars, NASCAR racecars and pace cars, and foreign makes. For more info., visit www.barrett-jackson.com.
continued from page 1 mated revenue each would generate. If the State Legislature passes the bill, each county would have to individually approve a local surtax through a referendum. Municipalities would have the opportunity to opt out of the program.
Wellington pays Palm Beach County for fire-rescue services through a municipal services taxing unit or MSTU, which appears as a separate line on property tax bills.
Angelo told the council that property-rich Wellington currently serves as a “donor” community, paying more
continued from page 1 mended approval at its March 24 meeting, where agent Ron Collins of Greenberg Traurig, who has since retired, told the commission the density is needed to make the project feasible in current market conditions.
The density change is actually on 11 different parcels whose owners came together to agree on the land use change, according to the staff report.
Mayor David Lodwick asked about the issues to be resolved. “I would guess those issues center on berming, density and building heights adjacent to [Victoria Groves]?” Lodwick said.
“Yes, sir,” Malefatto responded.
Lodwick asked staff about land use designations and what the classifications imply.
“You get a land use designation, and under that you get an appropriate zoning,” Lodwick said. “My dilemma is this: if we are anticipating a
continued from page 1 proximately 580 students and currently has about 860 students. The school was promised an improvement in 2003, but the school district decided not to renovate it because of plans to build a new ele-
than its fair share to support the county’s fire-rescue service, but that the local surtax would level the playing field both among communities and among individuals that receive fire-rescue services.
For the current year, Wellington homeowners were assessed 2.98 mills, or $2.98 per each $1,000 of their home’s assessed value, to fund fire-rescue services.
Angelo said that assessment would be lowered to .95 mills if the sales surtax is adopted. Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore said he liked the aspect of the bill that would create more of a user tax to fund fire-rescue services. “In actuality, we are a donor because of the laws that are in place such as the homestead that allows homes that are valued at under $50,000 to pay zero tax whatsoever,” Priore said. “They don’t pay anything toward the whole process.”
certain density on a certain piece of property, my understanding of the RM, they are entitled to 12, so once they’ve got that density, they’re entitled to the zoning that matches it, correct?”
Village Attorney Trela White said density is a designation that is required by the state in the local governing agency’s comprehensive plan. Zoning is the local agency’s regulation where the developer is subject to a number of other factors such as parking allocation, green space and setback requirements.
“It’s a maximum of 12 units per acre density,” White said. “Do they have to have zoning that is consistent with the comprehensive plan? Yes, and ours happen to match perfectly [with state density designations] in this village. Are you entitled to the full 12? No, a maximum 12. It’s not exactly an entitlement. It’s a maximum of, but your zoning must be consistent with the comprehensive plan.”
The lowest category for multi-family in the Royal Palm Beach Zoning Code is RM, which is 12 units per acre, White said.
mentary school in RPB. “That hasn’t come to fruition because they couldn’t find land,” Campbell said. “So then there was no school built in the village and no addition or renovation for Cypress Trails.” David Porter, a member of the school district’s Independent Sales Surtax Oversight Committee and chairman of its Construction Oversight Committee, said the new school is a good thing con-
The item was put on the regular agenda for discussion instead of the consent agenda at the request of Councilman Howard Coates, who asked whether ad valorem taxes would be raised if the surtax fails to raise the anticipated amount.
Angelo said the about $300 million needs to be collected to run fire-rescue services.
“We would set our millage to collect the $300 million just like normal; if the surtax collects only $100 million, the person would pay 2 mills instead of 3. If it collected zero, they would still pay what they’re currently paying,” he said.
Angelo said that in the face of falling tax revenues, local firefighters are striving to cut costs and make equipment last longer, but if something isn’t done to maintain sufficient revenue, positions will have to be cut and response
“Could we create an RM8 zoning district?” Lodwick asked.
“You could create an RM9 or an RM-10,” White said.
Village Manager David Farber said that a corresponding land use category would have to be created in the village’s comprehensive plan.
Lodwick said he could understand that when the public sees a developer receiving a land use designation of up to 12 units per acre, it perceives that that is what the density will actually be.
“I can see where the public would look at this and say, ‘Well, that means they’re getting it,’” Lodwick said. “At the same time, councils down the road might see redevelopment of some of these multi-family areas. I want to make sure that proper tools are in place for staff to be able to make an appropriate recommendation both on the land use side as well as the zoning side.”
Vice Mayor Matty Mattioli made a motion to postpone the request to May 21, which was seconded by Councilman David Swift and passed unanimously.
sidering it came through well below the original budget.
“03-W was budgeted in the five-year plan as a $32-million-plus school,” Porter told the Town-Crier Thursday. “The guaranteed maximum price that has been received and actually approved by the school board was at $19 million and change. That’s how construction prices have come down.”
The school district has seen declining enrollment in re-
times will slow. He said the surtax is a way to take some of the funding pressure off of homeowners and spread it more equally among the population, and also to get a share from tourists and visitors who do not help fund the service.
“On any given day in Wellington, although there are four fire stations here, there will be nine additional units out here just covering the [equestrian] area… and there’s a cost to that,” he said. “And that’s a real cost, and those people expect to have coverage.”
The council voted 4-0 to approve a resolution in favor of the bill, with Willhite not voting because he works for Palm Beach County FireRescue.
Also Tuesday, the council heard a presentation from a well-established medical school that is exploring the possibility of opening a campus in Wellington in association with Wellington Regional Medical Center.
Dr. Silvia Ferretti, dean of academic affairs at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine in Erie, Penn., said her school sprang up in a city of 118,000 people.
LECOM, chartered in 1992, accepted its first class of students in 1993 and graduated that class of 38 in 1997, in partnership with a community hospital much like WRMC, Ferretti said. The school opened a complementary pharmacy school in 2002, opened a Florida campus in Braedenton in 2004, and a pharmacy school there
continued from page 1 put stalls in Paddock I, that’s just not true,” he said.
All five members of the council touched on the inequity that would be created if the ordinance were passed and only certain households won stable rights. “If we are going to do it, we should al-
cent years, which is expected to continue over the next five years with the exception of elementary schools, Porter said. Current projections show about a 2,500 increase over the next five years for elementary-age students. Porter noted that Palm Beach County residents approved a half-cent sales tax in 2004 to fund school construction when enrollment was growing by about 5,000 students per year.
in 2007. Another new campus is scheduled to open in Greensburg, Penn. this year.
“We are now the largest medical school in the United States,” Ferretti said.
LECOM has had a relationship with WRMC since 1996, Ferretti said, and has sent 110 students in their third or fourth year of study there since then.
Ferretti said the “Regional Clinical Campus in South Florida,” as she called it, could be started in a year or two if the village, the school and WRMC are able to reach an agreement, and laid out some of the benefits of having a medical school in the community.
“Of most importance to you guys, these young men and women spend $27,000 per year in housing, food, transportation and other ex-
penses, and you can imagine the trickle-down effect to your businesses.”
Noting that Florida is expected to experience a shortage of physicians in coming years, Ferretti said that students tend to settle where they are given postgraduate training.
“Having a third and fourth year clinical campus here would also give you the chance to have the brightest and the best to begin to live in your community,” she said.
Responding to questions from council members, Ferretti said it was still far too early to discuss any specifics on a location for the medical school. The council encouraged her to return with more details on the partnership arrangement the school and hospital would like to form with the village.
Employees of the Month — The Wellington Village Council welcomed the first honorees of its newly instituted Employee of the Month program Tuesday. February honoree Dan Dailey is a maintenance worker in parks operations and a village employee for nearly 18 years. The March honoree was Corey Robinson, a field technician in the utilities department. Shown here are Robinson and Dailey with members of the village council.
low it for the whole neighborhood, or not at all,” Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto said.
Mayor Darell Bowen said that while he usually makes up his mind on an issue fairly quickly, he could argue either side of this situation, and half jokingly suggested another survey offering only all or nothing.
“I’m torn, I think we’re all torn about which direction to go with it,” he said. “I don’t know if we should do that because we’re kind of going
Porter said several schools once planned for the western communities are being rethought by the school district.
“One perfect example is Scripps,” he said. “During this whole process, it was supposed to go on Mecca Farms. There was a school in the five-year plan that ended up on the referendum. I think it was called the Scripps Elementary School, and it was supposed to go near where Scripps was because that was
backward, but I don’t think anybody’s happy with a half a piece, and I’m certainly not, because I don’t want to pit one neighbor against another neighbor.”
While the council voted unanimously to deny the ordinance, their discussion with staff suggested that they may eventually revisit the issue. Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz noted that a fresh ordinance would have to go through the entire advisory committee review process again before returning to the council.
going to be such a large development of housing just to supply workers for Scripps. If it were to be built today, it would be empty. That’s what the tax oversight committee was set up for, to make modifications in the plan as it moves forward.”
Aside from Cypress Trails, Elementary School 03-W is also designed to relieve overcrowding at Equestrian Trails Elementary School in Wellington.
Today, Friday, is my son’s birthday. I won’t mention his name or his age or even that I like him, because seeing himself in my column gives him pain.
So instead I am going to talk about my husband, who offered to “have and hold” me long before he realized what he was getting into. People come up to him on the street and say, “Mr. Welky!” — which is not his name — “You are so lucky to be married to a fun-loving writer like Debbie who sees the bright side of everything and is smiling all the time.”
Because he is polite, he turns up the corners of his mouth in what he hopes is interpreted as agreement and slowly backs away.
Here is an insight into what really goes on at our house, circa last Thursday.
Mark gets up early, puts on the coffee and
listens for my footsteps. The moment he hears them, he heats up my oatmeal and places it gently into a bowl, and sets it down on our jaunty red-and-white checked tablecloth with a glass of juice next to it. There is also fresh milk — for which he had to drive to the store — and a bagel. He looks up expectantly as I enter the kitchen and is met with a growling,
snarling she-beast. One hand on my hip, I immediately tear into him: “What the heck were you thinking? Are you out of your mind? Isn’t our life good enough for you?”
Mark blinks.
“An affair! Really! After all this time! And just when I thought I could trust you!”
Mark blinks again. “An affair?” he queries, by this time hoping — praying even — that he has had an affair. At least he’d have a way out. Tenderly he asks, “have you had one of your dreams again?”
“You bet your assets I had one of my dreams again!”
Mark makes a move to relax and I grab his sleeve. “There I was, sweeping up the kitchen, a load of laundry in the washer, on my way out to get groceries and you come in and
tell me you’ve been sleeping with our Guatemalan maid!”
“If we have a maid, why isn’t she sweeping the floor?” he asks.
“Don’t get smart with me! I’m leaving you!”
“You’re really leaving me?” he asks, almost hopefully.
“In the dreeeeam!” I scream, then look around. “Is that oatmeal?”
Unsure of what to do next, Mark pulls out my chair for me and hurries to pour milk onto the cereal. I take a mouthful. “It’s good,” I comment, then settle down to eat.
So the next time you come up to “Mr. Welky,” it might be best just to nod sadly and pat his shoulder. That’s what my parents do.
CBS is beginning to become the preeminent television network. It already has more over-35 viewers than any other. Fox has more among those younger than 35, but that’s due mainly to American Idol.
Who watches much NBC any more? ER just went off the air. Heroes, once touted as the in-series, has gotten overblown with so many heroes no one can keep track. Kings was advertised as a major new series, but the remaining episodes (after the first six on Sundays) have been switched to TV’s equivalent of Siberia, late Saturday evening. When Jay Leno joins the weeknight lineup nightly at 10 p.m., they can run Law & Order and its clones most of the rest of the time. There might not be much else.
Fox winds up winning most of the ratings polls, but that’s because of American Idol. Take that away and we have House Bones and not a real lot else. I am certain that our country’s enemies would like to use what the network presents us on Saturday evenings as
‘I’
By Leonard Wechsler
evidence that America is in total decline.
ABC is beginning a ritual suicide dance. It works hard to be clever and has turned out to be far too clever. ABC has based a lot of its efforts on its soap operas to get women viewers, but unlike the ones that run in the daytime, everything moves at super speed. That way we watch the stars going through continual traumas, which after a while leave us bored. Some of the romances on NBC’s ER took years to slowly develop. The romance between the George Clooney and Julianne Margulies’ characters took eight years to de-
velop. Meredith and McDreamy were in bed together after he picked he up in a bar at the start of the series.
In the old days, viewers learned to care about the characters before learning about their sex lives. How can you really respect someone who hops into bed on a first date? It might be fun for the first love affair, but by the second, third or more, it gets a bit old.
CBS on the other hand runs police shows, the sort that could have run back in the 1970s.
Actually, NBC’s whole raft of Law & Order variants follow the mold and still hold at least some ratings. But CBS believes in cops, cops and more cops.
On Monday, we have Miami cops who play with science (CSI: Miami). On Tuesday, we first have military cops (NCIS), followed by California cops who use a charismatic helper who understands people all too well (The Mentalist), followed by cops who trace missing persons (Without a Trace).
On Wednesday, we have cops who chase
serial killers (Criminal Minds), followed by more scientific cops, this time in New York (CSI: NY). On Thursday, we have the original scientific cops who are based in Las Vegas (CSI: Crime Scene Investigation), followed (until its hiatus this month) by a science advisor to the FBI (Eleventh Hour). On Friday, we have a lead that talks
In my humble opinion, now is the best time of year to be living in South Florida. Most of our beloved snowbirds have flown the coop and are back up north (where some say they belong).
South Florida once again belongs to us. This time of the year has the best weather. We still have some cool nights and days, and we don’t have the heat and the humidity that comes our way during the summer. We are not in the rainy season yet, and of course we are still about six weeks away from the hurricane season. So now is the time to enjoy living in our little piece of paradise.
Traffic is much lighter. We can now reclaim our favorite restaurants. No more waiting in line to enjoy a good dinner or breakfast at our favorite eating establishments. The beaches and pools belong to us again. The malls aren’t as crowded as they were last
By Ernie Zimmerman
month. We can get the best seat in the house at any Marlins home game (that wasn’t the case during spring training). But if the Marlins keep on playing the way they have, we soon may find it more difficult to obtain good seats (I know, I am dreaming). I can once again enjoy my ride down to the Seminole Hard Rock. It’s amazing how a lack of traffic on our roadways and byways can make me happy. I had such a nice ride down
to the Hard Rock last week, it helped me decide to buy tickets to Donna Summer’s show there next month.
The kids are happy because the FCAT is a thing of the past and the kids can start to do in school what they are supposed to do: “learn.” Teachers can finally do what they are supposed to do: “teach.”
I remember when I was a kid in high school (yes, I still can remember that far back) in New York. We had to take a test called the Regents exam at the end of the school year. If we didn’t past this test, we couldn’t graduate. I also knew when I got a 65 on the test (passing mark), I was at the receiving end of charity from the teachers who didn’t want to see my face in their class again.
Yes, I must admit I got my fair share of 65s. Hey, what can I say; most of my teachers knew school was not my favorite time of
my life. They were just helping to ease me on to the next stage. This time of year I can take longer walks and bike rides, because of the very pleasant weather and the fact that we have more daylight hours. I don’t have to worry about cars hitting me as much as I do in winter. I enjoy the sound of kids playing outside after dinner. I don’t hear this wonderful sound during the winter. If you haven’t stepped outside after dinner lately to take a walk or do anything else you may like to do, what are you waiting for? Now is the time to do it. So just get out there and do it. You won’t be sorry. I wish we could have weather like this all year round. I know I am once again having one of my pleasant dreams. Please don’t bother to wake me. After all, in my case pleasant dreams are few and far between.
By JoAnn Abrams
The practice of elder law includes Medicaid planning, probate, guardianship, wills and trusts.
From practicing law for almost 22 years, talking with clients, having consultations and giving seminars, I have found that, unfortunately, most people, even with long-term care insurance, cannot afford the type of care they may need to remain living independently at home as they age.
Most people confuse the two major government programs for seniors, Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare is the insurance most people receive at age 65, after paying into Social Security on their wages throughout their lifetime. The premium for Medicare is generally deducted from your monthly Social Security payment. You can also choose from a number of private plans that take the place of Medicare, such as Humana. Medicare Part A may pay for hospital insurance and rehabilitation, whereas Medicare Part B may pay for doctor visits and medical supplies, and Medicare Part D may pay for medications. If Medicare does pay for rehabilitation, usually a nursing home facility, it only pays for up to 100 days. If rehabilitation is not accomplishing its stated goal, the rehabilitation facility will give you a three-day notice stating that you will have to pay to remain in the nursing home or rehabilitation program.
Medicaid, on the other hand, is a federal and state program for the poor that may pay for in-home care (12 hours a week), doctors, medications, assisted living or full time nursing home care. Medicaid planning includes taking advantage of the Medicaid law for the protection of assets so that when you medically qualify for Medicaid, you may also be able to financially qualify for assistance. If you go on Medicaid, you are entitled to keep your home and car.
As an elder law attorney, I have found that many people also misunderstand probate. Generally speaking, certain properties, such as real estate, bank accounts, CDs, mutual funds, etc. have titles. If title to a property is not joint (you and your spouse as husband and wife) or there are no beneficiaries on the title (you in trust for your grandson), then a probate must be filed to legally change the title to the property. The property never goes to the State of Florida, unless there are no legal heirs to the property. If you do not have a will or a trust, the property will pass to your heirs according to statute.
A number of clients in initial conversation tell me they want a trust to avoid probate. In my opinion, the least important reason for a trust is to avoid probate. You can avoid probate by simply changing a deed to real estate or adding beneficiaries to your accounts.
The main reason for a trust for married couples is to double their federal tax exemption. When Congress was controlled by the Republican majority and George W. Bush was president, Congress eliminated the socalled “death tax,” the federal tax paid on estates valued at over $1 million dollars at that time. So, for example, if you die having $2 million and your spouse has $2 million, and you leave your property to each other, your estate would pay the federal estate tax on your $1 million, and your other $1 million would be exempt. Your spouse would inherit your $2 million, less the federal estate tax paid. You do not want your spouse’s estate to pay federal estate tax on his or her share of your estate when he or she dies, since the tax was already paid on that portion of the estate. Language in a trust would prevent paying the federal estate tax twice on the same estate property. The federal estate tax exemptions expire at the end of the year 2012. Currently, the federal estate tax exemption is $3.5 million for the year 2009. Congress may enact very different estate tax exemptions, depending upon our economy at the time. Another reason that people do trusts is to keep the property in their bloodlines. An example would be that you have a son who has two children. You dislike your son’s wife. If you die and leave money to your son, and he dies, the money would most probably be left to his wife. You would rather that your property be given to your grandchildren. A trust would allow your hand to “reach out from the grave” and control ownership of your property after your death. The property would be held in trust for your grandchildren and given to them at times that you specify or upon certain conditions being met. For example, you may want to give your grandchildren property at the time they graduate college, or pay for their college education, or upon reaching a certain age if they do not attend college.
If you have a special-needs child or grandchild that you want taken care of during their lifetime, it is important to have an attorney prepare a special needs trust for this purpose.
A will can accomplish the same objectives, if you put trust language in a will. However, upon your death, your estate or your beneficiary will still have to pay an attorney to create a trust document.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is to not leave property to minor beneficiaries, even if they are the beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Minors cannot own property. Therefore, a guardianship must be filed in the court for the minor child. You must file a report with the court every year until the minor reaches the age of 18 years. At that time, final documentation will be filed with the court to close the guardianship.
Guardianships are also filed for incompe-
tent adults and special-needs children over the age of 18 years. Every person has certain rights, such as the right to marry, vote, sign contracts, choose where one lives, choose one’s friends, make healthcare decisions and handle financial matters. You can be guardian of the property or the guardian of the person, or both, for an incompetent adult. You can take away some rights or all rights of a person.
No one can be railroaded into a guardianship. If a guardianship is filed alleging incompetency, the court will appoint an attorney to represent the alleged incapacitated person. An examining committee consisting of a psychiatrist or doctor, a psychologist and a layperson will also be appointed by the court to examine the alleged incapacitated person and report their findings to the court. The court will also hold a hearing and review the reports. The hearing can always be contested by the alleged incapacitated person. The guardian appointed by the court may have to take a guardianship education course (which I sometimes teach) and report to the court annually about the plan for care of the “ward” and the status of the ward’s finances.
One way to avoid a guardianship is to appoint someone as your power of attorney, to stand in your shoes and handle matters for you during a period of incompetency (such as a long hospital stay) or if you permanently become incompetent. Please be aware that if your spouse has a bank account or IRA in his or her own name and you need the funds, you cannot get the funds or any information whatsoever without a power of attorney.
Another way to avoid a guardianship is to appoint a healthcare surrogate to make medical decisions for you, review your medical records and talk to your doctors on your behalf. Do not make the assumption that if your spouse is in the hospital, you will get information on his care, prognosis or doctor’s orders. Under the HIPAA Act, the healthcare provider giving information without specific informed consent of the patient can be fined a substantial amount of money.
Unfortunately, in my opinion, many doctors and hospitals interpret this law too strictly. When my husband shattered his leg several years ago, I was with him and the doctor in a tiny examining room. Since he was in so much pain, I told the doctor to put my name in the chart, since I would probably be in contact with the office on my husband’s behalf. She turned to my husband, sitting in that same tiny room, and said, “is that all right with you?” He then had to tell the doctor verbally that this was OK with him! I called the doctor’s office an hour later and was told since I was not the patient, I could not confirm the date of the operation!
Another very important document I pre-
JoAnn Abrams
pare is a living will. This document states that if you are dying anyway, you do not want certain life-prolonging procedures, such as cardiac resuscitation or being put on breathing tubes permanently. This document is designed to avoid a Terry Schiavo situation. If you recently moved to Florida permanently, or have gone through a major change in life, such as the death of a spouse, it is a really good idea to have your documents reviewed. I have also found that since so many people do not understand the documents even when they actually sign them, they might not be aware of certain mistakes made by the attorney who drafted these documents originally.
Many people also call me right from the funeral home to ask if the property has to go through probate. First off, a probate cannot be filed without a death certificate, which takes at least ten days to prepare. Secondly, there is no rush; the assets are not going anywhere. Take your time and go through the papers and documents. You may find that there are beneficiaries on everything or that all property is joint and you don’t need to probate the property. Please don’t pay any bills for the person who died, unless the bills are also in your name, or unless a probate is filed; you are not responsible to pay these bills!
I hope this somewhat explains the different areas of elder law and answers questions you may have. I am always available for a free consultation and look forward to meeting you in my office.
JoAnn Abrams is an attorney practicing at 11440 Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 7959590.
DRIVER WANTED - for Wellington Cab./Wellington Town Car. FT/PT Retirees Welcome. Call 333-0181
EXEPERIENCED SECRETARY — needed for busy Loxahatchee one person office. Must be able to multitask, work independently, have good written and verbal skills. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel and Quick Books. Payroll experience a plus. Mon. - Fri. approx. 30-35 hrs per week.Fax resume to 561-791-0442 or e-mail to JEMTRANS1@yahoo.com
YARDMAN NEEDED — To cleanout Palmetto patch. Saturdays, $12.00 per hour. Own Transportation In Loxahatchee Area. Call 379-7136
Generations A Hair Salon is now hiring motivated stylists. Owned by Anthony Gutilla and Monica Hoffman; thirty years Salon ownership and four generations of experience.Please contact Monica Hoffman at 561-753-2232 Generations A Hair Salon, formerly The Spa at Wellington Green.
P/T 20 hours or more. Legal Document Preparer. Must be fluent in Spanish & English. Computer skills, Word, Excel. Experience in Immigration,Divorce, Bankruptcy, Trust forms helpful. Salary commensurate with experience. Fax Resume : 561-641-3600.
HOUSEKEEPER - Companion/ Child Care/Driver. Experienced with references. 561-379-8357
2000 HONDA ELITE SCOOTERRequires to be tagged & titled. Insurance not required. Call Bret for info. 714-9942 $550.00
HOME LITE TRIMMER GAS — $30 OBO 433-2751
JUNK CARS, TRUCKS WANTEDTop prices paid. Call Now for FREE pick-up. 561-512-9606
SATURDAY, APRIL 18TH, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. - MULTI-FAMILY GARAGE SALE! 288
MOVING SALE — THIS SATURDAY & SUNDAY, APRIL 18 & 19TH 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Complete contents of home. Furnishings and household items. Everything must go! 14593
BUY OR SELL WATKINS PRODUCTS — Monthly specials, low prices. www.VanillaGourmet.com 561-512-9876.
Associates wanted.
The Leader in Natural Products since 1868
OFFICE FOR RENT — $450 A MONTH. Jog & Forest Hill. 126 SF,Professional setting. Unfurnished. DSL, Local phone line. Utilities. Waiting room, Additional services available. 561-967-2566
PUPPIES FOR SALE - Boxer Puppies AKC registered. Available April 5th $500-$800 males & female. Both Parents Champion bloodlines. 561-820-0394 561-753-6304, 561601-5207
JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC. —Service & new installation
FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted
SeaBreeze Air Systems, Inc. — for Air Conditioning and Heating Indoors and Outdoors. Let us heat your pool for year round enjoyment. Call 561-964-3817
ARE YOUR TREES READY FOR A HURRICANE? — Florida Arborists has highly trained professionals to provide superior and quality services. 561-568-7500
JJJ AUTOMOTIVE, INC. - "We're Looking Out For You!" Complete Auto repair, foreign & domestic. We'll beat any written estimate. Free Oil Change with any service.
ASE & MITSUBISHI Certified Master. 561-309-9098. Lic. MV 52657
The only non-profit petting zoo in the area. — featuring parrots, mini horses, ponies, pony rides, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and Llamas and more and farm club. 561-7922666
MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL BUILDING CLEANINGS SPECIALISTS — • Pressure Cleaning • Office Cleaning • Residential Cleaning • Parking Lot Maintenance • Concrete Coatings. Call for Free Evaluation. 561-714-3608
HOUSECLEANING - Reliable with long term clients. Over 12 years experience. References available. Karen 561-632-2271
CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL 561-793-3576 TODAY TO PLACE YOUR AD HERE.
D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-3339433 or Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’dWell. & Palm Beach
COMPUTER REPAIR — We come to you! After hours and weekends services available. Spyware/ Adware/Virus Removal, Networking, Wireless, Backup Data, Upgrades. Call Anytime. 561-713-5276
MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COM-
PUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Software setup, support & troubleshooting www.mobiletec.net. 561-248-2611
STAFF PLUS — Looking to fill full and part-time positions in customer service. For more info. Call 1-888333-9903
HIGH QUALITY LAMINATE FLOORING — at affordable prices. Hardwood floors. No deposit until delivery. Contractors welcome. Western Communities resident. Family owned and Operated. Licensed and Insured. Se Habla Español 561-568-6099
GUARDSMAN FURNITURE PRO — For all your furniture repair needs including finish repairs, structural repairs, upholstery services, chair regluing, antique repairs, kitchen cabinet refurbishing. 753-8689
XTREME CONSTRUCTION LLC -
Specializing in all your construction needs. Kitchens/baths, remodels, tile, painting, plumbing, additions. Raymond M. Surdi/Owner-Contractor 561-252-9743
CAN FIX IT — build it, move it, plant it, and more. Call Bruce, 793-2494.
BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. —
REMODEL & REPAIRS Interior
Trim, crown molding, rottenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall, kitchens/cabinets/countertops, wood flooring. Bonded/Insured U#19699. 791-9900 Cell: 370-5293
ANMAR CO. —James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-2488528
MCA CUSTOM WOODWORKING, INC. — “Make your home standout from the rest” Call us for all your home improvement needs. Kitchen & bathroom remodeling, custom wall units, design your home office, cabinetry, tile & drywall repair. Lic. #U-19564. Bonded & Ins. 561-7235836
WWW.GARABAR.COM Discount pricing. Remodeling & Repairs •Kitchens • Baths •Additions • Painting • Doors • Windows. No Deposit Until Permit • Credit Cards Accepted. 561-337-6798 Lic. #CCC1327252 & GC1510976
HOME INSPECTIONS — Mold inspections, air quality testing, US Building Inspectors mention this ad $20.00 Off. 561-784-8811
A Personalized Lawn Care Service that you can afford. Call Dave for a free estimate 561-262-4623 or email dmtonkin@bellsouth.net Monarch Lawn Care
ANIMAL PALACE — “Where Your Pets are Treated Like Royalty” — Pet sitting, dry baths/specialty shampoos. de-shedding treatments. All sizes/cats too! 561-3835000 or visit our website at www.animalpalacepetgrooming.com
Mold & Mildew Inspections — Air Quality Testing, leak detection. US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811
ARMENTO PAINTING & SONS, INC. –– Painting, Interior, Exterior. Pressure cleaning. Custom painting, faux art. Lic. U14736. 7988978.
JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. Interior/Exterior, artistic faux finishing, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair, & roof painting/cleaning. Free est. 7984964. Lic.#U18473
LET US AD A LITTLE COLOR TO YOUR LIFE — Residential/Commercial. Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Owner/Operator. Paul 561309-8290.
COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free estimates - Insured. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident.
PAINTING — HOME PAINTING Interior - Exterior. $1290 +tax up to 2500 sq. ft. (walls area) 561-674HOME(4663) Masterpiece Painting Contractors Inc. CC U#21111 Lic./ Ins.
CREATIVE PAINTING SYSTEMS, INC. — Interior • Exterior • Residential Specialists. WE DELIVER WHAT WE PROMISE. All work guaranteed. FREE EST.Family owned & Operated. Over 23 years exp. Lic. #U-18337 • Bonded • Ins. Owner/Operator George Born. 561-686-6701
Waterheaters, garbage disposals, faucet repair & replacement service. New construction. Licensed. Bonded. Insured. Wellington Resident 25 years. 561-601-6458. Jeremy James Plumbing, Inc.
ELITE POOL CLEANING —"You dealt with the rest now deal with the best" All maintenance & repairs, salt chlorinator, heaters, leak detection. 561-791-5073. Inquire about 1 mo. free service.
J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-3096975 BD
GRIME STOPPERS - Pressure cleaning, commercial & residential, houses, driveways, patios, screen enclosures, sidewalks. References available.561-779-1081
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS — Roof painting. Carpentry. License #U13677.967-5580.
ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.
ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING
ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC0067207
WWW.GARABAR.COM — Now is the time for the Best Prices. Re-roof & Repairs. No Deposit Until Permit Credit cards accepted. Free Estimate. Call 561-337-6798 Lic.#CCC1327252 & CGC1510976
HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY
WORK & SERVICE — Free estimates, No Deposits. Pay upon completion, residential, commercial, reroofing, repairs, credit cards accepted.561-842-6120 or 561784-8072 Lic.#CCC1328598
AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC —
Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004 Lic. #U17871
Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990
P.B. Plantation—5BR/3BA/3CGAR, $2,150 Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-791-7434
INSTALLING TILE IN SOUTH FLORIDA FOR 25 YEARS — Free estimates, residential/commercial, bathroom remodeling, floors, walls, backsplashes, custom design GOLDEN TILE INSTALLATION 561-662-9258
FORECLOSURE - 5 + Acres. 2 Story, 3/3 Unique house. $189K. Call Bret Balsara, Nautica Realty, Many foreclosures in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee. FORECLOSURES! It’s all we DO! 561-714-9942
Equestrian Club — 5BR/4BA/ 3CGAR/Waterfront/Pool, $949,000. Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561791-7434
Wellington - 4BR/2.5BA/2CGAR/ Pool, $269,777Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-791-7434
Wellington Lakes- 4BR/2B A/ 2CGAR/Waterfront, 174,900Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-7917434
Wellington Lakes- 4BR/2BA/ 2CGAR, $174,777Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-791-7434
PAPERHANGING & PAINTING BY DEBI — Professional Installation & Removal of Paper. Interior Painting, decorative finishes, clean & reliable. Quality work with a woman’s touch. 26 years experience. No Job too big or too small. Lic. & Ins. References available. 561-795-5263
WATER CONDITIONERS FROM $499.00 —- Reverse osmosis units for the whole house. Mention this ad for equipment checkup and water analysis $19.99561-6896151
Estates of Royal Palm Beach - 4BR/ 2.5BA/2CGAR,335,000Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-7917434
Royal Palm Beach- 2BR/2.5BA, $99,000 Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-791-7434
Madison Green R.P.B - 3BR/2BA/ 2CGAR, $235,000 Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-791-7434
JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 798-3132.
Gutters, downspouts, vinyl/aluminum siding, windows & doors, aluminum railing. Screen enclosures (Repaired & Replaced), carports, porches, and patios. Lic. U17189. P&M Siding Contractors. 561-7919777
4 BEDROOM, 2 BATH HOME - For rent, $1,900 per month. Available March 1st. For more information call (561) 385-3605
ROLL DOWN SHUTTERS — Accordion shutters, storm panels and rolling shutters...prices that can’t be beat. All shutters Systems, Inc. 8630955
AFFORDABLE HURRICANE PROTECTION — 2 - 4 wks. Installed Guaranteed! 10% deposit . Will get you started. All products, Dade County approved. We manufacture our own product. 772-342-8705 Lic. & Ins. CGC 1511213
Stonehaven Estates — 4BR/2BA/ 2CGAR, $1,895 Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-791-7434
Wellington — 2BR/2BA/Waterfront, $1,150 Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-791-7434
College Park — 3BR/2.5BA/Pool, $2,500 Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561-791-7434
Lake Worth - 6BR/4BA/2CGAR, $355,000; Belair W.P.B - 3BR/2BA, $289,000; Loxahatchee-4BR/3BA, $230,000; Riverwalk - 2BR/2BA/ 2CGAR, $214,999; Balmoral Country Club - 3BR/2BA/2CGAR, $199,000; Normandy Isles - 3 BR/ 2BA/2CGAR, $169,900; West Palm Beach -3BR/2BA, $105,000; Palm Springs- 2BR/2BA, $94,000; Emerald Dunes-1BR/1BA, $88,000; Abbey Park- 3BR/2BA, $80,000; Greenacres- 2BR/2BA, $79,000 Call Yolanda Ulibarri, P.A. Keller Williams, Realty Wellington 561791-7434
CABINS, LODGES,LAKE FRONT, TRADITIONAL HOMES - Land for sale in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. Serving, Blue Ridge, Blairsville, and Hiawassee, Georgia. Great time to invest in your 2nd home. Pat Macey. 706-455-6294 cell RE/MAX AROUND THE MOUNTAINS ENOTAH REALTY. 1800-346-0455.
