RPBES: ‘HAPPIEST SCHOOL ON EARTH’ SEE STORY, PAGE 3
RPB ZONERS TURN DOWN CYPRESS KEY SEE STORY, PAGE 7
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TOWN-CRIER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
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LGWCD Supervisors Approve New Lobbyist Registration Policy
Volume 35, Number 50 December 12 - December 18, 2014
Serving Palms West Since 1980
ROTARY WINE & FOOD FESTIVAL
The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors approved a resolution Monday that will require lobbyists to register before conducting business with the district. Page 3
Holiday-Themed Music Fest In The Acreage
The Acreage Landowners’ Association hosted a holidaythemed Acreage Community Park Music Fest, along with a classic car cruise-in and a chili cookoff Saturday, Dec. 6. Ten different bands performed and Santa and Mrs. Claus made an appearance. Page 5
PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
The Wellington Rotary Club presented its inaugural Wellington Wine & Food Festival on Friday, Dec. 5 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. The fundraiser supported the Wellington Rotary Club Foundation’s charitable endeavors. Wine and food tastings were provided by local businesses, while attendees enjoyed live entertainment. Shown here, Jasmine Velez receives a plate of food from IPC Executive Chef William Sellner. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 20 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Wellington Approves Seasonal Permits For Equestrian Events Wellington Chamber’s Winterfest Returns To Equestrian Center
Wellington Winterfest, staged by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, drew a large crowd to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Saturday, Dec. 6. The event featured musical and dance performances, a food and wine exposition, a special performance by Vanilla Ice and more. Page 7
Girl Scouts Gather For Holiday Party At Park
A dozen Girl Scout troops gathered Sunday, Dec. 7 at Loxahatchee Groves Park for a “Share the Season” holiday party. The girls put together holiday dinners for local families, collected toys and clothing, and prepared cards for the military. Page 17
OPINION Delay To SR 7 Project Ignores A Critical Need
One again, the critical transportation needs of the western communities have fallen victim to the delay tactics of the eastern establishment. Decades after State Road 7’s connection to Northlake Blvd. was promised, the Florida Department of Transportation announced plans this week to move its funding down the road another four years. This project is needed, and it’s what is best for not just the western communities, but the entire region. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS................................. 3 - 9 OPINION.................................. 4 CRIME NEWS.......................... 6 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 8 PEOPLE................................. 13 SCHOOLS.......................14 - 15 COLUMNS...................... 16, 25 BUSINESS......................26 - 27 SPORTS..........................31 - 33 CALENDAR............................ 34 CLASSIFIEDS................ 35 - 39 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council approved three special-use permits Tuesday for equestrian events, including two for Equestrian Sports Productions involving temporary parking and access at the Winter Equestrian Festival and the Global Dressage Festival. The council approved a seasonal permit for the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center for equestrian events from December through April that included two temporary accesses and temporary parking on the west side of Gene Mische Way. Planning & Development Services Director Tim Stillings said the permit asks for two temporary access points between the PBIEC and Grand Prix Farms, as well as temporary parking on Gene
Mische Way. “The request is before the council because for the access points, only the council can authorize external access to a planned unit development,” Stillings said. “And the temporary parking is greater than what can be approved administratively in relation to an equestrian show use.” Stillings said the northern access point will be for ingress only and the southern access point is two-way. The parking requested is about 475 feet south of Pierson Road and runs the length of the PBIEC property down to the southern property line, including about 100 spaces. Village staff recommended approval of the access request but denial of the parking because parking in swales or landscape buffers, as well as backing into a road, is prohibited by code.
“The area west of Gene Mische Way is approximately 20 feet, which is the typical dimension of a perpendicular parking stall, and we just didn’t feel there was sufficient room to provide that parking,” Stillings said. Vice Mayor John Greene asked who uses that parking, and Stillings said it is primarily those using the stabling or visiting the site. Greene noted that the village has been talking with Equestrian Sport Productions to come up with a more permanent parking solution. “We’ve seen this with other venues and other landowners where they held events and parking was an issue, so I’m sure we’ll work as closely as we can to accommodate a permanent solution,” Greene said. Councilwoman Anne Gerwig See PERMITS, page 18
IPC Polo Stars Visit With Kids From The Boys & Girls Club
By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report Polo players from the International Polo Club Palm Beach visited the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club in Wellington on Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of children enjoyed spending time with the polo players, who took the time to sign polo balls for them. The players — Sugar Erskine, Jeff Hall, Kris Kampsen, Nic Roldan and Brad Blake — along with senior Boys & Girls Club staff members and club benefactor Neil S. Hirsch, were provided a tour around the facility with students Ruby Silva and Danay Sandoval as tour guides. The special appearance was designed to raise awareness for the Great Futures Boys & Girls Club Polo Day slated for March 15, which begins with a game at the Grand Champions Polo Club, followed by brunch and another game at the International Polo See POLO STARS, page 18
Kris Kampsen signs polo balls for Boys & Girls Club kids.
PHOTO BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
Area Leaders Vow To Keep Up Fight For SR 7 Extension By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Leaders from across the western communities are not happy with a recent Florida Department of Transportation decision that threatens to further delay State Road 7’s long-planned extension. The Western Communities Council agreed Wednesday to continue funding lobbyist Lewis, Longman & Walker to advocate for the completion of the State Road 7 connection to Northlake Blvd., which has had its funding delayed by state transportation officials. The Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization on Monday was informed that financing had been delayed as a result of anticipated litigation from the City of West Palm Beach, and had redistributed some of the funding,
including $20 million for a temporary bridge on Southern Blvd. connecting to the Town of Palm Beach. Attorney Bob Diffenderfer with Lewis, Longman & Walker gave an update on SR 7, including a memo from lobbyist Terry Lewis dated Dec. 1 giving the status of the SR 7 environmental assessment. “Since the date of that memo, a couple of different things have happened,” he said, pointing out that the Florida Department of Transportation had transmitted a “finding of no significant impact” (FONSI) report to the Federal Highway Administration. “We just got a copy of the transmittal letter dated Dec. 4 today,” Diffenderfer said. “As I was walking out of the office today, I was See SR 7, page 18
HOLIDAY FUN IN RPB
Royal Palm Beach welcomed the arrival of the holiday season with Winterfest on Saturday, Dec. 6 at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park. There were performances by community schools, choirs, dance teams and more, as well as a kids fun zone with rides and games, and plenty of hot cocoa and cookies for everyone. Shown here, Kait and Kelli Dorschel enjoy the evening. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 9 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Wellington House Rentals Will Now Require Licenses
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council gave final approval Tuesday to an ordinance that will require licenses and inspections for single-family rental units. The ordinance received preliminary approval in October and adds single-family homes to an existing ordinance that requires licenses for multifamily rentals. Council members said the ordinance was primarily intended to control corporations that have been buying up large numbers of homes in Wellington and renting them but sometimes are not maintaining them. Code Enforcement Manager Steven Koch said that all changes directed by the council had been
made, including the elimination of an initial registration fee, and the addition of a $50 re-instatement fee. It also requires rental-home owners to submit a management plan. Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said she would not be supporting the ordinance, and reiterated her previous objections. “I don’t think that this ordinance does a single thing to solve a single problem,” Gerwig said. Gerwig said she did not see a difference in single-family rental homes and those that are owned and lived in. “We have a set of code enforcement issues already, and they are the same for rentals and ownership, so that’s why I’m not See RENTALS, page 4
RPB Thanks Jess Santamaria For County Service
Jess Santmaria accepts the certificate of appreciation from RPB Mayor Matty Mattioli.
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Former County Commissioner Jess Santamaria received a certificate of appreciation from the Royal Palm Beach Village Council last week for his eight years of service on the Palm Beach County Commission. Among the many things Santamaria was able to accomplish for the village, Mayor Matty Mattioli pointed out, was just recently securing $68,895 for the completion of two additional pavilions for the new dog park at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park. “The dog park was built recently with only enough funds for the construction of one pavilion,” Mattioli said at the Dec. 4 meeting. “The $68,895 identified by Mr. Santamaria allowed us to award,
contract and construct all three pavilions, one for each section of the dog park. I was there today, and they were already excavating for drainage. Jess, without your help, I think the dog park would have been a year away.” Santamaria, who lives in Royal Palm Beach, said the status of the dog park and the possible need for additional funding came to his attention through Village Manager Ray Liggins. “I thought in my last time at the county commission, let’s see what I could dig up,” he said. “So I did a little searching around and found a little funding that could add up to this dog park. Both my children and grandchildren are dog lovers, so they are looking forward to getting this dog park started so they can make good use of it.”
Santamaria said it had been a privilege to serve as a county commissioner. “Although my eight-year term is over, I like the title public servant, so you can be sure I’ll be joining you to continue serving the public, especially the public in the western communities,” he said. Santamaria also commented on Councilman Jeff Hmara’s report on the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, where he is an alternate, and the county commission’s recent decision after considerable public comment to remain with the TCRPC rather than switch to the South Florida Regional Planning Council to join with Miami-Dade and Broward counties. Santamaria said the idea was an See SANTAMARIA, page 18