ROYAL PALM SELLS WATER PLANT LAND SEE STORY, PAGE 3
EMILY BROOKE STILL IN THE IDOL HUNT SEE STORY, PAGE 7
THE
TOWN-CRIER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
Your Community Newspaper
Volume 36, Number 7 February 13 - February 19, 2015
Serving Palms West Since 1980
Vacant Land Near RPBHS Eyed For A Charter High School
INSIDE
Wellington Council OKs First Reading Of Hedge Height Changes
The Wellington Village Council gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a code amendment that would allow hedge heights of 6 to 10 feet based on the location, also allowing for waivers. Page 3
Family Raising Money To Help Longtime Resident Dave Spall
On Nov. 30, longtime Royal Palm Beach resident Dave Spall, 36, boarded a cruise ship in Miami. Destination: the Caribbean. He never arrived. Instead, he lies in a hospital bed at Jackson Memorial Hospital with family members and friends maintaining a vigil at his bedside and wondering how this could have happened. Page 7 Sponsors Sara and Rick Mershad and rider Darragh Kenny with Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo. Kenny and his teammates rode for the Kids Cancer Foundation, taking third place. PHOTO BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
Crowds Seek Bargains At RPB’s Kids Yard Sale
The Village of Royal Palm Beach held its annual Kids Yard Sale on Saturday, Feb. 7 at Veterans Park. The day was a great way to find bargains on clothes for kids and infants, toys, games, books and more. There was a DJ and food for sale. Page 12
Dance Show Travels Through Time At WHS
Fred Astaire Dance Studio of West Palm Beach presented “Travel Through Time” on Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Wellington High School. Students and professional dancers put on a showcase with music and ballroom dances from the 1920s through the 1990s. Page 18
OPINION
Put Restoration Of The Everglades Back On The Front Burner
After years of slowed progress, Gov. Rick Scott recently announced his goal to commit $5 billion toward Everglades restoration over the next 20 years. If approved by lawmakers in the upcoming legislative session, the money could bring longdelayed Everglades restoration projects back on track. This is good, but it will take a far more concerted effort to get the job done. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 12 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 - 38 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
Superhero Theme Adds To The Fun At Great Charity Challenge
By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report The superheroes who landed last week at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center amazed thousands as they leapt and soared Saturday, Feb. 7 at the sixth annual Great Charity Challenge, presented by Fidelity Investments, at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Professional and amateur riders, along with their equine sidekicks, entertained the thousands who came out to watch them and root for their favorite charities in a night full of fun, games, surprises and more. Many riders were dressed as superheroes to match the evening theme. “I want to thank everyone who has participated here,” said Mark Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions and co-founder of the Great Charity Challenge, before the competition. “The theme this year is superheroes. That represents the superheroes
who are the riders who donate their time, the equestrian families who donate their money, the members of the community and our staff who operate this show and, finally, those amazing individuals who are the directors of these organizations who make unbelievable commitments to their passion. Without them, this community would be a different place.” Charities of every type participated in the event. “It’s overwhelming to see so many great organizations being represented here tonight,” said Anne Caroline Valtin, executive director of the Great Charity Challenge. “We came up with this theme, and we thought it would tie the whole event together, but you guys have gone above and beyond on your own time to make this special.” Thirty-four of the hundreds of charities that put their names in the hat for the Great Charity Chal-
lenge were selected to participate and walked away with a check for at least $15,000 last Saturday evening. Riders Juan Carlos Maurin, Emanuel Andrade and Victoria Karam had the fastest time of the night, riding for Danny and Ron’s Rescue and earning the nonprofit $150,000. The team was sponsored by Hollow Creek Farm and corporate sponsor Gold Coast Feed & Supply. Coming in second place was the team of Sydney Shulman, Cloe Hymowitz and Alexa Effron, riding for Propel. That team, sponsored by Back Country Farm and corporate sponsor Visse Wedell, earned $125,000 for their charity. The Kids Cancer Foundation finished third and won $112,500 on a strong effort by riders Darragh Kenny, Allison Epstein and Andre Mershad, sponsored by Mershad See GCC, page 21
Wellington Council OKs Plans For Little Ranches Culvert
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council approved a contract Tuesday to replace a 24-inch water main coming from a well field in Little Ranches with a new PVC pipe. The action authorized the award of a contract for $167,921.04 to Ferguson Enterprises Inc. for the purchase and delivery of 24-inch PVC pipe and fittings and mechanical restraining devices to build a culvert crossing to cover the pipes, which would run underneath the C-28 Canal. Originally, the contact was on the consent agenda and was not planned for discussion. However, about 30 Little Ranches residents attended the meeting to express concerns about the design of the replacement pipe, which included a 20-foot crossing for public works to access the area, which many felt was a preamble for another access
point to their neighborhood. Little Ranches has only one access point in an out, along Southern Blvd. south of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Residents said having one access point helps maintain the security of the community and prevents excessive traffic that would frighten horses. Village Engineer Bill Riebe said the request was to replace an existing water main within Little Ranches. The design was to get the most efficient, cost-effective solution and still provide the necessary level of service. “The water main project is an approved project in the 2015 capital improvement plan,” Riebe said. “We need to replace this particular pipe. It’s a critical piece of infrastructure for our community.” He said that village staff met with the Little Ranches Property Owners’ Association on Jan. 6 to
discuss several projects that affect them, including the planned culvert crossing in question and the possibility of installing a service drive across it. “All of this was done in an effort to reach out to the neighborhood so they know what we’re trying to accomplish, and what our goals and intentions are,” Riebe said. “As part of the meeting, the POA rejected the service drive, but they approved the culvert crossing provided that there are protections, including [the prevention of] pedestrian access across the canal.” Riebe said that the current plans do not include the service drive, explaining that the drive was removed from the plan, but that the village continues to receive e-mails and other communications expressing concerns about it. He said the pipe needs to be covered to protect it from the sun See CULVERT, page 19
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Village Council last week authorized appraisals of about 10 acres of village-owned land across Okeechobee Blvd. from Royal Palm Beach High School for what could become a future charter high school. At the Thursday, Feb. 5 meeting, Village Manager Ray Liggins said Flagler Realty had asked to purchase land on Okeechobee Blvd. east of the First Baptist Church. He said that there are two parcels owned by the village, near where the village entrance sign sits. The village would keep 2 acres for the sign, and the potential buyer has offered to pay for the necessary appraisals. “This would authorize me to get the appraisals and bring them back to the council for consideration at a later meeting,” Liggins said, pointing out that the public high school is currently at 102 percent capacity, and about 1,000 students living in the village take advantage of the choice program, although village staff believes that putting a charter high school across the street from the public high school
is inappropriate. Vice Mayor David Swift said that this is just the first step and noted that Flagler Realty will pay for the appraisals. Village Attorney Jennifer Ashton said the Realtor was asking whether the council is interested in selling the property. Mayor Matty Mattioli said he would not want to sell the land for a charter school because it would undercut the progress that Royal Palm Beach High School has been making. Swift, however, disagreed. “I have a different view,” he said. “I talked to elementary and middle school teachers, and they are concerned about the proliferation of private and charter schools.” However, with RPBHS at 102 percent capacity and 1,000 students in the village choosing to attend high schools outside the area, Swift said he thought a charter school is worth looking into. “I don’t think it’s going to have an effect on Royal Palm Beach High School,” Swift said. “It gives parents a choice within the village. [Public school] teachers don’t like See CHARTER, page 19
B&G CLUB HELPS FIGHT HUNGER
The Palm Beach Unites Hunger Project recently handed out 100,000 lentil casserole meals at seven different locations. A total of 2,500 meals went to the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club in Wellington on Monday, Feb. 9 and were handed out to families as they picked up their kids. Shown here are Leland Gassman, Brooklyn Simpson and Program Coordinator Latisha Paul. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
McKinlay Asks ITID For Support On District 6 Issues
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Palm Beach County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay gave an update Wednesday to the Indian Trail Board of Supervisors on the progress — or lack of it — on issues that affect The Acreage. McKinlay said she met with representatives from the western communities in a roundtable discussion Tuesday attended by representatives of all the improvement districts and municipalities in District 6. “I think it was the first time that
all these individuals had sat around a table and shared ideas and concerns and found equal areas where they can work,” she said, adding that she and her staff will work on some of ITID’s ideas and report back to the board. McKinlay said she has been working in Tallahassee to improve the status of the State Road 7 extension to Northlake Blvd., which recently had its financing delayed from 2016 to 2020. “I was in Tallahassee last week, and the chairmen of the Senate See ITID, page 19
Three-Way Race Takes Shape For RPB Council Seat
By Lynn Demarest Town-Crier Staff Report As the filing deadline came and went Tuesday at noon, Royal Palm Beach Village Councilman Fred Pinto found himself unopposed for a seventh two-year term, while Vice Mayor David Swift prepared to face two challengers — one a first-time candidate and the other a familiar foe. Pinto brushed off a challenge in March 2013 by garnering twice as many votes as his challenger. Now, two years later, there are no comers at all. “I’m fully appreciative,” Pinto, 64, said of the easy win. “None of us is entitled to anything.” Pinto retains Seat 4. He said his top priority is overseeing the development of the former wastewater treatment plant property, west of H.L. Johnson Elementary
CANDIDATES FORUM Tuesday, Feb. 17, 7 p.m., RPB Village Meeting Hall
School in the northwestern part of the village. Council members have accepted a $35 million bid from Lennar to purchase the land, but details of the new residential community remain to be ironed out, he said. Pinto also wants to reduce the property tax rate, a common practice back when the village’s tax base was growing. Pinto said rebounding property values might make it possible to lower the rate, now set at $1.92 for every $1,000 of taxable value. Swift, the Seat 2 incumbent, said he wasn’t sure why he had drawn two challengers. “I’m not sure what the issue
is,” Swift said with a chuckle. “I guess they want to be on the council.” During the same March 2013 election in which Pinto handily prevailed, Swift likewise captured 63 percent of the vote to defeat three-term incumbent Martha Webster, a 68-year-old retiree who wants the seat back. Webster thinks Swift, 70, who has served nearly continuously for more than two decades, has been on the council long enough. “It’s time for David to sit back,” she said. During her five years on the council, Webster represented the village on the executive board of the Palm Beach County League of Cities, the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and the Palm Beach Metropolitan Planning Organization. She said she
would work to acquire those roles again, should she win. A year after losing to Swift, Webster finished third in a fourway race for mayor. She also announced, but then dropped, a run for Palm Beach County Commission. Webster said she dropped out because of the candidacy of former Wellington Mayor Kathy Foster, whom Webster described as “one of the finest people I know.” Foster lost the Democratic primary to Melissa McKinlay, who went on the win the seat. Despite her sound defeat by Swift last time, Webster said she expects to do better this time because of endorsements from Mayor Matty Mattioli, Councilman Richard Valuntas and Pinto, along with former Palm Beach County Commissioner Jess Santa-
maria. Most of her endorsements two years ago, she said, came from outside the village, from people she had met at the League of Cities and other organizations. If Webster wins, she will be the only woman on the council. The other Swift challenger is Darrell Lange, a former member of the Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission. He entered the race a day before the filing deadline. A 50-year-old father of three boys — ages 11, 13 and 15 — Lange and his wife, Katherine, have lived in Royal Palm Beach for 14 years. He is assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 111 and also has been active in the Youth Baseball Association of Royal Palm Beach, where he has coached 39 teams over a decade. See RPB VOTE, page 19