The Stars Ball 2008 was held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington on Saturday, Feb. 9 to benefit Little Smiles. In addition to an evening of dining, dancing, auctions and entertainment, attendees witnessed the gratification of giving firsthand. Shown here, polo players Todd Offen and Brandon Phillips present Little Smiles client Kyle Wahl with his “Oscar” and an autographed polo ball. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 17A
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Palm Beach Community College professor Dr. Fred Van Dusen became the most recent candidate for Wellington Village Council Seat 4 Monday, in what has emerged as a five-way race for the seat currently held by Councilwoman Laurie Cohen.
Van Dusen filed on Monday afternoon, the day before the filing period closed, joining four other candidates who qualified for the March 11 ballot: Howard Coates, Jean-Joseph Lexima, Timothy Shields and Matthew Willhite. Cohen announced earlier this year she would not seek re-election.
Van Dusen, who teaches criminal justice as a PBCC faculty member, is also a former budget advisor to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and former federal government budget advisor. Although he made a short-lived bid to become Palm Beach County Sheriff in 2004, this is his first try for a Wellington council seat. “When the seat came open I looked at who was running and who was not,” he told the TownCrier Thursday. “People I knew were thinking about running,
and when they decided not to run, I gave it thought and decided to do it.”
A 21-year resident of Wellington, Van Dusen has served on the village’s Public Safety Board since its inception 19 years ago, when the population of what was then only the Acme Improvement District was 15,600.
Van Dusen served as a member of the committee that planned Wellington’s incorporation effort, and because of his strong police and governmental budgeting background, did the analysis for Wellington to have its own police or continue with the PBSO. “I recommended to continue with the sheriff,” he said. “It was $250,000 less than having our own force. It’s much larger than that now. The startup would have been huge.”
Van Dusen said one of his chief concerns is to keep Wellington as safe as possible, not only in terms of health, safety and welfare, but also from an economic standpoint. “We have a good track record of having the lowest crime rate in the county,” he said. “People don’t want homes in areas that have high crime rates. The way the housing market is, we have to keep crime low. The first thing
I looked at before I moved here was the crime rate and schools.”
Van Dusen, 60, offered the welfare of senior citizens as another of his concerns. “When I first moved here you could count the senior citizens here on your hand. We now have about 8,500 seniors,” he said. “All of us are going to be seniors at some point.”
Van Dusen is married, with a grown daughter and son who are each married, also Wellington residents, and each have one child. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said. “If I am living in a house and it’s paid for, why sell it? Why should I leave a house that I love?”
Wellington’s growing senior population is facing difficulties because of the village’s growing traffic problems, Van Dusen said. He advocated the creation of some sort of small-scale public transportation to provide transit for both old and young residents to destinations like the mall, recreation facilities and the library.
“They could get on the bus and go,” he said. “We’re growing and will continue to grow, and our ages will change.”
On taxes, he said the village
See VAN DUSEN, page 7A
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington Village Council unanimously confirmed the appointment of former community services director Paul Schofield Tuesday as Wellington’s new village manager.
The council had engaged a consulting firm to undertake a nationwide search for someone to replace longtime manager Charlie Lynn, who retired last month. But Vice Mayor Bob Margolis suggested Jan. 22 that Schofield, who has been serving as acting village manager, was the best-qualified candidate the village would find. Council members postponed a vote at that meeting after Councilwoman Laurie Cohen urged them not to make a decision too hastily.
On Tuesday, however, it was Cohen who made the motion to hire Schofield for the position.
“I had a frank and open discussion with him,” she said. “I am satisfied that Paul possesses all the abilities we have been looking for in a village manager. I welcome the chance to have him serve as village manager. He is extremely knowledgeable and would do a great job. He knows all the parties involved. There is a lot of work to be done. I would like to see, if he is approved, that the attorney would negotiate his contract. I would move to appoint Paul as our village manager.”
Margolis seconded the motion. “As I said before, if you look in your own back yard you will find a diamond, and I always found that in Paul,” Mar-
golis said. “He had the opportunity and potential to step into Mr. Lynn’s role. In my corporate life, I find that if the head of the company would retire, someone would be there to step up. Paul has been preparing for this for the last six years. It’s an honor to work with him. He is well qualified. Wellington will be a greater place with him at the helm. I support it.”
Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto said she had great faith in Schofield. “You have told us things we need to hear,” she told him. “That is comforting in the times ahead. The staff is very pleased to work with you. You will run an efficient and productive operation. It will be a pleasure to work with you.”
Schofield has 35 years of experience in Florida working in the fields of engineering, planning, zoning, code enforcement and building.
He started work while still a college student in 1973 at the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District, later renamed the South Florida Water Management District. He stayed with the district five years, first as an engineering technician and then an engineer, handling regulatory issues and permitting across 13 counties.
He left in 1978 to follow his supervisor Dan Shalloway into the private sector. Shalloway founded the well-known West Palm Beach firm Shalloway Engineering, and Schofield became his first employee.
Meanwhile Schofield earned a degree in business administra-
See SCHOFIELD, page 7A
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Nearly 2,000 Wellington residents and almost 500 non-residents will receive refunds for purchasing the Park Player Pass that was enacted in October.
On Tuesday, the Wellington Village Council unanimously decided to redistribute about $6 million in windfall revenue, $1 million of which will be used to augment recreation programs that would otherwise have been subsidized with Park Player Pass revenue.
In doing so, council members
essentially ended the controversial Park Player Pass, required as of this year to participate in village recreational and leisure activities. The council enacted the pass program, costing $25 annually for resident households or $60 for non-residents, to help fund recreational programs because of falling village revenues.
Mayor Tom Wenham passed the gavel to Vice Mayor Bob Margolis to discuss his proposal to redistribute the $6 million.
Wenham proposed putting $3 million toward the village’s tax rate stabilization program, $2 See PARK PASS, page 38A
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington Village Council agreed Tuesday to extend the life of a controversial ordinance governing rental units until October, splitting the difference between village staff, who wanted a longer extension, and landlords, who say the regulation is an undue burden.
First enacted in 2006 and previously set to expire this month, the ordinance requires yearly registration, licensing and inspection mainly of apartmenttype rental units, and is intended to maintain minimum housing standards, preserve the village’s housing stock and encourage property owners to maintain and improve their property.
The ordinance requires property owners to pay the village a $75 registration fee for each unit annually, as well as a $25 inspection fee. The rules apply mainly to apartment-style units, while freestanding houses are exempt.
Tuesday’s vote was the second reading of the extension, and as they had last month, village staff fielded requests from council members to justify keeping the rule in effect.
Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz urged the council to extend the life of the ordinance to October 2009, saying the extra year would allow staff to better gauge its effectiveness.
“By the time you get [landlords] registered through the code enforcement process you will be in the March or April timeframe,” he said. “You have started the first round of inspections of the properties. You won’t see any effect by October or little of it. The second year you will have fewer code enforcement issues. You would not have gone back to the properties for a second time.”
Councilwoman Laurie Cohen asked why it took so long to see how the ordinance was working. “Why are we in a position a year and a half later on the effectiveness of an ordinance,” she asked, “when the intent was
for after a year to reassess whether it was working and whether we wanted to re-implement this ordinance?”
Community Development Director Marty Hodgkins replied that it had taken village staff many months just to determine the number of rental units and get them registered. “The registrations came back, and we are holding individual inspections,” he said. “We have a code officer who does nothing but that. It has taken a while to get the program up and running, and we have been implementing it for the last eight or nine months.”
Hodgkins noted that many of the property owners do not live in Wellington year-round, or at all in some cases. He also said the ordinance is already yielding positive results.
“The biggest problem in the village is the ongoing litter and piles, but that is not the village’s concern,” Hodgkins said. “That is the tenant’s and landlord’s concern. We do have our code officers out there. We do have the solid waste people out there
to move the piles. We are making a difference. You look at the landscaping, and it has been improved. Some of the larger effort also addresses the criminal involvement.”
Cohen said property appearance is a valid concern and that she could support such an ordinance in some form. But she insisted that the village must address the garbage issue, and that by October staff should know whether the ordinance is doing the job.
“You’ve had it implemented for seven or eight months,” she said. “If we give it another nine months to October 2008, I think we can get a handle on whether it’s effective or too onerous. We may want to pull back on some of the requirements or fees or things of that nature. I support the ordinance. I don’t know if I can support it until 2009.”
Mayor Tom Wenham and Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore said it might be helpful to the village and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office to learn more about the village’s 600
landlords and how many of them live outside the county or the state. Priore agreed with Cohen that some village neighborhoods have an unsightly trash problem.
“I would like to see us focused on those 600 people,” Priore said. “When people drive by and they tell me it looks terrible, I know they are not talking about roofs being cleaned or driveways. They are talking about someone’s sofa out on the street or garbage cans dumped over the side, or recylables not being put back. I think we are getting compliance from the owners who are taking care of their properties. We are not getting the daily compliance that makes and sets the tone for the way the community looks.”
Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto said the ordinance was never intended as a cure-all, but it gave an added layer of accountability or oversight to make sure some code problems are addressed.
“I think we are looking for
See RENTALS, page 45A
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
After several weeks of tough negotiations, the Village of Wellington finally reached terms with a senior housing developer for a sale of some prime villageowned real estate.
The Wellington Village Council voted Tuesday to approve a no-bid contract selling 5.8 acres of its “K-Park” property fronting State Road 7 to the Virginia-based Sunrise Development, which plans to create independent and assisted-living facilities for seniors citizens there.
While the village initially welcomed the offer by Sunrise to buy the property in November, last month the council learned the village was holding out on the agreement because of reservations about the terms Sunrise had offered on the purchase.
The sticking points were the amount of the deposit Sunrise would put forth and whether it would be refundable, the duration of the deed restriction on the property that limits development to senior facilities, and the amount of the repurchase price should the village buy the land back.
On Tuesday, Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz said the two sides found middle ground on the deed restriction. While Sunrise requested 20 years and the village wanted 30, they settled on 25 years. The village had sought a $500,000 deposit on the property but gave in to Sunrise’s insistence on $375,000, reasoning that the more important issue would be the amount that is non-refundable. That figure was settled at $50,000, although staff had reasoned that tying up the property through the lengthy development application process was worth more than that.
“There is also a proposal to grant them additional due diligence on the contract,” Kurtz said. “Once they complete the due diligence period, you have
See SUNRISE, page 45A
If Florida hopes to grow past its image as a state plagued by voting problems, the 2008 presidential primaries haven’t helped much. Nearly eight years have passed since the 2000 presidential election imbroglio. At the time, Democrats argued that scores of Florida voters were disenfranchised by faulty voting machines and intimidation at the polls. Since then, Democrats have been skeptical of the voting process, ready to cry foul at the first sign of trouble. Unfortunately, that sign came in January when the Democratic National Committee brushed aside millions of Democratic votes in Florida as payback for the state having changed its primary date. However, there is still time for the DNC to strike a deal with the Florida Democratic Party. But only if both sides work hard to find a compromise sooner rather than later.
Initially, the idea of holding Florida’s primary elections earlier was a good one; there’s no reason Iowa and New Hampshire — two of the smaller, less culturally diverse states — should set the pace for the rest of the country. Florida and Michigan (which also lost its Democratic delegates) were right to challenge their influence. But until recently, it was assumed that Sen. Hillary Clinton was a shoo-in for the Democratic nomination. Now that the race is neck-and-neck, Clinton, who won Florida and Michigan, wants those del-
Editor’s note: The following letter has been submitted for publication on behalf of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors.
Over the past few weeks, there have been a number of news articles as well as talk about the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and its suspected role in village politics and the upcoming elections. Please al-
egates seated at the Democratic National Convention.
This presents a quandary for the DNC. If it seats those delegates, the DNC risks upsetting supporters of Sen. Barack Obama, many of whom could respond by sitting out the general election if Clinton gets the nomination based on the disputed delegates. On the other hand, if the delegates are not seated, the DNC would have alienated two large, must-win states. This runs counter to the party’s “50 State Strategy,” which states that the DNC is “committed to winning elections at every level in every region of the country.”
Clearly, Florida and Michigan need to be represented at the convention. The best way forward is for both states to hold caucuses this spring — not to wait for a convention confrontation.
Make no mistake, staging statewide caucuses will cost millions, and up to now, the DNC has been unwilling to shoulder a fair portion of the burden. If the party truly cares about the voters in Florida and Michigan, it must step forward to solve this impasse and offer the state parties a generous settlement. This is the only way to ensure that a unified party emerges from next summer’s Democratic National Convention in Denver. If not, Democrats will have no one to blame but themselves when they lose in November.
low this letter to clarify false statements regarding the Wellington Chamber’s involvement in the upcoming election. It is important that you fully understand the role the Wellington Chamber must and should provide to best serve the residents of Wellington and the great number of businesses who represent our membership.
The Wellington Chamber of Commerce proudly represents approximately 400 businesses, mostly located in Wellington. The Wellington Chamber is
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governed by an annually elected board of directors (elected by its members) some of whom serve as executive officers and are charged with the responsibility of carrying out board directives and decisions through the executive director. The president of the Wellington Chamber, as one of the executive officers, has the responsibility to represent to its members, to the public, and appropriate governmental entities, the concerns, desires and issue positions of the Wellington Chamber.
Chamber for review. The Wellington Chamber’s sole role is to be the provider of a venue whereby Wellingtonians can make a qualified decision.
and has long represented developers before our village council.
While there have been comments that the Wellington Chamber is trying to control the Wellington Village Council, these comments are absolutely false. Our position remains the same as it has in the past, and that is that it is the Wellington Chamber’s responsibility to address local issues that we feel affect our members. The Wellington Chamber has been and will continue to be vocal about issues such as the budget, property taxes, fees charged for services, and consulting and legal fees paid by the village. These decisions affect business owners twice; once as owners of a business and then as residents of Wellington. If the Wellington Chamber does not take positions and recommend alternatives on matters which may adversely affect Wellington business, then we, as your chamber, have failed in our responsibilities.
The voters of Wellington face a clear-cut decision in this election. Under my leadership as mayor, we protected green space, beautified our village and have become a national leader in environmental preservation. I stood up to unchecked growth on our borders by voting against the development of Callery-Judge Grove. And voters should know that I will continue to make decisions that are in the best interests of village residents, not developers. Darell, let me advise you that the real sharks start circling after you become an elected official. Those sharks look at the village as a “cash cow” with proposals such as those made by your campaign managers. A real leader must avoid becoming beholden to special interests. It is the only way to truly serve the best interests of the people (not the sharks) surrounding you.
Mayor Tom Wenham Wellington
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Let us make it very clear that the Wellington Chamber has not endorsed or financially supported any candidate for any office. We are very aware that a candidate for mayor currently serves the chamber as its president until March 2008. We are also aware that a candidate for a council seat serves on the chamber’s advisory board. We are proud to have both these men as chamber members, as both have been longtime contributors to the betterment of Wellington, long before the chamber existed. There is no question that some individual members of the Wellington Chamber will support these candidates, just as other individual members will support other candidates. This is their right, having developed friends and business acquaintances over the years. To have anyone question this right and disguise it by making statements that the Wellington Chamber is playing some nefarious role is without warrant and challenges their rights as individuals to vote freely. It is because of our neutral stance that the Wellington Chamber is hosting a “meet the candidates” forum [Feb. 27] in order to allow all candidates to present their views to the voting public. We have in the past hosted such a forum and believe that it is in our community’s best interest to continue to provide a mechanism for the public to hear directly from the candidates, their views and positions on topics of concern that will affect our community and lifestyle. We have invited the press to submit the questions to be asked of the candidates. The questions will be formulated by the press and randomly asked of each candidate and will not be submitted previously to the Wellington
The board of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce sincerely appreciates the opportunity to address the above misconceptions and looks forward to working with whomever is elected to serve on the council toward the mutual goal of a better Wellington.
Michela Perillo-Green, Executive Director Wellington Chamber of Commerce
In last week’s Town-Crier, my opponent Darell Bowen said that the current campaign made him feel like he was in a “tank with the sharks now.” Darell, let me inform you that those are not sharks, those are the constituents you are seeking to serve. And they want to know your real motivation for running.
The voters have a right to know who your key supporters are and who advises you. They have the right to know that Mike Nelson remains an integral part of your campaign and that you have retained his sister’s firm as your advisors. They have the right to know that Mr. Nelson has deep ties to the developer community
Some of you may know me, some of you may not, but either way I have been a resident of Wellington for the past six years. I shop in your stores, eat in your restaurants and drink in your bars. I visit you for my medical and dental care, take my car to be serviced and fueled at your service stations, get my manicure and pedicure and salon services done by you, and generally support your businesses by living day-to-day life in our community. I’m now asking for a little support from you in one of the biggest challenges of my life. On June 1, I will be running a marathon in San Diego, Calif. for a charitable cause! That’s 26.2 miles, and yes, all at once.
Luckily, I am not doing this on my own. I have joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program. Through this program, I have great coaches, mentors and teammates whose support will help me cross the finish line.
More important than my physical commitment to the program is my commitment to
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Western communities organizers are sprinting toward the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life events they expect will raise more than $100,000 for cancer research.
The annual overnight gathering of friends and neighbors resembles a combination slumber party and social event; however, the purpose is deadly serious. The Relay for Life has gotten so large that it has been split into two events. The first will be April 25 when residents of Wellington and Royal Palm Beach will gather at Palm Beach Central High School. The second, for The Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves, is scheduled a week later on May 2 at Acreage Community Park.
Organizers and volunteers for the two events have been tireless in their efforts to form teams, collect pledges, plan the relay, line up entertainment and fun things
to do, and a litany of other chores. Businessman Peter Wein, who chairs the Wellington/RPB relay, says $10,000 has already been raised with 20 teams and five sponsors signed up.
Michelle Damone, the chair of the Acreage/Loxahatchee relay, said her group is also closing in on 20 teams. Ms. Damone, an Indian Trail Improvement District supervisor, has been joined by ITID President Mike Erickson and Supervisor Ralph Bair in organizing the event. Many other volunteers have stepped up to do their part.
“The Acreage Athletic League is taking an extremely active role, and we are meeting with baseball, girls flag football and the AYSO soccer teams,” Damone told me. “I am so proud of my community.”
She should be. As a leukemia survivor myself, I have been to some of the orga-
Do you think the national economic-stimulus plan will help the economy?
A. Yes, taxpayers will put their rebates back into the economy.
B. Yes, but only in the short term.
C. No, most people will spend their rebates paying down debt.
D. No, it’s election-year posturing that will only help politicians.
Cast your vote by visiting www.goTownCrier.com and scrolling down to the poll question at the bottom left of the web page. It’s as easy as that!
Previous Question: What is your opinion of the current Writers Guild strike? A. The writers are justified; they deserve their share of revenue: 24 percent; B. The writers are in the right, but need to negotiate more: 18 percent; C. The writers had a point, but now they’re being selfish: 21 percent; D. It’s a good thing — maybe more people will watch less television: 37 percent.
continued from page 4A raising funds and awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in its effort to battle leukemia and related blood cancers. One of the greatest contributions of the society is toward research. Significant progress has already been made in the treatment of this disease, and researchers are now optimistic that we will find a cure within the next few years!
I am not only running this race for the society, but also in honor of a young girl named Ainsley who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL) in August 2004. She is now in the maintenance phase of treatment and completed chemotherapy in spring 2007. I am also running for a work colleague who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and is starting chemotherapy next week. Research is the key to finding a cure, and funding for this research is essential. I have a set Team in Training goal to
raise $4,200, but I would love to exceed the amount by doubling it or more! As I run the marathon, you will be with me in spirit, and your sponsorship will inspire me to run stronger and faster to the finish line. A donation of $100 per household or $500 per business would be outstanding, but whatever you can do to contribute matters… it all adds up! With over 75 percent of your donation going directly to research, you truly can make a difference.
Please log on to my web site at www.active.com/donate/tntpb/tntpbcstahl and make a secure, tax-deductible donation. Thank you very much for your support and generosity. This effort is so much bigger than me, and I’m excited to be a part of such an amazing and worthy cause. Visit my web site for more information and the latest news on my progress. I run all over Wellington, so if you see me out there with my purple TNT bracelet on my left arm, feel free
nizational meetings, and I am humbled by what these wonderful volunteers are accomplishing throughout the western communities.
Mr. Wein has promised a surprise at the PBCHS event — the scheduled appearance of some well-known entertainment on the evening of April 25. He wouldn’t leak the name to me, but he said participants would enjoy it.
Both relays have lined up numerous businesses as sponsors and participation from area schools has been outstanding. Anyone (myself included) who has wondered if the new generation was going to the dogs will change their minds when they watch these young people unselfishly swing into action. Last year, each relay collected in the neighborhood of $60,000. They hope to do at least that well this year.
As you might have read in this space, I was diagnosed with leukemia last March and given two months to live. I cheated death at a Veterans Administration hospital in Kansas City over a period of four months of hardcore treatment. I’m currently in remission, and I’ve formed Don’s Team in hopes of helping other cancer patients cheat death, too.
Don’s Team is sort of a virtual team. I’m asking friends and readers to each contribute $10. My goal is to raise $5,000, which I will divide equally between the two relays. So far you have contributed about $1,000 to Don’s Team, so we have $4,000 to go.
I remain optimistic that you will respond. You don’t even have to take part in the relay or show up if you are hard pressed for time, although it would be nice if you did. The contribution is your membership to Don’s Team — along with your prayers for those we are trying to help.
Unfortunately, I just learned there is yet another name to add to those prayers
to cheer me on. My picture is on the web site if you want to put a name with a face.
Carissa Stahl Wellington
Sitting on a dais, allowing the councilpersons on your left and right voice their opinions and then voicing yours is too easy. It’s called fence sitting, waiting to see how the wind blows. It’s a sort of “instant polling,” and this is how our mayor runs our/his meetings and the village.
Immediately before an election, he steps up to the plate (for once) to announce he supports returning the Park Player Pass money. Please see this for what it is — pandering.
About one and a half years ago he took another stand (after ignoring Binks For-
By Don Brown
‘I was diagnosed with leukemia last March and given two months to live. I cheated death... and I’ve formed Don’s Team in hopes of helping other patients cheat death, too.’
— my brother Dick’s significant other, Sherry Jackson, who has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and will soon be undergoing chemotherapy. Several members of my family are making plans to travel here from Wichita, Kansas to join Don’s Team at the relays. I don’t know what I would have done without their personal help and support during my treatment. Many of my close friends probably recall the daily e-mails my son Mike and his wife Renee sent out about my progress.
In this column, I’ll be providing more frequent progress of the Relay for Life events and perhaps spotlight some cancer survivors and those presently undergoing treatment. While giant leaps have been made over the past few decades to cure cancer, they were in the form of tiny steps. We can’t give up.
Please send your check for Don’s Team made out to the Relay for Life in care of the Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414.
est Golf Course’s violations for three years) and stated, “there will never be a house on a golf course while I’m mayor.” A few weeks later he voted for houses. All well and good. Wait until [Palm Beach Polo CEO Glenn] Straub asks to build behind his house on the 16th fairway. The precedent is set, and how about Greenview Cove? They could well be next!
I will not bore you with a list of the millions wasted during the times of plenty in past fees and taxes. Yet, our infrastructure is questionable (like our village pool requiring millions in repair), we still operate our wonderful village out of trailers and a strip mall (does any other village?), and we have been on poor terms with our neighboring villages and the county. Not one Wellington representative spoke at a meeting where 10,000 homes were proposed at Callery-Judge, but at least four or five other villages were See LETTERS, page 46A
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
FEB. 12 — The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a suspect in a bank robbery that occurred Tuesday afternoon at the Wachovia bank on State Road 7 in Wellington. According to a PBSO report, at 1:18 p.m. the suspect, a black male, handed the bank teller a note demanding 100-, 50- and 20-dollar bills, along with a note that read, “don’t make me.” After receiving the cash from
the teller, the suspect fled, exiting the front door and running southbound on the sidewalk. DNA evidence was collected at the scene. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS.
• • •
JAN. 27 — A Wellington man was arrested Sunday, Jan. 27 on alcohol and drug charges near the intersection of State Road 7 and Belvedere Road in
Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives:
• Juan Cardona is a white male, 5’9” tall and weighing 240 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 04/10/75. He has tattoos on both hands and his left arm. Cardona is wanted for violation of probation on a conviction for burglary of a conveyance. His occupation is laborer. His last known address was Jennings Avenue in Greenacres. Cardona is wanted as of 02/14/08.
• Alberto Gil, a.k.a. Alberto DeJesus or “Gilly,” is a white male, 5’3” tall and weighing 160 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 03/23/80. He has a tattoo on his neck and back. Gil is wanted for violation of supervised own recognizance on a charge of possession of a sexual performance by a child. His occupation is security. His most recent addresses were 41st Court in Royal Palm Beach and Sanctuary Cove in Palm Beach Gardens. Gil is wanted as of 02/ 14/08.
Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crime stopperspbc.com.
THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, WHICH IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.
Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the substation in Royal Palm Beach observed 28-year-old Jonathan Cruz traveling south near Regal Cinemas at a high rate of speed at approximately 3:30 a.m. The deputy reported that Cruz was traveling 71 mph in a 45-mph zone. Upon contact, the deputy noticed that Cruz’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy, and he appeared disoriented. According to the report, the deputy smelled alcohol coming from Cruz’s breath. Cruz failed a field
sobriety test and was placed under arrest. A search of Cruz’s vehicle revealed a glass pipe with marijuana residue under the driver’s seat. Cruz was charged with driving under the influence, possession of marijuana under 20 grams and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.
JAN. 28 — A West Palm Beach man was arrested Monday, Jan. 28 for shoplifting at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a store security officer observed 54-year-old Keith Terry exit the store with a shopping cart full of unpaid merchandise worth $253.22 at approximately 3 p.m. A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach conducted a computer check, which revealed that Terry had three outstanding warrants for failure to appear in court, and prior retailtheft convictions. Terry was arrested and taken to the county jail.
JAN. 29 — A West Palm Beach man was arrested on Tuesday, Jan. 29 for driving under the influence of alcohol on Okeechobee Blvd. According to a PBSO report, an offduty deputy observed 22-yearold Jose Santos traveling westbound on Okeechobee Blvd. at approximately 12:25 a.m. A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded and stopped Santos at the parking lot of a gas station. Upon contact, the deputy smelled alcohol on Santos’ breath and
noticed that he had bloodshot eyes. The deputy also noted that Santos failed a series of field sobriety tests and did not know the location in which he was stopped. Santos was transported to the county jail.
JAN. 30 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to the parking lot of the Winn-Dixie supermarket on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. on Wednesday, Jan. 30 regarding a stolen vehicle complaint. According to a PBSO report, the complainant told the deputy she left her 1995 Honda Accord in the parking lot at approximately 11 a.m. to go to work. When she returned at approximately 5:40 p.m., the vehicle was missing. There were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report.
FEB. 6 — A resident of Delemar Court called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Wednesday to report a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked her 2004 Ford Expedition in the driveway of her home at approximately 11:30 p.m. last Tuesday. When she went out to take her daughter to school the following morning, the vehicle was gone.
FEB. 8 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington arrested a Wellington woman last Friday for shoplifting at the Macy’s department store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 1 p.m. a store security guard observed 22year-old Alida Ramirez remove
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Over the objections of some neighbors, Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board approved requests last week from developers planning to build homes nearby on Pierson Road.
While developer Mystic Equestrian LLC sought to build nine luxury homes on the property, the PZA Board recommended the developer be limited to eight.
Mystic Equestrian is seeking to change the land use designation of a 4.2-acre parcel along the north side of Pierson Road, west of South Shore Blvd., from Residential B to Residential C, which would allow a maximum of three dwelling units per acre.
Along with the land use change, Mystic Equestrian is seeking development order and master plan amendments that
would provide a density of 2.1 units per acre and access to the property from Pierson Road.
Wellington Planning and Zoning Manager David Flinchum told the board at their Feb. 7 meeting that Mystic Equestrian had limited the requested increase in density to a total of nine one-unit lots.
Access to the site is from the Greenview Shores subdivision along Norwick Street, Flinchum said. In order to establish access via Pierson Road, the village’s engineering department would require Mystic Equestrian to provide $50,000 for capacity improvements along Pierson Road and at the intersection of Pierson Road and South Shore Blvd. prior to the issuance of the plat.
Architect David Carpenter said Mystic Equestrian plans to address concerns of neighboring residents regarding buffering and landscaping by install-
ing walls, hedges and palm trees. Carpenter said no rule dictated buffering between residential uses, but Mystic was trying to respect the residents who have lived next to vacant land for so long.
“As you know, there is no buffering required between residential uses,” Carpenter said. “We are trying to show respect for the fact that they have been living next to a vacant lot. We plan on maintaining the buffer for privacy on both sides.”
Board Member Eugene DiFonte asked what types of homes were planned, and Carpenter replied that they would each sell for over $1 million.
The property owner, Mystic Equestrian managing partner Jack Woolf, said design work on the houses had not been finalized because they had not gotten the approval to construct them. “We haven’t put a final
See PZA BOARD, page 38A
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
Although Amendment 1 property tax cuts approved by voters last month aren’t expected to go into effect until the next fiscal year, the Village of Royal Palm Beach is already looking for ways to save money in anticipation of shrinking revenues.
For example, on Feb. 7 the Royal Palm Beach Village Council tabled a vote to purchase and install seven skate ramps for an outdoor program at the Preservation Park hockey arena. Although the cost of the ramps was $20,351, the council’s primary concern was the expense of staffing.
Parks & Recreation Director Lou Recchio told the council the ramps would be staffed by a Parks & Recreation Department employee for 20 hours per week. He said he was planning to reassign a spare staff member from another program to monitor the ramps.
That solution didn’t sit well with Mayor David Lodwick. “Once you start pulling people from other things, I worry about the staffing side,” he said. “I don’t want to expand duties and then turn around in a few
continued from page 1A budget will have to be scrutinized to maintain current levels of service. “I would love to cut, but if we can’t, I will do everything I can to provide the services that are there now,” he said.
Van Dusen said his background qualifies him to recognize waste in governmental systems and offered a simple analogy. “You drive down the road and see one person working and four people supervising,” he said. “You ask, do you really need five people or only two? I’ve been working in government for a long time.”
Van Dusen worked in Iraq for the U.S. State Department from June 2005 to August 2006. He said his job was to see that the local police force was set up correctly. In that job, he had oversight of a half billion to three quarters of a billion dollars in
months and start talking about having to trim that number.”
The council also unanimously approved a $1,500 donation to Royal Palm Beach High School’s Project Graduation program for 2008. The amount was $1,000 less than program organizers requested, but the same amount the village donated last year.
The council is also seeking a way to keep village employee Dolly Hughes in charge of programming at the Harvin Senior Center, which provides hot meals and other activities for seniors.
While Palm Beach County operates 26 of 28 such sites and staffs them with its own employees, the village operates the Harvin Center’s senior services program, with approximately $15,000 per year provided by the county.
Village Manager David Farber told the council that the county no longer intends to provide funds directly to the village for staffing the center, but will take over the program if the village decides not to fund the program itself. “They have no intention of shutting down the program,” he said.
The council directed Farber
materials that had a penchant for disappearing in the political climate there.
Van Dusen said he is not intimidated by the large field of candidates for the council seat, who are largely newcomers to the political arena and whom he characterized as less experienced than himself. “I don’t know who they are,” he said. “They’re probably all very good people, but I’m not intimidated by them. I’ve done more than them.”
continued from page 6A the tags from two separate items and replace them with those of lower-priced items. Ramirez was transported to the county jail.
FEB. 11 — Three men were arrested on drug charges early Monday morning on South Shore Blvd. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the substation in Wellington ob-
Palm Beach County Commissioner Jess Santamaria will host a community forum on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at the original Wellington Mall, located at the corner of Wellington Trace and Forest Hill Blvd. The forum will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. in the mall’s center court. Santamaria will present a review of his first full year in office and objectives for his second year. This will be followed by a question-and-answer session period. Coffee and cookies will be served. For more information, call Commissioner Santamaria’s office at (561) 355-6300.
Temple Beth Zion (129 Sparrow Drive, Royal Palm Beach) will hold a book signing and brunch Sunday, March 9 at 11 a.m. featuring Elliot Goldenberg, author of The Hunting Horse and The Spy Who Knew Too Much. Goldenberg will make a multi-media presentation “The Truth Behind the Jonathan Pollard Spy Case.” Donations will be appreciated. For more information, call (561) 798-8888.
The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) will hold its Annual Easter Picnic on Saturday, March 22 at the Micanopy Pavilion at Okeeheelee Park from 11 a.m. to sundown. The cost is a $15 donation for adults and $5 for children under 12, including meal and beverage. Music will be provided by DJ VIN Elliott’s Soul Power. Other entertainment includes games and raffles, prizes and surprises, pony rides, egg hunt, bake sales and other fun items. Come join in a funfilled and relaxing day. For ticket information, call Marjorie at (561) 333-8841, or Lena or Fergie at (561) 784-8804.
to speak with county officials about taking over the program, and also to see about putting Hughes on the county payroll.
“It’s a very important program and serves a lot of needs in the community,” Lodwick said. “We’d certainly like to have a timeframe to approach them and say, ‘we have a quality person running the program and we’d like you to consider putting this person on your staff.’ I’d love to see the same person run it. But from my perspective, I don’t see where we can take on any new additional costs from it. This is just the beginning of things we’re going to be challenged with as a council in the coming months.”
From the floor, councilwoman-elect Martha Webster agreed with the council’s decision to have Farber lobby the county to retain Hughes. “One of the important factors in the service she provides is that she knows the community and knows the needs of the seniors,” Webster said. “No matter how good of a person they have, I don’t think they can provide the services this person does. Having someone familiar with how the program works is really important. We shouldn’t change that.”
If no candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters will face each other in a runoff election.
Besides the hotly contested Seat 4, two incumbent council members are each confronted by single challengers. Mayor Tom Wenham faces Wellington Chamber of Commerce President Darell Bowen, while Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore defends Seat 1 against a bid from retired business executive Duane Christensen.
served 41-year-old Stephen Heinecke of West Palm Beach, 32year-old Patrick Vysala of Miami and 45-year-old Ross Reisner of East Setauket, N.Y. doing cocaine in a restaurant’s parking lot at approximately 12:40 a.m. All three suspects were charged with possession of cocaine and drug paraphernalia. Reisner was additionally charged with tampering with evidence.
The Palm Beach County 4-H Club is sponsoring an exciting event... featuring llamas! The “All About Llamas” clinic will be held Saturday, April 12 at 2141 B Road in Loxahatchee Groves. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and will feature a discussion by llama owners Mary Tom and Jessica Rothering on llama health care, grooming for shows, showmanship, spinning and felting, and performance. The cost is $10 per person. Call (561) 792-2666 to register by March 15.
continued from page 1A tion through studies at Florida Atlantic University and Nova University, but his work experience made him one of the few people in the state eligible to take the engineer’s qualifying exam without attending engineering school. He went to work for Palm Beach County as a planner from 1989 to 1995, and then served a five-year stint as planning, zoning and building director for the Village of Royal Palm Beach.
In 2000, Schofield was invited by Lynn to become Wellington’s director of long-range planning. He was soon after named the village’s community services director.
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Florida Crystals, known locally as a sugar-producing giant, is actually a quite diversified corporation. On Monday, members of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce learned how the company is investing heavily in research on alternative fuel technologies.
Florida Crystals Vice President Gaston Cantens, a former Florida state representative, explained how Florida Crystals has four sugar mills and eight refineries worldwide producing 4.5 million tons of refined sugar annually.
While Florida Crystals is mostly known for sugar, Cantens said the company’s portfolio includes other agriculture, consumer goods, real estate, energy, tourism and transportation. Besides a sugar mill and a refinery, Cantens said the company’s Dominican Republic operation includes a 7,000acre resort, a full-service marina, a deepwater port, an airport, two free trade zones and other agricultural production. The deepwater port terminal receives cruise ships carrying 200,000 passengers annually.
While renewable energy is now very “sexy” and cuttingedge, Cantens said, Florida Crystals has been ahead of the curve, operating a renewable energy facility at its Okeelanta plant, six miles south of South Bay, for the last ten years. The Okeelanta facility is the largest biomass fuel plant in North
America, and possibly the world, he said. It consumes about 850,000 tons of sugarcane pulp or bagasse annually, and 900,000 tons of urban biomass, mostly waste wood.
Renewable energy sources have the advantage of being environmentally friendly and homegrown, Cantens said. About 85 percent of the money spent on them stays in Florida, unlike fossil fuels, which are mostly imported from outside the state or country.
“The benefit biomass has in Florida is that Florida has the longest growing season,” Cantens said. “We can grow biomass all over the state. One of the few things about Florida is we cannot import electricity from outside of the state. We don’t have the transmission lines. An economic study we did a few years ago compared the economics of a biomass power plant to a fossil fuel plant. The difference is in the fuel. The use of the fossil fuels for the production of electricity will cause you to export the economic development somewhere else.”
Cantens said another benefit of employing agriculture for energy production is that the crops consume carbon dioxide, reducing the level of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. “Every year we harvest the crops, we are displacing CO2,” he said. “Most scientists agree that the production of biomass is neutral, and you are displacing more CO2 than you are producing.”
Cantens said Florida Crystals has a unique partnership with
Florida International University to develop a cost-effective pretreatment process to convert sugar into cellulosic ethanol, led by noted microbiologist Lonnie Ingram. The success of the project, he said, would mean not only a major step forward in replacing corn for ethanol production, but also produce major reductions in greenhouse gases and U.S. dependence on foreign oil.
“The crops we grow in western Palm Beach County remove CO2 from the atmosphere,” he said. “As a result, we produce sugar and we produce electricity. We hope to produce ethanol in the near future. It’s a very complicated process. Lonnie Ingram is working on an enzyme that will break it down. It becomes a liquid fuel. The next step is to produce it at a higher level, and we can integrate it at the sugar plant and at the power plant.”
Cantens said he estimates Florida Crystals could ultimately produce five to nine billion gallons of ethanol each year domestically, which would keep a lot of Florida land in sugar production. “At the end of the process, we will produce sugar and continue producing electricity, and produce the liquid fuel ethanol,” he said. “If you go to Brazil, they are converting sugar to ethanol. The difference is they have millions of acres of land for farming. We don’t have that luxury in the United States. We have 450,000 acres in Florida. There is little additional land for the production of sugarcane.”
Along with ethanol, Cantens said the process could also result in other products that are traditionally petroleum-based. “The beauty of the biomass is not just the production of ethanol,” he said. “It is all the other products that come from it that can be produced. Instead of having plastics that are petroleum-based, we will have plastics that are cellulosic-based.”
Monday’s luncheon was held at the Wellington Community Center, catered by the Outback Steakhouse and sponsored by Hospice of Palm Beach County. Hospice Medical Director Dr. Gail Austin Cooney gave chamber members some insight into the hospice’s mission, to relieve the suffering of those with terminal illnesses.
“The goal of palliative care is maintaining and extending the best quality of life possible,” she said. “That is hospice care. Hospice of Palm Beach County will work with your physician to meet your palliative care needs.
Hospice brings extensive resources and experience to support the patient and his family in this challenging journey.”
Cooney said that while Hospice of Palm Beach County focuses on medication and support services to help terminal patients live as well as possible for as long as possible, many think the service is only for those who have a few days left to live. She said it is difficult for family members to decide when to turn to hospice care for a loved one, but Hospice of Palm Beach County is there to help.
“In my experience, it’s far too common for people to call hospice too late rather than too early,” Cooney said. “We often hear ‘I wish I had called you sooner.’ If hospice is not the right program for you and your loved one, and if you have called too early, the staff will let you know and try to guide you to resources that may be better suited for your situation. When Hospice of Palm Beach County is the right answer, you will find we will bring a wealth of support to help you and your family cherish this challenging state of life. Make the call. We are there.”
For more information about Hospice of Palm Beach County, call (561) 227-5140 or visit www.hpbc.com. For more information about the Palms West Chamber, call (561) 790-6200 or visit www.palmswest.com.
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Representatives of the Safety Council of Palm Beach County and the Palm Beach County School District gathered at Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington last week to thank the Quantum Foundation for a gift that will keep their Behind the Wheel driver’s education program on the road.
The charitable foundation, based in West Palm Beach, has donated $150,000 to sustain the fleet of vehicles used by the Behind the Wheel program, which was threatened by budget cuts.
The Behind the Wheel program features a series of driving lessons offered at no cost to students in Palm Beach County high schools, including six hours of actual driving and 12 hours of observation.
The program was launched in 1999 in seven high schools and is currently offered in all schools that offer driver’s education. Since its inception, 18,480 students have participated in the program, and it has become the hands-on driver’s education program in the State of Florida. It is available to both public and private school students in the summer as well.
Other community partners for the program include the Dori Slosberg Foundation, founded by former state representative Irv Slosberg, and Maroone Dealerships of South Florida.
Safety Council representative Donna Bryan told others at the Feb. 7 gathering that the event was “a wonderful example of different parties and different entities coming together for the common good of the teens and the common good of the public.”
Bryan stressed the responsibilities involved in driving for people of all ages. “Even if you don’t have a teenager,” she
said, “you don’t want you or your loved one in a crash with an untrained teen.”
Toni Burrows, also of the Safety Council, thanked Slosberg, who lost his 14-year-old daughter Dori in a tragic 1996 traffic accident, for his role in creating the program.
“It takes a lot of people to keep this going,” Burrows said. “It is thanks to Irv Slosberg and subsequent legislation that we were able to sustain this program and keep it going. The most important thing we have to remember in these tough economic times is that the majority of students will ultimately drive a car or own a vehicle. We have a responsibility to all of these kids to do the right thing. That’s why we were here today.”
The Quantum Foundation’s Stacey Amodio said she was pleased that her organization was able to support the program. “We are happy to partner with the Safety Council, the School District of Palm Beach County and the Slosberg Foundation to make sure that student drivers are not only good drivers, but most importantly safe drivers,” she said.
Slosberg thanked Quantum for their support in keeping the program going in Palm Beach County. “It’s an extra effort and an extra community push for the Quantum Foundation to come out here and give us these vehicles,” he said.
Slosberg also thanked the media for raising public awareness of the importance of safe driving. “You guys do a great job at helping us spread this message,” he said. “When I came into office, our fatalities were up 14 percent. By the time I left, they were down six percent. The biggest message was carried by the media.”
Susan Walker lost her daughter Margaux in the same accident that took
Dori Slosberg. She said that the 12 cars in the PBCHS parking lot gave her hope.
“This is a bittersweet day,” Walker said. “This is a sweet day. I am looking here and seeing all these cars, and seeing the actual components of the vital Behind the Wheel Driving Program that is going to be available to every single high school in Palm Beach County. The bitter part is that my daughter Margaux passed away in a car crash 12 years ago this month. Nothing can bring her back. But seeing these cars here brings me great joy. Parents will find out about this program and encourage their children to learn to drive. They will have a qualified instructor, a great car and a great program. It would not have happened but for all these dedicated people. Parents, please take advantage of this program.”
From now until the March 11 election, the Town-Crier will ask questions for publication each week to the nine candidates seeking seats on the Wellington Village Council. For incumbents, this week’s question was, “What do you consider your top accomplishments in office?” For non-incumbents, we asked, “What makes you qualified to sit on the Wellington Village Council?”
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
DARELL BOWEN
A mayor should have strong leadership skills, a strong background in management with experience in budgeting, planning and customer service, and a firm commitment to the community. I meet all this criteria.
I have proven my leadership skills with the starting and operating of two successful businesses in Wellington. Further, I have served as president of a homeowner’s association, the Wellington Rotary Club, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce and as a board member of numerous organizations. I have experience managing nearly 200 employees, preparing multi-million-dollar budgets, planning and charting the growth and success of my businesses, and customer service has been the cornerstone of my success in business.
My commitment to the community is well documented. I have served on my church council, as well as working on numerous committees over the years. I have served on the school advisory councils for all the schools my daughters attended, coached and sponsored recreation teams for over 20 years, and have been or am a director of the Boys & Girls Club, Wellington Rotary, the South Florida Fair, the Palm Beach Zoo, the Pine Jog Environmental Center and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. I
have also worked on many other committees throughout the community.
Becoming the Mayor of Wellington is just a natural progression of my lifetime commitment to the community.
TOM WENHAM
I’ve served as your mayor for much of the past decade and love the community we’ve built together.
I’m proud that throughout my years of service, Wellington has improved and prospered. We’ve built a first-rate parks and recreation program, added a second gymnasium, 15 ball fields, four tennis courts and the aquatics complex. We’ve expanded roads and done extensive landscaping to beautify our village. The Veterans’ Memorial is completed, Peace Park dedicated and the Binks Forest Golf Course is green and open for business. We offer very high levels of public safety, and we supplement the best schools in the county.
We have also combined environmental preservation with sound fiscal management, saving millions through an agreement with the state to re-plumb Basin B. We saved the Big Blue Nature Preserve, and Wellington became a national leader in Everglades preservation. I’m very proud of my consistent stand against unchecked growth and development.
Just recently, we approved an assisted-
living facility for our seniors and made our recreation programs more affordable for our youth through elimination of the Park Player Pass fees. We also added millions of dollars to our rate-stabilization fund, which will allow us to continue to lower property taxes.
There is no other candidate with the institutional knowledge necessary to lead us into the future while also staying true to our founding values — preservation of the natural beauty around us, protection of the environment and an unequaled level of resident services provided in an efficient, cost-effective way.
CANDIDATES FOR SEAT 1
DUANE CHRISTENSEN
Through hard work, a willingness to face challenges and take occasional risks, I have a unique blend of business experience, community involvement and, I believe, high character, that make me an ideal choice to help lead Wellington in its post-build-out era. I became an entrepreneur at age 12, working as a newspaper carrier. I worked my way through high school and college as a sports reporter. I graduated Utah State University, where I majored in journalism and business; I was president of my graduating class. I served in the U.S. Army with the rank of captain. For 34 years, I worked at Maritz Inc. St. Louis, one of nation’s largest privately owned companies, providing marketing services to major corporations. I held key management positions as the company grew from $8 million annually to $1.6 billion, prior to retiring to Wellington. For seven years, I served as chairman of the St. Louis/Illinois Region’s Private Industry Council, where I was responsible for implementing the Reagan administration’s Job Training Partnership Act for jobless and low-skilled people. I
was one of 20 Missouri business, civic and political leaders to serve on the governor’s Missouri 2000 Committee. The committee studied every aspect of Missouri government operations and made recommendations to the governor for implementation prior to the year 2000. I was chairman of the 1994 U.S. Olympic Summer Festival, which brought 3,000 of the nation’s top athletes to the St. Louis/Illinois Region for ten days of competition. I held leadership positions in many St. Louis civic and charitable organizations: the United Way, the Arts and Education Council, the Higher Education Council and the St. Louis Association of Philanthropy. I created the incentive program Be There for the St. Louis School Board to encourage 75,000 students to improve school attendance and classroom performance. I hold an honorary degree from Maryville University in St. Louis for leadership in community and philanthropic affairs. Over the past five years I have closely studied Wellington issues and village council performance.
DR. CARMINE PRIORE
As a new village, I helped work to produce the original comprehensive plan, participating in over 100 hours of meetings and public hearings, as well as several visioning sessions, including resi-
CANDIDATES, page 11A
continued from page 10A dents’ participation for each of the plan’s nine elements, covering all aspects of traditional municipal operations, as well as two unique optional elements for school concurrency and establishing the equestrian preserve overlay... Through managed growth and careful planning, I have helped Wellington become a special place to live; its vision and values have been protected.
While serving on council, I approved and supported the creation and implementation of groundbreaking strategy to meet state and federal laws pertaining to the preservation of the Everglades (compliance with the Everglades Forever Act), including creation the Surface Water Action Team (SWAT) to provide a solution within the statutory deadline for stormwater discharge into the Everglades, a project originally estimated to be $30 million but reduced to $3 million. During my time in office, I have worked to approve and support best management practices involving fertilizer controls and horse-waste containment, stormwater pollution standards, and the impact on the village’s canals and waterways. Additionally, we partnered with the South Florida Water Management District for a $21.5 million project at Section 24, providing for the development of a wetlands park for the purpose of preserving the wetlands for environmental and recreational uses.
I worked with and supported the strategic plan for our municipal government, including a budgeting model to prioritize services and to maintain the lowest possible tax rate. This model was extremely effective during the recent legislative mandated tax cuts. Over the course of my tenure, the village has instituted a $100 million capital-improvement program and also laid the foundation for future capital plans as budgetary constraints will allow.
I have participated in implementing a
variety of financing mechanisms including three bond issues totaling over $40 million; obtained an AA rating for the village, which few other cities of our age and size have obtained; an impact fee system for parks and recreation as well as for roadways infrastructure; and grant funding and interlocal agreements for a wide variety of projects including the lake shore erosion project.
Since 1996, I have had the opportunity to work with numerous councils whose members have changed. But, in that time frame many resolutions and ordinances have passed which have benefited our community. The real accomplishment has been the success of those councils working together to enhance the quality of life in Wellington.
As someone who both lives and works in Wellington, I bring a broad perspective to the many competing interests on issues that will need to be decided by the village council in the years to come. I possess a strong academic background, including a B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Florida, a juris doctor from Yale Law School and a master’s degree in business administration from Florida Atlantic University, all of which will enable me to understand the issues, simple and complex, that come before the council. I am also a businessman with experience working in large institutions and in running my own small firm in Wellington. My business experience will be an asset to the council, as I will bring with me a business culture and philosophy predicated on sound fiscal
management and expense control.
With over 20 years of practicing law, I will also bring to the council a professional approach to deciding matters and solving problems in a practical, common-sense manner. Importantly, I will also add my experience of over 20 years of negotiations, dispute resolution and consensus building, experience and attributes that will help the council reach decisions and accomplish goals. Having served in the United States Marine Corps for four years, I understand the sacrifice and commitment to be made in giving service to our country. Although in a different theater, I also understand the sacrifice and commitment necessary to serve our community as a member of the council. It is important that our leaders conduct themselves with integrity and independence at all times to ensure that the interests of our community are protected. I have the courage to make the tough decisions and to stand against special interests that threaten the quality of life here in Wellington.
When my wife and I moved to Wellington seven years ago, we did so because Wellington would be the best place to raise a family. I am running for the village council to ensure it stays that way. The decisions we make over the next several years will have lasting impacts on our community.
One major challenge over the next several years will be crafting a budget that
meets the needs of residents, yet takes into account the current state of the economy and the decline in new revenue sources (i.e. impact fees on new home developments). And the village will have to adjust to mandatory cuts in the millage rate and other tax reform changes. I am confident that my background in organizational leadership will give me the skills needed to make the hard decisions that will have to be made, without cutting essential services or raising taxes.
One of my strongest gifts is the ability to recast the discussion in ways others had not yet considered. This leads to new and better solutions to tough issues. I have already shown my commitment to improving our village through my involvement as a Cub Scout den leader, Binks Forest Elementary School Advisory Committee member, and the Wellington Residents Academy, just to name a few. As a father with three young children and an active community leader, I look forward to bringing a new perspective and fresh outlook to our council.
DR. FRED VAN DUSEN
As chief of staff at the U.S. State Department, I handled administrative supervision of the day-to-day operations of the ambassador’s office. I was advisor and liaison between the Multi-National Force, Civilian Police Assistance Training Team, Iraq National Counsel, Iraq National Intelligence Service, the Iraq
See QUESTION 1, page 46A
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors voted Wednesday to hold a public hearing on a long-awaited settlement to the district’s costly “water war” with Palm Beach County, although some supervisors are not comfortable with the provisions of the agreement. The “water war” between ITID and the county began when the previous board of supervisors attempted to establish the district as a water provider. The current board has been seeking ways to pay costs incurred by the previous board, including a multi-million-dollar legal bill, a pipeline not yet paid off and the prospects of continuing to lose money with a utility that provides water for only 32 customers, all of them commercial.
Bevin Beaudet, director of the Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department, told the supervisors the two sides had worked out “all but a couple of minor issues on an agreement,” in which the county will pay the
district close to $9 million. This would cover the debts of the ITID utility (approximately $2 million) as well as cover the value of the pipe the district has already installed, and provide an advance on expected revenues.
The agreement includes $1.4 million for damage the county did to roads while laying its own pipes in ITID easements.
The two sides have been working on a settlement since last summer. Among the more recently added components is $100,000 for more fire hydrants in The Acreage, which would lower insurance rates for residents in the area.
The majority of Acreage residents draw their water from wells, and many have long voiced opposition to county water. Beaudet said no residents would be forced to hook up to county water, although he said the Palm Beach County Health Department may decide whether commercial properties and multi-family dwellings will be required to do so. He said Acreage residents would pay “reasonable rates, some of the lowest in the county.”
Because The Acreage is part of the former Royal Palm Beach service area, ITID residents who hook up to county water would have to pay a ten-percent franchise fee to the village, which retained that royalty when it sold its water utility to the county in 2006.
ITID Attorney Charles Schoech also told the supervisors the agreement does not force any resident to become a county water customer. “Those who want it, get it,” Schoech said. “Those who do not will not have to use it.”
Schoech admitted the agreement did not address every concern of each resident, but noted that the negotiated settlement forced both sides to give a bit.
“In my legal opinion,” he said, “residents are well-served by taking the agreement and illserved by not. If we reject the agreement, we’re back to litigation and water wars.”
The supervisors had mixed feelings about the terms. “We have to clean up the last board’s mess,” Supervisor Michelle Damone said. “We spent two and
See ITID, page 46A
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors refused Monday to grant a variance to Palm Beach County that would have allowed the county to complete its work along North Road without meeting some district standards for drainage structures.
The district agreed in 2005 to allow the county to install water and sewer lines along North Road to serve future development along Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, as long as the county provided a range of improvements to the road and adjacent canal, and performed the work to district standards.
However, the county is seeking to finish culverts along the
canal without concrete endwalls that retain and define the extremes of the channel by which water flows through the culverts.
Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department Director Bevin Beaudet told district supervisors Monday that the county had simply gone over budget on the project. While the county had originally estimated a cost not much more than $1 million, he said, the total cost to fulfill all the terms of their interlocal agreement would be $1,658,500.
“The work we did we feel is beyond the work we thought we would do,” Beaudet said. “We just believe that is going too far. We are proud of what we have done for you. We’re proud of the project. We got it complet-
ed, but there are a few things remaining. This is one issue where we feel we should not pay. That is why I am here before you tonight.”
LGWCD Administrator Clete Saunier said he too wanted to close the door on the project, but he could not do so because of the outstanding safety issues directly related to some of the unfinished work. With the district’s canal network interlaced with its roads, any weakening or failure of a canal bank could pose a deadly hazard for those using the road.
“We have to look at this closely,” Saunier said. “It is not a done deal. At the same time, Mr. Beaudet has been generous with his input and help. There has been a lot of miscommunication between the county, the con-
tractor and myself. This is one thing I would like to take off the books and just move on, but we need to make sure that there is safe access, safe crossing, safe structures and safe engineering design along the canal.”
LGWCD Vice Chair Don Widing said he felt sorry about the position Beaudet found himself in, but the Water Utilities Department had assured the board that the work would be done properly. Nevertheless, there were problems soon after the work got underway.
“We were assured as a board that the county would do it and would do it right,” Widing said.
“During the first week of the project, I got a call from residents who told me they were trapped in their homes. They could not get out on their roads
because of the mud that was bumper deep. I had to call our staff to get out there and call the contractor to make the road passable. Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue came out and made sure they could get out. The project did not have good oversight from the onset because of your contractor’s failure to do the job.”
Widing said the district had a responsibility to the residents, and expressed astonishment that the county would seek to cut corners on a project that would generate revenue for itself alone.
“We have government entities funded by taxpayers, and these taxpayers expect those entities to do it correctly,” Widing said.
“We are committed to the public unanimously as a board. We
See LGWCD, page 46A
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council selected Florida engineering and planning firm Calvin, Giordano & Associates to undertake the town’s comprehensive planning process last week.
Calvin, Giordano & Associates is well known for its consulting work with Florida municipalities, special districts and state agencies. CGA Vice President Shelley Eichner told the council during her presentation that she would like to get the town’s comprehensive planning
process completed by November.
Although five companies were under consideration for the contract, council members were impressed enough with CGA’s qualifications to curtail further deliberation on the matter. Last Thursday’s workshop, intended to discuss the presentations the companies made previously, was advertised as a public meeting, allowing the council to make a decision and save time and money in the process.
Other firms shortlisted by the council included the Mellgren Planning Group, the LPA-TMH Team, Bell David Planning
Group and Planning Communities LLC. Councilman Dennis Lipp said that while Bell David was a close second, the council should go with CGA.
“Speaking for myself, I think the shortlist in my mind is one, and that’s Calvin Giordano,” Lipp said. “I think they really got a handle on things. I didn’t hear anything from the other people that really told me anything. That’s just my opinion.”
While Councilman Dave Autrey concurred with Lipp, he said he wanted to know more about how much the work would cost.
“One of my thoughts when
Shelley first drew up the timeline was the budget,” Autrey said. “We don’t have a fee schedule. We need to understand how we are going to absorb this cost and over what timeframe. I think before we jump into something, we should understand exactly how we are going to pay for it, and how we are going to afford to pay for it, and within the timeframe.”
Lipp made a motion to direct town staff to begin negotiations with Calvin Giordano, which passed unanimously.
After the meeting, Vice Mayor Marge Herzog said that while all the shortlisted companies
were qualified, Calvin, Giordano & Associates had the greatest depth of local experience.
“Some of them were not familiar with this area or our lifestyle and would need a lot of education to bring them up current,” she said. “I was looking for someone who had a working relationship with the necessary county staff. We have heard from staff that most of the work is already done. It will just require some tweaking to get what the residents want it to say. I wanted someone who has been involved in Palm Beach County and had a closer feel for our area and who we are.”
The Stars Ball 2008 was held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington on Saturday, Feb. 9 to benefit Little Smiles. In addition to an evening of dining, dancing, auctions and entertainment, attendees witnessed the gratification of giving firsthand during this Little Smiles benefit. At the Stars Ball,, a handful of young Little Smiles clients arrive by limousine for a simulated “Oscar night.” For more info., call (561) 383-7274 or visit www.littlesmiles.org.
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
The Autism Project of Palm Beach County, a parent-sponsored nonprofit organization, is now promoting its Seventh Annual Renaissance Food & Wine Festival, including silent and live auctions, scheduled for Saturday, March 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Palm Beach Shores Community Center.
“People love coming here,” Autism Project President Richard Busto said. “The refreshments are nice and we always have some special items in our auctions, including weeks at some fabulous homes all over the county. Last year we had over 175 items up for auction.”
The Autism Project of Palm Beach County has to raise over $300,000 every year just to provide necessary services for autistic children at its school in West Palm Beach, the Renaissance Learning Center, Busto said.
Project Manager Michelle Damone, also an Indian Trail Improvement District supervisor, said many students at the school are western communities residents.
“We serve kids from all over the county,” she said. “And we’re asking people to help us by attending the festival, which costs $65 person, or by providing something nice to be auctioned off, or by becoming a sponsor. Corporate sponsors, who pay $500, have a full-page ad in the official program and two admissions to the event.
Agency sponsorships include a half-page ad and two admissions to the event.”
Busto said autism is a somewhat invisible problem. “Right now, worldwide, one child in 150 will be diagnosed somewhere on the autism spectrum, and the odds of a boy being diagnosed are now one in 94,” he said. “Five years ago, before there was more awareness, the numbers were one in 500. But most of the kids look normal. They seem like any other child when you first see them. So, money for research and treatment goes to other children in need, often for disorders that strike far fewer than the number of children stricken with autism.”
The impact of autism shatters families, Busto said. “The first thing parents think about when their child is born is how they can save enough money to send their child to Yale,” Busto said. “Then at about two or three years old, they discover that it will cost as much each year to raise their autistic child. The divorce rate within families with an autistic child is 80 percent worldwide.”
The Autism Project is the prime funding source for the Renaissance Learning Center, which has 56 students between the ages of four and 14.
“This is a special place,” Principal Debi Johnson said. “We have 35 staff members working with the children here. That’s a ratio of two staffers for every three children. We provide not only academics, but life
skills and occupational, physical and behavioral therapy.”
Busto, whose son attends the school, said the school receives the same $24,000 in public funds for each autistic child that public schools do, but their services cost a total of $30,000 per child, which is why the Autism Project has a constant fundraising battle.
Even more important, Busto said, the Autism Project received the only charter school contract awarded by Palm Beach County this year, which will allow them to open the Renaissance Learning Academy for autistic students 14 to 21 years old. It is scheduled to open in August 2009.
“This is part of an exciting project,” Busto said. “We want a whole educational center. It
will contain our current school, the new high school, a building where we can have service providers like occupational and behavior therapists work, as well as a few townhouses, which can be used to provide life skills for students. They will learn how to take care of themselves.”
Busto said teaching life skills is a major focus of the Autism Project. “Right now, behavior problems based on autism make them stand out,” Busto said. “Sometimes our children wind up behaving really badly in stores, and when parents use behavioral management techniques to calm them, others around them, none of whom know the problems faced, intervene and create even more stress.”
Johnson said the students’
abilities vary. “We have some students who, with a bit of help, can be moved into a regular school,” he said. “They might need an aide to help with transition, but they can make it. And we have other students who will never be able to attend a regular school.”
The Seventh Annual Renaissance Food & Wine Festival takes place Saturday, March 1 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Palm Beach Shores Community Center at 92 Edwards Lane, which is on the ocean in Palm Beach Shores. For more information, call Damone at (561) 315-2973 or e-mail appbcdamone@ aol.com.
For more information on the Autism Project of Palm Beach County, visit www.autism project.org.
My brother Dave’s birthday is Feb. 15, and I have just one wish for him — the ability to “let it go.”
I think we all have something hanging in our personal closet that we’d like to be rid of but, human memory being what it is, sometimes “letting go” can be difficult.
In Dave’s case, it’s a childhood experience that continues to haunt him. Of course, you’d have to understand the family dynamics to commiserate (or summarily dismiss) Dave’s problem. You need to know that Dave was “born late,” after the rest of us kids were pretty well established. We repeatedly and consistently told him he was an accident, although none of us truly knew if he was. In fact, it’s far more likely that the rest of us were accidents and he wasn’t. After all, my parents were older and wiser when they had him. Be that as it may, the youngest of four children always has it pretty tough.
To survive, Dave attached himself to our brother Jim, who was 13 years older. The fact that Jim allowed this is a whole ’nother story, but he did. Where Jim and his cronies went, so went Dave.
And when Jim was 17, he was really into cars — like most 17-year-olds. So Dave, who was four, was also into cars. The beauty of the thing was that Dave fit into the dumpster.
OK, let me back up a bit. One of the pastimes of Jim and his rogue friends was to saunter down to the local auto paint shop right after dark to see if any cans of spray paint had been thrown into the dumpster. They’d pirate what they could and use it to paint their cars. Dave would paint his bike.
Well, the paint shop figured this out and closed the lid on their dumpster with a great big padlock.
But the lid was loose... and Dave was skinny.
The guys figured out that if they fed
him in just right, Dave could still root around in there and toss the cans out. They gave him a flashlight because, although colors like brown and blue were fine, if Dave came across candy-apple red or fiesta orange, it was a big score. He was a hero, albeit temporarily. That was their modus operandi.
So the guys were down there one night with Dave in the dumpster when a cop car pulled in.
Jim shouted “douse the light!” and Dave could hear the guys running away. The next sound he heard, while he crouched in the corner of the pitch-black dumpster and breathed in the fumes, was the voices of the police as they examined the area. He could hear the police radio and see the beams of lights, but the cops didn’t get him.
Unfortunately, neither did Jim.
Dave just huddled there, terrified and small, as the hours ticked by. He didn’t know if the guys were ever coming back
to get him. He was getting hungry and cold and, truth be told, a little dizzy.
When Jim and his friends did come back, they made fun of Dave for being scared and almost grudgingly pulled him out.
For some unknown reason, this has continued to bother Dave. He has plans to confront Jim about it someday. “Someday soon!” he says. I’m glad it’s going to be soon because, today Dave is 48.
Happy 48th birthday, Dave. Please, just let it go.
I actually have something to watch on television now that Lost finally came back on the air. Like most Americans (according to the TV ratings services), I have been watching far less television in the past couple of months, ever since the producers and writers decided to go into a suicidal frenzy and have a long strike instead of settling their issues like real people. As we begin this week, it appears that the strike has been settled. And just in time! The new TV dramatic and comedy series coming out were the ones that were not good enough to be started this past fall. I watched Cashmere Mafia for about half an hour and understood why it had not been considered acceptable. Some of the new comedies were dreadful.
So I was really ready for Lost. Like a lot of viewers, I loved the first year of the series, was turned off by the second and wandered back during the third. The series’ use of flashbacks to provide more information on characters was intriguing as we discovered that most of them were rather different than first perceived. Finally, in the last episode of the third season, the producers did a “flash forward,” and we saw that Jack and Kate had gotten off the island. There were hints of interesting times to come. And, boy, did they come! I am now back on the Lost bandwagon. The show seems to reinvent itself each year. Characters are interesting; mysteries have generally not been solved, have simply been turned into greater questions. I like
that as a challenge.
I miss the old days of television, the “golden age” of last November. There was a lot of useless garbage on; everyone knows that. But there were also some good shows. Some shows were superior television; others were guilty pleasures. But most people could find something to watch most nights.
Now I read a lot more and I discovered some interesting new places on the Internet to go for more information. Try Will Ferrell’s www.funnyordie.com, which has some fun short bits. It had a ten-minute Dave Chappelle standup routine not long ago and a lot of talented people also put bits on. Be warned, however, that there is no censor at all!
That is one reason why the strike was
suicidal. The more people who start watching alternative entertainment, the fewer people will be back for the regular shows, whose viewership was shrinking even before the strike. Where hit TV shows once had 30 million viewers, now the top regular shows usually can’t reach 20 million. We are finding alternative
I have lived in the western communities more than 25 years, and each year I have paid a visit to the South Florida Fair. And if I do say so myself, I’ve had a great time on each visit.
Every time I went was better than the year before. I’ve never had a bad time at the fair. On my early visits to the fair I went with my children at my side. The more things change, the more they really stay the same. On my visits to the fair now, I still go with my children, but now I have grandkids who tag along and make the fair more enjoyable then ever.
This year the theme was “Party with the Animals,” and believe me, it was one big party. It was by far the best fair that I have ever attended. If you like animals, this was the place to be. This year the fair had some really great animal shows.
My day at the fair started with a visit to Wildlife Wendy and her tropical birds. Her birds were amazing, believe me. They were cute, adorable and very entertain-
ing. The kids (big and small) loved the show. After the bird show, I went to see the sea lion show called “Splash.” The sea lions looked like seals to me, but if they want to be called sea lions, who am I to disagree? The part I liked best about this show was when it was over, because then it was time to have your photo taken up close and personal with a real cute, live sea lion/seal. As I posed for my photo, the sea lion rested his head on top of my head. His head felt kind of moist, but it made a wonderful photo for my album. I wanted an autograph, but alas, that was one trick the sea lion couldn’t do.
A visit to the shark tank was next. After viewing these beautiful creatures of the deep, I am very glad I swim in a pool and not in the ocean. As I left the shark tank I entered a very realistic rainforest with monkeys, more parrots and even a cougar.
My next stop had me thinking I was back at the circus. The lions and the ti-
gers put on a great show. It was now time to watch the alligator show. The two guys putting this show on were funny and entertaining. I think they could’ve pulled it off without the gators. At the end there was another chance for me to take a photo with another living, breathing animal. This time it was with a three-foot alligator named Al. I wasn’t even scared of Al the alligator.
I was now off to the cow tent. When I got there, I saw at least five calves that had been born the previous couple of days. But the big event for me was just about to begin. I actually witnessed a new calf coming into the world. It was very exciting. It reminded me of my days with the NYPD. I actually delivered two babies while I was a cop (and I didn’t even go to medical school). But I am very happy I was never called upon to help a cow give birth.
I also saw where my milk comes from (hey, I’m a city boy). I don’t think I will be drinking milk for a while. I also saw a
lot of chickens and rabbits and a horse or two. I spend so much time with the animals I forgot about the wonderful rides.
The only down side to my visit to the fair are the tip jars in the bathrooms. My advanced age requires a lot of bathroom trips. It is very hard walking around the fair with a lot of “jingle” in your pocket. I had over $20 worth of quarters I left for tips. There has to be a better way. I can hardly wait ’til next year to see how the fair can make itself better. It seems impossible, but I am sure the fair folks will pull it off!
The Wellington Women’s Club met on Thursday, Feb. 7 at the Wanderers Club. The guest speaker was Anne Rodgers, who oversees the “Charm” section of the Palm Beach Post. Rodgers spoke to club members about “General Life Issues” and her work at the Post. Wellington Women’s Club Night will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 19 from 5 to 10 p.m. at Fuddruckers in Wellington. Proceeds will benefit college scholarships and the YWCA Harmony House, a home for abused women and their children. For more info., call Mary at (561) 790-3384 or e-mail mair@armandpest.com. (Above, L-R) Faye Ford, Denise O’Sullivan, Anne Rodgers, Terri Priore, Allyson Samiljan and Mary Armand. (Below left) Former club president Jo Cudnik with daughters Margaret Warford and Mary Seminara. (Below right) Raffle winners Linda Eisenberg and Denise O’Sullivan each won $42.
Did you inherit a punchbowl from Great-Aunt Ella that you simply don’t use? Before you plop it onto a table at your next garage sale, consider bringing it out to the Wellington Antique Show & Heritage Festival, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9 at the Grand Marquee at the Cultural Campus near the Mall at Wellington Green. For just $5 an item (limit two items per person), veteran appraiser Vivian Highberg will take a look and give you her professional opinion of its value.
Highberg, who spent six years as an appraiser on the popular TV program Antiques Roadshow, has owned her own shop, taught college courses, written an antiques column for the Pittsburgh PostGazette and lectured extensively on antiques. She also conducts estate consultations and appraisals. A specialist in glassware, she has spoken at National American Glass Club chapters in both New York and Pennsylvania as well as at the Carnegie Library, the Metrolina Antiques & Collectibles Show in Charlotte, N.C. and as part of an educational series offered by the American Appraisers Association in New York City.
“We are pleased as punchbowls to welcome Vivian Highberg to our show,” said event promoter Deb Welky of Welky Publications & Promotions. “Her expertise, especially in glass, has won her national acclaim. This is a fabulous opportunity for our visitors to find out what their own antiques may be worth for a nominal fee.”
The Wellington Antique Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days. There is no admission fee and a portion of proceeds received from $5 parking fees will go to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington. The cost for
Highberg’s professional opinion of value is $5 per item (limit two). The event takes place at the Grand Marquee tent, home to performances of the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches.
A limited number of indoor booths are still available to antiques dealers at prices ranging from $149 to $487 plus tax, depending on square footage. Outdoor booths cost $199 plus tax and include parking. Call Welky at (561) 795-5916 for further information or to receive a dealer application.
Sponsors include Palm Beach Cottages & Gardens magazine, Two Men and a Truck, Wellington The Magazine, Wellington Remodeling and Waste Management. The Coates Law Firm and FPL have also contributed.
The Village of Wellington held its annual Father-Daughter Dance on Saturday, Feb. 9 in the Village Park gymnasium on Pierson Road. Approximately 400 dads and their daughters were in attendance for the magical Valentine’s Day-themed evening. Entertainment included a magic show by the Amazing Mr. A and music by DJ Leo Parry. PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
The West Palm Beach Antique & Collectibles Show returned to the South Florida Fairgrounds Americraft Expo Center Feb. 8-10. The show featured hundreds of exhibitors offering decorative accessories and collectibles including furniture, lighting, garden accents, architectural ceramics, pottery, glass, silver, rugs, linens, books, fine art and more. For more information about the West Palm Beach Antique & Collectibles Show, call (561) 640-3433 or visit www.wpbantiques.com.
“Come visit us, we are now open!”
“Come visit us. We are now open!”
The Everglades Day Festival “Walking Wild in the Everglades” took place Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. The free event featured exhibits, presentations, nature walks, canoeing, live music, food, storytelling by Javier del Sol and more. The refuge is located at 10216 Lee Road, Boynton Beach, off State Road 7. For more info., call (561) 734-8303 or visit http://loxahatchee. fws.gov.
Girls State — American Legion Auxiliary Unit #367 members with students applying for the Girls State program: (front row, L-R) Shelby Bastow, Margie Bonner, Joan Shewmake and Marge Herzog; (back row) Shafina Ghanie, Taylor Ann Johnson and Gloria Floyd.
American Legion Auxiliary Unit #367 held an interview on Feb. 13 at Royal Palm Beach High School to select the delegate and the alternate to attend Girls State, the week-long governmental study program to be held this June in Tallahassee. The girls interviewed were Gloria Floyd, Shafina Ghanie and Taylor Johnson. The unit selected Floyd as the delegate and Ghanie as the alternate after reviewing the required essay and listening to the candidates’ answers to the questions asked of them.
Girls State is a program that has been sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary since 1947. There are currently 300 girls each year participating in the activities held at Florida State University each June. The program is designed in a way
that allows the participants to experience how a democratic form of government is organized and how it functions. The studies involve campaigning for offices of a city, a county and a state official or legislator. All of the girls attending will be part of the state called Seminole. The 300 girls are divided into two parties when they arrive, the Nationalist Party and the Federalist Party. They will work together to draft bills, debate bills and make committee appointments.
The American Legion Auxiliary Unit #367 of Royal Palm Beach would like to thank the Village of Royal Palm Beach for their financial support of this program and the message of encouragement that this sends to the community’s future leaders.
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
Supporters of the Seminole Ridge High School band program are hoping for a good turnout at their Third Annual Barbecue & Family Fun Day fundraiser at the school on Feb. 23. The event will include a car show, amusements, auctions and entertainment.
“Seminole Ridge has a fantastic band, and we need to raise money to support the band,” event chair Roland Greenspan said. “It cost us $150,000 for the band’s expenses this past year, and the school district pays absolutely nothing. That’s why we need a fundraiser.”
The event will feature a wide range of events for everyone in the family, and admission is free. Smaller children can enjoy a midway with dozens of attractions including several bounce houses, and older kids will like taking shots at dunking school faculty members.
“We are also holding a Guitar Hero tournament, which is based on the popular video game,” Greenspan said. “Plus we’ll have a rock-climbing wall and several more adventurous bounce houses.”
Greenspan said he expects a show featuring 100 and 150 cars including classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars, monster trucks and motorcycles. “We have over a 150 crafts and other vendors, Red’s Barbeque is providing food, and the band kids are doing hot dogs and hamburgers as well,” Greenspan said.
WIRK-FM 107.9 will broadcast live between 3 and 5 p.m. There will also be entertainment provided by local school bands and dance studios.
Greenspan said the highlight of the event will be the silent and live auctions. “We have some great items,” he said. “We have a ‘Sheriff for the Day’ prize, which includes a helicopter ride and driving on patrol with a deputy. We have a timeshare unit for a week anywhere in
PHOTO BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER
the world. You can bid on a full day’s charter for a fishing boat.”
He also expects a lot of bidding on great sports and entertainment memorabilia. “We’ve got a lot of autographed photos for every age group,” Greenspan said. “The 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Dale Earnhardt Jr. as well as this year’s Super Bowl hero, Eli Manning.”
The auction will even feature a rare 1964 photo of Mohammed Ali meeting the Beatles autographed by Ali, as well as a CD autographed by the Rolling Stones. “For people with kids, we’ve got a couple of real specials,” Greenspan said. “We have a Hannah Montana magazine cover signed by Miley Cyrus, and we have a High School Musical photo signed by stars Zac Efron, Vanessa Ann Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale. We even have a Jimmy Buffet autographed guitar with stand and CD cover.”
The Third Annual Barbecue & Family Fun Day is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 23 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Seminole Ridge High School, 4601 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. For more information, or to participate as a vendor, entertainer or participant in the car show, call Greenspan at (561) 793-9889.
By Lisa Keeney Town-Crier Staff Report
The Royal Palm Beach High School girls varsity softball team celebrated their home opener under new lights with a 5-4 win over visiting Seminole Ridge last Thursday night.
Thursday’s game was the team’s first under lights on their home field. The festivities began with Geraldine Fleurimond singing the National Anthem.
RPBHS Assistant Principal John Swearingen threw out the first pitch, followed by Principal Jose Garcia. The Wildcats host Jupiter Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. Seminole Ridge High School will travel to Lake Worth on Thursday, Feb. 21 to take on the Trojans at 6:30 p.m. The Hawks will travel to Park Vista the following night at 7 p.m.
PHOTOS BY LISA KEENEY/TOWN-CRIER
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
While many competitors are beginning to run out of gas after more than three months on the mat, Justin Sitzer entered the Florida State High School Wrestling Championships in Lakeland this week in mid-season form.
That is, the Palm Beach Central High School senior has wrestled only 23 times this season (winning 19 matches) because of an injury he suffered to the outside of his right knee while wrestling with a friend before practice last October.
“Over winter break I started practicing again,” Sitzer said. “I didn’t have to go through any rehab, but because it was right on the outside of my knee, I couldn’t shoot off it. I was real concerned, but once it started feeling better and I was able to take shots off it, I started to get back into shape. I’m still trying to get my stamina back, but I’m ready to go. I’m not burned out at all.”
the state tournament, and one of five from area schools. Palm Beach Central junior Matt Dooley (23-10) and senior Nick Marcus advanced at 125 pounds and 135 pounds respectively; Wellington’s Zach Pincus finished fourth at 152 and Royal Palm Beach’s Jason Lide was third at 160 pounds.
Sitzer and Marcus are making a second appearance each in the state tournament, but it’s the first for Dooley.
The regional champion a year ago, Sitzer finished third in the 130-pound division at last Saturday’s regional tournament this time around. He’s one of three Broncos who advanced to
“It took a lot of hard work and dedication,” Dooley said. “I really didn’t expect to get to state, but that’s a goal Coach [Jon Henry] wants everyone to have. I just kept trying hard and came through.”
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
The Palm Beach Central High School boys basketball team did its best to execute its game plan early against Palm Beach Lakes last Friday night. The Broncos wanted to slow down the game and get the Rams in the halfcourt in order to keep them from running up and down the floor.
But when Palm Beach Central started missing from the floor and committing turnovers,
it lost sight of its well-laid game plan — and within a few minutes, lost sight of Palm Beach Lakes.
The Rams defeated the Broncos 59-34 in the district semifinal game at Royal Palm Beach High School and ended Palm Beach Central’s season with a 10-16 record. Palm Beach Lakes lost the title game 62-57 to Jupiter last Saturday night. The Rams didn’t take advan-
tage of a poor shooting night by the Warriors last Saturday but had no trouble with the Broncos, who shot only 23 percent from the floor and didn’t hit a three-point shot until late in the game’s fourth quarter.
Palm Beach Central jumped out to a 4-0 lead with six minutes and 20 seconds left in the first quarter, but that proved to be the Broncos’ high-water mark.
Palm Beach Central committed seven turnovers over the next three minutes and didn’t
score the remainder of the quarter as the Rams built a 9-4 lead.
Palm Beach Lakes continued to take advantage of the Broncos’ poor shooting and stretched its lead to 32-15 at halftime.
Whatever chance Palm Beach Central had of a comeback was erased in the third quarter. The Broncos didn’t score until Rudy St. Germaine’s basket with 35 seconds left in the quarter made it 40-17.
Palm Beach Central finally found some of its offense in
the fourth quarter. However, by then the damage had been done.
“They’re a pretty good team… pretty athletic,” Palm Beach Central’s head coach Tom Atkins said about his players. “When we missed shots, they took off, and that’s what we didn’t want. Then we kind of got out of patience. We would break their press and instead of running our half-court offense, we’d try and score right away. And when we missed, that put them in a run game.”
Cheer Champs — Wellington Cougars All Star cheerleaders at one of their recent competitions.
The Wellington Cougars All Star Cheer teams have been busy competing in local cheer competitions. It was a perfect start for all three squads — youth, juniors and seniors — who each took a first-place finish in the American Championships Regional held in December at Seminole Ridge High School.
“We are so proud of all the team members,” said Christina Reickel, one of the two coaches for the Wellington Cougars. “We couldn’t have imagined a better start to the season.”
January was just as exciting for the teams at the Florida Match Play Cheer Competition at the Sound Advice Amphitheatre (now the Cruzan Amphitheatre). The youth team made it to a match play and finished in second place. The junior and senior squads did very well, each finishing third. “All three teams work so hard each
week, and it is exciting to see them perform so well at each competition,” said Wellington Cougars coach Patti Greear.
Early February brought the most challenging competition to date. The Miami Heat Cheer and Dance Competition hosted more than 85 teams. The juniors clinched a first place taking home a national title. Reickel and Greear both agreed that the teams are getting better at competition.
All three teams practice two times per week year round, perfecting their routines to make Wellington proud at competition. The Wellington Cougars teams are for boys and girls ages five to 18.
For information about tryouts for the 2008-09 season, or for a full list of upcoming competitions, visit www.wellington cheeranddance.com, or call Christina Reickel at (561) 2024856.
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
From injuries to close losses, nothing has come easy for the Wellington High School girls soccer team over the past two years. So why should the Lady Wolverines’ game last Saturday against Oviedo for the Class 6A state championship have been any different? Well, it wasn’t.
Wellington was forced into a penalty-kick shootout against the Lady Lions at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale but prevailed on junior Ashley Smith’s goal for a 4-3 shootout lead and a 2-1 victory for its first state crown. (The shootout itself is worth one point.)
Wellington trailed Oviedo 3-2 in the shootout but got a big save from sophomore goalkeeper Samantha Brandremer followed
by goals from junior Sarah Lenhart and Smith that won the game.
As it had all through the season, the Lady Wolverines’ defense played a major role. Led by senior defenders Lindsey Wilkinson and Danielle Deramo, Wellington didn’t allow Oviedo a shot on-goal the first 33 minutes of the game. Not surprisingly, Wilkinson and Deramo were named co-MVPs of the finals.
The Lady Wolverines (26-31) took a 1-0 lead on Wilkinson’s goal with 23 minutes and 11 seconds left in the game. It was Wilkinson’s 31st goal of the season. The Lady Lions tied the score at one on a goal by Katie O’ Kennedy with 7:28 left in the
In a semifinal game against Melbourne on Feb. 8, Wilkinson and freshman Kaelin Ferreira scored goals for Wellington, earning a 2-0 victory and advancing the Wolverines to the state championship game.
The Wellington varsity boys soccer team, meanwhile, came within one game of a second consecutive trip to the Class 6A Final Four. The Wolverines defeated Boca Raton 3-1 on Tuesday, Feb. 5 but lost at home to Cypress Bay 1-0 in the regional final, which was held last Friday.
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
After losing its opening game against Flanagan 3-0, the Palm Beach Central High School girls varsity softball team shut out Coconut Creek 8-0 to place second in the annual Briana Cox Memorial Softball Tournament held Feb. 8 and 9 at Wellington Village Park.
Palm Beach Central senior pitcher Jocelyn Turcotte limited Coconut Creek to just three hits. West Boca won the tournament with a 4-3 victory over Key West and an 8-7 victory over Flanagan.
In the junior varsity division, Palm Beach Central beat Seminole Ridge 4-1. The Lady
Hawks also lost to Palm Beach Gardens 9-2, and the Lady Broncos lost to Jupiter 9-1. Palm Beach Gardens, which also scored victories over Riverdale and Jupiter, won the division. Park Vista finished second.
The tournament is held in memory of Briana Cox, a Palm Beach Central softball player who was killed in a car accident in 2006. game. It was the only goal Wellington defenders allowed in five games. Oviedo came into the game having scored 12 goals in its previous four games, including a 4-0 state semifinal victory against Miami Springs.
Eight of the world’s top polo players will ride out on Stanford Field at International Polo Club Palm Beach on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. to compete in the highest-rated polo competition in America, the Outback 40-Goal Challenge.
The 40-Goal Challenge, in its fourth year at the International Polo Club, will see Crab Orchard with Adolfo Cambiaso, Gonzalo Pieres, Miguel Astrada and Mike
Azzaro face EFG Bank with Facundo Pieres, Sebastian Merlos, Mariano Aguerre and Pablo MacDonough. All of these players hold or have held the world’s top rating of 10.
Cambiaso, now 32 and considered the best player in the world since he was 17, will be up against 21-year-old Facundo Pieres, the second-youngest player to receive the 10-goal rating when he was 19. Both of these players have
Warriors Win Double-Header — The Wellington Warriors 8-U baseball team continued its undefeated season in a double win against the Bengals last Sunday in Pembroke Pines. The Warriors defeated the Bengals with a combined score of 35-10 in two consecutive six-inning games. The Warriors have outscored their opponents 154-46 this season so far. Head coach Jovon Edwards, whose catch watchword is “encourage,” said he believes in strong fundamentals taught with consistency and firmness, which helps the boys develop trust and respect for themselves, their teammates and coaches. The Warriors will compete in the Triple Crown President’s Day tournament in Plantation. For sponsorhip info., call (561) 951-7842. Shown above, the Warriors celebrate last weekend’s win.
helped their teams to top titles throughout the world.
“We’re always pleased to support the Outback Challenge and its beneficiary, the Polo Player Support Group,” International Polo Club founder John Goodman said.
The 2007 challenge was won by Crab Orchard, sponsored by George Rawlings, 11-9 over Berenberg Bank. Crab Orchard also won the challenge in 2004.
The polo game will be followed with a party in the Grand Marquee tent and include a live and silent auction. Tickets are available by calling (561) 528-3821 or visiting www.polosupport.com.
The Polo Player Support Group is nonprofit organization created to provide financial assistance to seriously injured or ill polo players and grooms. To date, 21 players and grooms have benefited from the organization’s support.
Upward Basketball — The Upward Basketball program, run at St. Peter’s United Methodist Church in Wellington, keeps score but does not stress wins and losses. The league has been playing games for four weeks now. Jackson Kennedy, Brandon Luongo, Jacob Zucker, Stewart Armstrong, Preston Morrow and Vincent Monaco have been learning fundamentals of basketball including ball handling, shooting stance and passing. Teamwork is not typically found in the vocabulary of most five- and six-year-olds, but head coach April Braun said she is striving to instill this concept in a firm foundation of sportsmanship and team pride. The program heralds the joys of competition and participation in a team sport. For more info., call St. Peter’s at (561) 793-5712. Shown above, Monaco of the Kindergarten Division Cougars drives the sideline in his game against the Bulldogs last Saturday.
The Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League will hold the Seventh Annual Barry Crown Walk for the Animals on Saturday, March 29 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Micanopy Pavilion at Okeeheelee Park (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.). Proceeds will support the low-cost spay and neuter program.
Human participants will get a t-shirt, and their four-legged companions will receive a bandana while supplies last.
Participants can enjoy a free pancake breakfast from IHOP while browsing vendors offering pet-related services. The South Florida Air K9s and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office bloodhounds will perform demonstrations. Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control will be on hand to offer microchips and rabies tags for $15 per animal.
People can register to walk online at www.hspb.org, at the league’s lobby
The Seminole Ridge High School junior varsity girls softball team defeated Royal Palm Beach 13-2 on Thursday, Feb. 7 at Royal Palm Beach High School. SRHS team members are (front) Alex Davis; (middle row, L-R) Kristy Butler, Hayley Rodgers, Ariella Garret, Shawna LaCroix, Victoria Rodriguez, Kim Plotke and Karla Dampier; (back row) Angela “Ducky” McGoldrick and Mariah Travis. Not shown are Hawks Manager and Head Coach Michele Mohl, and assistant coaches Todd Fisher and Paul Smith.
from Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and at the petmobiles that travel throughout Palm Beach County, or the day of the event.
Registration fees are $25 for adults and $10 for children ages six to 16. Peggy Adams thanks Armand Pest Control, Bank of America and Pets PB Animal Emergency and Advanced Imaging Center, as well as other generous sponsors. Peggy Adams cares for more than
8,000 lost, injured and abandoned animals each year. Serving the community since 1925, the Animal Rescue League relies on adoption fees, donations and special events to help maintain the quality of services provided on a daily basis to animals and their owners. Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League is located at 3200 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach. Call (561) 686-3663 or visit www.hspb.org for more information.
The Royal Palm Beach Wildcats are looking for qualified youth football coaches. Volunteers must satisfy all Pop Warner qualifications and training prior to the 2008 season, which is provided by the league. The Wildcats field 10 teams from ages 5 to 15 in six divisions and play in the nationally acclaimed 14-
city Treasure Coast Football Conference. Interested individuals should contact John Ruffa at (561) 827-4176. Registration for football and cheer continues on Feb. 23 at the Royal Palm Recreation Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit the Wildcats’ web site at www.rpbwildcats.com
A three-on-three basketball tournament benefiting the Home Safe Foundation will be held at Seminole Ridge High School on Saturday, April 5. The rain-out date will be April 6.
First games will take place at 8:30 a.m. with championships at 1:45 p.m. A donation of $95 per team is requested. A free-skills clinic will be run by former NBA star Roy Hinson, and a free custom event t-shirt will be given to every player.
Players eight years old and up are welcome. Teams will be placed in brackets against players of similar age and skills. No matter what skill level, the tournament will have a place for every team, including Corporate Guys for Charity and Firefighter-Police divisions.
There will also be shooting contests, prizes and DJ music.
Home Safe serves the Palm Beach
County area. It provides a haven for care and treatment of abused, abandoned, neglected and drug-exposed infants and children. Its goal is to protect children and strengthen families in crisis. For more information, call Mike Chase at (561) 333-4200 or e-mail 3on3@ bellsouth.net
Saturday, Feb. 16
• The 2008 CN Winter Equestrian Festival continues through April at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (14440 Pierson Road, Wellington). Call (561) 793-5867 for more information, visit www.equestriansport.com.
• The annual Midwinter Naturist Festival will continue through Feb. 19 at Sunsport Gardens in Loxahatchee Groves. The festival features workshops on health, personal growth, bodywork, ecology, relationships, the arts and naturist rights. For info., call (561) 7930423 or visit www.sunsportgardens.com.
• The 2008 Outback 40-Goal Polo Challenge will be held at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington) on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 3 p.m. to benefit the Polo Players Support Group. For more info., visit www.polosupport.com.
• The West Palm Beach Home & Garden Show will continue at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center Feb. 16 and 17. Tickets are $9 for adults, $4.50 for children six to 12, free for children five and under. For more info., visit www.floridahomeshows.com or call (888) 254-0882, ext. 319.
• The 2008 John T. Petters Foundation Cup will continue Feb. 16 and 17 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. The event-filled weekend will feature four world-class polo teams playing for a $25,000 grand prize and will culminate with the Blu Party hosted by Bluhammock Music at the Equestrian Club by Tavern on the Green. Attendees from throughout the country are anticipated to participate in the event. For more info., visit www. johntpettersfoundation.org.
• The Loxahatchee Groves Garden Club will meet on Saturday, Feb. 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. Members will learn about xeriscaping and also tour Color Garden Farms. Call Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875 for details.
• The ArtiGras Fine Arts Festival returns Saturday through Monday, Feb.
16-18 to Abacoa Town Center in Jupiter. Tickets are $6 in advance, $10 at the gate and free for children 12 and under. For more info., visit www. artigras.org or call (561) 691-8507.
Sunday, Feb. 17
• The 2008 polo season will continue Sunday, Feb. 17 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach with the conclusion of the 20-goal Ylvisaker Cup. The International Polo Club is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. For tickets or more information, call (561) 204-5687 or visit www.international poloclub.com.
• The Crestwood Performing Arts League (C-PAL) will present Broadway Babes on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach High School Performing Arts Theatre. The ten-member cast of Broadway Babes takes audiences on a musical journey from classic musicals to present-day sensations, singing and dancing through high-energy numbers from Chicago, The Lion King, Cats, The Wiz and Kiss of the Spider Woman. Tickets are $13 at the door for adults. Accompanied students will be admitted free. To purchase tickets or for more info., call (561) 793-6897 or (561) 793-2984.
• Bluhammock Music will host its Blu Party on Sunday, Feb. 17 at 8 p.m. at the Equestrian Club by Tavern on the Green (3401 Equestrian Club Road, Wellington). The party will feature a performance by a Bluhammock recording artist, as well as sets by DJ Beverly Bond. Proceeds will benefit the United States Equestrian Team Foundation and the John T. Petters Foundation. Tickets cost $100 in advance and are available at the Bluhorse booth at the Winter Equestrian Festival or by e-mailing rsvp@ bluhammock.com or calling Bob Reyers at (215) 688-2180.
Tuesday, Feb. 19
• Gillian Gordon’s Life Coaching Stress Management sessions will continue on Tuesdays through March 4 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Wellington
Community Center. Gordon, a certified professional coach, will motivate participants through a series of discussions. For more info., call Julie Strow at (561) 753-5262 or the Wellington Community Center at (561) 753-2484.
Wednesday, Feb. 20
• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will hold a membership mixer on Wednesday, Feb. 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Royal Palm Toyota, located at 9205 Southern Blvd. This mixer will be a pre-WestFest kickoff party. RSVP to (561) 790-6200.
• The Wellington chapter of Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options (JAFCO) will present “A Ladies Evening of Bunco” at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20 at the Olympia home of Lisa Liebman. Bring an appetizer or a dessert for six. The cost to buy in will be $10. A donation of a pillow for the emergency shelter is requested. Space is limited to the first 24 players. For more info., e-mail Liebman at makemeup66 @yahoo.com.
Thursday, Feb. 21
• Six of Wellington’s leading health, fitness and personal care professionals will deliver the seminar “How to Make 2008 Your Best Year Ever” Thursday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The community-awareness and fundraising event will benefit the Children’s Home Society of Florida. The cost is a $10 donation. For more info., visit www.wellingtonchallenge2008.com.
Friday, Feb. 22
• The 2008 InterContinental Sport Horse Auction will be held Friday, Feb. 22 at Nona Garson’s Ridge Farm (14415 Palm Beach Pointe, Wellington). Horses may be evaluated up to two weeks before the auction by appointment only. For more info., call (732) 681-4379 or visit www.interconsporthorse.com.
• The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center will host its 22nd Annual Benefit Auction “Stars Unite” at the International Polo Club Palm Beach on Friday, Feb. 22. The evening will feature spectacular auction items, a fabulous dinner and great music featuring many stars of the equestrian world. For more info., call (561) 792-9900 or visit www.vinceremos.com.
Saturday, Feb. 23
• The Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association will host an Adopt-aRoad Cleanup on Saturday, Feb. 23 from 8 to 11 a.m. Volunteers will meet at 16020 Okeechobee Blvd. near the Adopt-a-Road sign to get their bags for the cleanup activity. Bring gloves, a hat and water. For more info., call Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875.
• Community of Hope Church will hold its annual Heavenly Treasures yard sale on Saturday, Feb. 23 at 8 a.m. Many items are available including clothing, furniture, toys and luggage. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. Anyone wishing to donate goods for the free yard sale can drop off items under the big white tent on the church property. Community of Hope Church
is located at 14101 Okeechobee Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves. For more info., call (561) 753-8883.
Sunday, Feb. 24
• The Cresthaven Stamp Club will hold its monthly Stamp and Postcard Show on Sunday, Feb. 24 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center (3151 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach). For more info., call Arnold Zenker at (561) 969-3432 or e-mail arnoldzenker@bellsouth.net.
• The 2008 polo season will continue Sunday, Feb. 24 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach with the start of the 26-goal C.V. Whitney Cup. C.V. Whitney Cup play will continue until Sunday, March 2. The International Polo Club is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. For tickets or more information, call (561) 204-5687 or visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.
Tuesday, Feb. 26
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host the seminar “Horses: Prey Animals Living with Predators” on Tuesday, Feb. 26. For more info., visit www.horsefair.net or call the library at (561) 790-6070.
• The Equestrian Aid Foundation will host its inaugural celebrity roast on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 6:30 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. The event will honor the birthdays of two icons in the horse industry, legendary hunter/jumper guru George Morris and Jessica Ransehausen, a driving force in American dressage. For more info., call (800) 792-6068 or visit www. equestrianaidfoundation.org.
• The Wellington Village Council will meet on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Call (561) 791-4000 or visit www.ci.wellington.fl.us for more info.
Wednesday, Feb. 27
• ArtStart of Wellington will hold a Celebrity Bartender Event and Trunk Show on Wednesday, Feb. 27 at Amici Ristorante & Bar, 375 South County Road in Palm Beach. Members will model the latest creations of six fashion designers from around the country the night of the event, with a portion of the proceeds going to ArtStart. All tips collected from 6 to 8 p.m. will be donated to ArtStart. Visit www.artstartinc.org or call (561) 791-2861 for more info.
Thursday, Feb. 28
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Book Talks: African-American Authors” on Thursday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. For more info., call (561) 790-6070.
Saturday, March 1
• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce’s WestFest Land & Sea Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, March 1 and 2 at Okeeheelee Park (7500 Forest Hill Blvd.). Gates open at 10 a.m. The cost is $10 for daily admission, $15 for a two-day pass, $30 for a daily family fun pack and free for children under seven. For more info., visit www.palmswest.com or call (561) 7906200.
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
The inaugural FCAT Math Night for New Horizon Elementary School students was held Thursday, Feb. 8. This fun activity was hosted by the Super Target store on Okeechobee Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach.
New Horizons teacher Cheryl Lay developed a fun way for students to apply learned FCAT skills and to practice solving math problems. She shared the
idea with Target management, and they agreed to donate gift cards to be used for a drawing after students completed the assignment. Target also treated students to cookies.
Students from kindergarten through fifth grade received a packet with questions. Equipped with pencils and clipboards, they walked together with their parents throughout the store finding answers to real-world questions. Volunteer teachers were on site to facilitate the activity.
The Town-Crier Presents
• CASPEREY STABLES HORSE CAMP — Casperey Stables is a small, funfilled day camp for children ages 7 to 14. With four riding opportunities each day, arts & crafts and outdoor games, our campers find little time to be bored. Our low counselor/child ratio ensures your child will receive individual attention. There are camp sessions for spring and winter school breaks, and during the summer, each two-week session has a theme, such as Indian Days, Circus Days and Medieval Days. We have a weekly swim party and end each session with a horse show and family BBQ! Call soon — this small, quality program fills quickly! To learn more about our camp, located at 2330 D Road in Loxahatchee Groves, call us at (561) 792-4990 or visit our web site at www.caspereystables.com.
• VILLARI’S SUMMER CAMP — The staff members at Villari’s of Wellington are pleased to offer a full nine-week summer camp. Villari’s summer camp will improve your child’s focus, fitness and confidence and communication skills through interacting with their peers. We will focus on flexibility, coordination, listening skills, personal fitness and improved social awareness. Martial arts is not just kicking and punching, it’s about having fun! Call (561) 792-1100 to reserve your space.
• SPORTS BROADCASTING CAMP — Boys and girls 10 to 18 will have an opportunity to learn from the pros and meet sports celebrities. Campers will record play-by-play, reporting, sports anchor and PTI tapes. Campers will tour a pro stadium/arena and make reporting tapes at the stadium. Kids will participate in mock sports talk radio and PTI (Pardon The Interruption) style shows, trivia contests and much more. The camp runs June 9-13 at the FAU Boca campus. For more information, call Sports Broadcasting Camps at (800) 319-0884 or visit our web site at www.playbyplaycamps.com.
• WELLINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL — Come join us once again for our Summer Camp Eagle. Programs available for children four years to fifth grade. Camp runs June 9 through Aug. 1, 2008 (no camp Friday, July 4). Join us for Jump Start Academics (morning hours only) or Summer Camp Eagle until 3 p.m. Aftercare is available. Activities include arts and crafts, cooking, Bible, swimming and field trips. Jump Start Academics in reading, math and writing (ages 6-12). Look for our ad in this section. Call (561) 868-2225 for more information or stop by and see us at 1000 Wellington Trace in Wellington.
• FAME DANCE & PERFORMING ARTS STUDIOS — Fame Studios offers summer camp and intensive workshops. We offer Fun Camp where no experience is necessary; Performance Camp for those with a bit of experience; and our Intensive Workshop for experienced dancers. Visit us at our Wellington location at 3080 Fairlane Farms Road, Bay 4 (just west of the Mall at Wellington Green) or call us at (561) 795-9992.
• CAMP EXPLORATIONS — Camp Explorations is located on the beautiful campus of JFK Medical Center Charter School. Join us for 10 weeks of fun-filled summer days. We have a new heated swimming pool on site, which we will use for daily swim lessons. Campers will enjoy our computer lab, air conditioned gym, crafts, science fun, sports and more. Register by May 1 to receive $10 per week discount. Call (561) 868-6100 for info.
• ST. DAVID’S EPSICOPAL SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP — St. David’s Camp is open to children ages three to eight. Children can sign-up by the week and can pick two days, three days or five days. Each week has a theme, with activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, outside play and learning activities. All activities are on-site with our trained, loving staff. We are located at 465 W. Forest Hill Blvd. on the northwest corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. For additional information, call (561) 793-1272.
• PALM BEACH ZOO SUMMER CAMP — The Palm Beach Zoo’s 2008 Summer Zoo Camp offers great adventures for children ages five to 14. Zoo campers will gain a better understanding of a variety of animals and the habitats in which they live while enjoying a full schedule of daily amusements. Hands-on animal encounters, fountain play, crafts, hands-on science, zoo tours, games, scavenger hunts and, of course, zoo keeping duties are included. Each week the program introduces a new wildlife adventure, so parents may want to consider more than one week of zoo camp. Camp hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Before and after care and lunch are available for an additional fee. All programs are on Palm Beach Zoo grounds at Dreher Park in West Palm Beach. Weekly sessions are from June 9 through Aug. 22. “At a time when child health and education experts are expressing grave concerns about the debilitating effects of nature deprivation among our children, a week of zoo camp can be a very important choice,” said Kristen Cytacki, the zoo’s education director. “We get kids away from computer monitors and TV screens and iPods and immerse them in the natural world. They love the chance to get their hands dirty and spend their days learning about animals and their environment. It can be a life-changing experience!” For more information and registration forms, visit www.palmbeachzoo.org or call (561) 547-WILD.
Your campers can be athletes, artists, scientists, and explorers!
At Camp Explorations,your child will enjoy daily swim lessons and free swim;experiment with science ancd technology;create arts and crafts;sing,dance or act on stage;or explore nature – all in small groups with excellent adult-to-child ratios.
Camp Explorations at JFK Medical Center Charter School 4696 Davis Road • Lake Worth,FL • 561-868-6100
• Our camp facility includes a new state-of-the-art heated pool,athletic field,air-conditioned gym, computer lab and much more!
• Weekly themed camp sessions to meet the diverse needs of our campers
• Camp hours:8:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m.with beforeand-after camp care starting at 6:30 a.m.and ending at 6:30 p.m.
• Register your camper by May 1st and recieve an early bird discount!
www.jfkclubhorizons.com
Palm Beach Central High School students attended the Future Business Leaders of America District Competition Awards Ceremony held Thursday, Feb. 7 at Dwyer High School, and the Broncos are happy with the results. The following PBCHS students will attend the FBLA State Leadership Conference in April to compete to qualify for the National Leadership Conference in Atlanta this June: Accounting I - Ama Annor (second place); Accounting II - Andrew Tran (ninth place); Intro to Technology Concepts - David Angulo (first place); Entrepreneurship Team - Justine Putterman and Kyle Newton (second place), Danny Diaz and Ryan Marshall (third place), Julie Ellis and Gina Panariello (fourth place); Job Interview - Erica Desrosiers (third place), Reed Jeschonek (fourth place); Word Processing I - Patricia Le (first place), Camila Rodriguez (second place), Stephanie Lopez (fifth place); Cyber Security - Anthony Fink (fourth place); Future Business Leader - Mauricio Escobar (fourth place); Network Design - Jeff Pozsony, Cedric Dumornay and Devin Kent (second place); Computer Problem Solving - Alex Parker (second place), Mitchell Angus (third place), Paul Burrows (sixth place); FBLA Principles and Procedures - Antario Scruggs (first place), Nicole Saunders (fourth place), Michael Creneti (sixth place), Marykate Martin (eighth place); Management Decision Making - Adam Plaxen and Melissa Charles (fifth place); Desktop Publishing - Shana Radja and Kaitlyn Collier (tenth place); Public Speaking II - Yaniqueca Simms (third place); Public Speaking I - Josh Garcia (first place); Business Math - Mehgan Anido (second place); Parliamentary Procedures Team - Gabriela Castro, Gloria Castro, Jen Beaudry, Erin Winterfeldt and Jocelyn Turcotte (second place); Intro to Business Communication - Nicole Green
(seventh place); Business PresentationNatalia Rua, Nicole Woodall and Cristian Abinil (first place); Business Calculation - Shana Runcie (eighth place), Derrick St. Firmin (ninth place); Personal Finance - Suzanne Urena (fourth place) and Vanique Ferguson (eighth place); and Impromptu Speaking - David Moses (first place).
• FCCLA District Competition — The PBCHS Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members participated in the FCCLA Proficiency/STAR Event District VIII competitions held recently at Santaluces High School. The following awards were received: FCCLA Writes, Short Story - Heather LaScala (first place); Career Investigation - Britteny DosSantos (first place); Job Interview - Reed Jeschonek (first place) and Kaitlin Crow (second place); and Culinary Arts - Holly Frank, Amanda DosSantos and Zoe Rodriguez (first place). All first-place winners will compete at the FCCLA State Leadership Conference in March. Crow will serve as an alternate and voting delegate.
• Jazz Band News — Congratulations to the Palm Beach Central Jazz Band Program for their performances on Feb. 6 at the Florida Bandmasters Association District Jazz Band Performance Assessment. PBCHS was the only school that had three jazz bands. The Palm Beach Central Jazz Lab and the Bronco Jazz Band gave great performances and received wonderful reviews. The school’s top ensemble, the Central Jazz Ensemble, was the headliner of the evening and received top honors by earning the highest possible rating of Superior — one of only two bands to receive that rating. The Central Jazz Ensemble has now qualified and will represent the school at the State Jazz Festival in April.
• Shakespeare Competition Winner — Congratulations to Nicole McGhie,
the winner of Palm Beach Central’s Shakespeare Competition, held last Thursday afternoon. McGhie won $100 for presenting her monologue from Hamlet. McGhie will advance to the next level of competition, where she will be eligible to win an all-expenses-paid trip to New York City to compete on a national scale.
• Debate Tournament — The Palm Beach Central High School Debate Team hosted a speech and debate tournament on Saturday, Feb. 9. Four hundred students from 20 local schools competed in nine different events. Students acted
and argued, spoke on current events and practiced writing new laws, recited famous speeches and dramatically read poetry and short stories. Eighty adults were there to judge and over 40 trophies were awarded. This training helps students get accepted into some of the best universities in the country. Many go on to careers in law, theater, politics, broadcasting, business, education or the ministry. Palm Beach County is one of the best areas of the country for this activity. Local schools compete at national tournaments in Boston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago and other cities.
A Boynton Beach real estate broker/ owner who wants to better inform the public about affordable housing solutions is turning to the Wellington High School and Dreyfoos School of the Arts debate teams for assistance.
Carmen Basilovecchio, broker/owner of Remax Southeast (9804 South Military Trail, Suite E-10, Boynton Beach) is donating $6,000 to the two teams following a debate over whether the federal government should offer solutions to prevent foreclosures and assist with affordable housing.
The donation will be split evenly between the Wellington and Dreyfoos debate teams.
Basilovecchio said he was inspired to offer the generous donation to the two area debate teams after reading a recent newspaper article about high school debate.
The debate between the Dreyfoos and Wellington teams is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m. inside Wellington High School’s Little Theatre. It will be structured following the National Catholic Forensic League “Public Forum Debate” rules and format, with Dreyfoos taking the affirmative side of the argument (that the federal
government should offer foreclosure and affordable housing solutions) and Wellington the negative side. Both sides will use empirical evidence to back their positions in a debate structured after CNN’s now-defunct program Crossfire
Handouts on the housing and mortgage financing industries will be available, and experts who can answer additional questions about the housing market and current housing crisis will be in attendance as well. Members of both the Dreyfoos and Wellington debate teams will be available to talk about their programs.
Due to limited seating in the Little Theatre, individuals planning on attending are asked to call in advance for reserved seating.
The Dreyfoos School of the Arts debate team is coached by Angela Weber. Wellington’s team is coached by Paul Gaba. Wellington High School is located at 2101 Greenview Shores Blvd.
For more information about the event, or the Wellington Debate Team, call Gaba at (561) 795-4911. To contact Carmen Basilovecchio, call Remax Southeast at (561) 364-8600.
Crestwood to Recognize Dr. Seuss at Barnes & Noble — Crestwood Middle School faculty, staff and students will gather for a literacy event and book fair at Barnes & Noble in Wellington on Wednesday, Feb. 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. After a day-long, schoolwide celebration of Dr. Seuss’ contributions to children’s literature, the Crestwood family will gather to continue their demonstration of their love for books. Highlights of the evening will include performances by the jazz band, chorus and handbells. Students from the honor society will read their favorite Dr. Seuss stories and student council members will serve as hosts and hostesses. All purchases of books, music, café goodies and cheesecakes by supporters of Crestwood Middle School will go toward future book purchases for students. Pictured above are (top row, L-R) Justin Vernon, Kimberly Ramento, Lexi-Lembo-Lane, Patricia Eligado and Blake Hylton; (bottom row) Alex Gattereau and Braden Hartigan.
A Seminole Ridge High Schol TV production student has won the statewide video contest “Ask a Librarian,” while three Seminole Ridge students were among the five finalists statewide.
Senior Julie Bollinger took first place in the contest, which required students
to write, shoot and edit a 30-second commercial for www.askalibrarian.org, a web site offering homework and research help. A panel of judges selected Julie’s commercial and two other videos from Seminole Ridge as part of the five finalists. Seminole Ridge students Kaitlin
Callaghan and Casandra Brescacin produced videos that made finals in the statewide competition.
The winners were chosen through statewide Internet voting. Bollinger will receive a JVC Everio camcorder with a built-in hard drive as a prize.
Bollinger is Seminole Ridge’s Pathfinder nominee in communications. She plans to study film at the University of Central Florida this fall.
For more information, contact Earle Wright at Seminole Ridge High School by calling (561) 422-2693.
continued from page 1A million toward next year’s budget to help deal with money lost due to voter approval of the tax reform amendment last month and reduced property values, and $1 million toward helping residents with recreation programs.
The Park Player Pass was expected to generate about $250,000 per year, but Wenham reasoned that with $1 million the village could run programs without the Park Player Pass for four years and possibly increase the number of residents able to participate.
Wenham also proposed issuing refunds to all those who purchased a Park Player Pass. “I felt very fortunate that we got this money,” Wenham said. “I felt it was time as a council to give back some of this money to the residents.”
Wenham said he was concerned by a recent downturn in registration for recreation programs, adding that he didn’t think it an appropriate time to increase the financial burden on residents. He made a motion to carry out the plan he had detailed, which was seconded by Councilwoman Laurie Cohen.
Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto said she was reluctant to support the motion without seeing numbers and projections of the effect the action would have on the budget. A projection from the finance department was not available at the meeting because Director of Administrative Services Francine Ramaglia was ill, but Village Manager Paul Schofield said it would be ready in a few days.
“I would like to support your desire to give money back to residents,” Benacquisto said. “I applaud your courage, but we don’t know the effect of portability. We don’t know the revenue
stream until June or July. The [State] Legislature is about to go into session, and they might set caps. We don’t know the cost of doing business. I don’t see how we can decide in five minutes without backup material. If it’s the council’s consensus to do away with the Park Player Pass, fine. I just don’t feel this is the time.”
Cohen acknowledged Benacquisto’s point of view, but expressed no fondness for the Park Player Pass. “This is the residents’ money. There are families that need relief. I support refunding the Park Player Pass,” she said.
Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore shared Benacquisto’s concern about the lack of financial information, but said he would support Wenham’s suggestion. “I’m going to support this because it is a good thing to do, but we need to get some answers,” he said. “These answers are critical. My fiduciary responsibility is to refund to the residents any money that I can, but I want to make sure I’m making a valid decision.”
Margolis said that the overwhelming support for the amendment among Wellington voters told him the residents were asking for help to make ends meet. “You can argue about the benefits or disadvantages of Amendment 1, but it does put money in resident’s pockets,” he said.
Margolis also said that rescinding the pass and refunding the money collected so far, about $75,000, would revive dwindling participation in recreational programs.
“We need to stop the bleeding of losing registrations in our Parks & Recreation Department,” he said. “Wellington is known for its parks and rec. It’s been known for that for years.”
Western Communities Football League President Mike Pignato affirmed that registration had dropped dramatically.
“We just completed our second weekend of registration. We typically host five
weekends of registration,” Pignato said. “Our first two weekends are for returning players only. We typically see about 70 percent of our program sign up, which is for Wellington residents only and returning players. Last year by this time we had 630 residents. This past weekend we had signed up a total of 386 residents.”
Pignato said he was concerned about the impact of the Park Player Pass on
continued from page 7A design on the houses that would be there because we did not want to put the cart before the horse,” Woolf said. “They should be a mix of single- and doublestory homes. We’re going to restrict what they will do. They won’t be cookiecutter homes. Every house will be different. All nine of the homes will be different.”
PZA Board Chairman Alan Johnson said he was concerned because the zoning would allow 12 homes, regardless of the developer’s stated intention of building nine. He wanted a safeguard in place to prevent the applicant from someday bringing forth a site plan for 12 homes.
Flinchum said the applicant would have to come back before the PZA Board with a new request for a change in order to accomplish that.
During public comments, Equestrian Walk resident Dawn Ramos said she appreciated the time and consideration the applicant had invested in meeting with her neighbors, but she opposed the application s,aying the immediate area is congested enough, and the housing market is flat.
“Equestrian Walk is a nice community,” she said. “We don’t want to have a little cul-de-sac, a ‘little Olympia’ culde-sac, towering over our neighborhood. Pierson is already a congested road at this tiny little snippet of land. We have the commercial property at the corner. We have the commercial property with the horse show. Now we are going to be putting in another 18 cars in this culde-sac.”
One house currently stands on the property, and Ramos said grooms living there have caused trouble and damage in recent months. “We’ve had beer bottles thrown over the fence,” she said. “We have called the police. I really don’t want nine vacant houses here. This is another land use changed passed for one person’s profit. This was zoned for four houses, and before that, it was zoned for equestrian use. I don’t think they are entitled to the land-use change, and I would not like to see it happen.”
non-resident registrations, because they must pay more to obtain the pass. “My feeling is it will affect non-residents, which is about a third of our registration. I think we’ll be lucky to see 600 kids.”
After some further discussion, with Priore emphasizing the need to review the financial data once available, the council voted unanimously to employ Wenham’s plan.
“We’ve had a neighbor,” Tedamonson said. “We’ve had the equestrian uses. That’s one of the reasons we bought there. We need to depend on what they said it was going to be, and not change it in midstream.”
Carpenter said he wished he had heard some of the neighbors’ concerns earlier because he would have addressed them. He also said the housing would be a good addition to the neighborhood, and consistent with nearby issues.
“Some of the materials have not been properly maintained in the past,” Carpenter said. “As it was used as an equestrian facility, it did get overgrown. Now it’s going to become a residential property, it will be much more under control.”
Johnson said a lot of what Mystic Equestrian had presented sounded good, but he wanted some assurances that the applicant would follow through.
“It sounds like you are developing a first-rate community,” Johnson said. “What do you say as owners for the past 14 months? You have allowed these conditions to face the community such as renters living over there and throwing bottles over fences. The fences have been falling down. There has been no effort to be a good neighbor in the last 14 months. Now you are saying, ‘trust me.’ We don’t have those deed restrictions. You are not giving us anything for the site plan. You are giving us some vague drawings of the types of homes you intend to build. What can you tell me so they will be more comfortable with what you are doing?”
The board members also asked questions about density, expressing particular concern about allowing 2.1 units per acre and its impact on the Equestrian Walk neighborhood. Vice Chair Steve Delai asked if Mystic would be willing to go along with a change from 2.1 units to two, which would mean a maximum of eight homes total, additional setbacks along the east and north sides of the property, and reconfiguring of three of the lots.
Equestrian Walk resident Jaclyn Tedamonson said she was insulted by suggestions that she and her neighbors had been “spoiled” by living next to vacant land, saying she settled there in part because the property had previously been zoned for equestrian uses.
Woolf and Carpenter assented, so Delai added the condition in his motion to approve the land use change, which was seconded by DiFonte. Similar motions were made for the development order amendment and for the master plan amendment. All the motions passed unanimously 5-0.
The Wellington Village Council, which will decide whether to approve the project, is scheduled for a first look at the proposal on March 18.
While kids up north were staying home from school for snow days, Planet Kids preschool in suburban Lake Worth held a Florida Snow Day on Jan. 25. County Ice provided the snow, while the kids had a blast (as shown above and below). Planet Kids is located at 9135 Lake Worth Road. The director is Heather Robinson. For more info., call (561) 434-9098.
Ki-Juan Minors wowed the judges and the energetic crowd of horse lovers on Saturday, Feb. 9 and walked away with the grand prize and the title of Equestrian Idol. The event, which was held at the grounds of the Winter Equestrian Festival, benefits the Equus Foundation, a nonprofit organization that promotes the positive use of the horse for the benefit of the general public and the equestrian sport as a whole.
Festivities were opened by 2007 Idol winner Taylor Blauweiss, who introduced the emcee for the night, Olympic equestrian Robert “Ryan Seacrest” Dover. Judges were Mason “Simon Cowell” Phelps, Susie “Paula Abdul” Schoellkopf, Mark “Randy Jackson” Leone and Celebrity Judge George Morris. Later in the
night, a spot for an additional judge was auctioned off, and Olympic dressage rider Debbie McDonald was put in the hot seat. Chad Watridge was the first performer, followed by Mary Charette and Casey Hodges. Heather Caristo sang next before Minors took the stage, singing the Fugees’ “Killing Me Softly.” He stunned the crowd and the judges with his incredible voice. Brian Lookabill, Hillary Dobbs and Patricia Griffith followed.
By the end of the night, Minors was a runaway for the victory, and Griffith took second. Caristo was awarded third. Minors sang the national anthem on Sunday afternoon prior to the grand prix. He also received a three-month publicity contract with Phelps Media Group.
At the Arthur R. Marshall Foundation, Allison Parssi is known as “hard core” for her dedication to the environment and her willingness to roll up her sleeves and get a little dirt on her hands to help the planet. The Wellington Landings Middle School eighth grader has planted trees on Torry Island near Belle Glade to help with the foundation’s reforestation efforts and recruited numerous classmates to do the same. She helped restore a wetland area and served as a mentor for the foundation’s Kids Photography Project at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. On Saturday, Feb. 9, she was on the Marshall Foundation team for Everglades Day at the refuge, talking to people about alternatives to cypress mulch.
Parssi explained how she found herself spending a Saturday talking about mulch. “It all began as a science project,” she said. “As I thought about what sort of project to enter into this year’s science fair, I learned that cypress forests are being cut down at an alarming rate to satisfy the growing demand for garden mulch, so I decided to investigate alternatives to cypress.”
Mia-Bella Valentina Canales daughter of Megan Rose and Luis Martin Canales of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 1.
Andrew Brooly Horowitz — son of Alyssa Gayle and Matthew David Horowitz of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 3.
Reagan LaRae Ross — daughter of Dwan LaRae and Grady Ross of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional
Parssi wanted to see if other mulches might do a better job at helping soil retain water, which would help make the case for cutting down fewer cypress trees. She selected melaleuca for her experiment, “due to its invasive nature,” and rubber, “because no trees need to be cut down to make it.” The clear winner, said Parssi, was rubber mulch. “The percentage of water loss in soil covered with rubber mulch was just over half that of cypress, with an even greater difference when compared to melaleuca.”
Parssi, whose project earned her a first place medal in the environmental sciences portion of the Wellington Landings Middle School science contest, said she hoped her experiment would help gardeners who want to use the most efficient mulch, in terms of water retention, while helping the environment. An added benefit of using rubber mulch, said Parssi, is that “it is made from recycled tires, so fewer tires will wind up in landfills.”
By the end of the day Saturday, she had at least one convert. “One family told me they were switching to rubber mulch, which made me feel like I made
Medical Center on Feb. 4.
Yuvani Bhandary — daughter of Priti and Dev Bhandary of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 5.
Sophia Nguyen — daughter of Thanh Thuong Ngoc and Beo Hoai Nguyen of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 5.
Cooper Blackburn Ham — son of Colin Elizabeth and Gregory Dwight Ham was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 6.
a difference today,” Parssi said.
As she gathered materials for her project, Parssi made the acquaintance of David Underwood, who works in the environmental education department at the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, who invited her to set up shop on Everglades Day and share her findings
with visitors. He also asked that she send him a brief article detailing the project and her findings, which appears in the current issue of Turtle River Times, the newsletter of the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, published by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
Zaki Moustafa of suburban Lake Worth, a senior at the Alexander W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts, was recently selected as the first-place speaker winner at the Junior Science, Engineering and Humanities Symposium (JSEHS) hosted by the University of Florida.
The JSEHS is a three-day meeting of high school students and teachers that involves laboratory visits, lectures from prominent faculty members, humanities presentations and student speaker competition. Moustafa was chosen from 26 outstanding high school juniors and se-
niors from Florida for the presentation of his scientific research titled “Resilience/Survivorship of a Red Sea Fringing Reef Under Extreme Environmental Conditions: A Four Year Study.”
Zaki received a $2,000 scholarship to the school of his choice and the honor of representing Florida at the National Junior Science and Humanities Symposium this April in Orlando. His sponsoring teacher Catherine Miller received a $500 cash award. He will compete in Orlando for up to $20,000 and a trip to the 2008 London Youth Science Forum.
continued from page 2A measurable information,” she said. “Is it possible for us to get a report on a six-month basis? This body can repeal it at any time if we feel it’s not working, but we need to have the longterm focus to make sure the communities are getting better. I would like some reporting prior to 2009.”
Vice Mayor Bob Margolis, who originally suggested the ordinance, said the ordinance neither costs the village nor generates significant revenue, and that some residents had positive things to say about it.
“I understand this is a work in progress,” Margolis said. “It took a number of months to get up and running. It’s revenueneutral. It’s not something the village is going to hang its hat on to make money. What I am hearing from the residents living in those communities is that it’s getting better.”
But most of the public comment on the ordinance Tuesday came from unhappy landlords.
Wellington resident George Kurtz, who owns 16 units and lives in one of them, said he and other landlords are having trouble paying the fees and maintaining their properties. He said more rental units in the village are attracting tenants who receive a federal Section 8 housing subsidy.
“A lot of people think this is another Boca Raton,” Kurtz said. “It’s just plain workingclass people living here. We are
getting more and more Section 8 housing out here... I am totally against this.”
Larry Johnson, a resident and an owner of four rental units, said that while he has complied with the ordinance, he felt it discriminates against workingclass residents. “I do not feel it is reasonable to attach another fee to the already high taxes in this area,” he said. “It will drive out the working-class people.”
Landlord Alan Nowak said he himself had begun accepting Section 8 tenants because the federal subsidy meant guaranteed income, but he didn’t think the village would benefit.
“It’s low-income housing,” he said. “It will lower the way our village looks. We are getting more and more low-income housing because it’s guaranteed rent. Extra fees are hurting the Village of Wellington, and I oppose this.”
Landlord Yahed Saleh said the ordinance discriminates in favor of owners of detached housing.
“The other thing is that family homes that use the home for rentals are exempt,” Saleh said.
“Why do we discriminate one from the other? The people who have the roof that needs to be cleaned or pressure-hosed, code enforcement tells them to do that. Who pays for that? Why should we pay more than them?”
Margolis made a motion to approve extending the ordinance until Oct. 1, 2008, which was seconded by Benacquisto. The motion passed unanimously. Margolis suggested that staff meet with property owners to get more feedback and input. The council is expected to revisit the issue in October.
Soccer Player Honored — The Wellington Village Council recognized Marcus DiLallo Tuesday for being named to the National Soccer Association of America’s 2007 Adidas High School Scholar All American Soccer Team. Among the council members offering congratualtions, Councilwoman Laurie Cohen said the distinction bode well for his future. “It’s quite an honor and it’s quite an achievement,” she said. DiLallo, a Wellington High School senior and honor student, expressed gratitude to the village. “I want to say thanks to everyone for being here,” DiLallo said. “I have worked hard for this since I have started playing soccer. I have also decided to continue playing soccer at Yale next year. Wellington has been good to me as far as soccer is concerned.”
continued from page 2A a six-month period for approvals. As far as the site plan process, Sunrise has the opportunity to further extend the grant approval time in 30-day increments at a cost of $25,000 for each extension. Those extension fees would not be refundable. They would have to close within 30 days of the approval process.”
After some further comments, the public hearing process was opened, and Sunrise Vice President Rocky Goins, a Wellington resident, told the
council he had never seen his company offer so many concessions as it had to the village.
“Our company does three contracts every two weeks in this country. We do a lot. I will tell you that your contract was the toughest we ever came across. We made a lot of concessions that I never had to get. We’re committed to this deal. This contract is far more restrictive than any I have seen in my region. We want to do this deal. I want to have it done tonight.”
Cohen asked about Sunrise’s consideration about buying land on Southern Blvd. Goins said that was not correct. He was asked to look at two areas, he
PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
said, and this was the only location for this facility.
Wellington Seniors Club President Howard Trager, who for years has lobbied the council hard for senior housing, was ebullient about the agreement.
“I know Sunrise has made an effort,” he said. “On behalf of the seniors, this is something we urgently need, and we thank you.”
Vice Mayor Bob Margolis made a motion to approve the sale agreement, which was seconded by Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore. It passed 4-0 with Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto not voting due to a possible conflict of interest.
During Friday services on March 7, Temple Beth Torah in Wellington will host speaker Robert Tanen, the Anti-Defamation League’s associate director for the Florida region. Services start at 7:30 p.m. Born and raised in Wellington, he completed his undergraduate studies at Florida State University, with a degree in
International Affairs. Shortly after, Tanen moved to Washington, D.C., where he earned a master’s degree in history from George Washington University.
While completing his degree, Tanen worked full-time running the GWU Economics Department. Tanen also studied at Tel Aviv University to earn part of the
The Wellington interest group Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority is proudly hosting a Sisters and Friends Legacy Reception on Saturday, March 1. The event will be held at the Villa Olympia Clubhouse in Wellington from 3 to 5 p.m. The Wellington Interest Group invites all female Pan-Hellenic organizations and professional women to attend.
Since 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha So-
continued from page 14A a half million dollars for a pipeline to nowhere, a pipe that is hooked up to nothing. Right now we only pay interest fees on it. Sooner or later, we would have to raise assessments to pay for it. This agreement would take it over.”
Supervisor Ralph Bair said he did not like the ten percent franchise fee that residents would have to pay Royal Palm Beach, but admitted the district had to get out from under millions of dollars in obligations. “We’re in a lose-lose situation,” he said. “We either settle, pay a lot of legal bills, or build a $60 million water plant.”
ITID Vice President Sandra Love Semande said she thought the district should challenge payment of the franchise fee, and Beaudet replied that his utility was only obeying the law but noted the district had won a concession in that area. Schoech told the board the county had agreed to let settlement documents stipulate that ITID objects to the charge and will let the district mount a legal challenge to it.
Supervisor Carol Jacobs said the ITID board has an obligation to let residents know the details of the agreement and was concerned that the health department could force people to hook up. “I don’t like the idea of going back to court,” she said, “but Palm Beach County has all the corruption we’ve heard about. The people here should know about the deal.” Damone answered that the board had
continued from page 15A were assured from the county that the county would maintain it properly as this goes forward. I find it difficult to grasp that you are asking for a variance. It will cost the taxpayers of the Groves and the county as well. You make revenue off of this. The district does not get a dime of revenue.”
Supervisor John Ryan agreed, saying he remembered the threat of eminent domain that clouded the county’s original request to lay the pipes, and the district’s reluctance to wage a highpriced legal battle it would likely lose. Noting with irony the lucrative deal Royal Palm Beach got from the county by selling its water utility, he said the North Road project should at least be finished properly for the safety of the residents.
“I think we would certainly expect that our standards on the culvert crossings should be adhered to,” Ryan said. “I think if we take a reasonably strict approach with our residents, it would be impossible to relax for any significant degree with bridge culverts. I was in the construction business for many years. The company I worked in did significant con-
rority has been on the leading edge of progressive programs for women. Today, it is still heralded as the quintessential model of women using their strength to blaze new trails. Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority proudly celebrates 100 years of sisterhood in 2008.
For more information, contact Soror Luletha or Tiffanie at 20Pearlsaka@ gmail.com.
been discussing the issue for months. “I just wanted us to bring everything out in the open,” she said. “We turned down $10 million years ago and spent $3 million to fight the county. I didn’t like it and didn’t ask for it. We’re in an appalling, disgusting mess.”
The supervisors agreed that community input on the agreement would be necessary, and Damone made a motion to hold a public hearing on the agreement as soon as possible, which was approved unanimously. A date has not yet been set.
In other business:
• The board approved a special permit allowing the Acreage Horseman’s Association to hold its “Family Fun Fest” fundraiser at Hamlin Equestrian Park on March 15 including wine and beer sales. Parks Director Tim Wojnar assured the supervisors that as long as a group goes through the appropriate permitting process it would be legal to serve alcohol. Wojnar told the board the association is taking the proper steps to get a license from the county.
• The board also approved the issuing of a new version of a request for qualifications for engineers, which replaces an earlier version that had been issued at the end of last year and then rescinded. ITID Attorney Mary Viator told the supervisors she and her staff had clarified the language in the request and provided more precise information including what materials and information applicants must provide. The request also clarifies the skills and services the district desires on a regular basis as well as those needed only occasionally.
struction projects. We had drainage issues with utilities. We adhered to them. I had no idea that your contractor deviated the way he did. It’s always going to be horribly expensive to come back after the fact and correct something like this.”
Supervisor Ron Jarriel also supported Saunier’s decision to stick to his guns and not allow a variance on the project, noting that if they could not relax their standards for residents, they would not relax them for the county. “I have seen the money that was given to Wellington and to Royal Palm Beach,” he said. “I want to stay with the standards that we require.”
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Marcella Blvd. resident Frank Schiola said the county had lost interest in the project because the deal to establish a Scripps facility at Mecca Farms had fallen through in the interim.
“These water lines were shoved down our throats,” he said. “I have never seen them move so fast on anything in my life. That was for Scripps. Scripps didn’t come in, and the county is stuck with all this pipe in the ground. This project was moved through extremely quickly, and there was little oversight on it.”
Although the board refused to grant variance, the supervisors directed Saunier to keep working with Beaudet to resolve the outstanding issues.
degree, taking coursework in his final semester and working as a research assistant for his mentor at GWU.
Tanen then lived on Young Judea’s Kibbutz Ketura in the Negev, and traveled to Egypt, Jordan and the West Bank. Soon after returning to the United States, Tanen took up the post of director of operations and Israel programming at Hillel of Broward and Palm Beach, lo-
continued from page 12A National Security Forces and Iraq’s Special Police. I was responsible for policy and oversight of the U.S. military police training operations in Iraq, as well as management of IRMO Interior staff, responsible for their performance, all work-related activities, daily operations of the organizational unit, ensuring compliance with Department of State policies, regulations and operating agreements.
I served as the U.S. Embassy’s point of contact for the Ministry of Interior on issues relating to rule of law, special police and counter terrorism with other agencies of the U.S. government, coalition governments, the United Nations, non-governmental organizations, and the Iraqi government. I was responsible for the oversight and long-range policy development of the Iraqi Security Forces and assisting the Department of Defense on organization, training and equipping the security forces. I was national security senior advisor to the Interior Ministry on all aspects of national security, counter-terrorism, law enforcement, training and long-range policy development for those services. I represented the ambassador on various committees with in the U.S. Embassy (Iraq Reconstruction Management Office) to establish a smooth transition of authority from the U.S. government to the newly elected Iraqi government.
Locally, I have been a member of the Wellington Public Safety Committee since it started 1987, as well as a member of the Incorporation Committee and the Budget Review Committee. I developed the budget and analyzed the cost
continued from page 5A present and spoke out. It would affect us.
Mr. Mayor, please retire gracefully. It’s time for new blood, new leadership and initiative.
We need to rein in our excessive, large, glossy fliers and folders. We need to ask the council and its mayor to realize that it is our money, not theirs. The recreation director who brought serious recreation to Wellington was forced to leave, and now both the village manager and village engineer are leaving. The reason: poor mayor/council management.
continued from page 19A sources of entertainment. I already use the Internet to get national news; I learn far more by trusting my own judgment after viewing a lot of sources than by trusting anyone on the regular news shows.
And if perchance you think the settlement of the strike will bring things back to normal, you are very wrong. We will be watching very short new seasons for favorite shows. All the CSI shows, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Criminal Minds, House, Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives and a group of others will only do about four or five new episodes this year. Some shows like Bones , Chuck, Pushing Daisies and Dirty Sexy Money will be back next year, although
cated at the Boca Raton campus of Florida Atlantic University. Prior to coming on board with the Anti-Defamation League, Tanen was the Southeast Regional Program Coordinator for B’nai B’rith International.
Temple Beth Torah is located at 900 Big Blue Trace. For more information, call (561)793-2700 or visit www. templebethtorah.net.
difference between having our own police department or contract with the sheriff’s office and recommended the contract. I have been a professor of criminal justice and have law enforcement and military experience. I had my own department and command with budget responsibilities.
With today’s trying economic times, the Village of Wellington needs someone who is qualified at identifying a problem and finding the best attainable solution for that problem. My experience as a lieutenant with the fire department and my service in the United States Navy serving with the United States Marine Corps has given me the knowledge and background for mitigating problems. My whole life I have been a public servant, serving the people of this community, county and country. In addition to those experiences, my charity and volunteer work has led me to continue my public service by seeking election to the village council. I have worked with many elected officials in our area, from helping them on their campaigns, to working with them in office. These combined experiences have given me the insight to how elections work, how government works and how elected officials can change the lives of their constituents. My wife and I have chosen Wellington to live and raise our son in, and running for office is another way for me to give to and serve our community. I have the desire to represent you and feel these qualities make me the best qualified candidate for office.
JEAN-JOSEPH LEXIMA
Mr. Lexima did not submit an answer to this question.
Very soon (probably this year), we will see tax increases, but this should be accompanied by fiscal restraint, something our mayor knows nothing about. I seem to remember $3 million a year from us (taxpayers) above and beyond village budgets for years… why?
It’s time for change; no more business as usual. If Tom Wenham couldn’t get it right in times in times of plenty, I fear another term when both the federal government and the state government cut expenditures. Rest assured, someone will pay.
George Unger Wellington
there are rumors that there might be an episode or two left over somewhere. Other shows may never be back, including Bionic Woman and Women’s Murder Club, as well as Moonlight and some other shows that had very little chance to develop an audience.
If you want to get more depressed, a possible actor’s strike could delay things ever more. And many movies have been pushed off schedule, so we will see fewer of them. Of course, with the quality as low as it has been in the past year or two, that might not make much difference.
I am so pleased that the Wellington branch library has been expanded. Visit it regularly. There are more books and the staff is the same friendly group many of us have come to know and like over the past years. Not only will you be more entertained, you may also learn a lot.
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
If you have an eye problem, local ophthalmologist Dr. Kevin Kelly is there to help. He has the training, the latest equipment and state-of-the-art treatment methods to treat macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and other retinal diseases that cause blindness.
A standout feature of Kelly’s practice is a scanner called an ocular coherent tomograph, or OCT, that creates retinal images. In his office on the campus of Wellington Regional Medical Center, Kelly demonstrated how he can manipulate images of retinas on a computer screen.
“This is a scanning laser,” he said. “It will tell the thickness of the back of the eye. This gives us a three-dimensional effect. Every patient who needs macular work, diabetics, macular degeneration, will get an evaluation from this machine to see if they have swelling or any kind of bleeding back there. It will tell me a lot of information. The good thing about this is it’s not invasive.”
Not invasive means a very high level of comfort for patients, who Kelly said must only keep their eye open for about five seconds. The resulting image can be rotated to any angle so that Kelly can fully examine the area before he performs any retinal surgery.
“I can actually take the view of what I’m going to see during the operation and see how to get the best results,” he
said. “Instead of waiting to go into surgery to try and figure that out, I can map that out before I attempt to go in.”
Kelly, 51, specializes in the treatment of retina disorders. Macular degeneration, a condition that causes central vision loss, is the leading cause of blindness in the United States for people over 65. Diabetic retinopathy, a condition associated with diabetes, is the leading cause of blindness for people between the ages of 20 and 65.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., Kelly received his medical degree from Rutgers Medical School in New Brunswick, N.J. He did his internship at Staten Island Hospital, specializing in internal medicine. That was followed by a residency in ophthalmology at King’s County Hospital Center in New York City from 1984 to 1987 and a fellowship in retina and vitreous studies at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston.
Kelly, who has been a Wellington resident for 12 years, is married and has two daughters. He worked for the Visual Health and Surgical Center until opening his own practice in November. He is a member of the Palm Beach County Ophthalmology Society, the Florida Society of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Retina Specialists, the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.
Kelly said he was drawn to treating eye problems because of the objectivity of the specialty.
“Essentially, you look at something, you see it clearly and figure out what it is. Medicine was a little murky for me, a little too much subjectivity. Ophthalmology is very objective. You’re able to tell what’s going on pretty quick, plus it has got cool gadgets,” he said with a laugh. “We’re state of the art. We have electronic records, everything’s digital. The electronic records also allow sharing of
records with other offices almost instantaneously.”
Kelly’s office is located at 1397 Medical Park Blvd., Suite 240, the most northwestern building on the WRMC campus. The practice is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (561) 7843788 or visit www.kevintkellymdpa. com.
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
The epitome of a hometown dentist, Dr. Steven M. Miller of Aesthetic & Family Dentistry of Wellington has been treating patients in the western communities for two decades.
“We’re a family-oriented practice,” he said. “We see a lot of children. Now I’m seeing the children of the children who first came to me 20 years ago. I’ve enjoyed working with the community and being part of the community.”
All the while, Miller has kept the same location, in Wellington Professional One near the original Wellington Mall. He celebrated the 20th anniversary of his Wellington practice Feb. 15.
A well-known figure in the western communities, Miller has been president of the Wellington Lions Club and the Central Palm Beach County Dental Association.
A magna cum laude graduate of Queens College in New York City, Miller earned his dentistry degree from New York University’s College of Dentistry on a scholarship from the U.S. Army. He served in the U.S. Army Dental Corps from 1979 to 1985 and earned the rank of major.
After Miller mustered out of the Army he first moved to Coconut Creek, and in 1986 he settled in Wellington and practiced in Lake Worth alongside Dr. Ed Frankel. A few years later he opened his own practice.
“At that time my office was
known as Gentle Dentistry of Wellington,” he said. “In 2001, I changed our name to Aesthetic & Family Dentistry of Wellington. The new name reflects the new cosmetic procedures we provide.”
Miller, who is married and has two daughters, is looking forward to completing three decades of dental practice next year.
“I’ll be a dentist 29 years in June,” he said. “There have been a lot of positives in the profession during that time. I think the one people are most familiar with is the advancement in cosmetic dentistry. We do our share of that. How we use dental implants to help our patients has changed, too. It’s common now that if a tooth is not on good shape, you’re better off replacing it with a dental implant so you don’t have to make a bridge. You can preserve the teeth next to it. You also use them to help hold down lower dentures, which is very helpful to people. It helps them eat more comfortably.”
Miller’s patients range in age from two to 91. Not all of those patients, of course, enjoy sitting in a dentist’s chair. For them, Miller uses nitrous oxide as a light oral sedation. “There are only about five percent of the patients who can’t have work done without it,” he said.
Besides being a member of the American Dental Association and the Academy of General Dentistry, Miller maintains memberships in the American Association of Cosmetic Den-
‘I’ll be a dentist 29 years in June. There have been a lot of positives in the profession during that time. I think the one people are most familiar with is the advancement in cosmetic dentistry.’
— Dr. Steven M. Miller
tistry, the Florida Dental Association, the Atlantic Coast District Dental Association and the Academy of Laser Dentistry.
Always looking at better ways to help his patients, Miller recently joined the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, which promotes oral appliances and surgery to treat breathing disorders that trouble sleepers. The academy provides training and resources for those who work directly with patients.
“The academy works with different sleep centers,” Miller said. “It helps save some people’s lives.”
Aesthetic & Family Dentistry of Wellington is located in Wellington Professional One at 12788 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 2001. Office hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday and one Saturday per month by appointment only.
For more information, call (561) 798-8023 or visit www. wellingtonsmiles.com.
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
My Huynh is living the American Dream here in the western communities. She came to America from Vietnam ten years ago and began working in Wellington as a manicurist. Three weeks ago, she took ownership of Love Nails in the Courtyard Shops in Wellington.
Huynh built up a devoted following over the years as she worked in various salons in Wellington. “She’s fabulous,” client Brenda Rider of Wellington said. “She’s the best.”
Huynh credits her following to hard work and a devotion to making certain her clients get the best possible manicures, pedicures and other services. “Lots of customers have followed me from other places,” she said. “They’ve become my friends over the years. They not only know they’ll be getting great service here, but they also know we have become friends.”
Love Nails provides a variety of services beyond manicures. “We do pedicures, of course,” Huynh said. “We have a special spa pedicure that refreshes the feet wonderfully. We also do a variety of facials and do both facial and body waxing.”
Huynh said she has made sure that every staff member is a certified, licensed specialist.
“We do a lot of fancy work with French tips, acrylics, gels, and pink and whites,” she said. “If our people don’t get it right, we lose clients. So I only want the best people working here.”
Wellington resident Andrea Kelly thinks that is the right spirit. “I tracked My down,” she said. “She had been working at another place, and I wanted her for my nails. I came here as soon as I found out where she was working. She’s the best.”
Huynh lives in Loxahatchee with her husband Van and their four-year-old son. “I’ve gotten to know so many people at the store that I wanted to live around them,” she said. “This is such a wonderful place to live and raise a child.”
Van, an AT&T electronics technician, maintains switches and other equipment at the main plants in the area but spends a lot of time at the shop, helping to manage the business end. “I like being here,” he said. “People keep coming in and out all day. Although some people make appointments, a lot of them just walk in. We meet some of the nicest people that way.”
Recent customer Lizzie Poe said she is impressed with the service at Love Nails.
“I’ve been here only a few times, but I like how clean the place is, how well the people work here, and I’ve even found that the polish lasts longer when I go here,” she said. “My has a new longtime customer in me.”
Love Nails is located in the Courtyard Shops at 13860 Wellington Trace, Suite 11 and is open Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For an appointment or more information, call (561) 333-9321.
The week of Feb. 24 to March 2 is America Saves Week. The Cooperative Extension Service, in collaboration with local banks and credit unions, will launch “Palm Beach County Saves” on Feb. 28 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Clayton Hutcheson Agricultural Services Center (559 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach). This free event will promote positive financial actions such as saving, credit/debt
management and wise use of financial institutions.
Currently, the national savings rate is zero percent, something that has not occurred since the Great Depression. A recent study commissioned by the Consumer Credit Counseling Service revealed that overall consumer debt has increased by 38 percent for households at all income levels over the last year. Most Americans do not have adequate
savings to meet major emergencies.
The typical American household has less than $100,000 in net wealth, including home equity and 401K accumulations, and only about $10,000 in net financial assets.
To register for Palm Beach County Saves, call (561) 233-1742. For more information on the Extension’s Family and Consumer Sciences programs, visit www.pbcgov.com/coopext/facs.
For consumers struggling with debt, a debt-management plan can provide the step-bystep instructions to help get them back on sound financial ground. At Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast, certified counselors help consumers determine whether they can tackle their financial challenges through budgeting and reduced spending, or if the structure of a debt-management plan will be more effective.
“A debt-management plan is particularly helpful for consumers who are struggling to make
even the minimum payment on their credit cards,” CCCS President Jessica Cecere said. “Ultimately, the plan serves the dual purpose of helping consumers repay their debts and helping creditors receive the money owed to them.”
A debt-management plan is a repayment plan that provides a systematic method for paying down your outstanding debt. Consumers make a single payment to an agency like CCCS and CCCS distributes the funds to creditors. CCCS works with both clients and creditors to design a debt repayment program that minimizes monthly pay-
Ward Waldman — The Wellington Chamber of Commerce held a groundbreaking ceremony for the new South Shore Blvd. location of Ward Waldman Real Estate LLC. Tricia Ward Waldman and her husband Rett run the Land Development Division of Ward Waldman Real Estate Services. Tricia was named Realtors Commercial Society of Palm Beach County’s 2005 Rookie of the Year; she was also the recipient of the 2005 Land Deal of the Year Award. For more info., call (561) 805-7660. Pictured here are the Waldmans.
ments, interest and related fees, providing a manageable tailored plan for the client.
The repayment period varies based on amount owed and the repayment terms. The average debt-management plan is structured to repay debt in 36 to 60 months.
Debt can quickly become overwhelming if you ignore the warning signs, such as:
• Using credit cards to cover daily living expenses
• Making only minimum payments on credit cards or struggling to make even minimum payments
• Carrying multiple credit
cards and rotating their use to juggle balances and due dates
• Making late payments or missing payments for more than one month
• Charging more each month on your credit cards than you are paying toward the balance
• Credit cards that are at or close to their limit
• Not knowing how much you owe
• Calls from creditors
• Taking out loans or using equity in your home to pay off debt
• An interruption in income would cause immediate difficulty paying bills
“Ignoring the problem won’t make it go away,” Cecere said. “Getting help at the first sign of trouble can make the difference between a financial setback and a financial disaster.”
The key to reclaiming your financial independence is recognizing the need for help and getting it. At CCCS, certified counselors will help you evaluate your financial situation and find the solution that best suits you. For more information on debtmanagement plans or to talk with a certified counselor about your options for a debt-free life, call CCCS at (800) 330-CCCS, or visit www.cccsinc.org.
National City recently announced that Gregg Orenstein has been named the branch manager of the bank’s Royal Palm Beach location.
In this position, Orenstein will be responsible for growing core deposits, deepening client relationships and helping customers achieve their financial goals. Previously, he worked as a branch manager at Riverside Bank. Orenstein has five years of experience in financial services.
Orenstein is active in the Royal Palm Beach community, serving as a member of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce and Business Network International.
National City Corporation, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the nation’s
largest financial holding companies.
The company operates through an extensive banking network primarily in Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and also serves customers in selected markets nationally. Its core businesses include commercial and retail banking, mortgage financing and servicing, consumer finance and asset management.
For more information about National City, visit the company’s web site at www. nationalcity.com.
The Royal Palm Beach branch is located at 100 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. For more information, call (561) 7933270.
Hildebrandt Home Inspections — Owned by certified building contractor Steven Hildebrandt, Hildebrandt Home Inspections offers windstorm inspections, real estate inspections, listing inspections and four-point inspections. For more info., call Hildebrandt at (561) 906-0057 or email homeinspections@bellsouth.net. Shown here are Hildebrandt and Wellington Chamber of Commerce board members and ambassadors. Wellington Vacuum — Wellington Vacuum, a Wellington tradition for over 25 years, is a mobile vacuum store offering free delivery and in-home sales for all your vacuum cleaner needs. The company handles sales, repair and parts for central vacuums, household vacuums and commercial vacuums. For more information, call (561) 795-0444. Pictured with Wellington Vacuum’s Dwayne Hendels and Bernie Holmstock are Wellington Chamber of Commerce board members and ambassadors.
Certificates of Appreciation — (L-R) Susan Bonk of the Sun-Sentinel, Mayacoo Clubhouse Manager Lori Conti, Palms West Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jaene Miranda, Two Men and a Truck founder Mary Ellen Sheets, Two Men and a Truck CEO Melanie Bergeron and Loren Londner of the Sun-Sentinel
The Palms West Chamber of Commerce hosted its first Women in Business dinner of the year at the beautifully renovated Mayacoo Lakes Country Club. The featured speakers were the dynamic mother-and-daughter team of Mary Ellen Sheets and Melanie Bergeron, founder and CEO of Two Men and a Truck International respectively.
Sheets and Bergeron shared the inspiring and often amusing story of the birth of Two Men and a Truck, which began with a $350 investment and a 14-foot truck. Two Men and a Truck International is now the largest local moving franchise system in the U.S., with inter-
national locations in the U.K., South Africa and Ireland and plans to open franchises in Australia and New Zealand.
In 2005, Sheets was the first woman honored with the Entrepreneur of the Year Award by the International Franchise Association. She was named the Michigan Women’s Foundation Women of Achievement and Courage Award in 2004 and won the Athena Award in 2002, among many other honors.
For more information about the Palms West Chamber of Commerce’s quarterly Women in Business program, call (561) 790-6200 or visit www.palmswest. com.
The West Palm Beach RV Show was held Feb. 7-10 at the South Florida Fairgrounds featuring 13 dealers and 18 booths featuring accessories and destinations. (Above) Dee and Bruce Bowers try out a camper. (Left) Laura Wiist gets info from Betty Rhoads of Silver Palms RV Village in Okeechobee. (Below) The TAB ultra-light trailer is designed to be pulled by compact cars.
The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) held their Membership Appreciation and Valentine’s Party on Saturday, Feb. 9 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. CAFCI members were awarded certificates of appreciation, while Top Ranking Sound with Selector O.G. provided music. And there was plenty of Valentine’s cake for everyone. For more information about CAFCI, visit www.cafci.net.
$18-$25/HR — Teachers/Tutors P/T. All subjects PreK to Adult. Certification/ Experience required. Palm Beach County Areas Fax 561-828-8128 or Email Tutorking@WPB3331980.COM
HELP WANTED/BOOKKEEPER EXPE-
RIENCED; Familiar with QUICKBOOKS - Full-Time position. Pay commensurate with experience. Fax resume to A. Silver - 561-432-2825
FUND YOUR OWN REVERSE
MORTGAGE,SAVE YOUR HOME — & get paid to help others do the same. Minimum $500. Madelyn 561-422-2910 P/T MESSENGER - approximately 2 hrs/per day. Flexible hours morning or early afternoon. Monday - Friday. Must use own car. 561-798-3731.
CLEANING PART TIME - Buffing floors. Wellington Area. $9/hr 7 am to 10 am 1800-342-2104
RECEPTIONIST NEEDED - for computer & phone work FT/PT $8 per hr. 561-784-3828 press #2.
FUND YOUR OWN REVERSE
MORTGAGE,SAVE YOUR HOME - & get paid to help others do the same. Minimum $500. Madelyn 561-422-2910
Drivers: Local OPPTY! - Great Sal/Benefits. Route Sales/Svc Rep. HS Grad, CDL-B a plus. 561-736-1339. Recruitersouth@safety-kleen.com
PT SALES PEST CONTROL OFFICEto work Saturdays. Commissioned position. Call Jim 561-512-4901
DELIVERY AND TO GO - FT/PT Delivery Drivers. Must have own insured vehicle. Earn $10.00 per delivery. 561752-4444
SHARE CONDO — ROOM FOR RENT IN 1ST FLOOR CONDO - Private room and bath. Washer/Dryer, pool, monthto-month $725. Utilities included. 561422-2910
2/2/1CG CONDO IN GRANDVIEW AT CRESTWOOD — (Gated Community) Includes all amenities, water & cable, 1 st & Security. No Smoking/No Pets. $1200/month 561-202-4373
VILLA SPACIOUS 1BD/1BA TOTALLY
RENOVATED - Brand new kitchen & appliances. Brand new bathroom, screened & gated patio. Barbecue included, Greenway Village. $850/Mo. Partially furnished. Sean 635-1023
10 ACRES — 5 cleared for planting. 5 wooded acres for camping, secluded hunting, fishing, camp. Shopping close. Call for $$$ details. 561-644-9351
PRIVATE LARGE FURNISHED ROOM & PRIVATE BATH WITH PRIVATE OUTSIDE ENTRANCE IN GATED COMMUNITY — with heated community pool, includes all linens, microwave, fridge, cable TV. Non-smoker, No Pets, need references. 1st month & Security Moves you in. 1 person only. 561-790-2326
JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITION-
ING & 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
ACCOUNTING/BOOKKEEPING/TAX
SERVICE — Accounting Professional available to provide accounting support to back office operations. Specializing in record keeping, tax compliance, planning, improving productivity and growth. Utilizing the most advanced Accounting software and spreadsheets such as,QuickBooks, DacEasy, Solomon and Excel. For information call: 561-693-4345 or 386-793-4543 Email: Visionsandconcepts@comcast.net.
NURSERY DEVELOPMENT & NATIVE
PRODUCT SALES - Clearing, construction, plantings, & maintenance, veterans, seniors 10% discount. Call 3R Reasonable Reliable Results. 644-9351
FRED LADWIG ARCHITECT, P.A. - Specializing in custom residential architectural design for over 20 years. New construction, renovations and additions. FL. Registration AA 2706, 561-333-3353.
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. 561-792-2666
D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-333-9433 or Cell 561252-1186 Lic’d- Well. & 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
— Complete packages including fueled system - Best Prices & reliable new Generator systems installed from 15 to 200KW “More Practical and much quieter” Maintenance & Service for all types of generators. Factory Authorized Dealer. 561-707-0575 Palm Beach. Tropical Power Systems, Inc.
CAN FIX IT — build it, move it, plant it, and more. Call Bruce, 793-2494. TFN
BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall, kitchens/cabinets/countertops, remodeling, wood flooring. Bonded/Insured U#19699. 561-791-9900 Cell: 561-3705293 THE HANDYMAN CAN! - Craftsman with years of experience. Repairs, water damage, painting, wall/ceiling, texturing, moldings, flooring, organizers, plumbing, tile. Remodeling bath/kitchens. Big Savings on outdoor kitchen & bar using your grill or just hang a fan. Make your repair HONEY DO LIST. I show up & want your return business. References. Hourly/job. Call Greg 561531-3141
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 561-248-8528
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. 561-723-5836
“You dealt with the rest now deal with the best” maintenance and repairs. Inquire about 1 months FREE service. 561-7915073 ELITE POOL CLEANING
J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-309-6975 BD
PRIMROSE PROPERTY MANAGMENT
FULL SERVICE RESIDENTIAL HOME CARE — Weekly inspections, repairs, & maintenance. Monthly reports, Reasonable rates. 561-602-6857. or email primrosepm123@aol.com
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS – Roof painting. Carpentry. License #U9 865. 9675580. BD SHAKE ROOF SPECIALISTS –– New roofs, repairs, preservation. License #CC025465. Shake Masters, Shake Chem. Members of Shake Bureau. 4396668 BD ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING ––Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded, insured. Lic. #CCC-058317 790-0763. BD ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC-0067207 BD
GARABAR, INC. ROOFING & GENERAL CONSTRUCTION — 561-337-6798 www.garabar.com Lic. #CGC 1510976 CCC1327252. “Deal” Direct with owner. * Please see our display ad* Major credit cards accepted. Fast Free Estimates. Insurance claim specialists.
HOT WYRE ELECTRIC — For all your electrical needs.
TNT LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE
561-644-8683 — Lic. & Ins. Landscape design, low maintenance gardens, professional plant installation, mulching, monthly property maintenance, sprinklers maintenance & repair, expert hedge & tree trimming. Yard cleanup too!
ARMENTO PAINTING & SONS, INC. –– Painting, Interior, Exterior. Pressure cleaning. Custom painting, faux art. Lic. No. U14736. 798-8978. BD
JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. ––– Interior/Exterior, artistic faux finishing, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair, & roof painting/cleaning. Free est. Call 798-4964. Lic.#U18473
LARRY’S PAINTING & WALLPAPER — Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Interior/ Exterior painting. 561-309-2845. Wallpaper - Luanne 561-801-2018 Painting • Residential • Commercial • Historical Restoration • Faux Finishing • Stucco Repair • Roof Painting • and Pressure Cleaning • Sand Blasting • Mold Removal. FLEISCHER’S PAINTING • 561-833-6661. LET US AD A LITTLE COLOR TO YOUR LIFE — Residential/Commercial. Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Owner/Operator. Ask for Paul 561-309-8290. 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. RJA PAINTING & DECORATING — interior, exterior, custom colors, faux artwork, all work guaranteed. Lic. Bonded & Insured. 561-616-2255
PAINTING — HOME PAINTING Interior – Exterior. $1290 +tax up to 2500 sq. ft. (walls area) 561-674-HOME(4663) J&C’s Faux Painting Service, Inc. Lic./Ins. U14092
JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! Lic.#9001390. 798-3132.
ROLL DOWN SHUTTERS — Accordion shutters, storm panels and rolling shutters...prices that can’t be beat. All shutters Systems, Inc. 863-0955 AFFORDABLE HURRICANE PROTECTION — 2 - 4 wks. Installed Guaranteed! 10% deposit . Will get you started. All products, Dade County approved. We manufacture our own product. 561-5686099, 772-342-8705 Lic. & Ins. CGC 1511213
SALES, SERVICE AND INSTALLATION FOR ALL TYPES — Windows, doors, accordion & panel shutters. Impact glass. USA IMPACT WINDOWS & DOORS. 561-502-1518
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
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
WINDOW CLEANING One Or Two Story Homes Serving the Western Communities Since 1988 James 795-4109
B.K. WINDOW TINTING - Safety, security, storm & solar control, window film application. "We Beat Any Written Estimate From Another Company!" Completely mobile since 1992. Palm Beach 561-718-3536 Martin/St. Lucie 772-6074359 Melbourne 321-544-3163
