Wellington became the latest local government with a plan to install cameras at intersections when the Wellington Village Council approved an ordinance Tuesday to crack down on red-light scofflaws. Page 3
New Binks Forest Clubhouse Open
Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington held its official clubhouse re-opening celebration on Friday, Jan. 10. Renovations to the clubhouse and banquet facility are the result of a multimillion-dollar joint venture by Aquila Property Company and Allied Capital. Page 7
Workshop Gives
Actors A Leg Up
Students ages ten to 17 learned about the entertainment business and perfected monologue and audition techniques Jan. 10 and 11 during weekend workshops led by RPB resident Beverly Blanchette. Page 8
Opinion
Support Wellington By Supporting Area Equestrian Venues
Both the Winter Equestrian Festival and the high-goal polo season at the International Polo Club Palm Beach are up and running. In a difficult economy, they remain among the most inexpensive outlets for a day of family-friendly fun. Give them a try, if you haven’t already. Page 4
Spor
ts
Wolverine Soccer Boys Making Waves
With the state playoffs approaching, Wellington High School’s boys varsity soccer team is looking confident and ready to take on the state’s top teams. With a 15-0-2 record, the boys are producing one of the greatest regular seasons in recent memory. Page 17
Features
Quarantine Center Provides Unique, Needed Service
On a five-acre farm in Wellington, James Lala and Rich Faver run South Florida Equine Quarantine, a little-known but important center for some of the top imported horses coming to Florida horse shows. Page 18
Volume 30, Number 3 January 16 -
SHERIFF STARTS SECOND TERM
focused on the PBSO’s progress against crime, stressing that everyone needs to pull together and that good law enforcement requires proper funding. Pictured above are County Commissioner Jess Santamaria,
Michelle
County Postpones Decision On West-Area Landfill Site
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Solid Waste Authority Governing Board postponed its selection of a landfill site for 60 days Wednesday while residents of the western communities and the Glades communities can be contacted regarding their concerns over the SWA’s favored site on State Road 80.
Several residents and officials from Wellington and Loxahatchee Groves told the board, which is composed of the members of the Palm Beach County Commission, that they had not been included in the last site selection round, which ranked by preference the three sites under consideration.
Highest ranked by a SWA selection committee is a site at the corner of State Road 80 and U.S. Highway 98 five miles west of 20-Mile Bend. Communities east and west object to the site because of its likely visibility from SR 80. The property has been called the Smith site through the selection process, but SWA officials Wednesday suggested referring to it as the SR 80/US 98 site.
“I have a name for the State Road 80 site; call it ‘rejected,’” Wellington Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto told them.
Second-ranked by the SWA’s selection committee is the Hundley site, on the north side of County Road 880 about four miles west of 20Mile Bend. Benacquisto asked that the Hundley site be more strongly considered because it is farther from SR 80 and presents a lower base price and hauling costs, despite the necessity to build a new bridge and improve the old road there.
Benacquisto said there had
also been a communications breakdown between area communities and the SWA. “We were told we would have meetings, and those meetings never happened,” she said. “The public hasn’t really been given the opportunity to participate.”
Community leaders at the meeting generally favored the Hundley site, although environmentalists said they favored the Smith site because of the Hundley site’s proximity to Stormwater Treatment Area 1 West, which is a polishing area to remove phosphates in surface water bound for the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
The selection committee ranked another site near South Bay, owned by the Okeelanta sugar-growing concern, a distant third largely because of anticipated hauling costs.
SWA Director Mark Hammond said the SWA issued a request for offers of privately owned alternate sites last March, after environmentalists and wildlife officials raised objections to a site the SWA had purchased in 1996 in southern Palm Beach County because of its proximity to the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge.
All the alternative sites met SWA criteria that they be of sufficient size, meet a minimum setback of two miles from the refuge, the L-8 Canal and Lake Okeechobee. Currently there are no homes within five miles of the three alternative sites, according to the SWA staff report.
Commission Chairman Jeff Koons said he did not understand concerns about proximity to environmentally sensitive areas because the SWA has built natural areas
around its existing landfill in Riviera Beach to buffer its presence from surrounding communities and the West Palm Beach Water Catchment Area.
Koons said he had read correspondence from residents objecting to the location of the sites and said the current landfill has about 60,000 households in its proximity and receives few complaints about its presence.
“The reality of fact is we are a good neighbor,” Koons said. “We process everything you put on your curb. This is an organization that serves you very well, and there’s significant development and a lot of people in the proximity of [the current landfill] site.”
The Smith site of 1,733 acres has been offered at $39,000 per acre, or $67.6 million. The proposed sale price of the 1,493-acre Hundley property is $36,250 per acre, or $54.1 million. Owners of the Okeelanta site have proposed a swap for the 1,600-acre SWA-owned site, contingent on permission to operate a 1,000-acre private landfill on land adjacent to their current property.
County Commissioners Burt Aaronson and Jess Santamaria raised objections to the proposed costs, which were three to four times the appraised value of $10,000 to $11,000 an acre.
“One of the things that I find difficult to swallow continues to be the problem in my mind,” Santamaria said. “I see government paying excessively above market value. I question why we are paying the numbers we are. We rezone, then pay the higher prices.”
SWA Assistant Executive Director Dan Pellowitz said
See LANDFILL, page 18
Wellington Sets Deadline To Apply For Vacant Seat
By Ron Bukley
Town-Crier Staff Report
Seven people had applied for appointment to a vacancy on the Wellington Village Council as of Thursday, and former councilman Bob Margolis was among them.
Margolis, who resigned the seat as a requirement of his bid to become the county’s supervisor of elections last year, threw his hat into the ring late Monday evening with an e-mail to the village, despite several previous claims that he would not seek the seat.
“There have been a lot of residents asking me to reconsider, almost pleading,” Margolis told the Town-Crier Thursday.
Margolis said the straw that broke the camel’s back was a flap between Mayor Darell Bowen, a staunch supporter of Palm Beach Community College’s offer to build a Wellington campus, and the three remaining council members, who say they still have questions about the proposal.
The council was scheduled to consider appointing an applicant on Tuesday to serve the year remaining on the term, but instead postponed the decision while agreeing they should institute a formal application process for council vacancies. After discussion, the council agreed to accept applications for appointment until Tuesday, Jan. 20.
Margolis said the council’s Tuesday action, coupled with a list of applicants that grew through the week, have convinced him that he should withdraw his name from consideration.
“Based on the subsequent applications, I’m confident that some of those who submitted applications recently and who will submit applications are qualified,” Margolis said.
By Thursday, the list of applicants included three unsuccessful candidates in last year’s Seat 4 council race: Howard Coates, Dr. Timothy Shields and Dr. Fred Van Dusen. Coates and Shields were the only two applicants at the start of the week. Shields, a professor at Nova Southeastern University, told the Town-Crier his interest in the council appointment is a continuation of his desire to be involved in village affairs. He was appointed to the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee after his unsuccessful council bid last year. With two sons participating in recreational baseball and football programs, Shields said service on that committee gives him a different perspective on the way things happen in the village’s recreation department. Shields said he has been following the Palm Beach Community College issue closely and critically. “I have been in higher education my whole career the past 15 years in public and private schools,” he said. “I know the way they think. Whatever is said in public meetings, I want to see what the final contract looks like. They’re going to get what they can for free. They will go by the letter of the contract.” Van Dusen, a Wellington resident for 21 years, has served on Wellington’s Public Safety Committee since its inception. He was also on the village’s incorporation committee and negotiated the village’s first contract with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. He said his political aspirations begin and end in the village.
“I have an interest in Wellington and Wellington only,” Van Dusen said. “I have no aspiration for the county commission, only Wellington.” At 61, Van Dusen is a criminal justice professor at PBCC, and said that as a councilman he would want more information before making a decision about locating a campus on the village’s K-Park land. “One question is, ‘what are they going to do for the village?’” he said, adding that he felt Wellington Regional Medical Center made an interesting See VACANCY, page 18
Construction Extension For RPB’s Ideal School
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Royal Palm Beach Village Council granted an extension Thursday allowing the Ideal School more time to finish its second phase of construction while more than a hundred of the school’s students, teachers and parents looked on.
The elementary school, which recently added a middle school component, has for the last year been engaged in the second phase of an expansion program involving the incorporation of a second building at its Royal Commerce Plaza location. Due to cost overruns, the school was unable to meet its original Dec. 31, 2008 completion deadline. Still to be done are traffic flow modifications, landscaping and painting of its new building, and relocation of a playground. Traffic flow problems have led to backups and congestion at the Royal Commerce Plaza, despite efforts by the school to stagger pickup and drop-off times. Senior Planner Bradford
See IDEAL, page 2
Golf Courses, Neighbors Face Off At Meeting
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington Village Council postponed a decision Tuesday on a request by local golf courses that they be allowed to start their maintenance work at 6 a.m. seven days a week.
Current village noise standards do not permit use of mowers and other landscaping equipment until 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday, and until 9 a.m. on Sunday.
Two private clubs, the Binks Forest Golf Club and the Wanderers Club at Wellington, requested they be allowed to begin mowing an hour earlier in order to increase available playing time and improve the condition of their golf courses. The
change would also benefit the village’s third operational golf course at Palm Beach Polo.
But some residents living adjacent to the courses told the council the clubs have long been breaking the current noise ordinance by starting work an hour or more early.
Binks Forest resident John Motzer was one of several residents opposing the proposal. “I have made numerous complaints and nothing is done about it,” he said. “They are out there every day at 6 a.m. on the dot. What they are going to do if they get the OK is go out at 5 a.m. I have lights flashing in the bedroom window when I am trying to sleep. I moved to
Wellington because I thought there was a family atmosphere, and I thought they cared for residents. Allowing this to happen shows you don’t care what happens.”
Lakefield North resident Sam Nebb, who lives near the Wanderers Club, offered similar sentiments. “It’s too early to cut the grass,” he said. “They are disturbing people’s sleep. I am going to ask the current agreement and rules be enforced. You need to stick to the noise abatement rules that are already on the books.”
Club representatives such as Palm Beach Polo consultant Mike Nelson argued that earlier mowing times would benefit the condition of the courses as well as help the
clubs stay afloat in a trying economy.
“The maintenance early in the morning removes the dew on the greens itself,” he said. “It makes it dry out quicker and makes it ready for play. It makes a much safer cut.”
Attorney Wade Byrd, representing the Wanderers Club, said the facility is hosting two U.S. Golf Association events this summer.
“We need this time for relief and understanding from the village,” he said. “If we don’t have the proper maintenance on the course, it’s a mess. It’s an economic situation… A poorly maintained golf course is just like a restaurant. It only takes once before you don’t come back again. We are competing with
other golf courses. We must maintain a world-class maintenance program.” Byrd said the club only uses a hand mower before 7 a.m. “It doesn’t make a lot of noise to put a rake in the sand pile,” he said. “I can assure you the Wanderers Club will continue to cooperate with code enforcement. Most of the time you see us and you don’t hear us.” But Lakefield resident Carmela DiMatteo noted that since the former Wellington Golf & Country Club was converted to the invitationonly Wanderers Club in 2007, she and her neighbors had seen the golf course screened from view.
Wanderers Club is
See GOLF NOISE, page 18
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw hosted an “Inauguration Family Picnic” last Saturday at the Micanopy Pavilion in Okeeheelee Park. The highlight of the day came when Judge Jim Martz administered the oath to Bradshaw, formally beginning his second term in charge of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. In his inaugural address, Bradshaw
Bonnie Matthews,
Santamaria, Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and Jim Matthews. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 9
PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Before a crowd of about 50 guests, the team creating the Wellington Training Club broke ground Tuesday on the development’s central feature, a 78,000-square-foot covered riding arena.
The arena, along with two grassed fields, four all-weather schooling rings and a 39,000-square-foot clubhouse, comprise the central amenities of Wellington’s newest equestrian development. Wellington Training Club is a 525-acre equestrian community of farms located off 50th Street in the village’s Equestrian Preserve Area.
Master equestrians John and Beezie Madden joined project managers Mike O’Dell and Susan Giddings of O’Dell Land Development Consultants, and Karen-Ann
Gardier, chief operating officer of property owner Wellington Preserve Corp., putting shovels in the ground to mark the start of the construction period. By the end of 2010, the entire 66-acre amenity, including the two-story clubhouse,
“We
Ideal Extension
’Til July 31
continued from page 1
O’Brien said the school expects all work to be finished in seven months. “They are looking at a completion date of July 31, 2009,” he said.
The school faces an absolute completion deadline of Dec. 31, 2009.
Mayor David Lodwick said the school had come a long way in just a few years.
“The last time I saw you up close and personal, you were looking rather haggard after a hurricane and no roof,” he told Ideal School co-owner Kris Soderman. “We walked through the school, and little did you know that you were going to buy the building and improve the building, and you get this crazy idea to build another building.”
Lodwick said the link of Seminole Palms Road and Royal Commerce Road north of the campus has relieved some of the traffic congestion in the area, but problems will persist as long as the school’s traffic lanes remain unfinished.
“That is now a heavily traveled road many times of the day, and that’s a good thing,” Lodwick said. “It keeps cars off of Southern Blvd., but the concerns were about traffic flow, and that is a concern of yours because you want your kids to get to and from safely every day, as well as have a positive experience for parents who pick up and drop off every day.”
Lodwick said that completing the improvements would also greatly relieve the plaza’s other occupants.
“As many of you parents know, if you are there at a certain time of the afternoon, I think that time is about 2:45 or 3 o’clock, we all know there is an issue there that you want solved as much as we want solved,” he said. Lodwick said that while the village understands that things change in the course of development, timelines are set for a reason. He asked the audience to picture the nearby Costco store saying, “well,
we’re going to go ahead and open” after completing only 12 parking spaces. “The city is protected in that regard because before we ever let the developer go ahead, we would have made the developer bond all the improvements,” Lodwick said. “We would have made the improvements go in first, not the back end, and if they hit a date where it wasn’t there, there would have been a red tag on the job and you’d be done.” Lodwick said the village wants to be supportive of a school and people doing good for the children. “At the same time, as we get at the end of it, there’s improvements that have to be done and have to be made,” he said. “What you can’t have every day are people picking up, dropping off, traffic backing up into public streets or making your own procedure almost impossible.”
Lodwick said he wanted to set a timeframe the school could meet, while respecting the rights of other businesses.
“At some point, we’ve got to be fundamentally fair to those neighbors,” he said.
John Schmidt, agent for the Ideal School, said the required improvements are moving ahead and they are making efforts to alleviate the traffic problem. “They’ve done a lot themselves just in sequencing the drop-offs in trying to alleviate the situation,” he said. “We just need a little bit more time, if we could, to work out the other solutions.” Soderman thanked the council for working with the school through the hurricanes and supporting it during its growth over the years.
“You’ve always been more than helpful, and I’m hopeful that we can continue that relationship,” he said. “I think that is what local government is for, the people who live in the community, especially schools and children.” Councilman
under no circumstances beyond the end of the year. The motion passed unanimously.
Matty Mattioli made a motion to approve the time extension to July 31, and
25 Years Of Service — Retired Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation worker Joel Case received his 25-Year Service Award from Mayor David Lodwick at Thursday’s Royal Palm Beach Village Council meeting.
PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER
Equestrian Project — Mike O’Dell, John and Beezie Madden, Mayor Darell Bowen, Karen Gardiner and Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore take part in Tuesday’s groundbreaking at the Wellington Training Club.
PHOTO BY REBECCA WALTON/PHELPS MEDIA GROUP
Wellington Jumps On The Red Light Camera Bandwagon
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Wellington became the latest local government with a plan to install cameras at intersections Tuesday when the Wellington Village Council approved an ordinance to crack down on red-light scofflaws.
The village is following in the footsteps of Palm Beach County and Royal Palm Beach, which both initiated similar programs last year.
Like Royal Palm Beach, the Wellington program would employ the village’s code enforcement system and magistrates to make rulings on violations and levy fines.
“These violations will not go on someone’s driving record,” Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz told the council. “Rather, there will be a civil fine imposed by the village. The village staff will monitor these things. We will probably engage a company to set up the equipment that takes the pictures, and a village staff member will review the images to see if a violation has occurred.”
The ordinance states that the program is intended as a public safety measure and not a revenue-generating mechanism, but allows that it will at least pay for itself through fines collected, if not turn a profit. The proposed fine schedule would charge a violator $125 each time for the
first two infractions, with $250 assessed for a third over a three-year period.
The village is expected to request proposals from contractors to supply and set up the cameras, Kurtz said, employing a pilot trial before a wider array of cameras is deployed.
Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto asked how the camera placement would be affected by changing statistics for various intersections.
“Once we get the system up and running, it’s not a static situation,” Kurtz said. “There is the ability to remove or add cameras at various locations. When you are monitoring them, you will get an idea of where you have a lot of violations, and where you have a few of them. The good news is once these things are out there, [violators] will stop going through them. There is a lesser need for them at the locations as they get caught.”
Councilman Matt Willhite asked how the enforcement process would work on drivers of rental cars. “We would look to the rental car company,” Kurtz said. “They would identify for us who had the car.”
Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore made a motion for approval, which was seconded by Benacquisto. It passed unanimously 4-0.
In other business, council members requested that a discussion of appraisals of the village’s “K-Park” property on State Road 7 be placed on a future agenda.
Willhite defended his insistence on hard information about the economic impact of a proposed Palm Beach Community College campus planned for the property, which the village would provide at no cost. He noted that the village shouldn’t be expected to pay for that research.
“We have asked the college from the get-go for the analysis,” he said. “We could pay for our analysis. The burden is on them. I think I am doing my work for council. I don’t think nine months [from the initial proposal] is unreasonable.”
Willhite suggested requesting an item to proceed with an analysis, but Priore countered that he would support an item centered on discussion of an appraisal and usage of the property.
“I’m sure that utilizing our Realtors we can find out what we need to know,” Priore said. “I know there are four or five different techniques to use appraisals. We do have to know what the property is worth.”
Village Manager Paul Schofield said he would draw up an item seeking estimates on conducting an appraisal
and determining the best use of the property.
Also Tuesday, Willhite raised concerns about funding allocated for a planned municipal complex during an annual review of the village’s capital improvements plan. The five-year outlook includes $51 million in governmental projects and $30.7 million in water and wastewater projects.
Willhite took issue with several items, including $15 million reserved for construction of a new municipal complex, which several council members have said they would like to see underway as soon as possible. He said the uncertain economy and the upcoming state legislative session might further hurt village revenues.
“There is a bill filed in Tallahassee that would impose a 1.35 maximum on millage,” he said. “I am very concerned. It could be a $4 million hit to the village.”
Willhite said a space study on the municipal complex plans, promised by village staff, was one of several missing pieces of information the council should have in hand before continuing forward.
Priore replied that the village should have projects ready to get underway, as he expected the Obama administration would allocate federal funding similar to the
public works projects of the 1930s.
“Cities and states need to have shovel-ready projects,” Priore said. “We need to show how ready we are. This is a way you put people to work. You have the projects. There may be bidders. There may be government buildings. They will stimulate the economy. The fact is that we have the numbers there. We are ready to move forward. It would be a sad commentary that says we have money from the government, and at some point, they will be wait-
ing and saying, ‘what do you want to do, and how much will it cost?’ I want to be in line for it.”
Benacquisto added that the council could re-evaluate the projects in the CIP at any point, but being prepared for new possibilities would benefit the village. “If we are not ready, we would be doing a disservice to our residents,” she said.
Benacquisto made a motion to adopt the amendments to the CIP, which was seconded by Priore. It passed 3-1 with Willhite opposed.
Klein Takes The Oath — Recently re-elected Congressman Ron Klein (D-District 22) held a local swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Jan. 12 at the Historic Palm Beach County Courthouse in West Palm Beach. Klein was sworn in by Judge Kathleen Kroll with his wife Dori at his side. Refreshments followed the swearing-in ceremony.
PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
OUR OPINION
Support Wellington By Supporting Equestrian Venues
For decades, Wellington has been regarded as one of the world’s premier venues for equestrian sport. That reputation has grown along with the community itself. Still, the insular equestrian community and the larger population of yearround residents have always seemed mutually exclusive. With the soccer moms and business dads on one side, and the equestrian set on the other, it almost seems like there are two Wellingtons. But that is changing, with the Winter Equestrian Festival and the International Polo Club increasingly becoming popular attractions for all area residents.
Remember when Wellington was considered a sleepy “bedroom” community, before the hustle-and-bustle of commerce along the surrounding perimeters? Pretty soon, the idea that equestrian sport is for a minority of horse-lovers will become just as passé. When horse show promoter Mark Bellissimo and his company Equestrian Sport Productions produced the inaugural Palm Beach Steeplechase last November in Wellington, the idea was that it would appeal to a broader audience, one that’s more family-oriented and not necessarily part of the equestrian community. However, rather than competing with show jumping, dressage and polo, the
Don’t Exempt Golf Courses From Village Noise Rules
We chose to move to Wellington in 1995. We purchased a brand new, two-level home that was built by Lennar in Lakefield North in a gated community.
We chose a lot that was only a short walk to a lovely country club, with a beautiful pool where we had a social membership, not just for golfers, but for swimmers, tennis players and dining socially on a nearly daily basis.
The cost then was $1,000 yearly for this social membership with all amenities, and a small charge to rent a golf cart and use the golf course or tennis courts as desired. It was like heaven and all was right in the world.
When the Wellington Club became the Wanderers Club at Wellington and embarked on improvements and invested in making this a first-class golf course, they were welcomed as good neighbors, and we looked forward to being in a community which is totally surrounded by this magnificent golfer’s paradise.
The directors of Lakefield North approved the reworking of golf paths traversing our community and watched and listened as flatbeds with tractors traversed South Club Drive and looked forward to the club’s opening.
Now, the views we had are blocked by palm fronds, which will grow to 40 feet or more, and we are greeted in every direction by “no trespassing” signs and no longer have the affordability to have social memberships or dining or being part of this golf-only private club, in whose mem-
bership few of the residents of the community it totally surrounds can have affordable access.
Still, it’s their property, and if they wanted to block our views and stop social memberships, it was their right.
Now, they are requesting the right to block our sleep. Golf course maintenance, which was started (per noise abatement laws) at 7 a.m. is now requesting 6 a.m. and seven days a week for these tractors and aerators, and getting these tractors in position even before then.
Their gasoline engines and machinery and headlamps are blaring, sometimes even before dawn, right behind our hedged-in homes, with no regard for anyone who wishes to be able to sleep. I need no alarm clock — this is how I awaken every day. Lakefield North is completely encircled by the Wanderer’s Club. We are not a farming or equestrian community, and we should not have our right to sleep disturbed that early. I am asking that the village enforce the existing noise abatement laws and do not grant an exemption from them, for any golf course that totally surrounds any community. Sampson Nebb Wellington Don’t Knock
Community Service
I did not live through the Great Depression, and I barely remember the gas crisis of the ’70s, but I cannot remember more difficult times then we now face. As a Wellington resident for the past eight years, I am hopeful that our leadership will help us get through these trying times.
staples of Wellington equestrian sport, steeplechase adds another option. Besides having yet another bragging right for why Wellington is a great community, the additional interest could translate to extra revenue for the village and its economy. During a time when Wellington officials are wondering whether they can afford a village hall or what should be done with the K-Park property (a Palm Beach Community College campus versus park space), the potential exists for all Wellington residents to help significantly bolster the local economy by supporting our equestrian venues.
Right now, both the 2009 Winter Equestrian Festival and the high-goal polo season at IPC are up and running. In today’s difficult economy, they remain among the most inexpensive outlets for a day of family-friendly fun. Give them a try, if you haven’t already.
The 2009 FTI Winter Equestrian Festival continues through March 29 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (14440 Pierson Road, Wellington). For tickets, visit www.equestriansport.com or call (561) 793-5867. For more information about upcoming polo matches at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, call (561) 204-5687 or visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I have recently read comments and editorials about Bob Margolis and what he should now do with his time. Having served our community for years as a member and then chair of the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB), then as a member of the Wellington Village Council for six years, he recently lost an election to become Supervisor of Elections. There has been talk that he could possibly be re-appointed to the council, run for mayor in two years, run for another office, or even dogcatcher (disparagingly).
My point is simply this; who are any of us to criticize him; play Monday morning quarterback and tell him what to do? I am not going to defend or malign his record (although I think he’s done a tremendous job), the fact that he has been a public servant (for the majority of the time, an unpaid volunteer) should speak volumes about Bob. How many of us devote any time to public service or volunteer for anything? Not many.
I happen to admire Bob and think he’s done a tremendous job on PRAB and on the council. The campaign of negativity has got to stop. This is exactly why people run away from public service. We are entering a new, bipartisian effort on a national and global front; let’s endeavor to carry that over to our small corner of the world here in Wellington. It has been said that “all politics start at the local level,” so let’s start out on a positive note and hold up our elected and past elected officials and volunteers. Instead of constantly contributing to our many problems, let’s come together and be a part of the solution. Let’s find a reason to remain positive,
or if that’s entirely impossible, put yourself out there and contribute in a meaningful way as did Bob Margolis and his wife Linda.
Liz Stockton Wellington
Margolis Will Be Missed
First, I want to thank the Town-Crier for the coverage of Bob Margolis leaving the Wellington Village Council. I first worked with Bob when I was part of a team dedicated to creating Village Park, originally known as Pierson Park. He was an unshakable ally and committed advocate on behalf of Wellington’s young people… he remains so today.
Then, after his appointment and election to the Wellington Village Council, I have grown to respect the character and insight he has brought to each decision he has made. Over the years, the village has faced many challenges. Bob looks beyond the face of a problem to examine its consequences. He has assessed and decided each issue as would a businessman crafting a long-term business plan, not a quick-fix solution. No member of the council can please every resident on every issue. There are bound to be differences of opinion. We are a diverse community. Bob Margolis, however, has strived over the years to be both reasoned, fair and accountable. Our community is far better for his service; he will be missed.
Valerie McKinley Wellington
Poll Residents On PBCC Plan
I was pleased to read in last week’s Town-Crier that
OPINION
council members [Dr. Carmine] Priore and [Lizbeth] Benacquisto are raising concerns about the Palm Beach Community College giveaway, something that councilmen [Bob] Margolis and [Matt] Willhite have done from the start of this proposal. I was, however, appalled by Mayor [Darell] Bowen issuing a warning to his fellow council members that if they don’t support it, they will have to answer for it in the next election. Why is he trying to intimidate fellow council members, who obviously care more about serving the public’s needs than wholeheartedly and blindly supporting his agenda? Does our mayor really think that his bullying tactics will work on these independent thinkers? Please sir, have a little more respect for the people with whom you serve! Actually, Mayor Bowen should heed his own warning, since most Wellingtonians recognize the lunacy of this giveaway. However, if the mayor is so sure that the majority of residents support this giveaway, why is he opposed to a referendum? Why not poll residents in a low-cost way by including a return card with their water bill payment? I would offer to be one of the unpaid volunteers to count the returns. Many of us would be supportive of the land being used for an educational institution, but through a purchase, not a giveaway. Why is the mayor in such a rush to put this giveaway deal to
bed? When did our village change from a democratic system of government to a dictatorship?
Mary E. Di Iulio
Wellington
Priore: Here’s My PBCC Plan
I received a number of calls and personal requests to review the entire content of my Jan. 6 memo to Paul Schofield regarding the Pierson Road [“K-Park”] site. I have attached the memo in its entirety for publication: Since October and November, a great deal has changed regarding the Pierson Road site:
1. The Sunrise contract has been withdrawn.
2. The church is no longer considering an agreement with the college.
Consequently:
1. Funds to offset the bond payments will not be available (from the Sunrise sale).
2. The additional frontage on State Road 7 from the church property swap is not available. Therefore, I now look at this project with a different perspective. I believe we need to obtain a new set of appraisals. The $20-$30-$50 million price is no longer valid. Those numbers cannot be accurate in today’s market. I would like to see appraisals based on different scenarios, for instance: a) frontage, b) the 22-acre section as I have suggested, c) the remaining
Scathing Bowen Letter To Council Lands Like A Grenade
Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen tossed a written reprimand wrapped around a grenade at fellow council members Monday at a normally routine pre-council agenda meeting.
The mayor’s scolding two-page letter was the result of memos three council members sent to Village Manager Paul Schofield asking numerous questions concerning the prospect of Palm Beach Community College building a campus on Wellington’s “K-Park” site. I wrote about the memos in an article published last week. Mayor Bowen told me over the weekend that many of the questions were “sophomoric” and that the council members “could have gotten those answers themselves if they had picked up a telephone like I did.”
A witness described the meeting as “nasty,” including a diatribe of protest by council members that featured Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto yelling at hizzoner and vowing never to read his letter. Councilman Matt Willhite and Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore also registered their disapproval of the mayor’s rebuke in unkind terms. The description of the incident by others reminded me of toddlers fighting over a pail in a sandbox. What is behind all of this anger? Is it really about the PBCC campus? Or is it about political posturing by council members? Perhaps it is about political aspirations requiring leadership credentials. I’ll make my own, perhaps incomplete, attempt to answer those questions.
Mayor Bowen is, by my reckoning, committed to raising the educational standards of Wellington. He never sought out PBCC. The college and some local friends of the college sought him out. One of the mayor’s problems is that he is taking on projects that have been
Point of View...
By Don Brown
avoided for many years by weak-kneed councils — such as redevelopment, a new city hall, more employment centers and preparing the village for the post-build-out future.
Mr. Bowen’s case to the three council members in his own words:
“As I see the flurry of questions from each of you regarding the PBCC proposal, I see a group of politicians running for cover,” he wrote. “This is exactly the kind of behavior that makes the public so frustrated with our elected leaders. It frustrates me, too… If you don’t have adequate answers to the questions posed, shame on you. It reminds me of the school kid that has a final exam tomorrow and hasn’t opened the book all semester. You have had over nine months to study this proposal and to get answers to any questions you have. I have asked all these questions plus many more and have had no trouble getting answers that satisfy my needs.”
The mayor characterized as irrelevant the questions raised about the need to continue making bond payments on the original purchase of the K-Park property because the payments, which actually started five years ago on the vacant property, would have to be made regardless of what is done with the land. “Adding the college would be a plus, not a minus. At least we would then
be getting some return on our investment,” he noted.
Mr. Bowen, a former Realtor, also argued that the property value is irrelevant unless the property was purchased as an investment. “If we bought it as an investment, we have done a poor job of managing it,” he wrote. “Without the cost of an appraisal, I can tell you the property is not worth any more today than what we paid for it and, further, with all the carrying costs and consulting fees, etc., we are upside down. If you all want to waste another $10,000 to $20,000 for an appraisal, all we have to do is vote on it. I guess in light of the fact that we already have spent over $800,000 in studies for this property, what is another few thousand dollars,” he added sarcastically.
Mr. Bowen also made the argument that it is not necessary to waste additional money on economic impact studies. He urged council members to talk to people who understand the value of a college in their communities. “We as a council need to consider the longterm effects of this project and not let ourselves be influenced by folks thinking very short term,” he wrote. “We were elected to make the hard decisions as well as the easy ones, and we shouldn’t waffle around and try to avoid that responsibility.”
Tough words to council members used to squabbling out of earshot of the public. Perhaps too tough, but so was the reaction of council members not used to be taken to the woodshed.
My sources in and around village hall tell me the entire PBCC controversy is most likely a moot issue. The dramatic economic downturn since the college was first proposed has dried up state and private funding, mak-
ing it very difficult for PBCC to finance the project. One insider told me he suspects the college has been purposely slowing down contract talks. “They would love to tie up the property just in case they might want to build a campus in the future,” another source told me. So why doesn’t the council just pull the plug on the deal if the college is indeed stringing the village along? Perhaps council members just haven’t figured it out. Mr. Bowen is clear about what he wants. Others are meek in their support of the project or dead-set against it, as is the case with Mr. Willhite. Ms. Benacquisto is something of an enigma, but she has been no shrinking violet over the years in attempts to place a college campus in the western communities. Perhaps the answer lies in a flurry of e-mails I obtained a few weeks ago revealing the pressure she was receiving from opponents of the PBCC plan, including threats that they would attempt to hamper her future political ambitions. Ms. Benacquisto will be term-limited next year and was thought four years ago to be a potential county commission candidate. Does she still have ambitions? I wanted to ask her, but she did not return my calls. Another scenario is that some council members are posturing for a race for mayor. Mr. Bowen’s two-year term will be up in 2010. Ms. Benacquisto’s current term also ends in 2010. Is she preparing to run for mayor regardless of whether Mr. Bowen seeks re-election? Dr. Priore’s final four-year term doesn’t end until 2012, and he told me just a week ago that he does not plan to seek election to the county commission, which is also open in 2010. Does he also have his eye on the mayor’s chair? Political posturing to be sure.
Surprise Entertainment A Hit At Young At Heart Club Luncheon
By Don Brown Town-Crier Staff Report
Seniors from Royal Palm Beach’s Young at Heart Club got an added bonus last Friday at their annual installation luncheon at the RPB Cultural Center — a musical performance that included none other than Royal Palm Beach Councilman David Swift. Swift, his daughter Caroline, and Carlyn Kowalsky were surprise entertainment
guests at the event attended by more than 200 Young at Heart members. Swift, a guitarist, and Kowalsky, a pianist, accompanied Caroline, a vocalist. Both Swift and Kowalsky are co-workers at South Florida Water Management District. Swift and his daughter regularly entertain at a lounge in Delray Beach. Councilman Matty Mattioli served as master of ceremonies and installed the
Young at Heart officers. They included Victor McBarnette, president; Rick Hansen, first vice president; and Margie Bonner, secretary. Pearl Layne, second vice president, couldn’t attend and will be sworn in at a later monthly meeting.
Mattioli, while announcing the afternoon’s entertainment, first joked that a Las Vegas headliner was scheduled to perform but that his
car had broken down en route. He then announced the actual performers. The Young at Heart Club is a village-sponsored group for seniors 50 and over. Members attend monthly catered luncheons and overnight trips.
For more information about activities or joining the club, call the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center at (561) 790-5149.
CAFCI STARTS 2009 BY INSTALLING NEW OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
PHOTOS BY DON BROWN/TOWN-CRIER
Young at Heart officers Margie Bonner, Rick Hansen and Victor McBarnette with Matty Mattioli and Sheryl Sawyer.
Marian and Councilman Matty Mattioli.
Carlyn Kowalsky, David Swift and Caroline Swift provide entertainment during the luncheon.
More than 200 seniors attended the luncheon.
Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) recently held a swearing-in ceremony for its 2009-10 board of officers. The event took place Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Harvin Center in Royal Palm Beach with County Commissioner Jess Santamaria officiating. The new board includes President Genieve White, First Vice President Rhonda Ferrin-Davis, Second Vice President Fred Pinto, Recording Secretary Junette Powell, Corresponding Secretary Nadine White-Boyd, Treasurer Kitty Lannaman, Director-at-Large Lauriston Sims, Director-at-Large Henworth Ferguson and President Emeritus J. Amanayea Abraham.
Fred Pinto and Jess Santamaria.
President Genieve White says a few words.
County Commissioner Jess Santamaria with the 2009-10 CAFCI Board of Officers.
President Genieve White and President Emeritus J. Amanayea Abraham. Jess Santamaria swears in the new officers.
Road Rage In RPB Leads To Assault Charge
By Jason Budjinski Town-Crier Staff Report
JAN. 14 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to a business on South State Road 7 regarding an aggravated assault on Wednesday. According to a PBSO report, the deputy met with 44-year-old Tamara Clark of Palm Beach Gardens, who said she was at a U-turn while another driver was behind her. The other driver began beeping her horn at Clark, before driving around her and entering the nearby shopping plaza. Clark then chased the driver into the plaza, where an argument ensued. Clark struck the victim several times with a closed fist, entered her vehicle and intentionally rearended the victim’s vehicle twice, causing severe damage to its rear bumper. Clark continued to travel southbound on SR 7 before the deputy caught up with her. She was arrested for aggravated assault and simple battery, and was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.
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JAN. 12 — A man was arrested early Monday morning at a restaurant on South Shore Blvd. in Wellington for possession of cocaine. According to a PBSO report, at approximately midnight a deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington made contact with 29-year-old Jorge Garcia, who was in an intoxicated state. A search of Garcia revealed cocaine in his right front pocket. He was taken to the county jail.
JAN. 13 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home on Medicis Place on Tuesday morning regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 11:58 p.m. Monday and 6:30 a.m. the following morning, someone attempted to gain entry to two vehicles parked in front of the residence. The suspect tried to pull the door off its frame but was unsuccessful. No entry was made and nothing was stolen from inside. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.
JAN. 13 — A resident of Dupont Place called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Tuesday regarding a home burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. someone entered the residence by forcing open the sliding door at the rear of the home. Once inside, the suspect stole approximately $42,475 in jewelry, video equipment and video games. The suspect then exited through the point of entry. There were no suspects or witnesses available at the time of the report.
JAN. 13 — A Royal Palm Beach woman was arrested Tuesday following a traffic stop at the Chevron gas station on Okeechobee Blvd. According to a PBSO report, after conducting a traffic stop
on a 2001 Dodge Intrepid, deputies observed an open can of beer in the center console. As the deputy was speaking to the driver, the front passenger, 23-year-old Maryanne Mellin became loud and yelled profanities at the deputies. As one of the deputies attempted to retrieve the beer, Mellin concealed it between her legs. The deputy asked her to hand it to him, and she refused until the third request. Mellin then stepped outside the vehicle with a lit cigarette. An argument ensued regarding where she would extinguish the cigarette. Mellin was placed in handcuffs and issued a citation for an open container. She was booked for resisting arrest without violence.
JAN. 13 — A juvenile was arrested Tuesday night for shoplifting at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach and a Wal-Mart loss prevention officer observed the juvenile conceal earphones and a cellular phone case in his pockets. The juvenile paid for other items at the cash register but exited the store with the concealed items still in his pockets. He was arrested at the scene and transported to the Juvenile Assessment Center.
JAN. 14 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to the parking lot of the Victoria Groves clubhouse Wednesday night regarding a suspicious incident. According to a PBSO report, the deputy observed a vehicle parked in the lot after dark. Upon making contact with the vehicle’s occupants, the deputy smelled marijuana emanating from the vehicle. Twenty-year-old Jeremiah Hicks of Port St. Lucie was charged with possession of marijuana. He was also arrested on an outstanding warrant related to a domestic battery charge, according to the report.
JAN. 14 — A Miami woman was arrested Wednesday for shoplifting at the Hollister store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, 51-year-old Margarita Ramirez was observed shoplifting miscellaneous items at the Hollister store, which totaled $594 in value. Ramirez was charged with grand theft.
JAN. 15 — A juvenile was arrested early Thursday morning for child neglect outside the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a juvenile female and her boyfriend left their two-yearold daughter unattended inside the vehicle while they went inside the store to shoplift. The juvenile was arrested at the scene for child neglect. A subsequent search revealed she was in possession of oxycodone and Xanax, as well as stolen WalMart merchandise. The juvenile’s mother arrived and took custody of the two-year-old.
Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives:
• Claire Phillips is a white female, 5’5” tall and weighing 140 lbs., with red hair and brown eyes. Her date of birth is 09/05/85. Phillips is wanted for violation of supervised own recognizance on a conviction for robbery with a weapon. Her occupation is cashier. Her last known address was Periwinkle Place in Wellington. Phillips is wanted as of 01/15/09.
• Frank Reich, a.k.a. Franklin Reich, is a white male, 6’1” tall and weighing 220 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 05/07/54. Reich is wanted for obtaining property in return for a worthless check. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Balfour Point Drive in Royal Palm Beach. Reich is wanted as of 01/15/ 09. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458TIPS (8477) or visit www.crime stopperspbc.com.
Claire Phillips
Frank Reich
Santamaria: Greed Behind Housing Bubble, Political Scandals
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Greed was the driving force both in the housing bubble and recent political scandals, County Commissioner Jess Santamaria told Palms West Chamber of Commerce members Monday.
Santamaria made his comments as the featured speaker of the chamber’s business breakfast held at the Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub in Wellington.
Santamaria, who made a career in housing construction and real estate before leaving the industry several years ago, said the first 25 of his 35 years in the western communities saw the housing market expand naturally.
“In the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s, we had a healthy growth,” he said. “Nobody made a big killing. I made a decent living, and I was successful in my field. You know what happened in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. You know what happened in those years. What used to be three or four or five percent annual growth became 15, 20, 25 and 30 percent a year, and I knew it would not continue that way. It just could not.”
The combined greed of developers, Realtors and speculators permeated the local housing economy, Santamaria said. “There were flippers,” he said. “My ex-partner Wally Sanger was taking four or five contracts from one person, and the person had no real intention of buying a home. They would flip it before the house was built. The builders were raising the prices almost every week, and the banks were doling out money left and right. If you had a few bucks, you got the financing. The businesses were making money. That just spiraled and escalated. We are paying the price now.”
A year and a half ago, Santamaria said, the median price of a home was $421,000, but
until late 2001 his company sold four-bedroom, threebath homes for about $170,000 to $180,000. The market will continue to adjust to realistic post-bubble prices, he said.
“Project five percent compounded, and we would be today in the vicinity of $240,000 and $250,000,” he said. “Slowly but surely, we are going to start grinding back and go where we should have been at the beginning. I see light at the end of the tunnel, but it has not ended yet. I expect by the third or fourth quarter of 2009 we will be almost where we should have been to begin with. I am optimistic. You need to be optimistic. It may be another six months. I look forward to the years to come.”
Santamaria said greed also played into the unwelcome notoriety Palm Beach County has experienced from recent corruption scandals involving public officials, most recently his former county commission colleague Mary McCarty. He said public apathy about local politics fostered the problem.
“Government cannot corrupt itself on its own,” he said. “It requires other elements of the general public. That’s you and I. We created the predicament we are in. The biggest contributor is apathy, and the other contributor is greed. There was nothing to be surprised about. We saw it coming. We created some of the ingredients.”
Noting that he pledged when he ran for office that he would accept no funding from special interests, Santamaria said more people should stand up to rid local government of a seemingly pervasive quid-pro-quo environment.
“Unless we change our attitude about who helps us for our personal gain, then nothing will change,” Santamaria said. “We will get some
people behind bars for five years or so, and that will be it. It takes two to tango. Government cannot be corrupt by itself. Someone is the giver, and someone is the taker. Both are equally guilty. If you give and receive, you are equally guilty. We have to look at ourselves in the mirror. Are we a part of the problem, or are we a part of the solution?”
While many worry about cleaning up the federal government, Santamaria urged everyone to keep an eye on what goes on close to home. “I will do the best I can to represent you. We cannot worry about Washington. There is not much we can do in Washington,” he said. “We can do a bit in Tallahassee. There is one place where we together, you and I, can make a difference and to make this community what it should be.”
Monday’s chamber breakfast was sponsored by Republic Services of Palm Beach. Area General Manager Dave Unversaw said that
by merging with Allied Waste at the start of the year, Republic Services has become the second-largest nationwide waste hauling company.
“We have 427 collection companies in the United States,” he said. “We have gone from a $3-billion-a-year company to a $9-billion-ayear company. This merger offers the enhancements of a large company that provides more services and enhanced abilities to solve your waste and recycling needs in the future from a much larger standpoint, with some of the best, if not the best, people in the industry.”
Unversaw said his company is a gold sponsor of the chamber’s South Florida Green, Energy & Climate Conference/Expo scheduled for March, and is building a new environmentally certified facility in Palm Beach County to handle its increased workload.
“We will take the environment into consideration as we are building it so that we save
energy and electricity, and we have people recycle different things,” Unversaw said. “It’s not about everything going into the landfill. I do a tremendous amount of recycling in my community. I teach all my neighbors how to do recycling. I say it’s not about us. It’s about our children. It’s about our grandchildren. Those are the guys who will benefit from what we do today. I encourage you to recycle and recycle some more.”
Gypsy’s Horse co-owner Guy Mulligan said his establishment is now in its fourth year of business and is in the
process of expanding its presence in the original Wellington Mall to provide a more family-friendly space for patrons. “We need to find a room where families can feel more comfortable with their children, and they are not necessarily in the pub atmosphere,” Mulligan said. “It’s sometimes a problem. That’s our goal. We hopefully will do that within the next month. We’re hoping to be over there by the first week of February. We’re looking forward to it.” For more information about the Palms West Chamber, call (561) 790-6200.
JOE BARRY MEMORIAL CUP KICKS OFF POLO SEASON IN WELLINGTON
As part of Wellington Day at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington last Sunday, the Palms West and Wellington chambers of commerce joined members
by Ciara Emmanuel. On the field, San Saba defeated Isla Carroll 14-13 in overtime. This Sunday’s Joe Barry Memorial Cup final will feature San
Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington held its official clubhouse re-opening celebration on Friday, Jan. 10. The renovations to the 30,000-square-foot clubhouse and banquet facility are the result of a multimillion-dollar joint venture by Aquila Property Company and Allied Capital. Binks Forest Golf Club is located at 400 Binks Forest Drive. For more info., call (561) 333-5731 or visit www.binksforestgc.com.
Jess Santamaria speaks at Monday’s breakfast.
(Above) Dave Unversaw of Republic Services with Chamber President John Spillane. (Below) Guy Mulligan of the Gypsy’s Horse discusses the restaurant’s expansion plans. PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
Actor Tommy Lee Jones of San Saba during the opening ceremonies.
Rose Marie and Al Paglia.Dr. Bruce Goldman, Noel Guillama and Ron Smith.Melody and Alec Domb.
Renee and Norm Reynolds with some champagne and ice cream during half time.
Mayor Darell Bowen. The
PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen with Ciara Emmanuel and John Wash.
Samantha Charles and Hannah Hopper enjoy some ice cream.
Carmine Priore III, Mason Phelps and Bill Moroso.Terry and Kathy Strongin with Ashley and Joe Maguire.
Dr. Carmine and Marie Priore, Lizbeth Benacquisto, Morley and Irene Alperstein and Ron and Linda Curcio.
Bob and Anne Kanjian with Matt Willhite.
John Mercer and Mike Nelson.
Wellington Theater Workshop Gives Student Actors A Leg Up
By Candace Marchsteiner Town-Crier Staff Report
Students ages ten to 17 learned about the entertainment business and perfected monologue and audition techniques Jan. 10 and 11 during weekend workshops at Lee Harris Music Lessons in Wellington. Dreyfoos School of the Arts theater dean and Royal Palm Beach resident Beverly Blanchette condensed a lifetime of theatre experience into an informative lecture and interactive training.
“In four hours I gave them everything I didn’t get as a young actress,” Blanchette said. “That’s why I do this workshop. I spent years making mistakes doing it myself.”
In addition to discussing how to find an agent, Blanchette showed samples of headshots, resumes and contact cards, offering advice on what to wear, do and say. Most importantly, she guided students on how to make a good impression during an interview.
“The most important thing is being able to present themselves in front of anybody,” Blanchette said.
“When you dress for an audition, it’s the same way you would dress for a job interview. Whether you’re interviewing for school, film, television or a job — even at McDonald’s — the person on the other side of the table wants to know that
you’re a nice person. Wear a smile.”
Students practiced slates or self-introductions, cold commercial readings, monologues, vocal auditions and interviews. “They all came in with something that I could see. The most important thing was that they all had an eagerness, and then they had a willingness to try and to have fun. I was able to give coaching tips, and they went with it. They did great,” Blanchette beamed.
Many students attended the workshop in preparation for auditions at Dreyfoos. While the workshop cost $95, Blanchette accepted some students on scholarships. The scholarships, she said, were
her investment in talent. “I don’t ever want income to be a factor in something like this,” she said.
Blanchette holds workshops twice annually in Wellington and will teach a free workshop on Jan. 17 sponsored by Palm Beach Community College at its Eissey Campus in Palm Beach Gardens. Blanchette earned her bachelor’s degree in theater from Florida State University and a graduate degree from Florida Atlantic University. Teaching for 32 years, 15 of them at Dreyfoos, she acts and directs professionally as well.
“I want to keep bringing what’s new to my students,” she said.
PHOTOS BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER
Jamaal Levar Redding performs a monologue called “Bumpy.”
Samantha Pollack sings “Part of Your World” for a mock vocal audition.
Beverly Blanchette (right) coaches Wynter Williams on engaging the audience.
(Front, L-R) Aziza Marshall, Jamaal Redding and Lee Rubin; (back) Wynter Williams, Junior Herrera, Beverly Blanchette, Lauren Jefferies and Samantha Pollack.
The Folke Peterson Wildlife Center at 10948 Acme Road near Wellington held its inaugural “Call of the Wild” family fun day last Saturday. The event was a fundraiser for the center and featured plenty of food and festivities, including vendors and information booths, children’s games and activities, speakers discussing wildlife and ecological topics, hourly guided tours of the Findlay Educational Trail, a garage sale, raffle and live music. For more info., call (561) 793-2473 or visit www.fpwildlife. org.
SHERIFF
BRADSHAW SWORN IN FOR NEW TERM DURING FAMILY PICNIC
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw hosted an “Inauguration Family Picnic” last Saturday at the Micanopy
in Okeeheelee Park. The highlight of the day was when Judge Jim Martz administered the oath to Bradshaw, formally beginning his second term in charge of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. In his inaugural address,
focused on the PBSO’s progress against crime, stressing that everyone needs to pull together and that good law enforcement requires proper funding. In addition to the swearing-in ceremony, the event included a free picnic.
Judge Jim Martz swears in Sheriff Ric Bradshaw while his wife Dorothy looks on.Helicopter pilot Carl Kamstra with some youngsters.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Nicholas Soley goes for a walk with opossum Buddy.
Susan Clubb of Rainforest Clinic for Birds with Moonlight, a black palm cockatoo.
Executive Director Heather Landstrom presents a basket of cosmetics to raffle winner Barbara Sheahan.
Outdoor Habitat Supervisor Virginia Bowen leads a tour around the Findlay Educational Trail’s enclosures.
Loxahatchee Groves Vice Mayor Marge Herzog admires a set of figurines.
Capt. Marty Bechtel with Bolo and Sgt. Luis Ledbetter with Clue.
Citizens Volunteer Organization
The Citizens Volunteer Organization will be introduced to Wellington residents on Sunday, Jan. 25. The group will meet at Foresteria Park from 1 to 4 p.m.
The organization includes average Wellington residents and will not be a time-consuming activity. There will be different projects throughout the year for volunteers to help with. CVO members will let volunteers know about each project, big or small, and participants can choose which to help with.
Projects can include helping communities organize a neighborhood crime watch, building a park or delivering turkey dinners for Thanksgiving, which was the CVO’s first project. A total of 40 turkey dinners were delivered to families nominated by local schools.
In conjunction with kicking off the CVO, a crime watch will be organized Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 17 and 18 in Sugar Pond Manor. In the meantime, interested residents can go to the Village of Wellington’s web site at www.ci.wellington.fl.us and click on the “CVO” icon, which will open up to a page where volunteers can sign up.
Two Seats Up In March’s
RPB Election
The Village of Royal Palm Beach will hold a municipal election on Tuesday, March 10. Council seats 2 and 4 will be up for election for a term of two years each. Candidates may qualify for either of these seats from noon on Jan. 27 until noon on Feb. 10 at the office of the Village Clerk, located at 1050 Royal Palm Beach Blvd., Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 790-5100.
RPB Relay For Life April 24
The Royal Palm Beach Relay for Life will take place
overnight on Friday, April 24 at Royal Palm Beach High School. A luau kickoff party for the relay was held Thursday, Jan. 15 at the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge on Belvedere Road.
“Do you know someone who has cancer or had cancer?” asked Relay Chair Pam Araujo. “Almost everyone does, and that is why we need to join forces to make a difference!”
One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life is a life-changing event that brings together more than 3.5 million people across the country each year to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against a disease that claims too many lives.
Start your team today and register online at www.relay forlife.org/royalpalmbeachfl.
You may sign up individually until race day.
Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. It offers everyone in a community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Teams of people from all walks of life have fun while raising muchneeded funds to fight cancer and raise awareness of cancer prevention and treatment.
Wellington Redesigns Its Web Site
The Village of Wellington is proud to announce the launch of its web site redesign. The new design focuses on simple navigation, user perspective, icon-driven menus and an increased push for online business. You can register for a recreation program, pay your water bill, view a map of the village or learn about volunteering for a variety of groups and organizations. The web site can be viewed at www.ci.wellington.fl.us.
ST. DAVID’S PLANS MARCH GOLF TOURNEY
Bob and Shirley Fenner hosted a cocktail reception Tuesday to update plans for the St. David’s-in-the-Pines Episcopal Church Annual Charity Golf
The event will start at 10 a.m. with
St. David’s outreach projects such as the
(561) 439-4607 or visit www.saintdavidsinthepines.org.
Clothes Closet
At Grace Fellowship Church Jan. 24
The Grace Fellowship Acreage campus will host a clothes closet event Saturday, Jan. 24 from 4 to 6 p.m. on church grounds (corner of 75th Lane North and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, across from Kidscape Park).
The church asks neighbors to join in this effort. Come out and find the right clothes you need for work, church, school and play.
In addition, donations will be accepted of new and gently used clothing of any size, as well as shoes and other accessories for men, women and children. If you have donations,
would like to volunteer or have any questions, e-mail cuzimthemama4@aol.com or call (561) 753-0315.
LGLA To Meet Jan. 22
The Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association will meet Thursday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. inside Classroom 1 at Palms West Hospital.
The guest speakers will be Irv Rosenbaum and Matt Lippman from the Town of Loxahatchee Groves. They will discuss the role of New Community Strategies in the daily performance of governmental duties for the residents of Loxahatchee Groves.
For more information, contact Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875 or marge@ herzog. ms.
Executive Committee members Irwin and Laurie Cohen, Child Life Institute Director Jim Sugarman and Outreach Chair Joyce Parker with her husband Tom.
Tom and Joyce Parker, Jim Sugarman, and Samantha and Leo Conroy.
Father Steven and Erin Thomas with Executive Committee members Shirley and Bob Fenner.
St. Davids in-the-Pines Epicopal Church Pastor Father Steven Thomas with Erin Thomas, Bob Wilson and event chairs Tim and Barbara Hadsell.
American Legion Auxiliary Project — George Herzog (Post 269 of Parsippany, N.J.) recently helped members of the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367 of Royal Palm Beach. Junior member Rose Rodriguez handed out gift boxes, phone cards and canteen gift booklets with her grandmother Marge Herzog and unit member Joan Shewmake. They spent the morning visiting patients who were in the West Palm Beach Medical Center Nursing Home. For more about the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367, call Marge Herzog (561) 791-9875.
Busy Season For Acreage Xtreme
The Acreage Xtreme Cheerleaders competed in the Palm Tree Classic on Saturday, Dec. 13 at Palm Beach Central High School, where the junior and senior squads took home first-place medals. The cheerleaders also performed at a kickoff party for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Girls Flag Football Tournament on Thursday, Jan. 8 at Acreage Community Park. The community is invited to join the Acreage Xtreme Cheerleaders at the following upcoming events:
• Saturday, Jan. 17 — The girls will compete at the East Coast Challenge at St. Lucie West Centennial High School in Port St. Lucie.
• Saturday, Jan. 24 — The girls will compete at the Florida Match Play Championship at the South Florida Fairgrounds in Royal Palm Beach.
• Saturday, Jan. 31 — The girls will host a car wash fundraiser from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Southern Self Storage (8452 Okeechobee Blvd., just east of Sansbury’s Way).
• Saturday, Feb. 21 — The girls will compete at the Gold Coast Unlimited Championship at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach.
• Saturday, Feb. 28 — The girls will compete at the South Florida Sizzler Cheer & Dance Championship at Coral Springs High School in Coral Springs.
• Saturday and Sunday, March 7 and 8 — The girls will compete at the American Open Championship at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando.
To sponsor the team, or for more information, call Head Coach Melody Sayles at (954) 410-1709 or visit www. xtremecheer.9f.com.
Wellington Nurse Keeps In Shape With Crossfit
Crossfit is a core strength and conditioning program originally designed for Navy SEAL candidates and is now available for the first time at Evolution Wellness in Wellington. Crossfit Wellington is popular among dedicated athletes, adventurers, military and law enforcement personnel and extreme sport participants.
Evolution Wellness owner Bryan Nichols is excited to be a Crossfit affiliate. “Daily workouts can become routine and boring,” he said. “This program provides variety and challenge.”
The Crossfit program draws from multiple training modalities such as gymnastics, Olympic weightlifting, power lifting and more to provide constantly varied, if not randomized, functional movements at high intensity.
Mindy Zucker of Wellington is the first Evolution Wellness member to use the Crossfit program. Zucker is a longtime athlete who runs competitively, completes triathlons and teaches a week-
end boot camp. Zucker’s goals are strengthening, conditioning, flexibility and to gain upper-body strength.
Nichols knew that Zucker would be the perfect candidate for the Crossfit program.
“The variety of Crossfit combines strength and cardiovascular exercise in a short, efficient workout,” he said.
At 53, Zucker believes in the benefits of exercise.
“Working in hospitals as a nurse, I see the condition of people who don’t take care of themselves,” she said. “When I was in nursing school, I made the decision to stay healthy and become a role model. I am one of those crazy people who enjoys to work out.”
Training with Nichols and the Crossfit program has had proven results for Zucker. Her recent bone-density test results were those of a 20year-old. The doctor couldn’t believe she is 53. “My attitude is that we have one shot — one life — and we better enjoy it,” Zucker said.
Evolution Wellness has
JEWISH WAR VETERANS AWARDS DONATIONS
At a recent meeting, the Sylvia & Hyman L. Solomon Post 684 of the Jewish War Veterans donated $2,500 to the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Winter Sports Clinic so veterans with spinal-cord injuries and amputees are able to join other veterans at Snowmass, Colo. The post also donated $1,500 to the Homeless Veterans Fund, $1,500 for wheelchair games and $1,000 for veterans burial benefits. The 2008 donations to the VA Medical Center totaled $14,373. Pictured above, Post Commander Al Weissman and his wife Edna present a check to VA Medical Center Supervisor of Rehab Therapy Douglas Tuttle while wounded Iraq veteran James Nappier looks on.
made a commitment to provide motivational personal training sessions, a knowledgeable staff and a clean and convenient workout facility at 11596 Pierson Road in Wellington.
A seasoned fitness industry professional, Nichols has a passion for sharing techniques for a healthier and fit lifestyle. Many people come to Evolution for different reasons. The types of goals Evo-
some
lution Wellness works with are weight loss, increased muscle tone, improved athletic performance, weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis, back injuries and chronic pain. The company has been serving the western communities for six years and is proud to be locally owned and operated. For info., call (561) 2045033 or visit www.evolution personalfitness.com.
Rebecca Caruso Takes First In Poetry Contest
Palm Beach Poetry Festival Director Miles Coon and Director of Community Outreach Dr. Blaise Allen recently announced the winners of the annual high school poetry contest. Wellington High School senior Rebecca Caruso placed first with her winning poem “Bayou Blues,” which garnered her two passes to the festival and $50. The festival will take place Jan. 20-24 at the Old School Square Cultural Arts Center in downtown Delray Beach. The four runners-up, who will each receive one festival pass and $25, include Kate Yarborough of WHS, Mandy Bartmess of the Dreyfoos School of the Arts, Tom Budz of Pope John Paul II High School and Jane Sallen of Grandview Prep School. The public is invited to free reading by high school poetry winners on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. at Old School Square.
Open to Palm Beach County public and private high school students, the poetry contest was judged by Dr. Jeff Morgan of Lynn University’s Department of English. In addition to the festival passes and cash prizes, the winning students will have their poems published on the festival’s web site at www. palmbeachpoetryfestival. org. In addition, the five winning students will get to read their poems at a special presentation ceremony on Thursday, Jan. 22 at 8 p.m. at Old School Square’s Crest Theatre. This event is open to the public. Tickets are on sale now at the festival web site and at the Crest Theatre box office. General admission ticket prices per event are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $8 for students. Special student group rates are available.
Crossfit Training — Evolution Wellness owner Bryan Nichols assists Mindy Zucker with
free weights.
The cheerleaders at a kickoff for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Girls Flag Football Tournament.
The Acreage Xtreme girls at the Palm Tree Classic.
COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR
Saturday, Jan. 17
• The Winter Equestrian Festival continues through March 29 with a series of weekly show jumping and dressage competitions at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, located at 4440 Pierson Road in Wellington. Events run Wednesday through Sunday culminating with a Sunday grand prix. For tickets, call (561) 793-5867 or visit www.equestriansport.com.
• The 2009 South Florida Fair will continue at the South Florida Fairgrounds until Feb. 1, offering two weeks of fascinating exhibits, great entertainment, games, rides and tasty fair food. The Wellington Landings Middle School Dance Team will perform on Saturday, Jan 17 at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the Dodge Community Stage at the 2009 South Florida Fair. For more info., visit www.southflorida fair.com.
• Groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Palms West Chamber of Commerce building are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the chamber’s headquarters at 13901 Southern Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves. For more info., call the chamber at (561) 790-6200.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Meet the Author: Elizabeth Brundage” on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. for adults. Meet a promising new author known for writing fast-paced psychological thrillers in a literary style. Get the scoop on Somebody Else’s Daughter, her recently released second novel. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Saturday Science Series: Blow, Wind, Blow!” on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 2:30 p.m. for ages five through eight. Explore the power of wind and make a pinwheel. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.
• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Laughter and Reflection with Carol Burnett in the Dreyfoos Concert Hall on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org for info.
Sunday, Jan. 18
• Sunday games of the 2009 polo season will continue at the International Polo Club Palm Beach with the finals of the 20-goal Joe Barry Memorial Cup. The International Polo Club is located at 3667 120th Avenue South in Wellington. For info., call (561) 204-5687 or visit www.internationalpolo club.com.
• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present the Naples Philharmonic Orchestra with conductor Stuart Malina and pianist Jodie DeSalvo in the Dreyfoos Concert Hall on Sunday, Jan. 18 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 8327469 or visit www.kravis.org for more info.
Monday, Jan. 19
• The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) and the Village of Royal Palm Beach will present the Seventh Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Monday, Jan. 19 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). A reception will take place from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and include a continental breakfast. The free program will take place from 10 a.m. to noon. For more information, call Elet Cyris at (561) 791-9087.
• The Quantum House will present the Fifth Annual Taste of Compassion on Monday, Jan. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Harriet Himmel Theater in CityPlace. “Dine Around the World” with 25 of Palm Beach County’s finest chefs, who will prepare a selection of gourmet tastings. Tickets cost $75 per person or $125 VIP. For more info., call Bryn Little at (561) 494-0515.
Tuesday, Jan. 20
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Anime Grab Bag” on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12-17. Call (561) 790-6070 for info.
• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present “Interpreti Veneziani” in the Rinker Playhouse on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. Call the
box office at (561) 8327469 or visit www.kravis.org for more info.
• The Fidelis Foundation, a non-profit offering hope, healing and sanctuary to children through equine-assisted therapy, will host its inaugural Peppermint Ball charity gala on Tuesday, Jan. 20 at 8 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. For more information, call (561) 8604567 or visit www.fidelisfoundation.org. Wednesday, Jan. 21
• The Jewish Community Center of the Greater Palm Beaches’ Wellington branch (13889 Wellington Trace, Suite A-15) will hold a Parenting Reception from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21 with facilitator Jane Sacknowitz, a parenting specialist for Alpert Jewish Family & Children’s Service. The cost is $5. For more info., call Sharon at (561) 253-6030.
• School Time at the Duncan will present ArtsPower’s “The Rainbow Fish,” at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 21 in the Duncan Theatre (4200 Congress Ave., Lake Worth). ArtsPower has turned Marcus Pfister’s bestselling book into a musical for kindergarten through second grade. The cost is $4. Call (561) 8683315 for more info.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Socrates Café” on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Marji Chapman will lead a discussion group for amateur philosophers on a variety of groupchosen subjects. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
• County Commissioner Jess Santamaria will host a Community Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m., center court at the original Wellington Mall (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). For more info., call Commissioner Santamaria’s office at (561) 355-6300. Thursday, Jan. 22
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Science Club: CSI” on Fridays, Jan. 23 and 30 at 3:30 p.m. for ages eight and up. Learn techniques forensic scientists use to solve crimes. Call (561) 790-6070 to RSVP.
• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present the Aquila Theatre Company in Homer’s The Iliad in the Rinker Playhouse on Thursday and Friday, Jan. 22 and 23 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 8327469 or visit www.kravis.org for more info.
• Palm Beach Community College will present “Psycho Beach Party” at 8 p.m., Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 22-24 with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24 in Stage West at the Duncan Theatre (4200 Congress Ave., Lake Worth). For info., call (561) 868-3316. Friday, Jan. 23 • Palm Beach Opera will present Norma by Vincenzo Bellini at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) Friday, Jan. 23 through Monday, Jan. 26. Call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org for info.
• New York Mets first-base coach Luis Alicea will host a Major League Baseball Clinic to benefit the Wellington Boys & Girls Club (3401 South Shore Blvd.) Friday, Jan. 23 through Sunday, Jan. 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Register at www.bgcpbc.org. For more info., call (561) 683-3287 or (561) 790-0343. Saturday, Jan. 24
• Come help the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association clear the hiking trails in the Corbett Wildlife Management Area on Saturday, Jan. 24. Meet at 8 a.m. at the entrance to the Everglades Youth Camp at the north end of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. For more info., call Bea at (561) 968-4864. • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Relationships: The Feng Shui Way” on Saturday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. for adults. Pat Heydlauff, an energy design consultant, will show how to attract romance and respect with Feng Shui. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@gotowncrier.com.
2nd Annual South Florida Camp Fairs
... Connecting great kids with great camps Come find a great summer camp!
Sunday, February 8, 2009 Renaissance Boca Raton Hotel 2000 NW 19th Street, Boca Raton
FREE Admission • NOON - 3 P.M.
For a list of participating camps and directions: www.sensationalsummers.com
WHS Graduate Earns Doctoral Degree
Dr. Mark A. Wess, a 1995 Wellington High School graduate, received his doctor of philosophy degree in mathematics at Florida Atlantic University’s fall commencement on Dec. 11 at the Boca Raton campus. Dr. Wess presented a doctoral dissertation titled “Computing Topological Dynamics from Time Series.”
After receiving his bachelor’s degree in mathematics with honors, FAU awarded Dr. Wess a full academic scholarship to pursue his master’s and doctoral degrees in mathematics. FAU also retained Dr. Wess as a graduate instructor at the university during his studies.
Dr. Wess is the son of Ray-
mond and Naomi Wess of Wellington. He is married to the former Kristin Thompson, a high school math teacher at Trinity Christian Academy in Lake Worth. Florida Atlantic University is one of 11 public state universities in Florida. It was created in 1961 by an act of the Florida Legislature and dedicated on Oct. 25, 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson. The university has entered into joint research and education agreements with three of the premier scientific research organizations in the world: the Scripps Research Institute, the Torrey Pines Institute of Molecular Studies and the Max Planck Society.
Western Pines Students Of The Month
Robert Hatcher, principal of Western Pines Middle School in The Acreage, and the teachers from the school’s Science Department are proud to present the students of the month for January:
Bailee Machado, from the sixth-grade class, is an allaround outstanding student who always gives 110 percent in everything she does. Bailee is helpful, sympathetic and considerate in the classroom with her fellow students. She is also a leader inside and outside the classroom. Seventh grader Kaitlynn Reed is on the honor roll and is an outstanding office assistant. She is very conscientious and completes all assignments with a smile. Kaitlynn is well-liked by her peers and a leader in the classroom. Finally, from the eighth
grade is Dylan Tarrant. This young man has great ability, both academically and musically. In addition, he is personable, helpful to other stu-
WPMS HONORS SCIENCE
Western Pines Middle School in The Acreage was well-represented at the Palm Beach County Regional Science Fair on Dec. 10. The school is proud of the outstanding science projects the students completed. Many were recognized at the awards ceremony for the regional science fair on Jan. 13. Pictured here are (front row, L-R): Chad Bonincontri, Kyla Biederman, Bryan Doherty, Thomas Roman and Kaitlyn Guncheon; (back row) Monique Costner, Chad Hamann, Tim Ruback, Mikayla Parnell, Steven Bennet and sponsor Katie McKee. Not pictured: Kayla Ventimiglia, Johnny Forde, Wayne Selogy, Kayla Bonincontri, Sydney Shivers, Chris Healton and Mark Vernon.
dents who may be struggling and is always encouraging.
has a positive effect in the classroom and brings everyone around him “up.”
FAIR
WINNERS
poster.
Royal Palm Student Creates Image For Inauguration Poster
Artwork by Dreyfoos School of the Arts digital media sophomore Brittany Bennett of Royal Palm Beach has been selected to be featured in the City of West Palm Beach’s Inauguration Celebration commemorative poster.
The poster features a head and shoulders graphic image of President-elect Barack Obama with a colorful tropical background. Bennett’s image was incorporated into the commemorative poster created by City of West Palm Beach Community Events Division graphic artist Kellan Ives. Copies of the poster are being printed with funds provided by event sponsor Paradigm Application Solutions.
The posters will be distributed free to the first 10,000
participants in the city’s inauguration celebration on Tuesday, Jan. 20 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in Centennial Square in front of the West Palm Beach public library in downtown West Palm Beach. The free public celebration will feature a marching band, an award-winning student orator, a rebroadcasting of the swearing-in ceremony of President Barack Obama on a jumbo LED screen, a video message from Mayor Lois Frankel, who will be in Washington, D.C. for the inauguration, and an appearance by a local civil rights pioneer.
Jacqueline Smith of the City of West Palm Beach mayor’s office will chair of the event. For more information, call (561) 822-1400 or visit www.wpb.org.
Siders Named To Dean’s List
Wellington residents Jason and Robin Sider were named to the dean’s list at Quinnipiac University for the fall 2008 semester.
Quinnipiac is a private, coeducational, nonsectarian institution located 90 minutes north of New York City and two hours from Boston. The university enrolls 5,600 fulltime undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students in 51 undergraduate and 19 gradu-
ate programs of study in its School of Business, School of Communications, School of Education, School of Health Sciences, School of Law, College of Arts and Sciences, and College of Professional Studies.
Quinnipiac consistently ranks among the top universities with master’s programs in the Northern region in U.S. News & World Report ’s “America’s Best Colleges.”
New Grad — Dr. Mark A. Wess, Math Department cochair Dr. Stephen Locke and dissertation advisor Dr. William Kalies.
Dylan
Principal Robert Hatcher with (L-R) Bailee Machado, Kaitlynn Reed and Dylan Tarrant.
Presidential Poster — West Palm Beach Inauguration Celebration Chair Jacqueline Smith, Dreyfoos School of the Arts Digital Arts sophomore Brittany Bennett and West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel pose with the commemorative
Seminole Ridge High School Student Joins All-State Chorus
The Florida Music Educators’ Association (FEMA) will hold its annual in-service clinic-conference Jan. 7-10 in Tampa, where music students statewide will come together as members of this year’s AllState bands, choruses and orchestras. Seminole Ridge High School senior Devin
Tassi will take part in the conference as a member of FEMA’s All-State male chorus. Devin has been in the chamber/show choir “Musagetes” for four years and is looking forward to the Tampa event. SRHS choral director Mr. Wes Rainer said that students who undertake
consecutive years of music education show improved achievement in all academic areas. “It equips students to be better team players in their careers, provides a disciplined approach to problem solving, develops a sense of organization and prepares them to manage job tasks
Florida Realtors Association Offers College Scholarships
The Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches recently announced that the Florida Association of Realtors 2008-09 Scholarship/Essay Contest for high school seniors is now accepting applications. By entering the essay contest, a student could win up to $6,000 to help pay college costs. This is the tenth year for FAR’s scholarship program. The program benefits students from across the state, with $1,000 in prize money going to the top essays in each of the association’s 13 districts in the state. Students with the 13 district-winning essays then compete to win three $5,000 FAR scholarships on the statewide level,
for a total of $28,000 in scholarship awards. Entering the contest is easy.
Students write a typed, double-spaced essay, 500 words or less, on the topic, “How Does a Realtor Professional Benefit the Community?”
Students can check with their high school to obtain an application kit, or go to the media section of FAR’s Media Center web site (http:// media.living.net) to download the application kit. All essays, along with an official essay cover form, must be postmarked no later than Feb. 9 and mailed to the Florida Association of Realtors, 7025 Augusta National Drive, P.O. Box 725025, Orlando, FL, 32872-5025.
In Palm Beach County, the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches is proud to support FAR’s scholarship and is excited to offer this opportunity to local students.
The Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches has mailed packets containing the materials and rules for entry to every high school principal in Palm Beach County.
The Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches represents more than 9,000 real estate professionals and is dedicated to preserving the vitality of Palm Beach County’s real estate market, our quality of life and private property rights.
• • • Send school news items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.
WHS Debate
Kicks Off A Good Year
Based on its performance at the Jan. 10 Palm Beach County Forensics League tournament in Boca Raton, the Wellington High School debate team started 2009 out on a good note. In Novice Dramatic Performance, freshman Jackson Garber took first place overall, while sophomore Christine Simmons took second in Varsity Dramatic Performance. Junior Alex Hernicz went 4-0 and placed second in Lincoln-Douglas Debate, miss-
ing first place by one speaker point. In Novice Public Forum Debate, the freshman team of Frankie Blasio and Blithe Parsons went 3-1 and took second, while the freshman pair of Katerina Mangini and Madeline Schmees went 2-2 in their first competition together.
Student Congress saw senior Amanda DeStefano take third overall in her chamber, while junior Evan Baumel and sophomore Lee Parker each placed sixth in their respective chambers. Baumel was also voted his chamber’s top presiding officer. Garber, Mangini and Parsons each surpassed the Na-
more successfully,” he said.
• Chorus Offering Sweetheart Grams — The SRHS chorus reminds you to remember your favorites and loved ones on Valentine’s Day with a sweetheart gram! The grams, on sale at all lunches through Feb. 6, feature options to include roses,
teddy bears or necklaces with their message. Be sure to stop by the chorus booth at the north end of the cafeteria to order a Sweetheart Gram. Messages will be delivered during period one on Friday, Feb. 13.
• NHS Sponsors Sadie Hawkins Dance — On Fri-
day, Jan. 23 from 7 to 10 p.m., the National Honor Society will hold a Sadie Hawkins Dance. In the courtyard, photography teacher Mr. Manny Moya will offer picture packages against a backdrop of classic cars. Tickets for the Hawks-only dance are on sale at all lunches.
POINCIANA BUTTERFLY WATCHERS
SCHOOL BRIEFS
tional Forensic League’s 75point mark, earning the Degree of Honor. They will receive the Wellington Debate varsity letters at the spring banquet.
Wellington’s next tournament is this Friday through Sunday at the Pine Crest “Crestian” in Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton.
Event To Benefit WHS Band Boosters
The Wellington High School Band Boosters Association will present “A Night in Polynesia” on Saturday, Jan. 24 from 7 to 11
p.m. at the Aero Club Pilot House.
The event will feature an evening of tropical food, drinks and entertainment. Be sure to bring your friends and neighbors for this fun night out.
The event will benefit the Mighty Wolverine Sound, which has been honored with an invitation to perform at the battleship USS Missouri , which is permanently docked in Pearl Harbor.
The cost is $60 per couple, $35 for an individual ticket in advance and $40 per ticket at the door.
To purchase a ticket in advance, place a check or cash in a sealed enveloped
marked “Jan. 24 event,” and put it in the Ways & Means box in the WHS band room.
For more information, call Maria Becker at (561) 7930465 or e-mail maribe824@ aol.com.
WHS Project Graduation Fundraiser
Wellington High School’s Project Graduation Booster Club will host a fundraiser on Sunday, Jan. 25 from noon to 3 p.m. at Rita’s Water Ice on Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. Rita’s will donate 20 percent of sales to the committee.
In addition, the Applebee’s restaurant near the Mall at Wellington Green will host a Project Graduation fundraiser on Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mention Project Graduation to your server and the committee will receive 10 percent of your purchase. The next Wellington High School Project Graduation Booster Club meeting will take place Thursday, Jan. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Riverside Bank on South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. Contact Donna Baxter at donnacbaxter@yahoo.com for more information regarding WHS Project Graduation.
Poinciana Day School students watch painted lady butterflies emerge from their chrysalises. Pictured above are (counterclockwise) Dylan Gordon (Jupiter), Emmie Osuna (West Palm Beach), Isabelle Pampanelli (West Palm Beach), Max Leary (Wellington), Annie Baumgartner (West Palm Beach), Piper Fendrich (Palm Beach Gardens and Jupiter), Jason Newby (Riviera Beach) and Ms. Diana Walton (West Palm Beach).
Lia Sophia — The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon cutting for Sylvia Schaefer, unit manager of Lia Sophia Jewelry. Schaefer, along with her team of 20 employees, offers a unique shopping experience through personalized in-home demonstrations, trunk shows, events and private showings. As the largest direct seller of affordable fashion jewelry, Lia Sophia has the most generous hostess program in the industry. Its mission statement is to connect women to their dreams, from obtaining beautiful jewelry to empowering their financial futures. For more info., call (561) 2525092 or e-mail sylvia@palmbeachworld.com. Pictured above are Schaefer and staff member Amanda Seefried with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
College Assist — The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new location of College Assist. College Assist, now located in Suite 17 of the original Wellington Mall, has been a Wellington staple for 15 years, educating students and helping them grow to their full potential. Originally owned by Glenna McLean, College Assist is now owned by Jonathan and Rachael Iverson. Open six days a week, College Assist provides a full-time private high school, SAT/ACT preparation classes Saturdays, homework support, equestrian programs and private tutoring for all grades, subjects and levels. For more info., call (561) 791-0606 or visit www.collegeassist.org. Pictured here are the Iversons with students, friends and Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market — The Palms West Chamber of Commerce recently participated in the grand opening of the Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market located at 3911 Jog Road in Greenacres. The store is open 24 hours a day. For more info., call (561) 964-6337. Pictured above, Store Manager Tim Parker, along with Greenacres Mayor Sam Ferreri and city council members, joins Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors for the ribbon cutting.
Palm Beach Puppies and Boutique in Wellington recently announced it has merged with Fancy Pups Grooming Salon. Fancy Pups has been owned and operated by Rhonda and Ken Fiore for the past two years, but has been in operation for more than six years. Palm Beach Puppies is an upscale puppy boutique that specializes in teacup breed puppies but also carries an extensive line of designer doggy couture clothing,
South Florida residents in the mood for quality dining without having to cook have more options than a frozen dinner. Palm Beach Prime, owned by Wellington entrepreneur Dave Smith, offers to gourmet cuisines cooked right in the customers’ homes by one of the company’s chefs.
Palm Beach Prime offers more than 120 enticing items, including USDA prime meats; Bell & Evans chicken; Kobe beef from Greg Norman Premium; all-natural beef from Harris Ranch; lobster tails from Maine, South Africa and western Australia; Alaskan king crab legs; stone crab claws (October through May); and jumbo shrimp. There are also plenty of hors d’oeuvres, kid-friendly items, heat-and-serve dishes,
sophisticated beds, blankets, as well as those must-have designer handbags. The synergy between Palm Beach Puppies and Fancy Pups Grooming Salon will be beneficial to both businesses. The business is located at 10240 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 120 in the Pointe at Wellington Green. For more info., contact (561) 422-2220 or visit www.palm beachpuppies.com.
PHOTO
Wolverines Boys Soccer Team Making Waves This Season
With the state playoffs approaching, Wellington High School’s boys varsity soccer team is looking confident and ready to take on the state’s top teams.
With a 15-0-2 record, the boys are slowly but surely producing one of the greatest regular seasons in recent memory. The group’s success has created a buzz around campus, with chatter of a possible state title being mentioned in the hallways. With such a rich tradition of winning and excellence, it says a great deal about how good this team actually is.
Wolverine Watch
By Josh Hyber
Adidas recently ranked the Wolverines fifth in the country and second in the Southeast Region, while ESPN Rise awarded the team ninth overall in the country.
“We feel we’ve been robbed these past two years,” senior forward Andrew DiLallo said.
The Wolverines soccer team is so highly regarded that Adidas and ESPN Rise have given the team extremely high national rankings.
“It doesn’t mean anything until you win the whole thing,” Head Coach Mike Aaronson said. DiLallo concurred. “It gives us pride, but if we don’t follow through, it won’t mean much,” he said.
Also, with the girls varsity team continually stealing their thunder as the defending state champions, the boys aren’t used to getting the
credit they deserve. Although, it doesn’t seem like the boys feel too much pressure from the girls. “It affects us a little, but not really,” DiLallo said. “They have their season, and we have ours.”
“I put a target on them that they should win the state,” Aaronson said.
The team continued its prowess on a chilly Jan. 12 evening at home against William T. Dwyer High School.
Senior forwards DiLallo and Felipe Carbonell led the Wolverines past the visiting Panthers, 4-2.
DiLallo and senior defender Woody Bach found the net off of headers early in the first half. Junior Max Zoete assisted on each of the goals, both of which came on finesse corner-kick passes. The Wolverines missed several opportunities to add to their lead, but
many shot attempts sailed high. In the end, though, it didn’t matter. Carbonell awed the crowd throughout the game with a series of excellent dribbling displays. One in particular came with just over 15 minutes to go in the first half. Carbonell had the ball just over the midfield line and proceeded to dribble around any Dwyer player in sight. The end result: the ball lying in the back of the net with the scoreboard showing 3-0 Wolverines. “You’re just not supposed to go through four or five guys… but he did,” sophomore Nick Brewer said. “That goal will definitely be on this year’s highlights tape.”
With just a few minutes remaining in the half, Carbonell was at it again. From the moment he received a pass, the spectators knew he was going to shoot. Another
dribbling expedition was put on, but the shot was high.
Senior Diego Cardenas scored with four minutes remaining in the Wolverinedominated half. Dwyer did manage to score once during the half (to tie the game at 11), but never stopped the Wolverines’ attack.
A scary moment for the Wolverines occurred in the first half. While charging the ball to prevent a Panther’s breakaway, junior goalkeeper Aaron Dupere collided with a Panther player. Dupere suffered a bruised shin, and it is uncertain how long, if at all, he will be out. Junior Corey Bandremer came in to replace him.
I never knew the same amount of time could feel so differently, but the second half was the longest 40 minutes of soccer I’ve ever watched. With 16 minutes to go in the game, the spectators
were so out of it that the game seemed over. One nonchalant goal scored by the Panthers was all that happened for the remainder of the game. Not even Carbonell could bring life to the WHS fans. The contest concluded with a 4-2 score, and the Wolverines picking up yet another victory. “It was just another win,” DiLallo said. “Winning our last game [against West Boca High School, the country’s number one team according to Adidas] to go undefeated will mean something, though.”
The Wolverines visited Spanish River on Wednesday, posting a 2-1 victory. The Wolverines host the Suncoast Chargers on Friday night. With three regular season games remaining, it is evident that the Wolverines are ready to prowl through the competition on their way to the state finals.
Wellington Wave U-15 Boys Defend Title In Soccer Shoot-Out
The Wellington Soccer Club U-15 boys premier team recently earned first place honors in the Second Annual Wellington ShootOut Tournament Jan. 3-4. The team successfully defended their title, having won in the U-14 boys bracket in the inaugural shootout. With one championship already defended, Coach Edner Breton hopes that 2009 will prove to be as successful as the last year was. Last April, the team entered State Cup competition and after impressive play in the preliminary and sweet16 rounds, the team came up one penalty kick shy of earning a berth in the State
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Cup final four. Although an elite-eight finish was quite respectable for the newly formed team, the boys felt that they still had something more to prove. The Seminole Memorial Day Tournament turned out to be the perfect proving ground. The team won first-place honors in the tournament and closed out the season with high hopes and great expectations.
In November, the U-15 Premier were invited to participate in the CASL Raleigh (N.C.) Shoot-Out. Facing tough competition, the Wellington contingent defeated the top teams from Maryland and Michigan
only to lose to Annadale, Va. in the semifinals. Co-captain Mike Bauman called it a great experience. “We played really well and we know that we can compete against the best teams in the country,” he said.
State Cup 2009 begins in March and Coach Breton is preparing the team for another run at the state title. An added incentive this year is that the Wellington Soccer Club will be hosting the final four teams at Village Park on May 16-17. The U15 boys premier team has compiled an impressive resume thus far, but a state championship is the ultimate goal.
SPORTS BRIEFS
of South Florida’s newly renovated courses? Playing for a good cause!
The Wellington Parks & Recreation Department is now taking registrations for the following winter/spring seasons:
• Girls softball for ages five to 14 — The deadline to register is Jan. 24; evaluations will be held the same day.
• Roller hockey for ages four to 17 — The deadline to register is Jan. 28; evaluations will be held Jan. 21 and 28.
• Girls basketball for ages six to 15 — The deadline to register is Jan. 30; evaluations will begin Feb. 3. For more information, call Village Park at (561) 7914005, ext. 0. If you are registering for the first time, be sure to register in person at two convenient locations: the Village Park gymnasium (11700 Pierson Road) or the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Register online at www.rec.ci.wellington.fl.us with your household ID number.
WHS Soccer Golf Tourney
On Feb. 7
What could be better than playing a round of golf for a great price in season on one
Wellington High School’s boys soccer team, ranked number five in the nation, has partnered with Binks Forest Golf Club, one of the top-five renovated courses in the nation, for a golf tournament to raise money for the team. Join the team on Saturday, Feb. 7 for the day of great golf, food, games and raffles. The scramble-format tourney begins with a 1 p.m. shotgun start, with dinner and raffles to follow — all for just $100 a golfer. And Binks will throw in a second round for free. Proceeds from the tournament will help the team pay for expenses, including uniforms and gear, referees and travel expenses for the state championship series. There are also sponsorship opportunities available for the tournament.
For more information, or to get a player entry form, call Michael Bach at (561) 4203461 or Jo-Ann DiLallo at (561) 791-7742.
Corbett Trail Hike Jan. 24
Come out to help the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association clear the hiking trails in the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management
Area on Saturday, Jan. 24. Meet at 8 a.m. at the entrance to the Everglades youth camp at the north end of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. For more information, call Bea at (561) 968-4864.
Feb. 8 Golf
Tourney To Benefit WHS Baseball
The public is invited to attend the 13th Annual Wellington High School Golf Tournament. This year’s event will takes place Sunday, Feb. 8 at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington (400 Binks Forest Drive). All proceeds will go to support the Wellington High School baseball program.
The golf event schedule is as follows: from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., registration, a putting contest and raffle ticket sales; a shotgun start will begin at 1 p.m.; the barbecue dinner and awards presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Early registration costs $110 per player and $125 per player on the day of the event. The registration fee includes green fees, a golf cart, beverages, a gift bag, buffet dinner and a replay Binks Forest Golf Club ticket. For more information, call (561) 7956744.
Send sports news items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.
WHS JV GRAPPLERS PLACE
THIRD
Wellington Roller Hockey Player Of The Week: Ryan Lorenz
The Wellington Roller Hockey League’s Player of the Week is ten-year-old Ryan Lorenz, who plays center and left wing for the Prep Division’s Penguins. His jersey number is 5, and he shoots left.
Lorenz is the division scoring leader in goals and assists. He scored a hat trick in the Prep Division championship game, including the game winner in overtime. Lorenz’
favorite hockey team is the Calgary Flames. His favorite professional hockey player is Dion Phaneuff. Other favorites included the video game “Star Wars: Battlefront 2” and macaroni and cheese.
The Village of Wellington is currently accepting roller hockey registration for the upcoming season, which will begin Jan. 21. Call Wally at (561) 252-5478 for more information.
Ryan Lorenz
Wellington Wave U-15 Boys Premier — (Front row, L-R) Felipe Henao, Austin Mills, Marco Navarrete, Dillon Gilliano, Joey Coleman, Eric Vargas, Brandon Owens and Robert Budd; (back row) Michael Bauman, Brock Bukowski, Gonzalo Gelso, Tyler Bugeja, Michael McMahon, Dylan Siegal, Matthew Miller and Coach Edner Breton.
Congratulations to the Wellington High School junior varsity wrestlers for placing third in the team standings at the Junior Varsity County Tournament last weekend. Individual champions for the Wolverines were Sebastian Dubocq (189) and Eddie Rivera (112). Runners-up were Kevin Pascal (125), Will Fetzko (145) and Cristian Narvaja (152). Third-place finishers were Joey Jacome (125), Collin Bachi (130) and Clint Haley (145). Pictured above is the WHS JV wrestling squad.
Quarantine Center Provides Unique, Needed Service
On a five-acre farm in Wellington, James Lala and Rich Faver run South Florida Equine Quarantine, a little-known but important center for some of the top imported horses coming to Florida horse shows. Their busy season runs from the end of October through the end of March.
Lala is a leading rider and trainer in hunters and jumpers. Faver has been involved with horses all his life, and started out in the western ring, doing some team roping and riding broncs in the rodeo. Later he became involved in the breeding industry and ran a quarantine service for a vet. In 2005, he and Lala decided to open their own facility.
Contagious equine metritis, better known as CEM, is a venereal disease that has, so far, not shown up in the U.S., and the U.S. Department of Agriculture wants to keep it that way. It’s not a fatal disease, and a horse that tests positive can be successfully treated. When a horse is imported from a CEM-infected country, such as England, Ireland, Holland, Germany, Belgium, Sweden or Denmark, there are strict procedures in place to insure that the disease doesn’t slip in.
“We get some racehorses and a lot of the top dressage and jumper show horses in the world,” Faver said. “Most of the horses for the big Florida shows and the Olympics have stayed at our barn. We’ve had Lingh, one of the best dressage horses, Miss Independent, a famous jumper, and Hickstead, who won the Olympic gold medal for Canada this past summer.”
Faver said about 80 percent of the horses
Vacancy Deadline
Jan. 20
continued from page 1 offer to establish a medical school there.
“I want to find out what the options are with Palm Beach Community College versus a medical school,” Van Dusen said.
Coates, an attorney who also ran unsuccessfully last year for a seat in the Florida Legislature, could not be reached for comment.
Golf Noise Change Start Time?
continued from page 1 not a good neighbor,” DiMatteo said. “They have taken away the benefit of the golf course. I no longer see the golf course. The assumption that I see them out there is ludicrous. They start at 6 a.m. They have been breaking the law. The maintenance crews have pushed the envelope beyond belief. If the Wanderers Club expects us to be a good neighbor, they should consider following the laws as they are written.”
Terry Strongin, a partner in the company that owns the Binks Forest course, told the council that 6 a.m. is not an unusual starting time at many courses and that impairing mowing time would have an erosive effect on activity at Binks.
“Any compromise in time allowed for mowing could severely impact our revenue and the quality of the course,” he said. “We would not maintain our rates. Revenues would drop. It becomes a self-perpetuating cycle.”
There were also several residents speaking in support of the clubs. Binks Forest resident Linda Curcio said the sound of mowers in the morning was just part of the package one accepted when living adjacent to a golf course.
“If you buy a home in the Aero Club, do you complain about the planes?” she asked. “If you buy a home in the
continued from page 1 price negotiation would be part of the process after a final choice had been made.
Pellowitz also advised against totally removing the SWA’s original site from the mix of alternatives. “There is a risk of going through approvals, then getting objections and not having any site,” he said.
Hammond said the proposed prices are not excessive in light of overall costs.
“I don’t want to discount the importance of price of property, but the price is a small component, about one percent of what it costs to operate over 50 years,” he said.
“The Okeelanta site would have been number one because they were willing to give us the property.”
Tales From The Trails
By Ellen Rosenberg
coming in are mares, and 20 percent are stallions. The testing procedure is rigorous and carefully overseen by vets, the USDA, and the Florida Department of Agriculture (FDA).
Most imported horses arrive at Miami International Airport, where they’re quarantined by the USDA for three days and tested for equine infectious anemia, glanders, piro and dourine. Then, the horse is loaded into a trailer, which is sealed by the USDA vet, and transported directly to South Florida Equine Quarantine. The trailer cannot stop for anything along the way, and the USDA vet calls the FDA vet to advise him of the shipment and its projected time of arrival.
The FDA vet must be present at the farm when the horse arrives. He carefully verifies all the paperwork and checks to verify the same horse that was shipped, then cuts the seals on the trailer and oversees the horse’s arrival into its stall.
For mares, testing takes about two weeks. For stallions, it’s a bit more involved and takes a little over a month. Mares are cultured (a swab is taken and analyzed) three times, three days apart. Stallions are also cultured, and are
Margolis said that with his withdrawal pending, he has been urging equestrian activist Don Dufresne to apply for the post. “He is experienced from the state down to the local level,” Margolis said. Dufresne told the TownCrier on Thursday that Margolis is one of several people who have asked him to apply for the position. “I’m considering it,” he said. “I think I could certainly fill the void for the remainder of the term.”
A real estate and business attorney with the firm Green-
Equestrian Preserve Area, do you complain about the horses? I am here to ask you to support the ordinance and help Binks be successful.”
Binks Estates resident Irene Alperstein, whose husband Morley lobbied vigorously for the restoration of the once-dilapidated Binks Forest course, said the club must maximize the amount of playing time available in order to survive the current economy.
“The Binks management has gone beyond my wildest dream with what they have brought to the community,” she said. “Do we want to go back to the disaster of the past? This course has seen numerous owners. None of them have ever made money.”
After the public comments, Councilman Matt Willhite suggested the village try to seek a compromise solution, and Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto concurred. Benacquisto also noted that a disparity of opinions among residents might have to do with the fact that residents of the various Lakefield communities had been mostly shut out when their course became the Wanderers Club.
“It’s an untenable situation when you have one neighborhood advocating the change and another where the residents are clearly not in support of it,” she said. “One size does not fit all. We as a government entity have to come up with something that does work. We empathize with the neighbors surrounding the Wanderers Club. They are so unhappy. There is a real sense of loss in not being able to view the golf course from
Santamaria said the cost over time should not be compared the present time. “You have to bring everything to present value,” he said. “Don’t just add value and say look how much we’re saving over 100 years.”
Aaronson agreed. “The answer, Mark [Hammond], is that we have to purchase for the least amount we can,” he said. “I know you’re anxious to get this done.”
Aaronson said he wanted to hear objections to the proposed sites. “I don’t want to end up ten years in court,” he said. “I want to hear from environmentalists what sites they approve of. I don’t want to wind up in litigation. If it keeps on getting challenges, the cost will continue to go up. Lawyers are expensive these days.”
Attorney Lisa Interlandi, representing 1,000 Friends of Florida, said the environmental organization still objects
additionally bred two times to two different mares. The center maintains a small herd of eight test mares for this process. All of the testing is overseen by a vet from the Palm Beach Equine Clinic and also by an FDA vet. Both vets must always be present to perform and witness the procedures.
“We don’t actually allow the test mares to become pregnant,” Faver explained. “We’re not in the breeding business. We don’t want any mistakes.”
As you might guess, the process isn’t for the fiscally challenged. The cost of a mare’s stay is $2,750. The longer and more involved stallion testing runs $10,500.
The center can house up to 40 horses at a time in its three permanent and three tent barns. There are also isolation stalls. Contact between horses is not allowed. People can’t go from horse to horse without sloshing through a shallow pan of bleach foot wash and using hand sanitizer. The stalls are divided by solid walls, and turnout is limited.
“These are really special and expensive horses,” Faver said. “We’re very careful to keep tight security measures in place to insure their safety.”
What makes the center special is the way it caters to its clients, both equine and human.
“We get most of the top show people here,” Faver said. “Even though this is a quarantine facility, they’re allowed to come out and work their horses. We have a two-acre grass field where they can ride, a professional 100-by200-foot arena, and a full set of jumps. While their horse is here, they can still ride it and
Rich Faver of South Florida Equine Quarantine in Wellington
keep it in top shape. When the horse leaves, it’s ready to go to the show. We offer body clipping, lunging, daily turnout, hand-walking, even professional riding, if necessary. We provide a service that’s necessary and hard to find.”
For more information about South Florida Equine Quarantine, visit www.southflorida equine.com or call (561) 644-2711.
spoon Marder, Dufresne also serves as a member of the Wellington Equestrian Committee and organizes local political events such as forums preceding municipal elections. He also served on the Palm Beach County Zoning Commission for four years and is currently president of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
Dufresne said he is capable of stepping in and getting up to speed quickly and has an intimate understanding of real estate, legal and equestrian issues, as well as an ac-
their back yards. They bought into it. I don’t know what you can do to heal the wounds.”
Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore said he had wholeheartedly supported a developer’s plan to rehabilitate the Binks Forest course and that he didn’t want to see either club fold due to economic hardship.
“I have supported Binks from day one,” he said. “I don’t want us to do anything to hamper their ability to be successful. I don’t necessarily say that about the Wanderers Club, but I support what they are doing as well. In all cases, we have to be cognizant of the people around us, and we have to be aware of their lifestyles. The question remains as to whether 6 a.m. or sometime about 6 a.m. is a reasonable hour to be able to open and start a golf course and to be able to operate.”
Mayor Darell Bowen said he considered 6 a.m. the right time, but it was incumbent upon the folks at the Wanderers Club to work with nearby residents to fix whatever problems they have.
“For the last 25 years the golf course has been doing maintenance earlier than 6 a.m., and now, all of a sudden we have a problem,” Bowen said. “It’s obviously something more than the 6 a.m. mowers. We could pass the ordinance at 6 a.m., but I would rather we table this for a moment so the issues can be worked out.”
Willhite made a motion to table the item and have village staff meet with representatives of all parties to find common ground, which was seconded by Benacquisto. It passed unanimously 4-0.
to the original site but considers the Smith site the least objectionable. “The price on all the sites seems unreasonably high,” she said.
Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen said his council still favors the original site purchased by the SWA, but has not received enough information to form an opinion on the alternative sites, other than to object to the Smith site because of its proximity to the main road.
“We need to find out more,” Bowen said. “You need to consider the people it will affect. The SR 80 site has issues. It is right on the road, and it’s the gateway to the Glades. I would ask that you bring it back for more dialogue.”
Commissioner Karen Marcus made a motion to postpone a decision for 60 days, which was seconded by Aaronson. The motion passed unanimously.
quaintance with many elected officials at the county and state level. “I have been in involved in politics in Palm Beach County over 25 years with many elected officials,” he said. “I would also say I have worked both sides of the aisle at all levels.”
Dufresne said he is not familiar with the PBCC issue beyond what he has read in the newspapers. “I have not had the opportunity to look closely,” he said. “I respect the mayor’s position and understand. I would give it my full consid-
Letters
continued from page 4 45-acre section, and, finally, d) the whole parcel. This is the only way we can obtain a realistic value for the site.
Dollars from utility charges paid for the site to provide reuse water and should be reimbursed. Additionally, the existing outstanding debt service of $2 million plus must be retired. It is one thing to engage in a joint venture with the college when the property is free and clear, but it is not. And that circumstance has not been discussed. We must determine how we can offset the debt service and the loss of the sale of the frontage. By redesigning the property to keep a larger part for sale, we can generate the funds needed to retire the debt and return our investment in the property. I see this as an absolute necessity in the economic downturn that we are currently facing.
Also, let me point out that not only did Palm Beach County and the state reject Amendment 8 (Community College Sales Tax Funding), but the voters of the Village of Wellington did not vote to support Amendment 8.
I have received well-intentioned and sometimes passionate letters, e-mails and phone calls for and against the project since the discussion was made to “continue contract negotiations.” And please, let us be very clear, that was the vote to continue contract negotiations
The basic question remains: what do we want to do with this land? Contrary to what some would have you believe, our charter requirement of 10 acres per 1,000 residents for open space is satisfied with the completion of Section 24 up to and beyond build-out. The “facilities component” (how many ball fields, etc.) is not in the charter, but in the comp plan. State law allows sitting councils to amend the comp plan twice per year. The village manager has said that even if we were to build the fields, we do not have funding available annually to operate and maintain the facility.
So how do we get the ball fields? Do we revise our comp plan to allow what is in place to be our standard? Or do we negotiate to have another entity build the fields and necessary structures and operate and maintain them for us? This comes at a price, but it is not new to the village. The ball fields at New Horizons Elementary School and Tiger Shark Cove Park were developed with the Palm Beach County School Board and Wellington in an interlocal agreement. The ball fields
eration. There are pros and cons to everything.”
Other applicants for the council position include Morley Alperstein, a member of the Planning Zoning & Adjustment Board, who indicated in his letter he was interested in filling out the remainder of the term and would not seek re-election; Wismick Saint-Jean, who describes herself as a business person and community volunteer; and Melissa Fritsch, a member of the Wellington Education Committee who described herself as a full-time
at Equestrian Trails Elementary School and Emerald Cove Middle School, along with the fire station, were built as part of a joint venture between the School Board, Wellington and Palm Beach County. So why can’t we joint venture with the college to get a campus, ball fields and a cultural arts theater? What is the value of construction of ball fields, racquetball courts and associated cultural arts theater, the dollar amount? What is the cost to operate and maintain the facility? If we can negotiate a contract that would provide what we want and continue to control a valuable portion of the site for sale or future sale, and get a community college, what is the down side?
I am proposing offering the 45 acres in the western part of the site, leaving the State Road 7 frontage 1,200 feet deep from the church site to Pierson Road for future sale. This area equals 22 acres. The 22 acres can be sold as a business park, medical arts center or clean industry, but most importantly, an employment center, thus generating a sales price, impact fees and perpetual taxes to the village. The college would have available the western rectangle of 45 acres with access from Pierson Road. The return to the village would be the ball fields that are wanted.
Thus, we now refer to this as a joint venture, not a giveaway. There is a dollar value to capital improvements and ongoing operation and maintenance. I can support this proposal if, after we have the appraisals and calculations for the dollar value of the ball fields and associated structures, the numbers reflect that the agreement is a smart one for the village.
Dr. Carmine A. Priore
Vice Mayor, Wellington
Thanks, Bob
It is unfortunate that our local elected officials almost exclusively hear from residents who want to complain or want something that benefits themselves. Over time, this usually results in elected officials who quit listening to the residents and become aloof. They then make decisions that are convenient, or benefit them or friends financially. This did not happen to Bob Margolis.
Through the 15 years of dedicated commitment to this village, its residents and especially its children, Bob has stayed the low-key, thoughtful and committed human being that I met in 1994. Bob has never sought the limelight, in fact, he has tried to
volunteer and mother with experience working in administrative assistant positions with governmental agencies. Applicants are required to be village residents and registered voters in order to qualify. Letters of interest, resumes and other background information concerning the council appointment must be submitted to the Village Clerk’s office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20. The council is scheduled to discuss the appointment at its Jan. 27 meeting.
avoid the black-tie circuit and rush to photo ops that other council members have rushed to. Instead, Bob would rather have one of the many players he coached over the years say hi to him in Publix. Bob has spent many of his evenings coaching kids in small gyms, or working in concession stands at football games to raise money, or attending meetings trying to help teams find a way to play in the upcoming season. In addition to helping coach many teams and helping the high school program raise money, Bob served tirelessly for five years on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board. He was instrumental in Wellington developing an outstanding facility base and programs that benefit over 35 percent of all residents. His work will benefit many of our village youth for years to come.
During his years on the council, Bob was always a gentleman, listened to all sides and opinions, did his due diligence, then made his decision. He may not agree with you, but he always listened to your viewpoint and respected your opinion... The Village of Wellington is a much better place today thanks to Bob Margolis. Those nabobs of negativity who only contribute through vile and negative words about any of those in government they disagree with cannot tarnish Bob’s accomplishments or contribution to this village and the community at large. Thanks, Bob, we will miss you.
Steve Haughn Wellington
Think About
Wellington’s Future
As I recall, Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen ran on a campaign promise to run Wellington as a business. In light of the economic conditions in Florida, could anyone say he is living up to his promise?
Economic misery is everywhere, and Wellington is no exception. So why is the mayor and most of the council moving forward to give away Wellington’s last major land parcel, worth $30 million, to Palm Beach Community College for $10 a year? We will be giving away a property that will still cost residents $40,000 a month for the next five years and will provide no impact fees and no property taxes. Is this what anyone would call a good business decision? Morley Alperstein Wellington
My Own Road Not Taken Led To A Well-Armed Cave In Kansas
People think teenagers don’t have real problems. They think teenagers are receiving an all-expenses-paid trip through life, courtesy of harried parents working 80 hours a week. The kids have all the fun while the parents, watching them, throw themselves headlong into what is politely referred to not as misguided jealousy, but as “a midlife crisis.” To some degree, this scenario is true. But anyone who remembers being a teenager remembers that there are very real problems at that age. Temporarily clumsy and permanently self-conscious, you’re surrounded by hypercritical — what? Teenagers, who oddly have no patience with their own species. Throw in raging hormones and the aforementioned “parents in crisis” and it’s a mess I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. And, as if these plagues weren’t enough, sometimes Very Big Things happen to teenagers. For instance: back in Wisconsin when I was 18, I had this boyfriend, Bob, who worked at the same retail store I did. We had nothing in
Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER
common except the store and our hormones, but as anyone will tell you, hormones alone will sustain a relationship long past its natural lifespan. My parents liked Bob because he was a hard worker and had a nice car. Also, he was from Kansas. They said there was something all-American and downright decent about Kansas.
The sum total of my personal Kansas experience to that point had been watching The Wizard of Oz on TV. Dorothy did seem to be an all-American and downright decent kid, just as my parents had suggested, so when
Bob asked me for that first date, I accepted. We dated for 18 months but broke up when he returned from one of his Kansas visits more or less engaged. Well, more. So I had to let him go, but before he left, he handed me a crumpled piece of paper upon which he’d drawn a crude map. “This is Kansas,” he said, in a very serious tone. “And this is how to get to my cave. Third tree off the main highway next to the big rock.”
I knew then that I had been leading a sheltered life. “Your cave?” I asked.
“I like you, and when the end of the world comes, I want you to be saved. So come to the cave. I have all the food and provisions and guns we’ll need.”
He smiled the smile of the demented.
“Guns?”
“You can bring your husband and any children you have, but don’t bring your parents! They’re too old and would have to be shot.”
(My parents were 41 at the time. Besides, I liked them.) “No, thank y—”
Bob wrapped my fingers around the map, kissed me on the forehead and sped off into the night. My immediate thoughts were, in this order: 1) That two-timing slimebag, 2) I guess not every girl in Kansas is a Dorothy, 3) What kind of a nutcase was Bob? and 4) Who would want to spend the rest of their days huddled in a cave with a year’s supply of dried corn, a two-timing trigger-happy nutcase ex-boyfriend, said nutcase’s wife (the anti-Dorothy) and an arsenal of weapons? As he faded into the distance, I thought to myself, “sometimes a breakup can be a good thing.” Nevertheless, I kept the map. Don’t ask me why, because I don’t know. Years later, when my house was robbed, I was outraged. I could tell by the muddy footprints that the thief had walked across my bed with his shoes on! What kind of degenerate does a thing like that? He had also helped himself to everything in my bedside table, which included the map. So sad. I sincerely hope he used it.
‘Drowsy Chaperone’ At Kravis Was Nice... But Not Great Art
The Drowsy Chaperone spent a lovely weekend at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. It has been one of the more popular shows in recent years on Broadway, a morethan-slightly campy look back at the 1920s, although it also demonstrated more than a bit of 1930s movie musical sensibilities overlaid by some very modern social commentary. It is an enjoyable show. It works very hard to please. Its major problem is that while it is easy to see the craftsmanship of everyone involved in it, the term “art” never really comes to the fore. People who’ve gone to musicals for years know the thrill of the phrase “the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plain.” Hearing “Old Man River” done by a bass who knows how to sell all the pain and beauty of the song, can be stunning. Hearing Nellie Forbush singing about a wonderful guy or the
‘I’ On CULTURE
By Leonard Wechsler
snap of fingers at the start of West Side Story are examples of how musicals become art.
The Drowsy Chaperone does not have any numbers that rise to that kind of level. It is very pleasant and bouncy. And that describes almost everything about the show. The dancing is excellent but lacks the ability to blow an audience away. And that seems to be story of the score. The songs are nice, but nice is
not the kind of description you really want to hear about songs.
The characters are all stereotypical, as would be expected. We have a ditzy hostess, her devoted butler, a wacky actress getting ready to marry a man she barely knows, a couple of comic gangsters, a Latin lover, a frustrated producer and his chorus-girl sweetheart, and, of course, the blowzy, drowsy chaperone. The cast was uniformly good, particularly Lindsay Davino as the actress. What this show adds to the usual mix is a commentator on the action. John West plays the man, living in today’s world, who introduces the action and comments on the original company performing the show. He puts on a record, starts playing the music, and asks us to pretend we are back in 1928 watching the real show. Sometimes the commentary is
a bit smarmy, sometimes very funny. What the commentary does is make everything a bit more camp. As part of the “fun,” one number had nothing to do with the show at all. The commentator stopped the action partway through, after the audience wondered why a number taking place in China was even in the show, to say that his maid had accidentally put the wrong record in the album sleeve. Very cute, but it made the musical more of a curiosity than a powerhouse. That doesn’t mean I had a bad time. Everyone in our little group agreed that the show was fun. My sister put it best when she said she had heard the show was OK but not great, and so did not take great expectations to the theater. We laughed and enjoyed watching the very good cast. But we were not transported as we always want to be at the theater.
Last Week I Finally Had To Say So Long To My 20-Percent Dog
Last week, a terrible event happened in my family. We had to put down EZ, my 20-percent dog. It was a decision we have been putting off for months. We were all hoping for a miracle cure that would make EZ better. That miracle didn’t happen.
EZ had a large tumor growing on and around his throat. It was starting to interfere with his breathing, eating and sleeping. EZ was the type of dog that never stops eating, but over the last couple of months he lost more than five pounds without trying.
EZ came into our lives 12 years ago while my kids were in college at the University of Central Florida. They always thought they were deprived as kids because one of the few things my wife Sharon and I agreed on is that we would not have pets. Both of us came from homes with lots of pets. We both love animals; we just didn’t want any of our own.
Wondering & Wandering
By Ernie Zimmerman
One day while my kids were away at school, my older son Brian talked his brother Ronnie into getting a dog. After all, they were away from home, my wife and I wouldn’t know or care about the dog, and of course they had always wanted a dog. So they went and got themselves a dog. If I do say so myself, it was the cutest beagle I ever saw. They named the dog EZ... after me. To this day it is the only thing named after me. My sons figured if they named the dog after me I would accept and love the dog. They were
correct. As a joke, I started calling EZ my first grandson. My wife and I may have loved EZ more than my kids did, maybe because we didn’t have to raise or take care of him. That pleasure belonged to my sons. Just like grandparents, we played with and spoiled EZ ’til we got tired, and then we handed him back to my sons. This all started to change when my sons got married. EZ started spending more and more time at my house. Every time my kids had to go out of town, we got EZ. That is how he became my 20-percent dog. But in truth, he was more like my 40-percent dog. On the day EZ was to be put to sleep, it was decided (not by me) that I would watch my granddaughters Eliana and Leora while my son Brian and his wife Ali took EZ to the vet. My wife was on a field trip, out of town, with my other son and his family. Every five minutes, my phone would ring. It was my wife
checking on the status of EZ. She was hoping my son would change his mind. My wife loved this dog. At times I think she cared more about EZ then she does about me. If you looked in my food cabinet, you would see as much top-shelf dog food as human food. EZ even had his own room in my house, with a bed, TV, pillow and blanket. About two hours after my son dropped his daughters at my house, he returned without EZ. It was done. Ali still had tears in her eyes. I don’t think my grandkids really understand what happened to EZ. They know he is dead, they knew he was sick, but I think dead to them is taking a very long nap. I didn’t tell my wife about EZ ’til she came home. She cried like a baby. She was still crying a day later. I know EZ is in a better place. He gave us 12 wonderful years, and I know we gave him 12 wonderful years in return. RIP, EZ.
GET CREATIVE!
June 8 - August 7, 2008
STUDIO ARTSHOPS FOR TEENS
While studying past and present works of the world's arts and cultures, students will rotate between studio areas daily, completing creative projects in painting, drawing, mixed media, ceramics, sculpture and more!
Summer prep classes for Bak and Dreyfoos auditions and college portfolios.
FINE ART CLASSES FOR ALL AGES
• Painting• Ceramics• Sculpture
•• Printmaking• Jewelry• Glass
• Photography• Drawing• Metals New Worshops under $100!!
THIS FRIDAY & SATURDAY Jan. 16th & Jan 17th - Moving Sale!Furniture, dishes, linens, side table, microfiber sectional sofa. 1959 Baythorne Rd., West Palm Beach, 33415. Call 561-329-0166 Joyce.
CASE MANAGER — Case manage middle/high school students, recruit/retain volunteers in Glades area. Public speaking. Computer lit. 80% in-county travel. AA/BS. Office in Pahokee. Non profit organization. Low 30's. Send resume to takestockinchild@att.net
Earn $1,000 - $3,200 a month to drive new cars with ads. www.YouDriveCars.com
PRE-SCHOOL ROYAL PALM BEACH PROFESSIONAL
TEACHER - for 3 year old classroom. 7:30 a.m. till 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday. Requires 45 hour certification as well as CDA or willing to acquire CDA certification. **Aftercare Teacher 2:00 to 6:00 Monday thru Friday. Please call 561-793-5641
ATTENTION SALES PEOPLElarge Incomes Attainable Using Your Skills! Medical Giant Expanding! Learn more! 646-222-0291
1998 DODGE RAM PICKUP TRUCK - Green 124,000 +miles, 8 cylinder, big tires, hitch. $3,795 firm. 561-315-1508
1997 GREY SEBRING JXI CONVERTIBLE — new a/c, clean and well maintained. Engine and transmission in excellent condition and new top. Feel free to take it to a mechanic and check it out. Mint condition $4400 (561) 793-5569 or (917) 494-3422
1990 RED MAZDA MIATA CONVERTIBLE — mint condition includes hard top. New clutch, tuneup in excellent condition. Great on gas. (561) 793-5569 OR (917) 4943422
PALM BEACH — ROOM FOR RENT IN CONDO — Private room & private bath. All utilities included & high speed internet. $675/ mo. (1 cat on premises) 561-4222910
WELLINGTON — ROOM FOR RENT on yearly basis fully furnished bedroom w/bathroom in house in central Wellington. $750 Utilities included. Non-Smoker. 561313-4967
YORKIE PUPPIES - 2 Adorable female puppies for sale. Great pet for any child or adult. 561-790-3815
CALL PWTW SHOPPER SPREE TO PLACE YOUR CLASSIFED AD HER CALL 793-3576
1 BR/1 BA CONDO - Over 55 community $750/mo. furnished. Completely redone, all new appliances. Call Madelyn. 561-422-2910
NEW APARTMENT FOR RENT - 1 BD/1 BA, full kitchen, 880 sq. ft. All tile $1,000/Mo. 561-329-1802
1182 Periwinkle Place in Wellington
just blocks from schools and shopping -- cottage style 2 bedroom/2 bath home Recently remodeled with faux painted walls, beadboard, glass-paned cupboards, top-of-theline appliances (fridge with water purifier, stacking washer/dryer, air/ heat, etc.), satellite TV hookup, lots of closet space, full size pantry. For info or to arrange a home tour, call Markat (561) 722-6444.
CONDO FOR RENT — Sheffield Woods Condo 2/2 immaculate condition. Updated appliances new A/ C, new roof. Move in today $950 per month. 1st, last & Security. 561793-9619
LAND FOR RENT INDUSTRIAL ZONED up to 2 acres. Also 1200 SF warehouse, Call Steve 754224-1416
ROYAL
JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC. —Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted MAJESTIC AIR CONDITIONING — FREE SERVICE CALL Licensed & Insured CAC057387. Joe 561-2482571
SeaBreeze Air Systems, Inc. — for Air Conditioning and Heating Indoors and Outdoors. Let us heat your pool for year round enjoyment. Call 561-964-3817
ACCOUNTING, TAXES , AND BOOKKEEPING SERVICE - for small business. Reasonable Rates! Payroll Service for $75 a month. http://www.yourCFOservices.com info@yourCFOservices.com 561282-6515
ARE YOUR TREES READY FOR A HURRICANE? — Florida Arborists has highly trained professionals to provide superior and quality services. 561-568-7500
COMPUTER REPAIR — We come to you! After hours and weekends services available. Spyware/ Adware/Virus Removal, Networking, Wireless, Backup Data, Upgrades. Call Anytime. 561-713-5276
MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Software setup, support & troubleshooting www.mobiletec.net. 561-248-2611
DNI TECHNOLOGY COMPUTER SERVICE: Same day response guaranteed. Spyware, virus removal, networking, ink refill. Home or business. Store: 561-729-0089 Cell: 561-951-1405. www.DNITechnology.com
ONSITE PROFESSIONAL COMPUTER AND HOME THEATER SERVICES — Virus/Spyware removal, Networking & Repairs/Upgrades. 30 day warranty on all services. (561) 398-5556
ANMAR CO. —James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-2488528
MCA CUSTOM WOODWORKING, INC. — “Make your home standout from the rest” Call us for all your home improvement needs. Kitchen & bathroom remodeling, custom wall units, design your home office, cabinetry, tile & drywall repair. Lic. #U-19564. Bonded & Ins. 561-7235836
STAFF PLUS — Looking to fill full and part-time positions in customer service. For more info. Call 1-888333-9903
HIGH QUALITY LAMINATE FLOORING — at affordable prices. Hardwood floors. No deposit until delivery. Contractors welcome. Western Communities resident. Family owned and Operated. Licensed and Insured. Se Habla Español 561-568-6099
HOME INSPECTIONS — Mold inspections, air quality testing, US Building Inspectors mention this ad $20.00 Off. 561-784-8811
DAVID A. CLAUD, MS, LMHC, CAP - Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Certified Addictions Professional. Caring for Individuals with Substance Use Problems, Anxiety & Depression, Life Adjustment Issues, and Stress Related Concerns. (561) 398-5132
THE CHIP ERASER - Dents, bumper repair, custom color matching, chips, scratches, mobile auto body repair. I come to you at your convenience. 561-704-3164
Mold & Mildew Inspections — Air Quality Testing, leak detection. US building inspectors, mention this ad for discount. 561-784-8811
COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free estimates - Insured. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident.
PAINTING — HOME PAINTING Interior - Exterior. $1290 +tax up to 2500 sq. ft. (walls area) 561-674HOME(4663) Masterpiece Painting Contractors Inc. CC U#21111 Lic./ Ins.
CREATIVE PAINTING SYSTEMS, INC. — Interior • Exterior • Residential Specialists. WE DELIVER WHAT WE PROMISE. All work guaranteed. FREE ESTIMATES. Family owned & Operated. Over 23 years experience. Lic. #U-18337 • Bonded • Insured Owner/Operator George Born. 561-686-6701
PET SITTING/HOUSE SITTING—
25 year Wellington resident retired public servant. Will care for your pets or home while you are on vacation. Reasonable rates - references available 561-603-7877 or 561-798-0950. Ask for Bob.
— Wed-
WWW.GARABAR.COM — Now is the time for the Best Prices. Re-roof & Repairs. No Deposit Until Permit Credit cards accepted. Free Estimate. 561-337-6798. Lic.#CCC1327252 & CGC1510976
IDEAL ROOFING SYSTEMS — Residential • Commercial • Licensed Bonded • Insured. New Construction Reroofs • Repairs • Roof Tile • Shingles Metal Roofs • Flat Decks • MaintenanceContracts info@idealroofingsystems.com. Palm Beach/Broward Office: 561753-7663 Fax: 561-753-7696. St. Lucie/Indian River. Office: 772288-6440. Fax: 772-287-9008. 11101 S. Crown Way #6, Wellington, FL 33414. Lic. #CCC1326453
HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY WORK & SERVICE — Free estimates, No Deposits. Pay upon completion, residential, commercial, reroofing, repairs, credit cards accepted.561-842-6120. Lic.#CCC1328598
WE DO IT ALL! — Stump Grinding Dead Pine Removal. All Phases of Tree Services. Licensed and Insured. 561-373-6117 MATH TUTOR - Algebra I, II and Geometry. Call Chris (561)
The only non-profit petting zoo in the area. — featuring parrots, mini horses, ponies, pony rides, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and Llamas and more and farm club. 561-7922666
GUARDSMAN FURNITURE PRO
— For all your furniture repair needs including finish repairs, structural repairs, upholstery services, chair regluing, antique repairs, kitchen cabinet refurbishing. 753-8689
MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL BUILDING CLEANINGS SPECIALISTS — • Pressure Cleaning • Office Cleaning • Residential Cleaning • Parking Lot Maintenance • Concrete Coatings. Call for Free Evaluation. 561-714-3608
RESIDENTIAL HOUSECLEANING - Monthly, Weekly, Biweekly. Excellent references. Honest. We Do Windows. Call. 561-598-0311
D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-3339433 or Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’dWell. & Palm Beach
CAN FIX IT — build it, move it, plant it, and more. Call Bruce, 793-2494. TFN
BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — REMODEL & REPAIRS Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall, kitchens/cabinets/countertops, wood flooring. Bonded/Insured U#19699. 791-9900 Cell: 370-5293
THOMAS YACULLO, INC. — All types of Home Repairs, Handyman Services, 20 Years Experience, professional workmanship, reliable, dependable & inexpensive. Wellington resident. Free Estimates. 561-3838893. SPECIALIZING IN KITCHENS AND BATHROOMS
OUTDOOR KITCHENS FROM $1200 Increase home value while you save gas and electricity. Entertain you friends with your new custom bar & grill. Custom built quality materials. Low priced add on bar. Use your grill or economical cart grill. www.outdoorbbqisland.com Greg. 561-531-3141
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
LET US AD A LITTLE COLOR TO YOUR LIFE — Residential/Commercial. Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Owner/Operator. Ask for Paul 561-309-8290.
Waterheaters, garbage disposals, faucet repair & replacement service. New construction. Licensed. Bonded. Insured. Wellington Resident 25 years. 561-601-6458. Jeremy James Plumbing, Inc.
ELITE POOL CLEANING —"You dealt with the rest now deal with the best" All maintenance & repairs, salt chlorinator, heaters, leak detection. 561-791-5073. Inquire about 1 months free service.
J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-3096975 BD
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS — Roof painting. Carpentry. License #U13677.967-5580.
ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.
ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-3090134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC023773 RC-0067207
JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 798-3132.
ALUMINUM ONE STOP SHOP — Gutters, downspouts, vinyl/aluminum siding, windows & doors, aluminum railing. Screen enclosures (Repaired & Replaced), carports, porches, and patios. Lic. U17189. P&M Siding Contractors. 561-7919777
ROLL DOWN SHUTTERS — Accordion shutters, storm panels and rolling shutters...prices that can’t be beat. All shutters Systems, Inc. 8630955
AFFORDABLE HURRICANE PROTECTION — 2 - 4 wks. Installed Guaranteed! 10% deposit . Will get you started. All products, Dade County approved. We manufacture our own product. 561-568-6099, 772-342-8705 Lic. & Ins. CGC 1511213
SMALL ENGINE REPAIR AND WELDING - Golf carts - TractorsLawn Mowers - Farm EquipmentATV's - Trailers. Reasonable Rates. Quality work. Pickup and Delivery available. 561-282-7729
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 INSTALLING IN SOUTH FLORIDA FOR 25 YEARS —Free estimates, residential/commercial, bathroom remodeling, floors, walls, backsplashes, custom designGOLDEN TILE INSTALLATION
BRITT PHOTOGRAPHY
ding invitation photos, Valentine photos, Special events. Steve 561317-5813
