The Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches partied with the Palms West Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday to mark the opening of the trust’s Grand Marquee at its campus near the Mall at Wellington Green. Shown here are Manuel and Elizabeth Bornia with their five-week-old daughter Sofia.
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
World-class riders were on hand Tuesday to celebrate the beginning of 12 weeks of competition at the Winter Equestrian Festival and a new look and feel for horse shows in Wellington.
With the sound of backhoes and hammers in the background furiously revamping the show grounds, participants gathered at the Tavern on the Green Equestrian Club adjacent to the newly renamed Palm Beach International Equestrian Center to talk about bold changes to the shows and show grounds.
The show series began Wednesday with over 900 horses competing on opening day.
Peter Wylde, a 2004 U.S. Olympic team gold medallist, said he returned to the Winter Equestrian Festival from his base in Europe after several years away. Foremost on his mind, he said, is that the WEF is one of five qualifiers for the Olympic jumping selection trials.
“I missed competing at the 2006
World Championship because I didn’t come back and do the trials, and this year I really wanted to make the team for the Olympics,” he said. “Since 2004, I’ve been trying to put together a group of horses that are gearing up for a pairing for these kinds of competitions, so I think I have two very good horses.”
Wylde said the owners of most of his horses are based in America. “All of them participate here in Florida every year and really appreciated me making an effort, so we brought the whole stable, 12 horses, from Europe,” he said. “They all flew on the fifth of January, and I bought a house here. So I hope to try to make an effort for myself and my owners to be a part of this incredible circuit, and also try to make the team for the Olympics, because I really want to go to the Olympics.”
Wylde said he is impressed with developments at the show grounds.
“The sport in America needs to catch up to Europe, and what’s happening here is really fantastic,” he said. “It’s what we need as riders and competitors to try See WEF, page 42A
No Easy Solution In The Debate Over Sport NoEasySolutionInTheDebateOverSports Residency Rules sResidencyRules
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Members of a Wellington Parks & Recreation Advisory Board subcommittee wrangled Tuesday with the issue of a residency requirement for the village’s travel baseball teams, but could not bring themselves to recommend any new rule.
Some residents involved in youth sports in the village have called for a residency requirement or minimum ratio for travel teams, alleging that some coaches pre-select out-of-town talent for their teams and that tryouts are essentially rigged.
At Tuesday’s special meeting, Leisure
Services Director Jim Barnes said the controversy boiled down to one sport — baseball — and to travel teams exclusively, as youth and recreational leagues offer more positions on more teams.
Barnes also noted that several county municipalities impose residency requirements for travel teams, and some require travel players to also play on recreational league teams, another suggestion some Wellington residents have raised.
Board Member Ellie Halperin asked how someone following such a “mustplay rule” could commit to play both on travel and rec teams, and how often a
By Carol Porter and Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report
Wellington attorney Howard Coates announced his intention this week to challenge Councilwoman Laurie Cohen for a seat on the Wellington Village Council in March, offering to “bring a better, more balanced, businesslike perspective” to the council.
Coates, a 1977 graduate of Twin Lakes High School, served four years in the U.S. Marine Corps before graduating from the University of Florida in 1982 and from Yale Law School in 1986. After working briefly at an Atlanta law firm, he returned to West Palm Beach in 1987 and spent several more years with local law firms before joining the New Yorkbased Proskauer Rose, where he headed its Florida litigation practice from its Boca Raton office. After ten years with
player would have to play.
Wellington Travel Baseball President Cathy Tosner said kids trying out for sports could not play on two or three teams and be expected to do their school work all at the same time.
Board Member Anthony Forgione, who coaches basketball, noted that travel and recreational basketball programs go on at different times, so players can take part in both programs. However, he said, he still loses some of his players to football programs. He said he supported a 51-percent residency requirement, but he was not in favor of a must-play rule because it would hinder participation in more than one sport.
Proskauer, during which time he also earned a master’s in business administration at Florida Atlantic University, Coates established his own practice in Wellington four years ago.
Actively involved in both the Wellington and Palms West chambers of commerce, Coates was on the initial board of directors for the Palms West Estate Planning Council and is chairman of the Western Committee of the Palm Beach County Bar Association. He currently serves on the Legal Aid Society of Palm Beach County’s board of directors and is a past president of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association. He has two college-age children who graduated from Wellington High School and two younger children still in school here.
Coates told the Town-Crier he was drawn to settle in Wellington five years ago because of the opportunity it pre-
Halperin said she thought the subcommittee was mixing two issues: residency and whether participation in recreational teams should be a requirement to play travel ball. She said she was not sure the board should be differentiating between providers, and that any rules should apply to all providers, not just baseball.
“The bottom line is dollars,” she said. “We need to create parity among residents and non-residents. That is the best solution to the problem. The underlying problem is that people are taking advantage of the fields and coaches without paying their fair share.”
Coach and parent Connor Hendrix said
See SPORTS RULES, page 28A
sented as a place to both live and work, and for its small-town ambience. But he said he has been watching those qualities disappear.
“In no small part, I have been compelled to run for the village council because I see the quality of life that first attracted me to Wellington slipping away, and I want to be a part of trying to preserve the original vision for this community,” he said. “With over-development in certain areas that has led to increased traffic and congestion in the village, we are starting to see the same things here that have marked the decline in other communities where growth and development was allowed to occur in a sprawling, unchecked manner.”
Coates said he was motivated to run for a council seat because the council will have to make decisions more care-
See COATES, page 7A
The International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington got the season underway Sunday, Jan. 13 with the start of the Joe Barry Memorial Cup tournament. Helping with the coin toss was actor Cody Linley, who plays Jake Ryan on the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana. Pictured here is Linley with Macartney and Taylor Ewing. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 29A
Wellington attorney Howard Coates speaks at Tuesday’s Palms West Chamber of Commerce luncheon. PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
CULTURAL TRUST STARTS SEASON AT NEW GRAND MARQUEE
The Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches partied with the Palms West Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday to mark the opening of the trust’s Grand Marquee at its campus near the Mall at Wellington Green, as well as to celebrate the chamber’s 25th anniversary. The Cultural Trust’s season kicks off Saturday, Jan. 19 with Tony Award-winner Christian Hoff at 8 p.m. For more information, call (561) 333-4948 or visit www. culturaltrustpb.org.
Cultural Trust Chief Artistic Director Manuel Bornia with his staff: Angela Shaw, Dagmar Reis and Paul Mammolito.
Palms West Chamber of Commerce board members.
Patty Maczko, Jaene Miranda, Claudia Flores, Laura Jaffe and Frank Young.
Paulita Abrahamsen and Robert Trepp.
Deborah and Mark Miles.
Holli and Wade Eveleth.
PHOTOS
Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham, Palms West Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jaene Miranda, Manuel Bornia, Renee Hasak and Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore.
Town-Crier Endorsement
Property-Tax Referendum: It’s Not Perfect, But Vote YES
The adage “you can’t always get what you want” seems to be the unofficial motto in Tallahassee. And nowhere has this been more apparent than in the battle over a property-tax reform plan, which will appear as a referendum on the Jan. 29 primary ballot. Competing proposals in the State House and State Senate resulted in a compromise that, not surprisingly, is not anyone’s idea of perfect. However, given the heated political climate in Tallahassee last year, this is the best plan we could have expected. That is why the Town-Crier supports a yes vote on the referendum.
To recap, the plan would do the following: give most homesteaded property owners an extra $25,000 exemption on most assessments, allow for homestead portability, offer business owners a $25,000 exemption on tangible property taxes, and put a ten-percent annual cap on most assessment increases for non-homesteaded property owners.
The most positive element of the plan is homestead portability. This is something the Town-Crier has supported for years. It would be of great benefit to older homeowners in the western communities who want to move to smaller homes but feel trapped because their taxes would skyrocket. Now that portability is finally an option, we should support it — who knows whether the offer will be made again. Not only would homeowners benefit, but an increase in sales would give the real estate market a much-needed shot in the arm.
The homestead exemption increase — the first in decades — will be a boon to
Jess Santamaria
Supports Webster For RPB Council
I had absolutely no intention of endorsing any candidate for the upcoming sole vacant seat election in Royal Palm Beach. However, I was totally caught by surprise when, out of nowhere, Mayor David Lodwick, Vice Mayor Dave Swift and Councilman Matty Mattioli of-
many homeowners, though it doesn’t go far enough to reduce the inequity of the current system. Also, the exemption would work better if the dollar amount weren’t set in stone but rather tied to inflation. Still, it is an increase that is long past due.
We understand there are strong arguments against the proposal, chiefly those by counties and municipalities, who worry it will drain their budgets, and nonhomesteaders, who don’t benefit nearly as much as residents with homesteads. By its very definition, a property-tax reduction is not beneficial to local governments. The next plan to come out of Tallahassee will likely be worse, not better for municipalities. The alternative — and the likely scenario should the referendum fail — is a proposal to eliminate property taxes entirely and boost the state sales tax. That is what Speaker of the House Marco Rubio initially proposed. And should the Jan. 29 referendum fail, Rubio’s plan could very well end up on the November ballot. While such a reform might benefit the wealthy, those in the middle- to lower-income brackets — many who can’t afford to own homes, let alone property taxes — would feel the pinch.
Political change happens in increments. If you simply wait for the tax-reform package you agree with in full, you’ll get nothing. The Jan. 29 referendum may not be a perfect solution, but it’s a necessary first step toward reform and ending the inequities of Florida’s property-tax system.
The Town-Crier endorses a YES vote on the Jan. 29 property tax referendum.
Letters To The Editor
ficially endorsed Ms. Tinu Pena for the vacant council seat.
In my 34 years in Royal Palm Beach, never have three incumbent councilpersons joined forces and officially endorsed a candidate for the village council! What has motivated these three incumbent councilpersons to officially endorse someone (Ms. Pena) whose name was completely unknown until she filed for this election? Could
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it be that they most definitely do not want someone (Ms. Martha Webster) on the council, who during recent years has not been afraid to ask many tough questions, such as on the purchase of the Tradition Golf Course, the sale of the village utility plant, the takeover of the village police department by the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, etc., etc., etc.? Isn’t that the way the democratic system is supposed to work, where there are healthy discussions, questioning and disagreements on important issued that affect constituents? Do we really want a village council where everything is just “hunky-dory,” where everyone agrees on just about everything?! I congratulate Councilman Fred Pinto, who must have been under a lot of pressure to join the other three councilmen, but did not.
necessary tough questions about important topics that affect our community. Every government body needs someone like Martha Webster. These are some of the reasons I am endorsing Martha Webster for the vacant council seat in Royal Palm Beach. I have no doubt that Ms. Tinu Pena is an honorable and wellintentioned resident of Royal Palm Beach. I only wish she had been more actively involved since she moved into our community. The first time I heard her name was when she announced her candidacy for the village council. I strongly encourage her to get involved in our village this year, so that I can also endorse her in the near future. We need more good people to protect the quality of life we all came here for.
Unfortunately, there are many citizens who do not know that their vote will not be fully recognized in the Republican primary, and will be not be recognized at all in the Democratic primary.
The draconian punishment that the two major political parties in America are imposing on the citizens of Florida is particularly absurd at this time in our history, considering the billions of dollars and thousands of lives that have been sacrificed in Iraq to introduce democracy to that nation as a means to protect our “American way of life.”
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Although I have been on very friendly terms with the three incumbents in recent years, I now feel obligated to somewhat level the playing field by endorsing Martha Webster for the vacant council seat in Royal Palm Beach. We cannot allow the three incumbents to gang up and intimidate an outspoken citizen! Martha has a proven track record of being a dedicated hardworking resident who truly cares about Royal Palm Beach.
During the past three years, I have been most impressed by her honesty, integrity and sincere desire to serve Royal Palm Beach and make it a better place to live. I have personally seen her working to improve the safety of our homes and streets through our law enforcement officers. I have personally seen Martha oppose excessive development in our village and adjacent communities, which would further increase traffic in our already over-capacity roads. I have personally observed Martha address code enforcement problems.
Last but not least, I know Martha is not afraid to ask the
Jess R. Santamaria County Commissioner District 6
Adhere To Water Restrictions
Let’s hope while we are under Phase 3 water restrictions the Village of Wellington doesn’t install irrigation in the median on Forest Hill Blvd. south of Southern Blvd. after the roadwidening project.
I am dumbfounded that irrigation is being installed in medians on Southern Blvd., Military Trail and elsewhere as part of the final road-widening process. Why isn’t native vegetation planted instead of vegetation that requires watering?
I wonder how often the medians will be watered.
Mandy Burkart Wellington
Major Parties Shun Florida Voters
Florida’s primary, which was rescheduled by the Republicancontrolled legislature in Florida to Jan. 29, has turned into one giant disenfranchisement for innocent law-abiding Floridians who want to participate in America’s democracy.
In 1965, the U.S. Supreme Court stated in Reynolds vs. Sims: “Undoubtedly, the right of suffrage is a fundamental matter in a free and democratic society. Especially since the right to exercise the franchise in a free and unimpaired manner is preservative of other basic civil and political rights, and any alleged infringement of the right of citizens to vote must be carefully and meticulously scrutinized.”
In light of the above, instead of voting for a Republican or Democrat in the upcoming primary, Wellingtonians and others might want to consider writing in the names of one of Wellington’s part-time residents — Michael Bloomberg or Lou Dobbs — in an absentee ballot or by way of a paper ballot to the extent those are available. Perhaps if enough people respond in that manner, it might send an important message to our established political parties not to mess around with the sacred rights that too many brave American patriots have died while protecting.
Neal Taslitz Wellington
Vote Yes For Property-Tax Relief
The local municipalities are joining with the sheriff’s office, fire-rescue and the
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New Development Plan Has Callery-Judge Hedging Its Bets
While Callery-Judge Grove has been quietly discussing development options for its 4,000 acres in The Acreage, it has also recently planted nearly 4,000 citrus trees — apparently hedging its bet on whether it will ever build homes on the land.
My sources in the county have told me staffers are looking over a plan to allow Callery-Judge 2,999 homes, a huge reduction from the 10,000 the citrus grower previously sought and was denied after an explosive hearing last year before the Palm Beach County Commission.
Callery-Judge General Manager Nat Roberts said shortly after the vote that he might resort to the state’s agricultural enclave law, which allows farmers to develop their property at the same den-
sity as surrounding developments. In Callery’s case, there is a good argument that the density in The Acreage, at 1.25 acres per home, could be used to determine its own density.
Mr. Roberts declined to further elaborate on his plans or to comment on whether he is in negotiations with county staffers. I can’t say I blame him after the beating he received at the hands of the county commission after spending millions of dollars designing a bold “new town” concept that would have provided not only homes but needed commercial space for the 50,000 residents of The Acreage.
“We did what we thought was the best thing for the area,” Mr. Roberts told me. “We got the message that they didn’t want that, but that they want what they
‘Unfortunately, the redesigned project does not include what a lot of area residents wanted, such as an employment center, shopping, parks, public buildings and roads through the property to help move traffic throughout the area.’
Letters
continued from page 4A teachers to try and convince voters to vote against the proposed constitutional amendment that would save homesteaders an average of $240. They are saying, “we need your money more than you do.” What they don’t state is that you will also be voting against portability, which will cost homesteaders thousands of dollars every year if you sell your home and buy a new one in Florida.
They all are saying that a tax cut will force our local cities to cut services. That means no raises for police, firemen and teachers, and it also means those cities will be forced to reduce their budgets; something they hate to do.
It also means no property-tax cuts for you, now or in the future. If our politicians cannot find a way to save $240 for the average homeowner, how can we ever expect to get property tax relief in the future?
All of the above groups are looking out for themselves. Who is looking out for you? Who is looking out for the homeowners who were promised their taxes would drop like a rock and got a $150 reduction? Who is looking out for the property owners who would like to move, but can’t because their taxes would increase dramatically if they do?
Portability should help our disastrous real estate market. It will allow the homesteaders who wanted to move to now reconsider their options.
Remember this: if you vote “no” on this tax bill you will probably never again be offered portability, and you will be sending a signal to the legisla-
tors that property-tax reductions are not important to you.
Morley Alperstein Wellington
Support Weight Limits
In Acreage Football
I write the following after just viewing on the TV news a report about the Acreage Athletic League. It was about the issue of children of the same age who weigh significantly more than other children. The example shown was two 11-year-old boys, one 70 pounds and the other 140 pounds, competing against each other in the same age group.
Parents of the lower-weight children are concerned for the potential for serious injury. Parents of the heavier children do not want their children playing opposite of 14-year-old, 140-pound children because those children are more developed physically and mentally than their 11-year-old children.
It is very obvious that a 70-pound child is at severely more risk playing opposite a 140-pound child than a 140pound child playing opposite another 140-pound child.
I have read a number of recent local letters from parents in the local newspaper. And I had 12 years of heavy involvement in our local Boys & Girls Club as a coach and officer of the organization as our sons were growing up. That started 25 years ago, at a time when youth organization coach liability suits were just beginning. Our coaches, based upon legal counsel, were required to attend youthcoaching seminars, and to be certified,
already have in The Acreage. We just want to be treated like our neighbors are being treated in The Acreage, Loxahatchee Groves and Royal Palm Beach.”
Those communities are within the fivemile radius required by the agricultural enclave law.
Unfortunately, the redesigned project does not include what a lot of area residents wanted, such as an employment center, shopping, parks, public buildings and roads through the property to help move traffic throughout the area. Ironically, one of those public buildings planned and to be funded by CalleryJudge would have been a library, for which the Indian Trail Improvement District must now come up with the land. To compound the area’s problem, county funds to ITID have been reduced to a trickle.
Replanting thousands of citrus trees in the grove is a signal that Callery-Judge has switched its short-term focus from development back to agriculture. Callery-Judge has also begun experimenting with sorghum on 140 acres to investigate whether the crop might be profit-
to hopefully help alleviate some potential liability.
In the present instance, not only is a coach liable, but the Acreage/Indian Trail Improvement District is exposed to serious potential liability suits if there is an injury. The obvious reason being that ITID is the local governing entity allowing/permitting such an obviously dangerous mismatch.
Furthermore, since The Acreage is an unincorporated area of Palm Beach County, under the county’s jurisdiction, and the county has countywide weight class restrictions currently for all youth football leagues, by know-
Point of View...
By Don Brown
able as an ethanol source.
Sources have told me a revised Callery-Judge development plan could find itself before county commissioners as early as April. Expect the plan to include some clustering of homes and a smattering of condos and apartments. It will likely be gated and without roads running through it, unlike the original “new town” plans.
When Callery-Judge does have its day again in the “court” of the county commission, perhaps an apology to both Mr. Roberts and residents of The Acreage might be in order, followed by an honest explanation of why the county isn’t giving residents a fair return on their county tax dollars.
ing of the current situation in The Acreage, and not enforcing adherence to the county weight regulations, the county is seriously exposed to potential liability suits that could be very significant.
I call on all involved to do what is right immediately. Not to avoid significant monetary lawsuit awards, but to potentially save a child from severe injury, which could lead to a life as a paraplegic or quadriplegic, or even death.
Please do the right thing now!
Ed Zakrzewski
The Acreage
JOIN IN A TOWN-CRIER POLL!
Do you plan to vote in favor of the Jan. 29 property-tax referendum?
A. Yes, this is the best plan so far.
B. Yes, but more reform is needed in the future.
C. No, this will bankrupt local governments.
D. No, I don't stand to benefit from the exemptions.
Cast your vote by visiting www.goTownCrier.com and scrolling down to the poll question at the bottom left of the web page. It’s as easy as that!
Previous Question: What issue should be the State Legislature’s top priority in 2008? A. Property insurance: 31 percent; B. Property taxes: 57 percent; C. Education issues: 6 percent; D. Medicaid: 0 percent; E. Automobile insurance: 6 percent.
Man Caught Stealing Sunglasses During Daughter’s Eye Exam
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
JAN. 1 — A man was arrested for assaulting a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputy Jan. 1 on Nottingham Road in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to the scene at approximately 4 a.m. in reference to a fight between 43-year-old Basilio Pacheco of West Palm Beach and another man. According to the report, Pacheco came to the door
CRIME NEWS CRIME NEWS
smelling of alcohol, with his chest covered in vomit. Upon contact with the deputy, Pacheco made a fist as if he were going to strike the deputy. According to the report, Pacheco was taken to the ground and attempted to bite the deputy three times. While he was being transported to the District 9 substation, Pacheco pulled the deputy’s campaign hat from the rear window of the patrol car and destroyed it. Pacheco was charged
Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives:
• Miguel Paula is a white male, 6’ tall and weighing 235 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 05/11/88. He has a scar on his right hand. Paula is wanted for failure to appear in court on the charges of grand theft of a motor vehicle and fleeing or attempting to elude a marked police car. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Hyacinth Place in Wellington. Paula is wanted as of 01/17/08.
• Ronald Terrell, a.k.a. Randell Terrell, is a white male, 5’9” tall and weighing 325 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 09/10/74. He has a tattoo on his right arm. Terrell is wanted for engaging in contracting without certification and on two counts of grand theft. His occupation is unknown. His most recent address was Briar Bay Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. Terrell is wanted as of 01/17/08. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crime stopperspbc.com.
THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, WHICH IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.
with assault on an officer, resisting arrest with violence and vandalism. Pacheco was transported to the county jail.
JAN. 2 — A Wellington man was arrested Jan. 2 for shoplifting at an eyecare center on State Road 7 in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, 37-year-old Daniel Goldfarb was inside the business at approximately 3:20 p.m., while his daughter was undergoing an eye exam. After noticing a pair of sunglasses was missing from a rack, the doctor reviewed the surveillance video, which
showed Goldfarb put on the glasses, walk around the store and then put the glasses in his jacket pocket. Goldfarb exited the store with the glasses (valued at $126) still in his pocket. Goldfarb was given a notice to appear in court and released.
JAN. 11 — Two Wellington men were arrested last Friday on drug charges at the intersection of South Shore Blvd. and Greenview Cove. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the substation in Wellington observed 21-year-old Domingo Hernandez and 20-year-old Sergio Blanco switch seats in a vehicle on Hawthorne Place at approximately 9 p.m. Neither man had a driver’s license, and a search of the men revealed both possessed cocaine, according to the report. Hernandez and Blanco were arrested for possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a license. They were transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.
JAN. 11 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington arrested a man for possession of marijuana and tampering with evidence last Friday at the intersection of Wellington Trace and Arcadia Drive. According to a PBSO report, the deputy stopped 18-year-old Joey Moose for no tag light on his vehicle at approximately 11:52 p.m. The deputy noted that Moose attempted to chew and then swallow the marijuana. A clear bag containing marijuana was discovered in Moose’s vehicle. Moose was transported to the county jail.
JAN. 12 — A Wellington woman was arrested for retail theft last Saturday at the Macy’s department store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, store security officers observed 53-year-old Carina Ludmila place two items worth a total of $40 in her purse and attempt to exit the store at approximately 7:42 p.m. Ludmila was apprehended after passing all points of sale.
JAN. 14 — A Wellington man was arrested on burglary and aggravated assault charges Monday on Regal Court South. According to a PBSO report, 27year-old Jermaine Jackson was caught leaving a house with the homeowner’s television set at approximately 4 p.m. According to the report, Jackson fled the scene without any items and was later apprehended. Jackson’s two female accomplices were not found.
JAN. 14 — While on foot patrol, a deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington arrested a man on drug charges Monday in the parking lot of a restaurant on South Shore Blvd. According to a PBSO report, the deputy observed 23-year-old Keith Delgado of West Palm Beach doing cocaine in his vehicle at approximately 2:45 a.m. The deputy also found Xanax pills in Delgado’s possession and discovered that Delgado had an outstanding warrant for a probation violation. He was transported to the county jail.
JAN. 15 — A traffic stop for an expired tag led to the arrest of a Royal Palm Beach man at
Ronald Terrell
Miguel Paula
See BLOTTER, page 7A
Wellington Zoners Give Thumbs Up To Furniture Showroom On State Road 7
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
The Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Board voted in support of a comprehensive plan amendment, a rezoning and a master plan for the planned Wellington Design Center on State Road 7 last week, despite the objections of residents of the adjacent Talavera community.
Developers are requesting the village rezone 8.35 acres on the east side of SR 7 north of Lake Worth Road from Palm Beach County Agricultural-Residential to the village’s Multiple Use Planned Development, change the land use from Low Residential 2 to Community Commercial, and approve a master plan calling for a 79,480-square-foot retail furniture store sales showroom and a maximum 17,400square-foot furniture warehouse.
At the PZA board’s Jan. 10 meeting, Village Planner Bill Nemser said the proposed project was consistent with the area’s development pattern, a mix of commercial, recreational, institutional and residential uses. North of the property are elementary and middle schools and the village’s Olympia Park. The closest residence to the south in the Talavera subdivision is approximately 720 feet from the property line, he said. Considerable buffers would be constructed along the property line to screen it from nearby residents.
“Staff has taken a lot of care to be sensitive to the surrounding areas,” Nemser said. “We have come up with a pretty good master plan, and we reviewed it for compliance with the site plan. It’s pretty sensitive to the surrounding areas. We are recommending approval of all three petitions.”
During public comment, Ta-
Coates Running For Council Seat
continued from page 1A fully than ever due to dwindling village resources and revenues, and because he feels he can contribute a balanced and impartial view.
“As someone who both lives and works in Wellington, I bring a broad perspective to the many competing interests on issues that will need to be decided by the village council in years to come,” he said. “Importantly, Wellington is undergoing a transition from years of rapid growth to what will be a much slower, stable growth rate. This transition will make management decisions more difficult and critical, and will likely put the village in the position of having to provide more with less. Fiscal responsibility and an understanding of what the community needs and wants will be important.”
Coates said he would like to help the council develop a more coherent and sustainable vision for the future, and make decisions that are responsive to the needs of the village overall instead of catering to special interests. “For example, it is critically important that our future growth be measured, stable and prudent,” he said. “Any future growth and development must
lavera resident Pat Sullivan said she, her husband and other Talvera residents had hoped to avoid the “unsightly hodgepodge” of commercial, residential, commercial up and down State Road 7. She also challenged anyone to say that current traffic on SR 7 is good.
“It’s horrendous,” she said. “Anyone trying to make a lefthand turn across four lanes of traffic is taking their lives in their hands, especially at night. Each of the little parcels being proposed are just adding to the overall traffic problems.”
Sullivan also asserted that existing furniture showroom space along SR 7 amounts to 300,000 square feet, “and given the housing market, many of them are closing. We are concerned about the future of this and the economic problem if this one closes.”
Sullivan’s husband Andy added concerns about traffic, noting that neighborhood children have no bus service and must walk to school, and said their requests for considerations such as a stop sign, a rumble strip, a pedestrian crossing sign or time restrictions on truck traffic went unanswered by the developer. The couple said the 3,000-plus traffic trips allowed for the development were too many.
Project agent Kevin McGinley of Land Research Management and traffic consultant Trent Ebersole said that while the trips are the maximum allowed for the project, the master plan indicates it would generate only 464 trips. Parking studies indicate the project would have more than enough spaces to accommodate customers, he said.
“There will be a little over 200 vehicles coming on site in a day,” Ebersole said. “We are providing far more spaces than the
be held up to the scrutiny of its impact on the quality of our lives here in Wellington, its impact on the businesses that have made Wellington their home and provide valuable services to our community, its impact on our resources including parks and recreation, and perhaps most importantly its impact on our future generations.”
Coates said that as a councilman he would have the courage to say no to development proposals that would change the character of the village, but he also understands that responsible growth is necessary.
“I agree strongly with those who recognize the need to have suitable housing, travel and other accommodations and facilities for our seniors,” he said, “and believe this to be an important issue on which the village council will have to take leadership.”
Coates said Cohen, also an attorney, has lost touch with the desires of village residents. “By way of example, some of her votes on equestrian matters have left me bewildered and in wonderment as to her lack of ap-
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continued from page 6A the intersection of State Road 7 and Forest Hill Blvd. on Tuesday. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington stopped
cars that would be coming on site.”
Board Chairman Alan Johnson said he shared the concerns of the residents, but that the project still fit the vision for SR 7, and the land was never envisioned as strictly residential.
“We get caught between a rock and a hard place,” Johnson said. “If we approve the land use change with community commercial, that is an egg that is broken; we can’t put it back together. If for some reason the landowner, if he can’t make a profit with this particular plan in place, they will go for another plan that will be able to utilize the property. We are exposing that property to 3,400 peak trips when the land use changes. Our hands are somewhat tied. That is the key of the Sullivans’ fears.”
Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz said the board would always be faced with such issues when considering projects. He also noted that staff could not set narrow limits in the land-use stage without creating hundreds of land uses in the village. Kurtz also noted that the Isla Verde mixed-use project further north on SR 7 had postponed its residential phase seemingly indefinitely.
To allay the concerns of the residents, McGinley said he had no problem with imposition of conditions requiring the traffic trips to stay low.
Vice Chair Steve Delai made a motion for approval for the comprehensive plan amendment, which was seconded by Board Member Eugene DiFonte. It passed unanimously. Delai made similar motions for the rezoning and master plans. Both were seconded by DiFonte and passed unanimously.
The Wellington Village Council is scheduled to review the land-use change Feb. 12.
preciation of the importance of the equestrian community to Wellington,” Coates said. “I also have concern over her ability to be a vigilant gatekeeper of preserving the quality of life in Wellington against the constant pressure of continued growth, development and commercialization of our community and village events.”
Coates said he understands the importance of both shortand long-term planning and the need for a guiding vision to implement such plans.
“Anyone in business knows that an integral part of the success of any business is proper planning and being able to anticipate the future,” he said. “It is important that our village council establish a plan for our community on which businesses and residents can rely… The bottom line is that I want to help ensure Wellington remains as great a place for them to live 10 to 15 years from now as it is for me today.”
Three Wellington council seats are up for election on March 12. The deadline for candidates to file is Feb.12.
20-year-old James Scarafia for an expired tag at approximately 2:40 a.m. A background check revealed there was a warrant for his arrest for failure to appear in court. Scarafia was transported to the county jail.
C-PAL To Present Pedro Roman
The Crestwood Performing Arts League (C-PAL) will present Pedro Roman’s Latin Review on Sunday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach High School Performing Arts Theater (10600 Okeechobee Blvd.)
Pedro Roman’s Latin Review showcases the fire and excitement of Latin rhythms combined with numerous types of international music. Roman, an award-winning singer, entertainer, writer and composer, has combined all his talents for this show, which is intended for all audiences. The show combines the talent of several accomplished Latin actresses, numerous electrifying dancers and Roman himself. This cast has performed in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and London. The group’s dancers have been in music videos with Madonna and Shakira.
Tickets are $13 at the door for adults. Accompanied students will be admitted free. Call (561) 793-6897 or (561) 793-2984 for more information.
Computers For Work Skills
Men and women who stay out of the workforce for any length of time often find they need an upgrade in their job skills to qualify for current positions. Wellington Cares Clearinghouse is now assisting Glades Area Pantries to collect used computers (hard drives, monitors, keyboards) to help welfare mothers and others in Pahokee improve their work skills to re-enter the job market. To donate, call Ellie Caldwell at Wellington Cares Clearinghouse at (561) 790-5499.
Mid-County Dems Meet Jan. 21
The Mid-County Democratic Club will hold its first meeting of the year on Monday, Jan. 21 at Tree’s Wings in Royal Palm Beach. State Rep. Susan Bucher (D-District 88) will share her perspective on the property-tax referendum that will appear on the Jan. 29 primary ballot.
Club members will also make a brief campaign pitch for their pick of the top candidates in the upcoming presidential primary. Pat Emerett will speak in favor of John Edwards, Joe Abruzzo for Hillary Clinton and Joan Joseph for Barack Obama. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m., though members and guests can show up early to enjoy some food. Tree’s Wings & Ribs is located at 603 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. For more information, call Club President Allen Mergaman at (561) 255-0724 or visit www.midcountydems.com.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 19 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM SUNDAY, JANUARY 20 NOON - 4:00 PM
Candidate Dangerfield Stresses His Career As A Public Servant
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
David Dangerfield, a retired New York City firefighter who experienced the September 2001 terrorist attacks first hand, wants to share his experience as a public servant as a member of the Royal Palm Beach Village Council.
Born and raised in The Bronx, Dangerfield attended DeWitt Clinton High School, where the highlight of his experience was the football program, which won the 1975-76 city championship.
He attended Southeast Community College in Nebraska where he majored in physical education with a minor in religion. Instead of going on to the University of Nebraska, he decided to return to New York City and take the firefighter examination, scoring 100 on the physical and 90 on the written portion. He served in the FDNY for 21 years, starting in 1983.
Afterward then-governor George Pataki asked him to take over emergency response programs in the New York State Department of Health.
“I was not just an average firefighter. I was a rescue, hazmat specialist. I had all the training, and I was assigned to Special Operations Command. There was a handful of us left, and we had to bring new recruits in, so that was one of my duties,” Dangerfield said. “After that, with the New York State Department of Health, I took over and assisted them in enhancing public health emergency response. In post-9/11, everyone was looking at biological events, radiological, chemical, and public health was catapulted to the forefront now of emergency response.”
Part of his job was enhancing communications with the cities, counties and outlying areas. “Federal dollars were poured into that as part of that contract,” he said. “I did two years with that and
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was very successful in collaboration, establishment and bringing everyone together.”
After his wife retired from the New York City Police Department, they resettled in Royal Palm Beach in February 2005, purchasing a home in the Estates at Madison Green.
“We always said we had a dream when we first met those 22 years ago to retire in Florida because she can’t take the cold,” he said. “She was born in Jamaica. We worked hard and, thank God, we survived. But that’s past, I’m here today, and I’ve been given the opportunity to run for local office.”
The 49-year-old Dangerfield lists his top accomplishments as being a great husband, father to seven children and grandfather to his seven grandchildren. He feels that he also accomplished much during his career, including the training of a new crop of special operations officers after 9/11 and his work with the health department.
Dangerfield, who now works parttime managing security for a local developer, said he is the most qualified candidate because with his retirement, he can share his experiences in public service with his community. “I’ve always believed that when you have accomplished something, you have to give something back,” he said.
The person who shared that sentiment with him, he said, was former secretary of state Colin Powell. As an Army officer attending a function at his high school, Powell pulled him aside and told him the most important things in life are family, faith and community, Dangerfield recalled. “And he said when you are successful, you share that back,” he said. “The council seat is not for the money, it’s for the principle.”
He said the one-year term, to fill the seat vacated by Barbara Isenberg, will be more like an internship, but in that time he wants to address taxes and public safety. Senior issues also should be addressed, he said. “They are not overlooked, but they are not recognized,” he said. “Growing up, they were our elders and well respected.”
Dangerfield said that while the village provides good programs for seniors, their welfare should be more closely monitored. He is particularly concerned about driving and transportation programs, and advocates establishing a public transportation system for residents to community malls and public facilities.
“A lot of the seniors down here want to drive and be independent,” he said, “but I can see their reaction time and skills are somewhat lacking when it comes to being on the road, which I have encountered several times.”
The village should offer more services for veterans, Dangerfield said. “We can’t forget our veterans who have served in past wars and are coming home now,” he said, saying that is part of his goal to create “unity in the community.”
Unlike several members of the current council, Dangerfield supports the State Legislature’s proposed property tax reform package. “What we’re looking at is voting ‘yes’ and getting some money, a little, two or three hundred dollars with the $50,000 homestead exemption and portability, than voting ‘no’ and not getting anything. I’m a strong supporter of the amendment.”
To make up for a loss of revenue if the referendum passes, Dangerfield said he would advocate buyouts, severance packages for longer term employees and the hiring of younger employees for less money. The village could also look at reducing some services without taking them away completely.
Among the other options he has contemplated is a village bond program in which residents could invest in their community.
Dangerfield also advocates face-toface meetings with leaders from surrounding communities to work out any differences and maintain good relations.
“We can sit down like anybody else, let our hair down and just be candid,” he said. “We can all reach a common ground with this. There doesn’t have to be battle between municipalities.”
Dangerfield said he counts honesty and integrity, heart, public awareness and an ability to communicate with people as his strengths.
“When you work 23 years with the public, you get to know them and see what bothers them,” he said. “They know within their heart, ‘man, I can really talk to this person.’”
David Dangerfield
Candidate Tinu Pena Points To Army Experience As Key Strength
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
Although she is no veteran of the Royal Palm Beach political scene, Tinuade “Tinu” Pena is a veteran of the United States Army. She told the Town-Crier that her five-year stint as a missile system specialist is one of the strengths that will serve her well if elected to the Royal Palm Beach Village Council on Jan. 29.
“In the Army, I learned about teambuilding and taking a leadership role,” the 34-year-old Pena said. “I had the opportunity to attend an academy in Hawaii that teaches you to become a leader. They help you plan strategy and look at the bigger picture. My military experience as well as my technical background in the civil engineering field makes me a well-rounded person able to look at different aspects of the community.”
A village resident for more than eight years, Pena was born in Washington, D.C., where her father studied physics and her mother studied hotel management. She lived in her parents’ native Nigeria between the ages of six and 19 before returning to the U.S. to study and eventually enlist in the Army. Pena was stationed in Hawaii for three years and also served at Fort Campbell, Ky. and Fort Carson, Colo. After her discharge, Pena moved to Florida, where she started a family and earned an associate’s degree in architecture from Palm Beach Community College and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Florida Atlantic University.
Now a divorced mother of 10-yearold son Miguel and six-year-old daughter Eleana, Pena is employed by the Jupiter-based Rhon Ernest-Jones Consulting Engineers. She said she decided to run for the vacant RPB council seat because she feels she is well-rounded and has something to offer the community. She said her status as a working single
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mother would not interfere with her ability to serve on the council.
“My boss is aware of my campaign and is supportive,” Pena said. “Before I took the job, I told him I needed to be flexible. I can work at home if need be, so that’s not an issue at all.”
Pena is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Society of Women Engineers and the National Society of Black Engineers. Her background in engineering prompted council incumbents Mayor David Lodwick, Vice Mayor David Swift and Councilman Matty Mattioli to endorse her candidacy in December. Such an endorsement is rare in the history of village elections.
“It’s very much an honor for me to have them do that,” Pena said. “I believe they did it because I took the time to talk to them as individuals to find out what they did as members of the council. I also spoke with [Village Manager] David Farber to get a better understanding of how the village runs.”
Pena said she is still undecided on whether she favors the State Legislature’s proposed tax-reform amendment, which will also be decided in the Jan. 29 election, but will probably vote against it. Lodwick and other municipal leaders across the state warn it will cripple their revenues. “We don’t even know the implications of what will happen if it passes,” she said. “My understanding is, if it passes, we’re going to be hit hard. To project as a worst-case scenario, yes, we’re going to get hit. Then we need to figure out what needs to be done.”
Pena said she wants to avoid village staff layoffs if the amendment passes. “Maybe we can scale back a little on community programs,” she said. “We’ll have to think and look at alternatives. There might be some things in the bud-
get that we can push back to another year.”
Those might include some of the proposed plans for the new Commons Park. “I like everything about the park. I’m all for it,” Pena said. “But should the tax cut happen, we’ll probably have to scale back a little.”
Scaling back on such plans, however, might run counter to another of Pena’s goals regarding the council, to offer more community programs geared toward children. “Hopefully we can offer programs that will allow me, as a single mom, to keep my children in the community instead of going elsewhere for programs,” she said.
Pena also said she would like to see the village develop a resource center to make it easier for people to start small businesses in Royal Palm Beach.
“I started a small [interior consulting] business last year,” Pena said. “I had to go all over and online to get information. Not knowing where to be was the hardest part. I think providing something within our community for people to access information will be very beneficial.”
Also beneficial to village residents, Pena said, is the long promised westward extension of Roebuck Road, and the northward extension of State Road 7 to Northlake Blvd. Those projects would alleviate some of the traffic congestion on the village’s main thoroughfares.
The City of West Palm Beach, however, is fighting each project. Earlier this month, Mayor Lois Frankel and city officials vowed to fight Palm Beach County’s Roebuck Road extension on environmental grounds.
Pena said she supports both projects as good solutions to the traffic problem. She said her Army background in teambuilding and civil engineering would come to the fore in dealing with such controversial and far-ranging issues involving the village and its neighbors.
“We need to bring matters to the table, look at both sides and come up with a solution,” Pena said. “We have to make sure everyone benefits. If West Palm Beach is against the extension, we have to understand why and come up with a compromise. Dialogue is essential. We need to come to the table and speak clearly as to what our issues are. We need to talk and come up with solutions. We need to make sure any decision made is made for the betterment of the western communities, not just one municipality.”
Such open dialogue, Pena said, plays to her strengths. “I’m very approachable, I’m a team player, a good listener and I’m very open minded,” she said.
The fact that at age 34 she’s considerably younger than her two opponents should have no bearing on the race, Pena said. “Wisdom doesn’t come with age,” she said.
Tinuade “Tinu” Pena
Martha Webster Points To Government Experience, Years In RPB
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
Martha Webster bases her campaign for the Royal Palm Beach Village Council’s vacant seat on her broad experience living and working in the county and the village, as well as her many years of volunteer work.
“I have been doing public service for 22 years,” she told the Town-Crier. “I started back in Greenacres as a member of their Comprehensive Plan Advisory Board back in 1985 and was vice chair of their Planning & Zoning Commission from 1986 to 1991. I first met [Royal Palm Beach Village] Manager David Farber there. And I began learning about the importance of good planning and intelligent government back then.”
Webster has lived in Palm Beach County for 42 years, the past 11 in Royal Palm Beach. She and Gary Webster, her husband of 34 years, have two adult children. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education from Brenau University and is currently working toward a doctorate in education at Florida Atlantic University. She credits her return to college as an adult while doing community service as her top accomplishment.
Webster said her current employment demonstrates both her ability level and her concern for others. “I am the program leader of the University of Florida’s 4-H Development Program run through the University of Florida, specializing in nutrition, and I’ve worked in that position since 2004,” she said. “Before that I also worked for the University of Florida as community nutrition coordinator for Palm Beach County for five years, and before that for the Consumer Credit Counseling Service of the Palm Beaches and Treasure Coast as director of housing and consumer outreach.”
Webster, who lost a 2006 bid for RPB council, said a few major issues loom
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large for the village in the coming year, and the budget tops the list. “We are going to have to look at the budget very closely after the Jan. 29 referendum on property taxes,” she said. “I hope we all work closely together to hold things together. They have done a great job here, cutting the millage rate for 13 years, but we have to hold the line now, and we can only do it if we work together. We cannot reduce services for people in need.”
A second area of importance to Webster is the Village Commons park, being built on the site of the former Tradition Golf Course. “We have to re-examine this because of changes in tax structure both at the state, county and local level,” she said. “We are talking about spending $42 million, with $20 million going for infrastructure. That is a lot of money.”
A third major issue is coordination with neighboring communities to create a new sector plan. “None of us can do this as an individual,” she stressed. “We have to work as a team, and I think the success that Royal Palm Beach has had working together will help us take the lead. We need to show our neighbors that we are cooperative, are creative and willing to discuss differences.”
Webster said the village did an excellent job opposing the Callery-Judge Grove proposal for a “new town” west of The Acreage. “This was an example of how well we can do,” she said. “We worked with the county, we worked with the neighboring communities and we worked with our county commissioner to build support for our ideas. It shows what we can do working together.”
Webster said her 22 years of community leadership puts her far ahead of her two opponents, and that voters should
be looking for someone with experience in the issues and a track record of commitment. “The issues all center on budget,” she said. “I work in government, and I’ve been working line-item by lineitem with the county to trim the budget. The future direction of the budget should be to work on how to make sure we can deal with our issues. Right now we have a housing crisis. People are leaving homes, walking away from them because they cannot make payments. That not only creates financial problems but security ones. What can we in the village do to assist? We need more security against vandalism.”
If passage of the State Legislature’s proposed tax-reform amendment reduces village revenues, Webster would prefer to re-examine Village Commons when trimming the budget. “We have to look at the maintenance costs,” she said. “We have money set aside for it. Should we spend money on it? I know that I work for the government, running a small department, and I have been cutting. I know most departments could cut five [percent] easily; eight hard, and nine percent with costs. I do not, repeat, do not want to lay anyone off.”
Webster said the council must work at developing and maintaining good relations with the village’s neighbors, including more intergovernmental workshops. “There will be different views, and you have to work them out,” she said. “There have been land wars and water wars. But we need a bit of the personal touch.”
Webster said the endorsement of her opponent Tinu Pena by three council members will not affect her attitude if elected. “Politics is politics,” she said. “Let’s move forward. We have to work together. If we don’t work together, we won’t be able to accomplish anything. I have no animosity.”
Webster said she believes in consensus and cooperation. “You do not and
should not be contentious,” she said. “But we should discuss issues and listen to each other’s opinions. We may come to an agreement, each of us coming from a different way. Good discussion is important. That’s what good government is. We may not agree on everything, but we can reach the same goal.”
She refused to offer any criticism of her opponents in the race. “I don’t know my opponents,” Webster said. “It has been a strange campaign. We’ve never been in the same place at the same time as of this date.”
But Webster firmly states that her own strength is her experience, from years living in the village and working with the county and other agencies. “I know housing because I’ve worked in housing areas, in mortgage education,” she said. “I’ve worked in education; I’ve done planning, including road planning and comprehensive planning, for many years. I have the background needed to be a strong member of the council.”
Martha Webster
RPB Election Question 5: What Type Of Development Would You
From now until the Jan. 29 election, the Town-Crier will ask questions for publication each week to the three candidates seeking the vacant seat on the Royal Palm Beach Village Council. This week’s question: “What is your opinion on future development and annexation? What types of development would you like to see or not see? Where, if at all, would you like to see the village increase its borders?”
MARTHA WEBSTER
Current trends and best practices suggest that community development and annexation should promote natural and man-made boundaries and landmarks to create a sense of defined neighborhoods, towns and regions. Expansion should be into locations that meet this criteria and benefit the village. Consideration of potential annexed properties should also include: the condition of the current infrastructure, the type and condition of existing structures, the quality of the existing communities, the potential cost of improvements, and compatibility with the village vision.
A premise for annexation in past years would have included service delivery, but with centralized police, fire-rescue and water, this is no longer an element for consideration of annexation into the Village of Royal Palm Beach.
Future development of the village should be driven by a clear vision including an effective array of services that rep-
resent a true community identity while serving the needs of the citizens. Aging residents benefit from accessible senior service centers and a veterans center. Families benefit from quality community pre- and afterschool providers. Construction and maintenance of non-duplicated recreation facilities and increased nature areas benefit all.
The most appropriate village response to the current housing slump is to not approve/encourage additional residential building until the market improves. Adding more empty homes to an already depressed market will only increase the volatility of the real estate market. Commercial properties respond to the economic environment that currently demands restraint.
TINUADE “TINU” PENA
Any community that intends to thrive in this day and age has to seek ways to invent and reinvent itself so as to stay competitive in today’s community development market as new communities continues to sprout up everywhere. Therefore, any future development should be sustainable, which will be the key to maintaining a balance between what is proposed and what is existing.
On the other hand, annexation should be considered as a political union between communities sharing benefits and growing economically as one vast community. When circumstances arise where the taxpayers of one community benefit from the
amenities of another without sharing the tax burden, then in such a case consideration for a “political union” should be explored.
However, development will occur regardless of what the market is doing, but knowing what type of development will assist in avoiding overdeveloping. So, in examining our community where residential development is nearly maxed out, any consideration for future residential developments should be of low density to avoid impacts on the existing infrastructures. In addition, commercial developments that could provide jobs for our residents and revenue for our community would be the type of development that could be justifiable; as long as it is within the comprehensive plan.
The village’s borders have basically been defined by its adjacent communities, so the possibility of any increase is not foreseeable. Nevertheless, as your councilwoman, I will work diligently with the council members to ensure that any development within our community
is in accordance with our comprehensive plan, complies with the vision for our community, and would maintain and/or enhance our safety, security and quality of life.
DAVID DANGERFIELD I envision and am a staunch proponent of a promising future of “smart growth” development for our village, which may include annexation with the following essential caveats:
• Healthy communities. Provide families with a clean environment. Smart growth balances development and environmental protection. Accommodating growth while preserving open space and critical habitat, reusing land, and protecting water supplies and air quality.
• Economic development and jobs that create more business opportunities, local tax base improvements, provide neighborhood services and amenities, and create economically competitive communities.
• Strong neighborhoods, which provide a range of hous-
Prefer?
ing options, giving people the opportunity to choose housing that best suits them. Smart growth provides the choice to walk, bicycle, kayak, take transit or drive. It maintains and enhances the value of existing neighborhoods and creates a sense of community.
Annexation can expand our village’s tax base (the tax base of a city is the collective value of all taxable real estate in the city). Obviously, numerous surveys would have to be performed prior to considering annexation, e.g. an economic and community/regional impact review; village services; engineering inspections; fire, police services and emergency planning; residential and commercial trash removal; library, parks and recreation planning; water/sewer; and utilities.
As far as the village’s borders, I would have to explore the border expansion south to the fairgrounds and the Sound Advice Amphitheatre and several of the eastern gated communities, which was initially explored years ago.
Martin Luther King Day Celebration At Fairgrounds Jan. 21
One of South Florida’s largest and most far-reaching Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day observances will take place at the South Florida Fair on Monday, Jan. 21.
The special day of remembrance and celebration will feature a variety of entertainment, speeches and a full day of fun for many area youths.
The annual Freedom Train to the Fair is sponsored by Wayne Barton, Barton’s Boosters and the South Florida Fair. Youngsters will board Tri-Rail from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties and connect on Palm Tran to the fair. Others will be transported to the fair from the Glades area. They are expected to arrive at the fair
shortly after opening at 10 a.m. MLK Day-scheduled activities will continue through 1 p.m. in the Americraft Expo Center. The 2008 South Florida Fair opened Jan. 18 and continues through Feb. 3.
For more information, visit the fair’s web site at www.south floridafair.com or call (561) 7930333.
CVB Hopes To Rebound From Scandal, Promote Western Tourism
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Despite a recent embezzlement scandal that made national headlines, the Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau is forging ahead to keep the county a top destination, the bureau’s new president told Palms West Chamber of Commerce members Tuesday.
Jorge Pesquera, who started as president of the CVB in November, was the keynote speaker at the chamber’s monthly business luncheon.
“I have to tell you and admit that we have our work cut out
for us,” he said. “We have to do a lot to regain the trust and support of this community. That is why I am here. We have turned the page and begun a new chapter. We will deliver cutting-edge destination marketing and strategies to take Palm Beach County tourism to unprecedented levels in years to come.”
Pesquera noted that his bureau and the chamber are both celebrating their 25th anniversaries this year. “We have a lot in common,” he said. “We both want a vibrant business climate, sustainable growth, good jobs and quality of life for our community.”
Pesquera, who previously headed the Aruba Hotel and Tourism Association and before that the Puerto Rico Convention Bureau, said the first convention and visitors bureau began in Detroit as a one-person operation in 1890. Such organizations have grown and diversified quite a bit from the days of booking meetings in small rooms, he said, and are now commonly multi-faceted operations with diverse outreach efforts.
“We are divided into a number of different departments,” Pesquera said of the Palm Beach County CVB. “We have a services department through operators to get business to our shores. We support our industry partners, such as airlines, hotels and other businesses. We have a sales function that can go out and knock on doors, helps set up meetings, conventions and sports events. We also have people who are Internetsavvy. These are people who understand the importance of the Internet. They understand blogs, social networking and special-interest groups. The idea is to have a database of customers in all segments of society who talk to us about their travel plans. We influence their decisions on where to visit in their destinations.”
Pesquera also noted that the CVB’s outreach communications and media relations departments have formed good relations with the local media and recently put that good relationship to work to handle what had
become a “small crisis.” A Weather Channel reporter had described a recent storm as having such an impact on the Palm Beach County coast that people should rethink their vacation plans. The Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau was able to set the facts straight.
“Out of 47 miles of beaches in Palm Beach County, only one mile had been affected by this storm,” Pesquera said. “We were able to do that effectively and on a timely basis, and get the message out to our travel and media partners.”
Pesquera said the Palm Beach County CVB must expand its mission to promote emerging and lesser-known attractions in the county, such as the equestrian industry of the western communities.
“The western communities have worked hard over the last 30 years to create a unique ambiance and quality of life,” Pesquera said. “There are some terrific assets to this area. The equestrian aspects are a major generator of these, and we need to pay better attention to them. I hear that the Winter Equestrian Festival alone generates 85,000 room nights. That is something no other destination in this county can match. Frankly, we at the bureau have not done a good job highlighting such assets.”
For more information about the Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau, call (561) 233-3000 or visit www.palm beachfl.com. The CVB’s office is located at 1555 Palm Beach
Lakes Blvd., Suite 800 in West Palm Beach.
Tuesday’s luncheon was sponsored by the Coates Law Firm, whose founder Howard Coates told members he had filed as a candidate for Seat 4 on the Wellington Village Council, currently held by Councilwoman Laurie Cohen. Coates also reflected on his firm’s growth in the past few years.
“The last time I sponsored a luncheon was two and a half years ago,” Coates said. “I was well into my first year as a startup business in the Village of Wellington. The last time I spoke to you I had some trepidation and some uncertainty as to where I was going. My business plan was quite simple: build it and they will come. I am midway into my fourth year, and the success of my firm is due in no small part to the western communities businesses out here. I can’t thank the chambers out here enough. They are a voice for the business community out here.”
Coates said he had learned much about the issues small business owners face in recent years, after spending years as a corporate lawyer in New York City.
“In the past, I was representing huge corporations and banks,” he recalled. “I didn’t know what it was like to run a business. The last four years have taught me intimately the travails of running a small business, and the ups and downs you go through. It’s no differ-
Jaene Miranda, executive director of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, introduces Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau President Jorge Pesquera.
LGWCD Steps In To Settle Culvert Dispute On D Road
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Frustrated with attempts to get residents to replace a problematic culvert on D Road, the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors voted Monday to create a special taxing district to charge them for its replacement.
LGWCD staff inspecting the privately owned culvert deemed it to be out of conformance with district standards in 2004, presenting a safety hazard for vehicles crossing the canal and restricting the normal flow of water. The district took action the same year to formulate a policy for repair or replacement of private structures crossing its rights of way.
In November, the four property owners were notified that they would have 60 days to agree on a method of remov-
ing and replacing the culvert at their own expense, but as of the deadline on Monday, only two of the four had responded, District Administrator Clete Saunier told the board.
LGWCD Attorney Mary Viator noted that the district is entitled to enter private property to take corrective action if an insufficient response is received, and to bill the property owners for the expenses. Creating the development unit would require the district to create a water control plan requiring public hearings and approval by the South Florida Water Management District and the board of supervisors.
Resident Maureen Lefkowitz, one of the property owners using the culvert, urged the board to hold off on such drastic action, noting that one of the families affected did not speak much English, but Chinese. She pleaded with the supervi-
sors to approach each of the property owners personally to see if some arrangement could be reached.
LGWCD Vice Chair Don Widing said that while the property owners must take responsibility, the board should act cautiously, as their action would set a precedent. “I think the board has been fair,” he said. “Whatever we do, there are another 19 or 20 un-permitted culverts. We will make the decision every time we come to these meetings. We have to get it right. We also should not put this on the other [district] landowners.”
LGWCD Chair David DeMarois agreed with Widing on making sure the financial burden is borne by the four responsible landowners.
“The only thing I wanted to do was keep this board from getting into the middle of having personal arguments or disagreements with residents,” he said.
Supervisor Ron Jarriel disagreed and said he felt the landowners needed more time, and he offered to talk to them to try to work out the issues. Jarriel also said he knew two other residents in the community who speak fluent Chinese and could help explain the situation. Jarriel made a motion for a referendum among the residents, but that died for lack of a second. Supervisor Robert Snowball made a motion to direct staff to create a unit of development, which was seconded by Widing. It passed 4-1 with Jarriel opposed. The board will consider the resolution at its next meeting.
DeMarois also asked that the legal expenses be kept separate so the community would not bear any costs.
After the meeting, Jarriel still said he would speak to the residents and was confident he would be able to work something out with them.
ITID Boundary Change Gets Legislative Delegation Support
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
The Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation agreed Tuesday to support the Indian Trail Improvement District’s local bill to expand its boundaries to include two parcels north of Northlake Blvd.
At a public hearing in Jupiter, James Watt of Caldwell & Pacetti, the district’s legal firm, told the delegation the request involves no controversy. “Two property owners located just north of the district lines want to get drainage services from the district,” he said. “They would be subject to all the annual per-acre assessments of the district.”
The properties are small parcels owned by two corporations, W&W IX LLC and
Northlake 20 LLC, whose drainage outflow will go into the system of Bayhill Estates, part of ITID. Neither property is currently part of any drainage district, and Palm Beach County is encouraging properties benefiting from a special district’s drainage services to become active units within those districts. Both property owners agreed to pay engineering, administrative and legal costs of the process, as well as a hookup fee of $75,000 per acre.
None of the state senators or representatives had any comments. State Sen. Dave Aronberg (D-District 27) made a motion to support the bill, which was approved unanimously.
Most of the meeting focused on problems caused by cutbacks in the state budget. State Attorney Barry Krischer
told the legislators that cuts in budgets for prosecutors would impair the fight against gangs. “What good does it do to raise the budgets for the sheriffs so they have more people working to make arrests,” he asked, “when the number of prosecutors has been cut and we have no one to prosecute?”
Krischer said his department had been cut by six percent and that he fears further cuts. “The number of arrests have increased from 16,000 to over 20,000 the last two years,” he said. “My staff has already been told to take five- to sixday furloughs over the coming months. They will not be paid, and they will be staying home and not preparing cases.”
State Rep. Maria Sachs (D-District 86) said the legislature supports the war on crime. “We will fight to get you more
grant money,” she promised. Krischer said one short-term solution would be to move some money from the operations part of his budget to the personnel section. “Right now we are not allowed to do that,” he said. “But we need some protection.”
State Rep. Susan Bucher (D-District 88) said legislators need more help than sound bites about crime from prosecutors. “We are cutting $2.5 to $2.8 billion from the budget,” she said. “We need you prosecutors coming up and working with us so that we don’t damage your work.”
Krischer replied that he now works closely with Sheriff Ric Bradshaw and any members of the delegation who call him. “This is a public safety issue,” he
See DELEGATION, page 42A
TAVERN ON THE GREEN HOSTS LITTLE SMILES GIFT-GATHERING
Supporters of Little Smiles came together for a gift-gathering party on Thursday, Jan. 10 at the Equestrian Club by Tavern on the Green in Wellington. The gift-gathering event was donated by Honorary Chairs Mark and Katherine Bellissimo in anticipation of the upcoming Stars Ball, which will take place Saturday, Feb. 9 at 6 p.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. For more info., visit www.littlesmiles.org.
Little Smiles beneficiary Justin Syden (third from left) with Brittany Doran, Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham and Little Smiles Director Michela Perillo.
Laura Whitlow and Stars Ball Chair Diana Tashman.
Suzanne Stafford and Jennifer Roth.
Scott Anderson, Wellington Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore, Janixx Parisi and Bob Johnson.
Frank O’Brien III and Mary Pat Pace.
Al and Lenyce Boyd with Bill Tavernise, Janixx Parisi, Michela Perillo and Bob Wolff.
Justin Syden explains how Little Smiles helped him.
Mitch Diamant, Debbie Sanacore, Karen Hardin and Don Jacobson.
Lenyce and Al Boyd with Wellington Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto.
Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham with Stars Ball invitation design-contest winner Megan O’Boyle and mom Michelle.
CAFCI INSTALLS DIRECTORS, MEETS RPB COUNCIL CANDIDATES
At a Jan. 12 meeting held at the Harvin Center in Royal Palm Beach, the Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) installed their new board of directors for 2008. Afterward, candidates for Seat 2 on the Royal Palm Beach Village Council spoke to CAFCI members while Councilman and CAFCI First Vice President Fred Pinto moderated. For more information about CAFCI, visit www.cafci.net.
ADULTS & PEDIATRICS
CAFCI’s 2008 Board of Directors: President Amanayea Abraham, First Vice President Fred Pinto, Second Vice President Genieve White, Past President Rhonda Ferrin-Davis, Director Henworth Ferguson, Treasurer Kathleen Lannaman, Secretary Marjorie Aiken and Director Edward Clarke.
Amanayea Abraham presents Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick with a certificate of appreciation.
RPB Mayor David Lodwick swears in Fred Pinto and Genieve White, while Amanayea Abraham holds the Bible.
Fred Pinto addresses fellow CAFCI members.
Amanayea Abraham presents Past President Rhonda Ferrin-Davis with roses and a certificate of appreciation.
Royal Palm Beach Village Council Seat 2 candidates Tinuade “Tinu” Pena, David Dangerfield and Martha Webster.
GOV. CRIST VISITS FORUM CLUB
Gov. Charlie Crist spoke at the Forum Club of the Palm Beaches’ Monday, Jan. 14 luncheon, held at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion. Crist spoke about numerous topics affecting the state. Opening remarks were made by Forum Club President and Wellington resident Al Malefatto (shown above right talking to Crist). State and local dignitaries were in attendance, as well as representatives from the Palms West Chamber of Commerce (pictured below). For more information, visit www.forumclubpalmbeach.org.
Spinal
Traumatic
Snow Can’t Kill The Packers, It Just Makes Them Stronger
The cooler weather is finally coming down to Florida, and I couldn’t be happier. That’s because I grew up in Wisconsin. It’s funny how something as lifethreatening as sleet takes on a rosy nostalgic glow in one’s personal history. If you were watching the Packers host Seattle last weekend, you got a glimpse into my personal history. My personal history is cold.
Wisconsin’s Green Bay Packers were trying to advance to the football semifinals (or whatever you call them) and that makes for good TV. But you know what makes for better TV? When snow starts clomping down right after halftime and won’t let up; when the yard lines have to be swept off so the players can find them; and when snow is thick upon the cheese hats.
The cameramen were trying to shoot
around the flurries but the flurries outran them. The on-field announcer gave up entirely, hitching a ride in a passing golf cart with zip-down sides. Seattle’s coach looked as if he felt miserable enough to be losing but resentful to be freezing his buns off while doing so.
My mother told me that they’d had a heavy snowfall prior to the game as well and that the Packers offered to pay local residents to come in with their snow shovels to clear off the seats. The seats got cleared but then the residents didn’t want to take the money. They’d do anything for their Packers. The City of Green Bay is so much a part of its team that it might as well have a two-digit zip code.
Or one digit — 4. That’s quarterback Brett Favre’s number. You can see why they love him. He has a good time. The harder it snowed, the happier he got. He
was like Brer Rabbit landing in the briar patch — he was in his element. While the Seahawks were being ridiculed for wearing heated pants, Favre was out there being applauded for throwing snowballs.
“He’s having a great time,” my husband noted. “Nobody can beat anybody having that good a time.”
And they couldn’t. The Packers won. My point is that the horrible weather is part of my background. It’s why I wear socks and sweaters and order hot chocolate in July. It’s why I sometimes stick my head in the freezer and breathe deeply. Ahhh, nostalgia.
Of course, I have now lived in Florida longer than I lived in Wisconsin so my tolerance for cold is down. If the mercury dips to, say, 62 degrees, I’m freezing. I’m not as resilient when I visit rela-
tives Up North. These days, I’m more of a hothouse orchid than a snowballtossing quarterback.
If I moved back to Wisconsin, I’d soon miss what I lovingly refer to as “the interminable heat” of Florida. I’d run around in shorts and sandals and drink iced tea in January. I’d stick my head in the oven and breathe deeply. Hopefully, someone would stop me. Maybe during halftime.
See ‘Atonement’ Then Ponder Society’s Moral Shortcomings
Atonement is a fascinating, very powerful film that just won the Golden Globe for Best Dramatic Film. Having read the novel, I was very interested in seeing how some of its elements, including one gigantic twist only discovered at the end would be handled. Would the filmmakers play games with the picture, blunting its message? Or would screenwriter Christopher Hampton keep the film from altering the basic thrust of Ian McEwan’s novel?
The opening act of the movie, which actually covers more than half of the film, is set on a very hot day in 1935 on the English estate of the wealthy Tallis family. Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley), a wealthy, very attractive young woman
is bored, almost waiting for something to happen. The something is a bright young man on the estate from a very humble background, Robbie Turner (James McAvoy), who has been sponsored by the Tallis family. He and Cecilia have known each other for years and there is a strong attraction between them.
Cecilia’s 13-year-old sister Briony (Saoirse Ronan, probably to be pronounced “Academy Award nominee Saoirse Ronan”) has a crush on Robbie, is very creative and very bored. She becomes a witness to a series of acts between Cecilia and Robbie that because of her youth she does not fully understand. When a horrific crime is committed that evening, Briony falsely accuses
Robbie, who is carted off to jail. All of the actors are superb and will probably get recognition in the awards season, although there may not be much of an awards season thanks to the writers’ strike.
The second act of the film focuses on the three main characters five years later as Robbie, released from prison to be a soldier, wanders through Dunkirk, Cecilia works as a nurse, and Briony as a nursetrainee. At this point, Briony is fully aware of the damage caused by her lie, which caused the destruction of her own family, and wants to make up for it. The movie unfortunately begins to wander at this point, attempting to show three points of view. Director Joe Wright does
By Leonard Wechsler
one bravura scene following Robbie and comrades down the beach for four of five uninterrupted minutes during the Dunkirk evacuation. It is technically brilliant but moves away from the personal feel of the book.
The third act, following the lead of Ian
See WECHSLER, page 42A
Miami Circus Trip Was Worth Every Penny My Son Paid
A couple of weeks ago, number-one son Brian asked me if I wanted to go to the circus. I answered in the negative. I went to the one-ring Ringling Bros. circus at the fairgrounds last year. I told him it was nice, but it really did not feel like I was at a real Ringling Bros., Barnum & Bailey Circus.
He told me he wasn’t talking about that circus. He went on to say he had already bought tickets for the larger (three rings) Ringling circus in Miami, and one had my name on it. The only requirement was for me to say OK. I like deals like that. He didn’t have to ask me a second time.
I rarely go to Miami. But my son also told me he was driving and was paying for tolls, gas, parking, the tickets and maybe lunch (yes, I do believe in miracles). And of course the best part of the deal is I would be at the circus with a couple of my grandkids. What could be better? (OK, add some popcorn and cotton candy.)
My son said he would pick me up at 8:45 a.m. sharp the day of the circus. Of course I knew that wouldn’t happen. The last time my son was on time
was when he was born. Of course he blames his wife Ali for this problem, Anyway, 8:45 came and went. At 9:15 my son’s car arrived in my driveway. The only problem was his wife and kids were MIA. He told me we had to go to his house to pick them up. With a very tight upper lip I said OK. What else could I say?
Showtime was 11:30 a.m. We arrived at the American Airlines arena at 10:45 am. We thought we had plenty of time. As we entered the arena, or should I say as we tried to enter the arena, we encountered a slight problem. They wouldn’t let my daughter-in-law in. Something about her backpack and her camera. They gave her three options: don’t enter the arena, take the backpack and the camera back to the car, or check it at customer service. They told her the lens on the camera was too large. If we had a smaller, cheaper camera it would’ve been OK. And of course the backpack could conceal something. Come to think of it, there is something strange about my daughter-in-law’s appearance. I don’t blame the arena for taking the backpack away from her.
We finally made it down to the circus floor about 20 minutes before showtime. The pre-show entertainment consisted of a very large elephant painting a beautiful picture with a very large paintbrush in her mouth. I must admit she (all of the elephants in the circus are females) is a better painter than I. It was now time for the show. We had great seats (middle of the arena). The show featured a clown named Bello. Actually, calling Bello a clown is not fair. Bello is much more than a clown. In fact the name Ringling gave to this circus is “Bellobration,” and that’s exactly what it was.
Bello was in every act, except the tiger act. I guess big cats aren’t his game, or maybe he heard what happened in San Francisco. I for one was amazed at how well Bello performed in each of the acts he appeared in. He is a gifted entertainer. While watching this great circus, I found myself daydreaming about the Ringling circuses I saw in Madison Square Garden as a kid and then later on with my own kids. A few times during this show I felt my son poking me and asking if everything was all right. Maybe
he thought I was choking on my $10 box of popcorn or $12 package of cotton candy (he paid).
This was a very high-tech circus. But you know what? The more things change, the more they stay the same. After the end of this great show we went outside to the rear of the arena and visited all of the animals we saw in the show. It was better than going to the zoo. I hope next year my son offers me the same deal that he gave me this year. (I can dream, can’t I?)
After the show we went to Bayside for our so-called lunch. That’s another column for another time. In the meantime I will be dreaming about this great circus ’til it comes around next year. Yes, it was that good.
CRAWFORD VISITS ROOMS TO GO
Supermodel and home decorator Cindy Crawford made an appearance Saturday, Jan. 12 at the new Rooms to Go showroom on State Road 7. Crawford was on hand to showcase her last endeavor, the Cindy Crawford Home Collection, as well as sign autographs for eager fans. Rooms to Go is located at 161 South State Road 7. For more info., call (561) 422-8884 or visit www.roomstogo.com. (Above) Crawford poses with Bobby Ewing (left) and Mario Casuga (right). (Below) Crawford signs autographs for Jordan Perez and Emma Brooks.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Wildcats Come From Behind To Defeat Centennial 57-56
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
One or two times a season a team plays a gut-check game — a game in which the circumstances push the players’ physical and emotional capabilities to their limits. For the Royal Palm Beach High School boys varsity basketball team, last Saturday’s home contest against Centennial was such a game. Coming off an emotional 5850 home loss to rival Wellington the previous night, the Wildcats staged a wild second-half comeback to beat the Eagles 5756. Royal Palm Beach, which jumped out to a 15-1 first-quarter lead, trailed by as many as 14 points in the third quarter before it capped the comeback with junior guard Justin Lord’s game-winning layup with 11
BASKETBALL BASKETBALL
seconds to play.
Lord stripped the ball from Centennial’s Nelson Delhomme near the Eagles’ free-throw line with two seconds left to preserve what was one of the Wildcats’ more improbable victories in several seasons.
“They came up big,” RPBHS coach Chad Hebard said. “I think in the first quarter they played off adrenaline from the night before but then got fatigued. In the second and third quarters they didn’t execute and got lazy. The last two minutes of the game, I was proud of them. They never gave up.”
That final two minutes could prove to be the most important of RPB’s season as it jockeys for position with Wellington,
Seminole Ridge and Palm Beach Central for the four, five and six seeds in next month’s district tournament.
Trailing 56-52, junior guard Albert Pallante hit a three-point basket that pulled the Wildcats to 56-55 with 1:12 left to play.
The Wildcats, who had four fouls to give before they put the Eagles in a one-and-one freethrow situation, began fouling to stop the clock. On a sideline out-of-bounds play in the Centennial backcourt, Pallante tipped the inbound pass and the ball caromed to Wildcats guard Justin Sestok near the freethrow line. Sestok flipped the ball to Lord who hit the game winner.
The victory ended a tough week for the Wildcats (4-12), who began it with a 56-48 loss at Seminole Ridge on Jan. 8.
“We needed a win,” Hebard said. “When they play together and play smart, they look really good. The key is being able to do that through 32 minutes. If we’re going to do anything at the end of the season, that’s what we’re going to have to do.”
Junior center Brad Zambito led the Wildcats with 15 points, Lord had 12 and senior forward Jackson Wolek added 10.
Against Wellington, Pallante led the Wildcats with 16 points and Zambito added 13. That game in the RPBHS gymnasium was nearly the opposite of the Nov. 30 game between the two teams in which the Wildcats hit 16 of 27 free throws en route to a 79-77 victory.
The Wolverines, who hit 12 of 15 free throws in the first game, hit 28 of 35 free throws
last Friday compared to three of seven for Royal Palm Beach. Senior guard Taylor Welte went 12 of 13 from the line to finish with 12 points. Senior forward Ricky Odige also had 12 points for Wellington (10-9), which outscored Royal Palm Beach 21-14 in the fourth quarter.
“We talked coming in that we weren’t going to let them beat us at the free-throw line,” Wolverines coach Dan Sineway said.
As has been the case much of this season, the Wolverines abandoned their trademark man-to-man defense in favor of 1-3-1 zone in order to contain Zambito and Wolek.
“That zone is vulnerable to the outside shot, but you have to give up something to get something,” Sineway said. “The big guys never really hurt us.”
Lady Broncos Soccer Team Advances To District Championship
By Lisa Keeney Town-Crier Staff Report
The Palm Beach Central and Wellington high schools’ girls soccer teams both earned a chance to take the District 96A title and guaranteed themselves a berth into regional action Wednesday night after the teams posted victories in the district semifinals.
The Palm Beach Central var-
sity girls soccer team advanced to the District 9-6A championship game after an overtime victory over visiting Jupiter 2-1. Wellington shut out Centennial 3-0.
Palm Beach Central hosted the Wolverines in the championship game Friday night. Results were not available at press time.
Palm Beach Central’s Carly Sills kicks the ball downfield.
PBCHS goalie Jackie Marciulonis clears a Jupiter goal attempt.
Bronco Franchesca Gianoli throws the ball into play.
Palm Beach Central’s Kelly Williams attempts to score.
Brittany Dawkins gets in front of a Jupiter player.
Alexandra Hoover tries to gain control of a Jupiter ball.
Meghan O’Donnell passes the ball. Bronco Arielle Cohen tries to set up a goal.
Close But No Cigar As Lady Wildcats Fall 44-42 To Jupiter
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
Anthony Dangerfield is too mild-mannered to let it show in public. But deep down the Royal Palm Beach High School girls varsity basketball coach has to be seething.
For the second time in as many games, the Lady Wildcats lost by a basket — this time 4442 to Jupiter last Saturday in the RPBHS gymnasium. And for the second consecutive game, Royal Palm Beach (12-9) was hammered at the free-throw line.
The Lady Warriors (16-4) connected on 15 of 27 free
BASKETBALL
BASKETBALL
throws compared to only four of seven for the Lady Wildcats. In Royal Palm Beach’s 50-48 loss at Palm Beach Gardens on Jan. 8, the Lady Gators made 12 of 17 free throws compared to seven of ten for the Lady Wildcats.
Royal Palm Beach made 16 field goals compared to 12 for the Lady Warriors. Dangerfield, however, didn’t lean on the disparity in free throws as an excuse.
That was true especially late in the game. After junior guard Mariel Medina’s three-point basket gave Royal Palm Beach a 42-33 lead with four minutes and two seconds left in the fourth quarter, the remainder of the game for the Lady Wildcats became a quagmire of missed shots, turnovers and fouls.
Jupiter tied the score at 42 on Shannon Caspar’s threepoint basket — her only field goal of the game — with 1:24 remaining and won it on (surprise) a pair of Jackie Link free
“Lack of execution,” he said. “We had our opportunities and didn’t take advantage of them.”
throws with 10 seconds to play.
Royal Palm Beach had one final possession, but sophomore guard Amber Ford’s 30footer at the buzzer fell short.
Ford led the Lady Wildcats with 14 points and Medina added 11, including a trio of three-pointers.
“We’re going to win one of these big games sometime,” Dangerfield said. “We’re playing good ball but we’re not playing a full game yet. I don’t know if it’s defensive lapses or just youth. We only have one senior [center Jessica Shepherd]. I don’t want to say
‘wait ’til next year’ because this is her year. They’re a good group and they’re working hard, it’s all mental right now.”
In other girls games, Wellington got 15 points from senior Amanda Vazquez en route to a 41-37 road victory against Lake Worth on Friday. The previous night Vazquez scored 12 as Wellington (11-13) defeated Seminole Ridge 36-29 in the WHS gym. Charleen Briette had eight points for the Lady Hawks (6-14). Briette had nine points on Friday in Seminole Ridge’s 58-30 loss at Spanish River.
Wellington Grappler Works Hard To Remain Undefeated
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
The beads of sweat that poured off Zach Pincus’ face after practice on Tuesday were a testament to his determination and success. The Wellington High School junior spent last summer at various wrestling camps across the country, hit the workout room hard when school began and has been going nonstop ever since.
Pincus’ four victories at the Western Conference Tournament at Palm Beach Central High School last Saturday led the Wolverines to a secondplace finish behind the host Broncos. Pincus raised his record to 19-0 going into the Jan. 18 county championships
WRESTLING WRESTLING
at Santaluces High School. Being unbeaten is an accomplishment unto itself, but it’s even more impressive considering Pincus has not given up a take-down point this season. That’s sort of like a batter going halfway through a baseball season and never taking a called strike. Pincus was one of two Wolverines who won their respective weight divisions at the PBS Duals. Injured much of this season, junior Eric Popper won the 161-pound division with two pins and two decisions, as did Pincus, who won the 152-pound division. In achieving his 19-0
record, Pincus is a much more aggressive wrestler this season than as a sophomore.
“He was a defensive wrestler last year. He scored a lot of points from the defensive position,” Wellington coach Travis Gray said. “This year he has been working on his shooting moves more. He has the perfect arsenal of offense and defense. If somebody gets in on him, he blocks them. He’s very tough to score on.
A lot of it’s mental. He says ‘this guy isn’t going to take me down.’ Even if his opponent has position, he’s determined not to get taken down.”
Even more impressive, perhaps, is the fact that Pincus also has wrestled this season at 161 pounds and 171
pounds, depending on where Gray needs him in the lineup.
Regardless of the weight class, Pincus said, it’s all in a day’s work.
“It’s all a state of mind,” he said. “You go in there thinking, ‘I’m not going to let him take me down; I’m going to take the match to him.’ Over the summer I worked a lot on my take-downs and that helped me a lot.”
At the prestigious Granby Camp in Hampden-Sydney, Va. — founded by legendary wrestling coach Billy Martin — Pincus began to find the form that has helped him reach perfection.
“Almost every kid from Florida who wants to be a better wrestler should go there,”
Pincus said. “It makes you so much better in all areas — on your feet and on bottom.” So far this season, Pincus has spent most of his time on his feet.
Zach Pincus
WCFL Registration Dates
The Western Communities Football League (WCFL) has set the 2008 registration dates for tackle football and recreation/competition cheerleading. The football divisions for the 2008 season are: Ultimate Division for children ages six and seven, Prep Division for ages eight and nine, Varsity Division for ages ten and 11 and Pro Division for ages 12 and 13. In addition, the WCFL will again have the High School Prep division for ages 13, 14 and 15 with an unlimited weight category.
Registrants can go to www.wcfl footballcheer.com, download the 2008 registration packet, fill it out and bring it along with a copy of the player’s birth certificate and a wallet-size photo.
WCFL President Mike Pignato said the cheerleading program has exploded over the past few years, noting the many awards the girls win at the annual Orange Bowl Cheer/Dance Competition. Because of the highly competitive nature of cheerleading in South Florida, the WCFL cheer program will offer registration this year to anyone interested in cheering either recreational only or on a competitive team.
Prospective coaches are encouraged to fill out an application form from www. wcflfootballcheer.com and return it to the league as instructed. All coaches will be required to have an National Youth Sports Coaches Association certification and be in good standing with that national organization. In addition, all coaches must have undergone the FBI background check required by the Village of Wellington prior to being considered for a coaching position.
The Combine and Draft Day for the 2008 season will be in April and May. The dates will be announced soon. Practices will commence for football on July 28.
Spots are limited in both the football and cheerleading squads and registrations
for those positions are on a first-registered, first-to-play basis. Due to level of service issues surrounding youth sports in the Wellington community, the WCFL is limiting the number of teams and squads this year. It is important that parents register their children early to assure a spot on the rosters.
Registration dates for Wellington residents and returning players begins Saturday, Feb. 2. Further registration dates are Feb. 9, Feb. 16, Feb. 23 and March 1 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the original Wellington Mall, located at the intersection of Wellington Trace and Forest Hill Blvd.
There will be no late registrations allowed on draft days. All those registering after the eve of the combine will be placed on a waiting list and placed into a supplemental draft, date to be announced. If you are a late registrant, you are not guaranteed a spot through the supplemental draft, as the WCFL will only fill rosters to a point that accommodates the must-play philosophy.
For more information, visit www. wcflfootballcheer.com.
Wellington Youth Baseball Registration This Saturday
Wellington Youth Baseball will hold walk-in registration on Saturday, Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Century 21 office located at 13860-8 Wellington Trace. For more information, call Jim McMullan at (561) 386-1603.
Second Annual Wildcat Baseball Reunion Jan. 25
Royal Palm Beach Baseball Inc. invites all former Royal Palm Beach High School Wildcat baseball players to participate in the Second Annual Wildcat Baseball Reunion on Friday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. at the RPBHS field. This event is a chance for all Wildcats, their family and friends to
visit the field and show the current team just how things should be done. The evening will include introduction of alumni players and the 2008 Wildcat team, an alumni vs. 2008 team scrimmage game, and a silent auction. For further information, contact Sue Marcello at (561) 790-0710, Joe Mazzeo at (561) 202-4521 or Kelli Perez at rpbchsbaseball@aim.com.
Wellington Extends Registration Deadlines
The Village of Wellington’s Leisure Services Department has extended registration deadlines for recreation girls softball, roller hockey and girls basketball. The following registration deadlines and evaluation dates are for Wellington residents and non-residents. A valid Park Player Pass is required prior to registration.
For recreation girls softball, the registration deadline is Friday, Jan. 25; player evaluations will be held Saturday, Jan. 26. The registration deadline for roller hockey is Tuesday, Jan. 29; player evaluations will be held Wednesday, Jan. 30. The registration deadline for girls basketball is Friday, Feb. 1; player evaluations will be held Feb. 5-9.
If you already have a valid Park Player Pass and have registered with Wellington before, you may sign up online www.rec.ci.wellington.fl.us using your household ID number. If you are registering for the first time, you must do so in person at either the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) or the Village Park gymnasium (11700 Pierson Road). For more information, call (561) 791-4005.
Super Bowl Party At Binks Forest Golf Club
Super Bowl XLII will take place Sunday, Feb. 3 in Arizona. Locally, however, the party is at Binks Forest Golf
Club in Wellington, which will host its Food, Fun & Golf Tournament the same day. The nine-hole, shotgun-start golf tournament begins at 3 p.m., followed by the party at 5:30 p.m. The party will feature all-you-can-eat dining with drink specials available throughout the night. Admission to the party is $20; the cost for the party and entry to the tournament is $60. To sign up, visit the pro shop, call (561) 333-5731 or email pmakris@kempersports.com. Binks Forest Golf Club is located at 400 Binks Forest Drive.
Dilallo Named To AllAmerica Soccer Team
Marcus DiLallo of Wellington was recently named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America’s 2007 NSCAA/Adidas High School Scholar All-America Soccer Team. DiLallo is the only selection from Florida.
DiLallo will join his fellow All-Americans from the youth, high school and college ranks, to be honored during the All-America Luncheon at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore, Md. The luncheon will be held during the 61st annual NSCAA Convention on Saturday, Jan. 19. DiLallo will be accompanied by his parents Kevin and Jo-Ann DiLallo and Wellington High School soccer coach Mike Aronson. DiLallo, a WHS senior and honor student, has been a four-year varsity starter on the soccer team and has received All-County, All-Area and AllState honors. He has verbally committed to play soccer at Yale University and will be enrolled in the fall.
Send sports news items to: The TownCrier Newspaper, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@ goTownCrier.com.
COMMUNITY MEETING
Palm Beach County Hosts Informational Public Meeting FPL’s West County Energy Center Unit 3 JANUARY 30TH 4:00 – 6:00 P.M.
Palm Beach County will hold a public meeting for the purpose of informing the community about the Unit 3 addition to Florida Power & Light Company’s West County Energy Center, an electrical power plant located in western Palm Beach County. Representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and FPL will also participate in this meeting.
Interested members of the public are invited to attend the community meeting to learn about the project and to provide comments.
Details of the meeting are as follows: When: Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008 from 4-6 p.m.
Where: Planning Zoning & Building Dept. 2300 North Jog Road, West Palm Beach, Florida Conference Room VC-1E-60
For more information about this meeting please call: Georgia Carrol, Palm Beach County’s Planning Zoning and Building Dept. Executive Office 561-233-5228
RPB Bassmasters End-Of-Year Awards
The Royal Palm Beach Bassmasters held their annual end-of-year awards picnic for the 2007 fishing season on Sunday, Jan. 6 at Todd Robiner Park. Families and friends showed up for a sunny day of barbecue and conversation, most likely about “the one that got away.” The Bassmasters hold monthly tournaments throughout the year to gain individual points, as well as bragging rights, that will go toward winning the end-of-year awards presented by the club.
Mike Gershberg won Angler of the Year, Classic Tournament Champion, Most Total Weight for a Single-Day Tournament and Most Live Releases for the Year; Tone Young won Non-Boater Angler of the Year; and Jeff Martin won Rookie of the Year.
The club is open to everyone. Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center at 7 p.m. The tournament takes place that Sunday. For more information, call Gershberg at (561) 3715652.
Sports Rules No Decision
continued from page 1A Wellington is in the minority with its separation of travel and recreational ball.
“I’ve had discussions with authorities regarding travel ball clubs,” Hendrix said. “For the most part the majority of the travel teams disband in the spring, and they play recreational ball with the exception of a few tournaments and the holiday tournaments. The thing that it comes down to is travel coming into the recreation leagues in the spring. When the travel kids play in the spring, it strengthens the whole unit. I do think, as far as the travel program is concerned, there is a space for it. We can strengthen the entire program as a whole. Stop separating them.”
Board Member Tom Dongilla said that despite the well-meaning efforts of coaches and parents, many people believe tryouts are fixed.
“You guys have a perception problem,” he said. “People have a perception that they are not open tryouts. If a coach says there are only three spots available, he needs to go. Open tryouts means there are open tryouts. It’s the only fair way to do it. You have to get away from this perception, and it has to end, and you have to stop it. If you don’t, the council won’t let you move forward with it. It has to be fair and open. That’s all I ask for.”
Halperin said she had misgivings that a 51-percent resident requirement would solve the issue and urged board members to spend some time collecting and considering other options. “I think we need to think outside the box,” she said. “There should be minimal recreational and travel. There should be less travel and more recreational in the younger groups. I also don’t think we should rush into this until we have all the options. Let’s review the other alternatives.”
Dongilla said Halperin had a point that Wellington residents should not have to bear the costs of outsiders playing on their fields and suggested raising fees.
“I agree with Ellie,” he said. “I think non-residents should pay a higher fee to equalize the costs of maintaining the fields. There are direct costs and indirect costs. They have to come from somewhere, or the fields will be closed down. If we make this decision for residency, it has to apply to everyone. I’m not in favor of residency.”
Board Member Al Bennett made a motion to recommend a 51-percent residents rule applying to both travel and recreation, but it died for a lack of a second. Forgione made a motion supporting a 51-percent rule applying only to travel, and that also died for a lack of a second. Board Member Liz Stockton made a motion to request village staff to do more research, meet with travel and recreation representatives and bring forward more options. Forgione seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Royal Palm Beach Bassmasters board members
Rookie of the Year Jeff Martin
RAIN DELAYS OPENING MATCH AT INTERNATIONAL POLO CLUB
The International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington got the season underway Sunday, Jan. 13 with the start of the Joe Barry Memorial Cup tournament. The main event was a match between Catamount vs. Patagones on Stanford Field. Helping with the coin toss was actor Cody Linley, who plays Jake Ryan on the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana. Linley also signed autographs and posed for photos with excited fans. However, rain forced the postponement of the match until the following afternoon, when Patagones defeated Catamount 12-9. For more information about upcoming polo matches, visit www.internationalpoloclub.com.
John Wash, Wellington Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore, Cody Linley and Mayor Tom Wenham.
Tim O’Connor, Cody Linley and Mayor Tom Wenham conduct the coin toss.
Susan Brady Hester sings the national anthem.
Maggie Zeller and Maureen Gross.
Patagones’ Carlos Avendaño rides up the field.
(Front row, L-R) Leo Buquicchio, Maggie Zeller, Sandy Bennett, Adrianne and Vern Hetherington; (back) Maureen Gross, Joanne Ryan, Dawn Herndon and Lorraine Antonelli.
PHOTOS BY DENISE
Saturday, Jan. 19
• The 2008 CN Winter Equestrian Festival continues at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (14440 Pierson Road, Wellington). Call (561) 793-5867 for more information or visit www.equestrian sport.com.
• The South Florida Fair continues through Sunday, Feb. 3 at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.). This is Florida’s top-rated fair and Palm Beach County’s oldest and largest outdoor event. Advance tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and $7 for seniors. Tickets at the gate are $15 for adults, $8 for children and $9 for seniors. Children five and under are admitted free. Parking is free. For more info., call (561) 793-0333 or visit www.southfloridafair. com.
• The Susan G. Komen 2008 Race for the Cure will be held along Flagler Drive in downtown West Palm Beach on Saturday, Jan. 19. Get involved by registering online at www.komen southflorida.org or calling (561) 841-0041.
• ArtWalk 2008, the Wellington Art Society’s annual studio tour, is planned for Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 19-20. The tour will feature the home studios of selected member artists in and around Wellington. For more information, call Susan Rose at (561) 795-1691 or visit www. wellingtonartsociety.org.
• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will present “Once Upon a Time...” Saturday, Jan. 19 at 10:30 a.m. for ages five and up. Library staff share classic fairy tales and help make a fairy craft. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6030.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Better Investing” on Saturday, Jan. 19 at 10:30 a.m. for adults. Tony Aquilino of the Southeast Florida Chapter of Better Investing will discuss the essentials of effective investing. To pre-register, call (561) 7906070.
• The next session of Palms West Hospital’s KidFit program starts Saturday, Jan. 19. KidFit is an eight-week program recommended by pediatricians that covers everything from fitness and health to smart eating habits and other topics. Specially designed for children ages eight to 12, KidFit brings together an inspired group of healthcare professionals. Call (561) 798-6067 for more info. or to reserve a space.
• The Miami City Ballet will continue its performance at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 19 and 20 at 8 p.m. For tickets, call the box office at (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.
• The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) will hold its annual three-day State Games Tournament Saturday, Jan. 19 through Monday, Jan. 21. at Wellington Village Park on Pierson Road. The tournament showcases the best of youth recreational/instructional soccer. Trophies will be presented by local dignitaries at a ceremony following the finals. For more info., call AYSO Tournament Director Bill Reese at (561) 248-5965. Sunday, Jan. 20
• The Joe Barry Memorial Cup Polo Tournament will continue on Sunday, Jan. 20 at
the International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Avenue S., Wellington). For more info., call (561) 204-5687.
• Registration for the Pop Warner Royal Palm Beach Wildcats will open on Sunday, Jan. 20. The Wildcats are a part of the 14-city Treasure Coast Football Conference that extends north from Royal Palm Beach to Okeechobee. Early registrations will be held at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center Sunday, Jan. 20 and on Saturday, Feb. 23. For more info., call (561) 827-4176 or visit the Wildcats’ web site at www.rpbwildcats.com.
• The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens (4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach) will present Morikami Meets Adachi on Sunday, Jan. 20 at 2 p.m. in the museum theater. Come learn the secrets of Japan’s Adachi Museum of Art. For more info., call (561) 495-0233 or visit www. morikami.org.
• The Crestwood Performing Arts League will present “Pedro Roman’s Latin Review” on Sunday, Jan 20 at 7:30 p.m. The 10-member cast of Broadway Babes will sing and dance their way through high-energy selections from Chicago, The Lion King, Cats, The Wiz and Kiss of the Spider Woman. The concert will be held at the Royal Palm Beach High School Performing Arts Theatre. Admission is $13 for adults and free for children. Call (561) 793-6897 or (561) 793-2984, or visit www.c-pal online.com.
Monday, Jan. 21
• The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) and the Village of Royal Palm Beach will present the Sixth Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on Monday, Jan. 21 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). Continental breakfast will be served from 9 to 9:45 a.m. The program will be from 10 a.m. to noon. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call Elet Cyris at (561) 7919087.
• The South Florida Fair will host the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance “Freedom Train to the Fair” on Monday, Jan. 21. The special day of remembrance and celebration features entertainment, speeches and a full day of fun for many area youths. Activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Americraft Expo Center. For more info., visit www.south floridafair.com or call (561) 7930333.
• The four-week Overcoming Fears and Phobias course begins Monday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. (course fee: $100) at the Kabbalah Center (8411 W. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton). For more info., call (561) 4888826.
Tuesday, Jan. 22
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will conclude the adult series Siblings Without Rivalry on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 6:30 p.m. Youth Services Librarian Julienne Marks will lead the workshop for parents. To pre-register, call (561) 7906070.
Wednesday, Jan. 23
• The four-day interactive course Leadership Palms West 2008 will kick off with a cocktail reception hosted at the South Florida Fair on Wednesday, Jan. 23. The first day of the session begins on Wednes-
day, Jan. 30 and will continue for one day each month in February, March and April. Tuition is $250 for members and $400 for non-members, and covers breakfast, lunch, supplies and transportation to selected sites. Enrollment is limited to 30 candidates. Graduation will take place at the chamber’s May luncheon. For more info., call (561) 790-6200.
• Palm Beach County will host an Informational Community Budget Forum on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way) to explain how county tax dollars are collected and spent. There will be a presentation by county staff and an open question-and-answer period. Attendees will be asked to fill out a survey on how they think county tax dollars should be spent. Completed surveys may be submitted at the forum or returned by mail. The survey can also be completed online at www.pbcgov.com.
• The public is invited to attend the Royal Palm Beach Municipal Election Candidate Forum moderated by the League of Women Voters at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23 in the Village Hall Council Chambers. Candidates David Dangerfield, Tinu Pena and Martha Webster have qualified for the Jan. 29 election to the Group Two council seat in Royal Palm Beach. Questions may be submitted that evening or may be submitted in a sealed envelope marked “Confidential/ Candidate Forum” dropped off at the village clerk’s office. Call (561) 790-5100 for more info.
Thursday, Jan. 24
• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present the Aquila Theatre Company in Joseph Heller’s Catch-22 Thursday, Jan. 24 and Friday, Jan. 25 at 8 p.m. in the Rinker Playhouse. Tickets are $35. For more info., call the box office at (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.
Friday, Jan. 25
• Junior Achievement of the Palm Beaches will host Watch a Rising Star on Friday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the National Croquet Center (700 Florida Mango Rd., West Palm Beach). The fundraising event will spotlight Palm Beach and Martin county high school vocalists. The evening will feature a silent auction, followed by a seated dinner with a live auction. The vocalists will be competing for scholarships. Tickets are $150/person. Call (561) 242-9468 or visit www.junior achievement.com for more info.
• The Palm Beach Opera will present Beethoven’s Fidelio Friday, Jan. 25 through Monday, Jan. 28 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., WPB). Call the box office at (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org for performance times.
Saturday, Jan. 26
• The Wellington Art Festival will take place Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 26 and 27 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Cultural Trust site near the Mall at Wellington Green. Admission is free. Categories include ceramics, glass, jewelry, photography, sculpture, painting, watercolor, mixed media and crafts. The Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches will receive a portion of each $5 parking fee. For more info., call Artful Events at (561) 241-6262.
Parisi Named Executive Director Of Equestrians’ Preservation Society
Wellington resident Janixx Parisi has been named executive director of the Equestrians’ Preservation Society, a nonprofit organization founded last year by President Jean Goutal, John Ingram and Tim Hooker.
Parisi is immediate past president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Wellington Rotary Club and is a director on various boards of charitable organizations.
The hiring of Parisi marks a new direction for the society, whose original initiative was to keep the Wellington horse show grounds at its current location.
“That situation has been resolved,” Parisi said. “Our focus going forward is to protect the equestrian culture and quality of life by preemptively endeavoring to resolve issues of land conservancy, water quality, manure processing and management. The equestrian way of life and its continuance cannot be taken for granted. There must be an ongoing, organized effort to stay on top of governmental changes, zoning and its regulation and the wellness of the horse.”
The society wants to recognize and resolve situations for its membership, she added.
“We want to know the particular concerns of our constituency, be it trail system, protection of the business side of the industry, stall/ barn rentals, standards and practices involved in buying and selling horses, we expect to be germane,” Parisi said.
Parisi said the society also plans to establish a museum to recognize all of the disciplines of the equestrian world.
Jean Goutal, president and founder of the organization, said he believes in the necessity of the Equestrians’ Preservation Society and its continued mission. “TEPS seeks to represent the interests
of all those who love, participate in and serve equestrian competition and culture: riders, parents, horse owners, trainers, equestrian property owners, equine suppliers and competitive governing bodies,” Goutal said. “The mission of TEPS is to advance, improve and expand equestrian culture and competition by representing the participants in equestrian sports. TEPS will be the voice, not only for today’s equestrians, but also for future generations.”
For more information, visit www. equestrianspreservationsociety.org.
RPB Kicks Off ‘Dancing
Like The Stars’ Jan. 19
“Dancing Like the Stars,” a series of four events featuring big bands and ballroom dancing, will take place at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center Saturday evenings starting Jan. 19, with the Bob Roberts Society Orchestra. The Gold Coast Band will perform Feb. 23, the Bob Wilbur Big Band will perform April 12 and the Gene Matteis Orchestra will conclude the series May 17. All performances take place from 7 to 10 p.m. Admission is $10 per person; advance tickets are available at the Cultural Center. The Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center is located at 151 Civic Center Way. For more information, call the RPB Parks and Recreation Department at (561) 790-5149.
Water Irrigation Grant Programs In Wellington
Over the years, the Village of Wellington has promoted water conservation through many different public awareness programs. Recognizing that lawn irrigation is the number one culprit for excessive water consumption, in 1997 the village, through the Conservation Element of Wellington’s Comprehensive Plan, adopted a grant program to be used for the purpose of encourag-
ing and assisting residents to conserve water.
For the 11th consecutive year, the village is offering its two irrigation grants: a neighborhood grant and an individual grant. Both grant programs are designed to encourage and assist residents in the conversion from a potable-water irrigation system (treated water) to a non-potable system (well, canal, lake water).
For residents who irrigate their lawn twice a week, the cost of the installation could pay for itself in the first year in savings on the monthly utility bill. Monthly savings will continue for the resident and the long-term effects of water conservation and delayed water and wastewater treatment facility expansions will benefit all residents.
The Neighborhood Grant Program is available to homeowners’ associations, civic associations, property owner associations and neighborhood groups to convert existing potable water irrigation systems to non-potable water irrigation systems. Examples would be entranceways and medians to an entire neighborhood. This program is offered once a year on a firstcome, first-served basis to encourage and assist in the installation of an irrigation system that does not use potable water, by installing a well or pump system connected to a canal or lake. The grant amount would be 50 percent of the installation costs up to a maximum of $15,000.
The program for individual utility customers is offered until March 21. Grant amounts will be 50 percent of the installation costs up to a maximum of $800 for conversion of well systems or a maximum of $400 for conversion of a canal/lake system. Approximately 100 applications will be randomly drawn on March 24. Recipients will be notified by March 31, and the irrigation systems must be installed by Aug. 1. Residents with existing well- or pump-irrigation systems, or
new construction, are ineligible to participate in this program.
For more information, call the Customer Service Center at (561) 791-4010 or download an application form from www.ci.wellington.fl.us.
St. Clair Robson To Visit RPB Writing Group
The Village of Royal Palm Beach Writing Group will present New York Times best-selling author Lucia St. Clair Robson on Thursday, Feb. 7 at the RPB Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way).
St. Clair Robson is author of the books Ride the Wind and Shadow Patriots. She will speak about her experience as a writer. The event begins at 10 a.m. Space is limited.
For more information, call Marge at (561) 793-5893.
PBC Public Affairs Online Newsletter
Palm Beach County residents can now have county news delivered right to their inboxes. Count-e-News, the county’s new online newsletter, debuted Jan. 10 at www.pbcgov.com.
Residents can now subscribe to the biweekly newsletter by signing up for the service. To subscribe, look for the Count-e-News headline on the homepage and click “subscribe.”
Count-e-News will be e-mailed to subscribers twice a month starting Jan. 14. The online newsletter will feature stories and photos about county news, events, programs and services. Each issue will also contain links that will take residents directly to the county’s web site for more information.
Count-e-News is another feature provided by Public Affairs to enhance citizens’ access to county information. For more information about Count-eNews, visit www.pbcgov.com or call (561) 355-2754.
AMERICRAFT EXPO CENTER HOSTS 2008 FOLK ART CRAFT SHOW
The 2008 Country Folk Art Craft Show was held Jan. 11-13 at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Billed as the “ultimate shopping place for home, décor and more,” the show offered home accent items such as floral arrangements, quilts, furniture, jewelry, soaps and candles. For more info., visit www.countryfolkart.com.
Top Thai Trader’s Napaporn Sriphyak with some hand-sewn creations.
The Healthy Gourmet chef Dusty Hodges.
Barabara Bonasera of Ceramic Accents.
Nature’s Earth Pure Mineral Makeup’s Gale Griswold applies makeup to Jamie Logan while mom Vesta Walters looks on.
Chef Virgil Tanner of the Healthy Gourmet.
GreatScents Inc. owner John Drexel lets Gerre Wood smell some of his hand-poured and scented candles.
PHOTOS BY DENISE
P.B. Central Science Fair Winners Advancing To State Competition
The following Palm Beach Central High School students placed at the Palm Beach County Science and Engineering Fair: Alex Berliner, first in Computer Science; Melissa Miller, first in Botany; Christopher Mancuso, second in Chemistry; Scott Thomas, third in Behavioral Science; Lindsay Roth, third in Environmental Science; Madilyn Hull, fourth in Biochemistry. Berliner, Miller and Mancuso will advance to compete at the state science fair in April.
FCCLA — Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) will hold the District VIII proficiency events on Feb. 9 at Santaluces High School. Thirteen FCCLA members will partici-
pate in eight different competitions. Winners will advance to the state competition in March at the Wyndham Hotel in Orlando. Club member Sara Sohn will represent Palm Beach County in the talent show and also run for a state office.
FBLA — Palm Beach Central’s Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) brightened the holidays for the kindergarten and first-grade students at Pleasant City Elementary School. Twenty-five FBLA members arrived with Santa Claus and each student received a gift. The FBLA members spent most of the day with the elementary students singing carols, making ornaments and snowman magnets and reading Christmas stories.
This is the second year FBLA members adopted the school, and they plan to continue the tradition each year. FBLA is preparing for the district competitions, which will take place at the end of the month. Students who place will then compete at the state level in Orlando in April.
Class of 2008 — Grad Bash tickets will go on sale Tuesday, Jan. 22 during lunch. Grad Bash at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure is scheduled for Saturday, April 26. The price for Grad Bash is $120. The price includes transportation, a pre-party at City Walk, admission to Universal Studio and Islands of Adventure and live performances by
recording artists Rihanna and Hello Goodbye. Tickets will be limited. For those seniors who have not purchased their caps and gowns, Herff Jones will be on campus on Feb. 8 to take orders.
Project Graduation meets the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in Room 4-201. Parents are invited to attend. Local businesses are encouraged to sponsor this special event for graduating seniors. Contact KayLynn Knapp at (561) 304-1001 for more information. Blood Drive — The next blood drive is scheduled for Jan. 29. Sign up during lunch prior to Jan. 29 if you are interested in giving blood.
Wellington Debaters In Final Eight
Wellington High School debaters have advanced to the “Elite Eight” round of a national debate tournament. By advancing in the 2007-08 Bickel & Brewer/New York University National Public Policy Forum (NPPF), the students are eligible for a $10,000 prize and an all-expensespaid trip to the finals in New York City. Wellington advanced by defeating Bronx High School of Science on a 3-0 decision in the Sweet 16 round.
The NPPF is the only national contest that gives high school students the opportunity to participate in written and oral debates on issues of public policy. The schools advanced to the elimination round after writing two of the best national essays on the topic “Resolved: The United States Federal Government Should Substantially Increase its AIDS/ HIV Public Health Assistance to SubSaharan Africa.”
More than 100 high schools representing 26 states registered for the competition. The NPPF annually involves more than 500 debaters.
As one of the top eight schools, WHS will compete in written debates, volleying papers back and forth against Lakewood High School in Colorado. Wellington will argue the affirmative side of the argument for the first time in this competition. Students on the Wellington team are Chelsea Fitzgerald, Hayley Kolich, Raquel Kraushar and Michael Stechschulte. The coach is Paul Gaba. A panel of judges will review four papers in the order they are presented and vote for the winning school.
The winner will advance to the next round to face another school. This format continues for several rounds until there are four teams remaining.
The top four schools overall will advance to the finals April 25-27 at New York University. After completing the arguments, finalists are honored during a special banquet and awards ceremony. The Bickel & Brewer Foundation awards the winning team the $10,000 grand prize, presented in individual cash awards for scholarships.
Polo Players Visit WES — Several professional polo players recently visited Wellington Elementary School to explain the game to the fourth grade students before the students went to see a polo game the following week. The polo players signed autographs for the children. Pictured here are Jeff Hall, Jaivian Moore, Nicholas Namacher-Sarro and Todd Offen.
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SRHS Marching Band Has ‘Excellent’ Time At Gator Bowl
The Hawk Marching Band spent much of its holiday break in Jacksonville performing with other bands from around the country in the 2008 Konica Minolta Gator Bowl. After a grueling eight-hour rehearsal three days after Christmas, the band set out early the morning of Dec. 29 for their four-day, threenight trip of a lifetime.
The musicians arrived at the Jacksonville Airport Holiday Inn Saturday night and spent Sunday relaxing around the hotel’s indoor-outdoor pool, shopping and becoming mentally prepared for that evening’s field-show competition.
At the Bolles School the bands competed with their halftime shows for the Bowl Games of America competition. The SRHS band did exceptionally well, sweeping all awards: Outstanding Drum Major, Outstanding Color Guard, Outstanding Percussion, Outstanding Music, Outstanding Visual, Outstanding General Effect and first place in Overall Field Show.
The first full band rehearsal for the Gator Bowl performance was held pre-dawn Dec. 31.
The band rehearsed the halftime selection with 2,500 other students literally covering the Parker field from goalpost to goalpost and sideline to sideline.
“Being surrounded by 24 other bands, all playing the same thing, was god-like,” said baritone player Mark James. Following practice and a lunch picnic they were back on the buses to the Jacksonville Convention Center, the starting and ending
point of the annual Gator Bowl Parade.
Later that night, a dinner dance and awards ceremony was held for all participating students, and everyone mingled with their friends, old and new, to await the New Year.
Awakening to surprisingly cold temperatures Jan. 1, the students were off to yet another full band rehearsal, then returned to their buses to join the convoy toward the Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Nearly one hundred buses and equipment trucks traveled down I-95 with this police-escorted group.
Hawks students watched the first half of the Texas Tech vs. Virginia game before heading down under the stadium to await their halftime performance. Entering the field from the tunnels on the Texas Tech side, all 2,500 band members felt the adrenaline rush of performing for thousands of people.
Although they had to leave the stadium with three minutes still left in the last quarter of the
game, all of the Seminole Ridge Marching Hawks agree that playing at the Gator Bowl was an event to remember, one well worth the hard work.
— Story by student reporter and drum captain Aleisha “the Czar” Wesley
FACE Paints Some Faces
On Dec. 18 members of the FACE Club volunteered their time to paint faces for the Children’s Medical Services (CMS) annual holiday party. CMS serves uninsured children who suffer significant illnesses — everything from genetic issues to cleft lip and palate to Down syndrome.
Students painted faces diligently throughout the whole party, amazing the crowd with their creations — most had never painted faces before — and treating their child “canvasses” as if they were family.
“It was very fun and interesting because it was fun to make the kids so happy,” FACE member Charisse Jones said.
Construction Students Learn From the Pros — Members of the Florida East Coast Chapter of Associated General Contractors of America Inc. (AGC) offered SRHS Construction Academy students fantastic learning experiences in December.
Janet Rankin of Coral Steel came in to teach students steel detailing and estimating. She spent four hours working with the students, and by the end of that time, the kids did “takeoffs,” calculating the materials and the cost to pour the concrete tie beam around the top of
the two-story ticket booth/storage facility they are building.
Also, Allterra Engineering and Testing sent a team led by Dart Drew out to the school. The men from Allterra taught the students about soil composition, compaction and testing. After a short lecture, the team took the kids outside for hands-on work, drilling a core sample and demonstrating how to use a nuclear tester. “It was really cool how they did it. I knew you had had a density test before you built, but I never knew why,” Tyler Hollihan said.
After the session, Drew said the construction students “are a great bunch of kids and they
were really impressive in their behavior and interest. They are our future fellow builders and tradesmen.”
Online Profiles Affect College Admission — Seminole Ridge High School staff members are telling parents to be aware that admissions directors at colleges, in order to narrow their applicant pools, are checking out applicants’ online profiles on MySpace, Facebook and other social networking sites.
The material that directors find on these sites provides them with additional information as they consider whether to accept a student to their colleges.
The FACE club did face painting at the Children’s Medical Services holiday party.
Dart Drew of Alterra Engineering and Testing shows SRHS Construction Academy students how to do core samples.
ELBRIDGE GALE STUDENTS PREPARE FOR KALEIDOSCOPE
Students at Elbridge Gale Elementary School in Wellington recently spent time preparing for the upcoming multicultural event Kaleidoscope 2008, which will take place Sunday, Jan. 27 in downtown West Palm Beach. This year, Elbridge Gale students are partnering with Israel and will take part in a number of Jewish-themed activities and dances at the event. For more info., visit www. wpb.org/kaleidoscope. (Above left) Christopher Guzman as Abraham. (Above right) Grace White as a pioneer. (Below) Jordan Bloom and Jessica Pass.
PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
Moon Rocks
Appear At H.L. Johnson
Lunar and meteorite samples are current subjects of study for students at H.L. Johnson Elementary School in Royal Palm Beach. Students had the opportunity to examine items from space from Jan. 10-17. The lunar rocks and meteorite samples were on loan from NASA.
Second-grade teacher Wendy Elgersma, an authorized recipient of NASA’s authentic items, arranged the special exhibit. Ms. Elgersma is certified through a NASA-sponsored lunar program she
attended several years ago at St. Petersburg College in St. Petersburg. Two kits were available for students to inspect: NASA-harvested lunar samples and metallic samples collected from meteor strikes on earth. The program included teacher activity books and NASA slides, which introduce students to scientific space exploration. Call the school office at (561) 7954955 for more information about the display.
Criminal Justice Academy For Teens
The Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) has announced the first Youth Criminal Justice Academy for students ages 13 to 18.
The academy was created by the CJC to educate Palm Beach County youth about the criminal justice system and to introduce them to local criminal justice professionals.
The course will cover aspects of the criminal justice system and provide a good general knowledge of the system from the perspective of criminal justice professionals. Presentations will include a special emphasis on the juvenile justice system.
The academy will be taught by criminal justice practitioners. Sessions will be held at the Northwood Youth Empowerment Center (723 39th Street, West Palm Beach). Classes will include presentations by the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender’s Office, juvenile and county court judges, juvenile corrections personnel and law enforcement officials.
The academy is a four-week course, beginning Tuesday, Jan. 29 and running through Tuesday, Feb. 19 from 4 to 6 p.m., except for the third class on Tuesday, Feb. 5, which will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. and feature a tour of the
Main Detention Center on Gun Club Road in West Palm Beach.
There is no cost for the academy, with registration limited to the first 50 persons. The registration form is available online at www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/ criminaljustice/currentevents/academy. htm. Registration forms can be e-mailed to gnowalk@pbcgov.com or register at the Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission office on the tenth floor of the Governmental Center, 301 N. Olive Ave, Suite 1001, West Palm Beach, or call Glenna Nowalk at (561) 355-4943.
Bak Middle School
Dance Recitals Feb. 1-2
The Dance Department of the Bak Middle School of the Arts will present a performance by the school’s dance majors on Friday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 2 at 2 and 7 p.m. The student performances will take place on the main stage at Bak Middle School of the Arts (3701 North Shore Drive, West Palm Beach). Tickets for all shows are $10 each and may be purchased at the box office one hour prior to each performance. All student tickets, with ID, are $5. For more information, call the dance office at (561) 882-3846.
The Phantoms Visit PRIME 707
707 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth (561) 533-0000
A New York Steak House with equally incredible seafood & Italian fare!
One of the hottest restaurants in South Florida is Prime 707, a true gourmet dining experience in downtown Lake Worth. From the moment you are greeted to the moment you depart, you will appreciate exceptional service from highly trained, friendly staff.
Prime 707 serves only the best USDA Prime beef, but their other fare also wins classic status. From appetizers to homemade desserts and everything in between, it’s top quality all the way. Also, Prime 707 just received the 2007 New Times award for the best hamburger in Palm Beach and Broward counties.
The best food deal at Prime 707 might be the prix fixe menu served daily from 4 to 7 p.m., which includes your choice of three appetizers: wedge of lettuce with blue cheese dressing, Caesar salad or soup of the day. The four main entrees are salmon with grilled veggies, lemon chicken with whipped potatoes and sautéed spinach, pappardelle pasta Bolognese or the marinated skirt steak. Dessert choices are key lime pie or flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream and raspberry puree. All this for only $19.95… This has to be the most affordable gourmet dining anywhere!
One of the restaurant’s bestsellers is Chef Tony’s special version of Sunday gravy over pasta, made just like my mom’s. Incredible tomato sauce with meatballs, braciole, pork and all the flavorful spices to make this an experience most Italian families enjoy together every Sunday. Bravo Antonio!
In addition, Prime 707 allures you with a great range of dishes: shrimp scampi, spaghetti with spicy jumbo lump crab sauce, penne a la vodka, paella, grouper, mahimahi, seared yellowfin tuna, pork tender-
loin, rack of lamb, prime rib, wild mushroom risotto and a host of mouthwatering nightly specials.
We started with an excellent lobster salad, tasty chunks tossed with their secret sauce and served in a jumbo martini glass. The Prince Edward Island mussels fra’ diavolo were equally impressive, plump and succulent served in a very tasty sauce with a most delicious warm homemade rosemary bread. Tuna tartar, presented over a bed of guacamole and surrounded by a circle of thin sliced cucumbers, looked as beautiful as it tasted!
Our entrée selections were diver scallops ($25) perfectly pan-roasted, served over arugula, marinated cannelloni beans and roasted tomatoes. The nightly special, an ultra-fresh Chilean sea bass, was noted for the comforting smoothness of its texture (in fact, the best we’ve ever tasted), and served with roasted Brussels sprouts and chestnuts, a delicious combination. Our guest ordered the filet mignon ($36) a generous cut, cooked to perfection and topped with béarnaise sauce he raved about. Side dishes like bleu cheese potatoes au gratin, broccoli rabe, cottage fries, sauteed spinach and onion rings were all large enough to share.
We highly recommend Prime 707 for any special evening or event. To add to your enjoyment, on Wednesday nights you can also enjoy the beautiful voice and acoustic guitar sounds of Shauna Sweeney.
For reservations or additional information, call Prime 707 at (561) 533-0000 or visit www.prime707.com, and please tell them that Joe & Kathryn, the Phantoms, highly recommended their four-star eatery!
Joe & Kathryn, the Phantoms, are freelance dining, hotel, travel and entertainment writers for the Town-Crier newspaper and YourNews.com. Contact them at thephantomdiners@aol.com.
Palm Beach Atlantic Names Jaffe Director Of Alumni Relations
Deborah Bowmar-Jaffe, a resident of Royal Palm Beach, has been named director of alumni relations at Palm Beach Atlantic University.
“We look forward to Deborah’s contributions to the university’s development effort as a result of her private-sector experiences, her incredible volunteer network and her strong people skills,” said William Fleming, vice president for development at the university. “Our alumni communications and programming will benefit from both her undergraduate and
Mills, Hobgood
To Wed In March
Erena and Michael Mills of Wellington announce the engagement of their daughter Kristen Nicole Mills to David Christopher Hobgood of Palm Beach Gardens. Kristen is a University of Florida graduate with a bach-
and David Hobgood
graduate experience at PBA. This background will help her relate to the ever-expanding diversity of our alumni population.”
Jaffe served as president of the board of directors for the local chapter of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She will chair the Race for the Cure on Saturday, Jan. 19. Jaffe has served in volunteer leadership positions with the American Heart Association and in 2008 will serve as the president of the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches. Prior to serving as a
elor’s degree in finance. She is presently working as a property manager for Paramount Real Estate Services in Palm Beach Gardens. David also has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and recently obtained his contractor’s license. He is currently a supervisor for Hobgood Construction. A March wedding is planned.
Kittredge, Grayson To Wed In February
Kerry Kittredge and Billy Grayson of Greenacres have announced their engagement. They are planning a wedding on Feb. 22 in West Palm Beach.
The bride is the daughter of Charles and Karen Kittredge of Wellington. A graduate of Wellington High School and Florida State University, she is a science teacher at Park Vista High School.
The groom is the son of William and Angela Grayson of Pembroke Pines. A Pembroke
full-time volunteer, Jaffe was an investment advisor at Chase Manhattan and Deutsche Private Wealth Management in Palm Beach.
In Jaffe’s new position, she will be liaison between the university and its nearly 10,000 alumni, hosting alumni events on campus and chapter events nationwide. Jaffe earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Palm Beach Atlantic and has previously served as a member of the Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Alumni Afternoon Tea Commit-
Pines firefighter, he graduated from the Broward Fire Academy and Broward Community College Paramedic School.
They plan to honeymoon in the Greek isles in June and will reside in Greenacres.
Spray, Fountain
To Wed In March
Stephanie Spray and Charles Fountain II, both of Wellington, have announced their engagement. They plan to marry on March 22 in Jupiter.
The bride is the daughter of Warren and Linda Spray of Wellington. A physical education teacher, Spray attended H.L. Johnson Elementary School and received her bachelor’s degree at the University of Florida.
The groom is the son of Larry and Pat Fountain of Blowing Rock, N.C. A public defender in West Palm Beach, Fountain graduated from the Thomas Cooley School of Law.
tee.
Jaffe and her husband Marc are the parents of Lauren, four, and twins Matthew and Alexa, two.
Palm Beach Atlantic University is a private, independent university offering undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees, with campuses in West Palm Beach, Orlando and Wellington. The university is dedicated to the integration of Christian principles to prepare students for lifelong learning and leadership. For additional information, visit www.pba.edu.
Seaman Ellery Shafer Completes
Basic Training
Navy Seaman Recruit Ellery Shafer, nephew of Kenneth and Barbara Smith of Loxahatchee, recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Shafer completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid, firefighting, water safety and survival, and shipboard and aircraft safety. An emphasis was also placed on physical fitness.
The capstone event of boot camp is “Battle Stations.” This exercise gives recruits the skills and confidence they need to succeed in the fleet. Battle Stations is designed to galvanize the basic warrior attributes of sacrifice, dedica-
Deborah Bowmar-Jaffe
tion, teamwork and endurance in each recruit through the practical application of basic Navy skills and the core values of honor, courage and commitment. Its distinctly Navy flavor is designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor.
Shafer is a 2004 graduate of Wellington High School.
Thompson On Dean’s List
Aaron Thompson of Wellington, a third-year law student, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in Birmingham, Ala.
To qualify for the dean’s list honor, a law student must have earned a minimum 3.0 grade point average out of a possible 4.0 while attempting at least 10 credit hours of course work.
Kristen Mills
Chamber Coates Sponsors Luncheon
continued from page 12A ent than the services you provide in the context of your business. I know what you are going through and the issues you have coming up.”
For more information about the Coates Law Firm, call (561) 333-4911 or visit www.coateslawfirm.com. The Coates Law Firm is located at 12012
South Shore Blvd., Suite 107 in Wellington.
The next Palms West Chamber of Commerce luncheon is scheduled for Feb. 11 and will feature Gaston Cantens, public relations vice president of Florida Crystals, who will be speaking about the sugar producer’s new research facility. For more information about the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, call (561) 790-6200 or visit the chamber’s web site at www. palmswest.com.
Big Check — Palms West Chamber of Commerce President Joanna Boynton and Executive Director Jaene Miranda accept a $100,000 check Tuesday toward the chamber’s building fund from Carmine Priore III and Don Kiselewski of Florida Power & Light.
Delegation Help For Krischer
continued from page 14A said. “The state police chiefs association has sent a letter of support to fight cuts in our offices.”
State Rep. Priscilla Taylor (D-District 84) asked Krischer how legislators might be able to improve his work in non-budgetary ways.
“Right now we have a problem with mandatory minimum sentencing,” Krischer replied. “I have no problem at all with either the death penalty or life in prison without parole for first degree murder. I don’t want [sexual] predators back on the streets either. But when drug offenses bring a mandatory 30-year minimum sentence, most defendants decide they might as well roll the dice and go for a trial. And we don’t have enough judge time on the bench to meet our needs. More flexibility would allow more deals and save a lot of time and money.”
St. Mary’s Medical Center CEO David Carbone, speaking for the Palm Beach County Hospital Administrators,
Wechsler
See ‘Atonement’
continued from page 20A McEwan’s book, takes place many years later as a far older Briony (Vanessa Redgrave) is interviewed about the story. She provides her explanation of her atonement, one that is essentially a copout.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines the word “atonement” as “amends or reparations for an injury or wrong.” To fully atone, one must not only feel bad, but do something about it. Unfortunately, in today’s world the doing something is usually forgotten.
When actor Will Smith was quoted in the newspaper The New Scotsman for saying “there is good in everyone” and that “Hitler did not wake up each morning deciding that he was going to be evil that day” there was a huge firestorm of criticism. Upon examination, he never said the first part about good in everyone; he said the second part about Hitler in describing how easily bad people accept their actions. The newspaper that published the original story, as well as its defenders, described Smith as backing off from his comments. How do you
WEF
Opens With Big Changes
continued from page 11A to raise the standard in our own country.”
He gave special thanks to new show grounds owner Mark Bellissimo and show sponsor Hunter Harrison for all they have done to improve the WEF for horses and riders.
CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
BY
PHOTO
begged the legislators not to make more cuts in Medicaid.
“We’ve already been cut three percent, and that cost us millions of dollars,” he said. “My own hospital has about a third of our patients covered by Medicaid. Our program is a safety net for children and the elderly. When we lose services, people will suffer and some of them will die.”
Bucher noted that the legislature had just provided a nine-percent increase before the three-percent cut. “But we are trying to find ways to provide more money to providers,” she said. “A lot of doctors don’t want to treat Medicaid patients anymore.”
Carbone agreed, noting that Medicaid now pays doctors $8 for each Medicaid patient.
“It generally costs more to send out a bill,” he said. “Some of them are even beginning to refuse Medicare patients. Also, our emergency-room attending physicians need more legal protection. They don’t want to have to come out in the middle of the night to try to save someone’s life and then get sued.”
back off from what you never said? But this is the new form of atonement. Admit as little as possible and find excuses.
I saw the same thing in the Duke University lacrosse team story. It seems obvious that there was a rush to judgement, but found it nauseating watching accusers, including more than a few reporters, emphasize that the players were “not really good guys” because they had been drinking and watching women taking their clothes off. When I saw sports reporters focusing on that element on ESPN, I wondered whether the reporters had ever done any drinking at college or looked at naked people. If these “jocks” never did that, it might be very revealing. If they have, it would prove them hypocrites.
Atonement is a very powerful film that forces us to look at the nature of wrong and making amends. Accepting the idea that feeling bad about hurting others but doing nothing to make things right seems to be a cornerstone of life in the 21st century. Perhaps we need to examine whether this is the world we wish to live in.
“It’s going to help us be competitive on the world circuit,” Wylde said. “For myself, I’ve committed my life to that, and that’s part of the reason I spend a lot of my time in Europe, because that’s really where the sport is going strong, but we also need that in our own country — it’s good for our horses, it’s good for our owners, it’s good for our younger riders, as well as our more experienced ones.”
Kent Farrington, a 26-year-old Wellington resident and 11-time Grand Prix winner in 2007, said he is also impressed with the reconstruction at the show grounds.
“I think, like most of the riders here, this is going to be incredible when it’s finished,” he said. “I know they’re putting huge efforts into making this a world-class facility, and as Peter stated, that’s very important for all the riders here, and for younger riders such as myself.”
It is crucial to make the show grounds more horse-friendly and spectatorfriendly, Farrington said.
“They’re putting a tremendous effort into gearing it more for spectators with better seating and better accessibility to the rings,” he said. “Something that was lacking was a strong backing of spectators outside the circle of riders. I hope that is something that this facility will provide.”
CEO Hunter Harrison of Canadian National Railroad (CN), one of the heaviest sponsors of horse sports in the world, said this new opportunity for his company to serve as title sponsor of the Winter Equestrian Festival follows major sponsorships of events outside the United States.
“This company has been trying to grow, like this sport has been trying to
‘I
PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER
grow,” he said. “When I joined CN, it was primarily a Canadian company. Now we have expanded as a company globally, with offices throughout South America and Europe.”
Harrison said he was taken by the amount of energy and money being invested in the Wellington show grounds.
“This is another way to support the sport, this venue, the community and this great sport we all love,” he said. “I really think the difference, where we really ought to move, is more spectator sport. You can’t have a spectator sport without a wonderful venue. As we can hear by the construction activities here, we’re going to have the venue. Now it’s the responsibility of some of the rest of us here to get the spectators, who will allow this kind of a venue to grow.”
Bellissimo, CEO of Equestrian Sport Productions, said equestrian sport has a tremendous presence in Europe but has yet to fully develop in the United States. Organizing the events and building a world-class facility are the first two steps, he said. The third will be to draw in more spectators.
“People have told me that will not happen in the United States. You get 40,000 to 50,000 people in Aachen [Germany] at a big event. That might not happen here. But what will happen is there will be an evolution to a much greater spectator-friendly environment, which will allow us to leverage great supporters like Hunter,” Bellissimo said. “I appreciate what he’s done in general in the U.S. He’s been fantastic, and I’m honored to have him as the title sponsor this year. I think that what we can do is make the sport more entertaining and have some events that can bring in spectators.”
Bellissimo said critics have told him he will never fill the rows of new spectator seats being installed at the facility.
“If they’re not there, they will never be filled anyway,” he said. “If they are empty the first couple of weeks, so be it. We’ll deal with it. My goal is to fill those seats every Sunday and let it expand from there. I’m very confident that it will with sponsors like Hunter who have stepped up to the plate.”
The 2008 CN Winter Equestrian Festival opened Wednesday and continues through April 6. For more info., visit www.equestriansport.com.
really think the difference, where we really ought to move, is more spectator sport. You can’t have a spectator sport without a wonderful venue. As we can hear by the construction activities here, we’re going to have the venue.’
— Show Sponsor Hunter Harrison of CN
LGLA To Discuss Southern Project Jan. 24
The Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association will meet Thursday, Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. in Classroom I at Palms West Hospital. Representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation will discuss the proposed widening of Southern Blvd. to six lanes between Crestwood Blvd. and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. Also speaking will be Paul Reillo of the Rare Species Conservancy, who will talk about previous and current projects the organization has been involved with throughout the world. For more information about the Jan. 24 meeting, call LGLA President Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875.
WEF Opens — Show promoter Mark Bellissimo speaks as show sponsor Hunter Harrison of Canadian National Railroad (CN) looks on.
