Two news items released this week regarding events in other parts of the state are vitally important for residents of the western communities, and it’s all because of gerrymandering, the partisan practice of twisting and contorting legislative districts to fit preferred constituencies. The only way to fix this unfair system is to keep politicians out of the redistricting process.
News
Wellington Temple
To Buy Village Land
Culminating an effort that began more than a year ago, members of the Temple B’nai Jacob thanked the Wellington Village Council on Tuesday for accepting their bid to purchase a village-owned lot on Lake Worth Road as the site of their new synagogue. Page 2
Area Centenarians
Celebrate Birthdays
On Wednesday, two area residents celebrated their 100th and 103rd birthdays at MetCare of Florida’s office near Palms West Hospital. Alcide Cote of Lake Worth turned 103 on Feb. 20, and Acreage resident Ann Freeman will celebrate her 100th birthday on July 26. Page 3
Gary Nikolits: Don’t
Expect Quick Real Estate Rebound Home property values in Palm Beach County will eventually see a rebound, but don’t expect anything to happen over the next year, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits said this week. Page 7
Features
Mustang Adoption
July 24-25 At South Florida Fairgrounds
On July 24 and 25, approximately 60 to 70 Mustangs will be available for adoption at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. The selection will include yearlings and two- and three-yearold Mustangs, both mares and stallions and possibly a few geldings. Page 18
COWS HAVE THEIR DAY
RPB Council Supports Field For Growing Football League
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Royal Palm Beach Village Council has approved construction of a youth football field next year for the village’s growing Pop Warner Youth Football League. But some council members are wondering if the planned location at Lindsay Ewing Park is a good fit. The council discussed the issue at their July 9 budget hearing. The project was conceived by Pop Warner representatives, who met with village staff to discuss building the field, Village Engineer Ray Liggins said. Without a home field, the league is currently using the football field at Royal Palm Beach High School.
“When we sat down and looked at what we had [money and location], it looked like we could accommodate it,” Liggins said. “We have $325,000 in the current budget to do modifications to Ewing Park.”
That figure will be augmented with a $200,000 Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program grant, Liggins said.
The park plans call for a covered seating area, expansion of the existing concession area, scoreboard and scorekeeper’s box, lighting, referee stand and a post rail fence.
The field is planned for the coming year with lighting to come through the FRDAP grant the following year, ac-
cording to Village Manager David Farber.
Pop Warner coach and treasurer Richard Durr said the league has quickly outgrown the borrowed high school field.
“We are in our third season, and we’ve got about 60 to 70 percent enrollment of village kids, with 250 football players and 150 cheerleaders,” said Durr, also a member of the village’s Planning & Zoning Commission. “To date we really don’t have a home or practice fields to play on, so we’ve made it for two years without any real facilities. We’re desperately looking for a place to call home and give our kids an even playing field with some
See FOOTBALL, page 18
Wellington Early Retirement Program Deemed A Success
By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report
An early retirement offer to longtime Wellington village employees will net the village more than half a million dollars in savings annually, village officials said this week. Looking to reduce its workforce to cope with shrinking revenue, the village offered an early retirement package at the start of June to employees whose age and years with the village combined add up to 62.
The deadline for employees to accept the offer arrived Friday, after the Town-Crier went to press, but on Wednesday, Assistant Village Manager Francine Ramaglia said a preliminary review suggests the village will hit the target it was aiming for.
“We made a guess, out of
some 58 people that were actually eligible, that 17 would take it, and we didn’t know which ones would take it, but at that time we estimated that our savings would be $600,000 to $700,000,” she said. “And scary but true, they tell me, based on the first pass of the calculations, that the number is about $600,000, and that is with 15 to 17 people actually having signed. I think there are a couple that are iffy, but they have until Friday.”
Employees who take the early retirement package get a week’s pay for every year in village service, up to $75,000, as well as continued health insurance benefits through the end of the calendar year, and for the 2010 calendar year for the individual employee, Ramaglia said.
The village is taking advantage of a federal program that reimburses 65 percent of the cost of providing insurance to separated employees, she said.
Ramaglia said the extended health insurance coverage served as a major incentive, particularly for those employees who are not yet eligible for Medicare. “That’s the best thing we could do,” she said. “It’s the insurance that helped people make the decision, because most people will stay at work longer than they wished to, only to remain insured.”
Most of the employees who take the offer will leave village service next month, Ramaglia said.
Although pleased with the success of the offer and the
See RETIRE, page 18
Council Begins Budget Review
By Mark Lioi Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington Village Council approved a preliminary property tax rate for the coming fiscal year Tuesday, putting forward a tax rate increase with the intent of lowering the rate somewhat as the budget process moves forward.
Council members voted to approve a millage rate of 2.807, the so-called “rollback rate” that would maintain property tax revenues at the same level as last year, while cautioning that they would strive to lower the rate during the budget review process. The village must set preliminary tax and assessment rates in July to fulfill state requirements. Municipalities can lower the rates before final adoption in September, but not raise them.
Village staff had recommended a preliminary millage rate of 2.5 mills, up 14 percent from last year’s rate of 2.34 mills. This would come close to countering the 15 percent drop for the year in the value of taxable property in the village.
Village Manager Paul Schofield told the council the median home price in the village last year was $200,000, but is now about $160,000. Last year’s median home, assessed at last year’s rate, yielded $468 in revenue.
“The average ad valorem tax return at 2.5 mills would be about $400 on that home, about $68 less than the median home paid last year,” he said. “It is about $26 more than it would pay if we stayed at 2.34.”
Schofield cautioned that while some will see the rate as a tax increase, he stressed that it would produce 10 percent less revenue than it did last year.
The adopted preliminary non-ad-valorem surface wa-
ter assessment rate is $175 per unit, up $29 or 20 percent from last year, and the solid waste collection assessment was set at $165 per unit for curbside service, up $3 or two percent.
Village staff prepared a draft budget for 2010 balanced at the 2.5 millage rate, Schofield said.
“Our budget recommendation for this year is projected to be very close to $83 million, and that compares to last year’s budget of $103 million, so we are looking to present to you a budget that is about $20 million less than last year,” he said.
Schofield said that the draft budget reflects substantial decreases in general government expenses, particularly administrative costs. Areas that are recommended for increased spending include law enforcement, the village’s new Safe Neighborhoods program, and infrastructure investment.
“The changes in spending reflect a change in emphasis to community reinvestment,” Schofield said. “What you see in the Safe Neighborhoods program are programs designed to improve and maintain our older and more challenged neighborhoods.”
The village is spending $2.1 million on the Safe Neighborhoods program, funding neighborhood advocacy, code enforcement, nuisance abatement and outreach activities. For law enforcement, the village is facing a six-percent increase in its contract with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, amounting to $410,000 on a total contract of $7.5 million.
Spread among the approximately 22,000 housing units in Wellington, Schofield said the village would spend $53 per unit for Safe Neighborhoods. “We’ve put another See BUDGET, page 18
Health Official Promises ‘Cancer Cluster’ Answers
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
A top Palm Beach County health official promised Wednesday to ascertain whether or not there is a “cancer cluster” in The Acreage by next month.
Dr. Alina Alonso, acting director of the Palm Beach County Health Department, offered an update on the investigation of a possibly higher-than-normal incidence of cancerous brain tumors in The Acreage at County Commissioner Jess Santamaria’s monthly community forum at the original Wellington Mall.
“I don’t claim to be an expert in terms of cancer or epidemiology or the studies that are done in this area, but as a
mother and member of this community, I can certainly be an expert in the anguish and the concern I see in the community as we search for answers as to why people get sick with certain diseases,” she said.
Alonso said the Florida Department of Health was alerted in May of reports of a high incidence of brain tumors affecting children in The Acreage, and the county health department launched an investigation using the same protocol as investigations at the federal level so that the results would be compatible with data from other studies.
The protocols are very strict to make sure that the investigation is systematic
and conclusions are clear, Alonso said.
After contacting members of the community, investigators came to realize tumors of different types are afflicting different age groups, not just children, and as a result, the scope of the investigation was expanded, she said.
The tumors identified will be divided into groups, with the greater interest still being central nervous system tumors affecting children, she said. This stage of the investigation, expected to be completed by mid-August, will determine whether cancer rates in the community are higher than normal, she said.
Evidence of higher rates of cancer will prompt a search for causes, particularly sub-
stances that could trigger whatever types of cancer are prevalent in The Acreage. Because so much research has gone into discovering which substances cause particular types of cancer, the various types of cancer must be catalogued first, Alonso said.
“It’s somewhat difficult, it’s tedious, it’s painstaking and has to be done — and it has to be done correctly,” Alonso said.
Alonso also cautioned that connections between the environment and cancer rates are very difficult to prove.
“You have to show a cause and effect,” she said. “You have to show that this tumor that is in children is being caused by this agent that is in
County To Consider Corruption Report At July 21 Meeting
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Palm Beach County Commission is scheduled to review the findings of the recent Palm Beach County Grand Jury report on corruption in local government on Tuesday, July 21.
Assistant State Attorney Alan Johnson, who leads the newly created Public Integrity Unit of the State Attorney’s Office in Palm Beach County, summarized the report’s findings and recommendations Wednesday at County Commissioner Jess Santamaria’s monthly community forum in the original Wellington Mall.
The May 21 report concluded that an independent “watchdog” agency is needed to sniff out waste, fraud and abuse in Palm Beach County government. It urges the formation of an investigative agency similar to the Miami-Dade County Office of Inspector General to conduct forensic investigations of the misuse or waste of public funds.
Johnson said his boss, State Attorney Michael McAuliffe, empaneled the grand jury to examine matters such as county bond underwriting, land transactions, discretionary funds, ethics laws and criminal statutes. The study came in the wake of convictions of several county and city commissioners on corruption charges in recent years.
The corruption scandals have impaired the image of Palm Beach County government both locally and beyond its borders, Johnson said.
“The perception in the county was one of corruption,” he said. “It’s not good for business. It’s not good for the people of the county to feel confidence in their government.”
Johnson said the question of the necessity of a watchdog on local politicians has been a “hot-button issue.”
Under the grand jury recommendation, an inspector general would be appointed by an independent panel of attorneys, professors and judges, not government officials, Johnson said. He encouraged anyone interested in improving county government to attend the commission’s meeting on Tuesday.
“This is probably one of the most important meetings that you will see, the budget notwithstanding,” Johnson said. “These grand jury findings really look to the future. How do we make this a better place? How do we make Palm Beach County maybe the envy of all the other counties in the State of Florida?”
Johnson said the findings
and recommendations are now in the hands of the county commission. Loxahatchee Groves Vice Mayor Dennis Lipp said he is organizing a carpool and caravan to the commission meeting Tuesday. Before the meeting, he plans to pass out red T-shirts with the slogan “We’re mad as hell and we’re not going to take it anymore” printed on them.
“This is an important issue,” Lipp said. “We can’t let this slip through our fingers.” Lipp said he read the report very carefully and got the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council to pass a resolution last week asking the county commission to adopt the report’s findings and follow its recommendations.
“The stuff in here is just vital for us,” Lipp said. “I don’t know if you all saw the movie Network back in the ’70s when the guy got up and yelled out of his window, ‘I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!’ We need to do the same thing with this Board of County Commissioners.”
Lipp said commissioners are talking about using either a county staff auditor or independent auditor to function as inspector general, but warned that any such person with links to county government would not be effective.
“Remember the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau where this lady had been embezzling one and a half million dollars out of our pockets over three years? The internal auditor didn’t find that. The external auditor didn’t find that,” Lipp said. “These guys just maintain the books. They’re not forensic auditors. Somebody at the bank uncovered this, not somebody inside of Palm Beach County government.” County Commissioner Jess Santamaria said he anticipates his fellow commissioners will outwardly welcome the grand jury report, but he cautioned the public to scrutinize the actions they take in response to its recommendations.
“It would not be good for anyone to oppose it,” Santamaria said. “The key to this is going to be the basic elements. You can agree to something but shade it so it goes in a different direction than its intended purpose.” Santamaria encouraged residents to study the final product very carefully. “The most important element is going to be the inspector general,” he said. “The keyword to inspector general is independent — 100 percent independent.”
Wellington Temple Gets Go-Ahead To Buy Village Land
By Mark Lioi
Town-Crier Staff Report
Culminating an effort that began more than a year ago, members of the Temple B’nai Jacob thanked the Wellington Village Council Tuesday for accepting their bid to purchase a village-owned lot on Lake Worth Road as the site of their new synagogue.
The village council unanimously approved the temple’s bid of $827,500 for the land, a 2.82-acre parcel on the south side of Lake Worth Road just west of Barefoot Lake Drive. The land was appraised $675,000 at its current civic zoning in January. A subsequent appraisal in May determined the property would be worth $1.2 million if zoned for commercial use.
In the past, the village has used the parcel for hurricanerelated emergency staging and debris collection. To prevent commercial development, the village restricted the usage of the land to include parks, schools, daycare centers, religious institutions and government offices. The Conservative congregation, which currently uses rented space at the original Wellington Mall for its worship services and office, expanded last April when the Palm Springs-based B’nai
Jacob merged with the Wellington congregation previously known as B’nai Avraham.
The Wellington group first approached the village about purchasing the land in April 2008 according to Gary Scher, a member of the temple’s board of directors who took a lead role in negotiations with the village. Scher, who several times since then attended meetings to urge council members to declare the parcel surplus and make it available for purchase, said he felt a distinct sense of relief when the council approved the bid this week.
“After going through this process for a year and a half, rather than jumping up and high-fiving and being tremendously euphoric, I found I was just tremendously relieved that at least this stage of the project was over,” he said.
Temple and village residents will still go through some negotiations and due diligence before the sale of the property can be finalized. The village has stipulated that the temple must close on the property by Sept. 1.
There was only one other bidder on the property, a daycare center developer that bid See TEMPLE, page 18
Area Residents Celebrate 100th, 103rd Birthdays At Metcare
On Wednesday, July 15, two area residents celebrated their 100th and 103rd birthdays at MetCare of Florida’s office near Palms West Hospital. Alcide Cote of Lake Worth turned 103 on Feb. 20, and Acreage resident Ann Freeman will celebrate her 100th birthday on July 26.
Cote credits daily stretching and walking to keeping him healthy. “I can bend down and touch my toes, and I take a walk every day,” Cote said.
MetCare presented Cote with a pedometer, which he promptly put on his belt to start tracking his daily steps.
Both Cote and Freeman have been cared for by MetCare of Wellington for more than ten years. Veronica Schmidt, a third MetCare patient, turned 100 on Feb. 2 but was not able to attend the party. Dr. Ravi Pandey is their physician. “Advances in medicine combined with quality health care have increased the life expectancy of many South Floridians,” Pandey noted.
MetCare of Florida is located at 12953 Palms West Drive, Suite 102, in Loxahatchee Groves. For more information, call (561) 7931713.
PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
Met Care staff members gather for a group photo. Guests celebrate at the party.
Ann Freeman receives flowers in honor of her birthday.Alcide Cote (left) celebrates his 103rd birthday.
Met Care staff members bring out a giant cake.
OUR OPINION
It’s Time To Change The Way Florida Draws District Lines
Two news items released this week regarding events in other parts of the state are vitally important for residents of the western communities. Fort Myers Democrat Pete Burkert announced his candidacy for State Senate District 27, and District 28 hopefuls Bill Ramos and Joe Negron will hold a candidates forum Monday, July 20 at 9 a.m. at the St. Lucie County Commission chambers in Fort Pierce. Unfortunately, what should be of concern only to those particular regions of Florida is every bit as important to central Palm Beach County. And it’s all because of gerrymandering, the partisan practice of twisting and contorting legislative districts to fit preferred constituencies.
Currently held by Democrat Dave Aronberg, who is resigning to run for Florida Attorney General, District 27 spans five counties — Palm Beach, Hendry, Glades, Charlotte and Lee counties — and includes parts of Wellington and Loxahatchee. The people of Lee County have been lobbying for years to have representation from their county; however, the gerrymandering process has sliced and diced the county into three districts, none of which have managed to elect a resident state senator. District 28, currently marching toward an Aug. 4 special election to replace State Sen. Ken Pruitt, isn’t much better. It includes parts of Royal Palm Beach and The Acreage before stretching northward through Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
Should the Democratic Party select Burkert at its nominee, it may appease Fort Myers voters, but only at the expense of those in Palm Beach County. Continuing this game of electoral tug-of-war is hardly a solution, and it only serves to underscore the primary flaw of gerrymandering, as Aronberg described in a press re-
Welcome To ‘Corruption County’
On May 21, the Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in Palm Beach County issued the final presentment of the Palm Beach County Grand Jury, “investigation of Palm Beach County governance and public corruption issues,” Spring Term A.D. 2009. On page 1 of this 57-page document you will find these words: “Indeed, the reputation of Palm Beach County has deteriorated to the point that Palm Beach County is derisively referred to as ‘Corruption County.’”
On Tuesday, July 21, the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners’ regular meeting will have this agenda item, “Grand Jury Report” at 2 p.m., time certain.
Anyone who has lived in Palm Beach County for the past three or four years knows that three county commissioners and two city commissioners made headlines with their guilty pleas to corruption charges. On page 24 of the report you will read, “the grand jury listened to testimony regarding corrupt land deals, bond underwriting arrangements, conflicts of interest, gifts and gratuities, and a system that reflected to some a ‘culture of corruption.’”
The arrest and conviction of five publicly elected officials does not represent a “culture.” A corrupt culture requires a host of enablers in order for the corruptors to be successful. If you want to read the grand jury report in its entirety, it can be found on the State Attorney’s web site at www.sa15.state.fl.us.
Of the six recommendations, one of the primary recommendations of the Grand Jury Report was the establishment of a new office, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) to function as the watchdog agency. Palm Beach County will not have to create this OIG from the ground up. The Grand Jury recommends using the template that Miami-Dade County crafted for the position of OIG. Here is where you and I must stand up and make ourselves heard. The “powers that be” don’t want to “spend the money” to have a new constitutional officer (the OIG). The scuttlebutt seems to be that the county administrator wants use the internal auditor to fill this role. Might this be the same internal and
external county auditors that missed the embezzlement of $1,556,961 over three years from the Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (page 41 of the grand jury report)? Where is the transparency? Where is the accountability? The internal auditor reports to the county administrator. The county administrator works at the pleasure of the Board of County Commissioners? Isn’t this the same as having the fox guard the hen house?
In Miami-Dade, the first year’s budget for the OIG was $200,000. “In their first year of operations, the OIG uncovered several multi-million dollar scandals, which resulted in substantial restitution to the county” (page 45 of the grand jury report). We the voters and taxpayers of Palm Beach County must demand that the county have an OIG that is independent of any county commission “strings.” Comments like “times are tough” and “we can’t afford it” must be answered by a loud-and-clear voice from the public: “We are mad as hell, and we are not going to take it any longer.” See you on July 21, and wear red!
Dennis Lipp, Councilman Loxahatchee Groves
Finally, Progress On Hedge Issue
In the 18-plus years that I have lived in Wellington, we have had major thoroughfare and fence problems. I have written about this debacle as a singular subject, or part of enforcement, more than 20 times to the Town-Crier
This is not brain surgery, and certainly we could have visited Boca Raton and a host of other well-maintained thoroughfare communities to replicate their solution. Instead, we had little or no code enforcement, which simultaneously led to the decline of some of our older communities. When I approached our leaders in person, through the fired code board and through the Town-Crier, I/we were ignored.Thankfully, under a new administration and a very brave Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board, there is actual discussion. Gone thankfully is the willy-nilly approach of our old council of expensive chain-link fencing, costing many homeowners hundreds if not thousands for no privacy, soundproofing and absolutely no utilitar-
lease in support of a new redistricting process. “The political process benefits when candidates must reach out to voters from other political parties,” Aronberg wrote. “But when districts are drawn so that only a Republican or only a Democrat can be elected, the other part of the electorate can be ignored, The result is more hard-line conservatives and liberals, and fewer moderates.”
Politicians don’t necessarily want districts that are non-partisan and contiguous. This makes their job more difficult because they have to pay more attention to communities and voters if they want to keep their jobs. However, in our perspective, that is a good thing.
The only way to fix this unfair system is to keep politicians out of the redistricting process, which next takes place following the 2010 Census. A non-partisan group not affiliated with the State Legislature must be allowed to take charge and work to draw the district lines along existing geographical landmarks that are more reasonable than those currently in place. If this is done, the state will be one step closer to a fair vote, instead of the calculated manipulation of voters that has taken place for the past three decades under the rule of both Republicans and Democrats.
An organization known as Fair Districts Florida is working to gather support for a constitutional amendment that will change the way redistricting is done in Florida, making the drawing of districts a fairer and less partisan process. We encourage all our readers to take part in this vitally important process by visiting www.fairdistrictsflorida.org and joining the effort to get an amendment on the 2010 ballot.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
ian purpose except to waste money.
As long as code enforcement is reactive and not proactive, we shall fail both the thoroughfares and our older communities. But I do see a change, and I can only hope that it is a real one. I recently had a meeting with Village Manager Paul Schofield, and he does realize the problems, and bringing in the police to deal with crime and a host of problems dealing with Section 8 housing is an advent in Florida, something heretofore not utilized. Accolades are surely deserved here. I would ask those involved to take a closer look at plant materials. Because many are insufficiently dense for hedging, I would ask them to consider uniformity (as in Boca), and I would suggest that the most important issue is uniformity in material, growth and cutting. Ficus is not the enemy. [Master Gardener] Gene Joyner told us that trimmed ficus is OK, and that is the most common and attractive material in Boca and in Wellington... They require less water and fertilizer, but do require cutting more often. Others have succeeded where we have not; that is our fault, inclusive of a failed (and gone) leadership and lack of code enforcement. We have a choice: we can look great in a short period of time (two to four years), or we can continue our decline. Once again, thank you to PZA for picking up this hot potato. It took guts — now run with it. I know both the mayor and the village manager will make this happen if you push hard enough. Your code board was fired for pushing for enforcement, but this is a different council. For the first time in almost 20 years, I’m hopeful. George Unger Wellington
Wellington Hides Behind Tax Rate
During the period 2002 through 2007, the taxable property value in Wellington was increasing at an accelerating rate. During that period, the millage rate set by the council never decreased. As a consequence, the total ad valorem revenue soared. In addition, solid waste assessments also soared. Council members almost universally claimed that taxes were not increasing because, they said,
There Has To Be More To
I was born in a gas station, or at least in the living quarters above the gas
tion my father owned in the
of Brooklyn. At eight or nine I was helping my dad pump gas occasionally when a few cars arrived, at one time, for service at the station.
By Jules W. Rabin
I do have some vivid memories of those bygone days. I won’t tell you how
long ago that was. Perhaps at the top of the memory list was the price of a gallon of gas. As I recall it was as low as 69 cents. And when the price went up one penny virtually, every driver complained — some in very loud voices. I filled my tank the other day at a cost of $2.63 per
they had not increased the millage. (Actually, they did increase the millage from 2.5 to 2.7 in 2004.)
During that time, the rollback rate was de-emphasized to the extent that it was hardly mentioned, even though state law required that it be published. The reason it was hardly mentioned is because it showed how much the millage rate should have been dropped in order to maintain the same ad valorem revenue. And it was embarrassing to the council for the public to learn how much village revenue was increasing — that they were paying so much more taxes — because valuations were skyrocketing. The council made the claim that they were providing topdrawer services “without increasing taxes.”
Things have changed. Property values are dropping as fast as they were rising. Now the rollback rate has actually become a roll-forward rate. In order to keep the same ad valorem revenue, the millage rate must increase. Now we hear a lot of talk from the council about that because it justifies raising the millage rate. And in fact, the council voted 3-2 to adopt the rollback rate of 2.807. Not once, in the period when taxable value was increasing, did they do so.
The sad part of all this is that it indicates a certain amount of duplicity on the part of government. I suppose it is human nature to put the best possible face on issues — to choose the description that will make us look our best. But it is sad that our public servants change their approach so readily, and then make strong claims of “transparency.”
In spite of all that, I would like to compliment the village manager for his efforts to keep spending down and to provide as much service as possible in the face of decreasing revenue. I feel less complimentary toward council members, who want to adopt the rollback rate in order to “have more wiggle room” over and above the proposed budget.
Phil Sexton Wellington
Kudos For Great Coaches
Parents of children who have found themselves on a team with coaches that really teach the fundamentals of baseball, integrity, sports-
gallon. During the next 48 hours, I was somewhat overwhelmed by the eclectic jumble of gasoline prices shown at various and sundry stations within a radius of seven or eight miles as I did a variety of chores. The highest I noticed was $2.99 at two stations. There were, however, a
manship and love for the sport should consider themselves blessed. Many times, those “in it for the kids” show few signs supporting that claim. A coach or a group of coaches who simply love teaching the sport — win or lose — is tough to find.
I have found such a group and team that brings the right mix of sportsmanship, love of the game, team camaraderie and above all, integrity, in the Royal Palm Beach Hammerheads 8-U travel baseball team.
My son has had the privilege of being instructed by what in my opinion are some of RPB’s finest coaches. With tryouts for the Hammerheads team right around the corner, it is with a grateful spirit that I encourage anyone with a child who is serious about baseball to try out for this team. It is an experience you will walk away from knowing you made a sound decision, and one your child will leave with not only more confidence and skill, but having learned important lessons that will carry him through the rest of his life.
Thank you, Hammerhead coaches Dave Marrero, Don Hoffman, Donnie Frank and Anibal Avila for a job very well done!
Deb Valle Royal Palm Beach
Take Back
The County Commission
As a result of five Palm Beach County commissioners (two city, three county) going to jail, our new State Attorney Michael McAuliffe thought it would be prudent for his office to open a formal three-month investigation into city and county corruption. On May 21, the state attorney published its grand jury findings. I decided to read the grand jury report for myself and pass along a summary of its findings to you, as follows:
“Palm Beach County is facing a crisis of trust in pub-
lic governance”; “the erosion of public trust in the institutions of governance, whether caused by actual or perceived corruption, has undermined the legal, political and economic pillars which support this community”; and “the grand jury finds that current state laws governing both ethics and criminal misconduct are inadequate to effectively deter the broadbased misconduct (including non-disclosure of personal interests and conflicts) that has become all to common, not only in Palm Beach County, but throughout the State of Florida.”
The grand jury recommendations are:
• Strengthen state criminal statutes and county ordinances to address conflict of interest, gratuity and theft of honest services by public servants.
• Fully fund an effective independent “watchdog” entity to monitor the activities of the county government.
• Increase transparency, accountability and oversight of county matters involving land transactions.
• Eliminate bond underwriting by rotation and adopt the Government Finance Officers Association recommended practices.
• Eliminate the current system of commissioner-based discretionary funding of county recreation and infrastructure projects.
The grand jury findings are:
• Bond Underwriting — The grand jury found that while “the competitive bid process” is the most cost-effective method to market general obligation bonds, the county commission in 1992 decided to underwrite these bonds through the more costly negotiated sale method. Since 1993, it is estimated that using the negotiated sale method has cost the county $880,000 in excess underwriting fees and up to $1.3 million in unnecessary annual interest expense! The grand jury indicated “it was aston-
See LETTERS, page 17
SEND IN YOUR LETTERS
The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090 ; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTown Crier.com
few at $2.89 and a whole bunch at $2.79. Also in the mix were price signs of $2.77, $2.75, $2.73 and $2.71. Whew! What is going on here?
Can the wholesale price (for the dealer) be so markedly different that the retail prices wind up, in some cases, to be 36 cents more for one
station over another? And why is one seller of a same major brand charging $2.99 in one place while the same brand, on the same road, just 1.5 miles away, is at $2.69? Somewhere, somehow, there must be a reason. Or perhaps some station owners are a bit greedier than others? Hmm...
Footloose and...
sta-
East New York section
TWEENS GET CREATIVE WITH STAMPS AT THE WELLINGTON LIBRARY
CHIROPRACTOR DR. TIM DECANIO SPEAKS AT WHOLE FOODS MARKET
Daisy Coates puts the finishing touches on her piece.
Cameron Patrick displays a “golden snitch” he made before painting it.
Alyssa Jingling concentrates on her work.
Nicole Hemmer and her friend Cameron Duran. Chloe and Isabella
youngsters are hard at work.
Valeria Soto DeFazio gives a massage.
Patient Mary Keinonen speaks.
Dr. Tim DeCanio of South Florida Family Chiropractic.
Firearms Stolen From Royal Palm Beach Home
By Kristina Webb Town-Crier Staff Report
to the Palm Beach County Jail, and his Chevy Metro was towed.
JULY 12 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched last Sunday to a home in the Hidden Harbor community regarding stolen firearms. According to a PBSO report, the victim noticed that an AK-47 assault rifle, a Glock handgun and a .22 caliber rifle were missing from the closet in which they were kept. The victim believes the guns were taken sometime between July 4 and July 12, possibly on July 11 when the home’s front door had been left open. The home of a possible suspect was searched, but the weapons were not found. There were no other suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.
• • •
JULY 9 — A West Palm Beach man was arrested for possession of cocaine early last Thursday morning in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, 27year-old Heraclio Martinez of Skees Road was sitting in his car outside of the 7-Eleven store on Belvedere Road when a deputy from the Royal Palm Beach substation drove by around 3:20 a.m. The deputy spoke to the clerks inside the store, who said Martinez made them nervous and had been staring at them from his car for more than half an hour. The deputy gained consent to search Martinez’ vehicle and found a white plastic baggy filled with a white powder that tested positive for cocaine. Martinez was arrested and taken
JULY 11 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched last Saturday to a home on Crassula Court regarding a vandalism complaint. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 4 and 11 a.m. last Saturday morning someone broke the front headlight and rear taillights, and sliced the rear tire of the victim’s Harley-Davidson motorcycle, which was parked in front of the home. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report, and no evidence could be collected.
JULY 11 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded last Saturday night to the Papa John’s Pizza location on Wellington Trace regarding a robbery. According to a PBSO report, the store’s manager was waiting for his brother to come pick up a pizza and $60 when there was a knock at the back door. Thinking that it was his brother, the manager opened the door and was confronted by a Hispanic male who punched the manager in the mouth. The assailant then grabbed the pizza box, which also contained the $60, and got into the back seat of a black compact car. The car, which had three other men inside, left the plaza heading west on Greenview Shores Blvd. No evidence was located at the scene, and there was no suspect information at the time of the report.
JULY 12 — A GPS system is missing following a See BLOTTER, page 18
RPB Man Arrested Following Deadly Hit And Run Crash
JULY 11 — A Lake Worth man was killed last Saturday in Royal Palm Beach after his van was hit by a man fleeing the scene of a previous accident.
According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, 46-year-old Tracy William Klinedinst of Royal Palm Beach was driving his van westbound on Southern Blvd. following his involvement in an accident at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way.
At approximately 4:30 p.m., Klinedinst ran a red light at the intersection of Lamstein Lane and Southern Blvd. and collided with the driver’s side of a 1995 Mercury minivan driven by 65year-old John Serratore of Lake Worth.
According to the report, a witness told deputies that Klinedinst “didn’t even try to stop for the red signal.” Klinedinst’s van continued to move for a short distance, coming to rest after it collided head-on with Serratore’s
van stopped on the eastbound side of Southern Blvd.
According to the report, Klinedinst walked from the scene following the accident and was spotted moving westbound on the sidewalk along Southern Blvd. and then into the shopping center at the northwest corner of the intersection. There he was detained by PBSO deputies, who performed a search and found a small green plastic baggie containing a white powder in his left front pants pocket. The deputies performed a field test on the white powder, which returned positive for cocaine. Serratore, who was critically injured at the scene, was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 5:37 p.m. Klinedinst was arrested, transported to the Palm Beach County Jail and charged with DUI vehicular manslaughter, possession of cocaine, two counts of hit and run, and driving with a suspended license.
Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Alan Hansford is a white male, 5’9” tall and weighing 140 lbs., with blond hair and blue eyes. His date of birth is 05/07/80. He has tattoos on his chest, back, lower left leg and forearm. Hansford is wanted for failure to appear on charges of burglary and grand theft of a motor vehicle. His occupation is unknown. His last known address is at large. Hansford is wanted as of 07/16/ 09 • Carmen Pineda is a white female, 5’4” tall and weighing 240 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. Her date of birth is 08/01/65. She has a scar on her chin. Pineda is wanted for failure to appear on charges of grand theft and organized scheme to defraud. Her occupation is cashier. Her last known address was Harbor Lake Circle in Greenacres. Pineda is wanted as of 07/ 16/09. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc. com.
Alan Hansford
Carmen Pineda
Gary Nikolits: Don’t Expect Quick Real Estate Rebound
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Home property values in Palm Beach County will eventually see a rebound, but don’t expect anything to happen over the next year, Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits said this week.
Nikolits discussed the current market at Monday’s Palms West Chamber of Commerce luncheon held at the Wellington Community Center, explaining that the tough times aren’t over yet.
Nikolits, who has held his position since 1992, said the Palm Beach County Commission is faced with the troubling prospect of considering a tax increase in an economic downturn just to maintain the same level of service residents had come to expect. Nikolitis said he doesn’t envy what the commissioners must decide, noting that there is talk about cutting needed programs during these tough economic times.
“With the current tax rate and the impact of the rollup year, there will be fewer dollars,” he said. “The county commission is trying to figure out what the current taxes are going to be. They are getting nervous about this.” Nikolits said saving money through homestead exemptions has been a key factor when people bought homes in the past, but that factor will bottom out in the near future. He noted that the current slumping trend in the real estate market will likely continue past 2010.
“It will level off,” Nikolits said. “The question is how long will it continue. Again, a lot of folks have savings behind Save Our Homes. The
GRACE
Save Our Homes Amendment keeps the assessed value higher. The assessed value for a lot of homes is going down. A lot of this will have an impact.”
Asked if he thought the market was correcting itself to where it was before the home price spikes in 2005 and 2006, Nikolits replied that the market is correcting itself, but that the housing stock that present now was not present in 2002 and 2003. The overstock on the residential side is making it hard to deal with the current market, and this factor is compounded by a high foreclosure rate.
“The difference is we have a lot more inventory,” Nikolits said. “The hardest thing to deal with is the stock on the residential side.”
Nikolits also explained the different exemptions property owners can apply for and gave chamber members a primer on homestead portability and the differences between market value, assessed value and taxable value.
“If the assessed value of a homestead property is less than its market value, the recapture rule requires the property appraiser to increase the assessed value by the lesser of three percent or the percentage change in the prior year’s CPI (Consumer Price Index), even when its market value decreases,” Nikolits said. “Even though the market value decreased 15 percent from the prior year, the assessed value was required to be increased 0.1 percent, and hence the taxable value increased as well.”
Nikolits said people often confuse the duties of the property appraiser with the tax collector, noting that he
does not set tax rates or determine the amount of property taxes to be levied. The various taxing authorities that provide services are responsible for establishing the costs of those services and the amount of taxes to be levied. It is the job of the property appraiser, Nikolits explained, to estimate the market value of all property each year.
The overall taxable value of property in Palm Beach County has declined nearly 13 percent over the past year. Lower overall taxable values require the rollback tax rate to “roll up,” he said, to a rate that would generate the same amount of tax dollars as the previous year. Even though the tax rate is higher, he noted, the “rollup rate” is not considered a tax increase because it generates the same amount of property taxes overall as the prior year.
“The truth is that even if the property appraiser doubled the value of all property, there would be no increase in property taxes if the taxing authority adopted its tax rollback rate,” Nikolits said.
In other chamber news, Executive Director Jaene Miranda announced the chamber’s plans for creating a medical committee consisting of doctors and other medical personnel. Miranda said the initial members met two weeks ago and hope to put together a program in the fall. She thanked Kevin DiLallo and Dr. David Soria of Wellington Regional Medical Center for helping assemble the committee.
“There are several areas we would like to focus on related to the medical community,” Miranda said. “We want to make sure that we as a
of the middle school ministry from Grace Fellowship’s Acreage
business unit provide support for this group and help get together educational opportunities for the doctors and nurses living in this area.”
Miranda then introduced Florida Power & Light Regional Manager Matt Macon, who discussed ways small business owners and residents can save money, time and energy.
Macon encouraged businesses to implement a number of energy-saving strategies such as installing energy-efficient light fixtures and regularly replacing air conditioning filters. He explained FPL’s incentive programs related to energy efficiency. “We help [businesses] strike that balance on how to conserve energy and protect the environment,” Macon said.
Also present at the luncheon was Steve Mann, general manager of Pizza Fusion, located in the Pointe at Wellington Green. The luncheon’s food sponsor, Mann explained his company’s effort to be eco-friendly and energy efficient. Mann said Pizza Fusion gives back to the community through charity events and fundraisers, along with using environmentally friendly products.
“It’s an eco-friendly restaurant, and that includes our hybrid Toyota Priuses, and our tables, which are made from an environmentally friendly type of wood,” Mann said. “Our equipment is also energy efficient, and the pizza is made with ovens that are powered by natural gas. The lights are energy efficient, and the toilets are low-flush toilets. We also have glutenfree pizzas and gluten-free brownies, as well as organic beer and wine.”
meals. For more information about Grace Fellowship, visit www.gfwpb.org.
Unsupervised Skate Park Has ITID Officials Concerned
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors averted possible closure of its skateboard park at Acreage Community Park last week by agreeing to staff the park to see that users have signed waivers, use proper safety equipment and conduct themselves properly.
Park Maintenance Director Tim Wojnar told the board at its July 8 meeting that the skate park opened under supervision in summer 2007, but due to staffing and budget issues the district decided to discontinue supervision last February.
Since then, district employees have voiced concerns about users not filling out liability waiver forms, not
wearing helmets and behaving inappropriately.
“I don’t want to close the skate park,” Wojnar said. “I want to look at different alternatives to the skate park before we close it, but I do believe it may be in the best interest of the district to look at closing the skate park.” Wojnar said an alternative could be to set up a system for skaters to oversee the park themselves, by letting them know that if they fail to follow rules, the park would close for a certain amount of time.
Reinstating district supervision would cost about $62,000 annually without benefits and $127,000 with benefits, Wojnar said.
“My recommendation would be to let the users govern the skate park them-
selves,” Wojnar said, adding that perhaps peer pressure would help keep users under control.
Supervisor Carol Jacobs said the park was something for the children and said she did not want to deny it to them.
“If we’re going to fail at that, why are we even going to bother with Community Park and a rec center?” she asked. “We have to make that succeed. Even kids who are 18, you think they’re going to behave if there’s no supervision? We have to have supervision over there, and we have to figure it out or we have failed as a board. The kids enjoy that park, and there should be a time for the young children and a time for the older children.”
Supervisor Carlos Enriqu-
ez asked what liability the district would face if a child gets injured there.
“You have the potential of a huge liability,” ITID Attorney Charles Schoech said. “Sixty-two thousand [dollars] could be chump change as opposed to the liability.”
ITID President Michelle Damone pointed out that other Acreage parks have adult supervision. “If we can’t come up with a plan, we need to shut down the park,” she said.
Enriquez made a motion to close the skate park until it is staffed, which was seconded by Jacobs, but Supervisor Mike Erickson said he would not support the motion.
“We can easily staff it with competent people, not adults at full time,” he said. “We
need solutions and staff to get out of the box. We need to at least have staff there on weekends.”
The motion passed 3-2 with Erickson and Supervisor Ralph Bair opposed.
District Administrator Chris King told council members he would have the park staffed by the following morning.
“I will have it scheduled to have it open seven days a week,” King said. Staff would have the waiver forms available there for skaters to sign, he said.
Damone said rules of behavior must still be drafted.
Wojnar added that kids are in there when the park is closed and locked, and Schoech said they would be subject to arrest by deputies. In other business, the board
heard a presentation by the developers of the Wat Mahadhatujetiyaram Buddhist Temple at 4691 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. The temple currently holds services in a residence on the site, which raised a general discussion about other congregations in The Acreage holding meetings in private residences. Agent Jim Choban said the temple has petitioned Palm Beach County for permission to construct an additional building north of the existing house. Although ITID is not directly involved in the approval process, he said county staff had recommended advising the district of their plans.
Damone asked Choban to clarify that the congregation has been using the existing See ITID, page 18
(Above) Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits. (Below left) Steve Mann of Pizza Fusion.
(Below right) Ambassador of the Month Jay Bertino.
PHOTOS BY CAROL
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
The Palm Beach chapter of the Rare Fruit Council held its semi-annual sale
Fairgrounds.
4-H volunteers Frances and Joshua Novella help Elizabeth Brody and Dave Closson load fruit trees.
Jimmy Hightower and Sharyn Browning discuss mulberry bushes.
Rare Fruit Council member Gary Gomes of GMG Tropical Fruits in Loxahatchee with a canistel fruit tree.
Members
The youngsters gather with Pastor Jim Sims and Chick-fil-A store manager Erik Benitez (back right). Ministry members arrive at Chick-fil-A.Pastor Jim Sims leads the “cows” to the restaurant.
Charity Fundraiser
At Duffy’s
Duffy’s Sports Grill in Royal Palm Beach will host a charity benefit on Tuesday, July 28.
The event is being coordinated by Alex Ng, a youngster from Royal Palm Beach who has been involved in charity work since he was seven years old. Ten percent of sales will be donated to purchase school supplies for Belle Glade and Pleasant City elementary schools. There will be free temporary tattoos for children.
Anyone interested in donating a backpack can drop it off at Rita’s Water Ice in the Southern Palm Crossing shopping center (11071 Southern Blvd., Suite 130).
Duffy’s is located at 11935 Southern Blvd. in the Crestwood Square plaza. For more info., call John or April at (561) 792-4045.
Chef Chris Paul To Visit Whole Foods
Master Chef Chris Paul of the Wild Orchids Café in Royal Palm Beach will make an appearance at Whole Foods Market in Wellington (2635 S. State Road 7) on Thursday, July 30 at 6:30 p.m. Paul will create a magical three-course dinner that will
push one’s taste buds to the limit. Guests will enjoy food from all over the world paired with fine wines. The cost to attend is $35 per person. Pre-registration is required. To RSVP, call (561) 904-4000 or e-mail lauren. belinsky@wholefoods.com.
PBCC’s Afternoon College
With another double-digit enrollment increase expected this fall, Palm Beach Community College is boosting the number of afternoon courses and encouraging students to consider the 12:30 to 5 p.m. time slots to avoid a parking crunch and improve their chances of getting the core classes they need.
As of July 6, applications to PBCC for the fall term were up 15 percent over last year, leading college officials to brace for another surge in enrollment even while battling budget cuts. Last fall, PBCC saw an enrollment increase of 10.6 percent.
“We anticipate a huge increase in enrollment, so we’re doing everything we can to help our students get the classes they need and to be more efficient with our classroom space,” said Dr. Maria Vallejo, provost of PBCC’s Lake Worth campus. “We want to make every seat available that we can.”
An analysis of sections and classroom usage on all cam-
puses revealed that the largest gap was between 12:30 and 5 p.m. This also is the timeframe with the least parking congestion on campus, Vallejo said. College leaders therefore decided to launch the “Afternoon College” initiative.
“It just makes sense to add new sections and shift a few of the morning and evening sections to the afternoon,” Vallejo said. “We’re an opendoor college, so we cannot close our doors. This is a viable option for addressing the enrollment increases that we’re experiencing.”
Dr. Roger Ramsammy, dean of academic affairs in Lake Worth, said to make Afternoon College more attractive to students, college leaders have worked diligently to package core courses so that students do not have to spend all day on campus to complete their course requirements. For example, a student can take biology from 2 to 3:15 p.m. and the biology lab from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
“In the past, the focus wasn’t on creating packages,” he said. “That’s a major difference.”
PBCC has created a special web site to promote Afternoon College, which includes more than 800 class sections.
For more information about the courses offered during Afternoon College, visit the program’s web page at www.pbcc.edu/afternoon college.xml.
Red Cross Now Offering ‘Condo Kits’
The Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter of the American Red Cross has designed its “Condo Kit” to meet the emergency supply needs of up to four people during sudden and unpredictable disasters. With the 2009 Atlantic hurricane season in full swing, the organization urges members of the community to prepare now for the high probability of a severe storm impacting the surrounding area by first getting a kit. The preassembled and compact Condo Kit meets a family’s immediate emergency supply needs with: a weather radio, a flashlight with batteries, water pouches, emergency blankets, N-95 grade dust masks, a water-safe storage container, a first-aid kit, rain ponchos, sanitation bags, tissue rolls and a whistle; all within an emergency toilet. Simplifying the task of gathering preparedness materials was important to the local Red Cross chapter. “Far too often, members of the community flood local grocery, convenience and hardware stores in the final hours leading up to a storm only to find empty shelves,” Red Cross CEO Larry Casey said. “The Condo Kit is a convenient solution for populations of people who may otherwise be reluctant to become pre-
pared, and those who simply don’t have time to gather necessary materials.”
The supplies contained in the kit meet the sudden and unpredictable demands of an emergency like a hurricane.
The all-new Condo Kit is the brainchild of Tony Cortese, marketing and communications director for the Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter. He identified an opportunity so that the organization can most efficiently carry out its mission to help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies while generating much needed revenue for the Red Cross.
The kit, which is available for $70, is an investment in safety, comfort and the community. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates half of the American population lives within 50 miles of the coast, and although the kit is first being marketed regionally, the local Red Cross anticipates national feedback. Cortese was successful in launching a similar product while working with another Red Cross chapter. The American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, which serves Glades, Hendry, Okeechobee and Palm Beach counties, provides relief to victims of disasters at home and abroad, teaches lifesaving skills, and supports military members and their families. The kits are available to purchase online at www.red cross-pbc.org or by calling (561) 833-7711. An American Red Cross Condo
Wellington Garden Club Dedicates Habitat For Humanity Home
On the morning of Wednesday, July 15, members of the Wellington Garden Club participated in the dedication of a Habitat for Humanity home in Greenacres. In June, members of the club designed and planted a landscape incorporating many native plants under the direction of co-chairs Lisa Ferrano and Linda DeSanti. The recipient, Lucy Hernandez, and her twin sevenyear-old boys were delighted with their new yard. They had waited six years for this wonderful opportunity, living with the boys’ grandmother. Wellington Garden Club members, assisted by the Be-
Democrat Enters State Senate Race
Fort Myers resident Pete Burkert announced his candidacy this week for the District 27 seat in the Florida Senate.
“It is with great pleasure that I am formally announcing my candidacy for the Florida State Senate, District 27,” Burkert said. “Florida is at a turning point... Our once robust economy is faltering, our education system is slipping backward, and our way of life in the Sunshine State is seriously threatened. And through it all, the working families of this state have fewer and fewer voices speaking up for them.”
Burkert, a Democrat, vowed to bring a new and strong voice for average Floridians and working families who have suffered the most in the recent economic downturn. “My career has focused on helping families — working families — stand up to those who take advantage of
their misfortunes,” he said. “As a State Senator, I hope to bring this experience to our state capital to once again give a voice to those who make up the backbone of our state.”
District 27 incumbent State Sen. Dave Aronberg (DGreenacres) is resigning to run for Florida attorney general. He was re-elected in 2008 with 59 percent of the vote. The district includes more than 300,000 voters, spanning from Fort Myers on the west coast to Palm Beach County on the east coast and takes in large rural areas in between. It includes parts of Wellington and Loxahatchee. For more about Burkert, visit www.voteforpete.com.
IPC, WEP Announce Partnership
The International Polo Club Palm Beach and Wellington Equestrian Partners announced this week that they will work in partnership to promote, develop and en-
nevolent & Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 1352 in West Palm Beach, St. David’s-in-the-Pines Episcopal Church Outreach Ministry in Wellington and members of Curves in Greenacres were able to gather used furniture, linens, kitchen utensils, dishes and gift certificates to help the family make the house a
home. Wellington Garden Club member and Going Green Chair Carol Richardson coordinated the donations.
Wellington Garden Club members also provided refreshments for the Hernandez family and friends. A tree dedication was part of the ceremony.
hance Wellington as a worldclass equestrian destination.
IPC founder John Goodman has also become an investor in the WEP partnership, joining its operating committee, which is reserved for its largest investors. The committee guides WEP’s $230 million Wellington investment. It currently includes Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, Roger and Jennifer Smith, Dennis and Marsha Dammerman, Craig and Frances Lindner, Robert and Lisa Lourie, Stuart and Susan Goldstein, Bruce Duchossois, and Howard and Gwen Dvorkin.
“John and our partnership have always shared a common vision; however, we have not coordinated our efforts,” said Mark Bellissimo of Wellington Equestrian Partners and Equestrian Sport Productions, operator of Wellington’s horse shows. “We are excited to be finally working collaboratively toward a common goal of making Wellington the premier equestrian lifestyle destination in the world. It is a very
exciting time for this community and our respective sports.”
Goodman concurred. “I believe a partnership between IPC and WEP has been a long time coming,” he said.
“While Wellington is one of the greatest equestrian environments in the world, our joint efforts will raise Wellington to a new level.”
Wellington has created a unique 8,000-acre equestrian preserve that is home to thousands of horses and hundreds of horse farms. The community has become the defacto winter home for worldwide equestrian sport. IPC, WEP and its affiliates own or control close to 1,000 acres within the preserve. Despite a challenging world economy, both organizations had successful years due to a passionate and committed customer base of horse enthusiasts and sponsors.
WEP owns and operates the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, home of the Winter Equestrian Festival, the largest and longest running horse show in the
world. In addition, the company operates the Palm Beach Steeplechase, a new Thanksgiving weekend tradition in Wellington. IPC has also integrated polo events into its affiliated property, the Wanderers Club at Wellington, a private golf course that reopened in 2008 after a major renovation. For more info., visit www. internationalpoloclub.com or www.equestriansport.com.
VBS At Palms West Presbyterian
Children, family and friends are invited to the Vacation Bible School “Bible Game Show Challenge” Monday, Aug 3 through Friday, Aug. 7 at Palms West Presbyterian Church in Loxahatchee Groves. Games/lessons will include: “Bible Jeopardy,” “Who Wants to be a Bible Millionaire?,” “God’s Cash Cab,” “Are You Smarter Than a VBS Teacher?,” “God’s Wheel of Fortune” and the VBS Sunday show-
case on Sunday, Aug 9. The event promises to be plenty of fun, including crafts, snacks, music and a different game show each night. The church’s VBS mission project this year is to collect coins for the CROS Ministries’ food pantry. The VBS classes will have a contest to see which one can fill with coins the gallon jug that each class has been given. All money donated will be given to CROS Ministries to help stock its food pantry. With times as tough as they are, the pantry is in great need of more food. Besides the children bringing coins for their class collection, canned goods and non-perishable items can also be donated. Palms West Presbyterian Church is located at 13689 Okeechobee Blvd. (one and a half miles west of Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). For more information or to register, call Candi McCleod at (561) 7951854 or e-mail rgm427bb@ aol.com. Classes are for preK through eighth grade, and registration is $10 per child or $20 maximum per family.
(L-R) Lori Renn, Jayne Kiesewetter, Linda DeSanti, Stormi Bivin, Doreen Baxter, Lucy Hernandez, Diane Rice, Barbara Hadsell, Twig Morris and Carol Richardson.
Syble Boozer, Linda DeSanti, Kay Jackson and Barbara Hadsell with a jatropha tree.
Stormi Bivin, Lori Renn, Adrian Nielsen and Adrienne Lavigne with a red maple tree honoring the memory of Renn’s father, Master Sergeant Lawrence W. Smith.
‘WINTER IN JULY’ BRINGS SNOW-FILLED FUN TO THE PALM BEACH ZOO
The weather forecast called for snow last Saturday and Sunday at the Palm Beach Zoo in West Palm Beach. Kids of all ages had the opportunity to play in 40 tons of snow during the zoo’s annual “Winter in July” event. In addition to all the animals, there were special exhibits that included Ice Age fossils, shark teeth and beads (which kids used to make necklaces), and the Snow Queen was on hand for photographs. The Jupiter-Tequesta Dog Club hosted “Tropical Wave
ALL-BREED DOG SHOW RETURNS TO THE AMERICRAFT EXPO CENTER
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Kids of all ages play in the snow.
Royal Palm City Ice replenishes the snow for the kids.
Lars and Liz Guzzanti and Sophie Bross wear shark-tooth necklaces they made.
Liat and Shachar Sanders use socks as mittens.Kieran Miller, Meghan Reichard and Aurora Ross.
Blake Wexler slides through the snow.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
L’Dyne Brennan of Brighton Kennels in Wellington with American Standard Poodle Brighton Enchanted.
Faragold Aero Daze of Wellington is groomed by Deborah Farris before being judged.
Judge Denny Mounce and breeder/owner/handler Michael Lamb with miniature poodle Kryara Gossip Girl, Saturday’s Best of Breed winner.
HEALTHY LIVING
What You Need To Know About Strokes Donald Dufresne Named To South Florida Fair Board
Attorney Donald Duf-
resne, a partner at Greenspoon Marder, P.A., has been elected to serve on the South Florida Fair Board of Directors.
“I’ve been going to the fair since I was a kid, back when I thought it was all about funnel cakes and carnival rides,” Dufresne said. “The reality is that the fair is a significant contributor to the Palm Beach County economy, drawing tourists, creating jobs and promoting agriculture.”
An accomplished equestrian and equestrian law practitioner, Dufresne is proud that the South Florida Fair not only acknowledges agriculture as a large part of Palm Beach County’s economy, but that the fair also helps to educate locals and tourists alike.
“The South Florida Fair leadership does a great job, and I’m excited to be part of the continued success and growth of the fair,” Dufresne said.
Dufresne has worked with the fairgrounds previously. He has served on the Board of Trustees for the Bink Glisson Museum at Yesteryear Village and he is the immediate past president of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, which hosts the
Kids Fitness Festival at the fairgrounds.
A graduate of Florida Atlantic University and the University of Miami School of Law, Dufresne has been practicing law for more than 20 years. Major areas of his practice include residential and commercial real estate, business law, real estate law, planning and zoning, and equine law. Dufresne is active in many civic, charitable and political organizations. He is chairman of WESTPAC, a former member of the Palm Beach County Planning & Zoning Commission and chairman of the Wellington Equestrian Preserve Committee, among others. For more information about Greenspoon Marder, visit www.gmlaw.com.
Networking Event At Players Club
The Puerto Rican/Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Palm Beach County will host its monthly chamber business and educational networking event on Thursday, July 23 at the Players Club bar and restaurant in Wellington.
The special guest speaker will be Gary Hines, senior vice president of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. He will discuss the county’s present and
future economic development. The event starts at 6 p.m. The cost is $5 for members and $10 for non-members, which includes one complimentary drink and hors d’oeuvres. The Players Club is located at 13410 South Shore Blvd. For more information, call the chamber at (561) 8896527 or visit its web site at www.prhchamber.com.
By Dr. Maurice Hanson Special to the Town-Crier Stroke is the third leading cause of death following heart disease and cancer. Every year, more than 795,000 Americans suffer a new or recurrent stroke episode — that means that a stroke occurs every 40 seconds. Americans will pay close to $70 billion in stroke-related medical costs in this year alone.
• What is a stroke? — A stroke or “brain attack” is damage to the brain when blood supply to part of the brain is reduced or completely stopped. Brain cells deprived of blood die and can no longer function because they stop getting oxygen and nutrients they need to function.
• Symptoms of a stroke Symptoms include sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or legs; sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding; sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes; trouble walking, dizziness,
loss of balance or coordination; and/or sudden, severe headaches with no known cause.
• What you can do to prevent a stroke — A healthier lifestyle plays a big part in decreasing the chance of disability and death from stroke: stop smoking (or don’t start), exercise regularly, control high blood pressure, maintain ideal body weight, limit alcohol intake, control cholesterol, improve eating habits, take medication as directed, control diabetes and have regular checkups.
• What stroke treatments are available at the Cleveland Clinic? — Physical and neurological exams are performed immediately to determine brain damage and the cause of stroke. The physician may also have a CT scan of the head to further investigate the type of stroke. If a blood clot is the cause of stroke, as it most often is, a clot-busting med-
ication called tissue plasminogen activator can be used for treatment, but must be administered within four and a half hours of the onset of symptoms. This treatment is the only FDA-approved medication for the treatment of stroke within three hours of stroke symptom onset. If you or someone with you has one or more of the above symptoms of stroke, don’t delay, call 911 immediately. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Maurice Hanson at the Cleveland Clinic Florida Health & Wellness Center, call (866) 401-6948, or visit the clinic’s web site at www. clevelandclinicflorida.org for more information.
Patients at the health and wellness center have access to everything from preventive care to advanced diagnostics and treatments. The Cleveland Clinic Florida Health & Wellness Center is located at CityPlace Tower. The new facility has approx-
imately 20 physicians on staff, including those rotating from its Weston campus. It offers more than 15 medical specialists including a variety of imaging and diagnostic services like CT scanning, digital mammography, MRI, ECHO, EKG and a full-service laboratory.
Fact Versus Myth: What All Women Need To Know About Heart Disease
By Martha Morales Special
to the Town-Crier
Palms West Hospital would like to stress the importance of keeping your heart healthy as well as knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
“Heart disease” is a general term which includes all diseases of the heart and vessels, such as coronary heart disease, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Most often it refers to ischemic heart disease, where there is a problem with blood supply to the coronary arteries, the vessels that provide oxygen to the heart.
Heart disease can bring on symptoms of chest pain, upper-body discomfort or shortness of breath. The symptoms can come on suddenly or they can be very vague and mild. Sometimes, it has no symp-
toms at all. If you experience these symptoms, promptly seek medical assistance. Most people wait longer than they should.
To prevent heart disease, there is a lot you can do.
Let’s review some facts and myths about women and heart disease. You may be surprised:
Fact or Myth: Because I am a woman, I do not have to worry as much as a man that I will develop heart disease. Myth Heart disease is the single leading cause of death for American women. It is more of a threat than cancer. Almost twice as many women in the United States die of cardiovascular diseases than from all cancers combined. One in three adult women has some form of cardiovascular disease. Ladies, you are at risk.
Fact or Myth: I don’t
smoke, and I watch what I eat, so I am not at not at risk of developing heart disease. Myth. Those are only two of the factors that you can control. Other controllable risk factors include weight, cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical activity and diabetes. All these factors can increase your risk of heart disease. There are also risk factors that you cannot control, such as increasing age, family history and previous heart attack. Don’t become stressed about the factors you cannot control. Focus on the risk factors that you can control. Reduce the risk by maintaining a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Fact or Myth: I don’t have time to do everything needed to reduce my risk factors; my family needs me all the time. Myth Small gradual changes can make a big impact. Get a yearly phys-
ical. Choose your birth month as the date for your yearly physical so you will remember every year to make the appointment. It is a gift to yourself. Start incorporating exercise in your daily routine after you have been cleared by your physician. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Park a little further away from the store when doing your shopping. Monitor your portion sizes. Switch to a hearthealthy spread instead of butter. Bake instead of frying. Eat more vegetables. Drink water instead of soda. Choose whole grain instead of white bread. Eat less red meat. Little changes go a long way. Include the whole family in the changes. Be a role model for your children. It is never too early or too late to start a heart-healthy lifestyle. For more information, visit www.americanheart.org.
Donald Dufresne
Dr. Maurice Hanson
ROTARIANS VOLUNTEER AT UNITY FOR KIDS
Members of the Wellington and Royal Palm Beach Rotary clubs volunteered last Saturday at Unity for Kids School in Lake Worth. Rotarians helped paint the walls of the new campus, located at 1325 North A Street. Unity for Kids offers a unique inclusive educational program for all students in grades pre-K through the 12th grade with and without special needs. For more information, call Executive Director Sharon Green at (561) 358-5928 or visit www.unityforkids.org.
WHS thinkPINKkids Donates $7,000 To Scripps Florida
The thinkPINKkids Club at Wellington High School recently presented $7,000 to support breast cancer research at Scripps Florida. The club raised the money at a 5K Walk to Win the Battle Against Breast Cancer held May 8.
“It is truly wonderful to have the thinkPINKkids supporting our research here at Scripps,” said Dr. John Cleveland, professor and chairman of the Department of Cancer Biology, who received the donation at the Scripps Florida campus. “I find it very inspiring that they understand the power of giving at such a young age and realize how effective they can be in helping change the lives of others.”
After a personal tour of the laboratories where their donation will directly benefit breast cancer research, the thinkPINKkids representatives posed for a photo with Cleveland.
“With their concern for health issues and their dedication to building a greater community, our future is in very good hands,” Cleveland said. “We look forward to participating in next year’s Walk to Win.”
Earlier this year, several students at Wellington High School took the initiative to start a local club of the na-
tional charity. Looking forward, thinkPINKkids of Wellington hopes to involve the village’s elementary, middle and high school students in its future fundraising efforts.
The Scripps Research Institute is one of the world’s largest independent, nonprofit biomedical research organizations, at the forefront of basic biomedical science that seeks to comprehend the most fundamental processes of life. Scripps is internationally recognized for its discoveries in immunology, molecular and cellular biology, chemistry, neurosciences, autoimmune, cardiovascular, and infectious diseases, and synthetic vaccine development. Established in its current configuration in 1961, it employs approximately 3,000 scientists, postdoctoral fellows, scientific and other technicians, doctoral degree graduate students, and administrative and technical support personnel.
Scripps is headquartered in La Jolla, Calif. Scripps Florida, the institute’s first campus outside of La Jolla, was founded in 2004 and is a state-of-the-art facility focusing on basic biomedical and energy research, drug discovery and science education. For more information, visit www.scripps.edu.
Research Donation — WHS thinkPINKkids Club members Benjamin Aqua, Eliza Schlein, Lindsay Rosenthal and Josh Hyber present a check to Dr. John Cleveland.
Sharon Green joins the volunteers for a group photo.
Deputy Patrick Desir, Liliane Grossman and Tony Armour.
Debbie Sanacore goes to work on one of the walls.
Matthew Green and Liliane Grossman.
Keith Jordano lends a hand.
Tony Armour, Lake Worth Commissioner Cara Jennings and Unity for Kids Executive Director Sharon Green.
Hoyos Finish Air Force Basic Training
earn four credits toward an associate’s degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force. Upthegrove earned distinction as an honor graduate. He is the son of Sheldon and Mary Upthegrove of Wellington. He graduated in 2004 from Wellington High School and received an associate’s degree in 2006 from Palm Beach Community College. Hoyos is the daughter of Martha Henao of Wellington.
com/blogs/happy-traveler.
Wellington Author Wins Media Award
Wellington writer, author and lecturer Roberta Sandler recently won an award in the Best Online Travel Blog category in the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) Atlantic Caribbean Chapter’s 2009 Travel Writing and Photography Contest. The 155 entries were judged by faculty members of the Journalism Department at the University of North Carolina.
Sandler, a frequent guest speaker on Florida travel and history, and author of A Brief Guide to Florida’s Monuments and Memorials (University Press of Florida), writes a monthly travel blog for an online seniors magazine, available at www.eldr.
The SATW is the world’s largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers. It aims to promote responsible journalism and encourages the conservation and preservation of historic sites and natural wonders worldwide.
McLeod Graduates Army Training
Army Pvt. Tyrone McLeod has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, McLeod studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare
Peter Cooke Named To Oasis Board
Oasis Compassion Agency in Greenacres recently announced the addition of Peter Cooke to its board of directors.
Cooke, who lives in Wellington, has been a resident of Palm Beach County since 1974. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and journalism from Indiana University and a law degree from Nova University where he graduated with honors in 1992. Cooke is a shareholder in the firm Adams, Coogler, Watson, Merkel, Barry
& Kellner where he specializes in professional liability and personal injury matters. Peter and his wife Patty have been married since 1981 and have three children: Erik, Allison and Patrick. Cooke has served as a board member of Palms West Hospital, the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington and the ARC.
Oasis, now in its seventh year of operation, helps its central Palm Beach County clients stabilize and improve their economic circumstances with a three-pronged ap-
proach in which roadblocks to success are identified, a plan is created to overcome those obstacles, and that plan is implemented.
Oasis assists its clients with food and clothing while requiring clients to attend job counseling as well as classes in personal finance and nutrition, among others. The agency’s office is located at 4888 10th Avenue North in Greenacres. For more information, call (561) 967-4066 or visit www.oasis compassion.org.
and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, the military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field-training exercises.
McLeod is the nephew of Pearl Dunkley of Royal Palm Beach.
Tansini Named All-American Scholar
The United States Achievement Academy recently announced that Palm Beach Central High School student Andrew Tansini has been named an All-American Scholar.
The USAA established the All-American Scholar Award Program to offer deserved
recognition to superior students who excel in the academic disciplines. To be named an All-American Scholar a student must earn a 3.3 or higher grade point average.
Tansini will appear in the All-American Scholar Yearbook, which is published nationally.
“Recognizing and supporting our youth is more important than ever before in America’s history,” United States Achievement Academy founder Dr. George Stevens said. “Certainly, students recognized as All-American Scholars should be congratulated and appreciated for their dedication to excellence and achievement.”
The Academy selects AllAmerican Scholars upon the exclusive recommendation of teachers, coaches, counselors and other qualified
sponsors. Tansini was nominated for this honor by Thomas Atkins. Tansini is the son of Jennifer and Pedro Tansini of Loxahatchee, and the grandson of Amelia and Ernesto Tansini of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Luisa and Oscar Jones, also of Buenos Aires.
Reyes Completes
Navy Training
Navy Seaman Apprentice Mariana Reyes recently completed U.S. Navy basic training at Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Ill.
During the eight-week program, Reyes completed a variety of training, which included classroom study and practical instruction on naval customs, first aid,
Paddy Mac’s Irish Pub recently hosted the 11th Annual Shamrock Classic Golf Tournament to benefit the Quantum House at PGA National’s Estates Golf Course. Paddy Mac’s owner Ken Wade, accompanied by his family and staff, presented the Quan-
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, dedication, 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 was designed to take into account what it means to be a sailor. Reyes is a 2008 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School. She is the daughter of Martha Young and stepdaughter of Robert Young of Royal Palm Beach.
Luisa Hoyos
Joseph Upthegrove
Upthegrove,
Peter Cooke
COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR
Saturday, July 18
• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will hold a stroll in Okeeheelee Park on Saturday, July 18. Join a lively group for fun and adventure in the park. Meet at the west entrance parking lot at 7:30 a.m. Call Paul at (561) 9639906 for more info.
• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7 in Wellington) will hold “The Ultimate Brownie Class” on Saturday, July 18 at 11 a.m.
Learn three ultimate brownie recipes, including a gluten-free recipe sure to fool the toughest critic. Team member and pastry chef Anthony Hardin will share his secrets. To pre-register, call (561) 904-4000.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Meet the Author: Nancy J. Cohen” Saturday, July 18 at 2 p.m. for adults. Chat, ask questions and get the scoop on her new book Killer Knots. A book signing will follow. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.
• The Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival is taking place July 18-19 and July 23-26 at the Seabreeze Amphitheatre (750 South A1A, Jupiter) with the Shakespeare by the Sea XIX production of William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The suggested donation is $5. For more info., call (561) 5757336 or visit www.pbshakes peare.org.
Sunday, July 19
• The Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub & Restaurant will host a Golf Tournament to benefit Max Clark and the Kids Cancer Foundation on Sunday, July 19 at Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington. The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. The cost is $120 per person to enter and $100 for a hole sponsorship. It includes beverages on the course and a buffet at the Gypsy’s Horse, located at in the original Wellington Mall (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 20-A). To register, call Paul Rowan at (954) 610-2627.
• John D. MacArthur Beach State Park will feature classic country music from Gene Cassady and old standards by Jack Jacobs on Sunday, July 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. The concert is free with park admission of $5 per carload. For more info., call (561) 624-6952.
then make your way to the coffee bar for breakfast. To pre-register, call (561) 9044000.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Anime Karaoke” on Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Sing along with your favorite anime songs. Snacks will be provided. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.
• The Acreage Landowners’ Association will meet on Tuesday, July 21 at 7 p.m. at the Indian Trail Improvement District office (13476 61st Street North). Representatives from Jon E. Schmidt & Associates Inc. will attend the meeting on behalf of Henry and Elizabeth Taylor to present final details of a proposed daycare facility on a 3.7-acre parcel on the south side of Northlake Blvd. just east of Hall Blvd. Additional topics will include the proposed expansion of Hamlin Equestrian Park, the status of a study into cancer rates in The Acreage, and details regarding a proposed temple on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. For more info., call ALA President Bob Renna at (561) 602-0676.
Wednesday, July 22
• Enjoy the beauty of Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) on Wednesdays, July 22 and Aug. 26 at 6 p.m. The narrated tour will be led by Garden Director Allen Sistrunk and will include the history and future vision of the garden, stories of folklore and ethnobotanical uses of South Florida plants. This will be a wonderful opportunity to experience evening fragrances of exotic flowers and the garden’s resident nocturnal creatures. RSVP by calling (561) 233-1757. Additional information can be found online at www. mounts.org.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “How to Start a Small Business in Florida” on Wednesday, July 22 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Ted Kramer of Palm Beach Community College’s Small Business Development Center will teach the best methods for starting a business in these new economic times. To preregister, call (561) 7906070.
Thursday, July 23
• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7 in Wellington) will feature its “Whole Art Series” for kids five and up on Sunday, July 19 at 2 p.m. What do you get when you mix the yolk of an egg with colorful ground-up chalk? The ancient art medium called egg tempera, which is what participants will make to create original works of art that they can take home. A $10 donation to Artstart is requested. Pre-register by calling (561) 904-4000. For more about Artstart, visit www.artstartinc.org.
Monday, July 20
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a visit from one of the Roger Dean Stadium Mascots on Monday, July 20 at 2 p.m. for ages four and up. In anticipation of “Library Night” at the stadium, Hamilton R. Head, mascot of the Jupiter Hammerheads, or Robbie the Redbird, mascot of the Palm Beach Cardinals, will visit to celebrate the Summer Reading Program. To preregister, call (561) 7906070.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature an “Introduction to Irish Dancing” class on Monday, July 20 at 6:30 p.m. for adults. Marie Marzi, a certified instructor from the Drake School of Irish Dance, will demonstrate beginner steps based on traditional dance forms that originated in Ireland. To preregister, call (561) 7906070.
Tuesday, July 21
• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7 in Wellington) will hold “Mom’s Morning Escape” on Tuesday, July 21 from 9 to 11 a.m. with Kids Yoga at 10 a.m. for ages four through nine years. Moms are invited to enjoy a free coffee or tea and muffin from the coffee bar and bakery while their kids have fun with yoga. Kids yoga will begin at 10 a.m. in the lifestyle center. Check in with customer service and pick up a Mom’s Morning Escape voucher,
• South Florida Kids Consignment, a four-day megaevent, will take place Thursday to Sunday, July 23 to 26 at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Five percent of the sale’s profits go to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. The first 200 people to register will be entered in a drawing for a $100 Toys ‘R’ Us gift card. For more info., visit www.southflorida kidsconsignment.com.
• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7 in Wellington) will present “GlutenFree Cooking” on Thursday, July 23 at 7 p.m. Chef Joe will be teaching how to make a gluten free dinner that is easy and tastes great. To pre-register, call (561) 904-4000.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Poetry Recital on Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 p.m. for ages four and up. Enjoy an evening of poetry as workshop participants recite poems they wrote themselves.
Friday, July 24
• Whole Foods Market in Wellington (2635 S. State Road 7) will host a Gourmet Macaroni & Cheese and Wine Tasting Benefit on Friday, July 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. Taste your way around Whole Foods Market and end in the café to enjoy some live entertainment with Electric Hearts and a silent auction. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office K9 unit will also be on hand. A $20 donation will be collected at the front entrance. All proceeds will go to Project Lifesaver of Palm Beach County. To RSVP, call (561) 904-4000 or e-mail Michelle Damone at appbc damone@aol.com.
• Rascal Flatts with Darius Rucker will perform at the Cruzan Amphitheatre (601-7 Sansbury’s Way) on Friday, July 24 at 8 p.m. Call (561) 795-8883 or visit www.livenation.com for more info.
Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@gotowncrier.com.
WHS Volleyball Players Compete In Atlanta Tournament
The Muzino Volleyball Academy’s 16-and-under boys volleyball club team traveled to Atlanta over the Fourth of July weekend to compete in the USA Junior Olympic National Tournament. There were 52 teams entered in the under 16 division, representing all regions of the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.
The Muzino team survived three grueling elimination rounds, finished third overall, and was awarded the bronze medal. The team consisted of players from three local high schools, Wellington (four players), Park Vista (three
players) and Spanish River (one player).
Wellington High School players included Ben Silverman, Rex Kirby, Johnny Harvill and Scott Witkowski. Park Vista’s players were Ryan Osborn, Zachary Zarranz and Ryan Chan. The Spanish River player was Cody Cox. Kirby and Witkowski were chosen for the all-tournament team. The team was coached by Eric and Maureen Witkowski. Eric Witkowski was a Palm Beach Post first team all-area player during his sophomore, junior and senior years at Wellington High School.
Wellington Warriors 9-U State Champs
Bailey Weeks, Jonathan Fortunato, Brandon Weiss and Chase Kyzar;
row) coaches Andrew Garbarini, Everett Seymour, Barry Cohen and Christian Hernandez.
The 9-U Wellington Warriors Gold baseball team won Triple Crown’s Florida State Championship with an impressive 16-1 victory over Miami’s MPI Drillers. The championship earned the Warriors a berth in the Fall Nationals to be held in St. Augustine in October.
During the tourney, the number-one seeded Warriors Gold outscored their opponents 71-13 in going an undefeated 5-0. The team only trailed in three innings and posted a scalding team onbase percent of .678. Everyone contributed with topnotch pitching from Krishna “Laces” Raj, Bailey “Bulldog” Weeks, Chris “Joba” Seymour and Jonathan “Bambino” Fortunato. The excellent hitting was led by Myles “Scooter” Cohen,
Benefit Golf Tourney This
Golfers will “tee off against cancer” on Sunday, July 19 as they team up to help a local cancer victim and other cancer kids at a charity golf tournament in Wellington.
The event will take place at the Binks Forest Golf Club. Prizes will be awarded for best drive, best score, closest-to-the-pin and other achievements. A $100,000
Letters continued from page 4 ished that the current bond financing system was allowed to continue for 16 years.”
• Land Transactions
The grand jury found that a glaring deficiency in how land deals are handled by Palm Beach County is the overvaluation of property for purchase and undervaluation of property for sale or trade; in other words, buy high and sell low. Case in point is Mecca Farms, 2,000 acres, appraised value 20 to 30 million dollars. The county commission paid more than three times its appraised value. The grand jury found “little in terms of an over-arching set of practices which encourage transparency and accountability” and further, “currently, no effective (i.e. timely) public disclosure of appraisals in land deal exists,” and “land disposition conflicts of interest currently are not typically disclosed until closing.”
hole-in-one award will come to the duffer who can put the ball in the cup with one drive. Proceeds from the event will benefit six-year-old Max Clark of Wellington and the Kids Cancer Foundation. Clark was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in November 2007, and his cancer came back in January of this year. Because his disease is
• Commissioners Discretionary Funds — In 1994, county commissioners created the Recreation Assistance Program, which allocated $200,000 in funds to each commissioner on an annual basis with the unused portion rolled over each year. The grand jury found “that by giving each commissioner millions of dollars to distribute essentially as he/she pleased, the process eliminated oversight and, at a minimum, politicized the manner of funding.” The grand jury recommends the use of discretionary funds be formally terminated and freeze all remaining discretionary funds.
• Ethics Laws — The grand jury found that there is a serious disconnect throughout the State of Florida regarding ethics and governance. The grand jury believes Palm Beach County should adopt an ethics ordinance similar to the MiamiDade Conflict of Interest and Code of Ethics Ordinance.
Joshua “Lightning” Hernandez, Andrew “Junior” Garbarini and Dylan Tosto with the strong fielding support coming from Brandon “B” Weiss, David “Little D” Rodriguez Jr. and Chase Kyzar. Before the prestigious tournament title, the Warriors Gold team was ranked fourth, sixth and seventh in the state by the three different rating polls. Among their 35 victories in the spring season, there were seven wins playing up against 10-U competition. They entered four tournaments, winning two and placing second in the USSSA Super Elite. This came on the heels of their 23-6 fall season that included a tournament victory and an undefeated record in the highly competitive Florida Premier National League.
Sunday At Binks
so aggressive, doctors agreed that a stem-cell transplant was his best option for survival. Clark received a stemcell transplant on June 10 at Boston Children’s Hospital and is in recovery.
The entry fee for a single golfer is $120, and hole sponsorships are available for $100. The entry fee includes beverages on the course, raffle ticket and a buffet at the
• Anti-Corruption Criminal Law — The grand jury learned that many of the statutes utilized to combat corruption in federal court as was done with area city and county commissioners do not exist in Florida state law. The grand jury recommends that the Florida Legislature adopt the proposed anti-corruption statute “Theft or Deprivation of Honest Services” as introduced this spring in the legislature.
It’s obvious when you read the grand jury report that our county commissioners have not been able to police themselves, to believe going forward they will is naïve. Only with independent oversight will fair play and virtue find its way back into the offices of our county commissioners.
If you’re tired of Palm Beach County being known as Corruption County, tired of seeing your hard-earned money wasted, tired of spe-
Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub & Restaurant in the original Wellington Mall (12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 20A).
The tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 8 a.m.
To register, call Paul Rowan at (954) 610-2627. For additional information, visit www.kidscancersf.org or www.caringbridge.org/visit/ maxclark.
cial interests being served over yours, then let each and every commissioner know that you expect them to include all the grand jury’s suggested reforms to the 2010 ballot.
Peter ReJune Royal Palm Beach
Beware What Questionnaire Does Not Say
Three years ago, voters were asked to “save” Loxahatchee Groves by paying extra for rural town government. Since agriculture is what differentiates rural from urban, I should see legal language to preserve and protect agricultural land use for everyone in the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, but it isn’t there. Before incorporation, everyone in Loxahatchee Groves had agricultural land use that increased property value to the eques-
Stephens Named MVP At Bucky Dent Baseball School
Seven-year-old Christian Talbott Stephens received the Bucky Dent Baseball School’s Most Valuable Player Award for his team last week.
Christian lives with his parents Brian and Lori Stephens in Royal Palm Beach. He worked hard, had a great attitude and played very well. Christian’s favorite position is second base, and he plays for the Royal Palm Beach Buckeyes. His favorite Major League Baseball player is Pete Rose, and his favorite Major League Baseball team is the Cincinnati Reds. This is Christian’s first year attending the Bucky Dent Baseball School. The Bucky Dent Baseball School has been in business for 35 years. The school is open 26 weeks out of the year and hosts kids from the ages of five to 18. It is based in Delray Beach with satellite camps in St. Louis, Mo. and Hobe Sound. For more information about the Bucky Dent Baseball School, call Larry Hoskin at (561) 265-0280, e-mail pr@ buckydentbaseball.com or visit www.buckydent baseballschool.com.
trian and small family farm real estate market. Southwest Ranches (the town’s model) and even The Acreage “save” agriculture on less than three acres, but Loxahatchee Groves city government does not permit agriculture on less than five acres anymore. And now a vote has even been taken to regulate “outdoor animal housing” in a zoning questionnaire, which uses only the two hot-button items of kennels and aviaries as examples, but also states “including but not limited to.”
This questionnaire can (if not carefully read) lead to votes for heavy regulation and removal of horses and other livestock from Loxahatchee Groves, since outdoor animal housing: pole barns, stables, sheds, pastures with shelter sheds, chicken coops, goat pens, etc. may be included but are not listed. What is the rural town’s legal definition of outdoor animal housing? Are pole barns
outdoor animal housing? Are goat pens with a small shelter from the rain? Are chicken coops? The votes of a few must not justify more elimination and regulation of agriculture in this rural town than before incorporation, or the town is not rural. There was no community consensus in this questionnaire vote, and the entire community has not been completely informed and surveyed on the impacts and ramifications of loss of agriculture, loss of property value and the costs and controls of heavy regulation. Will city government make rural agriculture issues so complex, controlled and expensive that pre-existing true country freedoms will gradually vanish and Loxahatchee Groves will be as “ruralesque” and “not true rural,” as one council member says?
Rita Miller Loxahatchee Groves
The Muzino Volleyball Academy’s 16-U team (above left) and the all-tournament team (above right).
9-U Champs — The Wellington Warriors gold team includes: (front row, L-R) Christopher Seymour, Myles Cohen, Joshua Hernandez, Dylan Tosto and Andrew Garbarini; (second row) Krishna Raj, David Rodriguez,
(back
Christian Stephens and Coach Jeffrey Phillips
Mustang Adoption At South Florida Fairgrounds July 24-25
Next weekend, on July 24 and 25, approximately 60 to 70 Mustangs will be available for adoption at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds. The selection will include yearlings and two- and threeyear-old Mustangs, both mares and stallions and possibly a few geldings. There may also be a handful of burros.
Mustangs are feral horses believed to be descended from herds brought to North America by the Spanish conquistadors. Thousands run loose on federal lands in western states and have no natural predators, so the Federal Bureau of Land Management administers the adoption program as a means of controlling their numbers.
The adoption fee is only $25, but don’t be taken in by the low cost: these are “wild” animals, many of which aren’t even halter-broken, let alone used to regular handling or riding.
Tales From The Trails
By Ellen Rosenberg
“There will be some exceptional horses from the western rangelands,” said Juan Palma, director of the BLM’s Eastern States Office. “Wild Mustangs are known for their strength, endurance, agility and intelligence — characteristics bred into them in the wild, which make them ideal for work or recreation.”
BLM spokesperson Shayne Banks said Mustangs can be trained to become successful in many different equestrian disciplines.
Budget ‘Investing In The Village’
continued from page 1 $18 into public safety per unit and another $31 into infrastructure maintenance,” he said. “One of the things you may have noticed is that there is significantly more roadway work going on in the village. What we are doing is we are reinvesting money that will pay off dividends in the future. That total investment is about $102 per unit.”
The village has retooled its “business model” in recent years, Schofield said, introducing a four-tiered rating system to rank various services according to necessity when making spending decisions.
Schofield warned the council that the village must continue to change, because by 2016 it is forecast to face
Football Council
Questions Location
continued from page 1 of the other sports they participate in within the village.”
Durr said Pop Warner reached out to RPBHS about a year ago about being a feeder program for its football and cheerleading programs and was well received.
Mayor David Lodwick said he supported the program but was concerned about the cost as opposed to the number of youth it would benefit.
Durr said that the program is growing rapidly and pointed out that there are currently no football fields in the village except at the high school. Before the league was established, Royal Palm Beach children interested in playing football had to leave the village to play, he said.
“There hasn’t been a child who has come through this
Retire
Avoiding Layoffs
continued from page 1 savings it would generate for the village, Ramaglia expressed mixed feelings, noting that it means the departure of many longtime village employees.
“It’s not like we wanted them to go,” she said. “We love our employees. It’s just a good time to take advantage of an opportunity we could offer.”
But Ramaglia said she is also pleased that the village was able to make necessary workforce reductions in an amicable way, and without having to resort to layoffs.
“And hopefully we will all get to say a great thank-you and goodbye at a retirement luncheon in the next couple weeks,” she said. The workforce reduction
a revenue shortfall of between $4 million and $14 million if providing services at current levels.
“As much as we’ve changed our service delivery model over the last several years, we must continue to change it in the future,” Schofield said. “No matter what we do, the cost of continuing to provide services will outstrip our ability to pay for them.”
But some council members advocated setting the preliminary property assessment rate at the rollback level of 2.807 mills. Mayor Darell Bowen said the higher rate would allow some flexibility as the council takes the budget through the upcoming series of reviews and public hearings.
“The 2.8 is nothing more than a top number we can go to, and our goal is to come in at 2.5, so I want to make sure everybody understands that 2.8 is not what we are proposing, staff nor the council,”
village because there’s no programs, there’s no fields,” Durr said. “There’s no ability or opportunity for them to do so. They actually had to go to The Acreage or Wellington to learn how to play as a youngster, and then they would show up at the high school, hopefully being trained well without really having a place to play.” Durr said the league has held off on recruiting more players until it can get a field of its own.
Councilman David Swift said he supported the plan for the field but agreed with Lodwick that the expense is large for the number of children it would benefit and questioned the location of a lighted field and heightened activity in a residential neighborhood.
Swift noted that where he works at the South Florida Water Management District building near Lake Lytal Park, he has to be careful to plan his coming and going around Pop Warner football games at the park. Swift said his initial under-
dovetails with the village’s annual budget drafting season, and this year Wellington is once again trying to make do with less.
While presenting the draft budget to the Wellington Village Council Tuesday, Ramaglia noted that the response to early retirement means the village will have 32 vacant staff positions without enacting any layoffs, and will need to fill perhaps 12 of those slots.
Village Manager Paul Schofield told the Town-Crier that while the impact of lower property tax revenue gets headlines, the village’s other revenue sources are also down — vacant and foreclosed homes, for instance, mean fewer paying customers to the village’s Utilities Department.
“Overall our income is down significantly, and the draft budget we presented to the council is about $20 mil-
“I’ve seen them doing dressage, hunter/ jumper, a lot of English riding in addition to the traditional western sports, which is what everyone assumes they’re mostly used for,” Banks said.
Mustang herds roam in ten western states, and the BLM regularly checks up on them, mostly ascertaining whether there’s enough forage to support each herd. Banks said there are currently about 33,000 feral horses living on public lands, but only enough grass to support 27,000. If a herd is in an area where it won’t be able to graze well enough to survive, the BLM uses helicopters to round it up. They’re then inspected and vaccinated, and the younger ones are moved to a holding facility while the others are released.
Adoptions are held 12 to 16 times each year.
The horses chosen for the West Palm Beach adoption will be shipped for eight to ten hours from Halls Valley, Okla., to Mississippi, where they’ll rest for a day or two before journeying on to Palm Beach County. They should arrive early on Friday, July 24.
The horses are separated by age and sex, and each horse has an identifying number tag around its neck. Posted sheets give information about each horse, including age, sex, color and the state of capture.
The public is welcome to stop by and see the horses, whether or not they plan to adopt. Inspection is on Friday from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., followed by adoptions until 5 p.m. that day and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s all first come, first served. Previous adopters will be on hand to answer questions, and trained Mustangs will be there for demonstrations. Applications can be completed at the adoption and approved on the spot. To qualify, adopters must be at least 18, with no record of animal abuse. In addition, adopters must
Bowen said. “However, we need to leave whatever wiggle room we can in there just to work with between now and the time we adopt the final budget.”
But Councilman Howard Coates said that going with the higher rate would raise the risk of redoing a lot of hard work that has already gone into drafting a tight budget.
“I am in favor of the 2.5 rate being set, but I don’t think I can go up to 2.807, because I think for all the work that’s been done, it will create an opening to undo some very, very tough decisions that have already been made,” he said.
Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore made a motion to adopt the series of preliminary tax and assessment rates, with the ad valorem assessment at 2.807. The motion passed 3-2 with Coates and Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto opposed.
standing had been that the Ewing Park field would be temporary until they could find a more permanent location.
“I see lighting in a residential area,” he said. “I would like to see you in a place where you would be the next 10 to 20 years, like Camellia Park. I would like staff to take another crack at that.”
Liggins said the lighting planned is designed not to be intrusive on the surrounding community.
Lodwick said he is also concerned that eventually the league would need additional fields. “I support the field being there at Ewing Park,” he said. “I think we can solve the lighting issues. My concern is growth. Do we have a future plan?”
By consensus the council supported including the field in next year’s budget, but asked village staff to compare the Ewing Park location to other possible locations, such as Camellia Park, and report back with their findings.
lion less than last year,” he said. “The two most significant expenses that we have are capital projects and personnel.”
Schofield said the advantage of the early retirement offer became clearer in the past month as the village finetuned the details of the coming year’s budget. “At the time we made the offer, we didn’t think our workforce reduction was going to be as much as it is going to end up being to hit our budget mark,” he said.
Schofield said the village would proceed cautiously when it comes to filling vacant staff positions, focusing on key roles and possibly cross-training current employees for others. “If there’s a position where state licensure or a specific skill set is required, we will probably proceed more quickly than a position that doesn’t have, and is relatively easy to cross-
have suitable facilities and can adopt no more than four animals. All animals must be loaded in covered stock-type trailers with sturdy walls and floors — no drop-ramp trailers. The process is called an adoption because the BLM retains title to the animal for one year. During the year, a BLM representative or designee will visit each adopter to ensure the animal is being cared for and has a good home. During this time, adopters cannot sell their adopted animal. After the first year, adopters may apply for title. The BLM will pass title of the animal if all the stipulations of the adoption agreement have been met. The animal becomes the private property of the adopter only after the BLM transfers title, which completes the adoption process. Since 1973, the BLM has placed more than 219,000 horses in approved homes across the country.
Mustangs are reputed to be extremely easy keepers. They’re hardy, rarely get sick, and have strong hooves. However, Banks cautions people not to be tempted by the low adoption fee. Owning a horse is a commitment of time and money. There are still feed bills, vet bills, trainer bills and farrier bills to be paid.
“They start out wild, but they’re very trainable,” Banks said. “They’re definitely different from other horses. They carry themselves differently. They’re very, very smart and always aware of what’s going on around them. They also form a uniquely strong bond with their people and become more like a family member than just a pet. Also, you have to realize they work on their own timetable, not yours, especially when it comes to training. But once you form that bond, there’s absolutely nothing these horses won’t do for you.” For more information, call Shayne Banks at (888) 274-2133, or visit www.wildhorse andburro.blm.gov.
CFA Seeks Public Input About PBSO
Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw recently announced that a team of assessors from the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation will arrive on Tuesday, Aug. 4 to examine all aspects of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s policies and procedures, management, operations and support. The PBSO has to comply with approximately 260 standards in order to receive its third reaccredited status.
The accreditation program manager for the PBSO is Capt. Alan Fuhrman. He said the assessment team is com-
Temple Design Plans Are Underway
continued from page 2 $710,000. Bidders were required to include conceptual site plans and other details on their planned use of the land with their bids. The temple’s bid paperwork describes plans for a 12,000square-foot synagogue complex with seating for 250 and an estimated cost of
Blotter
continued from page 6 vehicle burglary in Wellington last weekend. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded after the owner of a gray 2007 Honda Ridgeline reported that his vehicle had been broken into sometime between 11 p.m. last Saturday and 12 p.m. the following day. A gray Garmin Nuvi GPS system worth $200 was missing from the truck. The victim said it is possible he left his vehicle unlocked.
JULY 12 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded following a report of a stolen wallet at the Royal Palm
train for,” he said.
Both Ramaglia and Schofield noted that the ability to avoid layoffs and that the current excess of vacancies will bolster the morale of remaining employees, who might be nervous about their job security in the current economy.
“As we look for ways to consolidate our workforce, early retirement is a much kinder, gentler option,” Schofield said. “Every time we downsize the workforce you have to be careful — to the maximum extent we can, we have to assure people that we are looking out for their jobs, that we are mindful of the impact the decisions we make will have on their families, and I don’t want wholesale panic among our employees. Every year we have downsized our workforce, we have been able to do it carefully and with planning, and we have not had to resort to layoffs.”
posed of law enforcement practioners from similar agencies. The assessors will review written materials, interview individuals and visit offices and other places where compliance can be witnessed.
The PBSO was initially accredited by the CFA in 2000, and received reaccredited status in 2003 and 2006. Once the commission’s assessors complete their review of the agency, they report back to the full commission, which will then decide if the agency is to receive reaccredited status. The PBSO’s accreditation is for three years.
$1.2 million. Scher said the congregation hopes to break ground on the new temple within 12 months, but has only begun discussions among congregants, with the village and with architects on the design of the facility.
“Obviously we want to have a main sanctuary, space for social functions, we also will be setting aside space for our religious school,” he said.
Scher noted that the congregation had looked at several properties in Welling-
Verification by the team that the PBSO meets the commission’s standards is part of a voluntary process to gain or maintain accreditation — a highly prized recognition of law enforcement professional excellence. Members of the public can offer written comments about the PBSO’s ability to meet the standards of accreditation by writing to the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, 3504 Lake Lynda Drive, Suite 380, Orlando, FL 32817. Copies of the standards are available online at www.flaccreditation.org.
ton, and the Lake Worth Road parcel was by far the most appealing for many reasons, including its size, price, zoning and of course, location. Many members live in the surrounding area, he said. “A number of our congregants do live in the Isles and also in the Shores, and also in the Grand Isles, which is nice,” Scher said, “and that’s one reason why we liked that location so well, because we did have a number of congregants there.”
Beach Ale House last Sunday. According to a PBSO report, a woman was having dinner at the Ale House when she went outside, later discovering that her Coach wallet was missing. Once back inside, the victim saw a man at her table. After attempting to confront the man, he left, and she was still unable to find her wallet. Some of the woman’s friends overheard the man say that he was going to a nearby Steak ’n Shake restaurant, so they followed him, then called the victim and told her where he was. Another deputy was dispatched to the Steak ’n Shake to talk to the man, who was identified as 21-year-old Kevin Dean Whitmore of Royal Palm Beach. Whitmore confessed to stealing the wallet. He was arrested for theft and taken to the county jail.
ITID Buddhist Temple
continued from page 7 building as a meeting place for years.
“For five years,” Choban said.
“That’s my point,” Damone said. “There’s a residential home there, and you want to take it so that you can officially improve the property so that it does not infringe on the other residents around it.”
Erickson asked Schoech about the legality of holding religious meetings in a home.
“It depends on the type of meetings they are holding,” Schoech said. “I would not characterize it as illegal. Depending on the nature of the meetings, you can have meetings in a single-family home.”
JULY 13 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a home on Rolling Meadows Circle regarding a grand theft. According to a PBSO report, someone stole the pool chlorinator, a Hayward electronic chlorine generator worth $3,000, sometime between 10 p.m. last Sunday and 10 a.m. Monday morning. The power supply had been cut, enabling the suspect to take the pump. According to the report, this was the second time in less than a month that the victim’s pool chlorinator had been reported stolen. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.
Erickson said his concern was not necessarily with the Buddhist congregation, but other homes being used as places of worship, such as one on Orange Blvd. that has a sign for a church. “They have a sign out front, and there’s quite a few cars there on Sundays,” Erickson said, noting that he has no issue with places of worship if they go through the proper zoning process.
Choban said the 2.5-acre site would have one ingress/ egress on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and an exit only on 47th Place North. The parking lot would have 38 spaces. Temple plans call for a 3,959-square-foot ground floor and an 889-square-foot
Mustangs, such as those up for adoption, shown in the wilds of the western U.S.
The Point Of Reaching Adulthood Depends On Perspective
Kids everywhere are in the middle of summer vacation, and you know what that means — boredom. The items on a typical child’s to-do list, carefully compiled during those long, long, interminably long days in school, actually takes about three days to check off.
After they’ve seen the summer blockbuster movie, gone to the water park and dinked around in the backyard awhile, their list is complete. They’re back to lolling around in front of the TV or wearing out their thumbs on video games. I used to holler at my kids, “I am not your cruise director!”
But I was.
The thing is, kids are dependent upon their parents for all the things that make life worth living, and when your age is measured in single digits, that means toys, games, movies and
Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER
fast food. Forget food, clothing and shelter.
To kids, those things are just a given, things their parents waste money on. After all, aren’t you sort of “issued” a house, a car and a checkbook when you reach adulthood? Oh, if only.
I remember the summer of my seventh year, bored out of my mind and wishing my parents would realize they were letting my life
slip away while Dad busied himself with his job and Mom with the laundry. I was on the swing in the backyard, under the apple tree, pushing myself with one toe and pouting that I didn’t have more control over my life. Things would be different when I was an adult.
Then I wondered OK, when would that be? When was one actually an adult?
Knowing nothing of liquor laws or voting rights, I thought long and hard about this and came up with the answer of 12. Yes, at age 12, one is definitely an adult. I couldn’t wait.
Imagine my surprise, as a sixth grader, to find out that 12-year-olds were not considered adults, and that in fact, adulthood would still be out of my grasp for years to come.
By age 30, however, I’d had enough. Coming off a miserable day at work where inane
behavior had ruled the day, I called my mother and demanded, “Okay, I’m 30 now! Where are the adults?!
“Oh, no, honey,” she wisely imparted. “Idiots are idiots forever.”
I told this story to my own daughter when she turned 30, and her reply surprised me.
“I never thought being an adult had anything to do with age,” she told me. “I always thought it was profession-based. I felt I’d be an adult when someone hired me as an engineer.”
Hmm. This could be a boon to cruise directors everywhere. The next time one of your children tells you they’re bored, explain that it’s only a temporary situation and will ease considerably once he or she is an adult. Then ask them when that will be.
The answer may surprise you.
One Week Each Year I Can Live Like I Was Meant To Live
In a world where the word “staycation” has come into common usage, being able to go on a fancy vacation seems an incredible luxury. But there has been a quiet secret going around for years, one that allows people to live really well even if just for one week a year. That secret is time-sharing. Not just taking over a cabin at a beach for a week, but having an opportunity to go to a very fancy hotel and live well. Hundreds of thousands of Americans get the opportunity each year to sit in the lap of luxury.
I have always felt that I was born in the wrong body: that of a poor man. Deep down I know that I should have been born a Rockefeller or similar. But because of this cosmic error, I was forced to work in schools for 35 years as a form of purgatory. Even worse, although living in Florida may not feel very different from living close to heaven, it still does not present the opportunity to enjoy some of life’s finest things.
But for a week a year I travel down to the Moon Palace in Cancun. Part of the spectacular Palace chain, it is an all-inclusive time-
‘I’ On
CULTURE
By Leonard Wechsler
share that allows us and selected friends to live the way we really believe we deserve. As we enter its marble halls and move to check ourselves in, we know we belong. One of the first things we get is a nice bracelet that marks us as “owner members” so everyone will realize we are important and go out of their way for us.
With 14 restaurants, we can eat pretty much what we like, whenever we like. On my last night at the resort, I sat with a group of friends at El Caribeño deciding between the mintflavored shrimp or a piece of prime steak. With a glass of a very good red wine in hand, I looked out the window at an infinity pool
with the ocean just behind it. And there was no bill! Obviously, this is the way I was intended to spend my life.
Of course nothing is free, but after discussions in the office, I was able to arrange a visit to their new resort at Punta Cana for next year. Yes, I used my credit card, but it was amazing how low the cost can be for a taste of true luxury. And we can choose if and when we go, or trade to go to other resorts.
My friend Chino and I sat at one of the swim-up bars a while later, and while downing a tequila sunrise or three, he told me how happy he was to be there. A bit later, my friend Paul Smith and I went to La Fregata, a large poolside hut where a cook fried up chicken and vegetables to our order. And of course, we all had the magical wristbands that allowed us to not have to think about money.
Moon Palace is spectacular. Mexican President Felipe Calderon was actually there on our second day. I would have liked to chat with him, but the army folk guarding him helped me decide to schmooze elsewhere. I did check out the Mexican television broad-
cast that evening to see whether or not the cameras picked me up.
All-inclusive vacations that can include a free trip to the ruins of Chichen Itza or a day trip to Isla Mujeres and its coral reef make the world rosier. The boat trip out to the island featured the music from the movie Titanic as well as a comic replay of the action with both the young lovers played by 300pound Inca men, one in drag, something not experienced by most people in the western communities.
My wife and I love these vacations, and we also love to bring friends along. Those who have gone before always look forward to seeing those who come for the first time become awestruck at how well they are treated. The resort has a no-tipping policy (gratuities are included in the price and all staff members get their share) but the friendly staff makes you feel like they want to tip us for the pleasure of letting them serve.
We’ve been Moon Palace members for ten years. Being treated like the really rich man I was supposed to be is soothing to my soul.
Small Sign, Big Price Difference: Ripped Off At The Pump
Let the buyer beware, especially in the western communities. I say these words because the other day I was the buyer and the one who needed to beware.
I pride myself on being a knowledgeable consumer. I am very aware of prices and can usually spot a bargain (or a ripoff) a mile away.
It was mid-morning and I noticed the gas gauge in my wife’s car was just about on empty. Most times when I drive my wife’s car the gas gauge is on empty. My wife knows I will put gas into the hungry vehicle whenever I drive it. After all, why should my wife get her pretty little hands dirty?
As I drove by a gas station on State Road 7 where I had filled up at least a hundred times before, I decided once again I would do my wife a favor and fill up her tank.
Wondering & Wandering
By Ernie Zimmerman
The large sign in front of the gas station announced the cheapest price for gas in the western communities. The sign knew me and thousands of other drivers couldn’t pass up an offer that good. As I pulled up to my pump of choice and started pumping the gas into the car, I noticed the price on the pump was five cents more
than the sign had advertised it would be.
I figured it was no big deal, I would just go into the store and get a 60-cent credit on my credit card. Wrong When I went to try and get my refund, there were two other folks trying to do the same. The man behind the counter said “no can do.”
In one voice, we all asked why. He went on to explain the lower price was for cash customers only (talk about discrimination). He said there was a sign right by the gas price that said it was the cash price only.
At this point I was still skeptical, so I walked outside to get a better look at the sign. Sure enough, in very small letters (much smaller than the gas price numbers) was printed “cash only.” I couldn’t believe my eyes. I very rarely get taken by a sign like that.
I asked the counter guy when they had started setting a different price for cash customers. He said it started two weeks earlier. I told him I’d been buying gas at his location for years, but I would never spend another one of my hard-earned pennies there again. My statement didn’t seem to bother the counter man at all. Although it is legal to have signs in small letters that say cash only, I think it is just not right. At least put the signs on the gas pumps. After all, driving by the gas station at 40 mph one cannot read the entire sign. All you see is the low gas price. There are at least two gas stations in the western communities that have different prices for cash and credit cards. So next time you fill up your tank, especially in the western communities, you buyers better beware.
Bruce Kaleita Now Offers Foreclosure Defense Help
Bruce G. Kaleita, an attorney practicing for 25 years, now offers foreclosure defense in addition to his marital/family law practice and his construction law practice. Properly defending against a foreclosure action requires looking for every available defense for the borrower, including ones the ordinary person might not know about.
To do foreclosure defense well, Kaleita has formed a relationship with a new service for lawyers. The service reviews original loan closing documents to find improper actions by the bank or its closing agents that violate lending laws and rules. This can result in complaints to federal agencies for such violations and can also be used as “leverage” on your bank, to encourage a principal reduction or loan modification to help you afford payments. Not every loan will have these problems or present such opportunities, but a large percentage do, so this path can lead to a settlement with your bank.
Kaleita understands the effect of the recession on all of our pocketbooks and sets lower hourly fees so that clients can afford representation. He also works in marital/ family law with compassion and reassurance for those going through a difficult change in life. The child custody provisions of the divorce statute changed recently, and it helps to know what is now done under these new laws. Use of a lawyer can help to better present a petition for reduction of support obligations or for modification of a custody order, because admissible and relevant evidence and a hearing are needed in such matters. It is better to try to work out an agreement on property settlement and custody of children, because letting the court decide it after a trial means paying your lawyer money to try the issues and may result in a decision you do not like.
In construction law, Kaleita represents
both contractors and homeowners in today’s difficult marketplace. Unfortunately, in recent years a handful of irresponsible contractors have done poor work in Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. Both homeowners and other, honest contractors are hurt when these irresponsible contractors take off without paying their bills, leaving construction liens on the property. On the other hand, some owners are mean-spirited and try to cheat contractors out of part of the purchase price. Kaleita has worked on many such matters, with the objective of preventing harm to the client and getting a resolution that is fair to everyone.
Kaleita lives in Wellington’s Aero Club with his family. He keeps his office on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. to be near the courthouse. For more information, call his office at (561) 688-9210.
Attorney Bruce G. Kaleita
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Palm Beach Opera Hosts ‘Midsummer Night’s Serenade’
Palm Beach Opera will host “A Midsummer Night’s Serenade” on Friday, July 24. Friends and supporters of Palm Beach Opera will gather from 7 to 10 p.m. at the newly renovated Rybovich Marina at 4200 N. Flagler Drive in West Palm Beach for culinary offerings featuring the cuisine of Capital Grille Executive Chef Matt Livers. A wine bar, martini bar and champagne auction will also be featured.
Guests will experience live entertainment including opera and Broadway favorites by Broadway singer-actor Edwin Cahill and Lyric Opera of Chicago’s leading soprano Elaine Alvarez. Additional entertainment and activities will include piano and guitar music, cigar rolling, a silent auction and more — all awaiting party-goers in the shadow of luxury yachts from around the world.
Cahill made his Broadway debut last year singing “Mack the Knife” and “Buddy on the Night Shift” opposite Donna Murphy and Michael Cerveris in Harold Prince’s Lovemusik, where Cahill was the standby for the role of Kurt Weill and an understudy for Bertold Brecht. Cahill is currently performing in the national tour of the 2005 Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd as a standby for Anthony, Tobias, the Beadle and Jonas Fogg.
He is also an aspiring novelist and a frequent contributor to www.coolhunting.com.
Alvarez made her European opera debut singing the roles of Pamina in Die Zauberflöte and Mimì in La Bohème for Oper Leipzig in the 2006-07 season. She has also traveled with Oper Leipzig to Hong Kong for a series of performances of Mozart’s “Mass in C Minor” and will return to Leipzig for performances as Mimì in La Bohème, Corinna in Il Viaggio a Reims and Violetta in La Traviata. Alvarez was a finalist in Plácido Domingo’s Operalia 2006 competition held in Valencia, Spain.
Guests will mingle with committee members David Espinosa, Daniela Di Lorenzo, Huntley Miller, Ryan Moore, Victoria Pollingue, Elizabeth Soulen and Phil Whitacre. Proceeds from the festive evening will benefit Palm Beach Opera’s Young Artist Program. Sponsors and event partners include Capital Grille, Palm Beach Motor Cars, Rybovich Marina, Hyatt Place and Sabor Havana. Tickets cost $95 per person and include complimentary valet parking. RSVP by July 20 to (561) 835-7566 or online at www. pbopera.org.
For information about Palm Beach Opera’s upcoming season, visit www.pbopera.org.
Wellington Teen’s Photo Exhibit To Debut In September
When she first envisioned the photo exhibit she titled “Palm Beach: One County, Two Worlds,” Wellington teenager Allison Parssi hoped that her photos and the story
they told would resonate with viewers. The reaction, she said, has been “amazing.”
The exhibit, a collection of 40 side-by-side images taken in Belle
Glade and Palm Beach, explores the great disparity that exists between the eastern- and westernmost regions of Palm Beach County. To the east is the affluent Town of Palm Beach; on the western edge of the county is the City of Belle Glade, where the median household income is considerably lower.
Parssi’s photographs offer sideby-side comparisons of things such as schools (Palm Beach Public School and Lake Shore Annex); watercraft (a luxury yacht docked in Palm Beach and a meager fishing boat in Belle Glade); churches (an ornate church in Palm Beach and a simple metal building that houses a church in Belle Glade) and other juxtapositions that bring into focus the extremes that can be found in the county.
“This project does not pass judgment in any way,” Parssi said. “Its intent, using photography as a medium, is to highlight the stark differences that exist between two parts of one Florida county.”
Parssi was inspired to create the
exhibit while reading The Story of My Life by Helen Keller. In 1902 Keller wrote, “Several times I have visited the narrow, dirty streets where the poor live, and I grow hot and indignant to think that good people should be content to live in fine houses and become strong and beautiful, while others are condemned to live in hideous, sunless tenements and grow ugly, withered and cringing.”
Just as she was finishing the book, Parssi said she heard about the people of Belle Glade being forced to live with contaminated water; and children of migrant farm workers who were born with missing limbs and other birth defects due to chemicals used in the fields where they work.
“I had the opportunity, prior to beginning work on this project, to visit both communities, so I already had an understanding of the differences between the two,” Parssi said.
Parssi believes that many people do not know about the huge difference between eastern and western
Palm Beach County, and this exhibit will help them better understand those differences.
“The license tags on our vehicles have the words ‘Palm Beach’ on them, because we live in Palm Beach County,” she said. “When we travel, people always ask what it’s like living in Palm Beach. They think we live on ‘the island.’ I always tell them we live in Wellington, which is in Palm Beach County but worlds away from Palm Beach.”
“Palm Beach: One County, Two Worlds” is sponsored by Chandler Gallery, Fine Art & Custom Framing in Jupiter. It will be on display Sept. 14 through Nov. 5 at the Lighthouse Center for the Arts’ Gallery Square North (373 Tequesta Drive, Tequesta). For more information, call (561) 746-3101.
The exhibit will be at Wellington High School Nov. 9 through Dec. 18 and at Palm Beach Community College’s Dolly Hand Cultural Center in Belle Glade April 15 through May 20, 2010.
“A Midsummer Night’s Serenade” committee members (L-R) Huntley Miller, Ryan Moore of Palm Beach Motor Cars, David Espinosa and Daniela Di Lorenzo.
A photo of a boat in Belle Glade by Allison Parssi.
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MEDICAL AND PROFESSIONAL
BUILDING CLEANINGS SPECIALISTS — • Pressure Cleaning • Office Cleaning • Residential Cleaning • Parking Lot Maintenance • Concrete Coatings. Call for Free Evaluation. 561-714-3608
HOUSECLEANING - Reliable with long term clients. Over 12 years experience. References available. Karen 561-632-2271
FRANKIE'S MAID OF HONOR - Exceptional cleaning. Wellington references. Supplies also included. 561-790-3881.
IF YOU NEED SOMEONE TO KEEP YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS CLEAN - Call us anytime! Velma, Marcia, or Paula 561-8535630 or 561-460-9154
COMPUTER REPAIR — We come to you! After hours and weekends services available. Spyware/ Adware/Virus Removal, Networking, Wireless, Backup Data, Upgrades. Call Anytime. 561-713-5276
MOBILE-TEC ON-SITE COMPUTER SERVICE — The computer experts that come to you! Hardware/ Software setup, support & troubleshooting www.mobiletec.net. 561-248-2611
SLABS, DRIVEWAYS, PATIOS & MORE - Repair & Remove. Form, place and finish. Bobcat ServiceAll your construction needs. Over 30 years experience. Licensed and Insured U17915 561-329-5822 or 561-790-0178
TENDER LOVING HANDS - willing to care for your Elderly or ill family members. Please call Velma, Marcia, or Paula. 561-853-5630 or 561-460-9154
CLASSIFIED ADS 793-3576 GET RESULTS CALL TODAY!
STAFF PLUS — Looking to fill full and part-time positions in customer service. For more info. Call 1-888333-9903
GUARDSMAN FURNITURE PRO — For all your furniture repair needs including finish repairs, structural repairs, Leather repairs, chair regluing, antique repairs, kitchen cabinet refurbishing. 753-8689
BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — REMODEL & REPAIRS Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall, kitchens/cabinets/countertops, wood flooring. Bonded/Insured U#19699. 791-9900 Cell: 370-5293
ANMAR CO. —James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-2488528
MCA CUSTOM WOODWORKING, INC. — “Make your home standout from the rest” Call us for all your home improvement needs. Kitchen & bathroom remodeling, custom wall units, design your home office, cabinetry, tile & drywall repair. Lic. #U-19564. Bonded & Ins. 561-7235836
INC. Interior/Exterior, artistic faux finishing, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair, & roof painting/cleaning. Free est. 7984964. Lic.#U18473
COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. - Insured. 561-3838666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident.
CREATIVE PAINTING SYSTEMS, INC. — Interior • Exterior • Residential Specialists. WE DELIVER WHAT WE PROMISE. All work guaranteed. FREE EST.Family owned & Operated. Over 23 years exp. Lic. #U-18337 • Bonded • Ins. Owner/Operator George Born. 561-686-6701
JUDY'S-LOVE-YOUR-PET pet sitting service - TLC in your own home while you are away. References call Judy 561-255-5484
PIANO LESSONS — Affordable. Call this month for special rate for 2009-2010 Call 561-603-8118
ELITE POOL CLEANING —"You dealt with the rest now deal with the best" All maintenance & repairs, salt chlorinator, heaters, leak detection. 561-791-5073. Inquire about 1 mo. free service.
J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-3096975 BD
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS — Roof painting. Carpentry. License #U13677.967-5580.
ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOF-
ING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.
ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC0067207
WWW.GARABAR.COM — Now is the time for the Best Prices. Re-roof & Repairs. No Deposit Until Permit Credit cards accepted. Free Estimate. Call 561-337-6798 Lic.#CCC1327252 & CGC1510976
HORIZON ROOFING QUALITY WORK & SERVICE — Free estimates, No Deposits. Pay upon completion, residential, commercial, reroofing, repairs, credit cards accepted.561-842-6120 or 561784-8072 Lic.#CCC1328598
JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 798-3132.
ROLL DOWN SHUTTERS — Accordion shutters, storm panels and rolling shutters...prices that can’t be beat. All shutters Systems, Inc. 8630955
AFFORDABLE HURRICANE PROTECTION — 2 - 4 wks. Installed Guaranteed! 10% deposit . Will get you started. All products, Dade County approved. We manufacture our own product. 772-342-8705 Lic. & Ins. CGC 1511213
AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC —
Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004 Lic. #U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990
INSTALLING TILE IN SOUTH FLORIDA FOR 25 YEARS — Free estimates, residential/commercial, bathroom remodeling, floors, walls, backsplashes, custom design GOLDEN TILE INSTALLATION 561-662-9258
PAPERHANGING & PAINTING BY DEBI — Professional Installation & Removal of Paper. Interior Painting, decorative finishes, clean & reliable. Quality work with a woman’s touch. 26 years experience. No Job too big or too small. Lic. & Ins. References available. 561-795-5263
WATER CONDITIONERS FROM $499.00 —- Reverse osmosis units for the whole house. Mention this ad for equipment checkup and water analysis $19.99 561-6896151
LOSE UP TO 30 LBS IN 30 DAYS. - ALL NATURAL DOCTOR RECOMMENDED , CALL FOR FREE CONSULTATION. 1-305-710-9832
