EXPERTS: ‘REGIONALISM’ IS THE FUTURE SEE STORY, PAGE 3
SEA LEVEL RISE SYMPOSIUM ON JULY 26 SEE STORY, PAGE 4
THE
TOWN - CR IER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE Volume 34, Number 29 July 19 - July 25, 2013
Your Community Newspaper
INSIDE RPB Zoners OK LessSpecific Commercial Use For Office Park
WEDDING SURPRISES PARTY GUESTS
The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission approved an application for a small-scale land-use amendment Monday for the Royal Office Park from commercial low to commercial, which will allow more retail uses. The development is on the east side of State Road 7 south of Southern Blvd. Page 3
Preservation Coalition Sends Kids To Camp
Eleven lucky children got a chance to go to the Village of Wellington’s summer camp this week thanks to the Wellington Preservation Coalition and the Jacobs family. The coalition funded the cost of the one-week camp for the kids, who were able to enjoy a few days of fun and activities. Page 5
Commissioners Renew Red-Light Camera Contract
The Palm Beach County Commission voted 6-1 on Tuesday to renew a one-year contract with a vendor that operates redlight cameras at 10 intersections within unincorporated areas of the county. Page 7
Children Cook Tasty Meals At Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market hosted a kids cooking class on Monday, July 15 in Wellington. Children learned to make tropical chicken salad, fruit kebabs with yogurt dip and strawberry lemonade slushies. Then they got to enjoy the food. Page 17
OPINION Zimmerman Verdict Offers Lessons For Both Sides Of The Issue
There doesn’t seem to be any letup to the debate on the Saturday verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman. If any silver lining could be born out of such tragedy, it would be that this case serves as a cautionary tale not to judge others so quickly. Page 4
Dr. Wesley Boughner and Barbara Johnson surprised friends and family members with a wedding during the couple’s Independence Day pool party and picnic. An announcement was made mid-afternoon that the couple would be married poolside. Shown here, the bride and groom toast guests. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 7
Wellington Senior Committee Makes Strides In Its First Year By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report One year after Wellington’s senior citizens attained a real voice in village issues with the creation of the Senior Advisory Committee, the panel has made strides in turning attention to issues of importance to older residents. “I think we have opened up an avenue for seniors and senior-related issues,” Committee Chairman Tony Fransetta said. “It has been a gateway for communication and an advisory channel with the Wellington Village Council.” But the committee is still new and will take some time to establish itself, staff liaison Bruce DeLaney said. “It’s still in its infancy,” he said. “They are still feeling their way through the establishment of the committee. But I think it has created a venue for issues to be brought forward, which is very important. They have identified senior needs and are trying to gather ideas and resources that will help the community.” Though the committee has met only a handful of times, its mem-
bers have begun to tackle the big issues — namely, senior housing and transportation. “Probably the most important issue that has been addressed is the current position of our senior housing and the future direction housing opportunities may take,” DeLaney said. Fransetta agreed. “I think one of the biggest issues we took action on was recommending that the council establish and decide on a location for affordable senior housing,” he said. “It has been a goal in the past, both for seniors and the council.” Wellington has seen an exodus of senior residents who go elsewhere to find affordable housing, Fransetta said. “Too many seniors are leaving because they want to downsize,” he said. “Once they have raised their families, they have had to leave Wellington to find something they can afford and maintain. The opportunities haven’t been there.” He said the committee has discussed bringing in companies, such as the Elderly Housing De-
velopment Corp., which provides senior housing for low-income seniors. “Some people who raised their families here but didn’t have pensions find themselves in the position of having to move out,” Fransetta said. The committee recommended to the council that affordable senior housing be provided near the Mall at Wellington Green, he said. Another issue the council has considered is transportation for seniors. Wellington does offer a senior transportation program, issuing limited vouchers for taxi service. “The committee seemed very happy with how that program is coming along,” DeLaney said. “It seems to be very well-received throughout the community.” Fransetta commended Wellington for its program, and also for working with Palm Tran to provide rides. “I think Wellington overall has done and is doing a good job in the area of transportation for seniors,” he said. Though these are two of the See SENIORS, page 16
Local Food Drive Benefits Abandoned Everglades Dogs
DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 3 - 10 OPINION .................................4 CRIME NEWS .........................6 SCHOOLS ............................ 12 PEOPLE ............................... 13 NEWS BRIEFS..................... 15 COLUMNS .................... 21 - 22 BUSINESS .................... 23 - 25 ENTERTAINMENT .................27 SPORTS ........................ 31 - 33 CALENDAR ...................34 - 35 CLASSIFIEDS ................ 36 - 39 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM Aiden Murray, 8, hoists a bag of dog food donated to 100+ Abandoned Dogs. PHOTO COURTESY DARCY MURRAY
By Anne Checkosky Town-Crier Staff Report Imagine thousands of abandoned dogs and cats roaming around with no food, water or shelter. Most of them have been dumped by their owners. Some of them are sick. Some are pregnant. All are in need of loving homes. This is the reality faced by Amy Roman, founder of 100+ Abandoned Dogs of Everglades Florida. Roman and volunteers routinely travel to the Everglades, west of Miami-Dade County, through Homestead, Redlands and Florida City, to rescue these abandoned animals. Since Sept. 2011, when Roman founded the organization, more than 900 dogs and 40 cats have been rescued. But there are so many more left behind, she said. “This is just bigger than me now,” said Roman, who estimated that she spends about $50,000 per rescue picking up between 20 and 30 animals. Her boarding costs run between $5,000 and $6,000 each month for the animals. When Darcy Murray, a resident of Loxahatchee Groves, found out about the organization, her first See DOG FOOD, page 10
Serving Palms West Since 1980
Acreage Residents Ask County For Help With Park Funding By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Several residents of The Acreage attended the Palm Beach County Commission meeting Tuesday to ask the county for equitable financing for recreation facilities in their community. The requests came during budget discussions and the commission’s consideration to set the maximum property tax rate, which was approved at 4.7815 mills, the same as last year. Acreage residents asked specifically for assistance in expanding the southern portion of Acreage Community Park, which the county traded to the Indian Trail Improvement District several years ago in return for the property where the new Acreage branch library now stands. Acreage resident Sandra LoveSemande, a former ITID supervisor, said she and other residents were asking for the county’s sup-
port of the park expansion. “We have approximately 1,500 children in our sports programs, which is keeping them off the streets and out of trouble,” she said. “We have a waiting list, and we don’t have the fields and some of the facilities that the residents are asking for. So, we’re looking to you to help us fund those future projects for Acreage Community Park.” Love-Semande said county help is needed because ITID is split between competing recreation and drainage priorities. “We do have people who don’t want any more park additions, and we have people who want additions, so it’s a catch-22 for the officials of the Indian Trail Improvement District and the [Acreage] Landowners’Association to try to take care of both sides,” she said. “But there is a need, and we would ask your support and future help See PARKS, page 4
B&G CLUB HOSTS ‘FRIEND-RAISER’
The Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club held a “Friend-raiser” on Thursday, July 11 at the new Wellington facility. Money was raised for equipment for children’s activities. Shown here is Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County CEO Mary O’Connor with alumnus Dr. Max Cohen and Jen and Blake Cohen. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 14 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
ITID Votes To Hire Jay Foy As Engineer And Hydrologist By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors voted last week to enter into negotiations with Jay Foy of Stormwater J Engineering to serve as both district engineer and hydrologist. After oral presentations at the Wednesday, July 10 meeting, the board selected Foy over Captec Engineering and Craig A. Smith & Associates. Foy received three No. 1 votes for both positions, which had been advertised separately. Attorney Frank Palin explained that one firm could be selected to serve both as district engineer and hydrologist. Palin said that during the negotiation phase, the board can decide how the services will be provided. ITID’s contract with its current engineering firm, Engenuity Group, expires Sept. 30. The district engineer is one of three ITID positions that report directly to the board, the other two are the attorney and the administrator. Foy noted that he is familiar
with special districts, having been ITID’s engineer from 1991 to 2005, and hydrologist in conjunction with Craig A. Smith from 2005-08. “I’m very familiar with government,” Foy said, explaining that he has also served as an elected official with the Town of Haverhill for more than 20 years. “Not only is that important because I’ve had 20 years’ exposure to your district attorneys, so I understand the legal aspects of a special district, but I’ve also had 20 years of access to municipal attorneys and special districts who can properly inform me how government is conducted.” Foy sits on two Federal Emergency Management Agency committees, including the flood insurance mapping committee. “That’s very important. It’s right in front of you now,” he said. “It’s going to be something you’re going to have to pay attention to, and it will be important for all the residents out here.” Foy earned his bachelor’s deSee JAY FOY, page 7
Lox Groves Council Sets Higher Preliminary Tax Rate
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council adopted resolutions Tuesday approving a tax rate increase from 1.2 mills to 1.5 mills, as well as increased residential waste service rates. The millage increase was largely due to a 3.8 percent dip this year in the town’s taxable property value. Town Manager Mark Kutney said the total solid waste assessment will be $427,784, which will cost individual property owners $343.25. Last year, the council kept
the rate artificially low through a $126,000 council contribution to the solid waste fund, which is not available this year. Town Attorney Michael Cirullo recommended that the solid waste assessment be approved in order to attach it to the tax bill, which needs to be advertised and delivered by Sept. 15, and would require a special meeting before that date in order to receive a public hearing and the required council approval. Cirullo pointed out that because the council is raising the rate from last year, it will have to do its own
first-class mailing. “In the past, we relied on the TRIM (Truth in Millage) notice,” he said. Cirullo said the resolution must be approved before Sept. 15, and the notices must be mailed at least 20 days before the hearing. “It has to be first-class mail and specific to each unit, because it has to tell you how you’re being assessed,” he said. “The logistics of getting that done is a concern by the management company, but it’s an absolute prerogative that it be done 20 days before the hearing.” Councilman Ron Jarriel made a
motion to set the hearing for Tuesday, Sept. 10, which carried unanimously. Jarriel requested a clarification on the assessment rate. “Last year, we paid [$126,000] to cut down our costs on the residents. Was it still lower than last year?” he asked. Underwood Management Services CEO Bill Underwood, head of the town’s contracted management firm, said the $126,000 contribution reduced the assessment by about $98 per household. “We don’t have that flexibility this year,” Underwood said, explaining that the cost of $343.25
per residence is actually lower than the $373 the town paid per household in the current year. Councilman Jim Rockett made a motion to adopt a preliminary resolution setting the solid waste assessment rate, which carried unanimously. The council also approved a resolution setting the property tax rate at 1.5 mills. The public hearing on the tax rate will be at the council’s regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. At the town’s budget workshop July 2, Kutney said the 0.3-mill inSee LOX BUDGET, page 7