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Page 4 July 20 - July 26, 2012

The Town-Crier

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OUR OPINION

A Glimmer Of Hope Shines In Wellington After PBIEC Decision Tuesday’s Wellington Village Council decision not to re-open last year’s changes to the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center master plan can either be a turning point between the community’s warring factions and the start of a healing process, or just a momentary cessation of hostilities. Let’s hope it’s the former, because civility and compromise is what the Wellington community really needs. Following a 15-hour hearing Tuesday, the council decided not to re-examine a decision last October by the former council to approve a new master plan governing the show grounds. And unlike most of the recent council votes regarding equestrian issues, this was a unanimous decision. Tuesday’s vote was a small but hopeful step forward as the community gets back to the task of healing the wounds caused by a vicious municipal election season. Last week, we voiced our concerns regarding what might happen should the council choose to go down the path of rehearing old items. Not only would it have set a dangerous precedent, but it would have invited additional legal challenges that would cost the village financially and prolong the fracturing of the community. After seven or eight months of red-hot rhetoric that saw the community broken into two

camps with very little room for compromise, there were glimmers of compromise at Tuesday’s hearing. The council stood back from the precipice. However, we realize that things might have gone differently had the council found the “smoking gun” some in the community insisted was there. Because there was no deliberate omission of information on the part of Wellington Equestrian Partners, the matter was laid to rest. However, there was foreshadowing of battles to come. For example, as Councilman Matt Willhite pointed out, the council still has site plan approval authority, and there are parts of the site plan that could still have a rough time getting through the current council, mainly some of the roadway improvements and connections. Tuesday’s decision was a possible turning point. It offers a chance to start the healing process, binding up of the community’s wounds and trying to bring the people back together. It’s up to the people in the middle — the Wellington Village Council — to make this happen, not the red-hot voices arguing from both sidelines. They were elected to lead, and whatever the outcome is, they’re the ones who set the agenda. We just hope the two sides can iron out their differences and get things moving forward for the good of everyone in the community.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Super PAC Woes In Wellington When I first heard that a quasiSuper PAC was funding the election of three men to the Wellington Village Council in order to further their own interests, I couldn’t believe this was happening in Wellington. In my mind it spelled trouble, and that has come to pass. Over the years there have been controversies the council has had to deal with. That is part of being an elected official. The newly elected members, some of whom have previously served on the council, were part of rational decision making made in the best interests of the community. It is very disconcerting that now these same officials have suddenly turned Wellington’s future upside down. This on-again, off-again indecision on the part of the council is sending a message of out-of-control governing that is affecting the best interests of the whole community. Because of this indecision, the worst-case scenario has come to pass. Decisions for the future of the Wellington Equestrian Festival are in limbo. The attempt to host the World Equestrian Games in 2018 is now a non-issue due to apparent lack of support by the council. The time lost and money spent by all parties because of this fiasco could have been put to a more positive use. It appears that the equestrian community is being treated as intruders by the present council. Before we lose those who are the heart of the community, let’s get our act together. Debra Smith Wellington

Stop The Exaggeration Some bright person equated disallowing the huge commercial aspect and a large hotel in the middle of our pristine Equestrian Preserve to closing down Pebble Beach (golf) and Wimbledon (tennis), yet nothing is being closed down in the preserve. Where’s the truth? This is pure bombast and totally not analogous. What is happening is that Wellington Chamber of Commerce,

leading the charge, is crying about their three candidates losing their election and now spend their time taking pot shots at our village. The only ones who think our village is “anti-business” are the chamber, coincidentally whose last president, Michael Stone, is a partner with Mark Bellissimo, the CEO of the enterprise wanting to build the huge non-equestrian components. With the exception of the Equestrian Preserve over-development, nothing has been refused to business, and the council just cut back on business fees. As I drive around my community, I witness a few new restaurants going up, a huge development plan for the Wellington Regional Medical Center vicinity, a new residential community going up south of Forest Hill Blvd. on State Road 7, and other buildings being constructed that I haven’t the foggiest idea what they are. All in all, nothing has changed except one developer is being cut back in scale. I can think of no other community having this much development as we are at present. People screaming, and headlines saying “Wellington is antibusiness” is harmful, and it emanates from chamber members. It is politically motivated and is composed of people directly and indirectly involved with the developer/chamber and the losers of our recent elections. I would hope that in the future, the village manager or our elected officials might be queried about this. One side of a story is wholly insufficient. Cicero said, “Tempest in a teapot,” and Shakespeare said, “Much ado about nothing.” These words are quite applicable here and now. This is about 200 acres out of about 46 square miles of land. This is about two unbending forces, led by two well-to-do men, one on each side, and our village is caught in between! It is the equestrians, who first organized against the over commercialization of the preserve, versus a group who cares not about defiling our pristine area, in my opinion. I would hope that an accommodation is found to allow

dressage development, but please no hotel or large business complex. George Unger Wellington

Leave The Tennis Center Alone It is not broke; don’t fix it. I am totally amazed at the number of people who still have not learned from this axiom. Usually it is someone touting a “new way” or “much improved,” or we will save lots of money. I have been very skeptical of these claims, as I have found it usually is the person making these claims who wants to make the money. Now Wellington is testing this axiom with its review of the tennis club and Tommy Cheatham’s contract. Mr. Cheatham has delivered a high level of service to the community for almost 20 years in an area that is considered one of the toughest to perform in recreation and municipal government. Being a recreation professional, running a tennis center, programs, leagues and keeping the members happy is one of the most challenging jobs in our industry. Most communities go through four or five tennis pros in the same time that Tommy has been in Wellington. Tommy and his wife have been residents for over 20 years, they have been great neighbors and have been totally committed to Wellington and tennis as long as I can remember. When the village became incorporated, the tennis club was not in the best of shape. Tommy took the reins and created a viable club with adult and youth programs, leagues and even dragged the courts himself on many occasions. Tommy worked nights, weekends and holidays, making sure things ran right and courts were playable, despite meager support from the village or the recreation department. While on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board with Mayor Bob Margolis, Tommy came before us several times with ideas and plans to improve the tennis facility. Unfortunately, the tennis center was always put on the back burner. Then, when the village was looking for

ways to reduce its budget, a plan was put in place to shift the responsibility and much of the tennis budget to Mr. Cheatham. Tommy took on the challenge, even though it caused some economic hardship for him initially. He persevered and continued to run the tennis center as a first-class facility with high approval ratings from his members and leagues. He worked with the village on some improvements, but basically Tommy has the same old facility he came to 20 years ago and continues to make it shine. A recreation program is evaluated by its level of service to the user, the satisfaction of the user, and the user coming back multiple times to use the service. Tommy has excelled in this area. Recreation programs are not successful because they are the cheapest; you could have the cheapest program in town, but if the users are not happy, the program fails. Beware, village council: The lawyers sitting in front of you representing the organization wanting to run Tommy out of town and giving you “cheaper” tennis service will be the same lawyers filing a lawsuit against you after you have fired them because of all the unhappy customers that they created. Leave the tennis center and tennis programs alone. They are running just fine. Steve Haughn Wellington

Council Majority Is Dangerous I have a history of complaining about the fact that the Wellington Village Council has catered to the wishes of the chamber and other business interests. Occasionally, previous councils have even caused some harm to citizens in order to accommodate commerce. But in my eight years’ residence in the village, I have witnessed nothing so frightening as the way the new council majority is catering to a very small group of wealthy individuals. This new majority has no respect for precedent and no qualms about spending money to defend their unprecedented actions. They are

using a back-door approach to overturn legitimate decisions made by previous councils. I spoke by telephone with one of the new majority. Among other things he told me that he wants to overturn those previous decisions because he is afraid that, if allowed to stand, those previous decisions would establish “precedent” for land use changes. Never mind that land use changes are not subject to precedent. And never mind that overturning decisions made by previous councils establishes the precedent that no decisions can be counted on to be final. He and his new majority may succeed in causing great expense to those who have relied on council decisions and also succeed in forcing citizens to pay the legal costs to defend the new majority’s unprecedented actions. The village will probably not survive. This new councilman also said that he ran for office because he was concerned that previous council members had been too “cozy” with business interests. This is a member whose very election was financed by private interests with whom he is clearly as cozy as it is possible to be. Unfortunately, village citizens are saddled with this new majority for at least four years. The only way to remove any of them from office before that time is through a very difficult recall process. But making that effort may be absolutely necessary. If such a move takes place, I would hope that previous council members would join in. It is a matter of principle, not politics. Phil Sexton Wellington

Do Your Own Research Editor’s note: The following letter is in response to a July 6 letter by Andrew Rosen. Recently, Andrew L. Rosen accosted me for conveying “lies” and “misinformation” in my criticism of Planned Parenthood. Mr. Rosen, what are you talking about? All you did was accuse me, then quote Abe Lincoln, but offered zero evidence. Then you

became Teflon and said, “I will let someone from that organization respond to all of Mr. Fioramonti’s factual errors.” Planned Parenthood receives hundreds of millions of our tax dollars. Haven’t you watched the scandals on TV showing video footage catching Planned Parenthood red handed using unethical and illegal methods? Didn’t you watch the hysteria when members of Congress then threatened to cut their tax-dollar funding? In 2010, Planned Parenthood performed nearly 330,000 of their most profitable surgical procedure. Shall we let an Honest Abe at Planned Parenthood to tell us what percentage was paid in cash from the trembling hands of their girl victims? Virtually all 50 states have engaged in legislative battles to enact parental notification laws related to this dangerous, invasive medical procedure. Why would states do this if these organizations did not try to sever child from parent in these “choices?” I wish I had the space in this letter to post the names of casualties and provide sample literature of sex counseling techniques designed to get kids addicted to sex. Pull your head out of the sand and do some research. Today’s information age gives ample resources to find out what has happened to many women whose families now regret Planned Parenthood services. Where are all the tax-dollar-dispensing, high-and-mighty government regulators and do-gooders for these poor victims? Trust me, I understand all too clearly that I am tugging hard at the curtain of the great American sacred cow — our citizenry demanding consequence-free unbridled sex. But like it or not, the truth is there are nothing but dire consequences to broken commandments. From seared consciences to shattered lives to dead babies, and yes, even some dead women. How can any rational, objective and honest person in their heart of hearts think otherwise? Like Ronald Reagan once said, “facts are stubborn things.” Daniel Fioramonti Loxahatchee

NEWS Aldi Sign

Opening On SR 7

continued from page 1 allowable square footage by 65 square feet,” O’Brien said, pointing out that the applicant had indicated that the future Aldi store would have 100 feet of frontage, which would comfortably accommodate the larger sign. In its justification statement, the applicant stated that approval would allow for Aldi Food Market to display its registered trademark and logo. “It is a typical sign that Aldi is trying to achieve,” O’Brien said. “If the sign variance is approved by this council, then the architecture will be approved by the Planning & Zoning Commission.” O’Brien added that staff has reviewed the application and felt it has met the criterion for granting variances, since there are other properties in the village that have received approval for similar wall signs to allow for the display of the tenant’s registered trademark and logo that exceed the code restriction, including the Toyota, Mazda and Nissan dealerships on Southern Blvd. O’Brien said the sign will be 500

to 700 feet from State Road 7. Mayor Matty Mattioli said he had reviewed the application with the village manager and saw no problem with it. Councilwoman Martha Webster said she liked the look of the sign with the trademark and colors. “I particularly like the look that we have gone to in some of the newer centers, and this particular center could really use some updating,” she said. “I’m glad that you’re stepping up with this, and I hope that it sets the tone for the rest of the center as it comes along.” Webster motioned to approve the variance, which carried 5-0. In other business, the council approved an application by Western Academy Charter School to increase its number of students from 360 to 485. The school is located in the Royal Commerce Park and Royal Plaza Shopping Center at the northeast corner of Royal Palm Beach and Southern boulevards. O’Brien pointed out that the student cap had been imposed by the council when it approved the initial application in 2003. In 2008, the council approved the school’s expansion into Royal Plaza, but there was no increase in the number of students allowed, although the expansion increased

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the square footage from 12,679 to 21,633. He said village staff had determined that the application satisfies all traffic requirements. Western Academy Principal Linda Terranova said the academy does not plan to increase the number of students immediately. “We’re looking at anywhere from 380 to 390 going into the next school year, but as a high-performing charter school, the state allows us to increase our enrollment by 15 percent a year,” she said. “We can also roll up our grades. Right now, our grades are K through

eight. We could go into a ninthgrade situation.” She added that the school has also received approval for pre-K. Western Academy received an “A” for the sixth consecutive year when the FCATs came out last week, and also received the state’s Five-Star award for high-performing schools with regard to community service and working with the community. “We’re the only charter school in Palm Beach County to ever receive that, and this is our third year getting that,” Terranova said.

Acreage Community Park Jam This Saturday, July 21 The Acreage Landowners’ Association and the Indian Trail Improvement District will host their monthly Acreage Community Park Jam on Saturday, July 21 from 4 to 10 p.m. at Acreage Community Park (6701 140th Ave. North). The Acreage Community Park Jam is a free monthly event featuring musicians, comedians and any other artists of all ages, styles and skill levels. For classic car lovers, there will be a Classic Cruisers Car Show. You are welcome to bring and display your classic vehicle

or motorcycle. For those feeling lucky, there will be a 50/50 raffle. This event is fun for all ages. Acreage Community Park also has a playground and skateboard park adjacent to the jam area. The Holy Cow food truck will be there with food. Bring your beverage and picnic items of choice as well as chairs or something to sit on. For more information, visit www.acreagelandowners.org. To sign up as entertainment, contact Bob Renna at (561) 602-0676 or bobrenna@bellsouth.net.

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Melanoma Foundation Meeting Aug. 1 In WPB The Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation Volunteer Task Force will hold its first meeting of the 2012-13 season Wednesday, Aug. 1 at 7 p.m. in the Palm Beach Post Auditorium. Refreshments will be served. RSVP is required. The staff and Executive Director Lisa Richman will give a brief presentation regarding melanoma, sun safety protocol and the Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation volunteer program. The “opportunity to save lives” training is designed to provide information to existing and new volunteers about the foundation, its programs and procedures, and how volunteers can get involved to support and further the foundation’s mission: The prevention

and early detection of skin cancer, especially melanoma. There are many opportunities for people of all ages who would like to use their skills and abilities. The Richard David Kann Melanoma Foundation was started in 1995 after Richard Kann died at age 44 of a late-detected melanoma. Family and friends formed an organization to help communities nationwide detect and prevent skin cancer at its earliest stage. The mission of the foundation is to educate the community about the prevention and early detection of skin cancer, especially melanoma. For more info., contact Barbara at bkeller@melanomafoundation. com or (561) 655-9655, or visit www.melanomafoundation.com.

Next LGLA Meeting July 26 The Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association will meet Thursday, July 26 at 7 p.m. at Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves). The speakers for the evening will be Allen Zech, manager of the Agricultural Department and John Thomas from the Property Appraiser’s office. Zech will

address some of the specific questions about the agricultural classification of land, while Thomas will discuss the functions of the Property Appraiser’s office and the exemption issues that will appear on the November ballot. There will be a question-and-answer period. Call LGLA President Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875 for more info.

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