The Town-Crier
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June 20 - June 26, 2014
Page 7
NEWS
Pafford: Sober House Legislation Likely To Return Next Year
By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Although the Florida Legislature did not pass a bill to help local governments crack down on “sober houses,” State Rep. Mark Pafford (D-District 86) said he is hopeful that the state will address the issue next session. Pafford addressed the Wellington Village Council on Tuesday, June 10 for his annual legislative update. Wellington has recently struggled with regulating “sober houses,” as the village lacks jurisdiction to police them. “A sober home is not really defined in our statute, so it makes it very difficult for local communities around the state to understand what they are and regulate them,” Pafford said.
“The guidance would be helpful to all of Florida. It would at least be a way to navigate how you can regulate them.” Sober houses have become an issue in many communities across the state. Boca Raton and Delray Beach have a particularly large number of them and tried to enforce regulations but faced discrimination lawsuits. There are key differences between a sober house, which is unregulated, and a congregate living facility, which can be regulated. Congregate living facilities must offer a personal service, such as addiction treatment or therapy — or in other cases, elder care. Sober homes typically rent out rooms to people who are in recovery for some kind of addiction. Residents
must be in treatment to live in the homes. Councilman Howard Coates raised the issue. “We deferred doing anything about sober house legislation prior to the legislative session,” he said. “Part of the thinking at the time was we were hoping to get some guidance from Tallahassee as to what was going to be done on a state level given the very dicey subject; we’re treading on federally regulated areas.” Although a bill passed in one chamber, no regulations emerged from this year’s session, Coates said. “Do you anticipate this will be something we will get guidance on in the next session?” he asked Pafford.
Pafford said he believes the issue would be raised again. “I expect it to come back,” he said. “We did pass it out of the House, although it was a very watered-down, first recognition in the statute that sober homes exist. The Senate is where it got hung up. It’s a little bizarre, because we passed medical marijuana and immigrant tuition; we did some stuff that hadn’t been heard of, and I think ran contrary to what the legislature has been doing for many years. That was a really simple one, and it could have done a lot for residents.” Coates asked Pafford to see that it does come up again, as the issue is affecting residents. “We’re the closest to the citizenry, and we’ve heard a lot on
this issue,” he said. “It’s very controversial within this municipality. We’ve tried to be out front of it, to do whatever we can, but we’re told our hands are tied.” Wellington isn’t the only community facing such issues, Pafford said. “There are some in the sober home industry who take advantage of their role,” he said. “There is very little therapeutic value for the residents in those homes, yet the owners continue to make a lot of cash when a head hits a pillow each night. They are certainly not doing any service to the residents, with the type of influence it has on the neighborhoods.” Coates said residents appeared frustrated that Wellington cannot regulate the homes.
“The residents don’t really want to hear that,” he said. “They want us doing something. But until we get some guidance from Tallahassee, I don’t know if there’s anything we can do. So anything you can do to help us from a state level — not just Wellington, but other municipalities — will be much appreciated.” Pafford said he hoped there would be a more concrete bill in the next session. “This session was the first movement to define [sober homes] and allow people to say ‘yes’ or ‘no,’” he said. “It provided help to homeowners, while still understanding that there are some U.S. Constitutional issues. I wish it had passed, but I think next year it will have a better likelihood.”
Wellington To Allow Temp Stalls Should A Storm Damage Barns
By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Members of the Wellington Village Council voted unanimously last week to reinstate an ordinance that would allow temporary stalls for some farms if a major storm were to damage permanent facilities on the property. At a meeting Tuesday, June 10, council members agreed to bring back a provision from 2005 that would suspend the prohibition of tent stalls in certain communities if the barn on the property was blown down or severely damaged. “In 2005, after several storms,
Principal
Gaugler Promoted At RPB El
continued from page 1 County before she became a principal. Now, she will be working mostly in the Glades with Area 3. “It’s an exciting position and one that I’m really looking forward to,” she said, torn between new beginnings and her time at Royal Palm Beach Elementary. “We’ve laughed so many times over the years and had such a great time. It was a really hard decision.” Watson has many fond memories from Royal Palm Beach
the village approved this emergency ordinance,” Planning & Development Services Director Tim Stillings said. “It expired in 2006.” Although the 2005 ordinance catered to the specific emergency situation in the wake of Hurricane Wilma, Stillings said a more general ordinance could benefit equestrian properties in the event of another major storm. “This would establish a more general emergency provision for natural disasters,” he said. Those requesting temporary stalls would still have to obtain a special use permit, and a building
inspector would have to declare the existing, permanent barn a hazard for occupants. Stillings said the tents could be put up for no longer than 24 months, but only as long as there is a building permit issued for the property with ongoing construction. “The permanent barn or stable must be being replaced or rebuilt,” he said. Councilman Matt Willhite asked what the impetus was for the ordinance to be renewed. “This was done in 2005 and expired in 2006,” he said. “Why do you feel you need it in 2014?”
Stillings said the ordinance was still on the books when staff was reviewing the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District. “Rather than repeal it completely, we thought a more general provision would be adequate,” he said. Willhite pressed him on the issue. “You’re asking to amend the language that has expired to bring it back,” he said. Regardless, Stillings said it was still in the code. “Even though it’s expired, it’s still within the code,” he said. Councilwoman Anne Gerwig made a motion to approve the
ordinance, which passed unanimously. In other business, the council approved the final reading of an ordinance that eliminates Wellington’s regulation of firearms and other dangerous instruments within village-run parks. Council members unanimously agreed to repeal the measures, which are now in conflict with state law. “In 2011, the Florida legislature preempted these laws,” Village Attorney Laurie Cohen told council members. The sweeping law gives only the state authority over firearm
regulation, voiding any laws enacted by individual municipalities. Cohen said that although the state law supersedes Wellington’s codes, it would be best to eliminate the regulations altogether. “Even though the state legislature says this is unenforceable, the regulations remain on our books,” she said. “I wouldn’t want a situation where someone who is unfamiliar with the state statute tries to enforce this ordinance. My recommendation is that we remove this provision from our code.” Willhite made a motion to that effect, which passed unanimously.
Elementary School and is proud of two specific accomplishments: maintaining an A rating since the school opened and having a low staff turnover. The staff she is leaving is almost the same group that opened the school, she noted. Her message to the students has remained consistent. “I’ve always told them to dream big and shoot for their dreams. Don’t ever give up. There’s always something brighter and bigger on the other side,” said Watson, who has similarly high expectations for Gaugler. “She’s such a strong administrator, and she’ll be able to handle it just fine. As far as advice, I would just tell her to stay true to her heart and always do what’s best for kids.”
Gaugler anticipates a smooth transition, made smoother by the school’s administration and her educational background. Gaugler earned her master’s degree from Florida Atlantic University and a bachelor’s degree from Juniata College in Pennsylvania before working at Pahokee Elementary School for 14 years. From there, Gaugler came to Royal Palm Beach Elementary, where she found an administrative team that works together, which is something she considers extremely important. The atmosphere at the school is unique, and Gaugler cannot wait to share it with the community. “Suzanne has done an awesome
job creating a warm, inviting learning environment for our students and families at the school,” Gaugler said. “I really feel like our school is the happiest place on Earth. It’s also a very well-kept secret, so I’d like to work with teachers and families on publicity and marketing our school better so that it is no longer such a secret. We really have a lot to offer our children and families in Royal Palm Beach.” Gaugler will be keeping many things the same but still embraces upcoming changes. “What I’ve done as an assistant principal I will continue to do as a principal. I’m just thrilled to take on this new role and face the new challenges,” she said.
Suzanne Watson
Tracy Gaugler
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