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June 5 - June 11, 2015
The Town-Crier
www.gotowncrier.com
OUR OPINION
Changes In New ‘Patriot Act Lite’ A Step In The Right Direction
Over the past 13 years, in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, billions have been spent by federal, state and regional governments in an attempt to choke off such attacks from ever happening again. We can speculate forever whether the multitude of actions taken have been truly effective, and to what degree. We can even ponder how much 9/11 led to the increase of law enforcement militarization, which has its roots years before the attacks, when the National Defense Authorization Act of 1997 allowed the transfer of excess military equipment to civilian law enforcement agencies. And we can contemplate how much of an impact the passage of the USA Patriot Act has had on our individual and collective civil liberties. “Government is legitimately charged with defending life, liberty and property against both domestic and foreign predators. First among those obligations is to protect life,” wrote Robert Levy of the Cato Institute after the controversial law was enacted in October 2001. “With America under attack, and lives at risk, civil liberties cannot remain inviolable. But that’s a far cry from asserting that they may be flouted to wage war against fanatics.” “If you are concerned about Fifth Amendment protection of due process, and Fourth Amendment safeguards against unreasonable searches and seizures, then you should be deeply troubled by the looming sacrifice of civil liberties at the altar of national security,” Levy added. In the years that have passed, the scope of the Patriot Act has been widely discussed. While most are comfortable with the provisions designed to track and catch would-be terrorists, many have been deeply concerned about how often everyday Americans are caught up in its wake. Several key provisions of the Patriot Act expired June 1. Among them is the notorious “Section 215,” which authorized bulk collection of Americans’ telephone data — something
a federal court has ruled illegal. The National Security Agency used Section 215 as the basis for collecting a plethora of phone records of Americans not necessarily under official investigation. It was also used to track financial data and to obtain companies’ Internet business records. The extent of the mass surveillance program was revealed two years ago by NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden. However, not all investigations of phone records under Section 215 will stop immediately. A clause in the Patriot Act allows the NSA to continue investigations it has already started. Other provisions that expired enabled the government to conduct “roving wiretaps” of suspects who switch communication devices, or spy on “lone wolf” individuals who are unaffiliated with an international terrorism organization. In place of the Patriot Act, we now have what civil libertarians have quickly dubbed “Patriot Act Lite,” the new USA Freedom Act, signed into law Tuesday. Yes, the feds can still go after your phone, iPad, e-mail, text and other such records, it’s just a bit more difficult to pull it off and requires more authorization. The key component of the Freedom Act is it ends the NSA phone dragnet in favor of a system that relies on telecommunication companies to provide select phone records to the government on an as-needed, judicially approved basis. It also requires heightened transparency measures associated with government data searches, and it allows tech companies to be more forthcoming regarding how many times they are tapped for data by government agencies. So when all is said and done, Big Brother is still watching over us. It’s just a little less intrusive. Hopefully, the government will keep to the true spirit of the law and use it to track terrorists, not law-abiding citizens.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Support For Anne Gerwig
Editor’s note: The following letter is in response to the letter “Anne Gerwig And Canal Cleaning” by George Unger, published last week. Let me say loud and clear that Councilwoman Anne Gerwig has stood strong in representing her village. She continues to withstand outrageous attacks from those who wish to silence good elected officials, of which in my experience in the elected world, most unfortunately, is not many. George Unger has for years ravaged the reputations of women elected officials in the Royal Palm Beach/Wellington communities, attacking their characters with lies and innuendos. Using the power of the editorial page to publish his false allegations, he has counted on the readers to
believe his baseless accusations. The Village of Wellington could not do better than to have someone of Ms. Gerwig’s honesty and intelligence to serve as their mayor. I hope that come 2016, the residents support her integrity and look for others to serve on the council that will honor them with the same public service. Martha Webster Royal Palm Beach
A New Contract For Schofield?
It is only June, but the Wellington Village Council is itching to get Paul Schofield on the “firing line.” The only reason Paul is not gone is that they could not find a reason to let him go. Our next election is March 15, 2016. Paul’s renewal contract must be made by September, but it doesn’t expire
until Feb. 14, 2016, and it can be renewed for a year. This year, there will be four council members running. Matt Willhite is term-limited, and he has his sights on Tallahassee. Anne Gerwig is thinking about running against Bob Margolis for mayor. Vice Mayor John Greene is running, as is newly appointed Councilman John McGovern. There are sure to be a number of new candidates in the wings to challenge all of the current council members, who are certainly vulnerable. The current council has had a very bad year. They lost Howard Coates, and they had to bring in an outside arbitrator to get some peace. We need some help! There is a solution. Paul’s contract could be extended for a year. During that time, a new council will be voted in. The transition will be easy, because no matter who is elected, they will have four years
to work together and a year to judge Paul Schofield’s expertise. Morley Alperstein Wellington
No More Community Organizers
Recently revised GDP numbers were released showing a 0.7 percent decline in our economy for the first quarter of 2015. That being said, the Bureau Of Economic Analysis was blamed for this by not taking into account “a seasonal adjustment” (winter weather). This is not the problem. For the last few years, first quarter growth has been lower than normal. The problem is that growth under President Obama is and continues to be dismal. In June 2009, Obama began touting our economy as recovering.
In Obama’s recovery, the last 23 quarters, we averaged 13.3 percent growth for 23 quarters. In the previous 10 recoveries, since WWII, the average was 100 percent more at 26.7 percent. If Obama’s average would have been 26.7 percent, our GDP would stand at an additional $1.9 trillion in our coffers. Obama has blamed everything but his terrible policies. In 2011, he blamed Japan’s tsunami, the Arab
Spring, along with problems in Italy, Spain and Greece. In 2012, gas prices and Europe were to blame. Then it was House Republicans’ budget cuts, the government shutdown and the sequester, which by the way, he ordered. Obama’s cover-all excuse was, financial recoveries are always slow to turn around. There are numerous studies contrary to Obama’s excuse. Ron Piretti West Palm Beach
SEND IN YOUR LETTERS
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OPINION
Social Security Paid Former Nazis More Than $20 Million! Yes, you read the headline correctly. Some of the payments, believe it or not, were made in 2015! In a new report, the Social Security Administration’s inspector general claims that all of the payments were legal under policies in place when they took place. Until the early 1980s, after pressure from Congress, the Jus-
Footloose and... By Jules W. Rabin
tice Department finally decided to investigate links between immigrants to the United States and atrocities in wartime Germany. It now turns out that more than three dozen ex-Nazis received more than $5.7 million in Social Security benefits before they were deported. An additional 96 suspected
former Nazis, who pocketed $14.5 million in Social Security benefits, were never deported and kept receiving monthly paychecks. A few died prior to deportation, others left America, and a few settled with the government after investigation and were allowed to remain in the U.S. This latest investigation was
shepherded into action by Rep. Carolyn McCarthy from New York when new evidence popped up. “It is outrageous that any Nazis were able to receive benefits,” McCarthy commented. An investigation by the Associated Press in late 2014 renewed concern about this policy. Thus Congress, eventually, passed the
“No Social Security for Nazis Act.” It led to ending benefits for four Nazis who left the U.S. for Europe. Intensive current scrutiny indicates that there are no current or former United States residents linked to Nazi crimes still receiving payments. It surely is about time!
Cheatham estimated approximately 36,000 plays at the original center annually, and he expects that number to increase with the new facility, with its better league conditions and increased court space — moving from 16 to 21 courts. The same fees exist. The same staff will be there. The only difference, he said, is the new location.
If you want to check out the new facility and can’t attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony, plan to stop by Saturday, June 20 at 10 a.m. when the new Wellington Tennis Center will host a grand opening family fun day. To stay up-to-date on the Wellington Tennis Center’s happenings and activities, visit www.facebook. com/WellingtonTennisCenter.
NEWS
Tennis
Ribbon Cutting June 6
continued from page 1 perfectly for what we do here,” he said. “That was really important to us, having a viewing deck. Most clubs don’t have that.” There are awnings between the courts that will shelter benches and water fountains. A maintenance building also features additional restrooms. For those looking to play tennis, check-in is at the front desk. Access to the courts is through the main building. Cheatham suggested tennis shoes for play, or for non-players, most shoes are fine, except running shoes. The facility has rental gear available. Cheatham believes that almost all of his current players will make the transition to the new facility, plus more will likely come in, perhaps from as far away as Lantana and Boynton Beach. “The location is actually better, I think,” he said. “So many people live on [State Road 7].” Cheatham is looking forward to meeting Williams and showing off the new facility. “I’m most proud that they actually did it, and it’s a state-of-the-art tennis complex,” he said. When Cheatham first learned that there would be a new tennis center, he was excited and wanted to be involved in the design. “There were four bids, and one bidder came to me and asked me what I wanted. I told him what I wanted, and this is it,” he said. That company wound up being
the one chosen to build the facility, which was a happy coincidence for Cheatham. As the sketches have become reality — the groundbreaking was held in October 2014 — Cheatham has been there every step of the way. He’s been on site for weeks making sure everything went as anticipated. “I think it’s going to be perfect,” he added. The new building offers the pro shop once you walk into the lobby. To the left and to the right are locker rooms with showers. There are trophy cases, large televisions, an elevator, offices and more. Follow the stairs, or use the elevator, and there is a 180-degree view of the 21 tennis courts. Because there are many league events, the upstairs lounge features a refrigerator and other amenities to make things easier for lunches and special events. Inside, the room is air-conditioned. Outside, there is a covered walkway that goes halfway around the building. It is the perfect place to watch games, socialize and relax. Behind the courts is some empty space, Cheatham pointed out. “They have room for maybe five or six more [courts] down there, if they need to expand down the road,” he said. The courts are made of the same material as the courts at the old facility, Har-Tru clay, but they are watered differently, which makes a world of difference for their usability. “It’s watered from underneath; there aren’t any above-ground sprinklers,” he said, pointing out the stripes where the water comes up and seeps into the court. The benefit is that there is no down time. They are constantly watered, all day long.
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“They never get water on top of them, except when it rains,” Cheatham said. “The old ones at our other place had eight sprinklers where we’d water from above, so we had to water and let them dry before you could use them again. These you can use all day long.” This week, final touches were being taken care of, Internet connections set up, televisions pro-
grammed, some paint added here and there, but, it will all be ready on time. “I’ll be excited once we get in and get settled. It’s going to be a lot of work,” Cheatham said. Cheatham and his staff began moving things from the current location to the new location Thursday. The new facility will open for tennis players Monday, June 8. Reservations are not needed.
Wellington tennis pro Tommy Cheatham at the new facility.
Freshly planted landscaping decorates the grounds.
BARRY S. MANNING Publisher JODY GORRAN Associate Publisher
JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor
DAWN RIVERA General Manager
RON BUKLEY Managing Editor
EDITORIAL STAFF/ Chris Felker • Denise Fleischman • Paul Gaba • Julie Unger CONTRIBUTORS/ Jules Rabin • Ellen Rosenberg • Leonard Wechsler • Deborah Welky ART & PRODUCTION MANAGER/ Stephanie Rodriguez ADVERTISING/ Betty Buglio • Evie Edwards • Wanda Glockson STAFF/ Jacqueline Corrado • Shanta Daibee • Jill Kaskel • Geri O’Neil
A view of the tennis courts from the upper level.
A rear view of the new tennis facility.
PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
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