Town-Crier Newspaper March, 7, 2008

ITID WATER PACT

The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors approved an agreement last week that would end its long-running legal disputes with Palm Beach County over water rights. SEE STORY, PAGE 9A

W Wellington Candidates Meet ellingtonCandidatesMeet For Final Forum Befor FinalForumBefore e V Vote ote

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

With the election just days away, the eight Wellington Village Council candidates met for the last time Thursday in a forum organized by the Palms West Chamber of Commerce.

The forum at the Wellington Community Center was moderated by WPTV anchorman Jim Sackett, who asked questions from representatives of the Town-Crier and the Palm Beach Post

One of the key topics of conversation was about the future development of the village’s 67-acre K-Park parcel on State Road 7.

Dr. Fred Van Dusen, one of four candidates for Seat 4, said Amendment 1 will drop village revenues, and paying for new park development may be difficult. The village will have to look to streamline services, not add more.

Fellow Seat 4 candidate Dr. Timothy Shields said K-Park offers a great opportunity to create some things the village needs, such as a senior center, a university campus or the development of a cultural center. He said he would advocate a public/private partnership to create low-impact activities, not a large, extensive complex.

Howard Coates, also seeking Seat 4, said he would encourage Palm Beach Community College or Florida Atlantic University to make use of the property as a college campus, possibly entering into some sort of collective agreement with the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches. He said he envisions the strip along the State Road 7 corridor as a potential job center. He also advocated a public/private cooperative to keep it for its present designation as public use.

Matt Willhite, the last Seat 4 candidate to answer, said the village has taken the lead in setting aside park space, and other land would be difficult to find. He said

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

The inaugural Wellington Antique Show & Heritage Festival is scheduled for this weekend at the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches site near the Mall at Wellington Green, and show promoter Deborah Welky expects plenty of exceptional goods.

“Dealers are said to be bringing antique, rustic and high-end decorator furniture,” she said, “as well as one-of-akind lamps, vintage clothing, old toys and paper dolls, leather-bound books, tools, paintings, home accessories, vases, bronzes, equestrian items, collectibles, and estate and costume jewelry, including Kenneth Lane.”

A major highlight will be $5 appraisals by Vivian Highberg of Antiques Roadshow fame, although there will be

he would use it as designated and work with the county and the school district to utilize the space to its best use. “That way, the county, the school district and the village will pay,” he said.

Mayoral candidate Darell Bowen said the K-Park site is better suited for other uses than a park. He agreed with the concept of a university or job center.

Incumbent Mayor Tom Wenham said the purchase price of $125,000 an acre was an extremely good deal, and when the council bought the land, they were looking to meet the recreation levels of service mandated in the village charter. If athletic practice fields are needed, the village can level the land and plant turf, but he would not go further on development in the current economic climate.

“It’s not the building, but the maintenance that gives us heartburn,” he said, adding that he was very pleased with the sale of five acres of the parcel fronting State Road 7 for an assisted-living facility.

Seat 1 challenger Duane Christensen said the land is valuable and should be put to good use. “I would make sure there is a plan for the use of the entire park,” he said. “We should get the best people in the community to determine the use.”

Christensen said part of it could be used for a business park in addition to recreation.

Incumbent Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore said the village should follow the original plan for a park. Based on 2009 build-out, he said, the village needs four additional ball fields to comply with mandated levels of service. He also said he was happy about the sale of five acres for an assisted-living facility, which recouped some of the money spent on the purchase.

Candidates also spared over whether

a limit of two items per person.

Welky said she has received a good response from vendors for a first-time show. “Antiques dealers who routinely do ‘the circuit’ have been spreading the word among their friends, and that always helps,” she said. “One of my biggest challenges has been explaining to people exactly where the Grand Marquee tent is located. It has only been up a few months, and to say it’s ‘one mile west of the Mall at Wellington Green,’ well, to some even the mall is new.”

Welky said many local antique dealers will be present at the show. “Five years ago, when I opened my antiques shop in Palatka, I quickly discovered that my best customers were other antiques dealers,” she said. “Every dealer has their particular passion. So every show is a treasure hunt for them, too. And, of course, I’m as excited as the rest of

A WEEKEND AT WESTFEST

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce’s West Fest Land & Sea Festival took place last weekend at the Micanopy Pavilion in Okeeheelee Park. The event featured musical acts such as Starship and the Jake & Elwood Blues Brothers Show, as well as contests, BMX exhibitions, wildlife, art, food and much more. Pictured above is singer Montana Tucker (center) with some of her young fans. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 29A

The Diabetes Jungle Safari was held last Saturday at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. It was a fundraiser for the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. Shown here are Lew and Erica Blatte, Mark Plaxen, Dana Simons, and Debbie and John Preiser. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 43A

them to see what kinds of things turn up. My own booth will feature a 1930s jade-green stove — the kind with legs — as well as other cool pieces from my shop.”

Welky, also a Town-Crier columnist, said she is pleased by the high quality of the sponsors for the event. “The SunSentinel is our title sponsor,” she said, “and we have major sponsors like Two Men and a Truck Movers, the Coates Law Firm, Wellington Remodeling, Palm Beach Cottages & Gardens magazine, Wellington The Magazine and the TownCrier. We also have contributions from the Solid Waste Management and Florida Power & Light. All of these are topquality organizations.”

Welky said the vendor selection was fairly exclusive due to space limitations. “It was tempting to try to fill up our 8,000 square feet as quickly as possible by

signing up anyone who called, but I wanted a good mix of items, so I tried to be selective,” she said. “This isn’t a jewelry show or a furniture show — it’s a general antiques show with something for everyone. Next time, I’d love to be able to add antique cars.”

For hungry browsers, Chappy’s Food Carts will be selling hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken on a stick, lo mein, egg rolls, vegetables, Italian ices, lemonade, hot pretzels and Pepsi products.

The Wellington Antique Show & Heritage Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Cultural Trust site on the south side of Forest Hill Blvd. west of the Mall at Wellington Green. Admission is free and a portion of the $5 per car parking fees goes to support the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington. For more information, call Welky at (561) 795-5916.

PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Shelley Vana: Coming State Budget Cuts Will Hurt Us All

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

State Rep. Shelley Vana told members of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association last week that the need to cut an estimated $2 billion from the current budget may be devastating to some programs.

Vana joined state lawmakers returning to Tallahassee Tuesday for a new legislative session with further budget cuts the first priority. Vana, who has announced her intention to run for the District 3 Palm Beach County Commission seat currently

held by Bob Kanjian, spoke to LGLA members Feb. 28.

“It will be very challenging,” she said. “It’s getting to the point where programs that are positive are going to be impacted. I am especially concerned about healthcare, education, safety and security.”

Vana said she and her staff have been relentless in requesting particulars about the effect of budget cuts and the actual calculations behind them. She said she anticipates huge fights in the legislature on how to raise more money, but meanwhile, some lawmakers are awaiting

revised estimates of the state’s financial condition.

“There will be another report of the budget predictions in March,” Vana said. “Some of the leadership is waiting for those predictions to come out to see if it’s a lot worse or a lot better. The bottom line is we have to do a lot of creative budgeting this year. My belief is we are going to have to prioritize the things that are the highest priority for the voters and make sure those are taken care of.”

Vana also expressed concern that Gov. Charlie Crist would seek to spend contingency

funds to offset some budget shortfalls.

“There will be discussions about whether it’s prudent or not,” Vana said. “He will argue that this is a rainy day, and we have a rainy day fund. The issue is it will be raining harder next year, and then if we spend it this year, what do we do? There are some big debates that will take place in the Senate and in the House, and the legislature as a whole this session.”

Vana said the legislature’s attempt last year to ease the property insurance crisis had failed. “We decided we would take the insurance companies off the hook for some risk,” she said. “The state would issue reinsurance at a low price in the event there was a hurricane. We would have to provide the backup insurance for the insurance companies.”

Despite the legislature’s efforts, Vana said, insurance companies have not significantly lowered rates or stopped dropping coverage. “When we were doing it, nobody was complaining, and I said to myself we are not fixing it,” she said. “It turned out we have not fixed it to the degree we should.”

Vana blamed Republicans for allowing insurance companies a free hand in setting rates. “The majority party in Tallahassee really believes in laissez-faire,” she said. “They believe the market should set it and don’t interfere. The other extreme is total government control. Somewhere in the middle is where we should be.”

Vana also said taxpayers would have to watch out for the consequences of Amendment 1, which they had approved.

“The governor went door to door and spoke of lower property tax,” Vana said. “You know how they are going to be getting money for some of the budget deficits? We are going to have a local effect. The government giveth with one hand and taketh away with the other. You went around and gave a tax break, and the required local effort is another half a million dollars people will pay in taxes.”

Vana also noted that the property tax relief measures would not help many homebuyers. “We didn’t give any breaks to the first-time homebuyer,” she said. “The first-time homebuyer will buy a home and get socked with the taxes. That will prevent them from trying to buy a home and put a damper on the whole portability issue. If you find a house

and you want to upsize and someone wants to downsize, it might work. I’m not sure anyone is buying, but we will see.”

LGLA President Marge Herzog asked Vana how term limits in the House and Senate are affecting Vana and other legislators. Vana said she would have faced a term limit in two more years but has decided to run for the Palm Beach County Commission instead of waiting until then. With 60 representatives facing term limits, she said, proponents of change should seize the opportunity. “Term limits are good in some ways and bad in some ways,” Vana said. “But I told the teachers I know who have been very disappointed with the legislature over the years, that this is their opportunity to put people in who like public education.”

Also last week, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Chris Calloway told LGLA members the PBSO’s increased effort at traffic enforcement has been yielding results.

“Most of you have seen the traffic enforcement presence in Loxahatchee Groves,” Calloway said during his report on law enforcement activity in the community. “We have two dedicated sergeants and a team of deputies who do nothing but traffic enforcement when they are not answering calls for this area. So far this month, we have over 28 citations and 19 warnings.”

Calloway said other crimes committed in the past month included a few residential burglaries and some vandalism, much of it focused on mailboxes. He again urged residents to lock their doors to prevent burglaries. “The residential burglaries are unlocked doors,” Calloway said. “Please remind yourselves and your neighbors to lock your doors before you become a victim.”

Calloway also noted that the PBSO would be working to enforce the town’s recently passed roadside labor solicitation ban, and cooperating with the Acts II Worship Center’s Buena Fe resource center for day laborers, which is scheduled to open later this month.

Responding to questions about the laborers’ immigration status, Calloway said the PBSO is trying to keep pedestrians and residents safe, and immigration status is a federal issue. “They need a venue where they can go find some work,” he said. “With Acts II’s help, this will be a benefit for all of us.”

FOR MAYOR OF WELLINGTON

With the current state of the economy and the recently passed property tax amendment, Wellington is at a crossroads. We need a Mayor who has the business, leadership and management experience to guide us through tough financial times. Darell has started and run two successful businesses here, managed multi-million dollar budgets and has the leadership experience to navigate the rough waters ahead.

As your Mayor, Darell Bowen will:

✔ use his extensive business and budgeting experience to ensure we meet the state mandated property tax cuts without cutting core services or raising taxes.

✔ stop the selling off of precious park land and golf courses to private developers.

✔ stop the council from making decisions based on political whims rather than sound business practices.

✔ work with the Sheriff’s Department and County Fire Rescue to ensure the Village remains a priority and response times are kept short.

✔ work with our neighboring communities to limit the impacts of traffic and overdevelopment on the Village and surrounding areas.

✔ ensure that our recreation programs are kept affordable for everyone.

Town-Crier Endorsements

Keep Wenham And Priore, Add Van Dusen To The Council

When Wellington residents go to the polls on Tuesday, March 11, they’ll choose from among eight candidates seeking three available seats on the Wellington Village Council. All three seats have drawn heavy competition from candidates who are fully capable of making good council members. Choosing who to endorse was a difficult decision. Regardless of the outcome, Wellington residents can count themselves lucky for having a solid list of quality candidates to choose from. We invite you to read our comments here, but also peruse the in-depth candidate profiles featured on pages 10A to 15A of this issue and learn more about the candidates.

MAYOR

The choice between incumbent Mayor Tom Wenham and challenger Darell Bowen is largely viewed as a matter of direction and leadership style.

We admire Mr. Bowen for his many years of service to community organizations in Wellington. He is a longstanding friend of this newspaper. He has framed his campaign with the assertion that Wellington needs a new direction with stronger leadership, and that his no-nonsense, businesslike style is the cure to what ails the community. While Mr. Bowen might thrive as leader of a strong-mayor city like West Palm Beach, we’re not convinced his take-the-bull-by-the-horns style will lead to a more functional council.

Yes, Tom Wenham’s laissez-faire attitude to wielding the gavel has led to some long-winded meetings, but in a community where passions run high, having a calm, quiet voice at the helm — someone willing to let the various factions argue out their differences — has served the community well for many years. Mr. Wenham has never seen himself as the guy with the gavel, but rather Wellington’s cheerleader-in-chief and top ambassador, and that’s a job he does better than anyone else around.

Wellington has problems, but they are the same problems faced by nearly every community in the State of Florida. Could things be better? Yes. But under Mr. Wenham’s leadership, while other communities find themselves staring at the precipice, Wellington finds itself in fairly good condition: great parks, great schools, a large reserve fund and one of the best credit ratings in the state. For these reasons and more, the Town-Crier endorses the re-election of Tom Wenham as Mayor of Wellington.

SEAT 1

Throughout his campaign, challenger Duane Christensen has raised many good points about future development in Wellington. It is an issue that affects all village residents and business owners — one that has become increasingly important in the light of the rapidly developing State Road 7 corridor. And Mr. Christensen’s background as a St. Louis businessman is impressive. But his insistence that his opponent, incumbent Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore, is “out of touch” with his constituents is both off the mark and insulting to someone who has done so much for the village.

Dr. Priore has served Wellington longer than Mr. Christensen has been a fulltime Wellington resident. In addition to Dr. Priore’s achievements on the council — which range from helping develop the village’s contributions to Everglades restoration and writing the community’s comprehensive plan — he has worked his way up through leadership posts in the Florida League of Cities and has be-

Bowen Responds

To Trager Letter

This is to clarify some things that were inaccurate in Mr. Howard Trager’s letter last week (“Where Are the Details?”). First of all, I never once suggested building a village complex.

In response to a question at the Wellington Chamber of Commerce candidates’ forum regarding a village complex, I said that having the many offices of the village spread all

come a well-respected leader throughout the state. The village has and will continue to benefit from the increases in statewide lobbying power Dr. Priore brings. Closer to home, Dr. Priore, a resident of Olympia, is routinely the council’s only clear voice on issues facing residents east of State Road 7. “Out of touch” with his neighbors? Certainly not. Losing Dr. Priore would be a devastating loss to Wellington.

The Town-Crier strongly endorses the re-election of Dr. Carmine Priore to Wellington Village Council Seat 1. SEAT 4

During our candidate interviews, we were extremely impressed by all four candidates for this seat — Howard Coates, Dr. Timothy Shields, Dr. Fred Van Dusen and Matt Willhite. Every one of them offers unique qualifications and would be valuable members of the council. It truly is a shame that only one can be elected.

Dr. Shields has some interesting ideas that, coupled with his academic background, would bring to the council a point of view it never had before. Also, he would serve as a voice for young families, a crucial constituency in Wellington. However, with little background in local issues, Dr. Shields is not the strongest choice for this seat.

Another candidate representing young families, Mr. Willhite is an up-and-coming figure in Palm Beach County politics. Even if he doesn’t win this race, we expect great things from this 36-year-old firefighter and paramedic. Given the issues Mr. Willhite has been active on in the past, though, we were surprised that he chose to seek a position on the Wellington Village Council and not a seat in the State Legislature.

Like Seat 4’s previous holder Laurie Cohen, Mr. Coates is a practicing attorney. The council could greatly benefit from having his legal perspective. In addition, his involvement as a business owner with the local chambers of commerce and as president of a youth recreation league shows someone who is already engaged in the affairs of the community.

Dr. Van Dusen has lived in Wellington for 22 years. He has been an active part of the community for nearly all that time. He has served on Wellington’s Public Safety Committee since its inception two decades ago. He served on the committee that led Wellington’s incorporation effort and did the analysis that led to the village’s first contract with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. This all comes in addition to impressive work with the U.S. State Department and his work as a counter-terrorism expert. Wellington should feel honored that someone of Dr. Van Dusen’s stature would seek a position on the council.

While each of these candidates would serve the village well, the Town-Crier has long stated the opinion that membership on the council should come only after lengthy volunteer community service. All four candidates have done some public service work in the community, but none compares to the more than two decades Dr. Van Dusen has put in for the village. For that reason, the Town-Crier endorses the election of Dr. Fred Van Dusen to Wellington Village Council Seat 4.

Whether you agree or disagree with our assessments, we urge all Wellington voters to go to the polls on Tuesday, March 11 and make your opinion count!

Letters To The Editor

over the village creates inefficiencies, cost duplications and may be worth taking a look at. Further, I never said anything about building a new senior center. What I did say was that we need a place in Wellington for seniors to congregate and socialize, and that I think it is disgraceful that a community our size does not have such a facility. Until we get to the planning stage, it is much too early to determine whether we need to have a new building or wheth-

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er we can convert some existing building. It is also much too early to address financing, and before I would commit tax dollars, I would work hard to get private funding, as well as explore the possibility of grants.

My approach to these issues really differentiates me from my opponent. I will look at each issue, just as I do in business. I will gather all the facts, study and analyze them, compare costs and benefits, and then make an informed decision. I will not jump to conclusions and assume things prematurely.

Darell Bowen Wellington

Editor’s Note: Mr. Bowen is a candidate for mayor of Wellington.

Re-Elect Wenham, Priore To Council

about having kids in the schools for 18 years. Mayor Tom was a supervisor of the Acme Improvement District working for our community even before we incorporated as a village. Mayor Tom was at the table, working with the school district to set aside the land to build great schools here in Wellington. Mayor Tom was on the council that provided additional funding for those wonderful classrooms.

With Tom at the helm, the village purchased that park space and built those wonderful athletic fields where the other candidates’ children played. This community was built by leaders like Mayor Tom Wenham. This is stability. Both he and Carmine Priore bring an encapsulated history and the true vision to the dais each time they sit down. That they continually vote to preserve that vision may not be to everyone’s liking at that moment. When they vote, however, you know darn straight they are sticking close to the utopian dream that Wellington was designed to be.

ber of Commerce, I saw first hand how our local government participated in business situations. I am proud to have had Carmine Priore on my board of directors, for his information base and influence was unprecedented. I worked closely with Mayor Tom in devising methods to help struggling businesses. On every occasion, Mayor Tom illustrated his desire to help and his absolute spot on intentions, making Wellington the premier community to live, work and play.

If I thought that simply looking to get things run “my way” was the answer, I would have run for mayor! Vote for Tom Wenham for mayor. Vote for Carmine Priore for village council. Show up and vote on March 11.

Janixx Parisi Wellington Editor’s Note: Ms. Parisi is the immediate past president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce. This letter represents her personal opinion.

Support Bowen

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I met Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham seven years ago and got a lapel pin. On countless occasions in these ensuing years, we have crossed paths socially, government policy wise and in the trenches.

This last year, during the “Equestrian Wars,” I did not always agree with Tom. What I always respected was that his decisions — as well as those of Dr. Carmine Priore, Laurie Cohen, Bob Margolis and Lizbeth Benacquisto — were always based on what was best for Wellington, all things considered. Mayor Tom Wenham’s perspective was different than mine as he has been here longer, integral in shaping what makes Wellington special.

Other candidates will speak

We have a new village manager. We have three seats up. The mayor and Dr. Priore need to be re-elected. The dynamic is strong with this stewardship. With a new mayor and/or two new seats changed, a learning curve would ensue, creating havoc. I do not believe we can tolerate that. We need a mayor who is dedicated to the job full time, who has been intimately involved in every function, every vote and every vision that is Wellington.

During my tenure as president of the Wellington Cham-

For Mayor

I have known Darell Bowen for about 20 years. I know him to be an honest, hardworking businessman who has demon-

Roebuck Protestors Cry ‘Environment’ As Excuse For NIMBY

Did I predict the Road War just one week ago? I should have called it Road Rage.

In my last column, I warned of a road war between the western communities and the coast. The battle lines were drawn at a rally this past Saturday at the Baywinds community clubhouse, the headquarters of one of the gated West Palm Beach neighborhoods opposed to the extension of Roebuck Road westward and State Road 7 extension north and west through The Acreage.

Surprisingly, the pitchman for the group was 25th District Sen. Jeff Atwater (R-North Palm Beach), who sounded like he might have been experiencing road rage when he announced that his mission was to drive a stake into the heart of the Roebuck extension. That didn’t win him many friends in the western communities, whose residents are desperately seeking more and faster routes in and out of the area.

Roebuck Road, which already has the backing of county road czar George Webb, is seen by communities such as Royal Palm Beach as a much-needed east-west corridor alternative for village commuters. It is also considered an alternative for road-deprived Acreage motorists.

Then what’s the problem, you ask? Like SR 7, Roebuck Road is caught up in the never-ending struggle of self-proclaimed environmentalists who value the comfort of assorted critters over human beings. What was once an all-too-famil-

Letters

continued from page 4A strated how much he cares for our community.

Darell is an experienced businessman who has successfully managed two businesses in Wellington since I have known him. He knows what it is like to establish a budget, to control overhead and to make payroll every week when many employees and their families depend on their paycheck.

I have also observed first-hand Darell’s commitment to community projects and services. In 1989, Darell sponsored me for membership in the Wellington Rotary Club, where he worked his way up through various offices to serve as president and then served on the board for several years. The club supports several dozen local charities every year.

I know Darell has been very active for the local Boy Scouts and the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington. He had a special relationship with the late Bink Glisson and was instrumental in establishing a museum in Bink’s honor. The museum contains a wealth of history about Wellington.

It is common knowledge that the next village council is facing tough decisions concerning revenue and a budget in general. I believe we will need experienced businessmen and women on the council who know how to run a business and

iar question of traffic studies or the need for more roads to handle the demands of increasing numbers of people has now been disingenuously turned into an environmental issue beyond the limits of honest debate.

Judging from a one-sided story in last Sunday’s Palm Beach Post, one would think the Roebuck Road issue to be a holy crusade. Although some Indian Trail Improvement District supervisors attended the rally to oppose delays or funding cutbacks on either road, the fact was not mentioned. Anyone who listened to them would have learned that the road opponents’ environmental argument is baseless. The issue is actually NIMBY — “not in my back yard.”

ITID and other Acreage community leaders are taking the SR 7 and Roebuck issues very seriously. So seriously, in fact, that at the time of this writing several are in Tallahassee lobbying lawmakers to approve state funding for the roads and warning them not to be taken in by the environmental ruse.

Here is some background to drink in while waiting for your cocktail:

Proponents of the roads claim they were planned and included in developer agreements even before the first house was built in any of the subdivisions of Baywinds, Andros Isles and Riverwalk along Okeechobee Blvd., and Ibis along Northlake Blvd. They also claim that the Johnny-come-lately environment argument is spurious because the subdivisions were all built, at least partially, on land already declared as preserve or wet-

are willing to make the tough calls required to manage the village like any other large business. I am confident Darell Bowen has the ability, desire and willingness to make the tough decisions without regard to any political ambitions, to serve our community well, and to be a leader and innovator on the council.

Robert R. Morris Wellington Council Needs Change

Mr. Thomas Wenham and Dr. Carmine Priore were two of the Wellington Village Council members who voted for the “infamous” chain-link fence ordinance in 2002. On that premise alone, they do not deserve re-election.

After Hurricane Frances demolished our wooden fences, the council refused to issue permits for “downed” wooden fences unless a chain-link fence was installed first. So said residents ended up with a wooden fence for privacy and the now-worthless mandatory chain-link fence because said candidates subsequently revoked their chain-link fence ordinance two years later. The residents who complied with the ordinance two years prior were out of pocket $1,500 due to said candidates’ ineptness.

Since Wellington is growing rapidly, we now need new, vibrant, savvy politicians. We desperately need change for our community to grow and prosper in

land. West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County both approved the permits anyway. So now that they approved homes on environmentally sensitive land, they are going to stop the roads needed to service the traffic created by those homes?

The developer agreement for the Ibis subdivision allowed 120 feet of easement to the county, which received another 200 feet from the Florida Department of Transportation, providing for a 320-foot buffer between the SR 7 extension and the subdivision. Now residents in the gated community want to take it back. Even the county has weighed in on the environmental argument, saying that the road projects allow for improvements in the West Palm Beach water catchment area, not damage.

The road war has already been reduced to various bumper-sticker slogans. West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel’s war cry is “No Build.” Opponents of the roads refer to the “asphalt collar” to describe pavement planned along three sides of the catchment. Now the environmentalists are using the slogan “Preserve the Preserve.” Meanwhile, Acreage proponents of the roads have settled on the slogan “Human Life,” referring to the lack of emergency routes in and out of sprawling community and the increasingly frequent brushfires like one that recently shut down Northlake Blvd. “People in Ibis didn’t care,” an ITID supervisor told me. “They have a back way to their homes.”

ITID supervisors, staffers and com-

this modern age. So a reminder for the many residents who were forced to install chain-link fences against their wishes, I urge you to vote for these candidates’ opponents.

Colette K. Miller Wellington

Tom Wenham Has Proven Experience

We’re at a crossroads in shaping the future of our village. Do you want a mayor, who when asked, “what are the three most important issues facing the Village of Wellington?” includes customer service and a need for us to have a university campus in his response? Or do we need a mayor who shares our community vision and has successfully moved this village forward from its infancy stages to one of the most desirable communities in Florida? Simply stated, Mayor Tom Wenham has the proven experience and continues to be the best person to lead us in the right direction.

When asked about development, [Darell] Bowen again states that we “need a university campus.” We certainly didn’t move here because we desired to live or raise our families in a collegetown climate. We’re here because of fine schools, equestrian appeal, support programs and quality of life. Those amenities represent the foundations that May-

Point of View...

By Don Brown

munity leaders are busy assessing the politics of the controversy. For example, while in Tallahassee they were attempting to remind Sen. Atwater that he was fueling resentment among western communities residents who feel they are being thrown under a “green” bus. “He’s joined those gated communities east of us to stop what we’ve been waiting on for years,” an ITID supervisor said. “What’s his plan for us?”

Believing that Dist. 83 State Rep. Carl Domino (R-Jupiter) has allied himself with Ibis, ITID supervisors were prepared to remind him he has nearly 18,000 constituents in The Acreage. “We’ll remind him that without the support of our residents, he would have lost his last close election,” an ITID supervisor told me from Tallahassee.

I have my own solution for those residents of Ibis, Baywinds, Andros Isles and Riverwalk. If you really believe in your environmental commitment to “preserve the preserve,” why don’t you do the right thing: tear down your homes that were built on a preserve in the first place and move.

or Wenham set forth. It is those same amenities that still continue to make us all proud to call Wellington home. A university in Wellington would change its beauty and charm, adversely affecting the “bedroom community” appeal that we all have come to appreciate.

Bowen states, “every taxpayer is a customer of the village, and they should be treated that way.” I do not want to be treated as a customer. Mayor Wenham’s governing philosophy means listening and responding to citizens, not as customers, but as residents with an intelligent voice. He doesn’t shy away from giving residents the platform and making decisions reflective of their desires when shaping our village’s future.

Re-elect Mayor Wenham. He values residents’ opinions and will move us in the right direction. After all, if I wanted to live in a college city whose leadership focuses on good customer service, I’d move to Gainesville and take up residency in the local superstore.

Theresa Ventriglio Wellington

Support For Priore, Bowen And Shields

Here are my choices of candidates in the upcoming Wellington election:

• Carmine Priore — He is probably See LETTERS, page 50A

Three Calves Rustled From Ranch In Northern Wellington

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

MARCH 3 — Three male calves were reported stolen from a ranch on Acme Road in Wellington on Monday. According to a Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office report, the ranch’s owner said the calves, valued at $350 each, went missing at approximately 10 a.m. The owner said each of the calves was between four and five feet long, and dark brown in color. There

CRIME NEWS CRIME NEWS

was no suspect information at the time of the report.

• • •

FEB. 26 — An Acreage woman was arrested on drug charges Tuesday, Feb. 26 during a traffic stop on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the substation in Royal Palm Beach made contact with 20year-old Renae Riley at 4:35

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives:

• Kenneth Bernas is a white male, 5’10” tall and weighing 170 lbs., with red hair and hazel eyes. His date of birth is 03/25/82. He has a tattoo of a dragon on his right arm. Bernas is wanted for violation of probation on convictions for dealing in stolen property and false verification of ownership to a pawnbroker. His occupation is tile setter. His last known addresses were N.E. 6th Court in Boca Raton and 30th Lane North in Loxahatchee. Bernas is wanted as of 03/06/08.

• Erick Paz is a white male, 5’8” tall and weighing 170 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 05/08/81. He has tattoos on both arms, left hand, left shoulder and chest. Paz is wanted for failure to appear in court on the charge of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon resulting in bodily harm. His occupation is laborer. His most recent addresses were Broward Avenue in Greenacres and Kirk Road in Lake Worth. Paz is wanted as of 03/06/08.

Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crime stopperspbc.com.

THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, WHICH IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.

a.m. at the intersection of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. and Sunflower Circle. The deputy observed a half-empty bottle of rum on the vehicle’s side floorboard. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed three grams of marijuana in a glass bottle and a pipe with marijuana residue in Riley’s purse. Riley was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.

FEB. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach arrested a West Palm

Beach woman on drug charges in Southern Blvd. near the South Florida Fairgrounds on Feb. 26. According to a PBSO report, the deputy stopped 23year-old Carrie Mosher for an inoperative tag light at 12:10 a.m. Upon contact with Mosher, the deputy smelled marijuana coming from the interior of the vehicle. Mosher denied there were any drugs in the car and consented to a search. During the search of the vehicle, the deputy discovered a plastic bag that contained approximately three grams of marijuana, a pipe with marijuana residue and a digital scale in the vehicle’s center console, according to the report. Mosher, the registered owner of the vehicle, denied any knowledge of the drugs and paraphernalia, according to the report. Mosher was arrested on a charge of possession of drugs with intent to sell. She was issued a notice to appear in court.

MARCH 3 — Two women were arrested on drug charges Monday on South Shore Blvd. in Wellington. According to a PBSO report, 25-year-old Whitney Boyce of Covington, La., and 28-year-old Amy Betuker of Poundridge, N.Y., were observed by a deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington in a cocaine transaction at approximately 12:15 a.m. Both were charged with possession of cocaine and transported to the county jail.

MARCH 4 — Two men were arrested on burglary charges Tuesday at a construction site on State Road 7 in Wellington. According to a

PBSO report, an off-duty PBSO deputy was driving south on State Road 7 when she observed 19-year-old Daniel Yeary of Pompano Beach and 19-year-old Aaron Michelson of Fort Lauderdale run across the road carrying metal poles. The pair ran into a parking lot where the offduty deputy detained them until another deputy arrived. According to the report, Yeary told the deputy he was on the site to repossess the copper tubing because of a contract dispute with the builder. Yeary said he works for his father’s company, which was installing the electrical for the structure, and that his father told him to repossess the tubing. Yeary and Michelson planned to cut up the copper tubing and drive back to Pompano Beach but decided to move a speaker system, pull down a seat and let the tubing out a vehicle window. The deputy made contact with Yeary’s father by phone. The father, who owns an electrical company, told the deputy his son did not have permission to remove the copper tubing. Yeary and Michelson were both transported to the county jail.

MARCH 4 — A Miami man was arrested on a grand theft charge Tuesday at Dillard’s department store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, 35-yearold Sandro Noseda was caught attempting to steal $494 worth of merchandise at 5:35 p.m. Noseda was transported to the county jail.

Erick Paz

Kenneth Bernas

Election Vote March 11

continued from page 1A or not it was proper to use village advertising and in-house media for what some have called council self-promotion.

Wenham noted that many of the publicity expenditures have ceased, largely due to budget constraints, but added that the publicity by council members was intended for good purposes. He said the “Wellington Views” newsletter, for example, allowed each council member to address different salient topics in the village. “I found it a very valuable tool to keep residents informed, but we have discontinued it at this time,” he said.

Wenham added that the village’s Channel 18, on which the forum was being broadcast, is still a useful media outlet and serves a valuable public service.

Bowen, however, said he would do away with self-promotion. “I promise we won’t use any village money for political ads paid for by taxpayers,” he said.

Shields stressed the importance of the village communicating with residents, but said the material sometimes strays from informing to self-promotion. “Sometimes the line is crossed,” he said.

Coates said residents pay taxes to run government, not to self-promote. “If this is going on, it needs to stop,” he said. Willhite said it is the responsibility of government to keep people informed, especially in emergencies, but “self-promotion is not what we’re up here for.”

Van Dusen said self-promotion is not a good thing, but that pertinent information must be published. “We need that type of information. It doesn’t need to be color, but we need to get that information out,” he said.

While Wellington is the only county municipality to give money to help fund public school education, the candidates were mostly uniform in wanting to keep the money in place despite tighter budgets. The village currently provides $5 per student annually in high and middle schools and $25,000 reading grants for elementary schools.

Christensen was not in favor of the program. He said the village should ideally have a good relationship with the school district to entice more funding. “It is not the role of the village to spend $5 per child to supplement schools,” he said. “That has a political overtone.”

But Priore stood behind the grants as beneficial to students. “We have children not reading to grade level,” Priore said. “Will we support these children that cannot read or let them fall by the wayside?”

Coates said the village needs to take the matter up with education officials if Wellington schools are not being treated

fairly, but he would hesitate to cut the village funding.

“We live in Wellington and came to Wellington for the schools,” he said. “We know and love the schools out here. Sometimes we have to step up as citizens and make sure our children are protected. If we are not being treated right by the school board, we need to look at that closely.”

Willhite said everything needs to be reexamined in the current economy. “There are some things in the budget that need to be taken care of,” he said. “But we came to Wellington because every school here but one is an A-rated school.”

Van Dusen agreed that Wellington schools are a prime reason parents locate here. “Most are active in Wellington schools,” he said. “Is it wrong to give kids incentive to stay in school? No, kids are our future.”

He said investing in children’s education is far better than investing in a penal system where under-educated youth wind up.

Shields said he couldn’t think of a more important investment than education.

Bowen agreed that it is important to invest in youth, but warned the extra funding will become expected over time. “We need to continue to invest, but have oversight and be sure it is spent on what it was intended for,” he said.

Wenham related the story of a woman whose daughter did not read well but improved through the village school reading grant program. “That little girl can now read,” he said. “I know this program works.”

With the village facing tough budget decisions, candidates were asked where they would cut and if they would consider taking money from reserves.

Willhite said he would focus on streamlining personnel, leaving open positions unfilled, and capping capital improvements.

Van Dusen said an initial look at the budget found several items that could be cut, such as $300,000 a year for software.

Shields said he would not use reserve funds to cover the budget. Instead he would look at cyclic funding such as vehicle replacement policy. He would also compare benefits for village employees to those of other municipalities. Coates said some areas are ripe for scrutiny, such as the communications budget and the legal budget, which he said has grown from

$300,000 to $750,000 in just a few years.

Wenham said he has been in active discussions with the village manager about not filling vacant positions. Items such as field maintenance and employee benefits should be looked at, he said, but if recreation programs are cut, the village will hear from the parents.

Bowen said he would not dip into the reserves to meet the annual budget. “We have to look at it as I do in the business world,” he said. “Look at assets, vehicles; do we need them? Is there equipment or people we can get rid of?”

Priore said he would not reduce the reserves. “Maintaining 27 to 29 percent is the same as protecting one’s credit rating,” he said. “That is why Wellington has an AA credit rating.”

At the end of the forum, the candidates discussed the future of Wellington’s main artery, Forest Hill Blvd. Specifically, whether it should be widened or continued to be designated a “constrained roadway at lower levels of service” (CRALLS), a planning term that allows a road to have more traffic than would normally be allowed.

Bowen said he would reduce the speed limit on Forest Hill to discourage through traffic. “I don’t want to widen Forest Hill. I live off it and it gets more and more difficult to get onto Forest Hill,” he said.

Wenham said he would not take the CRALLS designation away. “It needs to remain a pretty street,” he said. “I would not favor widening.”

Christensen also said that he would not widen Forest Hill and that efforts must be made to curtail growth and avoid more traffic. Priore said he would never remove the CRALLS designation. “The council took the first step by taking control of the road from the county,” he said, also advocating reducing the speed limit on Forest Hill Blvd. “If you don’t like it, go around,” he said.

The Seat 4 candidates also agreed they did not want to widen Forest Hill. “If we widen roads, we will get more traffic,” Van Dusen said.

“I live off Forest Hill, and it’s a challenge to get across on bikes,” Shields said. “If we can lower the speed limit, that would be good.”

The election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Land Use Change For Wellington Design Center

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington Village Council amended its Future Land Use Map on Tuesday to designate an 8.5-acre parcel known as Wellington Design Center as Community Commercial. The site is located about 1.5 miles south of Forest Hill Blvd. on the east side of State Road 7. The amendment, which

passed on second and final reading, allows 96,880 square feet of commercial uses, consisting of a 79,480-square-foot furniture showroom, design center and 17,400 square feet of related warehouse or storage space. Zoning for the project will be before the council at a future date, according to staff reports. The previous land use designation under county land use was low-density residential. The

Suspect Arrested In Stabbing Case

FEB. 28 — A man was arrested last Thursday in connection with the Feb. 22 stabbing of an Acreage woman. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, 31-year-old Robert Major was arrested on charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury and armed home invasion. The victim, 27-year-old Gadear Touma, was stabbed in the torso area, arms and hands, according to the report. She was flown via Trauma Hawk to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where she underwent surgery.

Talent Show At P.W. Presbyterian

Palms West Presbyterian Church in Loxahatchee Groves will host its Sixth Annual Talent Show on Saturday, March 8. Dinner starts at 5:15 p.m., and the show begins at 6.

The event is a fundraiser for the church’s middle and high school youth groups. It is the largest fundraiser the church holds, and it allows the youth to go on annual mission trips, as well as help local charities, soup kitchens and different ministries.

The event always shows an array of talent from the congregation. Past performances have included animal shows, instrumental pieces, skits, the Southern Cross Quintet and last but not least, the world famous Palm Beach Pirouettes.

The talent show is open to the public. Tickets are $10 per person and can be purchased at the door the night of the show.

Palms West Presbyterian Church is located at 13689 Okeechobee Blvd., two miles west of Royal Palm Beach Blvd. For more information, call (561) 795-6292.

amendment passed unanimously with no discussion.

The council also approved on second reading the voluntary annexation of White Horse Financial Center, a 1.16-acre parcel about one mile south of Forest Hill Blvd. on the west side of State Road 7. The item passed unanimously without discussion.

Both items had been discussed at previous meetings.

Seat 4 Hopefuls — Howard Coates, Dr. Fred Van Dusen, Matt Willhite and Dr. Timothy Shields at Thursday’s forum.

Wellington Election Question 4: What Type Of Change Would You Bring?

For the past month, the Town-Crier has asked questions for publication each week to the eight candidates seeking seats on the Wellington Village Council. The final questions before the March 11 election are: “Are you happy with the current management/operation of the village? What, if anything, would you like to change?” and “Why should voters choose you over the other candidate(s) in this race?”

MAYORAL CANDIDATES

DARELL BOWEN

I am not happy with the current management/operation of the village. That is one of the reasons why I am running for mayor. I will make decisions based on sound business practices rather than political whims. We will develop a comprehensive long-term plan for the future, so we can control our growth, instead of letting growth control us. These are two things the current council has been unable or unwilling to do.

Since incorporation, our budget has grown more than twice as fast as our population. That is a sure sign of excessive spending. My experience with budgeting gives me the tools to balance a budget by cutting waste and improving efficiencies without cutting services. I am also disappointed in the way we are all treated as customers of the village. With my customer-service background, I intend to change this. We should be able to do business with the village and feel that we have been treated with respect rather than indifference. Under my leadership, along with your support, we can effect change and make Wellington a better place to live and do business.

As a 23-year Wellington resident and active community leader, I will bring much-needed business experience, new

ideas and fresh leadership to our council. My priorities will be: ensuring we meet the state-mandated budget cuts without cutting core services or raising taxes, becoming more efficient and cost effective in our delivery of services, returning quality customer service to our residents, working with our neighboring communities to limit the impacts of traffic on the village, preserving our precious green spaces, safeguarding our Equestrian Preserve Area, and working to attract a university branch campus and more professional jobs to our community.

TOM WENHAM

Wellington has been well managed. We are in fine financial shape, our streets are safe and clean, and we have built infrastructure necessary to meet the needs of our residents. Village schools and our parks and recreation programs are exceptional. We protected the Equestrian Preserve, acquired park land to guarantee that our open spaces will always remain green and adopted policies that benefit the environment around us — ensuring that our way of life will prosper for generations to come.

It is important to note that the management of the village has recently changed. Our manager of the past 11 years, Charlie Lynn, recently retired. We hired Paul Schofield as our village manager just last month, and he has already begun the process of changing the structure of our day-to-day operations in anticipation of a slowing economy. This restructuring will allow us to lower operational costs through the elimination of several high-level positions. I also support the creation of a director of operations position and the selection of John Bonde to fill that role. Mr. Bonde has considerable experience in many village departments and this umbrella position will allow us to consolidate some depart-

ments under his watchful eye.

I’m proud of what we’ve created here in Wellington — great schools, first-rate resident services, world-class parks and recreation programs, uncompromising public safety standards, and streets that are safe and clean. Throughout my years as mayor, Wellington has improved and prospered. Our beautiful village demonstrates my proven, tangible and very real leadership. There is a world of difference between campaign promises and proven experience. I am the only candidate with the institutional knowledge, commitment and experience to keep us moving forward.

CANDIDATES FOR SEAT 1

DUANE CHRISTENSEN

We have a new village manager, Paul Schofield. Although Charlie Lynn was an excellent manager, Paul will bring personality, greater energy and enthusiasm to the job. Paul certainly has intimate knowledge of the many facets of our government operation, will be more hands-on, available and involved. In my opinion, he will be a “breath of fresh air” to our village.

Paul will need a lot of help from the new village council to achieve what he is capable of doing. Most of all, he will need clear, consistent, decisive and timely instruction from the council so that he and his organization can function smoothly and in a cost-effective manner. I think Paul will research issues more deeply and serve as a better spokesperson for the village.

Hopefully, Paul will be instrumental in nudging council members to cast their votes based strictly on the merits of each issue, and what is best for the majority of people in the village, not based on selfserving political expediency.

I will listen to the “voice” of the people

of Wellington and cast my votes for what is best for the majority. Based on a highly successful business career and extensive involvement in essential community matters, I’ve gained the knowledge, leadership and people skills to effectively and fairly serve the residents of my community. I have no long-range political ambitions, no encumbrances of any kind to “shade” or influence my decisions. My desire is simple: to serve the people of Wellington with energy, inspiration, creativity and foresight as we move into the post-build-out era.

DR. CARMINE PRIORE

We begin with a proactive village council, a manager who supports the philosophy of the council and is actively engaged in the operation of the village, senior staff members who are responsible and accountable, department managers and supervisors with a sense of pride in our village, and employees who feed off the enthusiasm of their leaders and carry out the mission and philosophy. It’s contagious and results in effective government with very high morale.

The government is here to provide services to our residents and must be user friendly. It is our staff’s responsibility to educate our residents. If there are code violations, officers must make our residents aware of the violations and explain how to avoid future problems. If it is a water utility issue, our customer service representatives need to help rectify the situation. Our staff needs to take the time to educate our residents. I want us to talk to residents so we can listen and learn. I believe that problems need to be converted to opportunities.

My wife and I have lived here for 23 years, my son and daughter-in-law live and work here, my grandchildren attend schools in Wellington. I am committed to this village and all the residents who

Indian Trail Board Votes To End Water Suit With County

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors approved an agreement last week that would end its long-running legal disputes with Palm Beach County over water rights.

Under the agreement, the county would pay the district approximately $9 million for existing infrastructure, repair work, easement usage and anticipated revenues, and in return would gain rights as the sole water provider in The Acreage.

Several dozen ITID residents at the Feb. 28 meeting voiced opposition to the agreement, many saying that the county could not be trusted and that it would seek ways of forcing Acreage residents to become its water customers. One of the terms of the agreement specifies that ITID residents, who mainly draw water from wells, will not be forced to hook up to the county water system.

The agreement gives ITID full authority to determine who will receive water in the district, and to create procedures to make those determinations. ITID residents will not be directly assessed for the existing county water lines built in the district in anticipation of the failed Scripps development at Mecca Farms, and will receive at least 20 additional fire hydrants from the county. The agreement also leaves the district free to challenge the right of Royal Palm Beach to collect a ten-percent

franchise fee on residents’ water bills.

ITID Attorney Charles Schoech noted that the utility plan formed by the previous board of supervisors, which precipitated the legal battle with the county, was financially unfeasible without a customer base.

“The previous board looked at providing water for residents itself,” he said, “and determined that doing so was far too expensive to provide a utility infrastructure, and the only way it could be done would be to require mandatory hookups.”

Schoech said the lawsuits had proven both fruitless and costly. “After several years, we spent $2.5 million and had not prevailed on any issue,” he said.

“This agreement will settle the litigation. If we do not accept it, the litigation will continue, and I would remind everyone we are paying for both sides of it. We not only pay for the district’s lawyers, but we contribute as Palm Beach County taxpayers to the county’s.”

The total bill for legal fees on both sides has been estimated as high as $5 million.

Schoech emphasized that the agreement, the result of yearlong negotiations, was not the ideal settlement either side wanted, but concessions on both sides were essential to stop the hemorrhage of district funds.

“If I could write the agreement to get everything that the district wanted, the county would never sign it,” he said. “And if the county wrote it the way they wanted it, the district

would never agree. This just settles a lot of litigation that was bleeding the district, gets rid of a lot of expensive obligations, provides exceptionally good water, and does not force anyone to hook up.”

Resident Patricia Curry said that she was angry about the district giving up its easements.

“Based on what some people have been paid for the rights to their easements, we should be getting $56 million,” she said. “You’re even giving up rights for any future municipality that comes in. And no one has even mentioned that this agreement also deals with wastewater and stormwater.”

Resident Winston Crosbie said he was concerned that the Palm Beach County Health Department could force hookups by declaring the district’s wells unhealthy. “I don’t think the board would sell us out,” he said, “but I don’t trust the county.”

Supervisor Michelle Damone countered that the agreement is not concerned with providing water to any resident. “This sells our internal system and ends legal disputes,” she said. “The wastewater provisions are for some of the outside developers who are building in our district.”

Former ITID supervisor Chris Karch, who spearheaded the district’s attempt to create its own water utility, charged that the supervisors were making an illegal deal with the county. “This is a legislative issue,” he said. “We have a mandate from the state, and this has to go to a referendum. This is a

violation of public trust, selling our assets for ten cents on the dollar.”

ITID President Mike Erickson asked Schoech why Royal Palm Beach held no referendum before selling its water utility to the county, if Karch’s statement were correct.

Schoech noted that he has practiced law for 30 years, specializing in governmental work. “Engineers like Mr. Karch should not practice law, but should stick to engineering,” he said.

Supervisor Sandra Love Semande responded to claims that the district was selling its easements to the county. “This agreement protects us against lawsuits,” she said. “We’re not selling easements. They can’t take the easements; they only use them like Florida Power & Light, Comcast and Bell South.”

Schoech explained the difference between easements and private property. “ITID has easements down all the streets in the district,” he said. “There is a mutual benefit in having them, and they do not reduce the value of people’s property.”

Resident Edward Becker read a letter from his wife Barbara that argued that under Florida law, the state or county can force residents to connect to a sewer line within 100 feet of their home.

Palm Beach County Utilities Director Bevin Beaudet replied that the law is only valid when using a gravity system, which is not available in The Acreage, so the issue would never arise.

He said that even if a well has problems, residents would not have to hook up. “For a biological contamination, people can move their well or dig deeper,” he said. “If there is a chemical contamination, the state would step in and would look for reasonable changes. We would have nothing to do with that.”

Acreage resident Richard Waite cited another Florida law, passed in 1957, defining all special districts as municipalities.

“You won’t get any money,” he said. “The county will get all of us on a silver plate.”

Schoech answered that the law in question had been repealed in 2002 and was never intended to be interpreted as Waite suggested.

Supervisor Carol Jacobs echoed residents’ calls for a public referendum on the agreement.

“I am concerned that we’re giving away something valuable for a small amount of money,” she said. “I have a lot of questions and think we should have a vote of all residents.”

Semande countered that making such decisions is the purpose of the board. “I don’t want anyone forced to get water,” she said, “but I think we will be better off when it is our supervisors making decisions. We have fought a lot of legal battles with no victories, and it almost forced a budget crisis. We need other votes later on as to whether you want water or not. This just gives us the chance to make a choice.”

Damone promised to hold

See WATER, page 50A

March 11 Election: Mayor of Wellington

Bowen: Wellington Requires Strong, Visionary Leadership

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

In 23 years as a businessman and civic leader in Wellington, Darell Bowen has gained a reputation as a straight talker. The 59-year-old president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce said he doesn’t like shades of gray. Ask him a question, and he’ll give you an answer.

Bowen is running a campaign to bring new leadership and a new leadership style to Wellington. “I’m going to bring strong leadership to the council with experience in management, planning and budgeting,” he told the Town-Crier. “We will be able to make decisions based more on sound business principles rather than political whims.”

Born in the small town of Flora, Ill., Bowen moved with his wife Sherry to Wellington in 1985. They have two daughters — Lindsey, a senior at Florida State University and Alison, a senior at Wellington High School.

A graduate of Southern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Bowen began his professional career in banking, first in St. Louis and then in Milwaukee, where he met his future wife. Now married 25 years, the couple moved to Wellington in 1985, where Bowen became co-owner of Re/Max Realty Wellington. In 1987, Bowen founded Bowen Realty and over the next four years built it into a

$250 million business with 180 employees.

Bowen sold the company in 2001 and served as vice president of Illustrated Properties for two years before he bought Creative Marketing Products in 2003. In 2007, Creative Marketing did more than $1 million in business, he said. “It keeps me motivated,” Bowen said. “It keeps my brain working in the business world, which is important to me.”

Bowen said his successes and experiences in business have prepared him to become Wellington’s next mayor, particularly when it comes to planning the future growth of the village.

Bowen criticized the current council for micromanaging the village’s growth at the expense of businesses and residents.

“The only way you can have any growth management is with planning and a vision,” Bowen said. “You can’t do it by having to approve each little project at a time. The reason you can’t is because people have property rights. If they want to put in an ice cream stand and it’s zoned for it, you can’t say no. But if have a vision and a plan, you can be proactive at trying to get what you want.”

The village’s budget also is a major issue for Bowen. “In budgeting, there’s no question there is waste,” Bowen said. “We need to find it and root it out just like we do in business. Do I still need this truck? Do I still need this machine? You have to ask what the costs are and what

are the benefits. Then you start whacking those things because you don’t really need them. Can I tell you specifically which ones to cut today? No, I can’t. But as a businessman I can assure you I’ll analyze it very carefully.”

In that regard, Bowen recalled a conversation he once had with the late Wellington pioneer Bink Glisson. “Bink was like a father to me,” Bowen said. “One time he told me, ‘one of the things that’s going to be the downfall of this community is that these guys have never seen a road grader they didn’t need to own or a truck they didn’t need to buy. That’s one of the things somebody needs to keep an eye on because they’re going to keep buying all this stuff and they don’t need it.’”

As part of its growth and development, Bowen said the village needs to attract job centers. “We’ve got a big chunk of retailers and even restaurants who are trying to survive between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on Saturday and Sunday because they don’t have any daytime business,” he said. “One of the things I continue to say is that we need to look to attract a university... It would bring jobs in because companies want to be located next to higher education.”

Bowen called his opponent Wenham a “great ambassador” for Wellington, but said the current mayor “has virtually no leadership.”

“He comes from a govern-

ment background,” Bowen said. “He’s never had to make a hard decision. He’s never had to make a payroll.”

Bowen said he supports the council’s decision to hire Paul Schofield to replace Charlie Lynn as village manager.

“My experience is limited with Paul, but I have the highest regard for him,” Bowen said.

“He’s always treated me fairly and has been a reasonable guy. I’ll certainly do my best to work with him.”

Bowen said one his first priorities as mayor would be “to cut red tape” and make it easier for businesses and individuals to do business with the village.

“Fees have increased faster than taxes,” he said. “That’s the kind of thing that’s impeding growth and causes people to work on their houses without permits. We need to make it easier to do business with the village.”

Bowen said as mayor he would offer strong leadership and push the council to make decisions. “Nothing would please me more than to see an agenda that doesn’t average 50 percent holdover items,” he said. “I think there is just too much delay because council members don’t want to take a look at facts and make a decision.”

Bowen brushed aside critics who claim he is too hotheaded

to be mayor. “If the vote is 3-2 and I’m on the ‘two’ side, that’s fine,” he said. “I’ll work with the ‘three’ side. That’s the way you have to do it. I do have very strong beliefs and feelings. As far as being a hothead, talk to the people who have worked for me. I’m demanding, but I’m not a hothead.”

Bowen also dismissed claims that he has ties to developers, in particular controversial Palm Beach Polo CEO Glenn Straub. One of Bowen’s top supporters is Mike Nelson, who represents Straub’s interests in front of the council. Bowen said he has known Nelson more than 20 years but has no ties to Straub. “I’ve never developed anything in Palm Beach County,” he said. “I’ve never worked for any developer in Palm Beach County.” The village and Straub crossed swords several times over land development issues. Bowen said he doesn’t personally know Straub, but he would take a “whole different approach” to dealing with him. “It hasn’t worked settling with him in court because we’ve lost just as much as we’ve won,” Bowen said. “Even when we’ve won, we’ve spent thousands of dollars for attorneys. I want to start out with a clean slate and hope that a businessman can talk to another businessman.”

Darell Bowen

March 11 Election: Mayor of Wellington

Wenham: Wellington Needs Experience, Steady Leadership

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham lists experience and steady, consistent leadership as the top reasons why voters should reelect him on March 11.

Wenham and his wife Regis moved to Wellington in 1981 and have lived in the same home ever since. Arriving in Florida from Massachusetts, he first took a job with the Property Appraiser’s Office in charge of field operations, later becoming assistant property appraiser. He currently works as an administrator with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue.

In 1986, Wenham was tapped to be on the Acme Improvement District’s Parks & Recreation Committee. In 1989, Acme’s administrator asked him to chair the Utility Review Committee. He served there until 1994, when he ran for an elected seat on the Acme Board of Supervisors and won.

In 1996, when Wellington incorporated, Wenham ran for a seat on the first village council and won. He was re-elected unopposed in 1998 and was again re-elected in 2002, retaining his seat by defeating two challengers while drawing 82 percent of the vote. In 2000, his fellow council members appointed him mayor, and in 2003 he won the village’s first direct mayoral election. He was reelected mayor in 2006.

A Korean War veteran, Wenham cites getting Wellington’s

Veterans’ Memorial established as an important personal achievement. Among his other accomplishments, he cites the council’s recent action to pave the way for an assisted-living facility as at least partially fulfilling his pledge to provide more senior facilities and services in Wellington.

Wenham said that having participated in the beginnings of the development of Wellington’s impressive park system gives him great deal of pride. “Wellington is known for its parks and recreation programs and fields,” he said. “It’s a treat for me to go down and watch the soccer games and have the parents of soccer and the Western Communities Football League, and even out-of-towners come up to me and say what a great complex we have. We almost did not have the Village Park complex. I voted for it, and I’m glad.”

Wenham stands on his experience as to why he should remain mayor. He said responding to the financial demands of the recently passed property tax reform amendment will require experience and expertise to take the village through tough financial times. “This is not a time for on-the-job training,” he said. Wenham said affordable housing for seniors is first on his list of things he would like to achieve in another term in office. He wants Wellington to remain a hometown-type community where people know and greet one another. He also wants

to maintain recreation services at a high level. “People move here for three reasons: schools, parks and recreation, and public safety,” he said. “I want to keep parks and recreation where it is, and I feel confident we will.”

Wenham’s opponent Darell Bowen has made “leadership” one of the main issues of his campaign, but the incumbent countered that he has proven himself by leading the community over the past eight years.

“I’ve done what I think I should have,” he said. “I started out serving on committees. I learned about government, even though I worked for government. Mr. Bowen has done volunteer work, but he never signed up for a committee or attended our residents’ academy. He hasn’t attended meetings except to represent the Wellington Chamber. I have given and will continue to give.”

Responding to Bowen’s assertion that Wenham is not an effective mayor and the village needs strong leadership, Wenham noted that Wellington does not have a strong-mayor form of government. “We all have one vote and all are equal,” he said. “It’s not like West Palm Beach where the mayor has veto power. I don’t think Mr. Bowen realizes the mayor does not have veto power. I think I have shown how strong I can be, but genteel. I have let people feel comfortable when they address the council. Even when people do not have a speaker card, I

ask if there is anyone else who wants to speak.”

Wenham said the village has already started work on making up the revenue shortfall precipitated by tax reform. The council recently revoked the “park player pass” program intended to raise additional revenue after registration for several athletic programs fell off sharply, he said. Instead, they approved his proposal to place $1 million derived from unanticipated FEMA refunds in the recreation budget to offset an anticipated revenue shortfall in recreation of $250,000 annually for four years. “I agree it will be difficult, but we’re making up the revenue shortfall. We have a good start,” he said.

Wenham said he doesn’t perceive alleged animosity between Wellington and its neighbors, asserting that he is on good terms with Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick, Greenacres Mayor Sam Ferreri, Loxahatchee Groves council members, County Commissioner Jess Santamaria and Indian Trail Improvement District officials.

Of potential future village projects, Wenham lists building a village hall as most important, but in light of recent revenue constraints, he would favor holding off. “It will cost a few million. I don’t know if we need it at this point,” he said, noting that he would only fund such a project through voter-approved bonds.

Development of K Park is another project that will have to

be looked at more closely in a time of tight budgets, he said. For his top strengths, Wenham listed honesty, sincerity and dedication. “When I look you in eye, you will get a straight answer,” he said. “I think I bring a lot to the village.”

As for his weaknesses, Wenham admitted that he sometimes allows council meetings to get bogged down. “People tend to talk too much,” he said.

As for his opponent, Wenham said he admires that Bowen has volunteered with his church and other service organizations, but he thinks Bowen does not have a feel for how governments function. “I think he should get involved in government and see how it works,” he said.

Wenham works hard to serve as Wellington’s top ambassador, one of the mayor’s top duties, he said. “Regis and I are the face of the village,” he said.

Tom Wenham

March 11 Election: Wellington Council Seat 1

Christensen: Council Must Do More To Curb Over-Development

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Two years ago, Duane Christensen challenged incumbent Mayor Tom Wenham for that office and claims he was leading the race until he ran out of money in the last few weeks of the campaign.

In that race, Christensen, 79, took 44 percent of the vote. He is now challenging incumbent Dr. Carmine Priore for a council seat in the March 11 election on the premise that the longtime councilman is no longer responsive to residents. A retired resident of Palm Beach Polo, Christensen served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era and reached the rank of captain. A longtime business executive in St. Louis, he spent 34 years in marketing with Maritz, Inc.

Among his accomplishments, Christensen was as one of 20 Missouri leaders brought together by the governor of Missouri to make recommendations on the state’s government operations as the year 2000 approached. For seven years he chaired the Private Industry Council in western Illinois and eastern Missouri, responsible for implementing the Reagan administration’s Job Training Partnership Act. The project worked in inner cities and older communities where people didn’t have jobs or education, and retrained them or identified qualifications for new jobs. “For more than seven years, I kept five counties working together,”

he said, adding that he hopes to get the western communities to work together in the same manner.

Christensen said he is the best choice for the council seat because he wants to control the over-development he said has been allowed in the community.

A 14-year Wellington resident, he got involved in community government when he was asked to join the property owners’ association at Palm Beach Polo.

Christensen said the village has an ordinance in place that requires a developer to hand over control to property owners’ associations in timely fashion, but that Palm Beach Polo CEO Glenn Straub has been circumventing the rule while the village turns a blind eye.

“A person like Straub cannot sit and control what goes on in an organization,” he said. “Once the development is approved, they have three years to move out. In Polo, not a shovel has been turned since 2001. The village interpretation is much too liberal, or not attentive.”

Based on a recent study commissioned by the village, Christensen said, residents are not crying for more shopping centers, yet his opponent Priore recently voted in favor of one. “In the last few years Carmine has stopped listening to the people,” he said. “He doesn’t feel accountable.”

Christensen cited Priore’s work with the Palm Beach County League of Cities as an-

other example of a lack of accountability. The league recently spent $750,000 fighting the county’s ordinance requiring county permission for municipalities to annex property. A judge ruled against the league, and Priore maintains that the judge was wrong, Christensen said. “My concern if he wins is that he and the league will draft legislation to have state laws that there will be home rule,” he said. “It sounds nice and it would be hard to vote against it, but it is better for the county to decide on infrastructure.”

If elected, Christensen said his first goal would be to establish sound business practices and conservative fiscal policy. He would also like to get politics out of administration. “I have seen political decisions made on the dais, and that is just wrong,” he said. “Pandering for votes is just wrong. No decision should be based solely on keeping one’s self in office.”

Another goal would be to hold the line on development. “While we can’t control everything on Forest Hill and State Road 7,” he said, “I would be hard on development.”

Another goal would be to make up for budget shortfalls by identifying unnecessary fat in the budget and get a handle on spending. “It’s a difficult question, but I don’t accept that we are as hard off as we are made to believe,” Christensen said, adding that people with wisdom, intelligence and knowledge could go in and cut three

to six percent from a budget and not hurt programs. “What I don’t like is to keep nickel-anddiming the public.”

Christensen said he was not pleased by the council’s recent consideration of handing over control of events traditionally put on by the village.

As for difficult relationships with neighboring municipalities, he said there is no reason to have these kinds of problems. “I would talk to these people,” he said. “I have been successful in breaching these kinds of problems.”

As to whether more business is needed in Wellington, Christensen said the village should look more at a regional effort than local, coordinated by local economic councils and chambers of commerce. Christensen said he would favor special business centers for the equestrian community that support the horse industry, but he hesitates to support the concept of a job center in Wellington, especially on Palm Beach Polo’s defunct North Course. He said he is concerned that commercial use is the goal of its owners.

The village’s recent Evaluation and Appraisal Report submitted to the state shows the area around the North Course as “blighted.” Although Christensen said he feels it will never

be a golf course again, he said a civic center or possibly a town hall might be appropriate, although he would not go forward with that in the near future. But he said he feels the area should serve a civic, not a commercial purpose. Christensen has been criticized for not taking an active role in local government and has been questioned on his experience in St. Louis and how it will transfer to Wellington government. Christensen said it doesn’t matter where one gets the experience. The important thing is getting the exposure and experience. “I’ve been here 14 years,” he said. “I know Wellington well. I don’t feel you have to go through the minor league to be qualified to serve on the council.”

Priore has characterized Christensen as a one-issue candidate, but he called that dishonest. “That is a political characterization. He’s trying hard to win the campaign. He’s being dishonest and trying to hurt me,” Christensen said.

Christensen characterized himself as a concise decisionmaker who has a vision. “That would be far better than the same old thing we have been doing,” he said. “I could do far better than what is being done today.”

Duane Christensen

March 11 Election: Wellington Council Seat 1

Priore: Working Together, We Can Move Wellington Forward

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore is seeking re-election to Seat 1 on the Wellington Village Council. He has served almost continuously as a Wellington official since the early 1990s, and his upcoming term would be his last due to term limits.

Priore has been a Wellington resident for 22 years and has spent much of his life in South Florida. He and Marie, his wife of 45 years, moved to Wellington in 1985, and Priore was elected to the Acme Improvement District Board of Supervisors in the 1990s. After Wellington incorporated, he was elected to the first village council, serving terms as both vice mayor and mayor.

A retired dentist, Priore is a Vietnam veteran, having served in the Army Dental Corps. He is currently first vice president of the Florida League of Cities and, if re-elected, is in line to become the organization’s president next year. He was appointed by Gov. Lawton Chiles to serve on the Commission on Local Government and by Gov. Jeb Bush to serve on the Legislative Committee on Intergovernmental Relations. He also has a seat on the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and is past president of the Palm Beach County League of Cities. He is a past president of the Palm Beach County Dental Association and is currently chairman of the Board of Trustees at

Palms West Hospital. He is also on the board of the Wellington Boys & Girls Club.

Priore said such service outside government goes hand in hand with government service.

“I have and always believed it’s important you appreciate and take part in everything that happens outside of the village because actions that are taken at the state and county level ultimately impact us,” he said. “Without representation, or having a place at the table, we don’t have any say in the outcome.”

Priore said his long record of community service makes him a standout candidate. He said he brings a lot of historical knowledge to the job. While his opponent, Duane Christensen, has charged that he does not listen to the people, Priore said he considers a variety of viewpoints and input before making decisions, and has been known to change his stance, but said he refuses to do so unless it sits with his convictions.

“I have told people you have my ear, but you will never get my vote unless I vote for it because I think it’s worthwhile,” Priore said. “It’s a trait I have. It’s a matter of character, it’s a matter of integrity and it’s a matter of honesty. That’s what makes up what a council person should be.”

If re-elected, Priore said he would like to see Wellington continue to maintain essential levels of service despite budget cutbacks. He also said he wants to retain the village’s current

employees. “I hope we don’t have to lay people off,” Priore said. “I hate to see people lose their jobs. That’s what I thought in my mind when we were considering the return of money from the park player pass without knowing the ramifications. Suppose we find out that in the process of doing that we have to let someone go?”

Priore said the so-called “windfall” of hurricane reimbursements was actually owed to the village for expenditures already made. Wellington was one of the few communities where streets and canals were cleared quickly after the hurricanes, while other communities had to borrow money or tell their residents they were on their own. “We actually benefited the community,” Priore said. “We spent the additional $2 million, but we made ourselves less of a risk in the future. That is what we were getting the money from. That money should go back into the reserves to protect us in the future.”

Priore said he would like to see better landscaping along Forest Hill Blvd. instead of the current hodgepodge of fences, hedges and walls. “This is an eyesore that needs to be addressed so it can look better,” Priore said. “That is something that has to be determined how it can be funded. Do we look at that as funding that is citywide, or is it funding that comes from just the people that live in that area, the way we did it in adjacent communities that backed

up along Big Blue Trace?”

Priore said the main issue of this campaign is the need to manage growth. He noted that State Road 7 should have been a site for job centers and businesses and not more homes, and defended the council’s vote in support of a “new town” at Callery-Judge Grove, albeit at a lower residential density. “The four of us concluded this could be a worthwhile project,” Priore said. “We would wind up having less traffic impact.”

Priore refuted Wellington’s reputation for not getting along with its neighbors. He said he gathers with Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick and Councilman Matty Mattioli for League of Cities meetings, and he sits on a state board with Lodwick. He also said he worked with incorporation activists in Loxahatchee Groves, giving them advice and support.

Priore cited an open mind as his top strength, and sincerity as his main weakness. “I’m passionate,” he said. “I’m also not a very good poker player. You know when I’m upset. I can’t hide my feelings. It’s a characteristic of mine. When I feel very strongly about an issue, it’s not easy for me to hide my feelings.”

On his opponent Christensen, Priore said his long-running conflict with Palm Beach Polo CEO Glenn Straub may be clouding his judgement. “He has an ongoing war with Glenn Straub,” Priore said. “He is tenacious over that issue, but that could

be a weakness, because then he becomes a one-issue candidate.”

Priore said voters should choose him because he’s the voice of reason, and anyone who really knows him would support him because of his integrity, honesty, experience and his ability to compromise.

“It’s called working with the people,” Priore said. “It’s very difficult to step outside and start thinking in terms of five [council votes], or better yet, I need three to make it happen, or sometimes four. If I can get some of my opinions across, and some of what I am hoping for in the final decision, I have achieved my goal. You can’t take your ball and go home. You won’t get anything. You get a lot more by sitting at the table rather than standing on the outside and looking in.”

Dr. Carmine Priore

March 11 Election: Wellington Council Seat 4

Coates: Legal, Mediation Skills Will Be Valuable On Council

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

Howard Coates argues that a career as a civil litigator provides the best possible background for serving on the Wellington Village Council.

“More than 90 percent of cases are settled without litigation,” he said. “You learn how to compromise, how to work together with people with different views. And that would be very beneficial for the council. I am a certified family law and circuit civil court mediator, and I have helped settle some very difficult cases.”

As a councilman, Coates said he wants to do whatever possible to keep Wellington a village in more than just name. “We moved here like most other people so that we could have a small-town lifestyle,” he said. “But our village government has not done much to keep it. We have to be proactive to prevent outside forces from ruining our lifestyle.”

Coates has been a lawyer all his adult life. “I went into the Marine Corps for four years right after high school,” he said, “and then I got an associate’s degree because I thought I might not go further. But I worked hard and got a B.A. degree with a Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Florida and went to Yale Law School. Later I got an M.B.A. with an international business certificate at Florida Atlantic University. I started to work specializing in corporate litigation in Atlanta, but

then moved to Boca Raton and later opened up my own practice in Wellington, the Coates Law Firm.”

Coates is proud of his legal accomplishments. “I am a past president of the South Palm Beach County Bar Association for 2004-05 and was a member of the board of directors of that organization,” he said. “That’s recognition from my peers. I began my practice here in Wellington with zero clients, and now have four attorneys working with me.”

Coates and his wife Cheri have four children. He served as president of the Okeeheelee Youth Baseball League from 2001 to 2003 and led Cub Scout Pack 208 to spend more time with his children.

Coates said he is the best candidate for Seat 4 because of his work as a consensus builder.

“All the candidates for Seat 4 talk about preserving our lifestyle and all have good experience in handling issues,” he said. “But I have had long experience in working with people with very different agendas to find a solution. You don’t have to like those who disagree with you, but you do have to work with them. Focus on issues, not on attacking them.”

Coates said his three major goals are getting the budget under control, encouraging the establishment of a college campus in Wellington and bridging the divide between equestrians and non-equestrians.

“We need to have a sustainable budget because we’ve seen

a decline in property values and the people have voted to cut taxes,” he said. “We can make up the difference by being more efficient in the delivery of services. We should look at those parts of the budget that have risen the most in recent years. We’re going to have far less building done here, so we can cut planning and zoning. Our legal budget has jumped 50 percent over the past four years.”

Coates said he would not want to cut recreation and youth programs because they keep kids off the street. “The long-term benefits outweigh the need for immediate cuts,” he said.

Wellington is the ideal site for a campus for either Florida Atlantic University or Palm Beach Community College, Coates said. “Having a campus here would help bring in business,” he said, “and we don’t have a campus out here in the western communities.”

Coates wants to build a bridge between the equestrian and nonequestrian segments of the community. “Non-riders often don’t understand the value of the equestrians to Wellington,” he said. “We should invite everyone to equestrian events; let people get to know each other.”

Bringing more business to the village is desirable but not absolutely necessary, Coates said. “We already have a lot of healthcare professionals, but we need more architects and lawyers and a lot of other professionals,” he said.

Coates dismissed allegations

that he and Seat 1 candidate Duane Christensen are running as a slate. “He is a client of mine, and I’ve known him for several years,” he said. “I supported him for mayor in the last election. But this time around the only person I spoke to about running was my wife.”

Coates also dismissed claims of a potential conflict of interest because he has represented Palm Beach Polo homeowners, including Christensen, in lawsuits against Palm Beach Polo CEO Glenn Straub. He said Straub has been involved in lawsuits with many people and that he is not currently involved in any litigation concerning him.

Coates said he would refrain from council votes if he or any of his attorneys represents someone with a matter before the council. “If there was any possibility of a conflict because anyone in my firm represented someone in front of the council, I would recuse myself,” he said. “It is a non-issue.”

Coates said he has the time to devote to public service. “I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t have the time and was willing to work hard in order to give back,” he said. “If it was just me alone, I might have a problem with my legal practice, but I have four expert attorneys backing me up.”

Coates said his strength lies in building consensus and his expertise in identifying problems and finding solutions. “I’m a big-picture person and I work hard to achieve a vision,” he said. “Also, I’m decisive and

won’t waffle on an issue once I’ve made a decision.”

However, he admitted his social skills are a weakness. “I wish I were more at ease meeting people,” he said. “My wife is great at that, but I’m a bit more introverted.”

Coates laughed when asked about the likelihood of a runoff.

“As an attorney I can say I prefer to win outright and not have to be in a runoff,” he said. “But I think Matt Willhite will be there. He has a good grassroots organization. I don’t mind because his candidacy would be the one I most contrast with, the person most different from myself. And I think that would help me.”

Coates said his skills merit the votes to win the seat. “We want someone who is not a politician but dedicated to doing the right thing for everyone,” he said. “I have no special interests; I am just a problem solver. Vote based on merit, not on personality.”

Shields: Academic Background Offers A Different Point Of View

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Seat 4 candidate Dr. Tim Shields, a professor at Nova Southeastern University, wants to bring his academic, problemsolving skills to work for Wellington.

“I moved to Wellington seven years ago,” Shields said. “My kids went to preschool in the Children’s House in the [original] Wellington Mall. I am a university professor and a dean. I teach at Nova Southeastern, and I teach in the area of organizational leadership and technology. I’ve also been involved in many local activities such as Wellington Rotary, and I’m a den leader for the Cub Scouts for my son’s group. I have 15 sixyear-olds in my group.”

Shields said his area of expertise at the university includes three-dimensional computing and virtual worlds. Much of his research focuses on using that three-dimensional environment in the teaching process, and its advantages and disadvantages. While his job is a source of enthusiasm and accomplishment, Shields noted that his involvement with the Cub Scouts trumps his excitement about his work in many ways.

“At the university, a lot of my work focuses on departmental reorganization,” he said. “We reorganize the staff and develop new procedures, and then once it’s producing the way you want it to, I move on to a different area. Personally, being involved in the Cub Scouts over the last year has been a much bigger treat than I thought it

was going to be. The kids are great, and the parents are great and appreciative of the effort.”

Shields said his training as a professor and his background in decision-making would be instrumental in his approach as a council member. He said he noted that the council’s decisions are repeatedly reversed if the results become unpopular with the public, meaning that vocal groups can get their way even though it might not be good for the community as a whole.

“If you look at a whole host of controversial decisions that have been made over the last several years, they oftentimes are passed unanimously, and oftentimes without a lot of input,” Shields said. “People don’t really understand the impact of them. Once the project gets going, people start to complain, and there is more public education. More people will begin showing up at the meetings, and the council will unanimously reverse the decision.”

Shields said he would not bow to such pressure. “If the problem has not changed, the decision should not change,” he said. “If I vote to implement something, and six or nine months later it comes back, if I still believe that it was the correct thing to do, I am not going to vote to repeal it.”

Shields said he could bring a new perspective to the council. But if the community just wants more of the same, he said, it should stick with the wellknown political veterans.

“I have a unique background,” Shields said. “I bring

something new to council. If we want more of the same, we should elect people like the people that are there now. If people are satisfied with the outcomes that have been achieved, they should stick with that. I am not active in the politics of the community. I don’t have a political party sending out messages on my behalf. I’m here. I do what I do with my own two hands, whether it’s picking up garbage or taking kids camping. I have the time and energy to do this. I think that’s the kind of person we need on council.”

Shields said his work schedule is extremely flexible and he would be on hand for village business whenever needed. “My courses meet online, virtually,” he said. “We don’t have set meeting times. I have a laptop computer that I take with me most of the time, which allows me to go online anytime. I set my own schedule and my own courses. I don’t know anyone who can be gainfully employed and have more flexibility in my schedule than I do.”

Shields said his top goals would be to bring more deliberation to the council’s decisionmaking and budgeting processes. “I would like us to take our time, and I would like us to start the process earlier,” Shields said. “The way the budgeting was done in the past, it has seemed that there was a ‘roll and grow’ method of budgeting operating. They take last year’s budget and roll it over. I would rather see a more zero-based budgeting model where every year, on some sort of rotating schedule, programs and departments and

functions are examined to see if they still meet the needs of the village.”

Shields said a key problem in building and retaining local businesses is the fact that village residents mostly work elsewhere. “They all live in Wellington and drive downtown,” he said. “People talk about too much traffic. People are leaving here during the day, and if you want them to support their restaurants at lunch and dry cleaners and movie theater, they need to be here.”

Wellington needs more outreach to bring in new businesses, he said. “We need to work with landowners to try to identify space, and work with businesses who are looking to expand,” he said. “The more people we have living here and working here to support our infrastructure and businesses improves civic involvement. It’s critical we focus on that.”

With Wellington such a unique community, Shields said he doesn’t like to see it divided into specific interest groups such as equestrians, seniors, aviators or golfers. “We must work together,” Shields said. “We have to work together to foster that uniqueness that is a part of Wellington.”

Shields pointed to his educational background and training as his top strengths. He also said he would work hard to build consensus among his fellow council members and residents. As a professor, he found illogic and irrational behavior a bit hard to take, but that’s how people are, and said he would be willing to entertain opposing views.

He noted that as a member of the student legislature at the University of Central Florida he was irked that some colleagues would circumvent the committee process and introduce bills on the floor. While he spoke out about it, he said he did so in a polite and rational fashion.

“We had procedures in place,” Shields said. “There were clubs and organizations who would bring bills to the floor that didn’t go through the committee process. That drove me insane. I would stand up and speak against it. I cannot tell you the number of bills that were passed where I was the only person who voted against it. But at our banquet, I won two awards. One was for the best new senator of the year, and the other was the constituency award. Even though I disagreed and I fought the good fight for what I thought was right, I was professional and I was courteous. At the end of the meeting, what happened there stayed there. We all had our jobs to do.”

Howard Coates

Dr. Tim Shields

March 11 Election: Wellington Council Seat 4

Van Dusen: The Village Needs To Operate More Efficiently

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

Dr. Fred Van Dusen has a brief explanation of why he is the best candidate for Seat 4 on the Wellington Village Council. “I’ve got all the experience,” he said. “My opponents are a lawyer, a professor and a paramedic. I’m a trained and certified emergency medical technician, and I’ve taught criminal justice on the college level for over 20 years. I’ve also handled budgets far larger than that of the Village of Wellington and led groups of people far larger than the staff of the village.”

Van Dusen, a specialist in counter-terrorism, is a 20-year Wellington resident, although his work has often taken him far from Palm Beach County. He spent 2005 and 2006 as chief of staff to the U.S. ambassador in Baghdad and was a senior advisor to Iraq’s Interior Minister for the U.S. State Department. There he trained Iraqi military police to take over from American troops.

“We helped to train 250,000 troops and dealt with a budget of three quarters of a billion dollars,” Van Dusen said. “One of my most important jobs was making certain that as little as possible was stolen or wasted.”

Locally, he has served on Wellington’s Public Safety Committee since its inception. He was also on the village’s incorporation committee and negotiated the village’s first contract with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

For 20 years he has worked as a professor at Palm Beach Community College, where he has chaired the Criminal Justice Department, supervised approximately 100 adjunct instructors and an additional 75 independent and police contractors at the police academy. “I supervised advanced and specialized training for 3,200 law enforcement and 1,500 corrections officers in the county,” he said. “I also have advised the Florida Department of Law Enforcement on the development of the automated fingerprint identification system it now uses, and wrote the manual to teach it to technicians.”

Van Dusen said one of his strengths is working with budgets to increase efficiency. “I’m good at finding things that have stayed hidden,” he said. “There is usually at least some fat in government budgets, and we have to make it run more efficiently.”

Van Dusen said he has no criticism of his opponents. “I think what they want to do is very good,” he said. “But I’ve done everything that they have and more. None of them has dealt with large sums of money and budgets, which is a key element of anything going on in the village over the next four years. I live here, and my children live here, and so do my grandchildren. I want the village to be as good to them as it has been to me.”

Van Dusen said his three main goals would be to control taxes, to make repairs and construc-

tion work more efficient, and to control traffic better.

“The state is forcing a rollback on taxes, and the recently passed increase in the homestead exemption will also decrease revenues,” he said. “We need to go over all our expenditures and prioritize, remembering that some of our services are absolutely necessary for public safety while others are more discretionary.”

Van Dusen recalled seeing five workers at a work site recently where only one was actually working. “If a job is a one-person job,” he said, “there is no reason to have five people there. We could be doing work all over the village if we become more efficient.”

He argues that the village’s long building-permit process is a disincentive for businesses. “Why should it take three years from the time a company buys land until they can open up?” he asked. “We need incentives to bring small and medium-sized businesses to Wellington. There are a lot more of them than large businesses, and they provide more employment. If we have more stores and services, people will both earn and spend their paychecks in Wellington.”

Van Dusen said the Mall at Wellington Green is an example of how business helps the community. “The mall brings in a lot of cash,” he said. “We would have to drive to the Gardens or Boca without it. I almost never leave Wellington now, and I spend my money here.”

Traffic control is related to the

first two goals, Van Dusen said. “Why should it take a year to do a mile of road in front of Wellington High School?” he asked. “We’ve had a traffic jam there all year, and a lot of time as I drive down the street I don’t see anyone working on it at all. We need to make it clear to contractors that they have to meet completion dates or face penalties. I don’t want to hear a lot of excuses. Ruining traffic for a year should be a reason to not be hired again.”

Van Dusen predicts the three biggest issues for voters in the March 11 election will be seniors, government services and taxes. “We all want good services,” he said, “but we all know how tight money will be. And Wellington is a village known for its great services.”

He called for the village to provide more incentives for businesses, to increase the tax base. “We should look for more businesses along State Road 7,” he said. “I’d look for more biotech and high-tech businesses.”

He suggested inviting Palm Beach Community College to set up a campus in the village. “Wouldn’t it be great to say that the village has its own college campus?” he said. “Our council members should be lobbyists to get more business here.”

Van Dusen said evaluating the village’s workforce should take precedence over cutting items from the budget. “We need performance evaluations,” he said, “and if they are not good, we need to make changes. We need to get rid of dead wood. If you

want to move forward, everyone has to step up.”

Van Dusen said his greatest strengths are his knowledge of budgets and management, his work as an efficiency expert and his leadership ability. “My biggest weakness is that I say what is on my mind, which is sometimes not politically correct,” he said. “But when I tell the truth, I stand by it and back it.”

Experience in government has provided an understanding of a councilman’s role, Van Dusen said. “A manager does things, handles all the details,” he said. “A leader makes sure it’s the right things that get done.”

Van Dusen said serving the village would be an honor, but not come as his greatest challenge. “If the federal government depended on me to help the reconstruction of Iraq,” he said, “I can certainly help with the reconstruction of Wellington.”

Willhite: A Public Servant Ready To Serve The Community

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Matt Willhite, a Michigan native, moved with his parents to Lake Worth at age nine and attended Palm Beach Community College and Indian River Community College. A fourth-generation firefighter, he is in his 13th year working for Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and attained the rank of lieutenant four years ago.

As a U.S. Navy Reserve corpsman, Willhite served with U.S. Marines during Operation Iraqi Freedom and was honorably discharged last December. Married and a Wellington resident for six years, his village service includes a year and a half on the village’s Public Safety Committee, and he has also been politically active as a member of the local firefighter’s union.

“I have worked for the Professional Firefighters of Palm Beach County 2928 serving as their legislative vice president,” Willhite said. “I also worked on numerous campaigns helping people get elected. I have been to Tallahassee and Washington, D.C. to work on passing legislation. I know a lot of elected officials. I also do a lot of stuff with muscular dystrophy and burn centers, and Café Joshua, and a lot of charity work. I’m also the only candidate who has been attending council meetings regularly.”

Willhite said he deliberated carefully before deciding to run for a council seat. “I sat down with my wife and talked about it and decided to run,” he said. “We decided it would be a great

time for me to run. I have a new son. He has sparked more of a fire in me. I have a lot of interest in his future, and I want to do the best I possibly can for him. I can make more of an impact in making decisions on the dais than in the crowd.”

Willhite cited his PBCFR service and his work with charities and other organizations as major accomplishments.

“I chose a very honorable profession,” Willhite said. “Every day I try to help people. I help other people and give back. That’s the biggest thing in my life overall. I am always willing to help someone else and expect nothing in return. The biggest thing I have done with the village was to serve on the village’s Public Safety board. I was trying to make an impact there. There were no flashing lights in a lot of our school zones. I kept bringing it up to the council and bringing it up to the board. There are flashing lights there now. As the population grows, and as people try to get to work, that’s another way of bringing awareness of the children.”

Willhite said his relative youth and family responsibilities would enhance his council service, not impair it. “I will go to parks and recreation activities,” he said. “I will go to the movies, to camps, and to Cub Scouts. I think I will be in touch with other people.”

He also said his established contacts with elected officials will also benefit the village. “I can call the right people to have doors open. I think that will benefit the Village of Wellington because I have the relationships already established with higher

elected officials whether it be at the county, state or federal levels,” he said.

Willhite said his priorities on the council would include the budget, quality of life and public safety. He also said he wants to establish better coordination between the council and its advisory boards. “There are people out there who have good ideas and good connections,” Willhite said. “There are people who are willing to work for their cities and villages and just want to have input. I think we need to bring them into the process.”

Willhite said the village seems to have stretched beyond its own borders, with the welcome sign on Forest Hill Blvd. well west of the developments east of State Road 7. He said more effort should be made to give residents of those developments a sense of inclusion in the village. “It would be nice to have something there,” he said, “and let people know that they are a part of the village.”

He also wants residents across the board to be more involved in the election process. “People need to have an ownership in the election process,” Willhite said. “It’s sad. We’re expecting 14 to 15 percent [turnout] in this election. We had a large turnout for the presidential primary and Amendment 1. I wish we had that kind of turnout this time around.”

On the budget, Willhite said the council should consider each item and whether its expenditures are matched by performance. “We need to go through the budget and make sure that every project is being utilized to

its maximum capacity,” he said. “I think Village Manager Paul Schofield is looking at doing some senior staffing restructuring that will save money. He is eliminating his prior position. He is going to be doing more restructuring. It’s not drastic, but we have to start somewhere.”

Willhite said the village might consider a better relationship with its neighbors for two reasons: better communication and strength at the county and state levels, and the potential cost savings through cooperative efforts between governments, even at the level of planting trees. “Maybe instead of buying ten palm trees, we could buy 20, and we would get a better cost,” Willhite said. “I had a lot of input after the hurricane took down the trees. They cleaned up the area around Greenview Shores Blvd. and we added palm trees. Maybe if we brought them at a bulk rate, and if we bought them with another municipality, we could save money.”

Making budget cuts means attending to the most important things first, Willhite said, just like the triage approach to emergency medicine. “We triage things in Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue,” he said. “We take the most serious things first. Essential services have to be kept in place. After that, we start to prioritize to make cuts if we have to make cuts. Not that everyone likes them. We have to make those tough decisions, and that’s what we are elected for.”

Willhite said he his schedule as a firefighter won’t pose problems for council business. “I think my schedule affords me

a lot of time to be at council meetings and at events in Wellington,” he said. “I do work 24 hours a day, then I’m off for 48. I am afforded as much time off or more time than people who work 9 to 5. I do have the ability to take vacation time or do different kinds of leave and such to be at meetings. I have the ability to do an exchange of time with people and have other people work for me. I have not missed a screening or a candidate’s forum.”

While he said his opponents are all well qualified, Willhite said his own experience makes him the best choice. “I have attended council meetings for the last five years regularly,” he said. “I didn’t start going to them when I decided to run. I think I bring a lot to the table. I know a lot about how government works. I know I can work with those people up there. I know I can represent people. I will work hard for the residents.”

Dr. Fred Van Dusen

Matt Willhite

Though Separated By Geography, We Siblings Are Devoted

My parents are coming for a visit this weekend as part of their Nationwide Tour of Offspring. They start in Wisconsin with Son No. 2, travel to Texas to see Son No. 1, wind up in Florida with Daughter No. 1 and Daughter No. 2 flies in from the California coast to save them the trouble of crossing the Rockies.

Back when they were planning their family, I suppose, having four kids seemed like a good idea. They probably figured we’d play with each other when we were children and take care of each other as we aged. Instead, we fought like cats and dogs when we were children and quickly moved to the four corners of the country as soon as we could.

I guess it’s because each of us thinks Our Way is the Only Way. So it’s best that we live a minimum of five states apart. That said, we would die for one another in an instant. My brother Jim

and I have each saved each other’s life at least once.

Jim saved mine when he was just five years old (I was seven). Mom had spent all day Friday turning the dirt in the garden to prepare it for spring planting. A nice overnight rain had turned it into just the kind of mud appreciated by both seeds and children. Jim and I spent all Saturday morning begging Mom to let us go outside and clomp through the puddles in our boots. Finally she relented, with one caution: “don’t you go near that garden!”

We clomped all we could, then came upon our long-lost ball underneath the peony bushes. What a joyful reunion that was! Our ball was soon flying back and forth across the yard until, inevitably, it came to land right smack in the middle of the garden.

We remembered what Mom had said about not going in there, but really, this

was our ball! So Jimmy strode right in, meaning to quickly grab it and go. But his boots got stuck and we both realized in an instant (because we were fresh off a Tarzan TV show) that this was no ordinary mud — this was quicksand! As Jim struggled to get free and his boots became mired still deeper, I started to go in after him but he hollered over his shoulder, “no — save yourself!”

Torn about leaving him, I knew I had to run upstairs to fetch Mom. Yet I was absolutely sure that by the time I got back there’d be nothing left of my little brother but his cap with the earflaps. When Mom and I came out the back door, Jim was exactly where I’d left him. I was glad he’d survived — but a little disappointed at the lack of drama.

Drama came years later on a camping trip when I saw Jim squeeze zinc oxide onto his toothbrush and start to put it into his mouth. “Stop!” I screamed, and

being a brother, he ignored me. I slapped the toothbrush out of his hand and it went skittering across the floor.

“What’s the matter with you?!” he demanded, and I, shaking, pointed to the tube. “You saved my life!” he exclaimed.

So then we were really even. Plus, I don’t think you can die in four inches of mud nor by ingesting a trace of zinc oxide.

Come to think of it, maybe it’s our imaginations that need to be separated by five states.

Big Thanks To Mr. Diddy For Bringing Me Quality Television

ABC Television demonstrated the kind of power programming we almost never see any more when it presented Lorraine Hansbury’s classic play A Raisin in the Sun last week. Of course, one major reason for the presentation was the presence of Sean Combs, known variously to the younger generation as Puff Daddy or P. Diddy. Combs, a well-known rap artist, clothing designer and celebrity, performed in a 2004 revival of this magnificent work a few years ago on Broadway, and as executive producer of this version deserves a lot of praise for bringing us this presentation.

Raisin, the first major play by an African-American woman presented on Broadway, is important as a work of literature and a historical piece. Based on a line in a poem by Langston Hughes (What happens to a dream deferred? / Does it

dry up / like a raisin in the sun / or does it explode?), the play focuses on the very limited dreams of a black Chicago family in the 1950s.

The Younger family struggles to leave the horrible apartment they share. Walter (Combs) is a chauffeur who saved his money to invest in a liquor store, then lost it to a confidence man. His younger sister (Sanaa Lathan) identifies more with Africa, thanks to a Nigerian friend. Lena, their mother (Phylicia Rashad), gets $10,000 in insurance money from her late husband and uses it for a down payment on a suburban home where racist neighbors try to buy her out. Walter almost succumbs to the bribery, but in the end stands up for his family.

The dream of these people seems so limited today, and the blatant racism so horrendous. Yes, we do hear about rac-

ists occasionally objecting to black families in their neighborhoods but those who do it are almost universally condemned. The world has changed and changed fast.

Would Langston Hughes have recognized an America where an AfricanAmerican is a leading contender to win the Democratic nomination for president and has the backing of large numbers of whites? Yes, there is still racism and there is still discrimination, but the acceptance of those is no longer respectable.

My daughters both had trouble accepting the idea that whites prevented blacks from using their public water fountains and bathrooms or that people might be beaten for sitting next to someone of a different race on a bus. Yet I saw all of that, and protested it when I was in college. The times are changing and changing fast. At the time of the play,

there had never been a black Supreme Court justice, and no black U.S. senator since Reconstruction. Within a few years, Thurgood Marshall and Edward Brooke changed that disgrace.

Sidney Poitier was the original star of the play and the movie that followed. He was known for many firsts. At just about the time he performed in the play he became the first black star of a TV series

Oscars Night Shook My Faith In Movies... And Jon

I have been told many times that I march to the beat of a different drummer. For a long time I believed the folks telling me this didn’t have a clue what they were saying. But now, after seeing who and what won Academy Awards, I am starting to believe them.

I only tuned in to watch the start of the 80th Annual Academy Awards show. I wanted to see Jon Stewart. I think he is one of the funniest people on TV (by today’s standards). If you don’t watch The Daily Show on Comedy Central, you don’t know what you are missing. In my opinion, Jon Stewart was the only good thing about the Academy Awards show. (And even he wasn’t really good that night... I thought the writers’ strike was over).

The reason why I march to the beat of a different drummer is because I have never heard of or seen any of the flicks that received the so-called big awards. The best picture was No Country for Old

Men. Am I the only one who never heard of this movie?

The best actor was Daniel Day-Lewis in a movie called There Will Be Blood I’ve never heard of the movie. The best actress winner was Marion Cotillard, who started in La Vie en Rose. I’ve never heard of her or the movie. The best supporting actor was Javier Bardem and the best supporting actress was Tilda Swinton, who was in a movie called Michael Clayton. If I passed these folks in the street, I wouldn’t have a clue who they are.

Did you notice that English was the not the first language for many of these so-called stars? One guy even gave his thank-you speech in a foreign tongue. I guess he forgot he was in the United States.

After seeing some clips and hearing some songs from these so-called best movies of the year, I for one am very happy I didn’t spend any of my hard-

earned money on the trash that passes for movies these days.

Will they ever again make movies like they use to make when I was younger? It appears that won’t happen. I guess for the next couple of years I will be stuck seeing animated movies with my grandkids (where’s Bugs Bunny when you need him?).

I can now clearly understand why the audience for the Oscar show was down more than 21 percent from last year. It was one of the lowest-rated Academy Awards shows ever. Maybe I don’t march to the beat of a different drummer. I hope Jon Steward doesn’t host the show next year. He should not lower his standards.

I think they should put this show on in Europe next year. It appeared that is where most of the folks winning awards came from.

I want to thank NBC for putting on back-to-back-to-back Law & Order epi-

sodes while the Academy Awards were on. At least I was able to watch something on the boob tube that Sunday night that didn’t stink up my house.

Can’t the networks figure out that a lot of Americans do not want to watch awards shows of one kind or another on TV? It seems one or more of these awards shows (I call them “legends in their own mind shows”) are on every week. Enough is enough.

I thought that when the writers’ strike was over we would get some good stuff on TV. Boy, was I wrong.

Nutrition World: A Healthy Alternative To Grocery Shopping

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

People are increasingly health-conscious these days. They’re eating better, dieting, exercising and taking vitamins. They’ve caught up to what Susan Reagan and her family have known for more than 35 years.

“You are what you eat,” Reagan said. “If you put fat food in your body, you’re not going to feel good. You feel bad all the time. Once you start eating quality food and taking vitamins, you really feel healthy and strong.”

The owner of Nutrition World on State Road 7 in Royal Palm Beach, Reagan and her family are healthy, thank you very much. For Reagan, Nutrition World isn’t just a business, it’s a lifestyle. That lifestyle is so well ingrained that, according to Reagan, neither she nor her two children — a 20-year-old daughter and 18-year-old son — have ever let a Big Mac, Whopper or Taco Bell burrito pass their lips.

“When they were little kids, we taught them that the ads were really cool but the food would make you

sick,” she said. “They just never had a desire to eat it. Neither have I. And I just drink water and juices. I don’t drink any carbonated sodas. I’ve always taken a lot of vitamins. So it is my lifestyle.”

Reagan’s healthy lifestyle began early. Her father, Mark Cohen, founded Joy Health Food stores on the New Jersey shore in 1967, where she started working at the age of 10. Five years later, Cohen moved his family to Florida, where he opened Nutrition World in Fort Pierce. By 1982, Cohen had a total of five Nutrition World stores — the Fort Pierce location, as well as stores in Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach and West Palm Beach.

Cohen sold the five stores to his children in 1982. Susan bought the Royal Palm Beach, West Palm Beach and Lake Worth stores. Her brother David bought the Fort Pierce store, and her brother Bruce bought the Palm Beach Gardens store.

Reagan eventually sold the Lake Worth store, but the other four remain in the family. In 2001, Reagan moved

PALMS WEST HOSPITAL BIDS FAREWELL TO DR. AGARWAL

CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Promoting Good Health — Nutrition World’s

on State Road 7 in Royal Palm Beach.

the Royal Palm Beach store across Southern Blvd. from its original 3,000square-foot location near Home Depot on State Road 7 to the 8,000-squarefoot location at the Coral Sky Plaza.

“People come in here and shop down every aisle,” Reagan said. “I like to say you can get everything in here that you can get in a grocery store, except we have the natural alternatives. With all the preservatives and pesticides in food nowadays, people are seeing that they’re paying with their health. They want healthier food.”

Reagan said her customers also want vitamins. “That’s the big thing now. We sell an awful lot of vitamins,” Reagan said. “I don’t think people can eat nutritionally well enough for their bodies to have the right vitamins.”

Reagan said the search for healthy alternatives spans the generations. “We have a lot of young families who want to stay healthy, and we have a lot of older people who have found out they have things wrong with them and are trying to get well,” she said. “They’ve found that medical ways aren’t helping them, so they’re look for alternatives. People are so much more educated now than a few years ago. They know there are alternatives out there for them, and they’d rather do that than run to the doctor and get a prescription.”

Reagan stressed that neither she nor

her staff can prescribe medications, but they can guide customers based on their knowledge of the products they sell.

“People read a lot now, so they know what to take. We have all the products they need,” she said. “We can tell them what we do or what other customers have told us. A lot of people have allergies. We have so many foods that are wheat-free and gluten-free. We also have tons of sugar-free products and salt-free products, as well as lotions, shampoos and natural deodorants.”

In addition to the vitamins and healthy foods, Nutrition World also offers iridology, a health assessment technique that relies on analysis of a person’s iris. Certified iridologist Susan Rothman does iridology exams at Nutrition World by appointment only.

Nutrition World also offers an ionic foot cleansing that Reagan said offers comprehensive detoxification. For example, Reagan said, a customer places his or her feet in a warm footbath and a device is placed in the water that creates thousands of ions in the water. Reagan said the process of reverse osmosis allows the toxins to bind, and they are leached out into the water.

Nutrition World is located in the Coral Sky Plaza at 516 N. State Road 7 and is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. For more information, call (561) 790-4747.

Susan Reagan inside her store

Palms West Hospital hosted a retirement party on Thursday, Feb. 28 for Dr. Shanti Agarwal, a pathologist who has been at Palms West since it opened in 1986. Dr. Agarwal celebrated with his family, the medical staff and hospital friends. Shown here are Dr. Agarwal and his family with chairman of the hospital board Dr. Carmine Priore, CEO Bland Eng, former chairman Dr. Jeffrey Wisnicki and Chief of Staff Dr. Ira Stein. PHOTO BY

FITNESS SEMINAR BENEFITS

THE CHILDREN’S HOME SOCIETY

A fitness seminar was held Feb. 21 at the Wellington Community Center. Titled “How to Make 2008 Your Best Year Ever,” the seminar featured six leading health, fitness and personal care professionals discussing ways to improve one’s physical and financial wellbeing. The event was a fundraiser for the Children’s Home Society of Florida.

Spor ts Injuries

Spinal Injec tions

Spinal Cord Stimulators B otox Injec tions

Chronic Pain Management

Stroke Rehabilitation

Spinal Cord Injur y Rehabilitation

Traumatic Brain Injur y Rehabilitation

Outpatient D etox Program

Children’s Home Society of Florida volunteer Kimberly Wessling, Director of Development Cora Brown and support specialist Donna Davis.

Fit Studio trainer Angel Gutierrez shows Dan Sprunger how to use an exercise ball.

Event organizer Sonja Friend-Uhl of Fit Studio.

Former Children’s Home resident D’Atra Franklin tells her story.

(L-R) Dr. Farokh Jiveh, Sonja Friend-Uhl, Victor Connor, Julian Marlon Gibson-Serrette, Dr. Michael Sinclair, Dr. Randy Laurich and Dr. Melissa Carlson.

Fit Studio’s Angel Gutierrez, Sonja Friend-Uhl, Julian GibsonSerrette (sitting), Mackenzie Schichilone, Brandy Meier, Yvonne Gibson-Serrette, Janis Garrido and Beata Jeziorska.

Palm Beach County Day — Representatives from a number of governmental agencies, including the Indian Trail Improvement District, were in Tallahassee this week for the beginning of the legislative session and Palm Beach County Day. Gov. Charlie Crist gave his State of the State address Tuesday afternoon to kick off the Florida Legislature’s 2008 session in Tallahassee. (Above) Indian Trail Improvement District President Mike Erickson, supervisors Carol Jacobs and Sandra Love Semande, and District Administrator Chris King in a Tallahassee restaurant Tuesday evening. (Right) Crist addresses legislators from Palm Beach County in a special speech on Wednesday. (Below) Rep. Shelley Vana, State House candidate Rick Ford, Rep. Susan Bucher, Sen. Ted Deutch and Sen. Dave Aronberg after Crist’s address.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Wechsler

Raisin In The Sun

continued from page 16A (I Spy). He was also the first mainstream major black movie star and the first to win an Academy Award for a starring role. Since that time, more awards have been won, and many other people have won firsts. Black characters appear on many popular TV shows, many of them as the lead performers. Bill Cosby was the quintessential TV dad and star in the 1980s for people of all races. In an age where black playwrights see their works performed every season on Broadway, the dreams of the Younger

family could be casually dismissed as being far too limited. Plays reflecting black rage have been quite common. August Wilson won several Pulitzer Prizes for plays about black life during the twentieth century. Watching a landmark like Raisin in the Sun reminds us of a horrible time in our history, one in which discrimination so limited many of our citizens. Sean Combs deserves a vote of thanks for showing the episode. His own career demonstrates how well those who were formerly left to dry up as raisins have been allowed to bloom and become vintage wines to the benefit of us all. Langston Hughes would approve.

WELLINGTON WRAPS UP ITS SECOND ANNUAL SENIOR GAMES

The second annual Village of Wellington Senior Games for boomers and seniors age 50 or older took place Feb. 28 through March 2 at Village Park. The games, sponsored by the William H. Donner Foundation, included archery, badminton, ballroom dance, basketball (shooting and free throw), three-on three basketball, billiards, bingo, bocce, bridge, cribbage, darts, dominoes, fishing, horseshoes, line dancing, mah jongg, pickleball, softball, swimming, stickball, Texas hold ’em poker, tennis, table tennis and volleyball.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Dom and Nancy Salviola.

Badmitton winner Lisette Domenech with Wellington Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore and Dwayne Hetherington.

Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore and Dwayne Hetherington recognize Roy and Judy Rosner.

Bingo winner Nell Stidham.

Wellington Seniors Club President Howard Trager is flanked by Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore and Community Programs Coordinator Dwayne Hetherington.

Wellington Operations Director John Bonde with senior Sam Nebb.

FCAT RALLY AT NEW HORIZONS

New Horizons Elementary School in Wellington held an FCAT rally last Thursday morning. Students, teachers and staff took part in the rally, while the Wellington High School band provided music. (Above left) Students say the Pledge of Allegiance. (Above right) Guidance counselor Lynne Bray and Principal Betsy Cardozo rally the students. (Below) The WHS band performs for New Horizons students.

CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

BY

PHOTOS

RPB Teen In ‘The Full Monty’ At Maltz

Following a successful three-week sold-out run of the hugely popular Smokey Joe’s Café, The Full Monty is running at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre now through Sunday, March 16.

The production stars Broadway legend Mimi Hines, who is best known for her breakout role in Funny Girl. Dreyfoos School of the Arts freshman Philip Labes, a Royal Palm Beach resident, makes his professional theatrical debut in the show.

Directed by Alan Souza with choreography by Ron De Jesus and musical direction by the multiple Carbonell nominee Helen Gregory, the production has the largest character-driven casts ever presented on the Maltz Jupiter Theatre stage.

The Full Monty is based on the independent British film that was nominated for three major Academy Awards in 1998. Tony-winning author Terrence McNally

wrote the book with score and lyrics by David Yazbek. The team decided to set the show in Buffalo, N.Y., which shares many of the same workingclass characteristics as England, where the movie was set.

Join six buddies whose plan to get their lives back together requires them to triumph over their fears, their nerves and even their clothes! The Full Monty is a mix of razor-sharp humor and toe-tapping pizzazz. This production contains adult subject matter, strong language and brief nudity.

Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday. Maltz Jupiter Theatre is located at 1001 E. Indiantown Road and State Road A1A. Tickets cost $35 to $55 and are available at the box office, online at www. jupitertheatre.org or by calling (561) 5752223 or (800) 445-1666.

GRAND OPENING

“Come visit us, we are now open!”

“Come visit us. We are now open!”

Philip Labes

The Cast — (Top row, L-R) Mark Willis Borum, Gavin Lodge, Mimi Hines, Todd Horman and Adam Overett; (bottom row) Wayne LeGette and Tyson Jennette.

PHOTO

Veterinarian: Loxahatchee Groves A Haven For Bird Breeders

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

An expert avian veterinarian told members of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association last week the community has long been known as a haven for breeders of exotic birds.

“Loxahatchee is kind of unique in the avicultural world in the U.S.,” Dr. Susan Clubb told LGLA members, “one of the places where there is historically a concentration of bird breeders.”

Clubb, who operates the Rainforest Clinic for Birds & Exotics on E Road, was invited to the LGLA’s Feb. 28 meeting to describe her work and her facility. She said she worked in Miami for a bird importer after graduating from veterinary school in 1978, but was drawn to the area because a wealthy eccentric had established one of the largest and most valuable exotic bird collections in the world on his property on Folsom Road.

“When I came to Loxahatchee Groves,” she said, “that was one of the reasons why I wanted to be here and practice avian medicine. There was a large population of bird breeders and hobby bird breeders. It is kind of a cottage industry suited to this area because of the space for people who have birds. They usually don’t cause problems for their neighbors. We can keep the animals outside. It’s excellent for all types of animals, but especially exotic animals that originate in tropical types of environments.”

Clubb also noted that Palm Beach County is one of the few counties recognizing bird breeding as a bona-fide agricultural activity, granting property tax exemptions to bird breeders. “I believe if you have five acres in Palm Beach County you can keep as many birds as you want to keep,” she said. “There are benefits for bird breeders.”

Nevertheless, Clubb said the number of bird breeders in the area has declined in recent years.

“This area used to have one of the largest concentrations in the country,” Clubb said. “That has declined a lot over the years because of the changes in the industry. A lot of people are also getting out of the business because it’s a hard way to make a living. It’s a lot of work, day in and day out. You have to really know what you are doing to breed exotic animals so it will be profitable. You can’t go on vacation because nobody will be around to take care of the baby birds.”

Clubb said she treats not only exotic birds such as parrots at her facility, but also reptiles and a wide variety of other non-traditional pets.

“I handle not only birds but also exotic animals, primates and reptiles, and chickens, turtles and goats,” Clubb said. “My place is open mostly by appointment. If you have friends who have problems with non-traditional animals, I take pretty much everything of that nature.”

Clubb said many bird owners bring her parrots or macaws because they are not comfortable clipping their wings or trimming their claws themselves. The claws must be clipped to prevent the bird from harming either the owner or the bird itself, she said.

“It’s a comfort issue when you are holding the birds,” Clubb said. “If the nails get too long, they could get caught on things and cause the bird injury.”

Clubb has also been a staff veterinarian for Miami’s Jungle Island, formerly Parrot Jungle, since 1988. The longtime Florida tourist attraction changed its name to highlight the fact that it has a wider variety of exotic animals than just parrots, she said.

“We have reptiles, giant tortoises and

orangutans,” she said. “We have penguins and tigers. It’s more than a parrot facility. It’s a zoo with a varied collection.”

Clubb’s work is more concerned with animals in captivity than in the wild, but her consulting work has taken her to locales such as Brazil, Switzerland and the Canary Islands. She participated in the crafting of a 1992 federal law that sharply limited the import of exotic birds, which are mostly collected in the wild, and one of her own projects has been to breed blue-headed macaws to create a genetically diverse captive population of the rare South American parrot.

“It’s an unique little bird,” Clubb said. “Not many people in the United States are familiar with the species. It’s kind of like my life work.”

Discussion of imported bird quaran-

page 50A

Homebound Mitzvah Program Seeks Volunteers

Volunteers of all ages are needed to assist with the Kramer Senior Services Agency’s 11th Annual Homebound Mitzvah Program for Passover. The Homebound Mitzvah Program prepares and delivers meals, traditional holiday items and a videotaped Passover seder with an accompanying Haggadah to homebound Jewish seniors in Palm Beach County who would not otherwise be able to prepare a traditional celebration on their own.

There are a number of volunteer opportunities available this year, including kitchen assistance, plating meals, preparing seder plates, assembling delivery boxes at Morse Geriatric Center in West Palm Beach, in addition to delivering to homes. The dates and times that volunteers are needed include: meal plating/ box assembly, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, April 8 and 9; meal

plating/box assembly, 9:30 a.m. to noon Thursday, April 10; soup and seder plate preparation, 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday and Tuesday, April 14 and 15; delivery day assembly in tent, 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16; volunteer deliveries, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 16.

Volunteer Homebound Mitzvah Program meal deliveries will be completed between 10 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16, from MorseLife’s Marilyn & Stanley M. Katz Seniors Campus in West Palm Beach (4847 Fred Gladstone Drive), as well as at the Morse Adult Day Center on the Alex & Esther Gruber Jewish Community Campus at 8500 Jog Road in Boynton Beach.

For more information on how you or your business can volunteer for the Homebound Mitzvah Program, call the Volunteer Center at (561) 687-5337.

Bird Expert — Dr. Susan Clubb at last week’s LGLA meeting. See BIRDS,

TWO DAYS OF FUN AND SUN AT CHAMBER’S REVAMPED WESTFEST

The Palms West Chamber of Commerce’s West Fest Land & Sea Festival took place last Saturday and Sunday at the Micanopy Pavilion in Okeeheelee Park. The event featured musical acts such as Starship and the Jake & Elwood Blues Brothers Show, as well as contests (Battle of the Burgs, Starz of the Future), BMX exhibitions, wildlife, art, food and much more. For more info., visit www.westfestpalmbeach.com.

Battle of the Burgs winner Greenacres Mayor Sam Ferreri (center) with Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham, Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman-Elect Martha Webster, Loxahatchee Groves Mayor Dave Browning and Indian Trail Improvement District President Mike Erickson as they display their entries.

Princess contest winners in the three to five age group: first place, Mackenzie Sharkey; second place, Georgia Motsinger; third place, Jessica Miller; fourth place, Selah Grie; fifth place, Savanah Bar with Catherine Boynton and Karsyn Baughman.

Comerica’s Tim Cahill and Claudia Flores flank Forté di Asprinio owner Stephen Asprinio at a wine tasting.

Captain Jack Morgan with pirate contest winners in the three to five age group: first place, Zachary Holland; second place, Noah Melt; third place, Kai Lauracy; fourth place and Best Costume, Johnny Grosso; fifth place, Xain Lauracy with Brody Holland and Keon Pinkeny.

Alex Murcia, Hernan Colonia, Victoria and Anthony Murcia stand in front of the Globe of Death.

The Blues Brothers (Mike Saunders and John McConnell) with Tony Johnson and Dian Kelly.

Ronald McDonald with David and Alyssa Sprague, and Ethan Hoffman.

Xtreme cheerleaders from the Acreage Athletic League.

BMX rider Daniel Boyer performs a freestyle trick.

Lion Country Safari’s Roary the Lion with Ali and Gary Binaghi.

Jake Blues (Mike Saunders) helps Michael Evrard complete his Blues Brothers outfit.

Mickey Thomas and Stephanie Calvert of Starship with Tim Byrd of KOOL 105.5 FM.

Treasure Coast Wildlife Sanctuary Education Director Tim Brown with a bald eagle.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Candidates Question 4

continued from page 8A live here. Wellington needs experienced leadership who knows and understands the past so there is historical knowledge preserved. Wellington needs someone who is actively involved in Wellington’s present, in community and civic organizations, where people meet and gather so that lines of communication are always open. And Wellington needs someone dedicated to Wellington’s future and determined to keep Wellington the wonderful place we all call home. I am the right choice for Wellington Council Seat 1.

CANDIDATES FOR SEAT 4

HOWARD COATES

Wellington is a great place to live, and part of the reason for that is the hard work and effort of those who serve our village. As the village manager and his staff are responsible for implementing the policies and vision of the village council, it is important that the council be consistent and steady in its decisions which guide in the management of our village. Management starts at the top, and we must have a village council that makes the right decision the first time around. We have had a lot of reversals by the council of late to correct misguided policy decisions of the recent past. The people of Wellington and those who work every day in the village are entitled to have a council that provides clear, consistent direction guided by a longterm vision for Wellington and not by which way the political

winds may be blowing at a particular point in time. The management and operation of our village will be enhanced when our village council makes decisions based on sound economic and social reasons, and not by politics.

The voters in Wellington should view this election as an opportunity for them to employ someone to run their business — the Village of Wellington. As the employer, the voters should do the same thing and ask the same questions that any employer would do in attempting to hire the best, most qualified person to do the job. Does the candidate have a strong academic background? Does the candidate have the business and legal background that equip him with the skill set to do the job? And does the candidate have a philosophical culture of excellence that will ensure that he work toward a vision for the greater good of all of Wellington? When the voters look at this election from the standpoint of hiring the best and most well-qualified person for the job, I hope they will see what I already know in my heart — I am the best person for the job.

Dr. TIMOTHY SHIELDS

Village government must remember we serve the citizens. In any organization, it is common for those in power, both elected and unelected, to forget who they serve. This culture can be changed through leadership. Does the council act as servantleaders? How does the council expect the village manager to act? Are employees encouraged to identify ways to improve the service we provide?

As I speak with village resi-

dents, business owners and others, it is common to hear, “the village makes it more difficult than necessary to get things done.” This is a sign that the government of the village is acting in its own interests over the interests of the citizens. Attitudes and culture can be changed, but only when the leadership does. Leaders lead, and others follow. If we don’t like where we are, look to those who brought us here. With a clear sense of purpose and by demonstrating service to those we serve, we can improve the operations of the council by putting the needs of the citizens above the needs of the council government. Decisions need to be made right the first time. With my academic and professional background in organizational leadership and technology, I bring a unique set of skills that others on the council don’t have. Over the next four years, the council will make hundreds of decisions about things unknown to us today. I talk about how I will make decisions — what my thought process will be for every choice that is made on the council in the future. If you think it through the first time, you don’t have to undo it later. I’m the right person for the job.

DR. FRED VAN DUSEN

I think everyone on the current board has good intentions for Wellington. The issue is that there is only one vote per person and the need for working together on an issue. I would be a strong voice on the council using my experience to help make the issues work and come to a mutual understanding so that a vote can be taken. I would

like to see issues that come before the council be handled in a more expedient manner, and I would work very hard to se that is done.

The Wellington election for Seat 4 is an important one. The decision you make will have an impact on the future of Wellington. You must ask yourself, “whom do I want to lead us into the future?” On-the-job training is not an option; experience is the only option. I am the only person who has exceeded the educational, work and life experiences necessary to do the job to secure the future of Wellington and preserve our way of life. I have experience in overseeing multi-million-dollar budgets, experience in leadership on a federal level and command (20 years), experience in training others to lead (national and international), experience in making hard decisions, experience in national security and homeland security, experience in public safety and directing my own department, experience in working for the Wellington community (20 years), experience in nation building, and experience as president of my own business. I am the only candidate who is ready to work for Wellington beginning day one.

MATTHEW WILLHITE

The village is currently going through some challenging times. With many of the senior staff leaving, we as residents will definitely see a new style of business in the near future. With Paul Schofield as the new village manager, we are already seeing a new style of leadership. The way our council-manager type of government is set up, the manager is a very important

position; he is the one running the daily operations of our village. As Paul settles in as the new manager, I see a refreshing new face in charge of the village’s daily operations, yet he still has the knowledge of how our village works, and he has been an employee long enough to understand our past. The manager is already attempting to reorganize some key positions, and his three-year contract will allow him to move us forward in some difficult times on the horizon.

In the past, I had what I thought was a very serious situation at my home, and the response from the village was a little lengthy, in my opinion. We have wonderful employees, however. Maybe a way to assist them would be to assign a tracking number to any problem or concern that was brought to their attention from a resident. This would allow the resident and staff the ability to use the number to identify the status of their situation.

Like you, I chose Wellington as the place to live and raise my family. We have a wonderful community, and as we look to elect the next generation of leaders, we need someone with integrity and trust. I am proud to say that I have two organizations of people endorsing me in my campaign that you already trust and respect. The people who respond to your emergencies and needs every day, the firefighters and police officers, have proudly endorsed me, and are asking that you trust them in their decision-making by trusting me with your vote. I am asking you to vote for me so that together we can shape the future of our community.

Wellington Baseball Boys Slip Past Hawks In Close 2-1 Game

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington High School baseball coach Scott Riddle isn’t in the prognostication business, but from early in the Wolverines’ game against Seminole Ridge on Tuesday night, Riddle knew how the seventh inning would unfold.

“I knew where we were going,” Riddle said after WHS survived a two-on, two-out threat in the seventh inning to defeat the Hawks 2-1 at Seminole Ridge. “I’ve seen it so many times. I knew that it was going to come down to a guy on third with two outs. There was no

BASEBALL BASEBALL

question in my mind. I don’t know if we deserved to win the game, but we’ll take it.”

Wolverines’ left-hander Evan Stermer certainly deserved to win the game, which he did for six and a third innings with his arm and with his glove for the final out.

Stermer, who took a 2-1 lead into the seventh inning, gave up a leadoff single to Josh McGehee and then threw a wild pitch to Chris Anatulli that sent pinch runner James Callo to second base.

Seminole Ridge (1-7) looked

poised for the comeback when Anatulli beat out a bunt that sent Callo to third base. Stermer then got out of a big jam when he came back from a 2-0 count to strike out Cameron Laseter. Wolverines’ right-hander John Brebbia came in from first base to relieve Stermer, who took over at first.

Facing the top of the Hawks’ order with runners on first and third and one out, Brebbia got Zach Johonnett to hit the first pitch into a fielder’s choice for the second out.

Anatulli advanced to second base on the play, which allowed Brebbia to intentionally walk Peter Mooney to load the bases.

Brebbia then got Hawks designated hitter Cody Buchanan to foul out to Stermer on the first pitch. Stermer made the catch close to the fence near the Wolverines’ dugout.

All told, Brebbia picked up the save by throwing two pitches to three batters. The Wolverines might have gotten a break when Johonnett and Buchanan each swung at first pitches, but Riddle saw it a differently.

“They knew he was going to be around the plate,” Riddle said. “He’s not going to walk people. If you’ve got a pitcher who throws first-pitch strikes, then swing the bat. I wouldn’t have a problem if it were my guys

hacking early. The kid [Buchanan] had a good rip at it, but the first baseman just made a good play.”

The seventh inning sort of summed up the season thus far for Wellington (5-2), which plays Royal Palm Beach on Saturday, March 8.

“We can do things really well if we have our heads on right,” Riddle said. “We have a chance to be a pretty good team, but right now we’re just trying to figure out what we want to do. Do we want to throw it around a little or do we want to be one of the top teams? Right now we’re a good team, but not one of the best teams.”

SRHS Volleyball Boys Defeat Broncos In Three Straight Games

By Lisa Keeney Town-Crier Staff Report

Seminole Ridge High School defeated the Palm Beach Central High School boys varsity volleyball team in three straight games Tuesday evening. The scores were 28-26, 25-10 and 28-26.

The Broncos will host John I. Leonard on Tuesday, March 11 and Glades Day on Wednesday, March 12 before traveling to Royal Palm Beach Thursday, March 13. Games are scheduled for 6 p.m. Seminole Ridge will travel to Suncoast on Thursday, March 13 at 7 p.m.

Wellington, Palm Beach Central Matches End In Rain Delay

By Lisa Keeney Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach Central High School girls and boys tennis teams hosted the Wellington Wolverines Tuesday afternoon. Late afternoon rains forced the teams to leave the courts before the games were decided. The conclusion of the games will be rescheduled, but the final date was not available at press time. Palm Beach Central will host Royal Palm Beach on Tuesday, March 11 and King’s Academy on Thursday, March 13. Wellington will host Seminole Ridge on Tuesday, March 11 and Glades Central on Thursday, March 13. Matches are scheduled for 4 p.m.

WHS’s April Likowski looks down court as she hits the ball. Wellington’s Stephen Bender runs to make the return

Bronco Sanjeev Mohammed won his match 8-0.

Bronco Shannon Spencer connects with the ball. Claudia Zoete with the return.

Wellington’s Laura Pinalle lunges to hit the ball.

Sean Dargan gets ready to hit the ball for Wellington.

Austin Williams scores a point for the Hawks past Tyler Huntington.

Blake Moorhead serves for Seminole Ridge.

P.B. Central’s Diego Valdes digs deep to return a serve.

Hawk Joey de Camillo leaps to hit the ball.

Seminole Ridge players celebrate their victory.

The Wellington Jaguars show their winning ribbons.

The Jaguars Win Big In Tampa

The Wellington Jaguar cheerleaders won big at the Tampa Fairgrounds on Feb. 10. The Mini Team took first place with overall high scores. Junior and Senior Level 3 won second and third in their divisions.

The Jags will host several upcoming events for those interested in joining. During the week of May 5, the Jaguars will hold tryouts ages five to 18. The team will hold the grand opening of its new location on April 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. in the

Palms West Industrial Park, 105th Avenue N., Suite 18, Royal Palm Beach. The event will feature a bounce house, refreshments and a DJ. There will also be team performances at 2:45 p.m.

On April 26, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the team will host a free cheer clinic.

Visit www.wellingtonallstar jags.com and fill out the medical waiver and bring it with a lunch bag. There will be a performance at the end.

Wycliffe’s Kutcha Wins USPTA Club Professional

Kam Kutcha, Wycliffe Golf & Country Club’s tennis professional and director of tennis, won the USPTA Club Professional Championship held in Delray Beach last month. This is Kutcha’s second consecutive doubles championship in this event.

On Friday, Feb. 15, Kutcha and his partner defeated their opponents, Greg Neuhart and Michael Birzon of Sarasota, 6-2 and 7-5 in the Men’s Open division against the best teaching professionals from the south.

Kutcha said he loves the challenge of competing in the prestigious competition and considers the USPTA Florida Division/ Fast Dry Grand Prix the “professional championship.”

Kutcha said he trains for competition and his director duties by working out at the gym three times a week, running on the beach twice weekly and practicing for eight hours each week

Championship In Delray

when time permits. Kutcha joined Wycliffe Golf & Country Club as director of tennis in 2004, overseeing a full-year tennis program over 16 courts, a fully serviced professional shop and three professional coaches. He has gained the respect and attention of the local tennis community and Wycliffe membership with his teaching expertise and passion for tennis genius.

In past years of competition, Kutcha defeated Todd Martin, former number four in the world, in the 1990 USTA Challenger competition in Winnetka, Ill. In 1991, Kutcha was ranked 422 in the ATP, and in 2002 he was number one in the USTA National Men’s 30 Singles category.

Kutcha said he loves that tennis is an individual sport “so you rely on no one but yourself,” and hopes to continue playing and competing for many years to come.

JT Farm Wins In Seven Divisions At Winter Equestrian Festival

JT Farm had another successful week at the CN Winter Equestrian Festival and brought home blue ribbons in seven different divisions at the horse show. JT Farm is based in South Salem, N.Y. and Wellington, and led by trainer Jimmy Toon.

One of the top finishers this week was Brianne Link of East Islip, N.Y. She and her pony Asgard Mercury were champi-

ons in the Medium Children’s Pony Hunter division after she won two classes. Link also won the Equitation 11-and-under under saddle class and was fourth over fences.

On her second mount Foxcroft Veronsky, Link was first and sixth in the Large Children’s Pony Hunters.

Fourteen-year-old Katie Galbraith of Darien, Conn. had a

great week. She and her horse The Boss were reserve champions in the Large Junior 15 and under Hunters. They were first, second, fourth and fifth in the division. On her jumper Latino, Galbraith finished fifth in the $1,500 Children’s Modified Jumper Time First Jump-Off class.

Ellen Toon and In Disguise won the $1,000 stake class in

the Amateur/Owner Over-35 Hunter division. They also took home third and fifth place ribbons.

Avalon, ridden by Alexandra Arute and owned by JT Farm, won another class in the Large Junior 16-17 Hunters and was third in two other classes in the division.

Jimmy Toon piloted Tayfoon in the First Year Green Working

Hunters. They were sixth under saddle and second, fifth, and fifth over fences.

Lyn Pederson and her horse Quentin won the Adult Amateur three feet, three inches Hunter under saddle class. In the jumping classes, they were second and fifth.

For more information about JT Farm, visit www.jtfarm. com.

Kam Kutcha

Acreage Baseball Competition Intense

The once undefeated 11-12 Division Yankees (managed by Chris Spring) and the Marlins (managed by Tom Burton) played each other twice last week. The teams battled to a 5-5 tie last Wednesday night and then faced off again last Friday, with the Marlins coming out on top 7-6. In other heated competition, the 9-10 Division Reds (managed by Rick Raymond) held off the White Sox (managed by Dave Appelbaum) to secure a nail-biting 9-6 victory.

Acreage Baseball League

Competitive Dancers — The girls from Dance Arts Conservatory in Wellington are gearing up for some competition this spring. They will compete April 25-27 at the Hall of Fame Dance Challenge in Boca Raton and May 10 and 11 at the Fire and Ice Talent Competition in Fort Lauderdale. Still in its first year, the company hopes to perform at some local venues this fall and is building a repertoire of dances. Pictured here are (L-R, front row) Maya Schwartz, Julia Prosen, Hailey Galko, Nikki Melillo and Daria Taylor; (back row) Artistic Director Dorie Duvall, Nancy Stephens, Vanessa Curiel, Anna Morra, Brittany Bagan, Carly Druker, Rachel Grove and Artistic Director Rocky Duvall.

Lacrosse SpringFling Returns To Palm Beach County This Month

SpringFling 2008, the nation’s largest spring training site for collegiate and prep school women’s lacrosse teams, will be in Palm Beach County for the fifth consecutive year during the month of March. The event, now in its 12th year, will be held at recreation facilities in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach and Boca Raton.

Sixty-seven teams will compete in practices, scrimmages and official NCAA contests throughout the month. GKD SportsVision of Vermont is the event coordinator.

The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is an active sponsor of Spring-

Fling 2008. Other local supporters include the Palm Beach County Parks & Recreation Department, the Village of Wellington, Palm Beach Gardens Parks & Recreation, Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation, JBS Destination Solutions and Enterprise Rent A Car. The majority of game contests will be held at the Lake Lytal Park Recreation Complex on Gun Club Road in West Palm Beach. Additional facilities will be used for practices. Village Park in Wellington will also host several scrimmage games involving prep school teams from outside Florida. Local high school teams from Wellington High School, Dwyer High School,

St. Andrews School, Park Vista High School and Vero Beach High School will also be involved. Private preparatory schools from around the country will attend.

In Wellington, Spring Fling 2008 activity will be limited to just five days and three fields at Village Park on Pierson Road. In a change from previous years, most activity will be in the form of practice sessions. Wellington High School will play game contests against Kent Denver of Colorado on March 17, as well as Deerfield Academy of Massachusetts on Wednesday, March 19. Both games will be at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

Fifty-two NCAA collegiate teams will attend including schools from all three NCAA divisions. Defending NCAA Division III national champion Franklin & Marshall (PA) will attend. Schools from Maine to California will be at SpringFling 2008 as teams elect to spend their school spring break period in Palm Beach County. Estimates from the Palm Beach County Conventions Bureau list the economic impact as being close to $3 million annually.

More information can be found on the web at www.gkdsportsvision.com. Further information about SpringFling is available by calling (802) 989-0239.

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Show Features Top School District Volunteers

Did you know the Palm Beach County School District has more than 32,000 volunteers? They contribute more than one million hours of their time each school year.

On Sunday, March 9 at 10 p.m., the Education Network (T.E.N.) will premiere World Class Volunteers on Comcast Channel 19. Hosted by Public Affairs staffers Nat Harrington and Vickie Middlebrooks, the show introduces viewers to the Palm Beach County student, parent and senior volunteers of the year. It also offers insight from District Volunteer Coordinator Shelley Parpard, who built the program, on how viewers

can make a difference in schools in their communities.

Check the web site www.palmbeach. k12.fl.us/ten for a complete listing of the Education Network programming lineup for the next few weeks. Viewers who do not get Comcast Cable can view the show via the same web site.

For more information about the show, contact Production Manager Greg Kenney at kenneyg@palmbeach.k12.fl.us or (561) 738-2926.

For more information about volunteering, contact Parpard at the Office of Community Involvement at (561) 4348789.

FACES OF FAMOUS PEOPLE

Mrs. Susan Marsh’s second-grade students at Acreage Pines Elementary School adorned new faces as they took on the personas of famous heroes and inventors throughout history. The students have been studying people such as Princess Diana, Albert Einstein, Thomas Edison, Evel Knievel, Dan Marino, Sally Ride and Amelia Earhart. Shown above, the students display their projects on Friday, Feb. 29.

ECMS FUTURE HEALTH PROS

The Future Health Professionals Club from Emerald Cove Middle School recently toured West Palm Beach’s Trauma Hawk facility. Following a briefing about trauma procedures and statistics, club members swarmed the Sikorsky helicopter, satisfying their curiosity with thoughtful questions and equipment photos. (Left) Andrea De Leon awaits her turn at the pilot’s seat while Tori Williams snaps a souvenir photo of cockpit equipment. (Below, L-R) Ashley Tansini, Sara Provenzano, Summer Marchsteiner, Alexa Ragusa, Club Advisor and School Nurse Helene Schilian, Amanda Waites, Haile Roberson, Esther Jean-Louis, Andrea DeLeon, Tori Williams, Janine Haidar, Michelle Corichi and Shifarica Barber.

PHOTOS BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER

CRESTWOOD VISITS BARNES & NOBLE

Crestwood Middle School students, teachers and staff visited the Barnes & Noble bookstore near the Mall at Wellington Green last Wednesday evening. Teachers and students dressed up as Dr. Seuss characters, bought books and read to younger children. (Above) The Grinch makes some friends. (Left) Crestwood students show their Seuss spirit. For more information about Barnes & Noble, call (561) 792-1292.

Elbridge Gale Celebrates Read Across America

Elbridge Gale Elementary School celebrated Read Across America Day on Monday, March 3. Community members, parents and volunteers shared Dr. Seuss books with students in every classroom. Elbridge Gale Elementary School was honored to welcome Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham and Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto as guest readers.

The school also held a family “Green Eggs and Ham” breakfast to celebrate the 104th birthday of Dr. Seuss. Teachers dressed as characters from many Dr. Seuss books helped to make this a fun event for everyone.

All of these events were planned by the administration and Literacy Committee of Elbridge Gale in order to highlight the importance of literacy within the school and the larger community.

Mayor Tom Wenham reads to Elbridge Gale students.

Palm Beach Central Music Students Excel At District Performance

Congratulations to the Palm Beach Central High School Wind Ensemble for their outstanding performance at the district concert music performance assessment on March 4. The band earned a Superior rating (highest possible) from all three judges. This is Palm Beach Central’s first Superior at a concert festival. This also places PBCHS as one of the elite programs in the district by being one of only six high schools in Palm Beach County to be rated Superior at marching, jazz and concert festivals this school year.

On Saturday, March 1, the members of the Traditions Chorale earned a rating of Superior at the District Chorus Music Performance Assessment. This rating qualifies the singers of Traditions to perform and represent Palm Beach Central at the State Music Performance Assessment in April. Congratulations to the following students for their performance: Blair Erich, Stephanie Espinetti, Allie Houchins, Casey McFadden, Jessika Roy, Sara Sohn, Alexa Vitaglian, Cali Weinstein, Kaylene Dahl, Kelly Garrison, Maniche Gauthier, Grace Jinselli, Rachel Lumley, Lais Machado, Bridget Mantooth, Samantha Rodriguez, Stephanie Tinoco, Julia White, Maysoun Abutineh and Marcie Lucce.

• English Department News — Seven students from Palm Beach Central won awards in

the Florida State Poets Associations Youth Contest. Schools throughout Florida participate in the annual competition. Twentyone poems were selected to receive awards.

Ninth grader Amanda Lahiere won second place for her poem “Life”; ninth grader Maggie Gampfer won first honorable mention for “Just Me and You”; ninth grader Briana Melnick won second honorable mention for “Get Over It, I Can’t”; tenth grader Fawn Goldstein won first honorable mention for “The Forest of Freaks”; 11th grader Amber Hoover won third place for “How Did This Begin”; 11th grader Kelly DiJohn won first honorable mention for “Freedom”; and 11th grader Heather Bradley won third honorable mention for “The Road.”

• Austrian Foreign Exchange

— Palm Beach Central students and staff were honored to host 20 Austrian exchange students and their two teachers for a twoweek stay in Palm Beach County. The students, from Villach, are visiting the United States for 26 days. Wellington was the first stop on their tour, which will continue to Cocoa Beach and the Orlando area. Each of the Austrian students shadowed a Palm Beach Central student through classes each day to experience the U.S. education system firsthand. The students were housed with PBCHS host families who provided a taste of American cul-

ture for the visitors. The Palm Beach Central family thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity for the cultural exchange and hopes to make this a school tradition.

• 2008 Girls State Winners — Junior honor student Julia White was selected as the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 258’s delegate to the 2008 Girls State in Tallahassee this summer. Delegates will attend a week-long political experience at Florida State University. The goal of

Kirby Named MDA Goodwill Ambassador

David Kirby, an eighth grader at Polo Park Middle School in Wellington, has been chosen as Florida’s 2008 Goodwill Ambassador by the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Although Kirby has been stricken with Duchene’s MD since the age of four, he has not allowed this life-threatening disease to stop him from leading a productive life.

Kirby has been confined to a wheelchair since the age of nine and must rely on assistance from his service dog Lawton. Still, Kirby has been an active and integral part of

the Polo Park student body. For the past two years, Kirby has served as the Goodwill ambassador for Palm Beach County and now has the honor of doing the same for the entire state.

When he is not participating in MDA events and fundraising activities with his family, Kirby enjoys music, video games and TV.

As part of his duties as ambassador, Kirby will participate in the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon to raise awareness and funds for research to help “find the cure.”

Everyone at Polo Park is proud of Kirby’s accomplishments and wishes him well on his endeavors.

Girls State is to inspire and develop interest in the study of government. Each year, 300 outstanding high school girls from every county in Florida enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip to Girls State. These future leaders assume the roles of senators, representatives, lobbyists and possibly even the governor. A highlight of the trip is to spend time in Florida’s State House. Palm Beach Central honor student Abby Meer was named as an alternate delegate and will

also attend Girls State this summer. Congratulations to these two outstanding young women. • Student Government Association — Palm Beach Central SGA students attended their District V conference at West Boca High School on Feb. 23. Student projects won in the following categories: Hall of Ideas, first place; Scrapbook, first place; Environmental Concerns, second place; Health and Safety, second place; and Membership Motivation, first place.

Austrian Visitors — Palm Beach Central High School recently welcomed foreign exchange students from Austria who are visiting the U.S. for 26 days.

David Kirby

Saturday, March 8

• The 2008 CN Winter Equestrian Festival continues through April at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (14440 Pierson Road, Wellington). For more information, visit www.equestriansport.com or call (561) 793-5867.

• Israeli Art Month at the Armory Art Center (1700 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach) will continue through April 5 and will feature unique works created by leading Israeli fiber artists, artist-led workshops, lectures and more. For more info., call (561) 832-1776 or visit www.armory art.org.

• The Wellington Antique Show & Heritage Festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days at the Grand Marquee on the Cultural Campus near the Mall at Wellington Green. There is no admission fee and a portion of proceeds received from $5 parking fees will benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington. Attendees can have items appraised at $5 per item (limit two). A limited number of indoor booths are still available to antique dealers. Call Deborah Welky at (561) 795-5916 for more info.

• The 2008 Challenge of the Americas will be held on Saturday, March 8 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The challenge is a fundraiser for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. General admission tickets are $20. For more info., call Mary Ross at (561) 852-2591.

• The Palm Beach Dog Fanciers Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9 at the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.) from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Admission is $6; parking is $4. Children under 12 are admitted free. For more info., call (561) 793-0333 or visit www. pbcdfa.org.

• South Florida Parenting Magazine’s Spring Extravaganza will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 8 and 9 in Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.). Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days. Admission is $8 and parking is free. Children under 18 months are admitted free. For more info., call (561) 793-0333.

Sunday, March 9

• The 2008 polo season will continue Sunday, March 9 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington) with the start of the 26-goal Piaget USPA Gold Cup. Gold Cup play will continue until Sunday, March 23. For more info., call (561) 204-5687 or visit www. internationalpoloclub.com.

• The Acreage Landowners’ Association will host its annual Huck Finn Family Day at the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area Youth Camp on Sunday, March 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. featuring a petting zoo, wildlife exhibit, a pinewood derby for homemade wooden model cars, fishing, canoeing and a variety of rural-style activities. Music will be provided by DJ Mark Thomas. Admission is $3. The Corbett Youth Camp is at the northern end of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. For more info., call Carlos Enriquez at (561) 714-8516.

• Temple Beth Zion (129 Sparrow Drive, Royal Palm Beach) will hold a book signing and brunch Sunday, March 9

at 11 a.m. featuring Elliot Goldenberg, author of The Hunting Horse and The Spy Who Knew Too Much. Goldenberg’s presentation is titled “The Truth Behind the Jonathan Pollard Spy Case.” Donations will be appreciated. For more info., call (561) 798-8888.

• The 18th Annual Red Cross Polo Luncheon & Auction, hosted by the American Red Cross Greater Palm Beach Area Chapter, will be held on Sunday, March 9 at 11:30 a.m. at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. Enjoy a fabulous lunch, world-class polo, and silent and live auctions to benefit the Red Cross. Tickets are $250 per person. Call (561) 833-7711 or visit www.redcross-pbc.org for info.

• St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church (11800 Lake Worth Road, Wellington) will conduct a Lenten Mission Sunday, March 9 through Tuesday, March 11. Deacon Alex Jones will be the featured guest speaker. For more info., call (561) 784-0689.

Monday, March 10

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly business luncheon on Monday, March 10 at 11:45 a.m. at the Bamboo Club in the Mall at Wellington Green. RSVP to (561) 790-6200.

Tuesday, March 11

• Polls will be open in Wellington from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for a Municipal Election. Visit www.pbcelections.org for more info.

• The West Palm Beach Senior Expo will be held Tuesday and Wednesday, March 11 and 12 at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.) featuring health exhibits, continuous entertainment, giveaways, screenings and over 100 booths of product information. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. Admission is free. For more info., call (561) 7930333.

Wednesday, March 12

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Celebrate Yourself and Others” Wednesdays, March 12 and 19 at 3:30 p.m. for ages six and up focusing on different themes, using books, stories, music and artwork to discover themselves and the world while celebrating similarities and differences. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Mediation or Small Claims Court” Wednesday, March 12 at 6:30 p.m. with attorney Lloyd Comiter. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

Thursday, March 13

• The Wellington branch of the Jewish Community Center of the Palm Beaches (13889 Wellington Trace, Suite A-15) will offer Introductory Mah Jongg lessons March 13 and 20. The cost is $2 and a donation of a pillowcase for the JAFCO Children’s Village. Drop-in games are ongoing Thursdays at 10 a.m. Call Sharon at (561) 253-6030 for more info.

• The eclectic six-piece band Entrain will perform at Clematis by Night on Thursday, March 13 in downtown West Palm Beach from 6 to 9:30 p.m. For more info., call (561) 822-1515 or visit www.clematisbynight. net.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) hosts Teen Advisory Group (TAG) meetings on the second Thursday

of each month at 6:30 p.m. to discuss ideas for teen programs. Enjoy snacks, conversation and good ideas. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

Friday, March 14

• The National Cloverleaf Invitational Volleyball Tournament returns Friday through Sunday, March 14-16 to the Americraft Expo Center at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.). More than 150 teams from all over the country will compete. For more info., call (561) 793-0333 or visit www.southfloridafair. com.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Things You Need to Know About Business but Forgot to Ask” on Friday, March 14 at 2 p.m. featuring Ted Kramer of Florida Atlantic University’s Small Business Development Center. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.

• Knights of Columbus Council 8419 at St. Rita Catholic Church (13645 Paddock Drive in Wellington) will sponsor a fish fry on Friday, March 14 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Meals will be available to eat in or take out. For more info., call Joe Gesmundo at (561) 308-7455. Saturday, March 15

• The Arthur R. Marshall Foundation will hold an outing for volunteers on Torry Island near Belle Glade to plant native pond apple trees on Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to noon. The outing is appropriate for ages five and up. Wear closed-toed shoes, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen. Refreshments will be served. RSVP to (561) 805-8733 or plantcypress@aol.com.

• A fruit tree sale sponsored by the Rare Fruit Council will be held Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the South Florida Fairgrounds AgriPlex (9067 Southern Blvd.). Admission is free. For more info., call (561) 793-0333.

• Pure Thoughts Horse and Foal Rescue (19181 Capet Creek Court in Loxahatchee) will host its annual fundraiser Barnboots & Baubles Carnivale on Saturday, March 15 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets cost $100 per person and can be purchased at www.pthr.org or by calling Jennifer Swanson at (561) 254-0415.

• The Acreage Horseman’s Association will host a “Play Day” on Saturday, March 15 at Hamlin Equestrian Park. All skill levels and ages of riders are welcome. Registration for the daylong event starts at 9 a.m. with games and events starting at 10 a.m. The South Florida Mustang Club will have horses available for adoption. The event will feature many vendors, particularly those who sell equestrian products, and the AHA will raffle a saddle. Hamlin Equestrian Park is located on Hamlin Blvd. just east of Hall Blvd. For more info., call Brenda Riol at (954) 648-3803 or visit www.acreagehorseman.com.

• Celebrate National Craft Month by making a leprechaun craft Saturday, March 15, 10:30 a.m. at the Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way). The program is for children ages five and up. To pre-register, call (561) 7906030. Send calendar items to: TownCrier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@gotowncrier. com.

Course Will Help People Cope With Divorce Issues

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

St. Peter’s United Methodist Church will be starting a new four-session Tuesday night recovery course for the newly (and perhaps not-so-newly) divorced.

“Oh My God, I’m Divorced, What Do I Do Next?” begins March 11 at the church and continues March 18 and 25 and April 1.

“We’re living at a time when divorce is so prevalent,” church spokesperson Rachel Lever said. “About half of all marriages end in divorce, and so many people are devastated when it happens. We all have such high hopes when we marry, and it is painful when our dreams are shattered. Also, many of the people involved in divorces have issues involving children who may also suffer.”

The course will be led by licensed clinical social worker Brian Williams, affiliated with Samaritan Counseling Centers.

“The course is designed as a form of divorce recovery,” Lever said. “People want to learn how to move on. Sometimes that’s the hardest thing of all, learning how to adjust to a situation in which

you are no longer married. That’s one of the things we at St.. Peter’s want to do — we need to help people recover.”

Lever said all members of the community are welcome. “This is more than just a social group, although it has that as well,” she said. “But it is a support group where those who have learned some of their own answers can provide help for others who have not proceeded as far along their own journeys. And, of course, Brian Williams will be there to provide professional assistance.”

Those interested in attending should call Lever at (561) 793-5712, ext. 21. The course costs $20 and attendees must fill out a counselor-designed questionnaire to assist in dealing with specific problems. “Everyone must fill out a questionnaire,” Lever said. “This is a serious course designed to really help the people who attend, and Brian wants to have a real understanding of people’s needs so he can better focus the sessions to help them.”

St. Peter’s Methodist Church is located at 12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. Sessions will begin at 7 p.m. in Room 106 at the church.

‘Vibe’ Service, Singles Event At Temple Beth Zion

Temple Beth Zion in Royal Palm Beach will hold a Friday night “vibe” service Friday, March 14 at 7:30 p.m. This popular event is an alternative service in which the liturgy is sung concert style to musical settings of jazz, blues, rock and funk. Congregants participate with transliterated booklets in English.

Rabbi Bertram “Englebert” Kieffer will lead the joyful festivities with able assistance from cantorial soloist Susy “Bette” Miller, Matt “Fast Fingers” Auerbach on the guitar and “Smoothe” Gary Lawrence

on the keyboard. Bring your dancing shoes, and come prepared to dance, sing along and be a part of this alternative way to worship. Following the service, the temple will host a complimentary Oneg Shabbat. The temple invites all Jewish singles in their 30s, 40s and 50s to enjoy wine and sushi, and meet new friends.

Temple Beth Zion is located at 129 Sparrow Drive (immediately north of Veterans Park). For more information about Friday service, call the temple office at (561) 798-8888.

• CASPEREY STABLES HORSE CAMP — Casperey Stables is a small, funfilled day camp for children ages 7 to 14. With four riding opportunities each day, arts & crafts and outdoor games, our campers find little time to be bored. Our low counselor/child ratio ensures your child will receive individual attention. There are camp sessions for spring and winter school breaks, and during the summer, each two-week session has a theme, such as Indian Days, Circus Days and Medieval Days. We have a weekly swim party and end each session with a horse show and family BBQ! Call soon — this small, quality program fills quickly! To learn more about our camp, located at 2330 D Road in Loxahatchee Groves, call us at (561) 792-4990 or visit our web site at www.caspereystables.com.

• VILLARI’S SUMMER CAMP — The staff members at Villari’s of Wellington are pleased to offer a full nine-week summer camp. Villari’s summer camp will improve your child’s focus, fitness and confidence and communication skills through interacting with their peers. We will focus on flexibility, coordination, listening skills, personal fitness and improved social awareness. Martial arts is not just kicking and punching, it’s about having fun! Call (561) 792-1100 to reserve your space.

- Ages 5-7 Adventures in ART - Ages 8-11

Send your young artist on an adventure in the visual arts! While studying past and present works of the world's arts and cultures, students will rotate between studio areas daily, completing creative projects in painting, drawing, mixed media, ceramic, sculpture and more!

Session 1: June 9-13 Art of Storytelling

Session 2: June 16-27 (2 wks) Art of the Wild

Session 3: July 7 - 11 Art That Makes No Sense

Session 4: July 14 - 25 (2 wks) Art & Science

Session 5: July 28 - August 8 (2 wks)Art From Around The World

Session 6: August 11 - 15 Art That’s Magical

• SPORTS BROADCASTING CAMP — Boys and girls 10 to 18 will have an opportunity to learn from the pros and meet sports celebrities. Campers will record play-by-play, reporting, sports anchor and PTI tapes. Campers will tour a pro stadium/arena and make reporting tapes at the stadium. Kids will participate in mock sports talk radio and PTI (“Pardon The Interruption”) style shows, trivia contests and much more. The camp runs June 9-13 at the FAU Boca campus. For more information, call Sports Broadcasting Camps at (800) 319-0884 or visit our web site at www.playbyplaycamps.com.

• WELLINGTON CHRISTIAN SCHOOL — Come join us once again for our Summer Camp Eagle. Programs available for children four years to fifth grade. Camp runs June 9 through Aug. 1, 2008 (no camp Friday, July 4). Join us for Jump Start Academics (morning hours only) or Summer Camp Eagle until 3 p.m. Aftercare is available. Activities include arts and crafts, cooking, Bible, swimming and field trips. Jump Start Academics in reading, math and writing (ages 6-12). Look for our ad in this section. Call (561) 868-2225 for more information or stop by and see us at 1000 Wellington Trace in Wellington.

• FAME DANCE & PERFORMING ARTS STUDIOS Fame Studios offers summer camp and intensive workshops. We offer Fun Camp where no experience is necessary; Performance Camp for those with a bit of experience; and our Intensive Workshop for experienced dancers. Visit us at our Wellington location at 3080 Fairlane Farms Road, Bay 4 (just west of the Mall at Wellington Green) or call us at (561) 795-9992.

• CAMP EXPLORATIONS Camp Explorations is located on the beautiful campus of JFK Medical Center Charter School. Join us for 10 weeks of fun-filled summer days. We have a new heated swimming pool on site, which we will use for daily swim lessons. Campers will enjoy our computer lab, air conditioned gym, crafts, science fun, sports and more. Register by May 1 to receive $10 per week discount. Call (561) 868-6105 for info.

• ST. DAVID’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL SUMMER CAMP St. David’s Camp is open to children ages three to eight. Children can sign-up by the week and can pick two days, three days or five days. Each week has a theme, with activities such as arts and crafts, cooking, outside play and learning activities. All activities are on-site with our trained, loving staff. We are located at 465 W. Forest Hill Blvd. on the northwest corner of Forest Hill Blvd. and Wellington Trace. For additional information, call (561) 793-1272.

• ARMORY ART CENTER GET CREATIVE SUMMER ART CAMP — Jump Start for ages five to seven; Adventures in Art for ages eight to 11; and Studio Art Shops for teens (middle & high school students). An adventure in the visual arts for your young artist! Six sessions starting June 9. The center is located at 1700 Parker Ave., West Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 832-1776 or visit www.armoryart.org.

• PALM BEACH ZOO SUMMER CAMP The Palm Beach Zoo’s 2008 Summer Zoo Camp offers great adventures for children ages five to 14. Zoo campers will gain a better understanding of a variety of animals and the habitats in which they live while enjoying a full schedule of daily amusements. Handson animal encounters, fountain play, crafts, hands-on science, zoo tours, games, scavenger hunts and, of course, zoo keeping duties are included. Each week the program introduces a new wildlife adventure, so parents may want to consider more than one week of zoo camp. Camp hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Before and after care and lunch are available for an additional fee. All programs are on Palm Beach Zoo grounds at Dreher Park in West Palm Beach. Weekly sessions are from June 9 through Aug. 22. For more information and registration forms, visit www.palmbeach zoo.org or call (561) 547-WILD.

• TEMPLE BETH TORAH LEONIE ARGUETTY PRESCHOOL ENRICHMENT CAMP Runs June 16 through Aug. 8. Designed to meet the needs of children ages two to five, our program features arts & crafts, cooking, science, nature, water play, computers, music & movement, sports, gymnastics and weekly shabbat celebrations; weekly entertainment such as puppet shows, carnival day, magic, library time, and more! We are also offering summer and fall VPK. We are a licensed and NAEYC-accredited school. For more information or a tour of the facility, contact Director Ann Parades at (561) 793-2649.

• WELLINGTON SHOW STABLES “RIDING CAMP” — An introduction to the world of horses and ponies. Our summer program runs eight weeks in one-week sessions for all ages, five to seven and eight to 16. The camp provides safe school horses and ponies carefully matched to each rider. Your child will spend his or her day learning about horsemanship, including learning about feeding, grooming, proper care, riding and general veterinary care. We also include a classroom for arts and crafts, lectures and reading. We train the English style of riding, which includes learning how to jump based out of a large showing facility. We have been here for 20 years and have been training and teaching to a high quality, and we have trained many champions! To obtain a pre-class packet with registration forms, call Wellington Parks & Recreation at (561) 791-4005.

• TEMPLE BETH ZION PRESCHOOL & CAMP — A camp where children of all faiths learn and play together, offering a fun-filled summer program in a safe, loving environment. We have a strong academic program with small classes during the school year. Registration is now ongoing for fall sessions of religious school and preschool. We are located at 129 Sparrow Drive in Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 798-3737.

JUNGLE SAFARI AT POLO CLUB BENEFITS DIABETES FOUNDATION

The Diabetes Jungle Safari was held Saturday, March 1 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. The event — a fundraiser for the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine — featured dinner, dancing, and silent and live auctions, with prizes ranging from food, liquor and jewelry to travel packages and dance lessons. Lou and Joan Jacobs were the honorary chairs, and Joe and Ashley Maguire again served as event chairs. The very first Robert T. Cavanagh awards of valor were awarded to Terry Zuckerman and Phyllis Manning.

Zuckerman and Phyllis Manning each received the Robert T. Cavanagh Award of Valor. (L-R) Les and Terry Zuckerman; Phyllis, Barry and Joshua Manning;

Terry

Karen and Bob Cavanagh; and Ashley and Joe Maguire.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Chris Santamaria and Jasmine Velez make friends with a kangaroo.

Honorary chairs Lou and Joan Jacobs.

Debbie Preiser, Carla Masilotti, Debbie Plaxen and Regis Wenham.

Joe Maguire and his dad Joe Sr. with Gabriel Finocchietti.

Marji Rendina, Mayor Tom Wenham, Anita McSharry and Regis Wenham.

Herta and Frank Suess of event sponsors, the Diabetic Support Program.

Mike and Marie Bianchini.Commissioner Jess Santamaria with his daughter Michelle.

Joe Maguire, State Sen. Dave Aronberg and Bob Cavanagh.

Al and Lenyce Boyd with Amy Rockwerk and Andrew Panzer.

Joe and Ashley Maguire (center) with Dan Fountain and John Domenico of sponsors U.S. Trust/Bank of America.

Gabriel and Darlene Finocchietti share a dance.

Trunk Show, Celebrity Bartenders Help Wellington’s ArtStart

Supporters of ArtStart, a Wellingtonbased nonprofit whose mission is to provide educational opportunities in the arts, had a wonderful time at Amici Palm Beach recently as celebrity bartenders poured drinks and volunteer models showed off the latest creations from six top fashion designers. The designers were in town for the Palm Beach Fine Craft Show and were more than happy to help support arts education programs in Palm Beach County.

Celebrity bartenders Bruce Helander,

Leslie Gray Streeter and Melanie HoodWilson kept the crowd entertained as the models strolled about in hand-crafted clothing, hats and jewelry. Volunteer models for the event were Wellington residents Liz Ligeti, Sheri Kleinman and Missy Cheatham, Tara Pregnolato of West Palm Beach and Royal Palm Beach resident Anne Boodheshwar.

For more information about ArtStart, or to make a donation, visit www. artstartinc.org or call Jeannette Pomeroy Parssi at (561) 791-2861.

Number-One Fan — Singer and actress JoJo made an appearance last Saturday at the Palm West Chamber of Commerce’s WestFest Land & Sea Festival held at Okeeheelee Park. JoJo was on hand to greet her enthusiastic fans. One of those fans was Candice Timmerman (left), who is pictured here with JoJo. Timmerman has been a huge fan of the entertainer for years and said she was very excited to finally meet her.

Marilyn and David Berns with ArtStart founder and president Jeannette Pomeroy Parssi.

Models Liz Ligeti, Sheri Kleinman, Missy Cheatham, Tara Pregnolato and Anne Boodheshwar.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Reception — The Wellington Interest Group of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority hosted the Sisters and Friends Legacy Reception at the Villa Olympia Clubhouse on Saturday, March 1. The event was well-attended by professional women from many industries, including healthcare, education, insurance and law enforcement. In addition to enjoying a delicious midday feast, all attendees received multiple pink-and-green gifts. For information on upcoming events call Harma Miller at (561) 784-7902. Since 1908, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority has been on the leading edge of progressive programs for women. It is heralded as the quintessential model of women using their strength to blaze new trails. Alpha Kappa Alpha celebrates 100 years of sisterhood in 2008. The weeklong centennial celebration will be held in Washington, D.C. starting July 11.

Cherie Suzane Rubin, Dr. Craig Sussman To Wed

Joseph and Candace Rubin of Wellington announce the engagement of their daughter Cherie Suzane Rubin to Dr. Craig Bradley Sussman, son of Pam Sussman and the late Jeffrey Sussman of Ormond Beach, Fla.

Cherie is a 2006 graduate of the University of Florida, where she received a bachelor’s degree in event management. She is the youth development director for the March of Dimes in Gainesville. Craig is a 2001 graduate of the University of Florida where he received a bachelor’s degree in physiology and his medical degree from St. George’s University. He is currently a pediatric physician at Shands Hospital in Gainesville and will be specializing in neonatology.

A wedding is planned for this summer in Boca Raton.

Dr. Craig

and

Sussman

Cherie Suzane Rubin

Andrew Flack Of The Acreage Earns Eagle Scout Award

Andrew Jay Flack Jr. of The Acreage has earned the highest advancement the Boy Scouts of America offers — the Eagle Scout Award. Flack was recognized at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor held Feb. 17. A member of Acreage Rotary Troop 105, Flack is part of the approximately four percent of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank. Each candidate must earn 21 merit badges and successfully complete a leadership service project that benefits a community, religious institution or school. Flack’s project consisted of the fundraising, purchasing, painting and installation of 462 feet of ornate crown molding, along with beautifying the back patio at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens. The project included water

sealing the fence and benches, pressure washing, planting plants and doing landscaping.

“His work has really enhanced our meeting space and parish grounds. I could not be happier with not only the results, but also the initiative and ingenuity that Flack brought to the project,” said Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola Pastor Rev. Thomas Barrett.

Flack joined the Cub Scouts in 1997. He earned the Arrow of Light in 2000 and crossed over to Boy Scouts. Flack is an active member of Troop 105 and is also dual enrolled as the Boatswain of Sea Scout Ship 777. Along the trail, he earned 37 merit badges. Flack has served many leadership positions including den chief, historian, quartermaster, librarian,

Scouts Receive Arrow Of Light Awards — Royal Palm Beach Pack 120 held its Arrow of Light Ceremony last weekend where five Webelo Scouts earned their awards. The Arrow of Light Award is the pinnacle of Cub Scouting. The requirements for this badge include developing outdoor skills, gaining an understanding of the values of scouting and preparing to become a Boy Scout. Pictured above are (L-R) Tommy Smith, Jordan Shillingford, Joshua Marker, Travis Collura, Jonathan Claridge and Scout Leader Debbie Smith.

grub master, troop guide, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader and senior patrol leader. He currently serves as Troop 105’s junior assistant scoutmaster. Flack was inducted in the National Honor Society Order of the Arrow and is a brotherhood member.

Flack served on staff for many events. He attended the National Jamboree in 2005, the International Sea Scout Koch Cup in 2006 and this past summer attended the International World Jamboree in London, England. In 2006, Flack was part of the Boy Scout contingent that went to Wiggins, Miss. for eight days to help with Hurricane Katrina cleanup efforts. Flack is a junior at Suncoast High School and is the son of Andy and Mary Flack.

Christopher Michael Dale Shaw son of Tammy and Raymond Shaw of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 2.

Alexa Joan and Alison Danielle Andujar — daughters of Elisa and Jose Andujar of Royal Palm Beach were born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 7.

Samantha Belen Yaques — daughter of Tatiana and James Yaques of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 8.

Samantha Rachel Shullman daughter of Sarah and Alan Shullman of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 8.

Elena Quinn Rawlik — daughter of Mandy Bennett-Rawlik and Peter Rawlik of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 10.

Gianni Carmello Delia — son of Sandy and Nardini Delia of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medi-

cal Center on Feb. 12.

Amoya Antoinette Phillips daughter of Beverly Douglas and Barrington Phillips of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 12.

Amber Cadence Noble — daughter of Michelle Candylou Z. and Adam Robert Noble of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 13.

Ethan John Bielak — son of Deborah and John Bielak of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 14.

Nevaeh Charlize Mossop — daughter of Stacy-Ann and Andrew Mossop of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 14.

Elise Nadia Elcock-Brewster daughter of Chelse Elcock-Wheeler and Otis Brewster of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Feb. 16.

Andrew Jay Flack Jr.

Letters

continued from page 5A the most knowledgeable person in the village about all of the various facets of village policies and procedures and of its history, its current limitations, and its future vision. When I moved to Wellington four years ago, I began periodically contacting all of the council members regarding issues of interest to me. Dr. Priore consistently responded, and I have had many enlightening chats with him. (Others only very rarely responded and sometimes in a terse and cursory way.) Dr. Priore is well-known statewide and has served the village well on the Florida League of Cities. If reelected he will be the president of that organization.

• Darell Bowen — Because the village needs someone with firm ideas on what the village is about and the direction it should take. The present mayor, while he loves Wellington, seems more interested in getting his picture in the papers, along with celebrities, rather than listening to the public. The mayor’s recent move to kill the Park Player Pass was grandstanding at best. No analysis was done as to the ultimate cost to refund money. He totally ignored or was unaware of the millions of dollars in shortfalls from water utilities. Those citizens who attended the various forums on how to survive the coming decrease in revenue sources almost universally approved the sort of fee-for-service effort that the pass represented. I have spoken with Mr. Bowen on a couple of occasions, and while I disagree with him on some issues, I believe that he will be a better informed mayor than the current one.

• Timothy Shields — He is young and eager. The village could benefit from both attributes. I asked Mr. Shields several questions about issues that have or will arise, and he unequivocally answered all of them. I was particularly impressed that he said, “seniors should be treated as we treat all citizens.” (I am a senior.) In response to a question about the village’s involvement in affordable housing, he said, “the village should look at what we are doing to increase the costs of development projects such as fees, permitting delays, project requirements, etc. The market is best able to set pricing levels.” To me, this is the kind of practical, non-pandering approach the village needs.

Phil Sexton Wellington Wenham Most Qualified

Once again it is election time and once again we hear many of the candidates, who have absolutely no political experience, telling us what is wrong in Wellington.

While these challengers should be commended for having the courage to run for office, unfortunately they have not identified any specific problems, or proposed or offered any meaningful solutions or substantive proposals as to how they would improve this community if elected.

As a resident and homeowner, I believe the mayor and council positions

Water

Jacobs Opposed

continued from page 9A public hearings before the county lays any new water lines in the district. “No one gets water from this deal,” she said. “All it says is that if water lines come, they come from Palm Beach County. We will hold hearings before anyone gets water. This is a business decision based on debt and not raising assessments.”

Supervisor Ralph Bair said the district had worked hard to publicize the agreement.

“I’m not in favor of waiting,” he said. “We need to end the flow of money out to lawyers. We own tiny pieces of a system that does not work. We could try to work with West Palm Beach, but no one wants that. ITID is roads, drainage and recreation. I want to get out of the utility business.”

should not be “on-the-job training” for candidates who, before filing for office, never regularly attended council meetings and budget workshops, and never served on any village committees or advisory boards. I do not want novices learning on the job at my expense.

Fortunately, in this upcoming March 11 election, we have a chance to re-elect a proven and experienced mayor in Tom Wenham, who has proudly served this village for nearly 20 years.

Through Tom’s leadership and guidance in the past two years alone, the Binks Forest Golf Course has been resurrected and is now something the Binks community and the entire village can be proud of. Tom was also instrumental in keeping the horse shows in Wellington, in opposing commercial development in the equestrian community and at long last helping bring an assisted-living facility to the village.

To those who are rightfully concerned with fiscal responsibility, Tom and the council lowered our tax rate and suspended the budgeted K-Park expenditures, while at the same time continuing to support all of the recreational activities and programs for the children and adults in this community. Even with the village nearing build-out and facing diminishing revenue from impact fees and other revenue streams, through the efforts of Mayor Tom Wenham and the council, the village is in excellent financial condition with our reserves strong and our bond rating high.

Tom and the council have also diligently supported our A-rated schools by continuing to contribute reading grants to the local Wellington schools above and beyond the monies provided by the School Board. Investing in our children’s education is something that we should applaud and not condemn as fiscally irresponsible.

Tom’s challenger, Darell Bowen, is running on his background as a Realtor selling homes in a previously vibrant real estate market and his plan to run the village as a business. While I fully support sound financial management, I fear for these reading grants, recreational programs, a senior center and other programs that most likely will be eliminated if Mr. Bowen is elected and looks at all decisions on a strict dollars-and-cents basis.

As a local business owner and member of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce since 2005, I was honestly expecting to hear something specific from Darell Bowen concerning his plans to assist local businesses in Wellington, and unfortunately, I have heard nothing. Does the village face challenges in the months and years ahead? Absolutely. Do we need to be fiscally conservative and responsible? Absolutely. Do we need to control growth? Absolutely. Do we need to represent all segments of this community? Absolutely. I cannot think of a better person to face these challenges and continue to lead this village down the right path, and that is why I fully support Tom Wenham for re-election as mayor.

Howard Sohn Wellington

Erickson reiterated that the decision is not about whether or not people want city water. “Right now we have a 12mile pipe with a 12-inch diameter that serves zero customers and zero fire hydrants,” he said. “The previous board said to build a system and force people to hook up. I want to work toward intelligent solutions.”

The board voted on the agreement in two phases. Under Florida Law, Chapter 189, it first had to declare that completing the agreement was in the district’s best interests. Jacobs made a motion to table the declaration but did not receive a second. Bair then made a motion to accept the declaration, seconded by Semande. The motion passed 4-1 with Jacobs dissenting. Bair then made a motion to accept the agreement, with Damone seconding. The vote was again 41 in favor, with Jacobs opposed.

Carmine Priore Not In Village’s Best Interest

A few days ago, Carmine Priore was quoted in the Palm Beach Post saying that his opponent in the March 11 village election, Duane Christensen, was a “single-issue candidate” who only wants to protect the area where he lives from future development. A few weeks earlier, Dr. Priore was quoted in the Post, referring to Mr. Christensen, “how would you like a novice working on the village budget?”

I want to correct any false impressions Priore’s assertion might have made. He and Duane Christensen have known each other for many years. I am confident he knows Duane’s background very well. His public comments are both untrue and nothing more than political garbage intended to diminish a truly outstanding citizen.

Carmine Priore’s best days are past. He has been on the council for the past 16 years. His fingerprints are all over the excessive commercial development we now have and the congested traffic we confront every day.

I urge Wellington voters to judge Dr. Priore based on his voting record of the past few years, most of which has been politically self-serving, not focused on living conditions for Wellington residents. Most recently he tried to get votes from seniors by spearheading the effort to place “affordable” housing on villageowned land located between Village Walk and Olympia. When the residents in those communities threatened to vote for his opponent in the forthcoming election, he quickly turned his back on our senior community and made the motion at the last council meeting to kill the whole idea. He even cajoled the council to vote on the issue prior to giving the residents an opportunity to voice their opinions on the issue.

Last spring, Priore voted in favor of the Hospitality Shoppes, a commercial development to be built on recreational land on South Shore Blvd. Fortunately the council rejected the proposal. During the summer he voted in favor of a developer’s plan to build a major new community west of Wellington. Fortunately it was not. Had it been approved by the county, the development would have resulted in the construction of hundreds, maybe thousands of new homes and thousands of additional cars on Wellington streets. These are but a few of Carmine Priore’s very recent unacceptable votes.

I urge everyone eligible to vote who really cares about preserving our quality of life here in Wellington and is concerned about the serious long-range problems we here in Wellington face as the western communities continue to grow in the years ahead to vote for Duane Christensen. His experience in community building and proven leadership make him the best candidate to protect the interests of Wellington and lead us into the future.

Kenneth Kaufman Wellington

Karch: ITID Sells Out Residents

Living in the Indian Trail Improvement District for over 18 years, I have witnessed some god-awful government practices by our local district.

Birds

LGLA Speaker

continued from page 27A tine regulations led to questions about avian flu. Clubb said the recent avian flu scare was unwarranted. “The avian flu was one of my pet peeves,” she said. “It was blown out of proportion. I thought the state of fear that our government put us in about avian flu was horrible. More people are being killed in Iraq every day than people dying of avian flu around the world. We are OK. Don’t worry.”

LGLA members also noted a recent and well-publicized conflict between a local bird breeder and his neighbors, who

We have lived through tyranny, bully tactics, total ignorance and disregard for the residents, corrupt Palm Beach County commissioners, corrupt district engineers, incorrigible attorneys, and more. I have seen the “great giveaways,” i.e., 75 percent of our drainage outfall to Royal Palm Beach, all of our L-8 drainage outfall with the Palm Beach Aggregates deal, road easements to the county for thoroughfare roads, and our community park.

But now!? The largest and greatest giveaway of all… our freedom, our protection, our enterprise business and, yes people, our easements — the very easements that you own… the ones in front of your houses.

Last Thursday night, against the wishes of all, less one contractor exposed during the meeting and who stands to benefit by this travesty, the illustrious ITID Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to sell away our legislative authority to provide utilities, give away our easements, sell our current utility assets at 25 and a half times less its value, and completely surrender the existing legal challenges that are positioned to bring more dollars into the district than their whole deal and still maintain all of our rights and easements.

This inexperienced board was voted in on a day following a three-day holiday, a day peppered with torrential downpour, a day that earmarked the lowest voter turnout in our history, a day following three years of press initiated and spearheaded by those currently in federal prison, a day of disaster for this community.

Our current president, Mike Erickson, spoke eloquently about his business acumen and his brain power. This deal stands to bring a minimum of a $300 million loss to this community over the next 30 years… that’s already been proven in their own documents. What business acumen subscribes to that philosophy?

The comments made by all supervisors except Carol Jacobs were so devoid of intellect, judgment and comprehension that it was painfully clear there was no professional academia present or available.

The supervisors and their attorney refused to hear the legal requirements of the Florida Constitution that a government must hold a referendum prior to the transfer of powers. The law and the Florida constitution requires that both Palm Beach County and ITID hold referendums, receive a majority vote on the transfer of power for both sides, and then lobby the Florida Legislature to modify the enabling legislation that initially granted the powers. The board of supervisors has attempted to circumvent the legislature, the constitution of Florida, and most importantly, you and I… the people. Not since the days of [former ITID president Bill] Gotthelf has this district behaved so disrespectful and blasphemous to the people of this community.

Write an e-mail to the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation to voice your opposition to the furtherance of this contract without the required referendum and voice of the people first.

Christopher Karch

The Acreage Editor’s Note: Mr. Karch is a former ITID supervisor who spearheaded the previous board’s plan to operate a water utility.

complained about the noise of the birds. Clubb said the best way to lessen the noise is through sound barriers such as hedges and fences, but noted that she has heard of relatively few such conflicts considering the number of breeders in the area. “A very sensitive person next to a bunch of birds is not a good combination,” she said. “I’ve had my birds on my property since 1992 and my neighbors love it. They think it sounds like a little jungle.”

The Rainforest Clinic for Birds & Exotics is located at 3319 E Road in Loxahatchee Groves and is open by appointment. For more info., call (561) 7954878 or visit www.cyberparrots.com.

Wellington Needs Wenham

“I’ve worked with Tom Wenhan for the past several years. His dedication to Senior issues and to the entire community is well documented. We need to re-elect Tom Wenham to lead us through the next few turbulent years.”

Howard Trager

Chairman, Senior Citizens Task Force

“Mayor Tom Wenham has always been there for the business community. When our fledgling Chamber called, he never said “No.” Now he needs our help. Re-elect Mayor Tom Wenham.”

Paul Adams

Pioneer and Former President

Wellington Chamber of Commerce

“Mayor Wenham has worked to protect the Wellington Equestrian Preserve. He’s helped the low density equestrian industry to grow and protect Wellington from greater urban pressures. Please vote to re-elect Mayor Tom Wenham.”

Dean Turney

Executive Director, Wellington Equestrian Alliance

“We need to protect Wellington’s outstanding Parks and Recreation programs and that means we need Tom Wenham. Be sure you vote this Tuesday and re-elect Mayor Tom Wenham.”

Anthony Forgione

Wellington Parks & Rec Advisory Board

Tuesday, March 11th

Tom Wenham for Mayor of Wellington

PALMS WEST

Personalized T PersonalizedTax Preparation From axPreparationFrom W Wellington ellington Accounting & T Accounting&Tax ax

By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report

Certified public accountant

Priscilla Thomasevich has always had a thing for numbers. As a girl growing up in Broward County, while her friends played with dolls and baked with toy stoves, little Priscilla played with a toy cash register. “I was a geek,” she said with a smile.

Thomasevich has turned that geekiness into a successful career as owner of Wellington Accounting & Tax in the Crexent Business Center on Lake Worth Road. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Florida Atlantic University and a master’s degree in taxation from FAU’s school of business.

She worked for five years at the National Council on Compensation and the accounting firms of Deloitte & Touche and King & Lenson before going out on her own three years ago.

“I wanted to get back to my roots of small-business tax preparation,” Thomasevich said. “I started from my home office in Wellington, but I grew too big for that. So I got an executive suite at Crexent. We’re looking to serve local business owners,

and offer individual tax preparation as well.”

Thomasevich’s husband runs a construction company, Thomasevich Construction, and the couple has a four-year-old son.

“I have many clients who are construction-related because my husband owns his own construction company,” she said.

“It’s a family-owned business, so naturally I started with that as my first client.”

Thomasevich said the slowdown in the construction business recently has made life tough on some of her clients.

“Some clients are not as busy, so we’re constantly trying to find ways for them to cut costs, save money and reduce their tax burden,” Thomasevich said.

“Sometimes you get into a situation where you made money a couple years ago — and you owed taxes from a couple years ago — and now you’re not making the money to pay the taxes. That happening to real estate brokers now, too. That’s kind of where I come in. There are a lot of bigger firms in Wellington. They would typically hire someone with my level of experience to do all the work and charge higher prices. I’m providing the service myself. I have low overhead and can pro-

vide really good service.”

And because Thomasevich runs a smaller company, she said, her clients deal directly with her. “I don’t send them to a staff accountant who doesn’t understand their needs,” she said. “There’s no partner who charges $300 per hour. You deal with me on everything from the simplest things to the most complex taxes.”

But in these tight economic times, nothing is simple. Thomasevich said all her clients are trying to maximize their tax refunds and reduce their overall tax burdens. “The best thing to do is keep really good records,” she said.

Thomasevich added that seeing an accountant a few times a year, instead of just at tax season, helps in getting a handle on your taxes. “Sometimes you end up saving yourself a tremendous amount in the end if you have constant contact with your accountant and build a relationship with them where they can help you and advise you through some purchase decisions or give you some tips,” she said. “For example, individual sales tax is deductible in the State of Florida. If you’re going to lease a car or purchase a car, the amount of sales tax you pay on

a purchase would be deductible. If you lease it, you’re not going to pay as much sales tax.” Thomasevich said many people don’t know what is tax-deductible and what is not. “Homeowners’ insurance, for instance, isn’t deductible. People ask that a lot,” she said. “Everybody comes in and says taxes aren’t complicated. But they are, otherwise you would have been able to figure it out. That’s why I think it’s important to

establish a relationship with someone you trust who can give you some advice. Take a little time out of your year to do some tax planning. It might save you a fortune.”

Wellington Accounting & Tax is located in Suite 131 of the Crexent Business Center at 8461 Lake Worth Road, just west of Florida’s Turnpike. For more information, call (561) 7131138 or visit www.wellington taxpro.com.

Expert Advice — Wellington Accounting & Tax’s Priscilla Thomasevich in her office at the Crexent Business Center.

PHOTO BY STEVE PIKE/TOWN-CRIER

Aronberg Talks Budget Cuts, Insurance Reform At Chamber Lunch

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

State Sen. Dave Aronberg warned members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce last week that the 2008 legislative session would begin with more painful budget cuts.

Speaking at the chamber’s business luncheon Feb. 28, Aronberg cautioned chamber members that this year’s legislative session, which began March 4, would be tougher than last year’s. The State Legislature’s first priority would be cutting the current budget even further because of shortfalls in funding.

“The housing slump has really taken a bite out of the state’s budget, and as a result, we are going to have to cut,” Aronberg said. “For the first two weeks of session, we will do nothing but cut the budget. Being a politician, it’s a lot easier when you are giving money away rather than taking it back. It’s going to be ugly. Local governments are starting to feel the pinch.”

Also in the coming session, Aronberg said, state representatives would be discussing further property tax cuts, much deeper than the ones approved by the voters through Amendment 1, but he said he did not think such a proposal would win State Senate approval. He said more tax-related referendums would likely appear on the ballot in November.

“If you are looking for tax relief, you will see some items on the ballot in November,” he

said. The constitutional Budget and Taxation Reform Commission has been meeting, and they will put things on the ballot in November. What we passed on the ballot was tax relief and not tax reform.”

Aronberg said the legislature also wants to determine who to blame for the fact that the insurance reform efforts last year did not result in substantial rate decreases. To add insult to injury, Aronberg said his own insurance carrier sent him a letter to say they would drop coverage of his second residence in Tallahassee.

“They said, ‘we are dropping you because we are dropping all second-home owners and you can thank the legislature for the irresponsible bill they passed,’” Aronberg said.

Aronberg said the state can only do so much on property insurance, with a national catastrophic fund from the federal government likely being the only fix that would significantly lower rates. Meanwhile, the blame for high insurance rates should not be laid on the insurance industry as a whole, he said.

“I think there are things we can continue to do to make sure that the savings are passed on to Floridians,” Aronberg said. “I think that those who have not passed on the rate decreases should be held responsible. We need to find some middle ground. What we can do is help reinforce our markets and bring more companies back to Florida. I think it’s starting to work, but it has not happened fast

enough. I think there is a lot of truth in the middle. I don’t think it’s just because of the ‘evil insurance executives’ out there. I think it’s a lot deeper than that.”

Aronberg also credited Gov. Charlie Crist for taking on the insurance companies, although he might have overestimated what he could get done. “There has been a sea change,” he said. “Gov. Crist took on the insurance industry. In the past, the insurance industry wrote the bills that would become law. Now it’s different.”

Aronberg also said he opposes a bill that would allow employees to bring their guns to work, an idea that has the support of the National Rifle Association lobby but is opposed by Florida’s chambers of commerce.

“You should be able to decide what goes on with your private property,” Aronberg said. “If you are not allowed to ban guns in the workplace, and there is a shooting at your business, who is going to get sued? The NRA? No. It’s going to be you. Not to mention the human cost of the lost lives. I have been very much an opponent of this bill.”

Aronberg noted that his efforts to forge more cooperation across the aisle in the State Senate had helped him attain a leadership role there.

“I am now going to be number-two person in the Senate,” he said. “I will be the minority leader pro tem. But that’s good because I have more seniority. That’s one thing that term limits does give you. If you work

with the majority power, you can get some real power in the Senate.”

Aronberg also noted that Wellington offers a good example of bipartisanship and political diversity.

“As long as I have been here, I don’t remember partisanship and divisiveness affecting Wellington,” he said. “Wellington got it right before the state, national and local government followed. People here value you for the ideas you have and not just your party affiliation. Wellington has three state senators, two Democrats and one Republican, and has a state representative who is a Democrat. The [village] council is mostly Republicans. This is a real testament to the community.”

Last week’s luncheon took place at the Links at Madison

Green in Royal Palm Beach and was sponsored by Mike Nelson of Effective Solutions, a consulting firm founded in 1999 that works with private owners, corporate entities, political entities and others regarding land use, land development and real estate.

Nelson, who was involved in the municipal incorporation of Wellington and has been a resident since 1984, said working in the village has given him real satisfaction.

“If you become involved in Wellington, you will find it is one of the most rewarding communities you have ever been involved in,” he said. For more information about the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, call (561) 7926525 or visit www.wellington chamber.com.

February Luncheon — Wellington Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michela Perillo-Green and President Darell Bowen present State Sen. Dave Aronberg and Effective Solutions’ Mike Nelson with certificates of appreciation.

PHOTO BY CAROL

Get Custom-Made Sheds Built To Last From Shedquarters

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

Vince Kuncl of Shedquarters said there are two ways to put a shed up in the western communities. “You can go to one of the big stores and buy a kit and spend hours working to put it up,” he said, “or you can come to us and not only get exactly the shed you want, but have it delivered and installed perfectly.”

If that’s not reason enough, here’s another. “A lot of the kits do not meet Florida’s building codes,” Kuncl said. “Ours always do.”

Kuncl, who runs the business with his brother Vic, said Shedquarters offers sheds in a wide variety of sizes, making it easier to comply with local setback standards.

“All of the sheds are basically custom-made,” he said. “We have lots of different models, with a large variety of colors, different types of doors and many have windows. We can build you a six-by-eight-foot shed up to a 20-by-36-foot one.”

Kuncl’s sheds are built by Superior Sheds of Orange City, Florida and delivered in one piece. They feature four-inchthick, pressure-treated skids to provide maximum support for the deck, which is made of tongue-and-groove boards three quarters of an inch thick. Kuncl said the decking is so strong, it can support a car.

“These are so strong that they can be put on concrete blocks,”

he said. “You don’t need to lay a concrete slab.”

Kuncl said every one of his sheds is built to withstand 150mph winds. “We use wood frames in a truss system to build more stress,” he said. “Everything is held together with hurricane straps.”

Decals on the inside wall of each shed attest to state certification. “That is the formal approval of the design and construction by the state,” Kuncl said, “and every shed we sell has one of them. If someone tries to sell a shed without one, it may not be a shed built to code, and you may not get a permit. We have drawings and state certification ready so that the permit process is simple.”

Kuncl said that the price of each of his sheds covers not only purchase, but also delivery and installation.

“When my brother Vic, who handles the transportation, is done, your shed is ready to use,” he said. “You can start moving in all your lawn equipment, your trailers, your gas for the generators. And we have a lifetime warranty on the shed. It’s made of aluminum and will never rust or corrode.”

The sheds are so durable, Kuncl said, that one part of their business is relocating them. “When people move, they often take their shed along,” he said. “We can load it up and move it for them.”

Kuncl has lived in the western communities for 28 years.

“I grew up here, and I live in The Acreage with my wife

Diana and my son Nicholas, nine, who goes to Acreage Pines Elementary School,” he said. “We’re part of the community, and we know what people out here really need.”

Kuncl said that people really love the look of the sheds.

“They look great,” he said. “They are well made, and we have more than a dozen col-

ors. We use special washers and guard screws guaranteed by the manufacturer not to rust. We have different choices for doors. Some people like double doors and some prefer roll-up garage doors. I just had customer here who was interested in a place to store a trailer he just bought that carries two jet skis. We can make the

garage door style wider to make things easier for him. We can put in small or large windows and different kinds of ventilation. Our sheds not only hold up, they look great.”

Shedquarters is located at 829 Benoist Farms Road just east of Belvedere Road. For more information, call (561) 784-2594 or (561) 662-0576.

Custom Sheds — Shedquarters’ Vince Kuncl displays one of the many models available.

Studio Theatre Of Wellington Seeks Help To Expand Seating

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The Studio Theatre of Wellington is looking to expand its capacity because of public interest in its productions, and is hoping to garner some community support to do so.

Located in the Wellington Commerce Park, the Studio Theatre is a hidden gem, sharing space with the studios of Lee Harris Music. The “black box” style theater is not only the venue for works such as Love Letters and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare but also for musical performances and readings, and a very popular summer theatrical camp for students.

Harris, the theater’s founder, has been part of the Palm Beach County music and theatrical scene for more than 30 years. He established the Studio Theatre of Wellington two years ago in the place once occupied by the now relocated Theatre West because performance enthusiasts here in the western communities urged him to do so.

“We live here,” said Harris, a Loxahatchee resident. “We want to be in control of the quality theater that takes place here.”

Paula Sackett, the theater’s managing director, said productions, usually scheduled as two performances each for two consecutive weekends, are often extended. While she and Harris want to expand seating capacity from 30 to 50, Sackett said the theater’s seating itself needs improvement. While the seating area offers a pleasant

and informal candlelit ambiance, the seating currently consists of wrought-iron benches.

“It’s a beautiful little space,” Sackett said, “but to sit through a two-hour production, it can be a little uncomfortable.”

But Sackett said her single highest concern is improving the audience’s line of sight. The seating is all on a level floor, a placement that does not allow members of the audience to look down on the stage before them.

The obvious solution is to construct risers, but there is the added complication of a Steinway grand piano currently occupying space in the audience area.

So the Studio Theatre’s wish list is threefold and interrelated: more comfortable seats, risers on which to put them, and the removal of a wall in the space to find a new place for the piano while creating room for the additional seating.

“With the piano where it is, there’s no place for additional seating,” Sackett said, “and the piano has to be moved in order for the risers to be built.”

Sackett said the risers could be built to allow them to be moved away when events such as music lessons take place in the space. “They would be moveable for the people coming in and taking classes,” she said. “We don’t have to have the auditorium seating permanent.”

Harris and Sackett are appealing for contributions of any sort to help the theater achieve its modest goals — not necessarily money, but materials, con-

struction volunteers and professional design services are all welcome.

The theater also welcomes individuals interested in serving on a future board of directors, and volunteers to help the theater by answering phones and doing office work or helping with fundraising now and in the future.

Wellington has a successful small theater offering quality productions, but both Sackett and Harris would like the community to be more aware of it.

“We are having growing pains just like any other nonprofit,” Harris said. “We’re not asking for tons of money. I am trying to start a dollar drive. There are 56,000 people in Wellington. If we could get a dollar from each of them, that would go a long way toward helping this establishment with its plans. The audience is starting to expand, and we have to do something to help take care of that audience.”

Harris also said the theater hopes to put on a more ambitious musical production this summer. “It’s an expensive proposition, he said. “We are trying to look for corporate support. We are also trying to be a more family-oriented type of theater. We’re more interested in introducing families to the arts.”

Harris and Sackett stress that they are in no way aiming to compete with the Cultural Trust of the Palm Beaches. “The Cultural Trust and Studio Theatre are not enemies,” Harris said. “We have been accused of be-

ing that. I just want to make it known that the money and support we are asking for is not in that league. We are not trying to carve out a slice of their pie. We don’t need that kind of money in order for our particular facility to work. We would like some community support. That’s what we are looking for at this point.”

The Studio Theatre’s next presentation is a concert with classical guitarist Stephen Robinson on March 14. Robinson, who studied with the legendary Andrés Segovia, established the

guitar curriculum at Stetson University and has previously conducted master’s classes at the Studio Theatre, but this is his first public performance there. The 7 p.m. performance is grant-funded and therefore free to the public, but Sackett strongly suggests those planning to attend call the theater in advance to reserve a seat.

The Studio Theatre is located in the Wellington Commerce Park at 11320 Fortune Circle, Suite G7. For more information, call (561) 2044100.

Expansion Plans — Studio Theatre of Wellington founder Lee Harris and manager Paula Sackett want to increase the number of seats from 30 to 50.

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Send business news items to: The Town-Crier 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31 Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

PALMS WEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONIES

Zen Massage Center — Located at 2465 S. State Road 7, Suite 500, in the Plaza at Wellington Green, Zen Massage Center offers the highest quality professional massage therapy at affordable rates seven days a week. A one-hour Swedish massage costs $49.95; deep-tissue and sports massages cost $59. There are no contracts or membership fees. For more info., call (561) 333-5335 or e-mail rob@zenpalmbeach.com. Pictured here are Zen Massage Center staff members with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.

Friendly’s — The Palms West Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday, Feb. 19 at the Friendly’s restaurant in Palm Springs (1756 S. Congress Avenue). Friendly’s offers a fun-filled family environment and a wide variety of sandwiches, signature items, entrées, salads and mouthwatering desserts. For more info., call Christine Desjardins at (561) 966-6566. Pictured here are Friendly’s staff with Palms Springs village officials and chamber ambassadors.

Rotary Peace Award — Palm Beach County Board of Education Peace Program Director Rick Lewis received the Wellington Rotary Club’s Peace Award at the club’s quarterly dinner held last Thursday at the Links at Madison Green clubhouse. Shown here are (L-R) International Chair Dr. Wes Boughner, Lewis, Peace Award Coordinator Mark McLean and Wellington Rotary Club President Dr. Farokh Jiveh.

WellingTAN Named Among The Nation’s Top Salons

Looking Fit magazine, a national trade publication supporting the indoor tanning industry, recently named WellingTAN one of the top 250 salons in the nation.

Since 2000, Looking Fit ’s editors have worked diligently to identify the top 250 indoor tanning salons in the industry. Published in the Feb. 15 issue of the magazine, the award identifies WellingTAN as one of the most innovative, dynamic and fastest-growing indoor tanning salons in the United States.

The success of the salons that were chosen can be attributed to a number of factors, including their professionalism, commitment to education and superior customer service. Year after year, the

indoor tanning industry grows in direct proportion to consumer confidence gained through knowledgeable tanning salon owners and operators who have the welfare of their customers in mind.

The U.S. indoor tanning industry represents more than 25,000 freestanding tanning salons that have an economic impact of more than $5 billion. The industry promotes moderate, sensible and responsible tanning — indoors and outdoors.

WellingTAN is located at 12797 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 6-A, in the Wellington Plaza. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call (561) 383-8883 or visit www.wellingtan.com.

Video Competition To Promote Tourism In Palm Beach County

The Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), in collaboration with the Palm Beach County Film & Television Commission (FTC), recently announced the Palm Beach County Video Competition. Novice filmmakers are encouraged to submit their entries by visiting palmbeachfl.com/contests. The deadline for submissions is March 31.

The Palm Beach County Video Competition is a promotion developed to increase the positive visibility of Palm Beach County on social media sites such as YouTube, MySpace, Facebook and others. Videos should creatively promote Palm Beach County in a positive light, stimulating interest in the county as a tourist or business destination. Videos

must be four minutes or less and free from any copyright violations. There is no limit to the number of video entrees submitted by one person. The top three videos selected will receive cash awards: first place, $2,000; second place, $1,000; and third place, $500. Winners will be announced during the 2008 Palm Beach International Film Festival’s Student Showcase of Films.

The Student Showcase of Films awards ceremony will be held April 15 at Palm Beach Community College’s Duncan Theatre at the Lake Worth Campus. For more information, visit www. pbfilm.com.

The 13th Annual PBIFF will be held April 10-17. For more information about the PBIFF, visit www.pbifilmfest.org.

WELLINGTON CHAMBER MIXER AT WINESTYLES

The Wellington Chamber of Commerce recently held a member mixer at WineStyles in the Pointe at Wellington Green. Owned and operated by Tanya and Gary Meade, WineStyles offers a new and easy way to shop for wine. The store categorizes wine by style. Their wine experts carefully select unique labels and specialize in hard-to-find wines from small and large vineyards. WineStyles can special-order most wines by the bottle or case, often within 24 hours. For more info., call (561) 804-1190. (Left) Retention and Social Director Dawn Dallin with ambassador Bob Wolff. (Below) Membership Director Susan Turturici with Susan and Rocky Goins.

UCF Economist: Problems Will Persist Despite Stimulus Package

Economists should be more worried about the “morning after” the tax-rebate stimulus package and the Federal Reserve’s interest rate cuts than whether to call the current slowdown a “recession,” a University of Central Florida economist said.

“Whether or not the slowdown is declared to be officially a recession a year from now doesn’t matter for our current situation,” said UCF Institute for Economic Competitiveness Director Sean Snaith in his first-quarter national forecast, which was released in February.

“The real threat is what lies beyond the current monetary and fiscal stimulus,” Snaith added. “The persistence of inflation could require some bitter medicine in the form of a deep recession induced by the Fed. It has the potential to make the impact of the housing correction pale in comparison.”

Rate cuts and tax rebates won’t offer any real relief until the second half of the year, Snaith said. Until then, the country will continue wrangling with a languishing housing sector, credit market crunch and rising energy prices.

The next president will have to deal with all of those crises and ever-expanding federal deficit, which Snaith estimates could jump up to 140 percent this year — mainly because of the White House’s fiscal stimulus package.

“The deficits will require the attention of a new administration — some attempt to curtail deficits will be made in part by lowering spending or from troop withdrawals in Iraq,” Snaith said. “The other side of the corrective action could entail higher tax rates.”

Other highlights of Snaith’s report include:

• Housing — By the end of 2008, Snaith said that the housing hangover should begin to lift. This year will be the worst, with a double-digit decline of nearly 17 percent, as developers have severely cut back on projects in the wake of large inventories and with demand hampered by the sub-prime meltdown and precipitous drop in confidence.

• The Dollar — The dollar’s sevenyear depreciation against major trading partners finally ends this year. And 2009 will be the first year since 2001 that the currency will increase in value.

• Unemployment — Unemployment will peak at 5.2 percent in 2008 before falling back to 4.7 percent by the end of 2010. Job losses in construction and financial services tied to housing continue to add to the structural job losses experienced in the manufacturing and information sectors.

Snaith is a national expert in economics, forecasting, market sizing and economic analysis. He authors quarterly reports about the economy. Snaith is also a member of several national forecasting panels, including the Western Blue Chip Economic Forecast panel, the National Association of Business Economics Quarterly Outlook Survey Panel, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Survey of Professional Forecasters, Bloomberg U.S. Economic Indicator Survey and the USA Today Economic Survey Panel. Blue Chip named him the most accurate forecaster for California in 2006. To view Snaith’s entire economic forecast, visit the institute’s web site at www.iec.ucf.edu.

New Animation Studio Focuses On Promoting Latino Culture

A 3D animation studio run by Wellington residents has pledged to help TV network executives and producers bridge the gap between the Hispanic and American cultures.

Based in Boca Raton, Cilantro Animation Studios aims to satisfy a deep and growing hunger for acculturated Latino television entertainment. To meet this need, they are developing original TV programs and cinematic ventures that expand the reach of popular yet melodramatic telenovelas, while also improving on the English-language content that is translated into Spanish, often with mixed results.

“The Spanish market has been lumped into a big bucket, and that doesn’t serve the market properly,” Cilantro Animation Studios President and CEO Salvatore Cavalieri said. “We’re in an age where we have to listen and analyze more care-

fully what the audience said. Who’s your audience, what is their age, what are they consuming, what are they watching, what technology are they using, where do they come from historically? If you don’t know that, you won’t be able to stay connected to your audience and grow your market share.”

Cavalieri and co-founders Katty Arzola, senior vice president of marketing and public relations, and Francisco Sinta, vice president of sales and strategic alliances, all bring impressive resumes.

Prior to founding Cilantro, Cavalieri focused his creative energies in the areas of finance and technology. He worked for Motorola and quickly worked his way up the corporate ladder through import and export functions. He was also the president and CEO of Mijas Investments, a company specializing in real estate acquisition and renovations. His vision for

Cilantro Animation is greatly influenced by Walt Disney and his gang of “imagineers.” As a boy, Cavalieri was hypnotized by the Disney characters, inspired to create his own animated world that would one day come to life on movie and television screens. But his dream differed in one big way: he would people his stories with walking, talking representatives of the diverse Hispanic-American community.

Salvatore Cavalieri

Arzola is the recipient of multiple awards for outstanding achievements in marketing, real estate and community leadership. In 2005, she was named one of Florida’s Top 100 real estate agents, and in 2006 she received the Platinum Award from Re/Max, a top honor recognizing rapidly excelling professionals

of the worldwide team. She was also the recipient of the Spirit Award in recognition of her leadership, dedication and contributions to Progress Software.

Sinta is equally accomplished. Before Cilantro, he was the direct-marketing manager for the multicultural market intelligence space called Geoscape International. During his tenure he helped various advertising agencies, list brokers, list managers, call centers and end customers understand and target the Hispanic Market. He also led business development efforts for BabytoBee. com and Hispanos Unidos.

For more info., visit www.cilantro animation.com, e-mail info@cilantro animation.com or call (866) 741-6075.

McCollum Marks National Consumer Protection Week By Warning About Scams

Florida Attorney General Bill McCollum has joined federal, state and local government agencies and national consumer advocacy organizations to launch the tenth annual National Consumer Protection Week held March 2-8.

As part of the national event, McCollum announced the top categories of fraud complaints received by the Attorney General’s Office in 2007. McCollum urged consumers to be aware of the current trends and to remain vigilant in their efforts to protect themselves from the following scams:

• Debt collection, collection agencies and credit-reporting companies — Debt collectors are legally prohibited from lying to consumers or threatening them to collect payments. They are also prohibited from calling after 9 p.m. and may not contact consumers at work if they know the employer disapproves.

• Internet — Scams that emerged last year included an increasing variety of check overpayment scams and phishing, a form of identity theft. Never give out personal identification information to a stranger over the Internet, and be wary of anyone who writes a check for more than the required amount and then asks to have the difference wired back to them.

• Travel — Complaints against travel agencies involved supposed “all-inclusive” vacation packages with hidden consumer fees or other fees and surcharges added to hotel bills and cruises.

• Auto dealers — Many complaints addressed the issue of used vehicles which were in worse condition than advertised by the dealer or “bait and switch” advertising used to lure consumers to dealerships.

• Builders/Contractors — To avoid

being scammed by a rogue builder or contractor, ask to see a certified contractor license and always obtain at least three bids and references.

• Foreign scams, lotteries and advertisements — If you purchase one foreign lottery ticket, expect many more bogus offers for lottery or investment “opportunities.” Your name will be placed on lists that fraudulent telemarketers buy and sell.

• Mortgages/Loans — Last year, many consumer complaints focused on mortgage companies that were withholding much-needed insurance money until consumers met several (often unattainable) hurdles.

• Insurance — The vast majority of complaints in this area were related to the increasing cost of homeowners insurance. Floridians complained about increases that occurred without docu-

mentation or written notification.

• Crime — Consumers frequently contact the Attorney General’s Office to provide information about a crime. Complaints were also filed about crime in general or about how a particular crime was being addressed.

• Timeshare rentals and resale — Other travel-related complaints addressed timeshare scams, which occur both at the time of the original purchase and at the time of resale. To protect themselves, sellers should consider reselling their timeshare “by owner,” placing an ad in a newsletter or magazine read by potential timeshare buyers or by listing the timeshare with a licensed real estate broker where the resort is located.

To file a complaint, call the Attorney General’s fraud hotline at (866) 9-NOSCAM (1-866-966-7226) or by filing a complaint at www.myfloridalegal.com.

COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY HOSTS LINCOLN-DOUGLAS DINNER

The Republican Party of Palm Beach County held its annual Lincoln-Douglas Dinner on Saturday, March 1 at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. The keynote speaker was Fred Barnes, co-founder and executive editor of the Weekly Standard, who has held various other editorial and reporter positions at a number of publications such as the New Republic, the Washington Star and the Baltimore Sun. Event Chair County Commissioner Mary McCarty, Palm Beach County Republican Party Chair Sid Dinerstein and Florida Republican Party Chair Jim Greer also spoke. For more information about the Republican Party of Palm Beach County, call (561) 655-5545.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Wellington residents Jeanne Ray and Barry Haslup (left), and Robert Harvey and Jay Goldfarb (right).

Wellington Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto and State Sen. Jeff Atwater.

The PBC League of Cities’ Jamie Titcomb and wife Nellie.

Palms West Republican Club President Charlie Fetscher with his wife Kathy and daughter Jessie.

Larry Casey, Dave Stewart, Jason Fishbein and Jay Goldfarb.

Weekly Standard editor Fred Barnes was the keynote speaker.

PBC DEMS HOST GOV. SPITZER

The Palm Beach County Democratic Party hosted an evening of conversation, coffee and cake with New York Gov. Elliot Spitzer and Florida State Sen. Craig Johnson last Friday at the Airport Hilton in West Palm Beach. For more information about the Palm Beach County Democratic Party, call (561) 433-1112. (Above) Spitzer and Palm Beach County Democratic Party Chairman Wahid Mahmood. (Below

Johnson says a few words. (Below

POLITICAL COLLECTIBLES SHOW

A political collectibles show was held Saturday, Feb. 23 at the West Palm Beach Elks Lodge (8188 Belvedere Road). Vendors offered campaign buttons, ribbons, posters, china, autographs, inaugural items and much more. For more information about future events at the lodge, call (561) 707-3090. (Above left) Joe Brain shows off his campaign buttons.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER AND STU ULRICH/TOWN-CRIER

left)

right) Spitzer and State Rep. Susan Bucher.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

(Above right) Cathy and Tom Berg at their booth. (Below) Jack Dixey displays some of his political memorabilia.

$18-$25/HR — Teachers/Tutors P/T. All subjects PreK to Adult. Certification/Experience required. Palm Beach County Areas Fax 561-828-8128 or Email Tutorking@WPB3331980.COM

HELP WANTED/BOOKKEEPER EXPE-

RIENCED; Familiar with QUICKBOOKS - Full-Time position. Pay commensurate with experience. Fax resume to A. Silver - 561-432-2825

DELIVERY AND TO GO - FT/PT Delivery Drivers. Must have own insured vehicle. Earn $10.00 per delivery. 561752-4444

PART TIME SALES – Local pest control company has an opening for a residential sales person. Earn 20% commission on all initial treatments. Unlimited opportunities. Set you own hours. If interested call Jim @ 561-512-4901.

SMALL PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL - for multi-tasking, energetic. H.S. English teacher with ESE experience. Please call 795-6886

WANTED: EXPERIENCED IRON

WORKERS: Welders, structural and miscellaneous steel. Must have transportation, cell phone, hand tools, toolbucket. 561-753-1747

FUND YOUR OWN REVERSE MORTGAGE, SAVE YOUR HOME - & get paid to help others do the same, minimum $500. Madelyn 561-422-2910

JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITION-

ING & REFRIGERATION, INC. - Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996

ACCOUNTING/BOOKKEEPING/TAX

SERVICE — Accounting Professional available to provide accounting support to back office operations. Specializing in record keeping, tax compliance, planning, improving productivity and growth. Utilizing the most advanced Accounting software and spreadsheets such as,QuickBooks, DacEasy, Solomon and Excel. For information call: 561-693-4345 or 386-793-4543 Email: Visionsandconcepts@comcast.net.

ADULT FAMILY HOME CARE

561-753-4863

FRED LADWIG ARCHITECT, P.A. - Specializing in custom residential architectural design for over 20 years. New construction, renovations and additions. FL. Registration AA 2706, 561-333-3353.

The only non-profit petting zoo in the area. - featuring parrots, mini horses, ponies, pony rides, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and Llamas and more and farm club. 561-792-2666

HOT WYRE ELECTRIC — For all your electrical needs. Panel upgrades, installations, repairs, lightening protection, troubleshooting. Licensed, Insured, Free Estimates. 561-313-0134

BILLS ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER SERVICE — New construction, repairs, upgrades, generators, cable, network. No Job Too Big or Too Small. 561-790-0000. Lic. EC13003167/INS

NEED CASH, REFINANCE NOW — rates are at record low! use equity to lower payments and pay-off credit cards! AMP Global/Funding/AL Aline. 967-4949 Evenings & Weekends Too!

HIGH QUALITY LAMINATE FLOORING

— at affordable prices. Hardwood floors. No deposit until delivery. Contractors welcome. Western Communities resident. Family owned and Operated. Licensed and Insured. Se Habla Español 561-568-6099

GUARDSMAN FURNITURE PRO —

For all your furniture repair needs including finish repairs, structural repairs, upholstery services, chair regluing, antique repairs, kitchen cabinet refurbishing. 753-8689

HOME STANDBY GENERATORS — Complete packages including fueled system - Best Prices & reliable new Generator systems installed from 15 to 200KW “More Practical and much quieter” Maintenance & Service for all types of generators. Factory Authorized Dealer. 561-707-0575 Palm Beach. Tropical Power Systems, Inc.

D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-333-9433 or Cell 561252-1186 Lic’d- Well. & Palm Beach

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

CAN FIX IT — build it, move it, plant it, and more. Call Bruce, 793-2494. TFN BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall, kitchens/cabinets/countertops, remodeling, wood flooring. Bonded/Insured U#19699. 561-791-9900 Cell: 561-3705293

THE HANDYMAN CAN! - Craftsman with years of experience. Repairs, water damage, painting, wall/ceiling, texturing, moldings, flooring, organizers, plumbing, tile. Remodeling bath/kitchens. Big Savings on outdoor kitchen & bar using your grill or just hang a fan. Make your repair HONEY DO LIST. I show up & want your return business. References. Hourly/job. Call Greg 561531-3141

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 561248-8528

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. 561723-5836 TNT LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE 561-644-8683 — Lic. & Ins. Landscape design, low maintenance gardens, professional plant installation, mulching, monthly property maintenance, sprinklers maintenance & repair, expert hedge & tree trimming. Yard cleanup too! CARL SAMUELS LAWNCARE AND PRESSURE CLEANING – Complete Lawn Maintenance and Pressure Cleaning incl. Roof, driveways, paverbrick. Quality work at affordable prices. 561633-3687. Lic./Ins. Free Estimate.

ARMENTO PAINTING & SONS, INC. ––Painting, Interior, Exterior. Pressure cleaning. Custom painting, faux art. Lic. No. U14736. 798-8978. BD

JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. ––– Interior/Exterior, artistic faux finishing, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair, & roof painting/cleaning. Free est. Call 798-4964. Lic.#U18473

LARRY’S PAINTING & WALLPAPER — Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Interior/ Exterior painting. 561-309-2845. Wallpaper - Luanne 561-801-2018

Painting • Residential • Commercial • Historical Restoration • Faux Finishing • Stucco Repair • Roof Painting • and Pressure Cleaning • Sand Blasting • Mold Removal. FLEISCHER’S PAINTING • 561833-6661.

LET US AD A LITTLE COLOR TO YOUR LIFE — Residential/Commercial. Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Owner/Operator. Ask for Paul 561-309-8290.

COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/ Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free estimates - Insured. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident. RJA PAINTING & DECORATING — interior, exterior, custom colors, faux artwork, all work guaranteed. Lic. Bonded & Insured. 561-616-2255

PAINTING — HOME PAINTING Interior

– Exterior. $1290 +tax up to 2500 sq. ft. (walls area) 561-674-HOME(4663) J&C’s Faux Painting Service, Inc. Lic./Ins. U14092

CREATIVE PAINTING SYSTEMS, INC. — Interior • Exterior • Residential Specialists. WE DELIVER WHAT WE PROMISE. All work guaranteed. FREE ESTIMATES. Family owned & Operated. Over 23 years experience. License #U-18337 • Bonded • Insured Owner/Operator George Born. 561-686-6701

PRIMROSE PROPERTY MANAGMENT FULL SERVICE RESIDENTIAL HOME CARE —

“You dealt with the rest now deal with the best” maintenance and repairs. Inquire about 1 months FREE service. 561-7915073 ELITE POOL CLEANING

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-309-6975 BD

Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded, insured. Lic. #CCC-058317 790-0763. BD

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. CGC023773 RC-0067207 BD GARABAR, INC. ROOFING & GENERAL CONSTRUCTION — 561-337-6798 www.garabar.com Lic. #CGC 1510976 CCC1327252. “Deal”

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SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! Lic.#9001390. 798-3132. ROLL DOWN SHUTTERS — Accordion shutters, storm panels and rolling shutters...prices that can’t be beat. All shutters