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May 15 - May 21, 2015
The Town-Crier
www.gotowncrier.com
OUR OPINION
Thoughts For The Class Of 2015: ‘Be Not Afraid Of Greatness’
Next week, the South Florida Fairgrounds will host commencement exercises for the four public high schools serving the western communities, starting with Royal Palm Beach High School on Monday, May 18 at 7:30 p.m., followed by Palm Beach Central High School on Wednesday, May 20 at 8 a.m. Wellington High School’s graduation ceremony follows on Thursday, May 21 at noon, and Seminole Ridge High School concludes the series on Friday, May 22 at 8 a.m. We won’t be on stage presenting grandiose oral dissertations to those donned in cap and gown. But that doesn’t stop us at the Town-Crier from stepping behind our virtual podium and offering words of wisdom as well. So, with that in mind… Dear esteemed members of the Class of 2015: William Shakespeare — perhaps the greatest author of words in the history of mankind — once opined, “Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them.” As you prepare to leave the hallowed halls and classrooms of high school education, we ask you to consider these words uttered by Malvolio in Twelfth Night and cross-apply them to whatever your travels dictate. “Some are born great.” To many, this is implicitly those few who enter society with the proverbial silver spoon, such as newborn Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana. Because their parents — and, in some cases, grandparents — have already been established in the upper echelons, they will likely never want for food, shelter or financial stability. Of course, they will also never want for the watchful eye of the media, with every misstep along the way intensely scrutinized and often overblown. “Some achieve greatness.” The traditional “American work ethic” comes to mind here, with greatness achieved through hard work and perseverance. Individuals such as Thomas Edison or, more recently, Steve Jobs, might be considered here — members of society
whose time, effort and sweat led to great inventions that changed life, often for the better. “Some have greatness thrust upon them.” Often, individuals find themselves in situations within society where they do something extraordinary. Historic examples might include those who were leaders of the Underground Railroad, or individuals such as Oskar Schindler, who saved hundreds of Jews from death in Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Let’s be honest: by these standards, most of us are not born great, and still fewer of us have greatness thrust upon us. For the vast majority, to achieve greatness requires dedication and self-sacrifice, whether your post-high school experiences take place in the college classroom, the armed forces or the workplace. In his May 2010 address to the graduating class of Catholic University of America, the Very Rev. David M. O’Connell advised his students to, “Do something great with what you have learned and experienced. Your efforts will mean precious little if you are content to graduate magna cum mediocrity, willing to ignore all the sacrifices that have brought you to this moment.” He advised his 1,400 graduates to live what their schools, parents and upbringing has taught them and, “give it away to a world, to a humanity that needs our unique brand of greatness, your unique brand of greatness, to make it a better place tomorrow than it is today.” “Blend that diploma with a life and profession lived well and you will make a difference, you will do something great,” O’Connell continued. “It will take time and effort and sacrifice, for sure. You probably will not become famous — most of us do not — but you will become known for whom and what you are among those to whom you matter most and who matter most to you.” So be great, Class of 2015. Live by example, and the world will realize your greatness, whether through gaudy flashes of neon or by quiet acknowledgment from your peers. Make the world a better place. We look forward to seeing the results.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR No Transparency In Wellington Government
The Tuesday, May 12, Wellington Village Council meeting demonstrated again the lack of transparency of Mayor Bob Margolis. Apparently, he forgets that Florida law seeks to make Florida government transparent and open. Margolis brought forth at the meeting a discussion of Village Manager Paul Schofield’s contract. No backup information was provided, and there is no action needed on Schofield’s contract for at least six months. Following a pointless and ponderous discussion on the matter, what was Margolis’ advice to Schofield? To “read the tea leaves.” And that’s not all. His explanation to his council colleagues for bringing the matter forward prematurely? To “put them on the spot?” Is this the manner by which to conduct a government? No. It is not professional, it is not transparent and it is a waste of resources. The mayor is delusional when he asserts that everything is OK in Wellington and that all the issues regarding the equestrian industry are resolved and “things must be working.” No, Mr. Mayor, people are dissatisfied with the council for what they see as rampant favoritism, a lack of transparency and retal-
iation against perceived political enemies. The residents of Wellington view the handling of the equestrian industry by the council majority — Margolis, Matt Willhite and John Greene — as inept and costing the village millions in lost tax revenue and thousands of lost jobs. The only issue handled more dysfunctionally by the council majority is the disposition of K-Park. The majority was elected with more than a million dollars from elite benefactors who want the equestrian industry to be their private club and not an economic engine that benefits the entire village. And so it is, that Wellington voters will have a third election in March 2016 in which they will see obscene amounts of money funneled through super PACs by elitists to elect candidates to implement their agenda. But I predict that, as in the March 2014 election, the voters will not be fooled as they were in 2012. Jack Mancini Wellington
Don’t Sanitize Liang’s Record
I am deeply disturbed by what may be partisan reporting in this newspaper. Naturally, papers lean one way or the other politically, but all newspapers have a duty to uphold the integrity of the law.
In the report on last week’s Loxahatchee Groves Town Council meeting, a paragraph referred to Councilman Ryan Liang’s criminal record. The reference trivialized the law. I quote: “Pled guilty to disturbing spiny lobster traps.” In point of fact, as outlined on his criminal record, the offense was “molesting crawfish traps,” which Liang’s own lawyer, in an earlier edition of this newspaper, determined to be “theft” when he referred to the incident, again trivializing a serious matter, describing Liang’s crime as “grabbing a few undersize lobsters.” In addition to theft, Liang was also found guilty of “violating saltwater fisheries.” In other words, trespass. Further, he was also found guilty of failing to display a “diver down flag.” In other words, concealing his intent and demonstrating malice aforethought. For this newspaper to trivially summarize this catalogue of crimes, theft and trespass committed with malice aforethought, is improper. It has been suggested to me that the reason for the “sanitizing” nature of references to Liang’s criminal record is that the Town-Crier endorsed Liang in the recent compromised election. I, however, am confident the editorial staff of the Town-Crier will have the integrity and conviction required to not only print this letter by way of indicating the
paper does take the law and the breaking of it seriously, but also to demonstrate it can be independent of political influence. Tim Hart-Woods Loxahatchee Groves
Attend May 19 Lox Groves Workshop
The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District/Loxahatchee Groves Town Council workshop on equestrian/recreational trails scheduled for May 19 at 6 p.m. will challenge the council’s effort to secure the benefits of self-determination per the town charter. In this case, the benefit is the finish line of a 22-year-old citizens’ campaign for trails. Vice Mayor Ron Jarriel touted in the last council session how the A Road and 161st trail will be the best trail in town... The flip side is the new LGWCD signage at A Road and 161st which reads, “Warning. Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District. This is a restricted canal maintenance access road not intended for public use.” Interestingly enough, the signage does not include the state statute that allows the LGWCD to deny public access. Loxahatchee Groves’ future relies on the town charter’s mission statement of self-determination, not the determination of the LGWCD. The town’s equestrian/ recreational trails future is being
determined by LGWCD supervisors John Ryan, Frank Schiola, Don Widing, Robert Snowball and David DeMarois, not the town council. A LGWCD supervisor has commented, “It’s not the board of supervisors, not town council, it’s the state legislation.” The council could challenge the LGWCD to revise its special act for trails as state legislation directs what the LGWCD can do. Council comments have expressed disappointment in the LGWCD: “We have to have these easements and permits and all that it is very convenient, but it is very convenient in the LGWCD favor and they were the ones who were supposed to do the law change just like the other one which would have said that the LGWCD would turn the trails over to us. Yet they didn’t.” Revision of the trail legislation to allow the town to have site control would exonerate the LGWCD. Another challenge is the “right and proper” map of the trail network. The Calvin Giordano
MREG plan of March 2009 proposed trails on North Road, Sixth Court, F Road and B Road. The citizens’ committee, RETGAC, since 2011 has recommended to the council, trails on all letter roads, North Road, and Sixth Court. The LGWCD proposed trail map is significantly less with gaps in the trail routes. Last week’s council meeting revealed “there are no trails south of Collecting Canal” located on the LGWCD map. In response, LGWCD Supervisor John Ryan stated, “Whatever the town wants surveyed and maps recorded with regard to maintenance roads are fully available for permits.” Apparently, Supervisor Ryan has not seen the new LGWCD signage at A Road and 161st. I invite all citizens of the Groves to attend the trails workshop on May 19 at 6 p.m. Casting your vote in June’s LGWCD’s supervisor “popular vote” election is your starting gate to self determination. Keith Harris Loxahatchee Groves
SEND IN YOUR LETTERS
The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090; or you can e-mail letters@ goTownCrier.com.
NEWS
Royal Palm Council OKs Replat Of Commercial Land On SR 7 By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Village Council gave preliminary approval last week for Pebb Enterprises to replat several tracts of land totaling 23.52 acres in the general commercial zoning district at the southeast corner of State Road 7 and Pioneer Road. At the May 7 meeting, Planning & Zoning Director Bradford O’Brien explained that in 2013, the village had approved a large-scale land use plan amendment, which assigned a commercial designation to about 10.6 acres fronting SR 7, and the land was rezoned to general commercial in November 2014. Construction is underway there, he said. The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission recom-
Expansion
Home Away From Home
continued from page 1 increase from 15 to 23, and parking spaces will be increased from 32 to 50, which is more than the code requires. “We believe that this new plan will significantly improve the access and on-site circulation and traffic patterns in the area,” Basehart said. The biggest advantage is that it eliminates the need for drivers to back up after picking up or dropping off their children, he said, adding that the Planning, Zoning
mended approval of the replat application April 28 by a 5-0 vote. The remainder of the property has a single-family residential land use and zoning designation. Councilman David Swift made a motion to approve the application, which carried 5-0. In other business: • The council also gave preliminary approval to an ordinance changing the 2016 municipal election date to coincide with Florida’s presidential primary on Tuesday, March 15, as requested by Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher. Village Attorney Jennifer Ashton said the change would only be for 2016, and subsequent elections would be the second Tuesday in March as usual. Qualifying for the upcoming election will be Nov. 24
through Dec. 8. Open seats will be the mayor’s seat, currently held by Matty Mattioli, as well as Seat 1, currently held by Jeff Hmara, and Seat 3, currently held by Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas. The mayor and council members are elected for two-year terms. • Hmara reported that Palm Beach County Inspector General John Carey was the speaker at a recent Palm Beach County League of Cities meeting, where he said his office will continue to operate at about half its budgeted rate of $6 million due to the appeal of a lawsuit lost recently by 13 municipalities after several years of litigation. “The office will continue to operate at about half strength, which is 23 of about 40 fully authorized, until the appeal is complete,” Hmara said.
Hmara added that the inspector general’s web page includes a list of common issues that are filed there, and the two dominant complaints included municipalities not adhering to established procurement procedures and failing to follow established operating policies. “My experience is that is what you will see throughout government, and the IG often finds us not following our own procedures,” he said. • Ashton reported that in the past month, Hmara had been re-appointed to the Palm Beach County League of Cities Board of Directors, and to a regular seat with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. • Also, Valuntas, who is the village’s representative on the
Metropolitan Planning Organization, pointed out that the village has the ability to appoint someone to the MPO Citizens’ Advisory Committee. “We don’t have anyone appointed now, and I thought it would be a good idea for us to go down that path,” he said. “I would suggest, if the rest of the council agrees, that just like any of our other boards, we have that advertised, get applications… and have someone appointed.” Valuntas said that there are openings for as many as 19 members, but the board currently has only 11. He recommended that the village appoint a resident to the board in light of current issues, including the push to complete State Road 7 to Northlake Blvd., which has been opposed by the
City of West Palm Beach. “At least we’d have a voice of reason coming out of that citizens’ committee saying, ‘State Road 7, stay on it and put that funding in,’” he said, and the council gave its consensus to proceed. “Now that we have a permanent seat, we should also have someone on there,” Councilman Fred Pinto agreed. • The council also approved a special exception for Gabriela Amrichova to operate a state-licensed massage therapy establishment at 230 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. in the Royal Palm Beach Shopping Plaza and Medical Center. The office will be in an 810-square-foot bay formerly occupied by Shake It Up Nutrition. Swift made a motion to approve the application, which carried unanimously.
& Adjustment Board recommended approval in a 7-0 vote. Staff recommended approval with 11 conditions, and there have been no concerns expressed by neighbors. The center will also keep its existing access point on Bent Creek Way, and Councilman Matt Willhite asked whether the flashing “school zone” sign could be moved to a spot before that entrance for the benefit of elementary school parents and the daycare parents as well. Councilwoman Anne Gerwig asked whether there would be sufficient sight distance for drivers pulling out onto Binks Forest Drive, and Basehart said that the village’s engineer and traffic con-
sultant had no concerns. Councilman John McGovern asked about the coordination of anticipated drop-off and pickup periods from 7 to 10 a.m. and from 3 to 6 p.m. The applicant is offering to have a staff member in the parking lot to direct traffic from 7 to 8 a.m. and from 5 to 6 p.m. “They talk about one hour,” McGovern said. “We’re requiring three hours?” Vice Mayor John Greene asked about additional traffic on Binks Forest Drive, and traffic consultant Andrea Troutman responded that the traffic volume there is fairly low for a four-lane road. “There is a lot of capacity on that roadway,” she said.
Willhite said he thought that the resolution should be brought back before the council in two weeks for final approval, and that the pickup and drop-off hours should be reconsidered. “I think the hours which we’re most concerned with are the hours that are consistent with Binks Forest Elementary School,” he said. Home Away From Home agent Michelle Hoyland said the project had been approved by the county originally and the applicant had spent considerable time bringing standards up to Wellington requirements, explaining that the cost for the additional turn lane went from about $40,000 to over $60,000.
“That opening to Binks Forest Drive isn’t just an opening; it’s a little more involved,” Hoyland said, explaining that it includes installing a turn lane and moving a storm drain. She said her client questioned Home Away From Home bearing all the cost, with the potential of future clients enjoying the improvements. Hoyland added that she hoped the changes discussed could be done administratively rather than having to come back before the council. Regarding pickup and drop-off, Hoyland said village staff had agreed with them putting a staff member in the parking lot for an hour in the morning and afternoon,
and that it would cost much more to have someone there three hours in the morning and afternoon. “We are hopeful that you will consider the one hour,” she said, adding that if an issue should arise, they would add parking lot staff. “We’re not seeing any backup in our own parking lot. We are historically not seeing a backup, but we’re prepared to do whatever we can to be a good neighbor.” Willhite made a motion to approve the application, but for it to be returned for council consideration on the consent agenda in two weeks, after the details under discussion had been worked out. The motion carried 5-0.
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