ZONERS OK COMMONS PARK UPGRADES SEE STORY, PAGE 3
ANNUAL MBSK SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS SEE PAGES 8 & 9
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RPB Council Rejects Variance To Allow Restaurant’s Mural
Volume 35, Number 22 May 30 - June 5, 2014
Serving Palms West Since 1980
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY IN RPB
In a 4-1 vote, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council denied a request May 15 by Los Agaves restaurant to allow a variance for a mural on its front windows that is opaque from the outside but allows those inside to see out. Page 3
Improvements Planned For Bob Marcello Park
The Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval Tuesday for major improvements to Bob Marcello Park at the intersection of Wildcat Way and Okeechobee Blvd. Page 4
RPBHS Seniors Enjoy Project Graduation
Royal Palm Beach High School held its Project Graduation party May 21 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. The event featured a Casino Night theme, and RPBHS seniors enjoyed playing cards and shooting craps, as well as a hypnotist, psychic and more. Page 5
PBCHS Project Grad Party At Village Park
On Wednesday, May 21, Palm Beach Central High School’s Project Graduation Committee hosted its annual all-night party, and 381 seniors were on hand for the fun at Wellington’s Village Park. Page 15
OPINION
Make Sure You Are Ready For An Active Hurricane Season
With the first storm of the Pacific hurricane season churning off the coast of Mexico, and the Atlantic hurricane season beginning in just a few days, now is the time to prepare for hurricane season. Each year, the Town-Crier urges its readers to plan early for storms, and this year is no exception — especially since forecasters are predicting an active storm season. Page 4
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The Village of Royal Palm Beach presented its Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 26 at the Royal Palm Beach Veterans Park. The village marked the event with speeches by local dignitaries, presentations and more. Shown here is Sgt. Darrell Langworthy with Helio and Effie Gonzalez. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 17 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
RPB To Revisit Strategic Plan At ‘Citizen Summit’ On June 3
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Village of Royal Palm Beach is planning a “citizen summit” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center to update the strategic plan created last year to outline longterm and short-term village goals and policy. Last summer, a council workshop facilitated by consultant Lyle Sumek was conducted to develop a vision, mission and goals for the village. Village Manager Ray Liggins said that was followed by a citizen summit, attended by about 50 residents, to further develop the council’s outline. “Then, we implemented the 2013 strategic plan,” Liggins told the Town-Crier on Wednesday. “Last year we did everything. There was nothing, so we did everything at that point — the vision, the mission and goals.” This year, Liggins does not expect major changes. “We did tweak a few words here and there in the vision and the
mission. The goals stayed pretty much the same,” he said. “We came up with ‘top priority’ and ‘high priority’ for each one of those goals, and that’s what becomes our action plan, and that’s what we’re working on for 2014.” Top priorities listed on the policy agenda for 2014-15, many of which have been initiated, include a comprehensive road resurfacing program; sale of the former wastewater treatment site, which was rezoned recently for residential development; direction on a referendum regarding council member terms, now set at two years; stormwater assessment rates and development of capital projects; advocacy for the State Road 7 extension to Northlake Blvd.; direction on a senior living complex; and obtaining a northwest link to Commons Park at 109 Heron Parkway, which was agreed upon at a recent workshop. High-priority items for the policy agenda include expansion and funding of a school scholarship program; development of a policy
for the use of public facilities by private groups; an investment policy for the sale of the wastewater plant site; design and financing for the Commons Park dog park; direction and evaluation of board and committee appointments; and development of a work plan and financing for canal maintenance. Top priorities listed on the management agenda for 2014-15 include resolution of Federal Emergency Management Agency flood maps; project priority and financing for a stormwater management plan; support of the Aldi grocery store regional distribution center on SR 7; impact analysis and village action regarding western development; and development of a senior housing ordinance. High-priority items for the management agenda include GIS development and funding; methods and direction for a communications plan; village hall improvements; and development of property on Pioneer Road. “That is our work program for See SUMMIT, page 3
Council Leaves Lake Worth Road Decision With Engineer
By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Members of the Wellington Village Council decided Tuesday not to get involved in an argument between two landowners over the placement of the planned Lake Worth Road extension, leaving approval of the alignment to Village Engineer Bill Riebe. The planned Lake Worth Road extension will span from South Shore Blvd. west to South Road along 40th Street South, which is divided by the C-24 canal. Equestrian Sport Productions CEO Mark Bellissimo, who will develop the road, plans to align it south of the canal. But resident Jeff Hildebrand, who owns the Tonkawa/Glenspur development on the south side of
the road, opposes the alignment, claiming it will affect his property values. “It’s the taxpayers who are being hurt here,” attorney Marty Perry, representing Hildebrand, told the council. “It’s $7 million of right-of-way in exchange for a $1.9 million road. What do they get in return?” The issue stems from a 2008 master plan amendment for Grand Prix Village South, owned by one of Bellissimo’s companies. “There were conditions that the applicant build a roadway,” Riebe told council members, adding that other conditions included connecting to the existing bridle trail system. The master plan did not specify which side of the canal the road
extension should be built on, leaving it up to the developer to design, with the village engineer having final sign-off on the plans. “Based on what we have now, the [Bellissimo plans] comply with the intent of the master plan amendment and also comply with the engineering standards,” Riebe said. A second proposal, submitted by Hildebrand, would run the road down the south side of 40th Street South before cutting to the northern side of the canal instead of running directly in front of the Tonkawa/Glenspur property. “This alignment certainly could comply with the intent of the master plan amendment,” Riebe said. “It still provides an east-west See ALIGNMENT, page 16
Wellington Boards Will Weigh In On Pathway Plans
By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Members of the Wellington Village Council this week asked the Equestrian Preserve Committee to weigh in on a proposed bridle trail and multi-use path that would give riders, walkers and bikers a path to and from the Wellington Environmental Preserve. In a 4-0 vote Tuesday — the third vote taken on the issue — council members agreed to send the issue to the committee for input. It will also go before the Public Safety Committee. Councilwoman Anne Gerwig did not take part in the vote due to a business relationship with the Palm Beach Point Homeowners’ Association. Though the council was asked to approve a contract with Rosso Site Development Inc. to construct the path, along with a culvert and crossing, council members opted not to award the contract until
the committees have a chance to weigh in. “I think this is one of those cases where there are more options that haven’t been discussed,” Vice Mayor John Greene said. In 2012, the village approved a bridle trail and multi-use path that would run from the Wellington Environmental Preserve, along Flying Cow Road and the C-23 Canal, eventually ending at Palm Beach Point Blvd. and connecting into Wellington’s existing bridle trails. However, representatives from the Palm Beach Point Homeowners’ Association have expressed concern about the proposed crossing at Palm Beach Point Blvd., leading staff to offer three different locations for the crossing, either 55 feet, 120 feet or 520 feet north of the community’s gate house. The HOA is requesting the crossing be furthest from the gate See PATH, page 4
WELLINGTON HONORS FALLEN HEROES
The Village of Wellington and the American Legion Chris Reyka Memorial Wellington Post 390 honored veterans Monday, May 26 with the annual Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony. The day began with a parade down Forest Hill Blvd., followed by speeches by local officials and veterans honoring those who lost their lives in service to the country. Shown here, Tom and Regis Wenham join Al Ziker to lay the wreath for the U.S. Air Force. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 10 PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER
Wellington Extends Cheatham Contract
By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Tommy Cheatham will continued to serve as Wellington’s tennis provider for at least another year after members of the Wellington Village Council voted Tuesday to extend his contract. But with the Wellington Tennis Center being moved to a new Lyons Road location, council members agreed to rebid the contract in the future. Council members voted unanimously to extend Cheatham’s contract to the opening of the new facility on a month-to-month basis. “This contract extension will get us to the point where we will be occupying and operating out of the new facility,” Director of Operations Jim Barnes told council members. He noted that Cheatham Inc.’s contract with Wellington will expire by then. A one-year contract with
Cheatham Inc. was approved in 2009, which specified four optional renewals. Council members had to approve each renewal by June 1 of each year. This is the final renewal allowed under the contract, which means the village will have to take bids for the tennis program, even if it continues to use Cheatham as a provider. “As we get closer, we will look at whether we want to have the new operator in place, and have them take over at the time of occupancy,” Barnes said. The new tennis center is scheduled to open in May 2015. Councilman Matt Willhite said that since Wellington has a timeline, village staff should plan accordingly. “Whether we stick with the current operator or have a change, it would be best to do a [request for proposals] ahead of time,” he said. “Then, the day the facility opens, See TENNIS, page 4
WHS Bids A Fond Farewell To 543 New Graduates
By Ron Bukley Town Crier Staff Report Wellington High School’s Class of 2014 graduated at commencement exercises held Thursday, May 22 at the South Florida Fairgrounds Expo Center. Principal Mario Crocetti thanked the thousands of parents, relatives and friends attending for their support in helping the 543 seniors receive their diplomas. “You and all the educators present are to be commended for the amount of support you have provided these students,” he said. “Without your help and support, you and they would not be seated before us today.” Student Government Association President Molly Triggs, who
will be attending Florida State University, gave a message of inspiration. “We may not be able to change the entire world, but we can maybe change part of it for someone,” she said. Superintendent E. Wayne Gent congratulated the more than 11,500 students who graduated from schools in the Palm Beach County School District this year. He told the graduating seniors that they have made their parents proud. “Today, they see you as an individual standing there in your own right,” Gent said. “Today, you have earned the satisfaction of achievement.” Some will head to college, some into the work force and some into the military, he said, but Gent
reminded the graduates to always think of others. “Always take time to practice charity,” he said. “Charity is just another word for love. All the riches in the world are of no use to us if we don’t see value to love others. Have you ever noticed that the happiest people in the world are those who do acts of kindness and charity for others? Make no mistake, the journey you take is all yours, and the choices you have are now limitless.” Salutatorian Sabrina Abesamis, who will attend St. John’s University to major in actuarial science, said she regretted that she did not know all her fellow graduates by name. “Although some of us have See WHS GRAD, page 7
WHS graduates Kaitlyn Des Jardins, Parker Angel, Mackenzie Dulin and Myles Robert Blatt celebrate their big day.
PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER