Page 4 May 3 - May 9, 2013
The Town-Crier
WWW. GOTOWNCRIER. COM
OUR OPINION
Wellington’s New Boys & Girls Club Is A Reason To Celebrate Last weekend, the Wellington community put aside its differences and came together to celebrate the grand opening of a bigger and better facility for our youth to learn, grow and play. The Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club will provide generations of children a safe place away from home, and it is because of support from the entire community that the facility is standing today. Funding came from Palm Beach County, from the Village of Wellington and from generous donors across the community, many who do not always see eye to eye on other issues in the village. But last weekend, it wasn’t about politics or processes; it was about supporting an organization that has shaped the community for 25 years. Amid the facility tours, cotton candy and touching performances from talented kids, it was easy to see how the Boys & Girls Club has and will continue to be a positive force in Wellington. Many of our own professionals, leaders and residents grew up in its halls and on its ball fields. In the village’s infancy, the organization even provided necessary recreational programs for our children, meaning many of today’s adult leaders were once Boys & Girls Club kids. Though Wellington has grown into its own, the club still takes under its wing children and teens who need a safe place to go when their guardians are away from home.
The club has been crucial to Wellington’s development, teaching life lessons, promoting safe and responsible decisions, and helping our children to become better citizens. It is clear why the organization has drawn support from across the political spectrum: everyone benefits when children in need are well cared for. And when the club grew beyond its former home on South Shore Blvd., the community heeded the call for help. As a result, we now have a stunning 27,000-square-foot facility with plenty of room to grow. From music and art to sports and science, the next generation of Boys & Girls Club kids will have more opportunities to learn and explore before becoming the leaders of tomorrow. Though it is easy to get caught up in the here and now, we must remember what is important. Political climates will change; council members will come and go. But our community will continue to thrive and work toward a better future for our children. When it feels like Wellington is divided, we must celebrate that which brings us together, and there is no better cause to come together for than helping our children. If you want to be a part of helping Wellington’s Boys & Girls Club, sponsorship opportunities are still available, and volunteers are always appreciated. For additional information, visit www. bgcpbc.org.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Gerwig On Code Fine Changes In regard to the vote last Tuesday by the Wellington Village Council, Ordinance #2013-09 (Special Magistrate Proceedings), I would like to explain why I voted against this overreaching ordinance and why I believe the council erred in their decision. According to state law, municipalities over 50,000 residents are able to set higher fines for code violations than Wellington currently has established. With approximately 57,000 residents, Wellington is able to increase the fines that we can levy. However, just because we can doesn’t mean we should. Under this ordinance, a homeowner could be fined up to $1,000 per day for the first violation, $5,000 per day for a repeat violation and $15,000 per day for “irreparable or irreversible violations.” When I asked staff what may constitute the “irreparable or irreversible violation,” which would qualify for the maximum fine, the example given was a resident that is watering their lawn during the wrong times. Staff further responded that it was important for us to realize that the special magistrate does not usually impose the maximum fine, but I am not comfortable with that even being a possibility. Our code enforcement fines are already more than sufficient. Staff reports that most residents comply with code requests at the “courtesy notice of violation” stage. I do not believe that putting every homeowner in the village in jeopardy of exorbitant fines is the proper response by the council to very isolated instances of property owners who choose to pay the fines instead of rectifying the violation. The few who resist bringing their properties into compliance usually have very unique situations, and this “uberfine” will not address those problem cases at all. The ordinance passed on first reading with the required supermajority 4-1 vote. I was the only dissenting vote. Fortunately, the ordinance must come before the council again, for a second reading, and requires another supermajority vote. I urge residents to make their voices heard. Anne Gerwig Wellington Councilwoman
Why Did RPB Ignore Its Task Force? Regarding last week’s TownCrier article on the old wastewater treatment plant property (“RPB Water Treatment Plant Site Gets A Residential Designation”), I was surprised to read of a task force recommendation. I did not know that former Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster
had put together such an effort and that the results were so good. As a resident of Royal Palm Beach, I was impressed with the broader plan of residential homes that also guaranteed a large portion of parks and open space. The schools could have been daycare or more private schooling for residents. The boat storage would have been a real plus to remove those tacky boats parked in everyone’s front yards. I never before lived in a town where that was allowed. A task force of residents working for many months gave the council a recommendation, so the question is, why did the council not take the recommendation of a group of residents? I frankly don’t understand the comments from the mayor and others on the council saying they are listening to the residents when it is clear that they passed on the citizen recommendations of this task force effort. As for the lone resident who claims to have single-handedly pushed for building all residential homes, she should have made more of an effort to work with her neighbors. I wish the council had made a better decision than just covering the land with more houses that will end up with many more cars on the road going out in the morning and coming back at night. All those homes will look like the rest of the north end of the village, twostory homes all packed together. It also means that my neighborhood — which is full of empty, foreclosed homes — will be waiting on the market even longer now that it will have to compete with a couple hundred new homes at the other end of the town. On my street we have been calling the village regularly to try to get a house cleaned up and sold, as it is dangerous and such an eye sore. I really do expect better, thoughtful decisions from elected leaders. Curtis Knight Royal Palm Beach
The Gloves Are Off In November 2009, 72 percent of the voters of Palm Beach County, along with the majority of voters in all 38 municipalities, approved a county charter amendment to include an Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and a Commission on Ethics (COE). Amending the county’s charter was a big accomplishment. The attacks coming from County Administrator Bob Weisman on the OIG should have every supporter of open and honest government up in arms. Is Weisman’s rant against Inspector General Sheryl Steckler an attack on her alleged “bad judgment,” or is it the opening salvo in doing away with an independent OIG and bringing it under the control of the Board of County Commissioners (BCC)? Weisman’s effort to limit the authority of the OIG is nothing new. The first draft of the IG ordi-
nance gave the BCC the power to hire and fire the IG. Weisman’s next attempt to control the OIG was with the assistance of County Attorney Denise Neiman. Initially, the county attorney agreed with the League of Cities’ attorney to place definitions on the terms “waste,” “fraud,” “abuse,” “misconduct” and “mismanagement.” These attempts to constrain the OIG failed. Weisman made another attempt to control the IG through its employee policy and procedures manual (PPM). The new PPMs were called “Procedures for Responding to Inquiries from the Inspector General.” Some of these procedures are laughable. For example, if an employee wants to meet with the IG, the employee is required to ask his/her boss to arrange an appointment with the IG. How would that conversation go? So why is Weisman demanding the immediate termination of the county’s inspector general? Weisman’s “For the Record,” memo of April 26 to the Board of County Commissioners outlines his reasons: 1) The IG does not have legal status to intervene in the cities vs. county funding dispute, and 2) the IG does not conduct her office in accordance with the principles of the Association of Inspectors General. Weisman’s contention of legal status: The IG ordinance, Article XII, Inspector General, Section 2423(6) gives the IG authority to investigate “any municipal or county-funded project, programs, contracts or transactions.” The funding of the OIG seems to fall under this section of the enabling legislation. Weisman also contends that the IG must use the county attorney for all legal actions. This is also incorrect; Section 2423(3) gives the IG the power to subpoena witnesses. The ordinance requires “72-hour notification need only be given to the state attorney and the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District,” not the county attorney. Weisman’s contention of inappropriate conduct: On Feb. 23, 2012, Palm Beach County’s Office of the Inspector General became fully accredited by the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation. As a matter of fact, the commission made the following comment in its report: “The diversity of the OIG staff education, training and certifications reflects the OIG’s ability to succeed at its accomplishing its mission of ‘enhancing public trust in government.’” Weisman contends that the IG does not accomplish her mission, and the State of Florida believes that she does. Weisman is welcome to his opinion; however, he is not welcome to his own facts. Most elected officials have nothing to hide and welcome the independent watchdog. Some power-hungry politicians and their allies in the bureaucracy have been working against the IG since day
one. The politically astute know to support the IG in their public comments. These politicians, with a condescending nod, say, “Of course I am for the IG… but we have to find the right way to fund the office,” or “I’m not against the office; I think the problem is with the current inspector.” Weisman has failed to limit the purview of the IG through legislative actions and his PPMs. His “On the Record” message to the BCC is rife with inaccuracies. “We the people” need to demonstrate our disapproval. If you have had enough, arrange your schedule in order to attend the BCC meeting on May 7. Agenda item “Matters by the Public” is at 2 p.m., time certain. Let’s not let the work we’ve done be washed away. Dennis Lipp Loxahatchee Groves Editor’s note: Mr. Lipp is a member of the Commission on Ethics Drafting Committee and former vice mayor of Loxahatchee Groves.
Horse Park Could Be A Win-Win At present we have an everthriving and growing equestrian community, which supports our economy and especially our local stores. Now we are visited upon by the possibility of growing out this community, but not just the current one-third of the year, but perhaps all year. I’m speaking of the recent proposal and discussions involving bringing a western horse facility to the K-Park site off State Road 7. Imagine the smiles on our children’s faces as they watch cowboys and cowgirls racing around barrels, reining, team penning, rodeos and perhaps a learning/ teaching center on horses. Some fields might be able to be used by Wellington community sports when available — a double incentive. This is a part of America’s past and present, it is part of every child’s imagination, and if the village could sell the K-Park site and make money in the process, it seems to be a winner. I would rather a possible hotel and equestrian stores be on SR 7 than in the middle of our equestrian community. There would be no traffic associated with widening South Shore Blvd. and Lake Worth Road (at the taxpayers’ expense, in the millions), and it wouldn’t be dividing our equestrian community by a four-lane road, hazardous to both horses/riders and traffic. This would appear to be an ideal and befitting circumstance for all Wellingtonians, especially our children. With careful planning this could complete the equestrian circle of all kinds of horses/riders and activities and be all year round. It would make a worldwide known equestrian community better and
all encompassing — the best equestrian village in the world. I would like to emphasize “careful planning.” George Unger Wellington
Steckler Vs. Weisman Inspector General Sheryl Steckler ’s approach since she first accepted the Office of the Inspector General has been arrogant. Her interpretation of the role of her office was offensive as she pushed to homogenize the methodology of delivery of services unique to each individual municipality. She was determined that her “job” was compliance of what she termed “efficiencies” — a much different concept from “corruption.” County Administrator Bob Weisman is correct in his position that as an employee of the county she has severely overreached in attempting to intervene in the municipal lawsuit. Her actions have been divisive as illustrated by the chaos that she has created since taking this position. The voters would be better served with a new and less strident individual at the helm. She has become the very government employee that the office was created to protect the public from; the inspector general has become the inquisitor general. Evan Knepley Royal Palm Beach
IG Has Wasted Taxpayer Money Fifteen municipalities filed a lawsuit to prohibit the county from increasing the taxes on their constituents. Inspector General Sheryl Steckler for the last ten months has been responsible for delaying the case, and creating thousands of billable hours for the 30 attorneys who are forced to challenge her motion to intervene. All these fees are payable by taxpayers of this county. Palm Beach County Administrator Robert Weisman had the guts to suggest that Steckler should be “terminated for bad judgment” for pursuing her futile case to intervene in the case, adding that her conduct constituted an “outrageous legal power play.” Bad judgment is not grounds for termination and unfortunately, considering that the commissioners have approved a 600 percent
increase in funding of the inspector general in one year, it is unlikely that they will take any meaningful action regarding wasteful spending. Steckler should have known that her motion to intervene had no hope of success when her motion to intervene was denied on Nov. 16, 2012 in a one-word opinion “denied.” When the law is abundantly clear there is no need for an elaborate opinion; nevertheless, the inspector general persisted by filing an appeal on Dec. 5. On March 28, the 4th District Court of Appeals affirmed the decision of the Circuit Court. Incredibly, on April 11, Steckler filed yet another motion for Rehearing En Banc. I contend that her case was so weak that the court denied it with one word “denied,” and the appellate court ultimately agreed with one word “affirmed,” which in lawyer speak means “denied a second time.” Here is the problem with an “independent” government official: If you put the fox in charge of watching the chickens, who is watching the fox? Frank Morelli Wellington
Beware Ag-Gag Laws “Despicable, unconstitutional, ridiculous, immature, idiotic and mendacious.” And that’s just how Tennessee newspapers characterized the state’s “aggag” bill now awaiting the governor’s signature. Ag-gag bills criminalize whistleblowing that exposes animal abuses, unsafe working conditions and environmental problems on factory farms. Instead of encouraging whistleblowing and preventing these violations, ag-gag laws ensure that consumers and regulatory authorities are kept in the dark. Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota and Utah have enacted ag-gag laws, but such bills were defeated in eight other states, thanks to a strong outcry from the public and newspaper editors. In 2013, new ag-gag bills were introduced in Arkansas, California, Indiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont and Wyoming. The language has been invariably drafted by the See LETTERS, page 18
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 TownCrier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090; or you can e-mail letters@goTownCrier.com.
OPINION
Heavy Corporate Investment In Indonesia… Really? You Bet! There is little doubt that Indonesia is the most populous nation in southeast Asia, with some 251 million people. There is also not much doubt that the country has an ancient regulatory system, inadequately structured for conducting “big league” 21st-century business. The place is riddled by corruption. So why is much of the industrial world, including the United States, China and Europe,
Footloose and... By Jules W. Rabin thirsting to invest in new factories and more in Indonesia like never before? Just a short time back, the Indo-
THE
TOWN-CRIER Your Community Newspaper
Serving The Palms West Communities For 33 Years Published Weekly By Newspaper Publishers, Inc.
12794 West Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31 The Original Wellington Mall
Wellington, Florida 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Classified Ads: (561) 793-3576 • Fax: (561) 793-6090 World Wide Web: http://www.goTownCrier.com E-Mail Address: news@goTownCrier.com
nesian government reported that investment jumped some 27 percent to a record 65.5 rupas or almost $7 billion. Part of the reason is that Indonesia was practically untouched by the 2008 financial crisis. Secondly, it is a nation of huge natural resources including mining, oil and natural gas. And the “kicker” goes back to the booming population now increasingly hungry for consumer goods.
Plus, the labor force is young and most eager to expand its financial horizons. The current “consumer boom” leads one statistical guru to predict that “affluent consumers” in Indonesia will double to 141 million by 2020. That number is more than the entire population of Thailand. Let’s face it: General Motors didn’t just invest $150 million into
BARRY S. MANNING Publisher
JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor
JODY GORRAN Associate Publisher
DAWN RIVERA General Manager
JASON BUD JINSKI Community Editor
RON BUKLEY Managing Editor
EDITORIAL STAFF/ Chris Felker • Denise Fleischman Jessica Gregoire • Lauren Miró CONTRIBUTORS/ Jules Rabin • Ellen Rosenberg • Leonard Wechsler • Deborah W elky ART & PRODUCTION MANAGER/ Stephanie Rodriguez ADVERTISING/ Betty Buglio • Evie Edwards • Wanda Glockson STAFF/ Shanta Daibee • Carol Lieberman • Geri O’Neil
new projects in the country on a whim. And the Indonesian government is now pushing to modernize its processes of doing business. The Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board is cutting in half the number of documents that foreign countries need to apply for a business license. It is also now investing heavily in today’s most modern technology to keep shred-
ding red tape distractions. And if you listen to M. Chatib Basri, whose main job is attracting new foreign businesses, you might become a convert, too: “Indonesia is the least unattractive country in the world. Even though it has to deal with the problems of bureaucracy and infrastructure, the returns are higher than if you invest in Europe and the U.S. now.” Hmm…
POSTAL STATEMENT The Town-Crier (USPS #021547) is published weekly by Newspaper Publisher s Inc., 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414-7458. Periodicals Postage P aid at West Palm Beach, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The TownCrier, c/o Newspaper Publishers Inc., 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 334147458. Founded In 1980 By Bob Markey Sr. Copyright 2013, Newspaper Publishers Inc. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising.
MEMBER OF
The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce The Wellington Chamber of Commerce