PRIORE ADDED TO FOUNDER’S PLAQUE SEE STORY, PAGE 3
CHAMBER WINTERFEST A DRIVE-IN EVENT SEE STORY, PAGE 16
THE
TOWN-CRIER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
Your Community Newspaper
Volume 41, Number 27 November 20 - December 3, 2020
Serving Palms West Since 1980
ITID To Celebrate Park With Ribbon Cutting, Holiday Parade On Dec. 5
INSIDE
County Zoners Support Manure Recycling Facility In Industrial Area
The Palm Beach County Planning & Zoning Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 3 recommended approval of an equestrian waste recycling facility in an industrial area on the east side of Benoist Farms Road about a third of a mile north of Southern Blvd. Page 3
Historical Society Panel Discusses Early Days Of Wellington
The Wellington Historical Society presented a virtual panel discussion Wednesday, Nov. 18 about the history of Wellington, from the first sales of lots in the community through two incorporation initiatives, the original comprehensive land use plan, initial efforts to make Wellington the “Winter Equestrian Capital of the World,” to celebrity sightings, including the famed visit by Prince Charles and Princess Diana for a polo match. Page 7
Second Annual Palm Beach Concours Hosted At Wellington Estate
While many events have changed to virtual settings or have been canceled, for the Palm Beach Concours, the show must go on. Luxury, classic and exotic vehicles valued at well over $100 million cruised into the Wellington property of Fred Fishback on Sunday, Nov. 15. The invitation-only event was originally canceled, but founder Sidney Vallon received requests from Palm Beach to Miami and in less than two months organized a scaleddown version for the 2020 season. Page 18
(L-R) Center for Success Manager Luis Torres, WCF Board Member Mickey Smith, Veterans Club Vice President Fred Hoskinson, WCF Chair Tom Wenham, Palm Beach State College Director of Partnerships Anna Thomas, WCF Vice Chair Maria Becker, WCF Board Member Jim Sackett and WCF Board Member Dr. Gordon Johnson.
Foundation Supports PBSC Veterans Success Center With $10,000 Donation
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Community Foundation has donated $10,000 to the Palm Beach State College Foundation to help veterans who are Wellington residents toward their degree. The presentation was made at the Veterans Success Center at the Palm Beach State College main campus. Proceeds were from the foundation’s Red, White & Blue Jeans “Salute To Our Heroes” event. Wellington Community Foundation Chair Tom Wenham, a Korean War veteran, said this program is near and dear to his heart. “We are pleased and proud to partner with Palm Beach State College and the college’s Veterans Success Center with Wellington Community Foundation funding for Wellington resident veterans to support their tuition and educationrelated expenses that will help prepare these veterans who served in our country to meet the needs of the 21st century,” he said.
The money will assist Wellington veterans who face hardship beyond what is available from other sources and help bridge the gap from where a veteran ends active duty and enters college life. “About 60 percent of our students have a household income of $30,000 [or below],” Palm Beach State College Director of Partnerships Anna Thomas said. “You can imagine that in Palm Beach County, a lot of those families are working class and are service industry workers on some type of federal financial aid.” She said that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented additional challenges to students who must pay for computers and internet service to attend classes virtually. “We did get a federal deliverance package, and we were able to provide laptops to about 1,000 students. That has helped, but you’re looking at a huge population. The good news is that the foundation has stepped up to help one of our other programs.”
Thomas said that the college’s focus is getting veterans retooled from service industry jobs where many are employed, to professions and trades that people can be trained for in eight to 18 months. The Veterans Success Center helps guide veterans through the process to avenues that will assure them a lucrative place in the work environment, Center for Success Manager Luis Torres explained. The Veterans Success Center is equipped with staff that confer with veterans in person or remotely, as well as a computer center for veterans’ use and a multipurpose room where veterans’ groups can meet. “The veterans club is representative of our veterans’ student body,” Torres said. “A lot of the things we do, we want to get their feedback.” Veterans’ needs are distinct from the general student population, he noted. “They’re not the same as your regular students,” Torres said. See DONATION, page 14
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District will hold the long-awaited grand opening of Acreage Community Park’s southern expansion, along with a holiday parade, on Saturday, Dec. 5. The holiday parade will begin at Citrus Grove Park, located at 8501 Avocado Blvd., at 3:15 p.m. and proceed along 140th Avenue North to the park for the ribbon cutting, food trucks, a visit from Santa and live music. “We have a special event application that we’re putting out for anyone who would like to participate in the parade,” Parks & Recreation Director Elizabeth Ricci said, adding that floats, cars, trucks, golf carts and most
any conveyances are welcome. “We did reach out to the high school, but, unfortunately, with COVID-19, I don’t know if any of the groups are going to be able to participate. We’re still trying to socially distance.” Following the parade there will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the band shell. “We’re also going to do a small ribbon cutting for the kids at the playground,” Ricci said, adding that the Garden of Hope, which is also complete, will hold a separate ribbon cutting at a date to be announced. “People can go just to see the bricks and things like that, but the official grand opening is not yet scheduled.” Food trucks and a visit from See PARK, page 4
VETERANS PARADE
A Veterans Day parade and honor service was held in the Town of Loxahatchee Groves on Sunday, Nov. 15. During the ceremony, held after the parade at Loxahatchee Groves Town Hall, local veterans were honored, and Frank Schiola Jr. was recognized for his Eagle Scout project placing military flags at the flagpole in honor of the late Ron Jarriel. Shown above, event organizer Councilman Robert Shorr thanks Frank Schiola Jr. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Stand-Alone Real Wellington Council Eyes Jim Barnes To Succeed Schofield Estate Office Coming
Wellington Wolverines Defeat Santaluces 26-13
Wellington High School quarterback Ryan Anthony completed 15 of 22 passes for 250 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Wolverines to a 26-13 victory over the Santaluces High School Chiefs on Friday, Nov. 13 at Wolverines Stadium. Page 21 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 18 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 7 PEOPLE..........................24 - 25 BUSINESS............................. 27 COLUMNS............................. 28 CLASSIFIEDS................ 29 - 30 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
By M. Dennis Taylor Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council agreed Tuesday, Nov. 10 to negotiate a two-year contract with Deputy Village Manager Jim Barnes to succeed retiring Village Manager Paul Schofield. While many were surprised when Schofield, Wellington’s manager for the past 12 years, announced his retirement late last month, where the village’s next leader would come from was less of a surprise. When Schofield informed the council that he would be retiring in February, the next question became whether the village would conduct a nationwide search, a statewide search or promote from within. The decision was quickly made to bring stability to the village by promoting from within, with an eye on Schofield’s second in command.
“It has been such a pleasure working with you Mr. Schofield while I’ve been on the council, as every aspect of the village operates well under your management decisions. I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for the village,” said Vice Mayor Tanya Siskind, echoing the consensus of the council at the Nov. 10 meeting. “My thought is to promote from within. We are in a very unique position here, and we have someone who can transition in seamlessly.” That person is Barnes, Siskind said. “He was my first thought when I got over the shock of hearing the first news of Mr. Schofield leaving. I immediately thought of Mr. Barnes, and I think it is in the best interest of Wellington to promote from within,” she said, pointing out that a search could be expensive and take up to a year. Councilman John McGovern
To The Acreage After PBC Zoning Change
Deputy Village Manager Jim Barnes agreed that Barnes would be the best choice. “Continuity has become something that is important to our residents and to our community partners and stakeholders,” he See BARNES, page 14
By M. Dennis Taylor Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach County Commission recently granted a unique approval which will allow a new real estate office building on the west side of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road at Orange Blvd. Chad Hanna of Reach Estate LLC runs one of the few real estate brokerages with a physical office in the Acreage/Loxahatchee area primarily serving residents locally. His office is currently in the Acreage Publix Plaza, where it opened three years ago. “The goal of our business is to be sensitive to the emotions that The Acreage people are feeling when they want to sell their home or when someone wants to buy a
house and move into The Acreage,” he said. Two years ago, Hanna began the in-depth process of changing the zoning on a nearby residential property to commercial low impact (CLO). It was an unusual request, but it was on one of the few residential properties where such a change could make sense, given its location on a major roadway and its proximity to the existing commercial center. “The Palm Beach County Planning Commission approved the initiation of a land use change that would allow a real estate office and/or CLO-type business on the southwest corner of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road and Orange Blvd. See REACH, page 7
Wellington Pioneer Ken Adams Dies At Age 90
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Former Palm Beach County Commissioner Ken Adams, who was a leader in Wellington’s incorporation effort, died after a prolonged illness at the age of 90 in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Nov. 11. A retired U.S. Air Force major, Adams bought a chain of True Value hardware stores in upstate New York after his military service. He moved to South Florida with his wife Arle after selling the hardware stores, making their home on 50 acres in the Little Ranches neighborhood in 1978, where they kept horses and foxhounds. They
held hunts in Binks Forest, which was undeveloped at the time. Former Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham recalled many conversations with Adams about Palm Beach County and the future of Wellington, which had not yet incorporated. “He was very interested in the Village of Wellington and Palm Beach County,” Wenham said. “He and Arle were interested in the equestrian events. He was a great person for us out here west of West Palm Beach. His thoughts and love were with the village, and as a county commissioner, he took that very seriously.” Ken Adams started the first
fox hunt in Wellington with the help of fellow Wellington pioneer A.W. “Bink” Glisson in the thenundeveloped area that came to be known as Binks Forest. Glisson is also credited with convincing New York accounting magnate C. Oliver Wellington to buy the land that became Wellington in the 1950s. Glisson spearheaded the creation of the Acme Improvement District, which was Wellington’s pre-incorporation government. It still exists today as a special purpose district operated by the village to oversee mostly drainage issues. After a conversation with Roger Wellington, who took over his
father’s holdings upon the senior Wellington’s death, Adams took a seat on the Acme Improvement District Board of Supervisors, later replacing Wellington as chair. Soon after that, Adams was elected to the Palm Beach County Commission, where he served from 1985 to 1988. From the county commission, Adams headed to the South Florida Water Management District Board of Governors. Former County Commissioner Jess Santamaria recalled his 40year friendship with Adams. “I had the good fortune of meeting Ken in 1980, when he walked See ADAMS, page 14
Former Palm Beach County Commissioner Ken Adams