PLENTY OF HALLOWEEN-THEMED FUN SEE STORY, PAGE 3
H&M NOW OPEN AT WELLINGTON GREEN SEE PHOTOS, PAGE 9
THE
TOWN - CR IER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
Your Community Newspaper
INSIDE LGWCD Supervisors Give Thumbs Up To Yohe’s Performance
Volume 34, Number 42 October 18 - October 24, 2013
HARVEST FESTIVAL AT ST. PETER’S
The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors gave generally glowing reviews Monday to District Administrator Stephen Yohe for his first six months on the job. Page 3
Road Improvements Planned For Southern And B Road In Groves
The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors reviewed the obligations of developers at the northern corners of B Road and Southern Blvd. Monday, including B Road improvements. Page 4
St. Peter’s United Methodist Church held its Harvest Festival & BBQ on Saturday, Oct. 12. There was a pumpkin patch, bungee jumping, bounce houses, pony rides, a petting zoo, a rock climbing wall and other activities. Shown here, Emma Erickson picks out a pumpkin. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 9 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Murphy Addresses D.C. Dysfunction
Congressman Patrick Murphy (D-District 18) addressed the consequences of the recent government shutdown last Sunday to about 50 people gathered at Hilary’s Restaurant in Royal Palm Beach. Page 7
Boys & Girls Club Annual Golf Classic
The Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington held its 32nd annual golf classic on Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Wanderers Club in Wellington. After the golf game there was a buffet dinner and awards ceremony. Page 10
OPINION Shutdown/Debt Deal A Temporary Reprieve Without Long-Term Plan
After 16 days, the government shutdown and debt crisis is finally over... for now. Though a temporary deal has been struck, the issue will return come the new year. We’ve been here before, with no long-term agreement. Now, more than ever, it’s important for all sides to work together and develop a comprehensive plan going forward that will stop the habit of governing from crisis to crisis. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 3 - 10 OPINION .................................4 CRIME NEWS .........................6 PEOPLE ............................... 11 SCHOOLS .....................12 - 13 COLUMNS .....................14, 21 NEWS BRIEFS..................... 15 BUSINESS .................... 22 - 23 SPORTS ........................ 27 - 29 CALENDAR .......................... 30 CLASSIFIEDS ................ 30 - 33 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
Plan Would Legalize Golf Carts On Some Wellington Roadways By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington is considering allowing golf carts on some village roads and, on Wednesday, Oct. 9, the Wellington Equestrian Preserve Committee weighed in on what regulations its members would like to see. Though golf carts are a common sight on bridle paths and canal banks during the equestrian season, they are illegal in Wellington. But the village is considering changing that. Wellington Projects Manager Mike O’Dell told committee members that a new state statute could allow the use of golf carts on some village roads with speed limits under 25 miles per hour if the Wellington Village Council passed an ordinance allowing it. “The state says the local government has jurisdiction over local roads and streets,” he said. “Operating golf carts can be regulated by local governments.” He stressed that this would not include private roads in gated de-
velopments or similar situations, which are regulated by homeowners’ associations or private owners. He also noted that some vehicles, such as all-terrain and utility vehicles, are not allowed on roadways by state statute, except for those owned and operated by law enforcement or village staff. “We don’t have the option to say we want to allow those,” O’Dell said. O’Dell wanted the committee’s input on allowing golf carts, noting there would be some regulations by state statute. Golf carts would be allowed on pathways 8 feet or wider with a speed limit less than 25 mph. Additionally, the village would have to post signs to alert drivers to golf-cart traffic. The Wellington Equestrian Preserve has many roads with speed limits less than 25 mph, O’Dell said. It would enable golf cart drivers to move between barns and the show grounds. The carts would also have to meet minimum safety standards, including lights, a horn, signals and seat belts. State law mandates
that all drivers must be 14 or older, and after dark all drivers must be at least 16. Committee Member Linda Elie said 14 was too young to drive golf carts and suggested making it 16 for all drivers. “On the show grounds, you have to be 16 with a valid driver’s license,” she said. “I think we should do that.” Committee Chair Cynthia Gardner said she had spoken with local parents about the issue. “The mothers unanimously agreed that 14-year-olds aren’t mature enough to be driving,” she said. “They thought it should be 16.” Elie also pointed out that licensed drivers would have insurance in case of an incident. Gardner stressed she did not want to see golf carts used on gravel or dirt paths used by horses throughout Wellington, commonly referred to as “bridle trails.” She said this is already an issue. “I want to make it clear golf carts, which are commonly driven now See GOLF CARTS, page 16
Mecca Sale To SFWMD Heads To County Commission Oct. 22 By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The South Florida Water Management District approved an agreement last week to purchase the 1,896-acre Mecca Farms property from Palm Beach County for $26 million. The contract will now go before the Palm Beach County Commission for approval Oct. 22, according to County Administrator Bob Weisman. “That’s an approval I fully expect,” he said. “Then that goes to the state for their final approval. We hope to have a closing before the end of the year.” Weisman added, however, that he’s concerned about the legislature under-funding improvements to the dike at the south and west end of the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, which could compromise the completion of an
effective dike that could divert high waters inside Corbett into the Mecca property under flood conditions. In a recent presentation to the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors, SFWMD Division Director Jeff Kivett said the improved berm will integrate a still-functioning weir dam (or spillway) that the district built hurriedly after Tropical Storm Isaac to let excess water inside Corbett drain into the Mecca Farms property. The weir effectively lowered water levels inside Corbett to reduce the danger of breaching the berm and further flooding The Acreage. The district used pumps to transfer water from Mecca to the C-18 Canal, which leads to the Loxahatchee Slough. The weir will be incorporated at the Mecca site to continue to con-
trol water flow over the Corbett area. Kivett said the existing berm has a very steep one-to-one design and sits right on the M-O Canal, which necessitates frequent maintenance and makes it vulnerable during storms. For stability, the district is looking to extend the bank. Kivett said the improved berm will take an 80foot swath of land that will be used to expand the embankment. During redesigns, the original estimate that the improved embankment would require about 150 acres of the 30,000-acre Corbett wetland was reduced to 17.4 acres of actual impact. Weisman said agencies involved had originally hoped for the state to supply about $8 million, which had been recommended by Gov. Rick Scott for the project. See MECCA, page 7
Serving Palms West Since 1980
College Sets Aside $4 Million For Work On Groves Campus
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach State College Board of Trustees voted last week to spend up to $4 million for architectural design, infrastructure and site work on the college’s longplanned fifth campus in Loxahatchee Groves. “That will get us through the design and engineering and will allow us to begin work immediately on the site plan and infrastructure improvements,” Dr. Grace Truman, director of college relations and marketing, told the Town-Crier on Monday. Infrastructure improvements will include paving B Road, the cost of which will be shared with developers of a planned commercial site, Loxahatchee Groves Commons, to be built on 22 acres of the 97-acre site at the northwest corner of B Road and Southern Blvd., formerly known as the Simon property.
The college’s board previously authorized $4.5 million in August 2011 to purchase 75 acres of the property for the campus and finalized the purchase last October. The site includes more than 1,000 feet of frontage on Southern Blvd. The unanimous decision to finance construction was among two key items approved by trustees at their regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 8 to keep the project moving forward. It puts PBSC closer to its goal of providing more convenient access to educational services for residents in Loxahatchee Groves, Royal Palm Beach, Wellington and The Acreage/Loxahatchee area. Trustees also approved the educational specifications for the entire first phase of the campus. In addition to architectural design, site paving, drainage and utility infrastructure, the first phase will eventually include a 50,000See CAMPUS, page 16
GROOVY FUN AT TEMPLE
Temple Beth Torah’s sixth annual Family Fun Day took place Sunday, Oct. 13. This year’s theme was “groovy,” and music sensation and recording artist Patty Shukla was on hand to perform. Shown here are Cheryl, Benjamin, Matthew and Sarah Dubbrin with a rescue truck. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 10 PHOTO BY DAMON WEBB/TOWN-CRIER
Wellington Survey Needs Your Input By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington residents have a chance to let their voices be heard through the village’s Great Hometown Survey. By filling out the survey online or in person, residents can weigh in on what issues are most important to them, areas where Wellington can improve and what they like about the village. Wellington Principal Planner Bill Nemser said that community surveys have grown in popularity, giving governments a cost-effective way to get feedback from a large and diverse section of residents. “It eliminates a lot of guessing you may be doing about the community’s priorities,” he said. “It’s valuable information because you get to hear from different segments of the community and can determine community support for different initiatives. It provides a baseline for future decision-making.” It also gives residents an opportunity to give feedback to their local representatives. “They may sometimes feel their
opinions are not represented when decisions are made with their tax dollars,” Nemser said. “This gives people who want to participate an opportunity to be heard and identify their priorities, such as where they want their tax dollars spent and their support or opposition of initiatives or directions in the village.” The surveys are available through Monday, Nov. 4. Residents can fill one out online by visiting http://wellington.home town.surveyanalytics.com, or in person at most Wellington facilities. There will also be survey teams at village events over the next several weeks. “We’re gathering information and opinions from residents directly,” Nemser said. “We have gone to different groups, and also had teams at our food truck event and other events at the amphitheater.” Wellington has also sent out fliers and postcards about the survey, and reached out to residents through local schools. The anonymous survey takes about six minutes to complete, See SURVEY, page 4
PBSO Golf Tourney To Benefit Youth Ranches Program By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will host its third annual Florida Sheriffs Youth Ranches Golf Tournament on Friday, Oct. 25 at the Madison Green Golf Club, and there’s still time to get involved. Proceeds will benefit the youth ranches program, which helps deputies connect with local children and create community partnerships. “The whole theme of the youth ranches is that law officers are your friends,” PBSO Deputy Kelly Whittles told the Town-Crier Wednesday. “It’s an opportunity for them to have positive interac-
tions with law enforcement officers.” Whittles said that 80 percent of the ranch’s financing comes from private donations. “Children across Palm Beach County have benefited from this program, so it’s something we try to support,” she said. Deputies hope to beat last year’s donation of $17,000 through the golf tournament, which is open to the public. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m., with a 1 p.m. shotgun start. The cost to play is $125 per individual or $500 per foursome, and includes use of a cart, snacks and drinks, dinner, a gift bag and all fees and gratuities.
Guests also will enjoy a raffle and auction with prizes, as well as the popular helicopter ball drop. Tickets for the ball drop are $5 for one ball or $10 for three. Sponsorships are available from $100 per hole, or from $1,000 to $15,000-plus for sponsorship packages. Additionally, raffle and auction prizes and gift bag goodies are still being accepted. “Our goal is to do the best we can to raise funds for the youth ranches,” Whittles said. The youth ranches were established more than 52 years ago on the Suwanee River and have made a difference in the lives of more than 106,000 children and their families, through both camping pro-
grams and a residential care program. Children are selected to attend the camp by local deputies, who may choose a child based on merit or need. The camp is free, and includes fun summer camp activities such as canoeing, swimming, roasting marshmallows and more. “It helps us make partnerships in the community,” Whittles said. “We go to camp with the children strictly as mentors. Each deputy is assigned to a group of kids. We eat with them, swim with them, canoe with them and talk to them about our jobs and their lives. We spend the week with them. They don’t see us in uniform until the last day.”
This is crucial to make sure the children see law enforcement as a positive influence. “Kids, through no fault of their own, may not have had positive interactions with law enforcement,” Whittles said. “This is a way to help them see us as friends.” Whittles encouraged people in the community to come out and get involved. “Anyone who is interested is welcome,” she said. “We’re hoping for a good day, good weather, a good turnout and to raise money for the kids.” For more information, or to donate, contact Whittles at (561) 6883929. For more about the program, visit www.youthranches.org.