Inspector General Palm Beach County needs an independent inspector general’s office to root out corruption, fraud, inefficiency and waste. The two proposals currently under consideration to create such an agency are a good start, but do not go far enough. Page 4
News
WRMC Staff Takes Part In Talent Show Wellington Regional Medical Center presented “Wellington’s Got Talent” last Friday at Palm Beach Central High School. Doctors, nurses and other hospital personnel came together to show off their talents through singing, dancing and comedy skits. Page 3
‘Boo At The Zoo’ Gift Gathering Party
The Wellington Rotary Club held a gift-gathering party last Saturday at the Stonehaven home of Karen Hardin. The purpose was to raise money for the annual masquerade ball Boo at the Zoo, which will take place Oct. 30 at the Palm Beach Zoo. Page 5
Suspects Sought In Home Invasion
A man was shot and two others were injured during a home invasion early Tuesday morning in Wellington. Page 6
Spor ts
Despite Comeback, RPB Wildcats Fall To Glades Central The Royal Palm Beach High School varsity football team lost 34-22 to Glades Central last Friday, but not before mounting an impressive fourth-quarter comeback attempt. Royal Palm Beach trailed 34-7 early in the fourth quarter, but took advantage of sloppy play by Glades Central to make the final score interesting. Page 17
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Wellington Finals Budget With Four-Day Week
By Mark Lioi
Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington Village Council gave its final approval Tuesday to the village’s budget for the 2010 fiscal year, including a six-month trial of a four-day work week for most village employees.
The $82.9 million budget is about 19 percent smaller than the previous year’s, Finance Director Mireya McIlveen told the council. The millage rate of 2.5, up from last year’s rate of 2.34, is 11 percent short of the “rollback rate” of 2.807, the rate at which the village would generate the same revenue from property tax as it had the previous year. At 2.5 mills, the village will collect $14.4 million in property tax revenue, she said, $1.6 million less than the previous year.
actually impair the productivity of workers outdoors. “As we work in Florida, during the summer months, when it’s between 90 and 100 degrees, and the heat index is over 100 degrees, are we really going to get the quality of work out of that employee in a ten-hour day?” he asked.
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Florida Power & Light put the first of three planned generating units at its new West County Energy Center into operation in August and is scheduled to activate a second before the end of the year, a FPL representative said this week, and a third unit will be operational in 2011.
FPL spokeswoman Jackie Anderson said each unit at the plant, located along Southern Blvd. near 20-Mile Bend, will supply 1,250 megawatts. “That’s enough energy to supply about 250,000 homes and businesses,” she told the Town-Crier on Tuesday. “It’s natural gas, one of the cleanest-burning of the fossil fuels.”
All three units will be safe, clean, efficient, reliable and cost-effective, Anderson said, explaining that the combined cycle generators create electricity from both gas and steam turbines, making them very efficient.
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Palm Beach County’s legal department has drafted an ordinance that would create an inspector general’s office. Meanwhile, a coalition of business and civic groups has proposed an alternative plan. But County Commissioner Jess Santamaria is not happy with either.
The Palm Beach County Commission agreed in July to create a inspector general to sniff out government corruption after a grand jury recommended that it do so. The grand jury investigated corruption issues after several
Dear Readers,
The plant was sited near existing power transmission lines needed to relay the electricity it generates, Anderson said. The operational generator and the next one to go online are currently using water drawn from the Floridan Aquifer for cooling and steam generation, but FPL plans to use reclaimed water for those purposes by early 2011, Anderson said (see related story, page 7).
With completion of a pipeline to deliver the reclaimed water from a treatment plant near Florida’s Turnpike, the plant will use about 27 million gallons of reclaimed water a day. Evaporation will claim 80 percent of it, Anderson said, and the remaining 20 percent will be injected deep underground. The wells that currently provide the plant with water, will serve as a backup water supply once the reclaimed water is available, Anderson said.
Environmental groups such as the Audubon Society
prominent politicians, including three county commissioners, were convicted of abuses of office in recent years.
The commission’s July vote would have the inspector general’s office created by year’s end. The county’s draft ordinance is modeled after a Miami-Dade ordinance that created that county’s inspector general office 12 years ago. But Santamaria noted the Palm Beach version calls for the inspector general to be confirmed by a majority of at least four county commissioners.
“The inspector general should be 100-percent inde-
of the Everglades have opposed the plant, largely due to its location and emissions. Audubon Society of the Everglades Conservation Chair Rosa Durando said the plant is emitting gases that contribute to acid rain. “It still will put sulfur, carbon and nitrogen into the atmosphere,” she said. “It’s not doing anything to clean the atmosphere. I don’t think it’s a great thing that they have improved on a technology that’s 50 years old.”
Durando said the plant’s location puts the well-being of the adjacent Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge into question. “It’s immediately upwind of a national wildlife refuge,” she said. “The prevailing wind will blow all the air emissions straight onto the refuge. We don’t have the remotest idea how the cypress and the various types of birds will respond. We don’t know how the various plants and
Councilmen Matt Willhite and Howard Coates both expressed doubts about the effectiveness of a four-day work week, which will see most village offices and facilities closed on Fridays for an estimated annual savings of about $300,000. The four working days will be extended to ten hours each to maintain full-time workers.
Willhite questioned whether the extended days might
Coates and Willhite also voiced concern about the effect of closing village gymnasium facilities on Fridays, saying it would shut village teens and children out of a safe and structured gathering place. “I still have concerns that this is one of those cuts that potentially will do more harm than good,” Coates said. Coates called for a close monitoring of the complaints from residents not only about the Friday closures, but also about the quality of service Monday through Thursday. Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto noted that both the council and village staff had spent many months trying to cut the budget as painlessly as possible, and asked what the two councilmen would prefer to cut as an alternative. While she had some doubts about the fourday week, she said she was
See BUDGET, page 19
pendent,” Santamaria told the Town-Crier on Wednesday.
“If it’s not 100-percent independent, it’s deficient. Whatever Miami-Dade has would be a good starting point, but we need something that’s foolproof. Whoever is in that office should be 100-percent independent. The people who in the past painted this corruption and breaking of the law in Palm Beach County should have nothing, I mean zero percent influence, in selecting who is going to be overseeing government activities.”
A coalition of business and See INSPECTOR, page 19
It has been two weeks since we announced our plans to change the Town-Crier to a FREE SUBSCRIPTION mailed distribution newspaper, and I am so pleased by the thousands of people in the Wellington and Royal Palm Beach communities who have shown their faith in us by filling out the subscription form.
To recap, we plan to continue delivering the newspaper to our readers completely free of charge, but only as long as we know that you want to receive it. No longer will we be dropping the newspaper on all driveways in local neighborhoods; instead, we will deliver the Town-Crier directly to the mailbox of anyone who requests it. We believe that in the long run, this will be a far more effective distribution method for both readers and advertisers. It eliminates a number of challenges caused by the weather, unoccupied homes and other distribution pitfalls. At the same time, this change creates a
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
The Royal Palm Beach Village Council has scheduled a special meeting later this month to hear public input on the possible opening of a Madrid Street connection to the State Road 7 extension.
At a meeting Thursday, Councilwoman Martha Webster asked that the discussion be placed on the agenda for the next regular council meeting, but Mayor David Lodwick suggested a special meeting, possibly at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center due to an anticipated large turnout.
The Madrid Street connection has been a point of contention among residents and council members. Council members who live in or near the La Mancha neighborhood have opposed the connection, while other council members who sit on regional boards and interact with other community leaders have called for at least studying the idea.
While the county included the Madrid connection in plans for the newly opened roadway, Royal Palm Beach has blocked the intersection. It is a point of annoyance for other area officials — especially those from The Acreage — and has been brought up as Royal Palm Beach attempts to lobby for regional
projects it desperately wants, such as the western extension of Roebuck Road.
At an Aug. 21 meeting, a sharply divided council voted 3-2 to drop plans for a study on the anticipated traffic impact of the road opening.
At this week’s meeting, Councilman Fred Pinto said he was under the impression that council members were going to have a discussion on exactly how to gather public input on the topic, and Village Manager David Farber replied that this would be the time to do just that.
“I suspect that is what this discussion is, determining how and who and where and when,” Farber said. “Councilwoman Webster’s proposal is to have it at the next regularly scheduled meeting.” Farber added that there had not been a discussion of who would be invited to speak.
Councilman David Swift, who lives in La Mancha and is staunchly opposed to the opening, said that many people from outside the village are interested in opening the connection, but he would be interested in hearing from La Mancha residents only.
“I would not be looking for folks other than La Mancha residents,” he said.
Vice Mayor Matty Mattio-
See MADRID, page 19
system in which our advertisers know that each and every newspaper is going into the hands of someone who wants to read it.
At this point, we’re just weeks away from the conversion. If you have not joined the mailing list yet, now is the time! To make sure that you continue to receive the Town-Crier each week, please fill out the subscription card inserted into this week’s newspaper, stamp it and return it to us. We will then add you to our mailing list. If for some reason you cannot find the card, a subscription form can be found on page 20 of this week’s issue. If you have already filled out the card, thank you! There is no need to fill it out again, we’ve already added you to our future mailing list.
As always, thank you for your cooperation and your continued readership.
Barry S. Manning, Publisher
PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Bowen: Wellington Is In Good Shape
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen delivered a “state of the village” address Wednesday to members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, saying that Wellington is in good shape considering the economic turmoil of the past year.
The chamber’s monthly luncheon took place at the Wellington Community Center, the same place where the Wellington Village Council meets. Bowen noted that squabbles among council members might give a false impression of acrimony among the village’s elected leaders.
“You probably think that we on the council hate each other,” Bowen said. “That’s not really true. We just have some heated debates. Each one of us is very passionate about our community, and we’re very passionate about the things that are done here. Our number-one goal is what’s best for the community, and those debates result in some very good solutions.” Bowen touted the council’s August vote to build a new municipal complex on Forest Hill Blvd. as a key step in the village’s Economic Development Initiative, a driving force in plans for Wellington’s future.
Bowen said some residents have questioned the wisdom of spending $10.5 million on municipal complex construction in the midst of an economic downturn.
took a proactive approach to tackling issues in Wellington’s declining neighborhoods this year with the Safe Neighborhoods Initiative.
“In Wellington, we have a very low crime rate,” he said. “It’s very low as compared to anywhere in the county and anywhere in the state. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t have neighborhoods that have problems. We decided to do something about it. We budgeted money, and we hired additional police officers for that area. We’ve got community advocates for that area. Our goal is to clean it up.”
“Some people ask the question, ‘how can we spend all this money in this kind of an economy?’” Bowen said. “I asked the question, how can you not spend the money? It will save us approximately $500,000 in operating costs, and it also becomes a centerpiece for all the development. If government cannot step up to the plate and do something, how do we expect private money to come here and do something?”
The new village hall is to be flanked by a disabled-accessible playground funded by a local family and an amphitheater to be built with a county grant. The rest of Forest Hill Blvd. from Florida’s Turnpike to Southern Blvd. will also undergo a makeover that includes new lighting, signage and landscaping, Bowen added.
As another facet of its Economic Development Initiative, Bowen said, the village is also planning a medical arts district in the area of Wellington Regional Medical Center to expand on one of the strongest industries in the community and attract more businesses of that type, and possibly a medical school. Another step toward boosting commerce in the village has been the crafting this year of “flex zoning” classifications, he said, intended to make the village a more attractive place for businesses to set up shop.
“We need to attract some employment to the community that will help broaden the tax base,” Bowen said. Bowen noted that much of the money to build the municipal complex came from impact fees paid by developers, which can only be spent on certain projects.
“It’s even more prudent to spend those funds and build those kind of things and make this a better community to attract some private investment,” he said.
He also noted how a large parcel on Flying Cow Road called Section 24 is being configured both as a filtration marsh and a wetlands park.
“That is funded by the county and the South Florida Water Management District. It’s not costing us anything to do the project,” he said. Next up, the council will be pondering the future use of the Wellington Community Center. “What we are going to do is have a workshop very shortly to start brainstorming about what the uses for this facility will become after we move into the new village complex,” he said. “We talked about this last night, and we felt there was a need for better facilities, as well as more permanent facilities, for our seniors. We want to bring those folks in and talk about what needs to be done for this facility.” Bowen said the council
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has also made great strides in arresting people who gain Section 8 housing vouchers fraudulently, Bowen said, another means of removing problem tenants from vulnerable neighborhoods. “Over 30 people have been arrested,” he said. “We moved a number of people out.”
Noting that the White Pine Drive/12th Fairway neighborhood had suffered two home invasions in September, Bowen said the Safe Neighborhoods effort would take time to bear fruit. “I know it’s hard for people to understand what’s going on, especially in light of what happened yesterday morning and what happened a couple of weeks ago,” he said. “Those are truly isolated cases. You can ask the question if we had not done anything six months ago, would it maybe be worse. It took years for those neighborhoods to deteriorate to the condition they are in, and it will take a bit longer to clean them up. It’s money well spent.” Bowen also said the council recently passed a nuisance abatement ordinance to allow the village to take charge of foreclosed and abandoned homes more quickly.
“If you have to live on a block where there is a foreclosed home, the last thing you want to see is a house that is abandoned and that is not taken care of,” he said.
In a direct response to the economic woes of residents, the village has been hosting educational symposiums to help homeowners facing foreclosure, Bowen said.
“These symposiums have been very well attended, and I think they have been very helpful to folks who have needed it,” he said. “They have attorneys and counselors who sit down with people one-on-one and work with people who are facing those kind of financial issues.”
The village’s staff had worked hard to craft a budget for the 2010 fiscal year, Bowen said. The 2010 budget of about $83 million is 19 percent smaller than that of 2009, he said, and the village staff found savings through means such as audits and the renegotiation of existing contracts.
“I don’t know of any business that can take those kind of cuts without feeling it somewhere or somehow,” Bowen said. “None of us really wanted to cut anything. You don’t have any choice. Times are tough.”
Despite an increase in the millage rate, Wellington is placing a smaller tax burden on its residents this year, Bowen said. “I know some people will say when you open up your tax bill, ‘there is no tax reduction,’” he said. “We don’t have any say on the way the state determines how these taxes are collected. Overall, it’s a reduction to us. We have to look at things that way. We have to continue to provide the goods and services that our community deserves and demands.”
Mayor Darell Bowen at Wednesday’s Wellington Chamber luncheon.
WELLINGTON REGIONAL STAFF TAKES PART IN ANNUAL TALENT SHOW
Wellington Regional Medical Center presented its second annual talent show “Wellington’s Got Talent” last Friday at Palm Beach Central High School. Doctors, nurses and other hospital personnel came together to show off their talents by performing a variety of acts, including singing, dancing and comedy skits. This year’s proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Special guest performers Dr. Linda Johnson (piano), Gareth Johnson (violin) and Liu-Hsiu Kuo (piano and and interpretive dance).
Barbara Thompson shows her piano skills.
Master of ceremonies Karen Malossi and stage manager Melissa Shively (both are nurses).
Michael Jackson tribute dancers: Valerie Coello, Roslyn Suh, Taylor Wright and Melinda Wright.
WRMC board members Dr. Gordon Johnson, Dr. Jeffrey Bishop, CEO Kevin DiLallo and Dr. Mike Mikolajczak.
The Fat Daddys: Stephen Rivera, George Docekal, Dr. Lenny Sukienik, Jack Rosen and (seated) Dr. Jay Kernus.
OUR OPINION
County Needs A Truly Independent Inspector General
Palm Beach County needs an independent inspector general’s office to root out corruption, fraud, inefficiency and waste. The two proposals currently under consideration to create such an agency are a good start, but do not go far enough.
A county-initiated plan would create an inspector general’s office with the power to investigate wrongdoing among county officials and employees, as well as vendors doing business with the county. But the plan, which was drafted by county staff and unveiled last week, keeps control of the office in the hands of those it’s meant to inspect. Although a panel of legal experts and law enforcement officials would hire the inspector general, commissioners would have veto power over the decision. Essentially, the commissioners would have the ability to approve their own oversight.
This plan is unsurprising, given that county officials were not exactly willing participants in corruption reform, taking action only after being shamed into doing so by the State Attorney’s Office. While the unanimous vote in July to create an inspector general was a proactive stand against corruption, the devil remains in the details. By allowing the county commission any say in the hiring and firing of the inspector general, the plan allows for the corruption of the process. If the goal is to rebuild public trust in county government, it sends the wrong message.
Help Stop Deaths Due To Drug Overdose
In 2008, more than 300 drug overdose deaths were reported to Palm Beach County law enforcement authorities. In approximately 85 percent of these tragic cases, the victim’s body was found to contain more than one commonly abused drug. Frequently, a variety of illicit substances (heroin and cocaine) and prescription drugs (methadone, oxycodone, hydrocodone, alprazolam) were the direct and immediate cause of the victim’s death. Few people realize the hazards associated with combining any of the commonly abused pharmaceuticals with illicit drugs. Drug users often become complacent, not realizing that mixing drugs can create an unintended and unpredictable lethal mixture.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is committed to diminishing the number of deaths caused by drug overdose. Part of this effort involves dispelling misperceptions and raising public awareness of the true nature of these all-too-frequent tragedies. Indicators of drug overdose differ depending upon the type of drug consumed. In general, the overdose victim may not awaken when roused; may not respond to painful stimulation such as rubbing knuckles across his or her sternum; may exhibit blue/purple lips, face and hands; may snore or struggle for breath; may complain of elevated body temperature; may vomit; and may behave irrationally or seem confused.
If you suspect someone is experiencing a drug over-
dose, you must react to this true medical emergency by calling 911 without delay. The following actions must be taken: tell medical professionals everything that the victim consumed or may have consumed, follow the directions of the 911 operator, stay with the victim until help arrives and choose life first — all other considerations must come second. Do not: allow the victim to “sleep it off,” put the victim in a bath or shower, inject the victim with anything, leave the victim alone, treat the victim with home remedies that do not work and often postpone potentially lifesaving medical treatment, postpone calling 911 while cleaning up or suffer a lifetime of regret for making the wrong choice.
The PBSO seeks to enlist public support and cooperation in this overall effort to reduce the number of drugoverdose deaths. In addition, PBSO staff serves as a resource to other law enforcement agencies and to grieving families who have lost loved ones to this insidious cause of death.
The overdose death-risk profile includes:
• Demographic indicators (white, male, approximately 39 years old, high school diploma or GED, and employed).
• Static indicators (history of substance abuse, history of drug-related arrests, history of substance-abuse treatment, history of mental-health treatment, history of non-fatal drug overdose, and under a physician’s care at time of death).
• Circumstantial indicators (died at home, discovered by family member, last act was sleeping, found unconscious, others were present at the
Another plan has been put forward by a coalition of business and civic groups. Under their plan, an ethics commission made up of volunteers with various professional qualifications would hire and fire the inspector general, keeping the office independent of the county commission. While this idea is better than the county’s proposal, it still gives a great deal of sway to special-interest groups — the same groups that many blame for the atmosphere that allowed a culture of corruption to take root in Palm Beach County.
Both current plans leave decisions in the hands of stakeholders who stand to gain if their plan is approved. What we need is a plan that guarantees the absolute independence of the inspector general’s office. That is the point raised this week by County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, whose envisions a plan that vests the hiring and firing of the inspector general in the judicial branch — county and circuit court judges, the state attorney and the public defender. It was the judicial branch that recommended the creation of a county inspector general, so it is fitting that the judicial community select the person most qualified to carry out the mission.
Good oversight for future generations requires good decision-making today. It is important that all residents of Palm Beach County demand a plan that forever eliminates the derisive “Corruption County” moniker and vests needed authority with a truly independent inspector general’s office.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
death scene, others were aware of fatal drug use, others recognized distress, and they died from accidental multiple drug toxicity, the most likely combinations being alprazolam, oxycodone, cocaine and methadone).
The above profile is derived from variables present in at least one third of the 207 closed overdose death cases in Palm Beach County.
If you would like learn more about our efforts, please contact me at the PBSO Violent Crimes Division Homicide Unit at (561) 688-4058 or marting@pbso.org, or state-certified analyst Christine Hackett at (561) 6883911.
Detective Gary Martin Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office
Healthcare Change Is Needed
Editor’s note: The following is a response to Phil Sexton’s letter “Pay Attention To Healthcare” published last week in the Town-Crier
I read with interest comments made by a resident of Wellington, but I believe a few points may have been overlooked. The article appears somewhat generic, neither making reference to House Bill 3200 or Senate Finance Committee resolutions, but favoring a so-called compromise by Sen. Max Baucus and his “blue dog” counterparts in the house. Let me be clear about Sen. Baucus’ proposal: it is anything but a “compromise.” It will, in effect, give even more control and profit to the big insurance companies. The president of United HealthCare, with a consortium of special
interests, has pledged one million dollars a day to defeat any bill that challenges their status quo... [Those special interests] would like no changes in the current way healthcare works in the United States. The Catch-22 is that it is unsustainable and must be reformed. Without a public option, there is simply no way to bring big insurance companies to the table and control the horrendous cost of healthcare — healthcare that is the most costly in the world but has allowed us to be number 37 in outcome. Cuba has better infant mortality than the United States. We need to support President Obama now, for it’s in our own best interests as a nation.
Richard Nielsen
Royal Palm Beach
Everyone Must ‘Go Green’
“Greening” is inevitable because the world has reached a turning point today where, like the Industrial Revolution, change to the way we conduct our individual, local, county, state, national and international affairs has to occur. No nation will be able to meet the challenges of growing the economy and creating jobs in this time without a serious investment in green technology and educating its people about initiating green elements into their daily lives.
There must be awareness of what is going on around us and understanding how what happens in one part of the world can have an effect on another part. Therefore, we must no longer hesitate to take action. For too long, the world, including the United States of America, has been turtle-like in responding or
OPINION
recognizing the magnitude of the threat due to climate changes.
So I say we must no longer hesitate, but take action and see to it that generations to come have something left of this world for them to thrive as people. Noteworthy is the energy and climate bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in June, the American Clean Energy and Security Act. While this is a step in the right direction, we as a people should also take the step to make clean energy the energy.
Tinu Peña
Royal Palm Beach
Florida’s ‘Spirit Of Service’
This summer, as I have traveled across Florida, I have experienced firsthand the diversity of our state, witnessed the struggles families are grappling with, and have had the honor of meeting many great Floridians who are working together to strengthen their community.
The Florida Senate has a “Spirit of Service” award that recognizes Floridians who have demonstrated exemplary volunteer service to their community. This award was first designed by former senate president Ken Pruitt to recognize Florida’s “unsung heroes” — those who through their acts of service have preserved America’s
long-standing tradition and commitment to volunteerism, thereby making Florida a better place. I have had the distinct honor of working with my senate colleagues to identify Floridians who are deserving of this award, and it has been an encouraging experience. Giving of one’s time and talents to serve others in the community is the highest calling of caring for our fellow man. Serving, providing assistance in a time of need, or demonstrating a commitment to investing in the lives of others draws a community, state and nation together, thereby making us all stronger. If you would like ideas on how to become more involved in local volunteer projects, visit www.volunteer florida.org.
However, serving others does not always require a tremendous sacrifice or time commitment. As you go about your daily life, take a moment to serve may simply be holding the door for someone, pausing to allow another to go first or dropping a couple of canned goods off at your local food shelter. It can take very little effort to make a difference in someone’s day. I am convinced that together we can weather the challenges of today and strengthen Florida’s tomorrow.
State Sen. Jeff Atwater Senate President
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 them to letters@goTownCrier.com
It’s Time Congress Legislates Against ‘Texting’ While Driving
Footloose and...
By Jules W. Rabin
I don’t know about you, but I truly believe it is criminal for state legislatures to ignore the terrible risks they allow by not passing laws to prevent people from sending text messages while driving. More and more, the evidence shows that “texting” creates a greater risk of causing a serious accident and/or death than does drunk driving. Yet fewer than 20 states have passed laws to prevent it.
FPL Power Plant
continued from page 1 animals will respond to acid rain.”
Other opponents of the plant such as the Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition have said that FPL has not put enough emphasis on alternative energy sources such as sunlight. But Anderson stressed that natural gas is the least polluting of all fossil fuels.
“Natural gas emits 50 percent less carbon dioxide than coal,” she said. “If you
Did you know that a vehicle moving at highway speeds travels more than 100 yards in five seconds? Did you know the average time to send or receive a text message — and thus take your eyes off the road — is five seconds?
look at our fuel generation profile, we have very little coal as a whole right now. It’s less than five percent coal. As a utility, we have one of the cleanest profiles in the nation.”
Anderson said natural gas currently accounts for about 54 percent of FPL’s fuel, nuclear is 20 percent, about 15 percent is purchased, and a small percentage is alternative power.
“The point is we do have a very clean emissions profile,” she said. “[The new plant] is going to be one of the cleanest and most efficient facilities of its kind in the nation.”
Did you know the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute discovered that truck drivers sending text messages are 23 times more likely to cause a crash or a close call than a non-texting driver?
Anderson said FPL is pursuing the development of alternative energy sources, but they are not going to be quick in coming. “The reality is there is not one silver bullet to the energy solutions,” Anderson said.
In addition to the exploration of alternative energy sources, FPL is looking into expanding its nuclear power plants and possibly building more, she said.
“We’re also building 110 megawatts of solar in the state that’s going to make Florida the number-two producer of solar energy in the whole nation,” she said. “We’re definitely looking at other sourc-
Did you know that even in big, bad New York State, which is often criticized for over-regulation, there is only a “half-baked” antitexting law that calls for small fines which can be levied only if a police officer has stopped the car for a different infraction such as failure to stop or speeding? Finally, the federal government is taking a belated look at the problem. Senate and House bills requiring states to adopt federally mandated penalties for texting while driving or forfeit 25 percent of federal highway funds are lazily working their way through Congress. States will be granted two years to com-
es of fuel, but the reality is that natural gas is the most important source of fuel that we have here, and it is definitely the cleanest burning of the fossil fuels.”
FPL has focused strongly on using local businesses in its construction and employment practices at the West County Energy Center and has gained support from local organizations including the Palms West and Wellington chambers of commerce. The plant’s general manager is Carmine Priore III, who is currently chairman-elect of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce.
FPL currently has 4.5 mil-
ply and then could recover funds once they have passed worthwhile legislation. Whether it is on a train as the recent, notorious California case, on a bus or certainly in a car or truck, texting while driving is extremely dangerous This is a win-win situation for Congress to move on quickly. I urge them to do so.
lion customers in 35 counties and demand for electricity will increase over the next decade, Anderson said.
Even if Florida experiences no growth over the next de-
cade, she said, the state will still need additional fuel diversity, reliability, greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy independence.
An aerial view of FPL’s new power plant.
AmTrust Bank Branch Manager Larry Diljohn, Art Society President Adrianne Hetherington, Kendra Rosenfeld, Pauline Hydro and Debbie Salmore.Judy Eisinger with her giclee Ice Cream Ladies Mag Frye with her painting View from a Bridge
Wellington High School Interact Club members (front, L-R): Daniela Gaitan,Katherine Aguirre and Andrea Robledo; (back) advisors Catherine Scaglio and Tom Neumann, and Steven Constantinou.
Saundra Mercer, Tom Wenham, Karen Hardin, Regis Wenham and John Mercer.
Susan O’Dell, Frank Young with Leslie & Randy Pfeiffer.
Irma Saenz, Suzette Burger and Maggie Zeller.
Joanna Boynton, Deby Dahlgren, Sharon and Wayne Gill, Tom and Carla Neumann and Susan Giddings.
Magician Mat LaVore shows Catherine Scaglione a card trick.
Suspects Sought In Home Invasion
SEPT. 29 — A man was shot and two others were injured during a home invasion early Tuesday morning in Wellington. According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, at approximately 6:15 a.m., three to four unknown black males entered a home on White Pine Drive and reportedly attacked the occupants. One victim was shot in the mouth and was taken to Delray Medical Center with
non-life-threatening injuries. Another victim received a contusion to the head after being beaten with a handgun and was taken to Wellington Regional Medical Center. A third victim sustained minor injuries and refused medical treatment.
The suspects stole an Xbox 360 from the home. It is unknown whether the victims knew the suspects, and the case is still under investigation.
PBSO Investigating Vehicle Burglaries In Wellington, RPB
By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report
SEPT. 23 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to a shopping plaza on Okeechobee Blvd. last Wednesday regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. the following morning someone smashed the rear window of a Ford van parked in the Cobblestone Village shopping plaza and stole keys to the van’s trailer hitch. The suspect stole the attached trailer with several pieces of lawn equipment inside. There were no witnesses or video surveillance, and no known suspects at the time of the report.
SEPT. 25 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home on Squire Drive last Friday regarding an auto theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 11 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. Friday, someone entered the victim’s property and stole a golf cart valued at approximately $5,000. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.
SEPT. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home last Saturday morning regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, an unknown person entered a van parked on The 12th Fairway and stole a laptop, aircard and touch-screen monitor. The suspect was recorded on the victim’s surveillance camera and is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 19 or 20 years old, 5’10” and 185 lbs. with short black hair and long sideburns, wearing a white tank top undershirt, white pants and carrying a white shirt. The suspect used his shirt to avoid leaving prints as he attempted to open the victim’s other cars. The stolen merchandise was valued at approximately $1,279. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects at the time of the report.
SEPT. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road last Saturday regarding a delayed
shoplifting complaint. According to a PBSO report, the manager of the electronics department notified the store’s loss prevention officer that two 32” Samsung HD TVs were missing. Upon review of the store’s surveillance video, the officer discovered that on Sept. 18 at approximately 1:07 a.m. a white male suspect selected a TV from a shelf in the electronics department and placed it in a shopping cart. He proceeded past all points of purchase and went into the McDonald’s restaurant located near the front entry doors, then exited the store 20 minutes later. According to the report, the suspect returned at approximately 4:48 a.m. and placed another TV in a shopping cart. He then proceeded to another department and placed empty cardboard boxes over the TV, concealing it. At approximately 4:54 a.m., he passed all points of sale and exited the store. The officer recognized the suspect as 49-year-old Larry Thomas Prince, who he had caught trying to steal a TV on Sept. 20. The two TVs were valued at approximately $996. They had not been recovered at the time of the report. Prince was already in the Palm Beach County Jail for the other shoplifting attempt. SEPT. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home last Saturday night in response to a theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim hosted a Mary Kay party at her home on Pennypacker Trail where several Mary Kay products were stolen. The stolen merchandise was valued at $289. There were no suspects at the time of the report. SEPT. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to a home in La Mancha last Saturday regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked and locked his SUV outside his home on Toledo Street on Sept. 19. When he went to move the vehicle last Saturday, he found it was unlocked and missing its radio and a seven-inch DVD screen. According to the report, the radio’s wires appeared to have been cut. There were no signs of forced entry or damage to the door
page 19
Perham is wanted for violation of probation on a conviction for possession of Xanax, and culpable negligence. Her occupation is unknown. Her last known address was Linda Court in Royal Palm Beach. Perham is wanted as of 10/01/09. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestoppers pbc.com.
Zarnell Fitzgerald
Tanya Perham See BLOTTER,
Pipeline Project To Disrupt Okeechobee Blvd. In Lox Groves
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department officials visited the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association last week to deliver a winter forecast of dust and digging along Okeechobee Blvd. A presentation at the LGLA’s Sept. 24 meeting by the PBCWUD Deputy Director Brian Shields and Engineering Director Maurice Tobon detailed plans to install a pipeline through Loxahatchee Groves that will supply coolant water to a new gasfired power station near 20Mile Bend.
“There will be inconveniences to you,” Shields said. “There will be construction going on. There will be dust.”
The pipeline is intended to carry recycled water from a water treatment facility along
Florida’s Turnpike to cool the new West County Energy Center built by Florida Power & Light. Shields said FPL wanted to make its new power plant as environmentally friendly as possible. “Rather than taking water out of the surface water system or out of the groundwater system, they decided they would use reclaimed wastewater from the East Central Regional Water Reclamation Facility in West Palm Beach,” he said.
The first of the new plant’s three turbines is already operational, Shields said, with a second to come on line by year’s end, and the third in 2011. Tobon said that although FPL is permitted to use well water to cool its plant, by using reclaimed water it would put less pressure on local water resources.
“FPL worked a lot with the state to look at alternative water,” he said. “We’re talking 22 million gallons a day of cooling water. At the peak, it would be 27 million gallons. The Department of Environmental Protection had challenged FPL to look for other methods and other alternatives for cooling.”
Tobon said the pipeline work would involve 18 miles of roadway, and employ horizontal, directional drilling to lay sections beneath roads and canals to minimize disruptions. This directional drilling work on Okeechobee Blvd. is scheduled to start at A Road on Oct. 8 and progress eastward, Tobon said. More drilling is scheduled to begin at Seminole Pratt Whitney Road on Nov. 13, with the work finishing up at Folsom Road by the start of February, he said.
Meanwhile, Tobon said, open-cut work is scheduled to begin on the east side of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road around Thanksgiving and finish at Folsom Road by the end of March. Shields said both the county and FPL want to work with residents to minimize inconveniences. “We will have people on the job full-time, inspecting this job,” he said. “If there are any problems, or you experience any issues at all, you know who to contact to get your issues resolved. We want to make sure we inconvenience people as little as possible.”
The East Central Regional Water Reclamation Facility, operated by the City of West Palm Beach, is a joint venture of that municipality and its other users: the county and the municipalities of Riviera Beach, Lake Worth and Palm
Beach. The plant’s operation is guided by a governing board made up of representatives from each of the partnering agencies. Shields is the county’s representative on that board.
“It’s a great environmental project,” Shields said of the pipeline. “It gives a lot of benefits to all the people in Palm Beach County as well as the entities that represent the East Central Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant. The power plant is so efficient that it will keep rates down.”
LGLA member Ken Johnson voiced concern about the drilling causing damage to canals. “We will be deep enough under the canal to make sure it won’t impact the bottom of the canals,” Tobon said. “That was a big concern.”
LGLA member John Ryan, a Loxahatchee Groves Water
Control District supervisor, asked whether any other pipes would be laid in the course of the work, and whether the reclaimed water could be put to other uses. Shields said that the contractor would not be putting any other pipelines down. However, the reclaimed water could serve other uses, such as firefighting, he said.
“It’s possible for other users to take water off the line when FPL doesn’t need it,” he said. “We have been working with the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District and the Town of Loxahatchee Groves to address this issue. We are looking at plans to run additional mains with hydrants throughout Loxahatchee Groves.” LGLA member and Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Dr. Bill Louda has been dis-
See PIPELINE, page 19
Lisa Keller, Maria Pikis and Bill Hanrahan of
Bank serve orange juice.
Tisha Savage and Laura Ngo Pucker.Julie and John Kime with Catherine Engel.
Adam Gellis, Theresa Walt White, Tony Duboy and Jenelle Marie.
On Thursday, Sept 24, members of the Acreage/Loxahatchee Rotary Club gave dictionaries to third graders at Benoist Farms Elementary School in West Palm Beach. Joining the Rotarians were students from the Seminole Ridge High School Interact Club. Benoist Farms Principal Dr. Ruthann Miller also was on hand, as well as some of her teachers and staff. A total of 130 dictionaries were given out to the students. PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
Interact Club members check out the dictionaries.
Reginise Pierre and Ramone Preston look at their new dictionaries.
Rotarian Roland Greenspan addresses the students.
FIESTA IN WELLINGTON
The Puerto Rican Organization for Cultural Enhancement and Reaffirmation (PROCER) presented the program “Puerto Rico: Always a Fiesta!” last Saturday at the Wellington library in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. The event featured a slideshow presentation, live music and lots of dancing. (Above) The Raices Latinas Band performs. (Below) Library Branch Manager Doug Crane, PROCER President Israel Pabón and his wife Maria, and library associate Yrinea Delbosque. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Leukemia Benefit At The Gypsy’s Horse
The Palm Beach County Fraternal Order of Leatherheads Society (FOOLS ) will host a chicken-wing-eating contest on Sunday, Oct. 4 at the Gypsy’s Horse Irish Pub & Restaurant to raise money for 13-year-old Courtney Wolfe of The Acreage, who was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in early August. The event begins at noon with the contest starting at 1 p.m. Tony and Cherie Andrewson of Wellington and Bob Cresswell are the event co-chairs.
ALL is a form of leukemia affecting mainly children, characterized by anemia, weight loss, bone pain and fatigue. “Imagine being 13 years old and being diagnosed with a devastating disease,” said Tony Andrewson. “The FOOLS want to do whatever we can to help, and this competition is one way we can pitch in. It will be fun and messy, and we’re opening our hearts to help Courtney and her parents.”
According to Cherie Andrewson, Wolfe’s prognosis is good because the cancer was caught early, although she will have to endure more than two years of treatments, including chemotherapy once
a week. “Her parents have had to sacrifice so many things, including taking days off of work to help Courtney through this trying time,” she said.
The entry fee is $200 per person, and there is a limit of 40 spots. Participants will receive free beer and soda during the competition. The public is invited to watch and enjoy the contest. There will also be a live band, a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction as well as NFL games shown on multiple TVs. All proceeds will be donated to the Wolfe family.
Wolfe’s father Larry is a Palm Beach County FireRescue captain. The Palm Beach County FOOLS and its Firefighter Fund honor local firefighters who have been killed or injured, or became sick while serving their communities.
The Gypsy’s Horse is located at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in the original Wellington Mall. To enter the contest, call (561) 632-0009.
Good Earth Farm Hosts Yard Sale
Good Earth Farm (2141 B Road, Loxahatchee Groves) will host a yard sale on Sunday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. This year’s sale will include items such as pool cov-
ers, garden fountains, equestrian goods, clothes, books and more. There will also be a petting zoo and ice cream. For more information, call (561) 315-8392.
‘Cans For Cash’ Program In Wellington
The Village of Wellington is participating in the national “Cans for Cash” contest sponsored by the United States Conference of Mayors, Novelis Corporation and Keep America Beautiful. The national contest awards a $5,000 prize to the top cities in four population-based categories that collect the most aluminum beverage cans now through Oct. 31.
Wellington is the first municipality in Palm Beach County to register to participate in the contest. It will be a joint effort of the village and Wellington’s Citizens Volunteer Organization. The project will involve local businesses and communities as well as village employees and facilities. Residents wishing to participate in the program can drop off aluminum cans at the Safe Neighborhood Office (1100 Wellington Trace), Village Park (11700 Pierson Road) or the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.).
As part of the Cash for Cans effort, the village’s Go Green Team and the CVO have established a competition between schools with prizes, donated by Jet Hauling, awarded to the top three local schools. For more information, call Bill Nemser at (561) 753-2581.
‘Howl At The Moon’ Returns On Oct. 24
Wellington’s pampered canines will strut their stuff at the seventh annual “Howl at the Moon” party on Saturday, Oct. 24 at the Wellington Dog Park (2975 Greenbriar Blvd.). The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon and offer a wide variety of dog activities for all to enjoy. The event will kick off with a dog costume contest, silly pet tricks by Elite Greyhound Adoptions and canine good citizen testing by Marc Street from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Other activities include pictures with your pet, pet adoptions by Pet Haven Rescue, microchip implantations for $15, portraits painted by your pet, face painting, trick-or-treat bags for the dogs, nail trimming by Kim Barker and refreshments for all who attend. For more information, call Dr. Marc Pinkwasser of Courtyard Animal Hospital at (561) 784-PETS.
Helen Hajjar To Offer Demo At Art Society Meeting Oct. 13
Local artist Helen Hajjar will have the audience melting at the next Wellington Art Society meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way), where Hajjar will demonstrate the art of encaustic wax painting. Encaustic means “burning in.” This Old World art form, dating back to 2000 BC, was used by the Romans, Greeks and Egyptians, who melted beeswax over charcoal fires and added plant resins for
color to create works of art. Hajjar has adapted this technique to develop a unique way of painting using colored wax as paint and a small electric travel iron. Paintings created with this technique last much longer than oils and do not need to be under glass to be preserved. The technique produces colors that are more vivid, yielding dramatic results. The native of Brooklyn, N.Y. has won numerous awards for her outstanding work at different exhibitions
and competitions in Florida and Connecticut, and has also written an instructional book, Painting With Wax Light refreshments will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by a brief business meeting at 7 p.m., with the demo starting about 7:15 p.m. While the meeting is free and open to the public, there is a $5 fee for the demo for non-members. For more information, visit www.wellingtonartsociety. org or call Wellington Art So-
ciety President Adrianne Hetherington at (561) 7847561. In other news, local painter Joanne Baker MacLeod is the society’s featured artist for the month of October on its online gallery show. Baker MacLeod received a degree in fine arts from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, where she majored in commercial art. She is known for her unique way of capturing light — drawing the viewer into her scenes of landscapes, people, animals and flowers. Her award-winning work has been displayed in many galleries and businesses, as well as private collections all over the country. The one-woman online show features 12 of Baker MacLeod’s paintings and runs through Oct. 31. All works are available for purchase and can be viewed by visiting the “Gallery Show” section on the web site, www.wellingtonartsociety. org.
Send news items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.
Helen Hajjar
PLAYERS CLUB MIXER RAISES MONEY FOR NOV. 7
WILD ORCHIDS CHEF BRINGS FLAVORS OF ITALY TO WHOLE FOODS
Jill Merrell, Judy Duany and Lynette Laufenberg.
Master Chef Chris Paul Falci stirs pesto sauce to be eaten with stuffed meatballs.
mussels.
Richelle Mody and Jake Miller.
Laura Willems, Ben and Joanna Boynton, and Larry and Linda Smith.
Janet Rosenthal and Amy Aqua.
Amanda Schlechter and Lynne Kiss.
Scott Wolfe plays some tunes.
Lakeside Medical Center Reception Celebrates Opening
With tears of joy, applause and cheers, Lakeside Medical Center was officially presented to the hospital’s donors and doctors at an exclusive reception this week.
Hundreds of donors, doctors and administrators gathered in Belle Glade to celebrate the upcoming opening of Palm Beach County’s only public hospital, which was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. Attendees were treated to a behind-thescenes tour of Lakeside guided by staff nurses, administrators and technicians.
Glades Healthcare Foundation Chair C. David Goodlett, along with executives from the Health Care District of Palm Beach County and the hospital, welcomed the crowd and gave thanks to the donors, visionaries and
staff who made the opening of the hospital a reality.
“After years of planning and fundraising, I am thrilled to be standing before you to open this beautiful and muchneeded hospital nearly four months ahead of schedule and several million dollars under budget,” Goodlett said. “I am particularly thankful to the Kresge Foundation for the $1.5 million challenge grant that we are so close to matching. I am also forever indebted to Palm Healthcare Foundation, which provided the lead gift of $1 million for this campaign and has been a true supporter from the get-go.”
The Glades Healthcare Foundation led the fundraising campaign for the new 70bed, $67 million community hospital in the Glades that will serve more than 40,000 residents. The hospital will
officially open to the community on Oct. 15.
Event attendees included Nick Kelly with Kelly Tractor Co., George Wedgworth of the Sugar Cane Growers Cooperative, many members of the Royal family with the Susan Royal Wurth Foundation, Lester Woerner of Woerner Holdings and Classic Turf, and Cressman Bronson with National City, now a part of PNC. In addition, many members of Glades Healthcare Foundation’s board and leadership team were present, including Hugh Branch, Dwight Chenette, Sam Ellington, Effie Grear, Dolly Hand, Roger Hatton, John Lacy, Steve Prilozney, John Schlechter and Jay Shearouse.
Thanks to a commitment of $53 million from the Health Care District of Palm
Beach County and the generosity of individuals, foundation and corporations, the campaign has nearly reached its fundraising goal. With only $1.5 million more to raise, the Glades Healthcare Foundation is closing in on its goal to secure the largest Kresge grant ever made to an organization in Palm Beach County.
The Glades Healthcare Foundation was created in 2006 to support healthcare initiatives in western Palm Beach County. Its primary focus is to lead the fundraising campaign for the new Lakeside Medical Center by engaging individual donors and organizations to contribute to the project. Helping to build the new regional hospital, the cornerstone to a new medical campus, is just the beginning for Glades Health-
and Jay Shearouse.
care Foundation. Through collaboration and support of healthcare partners in the area, the foundation will help advance the health of the community for generations to come. For more information
about how to join in this campaign to transform the health delivery system in western Palm Beach County and improve the health and wellbeing of all its residents, visit www.gladeshealthcare.org or call (561) 833-8999.
Center For Bone And Joint Surgery Partners With WRMC
Center for Bone & Joint
Surgery CEO Dr. Harvey Montijo and his team of seven orthopedic surgeons have come together with Wellington Regional Medical Center to offer community awareness lectures regarding topics such as osteoporosis, ar-
thritis, hand and foot treatments, spine and lumbar stenosis, as well as many others.
“So often patients with common orthopedic problems see physicians not knowing the proper treatment or even the prevention,”
New Green Design Company In RPB
Motré Co. LLC is a new green-design-oriented company based in Royal Palm Beach. The main focus is facilitating green elements into various projects through collaboration with other disciplines from inception to completion.
Established by Tinu Peña, the company aims at capturing a market that is currently brewing and ready to explode. While Leadership in Environmental Engineering and Design (LEED) certification has been commonly done on commercial buildings, there has been a wide shift in the different type of buildings that are now be-
coming LEED-certified.
Motré Co. is looking at a new way of thinking about sustainability and prides itself at providing green design elements into projects that are environmentally sensitive, thereby promoting sustainable communities. Services include green design feasibility studies, green infrastructure planning, sustainable site design consulting, as well as erosion and sedimentation control inspection for residential areas, green interior consulting and decorating. For more information, call Tinu Peña at (888) 878-8595, ext. 101 or e-mail tpena@ motreco.com.
Montijo said. “However, by working to bridge that gap, they will be able to pick out signs that could save themselves in the future.”
Montijo and his partners Dr. José Ortega, Dr. Jorge Acevedo, Dr. Robert Lins, Dr. Robert Rochman, Dr.
Nicholas Sama, Dr. George Bethlo, Dr. Laura White and Dr. Dana Desser will meet at Wellington Regional Medical Center’s lecture hall twice a month, educating the community with discussions on common orthopedic topics followed by a question-and-
answer session. The first topic is “Arthritis Management,” presented by Montijo on Thursday, Oct. 15 at noon in the WRMC lecture hall.
The Center for Bone & Joint Surgery’s web site also offers interactive online patient education guide com-
plete with videos. For more information, visit the Orthopedic 411 web site at www.boneandjoint.org. For more information on lecture topics, or to sign up, e-mail cbjresponse@bone andjoint.org or call Brittany Hill at (561) 798-6600.
Plan Now For A Debt-Free Holiday Season
While holiday season spending was down slightly in 2008, consumers still spent an average of more than $800 on gifts and other holiday merchandise, according to the National Retail Federation.
Many consumers are still paying for last year’s purchases, and some will end up paying more than twice the cost of their purchases when interest and other fees are added up.
With about three months to go, there is plenty of time to prepare for the holiday season and start the New Year free from added debt. Consumer Credit Counseling Service (CCCS) of Palm Beach County and the Treasure
Coast offers tips to help consumers get started:
• Make a list and a budget
— Make a list of all the people you want to buy gifts for and how much you want to spend on each person. Jot down some gift ideas so you will be prepared to look for items on sale. Once you know your total shopping budget, start setting aside money out of each paycheck now to cover the expense. If you are paid twice a month, there are still eight paychecks this year — setting aside $100 per paycheck means you won’t need to charge $800 in December.
• Earn extra money — If you can’t make room in your current budget for holiday spending, there are lots of
ways to make a little extra money between now and December. Consider getting a part-time job, or if possible, work overtime at your current job and set aside any extra money you earn. If making extra money at work isn’t possible, consider other options. Sell new and gently used items through a consignment store or hold a yard sale; you will earn money and clean out the house at the same time. Sell used books on Amazon.com or collectible items on sites such as eBay.com.
• Save your change — When you pay cash for something, save the change; it will add up quickly. Another great tip is every time you purchase
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a nonessential item such as a cup of coffee, commit to putting an equal amount in your savings account.
• Shop yard sales and thrift shops — You can pick up new and nearly new toys and other items throughout the year and store them for the holidays. You might also find the perfect gift that needs a little repair work, and you will have plenty of time to get it just right.
• Online shopping — Before you buy, search for discounts. Check sites such as www.retailmenot.com or www.couponcabin.com for coupon codes that can save you shipping charges or a percentage off your total purchase.
Dwight Chenette, David Goodlett, Sam Ellington
Michael Anderson To Perform Piano Concert Oct. 9 At WCS
Cypress Trails Students Learning Fitness And Safety
Cypress Trails Elementary School in Royal Palm Beach will participate in National Walk/Bike to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 7:30 to 7:50 a.m. (before school).
The school encourages all students to participate. For those who live too far away, school administrators ask that their parents drop them off at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center (100 Sweet Bay Lane), where parent volunteers will chaperone “walking school buses” to Cypress Trails. This event
will involve school crossing guards as well as the physical education team and volunteers.
In addition, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s pedestrian and bicycle safety course is being taught in physical education classes at Cypress Trails. Students are learning how to safely cross a street as well as bicycle rules and how to properly fit a bicycle helmet. For more information, call Cypress Trails at (561) 9049000.
By Julia Anderson Special to the Town-Crier
The Wellington Christian School family invites the community to a free piano concert of local published composer Michael Anderson on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. in the Wellington Presbyterian Church family worship center.
Anderson, 20, attended Wellington Christian School and is returning to play a benefit concert for the school’s secondary courtyard project.
The Masterpiece Christian
Fine Arts Foundation recently commissioned Anderson to compose the soundtrack for its art exhibit “Let There Be Light,” which is currently touring the United States.
Anderson’s music, described as “brilliant” by renowned composer Marvin Hamlisch, uniquely blends contemporary and classical music.
With three CDs already released, Anderson is currently completing his senior year at Lynn University, majoring in music composition.
Janet Ratty, volunteer coordinator at Wellington Christian School, is organizing the concert in which donations will be accepted for secondary courtyard project.
“Michael has graciously agreed to do this benefit concert to begin Phase I, which includes benches and picnic tables,” Ratty said. “My dream for the project is to create a warm, student-friendly area for middle and high school students to meet and socialize. There are few musical artists that have touched
my soul like Michael Anderson. Actually, I can only think of two others, and they both earn millions of dollars. I love to watch Michael enter his own world as he plays the piano. I close my eyes and feel myself floating in to that same peaceful place.” Wellington Presbyterian Church and Wellington Christian School are located at 1000 Wellington Trace. For more information, call the school at (561) 793-1017 or visit www.michaelanderson music.com.
Lowen Selected For Leadership Program
The King’s Academy recently announced that 11thgrade student Todd Lowen has been nominated by the secondary administration and selected by Youth Leadership to represent his school at the 2010 Youth Leadership of Palm Beach County.
The eight-month program is delivered free of charge each year to at least 45 high school juniors in Palm Beach County. It is a handson experience that acts as a laboratory for students to learn about current local issues and apply that experience to solving real-time local challenges. The purpose of the program is to identify and unite leaders from
diverse backgrounds and perspectives in order to increase their understanding of countywide issues and improve their ability to lead effectively. Students learn about local, state and federal issues by attending fullday sessions on topics including agriculture, the environment, health and human services, the media and the criminal justice system.
Lowen attended his first orientation meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 23. The faculty and staff at the King’s Academy are proud of his leadership skills and believe he will represent his school well.
For more information about the program, visit
www.leadershippbc.org/ youthleadership.
The King’s Academy is a nationally recognized interdenominational, independent Christian school serving approximately 1,200 students from preschool through 12th grade. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian Schools International and the Florida Association of Christian Schools.
The King’s Academy serves students and their families from across Palm Beach County at its main campus at Belvedere Road and Sansbury’s Way, and its satellite preschool campuses.
Seminole Ridge Literary Magazine ‘Mirage’ Earns High Marks
Mirage, Seminole Ridge High School’s annual literary magazine, recently received a “Gold Medalist” certificate from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association, Columbia’s highest ranking in its 2009 critique. The magazine also received an honor rating from the National Scholastic Press Association and an “All-Southern” rating from the Southern Interscholastic Press Association, SIPA’s highest rating. Copies of the 2009 issue of this studentproduced magazine are available from adviser Carly Gates in Room 7-118.
• Extended Guidance Hours — In an effort to effectively meet the needs of Seminole Ridge students, the guidance department has implemented extended hours, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The before- and after-school hours are for general questions about academic progress that any counselor can answer. Students who want to see their particular counselors should make appointments to see them during the school day.
tions this week through senior English classes. Seniors will receive information and literature on graduation requirements, grade point averages, scholarships and financial aid, testing, alternative education options and college/career planning.
• College and Career Night — Palm Beach Central High School in Wellington will hold College and Career Night on Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the school gym, featuring more than 150 colleges, universities, technical schools, military recruiters and apprentice programs.
Presenters will share their expertise and experience to assist students in establishing post-secondary goals. The event is free to the public and all high school students and their parents are welcome to attend.
• Scholarships — Hundreds of scholarships are available each year to seniors. For their convenience, the SRHS scholarship bulletin is posted regularly on Edline in the Guidance Department section under “Contents,” in classrooms and in the guidance office.
SRHS Swim Team On
Sept. 22, Seminole Ridge swimmers competed against both Palm Beach Central and Wellington high schools. The Lady Hawks defeated Palm Beach Central 53-47 but suffered a close 52-42 defeat to Wellington.
First-place relay finishes went to Jaymie Davis, Victoria Ho, Nicole Infinger and Kemeta Quammie in the 200meter medley relay, and Ho, Infinger, Quammie and Taylor Godfrey in the 400-meter free relay. Individual first places went to Jaymie Davis (100-meter backstroke), Brittany Godfrey (100 free), Tay-
The boys team lost to Palm Beach Central 58-43 and to Wellington 57-44.
and
the boys 400 free relay broke the school record with a time of 3:49.97.
Pianist and WCS graduate Michael Anderson
lor Godfrey (200 medley), Victoria Ho (200 free and 500 free) and Infinger (100 butterfly).
First-place finishes went to Eddie Batchelor (diving), Patrick Costan (200 medley and 400 free relays, 50 free and 500 free), Eric Dennis (200 medley and 400 free relays), Elijah Sherriffe (200 medley relay)
Patrick Soucy (200 medley relay and 400 free relay). In addition,
Todd Lowen
Royal Palm Beach Cub Scout Pack 120 held its first pack meeting of the new school year on Sept. 21 at its new home, the Harvin Center. The scouts learned about several upcoming camping trips and many of them received patches for attending pack activities over the summer. The scouts broke into groups to play games in keeping with the meeting’s theme, “Cub Scouts’ Pockets.” Cubmaster Ron Rice announced that Steve Taynor and Dave Elder will be the new assistant cubmasters. (Above left) Scouts receive their patches. (Above right) Rice and Taynor.
William Heidt Graduates Army ROTC Course
William M. Heidt recently graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as “Operation Warrior Forge,” at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Wash. The 32 days of training provide the best possible professional training and evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, admin-
istration and logistical support. Although continued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet’s officer potential as a leader by exercising the cadet’s intelligence, common sense, ingenuity and physical stamina.
The cadet command as-
NIKOLITS VISITS RPB ROTARY CLUB
Palm Beach County Property Appraiser Gary Nikolits recently spoke with members of the Rotary Club of Royal Palm Beach. Nikolits answered Rotarians’ concerns and explained how the rollback tax rate operates. The club meets every Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast at the Village Golf Course. For information about becoming a member, e-mail Joan Scherer at j-scherer @comcast.net. Pictured above is Nikolits with RPB Rotary President Keith Jordano.
sesses each cadet’s performance and progress in officer traits, qualities and professionalism while attending the course.
Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course. Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as
second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard or Reserve.
Heidt is a student at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. He is the son of Michael J. Heidt of Loxahatchee and brother of Jennifer Skoblicki of West Palm Beach.
Heidt is a 2005 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School.
Christopher Pridgen Graduates Basic Air Force Training
Air Force Airman Chris-
topher A. Pridgen recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
Pridgen completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and basic warfare principles and skills.
Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate’s degree in applied science through the Community College of the Air Force.
Pridgen is the son of
RPB’s James Cox Authors Book On World Peace
James Cox, an author, teacher and minister living in Royal Palm Beach, recently released a book titled Universal Peace and Harmony through PublishAmerica.
Cox’s book is available internationally and on the Internet at Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, Borders.com and also directly from the publisher. The book is also being distributed by Spring Arbor and is available in many religious and inspirational bookstores.
In his book, Cox describes his vision of a future world, in which all people on earth live in peace. His thesis is the blueprint for a new era in which capitalism is replaced by a utilitarian economic system based on service rather than profit. He also envisions one universal governmental system over the earth — the United States of the Earth. The new social/political/economic system’s foundation is built upon faith in God and love.
Cox explains that humanity is at a crossroads in time where it could prove to be the beginning of a new era of one thousand years of peace on earth, or it could be near the end of the world. It’s up to all
of us, he said, to decide what the fate of humanity will be. In the various chapters of his book, Cox writes about, history, sociology, education, government, economics, law and theology and also tells stories in the style of what he calls “parables,” small stories that teach a moral lesson. Cox said that he is currently writing a sequel to Universal Peace and Harmony, which he expects will be in the stores by Thanksgiving.
WHO’S NEW!
Sawyer Jerome
— son of
and
of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 15. Reagan Piper Clough — daughter of Nikki and Matt Clough of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 15.
Helayna Gardner — daughter of Katie Mulinix and Jason Gardner of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 17. Adriel Eduardo Gallardo — son of Luis and
Jacob Cade Tome — son of Juan and Margaux Tome of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on Sept. 18.
Sean Timothy Ledbetter — son of Merel and Heather Ledbetter of Palm Beach Gardens was born at Palms West Hospital on Sept. 19.
Dinow
Jaimie
Eric Dinow
Michelle Gallardo of Pahokee was born at Palms West Hospital on Sept. 17. Isabella Lynette Gonzalez — daughter of Carlos and Theresa Gonzalez of West Palm Beach was born at Palms West Hospital on Sept. 17.
Joanne Fritz of The Acreage and a 2009 graduate of Seminole Ridge High School.
Christopher Pridgen
James Cox
COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR
Saturday, Oct. 3
• The Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center will host its Third Annual Harvest Fest fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center on Forest Hill Blvd. The event will feature carnival games, pony rides and riding demonstrations. For more info., visit www.vinceremos.com or call (561) 792-9900.
• The Home, Health & Recreation Show will be held inside the Mall at Wellington Green on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 3 and 4. This consumer expo will have exhibitors showcasing products and services, as well as health screenings, face painting and more. For more info., call Michael Messing at (561) 8658800, ext. 4 or e-mail michael@placerite.com.
• The Wellington High School Boys Basketball Golf Tournament will take place Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Palm Beach Polo Golf Club. The 18-hole tournament begins at 7:30 a.m. with a complimentary continental breakfast, followed by a putting contest and a 9 a.m. shotgun start. The cost per golfer is $125. For more info., call Coach Matt Colin at (803) 439-5348 or e-mail matthew.colin@palmbeach. k12.fl.us.
• The Friends of Mounts Botanical Garden will hold a class on vegetable gardening from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach). Horticulturist Mike Page will teach how to successfully grow vegetables. The cost is $35 for members; $45 for nonmembers. For more info., call (561) 233-1757 or visit www.mounts.org.
• Palm Beach Community College’s Green Institute will hold its second annual Green Expo on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Education & Training Center at the Lake Worth campus. The expo brings together exhibitors promoting environmentally friendly products, services, technologies, education and practices. The free event is open to the public. Call (561) 868-3702 for details.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Drop-in Story Times: Fall Fan Faves” on Saturdays, Oct. 3, 10 and 17 at 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. for ages two and up. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
• The annual craft fair and bazaar Stitch Rock 2009 will take place on Saturday, Oct. 3 from noon to 6 p.m. at Old School Square (51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach). The event will include handmade crafts and unique products. General admission is $5; children 12 and under will be admitted free. For more info., visit www. rockthestitch.com.
• The Palm Beach County Horseman’s Association will host the Sand Shower Memorial Hunter Derby, featuring $1,000 in prize money, on Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center on Pierson Road in Wellington. The estimated start time is 1 p.m. at the Advanced Arena and the race is expected to last 90 minutes. Admission and parking are free. For more info., visit www.pbcha. org or call President Ann Root at (561) 866-9899. Sunday, Oct. 4
• Join the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association on Sunday, Oct.4 at 8 a.m. for a ninemile walk at Jonathan Dickinson State Park in Jupiter. Meet in the entrance parking lot. Be sure to bring water. Call Lois at (561) 4340373 or Mary at (561) 3917942 for more info.
• Nicole Hornstein Fun Day will be held on Sunday, Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park (formerly Hamlin Park). The event will feature a barbecue, bounce houses, water slide and trail rides. Call (561) 793-0874 for more info.
• A “Blessing of the Animals” will take place on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. at Jesus Our Savior Church (13771 Okeechobee Road, Loxahatchee Groves). All animals, large and small, are welcome along with their owners. Call Pat at (561) 584-4902 for info.
• St. Michael Lutheran Church (1925 Birkdale Drive, Wellington) will hold “Paws for a Blessing,” a
blessing of the animals, on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. Bring your pet to be blessed either leashed or confined in a carrier. Everyone is welcome to attend. The church asks that everyone bring canned pet food for a donation to the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League. For more info., call the church (561) 793-4999 or Donna Tagg at (561) 762-3185. Monday, Oct. 5
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Baby Story Time” on Mondays, Oct. 5, 19 and 26 at 9:30 a.m. for under nine months and 11:15 a.m. for ages 10 to 18 months. Babies will enjoy rhymes, finger plays, songs, books and toys. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
• The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 367 will meet on Monday, Oct. 5 at 11 a.m. at Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves). The auxiliary’s mission is to sponsor volunteer programs on the national and local levels, focusing on veterans, young people and the community. For more info., call Marge Herzog at (561) 791-9875.
• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host a luncheon on Monday, Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). The cost is $15 for members and $25 for non-members. RSVP to Anitra Harmon at (561) 790-6200.
• The Wellington Garden Club will meet on Monday, Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m. at the Wellington Community Center. The featured speaker will be Louise McCormick, whose topic is “Herbs: Medicine in Your Own Back Yard.” McCormick is a registered nurse and taught medical and surgical nursing at Barry University for 28 years. The public is invited. A light lunch will be served. RSVP to (561) 793-6013 or (561) 798-9217.
Tuesday, Oct. 6 • A Kidney Association of South Florida support group meets at Northlake Senior Center, one mile west of Military Trail on Northlake Blvd., on the first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. The next meeting is Tuesday, Oct. 6. Call Jan Symonette at (561) 622-3745 for info. Wednesday, Oct. 7
• Rocco’s Tacos (224 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach) will hold a celebrity bartending event benefiting the Arthritis Foundation on Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 6 to 8 p.m. All tips benefit the “Walk for Those Who Can’t” and “ARFF-ritis Dog Walk” scheduled for Nov. 14 at John Prince Park in Lake Worth. For info., call Susie Rhodes at (561) 833-1133. • Classes on “Designing, Creating & Maintaining Your Home Landscape” will be held on Wednesdays, Oct. 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail in West Palm Beach). The cost is $50 for members; $60 for nonmembers. For more info., call (561) 233-1757 or visit www.mounts.org.
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature the “Express Yourself: Book Discussion Series” on Wednesday Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. Sara Harris will lead a discussion of The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Call (561) 7906070 for more info. Thursday, Oct. 8 • The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a meeting of the Teen Advisory Group on Thursday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. for ages 12 to 17. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. Friday, Oct. 9
• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Science Club: Seed Anatomy & Morphology” on Fridays, Oct. 9 and 16 at 3 p.m. for ages eight and up. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.
• Local pianist and composer Michael Anderson will perform at the Wellington Presbyterian Church Worship Center on Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m. Admission is free. Donations will benefit the Wellington Christian School Courtyard Project. For more info., call Janet Ratty at (561) 793-1017. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@gotowncrier.com.
Despite Fourth-Quarter Gains, RPB Falls To Glades Central 34-22
By Paul Gaba Town-Crier Staff Report
Conventional wisdom when talking gridiron action is that when holding a large lead, a team will focus on the ground game, thereby eating up valuable time on the clock and forcing the opposition to play catch-up using a continual two-minute drill.
Someone forgot to inform the Glades Central varsity football coaching staff of this. The result: the Raiders still defeated Royal Palm Beach 34-22 on Friday, Sept. 25, but allowed the host Wildcats to tighten the score during the fourth quarter.
Royal Palm Beach trailed 34-7 early in the fourth quarter, but took advantage of sloppy play by Glades Central to make the final score interesting. The comeback was due partly to special teams — Jared Dangerfield returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown — and partly due to the Raiders’ insistence on putting the ball in the air continually down the stretch, leading to turnovers
— one of which resulted in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Malcolm Pendergrass to Javonti Greene late in the contest.
Glades Central dominated the first half, taking a 27-0 lead into halftime thanks in part to miscues by the rusty Wildcats (1-1), who were coming off back-to-back “bye” weeks — the first planned in the schedule, the second forced by injuries and illness to the Palm Beach Gardens’ football program.
Royal Palm Beach turned over the ball five times.
“The 21-day layoff had a definite impact on the team, especially early in the game,” the Wildcats’ first-year head coach Frank Kunf said. “It impacts new starters most, who have had limited or no experience to draw from. We should show steady improvement throughout the season.”
Midway through the opening quarter, Royal Palm Beach quarterback Malcolm Pendergrass opted to try and throw the ball away, rather than be sacked in his own end
zone by the Raiders’ Isiah Corbett for a safety. Unfortunately, the ball ended up in the diving hands of Raider Jamorris Rowley, and one play later, backup Glades Central quarterback Alanda Shaw — starting because regular quarterback L.J. Thomas was one of six Raiders benched for disciplinary reasons — hooked up with Demetrius Evans for a sixyard touchdown pass. The extra-point kick was no good, and Glades Central led 6-0.
The Raiders extended their advantage to 12-0 with just under two minutes left in the opening stanza, when Shaw, under heavy pressure from the Wildcat defense, heaved a desperation pass from deep in his own zone that found its way into Evans’ hands. The receiver was dragged down two yards from paydirt. Antwon Chisholm scored the first of his two rushing touchdowns on the next play.
Chisholm’s second rushing touchdown, a 10-yard scamper, came with 1:59 left in the half. After the Raiders forced
Royal Palm Beach into a three-and-out, Shaw connected with Edwin Alvin for a 27yard score as the first half came to closure.
Dangerfield finally got the home team on the scoreboard as time expired in the third quarter, diving into the end zone to secure a 27-yard strike from Pendergrass to close the gap to 27-7. The Raiders extended the lead back to 27 points when Tommie Regis took a fumble 46 yards early in the fourth quarter. “I was most pleased with our ability to run the ball against a very fast defense,” Kunf said when reflecting on the contest. “At this point in time, our offensive line is our greatest asset. Our biggest liability in this game was turnovers. When playing against this caliber of an opponent, mistakes with the ball result in an insurmountable obstacle.”
Royal Palm Beach will host Jupiter on Friday, Oct. 2 before heading to Lake Worth on Friday, Oct. 9. Both games are at 7 p.m.
GOLF TOURNEY FOR TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT A STEELER VICTORY
The drive to Sugarcane Golf Club in Belle Glade was about 30 minutes, and the check-in time was 7 a.m., but neither of those factors kept a large contingent of golfers from Wellington from showing their support for 12-yearold Skii Sumerall. The Sept. 12 tournament was held to raise money for the girl’s post-operative care following a liver transplant, and nearly 20 golfers from Wellington made the trek to lend their support. In all, nearly 60 golfers participated in the event. The tournament raised almost $9,000, but the best news the golfers received came a few days after the tournament was completed — a liver was found for young Sumerall, who underwent successful surgery at Jackson Memorial Hospital. (Above left) Wellington High School golf team members Madison Romesburg and Allison Parssi with WHS exchange student Juliette Quersin. (Above right) Jeannette Parssi, Karin Haligas, Janet Lisle and WHS girls golf head coach Laurie Bawinkel.
Pro Giants Remain Undefeated
The Giants scored on their first five possessions to back a defense that forced six turnovers and recorded their fifth shutout in six games in a 360 victory over the Dolphins in a Western Communities Football League Pro Division game last Saturday. The Giants (6-0) have outscored their opponents 1968, and they have done so with balance and contributions on both sides of the ball.
Four Giants contributed to the offense’s scoring output last Saturday, with Schnyder Rosier rushing for two touchdowns and 68 yards on five carries, while Josh Gutierrez scored twice on just three touches to total 45 yards rushing. Quarterback A.J. Pasquale threw a touchdown pass for the second game in a row, hitting Cody Sparling for a 20-yard scoring strike to open the day’s scoring. Pasquale also added a two-point conversion run, while Sparling was good on four extra-point kicks.
Defensively, the Giants got tackles from 12 different players, and the six turnovers were spread between six different players. Sparling and Malik Lansiquot each recovered a fumble, while Gutierrez, Rosier, Carrington Henderson and Sean Christensen all intercepted a pass. It was Henderson’s interception on the Dolphins’ opening possession that led to Gutierrez’s 13-yard touchdown run, and Sparling’s fumble recovery on the ensuing possession led to Rosier’s 20-yard scoring scamper, for a 22-0 Giants lead in the first quarter. Gutierrez had a team-leading seven tackles, including a sack and two in the backfield, to go along with his interception.
Linebacker Trevor Garnish and defensive end Austin Tolley had six tackles each, with Tolley recording one in the Dolphins’ backfield. Kevin Gibbons recorded five tackles, including a sack and one other for a loss, while Tristan Poston and Lansiquot had three tackles each. Sparling had a pair of tackles, while Kyle Maschi had a sack and a tackle for loss. Henderson, Rosier, Christensen and Di-
SPORTS BRIEFS
ego Francisco were the other Giants with tackles.
Prep Chargers
6-0 After Win Over Steelers
The Western Communities Football League Prep Chargers improved their record to 6-0 with a 28-12 victory against a tough Prep Steelers team.
On offense, the Chargers were led by fullback John Smith, who had 124 yards rushing on seven carries and two touchdown runs (18 yards and 50 yards). Running back Tre Jackson had 51 yards rushing on five carries and a 10-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Justin Kolnick had 68 yards rushing on five carries and a 56yard touchdown run. Running back Cole Martin had several key blocks to help his teammates run for touchdowns. The offensive line continued to create holes for the running backs.
The offensive line was led by Connor Worontsoff, Josh Rayfield, Nick Shibley, Brandon Schloss, Jackson Herrod, Hunter Wagner and Alex
Lawson. The defense continued its stellar play by limiting the tough Steeler running attack to only 12 points. The defense was led by linebacker Sammy Eagen (10 tackles), linebacker Jonathan Mogbo (eight tackles) and linebacker Gavin Hendrix, who recorded seven tackles and his first career interception.
Also contributing on defense were Andrew Sweat (six tackles), Bryan Zuver (three tackles), Jahcobi Neath (six tackles), Tre Jackson (five tackles), Reggie Williams (four tackles), Dylan Skinner (four tackles), Andrew Szrejter (six tackles), John Smith (five tackles), Cole Martin (one tackle), Jayson Martin (eight tackles) and Justin Kolnick (five tackles).
WCFL Varsity Falcons Shut Out Dolphins
Behind relentless pressure applied by its defensive frontline and quarterback Ben Schmickle’s four touchdown passes, the Western Communities Football League Varsity Falcons defeated the Var-
The Western Communities Football League Pro Steelers recently defeated the Cowboys in a defensive struggle 6-0. The only score of the game came in the first quarter when Justin Henry intercepted a pass and ran it back to the Cowboys’ six yard line. Two plays later, Shamar Jackson ran in for the score. The Steelers defense was led by team captain Daniel Downey. Justin Hunter, Tim Crawford, Erik Johnson, Mikey Howard and Marcus Rivera also played well for the Steelers. Standout players on the Cowboys team included Thomas Oporto, Chris Englert and Logan Reso.
sity Dolphins 32-0 in a hardfought battle.
Linebackers Luke Ferraro and Matias Gonzalez each made six tackles, fellow linebacker Anthony McAfee added five tackles, and several Falcons including Ian Posada, Connor Rogers and Jacob Guelli recorded sacks to lead the way for the defense.
Defensive linemen Jesse Schietz, Matt Miller and Nikolas LaFountain also made key tackles behind the line of scrimmage to keep the Dolphins’ dangerous rushing game in check.
Defensive back Jermaine Griffin made several hard tackles, Sterling Valentine had an interception and Ricky Sherrod batted away a pass as the Falcons secondary stopped the Dolphins passing attack. Miller and Posada each recovered a fumble in the contest.
On the offensive side, the Falcons’ balanced attack of 124 yards passing and 115 yards rushing was led by the solid blocking of offensive linemen Jordan Himelfarb, Brandon Guyn, Carson Hutchins, LaFountain and Gonzalez. Running back
Sherrod broke tackles throughout the game while rushing for 54 yards, and teammate McAfee added 52 yards on several cutback runs. Logan Rogers scored two touchdowns on passes from Schmickle in the first quarter, had 96 yards receiving for the game and also added two extra-point kicks for the Falcons. Valentine and Miller made great catches and were also on the receiving end of Schmickle touchdown passes. After a long cutback run by McAfee, the final score of the game came on a one-yard touchdown by Schmickle.
The Dolphins were led by standout athlete Jordan Stallings, quarterback Johnny Giordano and solid running backs Christian Shinn and Brendan Fonts. The offensive line of Grant Pignato, Austin Dempsey, Logan Brown, Jorge Ramos, Stephen Malcolm and Zach Perez played well for the Dolphins, and the defensive
Corey
unit of Alex Long, Joey Iannone,
Hernandez, Stuart Cohen, Bryce Wilson, Jeremy Jones and Mason Roe fought hard throughout the contest.
PHOTOS BY PAUL GABA/TOWN-CRIER
Glades Central’s Isiah Corbett and Royal Palm Beach’s Beau Jensen meet for the coin toss.
Royal Palm Beach quarterback Malcolm Pendergrass is nearly sacked by Glades Central’s Isiah Corbett.The Wildcat band performs on the field.
The Raiders’ Clive Walford is brought down by Royal Palm Beach’s Rashard Smiley and Beau Jensen.
Wildcat running back Javonti Greene makes a run.
Junk In My Garage: Come Fall, Your Days Are Numbered
Tomorrow I’m going to clean out the garage. As part of my “fall cleaning” ritual, I will drag everything out onto the driveway and bring only half of it back in.
That’s the plan, anyway.
I will get up bright and early, and since I don’t drink coffee, I will ingest copious amounts of chocolate as a pick-me-up. I will don my scruffies (read: the favorite clothes in my closet) and head out there to do battle.
The accumulation will hear me coming and tremble in terror, wondering who’s going to make the cut. The bicycle? Yes, the bicycle always stays, mostly as a taunting reminder of all the exercise I’m supposed to be getting. The lawnmower? Yes, it stays too even though I’d often like to get rid of it. The toolbox with “Deb’s” marked on it? Yes, my toolbox stays because it always occupies the exact same space, organized and convenient for anyone who needs a tool for any purpose, day or night. (“Deb” doesn’t seem to spend as much time
Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER
using her tools as she does tracking them down and putting them back in the box, but that’s a column for another day.) So three things make the cut right there. The rest is going to come under some wicked scrutiny. That’s the plan, anyway.
I shift the dial-o-meter on my heart from “warm & fuzzy” to “relentless” and start my work in the northeast corner. To the driveway I haul: two pairs of gardening shoes, three galvanized pails, a half-bag of fertilizer, a small rake, a large rake and a medium-sized
rake. I heave a still-functional microwave (circa 1986) onto the dolly and roll it out. I lug a huge box of white cotton fabric I may need “someday” down the drive and kick a few decorative bricks to the curb.
I continue my purge along the east wall, ridding the shelving of half-empty paint cans, aerosol barbecue cleaners and enough WD40 to make Lady Liberty drop her torch. I take all the plastic shoeboxes (meticulously labeled “screws,” “nails,” “electrical parts,” “plumbing parts” etc.) and set them down under a tree where I will eventually have to re-sort everything.
That’s the plan, anyway.
An hour and a half later, I will have reached the summit (back at the northeast corner again) and be rewarded with a drop-dead gorgeous, 99.9-percent clean garage.
The driveway, however, will look like I’m being evicted. So now comes the hard part. The bike,
lawnmower and toolbox are restored to their original homes, and I think I hear the bike’s rear tire breathe a sigh of relief. (It turns out to be a nail – the 0.1 percent.) I bring back only the small and large rakes but, really, the medium-sized rake is the one I always use. I’ll get rid of the large one. No, I need that for moving dirt. I’ll get rid of the small one. No, I need that for getting under the bushes. OK, the rakes come in. I need all my rakes. And there’s nothing wrong with that fertilizer. And a cousin of my best friend’s neighbor mentioned needing a microwave. And I could transform an entire kindergarten class into ghosts with that fabric. In, in, in. And so it goes, right up until nightfall. Worried about dew, I haul in the remaining items and realize my trash heap contains nothing but three bricks. Not much of a purge. But let’s not be negative. I’ll finish this up tomorrow. That’s the plan, anyway.
‘Surrogates’ Questions Perfection Of World We’re Creating
Interaction is one of the key things that makes us human, or is it? We live in a world where people often prefer texting to talking, and computer games offer a substitute for reality. The new film Surrogates takes the idea one step further. People live at home in their bathrobes and carry on their lives through robotic surrogates. The robots are beautiful, strong and seemingly indestructible. Sex is easy and casual; people aren’t using their own bodies, and all the other bodies look great, and they can experience every nuance without fear of harm. Crime essentially disappears, people are all happy. Then things start to go wrong when a surrogate is destroyed, because its “operator” dies too.
Policeman Tom Greer (Bruce Willis) works
‘I’ On CULTURE
By Leonard Wechsler
that case, bewildered like everyone else that the destruction of a surrogate could kill its operator. He soon discovers that the robots all seem to have poker faces and lie very easily. Greer must tackle the case using his own body, and begins to ponder whether living through a robot is actually living.
The question is fascinating. As we spend
more time in home cocoons using modern electronics for so many needs, we are cutting ourselves off from others. The problem the people in the film have is in some ways not much different. There are few highs and lows when you can live your life through another body. You can build a robot that can hit a golf ball like Tiger Woods, but when it scores a hole in one, you won’t feel the same thrill as if you had really done it yourself.
Ironically, people using surrogates in the movie obviously preferred them. But then again, why shouldn’t we each have the looks we desire, the stamina, the energy? And once we have it, why not live a wild life? But the real question might be whether we are actually living.
The film deals with issues like that, but stays
on track to preserve its entertainment value. Willis is good, although his own surrogate looks a bit ridiculous wearing a blond wig. But as himself, the tough middle-aged cop, able to feel pain and to remember what life was like when he was out by himself, he was the Bruce Willis of old.
It seems a wonderful world, and the people of Surrogates seem to adore it. Why not make sure your children are safe because they stay home and their surrogates are indestructible? Why not have a body that can do whatever you ask of it?
And yet the question in the film is whether this kind of perfection is worth it. The film gnaws away at the issue in a way that is fun and provokes thought. I liked it. If you like to think, you might too.
My Introduction To The Dangers Of Home-Makeover Shows
My wife Sharon and I no longer watch TV together. This started a couple of years ago when she decided to watch one channel and one channel only. It didn’t matter what they were showing, she had to watch this channel. She gave up watching all of her soap operas because of it. The channel is Lifetime.
A couple of times I have tried watching Lifetime, but it seemed to me they showed nothing but love stories, one right after another. They also seemed to repeat themselves quite often. If this was my wife’s only flaw where TV is concerned, I could live with that.
But a very strange thing happened to my wife’s viewing habits about six months ago. She does admit it began when she committed an error with the remote. Instead of hitting 24 to watch Lifetime, she hit 26 by mistake and found herself watching HGTV. She now watches HGTV more than Lifetime. At first glance, I thought this change in her viewing habits was harmless. In fact, I was now happy she was actually watching
Wondering & Wandering
By Ernie Zimmerman
two channels instead of one. That happiness didn’t last long. I started to notice, very slowly, things starting to change around my house. At first they were very small, but now major changes are starting to appear.
The first change I noticed was the mantle on my fireplace (which has never been used). All the photos of my kids that were on the mantle have disappeared. They had been sitting on this perch for over 20 years. They have been replaced by two very large candles, a vase and a red thing that in my opinion you
would wave at an oncoming train while walking along the tracks. At first, I didn’t say anything to my wife. But then I started to notice other additions and subtractions around the (my?) house.
A very expensive reading lamp that sat behind my couch was gone. It was replaced by another lamp that almost could pass as its twin. I then noticed there were about five more “throw pillows” on the couch in the living room (this is a couch that no one has been allowed to sit on for more than 20 years). Also showing up was a new centerpiece for my almost-brand-new dining room table (candles on each side, a glass bowl loaded with silver plastic balls) and a brand-new tablecloth. Artificial flowers appeared by and above the front and at the rear door. Also making their debut in the living room were new candles and a bowl on the coffee table, and a box of candles that look like candy... and of course, more fake flowers.
In my bedroom and the kids’ bedrooms I
found more bowls loaded with some type of brown plastic balls. Also very large, expensive-looking candles in each room.
When I finally got the nerve to ask my wife what was going on, she gave me her famous look, and then explained what a great TV channel HGTV is. It had given her a lot of ideas and taught her how to do so many things around the house, she said. She showed me all sorts of tools she got for herself. She went on to brag about how she put the new lamp in the living room together all by herself. She then told me I hadn’t seen anything yet. She told me she was getting ready to start a project in the half-bathroom near the kitchen. (I can hardly wait.)
The good thing out of all of this is that my wife has expanded her horizons by not watching as much Lifetime as she used to. Now if I could only get her to watch The Daily Show then maybe she would develop a sense of humor. (Well, I can dream, can’t I?)
FEATURES
Gold Coast Feed Can Help Keep Your Horse Properly Fed
Gold Coast Feed & Supply has been providing hay and feed to area equestrians for more than 15 years. The company used to be located in trailers right on the show grounds. For the past three years, it has had a more traditional store at South Shore Blvd. and Pierson Road near the Tackeria. Michael Morrissey is the owner, and his son Matt is the accountant. The store is co-managed by Beverly Rys and Barbara Stanfield.
The dog-friendly store (treats are kept handy) offers a great selection of hay, feed from Nutrina and Pennfield, bedding, some basic horse supplies and supplements, dog collars and leashes, and flea preparations for dogs and cats. For humans, there are homemade preserves and pancake syrups brought down from Georgia.
“We offer some of the best feed and hay in the area,” Stanfield said. “And we have great customer relationships. If someone calls in an order, I can usually identify them just by their voice. Also, all of us have been in horses, riding and showing, most of our lives, so we can help people out and advise them knowledgeably if they have questions or problems, especially when it comes to a horse’s special nutritional needs.”
South Florida is one of the hardest places to keep horses. The grass is not especially nutritious, and between too much rain and not enough, it’s hard to maintain a healthy pasture. Horses are foragers and should be eating and grazing all day long. That’s not always possible here, so making sure a horse has the right kinds and amounts of hay and feed are critical. Most horses are fed hay and grain twice daily, morning and evening, and some get additional hay at noon.
“All of our hay comes from Canada,” Stanfield explained. “We get a variety of hays so we can match each horse’s needs. Some bales are straight timothy, both first and second
Budget PBCFR Costs?
continued from page 1 willing to give it a try for six months.
“If we haven’t saved $150,000 by that point, we need to make some adjustments,” she said.
But Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore noted that longer and fewer shifts and increased worker productivity had been documented in the healthcare field.
He also noted that keeping the gym open an extra day for just a few people would be an expensive proposition. “It takes five of our people working there to keep that gym open,” he said. “So you’ve got five employees there to keep the gym open on a Friday night for ten kids. Let me
Inspector Several Proposals
continued from page 1 civic groups including the Economic Council of Palm Beach County, the Business Forum of Palm Beach County, Leadership Palm Beach County and the Voters Coalition are lobbying for a different approach.
Economic Council President and CEO Mike Jones said the group is urging the creation of an independent ethics commission, made up of volunteers with professional qualifications including law enforcement, auditing, finance or business management, to set policy and hire or fire an inspector general.
“The ethics commission and the inspector general would assume jurisdiction immediately over the county government’s operations,” Jones told the Town-Crier Thursday, “but we have structured it in such a way that other taxing authorities, the school district, individual cities, other taxing districts, could voluntarily submit to the authority of this countywide ethics commission if they are willing to help the county share in the cost of the function.”
But Santamaria said members of the business community shouldn’t have the power to appoint or fire an inspector general.
“You have government that was paid off by business; they’re both guilty,” he said. “The giver and receiver are
Blotter continued from page 6 locks. The stolen items were valued at approximately $450. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report. SEPT. 26 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a home on Hawthorne Place last Saturday regarding a burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8:30 p.m. last Friday and 8:30 a.m. the following morning,
Tales From The Trails
By Ellen Rosenberg
cutting; some are straight alfalfa, which is a very rich hay. Most people go with a timothy/alfalfa mix [“T&A”], and we also have a nice soft orchard grass/alfalfa mix. Most of our bales weigh between 50 and 55 pounds.”
So what’s the difference between these hays, and how does one decide what’s best for a particular horse? Stanfield explained that a lot of it has to do with protein. Alfalfa can have up to 28 percent protein, which is really high and more than many horses need. Plus, if a horse isn’t used to such a rich diet, it can founder, a condition that basically destroys its hooves, is painful and sometimes fatal.
“We don’t sell a lot of straight alfalfa,” Stanfield said.
Straight timothy runs about 11-12 percent protein and is high in fiber, which is good. T&A, the hay most commonly fed in South Florida, runs 13-14 percent protein.
“Some horses need to gain or lose weight, and that can determine how much of which kind of hay to feed,” Stanfield said. “Also, some horses are very picky eaters and only like a certain kind of hay. There’s nothing worse than spending a lot of money on hay that looks great to you, only to have your horse sniff it and turn away, leaving it uneaten.”
Stanfield said many people shop for hay with their eyes, looking for a fresh green color and turning down hay that looks more brownish. But horses are colorblind, and smell has more to do with taste. Good hay should
expound on that, having sat here longer than anyone else on this dais. I can’t tell you how many times over the years we’ve attempted to provide services of one kind or another for the eight- to 16year-olds, because they’re the ones without the vehicles. Unsuccessful.”
The only resident to offer comment on the budget was Alan Medoff, a member of the village’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board. Medoff took the council to task for quibbling over small savings measures when it was throwing millions away though its arrangement with Palm Beach County FireRescue.
“The officials at Fire-Rescue themselves have labeled Wellington as a donor city,” he said. “For those of you who don’t understand that, that means we’re paying in
both guilty, not just the one who received the money, but the one who gave the money are both guilty equally to me in my book. That has not been addressed. The guilty parties cannot be the ones selecting the inspector general.”
Santamaria said he would rather the inspector general were selected by a committee that includes members of the judicial branch, the state attorney, and possibly the public defender and the state attorney general.
“The starting point should be our judicial system, the judicial system meaning our judges, starting with the chief judge in Palm Beach County, including some retired judges,” he said. “I would like the judicial system to oversee who gets into that independent body, not the county commissioners, not the staff of the county and not special interests.”
All interested parties and the general public are welcome to give input, Santamaria said.
“Everybody should contribute, but whoever selects the inspector general should be none of the above, it should be not the government and not special interests, because they’re the ones who are going to be checked on,” he said.
In the coming month, Santamaria said, he would select what he considers good points from everyone who wants to contribute to the process and also throw in his own thoughts. “What I will do is I will take from MiamiDade ordinance the recommendations of our county
someone pried open the front door of the home and stole two flat-screen TVs, a laptop, liquor, and diamond and gold jewelry. The victim was away at the time of the burglary, and a family member was watching the home. According to the report, the family member secured the house last Friday night and found the door wide open Saturday morning. The stolen items were valued at approximately $4,400. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but
have a sweet smell and not be too tough or full of thick stems.
When a load of hay, typically 500-600 bales, arrives at Gold Coast, warehouse manager Pedro Villa checks it for moisture content with a handheld meter. He sticks the metal probe into the center of random bales, some in the front of the truck, some in the center, and some toward the back. The meter measures moisture from zero to 30 percent. Only hay with a level of 12 to 20 percent is accepted. “It has to do with when the hay is cut and baled up north,” Stanfield explained. “It has to cure and settle in a barn for a time. Because of South Florida’s high humidity, hay with too much moisture can mold, which can sicken or kill a horse. Too little moisture and the hay’s dry and crunchy, which most horses don’t like. If the moisture content’s off, we send the load back.”
All of the hay at Gold Coast is certified and guaranteed. If there’s a problem, the hay can be returned or exchanged by customers, no questions asked.
Feed offers extra energy and nutrition. Protein content can be anything from 10 percent to 14 percent. Again, feeding too rich a mixture can cause severe problems. Most backyard trail and pleasure horses do well with 10 percent, performance horses in hunter/jumper or dressage may go for 10 to 12 percent, and high energy sports like polo and racing may go for 12 or 14 percent. Stanfield suggests a special broodmare and yearling feed of 14 percent for lactating mares and their foals.
“Usually, the better quality and more complete your feed, the less you have to worry about extra supplements,” Stanfield said. “And always, if changing a horse’s feed, it must be done gradually, adding the old and new together, then gradually increasing the new while eliminating the old. You want to
carefully monitor the horse’s weight, coat and attitude to make sure the new feed agrees with him. Horses have really delicate digestive systems.”
Customer Michael Whitlow, a horse owner and a Wellington resident since 1989, gives Gold Coast high marks. “My horse is 18.2 hands and eats a lot,” he said. “The service here is great, and they always have excellent products. They take very good care of me and my horse.”
Stanfield said the store is running some great specials on selected Pennfield feeds. “Now through Oct. 16 you can buy one bag and get one free,” she said. “That’s a tremendous savings. Also, new customers get a tenpercent discount off their first order of any supplements.”
Gold Coast Feed & Supply is located in the Saddle Club Shops at 13501 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington, and is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free delivery from Jupiter to Coconut Creek is available six days a week. For more info., call (561) 793-4607.
more money than we are receiving in services. The fire millage rate for this year is 3.458 mills. You are voting on a rate tonight of 2.5 mills. The fire millage rate alone is 40 percent higher than the entire millage rate for the Village of Wellington.”
Medoff charged that Wellington had squandered at least $50 million since 1996 by overpaying for county fire-rescue service. He said he expected the council would continue to do nothing to address the inequity, but warned that those council members who aspire to higher office would find trouble over the issue. “The full court press is on,” he said.
Mayor Darell Bowen suggested that staff generate some information and analysis on the cost to Wellington of its status as a donor community, and the village’s op-
administration,” he said, adding that he will also take ideas from the business/civic coalition.
Santamaria said he feels an inspector general’s office would have prevented most of the incidents that gained Palm Beach County the moniker “Corruption County.”
“There’s always going to be a smart crook who will circumvent the best system, but eventually even those smart crooks are going to get caught,” he said. “I feel that had this system been in place five, six, seven, eight years ago, we would have prevented 80 percent of the crime that has been committed to date, and that’s a big improvement.”
In addition to crime, the inspector general should also seek out inefficiency and wasteful spending, Santamaria said. “It’s also going to stop inefficiency,” he said. “They’re going to be guiding government activities not to be wasteful and not to be inefficient, so there are all of those benefits in addition to preventing crime.”
Santamaria mentioned county negotiations on a new landfill site as a situation an inspector general would look at closely. “I’m dumbfounded that we’re considering purchasing two properties for almost four times the appraised value,” he said. “An inspector general would not have allowed that to even begin.”
Santamaria also feels that the county’s program of transferable development rights (TDRs) is being
there were no suspects at the time of the report. SEPT. 27 — A Royal Palm Beach woman was arrested early Sunday morning after a traffic crash on State Road 7. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 2:30 a.m., 27-year-old Josephine Walker was involved in a crash at the intersection of State Road 7 and Southern Blvd. Walker was found to have a suspended license and was listed as a habitual traffic offender. She was arrested at the scene and
tions in addressing the situation. “There’s no question he’s right,” Bowen said. “We are up here quibbling about $300,000 here, $136,000 there, and we’re talking about millions in the fire-rescue thing. How many millions, I don’t know, but I’d like to know. And I think it’s time we found that out.”
But Priore noted that it was clear when the village incorporated that it would get the best fire protection by making an arrangement with PBCFR. He said he would like to see a better deal on fire-rescue services, but acknowledged that the county service provides more resources than the village itself could obtain. He said the option is available to go through the “long and tedious process” of calculating what a municipal fire department would cost.
abused. TDRs, which can be bought and sold like commodities, allow developers to increase development density on one property in exchange for the preservation of another. But Santamaria noted that the county is selling TDRs worth $50,000 each to developers for a dollar if they build workforce housing units, which Santamaria said are no longer needed because property devaluation has made homes more affordable.
“We’re supposed to recoup these tens of millions of taxpayers’ money by selling the development rights, and we’re giving it away under the guise of workforce housing,” he said. “It’s just insane. I’m sure the inspector general would have stopped that. Some of it may not be a crime, but it’s wrong.”
Santamaria encouraged members of the public to voice their opinions in the ensuing months. “It’s only when the people are apathetic and stay home that these things are allowed to happen,” he said. “We’ve got to keep the culprits out; the people who were responsible for all of these anomalies of the past must not be involved in selecting the inspector general.”
The Palm Beach County School Board, Palm Beach County League of Cities, Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation and the county commission are scheduled to review the county’s draft ordinance in a joint workshop on Oct. 28 at the Clayton Hutcheson Agricultural Center.
taken to the county jail.
SEPT. 27 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to a call Sunday regarding a vehicle theft. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 2:30 p.m. last Saturday the victim went into the Citgo gas station at the corner of Lake Worth Road and State Road 7 and left his 2010 Chevy Impala running. When he exited, the car was gone. There were no suspects at the time of the report.
“But keep thinking in mind what it would cost to purchase and buy those stations, what it would cost to man those stations, what it would cost you on a regular basis to do that. Look at the cities in Palm Beach County that are comparable to Wellington and look at what they pay for their fire-rescue and what we pay. We pay more, absolutely. But we also get the benefits that go along with that.” The budget was approved on a 4-1 vote, with Benacquisto opposed because of the millage rate increase.
On Tuesday, Wellington honored payroll specialist Joy Huggard, who was instrumental in the implementation of the village’s early retirement initiative, as Employee of the Month.
Madrid Public Input
continued from page 1 li said his decision would not be swayed by people from outside the village.
“I want a record kept of everyone who speaks, their name and address,” he said.
“My vote will not be based on comments made by people from outside the village.”
Mayor David Lodwick agreed with the need to focus primarily on La Mancha residents
“This is a decision we need to reach with the input of the residents of La Mancha,” he said. “They will be singularly impacted. It’s the type of meeting that, I won’t say we’re not used to having, but not a pleasant meeting because in the end it will be pitting neighbor against neighbor, and that’s never a good position. But a decision has to be made, and that’s what we’re here to do.”
Lodwick suggested meeting at the cultural center rather than village hall because of anticipated turnout. “I think there will be a large amount of interest at this meeting,” he said, suggesting that the Madrid connection be the only item discussed that night.
“I don’t think you could fit
Pipeline Lox Groves Road Work
continued from page 7 cussing the possibilities of using reclaimed water for fire suppression with county officials. Noting that cooperation, he said he also had environmental concerns about the project, particularly FPL’s plan to take whatever wastewater remains after cooling and inject it into the Lower Floridan Aquifer, below drinking water sources.
“My question to FPL is about migration into the Upper Floridan,” Louda said. “I would like FPL to keep in the back of their minds what would happen if they get an upward leak. It has happened in Davie. Even their consultant has found an upward leak in a project in Dade County.”
the number of residents who want to discuss this in this building,” Lodwick said. “I think you would have people overflowing out onto the patio. We’d do a better job having a room where people would be comfortable and have their voice heard.” Lodwick suggested having the meeting at 7 p.m. on the Thursday night after the next regular council meeting, which would be Oct. 22, if the cultural center is available, and invite La Mancha residents with a direct mail-out.
“I think you will be surprised at the number of people who want to have a voice in this,” Lodwick said. Webster agreed that there would be a large turnout. She suggested giving each speaker a three-minute time limit.
“I know there are many who have said they want the opportunity to speak, and that’s what we need to do, allow them to speak,” Webster said. “Individually, if each council member determines they want to measure what they have to say and weigh into their decision, that’s an individual choice, but we owe this to the residents to have an open and well-publicized meeting.”
While the council agreed on Oct. 22 as the preferred date, it was not finalized as the Town-Crier went to press.
Shields said in that situation, the county would likely correct the problem by drilling a new deep-injection well. The issues in Davie and in Dade County had been resolved, he said. Louda’s other concern was that the county would be running the pipeline beyond the actual terminus of Okeechobee Blvd., along the right of way for the proposed extension of the road. He asked for assurances that no extension of Okeechobee Blvd. is planned. “Way before we incorporated, we were fighting the extension of Okeechobee,” Louda said. Shields said there are no plans for any new roadways, but noted that the county still needed to get easements from two property owners west of Lion Country Safari. “Other than that, we have access,” he said.
