Town-Crier Newspaper September 12, 2008

New Memorial Garden In RPB Honors Public Safety Workers

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington Makes Rules On Rental Units Permanent

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington Village Council on Tuesday re-adopted on a permanent basis an ordinance requiring the licensing and inspection of rental units.

The village has taken a cautious and experimental approach to regulating rental properties in Wellington. First enacted in 2006 on a time-limited basis, the ordinance was most recently extended last February for six months. It requires yearly registration, licensing and inspection mainly of apartment-type rental units, and is intended to maintain minimum housing standards, preserve the village’s housing stock and encourage property owners to maintain and improve their property.

cil pass it as is, and then review it again next year.

Schofield said that when the ordinance was originally proposed, the village wasn’t having a problem with single-family homes, but skyrocketing foreclosures have complicated that situation.

“We are seeing a proliferation of single-family units,” he said. “I do think at some point we will have to look at single-family homes. I would suggest we come back to you after the first of the year.”

Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto made a motion to approve the ordinance, which was seconded by Priore. It passed unanimously 5-0.

Also Tuesday, the council adopted an ordinance intended to shorten the village’s waiting time before taking action against dilapidated buildings.

Features Puerto Rican Folk Dance Lessons At Boys & Girls Club

The Puerto Rican Organization for Cultural Enhancement

too hard and way too often for Wellington’s gridiron squad during the Friday, Sept. 5 contest at Wellington High School. The Hawks came away with a 62-6 victory in the game, which opened the regular season for both teams. Page 27

Business

New Royal Gymnastics

Owner Brings Decades Of Experience To Area Andrei Tsaregorodtsev, the new owner of Royal Gymnastics in Wellington, said he intends to focus on gymnastics students at all levels and of all ages, and pay more attention to young preschoolers while encouraging them to have fun at the same time. Page 32

Local dignitaries joined law enforcement and fire-rescue personnel Thursday morning at Royal Palm Beach Veterans Park to commemorate the events of Sept. 11, 2001. As part of the village’s tribute to those who work to ensure the public’s safety, a new memorial garden was unveiled, dedicated in their honor. Sculptor Frank Vega and artist Sharon Logan were recognized for their care in crafting the design and execution of the garden’s statue, which had plaques representing the history of law enforcement and firerescue in Royal Palm Beach.

Officials from Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office joined RPB Vice Mayor Fred Pinto to unveil the statue. A wreath was presented by County Commission Jess Santamaria and RPB Mayor David Lodwick. “Taps” was performed by Royal Palm Beach’s Community Band, and the invocation and closing remarks were made by Pastor James Shackelford of the PBSO.

Mayor David Lodwick said that like the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, everyone remembers where they were seven years ago when America was attacked. Unveiling the sculpture at Veterans

Park is the community’s way of recognizing the valuable services law enforcement and fire-rescue personnel played that day, he said.

“We watched our fire-rescue and police officers run in and not out,” Lodwick said. “Certainly one of the moments you will remember — what struck me on that day — was the number of people who had family members or knew someone closely and directly who lost their lives that day; whether it was a fireman, a police officer or someone going to work that day. It was a tragic day for America, but hopefully this will be a day where we remember and hopefully respect public servants.”

County Commissioner Jess Santamaria said this is a topic that he has held close to his heart his entire life.

“The people we are honoring today are people whom I have the highest amount of respect and admiration for,” Santamaria said. “Today is an important event. But I would like those of us, the ordinary citizens and elected officials, to realize that we have to do more than once a year, to recognize the importance of law enforcement and fire-rescue. We have to compensate them appropriately.”

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said that as horrendous an event as 9/11 was, there were some good things that came out of it. It galvanized and united the country.

“People came together,” Bradshaw recalled. “People

The ordinance had required property owners to pay the village a $75 annual registration fee for each unit, as well as a $25 inspection fee. The rules apply mainly to apartment-style units, while freestanding houses are exempt.

Changes to the latest version of the ordinance waive subsequent license and inspection fees if the ownership of the rental unit does not change.

Mayor Darell Bowen said that he was initially opposed to the ordinance because he is a strong advocate of personal property rights. “You guys have convinced me,” he told village staff. “The statistics on this were overwhelming. I am happy to see we won’t charge them to do a renewal fee. The thing I wanted to see us do is do more enforcement on the ones who have not registered.”

The staff report noted that since the ordinance was enacted, some 1,357 property owners have received a rental license or are awaiting one, but that more than 600 property owners have not responded to the village.

Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore said he wanted the village to take quick action against those who had not registered. “The longer we take to locate the 600, the more of a problem it will be,” he said. “I can’t say it strongly enough.”

Village Manager Paul Schofield and code enforcement official Rose Taliau said the village is taking 50 at a time to the special magistrate to take action on them. Several are facing foreclosure proceedings, Taliau said, and one has 17 units.

Councilman Bob Margolis said he had been working long and hard on the issue, and commended village staff for taking the criticism that was generated among landlords when he first proposed the ordinance. “It was not my intention to put undue burdens on landlords,” he said. “I was searching for a way to rectify the situation.”

Margolis and Councilman Matt Willhite also suggested amending the ordinance to include single-family homes, but Bowen suggested that the coun-

The ordinance addresses proliferating cases of dilapidation or abandonment of buildings due to the housing market and increasing foreclosures. While the village’s nuisance abatement code previously allowed the village to periodically mow the lawns of overgrown properties, it did not address unoccupied properties that become dilapidated or have unsecured swimming pools. The amendment allows the village to make basic repairs, such as boarding up broken windows and doors, and securing swimming pools, after which a lien would be placed against property for the repair costs.

Bowen said he was pleased to see the ordinance had been drafted, as it currently takes the village 60 to 90 days to address such structures, and the new ordinance would cut it down to 25 to 30 days.

Priore said he was pleased with inclusion of a provision that the notice of violation be posted on the property. “We are letting people know that there is a problem and we are addressing it,” he said. “People will drive by and see it, and they will see we are taking care of it. That will have a lot of impact on overall results.”

Margolis asked how many structures in the village would be subject to the measures in the ordinance, and Taliau said a survey is in progress.

“We are in the process of inventorying them,” she said. “We will keep an eye on those and see what happens. There are more and more becoming vacant. Whether they will be broken into is anyone’s guess.”

Margolis asked about enforcement of the ordinance in rental communities. Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz said that if somebody owns ten units, and one is in violation, the village would use the ordinance against the one, and not the other nine. After further discussion, Benacquisto made a motion for approval, which was seconded by Margolis and passed unanimously.

Committee Member, Village At Odds Over Drainage In Basin B

By Carol Porter and Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

A village official and a member of one of Wellington’s advisory committees are at odds on the quality of drainage in the village’s equestrian area in the wake of Tropical Storm Fay. Brad Scherer told fellow members of the Wellington Equestrian Committee on Wednesday that rainfall in Wellington from Fay qualified as a 100-year rain event, and that properties in the village’s southern area of equestrian estates suffered from standing water for nine days after the storm, posing ruinous conditions for polo fields and stables.

Scherer said the situation was the direct result of a costly rerouting of phosphorus-laden surface water from southern Wellington, which was once drained directly into the Everglades, into filtration marshes around Wellington as part of the Everglades restoration effort. He charged that the land stayed flooded because Wellington’s agreement with the South Florida Water Management District on the stormwater rerouting prevents it from using pumps that formerly drained the area. Scherer said the village has a responsibility to ensure adequate drainage as a critical life

See DRAINAGE, page 18

Recalling 9/11 — Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick (right) speaks at the Thursday unveiling of a statue at Veterans Park honoring law enforcement and fire-rescue workers. PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Royal Palm Beach Vice Mayor Fred Pinto and Councilwoman Martha Webster with Sheriff Ric Bradshaw at the dedication.

ITID Officials Want Money Returned To Acreage Projects

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Palm Beach County’s midyear adjustment of the five-year road program on Tuesday drew vehement objections from Indian Trail Improvement District officials, who argued they would lose road improvement funding that would instead benefit countywide mass transit.

In a preliminary 6-1 vote, the Palm Beach County Commission removed about $9.9 million worth of improvements to Seminole-Pratt Whitney Road and Northlake Blvd. from the fiveyear road plan in favor of upgrades to the county’s mass transit system. A public hearing and final vote is scheduled for Sept. 23.

According to the staff report, the commission decided in June that some of the gas tax money from the county’s five-year road plan should benefit the Palm Tran or Tri-Rail mass transit systems.

On Tuesday, ITID President Mike Erickson raised objections that most of the redirection was from planned improvements to roads in his district.

“If you’re looking to gut it out of the five-year plan, I hope you’re looking for ways to fund what engineering described as a half a billion dollar backlog,” Erickson said. “To continue to strip the five-year program out of our community and only our community on some issues, I just can’t agree with it. I don’t support it and I’m totally against what has been done in this midyear review.”

ITID Administrator Chris King requested that Northlake Blvd. and Seminole Pratt Whitney improvements not be removed from the five-year road plan.

I think we need to be keeping some foresight into seeing how we can proceed with getting these roads developed and that we do not have this issue five or ten years down the road.” Santamaria asked for someone to explain the logic of the shift in funding, noting that the commission had recently approved CRALLS (Constrained Roadway at Lower Levels of Service) designations for roads in the western communities.

“Nobody is going to argue that our roads are over capacity,” Santamaria said. “The proof of that is when we have development before us we have to approve CRALLS. We have to be over capacity in order to approve development. We have to circumvent concurrency by CRALLS. So here we are on one hand approving additional density in the west. We recently approved Callery-Judge [Grove] and there are several other developments that are before us in the next six to 12 months. Our roads are over capacity, and we are removing roads from the five-year plan.”

Commissioner Jeff Koons said one of the reasons for the shift was that due to the construction slowdown, the county had not collected the $76 million in impact fees it had anticipated last year, and that only $13 million had actually come in. Santamaria asked staff to explain how they could reinsert the deleted road improvements in the five-year road plan.

“We’ve had about $9.9 million taken out of the budget specifically proposed to go to mass transit,” King said. “Unfortunately, none of our residents use mass transit. It is oriented more toward the east. We do have a few residents who use the connector program. For the most part, everything is going to be taken out of our area and used in other areas.”

King pointed out that over 57 percent of the roads being removed from the five-year road plan in favor of mass transit are in District 6, represented by Commissioner Jess Santamaria.

“We’ve had a lot of problems,” King said. “We’ve learned from the past that we’ve got roads that are over capacity. We understand that economics are not what they were five years ago, but we also need to understand that within five years we are going to have an upturn. Growth is going to come to the western communities, and we need to have those roads ready.

Traffic Engineer George Webb said his department would bring a new five-year road plan to the commission in November and December. He said that by then the commission would have to decide whether to continue spending gas tax revenues on roads in the same proportion it has historically done, or devote more to mass transit.

“You, the board, are going to have to give us direction how to spend the gas taxes that are collected, because this year you said you wanted to spend gas taxes on mass transit,” he said. Santamaria said he would not be supporting other uses for the gas tax unless the road improvements that were removed from the plan are restored.

“We’ve got to get Acreage roads back on track,” he said. “This is a temporary fix for mass transit. This has got to go back. I’ll go along with this today, but come November we’ve got to make sure this becomes a major issue in the allocation of the gas tax money.”

Webb said gas tax revenue itself is dwindling because people are not driving as much. The tax is based on the volume of gas sales, not the price of gas.

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

In an effort to combat speeding drivers and control dust on the unpaved roads of Loxahatchee Groves, the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council voted last week to fund two weeks of extra traffic patrols.

Residents of Loxahatchee Groves have voiced complaints that speeding drivers on their roads have created both a dangerous traffic situation and, by generating clouds of dust, a health hazard as well. Many residents have said they feel the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, the law enforcement agency for the town, does not have enough of a presence in the largely rural area to deter speeders. On Sept. 2, Town Clerk Matt Lippman told the council that deploying three additional PBSO deputies for traffic patrols over two weeks would cost the town $6,300, but two deputies in that time frame would cost $4,300.

Councilman Dr. Bill Louda made a motion to approve the outlay for two deputies for two weeks, and following an assessment of that effort to try one additional deputy for a week.

Councilman Dennis Lipp seconded the motion, but asked for an amendment to include publishing a list of violators on the town’s web site.

Councilman Dave Autrey said he didn’t like that idea, and suggested posting signs indicat-

ing that the roads are dangerous and drivers should take care.

“We need to do this,” Autrey said of the additional enforcement. “I was the one who brought it up. But I won’t vote for the list. I can’t do it. It’s traffic. We’re not talking murderers and rapists. We’re talking traffic violations.”

Lipp said he wanted the list because driving too fast on the roads could kill people, and he wanted it stopped. “People who drive into the canals are not doing 20 miles an hour,” he said. “I’m not in love with the idea either. But the fact is that when people speed on our roads, they can die.”

The motion passed 4-1 with Autrey opposed.

This week, Lippman told the Town-Crier that his research indicated that the town would need to submit a paid public records request to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in order to obtain the names and addresses of speeders, so the list on the town web site would be limited to the dates and locations where violations take place. Also last week, the council discussed the sensitive issue of forging an agreement for a

Wellington Council Approves Budget, Holding Tax Rate Steady

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington Village Council approved the municipal budget and millage rate for the coming fiscal year in the first of two budget hearings Tuesday.

The millage rate of 2.34, unchanged from last year, is expected to generate $16 million in property tax revenues, a drop of $1.3 million from last year. The total budget for the coming fiscal year, amounting to $103 million, is $8 million lower than that of the current fiscal year.

According to the staff report, the reductions were made despite a South Florida inflation

rate of almost five percent, $4 million in additional village spending on infrastructure and levels of service, $1.8 million in road improvements, $500,000 more in law enforcement costs, $230,000 in school and community grants, an increase in fuel and electric costs of $350,000, a $1 million increase in the solid waste contract and early repayment of $9 million in existing debt in order to reduce future debt service. To offset these expenses, the village eliminated 13 full-time staffing positions and reduced capital spending by $8.7 million for the coming fiscal year, and

another $53 million over the next five years.

Some of the removed projects include $20 million for the village’s K Park property and village-wide landscaping projects, including beautification of State Road 7 and the Florida Power & Light corridor that crosses the village.

Following the staff presentation Tuesday, Councilman Bob Margolis congratulated Finance Director Francine Ramaglia and her staff for their hard work.

“It’s absolutely mindboggling what you have done in the face of the unfunded mandates to

maintain the levels of service that are being proposed to Wellington residents,” he said.

Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore also praised village staff for holding the line on the tax rate despite shrinking revenues. Many other municipalities were not able to hold down their rates without cutting services, he said.

“Within that revenue we are continuing to provide the services that we have in the past and will continue to do so,” he said.

Councilman Matt Willhite noted that the staffing cuts would mean an increased workload among remaining village employees, and noted that the

village may be forced to make even more difficult choices by 2012.

“We have had some decreases, and we will see more,” he said. “The village and the council are happy we held the line here. But eventually, we will have some tough decisions to make.”

Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto said village employees deserve the highest praise for shouldering an increased workload, but suggested the village think proactively rather than bracing for more hard choices.

“When you talk about coming up short, 2012 is four years

from now,” she said. “We could just sit back and say maybe we will have reductions in services, but we need to change the way we function. We need to involve the community in the ways we plan. Then we will not end up short, and we will be insightful in what is coming in the future.”

Priore made a motion to approve the budget and the millage rate, which was seconded by Benacquisto. It passed unanimously.

The second and final approval of the budget and millage rate is scheduled for Sept. 23.

Wellington Recognizes Top Cop And Top Firefighter For 2008

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The Wellington Village Council recognized Deputy Justin Rigney of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office as its top law enforcement officer and Lt. David “Chuck” Salustri of Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue as its top firefighter for 2008. In introducing the honorees, Wellington Operations Director John Bonde noted that the village has made a tradition of recognizing its top public safety workers each September in memory of those who lost their lives during the 2001 terrorist attacks, and that candidates were nominated by their respective agencies and chosen by the village’s Public Safety Committee.

“It’s an honor to present people who were nominated as the best of the best that serve the Village of Wellington,” he said. PBSO District 8 commander Capt. Greg Richter noted that as a member of the PBSO Street Team since last October, Rigney has generated more arrests than any other deputy in the substation. “During his shift, he never stops working,” Richter said. “He is constantly on patrol. Since he has been assigned to the Street Team, he has arrested 242 individuals, 83 on felony charges, 273 on misdemeanors, nine warrants and 141 drug-related charges.”

PBCFR Battalion Chief Nigel Baker called Salustri a naturalborn leader. As president of the

Critical Incident Stress Management Team, Salustri provides psychological support to emergency services personnel following calls that present abonormal stress, and Baker noted that he was one of the responders on the scene when PBCFR Lt. Ray Vazquez was murdered earlier this year at a Wendy’s restaurant in West Palm Beach and comforted family members and others at the scene.

“What makes him different from the others is that not only does he do that type of work and training on duty, but he does it off duty as well,” Baker said. “Lt. Salustri has played an outstanding role in that organization. A key is his leadership skills and training.”

Top Cop & Top Firefighter — Wellington officials honor top firefighter Lt. David “Chuck” Salustri (fourth from left) and top law enforcement officer Deputy Justin Rigney (fifth from the right) at Tuesday’s council meeting.

PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

OUR OPINION

Recent Storms May Have Spared Us, But The Threat Is Not Over

Following on the heels of two consecutive storm-free years, the 2008 hurricane season began in earnest over the past two months. The usual spate of predictions — the big, scary graphics showing how many major storms we can expect — seemed more subtle this year. There’s no doubt part of the reason for this was the nonstop media coverage of the presidential election. There’s also little doubt that many South Floridians were lulled into complacency by the lack of recent hurricane activity. And now, several named storms later, the dangers of letting our guard down still persist. After being spared the destructive power of Hurricane Gustav, Tropical Storm Hanna and Hurricane Ike — all within the span of about two weeks — South Florida residents are lucky to have dodged that many bullets. Yet if even one of those storms made a direct hit, the consequences would have been devastating. It could have been the one-two punch of September 2004 all over again. Instead of enjoying the tail end of summer, we would be sitting in the dark, making plans to repair the damage.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for the collective sigh of relief to turn back into complacency. What might have been the hard, cold reality for Floridians became yet another disaster to watch on our TV screens, not outside our windows.

Study PBCC’s Fiscal Impact

My hat is off to Kathy Foster and the Palm Beach Community College staff on their presentations and campaign. They have done a superb job of selling the Wellington Village Council on giving the K-Park property to PBCC for its fifth campus. Wellington will not be worse off with a community college campus on its doorstep. But the question to the council is: is this the best decision for Wellington’s future and its residents?

No economic impact has ever been substantiated, and neither has the impact on the business or housing community. This is a commuter campus, people drive their cars there, and drive home to Royal Palm Beach or The Acreage. No plan to mitigate the traffic that will flow through all of Wellington day and night has ever been presented. In addition, the county has not signed off on traffic concurrency for a planned campus of even one building. What has been most disturbing has been [Mayor Darell Bowen’s] stubborn refusal to acknowledge that many residents have real concerns. He seems intent on dismissing discussion and debate on the issue altogether. Why does he seem to be in a mad rush to get this approved, and why the refusal to answer legitimate questions from the residents?

Some erroneous information has also been put out for publication. [Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine] Priore at the last council meeting indicated that they had not received any plans or ideas for the property after asked the question about putting it out to bid like any other project. The fact is Dr. Priore attended a 2005 visioning session hosted by the village on this very subject, with five or six plans to utilize the property. Kevin DiLallo of Well-

ington Regional Medical Center has just recently made a proposal for the property, which had real economic benefits for the community and could help establish a medical arts corridor on State Road 7. PBCC proponents have touted the fact that about 3,000 residents utilize PBCC either full or part time. That represents about five percent of the community versus about 25 percent that utilize our recreation facilities.

But the one question three of the members of council do not want to answer or even address: when the projected budget deficits begin to occur in 2010 and 2011, and with no asset to sell or fall back on, what are they going to do, raise your taxes or lower your services? Village Manager Paul Schofield has done a great job reducing our budget the last two years to avoid any increase, but his name is not Houdini, and even he cannot avoid the pain that is coming to the village. So I ask again, why the rush, Mr. Mayor?

Steve Haughn Wellington

Thieves’ Actions Hurt The Horses

Recently thieves broke into our Pure Thoughts Horse & Foal Rescue truck and stole our company laptop. This laptop allowed me to do work on adoptions, horse records and fundraisers, and still be able to be at the barn, caring for sick horses. Additionally, these heartless criminals stole my briefcase, which had 72 coggins in it. We will now have to have these coggins (bloodwork tests required by law) redone, which will cost us approximately $2,000.

To the horrible person/people who did this: it wasn’t bad enough that you broke the window on the door of the truck that read “Horse & Foal Rescue,” but it also rained that night; you ruined 25 of our sponsorship

It’s understandable that after so many close calls in such a short amount of time, South Florida residents are eager to stop living in fear and resume their normal lives. The problem is that dealing with hurricanes is the norm for this time of year. Pretending that we’re off the hook before hurricane season ends in November is pure foolishness. We’re just now reaching the peak of the season. If anything, we should be more prepared than we were a month ago.

The threat of Ike touching down as a Category 3 storm raised an important question: at what point is a storm strong enough to require evacuation? Some people have no choice but to take shelter outside their homes; in the western communities, shelters include Palm Beach Central and Seminole Ridge high schools. For others, the decision to leave home is more difficult — certainly not the type of choice to make at the last minute. But without a solid plan in place, that’s exactly the situation you’ll be faced with the next time a storm is heading our way.

In the meantime, there are plenty of people who suffered greatly through the recent storms. Their situation could have very easily been ours. To help send relief supplies to devastated regions, visit the American Red Cross web site at www.redcross.org.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

packages that were in the vehicle. You stole our computer, which had our tax information and 990 on it, so we need to start that again as well. This will delay some of our current funding and may make us too late for any additional and necessary funding.

In case you are wondering why we were parked there for so long, it was because we have a deathly ill horse near there, and he needed his medication every six hours. We needed to stay close to him, not at our own home. We got there at 1 a.m., exhausted. We parked our car and slept until 5:45 a.m., which was when he needed his next dose. It was so heartwarming to come out after a few hours of sleep and see what you had done.

In the past few months, we have been overwhelmed with the kindness of people. Your actions remind us that we should never be lulled into a false sense of security, believing that kindness and humanity are infectious.

I assume that this is not the first time you have done this, nor will it be the last. But I thought this time someone should speak up and let you know exactly what you did and who you hurt I understand that the economy is rough right now, but it is hard on all of us. It does not mean we resort to mayhem and disregard laws and the rights of others. Maybe you are thinking... well, they have insurance to cover it. I am going to assume, since you steal, you are not familiar with insurance. Insurance policies come with a deductible, and not a one-time deductible — so you did enough damage to hurt our rescue organization and our horses, but not enough damage for us to be reimbursed. Every time you commit one of these acts, it adds up, and everyone’s insurance rates go up. So, if you continue to take what does not belong to you, people will have

to use their money for insurance and, therefore, will not have any left over to purchase items for you to steal.

So you may think, “I am just a petty thief; I did not kill anyone.” You are wrong. You have added expenses to our organization that we cannot afford. Because of you, there will be some innocent horses that may not have a second chance at life — a chance they deserve. You have cost more than a life; you have cost lives. You have cost our organization money we do not have. By stealing our information, you have stolen medical care and supplies from injured horses that desperately need our help.

I normally close my correspondence by saying, “I hope this letter finds you well.” However, all I can say to you is, “I hope this letter will change your future.”

Jennifer Swanson Pure Thoughts Horse & Foal Rescue Loxahatchee

Much For Horse Lovers, Nothing For ATV Riders

Ya know, it’s always nice to see that the Indian Trail Improvement District is doing something more for the horse folks. I mean, it’s not like they have done enough already. We have trails that cover hundreds of miles (or will). Wow, that’s great.

Some of the trails are along roads that automobiles and motorcycles travel on. It’s amusing to see the sign at Coconut and Northlake that says something like “horse country — slow for horses” and right after it is a sign that says 55 mph. What does slow mean, 40 mph?

So anyway, I’m on my streetlegal/insured, dual-sport quiet motorcycle looking for a legal area to ride trails, maybe an acre,

a half, an eighth of an acre, something… anything. And I pass Hamlin Equestrian Park around nine in the morning on a Saturday or Sunday, beautiful sunny, blue sky day. Nice place: seven acres, bathrooms, fenced, kids area, tables, all those horsy things, up kept by ITID, rules posted and guess what? No one is there. I come back around noon after looking for the small place that ITID or Palm Beach County provided trails for dirt bike/ATV practice, competition and enjoying oneself, and guess what? One taxpayer is there, one

Unlike what [ITID Supervisor] Michelle [Damone] said, “it’s used so much.” One would think that on the weekend, especially, horses would be lined up to the road and down the block looking for folks to ride them.

So it does my heart good to see that we’re spending more money to expand from seven acres to nine acres, more parking and another unused ring (too small for barrel racing), and lighting for night riding (night riding — now that’s nice), a dedicated tractor and employee to groom the rings four times a week... and I’m sure more. Because there are a lot of horses here, you see them all the time, don’t you?

I’m still looking for that dirt bike/ATV trail riding area for practice, competition and enjoying oneself!

Jason P. Dole The Acreage

The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council voted 3-2 last month (with Mayor Dave Browning and Councilman Dennis Lipp dissenting) to authorize an expensive “study” to investigate the pros and cons of changing the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District from an independent to a subservient district. This “study” will no doubt come back with the results the council desires and will then be used as ammunition for the town to proceed with their plan to try to seize control of the district and the $1.2 million tax budget that comes with it.

Our town charter clearly states: “notwithstanding the incorporation of the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District, an independent special district created pursuant to the

See LETTERS, page 18

For The Record

Due to a clerical error, the wrong photo appeared with the Palms West People item “RPB Rotarian Exemplifies Service Over Self” published last week. The correct photo of Rotarian Tony Armour appears this week on page 12. The Town-Crier regrets whatever confusion this might have caused.

SEND IN YOUR LETTERS

The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The 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

Six Months On The Job, Mr. Bowen Has Sure Shook Up Wellington

It has been just shy of six months since Darell Bowen surprised just about everyone except himself by beating Tom Wenham and becoming Wellington’s new mayor. In an interview I did about a week later, he promised to do a no-nonsense job. His top priorities included bringing a businesslike atmosphere to the village, creating job centers, bringing a college to the community and building — finally — a municipal complex. On a council known for its snail’s-pace decision-making and routine changes of mind, Mayor Bowen has made remarkable progress in moving along a brisk dialogue. Consider these items now in planning or under discussion:

• With the steady help of council allies Dr. Carmine Priore and Lizbeth Benacquisto, he was able to get a majority agreement to support bringing a Palm Beach Community College campus to Wellington’s K-Park property, which was originally expected to be a second large-scale municipal park. All that is left now is working out the details.

• He has sparked a serious interest in the redevelopment of parts of old Wellington — much of it more than 30 years old — and create shoppingfriendly areas along Forest Hill Blvd. between the two Wellington Trace intersections.

• He has brokered a serious look at building a municipal complex on property the village owns at the Wellington Community Center. In fact, numbers are being crunched and plans are being drawn even as you read this column.

• He is scouting out property owned privately or by the village to create job centers around the community in hopes of keeping more residents working nearby.

The mayor said during his election campaign that he would think outside the box, and he has done just that. The old way of doing things is out. For example, the municipal complex once expected to be financed through a $15 million bond can

By Don Brown

actually be financed by existing village funds, he insists. That is possible by cutting back long-term capital projects. In the end, it will save tens of thousands of dollars a year now being spent renting village office space.

eas and offices in such areas as the original Wellington Mall and the Wellington Plaza on both sides of Forest Hill Blvd.

Even Palm Beach Polo CEO Glenn Straub’s property, the former back nine holes of his golf course north along Forest Hill, is now in play, Mr. Bowen said. “I’m going to talk to anyone,” he told me over lunch last week. “We’re talking about Wellington’s economic future.”

He’s right. The village has reached the age of maturity, and future economic stability depends upon Wellington not languishing as a bedroom community without homespun jobs. One way to bring jobs home (sort of a reverse Point of View...

Mr. Bowen made a bold decision by immediately jumping on the PBCC proposal. Conventional wisdom just a few months ago was that such a move would be too controversial with the “recreation bloc” led by councilman Bob Margolis. However, Bowen understood that if there is an existing recreation bloc, it is also an “education bloc,” since the children using the fields are also attending local schools.

On that same topic, Councilwoman Benacquisto should stand up and take a bow. When she was first elected to the council six years ago, her main platform was to convince the council and residents to take a larger role in education programs. She often voiced the need for a college in Wellington. I’m hoping she is indulging in a feeling of deserved pride.

Mr. Bowen’s suggestion of a redevelopment plan, anchored by Councilman Carmine Priore, was well received. Already village staffers are hard at work figuring out a plan and touting the concept to the business community. The mayor is convinced the project can be done without taxes by partnering up with businesses and cutting through costly and time consuming red tape. The plan envisions attractive pedestrian shopping ar-

TOWN-CRIER

Virtually every time there is a tropical storm, hurricane or even a strong wind, the weather prognosticators tell us all about the happening in relation to the Turks and Caicos. OK… what in the world are the Turks and Caicos?

Well, this little bit of heaven, located just east of Cuba and 550 miles south of Miami, is actually a group of 40 islands and cays, only eight of which are inhabited. And despite the almost universal reference to a Caribbean location, this bit of serendipity is technically in the Atlantic Ocean. The Turks and Caicos are home to some 30,000 full-time residents. Plus, the islands welcome some 200,000 visitors from around the world annually.

By Jules W. Rabin

outsourcing) is to create job centers in which to locate office buildings and Wellington-friendly industries, and encouraging companies to locate in the community. All of those plans are now in the works. Dr. Priore told me a couple of months ago that he believes Wellington’s very survival as a vibrant upscale community depends on creating jobs right here at home. He’s studied up on what makes successful cities while preparing for his current role as president of the Florida League of Cities.

Over all, I’m giving Mayor Bowen an A-minus during his first six months. There’s always room for improvement — right, Mr. Mayor?

Since tourism almost totally rules the economic roost, what can one expect there? First, an “endless” gorgeous tropical beach as well as 350 days of sunshine, magnificent fishing and a huge array of waters sports such as scuba diving and wind surfing. The islands are a British crown colony, but the United States dollar is universally accepted and, yes, there is American television provided by a cable satellite system. You can even use your cell phone. The

local time is Eastern Standard, and they observe daylight savings. Should you want to conduct a bit of business while soaking up the sun, there are FedEx, DHL and UPS carriers on regular routes. It’s best not to schedule your Turks and Caicos vacation during hurricane season. The Turks and Caicos have an annual rainfall of 21 inches; some portions of the region accumulate 40 inches. Happily, there is an extremely low crime rate. Guns are rare, drugs are strictly forbidden and stringently monitored, and public nudity is illegal. Want more information on this Shangri-La now that you know it is actually inhabited? Check out www.turksandcaicos tourism.com.

Wellington Zoners Want More Conservation In Village Water Plan

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board recommended approval last week of a long-range water supply plan for the village.

State law now requires municipalities to incorporate a ten-year water supply work plan addressing water supply requirements into their comprehensive plans within 18 months of adoption of a regional water supply plan of the same nature. The South Florida Water Management District adopted its Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan in February 2007. The village’s water supply plan must address the development of traditional and alternative water supplies, bulk sales agreements and conservation/ reuse programs necessary to serve existing and new development for at least a ten-year planning period.

At the PZA Board’s Sept. 4 meeting, Associate Planner Bill Nemser explained that the village’s planning staff had coordinated with agencies such as the Palm Beach County Water

Memorial New RPB Statue

continued from page 1 were waving flags. It brought us together. It brought law enforcement and fire-rescue close together. We realize we are doing the same thing. We have to be able to communicate in order to serve the people in the most effective and efficient way that we can.”

Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Deputy Chief Steve Delai said the events of 9/11 galvanized fire-rescue workers. “They rededicated themselves to serving the public and teaming up with law enforcement,” Delai said. “Our communication was always good with them, but now it’s off the scale. It’s a much better situation today than it was back then. Some good things came out of the tragedy. It would be a shame if we don’t remember them. I am proud of the folks who leave their families every day. We do receive much more recognition from the public than before 9/11.”

Utilities Department, the Intergovernmental Plan Amendment Review Committee and the Florida Department of Community Affairs for input, and worked extensively with various village departments to prepare the plan.

“It was quite an undertaking,” Nemser explained. “We found we were going to require assistance from the other village departments, most notably the Utilities Department. Their assistance has been invaluable.”

Nemser said the plan would spell out all aspects of the village’s water usage. “The purpose of this plan would be to decide basically where the water is going to come from, how you are going to get it, how you are going to pay for it and other issues,” he said. “We had never prepared one at the village, so we started from square one.”

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Wellington resident and conservation activist Debbie Evans said the plan “offers some very positive possibilities.” Noting that the plan covers aspects of reusing and reclaiming water, she sug-

gested the village take the opportunity to encourage homeowners to adopt more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices in water use.

“One of the best investments that my family ever made when our driveway collapsed between [hurricanes] Jeanne and Wilma was we replaced the concrete slab with a paver driveway,” Evans said. “It got its first real test during Hurricane Wilma. While everyone else had standing water in their driveways, ours was dry in a matter of hours. That water was going through the driveway and into the aquifer.”

Evans also suggested exploring ways of reusing “grey water” from washers and kitchen sinks for irrigation, the use of cisterns and considering narrowing some roadways to provide more pervious surface.

“In my residential neighborhood, the streets are 60 feet wide,” she said. “Why do we need a road that is 60 feet wide in such a residential neighborhood? Twenty-five or 30 feet ought to do it. It would be just enough to get the emergency

vehicles down the street when we need to. We could increase the swale areas.”

PZA Board Vice Chair Eugene DiFonte voiced concerns that the water plan did not address Wellington’s equestrian areas. With residents in the area depending on wells, hurricanes can prevent them from drawing water.

“There are benefits of good potable water especially if there are hurricanes,” he said. “Most of us have wells. If we don’t have power, we don’t have water. My concern is this: as the equestrian community continues to grow and expand, we would have a lot more horses, and the resulting adverse impacts of those horses on our aquifer.”

DiFonte also said a lack of water means lower fire protection. I am lucky,” he said. “I live next to a canal. Some are far removed from water. Two years ago, the house around the corner burned down. Fire-rescue arrived, and they said there was nothing they could do.”

Wellington Utilities Director Ed Wasielewski said that unless

the majority of residents in a community request potable water, it is not likely to happen. He noted that village staff is investigating options such as dry hydrants for fire control.

PZA Board Member Alan Medoff suggested encouraging residents to use other water sources for irrigation as a way of delaying an increase in demand from the village’s water plant.

PZA Board Alternate Alan Johnson suggested adding language to the plan addressing rainwater barrels, cisterns and certified environmentally friendly buildings. “We need to have something in here that leads us more to reclaimed water,” Johnson said. “Nowhere in this document does that exist. Rainwater is a great source of irrigation. That’s what I wanted to expand on.”

PZA Board Member Morley Alperstein suggested encouraging more use of reclaimed water on golf courses and polo fields. “I think the problem is in getting the water to them and whether the water can be used in some cooperative way to

share the costs,” he said.

Wasielewski and Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz said water conservation is worthy, but too much conservation might increase prices. “We have an active conservation program,” Wasielewski said. “If you move too far into eliminating the people from using the water, you will have to increase the rates to pay for the maintenance and the operation of the plant.”

PZA Board Chair Steve Delai suggested expanding canals in the village so they might retain excess runoff after a storm.

“Instead of looking at the canals as drainage canals, we need to look at them as far as storage and retention,” he said. Hodgkins said some of that is being done already, noting the SFWMD’s impoundment areas Florida Power & Light’s wateruse plans for its new power plant at 20-Mile Bend.

Difonte made a motion to recommend approving transmission of the water plan to the state’s Department of Community Affairs for review, which was seconded by Delai. It passed unanimously.

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

(Clockwise from above) Local dignitaries join representatives from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue for the memorial ceremony; Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick and County Commissioner Jess Santamaria present the wreath; and PBSO deputies line up to pay tribute during the ceremony.

Vehicle Thefts, Burglaries In RPB And Wellington

By Jason Budjinski Town-Crier Staff Report

SEPT. 5 — A Royal Palm Beach man was arrested last Friday for shoplifting at the JCPenney store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, a store employee observed 20-year-old Kevin Ramlal take a gold vermeil necklace from the jewelry section and conceal it in the palm of his hand. Ramlal then proceeded past the cash registers without paying for the item. He was apprehended in the mall parking lot. He was arrested and transported to the Palm Beach County Jail.

SEPT. 5 — A resident of Pintail Place called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Friday morning to report a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 2 and 6 a.m., someone stole the victim’s 1998 Jeep Cherokee, which was parked in the driveway. The vehicle was possibly left unlocked, according to the report.

SEPT. 6 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington was dispatched to a home on Folkstone Circle last Saturday regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 1 a.m. last Friday and 7 a.m. last Saturday, someone broke the driver’s-side door lock of the victim’s 2000 Ford Explorer and entered the vehicle. Stolen from inside were a Pioneer CD player and an iPhone charger. There was no further information at the time of the report.

SEPT. 6 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded last Saturday night to the Mall at Wellington Green in reference to an attempted vehicle theft. According to a PBSO report, the victim returned to his 2007 Ford F-250 in the parking lot of the food court at approximately 8 p.m. He discovered an unknown white male inside the truck. The suspect fled on foot, running toward the mall’s ring road. A K-9 search was conducted, but the suspect was not found. Nothing was taken from the vehicle. However, the ignition switch had been tampered with in an attempt to steal the vehicle. DNA evidence was taken from the scene. The suspect is described as between the ages of 20 and 30 with blond, shoulder-length hair, between 5’5” and 5’9” and weighing 155 to 180 pounds.

SEPT. 7 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched last Sunday to the SuperTarget store on Okeechobee Blvd. regarding the theft of a firearm. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 1:15 p.m. the deputy met with the victim, who said he had accidentally left his bag inside a shopping cart and drove off without it. When the victim returned, he discovered the bag had been turned in to lost and found by a store employee. The victim examined his bag and noticed that all the previous contents were inside except for a Glock 27 .40 caliber handgun. There

were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report.

SEPT. 7 — A resident of Greentree Drive called the PBSO substation in Wellington last Sunday morning to report a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 11 p.m. last Saturday and 7 a.m. the following morning, someone stole the victim’s 3’x5’ Florida Gators flag that had been hanging from his garage. The flag, valued at approximately $50, was not found anywhere in the area.

SEPT. 8 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded to a home in Nautica Lakes on Monday morning regarding a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, the victim parked her 2003 Lexus in the driveway at approximately 8:45 p.m. and then left the area. When she returned at approximately 6:30 a.m. the following morning, she discovered the vehicle was missing. There was no sign of forced entry, and the victim said she had the keys in her possession. However, the victim remembered there was a valet copy of the key in the glove compartment. The approximate value of the loss is $25,500. There was no suspect information at the time of the report.

SEPT. 8 — A Pahokee man was arrested Monday for shoplifting at the Wal-Mart Supercenter on Belvedere Road in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a store employee observed 23-year-old Daniel Strickland steal two electronic cameras. Strickland was apprehended without incident, and the merchandise was recovered. The total value of the cameras was $78.88. Strickland was transported to the county jail.

SEPT. 9 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched Tuesday morning to Cypress Trails Elementary School in reference to a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim said that while dropping her child off at school, she exited her vehicle, leaving her purse on the front seat, and entered the school grounds. When the victim returned, she noticed the front passengerside door was ajar. When she entered the vehicle, she discovered that the purse had been stolen. The victim did not see anyone in the area around her vehicle, according to the report. The purse contained approximately $47 cash, various credit cards and a cellular phone valued at approximately $100. The purse is valued at approximately $50. There was no further suspect information at the time of the report. SEPT. 10 — A West Palm Beach man was arrested Wednesday for grand theft at the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, 41-year-old John Duckett was caught trying to leave the store with miscellaneous merchandise totaling $1,139.22. He was apprehended by a loss prevention officer and later taken to the county jail.

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Stephen Kelley is a white male, 6’ tall and weighing 215 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 06/10/68. He has a scar on his eye. Kelley is wanted on the felony charge of unemployment compensation fraud. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Windmill Way in Greenacres. Kelley is wanted as of 09/ 11/08. • David Vendetti is a white male, 6’2” tall and weighing 210 lbs., with red hair and blue eyes. His date of birth is 07/ 20/56. He has a tattoo on his left arm. Vendetti is wanted on the felony charge of aggravated stalking. His occupation is security guard. His last known address was Lake Pine Circle in Greenacres. Vendetti is wanted as of 09/11/08. 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.crimestopperspbc. com.

Stephen Kelley

David Vendetti

Presidential Campaign Representatives Visit With P.W. Chamber

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Representatives of both major presidential candidates spoke to members of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce at their monthly business luncheon Monday.

Robert Maurer, president and founder of the American Corporation for Education and Training, spoke for the campaign of Sen. John McCain while State Rep. Dan Gelber (D-MiamiDade) represented Sen. Barack Obama at the luncheon, held at the Wellington Community Center.

Maurer, who spoke first, warned that Obama’s proposals would result in a $700 billion increase in taxes. He said McCain’s plan would instead

cut taxes. “Where the economy is soft you don’t raise taxes,” Maurer said. “In terms of healthcare, Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton had a huge debate for longer than anyone would listen to. They would mandate healthcare, and they would mandate the changes in the system putting bureaucracy between us and a managed format. Sen. McCain’s plan would cover everyone. He would use private insurance programs, and he would use state involvement so we don’t have one national plan. We are mandating services. Nobody has the right to choose what is good for the family.”

On energy, Maurer said McCain stands for increased drilling by oil companies but

also pursing other forms of energy production.

“If the oil is there, let’s go get it,” Maurer said. “We also need clean coal… As far as nuclear energy, if we can’t use it, how come the French, Germans and all of Europe can? In terms of electric cars, he is willing to put out electricity for cars.”

Maurer said McCain’s approach includes incentives for small businesses. “Here in Florida, 75 percent of all Floridians work with companies of less than 50 employees,” he said. “We need a program to encourage them to be entrepreneurs. The senator’s program promises the creation of new markets and the continuation of free trade.”

Gelber, the State House minority leader from 2006-08, said the Republican administration is squarely to blame for the problems currently facing Americans, and particularly Floridians, such as healthcare, mortgages and insurance.

“If you look at Florida, Florida has it worse than anyone. What do we do next? Candidly, those in power have been in power for the last decade, and in Congress, for six or seven of the last eight years. They can’t blame anyone else for what is going on in this country,” he said.

Gelber said recent growth has resulted in the creation of jobs in construction and services, which tend to be jobs without benefits, a situation that affects children hardest. He said part of

Obama’s strategy as president would be to promote investment in public education, an area where Florida lags behind the rest of the nation.

“If you invest in your education system,” Gelber said, “you get the kind of development that attracts the high-wage jobs, and it’s a highly developed and skilled workforce. We have the worst graduation rate in the nation. There is all this talk about the FCAT solving the problems in the state. The FCAT has dumbed down the school system. Sen. Obama has talked about the need to raise standards.”

Obama is also committed to increasing competition among pharmaceutical companies to lower prescription drug prices, Gelber said, and to a national plan to manage catastrophic risk among insurers, which he said McCain opposes.

“Sen. Obama supports the national catastrophe plan,” he said. “Many Republican legislators do. Sen. McCain says it is a big program that he doesn’t want. If you live in Florida, you want better health insurance. You want reduced property insurance. You want the Democratic ticket. Sen. Obama is the ticket you need.”

The luncheon was sponsored by Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, with food provided by Chipotle Mexican Grill and Swee-T’s.

Jane Merritt, director of market development for Vitas, said her company is devoted to addressing end-of-life issues with dignity and compassion. “It’s about life, and it’s about hope,” she said.

Merritt said Vitas focuses on providing hospice services to patients in their own homes.

“We have physicians, nurses,

social workers and aides,” she said. “We have continuous care. When the surveys were done, they asked people, ‘when you die, were do you want to be?’ Most said they wanted to be home. When you don’t feel good, you want to be in your own bed. People want to be home. We can provide the care needed at home.”

For more information on Vitas Innovative Hospice Care, call (561) 364-1749 or visit www.vitas.com.

The next Palms West Chamber of Commerce luncheon will be at the Fountains Country Club in Lake Worth on Oct. 6, with featured speaker Doug Franklin, publisher of the Palm Beach Post For more information about the Palms West Chamber of Commerce, call (561) 7906200 or visit www.palmswest. com.

Palms West Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jaene Miranda (center) with Robert Maurer (left) speaking for Sen. John McCain and State Rep. Dan Gelber (right) speaking for Sen. Barack Obama. PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Randi Berman, Jane Merritt and Margaret ThorneHenderson of sponsor VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.

Allen West Seeks To Unseat Freshman Congressman Ron Klein

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Republican challenger Allen West considers himself poised to defeat incumbent Congressman Ron Klein and claim Florida’s 22nd U.S. Congressional District this November.

Starting from the Martin County line, Congressional District 22 includes parts of the western communities, suburban West Palm Beach and central Palm Beach County, continuing down through the south county area and into Fort Lauderdale.

Klein, a state legislator beginning in 1993, won the seat in 2006 with a narrow victory over longtime Republican incumbent Clay Shaw, and the race for the seat this year is one of several to command national attention.

West said the two biggest issues in the 22nd District race are the economy and energy independence. “Those dovetail into national security, and the creation of better standards of liv-

ing for our people, and new jobs for the American people,” he said. “The third after that is the illegal immigration issue, and that affects national security, the economy, healthcare and education. Those are the top three issues that the American people are looking at.” West, a retired U.S. Army officer who reached the rank of lieutenant colonel and served in Iraq and Afghanistan, said threats to the country include radical Islam and a resurgent Russia.

“You have to be tough and take a stand for western civilization overall,” he said. “The people don’t want to see a resurgence or return of the Cold War or the communist socialist state.”

West said he didn’t think Klein’s ideals match those of the people he represents. “He does not represent the ideals or the principles of the people of Congressional District 22,” he said.

“He’s become a good fundraiser and done what Speaker Nancy Pelosi has asked him to do, which is contrary to the principles of the people living in Congressional District 22.”

With District 22 considered a swing seat in terms of party allegiances, West said he is confident his background and values will get him elected. “I just think that the people of Congressional District 22 have a clear choice,” he said. “We have a person who has given his life in service to this country his entire life. They can go for a career politician and a lawyer-lobbyist or me. They know where I stand on the issues. I stand on character and competence and the commitment to the people. We know what Congressman Klein stands on.”

Klein, who received more than 85 percent of the vote in the August Democratic primary to easily defeat challenger Paul Renneisen, said he wants to con-

tinue his efforts to make other members of Congress aware of the problems Floridians face, from the mortgage meltdown to the need for federal funding for Everglades restoration.

“Florida has been hit by foreclosures,” he said. “Businesses are closing, and people are losing their jobs. Part of it will fix itself, but we need some strategies from the federal government to create jobs.”

Klein also stressed the need to create a comprehensive energy plan, and not simply look to award oil companies more drilling rights. “We need to find some answers to commercializing our solar power, wind power and wave power, and finding the solutions on how we can reduce the pollution impact of coal,” he said. “We will do some more drilling, but we need to start out with the million acres [already available] for the oil companies before they start getting more leases tied up. Before the oil companies start getting more land tied up in the inventory, they need to start drilling where they have permits, and where the land is ready to go.” Klein said he and fellow congressman Tim Mahoney (DDistrict 16) have been fighting hard for passage of the Homeowners Defense Act they

Publix Brings Its Case For A Gas Station To Indian Trail Board

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors heard a presentation Wednesday by Publix representatives who plan to install gas pumps in the parking lot of their supermarket at the intersection of Orange Blvd. and Seminole Pratt Whitney Road.

There are currently no gas stations in The Acreage and while some residents welcome the prospect of filling up close to home, others oppose the plans, fearing that an accident could contaminate local groundwater. Most Acreage residents draw their water from wells.

The toll-gate-style gas station would feature four pumping stations with two pump hoses each, one on either side.

Dhivy Sathianathan, an engineer with MDM Services representing Publix, said the holding tanks would have a doublewall design and, more importantly, the four pumps would sit directly over the tanks, minimizing the chances of leakage from pipes that are more prone to leak than the tanks themselves.

want more convenience.’”

cided to locate the gas station there after a survey of Acreage residents indicated 60.1 percent would support a gas station in The Acreage.

He said the system, permitted last year by the county for installation, would have two 20,000-gallon tanks each having a ten-foot diameter. The system was carefully designed to be environmentally safe, he said.

Sathianathan’s firm also did a study of the groundwater flow to determine the extent of pollution if a leak should occur.

“The water flows about 44 feet per year,” Sathianathan said, meaning anything from the filling station would take about 11 years to reach the Publix Supermarket 500 feet away. Ruden McClosky planner Kim Glas-Castro, representing Publix, said the proposed 160square-foot station would not feature a convenience store operation but would mainly sell gasoline. A landscape buffer would conceal it from Orange Blvd. and Seminole Pratt, she said.

Glas-Castro said Publix de-

The fiberglass-lined, doublewall steel tanks would be equipped with sensors that detect any intrusion within seconds, Sathianathan said. “If any foreign liquid is detected in the walls, the system will automatically shut down,” he said.

“We also went to the Acreage Landowners’ Association because it required an amendment to the neighborhood plan,”

Glas-Castro said. “We wanted to reach out to The Acreage and the ALA.”

Glas-Castro said also noted that there is no gas station within seven miles of the location.

“In light of hurricanes and shortages of fuel, changing resident attitudes and new people moving to the area, there is more desire for this service,” she said.

“Adding this service makes a better mix of land uses.”

Publix Regional Manager Dan Klein told the supervisors the gas station would serve gas customers and not generate more traffic like a convenience store. He said Publix considers the design a safe system.

“Publix has a lot at stake,” Klein said. “We have been operating since 1954. We believe we have a good system to offer the community. Customers continue to tell Publix, ‘we

For security, the station would be equipped with a tube to transfer cash to the main building. The prices would be competitive and would offer discount programs for Publix customers, Klein said.

During public comment, residents Sharon Waite, Alex Larson and Pat Curry voiced opposition to the station over concern for well contamination.

During board discussion Supervisor Michelle Damone said she supports the station because there is a critical need for a service station during hurricanes. “A gas station is a means to survive,” she said. “I personally approve of it.”

Supervisor Carol Jacobs was the only board member opposed to the gas station. “We have too many wells out here. I’m just against it. You get one and somebody else is going to want one, and then another,” she said.

In other business, the board heard the pleas of a resident from an isolated neighborhood in the western part of the district seeking drainage help.

Charlotte Gomes of Sunny Urban Meadows told the super-

visors the recent heavy rains have created standing water that reaches to the foundations of about 20 homes.

Although Sunny Urban Meadows is within ITID, the area is not an active development unit and residents do not pay assessment fees or receive drainage services. Gomes noted that residents had approached the board before but had not arrived at an agreement on drainage services.

ITID President Mike Erickson told Gomes the district would be able to help, even if only a few residents agree to assessments that would cover the expense of a surrounding berm and a water discharge system. “You can have an active unit that is four lots,” he said.

Erickson also noted that a pump by itself would not drain the property. Gomes agreed, saying she was issued a twoweek emergency permit from the South Florida Water Management District and obtained a pump moving 1,100 gallons per hour that had not reduced the water level on her property.

Erickson told Gomes that ITID units can obtain different

levels of activation ranging from basic drainage to full services provided by the district including roads and recreation.

“You as the citizens need to come up with 51 percent approval,” he said. “It’s up to you and your neighbors to get together, and [ITID] legal and staff will give you the tools to implement the process.”

ITID Attorney Mary Viator noted that landowners with rights to easements would have to cooperate. Erickson added that the cost of assessments would be based on the cost of the services provided. District Engineer Lisa Tropepe said she could do a rough estimate of assessments, which could be anywhere from $2,500 to $8,000 annually based on the acreage of the property. Supervisor Michelle Damone said there were two issues at hand: getting the residents immediate relief and offering longterm help later.

Gomes also brought her case to the Palm Beach County Commission on Tuesday. Administrator Bob Weisman described the situation as the worst he had See ITID, page 18

District Agrees To Give Town A Home During Emergencies

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors approved a request from the Town of Loxahatchee Groves on Monday to allow the town to use the district’s headquarters for emergency operations in the event of a hurricane or other disaster.

The supervisors voiced support for the request, noting with some relief that Hurricane Ike had steered clear of South Florida.

The town currently rents office space in a commercial plaza on Southern Blvd., and requested the district be able to offer space for council members and staff and a Citizen Emergency Response Team member from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until electricity is restored, as well as provide a dedicated telephone line.

Loxahatchee Groves Town Clerk Matt Lippman told the

board that the town would only need a table and the connections to be able to operate a telephone and a computer. He said he was working on the assumption that LGWCD Administrator Clete Saunier would be on hand in the building during emergencies.

“If he’s not here, we would come up with an alternate location,” Lippman said. “If you are here, I’m here. If you’re not here, I will be somewhere else.”

Vice Chair Don Widing said the district had the appropriate insurance in place, and he supported the request. He said he trusted both Lippman and Saunier, and was comfortable with the town using the district’s office if need be. “I don’t want to wait another day or two weeks,” Widing said.

“The lawyers don’t need to be involved with this. You call your insurance carrier, and we call ours. The other thing is that you are restricting yourself from nine

to five. When you do disaster relief, I would not limit yourself to that time frame.”

LGWCD Attorney Mary Viator noted that the town and district would need to ratify an interlocal agreement, and Widing said the two agencies could work out the details.

Supervisor Robert Snowball made a motion authorizing Saunier to draw up the appropriate agreement, which was seconded by Supervisor John Ryan. It passed unanimously.

In other business, the supervisors approved a cost-of-living adjustment and discretionary merit pay for district employees in the budget for the coming fiscal year.

Saunier said district employees would receive a cost-of-living increase of 3.7 percent, based upon the U.S. Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index, effective Oct. 1. Also budgeted, with board approval, he

said, is up to $4,000 to be disbursed as discretionary merit pay, equivalent to an additional 1.3 percent average increase to reward exceptional job performance.

Ryan asked if Saunier had checked to see whether cost-ofliving adjustments in other districts were comparable. Saunier said he had, but also noted that while he used the nationwide CPI, other districts had a habit of using the CPI for Fort Lauderdale.

Ryan wanted to know particulars about the discretionary merit pay. Saunier said he gave regular performance evaluations for all the employees, and that it is very difficult to choose which ones should be recognized. “They all do more than they are asked to do,” he said. “The hard part is trying to figure out who is doing a little more. I’m not sure I can do that. They all do so well.”

Snowball made a motion to approve the cost-of-living adjustments and merit pay, which was seconded by Supervisor Ron Jarriel. It passed unanimously.

Also Monday, Saunier told the supervisors he was still awaiting responses from property owners on North A Road, South B Road, North C Road and North D Road on survey information regarding road-stabilization costs of open grade emulsified mix or OGEM.

The survey letters, mailed to property owners in August, show the projected costs for improving these roads with OGEM stabilization as well as projected costs for maintaining the roads in their current unpaved condition over a ten-year period.

Saunier said that as of the previous Friday the district had received responses to account for 58.5 percent of the acreage of

affected areas, and that district staff would begin contacting the unresponsive 41.5 percent by phone to record their responses. He said the supervisors would be able to review a final response summary for each road segment at their Oct. 13 meeting.

Ryan said the benefits of OGEM road stabilization would result in savings for the district. Jarriel concurred and said the OGEM-stabilized roads create a healthier environment by keeping dust down. “They save on health hazards, and they save on maintenance of the roads,” he said.

During public comment, C Road resident Cindy Lou Corum said she could go either way on the issue, but if the majority of the residents on her road wanted OGEM, she would support it. “I am a half mile off the pave-

See LGWCD, page 18

Groves Council Gives Preliminary OK To $2.04 Million Budget

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council approved a municipal budget and property tax rate last week in the first of two budget hearings.

Property taxes are expected to generate $442,700 for the town in the coming fiscal year, amounting to 21.7 percent of the town’s $2.04 million budget.

The second-largest revenue generator for the town, garbage

Gathered for a special meeting Sept. 3, the council approved a property tax rate of 1.5 mills for the coming fiscal year, which is the same rate as the current fiscal year. By that rate, the homesteaded owner of a property appraised at a value of $250,000 would pay $300 in property taxes to the town.

assessments, would account for $441,000 in income, or 21.6 percent of the budget.

In reviewing the budget, Councilman Dr. Bill Louda said he was pleased with it overall. “We had some overages and some underages,” he said. “It looks good. Like I said coming in, if we can’t afford it, don’t buy it. I have no issues.”

Councilman Dave Autrey

suggested that in the future, the council should consider an ordinance that would require the town to maintain reserve funds at a level of 25 to 35 percent of the budget.

“What I would like to do is have a discussion about an ordinance having a specific targeted amount and cap it so future councils have some restraints in front of them,” he said.

With big-ticket items underway such as the drafting of a comprehensive plan and land development regulations, Autrey also suggested that the council look to further discussions on holding down the town’s expenses.

Town Manager Irv Rosenbaum concurred and said the council should have a workshop in six months. “We have a pret-

ty good idea of trends and revenues,” he said. “We are still missing a few revenues. We will have an idea of capital expenditures. We will have a better financial picture six months from today.”

The council voted 4-0 to approve the budget, with Mayor David Browing

RESTAURANT SUPPORTS BREAST CANCER WALK

Organizers of the Western Communities Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk held a fundraiser on Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Black Canyon Grill (12040 Southern Blvd., Royal Palm Beach). The event raised $488 for the American Cancer Society. The walk will take place Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Greenview Cove Golf Course (2470 Greenview Cove Drive, Wellington). For more information, visit http://makingstrides. acsevents.org/westerncommunities. (Above, L-R) Black Canyon Manager Andy Fox, Making Strides Chair Terri Priore, and Black Canyon hostesses Brooke Bachtel and Dawn Rosensweig. (Below) Polo Park Middle School teacher Joann Williams, Wellington Landings Middle School teacher Jan Klein, Wellington Landings Assistant Principal Gay Prater, Wellington Landings teacher Sandy Coster and Polo Park guidance counselor Carolyn Zakrie.

St. Michael Church Marks

25 Years

The congregation of St. Michael Lutheran Church will be celebrating its 25th anniversary on Thursday, Sept. 25. Founded when Wellington consisted of just 3,000 homes, the congregation met for worship in the Wellington Elementary School cafetorium and for choir practice, Christian education and summer Bible camp at the home of its original pastor, Bill McCabe. Both Wellington and the church have grown substantially since then.

Founding members and congregants both past and present are invited to attend the following anniversary celebrations:

• The Silver Moon Anniversary Dinner Dance will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Tickets cost $30 each and are available through pastorweiss@bellsouth.net or by calling Beverly Lichtenstein at (561) 791-2722.

• The celebratory worship services will take place Sunday, Sept. 28 at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. Together with Pastor Marjorie Weiss, the service will feature Rev. Edward Benoway, bishop of the Florida Bahamas Synod.

• On Saturday, Nov. 1, St. Michael will host its Family Fun Fair for the community with carnival games, a car show, a Vietnam helicopter display, a silent auction, raffle booths and a Christmas crafts sale. Proceeds will be shared between St. Michael and the Glades Area Pantry in Pahokee.

For more information about St. Michael Lutheran Church, call (561) 793-4999 or visit www.stmichaelelc.com.

Free Genealogy Program In WPB

The Scottish-American Society of Palm Beach County will hold a free program on genealogy on Friday, Sept. 19 at Lakeside Presbyterian Church (4601 S. Flager Drive, West Palm Beach). The program will start at 7 p.m. Snacks will be served. For more info., call (561) 5888777 or visit www.saspbc. org.

Fall Shopping Extravaganza Sept. 27

The South Florida Fairgrounds will host its Fall Shopping Extravaganza on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Americraft Expo Center. The free event will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include garage sale items, antiques, crafts, wholesale items, toys, clothing, furniture, books,

videos and more all in air-conditioned comfort. Vendors are welcome. Parking is free. For more information, call (561) 793-0333 or visit www. southfloridafair.com.

Donations

For Hurricane Victims

Recent hurricanes have disrupted life for many in the Caribbean, especially children. Wellington Cares Clearinghouse is currently collecting books, clothing and school supplies for children in Jamaica. Members of Ultima Gym in Wellington recently put together 50 mid-wife kits for clinics in Haiti and 30 hygiene kits for homeless families in Palm Beach County. Wellington Cares is always looking for gently used items for Glades Area Pantries in Pahokee. To donate, call Ellie Caldwell at (561) 7905499.

Local History Mirrors Local Conditions

The 2008 hurricane season has spawned an alarming number of deadly storms such as Gustav and Ike. But those hurricanes pale in comparison to the “Hurricane of 1928,” blamed for the deaths of some 3,000 people in Palm Beach County.

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the second-worst natural disaster in U.S. history, the Education Network will premiere a half-hour program focusing on that Category 4 storm beginning on the eve of the anniversary, Monday, Sept. 15 at 8 p.m.

The documentary looks back at the storm through the chilling memories of survivors who still remember the ferocious winds, the damage to West Palm Beach and the dike that broke at Lake Okeechobee, flooding hundreds of square miles. Featured in the broadcast are Black Cloud author Eliot Kleinberg, Palm Beach County Historical Society Chairman Harvey Oyer and NewsChannel 5 Chief Meteorologist Steve Weagle. The program is a wake-up call for anyone who thinks that Frances, Jeanne and Wilma in 2004 and 2005 were the worstcase scenarios for South Florida. The stories of the devastation from the Hurricane of 1928 demonstrate the destructive power from a hurricane that borders on a Category 5. It also provides a sobering lesson on what it will take to survive, should another massive storm strike here again. The program airs every night at 8 p.m. throughout September on the Education Network, Comcast Channel 19. Send local news items to: The Town-Crier Newspaper, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

Wellington Actor To Make Debut At Silver Screen

Wellington resident Gene Jenney has been making quite a name for himself in the South Florida acting scene. On Tuesday, Sept. 16, Jenney will make his screen debut at the Silver Screen Cinema (12795 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington), where a special showing of the movie Wild Sunflowers will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Jenney has a co-starring role in this independent film, which was filmed on location in Lake Worth, Homestead and Clewiston. His wife Agatha also has a small speaking role in the film, and their daughters Isabella and Sabrina appear in several scenes. The film focuses on the issues a wounded war veteran and his family face while struggling to stay afloat financially and emotionally working with a system that is woefully illequipped to deal with the needs of the physically and emotionally scarred soldiers returning from the Middle East.

Jenney has also had a featured role in the independent film If I Were Dictator and a lead role in the Urban Horror Trilogy by Birch Creek Films. In addition, Jenney has appeared on the

USA television series Burn Notice, on the Brazilian soap opera Ways of the Heart, in Untitled Teen Road Movie (Sex Drive) , in a film about the Breakers Resort and in several commercials. Jenney is also a certified personal trainer available for private training sessions and fitness consulting. Admission to the Sept. 16 screening is $3.50 at the door. To contact Silver Screen Cinema, call (561) 793-6657. For more information about Gene Jenney, call Agatha Jenney at (561) 317-7186 or e-mail genepr@hotmail.com.

Clark Named Leukemia Society Honored Hero

Jumping in puddles, picking up frogs and running with the family dog are all very normal for five-year-old boys. A LifeFlight helicopter ride to Miami Children’s Hospital isn’t.

Wellington resident Max Clark was enjoying all those normal activities when his parents found out his white blood cell count was far above normal.

The diagnosis: T-cell acute lymphocytic leukemia. The first few weeks of treatment involved spinal taps, bone marrow aspirations and high doses of chemotherapy drugs as a result of being in a high risk group. Christmas Eve was particularly tough, as Max had to endure a tube placed through his nose into his stomach. He went through it all with an amazing attitude and has inspired many others from across the U.S. and Canada to help and encourage

him, and to help find a cure for leukemia.

Earlier this year, the Florida Panthers, Miami Dolphins, Miami Heat, the City of West Palm Beach and many others contributed to a fundraiser in downtown West Palm Beach. Max’s dad Jim joined the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training and ran a triathlon to help.

Now, Max has been named the “honored hero” of the annual Light the Night in downtown West Palm Beach for the local chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. As team captain, Jim Clark is hoping people from his hometown of Wellington will join Max on Oct. 17 at the Meyer Ampitheatre to help raise money and draw attention to finding a cure for blood cancers. For more information, visit www.lightthenight.org.

RPB Rotarian Presents Flag To Club In India

This past June, Tony Armour of the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club traveled to Bangalore, India with the goal of collaborating with the Bangalore Rotary Club in assisting an orphanage for HIV/AIDS girls called the Grace Home. The girls, ranging from three to 13 years old, are in desperate need of housing, education and nurturing. While in Bangalore, Armour had the opportunity to attend a Rotary District Awards Dinner, where he presented the Royal

Palm Beach Rotary Club’s flag to Bangalore Rotary District Governor Rajendra Rai. Plans are currently underway to assist the orphanage in obtaining a mini-van for transportation to school and other purposes. The Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club meets every Thursday morning at 7:30 a.m. at Hilary’s restaurant, located at the corner of Royal Palm Beach and Southern boulevards. Guests are welcome. Call (561) 697-8800 for further information.

Wellington Art Society Launches ‘ArtReach’ Project

On Aug. 26, nearly 20 members of the Wellington Art Society gathered at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center for a special Paint Day to create works of art for a permanent display in the Children’s Wing at Palms West Hospital. The exhibit is the first in a series of arts-related projects under the society’s new Community “ArtReach” Program, designed to enrich the lives of those in need through the use of the visual arts.

Society members in attendance created custom works appropriate for the facility, using free canvasses and other art supplies donated by Jerry’s Artarama, an early supporter of the project, along with Welder Services Inc., both located in West Palm Beach.

“The ArtReach mission is to send a message of encouragement and joy to those in our area whose everyday lives are met with significant challenge,” ArtReach Chairperson Karen Knight said. “Through this pro-

gram, our members use their talents to give back to the community with the greatest payment of all — the reward of giving.”

Among those joining Knight to “lend a brush” at the Paint Day kickoff were Dolores Rosen, Susan Rose, Raymonde Talleyrand, Dee Fritz, Karen Masely, Ursula Fernandez, Judi Bludworth, Jo-Ann Wolf, Leslie Pfeiffer, Maria Lentine, Jean Talbott, Norma Winter and Wellington Art Society President Adrianne Hetherington. Other volunteers donating works include Stephen Hlasnicek, Corinne Ingerman, Tom Carey, Karla Smith and Judy Eisinger. In addition, sculpture pieces are being donated by Norman Glitzen and Studio E Gallery in Palm Beach Gardens.

The Community ArtReach Program will make its official premiere with the installation of the permanent exhibit at the Children’s Hospital at Palms West, which is scheduled for late October.

ArtReach — (Seated, L-R) Jean Talbott, Norma Winter and Adrianne Hetherington; (standing) Dolores Rosen, Susan Rose, Raymonde Talleyrand, Dee Fritz, Karen Masely, Ursula Fernandez, Judi Bludworth, Jo-Ann Wolf, Leslie Pfeiffer, Maria Lentine and Karen Knight.

The society is also looking for individuals and/or local businesses that may be interested in participating in the program, either by volunteering time and talents or by sponsoring an ArtReach project. In-kind and monetary donations are both welcome and appreciated. For more information about the Community ArtReach Program, call Karen Knight at (561) 798-3240 or e-mail artforum9@aol. com. For more information, visit www.wellingtonartsociety.org or call Hetherington at (561) 784-7561.

Toastmasters To Compete In Royal Palm Sept. 14

The River Walk (a.k.a. Royal Palm Beach) Toastmasters will be sending two contestants to the Area 42 Toastmasters competition on Sunday, Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way).

Attorney Steve Logan, who won an earlier round of competition on Aug. 14 against four competitors, will represent the Royal Palm Beach chapter of Toastmasters in the Humorous

Speech Contest. He will compete against the winners from other Toastmasters chapters in Palm Beach County.

Dave Moore will represent the River Walk Toastmasters for Best Speech Evaluator at the competition. Dabney Hedegard will represent the Wellington Toastmasters Club at the competition for Best Humorous Speech.

The public is invited to attend this entertaining event. Admis-

sion is free. For more information, call Myrna Brooks at (561) 283-4772.

Through club activities and conferences, Toastmasters helps its members improve their communication and leadership skills while fostering self-confidence and personal growth.

For more information about Toastmasters, visit the organization’s web site at www. toastmasters.org.

Steve Logan

Royal Palm Beach Rotarian Tony Armour presents a flag to Bangalore Rotary District Governor Rajendra Rai.

Gene Jenney

Chairs Named For 21st Annual Boys & Girls Club Dinner Dance

The Boys & Girls Club of Wellington welcomes back Dr. Harvey Montijo and his wife Zulma, and introduces Dr. Vincent Apicella and his wife Dr. Mariaclara Bago as the cochairs of the 21st Annual Boys & Girls Club Wellington Dinner Dance. The dinner dance, themed “Under the Tuscan Moon,” will take place the evening of Saturday, Dec. 6 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. The black-tie event is known for kicking off the busy social season in Wellington. It will begin with a cocktail reception and high-end silent auction, followed by dinner, dancing and a spectacular live auction.

Dr. Montijo is the founding partner and CEO at the Center for Bone and Joint Surgery of the Palm Beaches, an orthopedic surgery practice serving the western communities. He is also the CEO of Palms Wellington Outpatient Surgical Center in Royal Palm Beach and the medical director of the Joint Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center. Dr. Montijo is involved in the training of surgeons around the world, and prides himself in providing top-quality care to each and every patient. In 1992, the Montijos moved from Panama, where Dr. Montijo was stationed in the U.S. Medical Military Corps as chief of surgery from 1989 to 1992.

Zulma Montijo is an avid tennis player, a football fanatic and a great supporter of the medical practice. The Montijos have three children: Luschka, 28, who is a certified public accountant and Florida Atlantic University graduate; Harvey Jr., 26, who is in his fourth year of medical school at Duke University; and Zulmarie, 19, a sophomore at Savannah College of Art & Design.

The Montijos and the team at the Center for Bone and Joint Surgery said they are excited to be involved with the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington and are dedicated to making the 2008 event even better than their first. Dr. Montijo said he believes the best drug-prevention program is by keeping children occupied in both body and mind, and developing skills to help make them become forthright citizens for the future. “The activities at the Boys & Girls Clubs provide and build strong moral character in those children that may never receive this kind of guidance,”

Dr. Montijo said.

After chairing a successful dinner dance in 2007, the Montijos say they are thrilled to cochair the 2008 event with Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago.

Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago are board-certified family practice physicians who have lived in the Wellington area for almost eight years. In July 2004, they estab-

lished Premier Family Health & Wellness and have been dedicated to providing a higher level of healthcare to the citizens of the western communities. Dr. Apicella obtained his degree in osteopathic medicine from Nova Southeastern University and was chief resident of the Family Practice Residency Program at Wellington Regional Medical Center.

Dr. Bago earned her master’s degree in health science education from the University of Florida and received her degree in osteopathic medicine from Nova Southeastern. Her special interests are in women’s health, bio-identical hormones, detoxification and weight management. She recently opened an anti-aging and wellness center where pa-

Mateo Nuleta Wins Wal-Mart Coloring Contest

Seven-year-old Mateo Nuleta was the winner of the Royal Palm Beach Wal-Mart Vision Center’s recent SpongeBob SquarePants coloring contest.

“Mateo was very determined to win,” contest coordinator Gloria Olava said. “It took him two hours to finish coloring his SpongeBob picture.”

Mateo told Olava that he was sure he was going to win because he was making sure he was staying within the lines of his SpongeBob drawing, and kept getting out of his chair to look at a SpongeBob lamp that Olava had at her vision screening station to get exact details of the original cartoon.

Mateo added bubbles around the cartoon character, saying he got the idea from a bubble machine that was used while Olava took pictures of the children at the table coloring as they enjoyed their refreshments.

Mateo, who received a lunchbox and backpack filled with goodies, was the first Vision Center Coloring Contest winner. He was picked by Wal-Mart Supercenter Store Manager Bruce Blivins, who said it took him a while to choose because he considered all the children winners.

All the participants received tokens of appreciation for their hard work, Olava said.

tients are achieving higher levels of health with renewed energy and vitality.

Dr. Apicella and Dr. Bago said they feel that with a unified community, committed to programs like the Boys & Girls Clubs, the Village of Wellington will remain a positive environment for all families in the future.

Tickets to the event are $225 per person. Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Proceeds from the dinner dance will directly benefit the members of the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington. The club provides services during non-school hours as well as summer camp opportunities to more than 700

Mateo Nuleta with his award and winning entry.

Zulma and Dr. Harvey MontijoDr. Mariaclara Bago and Dr. Vincent Apicella

Renaissance Foundation Creates Scholarship For PBCC Students

The Renaissance Foundation in Wellington recently committed to providing a five-year $12,500 scholarship fund open to graduates of western Palm Beach County high schools enrolled in healthcare programs at Palm Beach Community College in Lake Worth.

Founded three years ago by Noel and Susan Guillama, the Renaissance Foundation was established to give back to the community. The organization is committed to health-related issues, education and a philanthropic desire to improve the community.

“Creating scholarships for local students to gain a higher education in a health-related program, meets all three of our mission points,” Susan Guillama said. “To do this at Palm Beach Community College, with all of the many wonderful allied health programs they teach, is just fantastic.”

The foundation is funded by profits from the Quantum Group, Renaissance Health Systems, and donations from company associates and private donors.

“We are extremely excited to be able to offer these scholarships to high school students from our western communities to attend PBCC,” Lake Worth campus provost Dr. Maria Vallejo said.

PBCC Foundation Executive Director Suellen Mann concurred. “We are very blessed to have wonderful supporters who understand the financial needs of students,” Mann said. “The PBCC Foundation was created to provide student scholarships and support academic programs at the college.”

For more information, call PBCC Foundation Scholarship and Alumni Relations Manager Cherie Joseph at (561) 8683573.

Equestrian Trails Becomes STARS School

FlagHouse, the official physical education equipment sponsor for the STARS Program, congratulates Equestrian Trails Elementary School in Wellington for becoming a STARS school.

The STARS Program is a national achievement program established by the National Association for Sport & Physical Education (NASPE). The program recognizes outstanding physical education programs K12 in schools across the United States.

STARS schools provide meaningful learning opportunities for all students. Their physical education programs serve as models for others to follow, and they exemplify excellence in teaching knowledge and skills of motor development and health-related fitness. STARS award criteria are based on curriculum, instructional strategies, assessment and evaluation, communications and support resources such as facilities, equipment, class time and teacher qualifications. Due to the rise in childhood

obesity and the diseases associated with a sedentary lifestyle, the need for quality physical education programs and instruction has never been greater.

Equestrian Trails strives to provide a quality program to all children aligned with the established NASPE and Florida State standards. Two teachers provide instruction two periods every seven days for more than 1,250 students. Staff has designed a yearly plan of instruction with an integration of physical activity and fitness components. The plan follows the curriculum of the Palm Beach County Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Their physical education program focuses on basic movements, movement concepts and fitness concepts. Students learn basic skills through several movement forms including team, dual and individual sports, and dance. The emphasis of the school district on an integrated curriculum provides the opportunity to focus on physical education concepts as they relate to

science, math and language arts. In addition, Equestrian Trails promotes student participation in physical activity outside of school through a community program called “Get Out, Get Active.”

FlagHouse, a global supplier of physical education equipment for education and recreation professionals, has been the official physical education equipment sponsor for the STARS Program for the last four years.

“We are proud that Equestrian Trails Elementary School and its staff is dedicated to providing a strong physical education program to their students,” FlagHouse Senior Brand Manager Keith Gold said. “The number of overweight children ages six to 19 has more than tripled in the United States since 1980. This extra weight puts children at risk for a number of diseases. Quality physical education programs, like the one implemented at Equestrian Trails, help to fight obesity and protect the future health of our children.”

FlagHouse provides STARS recipients with a gift certificate to purchase new physical education equipment for their school. In addition, the company assists in funding the development of STARS Pipeline workshops each year.

The workshops, held at the annual convention for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, provide schools with the tools needed to successfully prepare their STARS application. Workshop participants have the opportunity to review samples of winning STARS portfolios, discuss strategies for collecting and analyzing documentation, and are taught how to effectively communicate program specifics.

Each year, FlagHouse awards up to 75 grants that allow teachers to participate in the workshop and obtain the knowledge necessary to build strong STARS portfolios.

For more information about FlagHouse, call (800) 793-7900 or visit the company’s web site at www.flaghouse. com.

Area Students Named Semifinalists In SSP Science Competition

The Society for Science & the Public is getting ready for its annual national science competition for middle school students. This year’s semifinalists were selected from 1,943 entrants representing 253 affiliated science fairs across the United States and Puerto Rico.

The 300 semifinalists represent 42 states and Puerto Rico and include 177 males and 123 females. Two students from the western communities are semifinalists: Thomas Coates III and Monique Costner.

To qualify for entry into the competition, students in Palm Beach County must participate and place first or second in their individual category at the Palm Beach County Regional Science & Engineering Fair in the Junior Division. The young scientists in grades six to eight were honored by being picked by the SSP selection committee as semifinalists for this year’s national competition.

Coates, a seventh grader at Wellington Landings Middle School, was chosen for his project “Are Nurses Being Stretched Past Their Mental Capabilities by Working Long Shifts?” Costner, a sixth grader

at Western Pines Middle School, was chosen for her project “The Moon’s Synchronous Orbit a Result of Uneven Lunar Density.” On Sept. 17, 30 national finalists will be named from among the 300 semifinalists already selected. The national finalists will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., for a four-day event to be held in October. While in the nation’s capital, these finalists will compete for over $40,000 in scholarships provided by the Society for Science & the Public. The top 10 winners will be selected based on presentation of their original science fair project and participation in team scientific activities to be held at the Koshland Science Museum. Winners will be announced on Oct. 22.

“Congratulations to our students who were selected as 2008 SSP Middle School Program semifinalists,” K-12 Science Fair Coordinator Debrah Bowen said. “We are all pulling for them to advance to the finals and represent Palm Beach County in this outstanding competition.”

For more information, contact Bowen at (561) 434-8267.

Wildcat Debaters Look Ahead To A Busy Year

Royal Palm Beach High School debate coach Dario Camara presented the tournament schedule for the debate team at a recent parent committee meeting and expressed the need for parent and community involvement to ensure a successful year. Because there is no funding supplied by the School District of Palm Beach County, fundraising is very important. Throughout the school year, students travel to tournaments at least two Saturdays each month. Wildcat students compete with other debaters in this area from across Florida. RPBHS students will to compete on a national level in other

states such as Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Illinois. Students are required to raise money for these trips through fundraising opportunities or through the support of their parents. RPBHS has been given the honor to be the host school for the varsity state championships March 6-7, 2009. Approximately 750 students and adults will be involved in this debate tournament. The RPBHS debate team will be seeking volunteers and corporate sponsorships for this great event. For more information about the RPBHS debate team, including a schedule of events, visit www.royalpalmforensics.com.

Health Care Scholarships — Susan and Noel Guillama of the Renaissance Foundation with PBCC Lake Worth campus provost Dr. Maria Vallejo and PBCC Foundation Executive Director Suellen Mann.

Poinciana Day School Students Use Their Green Thumbs

Ms. Julie Dean’s first-grade students at Poinciana Day School have been learning about plants and the growing cycle. Last week, students have been examining seeds and learning about their components.

Students made booklets identifying the parts of a seed and then planted sunflower seeds. One at a time, students filled their cups with dirt, making sure that the dirt was loose enough to make a soft bed for their seeds. Each student carefully placed four seeds in little holes in the dirt, covered them up, and gave their seeds some water so they would grow.

Students will be keeping a watchful eye on their seeds over the next few weeks to see when they sprout and how big their plants get. Their daily observations will be recorded in a plant diary. Students will also be adding math to their science lesson as they measure and chart their plant’s daily growth.

Students often learn best by doing, and at Poinciana Day School each day is filled with practical experiences for all age levels. Curriculum is integrated to include math, science, reading and art into thematic lessons. Students remain actively engaged in the learning process, which keeps learning fun and exciting.

“Our teachers are extremely creative and innovative in finding unique ways to bring their lessons alive,” Head of School Nixie Swift said. “Creativity sparks the imagination to solve problems. Our goal is to develop creative thinkers who will be able to solve the unique demands of the 21st century’s global neighborhood.”

Located at 1340 Kenwood Road in West Palm Beach, Poinciana Day School is a small independent private school for students in kindergarten through eighth grade where “every student is an honored student.”

seeds.

New students are accepted throughout the year as long as space is available. For more information about Poinciana Day School, or to schedule a personal tour of the campus, call (561) 655-7323 or visit the school’s web site at www.poincianadayschool.org.

SRHS Interact Club To Host Fundraiser At Fuddruckers

The Seminole Ridge High School Interact Club has partnered with the Fuddruckers restaurant in Wellington for a fundraiser Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 5 to 10 p.m. Bring the Interact flier, available from any club member or in the front office, and Fuddruckers will donate 20 percent your dinner order to the Interact Club.

What is Interact? Club secretary Katelyn Palermo explained that it is as simple as the name implies — it’s all about interaction. The club interacts with the community, making it better, helping those in need and finding causes to support — giving school supplies to less-fortunate children, cleaning the beach, saving the life of a child.

Every year, Interact members walk along the water’s edge to help a local beach clean up its shoreline, picking up any trash they see, filling huge bags of trash.

“People just leave it behind without thinking about the wildlife they could disturb, or even

how horrible and dirty it makes everything look,” Palermo said.

“Last year the club got to see sea turtles hatch and waddle into the ocean.”

Palermo also explained the club’s help with needy students. “School shopping can get expensive, and not everyone can afford the necessary supplies,” she said. “Interact hands out paper bags that students can fill with markers, pencils and calculators. Each bag filled is worth two hours of community service and goes to a child who needs it. If you’re interested in filling a bag, all members of Interact have them.”

Recently, Interact has taken up a mission to collect pop tops. These little pieces of aluminum, when collected and donated, will provide a room for parents at a Ronald McDonald House, established for helping the parents of sick children. “Students get something out of this as well — one water bottle full (a regular-sized one) of pop tops equals two hours of community ser-

vice,” Palermo said.

Interact is designed to help others. It gives people a chance to earn service hours for graduation requirements and scholarships. It can make a difference in people’s lives, and that’s what members aim to do.

Interact is sponsored by Mrs. Katie Wright in Room 5-106 and Ms. Alison Baird in Room 6-103. The club would like to thank the community in advance for its support.

In other news, Seminole Ridge 2-D art teacher Ms. Gwenn Seuling is “always looking for materials to use in art, and these,” she said of the list below, “are a few you might throw away that we would love to have.” Seminole Ridge artists need newspapers, used light bulbs, large, flat cardboard pieces, sheets of plywood, picture frames, styrofoam egg cartons and any type of art materials. Parents, why throw out perfectly good art materials? Bring them in to Room 3-102 so they can be reused.

Chick-fil-A Challenges Broncos, Wolverines To Raise Money

The Chick-fil-A restaurant in the Mall at Wellington Green has challenged Palm Beach Central and Wellington high schools to compete for a significant monetary donation.

The school whose purchases result in the highest total sales between now and Oct. 30 will win a check equal to 15 percent of the total sales resulting from both schools during that eightweek period; the runner-up will win five percent of the same total sales.

The winning school will be announced during halftime at the Oct. 31 Wellington versus

Frontier Elementary School in The Acreage will hold its annual walk-athon on Friday, Sept. 19. The community is encouraged to show support for the students by making pledges to them. The purpose of the event is to raise money for literacy and

Palm Beach Central football game.

During the competition period, students, faculty, coaches, friends and family are encouraged to purchase breakfast, lunch and/or dinner at Chick-filA in support of their school. This includes their milkshakes, which make great after school snacks. All customers should notify the cashier of the school they support to make sure their purchases benefit the school of their choice.

“The team at Chick-fil-A is excited to engage the community in a friendly competition

benefits our local schools,” franchise operator

Rabenecker said. “We felt it was important to put the fundraising dollars directly into the hands of those who will benefit. As far as how much can be raised, the sky is the limit!”

The Oct. 31 football game will take place at Wellington High School (2101 Greenview Shores Blvd.). For more information about Chick-fil-A’s schools competition, call the restaurant at (561) 333-4242. For more about Chick-fil-A, visit www.chickfil-a.com.

technology programs at the school and to build awareness among students regarding the importance of health and fitness. If you would like additional information on the walk-athon, call Principal Mrs. Dwan Ross at (561) 784-4100 or Assistant Principal Mrs. Laurie Wilt at (561) 784-4101. Frontier Elementary School would like to congratulate Patrick McDowell from Ms. Karenna Holt’s fourth grade class for submitting the winning slogan for the walk-athon shirts, “The Mighty Mustangs: Stride with Pride.”

First graders Logan Maharaj of Royal Palm Beach and Julia Weber of West Palm Beach proudly show off their freshly planted sunflower seeds.

Jonathan Gervolino and teacher Julie Dean prepare to plant sunflower

‘Neverending Necklace’ Will Visit Art Of Life Gallery

In November

The Neverending Necklace

will have its first exhibit ever at a local art gallery and frame shop. The exhibit can be viewed on Nov. 15 and 16 at the Art of Life Gallery & Frame Shop, located at 10120 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 170, in the Pointe at Wellington Green. The Neverending Necklace was started 10 years ago in Wellington as a fundraiser for charity and has now become an international project that is growing ever faster.

Art of Life owner David Friedman saw an opportunity to help raise money for charity by becoming the world’s first host to put the entire necklace on display and make people aware of this ongoing project. Friedman said his gallery is a perfect place to showcase such a feast for the eyes. The Neverending Necklace will be the world’s longest and most valuable necklace in which people from all over the world can participate and take pride in. The first goal is an entry into Guinness World Records. Currently, the necklace measures about 1,000 feet in length and is expected to double by next year. With nearly 5,000 people already involved, the necklace holds many fond memories of the people whose names it car-

ries for all the world to see.

Anybody can contribute to the necklace by dedicating beads to people they love. For $1 per bead, the name of your loved one will be added to the necklace, and dedications will be entered into the online journal, which can be seen at www. addbeads.com. All the money goes to local charities. The offer is also available for local businesses who want their company’s name to be part of the project.

Becoming a sponsor of the Neverending Necklace is a good way to get exposure for your business while contributing to a good cause. Sponsors receive a plaque, an ad message on www. addbeads.com, a page banner, a business listing in the directory of sponsors online and in print (including a link to your business’ web site), free links to each bead on your sponsored “bead panel,” a certificate of sponsorship to display in your business and invitations to special events. Your company’s panel will never be duplicated; it is uniquely yours. For more info., call Ingrid Webster at (561) 793-5509. For more information about the Art of Life Gallery & Frame Shop, call (561) 7938888 or visit www.artoflife gallery.com.

Fright Nights Returns To S.F. Fairgrounds Oct. 9

South Florida’s greatest collection of strange people, human oddities and freakish entertainers eerily creeps back onto the South Florida Fairgrounds next month. The annual Fright Nights will open on Thursday, Oct. 9. A haunted maze of ghoulish ghosts and supernatural phenomena with disturbingly dark monsters, the event is spread over four wicked weekends, featuring a cast of more than 80 actors. Five weird and intoxicating haunts await you. Meet the Smiths: a typical American family or a sociopathic clan of murderous clowns? Tour Country Bill’s Meat Market where a team of butchers carves what appear to be the finest cuts of beef, pork and poultry. Probe the depths of the Dead End, a sinister warehouse stocked with unspeakable devices and a decaying burial ground. Take a seat at Sick Flicks Cinema, an outdoor theatre of classic horror flicks certain to roil the inner self. Sword swallowers, fire eaters, contortionists and a real live wolf man await you at the world-famous Brothers Grimm Sideshow. Are you ready? Or are you chicken? Then perhaps a Monster Mid-

way of rides, games, food and fun is more to your liking.

Fright Nights is a full evening that scares, but with admission prices that don’t. A wristband ticket costs $20 in advance and $25 at the gate. The fee covers gate admission and one admission to each attraction plus unlimited rides. General admission tickets cost $10 in advance and $15 at the gate. That covers gate admission and one admission to each attraction. Advance tickets are on sale at participating Walgreens stores in Palm Beach County and at the South Florida Fair ticket office. Parking is free.

Fright Nights will take place Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 9-11; Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 16-18; Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 2326; and Thursday through Saturday, Oct. 30 to Nov. 1. Hours are 6 to 11 p.m. weeknights and 6 p.m. to midnight on weekends.

The South Florida Fairgrounds are located off Southern Blvd., one mile west of Florida’s Turnpike. Enter gates 3 or 12. For more information, call call (561) 793-0333 or visit www.southfloridafair.com/ frightnights08.

Food Drive Nets More Than A Ton Of Donations

How did Community Christian Church members go from 450 pounds of food donations to more than 2,000 pounds in one month?

“It was a challenge,” said Andrea McKenney, an administrative assistant at the Greenacres church. “But it was worth it. Our total was 2,630 pounds!”

The church’s weight gain was due to Mission Impossible, which was a campaign to collect a ton of food for the Oasis Compassion Agency in Greenacres.

“We usually do two food drives per year for Oasis and get about 450 pounds each time,” McKenney said. “Collecting over five times that amount from a congregation this size was really a stretch.”

The church typically has slightly more than 100 people worshipping on Sundays. Why such a big goal? Sandy Dillon, a church member who volunteers at Oasis, was dismayed by the empty shelves he saw at the Oasis pantry. “Oasis usually gives out 3,000 pounds of food per month, but last month, they only received 800 pounds in donations,” Dillon said. As the time for Community Christian’s next food drive approached, Dillon kept thinking about the empty shelves.

“The big question was, what would our goal be?” Dillon said. “One night, I had a dream about this and woke up with this thought: if you’re going for the impossible, why not set a goal of 2,200 pounds? This would be the difference between what they needed and received last month. This goal was also larger than any single donation Oa-

sis has received in a month. Remember Matthew 19:26, ‘with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” And with that, Mission Impossible was launched for the month of August. Oasis Pantry Manager Kay Lasiter said the economy isn’t just hurting their clients, it’s also hurting their donors. “Over the past two months we’ve seen food donations drop by more than half,” Lasiter said. “Fortunately, we received a food grant from an individual that enabled us to make up the difference.”

Oasis CEO Sharon Gill agreed. “We’re truly grateful for Mission Impossible and Community Christian’s commitment to Oasis,” she said. “There are so many more people coming for help that we are running out of food.”

McKenney challenges others to take on Mission Impossible in their own churches and neighborhoods. “It’s an easy way to let your neighbors know that your church doesn’t just say it cares, it proves it cares by getting involved like we do at Oasis,” she said. “Most people are willing to give a few cans of food or boxes of pasta to something that they can see you supporting.”

Oasis Compassion Agency’s mission is to demonstrate God’s love by providing food, clothing, Biblical counseling and lifeskills training to the needy. Oasis also works with several area agencies to provide referrals for social, medical and employment services. The agency is located at 4888 Tenth Avenue North in Greenacres. For more information, call (561) 967-4066 or visit www.oasiscompassion.org.

LGLA Gets Update From FPL On New Power Plant

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

At the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association meeting on Aug. 28, LGLA members met with Florida Power & Light’s Carmine Priore III and Pat Davis, who spoke to members about the components of the planned West County Energy Plant.

Priore, the plant’s general manager, described the site as approximately 8,000 feet long and 2,000 feet wide with the first two units under construction, and plans in place for a third unit.

The plant will use a M501G gas turbine, producing about double what older gas turbines produce. Plans also call for cooling water to be discharged in an underground injection control system.

Units 1 and 2 are already licensed, and Unit 3 is in the licensing process. When Unit 3 is added, FPL will use reclaimed water as its primary water source for the site. It has not yet been determined whether the pipeline will run along Okeechobee or Southern boulevards.

“Construction is underway for units 1 and 2,” Davis told the Town-Crier last week. “Unit 1 is scheduled to come online in mid 2009, and Unit 2 will come online in 2010. We still have to go through the approval process for Unit 3, and that would likely be in 2011.”

Davis noted that LGLA members were very interested in the reclaimed water that is going to

be used at the plant. “We are going to be getting water from Palm Beach County Water Utilities instead of using the Floridan Aquifer,” Davis said. “It’s not a drinking water source either. We were permitted for the Floridan Aquifer, but we will be using reclaimed water starting in 2011.”

Davis also said that a site-certification hearing would be coming up in Royal Palm Beach. That is slated to occur in late October, likely Oct. 27-31, at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Another hearing may be necessary from Nov. 3-7. Assuming that the agency gets through the site-certification hearing, Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet would review it for approval, likely in February 2009. “We still have some approvals to go through,” she noted.

Priore said he and Davis would be in touch with residents to keep them constantly updated on progress. “There were questions about how the unit would work, and the traffic, and the work on the plant construction-wise,” Priore said. “The main thing is that West County Energy Center will be using the cleanest and most efficient combined-cycle technology available. From a power plant perspective, there is nothing cleaner in the United States, and it’s definitely more efficient.” For more information, power plant descriptions and drawings are available at www.fpl.com/ westcounty.

USPS Opens Distribution Center In Wellington

The U.S. Postal Service has opened a new mail distribution center in Wellington. Personnel in charge of delivery to addresses located in Zip Code 33414 have moved from the Palms West branch located in Royal Palm Beach to the new Wellington distribution center.

“The distribution center also known as the Wellington Annex does not have retail window operations, and the facility is not open to the public,” said Sal Vacca, officer-in-charge for the West Palm Beach-area post offices.

Customers located in Zip Code 33414 are advised to call (800) 275-8777 for delivery questions and/or concerns.

“Customer service personnel are not available at the Wellington Annex, therefore ‘hold mail’ cannot be picked up at the facility upon the customer’s return,” Vacca said. “Hold mail will be redelivered by the letter carrier upon the customer’s request.” Customers can make arrangements to pick up accountable mail and parcels at the Palms West branch at 10299 Southern Blvd.

Flood Donations Accepted At Horse Show Grounds

Donations of clothing, blankets and LifeStraws to filter unsafe water for the victims of devastating floods in Haiti are being collected at the Wellington horse show grounds.

Drainage Water In Basin B

continued from page 1 and safety issue, and that the residents in southern Wellington, which in terms of drainage is designated Basin B, had experienced a 23 percent increase in taxes over the past three years, generating well over $1 million for the village.

“I want to suggest the following recommendations: that the village will continue to review the existing systems and capacity for adequate drainage services, and they are available at all times in advent of a major storm,” Scherer said. “The village should demand and successfully negotiate to use the south pumps into the conservation area as historically was permitted in times of excess water levels.”

Finally, Scherer said construction of a pumping facility in Section 24 should be accelerated to reduce the 18 months before the expected completion date, which would include two more hurricane seasons.

Section 24, a 365-acre area of former agricultural land directly west of the equestrian area, is being restored as a wetland habitat, passive park, education center and filtration marsh with a high-capacity pumping station.

“We have to clean up the Everglades, but what happens if we are all drowning?” Scherer said. “Something is not right. That’s all I am trying to point out. We as a group need to tell our leaders it ain’t working.”

The committee voted unanimously to pass Scherer’s suggestions on to the Wellington Village Council.

But Wellington Operations Director John Bonde told the Town-Crier on Thursday that

LGWCD

OGEM Survey

continued from page 9 ment,” Corum said. “I could live with the dirt. Pave would be nice too. I feel that if there is a majority of people on C Road who would want it, they should have it.”

stormwater from southern Wellington cannot simply be pumped directly into the Everglades as had been done previously. “Pumping water out would have to be under disastrous circumstances,” he said.

Bonde, who operated Wellington’s Emergency Operations Center during the Tropical Storm Fay, said he telephoned four requests to the SFWMD asking for permission to pump out water from southern Wellington into the rim canal that defines the edge of the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, through the one pumping structure that remains for that purpose, but was denied.

“They denied it, because they said any flooding that existed in Wellington was not severe enough to warrant it,” Bonde said. “But I thought that it was necessary to request this because I knew that if I didn’t, then I wasn’t using every tool that was available.”

However, Bonde said that knowing SFWMD policies, he expected that the request would be denied.

“The flooding wasn’t that bad,” Bonde said. “We had some minor road flooding, in fact we had more major road flooding up at the 12th Fairway area and some of the areas in the A Basin,” which is the northern, suburban area of Wellington.

Bonde said his own neighborhood of Wiltshire Village was flooded after the storm. He said he had to enlist the aid of Village Manager Paul Schofield, who picked him up in his Ford Explorer to get him to the EOC.

Groves Water Agreement

continued from page 2 baum noted that the council had settled on the concept of a franchise agreement the previous month, which would give the town control over connections to provide water.

Bonde said he met for an hour with Scherer and staff from Mock Roos & Associates, which has been the village’s stormwater engineer for more than 20 years. He said Scherer harkened back to the old days when Wellington was a rural area and there were no environmental concerns or regulations.

“I said, ‘look, you know and I know that’s history. We can’t go back in time. There’s been a lot of laws passed since then and things are different now,’” Bonde said.

Bonde said he and engineers explained to Scherer that the village’s new drainage system provides the same level of protection to property south of Pierson Road that the old system did.

“The pipes were sized, the pumps were sized, everything was sized to provide the ten-year storm event,” he said. “The problem with what happened the day of the tornado was, that was a 25-year storm event. Obviously when you have rainfall that exceeds the designed storm, you’re going to have problems. You’re going to have flooded roadways. You’re going to have some areas where the canals are overbanked. You’re going to have areas where the water doesn’t fit.”

Bonde said the village had pumps lowering canal levels around the clock for three days in preparation of Fay’s arrival.

“We prepared the canals for approximately six inches of rain,” he said. “We received ten inches of rain, so obviously we had more rain than we anticipated in a very short period of time.”

of everything that is generated in here. The way it’s written, it’s just water.”

The flooded roads were clear within a few hours in most cases, Bonde said. “Down in the lowest end of the district, it did take longer,” he said. “I was down there a day and a half later and there were still some areas that had some water beside the road. There were some areas that had some water near the top of the canals. It took 48 to 72 hours to bring everything back.”

Bonde takes issue with Scherer’s claims of standing water for nine days. “I don’t think that’s absolutely true at all,” he said. “Our duty is to get the canals down. If you grade your property and get the water to our canals, we get our canals down. He may have had some standing water in low areas.”

Bonde said that once completed, the Section 24 project would provide drainage capacity far beyond what is currently possible. “We’re going to have even better flood protection because we’re going to have all this additional storage,” he said. “In about 18 months that project will be completed, and we’ll have all this additional storage that we never had before.”

Bonde said the multi-faceted project’s design and completion is taking longer than usual because of a high degree of interest in it and a need to spend time analyzing bids. He also noted that the SFWMD is funding the Section 24 project, not Wellington taxpayers, although they will directly benefit from it.

ITID

Water Woes

continued from page 8 seen in the county in regard to drainage.

Rosenbaum agreed with Autrey that the town should safeguard its future prospects. “I worked in a place like this once upon a time,” he said. “It changed a great deal in 30something years. The agreements were in place to let another city come in and service the area, and the other city made $400 million. I’m not saying we don’t want this to happen. I think we need to be careful. The business side of this is very important.”

“This is an old unrecorded subdivision that predates all development regulations,” Weisman said. “The area was allowed to subdivide without public roads, without any drainage. The water collects up there and apparently it was no big deal for the past few years when we had the drought, but when this rain came in the past few months, their properties pretty much flooded except for the house pad itself. The water is not going anywhere.”

Donations can be made at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center (14440 Pierson Road) between the hours of 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Donations should be left with the security guard at the Pierson Road entrance.

Letters

continued from page 4 laws of the State of Florida, is authorized to continue in existence.”

What part of that is hard to understand? Councilman Dave Autrey, Vice Mayor Marge Herzog and Councilman Dr. Bill Louda all made campaign promises that the water control district would remain independent and took an oath to uphold our town charter. In the short time they have been in office, it seems they have already morphed into typical promise-breaking, power-grabbing politicians.

Our new government has already wasted several months and many thousands of our precious tax dollars arguing over wording in an interlocal agreement between the town and our water control district. Supposedly this interlocal agreement was urgently needed for the town to qualify for our share of the gas tax revenue from the county. Turns out the town qualified for this funding all along — no agreement was ever needed! Yet the several-months-long legal debacle between the town and the LGWCD ended up costing our residents double lawyers’ bills. Bear in mind, it is we, the good ol’ taxpayers, who are footing the attorneys’ bills on both sides of the conflict. Why on earth are we wasting megabucks paying lawyers to fight amongst ourselves? It’s like we are in some kind of idiotic circular firing squad. This council is beginning to remind me of the dysfunctional old Indian Trail [Improvement District] board… on steroids.

The water control district is doing nothing differently than they have done for the past 90 years. They maintain our roads and canals, and simply wish to

Equestrian Sport Productions volunteered to become a collection point after receiving reports of extensive flooding in and around Gonaives, the third-largest city in Haiti. Aid workers in Haiti are making arrangements to collect donations and distribute them to the flood victims.

be left alone to continue doing so. Three members of our town council have initiated this costly legal battle under the guise of “paving issues.” Personally, I believe it has very little to do with paving. It all seems to boil down to money, power and control.

I think the council should stick to their knitting and focus on municipal issues such as the comprehensive plan, sheriff’s protection, waste management, etc. The water control district is doing a good job, and I see no urgency to change their status. This is not an issue that needs to be addressed right now. The council should abandon this hostile takeover attempt immediately and stop wasting our tax dollars. If you agree, please email the town at clerk@ loxahatcheegroves.org and tell them so.

Although I was a huge proponent of incorporation, I am sorely disappointed with the direction our new town has taken. Broken campaign promises, overt power-grabbing, wasteful spending, lots of planned new codes and regulations with no signs of a grandfathering policy for existing home businesses make it clear that all those “government lite” promises have evaporated.

Smart people know that local government is only as good as the leaders they elect. Hopefully our next election will garner the town taxpayers better representation. As a last resort, we can always vote to dissolve the town. Both our residents and council need to remember one important fact: ultimately it is we, the voters, who hold the power.

Cindy Lou Corum Loxahatchee Groves

Resident Elise Ryan, Supervisor Ryan’s wife, said she would like to see more details on the costs of putting the OGEM on the roads, and with the fate of the LGWCD uncertain, wanted to make sure that people who request OGEM stabilization would have protection that ensures the promises made to them are kept.

“I would like to see that outlined not just for now, but for future years,” Ryan said. “If there is a future board or if there are mergers or changes, the people who put the money out will need some protection. What was promised should be documented.”

Curry: I Ran A Positive Campaign

I would like to express my appreciation to all of those who offered me their support during the primary election on Aug. 26, and further would like to thank each and every resident who attended the polls on that day (or offered an early vote or absentee ballot). I consider voting one of the most critical elements of citizen involvement in maintaining our democratic representative form of government. I hope every registered voter takes the time to vote in our upcoming Nov. 4 general election!

As for the Town-Crier , I would like to offer a note of thanks for providing a forum for the Indian Trail Improvement District candidates. As for your endorsement of the incumbent, I noted that the editorial board seems to believe I would have offered nothing but “fights with the county.” I must say that it is not the role of the ITID board to give the county everything it desires, especially if it is detrimental to the residents of the Acreage/Loxahatchee community. There are times for cooperation and times where a fight is appropriate. As your paper elected to only print an Acreage edition every two weeks after that endorsement, it unfairly left me without an opportunity to refute your endorsement in the paper prior to the election.

Concerning ITID Supervisor Michelle Damone’s letter to the editor of two weeks ago, I would herein reject her premise that I, as a candidate for ITID Seat 4, in any manner, shape or form, ran or participated in “malicious, vile, negative campaigning and

“We narrowed this down to giving Palm Beach County a franchise agreement with the town having control over the water hookups,” Rosenbaum said. “Whatever subsequently happens, the control issue is accomplished in there. Maybe we can begin the discussion by talking about why we went to the franchise agreement instead of a bulk purchase.”

Autrey said he had read the county’s agreement documentation and was glad there would be no forced hookups, but he was also concerned about maximizing the potential for town revenue through such an agreement.

“You need to understand the business part of it,” Autrey said. “They are offering ten percent of the water that flows through the pipes. There is a whole other section of this. There is the construction side and the development fees and all of that. I think we need to get ten percent

hold accountable those who participated in negative campaigning.” My responses as offered here in the Town-Crier, as well as my mailings and my flier, were written by me, and pertained toward what I supported, what I opposed and what I would offer should I be elected.

Having witnessed the actions of Ms. Damone as a board member and beyond, particularly during prior elections, reading the ranting about those who did offer negative information, especially after winning the election, seems hypocritical. The threat offered appears childish and is indicative of a vindictive nature. I am unclear how she intends to “hold accountable those who participated,” as those who were engaged in negative campaigning did not offer any false information, at least to the best of my knowledge. While I don’t support negative campaigning, and dislike it when I see it, the style seems to be prevalent throughout the country, for all elected offices. Offering a threat to those who participate in a legal strategy only leads one to wonder about the nature of the threat.

In any event, I will continue my active participation on behalf of our community and our residents, just as I have in the past. Don’t forget, your vote is just one method of offering your voice!

Patricia Curry The Acreage

Too Soon To Change LGWCD

This is in response to a letter written by Loxahatchee Groves Councilman Dr. Bill Louda (“District’s Future Needs A

During public comment, E Road resident Bill Buxton said he still was worried about residents being forced to hook up, and he hoped that the town would make sure that possibility would not be in the agreement.

“Unless it is written in such a way that you never want it, you never have to have it,” Buxton said. “If you want it, you could have it. That’s the only reason why I brought it up. As long as the residents are first choice and not revenues, it will work. Everything seems to come back to revenues. I also understand that if we don’t stop it now, it will be a domino effect on a lot of things. We need to really think about what we are doing.”

Study,” Aug. 29). I often do not agree with his views, but I appreciate his willingness to communicate. Two other members of the council with almost the identical voting records as Dr. Louda seldom dare to put their thoughts in writing.

Maybe the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District needs to eventually become a public works department in the town, but right now we are such a young town and still have so much other work to do. Why are we taking on this expensive round of in-fighting? This stuff about the LGWCD doing road improvements being a “moving target” and interfering with the comprehensive plan process is hogwash! It would be a great problem to have if the LGWCD was moving so fast on improving roads that the comprehensive planners couldn’t keep up with it! I can only think there are some personal issues and other motivations going on here. The wagon train is being circled, and we are shooting inward while paying lawyers to advise each other on our aim!

The town charter states that the LGWCD would remain as an independent district. Things can change if the voters decide, but keep this in mind: under Florida Statute 298, the water control district supervisors are elected by per-acre votes. The more acres you own, the more votes you have to elect a supervisor. Even if you don’t live in the Groves you still get some say over who will be overseeing your tax money for roads and drainage. The council members are elected by one person, one vote. Someone in a brokendown trailer on someone’s back acre who moved here last month has more say than a landowner

Weisman said ITID officials told him they are not in a position to make improvements to the properties. “They’re legally not allowed to make the improvements,” he said. “There is no basis to do an assessment there, because it’s not clear if the people would agree to an assessment because of the cost.”

Weisman said the county does not have the right or the outfalls to accomplish any drainage. “There is no infrastructure set up there to solve this problem,” he said.

Weisman said he was not aware of an immediate temporary solution because the ability to drain is tied to private property owners, including the residents and citrus grove owners to the north.

who does not live on his/her property. Tenants with little vested in the area can get to decide who will be spending the property owners’ tax dollars. This is the democratic system, but having both a water control district and the town council in place provides a bit of a check-andbalance system. The promises that three council members made for “government lite” are long forgotten. Many of our citizens are having tough economic times, and we should have the ultimate respect for the money taken from them. Many other municipalities are tightening their budgets and reducing spending. A majority of our town council continues to vote to spend our money awarding contracts for “studies,” “lobbying,” “media training” and legal fees to fight with each other. The only thing “lite” is our law enforcement contract and the refusal to spend money actually surveying citizens. In one instance, [planning firm] Calvin Giordano [and Associates] got a contract for several times the rate quoted from another qualified applicant. Calvin Giordano holds so many contracts with the town we could rename ourselves “Loxahatchee Giordano” instead of Loxahatchee Groves. (We would not have to change any of our monograms!) I am uncertain at this point in time that it is wise to hand over more tax money to the same set of decision-makers. For the record, I was a candidate for the town council in 2007, and my opponent was Mayor Dave Browning. I think Mr. Browning is doing a fabulous job, and I am so happy that he is there.

Darlene

Crawford Loxahatchee Groves

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OUR LADY QUEEN OF THE APOSTLES BREAKS GROUND ON NEW CHURCH

Our Lady Queen of the Apostles Catholic Church in Royal Palm Beach broke ground for the construction of its new church following the 4:30 p.m. mass on Saturday, Sept. 6. Bishop Gerald Barbarito and Father Andy Rudnicki hosted the ceremony. The 17-acre campus is located on the east side of Crestwood Blvd. The new church is a $5.6 million project with more than $4 million raised in donations and pledges from parishioners and friends. The new structure will seat over 1,100 with integrated seating for the physically challenged. Our Lady Queen of the Apostles is located at 100 Crestwood Blvd. Call the parish office at (561) 798-5661 for more information.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Bishop Gerald Barbarito blesses the grounds with holy water.

Bishop Gerald Barbarito with Royal Palm Beach Councilman Matti Mattioli.

The Knights of Columbus were on hand for the event.

Alter persons lead the procession after the mass.

Clergy members join together to sing a hymn.

Alexa Lee and baby Tamsin with Bishop Gerald Barbarito.

Members of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps Palm Beach Division.

The groundbreaking ceremony commences.

Father Andy Rudnicki cuts the cake while Barbara Farace, Deana and Brianna Rich, Sheila Samaritano and Sandy Techman look on.

Bishop Gerald Barbarito and Deacon Luis Castellanos.

The national champion majorettes of the Wellington High School band held their annual twirling clinic on Saturday, Sept. 6 in the Wellington High School gymnasium. Participants learned a variety of twirls and routines and have been invited to perform at the Wellington High School varsity football game on Friday, Sept. 19. The clinic concluded with a performance and awards ceremony.

PUERTO RICAN FOLK DANCE LESSONS AT WELLINGTON BOYS & GIRLS CLUB

PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Geneva Lazier practices outside during a break from the clinic.

Hannah Tannone, Alex Cusell and Kelly Gerbae.

Hannah Schoenfeld and Ashlynn Cender. Eve Wendt warms up.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Lilian Arce-Diaz leads the class in the primary La Plena dance step.

Victoria Dunkley cuts loose during free expression time.

(L-R) Shan’teara Bradley, Anthony Parker, Victoria Dunkley and Bethany Mendez.Lilian Arce-Diaz leads the children in a circle. The Puerto Rican Organization for Cultural Enhancement & Reaffirmation (PROCER) held its first afternoon of folkloric dance lessons Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the Wellington Boys & Girls Club (3401 South Shore Blvd.). Taught by Lilian Arce-Diaz, the class is held at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays for age eight and up. Call (561) 790-0343 for more info.

• BEEF O’BRADY’S in Royal Palm Beach’s Village Royale plaza is a great family place for food and fun. Sports teams are always welcome. We support community activities. Tuesday kids eat free with each adult meal purchased. For hours and more information, call (561) 795-8500.

• CELEBRITY DINER serves breakfast and lunch, take out and catering seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Breakfast from $3 to $7 and lunch from $4.49 to $8. The diner is located at 10121 Southern Blvd. at the northwest corner of State Road 7 in the Kmart plaza. Call (561) 793-3422 for information.

• CHINA TOYKO has some of the best Chinese and Japanese cuisine in the western communities. China Toyko is open Monday thru Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free delivery is offered within the Wellington area. China Toyko is located at 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd, Suite 24 in the Town Square plaza. Call (561) 791-9907 for pick-up or to place your order.

• EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS offers mouth-watering gifts that make them say wow! Are you tired of giving the same old gifts, flowers or cards to express your appreciation or acknowledge a special day? Do something new and delicious. Send a beautifully designed fresh fruit arrangement. You can even have the fruit dipped in creamy chocolate for an extra-special touch. To order your Edible Arrangement, visit the store at 13873 Wellington Trace, Suite B-5 in the Wellington Marketplace or call (561) 422-3232.

• GUN CLUB CAFÉ has two great locations in Royal Palm Beach and West Palm Beach serving breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. The West Palm Beach location has been serving Palm Beach County for over 25 years. Kids eat free Monday through Thursdays, with each adult entree purchased. See our ad on this page for specials or call the Royal Palm Beach location at (561) 792-8723.

• TROPICAL SMOOTHIE CAFÉ, voted “Best of Food, Sun Fest 2007,” is located in Wellington’s Courtyard Shops plaza near IHOP. It offers not only some of the most popular smoothies but also the new six super-charged smoothies with acai or goji and pomegranate. In addition, you can choose from their wide menu items including wraps for lunch or breakfast, soups, salads, sandwiches. Tropical Smoothie also offers catering. Call (561) 296-5999 for information.

CONTENTS PREPARED BY THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT

‘Putting A Man On The Moon’ Hasn’t Helped Me Too

I caught myself saying it again the other day while whining about my safe-deposit box: “they can put a man on the moon…” This time it was, “they can put a man on the moon, but they can’t make a safe-deposit box that opens from either side — the ‘minimum security’ side in case you just want to toss in the title to a new motor scooter; and the ‘maximum security’ side where you still have to ring the bell and annoy the bank teller and sign the form and use two keys in order to get in there.”

As much as I was complaining about the rigmarole necessary to keep a motor scooter from falling into the wrong hands, my real complaint was “they can put a man on the moon…” I use the man-on-the-moon thing whenever society should see the error of its ways and implement one of my ideas to make life easier for all.

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

“They can put a man on the moon, but they can’t find a way to keep microwave popcorn from burning.”

“They can put a man on the moon, but they can’t invent a white blouse that won’t stain.”

“They can put a man on the moon, but they can’t make a comfortable pair of high heels.”

And of course “they” have tried to fix all these

things. If you take the popcorn out of the microwave before its time is fully up, it won’t burn. (It won’t be completely popped, but it won’t be burned either.) If you carry around a stain stick, your blouse will probably be OK. (It’s just one more thing to lug around in your purse, but hey — priorities.) And there are scores of manufacturers out there who promise that their company’s high heels are like “walking on a cloud.” (If you’re walking on a cloud, you’re comfy but you’re falling at a high rate of speed.)

But now I’ve found something so impossible, so quixotic, so ultimately perplexing that they may be able to put a man on the moon but they’ll never, ever be able to do this — and that is to put a woman on the moon.

Oh, the very idea makes them shake. Even my son says, “you can’t do that, mom. When a wom-

Much

an finds out how much she weighs up there, she’ll never come back.”

He’s got a point. All the more reason to get us women up there. That way when we apply for a new driver’s license and get to the place where we’re supposed to write down our weight, we can leave it blank because the form never specified whether it meant on the moon or here on Earth. The gravity of the moon is about one sixth the gravity of Earth (I looked that up) so I figure that if you weigh 120 lbs. down here, you weigh 20 lbs. up there. Cool. Now we have women virtually lining up to go to the moon, yet it is impossible. Why? I don’t know. I do know that I can’t say, “they can put a man on the moon but they can’t put a woman on the moon” because that sounds like simple nonsense. Doesn’t it?

‘Bones’ Shares Qualities With Some Of TV’s Finest Shows

The new TV season is creeping in and one of its first samples is the beginning of the new season of Bones. It became a favorite of mine during the summer rerun season two years ago, thus providing at least one justification for a rerun season: I can catch up on shows I might have missed. Bones, now in its fourth season on the Fox network, is a cross between CSI and Moonlighting with a bit of the original Star Trek mixed in. The two main characters, forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance “Bones” Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and Special Agent Seeley Booth of the FBI (David Boreanaz), work together to solve grisly and generally weird crimes.

‘I’

On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

out of putting her into all-too-human situations, particularly in her dealings with her criminal father (Ryan O’Neal, in his best role in years). A major plot element last year was his arrest and trial for murder, with Brennan ready to testify against him and only realizing her buried feelings toward him at the end.

That Deschanel and Boreanaz happen to be very sexy, certainly far sexier than the average anthropologist and FBI agent, is no coincidence. While the two of them have amorous relations with others, somehow they manage to avoid untoward conduct amongst themselves, although the writers, again not by coincidence, like to put them in situations where inadvertent contact seems the order of the day. The major problem in this sort of show is that if they finally consummate their relationship, the series, like Moonlighting, might no longer have any place to go

Several interesting plot twists have resulted from the Star Trek-ish element of the show. Brennan, the extremely rational partner, seems about as attuned to humanity as Mr. Spock. Deschanel is delightful as her character often puts her foot in her mouth, seemingly unaware of other people’s feelings. The writers have gotten a lot of mileage

The crimes solved tend toward the spectacular. There have been several episodes dealing with cannibalism, serial killers, youthful killers, seriously ill killers. The two-part season premiere deals with the murders of an American heiress and then a British colleague, Dr. Wexler (Andrew Buchan). You would think they could learn how to spell Wechsler properly! And then killing him! I had nightmares!

The season premiere is typical of the series. Lots of flash, a bit of fun, a lot of gruesome evidence. The show is based on style, not really on substance, although occasionally the crimes are interesting and provoke the kind of interest we find in the best whodunits.

Somehow, to some critics, the idea of style carrying the day is somehow wrong. But in these crazy times, the style is what carries the day for many a television series. Law & Order has its own sense of style, one that is very spare, very taut. Yet even it changed over the years. The detectives and attorneys became more like people. We learned more about their personal lives, usually brought in as a form of counterpoint to the crime being investigated. For Bones, however, it is the personal lives that are more important. Plenty of time is spent on banter; most of the characters have interesting, often unusual personal lives.

This is a fun show. I tend to enjoy any show where the leading characters actually think and reason. The fact that the three female regulars are all look spectacular while they are thinking helps to pique my interest as well.

On Bones, the quips come fast and the characters are interesting. If you haven’t watched it, try it for a bit.

Nukes, Man On Moon; Still Waiting For Hurricane-Stopper

There are only two things on Planet Earth that scare me. One is my wife Sharon (a former New York City gang member) and the other is hurricanes. Fay, Gustav, Hanna, Josephine and especially Ike are starting to drive me and many others out of our minds. Of course, as usual, the local weathermen are of no help in trying to calm us down. Even the Weather Channel is not doing a good job there. It feels like I am on track for a nervous breakdown. If my doctor knew how high my blood pressure is right now, not only would she give me some very strong medicine, she would most probably check me into the hospital. Why is it that every year around this time the weather people drive us mad? It appears they enjoy doing this to us. Most of us who live in South Florida know the drill. We don’t need to keep seeing almost the same reports covering each storm, from the supermarkets, home improvement stores

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

and gas stations. I don’t think we are as dumb as they think we are. We know how to prepare for a storm (I hope). Even the National Hurricane Center can’t get it right this year. They had a hard time telling us the correct paths of Fay and Hanna. Up until landfall, they really didn’t have a clue where these two ladies were going. Way back in 1945 we dropped two serious bombs on Japan. In later years, we sent men to

the moon (maybe). I would like to know why this country or any other has not come up with a way for us to destroy or at least redirect hurricanes in the last 63 years. I do have some theories. I do understand, according to some newscasters, that hurricanes are part of the ocean’s natural cycle. I also understand, considering the hard times we are having, that a good hurricane can do wonders to jumpstart an economy. Can someone please think of another way?

I am also wondering if the good folks of New Orleans will evacuate their homes the next time they are asked to do so. If I were a betting man, I would bet they wouldn’t evacuate, and I wouldn’t blame them. It’s a shame, the expense and the stress these people had to go through a couple of weeks ago.

I now know how a junkie feels when trying to stop using drugs. I am going through the same

pain trying to avoid news on TV and the radio. I am tired of having local, national and world problems on my shoulders. I have already stopped reading the newspapers I have to pay for. I now must try to stop watching and listening to what passes for news shows in these here parts. I have already found Judge Judy is a good replacement for the 5 p.m. newscasts. I have my dinner at 6 p.m., and of course we don’t watch TV while we eat. I am still trying to stop myself from watching the 10 p.m. newscast. We now have two of these news shows: the local CW station has added a 10 p.m. newscast to its schedule. In the future, the only place where I hope to get my news is The Daily Show and Leno’s and Letterman’s monologues. These three shows should be enough to keep me informed and laughing at the news (they all did a great job during the recent political conventions) and not let me feel like I carry the world’s problems on my shoulders.

TOWN-CRIER SPORTS & RECREATION

Seminole Ridge Football Squad Pounds Wellington 62-6

By Paul Gaba Town-Crier Staff Report

The Seminole Ridge High School football team struck too fast, too hard and way too often for Wellington’s gridiron squad during the Friday, Sept. 5 contest at Wellington High School. The Hawks came away with a 62-6 victory in the game, which opened the regular season for both teams.

“This team is very capable of putting points on the board when we execute the offense,” Seminole Ridge coach Matt Dickmann said. “This is the most athletic group of seniors and juniors we have ever had at the school.” That talent includes quarterback Tyler Wilhelm and running back Jordan Schumacher, who picked apart a Wolverine defense last Friday. Wilhelm threw for three touchdowns, while Schumacher scored three himself — twice on the ground, once on the receiving end of a Wilhelm pass.

“Jordan Schumacher is the strongest person on the team, pound for pound,” Dickmann said. “He is also the fastest person on the team. He is always dangerous when he is in the open field. You can’t teach speed. Tyler is the most athletic quarterback that I have ever coached in 22 years, and has a very strong arm. When you give him, the time to throw, he will hurt the opponent. He is a great student of the game and understands the offense very well.”

Seminole Ridge jumped out of the starting gates, using a 43yard left-end sweep by Javian Wrisper on the opening play to set up Schumacher’s first score, a 27-yard romp to the end zone only 41 seconds into the contest.

After Wellington fumbled the ball away on its opening possession, Wilhelm connected with wide receiver Jeacky Charles on a 36-yard flea-flicker to make it 14-0 Hawks at the 8:36 mark of the first quarter. In all, Seminole Ridge had two scores on its first

three plays, totaling 106 yards. Will Jones made it 21-0 with a two-yard run, and Schumacher capped the first-quarter scoring with 3:27 left in the stanza, taking a Wilhelm pass 53 yards for the score. The touchdown followed an interception of Wellington quarterback Brett Alfredson.

In all, the Hawks scored off four major Wolverine errors. Along with the two first-quarter touchdowns off turnovers, Seminole Ridge took advantage of a second-quarter fumble (with Schumacher scoring on a subsequent one-yard run) and a fourth-quarter special-teams gaffe (in which the Hawks’ Shane Shortridge recovered a high snap off a botched Wellington punt attempt).

The Wolverines’ only score occurred with 4:09 remaining in the game when Alfredson completed a 95-yard pass to Eric Johnson, who took the ball and scampered down the right sideline. For the game, Wellington

managed 123 total yards.

“Our defense was very young last year, and besides two games last year, they played extremely well as a unit,” Dickmann said. “The defense only lost three players last year. So, we expected our defense to be very strong this year.”

In contrast, Seminole Ridge’s Wilhelm was five for five, passing for 155 yards and three scores, and the Hawks’ running game amassed 220 yards on 30 attempts.

“Wellington is in a rebuilding phase, and I know what coach [Chris] Romano is up against,” Dickmann said. “But he is giving that program stability and leadership.”

Both teams were set to play on Friday, Sept. 12, with Seminole Ridge hosting Spanish River at 7:30 p.m. and Wellington hosting West Boca Raton at 7 p.m. Results from these games were not available by press time.

A Pig And A Horse: Not As Odd A Couple As You May Think

About 15 years ago, when I was able to keep my horse at home for the first time ever, it was pretty exciting. Even if I wasn’t riding, I could always spend time with her. Although Ginger, a chestnut Quarter Horse mare, did well alone, I knew she’d be happier with a friend. I couldn’t afford another horse, when nature intervened. My neighbor’s black potbelly pig Bam Bam discovered Ginger, and a love affair began. Bam Bam ran away from home every day, burrowed under my fence and ended up in Ginger’s pasture. He lived in her hay, ate the grain she dropped, and peed on her hoofs. (I don’t know why he did this, but he loved it, and Ginger never objected.)

I have no idea what the attraction was, but it was real. Every day the owner, a young boy, came looking for his pet, and we’d spend a half hour chasing Bam Bam from the pasture to under the shed to under the horse trailer, and eventually the owner would haul Bam Bam back home — only to repeat the same scenario the next day. Eventually we gave up, and Bam Bam stayed. It was weird, but you know how it is when you have kids: you have to put up with their odd friends. Angie Viner of Jupiter Farms also found out how much pigs can like horses. One day about 12 years ago she was shopping at a local feed store

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

with her young daughter. It was a normal day out getting supplies except that this day the feed store just happened to be offering something a little different: they had a pen of baby potbelly piglets for sale. Angie’s daughter was captivated, and quite adamant: they had to have some. Angie looked them over; they were really cute. And so, they left with their feed and two tiny male piglets, a black and white one they named Hamden, and a pink one called Pork Chop. The piglets had been sweet and quiet in their pen at the store, but the car’s interior proved irresistible — they simply had to explore. Poor Angie drove home with the piglets running all around the car, checking out everything and squirming underfoot. Her daughter became frightened and started crying. This scared the pigs, which started screaming. Finally they made it home. Angie fash-

ioned a pen for Hamden and Pork Chop right next to her horse’s stall. Sammy, a Percheron/Tennessee Walking Horse cross, was four years old at the time. He’d probably never seen pigs before, and the pigs had probably never seen a horse before, but the attraction was immediate and mutual. When Angie went out to feed the next morning, the pigs had broken out of their pen and were schmoozing with Sammy. Angie put the pigs back into their pen, but they didn’t stay there long.

“It didn’t matter how many times I penned them up, they always broke out,” Angie said. “They rooted down in the dirt with their nose and dug out. I tried everything to keep them in, even putting a hotwire down low, but nothing stopped them. They loved Sammy, and he loved them, and they had to be together.”

Wherever Sammy was, you could find Hamden and Pork Chop, whether sleeping, grazing or even out on the trail. They followed him everywhere and rubbed against his legs as if they were scratching their backs on him.

“I’d be part way down the road, and then the next thing I’d know, here came the pigs,” Angie said. “After that, all my trail rides were me, the horse and the two pigs. It drove me crazy, trail riding with a horse and two pigs. It was really

something to see, especially after they grew up. I don’t know whoever said that potbelly pigs stay small. They don’t. They got to be about 60 or 70 pounds.”

The pigs even became media stars! A TV crew came out to do a commercial for a facial mud mask. They needed shots of the pigs going into a mud pit, and then, magically, two beautiful ladies would emerge, their faces cleansed by the wonderful “mud.” It took a while, but Angie got the pigs to walk into the mud pit, which the TV people created in her front yard, by leading Sammy through it. The pigs naturally followed, and the TV guys edited Sammy out of the picture. Eventually the pigs started straying. The local dogs would bark ceaselessly, and the neighbors complained. Angie knew the pigs had to go. She ended up giving them to a nice man in Loxahatchee who had other pet pigs and where Hamden and Pork Chop wouldn’t end up as… ham or pork chops. “It was kind of hard giving them away,” Angie said. “And Sammy really loved them. After they left, he moped around and acted sick and lonely. Then I got him a pony, and he felt better. It was really neat to see the bond shared by different animals. Too bad people can’t take a lesson from them.”

PHOTOS BY PAUL GABA/TOWN-CRIER

SRHS running back William Jones blasts past Wellington’s Alex Dinardo and Nestor Lantigua for a touchdown.

Hawk Javian Wrisper sweeps to the left for a 43-yard run on the opening play, while Wellington’s Brendan Carroll is in pursuit.

Wellington’s Nestor Lantigua gets wrapped up by SRHS players on a kickoff return.

WHS players break through the banner before the game.

WHS quarterback Brett Alfredson looks to make a pass.

The cheerleading squads from Seminole Ridge (above left) and Wellington (above right) rally the crowd.

Wellington fans cheer on their team.

Victory Over Sunrise Sees Wellington Wave U-16 Girls Unbeaten

scoring off a corner kick. With the wind to their backs, the Sunrise forward took the kick. The wind carried the ball right into the penalty area, and the Wave defenders were unable to clear. A Sunrise forward darted into the air, crashing the net and sending the ball in. Sunrise went into the half with a 1-0 lead, but the Wave girls did not let up; the second half was all Wave. The “tidal

wave” landed with less than eight minutes into the half. Forward Crystal Martinez took a ball up field, broke, then sent it across to midfielder Maggie Matella, who sent the ball into the right corner of the net, making the score 1-1. The Wave girls dominated possession most of the half and pressed the action. In the 25th minute, the Wave team was awarded a corner kick — the

Wave U-18/19 Boys Puma Cup Finalists

The Wellington Wave Soccer Club’s U-18/19 boys team competed in the Puma Cup tournament in Sarasota over Labor Day weekend. The boys went undefeated to the finals, overcoming driving rain, winds near tropical storm strength and frequent lightning delays, which contributed to a crazy schedule, all courtesy Hurricane Gustav. In the opening game, the team dominated the premier team of the Lakeland Football Club, a merger of two successful soccer

clubs from that city, and won 20 on goals scored by Charles Weiss and Grant Gellermann.

On Sunday, Aug. 31, the team had to play three games, a 0-0 draw with Miami Seleccion, followed by a 2-0 win over Apollo Ormond, goals by Grant Gellermann and Andrew DiLallo. In the semifinal match, the boys were up against local favorites the Clearwater Chargers. This game, also disrupted by lightning delays, ended as a 5-1 win by Wellington, with Patrick Schuh scoring the first two goals, followed by scores from Andrew DiLallo, Diego Vidal and Felipe Carbonell. The final was played against Treasure

Coast United on Monday, and a solid match dominated by both team’s defenses and solid goalkeeping ended up 0-0, forcing a penalty kick shootout. Despite goalkeeper Corey Bandremer contributing a save, the team lost the shootout 5-6, with Schuh, DiLallo, Vidal, Woodrow Bach, Bryan Haskell all converting their kicks from the mark.

Overall, the season kickoff can be considered a success, having stayed undefeated in five matches with a goal differential of 9-1. The U-18 team will compete in the Premier Division of the South Florida United Leagues early season starting this week.

same corner that struck them in the first half.

With the wind, Wave mid-

fielder Lauren Matias sent the ball airborne into a curl that went right into the net. The goal gave the Wave a 2-1 lead. The team almost scored a third when midfielder Nicole Falzone blasted a shot from just outside the penalty area, but the Sunrise keeper made a nice save to deny the goal.

Wellington Parks And Rec Survey

For the first time, the Wellington Parks & Recreation Department is offering recreation customers the opportunity to complete a satisfaction survey online.

The village is committed to monitoring the quality of its services and programs. As a part of an ongoing improvement process, feedback from participants is essential.

The online survey also allows the department to reduce the amount of paper evaluations

Sunrise sensed the urgency to score as they continued to put pressure on the Wave defense. Sunrise was awarded a corner kick with about five minutes remaining. They sent a good ball into the penalty area, at the sixyard box. Wave goalkeeper Brianna Nardi leaped off of her line to punch the ball away, giving the Wave midfielders a chance to clear the ball. Solid play from Maggie Matella, Maria Collins, Brittany Hobby

produced throughout the year. Visit www.ci.wellington.fl.us/ leisure.htm and click on the Parks and Recreation Satisfaction Survey on the Parks and Recreation Department page.

Kraut Earns Olympic Gold

A total of 40 Olympic athletes who call a Florida city their hometown, or currently live in Florida, won 28 medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. U.S. athletes from Florida garnered 12 gold medals, five silver and 11 bronze medals. Among the winners is equestrian Laura Kraut of

with one of those being a penalty kick. This week the Wave will travel to Kendall and Weston.

and Sara Sturgis provided the edge the Wave needed to get the win. Coach Shannon Sanguinetti was pleased with her team’s overall performance. In the last two games, the Wave girls have scored six goals and only given up two,

Wave defender Brittany Hobby takes the ball away from a Sunrise midfielder and passes up field for what set up the go-ahead goal.

Wave goalkeeper Brianna Nardi makes a key save late in the game by punching away a Sunrise corner kick.

Wellington, who won a gold medal in team jumping.

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, Sept. 13

• Get wet and dirty with the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association on Saturday, Sept. 13 while helping to maintain the hiking trails at the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area. Meet at the southern entrance at the north end of Seminole Pratt Whitney Road at 6 a.m. Call Beth at (561) 531-9502 for more info.

• The Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will hold “Everything Orchids and Everything Else” Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. The event will feature a plant sale and informative lectures. Admission is free for Mounts members and $5 for non-members. For more info., call (561) 2331757 or visit www.mounts.org.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Drop-In Story Times” for ages two and up on Saturdays, Sept. 13, 20 and 27 at 11 a.m. No pre-registration is required. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

• Florida Sportsman magazine will host a Fishing Show at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.) on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14. Billed as a “family fishing festival,” the show will feature a giant indoor tackle sale and fishing boat show with seminars, demonstrations and sport fishing events. For more info., call the fairgrounds at (561) 793-0333 or visit www. floridasportsman.com.

• The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) Annual Friendship Ball will be held on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). Tickets cost $75 per person and include musical entertainment, open bar, door prizes, a silent auction and more. For more info., call Alvin Nembhard at (561) 333-8891, Millie Hampton at (561) 7901751, Lawrence Logan at (561) 791-0162, Norma Morris at (561) 632-7731, Edward Clarke at (561) 642-4226 or Daniel Nelson at (561) 7938887.

• The Boca Raton Singers will present “From the Silver Screen with Love” on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 8 p.m. at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) in the Rinker Playhouse. For tickets, call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis. org.

Sunday, Sept. 14

• Temple Beth Zion (129 Sparrow Drive, Royal Palm Beach) will present “Jerry Sands: A Nite in the Catskills” on Sunday, Sept. 14. Join the Temple Beth Zion Sisterhood at their first meeting after the summer from noon to 2 p.m. A mini lunch will be served after the entertainment. RSVP to (561) 798-8888. For more info., visit www.templebeth zion.net.

• Toastmasters will hold a humorous speech contest on Sunday, Sept. 14 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way). Developing your communication skills will open doors in your personal, professional and public life. For more info., call Myrna Brooks at (561) 283-4772.

• Enjoy an evening stroll at the Boynton Inlet on Sunday, Sept. 14 with the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association . Call Daisy at (561) 439-5780 for more information.

Monday, Sept. 15

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold Baby Story Time on Mondays, Sept. 15, 22 and 29 at 9:30 a.m. for ages eight months and younger and at 11:15 a.m. for ages nine to 12 months. Your baby will enjoy rhymes, finger plays, songs, books and toys. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold an English Exchange for adults Mondays, Sept. 15, 22 and 29 at 1 p.m. Join Literacy AmeriCorps member Paula Alexander in this interactive program where you can practice speaking English while talking about everyday situations and current events. Basic English skills are needed to participate. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Tuesday, Sept. 16

• The Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Department will offer Early Childhood Activity Programs for preschoolers Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings beginning Tuesday, Sept. 16. For more info., call (561) 7905124.

• The Royal Palm Beach

Parks & Recreation Department will hold cartooning classes for ages eight to 14 on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. starting Sept. 16. Call (561) 790-5124 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Anime Grab Bag for ages 12 to 17 on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will feature “Facial Relaxation” for adults on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Fitness instructor Cheryl Alker will demonstrate how the muscles in your face function and their link to pain in your neck and shoulders. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

• Dr. Robert Sharon and Bryan Ingram will be among featured performers in the Music for the Mind concert series at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at the Harriet Himmel Theater at CityPlace (700 S. Rosemary Avenue, West Palm Beach). Dr. Sharon is the former music director at Wellington High School. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. For more info., call (866) 4492489.

Wednesday, Sept. 17

• The Puerto Rican Organization for Cultural Enhancement & Reaffirmation (PROCER) will host acrylic painting classes for ages ten and up at the Boys & Girls Club of West Palm Beach (1188 Marine Drive) on Wednesdays at 3 p.m. starting Sept. 17. For more info., visit www.procer res.org.

• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host an After-Hours Business Mixer on Wednesday, Sept. 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Donna Marie’s Gourmet Market (8221 Lake Worth Road). Call (561) 790-6200 to RSVP.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Socrates Café” for adults on Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Marji Chapman from the Society for Philosophical Inquiry will lead a discussion on a variety of thought-provoking subjects. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Thursday, Sept. 18

• The Village of Wellington and the Wellington Art Society are asking high school student artists attending Wellington schools or living in Wellington to submit artwork for the Student Art Program. Student artists interested in participating in the exhibition are asked to deliver their artwork to the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 4 to 6 p.m. Information and entry forms are available from the Wellington Art Society at (561) 795-1691, art teachers at Wellington schools and at www.ci.wellington.fl.us.

• The Royal Palm Beach Parks & Recreation Department will host Youth Yoga for ages eight to 14 on Thursdays at 4 p.m. beginning Sept. 18 at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center (100 Sweet Bay Lane). The program runs for six weeks. Call (561) 790-5124 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Computer Basics for Kids” for ages eight and up on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 4:15 p.m. In this hands-on class, children will practice basic computing concepts and learn new terms. Call (561) 7906070 to pre-register.

• Clematis by Night will present live music by Cricklewood on Thursday, Sept. 18 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in Centennial Square. Cricklewood plays oldies, country, standards, R&B, Latin and swing. For more info., call (561) 8221515 or visit www.clematis bynight.net.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold a Film Discussion Group for adults on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 6:30 p.m. Did Atonement leave you craving a conversation about its meaning and impact? Watch the film and join your neighbors for a lively discussion led by Sara Harris. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

Monday, Sept. 22

• The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing for final adoption of the fiscal year 2009 budget on Monday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. in the sixth floor commission chambers of the County Governmental Center (301 N. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach). For more info., call (561) 355-2754. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 7936090. E-mail: news@gotown crier.com.

New Royal Gymnastics Owner Brings Decades Of Experience

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Andrei Tsaregorodtsev, the new owner of Royal Gymnastics, has brought a new philosophy to the Wellington studio.

Tsaregorodtsev, who has more than 26 years of gymnastics coaching experience, said he intends to focus on gymnastics students at all levels and of all ages, and pay more attention to young preschoolers while encouraging them to have fun at the same time.

His vision is to teach gymnastics in a more professional manner, especially to preschool levels starting as young as 18 months.

“Gymnastics is not just for Olympic champions,” he said. “I think it is a general sport for all kinds of sports.”

The balance, coordination and confidence gained from learning gymnastics from young childhood enhance ability in all sports, Tsaregorodtsev explained. The close interaction of the gymnastics coach with students also enhances listening skills.

“In the gym they have stations, in soccer, they’re out on the field playing. Here we have lots of mats, lots of equipment, so they follow the stations and understand the direction,” Tsaregorodtsev said. “It’s lots of fun. They like it, and sometimes it’s classical, sometimes just running around and keeping them in line. Even with the bad listeners, you see progression. You can see how they get more involved in listening.”

A Russian native, the 43-yearold Tsaregorodtsev received a degree as a gymnastics coach in Sports School No. 1 in Nizhnekamsk, in his home Republic of Tatarstan, in 1982 and earned his master’s degree in physical and sports education from the Kuibyshev Polytechnic Institute in Samara in 1987.

As a gymnast, Tsaregorodtsev was a member of the Junior Russian National team for three years. “In Russia we have only government sports schools and gymnastics schools. We do not have private clubs,” he said. “It’s the best education in gymnastics. They have amazing gyms. Everything is a high standard, the best coaches.” Through distance learning he

received a bachelor’s degree in physical education from the Munitsipal Institute in Nizhnekamsk in 2007, but by then he was a long way from home. The dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 was accompanied by hard economic times in Russia, and Tsaregorodtsev joined the Moscow Circus as an acrobat, but soon found work as an acrobatic ice skater for a show called Russia on Ice

“It was very bad economic times in the late 1980s and most of the Russian gymnasts went to the circus to make money for living,” he said. “I went too, and went to the circus in Moscow, the government circus. Then we decided to go to Russia on Ice. I had some experience on ice before because everybody in Russia plays hockey in the wintertime. We worked hard, and we got pretty good. That’s why I got a contract with Disney on Ice.”

Tsaregorodtsev said his ability to do forward and back flips on ice skates is a skill few people in the world possess. “I worked for Disney as a special acrobat on ice,” he said. “I liked America, and the Disney on Ice tour went on a worldwide tour, and I said I like America and I want to be here.”

For his proficiency in acrobatics on the ice, Tsaregorodtsev received a green card in 2000. “You have so many ways to get a green card: by lottery, you can get married or have a relative,” he said. “I got a card as an extraordinary ability person.”

Tsaregorodtsev has lived in Wellington about four months and has owned Royal Gymnastics for two months. The previous owner of Royal Gymnastics, Marcie Martine, who taught gymnastics to more than 300 children a week and coached the Blue Streaks gymnastics team, decided to retire after teaching 23 years and moved to Orlando, he said.

Tsaregorodtsev moved here from Mason City, Iowa, where he owned a highly successful 9,000-square-foot gymnastics club, the Mason City Gymnastics Academy. There he coached students to numerous trampoline and tumbling awards. Prior to that he was head team coach for Riverside Gymnastics in Riverhead, N.Y. from 1998 to 2003. While there, several of his

students won at the national and regional level for all-around and individual events. Several girls won spots in the TOPs (Talent Opportunity Program) national team. One of his students won the TOPs competition three consecutive years.

“We did pretty good, actually,” Tsaregorodtsev said. “After one year, I moved to a bigger gym and made a super professional gym, with in-ground trampolines and ground pit.”

After operating the Mason City gym from 2003 to 2008, Tsaregorodtsev decided to look for a different area. He said he did demographic studies of several different places and was intrigued by Wellington for a number of reasons.

“I wanted the climate change, and I wanted to make the next step in my life,” he said. “I think it’s a growing area, a big opportunity to get more kids. The more kids, the more business.”

Tsaregorodtsev said he also chose Wellington for its family friendly atmosphere. “It’s great for families, good climate and environment,” he said. “This was a business venture. The area is growing, and I’m happy to be teaching gymnastics here.”

Tsaregorodtsev said he has five coaches on staff, but as the owner he will personally oversee classes to ensure that they are run at a high level, which he predicts will be reflected in the success of Royal Gymnastics teams at American Athletic Union and USA Gymnastics competitions.

“I myself do a lot of classes to make sure everything is correct,” he said. “Owners usually stay away from the preschool, but I am the opposite. I will make sure everything is fine and we’re going in the right direction.”

In addition, Tsaregorodtsev said he will work with recreation classes, teaching boys and girls trampoline and tumbling skills in a fun and exciting atmosphere that will encourage future competitive gymnasts or foster skills that will transform to other sports and activities.

“Gymnastics is a very technical sport, and you have to know the body positions,” he said. “You teach in progressions step by step. It takes a lot of time and knowledge to see that it is taught properly from a little age up to a high level. My philosophy is to teach kids the fundamentals at a young age so they can use them for the future, no matter what their goal, whether recreational, cheerleading or dance, any sport. I think gymnastics is the best fitness sport, especially at an early age. Here your body gets a really good workout — and it’s lots of fun at the same time.”

The equipment in the 6,500square-foot Royal Gymnastics gym includes a classical vault table, in-ground trampoline, high bar, uneven bar, a 40-foot tumble track, foam pit and mats, as well as elastic cords and a 42by-42-foot spring floor. Royal Gymnastics is open from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday. The gym is also available for birthday parties on Saturdays and Sundays. Royal Gymnastics is located in the Wellington Commerce Park at 3141 Fortune Way, Suite 19. For more information, call (561) 793-5028 or visit www. royalgym.com.

In The Gym — (Above and below) Andrei Tsaregorodtsev, the new owner of Royal Gymnastics in Wellington, shows off some of the gym’s equipment. PHOTOS BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

PALMS WEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HOSTS RIBBON

Porky’s — The Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors recently celebrated the opening of Chez Porky’s restaurant, located at 10610 W. Forest Hill Blvd. near Fresh Market. Chez Porky’s is open seven days a

for lunch and dinner, and offers Louisiana Cajun-inspired

The Wellington restaurant is in addition to the original Chez Porky’s, which has been located in Pompano Beach since 1985. For more info., call (561) 333-7199 or visit www. chezporkys.com. Pictured here are Chez Porky’s staff members with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.

Zoo Health Club — Located at 100 Business Parkway in Royal Palm Beach, Zoo Health Club offers a unique approach to fitness in the western communities by providing state-of-the-

Coldwater Creek To Benefit Komen

Coldwater Creek, a leading national retailer of quality fashion for women, is gearing up to host the fall segment of their semi-annual nationwide initiative “Try It On for the Cure.” The one-day-only event, which will take place Sunday, Sept. 21 from noon to 6 p.m., encourages all area women to stop in to the Coldwater Creek store in the Mall at Wellington Green and try on clothes as a fun and easy way to join in the fight against breast cancer.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit the South Florida Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Coldwater Creek’s Try It On for the Cure is a simple program that has far-reaching benefits for women throughout Wellington, and no purchase is necessary to be a part of it.

For every woman who enters a dressing room and tries on any apparel from Coldwater Creek’s extensive collection at the Wellington store on Sept. 21, Coldwater Creek will donate $1 to the South Florida Affiliate of Komen for the Cure. For those who choose to

make an in-store purchase during the one-day fundraiser, the retailer will also donate 10 percent of the day’s sales to the South Florida Affiliate of Komen for the Cure.

“I’m so proud to be leading a program that is all about women helping women, right here in our own community,” Coldwater Creek Wellington store manager Jane Doherty said. “Try It On for the Cure allows us to connect with local women who share the same passion we have for this cause in a united effort. They do the trying on, which allows us to do the giving. It’s a perfect partnership for a great cause.”

Susan G. Komen for the Cure CEO Hala Moddelmog said Try It On for the Cure is a terrific example of how people can get involved in the breast cancer movement in a fun and meaningful way.

“We are thrilled to have Coldwater Creek as a partner in our promise to save lives and end breast cancer forever,” Moddelmog said.

Supporting Susan G. Komen for the Cure has become a pas-

sion for Coldwater Creek. In all of the company’s 300-plus stores across the country, they execute multiple programs that focus on raising money that stays within each local community.

During the company’s last national Try It On for the Cure event in April, Coldwater Creek donated over $100,000 to local Komen affiliates throughout the U.S. Whether individual stores are participating in the local Race for the Cure or hosting benefit fashion events, Coldwater Creek’s goal is to give back to the community.

For more information on Try It On for the Cure, visit the Wellington Coldwater Creek store or call (561) 514-1357.

As a leading retailer of casual fashion, the company offers its colorful, comfortable clothes in misses, petites and women’s sizing at over 300 stores across the country, through catalogs and online at coldwatercreek.com.

For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call (800) GO KOMEN.

SURGICAL CENTER DONATES TO WHS

Palms Wellington Surgical Center, an affiliate of Wellington Regional Medical Center, presented Wellington High School’s football team with a $50,000 donation on Thursday, Sept. 4. Dr. Harvey Montijo, CEO of the Center for Bone and Joint Surgery, presented WHS football coach Chris Romano and Principal Mario Crocetti with a big check for $50,000 at the school grounds. Romano said he is excited to be able to use the money to provide the players with new helmets, uniforms and practice equipment. Pictured here are: (L-R) Legal Support Manager Mariam Glisson, Romano, Wellington Manager of Medical Applications David Klebonis, Montijo, Wendy Paolucci, Crocetti, Practice Administrator Kirk Alexander and Clinical Coordination Manager Maryann Cheatham.

PHOTO COURTESY BRITTANY HILL

Advanced Eye Care Available At Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute

By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report

Doctors at the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute work to provide the most advanced treatments for visual problems. The institute’s newest location opened in January 2007 on the Wellington Regional Medical Center campus, joining offices in Boca Raton and Juno Beach, and its main surgical center in Boynton Beach.

All the doctors working at the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute are board-certified opthalmologists, handling eye disorders including cataracts, strabismus (crossed eyes), glaucoma, macular degeneration and detachment, and the spectrum of eye ailments involved in childhood.

Dr. Randy Katz, one of the partners in the institute, is a specialist in retinal problems, while Dr. Lee Friedman is a board-certified pediatric ophthalmologist. Dr. Barry Schechter specializes in corneal and external diseases as well as general ophthalmology. Dr. Jonathan Chua and Dr. Jason Gorscak are general ophthalmologists. Katz, Friedman and Gorscak work out of the Wellington office.

Katz was born in Brooklyn, raised in New Jersey and went to Rutgers University as an undergraduate. He then attended Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City, followed by an internship in New Jersey. He followed that with a fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine, one of the leading teaching hospitals in the country. He had been practicing medicine in Palm Beach County for 18 years and lives with his wife and two children in Boca Raton.

Last Wednesday, Katz was preparing for surgery with Friedman on a premature infant for the potentially blinding condition retinopathy of prematurity or ROP. “As we are able to save

younger and younger babies, we often have to deal with specialized eye problems,” he told the Town-Crier. “We’re saving babies at 23 weeks of gestation. Dr. Friedman is the only full-time specialist in pediatric ophthalmology in Palm Beach County. He winds up seeing just about all the children in the county who have serious vision problems.”

Katz said three types of retinal conditions account for the bulk of his work: macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinal detatchments. He said age-related macular degeneration is the biggest cause of legal blindness in people over age 60 and can be diagnosed as a dry or wet condition. “We have medicines for the wet condition,” he said. “We have new injections that go into the eye. We can do 20 a day. They are painless, and they work in 96 percent of cases.”

Katz said diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of overall blindness but is treatable. “There is no reason for anyone to lose their sight because of this,” he said.

Retinal detachments require surgery that sometimes can be handled in the office in ten minutes, or may take hours. “I had an eight-year-old boy recently who came from the Bahamas,” Katz said. “He had completely lost the sight in one eye, and then the retina became detached in the other. When I saw him, he was totally blind. We were able to reattach the retina, and he can now see.”

The institute is involved in as many as 15 major clinical trials for a variety of eye problems, among them macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion, dry eye syndrome and post-cataract-surgery inflammation.

Katz said the institute’s doctors take part in the clinical studies because they believe it is

The institute is involved in as many as 15 major clinical trials for a variety of eye problems, among them macular degeneration, diabetic macular edema, retinal vein occlusion, dry eye syndrome and post-cataract-surgery inflammation.

important to help bring new treatments to those in need. Just as important, he said, many patients have symptoms that are not completely controlled by medications currently in general use. Taking part in test studies allows the doctors to offer new drugs that are often an improvement over those that are currently available.

Katz, Friedman and Schecter are also part owners of a company called PediaVision, which produces equipment that screens children for eye problems.

“This handles a group of eye problems that are generally not caught while looking at an eye chart quickly at a regular pediatrician’s office,” Katz said. “It can diagnose a lot of problems, particularly amblyopia or lazy eye, where the eyes don’t coordinate with each other. It only takes five minutes to test a child.”

The Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute’s Wellington office is located in the Medical Arts Pavilion III building on the Wellington Regional Medical Center campus, at 1397 Medical Park Blvd., Suite 380, and is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. For more information, call (561) 792-1205 or visit www.fleye docs.com.

WRMC To Host Prostate Cancer Symposium

In recognition of Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, Wellington Regional Medical Center is proud to invite the community to a free prostate cancer symposium “Prostate Cancer Awareness: The Key to Cure” on Saturday, Sept. 13 at 10 a.m. in the Regional Cancer Center. If you’re a man older than 40, or an African-American over 35 years of age with a family history of prostate cancer, learn the facts that could save your life. A panel of medical professionals — primary care, urology, pathology and radiation oncology specialists — will present the latest information about the detection of prostate cancer. A free screening will follow for men who have not previously been screened and will include a PSA

blood test and digital rectal exam. The Regional Cancer Center is located on the campus of Wellington Regional Medical Center. Lunch will be served following the symposium. Call (561) 798-9880 to reserve your seat.

A 50-Plus Checklist For Staying Healthy

In order to obtain the goals of the Divided We Fail messages of affordable quality healthcare, changes must first be made individually. Visit www.divided wefail.org for more information by clicking “About the Issues” followed by “Our Platform.” Staying healthy and working to keep it that way is an important aspect of everyday life. With the help of the new lists released by the U.S. Agency for Healthcare

Research and Quality, everyone 50-plus can learn steps to get and stay healthy.

“As we age, what we need to do to stay healthy begins to change. These new easy-to-read checklists help Americans age 50 and older realize the important steps they can take to stay healthy,” AHRQ Director Dr. Carolyn Clancy said.

According to this list, the top five daily steps to stay healthy are as follows:

• Be tobacco-free

• Be physically active

• Eat a healthy diet

• Stay at a healthy weight

• If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation Also, men are encouraged to get their blood pressure and cholesterol tested frequently, and to check for certain types of health problems such as diabetes, colorectal cancer and aortic aneurysms. For women, blood pressure and cholesterol should also

be regularly tested, but breast cancer, cervical cancer and depression assessments should be considered, especially if these illnesses are common throughout families.

Along with these tips for a healthy lifestyle, AHRQ includes a screening test form that you can bring to your doctor’s office to ensure that all needed health steps have been taken and all questions have been answered. The Divided We Fail message asserts that staying healthy is not just an important national issue, but an individual one as well. For more information about how to make the change to a healthier lifestyle, visit http://ahrq.gov/ ppip/women50.htm for the women’s checklist and http:// ahrq.gov/ppip/men50.htm for the men’s. With these resources, staying healthy has never been so easy.

Vision Specialist — Dr. Randy Katz, one of the partners in the Florida Eye Microsurgical Institute, is a specialist in retinal problems.

PHOTO BY LEONARD

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