WORLD PEACE DAY RETURNS SEPT. 21 SEE STORY, PAGE 3
JESUS ARMAS UPDATES RPB ED BOARD SEE STORY, PAGE 4
THE
TOWN-CRIER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
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INSIDE
Wellington Council Votes To Seek Waste Hauling Proposals
Volume 35, Number 37 September 12 - September 18, 2014
Serving Palms West Since 1980
PALMS WEST BACK TO SCHOOL BASH
In a 3-2 decision Tuesday, the Wellington Village Council decided to seek proposals for a new solid waste removal contract rather than renew its current seven-year contract with Waste Management of Palm Beach for another seven years. Page 3
LGWCD Considering Revisions To Public Records Policy
At a meeting Monday, the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors reviewed its policy on charging for extensive public records requests and decided to have legal staff recommend revisions. Page 7
Women Of The Western Communities Kicks Off Season At Wanderers
Women of the Western Communities resumed its monthly meetings Thursday, Sept. 4 at the Wanderers Club. After a summer hiatus, the group is ready with fresh ideas for raising money and collecting items to donate to the YWCA Harmony House. Page 10
Back To Basics Receives Donation From Wellington Rotary
Members of the Wellington Rotary Club visited Back to Basics on Saturday, Sept. 6 to present a check to support the local nonprofit’s school uniform program. Rotary members volunteered to organize uniforms and toy donations. Page 17
OPINION
Fix The Write-In Loophole
1998’s Amendment 11 passed by nearly a two-to-one margin. It promised that “ballot access requirements for independent and minor-party candidates cannot be greater than requirements for major party candidates” and “allows all voters, regardless of party, to vote in any party’s primary election if the winner will have no general election opposition.” While the first half of this promise has been kept, the second half has not. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 10 OPINION.................................. 4 CRIME NEWS.......................... 6 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 7 PEOPLE................................. 11 SCHOOLS.............................. 12 COLUMNS.......................14, 21 BUSINESS..................... 22 - 23 SPORTS..........................27 - 29 CALENDAR............................ 30 CLASSIFIEDS.................31 - 35 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
The Children’s Hospital at Palms West hosted its Back in School Bash on Saturday, Sept. 6 at Palms West Hospital. There were plenty of activities for youngsters to choose from, including crafts, games and face painting. In addition, popular costumed characters were there to entertain. Shown here, Tiffany Rodriguez visits with the costumed characters. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 17
PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
RPB Moving Forward With Senior Living Facility At Park
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Village Council last week directed village staff to move forward in preparing a request for proposals on the sale of a 10-acre parcel of land for the construction and operation of a senior living facility. The site, located at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park, has been set aside for a private company to run some form of senior housing. At the Aug. 4 meeting, consultant Phil Gonot of PMG Associates said that the feasibility of a successful facility in Royal Palm Beach is good due to increasing demand. The project, designed to let aging residents continue to live in the village, was agreed upon in a strategic planning session conducted by council members. At the time, the council requested an update to PMG’s market analysis from 2011. The 10 acres could accommodate between 120 and 180 units. Gonot examined the supply and demand for different types of se-
nior housing. “We looked at three basic types — independent living, assisted living and skilled care,” Gonot said, adding that the study looked at both market rate and subsidized rate facilities. The land would be sold to a developer, and the facility would be built and maintained under guidelines established by the village. Although the village would not be directly involved, it would retain oversight to assure that the facility is managed in the manner that village leaders desire. “The village does not want to be in the business of running this senior housing facility,” he said. “But, on the other hand, if you’re going to work with someone, you want to be sure they meet the criteria that are important to this council and the citizens of this village.” One of the questions council members asked was whether they could restrict tenants only to Royal Palm Beach residents. “You can legally do so. However, we do not feel that the market is there for
that,” Gonot said. “That would not be the type of situation you should enter into, because it would limit that operator to such a degree that it might not be successful.” The planning firm looked at the demographics of the 65-and-over population, but also at a slightly younger population who might be looking to put their parents in the facility. In existing senior housing within a 10-mile radius from the site, PMG found high levels of occupancy. Gonot also noted that during the original 2011 study, there were two new facilities about to open. With the new facilities now in full operation, the occupancy rate is now higher than in 2011, he said. The current number of beds in the 10-mile radius is 1,083 for assisted living and 1,400 for nursing homes. The demand for independent living is more difficult to measure because it is out of a desire to live in that type of facility, rather than a necessity, he said. The 24 facilities within the See SENIOR LIVING, page 15
Wellington Council Decides To Keep Four-Day Workweek By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report In a 3-2 decision, the Wellington Village Council gave preliminary approval to its 2015 budget Tuesday, dropping a planned return to a five-day week for municipal complex staff. Without any public comment, the council debated the merits of the current four-day week as opposed to a five-day week, which requires about $93,000 more in the budget. The four-day workweek was instituted several years ago as part of extensive budget cuts in the face of the economic downturn and dwindling village revenue. The draft budget planned to return some workers to a five-day schedule as of Oct. 1. Vice Mayor John Greene said a four-day vs. a five-day workweek has been one of the more controversial discussion topics among council members. “I think our staff does an incredible job Monday through Thursday,” Greene said. “The hours put in, I think are reflected in the level of service our residents get.” He said he has not received any negative feedback from residents about the four-day workweek, which has employees working longer hours each day to keep a 40-hour schedule. “I’m willing to support this budget the way it’s presented, but I also encourage this council
to understand that there is not a crisis in this community for inability to serve and meet the level of expectations and standards that we’ve all come to expect as what makes Wellington a great place to live,” he said. Greene added that he thought staff members had adapted their schedules to a four-day workweek and would have difficulty adjusting back to a five-day week. “I don’t see it as broken,” he said. Greene added that he comes to the municipal complex on Fridays to take advantage of the quiet atmosphere and catch up, and sees senior staff members also at work. He also pointed out that services such as building inspections can still be scheduled on Fridays, and that with the 10-hour workday, residents have the ability to conduct village business before or after work. “I wouldn’t be advocating this as strongly if I felt there was significant feedback from the community saying, ‘Why aren’t you guys open on Friday?’” he said. “I don’t think that level of service is being compromised.” However, Councilman Matt Willhite said the four-day week was adopted at the height of the economic crisis. “I was here when we went from five to four, and it’s my understanding that there was always the expectation that we would go See WORKWEEK, page 15
CAFCI GAMES NIGHT
Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) held its International Games Night on Saturday, Sept.6 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. Event-goers enjoyed a variety of games, from dominoes and Scrabble to ludo and rummykub, as well as a buffet dinner and music by DJ Ernie Garvey. Shown here are Vicky Garvey, Dermot Sutherland and Lorna Stanley. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 10 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
SFWMD Engineer: Corbett Area Wellington Looks To Levee Project About To Begin Loosen Commercial Parking Restrictions In Multifamily Areas
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors heard an update Wednesday on plans to upgrade the levee separating the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area from The Acreage. At the board’s previous meeting, residents raised concerns about reduced seepage through the new levee, which they felt might affect their wells. Funding for the project was recommended by Gov. Rick Scott and approved by the state legislature after flooding from Tropical Storm Isaac nearly breached the levee, which would have caused larger flooding problems in The Acreage. John Mitnik, bureau chief of engineering and construction for
the South Florida Water Management District, said his agency has completed the design for phases 1 and 2 of the project, although only phase 1 is financed currently with $4 million approved by the state legislature. The total cost of the project will be about $7.8 million. Phase 1 is the western mile and a half of the total 2.5-mile-long project just north of the M-O Canal. Mitnik said his staff is finalizing the necessary procurements before moving into the award of a contract and actual construction later this year. He said the western portion of the levee was identified as being of greater concern to the overall integrity of the existing berm. After going through several different design iterations that the
SFWMD shared with residents for input over the past year, they arrived at a design for an earthen levee just north of the existing berm. He explained that the existing berm, which is about a one-to-one slope, will be pulled back from the M-O Canal to a new levee to the north with a three-to-one slope. “The levee at the top width will be about 14 feet so you can drive on it and get access,” Mitnik said. On the northern side in Corbett, they will be able to maintain a higher water level to preserve the wildlife habitat while keeping residents of The Acreage dry, he said. At the previous meeting, during which the board granted an easement, residents raised concerns See CORBETT, page 7
By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board supported a plan Monday that would ease rules regarding commercial vehicle parking in multifamily residential areas. Wellington Growth Management Director Bob Basehart presented an ordinance changing how the code regulates the parking of commercial vehicles. Currently, one commercial vehicle can be parked per property, as long as it is screened from view
of the street or adjoining properties, Basehart said, pointing out that commercial vehicles must be licensed. With limitations, the proposed amendment would allow commercial vehicles to be parked at multifamily properties that do not have garages available for screening, since it’s typically not possible to put those vehicles out of sight. “It is a fairly prevalent problem,” Basehart said, citing a study of violations showing that Wellington averages 300 cases a year, See PZA BOARD, page 15
Park Project, Garden Of Hope Ready To Break Ground By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Groundbreaking ceremonies for the long-awaited Acreage Community Park southern expansion and the Garden of Hope project are set for Wednesday, Sept 17 at 4 p.m. Garden of Hope organizer Tracy Newfield, whose daughter is a cancer survivor, explained that she started the project as a serene spot for families of cancer patients and survivors. “I heard they were building the expansion, and I thought it would be a good place to put the park that I was developing,” Newfield
said, adding that the Garden of Hope will be the new location for the Acreage/Loxahatchee Relay for Life, since the park expansion includes a six-lane track. Newfield said Garden of Hope of Palm Beach County is still selling inscribed paver bricks for $50 each to raise money for the park, which is being totally financed by private donations. It also has a lemonade and popcorn stand set up at local functions to raise money for the project, which they will have at the groundbreaking. There is a Facebook page and a web site at www.gardenofhope.
net where people can learn more about the project. The organization also puts together care packages for cancer patients. The project has advanced to the point that the group was recently able to organize a skydiving adventure for one of the patients. Garden of Hope will also begin hosting a bingo night on the last Thursday of every month at Gator Shack beginning Sept. 25. Indian Trail Improvement District President Carol Jacobs said the groundbreaking marks the culmination of one of the many goals she has set out to accomplish in her time on the board. “We’ve done it
all and more,” Jacobs said, pointing out that they completed the Hamlin House at Nicole Hornstein Equestrian Park and are about to put up Acreage entrance signs, and they now have microphones and a camera in their meeting room to record the proceedings. ITID acquired the park expansion land in a trade with Palm Beach County for a smaller piece of property where the Acreage branch library is now located. Jacobs said the park expansion project was held up while the current board settled old issues that arose when a previous board started clearing the land and il-
legally removed some trees that were determined to be in wetlands. “We finally cleared that up, and we’re breaking ground,” she said. “I’m very happy because I was getting afraid that at the end of the year, it wouldn’t be done, and that is something I’m very passionate about.” In addition to the running track, amenities at the park expansion will include a pavilion and shade structures, a flagpole and memorial area, a walking/jogging trail, a separate equestrian trail around the park, a paved parking lot, lights, restrooms and a multipurpose field.