Recently retired Palms West Chamber of Commerce CEO Vivian Palmer (shown here center with Jaene and Ron Miranda) was recognized as “Distinguished Citizen of the Year” by the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club last Friday evening.
PHOTOS, PAGE 19A
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Despite public protests, the Wellington Village Council directed village staff Tuesday to design a “leisure services passport” program charging an annual fee to households participating in village athletic, recreation and leisure programs.
Cash-strapped in a year of dwindling revenues and statemandated budget cuts, the village has been struggling to find ways to retain its array of programs and services, which also attract many participants from outside the village.
The council reviewed a halfdozen options prepared by village staff, choosing the one that would serve the largest anticipated number of participants and offer the second-largest revenue increase and second-smallest revenue shortfall after expenditures. Another option would have maximized these figures because of program rate increases. The option chosen includes no program rate hikes.
After hosting a successful wine gala on Aug. 15, the Fresh Market in Wellington continued its fundraising efforts to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) by holding its annual sidewalk sale Sept. 7-9. Pictured here, Abigail Weber and Amber Green volunteer by selling root beer.
PHOTOS, PAGE 17A
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
The opening of the eastbound lanes of the Southern Blvd. flyover at State Road 7 on Thursday will ease at least some of the headaches of western communities motorists trying to negotiate the intersection.
Florida Department of Transportation representatives said the westbound lanes of the flyover, long under construction, are scheduled to open in October.
Tampa Bay Engineering is the FDOT’s consultant on the
$28.65 million project. The company’s project administrator Hans Braun told the TownCrier Wednesday that the opening of lanes in only one direction, well advance of the others, is an exception to the general practice of opening all lanes at the same time.
“It’s not a huge exception,” Braun said, “but the reason they have to do it this way is because they still have some drainage work to do at the bottom of the hill on the east and west sides of the bridge.”
Community Asphalt of West Palm Beach is the project’s contractor. The company,
Braun said, is two and a half years into its three-year contract with the FDOT.
“It has been a difficult project for the contractor because of the high volume of traffic while they’ve been trying to work,” Braun said. “It’s not like some of the remote jobs you work on.”
The SR 80/SR 7 interchange is the last of four major projects that are part of the expansion of Southern Blvd. between I-95 and Forest Hill Blvd.
“It started last and it will finish last,” Braun said. “It’s sort of the icing on the cake.”
The passport would cost Wellington households $100 annually and non-residents $200. Potential benefits to passport holders may include free admission to the village’s gym, pool and skate park, free parking at major village events, discounts on room rentals at village facilities, advance registration privileges and priority status on registration waiting lists.
Village staff estimate the program will generate $2.06 million in revenues, leaving the village with a $320,000 shortfall once that money is spent on programs. By comparison, the village would collect $1.46 million and face a $1 million shortfall if fees are not raised and no passport is required, according to the staff report.
Community Services Director Paul Schofield told the council the passport concept was one of the most misunderstood items staff had proposed. Unlike Palm Beach County, which merely maintains facilities, the village provides services that must be funded, he said.
“We provide a significant level above and beyond what most jurisdictions do,” Schofield said. “I watched your faces when we gave that level of service. You asked us to look at other options, either fee increases or passports. If we are going to offer a service, it has to be paid for somehow. If it’s not paid for by tax dollars, how will it be paid for?”
Schofield also said there will be no requirement for residents to pay for the passports. “We think that 25 percent of the households who use the recreational facilities will purchase them,” he said. “For people who don’t have children or use the programs, we are not asking
them to do it. It becomes a user fee. The fees are still there. You can still go in and pay the daily fees.”
While the passport fees will fund some staffing and operational costs, Schofield said, other costs will be offset by internal fees such as professional services fees and Community Services Department fees. He said the passports would enable the village to retain employees and programs that would otherwise need to be cut.
“We’ve added back some of the original staffing cuts,” he said. “The original staffing cut was in the order of 32 or 33 people. The Parks Department runs on part-time people as much as it does on full-time people. There are 80,000 budgeted hours. That’s the equivalent of 40 people. That number has dropped considerably. In order to put back the people who run the programs, the passport fee is there. It doesn’t come close to [fully] funding it.”
During public comment, several residents voiced opposition to the passport concept. “You keep emphasizing that you’re lowering your taxes,” resident Paula Heiny said. “You are making up for it in more ways than one. I don’t think you listen to the ordinary people like myself. I don’t have an extra $100. I’m sure that the polo people do. You are willing to do anything for them. People will go to other municipalities to participate in sports this season.”
Resident Lynn Spoor, who teaches yoga, aerobics and Pilates at the Wellington Community Center, said she was worried the passport program would shut many of her participants out. “They feel it’s a place for them to come,” she said. “They have been coming here for several years. They don’t want to leave here. This is very strongly where they want to be.
See PASSPORT, page 42A
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
In the first of two public hearings on the Fiscal Year 2007-08 budget, the Wellington Village Council on Tuesday approved the budget and property assessment rate of 2.34 mills, as well as the village’s 2008 capital improvements plan (CIP).
Village Manager Charlie Lynn told the council the $73.5 mil-
lion budget was a product of seven months of staff effort and four months of council discussion, with that evening’s hearing their 17th meeting concerning the budget.
“All summer long we have been discussing how we got where we are today, and how we are approaching the challenges that the village faces this year,” Lynn said. “We came to the crossroads we have talked
about for the last couple of years. We wanted to do something different, especially in the face of the challenges from the state’s government. We made a wholesale change in our approach to the budget.”
Lynn noted that in response to tax cuts mandated by Tallahassee, the village had shifted its business model away from dependence on ad valorem property tax revenues. A rate stabili-
zation fund established several years ago has cushioned the transitional period, he said, and the village has managed to step back from the $7 million and 41 jobs originally expected to be cut.
“Over the course of the summer, and after reviewing the various proposals, we added back in $3.2 million with 19 positions,” he said. “The net cuts are $3.7 million with a to-
tal of 22 positions. The CIP cuts and deferrals are about $15 million. The presentation shows this is a balanced budget at 2.34 mills.”
With the 2.34 millage rate, the owner of a homesteaded property assessed at $250,000 will pay $526.50 in property taxes. Beyond a new fee structure for leisure services and other service costs that would be tied
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
With the housing market in a slump, Wellington’s Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board approved a developer’s request Sept. 6 to delay the construction of the residential component of a mixed-use project on State Road 7.
The development order amendment would revise several master plan conditions of approval for Pebb Enterprises’ Isla Verde multiple-use planned development on the east side of SR 7, opposite the Black Diamond development.
The 54-acre property was annexed into the village in 2004 and the original master plan and rezoning were approved by the Wellington Village Council in June 2006, allowing for the construction of 210,000 square feet of retail/commercial space, 245 townhouse units, a three-acre preserve area and a ten-acre open area.
Planning and Zoning Direc-
tor David Flinchum told the board the request was to revise the previous conditions of approval to designate the 19-acre residential portion at the rear of the property as “Phase 2” of the development, as well as accompanying infrastructure changes.
The petitioner is also seeking permission to build all delivery and loading areas to accommodate tractor-trailers and moving vans, with the areas screened by a landscape buffer, Flinchum said. Four traffic-related conditions triggered by residential permits would also be revised to reflect multi-family units and/ or square feet of retail.
“The petitioner is requesting to substitute an upgraded landscape buffer between the commercial and residential locations of this MUPD rather than the previously approved screen walls for the delivery and loading areas along the main anchors,” Flinchum said. “The petitioner is proposing an eightfoot-high concrete panel wall on the plateau of a three-foot-high
berm. Staff is recommending that the concrete panel be ten feet high in order to provide a 13-foot minimum height overall to effectively screen and reduce nose from tractor-trailers in the delivery and loading areas.”
Flinchum also said village staff recommend that at least 50 percent of the proposed laurel/live oak trees in the internal residential/commercial buffer be a minimum of 18 feet high and located on both sides of the concrete panel wall. The perimeter of the residential portion and internal connection to the commercial vehicular areas would be secured by a temporary sixfoot-high chain-link fence.
Board Member Howard Sohn asked if the proposed residential units would be two stories high. Flinchum said they would, and were intended to screen loading areas from view of residents in the neighboring Stonehaven and Whippoorwill communities. Flinchum said he thought the trees would be an
effective block for the loading areas.
Sohn asked about a buffer on the east side of the project facing the Whippoorwill community, and Flinchum said a buffer had not yet been approved, but a chain-link fence was proposed to screen the view and keep trespassers out of the empty space reserved for homes.
“That’s not going to change unless they come up with something else,” Flinchum said. “We recommend they secure the perimeter with the six-foot chainlink fence so you don’t get kids coming in there.”
Board Member Morley Alperstein asked about the phasing of the residential portion.
Bruce Weiner, the agent for Pebb Enterprises, said market conditions prompted the change.
“I don’t have to tell you the housing market has died,” Weiner said. “The townhouse market is more dead than any other sector of the market. When the market comes back, we will have to assess it and see
what we will do. Maybe we will have multi-family, and maybe we will have single-family. We just don’t know.”
Residents of nearby communities voiced concerns.
Jenny Pugh of Whippoorwill Way pleaded with the board and Weiner to make sure the project was properly screened from residents next door. “You tell me that you are going to put up a chain-link fence,” she said. “Give us a decent berm and give us decent landscape, and you can build whatever you want to three years from now. Not a chain-link fence going on for three years. Give us something we can look at. Then you can build whatever you want behind it. Please build it now so we can continue raising our families, and not looking at this, and fearing what’s coming over the wall.”
Black Diamond resident Eric Taub said he was concerned that the residential component of the project would be pushed back indefinitely. Weiner said the See PEBB, page 41A
Palm Beach County Commissioner Jess Santamaria invites you to his September 2007
Wednesday, September 19th
7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the “original” Wellington Mall Coffee and cookies served
In more prosperous times, the Indian Trail Improvement District could contemplate the possibility of developing its own water utility infrastructure. However, these are not prosperous times for local governments. The district’s board of supervisors knows well that it is in the best interest of Acreage residents that ITID settles its ongoing legal battles with Palm Beach County. It really is the only practical thing the district can do at this point in time.
The dispute with the county and an ill-considered attempt to create a utility has left the district struggling with an assortment of burdens and headaches. It has amassed millions of dollars in legal bills and owns an underutilized water main that has not yet been paid for. Meanwhile, the supervisors’ ears are filled with the outcry from suspicious Acreage residents who want to keep their wells and oppose hooking up to county water.
The district commissioned a study a few years ago that determined the county was the most affordable and practical water supplier. But the same board that authorized that study chose a course of action in the opposite direction, claiming it was acting in the best interest of Acreage residents.
The current board has the opportunity to make peace and strike a deal with the county that actually does serve and protect residents, and offers them viable and affordable alternatives. The agreement that would end the so-called “water war,” lay litigation to rest and open The Acreage to county water
Lower The Speed Limit In Wellington
Editor’s note: The following letter is addressed to Wellington Mayor Tom Wenham.
Dear Mayor Wenham:
I’m writing you to voice my concerns about the village’s outdated speed limits. When we moved here six years ago, Wellington was still a quiet but increasingly growing community. Forty-five mph through
service has yet to be finalized, and whatever agreement the ITID board makes with the county should be as favorable to Acreage residents as possible.
What’s more, the official ITID policy on determining the extension of county water service should also favor residents, especially concerning who will be responsible for paying the array of costs involved, and the method for determining whether a given portion of the community actually wants the service. Many Acreage residents have long been vocal in expressing misgivings about county services, and the board should be most careful not to let them down or make them feel vulnerable. The fears of a bait-and-switch, expressed by several residents at a Tuesday workshop, must be assuaged.
ITID supervisors and county officials have both assured Acreage residents that they won’t be forced to connect to county water lines unless health concerns make it imperative. Who would make such a determination, and why, are details that should be explored extensively before an agreement with the county is ratified. ITID should be particular about incorporating such safeguards into the agreement.
But the bottom line remains just that — the bottom line. The flow of water doesn’t happen without the flow of cash. We encourage the ITID board to get the best deal possible for Acreage residents, one that ensures both healthy water and healthy wallets.
the heart of the village seemed fast to me then, but with the population explosion it is not only unsafe, it is unpractical. I live in Meadow Wood, and Aero Club Drive is 45 mph and several streets into the neighborhood you can hear the cars and trucks barreling by. Aero Club Drive is a beautiful street to live off of, and many residents use it to exercise, walk dogs and children are always at play. The noise from this road
Your Community Newspaper
Serving The Palms West Communities For 27 Years Published Weekly By Newspaper Publishers, Inc.
12794 West Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31
The Original Wellington Mall Wellington, Florida 33414
Phone: (561) 793-7606
Classified Ads: (561) 793-3576 • Fax: (561) 793-6090
World Wide Web: http://www.goTownCrier.com E-Mail Address: news@goTownCrier.com
JODY GORRAN Associate Publisher DAWN RIVERA General Manager
is incredible, and if the speed limit is dropped to 35 mph, this problem could be lessened.
Most roads in Wellington share this atmosphere — neighborhoods off two-lane roads with traffic speeding by at unsafe speeds. Aero Club Drive, Big Blue Trace, Wellington Trace, and Greenview Shores and Forest Hill boulevards for the most part are all residential thoroughfares. The sidewalks on the roads are used by residents trying to enjoy the wonderful lifestyle known as “Wellington,” but sometimes it feels like a freeway.
course. I’m simply asking why did code enforcement ignore the deterioration of Binks then, and now has cited Aquila for two temporary signs? It appears they may want to prevent Aquila from getting off the ground in their quest to advertise available memberships to the public.
ises.
“Demon” Damone has sequestered her own board by disallowing any contact with the attorneys who are familiar with this multi-million-dollar issue, filtered the information available to the board, and has summoned the help of “citizen” Bill Gotthelf to negotiate a dime-ona-dollar contract for yet another “great giveaway.”
JASON BUDJINSKI Community Editor MARK LIOI News Editor
BARRY S. MANNING Publisher JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor RON BUKLEY Managing Editor
WRITERS/ Denise Fleischman • Paul Gaba • Lisa Keeney Steve Pike • Carol Porter • Leonard Wechsler
CONTRIBUTORS/ Don Brown • Jules Rabin • Deborah Welky • Ernie Zimmerman
ART & PRODUCTION MANAGER/ Stephanie Rodriguez
ADVERTISING/ Evie Edwards • Wanda Glockson STAFF/ Betty Buglio • Shanta Daibee • Geri O’Neil
Founded In 1980 By Bob Markey Sr. Copyright 2007, Newspaper Publishers Inc.
The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising.
I can find only positives for the change in speed: less noise pollution in our community, increased safety, less emissions from traffic and hopefully less traffic for those who use Wellington as a shortcut to Southern Blvd. We live in such a beautiful and desirable area — why then are we in such a hurry to get ourselves and others through it so quickly? This reduction could also help solve the problem in Pinewood East making it easier for them to get out onto Forest Hill.
Annastasia Gallo Wellington
Where was [Wellington] Code Enforcement when the Binks Forest Golf Course was abandoned and left to deteriorate by Mr. [David] Hickey and Peninsula Bank? It became a rodent-infested goat farm that many of us had to see in all our backyards for five years.
I’m appalled and most angry to see that the code enforcement has cited Aquila Property Company for posting two temporary signs announcing the fall opening of the new Binks Forest Golf Club.
We finally got a reputable investor to take over where others failed. They made a huge investment to commit to the rebirth of Binks and will successfully achieve that goal.
It seemed odd that the Greenview Cove Golf Course went down the same day that Binks did, yet it still is a golf
Driving through Wellington one can see many code violations of deterioration unnoticed by the same code enforcement department. Yet, here we have a piece of property that went from the worst to the best, bringing back beauty to Wellington, yet is being cited for two simple temporary signs. Are they just trying to justify their existence?
Does it make any sense to anybody? Not me!
Linda Curcio Wellington
Residents’ Concerns
In an old but familiar scene from the [Bill] Gotthelf/ [Michelle] Damone days, the new Indian Trail Improvement District board under the influence of Gotthelf and Damone ignored public input and surmised that they were going in the direction that “they” wanted. Tuesday night the ITID board listened to over 90 percent of the attendees tell them that they did not want county water in The Acreage and the cost was too high.
The facts were presented, based on the existing utility business valuation report, commissioned and completed 11 months ago. The report derived that the ITID utility’s “present worth” is over $63 million, but the ITID board would like to sell it for only $8 million.
When presented with the fact that the sale or contract of the legislative authority to provide utilities was illegal as presented by Article VIII, Section 4 of the Florida Constitution, “Demon” Damone wanted to shut the presentation down and would not allow further comment. We are now subjected again to the ironfisted leadership that totally ignores the electorate, despite your recent campaign prom-
The word is that the success fee for this work by Gotthelf will be a $100,000 position as the district manager, whose seat is now empty after the last one was recently fired by the new board. Oh yes, they will tell you he resigned. “Demon” Damone has also re-subscribed to the old tricks of holding public hearings without proper notice to the public, and this deal will likely get shoved through.
[Supervisor] Sandra Love Semande, who recently campaigned on the promise to oversee the district’s finances, would just as soon give away the district’s only enterprise business for a dime on a dollar.
[ITID Vice President] Mike Erickson made statements far beneath his intelligence that the valuation report was “incorrect” and that the Village of Royal Palm Beach will not get ten percent of all the revenues generated in ITID!
Bevin Beaudet of Palm Beach County actually threatened a resident outside the building with legal action for providing truthful recount of his statements to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Authority that The Acreage will pay the hundreds of millions of dollars that this new utility pipeline infrastructure will cost! [Supervisor] Ralph Bair was his normal silent self just going with the flow. Where is the leadership on this board?
You can sum this public farce up as just another day in the good ol’ boy ITID mess and a further extension of the [former county commissioner Tony] Masilotti scandal. Yes, they’ve covered up most everything over the last 10 months in office. Regardless of whose pen they hold at the
The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymously sent letters will not be
), to
Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to 793-6090; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTownCrier.com.
I only saw Alex the talking parrot one time, and it was briefly. When I caught the departed 31year-old African grey parrot, he was “yakking” with Alan Alda on the PBS series Look Who’s Talking. I was amazed.
By Jules W. Rabin
Over the years we’ve all been exposed to various animals, such as Koko the gorilla at the California Gorilla Foundation in Woodside, acting in ways that mimic humans. None were as impressive as the parrot “bird brain” who could count small numbers and recognize colors and shapes. One example was his ability to tell his teacher what colors certain papers were, what specific shape they were and, after touching it, what material they were made of.
Dr. Irene Pepperberg, the owner and trainer of Alex, used a novel approach to instruct her feathered friend. She singled out one trainer to “compete”
continued from page 4A Town-Crier, you cannot break the law and “contract away” or dismiss the statutory authority that was legislatively authorized. This utility is not ripe and “our children” should make this decision… after the corruption scandal investigations are completed. This board does not understand the ramifications of this decision, and the county is just salivating over the conservatively estimated $330 million of cash flow projected through 2032. This community cannot afford another “great giveaway!” For more information and an action plan, call me at (561) 686-5577.
Christopher Karch
The Acreage Editor’s Note: Mr. Karch is a former president of the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors.
General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker’s testimony this week included plans for the withdrawal of a few troops from Iraq. But the general and the ambassador also laid out plans for a long-term U.S. military occupation of Iraq, creating a compliant, protected regime in the oil-rich heart of the Middle East. A long-term military occupation of Iraq is a bad solution to a failed war policy. Our members of Congress should be working toward an end to the war that people in this country of all political parties can unite around.
One such proposal has already been put forward and would enact into law the recommendations of the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, including a firm commitment for the withdrawal all U.S. military troops from Iraq, full support for regional diplomatic negotiations with all of Iraq’s neighbors and a commitment
with the bird for a reward... such as a grape. Alex soon learned to ask by watching and listening to the oral methods used by the trainer. Researchers then worked with him further to perfect the proper pronunciation.
Alex appeared on various television programs such as those on the BBC and PBS, and was featured endlessly in scientific reports and news articles and features. He worked almost until the last minute with Dr. Pepperberg. As he was put in his cage for the last time he quipped, “you be good... see you tomorrow... I love you.” He was found dead the next morning.
Alex left a legacy. Because of the wonderful results of his work with Dr. Pepperberg, newcomers Griffin and Arthur have now become part of the good doctor’s ongoing research program.
to assist in rebuilding a country that U.S. military troops have helped to destroy. I hope that we can count on our members of Congress to support this bill and a real end to the Iraq war.
Morley Schloss Loxahatchee Groves
The Palm Beach County Budget Oversight Committee presented recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday, Sept. 5. Included in that report, the committee recommended the complete elimination of the County Cooperative Extension Service and all its programs: Agriculture, Family & Consumer Services, Agricultural Economic Development and 4-H youth programs; to eliminate or transfer Mounts Botanical Garden to the county’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The final budget meeting will take place Thursday, Sept. 20 at 6 p.m. at the county commission chambers at 301 N. Olive Avenue in West Palm Beach. This means there [isn’t much time left] to support and express the benefits provided by Extension to the community, and there are many! Extension is the link that conveys the results of research generated by federal and state agencies to the public. This is also the department that trains and certifies pesticide applicators, thereby helping to protect our environment, our food supply and the personal safety of applicators. Eliminating this department without contemplating the consequences is irresponsible and reflects a total lack of knowledge and/or understanding of the importance of agriculture and the Cooperative Extension Service to the health and economy and quality of life for everyone in Palm Beach County.
If you are involved with agriculture, I
Do You Agree With President Bush’s Current Iraq Policy?
A. Yes! There is progress being made and we should not quit now!
B. Yes. But I would like to see more progress there.
C. No. But I will give him the benefit of the doubt.
D. No! It’s time to bring our troops home!
Previous Question: Should local villages fund recreation programs more through user fees and less through general taxes? A. Yes! If I don’t use a program, my tax money shouldn't go to fund it: 37 percent; B. Yes. It’s a wise decision in a time of tight budgets: 22 percent; C. No. Good recreation programs are a major factor in keeping property values up: 32 percent; D. No! I count on those recreation programs. That’s why I moved here: 8 percent.
know that you value our Extension Service, and I urge you to please meet, write, e-mail or call each and every county commissioner to express your support for Extension.
Lyn Cacella Farm Credit of South Florida
Hometown democracy or hometown chaos? Corrupt developer-controlled local officials versus anti-growth zealots? The rhetoric and name-calling is escalating from both sides in the debate over Hometown Democracy’s proposal to amend the Florida Constitution to require voter approval of every local comprehensive plan amendment.
Unfortunately, the Draconian nature of the proposal and the extreme reaction from some opponents is obscuring a real problem. State-mandated local comprehensive plans are the “constitution” for land use; they govern local decisions about when, where and how development may occur. These plans are required to cover a planning horizon of at least ten years, but they may be amended as provided in the state’s Growth Management Act.
According to the sponsors of Hometown Democracy, local plans are being amended much too frequently, and usually at the behest of developers. Thus, they argue that local plans are not controlling growth and that citizens cannot effectively participate in the amendment process. The Hometown Democracy campaign has called attention to a serious problem: growing citizen dissatisfaction with the local planning process and especially the frequency of plan amendments.
Originally, the Growth Management Act allowed local plans to be amended
only two times each year. Subsequently, however, the State Legislature has enacted 32 exceptions to the twice-a-year limitation. Additionally, many local governments have developed a habit of considering and adopting dozens of plan amendments every six months. For example, in 2005 alone, Florida’s local governments adopted over 8,000 plan amendments.
Local plans must be subject to amendment to respond to changed conditions, but plan amendments have become the rule rather than the exception. As a result, the local plan is constantly changing, offers little stability or predictability, and has diminished credibility with the public. Instead of the 10- or 20-year visions they were supposed to represent, local comprehensive plans are in danger of becoming little more than six-month suggestions.
It is not surprising that many citizens have lost faith in the ability of local com-
• The Town-Crier article “RPB Council Seat Will Stay Vacant Until 2008” published last week incorrectly reported that the Royal Palm Beach Village Council approved the first reading of an ordinance regarding private alarm systems. The council by consensus directed staff to revise the draft ordinance, the text of which was taken from Palm Beach County code. The council objected to a provision in the county ordinance requiring payment of a license renewal fee.
• In the article “Hope For Couples At P.B. Center For Reproductive Medicine” published last week, the center’s phone number was incorrectly listed. The correct number is (561) 333-8232.
The Town-Crier regrets any confusion this might have caused.
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
SEPT. 8 — A deputy from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Wellington was dispatched to the Macy’s department store at the Mall at Wellington Green last Saturday regarding a counterfeit money complaint. According to a PBSO report, the deputy met with 21year-old Gustavo Lopez of Miami at approximately 4 p.m. In Lopez’s possession were two
counterfeit $100 bills that were confirmed as such by the United States Secret Service, according to the report. Gustavo was arrested and charged with uttering forged bills.
• • •
SEPT. 3 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach arrested an Acreage man early last Monday for driving under the influence of alcohol.
Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives:
• Jason Howell is a white male, 5’7” tall and weighing 135 lbs. with blond hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 07/21/87. He has tattoos on his left arm (“Jason”), left shoulder (moon/lady) and right arm (cross), and a scar on his right hand. Howell is wanted for failure to appear in court on the charges of burglary of a conveyance and petit theft. His occupation is laborer. His last known address was South 38th Court in Greenacres. Howell is wanted as of 09/13/07.
• Eric Hupman is a white male, 5’8” tall and weighing 145 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. His date of birth is 04/20/80. He has a tattoo on his left arm. Hupman is wanted for failure to appear in court on the charge of battery on a person 65 years of age or older, and violation of supervised own recognizance on the charges of battery on a person 65 years of age or older and grand theft auto. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was Jennings Avenue in Greenacres. Hupman is wanted as of 09/13/07.
Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crime stopperspbc.com.
THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, WHICH IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR ITS CONTENT.
According to a PBSO report, 25-year-old Bhupendra Ramsarran was driving westbound on Southern Blvd. at approximately 4:23 a.m. when he was pulled over after a deputy observed him swerving between lanes. After conducting a roadside sobriety test, the deputy placed Ramsarran under arrest. He was transported to the PBSO breath testing facility, where he refused further testing. Ramsarran was turned over to the Palm Beach County jail and issued a notice
to appear in court.
SEPT. 5 — A Royal Palm Beach man was arrested on drug charges at a gas station last Wednesday. According to a PBSO report, a deputy from the RPB substation observed 24year-old Jerry Dunn smoking from a glass pipe at the Exxon station on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. at approximately 10:30 p.m. Dunn then returned to his vehicle and drove north on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. where the deputy stopped him. Upon making contact with Dunn, the deputy observed a strong odor of marijuana. Dunn handed over the pipe and a baggie that contained marijuana, according to the PBSO report. A search of Dunn’s wallet revealed two small blue pills, which were later identified as oxycodone. Dunn was charged with drug possession with intent to sell and possession of drug paraphernalia.
SEPT. 6 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded to the Macy’s department store at the Mall at Wellington Green last Thursday regarding a shoplifter. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 5:45 p.m. 26-year-old Ricardo Sopxivir of Lake Worth concealed a pair of blue jeans under his pants and exited the store without paying for the merchandise. The blue jeans are valued at $39.50. Sopxivir was arrested and transported to the county Jail.
SEPT. 7 — A Belle Glade man was arrested and charged with retail theft at the JC Penney store at the Mall at Wellington Green last Friday. According to a PBSO report, at approximately 7:35 p.m., store security officers observed 23-year-old Mario Cristobal attempting to remove unspecified items from the store. The officers contact-
See BLOTTER, page 7A
SEPT. 12 — A traffic collision at the intersection of State Road 7 and Business Park Way claimed the life of a Royal Palm Beach boy Wednesday afternoon.
According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office report, a 1998 Mercury Sable driven by 25-year-old Jenilee Rodriguez of RPB was traveling southbound on State Road 7 in the left through lane approaching Business Park Way. Meanwhile, a school bus was traveling eastbound on Business Park Way, turning left onto State Road 7
when Rodriguez’s vehicle collided into it, according to the report. Rodriguez and her son, six-year-old Tyrone Copper, were transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center, where Copper later succumbed to his injuries. The driver of the bus, 61year-old Lucille Satkowski of West Palm Beach, was transported to Palms West Hospital, along with passenger 50-yearold Lydia Aiello of The Acreage; both were treated and released. Rodriguez suffered minor injuries.
— Jason Budjinski
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
Developer Mark Bellissimo told the Town-Crier this week that the $25 million purchase of the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club by his consortium Wellington Equestrian Partners not only will secure his plans for a world-class equestrian complex, but also solve parking issues that have troubled his Tavern on the Green Equestrian Club.
Managed by the renowned Tavern on the Green restaurant of New York City, the club occupies the former Equestrian Club Estates clubhouse on Equestrian Club Road in Wellington, near the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club. Last winter it operated under a conditional permit to use an offsite parking lot east of the club owned by Palm Beach Polo, and Equestrian Club Estates residents made strident objections to the arrangement.
More recently the Wellington Village Council rejected a proposed ordinance that would have allowed valet and offsite “bullpen” parking at the club.
Bellissimo said the club plans to re-open in October after spending the summer closed.
“Now that we own the land, it should be no problem,” he told the Town-Crier Wednesday.
The restaurant will open in plenty of time for the winter equestrian season, he said.
Tavern on the Green is adjacent to the current show grounds, home of the Winter
Equestrian Festival. Although show promoter Stadium Jumping has announced a move to a new location in southern Wellington, they will operate at least one more year at the present location.
Meanwhile, Bellissimo is pursuing plans for a world-class mixed commercial, residential and equestrian facility dubbed the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, with the Tavern on the Green club its showcase restaurant.
A site plan amendment application for the revised parking plan and minor improvements for Tavern on the Green was submitted to the village on Aug. 31, and its first stop will be the Development Review Committee, scheduled to meet Sept. 26. Bellissimo said it has not yet been determined whether the plan will be on that agenda.
Consultant Mike Nelson, who represents Bellissimo’s company Far Niente Stables IV, said he is optimistic the amended plan will clear all village hurdles.
“We are working on a resubmission to the Village of Wellington that will encompass the parking lot that was there last year into the Tavern property,” he said.
The village requires one parking space per 80 square feet of interior floor space, which equates to about 196 spaces for the combined private club and restaurant and recreational facilities, according to the development plans.
Wellington Community De-
velopment Director Marty Hodgkins said the village’s Planning & Zoning Department has received a revised site plan for Tavern on the Green but has not had the opportunity to review it and identify what is there.
“It does have to be reviewed by the Development Review Committee,” he said. “It has been distributed. There are several issues associated with that plan. It will take some time. We will meet with the owner and see what’s there. That [parking] is something we will definitely look at.”
The site plan includes a parking area of about 160 by 320 feet that would accommodate about 110 cars, as well as additional space that would provide about 50 more spaces.
The parking analysis includes parking for recreational facilities adjoining the restaurant. The property has operated as a private club and restaurant for many years with minimal parking, according to a shared parking analysis prepared by Sexton Engineering Associates. Far Niente recently made minor additions to the clubhouse/restaurant and building, and proposed further improvements to the recreational facilities and on-site parking.
The intended use is for a private club with a projected membership of 300 to 400. The amenities include a restaurant, library and meeting rooms, pool and pool house, club office, tennis courts, activity court and putting green.
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
The Royal Palm Beach Commons Park moved a step closer to reality Sept. 6 when the RPB Village Council unanimously approved the site plan for the 163acre park on the grounds of the old Tradition Golf Club.
Designer Russell Moore of the IBI Group presented an overview of the park’s features, including a three-story sporting center, clubhouse for the ninehole golf course, picnic pavilions, two playgrounds, restrooms, a footbridge and a bandstand for acoustic music.
“It’s keeping with the theme of what we’ve seen,” Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick said. “The golf course is clearly wrapping farther around, as I anticipated as its design took shape. That’s not a problem because it’s giving even more people the same backyard that
The Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) will hold its Annual Friendship Ball on Saturday, Oct. 13 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Donations for this fundraising event is $85 per person. The evening will feature live musical entertainment provided by Sweet Justice Band and DJ entertainment. For tickets, call Alvin Nembhard at (561) 333-8891, Millie Hampton at (561) 790-1751 or Lawrence Logan at (561) 791-0162.
The Humanitarian Society will be holding its annual Challenge of Champions World Class Charity Horse Show Nov. 8-10 at the new Jim Brandon Equestrian Center in suburban West Palm Beach. There are spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis at the show’s Avenue of Shops. The cost is $200 for the three days and evening. For more information, call (561) 362-8530.
continued from page 6A
ed a deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington who reviewed a videotape of the incident. Cristobal was arrested and transported to the county jail.
SEPT. 12 — A Riviera Beach woman was arrested for shoplifting Wednesday at the Macy’s department store at the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, 18-year-old Lanovia Heath was observed trying to leave the store with $98 worth of unspecified merchandise when she was apprehended at approximately 6:10 p.m. Heath was arrested and transported to the county jail for processing.
they had before we started.”
A request for bids to construct the park is expected to go out early next year. With that in mind, Lodwick reiterated his goal for the project, which carries a price tag of approximately $20 million. “I want to have as much green and as much water as we can have,” he said.
“There’s going to be some buildings on it, but as we approve this site plan and as it’s turned into a bid document, I want as many layers as we can get in that bid document. Because as we look at this we might decide two buildings are enough and we don’t need a bandstand.”
Not that Lodwick has anything against music, but his thinking is as much fiscal as functional.
“We’re going to get to the end on this and we’re going to have a lot more design than we have dollars,” he said. “I want to make sure we have as many options as we can and that our
residents are going to get as much bang for the buck for what we can put in.”
Village Engineer Ray Liggins concurred, but said some things don’t lend themselves well to being phased. “That would be earthwork and drainage and building the water and sewer lines,” he said. “The consultants have spent an inordinate amount of time in identifying the things that can’t be changed. We are going to create a document that will give you that flexibility in that award.”
The sporting center, Liggins told the council, will be the park’s signature building. “That’s the one thing in this park we don’t think we want to skimp on,” he said.
Village Manager David Farber told the council “we will make sure you have the adequate opportunity to cut out or add those things that are appropriate in order to have a useable park.”
The Palm Beach County Democratic Executive Committee held its monthly meeting Sept. 4 at Temple Torah in Boynton Beach. The guest speakers were Palm Beach County commissioners Jeff Koons and Burt Aaronson, who discussed the state of the commission. Democratic Party Chair Wahid Mahmood was recognized by other members of the Democratic Executive Committee. Pictured here is Mahmood (third from right) with executive board members Matthew McWaters, Jay Weitz, Alan Olinsky, Steve Nichol and Terrie Rizzo.
PHOTO BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
A peace walk and rally was held in downtown West Palm Beach last Saturday prior to the monthly meeting of the Palm Beach Democratic Club. The walk took place along Okeechobee Blvd. and concluded at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, where Congressman and presidential hopeful Dennis Kucinich was the featured speaker. West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel and the “Raging Grannies” also attended. (Above left) Youths from the Dreyfoos School of the Arts. (Above right) Kucinich speaks at the Kravis Center. (Below) People protest along Okeechobee Blvd.
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
The Wellington Rotary Club will join cities and organizations around the world in recognizing the International Day of Peace Sept. 21. The club will celebrate on the site of the soon-to-be constructed Wellington Rotary Peace Park at the corner of Royal Fern and Birkdale drives just south of Elbridge Gale Elementary School, beginning at 6 p.m.
The International Day of Peace was established by a United Nations resolution in 1981.
The centerpiece of the Wellington Rotary Peace Park will be the eight-sided Wellington Rotary Peace Pole, an eightfoot tall, handcrafted wooden pole that was dedicated last year. Each side of the pole displays “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in several different languages.
Dr. Wes Boughner, international chairman for the Wellington Rotary Club, said there are more than 200,000 Peace Poles
in 180 countries around the world.
“There will be tens of thousands of celebrations on Sept. 21 recognizing world peace, so it’s not just here,” Boughner said. “This is kind of our salute to world peace right here in Wellington.“
The Wellington Village Council approved spending $126,645 Tuesday for construction of the 17.7-acre Peace Park, which Boughner said will be the only one of its kind in Florida. When complete, the park will feature a boardwalk, rotunda and gazebo, along with the Peace Pole. Boughner said six flags — the U.S. flag, Florida state flag, Village of Wellington flag, Wellington Rotary Club flag, United Nations flag and a special Wellington Rotary Peace Park flag — will fly around the edge of the rotunda.
“The boardwalk will be about 10 feet wide and 300 feet long,“ Boughner said. “That goes into the rotunda where people can just sit and contemplate.”
Fall Festival Offers A Celebration Of Community ‘Spirits’
Join the Wellington Fall Festival celebration on Saturday, Oct. 27 from 5 to 10 p.m. at the Village Park Gymnasium located at 11700 Pierson Road.
The fun and howling begins at 5 p.m. with the Old Gym Haunted Hallways (a hauntingly happy hour until 6 p.m. for children ages 8 and under). You’ll scream through 3,000 square feet and 15 minutes of twisting and frightful hallways. The evening continues with a Parade of Costumes. Costumes will be judged on originality, personality and best look-alike character. Participants will meet in the front lobby of the gym, no later than 15 minutes prior to parade times: 5:30 p.m. (ages 2 and under); 6:30 p.m. (ages 3 to 5); 7:30 p.m. (ages 6 to 9); 8:30
p.m. (ages 10 to 13); 9 p.m. (ages 14 to 17) and 9:30 p.m. (ages 18 and up). Festivities will continue throughout the evening with the Amazing Mr. A’s Freaky Magic Show, face painting and airbrush tattoos, door-to-door trick or treat, carnival games, inflatable rides and refreshments.
All activities require the purchase of coupon tickets (prices vary per activity) or the purchase of an all-access bracelet for $15. The village is currently accepting volunteer applications for those who want to help frighten event-goers. Volunteer service hours will be awarded. Wellington is also seeking sponsors for this event. For more information, call (561) 753-2484, ext. 0.
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
Palm Beach County School District Superintendent Dr. Art Johnson described “the good, the bad and the ugly” of the county’s schools Monday to members of the Palms West Chamber of Commerce.
Speaking at the chamber’s monthly business luncheon, Johnson said the Palm Beach County School District stands out because of its A rating from the state.
“Your school district, the one you built,” Johnson said, “was the only urban school district rated A in the State of Florida. That is quite an accomplishment. That happened because of our hardworking teachers, principals and supportive parents and business community that understand why you have to have a strong public education system. We create a system where employers are willing to relocate. The genius of our democracy is public education.”
Johnson noted that the proportion of minority students in the school district has grown tremendously, but not their graduation rate. “Now the bad,” he said. “As far as our graduation rate, 85 percent of our white kids graduate. But 55 percent of our African-Americans graduate. I am ashamed of that. We should all be ashamed of it. The Gates Foundation did a study which uncovered the fact that 88 percent of the kids who drop out across the country have
passing grades. They are not dropping out because they are failing. They have a view just like the old Paul Simon song, that with all the crap they learned in high school, it’s a wonder they can think at all.”
Johnson said that is one reason why he is a strong advocate of career academies. Not every student will be on the football team or a cheerleader or in the band, he said, but all should be able to get a job.
“We have 140 choice programs and we have 30,000 students in our programs,” Johnson said. “Our graduation rate for the career academies is higher than the high school students who are not in the academies. They understand the relationship between what they are doing in high school and what they want to be doing when they finish high school. The last thing we want is to have a kid look around and say, ‘what do I do now?’ Only 50 percent of our students choose to go to college. The career academies keep our kids in school and train them to be a part of our workforce.”
Johnson said he doesn’t oppose comprehensive testing, but was critical about assigning grades to schools because the formulation unfairly penalizes students. Tying funding to student performance sends students the message they are failures, he said.
“We have a system of grading that is biased academically against poor kids,” Johnson said. “Grade the schools if you want to, but don’t do it so the
rich kids get the As and the poor kids get the Fs. Everything we know about raising children is you encourage them. You tell them they are bluebirds; you don’t tell them they are buzzards. Are we going to turn around as a state and say you have a failing school? Isn’t it interesting that Glades Central can win the state championship in football in Florida but they are an F-rated school? Isn’t it interesting that Atlantic High School is one of the top-rated schools but it has a C rating? To me, the grading of schools is wrong.”
Johnson said “the ugly” is the gang presence in the Palm Beach County schools. In the school
population of 170,000 students, there are roughly 6,000 gang members, he said.
Johnson said he recently met members of a group called Voices of Teenagers Everywhere or VOTE, who said one of their friends, a former William T. Dwyer High School student, had been murdered and left in a ditch.
The kids were afraid in their communities, and sometimes school is the only safe place for them. The problem is also compounded by the fact that the kids in gangs are remaining in the gangs, and then having kids themselves.
There are a number of ways to break the cycle, including
mentoring programs and business partnerships, Johnson said, but the cycle has to be broken.
“They are dangerous,” Johnson said. “They are headed to jail, or they are headed to the grave, if we don’t do something about it. They say, ‘nobody loves us, and nobody cares. We feel reasonably safe at school. We don’t feel safe in our communities.’ We have to be able to get to kids in a way that’s not just, ‘go to class.’ Parents are supposed to take care of their kids. These kids may not have parents. They have kids. It’s a repeat of a cycle that is extremely dangerous.”
Johnson also said society
See LUNCHEON, page 42A
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors moved toward settling legal disputes with Palm Beach County and accepting county water service at a special workshop Tuesday.
The ITID supervisors joined Palm Beach County Water Utilities Director Bevin Beaudet to publicize the details of a draft agreement between the ITID and the county, and to answer questions from Acreage residents.
The “water war” between ITID and the county began when the previous board of supervisors attempted to establish the district as a water provider after the county asserted its right to be the primary water utilities provider in unincorporated areas.
ITID President Michelle Damone called the discussion an “inherited issue.” She said the current board had to find ways to pay costs incurred by the previous board, including a multi-million-dollar legal bill, an existing pipeline not yet paid off and the prospects of continuing to lose money with a utility that provides water for only 32 customers, all of them commercial.
Among the terms in the draft agreement, the county will not force residents to connect to their water lines, although Beaudet noted that commercial users might be required to hook up to nearby pipes.
Under the agreement, the county would assume all existing ITID utility agreements, after which district customers would pay the county’s rate of $.85 per thousand gallons instead of the $1.79 currently paid to the City of West Palm Beach.
The agreement also specifies a payment of $8.5 million to ITID. This would cover the debts of the ITID utility (approximately $2 million) and cover the value of the pipe it has already installed, as well as provide an advance on expected revenues.
Water service would be provided if approved by twothirds of residents in a given area. Damone said ITID would run future workshops to consider whether services should be determined by street or by unit.
Beaudet said a one-time residential connection fee of $2,649.68 to start service could be paid monthly over 20 years as part of the resident’s water bill, with the customer charged 6.5 percent interest. Beaudet estimated that the average basic water bill would be $18 per month.
Landowners would be assessed for the cost of installing pipes along their property frontage. It would cost approximately $9,400 per residential property for ITID to construct connections from the county’s main pipes to individual property lines. A further expense would be the cost of laying pipe from the water
meter at the edge of the property to the home, which homeowners would have to cover themselves.
The majority of Acreage residents currently draw their water from wells, and most residents at the workshop voiced opposition to county water.
Resident Bev Ralle said she opposed any new assessment. “A lot of retired people live here,” she said, “and some of them have had to go back to work to pay for increased costs. We’re being taxed to death. We came here to be in a rural area, and it’s turning into New York City.”
Still, some welcomed the opportunity to connect to county water. Gina Parrish said she was concerned about increasing levels of chemicals in the groundwater as more people move to the area.
“I don’t like taxes,” she said, “but I hate that my white shirts are not white anymore, but yellow. Also, I would like fluoride in the water to help the children.”
Former ITID supervisor Chris Karch, who led the previous board’s campaign against the county utility, defended their plans to become a utility provider. “We had no provisions for mandatory hookups,” he said. “And we planned to have bonds to pay for it.”
Karch warned that the district is selling itself cheap, saying the previous board paid for a study to establish an estimat-
‘We’ve already spent over $1.5 million to fight the county, and if we continue as we’re doing now, we’re just going to continue to lose money on our water operations. ’
— ITID Vice President Mike Erickson
ed value for the district’s utilities.
“The value was set at $63 million,” he said. “Eight and half million is not close to that. We would have tremendous cash flow if we did everything, and that’s what’s really important.”
At the end of the meeting, the supervisors voiced support for an agreement with the county as long as Acreage residents are not forced to hook up. Erickson summarized the reasons.
“We’ve already spent over $1.5 million to fight the county,” he said, “and if we continue as we’re doing now, we’re just going to continue to lose money on our water operations. This agreement settles the litigation and frees us from obligations. Right now, we have a $2 million pipeline that goes nowhere; it’s just not used. And we haven’t even begun to pay the payment on the principle for that loan. That would take care of it. We also have a 250,000-gallon capacity fee we would have to pay starting in 2009. All of those obligations would be gone.”
Erickson said the county service would offer a better alternative to residents than the
district could provide.
“We have the ability to provide high-quality water to residents if they want it,” he said. “The price of water will go from $1.79 for a thousand gallons to 85 cents. If we follow the plans the old board wanted, creating a special development unit, we would have to make certain that everyone hooked up, whether or not they wanted to. Let’s look at facts. This board has negotiated a contract that will pay off major debts, cut expenses for water and provide excellent water at low prices for those who want it.”
After the meeting, Karch told the Town-Crier that the consultants who estimated the ITID utility value at $63 million had assumed that only 35 to 40 percent of residents would hook up to the system.
But Erickson told the TownCrier Wednesday that the figure was unrealistic.
“That estimate is way off,” he said. “Royal Palm Beach received $70 million for their whole operation, and that included a water filtration plant as well as pipe laid throughout the whole district and a working system. Who would pay us almost as much for a system that barely exists?”
Stadium Jumping Inc.
14440 Pierson Road • Wellington, FL 33414 Office: 561-793-5867www.stadiumjumping .com
September 10, 2007
Mr. Mark Bellissimo Manager Far Niente Stables, LLC
3100 Aachen Lane Wellington, FL33414
Dear Mark: I have been reading with interest Littlewood’s plans for the existing showgrounds. If the reports are accurate, I agree that the showgrounds are ideal for the shows produced by Littlewood. The Burtons and Littlewood have produced excellent show events each year, and I look forward to attending the shows in the future. I wish you well. However, the continuing reports that you are in discussions with Stadium Jumping to stay at the current showgrounds concern me.As you know, the only term-sheet offer made to Stadium Jumping came in November of last year with conditions that were unacceptable then and remain unacceptable today. The existing showgrounds are simply not viable for shows the size and magnitude of those produced by Stadium Jumping. The relocation to theWellington International EquestrianArena and Preserve is necessary and is in the best interests of the sport and for the welfare of the horses, participants and patrons. The move will solidifyWellington as one of the top equestrian destinations in the world.We have worked closely with the USEF and a blue ribbon panel of experts on designing and developing the new showgrounds. The new facilities will truly be among the finest in the world and an important asset to this community.
I ask that you focus on what is best for the community as a whole. With the Wellington International Equestrian Arena and Preserve and our USEF dates and the Littlewood show dates at the existing showgrounds, the Village of Wellington stands to benefit greatly. I ask that you support our move to the new showgrounds and cease your opposition and the obstacles you have manufactured.Your continued opposition – including the inaccurate representations of discussions with Stadium Jumping to remain at the existing showgrounds – is not in the best interests of the community or the sport.
Stadium Jumping can be an active advocate and supporter of the Littlewood shows at the existing showgrounds and your development plans. Ultimately, our mutual support of each of the projects is what is best for the equestrian way of life inWellington.With your continued opposition to our project, however, you are making us your competitor and opponent. And your manufacturing of issues could result in your own projects being delayed by government red tape and approvals.
Thanks for your anticipated cooperations.
Very truly yours,
Gene
Mische, Chairman Stadium Jumping Inc.
Visit our website and give us your opinion about Stadium Jumping’s plans to build the world’s best equestrian facility right here in Wellington at: www.wellingtonshowgrounds.com
By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report
The Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors approved cost-ofliving increases and merit pay for district employees Monday, but also discussed the potential for raising salaries to retain district workers.
As a part of the budget for FY 2007-08, LGWCD Administrator Clete Saunier told the supervisors that district employees would receive a 2.6 percent cost-of-living increase effective Oct. 1. In addition to the adjustment, Saunier requested board approval for up to $5,866 to be disbursed as discretionary merit pay, equivalent to a 2.4 percent average increase overall to reward exceptional job performance.
Together with the cost-of-living adjustment, he said, district workers would experience a five percent salary increase.
Supervisors expressed support, but said they hoped the pay increases might be higher in the future given the high quality work of the employees and competition from the Indian Trail Improvement District, which they said draws LGWCD employees away with higher pay. If the LGWCD paid employees more, Supervisor Ron Jarriel said, they also would be more competitive with other special districts.
“I spoke with the people at ITID,” Jarriel said. “They make $15.87 an hour. We have employees who can operate every-
thing, and we have them making $14.07 an hour. I noticed that when we talked about this last year, Clete gave us a range of certain things. I would like him to think about that and try to bring them up to par. I think the supervisors need to sit down and talk about this with Clete. We may be having people leaving us.”
Vice Chair Don Widing, who attended the meeting by telephone, said government agencies often set a series of benchmarks or standards, and he suggested the district try to do so.
“Typically in government services, managers strive to set a standard or a benchmark so we don’t have to keep chasing competitive rates,” Widing said. “I probably would feel more comfortable if we did set a set of standards so that every time we have an employee leave, we are not trying to counteract it, and we are trying to set a benchmark for salaries. We can also budget accordingly to do it once a year.”
Saunier said he established a set of standards last year based on discussions at that time, and also said the increases were based on the skills and talents of the employees. He added that he uses a comparison of other municipalities and special districts while evaluating increases. He said he was willing to discuss the issues raised by the supervisors at their next meeting.
“I believe we are competitive in our range,” Saunier said. The supervisors said they were supportive of bringing up
the subject at the next board meeting. Supervisor Robert Snowball made a motion to approve the cost-of-living increase and merit pay, which was seconded by Jarriel. It passed unanimously.
In other business:
• The supervisors approved an interlocal agreement with Palm Beach County that provides $179,000 of County Commissioner Jess Santamaria’s discretionary funds to apply open graded emulsified mix on F Road.
Saunier told the supervisors that LGWCD Attorney Mary Viator had received the draft interlocal agreement that morning and had not been able to review it completely. Saunier suggested the supervisors approve the agreement pending review, and Viator would review it to see if there were changes she might recommend.
“Mary has received it,” Saunier said. “She has not done
a full review on it. What I would ask you to consider is the approval contingent upon the review of the documents, and give authorization to the chairman and secretary to sign off on it contingent upon that review.”
Snowball made a motion for approval, which was seconded by Supervisor John Ryan. It passed unanimously 5-0.
• During supervisor comments, Widing asked Saunier for an update on equestrian trail improvements scheduled for North Road. Saunier said the district is waiting for the replacement of nine bridge culverts. He said there was no time element that would jeopardize the funding, which was already approved. “Once the bridges are constructed and the improvements are done on North Road and 40th Court,” Saunier said, “we can put the trails in.”
• Saunier told the supervisors the Town of Loxahatchee
Palm Beach County Launches Prescription
Palm Beach County this week launched a discount card program to help consumers cope with the high price of prescription drugs. Palm Beach County Commissioner Mary McCarty introduced the program at a press conference in downtown West Palm Beach on Monday. The county is making free prescription drug discount cards available under a program sponsored by the National Association of Counties (NACo) that offers average savings of 20 per-
cent off the retail price of commonly prescribed drugs.
The cards may be used by all county residents, regardless of age, income, or existing health coverage, and are accepted at almost 300 Palm Beach County pharmacies. A national network of more than 59,000 participating retail pharmacies also will honor the NACo prescription discount card. “Palm Beach County is proud to be one of the counties nationwide participating with NACo,” McCarty
Groves is drafting an agreement regarding the placement of traffic signage, a responsibility the county is relinquishing in December.
“As soon as I receive that, I will be sending that to you for your review and approval,” he said. “It will replace the current agreement through Palm Beach County. They procure and provide the signs to us. The district on this end of the agreement is responsible for installing and maintaining them. The town acknowledges this and realizes that they will have to take it over. They are in the process of drafting it for review and approval. We have until Dec. 10 until everything stops with the county.”
Jarriel said he hoped more signs could be posted on roadways to protect children. He wanted to get the requests in “under the wire,” he said, so the county and not the town, would be paying for them.
said. “The NACo prescription discount card offers significant savings for the uninsured and underinsured residents of our county, and even those fortunate to have prescription coverage can use the card to save money on drugs that are not covered by their health plan.” Cards will be available at various locations across the county. Visit www.caremark.com/naco or click on the “Rx Discount Card” tab located at www.pbc gov.com.
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
The Indian Trail Improvement District’s Recreation Committee discussed the role of the Acreage Athletic League as the official ITID sports provider Monday.
After learning from Parks Director Tim Wojnar that the ITID Board of Supervisors had approved the new contract for non-profit service providers, Committee Member Lisa Seltzer asked whether the Acreage Athletic League had signed it.
Wojnar said AAL President John Meredith had requested a few changes before signing the contract in discussions with the district’s then-administrator Bob Mearns. “We are actually looking for the notes right now,” Wojnar said. “Once we find them, I can check to see if these are major. If they’re really minor, I’ll just sign the agreement. If not, we’ll turn it back to the board for discussion and it will have to be approved.”
Seltzer also asked whether the AAL would be the only non-profit group allowed to operate recreational programs in the district.
“Several people from established groups have asked me about that,” she said. “They wonder why the AAL essentially runs everything. There are some different groups at other parks like Okeeheelee. Why can’t an established group like the Pop Warner League be allowed to run their own program?”
Committee Chair Cliff Battles said competing groups usually divide the kids in the area. “Why wouldn’t a group want to work through the AAL?” he asked. “If the AAL is doing the job correctly, everyone should be happy. If they are not, the other group can come to us and we can look into it.”
Wojnar said the availability of field
space is key. “When we have one provider, they can make sure that everyone has a chance to play,” he said. “Kids benefit if there is one organization. When there are two or more groups, it’s usually because of adult problems. And then the kids lose.”
The three members present praised Wojnar for his work and dedication. Committee Member Mike Chase gave special praise for the new skating area at Acreage Community Park. “That is going well,” Wojnar responded, “but the real credit should go to [Administrative Services Manager] Samantha Curry. She has been the one handling all the details.”
Seltzer noted that some skateboarders are breaking park rules by skating outside the designated area. “They’re supposed to use the new area,” Wojnar said, “especially since we have a designated area. We do have signs up as well. But kids will be kids.”
Battles focused on the need for discussions about the future of the district’s park system. “What resources are being provided?” he asked. “How can the county help and how do its resources affect the district? Above all, what can the district do to provide more service for the people of The Acreage?”
Wojnar said the expansion of Acreage Community Park had stretched the district’s resources somewhat. “We have ten staff members and there are a lot of chores that must be done,” he said. “Every time we add to that, we stretch ourselves a bit thinner.”
Wojnar said the district has a policy of making certain park bathrooms are cleaned at least once a day. “It doesn’t take all that much time to clean the bathrooms in one park,” he said, “but when we have ten parks, that does add up. And I insist that the bathrooms be clean and that the trash on fields is cleaned up. That gives players and guests the right
impression about our work.”
Wojnar praised the ITID Board of Supervisors for giving him the resources he needs, although he acknowledged that costs are rising. “We have to use Chipco Top Choice once a year on our fields as a way of keeping red ants from infesting them,” he said. “That’s expensive but it works. It costs us $1,000 a park, but it’s better than having a child bitten by the ants.”
Wojnar told the committee that Cubmaster Rachel Johnson of Cub Scout
The Acreage Landowners’Association has rescheduled its September meeting. It will now take place Tuesday, Sept. 25 in the Seminole Ridge High School media center. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. and feature a discussion about Florida Power & Light. In addition, nominations for next year’s ALA board will be taken, along with elections. For more information, visit the ALA’s web site at www.acreagelandowners.org.
The Acreage Rotary Club is in the process of doing its second dictionary project, in which the club gives dictionaries to all third graders in the five elementary schools in the Acreage/Loxahatchee area. Last year, the Acreage Rotary club gave away more than 600 dictionaries.
The cost for the dictionary project is over $1,000, and in order to help pay for the dictionaries, the club is raffling a $100 Bass Pro Shop gift card. The donation is $5 per ticket. Rotarians Ralph Bair, Michelle Desjardins, Michael Erickson, Roland Greenspan, Michael Horwitz, Suzanne Horwitz, Sherri-Ann Lopez,
Pack 124, based at Acreage Pines Elementary School, had volunteered her pack to adopt Kidscape Park. “She has about 30 kids available,” Wojnar reported.
Wojnar praised the volunteers from Cub Scout Pack 133 under the leadership of Marie Hunt. “They do a great job cleaning up Bob Hoefl Park,” he said. However, some groups had not done as well on promised cleanup projects, and he said he would send a letter asking them to improve their work.
Donald Pascalli and John Thomas have tickets.
Anyone who does not know a Rotarian and wishes to obtain a ticket, or just wants to make a donation, can send a check made out to “The Acreage Rotary Club” to Richard Helton, 2647 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, Loxahatchee, FL 33414, and he will send out a ticket. The drawing will be on or about Sept. 25. Call (561) 792-5379 for more info.
As the storm rages around the 2008 presidential primary calendar, the Democratic National Committee and the Florida Democratic Party are facing off to see who blinks first. With candidate appearances and 210 delegates to the next year’s national convention hanging in the balance, the Democratic Professionals Council will host Florida State Senate Minority Leader Steven Geller as its guest speaker on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at Columbia Restaurant in CityPlace. The event starts at noon with a networking reception followed by the luncheon at 12:30 p.m. The cost is $35 per person in advance. For more info., call (561) 6500555 or visit www.democratic professionalscouncil.org.
Now in his seventh year of managing the National Horse Show & Family Festival, Michael Morrissey has seen some changes in the event, but all were for the better. This year’s 124th National Horse Show will be held Dec. 5-9 at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club in Wellington.
Although the show is held after Dec. 1, all points will count toward the 2007 USEF year-end awards.
Originating in 1883, the National Horse Show was a staple on the fall indoor circuit when it was held at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Since its move to Wellington six years ago, the National Horse Show
has grown each year, and it still works to maintain its distinctive dignity and stature.
“I think it’s a great achievement for Wellington to be able to host the National Horse Show,” Morrissey said. “Even though we’re not at the Garden, we try and keep its prestige and keep it special.”
Changes and improvements have been made each year, and 2007 is no different.
The show will host the Rolex/ USEF National Show Jumping Championship again this year after a successful class in 2006. Last year’s winner was Olympic gold medalist McLain Ward. The first phase of the competition will be a $25,000 class held
on Friday evening, while phase two is on Sunday afternoon and offers $100,000 in prize money. The “National Show Jumping Champion” will be decided by points and multipliers from the two classes. Riders must be entered in both phases in order to be eligible for the championship.
The rated hunters have a big change to their schedule this year. Each division of the professional, junior, and amateur hunters will have a $3,000 stake class. The National Horse Show Hunter Championship will offer $25,000 in prize money. Any horse that shows in a rated division at the National Horse Show is eligible to enter the
My Brother’s/Sister’s Keeper Charitable Trust presented a $5,000 grant to the Oasis Compassion Agency last month. The
money was used to purchase a 16-foot box truck for the agency. Oasis had been in need of a truck for two years to help
transport food donations to its food pantry and furniture donations to its thrift store, according to Oasis CEO Sharon Gill.
“This gift specifically, and the overall support of organizations such as yours, are what make it possible for us to expand and enrich the services we provide,” Gill wrote in a letter of thanks to County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, founder of the trust.
In addition to the truck, Gill wrote that the gift will help provide food and clothing for more than 700 families this year, as well as a free computer, English classes and budget training to hundreds. The Oasis Compassion Agency is located at 4888 10th Ave. in Lake Worth. For more information, call (561) 967-4006.
championship. Both rounds will be held on Saturday afternoon in the Internationale Arena, and riders will enter round one with a clean slate. The top 12 horses from round one will advance to round two to decide the championship.
Dressage at the National is scheduled again for this year, and classes for some of the best dressage horses and riders in the country will be held on Friday, Dec. 7 through Sunday, Dec. 9. Adult and children’s hunters are also slated for the agenda.
In mid-October, Stadium Jumping crews will begin setting up the structures of the show, including stabling tents, the Diamond Horseshoe Club VIP tent, chalets and special event tents. They will rework all of the rings and add material where needed. At the National Horse Show, exhibitors and spectators will be able to see the brand-new footing and grass installed in the Internationale Arena since this winter.
Friday night’s “Jumping Under the Stars” gala is sure to be another exciting party for everyone involved. In addition to phase one of the Rolex/USEF National Show Jumping Championship, spectators will get to see the professional hunter championship presentations.
On the weekend, youngsters can enjoy the Children’s Fair and families can peruse the Taste of Wellington and the Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s Business Expo.
Morrissey has seen shifts in attendance in his seven years at the helm. “The participation level
has been higher. Friday night and Sunday seem to draw a lot of local spectators, which is great for the show,” he noted. “The amount of horses showing has increased over the years, which is nice. We definitely wanted to get more people interested in the show. There are limits to how many horses we can have in the classes, and we’re getting close to filling them now.”
With the promise of good things to come, 2007 is sure to be a banner year for the 124th National Horse Show & Family Festival.
“Even though this is a yearend show, it’s the start of the season for those of us here in Wellington,” said Morrissey, who is also the manager of the Winter Equestrian Festival.
After hosting a successful wine gala on Aug. 15, the Fresh Market in Wellington continued its fundraising efforts to benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) by holding its annual sidewalk sale Sept. 7-9. The sale included hamburgers, hot dogs and frothy root beer floats. All of the proceeds were donated to the JDRF. The Wellington Fresh Market is located 10640 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington Green Square. Call (561) 753-9861 or visit www.thefresh market.com for more information. For more information about the JDRF, visit www.jdrf.org.
On a recent visit to Missouri, I had a chance to visit a green market. Normally I avoid green markets because I know I’m going to be lured into buying fabulously fresh vegetables which will then rot on my countertop because they’re, well, green. Place the freshest, greenest, most flawless cucumber next to a Hershey bar and I’m sorry but it’s no contest. That’s why cukes cost less than half of what a chocolate bar costs — supply and demand.
Nonetheless, there I was, breathing in healthy scents and visually feasting on the sights and sounds of the market as if I was going to buy something when, really, I was just conducting research. Could a green market be profitable?
This particular market prided itself on featuring organic growers only — something which evidently requires a license. As I marveled at the produce and considered taking a seat for the chef’s demonstration, the sound of live harp music wafted over the air toward me and I
thought, “this is really nice.”
My joy was short-lived. The pinkcheeked farmer lady to whom I had just been speaking about certification sidled up to me and whispered in disgust, “harp music! It just grates on my nerves.”
I have never in my life heard someone complain about something as innocuous as harp music! That goes to show you how DNA has screwed up society. There are so many personalities out there that we’re destined to be at odds forever — or at least until we kill each other off.
Not only that, but what happened if this farmer lady goes to heaven? What then? I can see it now…
Scene: Pearly Gates of Heaven. St. Peter in attendance with his big book and golden key. A weary and bedraggled farmer lady reaches the top step and approaches the dais.
St. Peter: Betty! You’ve made it!
Farmer Lady Betty: That’s some climb you’ve got there, Pete.
Sometimes you read something that you know is just wrong. British parliamentarian and Conservative Party leader David Cameron recently assuaged his guilt about burning fossil fuels when flying to a vacation in Barbados by buying carbon credits as an offset. Many people have noted that some of the offsets have been virtually meaningless, but it could be considered a nice thought.
The form Cameron’s credit took, however, hit a new low. The credits he chose involve a company, Carbon Care, which has poor Indian families working treadmills to produce electricity for the pumps on their homes. They can have electricity but they get it by continually walking on these treadmills. No fancy generators for these people even though they
St. Peter: The road to hell is paved with good intentions. We’ve got stairs.
Betty: Makes you think twice.
St. Peter: What?
Betty: Nothing. Hey! Did I make it? Am I in?
St. Peter (unlocking the gate): Indeed you are. You spent your life tilling the soil and nurturing God’s green shoots and we want to reward you for that. Step inside.
Betty (stepping inside): Wow. It’s smaller than I thought.
St. Peter: We’ll add on if we need to. No rush. Well, my dear, here are your wings and (presenting them) your harp.
Betty: My harp? Ixnay on the arpsay, if you don’t mind. I spent the last 17 years listening to that garbage every weekend at the green market. All I want is peace and quiet. Maybe a warm corner.
St. Peter: You have to take the harp. It’s standard issue.
Betty: I politely decline.
St. Peter: You have to take it.
Betty: Heaven has strings attached, literally. I knew it.
St. Peter: We thought you’d be happy.
Betty: Different strokes for different folks. Can I at least get the warm corner?
St. Peter (smiling): Absolutely. A trap door opens up and Betty whooshes out of sight. She soon appears again, surrounded by flames, no one to greet her, everything deathly quiet.
Betty: Ah-h. Heaven.
Little does she know that she also has to eat her weight in cucumbers.
are available. They can irrigate their land by having dad, mom and kids walking hours on the treadmill, a lot of hours.
Welcome to the new world of ecoenslavement! Now, instead of using diesel motors, people use “human power.”
Sounds rather a bit like a return to slavery, doesn’t it? By the way, use of these kinds of devices, which are similar, although smaller, to the larger ones we saw Arnold Schwarzenegger pushing as a slave in Conan the Barbarian, was forbidden decades ago in British prisons as being too punishing to the average murderer, rapist and thug. But for the rich of the world, it is an ideal solution. The poor will work like slaves so celebrities can fly off for fancy vacations. Is that what they mean by social justice?
By the way, it is estimated that a family that really works these devices can save 0.65 tons of carbon emissions per year, about as much as Cameron’s plane will spew in a few minutes of flight. But he can relax and have a nice drink served up, secure in the knowledge that eightyear-old children are working hard, building their muscles and spending “human energy,” the ecologically correct term for slave labor.
Other schemes of that group include encouraging peasants to stop cutting down trees for fuel. Instead, they can gather up the “patties” of domestic and wild animals and use a device to make these into fuel they can burn in their homes.
Cameron is not the only believer in
By Leonard Wechsler
having the poor and middle class learn their “true place” in the scheme of things. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio is now pushing an eco-movie about the evils of SUVs and our need to preserve the environment. He flew a private plane to Iceland with a crew of makeup artists and photographers to be photographed with a
See WECHSLER, page 42A
Recently retired Palms West Chamber of Commerce CEO Vivian Palmer was recognized as Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club last Friday at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. The event had a New York theme complete with subway turnstiles, tokens and tables with “borough” themes. The entertainment that evening included a mock David Letterman show with guests and friends of Palmer, along with Palmer herself. Near the end of the evening, Palmer was given a bouquet of flowers in gratitude for her service.
Tuesday marked the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, and both Palm Beach Community College and the new West Palm Beach Fire-Rescue Station #7 paid tribute Tuesday to those who died. PBCC held a remembrance ceremony with speeches by school and public safety officials. For Fire-Rescue Station #7, located at 8007 Okeechobee Blvd., Tuesday was its grand opening day as well.
Lion Country Safari hosted approximately 500 students from West Riviera Beach Elementary School Sept. 4 and 5. The school’s first- and second-grade students were reading about Africa, and the field trip was an opportunity for the kids to learn about animal habitats. (Above) Ben Kavaci leads kids through a visit with toucans and other exotic birds. (Below) West Riviera Beach Elementary School Assistant Principal Gayle Harper (center) with Lion Country’s Rhonda Biteman and Heidi Roth.
PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Okeeheelee Nature Center featured its touch tank program on Saturday, Sept. 8. Naturalist John Welch took youngsters on an imaginary habitat tour of the ocean from the shallow shoreline grasses to the deep blue sea and back, all the while discussing the creatures that inhabit the ocean. (Above) Bianca Pliskow, daughter Summer and Tom Garza check out the creatures in the tank. (Below left) Summer Pliskow holds a milk conch. (Below right) Welch shows off a whale vertebra.
Palms West Presbyterian Church was the scene of a mock disaster drill on Monday as part of the training for the new Loxahatchee Groves Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). CERT members joined Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue personnel, who used makeup to simulate “injuries” on “disaster victims.” The rescuers would then have ten minutes to triage the victims — assess their conditions and mark them with a colored wristband according to the severity of their conditions. Once certified, CERT volunteers are able to help in any emergency statewide. For more information about the Loxahatchee Groves CERT, call Ken or Pat Johnson at (561) 793-0188.
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
Regardless of the sport, a game’s outcome often isn’t determined by the number of good plays a team makes so much as how that team overcomes its mistakes. Palm Beach Central High School learned that lesson the hard way on Friday, Sept. 7. The Broncos made enough good plays on both sides of the ball to jump out to a 14-0 firstquarter lead against Glades Central, but couldn’t overcome their mistakes the final three quarters and absorbed a 44-22 loss on their home field.
PBCHS (1-1) plays at Inlet Grove (2-0) Sept. 14. The Hurricanes (1-0) beat Davie-Westlake Prep 44-14 last Friday. Last season the Broncos beat Inlet Grove 56-14.
“They’re a good team, and we’ve got to be ready to play,”
PBCHS Coach John Timmins said. “It’s a big game for them, one they want pretty bad.”
Seminole Ridge (2-0), which pounded Spanish River 55-20 on the road last Friday, hosts Royal Palm Beach High School (0-1) Sept. 14 while Wellington (0-2), coming off a 41-0 loss to powerhouse West Boca, plays at Santaluces (0-2). The young Wolverines managed only 38 yards of total offense and three first downs against a Bulls defense that recorded its second consecutive shutout.
Last Friday, the Broncos
showed they could physically stand toe-to-toe with one of the county’s top teams, but too many penalties and a failed fourth-down attempt in Raiders territory in the fourth quarter sealed their fate.
“When we played our game we could play with them,” Timmins said. “But we can’t make mistakes, and that’s what we did. We knew we couldn’t shut them down, they’re too good of a team, but we tried to get them into going in eight- or tenplay drives. But they got some big plays on us, which we contributed to with mistakes.”
One of those mistakes, for example, was a penalty on a third-down incomplete pass that gave the Raiders a new set of downs on their 45 yard line with 4:57 remaining in the second quarter. Glades Central’s Deondre Holley eventually scored on an eight-yard run that gave the Raiders a 21-14 lead. Glades Central added yet another touchdown with two seconds left and went into halftime with the score at 28-14.
The back-breaker for the Broncos came when they began a drive from their own 16 yard line with 5:56 left in the third quarter. Led by the running of junior fullback Jon Bostic and aided by a couple of Glades Central penalties, PBCHS moved the ball to the
Raiders’ 35 yard line but failed on a fourth-down and four attempt when quarterback Travis Simmons’ pass fell incomplete with 11:05 remaining in the game. During that drive, PBCHS held the ball for more than six minutes and didn’t get anything out of it.
“If we could have scored and closed the game up, that would have given us a lot of confidence,” Timmins said.
That drive pretty much epitomized the Broncos’ offensive frustrations. PBCHS managed only 98 yards total offense from the second through the final quarter of the game.
The Raiders scored on their next possession and appeared to take the game out of reach, but the Broncos’ Bevans Robbs blocked a punt out of the end zone that made the score 3516. PBCHS’s Zedrick Joseph returned the ensuing kick 65 yards for a touchdown that cut the lead to 35-22 with 3:31 to play.
Holley quashed hopes for a PBCHS miracle finish during the Raiders’ next possession, when he scored on an 11-yard run.
Despite the loss, there were some bright spots for PBCHS, mostly in the first quarter and mostly from Bostic. Lined up as a tight end, he scored on touchdown passes of 36 and 64 yards. Bostic finished the game with 153 yards of total offense. In his first two games this season, Bostic has amassed 264
yards of total offense, scored three touchdowns and passed for another.
“I expect him to be a great ball player,” Timmins said. “He’s really developing.”
While PBCHS was struggling offensively, Seminole Ridge continued racking up points at pinball-machine pace in their game against Spanish River.
Led by three William Jones touchdowns, the Hawks rolled
up 438 yards of total offense in overpowering the Sharks. Jones, a junior, gained 113 yards on 13 carries for Seminole Ridge, which scored eight touchdowns in 11 possessions. The Hawks have outscored their opponents 9527 in their first two games, which can’t be good news for Royal Palm Beach High School, which went down 3314 to Dwyer in its opening game Aug. 30.
The Royal Palm Beach High School girls varsity volleyball team defeated Palm Beach Central High School in three straight sets (25-12, 25-18, 25-15) Wednesday night in the PBCHS gym. The Lady Wildcats will visit William T. Dwyer High School Wednesday at 6 p.m. Also Wednesday, the Lady Broncos will visit Inlet Grove at 6 p.m.
Tiger Basketball Tourney Saturday
The second annual Tiger Basketball Tournament will take place Saturday, Sept. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Wellington High School. Proceeds will benefit the Tiger Ministry, a non-profit organization that provides programs, support services and scholarships to the
community. James “Tiger” Ryan Jr., once a star basketball player at Wellington High School, was killed in a drive-by shooting in Delray Beach in June 2004. Admission to the tournament is free. Raffle tickets will be sold at the door. Prizes include a foursome at Hammock Creek Golf Club, brunch at the Breakers Hotel, and a free haircut and
style at MazzaRock Salon. Entry into the kids’ free-throw contest is $10.
The first game will start at 11 a.m. The kids’ free-throw contest will start at 12:15 p.m. The winner will receive a $50 Visa gift card. The championship game will start at 2 p.m. The Wellington High School gym is located at 2101 Greenview Shores Blvd.
The Royal Palm Bassmasters held their August tournament on home waters in Royal Palm Beach.
The first place team was Mike Gershberg (boater) with four fish weighing 5 lbs., 6 oz. and partner Tone Young (nonboater) with two fish weighing 3 lbs., 6 oz. for a total team weight of 8 lbs., 12 oz.
Second place went to Dennis Anderson (boater) with four fish weighing 5 lbs., 1 oz. and partner Jill Anderson (non-
boater) with one fish weighing 14 oz. for a total team weight of 5 lbs., 15 oz.
The third place team was Ron Demers (boater) with three fish weighing 3 lbs., 2 oz. and partner Bill Davis (non-boater) with one fish weighing 1 lb. for a total team weight of 4 lbs., 2 oz.
The big fish of the tournament, weighing 2 lbs., 11 oz. was caught by Gershberg, who also had heaviest total weight with four fish weighing 5 lbs., 6 oz. Anderson was second with
four fish weighing 5 lbs., 1 oz. Young was second with two fish weighing 3 lb., 6 oz.
Anyone interested in joining the club as a boater or nonboater is invited to call Irene at (561) 793-7081 for more information. Meetings are held monthly on the second Thursday of each month at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center, and tournaments are held the following Sunday. Dues are $25 a year and tournament entry fees are $25 per person.
Wave U-15 Ties Plantation — Last Saturday, the Wellington Wave U-15 girls soccer team played the Plantation Eagles to a 1-1 tie. The Wave will travel to Naples on Sunday to play the Sharks. Shown here, Samantha Brown sprints past Plantation defenders toward the goal.
On Sunday, Sept. 16, Chuck Edgar of Wellington will have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shoot photographs from the sidelines like a professional sports photographer during the Dallas Cowboys vs. Miami Dolphins game as part of Canon’s “Shoot Like a Pro” Sweepstakes.
Edgar, 54, will have Dolphins team photographer Denis Bancroft by his side throughout, offering advice, suggestions and tips on how to shoot action sports photographs. Edgar, a friend of Miami defensive end Matt Roth, has been in Florida since he left law school in 1976. The Dolphins will select some of Edgar’s top photographs and post them to the team’s official web site.
In addition to shooting Dolphins players from the sidelines, Edgar, a real estate attorney, will receive four tickets to the game and a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi camera kit. For more information about Canon’s Shoot Like a Pro Sweepstakes, visit www.usa.canon.com.
The Boys & Girls Club of Wellington, along with McLellan’s Martial Arts and Wellington Supercuts, held a personal safety and anti-abduction seminar for children on Friday, Sept. 7. The free program offered information to give children a fighting chance against physically abusive adults and sexual predators by increasing their awareness about potentially dangerous situations. The interactive session featured role-playing scenarios in which children learn appropriate responses to danger, including setting verbal boundaries, running away, telling a trusted adult and calling 911.
Saturday, Sept. 15
• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will host a walk at Okeeheelee Park (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) on Saturday, Sept. 15. Participants will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the parking lot near the western entrance of the park. For more info., call Daisy at (561) 4395780.
• The Florida Sportsman Fishing Show will take place Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15-16 at the South Florida Fairgrounds (9067 Southern Blvd.). Now in its 11th year, the event billed as the “Family Fishing Festival” includes a giant indoor tackle sale and fishing boat show, seminars, demonstrations and sportfishing events. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10. a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The cost is $7 for adults and free for children 12 and under. For more info., visit www.florida sportsman.com.
• Mounts Botanical Garden (559 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will host Everything Orchids on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 15 and 16, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. The event will feature select orchid growers, artists and craftspeople sharing their skills and knowledge of extraordinary plants. The event will also feature a silent auction of orchid arrangements. There is a $5 entrance donation; garden members and children under 10 enter free. For more info., call (561) 233-1757.
• Gospel Fest: A Celebration of Worship and Praise will take place on Saturday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. at Palm Beach Community College Eissey Campus Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens. The celebration will feature Sharon Chestnut Thompson with Sevan Campbell, Ingrid Tracy, Anointed Voices, Minister Antwan Brown and Judea Flame and more. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For more info., call (561) 207-5900.
• The Studio Theatre of Wellington will continue Lee Blessing’s play Eleemosynary through Saturday, Sept. 15. Eleemosynary examines the delicate relationship of three women. Show time is at 8 p.m. The Studio Theatre is located at 11320 Fortune Circle, G-7. Tickets are $15. For more info., call (561) 2044100.
Sunday, Sept. 16
• Wellington Presbyterian Church (1000 Wellington Trace) will hold a Ukraine Organ Project Fundraising Concert on Sunday, Sept. 16 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Featured musicians will include Marie Ashley, soprano soloist and Rev. Larry Roff, organist of Lake Osborne Presbyterian Church. For more info., call Steve Hammaker at (561) 7931007 or e-mail William DeWitt at bdewitt@wpcfl.com.
Monday, Sept. 17
• The Mid-County Democrats will meet at Tree’s Wings & Ribs (northeast corner of Southern and Royal Palm Beach boulevards in Royal Palm Beach) on Monday, Sept. 17 at 7:30 p.m. Call Gwynne at (561) 784-9973 for more info.
Tuesday, Sept. 18
• The Matchmaker Conference & Expo will take place on Tuesday, Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Palm
Beach County Convention Center (650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). Minority- and woman-owned businesses can access oneon-one sessions with purchasing agents from the host organizations and participate in workshop sessions. For more info., call Diversity & Business Practices Director Dr. Otelia Dubose at (561) 434-8508.
• VITAS Innovative Hospice Care offers bereavement support groups to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. The group will convene every Tuesday through Oct. 9 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Wellington Regional Medical Center, Classroom 2 East (10101 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). For more info., call Bereavement Services Manager Chaplain Karen Modell at (561) 733-6326.
• Storyteller and magician John Cesta will drop by the Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive in Wellington) Tuesday, Sept. 18 at 3:30 p.m. to entertain while covering a variety of topics such as the library card, Dewey Decimal System, biographies, mystery books, imagery, goals and dreams. This onehour activity is for ages four and up. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6070.
• Did you ever want to know what the Talmud is? Study Introductory-Level Talmud parlor style in a relaxed atmosphere at the Wellington Jewish Center every Tuesday at 8 p.m. Call Rabbi Mendy Muskal at (561) 333-4664 or e-mail rabbim@bellsouth.net for more info.
Wednesday, Sept. 19
• The Palms West Chamber of Commerce will host a Business After Hours Mixer at Maroone Chevrolet in Greenacres (5757 Lake Worth Road) on Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. For more info., call (561) 7906200.
• The Palms West Republican Club will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at the Players Club (13410 South Shore Blvd., Wellington). The featured speaker will be Tom Rooney, a Republican candidate for Florida’s District 16 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The event starts with a meet-and-greet from 6 to 7 p.m. with two-for-one drinks and snacks provided by the club. The meeting will take place upstairs starting at 7 p.m. Anyone interested in speaking at the meeting should call Charlie Fetscher at (561) 753-0084 or e-mail fetschers@bellsouth.net.
• County Commissioner Jess Santamaria will host a Community Forum on Wednesday, Sept. 19 at the original Wellington Mall at the corner of Wellington Trace and Forest Hill Blvd. The forum will take place from 7 to 9 p.m. in the mall’s center court. The topic is charitable organizations. For more info., call Commissioner Santamaria’s office at (561) 355-6300.
Thursday, Sept. 20
• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Sesame Street Live’s “ Elmo Makes Music ” Thursday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 23. The performance will feature singing, dancing,
learning and fun when Elmo, the Count, Cookie Monster, Big Bird and Bert and Ernie take the stage to share the magical world of music. Tickets cost $5 to $29. For more info., call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.
• The Wellington Library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present Suzy Hammer as the Bookworm on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 3 p.m. This 45minute program is for ages four and up. Pre-register by calling (561) 790-6070.
• Clematis by Night’s Concert Fountain Series takes place every Thursday at Centennial Square from 5:30 to 9 p.m. For more info., call (561) 822-1515.
• The Wellington Library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold a Poetry Discussion Group on Thursday, Sept. 20 at 6:30 p.m. No previous experience reading poetry is necessary, only a willingness to express how you feel about each poem. Pick up poems at the reference desk. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.
• Chef Charles Campbell will prepare a five-course French wine dinner with Louis Latour wine Thursday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Players Club restaurant and bar (13410 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington). Tickets for this limited seating dinner are $95. RSVP to Paul Griffo or Michael Nadeau at (561) 795-0080. Friday, Sept. 21
• Boys ages six to 11 who like to camp, play sports, go fishing, go hiking and make new friends are invited to Frontier Elementary School Pack 147’s first meeting of the year on Friday, Sept. 21. Home-schoolers and private school students are also welcome. Call the Boy Scouts of America Gulfstream Council at (561) 694-8585 for info.
• The Village of Wellington and the Wellington Rotary Club will host a Salute to Peace on Friday, Sept. 21, 6 p.m. at the Rotary Peace Park, located at the corner of Royal Fern Drive and Forest Hill Blvd. For more info., visit www.wellingtonrotary.org.
Saturday, Sept. 22
• The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd. inside Okeeheelee Park) invites you to explore the shore of the nature center pond with net in hand to capture small fish, shrimp and aquatic insects on Saturday, Sept. 22. Participants are encouraged to wear closed-toed shoes. The event starts at 10 a.m. and is for ages nine and up. RSVP to (561) 233-1400.
• The South Florida Science Museum (4801 Dreher Trail North, West Palm Beach) will feature the exhibit “Masters of the Night: The True Story of Bats” beginning Saturday, Sept. 22. Admission is $9 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and $6 for children. For more info., call (561) 832-1988 or visit the museum’s web site at www.sfsm.org.
Sunday, Sept. 23
• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will provide an opportunity to visit the Royal Palm Beach Pines Natural Area on Sunday, Sept. 23. The group will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the entrance of the natural area. Go north from Southern Blvd., on Royal Palm Beach Blvd, and follow signs to the natural area.
Following mass on Sunday, Sept. 9, St. Therese de Lisieux Catholic Church Pastor Father Brian Lehnert dedicated the Garden of Life, located on the church grounds in Wellington.
The garden surrounds a five-foot-high stone marker depicting the Virgin Mary with a globe at her feet, with figures of babies rising up to meet her. It is dedicated to “the innocent and unborn children of the world.”
In thanking the parish for its support, Martin Fleming, the Grand Knight of Knights of Columbus Council #12873, credited Louis and Geri Besa for their creativity and leadership.
The garden carried with it a $6,000 budget with most of the funds raised in the parish by donations for pavers, which make up a 12-foot-long walk to the statue.
Last year four students from Seminole Ridge High School’s biotechnology academy participated in science fairs and in the online program Ecybermission, earning honors for themselves and our school in both arenas.
As a result of those accomplishments, these students received the opportunity to participate in a special internship over the summer. “Brett Bonincontri, Stephanie Kendle, Patrick Soucy and I all got to go to Florida Atlantic University for four weeks over the summer,” Hawk sophomore Jessica Malo said.
older who complete 175 hours in one year. Earning this award were 2007 SRHS graduates Thaokieu Ly and Trangkieu Ly (both currently at Palm Beach Community College), and Stephanie Persaud (currently at New York University).
“It was cool, and I had fun — I got to experiment with DNA replication of plants,” sophomore Soucy added. “It was a great experience, working with different chemicals and DNA replication and the professor from FAU that we worked with, Professor James Webb, was very nice. It was an awesome way to get a taste of what college is going to be like.”
Not only did each of the participants receive a $2,000 scholarship fund for placing second in the Ecybermission project, but each was also paid for doing the internship.
— Janine Campos Hawks Receive President’s Volunteer Service Award — On Sept. 5, SRHS honored some of its student volunteers who have “set the standard” for service to others. The students, all
of whom completed between 50 and 300 hours of community service, received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes volunteers who have achieved a certain standard, measured by the number of hours served over a 12month period or by cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime.
The Bronze Award honors students 14 or under who complete 50 service hours and students 15 or older who complete 100 service hours in one year. Receiving this award were Hawk sophomore Jessie Twigger, along with 2007 SRHS graduates Sebastien Cajuste (currently at Palm Beach Community College), Joseph Homic (currently at Florida State University), Lindsey Mowell (currently at the Florida School of Culinary Arts) and Suzanne Santos (currently at the University of Florida).
The Silver Award honors students 14 or under who complete 75 hours and students 15 and
Three students earned the highest honor — the Gold Award. Hawk sophomore Brett Bonincontri completed more than 100 hours in the 14-or-younger age group. In the 15and-over age group, Stacy Bastien and Quang Ly each completed more than 250 community service hours.
SRHS Science Teacher
Awarded Citibank Success Fund Grant — Seminole Ridge science teacher Mr. Erich Landstrom will receive a Citibank Success Fund Grant of $841 to launch his Rocket POWER (Positive Outcomes While Enjoying Reading) program. During Rocket POWER, students at Seminole Ridge will read and discuss the special talents and training necessary to become a rocket scientist. They will then be challenged to design, construct, fly and recover handmade, high-powered model rockets with two “egg-stronauts” onboard.
The Citibank Success Fund awards cash grants to support innovative classroom learning projects that encourage at-risk students to succeed in academics and stay in school. These funds, awarded by the Educa-
Residents: www.discoverwellington.com
Palm Beach Residents: www.discoverroyalpalm.com
tion Foundation of Palm Beach County and Citibank, allow educators to develop innovative, easily replicable, grassroots programs, providing students with an opportunity to succeed and to associate that success with continued school attendance.
Landstrom will receive the grant check during a dinner reception on Tuesday, Sept. 25 at the West Palm Beach Marriott. The money will be spent on books and rocket construction supplies.
During weekly meetings of an after-school SECME Club (Science, Engineering, Communication and Mathematics Enhancement), students will read nonfiction, how-to books on model rocketry, including The Handbook of Model Rocketry and Rocket Boys: A Memoir, the autobiographical reminiscences of children whose lives were influenced by rocketry.
SECME students will then design, construct, and fly their own high-powered model rocket. This rocket, with a payload of two raw Grade-A large eggs, must reach a specific altitude of 750 feet and return undamaged to the ground within 45 seconds.
Rocket POWER hopes to:
• Spark enthusiasm for careers in aerospace among students;
• Curb dropout prevention by demonstrating the practical application of science, technology, engineering and mathematics;
• Provide positive outcomes while enjoying reading;
• Deliver foundational knowledge of aerospace principles in math and geometry, in sciences ranging from physics to meteorology, and engineering.
Freshman Football Knocks
Jupiter Out of Orbit — The Baby Hawks ventured outside the nest Sept. 6, traveling to Jupiter High School for their season opener and a 25-0 victory. Ryan Bialczak scored two touchdowns and Jarryd Klaffka and Ricky Brown scored one each. Maxx Nielson connected for one extra point. The freshmen defense, Pierson Massillion, Tyler Butler, and the rest of the Hawks were relentless in their pressure on the Jupiter offense.
2-D Art Thanks Donors —
SRHS art teacher Ms. Gwenn Seuling thanks the following Hawk students, families and staff for their recent funding and supply donations to the 2-D program:
• Guidance counselor Mrs. Jane Brown and her fellow egg carton donors
• Students Nick Antonopoulos, Ashley Harrass, Megan O’Neal, Charles Schwartz and Katie Taplin
• Tammy Coulson and Casey Tant
• Bianca Phillippe and Rose Claire Labossiere
• Nicole Revuelta — “Volunteering all the time!”
• Andy Sury — “His special adoption really helped out!”
• Ariell Whitehead, stamp yielder extraordinaire
• The Woodward family, for funds and fish.
On Sunday, Oct. 7, the American Cancer Society will host the walk Western Communities Making Strides Against Breast Cancer inside the Mall at Wellington Green.
Event Chair Maureen Gross is, she said, “very excited to be able to utilize the beautiful mall so that weather won’t be an issue for the walk.” Registration will begin at 7 a.m., and the walk will start at 8:30 a.m. The walk will take place on both levels of the mall.
“We hope that many people who might not normally participate in an outdoor walk will join us at this event,” Gross said.
The walk is noncompetitive and has no registration fee or fundraising minimum. Men, women and children of all ages are encouraged to participate.
If you are unable to participate in the walk because you will be out of town, work late nights
or just are not a morning person, you can still be a part of the event by joining the “Sleepwalking” team. For a donation of just $20, you will receive a feathered pink sleep mask, the perfect accessory for the stylish sleepwalker.
Sponsors for Making Strides Against Breast Cancer include: National City Bank, presenting sponsor; Wellington Regional Medical Center, flagship sponsor; Palms West Hospital, start line sponsor; Comerica Bank, Comprehensive Pain Care of South Florida, Renu Skin Center and Sterling Bank, pink ribbon sponsors; the Players Club restaurant and bar, kickoff sponsor; Clear Channel, media sponsor; and Countrywide Home Loans and the Wellness Experience, water station sponsors.
Gross has a lot of support with other volunteers on the ex-
ecutive board including: Elizabeth Bornia, co-chair; Kate Alvarado, logistics; Linda Ramsey, sponsorship; Lorna Johnson and Shari Zipp, survivors; Maggie Zeller, team development; Rachelle Crain and Tracey Benson, Taubman/Mall at Wellington Green liaisons; and Allyson Samiljan, media.
The money raised through the walk will enable the American Cancer Society to fund breast cancer research, provide up-todate prevention and early detection information, help ensure that all women have access to mammograms and follow-up care, and provide free services that improve the quality of life for breast cancer patients and their families.
For more information, visit www.cancer.org/stridesonline or call Julie Tannehill at the American Cancer Society at (561) 366-0013.
It is the dream of millions of boys and girls to compete in either the Junior Olympics or the Olympic Games. This dream became a reality for the 30 girls and two boys of the Solid Gold Strutters Baton Corps this summer. The team is coached by Debbey Cramer, Lisa Gabler, Chelsea Cai Chilcutt and Luci Arbisi.
Solid Gold chartered a bus, had families that drove and some that flew to ultimately reach their final destination for the AAU Junior Olympics held
in Knoxville, Tenn. this summer. Team and individual competition lasted a week at the Knoxville Convention Center, where athletes came from more than 20 states to compete in 24 sports.
The Solid Gold Strutters brought 12 team routines to the floor and earned three gold, two silver, four bronze and two copper medals. More than half of the Solid Gold team also competed individually. Together they brought home 51 medals.
The Solid Gold Strutters are
based at Royal Palm Beach High School and the Seminole Ridge community education and Royal Palm Beach Elementary enrichment programs. Signups for the next sessions will take place Sept. 17-20 and Sept. 24-26 from 5 to 8 p.m. For more information, call Royal Palm Beach High School at (561) 753-4070 or Seminole Ridge High School at (561) 4222673, or contact Cramer at (561) 793-0292, or Chilcutt at (561) 352-4225 or e-mail twirlchelseacai@bellsouth.net.
Ashley Maguire will be competing for the title of Mrs. Florida as Mrs. Wellington on Sept. 14-16 at the Deauville Hotel in Miami Beach.
Maguire was nominated by Mrs. Florida International to represent Wellington, according to her husband Joe. Ashley and Joe Maguire have been named again as chairs for the diabetes fundraiser “Jungle Safari” to take place on March 1, 2008.
“If she wins, it will help the cause. Fifty percent of the Mrs. Florida competition is based on charitable work,” Joe Maguire said.
Since they took over the chairing of Wellington’s Diabetes Fundraiser, the Maguires have raised more than $275,000 for the fight against diabetes. Jungle Safari has designated the Diabetes Research Institute at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine as its beneficiary this year.
The Diabetes Research Institute, a center of excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is a recognized world leader in cure-focused research. Since its inception in the early 1970s, the DRI has made significant contributions to the field of diabetes research, pioneering many of the techniques used in islet transplantation. From innovations in islet isolation and transplant procedures to advances in cell biology and immunology, the DRI is now harnessing the power of emerging technologies to develop new cell-based therapies to restore insulin production.
“I am convinced that when a cure for diabetes is found, the Diabetes Research Institute will be the place where it is discovered,” Joe Maguire said. “The strides that researchers at the DRI have made toward finding a better way of life for the millions of people affected by diabetes is astounding, and it’s all happening in our own backyard. The opportunity to support this research is a once-in-a-
lifetime chance, and we should all take pride in helping to find a cure.”
The most comprehensive diabetes research center of its kind, the DRI is credited with changing the international research paradigm, ensuring that promising findings in the lab can be translated to patients in the fastest, safest and most efficient way possible. Through this process, the DRI bridges research programs in the rapidly evolving fields of pancreatic stem cell development, tissue engineering, transplant immunology, cell transdifferentiation, molecular biology and regenerative medicine, among others, to approach the cure with a true multidisciplinary strategy. The DRI is leading the international effort to cure this disease. For the millions of families affected by diabetes who are looking to the world of science for answers, the Diabetes Research Institute is the best hope for a cure.
The Jungle Safari will take place March 1 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington. The evening will include cocktails, dinner, dancing, silent and live auctions and more, including exotic safari surprises. For more information, visit www.diabetesresearch.org.
Eagle Scout Project — Friends, family and fellow Boy Scouts supported Kevin Petersen as he pursued his Eagle Scout community service project on Saturday, Sept. 1. The group washed cars at the Checkers restaurant in Wellington, raising over $200 toward materials and supplies that Petersen will use to build a gopher tortoise weather block for the Okeeheelee Nature Center. Additionally, Petersen, a member of Wellington’s Troop 175, is organizing an upcoming trail safety hazard cleanup at Okeeheelee Park. (Above) Friends, family and scouts at the car wash. (Below) Kyle Petersen, 13, endures the blazing sun to support his big brother.
Llorens, Scantland
To Wed In October Susan and Joaquin Llorens of Royal Palm Beach recently announced the engagement of their daughter Emily Llorens to K. Michael Darnell, son of Karen Scantland of West Palm Beach. The couple’s wedding will be held Oct. 27 in Wellington.
Kylie Lynn Rosenbaum — daughter of Trish and Gregg Rosenbaum of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Aug. 31.
Gavin Scott Venoff — son of Wendy and Hal Venoff of West Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 1.
Dayana Andrade — daughter of Esmeralda Gutierrez and Carlos Andrade was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 1.
Seth Michael Campbell —
Army Pfc. Daniel Adorno has graduated from the Infantryman
One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning in Columbus, Ga.
The training consists of basic infantry training and advanced individual training. During the nine weeks of basic combat training, the soldier received
son of Sherry and Korey Campbell was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 3.
Justin David King — son of Kristen and David King of Loxahatchee was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 3.
Jahmarley Newell Joseph — son of Alexis Nelms and Markniah Joseph of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 4.
Michael James Mazzeo Jr. — son of Ashley Kronshage
training in drill and ceremonies, weapons employment, map reading, tactics, military courtesy, military justice, physical fitness, first aid skills and Army history, core values and traditions. Additional training included development of basic combat skills and battlefield operations and tactics, and experienced use of various weapons and weapons defenses available
and Michael Mazzeo of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 5.
Brandon Lamar Garland Jr. — son of Margory Scarlieth and Brandon Lamar Garland of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept 6.
Damian Alberto Gonzalez — son of Jessie Fuentes and Jonathan Gonzalez of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 6.
Abigail Jennea Lespinasse
to the infantry crewman.
The advanced individual training course is designed to train infantry soldiers to perform reconnaissance operations; employ, fire and recover anti-personnel and anti-tank mines; locate and neutralize land mines and operate target and sight equipment; operate and maintain communications equipment and radio networks; construct field
— daughter of Jennifer and Patrick Lespinasse of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 7.
Isabella Velasquez daughter of Giovanna Cancino and Ivan Velasquez of Wellington was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 7.
Cameron Amari Tramble — son of Jessica Nicole Nelson and Christopher Tramble of Royal Palm Beach was born at Wellington Regional Medical Center on Sept. 8.
firing aids for infantry weapons; and perform infantry combat exercises and dismounted battle drills, which includes survival procedures in a nuclear, biological or chemical contaminated area.
Adorno is the son of Hilton Adorno of Royal Palm Beach. He graduated in 2002 from Palm Beach Lakes High School and received an associate’s degree in 2006 from Keiser Career College in Greenacres.
Air Force Reserve Airman
Jonathan Dickinson has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises and special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate’s degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
Dickinson is the son of John and Jamie Dickinson of Royal Palm Beach. He is a 2006 graduate of Royal Palm Beach High School.
Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Flynn of Wellington’s District 8 will be boxing at the “Heroes in Action” boxing night Thursday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Seminole Hard Rock & Casino. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. The event has police versus firefighters in charity matches that benefit the Hollywood Police Athletic League. The match features the best male and female boxers from Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. For more info., visit www.hollywoodpal.com.
St. Peter’s United Methodist Church is hosting a class titled “Positive, Purposeful Parenting.” Parents of elementary school children and middle school youth are invited to attend.
Amy Moore, a counselor with Ingram & Associates, will speak on discipline Sept. 19 and setting healthy boundaries Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. each day. The cost is $10 per person or $15 per couple for the two sessions.
St. Peter’s church is located at 12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington. Call Rev. Rachel Lever at (561) 7935712, ext. 21 for more info.
St. Peter’s United Methodist Church will hold its Second Annual Community Harvest Fest fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 6 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the church (12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington).
This will be an all-day, funfilled event. Activities planned include a huge rummage sale, BBQ dinner, bake sale, Blessing of the Bikes, a country-western band, line dancing, pumpkin patch, entertainment, craft booths, children’s games, bounce house, 30-foot slide for children and more.
BBQ dinners and sandwiches will be served from 10:30 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Takeout service will be available. Tickets may be purchased at the BBQ tent on the day of the event or by calling Al Bennet at (561)
continued from page 2A petitioner would not be allowed to take the residential component off the table, but the type of residential units may be changed.
“I don’t think the village would allow me to abandon the idea of residential,” Weiner said. “They were the ones who created the idea of buffering with the residential in Stonehaven and Whippoorwill. That is never going to change. It’s not as if we were going to come back and ask for commercial. The only thing that might change is the product type. It might go from
313-0859 for advance tickets of ten or more. The BBQ chicken dinner will consist of a halfchicken, baked beans, coleslaw, a roll and iced tea, all for $8. The BBQ sandwich will be chopped pork or beef, baked beans, coleslaw and iced tea, and will cost $6.
A giant rummage sale will be held in the church gym starting at 8 a.m.; no “early birds,” please. The sale will include children’s toys, games, clothing, baby items, household goods, appliances, sports equipment and many other treasures.
The Blessing of the Bikes will be administered by Rev. Dr. Rainer Richter and the Alpha & Omega Chapter of the Christian Motorcyclist Association. Blessing will be given for riders and bikes as a group (or individual,
townhouses to single families to villas to something else.”
Taub also asked about the timeframe for a required traffic signal at the entrance to Black Diamond, another condition on the development. Weiner assured Taub that the funding was in place, and his client was waiting for the Florida Department of Transportation to finalize plans for the signal. The village also had imposed a June 30, 2008 deadline for signalization of the intersection.
“I am anticipating and hoping it will be in place by Christmas,” he said.
Board members said they were also concerned about the berm and landscaping and asked Weiner to do right by the resi-
if requested). All model motorcycles are welcome. The group blessing will take place at 9 a.m.
There will be continuous entertainment all day beginning at 10 a.m. Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will give demonstrations, along with Palm Beach Super Tae Kwon Do, Palm Beach Gymnastics Cheer and Dance, Donna Tucci’s School of Dance, National Twirl Champions and St. Peter’s Children’s Choirs — Joys R Us, Celebration Singers and Littlest Angels.
The pumpkin patch will be open all day. All sizes of pumpkins and gourds will be for sale as part of the fundraising efforts. For more information about the event, call the church office at (561) 793-5712.
dents and properly screen the project. Board Member Eugene DiFonte said he was concerned that the fencing is temporary.
“What I am struggling with in Phase 2 is that this will all come down, and they will put up something else,” DiFonte said. “I think you are throwing a whole lot of money at it now. I’d rather have the developer put in something nicer.”
Weiner said he would look into putting up appropriate screening and coverage since it was a concern of the residents.
DiFonte made a motion to approve the development order amendment, which was seconded by Board Member Carmine Priore III. It passed unanimously 5-0.
The fine arts and crafts festival Fall Fling 2007 will take place Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 10 and 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the grounds of the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.).
Works exhibited at the festival will include paintings, sculpture, photography, jewelry, glass, mixed media and ceramics.
In previous years the event was open only to Wellington Art Society members. Due to many inquiries from nonmember artists, the festival is now open to all qualified artists from any locale.
This year, the Wellington Art Society has juried in some exciting new talent and mediums, as well as food vendors. Artists applying for the event should contact Karen Knight at artforum9@ aol.com or (561) 798-3240, or Adrianne Hetherington at tilemaker@aol.com or (561) 784-7561.
The society is also offer advertising space in the Fall Fling 2007 booklet, welcoming anyone who wishes to become a sponsor. For all non-application inquiries, contact Susan Rose at sar512@bellsouth.net or (561) 795-1691.
continued from page 9A should seek the middle ground between enforcement and education, between the cry to lock them up and throw away the key, and saving every troubled student.
“We have the lowest referral rate to the courts in our school system, which means that we are not over-prosecuting the kids and sending them to the pipeline to end up in jail,” Johnson said. “But we still have a lot of kids heading that way.
continued from page 1A
They feel very strongly about the passport. They want to stay here. There could be another answer. There should be more options for us to keep the programs rather than hike it up. We should not have this passport and have these prices come at them like this. Everyone should have a say in what happens. This is a community project.”
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board alternate member Jo-Ann DiLallo urged the council to reconsider its options. “Please, no passport,” she said. “It’s way too drastic. It’s too big a burden. It hurts them because they are paying this large passport fee to participate in one activity. One size does not fit all. It would seem better to raise the user fees so the increase would be evenly distributed over people who use the services, and they can fit it within their budgets. The passport system would prevent many individuals and families from participating. Yes, you are not cutting programs, but you are making them unaffordable.”
Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto said the situation posed one of the most difficult decisions the council had ever faced. “It’s important to remember where we were a couple of months ago,” she said. “We were faced with cutting all the recreational programs and not being able to offer anything whether we deemed it affordable or not. We weren’t going to be able to offer anything. We have spent the last many months over the summer trying to devise a scenario that would be most fair for using the programs, and for most people using the programs.”
Benacquisto cautioned the public that actual implementation of the program would be months away, offering plenty of time for study and consideration. “If
continued from page 2A into planning and zoning and legal services (see related story, page 1A), Lynn said village staffers are seeking ways to recoup costs in engineering, environmental services and other areas as well. Big capital items such as the “K-Park,” a new pool and a passive park in Section 24 also had been deferred, he said, but nothing precluded these items from getting funding through bonds with voter approval.
Lynn also warned that if Florida voters approve a new homestead “super exemption” in January, the village might face even more tough budget choices in the next cycle.
During public comment, Wellington Chamber of Commerce past president Janixx Parisi urged the council to turn to the chamber for budgeting help instead of spending scarce funds on consultants.
“We could be your first line of defense,” Parisi said. “We could look at the problem from a business point of view. Think about that, and we could work together without having to go to outside, paid consultants. I hope this is something that the council and government will do.”
Council members expressed satisfaction with the budget crafted through the summer.
“This has been a tremendously challenging year for this village in terms of the budget,” Councilwoman Laurie
When I listen to people who say, ‘save everyone,’ that’s fine. But if we start lowering expulsions and suspensions, you need to have the enforcement to do something about it.”
Monday’s luncheon took place at Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Royal Palm Beach and was sponsored by Cardinal Electric. The company’s owner Robert Trepp, a strong supporter of Seminole Ridge High School, joined school representatives in urging chamber members to get involved in bolstering school activities. “I think Seminole Ridge High School has done a fine job in their three
we implement a passport, it will not be until January,” she said. “We have between now and then to make sure we define a system that works best for everyone. We believe as a council it’s the right thing to do to continue to offer programs to keep the kids off the streets.”
But Benacquisto also called for a study of the effects of such a program. “If it’s the desire of council to move forward, I would like to see from staff a thorough analysis on a month-to-month basis that will determine if we are pricing people out of the market,” she said. “Our goal is not to send them away. A resident child is the same as a non-resident child. It’s not our goal to price anyone out of Wellington.”
Vice Mayor Bob Margolis said he had attended a Parks & Recreation Advisory Board meeting the previous day, and liked their suggestion that sports providers should bear more of the costs involved.
“During the budget forums and workshops, I inquired of staff how long it has been since the sports providers contributed to maintenance and upkeep of the fields,” Margolis said. “It is my understanding that they have never contributed. I want to know if that’s true. The sports providers should contribute. We need to ask the providers to help contribute to running the programs and to the costs of providing staff. What I heard yesterday from the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board was that they felt the providers should contribute more. I ask the council to consider that and have some type of a blended program.”
After further discussion, Councilwoman Laurie Cohen made a motion to go ahead with “Option 4” among the range of passport alternatives, but Village Attorney Jeff Kurtz said a vote was not necessary. The council agreed by consensus to pursue that option for the passport program.
Cohen said. “Staff has done a wonderful job of addressing this issue and trying to find ways to keep the levels of service that everyone values in this community and provide an overall tax reduction to residents. I want to commend staff for the hard work they have done and for pointing out a lot of areas where we could cut fat. I want to reassure the residents and chamber members that we are paying attention to cutting everything while addressing the values issues of the village. We are continuing to seek sponsorships where we can. I have personally spoken with individuals who may come forward with sponsorships for programs. We have done everything we could possibly do as a council and staff.”
Councilman Dr. Carmine Priore agreed that this has been a difficult budget year due to legislative tax reforms. “We’ve had to reduce taxes and yet some residents said, ‘don’t reduce them,’” he said. “It was doubly difficult. We wanted to maintain the same or comparable levels of service. We had to do it with a mandated tax dollar amount.”
After some further comments, Priore made a motion to approve the budget and 2.34 millage rate, which was seconded by Cohen. It passed unanimously 5-0. Priore also made a motion to approve the CIP, which was seconded by Vice Mayor Bob Margolis. It also passed unanimously.
The council is scheduled to hold a second budget hearing Sept. 25, for final approval of the budget and millage rate. The new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.
years of existence,” Trepp said. “I am proud of what they have done for our community, and what they have done out in The Acreage.” Trepp urged business to support the school. “It is very difficult to draw upon business owners to support an institution such as Seminole Ridge High School,” he said. “I am hoping you people will take to heart what you have heard today. Here is the offer from me to you: they will graduate some phenomenal students that need jobs. You as employers need phenomenal employees. Please get involved with the school. Go out and talk to them. It doesn’t have to be a check. The dividends will come back to you as you grow your own businesses.”
The Palms West Chamber’s next luncheon, Oct. 16 at the Wellington Community Center, includes a four-hour seminar with motivational speaker John DiJulius. The cost for members is $50. For more information, call (561) 790-6200 or visit www.palmswest.com.
continued from page 5A prehensive plans to control growth and development. To this very real problem, Hometown Democracy offers an extreme, impractical solution. It would require a public referendum on every plan amendment no matter how small or insignificant.
The requirement would encompass not only amendments that seek to change the fundamental policies of a local plan, but also changes (large and small) to the future land use map, to the permissible uses on a specific parcel of land, and even to amendments to correct scrivener’s errors.
The citizens of Florida have the power to give themselves the right to vote on every proposed local comprehensive plan amendment. But do we really want or need this right? Do we want to subject ourselves and our local governments to the considerable expense of frequent special or general elections on plan amendments? Do we want the entire electorate of a county to decide in an election whether a gas station should be allowed on a quarter-acre plot of land at a particular intersection? Do we want to require a referendum vote on proposed amendments to increase protection of environmentally sensitive lands? Do we want to delay the adoption of plan amendments that are necessary for important public projects? Do we want to establish a system where only the wealthy can afford to apply for and wage an election campaign in favor of a proposed plan amendment?
These questions suggest just how disruptive the Hometown Democracy proposal will be if it is amended into the Florida Constitution.
The Draconian nature of the Hometown Democracy proposal should not blind us to the problem it seeks to cure. Rather than denying the problem and de-
continued from page 22 polar bear cub. I guess there are no cubs in any zoos in Los Angeles where he might have used a bus (a hybrid one, perhaps), but I am certain there were cute cubs of one sort or another at the San Diego Zoo, a nice drive down good highways. But Leo is a celebrity, so he does not have to worry about ruining the environment. How much polar ice melted because of Leo’s flight?
We can see Al Gore, the grand guru of global warming, using a Gulfstream private jet. The Gulfstream is a large twin-engine plane. Most have a lot of features to make the rich truly comfortable. It will probably burn more fuel each time he flies than my wife and I will use flying coach on all our
monizing the proponents of the proposal, elected officials at the state and local level, as well as landowners, developers and other citizens, should acknowledge and seek workable solutions to the problem.
There are more measured and practical solutions than the meat ax wielded by Hometown Democracy. First, the state and local legislatures could limit the frequency of plan amendments. The State Legislature could begin by repealing some or all of the 32 exceptions to the current twice-a-year limitation. Limitations could also be placed on the frequency of certain types of amendments, especially those that alter the fundamental policies of the local plan. Another way to discourage the frequency of plan amendments would be to require an extra-majority vote for some types of plan amendments. After all, Florida voters recently decided that a 60 percent majority vote should be required to amend the Florida Constitution. Perhaps a similar requirement would restore some dignity to the local comprehensive plan.
Regarding the use of referenda, state and local legislatures could limit their use to certain kinds of amendments. For example, only amendments that change an urban growth boundary or that are necessary for the approval of large publicly financed projects such as airports would be subject to referendum approval.
These approaches are not without controversy, but they are more practical than requiring voter approval of all plan amendments. More importantly, the adoption of such measures may persuade voters that Hometown Democracy is no longer needed because state and local officials have solved the problem in a more responsible manner.
Tom Pelham, Secretary Florida Dept. of Community Affairs
vacations for the rest of our lives. An expert guessed that he could have driven a large station wagon to California and back 15 times with the same carbon footprint it took for him to fly in luxury.
I think an appropriate term for Cameron, DiCaprio and Gore is eco-hypocrite. When they start heating their many homes with animal waste and stop flying on private jets and stop using fancy limousines (while making certain to have hybrid cars around for photo ops), maybe I will feel more comfortable listening to them. Cameron could have simply not gone on vacation instead of choosing to enslave a poor Indian family. My own personal pledge is that I will be at least as careful of the environment as these people have been. And, frankly, that is a very low bar to jump.
One Of Finest Showgrounds In The World
Robert Jolicoeur, founder of the Canadian company International Equestrian Design and one of the most prominent international equestrian designers, has declared that Stadium Jumping Inc.’s planned new showgrounds will be the best in North America and one of the finest in the world, attracting first-class international events to the Village of Wellington. The artist conceptions are: (above left) the showgrounds with rings and practice areas, (above right) the north area barns and (right) the south area barns. Artist Conceptions by International Equestrian Design
Stadium Jumping Inc., spent over 30 years building and shaping the equestrian sports of hunter/jumper and dressage into one of the largest events of its kind in the United States – always on leased property.
SJI now has the opportunity to move the venue to a permanent location about two miles away at the planned Wellington Preserve development. Owners of the property have agreed to provide Stadium Jumping 180 acres to build a permanent showgrounds for Wellington.
SJI’s lease at its present location at the Palm Beach Equestrian Club expires next year, meaning that work must begin without delay at the new site. The new location will provide about twice the space – perfect since SJI has begun to be impacted by the cramped showgrounds.
The new location will also have the space for consolidation of the showgrounds, thus providing greater efficiency. Safety and comfort for horses, riders and spectators have long been a concern of Stadium Jumping officials and have been a barrier to expansion and providing improvements.
“The new owners of the current showgrounds are proposing a split venue,” warned Robert Jolicoeur, internationally acclaimed founder of International Equestrian Design of Canada.
“You can’t have a world class showgrounds when the site is split up. That creates many safety issues for horses, riders and spectators. It is also
“I want to assure elected officials, the business community and village residents that, not only do we plan to maintain the equestrian sport as a Wellington signature, but we are also planning to build a larger, safer and more comfortable showground that will attract international equestrian spectators and participants to Wellington.”
–– Gene Mische, Founder, Chairman of Stadium Jumping Inc.
important to seperate paths for all those associated with equestrian shows,” he added.
Jolicoeur’s firm has already been working with local architects to plan for the new showgrounds upon approval of the Wellington Village Council on Sept. 18.
Stadium Jumping Inc.
14440 Pierson Road Wellington, FL 33414
Office: 561-793-5867
www.stadiumjumping .com
- Advertisement-
Stadium Jumping’s New Site Facts At A Glance
• • • Stadium Jumping, part of a $524 million equestrian economy in Palm Beach County, contributes $66 million to the local economy during the Winter Equestrian Festival and National Horse Show.
• •
Stadium Jumping’s Winter Equestrian Festival is Palm Beach County’s largest annual sporting event and ranks in the top five county events in all categories.
13 rings and a warm-up area for each ring planned at new grounds.
New showgrounds will be consolidated into a single location with more than twice the space.
State-of-the-art footing in all the rings plus a covered arena and championship ring in the future.
Secure flow for patrons and participants with spectator parking for 2,400 cars and separation of pedestrian, horse and cart paths.
Plans for 2,200 stalls in the future. Cameras and water features will improve security.
• • Visit our website and give us your opinion about Stadium Jumping’s plans to build the world’s best equestrian facility right here in Wellington at: www.wellingtonshowgrounds.com
By Leonard Wechsler Town-Crier Staff Report
Most homeowners understandably get nervous when choosing a contractor to build a swimming pool.
“Often they go on the Internet and choose ‘Florida’ and ‘swimming pool contractor,’” Gregg Weiss of Free Pool Quotes said. “They have no idea whether or not the contractor they’re asking to come to their home is reputable. Look at how many stories we see on television about contractors who take money and disappear.”
Weiss, a Wellington resident, created a company to help consumers avoid that kind of problem. “We have created a network of pool builders,” he said. “Every one of them is licensed in Florida. Every one of them has insurance. And we check the Better Business Bureau whether or not there are any complaints before they join the network.”
The Free Pool Quotes web site provides exactly that service. Homeowners interested in a pool are asked to fill out a brief survey. “It asks for their location, how much they want to spend, as well as what type of pool they want,” Weiss said. “There is a free-form area so people can ask for special additions like waterfalls or attached hot tubs.”
The web site notifies five contractors who can fill the needs of the homeowner. They then provide estimates. “All of our contractors work in the same county as the homeowner,” Weiss said. “Right
now we operate all through Florida, and next year we plan on making this a national service.”
The homeowner pays nothing for the service. Pool builders pay a subscription service to be part of the network. “They are happy to join,” Weiss said. “Many of them still don’t have web sites, and even those who do are often not brought up on search engines. That means that the average customer won’t find them unless there is a specific referral. We get around that problem.”
Weiss has been a specialist in web site design and Internet service for nearly a dozen years. “I’ve become expert in search engine optimization and marketing,” he said. “I know how to make sure that our site is brought up when customers go looking. The contractors are happy because we can provide so many leads.”
Weiss said he considers himself a consumer advocate. “We provide important information to the homeowner,” he said. “That allows them to get quotes from reputable contractors. And because the contractors know there will be competition from the other builders we contact, prices are generally lower.”
Weiss said the importance of going to a licensed and insured contractor cannot be overvalued.
“Florida makes certain that these people know how to build a pool correctly,” he said. “And having a company with insurance means you know that if something goes wrong, you have someplace
to go to get the money to make you whole.”
The Free Pool Quotes web site also has links to sites that provide articles and videos on useful topics. “We always recommend videos on pool safety,” he said, “but we also have, for example, a really fun one showing a belly-flop diving competition.”
Another popular video is one showing the latest, most popular trend in pools. “Right now, ‘beach entry’ is very popular for large pools,” Weiss said. “That
means that one edge of the pool slopes gradually down as you go in so the water gets deeper. A lot of people also like the ‘infinity edge’ on a pool. People see that in the movies where you look out over a beautiful view over a pool and it looks like there’s no end of the pool. The secret is having a receptacle below the edge that recaptures and recycles the water.”
For more information about Free Pool Quotes, visit www.freepoolquotes.com or call (888) 766-6821.
By Steve Pike Town-Crier Staff Report
Brian Oxenberg went looking for Mexican food and found barbecue. That find is now Shane’s Rib Shack in Royal Palm Beach.
“My father, who is retired, and I were originally looking at Moe’s Southwest Grill,” Oxenberg said as he sat in one of the restaurant’s back booths in the Southern Palm Crossing shopping plaza. “But we looked at the real estate down here and saw there already were some Moe’s and some other Mexican establishments taking up all the real estate.”
So the Oxenbergs, who for years owned the Miami-based wholesale seafood company Seafood Specialists, settled on the great American food called barbecue.
The origins of barbecue in America are a bit smoky, let’s say, but neighborhood barbecue parties have been documented as far back as colonial times. In the 19th-century South, hogs were a staple of the farms and therefore a staple of Southern dining.
Those Southern roots have spawned some of the country’s more legendary barbecue restaurants, such as Arthur Bryant’s in Kansas City, Rendezvous in Memphis and Sonny Bryan’s in Dallas. Actually these places and others like them are more “joints” than restaurants; no-frills eateries that serve pork and brisket piled high on bread, sometimes
with side orders and sometimes without.
That’s basically the ambience that Shane’s Rib Shack is going after. The restaurant’s motto, “it’s gonna get messy,” pretty much sums up what Shane’s is all about.
Clearly people don’t mind getting messy. Shane’s Rib Shack in Royal Palm Beach is the latest in a franchise line that stretches from Arizona to New York.
Now owned by Atlanta-based Raving Brands, which also owns concept restaurants such as Planet Smoothie, Flying Biscuit and Bonehead’s, Shane’s Rib Shack was founded four years ago by Georgia-born Shane Brown, whose grandfather Dewey “Big Dad” Brown passed down the recipe of his secret barbecue sauce.
“The sauce is used in just about everything here,” said Oxenberg, who commutes daily from his home in Boca Raton.
The “Big Dad,” by the way, is one of the headliners on the menu at Shane’s Rib Shack — an oversized pork sandwich served on two slices of Texas toast. The menu also features chicken platters, chicken wings, and sides such as Brunswick stew and collard greens.
The main attraction, of course, is the pork ribs, served glazed in full and half racks. “We smoke the ribs fresh in the oven every morning,” Oxenberg said. Oxenberg spent one month in Atlanta training to open the Royal Palm Beach location. “They
teach you every aspect of the business,” he said. “And they sent a team down here the first week to train the employees. They do a good job on that end. It’s different than the seafood business. I’m still learning a little bit every day.”
Shane’s Rib Shack is located at 11051 Southern Blvd. in Royal Palm Beach. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. For more information, call (561) 3337427.
As part of its Business Lecture Series, the Wellington Chamber of Commerce will feature guest speaker Ted Kramer on Wednesday, Sept. 19 from 5 to 6 p.m. at the Players Club (13410 South Shore Blvd., Wellington). Kramer is associate director and certified business analyst at the Florida Atlantic University Small Business Development Center. He will lecture on “Marketing Your Business in a Slow and Changing Economy.” A question-and-answer session will conclude the lecture. A “margarita mix and mingle” will follow at 6 p.m. The lecture is free for chamber members. RSVP to (561) 792-6525.
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report
When Chris Kalmbach moved to Wellington he saw a need for better-organized garages — literally. Driving past local homes, he could see open garage doors revealing clutter and no chance of fitting cars inside.
The construction and cabinetry professional saw a chance to make a business of making over garages. After doing research, he settled upon opening a franchise of Phoenix-based PremierGarage.
“I had lifestyle changes and wanted to be closer to my family,” Kalmbach said. “I looked around and did my due diligence and tuned in to PremierGarage as one I wanted to put my name behind.”
Kalmbach has now been in the garage enhancement business for two years, converting unsightly, cluttered garages into useable space in which residents can still park their cars.
According to PremierGarage, Americans spent $2.5 billion enhancing and improving their garages in 2005, according to homebuilder estimates. With 65 million cluttered garages, upgrading the garage has become a favored area for home improvement.
Kalmbach said the garage is no longer just a place for the family SUV; it is quickly becoming an extension of the home.
“The way houses are built here with no basements or attics, the garage is the ideal place to store things,” he said. “It also
becomes the front door. Not having junk is desirable. It’s the only interior space viewable by the public. Having a clean attractive garage is noticeable, as opposed to having a disaster of a garage.”
Kalmbach said what modern construction standards considers a two-car garage is actually a rather tight space, but by utilizing PremierGarage methods, he can create usable storage space and still leave room for two cars. “We do that pretty much every day,” he said.
All PremierGarage cabinets are wall-hung so they are off the floor, omitting the sort of spaces where bugs or moisture can collect. All the cabinets are designed specifically for a garage environment, and Kalmbach said they can withstand the wide climactic variations in South Florida and accommodate the heavy and bulky things one typically stores in a garage.
Kalmbach is no stranger to the home improvement business or self-employment. Prior to opening PremierGarage he built custom cabinetry and furniture as well as providing high-end finish carpentry services.
One of the latest trends in home improvement is a finished garage, Kalmbach said. Although usually the last space in the home to be improved, doing so increases its resale value. Through heavy-duty cabinetry, organizers and floor coatings, PremierGarage creates an environment that complements the style, quality and attention to detail found throughout the rest
of the home. Kalmbach said that because of the present real estate market, more people are remodeling rather than moving.
PremierGarage is both the largest provider of garage enhancements in North America and the largest franchiser in the garage enhancement industry. The company claims a 788 percent annual growth rate over the last three years, with its products and services representing
the new industry standard for garage design/innovation.
The PremierOne floor coating is extremely durable and does not stain in ultraviolet light or sunshine, Kalmbach said. “It is guaranteed against peeling and bubbling. Gas and motor oil literally wipe right off,” he said. “It is extremely clean. Typically, you just hose it off with a garden hose. It is glossy so there’s lots of reflected light. It
outperforms epoxy in every respect.”
Kalmbach’s PremierGarage of Palm Beach showroom is located at 1111B 53rd Court in West Palm Beach and is open by appointment. For more information, call Kalmbach at (561) 845-2700 or e-mail palmbeach@premier garage.com. Visit the corporate web site at www.premiergarage. com.
Gene Mische, founder and CEO of Stadium Jumping Inc., will celebrate the firm’s 35th anniversary in 2008 as America’s premier horse show management company.
Stadium Jumping annually produces and/or manages the most prestigious shows in America including the Winter Equestrian Festival, the Budweiser American Invitational, the American Grand Prix Association National Jumper Championship, the New Albany Classic, the Lake Placid and I Love New York shows, the Charlotte Jumper Classic, the American Gold Cup, the USEF National Jumper Championships and the National Horse Show.
Quadrennial Stadium Jumping productions include the Olympic Games Show Jumping Team Selection Trials in 2000 and 2004 and the World Equestrian Games Show Jumping Team Selection Trials in 2002 and 2006.
The year 2008 is a double celebration for Mische as he also marks the 39th consecutive annual running of the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida — an event that is the largest and longest consecutively running sporting event in the world.
Mische is an extraordinary promoter of equestrian events. Over the past 35 years with Stadium Jumping he has changed the face of horse sport in the United States. Focused on the hunter/jumper discipline, Mische introduced competitors and spectators to facets of horse shows never before seen in this
country. In 1970, Mische introduced the first grand prix ever produced in a stadium in the United States when he managed the American Gold Cup at Florida’s Tampa Stadium. Mische brought the discipline of show hunters to a new level when he introduced the first Hunter Classic at the Winter Equestrian Festival in Wellington. Mische has also been instrumental in bringing international caliber sport to this nation. In 1980, he was part of the fivemember organizing committee that brought the first World Cup to the U.S. Held in Baltimore, it was only the second World Cup ever produced, with the inaugural World Cup launched in Goteborg, Sweden. In 1989, Mische and Stadium Jumping produced the second Volvo World Cup ever held in the U.S.,
this time hosting it in Tampa. In 2002, Mische produced the first-ever outdoor Nations Cup, hosting it in the Internationale Arena in Wellington.
Mische has also expanded his managerial skills to disciplines outside of show jumping. In 1991, with the United States Equestrian Team (USET), Mische founded the formerly five-discipline Festival of Champions, the first multi-discipline event in the U.S. Held at team headquarters in Gladstone, New Jersey, the festival included show jumping, dressage, eventing, driving and reining. Mische managed and served as chairman of the event until 2003.
Mische also served as chairman of the National Horse Show Association Ltd., and in 2002, when the event could no longer afford to be held in New York City, he brought it to Wellington where it has been showcased annually ever since as the National Horse Show & Family Festival, including the three-day Dressage at the National.
Mische’s hard work has not been limited to making his shows a success. He has also worked to protect and promote all of Wellington’s equestrian assets. To this end, he was the founding president of the Wellington Equestrian Alliance and continues as the organization’s president to this day. Since its formation over 10 years ago, the alliance has been involved in a host of equestrian-related issues that range from the creation of the Wellington Equestrian Preserve Area in the village’s Com-
prehensive Plan, to ensuring that the village’s codes and regulations help protect and enhance the equestrian community. In addition to his role with Stadium Jumping, Mische is also an active volunteer for the sport and has served on an impressive number of boards and committees. Mische has been a member of six United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) groups: the Ad Hoc Federation Representatives Committee, the Board of Directors, the Competition Management Committee, the FEI Competitions Committee and the Zone 4 H/J Committee. He also chaired the USEF Marketing and Development Committee. Mische also serves as chairman of the board of the Show Jumping Hall of Fame and is on the Washington International Horse Show Board of Directors. Mische was inducted into the Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 2000.
Stadium Jumping plans to build a new facility, the Wellington International Equestrian Arena (WIEA), to host the 2009 Winter Equestrian Festival. WIEA will be located on 179plus acres in the southeast end of Wellington and showcase 13 rings. “This move to our new facility is very exciting for all of us who have been involved from the very beginning in show jumping in America,” Mische said.
With his impressive record of important firsts in the industry and successful presentation of world-class international events in Wellington, Mische said he is
setting even higher standards for WIEA.
“The new facility affords me the opportunity to seek some of the world’s major equestrian events for Wellington,” he said.
“We brought the first outdoor Nations Cup to our community, and with the arrival of this new facility, we’re going to go beyond just the Nations Cup.
Stadium Jumping is going to aggressively pursue the Samsung Super League Finals to be held Wellington. I am confident that when the decision-makers see this fantastic new show grounds, we’ll be successful in that pursuit.”
WIEA will include an large indoor arena, and Mische has international plans for that venue as well. “With our new indoor arena, we feel it will be a great time for the FEI World Cup Finals for show jumping to return to Florida,” Mische said.
“And, for the first time in Wellington, it is our intention to host the FEI World Cup Finals for dressage as well.”
Famed designer Robert Jolicoeur of International Equestrian Design is creating the WIEA site plan to meet Mische’s world-class perspective. Mische is confident that when completed, WIEA will be one of the greatest equestrian sport venues ever built. “We’re very excited about the future,” Mische said.
“This is an exciting time for the equestrian industry, and I’m confident that Stadium Jumping, as we’ve done for 30-plus years, will continue to lead the way into that future.”
Black Belt Billing Services — Located at 13514 Fountainview Blvd. in Wellington, Black Belt Billing Services has more than 28 combined years of experience in medical billing, with the background to research, update and streamline the billing process for medical professionals. Black Belt Billing Services is committed to fighting for your money, and providing excellence in medical billing service unmatched by most other companies in the medical billing business today. For more information, call Laura Zavalia or Barb Dobay at (561) 784-5899. Pictured here are Laura and Ernesto Zavalia with Wellington Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
Green Team Solutions — With more than ten years of experience in property management, landscaping, tree care and lawn maintenance, Green Team Solutions offers environmentally sound landscaping. Located at 15630 Meadow Wood Drive in Wellington, Green Team Solutions is owned by Luc Limbourg, a Wellington resident, lifelong garden enthusiast and “handson” owner. For more information, call Limbourg at (561) 337-0658. Pictured here is Limbourg with Wellington Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
Located at 10160 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 60 in the Pointe at Wellington Green, WineStyles demystifies the wine shopping experience by organizing its wines by taste instead of grape variety or region. So whether you like your wines bold, crisp, mellow or bubbly, there’s bound to be a wine that suits you among the 150 world-class labels, most of which are priced under $25. WineStyles allows customers to choose wines merchandised by specific styles, which are accompanied by descriptions listing the wine’s characteristics, flavors and suggested food pairings. For more information, call (561) 8041190 or visit www.winestyles.net/wellington. Pictured here are WineStyles owners Tanya and Gary Meade with Palms West Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
John Hinkle II and Robert Bruce, owners of the equestrian-themed retail outlet Fox Den Interiors & Gifts, recently announced their new location in Wellington for the 2007-08 winter equestrian season.
Beginning on Thursday, Nov. 1 patrons can find Fox Den in the Wellington Marketplace, sharing floor space with Jennifer Davis’ Elegant Estates of Wellington.
“I’ve known Bob and John for several years,” said Davis, whose Elegant Estates carries well-priced antiques and furniture. “When I met them I wanted to buy everything in their shop because it is all so fabulous! We met again this year and started talking about moving to my location, which is perfect for the merchandise they carry as our inventories will complement each other well.”
Fox Den will remain at Elegant Estates in the Wellington Marketplace through March 2008. The store offers a distinctive collection for the stylish equestrian, including antique and reproduction furniture, home décor items, unique jewelry, clothing and gifts
for all occasions. They also carry a popular line of canine-related items, from needlepoint pillows to dog coats and leashes.
For the past three years, Fox Den has been a featured vendor on the show grounds at the Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Club during the Winter Equestrian Festival, serving clients via their 53foot mobile showroom. In addition, Fox Den offers two year-round retail locations in Tennessee. Customers are also invited to shop online at www. foxdeninteriors.com.
“Jennifer has been just wonderful to us, and we saw this as a fabulous opportunity,” Hinkle said. “Our goal is to make Elegant Estates of Wellington a permanent year-round location just like our Nashville and Franklin sites. We would still take the mobile unit to Lexington, Kentucky, and other select horse shows during the summer season.”
Fox Den at Elegant Estates is located at 13857 Wellington Trace in the Wellington Marketplace. For more information, call (866) FOX-DEN1 (866-369-3361).
Horse owners looking for a new mount or companion can now search the Internet for adoptable equines through a national horse adoption database launched by the Humane Society of the United States and Pets911.com.
The database, available through humanesociety.org and Pets911.com, is a clearinghouse of available horses offered by a wide spectrum of rescue organizations.
Any non-profit rescue agency with horses available for adoption is eligible to participate, and there is no charge to list or search for horses. More than 100 horses are currently posted on the site, and that number is expected to grow rapidly as more rescue agencies avail themselves of this new outlet.
Horse rescue groups interested in posting horses on the Horse Adoption Network should e-mail equineprotection@ hsus.org.
“Pets 911 is always happy to team up
with the Humane Society of the United States because of its commitment to the well-being of animals,” Pets 911 Program Manager Tracyann Mains said. “We are excited for the opportunity to promote horses as an important form of animal companionship in addition to household pets like cats and dogs.”
Humane Society of the United States Director of Equine Protection Keith Dane agreed. “This new service is in keeping with our philosophy that an adopted horse is an excellent choice for many horse enthusiasts — and that rescues should be one of the first places they look for a new prospect,” Dane said. “Many people only think of dogs and cats when they think of pet adoption. With this marketing search tool, more people can now consider adoption when deciding to bring a new horse into their lives. Rescued horses can have successful careers as competitors in the show ring, as recreational riding horses, and of
course, as companion animals.”
This initiative is one of a number of new projects underway as part of the Humane Society program “Horses: Companions for Life,” aimed at educating the public about responsible horse ownership and reducing the number of homeless horses in the U.S. Other Humane Society projects include:
• The Horse Rescue, Sanctuary and Retirement Survey and Database The Humane Society is conducting a survey of horse rescue, sanctuary and retirement organizations across the U.S. to identify the total number of organizations and their geographic distribution. A national horse rescue database will be compiled from the survey results.
• The “Companions for Life” Barn Poster and Informational Brochure Series — Recently, the Humane Society of the United States released the first in a series of barn posters aimed at providing basic horse care and handling tips
to horse owners. The first poster provides information on the basic physical, emotional and social needs of horses.
• The Equine Care Guide — Scheduled for publication in 2008, the book is aimed at both first-time and seasoned horse owners and will cover a wide range of topics including choosing the right horse; feeding, housing, veterinary and hoof care; riding, training and competition and end-of-life decisions and options.
• Animal Care Expo — The 2008 HSUS Animal Care Expo will feature a number of educational seminars on horse care, rescue and welfare topics, designed to help prepare members of the nation’s animal care and control community for some of the equine issues they may face in their professional careers.
The Humane Society of the United States is the nation’s largest animal protection organization. For more information, visit www.humanesociety.org.
Throughout September, Dr. Scott Snyder of Royal Palm Beach, along with Dr. Bob Hoffman and Dr. Jason Dietch, will raise local awareness of health and wellness as part of Discover Wellness Month. Hoffman and Dietch are co-authors of the best-selling book Discover Wellness: How Staying Healthy Can Make You Rich
“This campaign addresses solutions to America’s healthcare crisis by improving the overall health and vitality of every American by inspiring people to choose better health through better living and providing access to the best practices of health and wellness. This event will have special meaning in our community,” Snyder said. “I will be
working directly with local community businesses, clubs and individuals to energize our collective commitment to reducing the risk of preventable disease and avoiding medical bankruptcy.”
Dr. Snyder added that Discover Wellness Month will include activities that raise awareness of the importance of nutrition, healthy habits and exercise.
“The ultimate solution to America’s healthcare crisis is to have more people be less sick, a goal that is achievable through smart lifestyle choices,” Snyder said. “What better time to do this than during September, which is the birth month of chiropractic.”
Snyder will address the health solutions with biweekly health classes which will be held in his office. Classes will address nutrition, healthy sleep habits, stretching and basic exercise, and reducing stress.
Every attendee will receive a copy of a Discover Wellness , as well as a “Shorty the Sheep” commemorative keepsake from the American Chiropractic Association.
The Snyder Chiropractic office is located at 11328 Okeechobee Blvd., Suite 9, in Royal Palm Beach. For more information about various Discover Wellness classes, call the office at (561) 798-8899 or visit Snyder’s web site at www.snyderchiropractic.com.
Quigley Marketing Group — The Wellington Chamber of Commerce recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Quigley Marketing Group. An innovative and diverse full-service marketing and advertising company, Quigley offers a unique approach to promoting your growing organization. Quigley Marketing Group is located at 12230 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 123. For more info., call (561) 227-1577. Pictured here is owner Sandi Quigley with Wellington Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.
A variety of enterprises offering lawn care, security, cleaning services and office supplies are among the more than 100 small businesses, 14 corporate sponsors and 12 exhibitors who have officially registered to participate in the 2007 Matchmaker Conference & Expo on Sept. 18. The event will take place from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Palm Beach County Convention Center (650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) and requires a $100 registration fee.
Numerous small business opportunities will be announced during the conference. Breakout sessions will include informa-
tion about government procurement processes, insider tips and strategies to optimize partnership formations. On-site certification assistance will also be available. The keynote speaker for the luncheon is noted journalist Tony Brown.
The conference is a partnership between the Palm Beach County School District, the South Florida Water Management District, the City of West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County and the Technology Enterprise Development Center. For more information, call Bruce Lewis at (561) 833-8080 or email blewislb@bellsouth.net.
Wellington’s canine set is awag with the news that VIP: Very Important Paws will open a new location of its downtown doggie daycare, spa, hotel and training facility this fall.
Located at 11120 South Crown Way, just off Pierson and Fairlane Farms roads, the new 6,000-square-foot VIP location will offer patrons a fun, safe and happy environment where every dog literally can have his day. Your best friend will socialize with dogs of similar size and temperament, supervised by a puppy-loving staff and fed hand-prepared meals in playful comfort.
VIP offers Florida’s hot dogs a climate-controlled space to play and spacious private sleeping quarters. VIP excels in its dedication to personalized service for each individual dog. Taking the horses on the show circuit? Going out of town? At VIP your pooch will have personal supervision (not just remote camera monitors), allowed his own toys and bedding, engage in hours of supervised play with plenty of naps and bathroom breaks, sleep and eat in his own private suite with his own specially prepared meals, and never feel lonely or alone.
VIP also offers doggie daycare (or as they call it, “allday play-care”) that will keep your pet socialized, stimulated and active, while offering a healthy lunch and plenty of special treats. Bring your best friend
to VIP: Very Important Paws for a refreshing dog-spa bath that includes a massage, fur conditioner and a blow dry. Add on aromatherapy, hot-oil treatment or an extended wash-water massage. You may also sign your pal up for a wide range of doggie training programs to ensure a happy and well-behaved loved one.
VIP knows how busy your life is and offers convenient hours of operation with owners in mind. VIP is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for overnight pickup and drop-off. VIP is one of the only facilities offering
Sunday pickup and drop-off, and full-day daycare for its hotel guests rather than just several hours per day.
In addition to the new VIP in Wellington, the “top dogs” at Very Important Paws (Will, Kevin and Marc) are doubling the size of the original location in downtown West Palm Beach, providing more luxury boarding suites and multiple play areas for their more fragile guests, both older and younger. In addition, new service options are in the works, such as pet massage, Reiki and aqua exercise programs.
For more information, call (561) 366-9000 or visit www. veryimportantpaws.com.
I have previously written in this space that my wife Sharon is a clean freak. If food drops on the floor in my house, I have no problem picking it up and putting it in my mouth. My house is the only place on Planet Earth I would do that.
We have been empty-nesters about nine years. But this hasn’t stopped my wife from doing a wash every day. I do admit that some days I change my shirt after my three-mile walk, but I really do not think that is grounds enough to wash clothes daily. Of course my wife doesn’t agree. She thinks I am a big slob (maybe I am a little slob). Well, compared to her anybody would be a slob. She gets on my case if my dirty clothes are too dirty. I ask her all the time, why does she care how dirty my clothes are? Of course, she never has a good answer.
Every year, like clockwork, my wife goes to just about every store in Palm Beach County that sells washers and dryers to check out the new features on the machines. She thinks this is as normal as guys going to showrooms every year when the new cars come out. She goes on to tell me she just wants to take the machines “for a spin,” just like guys like to take new
With Ernie Zimmerman
cars for a spin. To my wife this sounds very logical. To me this is insane.
Every three years, without fail, my wife buys a new washer and dryer. Of course there is nothing wrong with the washers and dryers she discards; she just wants the model with the newest gadgets. She just keeps telling me it is time for a change. She again uses cars as her example. Most American companies only issue a warranty for three years, and she knows I like to trade my cars in when the warranty is up. I must admit she does make it sound so logical that I no longer fight with her over her fetish. I would lose anyway, so what’s the sense of having an argument?
Last week she told me she bought a new washer and dryer that would be arriving the next day. And they did. Of course the General (my wife) was at the back of the truck waiting for her stuff. But the driver had bad news. The dryer was damaged, and he told her not to accept the washer without the dryer. He said he would come back the next day before 8 p.m.
The washer and dryer had not arrived by 6:30 p.m. the next day, so my wife decided she was hungry and was going to get something to eat. The second she pulled out of the driveway the phone rang. It was a different driver asking how to get to my house. At least that is what I thought he was saying, because he wasn’t saying it in English. I was on the phone with this guy for about half an hour. Finally the truck and my wife arrived at my house at about the same time. This time the dryer only had a little dent, not big enough for my wife to refuse the delivery. As soon as the machines were set up, my wife did her first wash. Of course she almost ripped the shirt off my back so she could throw it in. There is one good thing about living with a clean freak: you will never hear me complain about not having anything to wear.
Vines are available in a variety of colors and types at most nurseries, but not everyone has places in the landscape where they might want or desire vines. Vining type plants grow for the most part very rapidly with some types of vines growing 50 feet or more in a single growing season. Because of that, you need sufficient space for them to grow unimpeded unless you’re willing to spend a lot of time constantly trimming them back.
Vines can quickly block out objectionable views or cover large fenced areas that would take several years with shrubs or trees. Some types produce showy flowers. A good example is bougainvillea, which blooms half the year or longer and comes in a variety of colors.
The famous passion fruit is another good example of a fast-growing vine
with showy flowers and an abundance of delicious, edible fruits.
Fragrant-flowered vines are also popular, and a common example is confederate jasmine, which blooms during the late spring and early summer with thousands of star-like fragrant white blooms in small clusters. This comes in a large leaf type and small leaf type and both green and variegated forms are available.
There are even some vines with flowers that change color. A good example is the Rangoon creeper from India, which has clusters of one-inch flowers that are white the first day, pink the second and a crimson red the third.
Allamanda with its large funnel-shape blooms is another popular favorite and this comes in various shades of yellow, bronze and even cranberry.
Vines such as English ivy have been
long used in Florida to cover walls or to climb trees or structures. Ivy comes in a variety of leaf sizes, shapes and both green and variegated forms.
Some types of vines make excellent ground covers, such as various philodendrons and pothos or devil’s ivy. These can be grown in sun or shade and can also climb trees or cover walls and rocks.
Vines for the most part need very little maintenance. Occasional fertilizing to keep the plant healthy and watering during droughts is all they really need. Pests and diseases are generally not a major problem. Cold weather can affect some tropical vines, so if you’re far inland you may have to be more selective as to what vines you grow. But even cold-damaged vines generally make a quick recovery the following spring after being trimmed back hard.
If you’d like to see various types of vines grown in our area, visit the Mounts Botanical Garden at 531 N. Military Trail. They have a great collection of vines in the garden, and you can also pick up free printed information at the Extension office.
If you have questions about vines, you can dial the Extension Service at any time Monday through Friday at (561) 2331750.
$18-$25/HR — Teachers/Tutors P/T. All subjects PreK to Adult. Certification/Experience required. Palm Beach County Areas Fax 561-828-8128 or E-mail Tutorking@adelphia.net
HELP WANTED/BOOKKEEPER EXPERIENCED; Familiar with QUICKBOOKS - Full-Time position. Pay commensurate with experience. Fax resume to A. Silver - 561-432-2825
CLEANERS RESIDENTIAL FT — Car required, Pd. Training. North and West Palm Beach Cty. Up to $10/hr Start. 561-756-2282
RECEPTIONIST - For Lawyer and Accounting Office. Some bookkeeping. Fax resume to 561-333-2680.
PINCH PENNY - POOL STORE — Forest Hill & South Shore in Wellington Perm Position - FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE - No nights - M/B avail some weekends. 18 yrs. - Will train - Apply in person.
SMALL PRIVATE HIGH SCHOOL — in Royal Palm Beach looking for energetic, multi-tasking, ESE Learning Strategist and experienced educator in the Sciences and Histories. Call 561-795-6886 for more information. Part time or full time positions available.
OVER 62?? — Minimum $1,000 after 2 closings. Fund your own reverse mortgage and get paid to teach others. MadelynPage@BellSouth.Net 561-4222910
LOOKING FOR BABYSITTER/HOUSEKEEPER - very flexible hours to assist with driving child to school & back & babysitting. Not on a daily basis. Extra hours available for housekeeping must have clean driving record/background check. 561-573-2504
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY TEACHER — for local church needed: Enthusiasm a must! Sundays 5pm and occasional eves. Send resume with qualifications to churchatthegrove@bellsouth.net or fax 784-2711.
CHILDCARE PROVIDER SOUGHT FOR LOCAL CHURCH: Sundays 5 pm & occasional eves. Send resume/info about self with qualifications & interest to churchatthegrove@bellsouth.net or fax 561.784.2711
ACTORS NEEDED FOR FRIGHT NIGHTS — an annual event at the South Florida Fair Grounds. Call 790-5223 for more information. Must pass a background check.
CLERICAL/DATA ENTRY/TRANSCRIBING 60+wpm. Part time hours home or office. Microsoft Word+. Call Marlene @561-798-8061
RETIRE RICH. ASK ME HOW. CALL 800-625-5653
DOUBLE NICHE IN ROYAL PALM MEMORIAL GARDENS MAUSOLEUM — Includes 2 openings & closings. Current price $2,800 asking $1,995 OBO. 772219-8153 DINING ROOM TABLE - with 4 chairs, glass top off white/iron frame. Like new. $360. 561-793-1341
FORD E150 1995 WORK VAN – Heavy duty, factory inst alled shelving, A/C, auto, available immediately. Call Bob 790-4434
FORD E150 1994 WORK VAN – Heavy duty, factory installed shelving, A/C, auto, available immediately. Call Bob 790-4434
CHRYSLER SEABRING CONVERTIBLE — 2004 white with black top and charcoal interior.42,000 accident free miles, garage kept, auto, air, am/fm/cd/tape. Asking $13,995/obo call 309-4406
MERCEDES BENZ 560SL 1987 CLASSIC SPORTS CAR — with only 114,000 miles is in showroom condition white with navy top and interior and has a white hard top and stand. Asking $13,995/ obo call 309-4406
GRANDVIEW AT CRESTWOOD - spacious 3/2/1 CG in security gated community. Includes water, cable and all amenities. Located near shopping and schools. No Pets. $1,300/mo. 561-3296078
GREENWAY CIRCLE - 1BD/1BA Condo. $850/Mo. and THE TRAILS - 2 BD/2BA Condo $1,250/Mo. 561-4222910
FURNISHED EFFICIENCY — Separate entrance. Close to Southern Blvd. Loxahatchee, Wellington. All utilities included. No Pets. $150/Wk. 1st & Last. 561-793-0235
132-B SPARROW DR. 3/2/2CG Duplex 1550 Sq. Ft. W/D, hurricane shutters, fenced yard on waterway, new paint & carpet, pest control & lawn care included. Kids OK/NO PETS Rent, $1,400/Mo Sec. Deposit $2,800 Total to Move In- $4,200. 561-790-4109
WELLINGTON PLACE TOWNHOUSE
— 3/2/1CG, screened patio, walk to New Horizon and High School. Available immediately. Call for details. $1,375/Mo 954-494-3020
4/3.5 - 2 years old TOWNHOUSE IN WELLINGTON. Cherrywood cabinets, staircase, ceiling beams and vanities. All countertops are granite and all appliances are stainless steel. 2 car garage and private yard. All windows are impact. For pictures go to http:// westpalmbeach.craigslist.org/apa/ 414140275.html or call 312-4451. Small pets OK but no smokers $1,500/Mo
ROOM FOR RENT: Fully furnished room available in 2 BD 2 BA condo in Wellington. Rent $650/month w/$650 deposit plus ½ utilities and $100 condo application fee. Includes pool access, basic cable. Available mid-August. 6 or 12 month lease available. Contact Paul at 352-0635. ROOM FOR RENT
M/F 1 BD W/ PRIVATE BATH - quiet neighborhood full use of home. No pets. 561-602-2995.
LOWEST PRICES! — Nobody beats our Price! Free Est. Complete A/C units from $1,150. Repair Specialists. Lic./ ins. 561-795-1130 toll free 888-981-9815
RANDY POULETTE AIR CONDITIONING, LLC — 561-790-3275 Personalized service for all your Air Conditioning needs. Residential/Commercial. 24 Hr. Emergency Service Available. We Service All Makes and Models. Service contracts available.
JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC. - Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. "We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks" 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996.
The only non-profit petting zoo in the area. - featuring parrots, mini horses, ponies, pony rides, sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, and Llamas and more and farm club. 561-792-2666
HOUSE CLEANING AVAILABLE — Over 13 yrs. experience. Great references. Very Dependable. Karen. 561-632-2271 NEED HELP CLEANING? — We clean your house your office etc. Call us for reliable, responsible and immediate service. Eddie 876-2120 HOUSECLEANING — reliable and dependable. Call Julie 561-603-3697
CLUTTER FREE CLOSETS — For all your organizing
ANMAR CO. –James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC 1327426 561-248-8528
*TOP RATED* by www.AngieList.com Atlantic Shore Home Improvement. Call Anthony Palermo 561-756-0428
MCA CUSTOM WOODWORKING, INC. — “Make your home standout from the rest” Call us for all your home improvement needs. Kitchen & bathroom remodeling, custom wall units, design your home office, cabinetry, tile & drywall repair. Lic. #U-19564. Bonded & Ins. 561-723-5836 Home repair. Quality Work. Free estimates. Fast on time service. "For all your home improvement needs" Lic. & Ins. 561-685-5360 561-308-6677.
AT YOUR SERVICE PET CONCIERGE - pet sitting, play dates, sleep overs, arrange pet grooming, vet visits, flea & tick products, Holistic/Natural pet foods. Come home to a well stocked fridge & your plants alive. Upscale services for all your beloved four legged friends. Bonded & insured. 561-791-2086
TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL TODAY 793-3576
• Bar/Bat Mitzvah • Sweet 16/Birthday Parties • Anniversaries • Private & Corporate Events • Holiday Parties 561-422-4336 HOT WYRE ELECTRIC — For all your electrical needs. Panel upgrades, installations, repairs, lightening protection, troubleshooting. Licensed, Insured, Free Estimates. 561-313-0134
GUARDSMAN FURNITURE PRO — For all your furniture repair needs including finish repairs, structural repairs, upholstery services, chair regluing, antique repairs, kitchen cabinet refurbishing. 753-8689
HOME STANDBY GENERATORS — Complete packages including fueled system - Best Prices & reliable new Generator systems installed from 15 to 200KW “More Practical and much quieter” Maintenance & Service for all types of generators. Factory Authorized Dealer. 561707-0575 Palm Beach. Tropical Power Systems, Inc.
CAN FIX IT — build it, move it, plant it, and more. Call Bruce, 793-2494. TFN BILLY’S HOME REPAIRS, INC. — Interior Trim, crown molding, rottenwood repair, door installation, minor drywall, kitchens/cabinets/countertops, remodeling, wood flooring. Bonded/Insured U#19699. 561-791-9900
LITL AUDIO/VIDEO SERVICE — specializing in Home Theatre Installation Satellite Services and communications.
“I will Beat Retailer’s cost & Installation fees”! Call George for immediate service at 954-263-4189 561-784-4858 Office. Res./Comm. Lic. & Ins.
COMPLETE IRRIGATION — PVC/PIPE supplies.Citrus ,Vegetables, Power units. Water Wheels, design services, Fairways Polo fields, Pumps/Engines mowing of all types. 1-863-675-6333.
FRANK’S BUSHHOG SERVICE — Lot mowing, Lawn Maintenance, Landscaping, Lot cleaning and TREE TRIMMING, reasonable rates. 722-4403 Lic.& Ins. TNT LANDSCAPING & LAWN CARE
561-644-8683 — Lic. & Ins. Landscape design, low maintenance gardens, professional plant installation, mulching, monthly property maintenance, sprinklers maintenance & repair, expert hedge & tree trimming.
HOMESCHOOLING? - Include music education! Piano lessons give your child the basics of music and a sense of accomplishment. Call Miss Sharon 7902906.
ARMENTO PAINTING & SONS, INC. –– Painting, Interior, Exterior. Pressure cleaning. Custom painting, faux art. Lic. No. U14736. 798-8978. BD
JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. ––– Interior/Exterior, artistic faux finishing, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair, & roof painting/cleaning. Free est. Call 798-4964. Lic.#U18473
LARRY’S PAINTING & WALLPAPER — Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Interior/ Exterior painting. 561-309-2845. Wallpaper - Luanne 561-801-2018 Painting • Residential • Commercial • Historical Restoration • Faux Finishing • Stucco Repair • Roof Painting • and Pressure Cleaning • Sand Blasting • Mold Removal. FLEISCHER’S PAINTING • 561-833-6661. LET US AD A LITTLE COLOR TO YOUR LIFE — Residential/Commercial. Licensed • Bonded • Insured. Owner/Operator. Ask for Paul 561-309-8290.
COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Interior/ Exterior, residential painting, over 20 years exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free estimates - Insured. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident. RJA PAINTING & DECORATING — interior, exterior, custom colors, faux artwork, all work guaranteed. Lic. Bonded & Insured. 561-616-2255
BOB NICHOLS PAINTING — Serving the Palm Beaches for 19 years. Quality interior & exterior finishes. 561-2486070. Lic. #16555
561-601-4707 THE DOG NANNY — Wellington and individualized pampering for Wellington & Western Communities. Dogs at their Home & Office surrounding. Dog walks, Doggie Moi Play Sessions & sleepovers. American Red Cross Pet CPR/FIRST Aid Certified.
“You dealt with the rest now deal with the best” maintenance and repairs. Inquire about 1 months FREE service. 561-7915073 ELITE POOL CLEANING
J&B PRESSURE CLEANING — Established in 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.Call Butch 561-309-6975 BD
SIGMA III CORPORATION PRIVATE IN-
VESTIGATIVE SERVICE — Domestic investigation, surveillance, missing persons. Background investigation into that new boyfriend or fiancé, hidden assets located and more. Lic. & Ins. 561-3124386 Member of Better Business Bureau Lic. #A2300091LRD: 09-14
PRIMROSE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT,
LLC — Full Service. Residential Home Care for full or part time residents. Weekly inspections, repairs, Monthly reports. Reasonable rates. 561-602-6857 or email: primrosepm123@aol.com
MINOR ROOF REPAIRS – Roof painting. Carpentry. License #U9 865. 9675580. BD SHAKE ROOF SPECIALISTS –– New roofs, repairs, preservation. License #CC025465. Shake Masters, Shake Chem. Members of Shake Bureau. 4396668 BD
ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING ––Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded, insured. Lic. #U-11006.790-0763 or 641-4592. BD ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC-0067207 BD
JOHN’S SCREEN SERVICE –– Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight, wrinklefree, guaranteed!Lic.#9001390.798-3132.
ROLL DOWN SHUTTERS — Accordion shutters, storm panels and rolling shutters...prices that can’t be beat. All shutters Systems, Inc. 863-0955
\FFORDABLE HURRICANE PROTECTION — 2 - 4 wks. Installed Guaranteed! 10% deposit . Will get you started. All products, Dade County approved. We manufacture our own product. 561-5686099, 772-342-8705 Lic. & Ins. CGC 1511213
AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC - Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004 Lic. #U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990 ONE-ON-ONE TUTORING IN YOUR HOME • All Subjects • Pre K- Adult • Home school • SAT/ACT/FCAT Test Prep • Study Skills CLUBZ TUTORING.COM 333-1980 America’s Largest In-Home Tutoring Co.
PAPERHANGING & PAINTING BY DEBI –– Experienced in all phases of installation, removal and repair. Quality work with a Womans touch. Lic. Insured. References. 561-795-5263
This letter is directed to the 90% of our citizens that are either not equestrians or are year round equestrians. All are taxpayers concerned about how their tax dollars are spent. Many are commuters who use the already congested corridors of South Shore and Lake Worth Roads. All consider Wellington their home.
There is a controversy surrounding the potential relocation of the National Horse Show and the Winter Equestrian Festival from its current location at Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Center located on Pierson Road to the proposed location at the southernmost part of Wellington to a site called Section 34. This move is proposed by the current horse show producer Stadium Jumping, Inc and Everglades Equestrian Partners LLC. Section 34 is a 640 acre residential planned unit development that is zoned and intended for approximately 130 five acre farmettes. Stadium Jumping wants to convert 179 acres of this residential area into a major International equestrian facility and showgrounds. On the surface, this proposed move appears to be merely the result of a dispute amongst equestrian interests and as long as there are horse events in Wellington it doesn’t affect you. Nothing could be further from the truth. AS TAXPAYERS THIS ABSOLUTELYAFFECTS YOU. THIS IS A CALL TO ACTION BEFORE IT BECOMES IRREVOCABLE AND YOU, THE TAXPAYERS WILL BE PAYING SIGNIFICANT MONEY TOWARDS THIS BILL.
Background
When Everglades Equestrian Partners made its first application to the Village, it was universally assumed that the method in place for our Village, the County and the State, for any development of this size, as all others before it, would be to apply for a largescale Comprehensive Plan Amendment (Comp Plan). A large-scale Comp Plan Amendment is an in depth, highly scrutinized, disciplined process that can take up to a 6-9 month period for any properties over 10 acres whose zoning would be changing. This process is intended to identify the impacts of large scale zoning changes on, among other things: Village infrastructure costs, traffic, environmental issues, water quality, and usage of Village services. The process includes presenting the application (the project) to the Equestrian Preserve Committee, Planning and Zoning, and the Village Council. This is all done in preparation for being transmitted to Tallahassee for the State to offer oversight and input on how a large project can affect the Village as well as regional areas. If it is approved locally, the State could have the opportunity to make objections, recommendations or comments whereby the project application (with the State’s objections, recommendations and comments) would be sent back to the Equestrian Committee, Planning and Zoning and a final vote by the Village Council. This system, consistently used by our Village for similar large-scale projects, assures that long term local and regional impacts are identified and understood prior to approval. It vets out problems before they can occur. Besides being fair, it safeguards our Village from what can otherwise be seeming arbitrary or capricious actions.
The lawyers for Stadium Jumping and our Village Attorney, Jeff Kurtz, have offered an interpretation of our codes and ordinances that effectively bypass all of this oversight and fast-tracks the entire process for Everglades Equestrian Partners Section 34 applications. The problem became severe when asked directly by our Mayor Tom Wenham, if in fact this project requires a Comp Plan Amendment. Mr. Kurtz responded that the interpretation of our codes and ordinances and the decision to bypass the Comp Plan Amendment process was “defensible.” Over the last ten (10) years, there were four (4) previous applications for equestrian projects with acreage from 13 to 450 acres. The village required all four projects to pursue a Comp Plan Amendment. Mr. Kurtz has offered publically that he believes this is just “better lawyering” by the applicant. We strongly disagree. Perceived “better lawyering” should not be an excuse for the Village to skirt its responsibility to thoughtfully review a project of this magnitude or to circumvent valuable State oversight for such large-scale projects. The Village Council has the responsibility to protect the interests of the community, its voters, and taxpayers, not private interests.
Everglades Equestrian Partners’ Section 34 project would be the second largest project in Village history (behind Wellington Green Mall) and would allow 688,000 square feet of development. This is equivalent to 5 Super Wal-Mart stores or the total combined square footage of the top five shopping centers in Wellington. The project is working its way through village staff under a “conditional use” treatment, a much more relaxed standard. Unfortunately, there are very few conditions under the current code and land use regulations that can apply so the conditions will be negotiated directly with Everglades Equestrian Partners. What if these private conditions are ignored or misinterpreted? What recourse does the Village have given that the conditions are not part of the law? What if the Applicant does not perform a condition and argues a year later argues that there was no basis in law for this condition? Given the huge scale of the project and the potential significant impact on Village resources, why would the Village review a project under a conditional use treatment that gives them very limited power and authority the moment it is approved? There are other very significant deficiencies in this approach that will be immediately challenged if it is approved. Even worse the project is on a “Fast Track” process that is unheard of for a project of this scale. This “Fast Track” process was to occur in three steps in the dead of summer: a July 11th, 2007 Equestrian Committee meeting, and August 2nd, 2007 Planning and Zoning and an August 28th, 2007 Village Council meeting.
The applicants stated, through the Equestrian and Planning and Zoning meetings, if they did not get their approvals they would be forced to move the horse shows out of Wellington. According to the public record, many members of both committees had major reservations about this fast track approach, however, because of concern about losing the equestrian element of the Village they voted unanimously to support the application. Fortunately, the Village Council, despite pressure from the applicant, voted unanimously on August 28th, 2007 to postpone the vote until September 18th, 2007. The council recognized that it needed more information to responsibly review the project. In our opinion, it needs a lot more information and needs to apply a new approval process to the applications.
Everglades Equestrian Partners’ core argument for this fast tracked, less scrutinized process was that Stadium Jumping’s lease on the existing Showgrounds expired after the 2008 season. It is clear that this crisis was self created because a minority shareholder of Stadium Jumping did not wish to complete its previous arrangement to keep the horse show dates at the current location for a period of thirty years. This thirty (30) year deal had been negotiated and approved by the President and majority stockholder of Stadium Jumping Inc. and both parties operated under the agreement for over a year. This breach of the agreement by Stadium Jumping is the subject of the highly publicized $500 million lawsuit.
The Village Attorney has noted that the application process should not be affected by an as yet undetermined lawsuit. Therefore, this same reasoning must be applied so that Village’s approach to establishing and reviewing an application of this magnitude should not be influenced by a self created crisis that has potentially large hidden risks and costs to the voters and taxpayers.
Stadium Jumping has avowed that it will move its shows out of Wellington if Everglades Equestrian Partners’ applications are not fast tracked and approved. The failure of this argument is that the United States Equestrian Federation (USEF), the governing body of equestrian sport, only gave Stadium Jumping a one year conditional license transfer to Section 34. It is not clear that USEF would approve a move out of Wellington given the circumstances and the tactics being employed by Stadium Jumping. But, more to the point, their crisis rallying cry is that they are running out of time to make the move to Section 34. Does Stadium Jumping really believe that the Village Council should not fulfill its obligations to protect the voters and taxpayers because Stadium Jumping did not plan their future well? The reality is that a move out of Wellington to a new site would require much more time. Stadium Jumping would need to identify,
negotiate, buy, and design a new Showgrounds on land in another locale and, if the land is nearby as they suggest, in unincorporated County land, it would most likely require detailed county and state review. In addition, we believe a move would be Stadium Jumping’s loss. Stadium Jumping would lose a massive equestrian infrastructure built over twenty years that is supported by thousands of loyal equestrian families. These loyal families, both residents and non residents, are the people who breath life into these shows. The Village Council should not succumb to Stadium Jumping’s flawed logic and disrespectful pressure and expose the taxpayers of this Village to unknown impacts. We do not believe this is in the best interests of the community. Finally, with the recent transactions of the existing Palm Beach Polo Equestrian Center Showgrounds and the old Polo Stadium for equestrian use, the Wellington equestrian lifestyle is assured and under no threat of disappearing because Wellington Equestrian Partners, the group behind these transactions, is committed to Wellington. Period. The partners have spent well in excess of $100 million dollars in support of these efforts. There will be in excess of 40 weeks of Equestrian Activity during the Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall which will include top professional competition and world class shows. Wellington is and will be a major equestrian destination with or without Stadium Jumping, however, we encourage Stadium Jumping to work with us for the common good of the sport and the community on the current Showgrounds site under mutually agreeable terms.
The costs to Wellington Taxpayers: Legal Costs
We believe that there is considerable reason to challenge the judgment and recommendations being made by the Village Attorney to the Village Staff and Council who rely on his guidance. We believe there are huge flaws in the Village Attorney’s position. If the vote is approved on September 18th, 2007 there is a 100% certainty that it will be immediately challenged with litigation by at least one of the affected parties. The significant costs of this legal defense would ultimately be borne by the Village taxpayers. In a time of significant budget cuts, for all types of services, this does not make sense and is not feasible. Why should the taxpayers, 90% who are not equestrians, be forced to pay for these legal bills which could be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to support a flawed application process that is at best only “defensible.” We want our Village Attorney to recommend a process that is legally correct, appropriate, practical and with precedent, not just “defensible.” A Comp Plan Amendment is such a process given that it has been used on the last four (4) applications submitted by Show producers over the last ten years, three (3) of those applications were of lesser scale and impact. It is the right of the Village’s citizenry to demand a second opinion of the Village Attorney’s position by an independent Land Planning Attorney. Also, the Village Council should protect the voters and taxpayers by demanding that the applicant indemnify the Village against all legal challenges on its decision prior to considering a vote for this unconventional and risky approach to land planning that is being driven by the applicant’s self created crisis.
As any commuter knows, South Shore and Lake Worth roads are already extremely congested. Add tractor trailers filled with horses vying for space and turning opportunities with commuter traffic and school buses and it is a crisis in the making. At the Showground’s current location, a preponderance of equestrians hack in (walk in) upon their horses. The road and bridle system is deep rooted and established with this location. In the new location, a whole new infrastructure must be established. The traffic coming from the east and south, including horse trailers will compete for lanes on Lake Worth creating a potential disaster zone with school buses transporting our children to an elementary school and middle school. Residents in the Isles, Grand Isles and Wycliffe will wait, stacked up, to exit their communities. Residents of Mallet Hill and Southfields on South Shore Roads will be clamoring for a traffic signal to allow ingress and egress from their neighborhoods. This is just a small taste of the potential problems.
Local in town businesses took a direct hit to their business’ success when the Wellington Green and subsequent surrounding shopping centers were built. Many simply went out of business. With a move to Wellington’s southernmost point, a percentage of the equestrian population will find it tiresome to traverse Wellington, fighting traffic, to go in town to shop and get services. It will simply be easier to frequent Lake Worth Road establishments not within Wellington.
Giving away Sewer capacity
Wellington’s wastewater treatment system has 20% remaining usage left. Most engineers would say that 10% of that should be available for plus or minus errors. The remaining 10% capacity must be saved for Wellington’s future redevelopment, including our dreamed of and necessary Town Center. As a result of this application, Stadium Jumping is requesting to increase the intensity of the land use beyond what was planned for, and thus needs to increase the sewer utilization capacity. Stadium Jumping has demanded that 10% be given to them The value of this capacity is in the millions of dollars. If they do not pay for it you will. Therefore, as we mature and need to utilize that wastewater treatment, Wellington, via taxpayer’s dollars, will be forced to build another treatment plant. We believe it is imperative that our future growth not be squandered to appease any one person or developer. The applicant has called handling their own wastewater “a deal breaker”.
In the end, whether there is one horse Showgrounds or two is not as material as whether there is a fair even handed process that protects the residents who are voters and taxpayers. Where is the harm in making certain that a project of this magnitude be looked at carefully with ALL questions answered before any vote is tendered? This is a very complex issue. There are a myriad of unanswered questions and incomplete data not mentioned here that must be in evidence before your elected officials can weigh in with the wisdom of their vote.
It is critical that residents voice their opinions. If you cannot make the Village Council meeting Tuesday September 18th at 5:00 P.M. at the Community Center, or even if you can, please take a moment and call or email your elected Council members, please cc: your email to EquestrianFeedback@comcast.net. Encourage them to act fairly and responsibly in the evaluation of this major change to our community. Communicate to the Council members that by doing a Comp Plan Amendment they will reduce the risks to Village residents of the uncertainties inherent in this major development. A Comp Plan Amendment is fair, it is right, it protects the citizens, and it has been used for every other major and Minor Showgrounds application in the last 10 years.
Once done correctly with a Comp Plan Amendment, we will be able to rest easy that there is far less chance of missing the hidden pitfalls and costs to the taxpayers of this town. After all, we live here every day. This is our Wellington.
Sincerely, Wellington
Equestrian
Partners, LLC
Send your comments to:
Mayor Tom Wenham twenham@wellington.fl.ci
Carmine Priore cpriore@wellington.fl.ci
Vice Mayor Bob Margolis Margolis@wellington.fl.ci
Lizbeth Benaquisto lbenaquisto@wellington.fl.ci
Laurie Cohen lcohen@wellington.fl.ci
cc: EquestrianFeedback@comcast.net