Town-Crier Newspaper September 19, 2008

CAFCI FRIENDSHIP BALL IN RPB

Reuse The Focus As RPB Drafts Water Supply Plan

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Although the Village of Royal Palm Beach sold its water utilities to the county, it must still incorporate a water supply work plan in its comprehensive plan.

On Thursday, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council approved transmittal of its water plan to the Florida Department of Community Affairs for state review.

State law requires municipalities to incorporate a water supply work plan addressing water supply requirements into their comprehensive plans within 18 months of adoption of a regional water supply plan of the same nature. The South Florida Water Management District adopted its Lower East Coast Water Supply Plan in February 2007. Although the village’s water supply plan must address at least a ten-year planning period, Royal Palm Beach is using a plan covering 20 years.

Planning consultant Alex David, principal with the Bell David Planning Group that prepared the plan, explained the 35page document to the council. “Every municipality, whether you are a provider or not, has to submit a work plan,” he said. The document includes projected population growth, planned capital improvements, what water is in the ground and the sources of the water the village uses. The purpose of the water plan

is to identify and map out water supply sources and facilities needed to serve existing and new development, David said.

As the agency responsible for the water supply in South Florida, the SFWMD plays a pivotal role in resource protection, according to the village’s water plan. As pressure increased on the Everglades ecosystem, the district’s governing board initiated rules to limit increased allocations dependent on the Everglades system. As a result, a regional water availability rule was adopted by the governing board on Feb. 15, 2007 as part of the SFWMD’s water use permit program. This reduced reliance on the regional system for future water supply needs, mandates the development of alternative water supplies and increasing conservation and reuse.

The village’s water plan will be merged in a process of several steps with the comprehensive plan and the future land use plan.

“We’re very confident these documents will sail right through,” David said. “We’ve done a number of these. We worked closely with the South Florida Water Management District, and we think it’s a tight document.”

Councilman David Swift, who works for the SFWMD, said he was glad to see language on water reuse in the plan and different options the village

could pursue. “I’m glad that’s in there,” he said.

Mayor David Lodwick said completing water retention areas under power lines and creating lakes at Commons Park will tremendously increase the water retention capability in the village and the opportunity for water to filter back into the earth.

“It should greatly improve our own retention internally, which in the bigger picture ought to be a big plus,” Lodwick said.

SFWMD Regional Coordinator Barbara Powell was present at the meeting to comment on the plan.

“This is a really important document,” she said. “What this did was tighten up and increase coordination. As we are coordinating with our water suppliers, working with local governments is really what it comes down to.”

The water plans serve as tracking mechanisms, Powell said, adding that the village’s water supplier, Palm Beach County Water Utilities, must also supply a work plan. Powell said she was particularly interested in seeing how water reuse would be written into the plan.

Lodwick said Village Manager David Farber has been working with the county to get a water reuse line laid to the village.

Powell asked if there was any opportunity to extend the county’s planned water reuse line.

“We may have an opportuni-

See WATER, page 18

County Eyes Horse Estates For Mecca Land

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

The Palm Beach County Commission decided Tuesday to pursue plans for a large-lot equestrian development on the 1,920-acre Mecca Farms property off Northlake Blvd.

The county originally bought Mecca Farms to provide a site for the Scripps Research Institute, which ultimately settled in Jupiter instead. The county purchased the land in 2004 for $60 million and spent $44 million on initial development before the Scripps plans were scuttled.

After hearing a staff presentation on three different development concepts for the property, commissioners decided a large-lot equestrian development of 192 units, the least intensive of the three, would probably be the easiest way to dispose of the property and produce the best return.

Ross Hering, the county’s director of property and real estate management, told commissioners that a higher-density development would make permitting more difficult because of the proximity of the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area.

“The permitting, if you try and stick high density next to Corbett, will be challenging,” Hering said, adding that a more intensive development would also affect efforts to develop the Vavrus property to the east, as well as Callery-Judge Grove to the south and the GL Homes and EB Developers properties farther southwest. “Disposition of the Mecca property will have secondary and cumulative effects on all those properties.”

All the conceptual plans include a flow way, an element that was part of the Scripps land plan, as well as land for a Solid Waste Authority transfer and vegetation processing station. Clustered development would be utilized to allow for more open space.

Hering said it was assumed that the property would not be sold for two to four years to allow time for the market to stabilize.

The land’s current density of one unit per ten acres would remain unchanged under a largelot equestrian plan, Hering said, avoiding a county comprehensive plan change that would put the development up for state review. The 192 units would be clustered on 50 percent of the land, which would yield lots of four or 4.5 acres. About 40 acres would be set aside for an equestrian complex with the rest staying open space.

The other two concepts for the property, calling for 300 units on 2.5-acre lots or 1,535 units on 1.25-acre lots, would be riskier and offer lower returns, as well as requiring a comprehensive plan change, Hering said.

The 192 large equestrian units, sold at $300,000 each, would generate $44 million in revenue after accounting for $13 million worth of site work, Hering said. The Solid Waste Au-

thority would contribute another $12 million for its portion of the property, he added.

Hering said his financial projections are subject to a margin of error of 20 percent either way, but also noted the potential to recover land costs and possibly exceed the projections if the sale is timed to a market recovery. “I believe if you time it right, you can beat these numbers,” he said.

Hering said the focus of the analysis is to find one developer to purchase the property and execute the plan.

“You anticipated that one developer would write us a check and we’d be done with it? Is that right?” Commissioner Mary McCarty asked.

“The focus was to get a reasonable sales estimate as a whole,” Hering said. “I think you could do one, two or three developers, but you really need some sort of master developer to get all the approvals.”

Commissioner Burt Aaronson asked if county staff had considered any commercial development, and Hering said they had not, as the existing low-density residential use would avoid higher permitting and off-site infrastructure costs. “Commercial, retail and employment type uses are the highest trip-generating uses,” he said. “As you increase in intensity, you increase the roadwork.”

Aaronson suggested putting out requests for proposals.

“Each year that we don’t move on this we still are paying $6.3 million for debt service and $500,000 a year for maintenance,” he said. “I think we need to go out and test the waters. Remember that developers have bought land here in anticipation of development ten years out. A lot of people will look at this property and figure out what it’s worth four years or five years down the road.”

Koons said he favored largelot equestrian development. “I just don’t see anything else happening, because you trip it up with commercial because nobody lives out there,” he said. “If you want to, we can go out for an RFP, but I don’t think anyone will respond to it.”

Commissioner Jess Santamaria agreed that the large-lot concept would probably be the best avenue to pursue.

Commissioner Robert Kanjian asked Hering how much of the county’s investment in the land would be lost.

“This could be anywhere between a $50 million and a $70 million loss, is that right?” Kanjian asked.

“The infrastructure costs and all the planning fees that make up part of that total $44 million that we spent beyond the land cost, that’s definitely a loss,” Hering said. “That’s sunk money. It’s gone. I think the only thing we can focus on today in terms of what we can recover is what was spent on the land, and my projections are showing that we can get close to recovery of

See MECCA, page 18

Campaign Heats Up For Open State House Seat

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

week. Page 32

At first glance, a voter might think typical Republican and Democratic values are reversed by the candidates in the Florida House of Representatives race for the Wellington-based District 85, currently held by the retiring State Rep. Shelley Vana. Democratic candidate Joseph Abruzzo said he stands firmly for homeland security, while Republican candidate Howard Coates wants to protect natural resources, encourage the development of alternative energy and improve education. Nevertheless, Abruzzo said he is very much a Democrat and his belief in protecting domestic security stems from his occupation as a port security specialist with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve.

“My values are extremely Democratic,” Abruzzo said. “I am a big supporter of public education. I want to make sure our healthcare system does not get cut, especially the KidCare program for children. Overall, I want to make sure that Florida’s economy is to grow and prosper.”

Abruzzo charged that Coates is being funded by Republicans in the State House who approved bringing guns to work and cut public funding for healthcare and education.

“Instead of worrying abut our economy and the energy crisis, they were more concerned with putting out bills regulating saggy pants and ornaments on cars. These are the Republicans funding my opponent.”

Abruzzo accused Coates of misleading people by character-

izing himself as an independent.

“He’s trying to rebrand himself as an independent when he is being supported solely by the Republican Party,” Abruzzo said.

Coates, a local attorney who ran for a Wellington Village Council seat earlier this year, said he is a fiscal conservative in the Republican sense, but has his own views on other issues.

“I’m very independent-minded, and whether Democrat or Republican, I’ve been a fiscal conservative for a long time,” he said. “I’m certainly strong on the national defense side, but when it comes to things like education and having programs that are going to help children and the elderly, I am on the independent side because I feel we have a duty and obligation there. I will tell you hands down that educa-

tion and having a strong education system is the single greatest priority for me.” Abruzzo and Coates recently met for their first major debate at the Lantana Chamber of Commerce.

“Howard was clueless on most of the issues,” Abruzzo said, criticizing Coates for his lack of knowledge about Florida’s state budget. “I informed him in the debate that our budget is $66 billion and our deficit is in the billions.”

Abruzzo also charged that Coates could not name the head of the Palm Beach County Legislative Delegation, which Abruzzo pointed out is State Rep. Mary Brandenburg, or the makeup of the delegation. “My point here is that he did not know the issues,” Abruzzo said. Regarding the debate in Lan-

tana, Coates said he has studied the state budget but had not memorized the total amount or the deficit.

“These were fast-paced questions and I have not committed to memory the total amount of the budget, but I got the loud applause when I said not to have any more professional politicians,” he said.

Abruzzo criticized Coates as well for a comment he made about expanding his law practice to Tallahassee if elected.

“He publicly stated that he would expand his law office to Tallahassee,” Abruzzo said. “If I am fortunate enough to serve in Tallahassee, 100 percent of my time will be devoted to fighting for the issues that matter to us, not trying to profit off the citizens’ backs from an elected

See DISTRICT 85, page 18

FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

THE INLAND PORT THE TRUTH ! THE FACTS !

(1) Jess Santamaria is 100% in support that the Inland Port be built in the Glades region. No elected official has worked harder than Jess Santamaria to bring the Inland Port to the Glades! The Inland Port must be built in The Glades.

(2)There are over 400,000 acres in the Glades that should be made available for the Inland Port. Less than one percent (1%) (approximately 3,500 acres) is needed for the Inland Port. All of the residents of The Glades will benefit from the Inland Port if it is built anywhere in the over 400,000 acres in The Glades!

(3)There is no justification to give special advantage to one property owner (Florida Crystals) and limit the site selection only to the Okeelanta property (9,000 acres).

(4)There is no urgency to change the land use of the 9,000 acre Okeelanta property to industrial now and increase its land value tenfold. The increased value of industrial land would make the Okeelanta land less competitive with the other competitor land owners in Martin County and Hendry County. The representative of the Florida Department of Transportation confirmed that land price is an important element in the decision as to which land will be selected for the Inland Port.

(5)Once it is finally decided exactly where the Inland Port will be located, then Palm Beach County can immediately fast-track the land use change to industrial. There is no

reason to hastily change the land use of the 9,000 acres Okeelanta property now, if it later turns out that some other property is selected for the Inland Port. The increased value added to the Okeelanta site could be the reason why another site is selected!

(6)The above are the reasons I felt that instead of limiting the 9,000 acre Okeelanta property for the Inland Port, it was safer for us to include the over 400,000 acres available in the Glades. Once the 9,000-acre Okeelanta site is on its way to being rezoned “industrial,” its value will increase by hundreds of millions of dollars, even if it is not selected for the Inland Port! Will Florida Crystals share some of those windfall profits with the residents of The Glades? In all fairness, they should. How about giving 10% of the increased value to the tri-cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Bay?

(7)The Port of Palm Beach Commissioners said they had the final say on where the Inland Port would be located. If the Port of Palm Beach can guarantee today that the Inland Port will be approved in the Okeelanta site, then I would give my 100% support to the Okeelanta site! It does not matter where the Inland Port is built, as long as it is in The Glades !!! That is where we should all be united.

Jess R. Santamaria Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners District VI

NEWS

Candidate Tom Rooney Addresses Palms West Republican Club

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

Tom Rooney, the Republican candidate for the District 16 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, was the featured speaker at Wednesday’s meeting of the Palms West Republican Club.

Rooney is challenging Democratic Congressman Tim Mahoney in November. Mahoney narrowly won the seat two years ago just weeks after its former occupant, Republican Mark Foley, resigned in disgrace. Until then, it had been considered a safe Republican district.

The district includes swaths of the western communities, but the population base is largely found on the Treasure Coast.

Rooney, a lawyer and a U.S. Army veteran, was introduced by fellow Republican Joe Penkala, a lobbyist whose firm Compass Strategies has offices in West Palm Beach; Washington, D.C.; Boston; and Providence, R.I.

“Tom could have easily decided to go into the family business or practice corporate law, but that’s not who he is,” Penkala said. “I think what we have here is a black-and-white choice

about someone who’s really putting country first and who’s running for office for the right reasons.”

Rooney, who defeated State Rep. Gayle Harrell and former Palm Beach Gardens councilman Hal Valeche in the August Republican primary, said he has the full support of his former opponents in his challenge of Mahoney. “We did have a very hard-fought battle,” he said. “In the end, it has made us worthy candidates. We are ready to face Mahoney.”

Rooney acknowledged that the Republican Party across the state and country will have a difficult job trying to keep control of the White House and upsetting the narrow Democratic majority in Congress.

“We are about not raising taxes and not raising earmarks,” Rooney said. “I pledge to you, when I get to Congress I will do that. My opponent has requested millions and millions of dollars in earmarks. When spending needs get bigger and bigger, you become more and more reliant on the federal government. That is socialism.”

Rooney also slammed a Democratic-backed energy bill that

passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday. “The Democratic bill did nothing,” he said. “There will be no revenue sharing for the state. Florida will get nothing. Florida will not get a cut. Everyone else in the country agrees, even in Alaska, that drilling is of the utmost importance. If you drill in our state, we should get a cut off the top. The state needs the money.”

Rooney also alleged that Mahoney had told the family of a fallen U.S. serviceman that their son’s death was meaningless. “Congressman Mahoney told them that Bush’s war was a waste of time and money,” Rooney said, “and that the war caused these people to lose their son for nothing. I live by the premise that whether you agree with the war, that if you put on the uniform, it is never wrong.”

Among the questions Rooney took from the audience was one about his position on illegal immigration. He stressed that immigration poses a national security threat.

“I think we need to enforce the laws we have,” Rooney said. “We need to secure our borders for national security. I don’t believe in amnesty. I don’t believe

we should do anything we can’t afford. The borders need to be secure. There is nothing more important than safety. There are laws being broken here. You have an obligation under the rule of law to enforce the rule of law.”

On energy independence and conservation, Rooney said the country must examine an array of options.

“We have a supply-and-demand issue,” he said. “Some experts say that fossil fuels will run out in 60 years. My sons will be in their 60s when we run out of fossil fuels. We’d better start thinking of alternatives. We have an obligation to them. Do we say ‘good luck to you with the horses and carriages,’ or do we think of answers? We have to leave this country better than we found it. Drill, baby, drill is a great slogan. As a congressman, we have to prepare our children for what comes next. There won’t always be fossil fuels.”

Rooney also said he is a firm believer in term limits, and said that if he is able to serve eight years in the House of Representatives, it should be enough for him to get the job done.

Wellington Rotary Club To Dedicate Peace Park On Sunday, Sept. 21

By Carol Porter Town-Crier Staff Report

awards to community leaders and students on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. “The most important award is the Rotary Peace Award, which

is going to Col. Mike Gauger,” Peace Park Chairman Dr. Wesley Boughner told the TownCrier Gauger is director of law enforcement operations for the

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. With more than three decades of experience, Gauger oversees all community and problem-oriented policing programs and initiatives for the PBSO. “He had retired and was brought back on special assignment for this,” Boughner said.

Veteran and PBSO color guards and scout troops will raise the colors to begin the ceremony. Poster, poetry and essay contest winners will be introduced and checks will be presented. Eight community members representing the eight languages on the Peace Pole will read the pole’s inscription “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in their native languages. Boy Scout and Girl Scout “Peace” merit badges will be presented. Conflict resolution awards will be presented to high school students in the School Ambassador program. Clergy of all religions have

been asked to present a sermon on world peace or intercultural understanding prior to the dedication. A moment of silence will be observed for community members to reflect on the concept of world peace. Thirty doves will be released at the end of the International Peace Day ceremony.

The dedication is coordinated with the United Nations International Day of Peace on Sept. 21. Each year, UN Peace Day activities and events take place across the United States and in more than 100 other countries around the world, said Boughner, who credits his late wife Joan with inspiring him to research the possibilities of planting a Peace Pole in Wellington.

In 2006, the Wellington Rotary Club and the Village of Wellington searched for an acceptable site, Boughner said, which was located on 18 acres of village-owned wetland in the

middle of the village, a serene, quiet, passive area where people can meditate, relax or contemplate the concept of world peace. The Rotary Peace Pole dedication was held on UN Peace Day in 2006, with about 250 community members attending the unveiling and ceremony. In 2007, Rotary Circle was expanded to include the entire 18 acres to be developed into a passive park.

The Wellington Village Council approved the concept and $120,000 to develop an additional 100-foot wooden boardwalk and large open gazebo over the wetlands.

Residents are invited to join their neighbors on Sept. 21 at the dedication of the Wellington Rotary Peace Park, at the corner of Royal Fern Street and Birkdale Drive, near the library and just southeast of the Elbridge Gale Elementary School entrance.

Congressional Candidate — Tom Rooney answers a question at Wednesday’s Palms West Republican club meeting.

“If you can’t, I think there is something wrong with the sys-

Wellington Rotary Peace Park will be dedicated on Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m.

OUR OPINION

New Mecca Plan A Fitting End... And A Warning For Other Projects

The Palm Beach County Commission voted this week to direct county staff to draw up plans for an equestrian community north of The Acreage. It would place 192 homes on 1,920 acres of county-owned land north of Northlake Blvd. along Seminole Pratt Whitney Road — land the county purchased four years ago for the Scripps Research Institute. Unfortunately, the powers that be at Scripps, faced by multiple lawsuits and delays, later decided to abandon the so-called Mecca Farms site in favor of Jupiter’s Abacoa. The plan the commissioners approved Tuesday was one of three put forward. The other two were obvious nonstarters; one proposed 300 homes on 2.5-acre lots and the other called for 1,535 units on 1.25-acre lots. Both of these proposals would have required road improvements to accommodate the increase in traffic. Thankfully, they went nowhere. In addition to 192 clustered homes, the approved plan would set aside 40 acres for an equestrian complex and designate half the property as environmental preserve or open space. On its face, the plan is a good one and would fit in well with the surrounding area. However, the issue isn’t just a matter of the county developing a responsible plan that’s good for the neighboring Acreage. That was the issue five years ago, when the privately owned Mecca Farms came before the county commissioners with a development plan

RPB Offering Ride To Meeting

Are you sitting in your auto behind lines of traffic on Okeechobee Blvd.? Is your coffee in the paper cup getting colder as you wait for traffic to unclog the red light you should have been through 15 minutes ago at Ponce de Leon? Did you have any idea so many students and parents really drove to the high school? Are you wondering who could be going to Target at 7:30 a.m.? And it doesn’t get any better as you travel closer toward downtown West Palm Beach. If this is the case, then you need to get on the bus!

The Village of Royal Palm Beach invites you to join us for coffee and donuts and leave the driving to us on Tuesday, Sept. 23. The bus will depart at 8 a.m. from the Village Hall to the Board of County Commissioners meeting. We are asking you to demonstrate your support for the county’s five-year road plan that includes the construction of Roebuck Road. You may contact the village for more information at (561) 790-5100.

Martha Webster, Councilwoman Royal Palm Beach

Kudos For Getting AYSO

In Wellington

The western communities and all of Palm Beach County will benefit from the collaborative efforts of the Village of Wellington, the International Polo Club

Palm Beach, the South Florida Fair & Expo Center, and the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. Their efforts resulted in the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) deciding to hold their 2010 national games in Wellington. The AYSO National Games will involve approximately 3,000 boy and girl soccer players ages eight to 18. Combined with family, officials, vendors and others, the event is expected to attract up to 15,000 persons to the area during the week of June 27 to July 4, 2010. This will provide a much-needed boost to our economy during the slow summer months.

The event is being hosted at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, with additional activities held at village facilities and the South Florida Fairgrounds. The Sports Commission holds a coordinating role on the host organizing committee, and will also be contributing money through a Tourist Development Council grant.

As one who is active in the equestrian community and a member of the Tourist Development Council, it’s great to see the village and these organizations working together to benefit residents of the western communities and the county. Dean Turney, Executive Director Wellington Equestrian Alliance

Let Study Decide

LGWCD’s Fate

I find it quite curious that several residents of Loxahatchee

nearly identical to the current proposal. But instead of going with the 2003 plan, the county tripped over itself in an effort to build the Scripps facility on the property. But by the time Scripps decided on the Abacoa site, the county had already constructed the foundation for the facility. That move cost taxpayers roughly $44 million. The county had already paid $10 million more than the property’s appraisal value. The land purchase costs the county $6.3 million a year in debt-service payments; maintenance costs are estimated at $500,000.

Clearly, something needs to be done to address the loss of revenue, and the latest proposal is a good way to recoup some of that money while developing the property in accordance with the surrounding area. If the county can time the sale of the land to coincide with an upturn in the market — something that probably won’t happen for a few years — then it might be able to avoid financial disaster. Simply leaving the property alone is not an option.

With several large development projects looming in the near future (such as the inland port plan), the Mecca Farms melee should serve as an example for what happens when you put the cart before the horse — something a governing body should never do with taxpayer money.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Groves, including Mrs. [Darlene] Crawford and Ms. [Cindy Lou] Corum, are afraid of an independent study to determine whether it would make economic and governmental sense to initiate a change in the status of the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control district from independent to dependent. We are working hard to get an unbiased outside evaluation. If it does not make good sense, fiscally and governmentally, then nothing changes. Afraid of the study or of the possible result?

Dr. Bill Louda, Councilman Loxahatchee Groves

Where Was The RNC Coverage?

Regarding the report on the Democratic National Convention (“Florida Democratic Leaders: We’ll Bring State Home For Obama,” Sept. 5), I have a few comments and observations. First, the Town-Crier is a local publication; the DNC is a national event, so why is there a story on it? OK, the report was on Florida Democratic politicians at the convention, and I’m sure they’ve spent time in the county and the western communities. So even if it’s a stretch, let’s say it passes the editor’s test for newsworthiness for the western communities. On its own merits as a news piece, it is solid, factual reporting. Good job by the reporter. But here’s where I take issue: at last glance the two-party system was alive and well in America. And in fact, there was a Republican National Convention — even though you wouldn’t

know if from reading the TownCrier. While nearly a full page was used in showcasing the DNC and the Democratic platform the week after the event, there’s not a single word of mention of the RNC in the TownCrier in the edition following that event.

Why is this? Was it an editorial oversight? Perhaps the RNC wasn’t as newsworthy? Or is there (and choose your own label here) a left-leaning, liberal, Democratic bias here? Now that of course is a rhetorical question, but I think you get my point: citizens depend on news outlets like the Town-Crier to be fully informed. It’s a disservice to those citizens — and, frankly, weak journalism — when only one side of a story or issue is presented. Now the Town-Crier says it brings “community information that cannot be found anywhere else in a clear, concise and credible manner.” Credible? How do I look at the next political piece in the Town-Crier and not wonder what I’m not being told?

Dave Neuweiler

Royal Palm Beach

Editor’s note: Mr. Neuweiler’s point is well taken. The background is as follows... Several months ago, a Town-Crier staff member informed us that she had been invited to the DNC in Denver. She was told at the time that we do not consider it particularly newsworthy from a local perspective, however, if she would like to use her vacation time for a trip to Denver, she is more than welcome to do so, but she should not expect the newspaper to cover her expenses.

OPINION

When she returned, she turned in the article in question interviewing Floridians in Denver, and it was published. There was no one from the Town-Crier invited to the RNC in St. Paul. However, we put out word with local Republican officials that we would be interested in publishing a similar article from a local person who attended the RNC. Such an article has not yet arrived, but we understand one is in the works. Anyone else with pictures from or first-person observations of the RNC is invited to send them to news@ gotowncrier.com.

Unger: Palin Not

What She Says History is replete with leaders who happen to be female.

Consider Elizabeth I, Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meir, Benazir Bhutto and Angela Merkel, the current leader of Germany. What I have a problem with is people (men or women) who run for office and overtly lie about their past.

Consider Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin who stated that she sold her governor’s jet on eBay for a

profit. The facts are it didn’t sell on eBay (it sold privately through a broker) and lost hundreds of thousands of dollars! Why lie?

Next, consider her primetime aversion to “pork,” yet her own records show her for the $300 million for the “bridge to nowhere” (for a few dozen Alaskans), and when it became a national laughingstock, she changed her stance. But it still cost $27 million for the road that was built to meet the bridge. She hired a lobbyist who procured 14 pork projects, and it is a fact that Alaska gets about $35 for each citizen for every pork dollar the other states receive. This despite the fact that each Alaskan gets “oil money” ($2,019 each this year) and when low on state funds, Sarah Palin (as governor) taxed oil profits while being against our federal government from initiating windfall profit taxes, as Sen. Barack Obama wants. Last but not least, she supports “abstinence only” — no sex education or prevention methods. Recent history has shown the folly of this, and two perfect examples of this are herSee LETTERS, page 18

SEND IN YOUR LETTERS

The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words). Submit letters, with contact name, address, and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414; fax them to (561) 793-6090 ; or you can e-mail them to letters@goTownCrier.com

County’s Coastal Elite Again Shoots Down Needs Of The West

The coastal elite of Palm Beach County — apparently figuring that the best time to kick a dog is when it’s down — delivered two back-to-back body blows to the western communities just in the past week. And they delivered them with an arrogance comparable to the recent Russian invasion of the tiny nation of Georgia.

In the space of a week, the Palm Beach County Commission voted to effectively “steal” some $20 million from residents of The Acreage, while the coastal establishment, led by the island enclave of Palm Beach and the Palm Beach Post, lined up against the proposed “inland port” that could create the largest industry in the Glades in 100 years or more just as a large sugar firm agreed to bite the dust in favor of Everglades restoration.

The grand theft involves the county commission’s vote to deflect $10 million out of next year’s earmarked money to pay for improvements on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road to the Beeline Highway and turn it over to Palm Tran and Tri Rail in favor of the coastal population. I don’t think a Palm Tran bus or a Tri Rail train has ever been to The Acreage.

To pay for other coastal amenities, the county also plans to eliminate an additional $10 million in other road improvements from its five-year road plan, including the widening of Seminole Pratt Whitney from Orange Blvd. to Seminole Ridge High School and the widening of Northlake Blvd. from Seminole Pratt to the Ibis neighborhood. Indian Trail Improvement District Administrator Chris King noted that nearly 60 percent of all county roads being removed from the five-year plan are in the County Commission’s District 6 in the western communities. County promises made, county promises broken.

The Acreage is an easy target for the county commission, which generally represents (6 to 1) the eastern corridor from Boca Raton to Jupiter, because the area is unincorporated and has little clout to stop the pillage and plunder. Acreage residents generally pay the same taxes as other county residents, but get far less of that money back in services. That’s a fact not lost on ITID board supervisors, led by President Mike Erickson, who delivered a passionate plea for the money at last week’s county commission meeting.

For his part, District 6 County Commissioner Jess Santamaria asked some tough questions about

Point of View...

By Don Brown

how that money is spent and vowed that if the Acreage roads aren’t restored when another vote comes up in November, he might be up for a fight. That might be a good time for ITID to rent a bunch of those Palm Tran buses for residents to join Mr. Santamaria in a showdown at the OK Corral.

Meanwhile, our cousins to the west in South Bay, Belle Glade and Pahokee are getting little more than a cool response to a Port of Palm Beach proposal to build an “inland port” in the Glades to serve as a receiving and distribution center for cargo. The site near Lake Okeechobee and rail lines would enhance the Port of Palm Beach and provide perhaps even more jobs than the 2,000 estimated to be lost when U.S. Sugar property is purchased by the South Florida Water Management District to help in the massive effort to restore the Everglades.

Florida Crystals, the other Big Sugar company, has already offered to sell some of its property for the inland port. That was good news for the long-ignored Glades residents, who have been economically depressed since most current residents moved into Palm Beach County. However, their plea for support has met a cool reception from the east. The Town of Palm Beach has hired an expensive lobbying firm to fight the project in Washington, D.C. and the Palm Beach Post also seems to be throwing cold water on the proposal.

Editorial Page Editor Randy Schultz almost flippantly wrote last Sunday that “busloads of people from the farm towns around Lake Okeechobee showed up at the Palm Beach County Commission chambers.” He opined that “inland port” sounds like “jumbo shrimp” and I, a former resident of the shrimp capital of New Orleans and a connoisseur of jumbo shrimp, didn’t get the metaphor. He said, seemingly sarcastically, that “the people from the buses, many of them AfricanAmerican, talked about how their towns had been

TOWN-CRIER

neglected for decades.” They are right, but the coastal establishment doesn’t want to be bothered by that fact.

“They talked about how the wealthy coast hasn’t done enough for the poor inland towns,” Mr. Schultz wrote. They were right about that, too, largely due to the lack of interest from Mr. Schultz and the Palm Beach Post and the rest of the coast. “They talked about children who couldn’t come back to the Glades from college because there are no jobs,” he said. Does anyone dispute that?

He added insult to injury by saying that “a few representatives from environmental groups warned that rushing on an inland port could upset Everglades restoration, which the $1.75 billion buyout of U.S. Sugar is supposed to help. They might as well have been atheists at a revival.” A revival? A racist metaphor if I ever heard one. How about pleading with the county commission for the same type of fast-track help they gave Scripps?

Sometimes African-Americans show up at the county commission for long-denied help, just like

folks from The Acreage, not for a revival. Sometimes they show up to get the same respect the coast has always had. How many people’s economic survival must be sacrificed for a microscopic fish or a fern? How much social and economic health should we give up to the wealthy lawyers who control the environmental kooks who lack the common sense to put humans into their goofy equations?

“Oh, and did we mention who paid for all those buses?” Mr. Schultz added at the end of his editorial. No, he didn’t, and I didn’t get the question. Did he mean Florida Crystals? Mr. Santamaria perhaps? Both are in full support of the inland port proposal, and I would hope that the next time they want to send folks to a county commission meeting to support the inland port, that they add a lot more (Palm Tran buses would make a good statement) and stop off for more passengers from The Acreage, Royal Palm Beach and Wellington.

Mr. Santamaria did his constituents a great service twice in one week. He stood up for the western communities against the coastal elite.

TSA’s List A Bureaucratic Nightmare

Kip Hawley, the director of the Transportation Security Administration, said he is “perplexed” by the commotion over our nation’s terrorist watch list, which is the domain of TSA. He also claims the TSA list is “not even close” to the one million names that the American Civil Liberties Union asserts is its current makeup. Well, let’s see. According the Inspector General’s Office of the Justice Department, as of April 2007, there were more than 724,000 records. And the number of records was growing at 20,000 per month. Our bureaucratic friend Hawley said in a recent interview, “this list has no more than 50,000 names.” As an aside, the Justice Department

Footloose and...

By Jules W. Rabin

also found that the terrorist screening center “has not done enough to ensure the database was complete and accurate.” There are actually two lists — one for known terrorist-connected individuals (the “no fly” list) and a second for broader “selectees.” The latter causes the most problems because an endless array of common names pop up on it and force these people who are seeking to fly to get checked out at airline ticket counters...

from airline lists not nearly as comprehensive as the government’s.

The already beleaguered airlines want nothing more than to have TSA take over the responsibility for vetting passenger names against government watch lists. They have been assured for over four years that TSA would do so. Of course, as a typical Washington bureaucrat, Hawley talked the talk but did not have his agency walk the walk.

A bevy of Congressional stalwarts have also raised privacy issues about the lists. And as Kip Hawley’s three-year term winds down, there are not too many unhappy members of Congress.

County Amendment Would Give Municipalities More Control

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

Palm Beach County Director of Legislative Affairs Todd Bonlarron explained proposed state constitutional amendments and a county charter amendment that will appear on the November ballot at a community forum hosted by County Commissioner Jess Santamaria on Wednesday at the original Wellington Mall.

Bonlarron said county voters will have the opportunity to vote on an amendment that would shield municipalities from adhering to successful future county charter amendments if a majority of voters in that municipality do not vote in favor of them.

The county commission put the amendment on the ballot at the request of the Palm Beach County League of Cities. Bonlarron said the amendment has both good and bad aspects.

Bonlarron said that currently only four provisions in the coun-

ty charter are effective countywide: traffic performance standards, well water protection, countywide impact fees and annexation in the western communities.

But Bonlarron posed the example of a voter-approved referendum on uniform police or fire standards for the entire county.

“If a question like that was presented to the voters and the voters voted to put that in the charter, but it didn’t pass in Wellington and it didn’t pass in West Palm Beach, but it passed by 55 percent everywhere else in the county, then that amendment would go into effect everywhere except in Wellington and except in West Palm Beach,” he said.

Bonlarron said municipalities often don’t want the county dictating their standards.

“It’s a very good argument because we make the same argument from the county to the State of Florida: don’t tell us what to do, don’t stick unfund-

ed mandates on us. On the other hand, there are some very tricky and difficult issues that we deal with from time to time and there might be a time that we believe that there should be a uniform standard everywhere, regardless if a city says no.”

Bonlarron offered another example of a uniform development standard municipalities could use to protect themselves from objectionable development by a neighbor on its border.

“If there was a provision in the charter related to that type of development that didn’t apply to that city, we couldn’t do anything about it, and we couldn’t provide a remedy to those surrounding cities,” Bonlarron said. “It’s a very interesting issue. It has two very good sides to it, but again, I think you need to think about whether you want cities to be completely in control of their own destiny or if there are certain times that maybe there should be a higher authority or higher control.”

The proposed amendment stems directly from the 2004 vote that enacted countywide rules regarding western annexation. It was strongly opposed by Wellington but narrowly passed countywide.

Royal Palm Beach Councilwoman Martha Webster spoke in favor of the current amendment. “You can imagine where the municipalities stand on this,” she said. “It gives us the opportunity to maintain the uniqueness of our community.”

The amendment has been endorsed by all 38 municipalities in the county and will not affect people living in unincorporated areas, Webster said.

Bonlarron also went over the proposed state constitutional amendments:

• Amendment 1 would delete constitutional provisions allowing the legislature to regulate or prohibit the ownership, inheritance, disposition and possession of real property by aliens ineligible for citizenship. Florida is one of only two states that still have this type of statute in its constitution, Bonlarron said.

• Amendment 2 defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman. A Florida statute now prohibits marriage other than between a man and a

woman. This ballot initiative was proposed by a citizen’s group in the event that the existing statute might be declared unconstitutional, Bonlarron said.

• Amendment 3 allows the legislature to prohibit the consideration of wind-damage resistant improvements and installation of renewable energy source devices in determining the assessed value of residential property.

• Amendment 4 would provide an ad valorem tax exemption for property permanently dedicated for conservation. If the amendment passes, conservation land would be assessed on the basis of the character of its use rather than the “highest and best use.”

• Amendment 5, which would have eliminated school property tax and replaced it with an increased sales tax and other state revenues, was removed from the ballot by the Florida Supreme Court.

• Amendment 6 provides for the assessment of certain working waterfront properties based on current use instead of “highest and best use.” The proposed amendment came about after many marina owners could no longer afford to pay their property tax following construction of high rise buildings next to them, which caused the marina’s

taxes also to go up, Bonlarron said. Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors President Mike Erickson, who owns a marine canvas company, said he has seen about half the local marina owners he has dealt with forced out of business in recent years.

• Amendment 7, regarding religious freedom issues, was removed from the ballot by the Florida Supreme Court.

• Amendment 8 would create a local option sales tax to supplement funding for community colleges. If the amendment is approved, each county would need to approve the tax by referendum.

• Amendment 9, regarding school funding and school vouchers, was removed from the ballot by the Florida Supreme Court.

State constitutional amendments require 60 percent approval to pass.

Other items discussed at the meeting included the recent recount of August votes in a circuit court judge race.

Santamaria, a member of the county’s election canvassing board, said Assistant County Administrator Brad Merriman was enlisted by the Board of County Commissioners to oversee the problems stemming from the August vote.

The recount was spawned by

a close contest for one of the circuit court races between Judge Richard Wennet and challenger William Abramson and a recount revealed about 3,500 missing ballots. This led the state to refuse certifying the election, Santamaria said.

Merriman said he felt with new optical scanners, the issue was more likely to be inaccurate counting rather than physically missing ballots, so he enlisted the help of Palm Beach County Department of Airports Fiscal Director Mike Simmons to help sift through the ballots, along with other accountants and about 20 county employees. As of 1 p.m. Wednesday, the counters had taken the number of unaccounted ballots down to 11, Merriman said. On Friday, they planned to do another machine count, and on Saturday they would do a hand count, Merriman said.

Merriman said the exercise is important as a trial run of a new system with a much smaller count, about 102,000 ballots, than the 600,000 or 700,000 votes anticipated in the November election. “The paper ballot system has a lot of frailties and needs a lot of controls,” he said. Merriman recommended voters take advantage of absentee voting and early voting to ease the pressure on the voting precincts in November.

MID-COUNTY DEMS MEET IN RPB

Palm Beach County Director of Legislative Affairs Todd Bonlarron speaks as County Commissioner Jess Santamaria looks on at Wednesday’s community forum.

Attempted Car Theft Turns Into Shootout In RPB

By Jason Budjinski Town-Crier Staff Report

SEPT. 17 — A La Mancha resident called the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office substation in Royal Palm Beach early Wednesday morning regarding a shooting. According to a PBSO report, a neighbor who lives three houses away from the victim said he observed three black males in the victim’s driveway at approximately 1:10 a.m. The witness reported that he then went back into his house to call the victim and to get his firearm. When the witness arrived at the scene, the victim was outside yelling at the suspects, who had pushed his 1994 Dodge Ram 2500 into the roadway and were attempting to start it. According to the witness and the victim, the suspects ran northbound on La Mancha Avenue, and one of the suspects fired two or three shots at them with a handgun. The PBSO K-9 unit and helicopter were dispatched to the area, but the suspects were not found. One of the bullets was found lodged in a lawn trailer that was attached to the vehicle. The bullet and four DNA swabs were recovered as evidence.

• •

•

SEPT. 12 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach was dispatched to the Midwestern Communities Service Center last Friday in response to a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 2 and 2:30 p.m. someone smashed the passenger-side window of the victim’s vehicle and removed a briefcase and teal purse. Inside the briefcase were a Florida notary stamp, personal paperwork and a Canon digital camera. The purse and briefcase were in plain view on the seat. There were no suspects at the time of the report, and no latent prints were obtained.

SEPT. 12 — A resident of Finch Court called the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach last Friday morning regarding a home burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 1:30 p.m. Aug. 1 and 10:30 a.m. last Friday, someone stole a ring from a jewelry box that was stored in the master bedroom. The ring was valued at approximately $1,200. There were no suspects.

SEPT. 14 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded last Sunday to the Victoria’s Secret store in the Mall at Wellington Green regarding a grand theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8:30 and 8:45 p.m. last Friday two heavyset black females entered the store and took $2,093.50 worth of perfume from a display table and left the store without paying for the merchandise. Mall security checked for video footage of the suspects but found none.

SEPT. 14 — A Royal Palm Beach woman was arrested last Sunday after being caught shoplifting at the Macy’s store in the Mall at Wellington Green. According to a PBSO report, a store employee observed 18-year-old Geraldine Llamosas select a black Apple Bottoms jacket from the juniors department and

enter a fitting room. The employee further observed Llamosas conceal the jacket in her handbag and exit the store without paying for the item, which was valued at $74. Llamosas was apprehended, and the merchandise was returned.

SEPT. 15 — A resident of Via Elegante called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Monday regarding a stolen vehicle. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 11 p.m. last Sunday and 11 a.m. the following morning, the victim’s 2002 Ford XLT was stolen from his driveway. There was no broken glass at the scene.

SEPT. 15 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Royal Palm Beach responded Monday to the intersection of Southern Blvd. and Fairgrounds Road in reference to a naked man laying by the side of the road. According to a PBSO report, the deputy arrived at approximately 6:30 p.m. to find 50-year-old Carl McMellon of West Palm Beach sleeping by the side of the road with a pair of shorts and boxers lying approximately five feet from him. Several cars had stopped to see what was going on, backing up traffic while people took pictures of McMellon with their camera phones, according to the report. The deputy awoke McMellon and noticed that he smelled of alcohol. After forcing McMellon to put his shorts on, the deputy arrested him and transported him to the Palm Beach County Jail.

SEPT. 15 — A South Bay woman and a juvenile were arrested Monday after being caught shoplifting at the WalMart Supercenter in Royal Palm Beach. According to a PBSO report, a store employee observed 23-year-old Joquanda Miller and the juvenile enter the clothing department, select several clothing items, conceal them inside Wal-Mart bags and attempt to exit the store without paying for the merchandise. They were apprehended at the exit, and the items were recovered. The total amount of stolen merchandise was valued at $302.72.

SEPT. 16 — A resident of Binks Estates called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Tuesday regarding a grand theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between midnight and 4 a.m. Monday, someone cut the metal lock box on the side of the community’s main gate, removing a $2,000 DVR recorder that was located inside the box. There were no witnesses. The case is inactive pending further investigative leads.

SEPT. 16 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington responded Tuesday to a residence on Amesbury Circle regarding a vandalism incident. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 2:30 and 3 p.m. someone smashed the rear side window of the victim’s 2001 Ford Expedition, which was parked in the driveway. Nothing was taken from inside the vehicle. No evidence or witnesses were uncovered during a canvas of the area.

SEPT. 17 — A resident of See BLOTTER, page 18

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • Yunior Casanova, a.k.a. Yunior Caedena, Yunior Cardenas or Adrian Cabrera, is a white male, 5’7” tall and weighing 180 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 11/12/ 79. Casanova is wanted for violation of probation on a conviction for grand theft over $20,000. His occupation is carpenter. His last known address was Barbridge Road in West Palm Beach. Casanova is wanted as of 09/18/08.

• Cesar Madrid is a white male, 6’ tall and weighing 155 lbs., with black hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 04/ 23/67. Madrid is wanted for failure to appear in court on the felony charge of neglect of a child causing great bodily harm. His occupation is unknown. His last known address was 23rd Court North in Loxahatchee. Madrid is wanted as of 09/18/08. Remain anonymous and you may be eligible for up to a $1,000 reward. Call Crime Stoppers at (800) 458-TIPS (8477) or visit www.crimestopperspbc. com.

Yunior Casanova

Cesar Madrid

DOGS AND CATS FIND HOMES DURING PETSMART’S FALL ADOPTION EVENT

The PetSmart store in Royal Palm Beach joined locations nationwide for its fall adoption event Friday through Saturday, Sept. 12-14. The goal was to bring awareness to the thousands of homeless dogs and cats that need loving homes. Local agencies the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, A Second Chance Puppies and Kittens Rescue and Luv a Pet were on hand with homeless dogs, cats, puppies and kittens to try to find them permanent homes. PetSmart is located at 531 N. State Road 7. For more info., call (561) 793-2858 or visit www.petsmart.com. PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

John Lineweaver finds a new friend for Lacey (right).

Cristy Sittler and Kevin McLellan with Rosie, adopted from A Second Chance.

Jaye Rodrigues with Callie, a calico kitten Rodrigues has been fostering.

Marilyn Maier of Luv a Pet with kitten Popcorn, who needs a home.

Joel Burrus adopts Hootchie (right) as a friend for his dog Duncan (left).

Cameron Adler with Bugsy, who is looking for a home.

PALMS WEST HOSPITAL CELEBRATES WORLD CULTURES AT DIVERSITY FAIR

Palms West Hospital celebrated the richness of staff diversity by holding a Multicultural Diversity Fair for employees in August. The event, which was organized by the hospital’s Multicultural Diversity Committee, showcased more than 15 different cultures, religions and backgrounds. Each display was organized and designed by employees of that culture and included items such as traditional dress, food, art, music, artifacts, literature and more. All employees who attended had a terrific time learning about different cultures and can’t wait to hold the fair again next year.

Reva Henry-Williams represents Jamaica.

Jose Cuberge and Nilsa Colon honor Puerto Rico.

Marie Previlus, Eleonore Millien, Josie Celestine and Karly Corneille represent Haitian culture.

Multicultural Diversity Committee members (L-R) John Ocheltree, Suni Pimsanit, Jackie Wilson-Thomas, Kathleen Smith, Rita Jeroloman, Lisa Gardi and Nilsa Colon.

Conrad Kieliszek, Margo Tomasik, Dr. Andrezej Kuchciak and Maggie Kieliszek represent Poland.

The Phillipines were well represented.

Village Officials To Address Wellington Chamber On Sept. 24

Representatives from the Village of Wellington will present the village’s “Economic Development Initiative 2008” at a Wellington Chamber of Commerce luncheon sponsored by Equestrian Sport Productions (ESP) on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at noon at the Binks Forest Golf Club. Speaking on behalf of the Village of Wellington will be Director of Administrative & Financial Services Francine Ramaglia and Deputy Director of Operations Jim Barnes. The Economic Development Initiative 2008 presentation will include strategic plan initiatives, “Vision 2022,” challenges, approaches and action plans to achieve the initiative.

“I commend the village for this effort to make Wellington a

completely sustainable community and one that will become the model for communities nationwide,” said Mike Nelson, president of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce.

ESP is a wholly owned subsidiary of Wellington Equestrian Partners. WEP created ESP to bring together the best and most experienced individuals in managing horse shows, producing spectacular equestrian events and providing the highest levels of facilities and services to fulfill WEP’s goal of building in Wellington the top equestrian showcase in the world at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center. The WEP partnership includes some of America’s most prominent equestrian families. Founding partners are Mark

and Katherine Bellissimo, Dennis and Marsha Dammerman, and Roger and Jennifer Smith. In late 2007, the partnership was expanded to include: Dave Burton Sr., Ginny Burton, Dave Burton Jr., Julie Burton, Craig and Frances Lindner, Andy and Carlene Ziegler, Tim and Nancy Hooker, Charles and Candace Phillips, Stuart and Susan Goldstein, Bruce Duchossois, Bill and Kelley Farish, Caroline Moran, Frederic and Kimberly Boyer and Lee Kellogg. The investments made by the partners will preserve the legacy of the facilities they have supported for many years and continue the traditions they helped to establish.

“The Wellington Chamber is

honored to have Equestrian Sport Productions, Ms. Ramaglia and Mr. Barnes presenting at this informative event,” Wellington Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michela Perillo-Green said. “The strong leadership roles of these individuals and their respective organizations are essential and crucial to the growth and success of Wellington, and we could not be more pleased than offer to our members the opportunity to hear from them.”

The Binks Forest Golf Club is located at 400 Binks Forest Drive. Admission to the luncheon is $15 for chamber members in advance, $20 for members at the door and $25 for nonmembers. To RSVP, or for more information, call (561) 7926525.

VETERANS HOST SPECIAL EVENT IN LAKE WORTH TO COMMEMORATE 9/11

A special ceremony took place last Thursday at the South Florida VA National Cemetery in memory of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. In attendance were veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars, American Legion posts, and other agencies. The opening prayer was given by Rev. Mitchell of the Stand Down House in Lake Worth, followed by the singing of the national anthem by Lou Galterio. Speakers included Wellington American Legion Post #390 District Commander David Knapp, Brett Brown of the Sons of the American Revolution, Dan Liftman of Congressman Alcee Hastings’ office, Nancy Germansky of Congressman Ron Klein’s office and others. The South Florida VA National Cemetery is located at 6501 S. State Road 7 in suburban Lake Worth. PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Economic Initiative — Wellington Director of Administrative & Financial Services Director Francine Ramaglia and Deputy Director of Operations Jim Barnes will speak at the luncheon.

Lou Galterio sings the national anthem.

David Knapp says a few words to the veterans.

Dan Liftman of Congressman Alcee Hastings’ office An American Legion honor guard posts the colors.

Golf Tournament Committee

J.R. Reed, Gary Thomas, Binks Forest Golf Club General Manager Richard Mogensen, Wheeler Stewart and Tim Haines.

Boys & Girls Club Golf Classic Nov. 8 At Binks Forest

The 27th Annual Wellington Boys & Girls Club Golf Classic, presented by Builtx Land Development, will take place Saturday, Nov. 8 at the Binks Forest Golf Club in Wellington.

This event is the longest-running golf tournament for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. Proceeds from the tournament will go directly to helping provide programming for the more than 750 children served at the Boys & Girls Club of Wellington as well as the 1,600 children served at the Boys & Girls clubs of the Glades area. This is the first year that the Glades-area clubs are involved in the tournament.

Also celebrating 27 years are returning tournament co-chairs Ed Portman and Dennis Witkowski, who have been organizing the event since its inception.

Joining Portman and Witkowski as tournament committee members are Pat Evans, “J.R.” Reid, Gary Thomas and Steve Weeks.

The committee invites golfers to join them at 7 a.m. for registration, breakfast provided by Panera Bread and a putting contest; the shotgun start will take place at 8:30 a.m.

Immediately following the tournament will be an awards ceremony, silent auction and a

fantastic buffet luncheon. Entry fees are $150 per golfer until Oct. 17, when the price will increase to $175 per golfer. Sponsorship opportunities for the tournament are still available. The tournament committee is excited about the milestones they have reached and look forward to this year being their most successful ever.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Wellington and the Glades area are safe, supervised facilities for area children ages six to 18. The clubs are open after school, during the summer and on most school holidays. The clubs’ activities promote health, educational, social, vocational, leadership and character development.

Plans are currently underway for a new 21,000-square-foot state-of-the art facility in Wellington to replace the existing building. This new facility will include a learning center, computer lab, arts and crafts center, game room, teen center, kitchen and gymnasium.

The Binks Forest Golf Club is located at 400 Binks Forest Drive. For more information on this year’s tournament and on the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County, call the Special Events Department at (561) 683-3287 or visit www. bgcpbc.org.

Wellington Seeks Submissions For Veterans List

The Village of Wellington will be honoring all veterans at the Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11. The Veterans Day Parade will begin at 8:45

a.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12165 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) and end at the Veterans Memorial, located on the corner of Forest Hill and South Shore boulevards. The Veterans Day Ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. If you would like to honor a veteran by having his or her name and service branch listed in the Veterans Day program,

added to the pre-recorded roll call and listed on Channel 18, call (561) 791-4733 during business hours or e-mail nicolee @ci.wellington.fl.us. To ensure the veterans’ names are included in the prerecorded roll call, they must be submitted by no later than Oct. 24. If you are an active or retired veteran attending the ceremony, an opportunity to register at the Village of Wellington tent the morning of the event will be extended along with recognition during the ceremony.

Criminal Justice Academy Starts Sept. 25 In WPB

The Palm Beach County Criminal Justice Commission (CJC) is pleased to announces the 21st Annual Citizen’s Criminal Justice Academy. The academy is a free six-week course, held each Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. The class will be held from Sept. 25 through Oct. 30. The academy was created by the CJC to educate Palm Beach County citizens, businesses, government leaders and other interested parties about the criminal justice system and to introduce residents to local criminal justice professionals. The course will cover all aspects of the criminal justice system and provide a general knowledge of the system from local criminal justice professionals.

The six-week course will be held at the West Palm Beach Police Department, located at 600 Banyan Avenue in West Palm Beach. There will be a special welcome during the first session from West Palm Beach Mayor Lois Frankel, Palm Beach County Commission Chair Addie Greene and West

Palm Beach Police Chief Delsa Bush. The event will be held in conjunction with the Youth Criminal Justice Academy, which also kicks off on Sept. 25. There will also be numerous tours at criminal justice locations in the county, including the Main Detention Center. In addition, there will be presentations from the PBSO Mounted Unit, PBSO Helicopter Unit, Medical Examiner’s Office, a crime scene investigator and other criminal justice officials. The academy is limited to the first 50 persons who register before Sept. 23. Interested parties can register in person at the Criminal Justice Commission, tenth floor of the Governmental Center, 301 N. Olive Avenue in downtown West Palm Beach, or by faxing the application to (561) 355-4941. The registration form is also available at www.pbcgov.com/ criminaljustice/currentevents/ academy.htm. For more information, call Glenna Nowalk at (561) 3554943 or e-mail gnowalk@ pbcgov.com.

Send news items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. Fax: (561) 793-6090. E-mail: news@goTownCrier.com.

— (L-R) Steve Weeks, Greg Schroeder, Ed Portman, Pat Evans,

WHS Student Tops Photo Camp Contest

While most teenagers spend their days attached to cell phones, 16-year-old Marlee Brannock keeps a different digital gadget close at hand.

“I take my camera everywhere, and whenever I see something cool I take a picture,” Brannock said. “It’s basically what I am known for.”

The Wellington High School sophomore is also known for her skill and passion for photography, which helped earn Brannock a first-place award as part of the Palm Beach Photographic Centre’s FOTOcamp 2008 in Delray Beach. Brannock’s winning images and other photographs taken during the camp will be on display as an exhibit at the Photographic Centre through Nov. 15, running concurrently with “Packaging the Music,” images of celebrity musicians taken by Photographic Centre Board Member Harrison Funk.

It was Brannock’s second summer at FOTOcamp, which offers two-week sessions for students interested in learning everything from the basics of picture-taking to advanced skills such as image adjustment and other computer-related techniques. Campers ages 10 through 17 are grouped by their

level of experience and issued a Canon digital SLR camera, which they use to hone their skills shooting pictures on field trips and learning to download and manipulate images in the computer lab. FOTOcamp consists of three two-week sessions, after which campers’ images are displayed at the center’s Community Exhibition Gallery. Brannock brought a friend to camp this year and said she hopes to return for a third year next summer. Brannock’s winning group of photos featured a dramatically lit shot of a girl sitting in a corner with her head in her hands. “The light was shining in a really cool way and it caught my eye,” Brannock said. “I told her to put her hands on her face — I wanted it to be more mysterious.”

That doesn’t surprise Brannock’s mother Margaret, who said her daughter has always been drawn to music, drama and the arts. Marlee photographs local bands and birthday parties and is creating a work of art on her bedroom wall made up of Polaroid shots she takes of everyone who visits their Wellington home.

For more information, visit www.workshop.org/fotocamp. html or call (561) 276-9797.

FOTOcamp 2008 contest.

RPB Child Among Easter Seals Grads

Twenty preschool-aged children dressed in red caps and gowns received their diplomas at Easter Seals Igoe-Amar Child Development Center’s recent graduation. The children with special needs and disabilities celebrated the milestone with friends, family, board members and supporters.

“Pomp and Circumstance” played in the background as the graduates made their way to the stage on foot, walker or wheelchair to receive their diploma. Parents, family and friends all gathered to cheer on their little ones, take photos and even shed some tears.

“Each child has an inspiring story of the accomplishments they have made while at Easter Seals,” said Rhonda Clinton, executive director of Easter Seals Florida’s Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie region.

“We have to thank the teachers, therapists and staff who have worked with these children every step of the way. We are all a little sad to let them go, but very happy for them to continue to make great strides in their lives.”

Easter Seals Igoe-Amar Child Development Center is the area’s only full-time center for children of all abilities. Easter Seals helps children with disabling conditions due to birth, disease, accident or injury through pediatric speech, physical, occupational and behavioral therapies in a preschool setting to help prepare children for success in school while allowing parents to continue their careers or education.

For more information on Easter Seals’ programming or funding opportunities, call the center at (561) 471-1688 or visit www.fl.easterseals.com.

Graduate — (Above) Easter

Glade View Elementary Assistant Principal Monroe Shannon and Royal Palm Beach Costco Marketing Manager Lyndia Matthews with some students who received backpacks.

RPB Costco Distributes Backpacks To Schools

The Costco Wholesale store in Royal Palm Beach delivered 700 backpacks filled with school supplies to area elementary schools.

Costco Marketing Manager Lyndia Matthews met with Monroe Shannon, assistant principal of Glade View Elementary School in Belle Glade, to pass out 200 backpacks on Aug. 21. The school staff will distribute the backpacks to their students as needed.

Shannon expressed his appreciation on behalf of the students

who will receive backpacks.

“Every child likes to be prepared for school; they don’t like to have to ask for supplies they don’t have,” Shannon said. Matthews said the backpack distribution is one way Costco gives back to the community it does business with.

“It’s gratifying to see the children’s faces light up,” Matthews said. “Knowing we [Costco] can contribute to their education and take pride when they come to school is a complete pleasure.”

New

Seals Idoe-Amar Child Development Center graduate Brenton Hallenbeck, of Royal Palm Beach, 3, celebrates with his family. (Right) Brenton proudly walks with therapist Sarah Stein to get his diploma.

A Photo Finish — Wellington High School sophomore Marlee Brannock’s winning entry in the Palm Beach Photographic Centre’s

New Area Children Of The American Revolution Chapter Forms

The newest society of the Children of the American Revolution, Chief Tiger Tail Society of Greenacres, held their organizational meeting on Sept. 14 at 1 p.m. at the Lantana Recreation Center.

Several community leaders from the City of Greenacres and the Town of Lantana, as well as leaders from local Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution societies brought greetings.

CAR State Senior President Billie Brock welcomed the new society and accepted a donation of postcards dating to circa 1900 on behalf of the state president’s project.

A gavel was donated to the society on behalf of the Regent’s Council of the Palm Beaches. The president’s pin was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Shukis.

The society was named for the great Miccosukee Seminole Chief Thlocklo Tustunugee, known as Chief Tommy Tiger Tail. Chief Tiger Tail fought in the first Seminole Indian War, and his grandson, also named Tommy Tiger Tail, fought in the second Seminole Indian War beside the great Osceola and Billy Bowlegs. Both Tiger Tail men were great and noble fighters. The Children of the American Revolution is a heredity-based society. Applicants from birth to age 22 are eligible to join when a direct family relationship to a person who aided in the fight for American independence is proven.

Organizing President Kaitlyn Mouring of Greenacres has served the Children of the American Revolution state and local societies since she was nine. She is currently serving as the state recording secretary. Kaitlyn has held the position of state registrar as well as many chairmanships at the local and state level. An eighth grader at L.C. Swain Middle School, Kaitlyn is the student council treasurer, a member of National Junior Honor Society and a cadet in the Girl Scouts. Kaitlyn has already represented Chief Tiger Tail at the Regional Southeast Division Conference in July and at the state packet party in August.

The new society will be headed by Senior Organizing President Annelies Mouring, regent of Spirit of Liberty Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Wellington. She serves as the National Daughters of the American Revolution Southeast Division junior membership chair, VIS chair of the state DAR, president of the Regents’ Council of the Palm Beaches and is a local attorney. Annelies also serves on the board of directors as secretary for both Forgotten Soldiers Outreach and the JFK Medical Center Charter School. Talia Fradkin, vice president of the Chief Tiger Tail Chapter of the Children of the American Revolution, 10, is a fifth grader at Binks Forest Elementary School. She is a past winner of her school’s book fair art contests and has twice received math awards. At age six, she won second place in the public television-sponsored Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest for her story “The Magic of Friendship.”

This year Talia won first place at the national level in the DAR Junior American Citizenship Award for her poem “Fort Mose’s Modern Heroine.” Talia’s patriot is Samuel Pettit from Long Island, New York.

Senior Vice President Susan Fradkin is an attorney and teacher. She graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic College and the University of Florida College of Law. Susan serves as historian for the Spirit of Liberty Chapter of the DAR and as senior board member of the Chief Tiger Tail Chapter of the Children of the American Revolution. She is actively involved in the community and currently volunteers at Binks Forest Elementary School, where she donated over 700 hours last year. Her favorite volunteer activity is creating the large-than-life-size artwork that lines the hallways for the twice-a-year book fairs. Susan’s patriot is also Samuel Pettit of Long Island, New York.

Organizing Chaplain Victoria Kelley of Greenacres can trace her family to two signers of the Declaration of Independence. She is in the sixth grade at L.C.

Swain. In addition to the CAR, she has been in Girl Scouts since she was a Daisy. Her siblings Sean and Alexandra Hendrickson will also serve as local chapter committee chairs.

Samantha Mouring of Greenacres is a sixth grader at Polo Park Middle School and a thirdyear Girl Scout. Samantha will serve as the registrar. Ariana Mouring, a fourth grader at JFK Medical Center Charter School, and Robert Mouring will serve

as treasurer and senior treasurer respectively. Samantha and Ariana each serve as state CAR chairs.

Organizing Librarian Courtney Carhart has been a member for eight years. Courtney serves as the state CAR chorus chair. She attends Crestwood Middle School. This past summer she played softball at Wide World of Sports at Disney with her local softball team, the Royal Palm Beach Panthers. Her mother

Julie Carhart will serve as senior librarian.

Kristin McKenna, who has been a member of the CAR for eight years, will serve as historian, and her mother Amy will serve as senior historian.

Vice Regent Virginia Davis is an organizing member of DAR’s Spirit of Liberty Chapter. A registered nurse, she will serve as the senior society registrar. The society intends to meet

the third Sunday of each month and have planned several events including parades, museums trips and other exciting local and historical venues. The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 19, when the children will visit the

Science

For more information on membership in the Children of the American Revolution, call Annelies Mouring at (561) 9636254.

South Florida

Museum.

The officers of the new chapter are installed.

Billie Brock and Kaitlyn and Annelies Mouring accept a gift for the Florida Historical Museum.

Chief Tiger Tail Society of Greenacres officers (front row, L-R) Ariana Mouring and Samantha Mouring; (middle row) Talia Fradkin, Courtney Carhart and Kristen McKenna; (back row) Kaitlyn Mouring, Victoria Kelley and Faith Russell.

Flag bearers Faith Russell, Courtney Carhart and Talia Fradkin.

In the continuing effort to make Panther Run Elementary School a “green” school and to help the environment, another Bike and Walk to School Day was held Friday, Sept. 12. (Clockwise from left) Panther Run teacher Susan Bryant, who implemented the recycling and bike-and-walk programs with Julieta Buzek (not pictured); students Julianne Dragunat, Nya Jones and Briana Mourad; Principal P.J. D’Aoust helps put bikes in racks; Nya Jones and her dad Ollie with friend Julianne Dragunat; and student Hannah Cooper.

Parents Go ‘Back To School’ At Poinciana

On Thursday, Sept. 11, the school bell rang for parents at Poinciana Day School. The event was Curriculum Night, which offered parents a chance to walk a day in their students’ shoes.

Parents met their students’ teachers and learned more about the expectations for the coming year. Parents attended all their children’s classes, took tests, wrote letters and participated in class assignments.

Middle school parents also discussed overnight class trips as well as started looking forward to prepare for high school. Parents had the opportunity to view their students’ work, textbooks and displays that the students had prepared for them. When the students returned the following day, they had an opportunity to check their parents’ work from the previous night.

In order for a child to flourish at school, it is important to maintain an open and active communication line between home and school throughout the year. Curriculum Night is one type of communication opportunity available at Poinciana Day School.

“At Poinciana Day School, we feel that good communication between school and home is essential to insure that students are guided in the best pathway to help achieve their full potential,” Head of School Ms. Nixie Swift said. “We help students grow academically as well as develop strong citizenship and leadership skills so that they are prepared for the future creative and innovative demands of their 21st-century global neighborhood.”

Located at 1340 Kenwood Road in West Palm Beach,

Students For A Day — Parents watch a video presentation of their children in Spanish class. (L-R) Michelle Scott of West Palm Beach, Fran Gervolino of Lake Worth, Spanish teacher Jael Nolan of Royal Palm Beach, Angel Foster of Singer Island, Kevin Thomas of Greenacres, and teacher Julie Dean.

Poinciana Day School is a small independent private school for students in kindergarten through eighth grade where “every student is an

Elbridge Gale Earns Grant From Target

Elbridge Gale Elementary School in Wellington recently announced a partnership with Target in recognition of the school’s efforts in promoting early literacy through family involvement. With the $3,000 grant, reading materials will be purchased for kindergarten and first-grade students to practice at home.

“We are thrilled to be selected by Target for this grant and are overwhelmed by their generosity,” K-5 Literacy Coach Jennifer Jones said. “This initiative will benefit our most strug-

gling readers in kindergarten and first grades. The extra practice the children will get reading ‘just right’ books with their families will impact their reading development and promote long-term success in school.” The grant is part of ongoing efforts by Target to strengthen families and communities throughout the country.

Since opening its doors, Target has given five percent of its income to organizations that support education, the arts, social services and volunteerism.

Binks Forest Student Shares Locks Of Love

Crestwood Middle School NJHS News

The Crestwood Middle School National Junior Honor Society has kicked off the new school year with brainstorming projects planned. NJHS members are all energized and ready to go with the haunted house at the math department’s annual Halloween dance on Friday, Oct. 24.

honored student.”

For more information about Poinciana Day School, call (561) 655-7323 or visit www. poincianadayschool.org.

Any parent volunteers are welcome in building the haunted house that week of the dance. The Crestwood family has

also practiced our right to vote with elections for Executive Officers. The NJHS would like to congratulate its co-presidents Katie Sadlo and Rachel Trimble, Vice President Braden Hartigan, Secretary Cynthia Lopez, Treasurer Amanda Worbel, Historian Sarah Fries as well as Allison Fandry of the Infinity Team, Brianna Messineo of the Panther Team, Kailey LaCroix of the Grizzly Team and Rigel Dinglasan of the Tiger Team.

Ashley Planco

CHRISTIAN HOMESCHOOL SUPPORT BEGINS SCHOOL YEAR IN THE ACREAGE

CHS Vice President Rose Rodriguez, President Cathy Hamilton, Treasurer Jennifer Lane and Activities Coordinator Caroline Ragan.

Caroline Ragan briefs the Crouch family (L-R) Sarah, mom Belkys, Mark and Christina.

Second grader Rachel Ragan

Fifth grader Zach Rogers plays a game of checkers.

Kindergartener Ansley Hedegard gets a helping hand from third-grader Emily Hamilton.

Kim Smelt completes an application on behalf of her mother-in-law.

Fifth grader Raina Rodriguez

Cathy Hamilton welcomes the Powell family.

Ana Barrett and Dawn DiBari sign up for activities.

Second grader Melina Willson and fifth grader Rebecca Ragan help themselves to snacks.

Imaging Center Offers Discounts During October

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Comprehensive Women’s Imaging Center at Wellington Regional Medical Center will offer special rates on digital mammography and bone densitometry during the month of October. For some women, digital mammography may be a more effective way to diagnose breast cancer. With digital mammography, X-rays create a detailed image of the breast. An electronic detector captures the image, which is converted to a picture. The radiologist is able to digitally manipulate the magnification, brightness, contrast and orientation of the image, which can improve early detection and eliminate the need for repeat visits for additional imaging.

The center is pleased to announce that it now provides the MammoPad by Hologic to minimize any discomfort a woman might experience during a mammogram. The MammoPad is a soft foam cushion that is placed on the surface of the image detector to provide a softer, more comfortable mammogram. This helps a women relax and tolerate greater compression, which enables the technologist to get the best possible image. What sets apart the Comprehensive Women’s Imaging Center at Wellington from other diagnostic centers is the scope of

diagnostic services available. Board-certified radiologists, all with extensive experience in women’s imaging, use highquality breast ultrasound or breast MRI to complement digital mammography in detecting early breast cancer. Should an abnormality be identified, additional diagnostics will be completed at the center; there is no need to go elsewhere. Additional diagnostic services include image-guided breast biopsy — either by stereotactic, ultrasound or MRI, pre-operative needle localization, sentinel node mapping and galactography.

In addition, from the time an abnormality is detected, the center will provide the services of a patient care navigator who will help provide education and support. The Comprehensive Women’s Imaging Center also offers bone densitometry and women’s ultrasound for obstetric, gynecologic and urologic problems, as well as a fibroid treatment program. Special rates for October are: digital screening mammogram, $75; digital diagnostic mammogram, $100; and bone densitometry, $100. Call (561) 798-8513 for more information or to make an appointment. Bring this article to your appointment to receive the special discounted rates.

Wellington Women’s Club To Meet Oct. 2

The Wellington Women’s Club will meet on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Binks Forest Golf Club. In addition to a buffet dinner, guest speaker Deputy Michael Leatherman of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office will discuss safety techniques, crime prevention, travel safety and how to make Wellington a more secure place to live. Guest fees are $30. To

make a reservation, call Allyson Samiljan at (561) 798-6741. You can “shop ’til you drop” at the Nov. 6 meeting, where there will be vendors for all your holiday shopping needs, including Tastefully Simple products, jewelry, stationery, candles and more. For more information, or to participate as a vendor, call Stacy Kaufman at (561) 6325165.

Nominations

Palm Beach Community College is seeking nominations for the 2009 Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Awards. The annual awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions toward improving the lives of others, particularly the underserved, in such areas as education, diversity, race relations, health services, social justice or economic empowerment. There are four award categories: Individual, Organization, PBCC Student and PBCC

Alumni. The awards will be presented at PBCC’s tenth annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Breakfast on Jan. 15, 2009 at the Lake Worth campus. Since establishing the awards in 2001, PBCC has honored 35 people and organizations. Details about the awards and nomination forms are available at www.pbcc.edu/mlk.xml.

The deadline for nominations is Oct. 31. For more information, call Mark Alexander at (561) 868-3314.

‘Boo At The Zoo’ Returns Oct. 24

The Palm Beach Zoo invites you to come and get “spooked” at the 13th Annual Boo at the Zoo Halloween celebration, which will take place Oct. 2426. Zoo visitors are encouraged to come in costume as they trickor-treat throughout the zoo’s 23 acres. Events will include nonstop animal encounters, wildlife

The staff at Wellington Regional Medical Center’s

Imaging

National City Donates $25,000 To United Way Of Palm Beach County

National City Bank has donated $25,000 to the United Way of Palm Beach County’s capital campaign to help fund the construction of the new Community Impact Building and renovations to the existing main building on the Countess de Hoernle Community Campus in Boynton Beach. The new facility, which opened last fall, serves all of Palm Beach County.

“The donation from National City enables the United Way to renovate our main building and update our meeting rooms that many organizations in the community utilize, especially human service agencies,” United Way of Palm Beach County President and CEO Scott Badesch said.

“The United Way is relying solely on individual and corporate

donations to help fund our $2.5 million capital campaign. None of the donations raised during our normal workplace activities will be used toward the campaign, which is why we are extremely grateful for National City’s generous contribution.”

The United Way is a nonprofit organization that has been serving the area since 1992. It is committed to identifying and addressing the community’s most pressing needs and focuses resources, agency partnerships and the energy of volunteers to create measurable results. It provides access to community information, referral services, crisis intervention and counseling through the 211 hotline, and effectively places volunteers where their time and

WRMC HONORS DESANTIS

Wellington Regional Medical Center recently named Lori DeSantis its Employee of the Month. DeSantis is a staffing and admission/bed control coordinator. She is friendly, sincere and hardworking, and brightens the days of everyone around her. DeSantis works with staff in all units of the hospital as well as physician’s offices and epitomizes Wellington Regional Medical Center’s “service excellence” philosophy. She is an integral part of the Nursing Department. Pictured above, DeSantis is presented a certificate of appreciation by Chief Nursing Officer Carole DiFlorio.

District 85 Abruzzo Versus Coates

continued from page 1 position. The people of Palm Beach County have had their share of mixing business with government.” Coates said Abruzzo’s characterization of expanding his law business to Tallahassee is unfair because he is interested in giving back, whether it’s serving in political office or coaching baseball at Okeeheelee Park.

“It’s not what I get out of it, it’s what I give back,” Coates said. “He’s criticizing me for saying I’m going to start a satellite office in Tallahassee. It’s no different than him having a satellite residence in Palm Beach County so he can run for office.”

Abruzzo said he feels his campaign is coming together well. “We’ve landed a lot of endorsements, but more importantly, I’ve been walking,” he said. “I’ve been going out five days a week minimum since August, and I feel that I have a great connection with the people in the community. I feel that our campaign is in a strong position going into Election Day.”

Coates said he also has been

Mecca A Mini Wellington?

walking in communities in the district every weekend and plans to attend events almost every day for the next six weeks. He said he especially enjoyed a recent gathering held by the Junior League of the Palm Beaches where candidates sat at different tables for a few minutes and introduced themselves.

“I was at a forum today at the Kravis Center, a pretty well-attended event as well,” he said. “I’ve been very active.”

Coates said he feels optimistic about the campaign, judging from feedback he’s received. “I have good name recognition,” he said. “A lot of people know me from the Wellington campaign. Hopefully people will look at me for what I bring to the table as a candidate.”

Coates characterized Abruzzo’s endorsements as purely political. “Joe likes to throw his endorsements around,” he said. “In the end, the endorsements don’t decide; the voters do. Other than just being political, that’s the nature of his endorsements. The only endorsement that I’m interested in is the voter’s.”

If elected, Coates said, his strategy for success in Tallahassee would be to reach out to both sides of the aisle.

“You can’t come off being overly partisan,” he said. “People are getting tired of Republi-

expertise will have the greatest impact.

“The new facility is a valuable resource for the community, and we are proud to support the United Way’s efforts,” said Jay Shearouse, president of National City’s Southeast Florida region.

“National City has a longstanding commitment of helping our friends and neighbors, and we hope this gift will make a lasting difference for the families of our customers and employees.”

The donation is part of National City’s ongoing efforts to be a contributing member of the community. National City has designated a charitable fund of $2 million to be used and administered exclusively in Southeast Florida.

For more information on the

United Way of Palm Beach County, call (561) 375-6600 or visit www.unitedwaypbc.org.

For more information on the capital campaign, contact Brian Edwards at (561) 375-6606 or brianedwards@unitedwaypbc. org.

National City Corporation, headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the nation’s largest financial holding companies.

The company operates through an extensive banking network primarily in Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and also serves customers in selected markets nationally.

For more information about National City, visit www. nationalcity.com.

‘Grossology’ Comes To The Science Museum

Sometimes it’s stinky; sometimes it’s crusty; and sometimes it’s slimy. Explore why your body produces mushy, oozy, crusty, scaly and stinky gunk at “Grossology: The (Impolite) Science of the Human Body” during its tour at the South Florida Science Museum in West Palm Beach. It will open Saturday, Sept. 20 and run through May 10, 2009. Visit the “Vomit Center” and learn the process of regurgitation. Stop by the “Toot Toot” exhibit to create different sounds that replicate the physics of gas. Mimic the buildup of acid indigestion by causing the “Burp Machine” to release a giant belch. Explore the role of the kidney in “Urine: The Game.”

Climb a large-scale replica of human skin, and discover other mysterious ways your body’s biology does what it needs to do to keep you healthy.

Grossology uses animatronics and high-tech hands-on displays to present “science in disguise.” The exhibit is a collaboration between Science World; Advanced Exhibits, a division of Advanced Animations; and Grossology author Sylvia Branzei. Meet “Nigel Nose It All” and interview him about the exhibit, and the role this particularly strange individual plays within Grossology.

Housing a planetarium, aquarium, interactive galleries and traveling exhibitions, the museum sees more than 120,000 visitors a year and reaches more than 60,000 students each year through formal science classes.

Admission is $9 for adults, $7.50 for seniors and $6 for children. For more information on the South Florida Science Museum, call (561) 832-1988 or visit www.sfsm.org.

can or Democratic. I’m more interested in finding solutions to problems. I’ve always been a bridge builder; that is my nature. I’m skilled at identifying problems. I talk to people. I’m much more interested in finding a so-

lution than what party you are. Having an open mind, that it is the most important thing. I have a business, but I have a very humble beginning. I’m more in a position to listen than Joe Abruzzo. I can make decisions

based on life experience.”

Coates also cited his broad base of support. “I don’t have any more Republican support than he has Democratic support. I don’t have the ability like Joe to write a check for $50,000,”

Coates said, referring to a $50,000 loan Abruzzo has showing on his campaign account. “I look at a number of people for support. I have friends that are Republican, Democrat and independent.”

McCarty said the equestrian industry is one of the most lucrative in the county, and Mecca would serve well as an adjunct to the industry’s established presence in Wellington. McCarty suggested talking to the Business Development Board about turning the property into “an annex to Wellington.”

“We could turn it into some-

continued from page 1 our investment in the $60 million that we paid for that.” Kanjian suggested researching other possibilities, including requesting proposals for a work center or research park. “We have a canvas that we can really do good things with,” he said. But Commissioner Karen Marcus pointed out that there are already two large industrial parks in the area that are awaiting tenants. “Timing is everything, and a research park is way before its time,” she said.

Letters

continued from page 4 self (Palin delivered her first child months after she got married) and her daughter, age 17, who is currently pregnant. Ordinarily, these are private matters, but she parades her daughter and her viewpoints on national television. Following her beliefs and personal actions would only accrue thousands more abortions. Education is the tool. Because she chooses and chose to ignore it, it shouldn’t mean that countless children should follow her folly. If she were all that she preaches and what the Republican campaign espouses, I would vote for her in a heartbeat. But with the facts being the facts and the truth being the truth, she has not practiced a single one of her recently delivered beliefs. George Unger Wellington

Lox Council Needs To Alter The District

In an act of community responsibility, the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council majority voted on the first step of an independent study to investigate the pros and cons of changing the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District from an independent to a dependent district. This study will no doubt come back with results that the LGWCD doesn’t want our citizens to see. A report that residents might use to make the decision that the town needs to take control of the district, the $1.2 million tax budget that it manipulates and the possibility of lowering taxes by eliminating duplicated expenses. There is no intent to discontinue the existence of the

thing special so that the proximity to Wellington would make it unique and we could actually make it a business effort,” McCarty said. “Why have to go through a comp plan amendment? Why not figure out how to make it unique, attractive and marketable when the timing is right and then we give staff clear direction?”

McCarty made a motion to direct staff to pursue the largelot equestrian option, which was seconded by Aaronson. The motion passed 6-1 with Kanjian opposed.

LGWCD, and all five council persons are in agreement that at some time it needs to be changed to a dependent district. What the three council members with vision are looking into is whether the “independent” part of their description needs to be changed sooner rather than later.

Councilman Dave Autrey, Vice Mayor Marge Herzog and Councilman Dr. Bill Louda all understand things needed to change because they have the obligation to act in the best interest of and with loyalty to the taxpayers. In the short time these council members have been in office, months of time was wasted and tens of thousands of our tax dollars spent while the district argued over wording in a contract that they demanded but the town didn’t need. These three outstanding public servants finally said enough is enough. They

Water Reuse Plan

continued from page 1 ty to get it laid down Royal Palm Beach Blvd. to the park,” Lodwick said. “We’re working on what opportunities that we have, now that it will become available.”

Lodwick said at the time that the village owned its own sewer plant, it was not preparing water for reuse because the cost to set it up was prohibitive.

Farber said a connection would probably be created from

realized the imprudence of us paying two lawyers to try and cooperate with an uncooperative district.

The LGWCD is being run the same way it has been since 1917. Decisions are made by a board that represents the large landowners and not the voting public. They were formed for the purpose of drainage but morphed into a million-dollar road company. It boils down to money, power and control. The majority of the town council wants it in the hands of the democratically elected representatives but the LGWCD board wants the politics of the last 90 years to remain the same. Just because “that’s the way it was always done” doesn’t mean that’s the way it should be done. We needed change and the residents voted for that when they ignored the LGWCD’s mailers and door to door de-

the county’s water line to run onto the power line right of way. The use of reused water would depend on availability. “There’s no supply line that we could tie into at this point,” Farber said. Powell, who currently reviews 113 municipal water use plans with the SFWMD, said the district wants to maximize water reuse whenever it can. As an RPB resident herself, she said residents could be availed the opportunity to use recycled water. “This is a wonderful opportunity to be able to tie into that line,” she said, adding that the

mands that called for the defeat of incorporation at the polls. Residents again voted for a change when they put Autrey, Herzog and Louda into office. These were three candidates that the LGWCD’s mailers and doorto-door demands called for the defeat of. Those who backed the opposition to the town now try to bully the town with threats like: “As a last resort, we can always vote to dissolve the town.” They are frantically mobilizing to get members of their board of supervisors to resign and run for the seats of Autrey and Herzog this coming March. They are hell-bent on taking over our town or destroying it. Our next election will underscore that the days of buying votes with favors and clever lies has come to an end.

Nancy Handwerg

Loxahatchee Groves

village’s old sewage treatment plant, now owned by the county, might be retrofitted to make reusable water.

Lodwick said he understood the county’s plans are to convert the old sewer plant into a pumping station. He added that the cost for residents to tie in to a reuse line could be substantial. In other business:

• The council approved transmittal of the village’s Evaluation and Appraisal (EAR) Report.

• The council postponed a site plan modification for Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery that would allow the addition of burial plots, construction of new mausoleums and reduce the size of the cemetery from 102 acres to 53.01 acres.

Blotter

continued from page 6

Yarmouth Court called the PBSO substation in Wellington on Wednesday morning regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, the victim left his company truck in the driveway at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday. When he returned at approximately 5:45 a.m. the following morning, he discovered the front passengerside door was open and the window had been smashed by an unknown object. Upon further inspection, the victim discovered that the glove compartment was open and a Garmin GPS was taken. There were no witnesses or suspects at the time of the report.

On The Campaign Trail — (Left) Joe Abruzzo speaking at Monday’s Mid-County Democratic Club meeting. (Right) Howard Coates at a recent Voters Coalition event. PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER

Bank Donation — (L-R) United Way Capital Campaign Chair Michael Spears, United Way Resource Development Director Wendy Sheridan, Jay Shearouse of National City and United Way of Palm Beach County President and CEO Scott Badesch.

Nigel Nose It All, part of the Grossology exhibit.

CAFCI’S ANNUAL FRIENDSHIP BALL RETURNS TO ROYAL PALM BEACH

Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) hosted its Annual Friendship Ball on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. The theme was “Coming Home to Excellence,” which referred to the ball returning to Royal Palm Beach after being held for several years at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. The evening featured musical entertainment, an open bar, door prizes, a silent auction and more. County Commissioner Jess Santamaria and Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick respectively declared Sept. 13 CAFCI Day in the county and in the village.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

The CAFCI board: Rhonda Ferrin-Davis, Fred Pinto, Amanayea Abraham, Henworth Ferguson, Marjorie Aiken, Tinu Peña and Kathleen Lannaman.

Royal Palm Beach Councilman David Swift, Regis Wenham, Adrienne Ferrin, Nixie Swift, Tom Wenham, Dana Lodwick and Royal Palm Beach Mayor David Lodwick.

Chris Santamaria, Jasmine Velez, fomer Wellington mayor Tom Wenham, Wellington Councilwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto, Regis Wenham and Brenda Pinto.

Roy Johnson, State Rep. Priscilla Taylor, Tony Gigliotti and Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller Sharon Bock.

Patience Dhliwayo and Tinu Peña.

Fred Pinto receives a proclamation from RPB Mayor David Lodwick declaring Sept. 13 CAFCI Day.

Fred Pinto with his wife Brenda.

Adrienne Ferrin receives the Outstanding Citizen of the Year Award from Fred Pinto, Jess Santamaria and Amanayea Abraham.

CAFCI President Amanayea Abraham with past president Rhonda Ferrin-Davis.

Winston Davis, Mary and Copeland Davis, Chris Santamaria and Jasmine Velez.

Royal Palm Beach Councilman Matty Mattioli with Nixie Swift.

‘FLORIDA SPORTSMAN’ HOSTS FISH AND BOAT SHOW AT THE FAIRGROUNDS

Crowds of people from across the state turned out for Florida Sportsman magazine’s fishing and boating show held Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 13 and 14 at the South Florida Fairgrounds. Billed as Florida’s “biggest and best fishing expo,” the event included the Riggin’ it Right Academy’s offshore and inshore hands-on rigging instructions, cast-net demonstrations, paddling techniques for kayak anglers and flycast instructions. Vendors sold a variety of equipment ranging from lures to boats as well as cooking gear, T-shirts, artwork and fishing trips. For more information on similar events and seminars, visit www.floridasportsman.com.

PHOTOS BY CANDACE MARCHSTEINER/TOWN-CRIER

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

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

• CHINA TOYKO has some of the best Chinese and Japanese cuisine in the western communities. China Toyko is open Monday thru Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Free delivery is offered within the Wellington area. China Toyko is located at 11924 W. Forest Hill Blvd, Suite 24 in the Town Square plaza. Call (561) 7919907 for pick-up or to place your order.

• EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS offers mouth-watering gifts that make them say wow! Are you tired of giving the same old gifts, flowers or cards to express your appreciation or acknowledge a special day?

Do something new and delicious. Send a beautifully designed fresh fruit arrangement. You can even have the fruit dipped in creamy chocolate for an extra-special touch. To order your Edible Arrangement, visit the store at 13873 Wellington Trace, Suite B-5 in the Wellington Marketplace or call (561) 422-3232.

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

• MORGAN’S COUNTRY KITCHEN is open for country-style breakfast and lunch seven days a week, Monday through Friday 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Morgan’s is now open for dinner every Thursday and Friday from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. with home delivery from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Dine at Morgan’s for a great family atmosphere, great food and great prices. Call (561) 795-5285 for info.

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

CONTENTS PREPARED BY THE MARKETING DEPARTMENT

Captain Danny Barrow of Lake Worth demonstrates inshore snook fishing techniques.

Captain Jan Lemieux casts an eight-foot net using the technique taught by onlooking Captain Terry Sturgeon.

Scott Nichols of North Palm Beach checks the storage area of a Hell’s Bay Glades skiff.

Jay Martin buys a T-shirt as Wellington High School students Rosie DiMatteo and Jessica Conroy browse.

Paul Block of Dixie’s Finest Block Sharpener sharpens a Swiss Army knife while Richard Lorenz of Royal Palm Beach looks on.

Robert Moran teaches Selena Slaughter of Royal Palm Beach how to cast in the Kids Casting Pond.

Sebastian Sultzer buys a Mity Might combo.

Terry Jertberg and Jana Hukle with a replica of the IGFAcertified world record 27-pound peacock bass caught in 1994 on the Amazon’s Rio Negro River in Brazil.

Quadriplegic artist Tony Ryals of Jacksonville paints a panda and bamboo on Juliana Muller.

Sal Cardaci of Viking Fishing Kayaks shows a modified trolling motor to Robin Smillie and Blair Wickstrom.

I’ve Got A Monster Problem With Jobs On Offer These Days

All the young adults I know (I have finally stopped calling them “kids”) are raving about Monster.com. Through frequent visits, they are designing their careers around this site — updating online resumes, deciding how far they are willing to travel to work, looking into jobs for which they may not have considered themselves eligible, and expanding their potential employment horizons beyond the local movie houses and fast food places. I wish they’d had Monster.com when I was a young adult. Because they didn’t, my work history reads something like this:

Age 17 — Mother insists I get a summer job. Phone call to girlfriend results in a retail position selling millinery.

College years — Dad’s paycheck and millinery job pull me through.

Post-grad work — Based on five years’ experi-

Deborah Welky is The Sonic BOOMER

ence in retail, I ignore my teaching degree, choosing instead to upgrade to women’s wear in a larger department store.

Relocation — On return trip from Niagara Falls honeymoon, my husband of one week mentions we are moving to Florida.

Managerial — Seeing a sign posted in a window, I become assistant manager and then manager of a toy store.

Ownership — I enjoyed running a store so much, I bought one. Now, while noodling around on Monster.com, I see absolutely tons of opportunities for the young adults in my worldly sphere as well as for myself! Check this out: holiday stores need help. Chocolate companies need help. Fashion buyers need help. Heck, even Monster.com needs help! The fun to be had is endless! But just in case you’re thinking of following in my employment footsteps, here’s a word of caution — just a teenytiny heads-up — the one thing nobody needs is humor writers.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is what’s wrong with the world today. No humor. On a web site where almost every job title is followed by listings for 600 to 800 opportunities in the U.S. alone, humor barely made the list. If you don’t believe me, go to Monster.com and type in humor. See

what comes up — one (1) little come-on for a sales job which states “good sense of humor required.” (Although that’s true — ask any sales rep.)

The good news? There are oceans of jobs for someone who wants to be a “writer” — as long as it’s a medical writer, technical writer, grant writer, web writer, program writer or government proposal writer, that is. Loads of fun to be had there. Lots to be passionate about in a job as medical writer. (“The green, leafy substance growing out of the patient’s nose perplexed his doctors. It was found to be broccoli, or as we in the profession know it, “brah-coli.”)

The medical journals may not be willing to hire someone who writes like that, but they should. In addition to lightening things up around here, they would be saving one of what is evidently an endangered breed — the humor writers.

‘Lost’ Creator Piques My Interest With New Sci-Fi Show On Fox

I was delighted to learn that a new science fiction show, Fringe, debuted last week on the Fox network. Since it is being written by Lost creator J.J. Abrams, I had high hopes for it.

Although the show did not live up to the highest standards of good science fiction (note that Star Trek and Star Wars are still benchmark productions decades after they were made), the show’s premise was not bad. After all, a huge company performing wild scientific experiments that could lead to major changes in our way of life has been a staple of our culture for a while. We have not yet met the little green men and might never do so, but we are sort of turning into our own version of science fiction life. The first time I flipped open a cell phone to call Captain Kirk, oops, my wife, I recognized that I was moving into a new age.

Of course, it does help a show if it is a bit believable. However, when the lead special agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv) is told she has to strip, submerge in a tank of water, have a metal

‘I’

On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler

electrode pushed into the base of her brain and overdose on an LSD-based chemical in order to connect her mind to that of her comatose lover so she can see what his attacker looks like, the limits were pushed. And she had just gotten the scientist who proposed doing this to her out of a mental institution, where he had been held for 17 years! Who wouldn’t take that kind of a chance with her own brain?

Being television and therefore script-driven, it actually worked. There was a neat plot twist in that the lover (who the mad scientist can some-

how fix) turns out to be a bad guy.

The opening scenes, where passengers on a plane all begin to melt down because of something no one understands (with the possible exception of the mad scientist), start the main track. When we learn partway through that the head of the evil corporation once shared lab space with the scientist, we can all give a good “ah-ha!” as the premise of the series becomes more obvious.

The lead trio of stars, the agent, the mad scientist Bishop (John Noble) and his estranged son Peter (Joshua Jackson), were all reasonably good, although the son’s part needs a lot more filling out.

The idea of a government agency fighting a huge evil conspiracy is an old one that even predates shows like The Man from UNCLE. Of course, since many people get nervous about a lot of changes and a significant percentage of the population is highly suspicious, if not paranoid, about one or another entity in this country — whether it is big business, big media, one politi-

cal party or another — the show may find a ready audience.

Some shows you get hooked on the first time you see them, one example being Lost. But Fringe might be an acquired taste.

The producers of the new show have done an excellent job of starting on a really nice paranoiac trail. We have only met one employee of the likely villainous corporation, Massive Dynamics (and that is a great name for a company looking to take things over, if that actually is the ultimate aim), and one of the last shots of the pilot showed her using her prosthetic arm to break into some place not yet known. I like the idea of the strong villain because one is required to create great heroes. Where would James Bond have been without SPECTRE?

So I can cross my fingers and hope the show grows on me. The next few episodes will probably decide it. Try it yourself, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on Fox. And you can watch the pilot at www.fox.com.

A Recent Alaska Visit Provided Me Some Perspective On Palin

Last year I went to Alaska for two weeks. I even paid a visit to Gov. Sarah Palin’s house. To my regret she wasn’t home. Of course at the time of my visit, I, along with millions of others, had never heard of Gov. Palin. The governor’s mansion was just a stop on my tour of Alaska.

Since Palin got the nod as Sen. John McCain’s running mate, her friends and aides have been popping up all over the tube to gush about her. Most of her friends are just as beautiful. Their hair looks perfect and of course their makeup (lipstick included) is applied just right. What I want to know is where were all of these beautiful ladies when I was in Alaska? During my trip there I don’t recall seeing one person (male or female) wearing makeup of any kind. I also did not see any females who looked anything like Palin or her friends. I did see very hardworking folks who looked very plain and ordinary. Even though it was the

Wondering & Wandering

By Ernie Zimmerman

middle of the summer, most of the natives wore long-sleeved shirts, sweatshirts and/or jackets. In other words, fashion did not play a role in how these folks dressed. Quite clearly I was not in New York or L.A.

On one of my tours I visited an old gold-rush town. The main attraction in this town was an oldfashioned “cat house.” And if truth be told, Palin is better looking than the actresses that were supposed to be call girls of a bygone era.. In fact, I

never saw such ugly call girls in my life.

Everyone I talked to who called Alaska home had a lot in common with Palin. They all love the place where they live. They like the very short cool summer, and they love the very long winter (don’t ask me why). When I did question some folks on how they could live with months of winter, they would always ask me how could I live in a subtropical climate with hurricanes. I guess to each his own.

As with Palin, everyone I talked to enjoyed living off the land. They loved to hunt and fish. And they swore they ate everything they caught. I believe them, because some of the places where I stayed, the nearest supermarket was over 100 miles away.

Most of the people I ran across had large families, just like Palin. I suppose long winters have something to do with that. Sometimes doctors were as far away as the supermarkets. It appeared

most of the kids I met had summer birthdays (easier to get to the hospital and doctors).

In the town I was in, the television did not have any local stations, so I did not get a chance to see if the local newscasters had the Palin look.

As usual, I am finding politics very interesting this year. This is the best presidential race I have ever seen in my life. The question I keep asking myself is: will Palm Beach County decide who the next president of this great country will be? I think this is the only county in the country that has trouble counting votes. (Well, maybe Cook County in Illinois also has some trouble, especially with dead people who still manage to vote.)

I think if enough men come out to vote in this election, and if enough Hillary supporters can force themselves to vote Republican, we could very well have Sarah Palin a heartbeat away from being president.

TOWN-CRIER SPORTS & RECREATION

Wellington Football Squad Falls To West Boca Bulls 34-14

By Lisa Keeney Town-Crier Staff Report

Despite a late-game rally, the Wellington High School varsity football team was unable to overcome a 20-0 deficit in the first half of their game against West Boca last Friday night, falling to the visiting Bulls 34-14.

Wellington High School junior Brian Pupo exploded in the second half, dodging defenders as he returned the third quarter opening kickoff 93 yards for a Wolverine touchdown. Wellington added another touchdown in the second half, but it was too little, too late.

The Wellington offense was plagued by interceptions, which helped set up the large first half margin in favor of West Boca. But the Wolverine defense did their best to

control the Bulls’ scoring efforts.

In the second quarter, Wolverine Victor Jones intercepted a touchdown pass in the end zone intended for a Bulls receiver. And in the third quarter, the Bulls set up inside the 10 yard line, before Derek May pushed the offense back 17 yards with a tackle in the backfield. West Boca was eventually forced to attempt a 45-yard field goal, but the kick fell short of the uprights.

Wellington quarterback Winter Cullen connected with Eric Johnson with a 30-yard pass to score the Wolverine’s second touchdown.

The Wolverines host Santaluces on Friday, Sept. 19 before traveling to crosstown rival Royal Palm Beach Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. for the annual Palms West Classic game.

PHOTOS BY LISA KEENEY/TOWN-CRIER FOR MORE PHOTOS, VISIT WWW.WELLINGTONIMAGES.COM

It Takes A Lot Of Training (And Patience)

The story goes something like this: someone attends a mustang adoption, falls in love with a horse, buys it, brings it home, tames it, rides it, and they all live happily ever after. Unfortunately, that’s not the way the story always ends. In competent, knowledgeable, experienced hands, the above scenario is likely. But in some cases, the horses end up in deep trouble and need help. Sandra Schluter of Loxahatchee is a member of the Florida Wild Horse & Burro Association, an affiliate of the National Wild Horse & Burro Association, and recognized by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM), which has jurisdiction over the mustang adoption program. Her husband Ed is president. They’ve been volunteer compliance officers for the BLM for more than 11 years. This nonprofit group was formed in 2001 by Gwilda Byrd of Alford, Fla., and has about 50 members throughout Florida, Alabama and Virginia who stay in contact through phone and email messages. They meet up at adoptions, clinics, Mustang Awareness Days, and an annual campout in Ocala. In addition to promoting mustang awareness, the group acts as a safety net for people who are in over their heads. They can mentor new owners and help with training. In extreme cases, they can repossess mustangs in need of re-homing.

“A lot of people are drawn to mustangs because of their mystique,” Schluter said. “There’s the whole ‘save a wild horse’ idea, plus they often have inexpensive adoption fees. Then they get

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg

them home and realize they’re dealing with a wild animal. Once these horses are gentled, they’re fine. But a lot of people don’t have the skill and experience to get them to that point.” Schluter and others in the group can help with gentling and saddle training. They’re occasionally called in by the BLM to rescue mustangs that owners no longer want or can care for. “When someone adopts a mustang, they sign a contract with the BLM,” Schluter explained. “It’s a felony to sell or give that horse away until after a year, when they receive the title to the horse.” Schluter recalled one instance she helped out a three-year-old mustang stallion in Punta Gorda in 2003. The BLM called her and said the horse was being neglected. Schluter went out and saw a horse in bad shape, thin, with nothing to eat and no water. Local Animal Care & Control authorities had also been notified by an alarmed neighbor. They investigated and took pictures. With their help, Schluter was able to seize the horse, even though the owner didn’t want to give it up.

“The horse was wild,” Schluter recalled. “We

had to wrangle him into the trailer. I brought him home, had him gelded, and while he was anesthetized he got his shots and had his feet trimmed. I named him Utah. Eventually, he got a new home with someone in Arkansas who competes in barrel racing.”

Schluter said that another time she drove to Sebring to rescue a couple of mustangs and burros. The horses were horribly skinny and the burros’ feet were in such poor condition that their toes were curling up. This time, she had to pay a ransom of $1,000 to rescue the four animals.

“Burros are very cute and sweet,” she said. “People use them to protect a herd of horses, sheep or goats from predators such as stray dogs or wolves. You can ride them, and they make great pack animals. They have loving, endearing personalities.”

While rescuing mustangs is rewarding, participating in the Mustang Awareness Day is just plain fun. They’re held every other year in Mariana, Fla., and presenters bring their mustangs and show off all the different riding disciplines that they can do. There are demonstrations of jumping, English and Western pleasure, sidesaddle, drill team patterns, barrel racing, dressage — a little of everything. There are horse nutritionists, dentists, farriers, vets and a bomb-proofing clinic. One year there was an Indian theme and everyone came in costume. Some even rode their horses in war

dles, which is just a rope through the

The Schluters have assisted at adoptions in Flor-

and Virginia. They

bri-

mouth.

ida, Mississippi, Tennessee

have personally adopted more than a dozen mustangs and a couple of burros over the years, and currently own four mustangs: Smoochie, Rebel, Red Man and Oreo, which Schluter rides for drill team, campouts, trail rides, beach rides, parades, Citizen Observer Patrol rides, team penning, barrel racing and pole bending. Schluter’s philosophy of life is simple. “I believe that life is measured by the lives you touch, rather than the things you acquire,” she said. For more information, visit www.flwild horse.org.

Sandra Schluter on one of her mustangs.

Victor Jones celebrates on the bench with Eric Johnson, who caught a touchdown pass for WHS in the fourth quarter.

Wolverine Nestor Lantigua is upended trying to catch the ball.Derek May tackles a West Boca ball carrier for a 17-yard loss.

Tanoris Rogers picks up yardage for Wellington.

A trio of defensive men bring down Wellington’s Eric Johnson.

Brendan Carroll celebrates the extra point as he and his teammates walk off the field.

Stephen Bender is tackled by a host of West Boca defenders.

Wolverine Brian Pupo returned the second half kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown.

Nestor Lantigua is tackled as he carries the ball for Wellington.

Wellington’s Austin Mobley tackles a West Boca ball carrier.

VICTORY AT DISNEY

The Wellington All-Stars A baseball team in the 7/8-U Division finished their season as American League champions at Disney’s Turn Back the Clock Weekend. The tournament was exciting for the players and coaches, who have worked hard to get to where they are. Pictured above are: (front row, L-R) Justin Kolnick, Logan Fiore, Darrick Hendrix, Drew Beno, Gavin Hendrix, Ethan Levi, Chandler Prescott, Michael Pontillo, Christian D’Eusanio, Sam Herman and Nick Vigilante; (back row) coaches Craig Kolnick, Connor Hendrix, Jimmy Beno, Vaughn Hendrix and Marc Vigilante.

LABOR DAY CHAMPS

After a successful trip to Steamboat, Colorado in July for the Triple Crown World Series, the Wellington Warriors 11-U travel baseball team faced teams from all over the nation, finishing seventh overall out of 40-plus teams. The Warriors took first place in the 12-U Division at the Delray Beach Labor Day Tournament. These young athletes earned big wins against the 12-year-old Florida Magic and the Okeeheelee Legends. The Warriors then defeated the Stuart Worth in the semifinals before wrapping up the tournament with a victory over the Pro Ball Cobras. The team would like to offer a special shoutout to this season’s newest Warriors: Matthew Careccia, Christian Shinn, Zach Retzler and Blake Dever. Pictured above are: (front row, L-R) Matthew Careccia, Jorge A. Ramos III, A.J. Gallicchio, Zack Retzler and Johnny Giordano; (back row) Anthony Maldonado, Triston McKenzie, Blake Dever, Christian Shinn, Jagger McCoy and Jonathon Rosado.

Warriors 12-U Wins Treasure Coast Classic

The Wellington Warriors 12U travel baseball team captured the Treasure Coast Classic USSSA baseball tournament title going 5-0 last weekend in Stuart.

Tournament highlights included Phil Sieli, who pitched a perfect game in the 19-0 semifinal win over the Port St. Lucie Slammin’ Eagles. Sieli also hit a grand slam in one of the pool games. In the championship game, Mack Lemieux threw three scoreless innings and added two RBIs and also scored a home run in a pool game. Bruce Steel pitched for the save with an impressive 10-0 win over the Okeeheelee Gators.

Tyler Levin scored six runs during the tournament, batting from the lead-off position. Brandon Hernandez hit an astounding .750 with four doubles and a home run. Nick Russo, Nicholas Horvath and Alex Recio all batted over .600 as well.

The Warriors were led de-

fensively by Auston Smith, who anchored the team in the catcher position. Smith threw out three runners who were attempting to steal second base. Warrior opponents scored only four runs due to the defensive efforts of Anthony Maniotis and Chris Canavan, who were in on the bulk of the put-outs playing at the third base and first base corners respectively.

For the tournament, the Warriors led all teams on offense as they had a collective .510 batting average and scored 59 runs during the five games. The pitching staff did their job as well, earning a 1.200 ERA, along with two shutouts in the final two games of the event.

The Warriors are managed by Dave Smith and are coached by Dino Maniotis, Santos Hernandez and Keith Canavan. The Warriors play in the USSSA Florida Premier League Treasure Coast South Division. They play their home games at Wellington’s Olympia Park.

Grassy Waters Events

Grassy Waters Preserve will host the following events in October:

• Florida Yards and Neighborhoods Garden Party — Join volunteers and take care of the Florida Yards and Neighborhoods (FYN) Demonstration Garden on Saturday, Oct. 4 from 9:30 to 11 a.m. This free event is for ages ten and up. It will take place at the north campus, Everglades Pavilion.

• Mini Canoeing — New to canoeing or don’t have much time to learn? Join a mini-trip on Saturdays, Oct. 4 and 18 from 2 to 3 p.m. to try your hand at canoeing on the marsh. This event is for ages six and up, and costs $5 for adults and $1 for children. It will take place at the south side Charles W. Bingham Wilderness Pavilion.

• Wetlands Discovery Canoeing — Paddle your canoe through this peaceful marsh on Sunday, Oct. 5 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. This event is for ages ten and up, and costs $15 for adults and $5 for children. It will take place at the Bingham Wilderness Pavilion.

• Apoxee Hike — On Satur-

day, Oct. 11, join this easy, guided walk for ages eight and up. It will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Apoxee Urban Wilderness Park. The cost is $10 for adults and $2 for children.

• First Aid Course — American Red Cross instructor Val Wilson leads a course on emergency response practices on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11 and 12 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $125, which includes materials and lunch. RSVP to (561) 650-9110 by Oct. 9.

• Sunset/Moonlight Parade — On Wednesday, Oct. 15, experience the sunset over the freshwater marsh, watch wild birds fly home to roost and then glide back in canoes under the moon’s glow. The event will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Bingham Wilderness Pavilion. It is for ages ten and up, and costs $15 for adults and $5 for children.

Grassy Waters Preserve is located at 8264 Northlake Blvd., just east of Ibis. For more information, call (561) 804-4985 (south side) or (561) 804-4980 (north side), or visit www.grassy waterspreserve.com.

The Warriors will be playing in a national tournament in Cooperstown, N.Y. in July 2009 and are looking for area businesses who would like to sponsor the team. Currently, Palm Beach Prime and Children’s Dental

Place of Wellington have committed to participate in assisting the Warriors. For more information how your business can support this non-profit organization, call Dave Smith at (561) 7146328.

Saturday,

assist in maintaining the hiking trails at the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area. For more information about the chapter, visit http:// lox.floridatrail.org. Pictured above, Margaret Brabham and Diana Clark do a good job trimming.

Wellington Warriors — (Front row, L-R) Nicholas Horvath, Alex Recio, Anthony Maniotis, Nick Russo, Tyler Levin and Auston Smith; (second row) Chris Canavan, Phil Sieli, Mack Lemieux, Bruce Steel and Brandon Hernandez; (back row) Santos Hernandez, Dave Smith, Keith Canavan and Dino Maniotis.

The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association got together

Sept. 13 to

COMMUNIT Y CALENDAR

Saturday, Sept. 20

• The Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will meet at Okeeheelee Park at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20. Call Daisy at (561) 439-5780 for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host a “Fall is Fabulous” activity for ages five and up Saturday, Sept. 20 at 10:30 a.m. Celebrate the changing of the seasons with stories, crafts and fun. To pre-register, call (561) 790-6030.

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

• A fundraiser for nine-yearold Sebastian Sarmiento will take place on Saturday, Sept. 20 at Fuddruckers restaurant in Wellington (10880 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Sarmiento has been diagnosed with leukemia and has been at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami since June. Before ordering food, diners are asked to request a flier for the fundraiser available at the register so Sebastian can receive 20 percent of the proceeds. Those who can’t make it to Fuddruckers can make a contribution at the Washington Mutual Bank on Greenview Shores Blvd. in Wellington. Make checks payable to the Sebastian Sarmiento Fund. For more info., visit www.caring bridge.org and type “sebastiansarmiento.”

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Book Talk: A Jodi Picoult Medley” for adults on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. Librarian Carol Renner will talk about one of today’s most popular authors. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• Comedian Mike DeStefano will perform Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8 and 10 p.m. at the Cuillo Centre for the Arts (201 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach). DeStefano’s fearless approach to standup has quickly established him as one of the top comics working today. For tickets, visit www. lowbrowentertainmentco.com or call the Cuillo Centre box office at (561) 835-9226.

Sunday, Sept. 21

• The Coldwater Creek store in the Mall at Wellington Green will host the fall segment of their semi-annual nationwide initiative “Try It On for the Cure” on Sunday, Sept. 21 from noon to 6 p.m. For every woman who enters a dressing room and tries on any apparel from Coldwater Creek’s extensive collection at the Wellington store on Sept. 21, Coldwater Creek will donate $1 to the South Florida affiliate of Komen for the Cure. For more info., visit www.komen.org or call (800) GO-KOMEN.

Monday, Sept. 22

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold Baby Story Time on Mondays, Sept. 22 and 29 at 9:30 a.m. for ages eight months and younger and at 11:15 a.m. for ages nine to 12 months. Your baby will enjoy rhymes, finger plays, songs, books and toys. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

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

• The Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing for final adoption of the fiscal year 2009 budget on Monday, Sept. 22 at 6 p.m. in the sixth floor commission chambers of the County Governmental Center (301 N. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach). For more info., call (561) 355-2754.

Tuesday, Sept. 23

• The Wellington Village Council will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center. For more info., call (561) 7914000.

Wednesday, Sept. 24

• The 2008 Business Matchmaker Conference & Expo will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 24 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Palm Beach County Convention Center (650 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach). It will feature exhibits and workshops that will give small businesses an opportunity to learn about topics such as: government and private sector contracting, marketing, technology, construction and financing. There

will also be one-on-one business matchmaker appointments. The keynote address will feature Essence magazine editor emeritus Susan Taylor. For info., call (561) 434-8508.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold a Poetry Discussion Group for adults on Wednesday, Sept. 24 at 6:30 p.m. Engage in a provocative discussion of several published poems written by various poets. Copies are available at the information desk. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. Thursday, Sept. 25

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host “Get Some Press” for business people on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. Phil Scruton of Florida Atlantic University’s Small Business Development Center will describe how to get increased publicity for businesses through press releases, communicating with the media and making the most of photos and quotes. Call (561) 790-6070 to preregister.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold “Young Artist Series: Paper Sculpture” for ages five and up Thursday, Sept. 25 at 4:15 p.m. Create unique threedimensional designs with paper, glue and a stapler. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

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

• Clematis by Night will present Jahfe on Thursday, Sept. 25 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in downtown West Palm Beach. Jahfe will bring their Haitian-influenced roots rock and reggae to the Centennial Square stage. For more info., call (561) 822-1515 or visit www.clematisbynight.net.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will hold Teen Game Night for ages 12 to 17 on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. Join library staff for Dance Dance Revolution, Guitar Hero and snacks. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. Friday, Sept. 26 • The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts (701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach) will present Sesame Street Live’s “When Elmo Grows Up” Friday, Sept. 26 through Sunday, Sept. 28 in the Dreyfoos Concert Hall. For tickets, call (561) 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Apple-licious” on Friday, Sept. 26 at 11 a.m. for ages three and up. Celebrate Johnny Appleseed Day with stories and apples. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will present “Science Club: Grossout! Boogers & Snot” on Friday, Sept. 26 at 3:30 p.m. for ages seven and up. Science Club will gross you out with its fun concoctions. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register. Saturday, Sept. 27

• In celebration of National Public Lands Day, the Loxahatchee Chapter of the Florida Trail Association will meet at 7 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the south entrance to the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area. Come explore and develop a hiking trail in the western part of the management area. Call Paul at (561) 963-9906 for more info.

• The South Florida Fairgrounds will host the Fall Shopping Extravaganza on Saturday, Sept. 27 at the Americraft Expo Center. The free event will take place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and include garage sale items, antiques, crafts, wholesale items, toys, clothing, furniture, books, videos and more all in air-conditioned comfort. Vendors are welcome. Parking is free. For more info., call (561) 793-0333 or visit www. southfloridafair.com.

Sunday, Sept. 28

• A celebratory worship services at St. Michael Lutheran Church will take place Sunday, Sept. 28 at 8:30 and 10:45 a.m. The 25th anniversary service will feature Rev. Edward Benoway, bishop of the Florida Bahamas Synod. For more info., call (561) 793-4999 or visit www.stmichaelelc.com. Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414. FAX: (561) 7936090. E-mail: news@gotown crier.com.

Loxahatchee Auto Parts Now Open In The Grove Marketplace

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report

With the nearest auto parts store eight miles away as the crow flies, Ernie Small Jr. saw a need in The Acreage. He partnered with his father, Ernie Small Sr., to open Loxahatchee Auto Parts at the Grove Marketplace last week.

Small, an Acreage resident, is an avid hunter and sportsman like many of his neighbors. He said that until now, the nearest auto parts store was a long drive to a store that did not necessarily stock what many Acreage residents need.

“I have many friends who hunt and break stuff and build stuff and create stuff,” Small said. “I’ve been living here about six years and building swamp buggies and airboats and trucks for people. We never had an auto parts store out here, and I got tired of driving into town. It has been needed out here for years.” Small said he worked as a mate on a sport fishing boat and then as a captain, and later owned his own trim carpentry business before deciding to venture into the world of auto parts.

“I’ve got some friends who are in the automotive industry who drag cars and race cars,” Small said. “I’ve got a wife and kids. I decided I needed to do something a little different. I got my dad to back me on the financials, and we put it all together.” While the new store is open for business, it is still awaiting delivery of some stock items. Small said the store is geared specifically to residents of The Acreage and Loxahatchee and is stocking parts that are special-order items elsewhere such as watertight boat trailer bearings.

“We’re catering to the people out here,” he said. “We have the four-wheel locking hubs on the shelf that most parts stores don’t carry. Most auto parts stores

don’t actually have the hubs sitting on the shelf. You can pick them up yourself if you know what you need. We have a lot of tow stuff and the truck items, as opposed to in town. In town you don’t see the trailer balls and receiver hitches.”

Small said he expects outdoors enthusiasts will find Loxahatchee Auto Parts to be a reliable source for the parts they need.

“Out here, these guys know what they need,” he said. “They know they can come in and the tongue for the trailer is on the shelf — all the wiring harnesses for trailers, the taillights, that’s on the shelf. We will have a whole line of power sports supplies, oil and stuff for your dirt bikes and four-wheelers. That’s all going to be on the shelf, including batteries and specialty oil.”

The store is also equipped to make or repair hydraulic hoses.

Small said the store will make parts deliveries twice daily to the gate of the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area for account-holding customers during hunting season. Experience has taught him how valuable the service would be, he said.

“We may go as many as four, depending on how many people have broke down or need a part,” Small said. “There’s a good bonus for that. I’ve done a lot of hunting out there, and if you break something, you’ve got to load up all your dogs and lock your camper and get in your truck, go into town.”

Small said experience also convinced him to stay open on Sundays. “There’s many days

I’m wishing there was a parts store open on Sundays,” he said.

“There’s not one close that’s open Sundays.”

Small said he will hold a grand opening in a month or two when the store is fully stocked.

“We’re going to have car shows and music and cook some food and just have a big welcome

party for everybody,” he said. “We’ll have a good grand opening to let everybody know we’re here.”

Loxahatchee Auto Parts is a NAPA (National Auto Parts Association) store and NAPA supplies all the parts in stock. “They’re well known, that’s why I went with them,” Small said. “I investigated three or four companies, and this was the only way to go, especially for out this way. People know the NAPA name. Out of 6,000 stores, this is the fastest they’ve ever opened a single store, which is pretty special to us.”

When fully operational, Loxahatchee Auto Parts will have most of the basics in stock and will be able to get many parts not in stock overnight, Small said. “We get everything from NAPA,” he said. “We buy the stock from them and resell it.”

NAPA has a reputation for having one of the most comprehensive lines of quality new and remanufactured parts, Small said. NAPA is also helping set up the store, providing a stock of basic parts that NAPA stores regularly carry and assisting with computer setup.

The NAPA computer network will allow store staff to locate a part instantly in case they don’t happen to have it in stock. Customers will also be able to browse the store’s inventory online through the NAPA web site at www.napa online.com.

While operating hours might be adjusted in the future, the store is currently open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. “During hunting season I may have to open a little earlier. It’s a learning process,” Small said.

Loxahatchee Auto Parts is located in the Grove Marketplace at 5010 Seminole Pratt Whitney Road, in the space formerly occupied by Blockbuster Video. For more information, call (561) 792-3133.

‘We’re catering to the people out here. We have the four-wheel locking hubs on the shelf that most parts stores don’t carry. Most auto parts stores don’t actually have the hubs sitting on the shelf. You can pick them up yourself if you know what you need.’

—

Ernie Small Jr. of Loxahatchee Auto Parts

Filling An Acreage Need — (Above) Loxahatchee Auto Parts owner Ernie Small Jr. with employee Jimmy Fouche inside his new auto parts store on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road. (Below) Small stands in front of an extensive line of truck, trailor and RV accessories.

PHOTOS BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

BONEFISH GRILL HOSTS DINING EXCURSION EVENT

Bonefish Grill restaurant recently hosted a “dining excursion” for members of the Wellington Chamber of Commerce’s VIP President’s Circle. Also in attendance were Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen and his wife Sherry. The excursion provided VIP members with complimentary cocktails, signature appetizers and menu highlights. During the event, VIP members and Bonefish representatives were able to explore additional partnership opportunities and ideas. Bonefish Grill is located at 9897 Lake Worth Road in the Woods Walk shopping plaza. For more information, call Managing Partner Joe Rotell at (561) 965-2663. (Above, L-R) Bernie Madsen, Wellington Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Michela PerilloGreen, Sherry Bowen, Melody Domb, Mayor Darell Bowen, Presidents Circle Member Alec Domb, President’s Circle Member Carmine Priore III, Terri Priore, Kathy Foster and President’s Circle Member Mike Nelson. (Right) Perillo-Green with Bonefish Grill Manager Edward Mass and Managing Partner Joe Rotell.

Having served customers since 1985 at their original location in Pompano Beach, Chez Porky’s recently opened a restaurant in Wellington. Located at 10610 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 20, the restaurant offers ribs, wings and Cajun specialties made from the finest and freshest ingredients paired with their own unique nouveau

FAMB Offers Consumer Advice For First-Time Home Buyers

In spite of what consumers are hearing in the news, now is actually a great time to buy a home, especially for first-time homebuyers. If you are in the market to purchase your first home, there are many mortgage products still out there that can fit your individual financial needs. First-time homebuyers can put down as little as three percent toward the purchase of their home.

For renters who are hoping to become homeowners, there are various programs that they may take advantage of such as those with closing-costs assistance and specific tax credits that they may be eligible for. Renters can also benefit from purchasing a home because they don’t have to wait to sell a property.

Deciding to purchase a home is one of the most significant decisions a consumer will ever make. It is crucial that the professionals working with consumers during the home-buying process treats each individual in an appropriate manner. While

most mortgage industry professionals are honest and ethical, it is still important for consumers to be educated as they prepare to enter one of largest financial transactions of their lives. Homeowners should be knowledgeable about the mortgage process so they can protect their financial interests and get the best loan for their needs. The Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers (FAMB) offers the following tips:

• Know that you are ready to buy — Accept responsibility for the monthly mortgage payment, utilities and other bills that are incurred when owning a home. Make a budget of your finances and be sure you will have enough money each month to pay bills, buy groceries, put gas in the car, put money into savings and make sure you can afford other necessities such as clothes.

• Get your credit in order Reduce or eliminate all credit card balances to below 30 percent of the available credit limit

on the card. Pay off outstanding bills, but do not consolidate credit card accounts to one or two cards and/or close out other accounts. Review your credit report with a mortgage broker at least 90 days prior to applying for a mortgage and report inaccuracies to the credit bureaus.

• Shop around and compare — If you need to borrow money for a home purchase, refinance, home repairs, medical expenses or bill consolidation, shop around between a mortgage broker and your bank. Your local bank will be able to offer you their current programs while a mortgage broker will be able to shop among a variety of lenders, finding the best loan for your individual financial needs. Compare interest rates and annual percentage rates, and find out what the total costs of the loan will be and your monthly payment before making a decision. Use the good faith estimate and truth-in-lending statement from each application to com-

pare the loan terms and costs.

• Negotiate — Don’t let the promise of extra cash or lower monthly payments get in the way of your good judgment. Analyze whether the amount you will pay for the loan is really worth it. Don’t agree to a loan that includes extra products you don’t want. Negotiate the loan terms and agree to a loan amount only for what you need.

• Be cautious — Be wary of anyone who calls you on the phone, solicits you in the mail or comes to your door offering “bargain loans.” Beware of claims that the offer is only available for a short period of time.

• Never act immediately — Beware of lenders who ask for upfront fees allegedly to cover a first loan payment. Never pay a lender cash for any fees, and always make the check payable to the lender, not the individual loan officer. If you are working with a mortgage broker, make sure the broker is bonded to collect upfront fees before paying

them for services.

• Understand the terms of your loan — Some loans may sound attractive because the monthly payment is small. Ask about balloon payments at the end of the loan period. Make sure you know the dollar amount of each monthly payment and ask if the monthly payment can change at any time during the repayment process. If so, find out when it will change and by how much.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions — You have a legal right to know the total cost of the loan, the interest rate, the annual percentage rate, the monthly payments and how long you have to pay back the loan. If you are unsure of any terms of the loan, ask. If you don’t get a straight answer, go elsewhere for your financing needs.

• Read carefully before you sign — Don’t sign any document you haven’t read or has blank spaces to be filled in after you sign. Don’t be pressured into signing any loan papers that

you do not understand. If you need an explanation of any terms or conditions, talk to someone you trust, such as a knowledgeable family member or attorney. Get copies of everything you sign.

• Borrow only the amount you need and can afford to repay — Just because you qualify for a certain amount of money doesn’t mean you can afford to pay it back. Determine exactly how much money you need, borrow only that amount, and find out exactly how much you will have to repay every month. Make sure you will have enough money left over to pay your other bills.

• Immediately get help if you feel you have been victimized — Contact your local Better Business Bureau to report the individuals and companies you worked with. Also contact the appropriate state agencies that govern that individual and/or company. For more information, visit www.famb.org.

By Leonard Wechsler

of what owner Scott Roberts calls “good, old-fashioned southern country cooking in a real family atmosphere.”

Morgan’s, named for Roberts’ four-year-old daughter, is located in the Royal Palm Beach Business Park on State Road 7.

“She’s the real boss,” Roberts joked. “Every time she comes in here, she fires me, but then she rehires me when I beg hard enough.”

The sense of comfort and family in the restaurant extends to the “hall of fame” on the walls, which features photos of hundreds of regular customers rather than outside celebrities.

Royal Palm Beach resident Billy Stinson said he has been a regular customer for a long time.

“I’ve been coming here for years,” he said. “I’m a diabetic, and the people here change the ingredients to help me a bit. They’ve even made things that are not actually on the menu. They make me and everyone else feel special.”

Roberts said regular customers like Stinson love the service at Morgan’s as well as the food. “As soon as we see Billy pull up in his car, the girls are pulling up his favorite drink,” he said.

Roberts said Morgan’s is best known for its great breakfasts. “People come here for our breakfasts,” he said. “Most of them say it’s the best they ever had. It’s hard to find a better breakfast at a better price anywhere. And I say that with confidence.”

Breakfasts include a wide variety of egg platters and omelets, served with a choice of sides like steak, pork chops, ham steak, chicken, as well as

the more traditional bacon and sausage.

“We serve our French toast on thick-sliced challah bread and can do it with cinnamon, nuts or bananas and brown sugar,” Roberts said. “We also serve pancakes and Belgian waffles with fruit, chocolate chips or pecans.”

For lunch, Morgan’s serves wings, onion rings, a wide variety of sandwiches and subs, half-pound burgers, wraps, chicken and seafood platters, as well as soups and salads and smaller menu items. “We also serve quesadillas and small pizzas,” Roberts said.

All the dishes are served on oversized platters and the food piles up on them.

“People are amazed at the size of the portions,” Roberts said. “We’re in an industrial park here, rents are lower and I can afford to give really large portions of the best possible food.”

Morgan’s recently began serving dinner on Thursday and Friday evenings.

“We have some spectacular dishes,” Roberts said. “We slow-roast our prime rib to the rarest possible setting, and it’s the best prime rib available. We can really make it rare or cook it to just the amount the customers want. Brian, our excellent chef, also has a great chicken and dumplings recipe that everyone loves. We also have dishes like tortilla-crusted tilapia, boneless ribs, coconut crunch chicken and smothered peppered chicken. But save room for our huge desserts like fried ice cream, apple cobbler, our incredible bread pudding or the Mack Daddy Belgian Waffle, which is topped with homemade banana pudding and whipped cream.” Roberts added that Morgan’s delivers food to Royal Palm Beach residents Monday through Saturday, with a ten-

percent delivery surcharge.

“People are used to getting pizza and Chinese food delivered,” he said. “But imagine how nice it would be to get prime rib delivered right to your door.”

First-time customer Shirley Bergman of Boca Raton said her lunch was excellent. “I love it,” she said. “I was up here for a medical procedure and asked where I could get a great lunch, and people told me to come here. The food was great. I’ll come back anytime I get up here.”

Roberts said the restaurant is busy most of the time. “For breakfast, particularly on weekends, we have lines of people,” he said. “But even at an off hour like two in the afternoon customers are here. They like our food and they like the atmosphere.”

Another popular feature is ‘Morgan’s Spinning Wheel of Appreciation’ at the front of the restaurant. Customers get a free spin and always win something. Sometimes it’s a free breakfast or a free appetizer or drink or side order of bacon. Sometimes it’s free hope or free advice. “Kids love it, but so do our regulars,” Roberts said. “It’s just a cute way of showing our appreciation.”

Morgan’s is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and is open for dinner Thursdays and Fridays from 4:30 to 9 p.m., with early bird specials of 10 percent off in the first hour. Catering is also available.

Morgan’s Country Kitchen is located at 180 Business Park Way in the Royal Palm Beach Business Park, on the west side of SR 7. For call-ahead seating or to place a delivery order, call (561) 795-5285.

‘People come here for our breakfasts. Most of them say it’s the best they ever had. It’s hard to find a better breakfast at a better price anywhere. And I say that with confidence.’

— Scott Roberts of Morgan’s Country Kitchen

Country Eats — (Above) Morgan’s Country Kitchen owner Scott Roberts with regular cus-

tomer Billy Stinson and employee Veronica Whittington. (Below) Roberts with employees Alisha Allison, Cynthia Bryant, Stacy Raines and Whittington. PHOTOS BY LEONARD WECHSLER/TOWN-CRIER

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