SEM PRATT ROAD WORK PROGRESSING SEE STORY, PAGE 3
HIGH RANKING FOR WESTERN ACADEMY SEE STORY, PAGE 7
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INSIDE
Central Palm Beach Chamber Surveying Workforce Needs
Volume 38, Number 33 September 1 - September 7, 2017
Serving Palms West Since 1980
CFF LUNCH AT PALM BEACH POLO
The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Development Advisory Council is conducting a workforce development survey to compile information regarding the most critical hiring needs among the chamber’s member businesses. The nine-question, confidential survey went online last weekend and will be available until Friday, Sept. 8. Page 4
Laurie Snow Hein’s Artwork On Display At Whole Foods
The Wellington Art Society held a reception for artist Laurie Snow Hein at Whole Foods Market in Wellington on Friday, Aug. 25. Guests enjoyed food and drink while exploring Hein’s artwork. During a presentation, Hein explained her journey as an artist. Hein’s work will remain in the Whole Foods gallery through September. Page 8
Wellington Hosts Graduation Ceremony For Student Program
Wellington’s Community Services Department held a graduation ceremony for local students who were a part of its inaugural Students Working to Achieve Greatness (SWAG) program. The program consisted of weekly seminars, college tours and a summer internship. The students were honored at the Wellington Municipal Complex. Page 9
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation held a fundraising luncheon celebrating Women in Sports on Thursday, Aug. 24 at Palm Beach Polo & Country Club. The luncheon featured a champagne meet-and-greet with pro golfer Michelle McGann. BeachHouse Etc. provided clothing and ladies accessories for a fashion show. This event served as a kickoff for the 21st annual Arthur’s Jam gala. Shown above are Suzanne Pignato, Madison Koufos, Mindy Sepinuck and Megan Hamilton. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Wellington Exploring Ways To Modernize Entrance Signs
By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report The topic of modernizing some of the iconic signs that let people know they’re in Wellington was discussed at a recent workshop — part of an ongoing conversation, according to Wellington Project Director Mike O’Dell. “What we’re trying to do is update the signs,” O’Dell told the Town-Crier. “There have been some conversations amongst the council members and some of the community members that the signage that we have has been around since the inception. Specifically,
the ones at Forest Hill Blvd. at Stribling Way and the ones at Forest Hill Blvd. at Southern Blvd. They have been there since the inception of the community. We would like to update those a little bit, and take that design and carry that throughout the community.” The idea of updating the signs and their landscaping stems from a visioning meeting staff conducted with the Wellington Village Council earlier this year to visually enhance Wellington through signage, as well as fences and hedges along road rights of way. Vice Mayor John McGovern
OPINION
A Bit Of Americana Died With The Passing Of Comedian Jerry Lewis
Comedian Jerry Lewis passed away Aug. 20 at the age of 91. Sadly, the Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon over Labor Day weekend he championed for decades died before he did. Lewis served as national chairman of the MDA and hosted the live Labor Day weekend broadcast of the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon for 44 years. It was, for the longest time, a staple of the three-day weekend celebrating unions, as well as working men and women in America. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 13 OPINION.................................. 4 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 6 PEOPLE................................. 14 SCHOOLS.............................. 15 COLUMNS...................... 16, 23 BUSINESS......................24 - 25 SPORTS..........................27 - 29 CALENDAR............................ 30 CLASSIFIEDS.................31 - 34 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
Officials are discussing way to modernize Wellington’s entrance signs, such as this one on Forest Hill Blvd.
PHOTO BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
noted that the large entrance signs in Wellington could use a refresher, to bring them up to par with the rest of the village. Wellington, McGovern explained, has been maintaining the quality of its venues, sports fields and roads, and done so in a highquality manner, but signage has been overlooked. “We try to do it in a planned and phased way so those things are regularly being maintained and never fall into a pattern where we are behind the curve, and there’s a risk that things fall into disrepair. And that has been a hallmark of the way the village has been run,” McGovern said. “Signage has not been modernized and updated in the same way. It has been maintained, but that’s all.” McGovern thinks signage is important to Wellington’s image. “It’s certainly a good discussion, as we’re talking about how to keep Wellington current and desirable, that we look at setting up a schedule, and a budgetary plan, for modernizing, updating and replacing village entry signs, both large and small,” he said. Some of the communities within Wellington are also asking for See SIGNS, page 17
Jamaican Gospel Singer To Headline Church Fundraiser
By Jack Lowenstein Town-Crier Staff Report Royal Palm Covenant Church will host a fundraising concert featuring well-known Jamaican gospel singer Kevin Downswell in Royal Palm Beach High School’s auditorium on Saturday, Sept. 16. “This is our attempt to start a major fundraising program to allow us to be able to acquire a permanent home for our church and the food pantry that we now have,” Pastor Michael Rose of Royal Palm Covenant Church said. “It’s a big move for us. This is the first program that we’re launching.” Aside from Downswell, the concert lineup includes Copeland Davis & Company, Prophet Peter,
Ingrid Hunter, and Prophet Peart and the Full House Choir. The event also features the FCWC Dance Ministry, the Royal Palm Covenant Worship Team and Avea Bernard. “Kevin Downswell is one of Jamaica’s most famous gospel singers right now. He has traveled extensively across the world,” Rose said. “He’s been to Royal Palm Covenant Church several times before. He has been to our banquets. He is a supporter of ours, but he has never been to Royal Palm Beach to perform on this level.” Rose expects close to 850 people to attend the evening concert. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Admis-
sion is $35 in advance and $40 at the door for adults, $50 in advance for VIP tickets and $20 for children 12 or younger. “We have a few donors helping to sponsor the program, and the major funds are going to come from the tickets sold for the concert,” Rose said. “There are going to be refreshments available, and there will be several vendors there to offer different things.” Rose hopes to bring the community together alongside the fundraising efforts that are part of the event. “We’re hoping that this will be a great time for community, for fellowship and to support the food See CONCERT, page 7
Wellington Ed Board Approves Spinelli Grant Requests
By Jack Lowenstein Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington’s Education Committee approved grant requests from all 11 village public schools on Tuesday, Aug. 29. At the meeting, the board heard proposals from the school principals on how they would use their Keely Spinelli Education Grant funding for the 2017-18 school year. Through the grant program, the Village of Wellington designates a set amount of money each year with the goal of helping the schools assist lower-performing students. Out of the 11 public schools, six spent all the grant money received last school year, and five had money carried over. Every school requested either close to or exactly the $27,000 in designated grant money for the new year. According to the grant summary, $295,000 is the total amount
requested by the schools combined, and the total funding will come out to $319,339, taking into account the carryover from five schools. “My concern is the money that wasn’t spent, and I’d like to see us focus on using all of the dollars that were given,” Education Committee Vice Chair Shelly Albright said. “I’m not sure if there is a specific reason as to why the funds aren’t spent every year.” Principal Michele Johnson of Equestrian Trails Elementary School spoke on behalf of some of the schools regarding carryover dollars. “My situation last year was that I had someone in place, and she quit after one week, and it took me to almost the end of December, right before winter break, to get that second person, so I lost all that time,” she explained. “You See SCHOOLS, page 17
CAFCI TALENT SHOW
Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) presented its Stars of Tomorrow Youth Talent Show on Saturday, Aug. 26 at Crestwood Middle School. Young people showed off their talents in singing, dancing and playing instruments. Shown above, Junette Powell gives Jordaine Randon a karaoke unit for being the crowd favorite. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 19 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
ITID Puts Off Hiring Mediator To Get Park Project Moving
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors last week postponed hiring a mediator to get the stalled Acreage Community Park project moving again, granting Supervisor Betty Argue’s request to give her a month to resolve issues that have slowed progress. Argue recently took on the task of getting contractors, architects, engineers, district staff and Palm Beach County on the same page to make progress on the project, which recently has faced permitting issues that have stalled work because of changes to the plan that added amenities. ITID has been working on the 45-acre park expansion for nearly 20 years, according to a memo
from District Manager John Wodraska. The most recent contract was signed at the end of 2015. The primary contractor is Rosso Development of Lake Worth, and the design and management engineer is Craig A. Smith & Associates. Palm Beach County owns the property, providing a lease to ITID, and is the permitting agency. The project has been beset with delays, change orders and regulatory problems, according to Wodraska’s memo. While the original planned completion date has arrived, because of significant change orders, the project is not done, and the contractor is asking for an eightmonth extension. The engineer has been paid the entire original “not to exceed” fee, but much work See PARK DELAY, page 17
WHS Jumping Twins Place High At Junior Olympics
Tamara (left) and Tamya (right) Frazier with coach Derek Walker. PHOTO BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER
By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington High School seniors Tamara and Tamya Frazier are not your typical high school students. The 17-year-old twins both compete in track and field. They train at WHS and with Fast Lane Track Club, a travel track club, and had the opportunity to compete in the AAU Junior Olympic Games that took place this summer in Michigan. Tamara competes in the 400-meter, 800-meter, long jump and triple jump, and qualified for the long jump and triple jump. Tamya competes in the 100-meter, 200-meter, long jump and triple jump, and qualified for the long jump, triple jump and 100-meter. They focused on the long jump
and triple jump for the Junior Olympics and stood on the podium for the Women Triple Jump 17-18 years old. Tamara placed fourth, with Tamya following close behind, placing sixth. A triple jump has a hop, step and then a jump, where eventually, the athlete jumps into a sand pit. The long jump involves jumping off a takeoff board and soaring as far as possible into a sand pit. Both jumps require speed, skill and strength. When they aren’t working on their jumping, they do running exercises, covering sprints and longer runs, warming up and practicing together. But the girls weren’t always runners. “I started my eighth-grade year
of middle school at Wellington Landings. I just started for fun, just to do a sport, just to stay active. I actually really started to like it,” Tamara recalled. “Once I started winning, it was more fun. I continued and continued, and realized my abilities to go far with this… Now, I’m top four in the nation.” Tamya started a year before, in seventh grade, and became more serious about the sport in high school when she realized that she was good enough to earn a scholarship from running. In 10th and 11th grade, Tamya made it to state competition and is now ranked sixth in the nation for the triple jump for her age group. Both girls had off days during the long jump, falling short of their See FRAZIER, page 4