LOX COUNCIL TO CHANGE FENCING RULE SEE STORY, PAGE 3
NEW MEMBERS JOIN WELLINGTON PZA SEE STORY, PAGE 4
THE
TOWN-CRIER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
Your Community Newspaper
INSIDE Sheriff: PBSO Remains County’s Top Mental Health Provider
Volume 39, Number 36 September 21 - September 27, 2018
Serving Palms West Since 1980
AMERICAN LEGION ANNIVERSARY
The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce held a luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 13 focused on mental healthcare in Palm Beach County. The two keynote speeches were from Dr. Marisa Azaret, psychology division director at the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, and from the county’s largest provider of mental health services — Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw. Page 3
Celebration At Polo Park Marks Promise Life Chapel Anniversary
Promise Life Chapel celebrated its one-year anniversary with a worship service on Sunday, Sept. 16 at Polo Park Middle School. At the service, Promise Life donated money to Polo Park for lanyards to hold school ID cards for more than 1,000 students. To celebrate the anniversary, there was a bounce house, food truck and cake after the worship service. Page 5
Affordable Housing Remains An Issue For Wellington Seniors
Wellington’s Senior Advisory Committee met on Thursday, Sept. 13 for a meeting that featured a presentation on senior housing in the community. Page 7
Broncos Keep Cup After 52-10 Victory Over The Wolverines
Palm Beach Central High School had to come from behind in the second quarter to overcome a 10-7 deficit before rolling to a 52-10 victory over visiting Wellington High School on Friday, Sept. 14. The Broncos retained the coveted Wellington Cup another year in one of the area’s biggest games of the season. Page 21 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 15 LETTERS.................................. 4 PEOPLE................................... 8 SCHOOLS................................ 9 COLUMNS............................. 16 NEWS BRIEFS....................... 17 CALENDAR............................ 18 BUSINESS............................. 19 SPORTS......................... 21 - 22 CLASSIFIEDS.................23 - 24 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
Wellington’s Chris Reyka Memorial American Legion Post 390 celebrated its 10th anniversary and post re-dedication on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at the Wellington Community Center. Five past commanders were present, as well as visiting American Legion post members. Sons of the American Legion chapter members were sworn in. Shown above, are Commander Jim Napuli and past commanders Al Ziker, Max Nelson, Mike Pancia, Tom Clapp and David Knapp. Not shown: Tom Wenham. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 15 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
ITID Board Asserts Authority To Remove Swale Vegetation
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors held a lengthy discussion Wednesday about easement obstructions, especially plant growth in swales that hamper drainage in The Acreage. The board’s challenge is that ITID staff is retrofitting many swales where overgrowth and some large trees have been allowed to grow in the swales, and some residents do not want the trees removed. ITID Attorney Frank Palin had been asked to prepare a summary on the district’s authority to maintain and/or remove vegetation in the swales. “It really isn’t summarizing at all,” Palin said. “The board has unlimited authority to maintain and operate its works within [the] physical boundaries of its easements.” Supervisor Ralph Bair noted that when the district retrofits swales, it
does both sides of the slope. “It seems to me that in certain areas, we’re only maintaining the road side of the slope, not the property owner’s side of the slope,” he said. “Is that going to be the norm now?” He pointed out that a resident at the meeting had asked to have his side of the swale mowed. ITID President Betty Argue said that the district makes it clear that it is the landowners’ responsibility to maintain their side of the swale. Argue added that she had talked to District Manager Rob Robinson about a change in the slope elevations. “We have some residents, such as myself, who have complained about the fact that when it was changed, you can’t ride your lawnmower anymore because it was too steep,” she said. “Now, it becomes an issue for the district, because this resident is not maintaining their own swale.” Robinson said the slope ratio
depends on the elevation of the property and the street. “We have a specific criterion that we use in order to get the drainage out of that line,” he said. “We always try go get a maintainable slope at three to one, and that can be done on ridable mowers. Some people feel that is unsafe, but a minimum three-to-one slope is maintainable with a standard riding lawnmower.” Bair said that his swale angle had been increased during a retrofit, but he was able to cut it with a low-riding mower. “In a retrofit, that’s going to happen because a lot of the swales are filled in,” he said. Supervisor Tim Sayre acknowledged the district’s ability to maintain the swales but questioned the district’s ability to charge a resident who willfully plants trees in the swales double the cost of removing vegetative growth. He explained that some resiSee ITID SWALES, page 4
Three Circuit Court Seats To Be Decided In November
By M. Dennis Taylor Town-Crier Staff Report The nine candidates vying for three seats on Palm Beach County’s 15th Judicial Circuit Court were pared down to six during the primary election. The Nov. 6 general election pits the top two vote-getters from the primary election against each other in the races for the Group 13, Group 18 and Group 25 seats. The Town-Crier reached out to all six candidates seeking the sixyear, non-partisan terms and asked them to describe their background, why they are running and why voters should choose them. GROUP 13 Scott Ryan Kerner and Alcolya J.L. St. Juste were the top two vote-getters in the race to replace
retiring Judge David French in Group 13. With 41 percent of the vote, Kerner came in first during the primary. “I am running for circuit court judge because I believe in seeking the truth, pursuing justice and serving our community,” Kerner said. Born and raised in Palm Beach County, Kerner is the brother of Palm Beach County Commissioner Dave Kerner. “I am very passionate about this community. I have more than 10 years of litigation and trial experience in our Palm Beach County court system,” Kerner said. “As a civil trial attorney, I focus on complex litigation matters and ensure that the rights of individu-
als are protected and everyone is treated fairly.” Kerner explained that this experience will help him on the bench. “I understand how a courtroom works, how cases are heard efficiently, and how to ensure impartiality and the rule of law are upheld,” he said. “My trial and litigation experience distinguish me from my opponent and will allow me to serve effectively on the bench from day one.” Kerner noted that he has received endorsements from several entities. “I am proud to be endorsed by a wide range of organizations and leaders in our community, including the Fraternal Order of Police, the PBC Police Benevolent AssoSee JUDGES, page 18
Lox Council Musters Unanimous Vote To Approve Tax Hike
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council gave final approval Tuesday to a significant tax rate increase for the upcoming fiscal year — additional revenue designated to replenish the town’s depleted reserves and help improve deteriorated roads. The approved budget of $13.39 million includes a tax rate of 3.0 mills, 49.74 percent higher than the rollback rate of 2.0035 mills, and up from the current year’s tax rate of 2.15 mills. The hike comes after a year of the town scrimping and depleting all reserves after the council failed to approve a recommended tax hike last year. The millage rate and budget were approved after debate on whether to postpone the meeting, since it was scheduled for the beginning of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur that evening. Ultimately, after a failed 3-2 motion to postpone the meeting, the council decided to go ahead due to the importance of approving the tax rate and budget, and that the town had already paid to advertise the meeting for that evening. Councilman Todd McLendon pointed out that two people had brought up the issue of Yom Kippur, and that they could have had the opportunity to speak about the budget twice at previous meetings. Mayor Dave Browning pointed out that Yom Kippur is not a federal holiday, and Town Attorney Michael Cirullo said that although Yom Kippur is one of the Jewish High Holidays, the meeting’s subject matter does not interfere with anyone’s ability to practice their religion. When discussion returned to the budget, Councilwoman Joyce Batcheler said that she had taken the budget to an accountant for review. “I understand that some of you out there have accounting skills,” she said. “I don’t possess these skills.” After reviewing it herself, Batcheler took a copy of the budget to an expert who has worked
with Arthur Andersen and Ernst & Young, two of the top-recognized accounting firms in the world, to see if there was anything improper, incorrect or hidden. “The gentleman I sought advice from reviewed everything,” she said. “He thought everything looked fine. His first response to me, though, was frightening. The reason was, he said, ‘You have no money. You have no means to generate money.’” He noted that the town is one catastrophe away from not being able to meet its budgetary requirements, she said. Batcheler added that she is concerned about the town having enough money to move forward. “I’m sitting up here as a taxpayer, just like anybody else,” she said. “I’m retired. I’m on a pension. I do some part-time work, but nevertheless, I pay the same taxes everybody else does… If we want to keep our town a town, then we have to look at what it takes to get us by. I don’t think anybody out there, whether you’re watching online or here, wants to continue seeing what we went through this last year with our roads.” Batcheler said that she felt the council and its management firm did a great job of holding the town together despite spending down most of the reserves. “We took care of the worst of the emergencies,” she said. “We’re not out of the hurricane season yet. One heavy rain could put us right back to a terrible situation. We have no money left.” She pointed out that Councilman Dave DeMarois took a lot of grief over the past year for casting the single vote that excluded getting the suggested tax rate increase last year, but now he was making the motion to approve the 3.0 mills. DeMarois said people are now going to expect the council and the town to come through with improved services. “If we don’t, then they will know who to blame, and that’s us,” DeMarois said. Vice Mayor Todd McLendon See LOX BUDGET, page 18
ART SOCIETY MEETING
Wellington Art Society members gathered on Wednesday, Sept. 12 at the Wellington Community Center to kick off the 2018-19 season. Featured artist Nicole Galluccio, shown above, brought a selection of wearable art, such as purses and shoes that she created. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 15 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Armas: Stats Show Strong Improvements At RPBHS
By Chris Levy Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Education Advisory Board met Monday, Sept. 17 and viewed a trio of presentations from Royal Palm Beach High School, the School District of Palm Beach County and the Watch DOGS program. Councilman Jeff Hmara — who serves as the council’s liaison to the board — spoke highly of the newly reconstituted board, comprised of three professional educators and three parents. Chair Dr. Bill Thallemer is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame who received a master’s degree and a doctorate in higher education leadership from the University of Mississippi. He has more than 20 years of education experience and is currently an executive consultant for TalentQuest. Vice Chair Krystal Clark brings experience from a major urban
school district having served six years on the North Chicago CUSD Board of Education with two years as president. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social sciences and is a mother of three and a grandmother of seven. “Bill Thallemer has a doctorate in education leadership,” Hmara said. “We couldn’t have chosen someone better as chair. I have been involved with the board for four or five years. I’ve learned some really good things, and we have attracted really good people.” The first to speak was Dr. Jesus Armas, who has been the principal at Royal Palm Beach High School since 2010. He gave a lengthy presentation filled with statistics touting how the school has improved in several key areas during his tenure. “We need to meet the holistic needs of children,” Armas said. “They come as 14-year-old chil-
dren and leave as 18-year-old young adults.” One statistic that stood out was the increase in RPBHS students receiving free or reduced-price lunches. In 2010, 51 percent of the 2,062 students at RPBHS received the free or reduced-price lunch, but by 2018, 80.4 percent of the 2,309 students at RPBHS were recipients. Armas noted that this was the largest increase in the school district. Armas next focused on security — particularly in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. RPBHS has two police officers on site, along with a police aide at the entrance. In addition, the school employs seven security personnel and has an 18-member crisis response team. The connection between RPBHS and its alumni network was stressed by Armas. He ex-
plained that 21 members of his staff are alumni and 22 have a relative currently enrolled at the school. Between 2010 and 2017, the number of student disciplinary referrals dropped by a factor of six. In 2010, 1,892 students received a referral, whereas only 320 received a referral in 2017. Armas went on to cite the increased number of middle schoolers in the community applying to the RPBHS choice academies. That number was only 69 in 2011, but it grew to 270 for 2017. “That’s a number we’re happy with,” Armas said. “Our academies are filling up.” Among the academies at RPBHS are HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) — which is one of the longest on-going programs in the school district — as well as medical sciences, business marketing, STEM and the Navy JROTC.
Among the academic programs at RPBHS are International Baccalaureate (IB), AICE from the University of Cambridge, AP courses and AVID. AVID is designed for students who will be the first members of their family to attend college. Armas noted that there are more than 250 AVID students at RPBHS, which make them one of the largest groups in the school district. Thallemer was impressed by the school’s new IB program. Armas was pleased that students in the western communities no longer had to make the lengthy commute to Riviera Beach to participate in an IB program. “We always wanted an IB program,” Thallemer said. “It’s the right thing for our community. A rising tide lifts all boats.” The most impressive statistic of the RPBHS presentation was See RPBHS, page 4