Town-Crier Newspaper September 26, 2014

LOX GROVES FINALIZES 2015 BUDGET SEE STORY, PAGE 3

INDIAN TRAIL CANDIDATES QUESTION 1 SEE STORY, PAGE 7

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RPB Village Council Directs Broker To Market Crestwood Site

Volume 35, Number 39 September 26 - October 2, 2014

Serving Palms West Since 1980

WELLINGTON ROTARY PEACE DAY

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council gave approval last week for broker Douglas Kirlan to market a residential community at the village’s 151-acre former wastewater treatment plant site at the north end of Crestwood Blvd. However, the council asked to see plans with slightly less density than the 400 homes proposed. Page 3

Cleanup Helps Keep Wellington Beautiful

Wellington residents did their part to keep the community beautiful Saturday, Sept. 20 during an International Coastal Cleanup Day event. Volunteers picked up trash and loose litter along Greenbriar and Greenview Shores boulevards and in the Folkestone/Yarmouth community. Page 5

Art Cellar Celebrates Grand Opening Of New Studio In Wellington

Art Cellar, a combination of an art school and a wine bar, held its grand opening Wednesday, Sept. 17 at its location in Wellington Green Square. Owners Kim Hernandez and Jen Hernandez provide an artistic atmosphere for an arts-andcrafts adventure, made even more enjoyable with wine and beer options. Page 9

OPINION Better Laws, Cultural Shift Needed To Stop Texting And Driving

It has been a year since texting and driving became illegal in Florida. Lagging dangerously behind most other states, it took Florida until the 2013 legislative session to finally pass restrictions on texting while driving. However, the ban was set up as a secondary offense.

Florida needs both a stronger law and a cultural shift to combat this epidemic. Page 4 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS................................. 3 - 9 OPINION.................................. 4 CRIME NEWS.......................... 6 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 8 PEOPLE................................. 13 SCHOOLS.............................. 14 COLUMNS...................... 16, 23 BUSINESS......................24 - 25 SPORTS..........................29 - 31 CALENDAR............................ 32 CLASSIFIEDS.................33 - 37 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

The Village of Wellington and the Wellington Rotary Club sponsored the ninth annual Wellington World Peace Ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 21 at Wellington Rotary Peace Park. The local event coincides with the United Nations International Day of Peace. At the event, a new peace pole was dedicated to the memory of Father Salvatore “Sam” Profeta. Shown here is Rotarian Don Gross with Profeta’s family members, Maria Furlong, Mercedes Martinez and Robert Madonna.

MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 19 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Royal Palm’s Boxing Program Lives On, With One Big Change

By Briana D’Andrea Town-Crier Staff Report After a heated debate, the Police Athletic League boxing program in Royal Palm Beach will live on, with one major change — there will no longer be a deputy assigned to the job.

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council ratified modifications to the village’s contract with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday, Sept. 18. The changes were approved on a 3-1 vote with Councilman Richard Valuntas dissenting and Mayor Matty Mattioli absent.

“The significant change in this agreement is the PAL officer position being changed to a part-time recreation specialist position,” Village Manager Ray Liggins said.

The council initially had postponed a decision in August to consider whether to continue the village-sponsored program, end it or to hand it over to the PBSO to run as a part-time program.

Initially, PBSO officials pro-

posed replacing the PAL program officer with a detective, which would have ended the program but helped to alleviate an uptick in white-collar crime in the area.

However, a compromise will keep the program open part time.

“We think that we can continue the program pretty much as we have it, with different personnel, keeping it open 20 hours a week from the key times in the afternoon to the times at night,” Liggins said.

With help from PBSO Capt.

Paul Miles, Liggins researched the amount of time the boxing facilities were used over the course of a year. Details are being worked out, but the idea is to keep it open five days a week, four hours a day.

“I feel we’ve worked out a pretty good arrangement,” Liggins said. “It’s still being run through the sheriff’s office through our contract. They’ll still be able to leverage volunteers like they have in the past — and we get to keep the detective that the captain thinks will be useful. I think holding off

and coming back with this is a win-win for everybody.”

Councilman Fred Pinto agreed.

“We are maintaining the program, and I think it’s a good thing,” he said.

But Valuntas wasn’t happy with the idea of removing the deputy, and neither were the 30 adults and teenagers who attended the meeting in support of the program as it currently exists.

“I believe the program should carry on, as it is, in its current state, and it should be addressed again when the contract comes up,” Valuntas said. “This is definitely a better proposal than what was set last time, but I think it does take a part of the program away, which is young, at-risk and impressionable youth having a positive impact with law enforcement.”

Bill Connors, head coach for the PAL program for the past 14 years and a retired Hialeah police officer, said he was grateful for the program’s continuation. “Over See PAL BOXING, page 17

Wellington Trims Raises For Legal Staff During Final Budget Approval

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council gave final approval to its 2015 budget Tuesday, but reduced the size of the raises that had been requested by its legal staff.

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig questioned the proposed salary increases for the new in-house legal department established by the council 18 months ago.

“I know that we are dealing with a new department, and you’ve done a great job establishing it,” Gerwig said to Village Attorney Laurie Cohen. “One of the reasons we discussed going in-house was to save money.”

Gerwig said she thought the proposed increases for the legal staff — 17 percent for the village attorney, 14 percent for the assistant attorney and 12 percent for the paralegal — were disproportionate when compared with other staff members’ raises of no more than 2 to 3 percent.

“I know that we got a bargain, and we discussed that at the time,” Gerwig said. “I feel that we did a really good job at working at it, and I said at the time, ‘Come back in a year and let’s talk about an increase’ because I didn’t feel that this council would go any higher than the price we had listed.”

Cohen was hired in April 2013 at a $150,000 starting salary.

Gerwig said Cohen had also hired a paralegal that was above the stipulated price range, but she was hired because of her high qualifications and experience.

Vice Mayor John Greene shared Gerwig’s concern, but also pointed out the quality of work going through the department. “Those percentages, I did have some concerns, as well,” Greene said.

“I’m not sure I’m comfortable at those levels.”

Councilman Matt Willhite agreed. “I absolutely think we’re getting great work out of our legal department,” he said. “I still think

there’s room for growth, but I express those same concerns.”

Willhite pointed out that while Cohen and her assistant attorney are a separate legal staff, the paralegal is on the village staff.

“That’s even harder to accept because all the other general employees are getting 2 percent with a potential 1 percent,” Willhite said. “This would be a potential $8,000 increase in salary, plus the 2 percent and 1 percent potentially.

But if you look at the lawyer, it’s a $25,000 increase, which equates to a 17 percent increase, and then, when you add the 3 percent potentially on there, it equates to about a 23 percent pay increase in one year.”

He had advocated bringing legal staff in-house despite criticism that it would end up costing the village more.

“When you throw those additional increases on there, it shows what some people said would happen,” Willhite said. “We’re getting great value out of our legal department, but it is a little difficult to accept those percentages.

I would consider breaking that up a little bit.”

Councilman Howard Coates, himself an attorney, said ordinarily he would be opposed to the size of the salary increase, but that the council had pushed to bring Cohen aboard at the lowest rate possible.

“I knew at the time we were getting a bargain,” he said. “I don’t believe that the increase puts her above what would be considered the average out there for municipal attorneys at her level in villages or cities this size.”

Coates said he did have concerns about giving a raise to the paralegal who was hired from the private sector.

“I don’t think it’s fair to hire anyone from the private sector, and they take the government job with the expectation that they are going to be brought back near the See LEGAL STAFF, page 17

EQUESTRIAN TRAILS BEAUTIFICATION DAY

Wellington Council Completes Manager, Attorney Evaluations

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington Village Council members submitted performance evaluations for Village Manager Paul Schofield and Village Attorney Laurie Cohen on Tuesday, but a majority of the council refrained from sharing their opinions publicly.

Despite widespread speculation last week that the council might decide to dismiss Schofield, no such action was taken.

While Councilman Howard Coates and Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said that they were prepared to publicly evaluate Schofield and Cohen, Mayor Bob Margolis, Vice Mayor John Greene and Councilman Matt Willhite said that they would refrain from commenting on their written evaluations, pointing out that they

are public record, available for anyone to review.

Those evaluations, however, were not included in the meeting’s agenda backup.

Margolis said the annual evaluations give council members a chance to provide feedback to the only two employees whom they directly control.

“This is an evaluation, that’s all it is,” Margolis said. “That’s all the council has asked for. I, for one, am not going to go into my evaluation… These are evaluations I would like to work on with Paul and for him to work on with me.”

He added that they’re just part of the process. “Reviews are reviews,” Margolis said. “If you all want to discuss it, that’s fine, but I’m not going to.”

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said it was her understanding that

the evaluations were supposed to be held publicly.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with hiring or firing or promotion,” Gerwig said. “This is our opinion of how we are working together, and I think it’s invaluable to have this discussion of our impression of how we are working together.”

Margolis said the evaluations were only individual opinions.

“Opinions and perceptions are different,” he said. “I don’t want to challenge those or question those because even though I might not understand them, they are very valid. I would assume all the opinions and perceptions are correct.”

Willhite said the evaluations are a follow-through of contractual obligations between the council and its employees.

“It says that we will do an anSee EVALUATION, page 17

Dozens of students, parents and teachers gathered Saturday, Sept. 20 at Equestrian Trails Elementary School in Wellington for the school’s Green Beautification Day. Whether laying mulch or tending to one of the school’s gardens, volunteers spent the day hard at work. Shown here, Katey Johnson, Kellie Hansen, Emmy Johnson, Kendyl Crespo and Katie Hansen work on the butterfly garden. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 9 PHOTO BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER

Margolis To Chamber: All’s Well Here In Wellington

Wellington Mayor Bob Margolis speaks at Wednesday’s chamber luncheon.

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Wellington Mayor Bob Margolis gave his annual “state of the village” address Wednesday during a Wellington Chamber of Commerce luncheon at the Wanderers Club.

Margolis pointed out that his presentation was being videotaped for publication on the village’s web site. “I promise to behave for the whole presentation,” he said.

He also pointed out that due to the Sunshine Law and the fact that another council member, Howard Coates, was present at the lunch, he could not talk about any questions that might come before the council for a vote.

“Howard doesn’t know this, but I’ve offered to step out of the room and let him do the rest of the presentation,” Margolis joked.

Following a 2-minute slide show by Wellington staff on the challenges and accomplishments of the village, Margolis said the slides that made him look twice were about the amount of manure produced by horses in the village.

“I have to tell you, that’s a big issue for us,” he said. “We are in the process right now of looking for a central location in the Village of Wellington that would store the manure. The sugar corporations have said they would take all of it if we could find a central location to do that. That has been a really

big issue for us over the years with our water quality and the need for the reduction of phosphates in our [runoff] water.”

Margolis pointed out handouts on the lunch tables presenting the village budget in brief. On Tuesday, the council gave final approval to a budget of $76.9 million, an increase of $2.5 million from last year, with a tax rate of 2.45 mills.

“Our millage is the lowest that it has been in years,” he said. “I have to tell you, I’ve been involved in budget reviews and reports for a number of years in the Village of Wellington, but our staff… gave us the most transparent, most frugal budget that I have ever witnessed.”

However, he added, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office budget has been increased to provide better service.

“I can tell you that Capt. [Jay] Hart and the deputies, if you can meet any of our deputies on the street, they are the most qualified, most professional deputies that I’ve ever come in contact with, because our village residents deserve that,” Margolis said.

He said Hart made an interesting point during his recent annual presentation that reports of suspicious activities are up 77 percent.

“While one may think that’s not a good thing, we think that’s a great thing because we’ve been See MARGOLIS, page 4

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

The Town-Crier

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25th Anniversary Celebration

Caribbean-Americans For Community Involvement Caribbean-Americans for Community Involvement (CAFCI) celebrated its 25th annual Friendship Ball on Saturday, Sept. 20 in the Cohen Pavilion at the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. More than 500 people were in attendance.

The 2014 Friendship Ball celebrated 25 years of CAFCI’s commitment to the community. The evening featured entertainment from “Queen of Reggae” Marcia Griffiths, and Andrea “Delcita” Wright served as master of ceremonies.

CAFCI is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving and The event included a silent auction to benefit the Vivian A. maintaining the quality of life in the community and enhancFerrin Memorial Scholarship Fund, and Rhonda Ferrin-Davis ing overall cultural diversity. For more information, visit www. was honored with the 2014 CAFCI Outstanding Citizen Award. cafcipbc.org.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

CAFCI President Dennis Wright addresses the audience.

Elet Cyris Gives the invocation.

Dr. Bridgette Waldemar, Mistress of Ceremonies.

Rhonda Ferrin-Davis receives the Citizen of the Year Award from Michelle Santamaria.

Jess Santamaria presents a proclamation from Palm Beach County.

Fred Pinto presents a proclamation from the Village of Royal Palm Beach.

Councilman Howard Coates presents a proclamation from the Village of Wellington.

Congressman Patrick Murphy among the well wishers.

Consul General of Jamaica Franz Hall with Mayor Masters, Genieve White and Dr. Janice Cover.

Charlie Crist congratulates CAFCI.

WPB Mayor Jeri Muoio congratulates CAFCI.

Rhonda Ferrin-Davis with well wishers.

The Town-Crier

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

Page 3

NEWS

RPB Village Council Directs Broker To Market Crestwood Site

By Briana D’Andrea Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Village Council gave approval last week for broker Douglas Kirlan to market a residential community at the village’s 151-acre former wastewater treatment plant site at the north end of Crestwood Blvd.

However, the council asked to see plans with slightly less density than the 400 homes proposed.

In 2010, the parcel was listed as public ownership but deemed surplus property. A proposal to put non-residential uses there, such as an office park, met with strong community opposition. The property ended up being slated for use as a future single-family home development.

“We did that with the intent of turning this over when the market was ready to be developed. So now that time has come,” Village Manager Ray Liggins said at the Thursday, Sept. 18 meeting.

“We’re owners of the property, so we can dictate what we want.”

Vice Mayor David Swift said he received a number of calls regarding the property. “One person said we’ve talked to developers, and this is what they want. I have not talked to any developer about this particular project,” Swift said.

The council has three goals in mind for the parcel.

“We wanted the property to be residential, we want it be compatible with the surrounding homes that are there, but we also want to

maximize the value proposition of the property,” Councilman Fred Pinto said, adding that he would like to see larger home lots. “I would not want to see any 40-footlot homes. I could see the market pushing for that.”

Swift agreed. “In the end, the density of the proposed tract is going to be compatible with the surrounding area, which it is,” he said.

Liggins said that the council needs to give clear direction to the broker. “We do need to give potential purchasers a fair idea of what our vision is for the property,” he said. “Not providing that clear vision may affect the value of the property and the ability to have a final closing.”

Lox Groves Finalizes Budget

By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report Loxahatchee Groves Town Council members met Tuesday, Sept. 23 and finalized the town’s budget and tax rate for the upcoming year.

The council voted to reduce the proposed millage rate from the Truth in Millage (TRIM) rate set in July of 1.5 mills to a lower rate of 1.2 mills for the 2014-15 fiscal year.

Setting the rate at 1.2 mills leaves the town’s property tax rate unchanged from last year.

However, due to increasing property values, the rate is 9.6 percent more than the rollback rate of 1.0954 mills.

Bill Underwood, managing partner of the town’s contracted management firm, made a presentation before the rate resolution was voted upon.

“For each one-tenth of a mill, you would be reducing the revenue $21,910, so if you went from 1.5 down to 1.4, you would be reducing the revenue and the contingency by $21,910 for each of those 0.1 mill reductions,” he said.

However, residents attending the meeting were not happy with the proposed rate increase.

“The only way I would support an increase in the millage is to increase services to the town,” said Keith Harris of C Road. “If we get additional services, we should be willing to pay for it. If it was to raise to 1.5, I think it should be stipulated for a particular purpose,

such as the procurement of a permanent town hall.”

When the budget was first discussed in July, council members said that they would prefer to keep the tax rate unchanged.

The resolution to set the rate at 1.2 mills passed on a 4-1 vote with Councilman Tom Goltzené dissenting.

The rate equates to $1.20 per $1,000 assessed valuation on a homeowner’s tax bill after exemptions.

After the change, the council unanimously agreed to a number of other budget changes to reflect the new income level.

Wayne Burns, CEO of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce, was also on hand Tuesday to give a presentation regarding the chamber’s building located at F Road and Southern Blvd.

Burns has been discussing having the town take over the chamber’s building. He proposed a lease option, as well a lease with an option to buy.

Using Loopnet, a real estate search engine, in addition to appraisals and assessments, Burns told the council that there are not any similarly priced buildings available within a reasonable radius, and that the chamber is offering a price that is competitive with the market.

“We’re talking about a $480,000 buy price. We recognize that if you were to be interested in that and agree to that, that the stipulation is

Kirlan reassured the council that what was being presented was only conceptual.

“A plan such as this will be part of our marketing package, so that we can show the building community the direction that we want to go in — the kind of layout and lot count that we think is appropriate and compatible with the neighboring communities,” he said.

The current proposed plan calls for 400 total units, split among three sizes of single-family homes.

Ken Tuma, of Urban Design Kilday Studios, presented the idea of 75-, 65- and 55-foot-wide by 120-foot-long lots, with an overall density of 2.64 dwellings per acre.

“The density of this is very com-

patible to the surrounding densities of the area,” Tuma said. “When you look at the comparables in the area, Saratoga is 2.7 dwelling units per acre.”

The conceptual gated community features lakes and a public park next to the nearby H.L. Johnson Elementary School.

“What we think we’re presenting you is a single-family product that’s compatible with area in units per acre and in lot size,” Liggins added.

But Pinto said that he is concerned with the number of units in the community. “The number 400 is a little high, and I was thinking something closer to 300, maybe not more than 350,” he said. “My thought was have more amenities

for the people actually living in the community.”

Kirlan countered that there is a huge financial difference between 300 units and 400 units. “We’re not jamming in the properties,” he said. “If we do go less, it could cost us some dollars, but we want to reach that happy medium.”

Councilman Jeff Hmara, who lives near the area, expressed his concern about the amount of traffic the new development could generate.

“What kind of an impact can we expect from a 400-lot development on Crestwood Blvd., and what is that likely going to do to me as I drive out?” he asked.

Liggins said the proposed deSee CRESTWOOD, page 7

PBCHS HOMECOMING COURT

clear: We would need to go to the county,” he said, noting that the county owns the land and leases it to the chamber. “We would go to the county with deal-in-hand and tell them that the only way this moves forward is if they agree to deed the land. Another option, and I know this would be less preferable, maybe you desire it or not, would be a 99-year lease with a $1 buyout. But certainly we would go with the stipulation that you’re not going to make a move unless the county does so.”

After discussing the numbers and pointing out building scarcity in the region, Burns made a request.

“My request is, whatever you decide, if you have any seriousness about pursuing this and are not wanting us to take this opportunity public, then let us go away with a confirmed agreement that has stipulations, the county is one of those stipulations, and we will go to the county, say we have a deal in hand, and if they agree to the stipulations put forth by this council, then that deal will move forward,” he said.

Councilman Jim Rockett recommended buying the building outright, rather than getting into a lease. Goltzené, who thought the building decision was being rushed, suggested spending the $480,000 to do road projects, rather than purchasing a building.

Rockett made a motion for updated information from the chamSee LOX GROVES, page 17

Palm Beach Central High School held its homecoming activities last week, culminating with the crowning of Homecoming Queen Natalie Marcelo and Homecoming King Zachary Robling during the halftime of last Friday night’s football game against Boca Raton High School. (Above) Homecoming court members Lauren Mills, Evan Frost, Ivy Bentz, Joey Roamo, Megan Ritmiller, Kemar Downer, Natalie Marcelo, Zachary Robling, Marissa Migdal, Axel Rivera, Yolanda Lozano, Christian Correa, Megan Hamilton, Mason Roe, Laine Olsen and Jacob Kessel. (Left inset) Homecoming Queen Natalie Marcelo and Homecoming King Zachary Robling.

PHOTOS BY BARBARA BROCK/ PRESTIGE PORTRAITS

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

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OUR OPINION

Better Laws, Cultural Shift Needed To Stop Texting And Driving

It has been one year since texting and driving finally became illegal in the State of Florida. Lagging dangerously behind most other states, it took Florida until the 2013 legislative session to finally pass restrictions on texting while driving. However, the ban was set up as a secondary offense, meaning that drivers cannot be pulled over for texting and driving alone.

A deputy can only pull you over and issue a ticket if you committed another violation at the same time — for example, running a stop light while texting.

While it is certainly good that there is finally a law on the books, the toothless measure has not been as effective as it needs to be to keep our roads safe. Several legislators have promised to keep bringing the issue up until more teeth are added to the measure, but strengthening the law has not yet gained the traction needed to rise to the top of the heap in Tallahassee.

Most studies have shown that the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices increase the risk of getting into an accident at least by three times, with some studies putting the risk far greater. This risk has been shown to be the case locally. While crime is down overall in Wellington, traffic accidents remain a critical issue, with PBSO Capt. Jay Hart specifically calling out texting and driving as a growing problem that has been found to be at the root of more and more accidents on our local roads.

Of course, proper laws and better law enforcement techniques are only one way to tackle the issue. Another is to create a society that places driving safety above momentary convenience.

Kudos, for example, to the wonderful work done by the SADD program at Royal Palm Beach High School, which has run a proactive program aimed at stopping the texting-and-driving culture so prevalent among today’s youth.

Then again, while teenagers are often pegged as those most likely to text while driving, they are not the only ones to blame. Plenty of adults have the same issue. A recent AT&T survey showed that almost half of the adult respondents admitted to texting and driving, while slightly fewer teens admitted to it. However, 98 percent of all respondents knew what they were doing was unsafe.

There are many campaigns out there aimed at changing this dangerous behavior. For more information on texting and driving, and how to talk to your teens, visit www.distraction.gov.

AT&T’s “It Can Wait” campaign (www.itcanwait.com) has also been somewhat successful in its quest to get teens and others to take a pledge to stop such dangerous behavior.

Don’t wait for law enforcement to catch up to the culture, and certainly don’t wait until you become a statistic. Put the phone down and keep your eyes on the road.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Widespread Voter Apathy

Registered voters nationwide, and especially in South Florida, had an abysmal showing in the recent primary elections, and this begs the question, why won’t registered voters vote? Traditionally, in any election, if turnout is low, it does not bode well for the challenger.

When voters are unhappy with the incumbent, they tend to turn out in significant numbers to vote him or her from office. This was the case recently with ex-County Commissioner Addie Green in Mangonia Park.

My message to all incumbents who are not fulfilling their campaign pledges and are not representing their constituents effectively, forgetting that you are a public servant, you could and should be voted out of office.

You can fool some of the voters/ people some of the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.

Although primary elections in Florida are traditionally characterized by low voter turnout, this year, the turnout was dismal. How can the residents of the western communities hope to be empowered political communities if they refuse to vote?

A recent survey found that more than 23 percent of eligible voters were not even registered.

However, a fierce voter registration campaign is seeing a significant increase in voter registration among minorities and other eligible voters.

Voter apathy has led to a number of corrupt politicians being re-elected. This is a practice that we must put a stop to.

General elections, like the one due in November, are not as popular as presidential elections, but this year, voter support is particularly bad.

For example, in the Broward County Commission District 8 race, an estimated $600,000 was spent by the candidates resulting in just over 8,000 votes.

The candidates flooded the districts with campaign material,

media advertisements, robo calls, etc., but despite all of the work, the turnout remained very low.

This significant apathy requires a comprehensive study at local and state level. It must be determined why voters won’t go to the polls and vote. What is causing this reluctance, and what can be done to fix it? The lack of support is far from encouraging to these candidates seeking to represent our communities at various levels of Florida politics.

I am deeply concerned that the dismal showing of the last election could seriously demotivate potential political aspirants. To spend over $300,000 to get just over 4,000 votes must be really very frustrating.

A major question is, do we have confidence in our local candidates and do voters believe that elected officials do not effectively represent the issues relevant to them?

Something is causing this apathy, and we need to find out what.

If we in the western communities are serious about political empowerment, then every registered voter must make an effort to vote.

The Town-Crier and Palm Beach Post newspapers constantly encourage us to vote. Let’s follow their lead. Hopefully, the voters, especially in the western communities, will turn out to vote in record numbers come Nov. 4.

Karl Witter The Acreage

Educate Yourself Before Nov. 4

With the primaries behind us, some time passes before the Nov. 4 election kicks into high gear.

During this time, we find ourselves inundated with political ads, primarily for the gubernatorial election.

However, what most people fail to grasp are the numerous constitutional amendments that are up for a vote. These also have quite an impact on our lives. Anyone recall Amendment 1 in 2008 (aka, Save Our Homes)? Was it a good or bad thing now that we’ve had six years to deal with it?

As such, for those of us in the

western communities, I’d ask that you consider attending one of the “Election Time 2014: Know the Issues” events at the library. A representative from the county’s Legislative Affairs Department will present an impartial, bipartisan view of the proposed amendments up for consideration this year. Sixty minutes to help you determine what you’re punching yes or no about, and help us all to be better informed voters. I attended this event back in 2010 and it was very well done, and the representative did everything to ensure that there was a straight-forward, common-sense discussion on what it would mean to approve or reject a proposed amendment.

I would encourage people to attend. They will be held at the Royal Palm Beach branch on Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m., the Wellington branch on Oct. 9 at 2 p.m. and the Acreage branch on Sept. 26 at 3 p.m.

Kenneth Ida Royal Palm Beach

Juror Summons Process Unfair

Last week, in a televised interview with Palm Beach County Clerk of the Court Sharon Bock, she admitted that 50 percent of those subpoenaed for jury duty don’t show up with no repercussions or consequences! Had I been the interviewer (who did a great job), I would have asked her, “Why don’t you pursue those who don’t respond to the summons?”

Most likely, she would have said they don’t have the money or resources to carry out the law and do their jobs as mandated.

Therefore, the burden to pay falls unfairly upon the conscientious half who do show up!

In a one-man protest on the steps of the court house this week, I polled the individuals appearing for jury duty. Most said that they had been summoned repeatedly.

Personally, I’ve been called once every 2.3 years over the past seven years. Most people reported the same statistics, with one woman claiming she had been called to serve 10 times in the past 15 years!

While Ms. Bock claims it’s a

random process, the statistics seem to indicate otherwise. I’ve spoken to many individuals who profess that they’ve never been called for duty. Try it yourself! Ask your family or friends and associates how many times they’ve been summoned for jury duty For years, I mistakenly thought that the jury pool was taken from voter registration lists, only to find that it’s tied to DMV records.

What if non-responders were fined the “threatened” $100 and had it attached to their license or tag renewal? This seems like an easy process for generation of revenue, increasing the number of responders and relieving the unfair burden placed upon the conscientious who actually exercise their constitutional responsibility!

I thoroughly believe in a citizen’s responsibility to serve as a juror. However, I feel the system is unfairly populated, and there is no penalty for non-responders.

While they excuse those who are active in law enforcement, more consideration should be given to individuals in medical and lifesaving jobs.

If you believe there are inequities in the current jury summons process, I urge you to contact Clerk of the Court Sharon Bock or your media outlets.

Dr. Laurence Grayhills Wellington

Beware ‘Water Districtgate’

Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Supervisor John Ryan reported in the Sept.

8 LGWCD meeting that the LGWCD has received “a spate of public document request submittals, of which, the efforts has been interpreted as harassment or curiosity instead of productive effort.” The board supervisor indicated recent events have triggered the LGWCD’s urgency to revise public document request policies.

After considering a well-researched dissertation including appellate court rulings, opinions of the attorney general, law enforcement agency policy and other water control districts policies, by

Supervisor Ryan, the board motioned for punitive modifications to the LGWCD public document request policy.

The LGWCD is considering a policy reduction of customer service from one hour of extensive supervisory or clerical research time to 30 minutes at the hourly rate of the administrative assistant plus benefits. Documents from engineers, contractors and attorneys, and associated charged fees by those professionals, will be passed on to the requester. A deposit will be required prior to processing the request. Apparently, public document requests are a LGWCD irritant, similar to the LGWCD lawsuit requesting popular election of board supervisors.

What were the recent events?

Most likely, grievances against the LGWCD aired in town council sessions, letters to the editor requesting the LGWCD to answer the questions of Groves citizens, “when the LGWCD becomes dependent” being voiced by several councilmen during last week’s town council meeting, and the council’s recent discussion about the possibility of turning the LGWCD facility into a town hall complex.

The more objectionable exception to the change is the LGWCD acknowledgement of overcharging a select group of Loxahatchee Groves taxpayers for a culvert bridge replacement loan; a 10-year loan that has been in place for three years. The discovery of the overcharge was the result of a public document request. Will additional public document requests uncover other LGWCD secrets? Is this the beginning of “Water Districtgate?”

To provide a little background, the LGWCD wants payback for

the reduction of the town’s gas tax revenue subsidies to the LGWCD of which the LGWCD considers “bad form.” Perhaps, one day soon, the Town of Loxahatchee Groves will no longer require the use of the LGWCD meeting room for town functions. The final assessment of the proposed action is simply to repel the pesky public from wanting to be informed and involved.

State Statute 119 allows for the general public to have access to public records. If one has an extensive research request for the LGWCD, one simply submits a series of requests to avoid costs associated with the LGWCD’s curtailing of customer service.

The independent LGWCD must become dependent to the Town of Loxahatchee Groves.

Keith Harris Loxahatchee Groves

Carl Domino Needs To Reconsider

Editor’s note: The follow letter is in response to last week’s article on the District 18 congressional race.

Carl Domino describes himself as a “fiscal conservative.” Yes, but is he a ”fetal conservative?”

While he is personally opposed to abortion, he would not restrict a woman’s “right” to abortion. That is like saying he is personally opposed to child abuse but wouldn’t restrict his neighbors’ “right” to abuse their child. Abortion is the most painful, deadly, permanent act ever committed against a child.

Mr. Domino needs to reconsider.

Darlene Smith-Starr The Acreage

The Town-Crier welcomes letters to the editor. Please keep letters brief (300 words suggested). 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) 7936090; or you can e-mail letters@ goTownCrier.com.

NEWS

RPB Rec Board Agrees To Blue Star Marker At Veterans Park

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Recreation Advisory Board unanimously approved the installation of a Blue Star memorial marker at Veterans Park on Monday.

Rosita Arastoff, chair of the District 10 Blue Star Memorial Marker Program of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, made a presentation to the board earlier this year, asking to install and dedicate a Blue Star Memorial By-Way marker at Veterans Park.

Arastoff was back before the board this week. “I am here on behalf of the 18 garden clubs in District 10,” she said.

She explained that the Blue Star markers were originally designed in 1917 and displayed on homes during World War I and World War II, indicating that the household had a family member serving in the armed forces. “To this day, the Department of Defense oversees the use of this banner,” Arastoff said.

The Blue Star Marker Program began in 1944 when the New Jersey Council of Garden Clubs planted 8,000 dogwood trees along a stretch of U.S. 22 as a living memorial to veterans of World War

II. Since then, about 3,000 memorial markers have been installed across the country, designating about 70,000 miles of Blue Star highways as tributes to veterans.

“Some of you may have noticed Blue Star markers along highways,” Arastoff said, pointing out that in 1947, the Florida Legislature designated U.S. 1 as the state’s first Blue Star Memorial Highway, and in 1949, Florida’s first Blue Star marker was dedicated in Key West at the terminus of U.S. 1.

Today, Florida has 12 Blue Star memorial highways, including U.S. 441 and U.S. 98.

“The Florida Federation of Garden Clubs worked closely with the legislature to develop the Blue Star program here in our state,” Arastoff said, explaining that District 10 of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs encompasses Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Glades, Martin, Hendry and Palm Beach counties.

In 1981, a smaller marker was approved to be placed in areas such as parks, civic and historical grounds, and veterans’ cemeteries. In 2012, a Blue Star marker was installed at Veterans Park in Stuart.

“This is the type of marker

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we have in mind for your park,” she said, explaining that 15 Blue Star markers have been dedicated within District 10. “The national garden clubs and our 1,200-plus members of the garden clubs of District 10 would be honored to have one of our Blue Star markers join the other tributes in Veterans Park in Royal Palm Beach.”

Board Chair John Ruffa said he had seen the markers and wondered what their significance was.

“I guess my question would be, why has it taken so long, with all the veterans and beautiful parks that we have?” Ruffa said.

Arastoff said that club members are sometimes hard-pressed to get to all the areas they would like. She said her job over the past year has been to find all the markers they have in District 10.

“That’s how I found this location, and I thought this would be a perfect place for a marker,” she said. “We do encourage garden clubs to find more places.”

Arastoff said a specific location in Veterans Park had not been selected but that it would probably be a prominent location.

“Our hope is to get it approved and possibly dedicate it on Veterans Day at Veterans Park,” BARRY S. MANNING Publisher JODY GORRAN Associate Publisher

Recreation Superintendent Mike Mikolaichik said.

Board Member John Riordan made a motion to recommend approval of the marker, which carried 5-0.

In other business, Royal Palm Beach Wildcats Youth Football League President Michael Wallace said his league is having problems with people tearing up the playing fields they use at Seminole Palms Park.

He said the village is now responsible for maintaining the fields, which have been leased from Palm Beach County.

“We have a bit of an issue with how many people are getting on the fields,” Wallace said. “We are trying to address that. We keep people off the fields as much as possible.”

The league has one primary field, number 11, that they play their games on. “That field, for some reason, gets the most use,” he said. “People just jump on the field to do whatever. When it’s raining, we stay off the field. If it gets too squishy, we stay off it.”

Other people do not show the same consideration, he said, and the fields get holes that are dangerous for players. The village JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor

DAWN RIVERA General Manager

RON BUKLEY Managing Editor

EDITORIAL STAFF/ Chris Felker • Denise Fleischman • Julie Unger

tries to repair them, but problems keep recurring.

Wallace said there is no protection for the fields, which have fencing around the perimeter but have openings so anyone who wants to can use them. “There needs to be some protection around those fields,” he said. “People go on there and destroy them.”

He said there is also a safety issue where people can wander onto the fields during football games, placing themselves and players at

Margolis

Chamber Luncheon

continued from page 1 after village residents for years to say, ‘Pick up a phone and call us,’” he said. “Call the PBSO and let them know that there’s a bad feeling in the pit of your stomach that something may be happening around the community — that’s what their job is.”

He pointed out that most crimes in Wellington are committed by people coming into the village.

Traffic accidents remain an issue, but Hart had told him that many

risk. “There’s no barrier between the players and the people on the sidelines.”

Wallace asked whether there was some way that RPB could put in fencing or find some means of controlling access to the fields.

Mikolaichik said that any changes would have to go through the county, since the village leases the fields. Wallace said he would research the costs and feasibility of fencing and report back to the committee. of the accidents involve texting while driving.

“I’m not going to belabor all the points on our annual budget,” Margolis said. “Our annual millage rate is down, our crime is down, our parks and recreation department receives awards every year for the amount of programs and participants that we serve.”

He credited village staff with providing the best services that anybody could ask for.

“Take away the personality and base your decisions on the facts, and I think you’ll see that everything is working well in the Village of Wellington,” he said.

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

Page 5

NEWS

MANY BARGAIN HUNTERS STOP BY GIGANTIC GARAGE SALE AT FAIRGROUNDS

Thousands of people came to the South Florida Fairgrounds on Saturday, Sept. 20 to enjoy the 24th annual Gigantic Garage Sale.

Vendors, including many local nonprofits, filled the area to sell all kinds of goods, ranging from rare antiques to sweet treats and plants.

PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER

Boy Scouts Troop 111 from Royal Palm Beach wait for customers at their tables.

Michelle and Liz Bohning and Carol Shea represent the Epilepsy Foundation of Florida.

Florida Master Gardener Susan Lerner discusses herbs with Bea Marrero at the D.R. Bates Liners and Gallons booth.

Grace Gluski holds grandmother Eileen Ritter’s hand as she examines a plastic monkey head.

Penny “the Wonder Pup” with Colleen Blum, Lynne and Kevin Fiasconaro, and Cheryl Wellence of Destiny for Dogs.

Girls from Jupiter Girl Scouts Troop 22000 work their tables.

FOLKESTONE/YARMOUTH CLEANUP HELPS KEEP WELLINGTON BEAUTIFUL

Wellington residents did their part to keep the community beautiful Saturday, Sept. 20 during an International Coastal Cleanup Day event. Volunteers picked up trash and loose litter along Greenbriar and Greenview Shores boulevards and in the Folkestone/Yarmouth PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER community. Water and T-shirts were supplied to all participants for their efforts.

Girl Scout Daisy Troop 20257 was on hand for the cleanup.

Brenden Derrig, Ariel Raskin and Brynn Dalton.

Brenda and Lourdes Guajardo pick up trash.

Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office deputies Robert Rohman and Kent Kummerfeldt hand out water to volunteers.

Page 6

September 26 - October 2, 2014

The Town-Crier

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CRIME NEWS

Acreage Vehicle Thefts Reported

By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report SEPT. 17 — Three vehicle burglaries took place sometime last Tuesday night or Wednesday morning within walking distance of each other in The Acreage, according to reports from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation. The first incident took place between 2 and 6:50 a.m. on 62nd Lane North. According to a PBSO report, doors to both of the victim’s vehicles were locked, but someone moved an ashtray from one vehicle to another, while also taking various bank cards. A second case took place between 11 p.m. last Tuesday and 8 a.m. the following morning nearby on 120th Avenue North. According to that PBSO report, someone entered the victim’s property through unlocked front gates, opened the vehicles on the victim’s driveway and removed a Garmin GPS unit, several compact discs and Rayban sunglasses. The third vehicle burglary occurred between 11 p.m. last Tuesday and 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday on 62nd Lane North.

According to that PBSO report, someone bypassed the victim’s gate and tampered with the four vehicles on the driveway. Two of the vehicles were unlocked, and a prying tool was used to open another. According to the report, the vehicles were rummaged through, but nothing was taken.

••• SEPT. 16 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to the Walmart store on Belvedere Road last Tuesday regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 11 and 11:30 a.m., the victim placed $470 on the counter at the automotive section and had to move from register-to-register due to technical difficulties. According to the report, the victim claimed to have accidentally left a $50 bill on the counter. When she paid at 11:30 a.m., she realized that she was missing $50. According to the report, deputies checked surveillance footage, which showed that the victim never left the money for very long on the counter, and when it was on the counter, she was observed moving the entire amount of currency each time. According to the report, the victim was notified of the video observations and insisted that either someone stole the $50 or she had dropped it on the floor.

SEPT. 17 — A resident of Martin Circle called the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation last Wednesday morning regarding a case of fraud. According to a PBSO report, the victim received a call from Wells Fargo Bank informing her that someone attempted to make a $430.92 purchase with her debit card the day before at a Walmart in Texas. According to the report, a Wells Fargo representative informed her that the purchase was denied, her card was cancelled, and she should obtain a credit report and file a police report. Deputies advised the victim to keep a close eye on her other accounts to ensure they had not been compromised and provided contact information so she could put alerts on her identity with the national credit bureaus.

SEPT. 17 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to the Goodwill Industries store on Belvedere Road last Wednesday afternoon regarding a delayed theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 5 and

3:30 p.m. the next day, employees noticed that a red Asus laptop, valued at $169.99, was stolen from the showroom floor, with only the security cord and a plastic piece of the laptop remaining. There was no further information available at the time of the report.

SEPT. 18 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to a home in Greenway Village last Thursday morning regarding a residential burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between midnight and 2:30 a.m., someone smashed the sliding glass door to the victim’s home while the victim was nearby. The perpetrator entered the residence, stole a black wallet with credit cards and $230 cash, and left after causing at least $500 in damage. The victim was injured from glass debris. A witness observed someone near the home earlier in the day, but the victim could not identify the possible suspect.

SEPT. 18 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Royal Palm Beach substation was called to a medical office on Palms West Drive last Thursday morning regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 10:20 and 10:30 a.m., the victim observed an unknown black male walk out of her office before fleeing the area in a Dodge Caravan minivan with her wallet. The victim’s wallet contained $60 cash, her Social Security card and driver’s license, a concealed weapons permit and multiple store cards.

The victim’s Samsung Galaxy S4 cell phone, valued at $400, was damaged during the theft.

SEPT. 18 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was called to a location on Seminole Pratt Whitney Road last Thursday afternoon regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 9 p.m. last Wednesday and just after noon Thursday, someone entered the property and removed an Echo weed eater, a Homelite blower and a Huskey air compressor, valued at approximately $408, from an enclosed trailer and a barn located at the side of the property.

SEPT. 18 — More than $50,000 in jewelry was stolen from a home in Royal Palm Beach last Thursday. According to a PBSO report, the theft occurred between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the residents were not at the home. Upon returning, the victim’s son noticed that the sliding glass door had been smashed and one of the rooms had been rummaged through. According to the report, an armoire full of jewelry, valued between $50,000 and $60,000, was removed. Fingerprints and DNA evidence were taken at the scene. A witness had observed a gray vehicle backed into the victim’s driveway.

SEPT. 21 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to a residence on 57th Place South last Sunday morning regarding a theft. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 8 p.m. last Saturday night and 4:30 a.m. the next morning, someone pushed the victim’s Dixie Chopper riding lawn mower, valued at $12,038, out of the yard and approximately 25 yards to the street. According to the report, footprints and tire tracks from the mower were visible, as well as an indentation in the sand from what appeared to be a tailgate. There were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.

SEPT. 21 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Acreage/Loxahatchee substation was called to restaurant in Loxahatchee Groves last SunSee BLOTTER, page 17

Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County is asking for the public’s help in finding these wanted fugitives: • James Deehan, is a white male, 5’7” tall and weighing 150 lbs., with brown hair and brown eyes. His date of birth is 09/10/80. Deehan is wanted on felony charges as a felon in possession of ammunition/a firearm. His last known address was W. Pleasure Drive in Loxahatchee. He is wanted as of 09/18/14.

• Ramon Zarate, alias Zarate Ramon and Ramon Zarate-Martinez, is a white male, 5’3” tall and weighing 210 lbs., with black hair, brown eyes and multiple tattoos. His date of birth is 01/09/77.

Zarate is wanted on felony charges for the violation of supervised own recognizance for aggravated battery on a pregnant victim. His last known addresses were Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington and Viola Drive in Lake Worth. His occupation is a horse handler. He is wanted as of 09/18/14.

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.

James Deehan

Ramon Zarate

THE INFORMATION FOR THIS BOX IS PROVIDED BY CRIME STOPPERS OF PALM BEACH COUNTY. CRIMESTOPPERS IS WHOLLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTENT SHOWN HERE.

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

Page 7

NEWS

Wellington Equestrian Committee Sets Out To Update Comp Plan

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Equestrian Preserve Committee is working on a survey to post on the village’s web site to ask residents what they want to see in the equestrian overlay master plan as the committee goes through a process to update the document.

At a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 18, Wellington Projects Manager Mike O’Dell asked for the committee’s direction to begin the work.

O’Dell said the village has been trying for a long time to establish a clear vision for the future of the equestrian overlay.

“I think the challenge for you all is that you’re not dealing with a blank slate,” he said. “You’re dealing with property that has been developed and has been around, and it has been an evolution. There’s lots to do and many hurdles to overcome.”

Communications Specialist Sue Yap gave a demonstration of the village’s web site at www.

wellingtonfl.gov and how to access information.

“We’re working on trying to streamline that,” O’Dell said.

“One thing we’re trying to do is create a location for the equestrian master plan process so they know where to go and find that information.”

Yap said she is working with O’Dell to create a survey format to be posted online.

“I know you have members of the community who cannot be here all the time, and you want input from them, so we are actually working together to release online surveys, and they will be featured on the front page with a link,” Yap said, adding that the survey will be easy to use and will work with all computers.

O’Dell said he anticipated that they would create surveys as the Equestrian Preserve Committee reaches milestones in the reworking of the equestrian master plan.

“I think this is a great tool for people who are only down here seasonally,” Board Member Lin-

da Smith-Faver said. “How do we let them know that this exists?”

O’Dell said the village has Channel 18, but that village staffers are working on other ways to get the word out. Yap also pointed out that they might want nonequestrian input as well.

Faver said seasonal equestrians complain that the committee makes decisions when they are not in town. “Unless we make an effort to contact them, they don’t necessarily know what’s going on, so this is a great step in the right direction,” she said.

Yap anticipated that more people will make use of the web site as the word gets out.

Committee Chair Linda Elie asked whether people answering the surveys would be able to sign them and indicate where they live.

Faver said she would like people to keep their anonymity if they wish, and Yap said responses could be limited by computer address so that people would not be able to stack opinions.

Committee Member Houston Meigs asked how the surveys would be formulated, and Yap said she would ask for questions from members and build the survey.

Yap pointed out that almost 900 people responded to the budget challenge that was posted on the web site.

O’Dell said the first part of the workshop series will be an introduction to the equestrian element of the comprehensive plan and its purpose, goals and objectives; then they would have representatives of the equestrian venues come in and talk about their goals and visions.

“The month of October is pretty much queued up with the venues coming in and talking about their vision and what they see going on,” he said, explaining that in November, they would return to a more specific discussion of the comp plan.

Growth Management Director Bob Basehart explained that the comprehensive plan is the first

step in the permitting process.

“Every community that regulates land use in the State of Florida, whether it be a town, a city, a village or the county, has to have a comprehensive plan,” Basehart said, explaining that the requirements for it are regulated

by Florida law.

He said certain elements are required, such as land use, transportation, housing and infrastructure, but Wellington is one of the few municipalities in Florida with an equestrian element.

“There are going to be things in the equestrian master plan that really don’t fit with the current goals, objectives and policies in the master plan, so we’re going to be looking at changing some of those,” Basehart said. “One of the requirements with state law is consistency. It all has to work together.”

Meigs said the committee members would need to be familiar with linkages to other regulations in order to make meaningful changes.

“We need to understand those linkages as we get started on it, not when we’re halfway through,” he said. “We need to understand the implications, too.”

O’Dell said he had laid out a rough schedule for the committee’s review.

“We wanted to give you an overview of some of the questions and things that we’ve been talking internally about,” he said. “We’ve been looking at the equestrian element within the comprehensive plan.”

O’Dell said some of the elements of the equestrian master plan as it is now are more like statements than goals and objectives.

“The homework part of this that I have for you is, what are the components that you think make up the equestrian lifestyle?”

O’Dell asked. “Why are we trying to preserve this equestrian lifestyle? What is the equestrian community, and what is the equestrian lifestyle that we are trying to preserve?”

ITID Question 1: Why Are You The Most Qualified Candidate?

ITID SEAT 1

in order to act on the present and future issues affecting our community. I have been involved from cub scouts to athletics and from schools to clubs. These experiences and relationships would make me a good choice for the position.

Finally, my experience of serving on the board from 2006-10 allows me the opportunity to get right to work. I enjoyed working for the good of the community then, and would be humbled to serve again.

Michael Erickson — My education and experiences make me the best candidate. As a supervisor, you are given the responsibility to make important decisions for our community. As the founder of Canvas Designers, I have influenced my company’s growth to become the country’s largest custom marine canvas shop by proactive planning and efficient execution of goals. ITID needs to be more proactive in its planning, not reactive. Being a visionary convinced me to start the first national trade association of canvas shops and develop the technological processes that have changed the industry. I can help develop a vision and a plan to solve the issues of drainage, transportation and fiscal “bang for the buck.”

My experiences from serving on many boards gives me a unique knowledge of how to govern through policy. Serving on ITID will allow me to bring some of that knowledge and professionalism to the board. A board member should not micromanage the day-to-day operations, but rather, concentrate on developing long-range policies, plans and procedures that will make ITID a more streamlined, efficient agency that can protect the community’s chosen lifestyle in a cost-effective manner. Instead of reacting to issues after it is too late, I will drive the board to become more proactive at addressing the issues.

My experiences from raising my family in The Acreage since 1987 offers me historical knowledge

Jennifer Hager — I have served as a supervisor with the Indian Trail Improvement District since November 2, 2010. This is my fourth year of service to the district. Currently, I am employed by the Palm Beach County School District and am in my 12th year of teaching. I am married with two children and have lived in The Acreage since 2005.

My mission remains to actively serve the residents of the Acreage/ Loxahatchee area with honesty, fairness and respect, with special emphasis placed on the amount of consideration I give to how my voting will affect residents. I will continue to be a strong advocate for the protection of our unique, rural lifestyle. Standing behind my decisions with integrity is something that I am proud of. I am fully knowledgeable of the operations of the district, as well as with the issues that we are facing as a community in the times ahead. I will not sell out our community, give away our land, sign over our rights, or mismanage our precious water or our hard-earned money. I believe people want someone who is trustworthy, matter-of-fact, not easily swayed and never bought. I believe that people want someone in office who will listen to the issues with an open mind, someone who is not afraid to take a side or a stance and someone who will fight for their rights.

Often, what “qualifies” a person to serve the public is not only the years spent on the dais or the award plaques hanging on the wall, but

Ralph Bair — I am the only candidate with experience, and I am not a single-issue candidate.

My experience will matter as we take The Acreage into the next decade as it deals with growth management.

I was born in Palm Beach County, and I, with my wife Jeanetta, have been a residents of The Acreage for more than 35 years. We have seen many changes in the area where we have raised our daughters and enjoy our grandchildren. I have been a member of many organizations, including the Acreage Landowners’Association, the Acreage Rotary and the Jaycees. I volunteer within our community at the Great American Cleanup, Seminole Ridge High School Project Graduation and was recently a volunteer guardian to a World War II veteran during an Honor Flight. I look forward to other volunteer opportunities that will help our community and all of its residents.

Being an Indian Trail Improvement District board member means that I need to understand and represent the community as it pertains to our parks, our roads and our drainage. Not any one of these components is less valuable than the other. They define us as a community in unincorporated Palm Beach County.

I believe my best quality is that I’m a good listener. I’m concerned about all Acreage residents and try to make myself available to each resident and listen to their concern.

Being a good listener also allows me to understand what Acreage residents want and negotiate with surrounding agencies for the betterment of The Acreage.

The Acreage is my priority.

When I retire from the Palm Beach County School District, I intend to retire here in The Acreage. It’s the

“We’ll go to market, then we will go to contract. Once the contract purchaser is in place, then we will go for a different zoning change, and then that will be public process,” Liggins said. “We will go through the planning and zoning board and then to the council for the first reading on the zoning.

The zoning will go from public ownership most likely to RS-3, with potential for exception as a

[planned unit development]. Then we’re planning on going to closing and then an adoption of that zoning sometime after we close.”

Councilman Richard Valuntas said he thinks that there should be a maximum of 400 units. “I would suggest that for marketing purposes, anything that is possible for a low of 300,” he said.

“I wouldn’t want to see it go any lower than that; and a maximum of

From now until the election, the Town-Crier will ask questions each week to the six people running for three seats on the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors. This week’s question: Tell us a little bit about your background. What makes you the most qualified candidate to sit on the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors?

Crestwood

Residential Community

continued from page 3 velopment follows all traffics rules and meets all standards.

The project will have to go through all of the necessary public hearings and committees before final approval.

also heart. I have the heart to make the right decisions and the drive to see them through.

ITID SEAT 3

Mike Erickson Jennifer Hager community that I both love and desire to continue to represent with your support.

Alan Ballweg — I have lived in The Acreage for 14 years. I believe the Acreage/Loxahatchee community is unique, and that we live in a beautiful area with a high quality of life. This needs to be protected and preserved, and not Browardized. I oppose “Traffic Storm Minto,” and believe we do not need a city in the country.

My education and experience is an almost perfect fit for the ITID board. I graduated from Stanford University with a degree in economics and engineering management, and have been working professionally as an engineer. This gives me knowledge of finance, accounting, cost/benefit analysis and an extensive technical knowledge of drainage and flood control systems. I will be able to help make The Acreage a better place while saving the taxpayers money.

I believe honest government starts at the top, and that ethics should be part of every governmental decision and action, which is one reason why I support the inspector general.

Since Tropical Storm Isaac, I have shown exceptional dedication and commitment to our community by working hard on important issues such as flood prevention and over development.

I have attended and participated in every ITID regular meeting for the past two years. I am a member of the Palm Beach County Flood Prevention Task Force, and have been very active with the South 400, I wouldn’t want to see more than that.”

Liggins said that will be taken into consideration.

“I think if what we’re looking at doing is mixing more of the 65-foot lots in with the 55-foot lots. I think it’ll be somewhere in the 380 number or somewhere thereabouts,” he said. “I would not want to take units off for the sake of taking units off. It really has a lot

Ralph Bair

Alan Ballweg

Florida Water Management District and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission to obtain drainage access for ITID to the 2,300-acre Moss property, which I believe will give us enough emergency drainage capacity to prevent another flooding event like Isaac.

I look forward to continuing to serve the community and the residents.

Betty Argue

Carol Jacobs

mitigate the changes and make informed choices to help protect the lifestyle that we have come to know and love. I am committed to making a difference by representing the residents’ concerns and focusing on their priorities.

I have been involved in the “No to Minto” movement since its inception and am a founding member and officer of Alerts of PBC Inc.

ITID SEAT 5 Betty Argue — I am running in the election for Seat 5 on the Indian Trail Improvement District Board of Supervisors. I have years of experience working in the legal arena, real estate and ombudservice. I am married, and I presently am a stay-at-home mom of active 4-, 6- and 19-year-old boys, which enables me to devote my energies to my family and community. A few years ago, my family and I moved to The Acreage. When we moved to the area, we desired an environment that had a more rural feel and culture for our young family to grow up in. We found that here.

I decided to seek this office because I realized that our unique rural, agricultural and equestrian community is at a critical juncture. We are faced with growth and development that will have significant impacts on our roads, drainage, homes, schools, lifestyles and, most importantly, taxes.

We must have effective leaders on the board. There will be tough choices to be made by the Indian Trail Improvement board, and I will be here to make sure that we

Carol Jacobs — First of all, I have lived in the Indian Trail Improvement District for 15 years. Of those 15 years, I have served for 8 of them on the ITID board. With that being said, I would, if I may, quote former candidate David Bradley, from his own words in the Seat 3 primary election. His quote was exactly correct, which when I read, brought me to tears, and if you know me, that’s hard to do. Mr. Bradley’s quote: “I do not think that experience or education immediately makes someone a good candidate. Character, compassion, heart, generosity, selflessness, humility, reason and honesty; these are the qualities most valuable to an elected official, and these are the qualities most lacking in politics today.” Well said, Mr. Bradley! I do feel that this district, a family-orientated community, needs exactly those qualities in a candidate. This district is very much in need of someone who can be able to listen to both sides of an issue and make decisions for the betterment of the community. I am very passionate about this area and will continue to fight to make this a better place to live.

more to do with the configuration of land, how big the retention pond would be, how much wetlands you have on the property. We have a very developable piece of property.”

Swift said it is important to be on the same page as the public, but was happy with the initial draft.

“I’m flexible; I think this is a good first step,” he said.

Also last Thursday, the council

unanimously approved final adoption of its budget for fiscal year 2014-15. The council approved the operating millage rate necessary to finance the budget, which is 6.79 percent above the rollback rate of 1.798 mills. The final rate of 1.92 mills for the general fund was unchanged from last year.

The adopted budget goes into effect Oct. 1 and runs through Sept. 30, 2015.

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NEWS BRIEFS WWC Meeting Set For Oct. 2

The Women of the Western Communities will hold its monthly dinner meeting and program starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Wanderers Club (1900 Aero Club Drive, Wellington). The meeting will feature Felicia DelValle from the YWCA Harmony House speaking about domestic violence.

The Women of the Western Communities is a social philanthropic group of local ladies who meet once a month for dinner, camaraderie and a monthly program.

RSVP no later than Sept. 28 to Lynda Chicano at lynda.chicano@ gmail.com or Mair Armand at mair@wwc-fl.com or (561) 6350011.

Acreage Dog Wash And Food Drive Oct. 5

TLC Productions will present the Acreage Green Market’s first Four-Legged Food Drive & Charity Dog Wash on Sunday, Oct. 5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Acreage

Community Park (6701 140th Ave. North) to benefit Loxahatchee Lost & Found Pets, Loxahatchee Adoptable/Rescued Pets and Tiki Kiti & Poni Rescue. Doggy washes will cost $10, and sponsors and volunteers are needed and appreciated. For more info., contact Sandy at (561) 723-3898 or agmbytlc@ gmail.com.

RPB Fall Fest At Park Oct. 25

Fall Fest will return to Royal Palm Beach Commons Park on Saturday, Oct. 25 from 1 to 9 p.m.

The event will evoke the nostalgic feeling of a community festival, kicking off the fall season with great family fun, a variety of craft vendors, lots of great food, live entertainment and more. There will be a performance by local artist Emily Brooke at 4 p.m. and the Kiss tribute band “Kiss Alive” at 7:30 p.m. The park will be filled with roving entertainers, the Kids Fun Zone, a pumpkin patch and many other activities. Get in the holiday spirit with a dog costume contest at 3 p.m. and other costume contests at 5 p.m. Trick or treat at the park starting at 5 p.m.

Vendors should visit www. pottcevents.com to register. For more information, visit www. royalpalmbeach.com.

ing different styles of workouts, at the Royal Palm Beach Recreation Center. For more info., call (561) 790-5124.

Pumpkins At Community Of Hope Church

Wellington Greenmarket Returns Oct. 18

Community of Hope Church (14055 Okeechobee Blvd.) will be hosting its annual Pumpkin Patch from Oct. 6 through Oct. 31.

A variety of pumpkins, mini pumpkins and gourds will be available, along with baked goods.

The patch will be open Mondays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Come to enjoy the familyfriendly environment and pick out that perfect pumpkin.

For more info., visit www. gocoh.com.

RPB Rec Hosts Body Dynamics

On Saturday, Oct. 11, from 9 to 11 a.m., Body Dynamics of the Palm Beaches will host its “Fitness Fun and Friends” open house, an aerobics morning offer-

The Wellington Greenmarket has announced it will open its 2014-15 season on Saturday, Oct. 18 at the Wellington Municipal Complex, located at 12300 W. Forest Hill Blvd. The market will run weekly on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until April.

“We could not be more honored and thrilled to have the return of our local growers and local businesses creating a pure farmer’s market rooted in the community of Wellington and the surrounding western communities,” Wellington Greenmarket Director Peter Robinson said. “The location on Forest Hill Blvd. provides ample free parking and easy access on Forest Hill Blvd.”

The market features seasonal access to locally grown produce, plants, fresh artisan breads, herbs, seafood, cheeses and Canal Street

South. Visit www.wellington greenmarket.com for more info.

‘Horses Helping People’ Oct. 5

The first “Horses Helping People” Family Resource Day will be held Sunday, Oct. 5 from 1 to 4 p.m. to introduce children and families to the positive impact of the horse-human bond.

This free event, sponsored by the Equus Foundation and American Association of Caregiving Youth, will be held, rain or shine, in the covered Van Kampen Arena thanks to the support of the Van Kampen Boyer Molinari Foundation. The arena is located at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center at 13500 South Shore Blvd. in Wellington.

The community is welcome to directly connect with the recreational and therapeutic facilities in Palm Beach County offering horseback riding and equineassisted activities, and have the chance to win riding lessons and other products and services donated by exhibitors. “Horsing Around” activities include demonstrations of dressage by inter-

national dressage rider Marco Bernal, polo by Palm City Polo and reining by the cowboys of Steed Training. “Horse Health” will be a topic covered by the Palm Beach Equine Clinic, and Personal Ponies will have its specially trained miniature Shetland ponies on hand.

There will also be arts and crafts, along with hair chalking by Spazio Salon. Tasty treats will be donated

by Visiting Angels of SE Florida.

Space is still available for riding programs that wish to exhibit at the event. For more info., contact Abbi Bentz at (561) 789-6076 or e-mail abentz@visitingangels.com.

Patriotic Bike Parade Sept. 27

The Greenview Shores I Neighborhood Watch Program has organized a Patriotic Bike Parade on Saturday, Sept. 27 going through a few local neighborhoods, ending at TCBY for yogurt. Bikers are encouraged to decorate their bikes with as much patriotic bling as possible. The start time of the parade is 11:30 a.m. Bikers are meeting at the cul-de-sac of Northumberland Court. For more info., call Rich at (561) 695-8505.

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NEWS

ART CELLAR CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF NEW STUDIO IN WELLINGTON

Art Cellar, a combination of an art school and a wine bar, held its grand opening Wednesday, Sept. 17 at its location in Wellington Green Square at 10660 W. Forest Hill Blvd. Owners Kim Hernandez and Jen Hernandez provide an artistic atmosphere for an artsand-crafts adventure, made even more enjoyable with wine and beer options. For more info., call (561) 792-2272 or visit www. artcellarwellington.com.

PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER

(Front row, L-R) Liz Aiello, Grace Lepley and Carissa Hehn; (back row) Julie Schnee and Alisa Lindenberg.

(Front row, L-R) Shannon Arczynski, Sara Frost, Jen Hernandez and Julie Fruhling; (back row) Kristen Cooke, Kristine Arczynski, Joanne Schunatz and Adrienne Seals.

Owners Jen Hernandez and Kim Hernandez.

Noreen Heelan, Kelly Mendel and Jodi Earle work with ratchets to cut wine corks to decorate letters.

Adrienne Seals puts together her craft project.

Julie Schnee and Alisa Lindenberg work on their letters.

VOLUNTEERS TAKE PART IN BIG BEAUTIFICATION DAY AT EQUESTRIAN TRAILS

Dozens of students, parents and teachers gathered Saturday, Sept. 20 at Equestrian Trails Elementary School in Wellington for the school’s Green Beautification Day. Whether laying mulch or tend to one of the school’s gardens, volunteers were hard at work from PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER early morning to the afternoon.

PTA President Michelle Starr, PTA business partner Kate Lester and PTA Programming Vice President Sarah Hansen enjoy making the school look even better.

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Principal Michele Johnson and daughter Sierra work on weeding with Joe and Mary Berger.

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PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Baywinds Shepherds Guild Hosts Baby Shower For Homeless Coaition The Shepherd’s Guild of the Baywinds community partnered with Carrabba’s in Royal Palm Beach on Monday, Sept. 15 to sponsor a baby shower luncheon to benefit the babies of homeless families that come into the Sen. Philip D. Lewis Center, a part of the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County.

Each guest was asked to bring a baby shower gift. A monetary portion of each lunch was also donated to the Homeless Coalition due to the partnership with Carrabba’s. More than 60 guests participated in the fundraising luncheon, which helped raise

September 26 - October 2, 2014

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JUSTICE PARIENTE VISITS JURY ROOM

awareness for homeless families in Palm Beach County.

The Shepherd’s Guild thanks Carrabba’s in Royal Palm Beach for its willingness to help make the activity a great success.

The Shepherd’s Guild is a Baywinds Community club that is dedicated to a charitable mission. Its members donate time, goods and services to those in need through activities such as the baby shower luncheon.

(Right, L-R) Betty Lantiere, Adele Carvelli, Holly Panagacos, Linda Parody, and Carol Kuhney.

FRENIERE-SAMILJAN MARRY IN HAWAII

Realtors Work With Habitat For Humanity Housing, as part of the American Dream, has and always will be a passion of the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches (RAPB) and its members.

As part of their long-standing commitment to strengthen homeownership, one of the annual traditions for RAPB members is donating to and building homes through Habitat for Humanity, a volunteer organization that partners with the community to build affordable homes together.

On Saturday, Sept. 6, RAPB members not only donated $5,000 to the home of a family in Lake Worth, but they also spent the day assembling walls and installing them throughout the house. The

Katherine Marie Freniere and Chad Kendall Samiljan were married on June 10 in Maui. They are the children of Chuck and Carol Freniere and Steve and Allyson Samiljan, all of Wellington.

Their attendants included Santiago Alvarez, Gabrielle Clark, Daria Mlinar and Adam Samiljan. Katherine, a graduate of Wellington High School and Florida State University, is an English teacher at Palm Beach Gardens High School. Chad, also a Wellington High School graduate, attended the University of Central Florida and is employed by Marriott. Following a wedding trip around Hawaii, the couple is residing in West Palm Beach.

home still has a way to go to before completion, but RAPB members are happy to have made a difference.

Habitat for Humanity consists of two different chapters in Palm Beach County that are on pace to complete approximately 30 homes this year.

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities in Southern Palm Beach County, call Julia Rowe at (561) 819-6070, ext. 214, or e-mail her at jrowe@hfhboca.org.

Volunteers are also needed in Northern Palm Beach County. If you would like to volunteer for the northern chapter, call (561) 253-2080 or e-mail volunteer@ habitatpbc.org.

Members of the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches helped build the home of a Lake Worth family and donated $5,000 to construction costs.

Judge James Martz, Florida Supreme Court Justice Barbara Pariente and Palm Beach County Clerk & Comptroller Sharon Bock addressed jurors on Monday, Sept. 15 as part of Constitution Week. Bock also presented Justice Pariente with a flag flown at the Judicial Center, given in appreciation of her service to Palm Beach County and the state.

MARINE TRAINING FOR ADAM PENDLETON

Marine recruit Adam Pendleton, Platoon 1066, Alpha Company, 1st Recruit Training Battalion, holds up barbed wire so his fellow recruits can crawl under on Aug. 26 at Parris Island, S.C. Barbed wire is one of the many obstacles on the combat training course, a part of basic warrior training, held during the ninth week of boot camp, which focuses on basic field-related skills all Marines must know. The basic combat training recruits receive while on Parris Island will be broadened after boot camp during follow-on training at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Pendleton, 18, is from Wellington.

Parris Island has been the site of Marine Corps recruit training since 1915. Today, approximately 20,000 recruits come to Parris Island annually for the chance to become United States Marines by enduring 13 weeks of rigorous, transformative training.

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NEW SCIENCE LAB AT NEW HORIZONS

The New Horizons Elementary School Science Lab, created by PTA parents, affords students the opportunity to complete hands-on science experimenting. Pictured here are Ashley Schroth with her fifth-grade students exploring the states of matter.

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SCHOOL NEWS

Renaissance Students Take Citizenship Test

In 2012, Xavier University conducted a survey confirming what many feared: American citizens perform poorly on the U.S. Citizenship Test. If a passing score was only a 70 percent, according to the university, half of all citizens taking the test would still fail.

This year, the Renaissance Charter School at Palms West seventh grade civics students took on the daunting challenge of taking and passing this test.

Remarkably, 124 students were given the U.S. Citizenship Test as a way to measure their knowledge of concepts deemed necessary for citizenship. After instruction, the results were phenomenal — 91.4 percent of seventh graders missed 10 questions or less on this 100 question exam. In addition, 16 students scored a perfect 100 percent.

All students passing this exam were rewarded with unique Citizenship Certificates, and the students with perfect scores additionally received a commemorative presidential dollar coin.

Students Isabella Cuppari, Jake Longobardi, Dylan Bickram and Olivia Soto.

PBC School District 4H Volunteers Recognized With Lifetime Award Offers Free Flu Shots Healthy Schools, in cooperation with the School District of Palm Beach County and the Florida Department Of Health will “Teach Flu A Lesson” with free flue shots.

Palm Beach County public school students are gearing up to fight influenza this school year.

The partnership between the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County, the school district and Healthy Schools LLC and was formed to immunize all students who provide completed signed consent forms at no cost. “‘Teach Flu a Lesson’ is a proven initiative that improves the health of students,” said Tony Boselli, Healthy Schools’ founder.

“We are delighted to provide flu vaccine to students in Palm Beach County.”

Flu immunizations will be administered by Healthy Schools’ nurses to students with parental consent in every participating Palm Beach County public school between Sept. 22 and Oct. 2.

“This is a perfect opportunity for parents to assure their children are immunized against the flu this year,” said, Dr. Marsha Fishbane, School Health Medical Director

for the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone ages 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine yearly.

Bringing flu vaccines into schools has proven to be an effective way to increase the vaccination rates for children in Florida.

Each year in the U.S., an average of 20,000 children under the age of five are hospitalized for flu-related complication. Children with chronic health conditions such as asthma and diabetes have an extremely high risk of developing serious flu-related complications.

Children are more likely to get the flu or have flu-related complications because their immune systems are still developing.

Schools tend to serve as incubators of influenza in each community.

During the 2013-14 flu season, 107 deaths in children were reported.

For more information, call the Florida Department of Health’s Palm Beach County public information line at (561) 671-4014 or visit www.floridashealth.com or www.pbchd.com.

Together, Linda Wooten and Rosemarie Oschmann have volunteered for 75 years with the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension 4-H program. Their efforts have helped thousands of children develop essential leadership, life and workforce skills through a wealth of projects ranging from public speaking and citizenship to cooking, sewing and equestrian science.

So, it was no surprise when both women received the Outstanding Lifetime Volunteer Award during the annual 4-H Appreciation and Achievement Night. The pres-

tigious award recognizes adult volunteers who have served 4-H for 10 years or more and have demonstrated outstanding service to 4-H, while promoting volunteerism as an opportunity and privilege to serve the community.

As a co-leader of the 4-H Helpful Hearts Club, Oschmann has dedicated 30 years of service to youth in Palm Beach County.

“Rosemarie makes education fun for youth,” said her mother, Helen Adler. “She recognizes that each young person brings with them varying levels of skills and maturity, and tailors her instruction

to help each child reach his or her goals.”

As a member of the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame, Adler knows what it takes to help youth thrive.

For the past 45 years, Wooten has made a difference in the lives of youth and families in 4-H and across the equestrian community.

As a 4-H horse project leader and member of Palm Beach County 4-H Association, Wooten has been instrumental in developing the countywide program by helping to plan and implement equestrian competition and shows, fundraising to provide financial assistance

for children, and preparing young people to not only become skilled in equestrian science and horsemanship, but to also develop into responsible, successful adults.

“If we could have a little more of Linda within ourselves, this world would be a better place,” said Pam Kalil, who nominated Wooten for the award. “She would do anything for anyone, most importantly, the boys and girls in our 4-H program.”

To learn how you can volunteer with Palm Beach County 4-H, call Jonathan Mayer at (561) 233-1731 or e-mail fourh@pbcgov.org.

PBSC Receives Large Hispanic Serving Grant

Palm Beach State College has been awarded a more than $2.58 million U.S. Department of Education grant to provide additional academic services and support programs to further enhance retention and graduation rates of Hispanic and low-income students.

To qualify for the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, PBSC’s enrollment had to reach at least 25 percent Hispanic in the year prior to applying. Although the Hispanic

population has grown through the years, PBSC reached the required threshold last year. The Hispanic student population, the fastest growing at the college, was 26 percent in 2013-14.

Dr. Peter Barbatis, vice president of student services and enrollment management, said although the HSI grant is awarded to institutions serving large Hispanic populations, ultimately the entire college will benefit from the initiatives being implemented to strengthen the critical first-year

experience for students, better track their progress and improve retention and graduation.

“This has great implications for the college to establish some new and exciting initiatives that can help all students. The grant will help facilitate both internal and external collaborations, which promote student access, engagement, success and program completion,’’ he said.

The college will receive the Title V grant in increments over a five-year period to implement

its Pathways to Success project.

The project has four key components: purchase and integrate new Student Success Plan software with PBSC’s Enterprise Resourcing Planning system to improve student advising, tracking and communication; implement a comprehensive and intrusive case management advising system; pilot a learning communities program for underprepared firsttime-in-college students; and create professional development opportunities for faculty.

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NEWS

Congressman Patrick Murphy Visits With Patients At Royal Manor

By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-District 18), visited the Royal Manor Nursing Home in Royal Palm Beach on Tuesday, Sept. 23 to speak to residents and patients about senior issues and concerns.

Murphy, who is in a tough re-election campaign against Republican Carl Domino, received a warm welcome from patients and administrators as he toured the facility before engaging in a roundtable discussion where residents gave their perspectives.

Patricia Gibbs asked Murphy about Social Security from both a business and personal perspective.

“Why is there no discussion of elevating either the maximum or the minimum?” she asked.

“Why don’t they talk more about funding it? Our generation paid for the previous generation. Why shouldn’t the next generation do the same thing?”

Without missing a beat, Murphy agreed with Gibbs. “You’re exactly right,” he said. “That’s a lot of what we’ve focused on, in my office, and what I’ve said continually. We need to balance the budget, there’s no question — but don’t do it on the backs of veterans or on the backs of seniors… The fact is, with Social Security, it is 100 percent sustainable to the year 2033.”

Gibbs advocated for more support for rehab facilities, one of the services available at Royal Manor.

“I don’t know what people

would do if they didn’t have rehab,” she said. “I’m alone; I don’t have children or anything. All you could do is send me home to die.

When you get home healthcare, it’s a half-hour, maybe every day if you have an incision or something, but when you’re as sick as I was, you need someone within 60 seconds to help you. I just can’t imagine you taking away from veterans or from anyone.”

Murphy noted how difficult it can be to find accommodations for Alzheimer’s patients, mentioning that his grandmother was recently diagnosed with dementia. “It has been very difficult finding the right facility to treat her, and the rehab,” he said, sharing his own struggles with choosing where to seek treatment for a loved one.

Nola McIlven came to Royal Manor, having tried four other locations after suffering a stroke.

“I spent 100 days here, and if you want to look at me on the day I came in and the day I went out, you’d say, ‘Who’s that girl over there?’” she said. “I really, really worked hard on it. I still have a lot to go. I’m walking by myself.

I’m living at home. I came in by myself, all the way here, and it’s because of the 100 days I spent here with these people.”

Before posing for pictures with residents, Murphy addressed the room.

“This congressional district is home to the third-largest amount of seniors in the entire country, and I’m the youngest member of Congress — go figure,” he said.

Royal Manor staff members, patients and guests gather with Congressman Patrick Murphy.

Patricia Gibbs voices her concerns to Congressman Murphy.

Mikki Meer of Gulf Coast Health Care speaks with Congressman Murphy as Julette Browne looks on.

Nola McIlven with Congressman Murphy.

“Taking care of our veterans, taking care of our seniors, must be my number-one priority. My title is ‘representative,’ so it is my job to

be the voice of my constituents…

It’s really important to me that I get an opportunity to come listen to what’s working.”

Wellington Business Competing For National Grant Bruce and Stacey Ollis of Brucesghostpepperz.com are not only long-time Wellington residents, but they are being considered along with thousands of other applicants for the opportunity to be awarded a small business grant from Mission Main Street Grants, offered by Chase to help small businesses become successful start-up ventures.

Brucesghostpepperz.com is a unique family business that has grown in just three years from a handful of ghost pepper seeds into a hot local commodity. As certified growers, the company sells ghost pepper plants and seeds, as well as artisanal chili pepper products made with local, farm-fresh ingredients. Products include ghost pep-

per hot sauce, pepper jams, bloody mary mix, spicy rubs, guacamole and dip mixes, powders and other hot and spicy items.

Each year, the company continues to grow, with several new items just around the corner for the upcoming season, such as Bruce’s Ghost Strawberry-Rhubarb Jam, Habanero Key Lime Hot Sauce, Ghost Blackened Rub, and MakeIt-Yourself Ghost-Pineapple BBQ Sauce. The company also offers custom gift-wrapped packages for holidays, wedding favors and other special occasions. Their products are available at several green markets and local venues, as well as online at www.bruces ghostpepperz.com.

Bhut jolokia (a.k.a., the ghost

pepper) has been around for many centuries and is believed to have originated in India. The word bhut means “ghost” and was likely given the name because of how the heat sneaks up on you. In 2007, the ghost pepper was certified as the “World’s Hottest Chili Pepper” by the Guinness Book of World Records.

Although some people shy away from these brightly colored and pungent fruits, eating capsaicin (the natural chemical that gives chili peppers their heat) is actually very beneficial to the body and provides an extensive list of natural health benefits, ranging from pain relief and anti-inflammatory to heart-health properties.

Voting for the grant competition

Brucesghostpepperz.com at a local green market. is underway through Oct. 17, with each applicant needing at least 250 votes to qualify for the next round of review and judging by an expert business panel. To cast your vote in support of this local business, visit www.missionmainstreetgrants. com/business/detail/28257. More information is also available at www.brucesghostpepperz.com.

PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER

Royal Manor, the Royal Palm Beach Health and Rehabilitation Center, combines skilled nursing care and services with a special-

ization in physical therapy. It is located at 600 Business Parkway in Royal Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 798-3700.

Motorcycle Poker Run To Benefit The Children’s Healing Institute

The Guardians of the Children Palm Beach will hold its inaugural poker run benefiting the Children’s Healing Institute this weekend.

The event will bring together riders from all over the county dedicated to the prevention of child abuse.

Registration begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 28 at the Children’s Healing Institute at 1803 S. Australian Avenue with the first bike out at 10:30 a.m. The ride concludes at the Palm Beach Ale House and includes a 50/50 raffle, lots of vendors, food and fun for all ages.

A poker run is an organized motorcycle event where each rider travels a prescribed route, stopping at checkpoints along the way to

draw a card to complete their poker hand. At the end of the run, the best hand will receive $100 and the worst hand $50.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Children’s Healing Institute. The mission of the Children’s Healing Institute is to prevent child abuse by strengthening families facing crisis, challenge and change.

Through its diversified programs, the Children’s Healing Institute is able to serve 4,000 families each year in Palm Beach and Broward counties. For additional information, visit www. childrenshealinginstitute.org.

For more information about the poker run, call (561) 662-3206.

Page 16

September 26 - October 2, 2014

The Town-Crier

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FEATURES

I’m Waiting For A Baby To Arrive... And It’s Taking Way Too Long!

This is unnerving. My daughter Jennifer was supposed to have her baby yesterday... and she didn’t. Where the heck is that kid?

Well, I know where it is. It has spent nine months (and a day) languishing on Easy Street while Jen huffs and puffs up the stairs, falls into armchairs with no grace at all and gets tired two hours after she wakes up in the morning.

The last sonogram showed a big, contented baby with rolls of fat and chubby little legs. Sounds endearing, but I, of course, am more concerned about my own baby right now — the one who looks fat but isn’t and has chubby little ankles upon which to support her ever-increasing bulk.

Deborah Welky is

The Sonic BOOMER “It’s only water weight,” I tell her, but I am still concerned.

Jen is usually tall and svelte, and I am used to seeing her that way. Her co-workers have recently forgone politeness to incredulously ask, “Haven’t you had that

baby yet?!” before giving her a wide berth down the hallway.

The only one who is not concerned is Jen. “People are already driving in from other states to meet this baby,” she said, shrugging. “It may not get here before they have to leave.”

Mother Nature. You gotta love her. (“Don’t tell me what the experts say about when you’ll give birth!” she roars, forever menopausal.)

When she had her first baby, I flew up a few weeks before it was due, puttered around her house for a few days, spent 20 hours in the waiting room at the hospital, helped the happy new family get settled,

then flew home. This time, I’ve been here for the duration and, let me tell you, nine months is a long time to wait for something “in the oven.”

I have new sympathy for expectant fathers. Let’s get on with this.

I mean, I endured the nine long months when I had my own kids... but, back then, I felt no rush to get to the labor part of labor and delivery. I was willing to let nature take its course. I suppose this is how Jen is feeling.

I am not so patient anymore. I want Jen back taking the stairs two at a time, sharing an armchair with her toddler and having enough energy to get her through the day.

That shows how out-of-touch I am — delusional, really. Who leaps up the stairs while clutching an infant? Who has time to sit around in armchairs? And who is brimming with energy when they have a newborn at home?

I guess I just want to be assured that everything is alright and seeing is believing.

If I could readjust my focus, I would be cherishing the quiet, being grateful that Jen made it to term and serenely folding tiny cloth diapers. But, alas, that is not my style.

I want to hold the baby! Let me hold that baby! I think I just heard someone snickering. Is that you, Mother Nature?

Ensemble Cast Great In New Movie ‘This Is Where I Leave You’ Take an all-star cast, put them in a family “tragic comedy,” let them all act their behinds off, and you get This is Where I Leave You. It is a funny movie at times despite the tragedy of the characters’ lives; I laughed a lot. Some of the situations were ridiculous but also recognizable.

The movie, unlike many films this year, focused heavily on relationships, and I liked that a lot. I enjoyed the movie, and so will you, but it falls short of greatness.

Judd Altman (Jason Bateman), the central character, comes home early on his wife’s birthday to surprise her and is shocked to find her (Abigail Spencer) in bed with his boss (Dax Shepard). A few months later, his job and his wife gone, he learns that his father has died. He returns to his hometown to mourn with his mother Hillary (Jane Fonda), a well-known family therapist who has gleefully reported on all of her children’s misdeeds growing up in her popular books.

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler Joining them is his sister Wendy (Tina Fey), lonely because business-obsessed husband Barry (Aaron Lazar) ignores her. There is oldest brother Paul (Corey Stoll) and his wife Annie (Kathryn Hahn), who are driving themselves nuts because of the precise sexual scheduling required to have a baby. And, finally, there is the youngest brother Phil (Adam Driver), who is essentially the boy toy of wealthy psychotherapist Tracy (Connie Britton).

Mother Hillary insists their father’s

last wish was for all of them to sit shiva together, a weeklong Jewish mourning period for the dead. This is a classic way to get people who might not normally spend much time together to rub against each other and get comedy heat. Instead, we see the collapsing lives of each of the family members.

Judd meets up with Penny (Rose Byrne), a girl he knew in high school who had a huge crush on him. The chemistry between them flares, and then wife Quinn comes back into his life to tell him she is pregnant with his child. Judd, a man who has spent his life looking for simplicity, comes apart. Wendy, whose husband leaves after a few days to fly to London, has time alone with former boyfriend Horry (Tim Olyphant), who had been the great love of her life until he was brain-damaged in an auto accident. He is a tragic figure, dealing with remembering the young man he once was while frustrated by his current

condition. All of the situations, while dire, are also funny, and, for a change, most do not end really well. In this way, it’s very much like real life.

The cast is exceptional. Fonda manages to be both maternal and funny. Bateman comes across as a real person, albeit one with serious issues. Fey is seldom funny, but she somehow makes every scene meaningful. Byrne is lovely, as usual, as one of her signature offbeat characters.

Olyphant somehow takes a relatively small part and made it memorable. Driver’s character is the flashiest, and he does an exceptional job of being a jerk. But the best part of the casting was that every actor was so good that the cast blended well. None of them looks enough like any of the others to truly be a biological family, but somehow they made this movie family work.

I like relationship movies. Too often our films use special effects to get around

gaps in the plot. The only special effects in this movie were Fonda’s artificial breasts, which managed to cause at least a few of the laughs. It provides a certain pleasure when plot twists surprise us, as several did near the end of the film. The lives of the people are messy, as are many of ours.

They make human compromises and live with them. Life goes on even when things go bad.

This is a pretty good movie, particularly for those of us with an adult sensibility.

There is nothing in the film that kids should not see, but most will not appreciate the compromises people make with their own lives, along with their acceptance of problems.

I liked the movie, and the large audience seemed to agree with me. The applause at the end of film seemed quite genuine. You might try this one as a break from the staged violence in upcoming feature films.

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Wellington The Magazine is excited to continue “Wellington’s Next Top Model,” a monthly spotlight on some of Wellington’s most beautiful people, all of whom seriously have what it takes to be the next runway superstar. In June, we began teaming up with local fashion retailers, hair and makeup industry professionals, and others, who will work with our models to get them camera ready for a full-on model shoot courtesy of Abner Pedraza, a professional photographer with Wellington The Magazine. Each month, we will feature a different model and share a bit about their pursuit of becoming a professional model. When the series is concluded, we will ask our readers to help us decide who should be named

“Wellington’s Next Top Model,” earning the top prize: a professional modeling portfolio, in print and digital versions, valued at more than $2,500, as well as being featured on Wellington The Magazine’s December cover as winner of the contest. Think you have what it takes or know someone who does? Visit us online at www.wellingtonsnexttopmodel. com and submit your information and photo.

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or e-mail us at wellingtonsnexttopmodel@gmail.com www.wellingtonsnexttopmodel.com *18 years and younger must have written consent from parent or legal guardian. Wellington The Magazine reserves all photography rights and may use your story and image/photos in all promotional and editorial context. All results are final and winner(s) names will be published on or about December 2014.

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

Page 17

NEWS

Kravis Center’s Annual Public Ticket Sale Day Set For Sept. 27 The Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will kick off its star-packed and show-filled 2014-15 season with the annual Public Ticket Sale Day on Saturday, Sept. 27, with the box-office windows opening at 9 a.m.

Jill and Rich Switzer, the morning hosts on Legends Radio 100.3FM, will welcome ticket-buyers between 8 and 10 a.m., and the Kravis Center will be offering breakfast treats and holding special prize drawings.

“Our upcoming season will be

particularly exciting,” said Judith Mitchell, CEO of the Kravis Center. “With such a well-rounded roster of performances, the Kravis Center once again provides something for everyone, and this season reflects our commitment to offer programming that is as diverse as the community we serve.”

Just consider this incredible lineup of superstars scheduled to perform at the Kravis Center from October through May: Dave Mason, Audra McDonald, Joshua Bell, Boz Scaggs, Tony Bennett,

Pilobolus, Celtic Woman, Diana Krall, Alton Brown, Lewis Black, Gino Vannelli, Cesar Millan and the three concerts of Michael Feinstein conducting the Kravis Center Pops Orchestra.

“In addition, our blockbuster lineup will offer an amazing array of Broadway fare, along with plenty of delights for those who love comedy, dance, classical music and jazz,” said Lee Bell, senior director of programming at the Kravis Center.

Of the six Kravis On Broadway

shows scheduled for the 2014-15 season, tickets for The Book of Mormon (Dec. 16-21) are now sold out and tickets for Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Nov. 11-16) will go on sale on Sept. 27.

Tickets for Flashdance The Musical (Jan. 27-Feb. 1) and Anything Goes (March 10-15) will go on sale on Dec. 13, and one week later, tickets will go on public sale for Memphis (April 7-12) and Pippin (April 28-May 3).

Kravis Center members will have an opportunity to purchase

individual tickets before the public ticket sale dates for the four remaining Kravis On Broadway shows. For more information on membership, visit www.kravis. org/membership or call (561) 651-4320.

In addition to performances in the 2,195-seat Alexander W. Dreyfoos Jr. Concert Hall, the Kravis Center will present a diverse array of drama, music and dance (including Peak, which features unique, daring and thought-provoking artists from around the

world), in the intimate 300-seat Marshall E. Rinker Sr. Playhouse, the flexible 300-seat Helen K. Persson Hall and the 1,400-seat outdoor Michael and Andrew Gosman Amphitheatre.

Tickets for the Kravis Center’s upcoming season will be available for purchase on Saturday, Sept. 27, beginning at 9 a.m., at the Kravis Center box office at 701 Okeechobee Blvd., online at www.kravis.org, or by phone at (561) 832-7469 or (800) 5728471.

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

PAL Boxing

Program Stays

continued from page 1 the years, we’ve had quite a bit of success,” he said. “Our thing has always been family, school and then boxing. So thank you.”

One concern had been that not enough Royal Palm Beach residents participate in the long-running program.

“We look at what we are getting for our money,” Swift said at the August meeting. “Currently, in this particular contract for the PAL program, there’s $120,000 to run the program. When you break that down, I think there’s 33 people from the village who use that program. You divide that

Evaluation

Schofield And Cohen

continued from page 1 nual evaluation,” Willhite said.

“What was brought forward was a documented, written evaluation form. It was talked about and put out there for about six or eight weeks. It’s not like the time sneaks up on us. Every September comes and every budget comes every year, and the contracts with these two employees talk about the evaluation process.”

Willhite stressed that his discussion about the evaluations at a previous meeting was not political, but focused on the fact that it is supposed be done at the final meeting of the fiscal year.

“We can’t set a road map for hiring or firing in the future if we don’t know where we came from,” he said. “We can’t identify objectives or goals or areas for improvement if we haven’t identified where they need improvement. I think that’s all I asked for at the last meeting. I’ve submitted my evaluation. It’s part of the public record.”

Willhite said he had not asked to have the evaluations placed on the public agenda, but Margolis had decided to place it there.

Margolis said that he had orig-

Legal Staff

Smaller Raises

continued from page 1 level where they were in the private sector,” he said. “I think that’s the wrong expectation when taking employment with a municipal government.”

Cohen said that the raise would bring the assistant attorney up to an industry average, which would be about where she should be, particularly with her expertise.

“In my mind, with respect to the assistant attorney, it’s not out of the norm,” Cohen said. “She has definitely been an asset to the department and can do a lot of project work that I can’t get to.”

by $120,000, and that’s $3,600 per child.”

Councilman Jeff Hmara agreed that the program needs more participants. “The challenge to you all is to bring your friends,” he said. “I would say it’s fairly underutilized.

My impression is that’s a darn good program — no doubt about it — but I’d love to see more of you involved.”

Swift agreed. “Even with the part-time person, this is still the most expensive program that we operate in the village,” he said. “I think we will need to have a way to get an accurate count of the actual participants on a monthly basis.”

Sean Fitzpatrick, a 27-year resident, said that there was a 41 percent increase in activity of the program that helps expose at-risk youth to positive law enforcement,

according to a 2013-14 village performance report. Fitzpatrick said he wants to see the program continue as it stands. “I am for it being with the deputy,” he said.

Thomas Williams, who has volunteered for the boxing program for about 14 years, has also seen it grow. “Even if we touched one life, it means something. So, we have to push to keep it going. Numbers don’t win the award; intelligence wins the award,” he said.

Program participant Jayla Coombs said the boxing program changed her life. “I support this program with the deputy because I’ve never felt more comfortable with a deputy than I have here,” she said. “It has made me closer to people in the community and officers, and it has made me closer to my parents, because I have

something to tell them about when I come home from school.”

The public’s support for keeping a deputy attached to the program wasn’t enough to sway the council’s decision, although Swift complimented the attendees.

“I’m very impressed by the young men and ladies. You gave me a different perspective,” he said. “I struggle with the original cost of the program, and I see it as unsustainable. I think the village manager trying to bring the program back is sustainable. I’m supporting the manager’s proposal.”

Valuntas was also concerned that without the PAL deputy, there wouldn’t be a liaison between Royal Palm Beach High School and the PBSO. “If we have kids who are in the schools involved in the program

with the law enforcement officers — that’s an invaluable resource,” he said. “I think it’s a different level when you have a program specialist instead of a sworn law enforcement officer.”

Miles, who started the liaison program more than a year ago, said that program will not go away. “If that position is not going to go to the school, I will have somebody going to the school, as long as we’re running the PAL program,” he said.

Pinto was concerned with another issue. “It has more to do with giving our law enforcement leader the resources he needs to stem white-collar crime,” he said. “We need to have detectives working on a full-time basis… That’s the number we should be concerned with.”

The PBSO District 9 substation in Royal Palm Beach has one of the smallest detective bureaus, Miles said.

“We cannot assign every case to [just] two detectives… I cannot assign 200 more cases to the two detectives I have in there; it’s just not feasible,” Miles said.

Liggins cited statistics showing that a third detective is needed.

“The number of cases in 2012 was 367, assigned to two deputies; in 2013, there were 572 cases assigned with the use of the temporary duty officer,” he said.

“I think from going from 367 in 2012 to 572 in 2013 and then 250 halfway through this year — the demand is there.”

The council will have to revisit this issue again when the PBSO contract is up in two years.

inally intended to discuss the evaluations under the agenda’s “Council Comments” section, but with rumors circulating, he felt it would be better to have it as an agenda item. “My biggest concern was that people would say, ‘Well, I saw the agenda online, you didn’t give me forewarning that this was going to be a discussion. You didn’t give me an opportunity to come and speak,’” Margolis said.

Greene said he had had private conversations with Schofield and Cohen about his evaluation. “I think it’s very clear between our private conversations where I stand and what my feelings are,” he said.

Greene did, however, take the opportunity to berate local media for reporting residents’ concerns that Schofield might be targeted for firing. He said he had refrained from talking to reporters before the evaluations became public because he thought it inappropriate, and pointed out that the Palm Beach County Office of the Inspector General is available for residents to express their concerns.

“Until we have the opportunity to get the information to the right authorities and let them evaluate it, I’m not prepared to do anything but continue to work with Mr. Schofield and Ms. Cohen, and do what’s best for this village,” he said.

Coates said he believes that the public is entitled to hear the council’s opinions of the two employees it has responsibility for.

“I’m not going to go into detail, but I am going to do my evaluation, because I think it’s important for the public to know where I stand,” Coates said, starting with Schofield.

“I’ve worked with you almost six years, and I find you to be outstanding,” he said. “I think you have been very successful in navigating the village through what has indisputably been a very tough economic time… You were able to facilitate draconian cuts in our budget, while at the same time you, in my opinion, were still managing the delivery of our service in a way that most of the public felt that the impact was minimal.”

Although Coates opposed the four-day workweek, he said it was implemented in a way that was commendable.

“I think this village is in great financial shape, in large part due to your leadership and stewardship,” he told Schofield, adding that Schofield has always been available to him. “I’m not a micromanager. I like the big picture, and we spend a lot of time talking about the big picture. I let you handle the details.”

Coates’ only criticism was that he thought Schofield sometimes

withheld his own opinions on issues.

“You have a difficult job managing five egos on this council,” he said. “I’ve always found you to be honest and forthright. The only thing that I will say that I have noticed over the last couple of years is that sometimes I think that your opinion has been somewhat muted and lost in the fog of the politics of this council.

For me, that is something I would like you to improve on because I want to know that I am getting the complete, unfiltered information from you as our village manager.”

For goals, Coates said he wanted to continue to maintain the lean government that had evolved over the last four years.

“I want to make that we do not fall victim to that same trend that we see in a lot of other government agencies where there is continued growth and ultimately the bureaucracy itself becomes unmanageable,” he said.

Coates noted that some council members have raised concerns about his communication skills, and that Schofield should continue to try to improve in that area.

Regarding Cohen’s evaluation, Coates said he she had overcome a tremendous learning curve in the short time she has been village attorney.

“I have tremendous respect for

you,” Coates said. “I think you have done very well at making the transition from the private sector and commercial litigation, and coming in and mastering what I consider a general counsel, general manager type of position.”

He added that she had also done a good job in the past 18 months getting up to speed in municipal law, which she had not been exposed to other than her experience as a former councilwoman.

“You’ve been very forthright with us,” Coates said. “If you didn’t know the answer, you would tell us that you didn’t know the answer and that you would research it, and I appreciate that.”

Gerwig also briefly touched on her evaluation, complimenting

Greene for putting together the form. “It’s done in a thoughtful manner, and it does give us a very good road map for where we want to go,” she said. “It does disturb me when I have such different perceptions. I think we can all agree that’s confusing.”

Gerwig noted that she has weekly meetings with the manager because it helps her understand the issues.

“If that’s something that’s unique to me, I think it’s appropriate for everyone to have that access to the manager equally,” she said. “When I see in other people’s reviews that they don’t feel that way, that does concern me, but that’s why we’re here having this conversation.”

Cohen agreed that the paralegal is at or near the top of her salary range for a municipal employee, but has 22 years of municipal experience.

“She does a fantastic job reviewing the plats and titles and dealing with issues that she takes off my plate,” Cohen said, adding that she did not want to risk losing those employees to a higher salary offered by someone else.

Coates said he had been concerned about bringing legal inhouse at the risk of paying more than a contract service.

Chief Financial Officer Tanya Quickel said the total proposed legal budget is $923,500, with outside services around $400,000.

Coates said he felt the budget had already reached the threshold

that it was starting to cost more for in-house legal services.

“My concern is, where does this stop?” he asked. “We’re going to be at the point where we have a higher core budget than when we took the first step of going in-house.”

Mayor Bob Margolis agreed with Coates.

“When we hired you, it was at the lowest amount for an attorney that we were looking for,” Margolis said. “This raise is not just for a year, it’s for a year and a half.

One thing I know is that with some limited experience serving as a municipal attorney, you have taken the ball, and everything that comes out of your office is professional and on time.”

Margolis did agree that he has

seen good staff leave, in many cases because of salary.

Gerwig said she was concerned about the public perception of the raises, and pointed out that Cohen’s raise would bring her to about the same level as the attorney for West Palm Beach, which is a significantly larger city. “This is a big bump, and this is a really good salary,” she said. “I can tell you, the private sector has not recovered and people are still out there going, ‘Wait a minute, I have not had a $25,000 raise in 10 years.’”

Greene made a motion for a 10 percent raise for Cohen, an 8 percent raise for the assistant attorney and strictly the standard 3 percent raise for the paralegal, rather than the larger raises requested. The motion carried 5-0.

Lox Groves

continued from page 3 ber, to revisit the topic, with appraisals, at the next meeting.

“Time is of the essence, as far as I’m concerned, and it is a good opportunity,” he said.

Rocket’s motion passed, 4-1, with Goltzené opposed.

In other business: • Two contracts were renewed for one year. After Mayor Dave Browning confirmed with Town Manager Mark Kutney that Tew & Taylor’s 2014-15 contract for code-related services remained the same, the renewal passed 5-0.

The renewal agreement for Frank Schiola as the town’s public works

and solid waste consultant for the new fiscal year was also renewed in a 5-0 vote.

• Kutney provided brief updates on general council matters before saying his final goodbyes as town manager. “Tonight will be my final meeting as your town manager based upon your earlier action and since Mr. Underwood will be taking this chair, I would like the town council to know that in my judgment, every past action that I have taken was in the best interests of the common good for the Town of Loxahatchee Groves,” he said.

“In any event, I want to thank the mayor and the town council for the opportunity to serve all of you and the good citizens of Loxahatchee Groves. I wish the town council and the town the best in your future endeavors.”

continued from page 6 day morning regarding a business burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 5 and 5:20 a.m., a man broke into the locked restaurant, turned on the stove and began to cook food while an employee was present. The employee locked himself in the office and summoned the PBSO. According to the report, deputies from multiple districts and K-9 units surrounded the restaurant, eventually handcuffing the man, who was extremely intoxicated.

He was taken to Palms West Hospital prior to his arrest.

SEPT. 22 — A deputy from the PBSO’s Wellington substation was called to a home in the Park Place community Monday morning regarding a case of vandalism. According to a PBSO report, at 3:30 a.m. Monday, someone smashed the passenger side window of the victim’s 2014 white Chevrolet truck with a crow bar, causing $250 in damage. According to the report, there were valuables in the truck, but nothing was removed.

Chamber Building

Blotter

Page 18

September 26 - October 2, 2014

The Town-Crier

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The Town-Crier

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Page 19

NEWS

WELLINGTON ROTARY CEREMONY MARKS U.N. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEACE

The Village of Wellington and the Wellington Rotary Club sponsored the ninth annual Wellington World Peace Ceremony on Sunday, Sept. 21 at Wellington Rotary Peace Park. The local event coincides with the United Nations International Day of Peace. At the event, Maureen Holtzer was given the 2014 World Peace Awareness Award, and several other awards were given out to local students.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Student Mediator Award for Resolution Tactics (SMART) winner Marianna Gomez with peace poetry contest winners A.J. Pontecorovo, Tara Kari and Ryan Bruno.

Essay winners Derquan James and Cody Lagana receive their awards,

Rotary District Gov. Dr. Juan Ortega, Wellington Rotary President Tom Neumann and district governor nominee Eric Gordon with a new peace pole dedicated in memory of Father Sam Profeta.

The winners of the Elementary World Peace Poster Contest receive their awards.

Randy Pfeiffer with Wellington Rotary World Peace Award winner Maureen Holtzer.

Photography contest winner Erica Cheeseboro with Rotarian Larry Kemp.

Daisy Troop 21001 Leader Mara Goron with peace merit badge recipients Tessie Goron, Allyson Leppert, Emily Bechalany and Logan Seal.

‘THROWBACK THURSDAY’ ARRIVES AT FAIRGROUNDS’ YESTERYEAR VILLAGE

Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds presented its first “Throw Back Thursday Party” on Thursday, Sept. 18. Volunteers in period costumes told visitors about the historic buildings and their exhibits. There were also food trucks and classic cars while the PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER Samantha Russell Band provided music and the Chili Chicks performed country line dancing.

Jack Smith, Terry Poole and Chris Monteleone.

Phyllis Gaugher next to her 1939 Chevrolet Master 85.

Tracy Hamlin and Bettye Thompson of the fair’s agriculture department.

Phil Marracini and Eva Webb show off their feet.

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Page 20

September 26 - October 2, 2014

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The Town-Crier

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Bettina Scherer Enjoys The Sport Of Driving

Bettina Scherer had a mare who needed a pasture buddy. She found Cabbage. “Cabbage was an older, 12-hand gray Welsh pony,” she said. “She needed a job, and she was too small to ride, so the logical choice was driving.” Thus began Bettina’s love for driving. Ellen Rosenberg’s Column, Page 23

Business

Wellington Counseling & Associates Marks National Recovery Month

In recognition of September being National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, Wellington Counseling & Associates, a behavioral health and addiction treatment facility, recently hosted a resource awareness exhibit at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

The company is led by CEO & Founder Cassandra Sierra. Page 25

Sports Royal Palm Beach Wildcats Slide Past West Boca 17-7

In the start of district play, Royal Palm Beach High School’s varsity football team hosted West Boca High School on Sept. 19 and slipped by the Bulls 17-7 to remain undefeated. The win avenged a 2013 loss to the Bulls, which dropped RPBHS from the playoffs. Page 29

THIS WEEK’S INDEX TAILS FROM THE TRAILS............................. 23 BUSINESS NEWS....................................24-25 SPORTS & RECREATION.........................29-31 COMMUNITY CALENDAR............................. 32 CLASSIFIEDS..........................................33-37

Page 21

P.B. Central Broncos Defeat Boca Raton 14-7

Palm Beach Central High School’s varsity football squad hosted Boca Raton High School in a district matchup Sept.

19 and bested the Bobcats by a touchdown, 14-7. Rain provided hazardous conditions, but that did not deter the Palm Beach Central fans from showing their support. Page 29

A TOWN-CRIER PUBLICATION

INSIDE

September 26 - October 2, 2014

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

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Bettina Scherer Enjoys Driving With The Florida Whips

Many years ago, I taught English and writing at what was then Palm Beach Junior College, later Palm Beach Community College, now Palm Beach State College. Teaching is something I enjoy, and some of my students were extraordinary. One of them was Bettina Holland. Not only did she have a gift for writing, but she often wrote about her horses.

Years later, I ran into her at a local show and observed that she rode as well as she wrote.

We chatted, catching up on our lives, and I discovered she was now married. The last name had changed, but everything else was just as friendly and upbeat as I remembered.

Fast forward, and once again I was in touch with Bettina Scherer, who has added another skill to her résumé: driving. Bettina is the past southeast regional director of the Florida Whips, a statewide group of driving enthusiasts.

Like many people, Bettina was bitten by the horse bug early in life, although she got into the sport in an unconventional way.

“I grew up on Long Island, and there were a lot of really great polo matches at West Hills and Huntington,” she recalled. “So I started playing polo when I was 12 at the Meadowbrook Polo Club in Brookville. I didn’t play at a high level, but it was a lot of fun.”

At which point, we got totally off the subject

Get updates all week long... follow Ellen Rosenberg on Twitter at twitter.com/Horse TalkFL or stop by the Tales from the Trails page on Facebook and click “like.”

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg of polo and reminisced about the Brookville horse community of yore, for that was where I kept my very first horse, many moons ago.

But I digress.

“I got to thinking that having one horse would be a lot better than riding a bunch of horses that belonged to some else,” Bettina continued. “I bought an off-the-track Thoroughbred, took a ton of lessons and started showing in the hunter/jumper classes.”

Bettina moved to Florida in 1984. Later, she was a working mother, and still riding. She had a nervous mare who needed a pasture buddy.

She looked around and found Cabbage.

“Cabbage was an older, 12-hand gray Welsh pony,” Bettina remembered. “Buying her was the best $400 I ever spent. She needed a job, and she was too small to ride, so the logical choice was driving. I did three weeks of long-lining and ground work with her, and she seemed like she had done it before.”

So, Bettina borrowed a cart and harness from a neighbor, hooked her up and drove.

“I was completely ignorant of how dangerous that could’ve been, but it ended up work-

Bettina Scherer and Sali Petri drive Rio during a marathon event. ing out great,” she said. “I was hooked, and 2012, they won Preliminary Pony at the Live I wanted to learn more about driving. I saw Oak international show in Ocala, one of the an ad that the Florida Whips were holding a biggest combined driving shows in the United clinic at the Jim Brandon Equestrian Center, States. Drivers, trainers, coaches and owners and I went. I met Peggy Belvin, and she was from all over Europe and North America wonderful. She taught me so much, especially compete at Live Oak Plantation for national about the correct way to fit a harness and a lot championships and, often, placement on the U.S. combined driving team. In 2013, Betof safety tips. That was in 2008.”

Bettina began attending Florida Whips tina and Rio returned to Live Oak and won meetings and functions. When Cabbage got Intermediate Pony.

“My success is due almost entirely to the too old for driving, she bought another Welsh pony: Rio, a 13.2-hand chestnut gelding. He Florida Whips,” Bettina said. “This club is and Bettina got on so well together that in See ROSENBERG, page 31

Page 24

September 26 - October 2, 2014

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BUSINESS NEWS

Brumback Clinic In Belle Glade Opens In New Location The C.L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics’ site in Belle Glade marked the opening of its new facility at 941 SE First Street with a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, Sept. 11.

This summer, the clinic, one of four federally qualified health centers owned and operated by the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, moved from the Florida Department of Health Palm Beach County’s Health Center in Belle Glade to the new downtown Belle Glade site with the goal of serving even more adult and pediatric patients.

“We are excited that our medical staff at the new Belle Glade clinic site will be able to provide care to patients, including the homeless and migrant workers, in a more central, convenient location that features improved access to transportation,” Executive Director Christopher F. Irizarry said. “Our goal is that this clinic… will become the medical home for our patients’ healthcare needs.”

Through a partnership with the city, the clinic in Belle Glade is providing local bus transportation to clinic patients on the Belle Glade Express. The Brumback Clinics also include sites in West Palm Beach,

Lantana and Delray Beach. All four are open Monday through Friday and serve all patients regardless of their ability to pay or whether they have insurance. In their first year of operation, through June 2014, the clinics logged more than 52,000 total patient visits.

“The health care district’s mission is to be the healthcare safety net for Palm Beach County,” said Dr. Ronald J. Wiewora, chief executive and chief medical officer. “The relocation of the Belle Glade clinic will provide residents with improved access to high-quality medical care.

We are grateful to the Belle Glade Chamber of Commerce and Executive Director Brenda Bunting for hosting the ribbon-cutting ceremony and for their continued support of the district’s mission in the Glades.”

More than 60 people attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house, which included a tour of the clinic and an opportunity for guests to meet the clinic’s staff. They included local politicians, civil servants, legislative aides, fire-rescue representatives, members of the clinics’ board of directors, county and health care district officials, and members of the Glades Rural Area Support Board, as well as representatives of many community, health and social service agencies.

The ceremony opened with an invocation from Rev. Robert Rease, pastor of St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Belle Glade, followed by the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance in both English and Spanish led by Gove Elementary School students Parrys Brown, Jenna Smith and Alanna Duran. Sixth-grader Ariel Taylor then sang the national anthem.

Irizarry welcomed the crowd and introduced guest speakers Belle Glade Mayor Steve Wilson and Dr. Wiewora. The program ended with the dignitaries at the event assisting David Kendle, chairman of the Brumback Clinics, in cutting the ceremonial ribbon.

“Today, as we reflect back and honor the victims of 9/11, we also appreciate the grand opening of the C.L. Brumback Primary Care Clinics’ site in Belle Glade to provide services to those in need — the people of our community,” Wilson said. “And that is most important.”

“I think the clinics are doing a wonderful job honoring the legacy of the late Dr. Clarence L. ‘Carl’ Brumback, who served as Palm Beach County’s first health department director beginning in 1950,” Kendle said. “Dr. Brumback was a champion of improving the health of all Palm Beach County residents,

Local dignitaries assist Brumback Clinics Chairman David Kendle in cutting the ceremonial ribbon. and the Brumback Clinics serve to carry on his mission and vision every day.”

Dr. Belma Andric, medical director at the health centers, also spoke at the event. “Preventive care is a priority at our clinics, especially in underserved areas, where we see many seriously ill patients who could have benefited from seeing a doctor earlier,” Andric said. “We hope our new location in Belle

Glade will make it easier for patients to receive the preventive care that may save their life.”

The district also provides acute care at Lakeside Medical Center, the county’s only public hospital, serving the rural Glades’ communities.

For more information, visit www. brumbackclinics.org. While walkins are welcome, the clinics recommend that patients make an appointment by calling (561) 642-1000.

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

BUSINESS NEWS

Page 25

Central Chamber Offers Business Academy Program

The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce has launched a new business education series called Business Academy 1-23 (BA123). The first series, titled “Building Your Sales Skills and Discipline,” begins Oct. 24.

Over the next 24 months, the chamber will host highly qualified trainers focused on equipping businesspeople with effective tools that they can take back to the office and implement immediately to start building their revenue.

“We are working proactively to change the course of our collective economic future in Palm Beach County... by assisting small to medium business enterprises (SMBEs) to overcome barriers to

increasing revenues,” said Wayne Burns, CEO of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber. “Helping SMBEs knock down obstacles and identify new revenue opportunities is the key to driving local investment and expansion. The work of the CPBCC — creating pathways for SMBEs to increase capital investment and create home-grown jobs to retain and attract a highly skilled work force — is not a luxury, but an absolute necessity.”

Those businesses face a variety of challenges that impede revenue growth, often hampering or overwhelming the entrepreneur so much that the likelihood of expansion or even survival is greatly diminished.

By delivering thematic workshops

in a series of three sessions, BA123 provides practical tutelage and guidance for the business professional.

BA123 serves SMBE owners, as well as executives of larger companies seeking new ways to innovate in areas of their business. It combines outside experts with well-educated staff to deliver relevant information that can be applied immediately.

The first class of the new threepart series, Friday, Oct. 24, will provide professionals with cutting-edge techniques designed to maximize referrals using their existing customer base. The second, Nov. 14, will guide professionals through the utilization of centers of influence as a driver for revenue growth.

The third class, Jan. 9, will ease

the anxiety many experience when prospecting for new business, by demystifying the cultivation process.

Each session begins at 8:30 a.m. and includes the first half-hour for registration, breakfast and networking. The learning portion of each session lasts for two and a half hours and ends at 11:30 a.m.

All participants completing the series will receive a Business Academy 1-2-3 series certificate of completion. After 24 months, anyone who participated in every series and all classes will receive a Business Academy 1-2-3 diploma and be honored in a graduation ceremony at a Central Palm Beach County Chamber Economic Forum event.

Because the series will be conducted

in sequence on a consistent rotation, anyone could start any time during the next 24 months, and still complete the entire course package.

Members and non-members can register online at www.cpbchamber. com. Prices for all members are $29 per class session or $75 for all three sessions. Prices for all nonmembers are $40 or $105, respectively.

Prices may increase in the future for members who are not supporters, trustees, advisers or executives, so the chamber urges that those who plan on attending register quickly.

Classes will be given at the chamber offices, located at 13901 Southern Blvd. in Loxahatchee Groves.

The location may change in 2015 as the program expands.

Wellington Counseling Marks National Recovery Month

In recognition of September being National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month, Wellington Counseling & Associates, a behavioral health and addiction treatment facility, recently hosted a resource awareness exhibit at the South Florida Fairgrounds.

WCA also has expanded services and staff since its 2005 inception.

With offices in the original Wellington Mall, the company is led by CEO and Founder Cassandra Sierra,

a licensed mental health counselor and certified addiction professional.

It now has a 50-person staff of professionals, including physicians providing medical assessments, patient management and psychiatry, as well as experienced therapists providing a wide range of outpatient mental health, addiction counseling and recovery services in individual and group settings.

Wellington Counseling & Associates also provides residential

accommodations in various facilities for clients preparing to return to independent living, and short-term housing for independent living.

The latter arrangement enables clients to easily access vocational counseling, job coaching, wellness services, individual or group counseling, and relapse prevention sessions as they return to productive and drug-free lives.

The company holds Florida Department of Children and Families

licensure to provide a wide range of mental and behavioral health treatment services for adults and adolescents.

They include residential treatment; partial hospitalization, with or without community housing; outpatient programs; drug screening via an in-house laboratory supervised by a board-certified toxicologist on staff; and domestic violence and anger management classes.

WCA has also embarked on ef-

forts to meet standards arising from the healthcare reform movement, which include achieving Joint Commission accreditation and adoption of an industry-standard database, “Partners for Change Outcome Management System,” which has documented WCA’s success rates against national benchmarks.

For more information, call Wellington Counseling & Associates at (561) 795-1518 or visit www. wellingtoncc.com.

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

Page 27

Page 28

September 26 - October 2, 2014

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A Guide to Some of The Best Fine and Casual Dining Spots in the Western Communities!

The Mall At Wellington Green Next to Macy’s Across from Too Jays

561-753-8669 Give yourself a guilt-free tasty treat at Yogurbella. Located on the upper level of the Mall at Wellington Green near Macy’s it is the place to indulge that sweet tooth.

When you crave something sweet stop in and see the friendly staff and let them create a special treat just for you. Yogurbella offers you an all natural alternative to ice cream with more than 20 flavors available. The Yogurt is made fresh daily with all natural ingredients which makes for a healthier yogurt. If you like toppings on your yogurt a variety of mix-ins are available. If you are not sure of a flavor you can stop in and ask for a sample. They have several specialty flavors that coincide with the seasons. Fall is known for its Butter Beer flavor. You’ll love the outrageous taste. Stop in and try some today. Yogurbella is on the Second floor between Toojay’s and Macy’s. For more information please give them a call at 561-753-8669 and ask about the flavor of the day.

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

SPORTS & RECREATION

Page 29

Royal Palm Beach Wildcats Slide Past West Boca 17-7

By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report In the start of district play, Royal Palm Beach High School’s varsity football team hosted West Boca High School on Friday, Sept. 19 and slipped by the Bulls 17-7 to remain undefeated (3-0, 1-0 in District 13-7A).

West Boca (3-1, 0-1 in the dis-

trict), had entered the game also unbeaten. The win avenges the Wildcats’ 2013 loss to the Bulls, which sent Royal Palm Beach home to watch the district playoffs.

After an early struggle to establish control, West Boca struck first from 1 yard out to take a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. Royal Palm Beach’s Shamar Jackson returned the ensu-

Royal Palm Beach running back Shamar Jackson breaks a West Boca defensive tackle for a big gain.

ing kick to the West Boca 39-yard line, but the Wildcat offense was unable to convert the stellar run into points.

Damp conditions proved to be hazardous for both sides, as players had trouble handling the ball. However, Royal Palm Beach finally put a drive together. Quarterback Toddy Centeio found Marlon Eugene for

Wildcat running back Charles Perry looks to change direction.

a touchdown. Devin Wallace’s point-after kick tied the game 7-7 at the half.

The Wildcats found the rhythm they needed to pull away with 10 second-half points.

Wallace booted a 42-yard field goal to give Royal Palm Beach its first lead of the game at 10-7, and the Wildcats successfully defended their lead for the remainder of the game.

Centeio orchestrated another scoring drive in the fourth quarter when

he connected with Jackson on a 45-yard touchdown pass. Wallace’s kick gave the Wildcats the 17-7 win.

Royal Palm Beach’s defense came up tough in the second half to limit the Bulls to just 101 total yards. Wildcat defenders also forced two turnovers. Centeio completed 12 passes for 175 yards and two touchdowns.

The Wildcats will travel to Lake Worth High School to play the Trojans on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.

Royal Palm Beach quarterback Toddy Centeio keeps the ball from West Boca pursuers and runs up the middle.

PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER

Palm Beach Central Broncos Defeat Boca Raton 14-7

By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report Palm Beach Central High School’s varsity football squad hosted Boca Raton High School in

a district matchup Friday, Sept. 19 and bested the Bobcats by a touchdown, 14-7.

A day of rain provided hazardous conditions for both sides, but that did

Matt Rier of the Palm Beach Central defense swarms Boca Raton’s quarterback for a loss.

not seem to deter the Palm Beach Central fans from showing their support. Their team was coming into the game winless at 0-3, and much was at stake. A must-win District

10-8A game was on the line, and the Broncos delivered.

Palm Beach Central (1-3, 1-0) put together a balanced offensive attack with an adept defense to complete

Palm Beach Central running back Axel Rivera exploits a hole in the Boca Raton defense.

PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER

the job against Boca Raton (1-3, 0-1).

“The opening part of our schedule was the worst part, but honestly, this win tonight is huge,” first-year head coach Tino Ierulli said.

The victory was his first as Broncos head coach.

“At this point, one-and-three means nothing, but one-and-zero in district play means everything,” he added.

The Broncos took advantage of the first of six Bobcat turnovers and converted it into a score when Michael Dean ran the pigskin in from 1 yard out. Nick Petrone’s kick set the Broncos up with a 7-0 lead to end the first half.

The Broncos’ fierce defense forced Boca Raton’s quarterback to hurry out of the pocket, which spiraled the ball into the air and into the hands of Carrington Henderson for the first second-half interception.

Two stellar catches by standout receiver Kemar Downer set up a 42yard Marvin Piere touchdown run to extend Palm Beach Central’s lead to 14-0 with Petrone’s kick.

“That kid is a stud,” Ierulli said of See BRONCOS, page 31

Page 30

September 26 - October 2, 2014

Bulls Seeking Basketball Players, Coaches

The Palm Beach Bulls travel basketball organization will be holding tryouts for the 2014-15 travel basketball season on Saturday, Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for sixthgrade through eighth-grade students.

Tryout will be a at Camellia Park (6845 Seminole Palms Drive, Royal Palm Beach).

For more information on tryouts

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SPORTS & RECREATION

for other grade levels and/or coaching opportunities, call Coach Brown at (561) 460-2613 or Coach Sutton at (561) 313-3522. For more information, visit www.palmbeachbulls. com or e-mail palmbeachbulls@ gmail.com.

Judo Academy Students Shine

West Palm Beach Judo Academy students recently participated in the 2014 Dragon’s Challenge at Atlantic High School in Delray Beach. Grace

Vega, Hope Furdus, Elijah Ortiz, Julian Salazar, Ryan Agnew and Luis Gonzalez went to prove their judo techniques.

The Dragon’s Challenge has been held for 19 years, hosted by Tomodachi Judo and Palm Beach County.

Vega took a silver medal in the Girls 30 Kg. Bantam 1 division. She attends the Franklin Academy in Boynton Beach. Furdus took a gold medal in the Girls 30 Kg. Intermediate 1 division. She attends Freedom Shores Elementary School.

Ortiz took gold in the Boys 34

AAL FLAG FOOTBALL READY TO PLAY

Acreage Athletic League co-ed flag football teams are ready to play. AAL Midget Chargers (left) are led

by Coach Argento and Coach Holowecki, while the Varsity Packers (right) are led by Coach Mahoney and Coach McCurdy.

Kg. Intermediate 2 division, while Salazar took a silver medal in the Men’s Novice 66 Kg. division. Salazar is a student a the G-Star School of the Arts.

Agnew, who served two tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, took two golds in the Men’s Novice 81 Kg. and the Men’s Master Novice division. Gonzalez took a bronze in the Men’s Black Belt 81 Kg. Division.

He is a student at Palm Beach State College.

For more information about the West Palm Beach Judo Academy, contact Hector Vega at hevl@yahoo. com or (561) 281-7902 .

Wellington To Host 2016 AYSO National Games

Palm Beach County will be home to one of the nation’s largest and most prestigious youth soccer events. The American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) recently selected Palm Beach County as the destination for the 2016 AYSO National Games.

AYSO Section 14 will partner with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission to host the National Games at the International Polo Club Palm Beach in Wellington, from July 3 through July 10, 2016.

The AYSO National Games are held every other year.

“We are very excited to see the AYSO National Games return to Palm Beach County for 2016,” AYSO National President Mark Stewart said. “The International Polo Club converts into one of the most stunning soccer facilities imaginable with 30 soccer fields side by side on pristine natural grass.

We expect the games to again be an important economic contributor to Palm Beach County, but also a tremendous event for thousands of AYSO soccer players from across the U.S.” The AYSO invites more than 240 soccer teams — 4,000 athletes and 10,000 total visitors — to participate in the games.

The participating teams will contend for titles in boys and girls divisions, featuring a variety of age groups. More than 1,200 soccer games will take place during the 2016 AYSO National Games.

Palm Beach County was previously home to the AYSO National Games in July 2010.

“We are pleased to partner with the Palm Beach County Sports Commission to bring back the AYSO National Games,” IPC President John Wash said. “Our ability to host 240 teams, along with their families, adds up to more than 10,000 spectators. There is really no other venue in the county that can host an event of this magnitude.”

Learn more at www.ayso.org.

The Town-Crier

Berean Christian Bulldogs Defeat Zion Lutheran

The Berean Christian School football defeated Zion Lutheran 13-0 on Friday, Sept. 19.

The Bulldogs took the opening kickoff and drove the ball to the 15yard line behind the arm of quarter-

Rosenberg

Bettina Scherer

continued from page 23 structured to help anyone progress in the sport, whether they’re a beginner just getting started, or more experienced and wanting to move up in the show standings.”

After their success in the show ring, Bettina sold Rio to Boots Wright, who has won several combined driving national championships, including the 2005 World Pony Championships in England, where she represented the U.S. Rio is now half of a matched pair.

“It was the perfect place for him,” Bettina said. “Now, I have two horses which I both ride and drive, a Dutch KWPN gelding and a Dutch-Warmblood cross.”

It’s kinda different from those little Welsh ponies.

www.gotowncrier.com

SPORTS & RECREATION back Chris Mauck and the running of Luke Langsam. But Berean’s first drive stalled at the 15-yard line as penalties and mental mistakes halted the Bulldogs. The two defenses went back and forth with the half ending scoreless.

Early in the third quarter, Mauck hit Deryk Racine with a perfect 60yard touchdown toss to put the first points on the board. The defense, “When you’re driving, you obviously can’t use the same body language you do when you’re riding,” Bettina explained. “You don’t have your legs, weight or butt. But the rest is the same. You have your hands, your voice and your whip.

You have to really pay attention.

Horses love pulling. It’s a different kind of challenge.”

Bettina competes in combined driving, which is the equivalent of a three-day event. There’s a dressage phase, a marathon instead of cross country and cones instead of stadium jumping.

“Dressage is dressage, whether you’re riding or driving,” she explained. “It’s all about correct gaits and smooth transitions. It’s very technical. I love the discipline of it.

The marathon is the most fun. You try to complete the course in the optimum time with the least amount of penalties. The courses go through water, around trees and boxes. It’s a

led by Michael Miller, Daniel Downey, Caleb Taub and Kenny Hippler, continued to dominate Zion Lutheran offense. Berean drove deep again, only to be pushed back by penalties.

On fourth and long, Racine’s foot added three big points with a 41-yard field goal, and the Bulldogs took a 10-0 lead into the fourth quarter. blast. The cones are about precision, driving between cones with balls on top of them, not hitting any cones and knocking off the balls.”

Bettina said the best way to explore all the driving options is through a club like the Florida Whips. Frequent clinics, usually one each month, are the perfect way to learn all the basics or improve more advanced skills. And you don’t have to be a member to attend.

“Everyone is welcome to audit or participate,” she said. “This is a great bunch of people, and coming to an event is a fine way to start networking. They also put on shows and competitions throughout the state, a good steppingstone for higher-caliber shows. Whether you’re driving a mini, a draft horse, something in between, or just thinking about starting, the best place to start is with the Florida Whips.”

For more information, visit www. flawhips.org.

September 26 - October 2, 2014

Page 31

After another Bulldog drive was stalled, Racine once again hit the uprights from 32 yards out to put the Bulldogs up 13-0. The defense took over, finishing the win and putting

the Bulldogs up 3-0 on the season.

Berean plays Gateway Community Christian on Thursday, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. at Wellington High School.

Admission is free.

Victory Over Boca

ensuing drive and punched in a 1-yard score to cut the Broncos’ lead to 14-7.

Robert Billingsley and Cole Edgar would thwart late Bobcat rallies with interceptions of their own to seal the 14-7 victory.

The Broncos will travel to Seminole Ridge High School to play the Hawks on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m.

Broncos

continued from page 29 Piere. “The kid is going to be something special; you’ll be reading about him.”

Boca Raton pushed back on the

Bronco receiver Kemar Downer finds open field after a reception.

PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER

Page 30

September 26 - October 2, 2014

Saturday, Sept. 27 • The Palm Beach County Comic Book & Collectible Palm Con Show is set for Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 27 and 28 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Visit www.palmcon. net for more info.

• Mothers of preschoolers are invited to Community of Hope Church (14055 Okeechobee Blvd.) on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month from 9 to 11 a.m. for the church’s new MOPS program. MOPS it is designed for mothers of children birth through kindergarten.

For more info., call (561) 753-8883 or e-mail info@gocoh.com.

• Learn all about growing and preparing hearthealthy vegetables and fruits at a free workshop offered by the Palm Beach County Cooperative Extension on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Clayton E. Hutcheson Exhibit Hall A (559 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach). Participants will be able to taste prepared dishes. Call (561) 233-1742 to register.

• Whole Foods Market (2635 State Road 7, Wellington) will host a Kid’s Culinary Workshop for ages 6 to 14 to benefit the Whole Kids Foundation on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. For a $25 donation per child, junior chefs will learn all about plating, adding color to their dishes and combining flavors. Call (561) 904-4000 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Teen Soda Tab Art for ages 12 to 17 on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 3 p.m. What can you make out of ordinary soda can tabs? Stop in and find out! All materials will be provided. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• Wellington announces the return of its popular Murder Mystery Dinner Theater on Saturday, Sept. 27 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at the Wellington Community Center (12150 W. Forest Hill Blvd.).

The theme will be “Murder at the Speakeasy” and will feature actors portraying characters from the Prohibition era. Attendees are encouraged to come in costume, and prizes will be given out at the end of the evening. For more info., call (561) 753-2484 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov.

Sunday, Sept. 28 • The Acreage Green Market will take place Sunday, Sept. 28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Acreage Community Park (6701 140th Ave. North).

For more info., visit www.acreagegreenmarket. org or call (561) 723-3898.

• The fourth annual West Palm Beach Pup Crawl will return Sunday, Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach. Restaurants and businesses will offer food and drink specials, and families and their dogs can enjoy a pet parade, doggie fashion show, dog-themed games for children, pet adoptions, vaccinations and more. For more info., visit www.pupcrawlwpb.com.

• The Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will host Gardening with Ornamental Native Wildflowers on Sunday, Sept. 28 at 10:30 a.m. Learn how to use wild-

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flowers as ground cover and as a lawn substitute.

Focus on the horticultural and aesthetic uses of wildflowers. The cost is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers. For more info., call (561) 233-1757 or visit www.mounts.org.

• Barnes & Noble (10500 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) will host a writers’ group event Sunday, Sept. 28 at 2 p.m. with Hugh Howey, author of the mystery novel Wool. Call (561) 792-1292 for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Tropical Music with Grupo Alegro for adults Sunday, Sept. 28 at 3 p.m. Grupo Alegro performs tropical music from various Latin American countries. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

Monday, Sept. 29 • The public is invited to a roundtable meeting Monday, Sept. 29 to discuss issues affecting the Agricultural Reserve Area in southern Palm Beach County. The roundtable will be held at the Clayton Hutcheson Agricultural Center (559 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. No pre-registration is required. Visit www.pbcgov.com/pzb/planning/ag_reserve/ ag_reserve.htm for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Lego Building Crew for ages 7 to 11 on Monday, Sept. 29 at 3:30 p.m. Play with Legos and make your own unique creations. Call (561) 790-6030 for more info.

• Barnes & Noble (10500 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) will hold the first meeting of its Sci-Fi & Fantasy Book Club on Monday, Sept. 29 at 7 p.m. to assemble all interested persons and organize a monthly book club for fans of science fiction, fantasy and related novels. Call (561) 792-1292 for more info.

Tuesday, Sept. 30 • Barnes & Noble (10500 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) will host “Storytime: The Day the Crayons Quit” on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 11 a.m. with a storytime, activities and snacks. Call (561) 792-1292 for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Club Pokémon for ages 6 to 12 on Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. Bring your DS or Pokémon cards to battle, trade and make new friends. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

Wednesday, Oct. 1 • Palms West Hospital will host Settle Your Tummy on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at noon in Classroom 2. Dr. Ali Sedagheh Pakravan will talk about acid reflux, heartburn and other gastrointestinal problems. Call (561) 345-7009 for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host American Girl: Kit Kittredge for ages 6 to 12 on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. There’s big news to report, mysteries to solve and collages to make. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Trivia Night for adults Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. Form a team or compete alone in a stimulating game of trivia. Bragging rights and prizes will be awarded. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

Thursday, Oct. 2 • The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host Story Time for ages 2 to 5 on Thursday, Oct. 2 at 10 a.m. Introduce little ones to Mother Nature through stories. Class activities may include live animals, games, nature walks and/or crafts specifically designed for toddlers and preschoolers. The cost is $2 per child. Call (561) 233-1400 to RSVP. • Students and local job seekers will be able to meet hiring employers at the Job & University Transfer Fair from 1 to 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 at the BioScience Technology Complex on Palm Beach State College’s Palm Beach Gardens campus (3160 PGA Blvd.) The event is free and open to the public. For more info., visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/career, or contact Gary Karl at (561) 207-5349 or karlg@palmbeachstate.edu.

• Barnes & Noble (10500 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) will hold a Bookfair Fundraiser for the Okeeheelee Middle School Band on Thursday, Oct. 2 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. featuring live performances and activities for the whole family.

Call (561) 792-1292 for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host a Writers’ Critique Workshop for adults Thursday, Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. Share, offer and accept constructive criticism to improve fiction, nonfiction and poetry in a supportive atmosphere. Call (561) 790-6070 to pre-register.

Saturday, Oct. 4 • The Audubon Society of the Everglades will car pool around Storm Water Treatment Area 1E on Saturday, Oct 4 at 7 a.m. For more info., visit www.auduboneverglades.org, e-mail asetripinfo @gmail.com or call Linda at (561) 742-7791.

• The seventh annual Run for the Animals & Family Fun Day will take place Saturday, Oct. 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Micanopy Pavilion at Okeeheelee Park. The 5K run and walk will begin at 8 a.m. with registration at 7 a.m. The one-mile family/dog walk will begin shortly thereafter.

The Town-Crier Call Barbara Masi at (561) 688-3981 or e-mail animalkindness@pbso.org for more info.

• The Mounts Botanical Garden (531 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach) will host Urban Farming: Vegetable Growing on Saturday, Oct. 4 at 9 a.m. Learn techniques on site preparation, seedling establishment, planting, maintenance, pest and disease control, watering efficiently and harvesting, and the best way and time to start planting vegetables that grow in South Florida.

For more info., call (561) 233-1757 or visit www. mounts.org.

• St. Peter’s United Methodist Church (12200 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington) will hold its Fall Community Harvest Fest on Saturday, Oct 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. with craft vendors, a barbecue dinner, a bake sale, on-stage entertainment, kids games and more. For more info., call Lori Maxwell at (561) 632-4484 or e-mail lori_maxwell@hotmail.com.

• The Okeeheelee Nature Center (7715 Forest Hill Blvd.) will host a Nature Walk for all ages Saturday, Oct. 4 at 10:30 a.m. Enjoy a free guided nature walk through the pine flatwoods forest and learn about the local plants and animals.

Call (561) 233-1400 for more info.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host its Acoustic Java Jam for adults Saturday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. Experience a caffeinated collection of local talent or bring your acoustic instruments and jam out. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• Clay-Glass-Metal-Stone Gallery (16 South J Street, Lake Worth) will host a Cat-O-Strophic Event with portraits of cats as only an artist could imagine them, opening with a reception Saturday, Oct. 4 from 6 to 9 p.m. The show runs through Tuesday, Oct. 14. Call (561) 588-8344 for more info.

Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 31, Wellington, FL 33414 or e-mail news@gotowncrier.com.

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

REAL ESTATE

A/C AND REFRIGERATION

PRESSURE CLEANING

FOR RENT - GREENACRES

JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC.—Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. “We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks” 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.

Interior & Exterior painting.

Certified pressure cleaning & painti n g c o n t r a c t o r. L i c . # U 2 1 5 5 2 C a l l Butch at 309-6975 or visit us at www. jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

ROOMMATE TO SHARE — 2 bedroom 2 bath apartment - Purdy & Jog Road. $550 per month.

Looking for under 35 years old. 954-296-3748

PRESSURE PROS OF PALM BEACH— Driveway starting at $59. Chemical wash roofs starting at $99 www.wellingtonpressurewasher.com. Free Estimates.

Licensed & Insured.561-718-9851

EXECUTIVE AND VIRTUAL OFFICE SPACE AVAILABLE – WELLINGTON FLORIDA Furnished or unfurnished office space available. Unlimited use of conference rooms, reception, kitchen with no extra fees.

Utilities included. The best LAKE VIEW in Wellington! Please contact Steve at 561227-1500 or at info@lakewellington.com

CLEANING - HOME/OFFICE WE CLEAN OFFICES & PRIVATE HOMES — Licensed & Insured. Call for an estimate and to schedule your apartment. Discount for Central Palm Beach County Chamber members and to all new clients for first cleaning. 561-385-8243 Lic. #2012-252779

COMPUTER REPAIR D.J. COMPUTER — Home & office, Spyware removal, websites, networks, repairs, upgrades, virus removal, tutoring. Call Jeff 561-333-1923 Cell 561-252-1186 Lic’d Well. & Palm Beach. We accept major credit cards.

DRIVEWAY REPAIR D R I V E W AY S — F r e e e s t i m a t e s A & M ASPHALT SEAL COATING commercial and residential. Patching potholes, striping, repair existing asphalt & save money all work guaranteed.

L i c.& Ins. 1 0 0 0 4 5 0 6 2 5 61-667-7716

FLOORING C O M P L E T E F L O O R I N G R E M O VA L ! B E S T R AT E S ! A L L T Y P E S O F FLOORS! — Your local flooring store and more. www.buyithereflooring.com 561-333-2306 buyithere7@gmail.com

ROOFING ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.

ROOFING REPAIRS REROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC-0067207

SECURITY SECURITY — American owned local security company in business 30 plus years.

Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600

SCREENING JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio rescreening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com

HOME IMPROVEMENTS

SPRINKLER SYSTEMS

ANMAR CO.—James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC1327426 561-248-8528

AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC — Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004Lic.#U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990

HOUSECLEANING

TIRES/AUTO REPAIRS

EXPERIENCED — reliable local references. Pet sitting available. Call Charlene 561-572-1782

TIRES/AUTO REPAIRS— Located behind Al Packer West off Southern Blvd. Tires for autos, trucks and commercial vehicles. 561-790-7228.

587 105 Ave. N. Unit 28, Royal Palm Beach.

EXPERIENCED HOUSEKEEPER AVAILABLE — residential and offices, ironing and shopping also, Available days only. Excellent references. Please call 561-729-8797

LAWN SERVICE YELLOWHAMMER LAWN SERVICE — High Quality, affordable yard maintenance serving the Loxahatchee area. NO CONTRACTS!.

Locally Owned & Operated. 561-320-1118

PAINTING J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential. Interior & Exterior painting. Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch 309-6975 or visit ourwebsite at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. — Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair & roof painting. Family owned/owner operator. Free Est. 798-4964 Lic. #U18473 COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Int./Ext. residential painting, over 20 yrs exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. Ins. 561-383-8666. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident |

PLUMBING

JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded Insured. CFC1426242. 561-601-6458

PLACE YOUR AD HERE CALL 561-793-7606

TREE SERVICE TREES TRIMMED AND REMOVED — 561-798-0412 D.M. YOUNG TREE SERVICE. Family Owned & Operated Lic. & Insured 1992-12121 Visit our website at dmyoungtreeservice.com

WALLPAPERING PAPERHANGING BY DEBI — Professional Installation,Removal. Repair of Paper.

Neat, Clean & Reliable. Quality work with a woman’s touch. 30 years experience.

No Job too big or too small. Lic. & Ins. References available. 561-795-5263

WATER TREATMENT NEED A NEW WATER SYSTEM! — Let us come out and give you an estimate. Call Mike 561-792-5400

TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS GET RESULTS CALL 561-793-7606 TODAY

OFFICE SPACE

LOST PET LOST BIRD — 3-year old Male Cockatiel Speaks. His name is Sonny – light yellow and gray. Last seen around the Wellington Edge Community (Forest Hill Blvd just West of 441). If you have any information about missing Cockatiel, Sonny, please call (561) 753-8570. Reward $50 if found.

FOR SALE AW E S O M E D E A L — Q u e e n P i l l o w Top mattress Set! New in Factory Plastic! Must Sell! $150.00 561-320-7626 MOVING SALE — Pier 1 Paintings $20 each, Large $75 each, Ethan Allan 2 piece china cabinet originally $3,000 when new now $150, 2 seat grey leather couch $20, Toro leaf blower $10, (3) 27” swivel bar stools, leather seats, wood arms & back $150. Call 561-798-7305 561-254-0719

September 26 - October 2, 2014 Page 33

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

BOOKKEEPER NEEDED — part-time, experienced in QuickBooks, flexible hours.

Please fax resume to 561-791-0952 HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER IN WELLINGTON — Now hiring certified teachers.$10-$15/hour. Call 561-594-1920 E-mail: MarleneGiraud@hlcwellington.com DRIVERS: $5,000 Sign-On Bonus!

— Great pay! Consistent Freight, Great Miles on this Regional Account.

Werner Enterprises: 1-855-517-2488 SALES HELP WANTED — full-time and parttime. WAREHOUSE HELP wanted full and part-time (flexible) Apply in person 766 Pike Road, West Palm Beach. Buy It Here flooring.

PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM AIDE — Needed part-time 2 PM - 6PM 561-790-0808 VPK TEACHER — Needed for preschool full time. Experience required. 561-790-0808 FULL-TIME MONDAY-FRIDAY, 8:30 TO 5:00 — Property Management Office in South Bay. Proficiency in Microsoft Office, strong prioritizing, multi-tasking and organizational skills, ability to give and receive detailed information, punctual attendance and appreciation in following company policies, three to five years’ experience in a similar environment or position required. Email to tina.wilson@theroyalcompanies.com

Wanted Part-Time Writer Local newspaper covering central Palm Beach County has a part-time position available for a news writer. Must have some writing experience and an interest in covering governmental meetings.

Fax resume and clips to (561) 793-6090 or e-mail palmswestnews@gmail.com.

Page 34 September 26 - October 2, 2014

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HERE’S MY CARD

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September 26 - October 2, 2014 Page 35

HERE’S MY CARD

Lic & Insured CFC057392, CAC1817688

SEPTIC & DRAINFIELD SPECIALISTS

Page 36 September 26 - October 2, 2014

PALMS WESTTHIS WEEK’S

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WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

New Location!

New Showroom!

CALL FOR FREE ESTIMATE!

561-333-2306 TOLL FREE: 855-808-8555

WE DO NOT SELL CHEAP FLOORING CHEAPER

WE SELL THE BEST FOR LESS! 766 Pike Road • West Palm Beach, FL 33411 (Between Southern Blvd. & Belvedere)

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PALMS WESTTHIS WEEK’S

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September 26 - October 2, 2014 Page 37

WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS FOR AS LOW AS $21 A WEEK*

Page 38

September 26 - October 2, 2014

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

Page 39

Equestrian Sport Productions

2014 Summer SerieS

Come Join Us This Summer at The Stadium at PBIEC, home of the Global Dressage Festival 13500 South Shore Blvd., Wellington, Florida 33414

ESP SummEr III August 22-24, 2014 • "A" National & Jumper 3 ESP Labor Day August 29-31, 2014 • "A" National & Jumper 3 ESP SEPtEmbEr September 12-14, 2014 • "A" National & Jumper 3

RitA & iRiSh MeMoRiAl September 27-28, 2014 • “C” Regional i and Jumper 2 All Shows USeF, NAl, and Marshall & Sterling league Approved

© ManciniPhotos

FLorIDa StatE FaLL September 19-21, 2014 • "A" National & Jumper 3

Come Beat The Heat in the Van Kampen Covered Arena Early Stall Discount of $30 per stall (See Rules) $10,000 Open Stakes at all "A" "National" Shows $2,500 Junior/Amateur Owner Stakes Class (All Shows) $500 Children's & Adult Hunter Classics (All "A" "National" Shows) $500 Pony Hunter Classics (All "A" "National" Shows)

EquestrianSportProd_PWTW6_13_14.indd 1

6/16/14 10:16 AM

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September 26 - October 2, 2014

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