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December 17 - December 23, 2010
The Town-Crier
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NEWS
GREAT ENTERTAINMENT AT BETH TORAH’S ‘ROCK OF AGES CHANUKAH SHABBAT’ Temple Beth Torah in Wellington held its “Rock of Ages Chanukah Shabbat” on Friday, Dec. 3. A festive Shabbat Chanukah dinner took place before the ser vice, held in the main sanctuary. The Temple Beth Torah band per formed, along with cantor William Wood. The ser vice also included a menorah lighting for attendees. For more information about Temple Beth Torah, visit www.templebeth torah.net. PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
Attendees light their menorahs.
Interim cantor William Wood sings during the Shabbat dinner.
Suzi and Rebecca Grbinich are decked out for the occasion.
PBC LEAGUE OF CITIES HOSTS ITS ANNUAL TRI-CITY BARBECUE IN PAHOKEE
The Palm Beach County League of Cities held its 41st annual Tri-City Barbecue on Friday, Dec. 10 at the Pahokee Marina. Hosted by the cities of Belle Glade, Pahokee and South Ba y, the event offered municipal officials an opportunity to meet and enjoy an outdoor barbecue. For more info., visit www.leagueofcities.com. PHOTOS BY CAROL PORTER/TOWN-CRIER
Loxahatchee Groves Mayor David Browning, attorney Denise Nieman and Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Administrator Clete Saunier.
Local Bill
Law Firm Hired
continued from page 1 ings and deceased trustees, as well as a general lack of response to requests for easement access. In June, the board received an unfavorable opinion from the state attorney general as to whether the district has the right of “statutorily presumptive dedication” enjoyed by municipalities. Under Florida Statutes, when a road has been maintained or repaired continuously for four years by a county, municipality or the state, the road shall be deemed to be dedicated to the public. The attorney general’s opinion excluded special districts from that privilege. “Ms. White made it clear that the League of Cities would oppose the bill,” Saunier said, adding that once Tindale and Herzog voiced their opposition, Abruzzo said he would neither sponsor nor support the bill, although he would not pull it from the legislative delegation’s Jan. 6 public hearing agenda. “I tried to appeal to the group to understand that paying for and going through the condemnation process was one option we could have gone to, which was a costly and very time-consuming option, an option which the town would also be able to do had they had the rights to these roads,” Saunier said, explaining that the town favors the paving but has not been incorporated long enough to claim eminent domain over them. “We
Council
New Zoning District
continued from page 1 and it is designed to protect our homes.” Schofield also noted that the zoning would not allow for gas stations, grocery stores or restaurants, but would allow for some small businesses, such as daycare centers and for live-work units. “A live-work unit is intended to be somebody’s office,” he said. “It’s intended to be a space that doesn’t draw more traffic into the neighborhood. An example would be an accountant who has few clients in. It encourages small business, and there are some limitations.” Only 40 percent of the unit would be allowed to be dedicated to the business, he said, and the owner must live in the unit. Additionally, government services buildings and schools would be allowed.
Water
Indian Trail Procedure
continued from page 3 icy as far as what the percentage is going to be, the process involved and what steps the residents need to take,” he said. Damone said that if all the residents who signed the petition did not understand the implications, she would not support it. “In my head, I know you have 91 percent,
Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen with former state senator Dave Aronberg.
are only just now starting to work out a relationship with them for maintenance of non-district roads.” Saunier said attorney David Ramba with the Ramba Law Group could offer his services at least up until the Jan. 6 meeting to keep the bill alive. “I’m not saying that’s the way you should go, but if you want to pursue legislation, that would be the best way to go,” Saunier said, explaining that Ramba has done considerable work with the Florida Association of Special Districts. Ramba said he has handled complex legislation for the past 20 years, including contentious issues between special districts and cities, and represented the Florida Association of Special Districts for more than 10 years. He was also legislative counsel for the Florida League of Cities for six years. Ramba said the representations made by White at the meeting were wrong, including statutes controlling the power of special districts. “You can’t allege that something that only applies to your boundaries can somehow make its way into interpreting general law,” he said. “There is a lot of misinformation out there.” Ramba added that most members of the legislative delegation are not familiar with the LGWCD or the town and what their respective responsibilities are. “There are other districts in this county, in the state, that have done this exact same thing,” he said. Supervisor Darlene Crawford
asked whether it helps that the town is in agreement with the local bill, and Ramba said it does, adding that they could find other partners to sponsor the bill. Supervisor Robert Snowball asked about the chances of success, and Ramba said it’s about 6040 of getting it through the delegation. “You will have six more meetings on this before it comes to a vote, and I will keep you updated,” he said. Supervisor Don Widing asked about financing for Ramba, and Saunier said the district budgeted $25,000 in legal costs for the paving projects. During public comment, Herzog said that White had offered to assist with a local solution to the problem. “Trela feels there is already the ability to proceed with what you want to do,” she said. “Trela clearly stated that the municipality already has the ability to do what this bill proposes to accomplish.” Town Councilman Ryan Liang urged the board to hire Ramba. “We need to let these people know what the facts are and understand why it is happening,” he said. “My primary focus is what the people want.” Town Councilman Ron Jarriel said he would like to explore White’s contention that a local bill is not necessary to go ahead with the paving. “Marge said Trela has the capability to solve the problem,” Jarriel said. Widing said he agreed with Jarriel’s suggestion to talk with White. “Let’s flush that out and
make sure we get an answer,” Widing said. “I do want to hear an opinion,” Crawford said. “I’m impressed the league came up with a solution the attorney general couldn’t figure out.” Widing made a motion to direct the district’s attorney to talk to White. The motion carried 4-0 with Supervisor John Ryan absent.
“We believe that a reinvestment in housing will enhance property values,” Schofield said. “This is just another step and another tool in revitalizing those transitional neighborhoods.” Schofield noted that the transitional neighborhoods were initially built for people to live in while their homes were being built elsewhere in Wellington. “What we’re trying to do is to get better landscaping, better circulation and get some features on the buildings so that it’s livable,” he said. “If you go into those neighborhoods today, you can see nearly identical units where the difference is how parking access or landscaping was handled.” Councilwoman Anne Gerwig noted that the measure is designed to give the neighborhoods an entirely new plan, including landscaping, parking and safety, “not just a fresh coat of paint,” she said. Schofield noted that the updated ordinance removed the ability for limited commercial space —
a controversial portion of the draft ordinance. Vice Mayor Matt Willhite said that he hoped to see consistency in any new development brought in under the new zoning. Schofield noted that developers would have to have a property owner who would be responsible for making sure there is uniformity in the look of the neighborhood. The ordinance passed unanimously. In other business: • The village renewed its employee health plan with Cigna Healthcare with an almost $18,000 cost savings from the 2009-10 fiscal year. Director of Financial Management & Budget Mireya McIlveen noted that the new plan is essentially the same, but employees would have to pay a copayment for diagnostics and hospitalizations. Additionally, all specialist copayments would be $25. The plan also has an out-of-pocket maximum, which sets a limit on
how much employees would have to pay themselves. Mayor Pro Tem Dr. Carmine Priore pointed out that originally, because of some of the healthcare reforms, the village could have had an additional $600,000 in costs. “But through our efforts and negotiations, we’ve been able to get that cost lowered and come back with an additional savings,” he said. Councilman Howard Coates agreed, noting that initially, village employees would have had to take a cut in benefits and pay more out of pocket. “For something that started out being a really difficult situation, I think it turned out very positive,” he said, noting that including an out-of-pocket maximum meant all the difference for families suffering from illness. “Sometimes it means the difference between having coverage and essentially having no coverage.” Willhite noted that having a gym in the new village hall helped lower the village’s premium and
and I have no problem giving you the water,” she said. “What I want to make sure is that every single person who signed this petition has all the actual, factual information.” Damone wanted to know where in the process ITID would know for certain that the affected residents had received all the information. ITID Treasurer Ralph Bair said he agrees that a uniform procedure is needed. “It looks like we’re going to have this confusion every
time we have this,” he said. “Either through a handwritten petition or something like that, there is going to be some misinformation somewhere. I don’t know how many more public meetings we can have on this as far as trying to straighten out the information. It just concerns me that we keep having this confusion. We need some straightforward language.” Quickel said the process is changing at the county level, but she agreed that working on a uni-
form procedure is an important goal for the near future. Quickel proposed a motion that the current petition would be approved subject to all the affected residents making the $250 payment to the district for permit approval. Supervisor Ralph Bair made the motion, which carried 50. Enriquez then made a motion for the district to draft a formalized policy for requests for special water permits, and that motion also passed unanimously.
New Year’s
Wellington Party
continued from page 1 ago the council had the vision of opening a municipal complex. “From day one, the original council began moving forward toward having this complex,” he said. “I don’t think anyone envisioned us staying in all those buildings.” Bowen encouraged residents to come by and see the new building, noting that he was pleased with the way it turned out. “It’s very nice,” he said. “It’s all for the benefit of the community, so residents should come out and take advantage of it.” Beginning at 3 p.m., residents can enjoy a variety of activities over at the amphitheater. Cultural Facilities Manager Joe Piconcelli noted that there would be familyfriendly entertainment such as bounce houses, an obstacle course with a large slide, a magic show and face painters. Additionally, Wellington will have a visit from
PBSO District 9 Capt. Eric Coleman, Royal Palm Beach Councilman Fred Pinto and Village Manager Ray Liggins. Widing made a second motion to hire Ramba at a rate of $225 per hour, which also carried 4-0 Finally, Snowball made a motion to direct the administrator to seek financing for the paving projects, which also carried 4-0. After the meeting, Herzog emphasized that she does not oppose the paving projects, only the local bill.
“If they proceed with taking this bill through the legislature, it’s going to take a long time for them to be able to activate anything,” Herzog told the Town-Crier on Tuesday. “Right now, the municipality has the ability to proceed if they just write up an interlocal agreement and proceed with the town’s power and the district’s skills.”
Mickey and Minnie Mouse as well as Dora the Explorer, who will be around for pictures and autographs. There will also be vendors with food, crafts and other items for sale; however, the event is alcohol-free. The live entertainment begins at 6 p.m., with several acts taking the stage that night, Piconcelli said. Residents should remember to bring a chair or blanket to sit on while enjoying the performances. “We have four fabulous young women who will be singing throughout the night,” he said of local stars Lexi Luca, Meghan Ritmiller, Shay Marie and Taylor Renee. Additionally, there will be performances by the Groovolution fire dance team and musicians Rick Nelson and Buck Deal. Then, at 9:30 p.m., the headlining band Tribute to Journey Odyssey Road will take the stage and rock Wellington into the New Year. “Around 11:55 p.m., Zambelli [Fireworks Internationale] will set off fireworks,” Piconcelli said. “It’s going to be a great time.”
Bowen encouraged residents to join the village’s celebration, noting the success of the village’s last two events, WinterFest 2010 and the Palms West Holiday Parade, which drew record crowds. “The last two weekends are a tremendous testament of the value of [the amphitheater] to our community,” he said. “If you look at all of it, that’s what our community is all about: people coming together. I think it will be used more and more, and we’re finding out that we have a lot of local talent.” To help support programs at the amphitheater, the village will raffle off several items, including a two-day cruise. Anyone who purchases $20 in raffle tickets will receive a $25 gift card that can be used on www.restaurant.com, Piconcelli said. “It works out because even if you don’t win, you get something,” he said. “The money will help put on programming at the amphitheater.” For more about the event, call the village at (561) 791-4000 or visit www.wellingtonfl.gov.
will improve employees’ health. “I think the benefit is that we’re trying to promote health within our employees,” he said. “And it will save us some money in our healthcare premiums.” Schofield said that the gym would pay itself off in savings on healthcare premiums. Gerwig wondered whether the new healthcare reform changes would affect the village’s plan. McIlveen said that the reform was taken into account and there would be no changes when it comes into effect. • The council also said goodbye to Strategic Planning & Economic Development Director Martin Hodgkins, who is retiring after more than 40 years in planning. The council issued a proclamation recognizing Hodgkins for all he has done for the village. Mayor Darell Bowen noted Hodgkins’ input in many of the accomplishments for the village, including the original land development regulations, code enforcement regulations and forming the equestrian overlay zoning district. “Mr. Hodgkins is a gentleman
who, in the last four decades of his career, generously shared his wealth of knowledge,” Bowen said. “He has been an unfailing mentor to those people with the good fortune to work with him.” Hodgkins was also thanked for his role in Wellington’s medical arts district project, and for going before the Palm Beach County Commission to receive a Constrained Roadway at Lower Levels of Service designation. “I know that that was your issue,” Priore said. “You spoke before the commission eloquently, and we got that because of your efforts and the efforts of your staff. You’re going to be sorely missed, that’s for sure.” Willhite recognized Hodgkins’ humble nature despite that he is well-known throughout the county. “You’re so well-respected around the county,” he said. “Thank you so much for your time and your service here.” Hodgkins said that he was honored to have served the village as well as the past and present councils.
Blotter continued from page 6 the officer stopped them. The officer recovered $256.95 in stolen merchandise. Both suspects were placed under arrest. The juvenile suspect was taken to the Juvenile Assessment Center, and Ballester was taken to the Palm Beach County Jail where she was charged with retail theft. DEC. 13 — A deputy from the PBSO substation in Wellington
was dispatched to a business in Commerce Park East on Monday morning regarding a vehicle burglary. According to a PBSO report, sometime between 5 p.m. last Friday and 7:10 a.m. Monday, someone entered the victim’s truck and stole a tool set valued at approximately $1,500 as well as $52 in cash. DNA evidence was taken at the scene, but there were no suspects or witnesses at the time of the report.