‘CHRISTMAS WITH THE CHIMPS’ AT SAFARI SEE PHOTOS, PAGE 9
SWAMP THINGS VISIT KIDS IN THE HOSPITAL SEE PHOTOS, PAGE 17
THE
TOWN - CR IER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
Your Community Newspaper
INSIDE Forestry Officials: Drought, Cold Make Area Ripe For Fires
Volume 31, Number 53 December 31, 2010 - January 6, 2011
2011 POLO SEASON STARTS SUNDAY
Extreme drought coupled with freezing temperatures and low humidity have led to a high wildfire hazard throughout central Palm Beach County, according t o rangers at the Florida Division of Forestry office in Loxahatchee Groves. Page 3
Bowen, PBSO Officers Visit Pediatric Patients At Palms West Hospital
Wellington Mayor Darell Bowen and representatives from the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Of fice District 8 substation in Wellington visited the Palms West Hospital pediatric ward Thursday, Dec. 23 to hand out presents to the young patients. Page 9
‘Back To Bethlehem’
Community of Hope Chur ch held its annual production Back to Bethlehem on Frida y, Dec. 24 in the Royal Palm Beach High School auditorium. Page 11
OPINION The Town-Crier’s Annual Wish List, 2011 Edition
As we do each year, the TownCrier ushers in 2011 with some very special New Year’s wishes for our community leaders, institutions and notable figures in the area. To put an exciting year to bed, it takes a sense of humor and a little humility. So we hope those mentioned enjoy our quips and keep a smile on their face. To all of our leaders and loyal readers, here’s to a coming decade of humor, happiness and prosperity. Page 4
Page 32-34 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 2 - 12 OPINION ................................ 4 CRIME NEWS ........................ 6 NEWS BRIEFS ....................... 8 SCHOOLS .............................13 PEOPLE........................ 14 - 15 COLUMNS .................... 21 - 22 BUSINESS ................... 29 - 31 SPORTS ....................... 35 - 38 CALENDAR...................40 - 41 CLASSIFIEDS ...............42 - 47 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
The 2011 high-goal polo season kicks off Sunday, Jan. 2 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach, and it is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons ever. Shown here at a kickoff luncheon Wednesday are polo players Brandon Phillips, Nic Roldan, Luis Escobar, Kris Kampsen and Jeff Hall with Lauren Duffy of sponsor Piaget. STORY & MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 7 PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/TOWN-CRIER
2010 IN REVIEW: ROYAL PALM BEACH
Tragedy Strikes The Village; New Leadership Faces Thorny Issues By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report In 2010, Royal Palm Beach faced a year of hard economic times, tragic loss and controversial decisions that brought the public out in full force. With new leadership at the helm, the village navigated through a number of thorny issues. TRAGEDY STRIKES The village suffered a shocking loss when longtime Village Manager David Farber died in April after a prolonged respiratory illness. Farber fell ill in February, and his duties were taken over by then-village engineer Ray Liggins. In the wake of Farber ’s death, Liggins was appointed acting village manager. In July, Liggins was promoted to village manager with a one-year contract that is subject to review before renewal. The village honored Farber by dedicating its new training center in his name. The David B. Farber Training Center, which opened in September, was one of Farber’s
pet projects. Though he never got to see it finished, the council felt it was apropos that it carry his name. Royal Palm Beach employees, officials and public safety personnel will use the facility for training, and the building houses classrooms and a boxing room for the Police Athletic League. This year was also a sad time for several members of the council who suffered personal losses. Councilman Fred Pinto lost his wife Brenda in October, while Mayor Matty Mattioli lost his wife Marion in December. LA MANCHA BERM/ ROEBUCK ROAD Carrying over from 2009 was the decision of whether to open Madrid Street in La Mancha to traffic from the State Road 7 extension. While Palm Beach County denied the village a permit to put a berm on the county right-ofway, the village ultimately decided to construct its own on village property. County officials wanted the
connection open, but the council aligned with La Mancha residents, who opposed the connection. Instead, the village constructed its own berm early this year. Vice Mayor Martha Webster worried that going against the county’s wishes would lead to complications securing the extension of Roebuck Road into the western communities. Although no moves have been made to extend the road, Royal Palm Beach found an ally early in the year with the Town of Loxahatchee Groves, which passed a measure supporting the extension. Instead, the county has considered flyovers on Okeechobee Blvd. similar to those on Southern Blvd. to alleviate traffic congestion. COUNCIL CHANGES After 12 years as mayor, David Lodwick turned his gavel over to newly elected Mayor Matty Mattioli in March. Mattioli defeated former village employee Steve Petrone to win the post. New to See ROYAL PALM, page 4
2010 IN REVIEW: LOXAHATCHEE GROVES
After Years Of Work, Town Enacts Its Own Land Rules
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The young Town of Loxahatchee Groves matured into adolescence in 2010 as the community put into place a number of its own rules and regulations years in the making. UNOPPOSED ELECTION The Town of Loxahatchee Groves began 2010 with a nonelection. In February, the filing period ended for two available seats on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council, with Mayor Dave Browning and candidate Jim Rockett winning automatically when no one filed to run against them. Former councilwoman Marge Herzog had been expected to run against Rockett, but decided against a run shortly before filing closed. The seat now occupied by Rockett previously belonged to Dr. Bill Louda, who chose not to seek reelection. Rockett had
served previously on the Finance Advisory & Audit Committee, which he said helped him gain insight into the inner workings of the town. Browning reclaimed his seat and was subsequently reelected mayor by the council. Browning said the lack of opposition told him that residents must be happy for the most part with the way the town is being run. LAND REGULATIONS ARE ENACTED After years of wrangling over language, the Town of Loxahatchee Groves gave final approval to its Uniform Land Development Code (ULDC) in November. Much of the discussion involved how noise complaints should be regulated and how strict to be with non-conforming commercial uses. The proposed noise regulations drew opposition largely from bird breeders who have come under fire from neighbors complaining
about the noisier avian varieties. Breeder Howard Voren said the county noise ordinance that the Groves operated under before it incorporated makes no reference to animals. Resident Larry Lefkowitz, whose property is adjacent to a bird breeder’s, said the county ordinance had not gone far enough to protect residents. In April, the town held an additional public workshop after about 70 residents turned out for the first public hearing on the ULDC. The town had already held four workshops, which had been lightly attended. During the April meeting, more than 30 residents spoke, many expressing concern that the document would lead to changes in their lifestyles or deprive them of businesses that they conduct on their properties. In the end, non-conforming business uses will be grandfathered in, while exactly how noise See LOX GROVES, page 16
Serving Palms West Since 1980
2010 IN REVIEW: WELLINGTON
Big Projects Focus Of Wellington’s 2010 By Lauren Miró Town-Crier Staff Report Despite tighter purse strings and falling revenue, the Village of Wellington saw several longplanned projects come to fruition in 2010. Chief among these were a new village hall about to open as the year ends, along with an adjacent park and amphitheater. Wellington also pushed forward with its economic development initiative, making progress on creating a medical arts district centered around Wellington Regional Medical Center. A NEW VILLAGE HALL Using creative budgeting, Wellington was able to plan its new Town Center, which includes the existing Wellington Community Center and three major additions: a new municipal complex, Scott’s Place Playground and the Wellington Amphitheater. The village broke ground on the new municipal complex late last year, and on Friday, Dec. 31, the village cut the ribbon on the new building, ushering in the New Year and a new era for Wellington, all under one roof. The 54,000-square-foot, $10.5million building is the new home of the village’s council chambers and administrative offices. It was
paid for by using builder impact fees. By consolidating various village offices into one place, Wellington officials expect to save more than $500,000 a year. A PLAYGROUND FOR ALL CHILDREN In March, Wellington dedicated and opened Scott’s Place Playground, a boundless playground for children of all abilities. The equestrian-themed playground was made possible by a $250,000 donation from residents Barbara and Del Williamson, who named the playground in honor of their late son Scott. Scott suffered from cerebral palsy and lived most of his life in a wheelchair before his death at age 6. The playground features wheelchair-accessible ramps, extra-wide sidewalks and a variety of equipment designed to stimulate the senses of children both with and without disabilities. The playground was built with an outpouring of support from the community. Many people showed up during two rainy days in February to help put the playground equipment together. Since its opening, Scott’s Place has become a popular gathering spot for many village families and See WELLINGTON, page 16
2010 IN REVIEW: THE ACREAGE
Cell Towers, Roads And Big Park Plans
By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report From an Acreage perspective, 2010 brought a mixed bag of improvements, advancements and controversies. An ambitious road plan took shape, enhancements for Acreage Community Park moved forward, a newly elected Indian Trail Improvement District supervisor took office, and the area got its first gas station. Meanwhile, concerns over an Acreage “cancer cluster” quieted down, but new contention arose about cell phone towers and pedestrian safety near Seminole Ridge High School. ITID BEGINS ROAD IMPROVEMENT PLAN The Indian Trail Improvement District held its first workshop last January for a project designed to
improve the road network in The Acreage and eventually provide a coordinated traffic-calming plan. Called the R3 Plan, its objective is to eventually provide paved feeder roads to connect unpaved dead-end neighborhood roads to arterial roads. A total of 36 miles of network roads are included in the R3 Plan, and the total estimated cost is $32.5 million for all the improvements, according to District Engineer Lisa Tropepe. The R3 Plan provides for comprehensive improvements, including paving, traffic calming, sidewalks, guardrails, safety enhancements and trail connectivity. The plan is a continuation of the R2 Plan, which brought a paved See THE ACREAGE, page 16
GOLF CART PARADE
Residents of the Wycliffe Golf & Country Club decked out their golf carts, their animals and themselves for the annual Golf Cart Parade on Monday, Dec. 27. Shown here, Karen and Steve Metzger and Sophie Levin take their golf cart to Oz. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 5 PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRÓ/T OWN-CRIER
2010 IN REVIEW: PALM BEACH COUNTY
Tough Ethics Rules, School Board Changes, Budget Cuts By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report Palm Beach County voters enacted far-reaching anti-corruption changes in 2010, while also shaking up the Palm Beach County School Board and returning corruption-fighting Commissioner Jess Santamaria to the Palm Beach County Commission. It was also another year of Palm Beach County belt tightening, and one that saw county officials grappling with western development issues such
as new mining operations and water quality standards. TOUGH NEW ETHICS RULES BECOME LAW In November, voters tired of living in “Corruption County” overwhelmingly approved a change to the county charter that will permanently put in place a Commission on Ethics, Code of Ethics and an independent Office of the Inspector General to root out corruption in Palm Beach County. The change followed the earlier deci-
sion by county commissioners to enact similar rules by ordinance, but the charter change gives the rules more permanence and brings all county municipalities under the same corruption-fighting rules. The changes were the result of a 2009 grand jury report that recommended the Commission on Ethics and inspector general post after two West Palm Beach city commissioners and three county commissioners had been sent to jail for abusing their positions.
2010 saw yet another county commissioner — Jeff Koons — resign in disgrace. In April, former assistant state attorney Alan Johnson of Wellington was named executive director of the new Commission on Ethics. In May, Sheryl Steckler, formerly of the Florida Department of Children & Families, came on board as the county’s first inspector general. SANTAMARIA REELECTED 2010 was an anti-Democratic
year at the ballot box, but not for District 6 incumbent County Commissioner Jess Santamaria, who took 58 percent of the vote to soundly defeat two challengers in November, widely outpacing Republican hopeful John Carroll and independent candidate Andy Schaller. Santamaria said his goals over the next four years will be similar to those of his first four years, including following through on See COUNTY, page 12