NFL Hall Of Famers Warren Sapp, Rondé Barber, Dwight Freeney Join Pro Football Hall Of Fame Invitational
26 Football Legends And 78 PGA TOUR Champions To Compete At Broken Sound’s Legendary “Old Course”
The James Hardie™ Pro Football Hall of Fame Invitational has announced that NFL Hall of Famers Warren Sapp, Rondé Barber and Dwight Freeney will be featured at the inaugural event, all of whom have close Florida ties. The tournament will feature Pro Football Hall of Famers competing alongside PGA TOUR Champions professionals from March 31 to April 6, 2025, at the Old Course at Broken Sound Club.
Sapp, who was born in Orlando, played for the Miami Hurricanes and then 13 seasons in the NFL, primarily with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Tampa Bay, Sapp made seven Pro Bowl appearances, earned first-team AllPro honors four times and was part of the team that won the franchise’s first Super Bowl title in 2003. Barber also played for Tampa Bay, spending his entire 16-year career as a Buccaneer. Barber was selected to five Pro Bowls, accumulated three first-team All Pro and two second-team selections. He was also selected to the NFL 2000s AllDecade Team. Freeney, who lives in West Palm Beach, played as a defensive end and linebacker for 16 seasons, the majority with the Indianapolis Colts. Freeney won the Super Bowl in 2007 with the team as well.
Warren Sapp
City Of Boca’s ‘Jolly Days’ To Start Nov. 23 With Tree Lighting, Parade, Pops Concert, More
Get ready to deck the halls and light the trees with the City of Boca Raton’s Jolly Days, a series of winter holiday festivities that kicks off with the annual Tree Lighting on Saturday, Nov. 23 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Mizner Park Amphitheater. Admission is free.
“We are thrilled to bring the community together for Boca Jolly Days, as we capture the spirit and joy of the holiday season,” said Mayor Scott Singer. “From festive decorations and an all-new Holiday Pops concert to family-friendly activities, there is something for everyone to enjoy. We look forward to celebrating with
Achievement
our residents and visitors, making this holiday season truly special in Boca Raton.”
Festivities will include live music on the Mizner Amphitheater stage, snow flurries, selfie photos with Santa, a holiday vendor marketplace, lighting displays throughout Mizner Park and a variety of food and drink vendors.
The evening will culminate with the ceremonial lighting of the city’s tree led by Mayor Scott Singer and City Council which will illuminate simultaneously with Mizner Park’s 30-foot tree at the south end of Mizner Park.
The event is sponsored by the City of Boca Raton and WPBF-TV. Other holiday events and happenings, presented by the City of Boca Raton, include: Deck the House. Nov. 15 – Dec. 15 . Get your place ready to participate in the city’s house holiday decorating contest. Show off your best holiday exterior house decorations for a chance to win bragging rights, a trophy, and a spotlight on the city’s social media. Applications open Nov. 15 to Dec. 15. Cost: Free. For more information
City Of Boca’s ‘Jolly Days’ on page 2
Centers For Children & Families
(ACCF)
To Hold 13th Annual Witches Of Delray Beach Bike Ride
Achievement Centers for Children & Families (ACCF) will hold its 13th Annual Witches of Delray Beach Bike Ride on Saturday, Oct. 26. The witches plan to make their triumphant return to Downtown Delray Beach with the route starting at City Hall, flying down the famed Atlantic Avenue, and zipping back to the Old School Square pavilion.
Three hundred witches will don their best witchwear and extravagantly decorated brooms (bikes) to ride through scenic Downtown Delray Beach up Atlantic Avenue, all guided by the Delray Beach Police Department. The ride will take off promptly at 8:30 a.m. At the conclusion of the ride, the party will continue at the Old School Square Outdoor Pavilion Stage with music
Platinum Steppers from ACCF and awards presentations such as “Best Costume,” “Best Witch Cackle,” “Best Decorated Broom (Bike),” and “Best Group Theme.”
Prior to the big ride day, new this year, Amanda Perna of the House of Perna Boutique & Atelier ( Project Runway Reality Star) and the Tin Roof will host a “Not
your Basic Witch” Hat Decorating Event on Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. (rain date is October 8). ACCF will provide hat supplies, crafts, couture and traditional hat decorating materials. The event will be held at 8 E. Atlantic Avenue, Delray Beach. Space is limited. Additionally, longtime event partner Tim Finnegan’s Irish Pub in Delray Beach will host a signature fundraiser in support of the Witches Ride, the Annual “Witches Brew” on Friday, Oct. 18 from 6 to 9 p.m.
Judges Marusca Gatto, Amanda Perna, Deborah Dowd
Tax Talk
Dear Friends:
Our office was recently advised by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) that they are warning drivers who have illegal Florida license plates, which have been altered or customized, such as with air brushing or vinyl wrapping. In fact, since 2020 citations for unlawful altered Florida license plates have increased nearly 100 percent. FHP is being proactive in raising awareness of this and if you are caught with one of these customized or altered plates, you can receive a moving violation citation, which includes a fine of $60 (plus fees) and three points on your license! If you have one of these altered Florida license plates and it cannot be returned to its original condition, I strongly encourage you to make a reservation to visit one of our service centers to get a replacement license plate by visiting www.pbctax.com/reservations.
Anne M. Gannon, Constitutional Tax Collector, Serving Palm Beach County
Customer Service Appreciation Week – Going Above And Beyond!
At our office, we make customer service our No. 1 priority! In honor of Customer Service Appreciation Week, October 7 to 11, I asked a few of our service center managers to share their thoughts on exceptional customer service and here is what they had to say:
“Exceptional client service enhances our agency’s reputation. Quality customer service is the distinguishing factor that sets us apart from other agencies. We prioritize the client’s needs by being effective and empathetic.” – Brian Applebaum, South County Service Center Manager
“Customer service directly impacts public trust and satisfaction. When residents interact with us, they often do so during critical moments in their lives, original identification issuance, driver license testing, vehicle ownership, or establishing a new business. Our focus on exceptional customer service ensures that these interactions are efficient and respectful, which can significantly enhance the public’s perception of the government.” – Matthew Johnson, Westlake Service Center Manager
“The goal of our customer service is to build trust with our clients through communication and knowledge of our services. We strive every day to do this by incorporating the LEAP principles (listening, empathizing, apologizing, problem solving) with all our interactions allowing us to provide exceptional service.”
– Michelle Arias, Central Service Center Manager
Faces
Of The Tax
Collector’s
Office – James McConnell
Title: Chief Operations Officer
Hometown: Wildwood, NJ
Favorite Activity: Attending various cultural events in Palm Beach County and beyond Favorite Food: Veal chop
There are more than 330 tax collector’s office (TCO) employees, and I thought you might be interested in getting to know some of them. We will start with someone who is behind the scenes, but very much a part of your experience as a client.
Jim McConnell, our chief operations officer, is a member of our senior leadership team, and he oversees the operation of our six service centers throughout the county. Jim is responsible for approximately 200 employees who provide service to our clients, so I asked Jim how he helps ensure that our clients receive exceptional customer service during each visit.
Jim says, “I’ve given my managers the ability to make decisions on their own. We talk about customer service in most of
our meetings. The managers jokingly ask one another, WWJD: What Would Jim Do? And the answer is: serve the client.”
He adds that an important component to success – both for his team and for the customer experience – is recognition. “When clients leave a positive review for an employee, that feedback is passed along.”
“As a leader, I think it is my responsibility to recognize my team for the good that they do, knowing that leads to better customer service,” says Jim.
And what about when things are not going perfectly? Jim notes that, “We have a great team environment for discussing challenges.”
A common concern voiced by clients is the long lead time for making a reservation at one of our service centers.
“We’re researching a whole new reservation system,” Jim says. “The goal is to enable us to take more clients by decreasing the lead time.”
Stay tuned to future editions of Tax Talk to read about improvements we are making in our service centers and across the agency. And keep an eye out for opportunities to learn more about our team and how we are serving you in upcoming “Faces of the TCO” profiles!
Jim with his shih-tzu, Charlie
The entire month of October, ACCF will have a variety of Ways to be Wicked with the Witches of Delray. For registration and event details visit www.tinyurl.com/ Witches2024.
Funds raised from the Witches Ride directly benefit Delray Beach’s Achievement Centers for Children & Families, a community-based organization dedicated to serving under-resourced children and families in Delray Beach and surrounding communities.
“As we mark the 13th anniversary of our Witches Ride, we are reminded of the incredible community spirit that has made this event so special. It’s not just about the costumes and the fun—it’s about coming together to support a cause that has such a meaningful impact,” said Stephanie Seibel, CEO of the Achievement Centers. “It’s incredible to see how much the event has grown over the years. It brings so much joy and support to our organization, and we’re excited to see it continue to grow.”
For more information, visit www.tinyurl.com/ Witches2024 or email events@accffoundation.org.
For more information about Achievement Centers for Children & Families, call (561) 266-0003 or visit www. achievementcentersFL.org.
Lisa
Levinson, Lisa Ricco
Achievement Centers For Children & Families from page 1
Nathalie Riseley
Andie Devoe, Luba Fry
Brandy Lee
Deborah Dowd, Leonora Andersson
Jennifer Botsford
Dr. Diana Carrau, Dr. Francesca Lewis, Marissa Randazzo
Melanie Von Schimmelmann, Marissa Schear Shona Castillo
Boca Museum Of Art Celebrates 75th Anniversary With World Premiere Exhibit, ‘Splendor And Passion: Baroque Spain’
The Boca Raton Museum of Art’s world premiere of the historic Spanish Baroque art exhibition, Splendor and Passion: Baroque Spain and Its Empire, will open in November as the Museum celebrates its landmark 75th anniversary. This captivating exhibition, organized in partnership with the Hispanic Society Museum & Library in New York City, will feature a breathtaking collection of Baroque masterpieces, offering an unparalleled glimpse into the dynamic and emotive art of the 16th and 17th Centuries. Visitors will experience Spain’s rich artistic heritage during a transformative era through this rare collection.
The exhibition will run from November 7 through March 30, 2025. It explores the prominent art and history of Spain beginning with its Siglo de Oro (Golden Age), drawing from the extraordinary riches of The Hispanic Society Museum & Library’s collection of Renaissance and Baroque holdings. This period saw the rise of the globe-spanning Spanish Empire and its growing influence on Europe and the Americas. Splendor and Passion offers an unparalleled opportunity for the public to see 57 masterpieces from this formative era of Spanish history by some of the period’s most renowned artists, including El Greco (Doménikos Theotokópoulos), Bartolomé Esteban Murillo and Diego Velázquez.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Boca Raton Museum of Art for the world premiere of Splendor and Passion, says Guillaume Kientz, CEO & Director of the Hispanic Society Museum & Library. “We believe that this remarkable exhibition will provide visitors with an unparalleled experience of Spanish Baroque art and its significant impact on the global stage.”
To coincide with the exhibition, the Museum will feature Las Meninas from an Artificial Light, a meticulous copy of Velázquez’s famous painting that hangs in the El Museo Nacional del Prado in Madrid. This work by contemporary Spanish conceptual artist Félix De La Concha is painted in oil on 140 sheets of 9 by 12-inch paper. Together, these fragments reconstruct the real size of the Velázquez masterpiece, which measures 125 by 108 inches.
De La Concha reproduced this masterpiece with the patience of a copyist, but instead of working in front of the original at the Prado, he painted it entirely from a highresolution reproduction available online. Also on view will be a triptych by Félix De La Concha, commissioned by the Museum as a tribute to the City of Boca Raton’s centennial celebration in 2025. Painted en plein air, it depicts the important crossroads of Dixie Highway, the Flagler railroad,and Camino Real, with Addison Mizner’s administrative building as the centerpiece.
In honor of the Boca Raton Museum of Art’s 75th anniversary the Museum will host a series of special events and programs including curator talks, a Spanish film festival series,
wine tastings from the vineyards of Spain and educational experiences. Additionally, an array of cultural events will be held, culminating in a grand gala on Jan. 25, 2025.
The celebratory activities will include exclusive guided tours, and educational programs designed to honor Spanish heritage.
“The Museum’s 75th anniversary coinciding with Boca Raton’s 100th anniversary called for a very special exhibition,” said Irvin Lippman, Executive Director of the Boca Raton Museum of Art. “ Splendor and Passion offers a rare glimpse into Spain’s rich artistic heritage during a dynamic, transformative, and complex era of colonial expansion. Accompanied by a robust array of public programs and special events, the Museum launches an outstanding season, further
establishing itself as a cultural touchstone in South Florida.”
Special Anniversary Programs:
● Sponsors Preview: Nov. 6, 2024;
● Lectures: Adam Jasienski, December 8th, 2024; Amanda Dotseth, Jan. 19, 2025; Jonathan Ray, Feb. 9, 2025;
● Exclusive Guided Tours: November, 2024 through March, 2025;
● Film Series: Jan. 16, 23, 30 and Feb. 6, 2025;
● Diamond Anniversary Gala: Jan. 25, 2025;
● Symposium: Feb. 22, 2025;
● Flamenco Performances: Feb. through March, 2025; For more information about the Splendor and Passion: Baroque Spain and Its Empire exhibition, the 75thanniversary celebrations, membership and admission, contact the Boca Raton Museum of Art at (561) 392-2500 or visit online at bocamuseum.org. Join the Museum’s email list online for a sneak preview of more exciting events that will be added to the 2024-2025 season, plus invitations to exclusive member experiences.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bocamuseum/
Sebastián López de Arteaga, Saint Michael Striking Down the Rebellious Angels, 1650-1652, oil on copper. Courtesy of The Hispanic Society of America, New York
Antonio del Castillo Saavedra, Adoration of the Shepherds, ca. 1660, oil on canvas. Courtesy of The Hispanic Society of America, New York
Nicholás Correa, The Wedding at Cana, 1696, oil and mixed media on wood panel, inlaid with mother-of-pearl. Courtesy of The Hispanic Society of America, New York
Sebastián Muñoz, Maria Luisa of Orléans, Queen of Spain, Lying in State, 1689-1690, oil on canvas. Courtesy of The Hispanic Society of America, New York
Miguel de Pret or Unknown Artist, Still Life with Melon and Fowl, 1630, oil on canvas. Courtesy of The Hispanic Society of America, New York
Boca Helping Hands’ Bowling For Bread Benefited Backpacks Weekend Meal Program
Boca Helping Hands (BHH) welcomed 225 adults and children at their annual Bowling for Bread event on Aug. 25 at Bowlero in Boca Raton. BHH invited kids from local children’s charities to attend for free and enjoy an afternoon of bowling, food, and prize giveaways.
The children’s charities that were invited to attend this event included 4KIDS of South Florida, Inc., Achievement Centers for Children & Families, Adopt a Family of the Palm Beaches, Inc., American Association of Caregiving Youth, Fuller Center, HomeSafe, Place of Hope/Village of Hope, PROPEL, and Pearl City Cats. The event also raised enough funds to provide more than 41,000 meals for the BHH weekend meal program.
Special guests from the Florida Atlantic University football team included Offensive Linemen Federico Maranges and Andre Lamas and Junior Punter Logan Lupo who came out to cheer on the kids and bowl alongside them.
Trophies were awarded to the top three bowling teams and overall high scores. Bowling tournament winners were: First place team – Waypoint Residential
Second place team – Waypoint Residential
Third place team – The Law Offices of Pamela Higer-Polani, Attorney at Law
The top score was 180, bowled by Dan Brede.
Boca Helping Hands has operated the BHH Backpacks children’s meal program for the past 13 years. Every Friday, BHH Backpacks provides food-insecure students with nonperishable, easy-to-prepare meals to ensure they get enough to eat on the weekends. During the 2023/24 school year, BHH Backpacks helped over 1,600 students in 13 local schools, providing 181,362 meals and 60,454 snacks to elementary students in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach.
Bowling for Bread is part of Boca Chamber Festival Days—a series of fun-filled August events intended to raise awareness and funds by pairing nonprofits with for-profit members of the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.
Florida Peninsula Insurance Company was Bowling for Bread’s For-Profit Chamber Partner and the Event Sponsor was the Lee Pearlson Steinberg Foundation. Other major sponsors included the Gary Peters Family Foundation, Humana, Stanley Waldshan, and Waypoint Residential.
This was the seventh year that the Lee Pearlson Steinberg Foundation sponsored the event. “Bowling for Bread is always a fantastic event, and I love seeing the kids enjoy
themselves. I’m thrilled to be a part of it again this year,” said Foundation Trustee Lee Steinberg. “Supporting this cause is a special way for me to honor my mom, Pearl, who had a deep passion for helping children.”
About Boca Helping Hands
Boca Helping Hands (BHH) is a community-based nonprofit that provides food, medical, and financial assistance to help individuals and families improve their quality of life and build financial stability. Through its various programs, BHH assists nearly 35,000 people annually.
Boca Helping Hands is a partner agency of The Town of Palm Beach United Way. Since 1945, the Town of Palm Beach United Way has been committed to improving lives and building strong communities throughout Palm Beach County by focusing on programs and priorities that promote education, health, and financial stability.
Boca Helping Hands holds accreditation for Sound Nonprofit Management from Nonprofits First, a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid/GuideStar, and has been a Charity Navigator Four-Star Charity for 17 consecutive years. It is located at 1500 N.W. 1st Court, Boca Raton, FL 33432. For more information, please visit BocaHelpingHands.org.
Cutting Colon Cancer Out Of The Family Tree
About five of every 100 people with colon or rectal cancer have the disease because of a gene passed down through their family. Researchers at Cleveland Clinic in Florida are investing in specialists and resources to identify these families at risk, with the goal of preventing inherited colorectal cancer from ever developing at all.
The focus is on familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
“Familial” means inherited, or passed down through families. Adenomas are specific types of polyps that can become cancer. People with FAP have a 100 percent chance to get colorectal cancer, and parents with FAP have a 50/50 chance of passing it down to their children.
“We want to get the word out about our program, so we can let as many people as possible know if they’re at risk,
educate others in their family and offer each one the latest medical care, education and support,” says Giovanna da Silva, M.D., a Cleveland Clinic colorectal surgeon and researcher in Florida.
The centerpiece of the program is the Jagelman Registry, a database of patient information of families with FAP. Using this data, physicians at Cleveland Clinic in Florida work with teams
elsewhere to research the condition and share the latest medicines and other treatments. Besides colon polyps, FAP can also cause growths or cancer in the stomach, pancreas, bone and other areas. The earliest preventive care ranges from medicines that stop the growth of polyps to simple colonoscopies to remove those that have not yet become cancer.
“Using the registry, we’re able to let patients know what screenings they should have and how often,” says Dr. da Silva. “That can save their lives and those of their family members. We’re definitely very proud of our program, and we’re looking forward to helping more and more patients through it.”
To make an appointment with Dr. da Silva or another Cleveland Clinic specialist in Florida, call (877) 463.2010 or visit ClevelandClinicFlorida.org/Access today.
Giovanna da Silva, M.D.
9th Annual Tree Lighting, Holiday Extravaganza At Boca Raton Innovation Campus Set For Nov. 21
To kick off the upcoming holiday season, CP Group has announced its highly anticipated 9th Annual Tree Lighting Extravaganza will take place on Thursday, Nov. 21, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC), located at 5000 T-Rex Avenue on Yamato Road. With WPTV’s First Alert Chief Meteorologist Steve Weagle returning as the emcee, the event will feature the lighting of a 40-foot tree, an interactive meet-and-greet with Santa and live reindeer, and a variety of activities, community performances, and festivities for attendees of all ages.
Guests will enter the yuletide extravaganza through an illuminated “Snowflake Lane” that leads to a festive winter wonderland featuring:
● An exciting meet-and-greet with Santa and his reindeer, complete with a photographer to capture the memories with digital and physical photos;
● Santa’s Workshop, an enchanting, kid-friendly tented area filled with holiday-inspired activities. Festive arts and crafts will be provided by the Boca Raton Historical Society & Museum and ArtNEST Studios, and face painters will be available at no cost;
● A charming petting zoo showcasing 20 farm animals;
● A 360-camera booth experience, capable of digital video copies;
● Mesmerizing LED Cirque Performers on stage and throughout the grounds, performing risk-balancing acts and a contortionist juggling and spinning with over 30 hula hoops;
● Community holiday-themed performances from Grandview Preparatory School, Organic Movements Dance School, and the West Boca Raton Community High School Calliope performance coordinated by Nat King Cole Generation Hope;
● A “Food Truck Lane” offering a variety of delicious local vendors;
● A holiday-themed bounce house;
● A cash bar, keeping festive spirits high;
● Ample free parking available on-site.
Attendees will receive free entry by bringing a new, unwrapped toy or making a voluntary donation to Spirit of Giving, the event’s beneficiary for the past nine years. Donations will be collected at the entrance to support the nonprofit’s Annual Holiday Gift Drive, which spreads joy to thousands of children across Palm Beach County.
In addition, CP Group’s tree lighting event supports the Junior League of Boca Raton, an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism, empowerment, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. This year’s event will also offer fundraising opportunities for CPG Cares, a 501(c)(3) founded by members of CP Group to support qualified charitable organizations in the communities where CP Group operates. A portion of cash bar sales and 100% of proceeds from the event’s famous inflatable candy canes, available for purchase for the first time this year, will go to CPG Cares.
A VIP experience is available for $60 per adult and $16 per child (16 years and younger). This package includes
exclusive access to the VIP hospitality tent featuring multiple open bars, a selection of delicious hors d’oeuvres, a carving station and special activities. Inside the tent the “Kids Corner” will offer children’s treats and beverages, including a “Make Your Own S’mores” station.
Additional entertainment includes a face painter, glitter tattoo artist, and a skilled illustrator, all adding to the holiday magic at BRiC.
For General Admission advance registration and VIP Tent ticket purchases, visit https://CPGrouptreelighting2024. eventbrite.com.
All of the proceeds from the VIP ticket sales will benefit the Junior League of Boca Raton. It is recommended that you secure your tickets in advance as space is limited and the tent has historically sold out. In keeping with tradition the annual tree lighting event has a rain date of Friday, Nov. 22, at the same time.
For the first time in three years sponsorship opportunities are available to the public. For sponsorship information contact CP Group’s Events Manager, Kisha Cools, at kcools@cpgcre.com.
About BriC . Boca Raton Innovation Campus (BRiC) is the largest single-facility office building in the state at 1.7 million square feet. Designed by Marcel Breuer, the campus was originally built in 1969 for IBM and is home to the invention of the first personal computer. The campus was acquired by CP Group in 2018 with the vision of building off BRiC’s history and evolving the campus into a science and technology hub. An ideal landing spot for companies with large footprints, BRiC is currently home to 23 national tenants, including Kroger, Modernizing Medicine, Canon, and Bluegreen Vacations. To learn more about the campus, visit http://workatbric.com.
Feast Of Little Italy
The Galbani Feast of Little Italy returns to Abacoa in Jupiter on November 1 to 3.
The cultural festival, known for its Italian ambiance, national Italian American entertainers, and authentic food, will offer free admission. This year’s theme is Celebrating Italian American Heritage and Culture.
With every step in Abacoa, visitors will find food vendors serving authentic Italian dishes—fresh pasta, sausage, peppers, arancini, braciole, and many more classic dishes. Then, enjoy a not-to-be-missed Italian dessert with homemade zeppoles with powdered sugar, sfogliatella, and cannoli. The Gardens Pizza and Pasta Pizza Eating Contest will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2, at 12:30 p.m. on stage. The public is invited to participate.
This year, the La Cucina Galbani ® Cooking stage will feature nationally known chefs, including Galbani Celebrity Chef Marco Sciortino from the hit TV show Come Dine with Me , local favorites Anthony Acampa from Fat’s Where the Flavor’s At , Nina Tomasik from Nina’s
Chef Marco
Bakery , and PGA Chef Thomas Op’t Holt, and many others. Do not miss a taste of the free Voga wine seminars by wine connoisseurs throughout the weekend.
The feast is pleased to announce the return of its fabulous Master of Ceremonies – Virginia Sinicki, an on-air personality from the KVJ show on 979WRMF. Beginning Friday night, Franco Corso – the Voice of Romance will serenade the audience with Italian ballads. The stage headliner on Friday night is Tony Quaranti performing “The Sinatra Songbook.”
Nunziata
Saturday entertainers will perform the best of Italian ballads by Vanessa Racci and Italian classics by Angelo Venuto, and all the favorites. Streetlife Serenader will headline Saturday evening with “A Tribute to Billy Joel,” Sunday, the fun continues with Avianna Rossi, Philipe Harari and Elio Scacio known as “The Sicilian Tenor.” Headlining will be internationally acclaimed singer Anthony Nunziata performing “Bocelli and Beyond.”
Cheers! Salute! Toast to your Italian American heritage with a beer, prosecco, spritz, or cocktail. The Bar Italia, Aperol Spritz Piazza, or Voga Prosecco Lounge will be the places to be seen.
Spoil yourself and the entire family and relax in your own private VIP villa located near the stage. Your villa includes a large table, eight seats, and waiter/waitress service. Or enjoy reserved stage pod seating with four chairs and a table, which includes waiter/waitress service. Reservations are available at Eventbrite.com.
For the entire family, there will be festival rides and carnival games for all ages. Little Smiles will be on site with fun kids’ activities.
The feast is committed each year to supporting the charity, Little Smiles and the Little Smiles toy drive kicking off at the festival. Attendees are encouraged to bring a new unwrapped gift. The nonprofit organization works tirelessly to bring smiles to the faces of children by giving kids the chance to be kids during difficult times.
Festival hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Parking is free, and admission is free. To learn more and for a complete schedule, visit www.feastoflittleitaly.com.
Anthony
health as a recipient of services. When in high school, the school social worker, Mr. C, invited him to join a “divorce group.” This group helped Bernstein gain the support of his peers, learn coping skills, and build resiliency. He then took a peer support class and by senior year was leading a class for the younger classmen and giving back.
“He [Mr. C] really set me on this path of who I am today … it really made me into an advocate to really eliminate barriers to access school mental health services for youth and their families … I’m totally committed to supporting the mental health of our children and the support of our families and hope that you will be superheroes also in this fight,” advocated Bernstein.
Dr. Mucenic re-stressed the importance of students and families being able to access mental health supports in schools and gave a detailed overview of the services that are provided in the 179 schools that make up the Palm Beach County School District.
As part of the school district’s strategic plan, they are measuring and following objectives to support mental health and well-being, including enhancing a sense of belonging, safety, and acceptance for all students; and trauma-informed care and practices.
The schools recognize the importance of destigmatizing mental health services and share the message throughout their campuses that, “It’s okay to be okay. It’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to ask for help.”
Mucenic emphasized, “We have people on every school campus to support mental health. It’s really important.”
Each school’s mental health team includes: school counselor(s), ESOL school coordinator, school psychologist(s), school behavioral health professional, co-located mental health professional (at 115 of the schools), and SBT/CST leader. There are also supports provided at the district level, such as the CAPE Team, Mobile Response Team, and community-based agencies with whom the district partners.
Center for Child Counseling CEO Renée Layman gave a brief overview of the agency’s public health framework and their data-to-action approach of prevention, early intervention, and treatment. The center realizes that children don’t necessarily need treatment only, the caregivers need ways to help their own kids.
“We have focused largely on building the capacity of people who work and live with kids to promote their well-being and resilience,” said Layman.
Dominika Nolan, director of education and prevention services for CFCC gave an overview of all of the services offered to children, families, schools, and communities in order to build the capacity and promote positive mental health for all.
In the closing remarks for the evening, Dr. Fox-Levine encouraged all attendees to think about, “How can you take action now and step out of this room tonight and into your day tomorrow and be a superhero, even more than what you have been in the past, with the information and energy from tonight about the exciting things that are happening with our schools and being able to partner with schools?”
In 2015, Center for Child Counseling launched Fighting ACEs to build awareness and action to mitigate the impact of ACEs and build well-being through positive childhood experiences (PCEs). In conjunction with Leadership Palm Beach County Class of 2017, the center developed “Lead the Fight” in 2016 to bring awareness to system leaders around fighting childhood adversity with advocacy and action. Since that time, the agency
has educated tens of thousands of parents, professionals, and systems leaders.
Partnership sponsors who are leading the fight in making these important and necessary conversations possible include: BeWellPBC; Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County; Florida Association for Infant Mental Health; Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital; Hanley Foundation; Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Palm Beach County; Mead Johnson Nutrition; Palm Beach Pediatrics; Palm Beach Pediatric Society; and Searcy, Denney, Scarola, Barnhart & Shipley.
CFCC’s Fighting ACEs initiative to build traumainformed communities is made possible with the generous support of Quantum Foundation, Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, and private donors.
CFCC’s pediatric integration program is made possible thanks to the support of Quantum Foundation, The Frederick DeLuca Foundation, and Palm Beach County Community Services Department.
Part 3 of the Lead the Fight 2024 series, Positivity Will Give HOPE for Our Future, will take place on December 4. The event focus will be on understanding the effect of positive childhood experiences on countering the longterm possible effect of adverse childhood experiences.
For more information about Center for Child Counseling visit www.centerforchildcounseling. org, Twitter: @ChildCounselPBC, Facebook: @ CenterforChildCounseling, Instagram: @childcounselpbc.
Dominika Nolan, Lizeth Henry, Andrea Goytia Rios
Margaret Rollins, Dr. Michael Glazier, Elizabeth Larsen Sam and Karry Meshberg
Stephanie Noel, Denise Lafoy
Photos by Tracey Benson Photography
Book Review
American Sanctuary: Mutiny, Martyrdom, And National Identity In The Age Of Revolution
By Nils A. Shapiro
I cannot recall ever enjoying a scholarly work of early American history so interestingly and vividly told, so extraordinarily researched and impressively detailed, exciting as any novel, and as timely in subject as next month’s presidential election!
The date was September 21, 1797. The event was a vicious mutiny by the crew of a British naval vessel, HMS Hermione, in the Caribbean off the coast of Puerto Rico. Little remembered today, its aftershock was to lead directly to the election of Thomas Jefferson over the incumbent John Adams as president of the United States … and the resulting lasting image of America as a sanctuary of freedom for those fleeing from persecution in other lands—an issue that dominates today’s political campaigns just as it did the one in 1800.
I must admit that, although it was published in 2017, I had never heard of American Sanctuary and was fortunate to come across it by accident on a table stacked with books while shopping in a market. Its author, A. Roger Ekirch, is a professor of history at Virginia Tech, has written four earlier books, received a Guggenheim Fellowship and is widely recognized as one of our finest historians.
The details that enrich this narrative, garnered from the author’s extraordinary research, add enormously to the overall experience, as do the many contemporary portraits and illustrations from that period.
Revolutionary and early American history being one of my preferred reading tastes I was surprised never to have heard of the very significant event that is the pivotal subject of this book: the mutiny aboard HMS Hermione Nor, shockingly, was it ever mentioned in any class, even through college.
At the time the mutiny took place—after the United States had already won the Revolutionary War several years earlier and declared itself an independent nation— one of the most objectionable policies of the British crown and its navy was the practice of “impressment”: the stopping and boarding of other nations’ vessels, capturing members of their crews and forcing them to sail and work as seamen on British ships, most likely never to see their families again.
Such was the case of many on the Hermione’s crew as it sailed near the island of Puerto Rico on that September day in 1797. Adding to what was already a tinder box of a situation was the fact that this ship’s captain, Admiral Hugh Pigot, was a disciplinarian so stern that whipping and other punishments for minor crew offenses became unbearable and sparked the bloody insurrection that ended in the death of the captain and other officers.
One of the main leaders of the mutiny was a man whose name throughout this book varies between Thomas Nash (if he was actually Irish) and Jonathan Robbins, depending upon whether his claim to have been an American from Connecticut was true or not.
Eventually, after the mutiny Robbins made his way to the U.S. and was tracked down by the British government, which demanded that President John Adams turn over the “mutineer and murderer” to Britain for punishment. It was awkward timing, for Adams was then in the process of ratifying an economic trade treaty with Britain that had just been negotiated.
Adams had to weigh the success of the treaty against the American public’s anger about the British policy and actions of impressment on the high seas and the idea of turning over to Britain a claimed American citizen who “had the right to regain his freedom after having been the victim of such impressment” and return home.
Adams’s decision to turn Robbins over to Britain— where he was executed by hanging without a trial— Adams’s Federalist Party’s defense of his decision, and the consequences of Jefferson’s Republican Party’s national
electoral campaign focused on driving the public’s anger, form the major part of this compelling story.
Eventually— and critical in light of today’s political climate and immigration crisis— the American people eventually decided that, whether or not
Jonathan Robbins (or Thomas Nash, if that was his real name) was in fact an American citizen, anyone fleeing
NOW ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS
from oppression should be able to find sanctuary in the United States and not have to fear being turned away. It is to this day at the heart of our nation’s selfimage, symbolized by the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor and the inscription on her base addressed to “the huddled masses yearning to be free.” This is the story of how and when that all started. I loved every word of it.
Palm Beach County Votes 2024 GENERAL ELECTION
3 EASY WAYS TO VOTE
VOTE-BY-MAIL
REQUEST IT
Visit VotePalmBeach.gov, call (561) 656-6208, or email votebymail@votepalmbeach.gov
See ballot drop off locations at VotePalmBeach.GOV
RETURN IT
Deadline to request aVote-by-Mail ballot is 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024. Vote-by-Mail ballot pickup is not available at our offices from October 26th through November 5th unless, due to an emergency, the voter is unable to go to a designated early voting site or to his or her assigned polling place on Election Day (See F.S. §101.62(3)(d)(5)).
Please have your Florida Driver License, Florida ID card, or the last 4 digits ofyour Social Security number available when making your request.
Mail your Vote-by-Mail ballot using pre-paid postage, or drop it off inside any of our four offices during business hours. You may also drop it off at designated drop off locations across the county starting October 21, 2024.
TRACK IT
Voters can sign up for BallotTrax at VotePalmBeach.gov or by scanning this QR code to get alerts via email, text (SMS), and/or voice message with updates about the status of their ballot or if there is an issue so that it can be corrected right away.
EARLY VOTING
See Early Voting locations at VotePalmBeach.gov
Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, through Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024 Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Registered voters in Palm Beach County can vote at any of the 26 Early Voting locations conveniently located county wide. Visit VotePalmBeach.gov for Early Voting locations, directions, wait times, or to make an appointment. You can also check our website to see when pet adoptions will be available at Early Voting locations!
ELECTION DAY
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5, 2024. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
On Election Day, you must vote at the polling place that is assigned to your precinct. Polling places may change! Visit VotePalmBeach.gov to confirm your polling place before you go vote.
From The Desk Of Commissioner Marci Woodward: A Message From Marci
Commissioner Woodward, a 20-year resident of Boca Raton, was elected in November 2022 as Palm Beach County District 4 Commissioner. She serves on the following board of directors as a representative of the county commission: Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency; South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (TriRail); Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council; CareerSource Palm Beach County; Palm Beach Cultural Council; and Value Adjustment Board. Ms. Woodward graduated from the University of South Carolina-Aiken with a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts.
I recently had the pleasure of hosting a roundtable discussion with representatives from various municipalities in Palm Beach County, including planning and engineering staff, mayors and city managers.
Our primary focus was the proposed countywide Transportation Master Plan. It was heartening to witness unanimous agreement on the crucial need for collaboration among all municipalities. The meeting proved to be highly productive, showcasing a shared commitment to improving communication for the benefit of our residents.
This comprehensive plan will evaluate traffic patterns, future land use and growth management strategies. We are actively collaborating with the cities to jointly issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a consultant to guide us through this important process.
It’s important to note that this initiative is not a oneoff project; it will demand sustained effort and dedication from all municipalities to ensure its success. I am excited to see our collective vision come to fruition.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed their valuable insights. Your engagement is vital to our progress.
Bonefish Cove Update . Palm Beach County has collaborated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to modify the original project design, ensuring that the traditional route used by local boaters to access the Intracoastal Waterway remains unaffected.
The revised design now includes two intertidal mangrove islands, each featuring a bird nesting mound, along with several intertidal oyster reefs positioned to the north and south. The contractor is actively transporting sand from Peanut Island’s dredge material management areas as the northernmost island takes shape. Once completed, these islands and oyster reefs will provide critical habitat for threatened shorebirds and protected native mangroves. Additionally, seagrass and oysters will colonize below the water, enhancing overall water quality.
For more information, visit discover.pbc.gov/erm/ Pages/Lake-Worth-Lagoon.aspx.
Successful Women in Business Luncheon. The Successful Women in Business luncheon hosted by the Boca Chamber of Commerce brought together an inspiring group of executive women from across Palm Beach County.
I’d like to thank Sarah Pearson for such a warm welcome and delightful “fireside chat.” It has been a while since I’ve spoken about my journey to become a county commissioner. It was good to reflect on my life before entering this world and what it’s been like since I arrived. It was also great to have such an engaged audience of women who are making things happen in our community.
Thank you for your gracious attention and informed questions. I hope you left feeling as energized and optimistic as I did about the future of our community and your role as Successful (and might I add, beautiful!) Women in Business!
Solid Waste Authority Collection Survey. We encourage all residents to participate in this important survey regarding the Solid Waste Authority’s residential collection services in unincorporated Palm Beach County. This is your chance to share your thoughts and help shape the future of our services as we prepare for the next contract, which begins on Oct. 1, 2026.
For more information, visit www.surveymonkey. com/r/78K6LLH.
Nonprofit Spotlight. The Kiwanis Club of Delray Beach is a dedicated nonprofit organization committed to serving the children and communities of Delray Beach, Florida. With a rich history of community service and a passionate membership, the club embodies the spirit of “serving the children of the world.”
Since its inception the Kiwanis Club has been at the forefront of initiatives designed to uplift local youth and their families. Among its impactful programs are scholarship and mentorship opportunities, alongside a variety of community service projects that bring residents together for the greater good. For more information, k07255.site.kiwanis.org.
Recently, I had the pleasure of presenting to their members at a club meeting. It was inspiring to witness firsthand the energy and camaraderie that define their gatherings. The members not only enjoy their time together but also engage in meaningful discussions and activities that make a tangible difference in the community. They also have some of the most entertaining and competitive football conversations around. Bring your dollar and join in the fun!
Did you Know? Each month, the Board of County Commissioners’ (BCC) agenda is packed with items that affect the lives of residents and businesses throughout the county. From approving major developments to setting the budget, the BCC plays a crucial role in shaping the future of Palm Beach County.
The Board of County Commissioners recently took the following action:
• An amended lease agreement with Ferrovial Vertiports Florida LLC and PBI to allow time for and the expansion of future operators seeking to acquire the necessary permitting from the FAA to fly the new aircraft in the U.S.A.
• Approved a capital project for up to $9.5 million to update FEMA’s Florida Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) around Lake Okeechobee/Herbert Hoover Dike, the coastal zones and inland areas. This will occur in phases and may take up to six years to complete.
• We directed staff to issue an RFP (request for proposal) to develop the unimproved portion of countyowned 20 Mile Bend into an Off-Highway Vehicle Park and/or Racetrack.
• Approved a first Amendment with the seller for the acquisition of three parcels adjacent to the Animal Care and Control Facility. This will enhance operational flexibility during renovations and support future growth of our ACC.
• Directed staff to continue design work for a new Medical Examiner facility that meets National Association of Medical Examiners’ accreditation standards.
• Approved Youth Services allocations for funding in the Action Areas of Economic Access, Parenting and Role Models, and Educational Supports for Oct. 1st, 2024 through Sept. 30, 2027 in an estimated amount of $1,420,910 annually
These actions reflect the board’s commitment to addressing both immediate needs and long-term goals for the betterment of our county.
Stay informed and engaged by attending BCC meetings—your involvement helps shape the future! If you require assistance, please contact our office at (561) 355-2204 or email Mwoodward@pbcgov.org.
THE ½ PENNY PLAN
This November, Palm Beach County voters will have the opportunity to invest in our children, our schools, and our future with the ½ penny sales tax for education.
This dedicated funding is a continuation of an existing ½ penny that has ensured Palm Beach County is fostering strong schools and strong communities.
SAFEGUARDS TO PROTECT TAXPAYERS
Dedicated funding for our schools
Independent oversight committee
Expires in 2035 and cannot be renewed without voter approval
½ PENNY KEEPS OUR SCHOOLS STRONG
ENHANCES school security and safety
IMPROVES classroom technology and equipment
REINVESTS in schools and facilities
FUNDS capital and maintenance projects
UPGRADES the school bus fleet
THE ½ PENNY is a continuation of an existing sales tax rate for schools in Palm Beach County and will not raise taxes $
SCHOOLS, STRONG COMMUNITIES
Look for the ½ penny for schools on your November ballot
ELECTION DAY: NOVEMBER 5TH
Boca Raton’s ‘Men Giving Back’ Nonprofit Announces Semifinalists For $500,000 In Golden Grants
Men Giving Back , a Boca Raton-based membership organization supporting nonprofits throughout South Palm Beach County, has announced the 25 local charities selected to be semi-finalists for a 2024 Men Giving Back grant. The selected organizations provide services in one of four fields within Men Giving Back’s charitable focus areas of mental health, children, education and food security.
The semifinalists were notified of their selection upon receipt by each of a much anticipated “Golden Ball,” which were delivered last week. Recipients were invited to attend the “Golden Grants Evening” event on Wednesday, November 6th at the Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club.
All attending organizations will receive some funding that evening, while a lucky few will receive a major grant worth up to $100,000. The total amount to be granted this year is expected to be approximately $500,000.
Semifinalists for the 2024 Golden Grants Evening are: Achievement Centers for Children & Families, Best Foot Forward, Boca Raton Rotary, Bound for College, Caridad Center, Center for Child Counseling, Cityhouse Delray, Clinics Can Help, Eda and Cliff Viner Community Scholars Foundation, Families First, First Tee, For the Children, Fuller Center, George Snow Scholarship Fund, Kindness Matters,
Loving Hands, Nat King Cole Generation Hope, Palm Beach County Food Bank, Propel, Speak Up for Kids, Special Spaces, Suits for Seniors, Sweet Dream Makers, Take Stock in Children/College for Kids, and YMCA of South Palm Beach County.
“This has clearly been our toughest year as a selection committee to date,” said Dr. Nathan Nachlas, a founding member of Men Giving Back and head of its Grant Committee. “We had over 120 organizations participate in the process, and we are so grateful to each one of them for the work they do in our community. The 25 selected semifinalists stand out with their proposed projects that promise to significantly impact the well-being of our community.”
About Men Giving Back SPBC. Men Giving Back of South Palm Beach County was conceived in February 2020 by a small group of motivated men from business, finance, health care,
hospitality and law backgrounds. Fueled by the love for their community, the organization provides several South Palm Beach County non-profits with grants. Nearly 100% of Men Giving Back member contributions go directly to the non-profits they support. For more information, visit www.mengivingback.org. Follow socials: IG @mengiving back; FB @mengivingbackpbc; LinkedIn.com/company/men-giving-back
B’Nai Torah’s Young Professionals Sababa Group Serve The Food Insecure As Act Of ‘Mitzvah’
On Sunday, September 9th, a few dozen young professionals from B’nai Torah Congregation’s Sababa group came together to make more than 120 bagel sandwiches for the food insecure in Southern Palm Beach County.
The Sababa group— a partnership between B’nai Torah Congregation and Temple Beth El —consists of South Florida Jewish young professionals in their 20s and 30s. It regularly partners with B’nai Torah Congregation’s “TLC Program” and participate in activities benefitting the local community.
The TLC Program of B’nai Torah Congregation, led by Summer Faerman, is B’nai Torah’s official source for meaningful Mitzvah opportunities that help make a difference in the community and throughout the world. A Mitzvah is any of the 613 commandments that Jewish people
are encouraged to observe, and more generally refers to any good deed. The ‘Mitzvah of Tzedakah’—giving to charity— is one of the most important and is a common component of synagogue life. At B’nai Torah the commitment to acts of Mitzvot is a critically important focus. The TLC program was developed to teach the core Jewish value of Tzedakah, through learning and action, to people of all ages within
the congregation. It was first founded in 2012 and has continued to grow in size and scope. This flagship Mitzvah program touches all areas of critical need including hunger, homelessness, literacy, elder care, vulnerable populations, special needs and more.
To learn more or to get involved, visit https://www. btcboca.org/sabababoca/.
Council Corner: A True Story About Boca Raton And You!
By Fran Nachlas, Boca Raton City Council Member/CRA Vice-Chair
For some, reading over pages and pages of charts, numbers, millage rates and departmental budgets may not be their version of “fun” exactly. For me, though, diving into the City of Boca Raton’s Fiscal Year 20242025 Proposed Budget over the past several weeks was like reading an exciting story – about our city’s goals, accomplishments, strategic plan and aspirations.
Fall Influenza Vaccinations
By Steven E. Reznick, M.D., FACP – Boca Raton
I recommend that all patients 65 years of age and older take an influenza vaccination this fall. If you are 65 or older, I recommend you receive the senior high dose vaccine which produces a far better immune response in older immune systems than the standard shot. It takes about 10 days to two weeks for the vaccine to provide protection. In older patients, and the immunosuppressed patient population, immunity starts to wane about 90 days after administration. For that reason, we look at when the peak influenza season is, and when it begins locally, and try and administer the vaccine to provide our local patients with the highest level of protection.
We typically see little influenza locally before Thanksgiving. The illness peaks the first two weeks in February locally. For this reason, we strongly recommend you receive the vaccine between Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Local pharmacies have the influenza vaccine and are currently administering it. If you received the vaccine prior to October, you would not have much protection when the disease reaches its local peak. For patients younger than 65 years of age, one annual shot is typically sufficient.
In a recent medical article published in the New England Journal of Medicine, a Netherlands study cited the increased numbers of heart attacks that occurred in individuals not known to have heart disease in the immediate week after contracting the flu. Protect yourself and get a flu shot.
Screening For Lung Cancer In Smokers
The American Lung Association conducted a survey of adults asking if they knew of the availability of CT scan screening for lung cancer in adults. They polled 4,000 adults and less than 40 percent of them knew that screening was available and suggested for smokers or patients with a smoking history. Seventy-three percent had never discussed lung cancer with a physician and less than 30 percent knew that lung cancer is the leading cause of death from cancers. Almost 90 percent did not think lung cancer was likely to occur in women.
These disturbing findings were presented by Harold Wimmer, president of the American Lung Association. He made a strong point of reminding the public that finding a tumor on CT lung screening raises the odds of surviving five years by 63 percent.
The guidelines for CT lung cancer screening are simple. Adults with a 20-pack year smoking history or greater (smoke one pack per day [PPD] for 20 years or two PPD for 10 years) and are between the ages of 50 and 80 should have an annual low dose chest CT scan. This includes current and former smokers.
If you meet the inclusion criteria for lung cancer screening, please speak to your doctor about scheduling your lung CT scan screening.
Dr. Reznick is board certified in internal medicine with added qualifications in geriatrics. He has practiced in the area for over 30 years. To request a complimentary meeting with him to discuss your health needs, and his concierge medicine practice, call (561) 368-0191, www. bocaconciergedoc.com.
Fundamentally, this budget provides funding and guidance for the next chapter of our neighborhoods, our infrastructure, our parks and our local economy.
To quote one of my favorite movies, “Let’s start from the very beginning.” This story begins with an acknowledgment to the city’s Office of Management and Budget, which for the 41st consecutive year has received the prestigious award of “Distinguished Budget Presentation Award” from the Government Finance Officers Association. Well done!
In May the City Council, City Manager, Deputy City Managers, Assistant City Managers, Departmental Heads, Residents and Business and Community Partners met for three days of Strategic Planning with the team from Trainnovations. The process was the opportunity to hear input and ideas to align our vision, strategic focus areas, priorities and projects to best prepare for Boca Raton’s future.
Seven strategic focus areas were identified: community safety; financially sound city; vibrant economy; quality of life; world-class services; transportation and mobility, and growth management. From there, 13 strategic priorities were identified and can be read here: https://myboca. us/2421/2024—2025-Strategic-Plan.
The story continued with the staff’s presentation of the proposed budget in August. Pie charts, graphs and bullet points aplenty highlighted all of the hard work, collaboration and careful review in the process of delivering the proposed budget. Department Heads carefully examined their operations and made requests to further the city’s high and unique quality of life, maintain and improve our critical infrastructure, and continue to deliver world-class services to our residents and businesses.
Suddenly, a plot twist! Inflationary pressures increase the costs to maintain our services—will our millage rate have to be increased? Maybe in other cities, but not in Boca Raton. Our responsible fiscal planning ensured the millage rate for FY 2024-2025 will be reduced and limited to 3.6782 per $1,000.00, one of the lowest rates of any full-service city in Florida.
What’s new for 2025? Initiatives include a new Traffic and Mobility Division to enable traffic-reducing planning,
Public Art installations, Neighborhood Street Tree Program, Gopher Tortoise Preserve, and Rutherford Park/ Lake Wyman natural area and recreation improvements. These initiatives also include the essential personnel needed for them to be successful. The story’s cast is also evolving with the addition of 10 new full-time positions, including an Environmental Officer, Purchasing Technician, Grant Specialist and Park Ranger among the list. These positions are necessary for sustaining and improving the city’s outstanding services while maintaining financial strength and flexibility.
This story is not without antagonists: interest rate questions, inflation pressures, affordability challenges and other potential economic challenges are all closely and consistently monitored. The city’s commitment to maintaining its strong financial health is steadfast. With the city’s long tradition of strong fiscal stewardship, Boca Raton continues to be one of a select few AAA-rated municipalities in the United States!
Have I kept you on the edge of your seat with how this FY 2024-25 Budget story ends? The Proposed city-wide total budget is $785,260,000, while the Proposed General Fund Budget is $244,591,700. It is a balanced budget, a responsible budget, and budget to continue our Boca Raton story as 2025 marks a significant milestone in the City of Boca Raton’s legacy, the celebration of our 100th anniversary. Our continuing commitment to providing world-class services with fiscal accountability will ensure Boca Raton continues to be an unparalleled place to live, work, and play!
(Please note that while the budget will not be complete by this article’s deadline, 9/20/24, it will be complete by the time you are reading this. Please check the City of Boca Raton website for updated information. https://www. myboca.us/2681/Fiscal-Year-2024-2025 )
As always, please reach out to me at fnachlas@ myboca.us or (561) 221-7902 to continue the conversation about this or any other ideas you have to make Boca Raton an even better place. See you out on the road!
