Serving Hypoluxo Island, South Palm Beach, Manalapan, Ocean Ridge, Briny Breezes, Gulf Stream and Coastal Delray Beach
July 2017
Volume 10 Issue 7
Manalapan
Demolition begins for Publix at Plaza del Mar
By Dan Moffett Demolition has begun to make way for a Publix supermarket at Manalapan’s Plaza del Mar after the mall’s landlord cleared the last two obstacles to the $10 million renovation project in June. For one, town commissioners ended
Publix and Whole Foods adding stores in Delray Beach
Page 15
seven months of negotiation with Publix and Kitson & Partners over the store’s sign design in finally approving 3-foot
white lettering with backlighting for the marquee space above the front entrance. “We have ourselves a sign,” said a smiling Mayor Keith Waters after commissioners’ unanimous vote on June 13. The other obstacle to fall was a civil suit filed in Palm Beach County Circuit Court that sought to block
the supermarket’s construction. Lantana resident Barbara Federico and homeowners from Manalapan’s La Coquille Club had accused town officials of procedural errors and failing to follow their own building rules. See PUBLIX on page 10
Along the Coast
Along the Coast
South County population growth leads county By Mary Hladky
the town will settle similar cases he filed; O’Boyle and Gulf Stream have at least 10 actions pending. Mayor Scott Morgan, who ran for office promising to mount an aggressive defense against O’Hare’s and O’Boyle’s lawsuits, was elated with the settlement. “This essentially brings to a conclusion nearly four years of public records abuse and litigation from Mr. O’Hare. It is a testament to the determination of this
Boca Raton was the fastest growing city in Palm Beach County last year, adding 2,570 residents. Boynton Beach and Delray Beach also showed strong population increases from 2015 to 2016, according to U.S. Census Bureau statistics released in May. Boynton Beach gained 1,676 residents, or a 2.3 percent increase, while Delray Beach grew by 1,178, or 1.8 percent. Taken together, South Thefts from Palm Beach vehicles County’s growth drive rise in crime stats rate outpaced that in other Page 9 parts of the county. But all cities and towns countywide have posted gains since the 2010 census, and the county’s total population increased 9.4 percent. “Boca is obviously a place a lot of people want to live in,” said Deputy Mayor Jeremy Rodgers, whose city grew 2.75 percent last year. New residential construction, including The Mark at CityScape, Palmetto Promenade and Via Mizner, have bolstered the downtown population, while expansion of major employers such as Florida Atlantic University, LexisNexis and Cancer Treatment Centers of America
See O’HARE on page 8
See CENSUS on page 8
A tern for the better An adult least tern offers food to a young juvenile on the beach in Boca Raton near the south edge of Spanish River Park in midJune. Based on the size and color of feathers, a Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologist estimated the youngster was about 3 weeks old and capable of flight. Least terns are unique in that they nest on bare beach sand and rooftops; it has been more than 20 years since successful beach nests have been recorded south of Lake Worth. A nest near this location was destroyed by predators in May. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star
Gulf Stream
O’Hare settles with town; could O’Boyle be next? By Steve Plunkett Is the town’s barrel of litigation halfempty or half-full? Resident Chris O’Hare, who inundated Gulf Stream with expansive requests for public records, then sued the town when it did not quickly respond, in mid-June notified judges he was withdrawing the lawsuits he had filed. O’Hare’s lawyer filed the motions the same way O’Hare asked for public records — in batches, three on one day, six on
another, 15 on another. The filings came after O’Hare and Gulf Stream agreed June 9 to settle all legal differences. “This was a total attack on any government as we know it, any legal system O’Hare as we know it,” said Robert Sweetapple, Gulf Stream’s outside lawyer. The lingering question is when — and whether — resident Martin O’Boyle and
Inside The scoop on ice cream Local spots for the frozen confection. Page AT1
Suing the suspect
Ocean Ridge officer hits ex-vice mayor with lawsuit. Page 9
Sondheima-palooza
Three chances to see a work by the songwriter. Page AT7
Manalapan weighs sand suit against South Palm Beach. Page 10 Investor pitches hotel, condos for Ziff property. Page 14
Chief concern
Gulf Stream police help rescue trapped kitty. Page H1