The Coastal Star September 2017

Page 1

September 2017

Serving Hypoluxo Island, South Palm Beach, Manalapan, Ocean Ridge, Briny Breezes, Gulf Stream and Coastal Delray Beach

Along the Coast

A LINE IN THE SAND

At issue is whether building should continue east of Coastal Construction Line

See CCCL on page 14

Delray Beach

Police add counselor for addicts, others in need By Rich Pollack

By Jane Smith and Michelle Quigley

If a major hurricane were to hit the barrier island in southern Palm Beach County, $6.4 billion in mansions and condos sitting east of A1A would likely be damaged or destroyed. Would the property owners be allowed to rebuild? Yes, if the past is an indication. The state has OK’d nearly all applications to build seaward of what is called the Coastal Construction Control Line in the past 10 years, according to a local spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The mansions and condos, including sea walls and swimming pools, lie perilously close to the ocean. Some of the pools and sea walls washed away in October 2012 when Hurricane Sandy brushed the South Florida coast. “This is criminal,” said Harold Wanless, professor and department chairman of geological sciences at the University of Miami. “Someone should be brought up on charges because it affects the health, safety

Volume 10 Issue 9

LEFT: Parts of Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa (center) lie within the Coastal Construction Control Line in this aerial image showing South Palm Beach and Manalapan. RIGHT: Most of the homes east of A1A in the south end of Gulf Stream and northern Delray Beach are seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line. State of Florida Maps

Soon after she arrived in Delray Beach as the Police Department’s new community mental health counselor, Ariana Ciancio did something no one else from the city had time to do before. She met with a longtime homeless woman well known to police officers throughout the city, sat down on a garbage bag next to her and mainly listened. Before their 45-minute conversation Ciancio was over, Ciancio had learned a lot about the woman, her background and even about her family members, some of whom Ciancio has since contacted. At the same time, Ciancio was building a relationship based on trust and letting the woman know that the city now had someone there to help, if she wanted or needed it. “It was just a very comfortable, candid conversation,” she said. For Ciancio, a licensed mental health counselor and certified addiction professional See COUNSELOR on page 11

Delray Beach

Delray native gives back as Atlantic coach By Janis Fontaine

From Delray to Dallas and back, Tavarius “T.J.” Jackson is a success story. Jackson earned his way from the Delray Beach housing projects to a chance with the Dallas Cowboys, one of the best franchises in the NFL. Now he’s Coach Jackson and leads the football program at Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, working with kids who

live in the same neighborhood in which he grew up. The former Olympic Heights High School star’s dream to play for coach Steve Spurrier at the University of Florida collapsed because he couldn’t perform in the classroom the way he could on the football field. That could have been the end for him as an athlete, but with the support of his parents, Jackson brought his test scores up and did get

a college scholarship — at Virginia Tech, where he earned a bachelor’s degree and played linebacker. After he graduated, the Cowboys picked him up as a free agent in 2003. That didn’t work out, but it affirmed to Jackson that his education was just as important as athletic ability. It’s a common lesson. Every year, athletes who squeaked by in high school — See COACH on page 12

Atlantic High coach T.J. Jackson grew up in Delray Beach amid hardship some of his players face. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

Inside The buzz on bees

Area hive keepers reap sweet rewards from helping a species. Page H1

Life lines

Cuban artist Carlos Luna’s evocative art is inspired by his unique take on life, identity and creativity. Page AT7

Ocean Ridge to add 3 to police department Page 8 Resort threatens sand suit Page 7

Savoring September

It’s the month for dining specials. Page AT1


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.