Serving Highland Beach and Coastal Boca Raton
April 2021
Highland Beach
Volume 14 Issue 4
Boca Raton
Delray chief: Ending fire deal would hurt town Commission likes partnership but wants to cut costs By Rich Pollack After listening to Delray Beach’s fire chief spell out a lengthy list of benefits Highland Beach receives under its fire-rescue contract and warning that canceling the agreement could be detrimental to residents, most town leaders agreed keeping Delray is the preference — if only it were affordable. With the current price tag hovering above $5 million a year and projected to reach north of $6.5 million by 2027, however, town leaders say the agreement is unsustainable and are strongly considering the possibility of starting a town-operated firerescue department. “It appears we’re looking at three strategies,” Mayor Doug Hillman said. “First in my opinion would be to stay right where we are, but it’s a finance issue.” During a presentation in March, Delray Beach Fire Chief Keith Tomey reminded town commissioners that their residents are receiving what he called the “gold standard” of care from
City Council member Andy Thomson jogs with his children Allie, 9, Henry, 5, and Maddie, 7, along Boca Raton Boulevard. The kids and other community members often come along to help spot and pick up trash. Photos by Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
A man and a MOVEMENT Council member’s push to run, pick up litter on every mile of street gathers public support By Mary Hladky
Discarded face masks and gloves bother Thomson most, and the council instituted a $250 fine to try to curb that litter.
See FIRE on page 22
When City Council member Andy Thomson launched 2020 with a New Year’s resolution to jog more frequently, he noticed litter everywhere along the streets. Water bottles, plastic straws, candy wrappers, and later on, face masks and disposable gloves.
“It really bugged me,” he said. “Once you see the trash, you can’t not see it.” That spurred Thomson to bring a bag with him so he could pick it up as he ran. But as so often happens with New Year’s resolutions, his jogging sessions dwindled over time. He needed to impose some discipline. That led to another resolution: In 2021, he would jog every street in the city — all 475 miles — and pick up trash along the way.
See THOMSON on page 16
Delray Beach
Team of police, citizens viewed as epitome of service to homeless By Rich Pollack
They are people many choose to look past and not see. Often those who do see homeless people scattered throughout Delray Beach tend to look away. Yet over the last four years a growing number of caring people have been looking out for others who call Delray Beach home — even if they have no permanent place to live. Most visible among those who work closely with the city’s homeless people are members of
the Delray Beach Police Department’s community outreach team. It includes two police officers and Ariana Ciancio, a licensed mental health counselor who serves as the city’s service population advocate. Behind them — and less visible — is an informal circle of representatives from social service and other organizations who have made it possible for the city to offer service unmatched by any other community in Palm Beach County and perhaps South Florida. See HOMELESS on page 20 PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID WEST PALM BCH FL PERMIT NO 4595
James McCray, part of the homeless task force in Delray Beach, cuts the hair of Thomas Germaine near the shower truck that is parked behind St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
Delivery of this month’s edition is sponsored by our friends at
Dog days at Mounts Botanical garden welcomes canines on select Sundays. Page AT1
Homicide unsolved Investigation ongoing 3 years later. Page 6 A virtual ‘Belle of Amherst’ Page AT9