The Boca Raton Tribune Yo u r C l o s e s t N e i g h b o r
Number 514 • Year XI COMMUNITY see page 3
East /West Boca Raton, Highland Beach, Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, FL
May 28 - June 3, 2021
Scott Singer Honored with 2021 Home Rule Hero Award The Florida League of Cities, the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments, recently recognized Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer, with a 2021 Home Rule Hero Award for their hard work and advocacy efforts during the 2021 Legislative Session. Singer worked tirelessly throughout session to promote local voices making local choices, protect the Home Rule powers of Florida’s municipalities and advance the League’s legislative agenda. “These local officials went above and beyond during the 2021 Legislative Session,” said FLC Director of Legislative Affairs Casey Cook. “They made an extraordinary effort, were actively engaged and highly effective in their advocacy efforts. Even with all the various challenges present this year due to the pandemic, they stepped up. They engaged with legislators, shared their stories and made their voices heard, and it made a difference.”
Underserved Kids Get Science Classes
COMMUNITY see page 5
Continued on Page 3 Three new tax holidays for Florida residents
COMMUNITY see page 8
Palm Beach State College plans to use stimulus package on improving air quality and virtual learning
COMMUNITY see page 18
Brannon Mondragon Named Southern Conference Player of the Year
FAU Study finds that South Florida Home were overvalued by 13 percent in May Southeast Florida homes became even more overvalued in May, further fueling concerns of a market correction, according to researchers at Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University. Properties in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties are selling on average for 13.18 percent higher than their long-term pricing trend. In April, homes sold for 12.54 percent more than they should have, and that was up from 11.52 percent in March. The continued escalation of home values is troubling, though the degree of overpricing is nowhere near what it was during the worst of the historic housing meltdown more than a decade ago, explained Ken H. Johnson, Ph.D., a real estate economist and associate dean in FAU’s College of Business. Back then, homes were overvalued by about 65 percent. “An adjustment in housing prices is coming, but probably not tomorrow and not nearly as severe as what we saw before,” Johnson said. “The greatest current threat to prices is a noticeable rise in long-term mortgage rates. But local housing prices will be supported for some time, due mostly to the extreme shortage of inventory in South Florida.” Continued on Page 5
‘Changing Lives’ homeless aid program marks first anniversary with fundraising gala
Changing Lives is dedicated to enriching the lives of homeless women and men in Boca Raton
Center for Student Accessibility now offering scholarships Palm Beach State College’s Center for Student Accessibility, which provides accommodations and support to ensure students with disabilities receive equal access to education, has added scholarships to its list of services. The CSA recently awarded its first round of scholarships totaling $10,000 to 17 students for the summer term. Applications are now being accepted for the fall term. “Students who attend community college have a whole lot more barriers. Students with disabilities have those same issues, but it’s even more pronounced when they have barriers in addition to having a disability,’’ said Nikki Champagnie, student development director. “Our goal is to remove as many barriers as possible for them to maintain connection with the College.” Continued on Page 12
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