Town-Crier Newspaper March 11, 2016

RPB CHANGES ITS INVESTMENT POLICY SEE STORY, PAGE 3

GREAT FUTURES POLO DAY MARCH 13 SEE STORY, PAGE 18

THE

TOWN-CRIER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

Your Community Newspaper

INSIDE

Wellington Recognizes Matt Willhite For His Service Over Eight Years

Volume 37, Number 11 March 11 - March 17, 2016

Serving Palms West Since 1980

WELLINGTON IDOL WINNER PICKED

The Wellington Village Council recognized Councilman Matt Willhite on Tuesday for his eight years of service. Willhite, who was elected to the council in 2008 and re-elected in 2012, is leaving this month due to term limits. He is currently running for the District 86 seat in the Florida House of Representatives. Page 3

Royal Palm Rotary Salutes Mayor Mattioli

The Rotary Club of Royal Palm Beach hosted a testimonial tribute dinner for retiring Royal Palm Beach Mayor Matty Mattioli on Saturday, March 5 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. A long lineup of speakers and more than 160 guests assembled to honor Mattioli, who is retiring after almost three decades of public service in the community. Page 13

Loxapalooza Chili Cookoff & Music Fest

The Acreage Landowners’ Association hosted its Loxapalooza Chili Cookoff & Music Fest on Saturday, March 5 at Acreage Community Park. Guests sampled delicious chili from seven booths. Prizes were awarded for People’s Choice, Judges’ Choice and Best Decorated Booth. Five bands performed, and food trucks were on site.

Page 18

OPINION

Endorsements: Council Races In RPB, Lox Groves & Wellington

Election Day is Tuesday, March 15. While the eyes of the nation will be on Florida’s presidential primary, municipal elections will be held in Royal Palm Beach, Loxahatchee Groves and Wellington. After interviewing the candidates, the Town-Crier makes its endorsements this week in these crucial local races. Page 4

DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS...............................3 - 23 OPINION.................................. 4 NEWS BRIEFS......................... 8 SCHOOLS...................... 25 - 26 PEOPLE................................. 31 COLUMNS.......................32, 41 BUSINESS..................... 42 - 43 SPORTS..........................49 - 51 CALENDAR............................ 54 CLASSIFIEDS................ 55 - 58 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM

The annual Wellington Idol competition returned to the Wellington Amphitheater on Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5, where young contestants sang their hearts out for the judges and the crowd. Winner Charlotte Ostrov was named Wellington Idol 2016, while Talia Pamatat and Eligh George took the runner-up positions. Shown here are master of ceremonies Mike Soper and judges Earleen Carey Marlow, Julie Schrager and Scott Houchins with winner Charlotte Ostrov and runners-up Talia Pamatat and Eligh George. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 21 PHOTO BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER

Royal Palm Candidates Spar At Strathmore Gate Forum

By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report The Strathmore Gate West community in Royal Palm Beach staged a candidates forum Saturday, March 5 moderated by Peter Wein of the WEI Network.

Residents gathered at the Strathmore Gate West clubhouse for the opportunity to meet with the six candidates vying for seats on the Royal Palm Beach Village Council: mayoral candidates Councilman Fred Pinto and former Councilwoman Martha Webster, Seat 1 incumbent Councilman Jeff Hmara and challenger Lenore White, and Seat 3 incumbent Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas and challenger Selena Smith.

Also sitting in on the forum were Florida House of Representatives District 86 candidates Tinu Peña and Laurel Bennett, as well as Bradley Harper, who is running for Palm Beach County Court Judge in Group 15.

The forum began with each candidate providing an introduction.

Hmara, with a background in project management, has been married for 46 years and has lived in Royal Palm Beach for more than

13 years, serving on the council for the past four years. He served 26 years in the U.S. Army, commanding units in Vietnam, Korea and Germany.

“Most of what I have done in my life does, indeed, focus on project management, which I’ve done for major departments throughout the federal government,” Hmara said.

“I look forward to being able to serve the community as I have.”

Challenging Hmara is White, a Greenway Village resident.

“My main focus is on the residents and how we can work together evaluating growth and still maintaining the great character of Royal Palm Beach,” White said. “I see a huge disconnect between the residents and the people who are now managing. It is based on my belief that this mayor and council are not representing the residents fairly. Nor is their process of making decisions benefiting our great village.”

Pinto, who has held a council position for 13 years, is seeking a promotion to mayor.

“I have been able to demonstrate leadership on the council. I’ve been able to apply some of the

20 years of business experience I gained from working on Wall Street,” he said. “Any notion that we are not connected with our citizens is just patently false, untrue and mean-spirited to say such a thing. But you know what? We don’t have issues in this village because this village has been run so well for so long.”

The village, Pinto said, is one of the most financially stable cities in Palm Beach County, and he said that the council has made decisions in the best interest of the residents.

“My goal is to continue to do that as mayor, and to continue to drive down your taxes,” he said.

Webster has lived in Royal Palm Beach for 20 years, and in Palm Beach County for 50 years. She has served on the Metropolitan Planning Organization as well as the League of Cities.

“I have a leadership background, and that’s what I’m trying to bring to you as your mayor.

I served five years on the council with one year as your vice mayor.

During that time, I was actively involved in representing you,” Webster said. “I feel that I have a See STRATHMORE, page 14

By Julie Unger Town-Crier Staff Report The Village of Wellington will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its incorporation with a special day of celebration Saturday, March 19.

The day will start at the Wellington Aquatics Complex with a pool party from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The celebration will continue with an extravaganza at Village Park on Pierson Road from 5 to 10 p.m., culminating with a Zambelli Fireworks show.

“We’re celebrating our 20th year of incorporation and giving the public a different type of event,” Community Programs Manager Michelle Garvey said.

“We’re trying to add new, different things than we’ve had before.”

The day starts off with a free

pool party featuring games and giveaways where people can splash the morning and early afternoon away, enjoying all that the Wellington Aquatics Complex has to offer.

After drying off, residents are invited to head over to Village Park. For those wishing to avoid the traffic, Garvey suggests utilizing the shuttle service.

“If people don’t want to drive their cars into the park and want to avoid the lines, they can board the bus at the Palm Tran bus stop outside Nordstrom and get into the park quicker with less hassle,” she said.

Once at the park, there will be plenty to see and do.

The Aerial Trapeze Academy is bringing circus artists, entertain-

ers, fire breathers and jugglers to delight and entertain. Residents, Garvey added, will even be able to try the flying trapeze for themselves.

“That is something unique and different from our other events,” Garvey said.

Superheroes and princesses will be walking through the park, posing for pictures and bringing smiles to children’s faces.

Green Motion Segway Tours will be offering free Segway rides, and there will be plenty of bounce houses for jumping fun. There will be obstacle courses, slides, a rock wall and more.

Indoor activities include face painting and glitter tattoos inside the gymnasium, and friendly See ANNIVERSARY, page 14

Wellington Hopefuls Meet In Advance Of March 15 Election

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report There was a standing-roomonly crowd Monday evening in the Wellington Village Council chambers when the Council of Community Associations hosted a candidates forum in advance of the Tuesday, March 15 election.

All four candidates participated in the event. Councilwoman Anne Gerwig is challenging incumbent Mayor Bob Margolis for control of the gavel, while attorney Michael Drahos is challenging incumbent Vice Mayor John Greene for Seat 1.

The forum questions were staggered so that each candidate had a different one than the previous candidate, but all questions were asked of each candidate.

Asked about his position on development of the K-Park property, Margolis said he always wanted to keep most of the 67 acres as a park in anticipation of future growth.

“Is it a park today? No,” he said.

“Did we purchase it a long time ago for park space? Yes. Could it be a park in the future? Absolutely.

I would like to see K-Park, at least two-thirds of it, remain as a park,

but I understand what people were telling us loud and clear that there needs to be some type of entertainment center.”

Gerwig fielded the next question, whether the village’s charter should be amended to protect the Equestrian Preserve Area, saying she voted to put all three amendment questions on the ballot.

“I think voters are perfectly able to make those decisions themselves,” she said. “I am personally voting ‘no’ on all three because the first one is misleading. It talks about coming into the Equestrian Preserve Area with a vote of three council members and going out with a vote of four. The zoning criteria is still standing, so it’s a little misleading to say that you could do it.”

Greene said communication and transparency between the council and residents could be enhanced by encouraging more community input.

“One of the very first things I did when I came on the council was to make sure that we removed ourselves from the lawsuit in stopping the inspector general from See FORUM, page 17

WHITE WHITE WEST

The fifth annual White White West party was held Friday, March 4 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach as a benefit for Horses Healing Hearts, a charity that uses horses to help children of alcoholics and addicts. The evening featured dancing, food, drinks, a silent auction and live entertainment. Shown here are Heather Campbell, Kathy and Gary Little, and Steven Goldman. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 25 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

RPB’s Matty Mattioli Wellington To Celebrate 20th Bids Farewell After Birthday With Party March 19 22 Years In Office

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Village Council approved a resolution last week commending Mayor Matty Mattioli for his years of service to the community, proclaiming Friday, March 18 as Matty Mattioli Day. Mattioli, who has been on the council for 22 years, the last six years as mayor, announced last year that he would not seek reelection.

“The council wants to thank you for your many years of service,” said Village Attorney Jennifer Ashton, who read the surprise resolution, which was not on the March 3 meeting agenda. “I do want to say, on behalf of the council, staff and residents of the

village, that we want to thank you for all that you have done. You have worked tirelessly for the village, and we hold you in the highest regard, and are grateful for your dedication and commitment to the village.”

The resolution thanked Mattioli for faithfully and conscientiously serving the village as an elected official since 1994 and as mayor since 2010, stating that he has earned the respect of council members and the community through his fair-minded approach toward problem-solving.

Mattioli said that he could not believe that it has been 22 years since he joined the council.

“I have a lot of people to recognize and thank,” he said. “It has See MATTIOLI, page 17

Lox Council Promises Steady Improvements To Roads

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council heard several complaints from residents on Tuesday, March 1 about the condition of roads, but vowed that its contract with Bergeron Land Development will eventually have all roads under control.

At a February council meeting, a Bergeron representative reported that the company had made its first sweep through the town, grading, filling and rolling roads to crowns, and raising them in order to reduce flooding, although its efforts were hampered by recent rains.

Don Borovy of Tripp Road complained that trucks at the end of the pavement at D Road avoid

the drop-off by pulling their right tires off the pavement to ease the jolt, which he said breaks off the edge. He often has to stop for holes in the pavement on his way from Okeechobee Blvd. north on D Road.

“I watched one grow from only 6 inches to about a foot and a half in diameter in the last couple of months, but nothing is being done, no maintenance,” Borovy said.

On the canal side of the road, he said the berm had eroded into the road, taking another foot-anda-half of the pavement.

He added that he had to pay $790 to get the undercarriage of his car repaired after hitting a hole. “How come I got a road I pay $1,000 a year in taxes on for

10 years, and it’s worse than nothing?” Borovy asked.

Diane Laudadio of 145th Avenue North said her road is much better now that Bergeron got some work done. “It’s not going to last,” she warned. “It’s not a long road, but it’s a very heavily traveled road, because it’s not just the people who live on that road.”

Councilman Tom Goltzené said the problem involves some landowners claiming that their roads are private property.

“That’s what we’re dealing with,” he said. “We’re not dealing with, ‘We don’t want to deal with your problem.’ We’re not dealing with, ‘We’re incompetent and don’t understand what your issue is.’ The problem is it’s a compli-

cated issue and there’s 35 or 40 roads out here that have similar situations. We’re going to have to work through that as a town.”

Councilman Jim Rockett said he would like to restore D Road to the way it was, and make efforts to crown all the unpaved roads. He said it would be a long process, but they would continue to make improvements.

“It’s a little bit like, ‘How do you eat an elephant?’ You’ve got to do it one bite at a time,” he said.

Rockett asked the council to direct the town manager to start by fixing the portion of D Road that used to be crowned. “We need to crown it, and if Bergeron seemingly has the ability and knowledge, then we ought to turn them loose

and have them do that,” he said.

Mayor Dave Browning said two items on the agenda that evening, the amending of the Bergeron contract and termination of the other road contractor, would enable the council to give direction to have the contractor move forward.

Vice Mayor Ron Jarriel pointed out that Bergeron has done its initial sweep of the roads and was beginning its second sweep at the direction of Town Manager Bill Underwood.

“Hopefully this second sweep will be what I call ‘rebuilding the road,’” Jarriel said. “It’s not maintaining the road, it’s going to build it up. Hopefully the second sweep will give you enough road See LOX ROADS, page 14

Page 2

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

Jess Santamaria & family joins the Professional Firefighters and the Police Benevolent Association in endorsing:

Fred Pinto

Jeff Hmara

Richard Valuntas

for Mayor of Royal Palm Beach

for Councilman (Seat 1)

for Councilman (Seat 3)

We need to re-elect these three Councilmen to continue their proven record of making Royal Palm Beach one of the ten best cities in the entire United States (Family Circle national publication): ● Continue keeping our Village a safe community (second to none). ● Continue keeping our Village’s low real estate taxes! ● Continue keeping our Village financially strong with (no debt)! ● Continue improving our 150 acres “Commons Park,” one of the most beautiful in the entire county, enjoyed by children, families and seniors. ● Continue supporting the Office of Inspector General, as demanded by the overwhelming majority of Palm Beach County voters in the 2010 referendum. ● Continue opposing the excessive developments of Minto West (4,500 homes) and GL Homes (4,000 homes) that will create serious traffic problems on our already overcapacity roads.

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Fred Pinto for Mayor of Royal Palm Beach, Jeff Hmara for Royal Palm Beach Village Council, Seat 1 and Richard Valuntas for Royal Palm Beach Village Council, Seat 3.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 3

NEWS

Wellington Recognizes Willhite For His Service Over Eight Years

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Wellington Village Council recognized Councilman Matt Willhite on Tuesday for his eight years of service.

Willhite, who was elected to the council in 2008 and re-elected in 2012, is leaving this month due to term limits. He is currently running for the District 86 seat in the Florida House of Representatives.

Prior to his council election, Willhite served on the village’s Public Safety Committee.

In a proclamation issued Tuesday, Willhite was credited with being part of a council that upgraded the village’s facilities, such as building the Wellington Municipal Complex, the Wellington Amphitheater, Scott’s Place playground, the new Wellington Tennis Center and the soon-to-be-completed new Wellington Community Center.

“One of his greatest contributions to the village was the Patriot Memorial, which was built through his determination, tireless efforts and hard work,” the proclamation stated.

While on the council, Willhite served as vice mayor from 2010 to 2012 and was a member of the Palm Beach County Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Western Communities Council, the Palm Beach County League of Cities, the Florida League of Cities and other organizations.

He has been active in the western communities’ efforts in fighting for the extension of State Road 7 and volunteers with many organizations and charities around the

county. He was also recognized for his participation with the Honor Flight program, in which he has escorted World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. Willhite thanked the council and village staff for the recognition. “It has truly been an honor to serve this village, to serve the residents, to serve the visitors and the people who come here and call Wellington home,” he said.

He credited his wife, Alexis, for leading him to Wellington.

“I was fortunate enough to meet someone here in Wellington, and when I did, first of all, this place was a long way away,” Willhite recalled. “I lived in Lake Worth at the time, and the roads were winding, it was hard to get to, and it was dark. I said, ‘Man, I’ll never move to Wellington.’ After dating for a while and deciding to start a family, we moved to what I feel is probably, short of my hometown in Michigan where I was born, the greatest place that I’ve found to live.”

He said a testament to that was that his sons, Luke and Mark, who were present at the meeting, go to some of the best schools in the state.

“I’m so proud to have them here with me,” Willhite said. “I only hope that they realize how beneficial it is. I thought that it was so good, that when my dad passed away, I asked my mother to move to Wellington — not just so she’d be close, and she’d be a great baby sitter, but because I knew it was a good place for her to be.”

He thanked his wife for stand-

ing by him through his years on the council.

“She is probably single-handedly the happiest person in the Village of Wellington, being that this is my last meeting,” Willhite said.

“That’s not because she doesn’t recognize the efforts and the services and sacrifice that we gave to the village, but because there’s a large ‘honey-do’ list at home, and because the late-night meetings and the discussions and differences that have happened in Wellington over the last eight years, it takes a toll on your family.”

Willhite said he feels fortunate to have had an impact on the community and hoped it was beneficial as a whole. He thanked the village staff for their help.

“The staff here is amazing. We haven’t always agreed on everything, but that’s not what we’re here for,” he said. “In a democracy, we’re here to work for betterment, and democracy means that we’re afforded the opportunity to have differences of opinion and to work on things, and I think that through that amount of time and discussion over the years that I’ve been here, we’ve come up with some great things.”

He noted that the village has been recognized as one of the greatest places to live, for being among the most fiscally responsible and having one of the lowest crime rates in the state.

“It’s a great place to live and to grow a family, and I appreciate every bit of the staff’s work for that,” Willhite said. “I know that I may not have said it all of the time.”

Willhite thanked the present council and previous members.

He also thanked his supporters, who he said kept him going, and his critics.

“It’s democracy. We have difference of opinions,” he said. “We may look at things differently and think the outcome could be better, or different, but if it wasn’t for all of us, we wouldn’t be in this greatest place, not only this village, but this country.”

He also wished the best for Councilman-Elect Michael Napoleone, who will replace him on the council.

“I wish you the best because you are young like me, have a family, have children, you’re entrenched in this community, and you’re going to work to make this a better place,” he said.

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig said she appreciated Willhite’s service on the council.

“I hope you don’t forget us because you’re going to be up in Tallahassee,” Gerwig said. “I know you won’t forget us, but we’ll have an advocate there for the village also, so thank you. “ Vice Mayor John Greene said it was a pleasure to serve with Willhite, although he felt it was to Willhite’s benefit when he joined the council.

“When I got elected, they took the target off of Matt’s back and pinned it right on mine,” he said. “I took a few punches, but they were worth taking, because seeing Matt fight the fight that was important to this community, I was happy to sit side-by-side with him.”

Wellington officials with Councilman Matt Willhite and his family.

PHOTO BY RON BUKLEY/TOWN-CRIER

Councilman John McGovern said he and his wife, Michelle, have known the Willhites for a long time. “I have to say that they are truly a great family, and it is always with them, family first,” he said.

McGovern said that the best thing about Willhite was that everyone always knew where he stood.

“There was never a question about how Matt was going to vote on an issue, because if anything, he told you, then he told you again, but for sure, the decision-making process was clear, and you always did what you thought was best for this village,” he said.

McGovern also thanked Willhite’s family for giving up their father and husband the last eight years, and presented Alexis with a bouquet of roses.

Village Manager Paul Schofield said that he and Willhite had had

their differences over the years.

“Whether we agreed or disagreed, I always knew where you stood, and what I can say about your eight years on this council is that they’ve been good for Wellington,” he said. “I knew that whatever we talked about, your primary concern was for Wellington.”

Mayor Bob Margolis said it wasn’t so many years ago that he was on the council and Willhite was at public comment complaining about too much water in his well, and later came to him asking if he should consider running for the council.

“I said, ‘Well, heck yes, because instead of you yelling at me from down there, you could be yelling at me up here,’” Margolis said. “I will challenge any of your naysayers to show me their accomplishments and put them up against what you did.”

RPB Council Approves Amendments To Its Investment Policy

By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Royal Palm Beach Village Council amended its investment policy Thursday, March 3 to pay off its existing loan to develop Royal Palm Beach Commons Park, and reinvest existing revenue from the sale of its water utility and wastewater treatment plant property to reflect the anticipated future market.

On the recommendation of Finance Director Stanley Hochman on Feb. 18, the council had directed its investment manager to make changes to the policy that would pay off the Commons Park loan of about $15 million and leave

about $70 million to invest.

At that meeting, Hochman said that since the village was paying more in interest on the park loan than it could get in investment returns, it might be a good time to pay off the loan.

At the council’s March 3 meeting, Steven Alexander of Public Financial Management explained that the recent recession has changed the market, including the amount of bond issuance and federally insured home loans.

“The amount of availability has diminished over the last five or six years,” Alexander said. “The availability is just not the same as it used to be. Part of my responsi-

bility is to design an investment policy that ensures that you have the right tools going forward.”

The old policy served the village well during the recession, with no losses or downgrading of bonds, he said.

“It’s important to look forward to the future now, and what we’ve done with your investment policy is make a series of changes that will put your policy in a relevant standpoint going forward the next five or six years,” Alexander said.

“Policies are reviewed on an annual basis, but we think this is a point in time where you need to make a number of changes.”

He explained that the changes

will add important tools to the village’s portfolio.

“We’re adding some investment types that will give you flexibility going forward, as well as we’ve added some language that makes sure we’re coinciding with state statutes,” Alexander said.

The new policy adopted by the village will meet requirements for national certification by the National Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada. “That was also part of the goal of this draft,” he said.

The new policy will assure both safety and liquidity to assure that the village has money to cover the village’s obligations, as well

as a return to the village, he said, adding that new bond rating policy has downgraded most AAA bonds to A bonds.

Councilman Fred Pinto asked whether the investment policy relates to the village’s bond rating, and Alexander said not directly, but agencies are spending more time looking at the asset management than they have in previous years, given the problems that cropped up during the recession.

He said that the policy was designed using a cash flow model that looks at what assets are available for longer-term and shortterm investments that will allow liquidity for accounts payable

and payroll when necessary. The returns are measured against a national benchmark that is used by investors throughout the world, he explained.

“We do use global standards in calculation of these numbers and the presentation of these numbers,” he said. “That’s very important, because in the investment world, people will throw numbers out there, throw yields out there to make themselves look good, but we have a prescribed method of global calculation so everything is measurable,” he said.

Pinto made a motion to approve the amended investment policy, which carried 5-0.

ANNE and Alan Gerwig have run a successful small engineering firm in Wellington since 1998. Now, her opponent, Bob Margolis, is using a billionaire’s money to LIE about ANNE’s business.

Here are the facts: • Anne’s family engineering firm specializes in designing roads and bridges.

• They do business all over Florida, including some work for Palm Beach County.

• They DO NOT DO ANY work for the Village of Wellington.

• In compliance with county ethics rules, Anne has recused herself a handful of times from voting on Village projects involving companies which have previously done business with her firm. We would expect nothing less.

Don’t be misled by deceptive ads that twist the facts and try to raise questions about Anne making good, transparent decisions.

ANNE GERWIG will bring back HONESTY

and INTEGRITY to the office of Mayor.

VOTE FOR ANNE GERWIG ON TUESDAY, MARCH 15.

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Anne Gerwig for Mayor of Wellington.

2160129 Business Town Crier.indd 1

3/8/16 1:22 PM

Page 4

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

TOWN-CRIER ENDORSEMENTS

Royal Palm Beach: Elect Pinto Mayor, Keep Hmara And Valuntas

The mayor’s seat and two council seats are up for election in Royal Palm Beach on Tuesday, March 15. It has been a bitterly fought contest. The opposition candidates — the three not currently sitting on the council — portray Royal Palm Beach as a community in decline, run by an out-of-touch council. However, having covered the community for more than three decades, we find almost the exact opposite to be true.

The Royal Palm Beach Village Council runs one of the most well-organized, cost-effective governments in the county, boasting a low tax rate, a low crime rate and some of the best parks in the region. Suggesting that decades-worth of good government should be thrown out the door because of one or two controversial votes is an idea that the Town-Crier categorically rejects. This election is not about RaceTrac, Acme Ranches or Jess Santamaria. This election is about how Royal Palm Beach has been run and should be run in the future.

MAYOR’S SEAT — Longtime Councilman Fred Pinto faces former Councilwoman Martha Webster in the race to replace retiring Mayor Matty Mattioli. Webster has run for election continuously since being ejected from the council by her longtime adversary but newfound friend Councilman Dave Swift. Just 12 months ago, she was running against Swift for his council seat, aligning herself with the ideals of former County Commissioner Jess Santamaria. Now she has remade herself as an anti-Santamaria crusader all over an issue that she knew all about and even discussed at public forums more than a year ago. While we have no doubt that Webster genuinely cares for Royal Palm Beach, the vision she espouses has been a moving target, so much so that it is nearly impossible to tell what she truly stands for. Having that type of divisive personality as mayor would be downright dangerous.

Councilman Fred Pinto, with 13 years on the dais, would bring his financial background, military background, management background and deep roots in the village to the job of mayor. We have seen him in action as a strong protector of the village’s image and a leader in the key decisions that have put Royal Palm Beach in such a great financial shape, offering wonderful amenities for residents, such as merging the village’s police department with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, selling the village’s water utility to Palm Beach County, reducing the tax rate and paying off village debt. With Pinto’s years of reliable leadership and consistency, Royal Palm Beach will be in good hands with him as mayor.

The Town-Crier endorses the election of Fred Pinto as mayor of Royal Palm Beach.

COUNCIL SEAT 1 — In this race, two-term Councilman Jeff Hmara is challenged by Greenway Village resident Lenore White. White, who has been active in her local homeowners’ association, was unknown outside of her neighborhood until starting this campaign, which she freely admits was spurred on by her opposition to the RaceTrac gas station project. To her credit, that is one issue that she can talk at length about. All other local issues, not so much. When asked about her opinion on village issues, White consistently is uninformed, and over the last two months, has not made noticeable strides toward learning about the village and its issues, beyond a few talking points, tying everything back to her dissatisfaction with RaceTrac.

Even before he was elected, Hmara put in the time and effort to learn about the village and its proceedings, and he has not stopped learning.

Meanwhile, he has lent the village his vast project management experience, negotiating compromises, establishing trust and working in the

best interests of the village. Hmara has worked diligently for the seniors and students in the community, bringing programs for all ages. We are particularly impressed with his work advocating for Royal Palm Beach High School. A retired army colonel and adjunct professor, Hmara knows how to tackle a project and learn about what needs to be accomplished to reach his goals. This is something that the village cannot afford to lose.

The Town-Crier endorses the re-election of Jeff Hmara to Seat 1 on the Royal Palm Beach Village Council.

SEAT 3 — In this race, Vice Mayor Richard Valuntas is being challenged by businesswoman and community activist Selena Smith.

Unlike the other two Royal Palm Beach races, we are impressed by both of these candidates and feel both would bring admirable qualities to the council. Smith is a member, and often leader, in an impressive list of community organizations, working to better the life of residents from outside government. Her work with local business groups and the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club has been very valuable, and we are sure she would make a good member of the council should she be elected.

However, Valuntas, with his strong legal background and negotiation abilities, has worked to keep the tax rate in the village low, worked to bring business to the village and has looked out for the needs of residents.

Valuntas, who served on the village’s Recreation Advisory Board before he was elected, has also long been an advocate of the village’s strong parks and recreation programs. While choosing either candidate will be placing the council in good hands, Valuntas’ experience edges Smith out as the stronger choice.

The Town-Crier endorses the re-election of Richard Valuntas to Seat 3 on the Royal Palm Beach Village Council.

Loxahatchee Groves: Elect McLendon And Re-Elect Browning

Two seats on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council are up for election on Tuesday, March 15.

SEAT 2 — In this race, two-term incumbent Councilman Jim Rockett is being challenged by Todd McLendon, a community activist who narrowly missed unseating Rockett three years ago.

On the council, Rockett has often been an asset to the town, especially when it comes to his business expertise and knowledge of budgets and financing. He has had a hand in keeping tax rates low and limiting development. However, Rockett is known for being unnecessarily combative with the town manager, and there are many questions left unanswered regarding his role in the disputed 2015 town election. At this point, Rockett has become more of a liability to the town moving forward.

Nevertheless, Rockett’s challenger is a flawed candidate. McLendon is a better prepared, more polished and more knowledgeable candidate than he was three years ago, but that doesn’t change the fact that he is best known for his efforts to derail building a Palm Beach State College

campus in Loxahatchee Groves. That effort was wrong-headed and dangerous. However, it is also the past, and McLendon acknowledges such in his vow to work with the campus to make it a success. Today he carries a message of equality, working with the current town manager, working toward what the residents want and protecting the rural nature of the town.

Ideally, there would be a better candidate in this race. When we tally up the benefits each candidate brings to the table, McLendon comes across as the better choice, not the least of which because he offers healing from the divisive 2015 election and a chance to bring a deeply divided community together. The Town-Crier endorses the election of Todd McLendon to Seat 2 on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council.

SEAT 4 — In this race, Mayor Dave Browning is being challenged

by Thais Gonzalez, an equestrian who has often been at odds with the town on policy issues.

Gonzalez is in-tune with the equestrian community of Loxahatchee Groves and has business expertise with a strong drive to learn. She

certainly has qualities that Loxahatchee Groves can benefit from. Gonzalez’s passion for the community is refreshing, but passion and hard work is not always enough.

For almost a decade, Browning has been the mayor of Loxahatchee Groves, a ceremonial title granted to him by his fellow council members. But long before that, he was a leader in the community, dedicating countless hours of time and effort to stay in-tune with the needs and desires of this rural town. Having served both on the town council and on the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District Board of Supervisors, Browning has a unique perspective that allows him to smooth over the literal bumps in the road as the two hash out what the relationship between the two entities should and will be. Browning works well with others on the council, and the town manager, listening to all points of view and doing the best he can for what the residents want. It is a role that he does well and should continue in.

The Town-Crier endorses the re-election of Dave Browning to Seat 4 on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council.

Wellington: Elect Gerwig Mayor And Put Drahos On The Council In Wellington, four seats on the Wellington Village Council could have been up for election this year, but only two drew more than one candidate. While Councilman John McGovern and Councilman-Elect Michael Napoleone were automatically awarded their seats, voters will weigh-in Tuesday, March 15 on one council seat and the mayor’s post.

MAYOR’S SEAT — In this race, voters will choose between incumbent Mayor Bob Margolis and his challenger, Councilwoman Anne Gerwig. Margolis brings decades of service to the community, having served on the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board before six years on the council and his election as mayor in 2012. As a 33-year resident of Wellington, we respect his desire to give back to the community.

However, the past four years have shown that he is not the best person to hold the gavel. Under his watch, a divided council has been ground to a halt by divergent personalities that he has been unable to bring into harmony. This has lost Wellington key staff members and has dragged it into a number of lawsuits.

Wellington needs a steadier hand, and that is Gerwig’s. Time and again, she has been shown to be more in touch with the residents of

Vote For Pinto, Hmara And Valuntas In RPB

The voting time has arrived to show your support for our three candidates: Fred Pinto who is running for mayor, and Jeff Hmara and Richard Valuntas who are running to maintain their positions on the Royal Palm Beach Village Council.

We have an amazing village that is so beautiful with all our parks, the newest being Commons Park, and the many ball parks for our younger generation that keeps them engaged in a friendly and healthy lifestyle. We are probably also the only village, town or city in the State of Florida that has not increased taxes for the past 18 years and will also be debt free.

The reason that this hard-to-believe situation exists is because of our mayor and council. The three candidates that are running to stay on the council have pledged to continue to maintain no tax increases and our debt-free condition.

The reason for our wonderful condition is that our mayor and council have done an outstanding job in preparing and continuing to update as needed a 15-year detailed projection plan of our village’s needs.

This is your opportunity to help maintain this outstanding situation by voting to keep Fred Pinto, Jeff Hmara and Richard Valuntas in office.

George Peltzmacher Royal Palm Beach

Royal Palm At A Crossroads

We are at a crossroads in our village. Over the last several months, I have been at the front lines of a

Wellington than other council members. She fought the council majority when it proposed to fire Village Manager Paul Schofield after Schofield guided the village brilliantly through an economic downturn. She was paying attention to the voice of the people. This is a role that Gerwig has played many times, such as when the village was willing to cut down trees that did not need to be destroyed. The council backed off and another solution was found. While other council members stand behind protocol, Gerwig is out in the community, speaking to people and seeking solutions to problems.

Make no mistake, Margolis is a good person who cares for this community. His key shortcoming is that he tends to be too willing to be a follower and too often is not the leader that Wellington needs. Gerwig can be that person. The Town-Crier endorses the election of Anne Gerwig as mayor of Wellington.

SEAT 1 — In this race, voters will choose between incumbent Vice Mayor John Greene and his challenger, attorney Michael Drahos. Greene is a far more polished candidate today than he was four years ago. Then, his knowledge of many issues was limited. He has come a long way

in the last four years, now able to talk intelligently and charismatically about many of the issues facing Wellington. However, he has often been a divisive presence on the council, unwilling to compromise with those he disagrees with. While he rails about the special interests of others, he seems to clearly have special interests of his own. He also comes across as fairly thin-skinned, unwilling to accept criticism.

Drahos, on the other hand, brings a lifelong perspective of the village, having grown up in Wellington from a young age. He offers expertise on planning and zoning matters from his six years on the Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board, and also served two years on the Wellington Education Committee. His legal expertise has given him a vast understanding on the wide variety of issues Wellington faces. With deep roots in the community, Drahos is interested in moving Wellington forward and looking toward the future for the community, rather than continually fighting the battles of the past.

While both have good intentions for Wellington, Greene is more of a talker and Drahos more of a doer. The Town-Crier endorses the election of Michael Drahos to Seat 1 on the Wellington Village Council.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR guerrilla marketing attack, bombarded by signs, accusations and negative letters to the editor, and full-page ads attacking my character and my work in the community.

Last week, Jackie Larson, a member of the Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission, had a letter published asking for a show of hands of those who like the village the way it is and want it to stay that way. With that lead, I ask, how many of you know about a 6,000-square-foot, 24-hour gas station going on the corner of Royal Palm Beach and Southern boulevards? That the smallest residential size is 1,200 square feet, yet the council approved 782 square feet to be built behind Lowe’s? And that’s the plan for the vacant lot on Royal Palm Beach Blvd. just north of Winn-Dixie?

The approval of single-family homes changed to multiple family on Pioneer Road? And yes, many of them will allow for Section 8 residents.

If you do want the village to stay the way it is, the council needs to change. Call the village office and ask for a copy of the candidates’ financial reports. Know who the candidates are indebted to and what our village will look like in five years. Please vote on March 15.

Selena Smith Royal Palm Beach Editor’s note: Ms. Smith is a candidate for Royal Palm Beach Village Council Seat 3.

Jacobs Family Supports ‘Yes’ On Question 3

Since the late 1970s, our family has lived either full-time or parttime in Wellington, enjoying the rural environment of the Wellington Equestrian Preserve. The Winter Equestrian Festival has been a

part of our lives since its inception, and we are happy to see how the equestrian community in Wellington has grown and thrived over the years. We have every intent to protect the equestrian community and the benefits it provides to all residents of Wellington.

As riders, trainers and competitors, we believe Wellington’s equestrian community is now under attack. As numerous acres of open space where horses once grazed and riders rode freely have become developed, the equestrian industry is forgetting its very soul — the horse. Regardless of how developed the show grounds become, how many riders participate or how big the crowds get, it means nothing if it jeopardizes the safety and security of horses and riders.

To be clear, our family supports development and growth.

But development should occur responsibly and in areas where it is best suited. If you build hotels, condominiums and apartment complexes within the equestrian preserve, you reduce the amount of open space. The increased number of buildings will require wider roads and more lanes — and invariably lead to terrible traffic congestion and threatening rider safety. Eventually, overdevelopment and its associated safety issues will cause the equestrian industry to find other, safer venues — away from Wellington.

Therefore, we unapologetically support Wellington’s ballot Question 3 because it will help protect the equestrian preserve — a unique area designated for low-density, low-traffic, rural equestrian uses and abundant green space. With a “yes” vote, Wellington’s residents can ensure that the preserve is not gutted by a developer who wants to allow motels, hotels, condo hotels and apartment buildings.

This question ensures that only

Wellington’s voters could change it — not a few members of the Wellington Village Council or developers.

Mark Bellissimo’s blatant misinformation campaign, including a letter in last week’s Town-Crier, alleges that our family is the only one to benefit from a “yes” vote on Question 3. Let me state unequivocally that, unlike him, our family gets no financial benefit from our advocacy. In truth, everyone who enjoys a strong tax base, better funding for public schools and a high level of community services, and believes that we don’t need more traffic, will benefit from a “yes” vote on Question 3.

Unbridled development in and around the equestrian preserve will kill the very industry that it was created to promote. Wellington’s equestrian industry has thrived without hotels, condos and apartment complexes in the preserve.

There is plenty of commercial space in Wellington where those facilities can and should be built without issue. So it’s simply false logic when a developer claims we need to undo the equestrian preserve to build new condo hotels or risk losing the equestrian industry, when that developer could build those hotels and retail complexes down the street from WEF, outside the preserve.

The misinformation campaign also claims that Question 3 would prohibit groom’s quarters and more within the Equestrian Overlay Zoning District (EOZD). We all know that is not the truth. Wellington Village Attorney Laurie Cohen rebutted the misinformation with a clear statement: “Groom’s quarters, caretaker quarters, mother-in-law suites and guest cottages are permitted within the EOZD… and will continue to be permitted within the EOZD if the amendment passes.”

BARRY S. MANNING DAWN RIVERA JOSHUA I. MANNING Executive Editor Publisher General Manager

12794 West Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33

EDITORIAL STAFF/ Chris Felker • Denise Fleischman • Paul Gaba

THE

TOWN-CRIER Your Community Newspaper Serving The Palms West Communities For 36 Years Published Weekly By Newspaper Publishers, Inc. The Original Wellington Mall

Wellington, Florida 33414 Phone: (561) 793-7606 Classified Ads: (561) 793-3576 World Wide Web: http://www.goTownCrier.com E-Mail Address: news@goTownCrier.com

JODY GORRAN Associate Publisher

RON BUKLEY Managing Editor

JULIE UNGER News Editor

CONTRIBUTORS/ Jules Rabin • Ellen Rosenberg • Leonard Wechsler • Deborah Welky ART & PRODUCTION MANAGER/ Stephanie Rodriguez ADVERTISING/ Betty Buglio • Evie Edwards • Wanda Glockson • Joetta Palumbo STAFF/ Jacqueline Corrado • Shanta Daibee • Jill Kaskel • Carol Lieberman • Geri O’Neil

The equestrian preserve protects and enhances Wellington’s way of life. We hope that Wellington residents who want future generations to enjoy the same benefits will join us in protecting the preserve, and all of Wellington, by voting “yes” on Question 3.

Lou and Charlie Jacobs Wellington

Central Chamber Endorses ‘No’ On Question 3

The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce is endorsing a “no” vote on Wellington Question 3. Amendment 3 would prohibit any development of motel, hotel, condo- hotel or apartment complexes within the Equestrian Preserve Area.

The chamber’s role is to advocate for pro-business opportunities and cannot support an amendment that forever prohibits development that could create economic growth and jobs in the future. It is important that we continue to support potential opportunities not only of Wellington’s equestrian industry, but for all of our business sectors that promote economic sustainability and quality of life.

We feel that Question 3 has no place in the Wellington Charter, as there are processes in place regarding these types of issues through the Planning, Zoning & Adjustment Board and the Wellington Village Council.

The chamber will continue to collaborate with the business communities in our footprint to help ensure healthy economic and strategic growth.

Thomas Bean, Chairman Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Editor’s note: Mr. Bean sent this letter on behalf of the chamber’s board of directors.

Jeff Hmara Is The Best Choice

My fellow residents of Royal Palm Beach, I once again have a question to pose to you. It’s a question that will have an impact on the future of this community in which we live. The question is: who do you want representing you on our village council? Is it an individual who takes a rational, analytic approach to the issues that come before the council, who does See LETTERS, page 7

For The Record

Due to incorrect information provided to the Town-Crier, 2012 Wellington Idol winner Cara Young was left out of the list of past Wellington Idol winners in the article “Wellington Idol Returns To Amphitheater Stage March 4-5,” published Feb. 26.

The Town-Crier regrets any confusion this might have caused.

SPECIAL NOTE ON LETTERS

The Town-Crier is currently receiving way more letters than we can possibly print, particularly as related to the March 15 election. We welcome your continued letter submissions, but please be aware that we will not able to accommodate all those that deserve publication. Please keep letters brief. Submit letters, with contact name, address and telephone number (anonymous letters will not be published), to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33, Wellington, FL 33414; or you can e-mail letters@goTownCrier.com.

POSTAL STATEMENT The Town-Crier (USPS #021547) is published weekly

by Newspaper Publishers Inc., 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33, Wellington, FL 33414-4758. Periodicals Postage Paid at West Palm Beach, FL. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: The Town-Crier, c/o Newspaper Publishers Inc., 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33, Wellington, FL 33414-4758.

Founded In 1980 By Bob Markey Sr. Copyright 2016, Newspaper Publishers Inc. The publisher reserves the right to refuse advertising.

MEMBER OF

The Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce The Wellington Chamber of Commerce The Western Business Alliance

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Vote YES on Question 3 Yes on Question 3 would keep motels, hotels, condo-hotels and apartment buildings out of the Equestrian Preserve where they do not belong. As stated by Wellington’s Village Attorney, this will not affect any current use rights:

“

There are no existing permitted uses within the EOZD that will become unlawful or non-conforming if the amendment is adopted.

Groom’s quarters, caretaker quarters, mother-in-law suites and guest cottages are permitted within the EOZD…. and will continue to be permitted within the EOZD if the amendment passes.

”

-Village Attorney Laurie Cohen, March 3, 2016

Keep Wellington’s Equestrian Preserve Intact

Yes on 3 WILL

Yes on 3 WILL NOT

 Keep traffic in check  Prevent over-development  Preserve green space  Preserve low density rural parks and equestrian areas  Protect our equestrian industry

 Affect the horse shows or facilites  Affect any currently allowed property uses  Affect groom’s quarters, caretaker quarters, mother-in-law suites, guest cottages

GET THE FACTS

 www.equestrianpreserve.org Pd. pol. adv. paid for by Preserve and Protect Wellington, Inc., 11924 Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 10A-335, Wellington, FL 33414

Page 5

Page 6

March 11- March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

NOTICE OF MUNICIPAL AND REFERENDUM ELECTION CALLED BY WELLINGTON, FLORIDA’S COUNCIL TO BE HELD MARCH 15, 2016 The Village of Wellington’s Council will hold a Municipal and Referendum Election on Tuesday, March 15, 2016. The purpose of the Municipal Election is to fill the offices of Mayor and Village Council Seat 1 which are four-year terms. The Referendum Election is to consider the adoption of the proposed Charter revisions set forth in Ordinances #: 2015-16; 2015-17; and 2015-18 all of which, if adopted, will revise the Village Charter.

The Municipal and Referendum Election will be held March 15, 2016. The polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Your polling location is listed on your Voter ID Card.

You must notify the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Office if you move from the address listed on your Voter ID Card. If you are unsure of the polling location for your precinct, contact the Supervisor of Elections Office at (561) 656-6200.

The ordinances pertaining to the proposed Charter revisions are published below in their entirety.

Rachel R. Callovi , Acting Village Clerk Dated: February 10, 2016 PUBLISH: The Town-Crier February 19, 2016, February 26, 2016, March 4, 2016, March 11, 2016 VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON REFERENDUM QUESTION NO. 1

VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON REFERENDUM QUESTION NO. 2

VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON REFERENDUM QUESTION NO. 3

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 7

NEWS

POLO PLAYERS VISIT WITH KIDS AT THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUB IN WELLINGTON

Polo stars Nic Roldan, Brandon Phillips, Jeff Hall, Kris Kampsen, Martine Peppa and Chris Nevins learned Monday, March 7 about the hundreds of children who are members of the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club in Wellington while helping with homework, playing games, dancing and having a great time. The polo players visited the club to meet with the kids prior to Great Futures Polo Day, set for Sunday, March 13 at the Grand Champions Polo Club and the International Polo Club Palm Beach. For more info., visit www.bgcpbc.org.

PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER

Polo player Chris Nevins, sponsor Neil S. Hirsch, Towana Cohen and Jennifer Martinez.

Polo players gather with Boys & Girls Club members.

Landon Almagore plays a game with Brandon Phillips.

Martine Peppa enjoys a game of foosball.

Nic Roldan and Kris Kampsen help Amirah Coper and Sophie-Rose Bailey with their homework.

Kris Kampsen, Ray Mooney, Martine Peppa, Gabe Mears, Jennifer Martinez, Chris Nevins, Nic Roldan, Jeff Hall and Brandon Phillips.

Letters

continued from page 4 the homework, who is willing to compromise in order to get agreement in resolving controversy? Or is it an individual who knows little about the workings of our village, who has not done her homework and has stated that she would learn on the job. Based on her performance at the candidates’ debate sponsored by the Town-Crier, she has a lot of learning to do.

My fellow residents, the answer to this question is very simple. The only person who can do the job as Seat 1 council member is the one currently doing a tremendous job: Jeff Hmara. Jeff does the homework, comes to meetings well prepared to offer solutions, is willing to compromise when appropriate for the good of the community and brings a sense of dignity appropriate for a representative of the people. He is not a politician, he is a public servant who takes his responsibility very seriously.

Jeff’s higher education and diverse professional background give him the knowledge and understanding of the people he represents. He’s a graduate of the Citadel and FIT. He is a retired army colonel who served in Vietnam. He has held positions at several government agencies, such as the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. He currently holds the position of adjunct professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University.

These academic and professional accomplishments prepared Jeff to be an active and contributing member of our council from the day he was first elected four years ago. He had done his homework and knew what Royal Palm Beach was all about and what improvements could bring it to a higher level. Under his watch, our village continued to have a balanced budget without raising taxes, opened Commons Park and the new dog park, brought Aldi here, sold the Crestwood properly, and corrected the FEMA flood maps, saving many of us the cost of flood insurance.

These are just a few of Jeff’s accomplishments on our behalf; there are numerous others, all of which demonstrate his dedication to doing the right thing for us. Jeff has received numerous endorsements from individuals and groups who recognize his vast service to the community.

Thus, the only rational conclusion that we should come to is to also lend our endorsement by voting for Jeff Hmara to retain Seat 1 on our village council. We need to have his intelligence, compassion and willingness to serve us in the same dedicated manner that he has done during the past four years. We hope you will join us in reelecting this exceptional person. Vote on March 15 for Jeff Hmara!

Arlene and Alan Olinsky Royal Palm Beach

Jarriel Supports Rockett And Browning

I have had the privilege of serving on the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council with both Jim Rockett and Dave Browning for

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR the last seven years. Both Jim and Dave are men of character and integrity. I believe their hearts are into doing what’s best for the residents of the Groves. I believe our accomplishments in the last seven years will benefit the residents for years to come — such as: Palm Beach State College, Tractor Supply Company, purchasing the new town hall at half the price it cost to build and paying cash for it, just to name a few. Our town is debt-free with millions in the bank to be used to improve our roads and drainage. In this year alone, we have set aside more than a million dollars to improve roads and drainage.

Jim Rockett has fought hard to reduce our town taxes. He is one who would like to see the residents not have to pay any taxes to the town. He has fought hard to bring about the future traffic light at D Road and Okeechobee, making it safer for our residents to come and go. I know Jim to be an honest man and a phone call away from any resident who might need his help.

Dave Browning served on Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District for many years. When he made the decision to run for the council, he had to give up his seat on the LGWCD board. While serving on the LGWCD board and the council, he has been a good public servant to the residents of Loxahatchee Groves. He will continue to serve us well if re-elected.

Unfortunately, their opponents are making false accusations and telling lies about the town council.

If you want to know the truth, please call me at (561) 315-5213.

I will be available to answer any concerns you might have with documentation.

As a 54-year resident, for those of you who know me, and know how much time and effort I personally put into the residents of the Groves, I’m asking for your support to re-elect Jim Rockett and Dave Browning to the Loxahatchee Groves Town Council.

Most importantly, please take time to vote on Tuesday, March 15 at Palms West Presbyterian Church on Okeechobee Blvd. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Ron Jarriel Loxahatchee Groves

supposed to prevent election fraud.

Three of the five council members we have right now are sitting in seats they have no right to.

Councilmen Ryan Liang, Ron Jarriel and Jim Rockett all benefited from election fraud, which is still being tardily investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

While the judicial process takes its time, these dreadful men who stamp on the flag and laugh in the face of the law are not only making decisions on behalf of an electorate who did not vote for them, but also right now, as you read this, are actively conspiring to defraud the electorate this coming Tuesday.

All this is common knowledge to the residents of Loxahatchee Groves, who, once again, trudge wearily to the polls to cast their votes for right and proper government in the full knowledge it may well not matter.

So why write about it again?

You know the answer. All that is needed for evil to thrive is for men of good character to do nothing.

The country may be great, but politically, Loxahatchee Groves is a disgrace.

Bottom line: if a country cannot protect its election system, it cannot protect its people. Loxahatchee Groves is no better than North Korea, China or any one of a number of other banana republics run by evil despots who openly deny the will of the electorate and act criminally to ensure the same old crooks stay in office.

Does this really matter? Is it of any real significance that a few weak-willed cheats thieve, lie and steal elections in a backwoods town most Americans have never heard of?

You bet it does. This is America, home of the brave, land of the free.

Cancer starts somewhere. Then spreads. Eventually it causes huge damage. It can kill.

If you’re reading this and can vote in Loxahatchee Groves, vote for a change in town, get rid of our cancer. If you’re reading this and you’re any kind of American, take an interest and help us get the treatment we need. Stop election fraud. Vote for Todd McLendon before it’s too late.

Tim Hart-Woods Loxahatchee Groves

The Banana Republic Of Lox Groves

Save The Equestrian Preserve

Once again, the nation and our small town head to the polls.

We go to exercise our hardwon right to vote and to express our feelings as proud citizens of the greatest democracy and finest republic on the planet.

God bless America and all who’ve given their lives so that we can vote freely and without fear of reprisal or retribution, and knowing our election system is fair, honest and protected.

But wait… This is Loxahatchee Groves. Home of broken America.

Home of no term limits. Home of election fraud.

Home of councilmen so entrenched in their own microworld self-importance they think little of squandering town funds, buying enough votes to ensure their snouts stay deeply submerged in the town trough — and even less of the law

Please help us preserve the Wellington Equestrian Preserve and the very identity of our beautiful community. I moved here from Miami six months ago to escape the destruction that overpopulation and overdevelopment has caused to my beautiful birthplace. This has caused severe flooding in western Dade County every time it rains. Most Miami high-rise units are selling at 50 cents on the dollar because greedy condo developers are unable to sell them given poor economic forecasting.

My family and I could have moved anywhere, but we chose Wellington for its unique infrastructure, green areas, equestrian culture and family feel. This is such a rare gem. People in Miami pay millions for homes and do not get to live in the open, traffic-free and green areas we enjoy. The

green areas must be preserved if we don’t want what has happened to every other beautiful Florida community to happen here, too.

Elizabeth Calzadilla Wellington

Just Say ‘No’ To Question 3

I have lived in Wellington’s Equestrian Preserve Area for 29 years. I am against hotels, condos and even multi-family apartments.

However, I am against Question 3. It prohibits all apartments. This would not allow grooms apartments attached to barns.

The real disturbing reason I am against Question 3 is how it was put on the ballot.

Question 3 is just plain poorly written. I wrote the village attorney and questioned how she could put out such a poorly crafted piece of work. I have to give her credit. She gave me a very honest answer. It shocked me. Here is her answer: “To be clear, neither I nor anyone else at the village drafted the language that is now the proposed Question 3. That language was provided to Councilman Willhite by a community member or interested party and was introduced by Mr. Willhite to the rest of council just before the deadline to provide it to the Supervisor of Elections.

The Charter Review Task Force, which met for over a year, never considered or proposed this change.”

I could not believe what I read.

The Charter Review Task Force never considered the change that was put in by Councilman Willhite in the form of Question 3. Instead of taking the advice of the council’s own task force, that worked over a year on this problem, Mr. Willhite, at the last minute, introduced Question 3 with language provided by “a community member or interested party.”

Who is this “community member or interested party?” Does he or she even live in Wellington?

You have five citizens working for over a year on a problem. The chairman was Ken Adams, a guy who has worked for years to make Wellington a better place. The council does not take their advice.

Instead you have some “community member” come in at the last moment, and the council uses the language provided by him to pass a terrible piece of legislation.

We should know who this person behind the curtain is.

Gilman Hallenbeck Wellington

Support For Wellington Question 3

Before I moved to Wellington, I spent years enjoying polo at Two Trees in Bridgehampton, N.Y., surrounded by open, green space and making countless memories on the polo fields in the surrounding area.

Two Trees was a cherished gem for all who loved the sport of polo.

But development pressure in the town was immense. As a result, the polo fields were recently sold to a housing developer. High goal polo is no more — and it will not return.

That’s why I moved to Wellington, because it has plentiful polo fields and a rustic, rural environment. But more importantly, the

equestrian uses and lifestyle are respected, preserved and protected by our one-of-a-kind Equestrian Preserve Area.

Unfortunately, Wellington is now seeing the same “push to develop” forces that ruined Bridgehampton. We just lost Gulfstream Polo to development... If certain people have their way, we will continue to lose more and more of our cherished equestrian areas to unnecessary developments in the equestrian preserve. We must draw the line in the grass now, and keep commercial hotels, condos and the like out of preserve. Giving in to developer pressure is the wrong move, and a slippery slope that will ultimately dismantle the preserve.

Let’s be smart and protect what we love. Vote “yes” on ballot questions 1 and 3. Let’s protect Wellington’s Equestrian Preserve Area for all to benefit for years to come.

Stacie Simpkins Wellington

Accusations Against Margolis Are Misleading

Councilwoman Anne Gerwig and her financial backers are misleading voters with half-truths.

The accusation that Mayor Bob Margolis had a technical ethics violation in 2012 has been the subject of numerous television commercials and multiple mailings. What they don’t say is that this issue was forced by circumstances outside of Bob’s control.

After winning both the election and the recount, Ms. Gerwig still refused to swear Bob in, and his opponents filed a lawsuit, forcing Bob to defend his mayoral win. A legal defense fund was established, and donations into that fund were reviewed.

The other thing they don’t say is that Anne Gerwig committed ethics violations herself in 2012, 2013 and 2014 when she failed to file the appropriate forms with the Commission on Ethics pertaining to financial gifts she had received.

The ethics commission found probable cause, and she negotiated a settlement... just like Bob. The Margolis campaign has not harped on ethics violations.

Neither candidate is unethical; the violations were both technical in nature and neither affect the way Anne or Bob perform their jobs for our village.

But another issue that does affect the way Ms. Gerwig performs her duties as a council member is quite apparent. As an elected official, it is your job to determine when you have a conflict of interest and recuse yourself from voting on items that could enhance your own personal wealth. On 22 different occasions, Ms. Gerwig determined that a conflict of interest existed, making her unable to vote on the topic at hand. As a result, on those 22 occasions, she refrained from having involvement in major issues affecting our village, such as the sheriff’s contract, the tennis center, the community center, a trail crossing by Palm Beach Point, issues surrounding the use of K-Park, etc... No one begrudges the success of her family’s business or the partnerships that she has established, but the conflicts they present keep Anne Gerwig

from doing the job that the people of Wellington elected her to do. I applaud her ability to recognize when she has a conflict of interest and step aside. Unfortunately, you can make money from the taxpayers, or you can represent them as their elected official — but, as Anne Gerwig has decided 22 times and counting, you cannot do both.

Kathleen Kurit Wellington

Current RPB Leaders Doing A Great Job

My wife and I moved to Royal Palm Beach three years ago from Shaker Heights, Ohio. Royal Palm Beach and Shaker Heights are both communities of approximately 35,000 people. The similarity ends there.

Shaker Heights has the highest tax rate in the Buckeye State and it just keeps getting higher.

Shaker Heights, once one of the top 10 places to live in the United States, has less than first-rate municipal services. Roads are riddled with potholes, crime has become a problem and garbage collection is subject to more rules, regulations and limitations than one can imagine... Police and fire costs are out of control because the city fathers will not consider reaching across borders to develop regional police and fire services that can more effectively and efficiently keep the community safe.

When I landed here in Royal Palm Beach, I felt like I died and went to heaven. RPB has excellent public services. Roads are good, garbage collection is outstanding — put it at the curb and it is taken way. No ifs, ands or buts.

As a homeowner, I appreciate the foresight of village planners in maintaining a residential core and keeping commercial development and growth on the perimeters of the community. Southern Blvd., Okeechobee Blvd. and State Road 7 are great commercial areas, as they should be. Our homes are protected from incursion by business development.

This village is always ranked near the top for best places to raise a family. For a community its size, the park system is second to none. Commons Park is the crown jewel of a highly developed and competently managed recreation infrastructure.

We have such a wonderful community because of the outstanding elected leaders that have had the foresight, intelligence and acumen to keep the community looking forward and building upon the successes of the past...

There are three incumbent members of council on the ballot this year.

Long-serving Councilman Fred Pinto is a candidate for mayor. He has worked side-by-side with his colleagues over the years in a constructive way to continue to build on the successes of the past. He is a leader. He has served his country in the armed forces. He was a field grade officer during the conflicts in the Middle East. He knows the value of teamwork. He has the courage of his convictions and is accountable to no one other than the citizens he represents.

Jeff Hmara is another council See LETTERS, page 17

Page 8

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

NEWS BRIEFS Wellington’s Annual Egg Hunt Set For March 26

Get your baskets ready for Wellington’s annual egg hunt!

The egg hunt returns to the Village Park softball fields, located at 11700 Pierson Road, on Saturday, March 26.

The event will begin promptly at 10 a.m., and will be divided into four age groups: ages 2 and under, ages 3 to 4, ages 5 to 7 and ages 8 to 10. At each egg hunt, two eggs will have a pink bunny ticket inside, indicating a special prize.

Families are encouraged to arrive early to avoid traffic congestion.

For more information about Wellington programs, events, activities and updates, visit www. wellingtonfl.gov.

Purim Carnival At Temple B’nai Jacob March 13

Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington will hold its Purim Carnival on Sunday, March 13 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The carnival will feature school children, Cantor Sharon Leibovici and the temple choir in a presentation of “Little Shop of Torahs.”

Celebrate Purim with temple friends, enjoy the school show, eat a hot dog lunch, play games, win prizes, take part in a 50/50 raffle and have a great time.

Temple B’nai Jacob of Wellington is located at 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 6, in the original Wellington Mall. For more information, call (561) 793-4347 or visit www.templebnaijacob.com.

Calling All Former Acreage Pines Foxes

Acreage Pines Elementary School is preparing for its 25th anniversary celebration on Friday, April 8. As part of the celebration, the school would like to recognize former members of the fox family, college-aged and older. If you, or someone you know, attended or was a staff member at the school, contact Dawn Shock at dawn. shock@palmbeachschools.org.

A display of former foxes, showing where they are now, will be

showcased at the event. Former students are also invited to attend the event, which will run from 5:30 until 8 p.m.

Dr. Avossa At TWBA Luncheon

On Thursday, March 31, the Western Business Alliance will hold a luncheon at the Binks Forest Golf Club (400 Binks Forest Drive, Wellington) featuring guest speaker Dr. Robert Avossa, superintendent of the School District of Palm Beach County. The luncheon will start at 11:30 a.m. For more information, or to register, visit www.thewesternbusinessalliance. com.

LGLA To Meet On March 17

The Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association will meet on Thursday, March 17 at 7 p.m. at the Palms West Presbyterian Church (13689 Okeechobee Blvd.).

The topics for the meeting will be related to title insurance. The speaker will discuss why and when you should have title insurance,

including when the insurance expires and if you can be denied coverage. The speaker will present an informative program about the complete story of title insurance coverage.

This is an open meeting where residents will get a chance to discuss issues of concern that they may have related to things that are going on in the town. The meeting is open to the public, but only LGLA members with 2016 paid dues can make motions and/ or vote.

For more information, contact Marge Herzog at (561) 818-9114 or marge@herzog.ms.

information, call (561) 469-2322 or (718) 290-4040.

Church Program At RPB Cultural Center March13

Benefit For Pet Haven Rescue On March 19

Power & Authority Evangelical Ministry West Palm Beach will present its “Operation Devour the Devourer: Prophetic and Deliverance Service” on Sunday, March 13 at 7 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center (151 Civic Center Way, Royal Palm Beach) with host ministers Rodrigo and Elizabeth McDermott. For more

Hadassah To Create Gift Baskets

Shulamit Hadassah will host an evening of fun creating Purim gift baskets Wednesday, March 16 at 7 p.m. at Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue Station #30 (9610 Stribling Way, Wellington). An $18 donation is requested to cover the materials and items for filling baskets. To RSVP, e-mail Susan at smow@comcast.net.

Pet Haven Rescue, a nonprofit, cage-free animal sanctuary, will host its second annual benefit at the Palm Beach Polo Tennis House on Saturday, March 19.

“Rolling the Dice for Dogs” will be a fun-filled evening of gambling, live artists, music, amazing food and drinks. All proceeds go directly to helping unwanted,

abused and neglected animals find new homes.

The one-of-a-kind Pet Haven Rescue sanctuary is located in the heart of Palm Beach County and sets the standards in animal care and rehabilitation.

Tickets can be purchased at www.pethavenrescue.org. For more info., call (786) 728-7387.

Water Safety Informational Session March 21

Wellington’s Community Services Department has partnered with Palm Beach County Fire-Rescue and the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club to host a free water safety/drowning informational session.

The informational session will take place Monday, March 21 at 9 a.m. at the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club, located at 1080 Wellington Trace.

This event is free and open to the public. Children of all ages are welcome.

If you are interested in attending, call the Community Services Department at (561) 791-4764.

PUBLIC NOTICE Pursuant to Section 2-18 of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Royal Palm Beach, the Village Council is accepting applications from residents of Royal Palm Beach to fill Council Group Seat #4 to be vacated March 15, 2016. Said term shall run until March, 2017. Applications may be downloaded from the Village’s website at http://www.royalpalmbeach.com/index.aspx?nid=105 Completed applications must be delivered to the Village Clerk’s Office located at 1050 Royal Palm Beach Boulevard, Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411 before 5:00 p.m., on March 25, 2016. Applications received after this time will not be considered. Facsimile and emailed applications shall not be accepted.

Each Village Council Member may conduct interviews with applicants within the next two weeks after application submittal deadline.

Publish: March 11, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 9

Endorsed by: • Realtors Association of Palm Beach County • Former County Commissioner Jess Santamaria • Wellington’s First Mayor Kathy Foster

Michael and his w ife Nathalie and th eir two

daughters Julia an d Sophia

MICHAEL DRAHOS will restore credibility to our Village Council...but he needs your help!

S AHO R D AEL H C I M

F SK O E D E e M TH Villag O n R o t F g : lin e Wel ess to our hbors h g t i e n my n o and at 1 fairn romoting e s d S d n r n a o e i , f p n My fr paign ity, balance have been lling you o m a c l ,I ca t bi my ched store credi six months our doors, re you tha n u a l I y su re st . cil to For the pa ocking on ngs to reas nce again n u o o n C ti unity. ersonally k your mee ommunity e m m o t for th ho c c a d d yp g e e b n c i fi a e i y k r g n a ave b om those w fter all, m hat h messa ne and spe will be a u s d t r A en o d nd fri d surface f ellington. onaire, and y a the ph ton can an y l i l m W am illi ou ng , my f cks that w people of nce of a b and defend Welli e m i t to the mean influe d up er atta In the le charact rn control the undue rder to stan tu o ab te those n e l i inevit illing to re to eradica to pay in ost. h rt, w g not a s w o n m e n i p l s m e u l i p a i h u e t I m s r a ro sw ed me in le fashion. ve made aign p price I wa it is need d p e n m i a o c ictab erve. I ha best ith a ime when ave j d h e w r e s p e g essa d back in com wn at a t r Pres ve is in the m u o y g m e o t h in ie in home ve las ion of ruin what I bel lieve a e h b t s, i o wh tent s do d by r year u o f t Those threatene ave any in n to alway as a re Ih hese p d divisive t n who a ist, nor do ne other th w o n yo ave sh the petty a mitted to h e extrem ises to an ton. w hat ond s com of the y i w m g e o o n n b r i h a l p g l h w e in e rt no alf ts of W ton is bette f transcend ct someon de on beh unity. I s e r e t m in ele ma ng eo Welli till capabl s come to y decision e entire com age, and I e v e i s I bel t we are s e time ha that ever t of th g this mes hing no fi e n h a l t e a h t n b l ide llective lieve and eadi ffer somet a e r t b p n s e I . o o t c o am cs politi g the fund ne for the committed because I o n n i d n restor should be e campaig Wellingto p. g r i i e n peopl ent my ent e of unifyi n leadersh p ow bl have s I am capa …homegr el n e a 15th. h c h i c believ ndidate ca r a M ca on M e t o other v ur for yo k s a I you.

Thank

VOTE March 15

On Tuesday, March 15th, vote for homegrown leadership…

MICHAEL DRAHOS For more information, please go to www.votemichaeldrahos.com or Vote Michael Drahos Political advertisement paid for and approved by Michael Drahos for Wellington Village Council, Seat 1.

2160117 Drahos TCrier letterAd.indd 1

3/7/16 10:04 AM

Page 10

March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

What are our Charter Amendments?

Question 1: Shall the charter be amended to include a provision protecting the Equestrian Preserve Area?

Wellington is unique among Florida municipalities. One third of our Village is large lot rural residential properties used mostly as small horse farms. Our Land Development Regulations and Comprehensive Plan recognize the area as the Equestrian Preserve. This amendment would add the Equestrian Preserve to the Charter and would require a super majority vote (four of five) to remove land from the preserve.

Question 2: Village Canvassing Board This amendment corrects a potential problem in the existing charter by establishing a method to ensure that the canvassing board, the group of people who actually monitor and certify election results, always has an odd number of members.

This change will ensure that there are no tie votes.

Question 3: Shall motels, hotels, condo-hotels and apartments

be prohibited within the Equestrian Preserve?

This amendment does not change any existing rights in the Equestrian Preserve. Today a change to the Village’s Comprehensive Plan to allow motels, hotels, condo-hotels and apartments would need to be approved by the Village’s Planning Zoning and Adjustment Board and by the Village Council. Should this amendment pass, motels, hotels, condo-hotels and apartments could not be permitted in the Equestrian Preserve Area unless the Charter was again amended.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 11

BETHESDA HOSPITAL WEST

MORE

Care

BETHESDA HOSPITAL WEST is Proud to be Your Community Hospital + Palm Beach County’s only All PRIVATE room hospital + 24-Hour Emergency Department for Adults and Children + Accredited Chest Pain Center and Heart Failure Program + Advanced Primary Stroke Center + Room service style meals, made-to-order + Specialized Endovascular and Urologic Care + Centers for Advanced Imaging + Outpatient laboratory services + Women’s Health Center + Bethesda Health Physician Group BETHESDA HOSPITAL WEST + TrustBridge (*NEW* inpatient hospice unit)

Call for a FREE Physician Referral Today!

(561) 737-7733, ext. 84499

Feel the Difference at BETHESDA. BETHESDA HOSPITAL WEST 9655 Boynton Beach Blvd.

Boynton Beach, FL 33472 561.336.7000 BETHESDAWEST.ORG

Vote Bob Margolis ENDORSED BY:

KEEP WELLINGTON GREAT “My family and I feel safe knowing Bob is our mayor and continues to fight to keep our small town appeal alive and well.

Bob is the best choice to keep Wellington’s future bright!”

Matt Kurit with daughter Halle

Public Safety for Bob Margolis

RIGHT FOR THE JOB “As Mayor, Bob Margolis has defended the rights of all Wellington residents regardless of their positions of power.

He has led our community in respectful debate, and I urge you to re-elect this decent, fair and hardworking citizen.”

SAVES US MONEY

LEADERSHIP MATTERS

“Mayor Bob lowered taxes twice and saved us money on garbage pick up.

He’s got my vote!”

“Her firm’s government contracts set up a conflict of interest that requires Ms. Gerwig to recuse herself on important Village votes. How can she lead if she can’t even vote?”

Louanne Rawls Margolis neighbor

Andrew Carduner

Howard Sohn

President of Palm Beach Polo & Country Club/Polo Owners Association

Attorney

VOTE MARCH 15 If your vision for our Village is safe neighborhoods, great schools, open parks and a rural hometown feel, I will fight for you. I ask for your support.

Re-Elect

Bob

Margolis MAYOR

Because Wellington Matters Political advertisement paid for and approved by Bob Margolis for Wellington Mayor.

Page 12

March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

Michael Drahos is fighting to restore credibility and return fiscal responsibility to Wellington.

The FACTS ARE, Michael Drahos is... ...working to protect the equestrian economy. ...collaborating with equestrian leadership to end the constant and expensive legal battles. ...committed to revitalize and protect communities. ...returning Wellington to fiscal responsibility.

“Michael Drahos

is a respected leader who has constantly done what’s best for Wellington families and will end the infighting currently plaguing the Village.

We need Michael Drahos. He has

the dedication and commitment to move Wellington in the right direction.”

–Jess Santamaria, Former Palm Beach County Commissioner

Paid electioneering communication paid for by Taxpayers for Public Integrity, 120 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 202, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 13

NEWS

ROYAL PALM ROTARY SALUTES MAYOR MATTY MATTIOLI ON HIS RETIREMENT

The Rotary Club of Royal Palm Beach hosted a testimonial tribute dinner for retiring Royal Palm Beach Mayor Matty Mattioli on Saturday, March 5 at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. A long lineup of speakers and more than 160 guests assembled to honor Mattioli, who is retiring after almost three decades of public service in the community. March 18 was proclaimed Matty Mattioli Day, and the Village of Royal Palm Beach will also honor him for his service.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

RPB Rotary President Dr. Bruce Elkind, RPB Councilman Jeff and Carolyn Hmara, RPBHS Interact President Hunter Loomis, and Interact members Maria Langron and Amanda Martinez.

Mayor Matty Mattioli receives a proclamation from Councilman Fred Pinto.

Mayor Matty Mattioli with his daughters, Lori Kostelansky, Karen Rutty and Sandy Loftus.

Dr. Sarda Bhandary presents Mayor Matty Mattioli with a Rotary Foundation award.

Phyllis Manning, Tom Wenham, Ron Tomchin Regis Wenham and Barry Manning.

Mayor Matty Mattioli receives a gift from Dan Splain.

Raffle winner Village Clerk Diane DiSanto with Jean Morris and Mayor Mattioli.

(Seated) Ron and Elaine Tomchin, Joan Scherer and Patricia Mazzarella; and (standing) Pete Morris and Peter Wein.

Event organizers Jeff Hmara, Charlie Borg, Keith Jordano, Jean Morris, Dan Splain, Lynne Balch and Roland Amateis.

Trela White, Mayor Matty Mattioli and Laurel Bennett.

Pastors Mike and Carolyn Rose with Anique and Tamia Vaughan.

PUBLIC NOTICE AVISE PUBLICO

Town of Loxahatchee Groves Pueblo De Loxahatchee Groves

MUNICIPAL ELECTION ELECCION MUNICIPAL TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 2016 MARTES, 15 DE MARZO, 2016 Election for Council Seat #2 and Seat #4 Elecciones para Comisionado Del Pueblo Escaño #2 y Pueblo Escaño #4

PRECINCT No. 6094 POLLING PLACE Precinto No. 6094 Ubicación de Urna Palms West Presbyterian Church 13689 Okeechobee Blvd

(West of RPB Blvd on the north side of Okeechobee Blvd, West of Folsom and east of “E” Road)

Las palmas West Iglesia Presbiteriana 13689 Okeechobee Blvd

(oeste de RPB Blvd en el lado norte de Okeechobee Blvd. oeste de Folsom y al este de la Rd "E")

Polling Place Open From 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM Urnas Abiertas Desde 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Mayor Matty Mattioli thanks everyone for attending.

Father Andy Rudnicki with Mayor Matty Mattioli.

Page 14

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

NEWS

Lilly Pulitzer Day Event, Budweiser Clydesdales Thrill Polo Fans The International Polo Club Palm Beach celebrated the launch of the 26-goal polo season last

Sunday with a thrilling match in which Orchard Hill defended their 2015 title by defeating Audi

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LILA PHOTO

11-9 to win the C.V. Whitney Cup, presented by Sentient Jet. Julian de Lussareta was a scoring phenomenon, putting away six goals for Orchard Hill and winning the MVP Award. Norma, Orchard Hill patron Steve Van Andel’s horse, was named Best Playing Pony.

Spectators were treated to a halftime champagne divot stomp that included an appearance by the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales. The eight-horse hitch was harnessed to the iconic Budweiser beer wagon and circled the field twice, stopping for fan photos.

The magnificent “gentle giants” were a crowd pleaser, standing six feet tall at the shoulder with a

Decisions made at the meeting gave Bergeron discretion on the types of fill it uses for the roads, depending on their condition. The council also terminated an agreement with another provider, leaving Bergeron as the sole provider.

“What this provides is an additional level of services and flexibility,” said Town Manager Bill Underwood, explaining that the amendment expands road grading services and tree clearing.

He added that Bergeron requested discretion in the type of fill it

uses on the roads, explaining that the provider’s contract has three types of fill named. In a recent fill operation, they had to get special permission to use a different type of fill where the road was heavily flooded. “The issue is how do they get paid if it is something other than one of those three named fill products,” he said. “We need a mechanism that we can bring in different material.”

Goltzené made a motion to approve the amendment, which carried 5-0.

continued from page 1 games of bingo sponsored by Humana. There will also be a presentation on the history of Wellington.

Public Information Officer Liz Nunez is excited to unveil videos and information about the history of Wellington starting back when it was strawberry fields and orange groves, to where it is today.

“We are extremely excited that Wellington is celebrating this milestone,” Nunez said. “We’re really excited to put on a show for everybody and celebrate.”

Large displays showing the history of Wellington and how it has grown will be available during the event. “We’re going to have videos of the former council members and founders — we’re calling them the Wellington Founders — people like Ken Adams, Al Paglia, Dr. Carmine Priore and Kathy Foster;

Smith moved to Royal Palm Beach in 2009 with her family.

She holds a degree in marketing from Barry University and a master’s degree from the University of Miami.

“I was involved in the community as a member of the Central Palm Beach County Chamber prior to moving out here,” she said.

Smith is a founding member of the Western Business Alliance, which helps local businesses within the community, and is a member and past president of the Royal Palm Beach Rotary Club.

Peña is a 16-year resident of Royal Palm Beach with two children and a master’s degree in project management and a background in civil engineering. She ran unsuccessfully in 2008 and 2010 for a seat on the council.

This time, she hopes to replace State Rep. Mark Pafford, who is leaving the District 86 seat due to term limits.

“What we have in common is our desire to do good work in the community, and that’s why we’re running,” Peña said. “That’s why I’m running for this seat.”

Bennett, also seeking the District 86 seat, has lived in Royal Palm Beach since 1999 and previously ran for mayor. She has a master’s degree in healthcare and taught math and science at H.L. Johnson Elementary School and at the university level. “I am running because I am tired of people like you and I, small businesses as well, not getting the rights that the larger businesses are getting,” she said.

Harper said he is running for judge because he cares about the community. “I think that we need people who are compassionate, who are hard workers, and who are qualified to serve as your county court judges,” he said. “I am qualified because I am a two-time law firm partner.”

There were five candidates in the race, he said, and now it is down to two candidates. “I am the only candidate who has been nominated by our Judicial Nominating Commission to our governor and recommended as a person who is qualified to become a judge,” Harper said.

The candidates answered a number of questions, among them

one about development in and around the community and its effect on infrastructure development and funding improvements.

Webster expressed concerns about the development of homes on the Crestwood land, as well as the new Acme Ranches development and the planned RaceTrac gas station on Southern Blvd.

“It is going to be a car magnet,” she said. “What do you go to RaceTrac for but to put gas in your car?”

Smith expressed concerns for the school capacity and how roads will be addressed to accommodate increases in traffic.

The Capital Improvement Plan, Pinto said, takes care of financing and planning for improvements.

He pointed that traffic is something that will always need to be addressed.

“We are at 98 percent build-out in the village,” he said. “There’s not a lot more that’s going to be done here than we already have on the books.”

Valuntas said that the RaceTrac project will actually ease traffic at a troubled intersection.

“One of the things that hasn’t

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales circle the field.

Lox Roads

Making Progress

continued from page 1 rock material to where they can crown it.”

The previous sweep focused more on filling in holes and creating serviceable roads. “Hopefully, with the second sweep, you will see your crown starting to form and your road will be higher than your ditches,” he said.

Strathmore

Royal Palm Candidates

continued from page 1 strong background and will be a great leader for you. I also want you to know why I am running.

I stood back up because I believe that I was part of all the good things in this municipality. This is Mayberry, and I want to keep it Mayberry.”

Valuntas attended all Florida public schools and is raising his three children, who attend public schools in Royal Palm Beach. “I got a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminology from Florida State [University]. In addition to my law degree, I got another master’s degree in public administration from [Florida Atlantic University], and I also got a master’s in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida. My day job is that I am an assistant attorney general, and I work for the Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Basically, I spend my day keeping bad guys in prison.”

blaze of white on their faces and the signature white feather strands on their lower legs.

Lilly Pulitzer hosted giveaways and promotions at the Pavilion, with fashionable guests wearing their colorful prints in trendsetting style.

The 26-Goal USPA Gold Cup is scheduled on Engel & Völkers Field for the next three Sundays, March 13, March 20 and March 27. Mark your calendar and purchase tickets early.

The International Polo Club Palm Beach is located at 3667

120th Avenue South in Wellington. Polo matches are open to the public, with a wide range of hospitality and guest seating.

Tickets start at $30. For ticketing and sponsorship information, call (561) 204-5687 or visit www. internationalpoloclub.com.

20 Years

all who have helped shape Wellington and make it what it is today over the last 20 years,” Nunez said.

The founders will tell their stories through the videos, explaining how they ended up in Wellington, what Wellington looked like before incorporation, and how the village has grown since then. The videos include stories from the founders and pioneers themselves, as well as comments from current council members.

“We’re really excited not just to share a fun, happy event with our residents, but also the history, to honor what we’re really celebrating, which is 20 years of this great hometown,” Nunez said.

Most people, she explained, don’t realize the extensive history of what has been accomplished within the last 20 years in Wellington. “For Wellington to have come as far as it has is a great achievement,” Nunez said.

After working up an appetite,

Garvey suggested that residents head over to the food trucks that will be offering food and beverages for purchase.

Bring chairs and blankets and head over to the stage at 5 p.m., where Wellington Idol winners will sing and delight with their talents. Shortly thereafter, the new Wellington Village Council will come to the stage and introduce themselves prior to a proclamation from County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay.

At 7 p.m., the popular tribute band Odyssey Road will take to the stage until 9 p.m.

As the sun sets, a laser show will start by the stage, and at 9:15 p.m., the sky will come alive with the Zambelli Fireworks show.

Dogs and personal fireworks are not allowed. Sponsors Waste Management and Suri West have helped make the event possible.

For more information, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/20th.

been brought to light is that the intersection now is a failing intersection. Now the decision on RaceTrac, you know what that does? It makes that go from a failing intersection to a non-failing intersection,” Valuntas said, noting that the applicant is paying to make significant improvements to the intersection.

White accused the current council of not planning ahead for the future of the community.

“There should be a consensus about the general direction of the village rather than the stopgap measures of doing things off the cuff without examining the consequences,” White said, calling the community poorly planned.

Hmara pointed out that the village has a 15-year strategic plan as well as a village vision statement.

“The idea that we’re wandering around aimlessly without a clue is completely false,” he said.

Candidates were asked about promoting and supporting businesses within the village.

Valuntas pointed out that there are many businesses opening in the village.

Hmara added that the council has worked hard for all businesses by creating a directory listing all of the businesses and their contact information within the community on the village web site.

White asked why stores are empty and what sort of stores residents would want in the community.

Pinto clarified that the role of government is not to regulate business.

“If an entrepreneur wants to open up a business within this community in one of these shops, they make a determination of what products and services that they’re selling are needed in this community, and they will sell it at a competitive price and they will be either successful or not successful, but it’s not government’s job to control and regulate that,” Pinto said.

Webster suggested incentivizing revitalization to encourage businesses to come to the village, noting that she is a founding member of the Western Business Alliance.

The council election will take place Tuesday, March 15.

Anniversary

THE WESTERN BUSINESS ALLIANCE

The Western Business Alliance, Inc. A new era in building business relationships.

The Western Business Alliance is an alliance of businesses committed to strengthening and supporting our members through economic growth, education, and community awareness.

Join now and see for yourself. www.TheWesternBusinessAlliance.com 561.600.3820

March 31st Luncheon

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Liberty Tax Service Liberty Tax Service specializes in the preparation of tax returns for individuals and small businesses and is the third largest tax preparation franchise in the United States. When you choose Liberty Tax, you choose to have your taxes prepared in a warm, friendly environment with a tax professional dedicated to meet your specific needs. Come as you are, kick your feet up, and relax – taxes are our thing. You’ll get the services you need, the refund you want, and the experience you deserve.

Learn more at www.libertytax.com.

Binks Forest Golf Club Robert Avossa, Ed.D. will be speaking to TWBA members and guests at the March 31st luncheon to be held at Binks Forest Golf Club.

Thank you Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air for sponsoring this event.

Dr. Avossa was named Superintendent of the School District of Palm Beach County in June of 2015. Prior to joining the School District of Palm Beach County, Avossa served as Superintendent of the Fulton County Schools from June 2011 through June 2015. Avossa has dedicated his entire career to ensuring that every child is given an opportunity to succeed in college and a career of their choice.

Welcome New and Renewing TWBA Members Asador Patagonia ............................................................Natalia Yamashiro Catania Family Style Restaurant .......................................Brian Scotto Creative Contracting Group .............................................Lisa Addis CSI Palm Beach ................................................................Marc Melnick Floridian Community Bank ..............................................Joanne Dee Hi-Tech Plumbing & Air ....................................................Jathynia Garcia

Lion Country Safari ..........................................................Jennifer Berthiaume Mario The Baker .............................................................Kevin Puebla Meade-Johnson International, Inc ...................................Joey J. Johnson NRI Institute of Health Sciences .......................................M. Daniel Splain Organo Gold ...................................................................Pastor Michael Rose Palms West Monthly .......................................................Robert Harris

Prestia|Holtz P.A. ............................................................. Thomas Prestia Professional Family Eyecare ............................................... Dr. Jolene Reiter Sea Breeze Air Systems, Inc................................................ Nancy Cook Self Discovery Life Mastery ................................................ Barbara Socher Sharp Shopper Magazine ................................................... Barbara Chaiken WIN Home Inspection Wellington ...................................... Bethany Cordi

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 15

It’s YOur MOve.

Our world famous Wellington Equestrian Preserve is in great danger. Nine thousand acres of world class equestrian show grounds, horseback-riding parks, polo fields and surrounding neighborhoods are under constant threat of commercial exploitation and over-development. If we lose the beauty and peace of the preserve, we lose our identity, damage our brand, endanger our economy and destroy our environment.

But voters like you have the power to change all that.

On March 15th, Wellington voters will have their say.

VOTE

YES ON

QUESTIONS 1&3

QUESTION 1

QUESTION 3

protects the boundaries of the preserve and makes it harder to shrink the size of the preserve area.

prohibits excessive development like motels, hotels, condo-hotels and apartment complexes from being built within the Wellington Equestrian Preserve Area.

These amendments protect our precious community investment from exploitation and overdevelopment. They reduce the traffic in our neighborhoods and around our horses. They preserve our green space and sustain the peace and prosperity of our village.

The power is in your hands.

On March 15, Vote to SAVE THE EQUESTRIAN PRESERVE Vote YES on Charter Questions 1 & 3

Pd. pol. adv. paid for by Preserve and Protect Wellington, Inc., 11924 Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 10A-335, Wellington, FL 33414

EPA Ad 5.123115.indd 2

1/20/16 5:18 PM

Page 16

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

When it comes to our children’s education, Anne Gerwig’s commitment is second to none.

That’s why when the Wellington Education Committee suggested bringing back the Village‘s education grant program, ANNE was all in.

ANNE suggested naming the grant “The Keely Spinelli Education Grant” after the much beloved Binks Elementary School Principal who passed away In 2008.

The grant provides $25,000 per year to every public school in Wellington to help the lowest performing 25% of students struggling in math and reading.

ANNE GERWIG...investing in our children - to make sure they get the help they need to succeed!

Vote ANNE GERWIG for Mayor of Wellington on March 15.

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Anne Gerwig for Mayor of Wellington.

2160129 Education Town Crier Ad.indd 1

3/8/16 12:33 PM

The Town-Crier

Forum

Wellington Candidates

continued from page 1 having oversight here in the village,” he said. “What that did was it created greater transparency that allowed the inspector general to come in and truly analyze how we spend your money, and we changed a lot of policies. We’ve done a lot to make sure we are more transparent.”

Greene said that he has also encouraged greater community input. “K-Park is a great example,” he said. “Many of you were here the night K-Park was discussed. I think it was pretty clear in a loud voice that made sure that you guys were being heard. I saw a development that was not really what this community wanted, so that led to more outreach to residents, making sure that we can reestablish that trust in government that seems to be lacking.”

Drahos was asked what could be done to deter developers in Wellington from ignoring building codes and paying fines as a cost of doing business.

“I think the bigger problem right now is that our permitting process is not uniform,” he said. “The problem in Wellington right now is that you need to hire a lawyer to get a permit, it seems, and that is just flat-out wrong. What I’m proposing is formulating a task force where people of the community can come in and review our permitting process and determine where there are flaws and where we can enhance it.”

Drahos said that the village needs to stop legislating to one or two individuals. “When you legislate to one or two people, you are going to have problems,” he said. “With that system, there are unintended consequences.”

Asked whether hotels, motels, apartments and condo hotels should be prohibited in the Equestrian Preserve Area, Margolis said they should be in order to preserve its nature.

“When I moved here 30 years ago, it was probably 20 years before I even knew what the equestrian preserve was because I was raising a family, coaching basketball,” he said, adding that he didn’t want to encourage any development there. “It took me a number of years to learn how important our preserve is and what it does to not only our status in the equestrian community, but to our property values.”

Letters

continued from page 7 veteran who has spent a lifetime in public service. He served in the U.S. Army for almost 30 years, starting with service in Vietnam.

He retired as a bird colonel. He is a dedicated, conscientious leader who studies every issue that comes before council before deciding.

Richard Valuntas, a six-year council veteran, is an attorney and prosecutor who can parse and analyze issues with impartiality.

He has young children who reside in this community and brings a unique perspective as a father to his council duties.

These three men have served with distinction. They represent different generations, and each brings a unique perspective to council. Importantly, they have all been part of this council that has built upon the foundation established by the village’s founders.

We are faced with an election between candidates who want to continue to build upon past achievements versus a triumvirate that has no fresh ideas, only repetitive criticisms of past actions — and this year, they are single-issue candidates.

“What’s past is prologue,” wrote Shakespeare, and nowhere is that truer than in local politics.

My vote is for the three candidates who I believe will best continue to build on the accomplishments of the past — Pinto, Hmara and Valuntas. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Dan Splain Royal Palm Beach

Support For Richard Valuntas

Editor’s note: The following letter is in response to the letter “Say No To Valuntas” published last week.

The argument that people should not vote for Richard Valuntas because he was unsuccessful concerning a “sand lot” fails because Richard Valuntas lives in a democracy and has one vote on council; this was a special interest that I’m sure Mr. Valuntas pursued in good faith.

My experience with Mr. Valuntas proves more positive and speaks to his character when he addressed an unfair tax that was levied against a small group of residents.

Years ago, an agreement of

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 17

NEWS Gerwig said voters should elect her rather than her opponent because she always thinks of residents first when making a decision.

“It’s not based on what I want, or what people who have contributed to my campaign want, it’s based on what’s best for this community,” she said. “I have made very sound decisions, some of which I have lost votes on.”

As an example, she said she voted against a council decision to give nine months of negotiations to one group to build a horse park at K-Park, which is not in the equestrian area.

“They were offering $10 million, and they got nine months of exclusive negotiation from this council,” Gerwig said. “I voted against that... You should always go out to bid on something, never just give it to one group.”

Later, Gerwig noted that the council held visioning sessions after the failed attempt at a horse park.

“The first thing I said at the visioning session was that you don’t go to a developer and ask them what they want, and this council proceeded with an RFP that asked just that,” she said. “We lose credibility when we go out to bid on a project and we don’t even know what we want on a project.”

Greene said his position on development at K-Park is that some part of it will be developed. “We need to make sure that whatever that development is, it’s not a shortsighted decision that benefits special interests,” he said, adding that he would prefer to develop a portion of it, but reserve most of it for open park space and seek out more entertainment options.

Drahos said there is no need for a charter amendment to protect the Equestrian Preserve Area because it is already protected.

“We already have a policy for opting in and opting out,” he said. “If we’re going to put it in the charter, I have absolutely no problem with that... but let’s also be real about something. You hear all the time… about preserving the preserve. Let’s preserve it for all of Wellington, not just for the select few who have a limited interest.

We have to be balanced in the way we look at things.”

Margolis said one way communications have been improved between the council and residents has been through the Council of Community Associations.

“I believe that when things go south, it’s a lack of communication,” he said. “I believe that if we had this master association that

could come to us with one voice, then we could come to them and understand their issues… We started working on this three years ago, and you see the product tonight.”

Gerwig said she opposes efforts to increase fines aimed at deterring repeat code violators.

“That is a difficult situation.

Because we are a bigger city now, we could increase those fines from $250 a day to $1,000 a day.

We have the ability to do that by law now, but doing that, we hit everybody in this room,” she said.

“My problem with increasing fines is that it would affect the average homeowner disparately.”

Greene said hotels, motels and condo hotels should be prohibited in the equestrian preserve. He also advocated the charter amendment to protect the preserve. “The equestrian preserve is this 9,000acre asset,” he said. “This is the economic engine that drives our local economy.”

Drahos said voters should elect him because he has a better vision for Wellington than his opponent.

“We have a credibility problem in Wellington,” he said. “It’s as simple as that, and what I’m offering to do is come in here as a 30-year resident of this town and stabilize this council, and reassure the people that you can elect somebody to work on this council for you, not for the limited number of people who have special interests.”

Drahos said that transparency could be improved on the council by getting out and speaking to people.

“When you get elected to the council, it’s not your job just to sit up there and vote every two weeks,” he said. “You’ve got to be engaged with the community.”

He added that one of the things he is most proud of is that in 2013, he founded the Young Professionals of Wellington. “That group was founded with one ideal, to get my demographic more involved,” he said.

As a candidate, Drahos said that he has tried to return all phone calls and has visited thousands of households.

Margolis said he favors increasing fines for repeat code violators.

“I was sitting in a special magistrate meeting a number of months ago, and one of our repeat violators was coming up… and the magistrate asked that gentleman if it was just the cost of doing business,” he said. “Our code enforcement, just so everyone understands, is education, not enforcement.”

Drahos said that he has no interest in having hotels, motels

and condo hotels in the equestrian preserve but he opposes the proposed Question 3 because it did not come from the Charter Review Committee. “I have been telling people that Amendment 3 is dangerous [because] Amendment 3 came from one council member after the [committee’s] discussion was over,” he said.

Greene said voters should elect him because he has a good voting record and is active in the community. “You can say what you want about who I talk with,” he said. “I have been out knocking on doors for the past seven weeks, and talking to residents for the last four years, and 11 years before that being a member of the community… This is not about special interests. My interests are in this community.”

Drahos said that he was at every meeting on K-Park, and if there was anything conclusive, it was that the public did not want massive development there.

“I will never support a massive residential development on K-Park,” he said. “You don’t make a decision on publicly owned land without input from the public.”

Margolis said he favors a charter amendment to protect the equestrian preserve. “There are certain things in the Village of Wellington that make it Wellington,” he said.

“I also understand that for a majority of the council, whether it’s a simple majority or a majority of four, things can get changed.”

Gerwig said communication and transparency between the public and the council can be enhanced by treating people who come before it with respect.

“One thing I wouldn’t do is when people do come and weighin on something, I wouldn’t belittle them and ask them why they weren’t here two weeks ago when we had a meeting,” she said.

Greene said he wants to deter repeat code violators but does not want to discourage development.

“I want to make sure that there is a level playing field and that there is a standard that everybody is going to be held to,” he said.

He said what the council seeks with code enforcement is compliance. “We’ve created a standard in this community that we all should be held to,” he said.

Gerwig said that there is no need for Question 3 because hotels, motels, apartments and condo motels are already prohibited in the equestrian preserve.

“The confusion begins when you don’t understand what commercial development is,” she said.

Bob Margolis, Anne Gerwig, John Greene and Michael Drahos.

“There are properties that are en- sion and my results, and the things titled to commercial development we have done for the Village of in the preserve area. They came in Wellington, and if you look at my entitled before they were even in philosophy of looking at the bigger Wellington, but we do not allow issues… the quality of life issues hotels and motels in the preserve that I’ve talked about before, my now.” vision has been the same,” he said.

Margolis said he should be “I talk to residents, and this village re-elected because of what Wel- is part of me and my family.” lington has accomplished during For more information about the his time on the council and as Council of Community Associamayor. “If you take a look at my vi- tions, visit www.pbcca.org.

Mattioli

22 Years Of Service

reation Director Lou Recchio, Finance Director Stan Hochman, Planning & Zoning Director Bradford O’Brien, Utilities Director Paul Webster, Village Engineer Chris Marsh and Village Clerk Diane DiSanto for their service.

“I do appreciate all that they have done to make this village great,” he said. “More importantly, I appreciate your friendship. I would also like to thank my secretary, Kathy Drahos, for putting up with me all these years.”

He also thanked Clerk’s Office secretaries Robin Cronk and Jacqueline Shimhue-Davy for their service. “They have assisted me throughout the years and welcomed me to sit and chat with them in the middle of their busy days,” he said.

He also thanked Capt. Paul Miles and Major Antonio Araujo of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office for keeping the village safe and being great partners.

“Thank you all village employees for doing your job with a smile and giving residents your very best,” he said. “We have improved our infrastructure and parks, specifically the village’s most beautiful jewel, Commons Park. I leave this village with no debt, money in the bank for future plans, and I lowered taxes for over 20 years.”

He also offered some words of wisdom moving forward.

“To the new council, I hope you move forward with respect to each and every resident,” he said. “I am leaving the finest and best-managed community in Palm Beach County. I look forward to my retirement.”

sible smart growth. Thankfully, voters still have the power to say “no” to more taxes.

Rita Miller The Acreage

In 2013 and 2016, he skipped the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association candidates forum, recently declined the Palm Beach Post for an interview for his reelection, skipped the recent town council Okeechobee Blvd. workshop and has been quoted as not giving dovetails of what residents think.

Citizens’ pent up political frustration with the council since last March has caused Rockett to break into open civil warfare. He owns a web site, badforourtown.com, where he decimates a Groves resident. This atrocity goes against the very grain of the town’s ethics ordinance. However, on his own web site, Jim Rockett claims that the election fraud never occurred!

What is Rockett capable of doing to other Groves residents?

When faced with the forfeiture issues of Mr. Liang, Councilman Rockett was provided the reason and case law as to why he should recuse himself. Yet again, Rockett chose the path that put himself and his position into controversy.

Public comment prior to the swearing-in ceremony of the recent contested election was denied.

For Councilman Rockett to deny the public the right to speak simply because he can seems to indicate that his mindset is not of the people and for the people.

Rockett took exception to public comments that were recorded in the minutes of the March 17 canvassing board meeting. The councilman attempted to add words to the record that were not spoken by the resident. This unsuccessful “scrubbing” was to censor an act of free speech that was made in a public venue.

Jim Rockett’s campaign sign suggests moving forward and making progress, but he is not.

With poor judgment, Rockett’s actions have caused adverse consequences for the majority of Groves residents and has created distrust in the town’s government.

Who to vote for? A little rebellion against the council status quo now and then is a good thing. It is medicine necessary for the sound health of government. God forbid that we should ever be six years without such a rebellion.

Keith Harris Loxahatchee Groves Editor’s note: Mr. Harris was a candidate for Loxahatchee Groves Town Council in 2015.

continued from page 1 been the highest honor that I have ever received, and I have thoroughly enjoyed every moment working with dedicated colleagues and administrative staff.”

He also thanked his late wife, Marion, for standing by him throughout his career, as well as others who have supported him with unconditional love.

“To my fellow council members, in which most of what I can remember were good times, always seemed to put aside their own agenda and do what was best for the village,” he said. “Thank you for your ongoing service to our community.”

He recognized past council members who supported him, especially Carmela Starace and the late Vivian Ferrin, who were both close friends, and Village Manager Ray Liggins, who stepped up when Mattioli’s mentor, former Village Manager David Farber, passed away. “Thank you, Ray, for your hard work and dedication to the village,” he said.

He also thanked former Village Attorney Trela White of Corbett, White, Davis & Ashton PA for her years of support.

“I also want to recognize you, Jennifer Ashton, for your dedication to the village,” he said. “You keep us on solid ground. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

He also thanked department heads, including Parks & Rec-

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR sorts was entered into between the Village of Royal Palm Beach and the Indian Trail Improvement District that allowed taxation of the Cypress Head subdivision and the Estates of Royal Palm Beach only.

This tax was $100 per annum, and came as part of your tax bill, and since the tax was not borne by everyone as is the case with our schools, library and parks, and that meant places like Greenway Village South, where our mayor lives was exempt, no action was taken to correct this travesty.

Mr. Valuntas looked into the matter and as a lawyer recognized the unfairness of the agreement between the village and Indian Trail, and took steps to rectify the wrong and to discover why only two areas in Royal Palm Beach were affected.

Mr. Valuntas wrote to the attorney for Indian Trail and discovered that Indian Trail had no authorization to tax the two areas in Royal Palm Beach.

Sadly, while none of the taxes collected by ITID could be recovered, an agreement was reached that ended further taxation in the two areas discussed.

I believe that Mr. Valuntas represented us well in the affected areas, and based on his commitment, deserves another term on the Royal Palm Beach Village Council, and I urge everyone to get out and vote for someone whose service and track record has been proven.

In conclusion, let me say that I and others paid $100 for 10 years before we were lucky enough to get Richard Valuntas on the council to stop such egregious agreements.

I miss my $1,000, but for me and my neighbors, I want to say “well done” and many thanks to Richard Valuntas for his efforts and successful challenge to Indian Trail, and I’ve saved $500 and counting!

Richard Nielsen Royal Palm Beach

Elect Fred Pinto Mayor Of RPB

I urge you to please vote for Fred Pinto as Royal Palm Beach mayor.

Let’s go back a bit… In 1998, when Vivian A. Ferrin was appointed to the Royal Palm Beach Village Council, he became the first Jamaican to hold political

office in South Florida. It was a tremendous milestone. In 1999, he defended his seat. He won by a landslide, garnering more than 1,700 votes... Mr. Ferrin was a trustworthy councilman who believed in honesty and integrity. The residents of Royal Palm Beach further validated this by reelecting him with an overwhelming majority in 2001.

In 2003, when Mr. Ferrin decided not to run for reelection, he believed in and encouraged Fred Pinto to run for his seat on the council, with his full endorsement.

Fred, who had many years of executive-level corporate management experience, won Seat 4 and validated Vivian’s confidence and expectation, serving the residents of Royal Palm Beach brilliantly for the past 13 years.

In 2006, because of the enormous respect the Village of Royal Palm Beach had for him, along with his incredible public service to the community, the Vivian A. Ferrin Memorial Park was named in honor and memory of a great leader.

Today, in 2016, if Vivian Ferrin was still alive, he would be so proud that Fred, also of Caribbean descent, who is tremendously qualified, has continued his legacy with intelligence and integrity.

There is no doubt in my mind that he would fully endorse Fred Pinto for mayor of Royal Palm Beach, encouraging him to take this historical step for the village.

I again implore you to come out and vote on March 15. Make history! Vote Fred Pinto for mayor, again, with an overwhelming majority.

Lawrence Logan Royal Palm Beach

Don’t Trade Away Good Leadership

At the Royal Palm Beach Candidates Forum on Monday, Feb. 22, there was a lot of finger-pointing and blame-issuing, even from certain persons who couldn’t answer the questions asked of them. While change is inevitable and change is definite, there have to be capable people in the right positions to implement and oversee these changes and ensure that these changes are beneficial to the village and the people who reside therein.

It takes competent, experienced visionaries to plan and organize

the future. Remember, failing to plan is planning to fail. These efforts and problem-solving must be affected by knowledgeable, experienced planners, not amateurs who have very limited knowledge and experience with respect to long-term planning for our village.

Why change to be governed by lackluster leadership? Years of solid fiscal and fiduciary management have been the hallmark of our current council, who should be given every opportunity to continue doing the outstanding job they have been doing for our village.

As a resident of Royal Palm Beach for the last 14 years, in my opinion, Jeff Hmara and Richard Valuntas should be re-elected, and Fred Pinto should be elected as our mayor. Their outstanding achievements speak for themselves. They are committed to protecting our community, committed to being proactive to the needs of our village for now and the future. I urge all my fellow village residents to vote on March 15 for these three candidates.

Vinnie Perrin Royal Palm Beach

Voters Must Fight Development

Local incumbent politicians seem surprised that the people who elect them still have power.

Politicians promise to be public servants when voted into office, but forget that voters can refuse to give government more taxes to finance irresponsibility.

The communities of Palm Beach County had hundreds of public meetings and paid consultants for award-winning policies to finance infill, redevelopment and infrastructure of commercial and residential lands in eastern Palm Beach County before using public funds to finance new infrastructure for “westward-ho” development speculation to the edge of the Everglades. Now politicians approve the plans of landowners/developers in western Palm Beach County, and the proposed tax increase is no longer limited to repairing existing infrastructure? The press also seems blind to the original award-winning public planning policy for balanced and respon-

The Loxagrovian Rebellion

Justice is that standard or boundary of right which enables us to render to every man his just do without distinction. This virtue is the very cement and support of all civil society. As justice, in a great measure, constitutes the really good man, so should it be the invariable practice of every Loxahatchee Groves councilman never to deviate from the minutest principal thereof.

Most Groves residents only know the incumbents by watching council session on the town web site, newspaper accounts and, perhaps, Sunday morning confessionals.

Newspaper interviews, endorsements and political advertising may sway a voters decision, but are they factual?

Jim Rockett has taken too many actions that suggest bad judgment, which is not the desired trait of a town leader.

The attempt to remove Underwood Management was orchestrated by Jim Rockett in June of last year and still is in process.

Even a competing management company recognized that the citizens wanted Underwood Management to stay.

Jim Rockett has given the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District some $900,000 to push dirt on our roads instead of looking into permanent solutions.

Jim Rockett, as a canvassing board member, participated in the Ryan Liang campaign, which violated state law... as a part of a quid pro quo, his actions violated Florida Statute, which prohibits the collecting of absentee ballots for benefit... He failed to report Philomena Liu and his own activities to the canvassing board, law enforcement agency and or any agency with election oversight.

As a member of the canvassing board, Councilman Rockett owed a duty to the citizens to look out for their interests and make sure the election was a true representation of the people’s will.

Most residents only know Jim Rockett through council sessions.

Page 18

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

NEWS

LOXAPALOOZA CHILI COOKOFF & MUSIC FEST AT ACREAGE COMMUNITY PARK The Acreage Landowners’ Association hosted its Loxapalooza Chili Cookoff & Music Fest on Saturday, March 5 at Acreage Community Park. Guests sampled delicious chili from seven booths. Prizes were awarded for People’s Choice, Judges’ Choice and Best Decorated Booth. Five bands performed, and food trucks were on site. Arts and crafts vendors and other exhibitors sold their items.

Other activities included a car show, a 50/50 raffle and a kids zone with a bounce house and games. For more info., visit www. acreagelandowners.com.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Volunteers Sydney Panzone, Chase Cruz, T.J. Lyons, Alexander Young and Katie Leas.

Kali Shano, Nevaeh Carpenter and Jenna Delmarsh.

Kris Miller gives Kathie McGlaughlin a taste of Grandma’s Chili.

Jeff Harshman with his 1940 Ford Coupe.

Lenny Hebert, Tony Freeman, Mike Kratz, Craig Albertini, Nick Massimo and Chris Chotos make Stooges Chili.

Luke, Ben and Katelyn Miller enjoy their snacks.

Kacey and Eric Atkinson serve up their chili.

Andy does pawprint art with help from Elizabeth Accomando of Barky Pines Animal Rescue & Sanctuary.

Great Futures Polo Day March 13 To Benefit Wellington B&G Club The Grand Champions Polo Club and the International Polo Club Palm Beach are gearing up to celebrate the success of the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club and honor its namesake with a day of polo.

The “Great Futures Celebrity Polo Match” and the “Great Futures Brunch at Polo,” both benefiting the local Boys & Girls Club, will take place Sunday, March 13.

The day’s events will kick-off at 10 a.m. at Grand Champions with a celebrity polo match featuring honorary event chairs Nacho Figueras and John Walsh. The celebrity match will be followed by a 12:30 p.m. brunch at the International Polo Club.

Returning as co-chairs this year

are Marc and Melissa Ganzi, and Ray and Terrie Mooney.

“I’m really looking forward to hosting the Great Futures Celebrity Polo Match at Grand Champions,” Melissa Ganzi said. “Neil Hirsch has set a great example for our polo community by giving back to those who need us most here in Wellington — our children. This celebrity match will help us make an impact on the club members, their families and our community.”

The morning match will be free to the public. The teams will also include top polo professionals and patrons of the game.

“We are expecting 200 sponsors and guests to join us for a wonderful culinary experience, followed by the 3 p.m. Piaget Gold Cup

match,” added Ray Mooney, director of facilities at the International Polo Club and board member of the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club.

Proceeds from the day’s events will support the Neil S. Hirsch Boys & Girls Club of Wellington, one of 13 run by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. The club provides services during nonschool hours, as well as summer camp opportunities, to nearly 600 children from ages 6 to 18.

The club emphasizes educational, vocational, social, recreational, health, leadership and character building skills in a positive and safe atmosphere.

Sponsorships and tables of 10 are still available. For more infor-

mation, contact Kristen Cummins at (561) 683-3287 or kcummins@ bgcpbc.org. For more details, visit www.bgcpbc.org.

Nacho Figueras in action.

Nacho Figueras, Neil Hirsch, Melissa Ganzi and John Walsh.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 19

Page 20

March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

“Our leaders should protect the entire Wellington community, not just individuals. We need to support initiatives that create good jobs, improve our quality of life, and enhance our economy, and therefore, my answer to Question 3 is ‘No.’” – Jess Santamaria, Former Palm Beach County Commissioner

Question 3 supporters want to confuse you, THE FACT IS Question 3 will NOT protect our Economy, Question 3 Is Not About Preservation, it’s a billionaire’s attempt to protect his mansion and 300-acre estate from the rest of the community.

FACTS: • Question 3 uses the word “preserve” but is really an attempt to stop the successful equestrian facilities.

• Would ban homeowners from renting apartments on their property.

• Won’t prevent a hotel in Wellington and will increase traffic.

• Supported by a billionaire family who is trying to tear down one of the equestrian facilities and who prevented a sidewalk to Village park, just to protect their mansion.

VOTE NO on Question 3

Election Day is March 15th Pd. Pol. Adv. paid for by No to 3 PO Box 30295 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33303.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 21

NEWS

CHARLOTTE OSTROV WOWS THE JUDGES TO WIN 2016 WELLINGTON IDOL TITLE

The annual Wellington Idol competition returned to the Wellington Amphitheater on Friday, March 4 and Saturday, March 5, where young contestants sang their hearts out for the judges and the crowd. Winner Charlotte Ostrov was named Wellington Idol 2016, while Talia Pamatat and Eligh George took the runner-up positions.

PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER

Judges Earleen Carey Marlow, Scott Houchins and Julie Schrager.

Master of Ceremonies Mike Soper with runners-up Eligh George and Talia Pamatat and winner Charlotte Ostrov.

2016 Wellington Idol Charlotte Ostrov performs for the amphitheater crowd.

2015 Wellington Idol winner Adrianna Siena takes a moment in the spotlight.

Carianne Tummino, Talia Pamatat, Aliyah Pike, Marcela Lopez, Lauren Galin, Madison David and Sophia Willingham with Master of Ceremonies Mike Soper.

Talia Pamatat was named one of the runners-up.

Eligh George impressed the judges to win a runner-up spot.

Sophia Willingham sings during the competition.

Marcela Lopez performs on the amphitheater stage.

Gabriella Silvestri, Alexis Pollak, Nicole Pena, Charlotte Ostrov, Olivia Henley, Eligh George, Jillian Flaherty and Emily Shecter.

Singers Aliyah Pike (left) and Olivia Henley (right) take their turn on the stage.

(Left to right) Nicole Pena, Emily Shecter, Jillian Flaherty and Madison David perform for the judges.

You, only better.

Join us for these FREE upcoming community lectures.

Palms West Hospital will be offering FREE and informative Lunch and Learn lectures listed below. A variety of topics will be covered.

Hear from our experts on the following topics: 3/16

A Joint Effort: Knees, Shoulders and Joints in General Anand Panchal, D.O. - Orthopedic Surgeon

3/23

Robotic Assisted Surgery Fred Muhletaler, M.D. - Robotic Urologist and Oncologist

4/7

Take Control of Urinary Incontinence Moises A. Virelles, M.D.,F.A.C.O.G., F.P.M.R.S. - Specializes in Urogynecology

Get Your Tickets Today!

MAR. 23 – 27

All lectures are held at Palms West Hospital, Classroom 2 from 12pm-1pm 13001 Southern Blvd. Loxahatchee, FL 33470

BB&T Center

Lunch will be provided, so please call 561.345.7009 to reserve your spot.

MAR. 30 – APR. 3

AmericanAirlines Arena

13001 Southern Blvd. • Loxahatchee, FL 33470 PalmsWestHospital.com

Wed. MAR. 23

Thu. MAR. 24

Fri. MAR. 25 10:30 AM

7:00 PM

7:00 PM

7:00 PM

Wed. MAR. 30

Thu. MAR. 31

Fri. APR. 1

7:00 PM

7:00 PM

7:00 PM

Sat. MAR. 26 11:00 AM 3:00 PM 7:00 PM

Sun. MAR. 27 11:00 AM 3:00 PM 7:00 PM

Sat. APR. 2 11:00 AM 3:00 PM 7:00 PM

Sun. APR. 3 11:00 AM 3:00 PM 7:00 PM

344017

Buy Tickets: ticketmaster.com • 800-745-3000 • Venue Box Office #DisneyOnIce

DisneyOnIce.com

Page 22

March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

HAVE BEEN PROTECTING THEIR CONTRIBUTORS OVER THE TAXPAYERS.

Bob Margolis and John Greene tried to sell K-Park by giving a no-bid contract to a campaign contributor who would have lost the taxpayers $16 million.

K-Park is Village property, but Margolis and Greene awarded a contract to a major contributor of theirs for $10 million dollars, skipping all normal procedures for open bidding and public debate over proposals.

The only reason they didn’t get away with their plan

is because their benefactor couldn’t come up with the money. Shortly thereafter, an open bidding process later received a $26 million dollar offer.

Just another corrupt deal from Margolis and Greene.

Paid electioneering communication paid for by Taxpayers for Public Integrity, 120 S. Dixie Highway, Suite 202, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 23

NEWS

WHITE WHITE WEST PARTY AT IPC A BENEFIT FOR HORSES HEALING HEARTS

The fifth annual White White West party was held Friday, March 4 at the International Polo Club Palm Beach as a benefit for Horses Healing Hearts, a charity that uses horses to help children of alcoholics and addicts. The evening featured dancing, food, drinks, a silent auction and live entertainment. Dave Aronberg, Roxanna Cella and Peter Wylde were the event’s honorary chairs. For more information, call (561) 570-6133 or visit www.hhhannualbenefit.com.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Randy Grimes, Dawn Cotler, Liz Olszewski, Mary Rosoff, Laurie Chaplin and Luis Balzac.

Steve Lavine and Jasmine Velez.

Dylan Armus with State Attorney Dave Aronberg.

Paula Castro, Regis and Tom Wenham, Sarah Palmer, and Denise and Dale West.

Vaulting team trainer Maria Bernal and the Horses Healing Hearts vaulting team with Romeo.

Barbara Dawson, Maggie Zakka, Bill and Roxanna Cella, Dr. Ram Gopalan and Julie Gopalan.

White White West committee members enjoy the evening.

WESTERN ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL IN RPB HOSTS STEAM OPEN HOUSE

Western Academy Charter School held a STEAM — science, technology, engineering, arts and math — open house informational session and tour Saturday, March 5 at its Royal Palm Beach location for parents and students interested in the school’s program.

The deadline to apply is March 25. For more information, visit www.westernacademycharterschool.com. PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER

Principal Linda Terranova and Assistant Principal Jessica Manriquez (center) with teachers Jennifer Hogan, Nicole Labrys, Kelly Spector and Marci Tennenhouse.

Chris, Jennifer and Connor Lindsey check out the school’s botany garden.

Not feeling well? No Appointment Needed!

Ideal Family Practice & Walk-In Express Care

Tina Dochniak, DNP, ARNP

Stephanie Wise, ARNP

A MINOR EMERGENCY WALK-IN CLINIC FOR KIDS & ADULTS Colds • Flu • Physicals - DOT, Work & School • Rashes • Minor Burns • Auto Accidents • UTI & More

FAMILY PRACTICE MEDICINE

General Health & Annual Physicals • Prevention & Wellness • Chronic Disease Management • Women’s Health and Annual Exams • Flu & Pneumonia Immunizations

DEEP TISSUE LASER THERAPY

Laser therapy relieves pain and inflammation associated with: Neck • Knee • Ankle • Low Back Pain • Sciatica • Arthritic Conditions • Diabetic Neuropathy • Fibromyalgia • Toe Nail Fungus & More!

NOW ACCEPTING HUMANA X-PATIENTS

Complimentary Evaluation & Laser Treatment Coupon ($175 Value) Please bring Coupon with you. Offers ends March 31, 2016

Walk-Ins Always Welcome!

8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

561-231-5200 Monday, Tuesday,

13475 Southern Blvd. Suite 100, Loxahatchee Just west of Palms West Hospital on the NE corner of Southern & Big Blue Trace

Thursday, Friday

8 a.m. - Noon Wednesday

www.idealFamilyPractice.com

Seventh-grade science and botany teacher Kim Stryker gives a classroom tour.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

SCHOOL NEWS

CRESTWOOD GETS ‘NO PLACE FOR HATE’ BANNER

The Palm Beach Anti-Defamation League recently presented a banner to Crestwood Middle School in Royal Palm Beach for being awarded a “No Place for Hate” school. Shown above is the faculty of Crestwood Middle School with the banner.

Palm Beach State College Spanish Language Event To Focus On History, Culture And Legacy The seventh annual Spanish Language Celebration will be held March 22-23 at Palm Beach State College to recognize one of the world’s most common languages while addressing biculturalism and topics concerning Latinos.

Themed “Latino Americans: History, Culture and Legacy,” the event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. each day in the BioScience Technology Complex and the Library Learning Resource Center at the Palm Beach Gardens campus. It will include panel discussions, forums, musical performances and presentations with higher education scholars and community leaders. It is free and open to the public.

A panel discussion titled “The Immigration Trump Card: A Dis-

cussion on Immigration Policy,” is among the highlights March 22.

It features immigration attorney Aileen Joseph; Dr. Jeannett Manzanero, director of the Dr. Kathryn W. Davis Global Education Center at PBSC; and Jupiter Councilman Jim Kuretski. In addition, PBSC history Professor Sean Smith will present “Hispanic-America: Historic Roots in U.S. History and Culture” and Robert Van Der Velde, campus associate dean of academic affairs, will partner with Dr. Anita Kaplan, dean of the bachelor degree programs, to discuss “Merging the Past and Present: A Journey through Modern Cuba.”

March 23 will begin with a presentation by Keysi Montás, associate director of the Department of

Safety and Security at Dartmouth College on “New Latinos: Inserting Dominicans, Puerto Ricans and Cubans into the American Consciousness.” Highlights also include a panel discussion on biculturalism in South Florida featuring labor attorney Isidro Garcia, PBSC English Professor Maria Garcia-Landry and Deema Gichi, a PBSC library assistant.

There also will be a discussion on the history of the Tango and Bachata dances.

The Spanish Language Celebration was launched in 2010 by former PBSC Professor Patricia Betancourt, and it has continued under the leadership of Spanish Professor Emmanuel Alavarado.

This year’s celebration is partially funded by a $3,000 grant

from “Latino Americans: 500 Years in History,” a nationwide public programming initiative produced by the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association. PBSC was among 203 organizations nationwide selected to participate.

Alvarado said the celebration will benefit students and the local community by widening and promoting intercultural understanding. “We’re hoping to bring to the foreground the influence and impact that the Latino population has had in U.S. history and contemporary American society,’’ he said.

For the complete schedule, including times and room locations, visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/ events/spanish-celebration.

LITTLE PLACE STUDENTS ‘EXPLORE THE WORLD’

During the month of February, the children at the Little Place preschool in Wellington learned about different countries and cultures, doing crafts that go along with the theme and experiencing new foods related to the country of study. They have studied China, France, Antarctica, Italy, Mexico and Ireland.

Shown right, students learn about Antarctica and France through interactive projects and activities.

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 25

NEW HORIZONS JUMPS FOR HEART HEALTH

New Horizons Elementary School students, led by physical education teacher Kirstin Voitus, recently participated in “Jump Rope For Heart,” a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Students spent Friday, Feb. 26 jumping rope during their fine arts classes.

Then they collected pledges from friends and neighbors, and collectively raised more than $3,000 in the school’s second year of participation. Besides having fun and enjoying the beautiful day, students were able to exercise and donate to a worthy cause.

Shown above are New Horizons students jumping rope.

EMERALD COVE ARTISTS PLACE AT SOUTH FL FAIR

Emerald Cove Middle School art students recently won at the 2016 South Florida Fair “Discover the Palm Beaches” art competition in the middle school category. (Left) Seventh-grade student Alison Rivero won first place for the Superintendent Award. (Above) Emerald Cove Mighty Pirate artists Ambika Sharma, Audrey Kennedy, Angelina Leech, Tiffany Ross, Leah Silverman, Zachary Kohl, Joe Pinnachio, Brianna Pepperine and Sam Casanova won first place in the “flip flop” school art project.

Page 24

March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

Thank you To everyone who helped make the inaugural Wellington Masters a huge success!

Mark Your Calendar for February 2-5, 2017! @WMworldcup

www.WellingtonMastersWorldCup.com

Page 26

March 11 - March 17, 2016

JUMP ROPE FOR HEART EVENT A BINKS FOREST

SCHOOL NEWS

Wellington El Participates In Literacy Coalition’s Anti-Bullying Campaign On Feb. 24, Wellington Elementary School participated in “Pink Shirt Day” to show support for the fifth annual Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County’s

February brought with it a lot of heart. Not only Valentine’s Day, but “Heart Day.” Binks Forest Elementary School students assisted the American Heart Association by participating in the “Jump Rope for Heart” fundraiser. Shown above, first graders Gavin Goldstein and Cade Levy wait their turn.

RPBHS Latin Club Wins Big

Royal Palm Beach High School’s Latin Club had 12 first-place finishes and three second-place finishes at the recent 2016 Regional Latin Forum. The following champions are listed with their area of expertise: Eric Nguyen, Roman Customs I; Adecia Harrison, Roman Customs Advanced;

Anthony Benedict, Derivatives I; Anthony Nguyen, Derivatives II; Matt Guerette, Grammar I; Lance Balagtas, History of the Empire II; Lisa Bennett, Mottoes/Abbreviations Advanced; Eric Nguyen, Vocabulary I; Sebastian Espinoza, Vocabulary II; and Ariel Olander, Dramatic Interpretation.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

Anti-Bullying Campaign. “Pink Shirt Day” is an international celebration event tied in to year-round character education efforts such as the “Turning Bullies into Buddies

program.” The theme for this year is “A Wave of Kindness Across Palm Beach County.”

Staff and students brightened the campus with pink shirts to

make a statement that each can make a difference in regard to anti-bullying efforts. The school was proud to participate in this important campaign.

(Above) Faculty members (seated) Gerri Atkinson and Chelsea Romick, and (standing) Marti Sams, Valorie McGee, Anna McClanahan, Lui Echerri, Cathy Eckstein and Ariel Sharpe wear pink to support the cause. (Right) Fifth-grade students proud to be wearing pink.

WLMS HOLDS ANNUAL WALK-A-THON FUNDRAISER

Wellington Landings Middle School hosted it annual Walk-A-Thon, a fundraiser for classroom technology, on Jan. 29. Students enjoyed limbo dancing, hula hoops, walking laps and a snack. (Below) Event volunteers. (Right) Sixth graders walk around the flag pole.

CRESTWOOD STUDENTS CELEBRATE CULTURES Rosarian Celebrates Dr. Seuss’s Birthday

Crestwood Middle School recently celebrated Multicultural Week.

On Tuesday, all students participated in Heritage Day by attending an assembly where numerous cultures were portrayed. The Crestwood choir, jazz band, step team, cheerleaders, the American Sign Language club and the Fashion Experience all performed. A special treat was a performance on the bagpipes. The week concluded with a multicultural breakfast. Shown above, the American Sign Language club stages its play, “The Three Little Pigs.”

In celebration of Read Across America Day and what would have been Dr. Seuss’s 112th birthday, Rosarian Academy Director of Lower School Theresa Kent recently read Green Eggs and Ham to Rosarian kindergarten students in the media center.

Dressed as The Cat in the Hat, religion teacher Francesca Coniglio Finck surprised the children with a special appearance and entertained them as she climbed up on tables and stealthily moved around Kent. Following the story,

the kindergartners enjoyed eating green eggs and ham cooked by parent volunteers.

Read Across America Day is a nationwide reading celebration that takes place annually on March 2.

Across the country, thousands of schools, libraries, and community centers participate in bringing together kids and books.

(Right) Liam Hardyman and Santino Merchan with teacher Francesca Coniglio Finck.

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS OF SUNSHINE CHINESE EDUCATION CENTER Sunshine Chinese Education Center, Inc., a West Palm Beach, Florida based non-profit Chinese educational organization, admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

pbscec@gmail.com

561-301-9138

Teaching Simplified Chinese Language: Chinese K-8 • Chinese SAT II • AP • Tutoring Online Chinese Course • Clubs • Open in Fall 2016 • West Palm Beach, FL

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 27

SLANDER, LIBEL AND LIES DURING CAMPAIGN ELECTIONS By: Jess Santamaria

It has become a standard way of life for some people to resort to unrestrained “slander, libel and lies”, maligning anyone they hope to destroy to attain their own objectives for personal gain with no regard for the truth!

In 2006, I agreed with an article by Time Magazine that Palm Beach County has become “Corruption County”!

This shameful title motivated me to see what I could do to correct this serious problem in my home county – I decided to run for the Palm Beach County Commission seat occupied by someone I knew was one of those public officials that contributed to making us deserve this ignominious title. I was going to try to set a different example of the true meaning of “Public Service”. However, many of my good friends tried to dissuade me by saying. “Jess, don’t do it – politics is dirty – your opponents will slander and libel you – they will do everything they can to lie and malign your reputation – you don’t need it! You are already very successful in everything you do!”

My response to my well intentioned, good friends was: “No, I don’t need it, but If I don’t do it, then who will?” During every election are we going to continue to have to choose between “the lesser evil?” This has been going on for many, many years, not only here in Palm Beach County, but throughout the entire United States.

I decided to ignore my good friends’ advice, and in the November 2006 Elections won by a landslide victory, in spite of the lies thrown at me by some opponents. I replaced the incumbent Palm Beach County Commissioner, who soon after served a five year jail sentence after pleading guilty to “honest services fraud” in 2007.

Throughout my entire life (starting as a young teenager). I have done my best to follow all the laws of God and man. I have been blessed by having a Mother and Father who set the example for me and 17 years of Christian education by the La Salle Christian Brothers (part of a worldwide teaching order of Christian Brothers from Philadelphia) who also inspired me to “Love God above all and love our neighbors as ourselves”.

My track record since I arrived in Palm Beach County in 1974 (43 years ago) has been very clear and open to the public as a family man, civic and community leader, businessman and developer, and 8 years as Palm Beach County Commissioner.

In all my business dealings (with no exceptions) I have consistently followed all laws, ordinances, rules, etc. of every single government agency. I have never asked for any favors or concessions from anyone, simply because I did not need any favors or concessions, since I always followed every single applicable rule in all my business activities – before, during and after each and every activity!

I realize that because of my numerous public activities, some individuals consider me a good target to put down in order to elevate themselves (having no accomplishments of their own). These individuals think that “Freedom of speech” allows them the freedom to “lie, malign, slander and libel” anyone they wish to put down to accomplish their malicious evil objectives, especially during campaign elections!

In the November 2010 Palm Beach County Commissioner campaign elections, one of my opponents, Andy Schaller, attempted to insert among multiple accusations that I was a convicted felon! He placed this accusation “on line”, transmitted all over the world for all my worldwide friends and acquaintances to access. Of course, all regulatory agencies (including the Office of Inspector General and State and County Ethics Commission) rejected the 100% false accusations, but the damage to my reputation was already done after going around the world.

Once again, for the March 15, 2016 Royal Palm Beach elections, there are a few individuals who again have recklessly slandered and/or libeled and maligned my reputation for their personal objectives without regard for the truth and zero proof and zero evidence! In this election I am not even a candidate for any position.

I will not allow them to get away with this. They must be held accountable for their malice and viciousness. This wrongful behavior is causing serious damage to our democratic system. This applies to all similar wrongful actions in Municipal, County, Statewide and National elections and campaigns. “We the People” must not allow this to continue. We must hold those individuals responsible through all available legal means.

Throughout my entire life I have done the best I can to assist every human being that crossed my path, especially the less fortunate, the handicapped, the needy and those bullied. I do not want anything in return , except for the recipient to “pass it forward.”

Sincerely,

Jess R. Santamaria

- Paid Advertisement -

Page 28 March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016 Page 29

Jess Santamaria... A Life of Public Service

We are our Brothers’/Sisters’ Keeper - PAID ADVERTISEMENT -

Page 28 March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016 Page 29

Jess Santamaria... A Life of Public Service

We are our Brothers’/Sisters’ Keeper - PAID ADVERTISEMENT -

Page 30

March 4 - March 10, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

Jess R. Santamaria…a Life of Public Service I. SOME OF JESS’ COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENTS: $ PALMS WEST HOSPITAL, Chairman of the Board of Trustees (1986- 1992) $ WELLINGTON REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER, Board of Governors (2002-present) $ PALMS WEST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, President (2000-2001), founding member (1982) $ CHAIRMAN’S CLUB, Chairman (1997-2005), composed of local corporate Chief Executive Officers $ CITIZENS FOR OPEN GOVERNMENT, Co-Founder (1984-2001) $ ROYAL PALM BEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Student Advisory Council (2003-present) $ CRESTWOOD MIDDLE SCHOOL, Student Advisory Council (1992-1996) $ ROYAL PALM BEACH HIGH SCHOOL, Student Advisory Council (1997-2000) $ CRESTWOOD PERFORMING ARTS LEAGUE, Co-Founder (1983-present) $ ROYAL PALM BEACH LION’S CLUB, Director (1979-2002) $ ROYAL PALM BEACH JAYCEES (1979-1994) $ NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME WATCH, Co-Organizer (1985-2006) $ MY BROTHER’S/SISTER’S KEEPER SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION, Founder (1996-present) $ MY BROTHER’S/SISTER’S KEEPER CHARITABLE TRUST, Founder (2005-present) $ WE THE PEOPLE, UNITED; Founder (2002-present)

II. SOME OF JESS’ AWARDS BY PALM BEACH COUNTY ORGANIZATIONS: $ EXCELLENCE IN ENTERPRISE AWARD for entire Palm Beach County (1995) by the Northwood University: “Enhancing the quality of life in Palm Beach County”. $ REACHING FOR THE STARS AWARD, as the top CEO in Palm Beach County (1995) by the Center for Family Services: “Done the most to make Palm Beach County a better place to live”. $ MAN OF THE YEAR (1985) by the Royal Palm Beach Lion=s Club $ MAN OF THE YEAR (1987) by the Citizens for Open Government $ LEADER OF THE YEAR (1992) by the West County Political Coalition $ MAN OF THE YEAR (2000) by the South Florida Opera Company $ CITIZEN OF THE YEAR (2003) by the Boy Scouts, Gulfstream Council $ OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF THE YEAR (2005) by the Caribbean-American for Community Involvement $ HERO OF THE YEAR (2013) by the Kids Cancer Foundation $ EDUCATION BENEFACTOR AWARD (1989) by the Florida Education Foundation $ HALL OF FAME (1999) by the Palms West Chamber of Commerce $ HALL OF FAME (1988) by the Crestwood Performing Arts League $ FRANK GLADNEY COMMUNITY SERVICE (2001) by the Wellington Rotary $ RESOLUTION BY VILLAGE OF ROYAL PALM BEACH (1985) contribution & Service to Village $ RESOLUTION BY VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON to the Village (1999) contribution & services $ 2009 AWARD FOR ENDING HOMELESSNESS in Palm Beach County by the Lord=s Place $ 2009 CHAMPION OF THE EVERGLADES by The Arthur Marshall Foundation & The Florida Environmental Institute $ 2013 ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION OF THE YEAR by the Sierra Club $ 2014 HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR by the Black Educators Caucus $ 2015 WELLINGTON ROTARY PEACE AWARD: For his numerous contributions to the betterment of our community and humanitarian efforts

- Paid Advertisement -

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

PALMS WEST PEOPLE

Wellington Garden Club To Host Its Eighth Biennial Garden Tour April 11 The Wellington Garden Club is proud to announce “Glorious Gardens,” its eighth biennial Garden Tour, to be held Saturday, April 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Five spectacular private gardens in Wellington and the surrounding communities, showcasing a wide variety of landscape styles and plantings, will be open to the public for one day only. One garden demonstrates what can be done with limited space and contains

unique focal points. Another has a truly delightful secret garden.

Another is a blend of artwork, landscaping and wildlife with succulents galore showcased in an unusual landscape. A large property features many varieties of bamboo and other large trees, creating an interesting canopy for lovely intimate gardens.

In addition, there will be a unique plant sale, a book signing by nationally acclaimed garden

author Pamela Crawford and raffle items.

Tour tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 at Whole Foods Market in Wellington, Amelia’s Smarty Plants in Lake Worth, by check payable to the Wellington Garden Club and mailed to Barbara Phelan, 13931 Barberry Court, Wellington, FL 33414, or by ordering via information on the club’s web site, www.wellingtongardenclub.org. Tickets will

be discounted to $22 if ordered in groups of 10. Day of tour tickets can be purchased for $30 at the First Baptist Church of Wellington at 12700 W. Forest Hill Blvd. from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

This major fundraising event, held every two years, provides crucial financial support for the club’s civic projects and scholarships. For more information, call (561) 635-8809 or e-mail info@ wellingtongardenclub.org.

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 31

Gardens Gig For Alexia Dubocq Fifteen-year-old Wellington resident Alexia Dubocq — aka Alix Who? — wrapped up the presentation of Carousel Concert-thon at Downtown at the Gardens on Feb. 20.

Alix performed with her trademark ukulele, and then switched to the piano to finish her selection.

“It was a fantastic performance” said Sandra Baran, director of the program. “Alix is a remarkable young lady with a lot of musical talent and heart.”

Alix will compete for a $10,000 prize Sunday, March 20 at the grand finale of American Equestrians Got Talent in Wellington.

You can follow her performances on Facebook by searching for “Alix Who?”

Alexia Dubocq performs.

HANLEY ENGAGEMENT Two vistas of what is in store for participants in the Wellington Garden Club tour on April 11.

Kimberly Van Kampen Boyer Honored With Global Dressage Visionary Award

Engel & Völkers real estate advisor Carol Cohen had a busy Friday night during a recent fan favorite Grand Prix Freestyle competition at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Before the competition got underway, Cohen presented Kimberly Van Kampen Boyer with the Global Dressage Visionary Award.

Cohen then zipped over to the Van Kampen covered arena to make sure that all participants in her leadline exhibition were prepared for their upcoming show.

The Global Dressage Visionary Award was developed by Cohen to accompany her 2016 sponsorship of the Adequan Global Dressage Festival. Cohen, a founding member of the festival, wanted to recognize others who, like herself, envisioned a place in Wellington where top dressage riders could compete against one another in much the same way as their hunter and jumper counterparts did at the Winter Equestrian Festival. Past recipients of the Global Dressage

Visionary Award include Robert Dover, Mark and Katherine Bellissimo, and Carl Hester.

“Kim was responsible for building our amazing covered arena here at the Adequan Global Dressage Festival,” Cohen said. “Kim has always been someone who I have looked up to; she is a mother, a dressage enthusiast and has been an incredible role model within our community. She is somebody who walks the walk and talks the talk, and I am so honored to give her this award.”

Boyer’s influence and contributions in the Wellington dressage community began in 1998, when warm weather and horses brought her from Michigan to Florida. “By 2000, I had purchased Hampton Green Farm, where I escaped to as often as I could,” she recalled.

Boyer now runs a successful PRE breeding program from Hampton Green Farm, just around the corner from the dressage festival show grounds. “I breed Spanish horses, and I breed them

Brian and MaryAnne Hanley of Royal Palm Beach held a surprise engagement party for their son Chris and his fiancé Meagan McCulloch of Orlando on Saturday, March 5 at the Oak Bistro & Wine Bar in Royal Palm Beach. More than 80 people attended. A June 10, 2017 wedding is planned. Shown above are Chris Hanley and Meagan McCulloch. Below are Duncan and Ruth McCulloch, Meagan McCulloch, Chris Hanley, MaryAnne and Brian Hanley, Lauren Hanley and Matt Hanley.

Carol Cohen presents Kimberly Van Kampen Boyer with the Global Dressage Visionary Award. for dressage. I have a very good Wellington for her support of breeding stallion, Grandiso, who young aspiring dressage riders. was on the Spanish dressage team Boyer has helped make such for the London Olympics and we events possible as the Florida Inare trying again for this upcoming ternational Dressage Youth Festival and the USEF Youth Dressage Olympics,” she said.

Boyer is also well known in Program.

Page 32

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

FEATURES

What My Childhood ‘Backyard Circus’ Taught Me About Life The summer we were 12, my best friend Bonnie and I decided to earn some extra money by putting on a circus in my backyard. I knew from experience that there were dozens of kids in the neighborhood who needed babysitting, even if just for an hour or so, and that their parents were more than willing to pay for this service. A circus would babysit them all at one time!

The first thing we did was research our project by going to the bookmobile. Remember bookmobiles? Mobile libraries?

Now kids wanting entertainment go to Redbox and rent movies — or play games on their cell phones.

Amazingly, that week the bookmobile just happened to be carrying a book

Deborah Welky is

The Sonic BOOMER entitled Backyard Circuses. Bonnie and I were on our way. We spent weeks building props and painting backdrops. In addition to “lion taming” (which entailed corralling a little brother first), “tightrope walking” (on a 2-by-4 inches off the ground) and lots of clowning around, we

held a sideshow inside the garage.

We didn’t want to gouge the neighbors, but we still wanted to make money, so we set our ticket prices at 50 cents for adults and 25 cents for ages 11 and under (12 being the cut-off for adulthood, obviously).

The sideshow cost an extra 10 cents, but everybody wanted to see it... my mother, especially, to make sure my little brother was safe.

Inside the garage, Bonnie played her flute and “charmed” a rope out of a basket.

I knelt down on a pair of shoes and, with my lower legs hidden, instantly became what was unsympathetically called a midget back then. And, yes, my long-suffering brother was on display, covered in

“tattoos” shakily drawn in laundry marker just moments before.

We were rolling in money! The cigar box already held about $10, and there was more to come! That’s because while I was out distributing flyers the day before, I realized we had overlooked a major source of income — concessions.

There was only one problem. Having exhausted our pooled setup capital of $5, I had to ask my father for money. “I think I can make another $3 by selling butterscotch candies,” I told him, adding shyly, “I just need a dollar to buy them with.”

Dad didn’t hesitate. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a buck.

By 4 p.m. the next day, I was sitting

at the kitchen table counting coins. The circus had been a resounding success. I was sunburned but ecstatic.

“Wow, dad!” I exclaimed. “We did better than I thought! We made $20.70!”

“Not quite,” he answered. “You have to pay yourself back the $5 you spent on materials, and…” He reached toward the quarters. “You owe me a dollar for the candy. Cost of goods sold.”

Now you might think dad would’ve overlooked that dollar, but he was a businessman, and we were talking business. I am celebrating the 13th year of my antique shop, and one of the reasons we’re successful is that I never, ever kid myself regarding the cost of goods sold. Thanks, dad.

My Thoughts On The Oscars: It Should Be More About The Films

I’ve had a huge number of people asking for my opinion of the Academy Awards.

Well, perhaps a half-dozen e-mails and a few people who meet with me when I walk Lexi, my terrierista (silky terrier and chihuahua) each day. And I generally take a deep breath and then spew.

First, let me say that I have no issue with the winners this year. I thought Spotlight was the most deserving movie, and it won. It focused responsibly on an important topic and was really interesting throughout. The other nominated films were also good, although there are some flaws in them as there are in the winner, but no movie is perfect.

Leonardo DiCaprio, to some degree, got the Best Actor award as a sort of lifetime achievement award, but that has happened in the past, and he did give an impressive performance in The Revenant, although I thought he was better in The Aviator and Shutter Island. But there was no other

‘I’ On CULTURE

By Leonard Wechsler performance that was clearly better.

I was pleased that Room’s Brie Larson won for Best Actress. Her performance in a small-scale, harrowing film was incredible. As the trapped mother of a little boy, both stuck in an underground room for years, she was superb.

I was even more pleased with Mark Rylance’s winning Best Supporting Actor. It was incredibly annoying listening to predictions that Sylvester Stallone would win because, well, this was about 40 years after the original Rocky and he

was so sweet in interviews. Rylance, who avoided campaigning for the award because he was busy actually acting, gave a superb, understated performance that stole Bridge of Spies from Tom Hanks every time he appeared. I walked out of the movie wishing that he’d had far more screen time.

Best Supporting Actress winner Alicia Vikander from The Danish Girl was excellent, but she really had a starring role, giving an unfair advantage. That game-playing is unfortunate. I have read that Idris Elba, who was superb in the little-seen Beasts of No Nation, was pushed as a Best Actor nominee even though he really was in a supporting role. He won a Screen Actors Guild award in that category. Note that it was his producers who determined which category he would be in, and he didn’t get a Best Actor nod.

Which brings us the big issue of the night: the lack of black acting nominees.

As Chris Rock noted, even though there was a distinct lack, the people in Hollywood are the nice racist people. In fact, the whole issue is wildly complicated.

The nominees for almost all categories are done by people in those fields. Costume design nominees are selected by those in the field, not by everyone. And the nominees generally are for historical pieces or strange sci-fi, not standard films.

The tech awards tend to go the big, loud blockbuster-type films. The writers actually nominated Straight Outta Compton, so they get a pass. Again for directors, only they select the nominees, and this year they snubbed Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott, both of whom directed films nominated for Best Picture.

So it comes down to the actors. And if anyone thinks they are a wildly racist right-wing group needs to get a life. I really resent watching actors wearing dresses costing thousands of dollars, which they

get on loan and, for important actresses, get to keep; wearing jewelry worth hundreds of thousands of dollars; who each receive a thank-you bag of presents worth a quarter-million dollars for two minutes as a presenter; standing in front of millions of watchers to complain about the rest of us.

On the red carpet, they held out their wrists to show their anti-gun bracelets while the cameras fought to keep the armed guards watching them out of the picture.

In summary, Hollywood people are basically children; talented ones, to be sure.

And if they provide really good entertainment, why not give an award? The Oscars continue because people watch. Almost as many watch the dress-up red carpet shows before it even begins. Frankly, I look on the whole thing as the clown act at the circus. It is the movies themselves that are the important acts. A year from now it might be difficult to remember who won, but a great film is forever.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 33

Page 34

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

NEWS

Successful India Night Funds Expansion Of Salvation Tree School The Salvation Tree School brings the sights, sounds and flavors of India to Wellington each winter season for one special night and one special purpose.

On Tuesday, March 1, the Salvation Tree School hosted the third annual India Night at the International Polo Club Palm Beach.

It was a night dedicated to raising money and awareness for the life-changing school in New Delhi, India.

Cocktail dresses and suits were traded in for Indian saris and turbans. Pop music was foregone in favor of catchy Bollywood songs.

Chocolate molded into elephants filled with mousse replaced more traditional desserts, and the IPC Pavilion was transformed into

a scene straight out of India for more than 250 guests.

Thanks to the generosity of attendees, the event allows the Salvation Tree School to raise money needed to continue to provide impoverished children in India with an entirely free education, including books, supplies, meals, transportation and uniforms.

This year’s event proceeds will not only support the day-to-day functions of the school, they will go toward the construction of a new school building, allowing the Salvation Tree School to greatly increase the number of students within its reach and to expand the school’s life-changing impact.

“We are so blessed by the support that is shown to the school every year at this event,” said

The evening included showcases of traditional Indian dance.

Wellington resident Timmy Sharma, co-founder of the Salvation Tree School with his wife, Laurie Sharma. “We just broke ground on the new school building that will allow us to go from having 300 students to thousands of students.”

The education provided will be a life-changing experience for the children, he said.

“Many of the children there are stuck at the bottom of the Indian caste system and don’t go to school at all,” he said. “Education is just completely denied to them.

Our hope is to provide them, not only an education, but also hope for a better future. We want our school to be the small pebble that creates a ripple of change throughout India.”

Preceding dinner, prepared and presented by Aaron’s Catering of the Palm Beaches, guests at India Night enjoyed a children’s Bollywood dancing showcase, choreographed by Jyotsna Gupta and performed by her Chamakte Sitare group.

Guests then had the opportunity to bid on the trip of a lifetime to India, as well as on naming rights to areas of the new school building.

From there, the party turned into an evening of dancing, kicked off by a performance from Janet Uribe and her Jai Ho Fit team.

For those unable to attend the event and interested in learning more about the Salvation Tree School, visit www.salvationtree. org.

Guests ditched dresses and suits for saris and turbans.

Salvation Tree founders Laurie and Timmy Sharma.

Bridget Beer and Charlene Ramos.

The sounds of the event included traditional Indian instruments.

WOMEN’S GROUP LEARNS ABOUT ‘YOUNGER ONSET’ ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

The Women of the Western Communities met Thursday, March 3 at the Wanderers Club in Wellington. The guest speaker was Dottie Carson, who spoke about her “younger onset” Alzheimer’s disease and how she and her husband are spreading awareness about clinical trials and the research for a cure. Cleaning supplies were collected for the YWCA Harmony House. For more information about the group, e-mail Mair Armand at mair@wwc-fl.com or call (561) 635-0011.

PHOTOS BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER

Allyson Samiljan, Marie Pergola and Phyllis Gauger with cleaning supplies donated to the YWCA Harmony House.

14569 Southern Blvd. • Loxahatchee Groves, FL 33470 561-793-1370 • www.arthurmurrayre.com 10 ACRES LAND — beautiful high and dry, cleared 4/2.5, Loxahatchee Groves $699,000 CBS, fenced.

10 ACRES PRE-CONSTRUCTION — 16 stall barn paved road, loxahatchee Groves, fenced, water electric.

Loxahatchee Groves 2.5 ACRES LAND — Owner financing, South of Okeechobee, paved road, paddocks, fenced and cross fenced, full irrigation and lighting.

Loxahatchee Groves $285,000

10 ACRES LAND — South of Okeechobee, fenced, cleared, electric, water subdivided into two 5 acre lots. $739,000 2.5 ACRES LAND — South of Okeechobee 1/8th of a mile $175,000

from pavement

20 ACRES LAND — Okeechobee Rd. frontage Great Commercial potential, cleared, fenced, water, electric. $2,200,000 5 ACRES LAND — with cabin, paved road, fenced, electric, water, septic, clear, high and dry.

Loxahatchee Groves $324,999 OKEECHOBEE RD. FRONTAGE — Commercial potential, electrical, high and dry, fenced.

Loxahatchee Groves $995,000 5 ACRES LAND — House pad, well, electric, high and dry, fenced, 900 feet from pavement.

Loxahatchee Groves $299,000 5 ACRES LAND — with cabin, paved road, fenced, electric, water, septic, clear, high and dry.

Loxahatchee Groves $259,000 5 ACRES LAND — water, electric, septic, high and dry, paved road. $529,900

1.25 ACRES — hi, dry, close to schools and shopping.

The Acreage $68,000 1/2 ACRE 3-2 — fantastic location 200 Ft. From Southern Boulevard Loxahatchee Groves. $225,000 2.5 ACRES — two lots from pavement, cleared, high dry $159,000 1 ACRE 3-2 HOUSE — W/1-1 guest house, four stall barn, fenced, 200 feet from Southern Blvd.

Loxahatchee Groves. $345,000 1.15 ACRES —3-2 w/garage Close to schools and shopping.

The Acreage $224,900 1.25 ACRES 5-3 CBS HOME — plus 1000 Sq.Ft. Guesthouse, 25X40 detached garage.

The Acreage $282,900 5 ACRES — Close to pavement,cleared, high dry already $299,000 subdivided in two 2.5 acre parcels.

Guest speaker Dottie Carson addresses the group.

Co-presidents Donna Kuebler and Lynda Chicano.

Ivannia Heinen, Chelley Carson and Tara Zimmerman.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 35

THE SPORT OF Palm Beach

See and be seen at the world-class International Polo Club every Sunday for high-goal polo. Polo ponies, fierce competitors, enthusiastic crowds. Game on!

For ticket options or brunch reservations, please visit:

InternationalPoloClub.com

Every Sunday – January 3-April 24, 2016 Brunch at 2 p.m. at The Pavilion Polo Match at 3 p.m.

3667 120th Avenue South | Wellington, Florida 33414 Photo by LILA PHOTO

58840_IPC_TownCrier_FP_AD.indd 1

11/10/15 1:32 PM

Page 36

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

NEWS

STAND-UP COMEDY EVENT IN RPB HELPS CHRISTIE’S CRITTERS FOUNDATION

“Comedy for Critters,” a stand-up comedy event featuring New York City’s Janice Messitte and Greg Kritikos (a.k.a. Greg the Greek) with emcee Angela Corvello, took place Friday, March 4 at Oak Bistro & Wine Bar in Royal Palm Beach to benefit the Christie’s Critters Foundation. For more information, visit www.christiescritters.org.

PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER

Alex Shockley, Stephanie Smith, Christie Banks Coulter, Mary Palumbo, Lisa and Brian Jacobsen, and Eric Kepler.

Susan Rubin of Pet Haven Rescue signs up for an auction item.

Angela Corvello served as master of ceremonies.

Comedian Greg Kritikos performs for the crowd.

Mary Palumbo sells Ann Corvello raffle tickets.

Don Wulff and Peter J. Torres from the Justin Bartlett Animal Rescue.

Comedian Janice Messitte kept the audience laughing.

Christie Banks Coulter with Oak co-owner Lisa Jacobsen.

WELLINGTON KICKS OFF ‘LET’S MOVE’ CAMPAIGN AT ULTIMA FITNESS EVENT

The Village of Wellington kicked off its “Let’s Move: Commit to Change” campaign Saturday, March 5 at Ultima Fitness & Wellness with special classes, vendors and programs to engage residents in an active lifestyle. Wellington, the Palm Healthcare Foundation and Ultima Fitness are working to encourage residents to take charge of their health. For more info., visit www.ultimafitness.com.

PHOTOS BY JULIE UNGER/TOWN-CRIER

Jean-Claud Lategan, Simon Briscoe and Bonnie Kretchik.

Dr. Matthew DiLallo, Jessica and Jill Merrell, Shelly Williams and Scott Campbell.

Julie Bryant and Jeanine Wiernik give Karen Ficarelli (left) a salad from Universal Living Sprouts.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

WE’RE TURNING

Page 37

1

Come celebrate our

1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY with us on March 16th!

$2.50 Small Cheese Pizzas $1 Bud Light & Yuengling Drafts Happy Hour Specials ALL DAY LONG Raffles & Prizes Mystery Envelopes (every envelope has a prize)

You could win PIZZA FOR A YEAR!

10600 Forest Hill Blvd Wellington

561.333.9939

mellowmushroom.com

EST. 2003

OL

T

WE S

Y

CH

AR

Western Academy Charter School

N ACAD

EM

ER

TER SCH

O

“A” Rated, High Performing Charter School

Ranked TOP 20% of all schools in the State of Florida based on State Test Scores • TOP 7% in Math • TOP 13% in Science

Online Applications Due th, MARCH 25 2016 APPLY AT:

www.westernacademychar ter.com

2 MIDDLE SCHOOL PROGRAMS Traditional 6-8th grade program

ACADEMY Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math.

• Advanced level content courses • Algebra 1 Honors and Geometry 1 honors Offered for High School credit • Digital literacy and technology integrated throughout all classes •

• TOP 14% in Reading

Enrichment classes include; Computer Animation, Computer Coding, Robotics, Engineering, 2D/3D Design, Gaming Mechanics, Botany

• Seven Clubs, Intra-mural Sports, Chorus, National Junior Honor Society

FLORIDA 5 STAR SCHOOL

WESTERN ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL

Tuition Free Public School Before Care and After Care Programs 100% Highly Qualified Teachers 650 ROYAL PALM BEACH BLVD. SUITE 400 ROYAL PALM BEACH, FL 33411 (561)792-4123 • Fax (561)422-0674

Western Academy does not discriminate in admissions on the basis of race, color, national origin or disability.

Page 38

March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

Friday, March 11, Gates Open at 6 pm: $25,000 ARTISAN FARMS UNDER 25 GRAND PRIX SERIES SEMI-FINAL Presented by Seabrook, LLC

Saturday, March 12, Gates Open at 6 pm: $380,000 DOUGLAS ELLIMAN GRAND PRIX CSI 5*

JANUARY 13 - APRIL 3, 2016 FREE GENERAL ADMISSION • PARKING $20/CAR • VALET $30/CAR WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL AT THE PALM BEACH INTERNATIONAL EQUESTRIAN CENTER World-Class Show Jumping & Entertainment for the Whole Family!

Main Grounds at PBIEC • 3400 Equestrian Club Drive • Wellington, FL 33414 www.pbiec.com • (561) 793-JUMP Premier Seating call (561) 784-1120 EquestrianSportProdTCRD3_11_16.indd 1

3/9/16 11:54 AM

Page 40

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

WELCOME TO THE WINTER EQUESTRIAN FESTIVAL

held at the Main Grounds at Palm Beach International Equestrian Center

JANUARY 13 - APRIL 3, 2016 Join Us Every Wednesday through Sunday to Experience Equestrian Sport at Its Best!

Watch The Equestrian Action Visit WEF during the day from Wednesday through Sunday, take in the exciting scene of several thousand horses and riders competing in 12 arenas.

Stroll the grounds at your leisure, grab a bite to eat and shop till you drop at our unique boutiques, art galleries, jewelers, high-end fashion and so much more.

Grab a Bite to Eat A variety of Food Vendors are located throughout the property, including: •

Coliano’s Pizza

•

Tito’s Tacos: Margaritas, Tacos, Burritos, Chips, Salsa

•

Tiki Hut: Grilled Chicken, Variety Burgers, Grilled Fish, Salads

•

Oli’s Fashion Cuisine: in the Vendor Village

Take a Lunch & Tour See the world-renowned equestrian competition, vendors, stables and various venues that Palm Beach International Equestrian Center has to offer, followed by a catered lunch with your group.Your tour will allow you to explore twelve of the competition rings, the stabling area where horses prepare for competition, and a stroll through Vendor Village.The tour will be both exciting and informative, and there is a good chance you will see some Olympic riders gearing up for competition! Equestrian Lunch & Tours are available by appointment Wednesday through Sunday during the WEF season.

Shopping Around the Show Grounds You are invited to shop in a variety of locations throughout the PBIEC, including the Vendor Village, Hunter Hill, and The Bridge Deck, the outdoor courtyard oasis filled with exquisite shops and boutiques offering fashion, jewelry, home design, fine art, photography, horseware and more.Visit a new Vendor area each week!

Children’s Activities Entertainers, live band, balloon artists, face painters, bounce houses... and more!

The Suites If you want to watch the Winter Equestrian Festival in style, host a corporate event, or entertain friends and family, reserve your Suite today! With upscale decor and dining, these ringside seats for up to 22 people are available and offer a full buffet and premium bar options. Reserve a whole suite, a table, or individual seats.

Contact 561.784.1110 for more information or to make reservations. Reference Palms West This Week to receive a discount!

VENDOR VILLAGE

Vendor Village Alessandro Albanese Ann Hubbards Tack Shop Anne Gittins Photography Antarès Sellier France Beval Saddlery Bomber Bits Cavalleria Toscana Charles Ancona NY CM Hadfields Saddlery Inc. CWD Custom Saddles Der Dau Custom Boots Equiline Equestrian Fashion Equifit Equine and Country Equine Tack & Nutritionals Equis LLC French Corner, Inc. Horseware Ireland Equestrian Ill.Fabbri Riding Boots James Leslie Parker Photography Jods Equestrian Apparel Kocher Tack Shop La Mundial Custom Boots Le Fash ME.N.U. OnTyte Stirrups & Footwear Party of 2 Personalised Products Running Fox Equestrian Sharon Lynn Campbell Sofie Belgium Boutique Styleliner Tack ’N’ Rider Tato’s

BRIDGE DECKS BIBA of NY Boutique Kingsland Equestrian Swatches & Rags Fine INTERNATIONAL ARENA Menswear WEF Official Boutique WARM UP Animo USA Bruno Delgrange Custom INTERNATIONAL BARNS 3 & 4 SHOPPES Saddles Dandy Products Douglas Elliman Real Equisafe LLC Farmvet Inc. Estate RC Saddle & Tack Repair Equiline Equestrian HUNTER HILL Advantage Biosciences Fashion Barn 5 Hunt LTD BJ’s Hunt Room Woody’s Shoe Repair Karina Brez Jewelry Josey’s Laundry Service C Jones Silver HouseKeyes Art Consulting wares Lugano Diamonds Danny & Ron’s Dog RING 6 Maybach Icons of Luxury Rescue Amberway Equine Michelle Farmer Fab Finds by Sarah Solutions Kathryn Lilly Horse Gym USA® TIKI HUT TERRACE Illustrated Properties Ariat® Realtor RINGS 9 & 10 Just FUR Fun – Goodies Copious Row Luxury Gifts Accuhorsemat for Dogs Eyes of Wellington Butet Saumur Saddles Olive and Bette’s Hermès Devoucoux Custom Pinnell Custom Leather Michel McNabb Jewlery Peng Custom Handbags Saddles Inc. & Tack Jods Equestrian Apparel Skiffingtons Boutique GPA Helmets Sarm Hippique & Pariani Tucci by Newstar McGuinn Farms Inc. Wear in Good Health Zadeh – Men’s Jewelry Turner & Co Vander Moore Designs Inc. Voltaire Design Fine Saddlery WEF Official Boutique

Tack Trunks and Stable Equipment SportFot USA Inc.

PLACES TO EAT INTERNATIONAL ARENA Tito’s Tacos Tiki Hut VENDOR ROW Harry’s Lemonade Loopy’s Crepe Café Coliano’s Pizza Oasis Café RINGS 9 & 10 Professional Concessions Magadelena’s Mexican Food Muddy Paw Coffee Nathalie’s Café BARN 4 Burgess and Clark Coffee

Present this coupon to receive

$10.00 OFF at the WEF Boutique $10.00 VALUE. MINIMUM PURCHASE OF $50.00. VALID FOR ONE PERSON. FOR USE MARCH 11-13, 16-17, 2016

CORPORATE | MEETINGS | CHARITY | LUNCHEON | PRIVATE CELEBRATIONS | PARTIES | FOOD VENDORS | SHOPPING

MAIN GROUNDS AT PBIEC | 3400 EQUESTRIAN CLUB DRIVE, WELLINGTON, FL 33414 | 561.793.JUMP (5867) | WWW.PBIEC.COM

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

FEATURES

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 41

Vinceremos Special Olympics Show Delights 40 Riders

Saturday, Feb. 13, offered perfect showing weather: blue sky, cool breeze, no rain. The excited group gathered under the covered Van Kampen arena at the Global Dressage Festival grounds could hardly wait to get started. The opening ceremony began at 9 a.m. with the national anthem and the Special Olympics oath, and then they were underway: tons of volunteers, along with 40 riders sharing 12 horses at the Palm Beach County Equestrian Games Special Olympics, hosted by the Vinceremos Therapeutic Riding Center.

Office manager Irma Saenz manned the sign-in desk.

“Our riders will be competing in dressage, English and western equitation, trail, and pole bending,” she explained as she handed out back numbers. “Riders compete according to their ability, and whether or not they are independent riders or need varying amounts of assistance. Some riders can walk, trot and canter with no modifications. Some can walk and trot, and some only walk, but each and every one of them is here to compete to the best of their ability.”

Irma enjoys her work with Vinceremos. “I have to say that it’s a pleasure working with these riders and this organization,” she said.

“I started with Vinceremos three years ago. I came from a very different background — the mortgage industry and real estate. Vinceremos Get updates all week long... follow Ellen Rosenberg on Twitter at twitter.com/Horse TalkFL.

Tales From The Trails

By Ellen Rosenberg intrigued me. This is really someplace very special.”

Executive Director Ruth Menor was also on hand, making sure everything ran smoothly.

She started Vinceremos in a friend’s back yard with one client and one horse, eventually moving to its current location in Loxahatchee Groves. Construction on the current stables and offices was completed in 2000. In 2012, they opened a 45,500-square-foot covered arena with stalls.

“We brought everyone who wanted to participate,” Ruth said. “The only qualification is they have to be at least 8 years old. Depending on their scores here today, they may be able to compete in the area games, which will be held here on March 26 and include riders from Martin, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

That show will determine which riders move on to the state championships, and ultimately, the nationals.”

There were also some special guests on hand.

“This year, we invited five riders from Haiti to join us,” Ruth explained. “They’re all from

Rider Reed Gutner with her mother, Stacy. an orphanage in Port-au-Prince and ride and filiated with the Chateau Blonde Equestrian practice at a nearby stable. They’re here for Center in Haiti where the children ride. She a week, and are really enjoying themselves. has been working with Haitian special-needs They practiced for this show with us, to get children for 11 years. used to the area and our horses.”

“We chose to bring students who were good Ruth hurried off to help someone, and I sat riders, had passports and could get American down with Romy Tschudi-Roy, who is afSee ROSENBERG, page 51

Page 42

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

BUSINESS NEWS

Barrett-Jackson’s Collector Car Auction Returning To Fairgrounds Barrett-Jackson, a global collector car auction company, is heading to Palm Beach for the company’s 14th annual Palm Beach Auction set for April 8-10 at the South Florida Fairgrounds. This year’s docket will feature a broad range of vintage, custom, supercars and late-model vehicles. Some early consignments include a rare 1957 Ford Skyliner F-Code Retractable Hardtop and an extremely low-mileage 2006 Ford GT Heritage Edition still in the wrapper.

“This year’s Scottsdale auction

kicked off our 45th anniversary year with one of the strongest events in company history,” said Craig Jackson, chairman and CEO of Barrett-Jackson. “We’re excited to continue that momentum with our Palm Beach auction in April, and we have an exciting weekend planned for what has become a true world-class event in South Florida.”

Among the hotly anticipated vehicles is the exceptional 1957 Ford Skyliner F-Code Retractable Hardtop, one of only seven Fairlane 500s built with a supercharged F-Code

V8 engine with a retractable hardtop. The original owner campaigned this vehicle at top-level drag races and won the national championship for its class in 1957 and 1958.

“Our Palm Beach auction has become an annual tradition for automotive enthusiasts and collector car fans alike,” said Steve Davis, president of Barrett-Jackson.

For more information about Barrett-Jackson, and information on becoming a bidder, visit www. barrett-jackson.com or call (480) 421-6694.

Up for auction is this 1957 Ford Skyliner F-Code Retractable Hardtop.

Darcy J. Davis Named Permanent CEO Of The Health Care District

Darcy J. Davis

At a special public meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 24, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County’s Board of Commissioners named Darcy J. Davis, the district’s chief operating officer, to serve as its permanent chief executive officer.

The unanimous vote followed a national search.

The appointment as CEO was finalized at the board’s regular monthly meeting on March 9.

“I’m honored that the board has entrusted me with the leadership of this important organization,” Davis said. “The district has a proud history of serving the healthcare

needs of Palm Beach County, and I look forward to building on the great work our employees do in our community every day.”

Davis has more than 20 years of healthcare experience, and has served as chief operating officer and chief financial officer since first joining the district in July 2011.

She was responsible for overseeing operations and financial reporting, budgeting, treasury management and accounting functions of the Health Care District’s health coverage programs, as well as the district’s eight public federally qualified health centers; the C.L.

Brumback Primary Care Clinics, which provide adult and pediatric primary care and dental care; the district’s skilled nursing home, the Edward J. Healey Rehabilitation and Nursing Center; the school health program; and the district’s trauma agency and aeromedical program, which are key components of the county’s nationally recognized trauma system.

In addition, Davis oversaw the county’s only public hospital, Lakeside Medical Center, a 70-bed, all-private room, acute-care facility in rural, western Palm Beach County.

“The board conducted a rigorous national search for the new CEO and interviewed some very fine, qualified candidates,” said Philip H. Ward III, chairman of the Health Care District Board. “In doing so, we were able to determine that, in fact, we had the best candidate for the job already working for us. We have great confidence in Darcy and look forward to working with her as CEO.” Before joining the district, Ms. Davis served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of Memorial Health System in Savannah, Ga.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

BUSINESS NEWS

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 43

Alzheimer’s Community Care Wins Partnership Award

Alzheimer’s Community Care was formally recognized with a 2015 Mutual of America Foundation National Community Partnership Award during a luncheon recently at the West Palm Beach Marriott.

The nonprofit organization was honored as a Merit Finalist Award Recipient for its Dementia-Specific Practicum for Nursing Student Program, a landmark collaboration that provides training for community-based, dementia-specific care.

To date, nearly 200 undergraduate nursing students have participated in this program, which has now expanded to include graduate nurses pursuing advanced degrees. The practicum pairs classroom training with practical experience, delivering hands-on patient care within Alzheimer’s Community Care’s 10 specialized Alzheimer’s daycare centers.

Hundreds of applicants throughout the United States apply for this award each year. Alzheimer’s Community Care was one of only 10 ultimate recipients.

During the luncheon, the following academic institutions were recognized for their role in this partnership: Florida Atlantic University, Indian River State College, Keiser University, Palm Beach Atlantic University and Palm Beach State College.

“This is one of those special moments for our organization,” said Mary M. Barnes, president and CEO of Alzheimer’s Community Care.

“To have the Mutual of America Foundation value the work that we do in the community, in partnership with five university nursing programs in Florida, is extremely meaningful.”

(L-R) Ivan Gregory, vice president of Mutual of America West Palm Beach; Dr. Raywattie Sooklall, assistant nursing director at Palm Beach State College; Usar Suragarn, clinical administrator of graduate practice programs for the Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University; Kathleen Herd, vice president of grants and fund development for Alzheimer’s Community Care; Karen Gilbert, vice president of education and quality assurance for Alzheimer’s Community Care; Judith Rappaport, board chair for Alzheimer’s Community Care; Mary M. Barnes, Alzheimer’s Community Care president and CEO; Phyllis King, professor of nursing at Palm Beach Atlantic University; Ted Herman, vice chairman of the Mutual of America Foundation; and Thomas Gilliam, CEO of the Mutual of America Foundation.

PBC Women’s Chamber Announces Nominees For Annual Giraffe Awards

The Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County recently announced the nominees for its 21st annual Giraffe Awards in honor of Women’s History Month. The celebration will take place Wednesday, March 30 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kravis Center’s Cohen Pavilion in West Palm Beach.

The celebration honors the women in Palm Beach County who have “stuck their necks out” for other women. These women have taken on leadership roles in their business, community and marketplace on behalf of others.

The 2016 Giraffe Award final nominees are Asentath “Sam”

Cassel, chief nursing officer at Wellington Regional Medical Center; Kalinthia Dillard, general counsel for the Palm Beach County Office of Inspector General; Rebecca G. Doane of Doane & Doane PA; Dorothy Jacks, chief deputy at the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office; Jessica Johnson, product

manager for FPL Energy Services; Dr. Jeannett Manzanero, director of the Global Education Center at Palm Beach State College; Mona S. Reis, president of the Presidential Women’s Center; Roxana Scaffidi, owner of FL-Accounting & Advisers; Aquanette Thomas, assistant branch manager for PNC Bank;

Suzanne Turner, CEO of the YWCA of Palm Beach County; and Dr. Jean A. Wihbey, provost of PBSC’s Eissey Campus.

The keynote speaker for this year’s luncheon will be Dr. Casandra “Coach Cass” Henriquez, founder of InspireMany.com. To learn more about the event, call (561) 659-0285.

Page 44

March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 45

Page 46 March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

#1 Education Place offers Summer Academic and Enrichment camps to help students improve, maintain or acquire new academic skills in small teacher-led groups. Campers have the opportunity to choose enrichment camps such as Chess Camp conducted

by USA Chess, Video Game Creation Camp presented by Active Learning Systems, Scratch Programming Language by Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab, Armory Art Camp by the Armory Art Center and more. Additionally, #1 Education Place is offering Spanish and Robotics camps. One-week sessions run from June 5 to Aug. 12. For more information and rates, call (561) 201-4531 or visit 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 23.

The Armory Art Center’s Summer Art Camp is a great way for children in grades 1 through 12 to experience a broad range of art projects. The camp will run from June 6 until Aug. 12. Each of the 10 weeks has a different theme. Experienced and vetted art instructors will provide campers with exciting, hands-on activities. All art materials are included with tuition. The Armory Art Center is located at 1700 Parker Ave. in West Palm Beach. For more information, call (561) 832-1776 or visit www.armoryart.org/ youthartcamp.

Art Cellar Summer Camp is providing social and interactive art lessons, providing stepby-step instruction in a fun atmosphere for all ages during its summer camp, where young artists will learn to color outside the lines. Geared toward ages 7 to 12, nonstop art fun is available from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with extended hours and sibling discounts available. Young artists will paint, craft, learn about art history, play art-related games, have creative free time and more for only $55 a day or $220 for the week. Spots are limited. For more information, or to register a young artist, call (561) 792-2272 or visit www.facebook.com/artcellarwellington or www.artcellarwellington.com.

Casperey Stables Horse Camp is a small, fun-filled day camp for children ages 7 to 14. With four riding opportunities each day, arts and crafts, and outdoor games, campers find little time to be bored. The low counselor-child ratio ensures that each child receives individual attention. There are camp sessions for spring and winter school breaks and during the summer. Each two-week session has a theme, such as Indian Days, Circus Days and Medieval Days. Casperey Stables has a weekly swim party and ends each session with a horse show and family barbecue. To learn more about the camp, located at 2330 D Road in Loxahatchee Groves, call (561) 792-4990 or visit www.caspereystables.com.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

Engineering for Kids is holding an Engineering/Science Summer Camp for children ages 6 to 14 where they will have a blast while learning in a fun, supportive environment. Children will be able to solve Minecraft engineering challenges, battle robots, build and launch rockets, race dragsters, create their own sailboat and more as they learn the science behind it all. Camp takes place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, with extended hours available. There are multiple Palm Beach County locations. Register early, since camps fill up quickly. For more information, visit www. engineeringforkids.com/palmbeach or e-mail palmbeach@engineeringforkids.net.

The Goddard School is a trusted name among parents and families for more than 27 years, with its safe classroom, nurturing environment and age-appropriate exploration and discovery opportunities. The school’s summer camp incorporates its F.L.EX (fun, learning experience) Learning Program and STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) learning into exciting, one-of-a-kind and fun experience every day for children. Children ages 1 to 7 will enjoy the five different themes presented during camp, which runs from June 6 to Aug. 12 at 2665 State Road 7 in Wellington.

To register, or for more information, call (561) 333-2020 or visit www.goddardschool. com/wellingtonfl.

High Touch High Tech & Joey’s Outback Adventures in Wellington have partnered to bring the “Hottest Camps in Town” to children this summer. High Touch High Tech, the proud leader in science education for the last 20 years, brings science to life with hands-on experiments for children. Each day will be a new adventure, from interacting with real animals to launching rockets and panning for gems. The camp offers affordable pricing, experiments with lots of cool take-home projects, arts and crafts, and awesome physical activities in Joey’s amazing indoor playground. The camp taps into a children’s natural curiosity and provides them with safe and fun activities to help them learn about the world around them. Expect awesome fun as campers make slime, erupt volcanoes, make ice cream and more. For more information, or to register, call (561)792-3785 or visit www.sciencemadefunsfl.net.

The Lake Worth Playhouse is holding a summer camp where campers learn acting, voice, dance and stage movement through daily activities and rehearsals, which culminate in full-scale productions of popular musicals. Campers will be engaged in studio-style rehearsals for music, dance and production. Campers 12+ will also participate in behind-the-scenes roles and other theatre-related education at the Lake Worth Playhouse, located at 713 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth. For more information, call (561) 586-6410 or visit www.lakeworthplayhouse.org.

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 47

Page 48 March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

Lion Country Safari will hold its popular summer day camp again in 2016. Each day at Safari Day Camp is filled with fun, adventure and hands-on learning. Campers ages 6 to13 experience wildlife and wild places, become a zoo keeper for a day, swim, play games, make crafts and enjoy behind-the-scenes activities at Lion Country Safari. Camp sessions run Monday through Friday from June 13 through Aug. 12. Tuition includes daily lunch and snack, a T-shirt, a water bottle and a cap. Camp spots fill up quickly.

Register online at www.lioncountrysafari.com or call (561) 793-1084, ext. 2127 for info.

The Little Place and The Little Place Too, Wellington’s premier nationally accredited childcare centers for more than 37 years, offer childcare for children up to 8 years old. The Little Place offers a quality, caring environment for children age 6 months to 5 years old. Staff works hand-in-hand with local elementary schools to help each child develop, to promote vital academic skills and to reinforce positive social interaction. For children ages 3 to 5, activities include utilizing tablets in the classroom with interactive programs that introduce basic math, reading and other skills. With exciting activities and outings, elementary-age children are kept busy with educational activities and playtime. For more information, or to register, call either the 1040 Wellington Trace location at (561) 793-5860 or the 2995 Greenbriar Blvd. location at (561) 790-0808.

St. David’s Episcopal School, conveniently located on Forest Hill Blvd. in Wellington, is offering an onsite summer camp for children 3 to 8 years old. Camp activities include water play, outside play, movie day, Bible stories, games and music. The theme this summer is “Journey through Imagination.” Campers will explore through the mind’s eye of authors of well-known children’s books and ignite creativity with special crafts and activities. Camp takes place Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and costs either $30 per day or $125 per week. For more information, or to register, call (561) 793-1272 or visit www.stdavidsepiscopalschool.com.

Temple Beth Torah’s Leonie Arguetty Preschool is holding a “Summer of Fun” enrichment camp for children 2 to 6 years old. Children will enjoy a variety of fun activities that will make them smile, while promoting learning and social development. Activities include art, gymnastics, computers, sports, nature, cooking, water play and enjoying the preschool’s state-of-the-art playground. Children are sure to love the weekly entertainment, including High Touch High Tech, storytellers and animal shows. All of this takes place in a loving and nurturing environment. Camp is available for eight weeks, with full-time and part-time participation available. Temple Beth Torah is also now enrolling for 2016-17 preschool classes. For more information, or to register, call Sandy at (561) 793-2649 or e-mail psdirector@templebethtorah.net.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

SPORTS & RECREATION

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 49

Sem Ridge Baseball Team Holds On To Defeat Wildcats

By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report The Seminole Ridge High School baseball team traveled Friday, March 4 to take on local rival Royal Palm Beach High School and held on to defeat the Wildcats 5-3.

Seminole Ridge (6-1-1) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, but the Wildcats (3-7) promptly answered back with two runs to tie it 2-2.

It appeared that Royal Palm Beach would stifle any Hawk threat at the plate, as the Wildcats quickly grabbed two outs in the first inning.

Seminole Ridge had other plans.

Joey Schergen, Richie Cotromano and Brett Fiore helped orchestrate the early lead for the Hawks with solid batting.

Sean Houke and Nick Toney came up big at the plate for the Wildcats in the bottom of the first, driving in two runs that locked the game up at 2-2 going into the second inning.

Seminole Ridge regained the lead when Schergen hit an RBI single to give the Hawks a 3-2 lead.

Anthony Elios launched a double into center field that dropped in behind the Royal Palm Beach infield

and sparked the Hawk offense to drive in another run, extending the team’s lead to 4-2 in the bottom of the third inning.

Royal Palm Beach pushed back in the fourth inning to chip away at the Hawk lead. Luke Hollander hit a single, stole second and eventually crossed the plate to rally the Wildcats to within one run, 4-3.

Wildcat shortstop Troy Hamilton came up big late in the game with See BASEBALL, page 51

Royal Palm Beach pitcher Sean Houck throws from the mound.

Seminole Ridge pitcher Kyle Farjad releases his pitch.

Seminole Ridge second baseman Zach Rogers looks to make the play on Royal Palm Beach’s Bailey Curtis.

Seminole Ridge third baseman Richie Cotromano forces Royal Palm Beach runner Sean Houck back as he throws to second.

PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER

Bronco Softball Team Routs District Foe John I. Leonard

By Gene Nardi Town-Crier Staff Report On Thursday, March 3, the Palm Beach Central High School varsity softball squad hosted John I. Leonard High School in a district match-up, and the Wildcats routed the Lancers 11-1 in front of a home crowd.

Left fielder Sophie Eisenberg reels in the ball to make the play for the Broncos.

The Broncos (3-6) scored 11 unanswered runs after being down early in the top of the first inning to dominate the Lancers. Mikayla Person hit the RBI single that tied the Lancers and started the rout for Palm Beach Central. From there, the Broncos punched their ticket in every inning, bringing in runs.

A well-rounded performance

by Palm Beach Central’s defense maintained the integrity of the lead.

By the bottom of the third inning, the Broncos had a 5-1 lead.

Stellar batting at the plate kept the Bronco momentum going throughout the game. Kate Wolpert launched an RBI triple, and Brooke

Donella Romano slides in at the plate to add to the Broncos score.

Stiles had an RBI double. Sophie Eisenberg later sent in a runner with a double driven out into deep center field. Palm Beach Central had the bases loaded three times during the contest.

John I. Leonard rallied in the top of the fourth inning, setting runners up on first and second, but a stingy

Bronco infield denied any Lancer runs to close the margin.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Broncos added two more runs to extend the lead to 7-1. Wolpert had an RBI single, and Lexie Tipmore gave a solid performance at bat.

“We kept the bat on the ball and See SOFTBALL, page 51

Palm Beach Central’s Kate Wolpert sprints back toward third base to avoid the tag.

Bronco pitcher Karly Vollgrebe throws toward the plate.

PHOTOS BY GENE NARDI/TOWN-CRIER

Page 50

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

SPORTS & RECREATION

NINJAS PROMOTED AT GENBU-KAI KARATE

Wellington Offering Spring Break Camps

Spring break is right around the corner. Does the idea of trying to find ways to occupy your child’s time with positive and healthy activities seem like a daunting task?

Wellington has a solution.

Wellington’s Parks & Recreation Department is offering spring break camps and activities to keep kids happy and active. Athletic camps include the All-Day Sports Camp for children ages 6 to 13, the Basketball Camp for children ages 8 to 15 and Spring Break Soccer Camp

for children ages 8 to 18.

Younger children ages 3 to 6 can attend TumbleKid Camp, where they will participate in gymnastics, sports, arts and crafts, music and more. The camps will be held at Village Park (11700 Pierson Road, Wellington).

At the Wellington Aquatics Complex, children can learn what it takes to become a lifeguard. The Junior Lifeguard Program, offered during spring break, teaches children ages 10 to 14 the basics of lifeguarding,

surveillance and assisting at the pool. Participants can even earn volunteer hours. The American Red Cross Lifeguard Class, for ages 15 and over, will also be offered. Registration must be done in-person at the Wellington Aquatics Complex (12072 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Wellington).

For more information about spring programs or to learn how to register, visit www.wellingtonfl.gov/ camps, or call the Parks & Recreation Department at (561) 791-4005.

Science Center Breaks Ground On New Mini-Golf Course

Genbu-Kai Karate recently tested and promoted seven Ninja students to their next belt level belts. All seven are from the Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and surrounding areas. The 16-month Ninja program is specifically designed for children ages 4 to 6. Emphasis is placed on improving fine and gross motor skills, while teaching key life skills.

Ninjas learn how to set and achieve goals while practicing twice a week and advancing through their nine required rank levels. For more information on the classes, call (561) 804-1002 or visit www. floridagenbukai.com. Front row: Santiago Gollarza, Benjamin Honzik, Andrew Lowenthal, Julen Cadmus, Grayson Cadmus, Logan Lopez and Avery Master; (back row) Assistant Instructor Marjorie Bedsole and Chief Instructor Sensei Keith Moore.

On Monday, Feb. 29, the South Florida Science Center & Aquarium leadership, board members, hole sponsors and project developers took one small swing in honor of science. The ceremonial putt served as a kickoff to the start of construction on the center’s highly anticipated 18-hole miniature golf course.

The “Conservation Course” is scheduled to open in late spring, and will cater to serious golf fans, alongside children seeking science lessons through fun and interactive play. Gary Nicklaus and Jim Fazio, sons of two local icons in the golf community, are collaborating on the custom-designed course.

The mini-golf course is only the

first step in a much larger plan for continued improvements and expansions. “The science center was created by the Junior League of the Palm Beaches in 1961, when Palm Beach County was home to only 260,000 residents,” CEO Lew Crampton said. “This year, the science center celebrates its 55th year serving the informal science education needs of our community, and we couldn’t be more proud of our growth.”

Designed with science in mind, each hole of the Conservation Course represents an animal or plant native the Everglades. Plaques along the course will educate visitors about the species and conservation efforts in the local community.

The “Forever Florida” nature trail will be an 8-foot-wide hard-surface trail winding through the science center’s “backyard,” right next to the Conservation Course. Along the trail, visitors will have an opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, including a human sundial, a runthrough fountain, a physics forest and a gem-panning station. “Eventually we hope to work with the Palm Beach Zoo to build a bridge and pathway connecting both institutions so that visitors can spend the entire day with us,” Crampton said.

The science center is located at 4801 Dreher Trail North in West Palm Beach. For more info., visit www.sfsciencecenter.org.

The Town-Crier

Rosenberg

Special Olympics

continued from page 41 visas,” she explained. “It’s not an easy task, but everyone at the American Embassy was very helpful. The children usually ride once a week, but they rode two or three times a week for the past few months to prepare for this. We’re very grateful to the many generous donors and fundraisers which made this possible.”

www.gotowncrier.com

SPORTS & RECREATION Karen Healy, a nurse who lives in Wellington, was one of the volunteers.

“I only started at Vinceremos a couple of weeks ago,” she said. “I wanted to help. I have a lot of horse experience, and I’ve done some teaching and worked with handicapped kids. You get an emotional connection, helping out here. This event is really well-organized. It’s a lot of work, getting everyone ready and transporting the horses.”

Cathy LePage began volunteering two years ago when her daughter, Rebecca, 11, began riding at Vincer-

The team of riders visiting from Haiti.

emos. “It’s a wonderful place,” she said. “When the kids ride, it transforms them. They smile. They form a real connection with the horses. Rebecca has gained strength.

She focuses better. She loves being around the horses, helping to groom and wash them, as well as riding.

The whole experience has given her great confidence. When she’s on a horse, you don’t see her disability.

She’s the same as any other kid.”

Tammy and David Ferrell were there from Belle Glade watching their son, 20-year-old Jeremy, ride.

“He has been in the program for three years,” Tammy said. “He rides once a week. It’s wonderful.

The time they take with him, he so looks forward to coming to the barn. He truly enjoys it. He rode in the Special Olympics last year, too.

I’m not sure he gets the concept of showing. Mostly he thinks it’s a big parade in his honor, so he rides and blows kisses. Last year he went to the state championships, and the whole family came from Georgia to watch.”

David, who attends every practice session and show, watched Jeremy ride past. “Hold the reins,” he reminded his son, who held the reins and beamed.

Reed Gutner, 21, placed fifth in her equitation class and cheerfully showed off her blue first-place trail

March 11 - March 17, 2016

ribbon. “I’ve been riding at Vinceremos for six years,” she told me, very excited to be interviewed. “I like being with the horses and the people. I like all the horses except Nelly. She’s too fast and bumpy.

I’m happy I won. It was a little hard to control Desi when we trotted, because the elastic came off one of the stirrups. I went to the state

Baseball

A Win For The Hawks

continued from page 49 two double plays to keep his team in the game, but Royal Palm Beach could not muster the offense needed to build a comeback.

Softball

Easy Victory For Broncos

continued from page 49 were aggressive with our running,” first-year head coach Karlie Young said.

The Lancers could not get anything going on offense, due in part to a stubborn Palm Beach Central defense. While the Bronco defense kept John I. Leonard off the score-

Page 51

competitions the past three years.

It’s not harder than this. I never get nervous. Never have, never will. I hope to get to the nationals one day, but I’m not there yet.”

“My daughter is amazing,” added Reed’s mother, Stacy.

To volunteer, or for more information, call (561) 792-9900, or visit www.vinceremos.org.

The Hawks would drive in one more run to extend the lead to 5-3.

The Wildcats had one chance remaining in the bottom of the seventh inning but again fell short.

The Hawks improved to 6-1 on the season, with their only loss coming at the hands of a tough Park Vista High School team. Royal Palm Beach fell to 3-7. board for the remainder of the game, their offense continued business as usual, racking up four more runs in the next innings to put the game out of reach for the Lancers, and closing out the 11-1 win after the sixth inning.

“Communication and knowing where the ball is going is what we always work on,” Young added.

Palm Beach Central had games this week against Jupiter and Pahokee high schools, but results were not available by press time.

Page 52

March 11 - March 17, 2016

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

BURGERFI_WELLINGTON

$3 OFF

WITH PURCHASE OF $15 OR MORE.*

*Valid at this location only. Coupon required at time of purchase. limit one coupon per customer. Not to be used with any other coupons or offers. Offer not valid with gift card or alcohol purchases. Void where prohibited. state sales tax applicable. cash value 1/100¢. Offer valid until 03.31.16. Not valid for online orders. @2016 all burgerfi franchised locations are independently owned and operated.

$2 OFF

WITH PURCHASE OF $10 OR MORE.*

*Valid at this location only. Coupon required at time of purchase. limit one coupon per customer. Not to be used with any other coupons or offers. Offer not valid with gift card or alcohol purchases. Void where prohibited. state sales tax applicable. cash value 1/100¢. Offer valid until 03.31.16. Not valid for online orders. @2016 all burgerfi franchised locations are independently owned and operated.

WELLINGTON 12836 FOREST HILL BLVD. WELLINGTON, FL 33414 561.612.7853 SUN - THURS 11AM - 10PM FRI - SAT 11AM -11PM ©2016 BURGERFI International, LLC. BURGERFI® and the BURGERFI® logo are registered trademarks of Restaurant Development Group, LLC. BURGERFI system consists of restaurants owned by BURGERFI International, LLC. affiliates, and BURGERFI franchisees. All BURGERFI franchised locations are independently owned and operated.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 53

Page 54

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Saturday, March 12 • The Palm Beach Zoo (1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach) will feature continuous screenings of The Forgotten Coast on Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13. Experience Florida in a way you’ve never seen before. Visit www. palmbeachzoo.org for more info.

• The Audubon Society of the Everglades will hold a bird walk at Peaceful Waters Sanctuary (11700 Pierson Road, Wellington) on Saturday, March 12 at 8 a.m. For more info., visit www. auduboneverglades.org.

• Community of Hope Church (14055 Okeechobee Blvd., Loxahatchee Groves) will hold its annual egg hunt on Saturday, March 12 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. It’s free and open to all families in the community. For more info., visit www.communityofhope.church.

• The Green Market at Wellington will be held Saturday, March 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.). Visit www.greenmarketatwellington.com for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Be Xpressive Kids Xpressions for ages 7 to 12 on Saturday, March 12 at 3 p.m.

Share original poems, writings, art work and more with friends at the library. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• Saturday Night Lights at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center will feature the $380,000 Douglas Elliman Grand Prix CSI 5* on Saturday, March 12 starting at 5 p.m. For more info., visit www.pbiec.com or call (561) 793-JUMP. • The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach will present the Joffrey Ballet on Saturday, March 12 at 8 p.m. Visit www.kravis. org for more info.

Sunday, March 13 • The Royal Palm Beach Green Market & Bazaar will take place Sunday, March 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Veterans Park (1036 Royal Palm Beach Blvd.). Visit www.rpbgreenmarket. com for more info.

• Great Futures Polo Day benefiting the Neil S. Hirsch Family Boys & Girls Club of Wellington will be held Sunday, March 13. The day kicks off at 10 a.m. at the Grand Champions Polo Club with a celebrity polo match, followed by a 12:30 p.m. brunch at the International Polo Club Palm Beach. Call (561) 683-3287 or visit www.bgcpbc. org for more info.

• The International Polo Club Palm Beach (3667 120th Avenue South, Wellington) will continue the 2016 polo season on Sunday, March 13 with the USPA Gold Cup. For more info., visit www.internationalpoloclub.com or call (561) 204-5687.

• Musicians and dog lovers are invited to open acoustic sessions at the Wellington Dog Park (2975 Greenbriar Blvd) on Sundays at 2 p.m.

Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info.

• The Chabad Jewish Center of Royal Palm Beach (129 Sparrow Drive) will present the Ko-

www.gotowncrier.com

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

sher Pickle Factory on Sunday, March 13 at 6 p.m. Join the nationally traveled “Rabbi Pickle,” who will share the secrets of making a kosher pickle. Attendance is $10 in advance and $15 at the door, and includes making your own jar of pickles, with coffee and refreshments served. To RSVP, e-mail info@jewishroyalpalm.com or call (561) 225-1766.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will present Dudu Fisher in Concert on Sunday, March 13 at 8 p.m. Fisher is known worldwide for his stirring performance as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables, but his career began in Tel Aviv, where he studied with renowned cantors. Visit www.kravis.org for more info.

Monday, March 14 • The seventh annual Sacred Heart School Pro-Am Heroes Golf Tournament will take place Monday, March 14. Profits will go toward Sacred Heart School’s Scholarship Fund. For more info., visit www.sacredheartschoollakeworth.com.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Reading Buddies Spring Session 2016 Registration for grades one through five on Monday, March 14 at 9 a.m.

Once a week, children will be paired with a teen to read together and play literacy games. Call (561) 790-6030 for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Write! Read! Critique! for adults on Mondays, March 14 and March 28 at 10 a.m.

Join in this informal roundtable discussion where participants improve their craft by reading and discussing work in progress. Call (561) 790-6030 for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Pi Day: March Math Madness for ages 7 to 11 on Monday, March 14 at 3:30 p.m. Celebrate the number that never ends on its special day. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Sons of Italy Michelangelo Lodge #2864 will meet Monday, March 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Royal Palm Beach Cultural Center. For more info., call Pat Devivo at (561) 249-1298 or Sam Pittaro at (561) 412-8684.

Tuesday, March 15 • Municipal Elections will be held in Wellington, Royal Palm Beach and Loxahatchee Groves on Tuesday, March 15. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more info., visit www. pbcelections.org.

• The Okeeheelee Nature Center will host Science for Seniors: Pre-History of Palm Beach County on Tuesday, March 15 at 9:30 a.m. Archaeologist Chris Davenport will share an overview of the Native Americans who once called Palm Beach County their home. Call (561) 233-1400 to pre-register.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will present The Capitol Steps: Mock the Vote Tuesday, March 15 through Sunday, March 27.

Visit www.kravis.org for more info.

Wednesday, March 16 • The Audubon Society of the Everglades will hold a bird walk fly out at the Arthur R. Marshall

Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (10216 Lee Road) on Wednesday, March 16 at 6:30 a.m.

Visit www.auduboneverglades.org for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Ms. Beth’s Signing Time for ages 2 to 5 on Wednesday, March 16 at 10:15 a.m. Beth Wagmeister from Deaf Services-Gulfstream Goodwill Industries will be back for another interactive learning experience. Call (561) 7906030 to pre-register.

• The Wellington Chamber of Commerce will honor Roxanne Stein as its Outstanding Citizen of the Year on Wednesday, March 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the Wanderers Club. The luncheon will also include the installation of the chamber’s new board. Call (561) 792-6525 or visit www. wellingtonchamber.com for more info.

• The Central Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce will hold an economic forum luncheon on “The Future of Healthcare” on Wednesday, March 16 starting at 11 a.m. at Breakers West Country Club. Visit www.cpbchamber.com for more info.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host an Adult Book Discussion on Wednesday, March 16 at 2 p.m. featuring travel writer Bill Bryson’s modern classic A Walk in the Woods in which he recounts his journey to rediscover America during a hike along the Appalachian Trail. Pick up a copy at the information desk. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Musical Toddlers & Tykes for children under age 4 on Wednesday, March 16 at 3:30 p.m. Join in a jam session with lots of musical instruments to play. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host Geek Out With Cool Cube Crafts for ages 9 and up Wednesday, March 16 at 4:30 p.m. Construct cube crafts of your favorite Star Wars, Minecraft and other characters by cutting and folding paper. All materials will be provided. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• Wellington will hold a Neighborhood Watch Meeting for Greenview Shores I on Wednesday, March 16 at 6:30 p.m. Visit www.wellingtonfl.gov for more info.

• The Wellington library (1951 Royal Fern Drive) will host Card Sharks for ages 12 to 17 on Wednesday, March 16 at 6 p.m. Play Yu-GiOh, Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon or a regular card game. Play against others, trade and make new friends. Snacks will be provided. Call (561) 790-6070 for more info.

Thursday, March 17 • Alzheimer’s Community Care will host its 19th annual Alzheimer’s Educational Conference on Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Visit www.alzcare.org for more info.

• More than 350 youngsters from throughout western Palm Beach County will travel to the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center (1977 College Drive, Belle Glade) on Thursday, March 17 to participate in the 19th annual VSA West Festi-

The Town-Crier val. This year’s event, Art O’ the Irish, will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 12:45 p.m. The VSA West Festival provides children with disabilities an opportunity to showcase their achievements in the arts. For more info., call Cindy Pijanowski at (561) 966-7025.

• The Royal Palm Beach library (500 Civic Center Way) will host March of the Stuffed Animals for ages 3 to 5 on Thursday, March 17 at 10:15 a.m. Little ones will have fun in this math-filled experience. Bring your favorite stuffed animal and wear your pajamas. Call (561) 790-6030 to pre-register.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Our Night Sky for adults on Thursdays, March 17 and March 31 at 2 p.m. This DVD lecture series provides a tour of the night sky while teaching about the science, culture, technology and pleasure of stargazing. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host a St. Patrick’s Day Party for ages 5 to 10 on Thursday, March 17 at 3 p.m. Put on some green and come out for games, crafts and green snacks. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host a Food Truck Invasion on Thursday, March 17 from 5 to 9:30 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info.

Friday, March 18 • The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host a Fancy Dress-Up Tea Party for ages 6 to 12 on Friday, March 18 at 11 a.m. Boys and girls are cordially invited to a grand tea party with games and activities. Dress up in your fanciest play clothes and get ready for a morning to remember.

Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Acreage library (15801 Orange Blvd.) will host Magic Tree House Presents: Dinosaurs for ages 6 to 9 on Friday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m.

Explore a prehistoric adventure with crafts and activities. Call (561) 681-4100 to pre-register.

• The Okeeheelee Nature Center will host an Owl Prowl for ages 8 and up Friday, March 18 at 7 p.m. Learn about the nature center’s live educational owls, then take a short walk in the forest by the nature center and try to find owls.

Call (561) 233-1400 to pre-register.

• The Wellington Amphitheater (12100 W. Forest Hill Blvd.) will host a free screening of the movie Victor Frankenstein on Friday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m. Call (561) 753-2484 for more info.

• The Doo Wop Project will return to the Dolly Hand Cultural Arts Center (1977 College Drive, Belle Glade) on Friday, March 18 at 7:30 p.m.

For more info., call (561) 993-1160 or visit www. dollyhand.org.

• The Kravis Center for the Performing Arts will present Steve Ross in Ridin’ High: The Music of Porter, Astaire and Coward on Friday, March 18 and Saturday, March 19. Visit www.kravis. org for more info.

Send calendar items to: The Town-Crier, 12794 W. Forest Hill Blvd., Suite 33, Wellington, FL 33414 or e-mail news@gotowncrier.com.

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

EMPLOYMENT

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Drivers: New Pay! $3,500 Sign-On Bonus!

Consistent Freight, Great MIles on This Regional Account, Werner Enterprises: 1-855-517-2488

A/C AND REFRIGERATION

CWP & GOV

Salesperson Come work for the BEST! #1 JD Dealership needs a salesperson to sell new and used CWP agricultural and turf equipment to new and existing customers.

Base Plus Salary. Excellent Benefits, matching 401K. email dpadron@evergladesfarmequipment.com

AG Equipment Salesperson

Come work for the BEST! #1 JD Dealership needs a salesperson to sell new and used agricultural and turf equipment to new and existing customers.

Base plus commission. Excellent benefits, matching 401K. email dpadron@evergladesfarmequipment.com PART-TIME ACCOUNTANT ASSISTANT — Part time, flexible, assistant to accountant.

Must be organized self-starter, computer literate (Excel, MS Word), to answer phones, do filing, do scheduling. Must be willing to learn new tasks. Royal Palm Beach.REFERENCES WILL BE CHECKED.Respond to arnoldsachs1@att.net No phone calls.

PART TIME, FLEXIBLE LEGAL SECRETARY/ASSISTANT. — Computer Literate (WordPerfect). Answer phones, schedule hearings, filing, assist with document preparation, etc. ONLY APPLICANTS WITH SOME EXPERIENCE WILL BE CONSIDERED. REFERENCES WILL BE CHECKED. Respond to j.a.abrams@att.net No phone calls.

IMMEDIATE POSITION AVAILABLE FOR BILINGUAL EXPERIENCED CLERICAL PERSON — In small office in Wellington.

Position includes handling a high volume of mail, answering phones (many calls only from Spanish callers), speaking with customers explaining services, and filing. We are a horse-related office but knowledge of horses is not required. The successful hire will have proven excellent customer service skills, be highly detail-oriented, and have proven ability to handle many details accurately on a daily basis. Excellent attendance and reliability will be a major requirement.

A resume with at least three references will be required and can be submitted via email: unitedstatespre@gmail.com H A I R S A L O N — Booth rental available or commission with some clientele.

Great environment. Looking for stylist.

Must be reliable. Cell 615-630-4244 DRIVER’S WANTED — Airport Transportation FT/PT retirees welcome.

561-333-0181 Wellington Town-Crier.

JOHN C. HUNTON AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION, INC.—Service & new installation FPL independent participating contractor. Lic. CAC 057272 Ins. “We are proud supporters of the Seminole Ridge Hawks” 561-798-3225. Family Owned & Operated since 1996. Credit Cards Accepted

CLEANING - HOME/OFFICE WE CLEAN OFFICES & PRIVATE HOMES — Licensed & Insured. Call for an estimate and to schedule your apartment. Discount for Central Palm Beach County Chamber members and to all new clients for first cleaning. 561-385-8243 Lic. #2012-252779 SUNSHINE STATE CLEANING — Residential, Commercial & Construction Cleaning Specialists. Licensed & Insured. $40 Flat Fee For a Basic Cleaning For Home or Office. Call Kristina 561-201-7123

DRIVEWAY REPAIR D R I V E W AY S — F r e e e s t i m a t e s A & M ASPHALT SEAL COATING commercial and residential. Patching potholes, striping, repair existing asphalt & save money all work guaranteed.

Lic.& Ins. 100045062 561-667-7716

HOME IMPROVEMENTS ANMAR CO.— James’ All Around Handyman Service. Excellent craftsman Old time values. Once you’ve had me! You’ll have me back! Lic. Ins. Certified Residential Contractor CRC1327426 561-248-8528

LAWN SERVICE YELLOWHAMMER LAWN SERVICE — Serving Loxahatchee, Acreage and Loxahatchee Groves ONLY High quality, affordable yard maintenance. NO CONTRACTS! Locally owned and operated. 561-320-1118

LOCKSMITH C.K.s L O C K & S E C U R I T Y 561-7329418 Full Service Security Since 1960 — Service and installation of locks, safes, camera’s alarms, monitoring, duplication of keys, car remotes and so much more.

PAINTING J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential. Interior & Exterior painting. Certified pressure cleaning & painting contractor. Lic. #U21552 Call Butch 309-6975 or visit our website at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com JOHN PERGOLIZZI PAINTING INC. — Interior/Exterior - Repaint specialist, pressure cleaning, popcorn ceiling, drywall repair & roof painting. Family owned/owner operator. Free Est. 798-4964 Lic. #U18473 COLORS BY CORO, INC. — Int./Ext. Residential painting, over 20 yrs exp. Small Jobs welcome. Free est. Ins. 561-578-2873. Owner/Operated. Lic.# U20627 Ins. Wellington Resident

PET CARE PRODUCTS HAPPY JACK LIQUIVIC ® 2x— Recognized safe & effective againist hook & roundworms by US CVM. Grand Prix 561-792-2853 Kennelvax.com

PET DOCTOR - MOBILE/HOME CARE TIRED OF HOLDING YOUR CAT IN THE WAITING ROOM? — Call Critter Home Care and Stay Home Dr. Don Denoff. 561-517-8705

PLUMBING JEREMY JAMES PLUMBING — Licensed plumber, legitimate estimate. Water heaters, new construction. CFC1426242. Bonded Insured. CFC1426242. 561-601-6458

TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS CALL 561-793-7606

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

March 11 - March 17, 2016 Page 55

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

REAL ESTATE

PRESSURE CLEANING

WEBSITE DESIGN

J&B PRESSURE CLEANING & PAINTING, INC. — Established 1984. All types of pressure cleaning, roofs, houses, driveways, patios etc. Commercial & Residential.

Interior & Exterior painting.

Certified pressure cleaning & painti n g c o n t r a c t o r. L i c . # U 2 1 5 5 2 C a l l Butch at 309-6975 or visit us at www.jbpressurecleaningandpainting.com

LAND FOR SALE

SWAMPLY IS AN ECO-FRIENDLY DIGITAL AGENCY — handling all of your web design, development, and hosting needs. Free consultation. www.swamply.co

105 ACRES RPB/ACREAGE

ROOFING ROBERT G. HARTMANN ROOFING — Specializing in repairs. Free estimates, Bonded,insured. Lic. #CCC 058317 Ph: 561-790-0763.

ROOFING REPAIRS RE-ROOFING ALL TYPES — Pinewood Construction, Inc. Honest and reliable. Serving Palm Beach County for over 20 years. Call Mike 561-309-0134 Lic. Ins. Bonded. CGC-023773 RC-0067207 NEIL O’NEAL JR. ROOFING — Roofing & Reroofing. Family owned and operated.

Residential/Commercial. Wood Replacement, Roof Coatings, Solar Vents, Skylights & Roof Ventilation. 561-656-4945 Lic. & Insured CCC1330208.Free Estimates

SECURITY SECURITY — American owned local security company in business 30 plus years.

Protection by officers drug tested. 40 hour course. Licensed & Insured. 561-848-2600

SCREENING JOHN’S SCREEN REPAIR SERVICE — Pool & patio re-screening. Stay tight,wrinkle-free,guaranteed! CRC1329708 call us 798-3132. www.poolscreenrepair.com

SPRINKLER SYSTEMS AQUATIC SPRINKLER, LLC — Complete repair of all types of systems. Owner Operated. Michael 561-964-6004Lic.#U17871 Bonded & Ins. Serving the Western Communities Since 1990

TRAIL RIDES TRAIL RIDES AT THE GOOD EARTH FARM — You get a 20 min. lesson on what to do before you go on your trek in the woods, then you go with your experienced trail boss. We can serve up to 3 people. Kids have to be at least 10 years old. Everyone has to wear some kind of boot that covers the ankle and has a heel. We have the helmets. Cost is 75$ each for a 1.5 hour experience and a personalized trail ride, walking (trotting in the ring only) at the end you wash your horse. 561-792-2666

TREE SERVICE TREES TRIMMED AND REMOVED — 561-798-0412 D.M. YOUNG TREE SERVICE. Family Owned & Operated Lic. & Insured 1992-12121 Visit our website at dmyoungtreeservice.com

\

WALLPAPERING

PAPERHANGING BY DEBI — Professional Installation,Removal. Repair of Paper.

Neat, Clean & Reliable. Quality work with a woman’s touch. 30 years experience.

No Job too big or too small. Lic. & Ins. References available. 561-795-5263

PLACE YOUR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AD HERE CALL 793-7606

BUSINESS OPPORTUNIT Y DISSATISFIED with M.L.M.? — Are you currently frustrated or Dissatisfied with the MLM company you’re involved with now, or have you been frustrated with your experiences with direct selling and/ or MLM opportunities in the past? I’m looking for ‘1’ Leader to Develop Locally...

Call me NOW... Bill Childers 561-290-3260.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS *NEW* ALZHEIMER’S CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP — Every Thursday 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Leo and Anne Albert Alzheimer’s Care and Service Center at St. Michael’s Lutheran Church, 1925 Birkdale Drive, Wellington. Contact Maria Alma, RN 561-331-6576.

GIRLS YOUTH LACROSSE PROGRAM — Starting March 21st! Ages 5-12 at Citrus Grove Park in Loxahatchee, FL. No playing experience necessary. For more information, go to www.allinsportsandfitness.org.

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE Legal Notice No. 596 Notice Under Fictitious Name Florida Statute 865.09 Public notice is hereby given that the undersigned desires to engage in business under the fictitious name of:

VA Loan Help Desk Located at:

17888 67th Courth North Loxahatchee, FL 33470 County of Palm Beach, Florida and intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations State of Florida, forthwith VA Loan Help Desk Publish :Town-Crier Newspapers Date: 03-11-16

$6,000,000.00 PRIMA PROPERTIES 561-575-1440 REAL ESATE - RENTAL WANTED L O O K I N G TO R E N T — 1 bedroom/1 bath in Loxahatchee or the Acreage.

For long term lease. Guest House, studio, or condo. Please call 954-821-7564

FOR SALE 1998 CARRIAGE 5TH WHEEL TRAVEL TRAILER — 38ft, 3 slides, New Air, 2 new Lazy Boy Chairs, $9,999 Very Good Condition. Call 573-614-1223

FICTITIOUS NAME NOTICE Legal Notice No. 597 Notice Under Fictitious Name Florida Statute 865.09 Public notice is hereby given that the undersigned desires to engage in business under the fictitious name of:

Vintage Lending Located at:

17888 67th Courth North Loxahatchee, FL 33470 County of Palm Beach, Florida and intends to register said name with the Division of Corporations State of Florida, forthwith Vintage Lending Publish :Town-Crier Newspapers Date: 03-11-16

TOWN-CRIER CLASSIFIEDS CALL 561-793-7606

Page 56 March 11 - March 17, 2016

PALMS WESTTHIS WEEK’S

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016 Page 57

HERE’S MY CARD

Page 58 March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

HERE’S MY CARD PALMS WESTTHIS WEEK’S

WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 59

Page 60

March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

The Town-Crier

www.gotowncrier.com

March 11 - March 17, 2016

Page 61

GREATNESS STARTS

HERE

CSUSA’S

NET PROFICIENCY GROWTH IN READING, MATH, WRITING AND SCIENCE IS ALMOST

X 10

ENROLLMENT SESSIONS Now Available for the 2016-2017 school year SERVING SIX GREAT SCHOOLS IN PALM BEACH COUNTY

HIGHER

than the state of FLORIDA.

Renaissance Charter School at Wellington Renaissance Charter School at Cypress Renaissance Charter School at Central Palm Renaissance Charter School at West Palm Renaissance Charter School at Palms West Renaissance Charter School at Summit

K-8 K-8 K-8 K-8 K-8 K-8

WellingtonCharter.org CypressCharter.org CentralPalmCharter.org WestPalmCharter.org PalmsWestCharter.org RECSSummit.org

At CSUSA we have clearly defined, high standards for academic excellence, personal growth and social development incorporated into our curricula, across all grades.

TUITION FREE!

PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS

Learn more at www.CharterSchoolsUSA.com

CHARTER SCHOOLS USA

Page 62

March 11 - March 17, 2016

www.gotowncrier.com

The Town-Crier

Floor Specialists, an Abbey Design Center, offers much more than the big box stores. Our highly trained team gives personal attention to each client to help create the living space they desire. Floor Specialists has the largest selection of hardwood �loors as well as the �inest �loor covering products in the area. From the most sought after to the most unique, Floor Specialists has it all…and for every budget.

You can read reviews, see �inished projects, read about what is trending in �looring and schedule a no obligation pre-measure and consultation at www.�loorspecialists.biz

Carpet • Hardwood • Laminate Tile • Stone • Luxury Vinyl

561-514-1912 11453 Southern Blvd.

Royal Palm Beach www.FloorSpecialists.Biz Monday - Friday 9-6 Saturday 10-4