Volume II, Number 10
September 2011

Keeping You Informed on Local Issues

Beach Update

The heart of hurricane season is behind us; however, we have two months to go. Our beaches are the best they have been in years! Citizens’ Association Director Roberta Mambrino wrote the following letter that was published in the Palm Beach Daily News on Sunday, September 18^th.
In wake of Irene, beach protection efforts praiseworthy. After having been evacuated by Hurricane Irene in Rhode Island, let me take this opportunity to compliment our Town Council, Shore Protection Board, Citizens’ Association, Civic Association, Town Manager Peter Elwell and his staff for their outstanding foresight and fortitude of protecting our shore properties with beach replenishment. Living in Rhode Island as a seasonal resident for many years, I have watched our beautiful beaches erode and property values tumble. I can personally appreciate their efforts and accomplishments for our Palm Beach restoration. We should all continue to support their ongoing efforts in keeping Palm Beach “our little piece of paradise.”

Remembering 9/11

A Memorial to Remember – Whether you know, knew or didn’t have a personal connection with the tragic event ten years ago, we were and are all affected. We look forward to a brighter and better future for our nation, the world, our community and ourselves. This year, 9/11 was a peaceful yet sad and reflective day. Palm Beach has celebrated its 100^th anniversary and its 100^th season is about to begin. Let us take this special opportunity, realizing what a wonderful Town we have, to work together for the best for “our little piece of paradise” on the world map. Palm Beach is unique and we are very fortunate to be a part of it. Let us stand together—work together—this season for a productive successful year as a community.

 September Town Council & Town Meetings

Redistricting Palm Beach County – State Representative Pat Rooney spoke before the Council and stated that it is possible for the Town to get one House Representative instead of the two that it now has, if redistricting happens. It boils down to; does Palm Beach want to be represented in central or southern Palm Beach County?
Possible Sand Fund – If paid parking is approved on Worth Avenue and other commercial districts, Council President David Rosow and President Pro-Tem Bob Wildrick suggested the proceeds could go into a fund for maintaining beaches. This was also discussed at the second reading Budget Committee meeting.
Fedco at 2875 South Ocean Blvd (UnitedBank Building) – Director Bruce M. Heyman, and a letter from Chairman Jimmy Ryan, represented the Citizens’ Association at the Special Exception Hearing. After hearing concerns about the possible impact it could have on the community, the Council, with a Declaration of Use Agreement, voted unanimously to permit Fedco Pharmacy to become a tenent. The Use Agreement, which will be addressed at the October Council meeting, will contain a list of acceptable products to be sold. Your Citizens’ Association will continue to monitor this proposed new establishment in the best interest of our community. Fedco has an existing store in Palm Beach at 255 Sunrise Avenue.

2012 Budget Meeting – The Council approved a $58.5M operating budget that will cut spending by $5.2 million. This is the fourth consecutive year that the millage rate will remain unchanged at $3.25 per $1,000 taxable value. All expense categories are lower, except for coastal protection, which will rise by $870,000 to just over $3.9 million. The Finance & Taxation Committee, Robert Wildrick and David Rosow, recommendations will be addressed at the next Town Council meeting. If charging for parking in commercial areas is approved in Town, they recommended using most of the money could go into fund for maintaining beaches and a portion for marketing and special events to promote local business.

Planning & Zoning Commission– Director Alan Golboro, Chairman of the Commission, suggested inviting West Palm Beach City Officials to speak before the Commission on their energy-savings plans and ideas that would also apply to Palm Beach. Director Lewis Crampton, a Commissioner of Planning & Zoning suggested that Town buildings have energy-efficient thermostats and lighting systems installed.

Code Enforcement Board – The Omphoy Ocean Resort has received penalties of $109,250 in fines for code violations, under its previous owner. Under the new owner Palm Beacher Jeff Greene all violations have been cleaned, but the Board voted 4-3 to delay the Omphoy’s request to reduce the fines as they could not come to an agreement. This may delay plans to enhance the resort for the upcoming season as Omphoy’s plans cannot go forward until the issue is resolved.

Palm Beach At-A-Glance

Sewer Project North of Phipps – Replacement of the aged sewer system built between 1956 and 1962 will begin in April 2012 from Phipps Ocean Park to Everglades Island.
Forbes  – Palm Beach is number 4 on Forbes ‘American’s Millionaire Capitals’ list. It is estimated that the average net worth of the island’s taxpayers who have at least $200,000 of annual income is $23.3 million.
Lights, Camera, Action! – Parker a high-stakes action thriller movie, to be released in about a year, was partially filmed in Palm Beach this month. Partially because of the strict filming restraints placed on the Town years ago. From Sloan’s Curve to the Breakers, Jennifer Lopez and Jason Statham cruised around Town in a blue Bentley convertible and a Mazda SUV with the cameras rolling. Lopez plays a local real estate broker who gets involved with the heist of a high-profile auction at a Palm Beach mansion. Statham plays Parker who is a criminal with a conscience based on the novel Flashfire by Donald Westlake.
Palm Beach still Abnormally Dry – August and September rains ended our severe drought, but Lake O remains below average for this time of year. As of yet, there is still no easing of watering restrictions.
Paramount Building – The process has begun to comply with Code Enforcement thanks to personal loans by Town Council President David Rosow and his wife Jeanne and others in Town. If you are interested in helping the Paramount’s financial needs, visit: http://www.preservetheparamount.com/railings.php
Shampoo Salon – We welcome Lisa Naylor-Boulette and her staff to Palm Beach at the President of Palm Beach Condominium!
Jim Ponce - For 28 years, Mr. Ponce has conducted walking tours of The Breakers and eight years on Worth Avenue—all as a volunteer! Mr. Ponce is in his 94^th year. He is one of three finalists selected to win the Providencia Award. See the PBDN article http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/historian-jim-ponce and then PalmBeachPost.com/Providencia to honor this Palm Beach icon. Voting ends Sept 30^th.

A Little Palm Beach History

Stambaugh Cottage. The circa -1900 cottage may soon be just that—a little Palm Beach history—as the family is looking into options outside of Palm Beach for its permanent home. Phipps Ocean Park, the family’s first choice, did not pan-out as an easy option, if at all. The Port of Palm Beach Commission is considering taking ownership of the cottage for use as a museum and education center on Peanut Island. Other locations, including Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds, are being considered for the historical little cottage. In the late 1960s a bicycle trail ended at the house and north of the house was the Garden of Eden, a botanical garden near what is now Garden and Eden roads. For now, the cottage sits afloat a barge in our Intracoastal Waterway, waiting the fate of its new home.

Other Places & Items of Interest

Former Florida Governor Claude Kirk a West Palm Beach resident died today, September 28. He served as governor from 1967 - 1971. He was 85.
West Palm Beach County Commissioners voted 4-3 to raise countywide property taxes by less than 1 percent to $4.79 from $4.75 for every $1,000 of taxable value. Our Mayor, Gail Coniglio, spoke at the budget meeting urging the commissioners to hold the line on tax increases. Sheriff Bradshaw will receive his entire budget request of $464 million. The county will have to cut $7.9 million from the budget. That may come from road projects and county reserves. This would be a one-time budget fix, as the county's budget problems look just as bleak next year. The increased rate would generate $596 million in property tax revenue next year, about $ 10.6 million less than it collected this year. A $200,000 home with a $50,000 homestead exemption would increase $6 in taxes – from $713 to $719.
Nova Southeastern University. NSU has moved to I-95 and Military Trail in Palm Beach Gardens. Committed to excellence in education, the student educational center offers the area's only pharmacy program and state-of-the-art computer labs providing area students with a variety of undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Toll Road Increases. June 30, 2012 tolls will go up an average of 25 cents on the Turnpike and the Sawgrass Expressway to maintain and improve Florida’s toll roads.
Hurricane preparation plans. We have been free of hurricanes this season, but we have two months remaining. Listed here are helpful resources before and after the storm from Becker & Poliakoff.

·       Identify residents of your community who have special medical needs and who will require special procedures for evacuation.

·       Photograph your property before and after an incident for insurance purposes.

·       Make sure that your communities’ critical documents are copied and electronically stored in a safe, hurricane-proof location.

·       Have copies of your insurance carrier's contact information readily available for easy access.

·       Identify any residences in your community with absentee owners, and secure outdoor belongings that could become projectiles.

Things to Do

 Palm Beach Par 3 – the Palm Beach Par 3 is accepting entries for the Nov. 19 qualifying round of the Par 3 Marathon, a new golf fundraising event benefiting the athletes of Special Olympics. Participants can invite family and friends to sponsor their play. Low scores and top fundraisers advance to a championship round Dec. 2& 3. Par 3 Manager and Pro Golfer Tony Chateauvert continues to create play specials at the beautiful Town golf course. Call 547-0598 for more information.
Palm Beach Recreation Fall Programs – There are plenty of activities for everyone from 6-month to 106-year plus. Call Lisa at 838-5485 for a current schedule.
Breakers Palm Beach – www.thebreakers.com.
Chesterfield Hotel -  www.chesterfieldpb.com.
The Colony – www.thecolonypalmbeach.com.
Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens – Lots of exciting activities are planned, visit www.morikami.org.
Palm Beach Zoo – Enjoy Safari Nights every Friday thru October 28th, 5:30-9:00pm. with live music, up-close animal encounters & more! 561.547.9453. www.palmbeachzoo.com.
Sunday on the Waterfront – Meyer Amphitheatre, on the Intracoastal in West Palm Beach, last free concert Sunday, October 16^th from 4:30-7:30pm. Check out www.wpb.org/sow.
Palm Beach County Travel Bridge Club – Riverboat cruises throughout Europe will start in 2012 on Viking River Cruses. Non-bridge players welcome. Book now by calling 1-888-969-4768, ext. 82215 or ext. 77260.