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TOWN-CRIER WELLINGTON • ROYAL PALM BEACH • LOXAHATCHEE • THE ACREAGE
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Volume 30, Number 23 October 23 - October 29, 2009
HALLOWEEN FUN IN THE GROVES
Western Academy Charter School In RPB Dedicates New Building
Western Academy Char ter School in Royal Palm Beach held a dedication ceremony last Saturday morning for the opening of its new building. Page 2
Wellington Begins Four-Day Schedule
The Village of Wellington began operating under its new fourday work schedule this week, with most offices closed Fridays. In six months, the village council will decide whether to keep the four-day workweek or to revert to a five-day schedule. Page 3
Lox Council Renews Contract With Embattled Debris Removal Firm
The Loxahatchee Groves Town Council decided Monday to extend its disaster debris removal agreement with AshBritt Inc. of Pompano Beach despite several concerns raised about the company. Page 4
Brass Evolution Debuts Inaugural Live Arts Florida Concert Series
The new Wellington cultural group Live Arts Florida kicked off its inaugural season last Saturday featuring a performance by the band Brass Evolution at Wellington High School’s performing arts theater. The show was a tribute to the music of Chicago, Steely Dan and Blood, Sweat & Tears. Page 9 DEPARTMENT INDEX NEWS ............................. 2 - 13 OPINION ................................ 4 CRIME NEWS ........................ 6 SCHOOLS ..................... 14 - 15 PEOPLE ........................ 16 - 17 COLUMNS .................... 23 - 24 DINING ......................... 27 - 30 BUSINESS ................... 31 - 35 SPORTS ....................... 37 - 40 CALENDAR ................... 42 - 44 CLASSIFIEDS ............... 45 - 53 Visit Us On The Web At WWW.GOTOWNCRIER.COM
The Farmer’s Daughter Garden Center in Loxahatchee Groves is celebrating the spirit of the fall season. In addition to its pumpkin patch, the center has a free “haunted forest” designed especially for children open every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Oct. 31. Pictured above, Makayla Brinson found the perfect pumpkin. MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 7 PHOTO BY DENISE FLEISCHMAN/TOWN-CRIER
Wellington Pioneers Hope Big Donation Leaves Lasting Legacy By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report Years before Wellington had established its reputation as a top equestrian community, Ken and Arle Adams chased foxes across area fields on horseback. Now they have pledged $5 million to keep Wellington an equestrian community through the creation of an equestrian park. Ken Adams, a longtime Wellington businessman and former member of the Palm Beach County Commission, told the TownCrier Tuesday that the donation is designed to help the village plan and execute a public/private partnership between the Village of Wellington and its equestrian community to make the equestrian park a reality. According to Village Manager Paul Schofield, the couple offered the money with two conditions: that the money to fund the project would be supplementary to the normal budget, and that the village creates a plan to bring per-
manence to the already-existing equestrian venues. “Right now there’s no guarantee that any of the venues will stay for any length of time,” Schofield said. “What would happen if polo were to leave Wellington?” Vice Mayor Dr. Carmine Priore said that the commitment by existing equestrian venues to remain in Wellington is an integral part of the envisioned park’s success. “The most important element is a commitment by the Winter Equestrian Festival and the International Polo Club that the facilities will continue being intact and will remain as part of the community,” Priore said. “It gives credibility to the donation because it gives substance to believe that equestrians will remain in Wellington.” The equestrian park would be created through a partnership between the government and the private sector, meaning there would be opportunity for public input in the equestrian venues.
Ken Adams PHOTO BY SUSAN LERNER
“All major achievements have been due to a partnership between the public and the private sector,” Adams said, citing Disney as an example. “The public sector can offer many things, such as tax benefits.” Adams said he hopes to create See ADAMS, page 18
Serving Palms West Since 1980
RPB Council Votes To Keep Madrid Connection Closed By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report After hearing comment from more than 250 residents who were about equally divided on the issue, the Royal Palm Beach Village Council voted Wednesday to reject the connection of Madrid Street to the State Road 7 extension. Village Engineer Ray Liggins and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office District 9 Capt. Eric Coleman both gave brief presentations about the opening before public comment. Liggins said the La Mancha neighborhood the road would connect to has 1,544 homes with four points of access, but no eastern access, which he said is the direction most commuters want to go. Liggins said his department has had numerous complaints from residents who have to wait at some of the intersections, including Balboa Blvd. at Okeechobee Blvd. and La Mancha Ave. at Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Coleman said as a former La Mancha resident, he relates to the concerns about cut-through traffic, truck traffic and speeders. However, regarding fears that opening up the Madrid connection will cause an increase in crime, Coleman said such fears are largely unfounded because people who commit property crimes are usually familiar with the area, whether they live in the neighborhood or work there. “Crime in La Mancha is relatively low,” he said. “That’s why it’s a nice place to live.” The positive aspects of opening the Madrid connection would be improved traffic flow overall and quicker access for emergency vehicles, Coleman said, pointing out that the negative aspect is that certain sections would experience increases in traffic, which would increase safety risks for pedestrians and bicyclists. It is also possi-
ble that some non-residents would use Madrid as a pass-through street, he said. During public comment, Tinu Peña, a member of the village Planning & Zoning Commission and a La Mancha resident, said she opposes the connection out of concern for her children’s safety. “My house is not directly on Madrid, but people drive well above the speed limit,” she said. “I don’t let my children play in the front yard. It’s also extremely loud when they drive through.” La Mancha Ave. resident Janet Robertson agreed, saying she thinks it would make a hazardous situation worse. Indian Trail Improvement District President Michelle Damone stressed that Royal Palm Beach and ITID had a partnership to support the SR 7 extension, which included a planned connection at Madrid Street. Mayor David Lodwick said the purpose of the SR 7 extension was to give Acreage residents an easier commute, which he said he felt has been achieved. Rick Lutz, a 23-year resident, said he favored opening the connection because it will actually ease the traffic burden. He compared the traffic openings to holes in a bucket where the flow of water is more efficient with more holes. “I’m in an area that will get more traffic, but it will be better for the neighborhood,” Lutz said. “People on Barcelona [Drive] can’t get out of their driveways.” Jackie Larson, speaking as the chair of the Royal Palm Beach Planning & Zoning Commission, said opening the road would not meet the village’s subdivision design standards. “There are a number of things we would be in violation of,” she said. Resident Mick McCabe favored opening the connection because it will take three miles off his commute to work. He also pointed out See MADRID, page 18
HOMECOMING AT SRHS
PBSO Reports White Pine Progress By Lauren Miro Town-Crier Staff Report Residents of the White Pine/ 12th Fairway area met Wednesday as part of Wellington’s Safe Neighborhoods Initiative to stop crime and beautify the community. The meeting, which took place at the Safe Neighborhoods Office on Wellington Trace, was an opportunity for residents to bring forth various issues, including: lighting, crime, police presence and code enforcement. Wellington Community Programs Director Ivy Fivey addressed lighting concerns and said that the village is working with Florida Power & Light to get costs for providing adequate lighting in the neighborhood, which residents complain is dark and unsafe.
“White Pine will be the test pilot for new lighting,” she said. “I am 90 percent sure that White Pine will be the first neighborhood on the list to receive new lighting once the costs come in.” Crime was a large concern for many residents, who said that the number of foreclosed properties and Section 8 housing in the area helps breed crime. PBSO Cpl. Alex Nunes, who helps police the area, said that crime is “substantially down” in the last six months due to increased patrols and more PBSO presence. Deputy Rob Maione noted that neighborhood patrols include unmarked cars and narcotics units. “Although you might not see us, I want you to know we are in the neighborhood and the surround-
ing neighborhoods,” he said. “It’s not necessarily people in your neighborhood doing things, it’s also people coming from other neighborhoods. That’s the problem — people hopping the fence from one neighborhood to another and committing crimes.” For residents concerned with people running through their yard, Maione suggested signing a trespassing affidavit at the PBSO substation and posting a sign on the property. “That gives us the right to come on your property if we see people who look like maybe they shouldn’t be there,” he said. Nunes also addressed the two high-profile home invasions that took place in September, both in which residents were shot. “Those crimes were not committed by See WHITE PINE, page 18
A homecoming crowd packed into Callery-Judge Stadium at Seminole Ridge High School last Friday night. The action on the field — a 13-0 loss to Palm Beach Gardens — was disappointing, but school spirit was alive and well. At halftime, Hart Collier and Kristina DeCarlo (above) were crowned as homecoming king and queen. STORY & MORE PHOTOS, PAGE 37 PHOTO BY LAUREN MIRO/TOWN-CRIER
Indian Trail Outlines Search For New Administrator By Ron Bukley Town-Crier Staff Report The Indian Trail Improvement District is in the process of looking for a new administrator in the absence of Chris King, who was asked to resign last week after unfavorable findings by the district’s risk assessment firm, which checks the district’s records prior to the annual audit. King, who started at Indian Trail in late 2007, was not at the ITID Board of Supervisors meeting on Oct. 14. His resignation was announced at the start of the meeting but not discussed in depth until the end. Board members discussed their options during supervisor comments. ITID President Michelle Damone said she favored a headhunting process in light of unsat-
isfactory results from the previous request-for-proposals process. Damone said she is looking for a person such as former ITID finance director Tanya Quickel, who is currently deputy director of the Northern Palm Beach County Improvement District and treasurer of the Florida Association of Special Districts. “The last two administrators did not have special district experience,” Damone told the TownCrier on Wednesday. “They had municipal government or other government type experience, but the district is lacking that key person with special district knowledge. The district also lacks historical knowledge.” At last week’s meeting, Damone said she wants only topnotch applicants, and the only way
that will happen is by going after them. Damone noted that ITID Attorney Charlie Schoech had said the district can legally conduct a search for specific people to do the job. “We would go through legal,” Damone said, asking other board members if they have objections. Supervisor Carol Jacobs said she agreed. “That audit is very disturbing,” Jacobs said. “I totally agree.” Supervisor Carlos Enriquez asked what kind of experience a candidate needs. Damone replied that professional district knowledge and a strong financial background are the main qualifications. “If we can pick up somebody with a historical knowledge, it would be a bonus,” she said. “And
strong administrative skills — somebody who not just understands the issues but knows how to administrate.” Prior to King, ITID had a several-year period of cycling through many administrators. Damone said she remained with King for two years to maintain stability. Now, she is looking for an improvement. “If we get a recommendation that Joe in Estero, Fla. or St. Petersburg, Fla. has special district experience… we need to go and bring that district administrator here,” Damone said. Jacobs said in light of past experience, the supervisors need to decide on a compensation package to offer now. “We need to find out what other people are paying,” she said, noting that ITID is go-
ing to have to offer a good salary to get a qualified person. “We have a lot of issues, and we have a large area. You pay for what you get.” Damone told the Town-Crier that King earned $105,000 annually. She compared that to the $189,000 annually earned by Wellington’s manager and to the Northern Improvement District, whose administrator earns $151,000. During the meeting, Damone suggested meeting again to discuss salaries and other strategies before the supervisors’ Nov. 4 meeting. They agreed tentatively to meet on Wednesday, Oct. 28. Enriquez said he agreed with the headhunting concept, but favored keeping options open. He See ITID, page 18