Bringing you News that Counts
Bringing you News that Counts
|
December 1, 2008
IN THIS ISSUE
For more information about Palm Beach County’s programs and services, visit us online at www.pbcgov.com. During hurricanes or other activation events, Public Affairs will email releases to Count-e-News subscribers. If you have any questions or to provide feedback, you can email us at countenews@pbcgov.com or call (561) 355-2754. To unsubscribe from Count-e-News, click here. |
|
Newly Elected Commissioner Recently Sworn Into Office
Commissioner Vana has served the communities for six years as the Florida House-District 85 representative. She is also the former president of the Classroom Teachers Association, which represents teachers in the Palm Beach County School District. Commissioner Vana was sworn in along with Commissioners Karen Marcus, Addie Greene and Burt Aaronson, who also won reelection this year. Commissioner Jeff Koons was named the board's new chairman, replacing Commissioner Greene, who held the post for two years. Commissioner Burt Aaronson was also named vice chair at the meeting.
16th Annual Santa Paws and Claws Shelter Pet Toy Project Underway
People are more likely to adopt a dog or cat that appears happy, active and playful. The best type of pet toy for dogs is the hard indestructible toy, which is safer and sturdier for the larger dogs. Cats and kittens love all types of cat toys, which are available at any pet supply or department store. Please deliver pet toys to the main shelter at 7100 Belvedere Road, just west of the Florida turnpike overpass. Donations can be placed in the large toy box in the front lobby. Lobby hours are Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Toys can also be mailed to Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, attention Pet Toy Project, 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33411. For additional information, please contact Elizabeth at 561-233-1222 or e-mail pbcacc@pbcgov.org.
Fire Lobby Museum Now on Display
Hundreds of Project Pride volunteers helped with the move and firefighters both active and retired donated and loaned items for the display. Project Pride is a collaborative project between Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and its volunteer division, aimed at increasing a sense of ownership within the department through projects such as the Walk of Honor at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial Park At the new Fire Lobby Museum, the ground floor area features two antique wheeled cart fire extinguishers, display cases full of brass nozzles, as well as a 9/11 Tribute and Exhibit. The second floor area is dedicated to the pre-consolidated fire districts that make up Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, which were present before the departments merged in 1984. Finishing touches are still being worked on at the new museum which overlooks the Walk of Honor at the Fallen Firefighter Memorial Park.
For more information on Project Pride, visit Pride http://www.pbcfr.org/project_pride.asp or contact Lt. Doug McGlynn directly at dmcglynn@pbcgov.org
PZ&B Employee Earns Governor’s Appointment
Bob Boyer, interim assistant deputy of Plan Review, has been appointed to serve as a commissioner on the Florida Building Commission under the Florida Department of Community Affairs. Boyer received this prestigious appointment by Florida’s Governor Charlie Crist. Specific powers of the Florida Building Commission include adoption and promotion of recommendations to determine and ensure consistent, effective, and efficient enforcement and compliance with the Florida Building Code; issuing declaratory statements relating to new technology, techniques, and materials; providing determinations of the types of products which may be approved by the commission for statewide use; making recommendations and providing assistance regarding rules on accessibility for persons with disabilities; establishing and maintaining a mutual aid program to assist in the rebuilding effort in an area which has been hit with disaster. Congratulations to Bob Boyer!
Manatee Season Runs Through March 31
The area near the FPL power plant at Riviera Beach hosts some of the highest numbers of manatees in the state during cold fronts. Local “hot spots” where manatees congregate include Jupiter Sound, the C-18 Canal/Southwest Fork of the Loxahatchee River, Earman River, Central Lake Worth Lagoon, Lantana/Boynton area, Lake Wyman in Boca Raton. Side canals along the Intracoastal Waterway may serve as secondary warm water refuges and also provide sources of freshwater. The Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) and Palm Beach County’s largest estuary, the Lake Worth Lagoon, are the manatee’s version of I-95. Just as local motorists need to share the road with vacationers, local and visiting boaters need to share these waterways with manatees as they travel. The Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM) takes action year-round to help protect manatees. Efforts include a brochure with manatee speed zone maps, educational kiosks at boat ramps, habitat restoration and enhancement projects, and a new Law Enforcement Program to increase compliance with manatee speed zones countywide. The Manatee Protection Plan (MPP), approved by the Board of County Commissioners on August 21, 2007, provides annual funding in the amount of $200,000 for additional on-water law enforcement. These ad-valorem funds provide a mechanism that allows county marine units to work on manatee details specifically designed to increase patrolling in manatee speed zones. During the 2007-2008 manatee season, nine law enforcement agencies participated in the new Law Enforcement Program: Tequesta, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Lantana, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. All nine agencies with the addition of the Riviera Beach Police Department will participate in 2008-2009. To request a free manatee brochure with manatee speed zone maps contact, Alyssa Dodd at 561-233-2448 or ADodd@co.palm-beach.fl.us.
|
