JULY 8, 2021

FAC Presidency

Last week, I concluded my term as President of the Florida Association of Counties. My Presidential theme was Farm to Metro. I chose it based on my experience being a County Commissioner in a large urban county that represents an area within that county that is largely rural and predominately agricultural. I wanted to bridge the gap between our urban and rural communities in Florida.

During my term, I had the opportunity to visit counties throughout our beautiful state to learn more about the issues each face and how important it is for us to all work together. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored how vital it is that we communicate with our fellow counties, especially when it comes to protecting the agricultural workers who help ensure we have fresh food for our families. In recognition of these efforts, I was especially honored to receive a special award from the Small County Coalition.

I will bring this knowledge and perspective forward as I represent District 6 through the rest of my term as your County Commissioner.

I want to congratulate Wakulla County Commissioner Ralph Thomas, the new President of FAC. I am now serving as FAC's Immediate Past President, and I was also reelected to the National Association of Counties Board of Directors, one of two Florida members.

Publix Tragedy

Our community recently suffered a heartbreaking tragedy--the murder of a grandmother and toddler at the Publix in Royal Palm Beach. We learned the perpetrator posted disturbing messages on social media. It's essential threats of violence get reported to help prevent unthinkable violence like this from happening and to help individuals get mental health services. A community meeting is being planned for further discussion.

I thank all of the first responders who ran towards the danger, and all the members of our community who sent their prayers and showed their support for this grieving family.

For those who wish to speak to someone about this incident, Palm Beach County Victim Services offers a free helpline service at 561-833-7273. Grief counseling is also available through Florida Blue and New Directions Behavioral Health. To connect with a trained counselor, call 833-848-1762. Help is available in English and Spanish, 24 hours a day.

Exciting District 6 News!

The County Commission gave unanimous direction to staff to move forward with an ATV/Off Highway vehicle park! It will be located near 20-Mile Bend and be developed in partnership with a private partner.

I’m so excited that we’ll finally be able to deliver on a promise to establish this much needed recreational facility, which will provide a safe place for enthusiasts to ride! We will be arranging for select enthusiasts to meet with staff to offer input.

Great news for the Glades! I'm working with my County team to bring a new Animal Care and Control facility and PBSO substation to the closed FL Department of Health Building in Pahokee. More details to be shared soon!

Golden Grove Elementary Virtual Safety Patrol "Trip"

I had a wonderful time meeting with the safety patrols at Golden Grove Elementary School. We discussed my responsibilities as a county commissioner, the importance of local government, and the value of public service. I want to thank Principal Linda Edgecomb for hosting me. I appreciate this wonderful letter from the teachers and students I met with! It was a fun morning with Westlake Commissioner Katrina Long-Robinson and State Senator Bobby Powell.

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Olympic Baseball Qualifying

During May and June, Palm Beach County had the honor of hosting the Olympic baseball qualifying games at the Ballpark of the Palm Beaches! It was awesome meeting some of baseball's biggest legends such as Johnny Bench, David "Big Papi" Ortiz, and Jeff Conine!

The HUB Grand Opening

The grand opening of the The HUB Recovery Community Center in Delray Beach finally happened! The HUB is a local resource by and for the community that supports people recovering from substance use and behavioral health disorders for the purpose of building and establishing higher recovery capital in real time and with real outcomes. The mission of The HUB is to increase community access to recovery resources and help support and build up the individual who walks in with little to no hope of sustained recovery. What a great morning celebrating this resource!

Congratulations to Staci Katz, Robin Tupper, and Cindi Singer for all their efforts to make this center a reality, and all the partners who helped fund it.

Photo (l to r): Staci Katz, Robin Tupper, Cindi Singer, Melvin Clark, State Attorney Dave Aronberg, Sharon Burns Carter, Steve Farnsworth, County Commissioner Mack Bernard, County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay, County Commissioner Robert Weinroth, Ann Berner, James Green

Summer Interns

I'm excited to introduce my summer interns, McKenzie Henry and Kyle Balfour! Both Wellington residents, McKenzie is a 2021 graduate of Wellington High and Kyle is a 2021 graduate of Palm Beach Central. McKenzie is attending Florida Atlantic University and Kyle will be attending George Washington University.

They are both participants of the Village of Wellington's S.W.A.G. (Students Working to Achieve Greatness) Internship Program. To learn more about this wonderful program that helps students learn professional and personal development skills, visit SWAG Program.

Photo (l to r): Assistant County Administrator Dorritt Miller, McKenzie Henry, County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay, Kyle Balfour, Assistant County Administrator Todd Bonlarron, South Bay Mayor Joe Kyles, South Bay City Manager Leondrae Camel

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FPL Sabal Palm

Chief of Staff Kelley Burke recently toured the FPL Sabal Palm Solar Energy Center. The 600-acre property in Loxahatchee, which came on-line last May, creates clean emissions-free energy. The 335,842 photovoltaic solar panels will power 15,000 homes annually.

Welcome Home Ceremony

My office was present to welcome home Marine Lance Corporal Leonard Chong and his family on June 3. Thank you to Building Homes For Heroes, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, and PBSO for making this incredible event happen. Building Homes for Heroes is a wonderful nonprofit which partners with companies to gift homes to injured veterans--over 255 homes have been gifted to date. I thank Lance Cpl. Chong, a Purple Heart recipient, for his valued service to our nation!