August 19, 2022

PBSO Will Now Carry Narcan

This week Sheriff Ric Bradshaw made a significant announcement that he will allow PBSO officers to carry Narcan. The leaders of the substance use disorder community and I have been calling for this policy change for several years, and I'm grateful the Sheriff reached this decision.

During a recent budget hearing, I promised that if the Sheriff revised his stance on Narcan I would ask for the County to include funding for it in the upcoming fiscal year. I kept that promise: I immediately made the request to the County Administrator.

I want to thank all of the community leaders who have advocated for PBSO officers to carry Narcan, as is done in many other police departments throughout Florida, as an extra tool to help save lives. And I want to thank Sheriff Bradshaw for hearing our voices and understanding why this policy matters.

Prevention and treatment remain the best options to address substance use disorder, but this new policy may save a life and spur someone to seek treatment.

In another wonderful development, the Health Care District of Palm Beach County recently introduced a 24/7 ground transportation element to its addiction treatment ecosystem. This option now allows HCD patients seen in other ERs or substance use disorder facilities to be transferred to the Addiction Stabilization Unit at JFK North or the C.L. Brumback Mangonia Park Clinic, regardless of their ability to pay.

Furthermore, the ground transportation will allow for interfacility transfers from and to Lakeside Medical Center in Belle Glade!

This is an important advancement that will help those suffering from substance use disorder access the help they need!

Primary Election - August 23rd

The Primary Election is on August 23rd! The Supervisor of Elections wants voters to know there are three easy ways to vote: vote-by-mail, early voting, and on Election Day.

Important dates and deadlines:

The deadline to register to vote or change your party has passed.

The deadline to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot be mailed to you has passed.

The Supervisor's Main Office must receive your Vote-by-Mail ballot by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, August 23, 2022.

Early Voting is available through Sunday, August 21, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Election Day is Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

If voting by mail, you can also drop your ballot off at any of the four Supervisor of Elections offices during office hours:

Main Office, 240 S. Military Trail, West Palm Beach
West County Branch Office, 2976 State Road #15, 2nd Floor, Belle Glade
North County Branch Office, Northeast County Courthouse, 3188 PGA Blvd, RM #2401, Palm Beach Gardens
South County Branch Office, Southeast PBC Administrative Complex, 345 S. Congress Ave., RM #103, Delray Beach

Ballots may also be dropped off at any early voting site.

For more information, visit the Supervisor of Elections site.

Closure - Turnpike at Okeechobee Blvd Interchange

The Florida Department of Transportation has announced the full closure this weekend of the Turnpike and Okeechobee Blvd Interchange. See the notice below for details and detour information.

Air Conditioning Replacement Program

PBC Community Services to Offer Air Conditioning (HVAC) Replacement Program to Homeowners

The Crisis Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Replacement Program, through LIHEAP (Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program), is working to assist low-income Palm Beach County homeowners in need of replacing their home’s HVAC system, with assistance up to $15,000. This money can be used to replace their home cooling system.

Clients must be income-eligible, live in Pam Beach County, and are required to show that they are in a crisis situation. Completed applications must show one or more of the following:

• The HVAC system no longer cools

• HVAC unit is 10 years or older

• Proof of high energy bills

• Proof of life threatening environment via a doctor’s statement

For program guidelines and to apply for assistance, please visit https://www.utilityassistancepbc.org/ or call 561-355-4792.

Commissioner Melissa McKinlay

(561) 355-2206

mmckinlay@pbcgov.org

Kelley Burke

Chief of Staff

(561) 355-2206

kburke@pbcgov.org

Joseph Sophie

Senior Legislative Aide

(561) 355-2206

jsophie@pbcgov.org

Lisa Wilson

Legislative Aide

(561) 996-4814

awilson1@pbcgov.org