It is a fact - anti-Semitism is on the rise. There are even some Americans who deny that this most horrific event occurred. This is unforgivable, especially amongst those of us who live in a community with the second largest holocaust population in the United States.

This is why when I learned that the last surviving prosecutor at the Nuremberg Trials was living in my District (Kings Point), I wanted to honor him in a very special way. I wrote the Governor and asked him to present the highest award in the State of Florida, the Medal of Freedom to our local Hero, Ben Ferencz.

What a proud moment! OUR HOMETOWN HERO, at 103 years old was given Florida's highest honor, The Medal of Freedom.
Ben Ferencz at the Nuremberg Trials.
Ben Ferencz
Our Local Hero

At 103 years old he is the sole surviving prosecutor from the Nuremberg Trials. Deemed the most important murder trial in history, a 27-year-old Ben began preparing his first case. There were 22 defendants, and each was convicted in the first-ever War Crime Tribuna. As his research documented the horrors, he was also a personal witness to the death camps and the methodical extermination by the Third Reich.
 
We must hear the stories of those who were there and witnessed first hand the horrors of the Holocaust.
Ben has dedicated his life to a message of "LAW NOT WAR"
Ben receiving the highest honor - The Medal of Freedom:

Click the link to view Benjamin Ferencz receiving The Medal of Freedom: PBCTV Presents: Ben Ferencz | Palm Beach County.
SPOTLIGHT ON PEOPLE OF VALOR
Beth Rappaport, Past President of COBWRA

Beth Rappaport was born in Rhode Island and came to Florida to attend the University of Miami in 1991. She became active in the community association arena shortly after purchasing her first home “West of Delray Beach” in Palm Beach County. She first began working with COWBRA on the Strategic Planning, Education, Communications, and Growth Management Committees, as Treasurer from 2016-2019 and as president from 2019-2022.
 
Beth helped the organization transition from four decades of face-to-face meetings to virtual meetings through the pandemic. Some of the biggest issues she dealt with, working in partnership with Commissioner Sachs, include holding the owners of a large property with an excavated lake accountable for numerous code violations, protecting the interests of Lyons Road area HOAs in a problematic road widening proposal, clarifying the rights of homeowner associations as pertains to common area trees, and working to advocate for sustainable development in the Ag Reserve. Her term as President has now come to a close, and she will continue to serve as a member of the Board of Directors as Immediate Past President.
 
Beth and her husband live west of Boynton Beach with her two teenage daughters. She volunteers with the PTA at both their schools, is a supporter of Aid for Victims of Domestic Abuse (AVDA), and is President of her HOA. She also serves on the Palm Beach County Groundwater and Natural Resources Protection Board, and is President of Palm Beach Area Mensa. She is dedicated to making our community a better place to live, work, learn and play. 
Upcoming Events
Libraries


  • This month is Haitian Heritage Month! The Palm Beach County Library System is proud to honor Haitian culture, literature, history and language during Haitian Heritage Month in May, a month that incorporates the important holiday of Haitian Flag Day on May 18th. Activities will be across all Palm Beach County Libraries.

  • Relax and enjoy Painting with Joe: Lets Try to Paint a Cat Portrait Wed., May 11th, 6:00pm. No previous artistic skill is needed. This activity is online.

  • Interested in learning about your family history? Genealogy Monthly Meet-up Sat., May 14th at 1:30pm. This activity is online.

For further information on online activities and in person activities please click on the website provided. http://www.pbclibrary.org
Dear Commissioner,
My grandchildren are visiting from up North. I would like to take them fishing. Do I need a fishing license?

Yes, a license is needed to fish in Palm Beach County whether you are fishing in freshwater or saltwater.

Non-residents who are 16 years of age or older are required to have a Florida license to fish.  
Please see below for fees.

  • Resident Annual: $17.00
  • Resident Five-Year: $79.00
  • Non-Resident Annual: $47.00
  • Non-Resident 3-Day: $17.00
  • Non-Resident 7-Day: $30.00
This license is valid for one-year and prices vary depending on the type of license. Licenses can be acquired at the Tax Collector's Office by calling (561) 355-2264 or by visiting their website at
Your County Commissioner,
Maria Sachs, Commissioner
Palm Beach County
Fighting For You!
Commissioner Maria Sachs | Palm Beach County Commission - District 5