June 2023 Newsletter

JUNE 2023

In this newsletter:

Hurricane preparedness press conference.
Annual Water Quality Report.
Summer book drive.
Free summer lunches.
Summer household tips.
Meet our summer interns!
We're sharing pictures of a few events Mayor Weiss attended. Let us know if you'd like him to visit a meeting or event in your neighborhood.

Hurricane preparedness

On Monday, June 5, at Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Station 16, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott and Mayor Weiss spoke about hurricane preparedness in Palm Beach County.

We encourage everyone to safely prepare and make a plan for hurricane season.

Here are some proactive steps to ensure the safety and well-being of yourselves and your community.

Have a well-practiced plan with the family in case of an emergency. A family plan can establish clear roles and responsibilities, minimizing panic and confusion during a potentially stressful time.
Assemble an emergency supply kit with food, water, first-aid, medication, flashlights, a battery-operated radio, and batteries, among other essentials.
Pack important documents such as family records, passports, social security cards, and credit and bank account information in a waterproof container.
Secure the safety of your home by reinforcing doors and windows, clearing gutters and trimming trees.
If needed, pre-register for the county's Special Needs and Pet-Friendly Shelters.
Familiarize yourself with your evacuation zone and hazards in your area.
Stay alert for storm surge warnings and evacuation orders.
Sign up at ALERTPBC.com to receive up-to-date information about your location.

For more information, click here.

Annual Water Quality Report

Just released: The Annual Water Quality Report

Dive into this comprehensive resource, crafted to empower Palm Beach County Water Utilities Department (PBC WUD) customers with valuable insights into their water supply.

Discover the origin of our pristine drinking water and get a glimpse into their meticulous treatment processes. With easy-to-read charts summarizing the data, it's never been easier to understand the quality of your water!

More than 60 million gallons per day of affordable, clean drinking water are delivered to over 600,000 residents located within 1,300 square miles of Palm Beach County. In 2022, PBC WUD conducted over 80,000 tests on samples from hydrants, commercial buildings and taps. These tests ensure that all federal and state water quality standards throughout the distribution system are continually met and exceeded.

To view the water quality report, visit pbcwater.com/waterquality, or to request a printed copy, call the public information team at 561-493-6066.

For the most up-to-date information, visit pbcwater.com.

Summer book drive

United Way of Palm Beach County is collecting new and gently used books for children and adults from

June 25-July 25.

Donations can be dropped off at:

Palm Beach County Food Bank

701 Boutwell Road, Suite A-2

Lake Worth 33461

Open weekdays, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Donated books will help us provide literacy and education opportunities for our neighbors in need. Every book donated will make a difference in someone’s life!

Please share this post with your friends and family and help us spread the word.

Free summer lunches

Hungry kids of Palm Beach County, we've got big news for you!

In collaboration with The School District of Palm Beach County, all Palm Beach County libraries are stepping up to provide free meals this summer at every single one of our locations.

From Tuesday, May 30-Friday, July 28, join us for free lunches and snacks, available Monday to Friday (excluding weekends and holidays). We welcome all children aged 18 and under, and guess what? No identification is required.

Let's break it down:

Tuesday, May 30-Friday, July 28

Monday-Friday (no weekends or holidays)

All Palm Beach County Library System locations

So, gather your appetite and bring your friends along. We can't wait to serve you delicious meals while you explore the wonders of our library branches.

Summer household tips

Cooling & Energy Efficiency

Cool Breezes Ahead: Check your A/C unit and its filter to keep the heat at bay and the cool air flowing.
Smart Savings: Optimize your A/C system with smart devices to stay cool, save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
Flip the Switch: Change the direction of your ceiling fan and dust its blades for a refreshing airflow that keeps you cool and comfortable.
Insulation Inspection: Keep the heat out by inspecting your insulation for gaps and sealing them tight.

Outdoor Prep & Maintenance

Summertime Oasis: Prepare your deck or patio for ultimate summer enjoyment with a touch of maintenance and a splash of creativity.
Grill Master Revamp: Give your grill a thorough cleaning to get it sizzling and ready for those mouthwatering summer barbecues.
Screen Savvy: Clean your screens, shutters, and window sills to let the summer sunshine in while keeping the bugs out.

Household Maintenance

Fresh & Flowing: Unclog drains and fix leaky faucets in your bathroom to ensure a hassle-free summer of smooth water flow.
Clear the Clutter: Get rid of the excess for some not-so-spring cleaning, making way for a breezy and organized summer space.
Safety First: Test the batteries and functionality of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to keep your home protected all summer long.
Fridge Checkup: Schedule a checkup for your fridge or freezer to ensure they're running smoothly and keeping your summer treats chilled.

Remember to tackle these tasks with enthusiasm and enjoy a

stress-free summer in your well-prepared and maintained home.

Meet our summer interns

My name is Natalia Van Horn, and I am a high school senior at G-Star School of the Arts. I am interning at Palm Beach County Mayor Weiss’s office this summer. So far in this internship, I’ve sat in on meetings with the mayor and leaders from various community organizations, handled constituent matters over the phone, posted on social media and watched Board of County Commissioner meetings live.

One of my hobbies is gardening. I love various aromatic herbs like rosemary, oregano and especially lemongrass. When I’m older, I’d like to work in the environmental protection field, either as an environmental engineer or scientist. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and thrilled to help serve the people of Palm Beach County.

My name is Christine Sosa-Gutierrez, and I am a student at Florida State University. I grew up in West Palm Beach and went to Forest Hill Community High School. I am thrilled to work in Mayor Weiss' office this summer.

I play beach volleyball and soccer with my friends in my free time. In the future, I aspire to practice criminal or family law as an attorney. I am so grateful for this opportunity and happy to help serve the people of Palm Beach County.

Commish in the community

Celebrations, anniversaries, meeting with agencies, advocating for health causes, recognizing community leaders, joining neighbors' festivities and going to neighborhood meetings, Mayor Weiss spends a lot of time in the community.

“As an elected official, I want to be part of the community I represent," said Mayor Weiss. "I want to understand the issues in my district and that’s why I spend many evenings going out to events to listen and learn.”

If you’d like to invite Mayor Weiss to your event, let us know.

PRIDE MONTH

On June 14, Mayor Weiss joined the #PrideTribe at The Connie House ALF to honor and celebrate the achievements, struggles and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community! They presented a proclamation declaring June 2023, as Pride Month in Palm Beach County.

Pride Month is an annual celebration that promotes inclusivity, diversity and understanding among all members of society.

Congratulations to Ruth Berman, Allan Hendricks, Avion Goordeen (Night Runners WPB), Rand Hoch (PBCHRC). Julie Seaver (Compass), Chris Rhoades (Next Level Talent), Ryan Thompson and Levani Bennett (Night Runners WPB), Darlene Williamson (Vita Nova Inc.) Rolando Chang Barrero Artist (The Box Gallery).

Thank you to City of Boynton Beach Mayor Ty Penserga, City of Lake Worth Beach Commissioner Sarah Parr Malega, Nicholas Coppola, Tennille Decoste, Shelita Taylor, Michele Veronica Gitu, Virginia Savietto and everyone who made this presentation memorable.

CHILDNET GRADUATION

On June 20, ChildNet’s class of 2023 had their graduation ceremony! ChildNet helps lead children in the foster care system to receive safety and stability in foster and adoptive homes.

These students have done remarkable work, overcoming challenges and surpassing expectations. We wish these scholars the very best in pursuing higher education and achieving their goals.

MORSELIFE

On June 12, Holocaust Learning Experience (HLE) Executive Director Leigh Routman and HLE Director of Programs Jen Disilvestro, met with Mayor Weiss to share what the HLE presented by MorseLife NEXT GENERATIONS is doing on both state and local levels. Their learning management system meets state mandates, benchmarks and standards. The NextGen Project brings history alive through person-to-person discussions with Holocaust Survivors or their descendants. Also, they shared about the Gendelman Children’s Holocaust Memorial Tree that will be dedicated in January 2024.

The Memorial will stand in perpetuity as a beacon and centerpiece of MorseLife’s remembrance of the 1,500,000 children murdered at the hands of the Nazis and, at the same time, as a symbol to future generations of the Jewish people’s resilience.

To learn more, visit thebutterflyprojectnow.org.

PHILIPPINE ANNUAL SUMMER FESTIVAL

Mayor Weiss presented the Philippine American Society with a certificate of recognition for their 24th year of promoting culture and engagement in the community during their annual summer festival over the weekend. The festival was vibrant, featuring traditional attire, cuisine, music and performances. The Mayor was also gifted a plaque for speaking at the event. U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel swore in the new officers and board members.

ICNA

The ICNA South Florida Relief Organization (INCA) representatives met with Mayor Weiss to discuss how their group serves the community!

The ICNA strives to help underserved communities through a network of food, shelter and refugee programs.

DUMP THE PUMP DAY

On June 13, Mayor Weiss declared June 15, 2023, as Dump the Pump Day. Public transportation is critical in transporting essential workers, reducing traffic congestion and creating cleaner air.

Palm Tran, in collaboration with the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency, offers 28,000 daily rides.

SCHOLARSHIP CEREMONY

Recently, Mayor Weiss was a guest speaker at the American Muslim Alliance of Florida's Scholarship Ceremony for the Class of 2023. Best of luck to you all.

FOUNDCARE

Congratulations to FoundCare Inc. and their expanded Boynton Beach location.

For more information about FoundCare Inc., visit foundcare.org.

RIBBON-CUTTING

On June 8, Mayor Weiss attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of Sushi by Bou, the newest gem on Clematis Street in downtown West Palm Beach.

Located at 340 Clematis Street, Sushi by Bou invites you to immerse yourself in the art of sushi, where exquisite flavors and impeccable craftsmanship take center stage.