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In this newsletter:
- We are entering peak hurricane season.
- West Palm Beach Police Department mourns fallen sergeant.
- Florida Mango resurfacing - Belvedere to Old Okeechobee.
- Tarpon Cove and Monceaux Park update.
- Back to School.
- Free pet adoptions during August.
- Mayor Weiss in the news.
- 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.
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As sea temps rise so does hurricane forecast | |
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As we are entering peak hurricane season I want to remind you to be prepared. So far we haven’t had any serious threats but August, September and October are historically the most active months of Atlantic Hurricane Season. Scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have upped their prediction from near-normal level of activity to above-normal level of activity due in part to record-warm ocean temperatures.
Link to NOAA here
Take a look at our 2023 hurricane guide here
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West Palm Beach Police Department mourns fallen sergeant | |
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The West Palm Beach Police Department is mourning a 16-year veteran who was identified as the driver killed in a patrol car crash in Boynton Beach on July 28.
Sergeant Fernando DeSouza, 43, was positively identified as the driver who died in the single-vehicle crash at Hypoluxo and Lawrence roads. He was off-duty at the time of the crash. The Boynton Beach Police Department notified West Palm Beach Police Chief Frank Adderley late Tuesday afternoon with confirmation of the identification. “This is very tragic news and a tremendous loss for Fernando’s family and his West Palm Beach police family,” Chief Adderley said. “I have been with his family and there are no words to describe the grief and sorrow they are experiencing. We are all deeply saddened and continue praying for him, his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.”
Sergeant DeSouza was hired as an officer in January 2007 and was promoted to sergeant in October 2017. He was most recently assigned to road patrol in the south end of the city. He received several commendations and a service certificate throughout his police career. He was a decorated military veteran, a Purple Heart recipient, serving in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan. DeSouza is survived by a son and two daughters.
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Florida Mango Resurfacing - Belvedere to Old Okeechobee | |
The Palm Beach County Engineering and Public Works Department will be resurfacing Florida Mango from Belvedere Road to Old Okeechobee Road. The tentative start date is Aug. 24 (weather and scheduling permitting). Daytime operations. Temporary lane closures. The work duration will be approximately seven days. | |
Tarpon Cove and Monceaux Park update | |
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With the help of many volunteers, Tarpon Cove and Monceaux Park
got a little greener this past Spring.
By now I'm sure you're familiar with the Tarpon Cove Project. In this newsletter we regularly report on these man made islands in the Lake Worth Lagoon that the county built to increase habitat, improve water quality. This story looks back at the volunteers who helped develop and maintain these islands.
Palm Beach County hosted eight separate events at Tarpon Cove, welcoming over 230 volunteers who helped plant the two northern islands with over 2,300 red mangroves donated by MANG Apparel and 8,000 saltmarsh cordgrass, purchased by the Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management (ERM). Many volunteers came from the El Cid community and partner organizations instrumental in creating Tarpon Cove, including the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida League of Cities Inc. and the City of West Palm Beach. Additional volunteers included County Mayor Gregg K. Weiss, members of the West Palm Beach Fishing Club and Angler Action Foundation, Palm Beach Day Academy, and many residents. From Monceaux Park to the islands, participants were shuttled by boats provided by ANGARI Foundation and LagoonKeepers.org.
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Palm Beach County partnered with the School District of Palm Beach County for Earth Day in April. Over 40 students, teachers and administrative staff headed to the shoreline to help Palm Beach County plant the two living shorelines along the park's seawall. The group planted 100 red mangroves (donated by MANG Apparel) and 700 salt marsh cordgrass seedlings in planters lined with rocks. The students also got close to some of the creatures living in the lagoon. Getting wet and muddy with the students were Conniston Middle School Science Teacher Elizabeth Eck and Principal James Thomas. We were also pleased to have School District of Palm Beach County Chief Operating Officer Joseph Sanches and Superintendent Michael J. Burke at the event. The Monceaux Park Living Shoreline is a partnership between ERM and the City of West Palm Beach to bring much-needed wildlife habitat to seawall-lined sections of the Lake Worth Lagoon.
Some videos from the event:
Planting Mangroves in Lake Worth Lagoon - Monceaux Park - YouTube
Burke at Work: Earth Day Edition - YouTube
Read more here
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A successful school year to all teachers, administration, support staff and students.
Below a few tips to ensure the safety of all children.
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Free pet adoptions during August | |
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As Aug. 1 marked the universal shelter dog birthday 🎂,
Animal Care and Control is celebrating DOGust all month
long with WAIVED adoption fees!
The Palm Beach County Public Safety Department's Animal Care and Control Division (PBC ACC) has over 200 amazing dogs waiting to experience the love of a family! We encourage you to come to PBC ACC to find your best friend. We are the only open-admission shelter in the county and are currently over capacity with the number of homeless pets in our care.
Whether you are looking for a big dog, small dog, couch potato or swimming buddy, we have the perfect match for you!
You can see all of our furry friends available for adoption here
You can visit us in person at 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach 33414.
⏰ Monday-Friday: noon-6 p.m.
⏰ Saturday: noon-5 p.m.
⏰ Sunday: noon-4 p.m.
Adoption fees are waived for all adoptable pets!
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Business Development Board's Palm Beach County Profile magazine
Mayor Weiss wrote a letter that was featured in the Business Development Board's Profile Magazine.
Read it here.
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Comcast
Mayor Weiss sat with Comcast during the National Association of Counties Conference to talk about water resources, housing, broadband accessibility and affordability, transportation and how we can use technology to improve the lives of our residents in Palm Beach County.
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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.
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YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP FORUM
On Saturday, Aug. 5, Mayor Weiss attended the Mind Your Business! 4th Annual Youth Entrepreneurship Forum in West Palm Beach. Did you know seven out of 10 teens claim to have business ideas but don't know where to start?
It's those entrepreneurial minds that this forum hopes to inspire. There were workshops for youths ages 8 to 18 with information, tips and tricks on how to start a business. Mayor Weiss also had the chance to address the crowd.
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THE IBIS PLAYREADERS
The IBIS Playreaders of West Palm Beach and playwright Cynthia Morrison won first place in the 2023 Equity Library Theater of New York virtual play festival for "The Mummy Speaks," an Edgar Allan Poe short story adaptation.
To acknowledge this accomplishment, Mayor Weiss presented certificates of recognition to actors of this IBIS group, David and Miriam Rafaidus, Roger Shorr, Marsha Rickles, Gary and Anita Alexander, and Stefani Marmer.
The group has been invited and will perform off-Broadway in the New York City Theater on Aug. 12.
After the presentation, the actors invited Mayor Weiss to be part of their performance as they sat him in a mock electric chair and acted out one of the scenes from the play.
Following his electrifying performance, they presented the mayor with a plaque, officially recognizing him as an "Honorary IBIS Playreader."
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RUBEN HALE
Reuben Hale’s children believe there should be a museum for their dad, which are primarily sculptures. They invited Mayor Weiss to show off his work.
Hale (1928-2018) taught art at Palm Beach State College for three decades, where he served as the director of visual arts, music, theater, literature, speech, foreign language and English programs. His works have been displayed in exhibits across the United States and Europe.
For more information, please visit www.reubenhale.com.
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BOCA RATON MUSEUM OF ART
What an enriching experience to visit the Boca Raton Museum of Art! Mayor Weiss met with the museum's Executive Director Irvin Lippman, Director of Development Roberta Kjelgaard and Henry Seidner.
They spoke about the museum's current exhibits and future ones to come. We are very proud that the Boca Raton Museum of Art plays a crucial role in promoting culture and enriching the lives of the community.
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LION COUNTRY SAFARI
Touring Lion Country Safari was a blast! Mayor Weiss met with Lion Country Safari CEO Marc Unterhalter and Vice President Jennifer Berthiaume about renovations and toured the drive-through safari.
Mayor Weiss got close to the park's lions, giraffes, zebras and other animals. Thank you to Haley McCann for the wonderful tour and for getting Mayor Weiss and his team up close to the animals while sharing what it takes to care for them all year long.
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US DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
Building bridges for a better future! Mayor Weiss had an insightful meeting with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Assistant Deputy Secretary Michele Perez.
Together, they discussed ways to enhance our community and create opportunities for all.
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CONSUL GENERAL OF CANADA IN MIAMI
Exciting meeting with Consul General of Canada in Miami Sylvia Cesaratto!
On July 26, Mayor Weiss had an incredible discussion with Consul General Sylvia Cesaratto about fostering stronger ties between Canada and Palm Beach County.
They explored the immense potential of bringing Canadian companies to our region, creating economic growth and innovation opportunities. Emphasizing the importance of environmental sustainability and resilience, they discussed ways to integrate cutting-edge artificial intelligence and technology to tackle critical challenges.
The future is bright with collaboration between our countries, and witnessing the positive impact this partnership will have on our local community is thrilling. Let's work together toward a more sustainable and tech-driven tomorrow!
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ETA PHI BETA SORORITY
On July 21, District 2 was honored to be part of the Eta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. 28th Southern Region Conference, among other elected officials and distinguished guests.
This #SuperSagacious region plays a vital role and has a rich history of promoting education, community service, sisterhood and fostering a culture of growth and empowerment.
Thank you, Eta Phi Beta, for impacting our communities positively and leaving a legacy of compassion and support.
May your conference be filled with joy, fellowship and a renewed sense of purpose. Here's to another successful conference and many more years of education, community service and sisterhood!
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FIRE RESCUE PROMOTIONAL CEREMONY
On Thursday, July 13, Mayor Weiss was the keynote speaker at a promotional ceremony hosted by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
We celebrate and congratulate the brave men and women of our Fire Rescue Department who have been promoted to different ranks. It is with great pride and admiration that we recognize their dedication, hard work and commitment to serving our community. Ranks recognized varied from driver/operator to assistant chief.
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12TH ANNUAL KIDSFIT JAMATHON®
Hundreds of children of all ages gathered at the South Florida Fairgrounds for one of the nation's largest kids dance fitness concerts. We presented a proclamation to Digital Vibez Inc, declaring July 19, 2023, as the 12th Annual KidsFit Jamathon®.
This innovative, interactive concert-like event for youth motivates and inspires them to dance, stay fit and live healthy lives. It was founded to reach out to underserved youth to mentor them through dance fitness, technology and the arts.
Great job promoting physical and mental health among our youth!
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Ideas, suggestions, concerns?
Contact us!
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GREGG K. WEISS
Mayor
www.pbcgov.com/D2
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