Congratulations to the Florida Atlantic University men's basketball team for their historic season! 


I had the honor of presenting the team with a proclamation declaring April 15-22, 2023, as Florida Atlantic University's Men's Basketball Team Week!


The team not only achieved the best season in FAU's history but became one of the greatest teams in the history of college basketball, achieving a remarkable 35-4 record, winning a Conference USA Championship, and earning an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament from a field of 68 teams. 


They charged on and won four straight games in the NCAA Division I basketball tournament and placed Palm Beach County on one of the greatest stages in American sports by winning its way into the Final Four of the playoffs.


Although the Owls didn't advance to the National Championship, the FAU community is proud of our team, and we look forward to next season. 


In addition, we presented a certificate of congratulations to Coach Dusty May, 2023 Coach of the Year. May is the Owls' all-time leader in coaching wins with a record of 101-60.


He brings immense passion, determination, and a commendable work ethic to the program, and his efforts have created an enduring legacy for FAU men's basketball.  


Another highlight this month was hosting the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) Board Meeting in my home chambers at the Robert Weisman Palm Beach County Governmental Center in West Palm Beach! 


Thank you to all the county staff who made it a success, Palm Tran for the transportation and Marni with The Little Kitchen Cookie Co. for the beautiful (and tasty) flamingo cookies.

Newsletter

Highlights

A Message from Marci

Palmetto Park Road Bridge Update

The Mayor's Ball

Rechargeable Batteries Linked to Fires

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens

John F. Kennedy Bunker Restoration

Nonprofit Spotlight

Local Gov. 101

SFRTA board members at Governmental Center in West Palm Beach

Below is a recent update from the Engineering and Public Works Department on the Palmetto Park Road Bridge project.


The construction phasing necessitated re-routing certain utilities (i.e., water main) since they are attached to the south bridge (eastbound travel) and must be done before removing the remaining south bridge structure. This work is expected to be completed by the end of the month, pending Florida Department of Health approval. 


The contractor has completed the installation of the wastewater pipelines, which will be put into service following testing, and the old pipes will be abandoned. 


Installation of roadway drainage pipes has begun on the west side of El Rio Canal and will be complete once the old water and wastewater mains are grouted and out of service.  


The project schedule shows completion in September 2023.


I live nearby and recognize the impact this project is having on residents and businesses and will continue to monitor it closely and provide updates.

We are here to help!

Office Telephone:

561-355-2204

Commissioner Woodward:

mwoodward@pbcgov.org

Caitlin Joyce

cjoyce@pbcgov.org


Christian Wright

cwright@pbcgov.org

Follow us on social media for frequent updates:

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Visit our website:

Web

This year's Mayor’s Ball, sponsored by the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, was a huge success! 


Over 1,400 people in Palm Beach County do not have a safe, permanent place to call home.


The coalition's mission of raising awareness and motivating a communitywide response is especially important for the many affected by homelessness.


Since 2014, the Mayor's Ball has helped the coalition positively impact nearly 2,100 people, moving them from homelessness into permanent housing.


Huge thank you to Comcast for streaming the FAU Men's Basketball game at the ball so we didn’t miss a single play.

Cheering on the FAU Men's Basketball team!

Upcoming

Meetings:

BCC Workshop

April 25, 2023

9:30 a.m.

BCC Zoning Hearing

April 27, 2023

9:30 a.m.

Residents may offer comments and/or concerns to the board by filling out a comment card (available in the chambers).

Throwing rechargeable batteries in a recycling bin or the garbage puts property and lives at risk since they are known to ignite spontaneously.


Please do not put rechargeable batteries in the garbage or recycling bin.  


They need to be disposed of at one of the Solid Waste Authority's (SWA) designated centers or major retailers with drop-off locations.  


The county commissioners, sitting as the SWA Board, recently requested SWA officials initiate a public outreach campaign concerning the proper disposal of rechargeable batteries.  


Additionally, we asked staff to explore installing specially designed disposal bins for these batteries at convenient locations countywide.  


Regular alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D, and 9 volts) can be placed in your garbage. 

More information

The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, with its unique gardens and collections, is one of Palm Beach County’s most treasured cultural attractions.


Be transported to Japan through art exhibits, an authentic tea house, cultural festivals and an incredible .8-mile walk through Japanese-inspired gardens.


The gardens have 25 stops where visitors can see waterfalls, koi fish and other wildlife and an extensive bonsai collection. You’ll feel drawn to sit and admire the precise plantings and quietude.


Additionally, The Morikami Collections house more than 7,000 Japanese art objects and artifacts, including a 500-piece collection of tea ceremony items and more than 200 textile pieces and fine art acquisitions. 


It’s an impressive public amenity open daily

from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ribbon cutting for the reopening of the Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens' original museum building, Yamato-kan.

More information

With the approval of a 30-year lease agreement with the Port of Palm Beach for $10 a year, the county will be restoring and managing an area on Peanut Island that includes President John F. Kennedy's Cold War-era bunker. 


The 1,800-square-foot bunker was built in 1961 as a top-secret nuclear bomb shelter for President Kennedy during visits to his family’s estate in Palm Beach.


Once completed, the public will have access to low-impact, educational and historic attractions including tours of the Kennedy bunker and the former Coast Guard station and boathouse built in 1936.  

Constituent

Services:

  • Community Outreach


  • Economic Development


  • Environmental Protection


  • Mental Health/ Substance Abuse Disorders


  • Planning, Zoning & Building



  • Infrastructure


  • Public Safety


  • Transportation


  • Community & Veteran Services

The Fuller Center, a local nonprofit in Boca Raton, is dedicated to providing opportunities for hundreds of working families in our community every year.


The center’s mission is to educate and empower hardworking, under-resourced families and children to achieve their full potential through quality programs, including early childhood education, summer camp and family support (i.e. vocational training and employment placement).


The center aims to provide every child with the chance to learn, grow and experience success in school and life regardless of their ability to pay. It currently serves over 700 children in our community. 

Touring the Fuller Center with CEO Ellyn Okrent and Deputy Director Elen de Paula

More information

Constitutional Officers


Constitutional Officers were established by the Florida Constitution and are independently elected officials.


Palm Beach County has seven constitutional officers who manage their offices separately from the Board of County Commissioners including:



Additionally, they establish the budgets for their offices, independent of the operating budget set by the Board of County Commissioners.


Supervisor of Elections


The Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections (SOE) administers voter registration and all federal, state, county, municipal and special district elections for Palm Beach County. 


The SOE issues voter information cards, updates voter registration lists and provides Vote-by-Mail registration, Early Voting, Election Day voting and voting by mail. 


Other duties and responsibilities include maintaining election equipment, hiring and training poll workers, equipping polling places and providing information and statistics on voter registration, voting and elections.  


Palm Beach County has a canvassing board responsible for reviewing ballots and certifying and transferring the results of state and federal elections to the Division of Elections.  

  

For more information, call (561) 656-6200 or email info@votepalmbeach.gov. 

More information

We welcome your feedback on our District 4 newsletter. Please let us know if you found this information helpful and what else you would like to know.

Sweet Corn Fiesta

Palm Beach County's Sweet Corn Fiesta will be held on Sunday, April 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a corn-eating contest, corn shucking, and rides for the kids.  


Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds

9067 Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33411



Earth Day Fun

Family Fun Earth Day Celebration (4/22)

Join Parks & Recreation mascot Oakly for a butterfly plant sale and ladybug release!


Daggerwing Nature Center

435 Park Access Rd.

Boca Raton 33498



Earth Day Extravaganza (4/22)

Live animal encounters, crafts and meet-and-greet with the PBSO Therapy Dog Unit!


Okeeheelee Park

7715 Forest Hill Blvd.​

West Palm Beach 33413