February 12, 2024

In this newsletter:

What Gregg's Been Up To
Homestead Exemption
Celebrating Black Leaders Who Paved The Way For Others
AI Outlook
Gregg In The News
Commish In The Community
Elections 2024

What Gregg's Been Up To

Since our last newsletter, Gregg visited Silicon Valley with his fellow members of the Artificial Intelligence Exploratory Committee. Inspired by the mind-blowing technologies he saw in his home state, he directed county staff at the February 6^th board meeting to schedule a workshop to explore ways we can use AI and other technologies to modernize and improve county operations. At that same meeting, he requested staff to redirect $250,000 the county received from a settlement to support 1909, a local co-working business incubator focused on innovation (learn more about 1909). During the meeting break, Gregg’s office staff took him out to lunch to celebrate his birthday (click for pics).

February is Black History Month, and we’re celebrating by honoring area Black leaders who paved the way in this newsletter!

The truck parking issue we told you about in the last newsletter will be back for a final vote on February 22^nd. Fortunately, at the January 25^th meeting the majority of the board, without Gregg present, voted to allow owner-operators up to 2 trucks weighing no more than 16,000 lbs. to park on their properties. But the board denied the parking of much heavier semi-trucks on residential properties in The Acreage. The Palm Beach Post wrote a story about the meeting, which you’ll find in our link in the News section.

If you’re a homeowner in Palm Beach County and this is your main residence, make sure you’ve applied for a homestead exemption as the March 1 deadline is fast approaching.

We love our readers, and wish you and yours a Happy Valentine’s Day!

Homestead Exemption

March 1 is the deadline to apply for a homestead exemption. A homestead exemption can save you serious money. Here's how it works:

If the home you own in Palm Beach County is your main residence, you can apply for a homestead exemption (https://shorturl.at/xzI35). This reduces the amount you have to pay in property taxes, and it caps, by 3%, the amount by which your home’s valuation can go up (https://shorturl.at/sBJX6).

There are additional exemptions including for low-income seniors, veterans, and active-duty military (https://shorturl.at/flopG).

When you sell your home and buy a new, more expensive home in the county, you can transfer all or a portion of your exemption with you. This is called portability (https://shorturl.at/iotuC).

Deadline to apply is March 1.

Click the links for more information or contact the property appraiser at 561.355.2866 or https://shorturl.at/ciHP3.

Graphic image of house icon with text reading Florida Homestead Exemption and background image of palm trees

Celebrating Black Leaders Who Paved The Way For Others

February is Black History Month! It's a great time to honor our county’s Black leaders who paved the way for others. Take a look at our gallery of Black firsts, the trailblazers and visionaries who broke down racial barriers. The gallery is featured on our website, and you can learn about the trailblazers in this full-size image: click here.

If you would like a poster to hang on your (class)room wall, email us at [email protected].

MINI-FEST AT MAJESTIC 7

Looking for a fun activity during Black History Month? Stop by Majestic 7 on Saturday, February 17^th from Noon to 6:30 PM for “Our Life and Love -- A New Era of Inclusion” a free celebrating the value of art, culture, and each other. To learn more and register for the event click here.

AI Insights

The world's first fully automated, AI-powered restaurant is here, and it's ready to take your order, through facial recognition. Introducing: CaliExpress by Flippy.

Live news video story on the world's first AI-powered restaurant

Also out of California: during his recent trip to Silicon Valley, Gregg stopped in at tech giant Microsoft where he got to try out the company's latest version of Flight Simulator. A certified pilot, he "flew" over San Francisco's Golden Gait Strait and under the infamous Golden Gate Bridge. Check it out in the video below!

Video of Gregg Weiss testing out Microsoft Flight Simulator

AI You Can Use

Jana, here! With Valentine's Day right around the corner, I decided to step out on ChatGPT and throw some love at Gemini, Google's AI chatbot. Previously known as Bard, Gemini does a lot of the same things as ChatGPT, but it's faster, and free. For instance, Gemini will generate images for free (you have to pay for that on ChatGPT). To use Gemini, you just need a Google account. To get started click here.

In the meantime, if you're having trouble coming up with a Valentine's Day message for your loved one, click on the video below and grab one of the poems Gemini generated for me. And Happy V-Day from Team Weiss!

That’s it for today. If you’d like us to write about a specific AI topic email us at [email protected].

Computer screen with question categories

CURIOUS MINDS WANTED!

Team Weiss is all-in on artificial intelligence (AI), and eager to know how YOU see the role of AI in your life. Take a minute to complete our AI survey; your input will help us understand how AI can be used to address your needs.

Click on the image below to participate!

AI Calendar

Note: Not all the events listed below are open to the public

2/23/24 @ 7:00 PM: Gregg will make a presentation at the Bellagio Community. Bellagio residents can contact Howard Barich for more information.

3/4/24 @ 6:30 PM: Gregg will make a presentation at the Baywinds Clubhouse. Residents can contact George Singer for more information.

3/7/24 @ 1:30 PM: AI presentation at the Century Village Clubhouse. Century Village residents can contact John Hess for more information.

3/13/2024 @ 9:30 AM: AI presentation for the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Associations (COBWRA) Safety and Security Committee.

3/14/2024 @ 1:00 PM: Golden Lakes Democratic Club. Contact Ann Frances for information.

3/25/24 @ 4:00 PM: AI forum, The Club at Ibis. Ibis residents can contact Judy Budnick for more information.

4/9/24 @ 7:00 PM: AI presentation at The Groves Community in Boynton Beach. Residents can contact Pamela Avalos for more information.

4/11/2024 @ 12:00 PM: United Methodist Church at 900 Brandywine Rd. West Palm Beach. Contact Margie Yansura for more information.

If you would like to invite Gregg to give a presentation on Artificial Intelligence in your community, please contact our office at: [email protected] or 561-355-2202

WPTV West Palm Beach:

Plan to relax ban on commercial vehicle parking in Loxahatchee moves forward.

Palm Beach Post:

Why Palm Beach County said big rig operators don't belong in The Acreage

In a surprise vote, county commissioners say no to tractor trailers in The Acreage

CDLLIFE:

Truckers lose ability to park in their own driveways after Florida neighborhood votes to ban semi-truck parking.

Palm Beach Florida Weekly:

Mounts Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County, grand opening of ‘Origami in the Garden’ exhibition.

OUTSFL:

PBCHRC Hosts Annual Winter Fete

Commish in the Community

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

"As an elected official, I want to be part of the community I represent," said Commissioner Weiss. "I want to understand the issues in my district, and that's why I spend many evenings attending events to listen and learn."

If you'd like to invite Commissioner Weiss to your event, let us know.

Mascot Sculpture Unveiling

Gregg attended the Hispanic Education Coalition to the Palm Beach Art, Antique, and Design Showroom for the mascot sculpture unveiling on Feb 7!

211 Awareness Week!

February 11-17, 2024, is 211 Awareness Week! 211 trained staff are here 24/7, offering resources and guidance to individuals and families in crisis. Spread the word and in recognizing the importance of 211.

Happy Birthday Gregg!

On February 6th, Gregg's office staff took him to a lunch to celebrate his birthday!

Remembering Clinton Forbes

PalmTran Director Clinton Forbes, who died unexpectedly in November, was honored with a bus wrap. Together with the Forbes family, PalmTran staff, Gregg, and other county commissioners were present for the unveiling.

New Housing Resource Center

Gregg attended the ribbon-cutting for the county’s new Housing Resource Center (HRC) in Lake Worth. This facility provides 75 beds, meals, and support for unsheltered families and individuals in the county. The HRC offers temporary housing and wraparound services after the client’s 90-day stay. If you have any questions, please call 833-HHA-WILL.

Sickle Cell Bus

On January 30, Gregg joined his colleagues at the Board of County Commissioners to show his support as a Sickle Cell Warrior. Learn more about the great work of this organization: at sicklecellpbc.org.

Gregg Visits Tech Giants

In his role as co-chair of the National Association of Counties AI Exploratory Committee, Gregg spent some time in Silicon Valley, visiting Microsoft, Google and other tech giants.

Visit Gregg's Facebook Page