Page 1 - PGA Community News - February '20
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VOL. 30 NO. 2 FAX 561-624-9088 • E-MAIL canpga@yahoo.com FEBRUARY 2020
PGA POA Jottings
February, 2020 $500 Grand Prize. Thank you to Patty Pond and the Special wearing dark clothes with no lights or reflectors. Another
Events Committee who organized the event. Patty completed car was approaching so I had headlights in my eyes and
By Dawn Levinstein, the second year of her Board term; she will be missed. if both of us did not have our guardian angles with us it
PGA POA Llywd Ecclestone, the Developer of PGA National, was could have been tragic. I saw my headlights glint off the
kind enough to attend this year and gave a brief history of aluminum wheel and realized they were in front of me
ANNUAL MEETING PGA National. It was interesting to hear how PGA, one and was able to go around them.
Thank you to everyone of the first planned unit developments in South Florida It is important for cyclists and drivers to read through
who mailed in their ballot. came about and how far the community and the area have the article. I certainly learned a lot but it boils down to
There were some very come over the years. what we learned in first grade: Be courteous and share!
qualified candidates again The Board of Governors will elect officers at the Jan. In this case, share the road and be patient.
so thanks also go to the 27 meeting. Committee Chairs will also be appointed and
Nominating Committee. the updated information will be on the POA website at CENSUS
The POA Board members www.pga-poa.com. It is again time for the U.S. Census. Everyone must
elected this year are Keith respond and it is suggested that you fill out and mail back
Ahronheim, Bob Brown, Mike Engelsher, Ralph Infanti and BICYCLES the form you will receive in the mail; otherwise, someone
Bob Kramer. Congratulations everyone! I think I mentioned that there would be some detailed may be knocking on your door. To get more information
For those who were not able to attend the meeting, you information in this issue regarding bicycles. Please see about the census, go to www.2020census.gov.
missed a good one! The POA celebrated its 40th Annual the enclosed article titled “BICYCLES.” In PGA National, Please be aware that information collected may only
meeting and everyone was given a reusable shopping bag there are no marked bicycle lanes so drivers must share be used for statistical purposes and no other purpose. For
containing discount coupons for local businesses, umbrellas the road. Cyclists should also have lights on the front information about the Census Bureau’s data protection and
and golf towels. The Board then held a raffle of a number of and back of their bicycle. I came upon a cyclist properly privacy program go to www.census.gov/privacy.
great items including cash gift cards, dinners, and a Best Buy riding along the right curb but it was dark and they were
Commissioner’s Update
Palm Beach County’s 2020 appropriations for affordable and workforce-housing projects, in the Glades, including road resurfacing, workforce
as was the intent of the fund.
and career training, water facilities, rail transportation,
Legislative Agenda • Substance Abuse/Sober Homes/Mental Health ecotourism, and development of an inland port – all of which
Based on the recommendations of the Sober Homes Task contribute to the economic growth of the region.
By Commissioner Force, we urge the legislature to support programs for life • Criminal Justice
Hal Valeche saving interventions, medically assisted detox, and diversions We support diversion programs, re-entry efforts, and
Palm Beach County, along from the criminal justice system for those suffering from opioid alternatives to detention for juvenile offenders. This requires
with the School District, addiction. Additionally, we are requesting the legislature to upgrades to juvenile detention centers and Department of
the League of Cities, and provide additional beds for mental health treatment, with a focus Children and Families facilities.
the Economic Council has on youth services. • PreK-12 Education
developed a joint legislative • Water And Natural Resources We support an increase in the base student allocation
agenda for this year’s The federally funded Comprehensive Everglades Restoration to provide meaningful salary increases to all PreK-12
State legislative session in Plan is the most critical, long-term environmental project in teachers and support staff; expansion of Voluntary Pre-
Tallahassee. These entities, Florida, and there are significant projects in our county affecting Kindergarten programs; enhancement of career and technical
supported by our lobbying our water resources and ecosystems that tie into those efforts. We education programs; creation of a dedicated revenue stream
teams, work to protect the are asking for the legislature’s continued support and funding for safety and mental health reforms mandated by the
interests of our local communities. for projects to restore and maintain Lake Okeechobee, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Act; and, the requirement for
Of paramount importance is defending home rule authority. Loxahatchee River, and the Lake Worth Lagoon. Additionally, accountability and standards for all schools, including school
This is to ensure that preemptions are not passed that can prevent we are seeking policy changes and a recurring $50M hardening, safety and security.
local governments from responding to constituents needs. We appropriation benefiting beach management, funding for Glades • Palm Beach State College And Florida Atlantic
seek to support sound legislation while blocking shortsighted Region infrastructure improvements, funding to help residents University
bills that can result in unfunded mandates to city and county convert from septic to sewer systems, and legislation to enhance Increase operational funding and capital outlays to
governments. This is essential to being able to maintain current the development of alternate water supply sources. complete medical and life science facilities.
levels of service to the public. • Hurricane Response And Preparedness • Economic Development
Here is a summary of the issues and initiatives we have Palm Beach County supports a public records exemption Fund incentive programs that support economic growth,
identified as priorities for the 2020 session: that protects residents from vendors seeking their information workforce housing and financial stability for regional
• Affordable Housing/Homelessness in the aftermath of a storm. businesses.
Homeless programs require a dedicated revenue stream. • Transportation/Glades Regional Initiatives
The Sadowski Housing Trust Fund should be restricted to We support funding to provide much needed improvements Commissioner’s Update on page 2