Page 1 - The Shores of Jupiter - April '24

Our Village Voice

VOL. 35 NO. 4 www.seabreezepublications.com APRIL 2024

Northern Notes Bill’s Box

Streets, Swales And By Bill Thompson
Stormwater Management That Was The Week
That Was
By Katie Roundtree, Remember that TV
Director of Finance and show in 1962 and 1963
Administration, Northern starring David Frost? It
Palm Beach County was a popular satirical
Improvement District program on British
Streets and swales are television. Well, this is
essential components of the the year to be. This is a
Northern Palm Beach County good time to get out those Christmas cards you meant to
Improvement District’s stormwater from the pavement into the storm sewers. send but didn’t, especially those already stamped.
stormwater management Storm sewers collect water from the roadway and connect Spider
system. The different parts to other drainage systems, which collect water from yards Dawn and I were at home sitting on the tuffet eating
of the roadway system help and subdivisions, transporting the stormwater to lakes, our curds and whey. Along came a spider and sat down
convey stormwater to its ultimate location. Storm sewers are canals, and other outlets. beside us, saying “Hello there. My name is Ms. Covid.
located below the street and convey water through pipes to During heavy rain, when water flows from the streets How ya’ll doing?” I said we were doing just fine until
lakes or preserves. Ditches or swales are located along the into the lakes, the water level in the neighborhood lake you came by. The spider grinned in glee and went for
street and trap stormwater for water quality purposes. Finally, may appear to rise quickly, but it’s unlikely to last. If another visit. The next day, Dawn and I tested positive for
the roadway itself conveys stormwater to designated locations. the system in your neighborhood works correctly, levels COVID. On about Dec. 19, we tested positive twice. A
Understanding the basics of how streets and swales convey will return to normal soon after the rain stops. A more few days later, we tested negative for two days. All good
stormwater is crucial in identifying potential problems. widespread and longer-lasting rain event will require more then. Dawn was back to her usual self. I, who usually am
Streets time for local, secondary and regional systems to absorb relatively well, if silliness is not considered, had the harsh
Did you know that in very heavy rains, some water the excess water. aftereffects of a state named Long Covid. I had never
standing in streets or swales is part of the flood control Blockages can sometimes occur, causing undesired heard of the ailment, and when explaining it to friends,
design plan and is expected? Streets are designed and built flooding conditions and making roads impassable. found few others had either. The main manifestations are
with curbs and gutters along the street and storm sewers extreme fatigue and brain fog. Consequently, we missed
underneath the pavement. These curbs and gutters direct Northern Notes on page 2 Christmas, New Years and Valentine’s Day. It has been
said that the Long COVID ill effects can go on a long
Commissioner’s Update time … months, years. I’m told the medical profession
is working on a healing treatment. The good news is that
A Look At The Economic attract sporting events and activities to Palm Beach County I am alive and occasionally smile.

Impacts Of Sports In Palm and to maximize the positive economic impact of these Bill’s Box on page 3
events on our local economy. By expanding occupancy
Beach County of hotel room nights and maximizing the use of county
facilities, PBCSC utilizes events and activities to promote
By Vice Mayor Maria Marino the image of Palm Beach County as a sports tourism
Sports have long been destination on a national and international level.
regarded as more than just In 2023, our sports commission hosted 196 events,
games; they are economic which represented more than 40 different types of sports.
engines that power These events brought nearly 1.3 million sports-related
communities. Beyond the attendees who traveled from 48 states and 42 nations. The
thrill of competition and the same attendees utilized over 300,000 room nights which
camaraderie it fosters, sports translated to over $77 million in hotel revenue with an
have a profound impact on estimated $4.6 million collected in bed tax. Additionally,
the economic landscape of the Winter Equestrian Festival and Major League Baseball
counties, promoting tourism, Spring Training utilized an additional 96,000 room nights.
generating revenue, creating In total, these sports events created an estimated $300
jobs, and boosting local businesses. Palm Beach County is million in economic impact to Palm Beach County.
unrivaled when it comes to golf, racquet sports, equestrian This past year has positioned Palm Beach County at April 22
sports and baseball amenities. In fact, The Palm Beaches has the top of the sports spectrum. As Florida’s Golf Capital,
been recognized by Sports Business Journal as one of the the PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, NCAA DI
top 50 sports destinations in the United States and No. 5 for Women’s Golf Championship, and the Jackson T. Stephens
a destination without a professional sports franchise. Cup call Palm Beach County home. Palm Beach County REPORT SUSPICIOUS
The Palm Beach County Sports Commission (PBCSC) hosted the best of racquet sports with international tennis
is dedicated to championing our county as the premier and pickleball events, and equestrian sports continue ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY
destination for sports and tourism. Their mission is to to thrive with Wellington’s Winter Equestrian Festival.
Our sports commission TO THE JUPITER POLICE
partnered with the United
States Polo Association in DEPARTMENT
bringing FIP World Polo
Championships to the (561) 799-4445
National Polo Center and
the United States for only Use 911 for emergencies only.
the second time. Jupiter’s
Lock car doors. Do not leave
Commissioner’s Update valuables in the car.
on page 3