Page 7 - The Shores of Jupiter - August '19

The Shores, Page 7
Commissioner’s Update

Community Services Help Previously, I have shared with you the county’s programs or shelter program. This helps the county evaluate our
to assist homebound seniors with a variety of in-home
programs and report results to HUD.
Residents In Tough Times services and an array of services to help our veterans. You A client’s entry into the CMIS system begins with the very
may have seen recent news reports of how the County first call. Clients are assessed to determine vulnerability, and
By Commissioner Commission is working to site a second homeless resource then are referred to the appropriate service provider based
Hal Valeche center in the central area of the county that would expand the on priority.
Chances are, sometime homeless services that we currently provide at the Philip D. For a guide to homeless resources in Palm Beach
in your everyday life you Lewis Homeless Resource Center in West Palm Beach. All County, see http://www.thehomelessplan.org/pdf/Homeless_
will encounter people who of these programs function under the umbrella of Community Resource_Guide.pdf.
are having difficulty making Services. Additionally, Community Services operates the
ends meet and providing The local “Continuum of Care” for homeless persons Community Action Program to help residents suffering from
for themselves or their as required by HUD, is responsible for utilizing a Client poverty. It serves to fill in the gaps to help people remain
families. You may meet Management Information System (CMIS). This information self-sufficient and includes vocational and occupational skills
them in your neighborhood, technology system collects data on the clients accessing our training, adult basic education and employment assistance,
your congregation, or at the services, the services rendered and housing provided for and transportation assistance. Emergency services are also
grocery store. Palm Beach those who are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness. available in times of crisis for those needing help with a utility
County’s Community Services Department is a valuable Many nonprofit and faith-based organizations make up the payment or rental assistance to prevent eviction. There are
resource for residents who require assistance with basic network of service providers, and the CMIS is designed to specific income eligibility requirements based on available
living needs and getting on a plan for self-sufficiency. collect data from all agencies and organizations that the client programs. To make an appointment with a counselor at one of
The mission of Community Services is to promote engages. One of the benefits of the system is to prevent the five locations around the county, a resident can register online
independence and enhance the quality of life in Palm Beach duplication of services and the efficient use of resources. It at https://secure.co.palm-beach.fl.us/CSDServiceEligibility/
County by providing effective and essential services to also serves as a reporting tool for outcomes and promotes Account/Login.aspx from home or at one of the county public
residents in need. Their divisions provide help to seniors, effective access to support services. For example, the county libraries, or call the main number at (561) 355-4792.
veterans, low-income individuals and families, and the can report on indicators like the percentage of households As always, please contact me if I can be of assistance at
homeless. who exit to permanent housing when they leave an assistance (561) 355-2201, or by email at hvaleche@pbcgov.org.
Northern Notes

Algae In The Waterways And natural and essential part of the ecosystem. In these habitats,

How You Can Minimize Its the phytoplankton are the base of the aquatic food chain.
Small freshwater crustaceans and other small animals
Growth consume the phytoplankton and in turn are consumed by
larger animals.
By O’Neal Bardin Jr., Under certain conditions, several species of true
Executive Director, algae as well as the cyanobacteria are capable of causing
Northern Palm Beach various nuisance effects in fresh water, such as excessive
County Improvement accumulations of foams, scums, and discoloration of the
District water. When the numbers of algae in a lake or a river increase
The term “algae” is explosively, an algal “bloom” is the result. Lakes, ponds,
generally used to refer to a and slow-moving canals are most susceptible to blooms.
wide variety of different and Algal blooms are natural occurrences, and may occur with
dissimilar photosynthetic regularity (e.g., every summer), depending on weather and Algae growth depends on weather patterns, temperature,
organisms, generally water conditions. The likelihood of a bloom depends on and nutrients in the water. While blooms happen naturally,
microscopic. Depending on local conditions and characteristics of the particular body of an imbalance of phosphorus and nitrogen, in particular, can
the species, algae can inhabit water. Blooms generally occur where there are high levels accelerate an algal bloom’s growth significantly. Pollutants
fresh or salt water. In modern of nutrients present, together with the occurrence of warm, from construction runoff, fertilized yards and golf courses,
taxonomic systems, algae are usually assigned to one of six sunny, calm conditions. However, human activity often road wash, stormwater runoff, pet waste, and decomposing
divisions. The misnamed blue-green algae are often grouped can trigger or accelerate algal blooms. Natural sources of leaves, grass clippings, and other organic materials also
with algae because of the chloroplasts contained within the nutrients such as phosphorus or nitrogen compounds can be contribute to nutrient imbalances in the water. Higher
cells. However, these organisms are actually photosynthetic supplemented by a variety of human activities. For example, temperatures and increased sunlight in summer months
bacteria assigned to the group cyanobacteria. in rural areas, agricultural runoff from fields can wash also can encourage algae blooms, as does standing water,
Freshwater algae, also called phytoplankton, vary in fertilizers into the water. In urban areas, nutrient sources which is warmer than circulating water and can act like an
shape and color, and are found in a large range of habitats, can cause stormwater runoff that carries pollutants such as incubator – another significant influence.
such as ponds, lakes, reservoirs, and streams. They are a lawn fertilizers. Algae doesn’t necessarily mean poor water quality, but
it can be a problem. So, what’s the key to reducing algae
LAW FOR THE LAYMAN on your lake? The most effective thing to do is reduce the
number of algae-feeding nutrients, especially phosphorus,
that make it into the water. Here are some tips to keep your
Learn how the law REALLY Works! lake in tip-top shape.
Be Careful With Fertilizer
Sure, you want a nice green lawn and healthy plants – but
How Laws, Judgments, & Contracts affect your Daily Life that fertilizer you spread in your garden also encourages
algae to bloom. It’s best to avoid fertilizer altogether if
you’re close to a water source – plant native plants instead,
A series of six (6) classes offering easy-to-understand which are well-adapted to the environment and don’t require
presentations you can’t Google on complex legal It’s all special maintenance. Implement landscaping strategies, like
issues that affect your everyday life. Don’t make in the xeriscaping, that increase groundwater filtration before water
the most common mistakes when it comes enters the pond or lake.
to Wills, Probate, Divorce and more! FINE PRINT! If you must fertilize, try and find a phosphorus-free
product, and reduce nutrient rich runoff by applying it when
there’s no rain in the forecast.
Wills & Trusts • Probate • Estates • Divorce And don’t think natural fertilizer like manure or compost
Alimony • Child Support • Contracts • Real Estate is any better than a chemical version, anything that’s going
Criminal • Corporations • Personal Injury Monday Evenings to make your garden plants grow is going to make algae
Litigation & Court Practices 6:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. grow as well. It’s best to avoid fertilizers generally.
Properly Dispose Of Organic Materials
JUPITER COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL ADULT EDUCATION DIVISION Following yard work, leaves, grass and other debris
Almost FREE! - A Nominal Administrative Fee is charged by Jupiter High School should be bagged and removed from the property to prevent
Course taught by: REGISTRATION: them from accumulating and decaying in the waterbody.
ADAM S. GUMSON, ESQ. From: August 12, 2019 When organic materials are allowed to decompose in
freshwater resources, they release undesirable nutrients that
To: August 23, 2019 are responsible for fueling nuisance plant and algae growth.
CLASSES: Ask your lawn-care company to remove grass clippings and
From: September 9, 2019 leaves to prevent decomposition in or around ponds and
To: October 21, 2019 lakes.
For more information, call Jupiter High School (561) 744 - 7931 Pick up and dispose of pet waste, a common source of
excess nutrients and bacteria. Don’t throw pet waste bags
Register in person at Jupiter High School from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. or on-line at pbclearn.com into lakes and canals. They will eventually break down and

release those toxins into the waterway.
(561) 744 - 4600 • jupiterlawcenter.com NPDES tip: Do not burn any trash in your yards, and
don’t dump any debris into lakes and canals.