Page 16 - Boca Viewpointe - December '19

Page 16, Viewpointe December 2019

From The Desk Of Commissioner Robert S. Weinroth

Safety Tips for the Online Apple Supplies to ensure that teachers would no longer BCC Briefs for November 19,
In 2015-2016, the Education Foundation launched Red
Holiday Shopping have to spend their own resources to provide school 2019
supplies for their students. Beginning with our highest-
Holiday shopping online need schools, Red Apple Supplies is steadily expanding At the November 19, 2019, Board of County Commissioners
is more popular than ever! so that one day soon no teacher in Palm Beach County meeting, the board took the following action:
Reportedly, over 80 percent will ever again have to use their own resources to buy Reorganization – recognized and thanked Mayor Mack
of U.S. consumers plan to supplies for their students. Bernard for his year of service as mayor. The board then
shop online for holiday gifts. In 2018-2019 school year, the Foundation served 106 elected Commissioner Dave Kerner to serve as mayor and
In 2017, the FBI’s Internet schools, providing over $1.4 million in funding through Commissioner Robert S. Weinroth vice mayor. Each will
Crime Complaint Center various grant programs. They also provided over $600,000 serve one-year terms.
received nearly 300,000 in school supplies. Consequently, over 122,000 students Solid Waste Authority – sitting as the Solid Waste
online-theft complaints. and 1,500 teachers and administrators were impacted. Authority Governing Board, named Commissioner Robert
Victims reported losses For more i nforma tion, vi sit https:/ /
totaling $1.4 billion. educationfoundationpbc.org/. From The Desk Of on page 17
Consequently, the
following are some precautionary measures when shopping
online.
• Shop at websites you trust: Some websites are
fabricated by people who just want your credit card
information and other personal details. To play it safe,
consider doing online business with retailers you trust and
have used before.
• Beware of rock-bottom prices: If a website offers
something that looks too good to be true, then it probably is
and may only be a scam to get your personal information.
• Avoid public Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi networks use public
airwaves which can allow someone the ability to intercept
the data you send and receive. Since shopping online usually
requires personal information such as credit card numbers
and addresses, it’s highly recommended that you don’t shop
online or log in to websites while connected to public Wi-Fi.
• Passwords: create strong passwords using a complex
set of characters (upper and lower case letters, numbers
and symbols). Avoid using the same password on multiple
accounts and personal information such as birthdates and
children’s names.
• Watch out for email scams: Clicking on emails
from unknown or unrecognizable senders could infect
your computer with viruses and malware. It is highly
recommendable that you don’t open these emails or any links
or attachments associated with them.
• Report the company: If you suspect the business is
bogus, notify your credit card company about the charge
and close your account. File a complaint with the Federal
Trade Commission (FTC). The FTC offers an identity theft
recovery plan, should you need it.

Discount Prescription Drug
Card

Palm Beach County residents have access to a free
prescription discount program through a mutual agreement
between the county, the National Association of Counties
(NACo) and Caremark. Even though this has been available Paid Advertisement
for a number of years, I wanted to take this opportunity to Update on New Florida Laws for 2019/2020
remind everyone about the program.
Any county resident can use the program. It can also be
used if you have a prescription insurance, since it may save By Martin Zevin, Attorney wireless device while you are driving. In addition, if you are
you money on drugs your existing plan does not cover. There In a previous article, I talking on a cell phone in a school zone or in a construction
are over 59,000 participating pharmacies nationwide with discussed new laws that zone where workers are present, the phone must be used in
296 in Palm Beach County. passed the Florida Legislature hands-free mode. A first violation will result in a fine plus
and were signed by Governor
court costs totaling over $100.00. Subsequent violations
The card offers an average of a 20 percent discount DeSantis. The previous article within five years will result in steeper fines plus court costs.
at participating pharmacies of commonly prescribed discussed the anti-semitism If you are stopped for violating this new law as of January
medications and an average savings of 50 percent on 3-month bill which requires that 1, 2020, you can also be issued a ticket for other violations,
supplies of select generics through mail service. discrimination against Jewish such as not using your seatbelt or child car seat infractions.
During the upcoming session of the Florida Legislature
Savings are also available on high-tech and injectable people be treated the same as the ban on using cell phones while driving may be expanded.
acts of racial discrimination
drugs through a specialty pharmacy. in public schools. Anti- Representative Emily Slosberg, a Democrat from Boca
Again, the program is free and does not require any type semitism is defined in the bill Raton, has filed a bill that would essentially require drivers to
of claim form. as including speech that makes dehumanizing or sterotypical go fully “hands-free” anywhere they are driving in the state.
To obtain additional information on the discount allegations about the Jewish community, expresses hatred A new law, which also took effect October 1, 2019,
prescription drug program and/or print a card visit http:// for Jews, calls for killing or harming of a Jewish person, makes it a third degree felony for anyone that actively
criticizes the collective power of the Jewish community or plans or solicits others to commit a hazing act which ends
rxsavingsplus.com/ or call 1-877-321-2652. accuses Jewish people or Israel of inventing or exaggerating in a serious injury or death. The new law supplements an
the Holocaust. existing law that made it a third degree felony for someone
Nonprofit Spotlight: eventually allow Floridians to gain access to cheaper Now, either actively planning or soliciting others to commit
The previous article also discussed a bill that could to haze another if the act results in death or serious injury.
Education Foundation of Canadian prescription drugs; however, this bill cannot take a hazing act is also a third degree felony. The new law also
effect without approval from the federal government, which protects from prosecution anyone who alerts authorities to a
Palm Beach County has yet to authorize similar laws from other states. Also, need for medical care during a hazing incident.
Also, as of October 1, 2019, anyone who kills or seriously
there were budget cuts for state universities but funding
was authorized to keep the tourist agency Visit Florida in hurts a law enforcement dog, horse or fire department search
The Education Foundation of Palm Beach County has operation until June 30, 2020. and rescue canine will face a second degree felony charge
The most important new law prohibits texting while carrying a sentence of up to fifteen years in prison.
connected the business and philanthropic sector to the world driving and also prohibits holding a cell phone while driving Please feel free to call me for a free personal or phone
of public education. Currently, innovative programs funded in a school zone or construction zone where workers are consultation regarding any issues pertaining to Wills, Trusts,
by the Education Foundation are impacting the lives of over present. The new law went into effect on October 1, 2019. Estates and Probate. I am also available for free consultation
122,000 students in the School District of Palm Beach County. There is a grace period in the law requiring police to issue regarding personal injury claims or car insurance coverage.
From robotics to literacy programs that use multi-sensory warnings only through the end of 2019. Call me at 954-569-4878. My address is 3275 W. Hillsboro
However, as of January 1, 2020, you will get a ticket Blvd., Suite 204, Deerfield Beach, Florida 33442. My
strategies to teach reading skills to our most vulnerable which will be punished as a moving violation with three website is www.martinzevinpa.com and my e-mail address
students, the Foundation’s programs are making an impact. points assessed against your driver’s license. You cannot text, is martinzevin@netzero.com.
Additionally, other programs such as literacy, college and e-mail or do anything that involves touching the keyboard of a
career readiness are also making a difference.