Page 8 - Boca Club News - June '20

Page 8, Boca Club News
Government

Mayor’s Update: Staying Positive and Staying the Course

Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor In this unprecedented and ever-changing time, the City other problems. As Mayor of Boca Raton, I will continue to
of Boca Raton. A South Florida continues to take thoughtful action based on the best available make sure your voice is heard and will keep fighting for our
native, attorney, mediator, and small information. We have been constantly monitoring our city.
business owner, Scott and his wife, response and adjusting our next steps accordingly. Nothing There’s been no perfect answer, and very strong opinions
Bella, live in Broken Sound with their about this crisis has been perfect, most of all the available by many people on different sides of many issues. We
two young children. information. We all can feel good that many dedicated city continue to do our best to heed health experts’ advice,
Dear Neighbors, the last few employees have been working hard to keep our core city evaluate the science-based data, work to bolster our economy,
months have been very challenging functions running well and dealing with countless challenges, and deliver essential services, even amidst the tumult.
for all of us. I hope that by the time all without a playbook for this crisis. As we approach the next phase, please continue to take
you read this column, written in mid-May, the declining Thanks go out to our other governmental partners at all precautions as recommended by the medical community.
trends in COVID-19 continue to give some encouragement levels of government. I was happy to be able to work to help There is no cure for COVID-19 yet, so social distancing,
as we move to additional phases of measured reopenings. secure a testing facility for Boca Raton, to get increased law hand washing, and other safe and responsible behavior will
One constant in our response is that the City of Boca enforcement support, to encourage data collection at Boca continue to be important –even more so as we return more
Raton has continued to be proactive for the health, safety, Raton Airport when the crisis was unfolding, to partner with to the new normal.
and welfare of all our residents. We implemented a number non-profits, and to share ideas on business relief programs In these difficult times, please be understanding, kind,
of emergency measures well before other cities in the area implemented by the state and county. All of these efforts have and patient to your neighbors. Everyone is dealing with some
and the county, heeding the advice of health experts to act involved much coordination and collaboration with other impact of COVID-19. Some have been devastating, and many
quickly to flatten the curve. Many other jurisdictions then governments and elected leaders. of them are unseen. Together, through our vigilance and
took actions that we previously implemented. As I write now, At many times, I’ve been frustrated, too, by challenges diligence, our community will overcome these challenging
our infection rates are lower per capita than many neighboring with business and individual funding programs, lack of moments and emerge toward a brighter future.
areas. widespread testing, difficulties in getting information, and

Council Corner: Thoughts About Dealing with Our Invisible Enemy

By Andrea Levine O’Rourke, Boca old or in-between. We know the elder population will have The difference is...when it’s over, it’s over. With war on this
Raton City Council Member, CRA to proceed with great caution. We know that the younger contagious virus we are fighting an invisible enemy that
Chairperson generation should be respectful and mindful of those more ambushed us unexpectedly. The enemy has killed people,
During this time of crisis, we vulnerable. We don’t know if they will. We know we should business and our way of life, and we don’t know when this
all have varying thoughts weighing abide by social distancing and wearing masks. We don’t war will be over or how it will end.
on us. What occurred to me is...We know if we will. What we hear from medical experts is Even though we don’t know how, we do know that we
Don’t Know What We Don’t Know. that this virus can have long-term negative health effects will get through this. We will get through this together,
What will the future hold? When on those who survive. Will it? hopefully more united than divided. We will talk about this
will life be “normal”? What will Along with loss of life, we have had freedoms taken for generations. It will be in history books. Our children will
normal be? away. As Americans we are not comfortable with that. After remember what they did, what they missed and what they
We all know life must go on, but we don’t know what all, this is “The Land of the Free.” We want what we want, learned. They will tell their children and their grandchildren.
this new life will look like. It’s sure to be different. We can and we want it now! We want to do what we want to do, I hope and pray for a vaccine that some brilliant people
opine for hours. We can listen to our favorite commentators and go where we want to go….and we don’t have a lot of are discovering at this very moment. We can then take what
on our preferred networks pontificate 24/7. We can talk to patience. we’ve learned and move forward with confidence.
our friends, our family and business associates unendingly, So how do we come back? Slowly? With a new outlook In this crisis, the challenge we face every day as a local
but none of us really know. This is unchartered territory. We on life? Respectful of what others have experienced? Do municipality is that orders come down from Federal, State
don’t know what we don’t know. we face a second wave of lost lives? We don’t know. and County governments. The City works hard to cooperate
Things are slowly starting to open. Emotions flow as we There is no doubt that we have realized how precious with these entities and surrounding communities. As city
start the journey back. Some people will celebrate while our freedoms are during this war with the Coronavirus, and officials, we are the first to hear your frustrations of wanting
others face this new phase with trepidation. Sadly, we we miss them. to get your boats in the water, take a stroll on the beach
continue to be a country divided. Speaking of war, it was seventy-five years ago, almost to and, most importantly, open your businesses. We are in
Philosophically, we know the economy must start up and the day, that concentration camps were liberated, beginning touch with our U.S. Congress Reps, State Reps, County
begin a rebound. Already, some valued businesses have been the end of WWII. Amazingly, the world recovered from Commissioners and the School District, doing our very best
lost, and more are certain to fail. And yet, we really don’t deprivation and destruction beyond the imagination. War is to represent you.
know if reopening will cost us more precious lives: young, devastating, innocent lives are lost, and cities are destroyed. Stay well. Be safe.
County Clerk’s Offices Re-Open with New Safety

Measures Added to Protect Customers and Employees

By County Clerk & Comptroller Skip a Trip to Our Office. Courthouse, on the first floor by the elevators. Full payment
Sharon R. Bock Go online to make payments, search records, file (no cash) and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return
We resumed in-person services documents and more – from anywhere and from any of your of documents are required.
at all of our locations on May 11th. devices. For easy access, visit our Online Services portal. Please note that our Royal Palm Beach office in the
For the safety of our customers Drop Box Midwestern Communities Service Center is temporarily
and employees, we have installed Documents to be recorded, as well as civil and family closed on Fridays.
Plexiglas shields in all customer pleadings, may be placed in the drop box in the Main
service areas, posted reminders for
social distancing, and have limited Plumbing rePairs • locate leaks • rePair toilets • Faucets & Water Heaters
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