Page 6 - Boca Club News - July '20

Page 6, Boca Club News
Boca Happenings

Cyndi Bloom Receives Florida Library

Association Award as Outstanding Citizen

Cyndi Bloom, President During her six years as Board President, Cyndi was Ellen Randolph, Manager of Library Services, notes, “We
of the Friends of the Boca instrumental in raising over $250,000 to enhance library are grateful for Cyndi’s support and the Board’s continuous
Raton Public Library from programs and offerings, including a digital media lab, funding of programs such as the Summer Reading Initiative,
2014–2020, has received the online learning resources, and early and youth literacy book clubs for tweens and teens, 1,000 Books Before
Outstanding Citizen Award programs. Kindergarten, the Family Book Club Brunch, and much more.
for Friends, Foundations Her commitment to the library’s mission is evident This ongoing support has been due in large part to Cyndi’s
& Boards from the Florida through her support of outreach, cultural programs, and ability to attract and keep talented, committed Board members
Library Association. This collaborative projects with community leaders. Most who not only run the Bookstore efficiently, bring in quality
award recognizes Cyndi recently, Cyndi and the Board helped to secure $77,000 programs, and support literacy and education goals, but also
for her leadership and for the new mobile library van to provide library materials, provide energy and enthusiasm to our partnership.”
advocacy, which resulted in increased library awareness resources and services to residents without access to For more information about the Friends of the Boca Raton
and funding to better serve the community. traditional library buildings. Public Library, visit www.bocalibraryfriends.org.
Government

Mayor’s Update: Unity in Boca Raton

and Pride in Our Public Safety

Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor means a greater commitment to ensuring that promise for all safety officers receive enhanced training far above state
of Boca Raton. A South Florida people. requirements. Our enhanced public safety training includes
native, attorney, mediator, and small As of this writing in late June, many peaceful protests have the areas of mental health, PTSD, autism, protection orders,
business owner, Scott and his wife, taken place in Boca Raton in recent weeks, and thankfully, and fair and impartial policing. We have a fully staffed
Bella, live in Broken Sound with their without violence, injury, or arrests. The peaceful nature is a Community Outreach Unit, with officers dealing with
two young children. good sign of the respect our residents have for each other. neighborhoods, homeless outreach, college liaisons, and
The nation was outraged by the Nationally, a movement emerged this month to establish crime prevention. In addition, we have 27 certified Crisis
senseless and brutal killing of Mr. a set of policies on the use of force called #8CantWait. I am Intervention Officers to ensure people with mental health
George Floyd. As a few cities saw pleased to share that Boca Police had already implemented issues get the assistance they need.
great conflict between some residents and their police forces, all of them long before recent tragic events, as part of an With Boca’s first responders, we are fortunate to have
we are fortunate to have seen the opposite in Boca Raton. ongoing commitment to best practices. Our department has the safety we need, the high standards we deserve, and the
So many residents continue to be proud of our Boca Raton earned full accreditation from national and standard boards, community partnership we want from professionals we can
Police Services Department. Our officers are brave, caring, and continually reviews its policies and procedures to ensure trust. Together, may we all rise to the challenges our nation
and respectful, and the opposite of what happened with Mr. the best service to our community. faces with greater understanding, empathy, communication,
Floyd’s death. Our brave men and women in uniform are an As part of the accreditation processes, our public partnership, and kindness.
important part of the community and how we continue to
On June 6th, Boca Raton was the site of a powerful Unity Council Corner: Working to
progress as a safer, more livable city.

Walk, which included our Pearl City community leaders and
staff, the entire City Council, and many resident advocates all Help You During COVID-19.
residents, interfaith clergy, our police department’s senior
marching together in opposition to bigotry and hate. Hundreds
of residents, representatives, and public safety officers all By Boca Raton City Councilman (and eventually more) to help businesses impacted by
stood together against racism and wrongful force. Andy Thomson, who was first elected COVID-19. The City of Boca Raton established its own
Thanks to many, including Pastor Ronald Brown of during the special City Council small business relief program and has been providing
Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church and Minister Charles election in 2018, and re-elected forgivable loans to Boca-based businesses.
Cocklin of Breaking Chains, for organizing the meaningful without opposition to the Council. Summer Camps. As Florida slowly began its reopening
event. It was only the beginning of what we will do in our The COVID-19 pandemic has had process, many folks began returning to work. For some,
city to foster greater understanding and action to ensure that an enormous impact on everybody. this was a welcomed change. But for working parents with
the promise of America is realized for all residents. We all The human toll has been terrible, with young children, another problem arose: the unavailability
are listening and committed to greater dialogue, partnership, over 100,000 Floridians becoming of safe child care. Normally parents could rely on summer
and action. Our shared value of the promise of this nation infected and over 3,000 passing away from the virus. From camps, but many camps were canceled this summer, and
the outset, the City of Boca Raton was quick to take steps to those that were opened had limited capacity due to limited
stop the spread. Early on, we declared a state of emergency space and the need for social distancing. I worked with local
and ordered the closing of places where large gatherings summer camps to find additional space (like available office
are likely. Palm Beach County and the State of Florida space) so that more parents could return to work knowing
Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing followed suit several days later. We will continue to work that their kids were in a safe (and socially distant) camp
Palm Beach County and is a privately with our State and county partners to protect the safety of setting.
owned and managed company. our residents, which is our highest priority. Local Government Reimbursement. The COVID-19
Captain’s is committed to providing The economic toll has likewise been staggering. Over pandemic has had a significant impact on municipal
dependable, reliable and professional 800,000 Floridians lost their jobs. Thousands of businesses governments, which have been at the forefront of the
ground transportation to and from all
South Florida Airports and Seaports. PBCVH212 closed, never to reopen, while many continue to struggle to response effort. The City of Boca Raton has so far spent
To reserve your vehicle: survive. over $2 million of our tax dollars on such necessary
561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com Given these realities, here are some ways in which my COVID-related items as safety supplies, personal protective
office has been working to help those in need: equipment, overtime and sick leave. As noted above, Palm
COVID-19 Testing. Early on in the pandemic, there Beach County received $261 million in relief from Congress
REAL ESTATE LAW was no public COVID-19 testing site in South Palm Beach under the CARES Act, and Congress intended for counties
County. This absence was especially concerning given our (like Palm Beach County) to reimburse the municipalities
LAW OFFICES area’s large elderly population and proximity to Broward within their jurisdiction (like Boca Raton) for COVID-
Dana F. Charles, P.A. County. As a result, Representative Emily Slosberg and I related expenditures. Governor DeSantis confirmed this
expectation in an announcement on June 10th. However,
pushed for a public testing site at the South County Civic
Residential & CommeRCial Center, which Palm Beach County and the Governor Palm Beach County has thus far not reimbursed Boca Raton
landloRd/tenant matteRs approved and opened in early April. Another public testing for these expenses. I organized our Members of Congress
site was opened at FAU in May. and other municipal elected officials to push Palm Beach
title insuRanCe/Closings
Small Business Relief. In March, Congress passed and County to begin these reimbursements as directed by the
PRobate WoRk the President signed the CARES Act, which provided Governor and intended by Congress, which will save our
561-361-7011 much-needed relief to the U.S. economy. One portion of residents millions in tax dollars.
the CARES Act disbursed billions of dollars to state and I recognize that times are tough and folks are struggling.
www.danafcharles.com large local governments. Palm Beach County, as one of If you need anything, please let me know. I am here to help.
those large local governments, received $261 million in I pray that you all stay safe and healthy. athomson@
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION CARES Act funding in early May. I advocated for a swift myboca.us
allocation and deployment of those relief funds, particularly
“The hiring of an attorney is an important decision that should not be based solely upon advertisement.
Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience.” in the area of small business relief. The Palm Beach County
BROKEN SOUND RESIDENT Commission agreed, ultimately allocating $60 million