Page 9 - Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens - July '20
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Lifestyles in Palm Beach Gardens, Page 9
Commissioner’s Update
Emergency Management – average and 2020 is forecast to be similar, with a projected this scenario to develop complementary strategies. This
Keeping Our Community Safe 16 named storms, eight hurricanes and four hurricanes includes evaluating the decision process for evacuation;
greater than a category 3.
developing contingency plans for congregate and non-
And Resilient With oceans warming, the intensity of hurricanes is congregate shelter options; providing additional screening
increasing. Last year, Hurricane Dorian, a category 5 and and sanitizing efforts at all shelters; enhancing spacing
By Commissioner the fourth named storm of the 2019 season, made landfall and more frequent cleaning of shelters; evaluating staffing
Hal Valeche on Sept. 1 in Elbow Cay, Bahamas with maximum sustained levels and available resources; and enhancing shelter
Most of us likely equate winds of 185 mph. Dorian impacted the outer islands of the capacity for the special needs population and pet shelters.
emergency management Northern Bahamas and devastated Grand Bahama Island The Board of County Commissioners plays an important
with our annual hurricane and its surrounding islands. After two days, it turned north, role to reinforce the EOC actions and priorities. We assist
season, and that has sparing Palm Beach County of its hurricane force winds, with federal declarations and work with lawmakers
definitely been a major with only the outer bands brushing South Florida. to activate FEMA programs, and advocate for federal
focus of this county division In the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, 900 evacuees assistance and reimbursement. We also disseminate public
within the Department of arrived in Palm Beach County via the Paradise Cruise Line, information to keep our residents advised and prepared to
Public Safety. This year, needing housing and services. Those who did not have take protective actions.
we have gained a painful local family or friends were taken to a triage shelter at the As we do each year, we cannot stress enough the
lesson in another natural PBC Therapeutic Center in John Prince Park. From there, importance of planning for disasters and we encourage
hazard, the pandemic. evacuees transitioned to temporary shelters. We assisted all businesses and residents to make this a priority. It may
While the event of a hurricane from advisories, warnings, 155 evacuees. surprise you to know that 60 percent of households lack
landfall and recovery may require the activation of our Many Palm Beach County residents and businesses disaster readiness. Everyone has a duty to be prepared. You
Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for a period of a few have relationships, properties and business partners in the need to know if you live in an evacuation area, and if so,
weeks, the COVID-19 emergency has spanned months, with Bahamas, and there was a strong push to help our neighbors where you will evacuate to within the county. If you are not
ongoing long-term prevention, testing and recovery efforts in the Bahamas recover. Many citizens, businesses, churches, in an evacuation area, you are encouraged to shutter and
that will take us into an unknown future with this new virus. municipalities and nonprofit organizations mobilized in shelter in place. Make a kit, and keep it stocked. Consider
Palm Beach County’s Executive Policy Group (EPG) response. County departments and agencies participated by what arrangements you need to make for your pets or loved
leads the EOC Activation Organization through the County conducting a relief donation drive contributing 14 truckloads ones with special needs. You can find a wealth of helpful
Administrator, Verdenia Baker, who also serves as incident and 500 pallets of supplies to the effort. information at www.ReadyPBC.org.
commander. The EPG includes the county mayor, county Emergency Management has continued to plan and As always, if there is any way I can assist you, please
administration senior staff, public safety director, county improve its emergency response systems, improving contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at hvaleche@
attorney, emergency management director, sheriff, fire outreach for the special needs shelter application process, pbcgov.org. Remember, wash your hands, physically
rescue administrator, and the Florida Department of Health expanding emergency information outlets in multiple distance, and be safe and prepared.
Palm Beach County director. They also serve as liaisons languages, increasing shelter staffing and expanding on
to the county commissioners, the courts, constitutional our recovery plans.
officers, the school board, our state and federal legislative Nearly 5,300 county personnel are enlisted upon
delegation, and to the municipalities. activation to man the emergency operations center,
Emergency Management plans include responses provide public information, work shelters, and inspect
to three main categories of hazards: natural – severe and respond to damages in recovery efforts, and our
weather, floods, agricultural pests and diseases, fires, employees have truly stepped up to the plate, while
communicable diseases; technological – transportation, handling responsibilities to protect their own families.
hazardous materials, nuclear power plant, dike failure; This year, the challenge has doubled with addressing
and, human caused – domestic security, workplace/ hurricane season accompanied by a pandemic, and shelter
school violence and mass migration. staffing and facilities may need to increase further due
The 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season was above to COVID-19. Emergency Management has analyzed
Welcome Frenchman’s Reserve’s New Executive Chef
Joe Longo
Frenchman’s Reserve, a Platinum Club in Signature Recipe: Summer 1 tablespoon sea salt or Kosher salt
Palm Beach Gardens, welcomed Executive Chef Country Vegetable Soup ½ teaspoon freshly ground cracked black pepper
Joe Longo this past May after a 17 year run at ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
Broken Sound in Boca Raton. Chef Longo is Talk about a hearty AND healthy dish! Any
noted primarily for his expertise in authentic meal that begins with this soup – or that consists Directions:
Italian dishes, as well as seafood specialties and of just this soup and a slice of delicious garlic Coat your Dutch oven or stock pot with olive
American fusion cuisine. Frenchman’s Reserve Italian bread – will satisfy and nourish even the oil and set to medium heat.
Members have been raving over his new menus hungriest and most healthy minded-soul. Check Start with the carrots and sauté your vegetables
and daily specials and look forward to his out the list of ingredients below of this super- until tender.
signature recipes for many years to come! healthy vegetarian soup that is low in calories and Slowly add water, tomato paste, bay leaves,
full of flavor. Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper and crushed
red pepper.
Serves 8 generously: Stir, cover and turn heat to medium low.
Ingredients: Let simmer on your stove for 1-2 hours.
2-3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil Turn off heat.
4 large carrots, sliced Season with more salt and pepper.
½ bunch of celery, chopped Serve with hot fresh bread or rolls.
2 medium sized onions, chopped
4 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 small head of broccoli, chopped
1 small head of cauliflower, chopped
2 medium zucchini, chopped
2 medium yellow squash, chopped
4 large vine ripened tomatoes, chopped
1 cup fresh mushrooms, sliced
1-15oz. can peeled plum tomatoes, hand crushed
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen corn
1 ½ cups fresh or frozen green beans, chopped
3 potatoes, scrubbed and diced
10 cups of water
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 large bay leaves
¼ cup dried Italian seasoning