Page 4 - Boca Exposure - September '20

Page 4, Boca Exposure
From The Desk of Palm Beach County Vice Mayor

Robert S. Weinroth: Important Ways We Are Protecting You!

Robert Weinroth, a former will be lifting the state’s executive order prohibiting evictions respond, please take a minute to complete the census now.
member of the Boca Raton sometime in the near future. • Respond online at: www.my2020census.gov.
City Council, was elected The county has taken a proactive approach in providing • To respond by phone, call (800) 330-2020.
as a Palm Beach County these services in hopes of mitigating an influx of evictions The county health department recently released a
Commissioner to replace proceedings. For more information, please call the Legal Aid mosquito-borne illness alert in response to few reported cases
Steven Abrams, who Society of Palm Beach County Rapid Response Eviction of West Nile virus. In response, the county has ramped up its
retired due to term limits Project at (561) 655-8944, Ext. 328 or Florida Rural Legal aerial spraying covering over 280,000 acres west of Military
requirements. Services at (888) 582-3410, or visit: www.legalaidpbc.org/ Trail from Boca Raton to Jupiter.
As of this writing, the eviction or www.frls.org. For more information on aerial spraying and mosquito
county is showing positive For more information on the county’s COVID-19 control, you may contact the Aerial Spray Hotline at (561)
signs of slowing down the programs, including assistance with rent, mortgages and 642-8775 or visit: https://discover.pbcgov.org/erm/Pages/
spread of the coronavirus. utilities, please visit www.pbcgov.org. Mosquito-Control.aspx.
Unfortunately, this virus is not going away, and we If you have not responded to the 2020 Census, census Finally, we urge everyone to make sure they are prepared
must remain vigilant. Though it may seem repetitive, facial takers have started visiting homes throughout the county. for a hurricane. The season has been extremely active. For
coverings, social distancing, and frequent handwashing are These field workers can be identified by ID badges with their details on preparedness and other key information including
key factors in mitigating the spread of the coronavirus. photograph, and bags and other equipment with the Census emergency apps, links to social media and much more, please
The county continues to prioritize testing. Currently, Bureau logo. They will be wearing masks and practicing visit: https://discover.pbcgov.org/publicsafety/dem/Pages/
there are over 115 testing sites countywide, which can social distancing. default.aspx.
be located at: https://discover.pbcgov.org/coronavirus/ The county’s response rate is only approximately 60 Please contact our office if you need assistance: (561)
Pages/testing-sites.aspx. The criteria for testing has been percent. If you are one of the 600,000 or so residents yet to 276-1220 or email me at rweinroth@pbcgov.org.
expanded (nonsymptomatic, etc.), and the details are
provided on that site. Council Corner:
Additionally, the testing site at FITTTEAM Ballpark
in West Palm Beach is now offering rapid antigen testing
with results within hours. To make an appointment for this Take The “Ready, Steady, Boca!” Pledge
location, please call (561) 642-1000.
The county also recently released a free CombatCOVID
app. All users who have been in close proximity to a By Andrea Levine Although we are preoccupied with limited social
COVID-19 positive person will be notified by a push O’Rourke, opportunities and health concerns, I would like to take a
notification recommending they get tested immediately, Boca Raton City Council moment of gratitude to look at the bounty of Boca Raton.
without revealing anyone’s personal identity. Suggested Member, CRA Chairperson Innovation - We are a community where history and
locations for testing are also provided. We are now more than innovation has come together, exemplified by being the
Unlike other apps, CombatCOVID will never use GPS or five months, and counting, home of IBM, the invention of the personal computer
location notification in its architecture. The app user’s privacy into living through the and smart phone. The IBM campus is now the Boca
and identity are protected. No names, email addresses, world-wide pandemic Raton Innovation Campus (BRIC), home of many hi-tech
locations or personally identifying information is required. COVID-19. I am proud to companies focused on the future. BRIC offers outstanding
The county has partnered with the Legal Aid Society say that the City of Boca programs and incredible new-age workspace in a campus
of Palm Beach County and is offering free assistance and Raton has shown great environment.
representation with landlord/tenant matters and past due leadership from the get- Recreation - Boca Raton has five miles of beautiful
payments. This is available in anticipation that the governor go in decision making and setting protocols within our beaches; truly our greatest natural asset. We have a total
jurisdiction. As the virus continues, we continue to evolve of 47 parks with 1,650 acres of recreational space that
as we maintain the utmost caution. encourages a healthy and active lifestyle. There is a
On that premise, the city has introduced a city-wide tremendous variety of activities for all. From golf, tennis,
recovery effort called Ready, Steady, Boca! This is a sports fields, courts and swimming pools, to a carousel
new initiative designed to carefully remind residents, and science complex for the children. This is just a
businesses and visitors about responsible safety snapshot. As we continue to upgrade, the city has built
precautions to ensure a continued culture of health. brand new pickleball courts to meet the needs of residents
As stated by Mayor Singer, “The response to enjoying the latest craze! We are now in the process of
COVID-19 will require a long-term commitment from the approving Boca Ice, an indoor ice-skating rink that will
community. The campaign is meant to bring our residents include a cultural arts component. Dog lovers’ favorite
and businesses together through the recovery period and spots are the dog beach or bark park.
send a message to our visitors that we are prepared, and Business - Boca has a thriving business community
our city is safe. Together, we’ll continue with a cautious with over 30 corporate headquarters, from innovative
approach to reopening.” startups to large corporations. We have the Boca Raton
Ready, Steady, Boca! will help the community International Airport that has recently opened customs,
navigate a successful reopening by balancing caution with which supports our business and tourist community.
action. By emphasizing safety and a steadfast approach, Education - Boca Raton has three nationally ranked
the slogan will serve as a reminder of social responsibility, universities and an abundance of A-rated public and
community well-being and optimistic recovery. As part private K-12 schools that ingrain education, research and
of this initiative, the city is asking residents, visitors and innovation into the community.
businesses to show their support and take the Ready, I am truly proud to be the deputy mayor of Boca Raton,
Steady, Boca! Pledge. a “full service” city consistently recognized for being one
I believe “The Pledge” creates a mind-set that we are of the safest cities in Florida.
in this together and are willing to do what’s best for one As we currently work to follow proper pandemic
another as we continue to move forward. Please visit the protocol and to keeping our community safe, we are ready
City of Boca Raton’s website to learn more about the to bounce back when the time is right … a day we are all
initiatives and take “The Pledge.” You will join hundreds looking forward to.
of other residents and businesses in our community by
doing so. If we all work together, we can get through this
better.