Page 7 - Jupiter Ocean Mile - November '20

Jupiter Ocean Mile, Page 7
Northern Notes Town Of Jupiter

Please Don’t Feed Wildlife or garbage in such a
manner that it attracts News
By Katie Roundtree, black bears, foxes,
Finance Director, Northern raccoons, gopher
Palm Beach County tortoises or sandhill By Ilan Kaufer,
Improvement District cranes and thereby Jupiter Vice Mayor
As temperatures in crea te s a publ i c I hope everyone
Florida start to drop in the nuisance is prohibited. is having a good
fall, people and animals will Because people November and my
be outside more often in the establish an emotional family and I want
daylight hours, creating connection with to wish you a happy
the potential for contact wildlife that they Thanksgiving holiday.
and conflicts. Throughout feed, these situations While Thanksgiving
the years, The Florida Fish often prove difficult may need to be different
and Wildlife Conservation to resolve, because this year and we may
Commission (FWC) receives many complaints regarding they involve changing see some relatives and
wildlife causing damage to private property or creating peoples’ attitudes and friends on Face Time or Zoom, my family and I remain
a public safety issue. Many complaints are the result of behaviors. Fortunately, thankful to live in such a great community filled with
communities where intentional feeding of wildlife is educating individuals compassion, giving, and support. Please find below a
tolerated or where domestic animals are fed outdoors. how to responsibly few recent updates.
Whenever such conflicts arise, wildlife loses. While the attract wildlife often Budget/Tax Rate
species involved in each of these cases may be different, the resolves the problem. In September, the Town Council finalized the tax
issue is always the same. Concerned and well-intentioned Communities can rate and budget for the upcoming fiscal year. During a
individuals start feeding wildlife, often without regard for pursue a variety of year of a global pandemic, when many are struggling
the quantity or types of feed being offered. Wild animals approaches to affect a financially and/or worried about their financial future,
have a complicated diet with specific needs. If people remedy. In communities with a homeowner’s association, I believe there is a need to lower the tax rate to provide
feed them “treats,” they may not get the correct balance residents may apply remedies available to them through our residents and businesses with some tax relief. I
of nutrients to keep them healthy. All wild creatures have the association. also believe that we need to maintain our high level of
evolved over the millennia with an instinct to locate and The FWC’s advice to anyone who enjoys wildlife is public safety and maintain our financial commitment
eat a diet best suited to their own digestive systems. Thus, to keep it wild! For those who enjoy viewing wildlife, to our public safety and community services. Council
they have a specific niche in the wild community where the safest and most effective way to attract animals is to was given the choice of different ways to reduce
they feed and live in balance with all other species. This provide good wildlife habitat. This is best accomplished expenses for the upcoming year. I did not support
balance is interfered with when well-intentioned people through the use of native vegetation. The FWC has the removal of funding for 12 Town staff positions,
feed what they think is a healthy diet to wildlife. publications online with information on developing including five police officers and community service
This practice also inevitably leads to unnatural your own backyard wildlife refuge. For those without officer positions.
concentrations of animals, both wild and domestic, Internet service, copies or more information about Unfortunately, a majority of Council did not agree
looking for a handout. Wild animals are thus conditioned planting a backyard refuge may be obtained by calling with my positions, and therefore, the tax rate will not
to associate humans with a feeding opportunity and the or writing your nearest FWC regional office. (Source: be lowered, and the Town will not fill those positions
results are predictable – animals become a nuisance www.myFWC.com) this year.
to property owners. Artificially high concentrations NPDES Tip: Please pick up after your pet. When pet Veterans Memorial Update
of wildlife found at feeding stations also increase the waste is washed into lakes or canals the waste decays, Construction continues on the Veterans Memorial.
transmission of diseases that normally occur in low using up oxygen and sometimes releasing ammonia. By the time of this publication, the memorial should
concentrations. Low oxygen levels and ammonia combined with warm be very close to opening (or already open). I am very
Feeding wildlife is generally discouraged and, in temperatures can kill fish. Pet waste also contains nutrients excited that we have made great progress on this
some cases, illegal. In Florida, it is illegal to feed gopher that encourage weed and algae growth. Overly fertile important memorial to commemorate our veterans.
tortoises, sandhill cranes, bears, raccoons, foxes, manatees water becomes cloudy and green – unattractive for boating Thank you to all our veterans and community
and alligators. Intentionally placing food or garbage, and fishing. Perhaps most importantly, pet waste carries members for their support of this important project
allowing the placement of food or garbage, or offering food diseases which make water unsafe. and thank you to everyone who helped make my
proposal a reality. I hope you get a chance to visit
the new memorial (located between the new police
department and town hall) in the near future.
Local Historic Grant Approved
The Council recently voted to award $44,186 in
grant funding to Jupiter homeowner Christen Hutton
so she can renovate and preserve a home built in 1945.
The original portion of the house, previously owned
by three early Town Council members, was also given
a local historic designation. Historic preservation will
remain one of my strategic priorities.
As always please contact me with any comments
or questions at ilank@jupiter.fl.us and follow me on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/Councilorkaufer or
on twitter @Councilorkaufer.

Twilight Yoga at the Light
Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Lighthouse Sunset Tour
Nov. 4 11, 18
November VIRTUAL Lighthouse Story Time
Nov. 17
Events Lighthouse Moonrise Tour
Nov. 30

Adopt A Step!

Onlin Fundraiser Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing
Palm Beach County and is a privately
owned and managed company.
Captain’s is committed to providing
Step Up for the Light dependable, reliable and professional
ground transportation to and from all
South Florida Airports and Seaports.
jupiterlighthouse.org 561-747-8380 To reserve your vehicle: PBCVH212
500 Captain Armour’s Way, Jupiter 561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com
Discover the Palm Beaches Florida