Page 6 - Boca Club News - February '21

Page 6, Boca Club News

Government

Mayor’s Update: City Election Update – March 9th, 2021

Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor of this writing in mid-January, there is not a complete list of Our requirement would be a fraction of one percent of the
of Boca Raton. A South Florida endorsements for the various candidates, but you can find voters and is proportionally less than all of other cities
native, attorney, mediator and small out more from local media or from the candidates’ websites. in South Florida that require signatures. For many years,
business owner, Scott and his wife, Second, two ballot questions to change the city charter some candidates have filed with mere minutes to go before
Bella, live in Broken Sound with their will be up for the residents’ approval, after the City Council the deadline, and these candidates have typically received
two young children. unanimously proposed them. The first would increase the the fewest votes and, in my opinion, often been the least
The November 2020 presidential residency requirement from 30 days before the qualifying informed or involved. Without a signature requirement,
election had the highest turnout in period for one-year, and also disqualify candidates who anyone can call themselves a candidate by merely paying
generations, and I hope that bodes have a homestead exemption outside of the city limits. I a modest fee and signing a few forms. In my view, anyone
well for the upcoming municipal election on March 9th, supported these changes as we have had multiple elections truly wishing to serve a city with 100,000 residents should
2021. By the time you receive this, many of you will in which a candidate who received tax benefits from living be able to speak to 200 people to get on the ballot and
have received ballots by mail for this election. I’m not on outside of the city still was able to run for election within the get their signatures with great ease. Filing a form without
the ballot, but I wanted to highlight the races and ballot city. This change would close the loophole that lets someone taking any steps to at least talk to groups of residents—as
questions that will be. claim to be a resident outside of the city to reduce their a number of candidates have—is a far cry from I think we
First, two of the five seats on the City Council will be up taxes, but claim to be a resident to serve us. In addition, it would want. I see this change as a minimal step to ensure
for election for the upcoming terms of three years. Council would set a modest requirement to live here for one year–a good governance.
Member Yvette Drucker is seeking a full term as the council period far shorter than the residency requirements for many You can find out more about the election at myboca.
member for Seat C, after she was appointed in October to other elected offices. us and find your polling place or request a mail-in ballot
fill the temporarily unoccupied position created by Jeremy The second ballot question would require a candidate at pbcelections.org. Please feel free to reach out to me at
Rodgers’ military service. Council Member Monica Mayotte to obtain the signatures of 200 electors (voting residents) ssinger@myboca.us and stay in touch with me on social
is running for re-election for Seat D, having first been before qualifying on the ballot. Many other cities, including media at @ScottSingerUSA. Please vote! No level of
elected in 2018 with more than 66% of the vote. It’s been Delray Beach, Miami Shores, and other cities throughout government impacts you as closely as the local level, and
an honor to serve with each of these colleagues and to see South Florida and the nation require a modest number of I hope that the increased turnout we’ve seen will extend
their work for the residents of Boca Raton. As of the time signatures from residents before someone can file to run. here. It matters for our city and for all of us!
Council Corner: Good News for Parents of

School-Age Children, Lovers of Parks...and More.

By Boca Raton City Council member soon-to-be newest waterfront park, Wildflower Park, has a temporary school is located that housed the Verde
and CRA Chair Monica Mayotte, a begun. This park will be located at the Intracoastal Bridge Elementary School students while their school was rebuilt,
21-year resident of Boca Raton who on Palmetto Park Road. The park is currently closed. The and is currently housing the Addison Mizner Elementary
has been active in the community, first order of business is to reconstruct the park’s sea wall. It School students while their campus is under construction.
both in our local schools and as a must be raised and upgraded to meet new code requirements Construction on the new school will begin once the Addison
city advisory board member. for rising sea levels and safety. Once that step is complete, Mizner students move into their new campus. The new
This is my first opportunity to the redevelopment of the park can begin. The designs for school will alleviate overcrowding in several local Boca
say Happy New Year to everyone. I the new park can be seen on the city’s website. Just search Raton elementary schools.
hope you are looking forward to 2021 for “wildflower.” One last item of interest: If you haven’t been to Mizner
being an improvement over 2020. I know I am. We all can look forward to a new and improved Boca Park recently, you should check out all the new additions.
The most promising improvement in 2021 is the rollout Raton Regional Hospital. Their campus redevelopment Most interesting is the new mural on the Mizner Park
of the COVID-19 vaccine. I know the rollout has been slow, plan includes the new Gloria Drummond Patient Tower, an Amphitheater stage doors. The city council reviewed over
problematic, and information changes on a daily basis. To expansion of the Marcus Neuroscience Institute; all existing 20 submissions and I love the one we chose. There will
stay informed on the most up-to-date information about the hospital rooms will be converted to private rooms, and much be many more additions to enjoy coming soon, including
vaccine, go to the Palm Beach County Health Department more. restaurants, a bowling alley and retail. Most will be opening
website, http://palmbeach.floridahealth.gov, or contact your I have exciting new for those of you with school- in 2021.
personal physician. Your patience during this process is aged children. The city council has formally donated There are always a lot of new and exciting things going
greatly appreciated. land adjacent to Don Estridge High Tech Middle School on around town. Please remember, if you have any questions
I’m very excited to announce that construction on our to the School District of Palm Beach County for a new or concerns that you would like to bring to my attention,
public elementary school. This is the same location where please email me at mmayotte@myboca.us.

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