Page 1 - The Shores of Jupiter - July '21

Our Village Voice

VOL. 32 NO. 7 www.seabreezepublications.com JULY 2021

Commissioner’s Update Bill’s Box

Libraries Enrich Our Lives people registered for temporary e-cards during March,
April and May of 2020, and 2.35 million people visited By Bill Thompson
By County Commissioner the library last year. Palm Beach County’s Library System Right Off The Bat
Maria Marino also garnered Hoopla’s No. 1 library in Florida for users In mornings before
Andrew Carnegie, and loans, and No. 5 in the United States. venturing out of the bed, I
a n i ndu st ri a l i st a n d Resources include the Small Business Reference drift. That is thinking while
philanthropist who led the Center, and access to job information, interviewing tips neither asleep nor awake.
expansion of the American and resumé writing, financial publications, demographics In that near sleep state, you
steel industry in the late and legal codes, cases and forms. Consumer health recall when awake important
19th century, said, “A information, social services applications and technology thoughts and ideas. I was
library outranks any other training, as well as an extensive adult education program thinking about the perception of black and white. There are
one thing a community can is available. The library system hosts naturalization people who think lineally, thus important subjects or ideas
do to benefit its people. It ceremonies for permanent residents to become U.S. fall into categories of either black or white. Absolutism.
is a never failing spring citizens, and provides opportunities for community The vast gray area in between is not acknowledged. Lateral
in the desert.” According to the American Library members and organizations to become involved with the thinking allows for creativity, imagination, and reasoning
Association (ALA), libraries in America are cornerstones library through volunteer efforts and partnerships. They that is not immediately obvious. It is not a traditional
of the communities they serve. The ALA states that free have also begun to process passport applications as of step-by-step logic driven approach to questions. Using
access to the books, ideas, resources, and information January this year. that open process gives insight into the grayness of the
in America’s libraries is imperative for education, For the 12th year in a row, the library system has equation. Extenuation, variables, mitigation, and common
employment, enjoyment and self-government. presented a balanced budget at the current millage rate of sense come into play. If not black, it has to be white. That is
In Palm Beach County, the mission of the library .5491, which they have maintained for 12 years. Reserves simplistic and, in all cases, is incorrect. Brings into question
system is to connect communities, inspire thought, and of 10 percent will be set aside to cover costs associated right and/or wrong. Even in cases in which right or wrong
enrich lives. This special taxing district provides library with emergencies and unforeseen events, including are applied to ethics and morals, could all such decisions
services to unincorporated areas of the county and 24 disasters. The capital improvements fund is planning for be absolute and final?
municipalities including the North County communities $12.6 million in anticipated renovations due to age and So, what is your point, Bill? Well, that life and matters
of Juno Beach, Jupiter, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Palm Beach use of buildings, and reserves for future large projects. of concern are complicated. Simple may seem to have
Gardens, Palm Beach Shores, and Tequesta. As the county continues to grow, the library system will been the way of things back when, but they were not. Not
The library system offers in-person and online services plan for additional expansion projects. then, not now. If our attitudes could let reason take the
at 17 locations, bookmobile stops, and lends educational With so many resources, courses, and activities free for lead, life could be more accepting, and love would follow
kits to childcare facilities. Millions of physical items, the asking, I encourage you to become a library member. reason. How much better we could be without behavior
including books, DVDs, audiobooks, music CDs, and It will enrich your life. driven by fear and anger.
read-aloud story times and book discussions are available If I can be of assistance to you, please let me know by I remember a book by Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow
to library members of all ages. The Summer Reading calling (561) 355-2201 or send an email to mmarino@ Rich. When read about 44 years ago, I thought then the
Program, held virtually this year, helps students maintain pbcgov.org. title should have been “Think and Grow Happier.”
their reading progress as they approach the next school Now Then
year. The summer has arrived. Seasonal rains are here.
Despite disruptions due to COVID-19, the library Children are out of school. Families here in Lake
system provided continuous service throughout the year Woebegone on Lake Bend Drive’s north end have
and transitioned services to meet community needs. There launched to far-off places for well deserved vacations.
are no longer late fees charged on overdue materials, and
enhanced remote access, in-person service and curbside Bill’s Box on page 5
pickup have been available to residents. More than 9,500
Solid Waste Authority 4R Scavenger Hunt

Learn About The 4Rs, Win Reuse, Recycle and Rethink their waste all while having
fun. Teams will use an app to answer questions and upload
Prizes And Have Fun! photos and/or videos showing themselves completing the
missions.
Yo ho ho! Grab ye lads and lassies and sign up for the Prizes will be awarded to the top three teams, as well as
adventure of the summer! to the team with the most creative submissions. All teams
The Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County (SWA) that earn at least 5,000 points will be entered into random
is teaming up with Resource Depot and Grassy Waters prize drawings for other great loot. Prizes include hotel
Preserve to host a monthlong pirate-themed scavenger hunt points and win lots of treasure. packages, family four-packs of tickets to Rapids Water Park,
throughout July. The SWA 4R Scavenger Hunt challenges The SWA 4R Scavenger Hunt kicks off July 1. $100 gift cards to various restaurants, $100 Visa cards and
teams to complete waste-related missions on the SWA Registration is open and will remain open through July 24. more!
Greenway Trail System and around Palm Beach County at This pirate-themed hunt engages participants through its For more information and to register your seadog or
different ports of call (business locations) in order to earn missions that are designed to encourage them to Reduce, landlubber crew, visit SWA.org/ScavengerHunt. Savvy?

REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY

TO THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT
(561) 799-4445

Use 911 for emergencies only. Lock car doors.
Do not leave valuables in the car.