Page 5 - The Shores of Jupiter - July '21

The Shores, Page 5
Northern Notes

Hurricane Tips And
Reminders

By Katie Roundtree, Don’t Overpay For Copies
Finance Director, Northern Of Your Deed And Other
Palm Beach County
Improvement District Public Records
June 1 began the official
Atlantic hurricane season. Palm Beach County’s housing market is one of the hottest
The National Oceanic and in the country, and that makes our community a target for
Atmospheric Administration companies looking to cash in.
(NOAA) is predicting another Source: express.co.uk Private companies are once again using official-looking
busy year. Now is the time to letters to mislead homeowners into overpaying for copies
prepare and make sure you Another priority for hurricane prep is to check your of their property deeds. These carefully crafted letters urge
and your family are ready, “window plan.” Some options are to board up your people to pay as much as $95 for a public record they can
just in case our area is affected this year. When a hurricane house with plywood, install shutters or hurricane impact easily get from their local clerk’s office for just a few dollars.
threatens, there is one thing that can be predicted year after windows. These precautions prevent flying debris Although these kinds of solicitations from private
year and hurricane after hurricane: panic and chaos. Gasoline from damaging the windows in your house. Having a companies are not illegal, they often use high-pressure tactics
stations, hardware stores and grocery stores become inundated window plan before an impending hurricane means that that can be confusing and frightening. Don’t be fooled!
with people panic buying since they waited until the last minute the supplies will be more plentiful. Metal shutters and If your deed or other official record has been recorded in
to prepare. The first step to prepare for hurricane season and plywood are just as difficult to find as water before a Palm Beach County, our team at the Clerk of the Circuit Court
avoid the chaotic shopping spree is to build your “hurricane storm hits. Purchasing these materials and cutting them and Comptroller is here to help you get the information you
stock” now. A “hurricane stock” is essential for post landfall, to fit your windows beforehand will only ease hurricane need. To avoid overpaying for copies of your records:
because flooding and debris may prevent you from leaving season anxiety and protect yourself as best as possible. Be wary of unsolicited letters urging you to respond
your house for a while. A stock of nonperishable goods such as Other hurricane necessities according to the Red Cross: immediately. Our office does not send notices asking you to
water, cereal, dry milk and canned foods is also useful in case • Battery powered radio to access the NOAA Weather purchase a copy of your deed or other documents.
of electric outages. A good method is to create an assigned bin Channel Search online for free. Uncertified copies of deeds,
to be used during a hurricane to store your “hurricane stock.” • Flashlights mortgages, liens, court judgments, marriage licenses and other
This hurricane stock should be replenished after each storm • Extra batteries official records can be downloaded and printed for free from
and maintained throughout the year, checking for expiration • First-aid kit our website, mypalmbeachclerk.com/records/official-records.
dates each time. A stock of water to last at least three days per • Maps of the area (in case you can’t access your cell Request a certified copy for a small fee. We provide copies
person is essential, but one lasting up to two weeks is ideal. phone or GPS) of official records for $1 per page, and they can be certified
Investing in gasoline containers and keeping them filled While hurricane season can be a stressful and uncertain for an additional $2.
up during hurricane season is also helpful in case a hurricane time, being prepared is the best thing you can do to ease If you’re uncertain about a solicitation or notice
causes a large-scale evacuation, as with Hurricane Irma. that stress. Being prepared allows you to be in control, you receive in the mail, or if you have questions about
These spare gas containers may be your only source of gas not the storm. Happy hurricane season Floridians, be safe, obtaining copies of your public records, please contact
while evacuating the area. Store gasoline in a well-ventilated aware and prepared! our Records Service Center at (561) 355-2932 or visit
detached shed or garage, at least 50 feet away from ignition NPDES tip: Planting a rain garden with native plants www.mypalmbeachclerk.com.
sources such as pilot lights or a furnace. Store gasoline at room around your home helps lock rainwater in the ground, Regards,
temperature and keep it away from potential heat sources such reducing the flow of pollutants and poisons into the Joseph Abruzzo,
as the sun, or the trunk of a car that’s in direct sun. Heating the drains. Using organic fertilizers and pesticides in your Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller
gasoline will build pressure in the container. Gas can be stored garden further protects and brings health to your yard
up to three to six months, so be sure to use and replace the gas and all the species living there.
in your containers with fresh gasoline every few months.
Bill’s Box from page 1
Advertise in This Newspaper! Call (561) 746-3244 It is like a silent ghost town. The silence is golden, but I

actually miss our collective brood of close to 30 small,
loud, shrieking children. And it is getting harder to borrow
a cup of sugar. I hate grocery shopping! And another thing
or two: I complain so much that I get tired of hearing about
it. Poor pitiful Pearl, that’s me. Ice maker doesn’t work.
Pool heater was broken but was repaired for $300 labor.
Parts were under warranty. Entire pool screen enclosure
is being replaced. Contract signed to have replaced;
however, the company is so booked up that it will be done
in August! Do I sound like Rodney Dangerfield? Wait,
there is more. Clearing floor space for deep housecleaning
followed by regular biweekly cleaning. Shredding tons
of paper. Trips to the dump. From a nonfunctioning
747-PALM and embarrassing garage, I must rid us of a lifetime of
keeping everything I ever had. Certainly not to say I am a
747-7256 hoarder. Then did you hear my 17-year-old Honda is now
crumbled from a crash? I am being jerked around by the
liable insurance company though I was not at fault and
have no drivable car. They have deemed the car fixable
and have offered me less than the car was worth before
“Service is our number one priority” the crash to take to a body shop for repair. No reputable
body shop would even bother to estimate costs of repair
561-743-0070 for three times the amount being paid to me. Oh yeah, I
am having a fine time. Didn’t I say life is complicated?
www.palmspoolservices.com There is more, but I am boring myself as well as you
dear readers. There is a bright side; I have food, shelter,
retirement income, and friends. Breathing is better than
seething. I am happy … just like to complain. I could do
Dangerfield’s stand-up bit for him.
Okay, off to see the wizard.

Captain’s was established in 1980 servicing
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Captain’s is committed to providing
Expires 7/31/21. dependable, reliable and professional
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State Licensed & Insured To reserve your vehicle: PBCVH212
Serving Palm Beach County CPC # 1457468 • LPG#30099 561-798-2180 or 800-634-7890 www.captainsairport.com