Page 6 - Abacoa Community News - August '21

Page 6, Abacoa

gOverNmeNt

Commissioner’s Update

Learning From Our Rich shore of the Loxahatchee River, Culpepper described how industrial uses along the Beeline Highway (SR 710), just
From his lovely historic circa-1900s home on the south
southeast of the Pratt Whitney jet engine testing facility on
History essential policies took shape during his terms in office. He lands formerly owned by John D. MacArthur. Culpepper
worked to establish bulkhead lines along the Loxahatchee described how that same comprehensive plan projected that by
By County Commissioner River to thwart continued efforts to fill in vast areas of the the year 2000, Palm Beach County would have approximately
Maria Marino river for development. In 1970, pollution of the river was a 1.3 million people, and that by 2020, would reach 1.5 million
Recently, I had the distinct big problem caused by sewage releases into the water. He, people. He was proud to tell me that based on current statistics
privilege of sitting down with on behalf of the county, and four surrounding municipal their projections from nearly 50 years ago were very close.
former elected official and governments formed the Loxahatchee River Council, During his service as a supervisor on the Board of the
North County historian, Robert which achieved legislation to form the Loxahatchee River Pal Mar Water Control District, Culpepper worked with
F. “Bobby” Culpepper. Mr. Environmental Control District, the wastewater collection, municipalities and the South Florida Water Management
Culpepper served as Jupiter’s treatment and sewer installation utility serving Juno District to obtain approval for a 7,500-acre reservoir that would
mayor from 1966 to 1968, and Beach, all of Jupiter, eastern portions of Jupiter Farms, replenish the Loxahatchee River. While the water managers
as county commissioner for and north into Martin County. ultimately did not move forward with that project, the need
District 1 from 1968 to 1976. Public access to beaches was always a priority for to preserve those wetlands and provide clean fresh water to
A Korean War veteran, Culpepper, and through a $6 million bond issuance in 1969, the river are just as important today. As the county’s current
Culpepper shared with me his vast knowledge of the county. he negotiated the purchase of the remaining undeveloped representative on Pal Mar in our position as a landowner, I
One of his favorite quotes is from President Harry Truman parcels of coastline south of the Jupiter Inlet from the DuBois am focused on the environmental benefits that can be derived
who said, “The only thing new in this world, is the history family. Those lands now comprise DuBois Park, one of the from maintaining the wetlands in Pal Mar, a district which was
that you don’t know.” Culpepper enjoys talking about how most popular waterfront parks in South Florida. created in the 1960s encompassing approximately 23,000 acres
Palm Beach County has grown over the past 60 years, and Commissioner Culpepper also used his keen negotiation of vacant lands straddling Palm Beach and Martin counties.
while he and I come from different political persuasions, we skills and genial manner with local property owners to acquire After spending three and a half hours with my
agree on many important issues, including the preservation a site to meet community recreational and health clinic needs charming, intelligent host, I felt we had only yet scratched
of natural areas and wetlands, comprehensive land use for minority and low-income families at what is now the West the surface, and I look forward chatting with Culpepper
strategies, and providing parks and recreational facilities Jupiter Recreation Center and ballfields. to “pick his brain” again soon.
for our residents. His family members lovingly tease him In 1972, the county’s first comprehensive land use plan was If I can be of assistance to you, please let me know by calling
that he has multiple stories within a story. approved which, among many policies established, designated (561) 355-2201 or send an email to mmarino@pbcgov.org.
Northern Notes

Lightning Facts And Safety a. On the telephone
b. In the kitchen
By Katie Roundtree, c. Doing laundry
Finance Director, Northern d. Watching television
Palm Beach County e. At a door or open window
Improvement District 5. If there is no building nearby, the next best thing to do is
Lightning is one of the to get inside a car or bus with a solid metal roof.
leading weather-related causes 6. If a car or building is not an option, seek lower elevation,
of death and injury in the get as low to the ground as you can without lying down and stay
United States. Each year, there away from bodies of water.
are about 25 million cloud-to- 7. Do not raise umbrellas or golf clubs above you.
ground lightning flashes and In summary “When thunder roars, go indoors!”
about 300 people struck by Tree struck by lightning in preserve next to a house in PGA NPDES tip: Your neighborhood drainage system is not
lightning. Florida is known as National a garbage disposal – please don’t treat it like one. Encourage
the lightning capital of the United States, with storms occurring Photo by Sam Payson, Northern biologist residents to take responsibility and to not dump chemicals,
approximately 100 days out of the year. Although our entire fertilizer, paint, oil, etc., in inlets or pipes. Discourage sweeping
state rates as a high-risk area, the most dangerous areas are in indoors. Suspend activities for at least 30 minutes after the last of lawn clippings and dirt into street drains and disposing of
Seminole and Orange counties, in the middle of the state. Florida clap of thunder. lawn clippings and other debris (wood, concrete blocks, trees,
ranks number one in the number of deaths due to lightning, 94 4. Stay away from electronics, windows and plumbing that etc.) directly into retention lakes. Keep drainage facilities clear of
percent of which occur between late May and end of September. can conduct electricity. Unplug appliances before the storm. Out vegetation, trash, improperly and illegally discarded appliances,
On average, lightning kills more people in the United States than of 1,000 incidents, most occurred in (descending order): shopping carts, tires, cars, garbage bags, etc.
hurricanes or tornados.
Why Florida? Partially due to its high heat levels, high
humidity, and location between the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic
Ocean: Rain clouds plus high heat equals thunderstorms and
lightning!
Here are a few myths and facts about lightning:
Myth: Lightning never strikes the same place twice.
Fact: There is no scientific reason why lightning can’t strike
the same place twice. Lightning often strikes the same place
repeatedly. The Empire State Building is hit nearly 100 times a
year.
Myth: If it’s not raining or there aren’t clouds overhead,
you’re safe from lightning.
Fact: Lightning often strikes more than three miles from the
center of the thunderstorm, far outside the rainstorm cloud. “Bolts
from the blue” can strike 10 to 15 miles from the thunderstorm.
Myth: Rubber tires on a car protect you from lightning by
insulating you from the ground.
Fact: Most cars are safe from lightning; however, it is the
metal roof and metal sides that protect you, not the rubber tires.
Myth: A lightning victim is electrified. If you touch them,
you will be electrocuted.
Fact: The human body does not store electricity. It is perfectly
safe to touch a lightning victim to give them first aid.
Myth: If outside in a thunderstorm, you should seek shelter
under a tree to stay dry.
Fact: Standing underneath a tree is the second leading cause
of lightning casualties. Better to get wet than struck by lightning!
Safety Tips And Guidelines:
1. There is no safe place outside during a lightning storm.
If you are stuck outside during a storm, avoid standing around
trees, standing in open areas or laying flat on the ground. Get
inside!
2. Get inside a fully enclosed building, not a gazebo, hut or
cabana.
3. Remember the 30-30 rule: After you see lightning, start
counting to 30. If you hear thunder before you reach 30, go