Page 1 - PGA Community News - April '23

VOL. 33 NO. 4 FAX 561-624-9088 • E-MAIL canpga@yahoo.com APRIL 2023

PGA POA Communication Corner

By Gail Coppage, about 1.3 million alligators in Florida. There is a chance you Understanding And Having Respect For Wildlife In
Communications might see some alligator activity this time of year. PGA National
Committee Chairperson Alligators have been found throughout Florida, including If you are a new PGA National resident, this column
Happy April! – Hear in just about any body of water. There have been stories of can be scary to read but being more knowledgeable about
Hear!! alligators at people’s front doors, in retention ponds and your new living environment will be beneficial to you and
The PGA POA Annual even in swimming pools. Yes, it does sound scary, so being your family’s safety. If you are an existing PGA National
Meeting was held March aware and respectful of mating and nesting season this time resident who knows all this detail, a quick reminder will
1. Thank you to everyone of year is very important, for you, your family, loved ones, still be very useful to you. Becoming complacent in your
who took time out of their guests and renters. home environment is never a good thing, whether living
busy schedule to attend the What Is The Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program? in Alaska or Florida. Be aware of your surroundings,
meeting. I will be joining Did you know that American alligators are no longer always, especially near bodies of water and on the golf
Bill Heath, Jack Hughes an endangered species? Alligators are protected by a courses and walking trails.
and Ginny Luongo serving another two-year term on the classification that only allows people with special licenses What To Do If You See An Alligator And Are Worried
POA Board of Governors. We hope that the meeting was and permits to remove the alligators. What does this mean? If you see an alligator in your resident community and
informative and helpful to you. Please continue to visit You just cannot call the local trapper to come over to you are concerned, you can contact your community’s
the POA Board website at https://www.pga-poa.com for remove the alligator. The Statewide Nuisance Alligator management company. You can also call the PGA POA
detailed information on important topics related to the PGA Program is where people can report a suspicious alligator. Office at (561) 627-2800 to report an alligator. Remember
National community. The POA Board looks forward to an The FWC sends a licensed trapper to the location and if that if the alligator is just hanging out, that doesn’t mean
informative and engaging new year supporting the PGA a nuisance alligator is over 4 feet, the alligator is usually the alligator should just be trapped and killed. If you
National community! killed. Know and understand that when it gets warmer believe there is a danger to nearby humans and animals
outside, an alligator’s metabolism increases and they begin or the alligator is showing signs of aggression, please
All About Alligators to seek prey. Alligator bite incidents resulting in serious make the call. Please do not try to take matters into your
We wanted to share a very important topic in this month’s injury are rare in Florida but it is still very important to own hands by throwing things or trying to get the gator to
Communication Corner: the subject of alligators. April is a take the necessary precautions when having fun around move. Don’t travel close to waterways, be aware of your
beautiful month at PGA National, but April is also the start of the water. Never approach or antagonize an alligator (or surroundings and make sure to share this information with
alligator mating and nesting season. What does this mean? crocodile). Although an alligator might flee, alligators are friends visiting, family, and your renters (if applicable).
This means that alligators will be out and about in the hopes territorial creatures that harm people every year. Anyone We want everyone to remain safe and smart and we want
of finding a companion then building a nest and a happy with concerns about seeing an alligator close by should everyone to enjoy the beautiful wildlife surrounding us,
gator home for baby gators. The Florida Fish and Wildlife call the Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program at (866)
Conservation Commission (FWC) estimates that there are 392-4286 or call the POA Office at (561) 627-2800. PGA POA Communication Corner on page 2
Commissioner’s Update

Road And Bridge Progress the Loxahatchee River/Intracoastal Waterway next technologies that collect and process real-time data, will
improve safety and efficiency, and will reduce traffic
to the Jupiter Lighthouse. The new, twin double-leaf
Requires Patience drawbridge will have up to 42 feet of vertical clearance congestion.
and a navigable channel width of 125 feet. We urge drivers to be cognizant of the changes in
By Commissioner The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is traffic patterns during this project, and exercise patience.
Maria Marino raising the height of the drawbridge so that fewer openings Additionally, remember that people walk, run, and ride
Local and state are necessary, and they are improving the pedestrian, bike their bikes year-round in this community, so alertness is
governmental agencies and driving lanes for a better, safer facility. essential. Do not let your cellphone or other distractions
coordinate improvements Project engineers determined that a complete bridge divert your attention from the road.
to our roads and bridges to closure would reduce the construction schedule. Prior to Your input on road conditions helps county engineers
create a better transportation the closure on March 13, FDOT constructed extensive know where problems exist, whether it is faded road
netw ork for drivers , intersection improvements for the required detour that striping, potholes, or traffic signal timing. Please do not
boaters, and pedestrians consist of additional turn lanes at U.S.1 at Indiantown hesitate to reach out to my office at (561) 355-2201/
alike. Admittedly, they are Road, Alternate A1A and Indiantown Road, and U.S.1 mmarino@pbcgov.org; or, you can contact Road and
not without growing pains. and Alternate A1A/Beach Road. Additionally, permanent Bridge at (561) 233-3950/nights and weekends (561)
As these projects move intersection improvements are in place at Alternate A1A 712-6428; or the Traffic Division at (561) 684-4030.
forward, it is important for drivers to be aware of detours, and Old Dixie Highway.
lane changes and intersection configurations, so that all Intelligent Transportation Happy Easter!
of us can safely travel around our county. System devices, which use
A major project happening in North County is the leading-edge information
replacement of the S.R.5/U.S. 1 Bridge, which crosses and communication