By Rich Pollack

Armed with a green light from voters last fall to spend up to $10 million for a new fire department, Highland Beach commissioners in March agreed to earmark up to $4 million in reserves for the project.
At the same time, town leaders are working with a consultant to lock in a favorable loan rate for the remainder of the expected expenses, hoping to benefit while interest rates remain low.
Town leaders say that the combination of using reserves and taking out a low-interest loan will work to the benefit of residents, who they project will not see a raise in property tax rates due to the creation of a new fire department.
“The cost of operating a fire department, including debt service, will not impact taxes,” Mayor Doug Hillman said. “The increase in the debt service costs will be less than the savings we’ll get from running our own fire department.”
Highland Beach has about $10 million in reserves, with $2 million set aside for disaster recovery, $2 million for budget stabilization and $6 million in unassigned reserves.
Using $4 million of the $6 million for the fire department would still leave the town with $2 million to use for unforeseen expenditures.
“We feel it’s important to have some cushion,” Hillman said.
Vice Mayor Natasha Moore, who recently conducted a study looking at the town’s reserve funds, said using $4 million for the new fire department makes financial sense.
“We’re making good use of taxpayer money,” she said. “This is money left over that’s not drawing interest, so we’re using it for fire rescue so we don’t have to borrow as much.”
State law limits how municipalities can invest leftover money to ensure funds are not in risky investments and have a degree of liquidity.
Moore said that using the money in reserves is one way to counter the negative impacts of inflation.
“Holding extra reserves costs residents money in the form of inflation,” she said.
“The real value of reserves is eroded by inflation.”
Hillman believes the town may be able to borrow money at a reasonable rate before interest rates rise, in part because it is financially stable and will still maintain $2 million in unassigned reserves.
“Because we’re in such good shape, we’re confident we’ll be able to borrow at a very favorable rate,” he said.
The town has built up its reserves in part thanks to $3.5 million from a 2013 sale of land it owned in Boca Raton that had been used as a water treatment facility.
While it is unlikely the town will have a large windfall again to build up reserves, Hillman said that the town has been able to replenish its reserve funds in the last few years.
“Over time we’ve been able to put money back in reserves,” he said.
Highland Beach leaders also hope to use $400,000 that could be coming from the state for the fire department. The appropriation was included in the budget approved by the Legislature that is awaiting the governor’s signature.
Last April, town commissioners voted to end Highland Beach’s contract with Delray Beach for fire service after more than 30 years, due in large part to what town leaders saw as excessive costs.
The town expects to have the new fire department up and running by May 2024.

By Rich Pollack

Following the refusal of residents to approve four out of five proposed charter changes, Highland Beach commissioners set out in March to identify lessons learned that could be applied to future ballot initiatives.
In what turned out to be a sometimes emotional discussion, a representative of the group that led opposition to the majority of changes charged that commissioners didn’t do a good enough job of getting resident input prior to formulating the proposed reforms.
Commissioners countered that residents had plenty of opportunities to voice their opinions — during months of Charter Review Committee meetings and commission meetings — but there didn’t seem to be much public interest at the time.
“It infuriates me that people didn’t come and say something,” said a usually calm Commissioner Evalyn David. “Don’t complain now if you weren’t there before.”
David and other commissioners also spoke out against what they said was a negative campaign conducted by people opposed to the changes.
By the end of the discussion the commissioners and resident Jack Halperin — who is likely to take over the Committee to Save Highland Beach from its current leader, John Ross, who is moving — agreed to work to improve resident involvement.
“What I want to do is see what we can do as a citizens’ group to get more people involved,” Halperin said. “What I would like to do is move forward.”
During the March 8 election, 1,400 votes were cast by about 36% of the town’s registered voters.
On a ballot question that would require a referendum before the town could turn over operations of the police department, the proposed fire department or the water plant to an outside organization, all but 5% voted yes.
The other four initiatives, however, were supported by only about 40% of the voters.
Close to 840 residents voted against a proposal that would have raised the town’s unique spending cap from $350,000 on any one project to 5% of the overall town budget, which this year would have increased the cap to slightly over $1 million.
On the proposal that would eliminate the need for commissioners to sign checks and give the authority to the town manager and finance director, 827 voters said no, with 567 voting yes.
The proposal that would have increased term limits for commissioners received 44% of the yes vote, while the ballot question allowing commissioners to determine their salaries by ordinance rather than referendum failed with 60% voting no.
“What I heard loud and clear is that residents want to be more empowered and maintain much of the control,” Vice Mayor Natasha Moore said.
Moore echoed the concerns of other commissioners, wondering why residents didn’t ask more questions at several meetings and at other public gatherings with food trucks and a morning chat hosted by the mayor.
“There are all these opportunities for public comment; why didn’t the public come to the meetings?” she said.
Several commissioners pointed out that an analysis of the ballots showed the majority of mail-in ballots were in favor of the initiatives while the majority of in-person votes were against them.
Commissioners said they believe that was an indication that a substantial email and U.S. mail campaign by the Committee to Save Highland Beach had an impact.
The commissioners had contended for weeks that the negative campaign was misleading, dishonest and filled with what they called lies.
“Something happened between those who mailed in their ballot and those who walked in,” said Commissioner John Shoemaker. “Fear, uncertainty and doubt were created on a level I have never seen. It was such outrageous stuff.”
Shoemaker, in an effort to look forward, said that community teamwork needs to be strengthened.
“What we got was an adversarial approach,” he said.
He also called for more community outreach by the commission and more education for residents.
Commissioners also heard from former Planning Board Chair David Axelrod, who suggested getting the town’s advisory boards more involved in the charter review process.
For the most part, commissioners agreed that more outreach and education are needed and trust needs to be rebuilt.
“We all want to work together,” Moore said.

By Mary Hladky

A dispute between the Boca Raton City Council and City Manager Leif Ahnell spilled into public view last month — an incident that was notable because such disagreements are exceedingly rare.
It was fueled by Ahnell’s decision to stop sending daily police department reports to council members. They wanted Ahnell to resume the practice; he resisted.
City residents usually never know when the council has a beef with the city manager. The matter is broached in one-on-one meetings between a council member and Ahnell and is worked out behind the scenes.
But Yvette Drucker, the council’s newest member, breached that unofficial protocol at a March 8 council meeting when she told Ahnell she wanted to continue receiving the reports. She also had made the request in an earlier meeting with him.
Drucker, who was appointed to the council in October 2020 and elected to office the following March, told The Coastal Star that she was “triggered” to speak out at the meeting after two residents of the Dixie Manor public housing complex told the council that they were concerned about safety. Their concerns were sparked by media reports that a Dixie Manor resident had been arrested and charged on Feb. 17 in the March 2021 rape of a 13-year-old girl who was staying in a vacant apartment in the complex. Residents said they were not told about the crime or arrest.
“When it comes to safety and certain things that are happening in our community, I really would like to see that report back in my inbox,” Drucker told Ahnell. “I feel really strongly about it.”
Mayor Scott Singer and council member Monica Mayotte agreed.
“I would like to see that come back in my inbox,” Mayotte said. “We should be in the know.”
Ahnell said he had been providing the “internal operational reports” as a courtesy. “A lot of work goes into preparing that and editing those,” he said. “So I have discontinued those.”
Asked by Singer what he meant, Ahnell said, “I don’t believe I am obligated to provide those to the council on a daily basis.”
“We are requesting that you do so,” Singer said.
“That is a lot of work,” Ahnell said. “With everything else the council requests, I can’t guarantee we are going to continue to provide those.”
“I would encourage you to consider what you might do to facilitate the goal,” Singer said. “We will leave it for your consideration.”
The matter was resolved days later — in private. Drucker said that Ahnell had called and told her that council members not only will get the reports, but they will contain more data, such as on the number of speeding violations.
Very pleased with this outcome, Drucker said she considered the dispute to be a “one-off.”
“I don’t think he knew how important it was to us,” she said.
Ahnell, who has served as city manager since 1999 and is expected to retire in 2024, has been held in high regard by council members for years. He consistently receives superlative performance reviews.
“I am moving on,” Drucker said. “No apologies are necessary.”

By Mary Hladky

City officials and residents have talked for more than a decade about improving Palmetto Park Road. But so far, little has been accomplished.
Now, a new ad hoc group that includes Deputy Mayor Andrea O’Rourke and prominent land use attorney Ele Zachariades, acting as a city resident, is tackling the issue anew.
Group members drew a crowd of at least 120 people for a visioning session on March 24 to hear how residents would like to see a nearly half-mile section of the road from Federal Highway to Fifth Avenue transformed.
Topics on the table included how many lanes the road should have, possible elimination of on-street parking, sidewalk width, addition of trees and landscaping, improving walkability and bike-ability, and creating a sense of place along the major artery.
“We are now facing a critical moment in downtown Boca,” O’Rourke said.
The coming Brightline station, performing arts campus, Wildflower/Silver Palm parks and more restaurants “will have an immediate impact on our streets,” she said. “Now is the time to re-evaluate.”
The group, whose members include an architect, landscape architect, Florida Atlantic University professor of urban planning, traffic engineer, civil engineer, surveyor and Planning and Zoning Board member Larry Cellon, has not created a plan, Zachariades said.
“We need to see what the priorities of the residents are and figure out what we want to do,” she said.
Attendees were given green and red stickers to affix to a list of suggestions to show which ideas they liked or hated.
The “no change” option garnered a sea of red stickers and only two green ones. Wider sidewalks, shade trees, outdoor dining, bike lanes and crosswalks drew strong support. But on-street parking was panned.
A photo of a wide sidewalk with outdoor dining under lush trees was widely acclaimed, but several suggested crosswalk configurations met with disapproval. One proposal for public art got as many red stickers as green ones.
Asked directly what they wanted to see, residents offered few specifics. Beachside residents, however, made clear that they don’t want the number of lanes on the road reduced because they feared that would hamper evacuation during a hurricane.
One resident asked if road changes would increase development. Zachariades said the group does not want that outcome.
O’Rourke and Zachariades said the group will hold another session in April during which options for changing the road likely would be presented.
Once the group gets a clearer idea of what residents support, the information will be presented at the City Council’s annual goal-setting sessions in May with the intention of convincing council members to make this a priority for implementation.
How such a project would be financed is not yet known.
Also unknown is what the City Council might do.
In 2010, the Downtown Boca Raton Advisory Committee made proposals that the council did not accept.
More recently, momentum had been building for changes.
During City Council goal-setting last year, council members prioritized improving Palmetto Park Road east of the Intracoastal Waterway under strong prodding by Beachside residents who wanted better walkability and safety improvements. That section of the street, however, is controlled by the county, so the city can’t act on its own.
A more ambitious proposal made by O’Rourke did not gain majority approval. At that time, Zachariades, speaking out as a resident, pressed for changes along a longer stretch of the street.
Planning and Zoning Board members asked the City Council last year to improve the road design by adding bicycle lanes, enhanced landscaping and more shade trees, and by the possible elimination of some on-street parking and reducing travel lanes from four to two.
Cellon drew up a specific proposal that included two westbound lanes and eliminating an eastbound lane. The other eastbound lane would be replaced by a center lane reserved for emergency vehicles that could double as an evacuation lane in the event of hurricanes.
He also proposed raised bike lanes on both sides of the street, 10-foot-wide sidewalks and the addition of shade trees.
The City Council has not yet addressed Cellon’s plan.
The city has, however, added crosswalks with flashing lights along Palmetto Park Road.

By Mary Hladky

More parking meters soon will be installed in downtown Boca Raton.
The City Council on March 7 gave staff the go-ahead to install 86 meters on portions of four streets that currently don’t have them.
Fifty-two of the metered spaces will be on East Palmetto Park Road from Southeast Fifth Avenue to about one block west of Mizner Boulevard. Thirty-four spaces will be located immediately to the south of that Palmetto Park Road section on Royal Palm Road and Southeast Third and Fourth avenues.
The area is being added to the city’s authorized meter zone, which covers most of downtown. It runs from Northeast Eighth Street south to Southeast 11th Street, and from Mizner Boulevard west to Dixie Highway, as well as three blocks that are immediately west of Dixie.
Mayor Scott Singer stressed that the new meters aren’t a revenue-generating maneuver by the city. They are intended to prevent drivers from grabbing a free parking spot and leaving their cars there for many hours while others are desperately trying to find a space.
“It is designed to assure turnover of a limited good,” he said.
Contributing to the downtown parking problem, City Manager Leif Ahnell said, is that residents of and visitors to downtown residential buildings are taking up street parking rather than using spaces in their buildings’ garages.
Stephen Timberlake, the city’s special projects manager, said staff wanted to meter all four streets at once to prevent drivers from gaming the system.
If meters were installed only on Royal Palm Road, for example, drivers could be expected to avoid that street and park instead in free spots along Palmetto Park Road. That has been a problem elsewhere as the city has turned free spaces into metered ones.
The city has long recognized it doesn’t have enough downtown parking. A consultant found in 2018 that the downtown will be short 425 spaces by 2023 and up to 750 spaces by 2040.
To address that deficit, city officials wanted to build a downtown parking garage. But that plan was thwarted when property owners were unwilling to sell their land to the city.
The garage issue was resolved when Brightline selected Boca Raton as the location of a train station. Its garage will have 455 spaces, with some dedicated to Downtown Library patrons. The rest will be available to both Brightline passengers and the public when the station is completed later this year.
Even so, the garage along the FEC railroad tracks won’t meet the needs of people who want to park very close to their downtown destinations. It’s about 0.4 mile walking from the station site to the Yard House restaurant at the south end of Mizner Park. Pedestrians would have to cross busy Dixie and Federal highways.
Since December 2020, those parking at downtown metered spaces have been able to use the ParkMobile app that allows them to select how long they want to park and pay for it using their cell phones. The app lets drivers know when their parking time is about to expire and they can extend it from wherever they are.

The Cultural Council for Palm Beach County welcomed 170 fans of fashion to a presentation by renowned design duo Badgley Mischka. The opening event of the season — and the first live one during the pandemic — featured a conversation with Mark Badgley and James Mischka moderated by philanthropist and sponsor Roe Green. ABOVE: Scott Teich and Deborah Bigeleisen. Photo provided by Jacek Gancarz

The George Snow Scholarship Fund had a blast returning to in-person events with its annual gala. Friends and supporters gathered for an evening of boots and bling, fun and fundraising, and cowboy hats and country songs. Proceeds help deserving students achieve their dream of attending college. ABOVE: (l-r) Jason Hagensick, Doug Paton, Victoria Matthews, Linda Paton, Boca Raton City Councilwoman Yvette Drucker, Melanie Deyo, Pamela Weinroth and Liz Hagensick.
Photo provided

More than 450 guests came out to support the Center for Family Services of Palm Beach County at the highly anticipated event featuring a silent auction of 300 designer handbags. The multifaceted fundraiser included pop-up boutiques, fine dining and a surprise announcement of a $1 million donation from Vice Chairwoman Tammy Pompea. ‘There has always been a need, but I think now during the pandemic and post-pandemic the need is greater than it’s ever been,’ Pompea said. ABOVE: (l-r) Diana Maune, Cheryl McKee and Patty Ghesquiere. Photo provided by Capehart

A sold-out crowd of more than 500 applauded half a century of local impact by the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. The organization’s annual event marked the milestone with a keynote address from John Palfrey, president of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and reflections from the founder of the community foundation, Winsome McIntosh. The agency has provided nearly $200 million in grants and scholarships to the area. ABOVE: (l-r) Jeff Stoops, Bill Meyer, Diane Quinn, Marti LaTour and George Elmore.
Photo provided by Tracey Benson Photography

The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s Jacobson Jewish Community Foundation had a women’s outreach program designed to demonstrate how women impact philanthropy. Presenting remotely, speaker Caitlin Donovan, of auction powerhouse Christie’s, explained how luxury handbags can be used as an investment for philanthropic purposes, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars. ABOVE: Anne Jacobson and Amy Dweck. Photo provided by Jeffrey Tholl Photography

Il Circolo, The Italian Cultural Society, had its first event of the year — a Sicilian-themed dinner that was enjoyed by 130 members and guests. Following a welcome by President Paul Finizio and Chairwoman Rose DeAngelis, an update was given on the society-funded scholarship program at Florida Atlantic University that has been going strong for 35-plus years. LEFT: DeAngelis and Lisa Epstein Photo provided

The Dreyfoos School of the Arts Foundation honored philanthropists Alex and Renate Dreyfoos at the annual luncheon highlighted by exciting student performances, a high-end silent auction and a lavish gourmet meal. Proceeds benefited the foundation the couple helped start. ‘They have been enhancing the programs at Dreyfoos for decades and have helped thousands of students achieve their dreams by bringing opportunities for students to receive a world-class art education,’ Principal Blake Bennett said of the couple.
ABOVE: (l-r) Francine Walker, Gil Cohen and Lisa Marie Conte Browne.

Dorothy Lappin and Linda Silpe.

Don Silpe and Chris Snyder.
Photos provided by Capehart

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Delray Beach’s ninth annual affair raised a record-breaking $385,000 to fund critical programming and summer-camp initiatives. More than 100 guests gathered to enjoy a cocktail reception, meal and special violin performance by club members. ‘After two years of not having the event, we are so excited to have raised so much for our Delray children,’ co-chairwoman Susan Mullin said.
ABOVE: (l-r) Katherine Malinosky, Juliet Warner, Jenny Streit and Kristin Douglass.

John Backer and William Costa.

Brian and Jennifer Coulter.

 Marc and Melissa deBaptiste.

Photos provided by Tim Stepien

NOTE: With so many summer camps offered in our area, we selected those located between the Broward County line and Lake Worth Beach. We kept our listing mostly east of I-95, but there are a few exceptions. Not all summer camp schedules have been set. Please check www.thecoastalstar.com for additional information as it becomes available. Also refer to listed websites for missing information such as pricing. If your organization offers a camp not listed, please send details to thecoastalstarcalendar@gmail.com

ANIMALS & ENVIRONMENT

Environmental Camp: Gumbo Limbo Environmental Complex, 1801 N Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton. Grades 1-9. Campers learn the importance of conservation through outdoor activities, hands-on lessons. 8:30 am-2 pm: M-F 6/13-7/29 (closed 7/4 & 7/8). $175-$218.75/week. 561-544-8611; gumbolimbo.org/summer-camp

ARTS

Art-Sea Living Summer Camp: Art-Sea Living, 412 E Ocean Ave #1, Boynton Beach. 5/30-7/29 (no camp 7/4) Age: 6-12 M-F 10 am-2 pm $299/week. Extended care 2-3 pm $25/day. 561-737-2600; artsealiving.com

Summer Art Camp: Boca Museum of Art School, 801 W Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton. Call for more info: 561-392-2503; bocamuseum.org/artschool

CHURCH

Advent Summer Camp:  Advent Lutheran School, 300 E Yamato Rd, Boca Raton. Students entering Kindergarten through 5th grade for 2022-23 school year. Full day 7:30 am-5:30 pm M-F 6/6-7/22 (closed 7/4) $295/week; half day 7:30 am-12:30 pm M-F $225/week; partial day 7:30 am-3 pm M-F $275/week. Daily rate $75. Registration fee/$100 + 1 week of camp; $30 security fee/child. 561-395-5322; adventschoolboca.org

Camp Mece: First United Methodist Church of Boca Raton, 625 NE Mizner Blvd. Age 3-6. Arts & crafts, music, dance, computers, storytelling, dramatic play, explorations, sports, Bible time, field games, water play. 2-week minimum. Bring snack, lunch. 9 am-2 pm M-F 6/20-24, 6/27-7/1, 7/11-15 & 7/18-22. $175/week + $50/registration fee. 561-368-1215; meceboca.org/summer-camp

CROS Camp: Sunlight Community Church, 1325 N A St, Lake Worth or First Presbyterian Church, 235 SW 6th Ave, Boynton Beach. Grades K-8. Non-denominational Christian camp. 7:30 am-5 pm M-F 6/6-8/5 $450/entire summer; $25 application process fee/child. 561-233-9009, x102; crosministries.org

First Presbyterian Vacation Bible School: 33 Gleason St, Delray Beach. Arts & crafts, Bible study, recreational activities. 9 am-noon 6/13-17. Free. 561-276-6338; firstdelray.com

First United Methodist Boca Overnight Camp: Warren Willis United Methodist Summer Camp in Leesburg. Grades 4-12. Beautiful camp on Lake Griffin; age-specific areas. Worship, small groups, ropes course, archery, swimming, arts/crafts, more. FUMC Boca week 7/11-16. Call for pricing: 561-395-1244; fumcbocaraton.org/category/summer-programs

First United Methodist Vacation Bible School: Adventure Island: First United Methodist Church of Boca Raton, 625 NE Mizner Blvd. 3-day VBS; celebratory VBS Sunday at 9:30 am service 6/19 follows. Age 3 potty trained to 5th grade. 6/15-17 9 am-noon. Call for prices: 561-395-1244 x129; fumcbocaraton.org

Seacrest Presbyterian School: 2703 N Seacrest Blvd, Delray Beach. Call for info: 561-276-5552; seacrestchurch.com

St. Joseph’s Episcopal School Vacation Church Camp: 3300 S Seacrest Blvd, Boynton Beach. Age 4-11, 6/13-18. Call for info: 561-732-2045; stjoesweb.org

St. Paul Lutheran School Summer Camp: 701 W Palmetto Park Rd, Boca Raton. Chapel, devotions, physical activities, arts & crafts, computer time, free play, field trips. Age 3 potty trained through grade 6 entering in the fall. M-F 6/6-8/5. Daily & weekly fees include cost of hot lunch, am & pm snacks, field trips, materials, supplies. Half Day 7:30 am-12:30 pm; 12:30-5:30 pm; or 8:30 am-1:30 pm. Full day 7:30 am-5:30 pm. Weekly half day $175/child; weekly full day $230; daily rate $50. Sibling discounts available. Registration/$50 + 2 full weeks of camp. Registration deadline 5/23: 561-395-8548 x 152; stpaulbocaschool.com/summer-camp

GENERAL

Boca Raton Boys & Girls Club #80: 300 Newcastle St, Boca Raton. Age 5-17. M-F 5/30-8/5 7:30 am-6 pm. Check website for price.:561-683-3287; bgcpbc.org/club/boys-girls-club-of-boca-raton

Boca Raton Recreation Services Summer Camps: 561-393-7888; myboca.us/531/Camp-Boca

Boynton Beach Recreation & Parks Department Summer Camps: Age 5-12. Themed camps w/age-appropriate activities meet at various locations; Ezell Hester, Jr. Community Center, 1901 N Seacrest Blvd 561-742-6000 & Carolyn Sims Center, 225 NW 12th Ave, 561-742-6000. 7:30 am-5:30 pm M-F 6/6-7/29. $575/resident; $715/non-resident. 561-742-6650; boynton-beach.org/camp

Delray Beach Boys & Girls Club #50: 1451 SW 7th St, Delray Beach. Age 5-17. M-F 5/30-8/5 7:30 am-6 pm. Check website for price: 561-683-3287; bgcpbc.org/club/delray-beach-naoma-donnelley-haggin-club

Delray Beach Summer Camp: Community Center, 50 NW 1st Ave. Age 5-12. Structured program of traditional & non-traditional recreational/sporting activities. 7:30 am-4:30 pm M-F 6/6-7/29. 8-week session $545-$550 + $25/registration fee. 561-243-7000 x7159; mydelraybeach.com

Florence Fuller Summer Camp: East Campus, 200 NE 14th St, Boca Raton. Age 5-12. Outdoor sports, swimming, field trips, arts/crafts, nature activities, academic enrichment, computer classes + science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM). 7:30 am-5:30 pm M-F.  $140/week. Includes breakfast, lunch, snack. Call for dates/more information: 561-391-7274; ffcdc.org

Gulf Stream School Summer Camp: 3600 Gulf Stream Rd. Grades Pre-K through 8. Academics, sports, technology, field trips, reading, more. Call school for brochure/schedules/costs: 561-276-5225; gulfstreamschool.org

Space of Mind Summer Camp: 102 N Swinton Ave, Delray Beach. Age 6-19. Summer Discovery Camp 6/13-8/12 Age 5-14 M-F 9 am-3 pm $85/day, $400/week; Summer Schoolhouse 6/13-8/12 Age 5-14 Full day M-F 9 am-3 pm $95/day, $450/week. 561-894-8772; findspaceofmind.com/afterschool-programs

Virtual Criminal Justice Summer Camp: Florida Atlantic University School of Criminology & Criminal Justice, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton. Age 14-17 must be entering 9th-12th grade by fall 2022. Observe/participate in virtual crime lab, mock criminal trial, justice simulation lab, more. Limited enrollment; first-come/first-served. 6/12-17. $800. 321-754-8112; fau.edu/sccj

MUSIC

Youth Orchestra of Palm Beach County Summer Camp: Boynton Beach Arts & Cultural Center, 125 E Ocean Ave. Age 8-18. All orchestral instruments + piano, all levels. Guest performance & field trip weekly. Bring lunch. 8:30 am-4:30 pm M-F 7/11-15 & 7/18-22. $395/week; $695 both sessions; early registration discount before 5/1; after-care $30/week. Fees due by 6/1. 561-281-8600; yopbc.org

School of Rock Summer Camps: School of Rock Boca Raton, 141 NW 20th St, Boca Raton. Themed camps w/live performance finales. 9 am-3 pm M-F age 7-18 $380/week. Singer/Songwriter Performance Camp 6/6-10; Music Video Camp 6/13-17; Rock the Decades Camp 6/20-24; Rock Star Experience Camp 6/27-7/1; Summer Time Beach Camp 7/11-15; Indie Palooza Summer Camp 7/18-22; Battle of the Bands Camp 7/25-29. 561-430-2411; schoolofrock.com/music-camps/bocaraton

SPORTS

Fishing & Boaters Safety Camp: Lake Ida East, 950 NW 9th St, Delray Beach. Age 5-15. 9 am-3 pm M-F 5/30-7/29 $435/week, $99/day. Register online: 561-715-0499; underbluewaters.com

Inlet Adventure Camp: Ocean Inlet Park, 6690 S Ocean Blvd, Boynton Beach. Age 5-15. 9 am-3 pm M-F 5/30-7/29 $385/week, $95/day. Register online: 561-715-0499; underbluewaters.com

Jr. Lifeguard Academy: John H. Denson Pool, 225 NW 12th Ave, Boynton Beach. Age 10-15. 8:30 am-5:30 pm T-F 5/31-8/5. Per session $520-$545/resident; $650-$675/non-resident; $25/per camper registration fee. 561-742-6645; boynton-beach.org

Ocean Adventure Camp: South Inlet Park, 1100 S Ocean Blvd, Boca Raton. Age 5-15. 9 am-3 pm M-F 5/30-8/5 $385/week, $95/day. Register online: 561-715-0499; underbluewaters.com

Owl Softball Academy: Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton. Age 6-18. Develop softball skills/fundamentals in competitive environment. Age 7-13 9 am-3 pm M-F 6/13-17 & 6/20-24 $300. Snacks provided, bring lunch. Campers must bring their own softball equipment. 561-251-5000; collegesoftballcamps.com/fau

Play by Play Broadcasting Camp: Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton. Age 10-18. Learn what it takes to make it in the sports broadcasting industry. Train w/top professional sportscasters. 9 am-4 pm M-F 6/13-17 $695. Lunch/snacks included. 800-319-0884; playbyplaycamps.com

Soccer Academy for Girls: Florida Atlantic University, 777 Glades Rd, Boca Raton. Age 5-19. Foundations for beginners, skill enhancement for competitive/travel team player. Summer Day Camp: age 5-14 9 am-noon or 9 am-3 pm M-F Weekly 5/30-6/24 & 7/11-22 $200/week half-day; $300/week full-day. Summer ID Camp age 14-19 10 am-4 pm Sat 6/11 & 7/16 $135/day. 561-702-0837; fausocceracademy.com

Surf Adventures Camp: Atlantic Dunes, 1605 S Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach. Age 5-15. 9 am-3 pm M-F 5/30-8/5 $385/week, $95/day. Register online: 561-715-0499; underbluewaters.com

Taylored Athletes Summer Basketball Camp: Grandview Prep School, 336 Spanish River Blvd NW, Boca Raton; Boys & girls age 5-16. 8:30 am-3:30 pm M-F 6/6-7/1 & 7/11-15 & 7/25-29. $300/week. Sibling/multi-week discounts available. 561-988-8758; tayloredathletes.com

THEATER

Arts Garage Set the Stage Summer Camp: 94th NE 2nd Ave, Delray Beach. Age 6-17. Music/theatre: voice, dance, acting. Visual arts/technical theatre: costume/scenic design, stage management, lighting, more. Bring lunch & snack. Session I Age 6-9 9 am-4 pm M-F 6/6-24; Session II age 10-12 9 am-4 pm M-F 6/27-7/15; Session III Age 13-17 9 am-4 pm M-F 7/18-8/5. After care available for a fee. Call for prices: 561-210-9036 x2004; artsgarage.org

Delray Beach Playhouse Summer Camp: 950 NW 9th St. Age 6-16. Check audition/rehearsal schedule for times. Broadway Camp The Little Mermaid Jr. age 6+ 5/31-7/17 M-F 9 am-5 pm $99/registration deposit due 4/15 $249/week, $1,494/6 week session. Summer Fun Camp age 6-16 5/31-8/5 M-F 9 am-5 pm $99/registration deposit due 4/15 $175/week. 561-272-1281; delraybeachplayhouse.com

Lake Worth Playhouse Summer Performance Camp: 713 Lake Ave. Age 7-14. 9 am-4 pm M-F. Beauty and The Beast Jr. 6/6-25, performances 6/23-25. $800/session. 561-586-6410; lakeworthplayhouse.org

Boynton Beach police secure the scene at the Riverwalk Plaza construction site along the Intracoastal Waterway near the southeast corner of Woolbright Road and Federal Highway on March 22. Initial reports were that a crane malfunctioned, but a later news release by the Boynton Beach Police Department said 'concrete collapsed' and two construction workers were found dead under the debris. The dead were identified as Jeremias Mendez, 32, and Eduardo Cruz-Moran, 25, both of West Palm Beach. The BBPD, in conjunction with the Palm Beach County Medical Examiner’s Office, is conducting the death investigations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the construction site accident that resulted in the two deaths.  Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, spoke March 19 in front of the George Bush Boulevard Bridge in Delray Beach about the $19 billion that has been set aside for infrastructure repairs in Florida. She was flanked by dozens of local officials including (l-r) Palm Beach County Vice-Mayor Gregg Weiss; U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel; Delray Beach Mayor Shelly Petrolia and Palm Beach County Mayor Robert Weinroth. Representatives of the group spoke to the media and a few locals for about an hour at the base of the 1949 bridge, which has been locked in the up position since March 3 because of damage to a main shaft and gear section. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

Related: Replacement part for George Bush Boulevard Bridge could take six weeks or more to make 

By Rich Pollack

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi, one of the most recognizable women in the country, stood in front of the broken George Bush Boulevard Bridge in Delray Beach Saturday talking about the community, commerce and the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in November.

She also found a way to take a quick poke at the majority of Republican members of Congress who voted against the bill.

In South Florida for a series of fundraising events, Pelosi talked about the positive impact the legislation will have on Florida and Palm Beach County. She pointed out that the state will receive $19 billion as a result of the legislation, with $245 million going toward bridges over the next five years.

Some of that money could be used to repair the 73-year-old George Bush Boulevard Bridge, which has been stuck in the upright position since March 3 and could remain that way for repairs for another six weeks or longer.

Surrounded by members of the Palm Beach County congressional delegation, including Rep. Lois Frankel and recently elected Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick – as well as county and city elected officials – during a news conference, Pelosi talked about the importance of bridges as connectors in a community.

“When this connection comes down, it affects so many people,” she said. The disrepair of the Delray Beach bridge has an impact on local businesses, she said, as well as coastal residents and others who use it on a regular basis.

Pelosi said the wide-reaching benefits of the infrastructure bill will be felt by people throughout the nation, including here in Palm Beach County.

“This legislation is very important to sustainability of communities,” she said. “It’s about safety, it’s about commerce, it’s about health, saving of time and quality of life.”

While her comments were largely focused on infrastructure, politics came into play as Pelosi answered questions and referred to the all but 13 Republican members of Congress who voted against the legislation as those who “just say no and take the dough.”

The news conference on the east side of bridge was not without disruption as a handful of trucks with Trump flags and motorcycles played loud music and loudly revved engines from a short distance away. Pelosi took it in stride.

“It doesn’t bother me,” she said. “As a mother of five, I’ve always made my voice heard.”

Drivers who use George Bush Blvd. in Delray Beach can't seem to catch a break.  After weeks of construction on the segment between Federal Highway and the Intracoastal Waterway, traffic problems got worse when the bridge got stuck in an up position. Palm Beach County officials don't know when it will reopen. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

By Larry Barszewski

It could be six weeks or more before a part needed to repair the broken George Bush Boulevard Bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway in Delray Beach can be fabricated, Palm Beach County officials announced March 18. It could take even longer for the bridge to reopen.

The bridge malfunctioned March 3 because of damage to a main shaft and gear section in its drive system, which were original machinery on the 73-year-old bridge, officials said.

A replacement shaft was fabricated March 11 and tested with the existing gear. A structural engineering consulting firm inspected the bridge and determined other drive shaft machinery components, including a damaged bearing, also need to be replaced. It said further testing is needed of the remaining machinery in both spans.

"The fabrication of a new replacement bearing will take approximately six weeks, but may take longer depending on the availability of material," county officials said in a news release. "The testing of the remaining machinery is ongoing and may require additional replacements and time. The bridge will remain open to boat traffic and closed to vehicular traffic."

The 1949 bascule bridge has been closed indefinitely since the main shaft sheared in two during a nightime bridge opening. The damaged part was removed and shipped to Alabama for fabrication of a replacement. Officials said Friday that the county is coordinating all bridge repair work with state transportation officials.

"The bridge reopening will occur once the repairs are completed and we have concurrence from the Florida Department of Transportation and the structural engineering consulting firm," officials said. In the meantime, detours are directing traffic desiring to cross the Intracoastal south to Atlantic Avenue, either via State Road A1A on the barrier island or Federal Highway on the mainland. 

The Atlantic Avenue crossing is the closest to the broken bridge. The next crossing to the north is the Woolbright Road bridge in Boynton Beach.

The bridge closure has been yet another headache for drivers who regularly use the stretch of George Bush Boulevard between Federal Highway and Ocean Boulevard. A one-block portion directly east of Federal Highway was closed for two weeks in January as part of an ongoing $2 million road improvement project. 

Work on the road project, which runs from Northeast Second Avenue to A1A, started in July and isn’t expected to be completed until the summer of 2023. The project, being done by FDOT contractors, includes roadwork and drainage improvements, but not work to the bridge itself.