Online tools allow organizations like the Boca Raton Chamber to provide training seminars with no health risk to attendees. Photo provided

By Christine Davis 

In days to come, what will “business as usual” look like? Here’s how our chambers of commerce see it.

Stephanie Immelman, CEO of the Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce, says the chamber and its members are “pivoting” in various ways in reaction to the coronavirus.

“We are going to continue providing online content, such as webinars and forums,” she says, while mentioning other local businesses looking at new ways to operate.

“We have worked closely with the Business Assistance Task Force, made up of the city, CRA, DDA and chamber, and we worked with about 25 local business leaders from all industries to garner their input for best practices for the phased reopenings,” Immelman said.

SEP Communications, a printing company, is selling personal protection equipment online to help employees of essential businesses stay safe; Signarama is providing customers with plexiglass shields to help with distancing and health safety as businesses reopen, and Studio B2, a photography service in Delray, is working with clients to improve their online presence via search engine optimization.

“Our goal was to be the primary source of relevant information for our membership and our community during this time,” Immelman says.

The chamber has continued with its Delray Morning Live Facebook show with Amanda Perna and Ryan Boylston at 8:30 a.m. Wednesdays. It’s been sending out daily email blasts with city news and tips for members. It has redesigned DelrayBeach.com, initiated weekly lunch-and-learn webinars on Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. and continued online meetings with the Government Affairs First Friday Forum.

“Not only do we have a lot of participation online, many others watch later — so we are reaching a bigger audience,” Immelman says. “We will continue with all these initiatives, even when we are able to meet in person, because it has extended our reach and our audience.”
 
The Delray Beach Downtown Development Authority suggests that people check out downtowndelraybeach.com/emergency411 for up-to-date information. It includes safety measures, ways to support small businesses, and lists of restaurants and other businesses open during the phased process. 

Executive Director Laura Simon notes that “many have adjusted their operating style to navigate the new normal. They have ramped up or launched a social media presence. Restaurants have added curbside takeout and increased delivery options. The fitness studios are doing online classes and have found that they are reaching a wider audience.” Businesses are finding that such practices can drive sales, create interest from outside Delray Beach and enhance their marketing efforts, so they plan to continue along these avenues, Simon said. What this crisis has also provided is time for them to stop, re-evaluate and adjust their business models, which in turn will aid them in the future.

Monthly First Friday art walks, for example, have gone online, and a couple of the hotels are offering specials to first responders.
Gulf Stream resident Carrie Delafield’s three stores, Periwinkle, Morley and Coco & Company, started a “Send A Little Sunshine” promotion in which they put together a surprise package of items for shoppers to send to someone to brighten their day.
 
Although the Boca Chamber is heavily involved with a Moving Business Forward initiative on how to reopen businesses and nonprofits safely, CEO Troy McLellan acknowledges that by a chamber’s very nature, it is about members connecting in person for workshops, meetings and so on.

“However, the current atmosphere has given us the opportunity to think about how to communicate,” he says. “We’ve cranked out so many virtual meetings, which the coronavirus made necessary, because in-person meetings necessitate protocols regarding social distancing” and disinfecting the venues afterward.

“I plan to bring my team back to our office when we can, but we are going to look at our structures as well as our remote-working policies.”

As businesses reopen, “they have the top priorities of keeping their employees and customers safe,” McLellan says.

“I believe that the amount of activity they will see will be driven by consumer confidence and it will be up to the businesses to instill that confidence in their customers. They are doing a great job with complying with guidelines and that’s been good to see.”
 
The Lantana Chamber of Commerce, which usually has in-house group activities and weekly meetings, has instituted a twice-a-month Zoom get-together and business card exchange, says the chamber’s president, David Arm.

He says that he’s seeing brick-and-mortar businesses being hit harder than legal, insurance and accounting firms that are conducting business without meeting face-to-face with their clients.

“The insurance business seems to be doing quite well,” he says. “The restaurants were obviously severely restricted, and most were surviving by offering takeout and delivery services.”

Now restaurants and retail businesses have reopened on a limited basis, “but many are still doing specials and take-outs,” Arm says of restaurants. “And in Lantana, they can apply for outdoor seating permits, for free.”

Other than that, is he seeing businesses pivot? “Not really so much,” he says. “Most people are considering this situation as a temporary phenomenon that could have permanent implications. This will eventually go away.

“But, realistically, I think this whole experience is going to be a work in progress for some time. We don’t know how the customers and clients are going to react. Are they going to be gun-shy? And so, I think it’s a matter of businesses adapting, and once they open up, they will change their game plans and the way they do business on an ongoing basis.”
 

In other local business news:

Delivery Dudes has gone the extra mile with its launch of Dudes Bodega, which rolled out in Boca Raton, Delray Beach and Boynton Beach.

A solution to help residents who need essential supplies but can’t or shouldn’t leave their homes, Dudes Bodega offers pickup and delivery from anywhere for a flat fee of $5.

Delivery Dudes, based in Delray Beach, has also secured health care professionals to train team members on how to conduct health and temperature checks before every shift at all Delivery Dudes hubs.

Customers can visit DeliveryDudes.com, use the app, or call 561-900-7060 to place an order.
 

Members of the Lang Cares team, including Scott Agran in the foreground, made sure that local feeding programs could stay on target. Photo provided

Lang Realty agents spent the last week in April delivering meals to first responders, donating money and food to area food banks and sponsoring 250 meals for people in need.

Lang Realty’s corporate office presented a $1,000 check to The Soup Kitchen of Boynton Beach, and its Boca Raton sales office delivered several boxes of dried and canned goods to Boca Helping Hands.

Lang also sponsored the hot meals service at Trinity Lutheran Church in Delray Beach, the charity partner for the Socially Distanced Supper Club.

Send business news to Christine Davis at cdavis9797@gmail.com.

OCEAN RIDGE — Lanie “Adaline” Hall Gray of Ocean Ridge and formerly of Kinston, North Carolina, died May 7. She was 91.

Born to Frank and Lanie Hall on Sept. 7, 1928, in Lenoir County, North Carolina, the young Ms. Hall attended Contentnea School and Dover High School, graduating valedictorian of her class. She worked at Marston’s Drug Store before starting her career as a telephone operator at the Carolina Telephone Co., where she worked for 33 years.

Family was the joy of Mrs. Gray’s life and she treasured the time spent with her children, their spouses, her seven grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She was thrilled as well to spend time with her beloved sisters and their families.

Mrs. Gray was a longtime and devoted member of First Free Will Baptist Church and Westside Free Will Baptist Church until moving to Florida in 1999, where she attended Bibletown Church, Lakeview Baptist and most recently, First Baptist Church of Hypoluxo. Mrs. Gray dedicated her life to the Lord’s work, whether it was teaching Sunday school, directing church plays, visiting her beloved Cragmont Camp or speaking in churches about her love of missions, including her trips to Mexico and the Philippines.
Always a witness through word and deed, Mrs. Gray led many to find the Lord through her lifelong example of Christ’s selfless love. Her home and heart were always open to everyone and she was loved by all who knew her.

Mrs. Gray is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, George Edward “Pete” Gray, her brother Elwood Hall and her sister Jean Phillips.

Mrs. Gray is survived by her sisters, Helen (Leland) Potter, Alice (Bruce) Sloan and Kay (Carl) Hinz. Additional survivors are her son George Edward “Eddie” Gray Jr. and his wife, Debbie Gray, of Kinston, North Carolina; her daughter Marsha Gray Hill and her husband, Gregg Hill, of Ocean Ridge; grandchildren Gregg (Stephanie) Hill of Winter Park; Lauren (Chip) Kelso of Atlanta; Brittany (Neil) Carter of Atlanta; Gray (Courtney) Hill of Maitland: Drew (Jenny) Hill of Winter Park; Dara (John) English of Greenville, North Carolina; and George Edward “Trey”Gray III (Gwen Lapas, fiancée) of Kinston. Her great-grandchildren are Hill Kelso, Sawyer Kelso, Louden Hill, Lanie Kelso, Meta Hill, Britt Kelso, Holden Hill, Charlotte Hill, Penn Carter, Hewitt Hill, Jack English, Betsy Hill, Gray Carter, Anna Gray Hill and Wells Carter. She also leaves behind many dear friends and relatives.
The family is eternally grateful for “Adaline’s angels,” Maria, Regina and Hilda, and the amazing love and care they provided.
Final arrangements are pending, with details to be provided at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cragmont Assembly in Adaline Gray’s name, Cragmont Assembly, 1233 N. Fork Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.

Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home & Cremations of Kinston. Online condolences may be expressed at www.edwardsfhc.com.

— Submitted by the family

By Dan Moffett

SOUTH PALM BEACH — Donald Clayman guided South Palm Beach through one of the most difficult periods in its history with an upbeat attitude and a common-sense approach, delivered with a Boston accent.

When he was appointed to the job of mayor in 2010, the town’s budget was in crisis because of the national recession and its image tarnished because of a scandal involving his predecessor.

But the retired podiatrist kept his focus and optimism. When he left office in 2015, the Town Council called him in to receive an award for his service. He gave a gracious thank-you to officials and residents, then said he would walk out the door.

“I want to leave when everyone is still applauding,” Mr. Clayman said.

The applause swelled as he left the chambers.

Mr. Clayman died May 7 in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, after a short illness. He was 84. Natalie Shulman Clayman, his wife of 59 years, had died in 2016.

“For Mayor Clayman, community service was his passion,” said Yude Alvarez, the town clerk who served alongside him. “Mayor Clayman had the ability to bring people together to drive positive change. He made the world a better place and will be sorely missed.”

Born in Boston, Mr. Clayman loved youth hockey, which he coached, and Red Sox baseball, which he would discuss with anyone willing to listen. He was a proud member of the Kiwanis Club, Florida League of Cities and the Palm Beach County Medical Society.

Mr. Clayman served two years as president of the Palm Beach Harbour Club and sat on the condo board. He was president of the Ocean Lodge B’nai Brith in Winthrop, Massachusetts.

“He was a very active man with great energy, and he was never on the sidelines,” said Ellen Salth, who served with him on the condo board. “He threw his whole heart into everything he did.”

Salth said Mr. Clayman volunteered his medical services to help poor communities in South Florida. He also drew on his expertise to hold flu clinics and an H1N1 virus prevention program in the town.

“He had a warm smile and a firm handshake,” said Elvadianne Culbertson, a former council member. “That’s the kind of thing you want to remember.”

Mr. Clayman earned his doctor of podiatry degree at Kent State University in Ohio. He raised his family in Winthrop, where he resided for 40 years.

He is survived by his children, Bryan Clayman and his wife, Debbie, of Stoughton, Massachusetts; Cynthia McKeon and her husband, Tony, of Salem, New Hampshire; and Alycia Avery and her longtime partner, Jeff Ouellette, of Hudson, New Hampshire; five grandchildren, Bradly, Jayme, Alexa, Dylan and Zachary; his brother, Burton Clayman of Destin; his sister, Marcia Drieker of Florida; as well as a great-grandchild expected this fall.

Bonnie Fischer handed Mr. Clayman his only election loss in 2015 after a hard-fought campaign for mayor.

“I ran into him after the election and he told me he was going back north to live in New Hampshire and be near family,” Fischer recalls. “He told me he was glad I’d won. ‘Everything worked out for the best,’ he said. That was important to me. We kept our good relationship. He left town on a high note.”

Robert Barfknecht, chairman of the Lantana Library Foundation, is as much a part of the library as is the ponytail palm outside. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

Related Story: Library on track for renovation, modernization

By Brian Biggane

It was no surprise some years back when Hypoluxo Island resident Robert Barfknecht, a voracious reader, became a dues-paying member of the Lantana Library Foundation.

Then, about 10 years ago, he became even more.

“I made the mistake of giving them too much money one year and they immediately invited me to become a member of the foundation’s board of directors,” Barfknecht recalled with a laugh. “I accepted delightfully. I like giving back to the communities where I’ve lived and prospered.”

Sanford “Sandy” Beach was the foundation director at the time “and he was very, very passionate about the library,” Barfknecht said. “Later Sandy left, and I was got elected chairman of the foundation.”

Located for the past 25 years in an old bank building on Ocean Avenue just west of the railroad tracks, the library is not in the county system but is maintained and supported by the town of Lantana.

“Sid Patchett, the director for so many years, worked hard to make it different, through the quality of the literature that was to be found there,” Barfknecht said.

Patchett died last year and Barfknecht oversaw the hiring of his replacement, Kristine Kreidler.

But now he and his board have a much larger assignment.

The 1-cent sales tax increase levied by Palm Beach County a few years ago has allowed Lantana to improve some public utilities and, according to Barfknecht, much of the money for a significant upgrade in the library is in this year’s budget.

The foundation interviewed four architectural firms and hired PGAL of Boca Raton, which has designed more than 30 libraries. Former Greenacres Mayor Sam Ferrari is the lead architect.

“What we have in that plan are some wonderful spaces for children, special places for teens, a teen creation lab, and also a community center for adult activities. That’s something that’s missing here,” Barfknecht said. “It’s going to enrich our community and bring us forward for the next decades.”

The plan was approved by the Town Council at its May 11 meeting. Barfknecht was praised for his dedication to the effort.
As it happens, the meeting coincided with Barfknect’s 82nd birthday, “and I can’t imagine a better birthday present. Our community needs it and will prosper with it.”

Q: Where did you grow up and go to school? How do you think that has influenced you?

A: I grew up in the city of Detroit when it was the industrial center of the world. I went to school and university there, earning a B.S. in mechanical engineering and an M.S. in engineering mechanics at Wayne State University.

It was a great place to work in my chosen profession as there were producers of every kind of product and their support industries. I worked for a consulting engineering firm started by several of my professors at the university and gained incredible experience across many industries as a young project engineer.

Q: What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

A: I developed an early pneumatically powered robot that was quite successful. I also obtained my license as a registered professional engineer. I maintain that license in Michigan even today.

After the Detroit riots in 1967, with the burning of large parts of the city, my wife and I began planning our departure. My experience in Detroit convinced me that I could find useful employment anywhere in the world. So, Louise and I decided to go to my mother’s beautiful country of Italy to learn the language and perhaps learn to cook like my grandmother did. Louise suggested that we go to Italy via the Orient.

In August 1969, I resigned my position, we sold our stuff, packed two backpacks and flew west to California, Hawaii and Japan to begin our five-month trip to Florence, Italy, where we had reserved spots in a good language school. Louise published a memoir about all this called Leaving Detroit, which is available on Amazon and at the Lantana and Manalapan libraries.
We had saved enough money to last at least a year while I learned enough Italian to find professional employment. It took longer than I thought. But after a year in the wonderful city of Florence we had made enough friends to find small jobs to augment our savings.

I worked as a carpenter and as a house painter for an American countess who owned a grand villa. These were skills that my father had taught me and that I had used to work my way through college. As we got better with the language we both found work as translators. 

Q: Have you had mentors in your life? Individuals who have inspired your life decisions?

A: In Italy, while working to upgrade the former villa stables to a grand apartment, I was introduced to the new renter, an American named Bob Collier, who had arrived to take over an Italian plastics company. We hit it off. After building him some closets and painting the place to his satisfaction, I gave him my bill and enclosed my résumé. I asked him to call me if he ever needed a good engineer.

Two weeks later he called, and that began what became a wonderful 20-year career with Mobil Corp. I was hired first as a consultant to help them purchase three Italian plastic manufacturing plants in northern Italy. Then they hired me to be engineering manager, operations manager and ultimately general manager of various plastics manufacturing businesses in Europe and the United States. This marvelous man became my mentor and helped me launch a great new career.

Q: What advice do you have for a young person seeking a career today?

A: Get the best technical education you can. This will give you independence. With a great technical education, you can go where you wish and find a good occupation and a good life.

Q: How did you choose to make your home in Lantana on Hypoluxo Island?

A: During our early years in Italy we returned on a visit to Detroit to find my old neighborhood very depressed and my widowed mother looking for change. Mom had a close cousin who lived in Lantana and we suggested she visit and check out the town. She loved it and bought a condo at the new Croton Harbor, one block away from her cousin.

We visited in 1974 and were smitten by the tropical wonders. On every visit we would barbecue and picnic at the Lantana beach pavilion, which was open to the public in those days. We snorkeled, spear-fished and played lots of pinochle.

We bought our condo apartment across the street from my mother’s place in 1988. We used it as a getaway whenever I could get some time off. I vowed that someday when I retired, we would find a home on Hypoluxo Island. We moved to the island in 2000.
In 1991, I was offered the opportunity to become president and CEO of a wonderful company in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, called EDI. We left our home in Tuscany to come to Wisconsin for my new career. We had softened the bitterly cold winters of northern Wisconsin with frequent visits to our condo in Lantana but looked forward to retirement in the tropics.

Q: What is your favorite part about living on Hypoluxo?

A: We are as happy today as we were when we bought it 20 years ago, maybe even more so. We have found good friends here, very interesting people who have worked hard at their professions and who appreciate the tranquility and beauty of this place.
Now in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, this is as good a place to shelter as I can imagine. We are walking on the island, swimming in the pool, painting watercolors in the garden (me) and writing a memoir of food and friends in Italy (Louise). We don’t watch television but read tons of books. Louise got us both involved with the Lantana library some 15 years ago.

Q: What book are you reading now?

A: I have just started Hilary Mantel’s third book of the Wolf Hall trilogy, called The Mirror & the Light. On the reading table are started but not yet finished, The Anarchy by William Dalrymple, about the British East India Company, and Disunited Nations by geopolitical strategist Peter Zeihan.

Q: What music do you listen to when you want to relax? When you want to be inspired?

A: We have instituted opera night every Friday during the pandemic. We will prepare a special dinner and follow it with an opera film. This started when our last opera of the Palm Beach Opera season, Eugene Onegin, was canceled due to the virus. I bought a copy of an old (1958) Russian film of the opera and we started with a 7:30 curtain time that Friday evening. This was so much fun that we started doing our own Friday night at the opera.

Q: If your life story were to be made into a movie, who would play you?

A: James Dean.

Q: Is there something people don’t know about you but should?

A: I have a show of my watercolor paintings hanging in the Manalapan Library and I have been honored with commissions for paintings that hang both in the library and in the new Manalapan Council Chambers.

Mike Rodgers from EES Design, fabricator of ‘Reflections’ by renowned kinetic artist Ralfonso, helps install Town Square’s gateway feature. The 21 bird-like wings on three columns of the sculpture will intersect via the wind and be colorfully lit at night. The display represents Boynton Beach’s diversity and unity. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

.

By Jane Smith

Fourth of July celebrations with fireworks, music and vendors will not take place this year in Delray Beach and Boynton Beach, their leaders decided May 19.

“None of us are excited about canceling it,” said Sam Metott, Delray Beach Parks and Recreation director.

The fireworks and barge would have cost an estimated $70,000, he said.

Delray Beach commissioners asked for a smaller scale event that would not draw such a large crowd. City staff will prepare suggestions for discussion at the June 2 commission meeting.

Boca Raton also has decided to cancel its July 4 celebration. The event was scheduled to take place at Countess de Hoernle Park.

"The collective health and safety of our community and staff are the priorities driving this tough decision," the city said on its website.

Boynton Beach commissioners decided to postpone the fireworks display, with staffers to return with ideas on July 15. The fireworks cost $62,000, City Manager Lori LaVerriere told commissioners, with a five-year contract giving flexibility on when they may be used.

Lantana will shoot off fireworks on July 4, but it will close Bicentennial Park to prevent crowds from gathering.

Cities nationwide have been advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention not to hold events with large crowds, to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus.

CDC guidelines also call for people to keep a social distance of 6 feet, to wear face masks when they are closer, and to sanitize surfaces.

The current site of Boynton Beach’s fireworks at Intracoastal Park was jammed with 6,000 attendees in 2019, LaVerriere said.

Boynton Beach had planned to celebrate its centennial on July 4. In addition to the fireworks, the city wanted to set up a temporary postal branch on site for residents to write and send postcards to friends and families who live out of town.

By Mary Hladky

Palm Beach County commissioners voted 5-2 on May 15 to reopen county beaches on Monday, May 18.

But in a significant change from a May 8 preliminary commission decision, beach use will not be restricted to county residents.

The county can legally prevent residents of other counties from using its beaches, County Attorney Denise Nieman said. But she recommended against doing so because many of the county’s beaches have received grants for beach restoration and other improvements. The grant agreements include clauses that prohibit restrictions on who can use the beaches, she said.

Martin County was able to restrict access to its beaches based on residency after receiving permission to waive provisions of the grant agreements. But Palm Beach County has many more grant agreements than does Martin County and is not able to get provision waivers for all of them, Nieman said.

Concessions will be open at the beaches, another reversal from the commission’s May 8 decision.

Commissioners heard comments from about 25 residents before their vote, virtually all strongly in favor of beach reopening.

But Palm Beach County is acting ahead of Broward and Miami-Dade counties, which have not set a date yet for reopening their beaches. Broward County Mayor Dale V.C. Holness has said that beaches will remain closed until at least May 26.

That raises the risk that Palm Beach County beaches will be overwhelmed if Broward and Miami-Dade residents rush north to get on a beach, especially over Memorial Day weekend.

County Administrator Verdenia Baker said the county's southern cities had urged that Palm Beach County reopen beaches at the same time as Miami-Dade and Broward to avoid this problem.

The county's northern cities supported the May 18 opening.

Lifeguards also wanted Palm Beach County to act in concert with its southern neighbors. Lifeguards and other county employees will be tasked with making sure that social distancing rules are enforced on the beach. They also must prevent gatherings on the beach of more than 10 people.

Lifeguards have objected to becoming rule enforcers, saying their job is to conduct beach rescues and provide medical attention. They made their position known to a county reopening task force.

All public and private beaches will be open from sunrise to sunset. An exception was made for the county's South Inlet Park in Boca Raton because it is close to the county line.

Commissioners Gregg Weiss and Mack Bernard voted against the opening.

Weiss said he recently visited a beach in Jupiter and saw that many people were not practicing social distancing.

“Unfortunately, we have a portion of our population who wants to put everyone at risk,” he said.

Commissioner Robert Weinroth, who represents southeastern Palm Beach County, strongly supported reopening and said residents should be trusted to do the right thing.

“We need to set policy that is for the greater good and not worry about outliers,” he said.

Shortly after county commissioners voted, Boca Raton announced that its beaches would be open to the public from sunrise to sunset on May 18. However, lifeguards will not be on duty, so beach-goers will swim at their own risk.

While the public can use the beach, beach parks will be closed. That includes parking, restrooms, playgrounds and picnic pavilions.

City Council members had agreed in advance of the County Commission decision that beach parks would remain closed as a way of preventing people from crowding onto the beaches, which they feared would happen if Palm Beach County opened beaches while Broward's remained closed.

Parking is prohibited along State Road A1A in Boca Raton.

A Palm Beach County sheriff's deputy tells beach-goers in South Palm Beach of restricted beach access on March 21. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Mary Hladky

Palm Beach County commissioners, by a 4-3 margin, voted to reopen the county's beaches to county residents on May 18.

The May 8 decision is preliminary, with the commission agreeing to meet again on May 15 to finalize the plan for beach openings.

While it is possible commissioners could change their minds, that seemed unlikely after they negotiated among themselves to craft an order that a majority could accept.

Both public and private beaches would be allowed to reopen from sunrise to sunset. Beach-goers will have to abide by social distancing guidelines and gatherings would be limited to 10 people. Concession facilities will not be open.

But only Palm Beach County residents will be able to use them, as commissioners attempted to ward off an influx of beach-goers from Broward and Miami-Dade counties where beaches remain closed.

County and municipal law enforcement officers will enforce the order. Cities and towns, however, have the authority to decide they do not want to reopen.

The action marks the second step to ease the lockdown that has kept county residents largely confined to their homes because of COVID-19. The county reopened parks, golf courses and marinas on April 30.

Separately, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced in West Palm Beach that restaurants and some nonessential retail businesses can reopen May 11 with those in Broward and Miami-Dade counties to follow on May 18. Restaurants can offer outdoor seating with 6 feet of social distancing and indoor seating at 25% capacity.

Palm Beach County had asked DeSantis to lift the restrictions as he already had for 64 of Florida's 67 counties. But the governor placed greater restrictions on Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties because the three have more than half of the state's coronavirus cases.

County commissioners took the action on reopening beaches even though health director Dr. Alina Alonso had recommended against it. She warned earlier this week that reopening too soon risks a resurgence of the disease.

“Our own health department is telling us not to do it,” said Commissioner Gregg Weiss, who along with Mack Bernard and Mary Lou Berger voted against the reopening.

County Mayor Dave Kerner cast the deciding vote. “My intent is I want people to go to the beach,” he said.

Commissioner Robert Weinroth, who represents the coastal South County, was the strongest proponent of beach reopening.

“It is the right time,” he said. “There is no reason our residents can’t act responsibly.”

The fishing piers at the Boynton Inlet remain empty even as other Palm Beach County parks and recreation areas open on April 29. The fishing areas may be accessible before beaches in the county open. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

By Rich Pollack

While parks in Palm Beach County were set to open Wednesday, April 29, anglers will have to wait a little to fish at the Boynton Inlet.

Because Ocean Inlet Park next to the inlet is a beach park and because beaches remain closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the county will keep the park off limits to everyone hoping to get a bite on the line.

County Parks and Recreation Director Eric Call said that while the jetty and fishing areas that line the parking lots are separate from the public beach to the south, it would be hard to keep the areas separate to visitors.

"Logistically it would be difficult to manage," Call said.

But he said discussions are ongoing over whether to open Ocean Inlet Park's fishing areas before the county gives the green light to people who want to walk along the ocean's edge.

"It's closed now but it could be open sooner than the beaches," Call said.

For now, the gates are closed, and county staff and law enforcement officers will stop most visitors from entering the park. People who keep a boat at the marina there will be allowed in after showing verification.

When fishing is again allowed at the inlet, anglers will be required to adhere to social distancing and other restrictions, Call said.

Officers from Boca Raton police and fire departments and the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission gathered at Silver Palm Park on April 26 to monitor boaters who never showed up to party in Lake Boca. Photo by Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Mary Hladky

Boca Bash was a bust.

While the annual Boca Bash usually draws about 1,500 vessels and 10,000 attendees, no one showed up for a wild party at this year’s event on April 26. Very few boats were on Lake Boca and there were no incidents, Boca Raton police spokesman Mark Economou said.

Boaters apparently were dissuaded by a city emergency order that banned them from dropping anchor in Lake Boca over the weekend, as well as the urging of a Boca Bash organizer to stay away from the lake. Stormy afternoon weather was another factor.

The city does not control Lake Boca, which falls under state jurisdiction. But the state’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which enforces boating rules in Florida, gave the city a temporary exemption to prohibit anchoring in the lake. Boca Raton police were authorized to give violators verbal warnings and arrest them if needed.

The FWC enhanced patrols on the lake and already had social distancing rules in place requiring boaters to keep 50 feet from one
another and have no more than 10 people aboard a vessel.

City officials wanted to put the kibosh on Boca Bash this year out of concerns that large groups of boaters massed on the lake and unable or unwilling to practice social distancing would increase the risk Covid-19 transmission.

Only a few vessels were in Lake Boca on April 26, the final day of an emergency ban on anchoring there. Normally the lake is jammed with boats on the weekend, especially for Boca Bash on the last Sunday in April. Photo provided by lakebocacam.com

By Steve Plunkett

Recreational boaters are banned from dropping anchor in Lake Boca this weekend in yet another effort to fight COVID-19.

City Manager Leif Ahnell signed an emergency No Anchor Order at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, effective from 12:01 a.m. Saturday to 12:01 a.m. Monday.

The order specifically targets Boca Bash, an unofficial, alcohol-fueled party on the last Sunday in April in which "vessels come from all over to congregate, raft and anchor within Lake Boca," the state's Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said. The FWC, which enforces boating rules in Florida, gave the city a temporary exemption to prohibit anchoring in the lake and 500 feet north and south of it.

Boca Raton's police are authorized to give violators verbal warnings and arrest them if needed. "Our goal is to obtain voluntary compliance with this order," the police department said.

The FWC already had social distancing rules in place requiring boaters to keep 50 feet from one another and have no more than 10 people aboard a vessel.

A screenshot from www.cruisemapper.com shows cruise ships off the South Florida coast on the afternoon of April 23. Map provided

By Mary Thurwachter

Coastal observers who gaze out into the ocean after dark have seen large cruise ships lighting up the horizon in April. The vessels, bound by a no-sail order due to the coronavirus, had nowhere to go but they are still on the move.

On the east coast of South Florida, at least a half dozen ships have been in the same boat, so to speak — Celebrity Edge, Norwegian Bliss, Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas and three Carnival cruise liners: Conquest, Horizon and Fascination.

“We have announced a pause in our operations until June 26,” says Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen. “All 27 Carnival Cruise Line ships have been docked at our North American or Australian homeports with crew members, no guests, since mid-March. We have ships docked in ports such as Miami, Tampa, Port Canaveral and other homeports.  Ships are either docked in port or anchored at sea near the specific homeport.”

On April 22, Fascination and Horizon were anchored near Miami, Gulliksen says.  “Conquest was docked in Miami.  But this is constantly changing.”

Cruise industry expert Stewart Chiron, aka “Cruise Guy,” says there are many cruise ships based at Port Miami, Port Everglades and Port Canaveral. “They are continuously sailing up and down the east coast of Florida, keeping ships in working order. Crews onboard are performing maintenance and upgrades to ships. There are only minimal crews left aboard the ships, no passengers.”

The largest clusters of cruise ships have been in the Bahamas north of Bimini and west of Great Harbor Cay, Chiron said in April. But in May, there have been fewer ships cruising up and down the Florida coastline.

"Some ships are heading to ports to begin cold storage preparations until operations are normalized," he said. "When cruise lines resume sailings, fewer ships will be used at the beginning," Chiron said. "Carnival Cruise Line provided an example that they intend to begin sailing from three ports, Miami, Pt. Canaveral and Galveston, using eight of their 27 ships."

Chiron, based in Miami, is confident the cruise industry will rebound.

“I hope sailings begin to resume in July,” he says. “There are going to be many schedule changes as fewer ships will be sailing in Alaska and Europe this year. There are many people ready to go now. They're just waiting to be told when and where. People holding reservations should wait and let the cruise lines cancel so they can take advantage of future cruise credits and other enticements. Bookings are up for 2021. For 2020, people wanting to make reservations are just waiting for details.”

The boat ramp at Boca Raton's Silver Palm Park had been closed to commercial and recreational boaters alike since March 22. It is still off-limits to non-commercial fishermen. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

By Mary Hladky

The Silver Palm Park public boat ramp opened for use by commercial fishermen today, April 22, but will remain closed to recreational boaters.

City Council members took the action as part of a lengthy April 21 workshop meeting held to discuss matters related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision came one week after commercial fishermen asked for relief so they can get out on the water and pursue their livelihoods.

But council members opted not to enforce who is using the boat ramp after City Manager Leif Ahnell said it would cost the city as much as $12,000 a week to staff the ramp 24/7 to make sure no recreational boaters launched their vessels from it.

“That becomes very expensive,” Ahnell said. “It is also onerous.”

City staff will monitor boat ramp usage for the remainder of the week. The ramp will be closed on Sunday, when the rowdy Boca Bash boat party was scheduled to be held on Lake Boca. One organizer has urged boaters not to participate in the annual event because of the coronavirus, but it is not clear what impact that will have.

Ahnell will report to council members on Monday on whether residents are taking advantage of the lack of enforcement to launch recreational boats.

“If we see it is out of control with a lot of people who are non-commercial fishing people, we would shut it down before Sunday,” Ahnell said.

“If we see too many recreational boaters, they will have ruined it for everybody and we will have to close it down,” said council member Monica Mayotte.

The decision is certain to upset recreational boaters, who have wanted to use the ramp to get out on the water as relief from COVID-19 emergency orders that prevent many outside activities.

The ramp opening is the city’s first small step toward reopening beaches, parks, marinas and golf courses.

While other openings are fraught with difficulties, opening the ramp to commercial fishermen was an easy step because Palm Beach County allowed this in March.

Council members want to do more as soon as possible, but cannot act until the county changes or eliminates restrictions to keep people from congregating and potentially being exposed to the virus. County officials are working on that now.

Since council members want to be able to act as soon as they can, they agreed that they need to start planning now.

But they sidestepped a resolution proposed by council member Andy Thomson that urged the county to reopen beaches, passive public and private parks, tennis courts and private golf courses “as soon as prudently possible” and in a way that does not expose city employees and residents to the coronavirus.

Instead, they opted for a wide ranging discussion of what should be opened and how to do that.

A majority of residents who commented on the issue urged the council to act.

“We have been living with this for about a month and a half and it is getting really old,” said Brad Bowman.

“We can’t remain quarantined forever,” said another speaker. “The parks, beaches and boat ramps must open.”

But the speakers did not reflect the sentiments of a majority of residents who sent emails or left voicemails on the subject.

While 12 emails and one voicemail supported opening parks and businesses, 126 emails and one voicemail expressed opposition to the openings out of concern that lifting restrictions too soon could result in city residents contracting COVID-19.

While all council members favored loosening restrictions in a careful and deliberate way to safeguard residents, Deputy Mayor Jeremy Rodgers was most emphatic about acting soon.

“It is time to return sanity to our world,” he said.

Projections about how many people will be sickened or die have so far not been accurate, he said. While the virus is dangerous, lockdowns also are hazardous to health, he said.

“It is time to stop living in fear and it is time to start living,” he said.

Sandi Savia, the EMS liaison at Boca Raton Regional Hospital, part of Baptist Health South Florida, blows a kiss through her mask to a Boca Raton Fire Rescue crew as they and more than 20 other first responder vehicles parade past the Emergency Room entrance on April 17. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

By Rich Pollack

Throughout south Palm Beach County, first responders and residents are showing support for hospital workers on the front lines battling the coronavirus.

On Friday evening April 17 more than a dozen emergency vehicles — lights flashing and sirens blaring — paraded past Boca Raton Regional Hospital as employees changed shifts.

“It was just an incredible experience,” said the hospital’s president and CEO, Lincoln Mendez. “Everyone felt it was very emotional.”

Dozens of hospital employees gathered at 7 p.m. April 17 to watch a parade of fire trucks and squad cars manned by first responders who drove by to honor them. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

The show of support — featuring representatives from Boca Raton’s fire rescue and police departments as well as from Delray Beach Fire Rescue, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and the Broward Sheriff’s Office — was just one of many being held at area hospitals.

On Monday, April 20, first responders from Delray Beach Fire Rescue and Palm Beach County Fire Rescue were at Delray Medical Center to cheer on medical personnel, and similar events are planned for Bethesda Memorial Hospital’s two locations.

At Delray Medical Center, firefighters hoisted a huge American flag in front of the hospital and after a short presentation “took a knee” to thank hospital employees.

Delray Beach Fire Rescue personnel 'take a knee' out of respect for the staff at Delray Medical Center on April 20.  Photo courtesy of Delray Beach Fire Rescue

Those events, as well as others throughout the county, are being coordinated by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue in conjunction with local first responders.

“It’s been a great morale booster not just for the hospital staff but also for the firefighters because they’re happy to show their support for our healthcare heroes,” said Tara Cardoso, a healthcare specialist with county fire rescue. “You can see the smiles underneath the masks.”

Appreciation of emergency medical personnel, as well as police, firefighters and paramedics, is also coming from community members.

In Highland Beach, for example, residents took to their balconies at 7 p.m. Friday, April 17, for a “clap out,” with some applauding and others banging on pots and pans to show support.

“It was quite loud,” said Highland Beach Mayor Doug Hillman, who helped get the word out to residents at Boca Highland Beach Club and Marina, where he is president of the board of directors. “The response was fabulous.”

At 7 p.m. on April 17, residents of the Boca Highland Beach Club & Marina in Highland Beach stood on their balconies to applaud first responders and healthcare workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak. Pictured top to bottom, (l-r), Audrey Gluck, Sergio De Simone, Walter Jones, Pat Jordan, Rod Werner and Bob Caprice.  Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

The clap out, promoted by the town through emails, started with one resident organizing her community but grew into a community-wide event.

Carol Wittenberg, of Regency Highland, originally organized a clapping event to thank the workers of her condominium and found that it was greatly appreciated.

“The look on their faces was phenomenal,” she said.

She decided to take a next step and organize an event to bring the town together in support of the medical community, first responders and others who are serving the public at their own risk.

“This shows our appreciation,” she said. “It sends a message that we can’t even begin to show how much we appreciate what they’re doing. They’re putting their lives on the line for us.”

At Boca Regional that message was well received by those who were on hand to see the first responders parade past the hospital — and even by those who weren’t there.

“I think all healthcare workers really appreciate the show of support,” Boca Regional’s Mendez said.

By Mary Hladky

Nearly one month after the closure of beaches, parks, natural areas and golf courses, some stir-crazy Palm Beach County residents are pushing back against COVID-19 emergency orders that keep them from enjoying the outdoors.

The unrest flared in Boca Raton on April 13 and 14, when residents asked the City Council to open the Silver Palm Park public boat ramp so they can get out on the water.

This issue, which council member Monica Mayotte called “the elephant in the room,” dominated the council’s discussions during a series of “virtual” meetings over the two days — the first ones held online to spare residents and council members from crowding into the cramped council chambers and violating social distancing rules.

“I want to be able to launch the boat with my wife, with social distancing,” one resident told council members.

Eric Finn, a commercial fisherman who owns Finn-Atic Fish Co. in Boca Raton, which supplies local restaurants and sells directly to consumers, said fishermen should be able to use the boat ramp. City workers would not need to monitor them, he told council members.

He also communicated directly with Mayor Scott Singer on Facebook.

“I understand commercial fishing isn’t your priority right now, nor should it be. But people still need to eat,” he wrote. “Again I’ll ask, why can’t Silver Palm Park be open to those of us who have commercial fishing licenses?”

Council members were sympathetic to both boat owners who want to escape their homes and commercial fishermen.

But as with everything else related to the coronavirus pandemic, a decision on opening the boat ramp is complicated.

Palm Beach County closed boat ramps, docks and marinas on March 22. The next day, the county clarified that they were closed to boats used for recreational purposes but open to commercial fishermen.

The county acted immediately after people posted photos on social media of boat parties at sandbars in the waters near Tequesta and Jupiter.

Boca Raton warned people on social media not to congregate on Lake Boca, a popular spot for boat parties and the alcohol-fueled Boca Bash held annually on the last Sunday in April, after photos showed the lake crowded with vessels.

The city does not control Lake Boca, which falls under state jurisdiction. But Singer issued a sharp rebuke nonetheless.

“Let me put it bluntly,” he posted on Facebook on March 21. “This is not the right time to invite a bunch of friends on your boat for a big party.

“Right now, there’s a deadly virus that’s circling the globe and can seriously affect (or even kill) you, your family and anyone you might contact for weeks.”

While council members understood that residents would love to launch their boats from the boat ramp for recreation, City Attorney Diana Grub Frieser said the county directive applied to all cities and towns, effectively tying the council’s hands.

The boat ramp could be opened to commercial fishermen, if in fact they were actually intending to fish and not using their license to evade restrictions on recreational use, she said.

Mayotte noted that she had seen an April 10 report on WPTV-Channel 5 that there has been a recent surge in people applying for commercial fishing licenses.

Council member Andy Thomson said he had looked into that, and found that before the boat ramp closure, 25 boaters in Boca Raton and 400 in the county had a commercial license. In the past few weeks, an additional 400 people have applied for the licenses, with 40 of them in the city.

Council member Andrea O’Rourke asked how the city could determine which of those actually fish for a living.

“I am in favor of opening the boat ramp to existing commercial fishermen,” Thomson said. A majority of council members agreed.

City Manager Leif Ahnell said municipal employees would have to monitor the ramp’s use, putting them at risk of not being able to socially distance themselves from the boaters.

Frieser also said that if the ramp is opened to commercial use, commercial fishermen from throughout the county and other counties who also have a city permit to use the ramp would be able to use it.

But it may be possible to restrict access only to city residents, she said.

The council reached no decision on April 14, opting instead to have Ahnell and Frieser provide options and recommendations at the next virtual council meeting on April 28.

By Steve Plunkett

A National Guardsman provides instructions as cars pull into the drive-thru testing site at the South County Civic Center on April 7. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Steve Plunkett

A total of 250 patients are scheduled to be tested for COVID-19 today, April 8, at the South County Civic Center, and 146 had appointments for Thursday, April 9, Palm Beach County and the Cleveland Clinic said.

During the first day of drive-thru testing at the South County center on Tuesday, April 7, 138 people were tested, Cleveland Clinic said. Appointments can be made at 561-804-0250.

By Steve Plunkett

Telephone reservations for drive-thru COVID-19 testing at the South County Civic Center will begin at 10 a.m. April 6 with the earliest appointment available at 8 a.m. the following day.

The reservation phone number is 561-804-0250.

After the first day the phone line will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.

Pre-approval and appointments are required, County Commissioner Mack Bernard said while announcing the details April 5. Cleveland Clinic of Florida will screen callers for presence of symptoms, exposures and risk factors, he said.

The South County center, at 16700 Jog Road west of Delray Beach, will have 2,000 test kits available, Bernard said. The county's first coronavirus test site, at FITTEAM Ballpark of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, will have more than 1,000 kits, he said.

"This is a time to remain calm; it's not a time to panic," state Rep. Mike Caruso, R-Delray Beach, said. "If we do what the protocols and the president of the United States have indicated such as social distancing, washing our hands and sheltering in place, we can get through this."

County Commissioner Robert Weinroth said his office has been besieged by people wondering why they cannot play golf, one of the many activities not allowed now.

"Please, adhere to these executive orders. Don't try and be a lawyer and figure out how to punch a hole between the lines and figure out how you can do things. ... We don't want to be like New York."

After the South County site opens, testing will be available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 8 to noon.

A testing site for coronavirus will open April 7 at the South County Civic Center west of Delray Beach.

"More info to follow," County Commissioner Robert Weinroth said April 2 in a COVID-19 email announcing the opening.

The South County center is at 16700 Jog Road. The testing site will be the county's second: its first opened at the FITTEAM Ballpark of Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach on March 31.

The combined cases for Boca Raton (135 as of April 2), Boynton Beach (117), Delray Beach (100), Lantana (6) and South Palm Beach (1) represent 49% of the county's 737 total cases.

—Steve Plunkett

Second-graders Emma Imperatore and Valentina Autiero presented their request for duck crossing signs to the Town Commission after a duck was killed near Gulf Stream School. “We don’t want that to happen again,” Valentina said. Rachel S. O’Hara/The Coastal Star

By Steve Plunkett

A duck that sadly became roadkill near the Gulf Stream School may become the impetus for new warning signs for motorists in town.

Second-graders Emma Imperatore and Valentina Autiero implored town commissioners to consider creating the signs in what Mayor Scott Morgan proclaimed was an “excellent presentation” on March 13.

“Good morning, everyone,” Valentina began while standing before commissioners. “A few weeks ago outside of our school on Gulfstream Road near the Little Club golf course, I saw a duck that had been run over and killed.

“We don’t want that to happen again because the black Muscovy ducks … cross the street many times a day,” she continued, flanking with Emma a poster board the two girls had handcrafted. “We would like to have two street signs installed that tell people: ‘Slow down, ducks cross here.’ Thank you.”

With their teachers and classmates watching, Emma then gave the girls’ recommendation on where the signs should be located, one for southbound traffic and one for northbound.

Morgan praised the second-graders for undertaking “a very important civic experience.”

“That is, you’ve seen a problem in our town, you want to address it and so you’ve come before the municipal body that has some authority to help grant what you’re seeking,” he said.

Because their proposal would affect both the Gulf Stream School and the Little Club, Morgan told the girls to contact the school’s headmaster and the club’s president and get their consent to installing the signs, then return to the commission on April 9.

“You were very persuasive,” Commissioner Donna White added.

Vice Mayor Tom Stanley wanted more information about Valentina and Emma’s suggested sign, which featured a mama duck leading her three ducklings.

“Can you read the little words on the sign? I mean ‘Duck Crossing’ is good — we all know what that is. But there’s also some extra words on there for emphasis. Can you tell us what those are — for the record?’ he asked.

“Quack, quack, quack, quack,” Emma and Valentina replied to the delight of the commission chambers.

In other business:
• The Little Club withdrew its controversial application to build four pickleball courts. Neighbors at the Hillside House and St. Andrews Club, some of whom lived just 50 feet away, had protested that the fast-growing but noisy sport would detract from their quality of life.
• Town Manager Greg Dunham said he was not permitting members of the public to enter the business side of Town Hall because of the coronavirus. He and other town employees meet people who need services in the lobby, he said.
• Dunham showed commissioners a map of a proposed street running from the entrance of Place Au Soleil to the Intracoastal along the north side of the subdivision. The street would have 14 lots, with the four nearest the waterway being larger than the 10 others.
The Gulf Stream Golf Club and the Florida Inland Navigation District own the land. Dunham said he has hired a land-use expert to evaluate the proposal.
• Commissioners denied a request for a variance from Daniel Stanton that would have let him add a second floor to his Place Au Soleil house 14 feet from the property line instead of 15 feet. Stanton had proposed buying a longtime eyesore next door, demolishing part of it and combining both it and his existing house to make what would have been the largest residence in Place Au Soleil.
Commissioners said the size and mass of the proposed structure were not in keeping with the neighborhood. His purchase of the decrepit house hinged on his getting approval of the remodeling plans.
Real estate broker Zac Mazur, representing the heirs of deceased homeowner Richard Lavoie, said if commissioners would rescind a demand to demolish the property at 2775 Avenue Au Soleil, he could sell it within 90 days to someone who would renovate it.
Over 10 years Lavoie ran up $1.9 million in code enforcement violations at the property, primarily for having a dead lawn and no fence around his swimming pool. Commissioners last October agreed to reduce the lien to $125,000 after Stanton proposed joining the lots.