Related: Save Boca has its say, submits petitions for referendum

A Boca Raton City Council discussion on the proposed redevelopment of the city’s 30-acre downtown campus gave proponents a chance to push back on some of the residents’ objections and correct what they see as misinformation.

“Not a giveaway, but a return: The city gains billions in financial return, avoids raising taxes and secures modern civic infrastructure at no cost to residents,” the city said in an audience presentation on Aug. 26.

Should park stay downtown?
Many residents do not want to lose the 17-acre Memorial Park that is part of the downtown campus. It now has tennis courts, a skate park, softball fields and other recreation facilities, many of which will be relocated to other city or Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District parks.

City officials have repeatedly said the existing facilities are very old and of poor quality. Moving them would allow the city and the district to provide greatly enhanced new facilities.

Some residents see merit to that, but others want the city to upgrade the current facilities, which are convenient to people who live in or near the downtown.

Is tribute to World War II vets being sacrificed?
Another major issue, one that has caused an outcry among residents, is that they believe Memorial Park was created to honor those who fought and died in World War II.

Eliminating it is unacceptable, they say.

Both sides agree Memorial Park was created with that name in 1947. A war memorial building was intended to be built, yet never was.

But a war memorial, dedicated to veterans, has existed at the Boca Raton Cemetery and Mausoleum at 451 SW Fourth Ave. since 1953, and Veterans Day and Memorial Day ceremonies are held there, City Manager George Brown said.

Many city residents are unconvinced, and want Memorial Park preserved. A Sept. 2 Fox News report drew national support for the park’s preservation.

Will banyan trees be saved?
The downtown campus’ beloved banyan trees are another sore point. The city has said they will be preserved, but Save Boca contends two will be cut down.

Rob Frisbie told the council on Aug. 26 that all six will be preserved, four in their current location, while two will be moved to stand outside the new City Hall.

Is public-private partnership needed?
Jon Pearlman of Save Boca argues that the city should ditch Terra/Frisbie and rebuild City Hall and the Community Center in their same spots on the campus.

That work could be done for less than $50 million, he said, and the city could easily finance that itself since it has $667 million in reserves.

But city officials say that is not the case. The city maintains cash balances in about 30 funds that cover various city operations such as providing water and sewer services. Those are not reserves, but rather operating cash flows. They can’t be commingled and there are legal restrictions on what the money can be used for. Most of it can’t be used to build a City Hall and Community Center. The city now has $34.5 million in unrestricted funds that could go to such construction.

City consultants are doing an economic report and analysis of the project’s impact on city finances. That information could be available in September.

— Mary Hladky

Related: The Coastal Star captures top honors — nine times — in annual competition

Here at The Coastal Star, we think a byline says a lot. 

If you’re not familiar with newspaper lingo, a byline is the name at the top of a story telling you who wrote it. Similarly, a picture caption usually has a credit line with the name of the photographer who took the shot.

Longtime readers of the Palm Beach Post or the South Florida Sun Sentinel might recall some of these bylines that have appeared in those papers: Rich Pollack, Ron Hayes, John Pacenti, Charles Elmore, Jan Norris, Brian Biggane, Mary Thurwachter and Anne Geggis — or a photographer by the name of Tim Stepien. Many past reporters at those papers might also recognize the names of editors Mary Hladky and Steve Plunkett.

So, what do these names have in common?

It’s that they were all recognized Aug. 1 with first-place awards (some held jointly) from the Florida Press Association for work they did in 2024 — work they did right here at The Coastal Star. 

Because of their work and the work of many others at the paper, the FPA also recognized The Coastal Star with its top award for general excellence among weekly and monthly newspapers in the state with circulations of over 15,000.

Work that is delivered free to you each month.

Even before becoming The Coastal Star’s editor last year, I was proud to be part of this “little paper that could,” with its reporters, photographers, editors and management who have such significant journalism experience, much of it gained right here in Palm Beach County. I think that few papers our size can say the same.

Some of the staff at this paper were around in the 1980s and 1990s, when the bigger dailies had reporters regularly assigned to cover our small coastal communities — and they can recall the later void in coverage that lasted until this paper came onto the scene in 2008.

Thanks to good management and a strong sense of purpose by the paper’s owners, I’m hopeful that The Coastal Star will be here for years to come.

But the paper faces some of the same concerns affecting the larger newspaper industry — and I’m talking about more than just revenues and balance sheets.

The FPA awards were presented during an annual conference for journalists. One seminar in particular dealt with the increasing obstacles reporters face trying to get information from officials who don’t seem particularly inclined to share it.

Our reporters have run into their share of ignored requests for information, steep fees for requested documents and legal blockades to obtaining even some of the most basic news reporting information. 

Fortunately, with their decades of experience, our reporters can be quite resourceful in getting the information they need to give you an accurate, complete picture of what’s happening in your communities. 

I can tell you that they are not doing their jobs to win awards, but it is nice when that recognition comes along. 

We’re just hoping that you, the reader, is the winner: with stories that are good reads about your neighbors, or informative pieces about your local government, or just interesting looks at what’s going on in your community. 

Delivered free to you each month.

— Larry Barszewski, Editor

A father and two children slosh through a flooded sidewalk along A1A after an Aug. 31 downpour. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

Roadwork delays — along with standing water — raise concern

Related:  Highland Beach: Sewer lining project could begin soon (fingers crossed)

By Rich Pollack

Construction on State Road A1A through Highland Beach is likely to continue for at least two more months, frustrating residents and town leaders who are weary of travel delays — and flooding that they say is now worse than before work began.

Originally scheduled to be completed by May, the $8.3 million Florida Department of Transportation project that began in July 2024 could be still going on through October, according to Highland Beach Town Manager Marshall Labadie, who met with FDOT representatives in late August.

“Extending construction by six months and asking for patience of residents is a tall ask,” Labadie said. “Unfortunately, it appears to be our only option.”

The delays could mean the project — which has come with lane closures and traffic backups — will continue just as part-time residents return.

“Now they’re going to be eating into the season with more traffic, more slowdowns and more bottlenecks,” resident John Shoemaker said.

The delays in completion of the 3.35-mile-long project are likely to also push back a Highland Beach sanitary sewer lining project that will start once the FDOT work on A1A is completed. That work will be trenchless and will not affect the improved roadway. Town officials had planned to begin the sewer lining before the end of September, but then learned of FDOT’s latest timeline.

State FDOT representative did not respond to emails regarding the cause of the road project delays.

A deluge of concern
Shoemaker, along with several other residents, has also been outspoken about concerns over A1A flooding that followed heavy rains in August.

One of the main objectives of the road project — from just south of Linton Boulevard in Delray Beach to the Highland Beach border with Boca Raton — was to reduce street flooding.

Residents and town leaders, however, say that’s not happening and didn’t happen after a heavy downpour from a thunderstorm on Aug. 23.

“The event we observed had A1A flooding in several locations worse than before construction,” Labadie said. “That had everyone concerned including the town.”

The flooding, he said, was in several sections of the road and on the sidewalks.

“The standing water was deeper and was there longer than usual,” he said.

The town manager said that the standing water on the road was gone within about 24 hours but that the water on the sidewalks remained for several days.

“That caused people to walk in the road,” he said.

Resident Deborah Muller said that after the heavy rain on Aug. 23, water on the sidewalk near her home was almost to the top of her knee-high rain boots.

“The crews are taking care of the roadway, but the water is flooding onto the public sidewalk and onto people’s property,” she said.

State asks for patience
State engineers have said that the flooding issues will improve once the project is completed.

“They asked for patience as this work is finalized and committed to meeting with us again once complete to reassess the problem areas,” Labadie said.

The town manager noted that construction crews have been working on improving swales at the north end of the project and believes that work will soon be taking place in Highland Beach.

Labadie expects to see improvements on the road but even with the improved swales, he foresees long-term issues on sidewalks and in right of ways.

At the same time work is being done on the swales, crews are working on ensuring that driveways will be level with the roadway once a final level of asphalt is applied. In addition to road resurfacing and drainage improvements, the project has included the installation of bike lanes on either side and the extension of the northbound left turn lane onto Linton Boulevard.

“It’s been a great improvement because traffic is not as backed up as it was,” Muller said. 

Marjorie Waldo stands among works by Delray Beach native McKinson Souverain in the Black Box Gallery, a showcase for emerging artists at Arts Garage. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Kathleen Kernicky

When Marjorie Waldo was hired as president and CEO of Arts Garage in Delray Beach, she quickly realized how big a crisis she was facing.

“It was a turnaround business in the truest sense,” Waldo said of the nonprofit performing arts organization she has led since November 2016.

“We were financially drowning, our relationship capital was shot, and it seemed like every angle of the business had to be reprogrammed.

“I came in knowing the organization was in crisis. Until you’re sitting in the chair at your desk, you don’t really know how big the crisis is.”

Drawing on her turnaround expertise as a former educator and executive, Waldo has helped the organization “build a toolbox” to ensure its future survival and success.

That included keeping its doors open during the pandemic and, more recently, facing the potential loss of government grants that could affect about a third of its budget.

“When I first started, I wasn’t aware of how deep the troubles went or how much of a commitment this would take,” Waldo said. “It didn’t scare me away. I’m tough and I fight for what I believe in. I do not like to fail.”

It is more than an aversion to failure that drives her commitment. Waldo’s love of the arts is rooted in the belief that they have the transformative power to break barriers and bring people together.

“We believe the arts transcend all of the differences between us,” she said. “It is a universal language that allows people to share experiences.”

Her goal is to reach as many people as possible with the highest quality experience.

“We want to make sure that everyone can walk through our doors, regardless of their income,” she said.

Born in Key West and raised in southern Virginia, Waldo showed interest in the arts beginning in childhood.

“I studied dancing. I sang in choirs. By age 10 or 11, I was reading massive amounts of literature. In high school, I was acting in school plays.”

At the University of Virginia, “I started as a business major and lasted about a year before I bounced back to what I loved, which was drama.”

In search of a career path after graduation, she tried the banking, retail and nonprofit sectors. She became a substitute teacher to earn money and “fell in love with teaching.”

Waldo taught English to high school students before moving from Princeton, New Jersey, to South Florida in the mid-1990s. Her focus switched to working with at-risk youths and turning around struggling charter schools.

“My real interest emerged with the troublemakers. I was drawn to work with the kids who were throwing chairs, getting into fights,” said Waldo, 62, who has two children and has lived in Delray Beach since 1999.

Eventually, she left education. With a master’s degree in educational leadership from Florida Atlantic University, Waldo became a consultant.

She was teaching others how to run a business when she pivoted back to her love of the arts and accepted the position at Arts Garage.

Founded in 2011, Arts Garage brings a diverse group of performers to its stage in downtown Delray Beach each year. From Grammy Award-winning musicians to emerging artists, actors and comedians, it provides entertainment — and arts education and development programs — to adults and children. 

In 2024, Arts Garage hosted more than 300 events and served about 29,000 attendees, generating an economic impact of about $4.1 million, Waldo said. During her tenure, attendance has increased by 50% and the budget has grown by 60%.

Waldo is confident the organization will overcome the new challenges. Turnaround between the end of 2016 and the end of 2018 was likely the largest challenge, but the pandemic came in a close second.

“Today, we have an incredible board of directors who are passionate about the work that we do and we have significant support from our community,” she said. “I would like to know that Arts Garage will still be here long after I am not.

“I would like to leave a legacy that will continue to provide these vibrant experiences to as many people as possible.”

 For more information about Arts Garage, visit artsgarage.org.

NOMINATE SOMEONE TO BE A COASTAL STAR 

Send a note to news@thecoastalstar.com or call 561-337-1553.

By John Pacenti

When is a fee increase not an increase? When you are in the other dimension known as Delray Beach, silly.

Public Works Director Missie Barletto told The Coastal Star that, yes, the city’s three parking garages will no longer be free during the daytime, going to a $1.50 an hour fee beginning Oct. 1. The plan also eliminates the $5 flat fee at parking garages after 4 p.m.

The downtown garages are Old School Square, Fourth and Fifth at Atlantic, and Robert Federspiel at 22 SE First Ave.

Barletto explained that the average stay at the garages is two hours in the evening, often by casual diners. They would save $2 by not having to pay the flat fee, she said.

The real reason Barletto explained for the increase — as she did, as well, at the Aug. 19 City Commission meeting — is to address homeless people who are living out of their cars and camping out in the garages overnight. Unfortunately, she said, visitors were shying away from parking in the garages, fearing for their safety.

Commissioners were told that the increased parking fees will generate more than $1.5 million more annually for the city. 

Premier parking meters on Atlantic Avenue would stay the same under the plan at $4 an hour. The city manager already directed that parking meters on downtown side streets be priced at $3 an hour, up from $2 an hour previously. Other increases will go into effect Oct. 1.

Free parking will increase to $2 an hour for the railroad lot at 30 NE Fourth Ave., the Gladiola lot at 51 SE Sixth Ave., the Village lot at 50 SE Sixth Ave.,  the Banker’s Row lot at 200 NE First Ave., and the Veterans Park lot at 802 NE First St. These lots will all have a four-hour limit where in the past they varied.

The seven beach parking lots on the barrier island will remain the same cost at $1.50 an hour.

Employee parking plan

Commissioners also adopted a six-month pilot program to address downtown employee parking that will allow workers to buy a $10 monthly permit to park in most city spaces.

“They can park in any available parking space in the downtown area — other than Atlantic Avenue,” Barletto said. The parking meters on Atlantic Avenue are the exception.

Barletto noted at the meeting that the previous attempts to create an employee parking program had failed.

“We offered a permit where we had a special trolley that ran at night, and the employer actually bought the parking permits and handed them out to their employees, she said. “That sold zero permits.”

To prevent abuse, the program will require verification. “They will have to renew their parking pass every month. Part of that renewal process will be a letter from a downtown employer saying that they are indeed employed,” Barletto said.

Commissioner Tom Markert expressed sympathy for restaurant and bar workers, stating he had heard repeatedly that “these are people that we have to attract to keep our restaurants and bars open and if we don’t provide them with parking spaces, they’re going to go work in the suburbs.”

However, Mayor Tom Carney remained skeptical about subsidizing parking, arguing that restaurants have the responsibility to provide parking for their employees. Markert countered that restaurants told him any parking costs “are going to be reflected in your menu prices.”

Vice Mayor Rob Long suggested a pilot program, noting, “We’re not going to know until we sort of try some version of this.”

The pilot program will run from Oct. 1 to April, with a potential three-month update given in January. 

Barletto provided context on current parking use, revealing that many downtown lots are significantly underutilized. The railroad lot, for instance, has 162 spaces with only a 57% occupancy rate. The Gladiola lot has 74 spaces with just a 30% occupancy rate. 

By Jane Musgrave

Former Ocean Ridge Vice Mayor Richard Lucibella lost his legal battle against two town police officers over his 2016 arrest at his former oceanfront home on Beachway North.

A federal jury in Miami on Aug. 22 rejected Lucibella’s claims that officers Richard Ermeri and Nubia Plesnik violated his constitutional rights when they arrested him while investigating reports of gunshots.

Jurors listened to nearly a week of testimony and found that neither officer used excessive force nor violated the 71-year-old health care entrepreneur’s freedom from an unwarranted search.

Attorney James Green, who represented Lucibella, said he and his client respect the jury verdict.

“I’m sad and disappointed for Rich,” Green said. “He went through what no citizen should have to go through.”

Lucibella’s face was held against the floor of his patio and three ribs were broken when officers did a knee drop on his back, Green said in court papers.

Orlando attorney Jeff Ashton, who was hired by the town’s insurer to represent the officers, said the jury recognized that Lucibella was responsible for his own fate. “He resisted,” Ashton said. “He got hurt because he resisted. The officers didn’t want to hurt him.”

The trial was only to decide if the officers violated Lucibella’s rights. If the jury found that they had, another trial would have determined damages.

At one time, Lucibella said he would seek $9.4 million, claiming he was suspended from his leadership role at one of his businesses and couldn’t effectively manage others while defending himself against the criminal charges.

Lucibella could appeal the verdict. Green said no decision has been made.

The officers and the town could also ask that Lucibella pay for some of the costs of the lengthy litigation. The town, which in 2021 was dismissed from the lawsuit by a judge, sought nearly $135,000 in attorney fees and court costs.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, who was then handling the case, said the town could renew the request after the case against the officers was decided. The case was later transferred to U.S. District Judge David Leibowitz.

Green said he doubted Lucibella would have to dig into his wallet. The town and the officers would have to prove that the lawsuit was completely frivolous, he said.

Ashton said it is likely he would ask that Lucibella be ordered to pay the court costs the insurer incurred fighting his claims against the officers. He said he didn’t know how much that would be.

Absent an appeal, the jury verdict would mark the end of a saga that spawned several civil lawsuits, along with the criminal charges against Lucibella, who now lives in Jupiter.

Lucibella, who was elected to the Town Commission in 2014, was cleared of two felony charges of battery on a law enforcement officer in 2019. But the same jury found him guilty of a misdemeanor charge of battery. He was ordered to pay $675 in court costs. He lost his appeal.

Plesnik, meanwhile, reached a confidential out-of-court settlement with Lucibella to end the lawsuit she filed against him for shoulder injuries she claimed she sustained during the scuffle.

In her suit, she claimed Lucibella tried to conceal a .40-caliber pistol by sitting on it when she and Ermeri arrived at the house to investigate the reports of gunfire. The officers also saw several shell casings on the deck, she said.

Knowing he had other guns in the house, she said the officers told him to stay on the patio. Ignoring their warnings, he attacked the officers, pushing Plesnik and grabbing Ermeri around the neck, she claimed in the suit.

Green said Lucibella’s error was failing to give officers information they wanted. “Rich refused to snitch on his friend who actually fired the shots,” he said. 

The Ocean Ridge Town Commission celebrated the career of Jean Hallahan, “a cornerstone of Town Hall,” who retired after two decades of service in important positions. 

A proclamation was read by Town Clerk Kelly Avery at the Aug. 4 commission meeting recognizing Hallahan’s multifaceted roles, noting she served not only as town treasurer, but also as deputy town clerk and human resources administrator since 2005. 

Hallahan, who wanted to retire quietly, Avery said, was not at the meeting.

Her tenure has been characterized by “quiet leadership, reliability and kindness,” making her not just a vital team member, but a mentor and friend to many, the proclamation read.

As treasurer, Hallahan oversaw “the financial well-being of Ocean Ridge with diligence, transparency and deep expertise,” guiding the town through economic changes with “a calm, confident presence and a sharp eye for detail.”

As deputy town clerk, she provided “invaluable support in maintaining the town’s official records, assisting residents with care and accuracy and helping ensure the daily operations of the town ran smoothly.”

Her human resources work was equally distinguished, with the proclamation praising her for “supporting our staff with compassion, professionalism and integrity.” 

The town retroactively proclaimed July 28 as “Jean Hallahan Appreciation Day.”

                            — John Pacenti

Towns with ordinances on the placement of artificial grass in yards are keeping a close eye on a Florida-wide rule currently being drafted.

House Bill 683, which passed the Legislature this year and was signed into law by the governor, requires the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to adopt minimum standards for the installation of synthetic turf on single-family residential areas that are 1 acre or less in size, Gulf Stream Assistant Town Attorney Trey Nazzaro said. Such a rule would cover most of the town, he said.

The concern is that a new rule “could in part preempt the town’s home rule powers to regulate artificial turf,” he told town commissioners at their Aug. 8 meeting.

Synthetic turf in Gulf Stream, for example, can be placed only in back and side yards where it cannot be seen from the road in front or from the water behind.

“The question will be whether or not it prevents us from regulating it from an aesthetic standpoint really,” Nazzaro said. “There’s nothing in the rule that goes one way or the other about percentage or where it can be located.”

— Steve Plunkett

By John Pacenti

After months of contentious negotiations, the Delray Beach City Commission has reached a tentative agreement with the Police Benevolent Association, addressing key issues of wages, pensions and working conditions for the city’s police officers.

The City Commission gave its tacit approval at an Aug. 21 special meeting, bowing to a special magistrate’s recommendation. 

Mayor Tom Carney had pushed back on the issue of extending the DROP (Deferred Retirement Option Program) from five to eight years, saying it would just put money in negotiators’ pockets, but in the end, the city relented.

Carney and Commissioner Juli Casale both voted no on the eight-year drop. The commissioners were unanimous in approving other areas of the contract — psychological testing, post-accident drug and alcohol testing, and wages.

Casale said under the contract, some police officers will end up making more than directors of departments at City Hall. She specifically asked about the impact on the city’s budget, noting concerns about how the contract might require salary adjustments across other city departments.

Commissioner Tom Markert, always seen as the swing vote on the DROP issue, said extending the retirement program to eight years made the city competitive with other agencies. He said he felt the city had “met the lion’s share” of the union’s requests.

When it came to wages, the city’s initial proposal was $15.2 million compared to the nearly $16.7 million requested by the union. Commissioners approved a wage package of $15.9 million for officers and sergeants after the union came down in its ask.

The tentative agreement will cover three years — retroactive to last Oct. 1 and extending to Sept. 30, 2027. It still requires ratification by the union membership.

John Kazanjian, president of the Palm Beach County chapter of the PBA, said on the union’s Instagram page, “This is the best deal you’re going to get out of the Commission right here. I’m not going to call it a win or a loss. I’m just going to say it’s a happy medium so far.”

The union used all sorts of in-your-face public tactics. It had moving billboards denouncing Carney and Casale. The PBA is now banned from participating in next year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade because it slammed commissioners on a moving billboard that was in this year’s parade.

The PBA also, on more than one occasion, packed commission chambers with members and had various people in the community speak on its behalf — including Vice Mayor Rob Long.

The city adopted a modified pay scale closely resembling Boynton Beach’s plan, with increases that city officials hope will help attract and retain officers. The new plan provides slightly higher top-end salaries for officers and sergeants, with lieutenants receiving a modified pay structure.

The union certainly had its supporters lined up to speak at the Aug. 21 hearing in case there was any wavering by the commission.

Chuck Halberg, president of Delray Citizens for Delray Police, said during public comment that the city had already lost 22 officers, with 15 more potentially leaving.

Delray Beach resident Melissa Morales Milkman highlighted the department’s crime reduction efforts, stating the city had reduced overall crime by nearly 50% citywide. She warned that continued officer losses would jeopardize public safety.

Long criticized the negotiation process as “idiotic.” 

“We have been tied to a process now for months that has made this so much harder than it should be,” he said.

Carney noted the city’s commitment to balancing fiscal responsibility with fair compensation. “We’re not going to try to compete with entities that have unlimited funds,” Carney said, referencing the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office’s ability to offer higher wages. 

By John Pacenti

In the last year, Delray Beach City Manager Terrence Moore once again became embroiled in drama, clashed repeatedly with some commissioners and set out to bore elected officials to death by presentation.

Despite it all, Moore lives to fight another day. The commission at its Aug. 12 meeting approved a 3.3% raise for Moore, who has been with the city since August 2021.

The raise was based on the scoring of the city’s five elected leaders, with Moore receiving an average score of 3.3 out of a possible 5.0. Commissioner Juli Casale, a frequent sparring partner of Moore, was the one no vote for the raise.

Moore, whose new annual salary will be $255,986, can take a bow in getting the Cultural Arts School project off to a good start. And he still rocks the sunglasses at ribbon cuttings. But the city manager took some serious lumps in his evaluations by the mayor and commissioners.

“Moore’s deficiencies appear to be growing and his ability to make corrections is not evident,” Casale wrote. “His lack of high-level managerial skills is not likely to change. I would like to see Mr. Moore explore other employment. I think he would be happier and more effective in a less complicated city.”

Mayor’s criticisms 

Mayor Tom Carney wrote a long evaluation of Moore beyond the typical scorecard, finding him approachable but lacking leadership skills.

“Overall, there is a lack of curiosity and forward-thinking in city leadership,” Carney wrote. “We are rarely ahead of challenges. More often, we are reacting or simply maintaining.”

After Carney asked for a granular budget for 2025-26, Moore unleashed a 400-page tome marshalled by his new chief financial officer, Henry M. Dachowitz, that was as clear as mud to the public. When The Coastal Star asked for a breakdown of the current budget compared to the proposed one in April, the newspaper was told that no such document existed at the time. 

Commission meetings have dragged on as directors have spent hours detailing proposals that are available in the agenda packet for commissioners. Building, Planning and Zoning Director Anthea Gianniotes has spoken for hours on end.

“Stop burying the Commission with presentations,” Carney said on Moore’s scorecard. “Be more of a leader.”

And yet, Carney said, in the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget, “departmental wish lists were submitted without senior management review, resulting in inflated spending proposals.”

Carney gave Moore a 2.8.

Casale’s concerns

Moore’s lowest score came from Casale, who gave him a 2.0. 

She grew especially frustrated with Moore when it came to internal investigations into the Code Enforcement Division, which was rocked by one employee’s arrest for allegedly shaking down residents and revelations that a supervisor worked an inside straight to remove $11,250 in liens on a property the supervisor owned.

Casale couldn’t get answers at commission meetings — and sniffed out that the internal code investigation was a whitewash, forcing the investigator to go back and ask questions about the two employees.

Moore created the dynamics that led to a whistleblower complaint by Jeri Pryor, the woman he hired to right the ship of Code Enforcement. Pryor accused Moore and Vice Mayor Rob Long of ordering her to go easy on some businesses or face losing her job.

An internal investigator basically found it was a he-said-she-said, she-said-he-said.

Still, the investigator recommended that Moore stop his practice of conference calls with city employees and individual members of the commission.

It was the second such investigation involving Moore after the former fire chief, Keith Tomey, accused him of making an unwanted sexual advance. The same investigator found the claims unsubstantiated. 

Tomey was fired and is suing the city.

Markert, Long and Burns

Commissioner Tom Markert — the Mr. Nice Guy on the dais — also had some criticism, handing Moore a score of 3.0. On what Moore could improve, Markert said, “Being accessible and open to feedback 24/7. And not only open to feedback but also able to professionally deal with occasional feedback that is not positive.”

Long is clearly a fan, giving Moore a perfect 5.0. In a not-so-veiled swipe at Pryor’s hiring, Long did say that Moore needs to “modify the screening/background check process when hiring director-level staff to avoid hiring individuals with questionable ethics and professional reputations.”

Commissioner Angela Burns, a former educator, gave Moore a 3.5 score. She did have positive things to say, though.

“Moore’s leadership skill and depth of knowledge have been instrumental in maintaining city operations and delivering key initiatives,” she wrote.

Moore’s management style was on display at the next commission meeting on Aug. 19, after 17 people spoke in favor of the city’s standing up to the edict by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration to pave over the LGBTQ pride intersection at Northeast Second Avenue and Northeast First Street.

Saying $60 million in state funding was at stake, Moore seemed ready to sandblast away the rainbow himself, saying the city had no choice.

Even Long, his biggest supporter, said, “Mr. Moore, respectfully, I’m not going to focus my commentary on a conciliatory gesture at this point, given that there is still an option in front of us, an option offered to us by the FDOT to go to an administrative hearing.”

By John Pacenti

Delray Beach Fire Chief Ronald Martin was investigated in August after an anonymous complaint revealed he had installed a Ring surveillance camera in his office, citing security concerns and harassment he faced following a controversial Brightline train crash that involved a city firetruck.

“I cannot continue to professionally sustain these attacks. I cannot continue to try to solve the problems and bring the organization into some semblance of compliance,” Martin told an investigator.

The investigation, conducted through recorded interviews with Martin and other fire department officials, revealed that Martin installed the camera in his office after discovering what he described as security breaches and inappropriate items — such as pornography — left in his office.

As for the investigation, Martin received counsel after he was found to have broken city policies by installing the camera.

“City’s policies prohibit the use of any video/audio-capable device within city buildings without prior authorization from the department director or city manager and consent of individuals potentially recorded,” wrote Paul Weber, a former police detective who now works for the city’s Human Resources Department.

Weber found no evidence that images were recorded or stored, but said, “The presence of a camera with video capabilities in a workplace office setting creates the risk of perceived surveillance,” he said.

Martin received “verbal counseling” regarding the incident. Mayor Tom Carney and commissioners have expressed more than once from the dais that they support Martin and the changes he is making in the department.

House on fire

Underlying the current episode of the Delray Beach Fire Rescue soap opera is pushback to reforms that Chief Martin, hired in October, has tried to instill in a department reeling from scandal after scandal.

Martin appeared to be at the end of his rope during the conversation with the investigator.

“I’m dealing with chronic AWOL in the fire department. I mean, there, there are so many issues. I’ve got an entire program that we’re lucky to this point we haven’t had a tragedy with ocean rescue,” he said.

An ocean-rescue employee, John Livingstone, wrote a very public resignation letter in June, blasting Martin, who had instituted sweeping changes in the division.

Martin said he discovered that one lifeguard engaged in verbal threats toward the public and used sexual intimidation toward fellow employees. 

He also found inappropriate relationships between ocean-rescue leadership and a nonprofit entity used for travel and training and competition, according to a June 13 letter to City Manager Terrence Moore.

And, of course, there was the fallout when a fire-rescue engineer on Dec. 28 drove an aerial ladder truck around the down railroad gates on Southeast First Avenue and was shish-kabobbed by the Brightline passenger train. 

Besides eventually firing the firefighter at the wheel, David Wyatt, the department put on administrative leave Assistant Chief Kevin Green and Division Chief Todd Lynch while the department investigated how 20 employees allowed their driver’s licenses to lapse into suspension. 

The firefighter union denounced Martin, saying the chief undermined “the fundamental principles of due process” by releasing the names of those put on leave.

Both Green and Lynch were exonerated by an internal investigation, while The Coastal Star broke the story about how Wyatt had previously driven his car into a tree on Atlantic Avenue and was investigated for DUI. He then let his license get suspended and continued driving a firetruck.

Martin also walked into the hot mess left by his predecessor, Keith Tomey, who had accused the city manager of sexual harassment. An investigator exonerated Moore. Tomey was fired and is now suing the city.

But Martin brought his own baggage. After his hiring, The Coastal Star reported that Martin had three internal complaints filed against him while he was chief of the Fort Myers Beach Fire Control District. The complaints centered on a secret affair between Martin and the fire district’s human resources manager. Martin denied any wrongdoing and said he ended up engaged to the woman.

Camera investigation

Martin told investigators looking into the Ring camera on Aug. 4 that he was a subject of harassment regarding items left in his office.

Martin explained that his concerns began on his first day of employment on Oct. 8, when he found items in his office credenza that violated city policy, including cigarettes and tobacco products. 

More troubling discoveries followed in January 2025 after the Brightline crash.

He discovered a pornographic magazine and a half-empty bottle of Maker’s Mark, Kentucky bourbon, in a bottom drawer of his desk, Martin told investigators, speculating whether the items were left by his predecessor or someone trying to set him up.

The fire chief said he frequently found his office disturbed and requested a code change to limit access to only himself, his administrative assistant, and the facilities manager. However, his security concerns persisted.

Martin said he decided to install the camera after he found his office door open after a holiday weekend, which made him fearful that someone still had access to his office.

Deputy Fire Chief Travis Franco first discovered the camera while sitting at Martin’s desk, noticing it at the northeast corner of the desk, pointing at the chair in which he was sitting.

Franco expressed surprise at the items Martin claimed to have found in his office drawers, saying that Tomey didn’t smoke and “I don’t think he was kind of a pornographic magazine kind of guy.”

Martin emphasized that the camera was placed visibly on his desk and later moved to an end table, never hidden from view. 

“The camera sends notifications to my phone when someone enters my office, but it does not record or store video,” he explained to investigators.

The fire chief’s decision to install the camera was also influenced by harassment he experienced at his personal residence following the Brightline incident. 

Martin described receiving “profane-laced correspondence put on my vehicle, at my home, calling me all kinds of names, telling me I need to go back where I am from … calling me a carpetbagger.”

Martin said he reported these incidents to Moore and then to Police Chief Russ Mager, but a formal police report was not made. 

Lifeguards reflect on secrets to success after fourth rowing title

John Livingstone, in the bow, and Justin Cattan crash through a large breaking wave during the 2025 U.S. Lifesaving Association National Lifeguard Championships in Huntington Beach, California. They won the men’s open doubles row category for the fourth year in a row and plan to go for five next year in Fort Lauderdale. Allen J. Schaben/Los Angeles Times

By Ron Hayes

Four years ago, they won first place in Hermosa Beach, California.

Three years ago, they won first place in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Last year, they won first place on San Padre Island, Texas.

And on Aug. 8, in Huntington Beach, California, Justin Cattan and John Livingstone won the National Lifeguard Championships’ men’s doubles rowing event for the fourth year in a row.

Cattan, 34, guards lives with Delray Beach Ocean Rescue. 

Livingstone, 30, resigned from the department in June but competed as an alumni in the Delray Beach chapter of the U.S. Lifesaving Association, which sponsors the annual championships.

They did not row, row, row their boat gently down a stream.

On the contrary.

•

This year, 20 teams of two men each had signed up to compete. When they saw how rough the sea was that Friday, seven teams dropped out.

Cattan and Livingstone were not among them.

The whistle blew, and 13 teams ran about 25 yards to their boats, jumped in and started rowing.

Livingstone was in the bow of their 19-foot wood and fiberglass Asay surf boat, Cattan in the stern.

The course was a semi-circle, marked by two parallel buoys offshore, about 245 feet apart, and a third at the apex, about 985 feet offshore. Cattan and Livingstone rowed around that farthest buoy, returned to shore, touched a flag, rowed around the apex and back a second time, touched the flag, then rowed out to pass the far buoy a third time.

The race was not timed, but 16 to 18 minutes later, when judges declared them the first to complete the course, Cattan and Livingstone had rowed about 6,560 feet or 1.25 miles.

“We never considered dropping out,” Cattan said. “Not to say that it wasn’t scary. We had 5- to 7-foot pounding waves.”

They also had determination, months of training and, perhaps most important of all, a friendship that began years before either man ever climbed onto a Delray Beach lifeguard stand.

•

Lifeguards aren’t needed in a January blizzard, so up North, it’s a summer job.

John Livingstone was a lifeguard for nine summer seasons in Wildwood, New Jersey. He had the town’s southernmost stand.

For 12 seasons, Justin Cattan was a lifeguard in Wildwood Crest, just below Wildwood. He had the town’s northernmost stand.

“So, my last stand in Wildwood Crest was next to Johnny’s first stand in Wildwood,” Cattan recalled. “We would assist each other on rescues, and we became friends.”

Another lifeguard friend, Mike Gibson, had visited Deerfield Beach and liked the area. In 2019, the trio rented an apartment in Delray Beach, where January blizzards are extremely rare and the lifeguard jobs are full time.

Delray Beach Ocean Rescue hired Cattan and Livingstone a week apart in February 2020.

•

The city doesn’t underwrite their expenses or provide time off to attend the USLA championships, so the local chapter raises funds to cover their travel, hotel and entry fees.

From May until race day, they trained on their own time in front of the lifeguard headquarters.

“We’d get there in the summers at 7:45 a.m., train after roll call until 8:40, then get our stuff and open our towers at 9,” Livingstone recalled. “And we can train on our lunch breaks, too. To get the time off, we use vacation time or swap our days with other lifeguards.”

•

On June 25, 2023, they volunteered for an unusually rigorous training session.

The Crossing For Cystic Fibrosis is an annual event in which paddleboarders paddle the 80 miles from Bimini in the Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach, raising money for Piper’s Angels Foundation, which assists families living with the disease. The event is primarily for paddleboarders, but Cattan and Livingstone were able to participate in a rowboat division.

Cattan, Livingstone and two other rowers, Doug Davis and J.D. Briggs, rowed for 13 hours, from midnight until 1 p.m.

“It was beautiful at night,” Livingstone recalled. “You could see all the stars, the colors of the universe almost.”

Except for one frightening encounter.

“Our guide was a 65-foot yacht out of Miami, but its radar went out and we almost got run over by a shipping freighter. We didn’t know if the ship was coming toward us or moving away. We saw a couple lights coming at us, and next thing the water’s everywhere. It was like a ghost ship coming at us.”

The Delray Beach chapter raised $10,000 for Angel’s Pipers.

•

Every rescue is different, they agree, but some are more different than others. Some are more memorable.

One evening in 2013, Livingstone, 18 at the time, was just about to break down his stand in Wildwood after a long day.

Two little girls, 7 or 8 years old, were standing in waist-deep water, not far from shore, when they were pulled into a strong northerly current carrying them toward an outflow pipe pouring rainwater into the sea.

The danger was not that they would be pulled into the pipe, as the rainwater was rushing out, but under it.

“The two of them were pretty much on top of the pipe, with a strong current under the pipe,” he recalled. “I wedged my legs under the pipe and got one girl wrapped in my red buoy flotation device and the other girl held on and just went over the pipe and floated down easy.

“It made me realize how serious this job can be.”

In 2016, Justin Cattan was already off duty one evening in Wildwood Crest when he spotted a figure running toward his stand, arms frantically waving.

Cattan and two other guards paddled out to two victims caught in a riptide.

“One guy was just in jeans and a T-shirt in waist-deep water when the riptide grabbed him. I had to dive to get him, and we gave him oxygen, and they had to take him to the hospital and pump his stomach.

“He came back the next morning to say thank you,” Cattan said, “and that almost never happens.”

•

Four years ago, a single trophy from the National Lifesaving Championships’ men’s doubles rowing event stood in the glass case full of trophies at the Delray Beach Ocean Rescue headquarters on South Ocean Boulevard.

Three years ago, there were two. Two years ago, there were three.

Now there are four trophies on display, all won by Justin Cattan and John Livingstone.

For now, Livingstone is relaxing back home in New Jersey. He may travel, and in the fall he plans to move back in with Mike Gibson, his recent roommate, in Deerfield Beach.

“I can’t see the future,” he says, “but I know I enjoy every minute lifeguarding. Justin and my success has come from a great friendship and hard work and dedication, and I couldn’t be prouder of having him for a teammate and friend.”

Cattan and his partner, Julia Sheffer, have a 9-month-old daughter named Charley. They are teaching her to call Livingstone “Uncle Johnny.”

“I’m taking it one day at a time,” Cattan says. “I’m enjoying my family and friends, so I don’t need to look too far ahead. If I can be the best teammate, partner and parent, that’s enough for me.”

Next year, the NLSA Lifeguard Championships will be held in Fort Lauderdale, to mark the 100th anniversary of that city’s Ocean Rescue.

Cattan and Livingstone plan to be there too, rowing toward a fifth trophy.

In the end, though, the trophies are nice and friendships are precious, but saving lives is always a deadly serious job.

“You’re there on people’s best days,” Livingstone said, “and you’re there on what could be the last day of their life.” 

By Mary Hladky

Boca Raton City Council member Yvette Drucker has dropped her bid for a state Senate seat to run for Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller in the November 2026 election.

Drucker’s Aug. 21 announcement came shortly after Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Republican state Rep. Mike Caruso to replace Democrat Joe Abruzzo, who had served as clerk and comptroller since 2020. Abruzzo was selected by Palm Beach County commissioners in June to be the county administrator.

Caruso, of Delray Beach, has said he will run to retain the position in the 2026 election. The DeSantis ally is the first Republican to hold the job.

Drucker, a Democrat and former deputy mayor, had joined the 2026 race to succeed term-limited state Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boca Raton, in May and would have faced state Rep. David Silvers, D-Lake Clarke Shores, in the Democratic primary.

“I am proud of my reputation for commonsense approaches to major issues, managing relationships across the political aisle, and working with partners across municipal bodies,” Drucker said in her announcement.

“Serving as Clerk would allow me to continue that work on a broader scale by ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, services are delivered efficiently, and county government remains transparent and accessible.”

She praised Abruzzo, who she said has “set a powerful example of what good government looks like, and I hope to continue his legacy of strong fiscal management. That includes preserving Palm Beach County’s role as the largest investor of Israel bonds in the world, which reflects both our shared values and our commitment to smart, long-term investments.”

Drucker was elected to the nonpartisan City Council in 2021 and won reelection with 77% of the vote in March. She is term-limited from running again.

She is a first-generation Cuban American who had worked at ADP TotalSource, focusing on compliance, human resources and strategic management. She also is a longtime volunteer with many organizations, including the Junior League of Boca Raton.

She currently serves on the executive board of the Palm Beach County Transportation Planning Agency and is involved with the Florida League of Cities and National League of Cities.

Caruso, a certified public accountant, won House District 89 in 2018 by a scant 32 votes and cruised to reelection with 56% of the vote two years later. The district then included the barrier island from Boca Raton north to Singer Island.

After district boundaries were redrawn for 2022, Caruso shifted to District 87, which includes Manalapan, Lantana and South Palm Beach. He again won handily with 59% of the vote.

During his seven years in the House, Caruso was most proud of his efforts to clean up the sober home industry, fight antisemitism and advance tort reform to stabilize the insurance industry.

“I look forward to bringing the same dedication, integrity, and results-driven approach I’ve shown in the legislature to the Clerk’s Office,” Caruso said. “Palm Beach County deserves the most transparent, efficient, and fraud-free system of public service.”

Caruso’s wife, Tracy, mounted an unsuccessful campaign to become Delray Beach mayor in 2021 and had already announced her intention to run for her husband’s House seat next year.

By Rich Pollack

DELRAY BEACH — Tony Allerton lived a good life — and helped thousands of others do the same. 

Best known in Delray Beach as the longtime executive director of The Crossroads Club, Mr. Allerton shepherded the organization for decades as it grew to host more than 700 people a day in 12-step programs. He died Sept. 1, a few weeks shy of his 97th birthday.

A resident of Delray Beach since the late 1950s, Mr. Allerton was long synonymous with The Crossroads Club, yet many who were greeted with a friendly assurance by “the old guy by the door” never knew the powerful positive impact he had on the recovery community. 

And he preferred it that way. Described by people familiar with his work as a “beacon of hope for others,” Mr. Allerton knew firsthand how difficult overcoming addiction could be.  

A recovering alcoholic who grew up with two alcoholic parents, he spent most of his first 54 years drinking. He spent the last 43 years avoiding alcohol and making sure there was a safe place for those who went through the same battles he did. He continued to go to work at Crossroads almost every day, well into his 90s.

In a 2018 interview with Delray Beach magazine, Mr. Allerton talked about how glad he was to have a chance to be a positive force. 

“The fact that the good Lord allowed me to be an integral part of the recovery effort in Delray Beach is a blessing,” he said. “It’s given me an opportunity to see people who are struggling with addiction and watch them be reborn.” 

Mr. Allerton is survived by his daughters Tracy Allerton and Mitchell “Mimi” Allerton; his son, Colby Allerton; his son’s wife, Nina; and two grandchildren, Zachary and June.

Mr. Allerton was proudest of his family, but he was also proud of the 40-year coin he earned three years ago signifying his sobriety. 

Mr. Allerton was also an active member of the community over the years — first as a successful stockbroker and later as a real estate agent. 

He served as president or in a leadership role of nonprofit organizations including the Delray Beach Rotary Club, the Delray Beach Playhouse, the Lake Ida Property Owners Association and of course, The Crossroads Club. He was also chairman of the Delray Beach Drug Task Force, the Delray Beach Community Chest and treasurer of the Drug Abuse Foundation.

Born George Milton Allerton IV on Sept. 23, 1928, in Waterbury, Connecticut, to a long-established family, his early ancestors were among those who came over on the Mayflower. He was a proud descendent of Noah Webster, best known for creating Webster’s Dictionary. 

Mr. Allerton attended the Taft private school and Georgetown University, where he graduated with a degree in business administration. He played hockey while at Georgetown and was on the tennis and golf teams. 

He joined the U.S. Navy in 1950, serving as a lieutenant on the USS Mullany, a destroyer.

His quick wit, mischievous streak and contagious laugh were trademarks, but those who know him best say that his most important trait was making those around him feel special. 

“I think the secret to his longevity was that he has found his true calling and has been able to fashion a life for himself that fulfills that calling on his own terms,” his daughter Tracy said in a 2018 Coastal Star story. “I watch him and marvel at what a difference one person can make in so many lives.”

A service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Sept. 10 at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church, 840 George Bush Blvd. Donations in his name can be sent to The Crossroads Club, 1700 Lake Ida Road, Delray Beach, FL 33445.

By Henry Fitzgerald

The Coastal Star won nine first-place awards at the recent Florida Press Association ceremony, including the top award for general excellence at the highest level — Division A — for weekly and monthly newspapers with circulations of over 15,000.

“This one says the most,” Editor Larry Barszewski said in an email to the staff. “It’s a team effort and the paper our staff puts out was deemed the best. You all had a hand in this one.”

The newspaper offers “excellent news writing/reporting” … “good arts/events stories” … “news/features seem well sourced,” and “most [stories] have reader-engagement qualities,” according to the judges.

The Coastal Star also won a second-place award and three third-place awards. The awards were for work done in 2024 and were presented at an Aug. 1 ceremony in Charlotte Harbor on the state’s Gulf Coast.

The eight remaining first-place awards (with judge comments in quotes) are:

Investigative reporting (Claudia Ross Memorial Award): Condo costs: A Sudden Storm, by writers Rich Pollack, Mary Hladky, Brian Biggane and photographer Tim Stepien.
“An interesting investigative piece regarding condos and insurance in Southern Florida. As someone who frequents the area, I found this extremely interesting.”

General news (and the Gwen Stevenson Memorial Award): Ocean Ridge: For irate owner wrongly forced to trim hedges, apology doesn’t cut it, by John Pacenti.
“The ‘Hedge War of 2024’ is amazing in that it is a NIMBY issue if there ever was. Yet, Mr. Pacenti found a way to make readers care about Jay Wallshein’s clusia hedges and his ultimate battle against a sham local ordinance. Then it goes further, with a police report and changes to local code. Kudos!”

Feature story, non-profile: Formerly known as Crisis Line, 211 is here to help with housing, health care, transportation — or just to be a willing listener, by Ron Hayes.
“The combination of facts, figures, and personal narratives makes this story both informative and emotionally compelling. The story of the volunteer saving a woman’s life by having her tap on the phone as he listed locations was something that will not be easy to forget!”

Roads & transportation: Crash deepens cries for safer A1A, by The Coastal Star staff.
“[The writers pull] the reader into the scene of the crash with the writing. Plenty of descriptive details, great supporting art, and most importantly, the personal quote factor — all of these elements combined made this the clear winner. Overall, great job by The Coastal Star and its writers for bringing attention to the need for safer roads, especially A1A.”

Online breaking news coverage: Lantana woman driving SUV crashes into A1A cyclists and A1A bike club ‘tragedy’ leaves couple fighting for their lives, by Anne Geggis.
Arts, entertainment & review reporting: Rising prices for cocktails causing a stir; bar owners explain why you pay for quality, by Jan Norris. “I bet a lot of people wonder why that drink they bought cost so much. This writer explains it very well.”

Business reporting: Predatory parking: Drivers stunned by bills from private lots; new state law aims for clearer experience, by Charles Elmore and Anne Geggis.
“This story addressed a problem the community cares about, explains what is happening and addresses what is being done. It’s thoroughly reported and well done.”

Outdoor & recreation: Hypoluxo Island: Boaters win fight to keep Intracoastal access, by Mary Thurwachter.
“This competition judging comes down to the lede. This is fantastic. Well-researched piece, thoughtful interviews. Writing shows thoughtfulness in regards to area residents and outlines action. Well done.”

The second-place award is:

Local government reporting: Delray Beach: Split between factions leaving its mark on commission campaigns, by Anne Geggis.

The third-place awards are:

Serious column (three topics): Battles over home size; Boynton Inlet area is risky; and If you love your neighbor, consider yourself lucky, by Executive Editor Mary Kate Leming.

In-depth reporting (non-investigative): “I’ve never been in any water like that” and What it’s like being caught by a panic-inducing rip current, by John Pacenti.

Agricultural and environmental reporting: Is more silence blowin’ in the wind? by John Pacenti, about noisy leaf blowers.

DELRAY BEACH — Morgan Niles Russell, a force to be reckoned with, died Aug. 14 in Trustbridge Hospice. He was 79.

Mr. Russell took pride in the role he played in the development of the city’s Pineapple Grove section and he created a charity that provided college educations to dozens of students.

He was born to Frank M. “Scoop” Russell and Marian Phebe Gale Russell on Jan. 9, 1946, in Washington, D.C. His sibling, Gale Russell Nash, preceded him in death.   

Mr. Russell leaves behind the love of his life, wife Brenda Keith Russell; his twins, Vivienne and Wyatt Russell; stepsons Matt Keith of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Mike (Natalie) Keith of Hobe Sound, and Andrew (Lauren) Keith of Niceville; grandchildren Blakely, Noah, Nori, Bryson, Braelyn, Zack and Zoey Keith; nephews Matt Russell Holberton of New York City and Ted Russell Nash of Denver; and niece Lexi Holberton Wight of Concord, Massachusetts.

Having accomplished many of his professional goals at 65, Mr. Russell then fathered twins, Vivienne and Wyatt. 

A few years later, he sought someone to spend the rest of his life with, and shared a first date with Brenda Keith. Hearing that he had children, Brenda asked, “What university do they go to?” Blown away by the answer, “They’re in Pre-K 3,” Brenda flew back to Baton Rouge. “I did not feel we would be a match because I was too old to help raise little ones.” 

But Mr. Russell enjoyed his time with the twins, teaching them to swim, play ball, ride bikes and ski. Brenda, coaxed back to Delray Beach, became their stepmom and blended her family with Mr. Russell’s.

Matt Keith said that Mr. Russell “immediately considered me and my brothers as his own family and treated us as such. He had a great sense of humor and kept the entire room laughing out loud.”

Mr. Russell loved the “Village by the Sea,” and purchased a shopping center on the corner of Linton Boulevard and Federal Highway. His next purchase was a shopping center on Northeast Second Avenue. Mr. Russell, in partnership with Scott Porten, created “City Walk.” His true passion would be developing Second Avenue, which eventually became Pineapple Grove. 

Ultimately, Mr. Russell sold his holdings and bought a shopping center in Tequesta. When Mr. Russell sold his final center to enjoy life, his health was failing, and he could not fully enjoy retirement. Yet his great sense of humor buoyed him until the end. 

Mr. Russell helped many of his tenants and became close with Christina from Christina’s Restaurant, Suzanne from Brulee, Joseph from Joseph’s Restaurant, Tony from Lanzetta’s, and many more tenants. Many others supported him: Dwight Tidwell, Pete Bonitatibus, Mike Simon, Chris Burr, Richard Heinl, Therese, Betty, Sharon, Luanne, James, Ellen, his loving caregiver, and more.  

His self-funded charity, Dare2BGreat, put 40 students through college.

Mike Keith recalled, “He was humble, generous, and always put the needs of others above his own.” 

Andrew Keith remembered his best life lesson: “We learned never to take life too seriously and to always let the positive come first, and embrace the beauty of life with friends and family.”  

Mr. Russell’s life will be celebrated from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 7 at Rose’s Daughter, 169 NE Second Ave., Delray Beach.

— Submitted by the family

By Hannah Spence

The clock is ticking for South Palm Beach to devise its plan for where town offices will operate and council meetings will take place while a new Town Hall is under construction.

Although Town Manager Jamie Titcomb is confident that workers will be able to stay in the current Town Hall until the end of March, he now must figure out where staff will relocate and the Town Council hold its meetings during construction. 

“Everything will be modified because it will have to be,” said Titcomb. During the council’s Aug. 11 budget workshop, he said he was working on an agreement with surrounding communities to use their facilities to hold formal assemblies like council meetings, which should be possible as long as South Palm Beach’s meetings do not conflict with another community’s own meeting schedule. 

But there’s more work that needs to be done before the town will know when any relocations will take place.

“Until we get hard timelines from the architects and engineers as to when we need to do X, Y or Z, it’s hard for us to set a start date and a duration date,” Titcomb said.

“The plan doesn’t really change; it’s the timelines that are still somewhat malleable from this point forward,” he said. 

Titcomb said the town may be able to have a trailer office or another type of presence either at the site or next to it during the construction. The latter would require an agreement with a neighboring condominium to provide temporary space while the project is under way. 

Although Titcomb said options are limited, he’s hoping the town wouldn’t have to go farther than the neighboring communities of Manalapan, Lantana and Lake Worth Beach in finding relocation space.

“If we go much beyond that, the cost benefit ratio starts to become less and less desirable for the town because of the demographics and the efforts that are required in order to get people to whatever we are staging,” he said. 

Besides government activities, Town Hall is used for community activities such as exercise classes and art shows. Whether those will be able to continue during construction will depend on factors such as the number of participants and how reasonable it is to have the activities put on somewhere nearby.

“It is also likely that we would just suspend certain kinds of programming until we are ready to host it ourselves again, so that we don’t incur large costs,” Titcomb said. 

By Hannah Spence

While South Palm Beach executed a professional agreement with consulting engineering and surveying company Mock Roos & Associates in April to build a new lift station, the project isn’t expected to be finished until 2028.

Officials say the delay is because construction will be done only from May through October, avoiding the busier snowbird and tourist season, and because the town faces extended lead times to obtain some of the critical equipment needed for the project. 

The lift station, the only piece of public property in town besides Town Hall, was constructed about 60 years ago and has not been renovated since the 1990s. Part of the work will be to raise the elevation of critical equipment. New Federal Emergency Management Agency flood insurance rate maps increased the required base flood elevations for much of coastal Palm Beach County.  

“The rehabilitated lift station will ensure reliable wastewater collection and transmission for the Town of South Palm Beach, protecting public health and the environment,” said Senior Project Manager John Cairnes in an email responding to questions from The Coastal Star. “By upgrading aging infrastructure and incorporating modern flood protection measures, the project will improve resilience, reduce the risk of service interruptions during storms, and provide long-term reliability for both residents and visitors.”

The work will be done in five phases. A condition assessment is to be completed in September and will be followed by engineering design and permitting, bidding the work, construction engineering, and other engineering services. 

By John Pacenti

Ocean Ridge is full speed ahead on replacing the town’s aging water pipes.

The Ocean Ridge Town Commission approved $1.9 million for the next phase of the water main infrastructure project spanning Ocean Avenue to Thompson Street, which has long-standing issues with water pressure and compromised fire protection capabilities.

The commission approved a motion at its Aug. 4 meeting to enter into a contract with Johnson-Davis Inc. as the lead design-build contractor for the Phase 4 water main modernization project.

The commission also passed a motion to move ahead with the Hudson Avenue sea wall. As of now, it will be a traditional sea wall, while staff continues to look into a living sea wall option that incorporates new technology with natural fauna.

Commissioner Carolyn Cassidy said she has been in touch with Texas-based Shoreline Erosion Control Solutions, which proposed the living sea wall, and was told it was still waiting on permitting by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

State Sen. Lori Berman also spoke at the August meeting, saying $600,000 for the town’s water main replacement program was unexpectedly vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. “I still think it’s a project worth pursuing,” Berman said, recommending the town reapply in the next legislative session.

The Police Department also asked for a new off-road vehicle and a fully equipped police patrol vehicle. Additionally, the department is pursuing a comprehensive public safety software upgrade estimated at approximately $284,000.

Chief Scott McClure said that currently two companies provide the department’s computer dispatch and its records management system. “And they don’t talk to each other,” he said of the two systems. McClure is asking that the expenditure be added to the fiscal year 2026 budget.

Town Manager Michelle Heiser highlighted a significant grant victory — a $250,000 award from the state Division of Emergency Management to harden Town Hall. The grant will pay for window and door replacements and roof improvements, reducing the $590,000 project cost by nearly half.

The town is also navigating complex legislative preemptions affecting municipal operations.

Town Attorney Christy Goddeau noted new state regulations affecting areas like artificial turf installation — such as drainage requirements — for single-family residences and substantial improvement thresholds for construction projects.

Michelle Hagerty practices with her dance partner, Jan Clancy, at Fred Astaire Dance Studios in Boca Raton for the 18th annual Boca’s Ballroom Battle. She’ll be competing against seven other community leaders and their dance partners for the coveted Mirror Ball Trophy. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

After months of lessons and fundraising, Michelle Hagerty will surely glide over the dance floor with grace at the 18th annual Boca’s Ballroom Battle Sept. 20 in The Boca Raton’s Grand Ballroom. With this year’s theme “British Invasion,” the event is the George Snow Scholarship Fund’s largest annual fundraiser.

Competing against seven other community leaders and their dance partners, Hagerty and Jan Clancy from Fred Astaire Dance Studios of Boca Raton are vying for the Mirror Ball Trophy. 

“We practice our routine three times a week,” she said, adding that while a choreographer came up with their routine, she was able to choose her music — but at this point, it’s a secret. 

“This is my first time ever ballroom dancing,” she said. “And I do have a newfound respect for ballroom dancers. It’s difficult but a lot of fun. We are having a great time.”

She will look the part, too, she said. “They custom-made an outfit for me. It’s absolutely gorgeous and bedazzled. I feel like I’m on Dancing With The Stars.”

The George Snow Scholarship Fund, which provides educational grants and support services to students within the community, was established as a memorial to Snow, a Boca Raton developer who disappeared over the Bahamas while in a helicopter in 1980. 

“My family and friends of my father at that time generously contributed to the formation of this organization,” said the organization’s president and Snow’s son, Tim Snow.  

Since its inception, the fund has awarded more than $37 million in educational grants, and this dance event has been a successful fundraiser toward that end, he said. The event is already sold out and 900 guests are expected to attend. 

“We are hoping it will bring in $1.8 million. That would be a record year for us; $1.3 million, raised in 2023, is our record.”  

Hagerty explained that dancing is just part of each competitor’s efforts, because the dancer who has raised the most money will win the Mirror Ball Trophy.

“I am asking my family and friends to sponsor my dancing in whatever way they can,” she said. Tickets are sold out, but people can still donate directly, or buy a raffle ticket or an ad in the program at ballroombattle.com.

Now that the big day is drawing near, Hagerty, 45, does admit that she’ll be “100% glad when it is over. I’m having so much fun and I love learning a new skill, but it’s very intense. But I’ll also miss it.” 

A dedicated philanthropist, she’s been busy. While revving up for the big dance, she recently donated $2 million to the Palm Beach County Food Bank in support of its community kitchen.

Youth wellness and sports are her favorite causes. “I believe every child deserves the chance to feel included, supported and confident. Sports have the power to teach discipline, teamwork and resilience — skills that can change the course of a child’s life. I would never be able to choose just one cause that I care deeply about.” 

At the top of her list are the Palm Beach County Food Bank, Sweet Dream Makers, Place of Hope, the George Snow Scholarship Fund, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County. 

“Each of these organizations addresses a critical need in our community, from feeding families to giving children a safe place to grow and learn. Supporting them allows me to help create opportunities and hope for those who need it most,” Hagerty said.

So what’s next after Hagerty catches her breath? In addition to being mom to Oliver, 16, and Ella, 14, she will continue to be involved with their school, St. Andrew’s, as well as with various charities in Boca Raton and the county. 

She also enjoys running and loves starting her mornings outside. “It’s my time to recharge, clear my head, and set the tone for the day,” she says.

— Christine Davis

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

A: I grew up in Maine and attended the University of Southern Maine. Growing up in a small, close-knit community taught me the value of hard work, humility and looking out for others — lessons that continue to shape how I approach philanthropy and giving back to my community today.

Q: What professions have you worked in? What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

A: I began my career in New York City in advertising sales before moving to Florida, where I served as vice president of Florida sales for White Rock Distilleries. I’m proud of the relationships I built and the leadership skills I developed, but I’m even prouder of how that experience gave me the confidence to pivot toward philanthropy and focus on making an impact in my community.

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

A: Choose something that excites you, not just something that looks good on paper. Be curious, work hard, and don’t be afraid to take risks or change paths — you learn the most from the pivots.

Q: How did you choose to make your home in Boca Raton?

A: We (she and her husband, Michael) chose coastal Boca Raton because it felt like the perfect place to raise a family. The schools, the sense of community, and the opportunity to be involved in causes that matter to me made it an easy decision.

Q: What is your favorite part about living in Boca Raton?

A: I love the sense of connection here. Boca is full of families who care deeply about their community, and it’s a place where I can be fully immersed in the organizations and causes that are closest to my heart.

Q: What book are you reading now?

A: The Power of Giving Away Power by Matthew Barzun. It’s a wonderful reminder of how leadership and generosity are deeply connected.

Q: What music do you listen to when you need inspiration? When you want to relax?

A: When I need inspiration, I love anything upbeat and empowering — something that lifts my energy. I run with music every morning and it is usually something from the ’90s. You really can’t beat ’90s hip hop.   

Q: Do you have a favorite quote that inspires your decisions?

A: “To whom much is given, much is expected.” It reminds me every day that generosity isn’t just a choice, it’s a responsibility.

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

A: Yes, I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who taught me the importance of leading with kindness and purpose. Their example encouraged me to use my time and resources to create opportunities for others. This community has had many philanthropic women that have paved the path for me to follow in their footsteps.

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

A: Reese Witherspoon — she brings warmth, energy and a little humor to everything she does, which feels like the perfect fit.

If You Go

What: 18th annual Boca’s Ballroom Battle

Where: Grand Ballroom at The Boca Raton, 501 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton 

When: Doors open at 6 p.m., event begins at 7 p.m. Sept. 20

Why: Fundraiser for the George Snow Scholarship Fund

Tickets: Sold out,  but you can support your favorite dancer and the George Snow Scholarship Fund by making a donation online even if you can’t attend. 

Info: ballroombattle.com