The Delray Beach City Commission, at its Oct. 14 meeting, approved a $28.5 million contract with NMP Golf Construction Corporation to renovate the city’s historic municipal golf course, originally opened in 1926.

The course is one of few in the country featuring designs by both Donald Ross and Dick Wilson, renowned golf architects. The project will restore the nine original holes designed by Ross. The course grew to 18 holes in 1950, with the addition of the holes designed by Wilson. 

The renovation will include new practice facilities, an updated irrigation system, improved parking, bridge replacements, a new maintenance barn, and cart paths. The golf course will close on Nov. 3, with the driving range remaining partially open. 

The clubhouse will stay open until Jan. 3, when it closes for renovations. The course and clubhouse are expected to reopen in November 2026.

Public Works Director Missie Barletto highlighted the project’s significance, noting NMP Golf Construction’s extensive experience with over 300 golf course projects nationwide, including recent work at Quail Ridge in Boynton Beach and the Waldorf Astoria in Orlando.

The comprehensive renovation aims to restore the course to its original design while adding modern amenities, preserving its unique architectural heritage.

At their Oct. 21 meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a $33 million bond issuance for the renovation, marking a significant milestone after years of delays.

Financial adviser Jay Glover from PFM told commissioners the bonds would be sold competitively in November, with the city maintaining its strong credit ratings.

“I’m just thrilled we’re getting it moving,” Mayor Tom Carney said, noting the project’s lengthy journey. “They won’t let me play there anymore because I am not a good golfer, and after the renovations, they’re not going to want me out there again to re-divot the entire place for them.”

— John Pacenti

Delray Beach is warning that an email scam targeting residents, developers and others looking to get on the agenda of the Planning & Zoning Board has been detected.

Anthea Gianniotes, Development Services director, revealed during the Oct. 20 board meeting that scammers are sending emails impersonating department staff, claiming recipients must pay outstanding fees to remain on meeting agendas.

“Some of our customers are getting emails that say they’re from us, and in order to remain on the agenda, you need to remit some outstanding fee in several thousands of dollars,” she said.

She emphasized that the department will never request payments through Venmo or demand last-minute fees. 

“These emails contain typos and mistakes, but could easily trick someone not familiar with the department’s processes,” Gianniotes said.

This is the second such targeting of Development Services customers, underscoring the growing threat of digital impersonation scams, Gianniotes said. 

The department has already taken preventive measures, including removing staff email addresses and phone numbers from public agendas. The legal team is actively investigating the attacks, which Gianniotes noted have become easier with advancing artificial intelligence.

• Development Services customers are advised to:

• Verify any suspicious emails with their project planner.

• Forward fraudulent emails to Development Services.

• Never pay unexpected fees without direct confirmation.

— John Pacenti

Police seek volunteers — The Delray Beach Police Department is encouraging residents to become members of one of its volunteer patrol teams. The teams act as goodwill ambassadors by welcoming visitors and residents alike and answering questions people may have. 

Some teams patrol Atlantic Avenue from Swinton Avenue east to the beach. Other locations include shopping centers along Linton Boulevard and along the east side of Military Trail from Linton Boulevard to Lake Ida Road.

Volunteers must be at least 19 years old, fill out an application and submit fingerprints for a background check. Patrol shifts are from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and then from 1 to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

The program is run by Barry Tantleff, who holds the title of volunteer major. For more information, contact Tantleff at 561-243-7869.

— Larry Barszewski

The Pride intersection in Delray Beach in August, before it was painted over by FDOT. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

By John Pacenti

After Gov. Ron DeSantis declared war on painted intersections and crosswalks statewide, Delray Beach began exploring ways to honor its LGBTQ community in a different way after it saw its Pride intersection eradicated by the state Department of Transportation. 

After giving up its fight with the state over the intersection in September — only after the state had come in on two consecutive nights to paint over and then sandblast the rainbow colors from the city-owned streets — the City Commission held two meetings about what would replace the intersection. A community engagement forum took place on Oct. 1 and a workshop on Oct. 14.

Yet, the city is nowhere near a solution.

“I want to let the community kind of decide what they want,” Mayor Tom Carney said.

He then opened up the forum for public input. It did not go well.

Some residents urged the commissioners not to spend any taxpayer money on a Pride symbol, whether it be street signs, banners, a mural, or even a sculpture to replace the iconic and beloved rainbow-painted intersection at Northeast Second Avenue and Northeast First Street in downtown’s Pineapple Grove.

After hearing some of these objections, resident Nicholas Coppola — a member of the Palm Beach County Human Rights Council — told commissioners, “I could assure you, Jesus would approve of the flag, the rainbow flag, because it is inclusive. It welcomes everybody.”

A man in the commission chambers then shouted, “Not true at all!”

So much for love your neighbor. 

Countering Coppola during public comments, resident Steve Blum said, “How much longer are we going to discuss this issue? And the gentleman who came up and said all the Jews would like it (the rainbow intersection). Bullshit. They wouldn’t like it. OK? They don’t care about it.”

Carney corrected Blum: “I don’t think he mentioned Jews. I think he said, ‘Jesus.’”

Though, if the mayor considered it, Jesus was Jewish.

The two meetings took place after the commission, which briefly considered taking DeSantis to court in September before backtracking, instead decided that the city would replace the intersection with another symbol celebrating LGBTQ residents.

Whose dollars, property?

The original rainbow intersection had been paid for through $16,000 from the Human Rights Council in 2021, and much of the debate at the commission workshop focused on whether the city or the private sector should pay for what comes next.

Vice Mayor Rob Long said that he would compromise on the private funding route but would not relent on the symbol, whatever it may be, being on public property.

“We lost something that was on public property,” he said. “If it’s not on public property, then we are not doing anything. And to me, that’s not what we discussed.”

Commissioner Juli Casale said if the new Pride symbol is on public property, the city could still find itself in the crosshairs of DeSantis or GOP lawmakers who have shown animus toward the LGBTQ community. 

“We still expose ourselves if this is on public property,” she said. “I think that the best thing to do is to allow the private funders and the private property owners to work together to figure out a way.”

Some public comments at the workshop argued against a new Pride symbol, saying it prioritized the LGBTQ community over, say, veterans and “Christian and faith-based communities.”

Resident Connor Corzine called out the hypocrisy of not only those critics but some commissioners, as well: “We have a 100-foot Christmas tree. Is that publicly funded completely? We have a St. Patty’s Day Parade. Is that publicly funded completely?  We have Veterans Park. Is that a publicly funded Veterans Park?” 

The Coastal Star has moved to our new office on A1A, 4600 N. Ocean Blvd., Suite 102, Boynton Beach, FL 33435. The entrance is to the right, at the building's north end.

A couple of months ago, I was bemoaning the fact that we were going to have to move our office to a new location. Our landlord had different plans for our comfortable space, and we were no longer part of them.  

For the third time in 16 years, I was about to rent a truck and help move the computers, chairs, file cabinets and countless records that go with running a small business. 

I knew it would be a simple move, just a few blocks south to a slightly nicer office. At least it would be easy to tell a guest that we are now just across the street from Nomad Surf Shop on State Road A1A.

In the same time frame, I was also reminded of changes shared by a couple of old newspaper friends. Their big-city paper was about to stop its printed edition after 157 years, and continues to trim the staff to be “online only.” I'm grateful The Coastal Star is still able to publish both in print and online.

Reasons to be thankful
I am thankful that we had our last office for more than a dozen years in a building that Matt Gracey owns. A generous and tolerant landlord, he embraced our newspaper’s mission in the community — and our casual office decor. We wish him luck as he pursues his artistic talents and converts our old space into his painting workshop.

As I helped unpack boxes into the new office, our reporters, editors and ad sales staff were all striving to complete their parts in the jigsaw puzzle that makes our community newspaper.

I am thankful to be surrounded by such a talented group of professionals who embrace our shared mission of presenting some of the most accurate and balanced journalism in the state.

During the move, I was working on the display of the stories in this month’s Philanthropy Season Preview, an uncomfortable reminder of the tremendous needs of some people in our community — but also a heart-warming testament to the generosity of our neighbors.  

I am thankful, and happy, to publish a newspaper that honors philanthropy — promoting charitable giving well beyond my own family’s modest means.

So, as we head into November, the month of Thanksgiving, I am thankful for all this and more.

— Jerry Lower,
Publisher

Show your support for Delray Beach’s first responders this season by joining Chuck Halberg and friends for the 11th annual Delray Beach Citizens Thanksgiving Day Dinner Distribution for Fire & Police. 

Halberg, president of Delray Citizens for Delray Police and owner of Stuart & Shelby Home Builders in the city, rallies the community to pack up complete turkey dinners from the Boys Farmers Market and deliver them to five fire stations, plus one to Ocean Rescue and two meals to the Delray Beach Police Department (one for each shift).

“Sliced turkey, stuffing, potatoes, green beans, pies, drinks, plates, we give them everything,” Halberg said.

It’s “a community thing” that started with cookies years ago, Halberg said. When he delivered the cookies, the firefighters were cooking their own Thanksgiving meal. 

“I thought it was kind of crazy that they had to cook,” he said. So, the next year, Halberg decided to do it for them. 

His tiny idea has blossomed. In 2024, Halberg raised $16,000 from 160 local families and businesses. These days, donations exceed costs so any overage goes to local charities that help feed people. 

These include Eat Better Live Better, a nonprofit that provides access to fresh produce, healthy groceries and nutrition education, and Emanuel “Dupree” Jackson’s EJS Project’s annual Thanksgiving Drive-Through Giveaway that distributes turkeys and food baskets to local families.

 The balance goes to the Delray Beach Police Department’s annual toy drive. 

“Last year we had 24 cars in the caravan. I would love to have 50 or 60 people show up to deliver, to show our support for police and fire because they are key to our city,” Halberg said.  

A donation of $100 is requested and those who donate are invited to deliver meals to first responders on Thanksgiving Day. The parade of cars will leave from a central location at noon Nov. 27 and visit seven sites where everyone helps unload the goodies. 

It’s a great time to show your appreciation for the people who serve the city every day, Halberg said. The caravan finishes up around 2 p.m. 

Donations can be made by Venmo to @Charles-Halberg or by Zelle to 561-809-1266. 

Checks should be made out to Chuck Halberg and mailed or dropped off at Stuart & Shelby Development, 1116 SW 10th Ave. Suite C, Delray Beach, FL 33444. 

For more information, check Halberg’s Facebook page at facebook.com/chuck.halberg or call him at 561-809-1266. 

— Janis Fontaine

Gail Speckamp of South Palm Beach holds a photo of her late husband, Rudy, a Vietnam veteran, alongside a table of her creations. Speckamp bakes for hospitalized veterans on an almost daily basis as her way of showing appreciation for their sacrifices. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Rich Pollack

For many at the VA hospital in West Palm Beach, the homemade cookies, tarts and occasional pie slices offered up at celebrations and special events serve as a reminder that the veterans are not forgotten.

For Gail Speckamp, making the sweet treats is a reason to get up every morning.

Trapped in her home by the pairing of a bacteria-driven disease and a severe immune deficiency that makes coming in contact with another person perilous, Speckamp is the founder of Baking for Veterans, a nonprofit she started to give back to vets like her husband, who suffered from a Vietnam War-related illness that led to his death in 2017.

“It was meant to be,” she says of her decision right after the pandemic to start baking for vets. “God gives everyone special gifts; mine is baking.”

Baking for veterans, she says, is her way of showing her appreciation for the service they gave to the country but also to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Speckamp is provided with full benefits — including coverage of costly medical treatments — in large part because she is the widow of a Marine who died from war-related injuries.

The decision to start baking for veterans, she said, was born out of her determination to not just sit at home and be unproductive.

“I had to think of something to do in order to stay busy,” she said. “That’s when I came up with the idea of baking.”

Brainstorming with a few of her neighbors at their Dune Deck Condominiums in South Palm Beach, Speckamp arranged to have supplies delivered to her door and baked goods picked up by a gentleman who works at the VA hospital.

Soon the head of volunteer services at the hospital reached out to Speckamp asking her to bake for celebrations and special events, sometimes requesting as many as several hundred baked goods at a time.

That turned out not to be a problem for Speckamp, who is not your average at-home baker. She and her late husband, Rudy, owned a restaurant in Maryland for more than 20 years. Speckamp was the perfect sidekick to Rudy, a master chef who was later recruited to train others.

Speckamp, 73, is quick to reject the label of pastry chef — something she isn’t — but her baking skills bring her pretty close.

Among her creations, some based on Rudy’s recipes, others collected over the years, are Romeo and Juliet cookies with grated parmesan cheese, guava paste and chocolate chips, and chocolate chow mein cookies. She even adds an occasional cheese cake or Key lime pie to the mix.

“They’re all delicious, one after the other,” says neighbor Reinette Saleeby, who serves as taste tester along with one of the staff members at the condo. “Her banana bread is just so delicious and natural.”

All Speckamp’s creations — including dog treats — are made with natural ingredients.

“She makes everything like she is making them for kings and queens,” Saleeby said.

Speckamp doesn’t just bake the sweet creations; she is also a master of packaging. All of her offerings are individually packaged with a label that lists the name of the item and all of the ingredients.

The labels also note that the sweets are made in a “cottage food operation,” meaning they are not made in a commercial kitchen and are low-risk foods not requiring refrigeration.

“She loves to bake and she loves when the veterans love it,” said Saleeby, who has bestowed the moniker “The Queen of Love and Giving” upon her friend and neighbor.

She says that baking does wonders for Speckamp, who could easily spend her days thinking about the challenges ahead. Instead, she thinks about what creation will come up next.

“Baking is helping her in such an extraordinary way,” Saleeby said. “It gives her a purpose.”

Speckamp had been baking for veterans for a year or so before she decided to launch her nonprofit organization to help offset the cost, which she estimated to be about $1,000 a month.

The organization has a website: bakingforveterans.org.

Speckamp says that once she accepted that her ability to leave her condo was limited, she focused on what she could do.

“Now I get up every morning and say, ‘What am I baking today?’” 

NOMINATE SOMEONE TO BE A COASTAL STAR
Send a note to news@thecoastalstar.com or call 561-337-1553.

Town challenges state’s sand transfer plant plan — When it comes to the sand transfer plant in Manalapan, it might as well be a four-letter word. Many in town blame the plant at the Boynton Inlet for depleting the town’s beaches as it sends sand south — though it’s a matter very much up for debate.

Now Manalapan is asking for an administrative hearing after the Florida Department of Environmental Protection moved to renew a 10-year agreement with Palm Beach County without consulting the town.

Town Manager Eric Marmer said at the commission’s Oct. 14 meeting that a resident alerted the town to FDEP’s unilateral move to proceed with the plan. In response, the town will seek a stay to evaluate the proposed agreement, he said.

“We talked to them. I thought they were gonna include us more. They did not,” Marmer said.  

“They were trying to negotiate something that was less formal, but I’m not really happy with the fact that they were doing that without consulting us at all,” he added.

Even though the sand transfer plant is not as harmful to Manalapan’s beaches as initially believed, Marmer emphasized that any project affecting the town warrants municipal input.

Town Attorney Keith Davis is preparing to file a notice of intent challenging FDEP’s approach. 

Town rethinks beach-raking strategy — Manalapan is considering a major overhaul of its beach maintenance approach, potentially replacing traditional beach raking with a more targeted trash collection method.

Town Manager Eric Marmer proposed at the commission’s Oct. 14 meeting using part-time town employees with a side-by-side vehicle to conduct beach cleanup two to three times weekly. 

The plan aims to reduce the costly and potentially invasive beach-raking services, which currently run around $275 to $300 per session.

“We saw so much trash getting picked up while the beach raker was out there,” Marmer told town commissioners. “I got a text from a resident asking why there’s so much trash on the beach even when the beach raker is working.”

The proposed strategy would keep beach raking as an option for significant sargassum accumulation, but significantly reduce its frequency. The town would retain the flexibility to call private beach rakers when necessary.

By using part-time staff and a side-by-side vehicle, Manalapan hopes to create a more efficient and cost-effective beach maintenance program, while keeping municipal employees engaged.

A detailed plan is expected to be presented at the commission’s Nov. 4 meeting.

In April, town officials tried to get to the bottom of which mechanical beach-raking company was leaving deep ruts near turtle nests. The two companies that clean the beach of debris, though, pointed the finger at each other.

Residents sign up for iguana eradication plan — Well, for those old enough to remember, as the cartoon icon Yosemite Sam used to say, “Varmint, I’m a-gonna blow you to smithereens!”

Manalapan Police Chief Jeff Rasor says approximately 25%-30% of residents have agreed to allow a police sharpshooter with an air rifle onto their property for iguana eradication. 

The town decided in September to move away from an outside vendor and have a police officer give it a go.

“We’ve gotten a very positive response from the community,” Rasor said at the commission’s Oct. 14 meeting.

Residents interested in participating in the iguana removal program are encouraged to contact the town’s Police Department for more information.

Sgt. Tracey Merritt, the Police Department’s firearms range master and expert, will be tasked with trying to efficiently kill the iguanas. Signs will be posted at the guard station on Point Manalapan — which is the iguana beachhead, per se — to inform residents when Merritt will be on the property.

New garbage hauler selected — Manalapan has chosen Waste Pro as its new waste collection provider after a competitive bidding process. At the Oct. 14 Town Commission meeting, officials approved moving forward with negotiations for a contract with the waste management company.

Town Manager Eric Marmer reported that a selection committee reviewed three proposals and ranked Waste Pro as the top vendor. The initial first-year contract price is set at $53,731, with future years to be negotiated based on potential cost-of-living adjustments.

“But I wouldn’t negotiate a contract that we would, you know, go from $53-to-$100,000 the next year, or something like that,” Marmer said.

Waste Pro services similar coastal communities, including Ocean Ridge, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and Hillsboro Beach. 

The commission authorized Marmer to continue contract negotiations, with a final agreement expected to be presented at its Nov. 4 meeting. The proposed contract would have an initial five-year term.

Less trouble to install emergency generators — Manalapan town commissioners on Oct. 14 took the first step to simplifying the permitting process for residents seeking to install emergency generators, eliminating the need for architectural review and creating a more direct administrative approval path.

The commission approved, on first reading, an ordinance that would allow emergency generator permit applications to bypass the town’s Architectural Commission. 

Instead, these applications will now receive an administrative review before moving directly to the building department for permitting.

Town Attorney Keith Davis said the ordinance aims to expedite the process for residents seeking to install emergency generators. 

The ordinance will return for final approval at the commission’s Nov. 4 meeting.

— John Pacenti

Cove neighbors say long docks would ruin their views — A Point Manalapan resident seeking to build a dock extending out into Manatee Cove withdrew his permit application just before his variance request was to be heard on Oct. 14 by the Manalapan Town Commission.

Many neighbors of the property at 1400 Lands End Road, purchased in April for $4.5 million by Adam and Ana Bersin, said they face similar problems to the ones the Bersins are experiencing — shallow waters that sometimes make it impossible to launch a boat into the cove.

However, the neighbors said they were all aware of the cove’s limitations when they bought there — and did so because they knew that would limit boat traffic. The cove is in the Intracoastal Waterway but sees little boat traffic because of its shallowness.

Nearby homeowners, writing to the town in opposition to the variance, feared that if the variance was approved, more dock-extension variances would be requested in the future. They said they do not want to see their idyllic views turned into a marina vista with 25-foot dock extensions into the cove.

Adam Bersin told The Coastal Star he decided to withdraw the application at this time, but may consider reapplying in the future.

— Larry Barszewski

I live on the barrier island in Delray Beach and recently experienced 19-minute police response time (18:49 to be exact) after calling 911, confirmed by my phone records and surveillance footage.

At a recent City Commission meeting, a commissioner and the city manager publicly disputed this fact without evidence and Commissioner Juli Casale stated that she was “fairly certain” that my claim “wasn’t accurate,” followed by City Manager Terrence Moore saying, “not accurate at all. … We’re doing great.”

This delay and lack of police presence on the barrier island is unacceptable and puts all barrier island residents at risk.

Furthermore, when city officials publicly challenge verified claims, it undermines trust in our local government.

I respectfully urge the city to allocate adequate police patrols here. Residents pay significant property taxes and deserve reliable public safety and honest communication.

For privacy reasons, I request that my name be withheld from publication.

— William,
barrier island resident
Delray Beach

Editor's note: An event report obtained from police by The Coastal Star shows the call was received at 5:01 p.m. and the first dispatch was 8 minutes and 16 seconds later. No time is listed for when the officer arrived. The report said the suspicious incident reported turned out to be an Instacart delivery.

When I joined the commission in 2020, we were talking about the aging waterlines, constant water main breaks and the rising cost to Ocean Ridge of owning the waterlines.

A comprehensive plan was discussed to:

A) Get money from Boynton Beach to address water main repairs, since we are paying the same exact rate Boynton Beach residents do while Boynton Beach maintains the waterlines at that same price. We basically pay more for the water although on paper it is the same.

B) Find a long-term solution where Boynton Beach either takes over our waterlines as part of its service — or, what really was the proper way — to discuss sewer service along with water service from Boynton Beach.

The problem was that the very people who were trying to negotiate with Boynton Beach and discuss the greater picture were rudely cut off by the current seated commission and all discussions ended.

In fact, Ocean Ridge does not have a current contract with Boynton Beach for water service; the expired contract is simply being extended automatically month after month.

Taking money from the reserves for capital projects like this leaves the town vulnerable to emergency needs. The $2 million should have been funded a long time ago through added property taxes specifically for a water/sewer fund.

This commission, however, is incapable of looking at long-term solutions and would rather use fix-a-flat instead of replacing a tire that has no tread left!

Not properly budgeting for the improvements you need to make is about the same stupidity as cutting Medicare and Medicaid from 40 million people so 500 billionaires enjoy tax cuts.

Ocean Ridge enjoyed low taxes for decades and did not budget for 70- to 80-year-old waterlines we all knew were failing soon. Time to pay the piper.

The residents of Ocean Ridge deserve better from their government.

— Martin Wiescholek,
former town commissioner,
Ocean Ridge

By Patrick Sherry

Lantana Town Council members like the idea of holding more town-sponsored food truck events as long as local restaurants aren’t hurt by the competition. 

At their Oct. 10 workshop, council members discussed potential revisions to the town’s food truck regulations. Their biggest fear was seeing food trucks take business away from established restaurants. 

“These restaurant owners are investors in our town, and if we’re going to allow these food trucks to come in here, we are taking away from investors who put their time and money — maybe even their savings — all into owning a restaurant,” Council member Chris Castle said. “If they leave, then what do we have for our people?”

Council members said they want to protect the restaurants while still allowing for food truck events that are popular in the community.

Currently, food trucks are only allowed on public property during town-sponsored events. Food trucks on private property are limited to three hours of operation at any given time and must have the written consent of the property owner. Other venues where food trucks are stationary in one location and operate like a standard restaurant must follow normal restaurant regulations.

Council members agreed to maintain their current stance on only allowing food trucks on public property for town-sponsored events, but they were open to implementing more events to improve community involvement. 

As for food trucks on private property, officials will consider increasing how long the trucks are allowed to operate at any one time, how they will dispose of their waste, and other potential permitting changes. 

After researching the possible options, town staff will bring back recommendations for the council to consider at a future date.

“This is all about resources for the community,” Mayor Karen Lythgoe said. “It’s got to not hurt the neighbors on the next street over.” 

The Town Council is preparing to hold more workshops on a regular basis. No formal decisions can be made at them; instead, they serve as a time for preliminary policy discussions where council members, through consensus, can give direction to staff on what they want to see brought back to them for official action. 

The council tentatively announced its next workshop will take place on Nov. 21. 

Tall privacy wall earns support on Hypoluxo Island — The Lantana Planning Commission recommended approval of an application to build an 11-foot wall on a nearly $8 million property near the Ocean Avenue bridge over the Intracoastal Waterway.

Ana Davie, owner of the property at 101 N. Atlantic Drive, explained to the commission on Oct. 22 that she and her husband want to build the wall for privacy and safety reasons. She recalled instances of fishers and unwanted visitors trespassing on their yard.

“It’s really for the safety,” Davie said. “We’ve had stuff stolen off the dock. I have videos, and I’ve filed multiple police reports.”

Town ordinances allow walls with a maximum height of 6 feet. However, the owners asked for an exception to this to prevent people from getting on their property by going under or through the side of the bridge. 

Commission Chairman Edward Shropshire said he doesn’t think the wall is needed, and it wouldn’t give the owners complete privacy. 

“I saw very little evidence of any kind of trespassing or anything down there — to me, this seems excessive,” Shropshire said. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for this place; I think it’s too high. I don’t think it’s necessary.” 

The commission passed a motion recommending approval of the variance request 4-1. The wall will start at 11 feet at the bridge side of the property and become 9 feet as the ground rises to the east.

Police body cameras translate, too — Lantana police officers will be using new body cameras and tasers with improved technology to help them on the streets. 

The new cameras will be able to translate conversations. They will activate if officers draw their sidearms, tasers, or turn on their blue lights. 

The Town Council on Oct. 27 authorized the purchase of the cameras and tasers from Axon Enterprise, Inc. for $760,000 with a five-year contract. Officers’ current equipment will be out of warranty and obsolete in December. This gives them a new opportunity to use more advanced equipment. 

The body cameras will be able to translate in multiple languages for people and officers out loud. Axon is also working to implement capabilities for translating Haitian Creole because of the large Haitian population in South Florida. 

“They are very gung-ho about getting us on the street,” Police Chief Sean Scheller said. “My office right now is full of boxes of tasers and body-worn equipment that they’ve already sent that [we are] just waiting to get trained on and implement.” 

Dune restoration near beach — Officials from the town of Palm Beach reassured Lantana residents that Palm Beach’s dune restoration project would try to limit the impact on Lantana’s shoreline.

Patricia Strayer, engineer for Palm Beach, presented her town’s plan at the Oct. 27 Lantana Town Council meeting. The plan includes dump trucks delivering sand near Lantana in South Palm Beach. There, sand will be placed for shoreline protection.

Strayer said problems finding an optimal route and the turtle-nesting season prevented Palm Beach from completing the project earlier, but officials want to finish it quickly.

“We think it’ll be done in probably four weeks, but we’re guaranteeing that it’ll be done before Christmas,” Strayer said.

The dune restoration is expected to start at the beginning of November. Access to beaches will still be allowed, but some areas will be restricted due to construction.

Organizations give to community groups — The Kiwanis Club of Hypoluxo-Lantana Sunrise and the Greater Lantana Chamber of Commerce made awards at the Lantana Town Council’s Oct. 13 meeting to the Lantana Police Explorers to support its efforts to help people in need. The Kiwanis Club gave $2,000 — plus $1,000 in grocery store gift cards — and the chamber $589 to the explorers. 

The money for the donations was raised through the Kiwanis Club’s food trailer and the Chamber of Commerce’s Shred Event proceeds.  

A separate $1,500 award from the Kiwanis Club was given to the Friends of Foster Children organization.

More art to come — The Lantana Town Council is interested in starting an Art in Public Places program.

Council members discussed a program at their Oct. 10 workshop that would pay artists to produce murals and utility box wrappings.

The goal would be to create a unique community identity that celebrates notable aspects of the town.

“This is part of our brand … it’s part of who we are and it’s given us an identity,” Mayor Karen Lythgoe said.

Specifics on designs would be decided in future meetings, as well as potential costs. The program could include commissioning artists to design large-scale pieces throughout the town, officials said.

Underperforming schools — Palm Beach County School Board member Edwin Ferguson, presenting the Lantana Town Council with an annual report on Lantana public schools at its Oct. 13 meeting, said students in town were underperforming in areas such as English, language arts and mathematics compared to the district average.

Ferguson emphasized the need for an increased focus on improving early education because it helps with future academic performance. He encouraged community involvement and for parents to join programs — such as the community networking Bridges program run by the Children’s Services Council — to help them take an active role in their children’s education and to help them succeed academically.

“We should take ownership of these schools; they’re our schools,” Ferguson said.

Ferguson’s goal for the next school year is to expand career and technical education courses, expand exceptional student education centers to support students with different learning needs, and increase native language support for the diverse community.

— Patrick Sherry

Downtown Delray Beach hosted the 14th annual Witches of Delray bike ride on Oct. 25. The event, a fundraiser for the Achievement Centers for Children & Families, has become one of the area’s most whimsical and beloved traditions, blending Halloween fun with community involvement. Photos by Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

ABOVE: Riders often share costume styles to make teams. These ten, the Spell Sisters, won the Best Team honor.

Kelli Freeman applies makeup to Catherine DuBois, two good witches. 

The Campbell Soup Witches. 

The 1980s Witches sported gigantic cell phones and boom boxes.

What better way to propel your bike in a witches parade than with broom power?

Nearly six years after developers secured Boca Raton City Council approval for the first phase of the Camino Square project at 171 W. Camino Real, they now want to proceed with the second phase at the site of a former shopping center anchored by a Winn-Dixie that closed in 2010.

The first phase included two eight-story apartment buildings with 350 units, which are now more than 95% occupied, and two parking garages. The second phase, located on the western side of the 9.1-acre tract, was to have nearly 38,000 square feet of retail.

But now, landowner Kimco Corp. and FCI Residential Corp., an arm of sugar producer Florida Crystals, want to replace the retail with two more eight-story apartment buildings that have a total of 394 units and a parking garage. Only 8,600 square feet of retail would be constructed.

City Council members, sitting as Community Redevelopment Agency commissioners, objected to the change when they considered the revamped project on Oct. 14. They gave the developers a month to revise it once again.

Project attorney Ele Zachariades reluctantly agreed, saying she understood the council’s wishes.

Earlier in the meeting, she explained that her clients were unable to secure a retail anchor tenant because an existing gas station blocks view of the property from the street so people driving by won’t know that retail is there.

“There is no marketability for retail at this location,” she said.

But Deputy Mayor Fran Nachlas and Council member Yvette Drucker said that development without retail would not bring people to the area to create a vibrant atmosphere.

Mayor Scott Singer said he shared that concern.

“For me the bottom line is, does this satisfy the vision of the downtown. Does it create vibrancy in the downtown,” Nachlas said, before answering her own question by saying it doesn’t.

— Mary Hladky

By Rich Pollack

After months of delays, road work along State Road A1A in Highland Beach and southern Delray Beach appears to be winding down with returning seasonal residents discovering a newly paved — almost finished — and smoother highway to drive on.

But delays and travel interruptions are not totally in the rearview mirror yet. Finishing touches on the $8.3 million project were still ahead while at the same time crews were fixing a sewer line break on A1A near Linton Boulevard, the project’s north end.

Construction workers, who began the road improvements in May 2024, have been doing the final paving since mid-October, but Highland Beach leaders say that’s not the end of the project.

Work remains, according Highland Beach Town Manager Marshall Labadie, including smoothing out the transitions from driveways to the road, which is now slightly higher than prior to construction. That work could result in some temporary lane closures and delays.

Those using A1A near Linton Boulevard and those heading east on Linton toward the bridge and A1A might also encounter traffic delays.

On Oct. 24, Delray Beach officials notified residents that a contractor on the A1A project damaged one of the city’s sanitary sewer mains.

Repairs on the main began Oct. 27 and were not expected to be completed until Nov. 3.

Those repairs were to include lane closures on eastbound Linton at the bridge and lane shifts on southbound A1A just south of the Linton intersection. Bicyclists and pedestrians could also expect detours.

In Highland Beach, Labadie emailed residents in October recognizing frustration with the slow pace of construction — which had an original completion target of sometime during the summer — and with continued drainage issues.

Labadie said that drainage on the roadway has improved but there is still flooding on swales and the sidewalk, which means some pedestrians will walk in the roadway to avoid the water.

“Whether you are awaiting a response or payment related to a claim with the contractor, are frustrated with the pace of construction, flooding issues, or overall project progress — please know that your concerns are valid and shared by the town,” Labadie wrote.

The email went on to point out that the project is being done by the Florida Department of Transportation, not the town, and urged “reaching out directly to both the FDOT District and State Offices to elevate your concerns.”

Susan Brockway, at home in coastal Boca Raton, looks back fondly on her nine years on the Community Foundation board and urges people to contact the foundation for guidance on where to donate. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

As of June, Boca Raton resident Susan Brockway concluded her nine years of board service with the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. 

“I first served at the Community Foundation as a grant reviewer for the MacArthur Grants, and after that I was asked to join its board of directors,” Brockway said.

While she’s involved with many charities, the Community Foundation holds a special place for her. “I am still a fund holder there,” she said. 

“I was quite excited when I was first introduced to them and became involved. The Community Foundation identifies the community’s greatest needs and helps to fulfill those needs. 

“I loved working with them. The growth it has experienced over those nine years was just fantastic in terms of dollars and its help to nonprofits and the community.”

Brockway, 68, was especially proud of the Community Foundation’s collaborative role within the Palm Beach County Funders Group during the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Together, we created a common application for grant support, streamlining the process so that emergency funds could be distributed efficiently and quickly as the pandemic unfolded,” she said. “The support reached health centers, food pantries, child care programs and homeless shelters, helping the most vulnerable with essentials to survive during those trying times.

 “In the end, the Community Foundation distributed about $3 million of our own funds while assisting others in this collaborative identify needs for their funding.”

Having retired as an accountant, she said she feels blessed to have time for her volunteer work and to enjoy her family.

Among her volunteer endeavors, Brockway will continue as a board member of her alma mater, Stetson University, and she remains actively involved with Place of Hope. Additionally, she has just joined the board of the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. 

“Those are my biggest commitments,” she said.

Brockway wishes to get the word out to fellow philanthropists that the Community Foundation has a deep knowledge of local needs. 

“We have so many people who have moved here, and they don’t know about the nonprofit world” in Palm Beach and Martin counties, Brockway said. “While they can still support the causes they care about back home, the Community Foundation can introduce them to how they can help” locally. 

                                 — Christine Davis

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

A: I have lived in South Florida since I was 9 years old. I lived in a very small town in West Virginia prior to moving to Miami in 1967. From Miami we moved to Lake Worth in 1973. I attended public schools and experienced many facets of desegregation while in Miami. Following high school, I attended a small private university, Stetson University, in DeLand.

My background has given me empathy towards public school teachers, having witnessed what they had to deal with when I was a student, and then leaping forward to today, it is definitely a difficult career that is often underappreciated and undervalued. Second, I have a passion for helping students pursue college degrees that need financial help to do this. I truly wanted to attend a four-year university, and I vividly remember my high school guidance counselors strongly guiding me to attend the local junior college since I had financial need. I am so happy that I was able to attend Stetson for four great years.

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

A: I began working in public accounting upon my college graduation. I was a CPA with Coopers & Lybrand, now PricewaterhouseCoopers, in their West Palm Beach office in the audit area. I left Coopers to work for one of my audit clients as their financial controller at a real estate development in Boca Raton. 

To share a bit of humor related to my audit career, I had the immense pleasure of serving on the audit team at The Breakers hotel and working in a beautiful ocean view room that had been converted into a workroom for an extended time period, and also going to the PGA of America in Palm Beach Gardens and working in a lovely environment — and then having to pivot to work on the first-ever audit of Palm Beach County and spending days and nights in the bowels of windowless county building basements. It was all great experience, but no doubt this influenced my move to work in Boca Raton for a real estate development that had a golf course and tennis facility.

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

A: That is extremely difficult as we see how rapidly the world is changing with AI, world and domestic political views, and the desire for balance with career and personal life.

I think that it is important for young people to develop social skills and good manners. A positive first impression can open doors before your technical skills are even tested. 

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

A: Purely out of geography. When my husband and I married he was working in Miami and I was working in West Palm Beach and we settled in Boca Raton, where we could both commute to our jobs.

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

A: Wow. Having been here 42 years it is tough to be concise on this. But my wonderful friendships are a blessing beyond compare, and I love the community for the generosity of its people and their philanthropic support of so many important causes.

Q: What book are you reading now?

A: A novel that I just finished reading is The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. I love historical fiction and this is a great historical mystery novel inspired by the diaries of an 18th-century midwife in Maine. I am enjoying Awestruck by Jonah Paquette. It is a guide to cultivate the awe that is possible in our everyday lives.

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

A: I am a huge fan of Chris Stapleton, a country music artist, and I had the great pleasure of seeing him in concert in June. So, for relaxation, I must put his name at the top of the list. For inspiration, I often choose contemporary Christian music.

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

A: I certainly had people early in my years that guided my college and career decisions, but presently I am surrounded by so many unbelievably talented women that I serve with in various volunteer capacities I do not know where to start. 

I am fearful to list names as there are too many to name, but I must share how Sherry Barrat, who I served with at the Community Foundation and now the Kravis Center, has inspired me. Her preparation and focus allow her to chair a meeting in an effective and timely manner. And her contributions as a committee member are always well thought out and well communicated. 

Second, the three founders of Impact 100 Palm Beach County — Tandy Robinson, Lisa Mulhall and Cindy Krebsbach — inspire me every day with what they started and how smashingly successful it is. These women had a lofty idea that they succeeded in bringing to life in one short year — with the help of the Community Foundation initially serving as their 501(c)(3) — and Impact 100 PBC has flourished and granted nearly $8 million to nonprofit programs serving southern Palm Beach County.

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

A: Reese Witherspoon! Only because I have been fortunate enough to have people tell me that I looked like her.

Q: Who/what makes you laugh?

A: Right now it is my five grandchildren. They bring me immeasurable joy and laughter each day.

Ocean Ridge commissioners recently got their first glance at the proposed fire station at Harvey E. Oyer Jr. Park at the Boynton Inlet. Rendering provided

By John Pacenti

As if pulled from the pages of some children’s storybook, the look of the new fire station planned for Harvey E. Oyer Jr. Park at the Boynton Inlet was revealed to Ocean Ridge town commissioners at their Oct. 6 meeting.

While sporting a contemporary design, the look and feel of Boynton Beach’s two-story aqua-and-white building is definitely retro. One could imagine lifeguard Ken spending his day there before his big date with Barbie after work.

Boynton Beach Fire Rescue provides service on the barrier island to Ocean Ridge and Briny Breezes.

Fire Chief Hugh Bruder said Station 6 will have three stories and will house an advanced life support fire engine with technical rescue capabilities and the city’s new fire boat — which is supposed to be delivered in November.

The station is badly needed, he said.

“We are averaging, if you look at Coast Guard numbers, one water rescue call per day on all of our waterways, including the inlet and the ocean,” he said.

Bruder emphasized the station will serve Delray Beach and surrounding areas, as well. 

“We’re going to be running into Delray, we’re going to be running into South County. We’re going to be running anywhere we’re called to help save a life,” he told The Coastal Star. 

The facility will include space — including the boating dock — for the city Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. It features design elements like water-view rest areas for firefighters.

Construction is expected to begin within 90 days, following final approval by the Boynton Beach City Commission. The project is expected to take about 12 months, with projected completion in late 2026.

The only criticism at the meeting came from Ocean Ridge Commissioner David Hutchins, who wasn’t keen on the circle 6 adorning the building. 

“Just when I was looking at the Station 6 up there, it kind of reminded me of Motel 6,” he said. 

Related: Qualifying schedule for municipal candidates

By Mary Hladky

A crowded field of Boca Raton City Council candidates seem certain to draw more voters than usual to the polls for the March 10 municipal election.

Two more residents have announced their council candidacies, with voters now able to choose among four running for mayor — as well as contested races for council seats A, B and D. All candidates still must qualify with the city clerk’s office to be on the ballot. The qualifying period begins on Nov. 3 and ends on Nov. 12.

Political newcomer Joshua Joffe is running for mayor, joining the high-profile matchup between Deputy Mayor Fran Nachlas and Council member Andy Thomson. The fourth is perennial candidate Bernard Korn, who so far has not won an election.

The winner will replace Scott Singer, who is prevented by term limits from seeking reelection.

Joffe is a civil engineer and active environmentalist who said he is not a member of Save Boca, the group pressing hard to halt the development of the city’s downtown campus.

In a brief interview on Oct. 23, Joffe declined further comment, but said that he would be posting more information online soon about himself and his campaign platform.

While Thomson’s three-year council term ends in 2027, Florida law requires him to resign from the council to run for mayor. He did so on Oct. 23, effective March 31, which is the day he or one of the other mayoral candidates takes office.

Jessica Gray, a well-known environmentalist who is executive director of Boca Save Our Beaches, is running for Thomson’s Seat D against former City Council member Robert Weinroth. He later served as a county commissioner and county mayor.ray originally filed to oppose incumbent Council member Marc Wigder for Seat B, but since has switched to Seat D.

Gray is not a member of Save Boca but says she shares that group’s “mission in preserving public land.”

She has served as a member of the city’s environmental and sustainability advisory boards.

“I am running because I really care about where Boca is headed,” she said. “I spent years to protect and preserve our environment. I want to make sure the city grows the right way and thoughtfully. I am running because Boca residents deserve trust and accountability.”

Wigder is opposed by Meredith Madsen, a Save Boca supporter who is founder and CEO of Sunshine & Glitter, which sells sunscreen products.

Planning and Zoning Board member and attorney Christen Ritchey has filed to run for Nachlas’ Seat A. Her opponent is Korn, a real estate broker, who has filed to run for this seat as well as for mayor.

The mayoral race already has shaped up to be a battle royale, with Nachlas and Thomson raising far more contributions to their campaigns than has been typical.

As of the last campaign finance disclosures on Sept. 30, Thomson had raised $98,519 while Nachlas had $189,876, which includes a $100,000 loan to her campaign. These amounts are direct contributions and do not include additional amounts raised through their campaign committees.

Would-be candidates for the upcoming March 10 municipal elections have to qualify to be on the ballot by filing for the office they’re seeking with their town clerk or city clerk, and meeting the necessary requirements. The qualifying periods for the offices are in November, but the times vary by municipality. 

Here is a look at the qualifying periods for local municipalities, the seats up for election in each municipality and the current holders of those seats:

Boca Raton: Mayor and three council seats

Qualifying period: 8 a.m. Nov. 3 to 5 p.m. Nov. 12

Seats currently held by: Mayor Scott Singer (term-limited), Deputy Mayor Fran Nachlas and Council members Andy Thomson and Marc Wigder

Briny Breezes: Mayor and two council seats

Qualifying period: Noon Nov. 11 to noon Nov. 25

Seats currently held by:  Mayor Ted Gross, Alderman Jeff Duncan and Alderwoman Holly Reitnauer 

Delray Beach: Two commission seats

Qualifying period: Noon Nov. 3 to noon Nov. 21

Seats currently held by:  Vice Mayor Rob Long and Commissioner Angela Burns

Gulf Stream: Five commission seats (one to be appointed mayor)

Qualifying period: Noon Nov. 4 to noon Nov. 18

Seats currently held by: Mayor Scott Morgan, Vice Mayor Thomas Stanley and Commissioners Robert Canfield, Michael Greene and Joan Orthwein

Highland Beach: Mayor and one commission seat

Qualifying period: Noon Nov. 10 to noon Nov. 25

Seats currently held by:  Mayor Natasha Moore and Commissioner Donald Peters

Lantana: Two council seats

Qualifying period: Noon Nov. 10 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 21

Seats currently held by: Council members Christopher Castle and Mark Zeitler

Manalapan: Three commission seats

Qualifying period: Noon Nov. 4 to noon Nov. 18

Seats currently held by: Commissioners Elliot Bonner, Orla Imbesi and Dwight Kulwin

Ocean Ridge: Two commission seats

Qualifying period: Noon Nov. 3 to noon Nov. 14

Seats currently held by:  Commissioners Carolyn Cassidy and David Hutchins

South Palm Beach: Mayor and three council seats

Qualifying period: Noon Nov. 10 to noon Nov. 25

Seats currently held by:  Mayor Bonnie Fischer, Vice Mayor Monte Berendes, and Council members Sandra Beckett and Elvadianne Culbertson

Source: Clerks’ offices and municipal websites

Highland Beach’s popular holiday celebration, the Mingle Jingle, returns on Dec. 4 with food, live music and more.

A free public celebration open to Highland Beach residents, this year’s Mingle Jingle will again be held at St. Lucy Catholic Church from 5 to 8 p.m.

The event will feature several food truck vendors and other food vendors as well as a live band.

Visitors will have a chance to see the town’s public safety equipment on display and can learn more about town departments, including the library, and volunteer boards. Town commissioners will have a booth at the event. Once again, trolley rides will be provided, with several stops along State Road A1A.

— Rich Pollack