After years of discussion, planning and anticipation for the project, shovels finally hit the dirt

during the July 20 groundbreaking ceremony for the 4,700-square-foot U.S. Customs and Border Protection facility

at the Boca Raton Airport. The $4.3 million customs station is expected to add convenience and safety

for planes returning to Boca Raton after international flights. Currently, those aircraft are required

to make an interim landing at a nearby airport with a customs facility – often Palm Beach International

Airport or Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport ­– before returning to Boca Raton. The reduction

in the number of takeoffs and landings will decrease fuel consumption,

Airport Authority Executive Director Clara Bennett said.

ABOVE: Atlantic Aviation managers Linda Hernandez, Richard Thacker, Devin Lawrence

and Azra Thomas join Bennett at the groundbreaking. BELOW: Jennifer Connors,

U.S. Customs and Border Protection port director, predicts improved service to the community.

A rendering of the new facility planned to open in the summer of 2017.

Photos by Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

By Jane Smith

   Artists, videographers and other creative types can look forward to the June opening of the Arts Warehouse, after Hatcher Construction & Development won the bid to convert the vacant building into an arts incubator.

   The Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency paid $1.1 million in 2010 for the 15,000-square-foot warehouse in Pineapple Grove. The CRA had planned turn it a space into a building where artists and businesses can work side by side.

   Hatcher, of Delray Beach, was one of three contractors who responded to the CRA’s request for proposals earlier this year.

   Hatcher with partner D. Stephenson Construction Inc., of Delray Beach, bid $2.2 million. West Construction of Lake Worth bid $2.1 million. Emerald Construction Corp., of Dania Beach, bid $2.5 million.

   CRA Assistant Director Thuy Shutt said all three bids had irregularities. Hatcher’s insurer didn’t like the language required in the performance bond, but the company’s owner, William Hatcher, said the bond would be provided.

   Hatcher, which does not have experience with construction projects over $2 million, as the CRA requires, entered into a consulting agreement with D. Stephenson to use its list of projects. “I do feel that putting that language in there puts a limit on the opportunities for contractors to step up,” he told the CRA board on July 12.

   He also said, “West is a fine contractor. I feel we both are qualified.”

   Matthew West, vice president of West Construction, said his firm’s bid was $135,000 lower and should be picked. He gave the CRA his list of the subcontractors and value of work performed, saying his firm would do 46 percent of the project itself.

   Both West and Emerald were deemed nonresponsive for not providing the subcontractors’ list.

   Hatcher’s bid had two faults, West said. The company put qualifications on the bond and it hasn’t done any projects over $2 million. “Those two issues are larger than our failure to submit the list of the subs and the amount of the work we would do ourselves,” he said.

   Even so, the CRA board members voted 5-2 in favor of Hatcher’s firm, with Cathy Balestriere and Paul Zacks voting no.

   Construction will start Oct. 1, Shutt said.

   The CRA’s request for bids to manage the Arts Warehouse received only one response, Shutt said. The company, Institute for Civic Achievement Inc. run by Tom Fleming, did not have enough of a track record to be judged, she said.

   The CRA board decided to allow staff more time to talk with similar arts organizations about how they draft such proposals and report back in 90 days.

   In other CRA news, the City Commission selected Reggie Cox to continue as chairman of its CRA board and Joseph Bernadel as the agency vice chairman for another year.

By Christine Davis

According to the Realtors Association of the Palm Beaches June report, Palm Beach County’s median home price in June was $320,000, compared with $284,500 in January, but, the report noted, median home prices are historically high around June and low around January. Last year in June the median home price was $303,000. During the same time frame, the county’s non-foreclosure/non-short sale inventory has remained constant.
    Causing fluctuations in the median home price numbers is the rising price of foreclosure/short sale inventory.  In this segment of the market, while the number of foreclosure and short-sale homes sold has decreased to almost half (45 percent for foreclosures and 48 percent for short sales), their median prices have risen, year-over-year. The median sales price for foreclosures has risen to $233,000, a 16.5 percent gain, and for short sales, it’s risen 23 percent and is now $270,000.
                                
    Real Trends released its list of 1,000 top-performing real estate agents as advertised in The Wall Street Journal, and a number of the agents named are connected to real estate transactions in The Coastal Star’s readership area.
    In the category of “individuals with highest total sales volume,” local realtors include:
No. 20 Christian Angle, Christian Angle Real Estate, Palm Beach ($210,239,844); No. 32, Paulette Koch, The Corcoran Group/NRT, Palm Beach $174,417,040); No. 36 David Roberts, Royal Palm Properties, Boca Raton ($172,731,689); No. 40 Jim McCann, The Corcoran Group/NRT, Palm Beach ($163,075,246); No. 110 Candace Friis, The Corcoran Group/NRT, Delray Beach ($105,452,000).
    In the category “teams with highest total sales volume,” local teams include: No. 145 D’Angelo/Liguori, Premier Estate Properties, Boca Raton ($126,687,000), No. 180 Pascal Liguori, Premier Estate Properties, Delray Beach ($81,190,000).
    In the category “individuals based on highest average sales price,” Jilly Cammisa, an agent with Premier Estate Properties, Delray Beach, was ranked No. 28, with $11,909,550.
    For teams in this category, Nicholas Malinosky and Randy Ely, agents with The Corcoran Group/NRT, Delray Beach, ranked No. 29, with $5,258,303.
                                
    The $51.5 million sale of TGM Oceana, a 160-unit complex at 2519 N. Ocean Blvd., Boca Raton, was recorded on July 5. And while the previous sale is recorded as $14.5 million in 2010, don’t jump to the conclusion that those numbers represent a 255 percent gain.
    Here’s the back-story: According to 2008 newspaper articles, Chicago-based Laramar negotiated with Ocean Bank of Miami and NRW Development to complete a foreclosure on the property, which was approved by the court six months later at $70.13 million. At that time, it was estimated that Laramar paid somewhere around $35 million.
    The complex, originally built in the 1960s, was bought by NRW in 2006 with the intent to convert the units into condominiums. Plans went south within six months, and hence the foreclosure.
    After the dust settled, Laramar intended to sink money into the property — at about $40,000 per unit — keeping it as luxury rentals, and Laramar did complete a number of upgrades. The complex’s new owner, TMG Associates, plans to further renovate.
    Laramar Group was represented by Hampton Beebe, Avery Klann, Jonathan Senn, Dick Donnellan and Marc deBaptiste of ARA, a Newmark company.
    Situated on 4.7 acres, TGM Oceana has more than 100 feet of ocean frontage as well as a 10-slip marina on the Intracoastal Waterway. Only a handful of units are currently available. Prices start at $1,620 a month for a one-bedroom unit with 700 square feet. Three-bedroom units, with 1,500 square feet, start at $2,475.
                                
    Recorded June 27 by the Palm Beach County clerk’s office was the $5.23 million sale of the 2005 custom six-bedroom, 7,725-square-foot home at 3496 S. Ocean Blvd., South Palm Beach. The owner is listed as EFN Family Limited Partnership, with the warranty deed signed by general partners Edward F. and Katherine R. Napleton. The buyer was M. Rahat Faderani. Agents Jim McCann and Cameron Sydenham of the Corcoran Group represented both parties in the deal.
                                
    Caspian Delray, at 190 S. Federal Highway, Delray Beach, is a new mixed-use development with 146 rental apartments, developed by NCC Development Group in conjunction with Monogram Apartment Collection. Completion is slated for this fall.
    Four retail bays, ranging in size from 795 to 930 square feet and with 14-foot ceilings, are available through Roxanne Register of Katz & Associates. For pricing, call Register at 869-4346.
                                
    HCA East Florida, a division of Hospital Corporation of America, recently embarked on a major capital investment initiative to invest $650 million in health care facilities in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties.
    As part of this initiative, JFK Medical Center in Atlantis will receive $108 million to add a new three-story building, expand its emergency room, complete renovations of patient units, and expand and upgrade its parking facilities.
                                
    Teresa “Terry” Fedele, a member of Florida Atlantic University’s Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing advisory board since 2013, is now its chair. Formed in 2012, the advisory board leads the college’s advocacy and fundraising efforts, and recently assisted in the launch of its Lamplighter scholarship program, which provided half of the 2015-2016 freshmen with $500 scholarships.
                                
    For the fourth year in a row, Castle Connolly Medical Ltd. research firm noted that out of the county’s hospitals, Boca Raton Regional Hospital had the most primary-affiliated physicians. For a complete list of the hospital’s physicians who made the research firm’s “Top Doctors” list, visit castleconnolly.com. 
    In other news from the hospital, Melissa Durbin, its vice president and chief nursing officer, was elected to the board of two Florida nursing organizations. She is president of the South Florida Organization of Nurse Executives and secretary of the Nursing Consortium of South Florida.
                                
    Dr. Jeffrey Newman, a thoracic and cardiac surgeon, is the new medical director of the Comprehensive Atrial Fibrillation Institute at Delray Medical Center. The institute offers those living with an irregular heart rate a multidisciplinary approach that includes interventional cardiology, electrophysiology and cardiac surgery. 
    Other news: Geeta Karat, a registered nurse of Delray Medical Center’s Surgical Orthopedics Unit, received the Daisy Award, after being nominated by a patient, also a nurse, who described Karat as “very special, showing empathy, compassion and understanding.” The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses was created by the Daisy Foundation, founded in memory of J. Patrick Barnes by his parents after they experienced the compassion and care of their son’s nurses.
                                
    On July 7, Boca Helping Hands, a charity with a food center that serves hot meals to its clients, named Whole Foods Market, 1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton, as a key partner for its donation of more than 500,000 pounds of food in the past five years. That adds up to 384,615 meals to local families.
                                
    Lang Realty recently donated $3,500 to the American Red Cross as part of its annual Open House Extravaganza 2016. More news from Lang: To make finding a home easier, LangRealty.com now offers search options for types of properties or communities under its search menu heading.
                                
    The Greater Boynton Beach Chamber of Commerce will present Candace Etzler with Comcast Spotlight speaking on “How to Reach Your Customer in a Multi-Screen World.” Part of its Lunch & Learn series, Etzler’s presentation is scheduled for Aug. 18 at noon at the chamber’s board room, 1880 N. Congress Ave., Suite 214, Boynton Beach. For information call 732-9501.
    Also, the chamber website has a fresh look after eight years, a new mobile-friendly www.boyntonbeach.org.  

                                
    Sarah Pearson, senior vice president of the Boca Chamber, graduated from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Institute for Organization Management program. Since 1921, the institute has educated chamber and nonprofit leaders on how to build stronger organizations and become strong business advocates.

                                
    In August, the Boca Chamber offers its Festival Days, with 28 events that connect its 100-plus nonprofit members with its for-profit community, as a show of support for their contribution toward improving the quality of life in Boca Raton.
    The Chamber and JM Lexus’ “Wine & All That Jazz,” the festival’s signature event, will feature a large variety of fine wines and food from some of Boca’s restaurants. Set for 7 to 10 p.m on Aug. 27, it will be held at the Boca Raton Resort and Club. A portion of the proceeds will support the efforts of the Chamber’s  Golden Bell Education Foundation. To register for this event, and to see more about other events, visit the Chamber’s website: www.bocachamber.com/events.

Keyes CEO Mike Pappas and Illustrated Properties Chairman Francis Fiske ‘Bud’ Adams Jr.

have merged their companies to form the largest independently owned real estate firm in the state.

Photo provided

                                
    On July 20, Keyes Co. and Illustrated Properties announced their merger. Combined, they form the largest independently owned real estate firm in Florida.
    Illustrated Properties dates to the 1930s, when F.F. “Bud” Adams Sr. began selling land in Hobe Sound and on Jupiter Island. Bud Adams Jr. moved to Palm Beach and founded Illustrated Properties along with Rodney Dillard.
    Keyes has remained independently owned and operated since its founding in 1926.
    In Palm Beach County, the companies have more than 1,100 sales associates and generate more than $6 billion in annual revenue from their real estate service lines. Both companies will operate under their existing brands and will maintain their management teams and employees.  
                                
    On June 30, at the 2016 Golden Bell Fundraiser, 300 people gathered at the Piñon Grill in Boca Raton to raise money for Boca Raton’s public schools and local educational programs. That night, Golden Bell and Inner Circle Executive Club raised more than $5,500.
    In addition to the Piñon fundraiser, the Boca Chamber’s Golden Bell Education Foundation announced that nearly $60,000 was granted to Boca Raton public schools and scholarship programs for the 2016-17 academic year. Looking ahead, applications are open for the 2016-17 Young Entrepreneurs Academy. Contact Jenna Reed at 395-4433, ext. 232, for information.
                               
    In June, Caffe Luna Rosa, at 34 S. Ocean Blvd. Delray Beach, donated $1,000 to Steve Weagle’s Ride for the Red Cross. Money raised for the ride is used to help educate local residents on preparing for the hurricane season.
                                
    For the fourth consecutive year, the city of Delray Beach’s Campaign for Grade Level Reading received $5,000 from Amtrust Bank to purchase books for the 2016 summer reading program.  This donation will provide reading material for local students at Title I schools.


    Mary G. Hart, executive director of the Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Palm Beach County, accepted the position of executive director at Lantana-based Dress for Success Palm Beaches. She succeeds founder and CEO Diane Wilde. Also, Colleen Fitzgerald was promoted to director of operations.  

                                
    This month, two Greater Delray Beach Chamber of Commerce presentations will be offered to the public. At 8 a.m. on Aug. 11, its Celebration of Education breakfast, featuring guest speakers Jeff Rubin, founder of It’Sugar candy store, and Kiwana Alexander-Prophete, Carver Middle School principal, will be held at the Delray Beach Golf Club on 2200 Highland Ave. Cost for nonmembers is $35. Also, its four-session Civic Engagement Training Program, geared toward residents interested in serving on boards or running for office, will be presented on Thursdays starting Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.  To apply, email advocacy@delraybeach.com.
    Other news from the Chamber: Joel Bouvier,  a financial services professional with New York Life Insurance, was selected as its Ambassador of the Month for June. Ambassadors serve as the greeting arm of the chamber to promote new member participation and retention.
                                
    Want to get her (or him) to say “yes” and are you planning to use Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa on your big day? Meet with the resort’s engagement specialist, Courtney Poston, through its new Ring Master concierge services and come up with a totally engaging proposal experience.
Matchless settings for the big question run the gamut from heart-racing snorkeling and skydiving encounters to laid-back luxurious fantasy yacht excursions. Then, following down the path to matrimonial bliss, the resort’s got the bride’s feet covered. Brides who spend more than $50,000 on their wedding package at the resort will receive a pair of wedding shoes of their choice, up to $800, from Neiman Marcus Palm Beach. Wedding experts Stacie Hallinan and Linsey Bruce “stand ready to assist the brides every step of the way,” said the resort’s public relations director, Nick Gold.

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

Brent Robinson picks up a can near a shopping cart he found filled with trash at Lake Wyman.

Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By April W. Klimley

    Bruce Hurley discovered something when he organized a cleanup day for the shore along Lake Wyman: Environmental stewardship can be challenging.
    “It’s my going-away present to Boca,” Hurley said before the cleanup, held July 16 on the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway, facing Gumbo Limbo nature preserve and backing onto Rutherford Park.
    He had long been planning a move to North Carolina with his son, Grayson, and wife, Mary Ellen, on Aug. 8. The cleanup idea stemmed from a wilderness adventure day he went on with Grayson over a month ago. They went deep into a wilderness pocket at Lake Wyman Park that Hurley had explored while he was in high school in Boca Raton.
    Today, the park is overgrown and the pathway into it is barely visible. When Hurley, 52, took his son through it, they had to traipse over uprooted trees, avoid natural booby traps and elude the abandoned boardwalk. They also saw a remarkable number of hermit and land crabs, spiders and birds, to the delight of Hurley’s son. But when they reached the shoreline, they were in for a big surprise.  
    “The only downside of our day was the shameful amount of garbage,” Hurley said. “We even found a shopping cart filled with garbage and junk.”

A cleanup crew discovered garbage strewn all over Lake Wyman Park’s little-used boardwalk.

    This debris marred the natural beauty of the shoreline, and Hurley was both incensed and inspired.
    He immediately decided to organize a Lake Wyman natural area cleanup — as his parting gift to the city and an exercise in environmental activism.
    Little did he know how much effort it would take. Just a few people came forward after his call to action — perhaps because the July heat was already in the high 90s in the morning.
    One dedicated soul was Brent Robinson, the owner of Robinson’s Nursery and Landscaping, who volunteered to get permits from four agencies so the cleanup could proceed.
    Robinson contacted the state Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Inland Navigation District, the Boca Raton Recreation Services Department and the Gumbo Limbo Nature Center. Gumbo Limbo provided the insurance release forms and cleanup equipment.  
    “Gumbo Limbo was very supportive,” said Robinson as he unloaded his truck. “They contributed garbage bags, grab-its and gloves. And they will pick up the garbage at the end of the day.”

Bruce Hurley (rear) and his son, Grayson, forge into the wooded area at Lake Wyman Park.

Hurley and nursery owner Brent Robinson organized a cleanup to collect trash from the park’s cluttered path and lagoon.

Photos by Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

    Robinson showed up early for the cleanup, accompanied by his young daughter. He joined Hurley, Grayson and Mary Ellen, plus another volunteer, Mahesh Neelakanta.
    Neelakanta had seen Hurley’s “call for action” on a Facebook page. He decided to participate because Lake Wyman Park’s wilderness is a place to go exploring with his young son, Tenzin.  
    “This is as close as you can come to a wooded area in Boca,” he said. “You have to get that area cleaned up so that parents can take their kids in and go exploring.”
    This small but dedicated group set out southward to find the overgrown entrance to the path. They struggled through the brush, finally reaching the shoreline of Lake Wyman, where they started bagging refuse in earnest. They found garbage ranging from bottles and beer cans to plastic bags and Styrofoam pieces. As they picked up more and more debris, the bags kept getting heavier and heavier.
    Mary Ellen Hurley and Neelakanta decided to turn around and walk out of the park with three large bags each. The rest of the group walked on. By the time they reached the central part of the shore and spied the end of the Rutherford Park boardwalk, they realized they had had enough.
    “We decided to leave some bags behind and come back later. They had just gotten too heavy for us to haul back,” said Bruce Hurley, as he emerged from the shore with his tired companions.
    Robinson offered to bring a crew in from his company to haul out the remaining bags in the next day or two into the parking lot.
    But Hurley wasn’t satisfied. “There is at least 30 bags’ worth of garbage still there to get, plus two shopping carts to haul out,” he said.  
    More debris had accumulated than Hurley remembered from a month ago. Some of it, such as the Styrofoam, seemed likely to have floated in from boats on the Intracoastal. But other items looked like they had come from people passing through and just leaving garbage behind.
    Not willing to give up, Hurley started calling upon friends and neighbors right away to join him for another possible excursion to finish the cleanup before his August departure. He was also determined to find someone with a boat to help haul away the bags and shopping carts.
    “But that won’t be the end of it,” Hurley said. “More garbage is bound to accumulate. The challenge will be to keep the place cleaned up. It’s a great piece of wilderness. I’m hoping people will go and visit it, and then come out carrying garbage bags with any refuse they find.”
    Hurley talks about his departure wistfully, even though he’s looking forward to settling in a new region after living in Boca Raton for 50 years. He recently wrote to friends online that, “My home is wherever my family is, but a big part of my heart will always belong to Boca.”

Countess Henrietta de Hoernle, 1912-2016

Countess Henrietta de Hoernle, shown last year, left her name

and her husband’s name on more than 40 buildings throughout Boca Raton.

Photo by Barbara McCormick

Philanthropist donated
millions to Boca causes

By Mary Thurwachter

    Difference-makers support causes large and small and wear a variety of hats. Some even come with tiaras.
    Henrietta, the Countess de Hoernle, known as The Countess, was one of them. She possessed a bedazzling collection of the ornamental crowns, some of which are on display at the Boca Raton Historical Society with more of the philanthropist’s memorabilia.
    The countess died July 22 at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. She was 103.
    With or without bejeweled head wear, the countess sparkled.
    “Her eyes were so animated when talking about her favorite causes,” said Boca Raton native Doug Mummaw, an architect and Rotary Club president who worked with the countess on various causes. “I always think of her as this dignified, caring individual, much like her friend Flossy Keesely, who died in January at 101. These were special people.”
    The countess and her late husband, Adolph, the Count de Hoernle, moved to Boca Raton in 1981. With their time and money, the couple supported numerous charities, including soup kitchens, hospitals, universities and historical preservation.

In 1985, the countess donated $500,000 to restore the train depot

as a gift to her husband, Count Adolph de Hoernle.

Photo provided by the Boca Raton Historical Society

    Their impact was transformational.
    Their names appear on more than 40 local buildings, including the Red Cross, YMCA, Museum of Art and The Railway Station. They donated an estimated $40 million to local organizations.
    “While volunteering at a hospital as a young woman, I marveled at buildings that carried the names of people who gave money for people they didn’t know,” the countess said during a 2012 Coastal Star interview. “I wanted to do the same one day. I felt it was my obligation.”
    And give she did. Over and over again.
    The de Hoernles’ commitment to local philanthropy was unequaled, as they lent their name and resources to numerous charities in Boca Raton and the surrounding area.
    After Adolph de Hoernle died in 1998, the countess pressed on with her philanthropic work. She was active in the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and Knights of Malta, and is holder of the Grand Cross, Dame Commander of Justice and Ambassador at Large. Four years ago, she became one of just three people in the world to receive the Order of St. John’s highest award, the Cross of Merit.
    She gave her time, too, and served on more than 30 charitable boards. Her motto: Give while you live so you know where it goes.

The countess gave to and enjoyed the arts, here at Lynn University

with friends Ruth McGoldrick (left) and Madelyn Savarick.

Photo by Barbara McCormick

    “Henrietta, Countess de Hoernle, was one of the most remarkable ladies I have had the pleasure of knowing,” said her friend Isabelle K. Paul, commander, Order of St. John of Jerusalem. “Right up to the end she was still thinking of her beloved order, whose mission is to take care of the sick and the poor. She was the most selfless person whose heart was bigger than the universe. She was truly a blessing not only to the order, but to thousands who she never knew or faces she never saw. But her legacy will go on.”
    Another friend and philanthropist, Alyce Erickson, said she especially appreciated the countess’ support of the arts and the building of the Mizner Park Amphitheater, the construction of state-of-the-art theaters for dance, literature, drama, musical theater and music, and her financial support to exceptional young artists.
    “Because of her philanthropy, lives have been changed, hungry people fed and clothed, countless buildings have been built, education promoted, plus making available the Lynn University bachelor’s and master’s online degree programs, construction of dormitories, student life centers, recreational centers, athletic facilities and parks for one and all,” Erickson said.
    Mary Csar, executive director of the Boca Raton Historical Society, said she misses the countess already. Csar said that when the count and countess made a $500,000 donation to restore the 1930 train depot in 1985, it was the largest gift ever made in the state for historic preservation.
    The countess told The Coastal Star for a 2012 story connected to her 100th birthday celebration that her husband wasn’t thrilled with the idea of supporting the train station renovation.
    “He said he could build a new one for less money, which he could, of course,” the countess said. “But it wasn’t about that. It was about preservation. So I did it and gave it [The Count de Hoernle Pavilion] as a present for his birthday.”

From the Black Forest
to Brooklyn
    The countess was born Sept. 24, 1912, in the German Black Forest town of Karlsruhe. Her parents, George and Theresa, were musicians. She moved to the United States in 1931 to live with her grandparents in Brooklyn, N.Y.
    She married the first of three German husbands, Karl Heinz Bisping, after meeting him at the Liederkranz Club, a Manhattan social club founded by German-Americans to promote social interaction and instrumental music.
    After Bisping died in an accident, the countess later married Jeff Gass, who died in 1949 from malaria he contracted while serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.
    In 1950, the countess married businessman and engineer Adolph, the Count de Hoernle. They met at a Liederkranz masquerade ball.
    The couple lived in Bronxville, N.Y., where the countess began volunteering at the Lawrence Hospital thrift shop.
    Adolph de Hoernle made his fortune manufacturing stamped metal products. After he sold his company in 1965, the couple traveled the world.
    They began using titles before moving to Florida, and there was some controversy about how they acquired them. In 1992, a story in The Boca Raton News accused the de Hoernles of buying their titles in 1981 for $20,000. The countess forcefully denied the claim and disinherited the city’s charities to the tune of $22 million.
    She had a change of heart after residents resolutely supported her, stuffing her mailbox with letters of gratitude. Fans wore orange buttons and carried posters that read “I love Countess de Hoernle.” She felt the love — and she returned her money to the Boca Raton charities.
    She claimed the Knights of Malta, a European chivalric order to which the de Hoernles belonged, let them know that her husband, through his family, had a legitimate claim on the title and encouraged the duo to start using the titles, Count and Countess de Hoernle.
    The countess continued to help others. It was her passion, after all.
    “Pittsburgh had the Carnegies; New York, the Rockefellers; Seattle, Bill and Melinda Gates. Boca Raton was fortunate to have the de Hoernles,” said County Commissioner and former Boca Raton Mayor Steven Abrams. “The countess changed the philanthropy scene here by donating to a lot of different causes, not just a few pet projects, and also always challenging others to contribute along with her. She was also known for volunteering for the charities she supported.”  
    Henrietta, the Countess de Hoernle is survived by two daughters, Carol (Richard) Wagman and Diana (Alan) Burgess; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
    A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Aug. 6 at St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church, 100 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton. Public viewing and paying of respects will begin at St. Gregory’s at 9:30 a.m., before the funeral service.
    At her request, instead of flowers, family and friends are encouraged to make contributions to the Order of St. John of Jerusalem: Florida Commandery, c/o Commander Isabelle Paul, 1771 Sabal Palm, Boca Raton, FL 33432. Glick Family Funeral Home of Boca Raton handled funeral arrangements.

To read a Q&A with Countess de Hoernle on her 100th birthday, visit www.thecoastalstar.com.

The ocean in the Boca Inlet barely covers Paul Varian’s waist

because of sand accumulating.

Photo provided by Tony Coulter

By Steve Plunkett
    
    Boaters already watch out for snorkelers, rocks and paddleboarders in the Boca Raton Inlet. This summer they face a new danger: shoals in the middle of the channel.
    “The inlet is in real dire shape right now. At low tide it’s really a hazard getting out to the ocean,” said Tom Thayer, a boater and former member of the city’s marine advisory board.
    “You get out about a hundred yards past that jetty, and it has gotten very, very shallow, even almost impassable for smaller boats,” resident Lee Babey told the City Council at its July 26 meeting. “This summer I’ve really seen a lot of boats get stuck.”
    Capt. Tony Coulter, who lives in Boca Raton and runs the dive boat Diversity out of Deerfield Beach, said the sand was like an island.
    “Literally there’s an island out in the middle of this thing,” Coulter said. “You either have to cut real hard to the south and go straight down probably about four or five condos and then come back around to get away from the shoal, or cut to the north.”
    Both sides have their dangers, he said.
    “The problem with cutting to the south is there’s a group of rocks there that people put out there and there’s a whole bunch of kids snorkeling, there’s a whole bunch of boats out there, so you’ve got a choice — run over a snorkeler or go beach your boat on the sandbar,” he said.
    “Same thing on the north side — you’ve got the swimmers at the Boca Resort and Club, kayaks and paddleboards and all that stuff coming out.”
    Coulter asked that the city dredge what he called the southeast corner of the inlet to clear an alternate channel.
    “We’ve got commercial fishing boats that won’t use the inlet anymore because of the fact that it’s so shoaled up,” he said. “They’ll go down to Hillsboro or even go out of Boynton, which is even kind of worse when it comes to … being rough.”
    City Manager Leif Ahnell said his staff would look at options that could be undertaken in November as soon as turtle season ends.
    “We’re not permitted to do dredging now because of turtle season — they’re a federally protected species,” Ahnell said.

By Mary Hladky

    After months of effort, Boca Raton now has a stopgap policy intended to make its downtown more visually appealing.
    But a final policy won’t come for at least four more months as a city subcommittee studies the issue and makes additional recommendations on how developers should include open space in projects they submit to the city for approval.
    The City Council, sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency board, approved the open space policy by a 5-0 vote on July 25.
    It pushes developers to include open space that can be easily seen by the public, usually at the front of buildings. But it is more flexible than an earlier proposal that would have required open space to be at the front of buildings.
    Local architects at a May meeting opposed the idea, complaining that it would limit their design creativity and would not let them count as open space attractive features such as interior courtyards.
    “It should be predominantly visible [to the public] and connect to the public realm,” CRA Chairman Scott Singer said of the policy’s open-space intentions.
    Commissioner Robert Weinroth sought and received assurances that the city was not opening privately owned open space, such as a condo swimming pool and deck, to the public.
    The intent of the policy is to improve the appearance of downtown by requiring that building projects have open space that residents and visitors can see as they walk or drive downtown, even if they don’t have access to it.
    The matter now goes to a subcommittee of the Downtown Boca Raton Advisory Committee, which will conduct a thorough review and recommend further refinements.
    Committee members asked to be allowed to conduct the review and wanted six to nine months to complete it, but the CRA board limited them to four months.
    The board’s action is the result of the most recent controversy to erupt over downtown development.
    City officials in December discovered a 2003 memo of which they were unaware that had been used as a guide by planning staff evaluating proposed projects for their adherence to open-space requirements. They said the memo was partially erroneous and could have allowed developers to skimp on providing open space.
    Downtown activists were outraged that a potential mistake could have gone undetected for 13 years, and brandished accusations of “corruption” and “conspiracy.”
    That prompted an exhaustive four-month review of downtown projects approved since 1988. But rather than include too little open space, the review found that developers had delivered 26.3 percent more than required under city ordinance.
    Even so, city officials wanted to make sure the city’s open-space requirements are clear and unambiguous. That led to the recommendations to which the architects objected.
    The open-space issue is sensitive because downtown construction is booming, and many activists don’t like the appearance of new buildings they say are too massive and are changing the character of their city.
    These include the Mark at CityScape, a mixed-use project at the southeast corner of Federal Highway and Palmetto Park Road; the Palmetto Promenade, a mixed-use project across the street; and the huge Via Mizner development at the corner of East Camino Real and Federal.

By Steve Plunkett

    The City Council changed the land-use designation and zoning of its Wildflower site to accommodate a proposed restaurant, even as a Nov. 8 ballot question looms on whether the site should be commercial or green space.
    “I want to hear from the people on this in November, so I’m going to withhold my judgment,” Mayor Susan Haynie said before joining a 4-1 majority authorizing the changes. The northern portion of the waterfront parcel was coded for residential use, which Haynie said was inconsistent with the southern part.
    More than 20 members of the public spoke at the July 26 council meeting before the votes were taken.
    Resident and business owner Bobra Bush urged the council to support what would become the city’s only eatery on the Intracoastal Waterway.
    “Build a beautiful, Boca-worthy waterfront restaurant venue which can be enjoyed by residents and tourists alike, and make some money doing it,” Bush said. “That additional revenue will benefit all of Boca’s residents in work and play.”
    Another resident, artist Kim Heise, favored a park.
    “I would like to think we’re not kind of strapped for cash so much that we need to have so much revenue, we need to think like that has to be our top priority. I’d like to think that we can kind of consider, you know, environmental things as well,” Heise said.
    Council member Scott Singer, who voted against the changes, also weighed in for preserving the site.
    “There are plenty of restaurants; there’s not enough green space,” Singer said.
    In response to a citizen initiative, the council also introduced an ordinance to keep city-owned land on the Intracoastal only for “public recreation, public boating access, public streets and city stormwater uses.”
    Members will vote on the ordinance Aug. 9. If they do not approve the ordinance, they will vote on a resolution to place the question on the Nov. 8 presidential ballot.
    The July 26 votes changed the land-use designation of the northern part of the site from residential to commercial and rezoned it from single-family residential to local business district. The southern portion was already zoned local business.  The former Wildflower nightclub got special permission to put a parking lot on the then-residential portion, something that would not be allowed today, city senior planner Ingrid Allen said.
    Jeremy Rodgers, the council’s newest member, who had never taken part in a Wildflower vote, said there was a clear pattern in the history of the issue stretching back to 2006.
    “We’ve shown specific intention to move forward with this [restaurant] plan year after year, most recently in 2014, to move forward with this lease negotiation with good intention. ... I think we move forward with our original commitment and do, you know, stay true to our word,” Rodgers said.
    The city bought the 2.3-acre parcel on the north side of Palmetto Park Road in 2009 for $7.5 million. Council member Robert Weinroth said Boca Raton officials were not driven by a profit motive.
    “This has never been about [return on investment], this has never been about how much value can we get out of this land. If that’s what we were looking to do, we’d be building a condominium on there,” Weinroth said.
    City officials have tentatively scheduled a council vote on leasing the Wildflower site to the Hillstone Restaurant Group on Dec. 13 if the citizen initiative does not pass.

By Rich Pollack

    Highland Beach residents will see their municipal tax rate drop for a second consecutive year, after town officials gave tentative approval to a change in the operating rate from $3.50 per $1,000 of taxable value to about $3.28 per $1,000.
    During a special meeting last month, commissioners voted to approve the tentative rate but added that it could probably be even lower once the process of reviewing the town’s proposed 2016-17 budget begins this month.
    “I feel we can probably go down from there as we start tweaking,” Commissioner Carl Feldman said.
    The overall tax rate, with debt service included, would decrease to $3.88 per $1,000 of taxable value from $4.14.
    The reduction in the operating tax rate to the rollback rate — the rate needed to generate the same amount of property tax revenue the town received in the prior year — was made possible by an increase in the overall taxable value of property within the town.
    That number increased from $2.07 billion last year to $2.2 billion this fiscal year.
    Last year, Highland Beach commissioners cut the operating tax rate from $3.95 per $1,000 of taxable value — where it had been for three consecutive years — to $3.50.
    In addition to recommending that commissioners accept the rollback rate as the tentative tax rate, Finance Director Cale Curtis presented a proposed $11.02 million 2016-17 general fund budget.
    That budget is an increase of about $200,000 from the current year’s budget with about $31,000 in additional tax revenue as well as about $25,000 in revenue from licenses and fees.
    Curtis said the town can expect an additional $244,000 in expenses due to a newly negotiated contract for fire service with Delray Beach, which would be offset by reductions in personnel expenses and capital expenditures.
    Commissioners agreed to hold public hearings on the budget at 5:01 p.m. on Sept. 14 and Sept. 27.

By Rich Pollack

    After months of complaints from a handful of residents who say town codes are not being properly enforced, frustrated Highland Beach town commissioners agreed in July to revamp the code inspection process and hire a full-time code enforcement officer.
    Currently, the town has a building department office manager who spends about 10 hours a week investigating code violations. She passes the results of her investigation to the town’s contracted building official, Mike Desorcy, for follow-up.
    For the past several months, the firm that provides building inspection services — SAFEbuilt — has also provided a part-time code enforcement inspector who works three days a week.
    During a workshop late last month, however, commissioners learned the town was paying $48 an hour for the part-time code enforcement inspector and also paying additional fees when Desorcy provided code enforcement services.
    “We’ve been misled here,” Vice Mayor Bill Weitz said. “Our code enforcement person was an office manager? And we’ve been getting complaints for years? No wonder we don’t get code enforcement.”
    Commissioners said they were under the impression that SAFEbuilt was providing the part-time code inspector at no charge. “This is incredible to me,” Weitz said. “This is not a failure to communicate, this is miscommunication.”
    Commissioner Rhoda Zelniker, who has been speaking out for weeks about concerns with how town codes are enforced — specifically when it comes to new construction — said she, too, was upset to discover that the town didn’t have a full-time code enforcement inspector.
    “This really is unbelievable,” she said. “It’s disheartening to me.”   
    During the meeting, commissioners heard that before the recession, the town had a full-time building official and a full-time code enforcement officer. During the building slowdown, however, the town decided to outsource building inspection services.
    “Somehow we went from a department that had two functional people in it to a department that is dysfunctional,” Weitz said.
    In a recent follow-up meeting, commissioners agreed to begin the process of hiring a full-time code enforcement officer immediately.
    “For $48 an hour, we could certainly get a very fine person,” said Commissioner Lou Stern, who earlier had brought up the need for a full-time inspector. “We need to make sure people know we mean business.”
    Commissioners recommended the new code enforcement officer report to the Police Department. Police officers already assist with code enforcement during, after or before regular business hours.  
    In addition to discussing code enforcement, the commission also discussed renewal of the SAFEbuilt contract. SAFEbuilt receives 50 percent of building permit fees collected by the town. It also receives $48 an hour for planning and zoning consultation and any after-hours meetings or inspections.
    Commissioners agreed to the contract after being assured by Town Attorney Glen Torcivia that it could be terminated without cause by either side with 30 days’ notice.

By Rich Pollack

    Concerned about cuts to their benefits and the potential for more, Highland Beach’s civilian town employees have begun the process of forming a union.
    “On behalf of all the non-sworn and civilian employees, we are very upset at the fact that the town of Highland Beach has been reducing our employee benefits,” Fraternal Order of Police state representative Joe Puleo wrote in an Aug. 1 letter to town commissioners. “The employees have now chosen to join the Florida State Lodge Fraternal Order of Police as union members and the FOP will be placing the town on notice to refrain from reducing benefits.”
    Puleo’s request not to change employee benefits drew a heated response from Vice Mayor Bill Weitz, who has been one of the strongest proponents of trimming benefits he thinks are unnecessary.
    “This is nothing more than a move to stop this commission from moving forward with legitimate changes,” he said. “This is a deliberate attempt to undermine the authority of this commission.”
    Puleo, whose organization currently represents Highland Beach’s sworn police officers, said civilian town employees concerned about changes to their health benefits approached him several weeks ago. He said they approached him again late last month after town commissioners discussed additional cuts to benefits.
    “Highland Beach is a town that has always treated its employees well,” Puleo said. “These are hard-working people and for the town to mistreat them is just not fair.”
    He said an election on whether or not the employees should join the union can be held if 33 percent of eligible employees agree to begin the process of forming a bargaining unit.
    At an Aug. 2 meeting, Town Attorney Glen Torcivia said 14 of the 16 eligible employees had submitted cards indicating they were in favor of exploring whether to join a union.  
    Among the full-time employees who would be covered — if employees voted to have a union — are six employees in the town’s water treatment plant, three public works employees and two each in the public library and the building department. One employee each in the finance department, Police Department and in the clerk’s office would also be eligible.
    Puleo said it is not uncommon for non-sworn employees to choose to be represented by the FOP, adding that the union represents similar groups in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
    Town commissioners have been chipping away at employee benefits for several months, beginning last year when they cut employee raises.
    “The benefit reduction is uncalled for and has left all employees of the town no choice in forming a union,” Puleo wrote.
    Since 1992, non-union employees received an annual 5 percent merit raise and a cost-of-living adjustment. Beginning in October, the salary increases for this fiscal year were limited to 3 percent with no cost-of-living increase.
    In addition, commissioners previously agreed to eliminate an education bonus employees received for having college degrees.
    At a meeting early this month, commissioners agreed to eliminate deferred compensation ranging from $250 to $500 given to employees who do not have family members enrolled in the town’s health insurance plan.
    That change goes into effect Oct. 1.
    Commissioners this month also adopted a personal time off policy that would combine sick days, vacation days and non-federal paid holidays into a fixed number of days off calculated for each employee based on their longevity.
    That change goes into effect Jan. 1.
    The next step, according to Puleo, is for the employee’s cards to be submitted to the state Public Employees Relations Commission, which is authorized to host the election.

By Steve Plunkett

    The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District plans to keep taxes at the same amount it collected last year despite requests from city parks officials for nearly $4 million extra.
    “We did not exact out one dollar from any of the requests of the city of Boca Raton. We have acceded to their requests and are giving them every dollar that they are asking for,” Arthur Koski, the district’s interim executive director, said at a budget discussion Aug. 1.
    The district’s $50.4 million budget for fiscal 2017 includes $7 million to build four grass fields at the city-owned Spanish River Athletic Facility at Countess De Hoernle Park and $3 million for three artificial-turf fields at district-owned Patch Reef Park.
    “We’re going to commit to that [Patch Reef] project irrespective of what the City Council may decide on phase 2 at Spanish River. But we are prepared in this next fiscal year to construct phase 2 at Spanish River and to put the artificial fields in at Patch Reef Park,” Koski said.
    The council and beach and park commissioners agreed on both projects at a June 2015 joint meeting. But no work was started while the governments tried to craft a contract. In May, City Council member Robert Weinroth said “that ship has sailed” when asked if he still favored the Spanish River work.
    Commissioner Steven Engel asked Koski whether the city would ever approve the project.
    “I want everybody to know that from our perspective, that ship is still at the dock and we’re ready to go,” Koski replied.
    City officials seek $1.1 million more than they spent this year for operation and maintenance of parks and $350,000 more for administrative, supervisory and technical costs, a 33 percent boost.
    The district can absorb the city requests because some previously budgeted projects have been delayed. It owns and operates its own parks and pays for operation and maintenance of some city-owned facilities. It also pays half the costs of beach renourishment and makes other contributions to the city.
    In late July, commissioners set the tentative tax rate at 91.47 cents per $1,000 of taxable value. The owner of a $500,000 home would pay $457 in beach and park taxes, the same as in fiscal 2016. Most district residents also pay city taxes.
    The district’s first public hearing on its budget will be at 6 p.m. Sept. 12, the same night the city will have its first budget hearing.
Boca Raton wants $636,000 more than it spent last year to maintain Red Reef Park, a 17 percent increase. The amount includes hiring a turtle rehabilitation assistant, a park ranger, a maintenance supervisor and a part-time volunteer coordinator. The city also seeks $2.5 million for capital improvement projects, including $1 million for a dune crossover at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center, $220,000 to renovate Red Reef’s restrooms and $100,600 for information technology.
    The district will spend $2.8 million on improvements at the Swim and Racquet Center and also put $300,000 in a beach renourishment sinking fund.

By Steve Plunkett

    The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District has alerted the city in writing that it wants a voice in developing Boca Raton’s comprehensive waterfront plan.
    “As stakeholders of vacant beachfront and Intracoastal property, the district would like to request a cooperative role with the city in the development of the plan financially and also with regard to the preparation of the plan and its implementation,” Robert Rollins, the district’s chairman, said in a July 18 letter to Mayor Susan Haynie.
    The district owns Ocean Strand, almost 15 undeveloped acres between Spanish River and Red Reef parks. District commissioners fretted that they have not been updated on the city’s request for proposals from consultants, which were due June 1.
    Boca Raton seeks “an experienced firm” to develop a waterfront master plan “for city-owned properties adjacent to the Intracoastal Waterway and/or the Atlantic Ocean.” A contract has not been awarded.
    Rollins’ letter follows his appearance at a May 9 meeting where he told City Council members the same thing.

By Steve Plunkett

    The Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District is poised to freeze its annual contribution to the downtown Community Redevelopment Agency, meaning the CRA would get at least $132,000 less each year to keep the area pretty.
    “This is a business decision. I want that to be emphatically clear, that we’re looking at it from the standpoint of what’s fair for our community,” District Chairman Robert Rollins said.
    Other commissioners agreed.
    “If we don’t have to pay the money, why are we going to pay the money? Because we can use it for other projects,” Commissioner Dennis Frisch said. “I as a taxpayer would take offense at the district paying more money than we’re required to for anything.”
    “This is strictly a financial decision; it’s not a relationship decision,” Commissioner Earl Starkoff said.
    The beach and park district gave the CRA $894,000 last year and has been making contributions to its redevelopment trust fund since 1992. State law governing CRAs allows the district to freeze the amount it pays after 24 years. This is the first year it’s had the option to do so.
    The Beach and Park District money can be used only to beautify and maintain parks downtown, not to pay off debts.
    Arthur Koski, the district’s interim executive director, cautioned commissioners that while they are permitted to freeze the payments, Boca Raton officials might take offense.
    “I’m not quite sure if it’s an appropriate way to try to gather cooperation from the city, but it certainly is an opportunity for us,” Koski said.
    Commissioners will hold a special public hearing Aug. 22 on whether to use the freeze option on CRA payments.
    “If we exercise it now we will save our constituents over $1 million by 2024,” Starkoff said.

By Sallie James

    A decision by the Palm Beach County supervisor of elections to remove a mosque from a list of polling places and switch the locale to a public library has riled voters, both pro and con.
    Supervisor of Elections Susan Bucher made the decision to move the polling place out of the Islamic Center of Boca Raton and designate Spanish River Library as the Precinct 4170 polling place after receiving complaints from voters.
    Bucher said in an email that she received a call that “individuals planned to impede and maybe even call in a bomb threat to have the location evacuated on Election Day,” so she moved the site about two miles away to the library, at 1501 Spanish River Blvd.
    “My responsibility as the supervisor was to open 445 polling places on Election Day that were adequate and accessible to the voters,” Bucher wrote. “I was not in a position to address world issues.”
    Bassem Alhalabi, president of the Islamic Center of Boca Raton, could not be reached for comment despite several phone calls.
    The Islamic Center of Boca Raton is at 3480 NW Fifth Ave.
    The switch upset many who said the move smacked of racism, with many voters emailing Bucher asking why churches and synagogues were acceptable polling places but a mosque was not.
    “How is this not the definition of discrimination?” wrote Samir Kakli in an email. “I urge you to do the right thing and re-open ICBR … as a polling station in the upcoming elections.”
    Wrote Carol Esser and Joseph Herko: “I am saddened and disgusted by your response to xenophobic interests. If our polling place was in a black neighborhood, would you change it? If it was in a Jewish facility, would you bend to people’s biases and change it to another location? … Shame, shame, shame on you.”
    Wrote Karen Howell: “Thank you for moving election poll site from a Mosque. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you. Everyone I know agrees with the move. We thank you.”
    Wrote Becky Dymond: “I would not be comfortable entering into the Islamic Center of Boca Raton to vote … It is not Islamophobia to be concerned about public statements supporting Sharia law which are contrary to the basic tenets of democracy as practiced by our nation.”
    The mosque, which sits adjacent to Florida Atlantic University, opened in July 2012 for the rapidly growing Muslim population in southern Palm Beach County. It serves as a place for prayer, as an education center and a place for community gathering.

By Henry Fitzgerald

    In addition to voting for their choice of Democratic or Republican members of Congress in the Aug. 30 primary election, Boca Raton voters will be deciding how to fill council vacancies or whether council members should get a raise.
    One referendum question was added to the ballot at the request of Councilman Scott Singer. He said council vacancies take too long to fill and that voters should elect the person for the open seat.
    Under the current rules, the council selects a person to fill the seat, but Singer has said an unelected person could hold the seat for two years of a three-year term.
    “Shouldn’t residents have the greatest say?” he has asked.
    Councilman Mike Mullaugh pushed for the second question, saying better-paying council jobs might attract a wider field of candidates. The proposed raises would boost the mayor’s pay to $38,000 a year from $9,000, and a council member’s pay to $28,000 a year from $7,200. If approved, the pay hikes would become effective in October 2017.
    The questions read as follows, with “yes” and “no” options for voters:

City Of Boca Raton Referendum Question No. 1
    Proposed charter amendment filling of vacancies in the City Council
    The city charter provides: vacancies on City Council are filled by appointment until the next regular city election. The proposed charter amendment would provide: Vacancies on City Council, including the office of mayor, will be filled by special election for the unexpired term. The special election will generally be no later than the Tuesday following the 90th day after the vacancy (or on a scheduled election date if within 150 days of the vacancy).
    Shall the charter be amended?

City Of Boca Raton Referendum Question No. 2
    Proposed ordinance mayor and City Council member salaries
    The proposed ordinance provides that the annual salary of the mayor shall be increased to $38,000.00, and the annual salary of the other council members shall be increased to $28,000.00.
    Shall the above described ordinance be adopted?

See related stories on Seat 1 and Seat 3 candidates.

By Steve Plunkett

    Candidates for the Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District took off the gloves Aug. 2 in their first public forum.
“How can we expand our green space? … We need to focus this district on things that are bigger picture,” said Craig Ehrnst, who is challenging Dennis Frisch for Seat 1.
    “Unfortunately there’s this miscommunication between the Beach and Park District and the city of Boca Raton,” said Shayla Enright, who is also running for Seat 1. “I’d like to work to improve that communication issue.”
    “I am all about communication. I will take any call; I’ve taken any call. We are transparent,” Frisch said.
    Seat 3 incumbent Earl Starkoff, who faces challenges from John Costello and Erin Wright, said, “Our relationship is not as troubled as the current narrative would have you believe. Our relationship over 40 years has grown working with the city.”
    The Federation of Boca Raton Homeowner Associations sponsored the forum at the Downtown Library. Costello and Wright were on vacation.
    The candidates tackled communications with the city first. Starkoff said he wants three joint meetings a year between the City Council and the district, and biweekly meetings for the district’s executive director and the city manager.
    On Ocean Strand, Ehrnst called for development of an oceanfront park now.
    “Build it as a park. Use it,” he said. ”All of our green space is disappearing. To sit back and say, ‘There’s nothing else we can do,’ would be a shame.”
    The other candidates were content to hold off.
    “I have no problem with putting a few picnic tables down there so that the public can access it now if they wish. … That said, we don’t need to have anything there just because we own the property,” Frisch said.
    Starkoff said, “We need to do something to clear the exotics. If you don’t take care of it, it only gets worse. If there’s an economical way to make that space available, we should do something.” He added that Ocean Strand could make an ideal stop for a future water taxi.
    “I believe basically we should keep our green spaces green. I don’t think that we should develop all the property. Basically the property should be accessible to the public,” Enright said.
    There were a few gaffes. Most notably, Enright said the proposed Lake Wyman restoration should not be solely a district project. The proposal comes from the county, the Florida Inland Navigation District and the city. Frisch noted the district is not yet involved. And Ehrnst said the district should take advantage of low interest rates to acquire more parkland. The district prides itself on not borrowing money, although Frisch said he would not be against it if the right opportunity came up.
    Ehrnst apologized on Wright’s behalf for her absence and asked the audience to vote for both of them. Ehrnst and Wright held a joint fundraiser July 25; attendees included Mayor Susan Haynie and City Council members Michael Mullaugh, Jeremy Rodgers and Robert Weinroth.
    Wright leads the other candidates in raising campaign donations, with $3,385 collected as of Aug. 1, most of it from firefighters. Wright is married to a Boca Raton firefighter.
    Ehrnst was second in fundraising, reporting $3,135. His total included $100 from Haynie’s husband and several contributions from firefighters.
    Other finance reports show Starkoff with $1,485; his contributors include Beach and Park District Chairman Robert Rollins and former City Council members Al Travasos and Cormac Conahan.
    Frisch has collected $1,050, including $100 from a podiatrist in Connecticut and $250 from local architects Mummaw and Associates. Rollins has promised a donation, Frisch said.
    Enright and Costello had not filed reports by Aug. 1.

Live debate
    WHAT: Citizen watchdog group BocaWatch will host a debate for all six candidates.
    WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 11, 6:30 p.m.
    WHERE: Boca Raton Community Center, 150 Crawford Blvd. (next to City Hall)

    Beach and park commissioners serve four-year terms beginning Jan. 1 and are paid $80 for each meeting they attend. There are usually two meetings each month. The election will be Aug. 30.

John F. Costello
Age: 47
Occupation: accountant
Education: Bachelor’s in forest resources and conservation, University of Florida
Marital Status: Married, one son, one daughter
Political/Community Service Experience: first run for office
Biggest challenge? “I want to bring people out to the parks and engage our youth especially in activities away from cellphones and computers. The parks should be real destinations that provide people and families a way to have connected and vibrant lives.”

Earl Starkoff
Age: 67
Occupation: information technology services executive
Education: Master’s in business administration, University of Miami
Marital Status: Married, two children, two grandchildren
Political/Community Service Experience: commissioner, Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, since 2004; past president, Soccer Association of Boca Raton
Biggest challenge? “The district has a broad agenda to improve and modernize several of our older parks, build new parks and facilities that are needed now and as thousands of new residents arrive in the next few years, and have funds available for beach renourishment. We must continue our steady, responsible fiscal management to balance all of these projects with annual maintenance and operating expenses, so we pay as we go and remain debt-free.”
Website: EarlStarkoff.com

Erin A. Wright
Age: 37
Occupation: co-owner, home inspection service; former environmental health and safety specialist, Florida Atlantic University
Education: Master’s in exercise science and health promotion, FAU
Marital Status: Married, two sons
Political/Community Service Experience: past member, Boca Raton Green Living Task Force/Green Living Advisory Board
Biggest challenge? “Communication with city staff. There needs to be regular communication, weekly or every-other-week meetings, between city staff and district staff. There needs to be a full-time executive director for this exact reason. If I win the election, I will be the new voice for our young families in the community and speak up in regards to opening these lines of communication.”
Website: www.eriniswright4u.com

Craig F. Ehrnst
Age: 52
Occupation: corporate treasurer, NCCI in Boca Raton
Education: Master’s in business administration, University of Michigan
Marital Status: Married, two sons, one daughter
Political/Community Service Experience: Board of directors, Boca Raton YMCA and Boca Raton Children’s Museum; three years on the city’s Financial Advisory Board; unsuccessful run for City Council in 2014
Biggest challenge? “Communication. ... The district and the city are simply not communicating. Each part has their own priorities and their own direction. A good example is the closed Sugar Sand playground. The district closed the community-built playground abruptly in January 2015 and did not start construction work until months later (actually I believe sometime in 2016). ... Because neither party is communicating, my 9-year-old son will miss 2 years of his life not playing on one of the best playgrounds in the area.”
Website: craigehrnst.com

Shayla Enright
Age: 26
Occupation: medical physicist
Education: Dual bachelor’s degrees in physics and chemistry, Florida Atlantic University; Professional Science Master’s degree in medical physics, FAU; master’s in biomedical engineering, University of Miami
Marital Status: single
Political/Community Service Experience: first run for office
Biggest challenge? “The biggest challenge is the communication issue with the city which prevents projects from getting completed and budget goals from being met. They need to have a face-to-face meeting, which hasn’t happened in over a year. Additionally, the district is constantly backpedaling on ideas discussed and decisions made during City Council meetings. District representation at city meetings would help prevent this and keep the district in the loop before it’s too late. I would be proactive about improving communication and attending city meetings.  Finally, the residents need to be more aware of the district in order to hold the commissioners more accountable. This can be achieved by having a district online blog or discussion site, Facebook page, or having the meetings at times which are more convenient for working residents.”

Dennis R. Frisch
Age: 61
Occupation: podiatrist
Education: Medical degree from Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine, North Chicago
Marital Status: Married, two adult children, one grandchild and another due in November
Political/Community Service Experience: commissioner, Greater Boca Raton Beach and Park District, since 2008; member, Boca Raton Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, since 2007
Biggest challenge? “My opponents have both declared that they will improve relationships with the city of Boca Raton. Neither has been involved enough to fully understand this issue nor others facing the district. They have made only token appearances at our district meetings and are basing their election campaign on media reported issues that are not nearly as great as believed. I have eight years of experience in this position. During that time we have developed a new park, upgraded our current parks and had countless successful interactions with the city. I have the desire to continue, and pledge to work effectively on behalf of ALL people living in the Beach and Park District which includes people that live outside Boca Raton.”
Website: www.electdennisfrisch.com

By Sallie James

    The controversy surrounding a proposal to build an Orthodox synagogue and Israel museum east of the Intracoastal Waterway continues to swirl in a legal game of back-and-forth.
    The winner in the latest round? Chabad of East Boca. But it’s likely not over yet.
    The saga took another twist in late July when a federal judge dismissed a lawsuit that claimed the city gave Chabad of East Boca special treatment when it approved plans for the ambitious project, at 770 E. Palmetto Park Road, in May 2015.
    The lawsuit, filed by city activists Kathleen Barr MacDougall and Gerald Gagliardi in February 2016, accused the city of ignoring parking deficiencies and approving a building that exceeded allowed sizes and approving deviations and variances that did not meet legal criteria.
    “This is just one step in what will probably be a lengthy process,” MacDougall said.
    In his ruling on a motion to dismiss, U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra said MacDougall and Gagliardi had no standing to challenge the city’s decision because they failed to prove that they had suffered an injury as a result of the city’s actions. The duo specifically failed to demonstrate how the change in zoning laws harmed them and failed to prove how a building can be “injurious” without stating how it causes injury, according to the ruling.
    “Plaintiffs failed to prove any injury at all, let alone one that is concrete and polarized,” Marra wrote in the July 21 decision. “Plaintiffs’ argument that they have established injury in fact lacks merit.”
    Arthur Koski, attorney for MacDougall and Gagliardi, said he planned to file an amended complaint.
    Rabbi Ruvi New acknowledged the possibility of facing an amended complaint in the federal lawsuit but said he is confident Chabad of East Boca will prevail.
    “It’s not ending as quickly as we would have liked. We would have preferred to not be in any litigation. It will, God willing, come to an end and we will build,” New said.
    In early June, a separate lawsuit went against the Chabad when a three-judge Palm Beach Circuit Court panel ruled that Boca officials erred in giving officials permission to build.
    The judges said the city should have disallowed the project outright or followed a city code requiring 239 parking places.
    “The city may not pick and choose which sections of the City Code will apply to the ‘My Israel Center,’” according to their June 6 decision.
    David Roberts, the owner/broker of Royal Palm Properties across the street from the proposed synagogue, asked the court in the August 2015 lawsuit to review the City Council’s approval of the site plan, saying it “departed from the essential requirements of the law.”
    Plans for the sprawling 18,000-square-foot synagogue and museum have been a sore spot with homeowners who live on the barrier island and complain the project provides too little parking and will snarl traffic. Residents are also upset that council members voted to allow the proposed synagogue’s height to exceed the 30-foot limit allowed by city code and rise to 40 feet, 8 inches, claiming the project’s increased height would set a precedent for future, taller developments that could ruin the area’s ambiance.
    The Chabad has been trying to find a larger place to meet for years, and Roberts’ lawsuit was the second time parking tripped up its plans. In 2008 the congregation wanted to move into a 23,000-square-foot building near Mizner Park, but was not able to meet parking requirements there.
    Proponents claim the open parcel on East Palmetto Park Road is perfect for Chabad of East Boca’s state-of-the-art synagogue and world-class, interactive Israel museum and will increase area property values. They disagree with claims of increased traffic, noting that Chabad members walk to services per their religion.
    Opponents insist that such a facility’s use will be too intense for the site and will drive extra traffic into an already congested area also critically affected by the ups and downs of the Palmetto Park Road drawbridge. They also claim the height will be intrusive.