By John Pacenti

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Long criticized the negotiation process as “idiotic.” 

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

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

By John Pacenti

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

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

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

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

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

Mayor’s criticisms 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Carney gave Moore a 2.8.

Casale’s concerns

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tomey was fired and is suing the city.

Markert, Long and Burns

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By John Pacenti

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

House on fire

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Camera investigation

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lifeguards reflect on secrets to success after fourth rowing title

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

By Ron Hayes

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

On the contrary.

•

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

Cattan and Livingstone were not among them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

•

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

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

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

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

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

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

•

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

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

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

•

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

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

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

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

Except for one frightening encounter.

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

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

•

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

•

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Mary Hladky

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Rich Pollack

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Henry Fitzgerald

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The second-place award is:

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

The third-place awards are:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Submitted by the family

By Hannah Spence

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Hannah Spence

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

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

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

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

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

By John Pacenti

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Christine Davis

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q: What book are you reading now?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

If You Go

What: 18th annual Boca’s Ballroom Battle

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

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

Why: Fundraiser for the George Snow Scholarship Fund

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

Info: ballroombattle.com

The former bank site at the southwest corner of Ocean Avenue and Ocean Boulevard in Plaza del Mar is the prime contender for a new facility that would replace the current Manalapan Town Hall and possibly house the Police Department and fire station. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

By John Pacenti

Manalapan elected officials got their first taste of some examples of what a new Town Hall might look like. A few took a spit take.

After an Aug. 12 Zoom presentation, the answer for some commissioners was none of the above.

Town Manager Eric Marmer said elected officials — as well as himself — had concerns about separating the police and fire departments from the proposed Town Hall, as one proposal suggested.

That means there is only one viable solution to keep all services in one building: putting them at the southwest corner of Ocean Avenue and Ocean Boulevard, an outparcel at the Plaza del Mar shopping center.

Town residents know the site well, as the one-time bank-building-turned-office-suite became the subject of foreclosure this year.

After the presentation by Currie, Sowards Aguila Architects, there were a lot of moving pieces. One decision Marmer made was to postpone plans to ask town residents in March for approval to spend money on a new Town Hall.

That will have to wait until 2027, most likely.

“I don’t think it’s prudent to spend the time, the money and put the effort into this without first securing the site that this all is contingent on,” Marmer said. “So I need to play the process out before I can move forward with really anything.”

The architects proposed three possible locations: the Plaza del Mar outparcel; the current Town Hall site on South Ocean Boulevard, which also houses police and fire rescue services; and the town library site on Point Manalapan— though the last was dismissed by the architects as less than desirable.

One proposed plan was to build a one- or two-story Town Hall on the bank site and build a new fire and police station on the current Town Hall site.

“We tried to fit all three programs on that (bank) site, but it was going to create like a four-story building that was not going to function very well,” said CSA architect Jess Sowards.

Commissioners expressed concerns about whether the structure for police and fire would have an impact on neighboring properties, particularly La Coquille Villas.

When it came to the old bank building site, Sowards said, “So this would set up like a public plaza on the corner of Ocean Avenue and really set up a gateway.”

If the old bank building site is to work with police and fire in tow, the town must secure more land — in addition to the building itself. But building across the street means that the current Town Hall can remain operational, saving Manalapan the headache and money of finding temporary space.

“Now we’re looking at the possibility of moving everything over there, and then we’d explore the option of selling the Town Hall, the current property, to help fund the new Town Hall,” Marmer said.

The town has also received a $1 million commitment from a resident toward the new building, he said.

The former bank building has been converted to office space and is owned by Babylon, New York-based Salute Realty, which purchased the building at 131 S. Ocean Blvd. for $1.2 million in 2019.

It was also subject to a foreclosure action by the town in February for $163,000 in unpaid code enforcement fines for unapproved renovations.

The current Town Hall is located at 600 S. Ocean Blvd., but is considered insufficient for Manalapan’s needs with about 5,300 square feet of office space — including the commission chambers.

The 1981-built building has perpetual drainage and air-conditioning problems as well, Marmer said.

It is hardly reflective of the town, with its dentist-office vibe. There isn’t even enough space for a fourth man on fire department shifts as is now required by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue — even though Manalapan is paying the county for that firefighter.

After speaking to departments and officials with the town, the architects said a new Town Hall of about 10,000 square feet would be needed.

Marmer said the owners of Plaza del Mar — an LLC tied to the Wilf family, which owns the Minnesota Vikings — indicated they would be open to discussing selling part of the plaza’s lots adjacent to the old bank building.

CSA Architects, during the presentation, said a Town Hall at Ocean and Ocean would make a statement at the town’s gateway. It presented modern designs of what a new Town Hall could look like.

“I think contemporary is the way to go,” said Commissioner David Knobel. “I don’t see doing it in a Key West style, or a British West Indies.”

Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of Commissioner David Knobel.

By Steve Plunkett

A review of pay in neighboring municipalities that Mayor Scott Morgan found “disturbing” is leading to hefty raises for Gulf Stream’s town manager, assistant town attorney and police chief.

“Our town manager salary is not only last among all towns in the area and on the barrier island, but way less,” Morgan said at the commission’s Aug. 8 meeting. “And it’s an issue that’s going to come back and bite us when we need to address the hiring of another manager.”

Morgan proposed raising Town Manager Greg Dunham’s pay to $195,000, up from $160,983.

“It is still right near the bottom, but it’s a substantial increase that at least makes us competitive with Manalapan,” the mayor said.

Morgan also proposed raising Assistant Town Attorney Trey Nazzaro’s salary to $187,500, up from $157,740, and Police Chief Richard Jones’ pay to $175,000, up from $152,100.

On the chief’s salary, “we’re not last. We’re penultimate, we are next to last and the other salaries are considerably higher,” Morgan said, first suggesting a raise to $165,000.

“My suggestion is to move the chief to $175,000. I’m afraid of poaching,” Dunham said.

Morgan and the rest of the commission quickly agreed.

“The reason our town runs so well is that our staff stays here, and they’re consistent and they’re loyal and we have a great relationship with them,” Morgan said.

Christmas decorations
Another budget move earlier in the Aug. 8 meeting will bring Christmas decorations to Place Au Soleil this year.

Dunham told commissioners that his proposed budget includes $30,000 for holiday decorations, with perhaps $9,000 of that going to the neighborhood on the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway.

“Last year (Town Clerk Renee Basel) did a wonderful job of decorating Town Hall over here,” he said. “We haven’t really ever done anything over at Place Au Soleil. I talked to residents over there and so we’re including money to put Christmas lights up in the entry area.”

Commissioner Rob Canfield, who lives in the neighborhood, said the homeowners there presented “some grandiose plans, but we’ve been able to scale it back.”

“So, lovely but not like crazy?” Commissioner Joan Orthwein asked.

“That’s what we’re going for,” Canfield said. 

By John Pacenti

Delray Beach Mayor Tom Carney has certainly been a summer pugilist.

He took on the police union over its contract demands in June, his fellow commissioners over the budget in July, and then the city’s Downtown Development Authority in August.

The latest battle hasn’t been pretty. Carney has weathered criticism from some commissioners, and the DDA has gone on the offensive, promoting its work and pushing back on the mayor. 

The mayor has tangled with DDA Executive Director Laura Simon and sparred with its chair, Dr. Alan Costilo, owner of Big Al’s Steaks on Atlantic Avenue.

“I’m fighting for the taxpayers. Taxpayers, that’s who I work for. I don’t work for the staff. I don’t work for you. I don’t work for the press,” Carney told The Coastal Star. “I work for the taxpayers.”

The DDA consented to an internal audit, with a report that could be coming in September, after a furious back-and-forth with Carney at the commission’s Aug. 19 meeting.

“Bring it on,” Simon said at the meeting.

Director put on the spot

Delray Beach’s downtown — a vital economic engine for the city — is one of the trendiest business districts in Florida, a must-see on many South Florida tourists’ and foodies’ lists. The DDA is the body that helps make it all happen.

The DDA has an operating budget a bit north of $2 million that comes from taxes paid by downtown property owners. It puts on events, such as Savor the Avenue, Fashion Week, Art & Jazz on the Avenue, and Restaurant Month. It also funds the downtown safety ambassadors program and the beachside Visitor Information Center, among other things.

It is asking for an additional $800,000 to run Old School Square for the upcoming fiscal year, a burden that it agreed to take on in 2022 after the city kicked out the the nonprofit that was the square’s longtime operator. It runs the Cornell Art Museum, the amphitheater and the vintage gym.

Carney started criticizing the DDA during Simon’s presentation on Old School Square for the 2025-26 budget at the Aug. 19 commission meeting. “I’d like to know why the administrative costs are at 66% of your operating budget,” he said.

Carney asked why the DDA budget went up 100% in five years and said Simon was “disingenuous” by producing budget numbers for the Creative Arts School — run by the city in the Crest Theatre on the Old School Square campus — that were knowingly inaccurate. 

Simon has criticized the art school’s plans to take storage space for the amphitheater from the authority for a new pottery studio. 

When Simon said she was there just for the Old School Square presentation, not to answer questions about the DDA’s general budget, Carney retorted, “I’m talking about Old School Square, too, because I happen to think that before we give you another $700,000, $800,000, $900,000 — whatever you are asking for — that we should have our auditor make sure how you’re spending the taxpayers’ dollars.”

When Carney said there was a lack of receipts for expenditures by the DDA, Commissioner Juli Casale chimed in, saying, “Can she [Simon] explain that? You’re making serious accusations at their meetings, and here.”

Stress with mayor on board 

Simon at one point said, “We don’t have to be here. We could give the keys back, if that’s what you guys want,” drawing murmurs from the crowd.

Carney isn’t concerned about Simon’s threat to walk away from Old School Square. “I think the city can run it. I think there needs to be a transition period, but the city can run it. The city ran it before,” he told The Coastal Star.

Also, the Creative Arts School shows the city can successfully program for that space, Carney said.

Commissioner Tom Markert, who was effusive in his praise of the DDA, appeared furious with the mayor when Carney said his inquiry wasn’t personal. “This is the most personal thing I’ve seen,” Markert said.

The clash had been brewing for over a month, ever since Carney found a measure in the DDA’s charter that allowed him to sit as a non-voting member on its board, whose members are appointed by the City Commission. He then peppered the DDA with questions about its books from holiday dinners and whether taxpayer money was going to private events.

Carney also made a public records request to see all of the DDA’s financials and repeatedly said he was not happy that Simon wanted to meet with him one-on-one, rather than provide the documentation.

Then Costilo — the DDA’s chair — reached out to Simon by e-mail, concerned that now that the mayor was sitting as a member of the DDA’s board, that he was violating state law by talking to other board members outside of meetings.

Carney then sent Costilo a cease-and-desist letter on Aug. 13, saying he was defamed. He demanded that Costilo issue a formal apology. 

Costilo refused and then asked the board to consider changing its charter at its Aug. 18 meeting so the mayor can no longer sit as an ex officio member. 

“It’s a little uncomfortable to be forced to have somebody sit on your board,” Costilo said. “I think it would be best to allow him to speak anytime he wants, which we’ve always entertained.”

As for the mayor’s cease-and-desist letter, Costilo said, “I don’t think he likes me much.”

By John Pacenti

Delray Beach city commissioners voted to deny a controversial renovation proposal for a historic home in the Marina Historic District, dealing a significant blow to a property owner who had spent years and millions of dollars attempting to preserve and upgrade the property.

The proposed project at 46 Marine Way would have dramatically transformed an 800-square-foot historic structure, elevating it to 14 feet and adding substantial new construction to it. Despite the property owner’s passionate plea to save the deteriorating home, city staff and several preservation advocates argued the plan would irreparably damage the district’s historic integrity.

Dan Edwards, who owns the  property under 46 Marine LLC, testified that he had invested approximately $4 million in the project and was committed to preserving the structure. The debate concluded a 6½-hour commission meeting on Aug. 19.

“I could have demoed the property, but that wasn’t my choice,” Edwards said. He emphasized the home was in significant disrepair and needed substantial intervention to prevent further deterioration.

City staff presented a comprehensive 36-page report detailing multiple concerns, including the proposal’s failure to meet Secretary of the Interior standards for historic preservation. The report highlighted issues with building height, setbacks and the proposed addition’s massive scale relative to the original structure.

Preservation advocates who spoke during public comment were unanimous in opposing the project. 

Sandy Zeller, a former president of the Marina Historic District Homeowners Association, urged commissioners to trust professional planners and deny the application.

“The applicant knew what they bought when they bought it. They knew what the requirements are,” he said.

Price Patton of the Delray Beach Preservation Trust said, “They’re not really saving an historic house, they’re destroying it with all the additions.” Patton is a part owner of The Coastal Star.

The proposed renovation would have elevated the home to 14 feet, put in a three-story addition, and included significant variances from existing zoning regulations. City staff argued these changes would create a “false sense of historical development” and fundamentally alter the district’s character.

The district is to the south of Atlantic Avenue along the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway.

Commissioner Juli Casale said the project to renovate the Mediterranean revival home “risks the integrity of our historic district” and fails to comply with multiple preservation standards.

Mayor Tom Carney initially suggested sending the project back for further revisions, hoping to provide the owner an opportunity to modify the plan. However, City Attorney Lynn Gelin advised against this approach, emphasizing the need to evaluate the current application strictly on its merits.

Commissioners Angela Burns, Tom Markert and Casale voted to deny the certificate of appropriateness. Carney and Vice Mayor Rob Long voted to approve it.

The decision means Edwards cannot proceed with the current renovation plan and would need to submit a substantially revised proposal that more closely adheres to historic preservation guidelines.

The case highlights the ongoing tension in Delray Beach between property owners’ development desires and the community’s commitment to preserving its historic districts. 

With only five historic districts in the city, commissioners repeatedly emphasized the importance of maintaining architectural integrity. 

By Jane Musgrave

Two years after William Lowe was accused of shooting his wife, chopping her up with a chainsaw and stuffing her body into suitcases that bobbed up in the Intracoastal Waterway, the Delray Beach man remains jailed with no trial date set.

Since he was arrested in August 2023 and charged with first-degree murder in the death of 80-year-old Aydil Barbosa Fontes, Lowe has rarely appeared in court. His next court date was to be Sept. 3, but nothing was expected to happen.

“I’m in no rush to try this case,” said attorney Franklin Prince, who represents Lowe, now 80. “Sooner or later, we’ll have an agreement.”

While no plea deal is in the works, Prince said it is unlikely state prosecutors want to take the case to trial. Prosecutors don’t comment on pending cases.

Despite the grisly nature of Fontes’ death and evidence that Lowe carefully planned to murder and then dismember his wife of 21 years, prosecutors aren’t seeking the death penalty.

Lowe faces the possibility of life in prison if convicted of charges of murder and abuse of a dead body.

His former attorney suggested that trauma Lowe suffered while serving in the Vietnam War, coupled with recent falls, could have spurred the twisted attack. But, Prince said, Lowe is competent to stand trial.

He was arrested on Aug. 2, 2023, two weeks after suitcases that contained the remains of his wife were discovered in the Intracoastal. Once investigators identified her through dental records and DNA, they approached Lowe’s condo on Venetian Drive just blocks from the Intracoastal.

There they found a trail of blood. In a storage unit, they discovered the chainsaw. They also found blood in an upstairs unit that was owned by Lowe’s sister, which neighbors said he used for storage. 

A burrowing owl perches on a sign at Florida Atlantic University. Students say the school’s expansion is taking habitat away from the threatened birds, which happen to be its official mascot. Photo provided by Jose Camacho

By Janis Fontaine 

Resilience. Persistence. Tenacity. Intelligence. 

These attributes of the Florida burrowing owl make it an excellent school mascot for Florida Atlantic University. 

So why are some of these threatened owls being evicted from their underground homes on campus? 

The tiny raptor, the only owl that lives and breeds underground, comes under fire every time FAU expands on its Boca Raton campus. The construction of the ironically named Talon Hall, a new seven-story, 244-unit dormitory, has already displaced at least two owls living in one burrow. They moved, but no one knows where.  

The school paid $1,900 for a Florida Burrowing Owl Incidental Take Permit from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that allowed it to harass the owls legally, targeting three inactive nest burrows on one lot. The permit secured last September says that burrow cluster “may be destroyed in association with construction of student housing. …” 

The permit allows the permittee to “frighten without touching” — using loud noises — and it is allowed to fill in any burrow that doesn’t have eggs or young birds in it. The permit holder isn’t required to provide a new home for the displaced birds.

Jose Camacho, an environmental engineering student who founded FAU’s Sustainability Club last year, has been a voice for the raptor on campus. The club has about 200 active members who address issues like responsible building and the health and welfare of protected species like owls and gopher tortoises. 

“Since we started, the movement has been to raise awareness, to work collaboratively with the school to incorporate sustainability into the master plan, to have respect for the natural environment. We understand growth; the issue is when conservation is neglected,” he said.

Camacho started a petition on change.org in February opposing the harassment of owls near Talon Hall, which had 4,191 signatures as of Aug. 23.

“We understand the reality of development. We’re just asking that they find better ways. There are a lot of organizations that do growth sustainably. It’s a shame to see it being neglected here,” Camacho said.

FAU: Population is growing, healthy

Joshua Glanzer, FAU’s associate vice president for media relations and public affairs, said the burrowing owl population “has shown consistent growth, resulting in a healthy and sustainable presence across the campus today.”

“FAU takes a proactive approach through its conservation committee to manage natural habitats and species on the Boca Raton campus,” Glanzer said. “Efforts have included creating new open-grass owl habitats and working with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to install artificial burrows, many of which are now occupied, as confirmed in recent species assessments.”

The owl has been FAU’s mascot since the mid-’80s, but it’s been a protected species on campus since 1971. Walk along Indian River Street on the campus and you might just see one checking you out. But. advocates wonder, for how long? 

FAU calls itself an owl sanctuary, but in reality the owls are not a priority, Camacho said. He and other club members attended a meeting with FAU’s Facilities Management, which oversees all the construction on campus, and Miller Legg, a Sunrise-based environmental consulting company that has been working with the university to track owls since 2011. 

“They made it really clear what their position was: The owls can stay until we need the land. They showed us all these maps with green conservation areas but it’s a screen to cover what’s really happening” and they have no intention of protecting the native wildlife, Camacho said.

It’s not the first time the owl has been at the center of a controversy between progress and environmental protection at FAU. In 2005, it was the construction of the medical school. Ten years after that, the new stadium needed more parking and tailgating space for students on game days. The university has received at least six Migratory Bird Nest Removal permits since 2009. 

Joshua Scholl, a biology professor, thinks burrowing owls relocated to the sandy scruff left behind when the land was cleared for the Boca Raton Army Airfield in 1942 and have been living there for about 80 years, displaced by development in Central Florida. 

FAU officially opened on that old airfield in 1964. In 1971, the National Audubon Society took notice of the owls and designated four conservation areas to preserve them, including the strip of land alongside Glades Road. The campus originally had 120 acres of preserves available for native wildlife. Now it has 95.

Avian biologist Kelly Heffernan, founding director of the nonprofit Project Perch, said burrowing owls are incredibly resilient and will find and make homes in new suitable places if they’re available, but to displace them with nowhere to go isn’t right. 

Project Perch has successfully relocated owls before using artificial burrows, and its program at Broward College has owl numbers soaring. 

FAU’s Glanzer said the university’s owl numbers are healthy too.

“A protected species assessment conducted in January 2025 documented 64 potentially occupied burrows. Our environmental consultants estimated the current population at 30 to 40 individuals — approximately double the estimate from 10 years ago — and 31 owls were visually observed during the recent campus-wide protected species survey,” he said.

The university points to the Tortuga Preserve, an area located near the stadium, as a potential home for the displaced owls, but it’s too overgrown with invasive plants like Brazilian pepper to support owls or gopher tortoises, Heffernan said. Without clearing the land mechanically or with a prescribed burn, the preserve will not support either species. 

Heffernan said the owl is less affected by development than the gopher tortoise, which can’t fly to scout out new digs.  

Some call for better planning

For many local residents, alumni and students, the owl is a symbol of Florida’s soul. 

Paul Kragh, a volunteer with Project Perch, says burrowing owls symbolize the tenacity and intelligence of the settlers who developed South Florida. They’re clever birds, he says. The burrowing owl can imitate the sound of a rattlesnake’s rattle to scare off predators. It also practices a kind of farming, depositing bits of dog waste near its burrow knowing the odor will lure insects in for an easy snack. 

“How can you not love the little guy?” asked Kragh, a retiree. He knows the owl can be saved and he’s ready to lend a hand. “We’ve placed more than 500 artificial burrows around South Florida with great success. Our only goal is to protect the owl.”

Working with Heffernan and Project Perch, Kragh has proved that artificial burrows correctly placed, along with appropriate maintenance of the landscape, is a successful way of supporting the burrowing owl community. The burrows are fairly cheap — about $250.  

Heffernan says that with proper planning, the owls can thrive. 

Building up instead of out, with parking garages instead of lots, would conserve space for owls and gopher tortoises, Heffernan said. 

Dr. Colin Hughes, who has been at FAU since the ’70s, has watched this story play out time and again. A long-term plan is needed, he said. Keeping campus vegetation short but not manicured and avoiding irrigation near owl nesting grounds would help. 

Bill Comiskey, a Boca Raton businessman, has lived within a mile of FAU since 1970, and he’s been watching this story unfold, too. He has offered to pay for artificial burrows for the displaced owls. 

“There needs to be a permanent plan in place,” Comiskey said. He tried speaking to the university without success. He and other local residents are “frustrated” by FAU’s inability to resolve the owl issue. “I see a lot of interest but no action. There are a lot of residents who care about the owls. I’m happy to join and do what needs to be done.” 

Critics say the university finds the community and Camacho’s club easy to ignore. “They see a cycle of students who will go away if they wait us out. But we are proving we’re a generation of students who can keep the movement going,” he said. Camacho graduates in December and has passed the baton to new leaders who promise to keep the pressure on. 

There’s a lot of momentum around the owls, with Camacho saying he’s heard from news organizations, environmental groups like Project Perch, community members and students who want to help.  

“The only organization that’s not reaching out to us is our own school. Everyone seems to care about this, but they’re looking the other way.” 

By Steve Plunkett

Briny Breezes’ quest to leave the Palm Beach County Library District and save town taxpayers a collective $57,000 in library taxes is over.

Town Attorney Keith Davis announced Aug. 28 that it legally cannot be done.

“There are a number of municipalities in Palm Beach County that are not taxed by the library district because those municipalities have a comparable level of taxation for their residents. At the municipal level they have their own municipal libraries which are taxed at comparable levels,” Davis said.

“The county is of the opinion that yes, Briny Breezes has a library; no, it is not funded to the level that will allow or would make the county interested in entering into … an agreement with Briny Breezes. If they’re not going to enter into that agreement, then there’s nowhere else to go, because you can’t opt out if the county is not willing.”

Town Manager Bill Thrasher first suggested seceding from the county’s library system on June 26. The Town Council directed Thrasher and Davis to confer with the library about how to withdraw. Davis had said it may be possible to challenge rules the district has about leaving its system.

The county library sends its Bookmobile to Briny every two weeks. Residents can get free library cards, and they have access to the system’s electronic resources and to cooperating libraries, which include Boynton Beach’s and Delray Beach’s. The town also has its own library with a volunteer librarian, Donna Clarke.

Only 56 Briny residents have county library cards, according to County Library Director Douglas Crane. He also said 119 residents have Boynton Beach privileges, and 36 have Delray Beach cards.

Seven residents emailed the town opposing any move to leave the county system.

“The fact that the PBC Library offers the mobile unit is a blessing, it is an extremely important service for those who do not drive and would not be able to avail themselves to these services,” wrote Kathleen Strank.

“The Boynton Beach Library is a wonderful facility with so many opportunities for classes, seminars & research,” Marla Guzzardo’s email said.

Mayor Ted Gross also opposed the idea, saying early on that paying county library taxes is similar to town residents paying Briny Breezes Inc. for the shuffleboard courts whether they used them or not.

He had also dismissed the town’s library as being “jigsaw puzzles, books and some movies. It’s nothing compared to what we’re talking about, the resources, the Bookmobile.”

Seceding from the county library would not have benefited the town’s budget directly, but Thrasher was looking for ways to reduce residents’ overall tax burden as he increases the town’s property tax rate to gather matching funds for grants won or envisioned to improve Briny’s stormwater system and sea walls.

The town’s proposed tax rate is $6.75 for every $1,000 of taxable value, up from the current $3.75 per $1,000 rate.

He spent part of the Aug. 28 meeting showing how his proposed tax rate of $6.75 per $1,000 of taxable value would affect librarian Clarke’s total tax bill.

Alderman David White said the corporation decided to reduce what it collects from co-op owners by $6 a share. A single mobile home has multiple shares depending on size and location.

“It’s not, for me at least, a wash,” White said, but it does change the total payout.

The council has scheduled public hearings in Town Hall for the tentative $6.75 tax rate at or after 5:01 p.m. Sept. 11 and for the final tax rate at the same time Sept. 25. The council can lower but not raise the tentative rate.

ABOVE: The founders of Paradise Bank were (l-r) Bill Burke, founding president, vice chairman and chief operating officer; David Englert, founding chief business development officer and executive vice president;  Ward Kellogg, founding chairman and CEO; and Dennis Gavin, founding chief credit officer and executive vice president. Here they are together for the bank’s 20th birthday party.  Photo provided BELOW: The new home office of Paradise Bank opened Aug. 25 at 3800 N. Federal Highway in Boca Raton. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star

By Jeffrey Cassady

The founders of Paradise Bank started the Boca Raton company two decades ago with the intention of keeping it locally owned and community focused. Though much has changed in the industry since, they say their goals for the bank remain the same: stay local, small and flexible.

“We started with the idea that we would stay independent long term,” said Ward Kellogg, the bank’s CEO and co-founder. “Fast, flexible, personal service is probably what puts us ahead of the large banks.”

That seems to be the case when it comes to helping local businesses. Paradise approves more than $30 million in U.S. Small Business Administration loans per year, said Kevin Rafferty, who runs the bank’s SBA lending division. The bank, which has approved more than half a billion dollars in SBA loans since 2010, is one of the largest SBA lenders in Florida by number of loans and dollar value, he added.  

Paradise is the last community bank based in Boca Raton and one of the few remaining in Palm Beach County. It celebrated its 20th anniversary earlier this summer, and, recently, it moved its headquarters to a new 24,000-square-foot building at 3800 N. Federal Highway. It also maintains branches in Delray Beach and Fort Lauderdale.

Spacious new digs notwithstanding, bank leadership views staying small as key to its profitability.

“We’re not looking to buy another bank,” Kellogg said. “We’re not looking to expand to another market. We’re not looking to grow to a billion dollars, ever.

“We’ve proven you can be very profitable and very efficient without needing to be so big.”

A bank of their own

Business partners Kellogg, Bill Burke, David Englert and Dennis Gavin founded Paradise Bank with its board of directors in 2005. In the 1990s, the founders worked together at 1st United Bank and Admiralty Bank, local banks that were eventually sold to larger financial institutions. Kellogg and Burke have known each other longer than that, having met when they were students at Florida International University. 

The founders struck out on their own with Paradise Bank because they wanted a bank they could keep — and keep local — for the long term.

“Florida has always been, for banking, ‘build it up and sell it,’” Kellogg said. “We didn’t want to do that. We wanted a long-term opportunity for our careers and beyond — to be able to keep the bank.”

Kellogg said the bank’s local ownership and workforce help differentiate it from larger institutions. When customers have an issue, local bank employees are available to assist.

“Business owners prefer community banks because they get their loan decisions faster and easier — more flexibility,” Kellogg said. “On the deposit side, it’s personal service and fraud detection.”

Paradise Bank started with about 30 employees working out of a double-wide trailer while the bank’s original head office was being built, Kellogg said.

Today, the bank has about 50 employees, Englert said.

The bank raised about $25 million to start operating — selling stock for $10 per share, with earnings being paid out in dividends, Burke said.

“Our original investors have gotten their money back twice, and they still own the asset,” he said.

Kellogg said the bank has fewer than a hundred shareholders. Almost all own homes in Florida, with most of them in Palm Beach County, he said.

“Nobody owns more than 6%,” Kellogg said. “So, we don’t have one large shareholder.”

Weathering a storm

Paradise survived the Great Recession of 2008 that drove many small banks out of business or led to their being acquired by larger institutions.

Kellogg said the recession presented challenges to the founders’ relatively young bank, prompting them to engage in an additional round of fundraising — about $19 million worth — over the next few years.

“Those were bad times,” Kellogg said. “They cast doubt as to whether we would achieve our goals for the bank, but we ultimately did.”

The bank then began devoting additional resources to small businesses, especially through the SBA loan programs. Paradise Bank participates in the SBA’s Preferred Lender Program, which grants the bank discretion in loan approval and streamlines the application process for businesses seeking federally backed SBA loans.

Running a small community bank keeps the owners close to their business customers, Burke said. “Our early customers’ kids have taken over, and sometimes their grandkids have gotten involved,” he said. “It’s generational now.

“But what’s really interesting about banking is that we have to learn about those businesses we’re lending to in all those different industries,” he added. “That’s interesting stuff.”