Civic Association invites residents to centennial party — The Gulf Stream Civic Association will host a centennial celebration of the town’s incorporation with “a casual event” at The Little Club on Feb. 22.

The group will also sponsor a beach cleanup and a “Gulf Stream Gives Back” day with a deserving nonprofit still to be selected. It also sold 96 commemorative belts and 70 coasters. 

“If there’s demand we will offer additional orders on that,” said Kirsten Stanley, the association’s president.

The cost for attending the outdoor buffet, weather permitting, is $50 a person, and there will be a capacity of 220 people. Stanley thanked Suzanne Lanigan, Lisa Morgan and Jennifer Coulter for coordinating the effort.

“It will be a first-come, first-serve basis and we encourage and hope all residents are able to attend. We want it to be very inviting and very inclusive,” Stanley said.

Mayor Scott Morgan said he hopes residents will take part.

“This is our hundredth anniversary for the town, founded in 1925. So hopefully the word gets out and we have a great turnout,” he said.

— Steve Plunkett

By Mary Thurwachter

Lantana signed off on flood management regulations to meet National Flood Insurance Program standards, which meant the town also had to revise its ordinance as it relates to mobile homes. On its first reading of the ordinance in November, the Town Council voted affirmatively, although not all members agreed.

“We wanted time to do some homework to be sure we knew what the implications were,” Mayor Karen Lythgoe said at the Dec. 9 meeting. But even with further discussion, the vote remained the same: 3-2 in favor of the changes. Council members Lynn “Doc” Moorhouse and Christopher Castle cast the dissenting votes.

Development Services Director Nicole Dritz gave some background.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s revised flood insurance rate map became effective on Dec. 20.

“As a condition of eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program, the town must adopt the flood plain management regulations to meet the standards set by the NFIP,” Dritz said. “In addition to the NFIP requirement that we must adopt, the ordinance also revises language related to how we as a town regulate our mobile homes.”

That’s the part that concerned council members.

“The town has participated in a voluntary program called the Community Rating System for over 15 years,” Dritz said. “The voluntary program is meant to incentivize communities to implement flood plain management practices and procedures that exceed the minimum set by the NFIP.”

Communities earn points for various flood plain activities that reduce flooding risk or enhance resiliency, such as improving drainage systems or promoting public education, she said. As communities accumulate points, they can achieve different rating levels that can lower flood insurance rates for property owners.

Flood insurance premiums in town currently receive a 10% discount with its Class 8 rating.

“As a prerequisite, and for the town to retain that Class 8 rating, all manufactured homes installed or replaced in the special flood hazard area must be elevated to or above the base flood elevation outlined by the NFIP, by FEMA or one additional foot,” Dritz said.

While the new elevation requirements don’t apply to existing homes, they will apply to homes undergoing major renovations or repairs.

Annemarie Joyce, who lives in View Street, a mobile home park south of The Moorings on the Intracoastal Waterway, said she’s concerned “that the wording in here says that we can only do repairs (for damaged homes) up to 50% of our appraised valuation by the property appraiser’s office.”

“With inflation the way it is, this is going to leave people in the lurch by a great deal. Because the property appraiser’s valuation of our homes is not high enough that we would be able to do many repairs. I am extremely concerned about that.”

But that’s not the only worry for owners of mobile homes in a flood zone.

Moorhouse said those homes could be difficult to sell given the new requirements. “I just think it’s totally unreasonable,” he said.

The reduction in the cost of insurance wouldn’t amount to much, perhaps as little as $50 a year for people in mobile homes, he said. “I’m not going to put somebody out of their home for $50 a year. I think it’s a burdening hardship.”

But Lythgoe said she would be voting in favor of the changes.

“I’m going to vote for this primarily because in 2027, Citizens Insurance is going to require all policy holders in Florida to have flood insurance, whether you’re in a flood plain or not. If we’re not in good standing in the program, we’re not going to be able to get flood insurance through the NFIP, and in that case when someone goes to purchase a home or if you have a mortgage that requires you to have windstorm insurance, you’re not going to be able to keep it.

“And if you have Citizens, which a lot of people do, you’re not going to be able to keep your insurance policy because you’re not going to get flood insurance. Very few insurance companies are writing flood insurance, you have to get it through the federal government.”

The special flood areas are all east of Dixie Highway, according to Dritz.

Vice Mayor Pro Tem Kem Mason said that while this vote was for him “heart-wrenching, there comes a time you have to think of the majority.”

He said insurance can get as high as $10,000 a year and a 10% reduction was a significant one.

Vice Mayor Mark Zeitler said he empathized with Joyce and other mobile home residents, but would join Mason and Lythgoe in voting for the revised language.

After the vote, Joyce told The Coastal Star she was one of those people who looks at both sides.

“I can understand that some people who can afford insurance stand to benefit,” she said. “My main concern is for people who don’t have unlimited resources.

“I don’t see any upside for them.”

Library employee receives top honor — Jennifer Sweeten has been working at the Lantana Public Library for less than a year but has made a big and wonderful impression on colleagues and regulars at the library.

Sweeten, who transferred from the town’s Development Services Department in February, was named the town’s Employee of the Year and received a plaque marking the occasion at the Dec. 9 Town Council meeting.

Never before has a library staff member become Lantana’s Employee of the Year — and no one could have been prouder to make that announcement than Library Director Kristine Kreidler. “She is one of the best, if not the best, customer service and problem-solving employees I have ever worked with,” Kreidler said. “She saved us during our summer reading program, as our statistics have continued to grow exponentially and the flow of traffic increases month over month. I don’t know how we would’ve done it without her.” 

Kreidler called Sweeten a genuinely caring person “and everyone she interacts with walks away knowing Jen cares about them, illustrating a rare native emotional intelligence. One of our older patrons even asked Jen to be her power of attorney.”

Working in a public library in a community like Lantana means “you are part social worker, part mediator, part teacher, part tutor, part crime prevention, part mentor, part party planner, part friend, part community activist, part mom, part dad, and on and on. Jen wears them well,” Kreidler said.  

Vote on Kmart development delayed — A special Town Council meeting was held on Dec. 10 to vote on amending the comprehensive plan to allow a change in the density from 15 to 25 dwellings per acre at Lantana Village (the former Kmart site), but voting was postponed until 5:30 p.m. Jan. 9.

Mayor Karen Lythgoe said the reason for the delay was that Town Attorney Max Lohman could not attend and the town needed a little more time to smooth out the details.

Since the December meeting had been advertised, town officials needed to convene, but a presentation on the development plans was not given. Public comment was allowed, but without having seen the PowerPoint, residents opted to wait until the next special meeting to make their comments.

— Mary Thurwachter

Walking tour participants pause at the site of the Orange Grove House of Refuge while local historian Tom Warnke (green cap) describes its history as the first building in the Delray Beach area. The shelter for shipwrecked sailors was built in 1876. Photos by Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Hannah Spence

There are cities in the United States whose history is well-known, especially to their residents. But despite its rich past, Delray Beach does not seem to get the same kind of attention. The Delray Beach Historical Society is helping change that by resuming walking tours that cover the historic coastline. 

“It’s an assemblage of the history of the Delray Beach area going back hundreds of years,” said Tom Warnke, a local historian and the society’s archive coordinator. “We also talk about the natural history going back 10,000 years because that relates to the ocean environment, and a big part of the walk is about the coastal processes and why Delray is so unique.”

The walking tour takes attendees to landmarks such as the Sandoway Discovery Center and the Orange Grove House of Refuge — the first structure in the area, built before the area became known as Linton, which was the precursor to Delray Beach. The first tour, on Dec. 14, was cut short due to rain. Guests received a rain check to a Jan. 18 tour. Another one will be held on Jan. 25. The society will list other tours online later this month.

Participants were educated on stories from the old days such as when, on a New Year’s Eve during Prohibition, a boat broke up and dozens of cases of rum washed up on the beach. Also provided is information on the Barefoot Mailman, a legendary South Florida symbol.

The historical society is resuming the tours that stopped  because of the coronavirus pandemic. Warnke said the tours meet a demand. 

“I would even say the majority of people who live here complain that there’s no history, but if they dig down a little bit, there really is a deep history there,” Warnke said.

He said the misconception that Delray Beach does not have an interesting backstory developed because “it just doesn’t look old. If you’re from New England or most places in the country and you come here, the area doesn’t have the architecture that looks old. But even here on Atlantic Avenue, we’ve got structures that are over a hundred years old. A lot repurposed, but like the Colony hotel, it’s still the way it was 100 years ago.”

Participants meet at the Delray Beach Pavilion at the beginning of the tour.

The walk is 2.7 miles long and typically scheduled on a Saturday. Participants follow Warnke through earpieces that enable them to hear from even 50 feet away. Breaks and snacks are incorporated into the event. 

The chance to learn is why historical society member Tim Sharp decided to join the walk. 

“I’m constantly trying to learn about Delray Beach, its history and what’s going on with the town,” said Sharp, who moved to the city from Boca Raton about three years ago. “I thought this tour sounded like a great opportunity to do that.”

Although Sharp admitted he knew some of the information from reading signs on the beach and generally just being a history buff, he thought Warnke made the walk enjoyable. 

“He was really good,” Sharp said. “Very knowledgeable and funny and a wealth of information.”

The tour has people walk right down to the water’s edge to connect with the ocean up close. 

“When you connect people with it, they are more likely to want to save it,” said Warnke. “As more and more people move down here, they get to know a little bit more about how we came to be and how we continue to grow.” 

If You Go

What: Historic walking tour of A1A in Delray Beach

When: 10 a.m.-noon Jan. 25

Where: Meet at the beach pavilion at Atlantic Avenue and Ocean Boulevard

Cost: $25 for Delray Beach Historical Society members, $30 for others

Info: 561-274-9578;

delraybeachhistory.org, under events

Correction: An earlier version of this story misidentified when the Orange Grove House of Refuge was built. It was built even before the area was known as Linton.

Little League agreement reached — Boynton Beach city commissioners approved a five-year agreement Dec. 17 that will allow Boynton Beach Little League to use the city’s Little League Park facilities and will end the lawsuit the league filed against the city in January 2024.

The agreement, in exchange for the league having the suit dismissed, was approved without comment at the commission’s regular meeting following a closed-door session on the subject that same evening. It comes after the two sides had a meeting of the minds in August. The league is also known as East Boynton Beach Little League.

“This agreement emerges from a recent legal settlement and establishes clear operational guidelines for the organization’s use of the City’s ballfields and resolves all litigation and potential attorney’s fees and costs,” a city staff report said.

Beach park treatment plant to be repaired — Boynton Beach city commissioners approved an agreement for upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant at Oceanfront Park to Close Construction Services, LLC, of Okeechobee, which bid $907,000 for the work, with an additional 10% contingency.

City staff reported the existing treatment system is more than 20 years old and “showing signs of wear and corrosion.” The work is mainly for rehabilitation of the rotating biological contactor system.

“Several events during 2018-2019 identified flows exceeding the permitted capacity, causing the plumbing fixtures in the park infrastructure to leak,” staff reported.

— Larry Barszewski

By John Pacenti

Replacing a portion of Ocean Ridge’s water main running down State Road A1A turned out to be a delicate operation as the 70-year-old pipe proved especially brittle, causing numerous unexpected breaks.

This led to a hopscotch pattern of asphalt patches. Now the Florida Department of Transportation wants the town to repave the affected parts of A1A at a cost of up to $325,000.

“Because there were so many breaks and so many patches, they’re asking us to go above and beyond what our engineering plan showed,” Town Engineer Lisa Tropepe said at the Town Commission’s Dec. 9 meeting.

Initially, Mayor Geoff Pugh was reluctant. “Why would we do that?” he said. “That’s a state road.”

Though FDOT will be repaving A1A in southern Delray Beach, there are no plans to continue northward, commissioners were told by contractor Foster Marine.

Tropepe and Foster Marine said FDOT has made unexpected demands after greenlighting the initial plans. “They approved it and they sat over here at the pre-construction meeting and didn’t say a word,” Tropepe said.

Commissioners authorized the money needed for the additional road work.

Pugh told Tropepe and Foster Marine he felt the repaving costs were a surprise. “We’re getting basically, you know, slapped in the back of the head,” he said.

Commissioners were told the delay was getting information from FDOT on whether the state would resurface the road in the near future. They also approved a $45,000 emergency change order to shut off the old pipe for the last remaining residents using it. And there was also $101,000 approved for cost overruns due to field directives.

In all, the commission approved up to $471,000 in new spending on Dec. 9.

The cost coming into the meeting for that A1A leg of the water pipe replacement project was $2.58 million.

Replacing the A1A pipe from Island Drive to Inlet Cay Drive is just the first step. Tropepe provided a chart for the work for the rest of the town — broken up into seven phases — estimating the cost would be $38.8 million over eight years.

Not all is bad news, Tropepe said. The town has 3,600 linear feet of new pipe and 95% of the impacted residents are hooked up to the new main.

“We’re just so happy to get that pipe out of commission. And we need to do everything we can ... to get that type of pipe wherever it is in town, we need to get it out of here,” she said.

There appears to be a bonus for residents in a $1 million-plus grant that reimburses Ocean Ridge for much of the purchase price of the submerged Priest property behind Town Hall.

The Florida Conservation Trust, as a condition of the grant, requires some type of public recreation, said Commissioner Carolyn Cassidy. The county owns the other submerged lands next to the Priest property — all of which is a pristine mangrove swamp teeming with marine life.

“We have been talking to the county, because the county owns several of those parcels, and they’re going to work with us in kind of creating and marking a kayak trail,” Cassidy said. “We’re just in the beginning stages of talking about that.”

One of the decisions that needs to be made is where the kayaks will be rented and launched. When established, the kayak trail will give residents access to marine life.

“There’s a lot of wildlife back there,” Cassidy said. “I talked to some people that have been at Ocean Cay (just north of Town Hall) for a while and they’ve seen manatees. It’s really kind of a nice place.”

— John Pacenti

By John Pacenti

The Delray Beach City Commission voted to permanently close Northeast Seventh Avenue at First Street, to the delight of Palm Trail neighborhood residents who feared it would reopen once construction at the massive Atlantic Crossing complex is finished.

“It’s a big night for us tonight,” Jack Indekeu told commissioners at their Dec. 10 meeting. “This has been a priority for the neighborhood for many years, and we’ve had countless discussions with many of you, and we appreciate now that we get to this point.”

The commission agreed that there was no legal obstacle to closing the street, as it was outside the settlement agreement for Atlantic Crossing, which sued the city for $40 million in 2015 accusing officials of trying to stall the development.

Staff recommended to commissioners a gated structure on Seventh Avenue at Northeast First Street to allow access to emergency vehicles while preventing traffic.

Mayor Tom Carney and Commissioner Tom Markert attended a Palm Trail neighborhood meeting the night before and heard how adamant the residents were about closing the road and not opening it to service Atlantic Crossing and its restaurants.

“We’ve put the residents through some harder times there. They talked about that last night. And I’m in support of this, so I think we should do this right away,” Markert said.

Palm Trail resident Gayle Clark, who lives on Northeast Seventh Avenue, said many drivers are still using the street, unaware that it is closed.

The commission directed staff to design and implement the permanent closure utilizing funds already allocated for this purpose in the Atlantic Crossing settlement agreement.

The commission also asked staff to explore an alleyway situation related to the Seventh Avenue closure to ensure it does not create other traffic issues.

Palm Trail resident Joy Howell said closing Seventh Avenue fulfills another campaign promise by Carney. She said not permanently closing the road would turn the neighborhood into a speedway. 

“The bottom line is the neighborhood wanted to push this at this time because we have a pro-resident majority on the commission,” Howell said. “You know, political winds of change come most elections.” 

Manalapan will conduct a space utilization study to assess whether it needs a new Town Hall or if the current building can be renovated, Town Manager Eric Marmer said.

“A lot of people in the town and on the commission feel that this building doesn’t really represent the town anymore, and are potentially looking to update it,” Marmer said.

The selection committee to choose an architectural firm to do the study met on Dec. 20. The firm will present commissioners with options. Voters in March 2026 will most likely get to decide if they agree to what the commissioners decide — renovate or build anew, Marmer said.

The current Town Hall, built in 1981, is outdated and does not adequately accommodate the current size of town government, he said.

Palm Beach County has a stake in what Manalapan decides since its fire rescue department shares space in the current building. The county will pay up to 50% of the cost of the study, Marmer said.

— John Pacenti

HIGHLAND BEACH — Mary Jo (McCoy) Pollock died Dec. 3 after a lengthy illness. She was 69.

Born in Akron, Ohio, she was raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania, where she eventually attended the university there and graduated with a degree in physical education. Professionally she worked in the insurance industry and taught physical education in Boardman, Ohio.

Throughout her life she has lived in Austintown, Ohio; Lisbon, Ohio; Hudson, Ohio; Red Bank, New Jersey; and for the past 18 years in Highland Beach.

Her greatest pleasures in life were her family, dance and travel. Married to and survived by her husband, Richard Pollock, she took great pleasure in calling herself “the Y wife” due to his career as a YMCA president and CEO. Other nicknames included MJ, Mama Jo, and her favorite, Grandma Jo.

She was a member of the Delray Beach Club, the YMCA Alumni Association and the Heritage Club of the YMCA of South Palm Beach County. She was a founding member of the Jack and Bodhi Girard Youth Hockey Fan Club. She was predeceased by her first husband, Jack “Fozz” Mills, and her mother, Joan Barker McCoy. She is survived by her father, Robert McCoy; husband, Richard Pollock; daughter Shenley Mills Girard and her husband, Peter Girard; daughter Shelby Mills and her partner, John Lewer; siblings Barbara Cramer and husband, Danny; Dale McCoy and wife, Kris; Lynn Clancy and husband, Michael; brother and sister-in-law Dave and Anita Pollock; many nieces and nephews, members of the Mills family, and her beloved grandsons, Jack and Bodhi Girard.

A celebration of her life is planned for a future date. Contributions in her name may be made to the Boca Helping Hands organization in Boca Raton.

— Obituary submitted by the family

By John Pacenti

One thing you can say for certain about Ocean Ridge Town Manager Lynne Ladner: She is fiercely loyal to her staff.

During budget season, she fought for pay increases for some non-union police employees while commissioners bristled. She succeeded in getting pay increases for some, including Police Chief  Scott McClure.

Ladner has told the commissioners it is important for equitable compensation between non-union and union employees (police line officers) for morale and retention reasons.

At the commission’s Dec. 9 meeting, Ladner told commissioners that under the new police contract, union members earn more vacation time than non-union employees based on their time with the town. Past commissions routinely rectified this discrepancy, she said.

“I think it will show consistency and stability across the organization. It will also vastly simplify the calculation of vacation approvals within the payroll system and the accounting system to have just one set of accruals for all employees,” Ladner said.

McClure tried to explain to commissioners why having all employees on equal footing was a good idea. 

“If I have a sergeant who is under the contract gaining more time than a lieutenant would, why would you want to get promoted and have a lesser benefit package,” he said.

The non-union police employees affected are the chief, lieutenant, dispatch manager and dispatchers. 

As happened during the budget scuffle, the commissioners were not on board with Ladner’s proposal. Commissioner Ainar Aijala Jr. said the recent consultant’s report — which cost taxpayers $14,000 — found town salaries and compensation to be competitive. He said he was disappointed Ladner didn’t provide a competitive analysis — no easy lift.

“I don’t know why we would feel in any way that we should give everybody the same vacation,” he said.

Aijala then took a shot at the regular staff, saying police officers have demanding schedules. “If we let the police go home at 3 o’clock every day, and if we gave them every weekend off, then I would say you have parity.”

Ladner said that though Town Hall closes to the public at 3 p.m., administrative staff continues to work and puts in a 40-hour week — including some weekends. 

Vice Mayor Steve Coz then said new employees start at two weeks’ vacation, which is typical in the United States. “That sounds pretty good,” he said.

Ladner had a warning for commissioners. “I really hope you’re prepared for the potential that our employees will seek employment elsewhere,” she said.

Recently, a longtime police dispatcher — a position that is hard to train and fill — left the town to go work at Gulf Stream. 

Coz then complained — similar to Aijala — that the material presented by Ladner to commissioners for the Dec. 9 meeting was scattered, incomplete, late and incorrect. “I wouldn’t get on my high horse about this,” he told the manager. 

It wasn’t all Scrooge and humbug. The commission did approve allowing staff employees to work half days on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve — though a resident told commissioners to be aware of those shrewd employees who will try to take the whole day off and still get paid. 

Louis M. Canter, aka Lantana Lou, gained notoriety for donning a cape, a crown and carrying a colorful, cutout fish on Groundhog Day to predict Lantana’s next six weeks of weather. Photo provided

By Mary Thurwachter

LANTANA — It’s been a decade since Louis M. Canter, aka Lantana Lou, made his final splash at the beach, emerging on Groundhog Day to predict “six weeks of sunny weather.” Wearing a jeweled crown and snazzy cape and carrying a trident and a large cutout fish, he was Lantana’s answer to Punxsutawney Phil every Feb. 2.

Mr. Canter hung up his eye-catching regalia in 2014, after a beloved 10-year stint as Lantana Lou.

On Dec. 6, 2024, Mr. Canter, 94, a former vice mayor of Lantana, died at his home surrounded by family and close friends.

“Mr. Canter has given much time and devotion to residents of Lantana and has earned the respect and admiration of the community at large for his wisdom and community spirit,” former Mayor Dave Stewart said at the time.

“As Lantana Lou, he brought favorable recognition to the town through television and newspapers and amused hundreds of residents over the years.”

Current Mayor Karen Lythgoe shared her admiration for Mr. Canter at December’s Town Council meeting and said she wanted the town to honor him with a plaque at the beach.

Twenty-year Council member Lynn “Doc” Moorhouse said Mr. Canter was an admired council member who encouraged him to run for office.

Palm Springs Village Manager Mike Bornstein, who was Lantana’s town manager when the concept of Lantana Lou was born, said organizers of the Groundhog Day celebration were looking for someone who looked like a retiree to play the part and Mr. Canter, who was on the Town Council, fit the bill.

“He was incredibly gracious and had fun with it,” Bornstein said. “Mr. Canter was always very direct. You always knew where you stood with Lou.”

Longtime friend Norbert McNamara, who made Lantana Lou’s cape and trident, admired his friend’s community service.

“You couldn’t have a better councilman,” McNamara said. “He was honest and fair.”

Mr. Canter was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Nancy Olian Canter, and his grandson Nathaniel Canter.

He is survived by his children Rebecca (Jon) Ryan, Edie Canter (Fred Wellisch), Marcia Canter, and Andrew Canter (Jane Fraser); his grandchildren Daniel Ryan (Alexis Scheer), Rachel Ryan, Leah Ryan, Julia Wellisch and Benjamin Canter; his brother Edward (Lynn) Canter; his sister Patricia McCue; and other relatives and friends. 

He was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, in 1930, graduated from Boston University in 1951, and served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 before starting his real estate career. First an agent and then a developer, he built hundreds of homes in the Boston suburbs.

Mr. Canter had a full and successful life, said his daughter Marcia, a Realtor herself. She will miss their weekly discussions on real estate. She said he did a lot of good things in life, but “wasn’t seeking accolades.” He just did what he thought was right.

Mr. Canter and Nancy married in 1955 and raised their four children in Framingham, Massachusetts, where he was involved in Temple Beth Am. He owned racehorses, flew a small plane, and played many games of gin rummy. 

In 1986, the Canters moved to Lantana, where he enjoyed fishing in his boat.

He developed many close friendships in Lantana, his daughter Edie wrote in his obituary, “including fishing buddies, his regular lunch group at the Grumpy Grouper and The Hive, and people involved in town politics.”

He joined the Lantana zoning commission, then Town Council and eventually became vice mayor.

The Canters enjoyed domestic and international travel during their retirement. Mr. Canter’s most recent trip was a visit to Washington, D.C., through Southeast Florida Honor Flight for veterans.

Funeral services were on Dec. 17 at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel in Boynton Beach. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mr. Canter’s memory can be made to Southeast Florida Honor Flight, www.honorflightsefl.org.

During the Read for the Record competition, Lantana Police Chief Sean Scheller belts out a tune in the library as part of a mini opera, to the amusement of library staffer Jennifer Sweeten (left) and Director Kristine Kreidler. Photo provided

By Mary Thurwachter

For the second consecutive year, Lantana has won first place among small municipalities in the Read for the Record competition sponsored by the Literacy Coalition of Palm Beach County. 

The book selection, Piper Chen Sings by Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran and illustrated by Qin Leng, is a story about a young girl who loves to express herself through singing but is struck with self-doubt and nervousness when asked to perform solo in front of an audience.

Kristine Kreidler, Lantana’s library director, came up with a creative way to tell the story by recruiting some of the town’s top leaders to stage a mini opera for the children in the library. 

Using a book called A Soup Opera by Jim Gill, she had Police Chief Sean Scheller, Mayor Karen Lythgoe and Town Manager Brian Raducci improvise with her, belting out their parts as opera singers. The performances were caught on video and greeted with laughter when the animated performances were played during the Dec. 9 Town Council meeting.

The children at the library loved the show, Kreidler told council members. 

“The kids in the audience couldn’t stop talking about it and asked for it again the next time we saw them,” Kreidler said. “We overheard one boy telling his dad excitedly how funny it was that the chief and mayor were actually singing with it (the book) in real life.”

Kristin Calder, CEO of the Literacy Coalition, mentioned the chief’s and mayor’s singing in opera voices as part of Lantana’s victory when she announced the winners. Read for the Record was held in schools and libraries through the county on Oct. 24.

Winners were chosen based on a combination of how many children were read to, creative events on the day of the program, and fun/inventive marketing.

 The town promoted Read for the Record with videos across various platforms, a StoryWalk in the Town Hall breezeway displaying Piper Chen Sings, allowing residents to read the book, and two library events. 

Lantana recruited 41 volunteer readers and read to 2,488 children at 21 sites.

The Village of Wellington was the winner of the large municipality category, and the Village of Palm Springs was the winner in mid-size municipalities. 

Lantana won bragging rights and a large basket of children’s books. 

The town won previously in 2013, 2015-2019, came in second when COVID came around in 2020, and started winning again in 2023. 

DELRAY BEACH — Mark Warren Vlasek, born in Lansing, Illinois, to William and Mary Vlasek, died Oct. 18 on his back porch surrounded by family, friends and nature. He was 75.

His legacy continues through his beloved wife, Gail Nardiello Vlasek, his two sons, Robert Brett Vlasek (Stephanie) and William Vance Vlasek (Patrick); his granddaughter, Charlotte Jeanne Vlasek; his three siblings, Bill, MaryAnn and Diane; his dear friends and his entourage of nieces, nephews and protégés.

A born athlete and trailblazer, Mr. Vlasek cut his teeth playing sports on Chicago’s South Side with anyone who would compete, regardless of race, color or creed — remarkable in the 1950s and 1960s.

He continued his love of sport playing basketball at Florida Atlantic University, a lifetime of recreational games and coaching multiple teams at Boca Raton Middle School and his own children’s leagues.

He was a teacher both professionally and personally, giving grounded guidance, attention and love to anyone under his wing. He lived love, giving it freely and teaching it by example.

As a young man he worked the Midwest steel mills, as did his father.

Realizing early that this path was not for him, he took an eye-opening pilgrimage out West with his friends, living and working in Colorado, then California. Afterward, he returned to Illinois briefly with fresh eyes, then quickly moved to Florida, a state that better suited how he wanted to live. Many of his loved ones followed.

He earned a degree in education at Florida Atlantic University and went on to teach physical education at Boca Raton Middle School. There he met the math teacher/model who would become the love of his life, Gail.

Their romance bloomed through adventures, honesty, shared values, play and devotion. They were wed in the summer of 1982. Their love manifested as their two sons, Brett and Vance. Mr. Vlasek wanted to provide as best he could for his growing family, so he transitioned to a career in real estate.

He eventually founded his own real estate brokerage and earned great success through hard work and sacrifice, all the while remaining devoted to his family life.

After retiring, he suffered through multiple spinal surgeries and chronic back pain. He had to give up his beloved athletics and live a more mellow life. Even through his intense pain, his joyful spirit blazed on. The playfulness that once existed in his body doubled in his mind.

Always there with a joke, Mr. Vlasek was a great source of laughter, strength and support for many. He touched their hearts and minds by living unapologetically in his authentic ways. His timeless spirit of joy, mischief, camaraderie, care, freedom, friendliness and love lives on through those privileged enough to experience them. He will be wildly missed, highly celebrated and never forgotten.

Please honor him by living in freedom, truth and love.

— Obituary submitted by the family

By Steve Plunkett and Mary Thurwachter

Three Old Key Lime House workers have died following a shooting Dec. 10 in Lake Worth Beach after a company holiday party.

The men were among four of the Lantana restaurant’s employees who were shot in the incident. Two of the employees died soon after the shooting and another Dec. 28 in the hospital.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office identified the two initial deceased as Christopher Allen, 32, and Steven Stratis, 25.

Deputies charged Morey S. Pinard III, 23, of Delray Beach, with two counts of second-degree murder with a firearm and two counts of attempted second-degree murder with a firearm. Also charged was Michael B. Vititoe, 29, of Boynton Beach, with simple battery and accessory after the fact-homicide.

Almost three weeks after the incident, Reginald Gordon, 50, succumbed to his injuries, the Sheriff’s Office said. The appropriate charges are forthcoming, the office said. Restaurant owner Ryan Cordero told television station WPTV-Ch. 5 that his employees went to The Rock Irish Pub at 614 Lake Ave. after a company party at nearby Lilo’s Streetfood & Bar.

Deputies were sent to the scene at 1 a.m., the Sheriff’s Office said.

“The preliminary investigation is believed that an altercation occurred inside the establishment resulting in the shooting,” PBSO said in a news release.

The dead men were a young military veteran, a barback, and the restaurant’s kitchen manager. The other man shot, Daquan Sigler, was a line cook.

Gordon’s nephew, who was at the pub, was punched in the face by Vititoe, according to the arrest report. Gordon stepped in and attempted to stop the fight and that’s when Pinard, who was with Vititoe, began shooting, the report said.

At the Dec. 10 Lantana Town Council meeting, Mayor Karen Lythgoe shared the news that it was employees of the restaurant who had been shot in the incident.

“I asked everyone to keep the victims, family and friends in their thoughts,” Lythgoe said.

Old Key Lime House held a fundraiser for the victims on Dec. 22.

By Steve Plunkett

The Briny Breezes Town Council has its third husband-and-wife team in 14 months, but with a difference — this time both spouses can vote.

Council members selected Holly Reitnauer to be an alderwoman, replacing Kathy Gross, at their Dec. 12 meeting. Reitnauer, who married Alderman Bill Birch in April 2022, immediately joined him on the dais.

Gross, the wife of nonvoting Mayor Ted Gross, resigned her seat on Oct. 25, the day after the council’s monthly meeting. She gave no reason for leaving.

Reitnauer, 69, submitted a letter of interest in being appointed Seat 2 alderwoman shortly after the Briny Bugle posted news of the vacancy.

“I am familiar with the workings of the town because I previously held a seat on the board of directors (of Briny Breezes Inc.) for several years,” she wrote.

Reitnauer and Birch are the third married couple to sit on the council in a short time. Then-Mayor Gene Adams and Council President Christina Adams resigned in October 2023 rather than disclose details of their personal finances as was going to be required by a new state law. A court later paused the requirement to file a Form 6 disclosure.

Replacing Gene Adams was Ted Gross, who often grumbles about his position lacking a vote and aldermen ignoring his views.

Kathy Gross joined the council in March 2018 as an unopposed newcomer and most recently was elected, again without opposition, to another two-year term last March. The Grosses have been full-time residents of the town since 2014.

Reitnauer has lived on both sides of Briny Breezes’ stretch of State Road A1A, having bought a mobile home on west side Cardinal Drive in 2011, on east side Ruthmary Avenue in 2013 and on west side Flamingo Drive in 2016, according to Palm Beach County property records.

The only other resident who sent in a letter of interest for Seat 2 was Thomas Hickey, who bought his home on Bamboo Drive in March 2022, property records show.

Coming to the dais in March will be a new face for Seat 1, David Duncan White, who won automatic election when no one else filed to run for the seat during November’s
qualifying period. 

A newcomer to town politics, White, 66, bought his home on Lark Drive in February 2023. He spent the summer at his Colorado home and planned to return to Briny Breezes in January. 

By Steve Plunkett

Two surveillance cameras powered by artificial intelligence are being installed in Place Au Soleil to guard against thieves who walk into the community after dark.

Gulf Stream Police Chief Richard Jones said it was primarily vehicle burglaries and one vehicle theft that had occurred there in the last year.

However, he told town commissioners at their Dec. 13 meeting that the criminal behavior there is different. Place Au Soleil is “not as isolated as the island side of Gulf Stream,” he said. “And because of that, they are more prone to pedestrian-related activity from nonresidents coming into the community during nighttime hours and then obviously committing these types of criminal behaviors and then going undetected because it’s very difficult for us to be at the right place at the right time and happen to see this pedestrian activity.”

Jones proposed using Condor cameras from Flock Safety, the same company that provides the town its license plate reader system.

“We would kind of use the solution the same way we would license plate cameras and define what time frame during the nighttime hours we utilize the solution. And anytime a pedestrian either walking or cycling enters the community it would alert law enforcement to their presence and then a law enforcement officer would use the information that we see on the video — whether it’s someone wearing a hoodie, whether it’s someone trying to conceal themselves against the vegetation line when they enter or whether it’s someone pushing a baby stroller who may live there — and we would then make a decision as to whether we needed to respond and check that or whether we thought that it was more than likely a resident and everything was fine.”

Flock will charge the town $6,250 for the first year’s use of the two cameras and the same amount each following year. Jones said the company initially wanted to collect $2,000 to install the cameras but dropped it to zero after several days of negotiations.

“I think it’s a great idea because you have all kinds of commercial activity right there,” Commissioner Joan Orthwein said.

Jones said he met with the homeowner association for input “on whether or not they felt the cameras would be intrusive or if residents would be concerned about having additional cameras.”

“And we got completely the opposite — that it was very invited and that they would appreciate it,” he said.

New lift station delayed — Town Manager Jamie Titcomb reported that South Palm Beach fell short of receiving the required three bids for a new lift station, putting the long-delayed project on hold. Titcomb said the deadline will be reissued for a future date in order to meet the town’s request for qualification requirement. The bid packages that have been received will remain sealed until that yet-to-be-determined new deadline.

Architects remain on schedule — Joe Barry, representing the CPZ Architects firm contracted to build the new Town Hall, addressed the Town Council for the second straight month in December and said the project remains on schedule. Another round of meetings with council members regarding their design suggestions was scheduled for mid-December. Barry said he still expects town residents to be given an opportunity to provide their input at a meeting in February.

Piggyback contracts approved — The Town Council approved two motions to secure piggyback contracts with two Lake Worth Beach firms, B&B Underground Construction Inc. and Johnson-Davis Inc., for emergency services for water, wastewater and storm water. Titcomb and Vice Mayor Monte Berendes both gave high marks to B&B for an emergency repair it performed over the summer at Palm Beach Harbour Club.

Alternatives sought for garbage pickup — With the town’s 10-year contract with Waste Management for garbage pickup set to expire in September, Titcomb asked the council to discuss the possibility of bringing in new bidders and was given the go-ahead to do so. Berendes and Council member Sandy Beckett both said their buildings have had issues with trucks leaving “drippings” in driveways after pickups.

— Brian Biggane

By Brian Biggane

New South Palm Beach Town Council member Sandy Beckett wasted no time using her influence on the governing body, joining with Vice Mayor Monte Berendes and others to defeat a proposal designed to bring about a crosswalk just south of the town’s border with Lantana.

The proposal would have allocated $11,000 to have engineers put together a design for the crosswalk, which would have been located about 500 feet north of the corner of Ocean Avenue and South Ocean Boulevard, where a crosswalk and traffic light are located.

“I have reservations about doing it,” Berendes said. “I think it’s a waste of our money.

“If we’re going to do that, we should maybe spend more and put it in the middle of the town somewhere.”

Beckett concurred. She was sworn in by Mayor Bonnie Fischer at the start of the meeting last month to become the fifth council member.

“That isn’t going to really solve the problems of safety,” Beckett said. “I’m not sure what good it would do.”

The vote was 4-1, with only Council member Ray McMillan supporting the proposal.

Fischer was once a supporter of the plan, too. “I was initially for it but realized even if we had a crosswalk, it would be treacherous for people to walk north from there because there’s no sidewalk. So, I voted against it,” she said.

The long-simmering debate about a crosswalk intensified after resident Hatixhe Laiqi was killed while crossing State Road A1A in November 2023. Last January, Florida Department of Transportation official Jonathan Overton spoke before an overflow crowd at Town Hall and promised to address the issue as best he could.

FDOT subsequently lowered the town speed limit from 35 mph to 30 mph and installed signage urging caution, while Fischer and Town Manager Jamie Titcomb entered discussions with Lantana Town Manager Brian Raducci about pursuing a location for the crosswalk.

Since the town owns no land other than the Town Hall property, it was determined the only feasible site would be the north end of the Lantana public beach. But even there would require a sidewalk be built on the east side of the road, as FDOT requires a crosswalk to run to and from sidewalks on both sides of the road.

Fischer said one alternative is to have FDOT redesign the road and add a sidewalk on the east side, but that her conversations with Overton have led her to believe that wouldn’t take place for several years at least.

For now, that leaves the crosswalk at the corner where Ocean Avenue meets A1A as the closest to town, and both council members and residents insisted that corner is far from safe.

“Where that crosswalk is now is very dangerous,” Fischer said. “I’m sure we’ve all had a situation where you try to turn and people come in front of you. I’m surprised there haven’t been more accidents.”

Fischer recalled that when the building housing the Hawaiian Inn was up for sale the town had an opportunity to buy it and thus would have had the land to build a crosswalk. Instead, the building was bought and renovated and is now the 3550 Condominium.

A Boca Raton police officer fatally shot a homeless man on Dec. 18 in the area of Northwest Second Avenue near City Hall and police headquarters.

Department public information officer Jessica Desir identified the deceased as 39-year-old Morey Clemmons.

The department subsequently identified the officer as Michael Super, who has served in the department since 2019. He was not injured in the incident.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.  FDLE often investigates officer-involved shootings if the local police department asks it to do so.

The Police Department has released little information about the encounter between Clemmons and Super and has not said why the officer discharged his weapon or whether he has been placed on administrative leave. Similarly, FDLE had released no information as of Dec. 24.

Clemmons had been arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges in the past, according to court records.

Most recent, West Palm Beach police charged him in July with aggravated assault on an officer after a confrontation when he left a Publix grocery store with beer and food he had not paid for. Clemmons pleaded guilty, served 60 days in the county jail and was placed on probation.

He also was arrested twice in 2023 on felony charges of robbery and false imprisonment by West Palm Beach police. In both cases, no charges were filed.

— Mary Hladky