By Tao Woolfe
Thomas Turkin, the final candidate to emerge victorious from Boynton Beach’s complicated March elections, would like to see the city strictly enforce a moratorium on tall buildings.
The newly elected city commissioner for District 3 said that as an animal lover and environmentalist, he believes towering structures — especially those near the coast — interfere with birds’ migratory patterns and nesting areas.
“I think development is great, but it needs to be effective,” Turkin said, adding that smaller buildings make cities friendlier.
“I don’t want to see our city turn into Fort Lauderdale,” he said, adding that Delray Beach seems to have an effective formula. “Although Delray has a lot of development, it doesn’t have many tall buildings.”
Turkin, who got about 53% of the vote in a runoff election on March 22 against Marit Hedeen, manages veterinary hospitals and animal care businesses, he said. He is also a U.S. Navy reservist.
The new commissioner said in a telephone interview that public safety is his top concern and that he would like to immediately see what he can do about slowing down speeding traffic and, if possible, increasing police presence.
Three of the five commissioners had to leave their posts because of term limits: Mayor Steven Grant, Justin Katz and Christina Romelus.
With the election of Angela Cruz to the District 1 seat in the March 8 municipal election, only Mayor-elect Ty Penserga and Woodrow Hay are holdover members.
One of the new commission’s first tasks will be naming a commissioner to fill the District 4 seat that Penserga vacated. That term runs until March 2023. Commissioners will announce the opening and likely discuss filling the seat at their April 5 meeting.
Penserga, who won his new seat with about 57% of the vote on March 8, will be Boynton Beach’s first openly gay mayor.
Penserga, who previously served as vice mayor, campaigned on a promise to bring affordable housing and revitalization to the city.
“As mayor, my priorities will include enhancing public safety through technology, promoting workforce housing, creating high-paying jobs, reducing taxes, creating a vibrant and exciting downtown, revitalizing the Boynton Beach Mall, and ensuring all parts of our city benefit from our shared success,” he said in his campaign posts.
Penserga is a scientist, educator and lifelong Florida resident.
Cruz, who got more than 62% of the votes cast in District 1, has served on the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency advisory board, as well as the senior advisory board. The longtime Boynton Beach homeowner has also served as a volunteer for Palm Beach County nonprofits, according to her campaign literature.
Hay, the District 2 commissioner and new vice mayor, said he would continue the hard work the commission has begun.
“We will be working on the distribution of ARPA funding. That’s a huge undertaking,” he said, referring to the American Rescue Plan Act. “There are also a lot of development projects going on that I’m very excited about.”
Hay was elected in 2020 after previously serving two terms on the commission, including a stint as mayor. He was first elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2011. Born and raised in Delray Beach, Hay has also served on the Boynton Beach Housing Authority and the city’s planning and development board.
He also serves as an associate minister at St. John Missionary Baptist Church in Boynton Beach.
Hay said he hopes to work well with the new commissioners and promises to be patient with them. “I remember when I was new,” he said. “The other commissioners and the staff were very patient. We have wonderful people working for the city.”
Departing Mayor Grant said he enjoyed his time in city office and wishes the new mayor and commission well.
His advice for the new mayor? “Try to say ‘yes’ as often as you can,” he said with a smile.
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