News

By Dan Moffett

    A self-described “Florida girl” who grew up in Boynton Beach and has lived in Palm Beach County for 40 years, Christina Adams moved to Briny Breezes last year with her husband, Gene, and their two teenage sons.
    “We love the ocean,” she says. “We love the outdoors and really want the best for Briny.”
    Adams decided to step up and serve her new community when she applied for an open Town Council seat, a vacancy left by the resignation of Barbara Molina in August. Council members unanimously approved Adams on Sept. 24 to serve out the rest of Molina’s two-year term, which expires in March.
    “I want to help preserve Briny for the future,” Adams said. “I just want to make sure that the town is informed and that the safety in this town is always kept in check.”
    Adams is a registered nurse who worked “for many years” in home health care. She says she and her family “love to volunteer,” and they do missionary work in Ensenada, Mexico, with their church group.
    “I’m excited to work with the council,” she said. “They’re good people to be surrounded by.”

    In other business, Town Attorney John Skrandel told council members he is continuing to explore what it would take for Briny Breezes to claim ownership of Old Ocean Boulevard. Over the years, both town and corporate officials have said they believe it’s in the community’s long-term interest to have clear possession of the property.
    “For many years, there’s been talk of Old Ocean Boulevard and who owns it and how it can be taken and closed off,” Skrandel said. “And all that comes down to who actually is the owner.”
    Skrandel said his research, which goes back some 70 years, suggests that the state wanted to transfer ownership to the town but apparently never filed a deed to legally do it. He said Palm Beach County doesn’t want the property, and neither does the Florida Department of Transportation.
    Skrandel told the council it appears the state is willing to transfer the property to the town by deed at no cost, but with the stipulation that it be used for a public purpose. Then it would “make more sense” for the corporation to take control of it from the town.
    “Whoever receives the property, the town or the corporation [that owns the park], will be financially responsible for it,” Skrandel said.
    The council instructed Skrandel to continue his research and report his findings at the Oct. 22 town meeting.