It’s home to me — from the sweet stench of the Glades to the bracing spray of the ocean and everything in between.
I was born here, grew up on Florida’s west coast, and returned to Palm Beach County to attend Florida Atlantic University.
When I arrived in 1984, the Boca Raton phone book was about an inch and a half thick. It covered all the towns from Boynton Beach through Pompano Beach, with Boca and Highland Beach in the middle.
And The Boca Raton News was “Florida’s best community newspaper.”
Who would guess that, 26 years later, I would be introducing you to a new edition of The Coastal Star, a monthly newspaper in which we have a commitment to inform and inspire you.
In 1984, residents of Highland Beach and coastal Boca Raton worried about offshore oil drilling. Developers and planners sparred over building heights and sprawl. And you pondered what was best for beaches and mangroves.
A quarter-century later, coastal residents are reflecting on the largest oil spill ever. You are worried about sprawl, and its consequences. And beaches and mangroves remain at risk from erosion and pollution.
I got lost the last time I was on the FAU campus — it has expanded so much.
And that Boca Raton phone book? It’s now 3 inches thick, covers half the geographic area and takes two volumes.
At The Coastal Star, we have taken all those issues to heart.
For nearly two years, our team of seasoned journalists has brought readers award-winning coverage of what matters most to coastal residents from South Palm Beach through Delray Beach: Local government and businesses, the environment, schools and families.
Our Coastal Star of the Month and Meet Your Neighbor features help you get to know your neighbors.
Our columnists offer thought-provoking coverage of religion, cultural issues and pets. And our food and wine writers will inspire you to take your culinary skills to the next level.
Whatever your interests, this is your newspaper, with news for and about you. I hope to get to know you better.
To that end, please drop me a line to introduce yourself. Add me to your contact list.
Please e-mail me at scott@thecoastalstar.com.
Or write me at The Coastal Star, 5011, N. Ocean Blvd., Ocean Ridge, FL 33435.
I’m looking forward to meeting you.
— Scott Simmons, managing editor
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