By Joe Capozzi
Town commissioners have endorsed a plan to enhance Ocean Ridge’s code enforcement procedures with a new approach aimed at encouraging voluntary compliance with the town code.
If the measure is passed on second reading in early 2022, t
Officer Josh Basante (second from left) stands with his girlfriend, Madison Ayres, Chief Carmen Mattox, and his parents, Bill and Rebecca Basante. Photo provided
By Dan Moffett
Manalapan police Officer Josh Basante had no idea what to expect when the
By Steve Plunkett
Roads in the town’s core district won’t be torn up in 2022 or 2024, but get ready for detours in most of 2023.
Gulf Stream commissioners decided on Aug. 13 to make improvements to streets, drainage and water mains on both the west an
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By Rich Pollack
With the June collapse of Surfside’s 12-story Champlain Towers South con
By Joe Capozzi
Ocean Ridge property owners can expect higher tax bills next year. How much higher depends on whether a majority of commissioners follow through on a tentative desire to set the highest tax rate in town history.
In July, the commission
By Rich Pollack
As Highland Beach leaders methodically move toward starting a town-operated fire department, they know that some skeptics believe they might be in over their heads.
Their message back: Don’t underestimate us.
“I think people will be s
By Dan Moffett
The hard feelings and divisions that grew out of the March election are festering within the Ocean Ridge Town Commission.
During a contentious and sometimes angry three-hour meeting on May 3, the commission fought over filling a seat o
By Dan Moffett
Manalapan has its own version of the building boom that is raging throughout Florida, and it comes with its own rather special complications.
People who are moving to the town are intent on building bigger homes, which necessitates the
As a longtime Fortune 500 senior executive and business owner, I knew the right location was critical when we moved here from New Jersey as full-time residents. My husband, Roy, and I selected Ocean Ridge after looking carefully at several small coas
By Dan Moffett
Three commission candidates in Ocean Ridge found a lot of common ground when they squared off against each other during an hourlong election forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Palm Beach County on Feb. 7.
They all oppose
Candidate profiles compiled by Steven J. Smith
Related Story: Commission candidates talk sea rise strategy at forum
One three-year term and a partial one-year term are contested this time around for the Ocean Ridge Town Commission. The top vote get
By Rich Pollack
Three candidates, including the incumbent, will run for a single open Highland Beach commission seat in the March election.
However, with the death of Mayor Carl Feldman, two seats may be open.
Commissioner Elyse Riesa, who was elect
By Dan Moffett
The Manalapan Town Commission and the Eau Palm Beach Resort & Spa are teaming to lawyer up against a planned beach stabilization project that would install seven concrete groins along the oceanfront in South Palm Beach.
Mayor Keith Wat
By Dan Moffett
In a busy night of changes and decision-making, Ocean Ridge commissioners saw a mayor step down, elected his replacement, removed a construction moratorium, enacted a bundle of new building rules and advanced four proposed charter amen
A sign language interpreter, inset, is a temporary solution for streaming meetings live until Highland Beach officials can fix technical difficulties. Highland Beach Town Commission
By Rich Pollack
For almost four months, Highland Beach residents hav
By Rich Pollack
Loud, sometimes accusatory tirades from a former vice mayor have led Highland Beach town commissioners to adopt policies that some say make it more difficult for residents to speak before their elected officials.
Since losing his bid
Phil Besler and Kristine de Haseth won in their first attempts at running for public office. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star
By Dan Moffett
Coastal advocate Kristine de Haseth said she “did a lot of door-to-door canvassing” in campaigning for a seat on
By Rich Pollack
Hampered by the need for Town Commission approval for many actions and by Florida’s Sunshine Law, members of Highland Beach’s Beaches and Shores Committee are asking that the group be dissolved as an official town board in order to
By Rich Pollack
Should Highland Beach disband its Code Enforcement Board and use a special magistrate to hear cases?
Would the town’s Beaches and Shores Committee become a club rather than an official board appointed by the Town Commission?
By Dan Moffett
One of the first orders of business for newly elected Mayor Keith Waters is brokering peace between members of the La Coquille Club and the Eau Palm Beach Spa & Resort.
For months, some members have complained to the Town Commiss
