Deborah Hartz-Seeley's Blog – July 2012 Archive (38)

Mary Kate Leming, Editor

“Sweeping action may be gratifying and may create the aura of strong leadership, but its unintended consequences may lead to costs that are too high to bear.”

— Teresa Sullivan, reinstated University of…

By Steve Plunkett

A $750,000 proposal to revamp Town Hall would allow people to get from the main lobby to commission chambers without going outside and consolidate the Police Department at the rear of the building.

Architect Mark Marsh of Palm Beach-based Bridges, Marsh and Associates gave commissioners a tour of the plan at their June 26 workshop. The renovations would cover part of the north wing, the central area and the south wing, which…

By Tim O’Meilia

Until now, beach protection was an exercise in putting a jigsaw puzzle together. Everyone had a piece but maybe that piece didn’t fit with their neighbor’s.

South Palm Beach condo owners fretted over how to get groins and breakwaters to save their rapidly eroding beach. Lantana wanted to protect its newly built seawall. Northern Ocean Ridge residents worried over getting enough sand around the Boynton Inlet to protect its shoreline. Manalapan…

Businesses at 5011 N. Ocean Blvd. can stay at least until June 2014.

Town commissioners decided to grant building owners Orlando and Liliane Sivitilli one extra year before they must move their tenants and convert the building to townhomes. The Sivitillis had asked for a three-year extension. “We should not be continuously extending this agreement,” Commissioner Zoanne Hennigan said.

Commissioners also sent the issue of whether the town should abandon its 1969 ban on commercial…

By Steve Plunkett

Roads in Point Manalapan will get their first new coat of asphalt since the 1960s.

Delray Beach-based Hardrives Inc. submitted the winning bid of $293,140 to resurface all the roads on the Point. Four other companies bid $325,000 to $370,000 for the work. 

The state maintains the condition of South Ocean Boulevard. Mayor Basil Diamond said the Point’s roads had not been refurbished since their original installation. The…

Dr. Thomas Balkany is a cochlear implant surgeon and researcher. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

 By Paula Detwiller

Dr. Thomas Balkany of…

Noah Yablong, 23, is Paralympics bound. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star

By Emily J. Minor

When he was a kid…

Kate, the leatherback sea turtle who has a problem nesting,

heads back into the Atlantic Ocean after a failed attempt to

lay eggs along the beach in Ocean Ridge. Jerry Lower/The Coastal Star…

By Margie Plunkett

Motorists will have hundreds of new parking options each evening and on weekends in Delray Beach.

Mayor Woodie McDuffie got the word that the city can open the County Courthouse parking garage for use after hours seven days a week as city lawmakers and staff continue puzzling through creation of a viable parking plan and how to pay for it.

The additional garage spaces, part of a 500-space parking complex near the library,…

Bill Koch and his wife, Mary Lou, with polo stars

Del Carroll, Buddy Combs, Russell Firestone and William Mayer.

 By Ron Hayes

If the people of Gulf Stream…

Pamela Goodman

By Tim Pallesen

Pamela Goodman fought hard for redistricting as a League of Women Voters leader.

So the Gulf Stream resident says it makes sense for her to become a…

By Tim O’Meilia

Rex Taylor’s seventh anniversary as South Palm Beach town manager is this month and to mark the occasion his employers will review his performance for the first time. 

But not before he does it first. Then next year, the council will come up with a permanent evaluation form and process. 

“The charter requires an evaluation,” said Councilwoman Stella Jordan, who first brought up the topic in May. “I’m more interested in getting…

Nicky Mill with dad Andy and a permit fish he

caught on a fly rig in Cuba last year.  Photo courtesy Andy Mill

By Thom Smith      

It was a high school…

By Mary Thurwachter

For the second time in seven months, Lantana plans to splurge on a waterfront land purchase on the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway just north of Ocean Avenue. The town will spend $965,000 for lots at 206, 210 and 302 N. Lake Drive. 

When last sold in…

Ann Rutherford of Boca Raton brought her charitable activism

to another level with her book Flags of Freedom, honoring the men

and women who serve in the armed forces. Tim Stepien/The Coastal Star…

Kathleen Weiser

By Steve Plunkett

The newest members of the Town Commission were at opposite ends last month when…

Charles A. McCutcheon

By Christine Davis

BOCA RATON — Charles A. McCutcheon, 83, of Boca Raton, who served as Palm Beach County sheriff and Boca Raton police chief,…

Frank J. Devine

By Ron Hayes

DELRAY BEACH — After retiring from a distinguished career in the U.S. Foreign Service, Frank Devine brought his diplomatic skills to Palm Beach County, first…

Ann Boden

By Mary Thurwachter

HIGHLAND BEACH — Even during the final months of her life while battling a long illness, Ann Boden retained her positive and fun-loving outlook, according to her next-door neighbor…

United by their shared Jewish values of philanthropy and Tikkun Olam, 50 women gathered for the installation celebration. The women are just starting their year-long terms. Eydie Holz, Women’s Philanthropy vice chair for…