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Special Note:
City of Riviera Beach Meeting
on proposed/new
Coastal Construction Codes
Wednesday, February 4, 2015 at 5:30pm, the Riviera Beach city council will hear the first reading of the new coastal construction codes for properties along the ocean. Click here for agenda details and read the documentation to learn more about how these proposed changes could affect our shoreline. If you have questions, concerns or input on this issue, please attend the meeting at Riviera Beach City Hall ...and fill out a public comment card to share you ideas and be part of the solution in this matter. If you are unable to attend; please send a letter to Councilperson Dawn Pardo (and other council members) so they can read your input into the records (Please note/state in your communication, that you'd like your msg. read into the official record).
[ Editor's note: there was an epic public comments session at the January 21st Riviera Beach City Council Meeting. If you are a resident of Riviera Beach, this is 73 minutes of mostly must see information, passionate discussions and robust debate. Topics include so many important hot area issues that I highly recommend you:
Please watch this video ]
Postal and email addresses listed here:
Councilwoman Dawn Pardo
Email: dpardo@rivierabch.com
Office: (561) 845-3683
Fax: (561) 863-3236
Mailing address for letters of concern/input:
City of Riviera Beach
600 West Blue Heron Blvd.
Riviera Beach, Florida 33404
Also:
Mayor Thomas Masters
Email: mayormasters@rivierabch.com
Office: (561) 845-4145
Fax: (561) 863-3236
Chief of Staff - Debie Isaacs
Email: disaacs@rivierabch.com - 561-845-4064
Councilman Bruce Guyton
Email: Bguyton@Rivierabch.com
Office: (561)-845-3686 - Fax: (561) 840-0154
Legislative Assistant - Sylvia Blue: Sblue@Rivierabch.com
- 561-845-4102
Councilwoman Judy Davis
Email: jdavis@rivierabch.com
Phone: (561) 845-3464
Fax: 561-840-0154
Legislative Assistant: Debrah S. Hall
Councilman Cedric Thomas
Email: cthomas@rivierabch.com
Office: (561) 845-3687 - Fax: (561) 840-0154
Legislative Assistant - Hope Jeanty - hjeanty@rivierabch.com
Councilman Terence Davis
Email: Tdavis@Rivierabch.com
Office: 561-841-0202
Legislative Aide - Regina Williams
rwilliams@Rivierabch.com - 561-841-0202
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Voter Registration
If you are a NEW Florida resident and have not registered to vote, or you have relocated from within the state to Singer Island, please register or update your information TODAY ...
Click Here for more information!
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Singer Island Area News of The Week:
PB couple's $2M gift to expand Opportunity Inc.'s preschool education - Palm Beach Daily News - ... from The Episcopal Church of Bethesda-by-the-Sea founded the organization to assist the families of impoverished Riviera Beach fishermen.
Lifeguards concerned about Blacktip Challenge shark tournament - WPTV.com - Dozens of fishermen from all over the country are camping out on Singer Island beaches to catch blacktip sharks, tag them, and then release them into ...
Grand Celebration to sail Sunday from Port of Palm Beach - Sun Sentinel - Port of Palm Beach's newest cruising option - the 1900-passenger Grand Celebration - is set to cast off Sunday on its first cruise to Freeport, ...
$500k still owed to Port Of Palm Beach from Island Breeze Casino ship - WPEC - A CBS 12 investigation has uncovered more than half a million dollars still owed to the Port of Palm Beach from the owners ...
Riviera Beach offering $5M in small biz loans to lure businesses -South Florida Business Journal (blog) - The loans can range from $10,000 to $1 million for an existing business that's moving to Riviera Beach or $10,000 to $500,000 for a startup business.
Singer Island Serenade - Orlando Magazine - Yet, the name Singer Island remained and after World War II, the land was indeed developed. However, it never became one of those South Florida ...
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Island Voice (printed as received, **slightly censored) :
From: David C. on Singer Island, resident of Riviera Beach
Subj: Newest OIG Audit
the Palm Beach County Inspector General has issued ANOTHER new report: 01-21-15 - Riviera Beach - Cash Disbursement Controls Audit - 2015-A-0002
" The audit exposes inexcusable business practices at City Hall that have been endemic for years. If City Hall was a public company the shareholders would be demanding that the Board of Directors insist on a complete clean out of management and the hiring of a 'kick a** and take names' CEO. We, the taxpayers of Singer Island who contribute 46% of Riviera Beach's property tax income, are major 'shareholders' of our city. We should be telling our elected board (City Council) to do just that. This crazy waste of our money has been going on for long enough. No wonder we have, by far, the highest millage rate for comparable townships in Palm Beach County. "
[ Editor's note: This issue is being reported and discussed all over the Palm Beach Post and other media outlets, here are a few more discussions: Letters: City officials show lack of consideration - Palm Beach Post - AND - Letters: 'Only' $163000? Who's accountable? - Palm Beach Post
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Other News:
Update from our Fl District 89 Representative
Bill Hager:
Second Committee Week held in Tallahassee
The second week of Committee meetings took place in Tallahassee last week. Members of the Florida House have wasted no time tackling an array of issues facing our state, filing numerous bills and engaging in important debate. There were various agency presentations, overviews of budget requests, and several Member bills received their first hearing. I believe this was a very productive week, and a lot of good work was done on behalf of our state.
In the weeks ahead, as we move closer to the 2015 Legislative Session, I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to take important steps to improve the great State of Florida. I will continue to keep you up-to-date with periodic newsletters letting you know about important bills under consideration and any new laws that are passed. The next Committee Week is February 2nd. I look forward to continuing to serve our district in Tallahassee.
Florida's GI Bill
This week, the House Veteran & Military Affairs Subcommittee received an update on the implementation of the Florida GI Bill. The goal of the Florida GI Bill is to make Florida the "welcome home" state for our veterans. This bill made a number of changes to encourage our veterans and their spouses to continue their education and to help them find a career that provides the best future for themselves and their families.
Since the bill was passed and signed into law, a number of provisions have been put into effect to assist our veterans, and the Committee learned that implementation is going well thus far. For example, the Florida GI bill extended the time frame for veterans to get professional license fee waivers from the Departments of Health (DOH) and Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Since this change took effect, DOH has waived over $49,000 in fees and DBPR has waived over $39,000 in fees for military veterans and their spouses.
Our state prides itself on supporting our troops. We want our heroes to be able to come home to Florida and adjust to civilian life more easily, and I believe the GI Bill is a great step towards achieving that goal.
February Mobile Office Hours
Feel free to come out if you need assistance on a state issue, or just want to introduce yourself. Notary service can be available at no cost to with advance notice. Please call (561) 470-6607 to request a notary public.
Singer Island/Palm Beach Shores -
Tuesday, February 17, 2015 from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Palm Beach Shores Town Hall, 247 Edwards Lane, Palm Beach Shores
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Got History? Riviera Beach Wants Your History Mementos
In anticipation of the opening of the new Event Center at the Marina, a special committee has been meeting for several months to plan a presentation of the history of Riviera Beach. The multi-faceted presentation is anticipated to include oral histories, timelines, vertical exhibits and display cases. Areas in the new building have been set aside to present the history of Riviera Beach.
"The Committee is charged with developing and implementing a professional installation/display that will present the history of Riviera Beach in a dynamic and engaging way," said Conrad Koller, the chair of the Committee. "We anticipate having a fixed exhibit and seasonal/rotating presentations." he continued.
The committee is seeking donations and/or loans of items that highlight the city's history.
Suggested items being sought include:
1. Brochures from tourist related organizations/businesses/hotels/etc.
2. Pictures that show how the city used to look like (the beach, other recreation venues, streets, neighborhoods, stores, businesses, older buildings, etc.)
3. Flyers from community-wide events, signs or political messages, News articles, community service announcements, etc.
4. Industry related promotions, pictures and paraphernalia --
a. Anything having to do with the railroad and its effect on the City and surrounding areas
b. Pictures relating to the fishing industry and /or the Conch families
5. Evidence of weather related events -- results/damages caused by hurricanes, floods, cold, etc.
6. Famous people related to Riviera Beach
7. Anything that would showcase community organizations, (like the VFW, Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, etc.)
8. School or other educational promotions
9. Significant church newsletters or weekly programs; funeral programs, souvenir journals that would be a great source of neighborhood and/or family information ... related pictures
10. Other items of interest
Items can be scanned and returned to their owners unharmed. If you believe you have an item of value for this effort, you may drop it off at the Riviera Beach CRA offices (2001 Broadway, Suite 300; Riviera Beach, FL.) Please include your name and indicate whether you want the item returned to you. If you have any questions, please call 305-290-1196 or e-mail RivieraBeachHistory@gmail.com
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Volunteers needed to assist local citizens
Volunteers are needed to help provide a free public service at a new location in Riviera Beach that will assist people to complete and file their Income Tax Returns. All volunteers will be thoroughly trained on all aspects of tax preparation. No tax background is needed although it wouldn't hurt. Other Volunteers are needed to sign people in and help with paperwork. The program, called "Tax-Aide" is conducted in cooperation with the IRS and is organized by the AARP Foundation. Volunteers, as well as those being assisted by the program can be any age. Conrad Koller, a local volunteer for the last several years, is organizing this new location in order to allow more people to get their taxes done for free. All returns are double checked for accuracy and are securely electronically filed, allowing for a quicker refund.
The new location will operate Wednesdays from February 4, to April 15, 2015 at the Riviera Beach Public Library. Hours are 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. To find out more about volunteering or to sign up, please click here - or E-mail Conrad Koller at CJKOLLER2@JUNO.COM
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Upcoming Island, City and Area Events:
Please send us any upcoming event notices, press releases, and or your input on Island topics...so we can get the word out here!
Palm Beach Shores St Patrick's Day Parade:
Our 26th Annual PBS St. Patrick's Day Parade will be held on Saturday, March 14, 2015. We are interested in any group that would like to participate especially those that involve music. We have several fundraisers upcoming, the first of which is a Spaghetti Dinner at the Lake Park VFW on Saturday, January 31st at 6 PM. The donation is $8.00 per person. Please contact us at vinahearn@aol.com or 845-0635. Thanks from Julie Ahearn
Thursday, February 5th: TEAM TIARA CHALLENGES OTHER SINGER ISLAND CONDOS TO BEAT THEM IN MARCH 7 WALK FOR THE ANIMALS AT DOWNTOWN AT THE GARDENS -(click the link for more detail on the Feb 5th planning meeting) - Team Tiara, a group of residents from the Tiara Condominium that annually joins a walk for the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, is issuing a challenge to all the other condo/homeowner associations on Singer Island to compete with them in this year's March 7 walk.
Thursday, February 12th: Save the date for the Next SICA Meeting: Candidates Forum and more good stuff, details to follow next week - 7pm at Palm Beach Shores Town Hall
Saturday, February 14, 2015: Singer Island "LET'S SHOW OUR BEACHES SOME LOVE" Island-wide Beach Cleanup - Singer Island Civic Association and Ritz-Carlton Residences are organizing an island-wide Beach Cleanup beginning in February. Visit the link for more details and please contact Joy Africano at joyafricano@yahoo.com or 716-228-2588 if you would like to organize this for your building.
Saturday, February 28: Riviera Beach CDC HOSTS BREAKFAST, WALK FEATURING MARTIN LUTHER KING III
-This Event has been postponed. More details to follow as we get them.
Saturday, March 7th: TEAM TIARA CHALLENGES OTHER SINGER ISLAND CONDOS TO BEAT THEM IN MARCH 7 WALK FOR THE ANIMALS AT DOWNTOWN AT THE GARDENS -(click the link for more detail) - Team Tiara, a group of residents from the Tiara Condominium that annually joins a walk for the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue League, is issuing a challenge to all the other condo associations on Singer Island to compete with them in this year's March 7 walk.
City of Riviera Beach Event Calendar
Upcoming Riviera Beach City Meetings:
- 2/4/2015 - City Council Meeting PLEASE consider attending this meeting for the first reading of the proposed updates of Coastal Construction Building Codes - noted at the top of this newsletter. Your SICA Team will keep you posted and we WILL send out a special alert on this important issue if the date is changed again.
- 2/12/2015 - Planning and Zoning Board
Riviera Beach City Events:
Riviera Beach City News:
Palm Beach Shores Event Calendar
Palm Beach Shores Meetings: Jan 27, 2015 - Candidate Qualification
Feb 3, 2015 - Charter Review Meeting
Feb 4, 2015 - DRC Meeting
Feb 4, 2015 - Community Policing Mtg.
Palm Beach Shores News:
MacArthur Beach State Park Event Calendar
Click the link for more information on the many events at the Park this month!
Cool and Notable Link(s) of The Week:
We Love Singer Island: Check out the current beach/ocean conditions on the Live Beach Cam...and get out there!
It's Back! "The 2015 Honda Classic Birdies for Children!" Guess how many Birdies the pros will make during "The Honda Classic" at the PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, FL, February 26 - March 1, 2015 and you may walk away with a brand new 2015 Honda automobile AND help Inner City Youth Golfers', Inc. (ICYG) at the very same time. Just to give you a hint, the amount of Birdies made during the 2014 Honda Classic was 1,363.
{ This Editor's final note: It is with sincere appreciation to all of the neighbors that I have met by way of SICA and this email newsletter over this past year to mention that Voice #42 will be the final edition for me. I am handing the reigns over to the very dedicated and capable SICA board of directors and will also be stepping down off the SICA board in 2015. I'll help make sure the transition is a smooth one and I look forward to reading many future editions. It's been both a sincere pleasure and an absolute honor to work with the SICA team, as well as a truly wonderful journey in learning so much about our little slice of island paradise (that I hope to always proudly call my home). With thanks for reading ...and best regards </Mike Blasdell }
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