Singer Island Voice | Update #42 | Jan. 29, 2015 

 (Now reaching over 2480 neighbors each week!)

THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS ... 

Our 2015 Membership Drive is HERE!

Please join us, or renew your membership today ...and together we WILL make a difference for Singer Island! 

  Click -here- to join your
Singer Island Civic Association Today!  

(Individual and Business Memberships are Available)

NOTE:  Sorry folks ...the Pay online link has now been fixed, you can join us online using a credit card or by mail, ..or bring your check in person to the Feb. 12th SICA Annual Meeting and share your Island Spirit!  

Special Note:

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  ]

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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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$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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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:

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: 

• 2/12/2015 - Planning and Zoning Board

Riviera Beach City News:  

• Free GED Classes for Riviera Beach Residents February 9 - April 23
• At the Riviera Beach Library You can now use your library card to access a tremendous amount of magazines on your computer, smartphone, or tablet. 
• Paving the way to growth in Riviera Beach   

 Palm Beach Shores Event Calendar  

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. 

Click on this donate link and pledge your donation 
(The Honda Classic will process your donation and write a check back to ICYG for 100% of the money you donate plus a 10% matching bonus!! A tax deductible receipt will be generated for you.)

{ 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 } 

More news as we get it on: 

Ocean Mall | CRA District & Marina Development | Lake Worth inlet widening project | Digital License Plate Readers | Proposed development projects: in Munyon's Cove, Amrit, PGA waterfront | Pending sober house legislation |  ...and more as we get it. 

Let's all work together to stay informed and aware of events taking place on and around Singer Island!

Send in your Island News, Events & Tips Today!