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We’re about halfway through the dry season, and boy, has it been dry. We have received just half the rainfall expected, putting the county in a severe drought, prompting the Fire Marshal to urge residents to refrain from all outdoor burning to reduce the likelihood of wildfires. Our primary source of water is rainfall and if the drought continues, it may result in water shortages that could lead to restrictions on how often you can water your lawn. We will keep you posted.
At the February 3rd Board of County Commissioners (BCC) meeting, Gregg, with the support of his colleagues, directed staff to develop a pilot project to increase wheelchair-accessible on-demand transportation service. Currently, people who use wheelchairs are left waiting hours—or even stranded at the airport—because they cannot get a ride home. This is just unacceptable. Other places have figured this out and we want Palm Beach County to do the same. This proposal recommends a 12-month pilot program using $500,000, or about 1% of the Palm Tran Connection budget, to help pay for wheelchair-accessible transportation service on demand. The program would add capacity and give riders who are willing to pay for faster service a choice, while keeping paratransit available for those who depend on it.
Every year following Christmas we see an increase in e-scooters, hoverboards, e-bikes and other motorized devices on roads and sidewalks. These micromobility vehicles can be low-cost alternatives to cars for short-distance trips, but as their use becomes more widespread, safety concerns arise about how they interact with cars and pedestrians, raising questions about whether and how we should regulate them. We wanted to know how often these micro-mobility vehicles were involved in crashes and where and how these crashes happen. Our office intern, Kayla Barlow, started investigating and found that it wasn’t easy to figure this out because, while crash reports track vehicle types they do not have a category for e-bikes, e-scooters and the like. Kayla reviewed all fatal crashes over the past 5 years and read through several hundred crash report summaries to determine whether a micro-mobility device was involved. She identified 16 fatal micro-mobility-related deaths, including 6 fatalities just in 2025. Read what she found out and review her report here.
We’re still dealing with the impacts of the Flight Restrictions that were implemented by the FAA on October 20th, following an order by the Secret Service. Though the FAA has since made changes in where they're sending the planes, providing some relief for certain neighborhoods, others are still feeling the pain, so Gregg is still in this fight. As he told CBS12’s Jamilka Gibson, we just want answers to our questions, we want the FAA to play by their own rules and, while restrictions are in place, we want the FAA to work with our staff to minimize the impact on our people. Our office has a newsletter specific to the Flight Restrictions; if you want sign up, just send an email to district2@pbc.gov and we will add you to the list.
In the meantime, in Tallahassee, Florida legislators are advancing legislation to rename Palm Beach International Airport, Donald J. Trump International Airport. As Gregg told the paper, he is not in favor of this, for a number of reasons. It’s another example of the state usurping local government’s powers to impose its will, just like Senate Bill(SB) 48, also known as the “Granny Flat” bill. If signed into law it would require local governments to adopt ordinances allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) by-right -- meaning no zoning change is required -- on single-family lots to increase affordable housing. While Gregg agrees with the goal and thinks ADUs can be part of the solution, he believes that local circumstances matter and local governments are best equipped to determine what works, as one size does not fit all. CBS12’s Al Pefley did a story on the topic.
Before we sign off, please take a look at the Spotlight section of this newsletter. It features Dick Leeds, who resides at the Vi at Lakeside, a senior community south of Lantana Road. Dick, a friend of our office, organizes events at the Vi and talks about what Gregg has done for his community. If you’d like Gregg to come talk to a group you’re involved with, just shoot us an email.
Happy Valentine's Day!
And thanks for being a reader ❤️
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