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In this newsletter:
- Plastic Free July
- Free Entry for Kids at Palm Beach Zoo
- Free Weekend Meal Kits for Kids
- AI Outlook
- Gregg in the News
- Commish in the Community
- Elections 2024
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Plastic Free July is a global movement that encourages people to reduce or eliminate their consumption of single use plastic products during the month of July. It draws attention to ways we can be part of the collective solution to reduce plastic pollution so we can have cleaner streets, oceans, beaches, and communities.
Palm Beach County's 47 miles of Atlantic coastline aren't just a recreational paradise; they're a crucial habitat for diverse marine species, and a cornerstone of our local economy. Yet each year, thousands of pounds of plastic waste infiltrate our waters, wreaking havoc on delicate ecosystems.
Loggerhead sea turtles, which nest on our beaches in greater numbers than almost anywhere else in the U.S., face the consequences. Plastic bags, often mistaken for jellyfish, can cause fatal blockages when ingested. Tiny fragments of broken-down plastic, called microplastics, are now found in virtually all marine life, from the smallest fish to the largest mammals.
At the forefront of efforts to protect these magnificent creatures is the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach. This world-class facility not only rescues and rehabilitates injured sea turtles, it also conducts groundbreaking research on the effects of plastic pollution on marine life. Their work is instrumental in raising awareness and driving conservation efforts in our community.
Recognizing the urgency of this issue, on July 20th starting at 10:00 AM Gregg will present the Loggerhead Marinelife Center with a proclamation officially acknowledging Plastic Free July. We hope you will join him - and while you’re there visit the Center, which consistently ranks in the top for best free attractions in the U.S.
Readers will recall that just a few months ago Gregg met with several students from Jupiter High School who, as part of a school project, learned about plastic pollution but also became involved and started lobbying for change. Their journey was documented by two filmmakers who included the students' story in a three-part documentary that you can watch here: Schoolyard Films.
We hope you’re inspired to do your part to make a difference.
You can start by reducing your use of single use plastics: swap plastic water bottles for reusable ones, say no to plastic straws and utensils, and bring your own bags when shopping. Support local businesses that are making efforts to reduce plastic use, like restaurants using compostable takeout containers.
Our beaches, marine life, and future generations are counting on us. The power to make a difference is in our hands – let's not waste it. Palm Beach County can lead the way in environmental stewardship, starting with tackling plastic pollution. Together, we can preserve our slice of paradise for years to come.
Thanks for being a reader!
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Free Entry for Kids at the Palm Beach Zoo | |
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What better way to entertain the kids this summer than a visit to the Palm Beach Zoo? Keep cool under shaded pathways as you explore exotic habitats and meet our rare animals. Enjoy a splash in the Fountain Plaza Splash Pad, or simply chill out with an ice-cold slushy. All through July 31, 2024, two children ages 3 to 12 are free with each full-price adult admission. Children age 2 and younger are always free at Palm Beach Zoo.
Click here to buy tickets, or click the button below. DO NOT PURCHASE Children's tickets online. Two children will be admitted at the gate per full-price paid adult ticket.
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PBC Library System Provides
Free Weekend Meal Kits for Kids
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The Palm Beach County Library System is providing free weekend meal kits for children ages 18 and younger. Meal kits are available every Friday year-round at several locations. They include healthy, easy-to-prepare food such as shelf-stable pasta, chicken, rice, tuna, oatmeal, granola bars and more! Kits are available for pick up while supplies last at the locations below. Schedules vary; call the location for days/times meal kits are available.
Locations:
- Main Library, 3650 Summit Blvd., West Palm Beach 33406 | Ph: 561-233-2600
- Jupiter Branch, 705 Military Trail, Jupiter 33458 | Ph: 561-744-2301
- Belle Glade Branch, 725 NW 4th Street, Belle Glade 33430 | Ph: 561-996-3453
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Clarence E. Anthony Branch, 375 SW 2nd Avenue, So. Bay 33493 | 561-992-8393
- Loula V. York Branch, 525 Bacom Point Road, Pahokee 33476 | Ph: 561-924-5928
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AI’s Impact on Healthcare: Cutting-edge Applications (and their challenges)
In a short time, AI has shown it can do a lot in healthcare. But there are still big concerns about how accurate it is, how clear its processes are, how it fits in with existing systems, data privacy, ethics, bias, and following regulations. Read all about it in this article.
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What You Can Do About AI-Powered Scams
Happy summer, everyone! Jana, here. By now we all know that AI is here to stay, and that it's incredibly versatile. It can help with everything from drafting emails and creating lesson plans to creating videos and making art. Sadly, it can also be used to rope people into scams by pretending to be a friend or relative in trouble. To avoid getting scammed on all sorts of fronts, read this article with the latest examples and tips for fighting back.
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Note: Not all events listed are open to the public.

8/6/2024 @ 6:30 PM: AI presentation for Radio Aficionado Club (Zoom presentation). Contact Henry Seidner for more information.

8/14/2024 @ 2:00 PM: AI presentation for the Mariposa Independent Living Community. Contact Harry Raucher for more information.
9/4/2024 @ 12:00 PM: AI presentation for the West Palm Beach Kiwanis Club at Hilton Airport Hotel. Contact Dan Ayers for more information.
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If you would like to invite Commissioner Weiss to give a presentation in your community on artificial intelligence or any other topic, contact our office at district2@pbc.gov or 561-355-2202. | |
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CBS 12 News

Florida Weekly:
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Celebrations, anniversaries, meeting with agencies, recognizing community leaders, joining neighbors' festivities and going to neighborhood meetings ... Commissioner Weiss spends a lot of time in the community.
"As an elected official, I want to be part of the community I represent," said Commissioner Weiss. "I want to understand the issues in my district, and that's why I spend many evenings attending events to listen and learn."

If you'd like to invite Commissioner Weiss to your event, let us know.
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AI Exploratory Committee Study Unveiled at the NACo Conference
At the National Association of Counties (NACo) conference on July 13th, Gregg presented findings from a year-long study on Generative AI for county governments. Gregg is Co-Chair of NACo's AI Exploratory Committee; he shared trends, practices, and policy recommendations from the committee's final report, unveiled at the event.
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Ribbon Cutting for New Supervisor of Elections Building
Palm Beach County's Supervisor of Elections celebrated its new headquarters with a ribbon cutting on June 9th. Gregg joined in the festivities, touring the new facility located at Cherry Road and Country Club Road in West Palm Beach (WPB). It combines the WPB Main Office and the Voting Equipment Center from Riviera Beach, ensuring a more efficient and secure election process.
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Talking Shop With Judge Harper and His Interns
Circuit Court Judge Bradley Harper and interns Karina Brown and Kalea Green stopped by Gregg's office on July 8th to talk law, county government, and all things AI. This next generation of leaders is in good hands with His Honor: besides being super active in our community, Judge Harper has the distinction of being the first Black man elected as a Circuit Court judge in Palm Beach County.
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Pre-Election Canvassing Board Meeting
Upholding the democratic process is important to Gregg, so he's been busy attending to his duties as a member of Palm Beach County's Canvassing Board. Board members attend training workshops, test voting equipment, and handle post-election voting system audits, among many other duties. On July 1st he attended a pre-election meeting where board members prepared for the upcoming primary election and heard comments from the public. Every vote counts!
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Have You Registered To Vote?
Check your voter registration status today by visiting “My Status” at https://www.votepalmbeach.gov
Voters wishing to vote by mail in the 2024 elections are required to make a new Vote-by-Mail Request for all elections.
Click here to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot
2024 Primary Election Information:
Early Voting: Aug. 10-18, 2024 (7 a.m.-7 p.m.)
Election Day: Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2024 (7 a.m.-7 p.m.)
Deadline to request that a Vote-by-Mail ballot be mailed to you:
5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2024
Deadline to return your Vote-by-Mail ballot to Supervisor of Elections Main Office:
7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, 2024
2024 General Election Information:
Early Voting: Oct. 21, 2024 - Nov. 3, 2024 (7 a.m.-7 p.m.)
Election Day: Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 (7 a.m.-7 p.m.)
Deadline to register to vote: Monday, October 7, 2024
Early Voting: 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m., October 21, 2024 - November 3, 2024
Deadline to request that a Vote-by-Mail ballot be mailed to you:
5:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, 2024
Deadline to return your Vote-by-Mail ballot to the Supervisor of Elections Main Office:
7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5, 2024

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Ideas? Suggestions? Concerns?
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