April 2021, Issue Eight, Thoughts from the Commissioner |
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Light at the End of the Tunnel...
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It has been a year since the County officially entered into COVID emergency operations.
Twelve months of illness, isolation, loss of jobs, and even death. We are all experiencing a fatigue in the uncertainty of not knowing when it will end.
Now, a full 12 months later we are told that we are "almost out " of danger, that we can see the "light at the end of the tunnel". But is it the light of freedom from restraints or the light of an oncoming train of a coronavirus spike or variants that are even more contagious?
Until we are certain, we must all continue to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Follow the guidelines, wear a mask, wash your hands and maintain social distancing. Almost there is not there....yet.
-Personal message from Commissioner Maria Sachs
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The People of PBC Make Excellent Strides to Combat Covid |
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Vaccines are being rapidly deployed around the county and the percentage of our vaccinated seniors is 76 percent - the highest in the state! |
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The vaccine may be our greatest weapon in combating Covid-19, however, we still need to wear masks, wash hands and maintain social distancing by avoiding closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings. |
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Where to Get Help
The Palm Beach County Community Services Department continues to assist residents with housing and utility assistance via their online portal at https://www.rentalassistancepbc.org/ and through their call center at (561)355-4792.
If your loved one died of Covid-19, you may be able to get the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to pay funeral expenses.
The death must have occurred after Jan. 20, 2020, and the death certificate must show COVID-19 as the cause. Eligible families could get $9,000 toward funeral costs and up to $35,500 for other expenses, such as the burial of additional people who died of COVID-19.
Beginning April 12, FEMA will accept applications by phone only at (844)684-6333. FEMA phone representatives will help you complete the application and show you how to download, mail or fax the documents.
Eligible reimbursements include costs for transportation for up to two individuals to identify the deceased individual; transfer remains; purchase of casket or urn, burial plot or cremation niche, marker or headstone; clergy or officiant services; arrangement of the funeral ceremony; use of funeral home equipment or staff; cremation or interment costs; and costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates.
Applicants will need to provide a certificate that shows the death was caused by, “may have been caused by” or “was likely a result of” COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms; proof that the death occurred in the United States or U.S. territories; receipts that include the applicant’s name as the person responsible for the expense; the deceased person’s name and the amount of funeral expenses; and proof of money received from other sources, such as an insurance company or charity, that covered funeral expenses as FEMA won’t duplicate those benefits.
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It's with great regret that I announce the passing of Congressman Alcee Hastings who passed away on April 6 at age 84.
Congressman Hastings represented
Florida’s 20th congressional district, to include parts of Palm Beach County
since 1992.
Congressman Hastings had a remarkable career as a civil rights attorney and a federal judge before serving as a senior member of our United States Congress.
"There are some people who come into your life and leave without a trace, then there is Congressman Alcee Hastings. He was always a fighter and a great orator. My friend Alcee was always a force to be reckoned with and I learned so much from him. In our grief, let us motivate future leaders to follow his great example." - Maria Sachs
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U.S. Congressman Alcee Hastings |
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Rescue Plan for Palm Beach County |
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Our Office of Intergovernmental Affairs along with our Congressional Delegation is working diligently to secure Federal Appropriations for the following District Five projects:
Canyon Branch Library – $500,000
Due to rapid growth in the West Boynton area of Palm Beach County additional library service is needed. The new branch will feature our largest meeting room space that will sit 300 people. It will also have a digital media lab, beautiful children and teen rooms, ample study space, free public computers, a large collection of books, DVDs, and other resources and an Art in Public Places installation.
Green Cay Phase 2 - $10 million
This one-of-a-kind project will increase water supply sustainability through the continued creation of high quality reuse water via the southern water treatment plant expansion, utilizing state of the art, advanced treatment technologies and wetlands and providing public access to new a water education facility and community park.
Flavor Pict Road - $27 million
This project will fund 1.7 miles of new 4-lane roadway and a bridge over the Florida Turnpike to complete the last link of Flavor Pict Road making it a continuous east-west roadway from State Road 7 to South Military Trail. This will relieve traffic congestion and reduce emergency response times.
Additional projects important to Palm Beach County:
Lake Okeechobee Shoreline Restoration - $1.6 million
Palm Beach County Bus Shelter Infrastructure - $16.16 million
Funding will allow for the expansion of Palm Tran's current infrastructure with the addition of 300 new shelters.
Palm Beach County Bus Fleet Electrification - $17.29 million
Funding will allow for the purchase of 15 electric buses, including the installation of charging infrastructure and technician training.
Recuperative Homeless Care - $1 million
This program would provide medical respite acute and post-acute care for people experiencing homelessness when they are not ill enough to remain in a hospital but too ill to recover on the streets.
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MICRO-HOSPITAL PETITION
FOR WEST DELRAY BEACH
A petition has been filed by Bradley Miller of Urban Design Studio for approval of a micro-hospital on 11.25 acres located at the northeast corner of Atlantic Avenue and Smith Sundy Road owned by Delray Growers, Inc.
Micro-hospitals are small-scale inpatient facilities that offer a wide range of medical services in a small, neighborhood setting.
The applicant is proposing to construct two buildings with approximately 120,000 square feet of uses – 90,000 square feet of hospital use with operating rooms and 23 patient rooms and 30,000 square feet of office uses.
Please email me at MSachs@pbcgov.org to let me know if you believe a micro-hospital is needed in the Ag Reserve and voice your opinion about this petition.
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April 6th, 2021
Board of County Commissioners Meeting
The board also discussed their intention to unanimously support Denise Coffman, Esq. as the County Attorney designate as of June 1, 2021. Coffman will succeed the outgoing County Attorney, Denise Nieman, Esq. when she retires in October 2021.
The legal team representing our county has been a great success. They proved victorious in fighting against illegal encroachments in the Ag Reserve and won. Don't mess with success!
Attorney Nieman has served as the County Attorney for 25 years and will be missed beyond measure, however, she leaves a superb team in place to ensure Palm Beach County will not miss a step in handling any legal matters that may arise. We thank Denise Nieman for her service and wish her all the best as she navigates towards her next chapter.
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Coach Howard Scnellenberger |
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It was with great pleasure that I sponsored a proclamation honoring the life and contributions of the late Coach Howard Schnellenberger.
Coach Schnellenberger began his football career playing as a tight end for Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant at the University of Kentucky earning All-American honors. During a span of seven decades, he coached at Oklahoma State, University of Louisville, the Baltimore Colts, and he was the offensive coordinator for the undefeated 1972 season of the Miami Dolphins under Coach Don Shula.
Coach Schnellenberger went on to be the Head Coach for the University of Miami and led the Hurricanes to its first national championship title in 1983 which became known as one of the greatest transformations in the history of college football. He then left Miami to help revitalize the Louisville Cardinals, his hometown football team.
Coach Schnellenberger passed away on March 27, 2021 in Boca Raton leaving behind an immeasurable and impactful legacy. A formal celebration will be held at the Howard Schnellenberger Field at FAU Stadium at a future date.
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It's U-Pick Season in the Ag Reserve
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Bedner's Farm was recently featured on national television's the Today Show during a broadcast about the scarcity of ketchup during the pandemic.
Bedner's takes great pride in being one of the few remaining family-owned and operated farmer's market in South Florida.
Just last weekend, Bedner's Belle Glade Farm served as a one-day mobile vaccination site to administer 400 doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
We in the County are proud to have Bedner's Family Farms as our neighbor.
Their pumpkin patches and other seasonal and annual festivities have made visiting this family farm a tradition that will remain in the hearts of families growing up in our agricultural reserve.
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I recently contacted your office to request needed signs to remind residents of leash laws on some green space near the West Boca library. Your office, together with Libraries, Facilities Development & Operations as well as Animal Control, collaborated to address the concern. I thank you for your attention and resolution to my concern.
Bob Brener
West Boca
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MARY LABANOWSKI, M.D.
CARIDAD CENTER
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Steadfast Support in the Midst of a Pandemic |
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Dr. Mary Labanowski received her degree from The University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry and completed her medical residency at Strong Memorial Hospital.
After retiring for only a year from a 30-year career, Dr. Labanowski was ready to get back involved in the practice of medicine. In July of 2016, the Caridad Center offered her that opportunity.
When the Coronavirus Pandemic hit last March it put most of Caridad's volunteer physicians out of service. Being that Dr. Labanowitz was of a younger retirement age and less at risk, she was one of the few physicians available to work with Caridad staff to try to provide essential services to their patients.
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With no roadmap or instructions how to navigate, Caridad staff and volunteers just figured it out: engaging in a telemedicine platform by April, finding ways to get medications to patients safely and even get clearance for them for needed surgeries. Learning and working to do whatever was possible, safely, with all hands and resources on deck, despite all the unknowns, fears, and difficulties, she found it fulfilling to be part of such an effort. |
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Though Caridad feels fortunate to have many deserving and dedicated volunteers, they are particularly thankful for and impressed by Dr. Labanowski’s level of dedication and support to their center and its patients. It takes a special volunteer doctor to work with their unique patient demographic and can communicate with them despite obstacles.
Her kind heart and giving nature goes beyond her medical contributions. One example of her huge heart is when Dr. Labanowski adopted a family with a child with special needs during a Caridad Holiday Gift Program.
In her spare time, Dr. Labanowski loves to photograph and learn about birds; she has quite a large collection.
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Do you know of a volunteer to be featured in the Sachs Sentinel?
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Contact us on any Matter of Interest or Concern |
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Commissioner Sachs
Michelle Damone
Vivian Leiva
Meaghan White
Office: (561) 355-2205
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