From the desk of Commissioner Maria Sachs

May 2021, Issue Twelve

I would like to take this opportunity to share a message of kindness.

We find ourselves returning slowly to a new normal, navigating an unclear world. We need to take a breath. We need to really take the time to process all that we have been through over the last year. Together.

Palm Beach County, the State of Florida, the country… the world, are all still getting through a pandemic the likes of which had not been seen in over 100 years. Hopefully the likes of which we never have to endure living through again. We should come out of it with more understanding and kindness towards one another.

I urge you to remain vigilant, observe the CDC guidelines and take with you all the lessons we have learned. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

~Commissioner Maria Sachs

Free Admission for Active-Duty Military and their Families

Veterans, retired and active duty, have always been a priority for me in my career. My dad, Lt. Col. Russell F. Lorts (dec), US Army, served in World War II and Vietnam. When he passed I committed to honor his memory to pass a bill in the legislature for our Veterans each year that I served. We owe them a debt for keeping our country FREE.

From Saturday, May 15th through Labor Day, September 2nd, many of our museums will offer FREE ADMISSION to active duty Military and up to five family members.

Participating Palm Beach County Museums:

For more information on participating museums in Florida and beyond, visit: https://www.arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums

MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH

Mental Health is in the spotlight now more than ever as we reach the other side of a pandemic.

Facts:

· Suicide is among the leading causes of death in the United States

· Youth mental health is worsening

· the prevalence of mental illness among adults was increasing

· More people are reporting frequent thoughts of suicide and self-harm

Links to national mental health organizations:

*Mental Health America Statistics [mhanational.org]

*National Institute of Mental Health [nimh.nih.gov]

Commissioner Sachs recently honored 211, a crisis helpline, for their 50th Anniversary. 211 supports mental health efforts and are observing over 3 million calls for help since 1971.

Last year 211 staff answered over 101,000 requests for help and noted an increase of 13,000 requests for help from the prior year; 44,000 of these request were for Mental Health & Addictions concerns which made up roughly 30 percent of total requests.

Symbolizing rebirth and renewal, butterflies are a symbolic gesture of transformation. The Faulk Center for Counseling in Boca Raton observed Mental Health Awareness Month with a Butterfly Release on Monday, May 18th. Commissioner Sachs was there to release a butterfly.

"Our community is reawakening to a rebirth of life as we knew it pre-covid. This is a celebration of mental health for everyone," said Commissioner Maria Sachs.

Commissioner Sachs was joined by Palm Beach County Vice-Mayor Robert Weinroth, City of Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer and members of the Boca Raton City Council.

The Faulk Center was founded in 1973 and provides no-cost and low-cost mental health services to individuals and families of all ages who otherwise could not afford counseling.

Commissioner Maria Sachs

Chair, Tourist Development Council

The May 13th meeting was held at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. Consensus from industry representatives on the board is that business, tourism and travel is returning to Palm Beach County. Numbers for occupancy, restaurants and entertainment are up. The issue confounding all the partners is a need for a greater number of workers for the projected uptick in tourism. This issue will be the main topic of discussion at our next meeting on June 10th.

Upcoming Meetings:

May 20th

9:00 a.m.

301 Datura Street

West Palm Beach, FL 33401

June 9th

9:00 a.m.

7501 N. Jog Road

West Palm Beach, FL 33412

Child Safety Care Act - Hailie Brockington

Then Senator Maria Sachs, Mike Edmondson, formerly with the Children Services Council, and Haile's mother, Nelder Lester, with a picture of Haile.

In August, 2010, two year old Haile Brockington tragically passed away when she was left behind in a daycare van in Delray Beach. As a result, I filed a bill in the Senate to require safety alarms in all childcare vans. It did not pass.

Knowing the dangers of children being left behind in childcare vans I pursued this issue with the Palm Beach County Commission. It passed.

Now, more than a decade later, our current State Legislature passed the Child Safety Alarm Act. Finally, children will have the same safety measures throughout the State as they have here in Palm Beach County.

The bill, now awaiting Governor DeSantis' signature, will take effect in October of this year once signed.

Multi-Family Development on Atlantic and Half Mile Road

Delray Beach

The Board of County Commissioners approved an application for a proposed multi-use development. The site is 40 acres located on the south east corner of Atlantic Avenue and Half Mile Road.

The applicant is Gabriel Bove who is being represented by the Morton Group. This approval will allow the agent to begin working on a site plan which will be presented for a Public Hearing in November 2021.

Whether multi-family and other uses should be allowed in the Ag Reserve will be discussed at a workshop later this year.

More information can be found by clicking HERE.

Please email me at MSachs@pbcgov.org if you have any comments about this application.

Celebrating Fifty Years of Service

Monsignor Skindeleski was honored by the PBC Commission with a proclamation for his 50 years of service as a Roman Catholic Priest.

Commissioner Sachs considered it an honor to present this proclamation to him at his retirement celebration on May 16th at Saint Vincent Ferrer Church.

"Father Tom" has served as a champion of the migrant community by leading 19 mission trips to the jungles of Guatemala to serve the educational and spiritual needs of the indigenous people.

Monsignor Tom’s career encompassed a notable roster of achievements and contributions to Palm Beach County congregations, such as Parochial Vicar at St. Joan of Arc in Boca Raton, the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens, St. Luke in Palm Springs, and Pastor at Our Lady Queen of the Apostles in Royal Palm Beach.

Monsignor Tom came to Saint Vincent Ferrer Catholic Church in November of 2005, served the congregation with honor, compassion and esteem, and is now retiring after nearly 16 years of service to that parish.

Jessie Stillman

Daggerwing Nature Center

Jessie has been volunteering at District Five's own Daggerwing Nature Center, located at our West Boca Regional Park, as a greeter and educational docent since the fall of 2018.

Jessie was born and raised in south Florida where she attended Florida International University. In her career, Jessie worked in Human Resources with the airline industry for over 15 years.

Jessie is adventurous and enjoys spending time outdoors, going for bike rides, and exploring different nature preserves. One of her favorite activities outside is walking on the beach and collecting shark teeth. In fact, Jessie has added over 600 teeth to her collection!

Jessie loves each and every one of Daggerwing’s animals, but Artemis, the Eastern screech owl, holds a special place in her heart. “She’s small but has a big personality.”