From the desk of Commissioner Maria Sachs

April 2021, Issue Eight

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"Easter wishes for peace and happiness to friends & family."

- Maria Sachs

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At the March 9, 2021, Board of County Commissioners meeting, the board received the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program certification, which includes $45.196 million in CARES Act funding to help qualified residents with rent and utility expenses.

Eligibility is based on at least one or more individuals in the rental home meeting the following:

1) qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;

2) demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and

3) has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income.

If you have questions or need assistance with rent and utility assistance due to direct or indirect hardships from Covid-19, visit https://www.rentalassistancepbc.org/ or contact the call center at (561)355-4792.

10 ACRE VACANT LOT

LOCATED ON CLINT MOORE ROAD & THE TURNPIKE

Simon Property, the owner of the vacant lot located at 8295 Clint Moore Road, seeks to sell to Torah Academy of Boca Raton.

This site will be used to construct a 35,681 sq. ft. school. They are presently requesting to expand the square footage to 65,340 sq. ft.

This proposal is not yet scheduled for final hearing before the Board of County Commissioners.

Please feel free to email me at MSachs@pbcgov.org to voice your opinion about this request and the proposed square footage increase.

Roger Dean Stadium Updated for Spring Baseball

Spring means baseball!

It's batter up at the Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, home to the St. Louis Cardinals and the Miami Marlins for spring training games.

Commissioner Maria Sachs meets with Caroline O'Connor, Miami Marlins Chief Operating Officer

Through the CARES Act, Palm Beach County received funding to modify the stadium for safety precautions to combat the spread of COVID19.

For upcoming schedule and family friendly events, visit https://rogerdeanchevroletstadium.com/tickets-events/.

PLAY BALL!!!

Lost to Covid, Nobel Peace Laureate,

Betty Williams

As Women's History Month comes to a close, I wanted to share with you a story about Betty Williams.

Most women are not born into greatness. They are ordinary people doing ordinary things in an ordinary way. It is when something critical occurs that an ordinary woman becomes extraordinary.

This was the case when one very ordinary seamstress, Betty was walking to work one morning. If it were not for the conflict between the partisans of Northern Ireland and the people of Ireland, it would have been a very ordinary day. Then something tragic happened that would forever change her life.

Shots were fired and the driver of a car slammed onto the sidewalk killing three small children and injuring their mother. Witnessing this tragedy, Betty went home and planned a demonstration against the government of Northern Ireland. By going door to door, Betty asked for mothers to join her in this quest for peace.

The day came for the march. No one had responded to her request.

Then a noise rose from the street - it was the murmur of thousands of women, assembled and ready to march. They had experienced enough killings, enough sons and daughters dead.

Enough they said. Lead us Betty!

This very ordinary seamstress led a march of thousands of women whose voices were heard all the way to London and a Peace was declared ending the bloody conflict between the North and the South.

Betty Williams was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and continued her work of fighting for Peace. Her work became the World Center of Compassion for Children which continues today.

Betty succumbed to Covid and died last year in her beloved Ireland.

An ordinary Mom, doing extraordinary work for the cause of Peace.

Her courage and memory lives on.

CONSTITUENT CORNER

Dear Ms. Sachs, Thank you so much for helping me get my life proof of vaccine card. No one else could do it!

I ended up getting a copy of the original from Bethesda.

Sincerely,

Judith Bronsteen

Spring Has Sprung at Two District Five Nature Centers

New programs were recently announced at both Green Cay and Daggerwing Nature Center.

All programs are by online reservation only, unless otherwise stated. Please register online at pbcparks.com; under “Online Services” click on Register/Pay for Program, or visit the nature center to register and make payment. All participants are required to sign a participation form and COVID-19 waiver before each program. Programs and events adhere to all state and county orders and CDC guidelines.

Green Cay Nature Center

NATURE JOURNALING

Saturday, April 10, 10 a.m.

All ages, $3/person (limit 9)

Participants will be able to observe, experience, and record nature around us in this unique program learning the basics of nature journaling. Feel free to bring your own materials including a journal or notebook and writing utensils of your choice. Materials will be provided to all who need them.

ARCHERY 101

Saturday, April 17, 10 a.m.

Ages 9+, $10/child (limit 6)

Learn the basics of archery and develop a fun new skill. This 90-minute program will start with a demonstration followed by target practice. All equipment is provided. Please wear closed-toed shoes and bring water and sun protection.

NIGHT STALKERS

Thursday, April 29, 7:30 p.m.

Ages 9+, $5/person (limit 16)

Join a naturalist on a nighttime boardwalk tour looking at nature from the point of view of its nocturnal residents. Flashlights are recommended, but not required.

Green Cay Nature Center is located at 12800 Hagen Ranch Road, west of Boynton Beach. For more information on Green Cay Nature Center, click HERE.

Daggerwing Nature Center

GOPHER TORTOISE DAY

Saturday, April 10, 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

All ages, free (reservations not required)

Learn about these native reptiles and the importance of protecting them. This special event will feature coloring sheets, informational brochures, and special presentations throughout the day with our very own gopher tortoise, Fritz.

BIRDING 101

Saturday, April 17, 10:30 a.m.

Ages 5+, $3/person

Learn about the exciting hobby of bird watching. First, join a naturalist who will teach bird identification skills and proper use of binoculars and field guides. Then practice these new skills during a guided birding adventure.

EARTH DAY

Saturday, April 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

All ages, free* (reservations not required)

Bring the family to learn easy ways to help the planet while having fun. This special event will feature live animal encounters, interactive activities, butterfly plant sale, ladybug release and more. *Some activities involve minimal cash or check donation to Friends of Daggerwing Nature Center. Daggerwing Nature Center is located in Burt Aaronson South County Regional Park at 11435 Park Access Road, off Cain Boulevard between Glades Road and Yamato Road, west of Boca Raton. For more information, click HERE.

Katie Flaks

Animal Rescue Advocate

Katie has always had a passion for helping animals of all kinds and realized she could use her voice for the voiceless on a larger platform - like starting a dog rescue!

For 12 years, Katie ran a non-profit dog rescue, adopting out over a thousand dogs to amazing homes. A moment she will cherish forever was being able to provide dogs to some of the families in Parkland struggling with PTSD and various traumas following the MSD shooting. In fact, the entire experience of running the rescue was not only beneficial for the dogs, but for her as well!

Katie Flaks - Founder

The Spay & Neuter Project

As you might imagine, running a non-profit like this (and probably any other) is a 24/7 undertaking. Shelters, fosters, adopters, vets, etc. always had to get in touch with Katie. Since Katie is currently in nursing school, she had to take off the hat of owner, operator and focus only on the spay and neuter project and dedicate about 6 hours a day, on top of being enrolled in the Accelerated BSN Nursing program at FAU.

Currently Katie is working on The Spay Neuter Project which will help fund/fix the dogs and cats in a rural part of Alabama and then find them their furever homes down here in Florida.

This project is Katie's favorite thus far because it helps reduce pet overpopulation in a state that has no spay/neuter laws and also reduces the amount of pets being euthanized - a win-win.

Despite the hectic schedules, Katie would be the first to tell anyone with a slight passion or even curiosity to volunteer, to just do it. She feels that you never know the impact you’ll truly have on a situation, and you’d be surprised how much it can fuel your soul!

When Katie is not in class, studying or saving the furbabies, she daydreams of future travels to areas in need to not only care for their human population, but the dogs in need as well!