Greetings to you, Palm Beach County!
As the first month of 2024 has now drawn to a successful close, it is important for all of us to reflect not only on our happy moments and many achievements from last year, but also on how we can become even better, more actively involved members of our cherished community.
As Mayor of Palm Beach County, I will strive to do the very same in addressing both pertinent issues and future goals that directly pertain to our community's well-being and harmony in this new year of 2024 and beyond.
I certainly hope that you, as a fellow member of our community, will strive to do the same as we begin the new 2024 year.
Let's make this year even better than the last!
Very Truly Yours,
Maria Sachs
Mayor
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President Joe Biden Visits Palm Beach County |
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As Mayor of Palm Beach County, I had the distinct honor of greeting the President of the United States upon his arrival at Palm Beach International Airport. Joining me on the tarmac was Keith James, Mayor of West Palm Beach. Together, we talked with President Biden about our local needs for additional assistance on infrastructure to better serve our expanding municipalities and ever-growing county. |
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In January, the temporary signal at Atlantic Avenue was activated. The next step has been for contractors to continue removing the old mast armpoles. This special procedure will allow our contractors to finish the widening needed at that specific intersection, which will take several months to complete.
Here is a summary of the recent activity on Lyons Road as of the end of January 2024:
- Our construction contractor has been working on the water main east of Lyons Road, just south of Joseph's Classic Market entrance.
- Our road contractor repaired the asphalt to prepare for the final lift placement, which also began last month.
- Concrete formwork sub-placement and steel rebar installation for the traffic divider median on the L38 Bridge are also in progress.
Contractors will keep working to finish the asphalt on southbound lanes to allow for further maintenance of the barrel and barricade traffic devices, which will ultimately be removed from 153rd Street south to Clint Moore Road.
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Due to the overdevelopment that has occurred along Lyons Road from the border of Broward County to Atlantic Avenue, Lyons Road has been unusually congested. With this in mind, I convened a community meeting for residents to voice their concerns with Palm Beach County engineers and the relevant general contractor as to ongoing construction. There was an open dialogue, as residents spoke directly to our county leaders and members of our county engineering staff.
The event provided a platform for constructive discussions, allowing the public to gain insights into the progress and intricacies of the ongoing construction project at issue. It was important to emphasize the importance of both transparency as well as collaboration in effectively tackling traffic issues and construction hurdles. As a proactive measure, I proposed the formation of a "Public Traffic Task Force" to streamline communication and enhance efficiency in project execution.
In this regard, I committed myself to taking my deep community engagement to the next level by inviting interested attendees to submit their contact information for potential inclusion in my newly-proposed task force. Accordingly, this collaborative initiative aims to harness collective insights and expertise, ensuring smoother, more efficient and cost-effective completion of the ongoing Lyons Road development and other related endeavors.
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Upcoming Commission Meetings |
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BCC Regular Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
BCC Planning Commission Meeting
Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, 9 a.m.
BCC Zoning Hearing
Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
BCC Workshop Meeting
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, 9:30 a.m.
The scheduled meetings will be held in the Jane M. Thompson Memorial Chambers of the Robert Weisman Governmental Center at 301 N. Olive Ave., 6th Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401.
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I never miss an opportunity to root for my favorite Florida teams!
Being a huge football fan, I made sure to stop by the big Boca Raton Bowl game at the Howard Schnellenberger Field Stadium at Florida Atlantic University to cheer on the USF South Florida Bulls in their college football match-up with the Syracuse Orange team of Syracuse University.
I also had the opportunity to discuss the local sports scene with Live 106.3 FM - ESPN West Palm Radio.
There was entertainment for everyone, and in the end, we cheered on our USF Bulls to victory.
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The Alliance of Delray Monthly Meeting |
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Mayor Sachs Delivering Remarks to the Delray Alliance. |
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In kicking off the new year with respect to addressing community needs and goals, I recently attended the monthly Alliance of Delray Residential Associations public meeting in western Delray Beach. In this context, Dr. Lori Vinikoor and her team have continuously lead members of the Delray Alliance towards understanding more and more of the issues of today.
The mission of the Alliance of Delray is to provide neighborhood associations in the Delray Beach area with a non-partisan, unified front and voice to federal, state and county elected officials for the betterment of its citizens. In doing so, the Alliance of Delray cooperates with these officials to build a community that will serve the best interests of all residents.
Areas such as traffic control, road building, traffic lights, health care, commercial and residential development, and emergency medical services are just a few of the important subjects that the Alliance pursues with local government agencies and officials.
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Order of the Sons & Daughter of Italy Gala |
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(l to r): Vice President of the Grand Lodge of Florida Nick Cantore, President of the Sons of Italy Edmondo Catania, Palm Beach County Mayor Maria Sachs and Journalist Marci Shatzman |
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The Boca Raton Tribune
"Italian PBC Mayor Helps Italian Lodge Celebrate 40th"
By Marci Shatzman
When Father Adam Forno offered the opening prayer at Sgt. Bonanno Lodge, Order Sons & Daughters of Italy’s 40th anniversary, he noted how long it could take for then new Italian emigrants to be recognized. Fast forward, and the speaker and longtime lodge advocate is the daughter of a U.S. Army Infantry [officer] and an Italian war bride [mother], Palm Beach County Mayor Maria Sachs.
Sharing her family history, her parents met in “a little store in Naples,” when her father was in the service [...]. Her mom had to wait to come to the U.S. to join him. And when she finally took a ship to New York and passed the Statue of Liberty, she thought she was home.
“Little did she know my Dad was from Detroit!” Sachs, told members and guests at the celebration in the Delray Elks Lodge. “Maria’s a great friend of the Italian community,” lodge president Edmondo Catania told members and guests.
Her association and efforts for Italian-Americans go back two decades. She was responsible for having October proclaimed Italian Heritage Month in Florida in 2014 as a State Senator. As a County Commissioner she continues to support the Italian Studies program at FAU, [...] having Italian taught in public schools.
“I want to keep our Italian traditions alive. It’s not just the language, it’s the people,” Sachs said, presenting a Palm Beach County [Certificate of Recognition] to Catania. The Sgt. Frederick M. Bonanno Lodge started small and now they’re up to 105 members and growing, Catania noted.
Also at the festivities were Grand Lodge of Florida President Joe Dente: first vice president Nick Cantore; Tony Phillips, president of the Italo-American Cultural Society based in Pompano; and Boca Raton Italian educator and film documentarian Eufrasio Volpe.
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Artificial Intelligence: Keiser University |
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"Unlocking the Potential - Harnessing Artificial Intelligence to Transform Health & Human Services" |
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I had the opportunity to address esteemed members of Keiser University's academic community and other local experts in addressing the many new and fascinating developments concerning Artificial Intelligence in health and human services.
Artificial Intelligence, otherwise known as "AI," has become a powerful tool to revolutionize our approach to health and human services. The possibilities are endless, from improving diagnoses and treatment plans to enhancing accessibility and efficiency in service delivery.
Together with other event participants, I intricately explored and discussed these possibilities, further facilitating an exciting vision of the future of AI in all of our careers here in South Florida and beyond.
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Tourist Development Council Events |
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Mayor Sachs, Tourist Development Council Chair |
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Animal Care & Control Task Force Meeting |
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In responding to the requests of many kindhearted animal lovers in our community, I convened a meeting with local volunteers and Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control Division Director Jan Steele, Palm Beach County Assistant County Administrator Todd Bonlarron and Palm Beach County Public Safety Director Stephanie Sejnoha.
In addition to members of our Palm Beach County staff, Sharon Merchant and her team of experienced animal volunteers joined the overall group of attendees eager to assist our animals in need.
The purpose of the meeting was to address the challenges that Palm Beach County's animal shelter system is currently experiencing, with too many animals and too few available resources at present.
Many ideas were discussed to address these issues, as everyone present desired to better the lives of all of our shelter animals.
Our next meeting has been tentatively scheduled for Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the Animal Care and Control facility located at 7100 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach, FL 33411.
If you wish to join our volunteer task force on this issue, please feel free to contact us at 561-355-2205 or by email at msachs@pbc.gov.
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Animal Care & Control Spotlight |
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Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control Division |
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Palm Beach County Public Safety Department's Animal Care and Control Division has several volunteer opportunities. From kittens and pups to helping with administrative tasks, there's a role for everyone.
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Mayor Maria Sachs
Please contact us with any questions or concerns!
561-355-2205
MSachs@pbc.gov
301 N. Olive Ave., Suite 1201
West Palm Beach 33401
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Mayor Maria Sachs | Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners | District 5
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