January has kicked off with a bang, making it one of the busiest months yet for Commissioner Joel G. Flores and the District 3 team. After some quality family time, Commissioner Flores was back in action, diving into BCC agenda items, shaping a new vision for District 3 and participating in local community events.

One of our highlights this month was visiting the Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County's cutting-edge campus. The experience was both informative and inspiring. The team gained valuable insights into the county's solid waste management programs, which play a crucial role in our environmental stewardship.

SWA goes above and beyond to ensure responsible waste management. With state-of-the-art facilities and high operational standards, they are committed to meeting and exceeding local, state and federal regulations. Their efforts aim to provide safe, environmentally friendly waste disposal methods for Palm Beach County, now and for future generations. Their dedication to minimizing our environmental footprint is truly commendable.

While it's difficult to summarize everything we learned during the session, here are a few fun facts about the SWA that you might not know.

The SWA has been recycling since 1987 and processes around 100,000 tons of blue and yellow bin recyclable materials each year. Palm Beach County has achieved the highest recycling rate in the state for the past two years.

Anything placed into a garbage container in Palm Beach County makes its way to the SWA’s renewable energy facilities, not the landfill. Most of what is landfilled in Palm Beach County today is ash from these facilities.

The SWA’s Renewable Energy Facility 2 is the world's most advanced, efficient, cleanest and greenest waste-to-energy power plant. The facility consistently operates well below EPA and local emissions limits.

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As we moved further into January, Commissioner Flores was active in the community. The Commissioner and team had the privilege of attending the grand opening of the Canyon Branch library on Jan. 11. This new state-of-the-art facility is nestled in the bustling Canyon Town Center. It spans 33,000 square feet and serves the western Boynton Beach community. The library offers a spacious, flexible environment designed for enrichment and collaboration.

Later in the month, on Jan. 11, the team attended the Fiesta de Pueblo & Business Expo Hispanic Festival, the largest Hispanic multicultural and art festival in Palm Beach County. The annual event showcased regional foods and Latin dances and brought together local Hispanic businesses in a business expo.

On Jan. 15, the team celebrated the groundbreaking of the upcoming Station 92 in Lake Worth. This project represents our ongoing dedication to protecting lives, homes, and properties and making Palm Beach County an even better place to call home.

As we move into the year, Commissioner Flores has committed to touring all municipalities in District 3 to learn firsthand how he can best serve his constituents. First on the schedule was the Village of Palm Springs on Jan. 17. The District 3 team had a fantastic visit thanks to the warm hospitality of Mayor Bev Smith, Village Manager Michael Bornstein and their outstanding staff. They ensured the team felt welcome while highlighting the many wonderful amenities Palm Springs has to offer.

On Jan. 17, Commissioner Flores proclaimed the first Florida Arbor Day in the City of Lake Worth at Elison Independent Living. During his presentation speech, he expressed his commitment to preserving our natural environment and promoting sustainability in our community.

During the celebration, community members took action by planting two native Bahama Strongbacks, which served as a reminder of the vital role that trees play in enhancing our lives and our surroundings. Commissioner Flores would like to recognize the Elison Garden Club and the wonderful residents who made this a memorable afternoon.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day was observed throughout Palm Beach County, and in our office, it is a day to reflect and honor Dr. King’s legacy of promoting equality and justice. To honor the occasion, Commissioner Flores attended the 26^th Annual Martin Luther King Celebration at Palm Beach State College in Lake Worth. He had the privilege of meeting Captain Harris to serve as an intelligence officer. Captain Harris was a charismatic and inspiring speaker who proudly stated, “I am honored that my ceiling became the next generation’s floor.”

Towards the end of the month, Commissioner Flores was one of four County Commissioners to come together as keynote speakers at the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce. The commissioners were invited to discuss our region's most pressing issues and developments. This forum provided and invaluable opportunity to gain insight into the current state of affairs, future plans, and strategic initiatives that will shape our region’s growth and prosperity.

As previously mentioned, January has been an exceptionally busy month for Commissioner Flores and his team. Among the highlights was the celebration of the commissioner’s birthday, along with an office warming and a meet-and-greet event. We are incredibly grateful for the support and engagement of everyone who participated, making these occasions truly memorable.

Congratulations Corner

Each month, we celebrate individuals who are making a positive impact in our community.

Congratulations to Jennifer Cirillo, Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation director, who was honored with a Community Giants Award by Inner City Youth Golfers Inc.

Congratulations to the seven incoming members joining the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame. The 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees are:

Korey Banks, Football
Jim Howell, Basketball
Andy Kissner, Football
Bill Powers, Football
Joe Russo, Baseball
Barrett Saunders, Track and Field
Vinny Sutherland, Football

The Palm Beach County chapter of the Building Officials Association of Florida recently honored two Palm Beach County Planning, Zoning and Building employees with prestigious awards. Congratulations to the Senior Building Construction inspector Paul Coleman, who was honored as Inspector of the Year and Commercial Plans Examiner II Richard Rosales, who received the Plans Examiner of the Year Award.