Page 11 - Boca Club News - January '22

Boca Club News, Page 11

Government

Mayor’s Update: Starting the New Year Right!

Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor Mizner, and the 47th annual Boat Parade. After a prolonged The exhibition runs through early March before it heads to
of Boca Raton. A South Florida absence, it was great to end the year on a high holiday note Paris, but don’t wait. You may want to see it more than once.
native, attorney, mediator, and with so many neighbors getting together. Details are at BocaMuseum.org.
small business owner, Scott and Good News and Tips on Public Safety. Crime In addition, we’ve made major headway on the
his wife Bella live in Broken Sound statistics for Boca Raton continue to show a decline in years-long investment in our downtown waterfront, with
with their two young children. crime overall–9% reduction in offenses in the last year completion of milestones on the new sea walls and for our
As we look ahead to 2022, we alone. This is especially amazing, as we have seen a drop Palmetto Park Road beachfront area at Wildflower and
can reflect back on the many recent in crime over the last four years of more than 30% from Silver Palm Parks. This work is a prelude to the expanded
successes in 2021 in Boca Raton. what were already low crime figures. That’s great news boat ramp and new pedestrian promenade that will connect
Even during another challenging year, our city forged for our residents and visitors, as public safety is the first the two parks to create a six-acre urban green space. The
ahead with many moments of triumph and continued function of government. One area, though, where crime City Council approved the designs for the playground
excellence. Here are some of the many highlights, which can be improved is motor vehicle theft. That’s in part facilities that will serve as additional public art, in addition
I’ll cover in greater depth in our annual State of the because many owners are leaving key fobs in the car or to the art installations approved for these parks.
City address. The address is scheduled to premiere in in the ignition! Please help us fight crime and protect your Recreation–New Openings. In November, the
early February. Please stay in touch at facebook.com/ property. Always lock your car doors and take the keys city opened the new Boca Raton Golf & Racquet Club
scottsingerusa and myboca.us for more details on the with you. Nearly half of all auto burglaries are when the (BRGRC), an 18-hole championship golf course. We are
launch date. For now, let’s look back on the last quarter doors are open and often with items of value in plain sight. currently planning for upgrades to the tennis and racquet
of 2021. Please take them with you, and lock them up! facilities, and will be adding pickleball. We also closed on
Return of Successful Signature Events. As I write Brightline and Downtown Culture and Waterfront. the sale of the western golf course, with $65 million going
this, we just staged the eighth annual edition of the Boca Brightline has now begun work on the downtown parking to additional capital improvements in our city as part of a
Raton Bowl. The Palm Beach Post reported the game and garage and will soon begin construction of the new dedicated fund. In the fall, the city also unveiled the new
the thousands of visitors it brought to our community downtown station. So many residents and businesses Sand Pine Park and ADA-accessible Center playground at
are estimated to generate several millions of dollars of have discussed how Brightline will be a game changer Hughes Park, which largely serves the students of the Fuller
economic impact, in addition to more than one million for Boca Raton, and especially our downtown. When the Child Development Center and neighbors.
viewers on ESPN. station opens at the end of 2022, we can look forward to Even with rising COVID-19 figures from the Omicron
The thrilling contest between Western Kentucky the many riders who will come to Boca Raton to add to variant, we have much to look forward to in 2022. Our city
University and Appalachian State University got plenty our thriving businesses and visit the cultural, dining and continues to remain prepared and vigilant for pandemic issues,
of national attention because WKU quarterback Bailey shopping attractions in Mizner Park and beyond, and for and I’m grateful that so many residents have been proactive
Zappe broke two NCAA single-season records during the our residents to connect to a major transportation network about their health and helping others. Our wonderful weather
game – most passing yards and most passing touchdowns. from Miami to Orlando. and low taxes continue to attract major businesses and bolster
With extra coverage of the records set by a future NFL One of the attractions that is already bringing visitors is our property values. We have more economic development
quarterback, and as the first game of a seven-game slate the world premiere of the amazing Machu Picchu and the initiatives planned for 2022, which I plan to cover in a future
on the opening weekend of Bowl Season, Boca Raton got Golden Empires of Peru at the Boca Raton Museum of Art. edition. Please stay tuned here.
many more mentions to a national audience, multiplying This exhibition features the largest ever traveling exhibit As always, I’m grateful to serve the people of Boca Raton!
our economic impact. of ancient golden artifacts, and many other priceless Please share any thoughts you have at ssinger@myboca.com,
This event also followed a successful schedule works dating back 3,000 years. You can also experience and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at
of holiday events. Thousands of people joined us in the incredible virtual reality presentation and soar high @scottsingerusa. Want to see something in a future column?
Downtown Boca for the return of Tree Lighting, our 50th above Machu Picchu–the most realistic V.R. I’ve ever Please let me know.
Annual Holiday Parade, a new series called Merry in experienced. Wishing you and yours a safe, happy, and healthy new year!