Page 22 - Talk of Tequesta- March '23

Page 22, The Talk Of Tequesta

Commissioner’s updaTe

2023 Legislative Session Priorities

By Commissioner Maria Marino

The Board of County during the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1961 and Environmental Protection
Commissioners has 1962. It is essential that we preserve the historical features Many critical environmental projects are located in
identified six strategic in our parks and public spaces that enhance our tourist Northern Palm Beach County and state support is needed
priorities that have guided attractions. for them to be successful. This includes, but is not limited
the formulation of the Housing And Homelessness to:
FY2023 budget and set the Restoration of the Sadowski Local Government Housing Beach and inlet management projects to address critically
course for advocating Palm Trust Fund for affordable housing projects. This session, I eroded beaches subject to constant wind, waves, tides and
Beach County’s needs this am very encouraged by Florida Senate President Kathleen seasonal Atlantic tropical storms and hurricanes.
2023 legislative session in Passidomo’s commitment to pass legislation that will The purchase and preservation of additional lands in the
Tallahassee. Those priorities assist local governments in repurposing underperforming Pal Mar Water Control District.
are economic development; or vacant commercial developments along our urban Ongoing projects to restore the Wild & Scenic
housing and homelessness; transit corridors into affordable housing for our workforce. Loxahatchee River and the Lake Worth Lagoon, two delicate
infrastructure; public safety; environmental protection; and, Palm Beach County has transmitted an amendment to the ecosystems that are essential to economic development,
substance abuse and behavior disorders. Comprehensive Plan to recognize the county’s authority tourism and recreation in Palm Beach County. They include
Influenced by those priorities, here are just some of the to approve affordable housing projects pursuant to Florida seagrass restoration – this is what manatees feed on; creation
legislative measures and appropriations we are advocating Statutes. Once finalized, the county would establish of new plant and animal habitat islands; and, hydrologic
through our delegation: procedures for considering approval of affordable housing restoration projects to prevent saltwater intrusion.
Economic Development proposals in commercial, industrial and residential zoned Substance Abuse And Behavioral Disorders/Mental
Biomedical research funding for educational programs areas, in accordance with any legal provisions passed by Health
produced by local universities and state colleges in the legislature. Communities have recognized that the human and
partnership with institutions such as Max Planck, Scripps Homelessness legislation to support programs that economic costs of untreated substance use and mental illness
of Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Palm Beach State include services to veterans, college and university students, continue to rise. Palm Beach County supports increased
College and University of Florida. Supporting STEM youth aging out of foster care, and patients exiting sober funding for the collaborative agencies working together
programs will grow our workforce in the biotech industry. homes, and review policies to move people out of poverty. to reduce addiction and suicides, with an emphasis on
Funding to support the restoration of historical facilities Empower local governments to take action against expectant mothers and youth, respectively.
on Peanut Island, including the U.S. Coast Guard Lake landlords who fail to maintain minimum housing standards; Overdose deaths increased statewide and nationally,
Worth Inlet Station, dating back to World War II, and the foreclose housing properties that pose a safety hazard to its fueled by the increased use of fentanyl and the pandemic.
Kennedy Bunker, built in secrecy by the Navy Seabees occupants; and, impose fines against landlords to recoup the Palm Beach County supports the recommendations of the
costs of relocating residents from condemned properties. State Attorney Addiction Recovery Task Force for statutory
Infrastructure changes to prohibit alcohol and illegal substances on the
happenings from page 21 Increase funding for Florida Department of Transportation premises of a recovery residence, a mechanism for the
programs to improve public transit efficiencies, relieve traffic imposition of fines for violations, and the ability to assert
congestion through high-occupancy corridors, construct trespass charges against any discharged residents who refuse
park and ride lots, and support airport development. to leave a recovery residence.
Provide a dedicated funding source to support the This is a mere sampling of the numerous issues we are
operations and capital costs of Tri-Rail. following in this year’s Legislative session. We also place
Public Safety an emphasis on thwarting bills and any unfunded mandates
Protect local governments’ ability to grant Emergency that can negatively affect our residents, and protect home
Medical Services Certificates of Public Convenience and rule. Home rule gives our 67 counties and more than 400
Necessity for basic and advanced life support services municipalities the ability to self-govern and create local
countywide. laws through a public hearing ordinance process that are
Provide comprehensive and uniform requirements not in conflict with state law.
for building safety and support additional inspection As always, if there is any way I can assist you, please
requirements statewide for multifamily condominium contact me at (561) 355-2201 or by email at mmarino@
facilities, along with required financial responsibilities of pbcgov.org.
condominium and community associations.

all abouT kids

Nurturing Creativity In Dyslexics

By Jim Forgan, Ph.D., School Psychologist
Everyone enjoyed the music.
All children need If you need ideas consider reading, The Dyslexia
to believe they excel Empowerment Plan: A Blueprint for Renewing Your
Answer for at some area in their Child’s Confidence and Love of Learning. Author Ben
Foss describes his own struggles with dyslexia and
life because this helps
Crossword Puzzle develop our self-esteem provides you with a new perspective that remediation
and healthy self-esteem
of what is broken in your child is not the ultimate goal.
advances success in life. He explains, “There are specific attitudes and habits that
Self-esteem is developed will have a huge impact on whether your child will be
by combining our internal able to apply her strengths at school and beyond.”
beliefs with our external Since children develop at different rates you can
feedback. Thus, our self- provide your child with opportunities to sample various
esteem is a combination activities, athletics, arts, and hobbies to gauge their
of how we view ourselves and how we believe others interest and talents. Some activities will be tried and
view us. shelved while others might continue to develop and be
We want your child with dyslexia to develop healthy refined throughout adolescence. It’s often our natural
self-esteem and feel good about him or herself. So, in strengths that carry us through in life and shape our
what area does your child excel? Although it might career choices. Your child is smart in many ways so
be academic related, it might not. Perhaps your child help other family members and teachers understand
believes she is talented at mathematics. Other kids your child’s natural assets. Someone has to recognize
might believe they are science experts with a deep your child’s gifts and we hope it’s you.
knowledge of space or fossils. Your child’s natural Call to discuss your child as we test children ages
talent might be athletics and being a fast runner, best 5.5 through college for dyslexia, learning disabilities,
basketball free thrower, dancer, or figure skater. Does ADHD, depression, anxiety, and other processing
your child have an innate musical ability? Recognize disorders. Visit JimForgan.com or call (561) 625-4125.
and reinforce your child’s strength area.