Page 4 - Boca Exposure - July '23

Page 4, Boca Exposure
From The Desk Of Commissioner Marci Woodward

A Message From Marci Emergency Applications services, including mental/behavioral health, job training
The center provides a full-time day program with

In preparation for hurricane • PBC DART (app) for vital information such as storm and placement, and educational and recreational activities.
season, I toured the county’s surge evacuation areas, flood zones, shelter locations, and The HAB manufacturing facility provides training
Emergency Operations Center locations with emergency generators. and work opportunities in a highly sophisticated
in West Palm Beach, also • AlertPBC is the county’s Emergency Alert & technical environment that supplies products for aviation/
known as the EOC. Notification System that notifies users of imminent threats aerospace, maritime, communications, medical and
The EOC is one of the via text messages, email, or telephone calls. To sign up, visit pharmaceutical industries.
most important facilities in www.alertpbc.com. Additionally, the plant nursery provides a tranquil,
our county. It features a state- therapeutic environment for members under the direction of
of-the-art operations room Palmetto Park Road Bridge experienced horticulturists who teach all aspects of growing
and is ground zero during and caring for bedding plants. For more information, visit,
emergencies. It can even Update habcenter.org.
withstand a category five The nursery produces over one million plants yearly for
hurricane and has 12-inch walls of solid concrete. Below is a recent update from the Engineering and Public customers, including municipalities, golf courses, country
The EOC is activated during emergencies. Depending on the Works Department on the Palmetto Park Road Bridge project. clubs, landscape contractors, property management
severity, representatives from county departments, FEMA and The bridge reconstruction necessitated re-routing certain companies and garden centers.
FPL along with state and local emergency officials are available utilities (i.e., water main) since they are attached to the south
24/7 to assist before, during and after emergencies. bridge (eastbound travel) and needed to be done before Local Government 101
These key agency representatives have access to high- removing the remaining south bridge structure.
tech tracking and communication systems that monitor The new water main will be put into service this week Constitutional Officers
weather, roadways, shelter and evacuation operations and and bridge demolition will continue the week of July 19, Constitutional Officers were established by the Florida
damage assessments. weather permitting. Constitution and are independently elected officials.
The coordination is substantial and can include members The project schedule shows completion in October 2023. Palm Beach County has seven constitutional officers who
of more than 100 responding agencies. I live nearby and recognize the impact this project is manage their departments separately from the Board of County
While county emergency officials are prepared, we having on residents and businesses and will continue to Commissioners including:
urge everyone to take the necessary steps in preparing for a monitor it closely and provide updates. • Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller
potential active hurricane season. • Property Appraiser
Emergency officials advise that residents be prepared to Property Tax Calculator • Public Defender
survive on their own for at least 72 hours. • Sheriff
Supplies sell out fast once a storm has been forecasted, Property tax exemptions follow the property owner; • State Attorney
so planning is imperative. consequently, a new owner will most often pay a different • Supervisor of Elections
Please take some time to prepare and access the tax amount for the same property. • Tax Collector
resources listed. To determine your property taxes, search the property’s Additionally, they establish the budgets for their offices,
address on Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s independent of the operating budget set by the Board of County
website at pbcgov.org/papa. Commissioners.
PJ Library from page 1 At the bottom of the property detail page, you will see The Public Defender
a “Property Tax Calculator” button. The public defender is an elected office recognized in the
to Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. My family even left a note at the Enter the purchase price and whether or not you intend Florida Constitution. There are 20 elected public defenders in
‘Western Wall.’ My children were able to feel that they were at to homestead the property, and the calculator will give Florida – one for each judicial circuit.
the most religious site in the world for Jewish people.” you a property tax estimate. All persons charged with a crime who face jail time are
Locally, PJ Library serves more than 6,000 parents, children, Additionally, the Property Tax Detail provides a list of ad entitled to representation by an attorney. The public defender
grandparents and caregivers. In the 10 years since its inception valorem and non-ad valorem taxing authorities applied to the represents people who cannot afford a lawyer – commonly
in South Palm Beach County, the program has given away more property (i.e., Palm Beach County operating taxes, the School referred to as being indigent (a person with income equal to or
than 216,000 books. District and the Health Care District) and their millage rates. less than 200 percent of the current federal poverty guidelines).
“My family has been involved with PJ Library for the past To calculate your property taxes, visit www.pbcgov. Carey Haughwout is Palm Beach County’s elected public
10 years. It first started out with the opportunity of receiving org/papa/. defender and has served since 2001. As the office’s leader, she
meaningful books monthly. It›s now a race to the mailbox to Preliminary millage rates are set in August and oversees the $18 million budget and over 50,000 cases annually.
see who gets a book and what book it is,” said PJ Library parent finalized in October for the November Tax bill. I recently had an opportunity to meet Haughwout and discuss
Stacee Stock. her challenges and how to enhance effectiveness in our justice
PJ Library continues to grow in South Palm Beach County Nonprofit Spotlight system, including offering job training, mental health resources
with new families joining the program each month. We are and social services.
engaging and educating the next generation of families raising The Habilitation Center (HAB) is a local nonprofit For more information, visit pd15.org.
Jewish children both here and around the globe. There are plenty dedicated to serving adults with lifelong developmental If you require assistance, please contact our office at (561)
of books and activities for everyone so encourage your friends to and intellectual disabilities. 355-2204 or email Mwoodward@pbcgov.org.
sign up for this free gift of Jewish books, at www.pjlibrary.org. To
get involved, underwrite programs or join our grandparent circle,
please contact Elana Ostroff, director of PJ Library and Family
Engagement at pjlibrary@bocafed.org or (561) 852-6080.
PJ Library in South Palm Beach County is made possible
by generous support from the Jewish Federation of South Palm
Beach County, Leon and Toby Cooperman Family Foundation,
Jewish Women’s Foundation, and the Harold Grinspoon
Foundation and so many others.
About The Jewish Federation Of South Palm Beach County Upscale Resale
(JFSPBC)
Established in 1979, the JFSPBC is made up of Jewish Experience The Difference
and social service organizations, synagogues, and schools that
provide valued services and programs to recipients in South Palm New and consigned furniture, unique lighting, accessories and gifts.
Beach County, in Israel and around the world. The JFSPBC Complete wallpaper and fabric library for all your design needs.
is also comprised of local residents, including lay leadership,
volunteer, donors, professional staff, rabbis, educators, event
participants and students. Situated on a 100-acre campus in
west Boca Raton – the largest in the nation – the JFSPBC
supports more than 70 beneficiaries, engages with more than
5,000 donors, and connects more than 130,000 residents. To
learn more about how we contribute to a shared vision for the
Jewish community, visit or call (561) 852-3100.

Call us to sell. See us to buy.

Over 32,000 sq. ft. in 2 locations to serve you!

PALM BEACH GARDENS: New Location
7700 N Military Trail • 561.694.0964
WELLINGTON: Wellington Marketplace
13857 Wellington Trace • 561.798.5222

Marissa Rahn from Congregation B’nai Israel reading PJ myconsignanddesign.com Nanci Smith, CEO
Library stories to children at the 10 birthday celebration
th