Page 10 - Boca Club News - January '24

Page 10, Boca Club News

Government

Mayor’s Update: Heading Into 2024

Scott Singer is the 35th Mayor of While high winds and rains caused our city and four others We also marked the one-year anniversary of the
Boca Raton and was re-elected to cancel this year’s boat parade it was a reminder that our Brightline high-speed rail station, which has outperformed
without opposition for a final term. hurricane season, thankfully, saw no major storms. expectations and is prompting more investment by
A South Florida native, attorney, In 2021 Boca Raton was the first city in Florida to adopt businesses and upgrades for residents to our downtown.
mediator, and small business owner, an enhanced building recertification ordinance in the wake What was your highlight of 2023? Please share your
Scott and his wife Bella live in Broken of the tragic building collapse in Surfside. In November thoughts at ssinger@myboca.com, and stay connected on
Sound with their two young children. the first recertification of an oceanfront condo under the Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at @scottsingerusa.
As I write this message at the new laws was completed, a small milestone on the path to As the city approaches its 99th year we look forward to
end of 2023, we can reflect on many ensuring the safety of more than 300 buildings. Our swift great things in 2024, and our centennial in 2025. My City
successes in the past month, to go along with numerous action put us ahead of many other cities now governed by Council colleagues and I continue to be honored to serve the
achievements as a city during the year. Here are just a few. a state statute similar to our ordinance. residents and work with a dedicated team of committed city
December saw a range of holiday and community events. Our finances remain strong, with our low tax rate and employees. Thank you for the opportunity to keep serving
The tenth annual Boca Raton Bowl was our most attended AAA-bond rating, which is higher than the United States you, and we look forward to a prosperous new year for our
in years, as the game hosted a Power 5 school, the Syracuse federal government’s rating. We remain hard at work on residents!
University Orange, as they faced the University of South a 15-year, $750 million infrastructure upgrade plan, all
Florida Bulls in front of a primetime audience on ESPN. without a millage-rate increase, a rare feat for a city of
The city successfully held our 51st Annual Street Parade. our size.
Council Corner:

Happy New Year–Time to Look Back and Move Ahead

By Marc Wigder, Boca Raton to implement a downtown circulator with on-demand app their growth in academic standing continues to reach new
Council Member & CRA Chair technology to make it easier to get around downtown while heights, and they hosted the 8th annual bowl game featured
I am pleased to wish our Boca reducing traffic. on ESPN!
Raton neighbors a Happy New Year as Council, staff, our Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee We are also fortunate to see, as Mayor Singer aptly
your Councilmember and downtown and involved residents have also been working to improve described, a renaissance of our midtown district with
Community Redevelopment Agency Boca’s walkability, pedestrianism and “bikeability” in the openings of the Red Pine restaurant, the acclaimed
Chair. It has been an honor serving our downtown and throughout the city. By expanding our renovation of the Renaissance Hotel, the opening of the
the people of Boca Raton over the shared use trail network anchored by our unique El Rio adjacent Meat Market restaurant and the even more recent
past year working with Mayor Singer, Trail - as well as other important connection points – we opening just before Christmas of the Restaurant Row
my Council colleagues and many talented and dedicated are on track to further elevate our city’s leading standing complex anchored by the amazing designs in El Camino,
staff members on important policy initiatives to keep Boca as a bike friendly community. Stay tuned for more on these and Fiolina Pasta House. Midtown is becoming its own
Raton moving forward every day. exciting initiatives. trendy neighborhood with more yet to come.
As we welcome 2024, we also welcome our “new” city Additionally, working through the local impacts of As you can see, there is a lot happening in Boca and a
manager, George Brown. And though he may be our new legislative mandates passed by Tallahassee to reduce lot to see. So, make your Boca New Year’s resolution! Visit
city manager he is not new to our city! Mr. Brown has been barriers for affordable housing throughout the state is an all the new restaurants and businesses that have chosen to
Deputy City Manager to Mr. Ahnell for twenty+ years and important and current initiative that Council and staff are make Boca Raton their home, as well as those that have
has worked for the city for over 45 years. His dedication working to complete. Smart growth is sustainable growth been here for a time and are staples in our community,
to the people of Boca Raton has been unwavering as it has which does not overwhelm our services – and roads! Our which indeed are too many to list. You can find them
been long, and we are excited for his leadership and his new staff looks at these issues on a daily and continuous basis on the web at myboca.us or in the downtown website
initiatives. as our city responsibly plans its future. DowntownBoca.Org; through the fantastic Boca Raton
Likewise, we also congratulate outgoing City Manager In our downtown CRA district, Boca Raton’s holiday Chamber of Commerce, and in your own neighborhoods
Leif Ahnell on his retirement and thank him for his more festivals, parade, and events highlight what a wonderful as they are everywhere! As always, we are available and
than two decades of service to Boca Raton. Through Mr. place our downtown is; truly what a wonderful place our interested to hear your concerns and ideas to make Boca
Ahnell’s fiscal management, Boca has grown organically whole city is, yet we know it is still evolving and there Raton even better than it already is. Please contact me at
and smartly, our tax rates have remained stable, and our remains more work to do. Our connection to Florida mwigder@myboca.us or call at (561) 334-9709. Do not
municipal services are as you expect from a world-class Atlantic University continues to strengthen as their famed forget to be alert for safety updates and important news,
city. We wish him the best in his future endeavors. Men’s basketball team pursues another historic season, and have a happy, healthy, and safe new year!
As we all witnessed, last October 7th was a dark and
sad day for Israel, the United States, and the Jewish people
with the unprovoked terrorist attacks by Hamas. Our Mayor
and Council continue to condemn these heinous acts, as
well as all acts of antisemitism, bigotry, and hatred in all its
forms as we stand with the people of Israel. We pray for the ARCHIVE GALLERIES
remaining hostages to be returned safely – as we pray for
peace. Likewise in our city, Boca’s dedicated police force has
worked tirelessly to keep our people, religious institutions,
and schools safe throughout our city. We thank them for their PAYS HIGHER PRICES FOR FINE ART AND ANTIQUES
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