Page 12 - Boca Exposure - January '24

Page 12, Boca Exposure
Mayor’s Update: Heading Into 2024

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

Happy New Year–Time To Look Back And Move Ahead

By Marc Wigder, staff looks at these issues on a daily and continuous basis and Fiolina Pasta House. Midtown is becoming its own
Boca Raton Council as our city responsibly plans its future. trendy neighborhood with more yet to come.
Member & CRA Chair In our downtown CRA district, Boca Raton’s holiday As you can see there is a lot happening in Boca and
I am pleased to wish festivals, parade, and events highlight what a wonderful a lot to see. So, make your Boca New Year’s resolution!
our Boca Raton neighbors place our downtown is; truly what a wonderful place our Visit all the new restaurants and businesses that have
a Happy New Year as whole city is, yet we know it is still evolving and there chosen to make Boca Raton their home, as well as those
your councilmember and remains more work to do. Our connection to Florida that have been here for a time and are staples in our
Turning 65 or new to Medicare?
downtown Community Atlantic University continues to strengthen as their famed community, which indeed are too many to list. You can
Redevelopment Agency men’s basketball team pursues another historic season, find them on the web at myboca.us or in the downtown
Save up to $164.90
Chair. It has been an honor their growth in academic standing continues to reach new website DowntownBoca.Org; through the fantastic
serving the people of Boca heights, and they hosted the eighth annual bowl game Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, and in your own
Raton over the past year featured on ESPN! neighborhoods as they are everywhere! As always, we are
on your Part B
working with Mayor Singer, my Council colleagues and We are also fortunate to see, as Mayor Singer aptly always available and interested to hear your concerns and
many talented and dedicated staff members on important described, a renaissance of our midtown district with ideas to make Boca Raton even better than it already is.
policy initiatives to keep Boca Raton moving forward the openings of the Red Pine restaurant, the acclaimed Please contact me at mwigder@myboca.us or call at (561)
premium
every day. renovation of the Renaissance Hotel, the opening of the 334-9709. Do not forget to be alert for safety updates and
As we welcome 2024, we also welcome our “new” city adjacent Meat Market restaurant and the even more recent important news, and have a happy, healthy, and safe new
manager, George Brown. And though he may be our new opening just before Christmas of the Restaurant Row year!
city manager he is not new to our city! Brown has been complex anchored by the amazing designs in El Camino,
Our Medicare Advantage plan,
Deputy City Manager to Ahnell for 20-plus years and has HumanaChoice Florida H5216-311 (PPO),
worked for the city for over 45 years. His dedication to
gives you up to $164.90 back each month
the people of Boca Raton has been unwavering as it has Turning 65 or new to Medicare?
been long, and we are excited for his leadership and his through the Part B giveback benefit. This
new initiatives. will return part of your Part B premium
Likewise, we also congratulate outgoing city manager Save up to $164.90 Call a licensed independent
Leif Ahnell on his retirement and thank him for his more to you through a credit to your Social sales agent
Turning 65 or new to Medicare?
Security check or by reducing the monthly
than two decades of service to Boca Raton. Through on your Part B
Ahnell’s fiscal management, Boca has grown organically Save up to $164.90
premium you pay directly to Medicare.
and smartly, our tax rates have remained stable, and our premium
That’s not the only way our plan is looking
municipal services are as you expect from a world-class on your Part B Peter Gratzon
city. We wish him the best in his future endeavors. out for your wallet, your goals and your
premium
As we all witnessed, last Oct. 7 was a dark and sad day Our Medicare Advantage plan, HumanaChoice
health. It also comes with benefits beyond
for Israel, the United States, and the Jewish people with Florida H5216-311 (PPO), gives you up to
Original Medicare, such as:
Our Medicare Advantage plan,
the unprovoked terrorist attacks by Hamas. Our mayor $164.90 back each month through the Part B 561‑361‑7173 (TTY: 711)
HumanaChoice Florida H5216-311 (PPO),
•
and council continue to condemn these heinous acts, as gives you up to $164.90 back each month
Part B premium reduction, putting
well as all acts of antisemitism, bigotry, and hatred in all giveback benefit. This will return part of your Monday – Friday
through the Part B giveback benefit. This
up to $164.90 back into your Social
will return part of your Part B premium
its forms as we stand with the people of Israel. We pray Part B premium to you through a credit to your 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Call a licensed independent
Security check each month*
for the remaining hostages to be returned safely – as we to you through a credit to your Social pgratzon@gmail.com
sales agent
Security check or by reducing the monthly
•
pray for peace. Likewise in our city, Boca’s dedicated Social Security check or by reducing the monthly
No referral required to see in-
premium you pay directly to Medicare.
police force has worked tirelessly to keep our people, premium you pay directly to Medicare. That’s not Peter Gratzon
That’s not the only way our plan is looking
network specialists
religious institutions, and schools safe throughout our out for your wallet, your goals and your
•
Routine dental, hearing and
health. It also comes with benefits beyond
city. We thank them for their continued service during the only way our plan is looking out for your wallet,
Original Medicare, such as:
vision coverage
these challenging times. your goals and your health. It also comes with 561‑361‑7173 (TTY: 711)
• Part B premium reduction, putting
In addition to increased focus and funding on public benefits beyond Original Medicare, such as: Monday – Friday
up to $164.90 back into your Social
safety, this budget year the council approved important Security check each month* 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
pgratzon@gmail.com
policy priorities including: initiating the process to plan • Part B premium reduction, putting
• No referral required to see in-
network specialists
and build a new government and community center up to $164.90 back into your Social Security check
campus for City Hall, moving forward with a responsible • Routine dental, hearing and
vision coverage
Transit Oriented Redevelopment zone to complement our each month*
investment in our new Brightline station, and working to • No referral required to see in-network specialists
implement a downtown circulator with on-demand app • Routine dental, hearing and vision coverage
technology to make it easier to get around downtown
while reducing traffic.
Council, staff, our Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee A more human way
and involved residents have also been working to improve A more human way
Boca’s walkability, pedestrianism and “bikeability” in to healthcare™
to healthcare™
our downtown and throughout the city. By expanding our
shared use trail network anchored by our unique El Rio * The Part B Giveback Benefit pays part or all of your Part B premium and the
* The Part B Giveback Benefit pays part or all of your Part B premium and the
Trail - as well as other important connection points – we amount may change based on the amount you pay for Part B.
The Part B Giveback Benefit pays part or all of your Part B premium and the
amount may change based on the amount you pay for Part B.
are on track to further elevate our city’s leading standing amount may change based on the amount you pay for Part B.
The Part B Giveback Benefit pays part or all of your Part B premium and the
as a bike friendly community. Stay tuned for more on Humana is a Medicare Advantage PPO organization with a Medicare contract.
Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Applicable to
amount may change based on the amount you pay for Part B.
these exciting initiatives. HumanaChoice Florida H5216-311 (PPO). . At Humana, it is important you are
Additionally, working through the local impacts of treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable federal
Humana is a Medicare Advantage PPO organization with a Medicare contract.
civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
legislative mandates passed by Tallahassee to reduce age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ancestry, ethnicity,
Enrollment in any Humana plan depends on contract renewal. Applicable to
marital status, religion or language. English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak
HumanaChoice Florida H5216-311 (PPO). . At Humana, it is important you are
barriers for affordable housing throughout the state is an English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call
important and current initiative that council and staff are 877‑320‑1235 (TTY: 711). Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a
treated fairly. Humana Inc. and its subsidiaries comply with applicable federal
su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 877‑320‑1235
civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin,
working to complete. Smart growth is sustainable growth (TTY: 711). 繁體中文 (Chinese)：注意：如果您使用繁體中文 ，您可以免費獲得語言援助服
務 。請致電 877‑320‑1235（聽障專線：711） 。
which does not overwhelm our services – and roads! Our age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, ancestry, ethnicity,
marital status, religion or language. English: ATTENTION: If you do not speak
English, language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call
877‑320‑1235 (TTY: 711). Español (Spanish): ATENCIÓN: Si habla español, tiene a
su disposición servicios gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 877‑320‑1235
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(TTY: 711). 繁體中文 (Chinese)：注意：如果您使用繁體中文 ，您可以免費獲得語言援助服
務 。請致電 877‑320‑1235（聽障專線：711） 。
Y0040_GHHJEWGTE_24_AD_M