Page 10 - Boca Exposure - February '24

Page 10, Boca Exposure
George S. Brown Named Boca Raton’s New City Manager

The City of Boca Development Services and the City Manager’s Office. Apart from his service with the city, Brown has long
Raton has announced the Brown will continue to guide the city based on the goals been active in public administration organizations. He is
appointment and promotion and priorities set by City Council. a 40-year service award recipient from the International
of George S. Brown as the A dedicated public servant, Brown has worked City Management Association and has served in various
new city manager effective since 1977 across several city departments including leadership positions with the Florida City and County
Jan. 1. A City of Boca Raton Building Inspection, Code Enforcement, Public Works, Management Association and the Palm Beach County City
employee for over 40 years, and Development Services. He served as the city’s Management. Brown has also served on the Florida League
Brown brings a wealth of first Code Enforcement Officer, and as Public Services of Cities Legislative Policy Committees and has received
knowledge and experience Administrator, Development Services Director, Assistant many Home Rule Hero awards from the league for his
to the position. He will City Manager and Deputy City Manager, a position he legislative advocacy in support of municipal home rule.
lead the city following the held since 2004. A native of Baltimore, Md., and graduate magna cum
retirement of Leif Ahnell, His significant experience overseeing the city’s laude of Georgetown University, Brown has called Boca
who served as city manager for 24 years. Development Services department and spearheading Raton home since 1976.
In his new role, Brown will take over all aspects of major projects has included significant annexations to Learn more about the city, its services, goals and
running a full-service city of more than 100,000 residents. the city, a partnership with Florida Atlantic University amenities at www.MyBoca.us.
He will manage almost 1,800 city employees across eight to develop its stadium and campus, the sale of a city golf
departments, including Police and Fire Rescue Services, course, and the recent lease of city land in Mizner Park
Municipal and Utility Services, Recreation, Financial and for the proposed The Center for Arts and Innovation.
Council Corner: Greater Safety On Our Roads

By Fran Nachlas, Boca As your council member, I appreciate the conversations Pedestrian and Bikeway Advisory Board which provides
Raton City Council Member/ and am taking action on responsible solutions for making citizen input and leadership on these issues. They meet at 6
CRA Vice-Chair our roads safer for all. Late last fall your city council p.m. on the second Monday of the month at the Community
“Share the road.” What unanimously voted to designate Boca Raton as a “Vision Zero Center Annex. Join them! In addition, a new advocacy
this means to one person can City,” launching a Vision Zero Action Plan and establishing group, the Florida Share the Road Coalition, was formed
vary greatly from what it the goal of no severe traffic injuries or fatalities. To achieve in response to the accident in Gulf Stream, with a mission
means to another. At the most this goal, Boca Raton will adopt a true safe system approach to “make A1A in Palm Beach County safer for drivers and
basic it means motorists, for vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians based on engineering, recreational traffic.” They will be making a presentation at
bicyclists and motorcyclists enforcement and education, data-driven decision making, the City Council Workshop on Feb. 12.
all have the right to be on and smart balancing considerations in road safety planning Personally, I have been getting out on my bike and
the road and travel safely. In and implementation. Please visit www.myboca.us/2239/ making my way through the Boca Raton Bicycle Map,
fact, the Florida Department Vision-Zero for more details. reporting findings to the city manager and staff, speaking with
of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has rules for road In fact, Boca Raton is leading the way, and now 13 advocacy groups and also riding with some of the members
travelers on how to do just that if you visit their website at municipalities in Palm Beach County have joined us as of those groups. Realizing that we all, cyclists/motorists/
www.flhsmv.gov/safety-center/driving-safety/share-the-road/. Vision Zero Communities. They include Belle Glade, pedestrians, have responsibilities when it comes to sharing
As I’m sure you know from recent columns, I love riding Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Juno Beach, the road is the first step. Let’s work together towards the goal
my bike! From tricycles to training wheels to triathlons, Jupiter, Lake Park, Lake Worth Beach, Palm Springs, of Vision Zero in Boca Raton.
I’ve always enjoyed the opportunity to get some exercise, Wellington, West Palm Beach and Westlake. As always, please reach out to me at fnachlas@myboca.
travel and enjoy the outdoors on two wheels. So many of What can we all do as members of our community to us or (561) 221-7902 to continue the conversation about this
our neighbors feel the same. Lately though, it seems there make the roads safer for all? Recognize the importance of all or any other ideas you have to make Boca Raton an even
has been more and more conflict on the road – cyclists vs. this and be part of the solutions. Boca Raton has a Citizens’ better place. See you out on the road!
motorists – that can become at the very frustrating, and at
its worst deadly.
Just a few weeks ago, on Jan. 4, six local cyclists on their
early morning ride were struck by a driver who crossed over
the yellow line from the opposite side of the road. Three were
taken by trauma helicopter to Delray Medical Center, and
one remains in the hospital as I write. They were riding on
a stretch of State Road A1A in Gulf Stream, which has no
designated shoulder or bike lane for cyclists. This is just the
most recent example of what is happening more and more
frequently, so the questions are: What can we do about it,
and why is this happening?
The week after this incident, I brought the issue up at
our city council meeting and the reality that when it is car
vs. bike that the car always wins. We need to recognize that
it is critical for drivers to decrease distractions and be more
aware of our surroundings. When speaking with people I
always ask, what if it were your child, grandchild, or spouse
on that bike? Would you slow down, put your phone down
and make sure to follow the rules of the road? Some say yes,
but some will claim no one but motorists should be on the
road, and some will come up with examples of innovative
infrastructure for municipalities to implement. I think we
need to be smart and implement those improvements!

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