Holiday Solid Waste Schedule

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 23, 2009

For more information, media contact:
Wayne M. Segal
Public Affairs Director
Phone: (561) 742-6025/e-mail: segalw@bbfl.us

City Announces Thanksgiving Holiday Pickup Schedule

The City of Boynton Beach Solid Waste Division’s residential pickup schedule will change as follows for the Thanksgiving holiday:

• Thursday, Nov. 26 – No collection, no makeup day
• Friday, Nov. 27 – No change, normal Friday pickup

For questions regarding the holiday pickup schedule, call the Public Works Dept., (561) 742-6200, Monday-Thursday, 6:30 A.M.-5:30 P.M. Please note that the Public Works Dept. offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 26, and Friday, Nov. 27.

# # #

City Celebrates GIS Day

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 10, 2009

For more information, media contact:
Wayne M. Segal
Public Affairs Director
Phone: (561) 742-6025/e-mail: segalw@bbfl.us

City Celebrates GIS Day With Open House
Provides Opportunity To Learn About GIS Applications

The City of Boynton Beach will celebrate GIS Day with a public open house on Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1:00-3:00 P.M., in the Program Room at the City Library, 208 S. Seacrest Blvd. Information Technology and Geographic Information Systems staff will explain the role of GIS in everyone’s life and demonstrate both BoyntonQA and Onpoint, a web map application.

Held each year on the Wednesday of National Geographic Society’s Geography Awareness Week, GIS Day is a global event to make people aware of geographic information system (GIS) technology and the important contributions it makes in the fields of science, technology, information and the humanities. The City’s public open house provides an opportunity for those interested in learning about GIS to see its applications in action.

A GIS is a computer-based mapping tool that takes information from a database about a location, such as streets, buildings, water features and terrain, and turns it into visual layers. The ability to see geographic features on a map gives users a better understanding of a particular location, enabling planners, analysts and others to make informed decisions about their communities.

For additional information, call (561) 742-6000.

###

Editors Note: Prior to the public open house, staff will work with students from Rolling Green Elementary School. Following the open house, staff will work with children in the City’s after school programs.

Media Advisory

Nov. 10, 2009

For more information, contact:
Wayne M. Segal
Public Affairs Director
Phone: (561) 742-6025/e-mail: segalw@bbfl.us

Event:             French Consul Presents Medals at Boynton Beach                        Veterans Day Program
                       Program Commemorates Meuse Argonne Offensive

Time:              10:00 A.M., Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

Place:              Bicentennial Park, 411 N. Federal Hwy., Boynton Beach

Details:            Consul General of France in Miami Gael de

Maisonneuve will present the French Legion of Honor to selected veterans who served in France in World War II and received a Battle Star for  their gallant service. The  ceremony, presented by the Boynton Beach Veterans Council and the City of Boynton Beach, will also commemorate the Meuse Argonne Offensive. Members of the City’s Veterans Advisory Council will unveil a permanent monument in tribute to the thousands of young Americans who gave their lives in the First World War.

 # # #

City Commits 2B Fit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 9, 2009

For more information, contact:
Wayne M. Segal
Public Affairs Director
Phone: (561) 742-6025/e-mail: segalw@bbfl.us

The City of Boynton Beach has become a Commit 2B Fit community. In his Proclamation, presented at a recent City Commission meeting, Mayor Jerry Taylor said, “The intention of the Commit 2B Fit Community Program is to affect positive change in children and families, promote increased physical activity and better nutrition in the community, and to create habits that can lead to a healthier life for all involved.”

Mayor Taylor (l.) presents Commit 2B Fit Proclamation to (l. to r.) Michelle DePotter, Associated General Contractors of America; Tracy Dickinson, Florida Power & Light; and Gary Fechter, Romano's Macaroni Grill.

Commit 2B Fit is a non-profit organization working to combat childhood obesity and to promote overall wellness. The program is dedicated to affecting positive change in children and families by increasing physical activity levels and better nutrition. By becoming a Commit 2B Fit community, Boynton Beach will take part in an effort to promote physical activity and making healthy food choices; providing incentives for accomplishments; and sending this message to families through educational outreach and collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, schools and recreational programs.

Plans call for the City’s Recreation & Parks Dept. to participate in the Commit 2B Fit after-school program, which involves maintaining a nine-week journal that helps children set goals and track nutrition and physical activity. Additionally, the City will become a community model and integrate a Commit 2B Fit component into its existing Employee Wellness Program by educating and motivating City employees to develop habits that will lead to a healthier lifestyle.

The Commit 2B Fit Program is part of a community service project in which City Comm. Jose Rodriguez (Dist. III) is participating through the 2009 Leadership Palm Beach County Program. 

# # #

Application Deadline for City Boards Nov. 16

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 5, 2009

For more information, contact:
Wayne M. Segal
Public Affairs Director
Phone: (561) 742-6025/e-mail: segalw@bbfl.us

City Boards Are a Way to Serve
Application Deadline Nov. 16

Applications are now being accepted to fill 54 seats on 11 City Advisory Boards. City Commissioners will make their appointments to the boards at the Dec. 1 City Commission meeting. While applications are accepted continuously throughout the year, the deadline for appointment at the Dec. 1 meeting is Nov. 16. Applications are available in the City Clerk’s office and online at www.boynton-beach.org. For more information, call 742-6060.

The openings are on the following boards: Arts Commission, Building Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Cemetery Board, Code Compliance Board, Community Relations Board, Education and Youth Advisory Board, Library Board, Planning and Development Board, Recreation and Parks Board, Senior Advisory Board and Veterans Commission. In naming citizens to these boards, Commissioners look for people who have an interest or experience in the area of service and the necessary expertise to help accomplish the goals and objectives of the specific advisory group.

Regular and alternate members for the boards are appointed to terms of five years or less. Applicants must be registered voters to be eligible for appointment; most boards require residency within the City limits.

Veterans Day Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 14, 2009

For more information on this program, contact:
Tom Kaiser
Phone: (561) 276-1796

French Consul Presents Medals at Boynton Beach Veterans Day Program
Program Commemorates Meuse Argonne Offensive

Consul General of France in Miami Gael de Maisonneuve will present the French Legion of Honor to selected veterans who served in France in World War II and received a Battle Star for their gallant service during a Veterans Day ceremony in Boynton Beach. The ceremony will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009, 10:00 A.M., in the City’s Bicentennial Park, which is located at 411 N. Federal Hwy. Parking and shuttle buses will be available from the Bank of America parking lot at E. Ocean Ave. and N. Federal Hwy.

In addition, this year’s ceremony, presented by the Boynton Beach Veterans Council and the City of Boynton Beach, will commemorate the Meuse Argonne Offensive. Also called the Battle of the Argonne Forest, this battle was part of the final Allied offensive of World War I that stretched along the entire Western Front. Part of the Grand Offensive, the Meuse Argonne Offensive, in which 550 men of the 77^th Division broke through the German lines and were then surrounded by the enemy, is credited with leading directly to the Armistice on November 11, 1918. The men were outnumbered 10 to one, but gallantly held out for five days. Their story will be retold at this ceremony.

At the same time, members of the Veterans Council will unveil a permanent monument in tribute to the thousands of young Americans who gave their lives in the First World War. The theme of this monument is “The Lost Battalion,” which remembers the Meuse Argonne Offensive.

For more information, call (561) 276-1796.

Community Alliance Meeting

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 25, 2009

For more information, contact:
Wayne M. Segal
Public Affairs Director
Phone: (561) 742-6025/e-mail: segalw@bbfl.us

Boynton Beach Green Community Alliance Holds Workshop
Meeting To Feature Green Experts

Jason Bregman, Associate, Environmental Planning and Design for Michael Singer Studio, Mary Jo Aaggerstoun, Independent Art Historian, and Jim Udvardy, Representative of the South Florida Commuter Services, will be the featured speakers at a workshop hosted by the Boynton Beach Green Community Alliance on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, 6:00 P.M., at Intracoastal Park Clubhouse, 2240 N. Federal Hwy. Mr. Bregman and Ms. Aaggerstoun will give informative presentations regarding Ecoart and how “green professionals” can integrate green building practices into their projects, increase their “green points” and demonstrate how to develop critical teams to accomplish these goals. Mr. Udvardy will be speaking on the use of alternative modes of transportation by providing assistance to commuters and free services to area employers. The presentations are intended to educate Green Community Alliance members and the public. For more information, call 742-6012

The formation of the Boynton Beach Green Community Alliance is the second phase of the long-term environmental improvement plan for the City of Boynton Beach. In February 2008, the Boynton Beach City Commission approved a resolution establishing a Green Task Force to oversee the process of improving and sustaining the environmental needs of the community. After six months of intensive research, and an inventory of best practices, the eight-member Green Task Force, comprised entirely of City and Community Redevelopment Agency staff, presented their final recommendations to the City Commission.

The next step included incorporating public participation through the creation of the Green Community Alliance. Members include residents, businesses and organizations with links to the City, who are working in concert with City staff to prioritize local efforts and implement the Commission-approved recommendations. The end result will be a Climate Action Plan for the City, to include a carbon emissions reduction target and implementation programs. More information about the Boynton Community Alliance is available at the City’s Web site www.boynton-beach.org.

# # #

Homestead Exemption Assistance Available

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 24, 2009

For more information, contact:
Wayne M. Segal
Public Affairs Director
Phone: (561) 742-6025/e-mail: segalw@bbfl.us

Homestead Exemption Assistance Available at Boynton Library
Property Appraiser’s Office Continues With Outreach Program

A representative from the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s Office will be on hand at the Boynton Beach City Library, 208 S. Seacrest Blvd., on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 11:00 A.M.- Noon to assist homeowners in registering for a Homestead Exemption.  Every person who has legal title on Jan. 1 to a residential property and lives there permanently qualifies for this exemption. You must be a permanent resident of Florida on Jan. 1 of the initial application year. The deadline is March 1 of the qualifying year.

A copy of your deed and proof of residency is required. You may submit a copy of your Florida driver’s license, voter’s registration or permanent residency card. In lieu of a pending permanent resident alien card, the Property Appraiser’s Office will accept Federal Form I485, “Approval Notice for application to adjust to permanent resident status.”

Certain seniors who are 65 or older may be eligible for an additional $25,000 property tax exemption on their home’s assessed value in the City of Boynton Beach. To qualify, your adjusted gross income must meet a maximum level that is adjusted annually by Florida’s Department of Revenue.

For more information on Florida’s Homestead Exemption program, visit the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser’s website at www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/papa, or call (561) 355-2866.

# # #

French Consul To Present Legion of Honor Awards

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 10, 2009

For more information, contact:
Wayne M. Segal
Public Affairs Director
Phone: (561) 742-6025/e-mail: segalw@bbfl.us

The French Consul General will participate in a Veterans Day ceremony in Boynton Beach during which he will present the French Legion of Honor Award to those who served in France during World War II. To qualify for this award, veterans must provide their DD214, both sides, and the form must show that they received a Battle Star.

There are a limited number of awards to be presented. For more information, call (561) 276-1796.

# # #

City Seeks Volunteers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sept. 9, 2009

For more information, contact:
Wayne M. Segal
Public Affairs Director
Phone: (561) 742-6025/e-mail: segalw@bbfl.us

City Seeks Volunteers for Historic Preservation Committee
Members Will Help Secure Public Input

The City of Boynton Beach is seeking volunteers for an ad hoc Historic Preservation Committee. Members of the committee will work with City staff to identify and update historic resources within the corporate city limits; help identify possible funding sources; complete the application process for a Certified Local Government; and help organize public workshops to secure public input for the creation of a Historic Preservation Ordinance.

Applications are available online at the City’s website www.boynton-beach.org, by calling (561) 742-6060 or at City Hall. The deadline for submitting an application is Friday, Oct. 9. All applications will be presented to the City Commission for review and appointments to the committee will be placed on the Oct. 20 City Commission meeting agenda.

For more information, call (561) 742-6012.

# # #