Palm Beach County Perspective

Episode 30 takes a break from our discussions with Constitutional Officers and takes a deep dive into...trash! Palm Beach County has mastered the disposal of garbage with its waste to energy facilities at its Solid Waste Authority. Among the many tasks assigned to the Board of County Commissioners is to act as the SWA Board. To that end, we are charged with selecting the haulers for trash, vegetat...

This Special Episode was actually recorded at the March 2022 Greater Boca Raton Members' Breakfast where I was invited to present the State of the County address. Palm Beach County, like the rest of the world, has come through a worldwide pandemic. However, unlike many areas, our community has come through the last two years stronger than we were before enduring the pandemic's hardships. Our econo...

Episode 29  follows up on the discussions we had with the Constitutional Tax Collector, Anne Gannon, in Episode 28. As we noted then, our Constitutional Officers ensure the county operates effectively. The county could not discharge its responsibilities to its residents and visitors if it weren't for these elected individuals, This week we pivot to the Constitutional Property Appraiser, Dorothy Ja...

Episode 28 focuses on one of the Constitutional Officers ensuring the county operates effectively. The county could not discharge its responsibilities to its residents and visitors if it were not for our tax collector, Anne Gannon. The tax collector is just one of the mandated positions for every Florida county. In addition to the tax collector, we have the sheriff, state attorney, public defender...

Episode 27 focuses on the ease with which travelers can arrive and depart from Palm Beach County. Our guests today are two women who are keeping our skies accessible for air travelers. Laura Beebe has been the Executive Director of Palm Beach International Airport for the past four years, succeeding to that position after serving under Bruce Pelly who had served in that role for 32 years. Lots goi...

Episode 26 focuses on the needs of young families. Our first guest, Serena Girardi, has established herself as a pediatric sleep consultant. Her mission is to help exhausted parents find a daytime schedule and sleep plan that actually works for their infant. Serena has a passion for working with children and working with their caregivers through the process of helping regulate the sleep patterns o...

Episode 25 focuses on three women within our community who didn't take no for an answer. Our first guest is Robyn Raphael-Dynan. Her father's untimely passing at age 53 catapulted her mother, Beverly Raphael-Altman and her family into the management of RCC Associates, a nationally renowned general contractor. The company, which just celebrated its 50th anniversary, has prospered under the leadersh...

Episode 24 takes a deep dive into entrepreneurial opportunities in our community. However, we give today's episode a decidedly Hispanic flavor. Our three entrepreneurs are transplants to our community. That is not really much different from the massive influx of community members relocating to South Florida from other places in the United States. What differentiates these three individuals is they...

Episode 23 offers a look at three "home grown" non-profits. Each was the result of residents seeing a need and taking the initiative to address it, head-on. Donna Biase and her friend (and co-founder) Debbie Ellman were two PTA presidents who embarked on a middle school community service project. After meeting several adolescents from a shelter who had aged out of foster care, they realized there...

Episode 22 offers an opportunity for two elected officials (in this case, me and the Mayor of the City of Boynton Beach, Steven B Grant) to talk about the issues of importance to our constituents. This is a little bit of "shop talk," addressing the trials and tribulations of being a Mayor of a City a shade less than 80,000 residents (not including the influx of seasonal visitors to Palm Beach Coun...

Episode 21 offers an opportunity to hear from two members of our business community. Their successes within their field is coupled with their willingness to give back to our community. Heather Shaw Fairs is Vice President and General Manager of Saks Fifth Avenue at Town Center Mall in Boca Raton. Raised in Coral Springs, she was recruited to work for Saks after graduating college. Heather prides h...

Episode 20 offers us another opportunity to reflect on the robust economy in South Florida. However, as we highlight success, we step back to ask, at what cost? Our county has seen some within our community "succeed" in business or politics, while taking ethical shortcuts. In the not too distant past, Palm Beach County was viewed by some as "corruption county." In business, Madoff and Rothstein ar...

Episode 19 offers us another opportunity to reflect on the robust economy in South Florida. Our guest is Andrew Duffell, President & CEO of the Research Park at FAU. Duffell’s international background and multiple economic development roles have shaped his forward-thinking and problem-solving approach regarding the development of South Florida’s economy using technology as a catalyst. Since becomi...

Episode 18 offers a unique look at motorcycle and automobile racing in Palm Beach County. We are pleased to have as one of our guests, legendary racing driver Danny Sullivan. Sullivan earned 17 wins in the CART Indy Car World Series (including the 1985 Indianapolis 500). Danny is joined by Excel Auto Group CEO Scott Zankl and Don Dufresne. We talk about Palm Beach International Raceway and its att...

Episode 17 offers a look at the safety net we have in our community for people who are having difficulty coping with life's stresses. We start our conversation with Sharon L'Herrou, president & CEO at 211 Palm Beach/Treasure Coast. We all know about 911, but 211 is for situations where a first-responder is not required. It can be for mental health counseling or just a hear a friendly voice at the...

Episode 16 offers a look at The Boca Raton (formerly known as the Boca Raton Resort & Club). Founded in 1926 as "The Cloister Inn," and designed by famed architect Addison Mizner, the "Inn" has undergone many renovations and upgrades. Along the way, it has served as the residence for the soldiers of the US Army (during WWII). The Boca Raton is now undergoing a $200 million renovation which its Pre...

Episode 15 offers a look at Florida Atlantic University, with its campuses in Boca Raton, Jupiter, Davie, Fort Lauderdale and the Harbor Branch Oceanic Institute in Fort Pierce. We first look skyward as Professor Ata Sarajedini talks about his love of the stars and the many celestial bodies in our sky.  Dr Sarajedini offers an invitation to area residents to visit the observatory located on FAU's...

Episode 14 takes a look at how Palm Beach County has not forgotten its vulnerable residents, unable to afford a decent place to live or put adequate food on the table. My two guests have devoted a great deal of their energies to alleviating food insecurity and helping to create affordable housing. Former County Commissioner Jeff Koons and FPL External Affairs Manager Sophia Eccelston speak to thes...

Episode 13 takes a look at how Palm Beach County continues to market its attributes, worldwide, to enjoy this piece of paradise we enjoy every day. Jorge Pesquera leads off our conversation explaining how Discover the Palm Beaches is leading the region's destination marketing.  Sports is a very important part of our region's attraction. Sports tourism is something George Linley, Executive Director...

Ep 12 steps into the world of business in Palm Beach County. We first speak with Jordana Jarjura, president of Menin Development. Jordana talks a bit about her stint on the Delray Beach City Commission. That experience, combined with her business experience, law degree and MBA, have served her well as Menin (headquartered in Delray Beach) has been changing the landscape of this City by the Sea. Fr...

Episode 11 shines the spotlight on philanthropy in Palm Beach County. We begin our journey with Holly Schuttler, president of Impact 100 Palm Beach County. This is a group of over 600 women in "south county" who have come together to pool their $1,000 donations to make $100,000 "impactful" grants. Over the past decade, they have distributed over $4.5 million to 30 non-profit organizations. My next...

Offers a triple play of places to visit in Palm Beach County. We begin our journey with Kate Arrizza, President & CEO of the Science Center and Aquarium located adjacent to the Palm Beach County Zoo in West Palm Beach. Kate's excitement for this great family destination is infectious. Lots to see, touch and enjoy and there's more to come with a planned expansion in the near future. We then take a...

Episode 9 takes us to the world of auquaponics. Aquaponics integr ates aquaculture and hydroponics into one production system. Aquaponics relies on the food introduced for fish, which works as the system's input. Afterward, the water (now ammonia-rich) flows, together with un-eaten food and decaying plant matter, from the fish tank into a biofilter and, ultimately, crops (in this case, lettuce) ar...

Episode 8 is a very special opportunity to chat with Pastor Bill Mitchell - a third generation resident of Palm Beach County and the grandson of J. C. Mitchell, a former mayor of Boca Raton who established a real estate company in Boca Raton after WWII. Mitchell joined the family business as a realtor but at 45 began his career pastoring. He created Boca Lead (now City Lead) which is a monthy lunc...

Episode 7 first takes a look at how our county continues to make itself a place to grow and/or relocate a business. We begin our conversatrion with Troy McLellan, President & CEO of the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce. Troy has been at the Chamber for over two decades (14 years as its President & CEO). Lots has changed in south county over the past 24 years but the focus on creating an envi...