Last year, I had a blast showing Assistant County Administrator Todd Bonlarron around some of my favorite places during my Commissioner Spotlight.

We visited Florida Atlantic University's basketball stadium, a beach park, and topped it off with a stop at Arun's Indian Kitchen Taco Marsala – where I can never resist their vegan tacos! It was a fun way for me to share a slice of my life with you all.

Sadly, it was pre-Fritz era, but don't worry, he'll be stealing the spotlight next time for sure! Check it out here.

This weekend, we pause to remember Memorial Day which commemorates the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country.

The impact of their sacrifices ripples through our communities, and their deaths touch more than just the lives of their loved ones and friends.

We must continue to share their stories to remember what they sacrificed for the rest of us. 

Have a safe holiday weekend with your families at one of the Memorial Day events at the bottom of our newsletter.

I'll be attending the Memorial Day service at Veterans Park in Boca Raton. Join me if you can!

Our offices will be closed on Monday, May 27.

As we head into the 2024 hurricane season (June 1st – November 30th), I want to remind all county residents of the importance of hurricane preparedness.

Get informed and prepare with these resources:

• PBC DART App: Download the PBC DART app (Palm Beach County Disaster Awareness, Response & Training) for vital information such as storm surge evacuation areas, flood zones, shelter locations, and even locations of open gas stations and building supply stores with generators during storms.

• AlertPBC: Sign up for AlertPBC, the county's Emergency Alert and Notification System. This system will notify you of imminent threats via text message, email, or phone call.

• Hurricane Evacuation Zone Lookup Tool: Use the Hurricane Evacuation Zone Lookup Tool to find out if your residence is in an evacuation zone.

Additional resources:



• Senior Hurricane Meals: Residents 60 and over who reside in southern Palm Beach County (Broward County line through Hypoluxo Rd.) can inquire about Senior Hurricane Meals by calling 561-395-8920, ext. 0.

By taking these steps now, we can all be better prepared to weather any storms that may come our way.

Below is a recent update from the Engineering and Public Works Department on the Palmetto Park Road Bridge project.

Road crews have been busy removing old asphalt from the areas around the bridge that will be rebuilt.

On the bridge itself, metal bars have been placed to strengthen the walls that will separate traffic and create a walking path. After making sure the metal was up to standard, concrete was poured for these walls.

Now the focus is on giving the concrete a smooth finish and cleaning up any leftover construction materials. The crane is no longer needed and has been removed.

The water pipe that will run across the bridge has been installed and tested.

Roadway workers are placing and finishing base rock in preparation for asphalt paving.

Finally, the paperwork is being processed for engineers to confirm everything is safe and ready for cars.

Overall, the project is on track to be mostly finished by mid to late June.

While we actively push the project forward and closely monitor progress, we appreciate your continued patience.

Missed the Move & Mingle from Boca Town Center to Mizner Park? It was a blast with music, refreshments, and great company!

Thanks to Councilwoman Nachlas for co-hosting alongside me and to Sal Saldana, Steve Abrams, Greg Hazle, and Jim Nau for joining.

Shoutout to Yard House for refreshments (including plenty of vegan options!)

It's not too late -- join Team Woodward in the Get on the Bus Challenge and ride the bus with Palm Tran for work, school, errands, or the beach!

Presented Mrs. Mary Gilbert, a longtime district 4 resident, a certificate of recognition from the Board of County Commissioners in celebration of her 100th Birthday!

Joined City of Boca Raton elected officials in congratulating Vitacost.com on their impressive 30th anniversary.

Attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony welcoming Aventusoft LLC to Research Park at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton.

Congratulations to Doug Mosley, executive director of the Boca Bowl, for his outstanding achievement as this year's Business Leader recognized by the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.

Personally, I have had the privilege of appointing Doug to the Palm Beach County Sports Commission, and I can confidently affirm his unwavering commitment and tireless efforts towards the betterment of Palm Beach County.

The chamber also rightly celebrated Joyce Hunter and Phil Lomenzo of The Florida Printing Group Inc. as this year's Small Business Leaders, as well as FPL for earning the esteemed title of Business of the Year.

It's inspiring to see such exemplary businesses thriving within the Boca Chamber's network, and I couldn't be prouder of their achievements.

I joined the Business Development Board (BDB) on their South Palm Beach County Business Appreciation Tour to get a firsthand look at some of the county's leading movers and shakers!

The tour included visits to Plastimold in Delray Beach, Cosmetic Solutions Innovation Labs and Modernizing Medicine in Boca Raton, and Instrumentum at the Research Park at Florida Atlantic University.

These companies, spanning from high-tech medical solutions to custom-crafted products, are making a real impact on our community.

It's clear we have a thriving business community here in south Palm Beach County, something we can all be proud of!

Thank you to the Chapel Hill residents of City of Boynton Beach for their participation in Commissioner Thomas Turkin’s Town Hall.

I had the privilege of joining the panel to address concerns and give updates to the residents along with the full support of the city’s department heads.

Boynton Beach had so much to report, from a number of new businesses opening in the city, new parks and a ramped up events calendar. I will be joining them for their July 4th celebrations.

Keep up the great work, exciting times for Boynton Beach!

Best Foot Forward (BFF), a dedicated local nonprofit, is changing the educational landscape for foster youth by providing them with the tools and support they need to achieve academic success.

Only 46% of foster care youth graduate high school, but BFF addresses these challenges head-on with a unique team-oriented approach.

Their programs cater to different age groups, from kindergarten all the way to college. At the core of their strategy is the pairing of each program participant with a dedicated academic or graduation coach. 

Support BFF! Volunteer, or spread the word. Let's give every child in foster care a chance to excel.

It was a pleasure attending the Best Foot Forward Bash at Boca West Country Club. Not only was it a great night, but it also helped support a fantastic cause – ensuring educational success for foster youth in Palm Beach County.

Did You Know Palm Beach County manages more than 31,000 acres of conservation lands?

Palm Beach County isn't all beaches and buildings. Tucked away are hidden gems – protected natural areas bursting with diverse plants and animals.

Managed by the Environmental Resources Management (ERM) department, these havens are your chance to experience the raw beauty of South Florida's natural heritage.

Thanks to voters in 1991 and 1999, over $250 million was secured to buy these conservation lands. Today, ERM cares for over 31,000 acres – the last wild places in the county!

Open from sunrise to sunset, these natural sanctuaries are free for everyone to enjoy passive activities like hiking, bird watching, and environmental education.

Join ERM's experts on a wide array of activities during their "Adventure Awaits" series for a unique "behind-the-scenes" look at our areas plants, animals, and habitats. Registration is required, so don't miss out!

Check out the 30-minute documentary below. It follows three South Florida students as they travel 70 miles over seven days, exploring Palm Beach County by foot, bike, and paddle.

Get a glimpse of the diverse landscapes and wildlife you can encounter in these natural areas.

We had some brilliant minds tackling our April trivia question: "What was the population of Palm Beach County in 1910?"

A big round of applause for Kiki Griego, Christine Allen, and Bob Harbers who all guessed the correct answer: 5,557.

We welcome your feedback on our District 4 newsletter. Please let us know if you found this information helpful and what else you would like to know.