Happy New Year!

I am pleased to report, the end of 2022 included a wonderful mix of holiday fun and long work days, and the new year is off to a fantastic start. 

In the next few months, there is a lot happening in Palm Beach County and in District 4. In March, we will have a workshop to discuss the Agricultural (Ag) Reserve. 

Consequently, I recently toured the reserve with several staff members to learn more about the area. It was a beautiful day, and I came home with a bag of fresh veggies from Bedner’s Farm Fresh Market. I plan to continue to meet with community members in preparation of this workshop.

Lastly, I would like to extend my congratulations to former Commissioner Dave Kerner on his appointment by Governor DeSantis as executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. 

I would also like to congratulate our newest Commissioner, Michael Barnett, who was appointed by the governor to fill the vacancy in District 3. I wish them the best in their new roles. 

If you see me out and about, please introduce yourself! It would be my pleasure to meet you, and don’t forget to follow us on social media!  

As always, I am here to assist, so feel free to email me at mwoodward@pbcgov.org or call 561-355-2204.

Also, please follow me on social media for regular updates and happenings in Palm Beach County.   

On Jan. 3, I held an onsite meeting at the Palmetto Park Bridge to discuss the construction project with the county engineers and the contractor (Ranger Construction).

We discussed a number of complaints received from residents concerning the site that have been corrected. We also discussed other concerns including delays on the completion of the project that is now scheduled for late summer.

Below is a recent update from the Engineering and Public Works Department on the project.

The maintenance of the traffic plan to allow traffic to switch onto the newly constructed portion of Palmetto Park Road was approved by Palm Beach County staff on Jan. 18. 

A sign (see below) has been placed near the bridge to alert drivers of the upcoming shift in traffic on Jan. 29. Nearby residents along the project will also be notified through a door hanger at their residence or building. 

Contractors will work at the intersection of Palmetto Park Road and the church/school entrance to grade out that intersection on Monday, Jan. 23. Then, that area will have pavement markings placed for traffic control on Jan. 24.  

Assuming no weather delays, the new portion of the roadway is scheduled for inspection by the Florida Department of Transportation on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. This is necessary before the traffic shift to the new roadway.

I live nearby and recognize the impact this project is having on residents and businesses and will continue to monitor it closely and provide updates.

I had a surprise lunch meeting with Senator Rick Scott and discovered we had a number of things in common such as we both previously resided in Kansas City, MO, and he once owned the hospital in Aiken, SC, where I was born.

It was fascinating to learn about his experiences in serving as the governor of Florida and our U.S. senator in Washington, D.C.  He provided me with insightful information including navigating the challenges of working in Washington, D.C.

Consequently, I am grateful to be a county commissioner in Palm Beach County where we can get work done and serve our community! 

As your county commissioner, I also serve on the Board of Directors of the Solid Waste Authority (SWA). SWA is a dependent special taxing district governed by the seven elected Palm Beach County Commissioners. 

As an enterprise agency, SWA generates revenue from user fees, waste tipping fees, energy sales, recovered materials sales, biosolids processing facility fees, and other sources. 

Located in West Palm Beach, the authority's facilities process more than two million tons of residential and commercial garbage a year. That's all the trash countywide, including recyclables, hazardous materials, and bulk and yard waste. 

I recently toured the facilities, including the Renewable Energy Facility 2 that is considered the most advanced and cleanest waste-to-energy power plant in North America. It processes 3,000 tons of garbage daily. 

Not only is it reducing waste, but it also generates nearly 100 megawatts of electricity sold to Florida Power and Light, enough to power an estimated 40,000 homes and businesses. That is enough electricity to power nearly all the homes in Boca Raton!

Moreover, it's clean energy! The Environmental Protection Agency considers waste-to-energy one of the cleanest, most reliable and renewable sources. For example: 

• Air pollution control technologies make it virtually impossible to detect any smell or visible smoke when the garbage is being burned. 

• Ash generated by burning takes up much less room than garbage, resulting in a 90% reduction in landfill use. 

• Ash management systems recover over 40,000 tons of recycled, sellable steel, aluminum, copper, and other metals from ash. 

• A water conservation and recycling system with a unique rainwater collection system provides processed water to operate the facility. 

SWA offers group and/or individual tours of the facility, providing an opportunity to observe the intricate procedure of processing the county's garbage. 

Don’t forget the South Florida Fair is in town, and this year's theme is "Dino-myte” with life- size dinosaurs, interactive dino games, a fossil exhibit and more!

I was honored to attend the opening day ceremonies and had a great time.

Check out all the fun including pig races, live music and an ice show. The fair is open now through Jan. 29.

Every January, over a half-million visitors enjoy one of Florida's oldest and largest community events, the South Florida Fair, held at the fairgrounds and in the 80,000-square-foot Exposition Center. The fair offers first-class stage shows, national concert performances, midway rides, unique shopping and the best of fair food.

I had a great day with our Palm Beach County firefighters for their Cadet Fest!

The experience was inspiring since I had to overcome my fear of heights to climb a 75-foot extension ladder! 

I'm looking forward to my upcoming “training day” with the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue this spring.

Florida ranks last in the United States for the number of women under 65 who have insurance, diminishing their chances of surviving breast and cervical cancer.

The Promise Fund of Florida is a local nonprofit dedicated to helping women overcome financial barriers and reduce deaths through early detection by utilizing strategies such as community awareness and partnerships.

The nonprofit conducts ongoing community outreach and education to raise awareness of the importance of early detection and facilitates access to quality health care for those requiring diagnostics and treatment.

I participated in the Promise Fund of Florida’s Annual Bridge Lighting & Pink Boots on the Ground Celebration at the Royal Park Bridge. 

I am proud to report the Board of County Commissioners recently approved the donation of two ambulance vehicles to Glades and Gadsden counties. 

Due to budgetary constraints and long delivery wait times, both counties have been operating borrowed units or units past their life expectancy to serve their residents. 

Supporting the brave male and female first responders throughout Florida strengthens the fire rescue community, which in turn promotes the public interest and welfare of Palm Beach County.

As your county commissioner, I also serve on the following boards:

The Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency focuses on transportation planning and programming goals in Palm Beach County within the guidelines of federal, state and local laws and rules. Learn more.

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority plans, develops, operates, maintains and manages a public transit system to provide efficient transportation of people and goods via railroad, buses and motor vehicles in the tri-county area of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Learn more.

The Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council provides leadership, advocacy, and coordination between local governments, state and federal agencies, and the private sector to preserve and enhance the quality of the Treasure Coast’s economic, natural, built and social environment. Learn more.

The Value Adjustment Board conducts hearings and issue decisions regarding appeals of real property and tangible property tax assessments, property tax exemption and classification denials, and portability and tax deferral determinations. Learn more.

The Palm Beach Cultural Council supports arts and culture in Palm Beach County and provides services to cultural organizations and creative professionals including funding, education and marketing opportunities. Learn more.

CareerSource Palm Beach County helps area businesses to stay competitive through training grants and talent acquisition, and job seekers find new jobs through career assessments, training and employment assistance. Learn more.

Lucia Bonavita, Senior Legislative Aide (lbonavita@pbcgov.org)

Lucia has been working in the District 4 commission office for over 17 years and has extensive experience in administrative operations, county policy and services and constituent issues. She also has strong working relationships with local business and community leaders.



In her spare time, she likes to bike, swim and travel.

Yailen Mejias, Senior Commission Secretary (ymejias@pbcgov.org)

Yailen is a long-time resident of Palm Beach County and is currently attending college at Palm Beach State. She has been with District 4 for three years and has enjoyed serving our residents but has recently decided to pursue nursing. We will miss her and wish her luck in her future career! 

Caitlin Joyce, Commission Administrative Assistant (cjoyce@pbcgov.org)

Caitlin handles the commissioner's communication initiatives including the newsletter, website and social media. She also oversees constituent inquiries and attends community meetings.

Currently, she is completing her second degree in business marketing at Florida Atlantic University, and in her spare time, loves to travel. She recently visited Morocco and Columbia!

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.