Mayor’s Column
June
By Mayor Anne Gerwig
Summer is officially here. This season is shaping up to be a busy one around Wellington, starting with multiple Capital Improvement Projects slated to begin this summer.
Here is an update of a few of these projects:
- Forest Hill Boulevard Sink Hole Repair: Construction is scheduled to start June 5th. This will be after school lets out for the summer break.
- Hawthorne Neighborhood Park Project: Construction anticipated to be completed in August 2017.
- Dorchester Park Observation Platform: The project is currently in the design and permitting phase. Construction is scheduled to start in July 2017.
- For a complete list of our capital improvement projects taking place around Wellington, please click this link: Capital Improvement Projects
For our Great Hometown, summer offers the opportunity to relax and enjoy the outdoors. This year, we are excited to present another action packed summer of free entertainment for the entire family. From movies on the lawn, to food trucks, and summer camps, there is something the entire family can enjoy.
The kids will be out of school soon and what better way for them to spend their summer than our summer camp programs. Wellington’s Parks and Recreation Department offers an all-day summer camp from June to the middle of August each year. The camp is held Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Village Park. Campers experience an exciting daily schedule of activities including sporting events, athletics, arts and crafts, entertainment and games, animal exhibits, rock wall climbing, magicians, movies, trips to the Wellington Aquatics Complex, field trips and much, much more. Visit our website wellingtonfl.gov to find a complete list of events and programs.
As Floridians, we enjoy days that are a mix of sun and rain. Our normally sunny mornings are usually followed by midafternoon rains which can be anything from a light drizzle to heavy downpours and lightning storms. Heat and humidity are ever present so we must take precautions to stay safe this season. Summer also brings hurricane season which begins on June 1st; while South Florida has not been hit by a major hurricane in the last couple of years, it is important to be prepared.
First things first—always pay close attention to National Weather Service updates. In recent years, it’s become all too clear how unpredictable storms can be. A storm’s track and intensity can change quickly, so don’t assume that just because we’re not on a current forecast track that we won’t see significant effects.
Make sure you prepare for any potential risks and are ready to act on your preparations if authorities ask you to. It’s vital that you assess your home’s vulnerabilities. Figure out what room will be safe to stay in during a storm.
Create a supply kit. Some of the items you’ll want to include are water (one gallon of water per person per day, for at least three days), a three-day supply of non-perishable food, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and a first aid kit.
If you haven’t completed your tree trimming, please do so immediately (and properly). It’s important that all trees and shrubs are well-trimmed so that they’re more wind-resistant. Remember to properly dispose of yard waste. Dead branches and loose debris may become dangerous missiles during a storm.
Have a plan for keeping your pets safe. You should have enough supplies for them as well.
Last but not least, don’t forget to plan for the worst-case scenario. You don’t want to be left scrambling in the case of an evacuation order. Make sure everyone in your family knows how to leave, where to go, and how to contact each other.
Wellington is prepared, and rest assured that together we can overcome the obstacles Mother Nature throws at us. I am hopeful we can avoid any major storms this year, but as long as we all prepare early, we can ensure that if anything does come our way, we’ll be more than ready for it.