Women-led organizations created powerful mental health reminders for high school athletes
(West Palm Beach, FL.) – The Junior League of the Palm Beaches (JLPB) teamed up with mentors and teenage girl mentees from EmpowHER, a West Palm Beach based and women-led nonprofit, to create bracelets for local high school athletes to promote mental health awareness.
“We are so happy to join efforts with EmpowHER to create these positive reminders about mental health,” said Alexandra Chase, president of the Junior League of the Palm Beaches. “Our two missions are very similar in our goals to bring change within our communities through the development of women leaders. It was an honor to be part of their 2022 advocacy project focused on mental health for student athletes.”
The project will distribute 1,000 handmade bracelets to Palm Beach County High School Athletes in the hope that the bracelets will help recipients acknowledge their feelings – no matter what they are – and to speak up if they are not O.K.
EmpowHER is a nonpartisan organization of women creating change in their communities, in their lives and in the world. EmpowHER’s mission is to connect with women and girls; find strength of character, leadership; to influence and transform the political, business and power structure with our community.
The Junior League of the Palm Beaches is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its 600 volunteers dedicate more than 2,000 hours every year to training its members and supporting more than 20 community nonprofit partners.
For more information on the Junior League of the Palm Beaches, to become a member or to donate, please visit jlpb.org or call 561.689.7590
Top Row, L to R: Johnny Meier and John McGovern. Bottom Row, L to R: Tony Nelson, Tanya Siskind and Karen Morris- Clarke.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 8th, Election Day in Wellington. Johnny Meier is running against incumbent John McGovern for Village Council Seat 3. Tony Nelson and Karen Morris-Clarke are running against incumbent Tanya Siskind for Village Council Seat 2. We asked all 5 candidates the same questions via email interviews. Read the interviews by clicking on their names below or going to “AW Stories of the Month.”
Green House, Green Home: Easy Tips to Live More Sustainably
By Tripp and Carmen Eldridge
More and more people are realizing that we need to become more sustainable in order to protect our environment for future generations. And while reducing the society’s environmental impact may feel overwhelming, we all have the power to contribute to a more sustainable future by making small changes to our lifestyle.
Going green will not only make you feel better about your environmental impact, but it will save you money too. If you are looking to start living a more sustainable life, here are some easy changes you can make at home to reduce your carbon footprint and create a healthier environment for you and your family.
#1 Switch to Energy Efficient Lightbulbs
One of the easiest ways to make your home a little greener is to replace all of your lightbulbs with LED bulbs. When compared to the standard incandescent bulbs, LED lights consume on average 80% less energy and last 20 times longer, so fewer of them end up in the landfill. With lighting accounting for 9% of a typical home’s energy use, this is also a great way to save money on your energy bills.
#2 Use the Dishwasher
This tip might come as a shock but yes, using your dishwasher is more energy efficient than washing your dishes by hand, and it also consumes less water. Washing dishes in the sink can use anywhere between 13 and 30 gallons of water while a dishwasher only uses on average, three gallons of water per cycle.
#3 Shop at Local Farmers Markets or Grow Your Own Produce
Farm-to-table living has never been easier and shopping local is one of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint. The average food item can travel around 1,500 miles before landing in your grocery cart. For specific recommendations on great places to start shopping local and eating fresh in Palm Beach County, check out our January column here.
You can even start your own backyard garden to have fresh produce ready to pick for your dinner menu or a quick snack during the day. South Florida is the perfect place to get fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs all year, no matter the season.
#4 Switch from Disposable to Durable
It’s time to go from plastic bags, paper plates and disposable toiletries to durable alternatives. Stock up on reusable food containers for leftovers, rechargeable batteries for your remotes, and ceramic cups for everyday use.
#5 Find Eco-Friendly Cleaning Alternatives
Eco-friendly alternatives to chemical cleaners aren’t hard to find. Using non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products not only helps the environment, but will reduce the health risks they may cause in your home. For example, did you know that you can use baking soda as a cheap and effective alternative to an all-purpose cleaner? To reduce paper towel use, consider switching to cloths that can be rewashed after cleaning.
Living more sustainably has never been easier, and these are just a few of the many ways you can incorporate environmentally friendly practices into your routine. We hope that these tips demonstrate that going green doesn’t break the bank, and even small changes can add up to make a big difference for our environment.
Walking On Sunshine: An interview with the multi-talented writer, author, artist, and promoter Heidi Hess
By Denise Marsh
Everyone has that “one friend”-you know the one you would label as a “burst of joy”-a person who is like a good pair of roller skates (and yes, I am dating myself of course to the actual metal ones with the key) pulling you along life’s adventures, watching you fall but still cheering for you anyway-that’s Heidi Hess. Being that Heidi is so involved in Wellington’s art and cultural arena I had always heard of her but hadn’t matched the name to the face. In fact, I don’t even recall the exact moment that we met but I do know that I felt like I had always known her and if you don’t, I hope you will one day soon…
The Multi-talented Heidi Hess
The Write Stuff
AW: You do a lot…Can you share ALL of your “titles” with us? (Feel free to share the “mommy” one as well).
HH: Do I have a lot of titles? Ha-ha…I think all women do these days. Let’s see here: Author-published twice, writer-staff writer for Around Wellington, Promotor-I promote a local reading/writing Festival called Read it/Write It and I’m currently promoting a local publisher (Veronica Lane Publishing), nurse-19+years, mommy to two wonderful teenagers, wife, sister, friend., I think that covers it.
AW: As a writer you have a specific style and genre. Just recently, you had a short story published in an Anthology. Can you give us some of the details on this published piece? What is your writing process?
HH: There were two pieces published last year. Neon Sunrise Publishing published a short story called Chasing Elpis and included it in a “Hope” themed anthology. It’s a science fiction tale that features three different civilizations on the brink of collapse all looing to a comet named Elpis to be the answer to their problems. The second published piece is called Spin the Bottle . It was published by D&T Publishing in an anthology that was “game” themed. This piece is horror at its best and was a blast to write…Just imagine -what if the game “Spin the Bottle” went Horribly wrong? I have two new pieces being published this year. The one, Higher Signal, is a continuation or side story for Chasing Elpis and the other, Longing, is a love story. Check out Neon Sunrise for these short stories in the next few months (shameless plug!)
As far as mywriting process goes, I’m a “thinker”. Some people outline or map out their story, I think about a theme or character. I let them sit with me and then…when I get some quiet time, I sit and just write. Sometimes the endings surprise me. \
Do I have a specific style or genre? I enjoy writing things with a twist.As a reader, I get bored easily and if I can see and ending or twist coming-that’s the worst!
AW: Who or what has been a major source of inspiration for your writing?
HH: Karen Russel is the author of oneof my favorite books (Swamplandia) as well as several short story collections. I love her writing style. She also proved to me thatyou can have a successful writing career just by writing short stories.I find her work inspiring and encouraging. Felix Blackwell who wrote an independently published story called Stolen Tongues is another inspiration. He’s a fantastic storyteller without giving away every single detail. I was working on a story and after reading it I kind of beatmyself up over not describing every single detail…and then I saw an interview with him and he spoke specifically about NOT including every detail and allowing the reader to fill in blanks.There’s nothing scarier than our own imagination. His book is super scary simply because of that. He’s brilliant-and ever so inspiring. My kids are a source of inspiration too. Their “Why not” attitude when I start to doubt myself is inspiring,
AW: What challenges have you had to overcome as a writer? Please tell us about one or two in detail.
HH: My major challenges are procrastination and getting quiet time. Procrastination is difficult, especially when I’m writing at home. I have made myself schedule my writingtime or it doesn’t happen. As far as quiet time goes, my ear pods are a real blessing. I pop them in, put on some background music that fits the feel for what I’m writing, and then I sink down and take it to the keyboard. The family knows…If Mom has her earbuds in and she’s typing and you interrupt her-the house better be on fire.
AW: The Readit/Write it project is a major accomplishment for you. You have managed to really bring people of different walks of life together to share their work and display their talent. Who will be there? What is the official date and time of the event? Can people still sign up?
HH: Read it Write it is my passion project and I am thrilled to see this come to fruition. I have twenty different local authors that will be there. The ones that I am particularly jazzed about are: Karen Coody Cooper, Jaimie Engle, Steve Atlier, Hartley Barnes, Patricia Eltinge, Etan Boritzer, David Greshel…just to name a few. Read it Write it Book and Writing Festival is happening at the Boynton Beach Mall on February 26th, 2022 from 11 a.m. to 6 P.M. There are still some tables available. For more information check out the page on my website: heidicreates.net/events
AW: What workshops will be offered at the event? Tell us about the writing panel that will be present.
HH: There are three panels being offered (with various authors sitting in on the panels): The Writing Process, The Importance of Research, and Being Published.
AW: Then there’s the “Covid elephant” in the room…How will you accommodate Social Distancing and Covid Protocols during the event?
HH: The nice thing about working with a venue like the mall is that they already have a protocol in place to handle Covid. If things are going the way they seem to be going I will comply with whatever their organization suggests. Personally, Read It Write It tables will be properly spaced out appropriately as well. There are safe ways to do everything.
AW: You are also active in a writing group and an open mic at a place called NOBO. Please elaborate on these ventures.
HH: I have a local writers group that meets at a local brewery called NOBO. It’s in Boynton Beach off of High Ridge Road. The folks that run this brewery are great and they make good beer too. The writing group is very informal. It’s just a chance to get together with like minded people and talk about ideas, get some friendly advice on what we are working on.
AW: What are your future plans for writing? Give us a sneak peek…
HH: My future writing plans-WORLD DOMINATION! Ha-ha….No seriously, I am currently working on a collection of my own short stories. Keep and eye out for it. It’ll be soon.
And that’s a wrap….
Heidi Hess has inspired me to be a better writer and definitely a better person by the way she turns any situation into random sunshine. If you know her, then consider yourself fortunate to be in the company of this talented and charismatic soul. But, if you don’t know her, it’s definitely time to expand your horizons and let Heidi be your guide-you won’t be sorry! Instead, you’ll only be “walking on sunshine…”
You’ve decided to bring home a new pet. How do you choose a name that will fit your new family member? Do you select something that is meaningful and symbolic, or do you wait until your new fur friend comes home and pick a name that sums up his or her personality? There are many options, and who knows, maybe you’ll even change your mind a time or two before landing on that perfect moniker.
When we got our puppy this past October, we had his name picked out before he came home. We wanted something patriotic and distinguished. We scrolled through the names of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. After a lot of discussion and narrowing down (which took days), we agreed our little guy would be named Oliver. Now that we’ve had Oliver with us a few months, his name is an excellent fit.
When picking a name for a pet, it’s wise to stick with something easy to say and no more than two syllables (a rule we broke with Oliver, but his name rolls off the tongue easily). Most likely, you’ll be saying your pet’s name over and over (and over again), so choose something you don’t mind repeating.
If you have other pets, consider something for your new addition that sounds different from their names. Let’s say you have Fido at home. Naming your new puppy Milo might be confusing to both dogs as the vowel sounds are identical. Speaking of vowel sounds, names that end in a vowel are always a win for dogs as those names get their attention easily. Our 13 year-old dog, Brodie, can clearly distinguish his name when called.
Adopting from a shelter means your pet will already have a name that most likely you’ll want to change. When our kitten was at the shelter, her name was Rhonda. That simply didn’t fit the furry little 3-pound kitty, so changing her name to Sprinkle was a no-brainer. When renaming a shelter pet, try to pick something you won’t want to change again and again. A new name usually requires positive reinforcement, and there’s already a lot for your new pet to learn, so the fewer name changes, the better.
Steer clear of names that sound similar to commands, especially with dogs. Betty and Yeti are cute, but they sound a lot like ‘Ready.’ Bo might have a hard time telling the difference in his name and the word ‘No.’
Need inspiration? Spend some time with your new pooch or kitten to see what their personality is like. A dog that seems enamored by your shoes might like to be called Lacey while a kitten who is super sweet could be named Sugar. A pup that thinks he’s royalty sounds like a Henry to me.
Whatever method you choose, make sure you pick something you have a connection with that you won’t dislike later…because you’ll be saying it a lot.
An Interview with Farm Directors Carmen and Tripp Eldridge
AW: Describe Arden and what it means to live in an Agrihood.
Carmen: Arden is a master planned community developed by Freehold with over 2300 homes. An Agrihood is a residential community that incorporates agriculture in some way. At Arden in particular, the homes are built around an organic farm, and it also includes U-Pick gardens, a Children’s Garden and Butterfly Garden. Arden has an emphasis on healthy living, active lifestyles and having positive relationships with your neighbors. The farm is definitely the heart of the community. Our full-time Lifestyle Director plans year-round events for residents.
Carmen and Tripp Eldridge, Arden Farm Directors
AW: What kinds of meals are prepared using farm fresh vegetables? How do residents get the fruits and vegetables?
Tripp: We grow a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. The vegetables – can go into salads, soups, and many other dishes. We share recipes with residents weekly and love it when residents share their culinary adventures with us too. We are lucky to have some great photographers and cooks who live in the community.
As a benefit of being an Arden resident, each household receives a share of the harvest through our Farm Share program. With over 2300 homes, we’re producing a lot of food. Arden residents use an online system to sign up, rate their vegetable preferences and customize their farm shares, so each share is tailored to a household’s particular likes and dislikes. We try to make it very easy and convenient for residents.
Farm Share pick ups happen every Wednesday and Saturday from November to mid-May.
We also have a retail store where we sell Florida made products, our produce and tropical fruits.
AW: Tell us about the other amenities at Arden.
Carmen: There’s the Lakehouse, which is Arden’s clubhouse, that includes swimming pools, an amazing gym, a café, rooms to rent for private events, all overlooking a giant lake. Many of our residents enjoy kayaking there. There’s a variety of sports courts, including volleyball, basketball and tennis. Arden features a winding trail system that goes throughout the whole property, with over 20 miles of trails. Every house backs up into a big green space. Arden’s many acres of grassy parks and playfields, winding trails, beautiful lakes for fishing and kayaking, working farm, clubhouse and resort-style pool offer plenty of fun for everyone.
We also have 2 U-Pick gardens, a butterfly garden and a children’s garden. In the future, we will be adding a U-pick orchard and a garden for residents to grow their own vegetables.
AW: What have some of Arden’s residents said, in terms of positive feedback?
Tripp: Every year, we do an end-of-season survey, and we get a lot of feedback plus emails throughout the year. The residents tell us…
They love trying new things (the Farm Share challenges everyone to try new things)
They like things they’ve never tried before (like radishes, okra, eggplant, and an unusual Japanese salad turnip, for example)
How easy and convenient this system is. They set their preferences and swap items before they pick up
Residents are sent a list of upcoming produce items and then can swap out items up until harvest day.
AW: What’s the price range of homes in Arden?
Carmen: Home prices at Arden range from the mid $400,000s to over one million.
AW: What do your farm volunteers do? How many volunteers do you get for farm help?
Carmen: Our volunteers have been awesome. Pre-COVID we’d get 10 to 15 volunteers per week. They would do weeding, spreading mulch, planting seeds or plants, depending on what’s needed.
AW: Describe your passion for farming/ gardening and your previous experience.
Carmen: For me, it stems from a desire to leave the world a better place than we found it. I am passionate about growing, cooking and sharing food, and love how organic agriculture has the ability to improve the environment. At the University of Florida, I studied organic crop production and political science. I served as Peace Corps volunteer in Panama, teaching organic farming at an agroforestry high school. Then I started a teaching farm at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville called the Ogier Gardens. After that, I went to work for FL Organic Growers, where I directed a program called Fresh Access Bucks that increases the purchasing power of SNAP recipients to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets, and other outlets. I farmed in Tennessee with Tripp for a few years and then came back to Florida and started the Arden Farm.
Tripp: I actually did not grow up farming. I visited a community supported agriculture farm (CSA) which I didn’t know existed until my senior year of college. I was excited about small scale organic farming, how it’s intimately integrated into a community. I also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Tanzania, working on different farming projects. I returned to the US, apprenticed on farms, and learned as much as I could. I had opportunities to manage some farms. I fell in love with the design piece of it, creating efficient systems and doing field design. Arden was such an amazing opportunity. I loved partnering with Freehold and their amazing vision for Arden.
By the way, Arden won a National award in 2020 from the National Association of Home Builders for Best Amenity. There’s a Forbes article about it.
AW: How did you two meet? Tell us about your family.
Carmen: We met in Lexington, Kentucky at a sustainable farming conference – it was love at first sight. I was speaking at it and Tripp was looking for a farmer to hire.
We have a one-year-old son. Our schedule is a little nutty these days, but we’re getting by.
Tripp: I agree with everything she said!
AW: Can someone take a tour of Arden any day of the week?
Tripp: Yes, the Arden Lakehouse offers tours daily. Just come by and meet one of our friendly community ambassadors. The Lakehouse is right across from the farm and barn. Every 2nd Saturday from 1pm to 3pm, we do guided farm tours of the farm. No RSVP necessary, just show up. Arden is located just past Lion Country Safari.
AW: What’s something most people don’t know about Arden?
Carmen: One thing is that they have planted 85% FL native plants throughout the landscape, which is great for pollinators and local wildlife. They’ve really made it feel like natural Florida. Also, we grow all of our fruits and vegetables organically.
Tripp: Arden is a very multicultural community. It’s been fantastic to grow a diversity of food. We see the food prepared in so many different ways. It’s fun to get to know people from all over the world. Arden’s diversity is one of its strengths.
New Year, Same Me: Why our resolutions are not the solution
By Julie Khanna with expert insights from Akai J. Jackson, America’s Favorite Mindfulness Expert
I’m not Cinderella! Nothing at all was going to change when the clock struck midnight. I don’t need a new year to give me false reassurance that the changes I want to make will be waiting for me to wake up on New Year’s Day, nor do I need a new year to begin a new journey. And neither do you.
Here’s what I am saying– change is hard. It’s not impossible, but it’s hard. And even the most determined people on earth will tell you that hard work alone is rarely enough. Life-altering, tangible change begins with a shift in the mindset. Mindset shifts break the patterns that hold us in cycles of starting and stopping new behaviors.
To find out where one could begin to shift their mindset successfully, I interviewed Akai Jackson–voted America’s Favorite Mindfulness Expert and owner of I Excel Today. Akai’s personal development agency curates mindset shift programs to transform clients from existing to excelling in their physical, mental, and financial health. Akai even gave us a journal that we could start using now, in addition to some powerful advice. (Just click on the “journal” link in the previous sentence to get your free mindfulness journal).
What is mindfulness, and how does it help?
Mindfulness is intent awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, and the environment surrounding them. In best practice, a person can “sense” how they feel and thus act upon those feelings with no judgment. This allows for presence or being in the moment, rather than mulling over past experiences or worrying about the future.
Why do people fail/exhaust their NY resolutions so quickly?
People fail or exhaust their New Year’s resolutions quickly because the goals aren’t specific enough, and they usually have a negative connotation. The most common resolutions are avoidance of something such as: not drinking soda, giving up cigarettes, or junk food. So much of how we talk to ourselves frames and shapes our actions and thoughts, which control our behavior. Therefore, with a broad-based goal, with it not being specific enough, not measurable, maybe even unrealistic, and not bound to a timeframe along with the “avoidance” instead of acceptance tone, is why most people quit on New Year’s resolutions.
What does it really take to see the changes we wish to see in ourselves?
It starts with a decision that must be backed by consistent, intentional action to see the changes you wish to see. It’s tough. Honestly, change might be the hardest thing for someone to do. To exist is to change, to change is to mature; and to mature is to recreate oneself endlessly. Change is inevitable, and it happens around us in our world by the second. Growth in change solves everything.
What are some techniques we can be doing daily to begin our transformations?
Some healthy techniques people can do daily to begin transformation is affirming themselves. Positive self-talk leads to improved self-image, which controls performance, which stimulates more positive self-talk. The next best practice is to live in the moment. Be intentional about your thoughts, your beliefs, and your purpose. Find joy in the simple things because of gratitude. Accept yourself for who you are right now, and know that your best self is ahead of you. Treat yourself the way you would treat your best friend. Lastly, the most overlooked daily practice is to focus on your breathing. If negative thoughts are high, try to sit down, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Focus on your breath’s consistency as it moves in and out of your body.
How do we make this applicable? For example, let’s say my goal this year is to be more organized. How does mindfulness work in achieving that goal?
Mindfulness has its place in any goal a person wants to achieve because it helps people cope with change. So if you have a goal of being more organized, mindfulness plays its role in helping you reduce the stress and anxiety of change. Before we put mindfulness into practice, you were comfortable living in an unorganized space/place/work environment, which means we will be getting outside of that comfort zone to create transformational change. 1)The transformation starts with the decision. 2) Rephrase your clutter or disorganized negative talk into a positive talk. 3) Deconstruct the goal; think about what you would write on a daily to-do list to accomplish the goal. 4) Assign yourself small tasks. 5) Set deadlines for yourself. The way to follow through on simple, short tasks is to set deadlines. 4) Hold yourself accountable. It’s doing the hard work. The quote “every journey starts with a single step” is entirely true. Or, if you prefer, “Showing up is half the battle” speaks to the same intention. You have to give yourself clear and actionable things to do and a reasonable amount of time in which to do them. Otherwise, you’ll never so much as get started.
I’m not used to hearing so many people scream at one time but then again… I don’t think I’ve ever thought about it.
For some parents, going to a theme park is a chore. Not me. When my kids were born everyone knew that I wanted my kids to be happy and healthy. But what they didn’t know was I secretly wished for them to love roller coasters as much as I do.
Why do I love roller coasters the way I do? I’m not sure, but I have a few ideas. I’ve been taking the kids on roller coasters since they were the appropriate height. For my son, we stuffed napkins in the backs of his shoes because he really wanted to go on Aerosmith’s Rock’n Roller Coaster.
I mean it’s easy to write them off as dangerous… do we really know what will happen if we go on? Not really. I guess I have always relied on the theme parks staff to keep me and my family safe. Could we get sick? Yes, but that’s never happened to any of us.
I think my desire for them to like roller coasters stems from my love of life. And how some times you have to take risks even though something feels scary. It’s not enough to wish for your kids to live full lives… do we model it? Do they see us taking careful, calculated risks? Do they see us doing the scary things? I think it’s important they do.
When I think about this, I think about my most recent venture, the Read It Write It Book and Writing Festival. It’s brand new on the book festival scene. I’ve taken a risk… put in some hard work to make it happen. But at the end of the day, it’s a risk.
There’s a song that pops in my head… Manfred Mann’s Earth Band “Blinded By The Light.” It’s one of my favorite songs. Manfred sings “ She got down but she never got tired, she’s gonna make it to the night, she’s gonna make it through the night.”
My hope is that my kids will live and follow their dreams. That they will have the courage to take careful, calculated risks. Roller coasters are a risk. They encourage you to trust, to raise your hands and let go. My friend Manfred said it best “Cause momma, that’s where the fun is..”.
Read It Write It is where the fun is… I hope you will close your eyes, put your hands in the air and join me.
Maintain and improve the overall quality of life in the Village that our residents deserve and are accustomed to experiencing.
Ensure that sound fiscal oversight is exercised over all municipal spending in order to maintain a stable tax rate and keep Wellington affordable.
Provide adequate resources to our public safety departments to make sure that our residents are safe and secure.
How long have you lived in Wellington? Name an accomplishment that you’re proud of.
My family have been residents of Wellington since 2012. My biggest accomplishment after serving our country in the United States Air Force and becoming a proud father to my daughter was opening My Community Pharmacy with my wife Meroe in 2009. Our pharmacy has become a trusted resource within Wellington for medication, medical advice and goods and services that can’t be found anywhere else in the Village. It has also provided me the opportunity to develop wonderful friendships with many of our residents in the Village who utilize the pharmacy.
How has the Village Council handled the pandemic and what improvements, if any, do you have in mind?
Overall the Village Council of Wellington has done a commendable job throughout the pandemic. I believe that setting up a Covid testing site at the swimming pool was good for the community. Working in a pharmacy I can’t over emphasize the value of testing. It is essential to stop the spread of the virus. If the rates of infection continue to rise I would suggest that the Village explore the feasibility of additional testing sites.
How can the Village Council support local businesses, including the Mall at Wellington Green?
As a small business owner in the Village of Wellington and if elected to the Village Council, I will explore ways to streamline the business licensing process. Small businesses are the backbone of our community. We need to continuously find ways to not only advocate on their behalf but to also help them be successful because in the end our community will be successful. In my opinion, the Village Council should not even consider demolishing the Lake Wellington Professional Center which currently is home to numerous Wellington businesses. There has been a lot of discussion about this issue. It is extremely important prior to developing any plan for this building that the Village Council come up with a plan to help address the relocation of the numerous businesses that operate out of this building.
As far as Wellington Mall is concerned, the pandemic has shed light on the viability of shopping malls throughout the country. Malls are struggling to survive. It is essential that the Village Council work with the owner of the mall to develop a master plan for this site if at some point the mall will no longer exist so that this location can be the economic engine to our community that it once was.
How can the Village of Wellington prioritize diversity?
America was born on diversity. Diversity of thought as well as culture. As a first generation American, whose mother emigrated from Vietnam before my birth and lived in a refugee camp, I understand the value of diversity. Wellington is fortunate enough to have an international resident base that I value immensely. The residents of Wellington can be assured that I will listen to everybody’s opinion and treat everyone with equality and respect they deserve.
What safety issues are you concerned about in Wellington?
Wellington has one of the lowest crime rates and I have to commend the PBSO for keeping our community safe. The most significant issue that I consistently here complaints about is excessive speeding on our roadways. It is extremely important that enforcement measures be increased if possible. As many of our residents utilize our streets for jogging, walking and cycling it is important to keep them safe.
Are you in favor of the proposed pool project, building two resort style pools (estimated as an over 12-million-dollar project)? Why or why not?
If elected I would not be in favor of the proposed pool project at this time. The reason I am against the proposed pool proposal is not because of the proposed use but rather due to the proposed increase in cost associated with the project. At a recent Council meeting the Town Manager asserted that the cost of the proposed project increased 287% from the quote received prior to the beginning of the pandemic. As the cost of materials continues to soar now is not the time to be initiating this project. The Village needs to be extremely mindful of its expenditures and any additional debt that the Village will incur. In the end, this expenditure will build additional debt service into the budget which will lead to future tax increases and make Wellington less affordable to its existing residents. In addition, labor is in short supply. Once you start a project like this you can’t just put it on hold. In today’s ever-changing environment we have to take these aspects into consideration before moving forward.
What role should the Village Council play in supporting the equestrian side of Wellington?
I believe the Village should definitely continue support the equestrian side of our community. Their needs, however, have to be balanced against our community as a whole. Wellington realizes substantial revenue from the equestrian community on an annual basis. In addition, Wellington has become an international destination as a result of the equestrian community. It is essential that the Village maintain the open space that is necessary to support equestrian uses.
What’s the best thing about living in Wellington, according to you?
The best thing about living in Wellington is that it is a small and extremely cohesive community where every person’s voice matters. Wellington provides its residents a strong sense of security along with the good schools and great amenities. I love the Village and can’t imagine living or owning a business anywhere else. I am running for Council in order to keep Wellington great!
How can you help to address the issue of affordable housing, as rent and mortgage rates continue to rise?
At a Village level, as housing costs continue to appreciate, it is important that the Village Council scrutinize municipal finances wherever possible to enact lean budgets that keep our tax rate stable which in turn will help keep Wellington affordable for its residents. The affordability factor keeps increasing and it is incumbent upon all elected officials to minimize the impact of tax increases resulting from increases to the municipal budget. This is the most important thing we have control over to keep Wellington affordable.
In addition, the Village, should continue to explore the use of federal and state grants, such as community block grants and emergency home repair loans, in order to utilize state and federal funds to help assist those in need within our community.
What major issues need to be addressed in our education system?
I am a strong proponent of education. Our children are our future leaders. As a proud parent of a daughter at Wellington High School one major issue that concerns me is our education infrastructure. Wellington has all “A” rated schools yet at the same time the buildings are in need of substantial upgrade.
Another significant area of concern for me is the safety of our students. We need to continue to combat school bullying and provide the level of security necessary so our children can attend school, focus on learning and feel secure. Lastly, we need to ensure that our educational standards are at the highest level. We need to guarantee that our children excel upon graduation.
What advantages do you have over your opponent?
My greatest advantage that I have over my opponent is that I own multiple businesses within the Village of Wellington. I have interacted with our residents on a daily basis since 2009 and listened to their concerns. In addition, I am a former President of the Chamber of Commerce and have addressed the needs of our businesses. I have a real sense of the pulse of the community. I know the issues that trouble our residents as well as businesses and if elected I intend on addressing them. I will be their voice and not the voice of special interests.
In addition, as a business owner, I have to scrutinize the bottom line every day. If my business cannot afford something I do not purchase it. You need to do more with less and learn to say no when no needs to be said. If elected, I will take this same approach to government by being creative, thinking out of the box and will place the interest of the taxpayers above any special interest. I will use the three core values that were engrained in me in the Air Force: Integrity First, Service before Self and Excellence in All We Do.
John McGovern and family. Photo: Carrie Bradburn/CAPEHART
What are your top three areas of concern?
The Village of Wellington is one of Florida’s best municipalities to call home. My top three areas of concern are maintaining our Village’s fiscal stewardship, keeping all our public schools A-rated and continuing to keep our community a safe place to raise a family and for seniors to thrive. In keeping with these priorities, I have consistently voted to keep our property taxes low, pushed for increased annual funding of the Keely Spinelli Grants to $400,000 and voted to invest in new technology and infrastructure for our first responders, resulting in total crime being reduced by 56% and Wellington being considered one of Florida’s safest places to live, work and play.
How long have you lived in Wellington? Name an accomplishment that you’re proud of.
Wellington is my hometown. In 1986 my family moved to Wellington and I attended middle school and high school here, where I was part of the first graduating class of Wellington High School to attend all four years. In 2011, my wife Michelle and I returned to Wellington to raise our two girls and give them the same opportunities I had to attend Wellington public schools and participate in our second-to-none parks and recreation programming.
I am proud to have cast the deciding vote to make Wellington the first municipality in Palm Beach County to offer paid parental leave to Mothers AND Fathers. Since its passage in 2016, numerous employees have gotten to spend important bonding time with their infant children. To me, our policies should always echo the fundamentals of our community – families first!
How has the Village Council handled the pandemic and what improvements, if any, do you have in mind?
When COVID 19 swept the nation, Wellington was not immune to the immediate challenges. I acted to help lead our Village response, as well as coordinating our western community’s regional response in my role as Chairperson of the Western Communities Council. Throughout the pandemic, I’ve worked with state and county leaders, health experts and Village Staff to ensure Wellington responded with testing sites and vaccines for those who wanted one. Our Village enacted an emergency rental assistance fund to assist Village residents in need and we partnered with Wellington organizations and Feeding South Florida to provide over 45,000 meals to residents with food insufficiency. I’m proud of the way our Village and community came together to support one another and lead by example. Simply, Wellington’s COVID-19 response has been second-to-none from Day 1.
How can the Village Council support local businesses, including the Mall at Wellington Green?
The Village of Wellington is home to many small businesses that make our community a great place for commerce. My approach has been to not obstruct local businesses, but help them thrive with low taxes and less red tape, so they can succeed. I have voted to hold the millage rate at what will be a 15-year average of 2.47 mills, one of the lowest in Palm Beach County. In addition, I worked with my colleagues on the Council and with Village Senior Staff to streamline and reorganize all Village ordinances to make them easier to understand for businesses and residents, resulting in making it simpler to do business in our Village. Regarding the Mall at Wellington Green, I voted for and supported their plan to bring a movie theater onsite and will continue to support their efforts to diversify their retail and programing options for visitors and shoppers.
How can the Village of Wellington prioritize diversity?
I have placed an increased emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion in each decision I make in our Village. To ensure a diversity of opinions in decisions, nearly 50% of the appointments I have made to Village Advisory Boards are minorities. In addition. I have prioritized Village Youth programs that work to instill leadership and provide job training opportunities for our youth, regardless of gender, ethnicity or socio-economic status.
What safety issues are you concerned about in Wellington?
The truth is, Wellington is one of Florida’s safest municipalities and crime is down 56% since 2015. Our biggest challenge though is traffic safety. I have worked closely with our Palm Beach County Sheriff’s deputies on two anti-DUI initiatives that work to bring attention to this issue and as a result reduce traffic fatalities.
Are you in favor of the proposed pool project, building two resort style pools (estimated as an over 12-million-dollar project)? Why or why not?
I am always in favor of quality services and top-notch Village facilities for our residents, families and children to enjoy. These amenities are at the foundation of what makes Wellington a great hometown; allowing facilities to fall into disrepair is not an option. Regarding the Wellington public pool complex, specifically, I myself used that facility as a kid nearly 35 years ago, and my children do so today. The Village will conduct a complete economic cost analysis and feasibility study on the options available to us regarding the proposed pool project and I look forward to its findings later this year. No matter what option we ultimately choose, Wellington must have an available, first-class, public aquatics complex.
What role should the Village Council play in supporting the equestrian side of Wellington?
The Equestrian Preserve is uniquely Wellington and we should continue to protect it. On the Village Council, I have voted to expand the Wellington Equestrian Preserve as well as support the various diverse equestrian venues that rely on the Preserve. We cannot ever forget that it is the ‘Equestrian Experience’ that distinguishes Wellington from almost every other community in the entirety of South Florida.
What’s the best thing about living in Wellington, according to you?
Wellington is the premier place to raise a family in Palm Beach County. We have unmatched parks, recreation and community centers, A-rated public schools, low taxes and safe neighborhoods. I’m incredibly honored to be able to serve the Village I grew up in and love the family friendly community we have all created in Wellington. It is truly a “Great Hometown”.
How can you help to address the issue of affordable housing, as rent and mortgage rates continue to rise?
Housing affordability is a problem we are seeing across Palm Beach County and the Nation. In Wellington, I have supported and will continue to fund both the grant programs we created to assist homeowners with remodeling assistance, etc. so they can increase their home equity and maintain their financial nest egg as they age in-place, and rental assistance programs that support local families in need.
What major issues need to be addressed in our education system?
Our Village works closely with our Wellington public schools. I championed and was successful in increasing the funding of the Keely Spinelli Grants to $400,000/year. These funds go directly to support the lowest performing students in reading and mathematics at Wellington’s public schools ensuring they improve their academic performance and in-turn that all of our public schools remain A-rated, which has directly helped keep property values rising and made Wellington an attractive place for new families. Property values have increased each and every year that I have been on the Village Council. In addition, I served on the Principal Selection Committee for Wellington High School and Wellington Landings Middle School to help find the right leadership to steward the future success of these two core Wellington public schools.
What advantages do you have over your opponent?
Experience matters and I have a proven record of accomplishments that ensure government is working to support our families, businesses and community. I have longstanding relationships with county leaders, state officials and our regional sister cities, all of which has benefited Wellington when it comes to funding, services and crisis responses to hurricanes and the Covid-19 pandemic. Wellington is the 5th largest municipality in Palm Beach County with hundreds of employees and a total budget in excess of $100,000,000; Wellington is not a small business, but a major municipality whose leaders must be experienced, serious, steady, strong and, most of all, free of naiveté and political platitudes. I am experienced and am committed to keeping the momentum this Council has created for Wellington’s bright future. That’s why our police, firefighters and nearly every major organization and elected leader has endorsed me for re-election. I would be honored to continue working for Wellington.
