Delray Alliance

ALLIANCE OF DELRAY RESIDENTIAL ASSOCIATIONS

By Judy Goldberg

Notes From January 2025 Meeting:

Happy Valentines Day to all our Palm Greens family and again, we want to thank Jerry Carlin and Bonnie Sanger for being our eyes and ears at this last meeting. True Alliance Alternate Delegates and the best people! Thank you again.

Dr Lori Vinikoor, our President of the Alliance, started the meeting at 9:30. Dr. Lori announced that the western portion of Atlantic Avenue is “on the road” to expansion. Also, even though the tax collector’s office ‘live” (walk-in) traffic has decreased, their plan to expand in the Agriculture Reserve is still going forward. This appeared in the Palm Beach Post…Atlantic Avenue West will have realignment issue with the tax office purchases of properties. Many communities are upset. Why a New Office? Online transactions are up while in-person transactions are down. Kiosks in public areas are available for vehicle registrations also.

The Alliance of Delray is looking for people that would be interested in joining our Board of Directors. Must have computer skills. A great chance to be a part of our Delray Beach Communities and learn first-hand about the projects, etc.

Our guest speaker was Attorney Joshua Gerstin, Esq. of Gerstin & Associates, He presented the Do’s and Don’ts of Retrofitting Community Associations for Pickleball. Several factors were emphasized, among them… 1. Environmental and space conditions. 2. Governing documents and regulatory compliance. 3. Insurance & liability 4. Funding 5. Community Division. Form a committee so that they can do research and see if there is a need or want and then logistics. He also recommended that the Board Members be a minority on the Pickleball Committee. It is very important to have a professional assessment of noise levels to avoid future complaints. The same process for any rec update, Padel ball-combination of Racket-ball and Pickleball (yes this is a sport too!), Bocce courts, etc. Rules should be made and enforced!

Lieutenant John Wink, PBC Sheriff’s Office, was happy to report that the crime rate in this area is down. He did say that the Costco on Congress in Boca Raton, has a No U Turn sign posted by the golf and tennis club. Go North to the turnaround. This is an illegal U-turn otherwise.

Chief Bill Stansbury, Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, said that they serve 8 districts. Our District had 3200 calls, which is 1000 more than next closest district. Fire Rescue is building more stations as speed to incidents is the key to saving lives! Valencia Lakes had 3 cardiac arrests from Pickleball. Make sure that there are AED units and be aware of where they are.

Mayor Maria Sachs will have a Traffic Summit in March 2025. She said that a Sportsplex is being proposed within the Alliance boundaries. More information to follow.

Lauren Dell’Aresiprete was our speaker for Pinecrest Rehabilitation, and she presented tips on preventing falls. Our area is highest in falls! Suggestions are to keep moving to keep limber. Check that prescriptions will not cause dizziness, get an eye check-up, eliminate clutter, Install grab bars in bathrooms. Use motion detector lights in home. Use an elevated toilet set and eliminate throw rugs. Keep floors dry. 78% of accidents occur in and around our homes. 65 and older folks are at highest risk leading cause of death is a simple hip fracture. Head injuries are a major complication of falls! Fear of falling can cause people not to want to move around much. This causes even more problems with our bodies and circulation. Go to www.cdc.gov/steady for different links about this topic. If you do feel yourself falling, use outstretched hands to show self-down. Will not prevent injury but will minimize it. Last, but not least, a demonstration was offered in the art of Tai Ji Quan to help maintain balance.

The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, in the South County Civic Center, 16700 Jog Rd, across from Morikami Gardens. The topic for our meeting will be, Florida Power & Light-100 Years of Service: from Delivering Ice to Delivering Energy. Speaker: Amy Kemp, External Affairs Mgr. PBC. Also, Palm Beach County Water Utilities Dept. Bringing Pure Water from the Ground to the Tap!  Speaker: Krystin Berntsen, P.E., PMP, Deputy Director plus Updates from our PBSO, PBCFR, & Government Officiala.

Doors will open at 9AM when refreshments are served. The meeting starts at 9:30AM and is concluded by 11AM.

All invited to attend. See you there!