Commissioner Santamaria Hosts Community Forum on Stewardship of Our Environment

Comm. Santamaria introduces the guest speakers.

Commissioner Jess Santamaria held his monthly Community Forum on October 10 at the original Wellington Mall. The topic was Stewardship of Our Environment. Invited guest speakers included Richard Walesky, director of Palm Beach County Environmental Resources Management, South Florida Water Management District Chief Engineer Calvin Niedrauer, and JoAnne Davis of 1000 Friends of Florida. Prior to the program, special guest Patricia Commander spoke about the state’s expanded My Safe Florida Home program.

Approximately 100 residents attended the open discussion, including a group of Government and Advanced Placement American History students from Palm Beach Gardens High School. Their teacher, Mark Houghey, said it was an excellent learning exercise. The students asked some very good questions about water quality, managing trail systems, expanding conservation areas, and the fate of the Mecca Farms property. The next Community Forum will be on November 21 in the center court of the original Wellington Mall.

JoAnne Davis of 1000 Friends of Florida	ERM Director Richard Walesky
11th-grader Amy Vaccarello	Palm Beach Gardens HS students earned extra credit for attending.
PBGHS teacher Mark Houghey	Commissioner Santamaria and students from Palm Beach Gardens High School.