HomeMy Public PortalAboutOctober 1996CURRENTS
The Official Newsletter of the Town of Gulf Stream October 1996
PINE TREES PREVAIL IN TALLAHASSEE
At the close of last year's session, the state
legislature passed our bill to permit the
replanting of Australian pines along North
Ocean Boulevard. This was our third attempt
to get this passed, and it turned out to be a
charm. The Governor permitted the bill to
become law in June without his signature.
Getting the bill passed truly was a joint effort
involving Town officials, residents and state
politicians. Chief among these were our own
Jeanne Breazeale and Eric and Betsy Hvide.
The bill was sponsored in the House by
Representative Bill Andrews of Delray Beach,
with assistance from Ron Klein of Boca Raton.
Senator Jim Scott of Ft. Lauderdale marshaled
the bill through his side of the Capitol, with
assistance from Senator Robert Wexler of Boca
Raton. Gulf Stream owes a debt of gratitude
to these individuals and the many others who
made this a reality.
To celebrate our success and to honor all of
those involved, the Town will host an informal
gathering on Tuesday, December 17, at 10:30
a.m. at the Town Hall, followed by a tree
planting ceremony on AIA just south of the
Sea Road intersection. All residents are
invited but are requested to RSVP to the Town
Hall by Friday, December 6, so that we may
provide enough refreshments.
With the trees approved, the Town will move
forward with a landscape design program for
the entire two-mile stretch of AIA within the
Town. Two years ago, the Town was awarded
a $250,000 grant for landscape design and
construction. Work on the design has been
held off pending state approval.
BILL GWYNN RETIRES
Fitter more than 30 years of service to the
Town, most recently as the part-time Finance
Director, Bill Gwynn has retired. He will,
however, continue to operate his accounting
practice in Delray Beach. Bill will be sorely
missed by all who know him and have worked
with him over the years. We are planning a
retirement party for December and invite you
to contact the Town Hall if you wish to attend.
Succeeding Bill Gwynn is Bill Thrasher. Mr.
Thrasher will work full-time as Finance
Director and Assistant to the Town Manager.
Mr. Thrasher comes to us well-qualified.
His skills and knowledge include an MBA
from Florida Atlantic University and work
experience with ITT and Motorola, as well as
owning hardware and,auto parts stores in Lake
Worth. Most recently, Mr. Thrasher was
Finance Director for the City of Pahokee
where he achieved recognition as a Certified
Government Finance Officer. Please stop by
the Town Hall and introduce yourself to him.
October 1996 CURRENTS Page 2
FIN
HELPFUL REMINDERS FOR RESIDENTS OLD AND NEW
• The Town currently is not under any type
of mandatory water restrictions; however, we
do have a lawn -watering conservation
ordinance in effect year-round. Lawn
watering is limited to Monday, Wednesday and
Saturday for properties with an odd -numbered
address, and Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday
for properties with an even -numbered address.
All watering must be done during non -daylight
hours.
• Garbage pick-up is on Tuesday and
Saturday for residents east of the Intracoastal
Waterway, and on Monday and Thursday for
residents west of the Intracoastal. Recycling
pick-up is on Saturday for residents east of the
Intracoastal, and on Thursday for residents
west of the Intracoastal. The Town pays extra
to have all garbage and recycling picked up at
your back door. Please do not take containers
to the street. If your garbage or recycling is
not picked up as scheduled, please call our
solid waste hauler, BFI, at 278-1717.
TAXES RISE TO MEET INFLATION
For only the second time in seven years, the
Town Commission approved a property tax
increase. Over the last three years, taxes and
other revenues have remained at the same
level, while expenses have increased steadily
with inflation. Although Gulf Stream has
experienced a rise in new construction, the
Town's tax base is growing at a rate of only
one-tenth of the rate of inflation.
The average property owner will see a 7
percent increase, although your rate of
increase may vary depending on how the value
of your property changed.
Gulf Stream's taxes represent less than one-
fifth of your total tax bill. The other moneys
go to the County, School Board, and various
special service districts. The Town has no
control over the taxes or expenditures of these
other agencies nor the valuation of your home.
• Vegetative clippings are picked up by BFI
throughout Gulf Stream on Thursday. There is
a charge for this service. You may have your
lawn service take your clippings, but you may
not contract a hauler other than BFI to remove
the material. Please do not place clippings out
for pick-up before Wednesday.
• Paint cans, used motor oil, batteries, tires
and similar hazardous materials cannot be
thrown out with your garbage. To dispose of
these materials, please call the Solid Waste
Authority at 930-2727 for more information.
• For emergency police, fire or ambulance
assistance, call 911. For non -emergency
assistance, please call the Delray Beach
Dispatcher (243-7800), who will send a Gulf
Stream police officer to your home. All
suspicious persons and incidents should be
reported immediately to the dispatcher. If you
simply have a question or need information,
call the Town Police Station at 278-8611
Monday - Friday from 8 to 4. All calls for
police service, though, must be directed to the
Delray Beach Dispatcher.
• Aviation enthusiasts please note that landing
any type of aircraft anywhere in Gulf Stream
is prohibited.