By Commissioner Burt Aaronson
District 5
BOCA RATON — No man is an island entire of itself.
It is to the credit of my constituents, my staff, county staff, civic groups and others that we have accomplished so much since I took office in 1992. In particular, the relationships you have forged with my staff are remarkable.
My Chief of Staff, Marylou Berger, has been my personal representative in the community. Her relationships with the Alliance of Delray, Coalition of Boynton West Residential Association (COBWRA) and the West Boca Community Council have been invaluable, not to mention her one-on-one relationships with so many of you.
My Senior Administrative Assistant, Vivian Leiva, oversaw the distribution of hundreds of thousands of dollars that benefitted these communities. Of her many responsibilities and duties Vivian is most proud of the children and sports programs that benefitted from the allocation of those funds. My Secretary, Meaghan White, is often the first line of communication you reach when calling my office. She takes great pride in the fact that she serves the very district she grew up in.
- As my final term nears its end I look back in amazement at all the accomplishments we have made over the last 20 years. Here are just a few of which I am most proud:
- Introduced Solid Waste Authority bidding process dubbed “Aaronson Method” by fellow Commissioners saving taxpayers $76 million over a ten-year period
- Fulfilled campaign promise to eliminate the “Site One” landfill
- Derailed the Bullet Train (DEBT) in 1998 & Reorganized DEBT to reverse the 1999 referendum mandating a bullet train that would have run through the West Boca/Delray area
- Leader in the success of the 1999 $150 million Agricultural Reserve bond referendum
- Responsible for the installation of illuminated street signs in District 5
- Responsible for the County Commission revising the County’s Investment Policy to include the purchase of Israel Bonds
- Instrumental in bringing the Special Olympics/Club Managers Association of America Therapeutic Recreation Complex – the only one of its kind in the United States
- Responsible for the County Commission adopting an Ordinance authorizing the installation of red light surveillance cameras – an 8 year crusade near and dear to my heart after 6 people from Whisper Walk lost their lives
It would be remiss of me not to mention the lessons that came from hurricanes Frances, Jeanne & Wilma. Marylou and Vivian came into the office the very next day with limited resources to respond to literally hundreds of calls. Marylou provided me updates so I knew where to go next, who needed what and what best to advocate for. I can confidently say that the lessons learned and the countless hours spent getting us back on track have contributed to the County’s readiness for future storms and other emergencies.
It has truly been an honor and privilege serving you all these years and it is my sincerest hope that the constituency of District 5 continues to have its wishes fulfilled.