Dale King
Let there be peace on earth……
We should all be grateful that nearby Florida Atlantic University is one of the few schools of higher education with an active peace studies program on campus.
Just this past Saturday, FAU sponsored an International Peace Day that brought together a number of people and organizations. It even tapped into the Rotary Club circuit with the endorsement of city officials.
Past District 6930 Governor Steve Laine led members of the Boca Raton Sunset Rotary Club when it joined with the folks at FAU Saturday for morning and afternoon peace-related sessions. Other Rotarians could be spotted in the crowd that viewed a couple of pre-recorded panel discussions. One was “The Power of Law vs. The Law of Power.” It featured video streaming of the 2019 Merida, Mexico Nobel Peace Laureate Summit Plenary Session 6. The Nobel Laureates who spoke included Frederik Willem (F.W.) de Klerk, former state president of South Africa from 1989 to 1994.
The evening program featured appearances by Rotary District 6930 Governor Donna Gaiser and Barbara Schmidt Fellowship Professor Karen Leader, among others. A non-violence-themed dance was also presented, and TV screens revisited the summit in Mexico.
In preparation for Peace Day, Mayor Scott Singer recently stopped by the Sunset Rotary to provide a special proclamation on behalf of the city of Boca Raton. The decree recognized all the six Rotary Clubs in Boca Raton for their contribution as leaders locally and globally in working towards peace throughout the world.
City Councilwoman Andrea Levine O’Rourke delivered the same proclamation to the Rotary Club of Boca Raton at its meeting last week, urging those folks to support the program. And, of course, they did.
The International Day of Peace is observed around the world each year on Sept. 21. Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace.
We’ve been talking about peace for thousands of years. Seems like a good time to make it happen for real.
Boca Raton’s March 17, 2020 election ballot starting to fill
When you say “Election 2020,” most people think you’re talking about the presidential balloting that will take place in November of next year.
Boca Raton’s city election in 2020 will be held much earlier in the year – on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17, to be exact. This may give some people two occasions to celebrate on the same day.
Even though the candidacy filing deadline is still far off – sometime in January, if memory serves – several citizens have already announced their desire to seek political office in Boca Raton next year.
We touched on the upcoming balloting in the last column. When that paper went to press, only a single person had declared – Bernard Korn, an also-ran in last summer’s special mayoral election won by Scott Singer.
According to records in the City Clerk’s office, Korn is actually seeking two offices next year. He will take another shot at a run for mayor – and is also a candidate for president of the United States.
Speaking of mayor, the Honorable Scott Singer has placed his name into the re-election arena already. So have Andrea Levine O’Rourke, who is just about to finish her first term as council member in Seat B, and Andy Thomson, elected last year to fill the unexpired council term of Singer for Seat A when he was named interim mayor after Susan Haynie was suspended by the governor.
You won’t find the names of either Council members Jeremy Rodgers or Monica Mayotte (Seats C and D respectively) next year. Both have more time to serve before their initial terms are completed.
In a press release, O’Rourke said she “looks forward to continuing her service for the residents of Boca Raton with a second three-year term. A kickoff celebration will be scheduled for mid to late October.”
If you’re wondering why there was no city election last March, you have only the municipal electorate to blame. A few years ago, in a move to save money, voters decided to amend the City Charter by changing the terms of the mayor and council members from three two-year stints to two three-year occupancies. This means the city need hold only two balloting sessions every three years.
Of course, next year – a presidential election year – Boca’s registered citizenry will be required to visit the polls three times; once in March, another time for the partisan primaries and a third in November to pick someone to occupy the Oval Office for the next four years.
Boca Raton blooms with brides and grooms
A few years ago, when Steven Abrams was mayor of Boca Raton, he earned a reputation as the “marryin’ mayor.” The chief executive was often called upon to join couples in holy matrimony, usually in return for a donation to the city.
Well, the former mayor is now Citizen Abrams and executive director of the agency that operates Tri-Rail. But Boca Raton continues to be a favorite spot for brides and grooms to tie the knot.
Check the Boca Raton city website (www.myboca.us) and you can find what the site calls “affordable and breath-taking landscapes to color your perfect day for you and all of your guests!”
Three local places are available to launch wedded bliss: The Plaza Real North Gazebo in Mizner Park, Red Reef Pavilion and Sanborn Square.
The website further reads: “Weddings may be held at any of the aforementioned City of Boca Raton Recreation Services locations provided a Wedding Permit (PDF) is submitted along with appropriate Tenant Users Liability Insurance Policy (TULIP) and fees.”
But it’s gonna cost ya. City residents get the best deal: $152 for the gazebo or Sanborn Square and $57 for Red Reef Pavilion.
Folks who live in the Greater Boca Raton Beach & Parks District pay $303 for the gazebo or Sanborn Square, and $57 for the Red Reef Pavilion.
Everyone else has to come up with $303 for either the gazebo or Sanborn Square and $57 for Red Reef.
Potential users may want to check out the locations in advance.
