Summer 2011 Update

The latest issue of SICA’s newsletter is to inform members of what has transpired over the summer in the City of Riviera Beach. The progress on the A1A beatification project is moving along quite nicely. The construction on the small bridge east of the Blue Heron bridge has been completed. Final completion of the total A1A improvement is now scheduled for the fall of 2012. The new Publix store, immediately west of the Blue Heron Bridge is scheduled to open in October. Due to the economy, the lease up of the Ocean Mall is moving along slowly. Subway has moved into its new location in the Mall and the New York Style Deli has opened. The Mall and the beach improvements are outstandingand add to the quality of life on the island.

There are several issues confronting the City of Riviera Beach, all of which will have an enormous impact on the residents of the island. They are:

Various board members will address these issues in this newsletter.

The board has been very active over the summer meeting with city council members to express our position on key issues. We have also had discussions with Tony Brown, the CRA director, about the development of the municipal marina. We have continued to meet with other civic organizations on the island and the mainland. Those organizations are: The Citizens for Responsible Growth, the Community Officers Association of Singer Island (COASI) and the Committee for a Better Riviera Beach (CFBRB). Although members of CFBRB have spoken at our monthly meetings in the past, I would like to inform our members of their mission. Citizens living west of the Blue Heron Bridge started the committee. They share the same visions for Riviera Beach that benefit the residents of Singer Island that SICA supports. Most importantly, they believe in economic development that will provide jobs for our citizens, lower taxes and change the image of Riviera Beach. They supported the Rybovich development at the marina, helped change the l nguage in the city charter allowing for private enterprise on marina property, and backed the same candidates for city council endorsed by SICA in the last election.

Next, I would like to pass out kudos to citizens and elected officials. First, a special thanks to Sonny Nardulli at Eastpointe I and to Don Gaertner at the Corniche for their great effort regarding the beach erosion issue. Although the breakwater project has been shelved temporarily due to disagreements between governmental agencies, the question has not died. Thanks always to Councilwoman Dawn Pardo for her tireless effort in representing the best interest of all Riviera Beach citizens. Even though SICA has not always seen eye-to-eye with our mayor, Bishop Thomas Masters, we would like to express our appreciation for his support regarding substance abuse facilities, the reduction in personnel at the Singer Island Fire Station and his promise to make the city more user friendly to new business applications.

By the time you read this newsletter, Singer Island will have barely averted its second hurricane threat of the season – Hurricane Irene. Cooler temperatures will not be far away and our seasonal residents will be coming back. SICA’s first monthly meeting is October 18th. We will have interesting and informative local, state and national officials addressing our members. The board looks forward to seeing everyone again.

Please note that SICA will make a financial donation to the Town of Palm Beach Shores thanking them for support of our organization and for the use of their town hall for our monthly meetings. The presentation will take place at their September Commission Meeting.