Many of you know that that I was first elected your District 5 County Commissioner in 1992. Part of the reason for my decision to run for the seat was my major concern about “Site One”. The Site One property, located adjacent to the Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge west of Boca Raton, had been selected for use as a county landfill. I could not imagine a more inappropriate place to put a landfill. I promised to do all I could to see that the project never became a reality. After four years of working on this issue, the Solid Waste Authority approved a property exchange agreement with the South Florida Water Management District which resulted in the elimination of Site One forever. The Water Management District planned to use Site One for water storage and treatment. The property was named the Fran Reich Preserve to honor the founder of the West Boca Community Council who worked tirelessly with me to accomplish this goal. Funding to move forward with the project finally became available through the Federal Government’s Economic Stimulus Program. The Water Management District and the Army Corps of Engineers teamed up and designed their construction plans for the property. I recently attended a community meeting organized by the Army Corps of Engineers to discuss the plans for a reservoir. The Corps staff explained that the reservoir will hold stormwater runoff and capture water releases from Lake Okeechobee. The water will be used to restock groundwater supplies rather than using the water in the Wildlife Refuge. The staff also said that this project is part of a larger restoration plan to help preserve the Everglades. It has been nearly 18 years since I took office and I am pleased that the old Site One property is finally being utilized to help protect one of Florida’s most unique areas.

I also want to take a moment to recognize Dennis Eshleman, the County’s Parks and Recreation Department’s Director. Many of you have known Dennis for a long time. He was recently selected as the recipient of the National Association of County Park and Recreation Officials’ Professional Lifetime Achievement Award. He received the award based on his many accomplishments during the course of his 35-year career. During that time, Dennis oversaw the opening of 58 park properties. Among them are the West Boynton Park and Recreation Center, the South County Civic Center and South County Regional Park. We have leisure activities such as waterparks, splashparks, amphitheaters, and dog parks. We are also fortunate to have one of the most unique parks in the country, the Morikami Museum and Gardens. I am particularly proud that Dennis and I worked together to make the Therapeutic and Recreation Complex at John Prince Park a reality. This one of a kind Complex provides recreational opportunities for people of all ages with disabilities. In addition, Special Olympics provides a variety of sports training opportunities and competitions during the year for over 1,000 athletes. It is fitting that Dennis has received this Lifetime Achievement Award this year. He will be retiring in September. He leaves a legacy that we all will continue to enjoy for many years. I know that you join with me in thanking Dennis for all he has done for District 5 and all of Palm Beach County.