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Southeast Florida In the News - July 2005
CLEWISTON -- Longtime U.S. Sugar executive Robert Buker Jr. will succeed President and Chief Executive Robert Dolson, who will retire in October. Buker has been the company's vice president for legal affairs since 1986.
DANIA BEACH -- A federal judge has approved a $100,000 settlement between the now-closed Graves Museum of Archeology and Natural History and a former lawyer blamed for contributing to the museum's downfall.
FORT LAUDERDALE -- Broward County officials will spend $1.3 million on summer advertising to promote the Fort Lauderdale area as a tourist destination next year, more than twice as much as last year.
HOLLYWOOD -- A redevelopment of downtown Young Circle is under way as part of a larger downtown makeover expected to be complete by 2007. The project includes a $21-million park and performing arts building and amphitheater.
PALM BEACH -- Angry homeowners are criticizing a proposal to require new homes or home additions in the city's north end to stay within 10% of the average size of existing homes as an impediment to home-improvement plans.DEVELOPMENT:
Building a DowntownPORT ST. LUCIE -- City council members have approved an ambitious six-year development plan designed to remake an aging shopping center and a section of office buildings into a downtown center. The plan, presented by developer George de Guardiola, includes fountains, sidewalk cafes, a hotel and shops and will cost the city's community redevelopment agency at least $50 million.
PALM BEACH COUNTY -- School board members have agreed to review a policy that prohibits charter schools from expanding if they do not earn at least a B rating under the state system that grades schools based on students' test scores. Operators of some charter schools say the requirement makes it difficult to accommodate the expansion needs of charter schools serving struggling students.
The county is home to seven of the state's largest vegetable producers, according to a survey by Florida Grower magazine.
PORT OF PALM BEACH -- Port and county transportation officials are seeking $100 million for port improvements, including road and rail upgrades and a new entrance.
PORT ST. LUCIE -- The Workforce Development Board of the Treasure Coast will close two job search and training centers by year's end because of deep cuts in federal funding. Four other centers, dubbed One Stop Career Centers, will remain open.
WEST PALM BEACH -- City water officials are promising to look into new water treatment methods to try to eliminate the chronic odors and taste problems afflicting the city's drinking water. The city's reliance on surface water supplies leaves it susceptible to algae blooms.
City commissioners this month are expected to pare down the wish list and set their priorities for a waterfront makeover that drew hundreds of people offering suggestions at a March workshop. Among the possible features: A boardwalk, a pier, gazebos, fountains, cafes and gardens.
Financier Ronald Perelman was awarded $1.45 billion by a West Palm Beach jury considering his lawsuit against financial services firm Morgan Stanley & Co. Perelman accused the company in state court of hiding the financial health of Delray Beach-based Sunbeam Corp., which was acquiring a Perelman company.
