Summer break had some unexpected but delightful turns for me and my family. Many of you may have heard about the 24 dogs believed to have been abandoned in poor conditions here in Palm Beach County.
Thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers at Three Stooges Rescue in Stuart, all of the dogs were safely captured and began receiving the care they desperately needed.
Commissioner Gregg Weiss first shared this story with me after working with law enforcement and Animal Care and Control to ensure the animals were safe.
When Michael and I learned more, we knew we wanted to help. We agreed to “foster” one of the pups, but as you can probably guess, it didn’t take long for our dogs Zoey and Fritz to fall in love with him. And just like that, fostering turned into adopting. This summer, we officially welcomed Toby to the Woodward pack!
I want to thank the volunteers, shelters, and animal lovers across our community who helped these dogs find safe, loving homes. Their efforts are a reminder that compassion can turn a difficult story into a hopeful one.
Additionally, Team PBC officially welcomed Joe Abruzzo on his first day serving as County Administrator and during his first BCC meeting. I look forward to many meetings, discussions, and solutions happening right here as we work together to serve the residents of Palm Beach County.
And to all our Palm Beach County students and teachers heading back to school this month, good luck! Drivers, remember: the maximum speed in school zones is 20 mph. Many municipalities have also added school zone cameras, so please slow down and pay extra attention when lights are flashing to help keep children safe. Fines are doubled (up to $400) for illegally passing a stopped school bus displaying a stop signal. A second offense within five years could result in your license being suspended.
DOGE Visits Palm Beach County
This week, Palm Beach County welcomed the Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) for its on-site audit of county government operations. The DOGE team began by reviewing documents provided in advance, focusing on contracts, procurement, personnel management practices, diversity and inclusion, and grants.
County staff, led by Sherry Brown, Director of the Office of Financial Management and Budget, worked closely with Administration, multiple departments, and the Clerk of the Circuit Court & Comptroller’s office to provide requested information related to financial management, compliance, and reporting. Additional documentation was also supplied throughout the visit.
Over two days, DOGE staff conducted in-depth interviews and Q&A sessions with more than 35 county employees. Departments engaged in the process included Community Services, Facilities Development & Operations, Housing and Economic Development, Human Resources, Mounts Botanical Garden, the Office of Community Revitalization, the Office of Equal Business Opportunity, the Office of Resilience, Parks and Recreation, Procurement, the Tourist Development Council, Engineering (Transportation), and Youth Services.
At a press conference held at the Governmental Center, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia emphasized Palm Beach County’s unique distinction among Florida’s 67 counties and noted that additional visits are expected here and across the state.
We will continue to provide updates as DOGE’s review progresses.
Palm Beach County Launches PBCMoves.com
I’m thrilled to share that as part of the Countywide Transportation Master Plan (CTMP), a new website, PBCMoves.com, is officially live!
This site will serve as a central hub for residents, community partners, and stakeholders to stay informed, provide input, and track the progress of our transportation initiatives.
You can sign up for notifications, share transportation data, and eventually view the plan’s final recommendations. With public meetings and surveys coming soon, this is your chance to help shape a safe, efficient, and connected transportation network for Palm Beach County over the next two decades.
The consultant for the CTMP will host a public meeting for District 4 residents at Arts Garage (94 Northeast 2nd Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33444) on Thursday, September 11, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. We invite you to attend, meet the consulting team, and learn more about the CTMP.
Nonprofit Spotlight
Clinics Can Help is a local nonprofit in Palm Beach County that connects people with medical equipment and supplies, empowering them with mobility, independence, and dignity at all stages of life.
Founded in 2005 by hospice nurse Owen O’Neill, Clinics Can Help began by collecting hospital beds and wheelchairs that would have gone to waste and providing them to patients at local free clinics.
Starting with a small storage locker, Owen’s efforts have grown into a large warehouse and a dedicated team that serves nearly 4,000 individuals and their families each year.
I recently had the opportunity to meet with Sally Degenhardt Chester and Owen O’Neill, CEO of Clinics Can Help, and learned more about their work. Every day, a simple piece of medical equipment can make a real difference, whether it’s a child’s first wheelchair or a senior’s new walker.
For more information, visit https://www.clinicscanhelp.org/. If you require assistance, please contact our office at 561-355-2204 or email [email protected].
