12 May, 2025 6 6 Comments

Through the Lens

May 12, 2025 By 6 Comments

Lenses and viewpoints

I believe all of us have a unique way of looking at the world.
We possess a personal frame of reference that helps us make sense of the world as we work our work our way through the days of our lives.

I look at the world through three distinct lenses; that of a journalist, a mayor and lately a playwright.
Let me explain.
When I see something new or interesting I think about how I’d report on it (the journalist in me), how I’d approach it or adapt it to my town (if I were a mayor) and lately how I’d dramatize it (my new passion, playwriting).
My friends view the world in their own way.

Some think about how they’d monetize a thought (the entrepreneur), how they’d develop it (a real estate mind) or how they’d market it (a branding guru or salesperson).
Yes, we all have our lenses.

Here’s an example, when I’ve been out with police officers for dinner, I noticed that they look at their surroundings differently. I can see them scan the room. The veterans have a sixth sense honed by years of experience. It’s fascinating to witness.

Recently, I participated in a think tank exercise about the future and I was struck by how one of the participants saw the recent volatility in the stock market.
Personally, all this jumping around has freaked me out a little. Ok, a lot.
I’m not used to checking the futures market before going to bed fearful of what the next day will bring.
Maybe it’s because I’m nearing retirement and getting to an age where I will be relying on investments to see me through the rest of my life. Or maybe it’s because you reach an age when your window for making back your losses shrinks. We know that nothing goes up forever, but it’s hard when the market resembles a Six Flags rollercoaster.
But I digress.
One of the participants in the session seemed resigned and somewhat OK with the loss of value seeing it as a good thing that will force positive changes in America.
While I don’t agree, I was fascinated by this man’s cool and his confidence that this was all meant to be and somehow good.
We see things through different lenses.

I grew up being taught that doctors were to be respected, that vaccines were a scientific blessing that would keep us safe from pathogens and that fluoride in the water would keep my teeth from rotting. I remember lining up in elementary school to drink a foul tasting shot of fluoride in a Dixie Cup. We were told it was good for our teeth and we believed our teachers.
All three of these beliefs-and a whole lot of other things—are being challenged today.

I was raised to believe that public service was a noble calling, that institutions were there to advance the public good and that America stood for truth, justice and equality and against tyranny, oppression and the violation of human rights.
Needless to say some of those ideals are being challenged like never before. Politicians have always lied, but this seems to be a new level. We can’t agree on basic information anymore. It’s a disorienting experience for those of us who have seen a culture where compromise and working together were viewed as a preferred method of doing business.

Some of my friends would take great exception to the above paragraph.

They see a  need for a wholesale and much needed reckoning, a recalibration of our ideals and a new path forward that will get us back on track.
I see us sliding into a pit.

I believe in due process (for everyone), the rule of law and checks and balances.
Different lenses, different outlooks, different and differing realities.
So how does it all reconcile? That’s my question.

Is it possible to stay united and see things so differently? Is it possible to be brothers and sisters and see the world and reality from totally different perspectives?
I don’t know the answer to those questions. But I know they must be answered, our current reality does not seem sustainable.
A guy I know tells me he’s going to home school his children when the time comes. The kids are young now, but he and his wife have no desire to send their children to public schools. They want to design their own curriculum for their kids. That is certainly their right. And I respect that; and the notion that our schools are lacking and in need of reform. But a part of me found it sad because I think public education is part of our genius as a nation and that the socialization that occurs on the playground, in the classroom, the gym and the lunch room are the common glue of experience that binds us together.
Today, we are trapped behind screens, separated from each other by algorithms, drugged by notifications and herded into tribes taught to hate the other tribes.
I get the lenses. What I see, I want to write about and dramatize.
But I sure hope that our lenses are not blinders. I hope they don’t stop of us from pursuing worthwhile goals.  I hope we leave room for peripheral vision and perspectives. I sure hope that we preserve what we used to cherish and celebrate—what we used to call the commons.

5 May, 2025 4 4 Comments

A True Friend

May 5, 2025 By 4 Comments

Nancy Stewart-Franczak

I really didn’t mean for this blog to turn into an obituary column.

But this year has been especially difficult. We have lost a great many people who made Delray Beach special.

On Monday, April 28, I received a message that my friend of many years Nancy Stewart-Franczak passed away. Nancy was a wonderful person—hard working, sincere, funny, down to earth, loving and tough as they come. She fought hard and I never once saw her lose faith.

I’ve known Nancy for more years than I can recall. We ran in the same circles, had lots of mutual friends and grew close over the years. When I turned 60 last August, I asked Nancy and her friend and colleague Jennifer Costello to plan a celebration.

We are growing older, and I wanted more than anything else a chance to get everyone together again. We don’t do that as much as we should. The loss we have experienced recently reminds me why we should prioritize the important relationships in our lives.

Nancy and Jen went above and beyond for me. We spent hours at my house talking about guest lists and activities, music, decorations, menus and all sorts of stuff. We laughed. A lot.

Nancy gave me the party of a lifetime—she and Jen are great at what they do –but in my case I felt their professionalism was infused with love. I’m grateful for that love.

I know Nancy was thankful for the special relationships in her life. She had a wonderful smile. She was an interesting combination of warmth and strength. Nancy exuded strength. I never saw her waver. Not once.

Nancy and I spoke a lot over the years about Delray Beach. We shared a love for the town and the people who rolled up their sleeves and made it a special place.

The good things that make cities sing don’t happen by accident. Community building requires people to dig deep, work hard, take risks and will good things into existence. Nancy was one of the people who did just that—for decades.

She was a civic entrepreneur, and her canvas was the special event space. She believed in the power of events to make a positive difference in the lifeblood of a community. She was involved in every detail of her events which was made them so great. Her passion for her work and her team and her city made Nancy a one-of-a-kind contributor.

She took pride in Delray’s progress and reveled in the camaraderie and comfort she found in this large circle of extraordinary people—people who came together to build a sense of community and to shape a place into a home.

When I was an elected official, Nancy invited Diane and I to go to Gilroy, California to visit something called a Garlic Festival. Nancy had dreams and wanted to show us what a festival could do for a community. We made the trip, and I was blown away by the crowds and the amount of money that was raised for small nonprofits in Gilroy.

I saw Nancy’s vision and was proud to support it. She grew the Garlic Festival into a major event, with chefs, competitions, concerts, rides for the kids and best of all fundraising opportunities for small groups doing great work in our city.

A few years later, I was disappointed when a few folks on the commission turned on the Garlic Festival forcing it to relocate to Lake Worth. During this time, I did my best to support Nancy as a friend. We had many long conversations where I just listened. She was hurt but determined. A lesser person would have given up, but that’s Nancy. She took her talents to other cities with Garlic Festival and other events such as Lagoon Fest and Bacon & Bourbon. Those communities benefitted from Nancy’s leadership, vision and the execution of her team the Festival Management Group.

During this trying time Nancy never stopped dreaming of doing events for her beloved Delray Beach.

She was tested, but she never gave up. We saw our friend’s motives questioned by people who should have known better. From watching Nancy and her team, I can attest that running an event organization is not a get rich quick scheme, it’s a labor of love, full of risk. It requires hot and sweaty work, worries about weather, insurance, competition and any number of things that can go wrong in what has become a world fraught with weirdness and danger.

Nancy and her team at Festival Management Group produced Garlic Festival, Delray Affair, Bacon and Bourbon, Lagoon Fest and other special events because they loved this community and wanted to give families a fun and safe place to be. They also wanted to showcase exhibitors and artists and help community groups raise the funds they need.

Nancy and her husband John and their team hung in there…and I was told right after Nancy passed by her partner and friend Bern that they had been working on bringing Garlic Fest back to Delray after a 9-year absence. They felt good about their meeting with Mayor Tom Carney. Nancy knew this was coming about and I’m sure she was happy.

I enjoyed every moment I spent over the years with Nancy. I loved visiting her home, our dogs got to know each other, and I enjoyed getting to know her husband as well.

Nancy helped to put modern day Delray Beach on the map. She did so without fanfare, and she worked hard to make her events meaningful, safe and fun.

She longed to do a “Delray reunion” event and I wanted to do it with her and a few others. Sadly, we couldn’t make it happen because life, illness, jobs and obligations got in the way.

Nancy wanted to bring everyone from the All America City era together—the first award was won in 1993. She wanted to celebrate others who made a mark but maybe weren’t thanked sufficiently for doing so. She was thinking of others and of Delray Beach—as always.

Of course Nancy was a major contributor as well. She did an awful lot. Events in Pineapple Grove. Concerts with big names. Wine and seafood events that featured local chefs…the list goes on and on.

She was a good person. A really good person.

And I loved her. We all did.

She left a mark. She worked so hard. She was strong, so strong.

Nancy will be missed by all lucky enough to have known her.

 

 

 

 

28 April, 2025 2 2 Comments

A Special Friend, A Special Man

April 28, 2025 By 2 Comments

Two great chiefs: Fire Chief Kerry Koen and retired Delray Police Chief Rick Overman.

A few more words about my friend, my teacher Kerry Koen.

Kerry’s funeral was last week at North Creek Presbyterian Church where he was involved for many years.

Kerry was a multi-faceted man. A gifted photographer whose photos of New England made me want to explore that region. He helped me discover a place called Woodstock, Vermont and we talked about the history of New England and its role as the cradle of our Democracy. Kerry was a talented chef, who went to culinary school and made wonderful chili.

He was well-read and had a deep appreciation for history. He would have been an amazing history professor or a wonderful photojournalist.

I spent the week reviewing the email he sent me over the years, each full of wisdom and useful information.

A few years ago, he gave me this quote from Einstein when we met for lunch at Ben’s Deli, a favorite spot of his. It resonated with me then and especially now, in the wake of loss.

“One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day. Never lose a holy curiosity. … Don’t stop to marvel.”

Kerry’s funeral service was a beautiful tribute to a great man. Honor Guards from Boca and Delray Fire Rescue were there along with a large contingent of former Delray and current and past Boca city officials.  Kerry was proud to be a part of these municipal all-star teams. He was an MVP on those teams and his legacy will live on.
He took great pride in his public service. Boca City Manager George Brown did a wonderful job describing Kerry’s impact on Boca. I had the honor of speaking about his time in Delray and his impact on me and so many others. I thought I would reprint my remarks here for Kerry’s many friends and for the benefit of those who didn’t meet him but have benefited from his vision and stellar service. I will miss Kerry deeply.

Here are my remarks…

 

In Remembrance of Kerry Koen

We gather today to honor a great man. Kerry Koen was not just a fire chief – he was a builder of communities, a mentor to generations, and a friend whose love and wisdom touched countless lives.

The heaviness in our hearts today speaks to the profound impact Kerry had on each of us. Even though we knew this day was coming, the loss weighs heavy – because great men like Kerry leave spaces that cannot be filled.

Kerry served as Fire Chief for both Delray Beach and Boca Raton, but titles never captured the essence of who he was. At his core, Kerry was a teacher. He taught through his actions, his integrity, and his unwavering commitment to service. Every time someone in our community dials 911, they are benefiting from Kerry’s vision and contributions, though they may never know his name.

Kerry’s intellect was extraordinary. Many have said he was the smartest person they’d ever met when it came to understanding what makes cities work. He saw trends before others did. He thought deeply about challenges and offered solutions that were both pragmatic and visionary. He didn’t just see challenges – he saw possibilities. And he didn’t just raise questions, he rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Kerry Koen was a problem-solver. The best you could ever imagine.

He did all of this without seeking fanfare…and he never stopped serving his community. He never stopped mentoring those of us lucky enough to know him.

But what made Kerry truly special was how he balanced that sharp intellect with an equally powerful heart. He led with love – love for his country, love for his firefighters, love for his cities and especially love for his wife Lynne and his family. In these past few years, as he faced health challenges that would have broken most of us, that love only grew stronger and more evident.

There’s a message from the fire union that captures Kerry’s impact perfectly: “Chief Koen didn’t just lead Delray Beach Fire Rescue, he built it. He laid the foundation for the professional standards we stand on today and gave generations of firefighters the opportunity to wear this badge with pride.”

Indeed. Kerry Koen was an exceptional man and an exceptional public servant.

Kerry wasn’t interested in the small stuff. He wrestled with big ideas, and he inspired us to think… really think about our world and our role in the community.

Kerry wasn’t interested in personal praise. He was interested in making things better – better training, better equipment, better leadership, and a better future for those who answered the call. He gave a voice to firefighters and fought for their safety with unwavering determination.

In leadership, Kerry showed us what calm in a storm looks like. What humility means. What protection of a community requires. He made hard decisions without flinching and never hid when things got tough.

In friendship, Kerry was generous beyond measure. He shared books, articles, and photographs. He invested in people. He ended conversations with “I love you” – not a common sign-off for men of his generation, but Kerry had grown even softer and more sensitive as he aged, navigating his health challenges with remarkable grace.

Hours before he left this world, Kerry sat with friends at his bedside. I was one of those friends. He calmly told us he was dying. We shared stories, looked at memorabilia, and marveled at the breadth of his life. He was present with us the whole time – one last gift, one final lesson in life, service, and love. When we left, Kerry told us he would see us on the other side. He said I love you, one last time. We said we loved him too….

Kerry and I shared a special bond. I can’t quite put it into words, but what we shared was special. It was precious. Every time we spoke, and we spoke often, he taught me something. He showed me something I didn’t see. Every time…he was my great teacher and his influence on me and others can’t be quantified. He touched so many of us.

To Lynne, his beloved wife and partner on this journey – our hearts are with you, your daughter, grandson and son-in-law.  What a team you two have been. How fortunate we are to know you and to love you. My friend Kerry never failed to tell me how lucky he was to have found Lynne; how he viewed her as a remarkable partner who helped him achieve his dreams in every aspect of life….

We throw the word “greatness” around too easily these days. But Kerry Koen was the real deal. He was truly great – not because of titles or achievements, but because of how deeply he cared, how wisely he led, and how generously he loved.

Some people come into our lives, and words simply cannot adequately describe their impact. Kerry was one of those rare souls.

The great ones leave their marks on our hearts and minds. If we are lucky, they arrive in our lives and communities, and if we are smart, we listen, learn, and appreciate them.

Many of us did just that with Kerry. We listened. We learned. And we are forever grateful.

As the fire union so perfectly said: “We’ve lost more than a former chief; we’ve lost a pillar of our department and community. But his legacy lives in every firehouse, in every crew, and in every firefighter who still strives to live up to the standard he set.”

Rest easy, Chief Koen. We’ll take it from here.

21 April, 2025 6 6 Comments

Good Bones

April 21, 2025 By 6 Comments

Good Bones, the book.

Good Bones

By Maggie Smith

Life is short, though I keep this from my children.

Life is short, and I’ve shortened mine

in a thousand delicious, ill-advised ways,

a thousand deliciously ill-advised ways

I’ll keep from my children. The world is at least

fifty percent terrible, and that’s a conservative

estimate, though I keep this from my children.

For every bird there is a stone thrown at a bird.

For every loved child, a child broken, bagged,

sunk in a lake. Life is short and the world

is at least half terrible, and for every kind

stranger, there is one who would break you,

though I keep this from my children. I am trying

to sell them the world. Any decent realtor,

walking you through a real s#&*@hole, chirps on

about good bones: This place could be beautiful,

right? You could make this place beautiful.

 

I discovered this poem last week while listening to a podcast interview with writer/poet Maggie Smith.

As usual, I’m late to the party. “Good Bones” became a viral sensation in 2017.  Somehow, I missed it.

But now that I’ve found it, I find myself going back to the poem and reading it again and again.

Good writing impacts us in a special way, if we slow down and take the time to read, absorb, and think.

I’m not a big fan of poetry, although I love song lyrics and consider the best songwriters to be poets.

Still, I love words, and good writing has a way of helping me make sense of the world. As someone who writes—a lot—I long for the times that I can get into what they call “flow” state.

Flow isn’t something you can summon; it just happens—rarely for me — but it’s a real thing. In between flow states you rely on craft, the muscles you’ve developed by writing for years and years.

I’m in awe of great writers because I know how hard it is to write at a level that moves hearts and minds. I am not a great writer, but I aspire to be. And I write in the hope that someday I will experience—even for a moment– what it must feel like to write like Maggie Smith or Maya Angelou or my new writing crush Chisa Hutchinson.

The Good Bones touched me because I’m distressed by the state of our union and our world. Division is no bueno. No good ever comes from hatred, recrimination and callousness.

The Good Bones reminds us of what sustains us amidst the chaos and horror and relentless crazy of this time.

Here’s a list:

Connection and friendship.

Moments of respite when we can recharge and renew.

Creativity, kindness, kinship and care.

Beauty, generosity, excellence and meaning.

It also reminds us that we have a role to play. We are not just passive actors that allow things to happen to us, we are people who have the power to shape our destinies and determine our destination. We are called to bring beauty into this world.

“This place could be beautiful,

right? You could make this place beautiful.”

Indeed, we can.

Last week, my colleagues and I spent some time with the CEO of a nonprofit called FLIPANY.

Flipany provides nutritious food to thousands of people in South Florida every day. They serve 130 plus sites over a vast region with lots of needs. It’s a logistical miracle pulled off every day.

I find beauty in that story of grit and determination. The founder started with one site serving 40 children and grew the organization into a trusted partner for schools, camps, churches, community centers, senior citizen facilities etc.

She’s tough as nails. Resourceful too. But there’s a beauty to her work, she brings love and sustenance into the world.

I was glad she made the trip from Dania Beach to Delray Beach to spend some time….

So why is it important to seek out beauty.? Why should we remember “good bones” and seek to understand what it means?

Maybe, it’s too remind us who we’ve been; to remind us that those good bones are still somewhere in our DNA. So, we are reminded of what beauty and goodness look like, so that when it shows up in our world, we can see it.

We have good bones in America. We have good bones in this community. We should strive not to break those bones. We should strive to make this world beautiful.

 

 

 

 

14 April, 2025 8 8 Comments

Kerry Koen: Teacher, Mentor, Leader

April 14, 2025 By 8 Comments

Chief Kerry Koen was an innovator. He built our modern day fire department in Delray and also led Boca Fire.

We lost a great man last week.

And the loss weighs heavy.

Even though we knew it was coming… the loss weighs heavy.

Former Delray Beach and. Boca Raton Fire Chief Kerry Koen passed away April 11. This is a tremendous loss for the thousands of people whose lives were directly impacted by Kerry and for the communities that benefited from his vision, courage, intellect and care.

Every time someone dials 911 in our community they benefit from Kerry’s  contributions and ideas.

At heart, Kerry Koen was a teacher. He was also a protector and a public servant whose body of work made our hometowns safer for all.

**************

Four of us went to see Kerry a few hours before he left this world and we were grateful to have one last memorable conversation  with a man who has occupied a big piece of our hearts for a long time now.

We sat bedside and he calmly told us he was dying. And when we left he said he would see us on the other side. He said he loved us and we said we loved and respected him.

In between, we shared stories, looked at his memorabilia and marveled at the breadth of his life and the strength he has exhibited through a series of health crises these past two years.

He was with us the whole time. It was a last gift, a last lesson in life, service and love.

To the end, our friend Kerry was involved in the communities that he loved–Boca Raton and Delray Beach. He sat with mayors and city managers, mentored fire chiefs and those climbing the ranks and worked hard to find a way to keep our cities on track. He told me he wanted to be relevant. And he was, until his last breath and now beyond because Kerry Koen’s accomplishments, lessons and example will inform leaders for years to come.

**************

We throw the word greatness around with abandon these days.

But Kerry Koen was the real deal. He was a great man. A great fire chief.

Some people come along in our lives and words just can’t adequately describe the impact they make on our world.

Kerry Koen was one of those men.

In the past few days, I’ve heard from firefighters, business and civic leaders and friends of Kerry who were touched in deep, lasting and profound ways just by having known him.

I’ve known Kerry for about three decades. He became a teacher, mentor, friend and sounding board.

We spoke frequently and toward the end we ended our conversations with “I love you’s.”

That’s not a common sign off for guys.

But Kerry, who always led with his heart, had grown even softer and more sensitive as he aged and as he gracefully navigated a series of health issues that would have leveled another man.

We saw his strength. We saw his resolve. We saw his fighting spirit and we saw his soft side as well.

It was all a gift. Kerry Koen was a gift. They don’t make them like this anymore and we are worse off as a result.

While Kerry led with love; love for his country, love for his firefighters, love for his cities, he also led with a sharp intellect.

He was well read. He was a deep thinker and someone who saw trends before anyone else.

He was the smartest person I’ve ever met when it comes to understanding what makes cities work. He saw the big picture and shared his knowledge generously. If you were smart enough to listen you got a master class every time you spoke with him. Every single time.

He loaned me books and articles. Showed me photos that he took and those that he loved. He invested in me as a friend and as someone active in the community. We worked well together when I was on the City Commission. But we grew closer after I left.

I loved him.

The great ones leave their marks on our hearts and our minds. If we are lucky they arrive in our lives and in our communities and if we are smart we listen, learn and appreciate.

I did.

I listened. I learned. And I’m thankful for it all. I’m not alone. Kerry touched so many of us in just this way. I’m thinking of those people too today, because I know losing Kerry weighs heavily on their hearts.

And I’m thinking about his lovely wife Lynne as well. Lynne is so very strong. So kind. So loving. What a team these two have been. How lucky we are to know them and to love them.

*********

I wanted to share the message shared by our fire union. I thought it was perfect. Here it is.

With heavy hearts, IAFF Local 1842 honors the life and legacy of retired Fire Chief Kerry B. Koen, one of the most influential and respected leaders our department has ever known.

 

Chief Koen didn’t just lead Delray Beach Fire Rescue, he built it.  He laid the foundation for the professional standards we stand on today and gave generations of firefighters the opportunity to wear this badge with pride.  For many of us, he was the one who gave us our chance to serve.  That kind of belief changes lives, and it changed many of ours.  He taught us what service truly meant—not just responding to calls, but showing up for your crew, your city, and your values, day in and day out.

 

He wasn’t interested in politics or personal praise.  He was interested in making things better…better training, better equipment, better leadership, and a better future for those who answered the call.  He gave a voice to firefighters and fought for our safety.

 

Chief Koen led with heart and backbone.  He didn’t flinch in the face of hard decisions, and he didn’t hide when things got tough.  He showed us what real leadership looks like: calm in the storm, humble in success, and relentless when it came to protecting both his firefighters and his community.

 

We’ve lost more than a former chief, we’ve lost a pillar of our department and community. But his legacy lives in every firehouse, in every crew, and in every firefighter who still strives to live up to the standard he set.

 

Rest easy, Chief. We’ll take it from here.

Honoring Perry

The City of Delray Beach gave much deserved recognition to Delray Citizens for Delray Beach Police founder Perry DonFrancisco last week.

Perry, who ran the police support organization as a labor of love for four decades, recently stepped down and handed the reins to the very capable Chuck Halberg. He leaves behind a long legacy of caring for the men and women of the Delray Beach Police Department and the broader community as well.

I’ve written extensively of my admiration for Perry in the past, but I couldn’t let the occasion pass without saying that people like Perry are rare finds in life. He’s been Delray Beach’s best friend—there in every season, through every storm, a beacon of decency, civility, grace and kindness. He has worked a whole lot of behind-the-scenes magic over the years, quietly solving problems, mediating disputes, providing invaluable guidance and leading by example.

Whether you know the man or not, please trust me when I tell you that if you live, work or play in Delray, you have benefited from his hard work and steady presence.

Perry Don Francisco is the definition of a great man and a great citizen.

 

 

7 April, 2025 2 2 Comments

Seeds Build A Village

April 7, 2025 By 2 Comments

Frances and her crew. From left, Scott Porten, Elise Johnson Nail, Bill Branning, Frances, Joe Gillie and me.

Planting seeds.
Those were the two words I came away with after spending a weekend celebrating a special leader who changed Delray and a special couple whose passion and hard work has enabled all children to play baseball.
On Friday evening we joined about 170 people to honor the founder of Old School Square Frances Bourque with a scholarship named after her that will last forever.

We had a lovely dinner with friends, watched a short film that captured the origins of the cultural arts center and listened to speakers talk about what Frances meant to their lives.
Elise Johnson Nail, Scott Porten, Bill Branning and Joe Gillie spoke about how Frances’ passion for the arts and people brought them together in a common mission.
I also had an opportunity to speak and I thanked Frances for being a mentor, inspiration and muse.

I sat next another mentor of mine, former Mayor Tom Lynch who worked with Frances in the early days of Old School Square when Delray was still trying to jumpstart a moribund downtown and find its way.
Tom’s steadfast leadership and vision made him a natural ally of Frances as she and her team created a cultural center out of a once derelict building.
The word “center” in this case has more than one meaning.

Old School Square became the centerpiece of a civic revival, one that gained national attention.
As I surveyed the room, I saw the architects that made the revival possible.  Two legendary directors of our Community Redevelopment Agency, a few former mayors and commissioners, key donors, talented staff (who were always overworked and underpaid) supportive city staff (now retired) and patrons who enjoyed decades of entertainment and programs.
The visuals filled my heart.

This is what a village looks like.

This is what it takes: good people, working together over a long period of time to move a community forward.
In this case, toxic politics pulled the plug on success. It’s a shame and I’ve written extensively about why the termination of Old School Square was a horrible and expensive mistake.
There’s no point in relitigating the issue, but there’s a point in celebrating the past, thanking people who deserve our gratitude and planning for the future.
That’s what the wonderful people of Old School Square are doing.
They are still hosting a popular “Six by Six” event which features local artists and raises funds for arts education. And now there is an endowed scholarship at the Conmunity Foundation to honor a civic heroine for the ages.
Well done.

Miracle League Founders Julia and Jeff Kadel.

On Saturday, we went to Opening Day at the Miracle League at Miller Field,
The Miracle  League of Palm Beach County is celebrating its 20th season this year and that is something to cheer.
I had the honor of throwing out the first pitch. What a hoot!
20 years ago, I threw out the first pitch as Mayor. Our city commission had given league founders Jeff and Julia Kadel a $10,000 grant to seed the new league.  20 years later, I came back to see the fruits of that seed, and it was emotionally satisfying for everyone who attended.

We saw a parade of children, joining their teammates and coaches as they got ready for another season. We saw another civic heroine, Julia Kadel, run the show with love and passion. We saw sponsors and volunteers and players and parents and business people who stopped by to cheer the kids on. It filled my heart.

I was really happy to see our fire department represented. The men and women of Delray Fire Rescue have been volunteering and supporting the league since it’s inception.  It has been a rough couple of years for our fire department, but from what I see and what I know we are absolutely blessed to have these brave people protecting and serving us.
That’s a good segue to tell you that our former fire chief Kerry Koen was honored with his own day in Boca Raton recently. Kerry was chief in both Delray and Boca. He was a remarkable chief, and he is a remarkable man.
I speak to Kerry few times a week and he always manages to teach me something.
On our last call, he told me about the honor and how much it meant to him.  I was so pleased to hear that he was given the news by Mayor Scott Singer and City Manager George Brown,  two  terrific public servants.
Well done Boca.

Back in the village, Frances planted lots of seeds in Delray Beach that are blossoming everywhere you look. I see Old School Square alumni giving back everywhere.  Volunteering for the Achievement Center, leading at the Chamber of Commerce, serving on the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County, giving their time their talent and their treasure to good causes throughout our community.

Julia and  her wonderful husband Jeff Kadel planted seeds 20 years ago and this weekend we celebrated volunteers who have been with them for 10, 15 and 20 years.  They planted seeds and those seeds have grown.
And my friend, Kerry Koen…well… he continues to mentor, teach, think  and help behind the scenes to ensure that our community is well protected.
He planted seeds and those seeds became leaders who continue to serve.

On Tuesday, I will attend a luncheon with former Mayors hosted by our chamber. We are addressing the current class of Leadership, Delray.  I am an alumni of the program. I know that current and future leaders are in that class.
The education the chamber provides serve as seeds.  I can’t wait to see those seeds bloom.

Have a wonderful week.

31 March, 2025 2 2 Comments

Create For No Reason

March 31, 2025 By 2 Comments

Kate Volman’s wonderful podcast is available on platforms such as Youtube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts. It’s a weekly dose of inspiration.

I’ve been a fan of Kate Volman for many years now.

I first met Kate when she was starting her career at the Boca Chamber of Commerce. Later, she hosted “Delray Morning Live”, wrote a book and started a wonderful podcast called “Create for No Reason” (available on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts).

Anyway, Kate is creating what they call a portfolio career. She does multiple things well and is constantly reinventing herself. What I admire most about Kate is her positivity and her future orientation. She believes in tomorrow, appreciates today and is someone who is laser focused on learning, creativity and helping others shine.

We need more Kate’s!

I had the privilege to be on her podcast recently. Here’s a link to the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/4-5szqiuWDo?si=LG-Feo8A0z1wWkTY

If you think I have a face for radio, search “Create for No Reason” on Spotify or Apple and tune in if you can. I also urge you to listen other episodes. She has some amazing guests and some short podcasts that challenge us to be better creators.

Our world needs creativity. We have this notion in our society of life as a pie. Either we are growing the pie or slicing the pie, depending on our world view.

If we believe in abundance as I do, our goal should always be to grow the pie so that others can benefit. If we believe that the pie is limited, we tend to horde our slice of that pie to the detriment of others.

Creators believe in abundance. They seek new avenues of growth and prosperity. They believe that life’s possibilities are infinite, limited only by our imagination or unwillingness to experiment.

Kate’s work offers a platform for creatives to learn how to grow and explore. I was honored to share my story which is about saying yes to the very things that frightened me the most.

Entrepreneurship, politics and writing requires risk. We are asked to be vulnerable; we are asked to risk—we can lose money and even our reputation if things don’t go well.

Critics may hate our writing. Voters may reject our ideas. The market may look at your beverage, hot sauce or product and yawn.

It can be scary.

In my new line of work, philanthropy, my teammates and I often remark that we are building the plane while being asked to fly it. We are starting something new and we are not yet deeply experienced in this field which can be both daunting and liberating.

But try we must.

Growth comes from going out on that limb and taking risks.

That goes for our personal lives as well. If we love, we can lose. But we must love anyway.

Kate Volman’s formidable interviewing skills allowed me to open up about the scary part of my journey and the joy I have found by risking. I’m not alone.

When I survey my friends, all of them have taken some pretty big risks.

I know a former mayor who left a steady teaching job to try his hand at insurance and built an agency for the ages.

I know several real estate entrepreneurs who rolled the dice on this town when it wasn’t a sure thing and ended up changing a neighborhood or a key street.

I know of a volunteer, the wife of a doctor, who looked at a dilapidated set of old buildings and envisioned a cultural jewel and made it happen.

And I know of a college drop-out who left a job managing a Miami Beach Walgreens to start a vitamin company that changed the world and then took that win and changed the energy drink industry.

Kate gives these types of stories a voice. I urge you to take a look at her important work.

Here’s to the risk-takers, they create magic in every nook and cranny if we care to look.

Tina Heysler was a trailblazer in law enforcement.

Tina Heysler, a life of service

We lost a wonderful person and community servant recently with the passing of Tina Heysler.

Tina was a friend and someone who was a trailblazer at the Delray Beach Police Department. I watched with great pride as she ascended the ranks retiring as the assistant chief of police after 30 years of service.

She leaves a legacy of kindness and warmth and set an example for all officers in Delray Beach.

We bonded over our love of dogs and her care for the community. She was a true gift and will be remembered and missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

 

 

 

 

 

 

24 March, 2025 0 Comments

An Anniversary Filled With Lessons

March 24, 2025 By Leave a Comment

Covid marked its 5th anniversary recently.

It’s a sad occasion, one we’d rather forget. But we shouldn’t forget. We should reflect and learn.

I’m afraid we won’t.

Five years and millions of lives later, vaccines are on the ropes, trust in government is virtually non-existent and overseas monitoring of future pandemics is said to be at risk thanks to government cuts.

But all that noise aside, there are many lessons we should be taking away from our Covid experience among them: working remotely for extended periods of time does harm to our social networks, downtown economies and company culture.

Also, closing schools for extended periods of time has a big impact on children’s social and educational development.

We should also learn that messaging around vaccines must be done carefully.

It turns out mRNA vaccines provide meaningful protection but don’t provide guarantees against infection.

One would also hope that medical supplies would be shored up and that we would have learned some lessons about supply chains and the importance of essential workers.

Are you confident that we have?

One takeaway I have is that “medical infrastructure “is a real thing and an essential piece of a resilient community.

We need top notch healthcare professionals, great emergency medical services and best in class hospitals.

Community leaders should be running SWOT (strength, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analyses on a regular basis to ensure that we are ready.

Some public health doctors fear that Covid has called into question whether “health is a collective endeavor, a public good at all,” according to Siddhartha Mukherjee, a physician.

“The deeper message is that we’re all on our own, fighting our private battles,” he wrote in the New York Times recently. “I fear we will come to regret it.”

We will.

Meanwhile, Florida is suffering from a shortage of nurses, and I can personally attest from my own experience as a Covid patient that nurses made all the difference in my recovery and I’m sure that of others. They are the unsung heroes of our medical system doing the dirty work in the trenches that save lives.

Sometimes I find it hard to believe that its been five years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. In some ways it feels like a lifetime ago. In other ways, Covid has never left us. It has never left me. I’m just not the same after my 39-day stint at Bethesda Hospital.

Few could have predicted its lasting economic and social transformation. Half a decade later, the world economy bears lasting scars. According to news sources, government debt has increased 12 percent globally and labor markets have been fundamentally altered.

Scientists are only now discovering the lasting impacts of the virus with “long COVID “ impacting cognitive function, cardiovascular systems, lung health and gut health.

I’m particularly concerned about recent cuts to the National Institutes of Health and USAID.

While there is no doubt that we need to cut spending (and increase growth) and weed out waste, fraud and abuse it’s pennywise and pound foolish to cut spending that may help prevent or mitigate the next global health threat.

Perhaps philanthropy will step up their already Herculean efforts in this space, but government has a role. These are investments not sunk costs.

“Move fast and break things” may work in Silicon Valley but it’s no way to run a railroad or a government. Strategic thinking and the use of a scalpel not a wrecking ball is a better way forward.

We have a choice: political and economic turmoil or innovation and progress.

It’s an either or proposition, you can’t have both.

 

Saying goodbye to a local news legend

Long time WPTV Channel 5 anchor Michael Williams retired recently.

I consider Michael a friend and I’m happy for him and his family.

Michael enjoyed an amazing career in local broadcasting and leaves with a stellar reputation and an amazing body of work.

When I reached out to congratulate him on his retirement and thank him for his fine career, I was pleased to learn that he will be launching a podcast soon.

That means he will be continuing to tell stories and keep us informed as nobody else can. Michael’s attention to detail,  his cool under pressure and deep experience will be missed on TV, but listeners will benefit from his voice soon.

Remembering Fred Stolle

I’ve been remiss in not commenting on the passing of tennis Hall of Famer Fred Stolle who passed recently.

The Australian great who was adept at both singles and doubles served as honorary tournament chair of the Delray Open for many years. I got to know him in that capacity and once spent a memorable evening watching the matches with him.

Fred was a tennis encyclopedia and a keen analyst of the sport. He not only explained to me what was happening but what was going to happen. His theory: whoever won game 7 in a set would ultimately take that set. I haven’t watched tennis the same ever since.

A kind and affable Aussie, Fred Stolle was a true legend. Just another amazing character who touched our community in an unforgettable way.

Coco launches A Shoe

Speaking of tennis, please check out the advertisement for the New Balance Coco Gauff Delray tennis shoe. It’s amazing and available on YouTube. Here’s a link. https://youtu.be/g8BpIuS3bjI?si=YIKi5QwS_aFJ-pro

Our friend Yvonne Odom and Delray itself features prominently in the ad. It’s a classic.

Remembering a special philanthropist

Last week, Lynn University announced the passing of Elaine J. Wold, a cherished member of the Lynn University family. As a philanthropist whose generosity touched many, Elaine’s legacy included the creation of the Keith C. and Elaine Johnson Wold Performing Arts Center—she also founded “Elaine’s Musical Treat,” a theater program connecting Lynn students and acclaimed actors.

Elaine’s commitment extended to healthcare, supporting Boca Raton Regional Hospital and numerous local organizations. In 2014, she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Lynn. Elaine’s kindness, grace, and vision will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Our condolences to her family and friends.

Remembering Kitty Dukakis

For a few years in the 90s, Michael Dukakis and his wife Kitty spent their winters in Delray Beach.

The former Massachusetts governor and 1988 Democratic (and it’s Democratic not Democrat party) presidential nominee taught classes at FAU and could be seen jogging on George Bush Boulevard. He also spoke at several political and civic club events.

His wife Kitty volunteered her time at recovery facilities in Delray.

I had the privilege of getting to know Gov. Dukakis well. He was extremely interested in our community policing efforts and we went on a few ride-alongs together. I found him to be kind and very intelligent.

I met Mrs. Dukakis once or twice. She was also nice and devoted to helping people in recovery.

Mrs. Dukakis died last week in Brookline, Mass.

She was a dedicated volunteer and was extremely transparent about her struggles with diet pills and alcohol. Her positive example served as an inspiration for a generation of people who shared similar struggles.

She will be remembered fondly by those whose lives she touched.

Jesse Colin Young

Get Together

We suffered another loss with the death of music legend Jesse Colin Young recently.

Mr. Young enjoyed a long career and will be remembered for the classic song “Get Together” which was released by The Youngbloods.

A few years back, when we owned the Delray and Boca Newspaper, I had a chance to interview Mr. Young prior to his show at the Funky Biscuit in Boca.

He was a delight.

Here’s what he had to say about “Get Together.”

“I remember the first time I heard the song,” he said. “It hit me right away…unlike any other song, before or since. And I immediately knew I wanted to record it. I felt the song was destiny for me, in some way. I have a love for it. It’s spirit is what I believe in and it’s what the world is crying out for. It’s incredibly special.”
Indeed.

May he rest in peace.

 

 

 

 

17 March, 2025 6 6 Comments

Mayor Rebecca and Mayor Rita

March 17, 2025 By 6 Comments

Boynton Beach Mayor-elect Rebecca Shelton.

My dear friend was elected Mayor of Boynton Beach last Tuesday.

Rebecca Shelton captured 56 percent of the vote in a crowded field, a testament to her popularity and her campaign acumen.

I’m not surprised by either.

Rebecca—Mayor-elect Shelton— is a terrific person; warm, caring, hardworking and smart. She’s also an expert at running and winning political campaigns.

I can personally attest to her skills as a campaign consultant.

I think I was her first client 25 years ago when I first ran for a Delray Beach Commission seat. She was all of 24, when I hired her to steer my first campaign. It was the best decision I could have made.

We were two rookies, but Rebecca took command and organized a winning race. I think we got 82 percent of the vote and that was against a very good opponent.

We ran a “kitchen table” campaign inviting volunteers to stuff envelopes and put out signs. I think we raised $20,000. No PACs, no TV ads, just door knocking and mail that we designed at my kitchen table.

Those were different days.

I immediately saw a lot in Rebecca. She was so organized, so determined and so tough in the right kind of ways. She told me that she was from Youngstown, Ohio and that meant she was a combination of resilience and Midwest nice. It’s a good combination.

We became friends. And I’ve marveled at her success ever since.

She became a go-to campaign consultant for judicial races, a successful real estate broker, and an amazing dog mom rescuing pets and giving them a great home. She also watches other people’s fur babies—including my own over the years. The dogs love being with Rebecca. Dogs have a nose for good people and for those who love them.

In short, my friend Rebecca is really something.

When she called me a year ago and told me she wanted to run for mayor I was surprised. I didn’t know that was something she would be interested in doing. She told me last week that she surprised herself too. I’ve learned that the best things in life happen when you surprise yourself and take some risks.

On that call, Rebecca asked my opinion and I told her the good, the bad and the ugly of the job. Now mind you, I left that life 18 years ago this month, so my perspective is dated, but I would imagine that some things have remained the same.

I told her I thought she would do a great job but also cautioned that the commitment was enormous. I know how Rebecca is wired, and I know she will give this job her all. For her it will become a job to do, not have, and there’s a difference. It means she will do the right thing and endeavor to leave a mark, not just kick the can down the road as so many do.

Boynton Beach is a big city with lots of moving parts. Rebecca knows the city well. She also understands politics, constituent service and her smarts will come in handy as she navigates municipal finance, economic development challenges, public safety issues and any number of things that can land on a mayor’s desk. It’s a big job.

It’s also a wonderful job. You have a chance to make a real and meaningful difference and that’s an opportunity that is frankly awesome.

It’s an honor to serve. It will be exciting for me to see my friend come full circle and be a mayor that matters.

It will be fun to watch and fun to root for my wonderful friend. She gave me my start and now I get to see her thrive.

Go Rebecca! Your brother is watching and is proud and your first client will always be in your corner.

We were celebrating the opening of a new park. From left, me, Commissioner Pat Archer, Rita Ellis, Commissioner Alberta McCarthy and Commissioner Jon Levinson.

Remembering Rita

When I learned that former Mayor Rita Ellis passed recently, I experienced a flood of memories and emotions.
I served with Rita on the City Commission and she succeeded me as mayor when I was term-limited in 2007. When Rita won her election she became the first woman to be elected mayor of Delray Beach and the second ever female mayor after Catherine Strong who served in the 50s.
Rita was a trailblazer and I remember being excited when she joined the commission in 2003, taking my seat when I decided to run for mayor after Dave Schmidt was term limited.
Those were very different days.

The Commission’s I served on were collegial bodies. I can honestly say that I got along with everyone I served with. Rita was no exception.
She came to the seat with deep experience in the community which back in those days was a prerequisite. We didn’t believe that serving on the commission was an entry level job, the community valued experience, they wanted to know their elected officials before entrusting them with decision making that would affect their daily lives.
Rita had a great resume, she was a business leader having owned Climate Control Services and having served as chair of the Chamber and Downtown Development Authority.
She was active in the Beach Property Owners Association and was an attendee at city visioning events which were popular (and hugely important) in those days.
By the time she took the oath of office as a commissioner she was well versed on the issues, had helped shape the city’s vision and knew people all over the city.
She was ready. And she was an instant contributor.
Serving with Rita was a pleasure. She made her points on issues thoughtfully and always gently. She was beloved by her teammates and yes that’s how we thought of each other.
We succeeded or failed as a group and on the issues where we disagreed it was always civil, never personal. And once the issue was decided we moved on. We didn’t re-litigate. It made for a productive and fun era to serve. Rita was instrumental in making it so. She was a positive and thoughtful community leader. In short, a treasure.
Rita followed me as mayor winning her election handily.
She served one term because of health issues but she remained active working on the board of the BPOA and endorsing local candidates.
We saw each other every now and again for and we talked mostly about the present and future.
We shared a love of Maine and had many common friends.
It’s a testament to her character that when she passed, I heard from several of those friends who were deeply saddened by the news.
Rita will be remembered by those friends. She earned her place in local history as well.
She was proud of her achievements. She worked hard for many years and never stopped caring about our city.
It’s people like Rita who make a city a community, that make Delray a village.
She will be missed and remembered.

Rita and friends at a pajama party to raise funds for the Achievement Center for Children & Families.

10 March, 2025 7 7 Comments

Dodo’s & Dinosaurs

March 10, 2025 By 7 Comments

The Dinosaur Museum in Cocoa Beach is a trip.

A thought hit me recently while watching the Academy Awards.

I’m a creature from another time.

The things I love are going the way of the dodo bird.

The dodo– for the discerning reader– was a flightless bird native to Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean, that went extinct in the 1700s.

I’m not quite extinct, but many of the things I cherish are heading that way.

Recently, my family and I spent an afternoon at the Dinosaur Museum in Cocoa Beach.

We wondered why the museum is in Cocoa, but it was a fun afternoon regardless.

And it reminded me that no matter how big and dominant something may be, there’s no guarantee it will last.

We are one asteroid away from having our world changed forever.

That asteroid may be literal, or it may be figurative, but the results are the same: disruption and possible destruction.

Sigh.

And so it goes that the things I cherish—once mainstream—are now fading.

Here’s but a few examples.

Movies, in a theater.

Sean Baker, who just won an Oscar for best director, issued a battle cry for the film industry when he won for Anora. He noted that over 1,000 theaters have closed since the pandemic and the rise of streaming.

“Watching a film in a theater with an audience is an experience…and in a time in which the world can feel very divided, this is more important than ever,” he said.

Indeed.

There is something magical about the big screen, about that shared experience. Those of us who grew up going to the multiplex remember going with friends and family. We remember first dates at the movies and talking about what we just saw after the film.

I remember taking my friend, who became a horror film director, on my first ever date with a  girl named Sue in the sixth grade. I was too shy and intimidated to go alone, so I arranged to have him “run into me”  at the theatre in the Smith Haven Mall.

We saw a Woody Allen film with Sue’s  her older sister and her boyfriend. I watched in horror as the older sister spent the movie kissing her boyfriend. My date looked at me expectedly and I fled to the lobby with my buddy to buy Milk Duds and strategize.

I never did see “Love and Death.” I was too busy dodging Sue.

I spent the one hour and 25 minutes trying to figure out what to do with a girl who ultimately lost patience with me and dumped me for the kid in the classroom across the hall.

Without movie theaters, we can’t have that kind of experience. What a loss that would be. (P.S. future dates went better, for the most part).

My battle cry for the film industry: start making more films that people want to see. Too many tired rip-offs and sequels. Let’s get back to storytelling. Maybe then, if ticket prices are reasonable, the movie theater can survive a while longer.

I also will miss newspapers— that you hold because I fear they are on the way out. Magazines too.

Bookstores, especially independent ones.

Albums, with their cover art and liner notes which were art forms in and of themselves. There’s just something about the needle drop and singing along with the lyrics to the music of Tom Petty that makes that moment in time special. Much to the chagrin of my better half, I’m holding on to my albums even though I will probably never play them again. (Don’t tell Diane).

Why hold on to the records? No rational reason, but if you know, you know. My friends and I used to take the Long Island Railroad to NYC to hunt for bargain records and imports in Greenwich Village. Albums were $4.44 in those days, if I recall. A ten dollar bill would buy you two records and a Sabrett hotdog. We found paradise in the Big Apple.

I also fear for the fate of “third places”, those spaces and places, that hold and build community are said to be diminishing in numbers, according to the New York Times.

I sure hope we hold onto our diners, cafes, coffee shops and pubs.

Sadly, I think rock and roll may be on the ropes too.  Yes, there is great music being made, but rock is not the cultural force it once was. I miss the days when a song or an album could shift the conversation. Boy do we need to shift the conversation.

I think truth is having a hard time these days. It seems that we are now entitled to our very own facts, science, election results and history. Welcome back measles, goodbye to any notion of collective responsibility. “We Take Care of Our Own”, a song Bruce Springsteen released about a decade or go, summarizes my point of view. It sure seems like a quaint notion in these days of division.

I miss the truth. It needs to make a comeback soon.

My list can go on. But I’ve decided to check the movie listings instead.

But first I’m going to dig out my worn copy of Elton John’s “Captain Fantastic and The Brown Dirt Cowboy.” I can’t play that classic album but I can admire the cover art and Bernie Taupin’s timeless lyrics.

Rest In Peace

We send our condolences to the family and co-workers of Irving Adams, a beloved recreation supervisor for Delray Parks and Recreation who passed recently.

Irving was a wonderful man and a great presence at the Community Center for decades. He worked for the city for almost 30 years. I remember his warmth, his smile and the fact that he knew everyone who came into the building. What a kind man. He will be deeply missed and warmly remembered for his kindness and professionalism.

 

 

 

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