Want to make a difference in the Boca community by serving on one of the City's citizen advisory boards? Unless your areas of interest were biking or Pearl City, there was little room for newcomers at the recent round of interviews.

The City advertised the following openings: elder affairs - one position; library - two positions; bike paths - one position; historical preservation -one position; and parks and recreation - 4 positions. Multiple individuals applied for all committees except for Pearl City and bike paths. Eleven people applied for Parks and Recreation and eight people applied for the Elder Affairs Committee.

All four of the individuals appointed to Parks and Recreation were incumbents and both library appointees were incumbents. That left one new person on elder affairs, one new individual for historic preservation and the sole applicant for Pearl City, for a total of three new members.

While it is certainly in the City's best interest to obtain continuity and reward incumbents for jobs well done, it is frustrating that people who want to bring new energy and vibrancy to the community are rejected. People who take the time to apply and interview and show a sincere desire to make a difference in Boca Raton should be given the opportunity to do so instead of being summarily dismissed in favor of incumbents. If there are so many applicants for certain committees, the City should look into expanding the committees or finding other places where willing volunteers can make a difference.

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