Go out and vote today. Please. This is the run-off for the final council seat and it is really important.

After the brouhaha over the new mayor's comments -- we need to go out and make sure we get the right person in office.

As you may recall, the new mayor, Darrell Bowen, while campaigning, promised that the full re-payment from FEMA for the hurricanes a few years ago should be sent to the taxpayers that bore the burden. In fact he made a point of saying his word was as good as a guarantee.

During his first meeting he had to backtrack saying the Village should not return the funds to the taxpayers.

Now you can chalk this up to several things -- it was the usual politician seeking office making a promise he could not "guarantee" or he did not understand the issue or he made an honest mistake.

I don't know Mr. Bowen personally, but had the opportunity to deal with him on a business basis just once or twice. All I can tell you is that he was fair and honest in our dealings and, this being said, I tend to believe the last of the three options I noted above.

So, now this vote becomes critical. We all need to go out and vote. I feel Mr. Coates and Mrl Willhite will not make the same mistake. We need to make sure we hold their feet to the fire. The only way we can do this is to go out and vote.

So go out and vote on Tuesday the 25th. Please..

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Great news from this past weekend! And as a dad I am extremely happy to report this.

My daughter is on the Wellington travel cheerleading team called the Cougars. This past weekend they participated in a competitive cheerleading tournament and all three of the teams (Youth, Junior and Senior) did very well. Very well.

They took first place in each of their divisions! And the team was named the Grand Champion of the event. A first for the program.

While this is absolutely phenomenal news ... the best is yet to come. The Junior and Senior teams were extended an invitation to participate in the national championship in their age groups to be held in Virginia Beach in May.

Yes another of our local teams, sponsored through the Village of Wellington Leisure Services Department is making waves in the athletic world.

We should be proud of all of them ...

First, the young men and women that make up the teams. They have practiced hard since August to get where they are. Camps, practices, competitions. They gave their all and now it shows. A bid to participate in the national championship. Way to go kids! I am so proud of each and every one of you.

Second, the parents that support the kids. Thanks to all of you for getting them to practice and competitions. Thank you for paying the tuition each month. Thank you for helping all of these talented children bond and work together. You did great!

Third, to the coaches; Christina, Patti and Kathy. What a diverse group you have and how talented you are coaching them and bringing them to where they are today. I can not give you enough thanks. My admiration for what you have done is well deserved. You coached by gently prodding, encouragement and by being even-handed. No yelling or screaming ... just motivation for each and every child placed in your care. You are truly role models for these young folks and you should be proud of what you accomplished this year.

Fourth, to the Village Council and Staff. For not only making the program available and working an untried program into the system, but for supporting it as it grew and became more popular. I know it was a tough battle to fight some days, but thank you again for all of your support and help.

Finally, to all of you taxpayers out there that paid for the first class facilities we have to enjoy here in the Village. Without you, none of the successes the Village athletic programs would have been possible. Thank you so much.

Now to those of you driving around, keep a close eye out for a bunch of young ladies and men raising money to go to this competition ... help them out. Especially as there will be no "highway hold-ups".

Way to go Cougars!

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Today is election day in Wellington and 18 other communities in Palm Beach County.

It is our right and duty to vote and we need to make sure we exercise that right, especially these elections. Our actions today to vote or not to vote will have an impact on OUR community.

You might say that my vote doesn't count and you don't have time. You need to make time to go out and vote. Take your kids and teach them a great lesson on their repsonsibilities as a citizen.

Your vote does count. Not too awful long ago one of our Village Council elections was decided by 5 votes. So yes it is important.

And for whom to vote? That's a personal choice that carries a guarantee of secrecy.

But a few thoughts for you.

First, the next two years are going to bring many budget decisions that will be challenging to say the least. That being said, we need to retain our two incumbents, Mayor Tom Wenham and Councilman Carmine Priore.

Yes, I know it sounds like I support the good ole boys network, but that not true. I have known both of these gentlemen for many years. I have had many disagreements over the years with these two, but, you know what, we were always able to resolve them.

Personally, Mayor Wenham's demeanor on the council serves the community best as the steady hand on the wheel. It may appear that sometimes he sticks his finger up in the air to see which the way the wind blows, but isn't that what we really want? Someone that listens to us and takes the time to find out what we, as taxpayers, want. Then takes action on it.

Don't get me wrong, I like Mr. Bowen and his views and vision for the future. In a different time I would support him. But right now we need that steady hand, not the firm grip Mr. Bowen offers.

Councilman Priore and I have had disagreements about many things and have differences on which we may forever disagree, but I do respect this man. I don't know if any other councilperson is more prepared each every meeting than he is. Serving on Council takes a tremendous amount of time and the amount of time he dedicates to it still impresses me.

I met Mr. Christiansen several times and respect his point of view. We need him as that voice that continues to echo points that are important to all taxpayers. I trust he will continue to voice his concerns and be a vocal foil to the potential whims of the Council.

That leaves the final open seat on Council, one without an incumbent.

This was a hard choice for me. I really had things boiled down to two candidates, Howard Coates and Matt Willhite.

I think they are really close on their positions. Both are good choices. So which one?

As I mentioned earlier, I was torn. Then something happened on Saturday that made me choose. I was out washing the car when someone walked up to me and actually asked for my vote and gave me the reasons why I should vote for his candidate.

It didn't hurt I knew the guy that walked up to me, but I also respected the fact they came out and asked for my vote.

Now I don't think I have missed more than one or two elections in the past 15 years. I do go out and vote. You would think these candidates would look at that and come and ask me for their vote, as well as each and every one of my neighbors. It is not an ego thing.

Its a "I'm going to connect with the voters" thing. One of the biggest complaints has always been that the candidates never gets "into the trenches" and see voters one-on-one. And ask for their vote. Wow, what a concept. There is no big money there though. Just us lone voters.

That is what put him over the top. Matt, you have my vote since you asked. This is going to be the first step, I feel, to moving up to a county seat and even to the state legislature.

Good luck and God speed to all of you.

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