Dear Friend: Citizen involvement is the key to successful communities. Being informed and speaking out allows public officials to know how constituents feel about issues. Due to the many changes being proposed to county budgets, I strongly encourage urge you to participate in the public budget hearings that will be taking place in the upcoming weeks.

2010 BUDGET PUBLIC HEARINGS--State law requires that two public hearings be held to discuss a budget prior to adoption. These hearings are opportunities for the public to comment on the development of the county’s fiscal year budget.

In Palm Beach County the meetings will be held on September 8th and 21st at 6:00 p.m. in the Jane Thompson Memorial Chambers on the 6th floor of the Governmental Center, 301 N. Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach. Hearings will be televised on PBCTV-20 and webcast live on www.pbcgov.com/publicaffairs/video/channel20.ram

In Broward County the meetings will be held on September 10th and 22nd at 5:00 p.m. in the Broward County Governmental Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 422, Ft. Lauderdale. Public hearings are televised on participating cable channels and webcast live on www.broward.org

Palm Beach County Citizen’s Criminal Justice Academy--Find out what goes on in our local criminal justice system by attending the Citizen's Criminal Justice Academy. The program will provide a good foundation of knowledge and introduce you to our local criminal justice professionals. The free 10-week course will include tours of the Juvenile Assessment Center, Main County Courthouse, Main County Detention Center, Medical Examiner's Office and the 9-1-1 center. Classes will take place between 6 and 9 p.m. on Thursdays from October 8th through December 17th at the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office headquarters at 3228 Gun Club Road in West Palm Beach.

Registration is limited to the first 50 people who sign up by Sept. 10. For more information you may call 561-355-4943 or go online at www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/criminaljustice

2009 International Coastal Cleanup--On Saturday, September 19th at 8:00 a.m. help our coastline and become a part of the world's largest, one-day volunteer effort to clean up our marine environment. Last year, nearly 400,000 participants collected more than 6.8 million pounds of trash in 100 countries and 42 US states. In our state, the International Coastal Cleanup is much more than just removing trash. Volunteers gather valuable information about the types and sources of debris found. Analyzed and tracked year by year, this information serves as a powerful tool for educating the public, influencing public policy, and effecting positive behavioral change on the part of individuals, organizations, and communities.

For more information about the cleanup and locations you may go to www.coastalcleanup.org In Palm Beach County go online at Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful and in Broward County call (954) 519-1230.

As always, I appreciate the opportunity to be of service to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me or my staff if you have any questions or concerns. Our district office number is (561) 470-6593.

Kelly Skidmore, State Representative, District 90

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