Ex-Wellington mayor: Get past lawsuit and focus on saving Big Blue Preserve

The final appeal of the fines and attorneys’ fees in the code enforcement case against Glenn Straub for the improper use of equipment and destruction of plant materials in the Big Blue Preserve has been exhausted. The Village of Wellington will ask the courts on Aug. 2 to increase that amount to include “post judgment and attorneys’ fees.”

While I understand the desire to enforce our rules, and cover our expenses, this very likely will further delay the award of the cash bond with even more legal action. The over $8M of code enforcement fines go to the general fund and can be spent in any way the Village chooses.

I would like to bring the attention back to the Big Blue Preserve instead of the protracted legal actions. This is one of the last remaining old growth cypress preserves in the area, and one of the oldest in the State of Florida. It is entirely privately owned and lies within the Palm Beach Polo and Country Club community.

The basis of the legal action is that the owner is required to preserve and enhance this unique environment of uplands and lowlands that encompasses the preserve. While the legal actions are being resolved, there is no actual restoration or preservation occurring.

I suggest that all parties come together and work on an actual restoration plan while we still can. The question of who is responsible for the degradation of the wetland has been answered.

The Village does hydrate the area in a proper fashion, as has been established through this process. The owner is responsible for the maintenance. Let’s drop our gloves and get to the real work of establishing a plan to make that happen.

Battle of Wellington:Who pays the bill? Straub, Palm Beach Polo homeowners head to court over Big Blue Preserve

If you go to Village Hall and up to the second floor, there are photos of the Big Blue Preserve that were taken by Margaret Jacobs, a nearby resident. Mrs. Jacobs had these photos printed on canvas and gifted them to the Village upon the completion of the municipal complex. They show the condition of the preserve when it was functioning as a wetland area for wildlife. I encouraged all visitors to see these photos while I was mayor and councilwoman in the Village.

Mr. Straub is famous for his ability to delay and postpone payments by using the courts. Wellington has a stellar reputation for our commitment to the environment, as is illustrated by our ongoing improvements to the Wellington Environmental Preserve and our efforts in sustainability.

I encourage the Village and Mr. Straub, to come together and put the restoration plan in place so that future generations can see what Mrs. Jacobs saw and photographed for posterity. Further delays only make the wetland less viable and that would be a shame.

Anne Gerwig is former mayor of Wellington and a candidate for state representative.