The Palm Beach Post from West Palm Beach, Florida • Page 13

Town Has Had Its Ups And Downs Citizens Bon9t ol lice axes George Nickols as president; R. Harold Morgan. Robert Pearce, I. E. Logan and Joseph Clinger.

Assessed valuation in 1960 was figured at $1,508,470. (Next Sunday Palm Beach Shores) The Town Charter became official and, on May 28, 1947, Tom F. Corrigan, a carpenter who built his own home in the district, became first mayor. Wacker, as present mayor, heads the council which Include the "Mangonia Park Mill" area put heads together and moved to incorporate. Since Inhabitants did not contemplate raising revenue through ad valorem taxes, State Legislature permission was not required for the charter.

0 SWr Jf ed of prime importance. And this leaves town officials with limited funds. The town squeaks by with a $12,000 budget, started only two years ago. This doesn't mean new projects aren't in planning stages, however. For example, the 20-man Mangonia Park Volunteer Fire Department, its Auxiliary and tlie council currently has about $4,000 socked away toward costs of a new Town Hall.

Building craftsmen living in the community have indicated they will donate labor for" the job. Street fighting materialized last year, and is paid out of municipal funds. And the council recently approved a new subdivision. Action came after officials were assured that a drainage problem had been Ironed out for the proposed 114-home development. The subdivision.

Mangonia Park citizens last year voted 134 to 107 to keep their Town Charter, so it still is an Incorporated community, subject to laws and ordinances, but with few taxes. Core of the 15-year-old community are breadwinners, with average jobs, who resist taxation. One of the reasons for incorporating in 1947 was to avert a threat of annexation by West Palm Beach, and the accompanying city taxes. During the years, with population increasing to the approximate 650 II pi re, inhabitants continued their resistance to taxation. Thus the rinse vote In lfHil on the effort to abolish the town, A community where old and new dwellings stand side by side in some spots, Mangonia Park could be termed a town where individuality is consider By BILL.

AXTILL Post-Times Stuff Mangonia Park has had its ups and downs durings its 15-year history as an incorporated town. Like a pre-election battle last year, when one group of citizens, disgruntled about passage of a 10 per cent utility tax, wanted to "unincorporatc." Or the court fight several years ago when community officials tried to annex 443 u.ss to the west, only to lose out to West Palm Beach which gained the property as part of Westward Expansion. Then there have been referenda about amending the 19t7 Charter to permit collection of ad valorem taxed up to 10 mills. Freeholder didn't go tor it, no there In no real estate tax in tlie community. if i 't1Li ft I I till' jfK 'i Ml called Mangonia Hills, will include an artificial pond.

Commerce is limited, but there are a few stores, service stations and taverns. Industry is non existent. Most impressive enterprise in the town is the Jai Alai Fronton, in operation since 1954, but the community gets little in taxes from the sport since it is under jurisdiction of the State Racing Commission and ad valorem taxes go to the county. The Fronton does pay the town $1,000 each season at the rate of $10 each operating night. Cigaret and utility taxes, along with occupational licenses and building permits, bring in the remainder of the $12,400 revenue in the budget, said Mayor Kenneth Wacker.

Problems, aside from money, and yet related to costs. Include lark of sewage treatment facilities septic tanks are In use for individual homes, and Inability by law to make present building codes retroactive to gain more stable dwellings, and need for better streets. Many of the town's 33 streets are unpaved, and some are dead ends, leading to motorist confusion unless one sticks to the main arteries. Mangonia Park's borders cause some of the street problems. The community adjoins West Palm Beach at 4.rth Street to the south and at East Avenue to the east, Riviera Beach to the north, and county land to the west.

And a railroad Intersects the town. Advantages, as residents view them, include no property tax and generally high ground to eliminate most drainage problems. The meeting of the old and new In housing stems from pre -ordinance days. In fact, some of tlie older dwellings were built before the town was Incorporated, and squatters rights have been part of the overall picture. law violations mostly are confined to traffic, but a man did shoot and kill his wife In the town about five years ago.

There have been break-ins and hold-ups. Harold Kline Jr. is marshal. What was termed a problem by some residents recently resulted In a new ordinance which closes taverns on Sundays until after church services. Boozing during the Sabbath services drew protests in the past.

There are two churches In the town. Need for a central civic center is a belief held by Mayor Wacker and the town clerk, Idrs. Evette Greer, whose husband once headed the council. She feels that the present Town Hall is far from adequate, and says two community fire trucks have no permanent parking space. Early residents of the area which evolved as Mangonia Park were Stafford B.

Beech's father, and the Voss and Hendricks families. Incorporation of the community in 1917 followed efforts by West Palm Beach to include the area for Negro housing as part of the city. Residents of COUNCIL REVIEWS 111-LOT SUBDIVISION FLAN Mangonia Park councilmen look over Mayor Kenneth Wacker's shoulders to study a new subdivision plan which calls for 114 houses. It is the first new development for the 15-year-old town. Left to right are Councilmen Robert G.

Pearce, R. Harold Morgan, President George A. Nickols, Joseph E. Clinger and I. E.

Logan Jr. Staff Photo by Jim Kelley JAI ALAI FRONTON IN MANGONIA PARK Most Impressive Structure in. Community Staff Photo by Walter Dorsey PalmTBeach POSt-TillieS Stuart Sets Tax Hearing Monday WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, SUNDAY MORNING, JULY 1, 1962 Page 13 6Vf's Eye View Open Up WPB Canal By GEOFFREY BIRT No navigation access to the sea is included In the $5,126,000 Improvement plans being pushed for the West Palm Beach Canal. Access to the sea from the canal, as it now exists, Is barred by an antiquated concrete spillway located where the canal passes under 1 at the city of Lake Worth and West Palm Beach boundary. The more than $5 million canal modernization plans include proposals for a much larger concrete and steel spillway to bestride the waterway.

There are no plans for a navigational lock or for STUART The City Commission will sit as an equalization board at 10 a.m. Monday when the 1962 preliminary tax roll of $26,978,351 will be presented by Assessor Budd C. Pfeiffer. The gross figure is $974,476 larger than the 1961 tax assessment roll. A breakdown of the new roll includes $9,145,085 for real estate, a decrease of $116,340 resulting from a lowered valuation of the commercial buildings in the old business section.

This was recommended last year by the commission after complaints were heard from most of the property owners in that area. New buildings have added $778,411 to the rolls, and personal property has Increased $196,065 for a new total of $3,005,590. Pfeiffer said he used 80 per cent of the assessed railroad valuation, representing $188,805, in the real estate and personal totals. After deductions for widows and disability exemptions, and for homesteads, the new roll for tax purposes for operations is boat lifts to be included. Army Engineers Construct He expects to present It to th County Commission at 9:30 a.m.

Monday. The public is invited at this time to present problems or ask questions. Courson estimated the new legislative act lowering the inventory tax would have taken about $500,000 off the tax roll in the county. He said his staff will just pencil in the changes as the roll has already been run through the new IBM machines. Courson estimates tlie new roll will be about $3 million greater than last year's figure, mostly for new buildings.

However, many of the new buildings are schools and churches, and the million dollar hospital, and will not be in the taxable roll for operation. Last year's roll for operation was $109,668,604 based on 75 per cent valuations after a completed reassessment of the entire county. According to the Railroad Assessment Board, which bases its figures on 100 per cent value, few counties have a higher assess value than Martin County. Only Osceola County is valued at 100 per cent, according to RAB, and Glades, County's assessments are based on 39.35 per cent of actual value, the lowest according to RAB. $22,971,191.

Homesteads deducted were widows and disability exemption amounted to $76,820. For tax purposes, the town is divided into old town and the annexed portion. The old town is liable for bonds voted before the annexation, while property owners in the new part are not, Debt' service is levied before homestead exemptions are deducted. The old town gross roll is and the net $17,867,251. The annexed portion is valued $9,054,280 gross and $9,034,280 net.

This means that one mill for operation is worth $22,971.19. In the old town, a mill is worth $17,867.25, and for the annexed part, $9,034.28. The millage for operations was Increased one mill last year, the first increase in many years. Residents publicly protested special levies for proposed sewer expansion and street paving last year and many expressed the opinion such needed funds should be raised by a general citywide tax levy. Meanwhile, Martin County Tax Assessor A.

C. Courson and his staff are working overtime this week revising the 1962 tax assessment roll in line with the Supreme Court ruling that the new 25 per cent inventory tax law is not constitutionaL The West Palm Beach Canal is maintained and operated by 1 "1 1 "iv' x-vaf 1 the Central and Southern Florida Flood Control District wh.eh happens at this rime to be promoting a recreational program. FCD works are built for that Florida state-sponsored agency by the V. S. Corps of Engineers.

The $5 million plus canal plans have been made by the Army Engineers at the Insistence of the FCD to protect better a vast part of this area against potential flood damage and better supply Irrigation needs. Before hasty conclusions are formed, It needs to be stated firmly that existing laws forbid the Army Engineers from spending flood control tax dollars to construct such recreational navigational locks. ion witoMrmmSwsV i Two-Car Crash Hospitalizes Pair FIERS SUNK FOR NEW BRIDGES Work Matches State Specifications Dade Comity Active A Deerfield Beach man is in New Boynton Industry serious condition in Lake Worth Fire Board Cuts Camino Gardens General Hospital with severe head However, Dade and Broward Counties, which have several FCD canals emptying into the ocean, are militantly and vocifer and leg injuries following a two- ously organized to obtain federal relief in this regard. For car collision early Saturday on example, the Dade-Miami Chamber of Commerce has a special Military Trail south of Hypoluxo Road. Millage To 1.4 In St.

Lucie Spans Under Way Ever Go Speeding Flat On Stomach? Florida Highway Patrol reported a car driven by Eric H. Kohtz, 58, of 1680 SE 5th Deerfield FORT I The Fort Beach, crossed the center line and was struck in the side by a car committee active in this field. Mainly through the efforts of this group of businessmen, nme resolutions have been semt to Congress aimed at securing authority for the l.S. Engineers to enter this navigational lock building field on agreed federal-state-local matching funds basis. The FCD included Canals 17 and 18 In the North Palm Beach, Jupiter area of this county, in one of these resolutions.

The West Palm Beach canal was not included for a very good, and special reason and thereby hangs a tale which will be told Pierce-St. Lucie County Fire Board in a special Saturday meet ing set its tentative tax levy for the 1962-63 fiscal year at 1.4 mills, BOCA RATON Bridges equal to State of Florida highway specifications are under construction here to span the waterways of Camino Gardens, a 20 million-dollar community in botanical surroundings. "The five pre cast concrete bridges have HIS loading capacity," said Andrew B. Potter, gen a slignt reduction trnm the cur coming from the other direction, driven by Joyce Marie Sly, 24, of Fort Smith Ark. The woman was reported in "good" condition by hospital officials.

A passenger In the Sly car was treated and released from the hospital. FHP officials said charges are pending. By ALLEN DINCAN Post-Times Staff BOYNTON BEACH Ever gone 30 m.p.h. across water lying flat on your stomach? If not, it's an experience any water enthusiast will consider a must. Not only is the Aqua Skimmer providing a very substantial payroll for Boynton Beach by creating two new industries, but it is developing what is expected to be one of the most popular new water sports in recent years.

WHAT IS IT? It's a five foot, six inch, two-piece molded Fi- rent year. later. It would seem that this is a tale Palm Beach Countians need to know, since only a few people here are aware of this golden eral manager of engineered prod-lied for Zinke Smith, Pom- state for all but main highway bridges and overpasses." The bridge building Is part of a canal digging and land grading project to prepare Camino Gardens for the planned October opening. On a 177-acre tract abundant In palms, trees and tropical plants, the develop, ment will have 430 homes In the $18,000 to SM.flflfl range. Powdiell and Alexander, a publicly owned corporation, purchased the site in Boca Raton for $1,000,000 cash through its Building Development Division headed by Robert E.

Prout, project manager and C. R. Morpeth, assistant project manager. The entrance bridge over the E1 Rio Canal has been specially designed to maintain the even flow of traffic along the palm-lined divided parkway leading to the pano Beach contractors. "This opportunity which is approaching.

Congress Due To Act Before Congress adjourns within the next few weeks, it is The levy Is expected to produce $254, 0M, based on property valuations on the 1961-B3 tax rolls. Should the expected increase in valuations develop, board members said the mill-age could be further reduced. Fire Chief R. M. Register reported a carry-over of $22,300 in his current budget, and said he expected a carry-over in the com heavy load rating is used in the Injuns Compete expecled to take certain authorization actions which will pave the In Rcc Program ing year which could be used to expand the functions way for subsequent appropriations and detailed planning of Inv provements to the West Palm Beach Canal.

Actual construction of the more than $5 million project still appears several years away, but a bad and wet hurricane in this area this year could speed the normally slow progress of planning, appropriating and construction. Therefore, the hour could he later than we think. of the fire department, should such capital improvements be development, located on Camino come necessary. Register presented a proposed budget which includes $121,056 in salaries, a Real, one block west of U.S Roule 1. 4J RIVIERA BEACH More than 400 children are participating here in the city recreation program.

City Recreation Director Stu Tabor and John Charles, athletic director, have divided the children into four groups identified as Indian tribes and promote competitive sports among them. Chief Osceola of the Seminole per cent Increase over this year. At least, once the proposal has been made by a critic to abolish the U.S. 1 water ocntrol structure as a cheap means to This main bridge is actually two parallel bridges, 15 feet apart. They each link with a one-way section of the parkway.

Both Register explained this did not mean an across-the-board Increase for his men, but covered classification and merit increases provided under civil service. bridges are 25 feet wide and 100 berglas body with either a 6 hp or 22 hp two-cylinder gasoline engine. The rider lies on a platform that protects the lower body, with legs extending into the water. The upper part of the body rests in a concavity molded into the hull, while fins on the stern deck support the arms. The fabulous little run-about has been demonstrated by a nine-year-old girl safely and with dexterity.

THERE IS no chance of being hurt even if one falls off the Skimmer; the propeller is in the center of the boat, and there is a safety switch that the rider must hold open or the motor cuts off. Should the rider be thrown from the boat and the hand leaves the safety switch, the Skimmer only travels about ten feet before coming to a stop, thus allowing the rider to reach the boat again safely. The maneurverability of the Skimmer is amazing when it is realized that it's guided by the feet of the rider. THE POTENTIAL uses of the Skimmer far surpass the general use as a "water toy." Some of the uses include a base for skin diving; pulling a (Continced on Page 15 Col. 2) feet long.

These spans, as well as reservation at Dania will be the others in the project, will have 15- attain access from the canal. Importance Of Spillway Recalling tliis incident, an FCD engineer was quick to point out that the present spillway, like that which will replace it, has a major role to play in protecting life and property in a drainage area of more than 200 square miles: The spillway maintains the water table levels, and acts as a barrier against salt intrusion. guest of honor here on July 13 Although additional money from which Taber has designated as "Indian Day'' in his summer en the State Forest Service has not been forthcoming, Register said enough state money is on hand to foot approaches of concrete slabs as opposed to the usual asphalt which eventually becomes uneven. All the bridges are being fitted with cast aluminum posts I richment program. The youngsters, who will par operate the present forestry crew ticipate In water sports Tuesday for another two months.

For reasons which will become clear in later columns, the West Palm Beach Canal has so far remained an "orphan" in much of the official thinking about the possibility of obtaining navigational facilities for It with federal aid. Shoplifting Charged at Phil Foster Memorial Park, enjoy competition in golf, tennis, track and field events, softball, arts and crafts and other things. Each tribe has been given a Elizabeth T. Rcholander, 170 Fla- and aluminum tubing for railings. Five foot wide sidewalks are on each side of the bridges which will span the free-flowing canals emptying into the Intracoastal Waterway.

Pre stressed concrete pilings, Many in the general Lake Worth, Lake Clarke Shores, Palm mingo Drive, Boynton Beach, was Springs, Military Trail and developing Stale Road 7 areas arechHr5pd Friday night with chief, and Boh Norrell plays the alreadv awara of the danser that this "otnhan" situation coulri ''ny oy wHipunuig, pmue re- role of Sitting Bull for the Sioux. Powell Hovis is Red Cloud of ported. Patrolman John H. Jama end in the renovated West Palm Beach Canal being bypassed if navigational facilities are later authorized. weighing 8,000 pounds apiece, support the bridges.

Over a million the Teton-Pakotw. Mickey Neal is Crazy Horse of the Dakotas LATEST WATER BABY GIMMICK Cheryl Carrier Tries Out Skimmer Staff Photo by Allen Duncan son said two bottles of hair oil valued at were taken from King's Department Store, 8011 S. Dixie. and Marie Dean Is Gernnimo pounds of concrete make up the I maintenance-free structure. XEXT: Origin and development of WPB Canal I of tlie Apaches..