City Names New Fire Chief
Sep 08, 2011 - Fire Department, Mayor's Office
Carlos Cabrera becomes first Hispanic Chief in City’s History
West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio has appointed Assistant Chief Carlos Cabrera to the position of Fire Chief. The City Commission confirmed the appointment making Chief Cabrera the first Hispanic Fire chief in the city’s history.
Mayor Muoio selected Cabrera for his strong record of service and extensive experience, “Carlos has been with the department for over 20 years and has earned the respect of his coworkers and many in our community. He has been an outstanding firefighter and will be an outstanding Chief.”
Chief Cabrera says he will work hard to continue the tradition of excellence established by the department, “Photographs of past Chiefs hang on a wall in station number one. To be in their company and to have the opportunity to serve this community by leading a dedicated and professional team of men and women is a true honor.”
A brief biography of Chief Cabrera
Born in Chicago IL. Moved to West Palm Beach as a child in 1969.
Joined West Palm Beach Fire Department in 1989.
Promoted to EMS Lieutenant 2002. Promoted to Operations Captain 2004. Promoted to Battalion Chief in 2006. Promoted to Assistant Chief in 2009. Awards include: Firefighter of the Year 2005 and Paramedic of the Year 2005.
Graduate of PBCC Paramedic Program and State of Florida Paramedic since 1993. AS degree from PBCC in Emergency Medical Services 2009. Graduate of Leadership West Palm Beach program 2009
Married to Karin Cabrera for 29 Years. Three sons Christopher, David (wife Jennifer, Granddaughter Riley), and Scott (wife Ashley, Grandson Mason).
Memberships:
Palm Beach County Fire Chiefs Association
International Association of Fire Chiefs
City of West Palm Beach 2011 Labor Day Holiday Schedule
Aug 31, 2011 - Mayor's Office
West Palm Beach City Hall and Library will be closed on Friday Sept. 2 and Monday, Sept.5, 2011 for the Labor Day Holiday. Friday Sept. 2 is a furlough day for which City employees do not receive pay as part of the city’s efforts to balance the budget without raising taxes. The Library will be open Saturday and Sunday.
The city will provide commercial dumpster service on Monday but will not be picking up residential yard waste or garbage. Residents who normally have their residential garbage pick-up on Monday should put their trash out on their next regularly scheduled pick-up day. Residential, commercial and recycling services will be provided as usual on Friday.
Community Events Division Wins Awards
Aug 24, 2011 - Clematis By Night, Community Events, Greenmarket, Mayor's Office
The City of West Palm Beach Community Events Department has been recognized in two categories at the 2011 Florida Festivals and
Events Conference. The City won in the “Best Poster” category for a submission created for the supercar waterfront pavilion exhibit which was held in February of 2010.
The City also won for best website which featured the Green Market. This years Green Market opens on the West Palm Beach Waterfront, Saturday, Oct. 15. The largest market in the area features a variety of fresh foods, produce and flowers and is held each Saturday from 8AM – 1PM. For information you can visit the award winning website at wpb.org/greenmarket.
Mayor Jeri Muoio believes unique events play a role in the success of downtown…”Not only do special events such as Clematis by Night and the Green Market provide a family friendly diversion, they expose new people to our city and generate income for our businesses.”
More details on all the downtown happenings can be found at wpb.org/citycalendar
Mayor Jeri Muoio Supports Initiative to Promote Solar Energy
Aug 23, 2011 - Mayor's Office, Sustainability
City of West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio has signed a letter of commitment for the SunShot Initiative. The move is in support of Palm Beach County’s grant proposal which is headed for the U.S. Department of Energy.
The funding would be used to remove barriers that make solar energy more costly and therefore, discourage its use. The grant’s title specifies its goal, “Palm Beach County renewable energy streamlining and standardization initiative.”
The project would bring together 14 municipalities, including West Palm Beach, as well as Florida Power and Light and utility and solar industry leaders. Keeping permitting costs low for green energy projects as well as prompt review and approval would be primary goals.
Mayor Muoio believes a comprehensive green energy strategy has many benefits, “The most obvious benefactor is our environment. But the jobs created as the components are manufactured and installed will also boost the local economy. And those who go green will realize a great reduction in energy costs over time. It’s really a win-win for West Palm Beach and the county as a whole.”
Palm Beach County has a population of 1.3 million and West Palm Beach has over 100,000 residents so this latest green energy initiative can have a significant impact in South Florida.
New program provides Low Cost Internet & Affordable Computers
Aug 15, 2011 - Mayor's Office
COMCAST AND AREA PARTNERS UNVEIL A FIRST OF ITS KIND,
COMPREHENSIVE BROADBAND ADOPTION INITIATIVE AND CELEBRATE
LOCAL YOUTH WHO HAVE ACQUIRED TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
New model program provides Low Cost Internet, Affordable Computers and Free Training to Families with Children
Who Receive Free School Lunches as Part of the National School Lunch Program
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 10AM
What/Who: Executives from Comcast’s Florida East Coast Region will be joined by City of West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio, Palm Beach County School District Superintendent William Malone, and Urban League of Palm Beach County CEO Patrick Franklin, along with other local leaders and community partners to unveil Internet EssentialsSM, a new digital adoption program that helps connect low-income families to the Internet. The goal of the program is to help close the digital divide for more low-income families by offering affordable Internet service, a low-cost computer for the home, and free online, print and in-person computer training.
The event will also celebrate the graduation and showcase the work of young adults from diverse, low-income backgrounds who took part in Digital Connectors – a major digital literacy, youth leadership development and community service initiative.. As part of the 2011 Digital Connectors program, the young volunteers put their freshly gained broadband, technology, business and civic skills to work in a wide range of community service activities.
When: Tuesday, August 16, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Gaines Park, McDonald Wilson Center, 1501 N. Australian Ave.
Details: Internet Essentials SM, by Comcast is the first program to address all three of the main barriers to broadband adoption that research has identified: 1) a lack of understanding of how the Internet is relevant and useful; 2) the cost of a home computer, and 3) the cost of Internet service. Comcast is asking parents, educators, community leaders/organizations and government officials to join in this effort by spreading the word to help increase broadband adoption in Palm Beach County.
The Comcast Digital Connectors training helps participants learn real world applications for broadband technology. Modules include: leadership principles, real world learning opportunities, digital literacy, information and network technology skills development, community service, financial literacy, and civic journalism.
There are 21 people in this graduating class. Each participant has received 56 hours of classroom training and, combined, the Digital Connectors have contributed 1,446 hours of community service as part of their class involvement. At least one of the students has already taken his newly acquired skills and obtained employment in the field of digital technology.
About One Economy and the Digital Connectors
One Economy is a global nonprofit organization that uses innovative approaches to deliver the power of technology and information to low-income people. More than 17 million people have used One Economy’s online tools and resources, including the Public Internet Channel (www.pic.tv), to build better lives. One Economy has launched on-the-ground programs in 42 U.S. states, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. The Digital Connectors program is One Economy’s flagship initiative that delivers 21st century technology training to young people from low-income backgrounds, who then share what they learn within their own communities. To date, more than 3,000 Digital Connectors have contributed more than 56,000 hours of technology focused community service. Learn more at www.one-economy.com.
About Comcast Corporation:
Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA, CMCSK) (www.comcast.com) is one of the nation’s leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services. Comcast is principally involved in the operation of cable systems through Comcast Cable and in the development, production and distribution of entertainment, news, sports and other content for global audiences through NBCUniversal. Comcast Cable is one of the nation’s largest video, high-speed Internet and phone providers to residential and business customers. Comcast is the majority owner and manager of NBCUniversal, which owns and operates entertainment and news cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, local television station groups, television production operations, a major motion picture company and theme parks.
About the Comcast Foundation
The Comcast Foundation was founded by Comcast Corporation in June 1999 to provide charitable support to qualified non-profit organizations. The Foundation primarily invests in programs intended to have a positive, sustainable impact on their communities. The Foundation’s focus areas are volunteerism, literacy, and youth leadership development. Since its inception, the Comcast Foundation has donated more than $77 million to organizations in the communities nationwide that Comcast serves. More information about the Foundation and its programs is available at www.comcast.com/InTheCommunity.