This coming election, Loxahatchee Groves voters will have the honor of keeping Dave Browning on our Town Council. I have known Dave for a quarter of a century in various capacities. I was his vice president when he was the president of the Loxahatchee Groves Landowners’ Association. I served with him on the Loxahatchee Groves Neighborhood Plan. I served with him on our town’s inaugural council. I worked with him and Bill Day when the Loxahatchee Groves Water Control District held its a-day-a-year volunteer program. During those years, Dave was an LGWCD supervisor.
I have grown to know Dave as an extremely honest and forthright person who works for our community with unswerving energy. Recent nonsensical bickering on the present council has made some question Dave’s ability to “control” the council. No one could without draconian dictatorial authority backed by armed guards.
Dave appointed me as his designee to the Roadways, Equestrian Trails and Greenways Advisory Committee. Perhaps his decision was helped by the fact that Dave influenced me to take on the mantle of chairman of the Royal Palm Beach Pines Natural Area Loxahatchee Groves advisory committee to Palm Beach County, and during my tenure there, we were able to get the equestrian access and bridge at North and F roads. Presently, we can now begin to work on trails as the LGWCD and the town have finished the surveys. Additionally, he encouraged and helped me on when I collected signatures from more than 85 percent of the landowners along E Road on a petition to the Board of County Commissioners to have E Road removed from the Thoroughfare Identification Map, as it was being planned as a 5-lane highway from Northlake Blvd. to State Road 80. That effort was successful.
Dave Browning’s opponent this election suggests that the town get fire hydrants. As cute as that is, the cost is prohibitive. (I looked into this a few years ago for reclaimed water.) Also, if done with city water, guess what? You and I would be forced to hook up. Sewer lines would follow. As we all own large properties, we all should have water retention ponds — I do. Not only is this a supply of water for fire pumper trucks, it helps with insurance. If a landowner doesn’t want a pond, then build a cistern or a swimming pool or both. Her suggestions for drainage improvements are well noted, but should go to the LGWCD. All of the other suggestions (road improvements, Okeechobee Blvd. review of the ULDC and grants), our current mayor, Dave Browning, has been on board with and working toward for years.
So, on Tuesday, March 15, go to the polls and vote in person. It’s your right, it’s your privilege and it’s your duty! Let’s keep history, dedication and straight thought where it belongs — return Dave Browning to Seat 4.
Bill Louda, Loxahatchee Groves
