HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistory_News Article_Message from Mayor_1964
MESSAGE
FROM OUR
MAYOR
7~~ ~~
BY ROBERT VALIER, MAYOR
The last issue of FAIRWAY told of
the beautiful new Brochure prepared
by Jupiter Inlet Beach Colony, Inc.,
Village Square, Tequesta, which pre-
sents an historic review of the total
area and its development. Copies are
still available -just call 746-4242 and
they will gladly send them for you to
your frineds.
It is timely, now, to tell our many
new residents, and those who plan to
make Tequesta "home" in the near
future, the story of the growth, struc-
ture and plans of this village.
The Tequesta Village Charter was
granted by our State Legislature on
June 4, 1957. Territorial limits were
confined to our present Country Club
Community. Subsequently, the Village
limits expanded from time to time so
that, as of this writing, the Village
Shopping Center, Jupiter in the Pines,
Ridgewood Homes, Bay Harbor and
Country Club Point are included in
Tequesta Village.
In 1958 we had ten single family
dwellings in the Village. As of January
1964, we numbered 269 single family
houses and 38 apartment units. And
since then we have had quite a few new
constructions -both single and multi-
ple -including the lovely new Carriage
House and Blair House condominiums.
Our current Village population is ap-
proximately 875.
Our governing body consists of 4
councilmen, two from each ward. I
should explain that the State Legisla-
ture, in 1963, sub-divided the Village
into two wards. Ward No. 1 is the area
West of the Northfork of the Loxahat-
chee River. Ward No. 2 is East. The
Councilman Mayor is elected at large.
To date we have had four Mayors
(including my incumbency which runs
until 1966). Jack Kurtz - 1957-1960;
"Bud" Lathrop - 1960-1961; "Zeke"
Cornelius - 1961-1963. Bob Harp, both
Village Manager and Clerk, is ably as-
sisted by Miss Betty Cox in the many
details of those offices.
As the Village grew in homes and
population, it became mandatory to have
a larger police force on 24 hour duty.
After thorough investigation the Coun-
cil selected Henry M. Dusenbury He
had had many years experience and
was Police Chief of Dania, Florida. He
brought with him Patrolman John Rod-
erick (known to many of us as "Help-
ful John") . And when Freddie Dahl-
meyer (our original and only police of-
ficer resigned to become Chief of Sec-
urity at our First Bank of Jupiter's
new building) Chief replaced him with
Patrolman William Petrie ("Smiling
Bill"). If you need any form of Police
aid during the daylight, call Village
Hall - 746-7474. During the night call
the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Of-
fice - TE 2-8115 who will contact
our local officers by radio. This plan
was put into effect by Chief Dusenbury
last Fall and has proven to be most
effective.
Our fire protection comes from the
Jupiter Volunteer Fire Department to
which our Village makes annual contri-
butions. (Ye Editor's comment -why
not give a personal contribution? To
paraphrase the great Churchill -never
could so many owe so much to so few,
should disaster strike) Jack Sutton, of
Bay Harbor is Fire Commissioner.
Some time ago the Village was given
a property on which to build a total
facility. The Council has decided to go
forward with a Village Hall. Our police
department, our Village affairs, our re-
quirements for locally garaged fire
trucks, our space needs for the Village
(continued on page 13)
11
TEQU ESTA V f LLAGE
ltontinued from poge 11)
maintenance crews we must have soon,
and, equally important, the imperative
demand for an adequate meeting place
for Council, Village and Special Groups
dictated the decision. It shall be, doneā¢
But only just what is necessary for now
- and with plenty of room for the ad-
ditions of the future. It will be a big
asset to our Community. By the way,
the taxtable valuation of property has
increased from $3,967,320, in 1958 to
$8,952,260. in X963.
So you see, the Village of Tequesta
continues to grow. My fellow Council-
men and I urge you to attend our
monthly meetings. We invite and wel-
come your suggestions and active parti-
cipations in the management of your
Village of Tequesta.