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Council honors code-compliance staff and hometown hero; residents raise lighting, arts and field-maintenance concerns
Summary
Mayor Jim Kitsky proclaimed Code Compliance Officers Appreciation Week and the council honored Dr. Jonathan Berkeler as Jupiter's first "Hometown Hero." During public comment residents urged county lighting on Indian Creek Parkway, requested festival support for Shakespeare by the Sea and praised the new fire department; several speakers asked clearer communication about a proposed non-ad valorem assessment.
The council opened its June 2 meeting with recognitions and community comments.
Mayor Jim Kitsky read a proclamation designating June 1–5, 2026, as Code Compliance Officers Appreciation Week and presented it to code compliance officer Chris Isles, citing the unit's casework, sign removals and the town's customer-service portal (Jupiter Connect). Isles thanked the staff and said, "They don't work for me. They work alongside me," praising the team's dedication.
The council also presented the first "Hometown Hero" award to Dr. Jonathan Berkeler, an emergency physician at Jupiter Medical Center who volunteers with schools and community groups. Dr. Berkeler thanked his family and hospital staff and noted the importance of community service.
During public comment several residents raised local issues:
- Douglas Crane urged the town to ask the Palm Beach County engineer to evaluate adding lighting on Indian Creek Parkway, a county-owned corridor that residents say is dark and could pose safety hazards after dark.
- Elizabeth Dashong asked the council to consider partnering with the Palm Beach Shakespeare Festival for its free July production at Carlin Park and described the festival's long-standing role in drawing residents and visitors.
- Multiple residents praised the recent Jupiter Fire Rescue swearing-in ceremony and the town's investment in new stations and personnel. Several speakers who had attended the ceremony described it as a community highlight.
Council members acknowledged the public input and asked staff follow up on the county lighting question and consider ways the town might support the festival and field maintenance requests.
