The Palm Beach Civic Association’s Annual Meeting each April is one of the markers for the passing of another season in Palm Beach.
It’s the Civic Association’s last event of the season and one that typically draws a large audience from our members and directors as well as the public.
This year’s Annual Meeting will be at 10 a.m. on Monday in the Lecture Hall at the Flagler Museum. Reservations have reached capacity, with more than 300 guests expected.
Civic Association Chairman-Elect Michael Pucillo said Friday the Annual Meeting always draws an enthusiastic turnout.
“It’s an opportunity to hear the mayor give a state-of-the-town address and to look back on some of the achievements and milestones of the season,” he said.
This will be Mayor Danielle Moore’s third state-of-the-town address and her second at the Flagler Museum. Her first state-of-the-town address in 2021 was delivered remotely because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to share the status of some important issues in town – where we’ve been, where we are, and hopefully where we are going,” Moore said. “It’s also an opportunity to recognize my colleagues on the desk and the amazing staff who help, mostly behind the scenes, to keep us up to speed.”
This year’s meeting marks a turning point for the Civic Association in more ways than one.
First, 2023 has been a year of transition for the Civic Association. Monday’s meeting will formally mark a change in leadership as outgoing Chairman Bob Wright passes the torch to Chairman-Elect Michael Pucillo. Wright recently announced his retirement after 13 years at the helm and will become chairman emeritus.
Second, the Civic Association closes the door on its 79th season this spring and begins a year-long 80th anniversary celebration.
Civic Association President Mary Robosson credited the organization’s longevity to its adaptability and the strong ties it has forged with the community it serves.
“We are constantly learning, growing and focusing on the betterment of Palm Beach,” Robosson said. “Our 80th anniversary signifies a community that deeply cares and demonstrates this by its support.”
As always, this year’s Raymond J. Kunkel Awards promise to be another meeting highlight. Two as-yet unannounced award recipients will be honored by the Civic Association for heroic or meritorious service to the town.
The Kunkel Award was established 47 years ago in memory of the late Raymond J. Kunkel, who was a Civic Association chairman.
Award recipients are selected each year by the Civic Association’s Raymond J. Kunkel Committee, chaired by William Matthews. Other committee members are Joan Eigen, Cathy Flagg, Paul Leone, George Matthews, Michael Reiter, Peter Summers, and Bob Wright.
Flagg and Reiter will present the awards.
“Both of this year’s Kunkel Award recipients are very deserving and represent the best of Palm Beach,” Reiter said. “Their selfless acts that earned the awards were quite different but are powerful enough to make their selections obvious and unanimous choices by the Kunkel Award Committee.”
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