Pubdate: Sun, 30 Sep 2007 Source: Palm Beach Post, The (FL) Copyright: 2007 The Palm Beach Post Contact: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333 Note: Does not publish letters from writers outside area Author: Gretel Sarmiento, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment) MCCARTY FIGHTS TAX-FREE BOND FOR ADDICTION CENTER BOCA RATON - The Caron Foundation of Florida has sent letters to Palm Beach County commissioners asking them to approve a $9.5 million tax-exempt bond that would be used in part to build a treatment facility. Commissioners are scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether the nonprofit foundation, with treatment centers for alcohol and drug addiction, gets the bond. The request had passed two meetings before Commissioner Mary McCarty decided to call for its denial at a meeting this month. "Delray Beach and Boca Raton have become the national gathering place for drug rehab and sober houses," McCarty said, noting that she's tired of it. They are luring people all over the country. These are people with serious addiction issues, and again, when these people fall off the wagon it's the local governments who have to deal with the problem." The statistics and background Caron provided to commissioners might not have helped the group's case. In fact, the foundation has made it clear it is so well-known that McCarty doesn't see why it can't get loans on its own. "I can't stop them from operating," she said. "I can't keep them away. But I can not give them a tax-free bond." The bond request first came before commissioners on Aug. 21. McCarty was among them when the board approved it unanimously. It was discussed by another board in July. "The (August) meeting was over in 30 seconds," said Andrew Rothernel, executive vice president of Caron. "I had presentation materials, but they didn't even want testimonials." So at a meeting Sept. 11 Caron officials didn't even register to speak. "I'm at the hearing just expecting we would sit through the vote," Rothernel said. Instead McCarty tried to persuade the rest of the board to deny the bond. Between the two meetings, she said, she did research on the organization, and that prompted her change of mind. Commissioners postponed the vote until Tuesday, when Caron officials will have to explain why they are seeking a bond issue rather than trying to get loans on their own. Repayment of the bond, foundation officials said, is guaranteed by Wachovia Bank, therefore the county won't have any financial risk. Part of the money would be used for the construction and furnishing of an addiction treatment facility known as Beacon Square at 8051 Congress Ave. That's where the foundation plans to relocate its Renaissance Institute, now on North Federal Highway, and double the number of people being treated. Many of the patients stay for six months or longer. The larger facility also would create about 15 jobs. If the bond is denied, Rothernel said, "it will cut significantly into the amount of free care we can give." - --- MAP posted-by: Steve Heath