Lynn's little bit of trivia--Lake Worth

Perrigo Company

2012-01-28T16:19:00.001-05:00

Has anyone ever heard of Perrigo Co?

Its web site says that it is a leading global healthcare supplier that develops, manufactures and distributes over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription pharmaceuticals, nutritional products, active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and consumer products.

On 13 November 2008, the Perrigo Company acquired Unico Holdings for approximately $49 million in cash. Based in Lake Worth, Florida, privately-held Unico was the leading manufacturer of store brand pediatric electrolytes, enemas and feminine hygiene products for retail consumers in the U.S. The acquisition was expected to add nearly $50 million to annual sales for Perrigo. This branch is located at 201 4th Avenue North.

The company has been growing through acquisitions and in 2010, Perrigo was named one of the top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies by Fortune Magazine.

On Friday it announced that it is going to lay-off all 175 employees in Lake Worth and filed a WARN Notice with the State.

It's the Sunshine state's time to shine

2012-01-28T14:12:00.000-05:00

" The political world looks at Tuesday's Florida primary as a major fork in the Republican road to the White House. With more than 50 delegates available to the winner and 29 electoral votes available in the fall's general election, Florida is the biggest and most important state so far to hold a primary."

Tune in to Face the Nation tomorrow for their live show in Miami. Listen to Allen West, Donald Trump and others and what they have to say about the Republican Primary. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz will be on hand to give her caustic opinion.

Demi Moore

2012-01-28T11:06:00.001-05:00

Back in the 1980's, Demi Moore was part of the Brat Pack that consisted of the hot actors of the day. The "core" members were Emilio Estevez, Anthony Michael Hall, Rob Lowe, Andrew McCarthy, Judd Nelson, Molly Ringwald and Ally Sheedy. After an article appeared labeling then as the Brat Pack, many of them were so furious that they stopped socializing together. Some even blamed their eventual failing careers on the article. Subsequently, many used this excuse and resorted to drugs and other anti-social behaviors. Some went on to be really good actors. Demi Moore was one of the ones who made it.

St. Elmo's Fire was her big break and in 1985, she had to sign a contract that declared that she would stop her drug and alcohol abuse. Demi Moore is an excellent actress. In the early 1990's, she became one of the highest paid in Hollywood. I loved her movie, G.I. Jane. She has been married three times. Her second marriage to Bruce Willis had another Brat Pack member as one of her bridesmaids, Ally Sheedy.

But to get back to the drugs--it has been suggested that Demi Moore was smoking "spice" the other night when she went into convulsions. Spice is synthetic pot.

Right now, it is rumored that the PBSO is looking closely at a bar in downtown Lake Worth that has been accused of selling "spice." Synthetic cannabis can precipitate psychosis and in some cases it is prolonged. It has been banned in many states and others are also considering legislation to ban it, including Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Indiana, and Ohio. I wonder what Rep. Jeff Clemens thinks of this?

What will Lake Worth look like in the future?

2012-01-28T08:00:00.003-05:00

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Besides all the wonderful accomplishment over the past few years in Lake Worth, Thursday night there was a Tri-Meeting at our Golf Course consisting of the City Commission, Planning & Zoning Board and our Historical Preservation Board to come to a consensus on what our city should look like in the future and revise some of the parameters. The purpose was to discuss Land Development Regulations including city policies, height, density, intensity, design parameters, permitted uses, current and future land uses and the Comprehensive Plan. There was good attendance and those with a particular and specific interest attended as well.

The addition of three (3) new districts was introduced and the discussion of collapsing several districts into one district. The new districts are:

the Artisanal Industrial

the Industrial Park of Commerce

the Mixed Use West.

The Convenience Commercial was renamed Neighborhood Commercial. The proposed collapsed districts include the Mixed Use, Downtown Edges, Downtown West, and Mixed Use Federal Highway, all into one Mixed Use East District (moderate intensity, 20 units per acre residential); and the Downtown East and Downtown Central into one Downtown District (high intensity, 40 units per acre residential).

There also is a split Mixed Use district that was proposed for Dixie Highway. The former Industrial District, Commercial District, Professional Office Districts (four) all have been eliminated.

There are no changes proposed for the Mobile Home Residential, Public, Public Recreation and Open Space, Conservation, and Beach and Casino Districts. When the process began again in March, there were twenty six (26) zoning districts. Now there are eighteen (18) districts in the revised proposals.

The meeting began at 5:30. It was lengthy and public participation was not allowed until the end even though we requested to speak after the break around 9:00 pm. When I left after the break, there was only a handful of the public left.

William Waters, Sustainability Director, is essentially the architect of our city right now and has a lot of respect from the Boards and the citizenry. Most of his vision was adopted with some exceptions:

1. Dixie East-- Staff Wanted 35 feet and 3 stories and under the "assumption" that the bottom floor would be used as parking. P&Z and Consensus of the boards was to keep it at 2 Stories and 30ft.

2. Dixie West-- the consensus was to take P&Z recommendation of 45 feet if the property faces Dixie. If it faces the railroad tracks, 35 feet.

3. Federal Highway-- Staff recommended 3 stories at 45 feet and P&Z recommended 2 Stories at 30 feet. Consensus was to allow 2 Stories at 35 feet with public benefits.

4. Park Of Commerce--The P&Z wanted 6 Stories at 65 Feet and Staff Recommended that is be 4 stories and 45 feet. Staff had determined that the Infrastructure Study indicated that it would not support P&Z Recommendation. The consensus was that we need to tweak the infrastructure plan to allow the higher as suggested by P&Z.

5. Transit Oriented Development--The biggest conversation was the TOD's where staff was recommending on the east rail 5 Stories, 55 feet at three locations, 10th, Lake Worth Road and Somewhere around the 10th or 12th ave south area. That was debated for a while and the Cara Jennings' suggestion was the best for the higher station that it be at the city center and the other two be zoned as just pick up and drop offs with parking.

The TOD on the West Rail Staff--Staff recommended 65ft and 6 stories and P&Z recommended 4 Stories and 45ft. Consensus was for P&Z. Please note on all the TOD's that everyone expressed that there be very CLEAR language that if the TOD's do not happen that the zones must revert to its surrounding properties to ensure conformity with adjacent properties/Zoning.

As one member of the Planning & Zoning Board said, "It was democracy in action." I left the meeting extremely encouraged about heights and keeping our small town feel that will ensure Lake Worth standing out from all of the rest. We now know that with this consensus of our three boards, that will happen, at least for now. Highly qualified in so many areas including planning and architecture, William Waters had a lot to do with that. Thanks to the P&Z, Historical Preservation Board and Mr. Waters for an extreme amount of work and dedication that has been going on in some cases for years.

Jose Rodriguez Mayor of Boynton in hot water

2012-01-27T17:20:00.000-05:00

In court documents, the State Attorney's Office charged Rodriguez, 49, with unlawful compensation or reward for official behavior, solicitation to commit unlawful disclosure of confidential criminal information and obstruction of a law-enforcement officer.

The charges carry sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

Read the rest of the story here.

Baby falls from 2nd floor in Lake Worth

2012-01-27T16:06:00.002-05:00

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One year old baby falls from 2nd floor after railing breaks.

Florida SB 816

2012-01-27T13:30:00.001-05:00

Now some nutty Republican, Mike Bennett of Bradenton, wants to drum up an old overlooked law from the 1980's to force facilities financed by the State or a local municipality to allow the homeless to occupy the facility. Major league games bring multi-millions of dollars into our local communities where stadiums have been built. What the Bill says is:

...requiring the county commission in a county in which a professional sports facility is located to establish a local homeless coalition if a local homeless program does not exist in that county; requiring that, by a specified date, the professional sports franchise that plays in a facility that benefited from financial assistance from the state, and the county in which the facility is located, provide the Auditor General with documentation that a homeless shelter has been operating at the facility from the effective date of the contract between the county and the professional sports franchise; requiring the professional sports franchise and the county to refund any financial assistance received from the state which benefited the facility during the period that the facility failed to operate a homeless shelter; requiring the Auditor General to levy a specified fine against the professional sports franchise and the county if, after a specified date, the Auditor General determines that a homeless shelter is not operating at the facility until such time that the professional sports franchise and county are operating a homeless shelter; providing an effective date.

GENERAL BILL by Bennett; (CO-INTRODUCER) Fasano Professional Sports Facilities;
Requiring the county commission in a county in which a professional sports facility is located to establish a local homeless coalition if a local homeless program does not exist in that county; requiring that, by a specified date, the professional sports franchise that plays in a facility that benefited from financial assistance from the state, and the county in which the facility is located, provide the Auditor General with documentation that a homeless shelter has been operating at the facility from the effective date of the contract between the county and the professional sports franchise; requiring the Auditor General to levy a specified fine against the professional sports franchise and the county if, after a specified date, the Auditor General determines that a homeless shelter is not operating at the facility until such time that the professional sports franchise and county are operating a homeless shelter, etc.

Unless you're a socialist, can anyone imagine anything so nuts? From the Bill Impact Analysis, teams in Florida would be on the hook for $271,539,778.

Shuffleboarding in Lake Worth - Tourism and Tournaments

2012-01-27T08:45:00.003-05:00

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The room soon filled after this shot was taken. Willie Howard of the PB Post was there covering the meeting.

Juan Ruiz put on the best meeting that I have attended in a very long time. It was productive, non-political, friendly, and citizens with great ideas for our Shuffleboard Court Building and a few not so great such as inferring that we need to "get with the times." Shuffleboarding may not be popular at the moment in Lake Worth due to factors beyond the control of those who were involved in the sport at our courts, but it can be again and it can draw in many people who will spend money in our City. With the correct facility and the correct marketing, I believe that this can be a money-maker for tourism and tournaments.

With about 30-35 or so in attendance, not one person wanted to eliminate our shuffleboard courts in their entirety but rather, keep them and preserve our history. There was a difference of opinion on whether to save all of the courts (28) as needed for national tournaments or only saving half of them thus reducing our exposure to only local and regional tournaments. At a show of hands of the 26 people who remained, the direction was nearly evenly divided. When all 28 courts are not in use for big tournaments, they can be covered and the space used for other things. Once we remove courts, we will never get them back...sort of like our police and fire.

Shuffleboarding is thought of as a sport for the nearly dead. That is a myth. It is a recreation for all ages. Here in Lake Worth we have a unique opportunity to restore our courts (the same price as demolition) and become a destination on the east coast of the country in a city on the Atlantic Ocean. Cities that offer recreation are always more desirable than those that do not. We already have a beautiful 18 hole golf course and at present, our Casino is being rebuilt to the glory of yesteryear. Our beach redevelopment is still under plan as well as our artist focus. We could put together a great marketing effort for all of our assets including recreation within our City and a special emphasis on attracting shuffleboard tournaments. As the sport grows here, so will the interest around the country and the globe. Can you imagine a better city to visit for recreational and cultural fun than Lake Worth and to be known nationally for our shuffleboard tournaments, drawing people from all over the world.

Children who live by already have school recreation and programs in effect. Adults do not. Our Recreation Department offers children on-going programs like Youth Basketball, Sports Camps,Tennis lessons, Football, Baseball, Softball and Soccer. Swimming lessons are offered in the summer at the Municipal swimming pool.

I don't have a problem with children playing shuffleboard but it must be supervised and specific rules put into effect. The purpose of this building is not to become a teen-town or a place for kids to hang-out. I would like to see those in charge of the Shuffleboard Court Building making conservative decisions when it comes to its uses. I do not want to see our building going down the same path to destruction that it did just a few short years ago. Envisioning tournaments between schools, neighborhood associations, local and county meets as well as national shuffleboarding is exciting to contemplate. It can get done. National meets will put this city on the map and we already have the required amount of courts to do this. We have a volunteer Recreation Board that can get truly involved with this idea.

Right now we have something unique right in the palms of our hands--our own nationally required amount of courts and with grant money, we can refurbish them for a small investment that will bring great rewards in the future.

The only Commissioner who attended was Christopher McVoy.

Little Ole Lady on Jeff Clemens Medical Marijuana Bill

2012-01-26T21:57:00.002-05:00

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The medical marijuana joint that Jeff Clemens is pushing for Seniors might be good for ya--

A doctor on his morning walk, noticed the old lady pictured above, sitting on her front step smoking a cigar, so he walked up to her and said, "I couldn't help but notice how happy you look! What is your secret?"

"I smoke ten cigars a day," she said. "Before I go to bed, I smoke a nice big joint. Apart from that, I drink a whole bottle of Jack Daniels every week, and eat only junk food. On weekends, I pop pills, get laid, and don't exercise at all."

"That is absolutely amazing! How old are you, asked the doctor?"

"Forty," she replied

Jeff Clemens to solicit Seniors for Medical Marijuana Use

2012-01-26T18:00:00.001-05:00

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Jeff Clemens to tout medical marijuana to Seniors. Could that be considered elderly abuse?

Gingrich Heckled

2012-01-26T16:00:00.003-05:00

Comment Up

Byrds are for the Birds

2012-01-26T15:06:00.004-05:00

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If you are a prosecutor, can you think of anything sweeter than winning a case after defendants turned down your offer of a deal to pay $1,000 a tree for 109 illegally cut-down mangroves because their view was ruined and then end up having to pay 15 times that? The defendants knew they were doing something illegal because it has been reported that removal of the mangroves was done in the stealth of the night or on weekends. Now the Judge says the defendants owe $15,000 a tree.

Last year the Byrds in Jupiter turned down a reasonable settlement offer from the Town of Jupiter that would have cost them $109,000. Now they will have to pay $1.6 million plus legal fees to the town. The Byrd's attorney says he is confident that he can win on appeal.

The Byrds and their astute attorney forgot they were dealing with Jupiter. Jupiter was similar to the Greek god, Zeus. They were both gods of the sky and would throw lightning bolts if they became angry.

Commissioners on repealing the fire assessment

2012-01-26T11:05:00.003-05:00

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On Tuesday night, the Lake Worth Commission repealed the fire assessment. By implementing the Department reductions, elimination of certain positions and deferred starting date of certain positions and the elimination of the costs related to the Fire Services and Street Lights assessments will generate an estimated General Fund savings of $1,443,797.

If we continue along the the same lines, by 2016 our budget deficit is projected at $7 million according to the Office of Budget & Management. Bad Union contracts, the overall recession and the loss in the market caused this financial crisis. Pensions are escalating out of control. The City has promised to pay approximately $67 million in future benefits to past and current employees yet does not currently have that amount in its various pension funds with no means to get the revenue.

You can expect a lower quality of life and a lower quality of services. I don't think that I was elected into office to take this city backwards.

Commissioner Mulvehill, as well as Commissioner McVoy, had guts to stand up for their principles. Compromise, by the Visionaries, was not in the cards. I have always claimed that the fire assessment was nothing more than a money grab. However, it does not negate the fact that Lake Worth, because of past mis-management, has a financial picture that is anything but stellar. The questions to answer are, should the property owners of Lake Worth continue to bail out the City for this run-away train...for all the cash reserves spent by past city managers Boyer and Baldwin...how do we solve our problem...for all the waste of millions by former commissions. Will it ever end? What should we do? Something has to give. If taxing is not the answer, what is?

It seems that we always find a boogy-man...someone or something to demonize...let's not start demonizing that our level of service will decrease...I didn't see anything in these recommendations tonight that spoke to directly to a cut in any services...it's time to start paying attention to what's going on.

The proof is in the pudding when the PBSO and Susan Stanton negotiated a reduction in cost of $1.2 million from the PBSO reducing the man power by 9 people but keeping the level of service the same. However, some services will be directly affected. We already know that staff is thin and many doing multiple jobs.

Don't confuse efforts with results...It's priorities and how we handle what's next for the city and the immediate needs of the city.

The Finance Department looks at financial projects well into the future, not just the immediate and are basing their projections on departmental budgets and Union pension costs. We always should have been looking at cutting costs but the real culprit here are union costs of which we have no control.

Very soon, this Commission will be going through the exact same problems in the upcoming Budget workshops for the next budget cycle. Although we cut some fat on expenses in various operating budgets and deferred some positions, campaign promises were fulfilled. The special assessment has only been eradicated short term. What will we expect in months down the road when we all will finally have to admit that we are in big trouble, that the Unions really don't give a hoot, and we are facing the exact same estimated financial short-falls. We will no longer be able to take the Scarlet O'Hara approach to doing business.

Florida Judge rules and says Farmton is NOT sprawl

2012-01-26T09:08:00.001-05:00

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Our State is in
BIG
trouble.

Read about it here

Farmton, a city of 23,000 homes proposed for a remote tree farm in Volusia and Brevard counties, isn't urban sprawl, according to an administrative law judge's ruling in the first case to test Florida's watered-down growth management law.

Senate Bill 416 - Florida Ban on Texting while Driving

2012-01-26T08:09:00.001-05:00

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GENERAL BILL by Communications, Energy, and Public Utilities;
By: Senator Detert
(CO-INTRODUCERS) Margolis; Lynn

Use of Wireless Communications Devices While Driving; Creating the “Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law”; prohibiting the operation of a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device for certain purposes; specifying information that is admissible as evidence of a violation; providing penalties; providing for enforcement as a secondary action; providing for points to be assessed against a driver’s license for the unlawful use of a wireless communications device within a school safety zone or resulting in a crash, etc.

The Florida Legislature's intent is to improve roadway safety for all, prevent crashes due to texting, and allow officers to stop motor vehicles and issue a citation to a driver who has been observed texting while operating a vehicle. Texting while driving would be considered only a secondary offense.

Texting is not the only activity SB 416 is set to ban. Reading texts, emails or browsing web pages will also be prohibited.

The texting ban language in this Bill is a start. We need a tough law and ban all cell phone use while driving. The roads are dangerous enough and drivers don't need any more distractions. Next to the scary drivers in general, the second most irritating and annoying occurrence while driving on I-95 is someone talking on their cell phone going 65 miles an hour or those who have slowed down to the speed of a turtle while they talk on their phones.

The Bill is still in Committee but if passed, it will be effective on October 1, 2012.

Jeff Clemens and random drug testing

2012-01-25T16:00:00.001-05:00

What can you expect when Jeff Clemens wants to legalize medical marijuana. Now he has reservations about random drug testing for State employees.

Read about what Jeff thinks here. Clemens does not think it right that an employee can be fired after one positive drug test. Don't do drugs; they are illegal.

No "Kissing Cousin"

2012-01-25T15:40:00.003-05:00

South D Street man accused of shooting cousin 5 times.

"Visionaries" Rule the Roost

2012-01-25T11:28:00.003-05:00

Comment Up

Even if the Vice Mayor does appear to be sleeping on the job

With 65 resumes received for Interim City Manager, we still don't have a cut-off date until February 17. The job originally was separate from the Permanent City Manager position thus the separate advertising in order to be legally correct. However, the Interim City Manager position and the Permanent City Manager job has "morphed" into one, per Kurt Bressner. "When we have an Interim city manager in place, he/she can apply for the permanent position," said Mr. Bressner when I stopped him in the hallway.

This is all such a waste of time as Kathleen Margoles should have been appointed as Interim and the City should have immediately gone out for a Permanent City Manager. Now it will be months of delay with June as the estimated time for a new city manager to be hired and five more arduous months for Steve Carr to play the duel role of Acting City Manager and Director of Finance.

Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell, insisted that an ASPA designation be of importance and part of the desirable requirement for a city manager even though Range Rider, Kurt Bressner, said that it should not be part of the equation, that it was academia based and no where close to the stature of the ICMA certification...not important. ...it has nothing to do with what is important for the job of city manager.

Commissioner Mulvehill strongly requested that the new city manager have city manager experience. This should be a "given" as far as I am concerned. This was "dumbed down" by Maxwell (my favorite word now that someone in the public accused me of this recently on a blog post when the commission rated the requirements for city manager). As Joe Kroll, former Public Works Director has applied for the job, has an ASPA designation with no city manager experience, it is not difficult to see where Maxwell is heading. Kroll is the darling of the politicos in Lake Worth. Kroll always was there to do as they requested and now I have been told that he is blaming all of his screw-ups in his former departments on Susan Stanton.

It wasn't a three strikes and you're out sort of night. At 9:00pm, a motion was made by Maxwell, seconded by Amoroso to vote down the fire assessment. McVoy and Mulvehill dissented. Taxing is never a solution and is the easy way out. Reducing costs is the best solution.

Fiesty little ole lady
The Mayor stayed true to her campaign promise. Mulvehill and McVoy did not change their course in spite of nearly every resident and business opposed to this fire assessment other than one little lady on S. Palmway who agreed with Commissioner McVoy to tax us and one vocal man, who was not present last night, who lives on North O street. As I got up to the lectern to speak, the little lady declared for all those in the Chamber to hear, "She doesn't pay any taxes." (To clarify, she meant property tax advalorem going south due to the recession and commissions still ga-ga in attracting low-cost housing). After I sat down I told her not to be personal. She then turned around and said, "Go to hell." She ran for office in 2009 and got slaughtered. Sometimes the people actually get a lucky break and get it right.

City departments reduced their budget and came up with the money needed to repeal the fire assessment. New resolutions will be brought back to the Commission.

I would wager to say that neither McVoy nor Mulvehill will be running for office again as neither one took the popular vote. It was the Trio that asked for a solution and the city departments cooperated. One up for the Visionaries.

Prior to this vote, Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso have voted strangely and politically by 1) firing the city manager without cause and 2) screwing up the beach leases, driving off Barry's Tees, a tenant for 26 years, and changing the beach operating times to suit a bar. Of course, it all isn't over. The beach leases come back up on January 31. That could be the third strike as we watch their manipulation as to whom goes into the anchor spaces.

Owner of Lake Worth Tee Shop writes to Lake Worth Commission

2012-01-25T09:41:00.004-05:00

Comment Up
January 24, 2012

Mayor Triolo
Commissioner Maxwell
Commissioner Amoroso
Commissioner McVoy
Commissioner Mulvehill
City of Lake Worth
7 North Dixie Highway

Re: Withdrawal of Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company from consideration as a tenant for a Unit at the renovated Lake Worth Casino

Honorable Mayor and Commissioners:

Regretfully, I am choosing to withdraw my business, the Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company from consideration as a tenant for a Unit at the renovated Lake Worth Casino. I have decided not to pursue a location in the new building.

The 3-2 Commission vote on January 17^th against me being awarded Unit #6 was more than disappointing. I cannot understand any reasonable explanation as to why Mayor Triolo, Commissioner Maxwell and Commissioner Amoroso voted against me being awarded Unit #6. I asked my attorney for his evaluation, and with his permission I have attached it to this letter.I have come to the conclusion that in light of that denial and the surrounding circumstances as described in my attorney’s letter, that the current Administration will not treat me in good faith.I have been struggling with this decision, and am tired of the unfairness throughout the process starting last June. Since making my decision not to be further abused by the City Administration, I am at peace with myself.

With age, hopefully has come some wisdom. I feel the best course is to graciously accept the fact that there is an underlying negativity and prejudice against me by the current Administration and Staff. It is time for me to let go.

I look back at my 26 years at the Casino and my relationship with the City with fondness. I have had many wonderful experiences from these years and have met and become lifelong friends with many people, including many former or current City Mayors, Commissioners and employees. Overall, being a tenant at the Casino, where I have devoted so many of my years has been a wonderfully rewarding experience.

I lived through the years of the City’s neglect of the Casino, witnessing it first hand as a long-time tenant. Since the renovation project was first talked about, I was looking forward in anticipation to that time when I, as a long time tenant of the old Casino would be a tenant at the newly renovated Casino. I anticipate that this Casino renovation project will make it a jewel to our City on the ocean. But sometimes fate intercedes so that one does not get to enter the Promised Land. So, even thought I will not have the privilege to be a tenant at the newly renovated Casino, I still love the City of Lake Worth and only wish the City the best of success. Being at peace with my decision, I wish Fox success. We were long time competitors and sometimes things became heated between us, but I wish its business well at the Casino.

I also wish to express my appreciation to Commissioners McVoy and Mulvehill for their fairness, professionalism and responsible exercise of their duties as Commissioners in voting in favor of awarding me Unit #6 at the January 17^th Commission meeting. While they were the minority in the vote concerning Unit #6, their affirmative vote was the correct vote. Had just one other member of the Commission voted with them, the entire rental situation concerning the South building would have been completely decided and resolved at this January 17^th Commission meeting.

I wish the City of Lake Worth, and specifically the Lake Worth Casino project the best.

Barry S. Freedman
Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company

Letter from Lake Worth Tee Shop's attorney

2012-01-25T08:18:00.001-05:00

Comment Up
Lengthy, but worth the read.

LAW OFFICES
BOUTWELL & CONNICK
A PARTNERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
411 EAST HILLSBORO BOULEVARD
DEERFIELD BEACH, FLORIDA 33441
ROBERT E. BOUTWELL, P.A. A. THOMAS CONNICK, P.A.

January 24, 2012

To: Barry Freedman
Re: Evaluation of Chances of Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company obtaining a rental Unit at the renovated Lake Worth Casino in light of the manifest unfairness shown by Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso

Dear Barry:

You have asked me to give you my evaluation concerning your chances of being treated fairly in obtaining a rental Unit at the renovated Lake Worth Casino, especially in light of the manifest unfairness shown to you at the January 17^th Commission meeting by the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso. I will give you that evaluation in very clear language.Bottom line evaluation, especially based upon the behavior of the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso.

You initially came to me because you felt your were not being treated fairly by the City. You were a long time tenant at the Casino and were supposed to be given a preference in the renovated Casino, along with the other long time tenants. At the time you came to see me, the City plans were to have only 3 units designated for Retail, those 3 Units being Units #5 and #6 (located in the south building) and Unit #7 (located in the north building). Until January 11, 2012, we and the public were lead to believe that you were to be the tenant in Unit #7 in the north building and Fox was to be the tenant in Units #5 and #6 in the south building.

Over the months, when the City presented you with proposed leases, you signed them with essentially no changes. For a period of time, there was a question concerning the language of exclusives desired by you and by Fox Surf Shop, with you asking for only 1 exclusive while Fox asked for 10 exclusives. Ultimately, the Commissioners expressly stated that no one would have any exclusives. You fully accepted the Commission’s policy decision. As recently as January 9^th, you signed the proposed lease that the Asst. City Mgr. asked you to sign, making only a handwritten change to give you the same number of 5 year lease options as the City was giving Fox.

On the evening of November 11^th, the Asst. City Mgr. sent me an email indicating that the City most likely wanted to use Unit #7, which was the space long designated for you, for additional restaurant space so that the entire first floor of the north building could be utilized as a restaurant. She also advised that Fox was now only interested in Unit #5 and that a completely new prospective tenant, a Women’s Fashion Store, was interested in Unit #5 or Unit #6. Since the long plan for you to be a tenant in Unit #7 was being eliminated, the City wanted your response immediately. And to assist, your response was immediate. The next morning, I sent the Asst. City Mgr. an email that manifested your graciousness in stating that for the good of the City, you would give up Unit #7, but that you wanted to be a tenant in either Unit #5 or #6. Sadly, but not unsurprisingly, absolutely none of your decency or graciousness in immediately giving up Unit #7 was made part of the Asst. City Mgr.’s January 12 Memorandum or at the Commission meeting on January 17

I was shocked to read the Asst. City Mgr’s January 12^th Memorandum in which she set forth to the Commission an Option 1 or Option 2, even with the proposed Motions for those Options, and in both Options falsely stated that the only tenant interested in Unit #5 was Fox. That was an absolutely false statement intentionally made, since her own email to me on the evening of January 11^th specifically indicated that a Woman’s Fashionwear Shop was interested in Unit #5, and earlier in the day of January 11^th, I advised her both by email and telephone conversation that you were interested in Unit #5 or Unit #6 or both Units #5 and #6.Thus, the truth was that 3 prospective tenants were interested in Unit #5 ( you, the Women’s Fashion Store, and Fox).

The Asst. City Mgr.’s January 12^th Memorandum to the Commission pointed out that you had added additional language in your Permitted Use description, yet entirely neglected to point out that Fox had also added additional language in its Permitted Use description.

Further, the Asst. City Mgr.’s January 12^th Memorandum totally failed to point out that the attached tenant leases were inaccurately presented.On January 10^th, you hand delivered two signed originals of the latest version of the lease the City had asked you to sign, and on January 11^th I confirmed your hand delivery and also emailed a copy of the latest version of the lease the City had asked you to sign. A copy of that executed lease was not attached to the Asst. City Mgr.’s January 12^th Memorandum or even mentioned. Additionally, the Asst. City Mgr.’s January 12^th Memorandum also failed to mention or point out specifically that Fox had made significant material changes to the lease language and that the Assistant City Attorney was rejecting almost all of Fox’s cross-outs to the lease. The lease attached to the Memorandum concerning Fox, according to my conversation with the Assistant City Attorney Melissa Anderson earlier that day, had been rejected by her as to almost all cross-outs (at the City Commission meeting, I was not allowed to communicate that information to the Commission). The Asst. City Mgr.’s January 12^th Memoranda to the Commission, as stated above, slanted facts against you by misleading or false statement, omissions and lack of material information.

What happened at the Commission Meeting of January 17 shows the extent to which this current Commission majority (the “Commission trio” - Commissioner Maxwell, Mayor Triolo and Commissioner Amoroso) will go to treat you unfairly. You were at the meeting, so you personally saw what happened. Anyone in the audience that night or viewing a tape of the meeting saw what happened -- you were clearly treated unfairly. With the background contained in this letter, this unfairness is even clearer.

The Commission’s decision to lease the entire first floor of the north building to a restaurant tenant eliminated your being awarded Unit #7, the Unit that had purportedly been designated by the City to you as a long time tenant at the Casino. Consequently, only Units #5 and #6 in the south building were available for retail tenants.There was not even the slightest acknowledgment of any appreciation to you that when you were informed on January 11^th of the City’s need for Unit #7 for additional restaurant space, you immediately agreed for the good of the City to graciously give up Unit #7, a Unit that you had long been told by the City would be your rental Unit and which you had for a long time made plans to occupy, with the expectation that you would now get either Unit #5 or #6.

In the progression of the January 17^th Commission meeting, policy decisions were made concerning the north building. Then, the Commission addressed Units #1 through #6, which is the south building.After approving New York Pizza (Units #1 and #2) and Kilwins (Units #3 and #4), it then became time for the Commission to consider Unit #5. As we know, at that point in time, only Units #5 and #6 were now available for retail tenants.

It certainly appeared pre-ordained from what transpired that Fox was getting Unit #5.There was essentially no discussion by the Commission, the Asst. City Mgr. or Broker about the fact that you and Woman’s Fashion Shop also were interested in Unit #5.This non-discussion was consistent with the pre-ordained result telegraphed by the slanted Asst. City Mgr.‘s January 12^th Memorandum in which Fox was falsely stated as the only prospective tenant interested in Unit #5 when the truth was that 3 tenants ( you and the Woman’s Fashion Shop were also interested).There was also no discussion by the Commission, Asst. City Mgr. or Broker of the fact that the Woman’s Fashion Store had offered $30 sq ft for Unit #5 which was clearly more money than offered by Fox which had offered $25 sq ft. There was no discussion that since there was an offer for $30 sq ft on Unit #5, that Unit #5 should be put out for additional prospective tenants who might offer more rent than offered by Fox.There was also no discussion by the Commission, Asst. City Mgr. or Broker of the fact that Fox had expanded its description of Permitted Uses by additional language in its new lease or that this additional language raised any issue concerning the right of first refusal of Fox. Unit #5 sailed through with a unanimous 5-0 vote assigning Unit #5 to Fox.

Now came time for the Commission to consider Unit #6.The rational expectation was that you would be awarded Unit #6.Of course it was expected by you at that moment that you would get Unit #6, since how by any sense of logic, consistency or fairness could the rational expectation be otherwise? After all, so many facts of what had already transpired dictated your getting Unit #6 was the only logical, consistent and fair result: you as a long time tenant had a right of first refusal (like New York Pizza and Fox), your Permitted Use language was expanded but so also was Fox’ Permitted Use language expanded, the rent rate of $25 sq ft that the City, through Asst. City Mgr. Margoles, had advised you it wanted you to pay from the beginning was what you had agreed to pay and signed leases to pay and was the same amount that Fox and New York Pizza had agreed to pay, and these long time Casino tenants New York Pizza and Fox had just received unanimous 5-0 votes by the Commission to get designated Units.[I want to briefly address the rent rate. The City, with the knowledge and participation of the Broker, determined the rental amount for you to pay and that rent rate was put in the leases that the City submitted to you and which you signed.You were told what amount of rent you would pay and the Asst. City Mgr. put the $25 sq ft rent rate in your lease and you signed it.The Asst. City Mgr. and Broker never requested more than $25 sq ft or even inquired as to your paying a higher amount.I am sure that was the same scenario for the other long time tenants of the Casino].

But, rational expectations, fair dealing and logical consistency don’t apply to the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso. After all that had previously transpired concerning the south building, Units #1 through #5, the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso went to the extent of changing the rules by which everyone else was judged so as to not approve you, along with the participation of the Asst. City Mgr., with the Broker in attendance:

A. The Right of First Refusal was given extensive discussion concerning the award of the Restaurant for Units #1 and #2. The Commission voted in favor of the long time Casino tenant, New York Pizza. As concerns you, a BS reason by the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso revolved around the fact that your Permitted Use language was expanded so as to perhaps destroy your right of first refusal. Yet, there was absolutely no discussion by the Commission, Asst. City Mgr. or the Broker during the discussion concerning either Unit #5 or Unit #6 that the Permitted Use language of Fox had also been expanded. So, the fact that Fox’s Permitted Use language was expanded was irrelevant to the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso, and the Asst. City Mgr. and Broker, but was highly relevant to them as a pretext in negatively considering you. Very, very unfair.

B. Another example of blatant unfairness against you by the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso, was that throughout the meeting this trio adamantly insisted as an absolute, ironclad, rule fiercely enforced by the Mayor that that no prospective tenant was allowed to change what it had submitted. Yet, all of a sudden when it came to you, the rules changed to work against you. The prospective new tenant Women’s Fashion Store (who sought Unit #5 or #6) had advised in writing that it will not be open on every Saturday. In fact, the Broker told the Commission that it was a deal breaker provision for the Women’s Fashion Store if it had to be open Saturdays. It seems beyond obvious for a person of minimal common sense to recognize immediately that it would be a huge issue to the running of the Casino for a tenant not to be open every Saturday, which day will be either the busiest or second busiest day because it is on the weekend. Yet, despite that knowledge, the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso refused to approve you for Unit #6 at the same rental terms and same rate that it had in its immediate previous vote approved Fox for Unit #5. Additionally, the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso was so intent on trying to find some other alternate than approving you that they wanted to see if they could get some other additional new prospective tenant to take Unit #6. Commissioner Maxwell duplicitously expressed how important it was to get more than $25 a square foot when discussing Unit #6, which would be fine and make sense, until it raises the question of why Commissioner Maxwell did not have the same fervor for also trying to get more than $25 a square foot for Unit #5 instead of just approving Fox for $25 a square foot. Did anyone hear during the discussion of approving Unit #5 any desire by the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso as to getting more than $25 a square foot for Unit #5 when the Women’s Fashion Store was offering $30 a square foot for Unit #5 or when Momma Mia attempted to offer more than $25 a square foot for Units #1 and #2? The answer is “no,” $25 a square foot was entirely okay to the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso for Fox and New York Pizza, but for you they wanted to try to prevent you from being a tenant or if you were a tenant force you to pay more rent than Fox and other tenants pay. With you, the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso changed the rules to treat you negatively. Very, very unfair.

C. There is no way that the votes of the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso can be rationally explained concerning the vote on Unit #6 given what had happened with the unanimous vote for Fox on Unit #5 and also the unanimous vote for New York Pizza on Units #1 and #2. Of the long time tenants at the Casino, on January 17^th,you were singled out for unfair treatment by being the only one denied a Unit by the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso. What clearly should have happened concerning the vote on Unit #6, and what would have happened without the dysfunctional Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso is that Unit #6 should have been treated the same as Unit #5 and there should have been a unanimous vote in favor of you being awarded Unit #6. Clearly, you have a right of first refusal like Fox and Lake Worth Pizza, and are similarly situated legally like Fox. Given the small size of Lake Worth Casino, Women’s Fashion Store should have been dismissed out of hand because of its self-imposed refusal to be closed every Saturday. The Broker clearly indicated that Women’s Fashion Store would be closed every Saturday, which the Commission cannot accept (even Commissioner Amoroso indicated that a tenant not being closed every Saturday at the Casino was not acceptable).

So with the procedure followed by the Commission with every Unit in the south building, and by the logic and consistency of the meeting, there was no other reasonable choice than a unanimous vote by the Commission for you to get Unit #6. But by every measure and level of logic, consistency and fairness, the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso treated you unfairly and differently that it had treated each other situation by failing to approve you for Unit #6. If even one of this Commission trio had a glimmer of fairness and competency, you would have been awarded Unit #6 because instead of a 3-2 vote against approving you, it would have been a 3-2 vote approving you. This Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso, each and every one of them, failed blatantly. Very, very unfair.

The fact that that there was a bizarre ending to the consideration of the Casino leases in the south building by the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso, in voting to nullify the votes concerning all south building leases except Kilwins should not give you any hope that you will be treated fairly on January 31^st. This bizarre ending by this Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso was a manifestation of their monumental incompetence, indicating that they are clueless, wildly out of control and irrationally inconsistent when it comes to logical public policy decisions. You can expect that their unfairness towards you will just take another form should you continue to attempt to obtain a Unit at the renovated Casino. A reasonable person can expect that the City of Lake Worth will be ill served on January 31^st by another episode in this third rate bad reality show where terrible public policy decisions result from the grossly flawed decision making of the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso.

From my observation of Commission meetings, a special condemnation should be accorded Commissioner Maxwell. Commissioner Maxwell is such an argumentative nihilist that he appears to fervently wish for multiple personalities so that he would have someone to argue with when alone. To Commissioner Maxwell, nothing concerning the Lake Worth Casino is ever satisfactory; no amount of information is ever sufficient or provided timely; and, it is never time to vote on anything.From Commissioner Maxwell’s time on the Commission, and his understanding of the commitment given to long time tenants at the Casino, his behavior and illogic and vote on Unit #6 in light of his votes on the other south building Units are the most inexcusable.

It is a waste of your time, money and emotional energy to expect that you will be treated fairly by the present Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso. There is a saying that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. You can continue to attempt to obtain a Unit at the renovated Casino, but can any reasonable person believe you will be treated fairly after the events described? Or, is it reasonable to expect that you will again be treated unfairly by the Commission trio of Maxwell, Triolo and Amoroso, who will again unfairly change the rules so as to work against you and cynically justify either refusing you a Unit or requiring you to pay higher rent than other similarly situated tenants?

You are too good a person to continue to subject yourself to this abuse.I am not charging you for the time spent in preparing this evaluation letter because I do not consider it fair to you to charge you for giving an evaluation of a circumstance that I consider so blatantly unfair.

Sincerely,
A. Thomas Connick

Will She? Or will she Not?

2012-01-24T15:14:00.004-05:00

Comment Up
UPDATE: 9:10pm
Commission votes down enacting a fire assessment on a 3/2 vote.

Vote for a special fire assessment tonight

Lake Worth Income

2012-01-24T11:23:00.007-05:00

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In 2010, American median household income was only 0.75% higher than what it was in 1989. This corresponds to a 0.04% annual increase over a 21-year period. In the mean time, GDP per capita has increased by 32.5% or 1.35% annually.

While looking over the back-up for the City Manager recruitment it has Lake Worth's demographics. It says that in 2011, our per capita income was $17,527. Lake Worth is ranked 604 out of 887 Florida cities on per capita income. It states that our per capita income is $15, 517.

Commissioners, please bear this in mind tonight when you talk about special assessing the residents of this city for fire pensions and street lights. The majority of the people you want to assess don't have 1) a pension other than what they save and 2) do not have the income to support any more taxes.

Public Acceptance Steadily Growing on Gay Rights

2012-01-24T10:10:00.000-05:00

As Disney contemplated lifting its ban on facial hair, there are larger issues of importance in the area of civil rights. Just ask Gay and Lesbian groups. Delray soon will amend the City's Family and Medical Leave Policy to allow city employees to use family and medical leave to care for their domestic partners.

The Palm Beach Human Rights Council states that in Palm Beach County, public employers that provide domestic partnership health insurance and other benefits include Palm Beach County, the School District of Palm Beach County, Palm Beach State College, the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, the Office of the Clerk and Comptroller, the Office of the Tax Collector, the Office of the Property Appraiser, the Office of the Supervisor of Elections, the Port of Palm Beach, the Solid Waste Authority, Palm Tran, Palm Beach County Children's Services Council, the Palm Beach County Health Care District, Seacoast Utility Authority, as well as the cities of Delray Beach, Lake Worth, and West Palm Beach, the Town of Jupiter and the Village of Wellington.

Soon, the State of Washington will be approving Gay marriage and will join the other states of Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and the District of Columbia.

As more and more younger citizens enter politics and business, this trend will continue. Public Religion Research Institute conducted a survey last year and found that there was at least a 20-point generation gap between millennials, people of ages 18 to 29, and seniors, those 65-years and older, on every public policy regarding gay and lesbian rights. So, as older folks die off and religion takes a back seat, all the stereotypes and beliefs of the past will be just that.

U.S. postal stamp up to 45 cents

2012-01-24T08:14:00.001-05:00

I remember the 3 cent stamp and the penny postcard. It doesn't seem that long ago but it was back in 1932 when the 3 cent stamp for first-class 1 oz mail was sold. It had been virtually unchanged up until 1958 and the cost has been steadily increasing ever since.

More and more of us are doing our banking on-line. It is estimated that over 63 million of us use on-line banking and automatic bill paying.

On Sunday, the U.S. Postal Service increased the price. This rate increase means a billion dollars a year to the postal service but it has been reported that they lost $5 billion last year. It'll cost a penny more — a 45-cent stamp — to mail a letter starting Jan. 22, and mailing a postcard will go up three cents, to 32 cents. As more and more of us go digital, the 45 cent stamp won't be around for long.

Tonight's sky

2012-01-23T18:04:00.001-05:00

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Another crazy person gets arrested in Lake Worth

2012-01-23T15:05:00.001-05:00

This time it was someone on Wingfield who tried to run down his girlfriend with his car.

An Arrogant Little Coup

2012-01-23T12:00:00.006-05:00

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Andrew Marra wrote again today on Mr. Titcomb's firing in North Palm Beach.

He talks about the firing of their city manager with no explanation to the public. He mentions back-door deals, a mockery of Florida's open government laws and the fact that North Palm Beach's commission listed no reasons for the termination of its city manager.

Just change the name to The City of Lake Worth and we have the same little arrogant type of commission right here. Perhaps they are demigods trying to ascend to true Godhood right on the Lake Worth dais.

Even if he did contribute comments in his city manager rankings.
The category that was missed--
"Do it the way the Vice Mayor tells you to do it."

Allen West -- Principle over Politics and Personal wealth

2012-01-23T10:15:00.001-05:00

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I thought this an interesting article in today's Palm Beach Post regarding what our Florida elected officials are worth. It showed that in Congress, the wealthiest were nearly evenly split between Republicans and Democrats, 13 and 12 respectively although it is mostly the Democrats screaming against the 1%.

Allen West served his country for 22 years in the military. Everyone knows that military pay is low for a hazardous job. Firefighters make 2 times more than the average military man. A staff sergeant (E6) in the army with 2 years experience makes $27,814. A firefighter makes an average of $45,700. In Palm Beach County it has been reported that over half made an average of $90,000 a year in 2010. A Lt. Colonel with over 10 years experience makes a base pay of around $70,000 a year.

With Allen West, throughout his entire career--his interest has always been in serving others-- Principle over politics and personal wealth.

Lake Worth Commission Ranks City Manager Criteria

2012-01-23T09:46:00.001-05:00

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The January 24 Commission back-up had the composite sheets of the Commission's responses to the city manager profile and attributes and skills important to them. Finally, no more resumes are being accepted. We have 57 to date.

The City Manager made $157,641.67 in salary and 40,662.50 in benefits for a total compensation package of $198,264.17.

180 points is the top score in all categories with 5 being the top number of points for each individual category. The commission's ratings fell into categories with the most important being Critical to the low ranking of Desirable (not too important). This is the outcome of their ratings:

Mayor Pam Triolo...166 points...4.61 average...Very Important

Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell...166 points...4.61 average...Very Important

Commissioner Amoroso...173 points...4.80 average...Critical

Commissioner McVoy...138 points...3.83 average...Desirable

Commissioner Mulvehill...157 points...4.36 average...Important

So, as it turns out, Amoroso raised the bar giving the most points to what he expects in our new city manager with Chris McVoy's rankings on the low end of the exercise.

Rankings of City Manager

2012-01-23T09:21:00.002-05:00

Due to the rankings of the previous post being skewed, I have deleted it and it will be posted after correction. The City staff had a sheet with all of the rankings going across each category before the individual commissioners. It was not consistent in the order when it came to each individual commissioner's rankings. The order was changed. Thus the last post was wrong. My apologies. A correct post is coming.

Little Mama underwent surgery - Lion Country Safari

2012-01-22T17:00:00.000-05:00

Little Mama

Photo: Bill Ingram, The Palm Beach Post

Great Apes, or more often referred to as Chimpanzees, can live up to 60 years in captivity. Big Mama is estimated to be 73 years old and lives at Lion Country Safari. Chimpanzees are members of the Hominidae family, along with gorillas, humans, and orangutans. Chimps split from the human branch about 4 to 6 million years ago. We are forever reminded of that relationship as we watch their antics, observe their intelligence and their empathy towards one another, reasons why we are always intrigued by these special animals and wonder why we evolved and they did not.

Chimps are probably one of the most popular animals in the world. And despite such popularity, the chimpanzee's survival is most threatened by us. They are endangered in some areas of the world because of hunting and trapping. Chimpanzees have been used extensively for testing drugs for such diseases as AIDS.

Little Mama underwent two hours of oral surgery to remove some bad teeth. Her lower back was also treated for some wounds. There is a belief that Little Mama performed at one time with the Ice Capades back in the 1940's. She pulled through the surgery like the trooper she has always been.

News on the Lake Worth Whistleblower's Lawsuit

2012-01-22T12:41:00.003-05:00

On January 18, the lawsuit was amended to include a First Amendment issue. On January 19, Dave Mulvay and Debbie Jackson both were served with subpoenas for their depositions.

COUNT IV
VIOLATION OF 42 U.S.C. §1983

BY PLAINTIFF REYES

Plaintiff realleges and references each and every allegation contained in the receding paragraphs, and incorporates the same as if set forth fully herein.

Plaintiff's speech, namely his statements to the commissioners was of public concern regarding the potential harm to the City's energy system.

Plaintiff's interest in speaking out to thep1edia outweighed the City's interest in efficient public service, as the subject of his speech was health, safety and welfare of the public.

Defendant discriminated against Plaintiff and deprived Plaintiff of rights, privileges, and immunities secured by the Constitution and laws by its actions, including terminating Plaintiff and causing harm to his good name.

As a direct result of Plaintiff's speech, Defendant retaliated against him in violation of the fundamental protections of his basic constitutional rights.

Defendant City's discriminatory and retaliatory actions against Plaintiff chilled the exercise of his constitutionally protected speech.

Court Case

Jeff Clemens stands up for the Environment

2012-01-22T10:42:00.001-05:00

You have to be suspicious when groups such as Associated Industries of Florida, the Florida Onsite Wastewater Association, the Florida Home Builders Association, Florida Realtors and the Coalition for Property Rights vote for a Bill that would eliminate a statewide requirement for septic tank inspections.

In 2010, SB 550 was passed requiring septic tanks to be inspected every 5 years.

HB 999 was just passed in the Economic Affairs Committee on a 14/1 vote to repeal SB 550. Instead it says that 19 counties with the 33 largest "first-magnitude" springs would be required to conduct inspections unless county commissions vote not to.

One environmental group, Audubon of Florida, approved the Bill if the requirement for inspections is expanded to include counties within the basins of first magnitude springs. Red flags were raised with other groups with reservations such as The Sierra Club, The Nature Conservancy and even The League of Cities.

The State Affairs Committee Bill, HB 115, terminates future imposition of prohibition of land application of septage from onsite sewage treatment & disposal systems. It maintains a ban starting by 2016 on the land application of septic tank waste that was included in 2010's SB 550. Audubon opposes HB 115, which would repeal the ban.

On a 14/2 vote, this Committee passed HB 115 forward because they "think" it protects the environment; they "think" it has a positive affect. Jeff Clemens, once again, and looking out for Florida's environment, voted against it. This is a typical political situation that pits the rights of property owners against the protection of our environment.

Another Lake Worth Robbery and Stabbing

2012-01-22T09:04:00.004-05:00

Comment Up
Man stabbed on D Street. K-9 units and PBSO helicopters were searching for the two alleged perpetrators.

Do you feel safer?

Jupiter Sunrise by Cpt. Kimo

2012-01-22T07:54:00.000-05:00

If you want to see some spectacular photography from my favorite photographer, go to CaptainKimo.com.

This particular shot was taken in Jupiter. 'Captain Kimo' says, "I came up with this idea at the last minute as the sun was peaking over the horizon. Even though it was bone chilling cold, I was sweating trying to get this to line up before the sun rose into the clouds. It took me three handful of shells to make this work."

Crime Stats Lake Worth

2012-01-21T16:13:00.001-05:00

Comment Up
Week ending January 21--not quite as horrific as usual. That should satisfy all you PBSO advocates who know that the Sheriff is looking out for you and one step away from reducing crime.

Theft 12
Proactive Policing 13
Pedestrian Stop 13
Vehicle Recovery 1
Robbery 4
Quality of Life 19
Drugs 7
Disorder 7
Liquor 5
Property Crime 3
Property Crime 3
Other 43
Death 1
Family Offense 11
Weapons Offense 1
Alarm 10
Other 16
Missing Person 4
Assault 6
Assault 6
Traffic 20

Evening on the Avenues

2012-01-21T12:02:00.002-05:00

Comment Up

Lake Worth's downtown was jammed packed last night. There were people buzzing here and there. It seemed like every bar had its own music that was conflicting with another's right next door. No one minded. It was vibrant and fun. Every now and then I hear from someone who says our downtown is suffering. It sure doesn't look that way whenever I am there which is often.

We walked from one end of the avenue and back, stopping first at 531 East, Inc. where I bought a belt. Next purchase was at The Sunflower Room, the greatest place. This is where I spotted this hat and told Barbara Jean, "This is you." She bought it. We next went over to SouthShore and discovered they had changed their menu. Just wanting something small to eat, we then walked over to the pizza place and had a slice with Coke. SouthShore is on my return list of things to do.

There truly is something for everyone in our downtown not to mention that the art is out of this world.

Robert Waples on the Lake Worth Finance Advisory board

2012-01-21T09:57:00.000-05:00

Robert Waples writes to the Lake Worth Commission--

Re: Finance Advisory Board:

To hear of Mr. Pickett's resignation is very much a harsh blow again to this very important board. What is even more disturbing is that this board is still struggling to become and receive its full potential.

As quoted in Mr. Pickett's Resignation Letter - "It has been abundantly clear to me for some time that this Board has been largely ineffective because we as a Board have not been allowed or able to serve either function. Despite the great efforts of City Staff, particularly Mr. Carr (who I believe is the best asset the City has), we have not, in my opinion, been granted access to financial information in a timely manner on various issues where we might have made a difference in City policy; rather, we often receive the information after policy has already been formulated or decided, effectively watering down any opinion we might have."

I am positive that all of you will agree that this board, if provided the tools in which to do and perform its function, could clearly and in detail deliver to the "Shareholders" of Lake Worth, we the taxpayers, a very clear and true financial picture and make recommendations with feed back from the share holders for a course and action plan. However, we the shareholders still remain in the dark with many of the financial woes of the city. I urge and plead with you, if part of the issue is man power then maybe, just maybe, we need to hire temps to perform some of the day to day operations while permanent staff can spend time pulling the resources needed by the FAB in order to perform and be effective as a board.

I may be way off base here and gladly will accept feed back but it will and still is my personal opinion that the financial woes are not glued to one factor of falling property values but a clear mis-management of funds, unnecessary spending and in some cases a lack of competitive bidding in the past regardless if that is from Staff or Commissions. As a Shareholder in Lake Worth, it would be my wish that this diverse and representative commission throw all the financial "chips" on the table and let's get to the bottom line regardless of what the picture is.

The FAB is a perfect avenue and vehicle in which this can be accomplished and I for one would love to see the city spend the temporary funds to make it happen.

Corporations are not People they shouted

2012-01-21T08:00:00.003-05:00

Comment Up

Photo by Dee McNamara

Move to Amend organized a nationwide demonstration (occupation) at multiple Federal Courts across the country in order to urge that the Supreme Court's decision on corporate and labor spending in federal elections be overturned by a constitutional amendment. Occupy Wall Street joined their forces with Move to Amend to organize the demonstrations.

At the Federal Court on Clematis Street in West Palm Beach, 40-45 people ( mostly mature adults) held signs, listened to speakers and signed petitions to amend the Constitution to eliminate the corporate control of our elective process which has been enabled by the Citizens United decision by the right wing majority on the Supreme court calling corporations people and money "protected speech."

Prior to yesterday's demonstration, 161,000 signatures have been gathered and Move to Amend expected several thousand were added from yesterday's gatherings.

Missing Cat in Lake Osborne Heights

2012-01-20T11:00:00.001-05:00

Comment Up

Saki the cat

He is a neutered male, small tiger striped named Saki, missing from his home on Cochran Drive. Everyone in the ROLOH neighborhood, please look out for him. If you see him, call

Sharon Rosell
561-202-0940
561-281-4444

Palm Beach County Cultural Council Opening - A Place For Art

2012-01-20T09:55:00.001-05:00

Comment Up

Thursday was the opening of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council's new home on Lake Avenue. They did a wonderful renovation on the old theater building of seven decades ago. I had a lot of great memories as a kid going there to the movies and throwing Jujubes at some boy for whom I had a crush. Great fun back then. To see two double features and cartoons plus the news of the day cost us 25 cents and of course, we were out of our parent's hair for 5 hours.

Rick Gonzalez of REG Architects, did the interior renovation. He was the architect of our new Casino that is now under construction. Notice the beautiful and exquisite molding around the entry ways and ceiling in the reception area. These are the original moldings and were retained by REG.

Featured in this slideshow is Nichole Hickey, Artist's Services Coordinator. The Council is featuring the South Florida Cultural Consortium Fellowship winners for this inaugural exhibition through April 14. The have a gift shop where you can purchase various works of art from jewelry to handbags and other items by the area artists and craftsmen.

As gifts to those visiting their grand opening, they gave out a packet of note cards made by the VSA, the state organization on Arts and Disability. There will be an Artist's Reception on February 29 from 5 to 7 pm.

The Mayor

2012-01-20T07:21:00.001-05:00

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Crime in Lake Worth

2012-01-19T17:09:00.001-05:00

Comment Up

During the week of January 6 - 12, there were 75 bookings into the Palm Beach County Jail: burglary, larceny, grand theft, tress-passing, marijuana possession, carrying a concealed weapon, battery, DUI and other sundry violations to warrant arrest. These are the criminals who were caught.

Sorry I have to burst everyone's bubble again but we have a serious crime problem in Lake Worth.

SOPA Protest

2012-01-19T15:27:00.000-05:00

Did anyone try and access a web site yesterday that took you instantly to a black page on the SOPA protest. I tried Wikipedia and they were part of the protest.

"The Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA) have lost some support on Capitol Hill after many websites shut down in protest this week. Once a co-sponsor of PIPA, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida reversed his position and said he hoped a new piece of legislation could be put into place that would address Internet piracy "while protecting free and open access to the Internet.” Meanwhile, after its protest Wednesday, Wikipedia continues to provide users with instructions on how to fight SOPA and PIPA."

For the rest of the story, please go to CNN.

City Manager Resumes

2012-01-19T15:09:00.002-05:00

Comment Up
For the week ending January 13, the City received 13 resumes. That makes 43 to date.

Is there a CUT-OFF date for city manager resumes? Just checking, as it seems there was NO CUT-OFF date for beach leases.

Top 8 Resumes:

D Sugerman...55
P White...46
R Hudnall...45
F Spence...42
R Kerbel...40
J Kroll...40
C Pilgrim...39
D Stepan...38

Robert Waples on our Casino Leases

2012-01-19T12:20:00.001-05:00

Comment Up
Today, Robert Waples, President of ROLOH, wrote to the City Commission about various issues. This is an excerpt of that e-mail regarding the Casino leases. I will follow with other opinions from him on the John Pickett resignation from the Finance Advisory Board and the Sunset parcel in his neighborhood.

"Casino:

Can we please all just agree on what the rate is. If its going to be $30 per square foot then so be it and those who are interested will come. I personally love the idea of Mulligans and hope that becomes the decision on the first floor and look very forward to being a Patron.

I was some what disturbed by this quote from Ms. Margolis "We now have restaurant tenants who are interested in the separate north anchor first floor and second floor spaces. The first floor tenant wants the entire north space and is offering $30 sf. Fox is now only taking one bay, #5, at 667sf for $25sf for the same permitted use as his earlier lease. We have a Women’s Fashion Store that is offering $30sf for either Unit 5, 6 or 7 (which is not available if the restaurant takes the whole north space). "

This is indicating that there are various rent negotiations. We should just set the rate and approve appropriate business to this City Jewel in a family friendly beach front that will be second to none. This is simply not that hard of a decision and going back and forth on leases is very discouraging to the businesses that want to be there.

Just like the City of Lake Worth is a mutli-million dollar business, the casino should not be or continue to be caught up in politics. But as a board of directors (you the commission), with interest of the share holders (we the taxpayers), need to move this forward quickly and smoothly to not only get the financials for the Casino solved, but get it self sustaining and in place so when it opens we hit the ground running with a bright and shining jewel for Lake Worth and a positive and clear example of 'Yes, Lake Worth is Business Friendly and can conduct business professionally'.

I'm not saying that is not what we are trying to accomplish but the public perception will become the business perception if we are not careful."

Lake Worth Annual Daddy-Daughter/Mother-Son Date Night

2012-01-19T10:37:00.000-05:00

CITY OF LAKE WORTH ANNUAL “DADDY DAUGHTER/MOTHER SON DATE NIGHT”

WHEN: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2012
WHERE: LAKE WORTH GOLF COURSE (One 7th Avenue N., East of Dixie)

Calling all Dads, Grandfathers & Uncles looking to showcase your little princess during a night she’ll always remember.

Show your daughter(s) the true meaning of a “Perfect Date” by actually taking her out on one. Dress up in your finest attire and bring your daughter on a date to a beautiful ballroom especially designed for a princess like her.There will be elegant dining complimented by music, games and fun Daddy-Daughter activities.

We haven’t forgotten you moms wishing to bring your handsome prince. You are more than welcome to show off your son(s) as your pride and joy as well. The Cost:$36.00/couple, which includes all of the festivities listed above. An additional $15.00/person is required for more than two (2) people. . .

To register or for additional information please contact Melissa Garvin @ 561-719-5002 or the Lake Worth Recreation Department at 561-533-7363.

HB 673 will hurt local governments

2012-01-19T07:35:00.001-05:00

Comment Up

Finally. The League of Cities finally is opposing a bad Bill. When you have a Bill that has the support of several contractor groups, including the 200,000-member Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida, but is drawing opposition from the Florida League of Cities, then you know it is hot stuff. Incidentally, Jeff Clemens voted NO as well. Good going, Jeff.

The Bill (HB 673):

"Local governments wouldn't be able to employ local bid preferences when awarding construction contracts using state dollars under a House bill lawmakers moved forward with on Wednesday.

Members of the House Government Operations subcommittee voted 8-3 in favor of the legislation (HB 673) sponsored by Rep. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, who said the preferences drive up the cost of public construction projects and sometimes eliminate the best bidder for the project because they're located in another Florida county."

Hogwash. Read more at Tallahassee.com.

Passing the Gavel

2012-01-18T18:57:00.001-05:00

Comment Up

The Vice Mayor asked the Mayor last night if she wanted to pass him the gavel. She said "yes" and proceeded to make a motion to wipe out the entire night and leases previously approved except for Kilwins. Scott Maxwell kept saying, "Let's call the vote."

WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON?

Chair of Lake Worth Finance Board Resigns

2012-01-18T16:12:00.002-05:00

Comment Up

Dear Honorable Mayor, City Commissioners and Acting City Manager,

When I first applied for the newly created Financial Advisory Board in early 2010, I had high hopes that the new Board would serve two functions I thought were essentially missing in Lake Worth: 1. The Board would allow a group comprised of every day citizens to have access to the arcane world of Lake Worth’s finances and, as a result, allow the public to have input the financial decision making of the City; and 2. The Board would be able to provide real and material advice to the Commission that would otherwise not be afforded to it, advice based on the collective experience and expertise of seven Lake Worth citizens highly practiced in the arts of business and finance.

It has been abundantly clear to me for some time that this Board has been largely ineffective because we as a Board have not been allowed or able to serve either function. Despite the great efforts of City Staff, particularly Mr. Carr (who I believe is the best asset the City has), we have not, in my opinion, been granted access to financial information in a timely manner on various issues where we might have made a difference in City policy; rather, we often receive the information after policy has already been formulated or decided, effectively watering down any opinion we might have. We then become an oversight Board, rather than an advisory one, and I do not believe that role suits either the purpose for which the Board was created or benefits the citizens of Lake Worth in general.

It is has also been extremely frustrating over the last two years to see a group of seven dedicated citizens commit incalculable hours of time and inordinate amounts of energy on a work product that has almost always been dead on arrival at the Commission level. Our Board is a comprised of a group of individuals with a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences who all have essentially one thing in common: strong success in business and finance. While I understand and respect that the Commission is in no way obligated to accept or heed our advice, I have always found it curious and unfortunate that over the last two years the Commission as a body has paid the Board or our advice little more than lip service. Any an all recommendations we seem to make usually seem to end up in the “receive and file” bin to be discussed no more.

Without trying to cause further consternation and debate, a prime example about what I am talking about is the issue of the proposed leases for the beach. Our Board, I believe, made solid recommendations to the Commission about the various tenants. Other than material in 500 plus page back-up, nowhere may those recommendations be found, nor were we asked to be heard about what we thought. If the Commission decided they didn’t like our thinking, they could have sent us back to the drawing board. Our Board, in my opinion, should have done the heavy lifting here; our Board should have worked side-by-side with the Commission and with Paul Snitkin or a similar representative to represent the City’s and the public’s interest and secure the most qualified and best tenants at the best price.. That is where our Board has value added. Instead……..

As a member of the Board, and as Chairman for the last six months, I realize that I have to accept some responsibility for the Board’s ineffectiveness. I have tried any method I could think of to change the way the Board receives information, the way it formulates opinions and gives advice, and the way that advice is conveyed to the Commission so that it may be heard, understood, and heeded. It is unfortunate that I have not been successful, for I believe that the Board, if utilized properly, could be of tremendous benefit to both the Commission and the citizenry of Lake Worth. As the new mayor and commissioner settle in, in my last act of advice, I ask that they work to find a way to use the Board so that everyone benefits. I sense, without actually knowing for fact, that the current members of the Board are frustrated by all of this that I have mentioned. I also believe, again without knowing for fact, that the conditions I have stated were the primary cause and reason for two members of the board to resign before their terms expired, and for two members, including our former Chairman, to not reapply to sit. I therefore implore the Commission to find a way to empower the Board and make it relevant, lest the Board fall further into the ash heap of Lake Worth.

There is an old saying in business that one should “lead, follow, or get out of the way.” I have recently started a new company that requires much of my time and effort. Given the hard work I see ahead for the Finance Advisory Board, particularly as it continues to work to find its niche and purpose in Lake Worth government, I feel the Board needs a member and a Chairman that can commit the time and effort to continue the journey and the struggle to be heard and to make a difference. I realize that can’t be me, despite my extreme reluctance to not finish what I have started. I have followed on the Board, I have led, and now I must get out of the way. With great wishes for Lake Worth, and tremendous thanks for the opportunity to serve, I hereby resign from both the office of Chairman of the Financial Advisory Board and from the Board.

Sincerely,

John Pickett

Lake Worth Tee Shirt Company attorney writes the Assistant City Manager Lake Worth

2012-01-18T15:21:00.001-05:00

Comment Up
From: Tom Connick <tomconnick@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Jan 14, 2012 at 12:01 PM
Subject: Lake Worth Casino Lease - Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company
To: Kathleen Margoles <kmargoles@lakeworth.org>

Dear Kathleen:

Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company has done and will continue to do everything within its power to cooperate with the City concerning the Lake Worth Casino lease situation.

For many, many months, the leasing agent and Staff prospectively assigned Unit #7 to Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company. Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company accepted that Unit designation and worked under that premise. As recently as this past week, when Staff had requested that the lease for Unit #7 be executed, Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company did so and returned the executed lease to the City (the actual executed lease by Lake Worth Beach Tee Shirt Company is not attached to the attachments of your January 12th Memorandum to the Commission).

Towards the end of the week, things moved very fast and there was a potential seismic change in Unit placement. This potential change is reflected in your email of Thursday, January 11th, at 7:27 pm, which is quoted:

Mr. Connick,

We have had a late development in the Casino leases that we need to discuss ASAP. I tried to call you earlier but there was no answer. I am in the office working the new scenarios and need to speak with you. Please call me on my cell tonight anytime or in the office tomorrow.

We now have restaurant tenants who are interested in the separate north anchor first floor and second floor spaces. The first floor tenant wants the entire north space and is offering $30 sf. Fox is now only taking one bay, #5, at 667sf for $25sf for the same permitted use as his earlier lease. We have a Women’s Fashion Store that is offering $30sf for either Unit 5, 6 or 7 (which is not available if the restaurant takes the whole north space).

Please give me a call to discuss. The drop dead time for the agenda is tomorrow at noon.

Kathleen Margoles

Mulligans owner writes the Lake Worth City Commission

2012-01-18T12:50:00.003-05:00

Comment Up
After last night's City Commission meeting, you have to ask yourself, 'What is really going on here?" Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell did everything possible to derail it all. The Mayor, Pam Triolo, lost her cool once again and passed the gavel to make a motion to rescind all previous votes other than Kilwans. Commissioner Amoroso just followed Maxwell. None of them knew what the Right of First Refusal means. It was a complete farce of a night.

Below is an e-mail sent to the Commission by the owner of Mulligans:

January 18, 2012

To Lake Worth City Commissioners,

Last night’s City Commissioner meeting was shocking to me as I have spent weeks gathering and reviewing lease documents, financial statements, references, etc. for a lease to be approved for the Lake Worth Casino Project. I was told by the Realtor that this was simply a formality.

However after sitting through 4 hours of a meeting going nowhere I quickly realized that the commissioners are not viewing this decision properly and heading towards a decision that will leave their community disappointed with this project and a restaurant that Lake Worth will not be proud of.

I am insulted to be placed in the same category with Bokamper’s Sports Bar. After looking into their concept and their website I am appalled that the City of Lake Worth would even consider a place that does events as Bad Ass Bike Night and barely dress their employees.

I feel as certain commissioners are thinking too much about the initial bottom line and are not looking into what the community needs and wants in their back door. Lake Worth needs to build their reputation with Family Oriented locations, businesses that support the community in the way it needs to be supported. Bringing in a sports bar is not doing what is right for the community. As far as an owner of a restaurant saying sure we can serve breakfast or sure we can come up with another concept, that is not easy and if they do that it will not be done right. It takes years, and a strong infrastructure to build a new concept and to add another whole menu to a kitchen. This needs a different kitchen design, different cooks, and years of experience to do this properly. If you choose Bokamper’s you are selling out your entire community for a few dollars because you don’t have any pride in your project and think you can’t get anything better upstairs. That thinking is wrong and really disappointing coming from City Commissioners.

I have performed my due diligence before signing a letter of intent and presented the commissioners with a professional package of our financials, references, etc. in a timely manner and felt as I did what was required to be eligible for a lease. For a business to come in and toss a to-go menu up to the commissioner and state they will pay more money, is unprofessional and not the way this business should have been handled nor should they even be considered without a full proposal.

Mulligan’s Beach House is a company that has been successful doing breakfast, lunch and dinner for 15 years. We are a casual family seafood restaurant. Our list of references, donations and news stories of supporting the community that each commissioner was given speaks for itself. We are a restaurant that not only serves great food with fast friendly service to each customer we also highly support each community that we move in. Mulligan’s is what your community wants. We are a restaurant that knows how to handle high volume business, we are family owned and operated. I am in the restaurants every day and I am a hands on owner, constantly training my staff & managers, constantly looking for new better products for our menus, I am there talking to my customers and making sure everyone has a wonderful experience and will want to return.

Mulligan’s is currently on beach front locations we know the standards and regulations that need to be in place for the safety of our sea turtles and recycling policies to keep our beaches clean. We already follow those guidelines at our other beachfront properties and will guarantee that you will have a clean healthy place on your property. We have already hired architects and contractors to begin planning for this project and they will need time to get the proper paperwork and ordering process started. Holding this vote off for another month will just be very difficult on us or any other restaurant being considered to do all the work *properly* to build a
successful well-built restaurant. A decision is necessary in the next few weeks by the city commissioners to do this properly.

Mulligan’s Beach House does not promote their bar, we do not do shots, we do not do pitchers of beer, we simply sell a variety of tropical drinks, beer & wine to compliment your meal. Mulligan’s concentrates on families and pleasing all ages from 0 to 100. We are open 365 days a year giving families a place to celebrate all the holidays including Thanksgiving & Christmas with traditional turkey dinners and more holiday festivities.

I am asking that the city commissioners think seriously about your vision for the City of Lake Worth, if you do this you will clearly see Mulligan’s Beach House being the perfect fit for this location. I guarantee you that we will make Lake Worth proud; I guarantee you that once we are selected for that spot and other restaurateurs see the beautiful restaurant that we will build, you will be able to get the rent that is needed to fulfill all of your budget requirements.

Take a moment to view the websites and visit Mulligan’s and visit the Bokamper’s, imagine Bokamper’s with Welcome to the Jungle playing on their website and girls dressed in too tight shorts, wings & BBQ pork, customers smoking at the bar, more TV’S than people, imagine that on your beautiful beach front community…look good? No, now imagine Mulligan’s Beach House with the sounds of steel drums playing, fresh tuna, grouper & snapper on your plate, kids holding balloons, beautiful palm tree fabric booths, water lit bars and professionally dressed well-mannered employees serving your citizens, imagine that on your beautiful beach front community. Mulligan’s is the picture that your community envisions in that location, now you just have to make that vision become reality.

Sincerely,

George Hart,
Owner/Operator,
Mulligan’s Beach House Bar & Grill

Lake Worth City Manager Resumes

2012-01-18T11:16:00.002-05:00

Comment Up
Thirty-one resumes have been submitted to The City of Lake Worth for the City Manager's position. I asked someone very familiar with the position of city manager and who has been one for years, to study the resumes and rank all of the people according to their experience, education, and other special qualifications. Below is the ranking, without prejudice, on a total score of 60 points.

1. Dale Sugerman...50 points
2. Paul White...46 points
3. Robert Hudnall...45 points
4. Frank Spence...42 points
5. Richard Kerbel...40 points
6. Joseph Kroll...40 points

Kerbel and Kroll were tied.

It will now be up to the Commission to choose the best and most qualified candidate to be our new City Manager. Hopefully the full Short-List will be presented to the Commission this month.

Last Night's Lake Worth Casino Lease Fiasco

2012-01-18T08:28:00.007-05:00

Comment Up
Read the Post article of last night's meeting on the Lake Worth Beach Leases.

I stayed until 12:15. The Commission was still going round and round. There were two different options presented: Option One had an anchor space leasing the first and 2nd floors for 10,500 square feet. Option number Two, which the Commission voted on, consists of 5,002 s.f. for the anchor on the first floor and 6,591 for another anchor restaurant on the 2nd floor.

The commission also decided that it wanted two different restaurants but one owner could own both of the restaurants. The reason for wanting two separate restaurants was to help ensure that if the restaurant failed, our liability would be reduced. This Commission didn't see that nor did it understand that. These are MOM & Pop restaurants; if they were owned and operated by the same owner and one failed, that owner would be in serious financial problems and the City of Lake Worth would be left vulnerable.

It then voted in the Kilwin's lease that comprises 1,332 s.f. at $25 per foot.

It was all down hill after that. I have never seen such a ridiculous bunch in my entire life.

Fox Surf and Sport's lease got approved for space number 5 on a 4/1 vote with Maxwell dissenting. In fact, he complained about everything last night pertaining to the Casino leases as he was highly perturbed that, in his opinion, the CAM was not sufficient, as well as the fact he was only interested in the top dollar regardless of any pros and cons to the store wanting the space. CAM is an additional, annual charge often assessed to tenants for maintenance of the property’s “common area,” such as its entryways, hallways, bathrooms, etc. One real estate broker from the community spoke to the CAM issue which on many of the leases is determined by the CPI, saying that in his opinion it would be in the double digits, not the $7.00 per s.f. that Staff factored. This was just enough for Maxwell to salivate. Not trusting staff is typical for Maxwell even though it is the Finance Director he appointed as Acting City manager who had approved the CAM figure.

New York Pizza was voted in on a 3/2 vote with Maxwell and Amoroso dissenting. Even though NY Pizza has the right of first refusal, these commissioners voted against them coming back to our casino after having been there for nearly 20 years. Simply, a Right of First Refusal allows a buyer or lessee to purchase or lease property by matching another offer. It is the right of a party to match the terms of a proposed contract with another party. NY Pizza's competition for space numbers 1 & 2 was Mama Mia's and NY Pizza had matched their offer.

We then moved on to Fox Surf and Beach Shop. City staff did not have any competing operation vying for that spot. This, in my opinion, was done intentionally. They were voted in on a 4/1 with Maxwell withholding an affirmative vote. They are taking 667 s.f at $25 per s.f.

Staff did, however, have two stores wanting space #6, Lake Worth Beach and Tee Shirt Shop that has been on our beach for 26 years with the right of first refusal and a new store, Lake Worth Fashion and Swim Wear that will be closed on Saturdays, the biggest day at our beach. Staff brought up Lake Worth Tee's credit rating for the hundredth time, insinuating they were not the type of tenant we wanted at our beach even though the owner, Barry Freedman, owes Lake Worth nothing and who has the right to lease legally. A motion was made to allow LW Tee to have two, 5 year extensions on its lease. That was voted down on a 2/3 with the "visionaries" dissenting even though just about all of the rest of the Lessees had the same terms.

Mulligans was well represented last night. Just when everyone thought their lease would be approved, a curve ball was thrown. It seems that at the last 98 seconds, Bokampers, a sports bar and grill, presented a Letter of Intent to lease both the ground and second floor at $30 a s.f. We did have a drop dead date to submit bids but as it turned out we didn't have a drop dead cut off date. This did all of these potential lessees a disservice as well as every resident in this city.

I left the Chamber at 12:15 as this entire exercise was ridiculous. As it turned out, the entire discussion on the beach leases was a total WASTE OF TIME and a total EMBARRASSMENT. Did I say that before? I had an e-mail waiting for me this morning (I need to have it interpreted) that described the rest of the meeting as following:

At around 12:30, the mayor made a motion to rescind - void the previous vote on the tee shirt shop, fox and other shop (NY Pizza??? unsure--it was late) Mulvehill and McVoy protested but because there were bids from the audience (a few shops were getting into a bidding war) and discussion of the two arguing beach shops - the mayor threw the whole thing out so it would be fair to all and reset for a date certain... I think the 24th - when Scott is going to Tallahassee - not a disability or sick or family death - so he has to double back to be upstate on Thursday. ABC moved to 1-31 def moved to 2-7 and chamber settled verbally - can handle themselves item previously discussed over 15K. OH MY!.

SOPA Strike

2012-01-17T21:05:00.001-05:00

On January 18th, 2012 the Internet is going on strike to stop the web censorship bills in Congress!

Now is your moment— If you want to participate in the strike, whether you have a web site or not, go to STRIKE

Proposed new Public Services Building in Lake Worth

2012-01-17T15:00:00.003-05:00

There are a lot of items on tonight's city commission agenda. There is so much to write about that it really has become ridiculous. When this commission was elected, I wondered if there would be as much to write about. My query was short lived. For the very vocal dozen who will be tempted to give me some bull about the BCME, I will admit that she did want to grab the power. However, as said on numerous occasions, it was up to the Commission to control it not abrogate it.

As some of you know who were at the Commission meeting when the architects, all highly qualified, presented their designs for our Casino, Song & Associates lobbied the merchants at the beach. This was border line unethical but in my book it did not conform to any standards of social or professional behavior. No other architect involved in the Casino lobbied any of our lessees and rightfully so.

It is an ethics violation if a firm has communicated with Staff or the Commission. Therefore, a firm that is up for consideration and lobbies a member of Staff or anyone directly involved in a project who might have an interest, to help swing a vote its way, is not professional nor is it appropriate. This was the only firm that resorted to that practice on the Casino according to public disclosure. Also, the fact that they low-balled the cost estimate, put them under special scrutiny, in my opinion.

Under the above circumstances, I would have been scrutinizing each firm very carefully for future work in our City to ensure that everything was above board and out in the Sunshine. However, Song & Associates was the firm chosen to be the architect on the new public services building and garage where the cost is estimated at $2.2 million. Some of the money to pay for this building will be coming from that "missing" billboard money if staff gets its way tonight.

Song was chosen last year by a selection committee from a list of 15 firms that responded to the city's request for proposals (RFP). I do not know nor do I remember who was on the selection committee but I would much prefer that the City Commission make the choice from a short-list in cases such as this, in a public meeting, because of full disclosure and Sunshine Laws. Would this be usurping the city manager's power? I would think that the commission would have a say. At least then we can ask the question of the Commission, "Did this firm contact you or anyone you know involved in the project, in any way, regarding this job?" Behind closed doors, who knows what's going on.

Inventory at Lake Worth Utility

2012-01-17T11:57:00.002-05:00

Comment Up

It's no wonder that Staff is turning over and people have resigned. The Utility is the place where millions get spent and millions get wasted.

The Utilities Warehouse controls stock items for the Electric, Operations General, Water & Sewer, and Power Plant Divisions. The material value on hand at the end of FY 2011 totals $5,440,428.75 and is broken down as:

Electric $4,542,228.64
General 38,729.80
Water & Sewer 114,252.44
Power Plant 745,217.87

Tonight, the City is asking the commission to approve writing off $1,350,000 just like it was nothing. The City hopes to get back less than 50 cents on the dollar. It will also be approving nearly $370 thousand in new services, parts and a membership fee to FMEA for Lake Worth Utilities. Lake Worth utilities is and has always been the black hole. This is where large amounts of money are approved, moved around and no one has a handle on any of it. All commissions, without fail, approve of everything when it comes before them from the utility. As Bill Coakley, former Electric Utility Task Force Chairman, would say, you have to put the cash into play before you can steal it.

These supplies have been described as no longer having any use to the City, including obsolete supplies, scrap materials, and supplies that have completed their useful life cycle.The stock items for disposal have resulted from years of decision making processes that were not driven by data and standard specifications. We bought lots of stuff that we never used and allowed it all to sit there obsolescing. Part of the problem was a past commission that made BIG mistakes when it came to our Utility when it approved the 26kv upgrade. This horrendously bad and failed decision has already cost us millions.

This first cut of items totals in excess of $1,350,000. The City says, "It is anticipated that as business practices improve and standard operating procedures are implemented, the on-hand needs will further reduce thereby eliminating the need to outlay excess funds for warehouse stock."

The biggest expense on the list is 155, 100 KVA, 26KV transformer poles that cost us $348,929.80.

Will situations such as this EVER end in Lake Worth?

Did Newt win the debate in South Carolina?

2012-01-17T10:43:00.000-05:00

Tax and Spend

2012-01-17T09:45:00.001-05:00

Comment Up

Once again, the Palm Beach Post editor is touting the tax and spend mentality of liberals and wrote about the fire assessment that is coming up for a vote in Delray Beach. Randy Schultz says that Delray has a better plan than did Lake Worth. Properties would be paying according to their size. What he failed to say, however, is that Lake Worth's fire assessment was NOT for fire services but rather a fire pension.

We have always said that 1) the fire assessment was unfair, taxing those in small units the same as someone in a 3,000 s.f. house, 2) taxing the poor the same rate as the rich, 3) grabbing the cash in order to raise revenue instead of cutting back on expenses and 4) opening up the opportunity to tax in subsequent years to meet expenditures instead of living within a normal budget.

Citizens are sick of taxes especially when we see a city over-buying and allowing inventory to become obsolete to over a million dollars at the Utility and uncollected code violation fines that were in the multi-millions of dollars. Instead of taxing to meet a budget, reduce the budget; stop the spending; stop the waste.

Lake Worth Chamber Of Commerce Owes Lake Worth $$

2012-01-17T08:19:00.001-05:00

Comment Up

The Lake Worth Chamber owes the City of Lake Worth a bunch of money...$10,662.83 to be exact. They have ignored our billing for years going back to March 2008 when a golf cart went "missing." That's what started the non-payment cycle. The Chamber "lost" an expensive golf cart. Where did it go? Who absconded with the cart? Was it sold on Ebay or Craig's List?

Past directors of the Chamber were always asking the City for money as well as the CRA and we usually always came through until the economy tanked. The City treated the Chamber with kid gloves by politely asking them for payment; it was reluctant to cause any waves, afterall, it was one of our "partners." The Chamber ignored all of our requests for payment. They finally offered to give us 10 cents on the dollar and settle their outstanding invoices for $1,000 at $250 a month starting in March 2011. The Chamber made one payment and then stopped paying again.

The City is now suggesting that it settle with the Chamber for approximately one-half of what they owe or $5,384. Why should they get any consideration? We advanced them services and loaned them a golf cart worth $3,800 on good faith that disappeared and now we should give them a write-off on what they owe? This is getting all to familiar in Lake Worth. Let's screw the taxpayer one more time.

Derrick Digger for Lake Worth Utilities

2012-01-16T13:00:00.001-05:00

Comment Up
Tomorrow night there is a lot on the Agenda with 12 items on Consent.

One item is the purchase of a hydraulic Derrick Digger for the Utility Department.

They are looking to buy a 45 foot Hydraulic Derrick designed for mounting on a tracked carrier with a turntable winch, built in accordance with standard specifications including certain features necessary for their goals.

The Commission will be approving the lowest bid by Altec Industries with a cost of $141,840.

Residential Refuse Pick-Ups Lake Worth

2012-01-16T11:00:00.001-05:00

Comment Up
Someone sent me an e-mail regarding waste pick-up and the fact that the City is not mailing out correct information to customers who live in condos and apartment buildings.

I received in the mail this week, as I'm sure EVERY LW utility customer did, a flier from our Refuse Division. The flier does a nice job of outlining the schedule for residential refuse pickup in LW. One problem I have with the flier is that it's information does not pertain to commercial customers. I, along with thousands of other LW residents that reside in condo or apartments, am considered a commercial customer. My refuse schedule is completely different from that of residential customers. I wonder what how many $$$ these useless fliers cost for printing and mailing. Could it be that the fliers were printed/mailed by the Refuse Division for job security reasons, as the fliers that I received are now in the 'bin.' How about mailing a flier to commercial customers with pertinent schedule information?

Just my 2 pennies.

Have a nice day.

Now the brochure that I have in my possession seems to be correct for Zone 1 where I live. However, it does not make the distinction for bulk pick-up for commercial accounts (condos and apartment buildings included here) as the instructions are for residential customers who live in houses only. I did not get this schedule that the writer received with my last utility bill.

I spoke about this a year ago in front of the commission when Joe Kroll was in charge. Nothing ever got changed. Consequently, we still have people in the condo communities that just don't understand that this information is for those customers who live in houses only and therefore some get confused and put mattresses, etc. out by the road on Lake Osborne blighting the community. In fact, they should be putting out bulk by the dumpster the night before for bulk pick-up day.

If more people speak out, perhaps, eventually, the correct instructions will be given to residential buildings that are treated as commercial accounts. Jaime Brown took over for Joe Kroll and he might be unaware of this flier and its instructions. Perhaps Steve O'Neal is not aware either. Joe Kroll should have been.

Joe Kroll applies for Lake Worth City Manager

2012-01-16T07:29:00.007-05:00

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UPDATE ON EDUCATION-New Resume
Joseph Kroll, Director of Lake Worth's Public Services Department for a little over four years, resigned from Lake Worth in October 2011 to take a job as Southeast regional manager for Winter Park-based Hubbard Construction.

Perhaps that job is not working out too well for him as he's been hanging around Lake Worth. With confidence and encouraged by politicos within the City of Lake Worth who like his easy-going personality, he has submitted his resume to become the new City Manager.

Joseph S. Kroll

ICMA member

Education
BS- Bachelor of Science Public Administration, Upper Iowa University 2003
MPA- Masters of Public Administration, Barry University 2007

City Manager experience
None

Assistant City Manager Experience
Town of Haverhill, Assistant Town Administrator 2003-2006
for a population of 1,604 people in a town of .61 square miles with an operating budget of $1,040,013.

Other experience
South East Regional Manager for Hubbard Construction, Oct 2011 - present?
Director of Public Works, City of Lake Worth, Florida 2007-2011
Director of Public Works, Lake Park, Florida 2006-2007
VP & COO for Natural Solutions Corp. 1997-2003
Indian Trail Improvement District, Maintenance Director 1990-1997

Previous Highlighted Resumes of well qualified candidates
Dale S. Sugarman
Frank R. Spence
Paul D. White

Qualifications the City is Seeking
Qualifications after Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell disses ICMA certification, etc., turns down the elevation of the assistant city manager saying "I want a fresh new face" with Triolo and Amoroso following his lead.

Firing of the City Manager

2012-01-15T18:47:00.003-05:00

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Letter to the Editor
Palm Beach Post
January 15, 2012

The following letter, in many respects, could be talking about the very same thing that happened in Lake Worth--the firing of the city manager. Substitute the name Titcomb and replace it with Stanton in some of the letter and you will see the similarities in North Palm Beach with them having the exact complaints that most of the citizens have in Lake Worth: Firing of the City Manager with no reasons stated; possible collusion and Sunshine Violations.

The Letter:

North Palm owes residents an answer on manager firing

The North Palm Beach Village Council decided in secret to fire Village Manager Jamie Titcomb. He will receive six months' salary, as his termination is officially "without cause." There is no replacement in sight.

There have been comments about problems with "morale." This could mean anything or nothing, perhaps even that Mr. Titcomb was doing his job correctly and stepped on the wrong toes. We are told that the village investigated, then met with one council member after another, presenting the "facts" to each and soliciting an opinion until a consensus was reached. Now, no one wants to talk about it. Never mind the legalities. This is not government in the sunshine.

The people of North Palm Beach are paying for this. They deserve a full explanation from their elected officials, starting with the mayor. If Mr. Titcomb was axed for just cause, why is he being paid off? If not, then what is going on here?

WILLIAM F. McDERMOTT

North Palm Beach

A Stark Difference - Makers vs Takers

2012-01-15T11:30:00.001-05:00

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Lake Worth woman gets burglarized

2012-01-15T08:58:00.004-05:00

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Who can you trust anymore? You can't even lock your door and leave your home these days. The City spends more than half its operating budget (from taxes you pay) on public safety and you still get robbed. You contract with some people that should be licensed and insured (or at least we hope that she checked these people out) but you still get "low-lifes" invading your home and taking whatever they desire from you, the guy who works hard for a living and expects to be safe.

Two roofers face burglary charges after $70,000 in goods stolen from Lake Worth work site.

A Voice of Sanity - Rep. Allen West

2012-01-15T07:51:00.003-05:00

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A voice of sanity. Thank you, Congressman Allen West [LTC, USA, Retired].

May I suggest that Her Royal Highness HR Clinton and Professor Panetta take all of their liberal civilian buddies out to fight against the Taliban (once they have rid this country of these “monstrous” Marines])? Come, teach all of us Active, Retired and Veteran military how to lead soldiers in combat, and what their punishments should be for what amounts to malicious mischief.

Read the rest of the article by William R. Mann, a retired Lt. Colonel, US Army. He is a now a political observer, analyst, activist and writer for Conservative causes. He was educated at West Point [Bachelor of Science, 1971 ]and the Naval Postgraduate School [Masters, National Security Affairs, 1982].

Allen West Puts it all into Perspective

2012-01-14T16:46:00.003-05:00

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"I have sat back and assessed the incident with the video of our Marines urinating on Taliban corpses. I do not recall any self-righteous indignation when our Delta snipers Shugart and Gordon had their bodies dragged through Mogadishu. Neither do I recall media outrage and condemnation of our Blackwater security contractors being killed, their bodies burned, and hung from a bridge in Fallujah.

All these over-emotional pundits and armchair quarterbacks need to chill. Does anyone remember the two Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division who were beheaded and gutted in Iraq?

The Marines were wrong. Give them a maximum punishment under field grade level Article 15 (non-judicial punishment), place a General Officer level letter of reprimand in their personnel file, and have them in full dress uniform stand before their Battalion, each personally apologize to God, Country, and Corps videotaped and conclude by singing the full US Marine Corps Hymn without a teleprompter.

As for everyone else, unless you have been shot at by the Taliban, shut your mouth, war is hell."

Crime Stats Lake Worth

2012-01-14T14:12:00.000-05:00

Week ending January 14, 2012

Do you really feel safer?

Theft 14
Proactive Policing 8
Pedestrian Stop 8
Vehicle Recovery 1
Robbery 2
Quality of Life 27
Drugs 15
Disorder 7
Liquor 5
Property Crime 4
Property Crime 4
Other 45
Death 1
Family Offense 13
Alarm 4
Other 25
Missing Person 2
Assault 10
Assault 10
Traffic 25

Tri-Rail and Lake Worth's "Vision"

2012-01-14T11:45:00.001-05:00

Tri-Rail, serves the state's most densely populated corridor running through Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. We have a stop at Lake Worth Road. Also, Tri-Rail has never turned a profit since it started in 1989. The state subsidizes Tri-Rail with $34.6 million a year while passenger revenues cover only $10.4 million of the $64 million annual operating budget.

Those looking to develop Transit Oriented Developments want to keep Tri-Rail no matter what, no matter the cost. Wikipedia describes TOD's as: a residential or commercial area designed to maximize access to public transport, and often incorporates features to encourage transit ridership. A TOD neighborhood typically has a center with a transit station or bus stop, surrounded by relatively high-density development with progressively lower-density development spreading outward from the center. TODs generally are located within a radius of one-quarter to one-half mile (400 to 800 m) from a transit stop, as this is considered to be an appropriate scale for pedestrians.

This is part of the "vision" for Lake Worth. The only thing we can do is build higher and build on every square inch of land available. We are already the most dense city in Palm Beach County and beyond, but don't tell that to a developer. And don't tell that to this new visionary. Around the railroad tracks is land where most people do not prefer to live.

Martin Luther King in Lake Worth

2012-01-14T09:16:00.001-05:00

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Abraham Lincoln doesn't get his own day anymore. Neither does the Father of our Country, George Washington. Washington and Lincoln no longer have holidays -- they share the generic-sounding "President's Day."

But Martin Luther King has a national holiday declared in his honor, a day not accorded to any other American. Kids jump for joy as they are out of school. The South Florida Fair--don't go there on Monday--full of kids getting educated on the roller coaster and eating cotton candy.

Don't you think one day of recognition is enough for Martin Luther King or sufficient time to honor any person for that matter? Not in Lake Worth. There will be three days for Martin--Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We will get to see Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell carrying on the Retha Lowe tradition-- marching, playing, praying, eating and ending up at the First Baptist Church for more eating and praying.

Although this holiday in the past has been a spastic frenzy of adulation by the media for the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it has been more subdued this year. However, some in Lake Worth are celebrating and celebrating. I have a dream that some day those living in this city will cease over-reacting to just about everything.

Saturday, January 14, 4-5:30pm
Spirituality of Nonviolence: Reviving the Legacy
Friends Quaker Meeting House, 823 N. A St

Sunday, January 15, 3pm
Of Ebony Embers (Musical Drama)
St Andrews Episcopal Church

Monday, January 16, 7:30-9:30am
Interfaith Prayer Breakfast
St. Andrew's Episcopal Church
Lucerne Ave & Palmway

Candelight March, 5pm
Lake Worth City Hall
March through downtown Lake Worth

MLK Awards Program 5:30pm
Cultural Plaza

MLK Fellowship Dinner, 6-8pm
First Baptist Church
M St & 2nd ave.

Who's your candidate?

2012-01-14T07:35:00.003-05:00

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Try the Match Game from USA Today. You might be in for a big surprise.

Reminder - Walkathon to Aid Haitian Earth Quake Victims TODAY

2012-01-14T06:51:00.000-05:00

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A representative of the Haitian American community spoke during public commentary bringing awareness to the Walkathon to aid Haitian quake victims.

Registration will be at 7am this Saturday, January 14, at the Lake Worth City Hall. They expect thousands to walk from City Hall to the beach and raise money for the planting of 300,000 fruit trees in Haiti. The number is representative of all those who lost their lives in the earth quake.

For further information or how to write your check, call, 561-598-3864 or 855-4288.

Green Parrots

2012-01-13T18:00:00.002-05:00

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A flock of Green Parrots flew over today to squawk and hang out.
It sounded like they were singing,
We Love Lake Worth!

Benefit Concert for The Academy for Positive Learning

2012-01-13T14:00:00.001-05:00

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Located at their new location, 1200 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth, The Academy for Positive Learning has been in business for eight years and has been given an A rating for the last five years.

Interim City Manager Resumes for Lake Worth

2012-01-13T12:08:00.001-05:00

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Previously, two resumes of top potential city managers have been highlighted here. Today I present the third highlights of qualifications for

Paul D. White

ICMA member since 1992

Education
MPA- Master, Public Administration and City Management, Howard University of Business
BA- Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Political Science, Morehouse College

City Manager Experience
Gainesville, Fl
Lincoln Heights, Ohio

Assistant City Manager Experience
Riviera Beach, FL
Gainesville, Fl

Private Sector experience
PDWA Management Consultants
Regional V.P. Insituform Technologies, Inc.
Executive Director Atlanta Empowerment Zone Corporation
Director National Development Council

Pet Amnesty Day

2012-01-13T09:32:00.003-05:00

If you or anyone you know can no longer care for an exotic animal, there is a pet amnesty day tomorrow, Saturday, January 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the West Palm Beach Garden Club.

It's located in West Palm Beach in Dreher Park behind the Palm Beach Zoo, beside the South Florida Science Museum.

4800 Dreher Trail N

West Palm Beach, FL 33405

Please, do not release pets into the wild. Most likely they will starve to death.

Radical Cosmetics locating to Lake Worth, Florida

2012-01-13T08:00:00.003-05:00

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Radical Cosmetics Corporation is moving to Lake Worth. It is a leading provider of color cosmetics and skin care contract manufacturing, development and packaging solutions.

Read about it here.

This is a company that met with our former City Manager. Because of those detailed meetings and business friendly attitude with Susan Stanton and others, this company is moving its operations from New Jersey to 8th Avenue North. It will be creating 40 jobs here in our city.

Friday the 13th

2012-01-13T07:17:00.001-05:00

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Just as ridiculous as the black cat myth, there is the Friday the 13th superstition.

According to senior writer Stephanie Pappas of LiveScience, the fear of Friday the 13th seems fairly new, dating back to the late 1800s. Friday has long been considered an unlucky day (according to Christian tradition, Jesus died on a Friday), and 13 has a long history as an unlucky number.

Read her article at Live Science.

A Pink Sky

2012-01-12T19:05:00.001-05:00

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Two men shot in Lake Worth

2012-01-12T14:55:00.003-05:00

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Two men shot near 10th Avenue North I-95 exit

Aqua America, the PSC and Lake Osborne Estates

2012-01-12T10:35:00.000-05:00

State Sen. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla says, "My main goal is to stop utility companies and the Public Service Commission from ripping off consumers. My goal is to stop these tiered rates. To me it is completely outrageous that they are doing what they are doing."

Bill Coakley, President of Lake Osborne Estates Neighborhood Association said, "Aqua purchases water from Lake Worth Utilities, doubles the cost and sells it to Lake Osborne Estates. Sen. Hays has filed a suit against Aqua Utilities. Read about it here.

I still want to know how much money The City of Lake Worth is making off of Aqua Utilities.

Aqua America, Inc. is a U.S.-based publicly-traded water and wastewater utility, serving approximately 3 million people in Pennsylvania, Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois, Texas, New Jersey, New York, Indiana, Florida, Virginia, Maine, and Georgia.

"Aqua America is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WTR. Its aggressive growth-through-acquisition strategy has resulted in nearly 200 acquisitions and growth ventures in the last ten years. These growth ventures have allowed Aqua America to achieve its growth goals and has had a favorable impact on its financial performance."

This seems to be their main interest--growth through acquisitions thus rising stock prices allowing all top executives to become wealthy and part of the 1% at the expense of helpless consumers who have no other choice where they buy their water such as those living in Lake Osborne Estates.

Saving American Democracy

2012-01-12T08:16:00.002-05:00

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Laurence McNamara recently sent me a quote:

" It is necessary that laws should be passed to prohibit the use of corporate funds directly or indirectly for political purposes; it is still more necessary that such laws should be thoroughly enforced."

~Theodore Roosevelt

Bernie Sanders says, "Corporations should not be allowed to spend unlimited, undisclosed sums of money to influence political campaigns." "If you or someone you love is a corporation, do not sign this http://sanders.senate.gov/savingdemocracy," Stephen Colbert tweeted after Bernie Sanders was a guest on his show.

More than 175,000 people have now signed the petition backing Bernie's constitutional amendment to overturn the Supreme Court's infamous ruling two years ago this month.

Lake Worth has Money to Burn

2012-01-11T18:46:00.001-05:00

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Acting City Manager Steve Carr signed a modification to Mattey's contract Tuesday that will pay her $72,800 to work nearly three additional months, from March 4 through May 25, so says the Palm Beach Post. That is about $877 a day. I was wondering if a city manager can amend an existing executive employee contract and pay out unapproved and unbudgeted funds without commission approval?

I would like to understand the reasons for this and why the City feels that Clay Lindstrom could not have been acting Utilities Director after Mattey's normal two months' notice and until the city finds a permanent director.

Justice?

2012-01-11T13:18:00.000-05:00

A former resident of Lake Worth was just sentenced to prison for conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud.

What she did:
She scammed 22,000 people out of $30 million bucks.

What she got:
15 years 8 months
Fined $15,000

What she might get for cooperating:
1/3rd sentence reduction

Moral of the story
It pays to scam people out of $30 million bucks.

Read the article.

Becky Mattey Officially gives Resignation

2012-01-11T08:51:00.004-05:00

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The City of Lake Worth Utilities Director, Rebecca Mattey, and the Acting City Manager, Steven Carr, informed the City Commission yesterday that the Utility Director will be leaving the City of Lake Worth on May 25, 2012.

The Utility Department consists of Electric, Water, Local and Regional Sewer services. Ms. Mattey has provided the City with a transition period that is three months longer than the notice period her contract required. This longer period will provide adequate time to ensure there is a well planned and executed transition period so that the operations of these critical service areas are not adversely impacted.

Palm Beach Post Article.

Sanctuary City and now a Municipal ID card?

2012-01-11T08:41:00.002-05:00

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Sunset on Lake Osborne

Well, today I will hear from the other side of politics in Lake Worth as this blog is about the CRB's idea of identification cards for the illegal immigrant. They will tell me that there is no such thing as "illegal." This is the extreme "left" side in Lake Worth. We heard from the extreme "right" side yesterday. I am just as ready for you as I was for all of those who were after Panagioti because of his declared "anarchist" status and what he didn't say or was allowed to say on Monday night, curbing his right to free speech.

On Monday night, the then secretary of the Community Relations Board, Jennifer Vanfosson, stated that she wants to research the possibility of giving undocumented immigrants an identification card. She had lived here for 8 months before she applied to the CRB and lived in the 400 block of North H Street. When she applied for the Community Relations Board, she said that she had "great PR skills, as well as CSR (community service?) skills that are basically needed by this City...community needs to be in touch with the employer in this city." What about E-Verify, Ms. Vanfosson?

Her Municipal ID idea allows undocumented immigrants (illegals) to open bank accounts, apply for hospital services, check out library books, access city facilities and even take a cross-country flight. These illegals cost the American citizens millions of dollars every year. What is the drive for these illegals to become citizens when everything is handed to them? We even print information in Spanish in Florida and in Lake Worth to make it easier for them not to learn English. You must be able to read, write, speak, and understand words in ordinary usage in the English language if you really want to become a citizen. There are a few exceptions.

Local officials have totally neglected U.S. laws and have allowed this City to become a haven for illegals. Rep. Jeff Clemens added to the rise in undocumented immigrants coming here when he voted to open The Resource Center. The city officials looked the other way as the churches and other organizations encouraged people to cross our borders illegally and settle in Lake Worth. Lake Worth became a Sanctuary City. It is a known fact that sanctuary cities are also a safe haven for criminal activities.

There was a big migration before the economy tanked. Many illegal immigrants before they even crossed our borders learned of our U.S. Constitution Amendment 14 and after they arrived, quickly had children who became instant U.S. citizens. The law states: In the United States, citizenship is governed by federal law. The basic requirement is set forth in the Fourteenth Amendment, which Congress passed in 1866. The very first sentence of that amendment says: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States." This Amendment needs to be amended.

As such, we have protected the illegal immigrant by non-action, by an antiquated 14th Amendment, and by shifting the blame to the federal government's lack of enforcement as the excuse for doing nothing. We have, as a government, coddled the undocumented person by ignoring any stand to uphold federal law. Knowing that federal and state laws have no teeth, we now have a Community Relations Board that has a strong member, Ms. Vanfosson, who now wants to give illegal immigrants the first step towards amnesty by issuing them ID cards.

There is no reason why a city volunteer board should be allowed to condone illegal activity at taxpayer expense or encourage a first step towards amnesty by promoting Municipal Identification Card for illegals.

Illegal immigration is a crime.

Under Title 8 Section 1325 of the U.S. Code, "Improper Entry by Alien," any citizen of any country other than the United States who:

Enters or attempts to enter the United States at any time or place other than as designated by immigration officers; or
Eludes examination or inspection by immigration officers; or
Attempts to enter or obtains entry to the United States by a willfully false or misleading representation or the willful concealment of a material fact;

has committed a federal crime.

Violations are punishable by criminal fines and imprisonment for up to six months. Repeat offenses can bring up to two years in prison. Additional civil fines may be imposed at the discretion of immigration judges, but civil fines do not negate the criminal sanctions or nature of the offense.

What Ms. Vanfosson is suggesting is much more serious than anything I heard on Monday night--blocking the Chair's right to the First Amendment but instead wanting to violate federal law by making it easier for illegals to migrate to Lake Worth by promoting a Municipal ID card.

As a citizen, I believe that the Community Relations Board should disappear quickly into the sunset.

Meeting at Lake Worth Shuffleboard Court Building just Announced

2012-01-10T15:05:00.002-05:00

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The City of Lake Worth’s Leisure Services Department will be hosting a community meeting to give residents a platform for discussion on potential City recreational programs and outdoor amenities connected with its Shuffleboard Court Building on Lucerne Avenue.

All residents who are interested in presenting their views and discussing what types of recreational programming they would like to see offered at the Center are encouraged to attend this meeting and become a part of the revitalization of this wonderful community asset.

Location: Shuffleboard Court Building, 1121 Lucerne Avenue, Lake Worth
When: Wednesday January 25, 2012
Time: 6:00pm

For additional information please call the Leisure Services Department at 561-533-7363

The Donkey Whisperer

2012-01-10T13:10:00.000-05:00

Republican political advertisement

Community Relations Board Lake Worth

2012-01-10T08:58:00.003-05:00

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Last night's CRB meeting was jammed packed with residents waiting to hear all about the Agenda items that were to be discussed.

Jennifer Vanfosson, a Board member who was appointed on June 16, 2011, accused Tsolkos of having a personal agenda and she moved to "receive and file" 6 items under New Business. She acted as if she were new to the Board when she did not remember that Panagioti Tosolkos, Chair, reminded the Board that its Plan was presented to the City Commission in September 2011. She dominated the meeting even going so far as to suggest that the Board have elections every 3 to 6 months with the excuse to have other volunteers take over the secretarial job. That idea was shot down.

The items that we all came down to listen to and have discussed and that were voted to Receive & File on a 4/2 vote:

1. Youth harassment from police
2. Hate groups in Lake Worth
3. Rights and Liberties of immigrant residents
4. Firing the City manager without proper notice or public input
5. Austerity and social cuts
6. Accepting the UN Declaration of Human Rights

The irony of receiving and filing the above is the fact that many of the above are definitely under the purview of the Community Relations Board to discuss and make recommendations per their mission statement. Ms. Vanfosson, after having rejected item #3, Rights and Liberties of immigrant residents, suggested that the Board look into giving immigrants identification cards, a subject that definitely falls under that category.

This is the first CRB meeting I have attended in the past year and I found Tsolkos respectful and dedicated to the CRB and its goals and reasons why it was formed to begin with-- that of promoting amicable relations among the racial and cultural groups within the community as well as advising the city commission and city manager in matters affecting law enforcement policies and community relations. I got the feeling that this Board might have some hope--was finally working together and progressing-- but it was not going to allow Tsolkos to lead when Ms. Vanfossen accused Mr. Tsolkos of a personal agenda and three other members followed her vote.

Mulligan's Beach House submits Letter of Intent

2012-01-09T14:39:00.004-05:00

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Mulligans, with restaurants located in Stuart, Jensen Beach, Vero Beach and Sebastian, Florida have submitted a Letter of Intent to lease space at our Casino. Mulligans closes at 11pm during the week and at Midnight on Friday and Saturday nights. They open at 8am for breakfast. I was assured that this is a family restaurant and that the bar is secondary to its business. On Thursdays, little children eat free.

Some of the highlights:

Lease rate: $30.00 s.f. on a Net basis not including C.A.M. - 1st year, 3.5% annual escalators, plus utilities.

Build outs: Vanilla shell as defined by the City, Poured in place, unfinished concrete slab floor with appropriate stub outs for plumbing and electrical. Taped and primed, appropriately rate dismissing walls, basic Code required electrical service including minimal lighting, Open raw ceilings with exposed mechanical systems. Fire sprinklers to Code, Conduits provided for wireless/cable/telephone services.

Lease Term: One hundred twenty month base term with two options to renew for five years each.

Naturalized citizen terrorist caught planning attacks in Tampa

2012-01-09T12:10:00.001-05:00

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We need to tighten up our immigration policy.

Naturalized citizen wants to bomb areas in Tampa. What now happens to this creep?

Please, U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI, throw the book at this terrorist.

Lake Worth Lagoon

2012-01-09T11:07:00.000-05:00

Steering Committee Members

The Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative (LWLI) is a multi-agency and stakeholder group organized to heighten awareness of Lake Worth Lagoon and coordinate activities to protect and enhance this valuable natural system. The Initiative’s Steering Committee meets quarterly. All meetings are open to the public. For more information, contact Ginny Powell, Palm Beach County Department of Environmental Resources Management, Phone: 561-233-2452.

Paulette Burdick, Palm Beach County Commissioner - District 2
Councilmember Dawn Pardo, City of Riviera Beach, Palm Beach County League of Cities (LOC)
Commissioner Donn Colee, Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND), Palm Beach County Representative
Mr. Tim Sargent, South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board Member
Mr. Kevin Claridge, Southeast District Deputy Director, Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP)

For meeting information go to Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative.

Planning & Zoning, the CRA and Urban Lofts in Lake Worth

2012-01-09T08:32:00.004-05:00

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Drawing before the changes

Changing land-uses and giving variances as if they were candy has always raised red flags with me especially in Lake Worth where handing out waivers has run rampant through the years. Agonisingly, we all went through this with the Gulfstream Hotel over several years by an owner who constantly jerked the city around and the P&Z complied. One even resulted in a law suit not to mention many complaints. In years gone by, the P&Z has approved of some projects with no set-backs and little green with townhouse projects sitting empty to this day.

Now we have a thoughtful Planning & Zoning Board. Unlike some other Boards within our city, the P&Z does not implement personal agendas; they work within the rules that are on the books. There are no favors to friends. Even though they personally may like a particular project or renovation that comes before them, they put all of their personal feelings aside and only concentrate on all the i's being dotted and the t's being crossed. They are looking out for your interests--the City's well being. Often times they have to approve of projects that they personally do not like or feel are not right for the neighborhood or our community overall, but because it comes under the guidelines of the P&Z and all zoning codes, they do their job and when needed, offer suggestions to make the project better.

And this is exactly what the P&Z did with Urban Lofts. The P&Z gave some very good suggestions to the CRA for its project in order to make it more appealing. The development will be located on Lucerne across and adjacent to the Shuffleboard Court building. The P&Z took a lot of heat by CRA advocates and those behind the scenes who were pushing this project through, accusing the P&Z of putting unnecessary obstacles in their path and even accusing them for wanting the project to fail and perhaps losing the NSP2 Grant. As it turned out, their suggestions were all agreed and now it is a better project which resulted in approval from the Planning & Zoning Board.

There was and still is a campaign to smear some of the volunteers on the P&Z Board suggesting that they are unqualified and were an obstacle for moving the CRA townhouse project forward. This distasteful political tactic has been happening for awhile. Uttering the sound-bite from the developer crowd, even Commissioner Andy Amoroso implied the same thing during his campaign when he said that he would never apply for the P&Z as he was unqualified. Also, Amoroso said that some members of the P&Z board are not qualified to make decisions when it raised some concerns regarding the Urban Lofts townhouses. This was quoted in the Palm Beach Post.

Certain parties do not want any obstruction, perceived or real, from our Planning & Zoning Board to achieve their ends. A big campaign ensued to ensure that the Urban Lofts project got approval and went forward from the P&Z. The CRA even hired Mark Rickards, former chair of the CRA to help promote it. The CRA has money to literally burn and it was considering anything that came its way in order to spend the Grant. The goal is to spend the money quickly and on time. They even bought the Pugh property last year located at 6th Avenue and the railroad tracks, the very same property that was in their site several years back with a plan to build affordable housing townhouses when they were paying the owner $14,000 a month in an option.

The P&Z, in the past, was dominated by planners, Realtors, developers, architects, etc. who may have had interests or friends involved in the projects that came before them. Often times they recused themselves from a vote. Some of these projects, as we all know, have resulted in foreclosure. We now have William Waters on staff who is a strong force to keep everything in perspective. His involvement should mitigate the politics behind some of the projects that come before the Board from those wanting instant or easy approval.

Developers/Investors have been standing in the wings for several years waiting for the right time to build. Some were buying up Lake Worth property buying in to what they consider strategic locations because of the LULA program. Some people even obtained a coveted real estate license.

On January 3, 2012, the Commission approved the CRA's project to construct 12 townhouses on Lucerne which will be known as Urban Arts Lofts. There were a few from the public that did not want any more failed townhouse projects. Someone from the public gave the argument that these were not townhouses but lofts, trying to deflect from the reality. Some in the neighborhood think it will be good for them and actually increase the value of their own property. That perception is no different than what many people believed in other neighborhoods where townhouses now sit empty, foreclosed or abandoned. Some went so far as to say that this project was "beautiful." If you spin it, some will believe it.

All city boards are political appointments. The CRA Board is more so than any other volunteer board in this City. There have been few exceptions to political appointments. Some believe that Wes Blackman's appointment to the P&Z Historical Preservation Board was not political. He was appointed by commissioners for whom he has never written favorably. However, it was just as political as any other appointment. As Blackman was well qualified, the Commission, wanting to tame the contentiousness, did not want to draw the ire from that side of politics. A few years ago, Blackman was also a member of the CRA and stepped down to run for commissioner.

The CRA is naturally the most sought after volunteer board position. That's where all the money is and where there's money, there is new found power that often can create "situations" and new found friends. In the past, it has even been a stepping stone for some to elected office with a few who brag, to this day, that spending $15 million on 6th Avenue South and 10th Avenue North were major accomplishments and well worth the money. They will also tell you that The Lucerne condo was one of their better decisions as well as voluntarily giving Publix one-half a million dollars to build next to Hammon Park, another failed townhouse project for which a P&Z of the past had approved.

On January 25 at 6pm the Commission will meet to discuss the future of the grounds at the shuffleboard court building where the courts are now located. One of the new "lofts" will overlook this property and of course, that developer, as well as the CRA and its friends, would most likely prefer that area to have green grass and shrubs--probably a water fountain thrown into the mix.

And as there are winners and losers, this time the developer can't lose. He will get his $4.5 to $5 million from the NSP2 government grant paid by loans from China, and the CRA will be selling the twelve, 3,000 square foot townhouses to those artists whose credit score is 550 or better and not making more than 120 percent of the area median income for Palm Beach County of $73,080 for a family of two in a neighborhood already filled with families of the working poor.

I have to wonder how these eventual new townhouse owners will afford the electric bill as these units will be 3 times larger than the average house in Lake Worth. I also wonder if in a few years the City of Lake Worth will, once again, be a loser with another uninhabited townhouse project sitting in an old section of our city. Hopefully by then, the economy will be in better shape and the city will be on its way as a destination, not only for arts but for our beach that will then be redeveloped. That is the gamble but it is, afterall, someone else's money.

Celebrating Birthdays

2012-01-08T14:31:00.001-05:00

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All of us with birthdays this week, (Jeanine seated is today!) we celebrated by having lunch in downtown Lake Worth. We strolled the art show at the Cultural Plaza and visited some of our favorite shops.

Happy Birthday to Robert Waples tomorrow!

The sign Capricorn is one of the most stable and (mostly) serious of the zodiacal types. These independent, rocklike characters have many sterling qualities. They are normally confident, strong willed and calm. These hardworking, unemotional, shrewd, practical, responsible, persevering, and cautious to the extreme persons, are capable of persisting for as long as is necessary to accomplish a goal they have set for themselves. Capricorn are reliable workers in almost any profession they undertake. They are the major finishers of most projects started by the 'pioneering' signs; with firm stick-to-it-ness they quickly become the backbone of any company they work for.

Hey, I didn't write it!!

Lake Worth High School Alumnus Bob McKnight

2012-01-08T11:30:00.001-05:00

Tune in to former State Senator Bob McKnight, who is now ABC WTXL 27's political analyst. He talks about the Iowa results, Florida Primary, Redistricting in all 67 Counties, Funding for Florida education, Florida's Budget and what to expect going forward.

Burmese Python and other Exotic Snakes

2012-01-08T09:00:00.002-05:00

Rep. Allen West and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz have found a common ground. They both have called for the Whitehouse to order a ban on certain imported snakes that are dangerous to our environment. The ban of Burmese Pythons as well as eight other large exotic snakes has stalled for over a year because of Whitehouse bureaucracy.

The Everglades National Park is being overrun with Burmese pythons, one of the world's largest snakes. It has been reported that these pythons can grow to be more than 20 feet long in their natural habitat and they eat anything. The only animal holding its own against the Burmese Python is the Florida alligator.

Just recently a 13 foot Burmese Python was discovered curled up in the pool area of a homeowner in Miami.

Scott Maxwell in video

Lake Worth Casino

2012-01-07T16:00:00.001-05:00

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Progress to date

Great day for the beach--water calm as glass and the weather was beautiful

GE moved healthcare unit to China

2012-01-07T14:43:00.000-05:00

I vaguely recall this but BarbaraJean reminded me. This is the sort of thing that "gets me" about Obama--The next time liberals and Obama accuse Bush and Republicans of shipping jobs overseas, remember this General Electric brief press release of July.

"General Electric Co.’s health care unit, the world’s biggest maker of medical imaging machines, is moving the headquarters of its 115-year-old X-ray business to Beijing.“A handful’’ of top managers will move to the Chinese capital and there won’t be any job cuts, said Anne LeGrand, general manager of X-ray for GE Healthcare. The headquarters will move from Wisconsin amid a broader plan to invest about $2 billion across China, including opening six “customer innovation’’ and development centers.

The division should have “double-digit’’ growth rates as the country converts from film and analog to digital X-ray technology, LeGrand said."

As one person said,

GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt (our president's friend and member of his jobs creation council) is closing the X Ray plant in Wisconsin and moving it to Beijing, China....only a handful of the employees will move to China and the rest of the hundreds of workers will join the ranks of the unemployed. Someone should have clarified that the jobs creation council was to create jobs here in the USA, not in China!

Remember GE paid zero taxes last year....Immelt is the same guy behind the ridiculous light bulb scam; wanting to ban standard bulbs and only allow the spiral ones which he would make in China.

Read about Immelt's Obama Cabinet position and more corruption in the Whitehouse.

Interim City Manager Resumes

2012-01-07T10:38:00.001-05:00

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So far to date, 13 resumes for the Interim City Manager/City Manager position have been received by the city. What started out as two separate positions has now morphed into one. It was stated the other night that an Interim City Manager can now apply for the permanent City Manager position. This was a brand new concept and one that was a surprise as this change was not once discussed or approved by the Commission.

Following are some highlights for

Dale S. Sugarman

ICMA credentialed professional government manager with 32 years experience

Education
Phd-Doctor of Philosophy, Lynn University
MPA-Master Degree, Urban Administration, University of Missouri
BA-Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science, University of Cincinnati

City Manager Experience
Town of Highland Beach, Fl
City of Sunrise, Fl
City of Oberlin, Ohio
City of Slater, Missouri

Assistant City Manager Experience
Boynton Beach, Fl
City of Palm Bay, Fl

Private Sector Experience
Senior Associate for Management Advantage Corp.