James McCauley describes himself as “just another bozo on the bus.” We know better.Jim believes that you should never be afraid to do something new staying within the law to do it, keeping in mind that amateurs built the ark; professionals built the Titanic. If you think you’re right, go for it.
After graduating from Georgia Tech in 1955, he climbed the corporate ladder in the building materials business. Later he owned two Home Health businesses. Jim decided to relax and smell the roses and came to Lake Worth in 1991. Several years later he realized that maybe he could make a difference in Lake Worth and utilize the many skills he had perfected over many years of working in corporate America.
After attending many commission meetings, he was convinced that the City could use his ability to get things done efficiently and the General Obligation Bond under the Romano regime regarding our beach was the clincher to motivate him to action. He decided to run for Commissioner District 3 running against Laurence McNamara, Mike Calhoun and Nadine Burns. Even though he lost that race, he didn’t lose the cause and he has always been active behind the scenes.
When our City and the majority Commission entered into a bad partnership at our beach and refused to allow the people to vote, he stepped up to the plate along with Laurence McNamara, a local activist, and sued the City of Lake Worth for a bad contract with Greater Bay LLC. The Court has said that their case has merit and can move forward. The City acknowledged that yesterday when it stopped the Greater Bay Contract at our beach using the law suit for the reason of not getting zoning approval to go forward with Greater Bay. The City then ended its contract with the developer and Peter Willard.
Jim filed an elections complaint against Commissioner Retha Lowe last year after much investigation and research into her campaign contributions and Treasury Reports. The Florida Elections Commission found Ms. Lowe guilty on five counts and that her actions were willful.
Jim is too humble to say this but I know he believes in Tom Brokaw’s statement—“It's easy to make a buck. It's a lot tougher to make a difference.” He has stood up to his convictions and now has made a big difference for Lake Worth. Our beach is ours and corruption, by a sitting Commissioner, has been verified by the Florida Elections Commission. As Jim would say, “Have a good day” and I know he will. Life can't get much sweeter than this.
