Tree Huggers and Trees don't bring in Revenue

I'm a tree hugger, not a businessman

So as not to take this out of context and irritate you know who, I am reprinting the entire paragraph from candidate for Commissioner District 3, Wes Blackman's blog. Normally I wouldn't bother referencing this long paragraph. Wes did pose the question at the end of his blog asking about his opponent’s stand on the issues. After 2 ½ years, I believe that most all of us know where Jo-Ann Golden stands on issues. Her votes are a matter of public record.

Wes says--
Parking at the beach. It's horrible that the result of the $5 million grant will just facilitate additional paving at the beach - more and darker asphalt with different stripes and jeopardizing Lake Worth resident decal permit holders does not seem an acceptable solution. Although I acknowledged that it would be politically unacceptable and impractical, I offered a "green option" of parking downtown in a parking garage and busing people to the beach - opening up tons of green space there. Other Commissioners, including Commissioner Golden, talked about this idea as an option. We need to have the freedom to discuss all ideas and evaluate them against each other. I want to make it clear: I am upset about the amount of asphalt at the beach and we need to find ways to reduce paving. Decked parking at the beach is an option worth examining - as are all ideas that would demonstrate Lake Worth is doing all it can to be a leader in green redevelopment - another part of my campaign platform.

First of all there will NOT be more asphalt at the Lake Worth beach. The amount will be much less. With all but 96 parking spaces now left on the upper level per the Kimley-Horn design, the parking configuration will be redesigned at the lower level to accommodate lost spots and give PB County what it demands. There most assuredly will be MORE green and definitely not more asphalt. There will be more trees for all you greenies.

Call it what you will, but being bused to the beach is NO option. Please go to the beach and ask the people there who actually come to our beach, spend money there, what they would like. When you actually get that information, perhaps then, and I guess only then, will you come down to a reasonable conclusion. This should be about what the people want and what will bring in money to Lake Worth. One of the reasons why we have failed over the last decade is because commissioners promote what THEY want and not the community at large. I sincerely hope that all the candidates will think about this. We know of one Commissioner who lost the last election for not understanding what the people wanted at the beach.

To reduce the parking is really not a wise decision and does not make good business sense—not in exchange for a tree, unless, of course, the County is picking up our entire expense on our 19+ acres of beach property and I say that in jest. Parking brings revenue. Without revenue from beach operations, we will not, I repeat, NOT be able to go out on a Revenue Bond to refurbish our Casino. We need all the revenue that we can generate at our Lake Worth beach. To eliminate parking spaces and particularly eliminate them altogether is not an option. Only those who want to demolish our Casino, never to rebuild, would even consider anything as drastic as this. Rents from the refurbished Casino will also pay for the up-keep of our beach. This is our jewel.

City Manager Stanton has suggested a parking garage. Personally, I don’t like the idea of a parking garage at our beachfront property. Greater Bay suggested this. I don’t like them either. It destroys the ambiance and what makes our beach beautiful. Now we would have a 3 story cement structure instead? A parking platform would cost millions, money that we do not have and certainly can not afford. The lower level parking looks fine unless you are looking at it from an aerial, an unrealistic view of our property. Michael Singer did this and it was effective in turning public opinion of those who attended his presentation at City Hall. If he had drawn in more green little bushes it would have looked just fine. He used the picture speaks a thousand words premise but it was a distorted view to suit his end.

All of you complaining about asphalt probably do not go to our beach very often. During the Season, all spots are taken on the weekends and most are filled during the week. The upper level, naturally, is filled first. Tourists come here for our beach. One of the reasons snowbirds have winter homes is because of our beach and the close proximity to it from anywhere in Lake Worth.

I absolutely agree with Wes when he says that we all should have the option of discussing the issues. Can we start looking at what will turn around our city--REVENUE--and stop worrying so much about trees--about GREEN.

It is very ironic that the tree huggers concerned about global warming, rising seas and eliminating convenient parking at our beach have NO concern for any of our assets in Lake Worth. Just take a look around; you will see what I mean...our shuffleboard Court comes to mind.

I will be seriously considering voting for anyone who does not mention "green" in their campaign literature, an expression that has become boring at best and just a bunch of political hype.