The 542 and You

Comment Up

Everything on the Commission’s Agenda last night was voted in on a 5 to 0 vote with the exception of the Bryant Park Seawall Project that involved the Public Works Director’s unauthorized decision to move the parking lot to the middle of Bryant Park. To move it back would cost $80,000 and we don’t have 80 cents.

Commissioner Mulvehill gave a presentation on a possible solution but had to endure the politics of Varela and Maxwell that nearly stopped it. She was encouraged by many citizens to come up with a “logical solution to an illogical” problem. She did just that.

Commissioner Maxwell said, “We have to support our staff.” Commissioner, we only have to support them when and IF they make the right choices. In this case, Joe Kroll did not. Maxwell further stated that he “sees this as a way to disconnect from the community.” Wrong again. This is to make staff ACCOUNTABLE, something that has not occurred for many years in Lake Worth and the insubordination continues now.

We got to witness the condition of the pump station at the Lake Worth pool, a pool that just opened last year after we spent $450,000. The pump station is in deplorable condition. Why is that? Why doesn't staff take care of our assets...do their jobs? Why do they not routinely check on these things? Why do these things come to the Commission’s attention when it costs us money…in this case $150,000? This is when you have to say, Commissioner Maxwell, that staff can NOT be trusted. Now, right in the middle of our Season, we have to close down the pool because of deteriorated electrical wiring and plumbing that pose a health hazard to the public. Our pool will not be reopened until such time we can come up with the money for the necessary repairs. Most of all, it is because STAFF did NOT do its job in the first place. The pump station is under Joe Kroll's authority. He needs to be held accountable. He was not.

Next, we have the Dirty Dozen faction in a packed chamber room only there to make Bryant Park a political football when all it is about is doing the right thing for the residents of this City. I am disappointed in some of the residents who have been pulled into this and making it political when it should not be. If you did not get a chance to sign a petition, then that’s too bad. I didn’t sign it either but I will stand up for the principle here, not the BS politics.

I am extremely disappointed that a resident and former Planning and Zoning Commissioner, Lisa Maxwell, can personally “put down” Commissioner Mulvehill by belittling her in public. I am even more shocked, but not surprised, at former Commissioner, Bo Allen, who spoke and had to bring up gays at the park and “blow jobs.” Pretty sad stuff. And to Mr. Allen, who just does not want to “get it,” we are discussing Bryant Park because there are hundreds of residents who do not want a significant alteration to our major park without public input. We are discussing it because the Public Works Director went around his authority.

I have to say that I am disappointed with the City Manager as well. I can't even imagine an employee going around the city manager's authority. That IS shocking. I was told that the Bryant Park Neighborhood Association did not want to get involved and that is disappointing. Most of all, I am disappointed in Maxwell, Varela and Golden for protecting Kroll who cost us plenty, not only in Bryant Park but $150,000 at the pool as well as a loss of income for the rest of the Season. When is enough enough?

I want to thank Commissioners Jennings and Mulvehill. Cara was at the top of her game last night on many issues. She is really sharp, thinks on her feet and delivers. When she is focused, nothing can muddy her clear perception and understanding. Mulvehill's presentation pointed out other possibilities. She did exactly what a Commissioner elected in our City should be doing. I also want to thank Tracy Peterson who lives near the Park and was the organizer behind the “542.”

To sum it up, how did this happen last night considering Joe Kroll's history... a staff director who has mislead the City with poor decisions:

• Joe Kroll is in charge of our pool. He failed to include the pump station in the scope of work. He has failed to even maintain this asset.

• The City of Lake Worth now loses revenue and has to endure a major expense.
  

• Can we trust his estimate of $150,000 when his estimate for the Shuffleboard Roof was $73,000 when contractors were saying it would only cost $25,000?

• He claimed that there were health and inspection records at City Hall on the Land Fill when none existed anywhere.

• In a carefully constructed presentation based on a skewed interpretation of flimsy data, he called for the demolition of our Casino, a structurally sound asset, which would have cost us millions of dollars.

• Totally dropped the ball on silencing train horns when given all of the information necessary to get it done.

• Next we have Bryant Park and going beyond his authority to make a major change to our Park
  

The 542 residents that signed the petition protesting the parking lot stood up for you and for me as did two Commissioners, but in the end it meant nothing. Joe Kroll, who knew he had the vote, was protected by three commissioners who believe that listening to a handful of residents and protecting staff at any cost, is better than protecting the rights of the rest of us.