PB Cnty Sheriff on America's Most Wanted tonight

Tune in tonight at 9pm, FOX--
Palm Beach County Sheriff Detective James Evans will appear on America’s Most Wanted with John Walsh Saturday to ask the public for help in solving the April murders of two “Circle K” clerks in Greenacres.

RENT at the Lake Worth Playhouse

Rent is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini opera. It tells a story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. This play won multiple awards on Broadway.

I thought the second act was far superior to the first and Shane Blanford, a regular at the Lake Worth Playhouse, was amazing and sensitive in his role of Roger.

Only one more performance tonight and RENT is over.

Qualifying Period for November election

The qualifying period starts at Noon August 3 and ends at Noon on August 17. Will anyone else be stepping up to the plate in District 2?

Cara Jennings said, from the get go, that she would only do two terms. Politics is unpredictable, so who knows? Will Carla Blockson be a shoe-in? Will anyone else be running?

This District is a total mystery. I couldn't help but think, if Cara does not run and if Mary Lindsey had not moved from that district, she could have run and possibly have been our next commissioner. Timing is everything.

For fun, and even though this is a very serious issue, a poll is now up.

Jan Brewer's message to President Obama

Recent Quotes on Outcome of Arizona 1070 Ruling

United States of America vs. The State of Arizona and Janice K. Brewer, Governor of the State of Arizona in Her Official Capacity

I still don't get it. I guess the only ones who can explain this in Lake Worth are our Commissioners and then we still would not understand. They made a Resolution against Arizona because of a "social justice" issue. Federal immigration law trumps State law according to the Judge who was another one afraid of possible profiling. The problem here is that the Feds have not enforced its own laws. This entire problem has gone down Party lines. You can't find too many Democrats in support of Arizona and you can't find the City of Lake Worth, a Sanctuary City, in favor of it either. Those saying the law is "racist" count on the total ineffectiveness of the U.S. government to secure its borders and do anything. Now they are talking amnesty, something that will only encourage more to come and break our laws..

When you look at our property values and how they have declined over the past two years, it is not a coincidence that we just so happen to have a huge illegal immigration population here in our City...uninvited people, coddled by the City, and people who have crossed our borders and have broken the law. Lake Worth wants the citizens here to accept them and for us to fit into their culture. How stupid can you get?

We also have contributed to the problem by reducing the numbers of staff in our Code Department with one Commissioner saying that code fines do not work. Well, immigration law has not "worked" either because people have not been doing their jobs. The City was supposed to come up with a Plan in replacement for the reduction of code officers. Where is it? The result of this lack of a "plan" is that more and more property values have fallen to the lowest levels in 35 years and our City looking like a rat hole.

In spite of the fact that the Judge made a curious decision on federal law enforcement, at least Arizona can ban Sanctuary Cities. It stiffens penalties against illegal alien day laborers and their employers. Will this trickle over to Lake Worth and our illegal hiring hall?

Gov. Jan Brewer said, "This fight is far from over. In fact, it is just the beginning."

Professor William A. Jacobson, Associate Clinical Professor of Law at Cornell Law School says, "States have been left helpless to deal with the anarchy created by the failure of the federal government to enforce border security. Whereas yesterday it was unclear how far states could go, today states are powerless. The inability of a state to implement a policy of checking the immigration status even of people already under arrest for some other crime is remarkable. While I cannot blame the Judge for striking some provisions of S.B. 1070 (particularly those creating independent criminal sanctions), the ruling as to checking the status of people already under arrest is mind-numbing."

Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., called the ruling "misguided." "The federal government has a right and a responsibility to enforce existing laws, but when they fail to meet that responsibility, we should not stand in the way of the states that take action to respond to the very real threat of border violence, drug cartels and human smuggling," he said in a written statement. "There's nowhere in the Constitution that says a state is limited to what it absolutely won't do and can be stopped for what it might do and to exercise a judgment against a state that has passed a law that is consistent with existing federal law is beyond absurd."

Gov. Bill Richardson from New Mexico said, "It's a correct decision because what the judge said was that Arizona law was interfering into federal responsibility," adding that the law could lead to racial profiling and damage American interests abroad. "What I see is a protracted fight that will go all the way to the Supreme Court." (Bill Richardson is half Mexican and a Democrat)

Rep. Lamar Smith of Texas, the top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee said, "Now we find out the truth: while saying one thing to the public, the Obama administration is scheming to ensure that immigration laws are not enforced."

Sen John McCain said, "Instead of wasting taxpayer resources filing a lawsuit against Arizona and complaining that the law would be burdensome, the Obama administration should have focused its efforts on working with Congress to provide the necessary resources to support the state in its efforts to act where the federal government has failed to take responsibility. McCain once supported an immigration policy overhaul but now, facing a tough challenge in the Republican primary, backs the law in his home state.

Marco Rubio said, "Just to be clear, I opposed racial profiling, and to their credit, the Arizona Legislature changed that law. And because they did, obviously that law is more palatable -- and legally more palatable. I think the decision today is important to understand, number one, why do we even have an Arizona law? And that's because the federal government hasn't done its job. And the second thing we need to remind ourselves is that the court hasn't thrown the law out. What they did was they basically postponed implementation until certain issues are resolved with it...I think at the end of the day, the law is going to be upheld. Arizona has a 10th Amendment right to provide for the public safety of their residents, and to do so by enforcing existing federal immigration law."

Sen. Monty Pearce from Idaho, a second cousin of Russell Pearce and a supporter of immigration reform in his State said, "We're going to have to look and see. Nobody had dreamed up, two years ago, the Arizona law, and so everybody is looking for that crack where we can get something done, where we can turn the clock back a little bit and get our country back."

Rick Scott, candidate for Governor of Florida said, "It just doesn't make sense for a judge to prohibit police from doing their job and asking people they arrest to show proof that they are here legally."

Bill McCollum, Attorney General of Florida and candidate for governor said, "The Obama administration continues its efforts to strip rights away from our States and we all should be very concerned about these intrusions."

Corey Stewart, chairman of the Prince William Board of County Supervisors who will be filing his own law suit said, "I think the Obama administration has made a strategic blunder. Arizona is on very firm legal footing and the administration is just trying to intimidate Arizona."

On the latest opinion poll taken by CNN, 86 percent say immigration is going to play a somewhat or very important role in their voting decisions in November. 60 percent favor the law. Most said that immigration law was "very important" and strongly support Arizona 1070 and opposed the suit.

According to The State, Lawmakers or candidates in as many as 18 states say they want to push similar measures when their legislative sessions start up again in 2011. Some lawmakers pushing the legislation said they would not be daunted by the ruling and plan to push ahead in response to what they believe is a scourge that needs to be tackled.

How you perceive Arizona 1070 is primarily based on race and gender. Fifty-five percent of people questioned in the recent CNN poll say they favor the measure, with four in 10 saying they oppose the law. Thirty-four percent of white respondents oppose the measure, but among Hispanics, that number jumps to 71 percent.

We are getting screwed by our government. They have no desire to listen to the will of the people.

It is time this November to make changes that politicians can finally understand.

Rick Scott wins appeal

Richard L. Scott vs. Ira William McCollum, Jr. District Court of Appeals, 11 Circuit.

Rick Scott, Republican candidate for Governor, challenging the matching money system saying it was unconstitutional, wins in Appellate Court.

Col. Allen West on Personal Integrity and Honor

"If it’s about the safety and the lives of our men – I’ll go through hell with a gasoline can."

Illegals Boycott Arizona By Leaving

Bye, bye Manuel!
Crazy California deserves you.

tongue in cheek

"Phoenix, AZ (AP) -

Thousands of illegal immigrants are showing their outrage with Arizona's controversial new SB-1070 law by boycotting the state and moving elsewhere. One example of those who are punishing the state by leaving is illegal immigrant Manuel Renaldo. As he loaded his stolen car with his family of twelve's belongings, Renaldo told this reporter through an interpreter, "It's a matter of principle, 'homes.'

I refuse to be supported by someplace that treats me like a criminal." The affects of the exodus are being felt by Arizona retailers who report dwindling beer, spray paint, and ammunition sales. Also hit hard are Arizona hospitals, who have reported a dramatic decline in births and
emergency room visits by illegal aliens.

"We're ecstatic," said one administrator for Banner Health in Phoenix. "At this rate we may see a profit one day." The boycott/exodus of Arizona by illegals is expected to grow exponentially leading up to the law's starting date.

Renaldo: Leaving for a state that will support him with dignity, California!"

We should all be offended by the Renaldo's in this country and those who encourage their criminal acts.

Ed King Scared

According to a friend of the 83 year old Ed King, alleged to be battered by former Lake Worth Commissioner Bo Allen, King spent most of his day yesterday at the State Attorney's office obtaining a restraining order against Allen.

King, a retired funeral director who was born in Lake Worth and a lifetime resident here, says he is badly bruised with a cut elbow and sore hip.

One of his neighbors witnessed the incident and rumor has it that many are lining up to bear testimony of bullying regarding Allen.

Our Resident Peacock

How can we get him a friend? It's been 5 years now.

A Realtor in support of Amendment 4

"Unbelievable! The president of the Northeast Florida Association of Realtors believes that Amendment 4 is going to devastate Florida real estate.

Hello! The development industry - with the help of state, local and federal government officials did that all by itself."

Read more The Florida Times Union.

50 arrested in Arizona

The protesters were chanting "Hey Ho, Hey Ho, SB 1070 has got to go," (at least the chant was in English) as they blocked the street, snarling traffic in the downtown area, and delaying at least one light-rail train, which had to be rerouted.

Don't these people have anything better to do? Just show your damn ID.

Read more: Arizona Central.

Look for our infamous local protesters in front of Bill McCollum's West Palm Beach office at
1515 N. Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach this Saturday--5pm--screaming against Arizona 1070.

In the meantime, Governor Jan Brewer filed the appeal about 12:40 GMT today.

Allen West on Islamic Fundamentalism

Slinging the Mulch in Lake Worth

How many city workers does it take to spread mulch in the flower pots on Lake and Lucerne?

Answer--Two--one to carry the bucket of mulch and another one to spread it around.

That's what was witnessed today when two city workers were observed slinging the mulch in downtown Lake Worth.

CRA Appointees

CHAIR: Cary Sabol
VICE CHAIRMAN: Andy Amoroso

Leah Chalhoub, the recent appointee to the CRA Board, has resigned as of yesterday. If you recall, she is the one who was out of the country and never was interviewed. She is affiliated with the Ron Klein, Democrat (FL-22) campaign. It has been reported that Democrat, Mayor Rene Varela, will try and convince her to recant and stay on the Board.

Greater Bay Lawsuit - a Bastard from the Beginning

Peter Willard
No, we haven't forgotten you
Those who were in power and want desperately to grab it back this November, (the Dirty Dozen) are the ones responsible for Greater Bay in the first place. They are the ones behind those commissioners who voted to allow this group on our property and enter a contract with the City--never even bothering to do the basic due diligence on the company and Willard. They still, from time to time, like to bring up the $40 million bogus law suit filed by Greater Bay (Willard) and seem to relish in its very existence.

You know what's frustrating? Never knowing what the heck is going on when it comes to law suits in the City of Lake Worth. I well understand why this is privileged but it is still frustrating. Why isn’t our outside attorney, Brian Joslyn, counter suing Greater Bay? At least we have a case.

Greater Bay is in Discovery right now. Instead of depositions, at the moment they are asking for written interrogatories. This entire suit just drags on and on. This is the strategy. They want to drag this out so that our legal fees go up and up. The legal suit was filed on November 16, 2009 and now, eight months later, Greater Bay has finally reached the Discovery stage. The last filing by them was on July 19th asking the City to produce more information.

"In American law, discovery is the pre-trial phase in a lawsuit in which each party through the law of civil procedure can request documents and other evidence from other parties and can compel the production of evidence by using a subpoena or through other discovery devices, such as requests for production of documents, and depositions. In other words, discovery includes (1) interrogatories; (2) motions or requests for production of documents; (3) requests for admissions; and (4) depositions.”

Ok then. Let’s do our own Discovery if we are not going to counter-sue for the shoddy pool refurbishment, and we should sue...let’s ask the following of Greater Bay:

• Income tax records for Greater Bay and Peter Willard personally for the last 5 years.

• Copies of all telephone bills and e-mails for both for the last 5 years prior to the Development Contract.

• Copy of any and all lawsuits for both of the above.

• List of all business dealings for both.

• List of all credit card charges for the above.

This prolongment by GB and constant request for information is only to run up bills and to impose obstacles and hindrances to get the City frustrated so that the City settles with Willard and Greater Bay. You have to wonder if his lawyer took this case on some sort of a contingency. It has been a bastard from day one. Why aren't we getting aggressive? Or maybe we don't have to.

At the beach this week

Navy Seals training at our pool

Water aerobics class

Barry's new store--waiting for inventory to arrive

As I was getting into my car, a lady stopped me and
asked if parking was "free" today at the beach.
I had to explain, no, the pay station is broken
and then directed her to one that was in operation.

Democrat candidate Maurice Ferre for Senate gives his support to Florida Hometown Democracy

Maurice Ferre speaks out

"Unfortunately, money has corrupted our democracy, at all levels," said the former mayor. "At zoning councils, city and county commissions, regional and state levels, the humongous, overbearing, over-threatening, abuse of money is ever present. We the people don't always play on a level playing field and thus get the short end."

Read more of the article at The Jacksonville Observer.

Bo Allen in Court

Comment Up

Arizona 1070 - law will take effect at Midnight tonight

For all of you (other than the Lake Worth City Commission) who came out on Arizona 1070, pro or con, kudos to all. At least you had the guts to take a stand. To the rest of you who had absolutely nothing to say on an issue that has been costly to the tune of $398 billion in social services alone and even citizens paying for a penis pump for an illegal alien, you are part of the problem.

According to the news that just came out, the judge has blocked certain parts of Arizona 1070 --the most controversial sections of Arizona's new immigration law from taking effect Thursday which are--

• sections that required officers to check a person's immigration status while enforcing other laws.

• A hold on part of the law that required immigrants to carry their papers at all times, and made it illegal for undocumented workers to solicit employment in public places.
  

U.S. District Judge Susan Bolton put those controversial sections on hold until the courts resolve the issues.

Penis Pump for Illegal Alien

This is how debased this government has become. Illegal alien gets Penis Pump

As the writer says, "Eric Holder’s argument might be that this is equitable, because every time an illegal alien gets a taxpayer-funded penis pump, we all get the shaft."

Bo Allen Released

Bo Allen released on own recognizance
Allen is now saying that the 83 year old frail senior battered him.
Channel 25

More on Maywood

A city outsources everything.

Lake Worth "Resource" Center - Grabbing the Cash

The Resource Center in Lake Worth is still promoting itself and still applying for Federal grants. That's what it's all about. The government will spend the money anyway so why not apply for all available federal money?

The feds provide millions in funding for projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of just about everyone, even The Mentoring Center and its owners. We are an entitlement country. The owners of this center know exactly how to work the system --

Yesterday, we got a double whammy from the Palm Beach Post. Dan Moffett, former member of the Post Editorial Board, wrote another pro-illegal immigration column. This time it was in support of the Mentoring Center, aka, illegal hiring hall, saying that Lake Worth and Jupiter should be held up as examples on how to get illegals off the streets (that's a good one) and intimated that we don't have problems with illegals because Jupiter and Lake Worth recognized that foreign workers "contributed mightily to their local economies." He also made reference to the law suit in Fremont that was forcing that city, because of the huge cost of defense, to back down on doing the right thing of implementing the law. What planet are you on, Dan?

All this has done is to encourage more and more illegal aliens to come to Lake Worth, to live here in over-crowded conditions who contribute to, and are a big cause of, the slum and the blight. This is what happens when you have a Sanctuary City and a government that believes it is all about "social justice" rather than protecting the citizens of their city, their State and their country. These politicians missed their true calling--a nun or a priest, not an elected government official.

The next article was about Lisa Wilson's Mentoring Center teaching a class of a dozen people on how to install solar panels...a minimum wage job. This is about the silliest waste of tax dollars yet but hey, it's Grant money--free. The government sets up these green jobs "scams" and there are always people smart enough to take advantage of them and elected officials stupid enough to believe in it all.

With their hands out, the owners of The Mentoring Center get hand outs...tax dollars that give them an excellent standard of living and they do everything within their power to perpetuate the legal swindle...free breakfast for the illegals...free lunch...more illegal aliens...job training for minimum wage...we teacha the Inglés...and FREE publicity paid for by you and by me, written by leftest regressive "progressive" thinking reporters of the Palm Beach Post who encourage the survival of their "American dream.

When will this legal nightmare end? When will the media report the real facts of the matter and interview the taxpaying citizen and hear what he demands from its government, (implementing the law) not the ACLU or those who are parasites? And does anyone think it just a coincidence that two articles appeared in favor of The Mentoring Center just when our city manager has proposed taking back our property from this group?

Images at Lake Osborne

Florida Hometown Democracy

Opponents of Florida Hometown Democracy: builders, FPL, politicians, Florida Realtors and the like, have raised 30 times what Florida Hometown Democracy has raised for this ballot initiative. But this is not unusual nor is it a surprise. We have known all along that we are fighting BIG money because with them, it is all about what affects their pocketbook, not our State and its environment and our quality of life. To them, it is paving over everything in sight for $$$$$$$$$$$.

Vote YES on November 2 and tell these fat cats once and for all, that our State is not for sale.

Former Lake Worth Commissioner arrested - Allen gives Senior citizen a "blow job" of a different kind

Comment Up

Still involved in politics, former commissioner Bo Allen gave $250
to the campaign of Lisa Maxwell, candidate District 4
Click here for WPBF news and WPTV News and Mr. Allen
knocking down his 83 year old neighbor.

Name: ALLEN, GARY BRIAN	Race: White	DOB: 08/15/1957
Address: 208 S LAKESIDE APT 513, LAKE WORTH, FL 33460
Facility: MDC INTAKE	OBTS Number: N/A	Booking Date/Time: 07/27/2010 11:35
Arresting Agency: 01 - PBSO	Officer: S MCANDREW	Release Date: N/A
Holds For Other Agencies:No	Warrant Number: N/A	Jacket Number: 0409233
Booking Number: 2010036784	Booking Date/Time: 07/27/2010 11:35
Charges: 784.08-2582 BATTERY-ON PERSON 65 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER Original Bond: $0.00 Current Bond: $0.00

Bo Allen's Real Estate Company

Red-Light cameras--again!

The first hour of the Finance Advisory Board meeting was discussing previous motions. One in particular was hashed over for most of the hour--red light cameras.

If you recall, the motion that was passed on July 7, 2010 was—
Motion made by Mr. Pickett and seconded by Ms. Decker that the Finance Advisory Board recommends to the Commission and supports the red light camera traffic safety program as presented subject to further investigation by staff as it relates to the issues discussed including sliding scale fee structure (5-2, Dority, Marchal)

After the Board received the minutes of this meeting there was concern regarding the Motion. Many felt that their intent was to approve the “concept” of red-light cameras. The above motion indicates that they approved a red-light camera “program” when in fact there never was a program. When checking with the city manager, she concurs, “There is no program.”

Rescinding the original motion was discussed. One member suggested that before they reconsider the original motion that they should wait for Bill Thrasher to arrive as he was in full support of red-light cameras. Jennifer Marchal, another member who opposed the original motion, was out of town but her presence was not considered.

Nevertheless, there are still some on the Board who believe that we will be making $1.8 million, a sales pitch given to Staff from American Traffic Solutions, and put before them on the night of July 7. I keep on looking for that Brooklyn Bridge I want to sell.

When other members on the Board were discussing the possibility of a huge revenue stream and making a motion to support, Darrian Dority said, “this could come back and bite you in the butt.” He also said that it would take a person with "sub-standard intelligence to agree to these terms." The reality of the American Traffic Solutions “deal” is that the City would be paying them $298,997 a year over a 3 to5 year contract for 5 cameras and we are guaranteed absolutely nothing. It all depends on how many people are stupid enough to run red-lights knowing that cameras are at the intersection.

Bill Thrasher stated that he was ok with the original motion. When a Motion was put into effect by Jessica Plotkin and seconded by Laurel Decker to rescind the original motion of July 7, Exline was the only member who dissented.

The new motion and passed last night is as follows:
The Finance Advisory Board supports the concept of red-light cameras as a potential revenue stream and the Board suggests that Staff explore alternative vendors and fee structures. This passed on a 6/0.

Lake Worth Playhouse

Kendrick Meek's first attack video

Don't get me wrong--I like Kendrick Meek. He must, however, be feeling the heat of all Greene's money.

Florida Hometown Democracy - Amendment 4 is a Must

Business Insider, May 17, 2010 Headline...

13 Housing Markets That Will Never Recover ( They forgot Lake Worth)

Three of these are in Florida--

1. Ft. Myers housing prices are down 65% based on 2007 values; current unemployment 14.2%
2. Orlando housing prices are down 49% based on 2007 values; current unemployment 15%
3. Palm Coast housing prices are down 63% based on 2007 values; current unemployment 16%

1st Quarter of 2009 nationwide, 300,000 foreclosures and going higher in 2010

Underwater mortgages now at 11 million.

And just think--developers want to stop Florida Hometown Democracy so that they can have it easier to make land-use changes for their benefit...to build even more and to line their pockets while the rest of Florida can't recover from the over-building and sprawl we already have.

St. Pete Beach is still bitching and comparing what happened there to Florida Hometown Democracy. It's like apples and oranges. St. Pete Beach is only 93 miles away from Fort Myers, and 108 miles from Orlando, two cities that will not recover according to Business Insider.

It's time to Vote YES on November 2 for Amendment 4.

Firefighters' Pension Board Suit

On August 3, after the Commission votes to approve, there will be a special closed door attorney-client meeting involving the City Commission, the City Attorney, City Manager and a court reporter. In attendance will be James W. Linn, a labor attorney with Lewis, Longman & Walker.

Mr. Linn’s area of expertise is Administrative Law; Labor and Employment; Public Pension Plans; Local Government Law; Legislative Practice.

This meeting involves the suit filed against the Firefighters' Pension Board.

Amendment 4, "Hell Yes"

Saying that "The ability to have a free-for-all by developers has reigned rampant in Florida for decades," former Commissioner and Mayor of Miami as well as a former Commissioner for Metro/Dade County and now running for the U.S. Senate, Maurice Ferre, comes out in support of Amendment 4.

Ferrer explains the myths, St. Pete Beach and why we need Amendment 4--"There must be a process that gives the special circumstance relief, but it is time to tighten the noose on rampant, unrestricted development in Florida."

Read about it HERE

Tomorrow is last day to register

Tomorrow is the last day you can register to vote in Florida’s primary election. Florida holds a closed primary which means you need to be registered if you’d like to cast a vote on August 24th.

Click here to visit the Florida Division of Elections website where you can review your registration status.

Deadline Dates

Southend-On-Sea, England

Sometimes you have to wonder what motivates some to stay in the negative. They write about Southend's financial condition from 4-5 years ago but totally ignore the financial condition of St. Marc, Haiti, a sister city located in one of the most corrupt countries in the world but one in their political realm of acceptance. It has to make you wonder. But to give you some highlights of where Commissioner Mulvehill is right now and some positive facts, read on.

South-End has the longest Pier in the world.

Southend-on-Sea is the largest town in Essex, with a population of around 176,000. Located at the mouth of the Thames Estuary, the town is the closest resort to London, being only 40 miles east of the capital.

Southend is a busy tourist destination and shopping center, with a world famous Pier, 7 miles of seashore, with all its associated leisure facilities and attractions, excellent shopping facilities and numerous restaurants, wine bars and pubs.

There are two direct railway lines to London, and the M25 motorway is less than half an hour away. In addition, Southend also has its own airport.

Sleeper Spies

Vladimir Putin says he sang a patriotic song with the 10 sleeper Russian spies which was the biggest spy swap since the Cold War. They were expelled from the United States and he promised them a "bright" future.

He said they "talked about life" and sang "What Motherland Begins With," a Soviet song favored by intelligence officers...

a song that wouldn't stir a living soul especially spies who have been sleeping for a decade in the greatest country on Earth.

Commissioner Mulvehill working on International Relations

Comment Up

Zakopane is the winter capital of Poland and
famous tourist attraction

With the restoration of the Casino and the redevelopment of our beach property, we will be on our way to being a national as well as an international destination. It is good to plant the seeds now so that when the beach is completed, Lake Worth will be ready to capitalize on a booming tourist business.

Highly competent and a commissioner who really cares about the welfare of our City, Commissioner Mulvehill, is a world traveler and understands the importance of promotion. She doesn't need a map or a flashlight or any other device to know where or who to visit abroad or the importance of marketing and developing relations that will pay off for Lake Worth. Afterall, most all international tourists have heard of Palm Beach but Lake Worth is vastly unknown.

Perhaps, down the road, Lake Worth can be a part of the $122.7 billion dollar tourist industry, thanks to Commissioner Mulvehill as well as this commission with its practical understanding of the importance of developing our most important asset, the beach and the restoration of our casino to a feel of the historical past. Europeans understand the importance of history and so does she.

I just heard from Commissioner Mulvehill regarding her efforts in promoting Lake Worth.

From, Commissioner Mulvehill:

I'll be back on the 31 July! I'm presently in Zakopane, Poland. I posted something about it on my Facebook page.

On Monday, I am meeting with the Mayor of Southend on Sea, England to further discuss our international relations. I am also meeting with two council members of Southend on Monday/Tuesday and have a full itinerary on Tuesday to meet with various groups in Southend again to strengthen our international relations. I am paying for this myself in case anyone asks.

I shared with Joan Oliva with the CRA that I am meeting with Cycle Southend and she asked to inquire as to how they market their cycle trails. I am cc'ing Anna Heim, my colleague in Southend as she is hosting me at her home and has set up all the appointments for us. Councillor Lamb is the councillor I met with last time and am meeting with again this time. Councillor Graham Longley is very eager to learn more about Lake Worth and our twinning. He works very closely with Sopot, Poland another city they are twinned with. I am meeting with him and the Mayor.

Anyway, I don't know if you are aware that the Sister City Board is working to host an International Sister City Green Council on November 11/12 and inviting Mayors and council members from our respective sister cities. I've been working with Jill Paradise on the matter and perhaps she can share with you the tentative schedule and letter that she and the board asked Mayor Varela to send to our sister cities. This is all very exciting and will help leverage us internationally.

See you soon!

Suzanne

Coffee with the Mayor

Per the announcement by the City, the next "Coffee with the Mayor" event will take place tomorrow, July 26th from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at ML International Salon located at 506 Lake Avenue.

Residents are invited to join Mayor Varela for casual conversation and brief information on projects and initiatives taking place across the city.

Don't forget to ask him how you can volunteer. Ask the tough questions regarding Union benefits and how they have "killed" not only this City, but cities across America. Will we be able to right the wrongs of the past and stop the burning of our city?

Ron Klein grasping at straws

“My opponent, Allen West, you may have heard of him, thinks he can get this seat (Congressional District 22) with the help of Sarah Palin. They want to go back to the policies that had our country into the deepest recession since the Great Depression,” so says Ron Klein. Now, I ask, how disingenuous is that?

As retired journalist Charlie Reese would say, “What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million that are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.”

For the second year in a row it is estimated that we will see a trillion-dollar deficit this year—an estimated $1.35 trillion, or 9.2% of GDP, which is down slightly from last year's post-World War II record of 9.9%. We have give-away after give-away with no means to pay. And according to a White House forecast released Friday, The Washington Post reported that it is worse than previously thought in that "the federal budget deficit, which hit a record $1.4 trillion last year, will exceed that figure in 2010 and 2011.."

Isn’t it time to stop listening to the bull from incumbents who have put this country in deep jeopardy, so deep that we will never dig our way out? Isn’t it time for an honest candidate, Col. Allen West? It’s past time.

As Bill Coakley would say, it's time to "throw all the bums out," because these incumbents are the ones who created all of the problems. They continue to pass the buck and blame everyone but themselves on all our problems as they get us deeper in debt and use the race card against anyone with whom they disagree.

It's time for change and West is Best.
Below is his latest YouTube--
I am an American

Three stabbed in Lake Worth

Three men stabbed after leaving Lake Worth bar at 2:45am this morning

There was an off-duty Sheriff working detail there. Why was this bar still opened?

Update: The "bar" is really a nightclub.
According to a member of P&Z--
"Both (Sneakers and La Cantina) have valid Nightclub licenses and meet the current criteria (size, seating, food, entertainment) except for the requirement of the proximity waiver. Because they had already been operating after 2:00 am when the ordinance was changed, they were not required to obtain the proximity waiver in order to be issued their Nightclub license."

Thursday's Letter to the Editor

Letter to the Editor

Lake Worth should have ignored immigration law

Dan Moffett's column highlighted the Lake Worth City Commission's late- night debate and resolution opposing the Arizona immigration law. It seems to be a complete waste of city time and resources passing resolutions that will have no real impact on the issue. Some commissioners appear to be grandstanding for political correctness and their own agendas while they should be focused on the many real challenges Lake Worth faces.

In all fairness, some positive changes are becoming evident: merging with the sheriff's office and overhauling the utility department. As a resident of Lake Worth for nearly 10 years, this is the best I have ever seen our city work.

JEFF BERKOFF

Lake Worth

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Jeff, there have been some positive changes in Lake Worth but merging with the Sheriff's department is not one of them, if you consider cost. The Sheriff is costing us large fortunes and if it were not for their remarkable PR department and their officers presence on our streets and appearing at our neighborhood meetings, we would be able to look at the reality of this decision and come to a totally different conclusion. There is still plenty of crime and a heck of a lot more expense.

Perhaps their reaction time is quicker, I don't know. We could have put more cops on the street under our own police department. Why buy Clos Du Mesnil 1995, when a cheaper champagne will get the same results. Management was the problem. However, what we do know is, the Sheriff is not preventing crime. The only thing that will reduce crime in our city is to clean up the slums, the blight and the illegal immigration problem, not necessarily in that order. We need to make it very attractive for homeownership and reduce the vast amount of rental property. Implement a 287G program in PB County and close down The Mentoring Center. Arrest employers who hire illegal immigrants. The decay of our City has been going on for the last decade, not just the last four years as the Mayor said.

Feeling safer is only a perception. The reality is entirely different. The citizens, however, seem to want to support the PBSO no matter the cost (because most of them don't know the cost and those who do, don't care). Public safety makes up 49% of the budget with PBSO at 41%. We pay $1,098,022.23 each month for the Sheriff. Not only does Lake Worth pay the County for the Sheriff, we as taxpayers, pay the County each year on our ad valorem taxes, a percentage of which is for Public Safety...the Sheriff... and a separate tax for Fire/Rescue.

If we don't stop the waste, end the high salaries and benefits, stop the spending and giving it all away to the Unions, we are out of business. Even then, the crime will rage on. This City has been a money pit for way too long. It is time that we stand up to the Unions. Learn to say "no."

And what exactly is "overhauling the utility department?" Sounds like a sound bite from our Mayor's last campaign. What we need to overhaul is our Code Department...stronger code enforcement, not less. Let's "re-tool" the entire code complaint process--speed it up and take quick action against those who are allowing their property to look like junk yards.

I do agree with you that supporting a resolution against Arizona 1070 was inappropriate with 4 out of the 5 of our elected officials voting against Arizona in support of illegals.

Benito and his dream

His job, paid by a government grant (US tax dollars),
champion of the Illegal Alien, Benito Gaspar,
gives us the "razz" at City Hall on Arizona 1070

In the beginning of July in the Neighborhood Post section of the Palm Beach Post, Benito Gaspar was featured. He is the community outreach liaison for the PB County Sheriff's Office here in Lake Worth. His job? He works with the immigrants to ensure that they are not victims of crime and to bridge the gap between Central American culture and that of citizens here in Lake Worth. He wants to prevent the illegal from being a victim of crime. But aren't they criminals already just by being here? Why do we have to spend federal dollars bridging gaps?

Mr. Gaspar arrived here at the age of three and he says that this was his defining moment. He is a naturalized citizen from Guatemala and highly educated, speaking three languages. The Sheriff's department received a $500,000 Grant to be used in the high crime area of Lake Worth which just happens to be where the illegals reside, and he was hired through that program. Our federal dollars continue to support and encourage illegal immigration rather than the government sending enough manpower to protect our borders or suing the State of Arizona.

President Obama, his hero, addressed the nation a few weeks ago on illegal immigration and our borders. A poll came out on July 2 with the majority of Americans believing that we are worse off today as far as border protection. Our socialistic politics here have allowed our city to become a Sanctuary City, something that the majority of citizens do NOT want--never did want--and still do not want.

I would like to see Mr. Gaspar educate all those who live in our community who are illegal and instruct them on U.S. law and how to go about becoming U.S. citizens. Better yet, Mr. Gaspar should do his American duty and call ICE...work within the law of this country. If the illegals don't want to be citizens, then he needs to instruct them on getting the heck out of town. That would be Grant dollars well spent.

Today's early morning sky

In spite of the billboard blight and all the ugly Utility poles and cables,
the view was still magnificent this morning.

Top 6 gang murderer from Lake Worth arrested

Another murdering low life, who just so happens to live in Lake Worth, was just arrested. A member of Top 6 with a bond set at $1.5 million, the Grand Jury finally handed down an indictment.

Read about it HERE.

Another one down. How many more to go?

Illegal Border Crossing

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"Armed groups that have attacked our citizens; carried out kidnappings, attacked our armed forces; slipping over a 1,400 mile border; taking shelter on our territory.”

No, we are not talking about the U.S./Mexican border. This is Venezuela, the country of Ana Rodriguez...you remember her. Its president, Chavez, is complaining about Colombia nationals/terrorists crossing the borders of his country illegally. Hey, Hugo, we can relate!

He has now severed relations with Colombia, blaming the U.S. Well, why not. That's what Socialists do. I'm surprised he didn't throw in the "racist" word too.

Although Venezuela's government is ostensibly claimed to be a federal republic, it is very rapidly becoming a tryannical dictatorship under "President" Hugo Chavez. He has "nationalized" all foreign business activities, and his followers have either killed or driven out most of the affluent business class. It is suspected that he intends to create another Cuba.

You can bet that this president will take action on securing his borders.

Read about it HERE

Florida Chamber of Commerce fights FHD with law suit

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FL Chamber of Commerce files suit against Florida Hometown Democracy.

The complaint? The Chamber alledges that FHD failed to properly comply with state elections law, including failing to report occupational information on all contributions in excess of $100 and using improper disclaimers in political advertising, including on the official Amendment 4 website.

Halloween Preparations starting in Lake Worth

October 30th is Halloween Street Scene and Soul Parade

Check the link for all the events and timelines.

President Obama keeps on slipping

Results President's Map
If you want to see a map of the red and blue states, click above.

On this you will see:
Number of States won by:
Obama: 19
McCain: 29

Square miles of land won by:
Obama: 580,000
McCain: 2,427,000

Population of counties won by:
Obama: 127 million
McCain: 143 million

Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by:
Obama: 13.2
McCain: 2.1

According to Professor Joseph Olson of Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota “in aggregate, the map of the territory McCain won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of the country. Obama territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in low income tenements and living off various forms of government welfare."

Obama Approval Drops to Lowest Point Ever, Quinnipiac University's National Poll Finds; Independent Voters Turn On President Since Honeymoon. See the latest stats on President Obama.

Mayor Rene Varela on the Financial Crisis in Lake Worth

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Mayor Rene Varela
no soft-soaping here

Lake Worth Mayor, Rene Varela, has come into his own. After nine months on the job, he has actually learned it and understands it, unlike so many past mayors or commissioners. He has delved into the problems and is completely cognizant of what needs to be done, in no uncertain terms. He admitted that he understood the challenges when he went into the job but obviously these problems were not a deterrent.

He expressed them all last night to a well attended Lake Worth Playhouse audience of residents and was 100% candid, a path I hoped he would take. This speech sets him apart from the typical politician and frankly, I was impressed with his candor. He delivered all the bad news in an eloquent but matter-of-fact way, still giving us hope to succeed.

Telling us that Lake Worth has been decimated over the past three years (actually it has been over the past decade or so) and a city that has been spending more than it takes in, he said that it took hard economic times to expose the inefficiencies and incompetence. He also said that the City is one bad hurricane or one bad law suit from bankruptcy, an exaggeration of major proportions but probably made to make a point.

He expressed concern that employees would have to sacrifice as "they work "tirelessly and endlessly," saying we had to end the financial madness now.

In full support of the city budget as presented by the City Manager, Susan Stanton, he said "this city budget stops the financial bleeding of the past." Wanting to implement a citywide volunteer board called Volunteer Lake Worth, he further stated that we are "at the end of a financial cliff," asking for commitment to volunteer boards as "citizens are our treasures."

"Chart a new path; fix the city budget; cut spending." Those are the desires of Mayor Varela and we can't agree more.

Kittens used as Bait?

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Kittens used as bait in Lake Worth

Sewer Politics

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Trela White
Attorney for everyone and the one who gave Retha Lowe legal advice.
The attorney who joined the lawsuit with the City
against a Lake Worth neighborhood.

The beginning of our problems with our sub-regional sewer customers started years ago…circa Romano administration would be about right. We are now at a serious stage that has come to a climax—We finally have a City Manager who wants to take action as her fiduciary responsibility is to the residents of Lake Worth. The problem? City municipalities will not pay what we believe and our auditors say they owe us. It was determined that the funds outstanding are $13,597,802.

I can well understand why a City does not want to pay us all this money but just because it never received a bill for many years does not relieve it from its obligation to the City of Lake Worth. And just because we paid off a Bond, does not mean they are relieved of any contract obligation to pay us what they owe.

The City has now hired outside counsel that has advised us that in order to collect unpaid obligations, the statute of limitations expire on August 12, 2010. The City contends that in order to preserve the City’s legal right to collect these funds, it is appropriate to formally adopt a Governmental Conflict resolution in accordance with Chapter 164 of the Florida Statutes.

This matter was discussed last night, with several city managers from cities that owe us a lot of money, speaking in front of the Commission. They decided to play politics in front of our residents when they have had years to negotiate in good faith. Our City manager said that this was “bizarre” and I agree. Who alerted them to our Commission meeting? Who wanted to sabotage the process and stick a knife into our best interests? Trela White, city attorney for most of the cities other than Palm Beach, spoke against the idea of our City protecting its rights. Commissioner Maxwell also had some problem with it. He is the Liaison to the League of Cities where Trela White is also the attorney.

Crappy, deplorable politics got in the way of good fiscal and legal sense and I find it really horrible and totally disloyal that anyone on the Dais could go against our own City Manager and City Attorney as well as outside counsel and attempt to sabotage and belittle their initiatives to take action for the best interests of the City of Lake Worth. Those in the chamber speaking against our City, wondering why we didn’t do this or that, were at times, disrespectful such as the lawyer from College Park—Not only was it what they said but how they said it. It was all politics. You would think that they want us just to forget about Thirteen Million Dollars.

So, we pay for an Audit. We have professionals on Staff who make good administrative and legal opinions. We hire outside counsel. All have determined that these cities owe us a heck of a lot of money and we need to protect our interests.

Instead of taking action last night, we are giving these cities, once again, more time to protest what they owe. Perhaps they will come to some settlement agreement now that they realize we just don’t want to talk this to death any longer. It will be back on the agenda on August 3.

Reaching Out Goes a Long Way

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From the South Florida Gay News.com

Cut and pasted from the article: "Lisa Maxwell, running for the Lake Worth City Commission's District 4 seat, was omitted from our previous article on gay candidates running for office in south Florida. Maxwell, a long-time out south Florida business woman, has decades of experience working with multi-million dollar budgets and public/private partnerships. She is shaking things up in Lake Worth in many ways and hers promises to be the race to watch."

I took a photo of Ms. Maxwell when she was at the lectern last night at City Hall. She seemed to be annoyed at that because after she sat down right behind me, she stuck her cell phone camera right in my face and proceeded to take a couple of shots saying something to the affect, like "I don't know you," or whatever. I am rather sure there are tens of thousands of people in Lake Worth who don't know me but I am not running for office, she is. If she doesn't know me, perhaps as a politician she should be reaching out, not getting in my face.

It is time for political figures, especially those running for office, to get used to the fact that their photo will be taken. The photo I took last night will not appear here as it was not the most flattering and I do want to be fair. It is also a great idea to start being nice to people when you are running for office. It goes a long way in the vote department. Take some lessons from Jeff Clemens. Smile. Be friendly.

So, the only thing that Ms. Maxwell managed to shake up last night was her cell phone camera that was right in my face.

Horse Trading in Lake Worth

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Everything is about politics especially in the City of Lake Worth. Politics is involved even when some don’t realize that they are playing the same old political tune. And what they criticize someone of doing, they do themselves. It happens over and over again. I am not sure if it is because we just don’t see it or because our convictions are only honest to us. Instead, we choose to believe that what we think is not political is just good old common sense and observation. Nevertheless, it happens over and over again, to all of us, and it happened last night.

Ryan Anderson, President of the Neighborhood Association Council but speaking as "only" a private citizen, gave a ten minute speech on the Board applicant process citing that in many respects the process did not follow our code. You really can't divorce yourself from what you are-- President of a neighborhood association and President of the NA Council. Just those distinctions make you "political."

I concur with Ryan's assessment, however. The process did not follow the Code. It was said that the Commission should have ranked the applicants. If there are three openings on a Board, then the Commission needs to pick its top three choices. There is no other ranking necessary here and that's what the Commission did but rankings were manipulated after the count. In spite of the Mayor saying there was a lot of “horse trading” going on over the two nights of interviews, it was more than that in spite of the excuse of an intentionally broad Ordinance.

Mr. Anderson was right on the money until he dragged in the casino architect process into his mix. Scott Maxell did that too. The process of choosing the casino architects was entirely by ranking even though there were three commissioners who, overall, ranked Living Designs as their choice (another political vote…more on this later this morning). REG came out on top, ranked in several categories, with 13 votes. Living Designs was cut out by 1 vote in the rankings. If any process was by rankings and above board, it was the beach architects. This was a bad comparison. Politics.

The truth of the matter is that this Commission circumvented the process on the Volunteer City Board interviews. Drop dead proof of that was when Leah Chaloub was appointed to the CRA, a person who did not interview and was out of the country and never called in. She applied to the Tree Board and to the CRA. Her appointment was not based on an honest process.

These interviews should be spread out over four days if needed. The vote needs to be taken on the night of the interview, not held over when there is a chance of corruption to the thought process. Applicants should be allowed to apply for more than one Board but the number should be limited. We had a lot of highly qualified volunteers and to be cast aside for someone who did not even interview, for whatever reason, is bad policy if nothing else.

Board appointments will always be political but they should be at least open, honest and transparent and the applicant who gets the most votes should be appointed, not horse-traded.

Latin American countries join law suit

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Actually, the only rights you have are to GO HOME.

The governments of Colombia, Guatemala and Peru are joining six other Latin American countries by filing legal motions to oppose Arizona’s tough new law against illegal immigration.

Read about it HERE.

We will probably next be reading where the United States government gave them a loan to sue us.

FAB and Downtown Parking

parking fees kicked down

I stayed for the meeting for the first part of the Finance Advisory Board's Agenda, the discussion on downtown parking.

The proposal was to have 7 parking stations at the beach, 1 at Old Bridge Park, 1 at the boat-ramp and 5 downtown in our city owned parking lots. The City would be “borrowing” three part-time workers to work no more than 20 hours a week each in the collection and enforcement of the pay stations. These part-time workers would be “borrowed” from other departments, possibly one from the golf-course, one from sanitation and the other, who knows. The details were not really worked out or explained and only in the "thinking" stage. These part-timers would be making an estimated $19,078 a year each.

All the figures that were submitted for parking fee revenue were compiled by Joe Kroll and based on nothing really substantial as well as incomplete data. Also, it was stated that the pay stations at the beach would be replaced now instead of waiting until the beach redevelopment was completed. Certainly makes a lot of sense. (That is sarcasm)

Although some on the Board were looking at revenue, the majority did consider the cost and the effect to the downtown merchants as well as the residents who use off-street parking near the downtown if parking fees were implemented.

A motion was made by Darrian Dority and seconded by John Pickett to oppose the proposal of downtown parking fees with Pickett saying that the entire idea needs to be a well thought out process. Darrian said, "This could be a one, two punch to the merchants who might be at the end of their line."

As Jennifer Marchal was not present and Bill Thrasher was not there at the time of the vote, the only member dissenting was Chair Exline. He is in favor of charging people to come to our downtown because most cities charge. If most people were jumping off a bridge, would you follow suit?

Not taking into consideration the fragile state of our economy, businesses struggling to make it, and commercial establishments in Lake Worth paying the highest electric rate in the State of Florida (pointed out by Darrian), Exline's "reasoning," (and I hate to say this) lacked a certain amount of perception and insight. I want to thank the rest of the Board for its sensitivity toward the merchants and citizens of Lake Worth by opposing parking fees downtown.

Blood is Thicker than Water

Blood is thicker than water, is an expression that goes back to 1412 in John Lydgate's “Troy Book”. He said, "For naturally blood will be of kind/ Drawn-to blood, where he may it find.”

Somewhere over the past years, blood has been getting watered down. We wage wars with no intent on winning, going after Iraq instead of Osama Bin Laden who was the one behind the attack at the Trade Center killing over 3,000 of our citizens. We now even have gone so far as to file suit against our own citizens in support of illegal immigrants in protection of their ill-gotten “rights” because of possible racial profiling.

People just walk across our borders and many go on from that crime to commit serious crimes against the United States. They don’t learn English. They don’t get to the end of the line. Why? Because they don’t want to become citizens or they don’t want to do it the right way. They arrogantly defy our laws and this liberal government goes along allowing all the loop holes for them to succeed in breaking our laws.

On Thursday, the government in all its audacity will be going to court to sue the State of Arizona and its United States citizens. Other law-abiding citizens across the country have contributed over $1 million for Arizona’s defense—citizens who believe in the rule of law and still believe that blood is thicker than water. If you want to donate to Arizona. Click HERE.

Today it was announced that Osama Bin Laden’s son along with 20 members of his family are stranded in Iran and that this government might accept them into the United States. Are we losing our mind?

Family relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members. That is how it’s been since first written about back in 1412. Our citizens, who are all brothers under our Flag, are the only people who are important here and need to be protected from a liberal government allowing anyone to come here and to undermine it, from illegals, terrorists or the family of our most bitter enemy, Osama Bin Laden.