Last night's Genesis Neighborhood Association meeting
Candidates in order of the Draw
Candidate District 4Lisa Maxwell's 3 top priorities are
the Budget, the Budget, and the Budget
Concerned about casino financing
Candidate District 2Carla Blockson says we need to trim the Budget
Skeptical about casino financing and using a short-term
City enterprise fund loan
Wants to remove anything in the Utility bill that does not pertain
to electric or water.
Commissioner District 4 for relectionCommissioner Suzanne Mulvehill
Upbeat and positive for Lake Worth's future with
Casino, beach and Reverse Osmosis Plant
Answered the concerns of the above 2 candidates
Candidate District 2Christopher Mcvoy
Vows to keep 100% public ownership of our beach
Integrity and transparency in government
Says now is the perfect time to invest in Lake Worth's future.
The present City Commission just voted to keep the millage rate the same as last year (4.999 mils). This means less money coming into the City because of a 24.7% drop in property values. Although some fees might be up, overall the City will be receiving LESS money than last year to operate. Lake Worth's millage has to be based on the need to pay for city services as well as the capacity of our residents to pay the tax. Consequently, the City had to reduce nearly all departmental budgets and take strong measures on Union Pension Retirement benefits. City Manager Stanton has said that the City can no longer oblige itself to spend money that it does not have. Therefore the FY 2011 Budget has been reduced and tough financial decisions were made. The Unions have still not budged; employees are complaining but none have been laid-off. This is the biggest and most expensive issue that we must solve.
One out of seven Americans are now in poverty because of the U.S. economy: high unemployment, a depressed housing market and foreclosures are on the rise. Our economy is not projected to improve in 2011. People can not find jobs, have lost their health insurance, and only those with high educational degrees have been able to withstand the recession. The poverty rate is set at $21,954 for a family of four. Here in Lake Worth, incomes are low with the average family at $35,374.
With the construction of a new Publix downtown, our beach restoration program, the rebuilding of our Casino, our own Reverse Osmosis Plant (that ended up saving us over $3.5 million), and our vision to finally do something at the Park of Commerce, this Commission, along with the help and expertise of our city manager, Susan Stanton, have made the right choices. Investing in our City will turn it all around and what better time to do it than right now when costs are the lowest in nearly two decades.
We have a City Commission that is deeply involved, working long and ridiculous hours, to solve the ills of this City. Because of budget reductions and oversight as well as deep analysis from the Finance Director and our City manager, the necessary steps have been assessed to achieve a balanced budget and regain long-term control of our finances-- our City is headed in a healthy direction.
One out of seven Americans are now in poverty because of the U.S. economy: high unemployment, a depressed housing market and foreclosures are on the rise. Our economy is not projected to improve in 2011. People can not find jobs, have lost their health insurance, and only those with high educational degrees have been able to withstand the recession. The poverty rate is set at $21,954 for a family of four. Here in Lake Worth, incomes are low with the average family at $35,374.
With the construction of a new Publix downtown, our beach restoration program, the rebuilding of our Casino, our own Reverse Osmosis Plant (that ended up saving us over $3.5 million), and our vision to finally do something at the Park of Commerce, this Commission, along with the help and expertise of our city manager, Susan Stanton, have made the right choices. Investing in our City will turn it all around and what better time to do it than right now when costs are the lowest in nearly two decades.
We have a City Commission that is deeply involved, working long and ridiculous hours, to solve the ills of this City. Because of budget reductions and oversight as well as deep analysis from the Finance Director and our City manager, the necessary steps have been assessed to achieve a balanced budget and regain long-term control of our finances-- our City is headed in a healthy direction.
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