The Dumbest Lake Worth Political Statements 2010

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TOP Dumb/Memorable Lake Worth Political Quotes, moments and people in 2010

Beth Johnston of the Chamber of Commerce and Paul Blockson, our former Fire Chief, are my choices for top dumbest moves/statements for the past year.

Beth Johnston, Director of the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce: On one occasion she said, “We are not a political organization,” even though she had a Vote NO (State ballot initiative) sign installed at the Chamber property. In almost the very next breath she said to our City Commission, “I would like you to oppose Amendment 4.” Also she stated that “The Chamber does not support any political candidate,” even though she wrote a check for $200 from the Chamber to the BAC PAC that was supporting Blockson and Maxwell so that they could fund negative attack mailers against McVoy and Mulvehill. She allowed the BAC PAC to install an ad on the sign at the Cultural Plaza (for which the Chamber had control), for Blockson & Maxwell.

Paul Blockson: “It’s not your fault." (speaking to his wife, Carla Blockson). "The pain you feel should be, and will be, felt by the citizens of Lake Worth due to their short sightedness concerning the people they have chosen to represent this community....like true addicts, they listen to those who can facilitate change but in the end they want and rely upon those who continue to supply their drug of choice." HUH?

Tom Ramiccio: Ramiccio gave the following reason for being fired by the Chamber of Commerce: "They are not for capitalism, not for entrepreneurism. They don't like success." He took the "blame the other guy" defense--was speaking of Jennings, Golden and Mulvehill of the Lake Worth City Commission.

Carla Blockson: Running on a platform of "stability," Mrs. Blockson allowed herself to be used by the BAC PAC that distributed negative political attack mailers against her opponent. However, they were printed in her name in invisible ink. “I really don’t know what else we could have done,” speaking about losing her race for Commissioner. I guess not. Every trick was pulled short of a felony. Blockson was given bad advice and wrong information and she fell for it all-- hook, line and it's what sunk her.

Lisa Maxwell: “My top priorities are the budget, the budget and the budget.” Maxwell, the only candidate who never was caught smiling in public, had a problem with the budget even though it had been reduced by nearly $5 million dollars. She also ran on balancing the Budget not knowing that a balanced budget is the law and that we had one. Sometimes candidates do get elected who know absolutely nothing--not this time.

Mark Foley: Upset about the election results in Lake Worth, Mark said, “The most troubling issues rest with the recently reported 500 ballots and the abnormalities of the Lake Worth elections.” For a former elected official with some personal abnormalities, true to form, a loser supported losers in the Lake Worth election.

Cara Jennings: Talking about the Sheriff’s Department, she said. “Let’s talk about what makes you feel safe; some people like helicopters flying over; some people don’t.” The real issue with going with PBSO is the COST that now is out of our hands.

Rene Varela: Regarding his endorsement letter of Lisa Maxwell—"I am proud to endorse your candidacy for this race, and the residents of Lake Worth will be well-served once they choose you to represent them on November 2." He stood with the vicious BAC PAC on the steps of City Hall. Just getting in that kind of a photo op was dumb. His e-mail regarding his wife's employment situation was circulated around the city and was not a smart move. While speaking of the First Amendment and the public commentary at the October 5th commission meeting, Varela said, "Take the high moral ground...negative comments suck the energy out of the room." He supported those "supposedly" interested in business but said, "I will fight to the death on having parking pay stations downtown" and then changed his mind when it came time for the vote. We will always remember his walking off the dais during the entire discussion (public and commissioners) of Arizona 1070 and came back voting against the State of Arizona as if it was our business to begin with..

Jeff Clemens: "I will stand up to Special Interests," (not to mention all the other things he took credit for) as he took campaign contributions from PBC Human Rights Council, Ironworkers Union, AFL-CIO, Electrical Workers, Police firefighters, AFSMCE, SEIU, etc. Stand tall, Jeff. Clemens liked to give away the farm and was always on the side of special interests. Jeff is a personable guy and we, with fingers crossed, wish him the best in Tallahassee. More importantly, we hope he has nothing to do with any vote that leaves our State more battered, blue or broke.

Lake Worth Herald: "We hardily endorse Ms. Blockson and Ms. Maxwell on the strength of their knowledge and potential for the city commission seats and for their opponents lack of same." The constant fear mongering by the Herald, which must be based on "wishful thinking" or sensational "news" reporting, is also problematic. His reporting on the Sunset issue is factually incorrect and we would hope that an editor of a newspaper would get the facts. The Herald is constantly going after Commissioner Mulvehill and city manager Stanton for just about anything. Ridiculous. In fact, we believe that perhaps the LW Herald should be moved to the top of the page.


Scott Maxwell. We can't leave him out. He is most remembered in 2010 for being totally pissed off and arbitrary at/on just about everything and everyone.

Read George Bennett's article--The Year in Pb County Politics.