Lake Worth CRA

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Toxic, as Susan Stanton would say, is the only way to describe last night’s city commission meeting on the CRA issue.

One thing that this proved, everything is political in Lake Worth and if you do not organize, you will fail. It was the side of unreason that organized, the side that had to retain the power at all costs...the side that tossed all the insults at the Commission, the very body that appointed them to begin with, some of whom who have had their own special favors from past CRA Boards, receiving taxpayer money. CRA members as well as their friends tossed one abusive and contemptuous statement, one after another, towards our Commission. Other than members Ed Grimm and Jessica Rockstein, it was one mean bunch that wanted to retain the status quo continuing on with bad business decisions, using taxpayer dollars. Afterall, it’s not their money.

No one can debate an issue in this city. They have to be rude beyond imagination even going to the point of being nasty to another resident of this City and mimicking her. It was outlandish behavior and he was allowed to continue his speech at the lectern. He should have been asked to leave. Two wrongs don’t make a right and a President of a neighborhood association needs to rise above the bull. What happened to the civility idea? Their onslaught of contemptuous attacks prevailed with the CRA remaining an Independent Board.

The only reason that it remained as such is because someone suggested that the NSP2 grant money with HUD would/could be in jeopardy, more than likely, probably, possibly, who knows…you have to take back the CRA first and then tell HUD, you can’t ask anything of HUD without a problem. The seed of doubt was planted and it snowballed into an idea that they felt must have had some merit. No one in authority disputed it. No one found out if it was true. It was suggested that even calling HUD to find out, was the wrong thing to do. The Commission caved in. The City Commission bought the argument by listening to the Grant writer. No one knows if she is an expert in government law or HUD, a government department with 13,000 employees. Are they all cuckoo and difficult at HUD? The Commission must have thought so. It was a disappointing moment. Our elected officials were conquered and consequently surrendered.

Even Cary Sabol, Chair of the CRA apologized to the Commission saying he didn’t want it to seem like an Us against You and then went right ahead and insulted the Commission. Andy Amoroso, Vice Chair of the CRA ”put-down” the Commission by touting all the CRA’s accomplishments (which many of us believe are anything but) and then asked them, “What has the Commission accomplished?” At that point, I would have voted to take back the CRA.

Cara Jennings was the voice of reason in the chamber but no-one on the Dais listened to her. She always was the smartest knife in the drawer but her time has passed, according to this Commission.

Even though the Commission asked them to "pretty please" and to send them reports and communicate, they secretly smiled to themselves and smirked. Now we are left, once again, with an independent board of CRA members that will do nothing differently. Its Director won't do anything differently. They all learned last night that they don't have to...they can continue spending taxpayer money at will and never return one phone call or give one report on anything. It will be all the same and none on the CRA feels that they need to be accountable to anyone for anything and that is their right.

Amoroso, after insulting the Commission, later asked them to waive fees for an event for which he is involved. He had no shame. He is in the driver's seat.

It was a toxic night and as Herman Robinson said, I am embarrassed by just being here.”

So was I, Herman, but not for your reasons.