I have spoken about Jeff Clemens often enough and consider him a part of the worst commission in Lake Worth. While he was Mayor, it was that commission that decided they wanted to rule longer than a United States Congressman. Talk about arrogance. They wanted three year terms so that "they could get something done." What that meant was, "We want longer terms to even screw up Lake Worth more than we are already screwing it up" and get us in so deep that we would never get out. Think our Casino and the PB County Water Contract.
Now today he is touting longer terms once again. He had a problem listening to the people back then and totally discounts their wishes even to this day. It is amazing that he is now a State Representative. He won that position because his opponent was weak and not given one iota of any help by the Republican Party.
We need to stay with two year terms just as 68% of the voters wanted in 2008.
Next, Johnny Longboats as an anchor tenant is acceptable on the first level only. What is not okay is their insistence on a 2am closing time and the city manager pushing this down our throats. This, once again, is not what the people want for our beach. It has never been the vision for Lake Worth beach. Commissioner Chris McVoy has a total grasp of the situation and understands like no other commissioner up there. Suzanne Mulvehill is a big disappointment as she now wants to "forget" what the people said, what the people wanted. She is more loyal to Susan Stanton than to the people when it comes to our Casino. Stanton is sitting in the wings hoping that her one-on-ones with this new majority will convince them to give her what she wants regardless of we silly people.
To see a quote from Andy Amoroso in today's paper going along with the city manager's wish to have one tenant occupy 2/3'rds of our rentable space under their terms, is not good for Lake Worth. Yes, the building must pay for itself but we can find a tenant that does not strong-arm us and insist on an unreasonable closing time, a place with ordinary food that is secondary to its bar business. We need to consider the possibility of default because Johnny Longboats is no John G's. I doubt seriously if people will be lining up to dine at Longboats or lining up to buy that cocktail.
What Andy Amoroso should be considering are the people here, not just business interests. So, when the Realtors Association bet their endorsement on Triolo and Amoroso, it wasn't because of the ordinary citizen in Lake Worth. The Association said that we need people who will listen to the people. That is exactly what we expect of Mr. Amoroso and Ms. Triolo. Every official needs to read up on our history and understand what the people said and when they said it and stop changing the rules/vote at every opportunity. Didn't they ask that question regarding the vision of our casino when they were campaigning? Afterall, it was the resident voters who just elected them, not businesses.
New leaders vow business-friendly climate.
I honestly don't have an issue with Longboats having both floors. HOWEVER it should be on the Cities terms and not theirs. 2AM NO! Premium rental rates YES! I would be more concerned that two restaurants would be too much competition with that much space not to mention Benny's who is still there and is still part of the bigger picture. You want an ocean view? Eat at Benny's "I will gladly pay you on Tuesday for a hamburger at Benny's Today"
ReplyDeleteThis is a business venture by the city for the people and it should not only be self sustaining but also draw a profit into the cities budget AND the proceeds should be ear marked for future beach front improvements and maintenance....
This is to big of a gamble for the commission or staff to screw it up so think bigger picture long term goals people and not just what is in front of you now. What do you want this beach to look like 20 or 40 years from now? Like it was last year before construction or something that will lasts for many decades to come.
Also note that just because you have two stories with a center stair case does not mean you can not still rent the two area's out separately! Ever been to a mall? anyone? Hello? "Is this thing on!"
It seems like yesterday when the Pier was open 24/7 and children were safe staying overnight on Saturday night to fish.
ReplyDeleteAs long as the Utility rates are so high and that the blight isn't being addressed in a coordiuated manner by the CRA and city staff, I doubt if the increased investment interest results in much investment.
Let's get an excellent national chain restaurant in one of the spots. The commission needs to consider this otherwise they will be stuck with Johnny and kids puking on the beach at 2am or earlier in the morning. Just tell Johnny to close at 11pm. Whose casino is it, anyway? It's not Susan Stanton's and it sure ain't Longboats.
ReplyDeleteNot to mention closing at 11PM would actually compliment the downtown businesses that have a 2AM closing. It would be a win/win situation for the late nighters (obviously not me)
ReplyDeletewhat do you expect from a pothead?
ReplyDeleteWhat we said--
ReplyDeletefamily friendly
no further commercialization
Basically that is what we petitioned for. That means--
no late hours
this is first and foremost a beach park, not a commercial enterprise as the city manager wants us all to accept.
It is ours and as such, we dictate terms, not the other way around.
I agree, put an Olive Garden up there or something that you know will make it, a big chain who can pay up big.
ReplyDeleteYes, most politicians tend to be self severing Lynn, you are correct, I agree Clemens was the worst. The only reason he is our pathetic state rep. now is because he is in a band and used top sing int he Friday plaza evening on the avenues. He really stinks and it will all catch up to him sooner or later, he is actual quite hateful and evil.
lynn, how would you suggest we reconcile the referendum in which the voters said no to a new bond issue that required citizens pay the debt service and your petition that may result in the casino not being able to generate sufficient income to pay for a loan to cover the casino costs?
ReplyDeleteThe certified petition that never made it to ballot because of Cara Jennings, had nothing to do with bonds or income generation. It was about the zoning--retaining PROS zoning and rejecting a commercial zoning at the beach.
ReplyDeletePrior to that, several years before the voters rejected a general obligation bond that wanted to commit $19 million dollars to our beach redevelopment. The voters had common sense back then. The Commission and Staff did NOT.
The City over the past several years has insisted that a Revenue Bond (now a bank loan) will pay for the Casino. Do it City Staff--make it happen--but no further commercialization of our beach in the process.
I'm all for an Olive Garden. Let's roll.
ReplyDeleteOlive Garden ! You are kidding right ?
ReplyDeleteDidn't the soon to be previous commission put their foot down about any national chains?
ReplyDeleteHas that option even been explored?
Would be wonderful to have something like the Old Key Lime House up there, but that's a wish and a prayer.
What about a Chart House or even an Outback kind of place?
They are destination spots - and would bring people in.
Under PROS zoning the shops at our casino were grandfathered in no matter how the P&Z wants to fight that. We wanted Mom & Pop types of stores there. Now that it is getting totally out of control with Longboats, I think they should now look closely at having a national chain that will fit into our Casino and vision of what we want there. Good food. Priced fairly.
ReplyDeleteSomething with a theme for the beach not a freaking Olive Garden! Just drive out on Lake Worth Road and eat there folks! Gee whiz! How about a Red Lobster, I like the Key Lime House style, Anything that make's sense for the location and agreed with the other poster it should be a destination place.
ReplyDeletePLEASE tell me that Andy has not turned into a Stanton-bot ALREADY !!!!!
ReplyDeleteMust ask: is there really any view of the ocean at night?
ReplyDeleteIsn't it just black out there?
Is the dock lit up all the way to the end at night?
That would be a view....
What is the hubbub about the view, unless it's for lunch or breakfast?
Not sure why your opposed to 2 a.m. closing then wishing them ill will with lack of business. They are so removed from town they will not disturb our sleep. I'm more concerned with not being able to see the ocean when I drive by. I may never go to J Longboat but I do want to see the ocean.
ReplyDeleteI have tried to explain it--guess you don't agree. But a very strong reason is that I don't want a bar dictating our hours at our beach. There is NO reason why we should have to accommodate a bar business so that it can take in cash into the early morning hours using our valuable beach to do it. Find a reasonable business that can make it without extended the hours for a bar business. We have enough bars in Lake Worth. Why do we need another one at our beach park? So that we can help them fulfill their business plan? I don't think so. Noise pollution, drunks and all sorts of problems. They closed the beach early several decades ago because of kids hanging out and causing problems. We don't have the funds to pay for Sheriff's stationed on patrol at our beach.
ReplyDeleteWhat is wrong with a normal restaurant there with normal hours?
Also, if you have a 2am closing, that means that they don't finally close down until 4am and off the island. We simply want a family-friendly beach park--not a bar.
There are a million reasons why Johnny Longboats is being a pain in the azz and the city manager going along with them at the detriment of our beach.
I absolutely agree with you that the beach redevelopment plan is atrocious--it will have no water view. Blame that on Jennings and Varela.
LASTLY, I don't wish them ill will as far as a business there. I simply stated that they will be NO JOHN G'S and I am rather sure no one will be lined up to eat there. We can see that is the case in the fact that their business revolves around a BAR.
I wonder what the neighboring condo people would think about a 2AM closing! Everyone knows that sound really travels near the beach....If I lived there I would be really pissed to listen to "Bar" people acting out of line.
ReplyDeleteJOE'S CRAB HOUSE...YEAH!
ReplyDelete