Some things never change

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With nearly every single agendaed item voted in unanimously, this new commission did not yet reveal to us what their new "vision" is. I understand that they gave some hints to that at the end of the meeting. They came close to revealing the vision on two items--that of the requirements for the interim city manager and the approval of the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce's merger with the Palms West Chamber of Commerce.

The discussion of the job description for the Interim City manager went round and round with the Mayor, once again, losing her cool. She even passed the gavel to the Vice Mayor when she could not get a motion on the floor and made it herself. Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill insisted that an ICMA certification was of top importance; the other three did not. Commissioner McVoy was still out of town but he had sent in an e-mail expressing his opinion on the importance of an ICMA certification and wanting it to be read into the record. The McVoy e-mail brought a query from the Vice Mayor and had to be referred to the city attorney for a legal opinion. Even some of the Maxwell supporters jeered the very idea of a commissioner giving an opinion. It is no different than I giving mine or they giving their opinion.

Having an ICMA certification is a plus for any city manager. It is a big deal and don't let anyone fool you to believing that it is not. It shows that he has gone that extra step to become even more of an expert in his field through further education. An ICMA certification can be served as a gauge that measures a candidate's ability. I equate it to my field, real estate. I was a manager of a real estate company with a Florida Broker's License. I went for further education and obtained my GRI designation.

This commission should have asked the assistant city manager, once again, if she would take the job and cut the nonsense and immediately find a permanent city manager. Steve Carr had already recommended her as well as the Range Rider. Carr indicated that it could take five months. Politics, once again, just cost us money and time and might even cost us a good assistant city manager.

For those in the chamber last night who wanted to downplay the importance of the ICMA designation for no other reason than to side with those few on the dais who wanted to dismiss it for whatever political reason they may have, do not know what they are talking about when they say that all you have to do is pay the fee. I also agree, however, that it should not be a mandatory requirement but it surely should be preferred. We want to hire the best. We have at least two candidates at this moment who do have the ICMA designation and to me they both stand out from the field.

The other item that was not unanimous last night was the Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce. Commissioner Mulvehill wanted to include in the motion the debt owed by them to ensure payment before approving the merger. The "visionaries" did not want to include the debt and the Vice Mayor even went so far as to say, "It is inappropriate to put in on the agenda." He further stated that "It is irresponsible to make allegations; it takes away from the spirit."

The Chamber owes the city money in the amount of $10,450 that includes a "lost" golf cart. Our Finance Director indicated that the Chamber recently indicated that they were "interested" in resolving the debt. Once a merger takes place and Lake Worth's Chamber is acquired by Palms West, I am rather sure that any debt legally can go away as the entity that owes the debt that has merged no longer really exists.

Now we have a new commission that essentially let them off the hook to pay their debt. They didn't want to take Steve Carr's word for the amount owed claiming "no back-up" and that it "wasn't on the agenda." Steve Carr is the only person who the Vice Mayor had faith to be the acting city manager but he had no use for the debt information to be included. It was just bad politics all over again and three people not looking after the City's interests. It will now be up to the new Chamber to cement better relations with the City and pay the debt. It would behoove them to do so.

Also, it was stated that this merger will not trigger the repayment of the $300,000 that was given to them by the City of Lake Worth back in 2005 as it will not constitute a cessation of existence, an agreement in the structured deal.

The Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce is one of the oldest institutions in Lake Worth right next to possibly The Lake Worth Herald. I recall how proud I used to be of our Chamber and all Chambers until they became involved in politics. Here in Lake Worth they even went so far as to back candidates and oppose others as well as issues, and gave money and billboard advertising to do it. They have one of the biggest political lobbies in Florida. They erected huge political signs at the front of their building. They got to the point that they did not represent many of its members and became a victim of our recessive economy.

Through the years the City as well as the CRA gave them plenty of money towards their mortgage as well as special events. Once you accept taxpayer money, then politics must cease. It never did. I also have to wonder if this new merged Chamber will still promote the City of Lake Worth. You have to wonder if any of their resources will go towards that.

Even though things "change," they really never do when it comes to politics in this City.