Wednesday, February 29, 2012

E-Verify

A Pulse Opinion Research poll sponsored by NumbersUSA found that only 12% of all likely voters nationwide oppose requiring every employer to use electronic verification to keep illegal aliens from getting U.S. jobs – and to ensure that all U.S. jobs go to Americans and legal immigrants who already are here. The question was phrased in a neutral way:

POLL QUESTION: “On the issue of ILLEGAL immigration, do you favor or oppose mandating that all employers electronically verify the immigration status of their workers.”

Among all likely voters:

  • 78% favored mandatory verification
  • 12% opposed mandatory verification
  • 9% weren't sure
  • The Cost of the Lake Worth Beach Redevelopment

    Comment Up
    The blame for all this disappointment is not on any one individual commissioner or one who did not know what grade of wood was being used at the Casino and who has been in office for 15 months. The blame for this huge price increase involved a couple of things:

    1. This Entire Commission
    The commission voting to further commercialize our beach and closing our park at 1am. This closing time was never considered because John G's closed at 3pm for 37 years. It was never the intention of the people to have a bar dictate the closing time and Commissioner McVoy was the only commissioner who wanted earlier closing times. This one action alone, kicked in the need for expensive lighting that was an alternate in the contract. The blame on the commission was also not realizing that Staff gave them a song and dance making them believe that closing hours just had to be extended so that businesses could afford the higher price per square foot.

    2. The City Staff
    We did not hire an independent project manager and relied on a contractor who was making a bundle off of the project to sub it out, hoping that he had our best interests in mind. Conflict of interest. Naive. City staff never told the entire truth to the public or to the Commission as to the real cost of the project. Infrastructure, that was allowed to be paid by the Bond money, was left out of the cost analysis.

    $6,712,591. That's the amount that we will be paying for the beach redevelopment which is totally separate from the Casino that is costing us $6 million plus the architect's design. The City says that this amount includes all of the Palm Beach County BOND required elements, as well as the infrastructure and lighting components.

    The infrastructure costs, costs we all assumed were part of the County Bond money but became evident that they were over and above the Bond, amount to:
    water main--$394,000
    Sanitary Sewer--$374,750
    Stormwater--$276,634

    Turtle Lighting: $800,000
    Seawall: $224,208
    Decal Parking $80,000 (at least we knew about this one)

    What does this mean for the citizens of Lake Worth to lose control of its beach for 30 years?

    1. $2,149,594 over and above the Bond or $7,149,594.
    2. Loss of around 175 upper level parking spaces
    3. Loss of decal parking anywhere on the property
    4. Loss of or change to 33 items that were in the original design supposedly and originally covered by the $5 mil bond.
    5. Site lighting in the western parking lot
    6. All paver walkways replaced by monolithic slabs
    7. The entire project scaled down from the original design
    8. We will get a whole lot less for a whole lot more $
    9. The City is doing some creative addition by telling us that the Bond is really only $4,563,000 because there is a fee if $437,000 taken out of that for KHA, whatever that is, and they come up with a total dollar figure of $6,712,591. It makes the project appear cheaper than it really is.

    We all assumed that the contractor, Morganti, was watching the store. His man was there last night to assure us that they did everything according to Hoyle. Then WHY did everything in the design come in OVER the original BUDGET?

    The Vice Mayor, in office for 27 months, was right on one hand when he highly criticized the cost over-runs on this project. He was wrong when he blamed the beach redevelopment on politics. It is not the commission's job to oversee projects of this magnitude or any other city project. It is not their fault that they voted to proceed with the beach redevelopment. That is why we have Staff. Staff should be asking the questions. Staff should be giving correct and accurate information so that the Commission can make accurate decisions. That's the way the game is played. Disappointment, however, is across the board.

    The positive is, the commission voted 5/0 to proceed. The negative is, we the people are paying $2 million more than we ever should have had to pay. They never should have taken this bond money to spend most of it redesigning parking spaces. They didn't come back with a vote to have Morganti re-bid some of the project. Whatever choice do we have?

    Community Relations Board is on Crack

    Comment Up
    Crack Investigative team, that is--

    Click graphic to enlarge
    By: Mystery Lake Worth Graphic Artist
    The Kang-A-Roo Court


    An unfair, biased, or hasty judicial proceeding that ends in a harsh punishment; an unauthorized trial conducted by individuals who have taken the law into their own hands, such as those put on by vigilantes or prison inmates; a proceeding and its leaders who are considered sham, corrupt, and without regard for the law.

    Always looking for stronger community relations, this Board relieved its Chair of his authority for reasons unbefitting a leader they say (pushing his personal agenda and getting arrested). They then asked that citizens volunteer for the Kang-A-Roo Court to come up with some improper instances attributed to the former chair, Panagioti Tsolkos, in order to support its anarchist insurrection by kicking him off as leader. Four concerned citizens, some of whom obsessed with anarchy in Lake Worth, raised their hands.

    The question is whether the fox is watching over the hen house. Does this crack volunteer investigative board have no chickens in its own roost? Are they all lily white? Can anyone say they are qualified to throw stones or even should they be allowed to do so? At what point should rights of people be trampled upon? Ever?

    It is the right of the accused to be tried by a legally constituted court, not by a kangaroo court" (Williams v. United States, 341 U.S. 97, 71 S. Ct. 576, 95 L. Ed. 774 [1951]). In the U.S., you are innocent and someone has to prove that you are guilty. That's what this kang-a-roo court will attempt to do...come up with proof--after the fact. That is just as bad as hanging the guy before evidence is presented and proved. Every accused has the right of due process BEFORE he is executed or thrown to the curb. In this case, our laws and common decency were violated by this Board in its unorthodox act of asking for and accepting volunteers to investigate its Chair.

    Tonight they will tell you that they can legally form a sub-committee and do what they are doing.
    Whether you like what Panagioti stands for or not, his rights were violated.

    This Board, consumed with SSS (sanctimonious, superior virtue and self- righteous pious), meets tonight at City Hall at 6pm so that they now can work on identification cards for illegals. Even the illegal alien is treated with more respect than was Tsolkos, a citizen.

    The "special investigative" committee will also come up with its support documents to justify the action taken against Tsolkos. Democracy in action-- so much for community bridge building, getting along with your fellow neighbor and good will. This Board is looking for projects to work on. It can start with the basics in its mission statement: promote amicable relations.

    Tuesday, February 28, 2012

    Married adults shuffleboarding

    Comment Up
    A sport for all ages!
    No nice southern bell broad brim flowered hat here

    More typical shuffleboarders

    College National Championship

    Typical shuffleboarder

    Comment Up
    No pink pedal pushers and black hi-top keds tennis shoes here

    As previously said, shuffleboarding has been around for centuries now played by all ages. We can revive this sport in Lake Worth.

    Obama and Auto Bailouts

    Obama to brag about Auto Bailouts to UAW workers In Detroit as well as at the UAW Members Conference in Washington, DC…Won’t tell them one of the Bailed Out Car Companies is now Foreign-Owned or that $23.6 Billion Was Lost. Read more at Scotty Starnes blog.


    Typical negative attack distorted political ad that panders to the Unions

    Shuffleboarding

    Comment Up
    Old postcard sent by May Goodstein

    Following is a note I received from Gus Bondi, an international shuffleboarder. He is President of the USA National Shuffleboard Association.

    We have played National tournaments at places with 24 courts.

    You have courts already in existence? They aren't being used now? I can have our Regional Director contact you if you would like that and give you what ever information that you might want.

    Shuffleboard is not dying. It is flourishing and growing world wide. Last year I went with a group to introduce shuffleboard to Russia and they are now forming an International team........Norway and Germany have teams that are very competitive in the short time they have been in existence.....Australia.....Japan......Brazil and Canada are other country's that have very competitive shuffleboard and compete in International tournaments. I am going to Lithuania in July to introduce shuffleboard to the world at a world federation gathering where there will be 20,000 athlete's there. National tournaments are held all over the USA at different times of the year.

    Gus Bondi
    President
    USANSA


    Although there are some who believe or have been told that shuffleboarding is a dying sport, it isn't. Although some have the belief that only white haired old ladies play the game, that is farther from the truth.

    "While our Founding Fathers were busy putting together the makings of this great country, there were big shuffleboard matches being conducted throughout the colonies. Shuffleboard was popular among the English soldiers as well as the colonists." It has been around forever and Lake Worth can once again be known for competitive shuffleboarding and preserve our history.

    We can get a piece of this pie. We can get the tournaments here in Lake Worth. With a little vision, a small investment, we can be the recreation destination of the east coast of the United States.

    Remember,

    THINK BIG!

    Snook Islands Opening Celebration

    Snook Islands Natural Area Public Use Amenities

    Opening Celebration - February 29 at 9:am

    County Commissioner Shelley Vana will be there for the opening of the new public-use facilities at the Snook Islands Natural Area in the City of Lake Worth.

    Commissioner Vana will host a short opening ceremony followed by a tour of the public-use facilities. The new facilities include a boardwalk, fishing pier, water taxi and day use docks and kayak launch.

    Help to celebrate this momentous occasion on Wednesday. This is another draw to our fabulous City that will put us on the map as a tourist and recreational destination.

    Monday, February 27, 2012

    Self Check

    Comment Up

    According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, all employers in the United States are required to verify the work eligibility of everyone they hire. Self Check is a voluntary, free and simple service that allows you to check your employment eligibility first.

    Check your eligibility to work in the United States by clicking here.

    Shuffleboarding at Lakeside Point Gardens

    Comment Up

    This is one of four courts at Lakeside Point Gardens in use every day during the Season. These people are addicts for the game. They would love to see our downtown shuffleboard courts saved--all 28 of them--so that they can get involved in national meets. These are energetic and high spirited Seniors who say, they can match their game with anyone.

    In 1979 the International Shuffleboard Association was founded in St. Petersburg, Florida. Six countries—the US, England, Canada, Australia, Brazil and Japan have national associations. Shuffleboard has its own leagues and organizations and established halls of fame. Shuffleboarding is for all ages.

    Tonight at 6pm is the meeting at our downtown courts. Come on out and give support in making Lake Worth a national and international destination for recreation not only at our beach and kayaking at Snook Islands but at our Shuffleboard Courts. It can be done and just another way to bring tourists to Lake Worth who will spend money in Lake Worth. We have the courts; why not save them? If we remove them we will never get them back. Let's come up with a plan to save them all.

    Smart Metering in Lake Worth?

    Comment Up
    Smart Meter Burned to a Pulp

    Smart Metering may not be so smart especially when we might spend up to $1 million dollars for something that is not exactly a necessity, at least for right now. Did we get out of our financial crunch and no one told us?

    At the February 21st meeting, the Commission on a 4/1 vote with Triolo dissenting, approved the submission of an application for an Energy Grant in the amount of $500,000. Not one time during the meeting was it communicated to the public that this was a matching grant. It was said that we had $410,000 in our Machinery and Equipment Budget for year 2011/2012. The Utilities Director implied that this budget was to be used for communications. Mayor Triolo was against one aspect of its usage in pursuing this Grant, Smart Metering, as there have been reported fires and brain cancers due to these meters.

    Many of these smart meters have been reviewed by expert scientists. Got to Bio Initiative. They include harmful effects such as damage to DNA in living cells that can lead to cancer, loss of fertility, brain damage due to the disruption of the blood-brain barrier and neuronal hyperactivity leading to autism in children.

    From the back-up: It is anticipated that approximately twelve (12) awards each in the amount of $500,000 in federal funds, with a minimum cost share requirement of fifty percent (50%) for total allowable costs (i.e., the sum of the federal share and the recipient share of allowable costs equals the total allowable costs of the project), will be made nationwide under Phase I. Becky Mattey is not even sure if this Grant fits our needs. The Utility wants to go after the money just in case.

    The irony of all of this is, the Vice Mayor keeps bitching and works himself into a frenzy about possible cost over-runs at our beach for turtle lights and such but he didn't blink an eye when it came to approving this Grant application for Smart Metering. This is a lot of money to spend (one million dollars of taxpayer's money whether one half is federal grant money and the other half taxpayer money right here in Lake Worth) in order for we the consumer to be able to "download our hourly consumption data in order to better manage electricity consumption." I guess the Vice Mayor thought that this possible expenditure of matching funds might be A-OK if the U.S. Department of Energy thinks it fits our needs. He did say, "If we don't get the money some other city will."

    Just because someone gives you a gift doesn't mean that you have to accept it or...even want it. Usually there is some type of political string attached and you might end up with a "maze" made of pavers that takes away green space at Bryant Park. Take the beach redevelopment as a prime example. We had $3.5 million at one time in our beach fund. We could have fixed up our beach ourselves and told the County to go to blankety blank. Just because we have money in the budget allocated for something does not mean we absolutely must spend it.

    Hey, just turn off the lights and raise that thermostat a degree or two. It will do wonders.

    Sunday, February 26, 2012

    Message from Congressman Allen West

    Dear Patriot,

    Greetings to our constituents, fellow Floridians, and all Americans. Hope your week has been well. I stated in my previous newsletter that I had run my last half-marathon of the season. Well, I found out this past week that will not be the case. We will have ONE last half-marathon in St. Lucie County on Saturday, March 24th. And you can bet it is going to be a warm one! This morning I ran a 10k on the FAU campus, but more on that later.

    Needless to say, this week the biggest issue on everyone’s mind has to be the rising gas prices, which are the highest prices ever for a February. As I sit here writing this update the average price across America has hit $3.67 a gallon.

    This week, President Obama chose Florida to give an address on “American energy” in Miami. In actual fact, he had a series of fundraisers here so he had to come up with a reason to justify spending all that jet fuel for Air Force One. The interesting statistic is that since the President’s inauguration day in 2009, gas prices have increased by 83 percent, up from $1.84 a gallon. But we were told this week that the President has nothing to do with it.

    Interestingly enough, President Obama did not mention anything about the potential dangers posed by the SCAREBEO-9 platform, a Chinese-made oil rig that does not meet any United States safety standards and is now in sitting in place 66 miles off of Florida’s coast. This platform will be drilling in waters deeper than the Deepwater Horizon and our own Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, actually provided technical expertise and guidance to the company that is leasing the oil rig, REPSOL. Further, the Obama administration sent $2 billion of hard-earned American taxpayer dollars to Brazil to conduct offshore oil exploration and went so far as to promise the United States would be their best customer.

    Yet the President still maintains there is nothing he can do to bring prices down and that the answer is not in drilling -- or at least not American drilling. But the President believes he is to credit for increased energy production.

    Here are the facts: it is the significant increase in energy production on state and private lands – where Washington has limited control – that is largely responsible for the recent boost in oil production. According to a new non-partisan analysis of government data, oil production on private and state lands jumped by 14 percent during the last fiscal year. Production on federal lands, meanwhile, dropped by 11 percent. Whereas in 2000, federal lands were responsible for 32 percent of total oil production, that figure dropped to 19 percent in 2010. This trend is almost certain to continue, given the Obama Administration’s draft five-year drilling plan prohibits offshore drilling in new areas, and only allows lease sales to occur in areas that are already open. 

As for any recent increases in oil production on federal lands, they can largely be attributed to the policies of previous administrations.

    In addition, there are some things that can be done from a government perspective. First, we need to end the Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing program which is actually devaluing our dollar against the rise in cost per barrel. Secondly, to remove the influence of “speculators,” we should pursue a full-spectrum development of our domestic energy resources, which means the Keystone XL Project and reduce dependency of resources coming from volatile regions. As well, let’s reexamine the margin call bottom line, which the speculators use.

    It is a serious issue, and the most serious fact to consider is the 83 percent increase in your gas prices since inauguration day 2009. How many more failed “green energy” programs and policies sucking American taxpayer dollars will we have to endure before we get focused on real solutions?

    Also, this week President Obama discussed lowering the corporate business tax rate, from one of the highest in the world at 35 percent, down to 28 percent. The President does not tell the American people the real truth, as articulated in the Wall Street Journal Editorial on Thursday, entitled “Obama’s Tax Reform Muddle.” Instead of allowing a one-time repatriation of the trillions of dollars of capital sitting on the sidelines, President Obama wants to tax it. Further, he is proposing an increase in dividends taxes from 15 percent to 44.1 percent and capital gains tax from 15 percent to 30-35 percent.

    We should eliminate dividends and the death tax, reduce the corporate business rate to 20-21 percent and eliminate loopholes, lower capital gains tax to 10 percent, allow the onetime repatriation of the offshore capital to America, and reduce the size and scope of our federal government.

    Lastly, I want to extend my sincere condolences to the families of the Army Colonel and Major who were killed by Afghanistan security forces over this “burning Koran” episode. If we had resolute leadership, including in the White House, we would have explained that these Islamic terrorist enemy combatants being detained at the Parwan facility had used the Koran to write jihadist messages to pass to others. In doing so, they violated their own cultural practice and defiled the Koran. Furthermore, they turned the Koran into contraband. Therefore, Islamic cultural practice and Parwan detention facility procedures support burning the “contraband.”

    Instead here we go again, offering apology after apology and promising to “hold those responsible accountable.” Responsible for what?

    When tolerance becomes a one-way street it leads to cultural suicide. This time it immediately led to the deaths of two American Warriors. America is awaiting the apology from President Hamid Karzai.

    Steadfast and Loyal,

    Street Painting Festival 2012

    A few photos from today. If slide-show hangs up, click forward button. Downtown was CRAZZZZZZZZZY!!!!

    An Obama Success Story

    With oil now at $1.09 a barrel, up from $89.25 a year ago, can the Democrats still blame this on Bush?

    Felonious Munk on the Occupiers

    And now to have a 4 letter word thrown your way along with some good advice--

    Debbie Wasserman-Schultz - Feeding the Folly

    Comment Up


    I love politicians; I really do. They give me so much to write about. Actually it is politicians in general especially Democrats right now that feed the folly. This is a video from 2005 blaming Bush when gas was cheaper and unemployment was at 4% from the mouth of our favorite progressive left wing Bobble-Head. You have to start blaming the right people now Debbie.

    Will more cities follow Stockton?

    Stockton, California is about to File Chapter 9. The Unions did them in. Will Lake Worth eventually follow suit or will we be taxed to the max with the commission having to dream up special assessments afterall? Our city commissions have never had a handle on Union pensions and benefits and have never been pro-active in negotiations for the health of our city. We had one city manager who tried and they fired her. Even when the commission has chances to eliminate union labor, they don't.

    It is believed that our beach redevelopment will bring in the much needed dollars to Lake Worth as will the Snook Island Development and people will invest in our city. However, the union pension problem is expected to grow and grow and grow.

    Read about how Unions were directly responsible for the failure of a city.

    Lake Worth Art League gives Art Lessons


    Did you ever think you had artistic ability and wanted to take some lessons? Now is your chance. The Art League, now located at 604 Lucerne Avenue in Lake Worth, gives art classes.

    Drawing: 9am to 12pm--Tuesday
    Pastel Painting: 12:30pm to 3:30pm --Tuesday
    Acrylic Painting: 12:30pm to 3:30pm--Wednesday
    Watercolor Painting: 9am to Noon and 1pm to 4pm--Thursday
    To register or for more information, call Joan Tiberi at 561-547-5123

    Outdoor Shows on the Horizon:
    Cultural Plaza
    March 3 & 4
    April 7 & 8

    See you today at the greatest real time art show, the Lake Worth Street Painting Festival.

    Saturday, February 25, 2012

    Gas Prices

    Comment Up

    Bill Maher GIVES $1 MILLION to Obama Super PAC

    Comment Up
    Confused wise guy and often vulgar "funny" guy (I put that in quotes because I don't find him the least bit amusing) Bill Maher just gave $1 million to the Obama campaign by donating to a Super PAC, a type of PAC that Obama used to be against saying that Obama represents his interests. What's that, Bill? More socialism? More debt? Deportation Cases Drop by 1/3 Under Obama’s Backdoor Amnesty Scheme? More phoniness by liberal progressives? WHAT?


    Do you Really feel Safer?

    Comment Up

    Lake Worth Street Painting Festival

    Comment Up

    Today and Sunday in downtown Lake Worth. If it is anything like last year, our downtown will be mobbed as this is the world's largest street painting festival.

    Hundreds of artists converge to display their diverse talents on the asphalt – using only chalk – in styles that range from Renaissance classicism to Cubism and Pop Art. Street performers, strolling minstrels and Mainstage musical entertainment add to the creative atmosphere. And of course, don’t miss the Festival Food Courts, accommodating culinary tastes and thirsts as diverse as the surrounding artwork. source: http://streetpaintingfestivalinc.org/

    Early Morning fog


    An hour later, there no longer is fog but the cloud mass is dense...no sun is showing through. Let's hope there is no rain over this Street Painting weekend.

    Obama WANTS High Energy Prices

    Friday, February 24, 2012

    Obama on Gas Prices




    Well, actually it wasn't that long ago that Obama played the Blame Game.






    Didn't like that one? Here's another.

    Cara and Crew - Get a Job

    Latest stats on unemployment.

    Do you remember that old do wop song by the Silhouettes, Get a Job?

    As Cara Jennings is protesting Allen West with a charge that he voted to cut off unemployment benefits, read the above article to find some startling facts. It seems that we are slowly crawling out of this recession and unemployment has been reduced.

    In December, Allen West said, "Today I joined a bipartisan coalition of Members of the House of Representatives, putting Americans before politics and voting in favor of the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act. I support this legislation because both the extension of the payroll tax holiday and the extension of unemployment insurance program are paid for. Further, the legislation protects the social security program for both today and future retirees."

    The total number of weeks of benefits available in any particular State depends on the unemployment rate and unemployment insurance laws in the State where the person worked. Florida has reduced the maximum number of weeks that you can collect unemployment benefits to 85 weeks. This State law took effect on January 1, 2012. Prior to that, it was 99 weeks.

    Maybe Jennings and crew should use all this time and energy looking for a job rather than demonstrating and demanding "entitlements" from our government. Allen West is actually doing something about unemployment and helping small businesses.

    After breakfast, everyday, she throws the want ads right my way, and never fails to say,
    Get a job Sha na na na, sha na na na na.

    Allen West Protects Small Businesses

    House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves of Missouri and Rep. Allen West (R-FL) introduced legislation that will help protect small business contractors by addressing unfair contract bundling.

    The Contractor Opportunity Protection Act (COP) of 2012 restricts the practice of unjustified contract bundling by providing the Small Business Administration (SBA) and third party groups with the ability to appeal an agency’s decision to bundle.

    Contracting bundling is the practice of packaging many contracts together as one, essentially making it impossible for small businesses to compete for them, thereby limiting competition to the detriment of the taxpayer. Today’s legislation is part of a comprehensive initiative from the House Small Business Committee aimed at reforming small business contracting policies.

    Read the rest at The Booneville Daily News.

    Allen West and his Hummer

    Comment Up

    There is only one other person I know who owns a Hummer, Becky Mattey. I have always thought of them as big monstrocities and gas guzzlers and I have never understood why anyone would want to buy one. Mention the name Hummer and you'll either get cheers from SUV lovers or jeers from environmentalists.

    Allen West owning a Hummer must stem from his military background. If you own a Hummer, it was designed to travel to the ends of the Earth. We understand that. However, you can't complain about the cost of fuel. It costs you $70 to fill up your tank on a vehicle that gets 15 mph? Get another American made vehicle, perhaps a Ford Focus, 25/35 mph and help the environment.

    Ignition Interlock Device passes three Committees in Tallahassee

    Watch it when you leave one of Lake Worth's night spots!

    The ignition interlock device has now passed three State Committees. Jeff Clemens voted for it in January. It will now go to the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.

    Essentially what it says is, if you have been convicted of a DUI and you had a minor in your car, or involved in an accident or had a blood alcohol level of over .15, you will have to install an ignition interlock device on your vehicle. The device would be a mandatory requirement for anyone convicted of DUI.

    The law now will make you blow into the interlock device and pass the test before you can start the ignition of your car. If the new bill passes, even first time offenders will have to have the device installed for at least three months.

    How to blow into an ignition interlock device

    Thursday, February 23, 2012

    Obama and Energy

    Comment Up

    Today he said that he does not have a "silver bullet" solution for skyrocketing gas prices, but he proposed alternative energy sources such as "a plant-like substance, algae" as a way of cutting dependence on oil by 17 percent all the while mocking Republicans who want to drill for oil.

    It has been reported that there is enough oil (in all of its forms), and natural gas in North America and its associated territories, to supply ALL of the US and Canada, at current projected growth, for over the next 200 years.

    When Obama took office, gas prices were at $1.83 a gallon.

    Lake Worth High Girls answer Santaluces Racist Video

    Obama's Budget

    Comment Up

    The President's Budget for Fiscal Year 2013

    From The Whitehouse:

    We now face a make-or-break moment for the middle class and those trying to reach it. After decades of eroding middle-class security as those at the very top saw their incomes rise as never before and after a historic recession that plunged our economy into a crisis from which we are still fighting to recover, it is time to construct an economy that is built to last.

    The President’s 2013 Budget is built around the idea that our country does best when everyone gets a fair shot, does their fair share, and plays by the same rules. We must transform our economy from one focused on speculating, spending, and borrowing to one constructed on the solid foundation of educating, innovating, and building. That begins with putting the Nation on a path to living within our means – by cutting wasteful spending, asking all Americans to shoulder their fair share, and making tough choices on some things we cannot afford, while keeping the investments we need to grow the economy and create jobs. The Budget targets scarce federal resources to the areas critical to growing the economy and restoring middle-class security: education and skills for American workers, innovation and research and development, clean energy, and infrastructure.

    The Budget is a blueprint for how we can rebuild an economy where hard work pays off and responsibility is rewarded.

    Is this really Obama?

    Recognizing the Demon

    Comment Up

    The Lake Worth city commission finally and at last, repealed the two previous resolutions from 2011 that allowed them to enact a fire and street light assessment. It was a long time coming considering the "visionaries" did not want any part of this tax from the get go. Most of the public was in agreement. The vote was 3/2 with McVoy and Mulvehill dissenting. It was never about the amount of the assessment; it was always the principle behind the tax--once implemented, it would never go away and it was an easy way for the City not to do everything within its power to live within a "normal" budget. At least that was my thinking.

    The Commission had directed Staff back in December to contact the Palm Beach County Tax Collector and Palm Beach County Property Appraiser to determine if they would agree to a March 10, 2012 notification date as allowed by State Statute.

    At the December 20, 2011, Commission meeting, the OMB Manager, Ed Fry, informed the Commission that the Tax Collector and Property Appraiser had agreed to the March 10, 2012 notification date. Based on that agreement, the Commission continued the public hearing on the uniform method for the levy, collection, and enforcement of non-ad valorem assessments for fire services to a date certain that fell on February 21, 2012.

    The fact remains that if the economy continues along the the same lines, by 2016 our budget deficit is projected at $7 million as told to us last December by the Office of Budget & Management. Commissioner Mulvehill mentioned that again on Tuesday night. That is the main reason why McVoy and Mulvehill are in support of this assessment. They are preparing the City for the worst case scenario to keep us out of harms way. That is what you call "responsible" government.

    The City has promised to pay approximately $67 million in future benefits to past and current employees yet does not currently have that amount in its various pension funds with no means to get the revenue. We did have a presentation from the Firefighter's Rep at Tuesday's meeting who said that their fund portfolio had gone up 7% or $1.8 million this past quarter and that is encouraging.

    Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell said he did not disagree with the concept of a fire assessment, but said the one approved in October was created by "demonizing" the firefighter pension cost while creating new city positions and increasing spending. "It was not fair," Maxwell said. What is fair? The word "demonizing" is one of Maxwell's favorites to describe his opponent's different view or things he doesn't like. It's right in your face just like he is.

    His point is well taken, to a degree. We do need to watch our budget closely and cut where possible. New hires should be delayed. The Sustainability Director, however, was only a cost in the operating budget of around $10 thousand a year and a needed position because of our exiting FMPA to ensure the best price possible when the time comes to exit the ARP. We can't stop city services. Pot holes must be fixed. The city needs to operate and it needs money.

    What can be done about Union pensions that we no longer can afford and are expected to escalate to sums unimaginable? Perhaps the Vice Mayor can speak to that as he can cut everything imaginable in our Budget right now and we still can't afford the Union pensions. Property values are expected to fall again this year which will mean less revenue to Lake Worth.

    This political hot potato just won't go away. You just can't continue to throw kisses at the unions. Every time this new commission trio has an opportunity to outsource and reduce the union problem and get rid of union labor, (outsourcing of Utility Customer Service that would have saved us 1/2 million dollars the first year through their management as well as to outsource some Grounds Keepers) they have played politics by supporting the unions.

    Maxwell wants to be fiscally conservative but on the other he has said to the Unions--no problem--you get to keep your members at customer service and Lake Worth will foot the ever growing bill. Even Mayor Triolo blamed the Utility Director for the problem at the Utility Customer Service and boasted that she saved employees their jobs. No she did not as those employees were to be hired with Data Management. What she did was to save union jobs. That will be a whole new article.

    In our particular case as well as most cities across the country, the Unions are fiscally choking the life out of municipalities right and left and Scott Maxwell knows that. This "Visionary" Commission needs to address this head on and admit who the demons really are. It is not their fellow commissioners.

    More on the Labyrinth at Bryant Park

    Comment Up
    Guest Blogger:
    Tracy Rosof-Petersen

    I have done quite a bit of research on the subject of successful public spaces.

    The most successful public spaces include public input in the planning process with all of the stakeholders, which in our case would include the city public works department, the Planning & Zoning Board, the end users (the public) and the gift givers of this labyrinth. When I listened from home on the issue, I thought everyone was in fair agreement....... They love the gift, but the time frame and appropriate placement still needed to be decided and go through the proper channels. What happened? I'm still not sure!

    My preference and many of the park users I talk to is: more trees, more nature, less concrete!! But just as food for thought, I've included my Top Ten list that was written during the last Bryant Park Fiasco a few years ago, when Joe Kroll moved ahead on very costly decisions about Bryant Park that were not approved by the commission or wanted by the general public at the time. These decisions cost the city and us tax payers a lot of money.

    Top Ten Ways to Screw Up A Public Waterway Park

    10. Start without an overall design or plan.
    9. Never ask for community input and don't research the needs of the end users.
    8. Put Cars before People
    7. Remove or move historic trees.
    6. Do not create pedestrian and bicycle friendly entry points.
    5. Do not create any water access points.
    4. Keep the budget costs in flux.
    3. Do not look towards future use of the park.
    2. Support the myth that economic prosperity depends on parking so local governments will continue to waste public money and distort the public planning process.
    1. Put a blacktop parking lot in the middle.


    Tracy Rosof-Petersen
    EarthArtists Clay Studio, LLC

    Allen West Town Hall Meeting Friday

    Comment Up
    Allen West Town Hall Meeting

    Friday, February 24th
    2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
    First Baptist Church
    1101 South Flagler Drive
    West Palm Beach, FL

    Cara Jennings is still up to her stalking tricks. This is her latest e-mail:

    Tell Allen West he is
    "Full of Hot Air'!
    Friday, February 24th from 2:30 - 3:30

    at his West Palm Beach Town Hall Forum at
    First Baptist Church; 1101 S. Flagler Dr, Downtown WPB


    As unemployment balloons, Allen West voted to cut off unemployment benefits.

    As income inequality balloons, he pushes for more tax breaks for the richest corporations.

    Join us as we fly "Allen West is Full of Hot Air" balloons outside his West Palm Beach town hall forum. Help us remind Mr. West that we do not agree with his support of the 1% over the 99%!

    We will have plenty of balloons with the "Allen West is Full of Hot Air" design, so stop on by.

    Lake Worth Street Painting Festival

    18th Annual Event
    February 25 & 26

    Featured artists include Tracy Lee Stum, Rod Tryon and Michael Las Casas. Watch them starting Saturday as they begin their creations and come back Sunday to see the completed masterpieces.

    Wednesday, February 22, 2012

    Quote of the Day - Allen West's response to Jennings and friends

    "To my delight there seems to be lost liberals who constantly follow me around to make mischief. I have had to reorient them and advise them that they are constantly protesting the wrong guy. The liberal guy, President Obama, is in Miami this week hanging out with his 1 percent posse at a 30K per person fundraiser. They usually leave me alone looking ashamed."

    ~ Congressman Allen West

    Tea Party and Occupiers

    Power Prevails - We will get a Labyrinth whether we want it or not

    Comment Up

    Even though it was agreed, even by the presenter, Nadine Burns, that public input was very valuable before any change to our Bryant Park was made and she was willing to get an extension from those she represented who were giving us this "valuable asset," Scott Maxwell did not agree.

    At the end of the discussion, he disagreed that the labyrinth needed to go through proper channels, go before the Planning & Zoning Board and involve the neighborhoods, especially Bryant Park that it would affect the most. Public input had no importance with him, afterall, if you didn't agree with him, you were "playing politics." And because he disagreed that the "gift" should go back to the Recreation Department to ensure that it went through the proper process, the "visionaries" went along with him. We get the labyrinth. I suppose .0001 of 1% of our population might ever use it to meditate. Church would be much more inspirational. Maybe we'll get that next as a "gift" to be erected on Bryant Park.

    Everyone on the dais "supported" the "gift" with Commissioner Mulvehill suggesting that another location might be more appropriate--this "gift" was going to be installed right next to the playground equipment. Can you even imagine a place for meditation being right next to screaming kids? My impression was that everyone on the dais was tip toeing around this labyrinth because it was proposed by former Commissioner Nadine Burns, the artist community that supports any form of art, and a few non-profits who will give work to some former felons or something.

    The only person who made complete sense last night, and who was from the public, was no nonsense Loretta Sharpe. She was the only one who didn't dance around the politics of this supposed asset by stating the obvious: it should most definitely go before our Planning and Zoning board. Her argument was valid. We have a process for reasons and if we bypass the process, then we will have more and more of these types of "gifts" erected on city property anywhere the recipient chooses.

    How dare any group or any citizen go to a department director to put something such as this on the Consent Agenda. We already went through a costly act when the Public Works Director, Joe Kroll, changed parking lots at Bryant Park with NO ONE'S PERMISSION or any input from Bryant Park neighborhood or anyone in the community. How dare a commission agree that this is proper? Perhaps they should go to The First Baptist Church on S. M Street where it was reported that they have a labyrinth.

    We keep repeating the same egregious acts but this time it wasn't one lone rouge acting on his own but staff that was complicit. The only politics involved here was Maxwell's followed by the rest of the trio. Pretty sad commentary for a commission that says it values public input.

    Tuesday, February 21, 2012

    Hastings Endorses Frankel

    Back in 1992, Alcee Hastings, who is black, told a Palm Beach Post reporter, speaking about Frankel that "the bitch is racist." The Associated Press reported he later said his comment may have been "intemperate."

    Today, he is endorsing Lois Frankel for Congress.

    Mamma Mia

    Comment Up
    What we know about Mamma Mia's proposed lease for space at the Lake Worth Casino:
    • 1. There is no active corporation in Florida with the name Mamma Mia, Inc. and that is the name on the proposed lease and how the lease was drawn.
    • 2. There is no fictitious name in Florida with the name Mamma Mia, Inc.
    • 3. There was no active corporation in either category when the offers to lease became final.
    • 4. A new corporation, Mamma Mia's on the Beach, Inc. was formed on February 2, 2012, after the fact.
    • 5. And finally, the City of Lake Worth, as well as its "co-conspirator," the city commission, is blatantly not dealing with the facts.
    The prospective lease was under the name of Mamma Mia, Inc. Therefore, Mamma Mia, Inc. should have been disqualified as a prospective tenant because there is NO Mamma Mia, Inc. It doesn't matter what the city has done subsequent to that night when Mamma Mia Inc. was approved. They were not eligible.

    Instead, the city commission kicked out long time tenant VFNS, LLC (NYPD Pizza, the only one vying for that space that did have an active corporation with the State at the time the Commission decided on Mamma Mia, Inc.

    On February 3, the above information by a reader who happens to be a lawyer was sent by me to the entire City Commission and to the City Attorney to respond. It was sent again on February 10. Thus far, total silence by the "visionaries."

    Is this how we do business in Lake Worth? Not responding to e-mails has become SOP. Ignoring the real problem is easy.


    Willard and Greater Bay

    Comment Up
    Peter Willard
    Greater Bay Group LLC vs The City of Lake Worth

    One morning Peter Willard was sitting at his kitchen table in Rochester reading The Wall Street Journal and saw an ad on our Lake Worth beach and our interest to develop. A light bulb went off and being a clever guy, he saw another opportunity for himself and jumped on it. Why not him making bucko bucks off our beach? Why should some other bozo make the money when it could be he? That is how I imagine it all began. One thing led to another and he started hanging around Lake Worth once he got his fingers in the very rich pie.

    A law suit was filed on November 16, 2009. Please refer to other past blogs on this subject for the history under Labels, Grater Bay. Briefly, this entire matter never would have happened if anyone on the dais had listened to the then city manager or even had taken the time to read the Contract. Mayor Mark Drautz tried but anarchy ensued when Retha Lowe grabbed the power and signed the contract with Greater Bay Group as Vice Mayor, thus handing over our beach for 20 years less one day and an eventual law suit. Our then city attorney, Larry Karns, sat there and watched this insurrection. Even the 20 years was disputed by one law suit, given merit by the Court, that was filed subsequent to this mess by private citizens who claimed it really was a 40 year power grab of our valuable beach property. Next, citizens formed a PAC and got signatures to fight it.

    Essentially Willard and Greater Bay's complaint states that Lake Worth breached its contract and their claim is for specific performance regarding our Lake Worth beach.

    The Court ordered mediation ended in an impasse. Subpoenas were issued late last year and depositions were taken. According to the City's information sheet, the case was taken off the Court's current trial docket and has not yet been rescheduled by the Court.

    On February 2, 2012 there was a scheduled two hour meeting on this law suit. Those in attendance were the city attorney, acting city manager, the entire commission, a court reporter and our outside legal counsel, Brian Joslyn. The outcome of that meeting, as well as any discussion, is confidential but we know that there is a strong drive by some in this city who are urging their favorite commissioners to settle as many law suits as possible so as not drive up legal costs. Best business practice they say...right or wrong, let's not drag out untold legal costs that we can't afford...make it all go away. Deals are cut every day when it comes to law suits. This is exactly Greater Bay's strategy--wear them down and count on the politics that dictates.

    To date, we have paid $384,105.65 in attorney fees because of bad politics at the time. Greater Bay? Who knows if he's paid one dime. The City failed in the simplest of things such as even doing a simple background check on Greater Bay to find that they had never built a building or had a project of this magnitude. They never even visited one project in which Greater Bay had been involved. They never inquired or contacted any owner of any building that involved Greater Bay for a reference. They never checked out Willard's credit history which consisted of pages of personal judgments for unpaid or failed deals.

    Blame this on lousy politics, a total lack of due diligence and just plain bad advice. That's what's going on with Greater Bay, and Peter Willard just keeps hanging in there to get a piece of that cherry pie, minus the pits, that he still wants.

    Fundraisers in Florida for Obama

    Here's a tip for Cara Jennings--

    This week President Obama will be attending a fundraiser for his campaign in Windermere near Orlando which is a $30,000 per person event. The $2,500 per head for Allen West tonight pales in comparison. Also Obama will be at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables and at fat cat lawyer Chris Korge's home in order to raise more money for his election.

    Monday, February 20, 2012

    Cara Jennings Plans demonstration against Allen West

    Comment Up
    Michael & Fiona Scharf
    Time: 6:15 pm
    Date: Tuesday Feb. 21
    Location: 225 Dunbar Road Palm Beach 33480

    Please let me know if you will be able to join us as we greet Allen West outside of the home of one of his investment banker cronies. He will be having a $2500 a plate fundraiser. We will be there with our big check and a personal message "While Allen West dines with the 1% his constituents are denied meetings with him, struggling under unemployment and reduced services."

    If you have an hour tomorrow night come out and join us. Please be on time as we anticipate a short welcome.

    Thanks!
    Cara
    561-584-2644

    Allen West has been a Congressman for a little over one year now. Let's hear what he has done that you don't like Cara.

    Was it his vote NO on the payroll tax? The facts are simple. This supposed payroll tax decrease is really a backdoor tax increase on homeowners and first time homebuyers. The deal is being paid for by added fees on FHA- backed loans. Homeowners with FHA- backed mortgages represent more than one-third of mortgages in the United States. Those Middle Class Americans will be footing the bill for this political gimmick.

    Was it Obama's budget? What's even more reprehensible is the President offered his budget asking for another $3.8 trillion dollars from hardworking taxpayers, and from our children and grandchildren who have yet to be born. This budget proves the President continues to focus on growing government and spending more of our money.

    These are the inescapable facts: 13 million Americans are unemployed --up 1.1 million since Obama's inauguration; gas prices are averaging close to $4 per gallon in some places, having more than doubled in three years; the average American has close to $50, 000 in personal debt, up more than $13,000 since 2009; the national debt is at $15.2 trillion, up 43 percent since 2009; more than 46 million people are on food stamps, up 45 percent since 2009; and home values are down 13 percent.

    IS THAT WHAT'S TROUBLING YOU CARA? Envy is a deadly sin.

    Why not go to Washington and protest Obama? I doubt that Palm Beach will allow any demonstration in front of a private residence on the Island of Palm Beach. This house is worth over $6 million, down $4 million from when he bought it, and the owner pays nearly $115,000 in ad valorem taxes.

    Why not protest all these people living off welfare and crossing our border illegally rather than someone who has made it and who is living within the laws of this country?


    Lake Worth High School Band

    Message from Lake Worth High School Alumnus, Doris Dorsey--

    An outstanding performance "OUR STARS SHINE BRIGHT" this past Saturday night at the Thomas Hansen Hall on campus at LWHS...What a Great Job... I cannot even describe how great it was and a wonderful surprise. They even played our Fight Song, "Onward Onward Trojans."

    Band Director, Daniel Harvey was in great form as Band Director and also in the symphonic band as one of the French Horn Players..even getting a standing ovation

    I wish everyone could have been there to hear and see the band as Mr Harvey has only been at LWCHS for one and a half years, starting with 14 people in the band and now under his direction he now has 140 band members. Congratulations Mr. Harvey, you are to be commended.

    The Band is in need of band uniforms, new instruments and are heading for State competition so please remember the LWHS TROJAN SOUND and if you wish to donate to a great cause...send your check to LWCHS, c/o Band Director, Daniel Harvey, 1701 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth, Florida...

    Dee McNamara is collecting all those musical instruments that you have packed away and are no longer using. Her drive will be announced soon but in the meantime, you can contact her at 561-547-3996 if you have an instrument to donate.

    Everette Wilkinson

    Comment Up
    As the Republican Party continues to attack each other, Obama is jumping higher in the polls. Now we have Everette Wilkinson, Chair of the Florida Tea Party South saying he might run against West.

    This guy wants to run against Allen West!
    Is this a joke, Everette?
    Read more about Wilkinson here


    He's the guy who asked Katie and I to get off a public sidewalk when we were campaigning for Amendment 4.

    Snook Islands Volunteers Event

    Volunteers needed March 3, 2012 to create a Native Coastal Hardwood Hammock in the Upland Buffer to the Snook Islands Natural Area on the Lake Worth Lagoon.

    March 3, 2012 - 8 a m to noon and/or noon to 4 p m - Volunteer for half day or full day.

    Help plant and mulch over 400 donated shrubs and trees on the Upland Buffer of the Coastal Hardwood Hammock to Snook Islands Natural Area.

    The Upland Portion of Snook Islands Natural Area is located between the Lake Worth Bridge and the southern tip of the Lake Worth Golf Course and the Lake Worth Lagoon. Wear sturdy shoes, garden gloves, sunscreen, and a hat. Shovels, wheel barrows, rakes, and brooms are welcome, mark your tools.

    Tell your friends, family, and neighbors. Plant experts and plant novices are all needed.

    Native Plants and Trees: Jane Thompson, Indian Trails Native Nursery, has generously donated over 400 native plants and trees suitable for this environmental restoration.

    David Niemi, Planting Coordinator - agrassroot@comcast.net - 561.533.9460

    Allen West hires Strategist Chris LaCivita

    Comment Up
    The Republican Party is expecting a vicious campaign to defeat Allen West. Democrats can't stand that West defeated their boy only a few years ago. What better person is there to hire than a war hero to help another war hero and who is a top political strategist than 46 year old Chris LaCivita. He has been hired by the Allen West campaign to help against any sort of Democrat personal attack ads that are expected in this upcoming election and a congressional seat that the Democrats are desperate to win back by any means possible.

    If there is any campaign strategist out there who knows all the political tricks of the trade that are used against opponents, it is LcCivita. He has a remarkable record for turning campaigns around and producing winners. He will be helping West mitigate any personal attacks that will come.

    He was national political director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee(2002 and 2010); chief strategist for Swift Boat Veterans for Truth (2004). The term "swiftboating" or "Swift Boating" is now commonly used to refer to a severe political attack of a personal nature, or even a harsh attack on a candidate's policies. This campaign will be just as brutal, if not more so, and as mean as the last election that West went through with Ron Klein who pulled every dirty trick in the book to defeat West.

    He ran the American Issues Project, a nonprofit political action group (2008); political consultant to the United States Chamber of Commerce; executive director for the Republican Party of Virginia (1996-1999); political director for Gov. George Allen and assistant secretary of administration under Allen (1994-1996).

    Among LaCivita's major campaigns:

    1991 – George Allen for U.S. House (won)

    1993 – George Allen for governor (won)

    2000 – George Allen for Senate (won)

    2004 – Bob Schaffer for Senate (Colo.) (lost GOP primary)

    2004 – Matt Blunt for governor (Mo.) (won)

    2006 – Vern Buchanan for U.S. House (Fla.) (won)

    2006 – George Allen for Senate (lost)

    2006 – Bob Corker for Senate (Tenn.) (won)

    2009 – Ken Cuccinelli for attorney general (won)

    2010 – Robert Hurt for U.S. House (won)

    2010 – Scott Rigell for U.S. House (won)

    2010 – Ed Martin for U.S. House (Mo.) (lost)


    Source: Times Dispatch

    Remembering Harry - The Buck Stops Here

    "My choices in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference."

    ~President Harry Truman

    Today is President's Day where we honor George Washington, the Father of our Country. Some States like to throw in Abraham Lincoln. But this day should be for all past and present Presidents of the United States. So, today, I am taking this opportunity in remembering Harry.

    Harry Truman was a different kind of President. The average citizen could relate to him as he could see through the "bull" and he pulled no punches. As president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food. There wasn't this "politically correct" mantra back then. He thought it and he would state his opinion as "the buck stopped with him." No one got on his case about what he thought. Free speech actually was allowed and people were not quite so nasty. There was no such thing as attack ads. Everyone had pride and love for country and respected one another as far as the law had dictated.

    He probably made as many, or more important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 32 Presidents preceding him. One of the important decisions was to form the Truman Committee that fought waste and management during World War II thus saving $15 billion and thousands of lives. Although civil rights law did not come into effect until well after his presidency, he started the way with his To Secure the Rights act in 1947 which ended discrimination in federal employment in 1950. He did a lot for civil rights.

    When he left the presidency, he was back to being a man of simple means and retired with no expectations of making money off his fame nor did he want any, unlike most politicians today who become wealthy once they serve. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on how he lived his life after he left the White House in 1952--a simple, principled man.
    • Other than his time at the White House, he lived his entire life in the same house in Independence, Missouri, the only asset he had when he died. The house was an inheritance from his wife Bess' mother and father.
    • His income was a U.S. Army pension estimated at $13,507.72 a year. He was a Army Major and then a Colonel in the Reserves
    • He paid for his own postage stamps and no longer had any staff. Congress granted him an allowance. Later he received a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.
    • He had no secret service detail once he retired
    • When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale."
    • Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."
    Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency or other held offices resulting in untold wealth. Rick Santorum is taking heat for making money and capitalizing over the fact he was a Senator. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale and one politician was sent to federal prison.

    Sources: Wikipedia & Unknown

    Sunday, February 19, 2012

    Count your blessings - we could be living in California

    I know that this is a free country and all of that jazz but we think we have a problem here in Lake Worth with a tree hugger, a self declared anarchist and Panagioti sending out an e-mail who got arrested for driving without a license. Just think, you could live in California where they have one million nut cases...and that's a conservative number.

    Crime Stats - Lake Worth

    Week ending February 19.
    Who feels safer?

    Theft 4
    Proactive Policing 8
    Pedestrian Stop 8
    Robbery 1
    Quality of Life 18
    Drugs 11
    Disorder 3
    Liquor 4
    Property Crime 2
    Property Crime 2
    Other 56
    Death 1
    Family Offense 10
    Alarm 7
    Other 37
    Missing Person 1
    Assault 8
    Assault 8
    Traffic 19

    Super PACS

    Comment Up
    Dana Summers, Orlando Sentinel

    Obama once said, "Super PACS are a threat to democracy"... “I don’t think American elections should be bankrolled by America’s most powerful interests … or worse by foreign enemies...They should be decided by the American people." Well, all of this, and what we all believe, was just political hypocrisy.

    "My strong preference would be to completely eliminate that super PAC process," Obama told an interviewer at the White House Tuesday. "But we're not gonna just let a whole bunch of folks who are not only self-interested but aren't always disclosing what their contributions are to be able to simply purchase an election."

    Saturday, February 18, 2012

    Woman Games the System

    I like little Fido just as much as the next person having had dogs for 40 years. I had to wait for my last dog, Charlie, to pass on before I could move into my condo. Charlie was 16 years old and a Maltese who was dearly loved. But--rules are rules. We all know when we buy or lease into a community that has a no pet rule that we have to abide by the rules and regulations. However, some people think rules are for the other guy and stick their thumb at the system.

    More and more people who live in condo associations and communities that have no pet policies are telling all the other owners and the Association, "Stick it in your ear, bud...I'm handicapped and I'm getting an animal." It is a sham of huge proportions and growing as doctors oblige their weeping, pathetic patients and attorneys take up their pleas. The owner of this Maltese said, "I can't help it because I've got a chemical imbalance and I'm sick" We agree.

    Read more at WPTV

    James Titcomb applies for city manager job in Lake Worth

    Comment Up
    The revolving door of city managers continues.

    James S. Titcomb, Lake Park's new Interim City Manager has applied to Lake Worth to become our new permanent city manager, according to the PB Post article. Read about it here.

    Mr. Titcomb's Bio:

    Served as Village Manager at North Palm Beach, Florida

    Retired longest serving Executive Director of the Palm Beach County League of Cities Inc.

    Two-term former Elected City Commissioner & Vice Mayor Boynton Beach, Florida

    2001-2002 Governor of the 4th District (AAF) American Advertising Federation - Florida/Caribbean

    2004 Jack Philipps Gold Medal awarded for outstanding contributions to the industry. 4th District American Advertising Federation - May 1st, 2004

    2001 AAF Silver Medal awarded by Advertising Federation of the Palm Beaches for outstanding contributions and achievement to the advertising industry & community at large. - June 5th, 2001

    Part time Adjunct Professor of Advertising & Marketing at Northwood University

    20 Year - CEO & Creative Director at James Titcomb Creative, Inc. Award Winning Advertising Design Agency