Property on South Federal Highway in Lake Worth denied Release of Lien

Jeffrey Lynne, attorney for the owner at 21 S. Federal Highway, appeared last night to appeal to our commission to waive an assessment on the property for boarding up charges that were never paid by his client. He was very careful not to mention who the "former" owner was but did say that the present owner, Ann McGuane, is a member of the family of the "former" owner.

Through his dissertation, Mr. Lynne pleaded his client's case even going so far as to say, "I'm here free tonight as my client is threatening a law suit against me for malpractice...to clear title and if it isn't cleared up, I will probably have to pay for it myself." It is most unusual that an attorney will literally throw himself on a sword for a client. Although he calls the cloud on title a travesty, it seems as if he is basically admitting that someone in charge never did a title search. He blames both the city and the "former" owner..."something fell through the cracks."

The City reduced all code fines on the property by 90%. The original fine was around $200,000. They paid approximately $15,000 to settle but the special assessment, which is different from a code fine, for boarding up, was still in place. A Corporation of this magnitude can't use an excuse that they just didn't know about a lien, didn't know the difference between a code fine and an assessment.

When information is withheld, this is also a travesty for justice. He, as well as the backup, did not declare that the owner of the property, Long Boat Development II LLP is a company owned by Southern Waste Systems/Sun Recycling Company, the very same company that brought in 60 truckloads a day and dumped questionable debris, some even consisting of asbestos, on our city landfill. To this day, they have not removed this debris. Their actions on our property will cost multi-millions in order to restore our 66 acres to its former state.

The vote was 5/0 to deny the owner a release of a special assessment lien in the amount of $1,594.36 at 21 S. Federal Highway. The City Commission made the right vote.