Friday, November 30, 2012

Allen West's statement on the U.N's Resolution

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(WASHINGTON)—Congressman Allen West (R-FL) released this statement today regarding the United Nations resolution upgrading the Palestinians’ status to a nonmember observer state at the United Nations, approved by a more than two-thirds majority of the 193-member world body — a vote of 138 to 9:

“Slowly but surely, hostile nations are tightening the noose around the sovereign State of Israel. Only those who are not students of history, Islam or the Muslim Brotherhood will be surprised by these actions.

It is naive to think this vote is solely about human rights or a homeland for Palestinian people. This vote is yet another step towards delegitimizing Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state with Jerusalem as its undivided capital.

When the cease-fire brokered by the Muslim Brotherhood-controlled Egyptian government was announced, Hamas and the Palestinians celebrated it as a victory over Israel, not as a step towards peace.

The true intentions of nations such as Iran and Syria are one thing, but it is deeply disappointing when countries such as Austria, France, Italy, Norway and Spain vote in lockstep. It is unfortunate that so many in our own country, including those in this current administration, continue to ignore the reality.”

The time bomb

Four years later and as we approach the Fiscal Cliff--the electorate did not remember the promise.


New Lantana City Manager gets raise

Deborah Manzo, 50, started her government career in Greenacres as an administrator and deputy clerk from 1985 to 1991. She had been the assistant in Greenacres since 2001. In between, she spent a decade as Juno Beach clerk.

On May 7, 2012, Deborah Manzo began her employment as city manager with the Town of Lantana, replacing long-time city manager Michael Bornstein who left for bigger challenges in Lake Worth.

Her salary of $97,477 was just raised by 15% to $112,000 per year and her contract extended to 2015.

Review on Mulligan's restaurant

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Mulligan's Review

Pay to Play - It happens all of the time

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Everyone knows that pay to play happens on a regular basis. When we think of pay to play, what immediately comes to mind is our political system: when money or gifts are exchanged directly for political favors, such as generous campaign donations. This has happened in Lake Worth. Often times, however, it involves paid government employees and not just elected officials.

In order to be ensured of contracts, companies not just bid on the RFP's but wine and dine and spend money on those directly involved in making decisions. If that "corrupt" company knows the bids and is in collusion with a "corrupt" employee, it is easy to direct the final outcome as awards are given usually to the low bidder. The secret is not to get caught.

In today's society, everyone wants to make money, not only the honest way but sometimes by any means possible.  It is a cut-throat society and a vast majority of us find it more and more difficult to stay afloat. When temptation is there, some get hooked and throw ethics aside.  Something as innocent as a Christmas gift from a vendor can snow ball to garner influence down the road. 

Chaz Equipment Company was indicted in the biggest local public corruption sweep in at least 10 years, prosecutors say. Chaz involved itself and supplied employees in nine local governments with hunting trips, NASCAR excursions, pricey jewelry and gift cards. It was proved that gifts paralleled  the contracts. It was suggested that Chaz made $73 million over the last decade by playing the game to get contract awards.

Gary Czajkowski, President of Chaz, was just acquitted in one charge of giving a "loan" of $25,000 to the construction manager of the Town of Palm Beach for street work. Sometimes it is difficult to prove "intent." Other corruption charges are pending.

In spite of the ethics training all employees must take here in Lake Worth (all employees are now in compliance and have taken the Palm County ethics training) with full knowledge of Lake Worth policy discouraging accepting gifts of over $25, temptation is a reality. According to the Palm Beach Ethics Czar, you can't give a gift of over $100 if you are a lobbyist or a vendor or prospective vendor of the city.

This practice of gift giving appeared to be standard operation procedure for Chaz. And if that is proven to be the case, who is to say that other cities or even all cities have not been affected by this practice by many companies, not just Chaz. Chaz has done business in our city as well.

Quote of the Day - Marco Rubio

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“I oppose this unilateral move by the government of president Abbas and regret its reckless endorsement by the United Nations.  True peace and international recognition of a Palestinian state can only be achieved through direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians.  The Palestinian people would be much better served if the Palestinian Authority were to spend its energies in responding to several Israeli calls for direct negotiations.

As the Senate debates the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), I am proud to be a co-sponsor of an amendment to prohibit U.S. taxpayer funding for the United Nations in the event the organization upgrades Palestine’s status from permanent observer ‘entity’ before a comprehensive peace agreement has been reached with Israel. The Senate should swiftly adopt it.”

~ U.S. Senator Marco Rubio

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Sunset Tonight

Tsolkas won't Quit

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Our second favorite anarchist was recently arrested:

Resisting an officer, disorderly conduct, trespassing, BRAWLING FIGHTING CORRUPT PUBLIC MORAL DECENCY and released on his own recognizance.

Gads.

Obama says he wants a Secretary of Business

The Lake Worth Beach and Casino Project

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More thoughts from someone involved in the GB project in 2008:

The City of Lake Worth and its PAID Agents, just roll over every time GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) produces their spin and they do not even question them (GBC/GBG Steele/ Willard Team), as to what their spin means?

GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team)-- I will show you my financial source/sources, if you show me yours. Oh! By the way, you should have provided your financial source/sources as soon as you where awarded the contract, per the RFP, why haven't you?
  • Please, GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) no more of your spin?
  • Please, GBC/GBG, stop discrediting the opposition of the project/projects and or former employees?
  • Please, GBC/GBG, disclose your financial source or sources and where they are coming from?
  • Please, GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team), get a building permit, with approved plans and specifications like every other Citizen?
  • Please, GBC/GBG, pay off, all the people and firms you owe money too for securing the Lake Worth Beach and Casino Contracts.
  • Please, GBC/GBG, be honest to your partner the City of Lake Worth, County and with your signed subcontractors, etc.

NOTE: These comments are my personal thoughts, opinions, questions and comments to raise questions of these contracts and the City of Lake Worth relationship with GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team). In addition, GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) should have provided the City of Lake Worth their financing source/sources, per RFP; provide information of their ability to perform this type of construction and provide information on the experiences they have in this type of construction? To date, GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) have, yet to provide information required of them, per the RFP? They just spin and discredit all individuals who ask questions or opposes them?

What do the Citizens of Lake Worth and Palm Beach County get ($)?

The City of Lake Worth will receive (approx.) $500,000.00, per year, 19 years 364 days.
Many of the Citizens of Lake Worth, who have supported GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team), helped them in their efforts, to secure the original RFP will RECEIVE NOTHING — isn't that GREAT? That is what you call being, SCREWED by GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) and to benefit their pockets (GBC/GBG Steele/Willard Team)?

Why are there no plans or specifications for this Olympic Pool Facility Renovations - why? What are the profits of the Pool Renovations Project?

Remember Citizens of Lake Worth and Palm Beach County, if I am not mistaken GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) stated the Pool Facility Renovation would be to the Olympic Standard's, well it is not — why? Why is the City of Lake Worth settling for less? Alternatively, is GBC/GBG getting a free ride, again - why?

Why is the City of Lake Worth and its Paid Agents not making GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) keep, their word in stating their Pool Renovation would be to Olympic Standard?

Why is the City of Lake Worth and its Paid Agents not protecting the Citizens of Lake Worth and Palm Beach County?

How can, the City of Lake Worth not asked GBC/GBC (Steele/Willard Team) for the following approval before start the Pool Renovation?
1. Site Plan
2. Soil Tests
3. Plans & Specifications
4. Environmental
5. Architectural Reports
6. Engineer Reports
7. Archaeological Reports
8. State Requirements
9. Financial Source/sources. GBC/GBG/Willard Group Etc.
  • What are Steele and Willard's credentials for the construction of the Pool Renovation andDevelop the Beach and Casino Projects?
  • Does Steele; personally have a FL State Certified Building license?
  • Does Willard; personally have a FL State Certified Building license?
  • If they, Steele and Willard do not personally have a FL State Certified Building license then why don’t they?

Greater Bay and the Pool/Beach Renovation

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As we just can't get enough of Greater Bay and it's big win off the backs of the struggling people of Lake Worth, here is a blast from the past.  Another blog beat me to this back in 2008.

Thoughts put in the form of questions from someone involved in the Pool and Beach Project early 2008 who indicates that there was ineptness from staff as well as stratagem for gain by GB. All that staff, that was in charge of decisions, were eventually terminated.--

Peter Willard and former Mayor, Jeff Clemens

They Were Given A Building Permit By The City of Lake Worth Fl?

How CAN they (GBC/GBG Steele/Willard Team) receive a building permit?

I don't know who the amateurs are or who approves projects in the City but the Citizens of Lake Worth and Palm Beach County are getting SCREWED, not protected, in this deal.

Do you know GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) will be taking all the candy (huge profits) from the Citizens of Lake Worth and Palm Beach County! Where is the City of Lake Worth and their Agents in protecting the Citizens of Lake Worth and Palm Beach County? It appears GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) are getting a free ride (in my opinion) — why are the Citizens of Lake Worth and Palm Beach County allowing the City of Lake Worth and its Paid Agents to act not in our best interests? Why does the City of Lake Worth and its Agents not require or want to have the PLANS and SPECIFICATIONS on record for the Pool Renovation in City Hall?

Why does the City of Lake Worth and its Agent not want to know what the labor and materials are going to cost them, not only them, but, how about the taxpayers? (Regarding the pool) Is the City going to receive the $200,000.00 from GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team)-- in a letter to Karns from GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) stating they would pay the first $200,000.00, this is a public document stating that GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) would pay, if the Pool Renovation Project was not completed by April 30, 2008? Is this letter (document) from GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) to Atty. Karns available to the public?

Their excuse (the GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) will use is that the building permit was not issued in a timely manner, from the City of Lake Worth — why? Therefore, no $200,000.00 guaranteed as stated, by GBC/GBG, to the City of Lake Worth by GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team).

Again, how did GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) get a permit from the City of Lake Worth and its Agents without PLANS and SPECIFICATIONS???????????????

As it stands, the confusion will continue to reign within the City of Lake Worth on the Pool Renovation Project...NO recorded RECORDS for the City — why?

(On the beach) Over 20 years, GBC/GBG (Steele/Willard Team) will generate $150,000,000.00 to $250,000,000.00. maybe even $300.000.000.00 — WHY IS THE CITY OF LAKE WORTH RECEIVING SO LITTLE?

Author Unknown

It's all about class warfare



It has been stated over and over again that by increasing taxes on those making over $200,000 a year and couples over $250,000, it will generate $800 BILLION over TEN years. Throw in corporations and you have a tax increase of $1.6 trillion. Obama is spending at least $1plus TRILLION A YEAR and the Congressional Budget Office confirms that deficits would increase by $9 TRILLION over the same period.

"Boehner suggested that negotiations resume on terms discussed in 2011, when he offered to raise $800 billion over the next decade through a rewrite of the tax code. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) endorsed that general idea Tuesday but warned Obama not to overplay his hand, noting that the president’s $1.6 trillion tax request failed to receive a single vote in Congress in the Spring." Source:  Washington post

Liberal Logic

Man shot - 100 block of South Federal Lake Worth

Must have been one hell of a fight--Man shot in back

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Obama not concerned about Benghazi?


"Hey Carney. Who told you and Rice to go out and tell the American people that the “best intelligence” showed that the attack was the result of a spontaneous protest over a YouTube video?"

Terrorists are now being called "extremists." No crap.

Read more... at the Weekly Standard

Digging Out in New Jersey

"No matter how high-def your screen might be, you can't truly comprehend some disasters until you see them firsthand. I've been made speechless twice before: Once, when I went out on the Gulf to see the extent of the BP oil disaster two years ago, and also the first time I watched a mountain being blasted apart for coal. This weekend, though, it was my own hometown that stunned me."

Read more... of Michael Brune's story and the devastating effects of Sandy at the Jersey Shore.

District 1 Community Meeting

PUBLIC SERVICES
District 1 Community meeting

Everyone is invited and bring someone along with you.

Lake Worth Osborne Center
1699 Wingfield Street
Thursday, December 6, 2012
6:30 pm to 8:00pm

 Come out to share your comments and concerns

 For more information, contact Public Services @ 561-586-1720

The Greater Bay Settlement and who to Blame

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Dear Mayor and Commissioners:

I had the opportunity to observe much of Attorney Joslyn's performance at the meeting during which he recommended the City pay $1.6M to settle Greater Bay v. The City of Lake Worth. He blamed his diffidence in going to trial on local bloggers, activists, and former Commissioners, but neglected to include his own firm's action and lack of action as the first and main cause of the problem.

Boose, Casey, Ciklin, et al sent two attorneys to be present at the 2 days of contract negotiations between the City and Greater Bay, presumably to protect Lake Worth's interest. Apparently neither of these contract and real estate professionals, nor any other members of their firm did any background check of Mr. Peter Willard before drafting up a three part contract, giving him control of what was to happen at the Beach for well over 40 years.

Had they done even the most cursory investigation of Mr. Willard's record, red flags would have been raised which likely would have stopped the partnership. Instead, a three part contract was drafted, the 40+ year term of which violated the City Charter and put the City in jeopardy.

The Construction phase of the contract set no time limit on Greater Bay's finishing the project. This was so egregious that Mr. Willard himself laughed up his sleeve at its inadequacy in protecting the City.

Casey, Ciklin then unsuccessfully attempted to defend the 3 leases, which were in violation of the City Charter, and  were in the aggregate, indefensible. Judge Fine heard their Motion to Dismiss and said,  "Your motion is alluring, but I'm going to deny it."

In total, the contract has resulted in a loss of almost $3M for the City of Lake Worth and its taxpayers, a loss that could have been avoided had Boose, Casey, Ciklin etal investigated Mr. Peter Willard's background and had they drafted contracts that were legally sufficient, given the parameters of our City Charter.

Perhaps this firm has done some work beneficial to the City in the past, but I suggest that it may be time for the City to seek alternate representation, should the need for outside counsel present itself in the future.

Sincerely,


Laurence McNamara
Chairman, Citizens Come First

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Lindsey Graham on Benghazi


The Minority Hispanic Vote

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Although some conservatives are backing down on illegal immigration because of the Obama win, here is what Facebook member Charles Edward Brown said a few days ago:
The people of the United States have not learned anything since 1986. We tried Amnesty for the over 3 million illegal aliens living in the US at that time. Promises were made about border security. We were told it would be against the law to even hire an illegal alien. In 2012 we have over 11 million illegal aliens living and working in the United States. Our Federal Government has continued to fail to enforce the law for over 25 years. Now they want Amnesty again. We need to say NO AMNESTY. Lets try enforcing the law for the next 25 years and see what the results are. Deport all illegal aliens, secure the border and fine anyone who hires an illegal. That is the law.
Even Marco Rubio said, “It’s really hard to get people to listen to you on economic growth, on tax rates, on health care if they think you want to deport their grandmother.”

Five months before the general election, Obama made a decision that undocumented immigrants brought to America as children and who meet certain qualifications will be eligible to apply for a two-year work permit and avoid deportation.  This is something that should have been debated in Congress. It wasn't. It was all pandering to the Hispanic vote.

This decision regrettably does not secure our borders.It does not discourage employers from hiring undocumented immigrants. It does not deal with those who over-stay their VISAs. It does not deal with the millions of undocumented immigrants who entered this country as adults.  All it does is ensure Obama and the Democratic Party another minority vote.

In his first election, Obama was hell bent on uniting the red and blue states. In this election it was all about division--the haves and the have nots in a country that is now made up of minorities. 47% of the populous is on entitlements. Obama got 80% of that vote.

On the eve of a visit by Mexican President-elect Enrique Peña Nieto, yesterday the White House promised that President Barack Obama “will be pressing for action” in Congress on comprehensive immigration reform and regards that goal as “achievable,” according to Yahoo News.

We do need immigration reform but to ignore our laws and compromise the health and welfare of the United States just for the Hispanic vote is bad policy.

Dylan Harrison to take Plea

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All you pot heads don't get too sad. Dylan is taking a plea.

Dylan Harrison, one of the owners of the Kavasutra in downtown Lake Worth, faces a maximum of five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. If convicted, he will forfeit his home on Atlantic Drive on Hypoluxo Island. He also will forfeit $166,313 in cash and contents from money accounts, court documents say. The prosecutor says he's going to take a plea deal. He might have to give up his 8 watches, one being a Jacques Droz.

As the courts are over-crowded, "a plea bargain is a 'deal' made between the prosecutor of a criminal case and the defendant, usually facilitated by the defendant's lawyer. In exchange for a lesser charge or a reduced sentence, the defendant enters a plea of 'guilty' or 'no contest' and does not go to trial," says Steve Thompson, Yahoo contributor.

Read more....

The sick cyberspace world


Hackers of a group calling itself Parastoo, claim to have seized the information of nearly 200 scientists and officials affiliated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the world’s chief nuclear watchdog, according to a message posted Sunday on the website Cryptome.

Parastoo is threatening to post personal information associated with these scientists and other personnel unless immediate action is taken by the IAEA to investigate Israel’s nuclear power plant, which some believe houses nuclear arms.

Read more... at The Free Beacon.

Monday, November 26, 2012

The Fiscal Cliff and Unemployment Benefits


According to the U.S. Census Bureau, last year, the median annual household income was $50,054, down 1.5 percent from 2010. It has now fallen back to the level it was in 1996. This is shrinking the middle class as an income group. Obama wants to save the middle class, then he needs to create jobs.

City lawyers - Glen J. Torcivia

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Glen J. Torcivia is getting around--
Lake Worth's City Attorney

Wellington just fired its attorney for the past 10 years, Jeff Kurtz...it was "not working out" three commissioners said---too slow in getting information, etc. Kurtz and his firm were under contract; he was not a paid employee. When you get hit with a lot of law suits, philosophies change and governments are pressured to settle cases. Changing out legal counsel and finding one with the same mindset is sometimes a solution. No fuss; No muss. Getting timely advice, however, is a requisite as issues come up all of the time.

The difference in Lake Worth and Wellington firing their attorney is that it had been presumed that Lake Worth's politicians already had it planned out to terminate our staff lawyer as soon as it got the majority. City Manager Bornstein did not have enough time to evaluate her knowledge, experience or worth. She had been with us for about the same number of years that Kurtz was with Wellington and familiar with all of our legal issues.

Wellington, on the other hand, is hiring an interim city attorney. It will also be hiring a consultant to advise and assess whether or not it is more cost efficient to contract out legal services or hire their own in-house counsel. Over a ten year period, they should be able to collect some meaningful data.

Jeff Kurtz, the guy they just fired, is a partner with the law firm of Glen J.Torcivia. In the meantime, guess who will be Wellington's interim attorney until they figure out what they want to do.  Glen J. Torcivia.  Maybe their commission meetings are on a different night than ours. If you recall, he and his firm replaced Elaine Humphreys as Lake Worth's counsel for an interim period of six months in order to allow the Commission to evaluate whether or not we hire our own city attorney who would be an employee or stay with an outside firm for our legal answers. His contract should be coming up in a few months. Maybe we'll hear about it.

At the moment, Torcivia's claim to fame for Lake Worth is the Greater Bay settlement. We know how that went. Hopefully, Lake Worth's analysis on "should we or shouldn't we" hire our own employee or stay with contractual legal advice has been on-going and it doesn't take us 10 years to figure it all out. Sometimes it's all a matter of the Commission majority and who is in charge.

Perhaps when Wellington finishes its study, we all can compare notes.

Our Legal Eagles and the Almighty Press

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According to the Phoenix Business Journal, fewer civil cases are going to trial than a decade ago, and juries are awarding less in damages, according to a new U.S. Justice Department study of state courts in the nation's 75 largest counties. About 97 percent of civil cases are settled or dismissed without a trial. I guess I am still thinking about Perry Mason where attorneys are hired who actually believe in the case and their client and want to win it and do.

What occurs when cases linger on over years with each legal side asking for this that and the next thing thus dragging the case out, people forget what happened and who said what in spite of depositions. All it does is jack up the legal fees. In this case it was going on for two years before Greater Bay filed suit on November16, 2009. So, unless the defendant (The city of Lake Worth) is clear on the facts and has the recordings from the meetings that took place and all the reasons why the entire commission voted to terminate the contract with Greater Bay (and there were plenty of reasons),  it is easy to make up weak excuses and reasons to settle.

The City of Lake Worth hired West Palm Beach law firm Boose, Casey Ciklin and two members of that firm were paid to give advice on drawing up the Contract with Greater Bay. Later Joslyn of Casey Ciklin (Boose was no longer as he was involved in the Masilotti corruption scandal eventually landing himself in federal prison) was retained to essentially tear that Contract apart when he was hired to defend the City of Lake Worth against Greater Bay's Breach of Contract suit. GB is represented by Damon Chase, (CLICK THE LINK) an interesting lawyer, of Freeman/Chase, Lake Mary, Florida.

Cara Jennings and Suzanne Mulvehill were singled out by our attorney at the settlement public meeting as Joslyn stated that in their depositions, Jennings said she did not help Mulvehill in her campaign and Mulvehill said that she did. It all depends on the definition of the word "help." Sort of like Bill Clinton when he said, "It depends on what the meaning of the word IS is." Mulvehill knew that Jennings supported her (wanted her to win) but Jennings did not knock on doors or give a campaign contribution to the Mulvehill campaign to the best of my knowledge. Now that the city is purging everything off the web site (which is absolutely STUPID), I am not going to take days to research this.

The local newspaper again suggests (because it NEVER identifies the commission) that it is Mulvehill and McVoy who had something to do with spending $10 million in Reserves. I  have addressed that false allegation over and over again. It is untrue. This money was allocated before Mulvehill was elected and years before McVoy came on the scene.  Neither one of these commissioners EVER raided Reserves. The present Commission, however, did.

As far as the local press' charge that we gathered signatures for the Respectful Planning PAC in a dishonest way, that charge is also bogus, ridiculous and slanderous.  Basically with the current Charter allowing 65 feet to be built from Federal to Golfview and 100 feet in the downtown blocks west of Dixie, buildings could get that tall. The argument is not that they can't get to 100 feet. The argument is that they can. That is a fact. Voting yes on height limitations will allow us to retain our small downtown.

Suzanne Mulvehill is now out of politics so I don't understand the continued character assassination. I presume that the city and some politicians need someone to blame.

I do trust Mulvehill and McVoy and you should too. Joslyn said that it was McVoy and his PAC that sued the City. It was just the opposite and with his legal advice that went so far as to sue members personally wanting to take their homes, lawyers are hard to trust. It was a black day for Lake Worth. Over the past few years, I also don't trust the Press. They sure messed up on their endorsement for Commissioner District 2 and facts on certain issues continue to get in their way.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Lake Worth Playhouse with another fun musical


The play portrays the final holiday broadcast of the struggling Mutual Manhattan Variety Cavalcade as it takes to the air during World War II to record its broadcast for the troops overseas. It features hit songs from the era such as Black Magic, Ain't She Sweet and I'll Never Smile Again with dancing and old time sound effects.


Set and Lighting Designer
 Norma O'Hep de Jesus

Jeff Clemens blowing smoke?

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Newly elected Florida State Senator, Jeff Clemens, has now found his enthusiasm once again in legalizing medical marijuana in Florida after Colorado and Washington State just voted it in for recreational use. Only one problem, the federal government says it is still illegal.

"In Florida, we are still behind the times compared to other states," said State Representative Jeff Clemens, (D) District 89. "People still have older attitudes toward the drug," he said. Clemens sponsored a bill to get medical marijuana on the November 6th election ballot. It failed to make it's way through the Republican-controlled legislature.

Clemens says it is a great source for much needed revenue. Sort of reminds me of the billboard blight he stuck us with for 20 years and that money is already spent.

Read more: Channel 5 and view the video

 

Bill O'Reilly to President Obama

Dear Mr. President:

You must be tired. Please take some time off; you worked very hard to get reelected. As a loyal American, I want you in good health - and that means some rest and relaxation once in a while.

But when you ramp it up again, I hope you will consider some suggestions from a citizen who's a bit disappointed in your overall performance. Please understand that I am not looking at this from an ideological perspective, rather from a sports point-of-view.

I want American leadership to win the game. That means improving the economy, bolstering protection for the folks, and running an honest operation from the White House. At this point in history, that's what winning means to me.

Read the entire message at Bill O'Reilly.com

Obama in violation of Election Law says WND Founder

WND founder has filed an official complaint against Obama, the "people's president" and cultural icon.

The complaint alleges that the Obama campaign systematically violated the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 as well as the regulations of the FEC, specifically by “soliciting, processing, accepting and confirming contributions from foreign nationals and non-U.S. citizens” in contravention of federal law.

Read more...

Quote of the Day - Downtown Lake Worth shopper

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"I love downtown Lake Worth. It's very small 'townish' still."

~ Paula Rakszawski

Ms. Rakszawski was shopping at several downtown Lake Worth stores yesterday with her Aunt from Orlando.

We certainly can understand Ms. Rakszawski and that is why Respectful Planning PAC got 1790 signatures within 27 days of which 1719 were certified by the Supervisor of Elections. Instead of this issue being on the November 6th ballot, it will be on the March 2013 ballot due to obstructive politics in Lake Worth. We didn't need graphics to explain to anyone about heights. They got it. No one was the least bit confused. And aside from the heights issue itself, everyone with whom I spoke wanted the people to have a say in how their city should look--not three commissioners.




Saturday, November 24, 2012

Have you visited the Palm Beach Zoo lately?


The Palm Beach Zoo is open 363 days a year (364 on leap years!), closing only for Christmas and  Thanksgiving from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and they sell the last entry tickets at 4:15 p.m.

Visit our fabulous Zoo and meet Delilah, the new anteater pup that now weighs 6 pounds. Giant anteaters grow to be about 7 feet long, with a 4 foot head and torso, and 3 foot tail. They can weigh anywhere from 55 pounds to 150.

Patriot Allen West

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Milking the System

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The world is facing an economic paradox in which many countries are witnessing high and rising unemployment. As we try to improve the plight of the 99 percenters and the 23 million workers who are unemployed in the U.S., we then learn of Hunting Deutsch.

"Hunting Deutsch, executive director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, received more than $25,000 of unemployment benefits for 91 weeks between 2009 and 2011 -- eight weeks shy of the maximum at the time of 99 weeks of benefits...just pocket change to him.

The Panhandle banker who owns two homes in Florida worth more than $1.1 million, traveled to Europe often while he was receiving benefits and told The Florida Current this month that he “didn’t need to work.” He was hired to head DEO, a state agency with more than 2,000 employees, in April 2012 at an annual salary of $140,000."

Deutsch is within his rights but... Perhaps the majority of people do want to milk that cow. He is one of the reasons why people are so angry at the 1 percenters and why Obama wants a "fair" playing field even though taxing the wealthy more won't help one iota.

Read more... on Mr. Deutsch.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Art & Wine at the Eco - Lake Worth, Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Lake Worth, FL, November 12, 2012) --

“Art and Wine at the Eco” 
To be Hosted in Downtown Lake Worth 
 Holiday gift show and wine tasting at the “Green” building

Mango Groves Neighborhood Association will host “Art and Wine at the Eco,” a Holiday Gift Show and Wine Tasting at the EcoCentre in downtown Lake Worth on Saturday, December 1, 2012, from 2 pm.-7 p.m. (Wine tasting is from 6-7 p.m.)

The event will feature area artists whose works will be on display for purchase as one-of-a-kind holiday gifts, music and holiday entertainment, and a selection of wines for tasting. Admission to the gift show is free. Admission to the wine tasting is $10.00.

The EcoCentre, also known as the “green building,” is located at 1005 Lake Avenue. Designed by Lake Worth architect John Szerdi, the building opened in 2008.  With 33,000 square feet of space, it boasts a large atrium, rooftop garden, and a host of green features including countertops made from recycled glass, carpet made from recycled plastic, and bricks from a Chicago building that was torn down.

To purchase tickets for the wine tasting online, go to www.mangogroves.org,  To purchase by phone, or for more information, please call (561) 921-1962. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Mango Groves Neighborhood Association, a nonprofit organization located near downtown Lake Worth.


 # # #

Annamaria Windisch-Hunt (561) 921-1962

Presidential Trivia

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The Tea party asks--

1.  Which President drove unemployment down to one of the lowest rates in history at 4.7% and holds the record for the most revenue ever taken in during his term?

2.  Which President holds the record for the longest period of high unemployment rate during his term at 8% average, the record for the most debt accumulated at over $6 trillion, the highest amount of people on food stamps ever at 50 million and the largest amount of Americans unemployed at 23 million.?

ANSWERS:
We don't need the answers. We already know. 

Art in Lake Worth

UPDATE
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WINE TASTING and ART SHOW
Hosted by Mango Groves Neighborhood Association
 EcoCentre, 1005 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth
 December1
Art Show:  2pm--free
Tour of the building:  5pm by Commissioner John Szerdi,
 architect for the building
Wine tasting:  6-7pm -- tickets $10


CULTURAL COUNCIL OF PB COUNTY
Art exhibit by Tom Otterness
November 24-March 2
Sculpture and drawings
10:00am to 5pm - free

Estados Unidos

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With how many millions of illegal aliens in our country and driving vehicles on our taxpayer roads, a California law that allows immigrants with federal work permits to receive driver's licenses will take effect January 1, 2013.

In Illinois, they are going to do the exact same thing. Supporters said the law would be good for public safety, allowing Illinois immigrant motorists to get tested on their driving skills and buy insurance. According to a report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, it found that one in 5 fatal traffic accidents are caused by unlicensed drivers.
According to a report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, almost one in every five fatal car crashes in the United States involves an unlicensed driver

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1040014766/Illegal-immigrant-legislation-targets-unlicensed-drivers-employers#ixzz2D31i2k1X
According to a report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, almost one in every five fatal car crashes in the United States involves an unlicensed driver

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1040014766/Illegal-immigrant-legislation-targets-unlicensed-drivers-employers#ixzz2D31i2k1X
According to a report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, almost one in every five fatal car crashes in the United States involves an unlicensed driver

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1040014766/Illegal-immigrant-legislation-targets-unlicensed-drivers-employers#ixzz2D31i2k1X
According to a report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, almost one in every five fatal car crashes in the United States involves an unlicensed driver

Read more: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/x1040014766/Illegal-immigrant-legislation-targets-unlicensed-drivers-employers#ixzz2D31i2k1X

When you have a federal government unwilling to secure our borders and ignores the will of the citizens it is elected to protect, changing the laws to make things easier on the illegal alien is the responsible and easier route to take?...makes sense..about as much sense as this last general election.

Thursday, November 22, 2012

Thanksgiving


From soup to nuts, an enjoyable afternoon --
 grateful for beautiful and thoughtful friends--
 enjoying Thanksgiving dinner at a
gorgeous place--Atlantis.
Hope everyone enjoyed their day.

The Pilgrims failed experiment

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Barack Obama's desire to “spread the wealth” (yours, not his) and for government to plan, regulate and oversee every area of our lives, is not "hope" or "change." It is as ancient as the illusory delusion in Plato’s Republic.

Suckers who voted for, and still support this dangerous ideology, are putting the country in danger of being plagued by the same outcomes that the Pilgrims were inflicted with.

Read more about the Pilgrims failed experiment with socialism.

Pilgrims Real Thanksgiving Lesson

Ibis at Lake Osborne

Lincoln Thanksgiving Proclamation

The year that is drawing towards its close, has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

In the midst of a civil war of unequaled magnitude and severity, which has sometimes seemed to foreign States to invite and to provoke their aggression, peace has been preserved with all nations, order has been maintained, the laws have been respected and obeyed, and harmony has prevailed everywhere except in the theatre of military conflict; while that theatre has been greatly contracted by the advancing armies and navies of the Union. Needful diversions of wealth and of strength from the fields of peaceful industry to the national defence, have not arrested the plough, the shuttle or the ship; the axe has enlarged the borders of our settlements, and the mines, as well of iron and coal as of the precious metals, have yielded even more abundantly than heretofore. Population has steadily increased, notwithstanding the waste that has been made in the camp, the siege and the battle-field; and the country, rejoicing in the consiousness of augmented strength and vigor, is permitted to expect continuance of years with large increase of freedom.

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.

I do therefore invite my fellow citizens in every part of the United States, and also those who are at sea and those who are sojourning in foreign lands, to set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens. And I recommend to them that while offering up the ascriptions justly due to Him for such singular deliverances and blessings, they do also, with humble penitence for our national perverseness and disobedience, commend to His tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife in which we are unavoidably engaged, and fervently implore the interposition of the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquillity and Union.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the City of Washington, this Third day of October, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and of the Independence of the Unites States the Eighty-eighth.

By the President: Abraham Lincoln

William H. Seward,
Secretary of State

Note: transcript unedited

Have a Happy Day

When turkey’s on the table laid,
 And good things I may scan,
 I’m thankful that I wasn’t made a vegetarian.
 -Edgar A. Guest


President pardons Gobbler and second runner up.

Another Lake Worth robbery

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The Sheriff's department says that we will be experiencing more and more crime during the holidays.

Man robbed of cell phone on N. J Terrace and the search is on for two thieves. Read more...

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Lake Worth man robbed at lighted gas station

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Read more... on how a CraigsList sale of an IPad resulted in an armed robbery on S. Dixie Highway.

Tonight's sky

The Moon tonight


64% of full

Jessee Jackson resigns

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Here's a guy that all you "lefties" will surely miss--the rest of us not so much.

Read more at: Jessee resigns amid a federal investigation and allegations of political corruption.

Israeli leader says Obama is naive on foreign policy

TEL AVIV – The state of Israel will not capitulate before President Obama, whose “naive” leadership has hurt the U.S., stated Danny Danon, deputy speaker of Israel’s Knesset.

Danon, a Knesset member from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling Likud party, was reacting to the re-election of Obama.

“Obama’s victory demonstrates that the state of Israel must take care of its own interests,” Danon said. “We cannot rely on anyone but ourselves. Obama has hurt the United States by his naïve leadership in foreign policy, which prefers the Arab world over the Western world, along with Israel. The state of Israel will not capitulate before Obama.”

Read more... at WND.

According to Town Hall, "Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's visit to the Middle East was enough to force Egypt into pressuring Hamas into a truce with Israel. According to Reuters, Egypt brokered a deal that would stop the fighting just hours before Israel planned a ground invasion into Gaza. Naturally although a truce has been reached, the Muslim Brotherhood's President of Egypt Mohamed Morsi blamed Israel for the violence in statements about the agreement.  "

American Dream dead per latest Poll

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Sixty-three percent of college graduates believe that the American Dream is dead, leading some to consider moving out of the country, according to a survey conducted by a discount coupon company.

Wait, wait, wait--over 60% of these college kids voted for Obama.

Read more...

Parking dangers at Lake Worth beach

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See Mark Parrilla and City Manager Bornstein speaking out.

View the video...

Previous blog

Bloodshot Eyed Crack Dealer arrested in Lake Worth

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Man on North D Street in Lake Worth arrested for selling crack

Read more...

Nursing Home Death reaps big reward

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Big awards going on in Lake Worth lately. Just last week the city commission awarded $1.6 million to Greater Bay LLC for non-performance at our Lake Worth beach...the city said it had a 50/50 chance of winning the case. Of course, when the suit was taken on three years ago, it was said to be a "slam dunk."

Now we have another case. This one involved a death at the nursing home once operating under the name Lake Worth Manor on 12th Avenue South. Prior to that in 2010, their was a different suit filed that charged that the nursing home engaged in racketeering to defraud Medicare and Medicaid and preyed on vulnerable adults. The suit said that Lake Worth Manor failed to provide adequate treatment to patients or improperly kept them until they developed other diseases that could restart government payments.

Read about their current problem--

Lake Worth Nursing home must pay $1.8 million for patient's neglect and eventual death

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Tonight at the Lake

Cpt. Kimo's 2013 Florida calendar

The most spectacular photography of Florida scenes ever by Ctp. Kimo brought to you in his 2013 calendar.

"Cpt. Kimo free 2013 calendar

Palm Beach County Restaurant Ratings

John G's still rated TOPS. Mulligan's on Lake Worth beach rated 53 out of 83.

Read more...

Comedian Chris Christie

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I don't find Governor Christie the least bit funny. He doesn't give a rat's azz what I think or whatever anyone thinks for that matter. I used to admire him a lot until he did the palsy-walsy love fest thing with Obama after Hurricane Sandy. Did anyone else think that bizarre?


A Republican

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 Daniel Day-Lewis as Abraham Lincoln

Finally found the time yesterday to see the movie Lincoln. Don't miss this one.

Earlier in the year I read the book Lincoln, by Bill O'Reilly which is a must read.  So, when this movie came out starring one of my favorite actors of all time, Daniel Day-Lewis,  I couldn't miss it--found it completely intriguing. The story focuses on Lincoln's final months in office and all the politics involved to accomplish his goal.. Congressmen were wooed and bribed for their votes to do the right thing. This "convincing" was almost on an innocent scale compared to today's wheeling and dealing.

Lincoln, who became one of the most famous presidents of all time, pursues a course of action designed to end the war and unite the country by abolishing slavery. The Civil War took the most American lives, 620,000. It took a lot of politicking and reaching the Democrats in Congress to get them to vote for the Thirteenth Amendment.

On Jan. 31, 1865, the president got his wish when Congress passed the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution by a vote of 119 to 56 containing this text:

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

It is an emotional film and you get lost in the movie on Lincoln's moral courage and determination to succeed. Abraham Lincoln, our 16th President, gave his life only 3 months later on April 5, 1865 for principle, a Republican who changed our country forever.


Obama Impeachment Petition

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Some good points--

Click to read

Monday, November 19, 2012

Quote of the Day - Marco Rubio

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"The way to turn our economy around is not by making rich people poorer; it's by making poor people richer."

~ Sen. Marco Rubio

Speaking at Iowa governor Terry Branstad's birthday fundraiser on Saturday night.
“The way to turn our economy around is not by making rich people poorer; it’s by making poor people richer,” Rubio said.

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2012/11/18/rubio-makes-his-iowa-debut-as-possible-future-of-the-republican-party/#ixzz2CgBAfoDZ

Solar Tsunami


The sun unleashed a monster eruption of super-hot plasma Friday, Nov. 16, in back-to-back solar storms captured on camera by a NASA spacecraft.

Read more...

Lake Worth, a dumping ground

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The question of the day is--How would you like your neighborhood to be screwed in this fashion? How would you like someone to come into your neighborhood and build a monstrosity just because he can? This is an attractive neighborhood with well kept houses until this was allowed to happen. It looks more like a commercial structure that should be in an industrial setting, not a residential neighborhood.

According to a third party who spoke with the owner,
this cement block atrocity was built for Mr. Sprague's boats.
Two entries to the garage:  one on D Street
 and the other on 17th Ave N.

Is this a joke, or what?

We have a code Department; We have a Building Department; We have a Planning and Zoning Department. Someone suggested that the reason this was allowed to happen was more than likely  City Manager Bornstein's decision to end the Zoning in Progress right after he was hired. Should we then blame this on that commission majority led by Mayor Pam Triolo that did not listen to the Planning and Zoning board or anyone else for that matter?

The neighboring residents invested their life savings in their homes and look what happens. It is no wonder Lake Worth continues to go to slum and blight. Developers and moochers know they can come here and get away with just about anything...think a $1.6  million legal settlement.  When asked, Mr. Sprague says he is going to live in that little tiny wreck of a building behind this humongous garage he just built.  Neighbors are furious and can you blame them? Single family residential neighborhoods are no longer sacrosanct in Lake Worth. Anything goes it seems. Just "get it off our plate."

Michael Bornstein said his main mission as city manager was to clean up the slum and blight and get rid of the lawsuits. He got rid of one lawsuit, blaming all the wrong people, that has cost us dearly but what about this? As far as contracts are concerned, can we please begin to do our due diligence before we sign with anyone. Next, get our Code tightened up. 


STEVEN A. SPRAGUE, identified himself as Steven Sprague Insurance company to my source. He sells health and life insurance, homeowners and renters, auto insurance and more. Sprague bought this property in August 2011 for $26,750. There is a little house on the property consisting of 1,100 sq feet that had code violations up the kazoo. Mr. Sprague said he paid the violation fees but nothing on the little structure has been corrected from what I have been told. He says he has done everything by the book. If our "book" allows this sort of thing, it needs to be re-written.


The garage that was built is twice the size of the little house that no one in his right mind would occupy. The attraction for this buyer was the 50 x 150 foot lot. The windows are boarded up and the front door is hanging by a thread. You could literally blow the entire structure over with a feather.



According to the same source who spoke to Mr. Sprague, as well as public records, (unless there are two Steven A. Spragues) this is his "real world" and where he resides in West Palm Beach although the records in Lake Worth show his only address as North D and 17th but no one lives there. I would bet anything West Palm Beach would not allow a garage to be built such as this in a residential neighborhood.

One of the property owners across the street on N D Street who has lived there for over 30 years, recently placed her property on the market for sale and will be getting the heck out of town. She is totally appalled at what happened in her immediate neighborhood not to mention what is going on all over the City of Lake Worth. She wonders why Lake Worth is not protecting homeowners from this sort of thing.

Oklahoma doing it their Way

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OKLAHOMA written by an Oklahoman

'Be who you are and say what you feel, because those that matter - don't mind... and those that mind - don't matter.'

Oklahoma is the only state that Obama did not win even one county in the last election... While everyone is focusing on Arizona 's new law, look what Oklahoma has been doing!!!! An update from Oklahoma:

Oklahoma law passed, 37 to 9 an amendment to place the Ten Commandments on the front entrance to the state capitol. The feds in D.C., along with the ACLU, said it would be a mistake. Hey this is a conservative state, based on Christian values...! HB 1330 Guess what.......... Oklahoma did it anyway.

Oklahoma recently passed a law in the state to incarcerate all illegal immigrants, and ship them back to where they came from unless they want to get a green card and become an American citizen. They all scattered. HB 1804. This was against the advice of the Federal Government, and the ACLU, they said it would be a mistake. Guess what.......... Oklahoma did it anyway.

Recently we passed a law to include DNA samples from any and all illegal's to the Oklahoma database, for criminal investigative purposes. Pelosi said it was unconstitutional SB 1102 Guess what......... Oklahoma did it anyway.

Several weeks ago, we passed a law, declaring Oklahoma as a Sovereign state, not under the Federal Government directives. Joining Texas , Montana and Utah as the only states to do so.

More states are likely to follow: Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, the Carolina's, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri, Arkansas, West Virginia, Mississippi and Florida . Save your confederate money, it appears the South is about to rise up once again. HJR 1003. The federal Government has made bold steps to take away our guns. Oklahoma, a week ago, passed a law confirming people in this state have the right to bear arms and transport them in their vehicles. I'm sure that was a set back for the criminals. The Liberals didn't like it -- But ....
Guess what........... Oklahoma did it anyway.

Just this month, the state has voted and passed a law that ALL driver's license exams will be printed in English, and only English, and no other language. They have been called racist for doing this, but the fact is that ALL of the road signs are in English only If you want to drive in Oklahoma, you must read and write English. Really simple.

By the way, the Liberals don't like any of this either.

Guess what...who cares... Oklahoma is doing it anyway.

Sunday, November 18, 2012

Sunday Sun

Allen West's Statement

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CONGRESSMAN ALLEN WEST STATEMENT ON STATUS OF RACE


Stuart, FL - Congressman Allen West released the following statement regarding the election results certified today by the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections:

"Since Election Day we have been working for a fair and accurate accounting of the election outcome in which voters can put their full trust.  We will review the results of today's recount and the other available data to determine how to proceed.  I have been humbled by the support we have received and the hard work of so many to ensure the integrity of this process.

 We look forward to the report which will be issued by the Secretary of State's auditors this coming week which we hope will shed light on some of the outstanding issues."



Allen West Unleashed

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Sunday Sermon


Broadcast 47 years ago on April 3, 1965.

Patrick Murphy's form of justice

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You would think that Patrick Murphy would want to know who got the most votes.

Campaign officials for Patrick Murphy, Democrat candidate for the congressional district 18 race, are calling their candidate the winner because the St. Lucie Canvassing Board has missed the noon deadline to certify results to the state Division of Elections.

The memory card failed!

This all should have been thoroughly checked last night. West seeks hearing after Murphy camp declares victory when St. Lucie board misses deadline.

Read more...

E-mail Rick Scott

Senior falls and injures herself at Lake Worth beach parking lot

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A Senior citizen, heard screaming in the upper parking lot last night at Lake Worth beach got the attention of the Mulligan's employee who was hired to take passengers from the lot to the restaurant by golf cart. George Hart, owner, felt it was too far for people to walk especially the elderly.

The incident happened around 7:00pm. The woman, 84 years old, was looking for the parking meter in the pitch dark, walked through bushes and fell and "broke open her face" according to a third party. Taken by ambulance, we do not know the details at this time.

City Manager Bornstein has admitted that the parking lot is one year behind schedule. There is still a lack of lighting. Mulligan's has devised some emergency temporary lighting so that their customers can see.  The City says it wants Mulligans' lighting all permitted.