People who run things are so damn stupid at times. Perhaps that is why our country is in the shape it is in. No one can grasp the simple premise of not spending more than you make. Even as kids when we got an allowance, we knew when the money ran out, that was it...no more candy bars that week. The government--that's a whole different ball of wax. If they're not printing money, they are spending it like there is no tomorrow. If they continue the way they are, there won't be a tomorrow...at least for your kids and grandkids. And this leads me in to what I really want to talk about--ineffective government.
Two people who sit on major boards, boards that have the power to change the way this city looks, are responsible for what the city manager calls a "college prank." Unfortunately, it is much more than that. It is defacing a building that is in the National Register of Historic Places. It is breaking our sign laws. They had no permit. Not only did the people behind this PAC, Greg Rice and Loretta Sharpe, know better, they didn't give a fig. This was cute stuff and all fair in war and politics.
I just can't help but wonder why the city manager and its crack legal team are jumping through hoops relegating it all to a code violation-- what to do they ask themselves as they wring their hands. People. It is simple. Just tell these "prominent" citizens who knowingly and willfully broke the law to take the damn thing down. Did you ever think of anything that simple that requires little effort or endeavorment?
It is my understanding that Code hand delivered to the owner of the building a citation to remove the Banner within 48 hours. What more would you have them do???
ReplyDeleteAnon your not telling me that the city sent a code official to West Palm Beach to hand deliver a citation to the owner of the Gulfstream on the tax payers dime???
ReplyDeleteWhen we can´t get code to drive in any neighborhood in Lake Worth, and we pay them...
I believe that I just blogged about what they should do.
ReplyDeleteWhere was the notice deliverd? To whom? Do you actually know that this occurred?
Personally, I don't think this illegal banner is going to make one iota of difference.
I guess it's called "due process".
ReplyDeleteIn other words, you must let the owner know that what he is doing is against an ordinance, law, rule, or whatever to make this "Illegal".
It is a political sign put up on private property.
It advocates for a position you don't like and you are screaming bloody murder about it.
You state that the Charter amendment doesn't threaten the viability of the Gulfstream.
Does the owner of the Gulfstream think that? If he thought the Charter amendment didn't make any difference in how the hotel can become open for business, woul;d he allow such a banner to adorn his building.
A temporary banner letting people know they are being lied to is the right of FREE SPEECH. Just as you have the right to try to keep Lake Worth LOW RENT.
It is a political sign erected on the property by two people who sit on city boards who do know the laws. All they did was to get an owner's permission (at least they say they did) who is in a foreclosure legal suit. his ownership is questionable at best.
ReplyDeletePeople are not being lied to by the RPPac but they are being mislead by the Gulfstream folks.
Get this--low rents are one thing. We are talking about our downtown commercial prime property. The reason why some businesses have failed is because of HIGH rents.
The Charter amendment has nothing to do with the Gulfstream Hotel.
The Citation was delivered to the Owners office on Australian Ave. in West Palm Beach, and yes I know that for a fact.
ReplyDeleteThe Owner is very concerned on the impact that the height issue will have on the Gulfstream. And to say that the charter amendment will have no impact on the Gulfstream Hotel I would point you all to the Panda Papers and Mary Lindseys post from yesterday
What more would you have them do??? - Tell the Truth for starters!
ReplyDeleteScott is so hot to take a homesteaded house if you don't cut your grass (pg 162 Jan 8, 2013) to 'teach US a lesson" - let's start here Scott - teach them a lesson about obeying your laws or punish them, 1st! Like YOU said - others will see and get the message! We're waiting...
Your Code office had 2 hours for 2 of them to sit in front of Anna Vergne's apt and harass her because she wrote she was FORCED to sign a paper under duress! Watch the video from 2.19.13 and see how our new neighbors are treated by the dais! It is heart wrenching and cruel! As she speaks - the CM/LW Lawyer and D#1 are pow wowing and YOUR lawyer makes the sign of the cross as if to say "Dear God get this lady out of here" and the CM stated "Fundamental differences" - Meaning - I have no clue about the bill of rights and I don't care! I have the power of the mic and your purse - shut up and go away - ugh - Obey the law too or YOU go away!
PLUS the Elephant in the room is the Hotel Business is 6 mo a year and the "Guest Workers" in PBC get a lot of those jobs - (heard from PBC Burt Aaronson's mouth when this hotel PUSH began over a year ago at the county level - they are all pushing this so you bet there is grant money AND Legislation already behind it!) and those workers leave the state or country to work the other 6 mo elsewhere! (10 years experience in 2 states have proved this to me!)
About the tax money - sure we'll get something that the CRA will spend for us - The CRA decided they knew better what to do w/your tax money then you do by allowing them to "Take" the tax base the city runs on (besides property taxes and the ELECTRIC tax that takes us over our allowable millage, no?) and the present dais agrees, as they have done NOTHING to change this PROBLEM!
A board of Unelected Unaccountable (while lovely people) should be placed back under our elected or positions voted on. Too Much Power and a lotta money to do whatever they want, Enslave US w/a federal noose!
Go to the Chamber of Commerce and see all the HUGE 4 Color brochures for Gov Programs and read the local paper and see the ad's for Gov stuff and the Worth 'Y' has one private LW business reference that supported a gov program! So who's economic development are we working on here?
"Tell the Truth" - "Know the Truth"
"Follow the Money and Find the Truth"
March 5th (Heights debate night too?) Enterprise Zone vote IS the CRA on Steroids and there is talk about making the whole town an EZ!
I googled "Problems" and HUD had 8 Reasons, 8 reasons on the 1st page, these are NOT WORKING and still we are gonna do it - why? Grant Money!
It's not about you or heights it's ALL about the money! They do not care who controls it as an addict will use a dirty needle - the dirty little secret no one is talking about is the "Assumed power" of 3 on YOUR dais to change the comp plan (forget about the Charter) and thus change the LDR's - Zoning details! Those idea's are "assumed" to be reviewed and approved/disapproved by Planning and Zoning and possibly the Historical Bd and whatever is passed - anything built/renovated WILL go through the P&Z!
Who formed the PAC that bought the Banner and Hung it Illegally? Your unbiased board members who need to read, sign and file ethics form 8B -Voting Conflict.
Mary Lindsey is entitled to her viewpoint--it is most usually and often opposite to mine.
ReplyDeleteThe Charter amendment will have no impact on the Gulfstream other than it won't line the developers pocket with as much dough re me.
While I am not sure what law was broken, I'm sure it has something to do with size. But I remember the billboards on I-95 were used for political ads.
ReplyDeleteSo what exactly is the law they are breaking? Is it election law or sign ordinance?
What were they cited for? Does anyone know?
Lynn,If the GulfStream must provide
ReplyDeleteparking for the exiting hotel and needs to build a hotel where the parking lot now stands.They must provide parking for the exiting hotel
plus the new Hotel.It would take 2 floors of parking to meet their Parking Requirements. In order to build a financially feasible hotel there would need to the 4 floor of conference, spa and hotel rooms.
Keep in mind the only thing that can be built in the Hotel District
Is a Hotel Of 50 Rooms OR MORE.
They were cited for political sign code violation, they were told they had 48 hours to remove the sign.
ReplyDelete11:53--not totally in agreement with your evaluation of the property and its development potential. If they must absolutely build on to the hotel to have more rooms, thus more revenue, they can build to 4 stories.
ReplyDeleteOK, where do you find our "political sign code"?
ReplyDeletePlease tell us where they would put the parking if they built 4 stories.
ReplyDeleteHow many times had Loretta run for commission or mayor and lost, 4, 5 times? Seems like every other year she throws her hat in the ring. At 74 years old she is well aware of the sign restrictions in this town.
ReplyDelete