Winning at any cost sometimes backfires. And sometimes there is a small group of volunteers who can make a difference and overcome insurmountable odds.
17 of 17 Precincts Reporting
| Percent | Votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| FOR BONDS |  | 49.58% | 1,542 |
| AGAINST BONDS | | 50.42% | 1,568 |
| 3,110 |
The Palm Beach Post reported that Lake Worth bond appears to be rejected, pending provisional votes. But as we all know, the Bullies in this city want and expect to get their way. They don't take "no" for an answer. But one thing of which I am certain, the city is divided. The other thing that I know, without any doubt, if CAUT had more volunteers and more money, this election would not have been close. Volunteers did what they could whereas the city blitzed the electorate over and over again.
The money difference was mind blowing:
The city in all its desperation voted itself $50,000 of taxpayer money to campaign. Along with a PAC that was formed to help them out in advocacy, the total was $69,950.00 with $1,650.49 in In-Kind contributions. They spent $45.36 per voter to capture 49.58%.
Citizens Against Unfair taxation had a total of $6,230.42 of which $1,007.13 was In-Kind contributions that covered paper, ink and graphic design. It spent $3.97 per voter to win 50.42%. In my precinct, 3078, the AGAINST vote won by 67%.
Now there will be screaming and shouting and people demanding a re-count and camping out at the Supervisor of Elections door, scrutinizing the provisional ballots looking for any little thing that could turn this election in their favor. More city taxpayer money will be invested in its legal team to see just what in heck they can do to reverse this shocking end.
It just proves that every vote does count and the message needs to be heard, not just one side of it. To all of those with whom we spoke one-on-one during the hottest weather in years, we are forever grateful for understanding the facts and can only hope that the city will now listen to the people. And just think, Scott Maxwell won't have to leave meetings early to walk the streets and knock on doors of those with AGAINST signs, undermining our effort with his political clout and power.
The outcome of this election gives a message to the city that it screwed up and should have given the voters a more reasonable plan with a shorter term and it should have been open and honest, but it wanted to win and it came close. And just think what CAUT could have done by the city allowing debate and on an even playing field.
13 comments:
It is a sick group of people just like their 2020 plan. My neighbor told me that the YES people came by and tried to convince him to put a YES sign in his yard. He told them he didn't want a sign. They they walked over to my yard and took the against SIGN off my property while I was away. I will fight these SOB's to the bitter end.
You don't borrow millions of dollars to pay for basic upkeep of a city. This should be clear to all level-headed people. It's time for Lake Worth to get serious about managing its budget. A good place to start: Look at all city-owned buildings. Those not absolutely necessary for city use should be rented at MARKET RATES or sold. Let's start with the Compass building, and continue with the Shuffleboard Courts building and the Railway building. The $1 a year rent on these buildings is costing the city more than $100,000 a year. If these buildings were sold the city would have $5 million to use to start paving roads. And you need to negotiate hard with PBSO. We're paying too much for a very small police presence in this city. And what does Mayor Triolo have to say about the thousands of "visitors" who are camped out in our town -- those who have come here illegally and work to send as much money as they can back to Central America? They don't eat in our restaurants. They don't shop in our stores. They don't volunteer on clean-days to pick up trash. They pay cheap rent, and the owners of the properties where they rent pay no property taxes. These used to be middle class neighborhoods. Ask Sheriff Ric Bradshaw to enforce immigration laws and get these people out of here so middle class Americans will move back and contribute to our local economy. Time to pull up the Big Girl Panties, Mayor Triolo, take a swig of courage, and make some tough choices. Borrowing is the coward's way out. The people know it. That's why they voted NO, AGAINST BONDS.
As a non-resident supporter, I just wanted to tell you I have been following the Palm Beach news and your blog. What a close vote and hope it will sit without controversy; probably not considering the minds of a "power hungry, make change that's not good for the city and spend lots of tax payers money" politician. Kudos to you and those who have worked so hard to get this AGAINST vote. I am sure you are already working on the possibility of a re-count - WHICH I hope does NOT happen if it could swing in the other direction. Will continue to follow your blog for news.
The way I see it............Dorsey driving on pristine streets and laughing at hapless L.W., Lynn gloating, Katie running around saying "I love L.W., Dee passing out material from Mayor Brody, she says, and we still live in a slum. Oh, but I save $75.00 a month, sigh.
10:59, I admit I donot want my name on Lynns blog. But you with all your rhetoric are also just a coward. Since she loves your incoherent b.s. Lynn gives you a pass.
Well, all I can say is, how many people voted AGAINST this money grab?
Trust me--I am not gloating. I find it all a very sad rendition by the leaders of this city. Maybe we now can get Plan B.
I think the City is less divided than this vote reflects. I think everyone recognizes that the City needs to invest in its roads and infrastructure, the divide is in how to pay for it and who should pay. I think there also is a faction that thinks if money should be spent there are other priorities, i.e. crime and code (which might improve property values and increase our tax base).
I was actually very disappointed in the City spending our money to educate us in a very one sided manner. I don't think the mailers or presentations were even handed at all, I do in fact think that the City crossed the line in how it advocated for 2020.
I hope the provisional ballots go against the bond, but we shall see.
lynn, be careful. you have really been throwing around the word trust. maybe it is time for you to bow out and allow people who have no grudges take a look. remember half the people did not trust you or your group.
I have absolutely NO grudges, anonymous. Start communicating with those who vote AGAINST and find out why they voted that way. I would say that hour message might fit the bully instead.
I am with you Lynn, I do not trust our elected officials. They say things they do not do just to get elected, I have been promised improvements, that never come. They put people like the bully guy you mention, Wes, on a board in our city when he should not be allowed to serve on anything in this city, his attacks, blog and actions have been nothing but despicable. In fact they have several people on boards who contribute to blight and the slum we see in this city, yet are allowed to have this power, although they themselves do not take care of their property nor respect their fellow citizens, how can anyone respect the elected officials or the city manager, when he cannot even return emails or calls and speaks down to you like you are a peon. There is a trust issue in this city, because they have proven to be ineffective, why do we have so much blight in our city? Where are codes? What do they do? Why can't the city show some improvements? It is a hell hole and most is due to the current ineffective leadership. They love the blame game, yet do not even assume their own personal responsibility for their actions and property, the owner of 1306 and 1320 Lucerne is another example. How can you respect or trust these people? How can you?
Do you remember what the current leaders did with the last referendum on heights? It failed to pass, yet they dismissed what the people voted for. How can you trust the people in charge?
John, don't rewrite history. The commission took the advise of their City Attorney who did his research and found the State Law prohibits them from taking action on that referendum. Would you go against the advise of your attorney?
I would rather bet that the city attorney was told to do what he did and make sure that the heights was null and void. It still isn't you know.
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