Saturday, January 31, 2015

Sunset 1-31-15

Chuck Hagel pressured by top dog to release terrorists at Gitmo


Quote of the Day - The Muslim Brotherhood

“Allah is our objective. The Prophet is our leader. The Quran is our law. Jihad is our way. Dying in the way of Allah is our highest hope. Allahu Akbar!”

~ The Muslim Brotherhood’s slogan 

Marco Rubio right on Cuba

Marco Rubio is right on Cuba
Soon after President Obama announced plans to normalize relations with Cuba, Sen. Marco Rubio called Obama the worst negotiator since Jimmy Carter. You can't "normalize" relations with the Castro brothers.
BizPac Review says, President Barack Obama’s deal to normalize relations with Castro’s Cuban dictatorship smells like last week’s leftover fish.

Cuban President Raul Castro demanded Wednesday that the United States lift its trade embargo with the island nation and give the financially beleaguered country reparations in the billions of dollars. Oh, and he wants U.S. Naval Base-Guantanamo Bay back. that has been Obama's plan all along.

Read more...

It's dangerous out there -Today's assaults and the day is just beginning

ASSAULT--15032548--900 BLOCK S L ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--1/31/2015 1:59:00 AM

ASSAULT-- 15032238-- 700 BLOCK WRIGHT DR-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 1/30/2015 11:18:00 AM

At our Shuffleboard Courts - Graffiti on Graffiti

Comment Up

Back in the good ole days
Even though old, at least the building had some sort of class

It doesn't matter how or why they changed the name of our building, it will always be the Shuffleboard Court Building to most all of us who have lived here for decades.

Several months ago, the city paid the graffiti? artists? to paint the building, the walls and posts. It looks like a carnival about to happen in real time. Now some of the "art" has graffiti on the graffiti and that on the north wall is dripping and fading bringing a blighted look to our city asset. Is this part of the design? Whoever approved of this?  We don't get answers from city hall or this commission.  No one takes responsibility for this abomination. Why not? All they do is allow people to do what they want with our city owned property and give it all away for a buck a year.  Next it will be the beach park.

Jeff Atwater is now in the act

Comment Up

Does ANYONE have any sense?

North Palm Beach’s Jeff Atwater, one of Florida’s highest-ranking officials, is among the leaders who wrote letters to a parole board about the daughter of a major West Palm Beach political player, a woman who is serving up to life in prison for a gruesome murder.

It just keeps getting worse--Palm Beach Post article by Eliot Kleinberg

Friday, January 30, 2015

Sunset 1-30-15

Obama in India

In India, Obama fires back at claims he's Muslim

President Obama on Tuesday made a forceful case for gender and religious equality in India and used examples from his own life - including claims that he's secretly a Muslim - to make his point. Speaking at the government-run Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi, the president said India must learn to treat both women and…
Click the title to read entire story.

Trey Gowdy has questions for Hillary

Comment Up

Shanon Materio walks out after being shot down

Comment Up

Materio storms out of meeting.

Oh, politics; it's enough to raise one's blood pressure. All Materio was asking for was time for the public to be engaged as well as her suggestion of a parking garage at the possible future baseball site to be discussed at the city commission meeting. She was shot down.

Naked sniper on roof near Federal Highway in Lake Worth

Comment Up

UPDATE:  Naked gunman off roof and in custody-- Click here

According to an emergency alert issued through Palm Beach county, authorities say a naked man armed with a handgun is perched on a rooftop near 1700 S. Federal Highway in Lake Worth, purportedly the address of the Shangri-La Hotel. The area has been evacuated and emergency vehicles brought in.

"Hero"


This is what America is all about, putting all your heart in what you do and releasing it without expectations.”

~ Glenn Beck

on Nathan and Eva Leach

Mitt Romney opts out

NO MORE MITT.   “After putting considerable thought into making another run for president, I’ve decided it is best to give other leaders in the party the opportunity to become our next nominee," Romney said.

Read about it...

Media does not cover Right to Life march in Washington, DC

“As a journalist, senior newspaper executive and media entrepreneur for more than 35 years, I’m genuinely ashamed at what my industry has become. Not only do they avoid debate and discussion of the sanctity of life, they seek to distort the issue by hiding gatherings with the vigor one would expect only in a totalitarian, closed society with a government-controlled media.”

~ Joseph Farah, WND Editor and CEO

Read more...

What politicians will do for a buck and a vote

Comment Up

Well, I sure know how to pick them. It was only in November when I gave Paulette Burdick accolades. Now look what she's done.

Burdick has joined the West Palm Beach City Commissioners (The mayor, Kimberly Mitchell, Shanon Materio and Keith James) and lobbied the New York State Parole Board for the release of a murderer who butchered her husband--all for politics--all for friendship. When do politicians draw the line? Do they EVER have common sense?  Integrity?  Do they always disappoint?

Read about it...

Green coconut at the Lake Worth beach

Comment Up
At the Lake Worth beach and perfectly cracked.
The coconut is basically a fruit but the coconut can be all three:
 a fruit, a nut, and a seed

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Sunset 1-29-15

Today at the Lake Worth beach

Untypical attire but it was cool out there!
But our beach is "cool" on every day of the year

Jeff Clemens sponsors SB 548

OMG--Jeff Clemens just won't sit still!

(THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA) A South Florida Democrat wants smokers to snuff out their cigarettes when kids are in the car.

Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, filed a bill (SB 548) Wednesday that would prohibit people from smoking in vehicles when children under age 13 are present. 

The bill, which will be considered during the legislative session that starts March 3, would lead to smokers being cited for non-moving violations if they don't comply.

Jeff loves marijuana and if that passes, every kid in Florida will be getting hold of it, medical or not.  But an adult smoking in a car when a kid is around--no, no.

SB 548: Use of Tobacco Products in Motor Vehicles

GENERAL BILL by Clemens
Use of Tobacco Products in Motor Vehicles; Prohibiting a person from smoking a tobacco product in a motor vehicle in which a child under 13 years of age is present; providing penalties, etc.
Effective Date: 10/1/2015
Last Action: 1/28/2015 Senate - Filed
Location: Filed
Bill Text: Web Page | PDF



Quote of the Day - Muhammed Badi, Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide

"The Muslim Brotherhood is an Islamist organization that advocates jihad, change that the [Muslim] nation seeks that can only be attained through jihad and sacrifice and by raising a jihadi generation that pursues death just as the enemies pursue life.”

~ Muhammed Badi, Muslim Brotherhood Supreme Guide

This week, the State Department hosted a group of Muslim Brotherhood-aligned leaders in order to discuss department attempts to oppose the current Egyptian government. Read more...

Strip Clubs in Palm Beach County

Comment Up

Great going Palm Beach County Commissioners.  Let the strippers into and around our residential neighborhoods and the MOB as well.

Double D strip club wins showdown
Palm Beach County Commissioners approved a zoning change today that will allow strip clubs like Double D Ranch & Saloon to be built and serve food.  Now you can dine and gawk all at the same time and probably eat one more chicken leg or two.  And just think, the Park of Commerce is zoned for this very thing! 

Read more... at the Palm Beach Post

Next Republican Candidates?

Comment Up

There has been so much discussion on who will be running for President in the Republican Party. So many names have been tossed out there for us to consider--Rasmussen has the primary polls as Mitt Romney, Ben Carson, Jeb Bush, Chris Christie and Rand Paul. Other polls show Scott Walker, Paul Ryan (it's his birthday today!), Marco Rubio, Lindsey Graham, Rick Perry, Rick Santorum, Bob Portman and others.

My Prediction:

Although I am crazy about Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio and I love Ben Carson, and there are many more Republicans testing the waters, those who I believe will take the step to be our next president, will be:

Jeb Bush...middle of the road and out of step even though he did a good job as Governor of Florida. His advocacy for Common Core and his stand on illegal immigration will hurt him. Those are issues supported by Obama.

Mike Huckabee...Straight shooter and good guy who shines the light on it all. I like his positions on just about everything.

Rand Paul...I like a lot of his ideas especially wanting to cut corporate tax in half to create millions of jobs but I still can't quite figure him out. He is a dove in a violent world.

Mitt Romney...He was right when he said in 2012:  "We have a choice of two paths: Obama or prosperity." He should have been our president.  I think that the Republicans might just nominate him.  Three strikes and finally out?

Let's go with Marco Rubio--young, fresh and right and bright. You can't win the Party nomination by moving to the middle or acting like a Democrat.

What do you all think? When I bet, I usually lose.

Early Morn

New Times Broward rates Lake Worth as Number 2 best city in south Florida

Comment Up

In actuality, they rate us number 2 "coolest" city in south Florida--
2. Lake Worth
Pro: Lake Worth is perhaps the epicenter of Palm Beach County's arts scene. The quirky city is a magnet for the artists and musicians of Palm Beach County, and thanks to venues like Propaganda, you can hear live music just about every day of the week. Tack on great food and a happening beach and you've got one hell of a city.

Con: Unfortunately, some of the places that made Lake Worth so special have been disappearing lately. Within the past year, the city has lost Coastars Coffee Bar and Bamboo Room, two awesome local businesses that provided a home for artists and locals alike. This trend of local talent evaporating is, to say the least, troubling. Lake Worth also has its own utility company, which makes electric rates high, and crime is a persistent annoyance.

Bottom Line: Lake Worth has that perfect mix of weird that makes a great city.

Click here to view all the other ratings

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Fatal accident on Dixie Highway Lake Worth

Horrific accident between 16th and 17th Avenues on Dixie Highway.

Read about it... and see the video.

Graffiti in Lake Worth

Comment Up
So what's new? Graffiti in Lake Worth? This has been on the city dumpster behind Havana Hideout for weeks now.

The Classroom

Comment Up

This is the replacement video
It appears that the YouTube I wanted to present was just pulled so I have replaced it with another that has a similar story-- teachers are getting assaulted right and left. Perhaps some of you saw the other one described below on Facebook of a 16 year old beating up his 64 year old teacher.

This is the sort of crap teachers have to endure today.  There is no respect anymore, just violence and spoiled  dangerous little brats who are more absorbed in their I-Pad than learning their ABC's.  I hope this 16 year old punk, on his way to becoming a gang-banger, gets arrested for brutality towards his 64 year old teacher.  Knowing society today, the little creep will get off with no time and no community service and his teacher had to be 65 or older for charges of senior abuse.

Street Financing Meeting Lake Worth

Comment Up
Katie McGiveron
Chair of Citizens Against Unfair Taxation
"The length of the bond will last longer than the roads."

The bond financing meeting was held last night at Compass and the turn-out was fair considering that very few voters among the 15,000 ever turn out for anything. Then again, it was not advertised well and should have been included in the electric bill where it would have reached everyone in the city. The only reporter there was Margaret Menge of the Lake Worth Tribune along with two local bloggers. It has to make me wonder if this too was planned by the city.

Lake Worth finally admitted that they could ask the voters to approve smaller bond increments, something they would not do the first time around as they knew it would be much more difficult asking for the cash for  subsequent bond approvals. They tried to tell us that they can't be specific as to where this money will be allocated.

Ginny Powell said that there are grants that will take care of road repairs and that Lake Worth should apply. Another resident, Michael Fox, suggested a Citizens Review board to give oversight.  Sounds good in theory but it would end up political like everything else. Peter Timm was still sticking to his point of assessing everyone the same within the city. Bill Hoffman asked how the city could equitably apply the debt. Businessman John Rinaldi asked, "What do you really need and how badly do you need it?" Elise Latorre stated that the city should get its house in order--"cleanup your own house first before you ask me for more money."


One of the ideas that was presented by resident Marcas Kelly was to sell off our golf course.  People have been suggesting this for years (developer oriented interests) but thank God that the course is deed restricted. All money in the capital improvement that was allocated for new greens was stopped in 2011. The course was in an Enterprise Fund and there were so many charges against the golf course that there was no way it could climb out of the hole. They love to always say that our golf course is not making money. Back in 2011, Staff took the golf course out of the Enterprise Fund and moved it to a Revenue Fund giving it a chance to survive. This was a great decision made by our former Finance Director, Steve Carr. At one of our commission meetings it was reported by Juan Ruiz that the golf course is just about breaking even.

As resident Tammy Panza said, "We are in agreement--we need to fix the roads."  But I ask, why then did the city reduce the roads maintenance line item by cutting it in half. The Public Works Director recently stated the budget is around $500,000 with $200,00 a year going to roads maintenance and $300,000 to lighting.

So, the conclusion of the night was:
City still wants to grab the cash
The cash grab could be in smaller increments
Everyone wants the city to fix the potholes
People are not willing to turn over any amount of cash to this commission until they have assurances how and where the money will be spent.  There was a half-hearted acceptance of a smaller bond that could/might be approved by the voters.

Quote of the Day - ISIS Barbarians

“Know, oh Obama, that will reach America,” says one of the fighters, clad in black and wearing a balaclava, in a translation from Arabic provided by MEMRI. “Know also that we will cut off your head in the White House, and transform America into a Muslim Province.”
“Know also that we will cut off your head in the White House, and transform America into a Muslim Province.”
- ISIS fighter in new beheading video

Read more... Why do we keep pussy footing around with these killers? Can't we track down this SOB? Will it take 10 years like Bin Laden?

Poll on Water Priority



READER POLL: What should the top priority be for protecting Florida's water resources?


Vote Now

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

City Manager Lake Worth Bornstein on WPEC Channel 12 last night

Comment Up

Click here... talking about potholes and the fact that the bond lost only by 25 votes.  What he failed to mention was that the city had $50,000 of taxpayer money to use on their campaign plus another PAC with $20,000 in its coffers whereas the Citizens Against Unfair Taxation had about $6,000 with only a handful of people walking door to door.  Let's get an even playing field.

"The $60 million dollar bond to fix the roads failed by just 25 votes in the recent election. The city takes that close count as a good sign.

Now, officials are using that virtually split vote as a springboard and asking for help, looking to those who live there to offer ideas on how to pay for improvements."

All the city needs to do is 2 percent better than its last effort.

Former commissioner speaks - Strength in Numbers

Comment Up


Retha Lowe, former Lake Worth City Commissioner in Lake Worth District 1, announced last night at the Genesis NA meeting that Whispering Palms Neighborhood Association, of which she is a member, will be combined with Genesis NA in order to get planned projects completed for the neighborhood.

Financing Discussion tonight in Lake Worth

Comment Up

Although the City Commission, four of whom are advocates for taxing the people for 34 years for infrastructure and road repairs (Maxwell, Triolo, Amoroso and Szerdi), said that the public forums would be advertised in newspapers, etc, I haven't seen much about it. There was a blurb in today's Palm Beach Post local news section.  I would expect tonight's attendance will be the same people as we have seen throughout the election of August 2014 where the city was defeated at the polls on the general obligation bond.

The city is determined to grab the cash...as much as residents might allow.  They are going to "allow" us to speak to taxing methods--all of us retirees, housewives, construction workers, struggling business owners and laborers and middle class working people struggling to stay afloat...people they must believe to be highly knowledgeable on bond financing that has regulatory complexities with interest being double the principal as the last bond proved to us and the then finance director went missing in the night because of his transparency.


An Open Discussion
on Financing Options to Resolve Lake Worth’s Infrastructure Needs

The City Commission will be holding open discussions for citizens to publicly offer their ideas and ask questions about financing options available regarding infrastructure improvements in Lake Worth. “We are excited to continue the discussion on how to fix the infrastructure in Lake Worth” says Mayor Pam Triolo. “We invite residents to bring their ideas on how to pay for the improvements that are desperately needed in Lake Worth.”

Tuesday, January 27 at 6pm
Compass Community Center
201 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth

Saturday, March 21 at 1pm
Lake Worth City Hall
7 North Dixie Highway, Lake Worth

Bring ideas and questions about financing options available in order to improve our roads, water & sewer services, drainage systems, and sidewalks. Or you may send your ideas & questions to LW2020@lakeworth.org

Meeting the Lake Worth candidates

Comment Up


Last night at the Genesis Neighborhood Association meeting, all the candidates showed up other than Serge Jerome. An hour and twenty minutes into the meeting Mark Parrilla gave an announcement that Mr. Jerome had a family emergency and that he sent his apologies.

In order of appearance:

Ryan Maier, running for Commissioner District 4, was the most prepared. He was one of the first arrivals at St. Andrews Church and I spotted him studying his notes. He gave a great introductory five minute speech saying that the primary responsibility of a commissioner is to act on the will of the people--guidance comes from the will of the people. He wants to see an amendment to the city charter to change the heights in our downtown to what the people voted for and an infrastructure plan that will work for the people. "Public development and public information is our business," he said.

John Szerdi, incumbent in district 4, spoke next and started off by saying that he was 62 years old but had a lot of energy. Moving here from Ft. Lauderdale, he put $100,000 into his house renovating and bringing it back to its potential. He loves Lake Worth. He mentioned his higher education, the fact that he was an environmental architect and was involved in the design of the Eco Centre Building on Lake Avenue.  He taught at Indian River College.

Christopher McVoy, incumbent District 2, told us that he has been elected for two terms. He is concerned about our roads as well as the general obligation bond issue and suggested that the city go back to the drawing board as one-half of the voters did not want it.  He also said that the commission needs to do a better job of listening to the people. He also mentioned the Political Action Committee that he formed years ago to save our beach from further commercialization and the City of Lake Worth sued the PAC and him. Now we have a beautiful beach park.

Craig Frost running for Commissioner District 4 spoke last. Not used to public speaking, he had some difficulty at times getting his thoughts across to the audience. He did tell us that he is a 3rd generation living in Lake Worth. His building where his business is located was built in 1952 and he doesn't want to be taxed out of it, concerned about the general obligation bond, an issue that motivated him to run. Through the years, he has not had any responses from commissioners on various issues and even had to go to the news media to get something done. Helping with his neighborhood association, he wants the neighborhoods cleaned up...mentioned the big problem with crime...not enough deputies working the districts.

Even though Serge Jerome did not attend the meeting, Mark Parrilla, the President of Genesis, gave a glowing report on him.


Bowe Berghdal being charged with desertion?

“The army has come to its conclusion and Bowe Bergdahl will be charged with desertion. Sgt. Bergdahl left his unit in Afghanistan without permission in 2009 and was captured by the Taliban, and held prisoner by the group for five years. Following the much-criticized exchange, the Army conducted an investigation into his actions, which concluded three months ago," said Ret. Lt. Col. Schaffer.

Retired Lt. Col. Tony Schaffer also accused the Obama administration of trying to keep the detail of Sgt. Bergdahl charges hidden.

Read the Washington Times...

The maximum possible punishment if the subject is tried by General Court-Martial, the most serious type of court-martials--

Article 87 - Missing Movement.

If the member of the armed forces missed the movement on purpose:
  • Dishonorable discharge
  • Forfeiture of all pay and allowances
  • Reduction to the lowest enlisted grade
  • Confinement for 2 years.

Monday, January 26, 2015

Car crash on South C Street leaves one dead

Comment Up

According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s investigation, a 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan was traveling south on South C Street at a high rate of speed around 1:15 a.m. when it collided with a 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis attempting to make a left turn at the intersection of 10th Avenue South. After impact, the Volkswagen went airborne and ejected two passengers before crashing into a parked 1997 Toyota Land cruiser.

Read more...

Lake Worth hires new Finance Director

Comment Up
The City of Lake worth has a new Finance Director--
Nerahoo Hemraj.

EDUCATION:
  • Master of Science in accounting with Distinction, Long Island University, June 1983
  • Master of Business Administration, Long Island University, February 1978
  • Bachelor of Science to Accounting/finance, Long Island University, June 1977
  • Associate of Applied Science in accounting/MIS, NYC Community college, January 1975

Mr. Hemraj's last job assignment was with the County of Monterey, California as the Chief Deputy Auditor-Controller/Audit Chief/Deputy Treasurer-Tax Collector.

He begins his job with the City of Lake Worth on February 2, 2015.

Quote of the Day - Allen West--responding to Al Sharpton

Comment Up
"If you want to talk about no diversity in honoring excellence, look at the recipients of the Most Valuable Player awards over the last 58 years. It's shocking! Seventy-eight percent of all MVP's in history have been black. Boy, I'd say the NBA is way too black. We ought to hold an emergency meeting to discuss possible action against the NBA, right Al? I mean it's simply not FAIR. In the NBA, it's like outer space, Al--the higher you get, the darker it gets."

~ Allen West

responding to and using the words of racist Al Sharpton and his left fuming crazy comment about looking into the possibility of suing the Academy Awards for not honoring a black person.

Morning Sky 1-26-15

Suppression of Truth

Comment Up

We used to be able to count on getting the absolute truth to the best of their ability from certain professions, i.e., medical and the press. Well, funny that, the press is hypocritical any where in the world these days with many acting like used car salesmen. Real facts are suppressed. Governments in place are compromising truth even in democracies such as England and the United States...even in little Lake Worth.

Watch out for the politically correct, lying socialistic press...they will help bring your country down.

Read more...

Sunday, January 25, 2015

Tonight's Sky

South Pacific at Lake Worth Playhouse


From their web siet:  Rodgers and Hammerstein-- This epic musical romance centers on a group of American sailors and Navy nurses stationed in the South Pacific during World War II. Arkansas native Nellie Forbush befriends and quickly falls for Emile de Becque, a French expatriate and plantation owner, and Lt. Joe Cable finds himself in a passionate affair with Liat, the young daughter of Bloody Mary, the local grass-skirt peddler. As the war against Japan escalates, reality sets in for both Forbush and Cable, who struggle to reconcile their unconventional love affairs with their long-held prejudices and insecurities.

Folks, please get to our Playhouse and see this magnificent show.  The entire cast was superb but the lead playing Emile, Michael Cartwright, has a powerful voice and should be on Broadway. The cast got a standing ovation.  But we're truly lucky to have him here in Lake Worth. And we are indeed lucky to have such a great playhouse giving us professional performances each and every month that is located in downtown Lake Worth.

The set

Crime Lake Worth

SHOPLIFTING-- 15029713-- 500 BLOCK S DIXIE HWY-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 1/23/2015 9:26:00 PM

ROBBERY - PERSON-- 15029695-- 200 BLOCK N FEDERAL HWY-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 1/23/2015 8:33:00 PM

SHOPLIFTING-- 15029555-- 200 BLOCK N DIXIE HWY-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 1/23/2015 2:30:00 PM

THEFT/LARCENY-- 15029547-- 1000 BLOCK S D ST-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 1/23/2015 2:28:00 PM

BURGLARY - VEHICLE-- 15029549-- 2500 BLOCK LAKE WORTH RD-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 1/23/2015 2:20:00 PM

ROBBERY - PERSON-- 15029548-- 800 BLOCK S FEDERAL HWY-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 1/23/2015 2:06:00 PM

BURGLARY - RESIDENCE-- 15029431-- 200 BLOCK N F ST-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 1/23/2015 10:00:00 AM

2015 South Florida Fair

Yesterday was about the worse day to go to the Fair--windy, cold and the dark menacing clouds opened up a few times spitting at us just long enough to ruin the moment. We never got to the Midway and stayed inside most of the time.  The Fair is about walking and looking and visiting all the outside events but you almost needed your ear muffs and wooly jacket. Las Vegas on Ice is worth more than the cost of the ticket and was fantastic as always.   Below are a few photos, pathetic as they are. Try and plan your fair visit before February 1 on a sunny day.

Rick Perry - Speech at Iowa Freedom Summit


Illegals ushered out for interrupting speech for being loud, obnoxious and rude. Only in America do illegals believe they have rights brought about by this liberal, look the other way government that wants to legitimize criminal behavior and reward them with amnesty and welfare.

The Road Ahead in Lake Worth--Bond Unnecessary

Comment Up

Letters to the Editor

Palm Beach Post
January 25, 2015

OPINION--POINT OF VIEW

Lake Worth must tackle road repair

The Lake Worth City Commission is holding a meeting, Financing Infrastructure — the Road Ahead, on Tuesday.

Increased property valuations have already added substantially to this year’s tax bills. Although a smaller bond issue may be the easy way out for city officials, I suggest that avoiding another tax increase on citizens will lead to the continued growth and long-term sustainability of our city.
PBPost photo
POINT OF VIEW: Lake Worth needs plan to tackle road repair photoWe have $17 million in reserve to pay for water- and sewer-line restoration. Our tax rate is already among the highest in Palm Beach County, and our increase in valuations will provide more revenue for infrastructure needs.

Living within our budget, rather than burdening us citizens, might be a novel concept for commissioners — who envision large projects, for example, park of commerce roads and infrastructure at our expense. But these projects would be better left as a point of negotiation between the private property owners and the companies that buy their parcels to establish a business.

The Community Redevelopment Agency’s boundaries divert large percentages of taxes away from infrastructure needs. The size of this district is a luxury that we can no longer afford. To increase our general fund, shrinking the downtown CRA district can give our city back significant revenue to use for road repair.

Taking back only the Gulfstream Hotel and the Lucenté townhomes would add $200,000 to the city’s general fund. In future years, more parcels could be returned to benefit the general fund. Earmarking these funds for infrastructure improvements would allow us to live within our means while still allowing the CRA to have enough collateral to satisfy its creditors until the loan is paid off.

Our country’s infrastructure, and virtually all roads — municipal, state and federal — need repair, particularly after the economic downturn when they were mostly neglected. Road deterioration is perennial and universal and is the rule rather than the exception.

In 2011, our road budget was cut in half from the historical $1 million. With additional funds now available, our city could increase the annual amount allotted for roads.

Constant and gradual attention to road repair would allow the City Commission to improve our environment, and without making our recovering city unattractive because of excessive taxation.

LAURENCE McNAMARA
LAKE WORTH

Message from the President of Genesis Neighborhood Association

Comment Up

Genesis Neighborhood Association has been incorporated and active since January 2010. Every year since we started, we have attended Palm Beach County Resident Education to Action Program and for two years in a row, we have acquired grants. We have also acquired other funding through our very successful efforts, thanks to local small businesses and resident donations.

This year we are working with the city to identify a city owned property in order to acquire it and install playground equipment within the Genesis boundaries.  We have acquired three corporate sponsors as well as two church organizations that stand in solidarity with our efforts.  We have initiated, developed and maintained a healthy productive line of communication with municipal, county and state elected officials and staff.  Shelly Vanna personally awarded Genesis a certificate of recognition for our accomplishments at a meeting before Genesis was even one year old.

When Genesis had its first meeting, the majority of residents clamored for the paving of the major avenues that traverse our east - west boundaries and speed bumps on A Street.  In 2011, we got our speed bumps after Genesis distributed a petition that acquired a 90% approval from all the residents who lived on A street between 6th and 12th Avenues South.  It took nearly five years of constant attendance to commission meetings, meetings with multiple Directors of Public Services and two different city managers and here we are today happy to announce that 10th Avenue South is no longer a sand dirt road, 8th Avenue south is under construction and 7th Avenue South is a green light to begin paving in 2015!

Countless residents can attest to the assistance, advocacy and compassion and care they have received from Genesis members and the board of directors, one of whom is known as the “Grandmother of Lake Worth.” We are most proud of her testament. We have painted so many homes in our city and county.  This year we will launch our Leocadia Fonseca Endowment Fund which will award a $1,209.00 dollar grant to a worthy Lake Worth neighborhood association that does not have funds to perform a community improvement project of their choice.  A twelve member Board of Directors will vote to approve one application.  This was due to launch this month but with my four major life threatening hospitalizations, the roll out schedule had to be pushed back.  Genesis has also negotiated commercial space that we toured last month in the new La Joya Villages development where we can have our meetings and a Genesis Community Center.

On the eve of our first quarterly meeting in 2015, I extend an open invitation to the board of directors of Memorial Park Neighborhood Association.  They are listed on the NAPC website for approximately a year now but are not legally incorporated nor have they ever held any meetings or yet done anything for the neighborhood.  If they are serious about doing something positive for the community, then I extend my hand in a sincere invitation to join forces with an organization that has a five year track record of amazing results.  We need as many hands on deck to accelerate or progress.  There should be no room for egos or personality conflicts if the common goal of community improvement is sincere.  I will reiterate our willingness to take part in the call for spirit of unity in our city for the New Year.  Let us make a difference as a team! Best wishes,

James Ward and I look forward to seeing you at our meeting on Monday, 6pm, January 26, 2015 at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church, 928 S. E Street, Lake Worth, FL. Come on out and meet your candidates!

Mark A. Parrilla
Genesis Neighborhood Association, Inc.
Genesis Website