Keep Lake Worth beach Public

Comment Up

Stop the City Commission from going forward with more development on our public beach!

What is Going on?

The City Commission created an ITN (Invitation to Negotiate) requesting that developers submit proposals for “Casino and Beach Complex Expansion” our newly upgraded beach. These upgrades were wide open, and could include adding buildings.  The ITN Selection Committee has been meeting to look at these proposals and most of these meetings have been held in private. The Selection committee did hold a meeting on Election Day Tuesday Nov 4, 2014. Obviously, this is not a great day to hold an important public meeting.  At that meeting they reviewed the proposals, but we have not seen copies.

The proposals are being reviewed and negotiated behind closed doors with no public input.

Click here to learn about what's going on behind your back!

Letters to the Editor - Land Purchase Vital

Comment Up

Letters to the Editor
Palm Beach Post
February 28, 2015

Land purchase vital to restoring estuaries

Thank you for your Feb. 21 editorial, “Water officials should put land buy on agenda,” supporting the purchase of land from U.S. Sugar. Historically, water from Lake Okeechobee always flowed to the Everglades through sawgrass prairies, tree islands and sloughs.

This is the only route that provides enough flow to reduce the damaging releases to the estuaries.

In the last 100 years, however, we have been deconstructing this environment. We pumped water in new directions, such as opening a connection between the St. Lucie River and Lake O. On the other side of the coast, we opened a connection to the Caloosahatchee River.

We are killing these ecosystems with too much fresh water. We have to change course and buy land south of the lake.

Only a significant increase in land available to accept more water will provide this required flow. We can do this while still completing existing projects.

We can preserve agriculture and still purchase this land. A portion can remain in crops. The water can flow around the urban areas to protect those who live there.

The economy will benefit from the jobs created by building new reservoirs and storm-treatment areas. It is a win-win for everyone in Florida.

DREW MARTIN, LAKE WORTH

Editor’s note: Drew Martin is conservation chairman of the Loxahatchee Group of the Sierra Club.

Marco Rubio at CPAC

Drug Smuggler from Mexico caught at our border

Image via U.S. Customs and Border Patrol

You give some people an inch and they take that mile--

A Mexican with a valid border crossing card just tried to pull a fast one which amounted to the biggest bust in the history of the Otay Mesa Port of entry and the second-largest in the history of the country-- 1,296 bundles of marijuana. The 15 tons of weed had a value of $18.96 million, Border Patrol agents said.

Read about the criminal crossing our border.

The Gang of Eight and Immigration Reform

What is the Senate immigration reform bill? Click here for bill text

In 2013, a bipartisan Gang of 8 senators introduced the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. This was a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

It passed the Senate 68-32 in June 2013, but was never introduced in the House. (A bill based on the Senate bill was introduced by House Democrats in October 2013 but has not been acted upon, despite Democratic attempts to force a vote.)

The Senate's immigration bill would do the following:

• Provide a path to citizenship that would take 13 years for most of the unauthorized immigrants currently in the country, and less time for agricultural workers and DREAMers.

• Increase border enforcement by allocating an additional $46.3 billion in funding for border security, and requiring the government to double the number of Border Patrol agents and fencing along the border.

• Strengthen interior enforcement by making the E-Verify employment verification system mandatory for all employers, and instituting an entry-exit visa-tracking system to prevent people from overstaying their visas.

• Expand and streamline legal immigration by clearing up the backlog of immigrants with pending applications; create a new green-card system that merges family-based and work-based immigration into a single pool and assigns immigrants "points" to determine their eligibility;
  
  
•  Create a new renewable work visa for low-skilled workers, with annual quotas that depend on market demand.

Many of these components depend on each other — the bill is set up so that the path to citizenship doesn't kick in until certain security metrics have been met and the backlogs have been cleared. These conditions are known as triggers.
Source:  Vox.com that wants us to share this info.

NAPC Candidate Forum Lake Worth Playhouse

Comment Up

During the election period for the General Obligation Bond, the NAPC (that wants us to believe that they are non-political), informed us that there would be "no more debates." However, it seems that they changed their minds and quickly arranged a candidate forum at the Lake Worth Playhouse scheduled for Monday, March 2.  It will be hosted by the non-political moderator, John Paxman even though he has a candidate sign on display at his office on North Dixie Highway.

Dave Stewart might have eye on Vana's seat?

We keep seeing Lantana mayor, Dave Stewart, in Lake Worth a lot these days. He showed up for the mayor's State of the City cheer at the Casino. I stopped and asked him about the rumor of running for Palm Beach County Commissioner. Recently, the Palm Beach Post asked him whether he will run again [as mayor of Lantana] and he said: he will be running for something...he said he isn’t sure if it would be for Lantana’s mayor however.

He confirmed to me that he is thinking about Shelley Vana's seat but "it's a long way off," he said. Actually, it's up on November 2016, not that far off if you're really serious. Perhaps Mr. Stewart is just fed up with what's going on at the A. G. Holley site and that proposed development or just would like a change after 15 years--sort of like his former city manager.

Quote of the Day - Glenn Beck

"So they’ll say, 'Well, we need something. We need some sort of regulation'. And you morons, you morons on the left, do you realize what you’ve just done? The next president that gets in — you put me into the Oval Office, you want me running your Internet?"

~ Glenn Beck

 Read more... and see the video.  "Three people decided this yesterday and the president will suddenly have the authority to regulate it as he pleases. What do you think that means for conservatives websites if the president is a Democrat? President Obama in charge of your Internet? If that doesn’t cause you nightmares I don’t know what will."

Quote of the Day - Donald Trump

“Our President broke the law when he did what he did [on executive amnesty]. And you’re going to have to take a tremendously strong action or you’re going to have people just flowing into this country worse than it’s ever been.”

~Donald Trump

Said at CPAC today

Freedom illusive in Saudi Arabia?

The Obama Administration and the Kerry State Department have been talking a lot recently about how important it is for moderate Muslim countries to fight back against the radical and barbarous acts carried out by ISIS. It’s presumed that Saudi Arabia represents one of those moderate nations, as they are constantly referred to as one of our closest allies in the region. In fact, President Obama dropped everything and flew to Saudi Arabia last month to pay his respects to the royal family there upon the death of their king–something he did not do to after the Charlie Hebdo killings in Paris.

Yesterday, Saudi Arabia condemned a man to death for renouncing his Muslim faith.

 Read more...

Another lawsuit for Lake Worth? This time it involves God

Comment Up

Mike Olive, pastor

Common Ground Church, Lake Worth

Liberty Counsel sent a letter to the City of Lake Worth demanding it retract its baseless position that all local churches—some in the community for nearly 100 years—now obtain "business licenses" to continue operating, and for its harassment of newly established Common Ground Church.

The City has threatened Common Ground's landlord with daily fines up to $500 and foreclosure if the "violation" is not corrected by the landlord making the church get a "business license" to meet for worship.  Liberty Counsel has demanded that the City drop its plan to have churches obtain business licenses, refund the business license taxes already paid and retract its threat to Common Ground church and its landlord.

City Manager Mike Bornstein said, “A duck is a duck. If someone is holding religious services as a church, it’s a church.” He said the city was forced to take action “to protect the community.”
Protect us from God?

Read more... about Lake Worth's harassment of area churches especially Common Ground Church. The city must respond by the end of today to Liberty Counsel or be subject to a lawsuit.

World Net Daily picked up the story.

See the WPEC channel 12 segment.

Christopher McVoy on Hudson Holding's meeting

Comment Up

Guest Blogger
Commissioner Christopher McVoy

Good morning Lake Worth Residents:

I want to alert you to some development plans that seem to have been kept from the public eye and are rapidly moving forward.

I attended a meeting yesterday hosted by Hudson Holdings. Only Gulfstream Condominium property owners were invited. The developer announced that a six story hotel will be built on the property next to the Gulfstream, in addition to a parking garage that would provide complimentary private parking spaces to the Gulfstream Condominium owners.

Hudson Holdings also announced that they have submitted plans to the city for a Conference Center on our beach property that would include a Beach Club (that would sell memberships), a retail component, and 20,000 sf of conference space. This development is designed to be located directly south of our new Casino building. It is planned to cover at least one acre of our beach-front property.

I was not formally invited to the HH meeting and this information has not, to my knowledge, been made available to the public.

A meeting of the project Selection Committee was held on Election Day Tuesday Nov 4, 2014. Obviously, this is not a convenient time for even the most active of our residents to attend. Commissioner Amoroso is on the selection committee and I assume he has knowledge of this project, its size, the intensity, and the fast-track approach the developer is purportedly taking.

I personally worked very hard with a dedicated group of residents to keep our beach property 100% public and entirely under the control of our city. I will be demanding more information about this project and I will keep you up to date. I hope you will contact the commissioners with your comments and input.

Christopher McVoy

Editor's Note:  Should anyone make a complaint about this blog for not having a campaign disclosure, I have included it below.

 Political advertisement paid for and approved by Christopher McVoy for Lake Worth City Commissioner

Marco Rubio has time to redeem himself with Conservatives

I still like Marco Rubio.  He has taken unfair hits from the conservative arm of the Republican Party because of his Gang of Eight participation and input. Some people just don't like members of their own party working with the opposition to come up with a workable solution.  I like his immigration policy but some want every single illegal to get the hell out of Dodge.  We know that this is an impossibility.

Today he has a chance to redeem himself, if you will, when he addresses thousands of Republicans at CPAC,  the Conservative Political Action Conference. He should stress his policy, allowing them to understand where he's coming from--

I have printed this twice before--
What Marco Rubio says on amnesty:
How many people get amnesty?
 
Zero.  No one gets amnesty.  Unless we continue to do nothing, this bill will eliminate today’s status quo de facto amnesty in which we have 11 million undocumented immigrants here and don’t know who they are, what activities they’re engaged in or anything else about them. On day one, no undocumented immigrant is rewarded with anything.  What happens on day one is the clock starts running on meeting the mandatory security triggers – implementing an effective border security plan, mandatory employment verification for all businesses, and full implementation of an exit system.  Once the border security plan is in place, undocumented immigrants will be able to come forward, must submit to and pass background checks, be fingerprinted, pay fines, pay taxes, prove gainful employment, go to the back of the line, and prove they’ve had a physical presence in the U.S. since before 2012, among other measures. They won’t get any federal benefits.  And if they meet all these requirements, they will earn a temporary status that allows them to work. If they don’t they will be deported.

Read more here: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2015/02/26/3666008_sen-marco-rubio-sees-shot-at-redemption.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

Sunset 2-26-15

One step forward; Two steps back

Comment Up

No this isn't a soft shoe shuffle dance move.  It's a heel to butt kick; it feels like Greater Bay all over again. The City of Lake Worth is complicit, working behind the backs of its citizens to get rid of our beach because they have no one capable to manage it or maintain it, so they say.  Can we get new staff please?  Is this going to be another law suit down the road? The good citizens of this great little city always are taking one step forward but commissions, especially this one, always ensure that the one step results in two steps back.

The pool bottom was filthy on Monday evening

The city is entertaining a plan to give a long-term lease to a company that will, once again, change our beach park forever and possibly shut down our pool and cement it in. Who knows as it was all out of the Sunshine other than for 30 or so people who attended their "by invitation only" meeting. It's time for the Friends of the Lake Worth Pool to revive itself and get active.

Yesterday, Hudson Holdings, the company that John Szerdi is affiliated with and must recuse himself on any decision affecting the city by them, had a meeting at the Glasshouse in the Bryant Park neighborhood adjacent to their Gulfstream Hotel. They told the invitees (all property owners of the Gulfstream Condo Association), their plans going forward:  a parking garage and a 65 foot addition to the hotel and them possibly getting their own private parking space and membership to the new Beach Club they will be building at the beach depending on the city's decision.  They are not the least bit worried about the referendum the people won at the polls to keep it at 45 feet.

They also talked about our casino/pool property and from the sounds of it, Lake Worth is about ready to negotiate a long-term lease with them.  Fifteen people attended the Negotiation Committee meeting on November 4, 2014. We, as citizens, have not yet been told about this out of the Sunshine negotiation. As I previously reported, our city attorney, Christy Goddeau is not allowing any information out on this to the public to how many entities replied to the ITN or what's going on.  But Hudson Holdings is an exception? Now you have to wonder if it has anything to do with their strong connection to John Szerdi.  Hudson can invite all owners in that condo but no one else can know anything?

The City issued the ITN in September 2014 and received the initial replies.  Attached are the minutes for the public meeting held on 11.4.2014 to discuss the next steps in the process pursuant to the ITN. Since that time, the Negotiations Team has been having meetings and reviewing the replies.  The meetings and replies are exempt from the Public Records laws and the Sunshine Law at this time (see section 286.0113(2)(b) and 119.071(1)(b)(2), Florida Statutes).

Didn't we just spend $13 million at our beach? Even though our beach and casino had a major overhaul, the city wants to incur another public/private partnership it seems.  Getting rid of the responsibility is easier than doing the job yourself. Where have we heard that before?  I guess it enjoys lawsuits.

The city is seeking the following:
Casino Beach Complex Expansion

Notes from an Atendee at the Hudson Holdings meeting regarding our beach:
Participating in ITN
per Steve Michael of Hudson Holdings:
“[Hudson Holdings is ] participating in the ITN [Invitation to Negotiate – regarding development and management at the Lake Worth Beach]”
“Pertains to the land to the south of the casino”
“A 1 acre parcel of land”
“Our plan is to build a beautiful Beach Club and Conference Center”
“Membership [would be available to 15 S Golfview Residents]”
“A great amenity [for residents of 15 S Golfview, and others?]”
“We try to bring value to the community”
 “[It (the property next to the Gulfstream) will be] a parking garage integrated into a very high end hotel”
“Beachfront acre and a half [parcel]"
"It would be a long-term ground lease"
"We would put close to $30M into the beach"
"20,000 sq. ft. of conference space"
"The ITN is directing the second hotel" [at the Gulfstream]
"We've been working on this for 6 months"
"We're trying to do it as fast as possible"

Hudson says they will build 20,000 sq. ft. of conference space.  This drawing is to show you how big that would be.

Take off those rose colored glasses, Mayor

Comment Up

Other-- 02/24/15 03:30 PM-- 900 BLOCK OF 3RD

Other-- 02/24/15 01:30 PM-- 300 BLOCK OF DIXIE

Other-- 02/24/15 12:59 PM-- 100 BLOCK OF G

Other-- 02/24/15 06:36 PM-- 800 BLOCK OF K

Theft-- 02/24/15 02:59 PM-- 600 BLOCK OF DIXIE

Other-- 02/24/15 10:54 AM-- 600 BLOCK OF B

Theft-- 02/24/15 07:00 PM-- 1400 BLOCK OF K

Vandalism-- 02/24/15 05:36 PM-- 900 BLOCK OF B

Theft-- 02/24/15 10:46 AM-- 1200 BLOCK OF 18TH

Theft-- 02/24/15 07:10 PM-- 00 BLOCK OF 18TH

Theft 02/24/15 10:26 AM 1800 BLOCK OF DIXIE

"Other" ranges from suspicious incidents, trespassing, beverage violations, stolen tag

At the State of the City Address the mayor gave the biggest rah rah speech of her political career and of course, it was right before the election. She even went so far as to tell us that crime was down and everyone wildly cheered. I had to wonder what vacuum they came from. Down from what? Can any politician EVER tell the truth? She wonders why they are not trusted. Why do they want to paint this rosy picture. All you have to do is read the crime reports.  Ride down one of our streets and you can see that things are not too sweet. We have so much crime that we can't even see straight. Read the horrible stats.

We are ranked number 35 in 2015 as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. 35! We used to be number 42! We are getting closer to number 1 every year. We are worse than Miami. As the report illustrates, the highest crime rates are found in areas of high population density, lower income and – often - lower real estate values than neighboring communities (and we have all three in Lake Worth). This commission continues to approve of more affordable housing, attracting more and more poor folks, more density, more problems and the cycle continues.

Lake Worth lawyer

Comment Up

Christy Goddeau, Esq.

I'm not sure when this happened, as Glen Torcivia has already told me that he doesn't normally respond to citizens so therefore I haven't bothered to ask him but...

The name of his firm used to be The Law Office of Glen J. Torcivia & Associates, P.A.

Now the name is TORCIVIA, DONLON, GODDEAU & ANSAY, P.A.

It appears that Christy Goddeau got a partnership. And why not?  She is smart, beautiful and has done a superb job for Lake Worth and this present commission.  Perhaps the partnership was due to all her dedication and hard work in the supposed over-throw of the Heights Amendment that was won by nearly 57% of the voters, a vote this commission refuses to acknowledge and ignores to this day.

Remember this when you go to the polls on March 10 that John Szerdi was against a low-rise downtown, against the people who won the vote. He still is. And he still wants his way.

ISIS has mentality of NAZIS

Christians are driven from their homes in the Middle East by the hundreds of thousands, slaughtered by the tens of thousands, and our president does nothing! He is the reincarnation of Pontius Pilate washing his hands, but this blood is not coming off.”

Sunset 2-25-15

Serge Jerome's first political flyer

Comment Up

Nice mailer suggesting that Lake Worth needs a new face for commissioner with the background of our new fresh faced casino, a building in which Mr. Jerome had no involvement..

Thanks for the reminder, Mr. Jerome, but it was two termed Commissioner Chris McVoy who is running again for re-election who was instrumental in the final development of this beautiful building, built in the footprint of our old casino.  His Political Action Committee helped save the beach from the flim flam artist who was going to commercialize the beach and build a building where the upper level parking is now located.  It was through his hard work and in spite of the City of Lake Worth filing suit against him personally and his PAC, that we have a fabulous beach today.

Quote of the day - Pam Triolo

Comment Up
"Look at the big picture and not be selfish; Lead with courage; Care for one another with kind hearts."

~ Pam Triolo

For all those cheering for this last night, you really need to come to a city commission meeting and get first-hand knowledge. Citizens are berated, cops are allowed to intimidate and stand behind a citizen at the lectern in case he says something they don't want to hear, negative comments are read into record by the mayor on citizens and public commentary is allowed to humiliate and be used to bring down her political enemies or anyone who might disagree with her. She allows commissioners to respond to citizens in negative and sometimes explosive ways. Sorry. No kind heart here.

Our Lake Worth beach near Dusk

Comment Up

Our beach last Evening

"We can't let the past define us, or keep us from moving forward," said the mayor.

Thank God that

 we saved our beach from the flim flam man--

that a former commission "looked at the big picture"

that they were "not selfish"

that they "lead with courage"

The mayor wasn't talking about the beach when she said those words last night nor was she talking about a former commission that DID save the beach and stopped the outsourcing of it on a long-term lease that was challenged by citizens.

Thank God for our citizens and tourists

who support our beach even if we have one commissioner who constantly complains about everything going on there and an entire commission that wants to outsource the casino and pool.

Paul Boyer, former city manager Lake Worth

Paul Boyer
 Former city manager of Lake Worth
I don't remember him ever smiling when he sat on the dais here

I was in the city commission chamber the night Nadine Burns made a motion to fire Paul Boyer.  It was  shocking as the commission made him sit there until Midnight before they fired him. The City Commission did not listen to him when he said not to go with Greater Bay. They did it anyway. Paul Boyer could not persuade any of them to come in out of the rain and he was manager for the worst city commission ever. So what happened? He went along with the politics. He went along with it so well that he gave away our pool as part of the Greater Bay deal. Everything ended up in lawsuits.

It seems from this article that Mr. Boyer retired from Columbia, Tennessee in 2012, a city with more pre-civil war homes than any other county in the state. He had five successful years there as city manager. No beautiful 19 acres of valuable beach property there that flim flam artists wanted.

I got to thinking about him as I listened to the mayor last night and the cheerleader speech that she does so well.  She talked about POTENTIAL. We had so much of it back in Mr. Boyer's time too. The big difference with then and now is, we had lot's of money.

"I was against it before I was for it," says John Szerdi

Comment Up

This reminds me of John Kerry when trying to explain his vote for an $87 billion supplemental appropriation for military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan by telling the crowd, "I actually did vote for the $87 billion, before I voted against it."

The majority commission in 2006 (Retha Lowe, Dave Vespo and Nadine Burns) was so concerned about tax base that they were encouraging a five story building to be built on South Palmway, a monstrosity in John Szerdi's neighborhood directly across from his home. The city was being over-run by developers and millions went missing in our Treasury, the same millions that Vice Mayor Maxwell brings up blaming all the wrong people.

Residents were up in arms about this 5 story building called The Palms that could be built right in the heart of a residential neighborhood and very concerned about home value in the Bryant Park neighborhood. Those who sided with the developers then are using the same old lines today...if you're against what we want, then you are against progress. "If only Lake Worth would recognize its full potential," the mayor said last night and then proceeded to take credit for $100 million in development going on in Lake Worth.  $90 million of it was already mentioned during Suzanne Mulvehill's term but this commission stopped the zoning in progress as soon as Stanton was fired and replaced by Bornstein.

Originally John Szerdi was against the Palms project. What started as a proposed 60-foot, five-story condominium that ran the length of a city block and towered over several one-and two-story homes, forced the developer to do some design changes because the Planning, Zoning and Historic Resources Preservation board denied their alley abandonment request.  That's when Szerdi got into the picture and joined the development team.

An excerpt from the Palm Beach Post written by Nicole Janok on September 25, 2006 reads as follows: "Architect and Bryant Park Neighborhood resident John Szerdi, who vocally opposed the project two months ago, joined the development team Thursday night to discuss the redesign. 'There's a big difference from their first design', Szerdi said. 'It's a good improvement'. To give residents a more accurate picture, Szerdi developed a three-dimensional computer model that showed the heights, shadows and density of the two buildings."

A resident would tell Szerdi where they lived and he would show them how the 5 story building would or would not affect their sunlight and their quality of life.  People packed the meetings expressing their displeasure about the project. And as it turned out, it never got built--perhaps the economy got in the way or the developers got tired of all the hoops they had to go through back then, dealing with the resident's objections. But the fact that the project stopped from going forward had nothing to do with the majority commission listening to the wants of the people they served.

John Szerdi continues to mention this project at all candidate forums and how he saved the day across the street from where he lives.  The entire project was scaled back thanks to him but the devil is in the details.  He was against it before he was for it.

Read about it...

The Ghost Gunner

Comment Up

More United States Enginuity--made in the USA with USA parts--the Ghost Gunner.  At a cost of $1,000, you can mill your own AR-15 rifle and it is untraceable.  Fed-Ex refuses to ship it. California tried to ban it but the governor refused to sign the bill. Where is all this heading? Will the bad guys rule? Do they already? Or will this help Joe Six Pack in defense of his life and property? Will a milling machine such as this force local governments to repeal its laws on guns rather than face a lawsuit?  Where will all this end?

Health code violations at south Florida restaurants

Shangri-la Gourmet Chinese Food, at 920 N. Dixie Highway in Lake Worth, was shuttered temporarily on Feb. 16 for 39 health code violations, including six high-priority issues. The most critical violations included about 17 live roaches found in the restaurant and rusty cans still in storage. Inspectors also said the eatery was unable to provide documentation for the source of its fish and ordered workers to stop selling it. The eatery reopened the next day after a satisfactory follow-up inspection.

Read more...

Why is Obama Silent?

Walid Shoebat, (a former PLO terrorist), was interviewed by Michael Savage a year ago about Obama’s Muslim Brotherhood/Sudan Regime-connected half brother Malik Obama. According to Nice Deb, this is quite an eye opener.

Can we ever come to any common ground in Lake Worth?

Lake Worth residents have been in one big fight for several decades now...perhaps longer than that depending on whether you talk with one of the "old-timers" who were active in local politics. It's always something that gets you going and taxing churches is no exception.

The Common Ground Church, that preaches love not hate, is in hot water with the City of Lake Worth that is demanding it be "properly" licensed. Actually it has been implied that one city commissioner anonymously went after them and a code enforcement officer sat in on their prayer taking mental notes in order to give them a code violation.  Collecting money is everything in Lake Worth. " We can't get the money in a bond election, well, we will just have another election until the voters get it right," they think to themselves or say out of the Sunshine.

The Libertarians say that the City of Lake Worth code exempts religious organizations in Section 14 of the city's municode. And since the Common Grounds Coffee House does have an active business license with the city, many are wondering what the problem is. Section 14-2 of the city municode states “Exempt from this definition are the customary religious, charitable or educational activities of nonprofit religious, nonprofit charitable and nonprofit educational institutions...”

Read more about it...

The Fire and Brimstone of Serge Jerome

Comment Up

And a message to Serge Jerome--Your Fire and Brimstone technique that you started in the first neighborhood association debate at Genesis, is not working--you are getting very BAD advice from your handlers and haters. The son of a preacher man should have learned some truths through these years--you don't lie; it's a sin.  Bring an honest message to the voters. Tell them why you would be the better candidate instead of coming across like a Pitbull in heat. Unfairly criticizing your opponent to gain points will backfire on you. And I'm afraid, it already has.

Al Sharpton - All about the money

Crime, something the commission never talks about

They tell us that murders are down...thank God for that.

BURGLARY - RESIDENCE--15040507--100 BLOCK S FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/19/2015 8:37:00 PM

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--15040436--000 BLOCK S E ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/19/2015 5:29:00 PM

ASSAULT--15040464--1400 BLOCK LAKE VICTORIA DR--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/19/2015 5:25:00 PM

THEFT/LARCENY--15040408--1800 BLOCK LAKE WORTH RD--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/19/2015 4:34:00 PM

VANDALISM--15040357--900 BLOCK S B ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/19/2015 2:50:00 PM

BURGLARY - RESIDENCE--15040322--1400 BLOCK MICHIGAN DR--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/19/2015 11:38:00 AM

VANDALISM--900 BLOCK S FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/19/2015 10:48:00 AM

Theft--02/18/15 06:43 PM--100 BLOCK OF FEDERAL

Theft--02/18/15 05:53 PM--1200 BLOCK OF 15TH

Theft--02/18/15 09:14 AM--1700 BLOCK OF LAKESIDE

Other--02/18/15 08:22 AM--3600 BLOCK OF 23RD

Other--02/18/15 11:18 AM--1600 BLOCK OF 19TH

Theft--02/18/15 06:35 PM--00 BLOCK OF 18TH

Theft--02/18/15 02:04 PM--2400 BLOCK OF DIXIE

Theft--02/18/15 11:31 AM--2400 BLOCK OF DIXIE

Other--02/19/15 06:03 PM-- 900 BLOCK OF 3RD
Other--02/19/15 05:29 PM-- 00 BLOCK OF E
Other--02/19/15 10:16 AM-- 400 BLOCK OF FEDERAL
Vandalism--02/19/15 10:48 AM-- 900 BLOCK OF FEDERAL
Theft--02/19/15 04:34 PM-- 1800 BLOCK OF LAKE WORTH
Theft--02/19/15 12:59 AM-- 800 BLOCK OF DIXIE
Vandalism--02/19/15 02:50 PM-- 900 BLOCK OF B
Other--02/19/15 04:41 PM-- 300 BLOCK OF MARYLAND
Theft--02/17/15 07:00 PM-- 8000 BLOCK OF S DIXIE HWY

ROBBERY - PERSON-- 15041050-- 700 BLOCK N G ST-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/21/2015 1:13:00 AM

DRUNK DRIVER-- 15041017-- 2000 BLOCK 10TH AVE N-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/21/2015 12:10:00 AM

VANDALISM-- 15041014-- 600 BLOCK 1ST AVE S-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/20/2015 11:42:00 PM

DRUNK DRIVER-- 15041009 10TH AVE N & S FLORIDA MANGO RD-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/20/2015 11:22:00 PM

VERBAL THREATS-- 15040931-- 1200 BLOCK 17TH AVE N-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/20/2015 7:58:00 PM

DRUNK DRIVER-- 15040928-- LAKE AVE & N B ST-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/20/2015-- 7:49:00 PM

STOLEN TAG-- 15040926-- 600 BLOCK 3RD AVE N-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/20/2015 7:19:00 PM

BURGLARY - RESIDENCE-- 15040717-- 600 BLOCK N O ST-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/20/2015 12:25:00 PM

BURGLARY - RESIDENCE-- 15040599-- 900 BLOCK N F ST-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/20/2015 6:02:00 AM

STOLEN VEHICLE--15041172--000 BLOCK S GOLFVIEW RD--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/21/2015 11:41:00 AM

THEFT/LARCENY--15041161--700 BLOCK N H ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/21/2015 11:34:00 AM

BURGLARY - RESIDENCE--15041121--800 BLOCK 3RD AVE S--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/21/2015 10:14:00 AM

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--15041109--1900 BLOCK LAKE WORTH RD--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/21/2015 9:57:00 AM

ROBBERY - PERSON--15041098--600 BLOCK 7TH AVE N--Palm Beach County Sheriff--2/21/2015 7:51:00 AM

DRUNK DRIVER-- 15041705-- 4TH AVE N & N DIXIE HW--Y Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/23/2015 1:16:00 AM

ROBBERY - PERSON-- 15041700-- 1000 BLOCK N G ST-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/23/2015 12:35:00 AM

VANDALISM-- 15041628-- 200 BLOCK N FEDERAL HWY-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/22/2015 7:13:00 PM

STOLEN VEHICLE-- 15041617-- 2ND AVE N & N K ST-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/22/2015 6:24:00 PM

ROBBERY - PERSON-- 15041580-- 200 BLOCK S E ST-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/22/2015 4:20:00 PM

VANDALISM-- 15041509-- 2400 BLOCK 10TH AVE N-- Palm Beach County Sheriff 2/22/2015-- 12:34:00 PM

THEFT/LARCENY-- 15041487-- 600 BLOCK S DIXIE HWY-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/22/2015 10:13:00 AM

VANDALISM-- 15041462-- 2600 BLOCK 6TH AVE S-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/22/2015 9:25:00 AM

STOLEN VEHICLE-- 15041460-- 2400 BLOCK 10TH AVE N-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/22/2015 8:49:00 AM

THEFT/LARCENY-- 15041446-- 1700 BLOCK LAKE WORTH RD-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/22/2015 8:16:00 AM

VANDALISM-- 15041440-- 200 BLOCK S F ST-- Palm Beach County Sheriff-- 2/22/2015 7:59:00 AM

Help Hatcher Mango Hill win a Grant

Hatcher Mango Hill fans, we would appreciate your DAILY VOTE for the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest. You can vote DAILY until March 17th using your Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account. CLICK HERE TO VOTE

If we win the grant, we hope to buy a newer bucket truck to help us with mango picking as our old truck is tired and breaks down frequently.  We also hope to expand our business to include growing and selling organic vegetables, selling honey, jellies and jams.

You can also help us by SHARING the news with your friends by forwarding this. Remember to also Like Us on Facebook! Like Us on Facebook

HATCHER MANGO HILL, Lantana, Florida www.hatchermangohill.com
A family business began in the 1940’s when John Hatcher registered his newly created variety of mango. His grove is now Hatcher Mango Hill.

WHAT MAKES US STAND OUT
Our customers love to come here for our delicious organically grown Hatcher mangoes but they also enjoy the friendly small-town welcome and conversation once they arrive at Hatcher Mango Hill. They love that our fruit is fresh and only the mangoes that are carefully picked are sold. We were honored when our Hatcher variety was named “Florida’s superior mango” by Slow Food a few years ago. We also sell specially grafted Hatcher mango trees. What a gift John Hatcher left for all of us to enjoy!

HOW WE WOULD USE THE GRANT MONEY
Our equipment is very old and needs constant repair which is a significant expense and concern. If we were to receive grant money from this FedEx contest, we would use it for a newer bucket truck and additional gas/electric golf carts. As a summertime only business we have limited income for such large expenses but it would make us much more productive. It could also enable us to begin an all year business growing and selling organic vegetables, and selling honey, jellies, and jam.

Democracy for America

There is another blogger in town that suggests that an endorsement from this group is as worthless as the paper on which it is written.

What is Democracy for America?
Democracy for America (DFA) was founded on the idea that the grassroots are the key to the Democratic Party’s success. For too long party leaders were beholden only to moneyed interests and high-powered consultants. The closer the Democratic Party aligned itself with Washington insiders, the further rank and file Democrats wandered from the polls on Election Day. Governor Howard Dean’s presidential campaign re-energized the grassroots by tapping into the progressive values that they cared about: strong communities, security at home and abroad, and liberty for all people to live the way they chose. Democracy for America was founded by Gov. Dean and built by those energized activists to help reform the Democratic Party from the ground up.  Democracy for America

Ok.  We have the background of Democracy for America. Why then do we have TOB, using his acronym for me, who mocks this endorsement?  Is it simply the fact that Ryan Maier received it and not his candidate?  Maier is a grassroots campaigner.  There is no money received into his campaign from Sun Recycling or anyone else with an agenda.

Dishonesty is part of the culture at PBSO?

Comment Up

Sheriff's deputies in Palm Beach, Fla., don't lie and plant evidence because they're particularly corrupt or desperate to make an arrest—they do it as a way of life, according to a deputy who spoke anonymously. DC Post caught up with him after he posted a blog on a police tactics website saying he keeps a "small plastic dime baggie with Cocaine in residue" to plant on "mouthy drivers, street lawyers, [and] a--holes." The deputy, who has 15 years' experience, provided proof of his employment at the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office.

Read this shocking expose...

Lake Worth Street Painting Festival 2015

Sunset 2-22-15

PBSO caught the bad guys

Couple pulls knife and robs 15 year old outside Tru-Value in Lake Worth.

Read about it...

Coffee and a Prayer

Comment Up

This morning I decided to go to the Common Grounds Coffee Bar that lets the Common Ground Church have periodical services there. The room was filled with good folks who believe in Jesus and believe in God and just want to spread the word of LOVE.

Even their t-shirts they wear says LOVE is greater than Hate.

They have been told by the city of Lake Worth that today is their last Sunday that they can pray and sing praise to God in that space. The city says they don't have a business license as a church and therefore they can not pray there.

Pastor Mike Olive says, Love God; love People. Pretty simple.  Pretty basic. But the City is taking a hardball approach and he can't understand why they are cracking down on him. They are not bothering a soul. In fact, souls get soothed just by being there.

Today's prayer by pastor Mike Olive included the mayor and city commission. The sermon was short and sweet and extra chairs had to be brought out to accommodate those who came to listen. Their next service will be on the steps of City Hall on March 3. There is no commission meeting that night but they will be there spreading the word. Freedom of speech is not yet banned by the city.

The Blame Game always and erroneously being played in Lake Worth

Comment Up

It's no wonder that we don't trust politicians.

This is a blast from the past but the Vice Mayor, Scott Maxwell,  STILL, to this day, likes to blame all the wrong people for the state of affairs of this city. And during the break at Tuesday's meeting, he even told us that no one has addressed the roads here in over 100 years...this will be a detriment to attracting people to live and work in our city he says. The Pioneers came to Lake Worth and settled here all for the fine roads, right?  He knows very well that our street maintenance budget was $1 million a year until this commission, his commission, reduced the budget.

Street Maintenance Actuals have been as follows:

FY 2009-2010: $1,027,719
FY 2010-2011: $ 850,688
FY 2011-2012: $ 523,186
FY 2012-2013: $ 550,145
FY 2013-2014: $ 511,016

Tuesday night during the break from the commission meeting where the Vice Mayor nearly had a stroke, he was blaming a "former Lake Worth Commission" for  money that went missing to the tune of $8 to $12 million dollars. His  implication  was that it all happened during the Stanton regime.  UNTRUE. When I asked why the internal auditor was never commissioned to find the missing money, he pointed out that Stanton fired him. We were without an IA for a few years because of austerity. He forgets that this country was in a depression/recession and Lake Worth was hit hard. Stanton cut back and got the city back in the black. So, I asked, where is the internal auditor now--what is he working on?

Commissioner John Szerdi mentioned the missing $$$ in 2012 in the very first political speech he gave after being sworn in. The Lake Worth Herald continued to mention Reserves and wrote that Suzanne Mulvehill gave praise in her final speech to those "who nearly bankrupted the city" and that "we don't need them in office ever again." Another UNTRUE attribution to a commission that had nothing to do with missing money. If a news-person writes a story at least the facts should be correct.

What I wrote back then: We concur. We don't need them nor do we want them in office. This was all during the Paul Boyer and Bob Baldwin regimes. The people who were in power then and the biggest culprits to this were Jeff Clemens, Dave Vespo and Retha Lowe. They had the majority vote and it was they who either allowed the then city managers to dip heavily into reserves and/or voted Reserves away. During Vespo's term, $60 million in Consent Agenda items were approved. We expect politicians to twist or eliminate facts to their advantage (that is why most are held in low esteem and honest ones are subject to annihilation--think Allen West) but we don't expect that of the Press. Over the last four years, however, we have witnessed a biased press.

Now we have a new newspaper in the city, the Lake Worth Tribune.  It has taken some knocks from the politicos who don't like truth or facts to emerge with some even going into establishments and asking, "Why do you have that newspaper here?"

Read here... to get the facts on the missing money.

Know Thy Enemy

Know Thy Enemy: A Crash Course In Radical Islam from the Counter Jihad Report

• Part 1: Obama Thinks 99.9% Of Muslims Moderate? Think Again
• Part 2: The Terrorists Aren’t Crazy, They’re Devout
• Part 3: No, Obama, Piety, Not Poverty, Drives Islamic Terrorists
  
• Part 4: A Real Strategy To Defeat The Islamofascist Enemy
• Part 5: Muslim Immigration Poses Serious National Security Threat

Rolling Out the Welcome Mat

Obama's Revisionism

The President continues to bloviate, lie and exaggerate to make points on how wonderful Islam is and all those who worship it. Why does he not tell the truth? John Quincy Adams, our sixth president of the United States and whose father was a founder of this country stated, "The precept of the Koran is perpetual war against all who deny that Mahomet is the prophet of God."

Read this article that dispels Obama's latest lie saying that Islam played a crucial role in America's founding.

Clouds over Lake Osborne

Sunset 2-21-15

Obama rolling forward with Amnesty despite a judge's order

Twenty-six states believe that the Obama amnesty program is illegal and they are all involved in a law suit contending the programs marked an abuse of executive authority.

Read about it... and how Obama is seeking an emergency court order to undo the Judge's injunction and will proceed with his illegal action.

"You have to know what you're talking about," says Commissioner John Szerdi the architect

Comment Up

When the lawsuit was filed in June 2009, the EcoCentre was one of the first projects in South Florida seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. From where were they seeking it?  The U.S. Green Building Council. They told us that the Eco Centre was the first "green" building to face foreclosure and it happened right here in Lake Worth. Read the article... and then let's talk.

Szerdi is the commissioner pushing for the U.S. Green Building Council to now have FREE space at our city hall. So, Commissioner Szerdi already had a relationship with the USGBC, something he did not reveal at the February 17th commission meeting.  Therefore, it is not unusual that they contacted Szerdi (before they would contact any other commissioner like McVoy) to once again get their foot in the door in Lake Worth. Most people know who their friends are.

John Szerdi was the architect for Lake Worth's one and only "green" building. The owner of this building before it experienced financial woes, John F. Romano, gave John Szerdi $1,000 for his re-election campaign.

Green is the new Red in more ways than one.

Obama funding ISIS?

Comment Up


SLAMABAD: Yousaf al Salafi – allegedly the Pakistan commander of Islamic State (IS) or Daish – has confessed during investigations that he has been receiving funds through the United States.
Law enforcing agencies on January 22 claimed that they arrested al Salafi, along with his two companions, during a joint raid in Lahore. However, sources revealed that al Salafi was actually arrested sometimes in December last year and it was only disclosed on January 22. “During the investigations, Yousaf al Salafi revealed that he was getting funding – routed through America – to run the organisation in Pakistan and recruit young people to fight in Syria,” a source privy to the investigations revealed to Daily Express on the condition of anonymity.

Read the article... from the Express Tribune with the International New York Times.

Protecting the Intent of Amendment 1

As a member of Nature's Watchdog Alliance of Florida, I have reprinted the group's letter to the Florida Senate.

Dear Senators,

Our organization's members supported Amendment 1, which passed with the votes of 75% of those voting.

The purpose of Amendment 1 was to renew state spending on existing water and land conservation programs. Amendment 1 was not intended to fund water supply development projects that further deplete our water resources or to bail out developments that have neglected their own wastewater infrastructure needs. Nor was it intended that these new funds would simply replace other existing funds so that no additional benefits would accrue to these programs. The voters do not deserve to have another Lotto-like shift occur when they knew what they were doing by approving this expanded funding.

Our existing conservation programs have a strong track record of ensuring that our rivers, lakes, streams and natural areas are protected for future generations of Floridians.

Please ensure that Amendment 1 funds go to restoring and protecting water resources, providing access to public lands, and keeping working lands, farms, and forests as part of Florida’s rural landscapes and not to projects that fuel irresponsible growth in Florida's vulnerable natural areas nor simply shift funds around and end up accomplishing nothing new.

Respectfully yours,

Nature's Watchdog Alliance of Florida
By John Hedrick

Custodian at Lake Worth arrested

Custodian at Barton Elementary School arrested for bringing gun on campus. read about it...

Sunset 2-20-15

Big Bath on Banyan

Comment Up

How often do you have to replace rubber seals that go between two pipes?

West Palm Beach commissioner Shanon Materio, blamed the 5 million gallons of water that poured onto Banyan Blvd and Australian Avenue as “Poor maintenance and antiquity of the system." The city says workers installed that rubber seal in 2011 and inspected it again as recently as 2013. Read more...

McFarland

Comment Up

For all you Kevin Costner fans, and who isn't?...this is a great movie based on real events and people. Don't miss it.

Quote of the Day - Lois Frankel

“We’re not against sober homes. We’re going to try to find the right balance….We want people to get back into society, but you can’t have sober homes take over neighborhood after neighborhood.”

~ Lois Frankel

Talking to the Mayors about regulating Sober Homes that are creeping into residential neighborhoods.

Lake Worth State of the City Address

Comment Up

The Honorable Mayor Pam Triolo is having her annual State of the City Address two weeks before the election. Timing is everything.

Seating and parking are free on a first come served basis.  The city placed a full page ad in the Lake Worth Herald (its favored news rag that now has news articles filled with opinion) for the residents to join her to hear about all the progress that she and this commission have done to get us into the 21st Century--eradicating slum, blight and crime to name a few. She wants to inform us of our "full potential" that will cost taxpayers millions if she touches on the roads infrastructure and her failed general obligation bond that she wants to bring back in some form.  Perhaps she will talk about the heights vote and how she screwed the voters who won the election by not honoring the 57% who said 45 feet in our downtown is all they wanted. 

We all will find out on Tuesday, February 24th from 6 to 8 pm.

"Boozing It" made Easier

Lobbyists and Big Business such as Walmart and Target and big food chains are putting pressure on Tallahassee on how we buy our booze (we can already buy wine in grocery stores) and they don't mind pushing the little guy out of business.

80 year old law might change in Florida. It just passed the House Business & Professions Subcommittee and now has two more committees to go through before it gets to the House floor later this year.

Unfair and Unbalanced

Comment Up

John Paxman is the designated moderator for the NAPC March 2, 2015 candidate debate at the Lake Worth Playhouse. Now, I have always thought that Mr. Paxman was an excellent moderator at this forum, however, it would have been wise of him not to display a political sign at his office. Now I'm sure that we will hear from some pundit out here who will say it's free speech, etc. and that he will surely not take sides during this debate and will be 100% fair.  My answer to that is--he's already taken sides.

Also, for a little trivia, Jon Faust, the President of the Neighborhood Association Council has given John Szerdi a $100 campaign contribution. The former President and now Secretary, Mary Lindsey, had her husband give a $50.00 contribution to John Szerdi.  It's no wonder that the League of Women Voters will not participate in any debate put on by the NAPC.

Office of John Paxman, Moderator for the NAPC debate

Deviation from the Intent of Amendment 1?

Voting for water protection, not sewer projects, Amendment 1 passed by 75% of the voters in order to keep drinking water clean, protect our rivers, lakes, and springs, restore natural treasures like the Everglades, and protect our beaches and shores without any increase in taxes. Now there are some legislators and even Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam in support of using some of the money for different sewer projects throughout the state. Some want to divert some of this money for roads and infrastructure as well.

This is NOT what Amendment 1 was about. Maybe this is why the entire Lake Worth Commission is going to Tallahassee begging for grants for our roads and infrastructure. Diverting/twisting/stopping/ignoring the will of the voters is something they understand.

Kooky elected official, Gutierrez, sounds off

Did anyone watch the Megyn Kelly interview last night with Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.)?  It is astonishing to me that we have kooks such as he elected to national office, or any office for that matter.

7 Duke Drive Lake Worth

Comment Up

A little real estate trivia for the day.

The Neighborhood Post always has recent real estate transactions. In today's paper, one was of interest--7 Duke Drive

In 1996, Investor John Deese and Steven Locante bought the property for $410,000.

In December 2012, they sold it to J. Helena Perry for $2.5 million.

In December 2014, Perry sold it to Leslie and Julio Gonzalez for $2.1 million.

The real estate taxes are $48,034.

John Szerdi recommends this "green" group that doesn't pass the Smell Test

Comment Up

Another non-profit wants the City of Lake Worth to give them something free.  This time it is free space at City Hall--United States Green Building Council South Florida.

On Tuesday night, the Council was endorsed by John Szerdi and City Manager Michael Bornstein, both pushing hard for a vote to allow them to have free space. The USGBC tells us that by having their headquarters' office here in the City of Lake Worth, the visibility of the City would be raised. All they want are two work stations and free wi-fi.

What does the city get out of it? It's about logo recognition and a free lunch.

• They will use our logo on everything that they do

• The City would receive 10 complimentary tickets (one table) to the Chapter’s annual GalaVerde LEEDership Awards Program ($1,250 value).

• The City would receive the opportunity to provide its marketing materials to attendees at the Chapter’s Annual Meeting of Members.

• The City would receive 15 complimentary individual Chapter memberships to be used at the City's discretion -- for employees/co-workers or as gifts to valued or prospective clients and donors ($1,125 value).

• Each member appears in the Chapter's popular online membership directory, further shining a bright marketing spotlight on the City.

What they say about themselves:  The USGBC South Florida Chapter is a nonprofit organization with more than 6,000 members and friends in South Florida, as well as solid business relationships throughout the State of Florida and the USA through the strong brand of the US Green Building Council, which is headquartered in Washington, DC. The Chapter has become the region’s strongest advocate for green and sustainable-building design and construction practices, including the LEED Certification program -- itself a positive brand. Our amazing volunteers contributed more than 11,000 hours to the Chapter last year, allowing us to continue to effectively meet our Mission of transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated. Because of these efforts, we are making outstanding educational inroads from the Treasure Coast to the Keys toward a socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life here in South Florida.

They contacted John Szerdi who brought this to the commission for approval. Szerdi actually implied that Commissioner McVoy, because he spoke out against the lack of rationale about choosing one non-profit over another for special favors, must be jealous that the Council contacted him about free space and all things green.  Well, Szerdi loves to tell anyone who will listen that he is an an architect but what he never mentions is that one of the members of the USGBC is none other than Southern Waste Systems, the guys who have been around here for years--ruined our landfill and caused sickness in the Osborne community. They also gave Szerdi a campaign contribution when he first ran. 

And guess who some of its members are?
COMPANIES

CALMAC
Carlisle Development Group
GliddenSpina + Partners
GSD Contracting
Hedrick Brothers Constrctn.
Kimley-Horn & Associates
Link Construction GroupLogical Green InstituteLutron
McGraw Hill / ENR
MiaGreen Expo & Conference
Southern Waste Systems

and FPL with some prominent residents and friends of Szerdi still playing footsie with FPL wanting them to buy our Electric Utility, a utility that actually allows this city to operate, contributing highly to our general fund.

A motion was made to bring the item back for more discussion. Connect the dots. There is something very "fishy" about this entire matter. It doesn't pass the smell test.

Sunset 2-18-15

NAPC to hold Candidate Forum at the Lake Worth Playhouse

Comment Up

Saying last summer that they were through with debates ("no more debates by the NAPC") when they would not allow one on the General Obligation Bond, it looks like the NAPC has changed its mind. Actually, the highly politically charged NAPC  whose many neighborhood presidents have been on the side of the city, had no one with any conviction who could debate the issue in support of the bond and taxing the property owners for 34 years. According to Jon Faust, the NAPC had no one qualified to debate the topic.


Monday, March 2, 2015

At the Lake Worth Playhouse

located at 713 Lake Avenue 

The forum is open to the public and there is no entry fee although we will pass baskets among the audience to collect donations for the Playhouse to help offset the expense of electricity, sound and lighting engineers etc. The doors will open for the public to enter at 6:30 PM. Candidates are asked to arrive at 6:00 PM to do a sound check. The forum should begin promptly at 6:45 or as soon as the public is seated.  

Questions for the candidates and details regarding the specific format of the forum will be arranged by the NAPC.  No candidates will receive any questions in advance and the format for the evening's event will be provided in writing to all the candidates when they arrive at the Playhouse, although you may certainly expect to have 3 minutes for opening and closing statements. The NAPC will provide timekeepers for each candidate. No electronic equipment will be allowed on stage including cell phones, laptops, electronic notebooks, iPads or anything similar. Our moderator for this forum, as in the past, will be John T. Paxman PA. 

If you would like to provide a short (150 words or less) paragraph about yourself, we will be happy to include it in our printed program which will be distributed to all in attendance. Submissions longer than 150 words will not be used.  Please send your submissions to napcinfo@gmail.com via separate email. Note: as an example - The highlighted portion of this paragraph is 52 words.

To allow a clear line of sight for all who attend the forum, no yard signs or banners will be permitted inside the Playhouse. To minimize left behind litter inside the Playhouse, we ask each candidate to have your supporters hand out such material outside the Playhouse either before and/or after the forum. Unattended stacks of handouts/palm-cards/ flyers/doorhangers etc. will also not be permitted inside the Playhouse. 

In keeping with our bylaws, the Neighborhood Association Presidents Council, Inc. neither endorses  nor opposes any candidate. The NAPC is incorporated in the State of Florida as a non-profit educational organization. Our mission is to serve neighborhood associations across the City of Lake Worth. For more information about the NAPC, you may visit our website at www.lwnapc.com.

The NAPC Candidate forum will be announced on the NAPC website and on the NAPC Facebook page. All NAPC Neighborhood Presidents will also receive an announcement to send via their Association's email distribution list. Posters announcing the Forum will be available next week for local businesses to display if they wish and a notice will be placed in the Lake Worth Visitor Information Center.

This email has been sent to all candidates via blind copy.  If for any reason you are unable to participate in the forum, please let us know as soon as possible by replying to this email. Unfortunately, we do not have an alternate date for the Playhouse due their performance schedule and other factors. We sincerely thank each of you for stepping up to serve our great City and we look forward to a most informative evening. 

Sent on behalf of NAPC Chair, Jon Faust by

Mary Lindsey

Secretary, Neighborhood Association Presidents Council

www.lwnapc.com