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.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
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.
Reads like a Chamber of Commerce business directory more than a good genuine green effort.
ReplyDeleteSubmarine or break away houses (like campers) that can disconnect & move away would be a "Smart" direction to move in if flooding be the problem!
Anyone have time to follow the lobbyist money here - they create new laws (hoops to jump through) and amazingly the same groups are already set up to 'HELP' you comply...for a premium price...sounds like faux force to do what a BUSINESS wants us to do - does everyone get our Mercury Filled Green Light bulbs are bad! Even Germany is aware of the effect of Mercury in the landfills!
What did pass the sniff test was Szerdi's little boy condescending attitude & actions throwing a mini tantrum in public - losing his 'cool' if you will and thankfully proving (to many who are watching) how it's really his way or the highway.
ReplyDeleteThat and many other disturbing behaviors anyone can review from the city videos.
Why would John Zerdi want these people to get free space in our city hall or city buildign somewhere? What the H is this all about. tell us the truth, John. This is very weird.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are all really sick and need some psychological help if you think having something like the US green building group headquartered in lw is a bad thing or there's some conspiracy there. I'm sorry, but you are all just plain nutzo.
ReplyDeleteHaving them IN Lake Worth is fine--just not housed in a city owned building especially for FREE.
ReplyDeleteSticks and stones.
Look, why should we give up space in our building for any group who asks? Why? This is a big organization. Let them go rent space somewhere and write off the expense on their non-profit corporate return.
John Szerdi created the first green FORECLOSURE in Palm Beach County.
ReplyDeleteWhy doesn't he give them free space in his green building directly across from City Hall?
Really? An organization with 6,000 members that includes those mentioned above certainly can afford to rent a small office big enough for two desks.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely something fishy here. Sounds like a greenwash to me.
In the video of the Parrot Cove NA forum the other night, Szwerdi claims to have "successfully" stopped a five story condo project in his neighborhood . . . he forgot to mention that he was actually working FOR the developer and it was his neighbors who stopped HIM. All public information published in the Palm Beach Post. Does lying by omission make you a liar? I say yes.
You reap what you sow in this world. Giving some free space to the green building council could easily payoff big time for the City in the form of people coming to visit their office, maybe group tours of lw, and some positive recognition would be great. That's worth a little free square feet, in my humble opinion of course. Giving can be quite rewarding.
ReplyDeleteSounds like Lake Worth should be asking this group for some desks and chairs ! There are a TON of deserving non-profits in our city that don't have anywhere NEAR the patronage that this "non-profit" company has.If an RFP did go out to nonprofits I'm sure that the number one thing that the city would consider would be "How many of your cocktail parties will city officials get to attend for free"?
ReplyDeleteAccording their website the USGBC South Florida Chapter's office was in the Eco-building.
ReplyDeleteWhy can't they rent office space there?
What did LW gain from them being here in 2009?