Sunset 4-30-15

Hudson Holdings

Comment Up

Hudson Holdings' proposes the following for a Lake Worth Pool and Cabana Club--after they screw up our 50 meter pool that taxpayers already paid for:

Crime--guess where

SHERIFF’S OFFICE, LAKE WORTH

HOME BURGLARY
A man in the 800 block of South G Street heard a noise at his back door around midnight. He opened a window, looked out and saw three men at his door. When they saw him, they fled. There was damage to the locks on the door.

VEHICLE BURGLARY
Someone broke a window on a vehicle parked in the 600 block of North Lakeside Drive and stole an iPhone and USB cord.
A window was smashed on a locked vehicle parked in the 400 block of Lake Worth Road. A purse containing cash, gift cards and a makeup kit was stolen. Two other vehicles parked in the same area had similar damage, with purses stolen from both.

CRIMINAL MISCHIEF
Several small plants were stolen from the front yard of a school in the 400 block of North M Street and a car drove through a flower bed on the property. Damage was estimated at $100.
Someone slashed a tire on a vehicle parked in the 800 block of North G Street.

OPEN CONTAINER--this one is the best!
A deputy was checking out a park in the 100 block of South Golfview Road after closing hours when he came across a man who explained he was confessing his sins to God by the water. The man, who had slurred speech and glassy eyes, denied having indulged in an alcoholic beverage that evening. He then took a bottle of vodka out of his pocket. The cap was loose and the contents were half gone. When the deputy attempted a pat-down, the man fled. He was picked up in the 100 block of North L Street, arrested and taken to the county jail.

THEFT
A woman was sitting at the train station in the 1700 block of Lake Worth Road. She placed her iPad on the wall next to her, and her purse on top of it. When she got up to leave, the iPad was gone.
Source:  PBPost

Gun shots on Lake Osborne Drive

Seven gunshots were heard from a vehicle heading south on Lake Osborne Drive around Noon.

Two PBSO deputies were on the scene and checked around but didn't spot any damage or anything dead.

More Hillary

Enterprise Zones

From the FAC:
"Economic Development: Likely dead
With the House adjournment, we can say for certain that Enterprise Zones will sunset at the close of 2015. The House answer to Enterprise Zones, HB 7067, passed the House and was sent to the Senate. The Senate Bill (SB 1214) has few similarities with the House bill. At this point the Senate could only take up the House bill and given the differences between the two bills that is unlikely. FAC remains staunchly opposed to SB 7067 so we encourage the Senate to not take it up. (Davin Suggs)"

If you recall, we were told that every neighborhood in Lake Worth is in an enterprise zone (blighted) other than College Park.

CS/SB 1214 - Economic Development General Bill by Appropriations and Latvala (CO-SPONSORS) Detert Economic Development: Expanding the definition of the term “blighted area” to include a substantial number or percentage of properties damaged by sinkhole activity which are not adequately repaired or stabilized; requiring the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) to recommend to the Governor approval or disapproval of a project that will receive funds from specified programs; creating the Quick Action Closing Fund Escrow Account within the State Board of Administration; requiring the DEO to recertify the professional golf hall of fame facility annually, etc. Effective Date: Except as otherwise expressly provided in this act, this act shall take effect July 1, 2015 Last Event: 04/27/15 S Placed on Special Order Calendar, 04/29/15 on Monday, April 27, 2015 5:14 PM

CS/HB 7067: Economic Development GENERAL BILL by Economic Affairs Committee ; Economic Development and Tourism Subcommittee ; La Rosa HB 7067: Economic Development; Revises requirements of state & local governments relating to transportation concurrency & impact fees & economic development incentives including Capital Investment Tax Credit, defense contractor & space flight business tax refund program, qualified target industry program, high-impact businesses, Quick Action Closing Fund, Innovation Incentive Program, and brownfield redevelopment; repeals funding relating to certain entertainment facilities; provides requirements for EFI; revises authority of FDFC; creates Startup Florida Initiative; establishes local enterprise zone program; provides for DEO certification & redesignates specified enterprise zones as certified enterprise zones. APPROPRIATION: $23,800,000.00 Effective Date: 7/1/2015 Last Action: 4/24/2015 Senate - Received -SJ 653 Location: In committee/council (CM) Bill Text: PDF

All American Flag Act sent to Rick Scott for passage

Comment Up

HB 225 - All-American Flag Act

General Bill   by Cortes, B. and Campbell (CO-SPONSORS) Baxley; Broxson; Drake; Eagle; Eisnaugle; Latvala; Mayfield; McBurney; McGhee; Raschein; Rehwinkel Vasilinda; Workman

All-American Flag Act: Designates act as "All-American Flag Act"; requires U.S. flag or state flag that is purchased on or after specified date by the state, county, or municipality for public use to be made in U.S.

Effective Date: July 1, 2015

Last Event: Ordered enrolled on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 11:06 AM There was no debate but Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth, took the opportunity for a shot at the House of Representatives — which abruptly adjourned on Tuesday, leaving the Senate to finish the legislative session. Clemens said he wanted government to use flags made by taxpayers. Source: Tallahassee Democrat

Can it get any worse?

Bernie, the Socialist, is running for President. He's going to make Hillary look good.

Sunset 4-29-15

Last Night's Motion of Selection Committee on the ITN

Comment Up

Last night's motion of the Selection Committee:

...in essence the motion I made was to recommend to the City Commission that a formal Traffic and Parking Study as well as Impact Analysis be performed with regard to the Beach and Casino Project and its current level of development and the potential development allowed by the Land Development Regulations and the Comprehensive Plan for the Beach and Casino District (BAC). 

Thank you.
William Waters

AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, SEED, ID

FL AR94136 & ID5745

Director for Community Sustainability

City of Lake Worth

1900 Second Avenue North

Lake Worth, Florida 33461

561-586-1634

wwaters@lakeworth.org

Pitbull kills Poodle in Lake Worth

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Poodle snatched from owner and killed by pitball on Maryland Drive, Lake Worth. Dog owner gets slap on wrist.

Read about it...

Baltimore punks

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Baltimore punks have come out of the woodwork--any excuse to loot, destroy and burn down a city.

Freddie Gray's Arrest record.

The Fourth Estate has contacted sources who allege that Freddie Gray received spinal and neck surgery a week before he was arrested, and was allegedly receiving a large structured settlement from Allstate Insurance. The surgery is allegedly related to a car accident in which Gray was involved.

 Read more...

Lenny Kravitz tonight at SunFest

Comment Up

Florida Senate passes bill for Spring training in West Palm Beach

The Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill Wednesday that advances efforts to bring the Houston Astros and Washington Nationals to the county. Read about it...

Last night's Selection Committee Public Meeting - Lake Worth

Comment Up

Is everyone nuts at City Hall? Sitting through all that crap last night was exhausting. This city wastes more money dreaming up schemes and trying to figure out how to give away control of our assets instead of doing the job they are paid to do. I don't even want to think what the legal fess have been.

The Selection Committee, all chosen by staff other than Amoroso, met last night for the first meeting where the public could listen but not say a word. As previously mentioned, with Christy Goddeau as city attorney, the Committee, consisting of Andy Amoroso, Juan Ruiz, William Waters, Corinne Elliott and Sherry Schmidt, began meeting in November of last year. There were originally three proposals on the table that were cut to two when Wave House Miami did not respond by January 30 to the committee's private meeting request. During the course of this time, up to the present, there have been many hours of fact finding meetings. The city told the "contenders" what they needed and what they expected and last night it was brought forth to a packed chamber.

Commissioner Amoroso proposed public charettes

 to see what we want on our beach?

Mr. Amoroso--we already know what we want on our beach and it already exists.  Basically it boils down to public control and no leases and no outsourcing. We went through charettes years ago and told the city then what we wanted. To now engage the public to help you figure out what we don't want is ridiculous. Residents don't want changes to our beach/casino complex and in fact, no one understands why this ITN was issued in the first place...because the city can't mange its way out of a wet paper bag? 

Anderson & Carr, the real estate company that had the listing on the vacant upstairs space for several years, never finding a client, as well as Hudson Holdings (we know all about them) sent in their final replies and offers on March 2. Anderson & Carr has not offered enough money per s.f. ($20 and we must have $28 to break-even) and they also wanted exclusive rights to valet service, spaces for their employees and to sell hotdogs at hotdog stands (remember the pushcart idea that Greater Bay wanted?). Whatever Anderson & Carr does it will be self-financing. Amoroso thought the hotdog sales were a cool idea because there are a lot of poor people who go to our beach.

Juan Ruiz said, "We need to educate ourselves on that property," supporting the idea of a Study that could cost $100,000. "We need to take our time to find out what this property can handle," he further stated.

Hudson Holdings wants to get rid of our 50 meter Olympic pool (they say same hours as we have now) and build a Jr. size pool of 25 meters and maybe some other little pools? They have revised their plan about four times now (the committee keeps giving them chances especially Realtor Sherry Schmidt) and now the parking garage would be two stories. Hudson plans on borrowing the money.

Leonard Bryant, Photographer and Commissioner Ryan Maier

Commissioners McVoy and Maier (commissioners who are not kept in the loop) were the only commissioners attending the meeting other than Amoroso who is on the Selection Committee. Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell and Mayor Pam Triolo lived up to their promises--"I will not be there." "I respect the Cone of Silence." I would suppose that they already have all of the information, knowledge on the discussions, and thoroughly understand the offers made by these two firms and therefore they are disinterested in the public outrage.

There was an agreement last night to direct staff to draft an RFQ to do impact and traffic studies as well as an evaluation of our future land use in the BAC zoning. This recommendation will be presented to the commission that will ascertain whether or not to spend perhaps $100,000 to help them as well as future developers with their  proposals. William Waters is getting back to me later in the day with the exact wordage that I will post when received.

Neither of the two proposals (Anderson & Carr and Hudson Holdings) were recommended by the Selection Committee but you NEVER know what this "visionary" city commission will do.

The SCF App

Bringing it to Lake Worth?  Used to report complaints--

That will keep the city busy.

U.S. Cargo ship may have been seized by Iran

UPDATE: The Iranian Navy has “reportedly” seized a US Cargo Ship

Read about it... at Allen West Republic.

Lake Worth Crime Walk

For Immediate Release:
Date: May 3, 2015
Location: City Hall
Time: 4:30pm

Lake Worth neighbors are uniting against the recent crime spree and are joining with the PBSO to hold a Crime Walk on Sunday afternoon, May 3, 2015. We will meet at 4:30p at the Lake Worth City Hall at intersection of Lake Ave and Dixie Hwy, and walk at 5pm. We will walk local streets and alleys streets in the surrounding neighborhoods.  We will discuss our concerns and document with pictures or notes. With PBSO and our attentive neighbors “Making the Call”, we hope to make a difference!

A second Crime Walk will be held on May 17th same time, more details to follow.

Last night's Pineapple Beach Neighborhood Meeting

Comment Up

Part of the 25 member Clean-Up Crew at Pineapple Beach Neighborhood Association. President, Pam Bergsma top left.

Last night, Pineapple Beach had its neighborhood Association Meeting, which I have to say was one of the more informative meetings that I have attended in this city, and the attendance was very good in spite of the rain. Pam  gave a candid message about Hudson Holdings that bought the Gulfstream Hotel, a company represented by Steven Michael who spoke to them in September. At that time they were told that renovations on the hotel would begin immediately. Nothing has happened there and "it looks worse than in any time in my memory," she said.

We learned from the PBSO deputy that the district they represent is ridden with crime from prostitution, drugs, over-crowded housing to the recent barrage of 26 stolen license tags and decals. Suggestions were given from a few association members such as better lighting. There was a report by a member who was directly involved in an assault. Some residents feel unsafe walking on their own streets.

On Saturday, April 25, the neighborhood had a clean-up with 25 volunteers devoting 89 hours total to pick-up trash and debris throughout the area. With permission of South Grade Elementary School, 517 pounds of trash and bulk were gathered and placed into the school's dumpster.  As Pam Bergsma says, "If you see it, pick it up!  Help keep our neighborhood clean, don't litter." The next clean-up is on May 16th and they provide the gloves, trash bags and grabbers.

Commissioner Ryan Maier was the guest speaker who told us that he moved here for specific reasons--our city is different from anything else in south Florida.  We have to grow and have new things in our city--we want to keep our "specialness."  He then said that he wants everyone in the room to grow with the city. Part of what makes Lake Worth so unique is its diversity, he said. He mentioned the problem with half-way houses creeping into residential neighborhoods, invited people to attend the Workshop tonight on the beach issue as well as any Workshops in the future on the Siemens proposal that touches on lighting as "light pollution has become a major concern and directly linked to forms of cancer." He wants to create a space for artists.

One of the most interesting comments regarding our beach was his assertion that the beach park could be leased out for 99 years.  Even Christy Goddeau, our city attorney, said at one of the Selection committee meetings that there were ways around the Ordinance  No. 2004-5, § 3, 1-6-04 limiting leases to 20 years minus one day. Options to renew could go on for decades.

The other interesting part of his speech involved the formation of a District 4 meeting with the PBSO to talk about crime and solutions to this ever growing problem, a situation that is NEVER discussed by any commissioner.

Keep Lake Worth beach public

Keep Lake Worth Beach Public

How much of our beach will remain public after Tonight's ITN Select Committee workshop?
Let city officials hear your voices loud and clear when the Casino and Beach Complex Expansion's evaluation committee meets at 6 p.m.tonight--
(Want sign/s? Call 561 628 7592)

Important Meeting tonight on our Casino Complex

This will be the first public meeting on the Invitation to Bid (ITN). The Selection Committee  has weighed the proposals from Anderson & Carr and Hudson Holdings for our beach complex over the course of nearly 6 months, the first meeting held on November 4, 2014. This one will be the sixth and only one in the Sunshine.

We, along with the commission, will be able to listen to their evaluations and discussion on this process and how they arrived at their recommendations and perhaps learn the commission's intent.
 

Quote of the Day - Rush Limbaugh

Comment Up
“The objective all along here has been the registration of illegal aliens as Democrats. That’s gonna happen one way or the other. That’s what all of this talk is about. What’s newsworthy here is that it has been learned that the Department of Homeland Security is mobilizing now to essentially create 9 million new registered Democrats by the 2016 election among current green-card holders.”

~ Rush Limbaugh

One Day of Crime - The Snake Pit

Comment Up

ROBBERY - PERSON--15067278--1400 BLOCK S DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/27/2015 2:41:00 AM

ASSAULT--15067257--2400 BLOCK 2ND AVE N--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 11:40:00 PM

ROBBERY - PERSON--15067243--900 BLOCK S H ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 10:31:00 PM

VANDALISM--15067244--2900 BLOCK 10TH AVE N--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 10:11:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15067155--600 BLOCK LATONA AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 5:53:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15067082--600 BLOCK S L ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 1:45:00 PM

VANDALISM--15066980--600 BLOCK LATONA AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 9:24:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066966--1600 BLOCK WINGFIELD ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 9:23:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066958--1600 BLOCK WINGFIELD ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 9:01:00 AM

ASSAULT--15066994--1500 BLOCK RAILROAD AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 9:01:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066961--800 BLOCK LATONA AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 8:54:00 AM

BURGLARY - BUSINESS--15066998--600 BLOCK S FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 8:36:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066953--1400 BLOCK S K ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 8:30:00 AM

STOLEN VEHICLE--15066951--S DOUGLAS ST & WASHINGTON AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 8:20:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066949--1400 BLOCK S J ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 8:17:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066948--700 BLOCK TRUMAN AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 8:17:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066950--700 BLOCK TRUMAN AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 8:14:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066947--1800 BLOCK S DOUGLAS ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 8:13:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066946--1400 BLOCK S K ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 8:11:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066943--1500 BLOCK S K ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 8:04:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066945--700 BLOCK TRUMAN AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 8:03:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066942--1500 BLOCK WINGFIELD ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015--7:59:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066938--1500 BLOCK S J ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 7:46:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066934--1500 BLOCK 15TH AVE S--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 7:44:00 AM

THEFT/LARCENY--15066939--200 BLOCK S E ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 7:18:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066929--1400 BLOCK S K ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 7:07:00 AM

ASSAULT--15066922--S DOUGLAS ST & WASHINGTON AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 5:34:00 AM

What the hell is wrong with wise-azz college kids

Now some kids from the University of Florida in the UF chapter of Zeta Beta Tau, have been part of the debauchery in Panama Beach by spitting on veterans and their service dogs as well as urinating on the American flag.

 Per Wikipedia: Zeta Beta Tau (ΖΒΤ) is a Greek letter social fraternity. Founded as a Jewish organization, in 1898, it was the first Jewish fraternity. In 1903, it dropped its religious affiliations, and in 1954 it began admitting members of all faiths." If any of these punks have any sort of government scholarship, it should end.

Ric Bradshaw interview on WPTV

Comment Up

Click here... and watch the video on Ric Bradshaw defending his department on all the PBSO shootings and the charges of possible unnecessary force.

Earth Day Lake Worth

Comment Up

A few photos from the best Earth Day Event ever!

Lake Worth Casino Complex

Comment Up

"I don't like the idea of a Beach Club.
 I don't like the idea of a pool operating with memberships.
 Talking about a pool, they [Hudson Holdings]
are considering building a large bathtub.
I'm not opposed to option two. I want the group to work fast."

As Juan Ruiz Lake Worth's Leisure Services Director said during the Selection Committee meeting of  February 10th, "My marching orders are to bring this home, sooner than later." Can we guess who gave him "marching orders" in order to screw up our beach?  Bornstein wants to incorporate anything that might affect the budget (discussion soon to start) that will be in effect on October 1 and he wants something to be done because the city and its staff  just can't take care of anything and make it work. We won't even be getting the Audit until June.

Later Juan says, "The pool needs to go." Do we pay him $95,626.06 to make a statement such as this? Well, we don't but the city manager just might.

If you listen to this Audio , this committee, especially Commissioner Andy Amoroso, is all for totally re-doing our casino/parking/beach complex along with a parking garage. We will lose revenue with a parking garage...not to worry, says Juan, our expenses will be down. Hudson Holdings is a turn-on to Amoroso. He wants Hudson to come back to them and give the committee a scaled back proposal and to see if they can live within those parameters even though Hudson wants to destroy our Olympic pool.

Well, I say, 1) don't do it and if this commission votes to proceed anyway, 2) let the people vote on this.  Better yet, the commission needs to listen to the people. We just spent $13 MILLION DOLLARS re-doing our beach and now they want to screw it up?  It is OUR beach. If this commission votes for the Hudson Holdings "deal," every resident needs to revolt.

Why is it that this city always believes all the hype anyone throws at them to get control of our beach?  Why?

Commissioner Ryan Maier to speak at Pineapple Beach Neighborhood Association

Neighborhood Meeting

Tonight, Monday April 27th, 7pm (networking 6:30), South Grade Elementary School cafeteria (716 South K Street). Bring a neighbor and come meet newly elected City Commissioner Ryan Maier who will be their honored guest and speaker.

Sunset 4-26-15

Crime Lake Worth - 3 days

Comment Up

Numerous vehicles vandalized

BURGLARY - RESIDENCE--15066557--1400 BLOCK S D ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 2:07:00 AM

ASSAULT    15066559--900 BLOCK S D ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 1:43:00 AM

ASSAULT--15066497--600 BLOCK N DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 9:25:00 PM

ASSAULT--15066468--900 BLOCK N C ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 7:55:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066438--1200 BLOCK S N ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 7:23:00 PM

VANDALISM--15066429--1500 BLOCK S K ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 6:40:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066415--1700 BLOCK S FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 6:27:00 PM

VANDALISM--15066416--1700 BLOCK S FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 6:27:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066411--1700 BLOCK S FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 6:26:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066412--1700 BLOCK S FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 6:26:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066417--1700 BLOCK S FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 6:17:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066393--500 BLOCK S D ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 5:38:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066390--800 BLOCK S D ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 5:26:00 PM

DISTURBANCE--15066340--1200 BLOCK N FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 2:56:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066317--1500 BLOCK WINGFIELD ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 2:11:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066292--1100 BLOCK S L ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 12:42:00 PM

THEFT/LARCENY--15066273--400 BLOCK N L ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 12:23:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066243--700 BLOCK S E ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 11:06:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15066184--3500 BLOCK 23RD AVE S--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 8:34:00 AM

BURGLARY - VEHICLE--15066189--2400 BLOCK 2ND AVE N--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 8:33:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15066178--1000 BLOCK S A ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 8:13:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15066174--700 BLOCK LATONA AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 8:04:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15066169--500 BLOCK S D ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 7:37:00 AM

BURGLARY - BUSINESS--15066168--900 BLOCK N DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 7:32:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15066154--400 BLOCK S D ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 6:27:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15066150--1700 BLOCK S FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 5:44:00 AM

DRUNK DRIVER--15066132--5TH AVE S & S DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 12:44:00 AM

DRUNK DRIVER--15066118--1800 BLOCK LAKE WORTH RD--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 12:06:00 AM

DRUNK DRIVER--15066121--2ND AVE S & S J ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/24/2015 12:04:00 AM

BURGLARY - RESIDENCE--15066069--500 BLOCK N FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 8:21:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066013--1200 BLOCK S N ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 6:58:00 PM

STOLEN VEHICLE--15065952--2000 BLOCK 10TH AVE N--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 4:28:00 PM

BURGLARY - VEHICLE--15065943--1800 BLOCK LAKE WORTH RD--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 3:54:00 PM

ROBBERY - PERSON--15065936--400 BLOCK 2ND AVE S--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 3:33:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15065935--700 BLOCK LATONA AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 3:30:00 PM

15065930--2500 BLOCK LAKE WORTH RD--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 3:08:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15065858--1500 BLOCK S M ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 12:25:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15065802--700 BLOCK S DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 10:57:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15065791--1500 BLOCK WINGFIELD ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 10:46:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15065766--2400 BLOCK 2ND AVE N--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 9:33:00 AM

VANDALISM--15065760--1300 BLOCK S PALMWAY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 9:23:00 AM

THEFT OF AUTO PARTS--15065746--500 BLOCK N O ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 8:24:00 AM

BURGLARY - VEHICLE--15066915--300 BLOCK S B ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 4:19:00 AM

BURGLARY - VEHICLE--15066914--300 BLOCK S B ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/26/2015 4:19:00 AM

DRUNK DRIVER--15066844--1300 BLOCK LAKE AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 10:36:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066721--1400 BLOCK WINGFIELD ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 3:24:00 PM

DISTURBANCE--15066685--1200 BLOCK S DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 1:46:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066687--1400 BLOCK S M ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 1:31:00 PM

BURGLARY - VEHICLE--15066662--500 BLOCK S L ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 12:44:00 PM

BURGLARY - RESIDENCE--15066656--500 BLOCK S L ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 12:07:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15066640--2100 BLOCK MARK DR--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 11:04:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15066611--900 BLOCK S PINE ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 8:49:00 AM

BURGLARY - BUSINESS--15066606--800 BLOCK N DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 8:37:00 AM

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--15066596--1000 BLOCK S DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 8:05:00 AM

VANDALISM--15066593--1200 BLOCK 12TH AVE S--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/25/2015 7:00:00 AM

John G's - Manalapan

Always the perfect place for breakfast or lunch.

Bryant Park's Derby Day Lake Worth

14th Annual DERBY DAY

Saturday, May 2nd
South Shores Tavern
Time: 4:00 - 7PM

Contests, Prizes, Yummy Food, Discounted Drinks, and FUN

Watch the Race and root for your favorite horse or jockey.

Wear your biggest hats and your loudest shirt and root for your favorite horse and jockey. Fundraising with an emphasis on FUN :)

Tickets:  $15 per adult

Contact June Evans or me for tickets :)

It will be a blast and I hope to see you all there,

Karla

Secretary 

Bryant Park Neighborhood Association

Wrap your mouth around this!

World's Biggest Hamburger - Dave's Last Resort

After Earth Day festivities yesterday,

we visited Dave's for a big fat burger--delicious!

Love not Hate - Common Ground Church

Do you want to hear something really inspirational...something that will get you to thinking and on the right path? Come on down to Common Ground Church this morning at 12 S. J Street in Lake Worth for 10am services. Pastor Mike and the entire congregation will be happy to see you.

Sunset 4-25-15

It's been an eyesore, says Lake Worth resident

Comment Up

Commissioner Ryan Maier said, "So far in this fiscal year, the city has demolished seven properties. We have two that are set to be demolished and an additional 12 that are in the pipeline."

Read more... and see the video.

Republicans gave Obama what he wanted

Comment Up

Obama should be thanking the Republican Party. Ten Republicans voted for Loretta Lynch as Attorney General with the final outcome at 56/43. The Senate changed its rules in 2013 allowing a simple majority to stop a filibuster and confirm Lynch. Therefore, she only needed support of four Republicans on the Senate floor to secure a majority. Five Republicans had already committed to go with Lynch before the vote.

It's no wonder that Glenn Beck has no use for Republicans when he announced in March--“I’m out of the Republican Party. I am not a Republican. I will not give a dime to the Republican Party. I’m out.”

Mitch McConnell (Ky.)
Orrin Hatch (Utah)

Lindsey Graham (S.C.)

Jeff Flake (Ariz.)

Thad Cochran (Miss.)

Susan Collins (Maine)

Mark Kirk (Ill.)
Kelly Ayotte (N.H.)

Ron Johnson (Wis.)

Rob Portman (Ohio)

Read more...

Lake Worth Tribune Editorial 4-24-15

Comment Up

Hurricanes and the FEMA Fiasco

This is a blast from the past as hurricane season will begin in just one month's time (June 1) and the city manager brought FEMA up at Tuesday's city commission meeting.

If you recall, we went through three major hurricanes in 2004 and 2005--Through the course of the three hurricanes (Frances and Jeanne in 2004 and Wilma in 2005 whose eye of the hurricane went over Lake Worth), approximately $26 million in reimbursement for damages was given to Lake Worth from FEMA and distributed to the city from the State of Florida.  Included in all of the wreckage and losses was damage to our Pier shown above.

For a small little city, 5.945.2/sq miles, we suffered the most damage when it came to our Utility. The various damages included (but were not limited to) downed trees, our electric grid, poles, switches, transformers, meters, city buildings.  We on Lake Osborne were without power for 12.5 days and cold showers got to be the norm.  They ended up removing 18,148 CY of debris in 2004 and 19,111 CY in 2005. The City received invoices from all companies as well as linesmen from outside the State that were involved with helping to get our city back on track after the hurricanes in order to restore our power.

FEMA wanted proof for the $26 million and we got involved in a mess trying to prove our claims. The utility department, the biggest culprit, had lost invoices and documents and the city commission didn't feel we should be responsible to pay it all back due to those document losses from so many years ago. Millions were not paid from FEMA's original requested amounts--Read blog and they accepted the City's pathetic plea.

FEMA still is asking for $4 million to be reimbursed to them from the City of Lake Worth  because they don't believe in Lake Worth's rationale to justify all the millions they were given. Carolyn Ansay of Torcivia's law firm is working on the FEMA issue.  She is the former General Counsel to the South Florida Water Management District. She is going through the documentation to make sure that what FEMA has, matches up with our records. The City says that there has been a million dollar discrepancy that has been discovered. 4,000 load tickets (no one explained what a 'load" ticket is--value could be up to $1.3 million) that were submitted have not shown up on the FEMA web site. Torcivia is going to try and settle for $25,000 as he has connections with a former FEMA attorney?

Obama's Amnesty by Edict

Sources at the Department of Homeland Security report to PJ Media that the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services is reallocating significant resources to sending letters to all 9,000,000 green card holders urging them to naturalize prior to the 2016 election.

Read more...

Sunset 4-24-15

West Palm Beach south-end revitalization Dream

Comment Up

Well, if we know anything by now, we know that former Lake Worth CRA member Shanon Materio who is a  commissioner in West Palm Beach, is all for revitalizing the Dixie corridor where she has a business as well as developing the area in the south end of West Palm Beach.

Last night Mrs. Materio along with former commissioner Kimberly Mitchell were at a meeting that lasted about 1.5 hours hosted by the WPB South End Neighborhood Association held at the South Olive Community Center in order to tell the neighbors what they have in mind for the south end of the city--create what they call a spectacular southern entrance to West Palm Beach. The Redevelopment Management Associates, hired by West Palm Beach as a strategic planning agency, conducted the meeting.

When they say "spectacular" they mean opening up the canal on both sides (Lake Worth as well as West Palm Beach) that would entail creating a boat-lift on the C-51 canal with little finger canals like the city of  Venice, Italy.  Once completed, it would become an anchor feature. West Palm Beach bought the old IHOP property in 2012  for $2.9 million which is at the most southern tip of West Palm Beach directly on the canal. WPB leaders bought it in order to eventually revitalize the south end.

Ms. Materio answered  a few questions from the audience. One attendee asked a question on the C-51 Canal and  stated that "7 permits are needed" but Materio said that it is a long way out and therefore that as well as environmental concerns are premature and don't need to be addressed at this stage.  As it is on the Lake Worth side, Materio said that Lake Worth had to be involved. Also it was mentioned by the consultants after Mrs. Materio had left the meeting, that she has been talking to Lake Worth about this project for the past two years.

A few Lake Worth residents were in attendance, one of whom was Commissioner Ryan Maier.

Crime Lake Worth

Comment Up

ROBBERY - PERSON--15064421--WASHINGTON AVE & WINGFIELD ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/20/2015 5:44:00 AM

STOLEN VEHICLE--15064414--100 BLOCK S K ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/20/2015 2:49:00 AM

 ROBBERY - PERSON--15064402--600 BLOCK S C ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/20/2015 1:18:00 AM

ASSAULT--15064360--1600 BLOCK S FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/19/2015 9:36:00 PM

VANDALISM--15064335--200 BLOCK S M ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/19/2015 8:19:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15064284--1200 BLOCK WINGFIELD ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/19/2015 6:40:00 PM

BURGLARY - VEHICLE--15064318--1800 BLOCK LAKE WORTH RD--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/19/2015 6:22:00 PM

ASSAULT--15064282--200 BLOCK N DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/19/2015 5:59:00 PM

ASSAULT--15064256--100 BLOCK S GOLFVIEW RD--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/19/2015 5:08:00 PM

ASSAULT--15064221--BOUTWELL RD & LAKE OSBORNE DR--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/19/2015 2:56:00 PM

VANDALISM--15064185--600 BLOCK S DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/19/2015 1:53:00 PM

ASSAULT--15064127--400 BLOCK EVERGREEN DR--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/19/2015 9:09:00 AM

ROBBERY - PERSON--15064097--300 BLOCK N K ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/19/2015 6:34:00 AM

ROBBERY - PERSON--15064842--2400 BLOCK 2ND AVE N--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/20/2015 11:16:00 PM

SHOPLIFTING--15064744--1200 BLOCK S DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/20/2015 6:16:00 PM

STOLEN VEHICLE--15064720--1100 BLOCK 6TH AVE N--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/20/2015 6:12:00 PM

BURGLARY - BUSINESS--15064702--1100 BLOCK 6TH AVE N--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/20/2015 5:04:00 PM

SHOPLIFTING--15064599--1200 BLOCK S DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/20/2015 1:41:00 PM

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--15064509--8TH AVE N & N F ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/20/2015 11:08:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15064493--200 BLOCK S L ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/20/2015 10:36:00 AM

ROBBERY - PERSON--15065262--1000 BLOCK N F ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 11:37:00 PM

ROBBERY - PERSON--15065257--100 BLOCK N B ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 11:05:00 PM

ASSAULT--15065231--700 BLOCK N F ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 9:33:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15065199--800 BLOCK S N ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 7:56:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15065172--800 BLOCK S H ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 7:08:00 PM

STOLEN VEHICLE--15065157--2700 BLOCK 2ND AVE N--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 6:03:00 PM

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--15065116--200 BLOCK N DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 4:42:00 PM

THEFT/LARCENY--15065096--1700 BLOCK LAKE WORTH RD--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 3:56:00 PM

BURGLARY - RESIDENCE--15065069--800 BLOCK S J ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 2:55:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15065036--900 BLOCK S DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 1:54:00 PM

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--15065013--1200 BLOCK LAKE AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 12:54:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15065017--900 BLOCK S DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 12:39:00 PM

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--15065011--1200 BLOCK LAKE AVE--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 12:37:00 PM

BEVERAGE VIOLATION--15065003--2ND AVE S & S D ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 12:21:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15064899--800 BLOCK S G ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/21/2015 7:55:00 AM

BURGLARY - RESIDENCE--15065700--600 BLOCK S DIXIE HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 1:12:00 AM

ROBBERY - PERSON--15065691--200 BLOCK S K ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/23/2015 12:53:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15065677--1000 BLOCK S M ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 11:44:00 PM

ASSAULT--15065670--600 BLOCK S J ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 10:28:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15065647--900 BLOCK S F ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 8:17:00 PM

ASSAULT--15065617--100 BLOCK N D ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 7:41:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15065565--900 BLOCK S D ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 5:12:00 PM

STOLEN VEHICLE--15065540--100 BLOCK N A ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 4:42:00 PM

THEFT/LARCENY--15065479--800 BLOCK N B ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 2:37:00 PM

ASSAULT--15065425--600 BLOCK N E ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 12:32:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15065421--800 BLOCK S G ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 12:23:00 PM

STOLEN TAG--15065391--900 BLOCK S F ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 11:12:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15065351--700 BLOCK S J ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 9:02:00 AM

THEFT/LARCENY--15065347--1200 BLOCK 17TH AVE N--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 8:35:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15065339--1200 BLOCK 12TH AVE S--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 8:25:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15065327--900 BLOCK S E ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 7:18:00 AM

VANDALISM--15065326--900 BLOCK S FEDERAL HWY--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 6:58:00 AM

STOLEN TAG--15065318--800 BLOCK S H ST--Palm Beach County Sheriff--4/22/2015 6:36:00 AM

Build to the sky, says West Palm Beach

Comment Up

We know politicians want to build higher and even to the sky and change ordinances to allow it. If there is an ordinance on the books--so what?  They just vote to change it. You have to wonder why they don't respect laws and don't respect the vote of the people. But it could be worse--we could have West Palm Beach's city council.

Read what they did... allowing developers to build as high as 25 stories for an office or hotel, and as high as 30 stories in a 5 story district by voting to amend their development regulations.

A city doesn't have a chance with officials like this. It usually is done on a political vote and developers know exactly who to woo.  In the case of West Palm Beach, every single commissioner voted to approve. And every single commissioner needs to be kicked off the dais.

Watch your boobs, ladies! - VeriTeq

Comment Up

VeriTeq--You have to read how well this stock is doing...you just have to!

"We are very proud of the rapid commercial launch and growth of Q Inside Safety Technology during 2014," stated Scott R. Silverman, Chairman and CEO of VeriTeQ on April 16. "With more than 5,000 women who have chosen to receive breast implants with Q Inside Safety Technology at the end of our first year of launching the product, we believe we are making a difference to improve personalized medicine and provide the highest device quality and verification for patients."

Street Insider

Silverman and Penni buy 11 million shares. How does that work when the shares are worth ZERO?

Rudness by elected officials becoming the norm

Comment Up

I'm tired of getting beat-up

Rudeness in the Florida Legislature:  a part of the Culture and it's also a part of the culture at Lake Worth city Hall. Our vice mayor says he's getting "beaten-up" but ignores, chastises and condemns the public who he bullies at every meeting.

This is a great article and it's about time that someone wrote about this ever growing problem with elected officials.

The author wrote about the Florida legislature but this is also prevalent as well as typical behavior with our city commission in Lake Worth. These elected officials, especially Scott Maxwell and Pam Triolo, ignore the fact that we, the citizens, are their bosses.  They rant on an on and even get irritated with other commissioners with different views. They condemn a resident who speaks negatively towards something they have done and the Vice Mayor, Scott Maxwell, even suggested that a written comment by a resident be edited by the Mayor before reading it into the record.

Our Constitutional rights are rapidly being eroded by boors on the dais who even allow political personal attacks, citizen against citizen.  We attend city commission meetings and have two minutes to tell them that 1) they have done a good job 2) they have done a crappy job, 3) offer a suggestion or tell them about a problem they have that the city might be able to help them with, agree or disagree with them. That's what we are there for; that is the only purpose and they are there to listen and to be polite--not to give lecture after lecture and raise their voice and tell us, "I'm tired of getting beat up...I'm over this" or the mayor and vice mayor telling us that they haven't listened to any part of the ITN.

The ITN and the Selection Committee's recommendations (how did these people get appointed to make any major recommendation at our beach--one city board member and five from staff?) is appearing before the commission and the public on April 28th. It is incredible to even assume that the mayor or vice mayor have not listened to the meetings as they were recorded and now in the sunshine. If you haven't listened to them and have no knowledge or a thorough understanding of the plans and what is being proposed, then you have no business making any decision on our beach or representing the people in any capacity.

Put on your big girl panties, Vice Mayor.

Sunset 4-23-15

Stopping Fake Fidos as Service dogs

"A final vote is expected on Friday on a bill that would punish owners of fake service dogs and protect those with invisible disabilities who use a service animal.

There was no debate when the Senate considered bill SB 414 this afternoon. The bill now mirrors its companion in the House, HB 71, which received a unanimous vote when it reached the House floor."

Click here... to read about the Fake Service Dog bill.

General Bill by Commerce and Tourism and Altman--
Service Animals:

Requiring a public accommodation to permit use of a service animal by an individual with a disability under certain circumstances; prohibiting a public accommodation from inquiring about the nature or extent of an individual’s disability; providing conditions for a public accommodation to exclude or remove a service animal; revising penalties for certain persons or entities who interfere with use of a service animal in specified circumstances; providing a penalty for knowing and willful misrepresentation with respect to use or training of a service animal, etc.

 Effective Date: 07/01/2015
 Last Event: 04/23/15 S Laid on Table, refer to CS/HB 71 on Thursday, April 23, 2015 4:03 PM

Money Always Talks

In the end, it is always about the money.

Click here... to read about the deal West Palm Beach made with All Aboard Florida.

Hillary

Lake Worth Tree giveaway Saturday at Cultural Plaza

April 22, 2015
Contact: Jamie Brown,
Public Services Director
Phone: 561.586.1720
Email: jbrown@lakeworth.org

The Lake Worth City Tree Board will be overseeing the Tree Giveaway at the 2015 Lake Worth Earth’s Day Fest taking place on Saturday April 25th at the Lake Worth City Hall Annex Cultural Plaza located at 414 Lake Avenue.

The 65-70 trees to be given away will be distributed on a first come, first serve basis commencing at 10:00 a.m., not at 4:30 p.m. as indicated on the LULA Lake Worth Earth Day Fest (http://tinyurl.com/n6cc44h) poster.
Certified arborists will be on hand starting at 9:00 a.m. for residents interested in information about the trees to be given away.

Only residents, homeowners and property owners within the city limits of Lake Worth will eligible for the Tree Giveaway. This includes all of 33460 zip code and sections of 33461.

At 1:00 p.m. Mayor Pam Triolo will dedicate the Gumbo Limbo planted in the Lake Worth Cultural Plaza on April 16th.

The City of Lake Worth is most appreciative of the Tree Board, whose members are volunteers appointed by the City Commissioners and the Mayor.

Obama warns of dangers of climate change

Comment Up

For all you skeptics as well as the Lake Worth Herald that has ridiculed our scientist commissioner, Christopher McVoy, an expert on the Everglades, for his remarks on global warming and sea level rise,  this one is for you--

Anhinga Trail

At Everglades, Obama warns of damage from climate neglect April 22, 2015 15:53 EDT By JOSH LEDERMAN and JENNIFER KAY Associated Press EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, Fla. (AP) --

President Barack Obama says the Florida Everglades illustrate the dangers posed by climate change and said the warming of the planet cannot be denied.

He says rising sea levels threaten South Florida aquifers and calls on Congress to provide money for a land and water protection fund.

He says action on climate change can no longer be delayed and can be addressed with political will.

Obama spoke after touring the Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park.

Obama used Earth Day to warn that climate change is already inflicting damage on the nation's environmental treasures.

The Gavel

Comment Up

Actually, we would like all of the public to take Mr. Timm's example and tape their mouths shut and keep them shut at all times...Commissioner McVoy too. We visionaries don't like getting upset.  We have no idea what has been proposed at the beach--none whatsoever and we don't understand why the people are up in arms. We like secret meetings and respect the cone of silence. We don't want the people to chuckle, clear their throat or utter one sound while we are speaking about this beach. If anyone  should be pissed off about it, it should be me. Look at the facts. This is getting silly.  I'm done.

P.S. And we miss John Szerdi, the guy who gave us Hudson Holdings and was working on a bus system and God knows what else before he got fired by the people.

MARCO leads GOP

Comment Up

Marco ahead in new poll says CNN.

He has a long way to go to beat Hillary in spite of the fact that half those polled believe that she is untrustworthy. 

Sunset 4-22-15

Public commentary gets shot down by Lake Worth Vice Mayor Maxwell who wants to stifle free speech

Comment Up

Comment read into the Public Record
Lake Worth City Commission Meeting
April 21, 2015
By:  Laurence McNamara

I read attorney Goddeau’s statement that “we may be able to get around the 19 year, 364 day limit of the 2004 Beach Protection Charter Amendment” and it is shocking.

As an attorney, she is aware of Legislative Intent.  Courts give great consideration to it when actions are taken that are opposed to that intent.

This 2004 amendment was not a citizen initiative but was placed on the ballot by a unanimous vote of the Commission to protect against private development at the beach and approved by a 9 – 1 margin by the voters.  The Intent of the Commission was very apparent and the support of the voters overwhelming.

Attorney Goddeau’s statement shows her transparent attempt to subvert the will of Lake Worth citizens in favor of City Manager Bornstein, Mayor Triolo, Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell and Commissioner Amoroso’s attempt to destroy our beach park by allowing private development there.

One of you three commissioner members need to join Commissioner McVoy and Commissioner Maier to reject this plan and follow the will of the people.

The above public commentary drew the ire of Vice Mayor Maxwell and he asks that the mayor stifle free speech. Here is his comment:

"I'm all for folks dropping off comment cards and not being here and having you read them but you know, just like when folks come up and give their verbal presentation sometimes you have to redirect them--the way they're commenting. I think when you're reading some of these comments and there obviously is some shock to be taken into the individual's personalities here, perhaps you should omit those comments. You know, Larry McNamara's comments, I guess he picked three of the five of us when he felt we were doing something he didn't like. I don't know where he got that but I don't know, it must be the water over on Lakeside."

Happy Earth Day

Rasmussen

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Most Americans continue to believe in the importance of April 22 as Earth Day, although far fewer do anything to celebrate it. They still feel, though, that individuals can make an environmental difference. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

What Sea Level Rise? Global Warming?  Nah.

Jihadists - they live among us

Read about it...at WND. Why don't we stop this? Is the government so much in denial that they will wait until an American is be-headed on our soil?

Money Wins in West Palm Beach

Basically, the people have little chance to win a legal argument against a government or a well heeled developer unless they can raise a ton of money. In the end, you can't fight city Hall. The city uses your tax money to fight against you. It's a game they continue to win in Florida. It's always about the money.

It's not just Lake Worth where citizens have to continue to fight their elected officials as well as planning boards who only think about developers by giving them waiver after waiver but West Palm Beach has its share of corruption. Citizens For Thoughtful Growth was formed to stop the 25 foot condo from being built at the Chapel by the Lake property directly situated on the Intracoastal Waterway. Citizens were appalled. Citizens took action but in the end, deep pockets won.

As one person said on Facebook, that sums up the feelings of the people. "The city of West Palm Beach violates it's authored and legislated ordinances, when it's financially beneficial. Many of the elected Commissioners are clearly in the pocket of developers. The charm and skyline of our beautiful city will be negatively transformed and WPB will resemble Ft Lauderdale down the road."

1963 Photo--when our vista was unobstructed

Photo credit: A Guy on Clematis

From Citizens For Thoughtful Growth Facebook page:

CTG PRESS RELEASE – SETTLEMENT Citizens for Thoughtful Growth (CTG) has reached a settlement with the City of West Palm Beach and the developer (GAK Partners, LLC and Flagler Investors, LLC) in all pending litigation (3 matters) regarding the Chapel by the Lake project. Despite CTG’s strong opposition to the City’s actions in approving this project, the ability to continue engaging in litigation became insurmountable. The combined resources of the City and the developer (who shared the same attorneys and who the developer paid for at no cost to the City) could not be matched. CTG, in its best estimate, was being outspent by a margin of 10-1 with respect to fees and costs for legal services, experts, and lobbyists. Even though there was support from citizens, both financially and otherwise, CTG was willing but not in a financial position to continue its fight.

This is a bittersweet resolution for CTG. On one hand, CTG was not able to force the City to comply with its Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code on this specific project. On the other hand, a substantial and significant settlement has been reached which will allow CTG to be a financially viable and active organization to monitor and litigate, where appropriate, future issues of growth management through the conclusion of litigation, including those on Flagler Drive. Policy 3.1.2 of the Coastal Management Element of the City of West Palm Beach Comprehensive Plan explicitly states “Scenic vistas of the Lake Worth Lagoon and its associated habitat shall be preserved and enhanced.” CTG cannot comprehend why the Mayor and City Commission ignored (and will probably continue to ignore) this and other provisions of WPB’s Comprehensive Plan as mandated under law.

With this settlement, CTG is a stronger organization. But an organization like CTG is only as strong as its leadership, members, and their joint dedication in purpose and action. CTG is incredibly grateful for the support it has received from individual citizens through financial contributions and attendance at public hearings and Court hearings. CTG was able to fight as long and hard as it did because of generous support by its members. CTG is willing to refund donations back to its members if same is requested and will be in touch with donors in the very near future. CTG would ask that members seriously consider keeping their donation with CTG.

It is clear the City will continue to act in an arbitrary, ad hoc manner and will continue to favor developers who will spend whatever money is necessary on experts and lobbyists to get their projects approved. The ability of West Palm Beach to preserve and protect itself from massive non-compliant projects is to elect a responsible Mayor and City Commission who believe and commit to complying with the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code (along with any appropriate proposed changes to both) and who will seriously consider and balance the input of citizens against profit making developers in the future.

Remember, the current Mayor and Commissioners were only elected by approximately 19% of the voting public. So change is very attainable! CTG is “for the citizens of West Palm Beach” and requires your support. As Dr. Seuss taught us in The Lorax, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

Man deliberately set on fire in Lake Worth

Comment Up

UPDATE: Update,7:20 a.m. Wednesday: Two men have been arrested and charged with attempted first-degree murder

 
As we were sitting in another city commission meeting from hell last night, just blocks a way a man was set on fire with lighter fluid and was screaming said a witness.

Click here... to read about it and see the video.

Flamingo Clay Glass Studio Lake Worth wins Award

Flamingo Clay Studio is awarded $18,000 by Impact 100

Flamingo Clay Studio, non-profit parent organization of Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery, has been awarded a grant of $18,000 by Impact 100, a group of philanthropic women supporting worthy programs throughout parts of Palm Beach County.  Impact 100 has awarded over $1,000,000 in the last four years.
  
Impact 100 Palm Beach County is a women’s charitable organization funding local nonprofit initiatives. It is comprised of a growing number of women (320 members last year) who donate $1,000 annually, pool their funds and vote to award multiple $100,000 grants to local nonprofits in southern Palm Beach County. We are a progressive leader in women’s philanthropy, committed to strengthening our community through the collective resources of our members by awarding high-impact grants in five focus areas: Arts & Culture, Education, Environment, Family, and Health & Wellness. The joy of giving exists within us all and when we do it together, the whole world moves.

This  year Impact 100 awarded four $100,000 grants and two $18,000 grants.  Flamingo Clay Studio is the grateful recipient of  one of the $18,000 awards  Flamingo Clay Studio had partnered with the arts department of Lake Worth High School to present a program designed to teach their students how to create, install and permit ceramic mosaic walls throughout Lake Worth neighborhoods and communities.

Although Flamingo Clay Studio did not win the $100,000 award, they are extremely grateful for the funding they did receive.  This funding will allow them to continue to develop their new studio located at 216 South F Street in Lake Worth.  This studio is designed to provide space for use by  3-D artists with facilities to create works in clay, fused glass and small metals.

The studio has already received a $51,000 grant as scholarship funding for 10 low income senior citizen artists.  This was awarded by the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties.  They also administer the funds for Impact 100. These artists have been working, on a regular basis, in the studio, and are getting ready for their mid-year exhibition, "The Elder Craftsmen," at the gallery on May 22.

Flamingo Clay Studio will continue its partnership with the arts department of Lake Worth High School.  Next month, the art teachers, Brent Bludworth and Jennifer Gironda, will be presenting an end of the year exhibit of their works, May 8-May 20, at the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery.  FCS will continue to work with LWHS to raise funds for the project both groups consider essential to creating career and work opportunities for their young people through the arts.

For additional information contact Joyce Brown, Joyce@Flamingoclaystudio.org.

Clay Glass Metal Stone Cooperative Gallery is sponsored by the Flamingo Clay Studio, a non-profit arts organization whose mission is to provide affordable studio and gallery space for three-dimensional artists.  The gallery is located at 15 South J Street in downtown Lake Worth. Hours are Sunday thru Tuesday, 10AM-5PM. Wednesday thru Saturday, 10AM-10PM.   Gallery openings are the first and third Friday of each month from 6-9 PM with many special events in-between.

The Studio is located at 216 South F Street with studio opportunities and workspace for 3-D Artists.
 For information call Joyce Brown-215-205-9441 or JCLay6@aol.com.  Gallery phone: 561-588-8344.