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.
2 comments:
Finally a commish might try and do something about crime in this forsaken city?
I'm glad to hear at least one of our elected officials talking about crime. Things are getting cray-cray around here.
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