Lake Worth Recreation Board Meeting tonight

RECREATION ADVISORY MEETING
LEISURE SERVICES OFFICE
17 SOUTH M STREET
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 16TH, 2019 6:15PM

Chair, Gary Antieau, will introduce one agenda item, that of saying the Pledge to our flag. He wants to reinstate that policy. and we agree.

Other items of discussion are:
a. Zombie Run/Volunteers
b. Quidditch
c. Rec2Go- 1 year assessment/ review
d. Possibility of adding Winter & Spring schools out program
e. Winter Camp
f. Youth basketball registration
g. Turkey Bowl flag football tournament
h. Pledge of Allegiance/Flag

Lake Worth Tree Board to host Talk

Richard Stowe, Chair of the Tree Board says, "This year the Tree Board Talk is a panel discussion with five, yes I said 5, ISA Certified Arborists on the evening of Thurs. April 11th at our Public Library :-) Doors open at 6, the panel discussion starts at 6:30. Bring yourself, your neighbors, friends, relatives. Feel free to take photos and video."

Festival of Trees tomorrow in Lake Worth

Today is the start of Hurricane Season

Be prepared!

Tree Board announces upcoming Documentary

REMINDER--previously announced on 10-19-17

Friends, neighborhood association presidents and bloggers,

Attached is a JPEG of the City Tree Board's poster, designed by Nigel Holmes, for a documentary screening & panel discussion at the Lake Worth Library. Doors open at 6 p.m. on Thurs. Nov. 9th. The talk may last until 8:10 or 8:15.

The documentary, Hometown Habitat, weaves a storyline of sustaining wildlife through indigenous plants and trees based on research of renowned University of Delaware entomologist Douglas Tallamy. The filmmaker Catherine Zimmerman travels across America to discover individuals and communities creating sustainable habitat for wildlife.

Would love it if you share the electronic announcement of the Tree Board's upcoming documentary screening and panel discussion with friends and neighbors in your communities and neighborhoods.

Please e-mail me if you have additional questions, or would like a pdf file of the poster, postcard-size announcement jpeg (4 to a page) and press release. You can print & cut up the postcard flyers to hand out to friends, or leave those event cards at work and your favorite hangouts.

With much appreciation!

Thank you,

Richard Stowe
Chair, Lake Worth City Tree Board

Lake Worth Tree Board to show free documentary

CITY TREE BOARD PRESS RELEASE
                                                                             
For immediate release - October 18, 2017                                  
Contact David McGrew
561-586-1677
dmcgrew@lakeworth.org

City of Lake Worth Tree Board Talk (& movie) at Lake Worth Public Library

Lake Worth, FL – October 18, 2017 – The Lake Worth City Tree Board is pleased to announce that the 2017 Tree Board Talk takes place on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at the Lake Worth Public Library at 15 North M Street in downtown Lake Worth. This year’s Tree Board Talk has a new component: the screening of documentary film Hometown Habitat: Stories of Bringing Nature Home.  That movie will be followed by a panel discussion.  Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the documentary begins at 6:15 p.m.  Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

Hometown Habitat is a film that focuses on the thoughts and observations of Douglas Tallamy, Ph.D., the Chair of the Department of Entomology and Wildlife at University of Delaware.  Dr. Tallamy was the 2013 winner of the Garden Writer’s Association’s Silver Medal Award for his groundbreaking book Bringing Nature Home: How You Can Sustain Wildlife With Native Plants, originally published in 2007.  Award winning director Catherine Zimmerman and her film crew set out across the United States in search of ecological stewards and the communities they documented were as diverse as the habitats that they sought out.

Discussion takes place between the four panelists after the screening.  The speakers are:

• Lake Worth’s own Robert Hopper, a senior scientist at South Florida Water Management District.  With Plant Sciences and MA Landscape Architecture degrees from Cornell and Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design, Mr. Hopper helped design front and backyards landscapes with South Florida native plants at homes in Lake Worth built by Habitat for Humanity.

• Robert Taylor, a lead environmental scientist at the South Florida Water Management District for the past fifteen years, was the recipient of the 2013 US Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Regional Director Honor Award for his contribution to the Everglades restoration project. Prior to Waste Management’s takeover of Southern Waste Systems, Bob Taylor partnered with Southern Waste Systems and the City of West Palm Beach to receive tree planting grants, which educated communities on the importance of selecting native trees in green infrastructure projects.

• Mary Jo Aagerstoun, who earned a Ph.D. at University of Maryland in Art History in 2004, is a founder of Artists for Climate Action and EcoArt South Florida.  She has been an eco artist activist in South Florida for the past decade and recently has served on the Florida Native Plant Society’s Board of Director, where she chairs the Society’s Palm Beach County Urban Landscape Committee and leads its Going Native campaign.

• Two sites, Old Dixie Ecowalk at Seaborn Cove in Boynton Beach and Babbling Brook in the Westgate section of unincorporated Palm Beach County, featured in Hometown Habitat, are the brainchild of Lucy Keshavarz, eco art in public places designer and president and owner of Art & Culture Group, Inc.

“I’m thrilled to have the City Tree Board speaker series return to the Lake Worth Public Library in downtown Lake Worth,” said City of Lake Worth Horticulturalist, David McGrew, staff liaison to the board.
“The Tree Board’s effort to educate residents about the benefits of South Florida native shade trees and native understory over the past few years has started to yield results in private yards in our neighborhoods.” added Tree Board Chair, Richard Stowe, “On the heels of the Palm Beach County chapter of the  Florida Native Plant Society’s October 1st garden tour, which featured five Lake Worth South Florida native gardens, we hope this multimedia Tree Board Talk will contribute to further South Florida native plant conversions around our city.”

The City Tree Board is one of a number of volunteer advisory boards, which assist the City Commission.  The City Tree Board meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month.  All members are selected by City Commissioners and the Mayor.  Meetings are open to the public.

Mark Foley's Baaack

The question is, did he ever really leave? He involves himself in Lake Worth campaigns all of the time and still has over $1 million in his Friends of Mark Foley Committee account.

He was just named to the C-51 Canal Advisory Board, where he’ll represent the City of Lake Worth.

“Lake Worth politics is where it all started for me,” Foley said of his first steps back into government. “So when a commissioner [Herman Robinson] asked me to sit on the board, I was more than willing to do it.”

The board’s job, which pays no salary, is to advise a slew of agencies, including the South Florida Water Management District and U.S. Corps of Engineers, on a project to build locks on canals between Delray Beach and Lake Okeechobee.

Read about Mark Foley at the Miami Herald.

Invasive Pest Plant Removal "Event"

Saturday June 10, 2017

The Lake Worth City Tree Board holds its fourth Exotic Pest Plant Removal at the 17th Avenue North Natural Area, 1759 17th Avenue North 33460, on Saturday morning June 10th from 7:30 to 10. Exotic plants invasive to Lake Worth are prolific in this beautiful Southern Live Oak canopy.

The more residents that show up to volunteer at the June 10th invasive plant removal, the closer we get to removing exotic pest plants in the Natural Area.

The Tree Board wishes to thank community volunteers for their help at the April 29th Exotic Pest Plant Removal.

Tree Board Chair, Richard Stowe says “the early Saturday morning event is an opportunity for resident volunteers to see first hand how a seemingly innocuous common house plant like Pothos, or Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) is a French Polynesian invader outdoors.”

Gloves and other tools will be provided.

The Lake Worth City Tree Board is a volunteer advisory board comprised of city residents appointed by the Mayor and City Commissioners. The City Tree Board advises the City Commission on policy. Members of the public are encouraged to attend Tree Board meetings on the second Thursday of each month 5:30 p.m. in the City Commissioner Conference Room.

Contact David McGrew
561-586-1677
dmcgrew@lakeworth.org

Citizens Advisory Committee Bond Referendum

Under the Consent Agenda tonight are more appointments to the Citizens Committee that will help oversee the bond referendum. I have been told that there are a few members of the Finance Advisory Board who have their noses bent out of shape regarding this committee even being formed at all.

Citizens Advisory Committee Bond Referendum

• Mayor Triolo’s appointment of Cynthia Brown and Ben Ellis, Jr. both for a term ending on July 31, 2020.

• Commissioner Amoroso’s appointment of Michelle Sylvester for a term ending on July 31, 2020.

• Commissioner Robinson’s appointment of Linda Brower for a term ending on July 31, 2020.

Earlier in the month, the Vice Mayor appointed Kathleen McGiveron and Peter Callaro to the Bond Referendum Citizens’ Advisory Committee for a term ending in July 31, 2020.

The only hold-out is commissioner Hardy's appointment?

Exotic Pest Removal - Lake Worth

Lake Worth Tree Board
Exotic Pest Plant Removal
17th Avenue North Natural Area
Saturday April 29, 2017

The Lake Worth City Tree Board holds its third Exotic Pest Plant Removal at the 17th Avenue North Natural Area, 1759 17th Avenue North 33460, on Saturday morning April 29th from 8 to 11. We will continue to remove South Florida exotic pest plants crowding out the native understory under the Southern Live Oak canopy. Volunteers are needed to help remove these exotic invasive plants.

The Tree Board wishes to thank community volunteers as well as Kristi Moyer, Susan Mason and Christen Mason for their professional oversight at the March 18th Exotic Pest Plant Removal.

Participating in this Exotic Pest Plant Removal on this city-owned property will help volunteers learn more about plants.

Gloves and other tools will be provided.

The Lake Worth City Tree Board is a volunteer advisory board comprised of city residents appointed by the Mayor and City Commissioners. The City Tree Board advises the City Commission on policy. Members of the public are encouraged to attend Tree Board meetings on the second Thursday of each month 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room.

Contact David McGrew
561-586-1677
dmcgrew@lakeworth.org

Voluntary City Board Appointments

C-51 Canal Advisory Committee:
Mayor’s appointment of Laura Starr to the C-51 Canal Advisory Committee.

Citizens Advisory Committee Bond Referendum
Vice Mayor’s appointment of Kathleen McGiveron and Peter Callaro to the Bond Referendum Citizens’ Advisory Committee for a term ending in July 31, 2020.

Community Redevelopment Agency:
Commissioner Robinson’s reappointment of John Paxman to the Community Redevelopment Agency for a term ending on July 31, 2020.

Historic Resources Preservation Board:
Commissioner Robinson’s appointment of William Feldkamp to the Historic Resources Preservation Board to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2019. This was District 2 Commissioner’s appointment; however, District 2 Commissioner waived his right to appoint to the Commission.

City Tree Board:
Commissioner Robinson’s appointment of Gary Antieau to the City Tree Board to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2019. This was the Vice Mayor’s appointment; however, the Vice Mayor waived his right to appoint to the Commission

2nd Natural Area Clean-up in Lake Worth

The City of Lake Worth Tree Board will hold clean up on Saturday, November 5 in the 17th Avenue North Natural Area.  The Tree Board has partnered with the Solid Waste Authority in their Adopt-A-Spot program to make the clean-up possible.  This is the second in a series of clean-ups that the Tree Board has hosted in the city’s only remaining undeveloped oak hammock.  The goal is to restore the Natural Area to its natural splendor.

“The exceptionally hard working volunteers who came out for the first clean-up made a huge dent in removing the almost unimaginable amount of garbage. It was a tremendous success but we still need help to finish the job,” said Tree Board member Katie Curtis.  The first clean-up was held on October 15.

2nd Natural Area Clean-Up
Where:                 1759 17th Avenue North
When:                  Saturday, November 5
                            8:00am – 11:00am
 
“The goal of these volunteer-driven clean-ups is not only to remove garbage from this long-neglected city property, but also to preserve and restore its healthy mix of South Florida Coastal Upland natives,” said Richard Stowe, Chair of the Lake Worth City Tree Board.

The November 5th clean-up will be followed by an invasive plant removal at the Natural Area taking place on Saturday morning December 3 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The Lake Worth City Tree Board is a volunteer advisory board comprised of city residents appointed by the Mayor and City Commissioners.  Members of the public are encouraged to attend Tree Board meetings on the second Thursday of each month at 5:30pm in the City Hall Conference Room.

Located in central Palm Beach County, Lake Worth is a dynamic, multi-cultural city with an individualistic style.  People are drawn to the city by its acceptance of different cultures and lifestyles, historic districts, hip downtown and colorful arts district.

City Commission Agenda Tonight

I'm not sure whether this commission Trio is trying to set a record for the shortest meeting in the history of Lake Worth but tonight's agenda certainly is in the running. I have concluded that bothering to attend would be a waste of time unless you want to hear Pineapple Beach Neighborhood Association's presentation in person.

This is ridiculous! A few items on the Consent Agenda are interesting. Our guys do a lot of work in this city trying to make it look better but have to deal with uncooperative property owners. Now the city will put liens on the property when owners don't comply.

One is Resolution 48-2016 for the levy of special assessment liens for unpaid boarding and securing.

Click to see

The next is Resolution 49-2016 for the levy of special assessment liens for unpaid demolition charges:

There is only one thing to vote on under Public Hearings--reducing the number of members on the Sister City board from seven to five. This is the Board that the Trio assigned to Ryan Maier...probably because no one else wanted to be on it and it hasn't had a quorum in years.

City of Lake Worth POLITICAL Advisory Board Appointments

Comment Up

A blast from the past--

Example of "dirty tricks" to confuse the voters. 

(A reminder how important board appointments are

 and how the will of the people can be diverted through deception)

New Volunteer Political Board Appointments:

Planning and Zoning Board:
Mayor’s reappointments of Greg Rice and Anthony Marotta both for a term ending in July 31, 2019. (Greg was in the Friends of the Gulfstream PAC as treasurer to defeat the Heights amendment...every nasty trick in the book was used but they still lost)
Vice Mayor’s reappointment of Dustin Zacks for a term ending in July 31, 2019.
Commissioner McVoy’s appointment of Tara McAlonan to the fill an unexpired term ending in July 31, 2017.

Historic Resources Preservation Board:
Vice Mayor’s reappointment of Judith Just for a term ending in July 31, 2019.

Finance Advisory Board:
Mayor’s reappointment of Sherry Canterbury Schmidt for a term ending in July 31, 2019. (She was the gal on the secret ITN Committee that wanted to hand over our beach to Hudson Holdings)
Vice Mayor’s reappointment of John Szerdi for a term ending in July 31, 2019. (He is an employee of Hudson Holdings)

Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals:
Commissioner Maier’s appointment of Ryan Paplow to fill an unexpired term ending in July 31, 2016 and reappoint for another term ending in July 31, 2020

Commission Volunteer Board Appointments

Comment Up

The following appointments are requested to be ratified at tonight's commission meeting:

City Tree Board:
Commissioner Maier’s appointment of Christian Minaya to the City Tree Board to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2016 and reappoint for a term ending on July 31, 2019.

Sister City Board:
Commissioner Amoroso’s appointment of Maryann Polizzi to the Sister City Board to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2017. (Please note that Ms. Polizzi has indicated an interest in running for commissioner District 4. If she files, she will have to immediately step down from this board as well as the Recreation Board. This is one way to beef up her resume by political appointments to city boards that essentially will end in a number of months.)

Planning and Zoning Board:
Commissioner Maier’s appointment of Ricardo Martin to the Planning and Zoning Board to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2017.

Recreation Advisory Board:
Vice Mayor’s appointment of Maryann Polizzi to the Recreation Advisory Board to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2018. This was a District 4 appointment; however, Commissioner District 4 waived his right to this appointment to the Commission.

Library Board:
Vice Mayor’s appointment of Theodore Johnson to the Library Board to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2020. This was a District 4 appointment; however, Commissioner District 4 waived his right to this appointment to the Commission.

Invasives & Exotics- Talk tonight at the Lake Worth Library

Comment Up

It's just about to happen... An event called Invasives & Exotics - it's the latest incarnation of The Lake Worth City Tree Board's Right Tree, Right Place lecture series.

It takes place this evening at the Lake Worth Library at 15 N M St. Doors open at 6 p.m, Light refreshments will be served.

At 6:30 - Laurie Albrecht, UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Agent at Mounts Botanical Garden

At 7:00 - Christen Mason, Chair of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council

At 7:30 - Susan Lerner, President of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society

 I wanted to know about the Tree Board Talk, even if you have other obligations Be sure not to miss this "edutaining" - simultaneously educational & entertaining event - & tell your friends & family.

Richard Stowe

Tree Board talk in Lake Worth

March 23, 2016
Contact: David Mc Grew, Horticulturist
Phone: 561.586.1677
Email: dmcgrew@lakeworth.org
City of Lake Worth Tree Board Talk at Lake Worth Public Library

PRESS RELEASE
FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT
CITY OF LAKE WORTH
7 NORTH DIXIE HIGHWAY
LAKE WORTH, FL 33460 LAKEWORTH.ORG

Lake Worth, FL – March 23, 2016 –
The Lake Worth City Tree Board is proud to announce our 2016 Tree Board Talk.
This year’s talk entitled Invasives and Exotics takes place Thursday, April 7, 2016 at the Lake Worth Public Library on 15 North M Street in beautiful downtown Lake Worth. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Presentations begin at 6:30 and continue until 8:00. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

The evening’s discussions will focus on the impacts of exotic and invasive plants to South Florida and how South Florida natives allow beneficial insects, birds and butterflies to flourish.
“It’s great to have our City Tree Board speaker series return to the Lake Worth Public Library in downtown Lake Worth,” said City of Lake Worth Horticulturalist, David McGrew, staff liaison to the board. “The speakers will explain the exotic pest plant problem we face in South Florida.”
“The speakers will talk about the need for exotic pest plant management” added Tree Board Chair, Richard Stowe, “These exotic invasives make our backyards, open spaces & city parks look outdated; now is the time to encourage native plant conversions.”

Speakers: 

• Laurie Albrecht, the UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Agent at Mounts Botanical Gardens in West Palm Beach, will speak about emerging exotic invasive plants.

• Christen Mason, Chair of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council and an invasive species biologist currently at the South Florida Water Management District and previously at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, will speak about invasive and exotic trees and plants in South Florida. Christen has monitored and treated non-native plants across more than 300,000 acres of the Everglades system.

• Susan Lerner, President of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and Secretary of the Florida Backyard Beekeepers Association, will speak about the conversion of her half-acre yard to South Florida native trees, shrubs and groundcover. Susan is past president of the Palm Beach County Chapter of Rare Fruit Council International.

The City Tree Board is one of a number of volunteer advisory boards, which assist the City Commission. The City Tree Board meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month. All members are selected by City Commissioners and the Mayor. Meetings are open to the public.
Located in central Palm Beach County, Lake Worth is a dynamic, multi-cultural city with an individualistic style. People are drawn to the city by its acceptance of different cultures and lifestyles, historic districts, hip downtown and colorful arts district.

Lake Worth - Festival of Trees

Public Hearings by Lake Worth Planning & Zoning board

Planning & Zoning Board | Board of Sign Appeals

Members review site plans and make recommendations to the City Commission for the development of residential (three units or more) and all commercial properties.

Members – Three Year Terms
Cynthia Brown --31-Jul-2018--Citizen at Large/ District 3 Appointment
Mark Humm --31-Jul-2017--Citizen at Large/Vice Mayor's Appointment
Elise LaTorre--31-Jul-2017--Citizen at Large/District 2 Appointment
Anthony Marotta --31-Jul-2016--Professional / Mayor's Appointment
Greg Rice, Chair--31-Jul-2016--Professional /Real Estate
Dean Sherwin, Vice-Chair--31-Jul-2017--Professional /Architect/District 4 Appointment
Dustin Zacks--31-Jul-2016--Professional /Law

On October 7, the Planning & Zoning board will be meeting.  There will be a few properties coming before them to consider:

1.  A request by Auction America, Inc. for a conditional Land Use Permit to allow the auction house in the park of Commerce.

2.  A request for a minor Site Plan amendment and Conditional Land Use for the Tri-Rail parking Lot on Erie Street

3.  A request by Michael Corio for a sign variance for Stone Trading located in the Industrial Park of Commerce, 425 Industrial Street.

Illegal immigrants appointed to city boards in Huntington Park, California

Comment Up

2 immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally were just named to Huntington Park city boards. Is this how America is trending? Illegal no longer means illegal. These people are simply undocumented people. Open border people, liberals and progressives are trampling on our sovereignty. Is that what's next for Lake Worth, a city still named as a Sanctuary City?

Read about it... and what this bleeding heart liberal city did in California.