We were all there in solemn respect this morning at Pinecrest Cemetery. All the veteran graves were decorated by Scouts Troop 204, photo bottom right.
Mayor Pam Triolo spoke to the small crowd gathered to honor and remember all those who had died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. There was one veteran there who had fought in World War II. All veterans of all wars were recognized.
The Keynote speaker was Col. Robert Ames, USAF (retired). His speech was not only reverent but patriotic. He mentioned that the former Soviet union had 30,000 (sounds like a lot) U.S. prisoners of war captured by the Germans that had been transferred to the Soviet Union after World War II that were not returned to us. He further said that this has happened in every war since and the release of captured Americans had not been sought by our government. (I wish I had taken notes for accuracy here) He even brought up Benghazi.
Following the Colonel's speech, there was the playing of Taps, A benediction by Father Delvard of Sacred Heart and the retirement of colors.
Every year at Pinecrest Cemetery, I sit next to this veteran's grave who served in World War I. He did not die in the service to our country (that is what Memorial Day signifies) but he is remembered, as all Veterans are, on this day as well as Veterans Day.
With barely any advertisement in local newspapers, the service at
Pinecrest Cemetery had perhaps 80 people in attendance.
In spite of the lack of advertisement, the sparse attendance is due to disaffected and apathetic Americans and how they treat today as a three day weekend
and a time for
barbecue. They don't show up to honor all those who fought for our
freedoms. We are lucky to be living in the greatest country on Earth,
thanks to all of them. We should NEVER forget that.
The
key address was given by Col. Robert Ames, USAF Ret. who spoke the
truth about what has happened across the world and how our brave
soldiers have not had the support they deserve. There is too much apathy
from people who don’t seem to understand the sacrifice of U.S.
servicemen and women.
It's a sad day honoring our dead and even a sadder day knowing that there are Americans who just don't give a damn. Thanks
to all those who showed up today, some of whom were: Mayor Pam Triolo
(great speech but I liked last year's best!), Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell,
Commissioner John Szerdi, May and Sam Goodstein, Helen Marino, Mary
Lindsey, Tammy Panza, Marshall Pass, Jeff Clemens, Greg Rice, Honey Duncan and Helen Greene.
This cemetery has been called a lot of things
recently, but honorable isn't one of them. With the help of CBS 12,
residents got the cemetery cleaned up, but now they're fighting for a
fence around this sacred place where veterans are buried.
Read more... and see Mark Parrilla interviewed about our cemetery by Channel 12 News.
WPEC TV-Lake Worth's 'Dirty Secret' Cleaned-Up
Story by Peter Schaller
LAKE WORTH, Fla.- Concerned
residents say the municipal cemetery in Lake Worth wasn't just
overgrown, it was downright disrespectful to the veterans buried there
just a few months ago. But after CBS 12 News got involved, there has
been a tremendous turnaround. There are tangible results after months
of close watch and careful clean up at the cemetery off South A Street
in the city. The grass is freshly mowed, and the community's commitment
to this cemetery is re-energized.
"It's a good feeling to see that your city administration is responding," said community activist Mark Parrilla.
Mrs. Watson was literally crying this morning. She says it's a heck of a way to honor our dead, people who lived here, paid taxes, were someone's loved ones and some who even fought for our country. She needs help in finding all of the buried markers. The weeds have taken over and many of the grave stones have tipped or are broken.
Just like everything else in Lake Worth, our priorities are askew. Slum, blight and neglect everywhere and even the dead can't rest in peace. They're dead so who cares is the prevailing attitude? The commission finds it more important to up-zone that residential neighborhood than to take care of its responsibilities at the cemetery. All those buried there were guaranteed certain expectations. We should be honoring all those who passed before us. We took their money and typically we have not lived up to our end of the bargain. Have you ever seen kids playing kick ball at a cemetery and running over headstones and markers? What about all those dumping trash and debris onto our city cemetery? What about the sheer neglect from city staff?
Posted by Miranda Grossman / CBS12 News
LAKE WORTH, Fla. --
Residents say the Pinecrest Municipal Cemetery in Lake Worth is
embarrassing -- with toppled tombstones, some covered in sand and weeds,
and littered with beer cans, bottles and other trash.
The
cemetery, off South A Street, is a playground for children, a shortcut
to people living nearby, a trash dump to others, and to some concerned
CBS 12 viewers -- it's appalling.
"Lake Worth's dirty little secret...it's horrible."
Comment Up
The graphic below shows the heights approved by the removed Planning and Zoning Board.
This change is shown on the Revised
Future Land Use Map (FLUM) page 272 and the P&ZB Recommended FLUM page 273
of the backup for the June 19, 2012, City Commission Meeting. The Revised Zoning
Map showing the zoning change is not included in the
backup.
Sorry--this is too small to read. If you want a copy of the pdf, e-mail me.
As a reference, Table 1 and Notes were included in the backup for the June 19, 2012, City Commission Meeting on pages 250 and 251 and combined on the “Revised Summary Table 1” found on page 274. The referenced documents do NOT show the proposed up-zoning of the area around Pinecrest Cemetery from Single Family Residential (SFR) Land Use Category/ Single Family Residential 7 du/acre (SFR) Zoning District to Medium Density Residential (MDR) Land Use Category/ Single-Family and Two-Family Residential 14 du/acre (SF-TF-14) Zoning District. However, the Medium Density Residential Land Use Category also includes the Low Density Multi-Family Residential 20 du/acre (MF-20) Zoning District, which would allow the Commission to further up-zone that area to the maximum zoning allowed under the Land Use Category of 20 du/acre.
The inscription above the entrance to Woodlawn Cemetery reads: That which is so universal as death must be a blessing.
Built in 1905, a cemetery uplift is being considered at Woodlawn Cemetery located on Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach and that would be a blessing. The City is asking for volunteers to maintain the cemetery plots.
Staff is finally showing some respect for the dead who bought plots there and expected the cemetery to be mowed and cared for and the stones maintained. Who wouldn't? The City's recreation director, Christine Thrower, is asking for $300,000 from the CIP which will also include replacing the chain-link fence and the irrigation system. Donations for an additional $200,000 are being sought. Shanon Materio, newly appointed commissioner in West Palm Beach, has suggested that the city set up a foundation just for cemetery restoration or involve their Art's and Public Places Committee in the headstone restoration.
The City of West Palm Beach is also considering raising the price of burial plots from $1,000 to $1,500. There are 750 spots available but staff is asking for multiple urns to be allowed in one burial plot and if no coffin, allow up to 16 urns.
It is truly pathetic when a city will not take care of its public cemetery. We have had the same problem in Lake Worth. We need to respect all those who came before us and who put their trust in a city to care for their last resting place.
Comment Up The Community Clean-up at Pinecrest Cemetery has been canceled for this Saturday morning. Volunteer groups are refocusing their time to help out the Chamberlain family at 1423 Crest Drive, Lake Worth.
Mark Parrilla says, "I went to inspect both cemeterys with Tammy on Tuesday morning and found that our guys really did an amazing job of cleaning and sprucing up the grounds. There is still a lot of work to do on Crest Drive and we can help. Let's meet at 9 am and plan on working till 2 pm."
Joanna Aiken, Solid Waste Authority of Palm Beach County Community Service Coordinator says "We need all of our forces to help with…French door wood work fix, more painting, plumbing, and installing the flooring."
Comment Up Monday’s Memorial Day presented by American Legion Post 47 was an outstanding event. As in years past, our local Boy Scout troop placed crosses and flags the night before on veterans' graves and then presented a color display during the ceremony. Host Post 47 and other service groups such as the Lions Club, Scottish Rite and a DAR chapter presented wreaths; a Naval chaplain offered prayers; and Mayor Pro Tem Golden acknowledged the presence of other politicians and provided thought provoking comments on the meaning of Memorial Day. As we would say, back in the day, “Outstanding to off the page!”
Thank you, each and every one mentioned at the ceremony and a special thanks to the city’s men and women who will gather those crosses and flags for next year’s commemoration.
My interpretation of the intent and meaning of Memorial Day is that it was to commemorate the Civil War dead. As it happened, the first ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery honored both Union and Confederate dead. If so shortly after our nation’s most costly war, one that was fought to preserve the Union, why are some people still trying to divide us? And more to the point, why are some politicians pandering to this effort?
The tenor of the remarks by State Rep. Clemens, while honoring the ultimate sacrifice made by Lake Worth’s own LCpl Hernandez, were a slap in the face, an insult to AMERICAN veterans. I served two infantry combat tours in Viet Nam, one as a Sergeant and then as a First Lieutenant. At no time did I ever hear of nor require that a unit be made up of ETHNIC-AMERICANS --come to think of it, Americans areAMERICANS.
Mr. Clemens, why do you think it important to do so? Why must politicians always go off message?
Memorial Day is for remembrance, not political trolling! If you are ever asked to speak at any Memorial Day again, please stick to the subject. But be advised, if you are ever considered for Vogel-Lee’s presentation again, as a post member, I will work just as hard to deny you that honor as I’ve worked to put these personal opinions in writing.
After your divisive remarks marred the ceremony, I attended the refreshments offered by the Post. There I spoke with only 2 older veterans, one from Korea and the other a survivor of Normandy and the Bulge. The first stated that he wasn’t that upset with your remarks since, as he put it, “I don’t listen to politicians that much,” while the second, Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge wearer (know what they are awarded for?), “couldn’t understand what you were trying to get at.” Two for two in sync with me. After that, I figured it out that to stay upset with you only would ruin my feeling of respect for all veterans.
If the blog master chooses to print this, she most certainly can use my name and e-mail address. Joe Matthews at matthewspeter@bellsouth.net
Comment Up I am truly honored to speak on this Memorial Day in the presence of all of these fallen heroes. I am extremely proud to be in the presence of many of our residents who have served in the armed forces of our nation and are here today to pay their respects to those men and women who perished in the fulfillment of their duty.
During the Second World War my father worked in the shipyards in Brooklyn New York in service to our Country. My uncles served in the Army and Navy. My older cousins served in Korea. My Mom was an air raid warden and I hid under the kitchen table when there was talk of imminent bombings. As I got older I watched my friends go and come back from Vietnam. I worked for peace, and came to understand St Augustine’s 4th Century claim, that “the purpose of war is peace.” I was always hoping that all our wars would ultimately bring solutions and that peace would be the ultimate norm.
Today, as we honor those who served our Nation, we must remember that it is “we the people” who have asked them to fight our battles. The men and women of the armed forces do not get to choose the battles to fight. They serve because it is their duty. They serve because they are true patriots. For the 230 years of U.S. history we must think of all the brave men and women who have served during our many wars keeping us safe in this land of the free.
In 2007 the City of Lake Worth Commission passed a resolution asking our leaders in Washington to bring our troops home from Iraq. At that time over 160 Florida service men and women were killed in action and more than 130 were wounded. This past year one of our own Lake Worth High Graduates 19 year old Jose Hernandez was killed in Afghanistan. We asked in this resolution that our returning troops be ensured compensation and care including full mental and physical health, education, housing, employment, and disability and rehabilitation benefits.
Today there are more conflicts and the deaths continue to mount. Historian, Will Durant, estimated that in all of human history only 29 years could be described as free of war. And of all centuries, the one just past set records for deaths, and injuries. We must assure our service men and women that we do not falter in our support for them. We must assure our service men and women that we do not put them in harms way frivolously. We must reassure our service men and women that we will honor their bravery, and humility. This is our duty.
Thank you to the Boy Scouts, the American Legion, our City staff, and all of our residents and guests who have come out to honor those who have served our Nation.
Vice Mayor Pro-Tem Jo-Ann Golden Pinecrest Cemetery May 30, 2011
Monday, May 30 @ 10am at Pinecrest Cemetery, 1749 3rd Ave South
The program will start with the Court of Flags, the National Anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance to our Flag. Followed by that, several will speak and prayers will be given. Our former mayor, Rene Varela is listed on the program to give the opening address. However, due to his abrupt resignation, Commissioner Jo-Ann Golden will speak.
Comment Up Channel 12 was there with Al Pefley going up to the lectern to adjust the microphone--3 or 4 cameras were in the back--the Chamber was packed with unhappy people who maintained their composure. I only spent about 3.5 hours at the meeting last night. There was so much to cover and below are just a few of my impressions and highlights.
Staff spent 80 hours compiling the figures to last night's clear message of cutting costs--everyone in this city will feel the pain. This includes every single property owner, from the poorest of the poor right on up to the few extremely wealthy. Our employees are no exception. Thanks to the Unions that are inflexible and all those who believe that we need the premium of services from the PBSO (Police Study out in 2 weeks) whose contract will continue on its course of non-affordability, tough measures were discussed for implementation.
There will be substantial reductions in adopted service levels, city positions, employment benefits and special service contracts. Each taxpayer will pay much more on their non ad-valorem part of their tax bills if the Commission adopts Stanton's Plan.
In order to balance the Budget for year 2011/2012, The City wants to-- lay off 44 full-time employees (not sure if I heard correctly as the Post has it at 79...am waiting for confirmation...will edit later) and 5 part-time employees in the Public Service Division. The position filled by Valerie Hurley of Deputy City Clerk is on the chopping block. She is a Trustee of the Employee's Retirement Board.
The key to even having a chance of job retainage was to have advocates there speaking out. There was some discussion on the Library reductions and lifeguards, the two groups represented and/or had friends in the Chamber. Guarding the north section of the Pier and leaving the south section as "swimming at your own risk" was a possible solution.
I got the clear impression that the City Manager is hoping that the PB County Fire/Rescue will give Lake Worth the axe for non-payment of the supplement that is purposely being withheld. Fire Chief, Steve Jerauld, spoke and he says that the County is treating the late payment as any other late payment. Stanton smiled. He also said that the Supplement payment owed to PB County for Fire, which is $1,425,000 for 2011/2012 Budget and according to the Contract is $1.3 million for every subsequent year, can be shifted to the non-advalorem part of our tax bill, something the City is contemplating. The City has always thought that it was screwed when the County incorporated this supplement over and above the amount we pay them. We were. If the City shifts this non negotiated supplemental payment to the taxpayer, then we definitely are screwed. With pension payments of 152% of payroll, this too is non-affordable.
Susan Stanton, city manager, wants to contract out our street maintenance as well as our grounds maintenance that will include the cemetery. The cemetery now looks like hell and we owe it to all those buried there to keep this looking nice...it was part of their contract. Dead people don't complain though. The City Manager said that she expects a reduced level of service because they just don't have the money. Our city is already blighted. Now it will become even more so.
The Mayor as well as Maxwell and McVoy think it a great idea to shift some of the costs on to the non-advalorem part of our tax bill where everyone who owns property in the City will pay the same fee. That includes little Granny making $5,000 a year struggling to stay alive paying the same as someone making $5,000 bi-weekly. For some reason the Mayor thinks every cost possible should be shifted to our non-advalorem part of our tax bill, his solution. Commissioner Maxwell assured me out in the hallway that no one would lose their house over this proposal-- that it was mentioned in the back-up documents. A former staff and commission failed to negotiate for the taxpayers of Lake Worth, a common trait.
Maxwell also stated that the entire Commission should relinquish its entire salary as the City was laying-off employees. He got a resounding applause from constituents and employees. He is running for office this year, isn't he? Very few employees live here, however.
Because property values are so depressed and expected to be even lower in the next several years, we could see more fees on our tax bill such as an assessment for the Supplement payment to PB County Fire or a new fire department and an assessment for parks. If a neighborhood wants a park, it pays for it, not the City or any other neighborhood.
What can we expect from all of this? More potholes, more blight, increased taxes (and it is a tax no matter what the Commission says about non-advalorem fees), less efficiency, a workforce reduced by 79 positions, possible drownings, increased parking fees at the beach to pay for lifeguards, early departure plans, the possibility of downtown parking pay stations, an idea already rejected by the Commission.
The ineptness of the past as well as the sins of greed have caught up to us. We are getting closer every single day to de-annexing and going with the County. By no fault of this Commission or this City Manager on conditions that got us to this financial urgency, we could become, overnight, the highest taxed city in the State of Florida. You never know.
The 11:00 news on Channel 12 showed the Chamber and Mary Lindsey speaking. There are some in this City who still blame Cara Jennings on everything that has happened and why we are in the state we are in today. Blame is easy. Facts are harder to accept.
