Javier del Sol arrested!

UPDATE: Javier has confessed. Read about confession

Lake Worth Beach man accused of sexually assaulting child, more victims possible

Holy crap! One of our very own.

Javier del Sol is a very well known resident of our city and always had children around him. Now he's been arrested for an alleged assault from someone who was seven years old at the time.

As it turns out, Javier wanted to apologize to the victim to cleanse his soul...cops got it on tape.

Read about it...

Arts for Everyone

Lake Worth Mayoral Candidates answer Questions at Neighborhood Forum

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Well, you can't call it a debate as no one got to rebut. Even when Waterman tried, she was stopped by the moderator, John Paxman. This was a typical love fest for the Lindsey neighborhood's favorite candidate. If you came and didn't know the candidates and didn't realize that what some of them said was so bizarre and factually wrong or impossible, then no one in particular "won." Some had a better message than did others.

From Top, Left to Right

Tom Ramiccio
Will begin conversations this Summer with FPL to buy Lake Worth Utilities. Says it is worth between $300 to $500 million. Now where did he come up with this figure? FPL bid on our Electric Utility in 1994 for $60 million. He has no idea of the capacity of the generation. The Commission turned it down. We still had generators that we were paying on then and we still have an outstanding Bond today of over $30 mil just on the electric utility. Says he does not trust the city manager and will bring stability to the City Commission. He just does not know that this is the most stable commission in years that has made all of the right decisions.

I contacted an expert on our Utility who says:

FPL has offered Vero Beach $100 million. But, I would doubt that they will offer anywhere near that much for LW. The reasons for the lower amount would be:

1) They would have to decommission the power plant. (Approx. $5 million)
2) They would have to conduct a system wide conversion (both 26 kV and 4 kV). (Approx. $30 - $40
3) The franchise agreement with Palm Spring expires soon and they will go willingly to FPL without any cost.

End result: I would not offer more than $60 million, knowing that I would have to deal with FMEA, the decommissioning and the system wide upgrade.

You do understand that these are "off the top of my head" numbers and in no way reflect what conclusions I might come to if I had the time and opportunity to study the sale of the utility.

Javier DelSol
Education and Prevention is his platform. Says paying 50% of our budget on police is foolhardy. Spend it on libraries. Get to the root of the cause of our problems...education. "Some that we perceive to be the problem can be part of the solution," said DelSol.

Lisa Maxwell
Full of doom and gloom and making up stuff using words such as "triage," "system broken," "borrowing our own Utility deposits for the Casino probably illegal," Lisa says that we should be taking the advice of the Finance Advisory Board, (that will bring her a couple of votes) a Board that has done nothing in over one year; says that our city's assets are a priority and then in the next breath suggests the sale of our Utility; says our viability as a city is at risk. Fear and doom is her platform. She can't find anything positive about anything.

Maxwell had no clue, again, about our Utility. Like Tom, thinks selling it might be an option. Still does not know that we have generation and was corrected by Waterman. Said that we had no Brownfield Money left in Florida rebutting Waterman who previously spoke to the issue who is a professional Grant writer.

Maxwell ridiculed the approval of a contract for Professional Materials Management for warehouse organization and inventory management for our Utility department. The Utilities Department had identified an opportunity to streamline materials management, optimize inventory and storage space, and increase efficiency through improved management of the Utility Warehouse. An initial investigation of the previous three year’s warehouse data indicated that the material is turning only once every ten years. Items are overstocked, in some cases obsolete, and are not properly secured. It went out for bid and a firm was chosen. The City anticipates that this project will result in the sale of obsolete material from the electric warehouse that will generate a one-year revenue of approximately $500,000. Her favorite commissioner, Scott Maxwell,voted FOR this on May 17th.

Still uninformed about our Budget and the reasoning behind Staff decisions--asks why we are not paying the Fire bill. Says we can't charge more for a utility service than the revenues we take in--says "It's the law." Ms. Maxwell, Lake Worth can charge anything it wants. We own it. She must be confused with a not-for-profit company, not a private company such as Lake Worth Utilities. Maxwell says we don't need it to be a "cash cow" for the city--get it out of control of the city commission, taking a dig at Vice Mayor Mulvehill who beat her last year. Unfortunately, or I should say "fortunately, we need the money from our Utility to operate our city to a tune of $10 million dollars just to help pay for the high cost of policing and retirement benefits. Where does Maxwell think we will make up the money-- from taxes? She gives no solution.

Maxwell, again uninformed about the Bridge Loan the City will be structuring to itself for the Casino reconstruction, (wasn't that proposed by Chair Picket of the Finance Advisory Board?) says that we are borrowing our own Utility deposits for this construction and it is probably "illegal." Wrong again, Lisa, on just about everything.

Rachel Waterman
With a resume as long as your arm, Waterman says that she is a candidate that will do her homework. She speaks three languages fluently and has been involved in the planning of master plans and economic impact analyses. Says that we need to stabilize the Budget and look for more cost cutting measures. Says that we need to re-assess our electric commercial rates and tells us that the City will be giving a rate reduction in the upcoming Budget. Says the idea of selling our Utility is a short sighted solution to a long-term situation.

Waterman talked about being a grant writer and getting Brownfield Grants. Brownfield money can be used on any site within a brownfield designated redevelopment zone - which covers almost all of our city. The land does not need to be proven contaminated - just has to be perceived as possibly contaminated - which is the thresh hold for Brownfield designation. Once designated a Brownfield the money can be used for redevelopment of the site. Maxwell says that we have 300 acres of unused land at the Park of Commerce. Waterman again states the facts that we have 85 vacant acres there.
Brownfield Cleanup and Redevelopment.

Directly in front of her at a table was a group of Ramiccio supporters who tried to get her off balance every time she spoke. It did not distract her from her goal of telling you that she is all for trying new approaches and that she is the leader that Lake Worth needs. Vision, Creativity and Innovation will be her leadership style for Lake Worth.

Lake Worth's Candidate Forum

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Infamous Political Person

Other than the questions being way too long, it was an interesting "debate." I would still like to know who actually decided on what questions to ask. Some were inappropriate and seemed to be slanted in a negative way towards Waterman, the one candidate some want so desperately to beat. As the President's Council is political, I am not sure that any of this was explained other than neighborhood associations submitted questions to them. None of mine were chosen.

Endorsing one of its own, the PBCHRC members and aficionados were at the Playhouse last night in support of their candidate, Lisa Maxwell. They must have filled half the Playhouse. It was all about supporting one of their own in solidarity. Politics over Principle.

This is the candidate who continues to say politically correct statements such as she "wants to bring this city together"--"it is too divisive" and not one single person believes her, not even her greatest supporters, the Gay, Lesbian community. This election is all about grabbing back the power for some and the others just want someone gay no matter who. You sound correct, we will love ya because we know that you will beat up on all those other commissioners who we have been told are "ruining our city with immigrants" and who have "caused all the blight"...you know, all those shhh "anarchists."

Maxwell again brought up the Utility. I guess she doesn't read my blog. We do have generation, Lisa. She doesn't know anything about FMPA. She also brought up contracts. She doesn't think that we should ever break one even when it is bad or would cost the city millions like the water contract with the County this Commission ended and saved the City $3.5 million. But she reminded us that she has lots of budget experience. Jumping on the high utility rate bandwagon, she said that we should not be using money from the Utility to operate our city. In an ideal world that might be true, but we have to pay for all these Union retirement funds that have collapsed Lake Worth. I don't want someone as Mayor who has tunnel vision and someone who would easily cost us money that we don't have. Fiscal responsibility is the key but even more than that, knowing the facts of the matters at hand is essential. Lisa does not.

I was interested in seeing Waterman on her feet and was she ever. She did an excellent job--was quick, spontaneous, on point and knew her stuff. When Ramiccio attacked her for glancing at notes, she said, "Don't hate me for being prepared." You just know that she won't put up with any screwing around on the Dais. She mentioned her 20 years of experience in urban redevelopment and major infrastructure projects that brought new investment to Palm Beach County. She can do the same for Lake Worth. When Maxwell mentioned we needed a Grant Writer, she told the crowd that she was one. She has so many degrees that it isn't funny. Smart people who work hard are qualities that have to impress. It did me.

Tom Ramiccio was fun to listen to--a real showman. He sort of reminded folks of Rodney Romano's antics. Romano did beat him in his last campaign. He was rude to Waterman when he suggested she was an "anarchist." What a silly and stupid thing to say. Unfortunately, Ramiccio stands for everything I do not. He wants to outsource the entire City of Lake Worth. It doesn't matter whether or not it is feasible or something that would costs us millions, he just wants to do it. Get rid of our Utility he says and sell it to FPL. He stated, after being challenged by Waterman, "It's not shortsighted to consider selling this outdated piece of equipment." Tom, don't you know that we have been upgrading our Utility and our new RO will be open next month. We have a $66 million Bond on our Utility for this. And Tom just wants to p**s it away by selling it probably getting pennies on the dollar, if we could sell it at all.

Ramiccio has collected a lot of money from Wayne Akers folks and has a few more fund raisers to go. And to Wayne Akers Ford, it's not going to help you. Your favorable rate that saves you approximately $10,000 a month is under scrutiny right now and the commission is looking to adjust it fairly. Other rate customers have been subsidizing Wayne Akers Ford and this will stop. Campaign money helps when you are trying to get elected.

Javier DelSol was never better as he was last night and made some excellent points. He has some supporters out there who believe along with him that "whitey" is a racist.

Candidate Treasury Reports are in

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Ramiccio has raised the most money so far with $14,970 in cash and checks, $500 in loans spending $3,358.35. 64% of his contributions have come from out-of-town. $1,000 was received from the PBC and Police Benevolent Assn. 27 out of the 47 or 57% gave $500-- from a maintenance worker, secretaries, housekeepers to auto dealers. Banyan Printing giving an In-Kind of $500.

Waterman is next raising $6,234.95, spending $1,426.17.

Maxwell raised $350, loan to herself of $5,300 and spent $4,199.25

Del Sol's cash/checks are $50 spending $15 on filing fee.

Mayoral Candidate Debate

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The Four

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The four residents running for mayor are as different as night and day.

Tom Ramiccio is the only candidate with experience as an elected official. He wants to sell our greatest asset, Lake Worth Utilities. "I am going to focus on experience," says Tom.

Lisa Maxwell says that she loves this city but wants to give everything away to Palm Beach County--our police and our fire. She favors keeping contracts even if they are unfavorable to Lake Worth and the PBSO contract is just that. "We signed it, we live with it," is her motto.

Javier del Sol is an activist and the only one with the guts to tell the truth--we need our own police department in order to control costs. He believes in strong code enforcement and says it will reduce crime. "We need to get to the roots of our problems," says Javier.

Rachel Waterman is running for office for the first time. Highly educated, she has a strong background in economic development, something that Lake Worth needs. She was a senior planner for Palm Beach County's office of Community Revitalization. "Build on our assets," say Rachel.

Four Qualified to run for Mayor Lake Worth

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Javier Del Sol
Lisa Maxwell
Tom Ramiccio
Rachel Waterman

Tomatoes, Ripe for the Picking

Yesterday we spoke of Javier del Sol and his protest of a penny a pound on labor costs regarding tomatoes. He wants the growers to give each picker one cent more for each pound, equating to what could be one penny for each tomato they pick. Have you weighed tomatoes lately? Today it is far more than a measly penny.

There was a period where the cost of tomatoes had skyrocketed to the price of insanity. I stopped buying them. Consumers looked to Florida tomatoes after the freeze in Mexico. Little did I or anyone know that there was actually a tomato mafia that stole entire truckloads while the price kept climbing. Florida tomatoes were ripe for the picking. By the time we got to buy them, the price was off the chart.
It still is.

Read the story about the mysterious case of the produce bandits.

Tomatoes have tasted bla for years. Give me one of Vice Mayor Suzanne Mulvehill's homegrown tomatoes or a Jersey tomato any day...the best!

Publix in Lake Worth Grand Opening

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Photo: Bruce Bennett PB Post

You know when life is one big bore when you have to go ga ga over a grocery store.

Naturally anything that goes on in Lake Worth seems to bring protests, demonstrations, whatever and this is the biggest event since the "coming." Former candidate for Mayor Javier del Sol was protesting outside the new Lake Worth Publix this morning. It was all about one cent. He wanted Publix to join with the Campaign for Fair Food and pay a penny a pound more for tomatoes to raise farmworker wages.

The Coalition of Immokalee Workers’ Campaign for Fair Food aims to improve farmworkers' sub-poverty wages; combat forced labor in the agricultural industry; and demand that corporate food retailers use their market power to ensure more humane labor standards from their Florida tomato suppliers.

CRA, stop patting yourself on the back and get back the $500,000. Read about the opening of Publix in Lake Worth here.

Illegal immigrants ARE Criminals

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In today's Letters to the Editor, four citizens addressed Arizona 1070--two on the pro side and two on the con. Wouldn't you know that the two who condemned the State of Arizona were from Lake Worth, a Sanctuary City full of what I am now calling, "regressive, progressives" who are beyond all reason.

One called a supporter of Arizona, a State whose only objective is to defend its borders from all the criminals, "racist" (typical bull) because someone had said that we should shoot all the criminals. Arizona has untold amounts of crime: drug trafficking, human trafficking, murder and mayhem. He further states that we should walk in the illegal alien's shoes to understand. Understand what?

31 out of 39 picked up in this sting
were illegal aliens buying guns--
Just what we want in America-- criminal entrepreneurs!
Source: Midwest Free Press

The next one went back to the American Indian story (à la Javier del Sol) and then told us to stop being "whiners" and pick our own fruit--arguments that are so silly that's it hard to even go there from people who have contempt for our country and its laws. You will probably find this letter writer at your nearest community garden.

CRIME STATISTICS just for Arizona (because the violent crimes are too numerous to address for the entire United States):

83% of warrants for murder in Phoenix are for illegal aliens.

75% of those on the most wanted list in Los Angeles, Phoenix and Albuquerque are illegal aliens.

40.1% of all inmates in Arizona detention centers are Mexican nationals here illegally

29% (630,000) convicted illegal alien felons fill our state and federal prisons at a cost of $1.6 billion annually

53% plus of all investigated burglaries reported in California, New Mexico, Nevada, Arizona and Texas are perpetrated by illegal aliens.

71% plus of all apprehended cars stolen in 2005 in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and California were stolen by Illegal aliens or “transport coyotes”.

63% of cited/stopped drivers in Arizona have no license, no insurance and no registration for the vehicle. Of that 63%, 97% are illegal aliens

BIRTH STATISTICS 380,000 plus “anchor babies” were born in the U.S. in 2005 to illegal alien parents, making 380,000 babies automatically U.S.citizens.

97.2% of all costs incurred from those births were paid by the American taxpayers.

Source: FBI crime Statistics

Victims of Illegal Alien Crimes

Trashing our country is a criminal act by criminals

City Commission Meeting

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This was another City Commission from hell. Most of the back-up was missing. Whoever thinks it is perfectly A-OK to put six presentations on the Agenda is out of their tree. Although each presentation is supposed to be 10 minutes, they undoubtedly last much longer particularly when you have a city commission that asks question after question..."gee, I love to talk." We all in the public had to sit through these for one and one-half hours of complete boredom.

We have Mock Roos sitting there for 1.5 hours before he got to speak on two contracts being awarded to him, one in the amount of $51,800 for design and inspection services to the 2nd Avenue North water quality baffle box installation. Does anyone know what a baffle box is? And the other in the amount of $$35,800 for a site investigation and the impact of Sun Recycling’s dumping of RSM on our landfill. I have no idea what he makes per hour but it is ridiculous if we are paying Biggs to sit there while we discuss Haiti Relief efforts or listening to Mary Brandenburg for one half hour.

The Commission had an opportunity to bring back the Down To Earth vote for reconsideration. They didn't. The Mayor said that well, West Palm Beach thought they did the right thing or some sort of words of wisdom to that affect. Gosh. A couple of the principals did some bad deeds one even going to prison. Why would we want to get in bed with any shady people? It's that smell of money and the smell of "green" that really drives some of this Commission and it stinks.

Back in 2004, the City Commission headed by then Mayor Rodney Romano and commissioners, Burns, McKinnon, Lowe and Egly, passed an Ordinance 02-2004 on a 5/0 vote that said that current immigration laws, policies and enforcement do not appear to be meeting the security or economic needs of the American people. It said that it was an unfair tax burden on citizens and businesses and mentioning over-crowding, costs to the public, exploitation and that we needed to “fix the current immigration mess.” It went on to say that “farm owners and other stakeholders should receive some sort of immunity from prosecution as an incentive to come to the table and work on realistic solutions.”

They gave amnesty to those employers who were hiring illegal aliens. This was and still is against U.S. Law. I said it last night and I firmly believe that this was the start of what has now lead up to Lake Worth becoming a “sanctuary city” and being lenient on United States immigration laws. This is why we have possibly one-half of our city now occupied by illegal aliens...slum, blight, crime, gangs, you name it.

The 2004 Commission went round and round about the word “illegal” and with the word “alien.” Commissioner Nadine Burns asked that “undocumented aliens” be changed to “undocumented workers.” Romano wanted it changed to “undocumented residents.” They were all trying to be politically correct instead of calling a spade a spade. And this is why every time I use the word illegal alien, Commissioner Golden corrects me because of this Resolution.

Javier DelSol was still, in 2004, talking about erasing all borders. Other citizens talked about massacres forcing out the Guatemalans from their country with another open border advocate saying that we should make undocumented residents feel welcome. Loretta Sharpe asked for a clarification of “farmholders and stakeholders.” She supported the resolution and asked the City to request that the County provide decent housing. She asked the City to provide soccer fields and pave unimproved alleys to provide basketball courts. Are you surprised?

Although our city is in dire need of street repairs and perhaps even sidewalk repairs, to vote on a 5/0 to spend $1,045,782.50 (I just love that 50 cents) with the vast amount being spent on Auburn and Harvard Drives in College Park is irresponsible when you consider that it has been announced that we have a $2.7 million budget deficit and that our property receipts will be down over $1.2 million for this year. This vote was about politics, not principles.

When people suggest to me that we should be de-annexed back to Palm Beach County, I can’t help but believe that they might have something there.

Sun Recycling - Palm Beach County Commission

Sun Recycling has a non-conforming business in Lantana. If the company closed down, a similar business could not re-open at that site.

Quotes from Palm Beach County Commission Meeting:

• Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice anywhere. Mary Brazill

• It's environmental racism. David Hodges

• Revoke the permit; close them up; Get them out of town. Javier Del Sol

• It's a disgusting facility. Laurence McNamara

• If you lived next to this facility, you would not vote for it. Barry Silver, Environmental attorney

• Something has gone wrong along the way. Barbara Jean Weber

• Please fix the cracks.

• There are no violations by Sun under any condition. Attorney for Sun

• Maybe we need to do 90 day permits. What worked 20 years ago may not be working now. Priscilla Taylor, PB County Commissioner

• I don't think taking the solid waste authority permit away will make one bit of difference. Shelley Vana, PB County Commissioner.
  

• We, as a Board, have the responsibility that every single requirement is met by Sun. Jess Satamaria, PB County Commissioner.
  

• Sun needs to clean up in 180 days or I will vote to close them down. We can't keep fighting the battle for Lake Worth. Burt Aaronson, PB County Commissioner
  

Good old Burt never let's us down. Remember when we spoke in front of him regarding Greater Bay?

The PB County Commission voted 7 - 0 to give a conditional 6 months permit to Sun for solid waste. They are to meet all regulations and be in total compliance.

Tonight at the Lake Worth City Commission, commissioners will be discussing the contract with Southern Waste Systems as well as the Lease agreement with Sun Recycling. Come on out.

Tropical Ridge Elections Stand

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Ryan Anderson
President Tropical Ridge NA

The outcome of this meeting was determined in the first ten minutes when Ryan said, “We acted in good faith and there will be no new elections.” We all stayed to hear the “rest” of the story.

Last night the room was filled. There were even four deputy sheriffs in attendance, just in case. It was a peaceful and respectful meeting. If there was any character assassination it was not from those who wrote the letter of complaint regarding TRNA’s recent election of officers. TRNA opened up the floor to anyone there, allowing them to speak for two minutes, even non-members. I agree with Laurel Decker when she said that only TRNA members should have been allowed to address the Association but the new Board did not want that criticism thrown into the pot.

I am glad I attended this meeting for one reason—I believe Ryan Anderson’s clear explanation as to why the election meeting date was changed and that the previous Board acted in good faith. Was it appropriate to change the meeting date? That is in question. Some members that did not receive an e-mail or failed to read the e-mails or the web site, did not know of the meeting change and therefore wanted a new election. Elections are "traditionally held in January" and many residents relied on that. I can well understand their disappointment and feeling left out or disenfranchised in some way. Did the Association do everything it could have to get the word out? Perhaps not. Even Daniel Robleto wanted to know more about their outreach.

Jessica Plotkin, Secretary/Treasurer and
Sylvia Williams, Vice President

Are they a valid neighborhood association without By-Laws? They are not even a 501 (c)3 yet. So, if they are just a neighborhood association in name only, I guess they can conduct their elections any way they choose. I am not familiar with the rules but pose this question--if they do not have by-Laws, can they even become a member of the President's Council? This election episode has now motivated the neighborhood association to correct these deficiencies that have been going on since September 9, 2005 when it was first incorporated. Javier Del Sol is working on By-Laws as is the new Board. Ryan did say that they had been too busy in the past with cleaning up the neighborhood which took precedence over anything else, thus the failure of all past Boards to follow through on the process.

Panagioti had a point when he said that leadership is earned. I agree with that. Elections are very important. It doesn't matter if a resident of the neighborhood fails to attend meetings or fails to get involved in crime walks and community events. His voice is still important. The fact that there were members who, for whatever reason, did not learn about the meeting change, should be reason for deep concern from this new Board. One resident there, who is not political, even said she thought it was a "set-up." I wouldn't think that a new Board would even want to start its term under a cloud.

The neighbors were there for an hour listening about and speaking on an election already decided and an outcome that was not going to change from a new Board that was determined to keep its leadership. There were no apologies. Nothing else mattered.

To continue to say that NA's are not political is being utopian in some way. Just the very fact of having elections makes it political from the start.

Crime Reports

Crime Reports

Go to this site and at the top where it says Gun Club Road, type in Lake Worth, Florida. You will get an eye-full, folks. Make sure you click on ALL crime. For all of you who say that we are "safer," perhaps. Perception is reality and this map will give you a perspective of what is real. One thing for sure, we have a LOT of crime.

At this site, you will be able to type in an exact location to find out about any crime near or around where you live.

Who are law and order candidates? Who are for strict code enforcement? Remember this when you vote on Tuesday.

Who are our best anti-crime candidates?

District 1: Ron Exline was a member of the C.O.P.'s and wants to reduce, crime, blight and will ensure effective code procedures. Scott Maxwell wants more Code and partner with PBSO and reintroduce the C.A.T. program. Both candidates will work on better public safety and driving the criminals out of our city. This is a toss up.

District 3: Jo-Ann Golden said that code was not working and agreed that a revamping of the department was in order. She increased public safety patrols in the neighborhoods and passed a new property maintenance code. Wes Blackman was a member of the C.O.P.'s.

Mayor: William Coakley wants to "throw all the bums out" and that includes the criminals. Believes in strict code enforcement as well as working closely with PBSO on all facets of public safety. Javier DelSol believes that crime can be solved through eduction. John Jordan wonders how all this crime has consumed our city and wants to end it. Loretta Sharpe wants to improve code enforcement and she supported merging with the Sheriff's Dept. Laurence McNamara will work with the PBSO to reduce crime. Has personally painted over criminal gang graffiti throughout the city. Rene Varela says he will work closely with public safety to ensure safe neighborhoods and prevent foreclosures when possible.

Source: Candidate web sites and/or literature

They all take the cake!

A lot of these candidates take the cake in one way shape or form. I said that this would be a nasty campaign and in my opinion, it is the nastiest one that I can remember. I was even pulled into it by forces that consider me a threat with the sole purpose to discredit. I hope that the best man or woman wins but I honestly have my doubts for Lake Worth.

There is too much corruption. There is too much of the "good ole boys" that want to win back the power in order to continue the waste. They have the money but want more at the expense of our city. They are spitting mad about the recent Comprehensive Plan height changes. They see dollars out of their pockets. They are also concerned that an "unfavorable" commission could result in the taking over of the CRA, a board with way too much power and one that has always advanced their development agenda.

On the other side, there are too many "progressives" that feel comfortable with Lake Worth being a sanctuary city and have ruined it. They believe that laws are for the other guy or even worse, they want to eradicate police powers. Until we get normalcy back and take it away from these groups that have been in control and we get more conservatives in power, I don't see how we can rise above the ashes.

• Hardest campaign worker: Laurence McNamara

• Best campaign fliers: Rene Varela
  

• Most innovative campaign advertising: William Coakley
  

• Most interesting or someone you would not want to miss: John Jordan and Loretta Sharpe
  

• Best speaker: Scott Maxwell

• Best catchy message..."Throw the Bums Out"- William Coakley and "I don't need on the job training" - Ron Exline
  

• Most optimistic and positive: Jo-Ann Golden
  

• Most desperately wanting Change: Wes Blackman and William Coakley
  

• Best campaign Radio Show: William Coakley (I’m prejudiced and it’s my blog)
  

• Most “green” and biggest idealist: Javier DelSol

• Most laid-back, matter-of-fact and casual: Ron Exline

• On top of the facts: William Coakley and Laurence McNamara

• Totally fearless: John Jordan

Playhouse Forum - It's all a Show

What the PB Post says about the Lake Worth Commission candidates

Commission race:

If the winners of last night’s candidate’s forum were determined on the ability of public speaking, then the winners are obvious in the Commission race: Scott Maxwell and Wes Blackman. Overall, Wes did the best to turn any question around to what he wanted to say. Scott also has that ability. Ron Exline and Jo-Ann Golden did a good job speaking to the issues.

Mayoral race:

If the winners are picked by who brought the most supporters or the loudest even going so far as to bang on the theater walls, the winners are Javier DelSol and Rene Varela.

The Playhouse seats 300 people. These are the people who always vote in Lake Worth and these are the people who care the most. Whether these 300 people can turn the election in their favor remains to be seen. This is free entertainment Lake Worth style and it's always a show. It's always the same people who show up and come to this forum and some of these candidates do not fit into any faction...and that might be a good thing. The question is, do they have a chance to be elected?

The Environmental Coalition and some of the Green Party were there to support Javier. Actually he spoke well. I don’t want to be forced to live with illegals, however. John Jordan has the guts to say what a lot of people believe. I have no problem with diversity but why is it that I must be the one fitting into their culture and not vice versa? The Mentoring Center is a disaster and a disgrace. Just admit it. Look at our city...that's all it takes.

Our City Manager, Susan Stanton, was sitting next to me and she got an ear full last night particularly on Code Enforcement. Bill Coakley asked the question about one faction's concern about Lake Worth becoming a "police state" thus the elimination of our code enforcement officers. I still believe that there has been a lot of quid pro quo and Stanton is doing her best in a City in crisis. If there is a better way to clean up the slum, blight and crime, let us hear about it. No one has given us the remedy other than Javier who says we should "educate." The ship is sinking. We are way past education.

Bill Coakley looked and sounded good. Laurence McNamara was on his game. Loretta got better as the night went on. John Jordan always adds some spice to the mix. Thank God he tamed it down from last year's performance. Rene Varela was clearly annoyed at the demonstration in front of the Playhouse brought on by the report that he is involved with a company that captures wild dolphins for re-sale. He had wind of this and was prepared for any adversity. His supporters were present. Everyone should send a message here…buy this Florida license tag.

Help the wild ones stay wild

Dr. Chris McVoy demonstrating by holding a Dolphin balloon

Environmental Coalition blasts local candidates for supporting Federal laws

Four candidates for this coming election are being blasted on the Palm Beach County Environmental Coalition web site.

Their complaint? They are stating that these candidates are against illegal immigration. Well, let's hope so. They are upset that these candidates are against pushing Seniors off the shuffleboard courts and have spoken out on the deplorable conditions perpetrated by this Lessee, The Mentoring Center.

I would be confident that every candidate running for office other than Javier in this instance is for upholding our Federal, State and local laws.

Go over there and read for yourself. Illegal is illegal folks.

Letter from NOW to the Candidates

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for appearing at the North PB County NOW Candidates' forum tonight. We appreciate the time you took to share your views with us.

For those who left before the end, we want you to know that Wes Blackman, Loretta Sharpe, Javier Del Sol, Rene Varela, and Laurence McNamara arrived early and were able to participate in the forum. Jo-Ann Golden arrived later during the NOW membership meeting and Ron Exline arrived about 8:30. Both were able to address the NOW members. Again, many thanks for sharing in our event.

H. Joan Waitkevicz, for the North PB County NOW Board and members

cc: North PB County NOW Board
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The Christian Coalition ended around 9pm. Directly after the candidates spoke, they stayed to meet and chat with the attendees. For those who did not make the N.O.W. Forum, I am sure that it was the late hour that was considered to bybass NOW. No one would be afraid of a woman unless, of course, you are Kanye.

PB Christian Coalition Forum

Virginia Brooks, Chairman of the PB Christian Coalition opened the meeting at the Lantana Library. This was my first time there. The place is huge and it was extremely busy. John Brooks led us in prayer and thanked all those running for "putting their life on the line for running for office in Lake Worth." Truer words could not have been spoken. Politics in Lake Worth is vicious.

The above candidates showed up and the venue was really informal. They got to talk about anything and some questions were asked from the audience...our utilities and beach were of major concern. Javier came late from the N.O.W. forum and they gave him 5 minutes to speak.

Tami Donnally candidate for Florida House District 85 spoke briefly and told us why she decided to run saying that she believes in America. "We the people is a phrase that seems lost in today's government," she said. A former school principal married to a minister, she wants to give back. If she wins her primary, she will be running against Joe Abruzzo.

Curt Price, running for Congress, District 19, announced that Robert Wexler was resigning. He is running as a Republican in that District so the dynamics of that race will now be very different. Curt is a former policeman with a BA in Criminal Justice, has a Master of Science degree in Business Administration and currently a business owner.

The Christian Coalition will soon be changing its name to the Palm Beach Faith and Freedom Coalition.