Reversal of DEI decision at Compass

DEI law Reversed by Joe Abruzzo on Compass LGBTQ+ center project

Lake Worth Beach commissioners on April 28 redirected a federal grant request away from the Compass Community Center after city staff said a new Florida law targeting local diversity, equity and inclusion programs would prevent the original project from moving forward.

The commission voted to use its next-ranked Community Development Block Grant project — lighting improvements at Memorial Field — after learning Palm Beach County would not approve the city’s earlier request for air-conditioning and elevator work at the city-owned Compass building.

The decision came less than a week after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 1134, a new state law barring counties and municipalities from funding, promoting or implementing DEI initiatives. The law also requires grant recipients to certify that public money will not be used to advance DEI and includes enforcement provisions for violations.

Commissioner Sarah Malega sharply criticized the outcome, saying she was “appalled” that a city-owned building would be denied improvements because of who its tenant is.

Vice Mayor Mimi May similarly urged the city to find another funding source quickly so Compass would not have to wait through another budget cycle.

Commissioner Christopher McVoy said the action conflicted with Lake Worth Beach’s values as a city that welcomes different groups and supports inclusion.

In a swift reversal, Palm Beach County has approved funding for improvements at Compass Community Center in Lake Worth Beach, backing off an earlier denial tied to Florida’s new anti-DEI law.

“We sincerely appreciate Palm Beach County Administrator Joseph Abruzzo’s decision to do what is right by reversing the [Department of Housing and Economic Development] staff’s determination,” she said. “At the same time, this moment underscores a deeper concern: when laws or policies are written or interpreted too vaguely, they can open the door to decisions that stray from their intended purpose and create real harm in our communities.”

Sarah Malega said once the issue reached the desk of Abruzzo, he quickly intervened to reverse the decision. “It was fantastic. He said he will always be supportive of the LGBTQ community,” she said. “It's nice when elected officials do what's right because it's the right thing to do. I’m just really proud of Palm Beach County.”

Read about it...

Irv Slosberg doesn't know what he's doing

Slosberg said that it’s “a possibility” he’ll launch a Democratic primary run against Abruzzo or Clemens — or just remain in his House seat.

Read about it...Incumbents pissed!

Say it Ain't so, Joe

Marital bliss now over for State Senator, Joe Abruzzo who is calling it a day.

Read about it at Gossip Extra and see photos of his gorgeous wife.

Jeff Clemens files Sexual Orientation bill

Comment Up

Florida legislatures have until February 25 to file new bills and there are many coming.  Jeff Clemens' bills are always of interest to us. Joe Abruzzo from Wellington has an anti-discrimination bill SB-0156 that will add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression as impermissible grounds for discrimination, etc.

Clemens's bill: Sexual orientation change efforts:
Licensed counselors and therapists, listen up. Trying to change a minor’s sexual orientation could land you in hot water with the Florida Department of Health. State Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Palm Beach, wants to abolish any attempts by licensed professionals to dissuade young people from pursuing same-sex relationships. The bill does, however, allow for professional support for minors seeking “gender transition” and “identity exploration.” But actively trying to change “gender identity” or “gender expression” is a no-go. Confused? It’s probably safe to assume some members of the Legislature will be, too.  Read more...

SB 204: Sexual Orientation Change Efforts

GENERAL BILL by Clemens

Sexual Orientation Change Efforts; Defining the term “sexual orientation change effort”; prohibiting persons who are licensed to provide professional counseling and various practitioners who are licensed under provisions regulating the practice of medicine, osteopathic medicine, psychology, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health counseling from engaging in sexual orientation change efforts on behalf of a person who is younger than a specified age, etc.

Effective Date: 7/1/2015
Last Action: 12/18/2014 Senate - Filed
Location: Filed
Bill Text: Web Page | PDF

FL Sen. Jeff Clemens - Florida Committee Assignments

Appropriation Subcommittee on Transporation, Tourism and Economic Development
Chair: Jack Latvala
Vice chair: Jeff Clemens

Banking and Insurance
Chair: Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers
Vice chair: Garrett Richter, R-Naples
Other members: Jeff Clemens, Nancy Detert, Dorothy Hukill, Tom Lee, Gwen Margolis, Bill Montford, Joe Negron, David Simmons, Christopher Smith.

Criminal justice
Chair: Greg Evers
Vice chair: Audrey Gibson
Other members: Rob Bradley, Jeff Brandes, Jeff Clemens

Education Pre-K-12
Chair: John Legg
Vice chair: Nancy Detert
Other members: Lizbeth Benacquisto, R-Fort Myers; Jeff Brandes, Dwight Bullard, Jeff Clemens, Don Gaetz, Bill Galvano, Rene Garcia, Bill Montford, Eleanor Sobel.

Ethics and Elections
Chair: Garrett Richter, R-Naples
Vice chair: John Legg
Other members: Oscar Braynon, Jeff Clemens, Charlie Dean, Anitere Flores, Don Gaetz, Alan Hays, Joe Negron, Christopher Smith, Geri Thompson.

Fiscal Policy
Chair: Anitere Flores
Vice chair: Rob Bradley
Other members: Joseph Abruzzo, Aaron Bean, Jeff Clemens, Alan Hays, Dorothy Hukill, John Legg, Gwen Margolis, Maria Sachs, Kelli Stargel

Special Meeting in Lake Worth - Funding for Infrastructure Plan

Comment Up

Tomorrow night, the commission has called for a special meeting beginning at 6pm.  A special meeting means that the commission can/will vote on spending your money. On the agenda--

1. Fiscal Year 2013 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and Management Letter

2.  Lake Worth 2020 summary presentation and discussion on potential funding sources

The city has provided a power point in its back-up, one that is similar to what has been presented in the past.  The most important aspect of its aggressive and costly roads infrastructure plan that includes the infrastructure for the Park of Commerce for the hopes of attracting development, has no mention about the financing. Why not?

Proposed 2020 Plan which is now 2021 or a Seven Year Road Improvement costs:
2015:  $14,010,000
2016:  $10,890,000
2017:  $  3,960,000
2018:  $  6,420,000
2019:  $14,280,000
2020:  $11,540,000
2021:  $ 7,820,000
TOTAL COST:  $68,920,000

Proposed 393 acre Park of Commerce Plan to be finished by year 2035:
Total cost  $17,600,000--it wasn't that long ago when it was estimated at $13 mil and back in 2010 at $11 mil.

For a grand total of:  $86,520,000 (in today's dollars)


There is a bill sponsored by Joe Abruzzo where our city might meet all of the qualifications:

SB 1622: Municipal Road Projects

GENERAL BILL by Abruzzo

Municipal Road Projects; Citing this act as the "Disadvantaged Cities Road Improvement Act"; creating the Disadvantaged Cities Road Assistance Program within the Department of Transportation to provide funding for certain road projects; providing criteria for selection of municipalities to receive funding; authorizing the department to administer contracts on behalf of a municipality; requiring funded projects to be included in the department’s work program, etc.

Effective Date: Upon becoming a law
Last Action: 3/10/2014 Senate - Introduced -SJ 217
Location: In committee/council (TR)
Bill Text: Web Page | PDF

Florida Senate approves humongous rate hike for Citizens Insurance

Comment Up

The Florida Senate approved a rate hike of up to 85% for Citizens Insurance. The vote was 24/15 and now moves to the Florida house.

Jeff Clemens, once again, voted on the right side of reason by voting NO. “If you want to raise insurance rates, vote for this bill,” said Sen. Jeff Clemens, D-Lake Worth. Joe Abruzzo of Wellington and Joe Negron of Stuart did just that and voted for the hike. Eventually it could be up to Governor Rick Scott whose political action committee received $718,000 from insurance interests.

Current Citizens customers would remain under a cap that limits rate increases to 10 percent a year, but new customers would have to pay what are deemed “actuarially sound” rates. That means new customer rates 60 percent to 85 percent higher in three terrorities in Palm Beach County, many of them with wind-only policies, according to Citizens records.

Read more... The people continue to get screwed and have no protection in the State from insurance company gouging.

Florida HB 525 - Jeff Clemens says NO

With the purpose of undoing a change in the State Pension Plan that was passed last year, a new proposed Bill that was meant to make those in dangerous jobs happier is now controversial once again.

One of the architects of HB 525 is our very own Democrat Joe Abruzzo from Wellington District 85. This Bill would lower the retirement age for special risk state employees such as police and fire. They would now get to retire at age 55 or 25 years of service instead of age 60.

But guess what? Some of those directly involved don't like the new Bill. Their objection is that new employees would automatically be enrolled in the State's 401(k) styled plan unless they choose a defined benefit pension plan that is opposite of the State's current practice. They also feared that it would take longer to collect benefits if they should be laid-off because they would now have to work eleven years minimum instead of the current eight.

The Bill states: Revises definitions of terms "normal retirement date" & "vested" or "vesting"; clarifies provisions related to prohibition of hardship loans or payments; clarifies that retiree who is reemployed in regularly established position after certain date may not be enrolled as renewed member; authorizes certain distributions to member who is terminated from employment for 1 calendar month if member has reached normal retirement date; provides rulemaking authority to DMS; provides that benefit for purposes of optional retirement program for SUS includes certain distribution; clarifies when voluntary contributions may be paid out; requires new employees to, by default, be enrolled in investment plan; authorizes new employees to elect to participate in pension plan or investment plan within specified time; revises provisions related to disability retirement benefit calculation, early retirement benefit calculation, benefit commencement age & years of service, & disability retirement benefit calculation to conform to changes made by act; provides rulemaking authority to boards of trustees for colleges; provides for contribution rate adjustments to fund benefit changes provided in act; directs Division of Statutory Revision to adjust contribution rates set forth in s. 121.71, F.S.; provides declaration of important state interest. Effective Date: July 1, 2012

Jeff Clemens, Democrat, voted NO to HB 525. It passed on a 7/6 vote in the Government Operations Sub-Committee on first reading.

Jeff Clemens

Comment Up
Jeff Clemens says that he wants to run for State Senate and just think, it was we in Lake Worth who helped him begin his political career after electing him Mayor of Lake Worth. He then continued on in politics and became our Florida State Rep. in 2010. He is the Democratic Ranking member of the Government Operations Subcommittee and the State Affairs Committee. Perhaps his career will lead to a United States Congressional position, following in the footsteps of Mark Foley another Lake Worth former commissioner.

He wants to make medical marijuana legal and a recent poll conducted by Gov. Rick Scott’s pollster found that nearly 60 percent of Floridians support the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes. There are 20 other States that have passed this and they have generated hundreds of millions of dollars in new private industry revenue and millions of dollars in state tax revenue not to mention the new pot heads.

Depending upon the re-districting in Florida, Clemens will make a decision as to what he will do to further his career. He says that whatever he does, he won't run against Joe Abruzzo. NO one can beat Joe Abruzzo. Good move, Jeff.

Drop in and say Hi to Jeff at his office at 508 Lake Avenue.

Are you Kidding Me? Attack mailer out on Rachel Waterman

Comment Up
An attack mailer hit my mailbox today. I knew that we couldn't survive without someone resorting to sleaze. It seems to be always the Republicans that do this better than anyone else but some Democrats have learned the trick as well.

Today it comes from a group called Voters Response out of Tallahassee. Voters Response has predominately paid Republican operatives and everything on the mailer is factually incorrect as far as what Waterman stands for and what she has said even down to the chickens. In truth, the MAILER IS ONE LIE as far as what Waterman is for. This is a Group famous for attack ads and even if you asked campaign managers about the attack mailers, you would get denial after denial. Everyone wants to distance themselves from any admission. It's not nice to be known as a bully. Why do they want to do that? Because they do not want to hear any explanation from the candidate they are attacking. That is not their mission. In war and in politics it is to attack and destroy.

There are always plausible and real explanations that make sense when people got hurt due to the downturn in our economy caused by Banks, Realtors, and mortgage brokers. There are a million stories. But electioneering committees are only used by those politicians in business to bring the other guy down. We saw this in some past elections but no side ever came out attacking an opponent who has suffered because of this housing bubble that burst...real people with families that had to do everything to survive when they lost their jobs and eventually their homes.

From the Dan Gelber campaign: More than half of its money (Voters Response) was spent on Data Targeting, a Gainesville direct mail company whose Republican clients have included Senate President Jeff Atwater, Attorney General Bill McCollum and the Republican Party of Florida.

Voters Response also paid Bascom Communications, a Republican consulting firm used by state GOP Chairman John Thrasher and incoming Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island. State Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Sarasota, has also worked for the group.

Voters Response is run by Republican attorney Dave Ramba, a Tallahassee lobbyist whose clients include Callery-Grove L.P. and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Ramba also played a role in a race-baiting mailer sent by another political committee in 2008 to Jacksonville Republicans that juxtaposed images of President Obama and black marchers and warned that Black Panthers and "armed thugs" could intimidate voters.

Voters Response also worked for a Democrat who ran for county commission as well as Dave Aronberg who ran against Gelber. In spite of its money bags, Dan Gelber beat Aronberg for State Attorney General but lost to Pam Bondi in the general election. I believe that Joe Abruzzo also had help from this Electioneering Committee.

Folks, you need to follow the money...connect the dots... discard the mailer in file 13.

Allen West opponents are like mad dogs

Comment Up
Barely sworn in, opponents of Col. Allen West, our new Congressman from District 22, have not let up. They are more ugly than ever and more determined. Calling him every name in the book, they just want their power back to spend, spend and spend.

This reminds me of what happened Tuesday night at our own Commission Chambers when the CRA and friends were out in force to retain the power to spend, spend and spend. Those at City Hall were worked up and each speaker was a little more ugly than the one who preceded him, determined that an elected body that is responsible for taxpayer money would not ever get that chance. They carried a big stick and a big mouth. The Commission had to sit there in silence and finally capitulated.

How much higher do these liberals want our federal deficit to get? It's already at $14.3 TRILLION dollars with each man, woman and child owing about $43 K. Here in Lake Worth we will have a $4.5 million shortfall and unlike the federal government, we must balance our budget. So what does the CRA do? They give their Director another raise. Last year it was 10%. This year Chair Cary Sabol thought he recommended 5%...he was not sure. Why not? It's other people's money.

It was during Democrat Bill Clinton's term that the Budget became balanced thanks to George H.W. Bush who signed the appropriation Bills in 1990 and 1993 that brought the results. This past November voters said that they had enough of this run-away spending.

Candidates are lining up now for the next race with all the liberal rags denigrating West. Politics is sickening. Look where these bums have gotten us? Congress just voted to reduce the budget by $4 billion just to stay in business. It has a long way to go to cut $60 billion as promised. Liberal newspapers and Democrats would say, " that is just a nutty idea. "Give me the cash; we are entitled...just keep borrowing more from China."

Democrats have made freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Allen West one of their chief targets in 2012. He's just too conservative for them. He believes in fiscal responsibility for gosh sakes. "U.S. Rep. Steve Israel of New York, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, made a trip to Florida in February to meet potential candidates to take West on.

While only one Democratic candidate has filed to run against West -- dark horse Patrick Daniel -- Israel met with a number of political leaders who may be willing to take the Republican on in 2012. Israel met with both former state representative and current Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon, as well as former U.S. Rep. Ron Klein whom West beat in November. He also expressed interest in speaking with Lois Frankel who led Democrats in the Florida House of Representatives and is now mayor of West Palm Beach. U.S. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi recently met with construction executive Patrick Murphy about launching a bid against West. There has also been talk that Rep. Joe Abruzzo of Wellington could jump into the primary."

Read more at Sunshine News

Tea Party Candidate Forum Tonight

Col. Allen West

The South Florida 912 is collaborating with the South Florida Tea Party in a Palm Beach County Candidate Forum

Date: Tonight, Monday, October 4, 2010
Time: 6 pm Meet & Greet; 7 - 9 pm
Candidate Forum moderated by Joyce Kaufman
Where: The Borland Center in Midtown
Address: 4885 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens 33418
Directions: On the north side of PGA just west of Military Trail
Seating limited to 500 people so please come early and bring your friends!

Participating candidates include:
LTC Allen West (CD22-R)
Jim Horn (CD16-D)
Tom Rooney (CD16-R)
Joe Abruzzo (FH85-D)
Tami Donnally (FH85-R)
Steven Rosenblum (FH89-R)
Albert Key (FH84-R)
Joe Budd (CD19-R)
Pat Rooney (FH83-R)
Marc Marciano (FH83-D)
Lizbeth Benacquisto (FS27-R)
Bill Hager (FH87-R)
Bernard Sansaricq (CD23-R).
Special guest Lou Galterio will sing the National Anthem.

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.

Last night's Commission Meeting

Rep Joe Abruzzo shaking hands with Betty Anderson and
former Mayor and Commissioner, Ron Exline

Rep. Joe Abruzzo visited our Commission last night. He is always personable and friendly, coming over immediately to shake my hand. I am sure he did not remember my name but he did remember my face. Rep. Abruzzo gave a short presentation on his accomplishments in the Florida Legislature this term and told us why he voted against the new State Budget with the main reason being that it “uses $3 billion in federal economic recovery money but fails to utilize another $444 million of federal stimulus for Florida’s unemployed.” Does anyone understand this?

Last night’s city commission meeting was one of the shorter ones. Everything on the Consent Agenda passed…nothing was pulled for discussion. Public Hearing on the granting of a revocable permit to Martin Commerce Center Condo Association was postponed as was the sidewalk café new rules and regulations. Several people talked about the Comp Plan and urged that it get transmitted soon.

There was the second reading of a new Ordinance to create a Community Relations Board which will consist of 7 members plus 2 from the Neighborhood Associations. This is a Board set up to provide “amicable relations among the racial and cultural groups within the community…and advise the City Manager and the City Commission in matters affecting law enforcement policies and community relations.”

OK, that’s the definition of the board. Having two members on the Board from the Neighborhood Associations will be a tricky one as someone in College Park sure can’t represent me and the simple fact that we have 13 neighborhood associations, 11 others will be left out. The Condos on Lake Osborne fall in the cracks.

The Mayor said it had nothing to do with the Police. It has everything to do with the police. This is why it is being formed. Perhaps the Commission can fool themselves and can fool the general public in believing that this Board was formed for some lofty ideal. Commissioner Jennings wants to be assured that the Sheriff does not overstep its authority and harass illegals. That’s what prompted this Ordinance. Everything else is subterfuge. Commissioner Mulvehill said that she was very interested to learn why people put their clothes out to dry on bushes, as an example. Who in the heck cares, Commissioner? These people come here illegally. They should be fitting into our culture, not the other way around. Commissioner Jennings even brought up the possibility of subpoena powers for the Board. Can you imagine Suzie Homemaker with subpoena powers and out there getting in the way of our Sheriff Department that is working under the law protecting everyone’s rights here, even the criminal—the illegal?

Other than that, I honestly do not believe we have racial problems in this city. If we have any, I am not aware of them. What we have is one half of our population who live here, ILLEGALLY creating all sorts of problems and if they were not here our “problems” would be cut in half with nothing left but the normal criminal and the gang-banger. And I don’t need some silly, self-righteous Board telling me how I should want to live with this illegal problem that elected officials have created.

Rally For change

RALLY FOR CHANGE!


Sunday, October 26, 2-6 PM
At the original Wellington Mall
in the southeast corner of Forest Hill Blvd and Wellington Trace

The Mid-County Democrat club invites you to join a celebration of voting: RALLY FOR CHANGE!

Election 2008 is an exciting Presidential election, but in addition to Barack Obama and Joe Biden, there are many local Democrats that will appear on your ballot as well. Here's an opportunity to meet local, county and state Democrat candidates for office up close and personal, as well as representatives from the Obama/Biden campaign.

A sampling of already confirmed attendees are Congressman Robert Wexler; candidates for Florida State House of Representatives: Joseph Abruzzo Dist. 85, Bryan Miller Dist. 83, Rob Ostrov Dist 87, Mark Pafford Dist. 88; Michael McAuliffe, candidate for Palm Beach County State Attorney; Shelly Vana for Palm Beach County Commission Dist. 3; Susan Bucher and Bob Margolis candidates for Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections; and many more.

No admittance or parking fee. Complimentary food and beverages provided. Sample Ballots and a ballot scanner will be available for practice plus answers to voting questions by a representative from the Supervisor of Elections office. First time voters welcome! You could even win a cruise if you buy a raffle ticket!

Bring the family Sunday, October 26, 2-6 PM at the original Wellington Mall in the southeast corner of Forest Hill Blvd and Wellington Trace and let's Turn Florida Blue!

* Bring your completed Absentee Ballot with you and we will hand deliver it to the SOE office

Let's Turn Florida Blue!