Loretta Sharpe

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Last night at the Bryant Park Neighborhood Association Forum it was announced that Loretta was in JFK. Shanon Materio came over to where I was sitting and told me that she had been given Last Rites. I was going to stop by today to see her and so terribly sad to learn now of her passing.

Although Loretta and I had different opinions on many issues affecting our city, she always believed that she had the best interests of Lake Worth and her beliefs are what drove her enthusiasm. I wish I had taken the time and  told her how much I admired her spunkiness and devotion to what she believed and her always working hard for those passions. She was a fighter in everything she did, even with her insidious disease. We were all hoping she would beat it.

May she rest in peace. It won't be the same now at city hall. It never is when you lose someone who gave a lot.
Lynn Anderson

Marshall Pass shared Mary Lindsey's post below:

28 mins

R.I.P. Loretta Sharpe
The City of Lake Worth has lost one of its longest active contributors. You were a very energetic, giving, and caring force, in and for, this beautiful and needy city. So much was done that you were a part of and will live on. You can look down knowing whether people realize it or not that you have honored us leaving behind a Very Positive Impact. For that we will always be thankful.
You will be truly missed by, oh so many. There were those that might ha...
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Mary Lindsey

2 hrs

Rest in Peace Grand Lady
Loretta Sharpe
November 4, 1938 - January 26

Want to buy Mayor Pam Triolo's house?

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Est. Mortgage:

$3,625 / mo

2417 N Federal Highway, Lake Worth

Asking Price: $749,900
5BR, 2.5BA, 2.436 sq. ft.

Listed for sale by Schelling & Associates

Loretta Sharpe, Broker Salesman

Gulfstream Hotel requests up-zoning

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JOT THE DATE DOWN!

Hudson Holdings is looking to up-zone its property known as the Gulfstream Hotel--you know, the group that wanted to grab our casino complex. The meeting of the Historic Preservation Board will be on November 18, at City Hall 6pm. All five of their parcels are included in this request to rezone the property to Downtown Zoning from Multifamily Residential MF-30.

On March 12, 2013, the Charter Amendment ballot initiative was won by the people:
AMENDING CHARTER BUILDING HEIGHT LIMITS IN DESIGNATED DOWNTOWN AREA, WITH EXCEPTIONS.
Should the Charter be amended to limit building height to 45 feet between Golfview Road and F Street and 35 feet between F Street and A Street within a designated downtown area (between a southern boundary of 1st Avenue South; northern boundary of 2nd Avenue North; western boundary of A Street North and South; and an eastern boundary of Golfview Road North and South), providing exceptions for existing buildings and already approved building permits?
Shall the above described amendment be adopted?

On August 6, 2013, the following Downtown District was created.

*
Of course, they know as well as the city knows, we had a Charter Amendment and that any development there must stay at 45 feet. They want to keep stuffing this down the throat of the people and ignore the vote.  When the city lost this vote by 56%, you would think that a commission would represent the people they serve.  Not in this city. Their intent, however, is to allow Hudson Holdings to build a five story addition and ignore the voters.  I hope that every voter remembers this in March 2016.

Ordinance 2015-04--8-4-15--amend various sections and tables in the LDR's.  Vote 5/0

Ordinance 2015-12 9-1-15--amend various sections in the LDR's. Vote 3/2 McVoy and Maier dissenting.
The 2nd Public Hearing was held on 10-6-15 the vote was 3/2 McVoy and Maier dissenting.

This was the meeting from hell where the Vice Mayor and Mayor were bullies. Five people spoke from the public--Former commissioner John Szerdi who works for Hudson Holdings, Electric Utility Advisory Board member, Peggy Fisher and Loretta Sharp a member of the city's  Historic Board spoke for the city's interest.  Former commissioner Jo-Ann Golden and resident Mary Watson spoke for the people's interest.

The "I'm a businesswoman" Bully?

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"Listen to the people and see what they want...Do I want you to change the terms [loan to ourselves for casino rehab] NO, because I'm a businesswoman but I'm sure SHE does [as she turns and points her finger at me]; she's not working anymore.

Why don't you let the people say what they want. You know it would be really nice if just once a commission, a full commission, listened to what all of the people wanted."

~ Loretta Sharp
Former candidate for office (we know how that one worked out) and the mayor's appointment on the Historical Resource Preservation Board.

I really hate to inform Ms. Sharpe but the people already spoke to the beach redevelopment on many occasions and several charettes were conducted. Why you people continue to try and change our beach and casino complex is the mystery. Does it EVER end with you? Are you ever going to make right decisions as business people or do you want to continue to operate in the red, bitch, moan and groan? And how dare you decide, out of the sunshine, that you want some developer to take over our casino on a long-term lease?  Why don't you understand Business 101? Hands OFF our Beach...the people have spoken.

Waiting for the next illegal banner to go up.

Historic Board member's former house coming before the Board

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 On Wednesday, May 8, 2015, Loretta Sharpe (Grantor) transferred her legal rights of her property located at 1311 S. Palmway to Geoffrey Mintz (Grantee) for $315,000. Now this property is coming before the Historic Board.

G- NEW BUSINESS -1--HRPB Project Number 15-00100152: Consideration of a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) for roof replacement to the subject property located at 1311 South Palmway, PCN# 38-43-44-27-01-067-0101. The subject building was constructed in 1945 and the property is a contributing structure within the South Palm Park Local Historic District.

The new owner wants a better/different roof on the breezeway and is once again coming before the Historic Resources Preservation Board where Ms. Sharpe is a member. He appears this Wednesday to propose replacing the existing 3-tab asphalt shingle roof on the rear “enclosed breezeway” on the south side of the property with a Boral Barcelona 900 series low-profile concrete Stile.  Staff says that what he proposes (from a 3-tab asphalt shingle to a low-profile concrete S-tile) is inappropriate.

Staff has given him several options in the past but he has submitted his justifications for a concrete roof and is looking for a favorable vote. There are diverse types of roofs in the neighborhood and this would only be seen by the neighbor directly to the south of the property.

I wonder if Ms. Sharpe has to recuse herself from any decision.

House as shown in back-up

Twisted Drama by the Two Peas

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No one has ever said that the city wants to sell our beach--NO ONE.  Do you understand that?  Why then do we have some residents who continually believe that those of us who are against any private/public partnership and more commercial development on a long-term lease at our beach have said that?  Why? They can't possibly be serious.

I must come to the conclusion that they are 1) not listening to what we have said, 2) have not listened to the Select Committee Audios and what Hudson Holdings has said that they want to do, 3) are delusional, deranged or both or 4) flat fibbers...take your pick.

You get a resident and a member of a city board who speaks at the lectern with NO clue.  She is "'amazed that anyone thinks we can give away our beach...this comes up every 2 to 3 years...I am so disturbed about this whole movement about giving away our beach; I don't know what to do."

Then we get the local newspaper on this same exact schtick. The editorial in this week's paper says, "Now we see the actual proposals and the hype about selling the beach and a convention center turn out to be highly inaccurate." He says that these lies were spread during the campaign. Untrue. No one during the campaign has ever said anything about "sprawling buildings everywhere on the property like we have been seeing on the blog and reading in the paper (not this one)." No one ever said one damn thing about selling the beach or selling anything nor have they said anything about giving away our beach. If a newspaper can't tell the truth, who in the hell can? 

What this is about is 1) the city can't take care of anything, 2) they need more ad valorem taxes and money but the bulk of that will go to the Lessee 3) it is about giving away control of our casino/complex including the parking and for filling in our pool and building another building, giving them a long-term lease that Hudson has asked for and by ordinance is an initial term of 19 years, 364 days. After that, Hudson Holdings can/will get an option to renew which probably will be built into the contract. Not only would this be unacceptable, even for one day, it would not be in the spirit of the referendum passed by the voters by 90%.

This is NOT about giving away or selling our beach.  It is NOT about giving away or selling our casino/complex.  It IS about giving away control of our property.

So, you peas in a pod, knock off the "typical drama push" (stole that phrase from the dogmatic LWHerald) and get your facts correct.

Rage, Rapture and Racism - Caught up in the Insanity

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The first protest was only a few days ago,

 but John Szerdi came back for more. 

He can't get enough of exercising his free speech not to mention being 

intolerant of anyone holding a different opinion--being a bully.

 This time, he fell into the racism trap.

This is one of the reasons why John Szerdi was slaughtered at the polls--
he never understood the facts or that he represented
all of the people.

Some even covered their faces so as not to be seen on camera--about seven this time showed out for Parrilla's second demonstration against Dee McNamara for her alleged use of the N word. Those that I can identify, who  have been caught up in the politics and the rapture: John Szerdi, Loretta Sharp, Retha Lowe, (and covering their faces), Brian Elder, and Roger Hendrix.

At least Serge Jerome had the good sense not to attend this time.  He is now a Committeeman for the Palm Beach County Democratic Party. I don't think he wants to screw up his future.

Even PBSO showed up to this embarrassing scene on an incident that can't be proved. It is now harassment but the organizer needs another 2 minutes of "fame" for his rage and racism. It just proves that some people get caught up in the moment, in the insanity, without fully understanding the facts and they don't care.

I wasn't going to give this any publicity but decided to show that at times people are just a means to an end. You can push certain buttons; they can be fooled and used believing the cause is just. People who scream a lot get some attention. Once again, this fell flat and what they have done is nothing more than racism, bullying and abuse. 

Lake Worth City Board Appointments

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Board POLITICAL Appointments or in some cases, "pay-backs"

MAYOR:

• City Tree Board: Mayor’s reappointment of Jeannie Fernsworth for a term ending on July 31, 2017

• Historic Resources Preservation Advisory Board: Mayor’s appointment of Loretta Sharpe for a term ending on July 31, 2017.

VICE MAYOR

• Planning and Zoning Board: Vice Mayor’s reappointment of Mark Humm for a term ending on July 31, 2017

• Construction Board of Adjustment and Appeals--Vice Mayor’s reappointment of Mark Szafarin for a term ending on July 31, 2017

• Historic Resources Preservation Advisory Board: Vice Mayor’s reappointment of Jimmy Zoellner for a term ending on July 31, 2017

COMMISSIONER SZERDI

• City Recreation Advisory Board: Commissioner Szerdi’s appointment of Serge Jerome Jr. to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2015

Electric Utility Advisory Board: City Commission’s reappointment of Caroline Clore for a term ending on July 31, 2016

Revisionism alive and well in Lake Worth

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I don't suppose it's too much to ask--but can anyone, JUST ANYONE get it right?

On Tuesday night, Loretta Sharpe said that Christopher McVoy ran unopposed in his election ( held on November 6, 2012)...intimating that it was not all that unusual not to have opponents like our present commission.  It just shows the power of someone saying something that is not factual...there are always a percentage of people who will believe it--and this particular "mistake" got picked up in the local newspaper.

McVoy most DEFINITELY ran with an opponent and Mrs. Sharpe was heavily involved in Stafford's campaign--

Commissioner Dist No. 2 - LAKE WORTH(1)

Vote for 1
		Percent	Votes
Christopher McVoy		57.72%	4,708
Jim Stafford		42.28%	3,448
			8,156

Hey Venus, oh Venus, make my wish come true

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1414 Lake Avenue

What's worse?  The obnoxious sign or the fact they are trying to

pull one over on the city?

I want what I want when I want it and there are city board members as well as commissioners who allow it all to happen.

On April 3, 2012, the Venus Cafe got its proximity waiver for a 2COP license...they just had to have it in order to help their business be successful.  The owner spoke before the commission.  Loretta Sharpe, former member of the Historical Resource Preservation board,  spoke before the commission as well, advocating for the owner.  Well, why not?  Everyone gets waivers in this city when it comes to alcohol.  Soon after the commission voted it in, the owner "temporarily" closed it for ...?  Nearly two years later, it is still closed.

Pushing forward in spite of it all

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The longest recession since World War II began in December 2008 and the government says it lasted 18 months lasting well into 2010. Until this one, the longest postwar recessions were those of 1973-5 and 1981-2, with each lasting 16 months. Jobs lost, banks folded, homes were lost and cities filed bankruptcy.  It was a mess and we are still in recovery. It all affected Lake Worth in a very negative way.  The city became much poorer; property values fell for years and some still fell again in 2013. Over 2,000 homes went into foreclosure. We have not recovered. Our tax base is pathetic.  But we still have dreams and the city is going to spend what little money you have on those dreams, one way or another.

Last night it was said by the city manager that Mrs. Sharp was right, we should have started on the Park of Commerce  4 or 5 years ago...as "we need to create jobs" and ad-valorem.  During the economic crisis that was still affecting Lake Worth back then, we got a new city manager (Susan Stanton) who worked 16 hours a day to stop the bleed.  Now it seems we are going to open the wound that has never yet healed. On top of that, we're going to take over the maintenance of Boutwell Road from the County and we don't have a pot--not yet anyway--not unless the city moves more money from our Reserves or goes out on a General Obligation Bond and commits the city to long-term debt.

As one resident said to me, "When will this commission and city administration stop dreaming about what might be and take care of what is."

Committee for a Prosperous Florida and Andy Amoroso

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Sounds good, doesn't it? Committee for a Prosperous Florida? Don't we all want prosperity? The Committee was established in 2013 by Jeremy Ring of Margate and Jeff Clemens from Lake Worth, two Democrats. Under Clemens mayorship, he brought us the Mentoring Center that brought hundreds upon hundreds of illegal aliens to our city to live and loiter and get picked up for daily labor. This all enhanced the crime in Lake Worth that won't go away.

All of its contributions and expenditures are accessible by the public via this website.  I suppose medical marijuana will definitely make some people prosperous in this State should it get on the ballot. What about raising the speed limit to 75? That might get people in the grave a little sooner than they had expected and make funeral directors a little more prosperous--more Clemens bills.

This Committee of Jeff Clemens, Democrat, just contributed $500 to Amoroso. Also, the Friends of Mark Foley (who is a Republican) Committee gave the same. Anything goes in local politics...they are all in bed together.  Even commissioner John Szerdi's firm gave him $100 and a former candidate, Loretta Sharpe, chipped in the same but earlier paid over $300 for a fundraiser. He's bought a new computer, a printer and spent $55 towards gas for his vehicle. He's raised $12,810 to date, more than any other candidate, and has spent approximately $6,500. He must believe/know that  someone is running against him?

Committee for a Prosperous Florida is a private, not-for-profit committee comprised of a variety of individuals, business interest, and public officials established to promote an economical future for Florida and to promote the development of responsible tax and financial policies. To achieve these purposes, the Committee is empowered, subject to applicable state law, to solicit and accept voluntary contributions, to expend such contributions to further the support and election of candidates for elective public office in Florida whose views, voting records, or positions indicate a favorable orientation toward some or all of these purposes, and to do such other things consistent with the foregoing and with Florida law. The Committee is also empowered to make contributions, within limits approved by Florida law, to political committees supporting candidates or issues in the State of Florida.

Dr. David Simon getting national attention

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Dr. David Simon is now national news, his story picked up by The Huffington Post.   Loretta Sharpe just can't believe the charges as she says she has gone to Dr. Simon for 27 years and she was a "knock-out" when she was 27 years younger.  I guess Dr. Simon didn't think she was a bad girl.

Click link above to see the video.

Annabeth and her role in the 2010 Census - Lake Worth

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“A lie can go halfway around the world before the truth can even put its pants on.” - Mark Twain

Two weeks ago and at a public meeting, resident Loretta Sharpe addressed the 2010 Census and Annabeth Karson implying that we did not get what we paid for. Her remark was responded to by Commissioner Amoroso who said we never got the Census Report. I would like to put the record straight regarding Annabeth Karson and her assignment and the work she did on the 2010 Census.

She was part of the Complete Count Committee that was responsible to get the word out to the different organizations and residents regarding the upcoming census count. Many obstacles were put in her path, one by a present sitting commissioner, Scott Maxwell. It was politics at its best or worst depending upon what side of politics you are on in this dysfunctional city. Those on the paver side were paranoid that she was going to get out there to compile lists of people who would vote the way she wanted them to vote. After all, she was a friend of Cara Jennings so what else could one expect or so they claimed? This was all fantasy, popycock and political smear.

She and Shauna Cooligan were appointed and were originally going to be employees of the city.  Not to be. Maxwell had a hissy fit. It ended up going out on an RFP and Annabeth got the contract and the Complete Count Committee  became an  independent contractor and invoices were submitted as work progressed. Sharp had accused her of not turning in a bill and Amoroso confirmed that they "never got the Census information and he had to grab a report from the League of Cities." A final bill was NOT necessary by this Contract arrangement. All of the information that she and her committee had gathered was turned into the city, not once, but twice. On November 15, 2011, they were scheduled by staff to present a verbal report to the city commission.  Click here for this presentation...go to 6-Presentations.

Their work was not to produce 2010 census figures…that is information the city would have received from the U.S. Census Bureau. Their job was to promote the upcoming Census and encourage residents to fill out the forms for the government so that we could get any money from the Feds to which Lake Worth was possibly entitled. The thought was that there were a lot of immigrants in the wings who were afraid to come forward and who needed to be counted. A flyer was produced that told people how important it was to fill it out. The overall count would determine how much funding Lake Worth would receive for health care, senior centers, road repairs, police, etc. I helped circulate those flyers to encourage residents to fill out the forms for the Census Bureau and the forthcoming Census.

Rachel Smithson, Susan Stanton's right hand gal, had put together a Power Point on the entire Complete Count Committee Report and the work that Ms. Karson and Ms. Cooligan had done from beginning to end. Before this was presented, Rachel left the city and eventually so did Ms. Stanton. The final report is somewhere at City Hall.

So, to have a commissioner say that we never got the information that we paid for is inaccurate. They were paid per a set price in the contract. I simply bring this up as there are some political people in this city and some "ethical" residents who want to reinvent the facts, sometimes at a cost of maligning someone’s character and reputation. And it seems that they do it for fun.

NO final bill—unnecessary

Information submitted twice
Terms of the contract fulfilled

Contract price paid.

Loretta Sharpe - Florida Election Commission Notice of Hearing

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Essentially what the below document says is that a hearing will be held on Case No. FEC 13-101 regarding Friends of the Gulfstream PAC and Loretta Sharpe, Chair. This will be heard on August 13, 2013 at 9:00am in Tallahassee.  Ms. Sharpe can attend the hearing with an attorney and has 5 minutes to reply. She may also provide a certified court reporter to record the hearing. If the Commission decides to accept the Consent Order, the case will be closed and become public and the fine paid by Cashier's Check, Money Order or from an attorney's Trust Account.

Andrew Marra - What he didn't say on the Height of Hypocrisy

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What he didn’t say about the height referendum in Downtown Lake Worth--The Height of Hypocrisy

• The Commission disallowed the referendum to be voted upon in November 2012 on the pretense that the public had to “get educated.”

• The Commission pushed the vote to March 2013 to give themselves time to sabotage it.

• In March, the residents voted and won by 56%. (He did say that).

• The Public had plenty of time to get educated and the city commission did everything within its power to ensure that they were.

• The commission allowed an illegal banner to be erected on the Gulfstream Hotel right before a major weekend in the city—the Street Painting Festival. Not only were The Friends of the Gulfstream (two people who were on major boards that have influence on what our city looks like, Loretta Sharpe and Greg Rice) were told to remove it, but they erected it twice. They never were fined for their insurrection. This all was done within weeks of the election.

• A complaint was filed with the Florida Election Commission that did fine Loretta Sharpe who was Chair of the Friends of the Gulfstream PAC for her banner. The disposition of that complaint comes up next month in Tallahassee.

• This PAC made the election about the Gulfstream Hotel, pulling at the heart strings and lying to the voters. Of course, it was not about that at all. The Gulfstream Hotel was/is protected under the Height Limit Charter Amendment; it can be restored or rebuilt to its current height. Any expansion to the Gulfstream can be built to four stories.

• The commission kept telling us that we needed to build higher to attract a developer in our downtown and that we needed the tax base. Any taxes in this area goes to the CRA and the taxpayers will pick up the cost of services. Developers haven't come to Lake Worth in a half century to want to build anything but affordable housing, a legal scam on the US government.

• The commission would not codify the results of the election and delayed the outcome hoping to find a loophole to overturn the results. Some friend of William Waters came through in the much needed delay of the opposition and this city commission.

• H.B. 537 was signed into law by Governor Rick Scott just a few weeks ago that said referendums were not allowed for development orders, Comprehensive Plan changes or Map changes.

• The relevant question is--did the 2011 and 2012 versions of the legislation preclude local citizens' rights to vote in their community on heights. If it did not, an amendment to the legislation has probably no legal basis. Courts have regularly "shot down" post-facto legislation.

• The referendum in Lake Worth involved a charter change. Heights were already addressed in the charter.

• The opposition, as well as Andrew Marra, says that limiting heights discourages development. The 56 percenters say that is hogwash.

• Those who voted for height limitations in our downtown say that they did not want any more buildings over 4 stories in the downtown and that developers had 100 years to build higher buildings and didn’t.

• Although Mr. Marra did not like the vote outcome, 56% of the voters did.

• Although the majority city commission did not like the outcome of the vote, they ended up getting their way by subverting the will of the people with a delay that they say is in their favor…the public be damned.

• The commission, 100% created this problem and should have moved the results forward immediately. That was their responsibility.

• The commission, right now, could honor the vote by making a comprehensive plan change reflecting the will of the people. They haven’t. They won’t. 

• This commission does not care about what the people want only what they think we should have.  This is not democracy.

Last Night's Commission Meeting

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decay and neglect--our legacy after 100 years?
NO--it is a broken pump

Green algae will usually rear its ugly head immediately following a hazy condition in the water from a lack of proper filtration and/or sanitation and in Lake Worth's case, a pump broke causing all the green, slimy stuff. Now the city is scurrying around hunting up the money to buy a new pump, I think.

The main item on the agenda was the approval of the 3 story, 216 rental units on Boutwell and Lake Worth Roads. I can agree with Commissioner Szerdi that it is a good location for them--west of town and not a NIMBY situation, although the traffic congestion will be tremendous in spite of the contractor's traffic projections. I disagree that competition will indirectly force rental home owners to improve their properties. Slums are slums and slum landowners don't change.

Yesterday the developer/contractor gave me renter estimated target incomes of between $60 and $80 thousand a year but the back-up says the targets are $36 to $48 thousand a year. This is affordable housing even if Scott Maxwell says it isn't. He doesn't want to understand the lack of distinction of affordable and workforce housing.

All Realtors are giddy with anticipation (usually you get a 10% commission on rentals), particularly the real estate agent who sits in the front row. She was even allowed to make personal attacks and mock me when she spoke at the lectern. Civility is subjective with this commission and discarded when she speaks. She had announced earlier that she will not be reapplying to the Historical Planning board; her term ends this month. Perhaps we won't have to see any more Venus Cafes pulling a fast one (she recommended that they be allowed to have a COP license and once they got it, closed their doors and the place has gone to blight on Lake Avenue) or we might be less likely to see a monstrous home being approved on N. Lakeside Drive being built right next door to a small cottage. She finally sat down and called me "evil" again, one of her favorites. One thing that is not confusing for her is her lack of politeness...she thinks she is still attacking me on my blog anonymously.

My only point, which the Mayor chose to miss as well as our favorite Realtor, is approving seven buildings without knowing or caring what any other completed project from this contractor/developer looks like today. Many times affordable rental projects attract the undesirable or they go to seed. I asked if they did any D&D or had seen any other developments by this contractor..no one answered the questions.  If you are building a home, before contracting with a builder, you usually visit other houses to visually inspect his work...normal operational procedure.

As you only are given 2 minutes to make a point, my comparison of this project to Greater Bay was not an apples to apples comparison but it was only to point out the lack of due diligence on GB and how it negatively impacted our community. In fact, the vice mayor was highly annoyed that anyone with a different opinion could have the nerve to even raise a question. He threatened to walk out of the meeting if anyone else on the dais had anything "negative" to say about it. He did not want to hear Commissioner McVoy or any point he had to make and was shockingly discourteous. He then called the question to stop the debate. The bully dais continues and their friends are allowed to be obnoxiously rude at the lectern..

These buildings, once built, are here to stay. We will have to live with them for at least 40-50 years. No one can say that this project will be a positive effect in our western neighborhood. The commission is flooding the city with affordable housing and more rentals when their goal has always been more home ownership believing that is the only way to raise the city from the slum and blight.

Everything is expendable when you have such a strong desire to develop the Park of Commerce at any cost (Maxwell's catalyst) and fulfill campaign promises--or you are looking at a tax base of an estimated $145,000 a year that will be totally diminished by the cost of services.

Lake Worth Board Appointments coming up

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Board appointments will be coming up soon as terms expire. Applicants don't even have to sit through a public interview. They are appointed behind the scenes by the commission. We have no idea if anyone is qualified. If you go to the city web site, they don't even give you information any longer on the CRA's board members. Even though the city commission appoints CRA board members, it is off the city's web  site.  The CRA does not have to answer to the city commission or to the residents at all. They do have to submit a budget and the city has to be responsible for all debts they fail to pay. Everything is getting less transparent in the City of Lake Worth. Everyone should be asking, "why?"

Following are two of the top three city appointed boards members' lists. These appointees have a lot of power as to how our city looks, sometimes making decisions that are arbitrary to our desires. At times they get deeply involved in political issues and even go so far as to scorn city code and ordinances.  It is really important who is elected commissioner.

Historic Resources Preservation Board
Members – Three Year Terms

Wes	Blackman	2014	Planning
Juan	Contin	2014	Architecture
Judith	Just	2013	Law
Herman	Robinson	2015	Related Field
Loretta	Sharpe	2013	Real Estate Sales
Alternates (One Year Term)
Mark	Clary	2013	Architecture
Jimmy	Zoeliner	2013	Citizen at Large

Planning & Zoning

Mark	Parrilla	31-Jul-2015	Citizen at Large
Greg	Rice	31-Jul-2013	Professional / Real Estate
John	Rinaldi	31-Jul-2014	Citizen at Large
Dean	Sherwin	31-Jul-2014	Professional / Architect
Dustin	Zacks	31-Jul-2013	Professional / Law
Alternates
Vacant		31-Jul-2013	Professional
Vacant		31-Jul-2013	Citizen at Large

Loretta Sharpe gets fined by Florida Elections Commission

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Our "friend" Loretta Sharp, chair of the Political Action Committee, The Friends of the Gulfstream, has just been fined by the Florida Elections Commission.  Why?  For a political advertisement (the banner that was erected at the Gulfstream Hotel) without a prominent disclaimer.

The section of the Florida Statute 106.143(1)(c) states:

Respondent is a political committee registered with the Lake Worth City Clerk's Office. respondent published, displayed or circulated a political advertisement that did not prominently display the disclaimer language as required by statute.

She has a few options: She can enter into a consent order and pay a small fine rather than a potential $1,000 or not enter into a consent order where then the staff will proceed to investigate the allegations in the complaint.

By law, she cannot pay the fine from her PAC account. This is a small price to pay for a flagrant election law violation as well as a city code violation, something she did get away with.

Shanon Materio, Fundraiser in Chief

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One of the most important aspects of campaigning is raising funds.  And Shanon Materio had no problem in that area with thousands of dollars coming from her friends (the 'in-crowd') in Lake Worth, not to mention Sun Recycling companies and its executive director giving a total of $1,000.--Sun Recycling, the very company that has involved itself in our city in a negative way. That company can always be counted on by certain people. Perhaps it had a lot to do with her campaign treasurer, activist extraordinaire, Mary Lindsey. However, the person who must do the lion’s share of the fundraising… the fundraiser-in-chief, if you will, is the candidate herself.

One always has to follow the money.

From Lake Worth, there were thousands of dollars in contributions to Ms. Materio. Some of the contributors were the usual suspects and included: Greg Rice giving $500 and his connection with Hulett Environmental that gave a $500 donation, Loretta Sharpe, Phil Spinelli, Brendan Lynch $500, John Deese $500, Laura Starr and her husband, David Brodie, giving a total of $1,000, Mary Lindsey, and Chip Guthrie's wife. Former fire chief, Paul Blockson gave $300.

Some surprises were Morganti the contractor on the beach redevelopment with $500, Deborah Bornstein, wife of Lake Worth's city manager gave $150 (at least Michael Bornstein had the good sense not to give in his name), State Senator Jeff Clemens who is a good friend of Materio's gave $250, and best of all, mayor of Lake Worth Pam Triolo giving $200 under her real name.  One of the people who is still behind the scenes (don't ever kid yourself that he isn't) is former Lake Worth mayor, Rodney Romano. He and his wife gave $1,000. 

On the report ending 3-7-2013, Ms. Materio had raised $71,960.29.

This is no April Fool's joke. Read PBPost article
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