Mark Foley's Baaack

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

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

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

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

Read about Mark Foley at the Miami Herald.

Partisan Politics involved in Non-partisan Lake Worth Elections

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Jack Latvala (born November 3, 1951) is a Republican member of the Florida State Senate, representing the 16th district from 2010 to 2012, and the 20th District, which is based in the northern suburbs of St. Petersburg, since 2012. Source:  Wikipedia

Why is this name of any significance to us here in Lake worth?  Well it isn't except for the fact he is associated with the Florida Leadership Fund that has the same address as Wake Up Florida PAC that gave a $500 campaign contribution to Pam Triolo, a registered Republican. Wake Up Florida also gave $3,200 to the Republican Party of Palm Beach County.

In every election, certain politicos pull out all the stops.  Sid Dinerstein, former chair of the Republican Party Palm Beach County, still contributes to Scott Maxwell's campaign.  Do you remember that robo call he did for Scott several years ago?  Mark Foley also gives to Scott's campaign.  In fact, Foley contributed to all the incumbents @ $500 a crack. Foley still has a large campaign account in the amount of $1.169 million at the end of 2015.

So, when you receive all these hateful mailers sent out for shock and awe from Scott Maxwell telling you that his opponent wants to kill cops or is an eco-terrorist, chalk it up to outrageous political lies and all that money he has raised, some of it from outside Republican partisan operatives that are influencing our non-partisan election. Ask yourself why Scott Maxwell has to resort to smut and lies. Also, wonder why he is going to this extreme.

He has now invited 300 people to his "victory" party.  Let's vote him out of office on March 15.

Sex and $$$$ - The vice and the Vice Mayor

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I guess it's like sex; sometimes there are people who can't get enough. Scott Maxwell is into $$$$.  $ex?  Well, we don't know about that. But what we all know is that he is into OPM...other people's money and "fat cats." He's amassed over $31,000 right now in a little local election that pays him a salary of $14,500 a year not including the free perks. We all have to wonder how much money in a campaign is enough? Why does he need it all?

Now he is having another fundraiser hosted by Mark Foley (everyone knows about him...it was not about the $$$) and everyone attending is asked to open their wallets very wide--The election is March 15. March 10th is the cut-off date to accept contributions. This fundraiser is two days before the cut-off date! 

Scott Maxwell for Lake Worth Commission

March 3 at 10:32am ·

Mark Foley and the Council of Community Leaders invite you for a fun filled evening with friends on March 8th from 4:30-6:00pm!!

Quote of the Day - Mark Foley

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“It is interesting to me, of all people. You know, the Democrats were so interested in my emails, they don’t seem to worry about Hillary Clinton’s. I hope they focus on her emails as much as they did on mine."

~ Mark Foley

Chris Christie with Mark Foley

Read more...

Spring Training Talks

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"(Mark) Foley said the Nationals are impressed with a site plan for a waterfront stadium at John Prince Park in Lake Worth but said the 84-acre site might be too small for two teams." And this is the problem--when you have politicians and lobbyists behind the scenes working to make something happen, those 84 acres now become 134 acres and up.

The Nationals don't seem to care much about anything but what they want on the taxpayer dime. Their lease in Brevard County runs out in 2017, leaving that county high and dry. Brevard has pumped in $5 million since 2005 and the nationals wanted $29 million in upgrades before they would renew a twenty year lease.

Read about Spring Training talks.

Potential sites in PB County

Saving John Prince Park

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It's always a shame when citizens continually have to fight city hall but that's the way it is here in Lake Worth. Anyone believing that a Spring training field at John Prince Park will give our city or surrounding cities an economic boost is misinformed or living a pipe dream. Anyone believing that there is any justification in tearing up 84 plus acres of deed restricted park property (and where would the cars park?) are "batty." Any commissioner authorizing the expenditure of city tax dollars to pay for two attorneys to attend a county meeting to promote this, is irresponsible. But this commission only listens to what's rolling around in their heads.

Democracy is compromised when governments no longer serve the common good of the people and sacrifice entire neighborhoods to get their way. Instead, elected officials and the cronies they hire serve organized special interests that have the means to exert disproportionate leverage over government decisions. Lobbyists (a special interest group if there ever was one) have a lot of clout and the City of Lake Worth is listening to one, former U.S. Congressman, Mark Foley...yes, that bad boy is still around.

Please sign the petition --

 VOTE  NO

to bulldozing our park for corporate and political greed.

On the Avenue

City Manager, Michael Bornstein walked by and didn't stop to say "hi."

Mark Foley Sued

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Mark Foley ripped me off says Shino Bay Aguilera--

Boy Scouts and Gay Ban

Mark Foley is a hero to some people around here as he once was viewed proudly by his hometown of Lake Worth for his achievements--starting in politics as a Lake Worth City commissioner and rising to U.S. Congressman. But he doesn't get the ring with Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX).

Gohmert says that he’s disappointed that Democrats do not support banning gay people from the Boy Scouts of America, mainly because former Rep. Mark Foley (R-FL) was revealed to have made sexual advances toward underage congressional staffers. Read more...

Mark Foley is a 10

Mark Foley is featured as number 10 out of a total of 25 worst post politics career choices for politicians throughout American history.  Click here for the rest of the story.

A few years ago he did an interview with Fox News and said: 
"From 18th century French armoires to letters signed by Abraham Lincoln, the items at 'Celebrity Consignment' in an historic section of the Florida town (West Palm beach) are raking in profits. Sales have been brisk," he said, attributing the shop's newfound publicity to "having a name that's known," his name.

The last time we checked, the store was located at  1930 N. Dixie Highway and next door to where the old Carefree Theater used to be in the Flamingo Park neighborhood. Guess it's still there.

Mark Foley said Obama "froze"

Jeff Clemens

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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.

Two Smiley Gun-Toting Dudes - Mark Foley and Tom Ramiccio

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Shooting from the hip?
Two Republican gun toting dudes

I know the Republican argument about guns. I just am one of those people who do not buy it--not for a moment. Guns kill. Guns kept in the home for self-protection are 43 times more likely to kill a family member, friend or acquaintance than to kill an intruder, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. And I don't want to hear about the 2nd Amendment.

And the guns these dudes are toting are big enough to take down an elephant.

Let's keep Tom Ramiccio from taking down Lake Worth on July 12.

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.

Photo-Op at Riviera Beach Marina, ooops, Rybovich Marina

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News conference on March 4, 2011 with Wayne Huizenga, Jr.
at the Rybovich Marina in Riviera Beach

Allen West needs to be very careful of the decisions made by his staff
and with whom he is photographed.
Last month it was Mark Foley. Who next Allen?

Marco Rubio might be doing this right--being low key and opting out of events and these types of photo opportunities. Bad decisions can dig your own grave.

Lois Frankel is a Democrat. She endorsed City Commissioner Jeri Muoio for Mayor. More of Lois in West Palm Beach? Muoio got 51.5% of the vote and is the new Mayor.

Choices have to pass the Smell Test

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The Washington Post's reporters, Chris Cillizza and Aaron Blake, have admonished Col. Allen West for allowing Mark Foley to introduce him at a recent office opening. The Washington Post has rated him #3 for Congressmen on the offensive. It pains me to say this but I am rating him #453 for a stupid move.

I e-mailed Allen West's office after an article came out in the PB Post and asked him what was he thinking? This gives ammunition to the liberal rags like New Times Broward/Palm Beach to stay on the West attack. Now we have The Washington Post in the act. This was not a sensible choice and frankly, I am disappointed in West. It didn't pass the smell test. People don't forgive and forget that easily particularly when it comes to past actions of Foley.

A harsh critique:
From the Washington Post: Rep. Allen West (R-Fla.): West will receive a hero's welcome tonight when he delivers the keynote address to close out CPAC 2011. But the conservative activists who revere him at the national level won't do West much good as he seeks to hold on to the very competitive 22nd district in 2012. West has displayed some uneven judgment during his first few months in office; the latest example was having disgraced former Rep. Mark Foley(R) introduce him at the opening of his West Palm Beach office. (Previous ranking: 3)

Quote of the Day - Mark Foley

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Those rhetorical bombshells detonate locally with increasing frequency – and much greater volume.

“It’s gotten extraordinarily nasty at every level and from every source and every point of view,” said former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley, R-Palm Beach Gardens. “How un-fun it is to be in politics today because of the personal attack and the things you go through. No longer do we come together in times of peril; we start dividing and conquering in a brutal way. Politics has gone from a blood sport to a nuclear war.”

Isn't that what Foley did during our last election when he was making a big bru ha ha over the "missing" 500 ballots?

The Dumbest Lake Worth Political Statements 2010

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TOP Dumb/Memorable Lake Worth Political Quotes, moments and people in 2010

Beth Johnston of the Chamber of Commerce and Paul Blockson, our former Fire Chief, are my choices for top dumbest moves/statements for the past year.

Beth Johnston, Director of the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce: On one occasion she said, “We are not a political organization,” even though she had a Vote NO (State ballot initiative) sign installed at the Chamber property. In almost the very next breath she said to our City Commission, “I would like you to oppose Amendment 4.” Also she stated that “The Chamber does not support any political candidate,” even though she wrote a check for $200 from the Chamber to the BAC PAC that was supporting Blockson and Maxwell so that they could fund negative attack mailers against McVoy and Mulvehill. She allowed the BAC PAC to install an ad on the sign at the Cultural Plaza (for which the Chamber had control), for Blockson & Maxwell.

Paul Blockson: “It’s not your fault." (speaking to his wife, Carla Blockson). "The pain you feel should be, and will be, felt by the citizens of Lake Worth due to their short sightedness concerning the people they have chosen to represent this community....like true addicts, they listen to those who can facilitate change but in the end they want and rely upon those who continue to supply their drug of choice." HUH?

Tom Ramiccio: Ramiccio gave the following reason for being fired by the Chamber of Commerce: "They are not for capitalism, not for entrepreneurism. They don't like success." He took the "blame the other guy" defense--was speaking of Jennings, Golden and Mulvehill of the Lake Worth City Commission.

Carla Blockson: Running on a platform of "stability," Mrs. Blockson allowed herself to be used by the BAC PAC that distributed negative political attack mailers against her opponent. However, they were printed in her name in invisible ink. “I really don’t know what else we could have done,” speaking about losing her race for Commissioner. I guess not. Every trick was pulled short of a felony. Blockson was given bad advice and wrong information and she fell for it all-- hook, line and it's what sunk her.

Lisa Maxwell: “My top priorities are the budget, the budget and the budget.” Maxwell, the only candidate who never was caught smiling in public, had a problem with the budget even though it had been reduced by nearly $5 million dollars. She also ran on balancing the Budget not knowing that a balanced budget is the law and that we had one. Sometimes candidates do get elected who know absolutely nothing--not this time.

Mark Foley: Upset about the election results in Lake Worth, Mark said, “The most troubling issues rest with the recently reported 500 ballots and the abnormalities of the Lake Worth elections.” For a former elected official with some personal abnormalities, true to form, a loser supported losers in the Lake Worth election.

Cara Jennings: Talking about the Sheriff’s Department, she said. “Let’s talk about what makes you feel safe; some people like helicopters flying over; some people don’t.” The real issue with going with PBSO is the COST that now is out of our hands.

Rene Varela: Regarding his endorsement letter of Lisa Maxwell—"I am proud to endorse your candidacy for this race, and the residents of Lake Worth will be well-served once they choose you to represent them on November 2." He stood with the vicious BAC PAC on the steps of City Hall. Just getting in that kind of a photo op was dumb. His e-mail regarding his wife's employment situation was circulated around the city and was not a smart move. While speaking of the First Amendment and the public commentary at the October 5th commission meeting, Varela said, "Take the high moral ground...negative comments suck the energy out of the room." He supported those "supposedly" interested in business but said, "I will fight to the death on having parking pay stations downtown" and then changed his mind when it came time for the vote. We will always remember his walking off the dais during the entire discussion (public and commissioners) of Arizona 1070 and came back voting against the State of Arizona as if it was our business to begin with..

Jeff Clemens: "I will stand up to Special Interests," (not to mention all the other things he took credit for) as he took campaign contributions from PBC Human Rights Council, Ironworkers Union, AFL-CIO, Electrical Workers, Police firefighters, AFSMCE, SEIU, etc. Stand tall, Jeff. Clemens liked to give away the farm and was always on the side of special interests. Jeff is a personable guy and we, with fingers crossed, wish him the best in Tallahassee. More importantly, we hope he has nothing to do with any vote that leaves our State more battered, blue or broke.

Lake Worth Herald: "We hardily endorse Ms. Blockson and Ms. Maxwell on the strength of their knowledge and potential for the city commission seats and for their opponents lack of same." The constant fear mongering by the Herald, which must be based on "wishful thinking" or sensational "news" reporting, is also problematic. His reporting on the Sunset issue is factually incorrect and we would hope that an editor of a newspaper would get the facts. The Herald is constantly going after Commissioner Mulvehill and city manager Stanton for just about anything. Ridiculous. In fact, we believe that perhaps the LW Herald should be moved to the top of the page.


Scott Maxwell. We can't leave him out. He is most remembered in 2010 for being totally pissed off and arbitrary at/on just about everything and everyone.

Read George Bennett's article--The Year in Pb County Politics.

And the Razzie Award Goes To...

The most "invented" Story of the Post-Election and about the worst in sensationalism--

The Palm Beach Post making mountains...telling everyone that the box of 500 absentee ballots "could" affect the Lake Worth election...implying, "watch out McVoy and Mulvehill, your tenure might be short lived...giving Susan Bucher the raspberry like it was all her fault and for giving even the slightest bit of attention to Mark Foley.

Once the suggestion was out there, all media joined in for the sensational ride. A defamed congressman joined in giving his two cents. We had to read about it for days and listen to it constantly on local television channels.

The next Award goes to The Lake Worth Herald for even printing Paul Blockson's disgraceful letter to Carla (it didn't even say "Dear Carla") that blamed the voters in Lake Worth for not electing his wife.

Blockson called the voters short-sighted, mis-directed, wallowing in their own self-made misery, implying his wife was the salvation of this city, and equating all those who did not support her to drug addicts or worse.

To print this ridiculous and defamatory letter made the Herald worthy of this Award. In fact, I think it should get two Raspberries to make up for the last election with the Que story.

And last, but not least The Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce and its Director, Beth Johnston gets a Raspberry for its most recent politics, its Directorships, for generally just being two faced and for electing the head honcho of the vicious BAC PAC as a Director. We will, however, be very interested to see how this new Director will improve business in our downtown. As she said businesses needed change, we will follow her hands-on approach as a Chamber Director to bring businesses to Lake Worth.

The Chamber represents businesses but forgets the citizen, the resident and all those who disagree with their political agenda-- the very people who support those businesses by shopping, dining and spending their money.

For a non-profit organization that has entrenched itself into Lake Worth politics by backing candidates and issues and agreeing to install a political ad on a billboard sign at the Cultural Plaza, and an entity that installs political messages at the front of its building on Lake Avenue, the Chamber deserves this fine distinction.

Foley's Folly

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Mark Foley questions "the abnormalities of the Lake Worth elections." Well, I question Mark Foley.

Mr. Foley is trying a come-back to legitimize himself in the political arena. What better start for this than Lake Worth where he originally started his career as a Lake Worth Commissioner. For being known for his lewd instant messages to congressional Pages, abnormalities, he now is sending highly charged and controversial demands to the Supervisor of Elections.

Although it came out in the article, what the former disgraced congressman Foley failed to say in his letter to the Supervisor of Elections office was that he "gave" to the opponents of Suzanne Mulvehill and Christopher McVoy.

Now he is making a big stink about the Lake Worth elections. Foley is still very much political and we have to wonder what he really wants. There is always quid pro quo going on especially in Lake Worth. What's his pony in this race? He is strongly attempting to put a cog in the wheel and wants the following:

• results of accuracy tests of the voting machines

• precinct by precinct results for Lake Worth

• the number of ballots discovered in the group of 500

Considering the final numbers (not what was originally reported on the night of the election...go to page 9) reported by the Supervisor of Elections office, they had Mulvehill winning by 321 votes and McVoy by 371. If all 500 ballots pertained to Lake Worth, (which is preposterous to even consider but anything is possible), the losers would have to receive the following votes out of the 500 in order to reverse the election and win:

Blockson: 436

Maxwell: 411