Nick Petrino, living the American Dream

Guest Blogger
Nick Petrino

Lifeguard to Landscaper

I believe the choices we make define how we end up down the road. As we may not all begin the same, the path we end up taking is defined by the decisions we make.

After a strenuous tour in the navy, I desired some long-awaited R&R! Therefore, what better way to break myself into South Florida than to become an ocean rescue lifeguard for the City of Lake Worth Beach? What a life! I loved my job. I was saving lives, living it up on the beach, and having the time of my life interacting with my friends every day. I was not focused on the future but on living in the moment.

However, as time passes, I have changed. I eventually found the woman of my dreams, had two beautiful children, and realized it was time to leap the ladder and join the ranks in the business world. After an interesting turn of events, I turned my eyes toward landscaping. Within a few years of working for another company, my drive to branch out independently took over.

Fresh Start Maintenance Inc. was officially born. I poured the same love and enjoyment I had for lifeguarding into my new profession—landscaping—within this company. No one knows what our future holds, but loving what you do for work and loving your life ensures a better future. It was a tough road, but in the end, the people who can make it through tough times will reap great rewards.

My advice to everyone is to find that special niche that makes you happy and enjoy life. As Mark Twain said, “Find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” I no longer save lives as a lifeguard, but as a landscaper, I can help my employees improve their lives and grant my clients happiness by creating beautifully landscaped properties, which can be a source of true joy.

Fresh Start Maintenance Inc. CEO: Nicholas M. Petrino

Please help Nick

Nick Petrino's business has been trashed

Nick Petrino worked for the city of Lake Worth at one time and went over and above to help people's lives when he was a Code Officer...besides Sally, he was my favorite employee then. Look what criminals did to his business? This is so damn SICK. Please read the GoFundMe page. He is a hard-working man with children. Where in hell is the humanity? What the hell is going on in our country?

In Nick Petrino's words:

"I built Fresh Start Maintenance Inc. from the ground up, in the hopes of creating a Quality-Above-All Company. During the journey, we have met some amazing people from all walks of life. But in life, no matter what path we choose, there will always be stones tossed our way. Whereas great risk goes hand in hand with the doors to great rewards. The strong will always persevere through the hard times towards success.

Sadly, someone just threw meteor our way. Even with this immense act of cowardly vandalism, we will remain unbroken. We will persevere through this hardship. For as owner, employee and client alike, we are in this together. We are a family united, and a family united is undefeatable.

God Bless and God Bless America."

Nick's Go Fund Me page

Royal Poinciana NA Clean-up this Saturday on South C Street

Sarah Parr-Malega, candidate for Commissioner District 1, is having a neighborhood cleanup this Saturday.  Following is a message from Nick Petrino. The company for whom he is employed will be assisting with the clean-up with equipment and crew.

"Our company, V&S Landscaping, will be volunteering on 10/21/17 from 8:00AM - 12:00PM for the Neighborhood Cleanup to assist Ms. Sarah Parr-Malega with her campaign to become a City of Lake Worth Commissioner 2018. Our initial meeting spot will be at 404 S C ST and the focus will be from Lake Avenue to 6th Avenue South.

We are looking forward in helping improve the Community for its residents. I will have our Dump Truck, Maintenance Equipment and our dedicated V&S Crew will be on site.

Respectfully,
Nicholas Petrino

www.vandslandscaping.com

City of Lake Worth still over-reacting and making dumb decisions

Read the latest on what happened to Code Officer, Nick Petrino, when he encountered a missing girl on our city street. Jessica Wilkerson, a known heroin addict, was found in the first block of South D Street with a presumed heroin overdose. She was taken to John F. Kennedy Medical Center.

Click here...

The city has done everything within its power to marginalize Nike Petrino and now it attempted to dehumanize him as well. You can't and shouldn't have to do everything by the city's book especially when it comes to someone's life on the line. And this is why Nick called 911 when he encountered an emergency. This is why the Code Department and the City in general has a less than exemplary or honest reputation in Lake Worth.

Union Reps negotiate with the City of Lake Worth on raises

Comment Up

Nick Petrino, one of our code enforcement officers who will have been with the city 10 years in October, was on the "hot seat." He will be keeping his job after all. The decision was made at 9:20 this morning. The City must have realized that the charges were not strong enough and/or unproven. We need Nick and more employees like him: hard-working and dedicated to doing the best job each and every day.

Immediately following the above, the Union Negotiating Committee met and discussed raises only for 2016/2017. The Pension discussions were put on the back burner in order for the city to concentrate 1) on the budget and 2) merit raises. Merit raises will be discussed in the month of March 2017. The Union Reps and the City agreed to a two year 4% raise for those in the PMU and PMSA.

The Employee Liability is $38,601,258.00 or 333.06% percentage of covered employee payroll.