Climate Phonies buy Oceanfront property

Environmental Groups all in Favor of Florida bills

Florida Lawmakers Sign Off On Bills To Combat Sea-Level Rise, Affordable Housing

House Speaker Chris Sprowls calls the measure "one of the most robust and bold proposals in the entire United States of America." It awaits Gov. Ron DeSantis' signature.

Rep. Omari Hardy, D-West Palm Beach, said the bill would essentially cut in half future affordable housing money. Omari is between a rock and a hard place as both issues are near and dear to him.

Read about it...

Drew Martin on Sea-Level Rise

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As our local Lake Worth tabloid is forever taking jabs at Scientist and Commissioner Christopher McVoy whenever he talks about sea level rise and global warming, I thought it necessary to print Drew Martin's letter to the editor of the Palm Beach Post.

Letters to the Editor
Palm Beach Post
January 9. 2016

Soil subsidence’ cannot be ignored

The issue of sea-level rise in South Florida has serious implications for the future. Evidence indicates a 7- to 8-inch rise in sea level over the last century.

In an area that is near sea level, and that is dependent upon drainage through canals, this is significant. Land-use decisions regularly made by the county are based upon the continued ability to drain land for development. Recent decisions to develop open areas and agricultural lands disregard the risks of sea-level rise.

Much of our area is dominated by drained land that is dependent upon the ability to quickly move water during tropical storms. A good portion of this has been gravity-driven. For the last 100 years, significant areas of cypress and mangroves have been removed, with the loss of soils and wildlife.

We seldom hear the term “soil subsidence” when we discuss these projects. (This is where soil shrinks and loses elevation due to lack of hydration.) The county cannot claim to be concerned about these issues while permitting continuous development in areas that were wetlands.

DREW MARTIN
LAKE WORTH

Drew Martin is the conservation chairman of the Loxahatchee Group of the Sierra Club and is a candidate for Palm Beach County Commission.

Global Warming

As predicted, the city commission on a 4/0 vote (Mayor Triolo was absent from the meeting) affirmed enthusiastic support for the Florida Regional Climate Action Plan. I believe that the Vice Mayor said it was a "no brainer." All of them now believe in global warming. As mentioned, the purpose of this Resolution 40-2015 is to affirm the City’s support of the RCAP and agree to consider integration of its goals and action items into the City’s Comprehensive Plan.

The Climate Action Plan is for the purpose to work cooperatively to:

• Develop annual Legislative Programs and jointly advocate for state and federal policies and funding
• Dedicate staff time and resources to create a Southeast Florida Regional Climate Action Plan to include mitigation and adaptation strategies
• Meet annually in Regional Climate Summits to mark progress and identify emerging issues.

And on the other end of the global warming argument, I recently published information from the Telegraph that predicts another Ice Age.  Now it is reported in the London Daily Mail that their model suggests solar activity will fall by 60 percent during the 2030s to conditions last seen during the mini ‘”ice age” from 1645 to about 1715. During that period, known as the “Maunder Minimum,” London’s River Thames froze over and snow fields remained year-round even at lower elevations.

There has been a lot of controversy about global warming with the vast number of scientists believing that human caused global warming is happening. There are other climate scientists who say the opposite. Both arguments are convincing. As we plan to incorporate it into our comprehensive Plan, it would be good to know, with certainty, which scientific hypothesis and data are correct.

The Pelican and the bully might not want to recognize sea level rise or may even ridicule McVoy's comments from time to time.  We even have witnessed eyes rolling on the dais anytime Commissioner McVoy speaks to it, but there is climate change and sea level rise and now this commission has admitted they believe it too.  And to the bully, McVoy was not a commissioner when it was decided to build our new casino on the same footprint that had been there for nearly 100 years. The city administration took the advice of experts in the field on where this building should be built.

Scientists predict a mini ice age in the years 2030's

To follow-up on the previous blog, this is the other side of the argument.

Read more...

The earth is 15 years from a "mini ice-age" that will cause bitterly cold winters during which rivers such as the Thames freeze over, scientists have predicted.

As a friend said to me, "This is one prediction that is actually believable. How will McVoy, Al Gore, Obama and the Pope explain this away?" This may also exonerate "the boys" from previous blog.

Regional Climate Action Plan

Tomorrow night, Resolution 40-2015 is on the agenda under New Business.  This resolution is to affirm the City’s support of the RCAP Plan and agree to consider integration of its goals and action items into the City’s Comprehensive Plan, master plans and ordinances where and when appropriate and financially feasible.

Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties entered into a Southeast Florida Regional Climate Change Compact (Compact) in 2010 in order to recognize the need for immediate, coordinated and visionary action to address the impacts of a changing climate and provide economic and environmental resilience in Southeast Florida.

In accordance with their commitment, the Compact Partners developed the Regional Climate Action Plan (RCAP). The RCAP contained many recommended actions for local government to take in support of the RCAP. Municipalities individually have been working to achieve sustainability, and the RCAP presents an opportunity to align these individual local efforts with the regional framework and vision.

The Resolution  for the Plan addresses the following actions:

Designate and implement Adaptation Action Areas to aid in funding to  address areas most vulnerable to sea level rise;

• Revise local Comprehensive Plans and zoning regulations to include  recommendations from the RCAP;

• Develop policies and stormwater master plans to improve resilience to  flooding and salt water intrusion;

• Encourage walkable communities;

• Develop Green Neighborhood certification programs;

• Coordinate living shorelines natural infrastructure;

• Restore the urban tree canopy;

• Amend land development regulations to eliminate provisions that act  as a barrier to installation of renewable energy systems;

• Develop policies to ensure energy efficient public infrastructure; and

We expect this Resolution to pass and that might finally subdue the bully blogger (a Democrat..I thought ALL Democrats were in support of addressing climate change) and the local newspaper editor (a Republican who is always in negative mode when it comes to McVoy). Perhaps now their snide remarks will cease and we can come together on at least one issue.

Sea Level Rise - A Real Problem

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For the Herald and all of you who mock scientist and commissioner Chris McVoy for bringing up the effects of sea level rise--tonight's agenda addresses that very thing.  Water Department Director Larry Johnson says it's important to evaluate the future sea level rise effects on our well fields.

Per the back-up: The Water Utilities Department is committed to assuring a sustainable water supply for the city, including the potential effects of sea level rise on the coastal saline intrusion in the aquifer. The model simulation will use the existing variable density SEAWAT model that was developed in support of the 2012 South Florida Water Management District Consumptive Use Permit. The previous model demonstrated that the reduced surficial withdrawals included in the SFWMD permit stabilize the projected salt water intrusion with the existing sea level.

The proposed simulation will address the effects of estimated sea level rise. The simulation will be run for a 50 year time period.

Mock Roos & Associates was the Engineering Consulting firm selected by the City of Lake Worth as for a continuing services contract, Contract No. RFQ 12-13-302, through the Consultant’s Competitive Negotiation Act (Florida State Statutes 287.055) procurement process. Under this Task Order, they have been selected to perform complete Wellfield Modeling Services to Evaluate Future Sea Level Rise Effects by the Lake Worth Water Utilities Department.

MOTION: To approve/disapprove the Proposal with Mock Roos and Associates for Wellfield Modeling Services to Evaluate Future Sea Level Rise Effects for a price not to exceed $29,590.

This is one of the more sensible expenditures and we hope that the commission will approve.

Construction to begin on Living Shoreline in Lake Worth

May 15, 2015
Contact: Jamie Brown, Public Services Director
Phone: 561.586.1720
Email: jbrown@lakeworth.org

The City of Lake Worth is excited to announce the much anticipated “Living Shoreline” project will be starting construction the week of May 18th in Bryant Park. The project is being funded and constructed through Palm Beach County’s Department of Environmental Resource Management and the City of Lake Worth was chosen to be the site of the first ever Living Shoreline concept project.

The project is intended to advance the critical dialogue between art, ecology, and infrastructure in our built environment. The design of the Living Shoreline components are intended to improve water quality, aquatic habitat, and create new vital forms of infrastructure that seek to address sea-level rise while working to regenerate our marine ecosystems.

The expected duration of this project is approximately six weeks. During construction, portions of the sidewalk in Bryant Park will be temporarily closed and we ask that all visitors maintain a safe distance
from construction.

Obama warns of dangers of climate change

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For all you skeptics as well as the Lake Worth Herald that has ridiculed our scientist commissioner, Christopher McVoy, an expert on the Everglades, for his remarks on global warming and sea level rise,  this one is for you--

Anhinga Trail

At Everglades, Obama warns of damage from climate neglect April 22, 2015 15:53 EDT By JOSH LEDERMAN and JENNIFER KAY Associated Press EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK, Fla. (AP) --

President Barack Obama says the Florida Everglades illustrate the dangers posed by climate change and said the warming of the planet cannot be denied.

He says rising sea levels threaten South Florida aquifers and calls on Congress to provide money for a land and water protection fund.

He says action on climate change can no longer be delayed and can be addressed with political will.

Obama spoke after touring the Anhinga Trail in Everglades National Park.

Obama used Earth Day to warn that climate change is already inflicting damage on the nation's environmental treasures.

Happy Earth Day

Rasmussen

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Most Americans continue to believe in the importance of April 22 as Earth Day, although far fewer do anything to celebrate it. They still feel, though, that individuals can make an environmental difference. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

What Sea Level Rise? Global Warming?  Nah.

Travel and Lodging and Seminar fees for Lake Worth City Commission

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During this past year, the Travel Budget totaled $24,500 that included registrations, travel and lodging. 

REGISTRATIONS
$1,500--Annual National League of Cities (3 attendees)
$   700--National League of Cities Leadership Training Institute (1 attendee)
$   600--U.S. Conference of Mayors in D.C. (1 attendee)
$1,170--National League of Cities Congressional Conference  (2 attendees)
$   100--Sea Level Rise Conference (1 attendee--you know the one that they condemn McVoy for)
$   530--Florida League of Mayor's Conference (1 attendee)

TRAVEL AND LODGING
$3,800--Annual Florida League of Cities (3 attendees)
$5,400--Annual National League of Cities (3 attendees)
$1,750--U.S. Conference of Mayors in D.C. (1 attendee)
$4,400--National League of Cities Congressional Conference  (2 attendees)
$    50--Sea Level Rise Conference (1 attendee--you know the one that they condemn McVoy for)
$   550--Florida League of Mayors Business Summit (1 attendee)
$   550--Florida League of Mayors Millenial Summit (1 attendee)
$3,000--PB County League of Cities October Meeting

The budget was $15,000 but now has been upped to $25,000 as it appears they over spent their budget in 2014.  Of course, the city manager approves of this and signs off on it. Right under $20,000 was for the vice mayor who was the President of the Palm Beach County League of Cities and a few other commissioners, to attend League of Cities business. We have had one formal report from one commissioner on his travel expense--Commissioner McVoy whose trip cost a whopping $150.00 on Sea Level Rise.  The mayor gave a brief minute from the dais to report on her trip to Washington, D.C and rubbing elbows with Lois Frankel. The rest of the meeting reports to the public by commissioners?  Forget about it.

The city commission doesn't mind spending and believe that this is for the greater good. Scott Maxwell is the past president of the Palm Beach County League of Cities and his travel costs for their events are picked up by you. We don't know the benefit to the City of Lake Worth for all of this "education." As said in previous blogs, the League of Cities teaches elected officials how to screw their constituents and the people they are supposed to serve.

Still on the 2014 horizon for the Leagues of Cities are the following:

NOVEMBER

13-14 Florida League of Cities Legislative Conference – Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport Hotel

18-22 National League of Cities Annual Congress of Cities and Exposition - Austin, TX

$25,000 is a lot of potholes.

Sea Level Rise and the Lake Worth General Obligation Bond

The Second Annual Sea Level Rise Symposium was held in July. It was said that Florida is ground zero for sea level rise, and we on the south east will be the most impacted. Most people aren’t sure how it will impact them personally but one thing in which experts agree, "There will be a lot of impact to infrastructure as well as insurance and the real estate industry."

Commissioner McVoy has been ridiculed by his fellow commissioners and the Lake Worth Herald for even bringing up the subject and his desire that engineering and planning be incorporated into our future infrastructure projects by seriously addressing sea level rise. The city wants us to tax ourselves $63.5 million to repave roads and redo infrastructure. Richard Grosso, expert in this field, agrees that planning for the inevitable of sea level rise is an absolute necessity.  Lake Worth has not  told us that they have done that. If by some miracle this bond should pass, could we be wasting $131 MILLION of taxpayer money?  Many people believe so.

There are four counties that have collaborated on sea level rise, working together to adopt projections, informing local governments on action plans. Does Lake Worth know about them? As money is tight for most all families, we need to know that tax dollars are being used in the right way in planning for the future, not just the short term.

Sea Level Rising

3.281 feet equals 1 meter

Commissioner McVoy brings up sea level rising and global warming and every time he does, the eyes roll and the groans begin. You know who they are--Lake Worth bullies. The rest of the commission usually sits there politely but unenthusiastically. Now and then you will hear a smart-aleck comment from someone. There is only one other commissioner who understands this very real problem but that is as far as it goes.

The average elevation in Florida is 6 feet and in some areas only 3 feet according to Keith London, commissioner in Hallandale Beach. According to Climate Central, the sea has already risen more than a foot in south Florida over the past century and new research by Climate Central shows that some 2.4 million Floridians are at risk of flooding from even a moderate hurricane-driven storm surge. The odds of a catastrophic 100-year flood by 2030 are now 2.6 times higher than they would have been without global warming.  NOAA says that there is strong evidence that global sea level is now rising at an increased rate and will continue to rise during this century.

As some of those supposedly in the know and who are always pushing growth and development on the coasts,  here is an article which says Forget global warming and melting polar caps – groundwater extraction is causing cities to SINK beneath sea level. A major cause for severe land subsidence is excessive groundwater extraction related to rapid urbanization and population growth. One in four are skeptical of global warming and those are the folks who roll the eyes and moan a little. Planners should understand everything about sea level risings.

Who knows, but I leave it up to scientists and experts who say that parts of Florida will disappear right off the map.

See the sea level rising map.
Corner of S. Golfview and 2nd Avenue South  on a heavy rainy day

Letter to the Editor - Lake Worth Forgot to ask the Residents

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Letters to the Editor
Palm Beach Post
June 29, 2014

Oops, forgot to ask the Residents

Lake Worth Needs Inclusive Planning

Just like “Six Plans to Make Lake Worth a Better Place,” targeting developers and investors to show how Lake Worth should look in the future; the baseball stadium in John Prince Park, a boondoggle for special interests that was determined not feasible; and now Lake Worth 2020 is yet another public relations effort promising a fix for all that ails us.

The visionaries who serve us have lost sight of Lake Worth. Our location, our people, our natural resources are assets worthy of praise. And yes, ours is a poor city with an old infrastructure. We do need a plan. We need a plan that considers future climate instability, sea-level rise, and temperature increases, and the effects of building, paving, and increased water and sewer use. And especially, we need a plan that includes the needs of our residents and welcomes their input.

Any plan to borrow $60 million from taxpayers deserves great deliberation. There has been little citizen outreach, no charettes, no workshops, and only the four quickly contrived “town hall meetings” rushed to fulfill the requirements of ballot inclusion for the August primary.

The leaders of Lake Worth seem to have all the answers; unfortunately, they haven’t asked the right questions. And they forgot to ask the people.

JO-ANN GOLDEN, LAKE WORTH

Sea Level Risings

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images 
What Miami could look like in 2100

As there is a segment of people in our city, even city staff, who like to ridicule Commissioner McVoy on his concerns about global warming and sea levels rising, a major new report released yesterday by a coalition of senior political and economic figures from the left, right and center, including three Treasury secretaries stretching back to the Nixon administration says that "more than a million homes and businesses along the nation’s coasts could flood repeatedly before ultimately being destroyed."

The report further stated that Coastal counties, home to 40 percent of the nation’s population, will take especially large hits from the rise of the sea, which could swallow more than $370 billion worth of property in Florida and Louisiana alone by the end of the century. Read the New York Times article

The immediate danger to us here in Lake Worth is salt water intrusion. Lake Worth completed its $24 million reverse osmosis water plant that can  pump five to seven million gallons of water a day that flows without threats from saltwater. Presently, we are using a combination of RO and wells using only 1.5 to 3 million gallons a day from RO. We did have a water restriction up until a year ago that was imposed on our water irrigation usage to one time per week in order to avoid saltwater intrusion. That was lifted in January 2013 when the city wanted to generate more revenue.

Now the City is going to charge 5.25% more for water and sewer rates will rise accordingly starting October 1, 2014 according to the Burton and Associates Study, revealed last night, which is projected through the next decade. We had these same figures a few years ago but now the commission is serious on taxes.

Sea Level Rise

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There is something to Commissioner McVoy's concerns--

While many, including some lawmakers, greet these reports with a strong dose of skepticism, the fact remains that nearly 5 million people in the U.S. live within 4 feet of the local high-tide level — many of them in South Florida. Skepticism is fine. But denial may prove to be foolish.

Read the editorial... from today's Palm Beach Post.

Lake Worth Bond issue will go to Voters - To Tax or not to Tax

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Last night's commission meeting was the Academy Award performance of all time.  It was their do or die moment and was it ever a performance. Emotion wrung out as every commissioner had his/her turn to speak for the bond (4 commissioners) or against the bond (1 commissioner). The commission chamber was packed with their supporters.

Christopher McVoy, a scientist by profession, put on a Power Point on global warming in order to illustrate his concerns of spending $63.5 million as sea water rise could wipe away this long-term investment. Commissioner McVoy was not against the cost or fixing our roads, just the fact that nothing was being addressed towards global warming. McVoy has even been ridiculed in the local Lake Worth Herald for his stand on a very real issue but one that I thought would not really affect us for at least 200 years. I admit that I am totally ignorant on sea level rise.  Commissioner Szerdi shot that down by saying if there were long-term concerns about this, then the casino would have been put on pilings. There are not too many elected officials worried about global warming (most all of them want to spend your tax dollars) as recently seen in 2005 by the Lake Worth Snook Island project costing over $18 million as one example and a project that is still costing money.

The debt they are asking voters to absorb was totally ignored by the entire commission other than the mayor saying she didn't like the idea of paying more taxes either. If you were listening to this for the very first time, those on the dais gave the performance of their lives in order to convince the voters to more taxes for thirty years.  Scott Maxwell did say it was all about the future of our children and their children but never mentioned the debt that all of them would be straddled with believing that this is the only answer to save our city from ourselves and 50 years of neglect.  As we are slowly coming out of the recession, not one commissioner believed that this could be a big burden on its residents some of whom are the poorest in Palm Beach County. "What does it say about Lake Worth when it doesn't invest in itself?" asked John Szerdi.

Not one "leader" talked about the massive debt and reluctantly admitted the true cost of this bond after asked on two occasions by citizen Peter Timm:  $131,013,442.00 million. The percentage of the tax you will be charged changed last night as well due to our property values going up this year by 8.9%: During the first two years of this five year road infrastructure program, property owners will pay $1.66 per $1,000 worth of value, years three and four you will pay $2.33 and in year five the amount is $3.18. The numbers have been changing throughout this "sell" process.

Although they also mentioned this infrastructure process has been discussed off and on for over a year now in order to mitigate those who believe it is a "rush to action" and that the vote should be delayed, citizen Mark Parrilla said, "Let's leave it to the voters."  And that will be the end of the Academy Award performance on August 26--To tax or not to Tax.