Scott Maxwell's Kick-Off Party

As Scott is a friend of mine and we agree on the illegal immigration issue, I was curious as to what his direction is for Lake Worth and about his run for Commissioner District 1, my district. So, last night I migrated downtown to Brogues to see what was happening. Mort Kuff, campaign photographer was there.

This was a great party with fabulous buffet. The food, drink and people were vibrant. The bulk of the Maxwell supporters stayed for the first hour in order to hear Scott's speech. I briefly chatted with Dave Vespo who has always been a pleasant guy. There were many "interesting" people there one of whom was Clifford Clark, former City Commissioner. Scott appears to have good organization and Greg Rice is on his Finance Committee.

Retha gave a speech saying that she went to Scott and asked him to run for her seat as she was retiring. Scott did not go to her...Scott has always been a gentleman and the race they were in together was positive. She brought up the year when she lost the commission seat to Scott by 34 votes and how much that had hurt her. She, afterall, has been involved in Lake Worth politics for several dozen years. Retha is famous for her one-liners and last night was no exception when she said, "We can do more damage on the back seat than on the dais."

Scott Maxwell said that we need to look at the budget, make some good sound business decisions and put the community in the direction we were going 6 to 8 years ago, saying that we have more taxes, more fees and we need to take the Commission in a different direction. Scott also said, "Some of the things that have divided us in the past don't count."

The Lowest of the Low

Comment Up
READ ABOUT THE THEFT at our Palm Beach Zoo.

I hate a thief more than anything I can think of.

Look at the Fat, not the Muscle

Tonight’s the night—the first public hearing on setting our millage. It is imperative that everyone attend City Hall.

Overall, the city is proposing a 24.5% increase. The City Manager's proposal is around a 14% increase.

The City, when you ask them, insists our millage is DOWN from last year and then just hand us Budgets for Dummies. This entire millage is based on sneaky financing because NOW, not only do we pay for Fire/Rescue on our Ad Valorem, something that used to be included in last year’s Lake Worth millage, but every service in Lake Worth has increased – EVER SINGLE ONE OF THEM.

Whereas last year we paid a total millage of 7.88 which included debt service, this year’s proposed millage will be 6.3031 with debt service. Now add in Fire/Rescue of 3.5062 and you have a total millage of 9.8093. Not cool. This is a whopping increase!

Waste removal up

Stormwater up

They want to raise our Electric by 3.5% tonight.

Where you see Enterprise Funds is where a department generates INCOME such as our golf course, beach, electric, water, stormwater to name a few. As the money in stormwater is mostly all profit, most of these accounts are padded.

When we outsourced our police and fire rescue to Palm Beach County, we lost control of overtime. This directly affects our bottom line in pension costs. Unfortunately, as good as our Sheriff Department tells us they are doing, they are going to break the bank in two years…just a prediction.

Perhaps the City should be looking at gasoline accounts, cell phone accounts for all those employess who NEVER answer their phones but we are paying for them and other areas instead of laying off Code Officers, etc. All you Budget guru's need to be at this meeting to ask the right questions.

Look at the fat, not the muscle. There is always fat if you look. And where is the Audit for 2008? Where is the Utility Audit since 2007? Why can't we get answers.

Tax and Spend

While the GOP advocated for a 10% cut in pay for all County employees, the Democratic Executive Committee approved of Tax and Spend.

You got your wish MARK ALAN SIEGEL

It really makes you wonder how any government can increase taxes as so many people are losing jobs, and losing their homes. Here in Lake Worth, our taxes are up with more and more of our citizens struggling to stay afloat.

Roy Beck's Message on E-Verify

Comment Up
Time after time after time over the last year, NumbersUSA's members mobilized to advance E-Verify and close off millions more jobs to illegal aliens.

And just as many times, you suffered defeat. But in almost an anti-climatic way, YOU WON TODAY.

Starting today, the regulation mandating that federal contractors use E-Verify is in effect!

In a sense, you pressured the outgoing Bush Administration to set this in motion and outlasted the Obama Administration to win this victory. It may be the most important offensive victory our side has won since the 1996 legislation that set up many enforcement programs, including E-Verify as a voluntary program.

Read Roy's blog for details.

Back to the Future says Lois Frankel

Normally Mayor Lois Frankel is looking towards the future and wanting to build higher buildings; the next day she is looking back to the future when life was simple and not clouded with all these high story condo buildings. Well, a girl has the right to change her mind.

Mayor of West Palm Beach, Lois Frankel said, "We are going back to the future, recreating old West Palm Beach and what was so beautiful and natural about our waterfront. That is a legacy that we will give to our future generations and I also believe that there is good opportunity for economic investment. The worst thing that can happen is we have a lovely park on the Helen Wilkes site. So be it."

With a $12 million shortfall in its budget, Frankel pushed through her desire to purchase the Helen Wilkes Hotel property on a 3 to 2 vote. The City of West Palm Beach will loan the money to its CRA. We here in Lake Worth are familiar with the 3 to 2. It is rare that we ever get a consensus on any big project. Kimberly Mitchell and Ike Robinson voted against it taking a more pragmatic view during these hard financial times. “To encumber the city with debt when the future is so uncertain is bad policy no matter how green that grass will be," Mitchell said.

I have to admit that I like Mayor Frankel's vision here but unlike the Mayor, I think it is the BEST thing for West Palm Beach's future. Let's protect this property from any future development.

Cultural Grants saved in PB County Budget

With a record crowd attending the Palm Beach County meeting last evening to set its millage rate, now up from $3.78 to $4,34, many spoke out for saving funds towards cultural programs.

Originally the County Administrator had proposed cutting $320,000 for these programs. All that public pleading paid off because $262,000 was left in the budget. Sure hope that $58,000 wasn't earmarked for the PB County Cultural Council that wants to locate here in Lake Worth.

Emerging from the Cocoon - The Powerplay

Last night’s CRA meeting was perhaps the most boring of any meeting I have ever attended. It was also the first meeting where Commissioner Donna Ross came into her own. Of course, there were only two members out of the original Board that remained.

Ross has always taken a back seat to the former members who had years of experience and it seemed at times that she took a timid approach. One of the few occasions where she showed aggressiveness was when she first appointed Brendan Lynch as Chair only to have that political move squashed by the City Commission that did not re-appoint him.

Last night Ross made a motion to appoint Peter Meyerhoefer (a member who received the least amount of votes from the City Commission when appointed) as the new Chair even before the Board had a chance to even know a little about themselves, some of them meeting for the very first time. Member Michael Hyde suggested that each member introduce themselves first before a vote. When it came to Ms. Ross, she poignantly said that this was the first time that she had been “involved in politics.”

Using the tactics of a seasoned politician, Ross moved swiftly and used her power once again, lobbying for Peter Meyerhoefer, thus throwing Grimm, the obvious and well-rounded choice, who had been there the longest and one who had received the most confidence votes when appointed by the City Commission, under the dais.

This appointment must now go before the City Commission for approval.

Brand New CRA Board

With only two past members retained by the City Commission for the CRA, all took the oath other than Donna Ross whose term had not expired. She was voted in as Chair Pro Tem for the meeting.

If you recall, Donna Ross nominated Brendan Lynch at the last meeting as Chair and she was voted in as Vice Chair. Since Brendan was replaced by the City Commission, Donna Ross passed the gavel tonight and nominated Peter Meyerhoefer, a former downtown merchant, as Chair, bypassing the obvious member with the most experience, Ed Grimm.

It's hard to Potty Train some LW Kids

Even when you try to train and explain, kids just
keep soiling their diapers over and over again.
The same crap keeps coming out both ends.
Have you ever noticed it gets worse
at election time?

Missing Peacock

"Our" peacock is missing. He has lived here for 5 years and now has not been seen for the past 5 days. If anyone has spotted him, please get in touch with me. He has now lost his feathers. It is the end of mating season. There are a lot of worried people in our community.

Someone said they saw a couple of men with a net trying to capture one on the other side of Lake Osborne. We hope that he has not befallen any harm as there are all sorts of predators in Lake Worth.

Our peacock was lonely but led a stress free life here. He had a couple of cats as friends and they would sit together during the day, eat from the same bowl and drink from the same container. These cats were his only companions. I remember one of the cats when he first spotted this big bird. He sat there looking up in awe knowing that he had no chance against this bird. He succumbed and decided it was better to be friends.

This summer he started to strut a little farther and began to sleep at night in a different Pine tree right above the Trailer Park on 6th Avenue South. He squawked a lot this year. We worry some idiot killed him for food.

From a Tax Pro

Due to a Federal Tax Lien on a candidate for Mayor, that was for the period ending 12-31-2003, this is what a tax pro says--

"Pay up! You don't want to find out. It means you have not paid taxes due, and these are not wiped out in bankruptcy. It means you have made no attempt to pay taxes owed, have not set up a payment plan and have not made monthly payments, and they're coming after you. The consequences of your series of bad choices are coming at you! The liens can be put against any property you own, against any assets, bank deposits, salary, etc.

You don't want the IRS on your back!! They are not quick in the chase, but they are relentless."

Is this what it means to have the "most aggressive campaign in Lake Worth's history?"

No City Permission given to DelSol campaign

From: lynn113@worldnet.att.net
To: Saundra Wade
Re: request for public information
Good morning Saundra-
I have a public information request as follows:
I would like any document by the City that has given written permission to The Mentoring Center to lease any space at the Shuffleboard Court under the Lease Agreement with the City of Lake Worth to the Campaign of Javier Del Sol for his fundraiser event held on Labor Day.
________________________________________________________________________
Hi Lynn,
There is no written permission.
Thanks.
Saundra V Wade
City of Lake Worth
Records & Information Mgr
7 North Dixie Hwy
Lake Worth FL33460
Telephone: 561 586 1660
Fax: 561 586 1750

Tree Huggers and Trees don't bring in Revenue

I'm a tree hugger, not a businessman

So as not to take this out of context and irritate you know who, I am reprinting the entire paragraph from candidate for Commissioner District 3, Wes Blackman's blog. Normally I wouldn't bother referencing this long paragraph. Wes did pose the question at the end of his blog asking about his opponent’s stand on the issues. After 2 ½ years, I believe that most all of us know where Jo-Ann Golden stands on issues. Her votes are a matter of public record.

Wes says--
Parking at the beach. It's horrible that the result of the $5 million grant will just facilitate additional paving at the beach - more and darker asphalt with different stripes and jeopardizing Lake Worth resident decal permit holders does not seem an acceptable solution. Although I acknowledged that it would be politically unacceptable and impractical, I offered a "green option" of parking downtown in a parking garage and busing people to the beach - opening up tons of green space there. Other Commissioners, including Commissioner Golden, talked about this idea as an option. We need to have the freedom to discuss all ideas and evaluate them against each other. I want to make it clear: I am upset about the amount of asphalt at the beach and we need to find ways to reduce paving. Decked parking at the beach is an option worth examining - as are all ideas that would demonstrate Lake Worth is doing all it can to be a leader in green redevelopment - another part of my campaign platform.

First of all there will NOT be more asphalt at the Lake Worth beach. The amount will be much less. With all but 96 parking spaces now left on the upper level per the Kimley-Horn design, the parking configuration will be redesigned at the lower level to accommodate lost spots and give PB County what it demands. There most assuredly will be MORE green and definitely not more asphalt. There will be more trees for all you greenies.

Call it what you will, but being bused to the beach is NO option. Please go to the beach and ask the people there who actually come to our beach, spend money there, what they would like. When you actually get that information, perhaps then, and I guess only then, will you come down to a reasonable conclusion. This should be about what the people want and what will bring in money to Lake Worth. One of the reasons why we have failed over the last decade is because commissioners promote what THEY want and not the community at large. I sincerely hope that all the candidates will think about this. We know of one Commissioner who lost the last election for not understanding what the people wanted at the beach.

To reduce the parking is really not a wise decision and does not make good business sense—not in exchange for a tree, unless, of course, the County is picking up our entire expense on our 19+ acres of beach property and I say that in jest. Parking brings revenue. Without revenue from beach operations, we will not, I repeat, NOT be able to go out on a Revenue Bond to refurbish our Casino. We need all the revenue that we can generate at our Lake Worth beach. To eliminate parking spaces and particularly eliminate them altogether is not an option. Only those who want to demolish our Casino, never to rebuild, would even consider anything as drastic as this. Rents from the refurbished Casino will also pay for the up-keep of our beach. This is our jewel.

City Manager Stanton has suggested a parking garage. Personally, I don’t like the idea of a parking garage at our beachfront property. Greater Bay suggested this. I don’t like them either. It destroys the ambiance and what makes our beach beautiful. Now we would have a 3 story cement structure instead? A parking platform would cost millions, money that we do not have and certainly can not afford. The lower level parking looks fine unless you are looking at it from an aerial, an unrealistic view of our property. Michael Singer did this and it was effective in turning public opinion of those who attended his presentation at City Hall. If he had drawn in more green little bushes it would have looked just fine. He used the picture speaks a thousand words premise but it was a distorted view to suit his end.

All of you complaining about asphalt probably do not go to our beach very often. During the Season, all spots are taken on the weekends and most are filled during the week. The upper level, naturally, is filled first. Tourists come here for our beach. One of the reasons snowbirds have winter homes is because of our beach and the close proximity to it from anywhere in Lake Worth.

I absolutely agree with Wes when he says that we all should have the option of discussing the issues. Can we start looking at what will turn around our city--REVENUE--and stop worrying so much about trees--about GREEN.

It is very ironic that the tree huggers concerned about global warming, rising seas and eliminating convenient parking at our beach have NO concern for any of our assets in Lake Worth. Just take a look around; you will see what I mean...our shuffleboard Court comes to mind.

I will be seriously considering voting for anyone who does not mention "green" in their campaign literature, an expression that has become boring at best and just a bunch of political hype.

A Circus Act?

Comment Up
Javier says that he plans on running the most progressive campaign in Lake Worth's history. This sounds scary to me particularly since no one can tell me what "progressive" means. Does anyone really know?

Could it possibly mean that he believes that power, wealth, and information must flow freely rather than be concentrated in the hands of a few so that all citizens have the means to contribute...taking away from the rich to give to the poor...believing in policies that enhance the collective good, rather than the good of a few individuals...open borders?... I don't know. Hopefully we will all learn more.

The Labor Center on Labor Day

Go to Lake Worth Media and see the video footage taken today.

Under the Terms of our Lease agreement, The Mentoring Center is required to maintain, at its sole expense, the Premises located at 1121 Lucerne Avenue in a clean and orderly and presentable condition, free of rubbish and trash. Also, the Tenant is responsible to fix that broken screen among other things.

If you notice, one of the flood lights was left on in broad daylight. It was the middle of the day. As the City of Lake Worth pays for electric, this needs to be addressed.

Now, realizing this is a Holiday, I can give them some slack here, however, there has been complaint after complaint regarding the deplorable conditions at the Shuffleboard Court Building. We have had public testimony of that fact. Is it too much to ask of them for $1 a year?

A Day to Ponder--Lost jobs and the American worker

Labor Day has been around for 115 years. The day means different things to different people—the end of summer; the beginning of school; a day for parades, barbecues and relaxation; a day at the Lake Worth beach—and a day off from just laboring. It used to be a day of celebrating and saying "Take this job and shove it" at least for one day out of the year.

14.9 million American workers are unemployed as of end of August 2009. See Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is one of the worst recessions/depressions in American history with more people unemployed than in the Great Depression. That depression lingered on for 8 years until the government started drafting men for our inevitable involvement in World War II. Where once the American worker was supreme and they accepted a decent wage for a day's work, we now have a different problem. Union demands have forced many taxpayer bailed out corporations and others to move off-shore, using the labor of foreign countries thus building up their economies. Here in Lake Worth, the demands of the unions are a direct cause of a lot of our budget problems and the lay-offs of more city employees.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is not designed to identify the legal status of workers. The only question that is the least bit relative to it asks whether the respondent is born outside the United States. This shows that foreign-born workers accounted for 15.6% of the labor force in 2008.

I would bet that the majority of these unemployed American citizens want a job as soon as possible as benefits are running out; they are losing their homes, their automobiles, their health insurance and just fighting to survive. That is all they are thinking about today—putting food on the table for their families.

Today, as we celebrate the American worker, it is a good day to start demanding better protection for all those who have helped make this country great. The Unions should start getting realistic. The government should vote in E-Verify not just for federal contractors but all Employers.

Where is our Audit for 2008?

As City Manager Stanton seems to be heading in the direction of more out-sourcing, here's one for you.

In today's paper there is a Lake Worth company that will come in to a business and help them save money by auditing their billing system for errors. The fee? They charge 50/50 if they can find ways of saving businesses money in their billing operations from wrong rate schedules and just plain mistakes. What if we could get them to go several steps forward in their business plan and come in and audit our entire city?

We have yet to get an audit for 2008. 2009 fiscal year will end in 23 days. My question has always been how do you set a budget when we don't even have an audit. I have been told that it is "simple," you just do it. Ok, then, let's call this company and see if they will expand their horizons and help out the very city in which they do business. It's worth a shot. :)

Javier and doing what's Just

Comment up

Javier Del Sol for Mayor
Click for his flyer

What is a "progressive," the description that Javier likes to use in describing himself? Will we find Javier walking around on stilts tonight dressed in his famous T-shirt calling everyone a "racist" at his fund-raiser at the illegal hiring hall? Or is it the Green Party behind his campaign? Perhaps our anarchist Commissioner herself? When you ask one of these "forward-thinking" people what the word "progressive" means, they don't know.

Read the above and let me know if you find anything, whatsoever, in the slightest detail, that might be offensive to the residents of Lake Worth.

If you think having this function at this building might be a problem, then read the Lease that the City of Lake Worth has with The Mentoring Center, ooops, illegal hiring hall. Having a fund raiser or kick-off party for a Mayoral candidate is not one of the permitted uses under the Contract. The uses are as follows:

2.2 The parties understand and agree that the primary use of the Premises is the operation of the Resource Center. Services include: workforce assistance, afterschool tutorials, public safety education programs, citizenship/legal assistance, language literacy, business education programs and cultural/recreation activities.

15.1 No subletting or Assignment. This Lease may not be sold, assigned, sublet, or transferred by Tenant without the prior advance written consent of the City. Tenant, and its successor and assigns, shall not use the Premises for any other purposes other than those contained herein,.....

Although the premises may be used for social services to the Lake Worth community at large, I challenge the use of the premises of a candidate for elected office as fitting into that description. The Mentoring Center as well as Javier and his campaign should familiarize themselves with the facts. Also, it is very clear that The Mentoring Center can not sublet or assign without consent of The City. Do they have that?

In the above campaign promotional, it talks about working towards social justice and fiscal responsibility. Here is the big problem. The candidate and his supporters are using this center against the permitted uses under the Lease Agreement while Lake Worth picks up the tab for the electricity, the water, the garbage and sewer and a give-away lease. Is this a responsible act?

Also, according to State Statues, 106.15 (4), No person shall make and no person shall solicit or knowingly accept any political contribution in a building owned by a governmental entity. For purposes of this subsection, "accept" means to receive a contribution by personal hand delivery from a contributor or the contributor's agent. This subsection shall not apply when a government-owned building or any portion thereof is rented for the specific purpose of holding a campaign fund raiser.

So, Javier and his campaign think it is legal because they have "rented" the space for the event from The Mentoring Center. Let's see the Lease that was made between them. If there is one, and there was no written permission from The City, then it is grounds to ask The Mentoring Center to vacate. There is no clause in the Lease between The Mentoring Center and The City of Lake Worth that give them the right to sub-lease any space to anyone for even a few hours without the City's written permission. They think they can get away with it under Florida Statutes and are believing their own hype.

What Javier says about it all-

I heard the kickoff was at the Resource Center. Is it legal to hold a campaign event at a publicly owned facility?

We have received a lot of questions about this issue already. It is true that it is illegal to solicit or raise money for a candidate in a publicly owned location. However, the law says the exception is when the facility is rented by a candidate for a fundraiser.

We chose to rent the Resource Center because we wanted to bring attention to center and want to encourage the other candidates to do the same as well.

Don't believe the hype!

Just having a Mentoring Center is highly questionable as its main reason for its existence was to get the day laborers off the city streets and have them register for employment. They encourage the hiring of undocumented workers with the blessing of Lake Worth's government.

So, what do we have here?
1. A fundraiser in a government building leased to a questionable enterprise
2. Does the campaign have a written agreement from The Mentoring Center?
3. Did the City of Lake Worth give advanced written permission?
4. Does a campaign kick-off fall under any named uses under the Lease Agreement?

The campaign of Mr. Del Sol is writing its own explanation. They can say anything they want but what are the facts? The questions are posed and now the Campaign of Javier De Sol must answer to the taxpayers of Lake Worth. Javier states that he is "compelled to set an example of how a clean campaign can succeed..."

We can only hope that all the T's were crossed and the I's dotted. If they have been, then my sincere apologies. Starting off on the wrong foot will just allow this candidate to trip over his own social justice...and everyone else's.

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