Monday, April 4, 2011
Obama Announces
It has been said that once you are elected to office, that is the day you start campaigning for the next election. The Obama campaign will file formal papers today with the Federal Election Commission allowing them to raise money towards what may be the first $1 billion campaign effort. Source: Post on Politics
Big Oil - Is our government watching out for us?
When given a chance to end $4 billion a year in taxpayer subsidies to big oil companies, Republicans, along with a few conservative Democrats, voted to extend them....soaking the poor to help the rich?
Read about Corporate welfare for Big Oil.
Read about Corporate welfare for Big Oil.
IBEW Contract
The IBEW's three year contract from October 1, 2010 to September 30, 2012 is on the Agenda at tomorrow's City Commission meeting.
Union contracts have always benefited the Unions, never the City that actually pays for the salaries and perks. We FINALLY have a city manager watching out for the City when it comes to the escalating costs of Union benefits. After reading over the contract, some of the reasons that are unfavorable to the City and why I agree with our City Manager, who is against the contract, are as follows:
1. It contains wage increases that the City is not in the position to grant for the three years
2. Longevity bonus payments that increase people's base wages each year instead of a single bonus payment like the City imposed on the PEU
3. It obligates the city to pay overtime after 8 hours instead of after 40 hours
4. It continues to pay people for safety and birthdays ... which is not acceptable
5. It continues to restrict management right to schedule and move people
6. The contract says that the most important element in lay-offs is seniority instead of job skills and knowledge.
7. Probationary period is too long.
8. Medical is very generous.
9. Every employee gets $25,000 of life insurance.
10. No employee is required to work in inclement weather, the very time we need them to work.
11. Trying to get a drug addict off your employee roster is almost impossible.
City Hall has said, "Lake Worth is no longer the bottomless hole for funding excessive pay and benefits. We are not in the position to pay excessive wages anymore" ... This is not the time of Romano.
City Manager Susan Stanton says, "Because the terms and conditions incorporated by this proposed agreement exceeds the City Commission’s established financial parameters, I recommend that the City Commission formally reject the proposed contract and declare an impasse to the negotiation process."
Quote of the Day - Jeff Clemens
"We've stuck it to the unemployed already, we stuck it to teachers, we're sticking it to public employees, to women, and now we're sticking it to unions."~Jeff Clemens
"I walk into this building every morning and one of the first questions I ask my aide is, 'Who are we sticking it to today?" Rep. Jeff Clemens, a Democrat from Lake Worth, said recently as the House voted to prohibit the deduction of union dues from public employee paychecks. Clemens never was a fiscal conservative. Read the rest of the article.
In 2009 alone, unions reported collecting more than $8 billion in workers’ dues. This figure highlights the importance of union transparency. Candidates for public office, corporations, members of Congress all have to comply with financial disclosure regulations. This is even more important for unions, because membership is forced on some workers as a requirement of their jobs.
Read more at the San Francisco Examiner
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Kayaking in Lake Worth
Comment Up
Vice Mayor Suzanne Mulvehill, an avid kayaker, wants to make paddling a better-known recreational option in Lake Worth.
On Tuesday, Mulvehill will ask the city commission to designate the Lake Worth Paddling Trail - an 8-mile route paddlers can follow from Bryant Park north to the West Palm Beach Canal, then west into Lake Clarke Shores and south to Lake Osborne.
Read the rest of the article.
Abortion Bill signed by Brewer of Arizona
Since the government continues to force itself on all women when it comes to abortion and other personal choice issues, this is a bill that is a compromise to the majority of Republicans and churches that want to outlaw abortion altogether.
Jan Brewer signs Arizona Bill that gives higher safety standards to women considering abortions.
This Bill also guarantees every woman who is considering an abortion be provided with an ultrasound, sees the results and hears the heartbeat, if audible.
Jan Brewer signs Arizona Bill that gives higher safety standards to women considering abortions.
This Bill also guarantees every woman who is considering an abortion be provided with an ultrasound, sees the results and hears the heartbeat, if audible.
Lake Worth Crime Stats
| April 02, 2011, which spans the last week - 33460. | ||
 | Property Crime | 10 |
 | Death | 1 |
 | Theft | 10 |
| Drugs | 5 |
| Disorder | 1 |
| Family Offense | 12 |
| Liquor | 6 |
 | Robbery | 4 |
| Alarm | 6 |
 | Other | 33 |
| Missing Person | 1 |
| Pedestrian Stop | 13 |
 | Traffic | 26 |
 | Assault | 10 |
Palm Beach has earned its title, Corruption Capital of the Country
Comment Up
On or about March 18, the news of Pay-To-Play was exposed by the Post. In that article it briefly mentioned Danny Derringer, a former Lake Worth city employee. Danny Derringer was a former Lake Worth employee rumored to have been on the take. The Lake Worth Herald recently ran a story on the corruption. People who know Derringer say that he was allowed to retire here rather than be fired. As we know he went on to a few more jobs until this latest pay-to-play scandal broke. Now he faces 60 years.
Today, the pay-to-play is front page news, a Watchdog Exclusive by the Palm Beach Post. This is an excellent article written by Pat Beall, Joel Engelhardt and Adam Playford and the kind of investigative reporting that is superior. When the Post sets its teeth into a story, no one can do it better.
One person who worked with Derringer says, "He was in charge of water distribution and reported to Mike Thew. He was a legend in his own mind, lots of talk and little to no action. He was let go-- they were going to fire him, but subsequently let him retire. I believe he was the head of the PEU and PMSA at the time of his “retirement.” There was some scandal involving his "retirement" but it too has been covered up.
It is time we stop the piggy-backing of contracts and the waive of bid deals. I, as well as others, have demanded this at public meetings to no avail. There are millions of dollars in waste at Lake Worth Utilities. William Coakley says that about four years ago, they had a $50,000 to $70,000 change order that we had to pay to Chaz (Mock Roos' was in charge) that in his opinion was a farce. To this day, we have not done a forensic audit. The milking as well as the cover-up of the Utility continues. Read this article by Coakley on a sidewalk deal in Lake Worth by Chaz Equipment.
Chaz Equipment has made $2.92 million (reported by the Post) from the City of Lake Worth. I have to wonder about this amount because on February 20, 2007, the Commission approved a $1,498,860 contract to Chaz Equipment for concentrate discharge pipeline for the Reverse Osmosis plant. I don't know what happened to that Contract but we do know that the idea of discharging effluent into the Atlantic Ocean was unacceptable to the City and it delayed our RO objective.
At the last meeting of the Finance Advisory Board, Jessica Plotkin brought up the fact that we needed a forensic audit of the Utility. This was dissed with the reason being that we just can't have all these audits going on at the same time..."Do you realize that the audit by the State is a big thing," someone asked. Well, we can have as many audits as we want in Lake Worth. There has always been an excuse for not having this audit and the stall continues.
The former employee who contacted me further stated, "That whole group on the water side was very cozy with Mock Roos way past the point of normal...many stories about things taking place but never substantiated." How much has Mock Roos made with the City? It must total several million a year for 40 years? Several years back Dave Vespo went on a brief crusade, showing a little spark of possible brilliance by questioning Mock Roos and the city's relationship but stopped his pursuit--it never went anywhere; he dropped it like a hot potato. It is impossible to fight City Hall even when you're a part of it. Compromises are made.
The Corruption Capital of the Country prevails and it is not only public officials on the take. And you wonder why your Utility bills are so high.
On or about March 18, the news of Pay-To-Play was exposed by the Post. In that article it briefly mentioned Danny Derringer, a former Lake Worth city employee. Danny Derringer was a former Lake Worth employee rumored to have been on the take. The Lake Worth Herald recently ran a story on the corruption. People who know Derringer say that he was allowed to retire here rather than be fired. As we know he went on to a few more jobs until this latest pay-to-play scandal broke. Now he faces 60 years.
Today, the pay-to-play is front page news, a Watchdog Exclusive by the Palm Beach Post. This is an excellent article written by Pat Beall, Joel Engelhardt and Adam Playford and the kind of investigative reporting that is superior. When the Post sets its teeth into a story, no one can do it better.
One person who worked with Derringer says, "He was in charge of water distribution and reported to Mike Thew. He was a legend in his own mind, lots of talk and little to no action. He was let go-- they were going to fire him, but subsequently let him retire. I believe he was the head of the PEU and PMSA at the time of his “retirement.” There was some scandal involving his "retirement" but it too has been covered up.
It is time we stop the piggy-backing of contracts and the waive of bid deals. I, as well as others, have demanded this at public meetings to no avail. There are millions of dollars in waste at Lake Worth Utilities. William Coakley says that about four years ago, they had a $50,000 to $70,000 change order that we had to pay to Chaz (Mock Roos' was in charge) that in his opinion was a farce. To this day, we have not done a forensic audit. The milking as well as the cover-up of the Utility continues. Read this article by Coakley on a sidewalk deal in Lake Worth by Chaz Equipment.
Chaz Equipment has made $2.92 million (reported by the Post) from the City of Lake Worth. I have to wonder about this amount because on February 20, 2007, the Commission approved a $1,498,860 contract to Chaz Equipment for concentrate discharge pipeline for the Reverse Osmosis plant. I don't know what happened to that Contract but we do know that the idea of discharging effluent into the Atlantic Ocean was unacceptable to the City and it delayed our RO objective.
At the last meeting of the Finance Advisory Board, Jessica Plotkin brought up the fact that we needed a forensic audit of the Utility. This was dissed with the reason being that we just can't have all these audits going on at the same time..."Do you realize that the audit by the State is a big thing," someone asked. Well, we can have as many audits as we want in Lake Worth. There has always been an excuse for not having this audit and the stall continues.
The former employee who contacted me further stated, "That whole group on the water side was very cozy with Mock Roos way past the point of normal...many stories about things taking place but never substantiated." How much has Mock Roos made with the City? It must total several million a year for 40 years? Several years back Dave Vespo went on a brief crusade, showing a little spark of possible brilliance by questioning Mock Roos and the city's relationship but stopped his pursuit--it never went anywhere; he dropped it like a hot potato. It is impossible to fight City Hall even when you're a part of it. Compromises are made.
The Corruption Capital of the Country prevails and it is not only public officials on the take. And you wonder why your Utility bills are so high.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Lake Worth resident writes book
Comment Up
A Meet the Author event is scheduled for the Lake Worth Library on Thursday, April 7 at 7 p.m. Ted Brownstein will discuss his new book, Sunshine Republic.
The novel is tongue-in-cheek satire of Palm Beach County politics. The year is 2130. A young, gregarious Lake Worth native, by the name of Cesar Komenen (Common Man), would rather be bopping the night away at Johnny Gyro's Dance Emporium out on the Lake Worth Entertainment Pier, but gets himself tangled up in an effort to "fix" a rogue politician.
Kirkus Review said of the book, ""Powered by a briskly paced and tightly woven storyline, Brownstein's tale is a relentlessly entertaining amalgam of science-fiction mystery and dystopic thriller, with a healthy dose of satire and social commentary thrown in for good measure."
A Meet the Author event is scheduled for the Lake Worth Library on Thursday, April 7 at 7 p.m. Ted Brownstein will discuss his new book, Sunshine Republic.
The novel is tongue-in-cheek satire of Palm Beach County politics. The year is 2130. A young, gregarious Lake Worth native, by the name of Cesar Komenen (Common Man), would rather be bopping the night away at Johnny Gyro's Dance Emporium out on the Lake Worth Entertainment Pier, but gets himself tangled up in an effort to "fix" a rogue politician.
Kirkus Review said of the book, ""Powered by a briskly paced and tightly woven storyline, Brownstein's tale is a relentlessly entertaining amalgam of science-fiction mystery and dystopic thriller, with a healthy dose of satire and social commentary thrown in for good measure."
Rulebreakers Rule
Comment Up
More and more of this is happening. People buy into condos knowing full well the "No Pet Rule." Do they care about rules? Hell no. RULE-BREAKERS RULE. Read the Sun-Sentinel article
In this case, the owner of Sweetie, a 3 pound Chihuahua, says she is emotionally fragile and lonely so she had her doctor write her a prescription for an Emotional Support Animal. Doctors and the ADA are part of the scam. These pets are not allowed to enter no-pet-allowed places but they are allowed to LIVE in condos with NO PET RULES. Her lawyer refers to this dog as a Service Dog...no it is not. A Service Dog is a different category than an Emotional Support Animal and different laws apply to them.
Phyllis Schleifer, the "emotionally distressed owner" who must be declared legally disabled under the FHA or State law and/or have a letter from her doctor prescribing an ESA for her mental well-being, says she would like to move from Century Village. I am sure that Century Village would like that too. Condo living is for rule-breakers. They always prevail.
More and more of this is happening. People buy into condos knowing full well the "No Pet Rule." Do they care about rules? Hell no. RULE-BREAKERS RULE. Read the Sun-Sentinel article
In this case, the owner of Sweetie, a 3 pound Chihuahua, says she is emotionally fragile and lonely so she had her doctor write her a prescription for an Emotional Support Animal. Doctors and the ADA are part of the scam. These pets are not allowed to enter no-pet-allowed places but they are allowed to LIVE in condos with NO PET RULES. Her lawyer refers to this dog as a Service Dog...no it is not. A Service Dog is a different category than an Emotional Support Animal and different laws apply to them.
Phyllis Schleifer, the "emotionally distressed owner" who must be declared legally disabled under the FHA or State law and/or have a letter from her doctor prescribing an ESA for her mental well-being, says she would like to move from Century Village. I am sure that Century Village would like that too. Condo living is for rule-breakers. They always prevail.
Ted Deutch is Right on Social Security
Comment Up
U.S. Rep Ted Deutch got this one right. In fact, he has always been a champion of social security and has always looked out for Seniors. He really cares about the elderly in his District and he cares about this government program. He wants to remove the cap of $106,000 a year on individual income that is subjected to Social Security taxes. That would mean the top 5% of wage earners would pay more than the present cap.
"There is this conventional wisdom that in order for us to save Social Security we need to eviscerate it, we need to slash benefits," said Deutch, D-Boca Raton. "That's not where the American people are."
Taking into account the high medical costs faced by senior citizens, Deutch's bill would both preserve promised benefits and adjust the way Social Security's yearly cost-of-living raise is determined.
Let's not screw up a Program that has been in existence since 1935. The government needs to cease "borrowing" from it as well.
Note: Now Joyce Kaufman is thinking about running against him
U.S. Rep Ted Deutch got this one right. In fact, he has always been a champion of social security and has always looked out for Seniors. He really cares about the elderly in his District and he cares about this government program. He wants to remove the cap of $106,000 a year on individual income that is subjected to Social Security taxes. That would mean the top 5% of wage earners would pay more than the present cap.
"There is this conventional wisdom that in order for us to save Social Security we need to eviscerate it, we need to slash benefits," said Deutch, D-Boca Raton. "That's not where the American people are."
Taking into account the high medical costs faced by senior citizens, Deutch's bill would both preserve promised benefits and adjust the way Social Security's yearly cost-of-living raise is determined.
Let's not screw up a Program that has been in existence since 1935. The government needs to cease "borrowing" from it as well.
Note: Now Joyce Kaufman is thinking about running against him
Classified mission in Space
Comment Up
SPACE PLANE FLARES: The US Air Force X-37B space plane is circling Earth on a classified mission. Although its orbit is officially unpublished, amateur sky watchers have spotted it and are monitoring its progress. This week, a veteran observer witnessed a spectacular flare from the X-37B, exceeding the brightness of Venus. Details may be found on http://spaceweather.com.
SPACE PLANE FLARES: The US Air Force X-37B space plane is circling Earth on a classified mission. Although its orbit is officially unpublished, amateur sky watchers have spotted it and are monitoring its progress. This week, a veteran observer witnessed a spectacular flare from the X-37B, exceeding the brightness of Venus. Details may be found on http://spaceweather.com.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Steinhardt Lease voluntarily terminated
Comment Up
Update: 4-5-11. The City is waiting for a written termination from the Steinhardt heirs.
Save the Waterfront & Town...
Originally leased to Marshall, owner of the Gulfstream Hotel back then, who flipped it to Milton Steinhardt-- submerged land was leased from the City of Lake Worth in 1967 on a 99 year lease. He wanted to develop five, 10 story condos on three man-made islands at the southeast end of the Intracoastal Waterway bridge across from the Lake Worth beach. He also sought federal permits to build a boat marina at the site. The City applied for the permits on his behalf in order to bring some sort of clout to his requests and to possibly speed it along.
He was paying $6,000 a year to the City of Lake Worth and after Save the Waterfront and Town went out on a petition in 2005, won at the ballot box on a Public Land/Public Vote Charter Amendment with 60% of the vote. Steinhardt was stopped from his dream.
Betty Resch, former City of Lake Worth attorney represented the Steinhardts and came before the City Commission several years ago and asked for an extension of the Lease. On first vote, Romano, McKinnon and Burns voted FOR the extension. At the next regularly scheduled meeting, McKinnon brought it back on the Agenda and switched his vote to "no." Steinhardt lost again on a 3/2 vote.
Today, through a reliable source, I was told that the Steinhardts agreed to terminate the Lease and the City accepted.
Update: 4-5-11. The City is waiting for a written termination from the Steinhardt heirs.
Save the Waterfront & Town...
Originally leased to Marshall, owner of the Gulfstream Hotel back then, who flipped it to Milton Steinhardt-- submerged land was leased from the City of Lake Worth in 1967 on a 99 year lease. He wanted to develop five, 10 story condos on three man-made islands at the southeast end of the Intracoastal Waterway bridge across from the Lake Worth beach. He also sought federal permits to build a boat marina at the site. The City applied for the permits on his behalf in order to bring some sort of clout to his requests and to possibly speed it along.
He was paying $6,000 a year to the City of Lake Worth and after Save the Waterfront and Town went out on a petition in 2005, won at the ballot box on a Public Land/Public Vote Charter Amendment with 60% of the vote. Steinhardt was stopped from his dream.
Betty Resch, former City of Lake Worth attorney represented the Steinhardts and came before the City Commission several years ago and asked for an extension of the Lease. On first vote, Romano, McKinnon and Burns voted FOR the extension. At the next regularly scheduled meeting, McKinnon brought it back on the Agenda and switched his vote to "no." Steinhardt lost again on a 3/2 vote.
Today, through a reliable source, I was told that the Steinhardts agreed to terminate the Lease and the City accepted.
Earth First member arrested
Comment Up
Panagioti Tsolkas, boyfriend of Cara Jennings, is featured on the 6pm news. Remember Ana Rodriguez, the woman who rushed Commissioner Scott Maxwell at his swearing in last year? She is the tree hugger.
Panagioti Tsolkas, boyfriend of Cara Jennings, is featured on the 6pm news. Remember Ana Rodriguez, the woman who rushed Commissioner Scott Maxwell at his swearing in last year? She is the tree hugger.
Frankel wants West's job
Comment Up
Poll
Lois Frankel wants to unseat Allen West, our new Congressman in District 22. In the recent Viewpoint Poll, Lois Frankel received a 28% favorable rating from voters, while 36% of those surveyed said they viewed her unfavorably.
Poll
Lois Frankel wants to unseat Allen West, our new Congressman in District 22. In the recent Viewpoint Poll, Lois Frankel received a 28% favorable rating from voters, while 36% of those surveyed said they viewed her unfavorably.
On the ballot test, Congressman West holds a 53%-38% lead over Mayor Frankel, a fifteen-point spread and he is just getting started in his job.
The Democrats will be spending small fortunes to overturn this office.
Cottage playing in the muck
Comment Up
Playing the discrimination thing? This is the outrageous statement made by The Cottage that is now in the National eye:
Unfortunately, the City chose to enable and feed the underlying homophobic current, instead of helping a viable and community oriented business as well as honoring its own civil rights ordinance which provides protection for sexual orientation and gender expression. They are speaking about our recent Noise Ordinance. This is NOT an April Fool's Joke!
The Cottage says:
Stop Lake Worth's Harassment and Homophobic Discrimination Of The Cottage Restaurant.
read some bull shit.
The Cottage Restaurant says it is being unfairly targeted because of "noise." It is apparent that the Cottage is asking its customers to sign a Petition who know NOTHING ABOUT IT. Do they offer a discount to sign? In fact, since it is on a Petition blog that caters to discrimination issues, more than likely people from all over the country are hitting on this who know nothing about Lake Worth and that it is the Gay Capital of the East coast of the country.
PATHETIC.
Playing the discrimination thing? This is the outrageous statement made by The Cottage that is now in the National eye:
Unfortunately, the City chose to enable and feed the underlying homophobic current, instead of helping a viable and community oriented business as well as honoring its own civil rights ordinance which provides protection for sexual orientation and gender expression. They are speaking about our recent Noise Ordinance. This is NOT an April Fool's Joke!
The Cottage says:
Stop Lake Worth's Harassment and Homophobic Discrimination Of The Cottage Restaurant.
read some bull shit.
The Cottage Restaurant says it is being unfairly targeted because of "noise." It is apparent that the Cottage is asking its customers to sign a Petition who know NOTHING ABOUT IT. Do they offer a discount to sign? In fact, since it is on a Petition blog that caters to discrimination issues, more than likely people from all over the country are hitting on this who know nothing about Lake Worth and that it is the Gay Capital of the East coast of the country.
PATHETIC.
L Street Parking Lot - Lake Worth
Comment Up
People, thus far, have rejected this paid parking lot
during the day
At a recent city commission meeting someone happily mentioned that the L Street parking lot was full over the previous weekend. It was also said that the city had not been fining people who did not pay or who had overstayed their parking time. The City said it was going to start writing tickets. The Sheriff does not write parking tickets, so then, who does or who will? Will that someone be checking on the hour? Who is going to follow-up on tickets and try and collect when people fail to pay or will this be on the Honor System? I did not notice any signage informing people that this was a paid parking lot although you can't miss the pay-station in the middle of the lot.
Facts on the L Street Parking Lot
1. The City sold it to Les Evans, their favorite developer, in March 2005 for 575,000 and he quit claimed it to one of his companies, 601 Lucerne Inc. in August 2005.
2. LUCERNE Holdings LLC bought the property for 375,000 in December 2010. Why didn't we buy it back?
3. Market value is $77,405 FOR 1 PARCEL, the same for another and $154,883 for the third parcel.
The above photo depicts the typical look of this parking lot--EMPTY--during the week, morning or afternoon, other than the pick-up and trailer parked in the middle. Also, the very fact that the Finance Advisory Board as well as the City Commission voted down paid parking stations in our downtown, this one exists because of Staff.
The City entered into a Contract on February 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011 for the sum of $10,000 which comes to $1,250 a month which seems like a reasonable rate. It was signed by the Parties (Mayor Rene Varela signing for the City) on February 10, 2011. We will pay the owners, Lucerne Holdings LLC, rent and charge parking fees to those using the parking lot thus helping to off-set the cost to the taxpayers of Lake Worth and hopefully paying for the Lease.
I don't recall this ever coming before the City Commission. This is the main reason why I have always been against a strong mayor type of government. The Commission is supposed to be on top of these transactions. They are the boss, right?
People, thus far, have rejected this paid parking lotduring the day
Facts on the L Street Parking Lot
1. The City sold it to Les Evans, their favorite developer, in March 2005 for 575,000 and he quit claimed it to one of his companies, 601 Lucerne Inc. in August 2005.
2. LUCERNE Holdings LLC bought the property for 375,000 in December 2010. Why didn't we buy it back?
3. Market value is $77,405 FOR 1 PARCEL, the same for another and $154,883 for the third parcel.
The above photo depicts the typical look of this parking lot--EMPTY--during the week, morning or afternoon, other than the pick-up and trailer parked in the middle. Also, the very fact that the Finance Advisory Board as well as the City Commission voted down paid parking stations in our downtown, this one exists because of Staff.
The City entered into a Contract on February 1, 2011 to September 30, 2011 for the sum of $10,000 which comes to $1,250 a month which seems like a reasonable rate. It was signed by the Parties (Mayor Rene Varela signing for the City) on February 10, 2011. We will pay the owners, Lucerne Holdings LLC, rent and charge parking fees to those using the parking lot thus helping to off-set the cost to the taxpayers of Lake Worth and hopefully paying for the Lease.
I don't recall this ever coming before the City Commission. This is the main reason why I have always been against a strong mayor type of government. The Commission is supposed to be on top of these transactions. They are the boss, right?
Jeff Clemens votes to Raise Utility Rates
Comment Up
Although previously reported on March 29, Jeff Clemens needs more publicity on his recent vote and I am obliged to give it to him.
HOUSE
Submitted as Committee Bill by Energy & Utilities Subcommittee; 15 Yeas, 0 Nays--3/29/11
Based on 2010 retail revenues, the bill would allow FPL to recover up to $206 million annually, and TECO $43 million, to produce or purchase renewable energy. This would allow investor-owned utilities to raise rates by 2% to recover costs for renewable energy projects. Nothing wrong with renewable energy but when the economy is flat broke, people are unemployed and hanging on by a thread, is this the time to raise rates?
Text of ENUS 11-01.
This is NO April Fool's Joke. Many of his constituents will have larger utility bills.
Although previously reported on March 29, Jeff Clemens needs more publicity on his recent vote and I am obliged to give it to him.
HOUSE
Submitted as Committee Bill by Energy & Utilities Subcommittee; 15 Yeas, 0 Nays--3/29/11
Based on 2010 retail revenues, the bill would allow FPL to recover up to $206 million annually, and TECO $43 million, to produce or purchase renewable energy. This would allow investor-owned utilities to raise rates by 2% to recover costs for renewable energy projects. Nothing wrong with renewable energy but when the economy is flat broke, people are unemployed and hanging on by a thread, is this the time to raise rates?
Text of ENUS 11-01.
This is NO April Fool's Joke. Many of his constituents will have larger utility bills.
Tom Ramiccio - Letter to the Editor
Comment Up
Palm Beach Post
Letters to the Editor
April 1, 2011
If Lake Worth Needs Cuts, start with the City Manager
In response to your recent article about Lake Worth laying off nearly 70 city employees, while I understand the need to reduce costs and overhead, cutting too deep will hurt the basic services that we have been accustomed to. Maybe the city commission should consider employees at the top of the city organizational chart. The current city manager, Susan Stanton, was hired to navigate us out of this financial mess. She has failed, and the first cut the commission should make should be her.
Tom Ramiccio
Lake Worth
Editor's Note: Tom Ramiccio is a former mayor of Lake Worth
My Note: Is this an April Fool's Joke?
Palm Beach PostLetters to the Editor
April 1, 2011
If Lake Worth Needs Cuts, start with the City Manager
In response to your recent article about Lake Worth laying off nearly 70 city employees, while I understand the need to reduce costs and overhead, cutting too deep will hurt the basic services that we have been accustomed to. Maybe the city commission should consider employees at the top of the city organizational chart. The current city manager, Susan Stanton, was hired to navigate us out of this financial mess. She has failed, and the first cut the commission should make should be her.
Tom Ramiccio
Lake Worth
Editor's Note: Tom Ramiccio is a former mayor of Lake Worth
My Note: Is this an April Fool's Joke?
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