The Blame Game - Demonstration on Christmas Eve

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The Palm Beach County Democratic Party sent out the following message:

Holiday Announcement from Occupy Palm Beach:

In this season of giving it is time to bridge the Gap between the those who have taken and those who have been looted, those who have been bailed out and those who have been sold out. Come and join us in carrying this holiday message on the Okeechobee bridge linking Palm Beach Island with the rest of the world, Dec. 24th, 11:30 am meet up at Occupy Palm Beach site....the old, now reoccupied city hall, two blocks north of Clematis street and two blocks west of Flagler...Occupy the bridge at 12:00 noon 24 December. Bring signs, noise makers, walking shoes and your heart and passion.

Meet up 24 December 11:30am Old City Hall

Occupy Okeechobee bridge 12 noon

GA at 2:00 PM

Although the Tea Party tends to think that the solution lies in doing “something” about government (my belief and I'm not a Tea-Partier) and the Occupy Wall Street movement thinks that the solution surely lies in doing “something” about the private sector, the two movements share a fundamental dissatisfaction with the status quo. It’s not that they want more of this or less of that. They want the system to function differently. They want a phase change.

Please read the Forbes article on What do Occupiers want?

Sure hope that the "World Owes me a living" group does not block that bridge. We might see Occupiers going to jail for X'mas.

Message from South Florida Wildlands Association

As Lake Worth needs a lot of help from politicians who are not protecting our beach park from further commercialization, I wanted to share this message from a group that is helping to protect our parks:

2011 marked South Florida Wildlands Association's first full year in operation. It's been a busy one. Starting with the battle to keep the 146,000 acre Addition Lands of the Big Cypress National Preserve free from motor vehicle impacts, our organization has worked on a variety of environmental issues central to protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat in the Greater Everglades.

Two recent news stories highlight some of the work we've been engaged in. First a television piece from Fox 4 on a massive new Florida Power and Light (FPL) gas plant in the heart of Florida panther habitat. Click the play arrow in the upper left of the page to view the video.

http://m1e.net/c?121296310-.Uh0tLvzHPKz.%407098396-wj0L62gQt/K7I

A piece from the Miami Herald focuses on yet another FPL proposal. This one would locate 3 massive power lines across the eastern edge of what is now Everglades National Park. Note the reference to over 10,000 responses received by the National Park Service - virtually all against the proposal. Big thanks!

http://m1e.net/c?121296310-lyEVzjLq6aIdE%407098397-yUzn3vq.ipR0o

In the coming year, South Florida Wildlands Association (SFWA) will continue the work we've begun. In addition to participating in the lawsuit against the National Park Service, challenging the agency's decision to motorize the Big Cypress National Preserve Addition Lands, we intend to remain fully engaged with the administrations of Biscayne and Everglades National Parks as they re-write the General Management Plans for their respective parks. As always, our focus will be on the protection of rare and vanishing habitat and species - the central purpose for which these unique "biological parks" were created - over other considerations.

On the energy front, SFWA worked alongside local and national organizations to stage rallies against the expansion of the Turkey Point Nuclear Plant (April 30 - Clean Energy Rally at Homestead Bayfront County Park) and the possibility of expanded offshore oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico (June 26 - Hands Across the Sand). While not known as a "clean energy" organization, we take our battles as they come. SFWA finds it deplorable that the health of irreplaceable ecosystems such as Biscayne Bay and the Ten Thousand Islands could be compromised for the sake of more nuclear energy or offshore oil - while the use of clean, sustainable solar power in the Sunshine State barely registers.

We also remain committed to the restoration of the heart of the Everglades - the "River of Grass" - through the return of the natural flow of water which once ran uninterrupted from Lake Okeechobee to the estuaries of Florida and Biscayne Bays nearly 100 miles to the south. These unique wetlands and estuaries are a significant part of the natural heritage of our planet. Millions of acres of public land have already been acquired, at enormous effort and expense, to allow a true restoration to take place. SFWA continues to push federal and state partners for public acquisition of sufficient agricultural lands currently owned by "Big Sugar" - the 700,000 acre Everglades Agricultural Area just south of Lake Okeechobee - to finish the job.

While this email highlights some of the work SFWA has done in the past year, this is also a great time to express our appreciation of our many supporters. Your willingness to continue to write emails to decision makers and show up at public meetings (time and time again - on weeknights - in out of the way locations) to demand that the incredible biological diversity of south Florida remains protected is central to this work. Never think that your individual letters or public comments - no matter how short - have no impact. They do. We thank you for your efforts.

We also take this moment to thank the public officials from the Department of the Interior, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, the South Florida Water Management District and others for promptly answering our numerous inquiries with regard to the projects we are engaged in. Whatever differences we may have (and there are many), the dialogue is always appreciated. And to the environmental reporters (and bloggers) whose work allows the public to understand and participate in issues which, although complex, have a huge impact on the quality of life on our planet - your service is simply invaluable. It never ceases to amaze us how stories involving the Everglades - and the question of its survival - seem to be of interest not only to Floridians but to folks from around the world.

Have a happy holiday season and best wishes for the New Year. If you have the ability and would like to financially support the work South Florida Wildlands is engaged in, your tax-deductible contribution in any amount is very much appreciated. Expect to see an aggressive and comprehensive campaign to secure and protect remaining Florida panther habitat rolled out in early 2012. Contributions can be sent by check (see address below) or online at the following location.

http://m1e.net/c?121296310-WHFsXOG.3ojVs%407098398-NJJF5ly4sAI7U

Best regards,

Matt Schwartz
Executive Director
South Florida Wildlands Association
P.O. Box 30211
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33303
954-634-7173

Another death in Lake Worth

32 year old who lives on N 'F' Street walks in front of Rolls and dies.

Shooting on North J Street Lake Worth

Two wounded in Lake Worth Shooting.

Lake Worth Beach Redevelopment

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The Lake Worth Beach redevelopment is now estimated at $13,505,329. This originally was to be an $11 million dollar project: $6 million for the building and $5 million for the beach redevelopment. Now that we have so many people involved--Kimley Horn, Living Design, Michael Singer, and Morganti, it is no wonder that the price is heading towards the roof.

Whoever designed this out based on the $5 million dollar bond money for the redevelopment portion of this project, failed to include the infrastructure: Water main at $400,000, Sanitary Sewer at $500,000, lighting at $800,000, Stormwater, underground electric, for a total cost for infrastructure of $1,855.384. And we can't forget the turtle lighting that everyone missed from the beginning. It was sort of an oops moment for turtles when the beach park moved away from public recreation and open space to a more commercial enterprise with Johnny Longboats closing at 1am with city staff giving everyone the excuse that they just had to stay open in order to meet the price per square foot that John G's has always said they would pay. Now staff tells us, "Well, we just don't get that many turtles on our beach." One is all we need.

We paid REG $460,000 to design the casino and Kimley Horn $437,000 to design the beach. That's almost a million bucks before we even got started. There were amendments to Kimley-Horn's agreement that brought the design up to $501,400. We then needed them to design a sanitary sewer system. Morganti was then awarded a contract as construction manager and they along with Kimley-Horn will bring a line item bid back on all elements of the design in January 2012.

We over-designed the redevelopment of the beach--windmills and silly stuff. We forgot all of the costs of infrastructure. How did this happen? Our wish list was too great. We need to cut it down to reality. Through the years, project after project, those who want to take advantage seem to be attracted to Lake Worth. This is an example as to how they do it. Although not involved in the beach, Chaz Equipment Company has done work for Lake Worth but alleged corruption and graft is not limited to one lone company.

Someone, from the early stages on, dropped the ball on this project. Everything should have been included in the $11 million. I blame it on all those people involved in the design. There is NO way that the city staff ever said, "Oh, don't worry about the rest of it, we will take the money from the CIP."

It's now time for this new Visionary to stay within our Budget. I'm with the Vice Mayor on this one. Let's see now what they can do about it. I don't want to hear that, "Well, we have the money allotted in the capital improvement budget, not to worry." That is still taxpayer money. Eleven million dollars is more than enough to spend. That's all we ever said that we would spend.

As Scott Maxwell eliminated the assistant city manager from consideration to be elevated as interim city manager because of the importance of this project, perhaps he will change his mind on his number one priority. This project should be number one. This is the one that will drive tourism and a lot of money to Lake Worth.

High Lake Worth Utility bill drives woman to threaten murder

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Sometimes we think that our high utility bills are criminal but one woman was driven to threatening murder because of her bill. We sure do have our share of interesting characters in Lake Worth. Usually it is politics that get them into a frenzy.

The latest incident was reported in the Neighborhood News when a lady on 16th Avenue North encountered a screaming woman at her door yelling that she was "the devil and I will kill you." It seems that her problem was her high electric bill. She was convinced that her neighbor was zapping out all of her electricity from her apartment thus her gigantically high electric utility bill.

Ya gotta blame it on someone.

Lake Worth Art League

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On Tuesday night I ran into artist, AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt, at the city commission meeting. We made arrangements to meet the very next day at the Lake Worth Art League so that she could sign the back of a piece of art that she had created. I previously featured her piece on this blog.

I had no idea the Art League, founded in 1941, had finally opened and moved to Lucerne Avenue and N. L. Street. The gallery is open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and features a lot of local and area artists' works that are for sale.

The Art League was literally kicked out of the City Annex last year and given two weeks to pack up and move out. They had been there 38 years. The city was to use the space for offices.

So, what a treat it was to meet AnnaMaria and walk through the gallery. I saw plenty of pieces I really liked. I love art. Being that my apartment looks like an art gallery with no spare room on any wall, I just looked. No sooner did I get home when I had a change of mind. I made room for Boynton Beach artist, Nancy Luellan's art work, Orchids in the Dew. The painting won an award recently at the 70th Anniversary Gala. It is hung a little higher than I would like and it might be moved before it all is finished but it works. This photo does not do it justice.

Nancy Luellan is a painter trained in the classical style. She attended the Cleveland Institute of Art and holds a BFA, BSA, and MFA, and has won numerous awards for her paintings. Her work hangs in collections across the United States, Cayman and England.

So, plan on visiting the Lake Worth Art League soon to see the works of Nancy and other wonderful artists and when you do, don't forget your checkbook.

Allen West on the one percenters

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Let's stop blaming the one-percenters

Sunset in Lake Worth

Other highlights from last night's Lake Worth Commission Meeting

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Last night under New Business, was Staff's recommendation to award a contract to M&M Asphalt to temporarily return 2nd Avenue North back to a one-way street. Joe Kroll, the then Public Works director never obtained the proper permits not did he budget for making this one way street two ways. The City now has sent in their permit application as well as having a survey and engineering completed by the FEC to determine the cost of relocating the arms to both sides of the tracks. Right now we are looking at a cost of at least $250,000.

Performing this work for the $11,344 ($6,494 for striping, $4,850 for signage) would allow the City to reopen the roadway which has been closed and barricaded for months. Staff recommended that this option be chosen. This would allow the project to be budgeted in fiscal year 2013, as it was not budgeted for fiscal year 2012 and proceed with a two way street as two new businesses locating on Dixie want this street to be two ways. This was approved on a 3/1 with Mulvehill dissenting.

Also, the entire commission (McVoy absent) approved to continue the public hearing to use the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem assessments for fire and street lights. This was approved unanimously just in case the commission, can't afterall, come up with budget cuts to eliminate the fire and street light assessments for year 2012.

The Commission received word from the Palm Beach County Property Appraiser's office to a March 10th notification date as allowed by state statute. Mr. Peter Timm from the public, agreed with the city taxing everyone the same for fires services. No one corrected him and told him that it was for a fire pension.

So, all of you taxpayers out there, don't get too happy yet. All those campaign promises might be your typical political "I fooled you baby."

Quote of the Day - Allen West

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Nazi propaganda minister, Joseph Goebbels "would be very proud of the Democratic Party because they have an incredible propaganda machine."

~ Rep. Allen West

Now, I find this a brilliant statement and so true. And since Allen West quotes are so popular these days, you get another one.

Democrats just can't take the heat but they sure can dish it out. They get annoyed when someone points out the truth. They totally lose it and get madder than hell. Just look what they did in this last election (and Democrats do it better than any other Party)--Swift-boated West at every opportunity with lies but West conducted his campaign wining on the facts.

Democrat Rep. Donna Edwards from Maryland tried to get a vote in the Congress to condemn Allen West for his statement. It went along Party lines although 3 Republicans voted with the Democrats. It was tabled on a vote of 231/188.

The Revolving Door - Always Swinging in Lake Worth

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The revolving door issue in Lake Worth is different than the typical "revolving door" where people run for office and go into government service in order to win the corporate lottery, you know, the "free lunch." They go into public service to use their time in office to do what they need to do to appeal to contractors, developers, and other companies that do business with local governments.

Do you ever wonder why there are ALWAYS cost over-runs--why there are always no-bid contracts? Just pay more attention to the Consent Agenda this year and you will see what I am talking about. Usually when these folks get out of their plushy government job or elected position, they are much wealthier than when they first entered but some of them are into pay-to-play while on the job. Don't think that Lake Worth is immune.

But I'm not talking about that revolving door; that's another story. This is about the door itself and city managers.

Former city manager Susan Stanton, because of security issues, installed a door to her office along with a lock. She had received threats from some of the citizenry. She had received verbal threats from one or two of the vocal public entering her chambers and threatening her as well as raising their voices. One side of politics was screaming that anarchists were taking over and some bought into the bull and got all in a tizzy. Because of the recent gun law in Florida, it was time to get security at our City Hall in the areas causing the most concern: the city manager's office and the offices of the elected officials. I mean, they are the ones making dumb moves.

The former Commission agreed to her installing security measures for her and their safety. Then once the majority changed on the dais, Vice Mayor Maxwell demanded that Stanton get rid of the door or the lock and the new commission agreed. The idea was to have a friendlier city hall and more of an open door policy. She had the door removed the very next day. Now, just a few weeks later, the new commission had the door re-installed. Why? For security reasons.

At least we had an explanation as to why the commission re-installed the door. We had no explanation when they decided to remove the city manager and once again take months of time and oodles of money to scrutinize all the recycled resumes of past city managers who got kicked out of their jobs in order to hire a new recycled one here in Lake Worth. An explanation for an inanimate object was more important that an explanation for an animate one.

The cycle continues on and the revolving door to the city manager's office is always swinging.

Quote of the Day - Allen West

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"I must confess, when I see anyone with an Obama 2012 bumper sticker, I recognize them as a threat to the gene pool."
~ Congressman Allen West

This has to be one of my favorites said in July 2011.

The Visionaries

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Click for larger view

Trio-LOL VISION

As the new commission can keep its "vision" under wraps, even though some of it has now come to the surface (such as firing our top administrator, someone they do not like), the artist of this graphic wants to remain anonymous as well.

This, however, is the artist's vision of those who are now in control of our city and its destination and of some of the events over the last month: the sneaky firing of the city manager causing enormous expense and little to no public input and no awareness thus putting our city in a precarious situation; undue burden on staff to find a replacement of a permanent as well as interim city manager; the commission's uneasiness in trusting staff or any professional; appointing volunteers instead of hiring a national search firm to find a good city manager; allowing our beach park to be further commercialized by building a $6 million dollar building so that a bar can occupy 2/3rds' of the rentable space until 1am.

Right now we are a ship with half a rudder with a Finance Director with a heavy burden. Luckily Susan Stanton hired top professionals who will carry out their responsibilities to the best of their abilities.

Sort of like, "I have a Dream," the Visionaries have a "vision" and we all hope that it is revealed sooner rather than later. We have been told to forget the past and live the future, but as much as things change, they somehow always remain the same.

"The Match Made in Heaven"

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At last. The Robert Montgomery building is now occupied by the Palm Beach County Cultural Council after extensive renovations that seemed to go on and on, not to mention the $700,000 the CRA gave to them from taxpayer money. It will be opened to the public on January 19.

Read about it.

Could the U.S. be Debt Free?

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After I read this article I thought it interesting to post. America once thrived under a debt-free monetary system, and this article says that we can do it again. The truth is that the United States is a sovereign nation and it does not need to borrow money from anyone.

The Economic Collapse says:
"That is to say, under the old way any time we wish to add to the national wealth we are compelled to add to the national debt.

Now, that is what Henry Ford wanted to prevent. He thinks it is stupid, and so do I, that for the loan of $30,000,000 of their own money the people of the United States should be compelled to pay $66,000,000 — that is what it amounts to, with interest. People who will not turn a shovelful of dirt nor contribute a pound of material will collect more money from the United States than will the people who supply the material and do the work. That is the terrible thing about interest. In all our great bond issues the interest is always greater than the principal. All of the great public works cost more than twice the actual cost, on that account. Under the present system of doing business we simply add 120 to 150 per cent, to the stated cost.

But here is the point: If our nation can issue a dollar bond, it can issue a dollar bill. The element that makes the bond good makes the bill good."

What does the Finance Advisory Board think about this?

Read all about it at The Economic Collapse.

Coming Up Tomorrow...

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Lake Worth's "Secret" Graphic Artist responds to the Visionary Commission's actions over the past 30 days.

Memorable Quote - Scott Maxwell

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Why I simply love politicians:

From the December 6, 2011 meeting.

Vice Mayor Maxwell said that it was unfortunate that his request to terminate the City Manager had placed the Mayor in a position to make a fast decision. It was an uncomfortable way to conduct business; however, it had to be done in the public. He apologized to the Mayor and other Commissioners for placing them in this position.

Gee, thanks, Vice Mayor. I will accept your apology at any time you care to give it. I would also like to have you give the rest of the public your reasons for doing this. So far, no reasons have been given other than you were just "uncomfortable."

Another Bright Idea

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Guess what? The government is phasing out standard lightbulbs. They say that the end of the standard incandescent will save consumers close to $6 billion a year on energy costs. Manufacturers are required to produce bulbs that are 30 percent more energy-efficient.

American Man says, Let me guess-we spend $4 for a lightbulb that used to cost 60 cents and we save money. Gotcha- thought it was just me, but I can ALWAYS count on the Department of Energy, (who buy their fuel from overseas), and the EPA, (we'll save the planet since God can't), to keep MY best interest at heart. It wouldn't have anything to do with taking away the basic freedoms of the American citizen to make a choice. Guess the next best thing is do away with voting and just stick to a dictator to save money.

See the PB Post for more info.

The Park of Commerce

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The Park of Commerce is now
Vice Mayor Maxwell's Top Priority
It used to be Code Enforcement

Everyone has a Wish List and we all believe that the Park of Commerce needs to be developed. Read the PB Post article. But when you are talking about 11.05 million dollars in today's dollar value, it puts a big damper on the "wish" whose completion is not projected for 15 years out. What would all that 11.05 million really cost down the road? What would be our real cost for commitment "to go forward?"

Scott Maxwell put this on the Workshop Agenda last week to appease his political base. How many times do we have to hear the same presentation? How many times do we have to have this reminder? Amoroso asked about the city manager and her feelings on the Park of Commerce to imply that Stanton wasn't for progress and to justify her firing. Afterall, anyone against the Park of Commerce is out of touch and out of tune, right? Donna Brosner said that Stanton was against it but qualified it by stating that the past city manager was against it as well because of so many other priorities. I wonder why. Afterall, the price tag is hefty with us putting in all of the infrastructure and acquiring properties and we have NO money. NO MONEY. We had to reduce our Budget by $4.7 million this year because of the drop in property values and escalating Union costs. Stanton was right to "shelve" it.

On August 26, 2009, the City was awarded a $250,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) to develop an infrastructure needs analysis for the POC. The City used matching funds as I recall and the Study was done, (The Mayor doesn't like Studies) then put it on a shelf. Why was it put on a shelf? Because we HAVE NO MONEY.

Will Scott Maxwell ever admit that the timing is just bad right now to spend one dime on this? Or will he continue to pursue development and spending millions that we don't have in order to keep his political base happy. If he does, how will he pay for it? Commissioner McVoy asked that very same question. A special assessment? A General Obligation Bond? He's keeping that all secret for now.

Scott Maxwell wants the Park of Commerce to be a priority for Lake Worth. He said that he will come back with a financial plan and how to pay for it only if there is a consensus from the Commission to go forward. We don't have a pot to pee in but he wants to put the cart ahead of the horse, the very thing that he complains about on the Casino project. He says that we haven't been constant in our messaging so it's critical to find out what some of the costs will be and come together as a commission to make it happen. Funny, it is the Vice Mayor who is always bringing it to our attention about getting information before making costly decisions. He wants the commission to commit before knowing any of that.

How about giving us the financing plan first, Commissioner? That is the only thing that would make sense to go forward with the "wish" so that there are no little hang-ups in the way to get your consensus. Tell us how we are going to pay for all of this now and into the future.

According to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, the Park, with close access to the downtown, to I-95, public transportation and an international airport, canals and water features, Lake Worth can be positioned to be the best city to do business in South East Florida. An attractive place to do business and reinvestment, the Park can become one of the best places for small businesses to be hatched and incubated they said. Sure it will, and we have to buy the properties and come up with $11 million bucks.

There are three phases that are proposed: 1 to 3 years, 4 to 7 years and phase three will be in years 8 through 15.

At the end of the meeting, Maxwell supporters and all those behind the Park of Commerce and development in our city, no matter the cost, cheered.