The Tie-Up - Lake Worth's General Obligation Bond

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What is a lien:
A lien is an encumbrance on one person's property to secure a debt the property owner owes to another person. The statement that someone's property is "tied up" describes the effect of liens on both real and personal property. By voting in a general obligation bond for over three decades until paid off, you have legally tied-up your property during that term. Source:  The Free Dictionary

What is a bond:
The contract between the borrower and the lender. By approving this debt on August 26, 2014, you (the property owner), are promising to repay the monies borrowed. This will be done via taxes. The Lake Worth 2020 General Obligation Bond is for $63.5 million along with a humongous debt service with a final payment in year 2049. It is estimated that you will be paying $131 million by the end of the term. Whoever holds the deed on the property that this bond affects will be obligated ("tied-up") for 34 years.

Bond Ratings:
In the purest sense, the credit analysis of a General Obligation bond centers on two issues: (1) the municipality’s willingness to pay and (2) its willingness to pay its debts in a timely manner. The two main ratings companies for municipal bonds are Moody’s and S&P. The basic difference between the ways that the two ratings companies analyze bonds is that, while Moody’s concentrates on debt burdens and debt ratios, S&P focuses on the socioeconomic base of a community (e.g. per capita growth trends, total personal income). We already have been told that we are among the poorest city in Palm Beach County with 2,000 foreclosures and abandoned properties. These properties, owned by banks that have not foreclosed, will generate NO taxes towards this obligation. Source: The Muni Bond Adviser

According to our Finance Director:  "The city does not have a current debt rating for we have no outstanding debt for our general government operations." So, look for Lake Worth to pay a higher rate based on Lake Worth being known for its poverty, the number of foreclosures and the number of abandoned properties.

If Property owners can't or don't pay
If local property owners do not pay their property taxes on time in any given year, a government entity is required to increase its property tax rate by as much as is legally allowable in a following year to make up for any delinquencies. In the interim between the taxpayer delinquency and the higher property tax rate in the following year, the general obligation pledge requires the local government to pay debt service coming due with its available resources. Source: Wikipedia

Security Lien:
If you don't pay, you could be foreclosed upon. Land-based municipal bonds have many of the characteristics of real estate loans. However, the security lien is senior to all real estate loans on the property, because the bonds are secured via the property tax lien. Second, the funds from the bond issue are customarily used to fund public infrastructure (streets, sidewalks, sewer and water lines, etc.) that directly benefits the property responsible to pay off the bonds. Therefore, the bond proceeds directly enhance the value of the property. And that is what Lake Worth wants you to believe. Source:  Fidelity

Finally, if some property owner(s) should default on this tax, it is customary and highly likely that a judicial foreclosure process will occur. You don't/can't pay, look to lose your property.

On the Consent Agenda

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On Tuesday night, there is a total of  12 items on the Consent Agenda. Not much has to be discussed any more with this administration. This should get them out of the chamber long before The O'Reilly Factor starts. No longer are there interviews for volunteer board members...takes way too much commission time to be bothered with that and besides, why would the public want to know or meet these people--some who make quasi-judicial decisions and one who is also part of the good ole boy network.

NEW TROLLEY

The City intends to submit an application requesting up to $1,650,000 in the 2014 Application Cycle of the Categorical Funding Program for funding that will become available during Fiscal Years 2016 - 2020 for implementation of a new trolley service over a three-year period in an area bounded by the Lake Worth Beach to the east, 10th Avenue North to the north, Palm Beach State College to the west and 6th Avenue South to the south. This proposed project is eligible under the “Transit Improvements” category. The deadline to submit a proposal is July 11, 2014, and the actual amount of funding to be requested has not yet been determined. No cash or in/kind services match is required of the City for this funding. Perhaps if we get it we can call it, once again, Lolly the Trolley.

VOLUNTEER BOARD APPOINTMENTS:

City Recreation Advisory Board: Mayor’s reappointment of Jamas Ward for a term ending on July 31, 2017

City Tree Board: Mayor’s appointment of Deborah Crawford to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2016

Historic Resources Preservation Advisory Board: Commissioner Amoroso’s reappointment of Wes Blackman for a term ending on July 31, 2017
plus
Commissioner Szerdi’s appointment of Darrin Engel to fill an unexpired term ending in July 31, 2017

Planning and Zoning Board: Commissioner Amoroso’s appointment of Cynthia Brown to fill an unexpired term ending on July 31, 2015

Firefighters’ Trust Fund Board of Trustees: Vice Mayor’s reappointment of Valerie Hurley for a term ending in July 31, 2016

What a Storm in Lake Worth

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The weather prediction was winds of around 5 to 10 miles per hour. Don't know what they were but the wind gusts seemed to be upwards to 40mph. It was awesome! Thunder so loud and lightning bolts that lit up the sky...Lake Worth power flickered and went off for 1/2 a second.

Could not see out the window.

One of our last big trees went down
 Haven't seen this since Wilma of 2005.
 Road basically blocked across from where I live
 on Lake Osborne Drive

County arrived around 3:15 with chain saw

Sheriff vehicles are blocking both directions on road

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

Citizens Survey Report for Lake Worth

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On Tuesday's July 1 commission meeting, we will have the presentation of the Citizen Survey Report with the results.  As previously suggested, the top three concerns are 1) Slum & Blight, 2) Potholes, 3) Crime.  An excerpt from that report is as follows:

• 1. Code Enforcement: over 50 comments related to Code Enforcement. All negative.

• 2. Infrastructure: lighting, paved roads, potholes. Approximately 35 comments. All negative.

• 3. Public safety: 32 comments. No positive comments but many suggestions.
a. Attitude of officers.
b. Deputies being mean to the homeless.
c. Need more patrols. Need more patrols for Bryant Park and Cultural Plaza.
d. City needs to install cameras on the streets.
e. Use neighborhood watch teams.
f. Need more traffic control.
g. Problems with drunkenness, prostitution, drugs and loitering.
h. Concerns about the number of homeless.

• 4. City administration: Some positive, some negative, many suggestions (51 various comments).
a. Need more transparency.
b. Need more tolerance of other viewpoints.
c. Signage, letters, etc, should be in English and Spanish.
d. Need more ethnic diversity in those hired.
e. Need a map of businesses, etc, of Lake Worth (posted on the website).
f. Need better and more attractive signage for the entrances to Lake Worth.
g. Need signs, for example signs about littering, posted.
h. Encourage more help from residents to resolve the city’s problems.

Quote of the Day - Michael Bornstein

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"We'll be the first to admit we have problems. But we are getting better."

~ Michael Bornstein, City Manager Lake Worth

Statement made to the Palm Beach Post (today's paper) after the Internal Auditor discovered cellphone abuse with one cellphone even used by a dead person, city vehicle abuse, handling of cash abuse and some area restaurant caterers to the Casino given preferential treatment and put on a bartering system. The "free lunch" mentality is alive and well and even sanctioned in Lake Worth by this commission--but they're "getting better." Aarg!

Sunday Sermon - "I Believe"

Sunset 6-28-14

Cochran and McDaniel - Stealing an Election

If you want to know exactly what happened in Mississippi, Click here.

Carl Domino to appear on WPTV on Sunday

Carl Domino, running for Congress District 18, will be the featured guest on To the Point on WPTV (Channel 5)  Sunday morning at 10am.

He wants you to tune in and let him know what your thoughts are by sending him an email or Click here to speak your mind.

Public Right-of-Way case in Lake Worth

One way to get rid of a law suit--you just don't respond.

This is a case that has been on-going since November 2009 when suit was filed by Nancy Shepherd vs. the City of Lake Worth, Nancy Shepherd demanded that the City of Lake Worth give her (for $10) the right-of-way next to her house, property referred to as a "pocket park." See Suit

Nothing has been done in this case since October 2013...8 months ago. If you look at the case, the City of Lake Worth has never filed the names of any new attorneys on the case. Elaine Humphreys and Jean Middleton are still the attorneys of record and they have been gone for years.

The City has no right to deed over rights-of-way to any city property for any amount of money, IMO. So, what has happened in this case?  Is it over?  Does the city still own the right-of-way?  Is the case still being dragged out? Does the City still maintain this right-of-way? As we have heard nothing from the city regarding this, can we assume that the case is dead?

Filing Date:	21-OCT-2013
Filing Party:
Disposition Amount:
Docket Text:	NOTICE OF SERVING DEFENDANT'S RESPONSE TO PLAINTIFF'S SECOND REOUEST FOR ADMISSIONS

Phil Donovan Retirement Party

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Phil Donovan, a former Lake Worth High School graduate, has been with Lake Worth's water department for 29 years with his last assignment as a Water Treatment Plant Operator A-Class. Phil's last day is July 17. After that he can do what he wants: lie on our beautiful Lake Worth beach every day, play golf at our wonderful golf club or just relax and enjoy. One thing that won't change--he will still be drinking the world's best RO water. He loves his job; he loves working for Lake Worth and he loves our Reverse Osmosis plant devoting long hours to its success.  Enjoy your  retirement, Phil.

Phil's Retirement Party, June 26, 2014

A few former elected Lake Worth officials were there one of whom was commissioner Jo-Ann Golden who spoke to the crowd reminding them that the RO plant was a political struggle and the city nearly burned $14 million dollars that we had already spent towards wells by going with Palm Beach County. The County finally backed off on the contract and we ended up building our RO and saving millions to boot. At that time in 2009, the only dissenter to not pay the County under the Water Contract was Jeff Clemens, then mayor. Mary Lindsey now president of the Neighborhood Association council, sided with Clemens. Former city manager, Susan Stanton, negotiated the settlement price with the County, again saving  millions. And now, we have the best water around.

Obama the Supreme

I would suppose it is the citizens of this country who believe in democracy who care, Mr. President. We don't like dictators.

Read about "Obama Mocks Congress"...

Sunset 6-27-14

Mark Farrington to become Human Resource Director in Lakeland

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The City of Lake Worth's human resources director will become Lakeland's next human resources and civil service director, city officials announced Thursday.

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Mark Farrington

Mark Farrington, 59, was chosen from a group of 60 applicants to fill the job left vacant since the city's former human resources director, Tommy Hamrick, resigned in August after employees complained he mistreated workers and retaliated against those who complained.

Farrington starts Aug. 4
Read about it...

Creep in Lake Worth arrested

Read about it... Arrested on 12 counts of child porn PHILLIPS, MICHAEL MARKANTHONY
Address:    500 block of S E ST, LAKE WORTH, FL 33460

The Illegal Alien and the Government's Big Lie

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I have to laugh every time I hear someone spout a figure regarding the number of illegal aliens in this country.  They always tell you 8 to 12 million.  This is a figure that originated by the Department of Homeland Security in 2003 (11 freaking years ago) and it never changes. The Obama government purposely underestimates the number of illegal aliens. God, what some people won't do for a vote to keep their Party in power.

Any sane person knows, just simply by living and working in their communities across the United States, that the country is loaded with illegals and the government figures are totally out of whack. Yesterday the Palm Beach Post had an article that said Hispanics have become a larger part of our population (like we don't know that) and released figures from the United States Census Bureau.  In Palm Beach County, they tell us it is now 20.3%. It not only seems larger than the reported figure, it is larger, because we know that the government lies and illegal aliens lied during the Census.

Everywhere you go these days, people are speaking in Spanish and it's an affront to the sensibilities of law abiding American citizens. They come here illegally and refuse to learn our language. One of our immigration laws is the one requiring immigrants to learn and speak English before they can attain citizenship. So, these people could care less about that...they just want the rewards of being a citizen without actually being one.

“We’re the greatest country in the universe.. You’re trying to tell me that we can’t control the illegal immigration coming into our country,” said Sheriff Joe Arpaio in a Washington Times interview

Using the latest conservative Census Bureau data from 2010 and 2011, the Center for Immigration Studies reports that more than 50 million immigrants (legal and illegal) live in the United States, and that "Absent a change in policy, between 12 and 15 million new immigrants (legal and illegal) will likely settle in the United States in the next decade. And perhaps 30 million new immigrants will arrive in the next 20 years."

The magnitude of the numbers of illegal aliens in the United States represents a serious crisis and urgent need for a return to the rule of law and secured borders that the United States Constitution demands. Colorado Alliance for Immigration Reform

Olivia featured in Palm Beach Illustrated

Sometimes you just have to brag--My cousin, Olivia, is a beautiful and talented young woman.  Please visit her Facebook page.

Dave Kerner - Re-Elect for District 87

If I have to look at LED billboard blight, it might as well be Dave Kerner's re-election sign.

Lake Worth's next priority and it "ain't" Pot Holes

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Ever since Kenneth Oakes, Internal Auditor, brought up rampant cell phone abuse by Lake Worth city employees, there has been discussion behind the scenes as to what to do about it.  Remember his report on the Code Enforcement department? Upper management took this all to heart and got rid of most of the staff and revamped the entire department.  Now it's cell phones.

Instead of re-writing their policy and setting a criteria, they are thinking about a cell phone stipend with employees using their personal phones; it's the easy option. Really. Just think of the massive amount of man hours developing a policy that just says "No personal use of city owned cell phones or you've got some explaining to do." Presently, there are 160 employees with city cell phones, about 40% of the staff.

This is how they are going to manage cell phone abuse?  At the moment, cell phones are being used for personal calls during and after business hours.  "We will pay for your personal cell phone and give you $X amount of taxpayer dollars and X amount of hours and you can continue to make personal calls during business hours."  Are they serious?

Read about it... and this wild idea that will even make it less transparent or even impossible for the public to obtain public information under the Freedom of Information Act. And just when they are trying to get all of the law suits off their table.