Saturday, February 21, 2015
Obama rolling forward with Amnesty despite a judge's order
Twenty-six states believe that the Obama amnesty program is illegal and they are all involved in a law suit
contending the programs marked an abuse of executive authority.
Read about it... and how Obama is seeking an emergency court order to undo the Judge's injunction and will proceed with his illegal action.
Read about it... and how Obama is seeking an emergency court order to undo the Judge's injunction and will proceed with his illegal action.
"You have to know what you're talking about," says Commissioner John Szerdi the architect
Comment Up
When the lawsuit was filed in June 2009, the EcoCentre was one of the first projects in South Florida seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. From where were they seeking it? The U.S. Green Building Council. They told us that the Eco Centre was the first "green" building to face foreclosure and it happened right here in Lake Worth. Read the article... and then let's talk.
Szerdi is the commissioner pushing for the U.S. Green Building Council to now have FREE space at our city hall. So, Commissioner Szerdi already had a relationship with the USGBC, something he did not reveal at the February 17th commission meeting. Therefore, it is not unusual that they contacted Szerdi (before they would contact any other commissioner like McVoy) to once again get their foot in the door in Lake Worth. Most people know who their friends are.
John Szerdi was the architect for Lake Worth's one and only "green" building. The owner of this building before it experienced financial woes, John F. Romano, gave John Szerdi $1,000 for his re-election campaign.
Green is the new Red in more ways than one.
When the lawsuit was filed in June 2009, the EcoCentre was one of the first projects in South Florida seeking Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. From where were they seeking it? The U.S. Green Building Council. They told us that the Eco Centre was the first "green" building to face foreclosure and it happened right here in Lake Worth. Read the article... and then let's talk.
Szerdi is the commissioner pushing for the U.S. Green Building Council to now have FREE space at our city hall. So, Commissioner Szerdi already had a relationship with the USGBC, something he did not reveal at the February 17th commission meeting. Therefore, it is not unusual that they contacted Szerdi (before they would contact any other commissioner like McVoy) to once again get their foot in the door in Lake Worth. Most people know who their friends are.
John Szerdi was the architect for Lake Worth's one and only "green" building. The owner of this building before it experienced financial woes, John F. Romano, gave John Szerdi $1,000 for his re-election campaign.
Green is the new Red in more ways than one.
Obama funding ISIS?
Comment Up
SLAMABAD: Yousaf al Salafi – allegedly the Pakistan commander of Islamic State (IS) or Daish – has confessed during investigations that he has been receiving funds through the United States.
Law enforcing agencies on January 22 claimed that they arrested al Salafi, along with his two companions, during a joint raid in Lahore. However, sources revealed that al Salafi was actually arrested sometimes in December last year and it was only disclosed on January 22. “During the investigations, Yousaf al Salafi revealed that he was getting funding – routed through America – to run the organisation in Pakistan and recruit young people to fight in Syria,” a source privy to the investigations revealed to Daily Express on the condition of anonymity.
Read the article... from the Express Tribune with the International New York Times.
SLAMABAD: Yousaf al Salafi – allegedly the Pakistan commander of Islamic State (IS) or Daish – has confessed during investigations that he has been receiving funds through the United States.
Law enforcing agencies on January 22 claimed that they arrested al Salafi, along with his two companions, during a joint raid in Lahore. However, sources revealed that al Salafi was actually arrested sometimes in December last year and it was only disclosed on January 22. “During the investigations, Yousaf al Salafi revealed that he was getting funding – routed through America – to run the organisation in Pakistan and recruit young people to fight in Syria,” a source privy to the investigations revealed to Daily Express on the condition of anonymity.
Read the article... from the Express Tribune with the International New York Times.
Protecting the Intent of Amendment 1
As a member of Nature's Watchdog Alliance of Florida, I have reprinted the group's letter to the Florida Senate.
Dear Senators,
Our organization's members supported Amendment 1, which passed with the votes of 75% of those voting.
The purpose of Amendment 1 was to renew state spending on existing water and land conservation programs. Amendment 1 was not intended to fund water supply development projects that further deplete our water resources or to bail out developments that have neglected their own wastewater infrastructure needs. Nor was it intended that these new funds would simply replace other existing funds so that no additional benefits would accrue to these programs. The voters do not deserve to have another Lotto-like shift occur when they knew what they were doing by approving this expanded funding.
Our existing conservation programs have a strong track record of ensuring that our rivers, lakes, streams and natural areas are protected for future generations of Floridians.
Please ensure that Amendment 1 funds go to restoring and protecting water resources, providing access to public lands, and keeping working lands, farms, and forests as part of Florida’s rural landscapes and not to projects that fuel irresponsible growth in Florida's vulnerable natural areas nor simply shift funds around and end up accomplishing nothing new.
Respectfully yours,
Nature's Watchdog Alliance of Florida
By John Hedrick
Dear Senators,
Our organization's members supported Amendment 1, which passed with the votes of 75% of those voting.
The purpose of Amendment 1 was to renew state spending on existing water and land conservation programs. Amendment 1 was not intended to fund water supply development projects that further deplete our water resources or to bail out developments that have neglected their own wastewater infrastructure needs. Nor was it intended that these new funds would simply replace other existing funds so that no additional benefits would accrue to these programs. The voters do not deserve to have another Lotto-like shift occur when they knew what they were doing by approving this expanded funding.
Our existing conservation programs have a strong track record of ensuring that our rivers, lakes, streams and natural areas are protected for future generations of Floridians.
Please ensure that Amendment 1 funds go to restoring and protecting water resources, providing access to public lands, and keeping working lands, farms, and forests as part of Florida’s rural landscapes and not to projects that fuel irresponsible growth in Florida's vulnerable natural areas nor simply shift funds around and end up accomplishing nothing new.
Respectfully yours,
Nature's Watchdog Alliance of Florida
By John Hedrick
Custodian at Lake Worth arrested
Custodian at Barton Elementary School arrested for bringing gun on campus. read about it...
Friday, February 20, 2015
Big Bath on Banyan
Comment Up
How often do you have to replace rubber seals that go between two pipes?
West Palm Beach commissioner Shanon Materio, blamed the 5 million gallons of water that poured onto Banyan Blvd and Australian Avenue as “Poor maintenance and antiquity of the system." The city says workers installed that rubber seal in 2011 and inspected it again as recently as 2013. Read more...
How often do you have to replace rubber seals that go between two pipes?
West Palm Beach commissioner Shanon Materio, blamed the 5 million gallons of water that poured onto Banyan Blvd and Australian Avenue as “Poor maintenance and antiquity of the system." The city says workers installed that rubber seal in 2011 and inspected it again as recently as 2013. Read more...
McFarland
Comment Up
For all you Kevin Costner fans, and who isn't?...this is a great movie based on real events and people. Don't miss it.
For all you Kevin Costner fans, and who isn't?...this is a great movie based on real events and people. Don't miss it.
Quote of the Day - Lois Frankel
“We’re not against sober homes. We’re going to try to find the right
balance….We want people to get back into society, but you can’t have
sober homes take over neighborhood after neighborhood.”~ Lois Frankel
Talking to the Mayors about regulating Sober Homes that are creeping into residential neighborhoods.
Lake Worth State of the City Address
Comment Up
The Honorable Mayor Pam Triolo is having her annual State of the City Address two weeks before the election. Timing is everything.
Seating and parking are free on a first come served basis. The city placed a full page ad in the Lake Worth Herald (its favored news rag that now has news articles filled with opinion) for the residents to join her to hear about all the progress that she and this commission have done to get us into the 21st Century--eradicating slum, blight and crime to name a few. She wants to inform us of our "full potential" that will cost taxpayers millions if she touches on the roads infrastructure and her failed general obligation bond that she wants to bring back in some form. Perhaps she will talk about the heights vote and how she screwed the voters who won the election by not honoring the 57% who said 45 feet in our downtown is all they wanted.
We all will find out on Tuesday, February 24th from 6 to 8 pm.
The Honorable Mayor Pam Triolo is having her annual State of the City Address two weeks before the election. Timing is everything.
Seating and parking are free on a first come served basis. The city placed a full page ad in the Lake Worth Herald (its favored news rag that now has news articles filled with opinion) for the residents to join her to hear about all the progress that she and this commission have done to get us into the 21st Century--eradicating slum, blight and crime to name a few. She wants to inform us of our "full potential" that will cost taxpayers millions if she touches on the roads infrastructure and her failed general obligation bond that she wants to bring back in some form. Perhaps she will talk about the heights vote and how she screwed the voters who won the election by not honoring the 57% who said 45 feet in our downtown is all they wanted.
We all will find out on Tuesday, February 24th from 6 to 8 pm.
"Boozing It" made Easier
Lobbyists and Big Business such as Walmart and Target and big food chains are putting pressure on Tallahassee on how we buy our booze (we can already buy wine in grocery stores) and they don't mind pushing the little guy out of business.
80 year old law might change in Florida. It just passed the House Business & Professions Subcommittee and now has two more committees to go through before it gets to the House floor later this year.
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Unfair and Unbalanced
Comment Up
John Paxman is the designated moderator for the NAPC March 2, 2015 candidate debate at the Lake Worth Playhouse. Now, I have always thought that Mr. Paxman was an excellent moderator at this forum, however, it would have been wise of him not to display a political sign at his office. Now I'm sure that we will hear from some pundit out here who will say it's free speech, etc. and that he will surely not take sides during this debate and will be 100% fair. My answer to that is--he's already taken sides.
Also, for a little trivia, Jon Faust, the President of the Neighborhood Association Council has given John Szerdi a $100 campaign contribution. The former President and now Secretary, Mary Lindsey, had her husband give a $50.00 contribution to John Szerdi. It's no wonder that the League of Women Voters will not participate in any debate put on by the NAPC.
John Paxman is the designated moderator for the NAPC March 2, 2015 candidate debate at the Lake Worth Playhouse. Now, I have always thought that Mr. Paxman was an excellent moderator at this forum, however, it would have been wise of him not to display a political sign at his office. Now I'm sure that we will hear from some pundit out here who will say it's free speech, etc. and that he will surely not take sides during this debate and will be 100% fair. My answer to that is--he's already taken sides.
Also, for a little trivia, Jon Faust, the President of the Neighborhood Association Council has given John Szerdi a $100 campaign contribution. The former President and now Secretary, Mary Lindsey, had her husband give a $50.00 contribution to John Szerdi. It's no wonder that the League of Women Voters will not participate in any debate put on by the NAPC.
Office of John Paxman, Moderator for the NAPC debate
Deviation from the Intent of Amendment 1?
Voting for water protection, not sewer projects, Amendment 1 passed by 75% of the voters in order to keep drinking water clean, protect our rivers, lakes, and springs, restore natural treasures like the Everglades, and protect our beaches and shores without any increase in taxes. Now there are some legislators and even Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam in support of using some of the money for different sewer projects throughout the state. Some want to divert some of this money for roads and infrastructure as well.
This is NOT what Amendment 1 was about. Maybe this is why the entire Lake Worth Commission is going to Tallahassee begging for grants for our roads and infrastructure. Diverting/twisting/stopping/ignoring the will of the voters is something they understand.
Kooky elected official, Gutierrez, sounds off
Did anyone watch the Megyn Kelly interview last night with Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.)? It is astonishing to me that we have kooks such as he elected to national office, or any office for that matter.
7 Duke Drive Lake Worth
Comment Up
A little real estate trivia for the day.
The Neighborhood Post always has recent real estate transactions. In today's paper, one was of interest--7 Duke Drive
In 1996, Investor John Deese and Steven Locante bought the property for $410,000.
In December 2012, they sold it to J. Helena Perry for $2.5 million.
In December 2014, Perry sold it to Leslie and Julio Gonzalez for $2.1 million.
The real estate taxes are $48,034.
A little real estate trivia for the day.
The Neighborhood Post always has recent real estate transactions. In today's paper, one was of interest--7 Duke Drive
In 1996, Investor John Deese and Steven Locante bought the property for $410,000.
In December 2012, they sold it to J. Helena Perry for $2.5 million.
In December 2014, Perry sold it to Leslie and Julio Gonzalez for $2.1 million.
The real estate taxes are $48,034.
John Szerdi recommends this "green" group that doesn't pass the Smell Test
Comment Up
Another non-profit wants the City of Lake Worth to give them something free. This time it is free space at City Hall--United States Green Building Council South Florida.
On Tuesday night, the Council was endorsed by John Szerdi and City Manager Michael Bornstein, both pushing hard for a vote to allow them to have free space. The USGBC tells us that by having their headquarters' office here in the City of Lake Worth, the visibility of the City would be raised. All they want are two work stations and free wi-fi.
What does the city get out of it? It's about logo recognition and a free lunch.
What they say about themselves: The USGBC South Florida Chapter is a nonprofit organization with more than 6,000 members and friends in South Florida, as well as solid business relationships throughout the State of Florida and the USA through the strong brand of the US Green Building Council, which is headquartered in Washington, DC. The Chapter has become the region’s strongest advocate for green and sustainable-building design and construction practices, including the LEED Certification program -- itself a positive brand. Our amazing volunteers contributed more than 11,000 hours to the Chapter last year, allowing us to continue to effectively meet our Mission of transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated. Because of these efforts, we are making outstanding educational inroads from the Treasure Coast to the Keys toward a socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life here in South Florida.
They contacted John Szerdi who brought this to the commission for approval. Szerdi actually implied that Commissioner McVoy, because he spoke out against the lack of rationale about choosing one non-profit over another for special favors, must be jealous that the Council contacted him about free space and all things green. Well, Szerdi loves to tell anyone who will listen that he is an an architect but what he never mentions is that one of the members of the USGBC is none other than Southern Waste Systems, the guys who have been around here for years--ruined our landfill and caused sickness in the Osborne community. They also gave Szerdi a campaign contribution when he first ran.
And guess who some of its members are?
COMPANIES
A motion was made to bring the item back for more discussion. Connect the dots. There is something very "fishy" about this entire matter. It doesn't pass the smell test.
Another non-profit wants the City of Lake Worth to give them something free. This time it is free space at City Hall--United States Green Building Council South Florida.
On Tuesday night, the Council was endorsed by John Szerdi and City Manager Michael Bornstein, both pushing hard for a vote to allow them to have free space. The USGBC tells us that by having their headquarters' office here in the City of Lake Worth, the visibility of the City would be raised. All they want are two work stations and free wi-fi.
What does the city get out of it? It's about logo recognition and a free lunch.
- They will use our logo on everything that they do
- The City would receive 10 complimentary tickets (one table) to the Chapter’s annual GalaVerde LEEDership Awards Program ($1,250 value).
- The City would receive the opportunity to provide its marketing materials to attendees at the Chapter’s Annual Meeting of Members.
- The City would receive 15 complimentary individual Chapter memberships to be used at the City's discretion -- for employees/co-workers or as gifts to valued or prospective clients and donors ($1,125 value).
- Each member appears in the Chapter's popular online membership directory, further shining a bright marketing spotlight on the City.
What they say about themselves: The USGBC South Florida Chapter is a nonprofit organization with more than 6,000 members and friends in South Florida, as well as solid business relationships throughout the State of Florida and the USA through the strong brand of the US Green Building Council, which is headquartered in Washington, DC. The Chapter has become the region’s strongest advocate for green and sustainable-building design and construction practices, including the LEED Certification program -- itself a positive brand. Our amazing volunteers contributed more than 11,000 hours to the Chapter last year, allowing us to continue to effectively meet our Mission of transforming the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated. Because of these efforts, we are making outstanding educational inroads from the Treasure Coast to the Keys toward a socially responsible, healthy and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life here in South Florida.
They contacted John Szerdi who brought this to the commission for approval. Szerdi actually implied that Commissioner McVoy, because he spoke out against the lack of rationale about choosing one non-profit over another for special favors, must be jealous that the Council contacted him about free space and all things green. Well, Szerdi loves to tell anyone who will listen that he is an an architect but what he never mentions is that one of the members of the USGBC is none other than Southern Waste Systems, the guys who have been around here for years--ruined our landfill and caused sickness in the Osborne community. They also gave Szerdi a campaign contribution when he first ran.
And guess who some of its members are?
COMPANIES
CALMAC
Carlisle Development Group
GliddenSpina + Partners
GSD Contracting
Hedrick Brothers Constrctn.
Kimley-Horn & Associates
Link Construction GroupLogical Green InstituteLutron
McGraw Hill / ENR
MiaGreen Expo & Conference
Southern Waste Systems
and FPL with some prominent residents and friends of Szerdi still playing footsie with FPL wanting them to buy our Electric Utility, a utility that actually allows this city to operate, contributing highly to our general fund.Carlisle Development Group
GliddenSpina + Partners
GSD Contracting
Hedrick Brothers Constrctn.
Kimley-Horn & Associates
Link Construction GroupLogical Green InstituteLutron
McGraw Hill / ENR
MiaGreen Expo & Conference
Southern Waste Systems
A motion was made to bring the item back for more discussion. Connect the dots. There is something very "fishy" about this entire matter. It doesn't pass the smell test.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
NAPC to hold Candidate Forum at the Lake Worth Playhouse
Comment Up
Saying last summer that they were through with debates ("no more debates by the NAPC") when they would not allow one on the General Obligation Bond, it looks like the NAPC has changed its mind. Actually, the highly politically charged NAPC whose many neighborhood presidents have been on the side of the city, had no one with any conviction who could debate the issue in support of the bond and taxing the property owners for 34 years. According to Jon Faust, the NAPC had no one qualified to debate the topic.
Monday, March 2, 2015
Saying last summer that they were through with debates ("no more debates by the NAPC") when they would not allow one on the General Obligation Bond, it looks like the NAPC has changed its mind. Actually, the highly politically charged NAPC whose many neighborhood presidents have been on the side of the city, had no one with any conviction who could debate the issue in support of the bond and taxing the property owners for 34 years. According to Jon Faust, the NAPC had no one qualified to debate the topic.
Monday, March 2, 2015
At the Lake Worth
Playhouse
located at 713 Lake
Avenue
The forum is open to the public and there is no entry fee
although we will pass baskets among the audience to collect donations for the
Playhouse to help offset the expense of electricity, sound and lighting
engineers etc. The doors will open for the public to enter at 6:30 PM.
Candidates are asked to arrive at 6:00 PM to do a sound check. The forum should
begin promptly at 6:45 or as soon as the public is seated.
Questions for the candidates and details regarding the
specific format of the forum will be arranged by the NAPC. No candidates
will receive any questions in advance and the format for the evening's event
will be provided in writing to all the candidates when they arrive at the
Playhouse, although you may certainly expect to have 3 minutes for opening and
closing statements. The NAPC will provide timekeepers for each candidate. No
electronic equipment will be allowed on stage including cell phones, laptops,
electronic notebooks, iPads or anything similar. Our moderator for this forum,
as in the past, will be John T. Paxman PA.
If you would like to provide
a short (150 words or less) paragraph about yourself, we will be happy to
include it in our printed program which will be distributed to all in
attendance. Submissions longer than 150 words will not be used. Please
send your submissions to napcinfo@gmail.com
via separate email. Note: as an
example - The highlighted portion of this paragraph is 52 words.
To allow a clear line of sight for all who attend the forum,
no yard signs or banners will be permitted inside the Playhouse. To minimize
left behind litter inside the Playhouse, we ask each candidate to have your
supporters hand out such material outside the Playhouse either before
and/or after the forum. Unattended stacks of handouts/palm-cards/
flyers/doorhangers etc. will also not be permitted inside the
Playhouse.
In keeping with our bylaws, the Neighborhood Association
Presidents Council, Inc. neither endorses nor opposes any candidate. The
NAPC is incorporated in the State of Florida as a non-profit educational
organization. Our mission is to serve neighborhood associations across the City
of Lake Worth. For more information about the NAPC, you may visit our website
at www.lwnapc.com.
The NAPC Candidate forum will be announced on the NAPC
website and on the NAPC Facebook page. All NAPC Neighborhood Presidents will
also receive an announcement to send via their Association's email distribution
list. Posters announcing the Forum will be available next week for local
businesses to display if they wish and a notice will be placed in the Lake
Worth Visitor Information Center.
This email has been sent to all candidates via blind
copy. If for any reason you are unable to participate in the forum,
please let us know as soon as possible by replying to this email.
Unfortunately, we do not have an alternate date for the Playhouse due their
performance schedule and other factors. We sincerely thank each of you for
stepping up to serve our great City and we look forward to a most informative
evening.
Sent on behalf of NAPC Chair, Jon Faust by
Mary Lindsey
Secretary, Neighborhood Association Presidents Council
www.lwnapc.com
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