Lake Worth Utilities

Lake Worth Utilities needs a LOT of help. NO ONE THERE CAN EVER ANSWER A BASIC QUESTION. Keeping a customer on hold for 15 minutes is getting to be the NORM, and then even after that YOU DON'T GET AN EXPLANATION.

I don't know if anyone else got a hefty rate increase on their utility bill that just arrived but our utility company can not explain it.

The clerk that took my phone call (lucky me) says that the City had a rate increase on April 1 but can't tell me what it was. The bill was for the month of March through March 31st. I asked her how then would the rate increase apply to this bill. I was told that the new rate starting April 1 was in the computer and they do bills around April 6 so I get the new rate. Logical?

I still do not know why it went up $2.10 a gallon and I used a lot less water then the preceding month. I have been holding now for 25 minutes. Should I take the hint? It is now 5:03pm so, so much for this wasted time and call. When you go in there they are rude too. Customer service is non-existent. And these people get retirement. They should take it.

Naughty

Naughty McBig
Recovering from recent surgery.
"Well, I had no one to play with anyway other than those darn cats!"

Thought for the Day

Faux News in Lake Worth

I wish that we had fair and balanced reporting in the City of Lake Worth. You get it on Fox News with Hannity as an exception. But our local newspaper is anything but fair or balanced.

I don’t mind Opinion pieces by news media but to devote 2000 words, the front page headline and then another half page more to Commissioner Jennings for a POSSIBLE Ethics Complaint brought forth by Lisa Maxwell is really stretching it considering only a small blurb was devoted by this same outfit to Retha Lowe who really did do something wrong! It just proves that there is politics in our local news reporting. What a travesty.

Maxwell filed an ethics complaint regarding Jennings voting on matters involving the CDC when she got a loan from them. And it seems she failed to report liabilities on her CE Form 1 (whatever that is but it sounds serious!) which might be in violation. Maxwell is going for the jugular though. She wants the US Attorney's Office involved if it is found that there is probable cause. She stated that this was unethical and that Jennings should have disclosed this loan, etc., etc., etc. The Ethics Committee said that the allegations involving Jennings voting on matters related to the CDC were illegally insufficient to indicate any violation of Florida Statutes.

Commissioner Jennings even gave up her rights of privacy in this matter when she waived them relative to confidentiality saying that it was a mistake and she had nothing to hide. She did a noble thing and now gets crucified for a "possible" violation.

Retha Lowe, on the other hand, filed false reports for preventing the public from finding out the actual source of her contributions and her actions were willful. She was found guilty and fined accordingly. She was given about 100 words placed on page 4 or something.

On another note, Mr. Parrish says that the Michael Singer beach plan “follows the wishes of most of Lake Worth residents…” I doubt seriously if more than a few hundred people have ever heard of the Singer beach plan much less cheering about it.

You can expect this on blogs but the Press? There is so much you can write about in Lake Worth without resorting to UNFair and UNbalanced.

A Big Price to Pay

The US border is to the left. We don't have a chance!

Since 2001, we have spent over $1 billion dollars to incarcerate illegal immigrants for crimes against Americans. Groups such as the ACLU and Open Border people even within the City of Lake Worth describe these folks as hard-working, looking for a better life. Sort of makes you want to cry.They encourage this illegal activity that is a big drain on our resources.They try to make you feel guilty for taking a hard-core stance against illegal activity. They have the City of Lake Worth’s blessing as well. The illegals come here destroying our society and its infrastructure by sucking the system dry with their demands for social services such as health care and schooling. And they are committing horrific crimes in our country.

CREEP JUST FOUND GUILTY around 1:30 this afternoon.

Take into account the following case: right here, an illegal alien from the Bahamas named Milagro Cunningham took an 8-year-old girl to a nearby landfill where he proceeded to sexually assault her, choke her and leave her for dead in a rock-filled trash bin. Cunningham had been arrested three times by Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department prior to the incident and not once was his immigration investigated. If Palm Beach County Sheriff's Department had the authority under 287(g) and had an agreement been in place, his status could have been verified and then turned over to Federal immigration for his removal from this country.

From the RenewAmerican web site: "In the population study of a sample of 55,322 illegal aliens, researchers found that they were arrested at least a total of 459,614 times, averaging about 8 arrests per illegal alien. Nearly all had more than 1 arrest. Thirty-eight percent (about 21,000) had between 2 and 5 arrests, 32 percent (about 18,000) had between 6 and 10 arrests, and 26 percent (about 15,000) had 11 or more arrests. Most of the arrests occurred after 1990.

They were arrested for a total of about 700,000 criminal offenses, averaging about 13 offenses per illegal alien. One arrest incident may include multiple offenses, a fact that explains why there are nearly one and half times more offenses than arrests. Almost all of these illegal aliens were arrested for more than 1 offense. Slightly more than half of the 55,322 illegal aliens had between 2 and 10 offenses."

We need to seal our borders and stop giving the excuses that we can’t end this travesty. Next, prosecute all employers who hire illegals. The Justice Department should come down hard on local governments that encourage this. They can start right here in Lake Worth.

Senate Bill 956

There is a highly controversial bill hitting the Florida Senate today that was introduced by Sen JD Alexander, Republican, (Republicans need all the help they can get right now) that will restrict the average voters' rights even more. This Bill will make it more difficult for regular citizens to petition as compared to well-financed corporations, their PAC's and interests (and we know who some of them are!!)—

Some of the highlights (bad stuff) of SB 956

• Allows political committees formed in other states to work in Florida without having to comply with any laws requiring registration or disclosure of finances.

• Allows potential candidates for office to do polls, testing the waters without having to open a campaign account first. Political parties could also do polls on potential candidates and share the results

• Would block potential voters from having their registration information verified on Election Day. All new applicants must have their registration validated before that day.

• No one shall "solicit" information from voters standing in lines outside of polling places whether in person or by means of "audio or visual equipment."

It is imperative that you contact the Senators on the Ethics & Election Committee right now and ask them to vote NO on this dangerous bill.

Senator J.D. Alexander (Dist 17) (850) 487-5044; alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Carey Baker (Dist 20); (850) 487-5014; baker.carey.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla (Dist 36); (850) 487-5109; portilla.alex.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Mike Fasano (Dist 11); (850) 487-5062; fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Andy Gardiner (Dist 9); (850) 487-5047; gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Arthenia L. Joyner (Dist 18); (850) 487-5059; joyner.arthenia.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Charlie Justice (Dist 16); (850) 487-5075; justice.charlie.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Nan H. Rich (Dist 34); (850) 487-5103; rich.nan.web@flsenate.gov

Senator Garrett Richter (Dist 37); (850) 487-5124; richter.garrett.web@flsenate.gov

Last night's P&Z/Commission Meeting

There are a couple of things (probably many more but I am concentrating on two) that came up at last night’s meeting that really disturb me and I don’t understand why “Staff” is allowed to get away with it.

REGARDING SUNSET

There is always, without fail, a rush to sign on the bottom line or approve something. In this case, it is Staff’s recommended amendments to the Comprehensive Plan. All of this just has to be sent to the State by May 14, according to Ms. Bach, Director of P&Z. Solution—Ask for an extension.

The City hired its own outside counsel, Nancy Stroud, to evaluate the Bert J. Harris Act and how it might pertain to the Sunset parcel and if there could be any possible claim against the City if the zoning was changed to SF-7.

In spite of what their paid attorney said last night and what Richard Grosso confirmed, that the zoning change to SF-7 is not affected by the Bert J. Harris Law, that the City can not promise zoning and that it was “Contract Zoning,” when it promised MF-20...the mystery is why Staff still recommends that the Land use remain as MF-20, not SF-7. Contract zoning is illegal. Staff received Ms. Stroud’s report on April 9^th and Staff went around legal opinion in its recommendation, by signing on April 14^th Staff’s recommendation, not heeding the Stroud report. This was signed by R. Bach. Now what is that all about?

I have a request for public information to get a copy of Stroud’s evaluation and will report further.

REGARDING THE BEACH

Regarding the Beach and changing its present zoning from PROS to BAC, Staff continually misleads the Commission and the public in this regard. The present shops are grandfathered in under PROS. They are already “conformed.” There is absolutely no need to change the zoning there, unless, of course, there is an aim to further develop the beach and not refurbish/restore the present Casino.

I want to thank Richard Grosso, environmental law attorney with Everglades Law Center, for his informative report on land use changes and the Bert J. Harris Act as well as Nancy Stroud, of Lewis, Stroud and Deutsch for her evaluation. This was one of the better workshops we have ever had.

P&Z Chair cancels meetings

SURPRISE!!!

Chair, John Paxman, has canceled tonight’s P&Z Meeting. Also canceled is the meeting scheduled for April 22nd. Rumor has it that "top dogs" at P&Z are really irritated about last night’s joint meeting with the Commission on our Comp Plan and the turn of events.

Well Shut my Mouth!

Some people use their right of free speech under the First Amendment by writing an opinion such as the editor of our local newspaper. Some who don’t write professionally resort to blogs and others use their right to confront our elected officials by speaking at public meetings. Our new President, Barack Obama, instituted the Town Meeting, allowing citizens across the country to ask questions on the Internet and voice their opinion on matters of concern. Because what the people think really is important to him, his surveys are actually meaningful. There is no stacking the deck here.

Our President made the statement, “This key issue for America is how bad culture reinforced by bad government is crippling America and trapping the poor in disastrous situations." That is an important challenge we face today, not only in our country as a whole but in Lake Worth specifically…bad decisions that have been disastrous for our residents and decided by a few.

Our government is “by the people and for the people” and as such, if we do not speak out, how will government stay honest? How will we let them know that they have erred or even doing the right thing by the people they serve? There are a few dominate political factions within our city and I fall in the forgotten middle and believe that the real majority is not represented very well in Lake Worth.

When you disagree with someone, the first thing they want to do is shut you up, and mockingly ask you, “Can you do better than the elected officials?” Or they resort to name calling, ridicule or worse. The Editor of the Lake Worth Herald reinforced his statement Monday night when he told me that we, the people, should not be speaking in front of the Commission, “Let them do their job; we speak too much and too often,” he said. The encounter got a little heated because philosophically we are on opposite sides of a basic right in this country and one that places the U.S. far above the rest and why we are the greatest country on the planet. Anyone affiliated with the free press should understand this. Hitler would have loved our local news editor.

In order to determine if government is doing its job and functioning in a responsible manner, it has to be accountable to the people as it derives its “just powers from the consent of the governed,” not some phony statement about the historical will of the people when it is 185 people who are encouraged to show up to go “green” and be the sole determination on our beach re-design or when a Commissioner states that “this is what the people want” as an example. And it is certainly not from muffling freedom of speech.

To not confront your government could lead to injustice, loss of liberty, tyranny, and our overall general welfare.

The people’s right to speak out is one of our basic, fundamental rights in this country and why we were founded.

We have seen oppression of people all over the world. It is up to us to preserve our rights under the Constitution or someday we could lose our basic freedoms. The next time someone tries to disparage you for speaking out because you are attempting to hold your government accountable, or he just has no patience listening to what you have to say at City Hall, tell him to go tell it to Kim Jong-il.

Illegal Immigration Poll

We all come from immigrants but there are some who believe that their mission in life is anarchy and believe in opening our borders to everyone who wants to come, thus denying our country and its legal citizens any say about who enters. The have more allegiance to illegals than they do America.

Some don’t even say The Pledge to the Flag. Some think the legal citizens should pick up the tab. They believe that we should get out of their way. 11% who took this poll (probably less because there is always the joker who likes to skew polls just for kicks) want more illegals. They want to subvert America’s existence. Some pretend to be Democrats or Libertarians or even Greens.

Bringing in large numbers of poor and unskilled people will increase inequality and produce conditions more favorable for socialism. And that is the objective.

Less than 20 people control how our City looks--Land Use change at Sunset

Do you think you have control as to what your city looks like? Think again. Citizens’ input is meaningless when you have politicians working against the best interest of residents.

Land use changes just don’t happen out of the sky blue. They happen when a City Commission, with the aid of Planning and Zoning boards, deem the change as acceptable, permissible, something they want and if the change fits into the city’s desire…you can bet that it will happen. But even if a change doesn’t fit into the Master Plan, these few people have complete control over what our City looks like. Scary when you think about it. Our City is controlled by 5 people on the dais and the 7 members each on Planning & Zoning and to an extent, the CRA.

“The Planning & Zoning’s function is to review and approve site plans for three units or more of residential development and all commercial development. The Board also reviews community appearance and has the ability to grant variance from the Lake Worth Zoning Code.” That is straight off the city’s web site. The Board is being very humble in its description and power don’t you think?

Our City Commission has the final word on land use changes and when three commissioners voted to annex the Smith property, giving the owner a zoning inconsistent to the surrounding properties, it was all about the money. You see, with doubling or tripling the number of units that could be built, they would get double or more the ad valorem. Their decision was contrary to our Comprehensive Plan.

The owner wanted to be annexed into the City of Lake Worth after being in the County since the 1920’s with his property zoned agriculture allowing him to build 5 units per acre. If he could have received that zoning in the County, we wouldn’t be talking about this or where we are today. He asked for favorable zoning (20 units per acre) from Lake Worth instead, a city for which he had a close relationship. He asked for a zoning incompatible to the neighborhood which is 7 units per acre. He was now retired and lived on the west coast of Florida. He no longer had an interest in the neighborhood and how this would change it; he no longer had to run into his close neighbors and “friends,” the people who lived there. He no longer had to have a conscience. He didn't have to answer to anyone. His interest was only the money. And so was the City's.

Ray Smith was a former employee of the City of Lake Worth. Essentially, the City of Lake Worth gave him the zoning he desired without a second thought to the 240 families living in that community. One owner got to up-zone his property and the rest of Lake Osborne Heights shouted “foul.”


The then city commission had no regard for all the families living in Lake Osborne Heights and the surrounding areas when it made its decision. Robert Waples, the president of ROLOH, says, “Having the say in development of our neighborhoods is so important that it is not just about Sunset and ROLOH but every neighborhood in the entire city limits.”

We are still shouting “foul” and we are hoping that the new City Commission will set it right for the hundreds of people who have bought homes and invested in the Lake Osborne Heights neighborhood and those nearby. Not only is this about saving the Sunset neighborhood, but it is about saving all neighborhoods in the City of Lake Worth. If it can happen at Sunset it can happen to you.

Land Use Meeting April 14

Important meeting on April 14 at The Compass Building at 7pm on Land Use. No public notice has been given other than the monthly calendar. Richard Grosso will be a speaker.

Richard Grosso is a Professor of Law at the Shepard Broad Law Center at Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and the Executive Director and General Counsel of the Everglades Law Center, Inc., (ELC) a public interest law firm which represents citizens and environmental interests in environmental and land use matters concerning the Florida Everglades, Florida Keys and the south Florida ecosystem in general.

Tonight's Workshop on the Beach

WORKSHOP TONIGHT ON THE BEACH

Don't bother clicking on the link. There is NO back-up...no presentation. You will have to attend. I am rather sure that there will be a detailed explanation as to whom recommended this Plan. We will be told it is what the "people want."

Keep it Cool!

Repulsive? Sort of like the status of our beach right about now

Ever since the Commission back in 2002 tried to push a development at our beach, all that we have ever said that we wanted was—

1. Refurbish it. Get it spruced up. Maintain our building and maintain our property. Is this too much to ask? We never have asked for an entire re-make of our beach footprint. We have never asked for a brand new building to be built anywhere. We have never asked for a parking platform. And we have never asked for more green space. Green is something that obstructionists have added to the equation. People come to the beach to go to the beach, not look at the grass. Get it? (For anyone who does not understand that I am talking about GREEN in general, let me clear that up--I AM talking about green in general!)

Every now and then you encounter someone who says that Kreusler Park looks so much nicer than our beach, I don’t agree. Have you seen how crowded our beach has been all Season and every Season? We have one of the best natural beaches on the east coast of the country. Also, those people who go to Kreusler don’t have to walk up a dune to get to the beach. When parking is filled in our upper deck lot, those beachgoers drift over to Kreusler Park because they can park just a little bit closer than going in back of the dunes at LW Beach and hiking 600 feet back up to the beach. It's just closer to feed that meter.

2. We already have a park at our beach. We have GREEN. There is not one person I have ever spoken with who says we need more. I have never seen more than one or two people even sitting on a bench at the park other than on the boardwalk. Why? People go to our beach to—GO TO THE BEACH. What a novel idea! I do agree that we should beautify our beach now that we have $5 mil of bond money that we have been paying on for years that the County will relinquish to us for a Plan if we don’t get in our own way and screw it up like we always do. Michael Singer was to come up with ideas about beautification, not redesigning the beach, the loop road or pandering to those in love with "green"-- or perhaps I missed that part. And who in the heck wanted him here anyway? Did this contract go out on an RFP? Not cool.

3. We want to refurbish/restore our Casino building leaving it in the same location it has been for 87 years. No one has asked for a new building that will cost millions more. We actually have a few citizens and one that does not even live here (count them on one hand) that still promote Greater Bay and discount Straticon, saying there would not be oversight with Straticon, for reasons only known to them. Some people love to make things up. Obviously he/they have not researched Straticon's expertise in this area and have no knowledge of the matter. Straticon has already done a site plan, an engineering study and an elevation report at THEIR EXPENSE, unlike Greater Bay who never did anything but rack up legal fees. Its Rep who wandered around our City had pages of judgments against him and no background check was ever done by the City. This is not cool.

4. We want our upper level parking to remain, not reduced by 2/3rds. Do you really need an explanation as to why? I guess so because a few people and one local blog are saying "green is great!" Right now we have lost income on parking. This is due to two things: parking systems malfunctioning from time to time but primarily it is due to less parking at our upper level. ¼ of it was used as a construction staging site for the last 2 years. When people cannot park close, they will drive by and go somewhere else or just not stop at all because they want convenient parking. Don't we all miss pulling in to the right, parking our cars, and just looking at the ocean for a spell, not even getting out of our car?

Michael Singer (I am sure with the blessing after his meetings with the Commission and a few of their chosen friends) has taken away all but 84 spaces and of these, 20 spaces are ADA accessible which will leave 64 parking spaces on the upper level. The drawing does not show where the handicapped spaces will be but it is logical to assume that it will be the upper level. Perhaps we should not assume anything because the Commission is not really thinking of the people here when it wants to reduce the upper level. Just think of all the people now who will be off to their doctor to get a handicapped sticker. I broke my toe and still can't walk right. Can I get one? Not cool.

Parking Revenue from 2006 to 2007 was down: (figures rounded up)

2006 parking fines: 185 thousand
2007 parking fines: 150 thousand

2006 Benny's: 50 thousand
2007 Benny's: 40 thousand

2006 parking decals: 14,842 thousand
2007 parking decals: 14,716 thousand

2006 parking meters: 462 thousand
2007 parking meters: 432 thousand

We are used to a mess up there for so long as well as reduced parking. This does not mean that we want this or like this or want to continue accepting this. How bizarre is that argument that they have taken parking away from us during the pier construction so therefore the people won’t miss it. Remember that Art Linkletter show--Kids say the Darndest Things? Going GREEN is now “cool” and reducing carbon is a responsible consideration. But this has nothing to do with convenient parking at our beach. Don’t tell people that they “should walk” because you have now decided to be "green" in place of all reason or caring. Environmentalism is also cool but there are some taking it to new extremes. With this artist's vision, we won't even be able to drive the loop and even see the ocean any longer as the road is set-back much farther. Singer and the Commission have us coming and going. This is just plain wrong. Not cool.

5. We want our decal parking to remain in effect. It is our beach. The residents here should have decal parking and we should be the priority as it is we, the taxpayers, who pick up this tab for our beach. Parking should be allowed for decal permits anywhere on the premises where parking is now currently allowed. You accomplish this by not using the County Bond money for parking areas.

Now I ask, is that too much? Is that difficult to understand?

Commissioners—Michael Singer—all green people--all transplants who never or seldom go to the beach--and to all those who just love pretty drawings--Go up to the beach and ask the people who actually use the beach what their priorities are. Ask our tourists visiting LW Beach who come from all over the world. Ask the people who have been here for years about all that we have gone through to save our beach, not someone who just moved here one year ago or two years ago who has no clue, who seldom goes to the beach and certainly not some environmentalist. Ask Benny's. This is not about what five people and a few of their “green” friends feel is right for the people. This is not about global warming alarmists. Sure, the rendering is nice but not practicable or economically efficient. The City worries about making money at our beach and then takes away upper level parking. Not smart and certainly not cool. This is not about a drawing to make "greenies" feel better about themselves. Who can say they are against “green?” Let’s just not be stupid about it. If I wanted to see drawings I would go to the Norton. Not cool.

I challenge you to drive over to the beach today and just ask someone, anyone, why they went to the beach and you will get the following answers:

1. I came to the beach to swim or relax on the sand or sit at the boardwalk and look at the sea.
2. I came to go to a restaurant
You will NEVER get one person to say that they went to our beach to sit under a tree at the park and take in all the GREEN. Guaranty you!


The above photo is of Manalapan, a straight drive south on A1A. This beach is FREE. It is open to the public. No parking fees. It is a beautiful beach. Don't get a "visionary" here; he would just screw it up. And that would not be cool!

"Smart Growth" is whatever a Developer says it is

"The Legislature is controlled by the development industry. Scratch a politician and there's a developer underneath. They're in deep denial about reality but you can't pound nails to prosperity. It's just more of the stupidity that got us into this mess."
READ THE ARTICLE

On Noise Ordinance

Read Willie Howard's article on
Noise downtown
and see what Katie McGiveron
and Helen Greene have to say!

Gift to the Obamas--Bo

"Don't Shoot"

“Don't shoot! There's an endangered species the Florida Legislature is hunting to extinction. This species walks on two legs and carries a clipboard and a pen. It comes up to you with a friendly smile and asks, "Are you a Florida voter?" This creature asks you to read a petition. Hopefully you will sign it.”

Read more of the article and what Lesley Blackner has to say at Florida Hometown Democracy Blogspot

This is FHD's new Blog, so bookmark it and visit often.

Parking Site Plans for the Beach

See Michael Singer's Parking Site Plans

Is the Justice System Just?

Well, of course not! Parade Magazine had an article in March on page 10 entitled, Can Judges Be Bought? This article is worth re-printing because of highly suspect decisions even here in Palm Beach County. We know there is a stronghold of developer and lobbyist money that has been a corrupt influence on the best of people even as far up as the governor’s office or even beyond.

What we also know and have for a very long time, it is the guy who can afford the best defense that has the best chance of getting a favorable ruling. Look at O.J. Simpson if you disagree with me. Money talks; it always has. It is the guy who raises the most money who has the best chance of getting elected.

P.B. County Commissioner, Jeff Koons, recently said, "We have had individual commissioners make bad decisions, but we think our system and controls in Palm Beach County can prevent it." What controls, Commissioner? And where is Lake Worth’s Ethics Policy?

We have seen the erosion of integrity on many levels involving various professions that we used to consider beyond reproach. We read about doctors committing fraud. We read about priests stealing from the Church. We read about elected officials accepting this free lunch here and that weekend excursion there. The list goes on and it continues daily. We have no idea what is going on under the table. No more do we trust those who once held our utmost esteem and judges are suspect because of the very way they decide some cases. Why should they have any more integrity than anyone else? Because we think they should? Judges get no reprieve.

READ THE ARTICLE