Amendment 4--Ryan Houck--Mayor David Levy, are you listening?

"Your statement, and that of others who repeatedly make similar arguments about the right of our voters to control changes to the city Comprehensive Plan that blame the lawsuits on Hometown Democracy type policy are either total stupidity on the parts of you and others who say that, or are a result of your intent to lie and mislead the voters of St. Pete Beach and the entire state of Florida. Is that clear. You are either too stupid to understand that of which you are talking, or you are intentionally defrauding those to whom you spread these lies. There you have it. Polite didn't work, so it should now be clear what your comprehension or intentions are," so said former vice mayor of St. Pete Beach, Ed Ruttencutter.

Read more at St. Pete Beach - the truth.

Col. Allen West's latest speech

As Col.Allen West says, "We are creating too many victims in the United States of America." He has the answers for real change--real leadership. One will be to "take Ron Klein out behind the woodshed."

To The Point on WPTV

If you are not quite yet sure which politician deserves your vote in this Tuesday's Primary election, tune in tomorrow, Sunday, August 22, 10:00 AM to
Channel 5 WPTV

To the Point With Kelley Dunn
30 mins.

Interviews with Florida newsmakers and political leaders. DEC Chair Mark Alan Siegel and a Republican representative will be appearing on WPTV's to discuss Tuesday's Primary.

Hasn't this been the most negative campaigning you have ever seen?

The Month of August Trivia

This August has 5 Sundays, 5 Mondays, 5 Tuesdays, all in one month.

It happens once in 823 years.

Thanks for sending Larry.

Mulvehill Campaign Kickoff Party

An estimated 100 people wandered throughout the spacious and wonderful Coolican house on South Lakeside Drive for the Mulvehill Campaign Kickoff. You could find a big majority around the dining room table where there was fabulous food. I had the world's best cole slaw prepared by Dee McNamara.

Residents from all four corners of our City--from a gentleman whose transportation was skate boarding all the way down from 10th Avenue North to 17th Avenue South, to a couple driving a Lamborghini--they were all there.

Having fulfilled her campaign promise (uncommon to most elected officials) of saving the Casino and its future restoration to its 1922 look, Commissioner Mulvehill gave us her vision for Lake Worth in year 2012: a new Casino that will bring new prosperity to the City of Lake Worth and its residents.

PARTY TIME

Let's Re-Elect Suzanne!

Kick-Off Fundraiser Party Caribbean food, music, friends and fun! Friday, August 20 7:00 PM The Coolican Home 1629 South Lakeside Drive (NW Corner of 17th Ave So. & Lakeside Drive)

"I work hard to protect Lake Worth's character, history and old Florida charm."

-Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill

Casino Charette tommorow

Charette/Visioning Process for the Lake Worth Beach Casino Project

When: Saturday, August 21st, 2010. Informal drop-in information session from 12:00 noon -3:00p.m. Formal charette will take place from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m.

Where: Compass Community Center
201 North Dixie Highway
Lake Worth, FL 33460

Clearing up a few things on Cara Jennings

Comment Up (Click title and then scroll down to comment)

Self-proclaimed Anarchist, Commissioner Cara Jennings

Patrick Parrish of the Lake Worth Herald came out with a scathing editorial of Commissioner Jennings. He entitled his commentary, "Are Law Suits Accomplishments?" Well, sometimes they are.

The other thing that must be said is that any idiot can file a law suit. If you remember the anarchy on the Dais, Retha Lowe grabbed the Contract with Greater Bay away from Mayor Marc Drautz, and signed it as Vice Mayor. Even our self-proclaimed anarchist would not have done that! The Dirty Dozen was in the Chamber that night jeering and saying all sorts of vile things toward Drautz. The mayor wanted to study it first...read it, unlike Lowe. They were determined to get our beach out of public control for the enrichment of their friends and themselves.

There was no haste here, as the Lake Worth Herald states, in this contract termination. Greater Bay was given every opportunity to perform--the City bent over backwards. Greater Bay had dragged its feet for over a year. Even Retha eventually voted to kick the flim flam man out of town. As I recall, the entire commission voted to do that--reason? Non-performance. Cara Jennings is not responsible for this frivolous law suit. Those commissioners who voted for the Greater Bay Contract are responsible: Lowe, Clemens and Vespo. They started the entire mess and several law suits that followed.

The Herald further complained that she interjected herself into the city's problems at the south end landfill that is out of her district. Commissioner Jennings represents this City, not just her District. That is why we get to vote for all commissioners up for election. She was not interfering. She was doing her job. And where was the Herald's good friend Retha Lowe in all this landfill mess? Did she even support that community? No. She got campaign contributions from Sun Recycling, the company that was doing all the dumping and damage to our land and causing health problems to her neighbors in her District that she represented. Later she was fined by the Florida Elections Commission.

As far as Jennings trying to get support of the Haitian community for her re-election this year when she tried to divert the delivery of our ambulance to St. Mark's Hospital in torn ridden Haiti, is nothing more than a fictitious and malicious allegation by the Herald. The Haitian community is a very small voting block. Jennings has worked closely with them through the years advocating and supporting their needs. She has always had a good relationship with them. She always said that she would not seek a third term.

It is true that our Comprehensive Plan is being held up but that is not Jennings' fault. The City Commission approved 35 foot height limits. The Comp Plan is being help up by La Sonna Hayes, a resident who wants to change her residential neighborhood into mutli-family zoning. She does not like height limitations. Jennings had never said that she is against development. What she did was to make the developer establishment and friends act like rabid dogs when they thought they were ensured of a developer's field day on 6th Avenue South and 10th Avenue North by building high. This is the one action of Jennings that motivated them to action...money slipping from their fingers is not a pleasant feeling. They even formed a PAC, Businesses Aligned for Change. Limiting heights will not deter developers. That is always their excuse and a main reason why the State of Florida is in the shape it is in. It was all about money with this Group. It always is and why we need Amendment 4.

I look forward to Commissioner Jennings presentation prior to her ending term and to be reminded of her accomplishments. There were many. Because she refused to "toe-the-line" to conservative politics and developer interests, should not deny the existence of truth nor should it diminish her skills and achievements during her tenure. She will probably take this opportunity for her one last anarchist action to remind us that we are all equal, no one is "illegal," and that it is government's responsibility to take care of humankind. The majority of citizens did not agree.

Tuesday's Moon

8-17-10

Boom, Bust and Building in Florida

Chris Zuppa, Times Photojournalist and a Sanford, Florida resident and filmmaker said, "What happens in Florida is that good planning gets compromised with politics, and the people with the money run the politics, and the people with the money are in the development industry."'

Read his article on Arrested Development

After reading this, you naysayer politicians will be one step closer to voting YES for Amendment 4. Yes, I am talking about you, David Levy and Mike Lameyer candidate for Florida Senate District 27.

Clemens screwed up

Nope--I'm not talking about Jeff Clemens, (Candidate for House Rep District 89) this time--this is another Clemens who screwed up--

Roger Clemens will be indicted for making false statements to Congress about using performance-enhancing drugs, according to people familiar with his case.

A federal grand jury has been investigating the former major league pitcher since his testimony before Congress in 2008. An announcement of the indictment could come this afternoon.

Go to the Washington Post.

Finance Advisory Board takes a stand on Affordable Housing Program

While lying on his deck chair on his world cruise, Peter Timm is saying to himself, “At last…someone said ‘no’ to any more affordable housing.” Can't you hear him? He's been saying the same thing at commission meetings for years..."everything in Lake Worth is affordable."

Back in the first week of January this year, Staff was in full support of and wanted to implement an affordable housing program. Wayne Bergman presented it to the City Manager. This program is to provide first time home buyer assistance and to provide money for home improvements. It was then put on the January 11th Agenda for discussion in a special meeting held at the Compass Building. Bergman said then that the total CDBG funds were $770,000 and the maximum amount of money available for the City to spend was $673,000.

One of the objectives of Mr. Bergman's program (a bad idea) is to work with developers to build low-cost condos on downtown city sites. Another is to develop a zero interest or deferred low interest mortgage for these people wanting "affordable" housing. Isn't this one of the causes of the housing collapse? People buying houses that they could not afford.

Scott Maxwell said that he didn’t hear anyone asking for a housing program and that the City was not in a position to pull off a successful program-- there were better suited agencies. Commissioner Mulvehill was not that keen on it either. “The City is 60-70% rental in the CRA District.” She then asked if the City could outsource its housing program to other agencies. Even Commissioner Jennings wanted to be assured that CDBG money was allocated for recreation and sidewalks. Golden said that any Plan would have to be with the consent of the residents to see how it would be administered. Mayor Varela stated that government should play a role to improve people’s lives but had concerns.

Basically, no one was in support of using CDBG funds for an affordable housing program other than Staff.

Speaking back in January, Peter Timm said that we should give people a loan with a repayment clause when the property was sold.—that people were in worse shape because of the illegal aliens. Bart Cunningham said that the CDC has a successful housing program and if we approved an affordable housing program, we would be re-inventing the wheel. Even Ed Grimm, member of the CRA and affiliated with the CDC, said that the City had started programs in the past and had failed.

A Motion was eventually made by Jennings to allocate $125,000 from the CDBG Block Grant funds for a gym expansion, $125,000 for street traffic bumps and $350,000 for the affordable housing program. All Commissioners voted Yea on the motion. By the time it was all done, the public input carried no weight nor did the objections and concerns of several Commissioners. All five of them were "turned" and voted to put the bulk of the money into affordable housing.

Last night Darrian Dority asked if there was a disconnect between the elected officials and the residents. He further stated, “Public perception towards the City is terrible.” We agree to his analogy. We need to attract people who can afford to buy the housing stock we have which is at least 75% affordable across the City, not attract more poor people and eventually more foreclosures.

Last night the Finance Advisory Board, with Pickett and Decker absent, said “no” to use any CDBG funds for affordable housing. There was 1.5 hours devoted to discussion as well as an indepth presentation by Board member, Jessica Plotkin. She gave a Power Point on the use of CDBG funds and affordable housing. Her major points were--

1. As currently designed, the program will help only 13 homes.
2. The City Manager says it will have an effect on slum & blight, but the rehab grants can be used for the interior of the homes, with no effect on the appearance of the house.
3. Since the January 11th Commission meeting, all meetings pertaining to the further development of the Housing Initiative have been held in workshops; effectively denying the public an opportunity to say how they feel the program should be designed.
4. The housing initiative is a duplication of services already provided by federal, state and county governments in addition to at least a dozen local non-profits.

The Motion: Motion by Mr. Thrasher and seconded by Mr. Dority that the Finance Advisory Board recommends that the Commission utilize all outstanding CDBG funds for new construction of sidewalks, traffic calming and roadway improvements in the CDBG target area. (5-0)

The next thing is to find out if the City Commission even cares about the FAB's motion, a concern of all members on this advisory board. Affordable Housing is still in the Budget that will be up for vote next month.

Obama's Freight Train

This depicts the U.S. entitlement economy--
a debt train that has collided with federal obligations

Nominal GDP is only $100 billion higher than it was back in the third quarter of 2008. That means it has been growing at only $4 billion per month, while new federal debt has been accumulating at around $100 billion per month.

This is why we are in the state that we are in not only as a country but as a city. This escalating out of control spending causing an astronomical debt as well as federal dollars going out the door to foreign economies, have hurt all American citizens. The government has little money to give back to the very people who pay for all its waste. It is not two local commissioners, that some would have you believe, that have put us where we are today--a poor city trying to survive. From Unions that won't see the light--to a city raising fees again--to everyone else trying to pick our bones.

Read more about it HERE

Honor Women and the 19th Amendment

90 years ago today, women got the right to vote. All women need to honor those who plowed on, undeterred, for Women's Suffrage by voting on August 24th in the Primary Election and on November 2 in the General Election.

If you believe that American women had it bad, watch this Power Point on Muslim women. This is the 21st Century and women are living as sub-humans.

The Nineteenth Amendment (Amendment XIX) to the United States Constitution prohibits each state and the federal government from denying any citizen the right to vote because of that citizen's sex. It was ratified on August 18, 1920.

August 26th of each year is designated in the United States as Women's Equality Day. Instituted by Rep. Bella Abzug and first established in 1971, the date commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, the Woman Suffrage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which gave U.S. women full voting rights in 1920.

The Alley Fighter

Comment Up
The negative is beginning and I say, bring it on. In fact, post under your complete and true name.

Chris, I do believe that you need an education on Amendment 4. I would be happy to enlighten. Get in touch. Or perhaps you are a developer, Realtor a Chamber member? Then there is no hope. You all are, for the most part, into your own self-enrichment or you follow the leader similar to sheep to slaughter.

It is a fact that over-development has been a detriment to our State. Call me anytime if you want to learn more. I will promise not to call you any disparaging name and will treat you with respect that you so obviously do not deserve.

Chris (last name unknown) commented on Wes Blackman's blog calling me a loony tune. I doubt seriously if I have had two words of a conversation with him. He doesn't sound like my "kind of guy."

This is always the "other side's" best argument. We are loony or wackos, both or worse. In many cases they are pseudo-sophisticates and believe that they are totally on a higher plane of intelligence than we common folks. If you have a different political point of view, this small minded group is out to attack with malice. Bring it on, Chris. I'll meet you in the back alley anytime, anyplace. That is what you are, right? An alley fighter?

Pay to Play and Politics as Usual

As we have been going round and round about implementing a Pay to Play Ordinance (Ethics Ordinance) for the past two years, last night Palm Beach County Commissioner Executive Director Alan Johnson spoke to the Commission and the public on Ethics. He reminded us that we are known as the Corruption County of the Country.

Prohibited conduct:
1-misuse of office – financial gain,
2-voting conflicts,
3-prohibited contractual relationships,
4-accepting travel expenses from vendors,
5-contingency fees

Cara Jennings brought up the new PAC, Businesses Aligned for Change that met on the steps of City Hall yesterday in support of candidates, Carla Blockson and Lisa Maxwell. Some in this group filed an ethics complaint against Cara Jennings that was dissed by the Florida Ethics Committee. This PAC was formed to support these candidates, circumventing our campaign contribution requirements. She also stated that we want our Pay to Play Ordinance to be even more strict than the County's as it pertains to vendors doing business with the City. Mr. Johnson said that is legal and within our rights.

We even had Mayor Varela participating in this PAC's political agenda by standing with them on the steps of City Hall. Varela's action has been highly criticized by many as inappropriate to his position as the figurehead/leader of Lake Worth. He was elected to represent the total communities’ interests, not just the supposed business community that this PAC says it represents. He definitely was not elected to represent special interests. Some residents have even stated that his behavior is unethical.

If these two candidates, Blockson and Lisa Maxwell, should win in November, every vote made by the Mayor that happens to be in agreement with them could be suspect or even considered biased. He is not looking out for all the citizens as displayed yesterday at the steps of City Hall. His actions are the reality here--politics as usual.

Rene Varela lost his first time around for Commissioner District 4 to Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill who he endorsed in her run-off with David Vespo stating that she was the "best choice." Now he has flip-flopped, something that a lot of politicians do, aligning themselves with special interests and where the money is and where they can be politically supported down the road. Once a politician, always a politician. Read Mayor Varela's letter regarding ethics to the Lake Worth Commission HERE .

The only reason that this particular political action committee was formed is to circumvent the $500 rule on local campaign contributions which is its right under Free Speech. Outraged over height limits in Lake Worth, this small vocal and well heeled group got motivated. It blames all the financial ills of the City on two sitting commissioners rather than the real reason, not indigenous to Lake Worth, but one existing all over the country, the economy in general. They have started their negative campaign by saying that only their favored candidates are pro-business and that they are the only ones who can turn around our city and its financial health. Mayor Varela wants pay-stations in downtown Lake Worth which is certainly not business friendly. The PAC offers no proof of its allegation that those they are opposing are anti-business. Any political committee or candidate can say anything it wants. It is all bull.

Be reminded that it was their supported candidates of the past (Rodney Romano, Jeff Clemens, David Vespo, Retha Lowe, McKinnon, etc.) that got us to where we are today--millions in waste, approving bad contracts, Union and otherwise, that they did not understand or ever read resulting in law-suits up the wazoo. Romano started a PAC years back in order to promote his personal agenda for our beach where he wanted to build a small hotel. It failed...he got defeated. This PAC is going around the spirit of campaign contribution law and we hope that the citizens of Lake Worth will respond accordingly on November 2.

The Executive Committee for this PAC is as follows:

John Deese
Estella Hartner
Greg Rice
Karri Casper
John Rinaldi

Others spotted in the crowd, besides the Mayor, were Mary Lindsey, Financial Advisory Board member John Pickett, Jim and Joanne Kelly. Follow the money. Their first Treasury Report is due in September.

One of the few happy campers at yesterday's "demonstration"

Beach and Casino Zoning - Learning something New

As I was sitting in the pew prior to the beginning of Monday night's commission meeting, I said that I guessed that I wouldn’t be learning anything new. The presentation had already been made before the Finance Advisory Board which I had attended. Phil Materio reminded me that there is always something new and he was so right.

With much astonishment, I learned that restaurant space at the casino was no longer considered as part of the 7,200 allowable space at the Casino or "retail." When the zoning was PROS and these spaces were grandfathered in, the entire sum of the square footage of all the spaces (this included John G's as well as the other two restaurants), was 7,200 square feet. Now with the BAC commercial zoning, retail is allowed up to 7,200 sq. ft. but restaurant space is separate with no restrictions on allowable square footage.

Lisa Maxwell, candidate for Commissioner District 4, was a member of our Planning and Zoning Board when it methodically and diligently changed the zoning at the beach to commercial in order to accommodate the flim flam man. There is nothing in this new zoning (BAC) that addresses how many square feet can be allotted to restaurants. The entire building coverage can be up to 15% of the total acreage.

Go to Muni Code, Beach and Casino.

Quote of the Day - Amendment 4

"When it comes to land use issues, the citizens of Florida are either under the table, on the table, or outside the door looking at the table -- anywhere but AT THE TABLE."

~Sandy Walters

VOTE YES ON 4

Vote Yes on Amendment 4

Well, if he would listen to the facts, he would be for 4

The Pac, Businesses Aligned for Change, is against Amendment 4. Shanon Materio, Pac member, said this to the Post reporter, Willie Howard. No surprise here. These are the same people who were against the SuperMajority. I have no reason why. If you have your bought, compromised and paid for candidates in office, no problem. But what about when honest people get elected? What then? Would it not be advantageous at that time to at least have a vote? This is democracy in action.

While at the demonstration today, I was wearing my Vote YES T-shirt for Amendment 4. A gentlemen, associate of the Lindsey PAC made a remark after seeing my shirt that he believed in a Republic. So I asked him if he didn’t believe in the people’s right to vote and he repeated that he believed in a Republic. Giving him one scenario that he agreed to, he asked that I give him 55 million more reasons to support Amendment 4.

Democracy, autonomy and capacity are the standards of accountability of a strong republic. Voters need a seat at the table. We're the ones who watch tax dollars that go to extend the police, fire, water, sewer, schools and roads to new developments. Is a new development worth it? We should get a vote to decide. We should get a vote before we are forced to pay.

Ironically, this gentleman, along with Shanon Materio and her PAC and other supporters such as the Mayor, were there to demonstrate against incumbent politicians in support of their opponents. This is the very reason why a Republic sometimes needs a little help when it comes to three votes from a Dais voting on unwanted development and sprawl.

I honestly don’t think it takes more than one main reason for most people to understand why a YES vote is the only vote on November 2. Do you?

Aura of Neutrality Disappeared on the Steps of City Hall

Comment Up

Careless politics especially as a Chair person-
destroying the aura of neutrality

The Crowd

Fed up with falling property values and high electric rates, a new PAC was formed, Businesses Aligned for Change, in order to support Carla Blockson and Lisa Maxwell for Commissioners Lake Worth.

Shanon Materio, Lake Worth business owner and on the Board of this PAC, believes that Cara Jennings is responsible for all our problems and that Commissioner Mulvehill misrepresented herself by running as a pro-business candidate.

Mayor Varela holding Greg Rice's dog

The PAC blames Mulvehill on our empty store fronts, our high utility rates as she "pursues a social agenda." The depression has nothing to do with this, right? The fact that members of the PAC and their friends supported Jeff Clemens who voted in bad contracts has nothing to do with this, right? The fact that we are building our own Reverse Osmosis plant, a multi-million dollar over-haul to our Utility has nothing to do with high bills, right?

Carla Blockson, Candidate District 2 &
Lisa Maxwell, Candidate District 4

Okay then, you are all pro-business. What are your solutions? Will you negotiate lower rents from these greedy landlords? What exactly will you do to attract business? Call the Chamber of Commerce that can't attract business either? What?

The official Slate will be set tonight by the Commission: This is the list of qualified candidates for the November 2 election:

Commissioner, District 2

Carla Blockson
address exempt from public records
Lake Worth, FL 33460
586-8209

Christopher McVoy
1514 15th Avenue North
Lake Worth, Fl 33460
547-5755

Commissioner, District 4:

Lisa Maxwell
1218 South Lakeside Drive
PO Box 1146 Lake Worth, FL
462-1322

Suzanne Mulvehill (incumbent)
PO Box 452
Lake Worth, Fl 33460
267-9829