Lake Worth Beach Redevelopment

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Shiny Objects being eliminated
Yesterday I attended part of the beach meeting and learned:

• 1. The beach redevelopment is projected to cost us $2.7 million dollars over the original budget of $5 million if we stick to the original plan.

• 2. If we stay with the basic upgrades, without the shiny stuff, the beach will cost us $6,648,208 or $1.6 million over budget per Kimley-Horn.

• 3. Michael Singer was upset that his vision of windmills was being eliminated and other shiny objects saying that the beach will now just be a generic park.

• 4. His co-worker, Jason, implied that no one was watching the store...bids were not sought on many occasion, etc. Without it actually stated, I interpreted the comment as perhaps estimates were being padded thus the run-away costs and that we should have been able to refurbish our beach at the original estimate.

• 5. Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell suggested that the city hire a project manager to oversee everything on the beach redevelopment. There was no discussion on this idea.

I agree with Maxwell. We need oversight in everything that we do. This is our most expensive project to date next to the Utility upgrade and Reverse Osmosis Plant. There is no reason that this City should go into debt or rob Peter to pay Paul. The Finance Director even mentioned the billboard money. I still want to remind everyone that this money was shifted around from a designated CIP fund and now is being tossed up in the air for any solution under the sun to borrow or to just spend outright. It's bad enough that a former commission voted to blight our city with these billboards and that staff got coerced into agreeing to a contract. We should have counter-sued these people.

Let's stop this spending. Let's refurbish our beach. Let's find our missing beach fund money and put it back into the beach fund. Let's not spend millions to redesign parking lots. Parking lots are what will bring in the money to the beach. The more that we have, the more money that we will make at $2 bucks an hour.

We can have a beautiful beach without the shiny objects and all this pie in the sky stuff. We don't need solar. We don't need windmills. We don't need playground special surfaces as we don't need a playground at all. There is no fear in my mind that once completed, this beach will be a destination in spite of all those shiny things no longer in the plan. These can always be done in the future, if we so desire, when our city is healthy once again.

Washington passes Tax Bill

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I read where President Obama is happy after Friday's vote in Congress 293/132 and in the Senate 60/36 now that his $143 billion Tax Bill has been passed and he can, once again, spend small fortunes of money. The money will go to the unemployed and those doctors who are paid for their services through Medicare who drive their Mercedes to the office. Lawmakers were apparently "jubilant" as they say that they proved they could get something done. It is easy just to say "yes" and not find ways to cut.

Obama commended those who supported his spending policy as "doing the right thing instead of just playing politics." Now he can get back to traveling the 50 states in order to attend all his fat cat political fundraisers. He will be politicking and attending those gatherings of the 99% where he can tell everyone that he saved their unemployment benefits and remind them that it was he who extended the payroll tax cut.

We have a debt of almost at $16 trillion. The estimated population of the United States is 312,247,123, so each citizen's share of this debt is $49,382.24.

The National Debt has continued to increase an average of $4.00 billion per day since September 28, 2007!

What Allen West has to say about it.

At the lake during Sunset

No mother was spotted but there were two young Mallards on their own hopnobbing with the Muscovies.

City Manager Short List in Texas

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League City in Galveston County Texas has narrowed its search down to 8 candidates but one of them will not be Susan Stanton. If you read between the lines, she was culled simply because she is transgendered.

“Based on the résumés, there is only one that I’m completely comfortable with excluding and that is Stanton, who is also known as Steven B. Stanton and currently known as Susan A. Stanton,” Becker said.

Another Councilman, Mick Phalen, said he was willing to throw Stanton out of the running along with applicants Larry Deetjen, Tom Steele, Isaac Turner and Melissa Byrne Vossmer. Those he was willing to discard either changed jobs too frequently or didn’t have the right background, Phalen said.

A Labyrinth Proposed for Bryant Park

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Labyrinth

This is on Tuesday, February 21 Consent Agenda--a labyrinth to be erected at Bryant Park at no cost to us. Because it is "no cost" we are supposed to be thrilled and just agree to it with NO discussion. I don't really know who proposed this "gift" but it was put on the agenda by Jamie Brown, interim Public Services Director (Joe Kroll's old job). Can anyone from the public ask to have something be placed on the agenda?

TOFA LLC (Token OF Appreciation) has committed to what they say is creating something of value for the community. As part of the Legacy Project, they are proposing to donate a 25’ diameter brick paver labyrinth to be installed in a public park for the publics' benefit.

These labyrinths are typically used for meditation purposes, but this will also serve as another addition to the what they say is "continued beautification of Bryant Park."

Personally, I don't believe that a 25 foot square paved over portion of our major city park is 1) beautiful and 2) serving any purpose for the benefit of anyone other than a few who believe it is art or those wanting to chant, meditate or for those who believe that labyrinths are traps for malevolent spirits or a hard path to God.

Can't someone just meditate at home?

Can we just please keep our park a park.

Tea Party and Occupiers: The Difference

RICK SANTELLI: While the vandals are on the street corners, the Tea Party conservatives are working state houses, the governorships, the mayorships, the Senate, the House. See, they understand; they’ve read the Constitution.

If you want to make a difference, don't go break windows, okay? Break some phony arguments that things like austerity are going to put you in the hole. What put you in the hole is borrowing 38 cents of every dollar you spent. That’s what put you in the hole, pure and simple. Everything else is political spin. (source: Newsbusters)

More Anarchy on the Community Relations Board

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Mark Parrilla's video of meeting

The CRB commits an anarchist act and throws off Tsolkos as Chair for being an anarchist.

The above link directs you to the video clip filmed by Mark Parrilla on the last Community Relations Board Meeting wherein Panagioti Tsolkos was removed from the Board as Chair. Please note that Mr. Parrilla also stepped down under a cloud of criticism when he was Chair of this very same Board. In the past, he has called for this Board to be sun-setted.

An authoritative sounding member of the Board, Judith Just, with her back to the camera--

• Made a motion to suspend the rules and have the chairpersons' duties and authority suspended during that particular session and that the Vice Chair act as Chair. 3 to 2 vote. Mark Parrilla and Mary Lindsey disclosed that they had spoken to some members of this Board.
  

• The second motion was to suspend the Chair's appointment and that they conduct an investigation into the abuse of Tsolkos' authority of Chair and to further his personal anarchist causes. Two or three members will investigate the charges. (It was impossible to discern the outcome of the vote-- whether it was a 3 to 2 or a 3 to 1 with an abstention as the Vice Chair did not call the vote.)
  

The above is totally unorthodox and undemocratic in its process. The chair was removed with no specific charges filed or stated for his removal. Update: members of the public (volunteers are Marshall Pass, Mary Lindsey, Peggy Fischer and Mark Parrilla) will now conduct an investigation in order to find reasons that will support the Board's motion to remove.

Abuse of power and anarchy-- two charges that they hurled at Tsolkos that they committed themselves.

Allen West Sings a different Tune

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A lighter moment

Obama cries, I really Love the Swine

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Obama to dine with forked tongue

Back in November while speaking to the Occupiers, Barack Obama said, “You are the reason I ran for office.”

Obama will return to New York on March 1 for a $35,800 per person dinner fundraiser being hosted by many of Obama’s top Wall Street donors, according to a person familiar with the matter. He will be schmoosing with investment bankers and hedge fund managers, according to a campaign invitation, marking his first high dollar event there since calling for increased taxes on the wealthy in his 2013 budget.

Lake Worth accepting volunteer workers

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In last week's City Manager's report it was announced that community activist Mary Lindsey has volunteered to help in the Lake Worth City Clerk's office. It's nice to see that someone stepped up to the plate to volunteer time, something Mary is used to doing in the neighborhoods. Her first day on the job was Valentine's Day.

Mary's duties will be compiling the packets for the city commissioners for their meetings, making copies, answering the phone when needed and filling in at the front desk when the receptionist is on lunch break. She is volunteering for 3 days a week: Mondays from Noon to 2pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 1 to 5pm.

Through the years, when people volunteered their services to file and help with things at City Hall, we have always been told that the City was not insured for volunteer workers. Obviously that snag has been solved. Our staff is smaller due to budget cuts. As confidential information passes through the City Clerk's office from time to time, I wonder how this "snag" has been solved.

Maybe next we can get someone to volunteer at the Utility and try and find out what's going on there...maybe Finance?

Aqua Utilities

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Aqua Florida Utilities proved its case to the Public Service Commission on Tuesday--it gets another rate hike of $2.6 million. Who ever would have thought that big business would prevail over the consumer?

The next time you complain about our water cost being so high (it went up 5.25% this year so that Lake Worth Utility could grab some more cash), think of Lake Osborne Estates. They are paying twice what we are for the same product.

Santorum pulling ahead

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Santorum 12 point lead over Romney in Michigan.

Do you want to rent an Uzi? Lake Worth is the place

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Just when you think we have enough problems.

An Uzi sub-machine gun is used for??????????? But gun ranges and shops are allowed per our code:

ARTICLE XV. LTI LOW TRAFFIC GENERATING INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT - Lake Worth, Florida - Code of Ordinances

K.Shooting ranges, indoor, subject to the following requirements:

(1)Such uses shall not be located within four hundred (400) feet of any residential district, as measured from property line to property line, regardless of intervening structures or buildings.

(2)Noise generated from such uses shall not exceed fifty-five (55) decibels, as measured on the exterior of the building.

(3)Such uses and uses accessory thereto shall meet all local, state and federal requirements for health, safety and environmental concerns, including, as applicable, those imposed by the National Fire Protection Association, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Obama tells the Enemy--"Come on Over"

The Obama administration is weighing options for sharp cuts to the U.S. nuclear force, including a reduction of up to 80 percent in the number of deployed weapons.

Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, the Strategic Forces subcommittee chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told Fox News. "Furthermore, he's abandoning his promise to the Congress of modernizing our nuclear deterrent. The continued dismantlement of our armed forces, and abandonment of our allies by this administration, is dangerous to say the least."

Read more: Click here

Obama and the Growing Debt

To protect the middle class, Obama is sending Congress a new budget that seeks to achieve $4 trillion in deficit reduction over the next decade through cuts in government spending and higher taxes on the wealthy. At the same time, he wants to boost spending in key areas such as transportation and education.

If you want to know how serious all this debt is, click here.

Point of Order - Trashing the Process

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The Mayor, Pam Triolo, is trying to learn Robert's Rules of Order. It is difficult even for our city attorney to understand the rules as she has readily admitted. Have you ever just tried doing research on a subject that is addressed in Robert's Rules?

Lately, the Mayor has called MANY Points of Order when Commissioner McVoy or Mulvehill have spoken on certain subjects to get their points across during discussion or debate. She has come down hard on their right of free speech and as elected representatives of the residents who voted them into office, we want to hear what they have to say. They have the right to repeat themselves after everyone has spoken to the motion. The "filibuster" complaint is impossible to prove here and in most cases, there is absolutely no reason to delay a vote as this new commission has already made up their minds.

On a Point of Order, there has to be a clear violation of the rules and that person calling the Point of Order should cite the rule that has been broken. And I don't accept some flippant bullet point here. Infraction of the rules, or improper decorum in speaking must be raised immediately after the error is made. The Chair would make a decision and if in doubt, would then ask the commission. Politics should not come into play. Let's get some democracy back into the playbook.

The mayor, along with the commission, have now reduced the time of our general meetings to 4 hours. We will see how long that works out. If the commissioners are on point, they have every right to express their views and can not be shut up just because an opposing side does not want to listen or because it has been discussed previously. I can unequivocally say that if Rachel Waterman pulled these stunts she would have been tarred and feathered by politicos in this city.

In addressing A point of Order, Robert's Rules says:

•Another member can interrupt a speaker who has the floor and call a Point of Order.

•It doesn't need to be seconded.

•It isn't debatable.

So, the next time any commissioner is speaking to the subject and giving reasons for his either being in favor or disfavor of a motion and there is heckling or jeering in the chamber and the Mayor does not quiet the chamber, that commissioner whose rights have been impugned should call it. We have a civility rule in place that is being completely ignored by some and it needs to be in play for every citizen who speaks at the lectern as well. Refer to the city attorney to remind everyone of this civility resolution.

Rules are put in place to protect rights, and when the rules aren't followed, those rights can get trampled. Fortunately, Robert's Rules says that any member who notices a breach of the rules has a right to call immediate attention to the fact and insist that the rules be enforced by raising a point of order. Under no circumstances should "undue strictness" be allowed to intimidate members or limit full participation.

Remarks must be courteous in language and deportment - avoid all personalities, never allude to others by name or to motives, something the Mayor accused Suzanne Mulvehill of doing when she said that Mulvehill was not asking a question--that she was "preaching." "You're not asking--when I hear you ask something I will answer you," said Triolo to Mulvehill.

It is the Chair who sets the example of how people are treated, not only on the dais but the treatment of those residents in the chamber. No one should ever get trashed in this process.

Beach redevelopment - Cut the Crap

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When we talk about the beach redevelopment project, we are talking about everything but the Casino building.

There is a meeting at City Hall this Friday, February 17 at 9am to discuss the beach redevelopment and what the commissioners deem important to keep in the contract as the contractors, as they usually do, have found things to be more costly than anticipated as well as other aspects they deem important to repair or include such as the seawall.

Utility infrastructure costs were never anticipated to be over and above the county bond money of $5 million. In fact, there was nothing considered that would be over and above this budgeted amount--until now--when the contractors and their subs have come up with millions in other costs that they want the city to consider.

Personally, when this all first came up, I would have said, "Cut the crap" and let's work within the $5 million dollars. If you can't spruce up our beach for $5 million dollars than heaven help us folks.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

The funding for the GMP consists of
County Grant $4,498,600 ($5,000,000 – 501,400 KHA fee)
Decal parking 80,000 (budgeted in FY10)

Infrastructure
Water Main $394,000 (Utility funding proposed amendment FY12 budget)
Sanitary Sewer $374,750 (Budgeted in FY10)
Stormwater $276,634 (Utility funding proposed amendment FY12 budget)
Lighting $800,000

Subtotal $ 6,423,984 (rounded to $6,424,000)

Everyone turn out for this meeting and voice your concerns.

There's no Screwing around in Lake Park

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Two weeks ago, Lake Park's city manager resigned under duress. Wednesday their commissioners will decide whether or not to appoint Jamie Titcomb who was fired as city manager from North Palm Beach after 7 months without any reason. Sound familiar?

Jamie retired from the Palm Beach County League of Cities as Executive Director after 13 years and then ended up getting $70,000 severance from North Palm Beach because its council fired him without cause.

The difference in Lake Park and Lake Worth is, they don't waste a lot of time getting things done...no time for sneaky politics I guess. Two weeks and wham--they very well might have a new interim city manager.

Moral of this story--don't ever become a permanent city manager as there is no such thing as "permanent" especially when sleazy politics are involved.

Hanging out on Valentine's Day

Obama and his Budget

According to President Obama’s budget proposal today, it would continue “investment in program integrity by providing $1 billion to ensure social security benefits are paid to the right person and in the right amount.”

Yes, you read that correctly: we are supposed to spend one thousand million dollars in order to achieve what American Express does correctly every single day (or, come to mention it, what the Dewey Decimal System did for books 100 years ago).

Read the rest of the story.