Monday, February 7, 2011

David Plouffe doing his job...

Click title for link to the White House website - a new area referred to as "Advise the Advisor."  See video below.  Could there be a local variation of this?  The answer is "yes", but does anyone in power really want to hear ideas or is it another opportunity to stuff the ballot box, as it were.

I don't know if you saw this during the Super Bowl last night...


I was born in Michigan.  My parents, while not directly employed by the automobile industry, benefited by the once rich tax base that allowed Michigan to create a great public school system and invest in its state universities.  Automobiles and post WWII growth made that tax base possible and helped to create better lives through investment in public infrastructure.  You see some of the remaining greatness that still exists in Detroit today: the Spirit of Detroit Statue, prize fighter Joe Louis' fist, the restored Fox Theater, the Diego Rivera mural.  All have cameo appearances in the ad.

The first real economic hit happened with the oil embargo of 1973.  Then flight to cheaper domestic labor markets and then to cheaper foreign manufacturing locations.  I have brought wrenching images of the ruins of Detroit to this blog.  I have said, as an urban planner, that what built Detroit, the automobile, really helped lay the foundation for its destruction.  The consequent building of limited access high speed freeways through many intact, and racially segregated areas, promoted the flight of wealth from the city to the suburbs.  No one seemed to care that Detroit lost almost half its population from its peak in 1950 - except the people that still lived there.  The ones that had no choice but to stay.

So, after this ad aired yesterday, pride has discovered a resurgence in the Motor City and the "Imported from Detroit" tagline should send a tinge of guilt to those who buy imported vehicles.  To digress, Detroit has done its part to alienate those looking for personal transportation.  The fact that this is a Chrysler ad is poignant since it was the first automaker to receive loan guarantees from the federal government.  It had to dig into the public trough again, along with General Motors, during the recent economic turn-down.

I bring this here because what this is about is pride - perhaps another word for patriotism - that one feels for your community.  It is frustrating for me when I hear people being called negative in Lake Worth if they point out what is wrong and suggest what is right - or a suggestion to fix the problem.  A community must be aware and continually self-improve in order to meet the needs of its residents - or economic and social despair will result.  That's why I get so disturbed when people we elect in this city think that lower property values are universally a good thing.  Detroit lost half its population in sixty years - Lake Worth has lost half its valuation.  The thing is - Lake Worth suffered this loss in a span of three years.  Other communities similarly situated held on to their value.

Remember, it's much easier to race to the bottom than race to the top.  You don't have any competition, other than those people that want a different reality that may better preserve their community and their life's investment.

Anyone want to take a bus tour of Detroit's ruins?  I'll pay for passage for a few local individuals.

Calling all Artists

The Lake Worth CRA would like to invite all local artists to participate in a brainstorming workshop

February 19th 9:00am
Lake Worth Golf course
One 7th Avenue North 

The purpose of the Artists Workshop is to define an overall vision for the Cultural Renaissance Program through public dialogue that engages the purveyors, practitioners, and patrons of the arts community in Lake Worth. The key elements to be addressed will include: Arts in Lake Worth, the Arts District & the creation of the 1000 Lake Project.

For more information please contact the
CRA office at 493-2550 or visit www.lakeworthcra.org

Census 2010 News | Media Advisory — Census Bureau Launches Interactive Map Showing Local 2010 Census Data

Click title for link.  The widget is too large for embedding here, but it is a useful tool.  No word yet on when the Florida count data is expected.

2010 Haiti Mitzvah Mission II by WebMark, Inc.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

West Palm Beach power politics: FBI investigated Molly Douglas’ pursuit of her business interests in city role

I hope that our City Commission and administration know that their actions are being watched. Click title for link to a PBP article on the latest ethics issue in West Palm Beach.

Interesting Perspective from 1960s Miami - a three part series on economic development and planning...




Optimism rules - but many of the same problems still exist 50 years later.  You can also see the historic role Chambers of Commerce have played in the development of Florida communities, for better or worse.  Some of the speakers sounds like they're half in the bag.  A peak back to the "Mad Men" era...

Click here for more archival videos of the greater Miami area.

Home movies of Miami Neighborhood - circa 1955

Campy Florida Tourism Movie from the 1940s

Saturday, February 5, 2011

I am now riding my bike 50 miles plus a week - FYI

PARROT COVE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

PARROT COVE NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION MEETING
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 8
ST. ANDREWS CHURCH HALL (LUCERNE AND PLAMWAY)
6:30pm election of Board
7:15pm guest speaker
  
Joseph Kroll, Public Services Director, will be the guest speaker.  Joe will address issues including citywide and Parrot Cove specific projects, how current economic condictions are effecting his department, updates on the golf course, swimming pool, pier, how the community can work with the City to get projects completed and any other information he can share with us.  Bring your questions to the meeting.  The general meeting begins at 7:15pm. 
 
If you are a member of the Parrot Cove Neighborhood Association and either wish to run for a position on the Board or vote for candidates, be there at 6:30pm.  The first item on the agenda will be election of 2011 Board followed by a Treasurer's report,  short review of 2010 then an update from PBSO.

A little Saturday music...

Friday, February 4, 2011

Lake Worth's 'coffee with the mayor' meeting set for Monday

This was mistakingly published as being held last Monday - it is this coming Monday at Smarty Plants. Click title for link.

Thursday, February 3, 2011

Invasive Lionfish News

Lion Hunter Safety-Spear Update * Now shipping Caribbean wide. 
Since the introduction of the Lion Hunter Safety-Spear at the December 2010, West Palm Beach Dive Show, volunteers have been working overtime assembling spears and shipping orders. Good news; production has ramped up and there is no longer a backlog.  
In the last few weeks we have shipped to dive shops and divers in Cozumel, Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Turks and Cacaos, Antilles; to mention a few. Florida divers and shops have been supplied from Jupiter to the Keys. And the feedback we are getting is glowing. A diver in the Virgin Islands emailed:This Safety-Spear was awesome! My first kill with your tool; after getting in the mail the night before.  I showed to about five instructors and they all tried to find flaws, but nothing. I wish I would have got this on video! Thanks.
Most coral reef scientists agree the exponential spread of the Pacific lionfish across the Caribbean represents a significant threat to the stability of the regions already compromised coral reef ecosystem. NOAA has launched the Eat em to Beat em campaign to encourage divers to help control the invaders population and lionfish derbies are being held from Mexico to Barbados. 
While derbies are useful in raising awareness, it is our opinion that effective lionfish population control may only be accomplished with a constant pressure from the recreational diving community. That is why we helped develop the Safety-Spear; a spear gun for divers who do not normally spearfish. Small and compact, the pointed spear is sheathed in a safety tube making it easy to stow in your gear bag and to clip to your BCD, so you can take it with you on every dive. 
Support your local dive shop
Want a Safety-Spear? Check with your dive shop first. If they do not have them in stock encourage them to contact: lionhunter@comcast.net to place an order. 
No dive shop? Buy online at: www.lionhunter.info 
Regardless where you get your Safety-Spear profits will go to Reef Rescue coral reef conservation projects. Reef Rescue is beginning to develop a lionfish database where divers will be able to enter lionfish observations and lionfish take data. We believe we may already be seeing a reduction in lionfish numbers on some Palm Beach County reefs where divers have made a concentrated effort to hunt lionfish. It is too early to assess what impact divers may have had on the lionfish population, but with the launch of the Reef Rescue lionfish data base we will be able to track trends and supply researchers with much needed information. 
We are constantly updating the Reef Rescue Coral Reef Blog with the latest lionfish information as well as other important issues.  
 Click here to stay in touch with all the RR Blog reports.
Palm Beach County Reef Rescue

Lake Worth Public Library Hosts Author Author Mr. Ace Abbot

The Lake Worth Public Library and Mr. Ace Abbott author of The Rogue Aviator: In the Back Alleys of Aviation invite pilots, and everyone to take a wild ride with him on a unique and improbable aviation career spanning over 36 years in his new book. Ace has visited 44 countries with 25 different employers; he takes his readers from Five Star hotels and restaurants to noisy, greasy cargo ramps, and a visit to a Venezuelan jail. He also presents an insider's look at the dark underbelly of the FAA and commercial aviation. This author event will be held at the Lake Worth City Hall Annex at 414 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth in the meeting room at 10:00 am on Saturday, February 5th.

Readers may find themselves slack-jawed with amazement as Abbott reveals implausible aviation anecdotes including interesting encounters with celebrities and iconic musicians. Abbott also tells of his many experiences and "war-stories" from his early career as an F-4 Phantom fighter- pilot based in the Far East.

This aviation adventure story/expose' will also reveal the "muck and crud" of the smaller commercial airlines as they slide profitability in front of safety. Abbott also freely exposes several accounts of unethical and often "reactive" response by the FAA and its effects on commercial flight safety, especially situations involving flight crew fatigue.

“The 8 am crew show time (was followed by a lengthy maintenance delay). At approximately 6 pm the flight launched for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, with a fuel stop in Texas. The return flight to Philadelphia also required a fuel stop, and the bedraggled flight crew did not finish their duty day (and night) until the following morning at 9 am. When Ace suggested to the company check airman that a 25 hour duty day was pretty ridiculous, the check airman responded, "I couldn't agree more but you are singing to the choir.”

From an adrenaline-pumping night airborne refueling mission in the F-4 Phantom, to numerous close encounters in a Learjet, to his final 727 flight, when he briefly flirted with catastrophe during landing at Boston's Logan Airport, Ace Abbott brings his readers in for a final smooth landing as his text validates the idealistic premise that the quality of one's life experiences trumps material wealth and possessions.

Author Bio: Ace Abbott (pen name) was born and raised in the Finger Lakes area of upstate NY and entered the U.S. Air Force in 1965. He served as an F-4 Phantom pilot based in the Far East and returned to the civilian world in 1971. He then flew corporate/charter Learjets until 1979 and after a short stint as a G-159 (turboprop) pilot he transitioned to the Boeing 727. He accumulated nearly 11,000 hours as a 727 Captain with 14 different airlines until he reached the FAA mandatory retirement (age 60) in 2002.

Ace will have his book available for sale and will be autographing them at the end of the program. Visit his website at http://www.therogueaviator.com. For more information please call the Lake Worth Public Library at 561-533-7354.

Thank you,

Vickie Joslin
Library Services Manager
Lake Worth Public Library
15 North M St.
Lake Worth, FL 33460
Phone: 561-533-7354
Fax: 561-586-1651

St. Andrews Episcopal Church - 2/5/11 - Activities start at 6 p.m.

Riveria Beach critic sues: Closed-door vote on marina issue violation of state law



State Attorney opens investigation of Riviera Beach closed-door meeting
More - click title.

Lake Worth garden center puts faith in community to thrive

Positive article on Smarty Plants. Click title for link.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Government corruption: Ethics, inspector investigations shifted away from government - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Op-ed piece on Ethics Commission and Inspector General. Click title for link.

#1 Worst Fear re Beach:

We go ahead with this phase and approve the next, including the demolition of the casino building.  Then, the City Commission declares that we don't have money to finish the project.  The remains then sit there for 5 to 10 years.

World's Greatest Fairy Tales: The Emperor's New Clothes

Click here for copy of City of Lake Worth's Addendum to County Ethics Commission Ordinance:

I read it that both Commissioner McVoy and Commissioner Mulvehill, perhaps Commissioner Golden, should have disclosed contributions from casino building tenants before discussing the agreement with the leasing agent.  What do you think?

Palm Beach County - From the desk of Commissioner Steven L. Abrams

"As your county commissioner, economic growth and stimulus will continue to be an important focus for 2011. 

It has been reported that in the past six months, numerous industries experienced job growth in the County: private education and health services category (+ 2,400 jobs); retail trade (+2,200); leisure and hospitality (+2,100); and professional & business services (+1,600).  Additional reports have indicated that the average weekly wages in Palm Beach County have risen by 2.5% from the second quarter of 2009 to the second quarter of 2010. 

But until full economic prosperity returns to Palm Beach County, we will continue our efforts to create job opportunities.  This means pursuing a strategy to leverage both private and public resources.

The county has and will continue to provide incentives and assistance to existing local businesses in their efforts to expand, grow and create new jobs.  Some of these incentives include low interest loans and local matching funds in conjunction with state grants. 

Over the past year, we used matching incentive funds to retain and create jobs for companies large and small, including Office Depot, UTC Fire and Security, and National Healing Corp., to name a few.  The City of Boca Raton has provided matching dollars as well.  While I am pleased to say that these companies are based in my district, their workforces draw from all over Palm Beach County.

Once we land a company, or a company decides to expand, the County Commission has adopted “fast-track” permitting to ensure that companies creating 30 or more jobs get up and running quickly.  Many of the cities in my district have also adopted this model so companies can cut through the red tape.

I have supported major economic development projects throughout the county, such as the Inland Port in the Glades area and the Wellington Medical District.  Even in a dreary residential market, south county will be the location of the first new planned condominium in the county since the recession began--The Palm Beach Post says it may be the first new condo in the entire southeast United States.

We will also continue to leverage public dollars for local infrastructure projects that meet community needs.  Some examples include hiring local companies to add guardrails to roads next to canals and resurface the dangerous patches on I-95. 

In the end, the best job creation plan is to hold the line on taxes and reduce government spending.  Higher taxes prolong a sluggish economy, and putting more money in people’s pockets will help us to get us out of it.  As your County Commissioner, I remain committed to leaving no stone unturned to restore economic growth to our county so we can all truly have a happy, prosperous new year. 

Please contact me if I can be of assistance or if you have any comments and/or suggestions.  I can be contacted at sabrams@pbcgov.org or at my office at 561-355-2204 (West Palm Beach) or 561-276-1220 (Delray Beach). 

Also, please visit my Web site athttp://www.pbcgov.com/countycommissioners/district4/ for updates and links to county divisions and other governmental agencies."

UF survey finds real estate market more optimistic

From the article:
"Timothy Becker, director of the school's Bergstrom Center for Real Estate Studies, attributes the sunny outlook to defeat of the Hometown Democracy Amendment and the election of Republican Gov. Rick Scott in November.
The citizen initiative would have required voter approval for changes in development plans."

Click title for link.

List of EGREGIOUS things related to the Lake Worth Beach

  • Then citizen Christopher McVoy leads signature gathering effort to repeal three ordinances, getting 2,500 signatures and then being sued by the city for interference, upon which the current beach rehabilitation was approved and does not acknowledge this glaring fact.  Hometown Democracy, who heard of it?
  • Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill trumpets her "greatest accomplishment" as saving the casino building from demolition yet the plan they approved demolishes at least 80 percent of the building. No one acknowledges this from the dais other than one Commissioner.
  • No cost/benefit analysis performed about rehab of existing building seaward of the Coastal Construction Control Line (CCCL) versus building a new building further west - outside of the CCCL. Building west would be less complex and therefore less costly.
  • Former Commissioner Cara Jennings prepares an elaborate presentation about "managed retreat" from the coastline, but is mute on re-building the existing building in its seaward CCCL position.
  • All of the above received ample contributions from the casino building tenants - McVoy and Mulvehill think keeping rents low for the existing tenants is the main goal for leasing the building - not charging market rent.  Go figure.
  • Rehabilitation of the building is being funded by the city's "cash portfolio", with no guarantee of end financing.  This is the same city that is facing a projected budget deficit of almost $5 million. Amount of financing need from the "cash portfolio" equals $6 million.  The city claims a financial emergency and is in a fist fight with all their bargaining units.
  • City faces an unfunded multi-million dollar contingent liability in the form of a lawsuit levied by the city's partner on a previous beach plan.  Unknown amounts of money are being spent defending the city's position.
  • If the Comprehensive Plan is found "not in compliance" - the judge sides with the petitioners in their challenge to the finding - then the land use designation and future land use map that identify the "Beach and Casino" future land use designation disappear.
  • Many of the LEED certification items rely on expensive studies by engineers, special materials and reliance on tenant behavior - which do not guarantee LEED certification, which can come up to two years after the C.O.  Not being certified would violate F.S. 255.2575 Energy-efficient and sustainable buildings (2) as follows:  All county, municipal, school district, water management district, state university, community college, and Florida state court buildings shall be constructed to meet the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, the Green Building Initiative’s Green Globes rating system, the Florida Green Building Coalition standards, or a nationally recognized, high-performance green building rating system as approved by the Department of Management Services. This section shall apply to all county, municipal, school district, water management district, state university, community college, and Florida state court buildings the architectural plans of which are commenced after July 1, 2008.
  • Beach plan approved in dark of night before a sparse gathering of residents without a special meeting.  This for a property that has a bloody 30 + year history of public contention.
  • Can you think of others?  Please add until we exhaust the list.

Lake Worth meeting goes to dogs: city allows dogs in parks, passes puppy mill prevention

If only the city had a selection of retail stores and a functional economy, this measure might actually mean something. Click title for link to PBP article.

Lake Worth could begin layoffs, cutting employee hours in March to stem red ink

"Our problem in Lake Worth is we spend money we don't have and demand services we can't afford," Stanton said in an e-mail. "We are slowly losing the ability to say it does not matter what it costs...be it recreation, beach development or police protection."
Click title for link to PBP article.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Scott Proposes Streamlining State Government

Article on News 4 Jacksonville's website - Department of Community Affairs to be under control of Department of Environmental Protection according to Governor Scott's restructuring proposal - other changes discussed.  Click title for link.