Tuesday, February 7, 2012

U.S. Circuit Judge Stephen Reinhardt in ruling on Proposition 8...

"Proposition 8 serves no purpose, and has no effect, other than to lessen the status and human dignity of gays and lesbians in California, and to officially reclassify their relationships and families as inferior to those of opposite-sex couples.  The Constitution simply does not allow for laws of this sort.”

Inspector General chides Lake Worth for free leases while paying for workspace for employees

After hand-feeding information to the Office of Inspector General, we finally get this acknowledgement. Jo Ann Golden, former Commissioner, is the reason this lease was never examined while other non-profits were asked unceremoniously to vacate. And of course, this is issued way after the election. Thank goodness the results were what they were! What does the LWCDC do that is so important anyway? Click title for link to PBP article.

Click here for complete timeline on the CDC lease issue.

Woman says Lake Worth didn't trim hedges in median; caused son's fatal traffic accident

Add this to the long list of lawsuits faced by the city. This was while Stanton was at the helm, by the way.

Interesting piece of Lake Worth history...


Monday, February 6, 2012

Welcome to Bay City, Michigan

Click title for link to the Bay City, Michigan - City website. I stumbled upon this and apparently it was just re-done. It's very attractive, seems easy to use and it can be used to promote seasonal events. Then there is ours.

Did you catch this commercial?

Dalai Lama

"To help us bring benefit to others through our words and actions, it is useful to cultivate an attitude of sympathetic joy in others’ achievements and good fortune. This attitude is a powerful antidote against envy, which is not only a source of unnecessary suffering on the individual level but also an obstacle to our ability to reach out and engage with others."

What the other guy is doing...post from FaceBook on Delray Beach's assessment plan...


DELRAY BEACH RESIDENTS: A MUST READ ALERT


On January 17th the Commission listened as hundreds of residents came to City Hall to protest the proposed new tax on houses located in Delray Beach. Under the proposal, every house would be required to pay an assessment each year, based either on the square footage or a flat fee. The January 17th meeting saw one of the largest turnouts of residents from all neighborhoods in many years. After hearing comments from the public for a couple of hours, the Commission voted 3 to 1 not to proceed with the tax, but to seek other budget cuts to close a budget gap. 


However, on February 1st City Manager David Harden sent a memo to the Mayor and Commissioners stating, “It is the opinion of staff that those who spoke at the hearing do not represent the majority view of our community, but rather a minority of our citizens who adamantly oppose the assessment”. 


Dave Harden: Have you lost your mind? Have you taken leave of your senses? When the usual commission meeting attracts may be a dozen citizens at best, there were well over 150 in the chambers that night to speak out against this. The commissioners are always saying how hard it is to fight the apathy inherent in Delray Beach, and people always have the chance to come out and speak their mind on the issues. NEWSFLASH - they did.. they spoke out against this Mr. Harden, and you discount them as the minority? Really????


Who are the “staff” that came to the conclusion that hundreds in attendance from neighborhoods in the east to those in the west, both black and white, were not representative? 5 candidates for the Commission all spoke out against the proposal.


The fact is that Dave Harden put this city in a very tough position, more so, put the commissioners in a tough position to find a way to plug that 3.2 million dollar budget gap. Great timing in an election year where 2 commission seats are up for grabs.


Tonight, 6pm, the commission will hold a workshop at city Hall to discuss the tax...again. While citizens will not be able to speak at workshop, a large attendance may send a message... 


TUESDAY: City Commission Meeting - there WILL be public comments... And I encourage all of you to attend, 6pm at City Hall, to speak your mind, regardless of which stance you take. Make your voice heard... again.!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Lake Worth's beachfront casino building a gleaming jewel in sad setting

The Post's editorial board is still falling all over itself propagating the story from those on the dais that choose to lie to the public. Breathlessly stated in the op-ed piece:

"The gaps are starting to be filled in for the long-overdue renovation of Lake Worth's beachfront casino building. The all-but-rebuilt structure, in the process of being restored to its 1920s splendor, perches nearly complete on the dune. In a few months, five shops and eateries will move in and begin renovations to prepare for the grand opening this fall."

The paper is right to point out the following, however"

"Despite progress on this long-neglected site, Lake Worth is lagging badly in the other key component of its beach makeover: a multimillion-dollar face-lift of the parking lot and grounds surrounding the casino. This important work, financed primarily by a county grant, was to transform the blighted area around the casino into an oasis of shaded pavilions, palm trees, benches, grassy spaces and a playground. The work was to be done in tandem with the casino building renovation, which began in the summer."

What they don't seem to mention is that the tenants, with executed leases in hand, will be improving their leased space in anticipation of an October or November opening.  The way it is looking now, there is a big chance that utilities - water, sewer and electric - will NOT be there in time for these tenants to get a certificate of occupancy.  Is this prospect a contingency in the leases or is the city walking another legal tight rope here?

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Transit Tax Switch to Roads Passed by U.S. House Panel - Bloomberg

Roads have always been beneficiaries of government funding. With transit, it always seems to be a fight. Click title for link to article.

Today, I succumbed...

...and fed the beast that is the new Walmart on 10th Avenue North.  This is one that is conveniently just over the line in the neighboring municipality of Palm Springs - contributing to their tax base and their utility funds - as well as those of FPL.  It was a busy day there; I just went to pick-up some cleaning supplies.  But, while I was there, I checked to see whether or not there were any bike racks.  The sea of asphalt that is their parking lot clearly caters to the automobile as the principal means of transportation.  However, I could find NO bike parking facilities.  In fact, right before I took this picture, I saw two bikes that were locked together on a fire hydrant!  I think the fire department would have something to say about that.  I doubled back around to see if the bikes were still there and when I got back to where they were, they had left.  It's not as if people were not getting there by bike - besides those two, I saw at least five more here and there around the parking lot and the main entrance.  Alas.  I may call my buddies in Palm Springs on Monday and see what's up about why they didn't require bike racks.

Friday, February 3, 2012

From the City Manager's Report of 2/3:


"A public meeting was conducted on January 25, 2012, at the Shuffleboard Court Building to discuss the scope of improvements to be made to the exterior of the site with an allocation of $62,000 in Community Development Block Grant funds from Palm Beach County Housing and Community Development. The meeting was attended primarily by residents in close proximity to the project site, including representatives of the Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Association. No clear consensus was reached with respect to the scope of work for the project.  However, there was strong support to retain either all or no fewer than half of the 28 courts and take measures to properly restore the courts to standard condition.All agreed that shuffleboard was a desired activity to be made available on a daily basis for residents of all ages. There was unanimous support for the provision of increasedsite security, particularly with respect to the installation of exterior lighting and security cameras.  There was some disagreement as to how the perimeter of the site should be secured.  Some supported decorative fencing while others preferred a thick hedge.

The Assistant City Manager has directed staff to conduct a follow-up meeting to discuss the project in greater detail with the community.  Prior to the meeting, City staff will be developing cost estimates for possible improvements to be made to the site as noted above.  These include more detailed estimates for the costs involved with restoration of the courts based on their current condition, and costs for providing efficient exterior lighting, security cameras and perimeter security, either fencing or hedge, based on what current zoning allows.  In order to provide sufficient time for staff's due diligence, this meeting will be conducted at the Shuffleboard Court Building on February 27, 2012, at 6:00 pm."

Snook Islands Natural Area Public Use Grand Opening Wednesday, February 29, at 9:00 a.m.

Thanks goes to another one of our local correspondents for the following pictures taken today.  This looks like it is a great addition to our waterfront!




Jean-Paul Sartre

"Man is not the sum of what he has but the totality of what he does not yet have, of what he might have."

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Lake Worth attorney forms group to plan city's 100th birthday party

I attended the first meeting. Click title for link to article. Calvary Methodist is the location for the next meeting, Monday February 6th at 6 p.m.

Pinecrest Cemetery Community Clean-up 2/11


Neighbors help each other to beautify Lake Worth home

Nice article in the PBP recognizing the good efforts of Lake Worth neighbors, Robert Waples and others in helping people in need. Click title for link. Thank you to all the volunteers improving our community!

Lake Worth CRA Neighborhood Cleanup February 25th


Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Employee showers at Fort Worth City Hall make sense; a Congressional Record app should please op...

Fort Worth, Texas makes a tangible effort in support of employee wellness and alternative modes of transportation. Click title for link.

Calling all Volunteers | Snook Islands


Calling all Volunteers to help create a Native Coastal Hammock with over 400 donated native shrubs and trees.
Register on the facebook event page or call David Nieme at 561-533-9460.
Tell your friends, family, neighbors, and workmates to come and help with this very important project.


Snook Islands Volunteers Event -

Volunteers needed March 3, 2012 to create a Native Coastal Hardwood Hammock in the Upland Buffer to the Snook Islands Natural Area on the Lake Worth Lagoon.

When: March 3, 2012  - 8 a m to noon and/or noon to 4 p m
                                          - Volunteer for half day or full day.
What: Help plant and mulch over 400 donated shrubs and trees on the Upland Buffer of the Coastal Hardwood Hammock to Snook Islands Natural Area.
Where:  The Upland Portion of Snook Islands Natural Area is located between the Lake Worth Bridge and the southern tip of the Lake Worth Golf Course and the Lake Worth Lagoon.
Volunteers: Wear sturdy shoes, garden gloves, sunscreen, and a hat.
Bring: Shovels, wheel barrows, rakes, and brooms are welcome, mark your tools.
Tell: Your friends, family, and neighbors. Plant experts and plant novices are all needed.
Native Plants and Trees: Jane Thompson, Indian Trails Native Nursery, has generously donated over 400 native plants and trees suitable for this environmental restoration.
Facebook photos: https://www.facebook.com/events/147153205402224/
Contact: David Niemi, Planting Coordinator -  agrassroot@comcast.net  -  561.533.9460

Lake Worth OKs leases for restaurants, other shops at renovated casino

Click title for link to PBP article. Mr. Howard is still challenged by what happened with the building - how many times must we remind him the building that was there was TORN DOWN! From the article:

"Restaurants and shops are scheduled to begin building out their spaces after the outer shell of the casino building is completed in April. The casino is scheduled to open to the public in October."

Is that with or without utilities?

Lake Worth rejects plan to hire private company to handle utility's billing, customer service

The PBP's take on last night's decision not to go with an outside contractor. Click title for link.