Some people complain this blog focuses too much on politics, ‘back in the day’.

“We [the City] are held to a higher standard, they [the press] should hold themselves to a higher standard.”

The quote above is by Lake Worth City Manager Michael Bornstein when he became “infinitely aggravated” with a ‘news’ report in The Palm Beach Post and called it “egregious” and the reporter “incompetent” (see the YouTube video below).

That happened because the City kept being put on the ‘hot seat’ — having to defend itself over and over again — but the ones who caused all the trouble in the first place just giggled and then skipped away whistling, “What? I didn’t do anything!”

But following that ‘news’ in September 2016 when Bornstein had become so “infinitely aggravated” with inaccurate and misleading news reports he was forced to react. Shortly thereafter he hired a “communications specialist” which is now called the position of Public Information Officer. That turned out to be a very good decision.

Bornstein made a lot of other decisions that have made a big impact, e.g., installing cameras in the City Commission chambers shortly after being hired back in 2012.

That’s right. Just in case
you didn’t know. . .

Today, January 24th, 2018, marks 2,109 days since City Manager Michael Bornstein was hired on April 16, 2012. There is nothing particularly significant about that except as a matter of perspective. The previous city manager, Susan Stanton, was fired on December 6, 2011 after 953 days on the job.

Nearly 6 years ago. . . a Spring day in
the City of Lake Worth.

Image posted by The Obtuse Blogger (TOB) mocking Michael Bornstein when he was first hired.

Let’s take a short stroll down memory lane.

The former City manager’s tenure was marked by divisiveness and a lack of outreach to the greater community. Under Stanton, the relationship between the business community and the City was strained to non-existent. The relationship with the CRA was contentious, at best. She created such a rift with our neighboring cities that only until a few years ago are they no longer wary of partnering on projects fearing Lake Worth would be too much trouble.

Stanton’s ‘PROGRESSIVE’ commission. The label “Progressive” didn’t match up with their policies
and the voters took notice.

A classic photoshop from the inimitable Tom McGow from 2011 poking fun at the self-described ‘progressives’ as the City continued to fall
apart all around them.

A local blog at the time referencing the coming 2011 Christmas holiday season and the firing of Stanton, wrote:

“In this joyous season, I am celebrating the potential for renewal in Lake Worth which began with a bold move to clean out city management from the top down.”

and. . .

“Yes, I know there are those who are disappointed to see Stanton fired but dwelling on one side of her performance while ignoring the other side of the story… is delusional.”

One of the least remembered and bungled efforts by Stanton was the “Fire Assessment”. Here is an interview NBC5/WPTV did with Commissioner Andy Amoroso after Stanton’s firing and he references the failed Fire Assessment initiative by Stanton.



Here are some initiatives Stanton supported:

• “Day Labor” Center (succeeded)
• Gutted the Code Enforcement Department (succeeded)
• “Street Light” Assessment (failed)
• Red Light cameras (failed)
• Eliminate PBSO and restore the LWPD (failed)
• Regional Sewer billing fiasco

Without doubt one of the worst policy decision by Stanton was being an obstructionist thwarting the CRA’s acquisition of NSP2 funds. Thankfully that effort failed. She along with commissioners Golden, Mulvehill and Jennings did not want the CRA to acquire the $23 million available.

Another classic from McGow. This one from 2009 where The Obtuse Blogger (TOB) left this short observation: “Very unfortunate comment”. Indeed.

It was only action by the CRA to apply for the funds that allowed many blighted areas to be home to new residents and families. Since then the CRA, led by Joan Oliva, has received national recognition for their outstanding efforts. Going forward the question is if we need a CRA any longer. The elections next March will tell a lot; if the upward trajectory continues the answer is most likely no.

Bornstein with Mayor Pam Triolo receiving recognition for the City’s municipal golf course.

There are many new residents of this City and many don’t know how we got to this point. In many ways, such as the code enforcement department, there is still work to be done. However, when you understand things in perspective, code being gutted and needing to be rebuilt from the ground up, you can understand how much hard work has been done.

That’s why some people complain this blog focuses too much on the past. Why? They don’t want you to know what happened “back in the day”:

Quote by a well-respected City resident.

But for many in the press the history of this City of Lake Worth begins after 2011–2012. What happened prior to 2011–2012 is, well, insignificant now? It’s not insignificant at all. City Manager Bornstein is still — almost six years later — having to deal with many bad decisions made prior to him being hired.

For example, before long the Lake Worth Casino and Beach Complex will be in the news again. Hopefully press reports will be researched and reported accurately. But if the past is any clue, especially as it relates to topics like Code Enforcement here in the City, one shouldn’t become too optimistic: