A $350,000 jewel of an item courtesy of Commissioner Cara Jennings...

Those of you that subscribe to the city's Tropic-mail service might have received this announcement last week:

The Grand Opening of the Lake Worth Resource Center, located at 1121 Lucerne Avenue, Lake Worth, Florida is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, 2008 and is expected to run through 1:00 p.m.

The Lake Worth Resource Center seeks to improve the quality of life for all Lake Worth by bridging and enhancing communication between the different ethnic, cultural and religious groups within the community.

A coalition formed by several agencies, community based organizations and churches (the City of Lake Worth, The Mentoring Center, Palm Beach Community College, Our Lutheran Savior, Cristo Es la Respuesta, Maya Ministry of Diocese of Palm Beach, PBC Environmental Coalition, Buena Fe Center, Maya Quetzal, Grupo Broadway, Lake Worth Global Justice, Organization of Mayan People In Exile, Adopt-A-Family, Interior Dimensions Group, Church of the Nazarene, Trinity Church International, and Society of Friends of the Quaker) have collaborated and joined efforts to find solutions to various social dilemmas and are committed to support the initiative by providing services such as educational programs, immigration orientation and public safety to name a few.

(You really need to check out the links in the above paragraph. Remember, this went out in a city press release.)

The partnership exemplifies what government, community organizations and citizens can do when they join efforts to find solutions to social dilemmas. "Education is the key to economic growth both in family and community and we are very excited about our role at The Lake Worth Resource Center" said Monica Delgado of the Dr. Kathryn W. Davis Global Education Center at PBCC.

The center allows registered workers to meet with registered employers and obtain work for wages. Occupational training, language and literacy instruction, counseling, health education, legal and other services are available to any Lake Worth resident registered with the center. Workers and employers will be educated about their rights and responsibilities while assuring workers are paid fair wages. Additionally, the center provides K-12th grade academic tutorial classes, adult education classes, public safety education programs, and computer education classes in the center's computer lab.

For more information, contact Lisa Wilson, Mentoring Center COO at 561-670-1147

I highlighted some of the above where I thought there were sweeping assumptions or pronouncements that have yet to be proven.

So, on the agenda tomorrow night is item buried again on the consent agenda relating to the $350,000 of un-budgeted city funded improvements to the building that are necessary in order to accommodate this new use in a city recreational facility. Seems that Commissioner Cara Jennings, Commissioner Golden and Mayor Clemens not only ignored the zoning issues involved with the establishment of the Day Labor Center - they also ignored the building code implications from the change of use category from assembly to business. See the following back up material on the item:


In contrast, Compass is leasing a city building and funding over $500,000 (and counting) of improvements including mold eradication and the installation of an elevator. This is coming from Compass' own resources. It should be noted that Commissioner Cara Jennings voted against that lease.

Once the city spends this $350,000 for the roof, windows, access issues and ADA modifications, we will have a facility that will be marginally improved. However, its life may be short due the prospect of a new city hall or other municipal facility on that land. In a sense, spending the money on this building encumbers it longer and makes it less attractive for another municipal use. The phrase "trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear" comes to mind.

Oh, and per the press release (one of the precious few issued by the city) it's open for business - lacking required improvements. This also exacerbates the feeling that the City doesn't have to comply with codes it enforces on everyone else. Talk to anyone currently enduring the certificate of use process or doing permitted work through the building department.

So Commissioner Jennings and your ardent supporters, there are more reasons to question the use of this building as a Day Labor Center other than racism. Playing that card - especially on election day - was inappropriate on many levels.

Soccer tournament tomorrow morning: Guatemalan community-building in the Town of Jupiter.

This annual event in Jupiter may be of much LOCAL interest.

From Bryant Park in Lake Worth Beach to the Jupiter Community Park is about a forty-five minute drive using I-95 but on a Saturday morning it’s probably a bit quicker. The soccer tournament tomorrow begins at 8:00 a.m.

As reported by Hannah Morse this week in the print edition of The Palm Beach Post the community-building efforts by the Jupiter Police Dept. and the El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center continues to be a huge success.

What is happening in Jupiter could provide helpful ideas for the Guatemalan Maya Center (GMC) in the City of Lake Worth, community-building with PBSO District 14 and the Neighborhood Assoc. Presidents’ Council (NAPC) as well. Learn more about the GMC at the end of this blog post.

Maybe a road trip tomorrow morning by a contingent of community-builders from Lake Worth to watch some soccer and participate in other fun events for the entire family? The event is from 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. at Jupiter Community Park located at 3377 Church St.


To read the entire story by Hannah Morse in the online edition; here are two excerpts:


JUPITER — It began with a timely follow up on a popular worldwide event — the World Cup — but seven years on, organizers say the annual soccer tournament organized by the Jupiter Police Department and El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center continues to be a success.

The seventh annual tournament will take place Saturday at the Jupiter Community Park, 3377 Church St. Officer Roberto Diaz said he expects at least 1,000 people to attend.

and. . .

“We just thought about ways to best reach out to our community members,” Diaz said.

Sixteen community teams — including one representing the police department and another for El Sol — will compete in the single-elimination tournament starting at 8 a.m. Last year, the El Sol team dominated the tournament.


If you would like more information about this community event call 561-746-6201.

In the news published in the Post about this annual soccer tournament Suzanne Cordero, the executive director of the El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center was cited.

From long-time journalist Susan Salibury in April 2018 is this news about Suzanne Cordero; the opening three paragraphs:


Suzanne Cordero has been named executive director of El Sol, Jupiter’s neighborhood resource center. She is transitioning into the position and will take over full time on June 4 [2018].

Cordero, a Jupiter resident, replaces Jocelyn Skolnik, who has been executive director at El Sol for 10 years. Skolnik has accepted a position as executive director of Funsepa, a nonprofit educational organization in her home country of Guatemala.

Cordero has served as the executive director of the Guatemalan Tomorrow Fund for six years, and is a former member of El Sol’s board of directors. She has been part of El Sol’s strategic planning group.


If you wish to contact the El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center for more information use this link.

If you would like to become a volunteer at GMC use this link. The center is located at 430 North G St. and open Monday–Friday from 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Call 561-547-0085 or send an email to: info@guatemalanmaya.org

Looking past the New Year, this is the calm before the storm.

The blog post below is from two weeks ago
reminding people that,

Public opposition to a homeless resource center nearby does not mean they “hate homeless people”.

Folks. This is a huge developing story in Central Palm Beach County. This story has been picked up by the Sun Sentinel and other news outlets. The public and business leaders in the City of Lake Worth and the Village of Palm Springs need to get involved. It would behoove the public and elected leaders in the City of Greenacres to pay close attention to this as well.

Below is contact information for your elected leaders on the PBC Commission and local City elected leadership.

When you contact elected officials: Be nice! Be courteous! Be respectful!

Whatever your opinion(s) about the topic below, make a case for your position. Saying things like, “If you let this happen I will never vote for you again.” That does not work. Your elected leaders hear that same line twenty times a day. Instead be proactive and come up with ideas.


Without further ado. . .


[T]he area is always looked at for “these types of facilities” and never for economic development. “Don’t just look at us for homeless resource centers,” he [Torcivia] told the commission.

—Quote. Palm Springs Village Attorney Glen Torcivia addressing the Palm Beach County Commission. Source: Reporter Alexandra Seltzer at The Palm Beach Post. Datelined Dec. 5th, 2018.



The link to the story in The Palm Beach Post and more information about this topic is later in this blog post.

Just because residents oppose constructing a homeless resource center in or near their municipality does not mean they ‘hate homeless people’. If you listen closely, they may actually be saying there are better locations to be considered. And they may be right.

From two weeks ago on this blog pointed out, if you didn’t know know, very soon the Village of Palm Springs could be ground zero for another vociferous public debate about the homeless. And hopefully it will not get out of control like what happened in the City of Lake Worth two years ago.

The Palm Beach County Commission is seriously considering a homeless resource center in or near the Village of Palm Springs. That was front page news in the Post.

A clarification was needed in the print edition about that news report and of course no clarification was published. The editor(s) at the Post don’t do things like that. They should. But they don’t.

Briefly, in the third paragraph of this story headlined, “Proposed county homeless center faces opposition, money woes” is this sentence:


County commissioners signed off this week on allocating about $8 million for a new facility planned for western Lake Worth [sic].


There is no such place in Central Palm Beach County as ‘western Lake Worth’. This is a misleading geographic designation that gets resurrected now and then.

Some in the public may confuse ‘western Lake Worth’ to mean the area in the City of Lake Worth west of I-95. A new facility proposed as a homeless resource center would more accurately be reported in the Post as located in “suburban Lake Worth” or one could also say “unincorporated Lake Worth”.

That needed to be clarified. But those sort of clarifications never happen.

Now back on topic. About the front page news
in the Post.

What follows is a cautionary tale for the public in the Village of Palm Springs and this City of Lake Worth too.

This story is not a new one. On constructing another center for the homeless in the area originally it was argued by supporters the City of Lake Worth should construct one. Completely impossible. And then later the idea was to build one in the County’s John Prince Park. Also impossible. The residents in the City of Atlantis would never allow that to happen. And now the plan is to construct one in or near the Village of Palm Springs near the intersection of Lake Worth Rd. and Kirk Rd.

That area includes Palm Springs and some unincorporated areas as well. From the news report by Alexandra Seltzer is this excerpt:


County commissioners say addressing homelessness is both a legislative and a budgetary priority, but conceded the total cost projections for this center are hefty.

“This is a heavy lift,” Vice Mayor David Kerner said. “It’s an important lift.”


Looking back some of you may recall what happened in this City of Lake Worth back in January 2016. That’s when all hell broke loose when the homeless ‘advocates’ descended on the City when an ordinance was proposed, and later passed, to control the out-of-control activities in the Downtown Cultural Plaza at night. The Post referred to it as a ‘curfew’ which was completely false.

And also in January 2016 were all the antics in Lake Worth City Hall when critics accused our elected officials of not caring about the homeless and one of those critics said, “The last time I checked that [the Senator Philip D. Lewis Center] is in West Palm Beach.” The insinuation, of course, that our elected officials were either out of touch or didn’t care.

The upheaval in early 2016 was terrible. The supporters of constructing another center for the homeless pulled in protesters from Sarasota and Tampa and from out-of-state too. The objective was to throw the majority out of City Hall. But in the end, Mayor Pam Triolo and commissioners Scott Maxwell and Andy Amoroso all got re-elected by landslides.

The day after that election the protesters went away and never came back.

But maybe not for long.

Here is more information from Seltzer in the news today:


[O]fficials from Palm Springs listed a variety of other concerns for [County] commissioners, including:

• Village manager Rich Reade said he worries about the safety of the men and women using the facility and accessing it by Lake Worth Road, a busy, major street that he said has seen 21 deaths in the past five years;
• Village Councilwoman Joni Brinkman said the county hasn’t been communicating with Palm Springs officials about their interest in the site;
• Village attorney Glen Torcivia said there are homeless residents across the county and questioned why this new facility was proposed for the Lake Worth area. Torcivia said the area is always looked at for “these types of facilities” and never for economic development.

The plan, it appears, is to get the municipalities in Palm Beach County to contribute to the “$5.29 million annual price tag”. What the City of Lake Worth’s contribution would be is not known at this time.

If you have thoughts or concerns about this topic then contact the three County Commissioners that represent this region in Central Palm Beach County (which includes the City of Lake Worth, the Village of Palm Springs and the surrounding unincorporated areas):

• Palm Beach County Mayor Mack Bernard (District 7).
• PBC Vice Mayor Dave Kerner (District 3).
• PBC Commissioner Gregg Weiss (District 2).

To contact the Mayor and four councilmembers in the Village of Palm Springs call 561-965-4011 or click on this link. To contact the Village Manager, Mr. Richard Reade, use this link.

To contact the Mayor and each of the four commissioners in the City of Lake Worth click on this link. The City Manager for Lake Worth is Mr. Michael Bornstein.

Truth still matters...

As I make my trip down the campaign trail, I am hearing how my opposition is misrepresenting me. It's good when people tell me these things since I am able to clarify where I stand on the issues and leave them to judge the intent of the person or persons that gave them misinformation. There are two that I heard about today that I will address here:

1. I am not against immigration and I am not against immigrants. Consistent with my position in the last campaign, I am for a labor center. Our country is made richer by the contributions of people from all cultures. The Federal government has abdicated its role in metering immigration and communities have to find ways to lead immigrants towards productive and safe futures in our society. One of my main platform planks is that we need to be consistent in our decision making process - regardless of the issue at hand. Zoning and building rules were overlooked in the establishment of our labor center - while we make others jump through endless hurdles when they attempt to open a business in Lake Worth. Likewise, when a claim is made that the Resource Center serves everyone in the city, then it should REALLY serve everyone in the city. The main reason for my impromptu visit to the Resource Center was to determine if that was the case - I am still not totally convinced. By the admission of the Resource Center's director and sitting City Commissioners, the building is becoming more and more inadequate to serve its intended function. Conflicts are erupting between the building's traditional users - shuffleboarders - and users of the center. We need to have the freedom to critically think and ask if this indeed is the right place for this sort of use. To have my stance on the issue interpreted as being against immigrants is a gross misrepresentation. If anything, I want the Resource Center to better serve ALL of the city's residents and I want it in a place that makes sense for its operation - and the city as a whole.
   
2. Parking at the beach. It's horrible that the result of the $5 million grant will just facilitate additional paving at the beach - more and darker asphalt with different stripes and jeopardizing Lake Worth resident decal permit holders does not seem an acceptable solution. Although I acknowledged that it would be politically unacceptable and impractical, I offered a "green option" of parking downtown in a parking garage and busing people to the beach - opening up tons of green space there. Other Commissioners, including Commissioner Golden, talked about this idea as an option. We need to have the freedom to discuss all ideas and evaluate them against each other. I want to make it clear: I am upset about the amount of asphalt at the beach and we need to find ways to reduce paving. Decked parking at the beach is an option worth examining - as are all ideas that would demonstrate Lake Worth is doing all it can to be a leader in green redevelopment - another part of my campaign platform.

Come to think of it, I wonder what my opponent's campaign platform is. ??
Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Wes Blackman for City Commissioner District #3

Food Give Away this Saturday (November 9th) and information on Food Pantries

Also, please find below a list of  locations where food and other services are offered throughout Palm Beach County throughout the year. Please contact individual locations for information on specific programs and availability.

CROS Riviera Beach Community Food Pantry – The Port Center
The Port Center, 2051 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd. on the 2nd floor.
Hours: Monday , Wednesday, and Friday 9:30 a.m. to noon.

CROS North County Community Food Pantry - Jupiter Neighborhood Resource Center
106 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL (southwest corner of Indiantown Road and Military Trail).
Use the main entrance on the east side of the building. During pantry hours, a food pantry volunteer will assist you with food. Not only offers free food and groceries, but can direct individuals to social services and government assistance programs, such as food stamps, food for child, and more.
Hours: Tuesday and Friday 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

CROS LIGHTHOUSE FOOD PANTRY -  Community United Methodist Church
401 SW 1st St. in Belle Glade. During pantry hours, a food pantry volunteer will assist you with food.
Hours: Tuesday and Thursday noon to 3 p.m.
CROS Lake Worth Community Food Pantry
Adopt-A-Family of the Palm Beaches
1712 2nd Avenue North, Lake Worth, FL
Hours: Monday-Friday  11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

CROS Delray Beach Community Food Pantry
Neighborhood Resource Center
141 SW 12th Ave., Delray Beach.  Use the parking lot behind the NRC and walk along the north side of the building to use the main entrance. A food pantry volunteer will assist you with food.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday noon to 3 p.m., Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Open & Outstretched Hand of Jesus Ministry Church
Address - 168 West 13th Street
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Dial - (561) 968-1023

Neighborhood Resource Center - CROS Delray Beach Community Food Pantry
Food center address - 141 SW 12th Ave
Delray Beach, Florida 33444
(561) 243-7634
Another non-profit organization that provides food and much more, such as rent help, financial assistance, clothing, and other support to low income and senior citizens.

Community United Methodist Church - CROS Lighhouse Food Pantry (Belle Glade)
Location - 408 SW 1st Street
Belle Glade, FL 33430
Dial the center at (561) 996-5568

Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches
Church address - 4857 Northlake Boulevard
Palm Beach Florida FL 33418
Call (561) 775-5900

Holy Name of Jesus Church – Call the church for meals, shelter, a soup kitchen and advice.
Address - 345 S. Military Trail
West Palm Beach, FL 33415
(561) 683-3555

Holy Redeemer Episcopal Church Pantry
Location of this church pantry is 3730 Kirk Road
Lake Worth, FL 33461
Phone number - (561) 965-8632

First Baptist Church
17 NW Avenue B
Belle Glade, Florida 33430
(561) 996-5596

St. Ann's Church
Address - 310 North Olive Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Dial the church at (561) 832-3757

Gateway Community Outreach
Address - 660 Royal Pam Beach Boulevard
Royal Palm Covenant Church
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
(561) 793-1077 is the primary phone number. Call for hours.

First Baptist Church of Greenacres
Location - 201 Swain Boulevard
Green Acres, Florida 33463
Phone number of church - (561) 966-7531

St. Mary's Catholic Church
Address: 1200 E. Main Street
Pahokee, FL 33476
Telephone - (561) 924-0184

Emmanuel Deliverance Church of God
Address - 1309 Georgia Avenue
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
(561) 832-5148
Free food, meals, and assistance is provided. Call them for hours or to make an appointment.

Community Caring Center
Address: 145 N.E. 4th Avenue
Boynton Beach, FL 33425
Telephone number - (561) 364-9501
Programs are administered from this office to help people with food, financial assistance, and senior assistance programs. This includes gifts for children at Christmas and Thanksgiving and holiday meals.

Agape Church of Loxahatchee
Address - 13390 Okeechobee Road
Loxahatchee, FL 33470
Phone number - (561) 792-2813

Lakeside United Methodist Church
Location is 1801 12th Ave. South
Lake Worth, FL 33461
Dial - (561) 585-7519. The church offers meals, clothing, counseling, and other resources for Palm Beach County families and people in the Parish.

Jesus and You Outreach Ministries
Location is 2831 Avenue S
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Dial - (561) 842-4276

Care Ministry - St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church
Address of church - 370 S.W. Third Street
Boca Raton, FL 33432
Phone number: (561) 962-6000

Oasis Compassion Agency
Location- 4888 10th Avenue North
Lake Worth, Florida 33463
Primary phone number - (561) 967-4066
A number of services and resources are offered for the low income. A food pantry is on site for meals and perishables items, as well as government surplus food.

Lake Worth Corps
Address - 4051 Kirk Road
Lake Worth, Florida 33461
Call (561) 968-8189 for hours and details on the pantry

True Fast Outreach Ministry
638 6th Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Phone number - (561) 856-6273

Holy Name of Jesus Church
Location is 345 S. Military Trail
West Palm Beach, FL 33415
Dial (561) 683-3555. Limited hours are available for the needy.

Christians Reaching Out to Society
Address of center is 301 1st Avenue South
Lake Worth, FL 33460
Phone number - (561) 233-9009

Metropolitan Community Church of the Palm Beaches
4857 Northlake Boulevard
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida 33418
Phone number - (561) 775-5900

Christians Reaching Out to Society
Address is 301 1st Avenue South
Lake Worth, FL 33460
Dial the center at (561) 233-9009

Holy Redeemer Episcopal Church
Location of the church is 3730 Kirk Road
Lake Worth, FL 33461
Call the church for food, meals, groceries, etc. at (561) 965-8632

First Baptist Church (Belle Glade)
Address is 17 NW Avenue B.
Belle Glade, Florida 33430
Phone number - (561) 996-5596. Call for information on free or low cost food, perishable items and groceries.

Emmanuel Deliverance Church of God
Address: 1309 Georgia Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 832-5148

First Baptist Church of Greenacres
201 Swain Boulevard
Green Acres, FL 33463
Dial (561) 964-3115

Servants of the Great I am Church
Location: 3822 Coconut Road
Lake Worth, FL 33460
Call - (561) 641-7845
Meals, food, clothing, and case management to low income and working poor.

Lakeside United Methodist Church
1801 12th Ave. South
Lake Worth, Florida 33461
Phone number - (561) 585-7519
Meals and boxes of food will be provided to the low income and needy in the region. Other basic needs, such as clothing, may be available or get referrals to assistance programs.

Families That Care
Address of program - 3701 Broadway
West Palm Beach, FL 33407
Phone number - (561) 594-9657

Oasis Compassion Agency
Main office address: 4888 10th Ave North
Lake Worth, Florida 33463
Phone number - (561) 967-4066
Hours/Eligibility:  Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., Must bring in drivers license or birth certificate, SS card, rental receipt, proof of income and utility bill.  Non-perishable food provided once a month and perishable items once a week for up to 6-8 months for qualified clients.  Seniors and disabled clients may stay in program and continue to receive perishable items after 6 months. Open to all who qualify.

Open & Outstretched Hand of Jesus Ministry Church
Riviera Beach, FL 33404
Call the church at (561) 968-1023 for the exact address and hours.

Divine Church of God of Prophecy
Location is 2845 N Military Trail, Suite 17
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
(561) 502-9226

West Palm Beach Corps
Address: 2122 Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard
West Palm Beach, Florida 33409
Main phone number - (561) 686-3530
A food pantry is on site. They also can direct families in Palm Beach to thrift stores, clothing, and maybe even programs for paying bills. They coordinate with other local charity organizations as well.

New Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
911 9th Street
West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
Call (561) 832-2101
May have food, groceries, and even other goods such as clothing.

Disclaimer: The information contained within this e-mail communication is provided for informational purposes only as a public service.  Palm Beach County (County) does not endorse any company or entity, product or service referenced herein, nor does it assume any liability for the accuracy of the information provided.  The information contained within this e-mail communication does not necessarily reflect the County’s policy, opinions or view points.  The County presents content as objectively as possible to ensure accuracy of information.  However, the County is not liable to readers as a result of any claim, loss, damages or expenses, direct or consequential, suffered by the readers due to their reliance or use of the information provided within this e-mail communication.

Streets in Lake Worth, “[A]re clogged with illegals more than ever, and continue west on Lake Worth Road in front of various gas stations and Home Depot.”

The title of this blog post is from an article published in The Lake Worth Herald in January 2007.

And the Town of Jupiter had an “illegal immigrant problem” eleven years ago as well. 

First, some background:

The news published in the Herald in 2007 (see newspaper clipping below) and this blog post are about how two municipalities, the Town of Jupiter and the City of Lake Worth — two communities referred to in 2007 as having an “illegal immigrant problem” — and also two municipalities that went in two different directions in trying to solve the integration of undocumented immigrants into our communities.

Also below you’ll learn more about two centers that formed to help address aid to the undocumented populations: The El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center in Jupiter and later the Guatemalan-Maya Center (GMC) in Lake Worth. But are these two organizations “on the same page” so to speak?

For example, whereas El Sol focuses on “Community Partnerships” and English literacy, the mission of the GMC is a bit more complicated in that they continue to promulgate the false narrative about so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ here in Palm Beach County:

“[L]ocal governments throughout the United States have been supplying their own movements, such as offering sanctuary. . . . A sanctuary city is a response of the heart and it is a city that will not act as an instrument of federal enforcement.”

The so-called ‘sanctuary city’ is a complete myth in Palm Beach County and in all of Florida as well. Nothing of the sort even exists.

For too many years the Town of Jupiter and this City of Lake Worth have been falsely labeled a ‘sanctuary city’ to the detriment of both our communities. To this very day that ‘sanctuary’ myth continues such as in TV political ads to try and frighten people and to divide our communities. It may be a myth, but it’s still a myth that works in confusing those who don’t know any better.

Please Note: In the newspaper clipping below Andy Lukasik is cited as the “Jupiter Town Manager”. Remember, the news below is from eleven years ago. Lukasik was the town manager in Jupiter from 2004–2017. The town manager in Jupiter now is Matt Benoit who, “[J]oined the Town in February 2018”. This needs to be clearly noted so as to not create any confusion.

Now to the news in the Herald about when the
City of Lake Worth was, “[C]logged with illegals more than ever”:

Click on newspaper clipping to enlarge.

“Continued On Pg. 4”

The article continues as Lukasik. . .

[T]old the El Sol story to other municipalities in Palm Beach County and was recently invited to Lake Worth [in 2007].

I’ll talk about the town’s [Town of Jupiter] role in how the [El Sol] center got established and some of the players who made it possible,” Lukasik told The Lake Worth Herald.

The issue of illegal day laborers started heating up in Jupiter in 2005 as it did in Lake Worth.

Hispanics in Jupiter represented 7.30 percent of the population, according to the 2000 census. Jupiter had a population of 39,000.

Lake Worth’s Hispanic population, the largest in Palm Beach County, was reported in the [2010] census to be 29.70 percent of the city’s then 35,000 population.*

Town Ordinance

Jupiter tried to quell the problem by using various local tools, including an emphasis on code enforcement and public safety, according to Lukasik.

“The [El Sol] resource center was the focal point with everything else.

“The town was instrumental in putting the pieces of the puzzle together so it can work,” Lukasik said.

In September of last year [2006], the town passed a solicitation ordinance making in unlawful for anyone to seek employment on any public property or right-of-way, or to seek employment from any commercial parking area or common area of multi-family buildings.

The ordinance also makes in unlawful for any employer, while occupying any vehicle, to hire or attempt to hire anyone on any public property or right-of-way.

Following the passage of the ordinance, El Sol held an official opening.

While Catholic Charities is operating El Sol after receiving a grant, the future is not known.

“Catholic Charities of Palm Beach† raced to secure a grant last year to take this on and cover all the staff and administrative expenses at the center for a least 12 months and up to 18 months,” Kelly Layman, spokeswoman for Catholic Charities said.

“The grant for $180,000 was secured from a national private foundation as an emergency request.

“It does not intend to continue long-term funding, so Catholic Charities and the town and the center’s partners will need to re-address funding after this summer to continue the center’s work,” Layman said.

Catholic Charities is a 23-year-old non-profit organization headquartered in Palm Beach Gardens.

Complaints about day laborers on the streets of Lake Worth, mainly downtown Lake Avenue, prompted a campaign by police [former LWPD‡] to issue citations to undocumented workers.

Lake Worth Mayor Rodney Romano attempted to find a designated place where day laborers could congregate.

Streets in Lake Worth today have become an employment zone and are clogged with illegals more than ever, and continue west on Lake Worth Road in front of various gas stations and Home Depot.

End of news article.

Hopefully the news article above will provide some helpful historical context. What the Town of Jupiter and the El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center have accomplished is truly remarkable:

From Twitter. . .

El Sol Adult Education - Thanks to our many volunteers El Sol offers ESL classes in the evenings on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays during the 10-week semester. Find out how you can make a difference by volunteering at El Sol at https://t.co/jyecWMsmch pic.twitter.com/WsbqCA6KaB

— El Sol (@ElSolJupiter) June 26, 2018

The big policy question here in the City of Lake Worth is what can be done to help forge a greater partnership with the Guatemalan-Maya Center and re-create the successes in the Town of Jupiter? And note there have been some great successes as well here in the City of Lake Worth, for example the Community Redevelopment Agency’s 3rd annual festival of Día de los Muertos — a historic cultural tradition from Central America — is fast becoming one of the most unique festivals in South Florida.

If you would like to contact the Guatemalan-Maya Center directly, to donate material or become a volunteer, the center is located at 430 North ‘G’ St. in Lake Worth. The phone number is 561-547-0085; or reach by email at: info@guatemalanmaya.org

And lastly, please remember there has never been in the history of Palm Beach County a so-called ‘sanctuary city’. But the City of Lake Worth prides itself in being referred to as a “Welcoming City”:


Lake Worth has long been recognized as a hospitable and welcoming place where people, families and institutions thrive and the contributions of all are celebrated and valued.


*City of Lake Worth population in 2020 projected to top 40,000. In July 2017 percentage estimate of “Hispanic or Latino” in the City of Lake Worth  =  38.9%.
†Click on this link to learn more about immigration services at Catholic Charities of Palm Beach.
‡The former LWPD merged with PBSO in August 2008.

Give it up already. Once and for all. Lake Worth IS NOT & NEVER WAS a “sanctuary city”

Please Note: There’s an update below.

Even reporters who should know better are leaving the door open that Lake Worth is a “sanctuary city”. This nonsense was debunked in 2015 on this blog.

Question: In 5+ years of searching has one single piece of documentation ever been produced that Lake Worth IS a sanctuary city? No. Not one. Zero. So there.

And is it proper journalistic method to have elected leaders, City Manager Michael Bornstein, and City staff prove a negative?

But. . . If. . . And. . . !

BUT if you want to believe Lake Worth is a sanctuary city because we have the Guatemalan Maya Center here in Lake Worth. . . a lot of people think the Town of Jupiter is a sanctuary city too because the El Sol Resource Center is located in that city.

So, IF you want to misinform the public and immigrants as well, at least get the word out there are two options available for sanctuary. . . and Lake Worth is only one.

AND the El Sol Resource Center is really good at social media too AND apparently El Sol has much more modern facilities as well:

• To contact El Sol use this link.
• Address: 106 Military Trail, Jupiter, Florida 33458
• Hours: Monday–Saturday, 6:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.; Sunday, 7:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
• Phone: 561-745-9860
• Email: contactus@friendsofelsol.org
• They’re also on Facebook.
• And on Twitter too!

UPDATE: Here’s the latest about El Sol Resource Center from an article in the Post titled, “Jupiter is not a ‘sanctuary city,’ say officials”:

Jupiter, the home of El Sol Neighborhood Resource Center, is not a sanctuary community, say local officials.

Click for live link to City Commission meeting - 6/16

These are some rough notes taken while listening to the meeting.

Lisa Wilson, director of the Resource Center, is about to give her presentation - this is the group that runs the operation in the city's shuffleboard court building. She is talking about "stimulus grants." The Energy Efficient Jobs Block Grant is the program - training in green jobs and then placement in green jobs. Training will be for all Lake Worth residents and in two or more languages. Benefits: Green Workforce. Classes would be in the shuffleboard court building. Trained, tested and certified - then some can go into the small business development center after that. Percentage of funding from city would leverage other funding - she is asking for city money here. She estimates that "a lot more" jobs would be created.

Costs: Training certification $50,000 - 45 Lake Worth residents could take class. Have to train the instructor $1,500 - then the balance could be used to create energy auditors. Plus another $20,000 for administration 57 green jobs ready for Lake Worth residents. She is talking with PBCC.

Questions: Jennings - total number of residents in database now that are seeking employment 1,200. How many people are you placing? Increasing month over month, from February through end of April 300 jobs, some full time permanent. "Can't live off a day job." How would you determine who would be one of the 57 people that could take part of the program? She has to give it a lot more thought - might have a Spanish and an English only class. Mulvehill - demand for jobs placed - 100 a month, are there categories that are hiring - there is no trend. Most are residents from around the County that need a helping hand at home. Is there green job demand? This is part of a vision. They have looked at Richmond (this came from Jennings) - she says its coming. Lowe: Employers are coming from all over - are the people that you are helping Lake Worth residents - it's a prerequisite for people looking for work - must be Lake Worth residents. Mayor Clemens - Would like a presentation on what is going on there, not just to talk about a grant program. That was his expectation when he asked for a presentation earlier. Questions about recruiting and marketing - most recruiting is done by volunteers at the center. The Center would also use a "training company" that would participate in the grant-related program. Mulvehill - market to get job placement rather than recruitment. It's a "multi-service" center - this would allow recruitment to all Lake Worth residents, that hasn't really been done yet. Jennings: Apologizes for having her focus on the grant program and not their current functions (smokescreen?) Funding from city - looking for money from city beyond the rent, utilities etc that are already subsidized. Free to the participants.

They're going to be talking about it later in the agenda under New Business.

Nothing was pulled of the Consent Agenda - approval was unanimous. The item on the Gulfstream (yet another appeal by Charles Celi) that was on the agenda was postponed to next Monday, the last day of the 90 period to hear the appeal.

There are two grants that would go in for Block Grant money - one for the Resource Center and one for the utility department - "pre-paid meters." Mayor is asking if partial funding would be o.k. for the center - like $35,000.

National Small Business Week Events in Lake Worth

The City of Lake Worth, in conjunction with the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency, the Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce and the Lake Worth Resource Center invites the general Public to a free professional Business Development Workshop at the Lake Worth Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse (One 7th Avenue North) this Friday, May 15, 2009. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

The comprehensive workshop is designed to assist local businesses expand their opportunities and Survive the economic slowdown. Representatives from the Counselors to America's Small Business (SCORE), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), and the Office of Small Business Development Centers (SBDC), the Business Loan Fund of the Palm Beaches, the Lake Worth Building Department, The Greater Lake Worth Chamber and City of Lake Worth will be giving lectures and answering Questions. The Mobile Business Assistance Center (MAC) vehicle will be available at the event in the Morning and in the downtown area, in the afternoon, to provide additional information and resources.

For more information, contact the Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency at 561-493-2550 or via email at etheodossakos@lakeworth.org. Seating is limited.

The Lake Worth Resource Center (1121 Lucerne Avenue) will host an Emerging Entrepreneur Workshop Targeted for anyone interested in starting a business, or has an existing business and needs help. This Workshop will be available in English and Spanish.

Thursday, May 21st 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
How to Get Up and Running - Diana Delhumeau, Certified Business Analyst

For more information on this workshop, contact the Lake Worth Mentoring Center at 561-366-9440 or via email at lwilson@thementoringctr.org

Additional Workshops will be held at the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce (501 Lake Avenue).
Monday, May 18 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
How to Get Free Press for Your Business - Phil Scruton, Small Business Development Center

Tuesday, May 19 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon
Bidding on Government Contracts - Mike Bell, Small Business Development Center

Wednesday, May 20th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Quickbooks Overview/Tutorial - Ted Deret, Deret Financial

Friday, May 22nd 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Marketing Your Business in a Tough Economy - Greta Schulz, Proactive Training

For more information on the additional workshops hosted by the Chamber of Commerce,
Contact 561-582-4401 or via email at lwchamber@lwchamber.com. Reservations are required.

Big Item - Little Notice - Again! DAY LABOR CENTER

Here's the agenda for this coming Tuesday's City Commission meeting:




Look what appears as Item N. on the Consent portion of the agenda (highlighted above): A lease agreement between the Mentoring Center, Inc. and the city for use of a portion of the Shuffleboard Courts building to serve as a "resource center."

You might recall the Jennings, Golden and Clemens vote to pursue a lease with a non-profit organization to operate a DAY LABOR CENTER out of the city's shuffleboard court building. This was about 4 months ago or so. The motion directed Commissioner Jennings to work out the details and come back with a lease that addressed some of the concerns raised at the meeting. I was one who spoke at that particular meeting and I brought up certain zoning/process issues that needed to be addressed prior to the establishment of a facility - if that indeed is what we want to do as a city. I also voiced my concern about the city aiding in the potential exploitation of workers who might access work through this program - in terms of physical injury (or worse) and how do we know that these people are being paid a fair wage. By letting this group use a city facility, it would be as if the city is sanctioning and encouraging this activity.

If nothing else, Commissioner Jennings has mastered the art of obfuscation - the ability to hide controversial items - buried in the Consent portion of the agenda and with no discernible obvious mention of what actually is being allowed there through this lease. "Resource Center" is much more of a politically palatable combination of words than "DAY LABOR CENTER" I guess making issues difficult to be aware of and to discuss is o.k. if she wants something controversial passed - you won't hear any mention of workshops or special meetings or things "moving too fast" this time. No, she'll present this as if it's ready to go, all the Commission needs to do is approve the consent agenda.

Commissioner Jennings - I am very disappointed.

I am also disappointed that no where do I see the issue of zoning and land use addressed. Commissioner Jennings acknowledged that this would be an issue the city would have to deal with and it was one of the items to be addressed in the interim. This lack of addressing the zoning and land use issues is in stark contrast to the detail and time Commissioner Jennings lavished on the land use and zoning change for the beach. I guess here it's not as important since it doesn't further her aims.

No, these are not insurmountable issues related to zoning and land use. There are ways, which I will lay out, that would be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and consistent with proper planning/zoning practice. By bringing these issues up, I am sure that Commissioner Jennings would say that I am just being an "obstructionist" and not wanting the labor center to happen. Well, we know what happens when the city doesn't follow the proper procedure on controversial topics - lawsuits ensue, delays happen and money is spent in defense of an action that could have been prevented. I guess if that's what Commissioner Jennings wants - the city to be mired in lawsuits - maybe that is one way that she can promote her anarchist agenda.

Anyway, here are the Comprehensive Plan, land use and zoning issues related to this proposal. First, it's always good to get a sense of the physical surroundings of where we are talking about. This aerial is taken from Google Earth - north is the top of the image. The FEC railroad tracks run north/south through the picture. Just to the left of the tracks - west - is the parking lot for the Shuffleboard Courts and building. The green areas in the middle of the image are the Shuffleboard Courts themselves. At the right edge of the picture, you can see City Hall.

The map below is a page taken from the city's Comprehensive Plan. By way of review, Comprehensive Plans are mandated by the State of Florida. Local governments can amend them up to twice a year. The plans and all amendments to them are ultimately reviewed and approved by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) - if found consistent with other parts of the plan and reflective of the state and regional Comprehensive Plans. Areas throughout the city are assigned future land use designations. These are broader and more general than zoning districts - and subject to DCA approval.

The Future Land Use Map below shows a more detailed view of the area surrounding Lake and Lucerne Avenues - our downtown area - and the areas assigned a variety of future land use designations. This map doesn't have a north arrow. If it did, it would be pointing to the left.
Remember to click on the image to see greater detail.

Now, let's focus on the two publicly owned (by the City of Lake Worth) properties in this area: City Hall and the Shuffleboard Court property (which includes the building, the parking lot and the shuffleboard courts.) City Hall has a future land use designation of "P" for "Public" and the Shuffleboard Court property has a future land use designation of "PROS" for "Public Recreation and Open Space". Alert readers will recall that the future land use designation was formerly "PROS". It is now "Beach and Casino" after the creation of a new future land use designation and the creation of new language. This change was reviewed and eventually approved by DCA - however a court case is pending regarding whether or not the property can be subject to a referendum on the land use and zoning change - but that's another story.

Below is a portion of the Future Land Use element of the Comprehensive Plan and the governing language for these two land use designations:


So we see from the above that a "P" future land designation is more permissive as it includes the broader category of municipal facilities - which is spelled out in greater detail in the zoning code. The zoning code is what implements the future land use designation in the Comprehensive Plan. The "PROS" designation is much more restrictive and only allows "parks and other outdoor open space areas intended for active use." Note the end line in both future land use designations: "...should not be used for other than public recreation/public purposes without careful consideration of the most appropriate use and a properly enacted amendment to the land use plan."

The following gets a little complicated but the key point you have to remember is that the current future land use designation and zoning district do not allow DAY LABOR CENTERs. A change to the Comprehensive Plan and the zoning designation need to be made to allow DAY LABOR CENTERs. There are two ways to do that - but none are currently proposed.

These are the critical points:

• The current "PROS" land use and zoning designation of the property do not permit Day Labor Centers. It is my belief that these designations best reflect the use of the property as an active recreation center.
  
• If the existing land use and zoning designations stay in place, then the language in the Comprehensive Plan has to change to allow Day Labor Centers in the "PROS" district. That would open up all parks in the city to Day Labor Centers.
• A new future land use designation and zoning district could be created that tailors the specific use of a Day Labor Center to the property. Doing this on such a small, disconnected property would be sanction what is referred to as "spot zoning". This term has been used in connection to the beach which is not an accurate reflection of the reality of it being an 18+ acre parcel of land. Applying a brand new land use designation and zoning district is not proper planning practice.
• The city could change the future land use designation to "P", which is the same designation carried by the City Hall property. I believe this would be consistent with the use of this public property as a recreation and administrative center for the city. Recently, there have been discussions regarding the eventual moving of City Hall further west and this property has been identified as a possible location. A future land use designation of "P" would best reflect the current and proposed use of the property - as well as the potential future use. This would follow good planning practice - but would also involve a future land use map change which is an amendment to the city's Comprehensive Plan.
• If the future land use designation is changed to "P", then the property would also need to be rezoned to "P" which is the corresponding zoning district to implement the land use designation.
• Changes would need to be made to the "P" zoning district in order for the language to support and allow Day Labor Centers.
• Additionally, that specific use "Day Labor Center" should really be made a use that is permitted through a "Special Use Permit". This would require an additional level of standards that could be applied in the review of the application before the Planning and Zoning Board.

What appears below is a zoning map (locally determined) of the immediate area.

• 

Below is the language for the "PROS" zoning district. It is VERY restrictive - allowing only outdoor active recreation facilities. The existing building - enclosed - is a non-conformity - but adding a DAY LABOR CENTER to the building would be increasing the non-conformity - a big no-no in planning practice.

The language below is the regulating language of the zoning district "P" - which would need to be amended if the property was rezoned from "PROS" to "P" in order to permit Day Labor Centers.

Of course, Commissioner Jennings would like you to ignore this situation completely. In reality, much of this could have already been underway if the city had the foresight and the staff to react normally to situations that require a change in the future land use designations and rezonings.

Let me know if you have any questions or if there is something I can clarify or amplify. I'll chat more about this tonight on my Truth Matters show.