PBC - Board of County Commissioners Approve Interlocal Agreement

On Tuesday, October 17, the Board of County Commissioners approved the Interlocal Agreement between the City and the County - allowing the City to access $5 million of fund from the 2002 Cultural and Parks Facilities bond. This money will be used in concert with City, State and private funds to improve the public infrastructure needed to renovate the City's beach park.

About 20 or so Lake Worth people attended the meeting - all speaking in favor of the funding contribution from the County, with some mentioning the need to safeguard public access and parking. The following are my remarks made at the meeting:

Good morning, Commissioners, my name is Wes Blackman - a Lake Worth resident and candidate for the Lake Worth District #3 Commission seat.

I would like to give a couple of "thank yous" this morning. First of all, thanks to the citizens of Palm Beach County for approving the Parks and Cultural Facilities Bond referendum in 2002. I happen to be involved in the Courthouse Restoration project going on next door that also received funds from the bond issue. Secondly, thank you for reserving $5 million of the bond issue for redevelopment of the City of Lake Worth beach park. The Lake Worth beach can be an even greater contributor to the quality of life for residents and visitors alike with these funds.

Do we, as a City, have more work to do? - Yes.

Do we, as a City, have issues to address? - Yes.

What you have before you today represents one important step in the overall process.

But I am confident that we can do what we have set out to do as a community, put this project behind us and get on with other things.

I urge you to approve the Interlocal agreement today. Thank you.

"Political advertisement paid for and approved by Wes Blackman for Commissioner – District #3"