Saturday, March 31, 2007

Well-wishes and kind thoughts...

Here is an assortment of some of the responses I have received since Tuesday. Thank you for your expressions of appreciation and support. It really does mean a lot to me and I am humbled by your response.




Wes,

We are so disappointed by the election results in your race but
congratulateyou for a great, positive campaign. We hope you'll try again in the
futureas we believe you would make a great public servant for LW.Keep in touch
and get some much deserved rest.

Best Regards,


Vicki Wooldridge & JoAnn Ferrieri



You did a hell of a job, but as you said the other dissenters went over to her
side. You did a first rate campaign !

Dave and Steve

Hey Wes-

Just want to congratulate you for giving the campaign 200% and
let you know how appreciative everyone is for your efforts.

Now get some
rest!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU DESERVE IT :-)

Sincerely--

Bill Martin


This is just a small set back, hang in there, you need to get to the Bar
more often and start persuading those sorry few that did not see it your way.


Good effort,

Marc
Marc Federau, LIC






Hi Wes:

Before going to bed last night, I checked the Palm Beach
Supv of Elections web site, and saw that you had narrowly lost yesterday’s
runoff election.

I was sorry to see the news – I know you worked
extremely hard, and from what I saw and heard you did everything right. I’m sure
it’s particularly disappointing when you worked so hard and when the race
consequently became such a major part of your life.

But for a first
attempt I think you did great – you were one of the two finalists, and even then
lost by only 4 percentage points.

I hope you don’t give up – I know that
the majority of candidates aren’t elected the first time around, but instead
their first race establishes them in peoples’ minds, so that they’re not a
stranger next time around.

Approximately half of the voters in Lake
Worth found you to be the best candidate in your first time out, and I think
that’s quite a compliment.
If you choose, I’m sure you can build on that in
the future.

Congratulations on a great race. Hopefully you gain some satisfaction
knowing how well you did as a newcomer to Lake Worth electoral politics, and
hopefully you’re comfortable that you did the best you could as the new face on
the ballot.

Take care – Paul

By the narrowest of margins the good folks of Lake Worth lost a battle
yesterday. You can rest assured it was not for a lack of trying on your part, as
we were very proud of your drive, dedication, stamina and perseverance during
what seemed like a never ending race.

Despite the vote, you are a valuable asset to LW and even though this particular door has closed (for now), there is another opening just ahead.

Call when you catch your breath and if you need ANYTHING just let us know.

Love ya long time!

M
& C + a



HEY WES, ITS TAZ. I AM SO SADDENED THAT YOU DID NOT WIN THE SEAT. I HOPE YOU WILL NOT GIVE UP THE FIGHT HOWEVER. LAKE WORTH TRULY DOES NEED YOUR STRENGTH AND INTELLIGENCE.
Wes and Jo Ann,

I am sorry the results were not in your favor on Tuesday. You ran a great campaign and I am sure your issues and leadership will continue to resonate in the city.

Best wishes,
Rick

FYI: The reference above to "Jo Ann" relates to my campaign consultant.

Friday, March 30, 2007

Swearing-in 3:30 p.m. Today at City Hall

Here is the last of the former Commission prior to the opening of the meeting.

Former Mayor Marc saying good-bye.

Former Commissioner Burns gives her farewell.


Our new Mayor Jeff Clemens being sworn-in.


Jo-Ann Golden takes the oath of office.

Pictures from Run-off Election Day


Here we are at the beginning of the day. This is Matt Thomkins and Mike Calhoun showing the colors at St. Andrews Episcopal.

I spent some time with Retha and the 9th Avenue South and E Street precinct. This was right before lunch and the barbecue was already going strong.
Here's Coach Nancy with Angus. She just got off work and suited Angus up for a walk in appropriate attire for the day.
Here's Angus' better side, showing the colors.

Here's our new Mayor - didn't know that then.

The Drautz - Golden folks.

Adios Nancy and Angus, thanks for dropping by!

Refreshing...

Whatever you do, make it an offering to me – the food you eat, the sacrifices you make, the help you give, even your suffering. – Bhagavad Gita

We can’t give anyone joy or security by increasing her bank account or adding to his collection of vintage wines. Of course, a well-chosen gift given at the right time is always welcome, but whatever the gift, we should guard against the nagging expectation of getting something in return. The moment we expect reward or recognition, we are making a contract.

Even parents and children suffer from this contractual relationship. Parents can help their children tremendously by avoiding the “I did this for you, therefore you do that for me” approach, encouraging them instead to follow their own star.

In the spiritual lore of India, it is said that God whispered only one word in our ears when he sent us into the world: “Give.” Give freely of your time, your talent, your resources; give without asking for anything in return. This is the secret of living in joy and security.

The Thought for the Day is today's entry from Eknath Easwaran's Words to Live By. (Copyright 1999 and 2005 by The Blue Mountain Center of Meditation.)

Thursday, March 29, 2007

Run-off Results by Precinct - District #3 Race



Remember, you can click on the images to make them larger and more legible.

Link to replay of Lunch Box Show - the day after the election


Just click here and you can hear my appearance on the Lunch Box show with Walter Baker and Jim Stafford - the day after the election (look for "Lunch Box 3 28 on the play list). Thanks for inviting me over guys, it was nice to chat with you. I'm looking forward to starting my weekly show on LakeWorthTalk.com. I am thinking of calling it "Truth Matters".

As soon as I have the day and time of the show, you all will be the first to know!

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

Letter from the State of Florida regarding the City's Evaluation and Appraisal Report


You might remember, back in January, the City sent up a very large and exhaustive report evaluating and appraising the status of our existing Comprehensive Plan. This is required every seven years and is a preliminary step to the re-writing of our Comprehensive Plan. You might also recall that the Mayor, and to a lesser degree Commissioner Jennings, thought we were sending up an incomplete document that required more study and public meetings. The Mayor even made a remark that here is Lake Worth sending up something that is inadequate and just plain "wrong".
Well, ladies and gentleman, here is the response from the State of Florida saying that the Evaluation and Appraisal Report is "sufficient" - bureaucratic speak for a "clean bill of health". So, another check in the victory column and another step forward for the City of Lake Worth.

Timeline for Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations

This is just in from the consultants regarding the review schedule for the new Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. I'll let you know what the meeting schedule is when I find out.

Impossible Dream...


To dream the impossible dream
To fight the unbeatable foe
To bear with unbearable sorrow
To run where the brave dare not go
To right the unrightable wrong
To love pure and chaste from afar
To try when your arms are too weary
To reach the unreachable star
This is my quest
To follow that star
No matter how hopeless
No matter how far
To fight for the right
Without question or pause
To be willing to march into Hell
For a heavenly cause
And I know if I'll only be true
To this glorious quest
That my heart will lie peaceful and calm
When I'm laid to my rest
And the world will be better for this
That one man, scorned and covered with scars
Still strove with his last ounce of courage
To reach the unreachable star

Queen - We are the Champions


I've paid my dues
Time after time
I've done my sentence
But committed no crime
And bad mistakes
I've made a few
I've had my share of sand kicked in my face
But I've come through

We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions - of the world

I've taken my bows
And my curtain calls
You brought me fame and fortune
and everything that goes with it
I thank you all
But it's been no bed of roses
No pleasure cruise
I consider it a challenge before the whole human race
And I ain't gonna lose

Won and won and won
We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers '
Cause we are the champions - of the world

We are the champions - my friends
And we'll keep on fighting - till the end
We are the champions
We are the champions
No time for losers
'Cause we are the champions

Carole King - Sweet Seasons


1. Sometimes you win sometimes you lose,
and sometimes the blues
just get a hold of you
just when you though you had made it.
All around the block people will talk,
but I want to give it all that I've got
I just don't want, I don't want to waste it.

Chorus:

Talkin' 'bout sweet seasons on my mind.
Sure does appeal to me.
You know you can get there easily, just like a sailboat sailin' on the sea.

2. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose,
and most times you choose between the two
wonderin', wonderin' if you have made it.
But I'll have some kids and make my plans,
and I'll watch the seasons running away
and I'll build me a life in the open, a life in the country.

Chorus:

Talkin' 'bout sweet seasons, talkin' 'bout sweet, sweet, sweet seasons Talkin' 'bout ...... (repeat and fade)

Run-off Election Results...

District #3
Wes Blackman total Votes 1702

Jo-Ann Golden total Votes 1886

Mayor
Jeff Clemens total Votes 1900

Marc Drautz total Votes 1751

Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Palm Card to Take to Polls

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

More Information from Last Thursday's Debate and Last Sunday's Interview

If you are still undecided, or if you want to see how the debate went at the Osborne Center last Thursday - here it is from Lake Worth Talk.com. Just click here and it will direct you to the proper page. Let me know if you have any problems watching it, but more importantly, let me know what your concerns and questions are regarding the content.

And, check out my interview on Sunday night on Lake Worth Talk.com. Click here for that. By the way, my opponent has refused any interview with Jim Stafford - except for one that took place earlier in the campaign season. I encourage you to listen to that interview, as well. Just scroll through the various programs and look for J-A Golden. Most informative.

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

Monday, March 26, 2007

More Pics from Pridefest - Sunday

Here is Maura Hennesey and me in the staging area before starting out in the parade. Nice outfit dear!

There's "Coach" Nancy on the sidelines cheering us on. What a nice crowd along Lake Avenue!

Here's a view from me as I walked the parade - Lake Worth looking pretty good and lots a great folks watching it all take place.


Here's Jim Stafford of Lake Worth Talk.com. He took some of his time to volunteer at my booth.


First Place for Most Imaginative political signage goes to Ruben Batista - a pen and t-shirt dot matrix. Thanks Ruben!!


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

Sunday, March 25, 2007

Another Endorsement

This is one of the gentlemen that interviewed Jeff and me on Radio Bob's show on Saturday. At the end of the interview, he gave his endorsement to our campaigns, as did Radio Bob. Thanks Wismik and thanks to Radio Bob. We had a great discussion and I would love to establish a sister City program and be part of a delegation to St. Marks, Haiti.

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

Pridefest at Bryant Park







Pictures from today. Come by my campaign booth and say "Hi" - I'll be in the parade and will be stopping by now and then. Great to see and visit with a lot of good people today. Thanks for all of your support!

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

Volunteers Ready to March

The "Check Wes" volunteers organized at my house this morning looking snappy in their "Check Wes T-Shirts" - look for them at your house soon. Two crews went out today, more tomorrow. I'll be wearing down the shoe leather in the afternoon too. Hope to see you all and get a chance to chat!

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

Sign of the Times...

Harry's getting into the spirit of things - Thanks Harry, at least up there it's a little more difficult to steal my sign!
"Political advertisement paid for and approved by Wes Blackman for Commissioner – District #3"