Commissioner Cara Jennings' Private Club

You know, many people may find this hard to believe, but I was a Cara Jennings supporter during the last election cycle for District #2. Many may ask how this could be in that we are apparently so different ideologically and have opposing views on many issues. Well let me tell you why I voted for her last time and, just in case you're not getting the message through this blog, why I am not voting for her this time and why you shouldn't either.

During my long involvement in City and civic activities, particularly my involvement with the Planning, Zoning and Historic Preservation Board, I got to know Cara Jennings. Cara Jennings was someone who would come to many of our P&Z meetings and express her positions regarding various issues - and at that time, it was usually with what appeared to be sincerity and she did represent a segment of the community that wasn't really represented. She also showed that she was involved, followed meetings and was working for something - that part was a little vague. But, compared to her run-off opponent at the time, at least showed a track record of involvement in city meetings, issues and activities.

I also thought Commissioner Cara Jennings supported the concept of public input in the decision making process. How wrong I was about that! I remember, when I was still on the Planning and Zoning Board, getting involved in a heated conversation with then Commissioner Cara Jennings and some of her followers outside of City Hall. The conversation revolved around the beach and about the Sunset property. Commissioner Cara Jennings, while talking a good game about public input, discounted the public process afforded through review by the Planning and Zoning Board.

She, Commissioner Cara Jennings, always wants to set up a "high noon at the O.K. Corral" scenario at the City Commission meeting. She really doesn't care that she could have gotten out the word to the public about the process leading up to the City Commission discussion - where details and items could be worked out in advance. No, she would rather take the opportunity to grandstand and filibuster ad nauseum and complain how there have to be workshops and special meetings and delays and lawsuits so that people know about the issue. So what Commissioner Cara Jennings is actually saying is that the volunteer boards that make recommendations to the Commission really don't matter, it only matters when she has the final "say so" - and then that's based upon her closely knit group of followers and supporters. Why can't she do more to acknowledge the importance of, and promote, the role of advisory board in leading to a recommendation to the Commission? I guess that isn't in the Anarchist agenda; something I should have realized before I voted the last time.

This was most recently displayed in her approval of the Day Labor Center in the Shuffleboard Court building without addressing the zoning of the property - which would have involved the public in the decision making process much more than just one or two meetings at the City Commission level. It might have helped to diffuse some of the hysteria surrounding the decision - but no, Commissioner Cara Jennings wanted it her way.

Now here is Commissioner Cara Jennings running for re-election and does she have an operable website? No! You have to be a member of her "private club" in order to get access. What is going on behind the veil? This I found out by visiting another local website today. Here are some examples:

Why all the secrecy Commissioner Cara Jennings? What's going on behind those closed doors? What are you cooking up for the City of Lake Worth? What are your band of disciples ready to unleash on an unsuspecting city? Where is the openness? Where is your blog? Where is your outreach to citizens? Where is your attention to the conditions in your own district? Why do you hide behind a firewall before your election? Why do you use the immense resources of major multi-media conglomerates to get out your message - like Cox Enterprises? What are you really about Commissioner Cara Jennings?

What is Cara Jennings really about? You'll have to be admitted to her private club to find out.