For those that think Commissioner McVoy "knows the Charter..."

There was a comment just left under another post which asserted that Commissioner McVoy "knows the Charter."  In recent campaign appearances, Commissioner McVoy has stated that it is impossible for the city to sell any part of the utility since "the Charter prevents it."

Well, Commissioner McVoy, lets look at what the Charter really says about that.  Under "Article IV - Administrative" appears this wording under Section 9:

Sec. 9. - Public utilities.

The city commission shall not sell, lease, transfer or convey or otherwise dispose of any public utility plant or plants owned by the city without the affirmative vote of a majority of the city electors upon an ordinance stating the terms and conditions of such sale, lease, transfer, conveyance, or disposition. 

So, dear readers, this language is consistent with the mantra we hear coming from this Commissioner on the height issue: "Let the people vote."  Far from prohibiting the sale of the utility, the Charter allows the sale through the affirmative vote of the electorate.  

And, while we are at it, in 1996 a referendum appeared on the ballot that passed which became part of the same Article as the above:

Sec. 11. - Building height limitation.

East of Dixie Highway within the city no building or part thereof shall be constructed which exceeds a vertical height of sixty-five (65) feet above grade. West of Dixie Highway within the city no building or part thereof shall be constructed which exceeds a vertical height of one hundred (100) feet above grade.

Only rarely do you hear anyone mention this provision since A) this appeared on the ballot and was added to the Charter by an affirmative vote of the electorate (i.e, the People spoke) and B) it doesn't fit in with preventing Lake Worth from becoming like Manhattan in some people's eyes.  It should also be noted that the Comprehensive Plan and the zoning code never were changed to allow a maximum height anywhere close to 100 feet anywhere in the city.

Furthermore, and Commissioner McVoy knows this as well since he has been part of various petition drives, the Charter can be amended through referendum by a petition process that is outlined within its own text.  So in many ways the Charter is a living and breathing document that is subject to the will and desire of the electorate at any given time.  What is or is not permitted now may not be what is or is not permitted in the future.

And, lest we not forget, the Charter also mandates that the City hire an Internal Auditor which reports to the City Commission.  The City hasn't had one since former City Manager Susan Stanton - fiercely supported by Commissioner McVoy - eliminated the position since "we didn't need anyone pointing out more problems."  Funding of that position was thought to be "optional" by the previous city attorney, based upon availability funds in the budget.  The position remains unfilled to this day.

Click here if you would like to review the various provisions of the Lake Worth City Charter yourself.

The following e-mail landed in my inbox early last evening.  I am humbled to report that this blog is included as one of five best blogs in Palm Beach County.  It won a similar title back in 2009 and there are those that think it is worthy of consideration again!  Congratulations also goes out to AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt for her Lake Worth Every Minute blog which is similarly nominated this year.  You have until October 26th to place your vote.  If you look in the right-hand column of the blog, you will find an image that by clicking on it will take you to the page where you can submit your vote.  I'll keep you posted as I am aware of further developments.

Here is the e-mail I received:

New Times' South Florida Web Awards

Congratulations, Wes!

I'm Alex Rodriguez, with the Miami and Broward-Palm Beach New Times. I'm pleased to inform you that you've been nominated for our first annual South Florida Web Awards!

You and other finalists were nominated for the best Palm Beach blog. We love your stuff! 

Winners will be announced at Fort Lauderdale's Greenroom, (109 SW 2nd Ave. Downtown Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312) on Saturday, November 3rd. We'll have more details to pass on as the date approaches.

In the meantime, add our button to your site so people can vote for you. Don't forget to post it on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram.

Feel free to use the hashtag #SFLwebawards with this short link to build awareness of your honor! http://bit.ly/sflwebawards

Congrats again. Now, get to voting. Good luck!

Alex Rodriguez

Assistant Web Editor

Announcement from the South Palm Park and Bryant Park Neighborhood Associations

Due to scheduling conflicts, the Boards of the South Palm Park and Bryant Park Neighborhood Associations have decided to change the format of our joint meeting on Monday, October 8th, 2012 held at Brogue’s Down Under.

We will not be having a candidate forum and would like to encourage all our neighbors to attend the "Great Debate" sponsored by the Neighborhood Association Presidents Council to be held at the Lake Worth Playhouse on October 22nd, 2012.

Instead, we have asked our Commissioner elect of District 4, John Szerdi to speak to us about issues he will be tackling as he takes office in November. He will take questions from the audience.

Start time for the joint meeting will remain 7:00 pm with a social hour from 6:00 to 7:00. The public is always welcome to attend any of our association meetings.

If you have any questions, please call 719-6696

Thank you

South Palm Park and Bryant Park Neighborhood Associations

The latest from the Jim Stafford Campaign - this time on the Park of Commerce...

This  is an excerpt from the question and answer session at last Wednesday's (10/3) Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce candidate forum.

Ted Brownstein, Lake Worth resident, history aficionado 10/05 by High Noon in Lake Worth | Blog Talk Radio

Tune in today (10/5) at 12 p.m. as I welcome Ted Brownstein to another edition of "High Noon in Lake Worth."  The focus of today's discussion will be the era prior to Lake Worth's incorporation, which will be reaching its Centennial next year.

Here is a little information about our guest, Ted Brownstein:

A long-time resident of Lake Worth, Florida, Ted has been active in community affairs, member of the Lake Worth Centennial Committee, co-founder of the Lake Worth Interfaith Network, organizer of Peace Jam for Earth Day, past president of Kiwanis, member of Lake Worth's Martin Luther King Day Committee and as a member of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Lake Worth.

His published writings span topics ranging from Interfaith Prayer to Insurance Company Insolvency to a light-hearted novel about Lake Worth’s social, spiritual and political life.

Ted is currently working on a new book, focusing on the history of Lake Worth during its little known Homestead Era. Entitled The Jewell Post Office and Other Untold Lake Worth Stories, the book will be a factual account of the forgotten pioneer-farmers who braved the swamp, the isolation and swarms of mosquitos decades before the founding of the City.

Click title for link to the show.  You can use the comment portion of this post below to ask questions that will be answered during the show, or you can call (646) 716-9545 during the live show.  The link will remain and direct you to the archived show after it airs.

For those of us who take ourselves a little too seriously...

Click here for latest edition of the City of Lake Worth's monthly newsletter...

The "Lake Worth-Y News" is "A Not-a-Blog Newsletter."  This will be included in all utility bills this month.  A glaring error appears right below the masthead on the first page - see below:

Election day is the 6th of November, which would be the regular City Commission first meeting of the month.  Here it is shown correctly on meeting and events calendar found on the city's website.

Commissioner McVoy's Riveting Repartee

This is from yesterday's (10/3) Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce Breakfast.  Commissioner McVoy informs us that he is uncomfortable being a politician and is more comfortable standing in water out in the Everglades.  He admits being a little bit unusual.  Makes one wonder why he is running for re-election to be a Commissioner in Lake Worth.  His "service" on the Planning and Zoning Board was for all of three meetings.  Saying "Don't blame them [South Florida Water Management District] for the water restrictions", sort of under his breath, makes one want to ask why we have our own reverse osmosis water plant and still are under the most strict water conservation rules of any city in Palm Beach County.  He also admits to having problems herding cats and that it is good for democracy that regular people run for office, which both things put together would indicate that perhaps he is not the best choice for Commissioner.  His flippant comment about talking to FPL and getting them to lower their rates so they are even with us ranks right up there with gallows humor.

Your thoughts?

Here's a picture of Commissioner McVoy interacting with one of his favorite constituents.

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Jim Stafford for Commissioner, District 2.

Mayor Pam Triolo's Comments and Assessment of the City before the Central Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce - 10/3

Tomorrow (10/4) 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. - Join Jim Stafford at the Cottage

We'll be singing karaoke and raising money for Jim's campaign for Commissioner District #2.

Suggested donation $50 couple, $35 single

First drink free (ticket) with donation, drink prices $5 each through event.

Come and enjoy hummus, tabbouleh, grape leaves, spinach artichoke dip, etc...

Don't miss out on Karaoke starting at 7:30pm!

Political advertisement paid for and approved by Jim Stafford for Commissioner, District 2.

Tennessee Williams

“What is straight? A line can be straight, or a street, but the human heart, oh, no, it's curved like a road through mountains.”

Cities: Be Who You Are — Only Better | Rust Wire

This article (click title for link) is from an on-line magazine that focuses on redevelopment in the industrial Mid-west.  It is authored by Dan Gilmartin who is CEO of the Michigan Municipal League.  He is talking about traveling and seeing all the wonderful aspects of other places, but realizing that sometimes the notion of transplanting what is successful elsewhere, to your community, may not be the best idea.  I thoroughly agree with his thesis.  Locally, many times people are caught saying "Lake Worth can be like Delray Beach someday."  No, we really can't and don't want to - but we can become a better Lake Worth.

TRNA | Meeting Reminder & Location Change

On Monday, October 1st at 7pm , the Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Association will be holding its monthly meeting at the Lake Worth Shuffleboard Courts. 

We hope to see you there!

Some pics from the Lake Worth Tropical Triathlon today...

4:30 a.m. wake-up this morning for the volunteer crews.  Thank you Lake Worth High School ROTC Cadets who guarded the side streets to keep traffic off the course.