West Palm Beach Mayor Muoio chatting in her office this earlier this week...

The WPB Mayor talks about a change in the economic development staff and how that position will be taken up by one of her assistants after October 1. I'm not sure what she means by being a "go to" person. She also talks about the Chapel-by-the-Lake property and how she thinks that the the 20+ story project is too "blocky" - sounds like she would like to see two towers. Interesting to note that there is no height limit on the property. The main issue seems to be the size of the building relative to the small setbacks. There is acknowledgement that something will be built there, which is how you have to look at a project some times. What is the next best thing that could be put there and is it waiting for the other opportunity? We also hear that they expect $1.5 billion worth of investment in the form of property improvements over the next five years. But this doesn't mean that suddenly the city is flush with money. They have similar pension issues as our own.

As far as a critique of the video itself, Mayor Muoio is rather soft-spoken and does not come off as a forceful presence. Those of us not "in the know" - meaning outside of West Palm Beach politics - don't know the gentleman "interviewing" the Mayor. So we have to ask the question, "Just who is this guy?" It might have been more effective had she just talked to a still camera. And we also are left asking where are the real reporters from the local media? But I give her credit for reaching out to her constituents this way. It is what I encouraged the group of Palm Beach County city managers to do at least for five minutes once a week. I also think that the City of West Palm Beach could afford to get the videographer a tripod. But the shakiness is somewhat endearing.