Realistic expectations tonight in Lake Worth for presentations of the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) respondents

First, no one will be putting their hands on THE BEACH! Second, no vote is being taken. And third, this is a meeting about IDEAS to fix the failed business model at the Casino complex. Why are some so frightened of ideas?

"Keep our Lake Worth BEACH PUBLIC!"

"They're stealing our Public BEACH!"

"Greedy Developers!"

Some have cleverly manipulated the public into believing something false. Like this SHOCKING! page in a now-defunct tabloid published days before the last election:

Here is an excerpt about the up-coming meeting from a Kevin Thompson article in The Palm Beach Post that doesn't do much to help the situation:

     Since the site was restored three years ago and had its Roaring Twenties opening in March 2013, the city has said it’s having a hard time paying back the $6 million it borrowed to fix the building, mainly because the site doesn’t have enough tenants.
     This past year, the city officially began soliciting inquiries from companies interested in developing the space, but many residents have said they’re concerned because the city is having discussions with developers before determining if the ideas being posed make sense.

The building wasn't restored or "fixed"; it was over 90% demolished. As a result of the lack of oversight on the city's part it really does need fixing now. Nowhere in the article is the second floor of the Casino mentioned (the biggest mistake in the original business plan), just that the building "doesn't have enough tenants". The city borrowed from its utility fund and is not paying the money back as promised due to a flawed business plan. 

The city issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) in order to evaluate "fixes" to that plan (by a previous city commission) which include renting what was planned to be a second floor up-scale restaurant tenant. The ITN was also an open-ended, frank 'invitation' to look at improving other facilities at the Casino complex such as the operation of the pool (in the red for $100,000+ last year).

It was at the urging of Annabeth Karson and Laurence McNamara, echoed by Commissioners McVoy and Mulvehill, that we need not go with a two story restaurant (Johnny Longboats wanted the space for a two-story restaurant) as the space was so "unique" and the views "fantastic." Nearly three years later that restaurant has yet to materialize and that 'wonderful' space remains empty. 

So, please, go into this meeting with an open mind with the expectation that new information may be provided that helps fix the financial and operational issues at the Casino complex. The past emotional appeals to pity and bandwagon mentality do nothing but contribute to the problem. Educate yourself.