On Lake Worth’s bond referendum last Tuesday, our reverse osmosis plant, and why the tap water smells. . . still fixing bad decisions by the previous City administration.

“We’ve been looking to do things that build trust with residents.”
—Quote by Lake Worth City Manager Michael Bornstein, article in today’s (11/14) Palm Beach Post.


This quote by Bornstein delves nicely with this message to voters from Mayor Pam Triolo prior to Lake Worth’s bond referendum passing by an overwhelming margin:

“Nobody wants higher taxes. I’ve fought to prevent ever raising them. I’ve even prevented assessments on things like our new street lighting by finding an alternate solution like energy efficiency and a performance contract that pays for the renovations with the energy savings as opposed to an assessment.
     Our streets are in disrepair and there is no pot of money and they are only going to get worse. We can fix it long term and catch up on decades of neglect and then budget our maintenance and repairs as other cities have done for decades. Or we can fall behind for decades again. The only reason I support this bond is that there is no alternative.
     I’ve seen the true facts. Many of those that oppose bonds are the same people that obligated us to a 30 year bond for our reverse osmosis (RO) water treatment plant. You didn’t get to vote for that did you? It was a revenue bond that doesn’t require a vote. You are paying for it now on your water bill. Did you notice?
     Along with deferring increased payments from 2009 to 2015 they never included the distribution system. Which means the city’s best, cleanest water never gets to your home thanks to the pipes they never included in that bond.
     We are addressing that now on our daily dime, and it’s disingenuous to say ‘No’ to all 30 year bonds that you have to vote for, and not for another bond some commissions have chosen to fulfill their pet projects without giving you a voice.
     Make no mistake, the story of RO is long and I am now a fan of our team, but I would have liked a choice. You have one today for roads. In the open. No deferral. All alternatives have been researched and ironically the ‘opposers’ to the bond have offered no solutions in 2 years.
     Please make a choice you can live with. What we all can. Thanks so much for your consideration.”

Now you know the rest of the story. The one you’ll never read about in the Post. What previous City administration chose to “fulfill their pet projects without giving you a voice”? Here they are:

Recognize anyone?