Unanimous. Weak. And very sad.

Use this link to learn more about what happened last night at the Lake Worth City Commission meeting vis-à-vis agenda item 9G, “Resolution 50-2017 - supporting the C-51 boat lift”.

This item was on the Consent Agenda and moved to “New Business” by Mayor Pam Triolo and Commissioner Omari Hardy agreed.

Although the vote was a unanimous “Yes” for this resolution, with direction to City Attorney Glen Torcivia to add some clarifying language concerning an agreement signed with the South Florida Water Management District 31 years ago, this meeting will be one remembered for a long time; a black eye for our City for which we’ll take long to recover.

If you happen to be a resident, city official or elected representative from the Town of Lake Clarke Shores, or the City of Greenacres, or any other municipality that’s supportive or excited about the Blueway Trail and for a long time have distrusted the City of Lake Worth or were reluctant to partner with us, don’t blame you. You have good reason not to trust us, especially after what happened last night. It was a disgrace.

In November 2016 the City went out of its way to create the C-51 Advisory Committee (CAC) at the urging of Mayor Pam Triolo:

[F]ive member committee composed of one member appointed by the Mayor and one member appointed by each City Commissioner.

Every issue brought up last night could have been settled long ago by CAC. But that board directed to “meet as necessary or as requested by the City Commission or the City Manager” wasn’t even mentioned last night although one member of that board showed up in opposition to the C-51 boat lift project.

Why wasn’t CAC consulted or directed to answer questions or concerns prior to last night’s meeting? Was Kim DeLaney, PhD, asked to attend the meeting last night to answer any concerns or questions? In the image below, seated, facing, wearing glasses is Dr. DeLaney from the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council.

CAC meeting on August 9th, the first and only meeting ever since being formed last year.

Why take so long in this process to “raise the question” about documents from over 30 years ago? Wasn’t a former commissioner roundly criticized for using this very same tactic, “raising the question”
to scuttle City business?

The unanimous vote last night was secured by commissioners Omari Hardy and Andy Amoroso. Hardy lost his temper last night (see link to video below) and the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

You could see Amoroso was very displeased as well how this resolution was handled but he stayed cool and took control just at the right time. Hardy was angry because he had every reason to be angry and then brought up the issue everyone so far has been careful to avoid, but now it’s out there: socioeconomics, race, class, access, and privilege. But more on that later.

Last night can be summed up using this link to the City’s video of the meeting, one segment that stands out in particular.

To everyone out there supportive and excited about the Blueway Trail project, you need to contact commissioners Andy Amoroso and Omari Hardy. They both saved the day and you need to say to them, “Thank You”.