News from Skyler Swisher: “Palm Beach County sheriff wants to add 100 deputies over next three years”.

“Skyler Swisher is a reporter covering Palm Beach County government. Before joining the Sun Sentinel, he wrote about health care for The Daytona Beach News-Journal. A native of Memphis, he is a graduate of the University of Tennessee.”

Here are two excerpts from this news article published this week:

Palm Beach County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw wants to add 100 deputies over the next three years, according to a budget proposal released Wednesday.
    Hiring hasn’t kept up with population growth and calls for service, according to Bradshaw’s request.

and. . .

     Palm Beach County Commissioner Dave Kerner, a former police officer, said adding deputies will be one of his top budget priorities. He said deputies too often must respond to calls without backup, potentially putting them in harm’s way.
     “I’ve worked the road as a police officer,” Kerner said. “I know what’s it like not to have a fully staffed shift, and it’s unacceptable.”

City Press Release: “First Neighborhood Road Program Project Complete”.

“The Neighborhood Road Program is in full swing and we’re currently in different phases of design on the remaining Year 1 and all of the Year 2 projects. Our great residents of the City have been waiting a long time for these substantial infrastructure improvements and now we finally get to see some fresh asphalt hit the road after years of program development. The City has an exciting four years ahead.”
—Jamie Brown, Director, City of Lake Worth Public Services.

For more information contact Ben Kerr, the Communications Specialist for the City of Lake Worth. Call 561-586-1631; email: bkerr@lakeworth.org

“On June 8th the first road project of the City of Lake Worth’s Neighborhood Road Program (NRP) was completed. The project included milling and resurfacing the roadway, thermoplastic striping and new curb ramps at the crosswalks along 14th Ave. South between Tropical Drive and Burton Road. This was one of three initial projects undertaken as part of the NRP, the other two projects currently under construction are Auburn Drive and Harbor Drive.
     Additional year 1 and year 2 projects are currently in design and a continued program of district-based public outreach meetings for each year of projects is providing useful feedback to the City from impacted residents. Construction on remaining year 1 Roadway Only projects should begin in September or October of this year. Year 1 projects involving underground construction are expected to be underway in November.”

Located in central Palm Beach County, Lake Worth is a dynamic, multi-cultural city with an individualistic style. People are drawn to the City by its acceptance of different cultures and lifestyles, historic districts, hip downtown and colorful arts district.

Breaking News in The Palm Beach Post: Insects, explosions, and snakes!

Do you know what “Clickbait” is?

Just went online to find out the latest news about the State Budget and other local news and here is some of the Breaking News from reporter Sandra Nortunen on the opening page of Post’s website:

• Woman complaining of ear tingling, headache gets startling surprise: “A woman in India with a headache and tingling in her ear ended up with a horrifying discovery once she made it to the doctor’s office.”
• Tractor-trailer explodes into ball of fire on Florida highway: “Pasco County Fire Rescue said the truck hit the rail around 5:30 p.m. and exploded along Interstate 75 in Dade City, according to the Tampa Bay Times.”
• Florida man shoots 120-pound python attacking his goat: “Scott Dame, of Naples, said his grandson alerted him to the situation when he saw the goat inside the python’s mouth, FOX 13 reported.”

By the way, if you want, you can subscribe to the Post and get “IN DEPTH COVERAGE” for only ¢99.

“REAL NEWS STARTS HERE”?

“Evening on the Avenues” has been cancelled tonight.

UPDATE:

The previous version of this press release from the City has been updated with more information. Please take note of the highlighted text below. As always, Thank You for visiting and supporting this blog. Question: How have you been progressing on your raft for the Raft Race?

Due to the unfavorable weather forecast for Friday, June 9th the City of Lake Worth has had to cancel Evening on the Avenues. On Friday, June 16th Screen on the Green will take the place of Evening on the Avenues with a free showing of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them [2016, PG-13; Starring: Lampros Kalfuntzos and Geeta Vij. Director: David Yates. Writer: J.K. Rowling]. Evening on the Avenues will return on Friday, June 23rd at the usual time.

The City apologizes for any inconvenience caused by this cancellation.

For more information and media inquiries, contact Ben Kerr, the City’s Communications Specialist at 561-586-1631; email: BKerr@lakeworth.org

There’s big news about Lake Worth High School.

Is it about a flea market under I-95? Scroll down below and find out after the latest news about this year’s July 4th activities in the City of Lake Worth.

Question: When was the last time you saw an ad or promotional information that was created and distributed about a flea market near Lake Worth High School? It’s not our city manager’s job. Who is supposed to be promoting the flea market and boosting attendance?

Spread the word! “The City of Lake Worth Presents July 4th”.

Are you a vendor or just want more information? Call 561-533-7395 or use this link to contact the City’s Dept. of Leisure Services.

Click on image to enlarge.

And don’t forget! After what the press and media did last year they are not invited to this year’s Great American Raft Race. However, once the race is over they are free to join our City’s Independence Day celebration.

What’s the big news about Lake Worth High School? Find out below.

The image is from “Palm Beaches Remembered”. Click on image to enlarge.

Is the big news about a nearby flea market under I-95? No. The BIG NEWS is the Lake Worth High School Trojans’ first football game is August 18th this year!

Do you remember “Lolly the Trolley”? Or the ferry from West Palm Beach to the Town of Palm Beach? Use this link to take a stroll down memory lane.

“Grab your fishing gear”. It’s the 2017 Lake Worth Lagoon Fishing Challenge. Learn more below.

Please Note: If you are a resident along the Indian River Lagoon you are invited to attend and participate as well as you await that “cusp of a fix” to clean up your water woes:

“It [Indian River Lagoon] has also been fouled by wastewater treatment plants that discharge into the lagoon, sewage spills from the plants during heavy rains, and leaky septic tanks.”
—Quote from Associated Press article by reporters Jason Dearen and Mike Schneider, datelined May 4th.

And to learn more, read about a reporter’s “Paddling the habitats of Lake Worth Lagoon”. County residents and visitors do a lot of kayaking here in Palm Beach County as well. Use this link to learn more about eco-tours and rentals or call 561-225-8250 to make a reservation today!

Click on image to enlarge:

For the 2017 Fishing Challenge rules and more details use this link.

“To collect fisheries information about the county’s largest estuary, Palm Beach County and its partners in the Lake Worth Lagoon Initiative will hold the second annual Lake Worth Lagoon Fishing Challenge from May 26 through July 9, 2017. The initiative is collaborating with the Snook & Gamefish Foundation and the West Palm Beach Fishing Club to host the challenge as a fun citizen science contest.”

Right-of-center, left-of-center, progressive, “political core”, those people and that group over there.

Lake Worth politics couldn’t have possibly gotten more bizarre than in the March 2016 elections. Hard to believe, but true, an Anarchist tried to position himself in the “mainstream”, or middle of the political spectrum in our City. It didn’t work. But that didn’t mean he didn’t try. 

This year the “bizarre” continued when those who’ve always been adored by some for being “out of the mainstream” like the former commissioner in District 2, Chris McVoy, PhD, shifted to the center hoping his supporters would say to themselves, “But I understand. He’s doing what he has to do to swing votes from the other side.” That didn’t work either. Enter the new District 2 Commissioner Omari Hardy.

Hope you enjoy the blog post below from March 2016, following the election loss of the Anarchist, Mr. Ryan Hartman. Enjoy!

A theory is gaining steam why the Anarchist Ryan Hartman lost so badly to Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell: His style makeover was just too disingenuous for the voters to believe or trust. Some voters certainly accepted his apology for his comments about shooting police officers but a complete makeover within days of announcing his candidacy from disheveled Anarchist to “I’m Chuck Bass” was just way over the top:



The video (see below) is one of Hartman and his campaign manager at the Lake Worth High School Library for a candidate forum that included Scott Maxwell. My guess is Maxwell was as surprised as everyone else was to see Hartman transition from this Hartman (image below) prior to his campaign kick-off to the Hartman you see in the video.

Mr. Ryan Hartman during public comment at the City Commission prior to announcing his candidacy.

Mr. Hartman in full, anti-establishment Anarchist-style with angry, piercing look and hands on hips. Read more about this style and his later makeover using this link.

Here is Hartman in a very short, 1½ minute video, following his makeover and take note: the person asking the question of Hartman is Yours Truly:



This video was lost in the mix on my YouTube channel and didn’t get much attention until after the 2016 elections. But it should have. It really gets into the mindset of Hartman, how he would have performed as an elected official, and how he likely views many neighborhoods and communities in this City.

He sees the people who show up at City Commission meetings as being mostly “right of center” and him and his followers as all “left of center”. He hasn’t gotten to know many of those who attend Commission meetings. To call them mostly on the “Right” in American politics is ludicrous.

On one issue in particular — sea level rise — Hartman tried to demonstrate how far out of the mainstream some elected officials in Lake Worth were, like Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell. Here is Maxwell’s position on sea level rise:

Does Maxwell’s position on sea level rise seem extreme to you?

However, the bigger question is why “sea level rise” was even a campaign issue to begin with? The public here in our City has gotten completely fed up with our politics being hijacked to try and tackle issues way beyond our control. The focus needs to be on fixing our own City, e.g., the streets and potholes.

The lesson hopefully learned by now is “Keep It [our City politics] Local!”

Inspiring presentation by Richard Reade at the Lake Worth City Commission last Tuesday.

To watch this presentation on YouTube use this link.

Here’s the headline in The Lake Worth Herald: “Lake Worth Celebrates 80 Years Council-Manager Form of Government”. An excerpt is below.

The Herald is still ¢50. Pick up the print edition tomorrow at the City’s newsstand located at 600 Lake Ave. An excerpt from the paper this week:

On Behalf of the Florida City & County Management Association (FCCMA) Palm Springs’ Village Manager Richard Reade presented Lake Worth with a certificate celebrating its 80th year as a Council Manager form of government as recognized by the International City/County Management Association (IMCA). Reade said, “On behalf of the officers, board of directors and membership of the FCCMA we offer our sincere congratulations on this milestone achievement!”
     Reade explained the Council-Manager form of government was created to help separate administration from direct political influence and establish merit-based practices within local government.
     It is modeled after a corporation’s framework with voters (shareholders) selecting a commission (board of directors) who in turn appoint a manager (professional executive) to advise the commission (board) and implement its actions (ordinances and policies).
     Reade praised Lake Worth as an excellent example of this form of government, not only through its residents and businesses, but also to surrounding cities within Palm Beach County and throughout the State of Florida.

Mr. Reade went on to praise the work done by our City Manager, Michael Bornstein. To read the entire article pick up the print edition tomorrow and say “Hello” to the proprietor as well.

What we learned at the City Commission meeting last Tuesday:

I can’t recall right now which one of our elected officials mentioned this on the dais, but. . .

Banyan Printing has been in the City of Lake Worth FOR FORTY YEARS! 

Contact them and say, “Thank You”.

Banyan Printing is located at 1937 10th Ave. North.

• Here is their website.
• They are on Facebook.
• And they’re also on Twitter too: @BanyanPrinting

The City of Lake Worth’s Planning and Zoning Board meeting last night (6/7): “Meritage Homes Lake Cove Residential Development”.

After a self-imposed delay of a month, Meritage Homes was back before the Planning and Zoning Board with their request for a “Residential Planned Development District” recommendation and the site plan approval. This was for a 59-unit, single-family detached subdivision.

The delay allowed the developer to address some important aspects of the project in relation to the neighbors and the City. The site consists of ±12.85 acres and is located north of 19th Ave. North, south of the Vernon Heights subdivision and east of I-95. It is roughly shaped in a triangle as shown below on the site plan.

Although The Palm Beach Post has yet to report this news, hopefully this will spur the editor to praise a developer’s work creating more housing and not contributing to Urban Sprawl in our County.

The project is notable in that it is one of the few “raw land” development opportunities — particularly for residential units — east of I-95 that are detached units and not in a townhouse configuration. If you do the math, the density is still under the maximum of 7 units/acre for the City’s single family zoning at just under 4.6 units/acre.

However, due to the odd shape of the site and responding to current market trends, certain concessions on lot size and width were needed. Those are shown below and are allowed through the Planned Development District.

The biggest issue surrounding the project was access and traffic. It was apparent from neighbors in Vernon Heights that attended the meeting last night that efforts were made on the part of the developer to address their concerns. It was also clear nearby residents wanted to be at the table going forward when traffic calming is addressed in a holistic way. An overall study is being done now and some ideas are speed bumps or traffic tables to mitigate speed and flow of traffic.

A key component of the plan was the addition of an access point from 19th Ave. North. According to the traffic engineer approximately 70% of the traffic will come through that access and not through the Vernon Heights neighborhood.

The access points are highlighted on this graphic from the PowerPoint presentation.

It should be noted the existing Vernon Heights subdivision has excessively wide roads that were part of its original plan when developed. Wide roads encourage higher traffic speeds.

The wide roads in the Vernon Heights neighborhood have encouraged speeding that narrower roads would have helped to prevent. For some perspective:

Paved areas in Vernon Heights are about equal to the four lane pavement area found on Dixie Hwy. and parts of I-95.

In addition, construction traffic will be almost 100% through the 19th Ave. access point during the two–three year anticipated build-out of the project. One surprise revelation was the existing homes on the north side of 19th Ave. North are one of the few areas within the City of Lake Worth that are still on septic tanks and not served by sewer.

Of course, this new development will have sewer service and the City will be putting in new sewers when it improves the 19th Ave. North right-of-way as part of the Neighborhood Road Improvement Program, funded by the bond issue approved last year.

The crowd was larger than usual for a Planning and Zoning meeting as you can see below:

I arrived late for the meeting. The parking lot was full. A rare sight for a P&Z meeting.

The Planning and Zoning Board approved the site plan unanimously and recommended the rezoning request be approved by the City Commission. These approvals were made with conditions which addressed many of the issues which had been discussed between the developer, the City and the neighborhood beforehand. This will now appear on first reading at the July 18th City Commission meeting.

There were some items related to specific locations and the amount of traffic calming. That will be worked on between now and the Commission meeting with all the parties involved.

From my point of view:

It was good to see a unanimous decision on both requests that will increase and improve the residential choices one has east of I-95 in Palm Beach County. Market prices are expected to be in the mid-$300K range.

This project will have many benefits for the City of Lake Worth and for places like Dixie Hwy. as well: both north and south of the C-51 Canal. Hopefully our City leaders will not succumb to the trouble-making that is certain to come prior to July 18th. Leadership is in order. Anything less than a unanimous City Commission vote will be a huge disappointment.

The City Commission meeting last night: Random notes.

Now that the City is recording meetings and posting them to YouTube it’s not necessary for Yours Truly to show up with my trusty camera all the time. The City’s video, by the way, has already gotten 60+ views.

I would strongly encourage you to watch the presentation by the Town of Palm Springs’ City Manager Richard Reade using this link near the beginning of last night’s meeting. Mr. Reade did an excellent job.

In a move, long overdue in my opinion, Mayor Pam Triolo is taking firm control of meetings. On this topic, Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell said, “The purpose of [Commission] meetings is not for discovery”, and that elected official should do their own research and meet with staff. With some leeway, agenda items will have ½ hour of debate (and then move to Workshop if no decision is made), each elected official will have “two shots” with a three-minute limit, and need to say, “Madam Mayor” to get noticed.

This may seem a bit overboard for some, but they are the City’s rules. The public will come to appreciate meetings done properly over time, I believe. Although we like to be “quirky”, meetings should be done in the proper way. It’s too bad these rules weren’t enforced when a former commissioner would vociferously pontificate at every meeting.

More random thoughts, in no particular order:

• City Manager Michael Bornstein said there is a timeline underway for the Casino and pool; he’s going to “get the scope and a RFQ”.
• Attendance at the Memorial Day event was dismal. Exactly the case for the City starting a Facebook page! And The Palm Beach Post published the wrong time.
• On the parking ordinance and towing of vehicles, Commissioner Amoroso said, “It’s not unique to Lake Worth or Palm Beach County.” Maxwell said, “We don’t want your money. We want your compliance.”
• At public comment on this issue of “booting” vehicles, a strong case was made for keeping a two-minute limit. The public shares the responsibility to do research prior to making statements that just create more community confusion. That’s the reason why the City changed from a 3-minute limit to two minutes. It should probably stay that way.
• “Dear Dustin” did it again. A very funny moment.
• Overwhelming support from the City Commission to give City Manager Bornstein a raise. Commissioner Herman Robinson said, “Mike’s team is great for the future of Lake Worth.” Mayor Triolo remarked, “Changing our entire organization was not easy . . . I don’t want you going anywhere. We need you.”
• The Eden Place Neighborhood at their presestation is “no longer dormant.” And they’re planning to highlight their “mid-19th Century homes”, get a neighborhood watch up and running, and another November yard sale (very popular last year).
• The CRA’s West Village ground-breaking was a very big deal.
• Maxwell attended the Shark Tank event at Barton Elementary. Big attendance and much excitement.
• Banyan Printing has been a City business for forty years. Thank You!
• Amoroso talked about the Equality March in West Palm Beach this Saturday. He’s been re-appointed at the National League of Cities, and will be out-of-town and miss the next Commission meeting. His first missed meeting ever since becoming a commissioner.
• Mayor Triolo seems encouraged about changes to the County Impact Fee system. The City had “$6 Million in impact fees to the County. Only $30,000 came back to the City.” She is still, “not happy and not quiet” about this problem.

And the mayor said of Gov. Scott’s veto of money for the Park of Commerce (POC):

“We’re fighters. We’re scrappy. We are on the move the last 5 to 6 years”, and our mayor is “going back every year” to get money from the State Legislature for the POC. For a project that will create so many jobs and more investment, it was stunning to hear about that veto by Gov. Scott, a self-described ‘job creator’.

Shameful.

Starting next Monday. City of Lake Worth Summer Camp (8 weeks).

Have news or a community event? Contact the Herald using this link.

Pick up the print edition every Friday for ¢50 at the City’s newsstand located at 600 Lake Ave. Walk in and a nice man named “Andy” will assist you.

This camp is designed for ages 7–14 years old. The cost is $500 for eight weeks. Camp will be held June 12 through August 4, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at two locations:

• Norman J. Wimbley Gym, 1515 Wingfield Street.
• Osborne Center, 1699 Wingfield Street.

Register at either of two locations: Norman J. Wimbley Gym (561-540-5133) or the City of Lake Worth Leisure Services office at 501 Lake Ave.

For more information contact the City of Lake Worth Leisure Services Department at 561-533-7363.

Now they’re playing NIMBY BINGO in Stockholm, Sweden!

Check out this Tweet:

Thank you! The nimby-bingo is brilliant. The same argument and phrases everywhere, even here in Stockholm.

— Malena Beijer (@malena_beijer) June 1, 2017

Learn more about NIMBY BINGO below. 

Question. How long before a developer proposes a project in Palm Beach County’s Urban Core in a coastal community but the news reports are decidedly negative in The Palm Beach Post or the editor chimes in and says we need more housing. . . “but just not there”?

Here’s the “Florida Home” section in The Palm Beach Post, there’s a lot of Western Sprawl going on. We’ll just have to wait and see if the editor supports the urban developer, encourages the anti-development activists, or just does nothing at all. Here is the opening from the Post editorial on May 28th:

We don’t want to see development stifled. But neither do we want to see young families struggle to buy a first home because nothing is available for under $300,000. Yet the latter is happening more and more, sending those families to Port St. Lucie to find affordable housing.
     That’s not what those families want. That’s not what employers want. That’s not what county commissioners should want. The time to tackle this issue is now.
— Post Editorial Board, Jan. 25

and the editor continues. . .


It’s both disappointing, bordering on discouraging, to note that not much has happened in the four months since that editorial was published.

So what will happen the next time environmentalists and activists et al. opposed to development pack public meetings in opposition to developers and development in our coastal communities like here in the City of Lake Worth?

Let’s Play NIMBY BINGO!

Click on image to enlarge:

How to play NIMBY BINGO: When you hear one of the phrases or see a specific act (see above) you cover a vertical, horizontal, or diagonal pattern of 5 grid squares on your card, jump up and yell, “BINGO!!!!!”

“Housing is a national crisis. And I think just bringing everyday people together to work on this is the most effective way because it’s uniting people rather than dividing people.”
—Quote from the video below.


What is a YIMBY? It’s an acronym for Yes In My Back Yard. The NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) message of “No” to everything has lost its appeal, including to many Millennials who want to live in cities. However, because so little housing has been created prices have risen and remains too high.

Jeff Perlman had an observation about the YIMBY movement which is gaining a lot of momentum and excitement around the country:

Use this link to learn more.

Enjoy this video of the first YIMBY conference in Boulder, CO, as INCLUSIVE community activists explain what they are trying to accomplish:

City Press Release: “Red Tag Program” results for inoperable and abandoned vehicles.

For more information and media inquiries contact Ben Kerr, the City’s Communications Specialist at 561-586-1631; email: bkerr@lakeworth.org

From May 3 to May 17, 2017 the City of Lake Worth Code Compliance Division, in conjunction with PBSO, undertook a targeted enforcement effort utilizing F.S. 705.103 to address the significant number of inoperable vehicles on public property. A total of 227 inoperable vehicles were red tagged as part of the effort, in comparison only 23 vehicles were tagged during May of 2016. The breakdown of results are as follows:

• Removed from public property by owner: 163.
• Vehicle made legal (new tag): 14.
• Towed by City: 28.
• Vehicle moved to private property (enforcement will proceed under separate ordinance, Sec. 15-39): 7.
• Open/active as of June 2nd: 15.

As inspections return to normal, Community Code Officers have been instructed to make inoperable vehicles on both public and private property in their respective zones a top daily priority.

“We are LAKE WORTH. A hometown City that is committed to delivering the highest level of customer service through a commitment to integrity, hard work and a friendly attitude. We strive to exceed the expectations of our citizens, our businesses, our elected officials and our fellow employees.”

Volunteers needed for the 4th exotic pest plant removal on Saturday, June 10th.

For more information contact the City’s Horticulturist, call David McGrew at 561-586-1677 (Monday–Friday, 7:00–3:30); email: dmcgrew@lakeworth.org

For media inquiries and general information contact the City’s media specialist, Ben Kerr, at 561-586-1631; email: bkerr@lakeworth.org

Press Release:

The Lake Worth City Tree Board holds its fourth Exotic Pest Plant Removal at the 17th Ave. North Natural Area (located at 1759 17th Ave. North), on Saturday morning, June 10th, from 7:30–10:00. Exotic plants invasive to Lake Worth are prolific in this beautiful Southern Live Oak canopy.
     The more residents that show up to volunteer at this invasive plant removal, the closer we get to removing exotic pest plants in the natural area.
     Gloves and other tools will be provided.

“We are LAKE WORTH. A hometown City that is committed to delivering the highest level of customer service through a commitment to integrity, hard work and a friendly attitude. We strive to exceed the expectations of our citizens, our businesses, our elected officials and our fellow employees.”

“Today we're checking out the ICONIC Blue Front BBQ — one of Downtown Lake Worth’s prime spots for authentic BBQ!”

Have you seen “The Food Lady”? Did you miss an episode?

Well, guess what. Use this link and click on the “Gallery” tab to watch what you’ve been missing.

When was the last time you had BBQ at the Blue Front?

Want to find out more about The Food Lady? Call 561-585-8668 or send an email to: pamthefoodlady@gmail.com

Interesting article in the Town-Crier, “PBSO, Wellington Collaborate On Anti-Drug Discussion”.

This article by reporter Julie Unger has a lot of very good information for those involved in the anti-drug efforts here in the City of Lake Worth. For example, PBSO is using a “Scout Patch Program” in the Village of Wellington and there’s another program as well called, “Too Good for Drugs”:

All they [teachers] need to do is attend a half-day training session, and they will receive an evidence-based 10-week prevention curriculum. For more information, contact [Dr. Susan] Klarich at klarichs@pbso.org or (561) 688-4055.

Here are two more excerpts from the article by Julie Unger:

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and the Village of Wellington presented “Drugs of Abuse and Addiction” for Wellington Neighborhood Watch members on Wednesday, April 19 at the Wellington Community Center featuring guest speakers Dr. Susan Klarich and Mariana Lovecchio.
     Klarich works for the PBSO, talks to people in communities and offers school presentations.
     “The Board of County Commissioners just approved the county to get $1 million to do something about the heroin epidemic that has been running rampant across the entire nation [emphasis added], not just Florida,” she said.

And there is interesting historical background in the article as well:

     Bayer Pharmaceutical created heroin because so many people were addicted to morphine. In its early beginnings, mothers would put it on the gums of teething babies to ease their pain and put them to sleep.
     In 1914, addictive substances were put under the control of doctors, but until 1920, heroin and morphine were unregulated and sold legally. By 1930, the Federal Bureau of Narcotics was formed. Twenty-one years later, in 1951, a bill was passed differentiating between prescription and non-prescription drugs, limiting prescription refills. Other drug-control laws followed, and in 1988, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act created a drug control policy.
     Sixty percent of the pain relievers used for nonmedical purposes were acquired free from a friend or relative; 17 percent from a doctor; 8 percent bought from a friend or relative; 4 percent taken from a friend or relative; 4 percent bought from a drug dealer; and 7 percent from other sources.

Possibly PBSO’s Dr. Susan Klarich (561-688-4055; email: klarichs@pbso.org) can be invited to prepare a presentation for the Lake Worth City Commission some day or have one for our Neighborhood Assoc. Presidents’ Council (NAPC) in the near future.

If you recall, the Parrot Cove Neighborhood Assoc. here in the City of Lake Worth recently had a “Sober Homes Conversation” given by West Palm Beach Commissioner Shanon Materio and Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso.

Independence Day. We’re less than a month away. Press, news media, and Flolfie too? “Run! It’s Here! Toxic Blue-Green Algae!”

Unthinkable: Did Flolfie conspire to cancel last year’s NAPC July 4th Great American Raft Race?

Remember this from last year?

Do you remember the press and media stories last year? Did our beloved Flolfie really dump “Toxic Blue-Green Slime” into our Intracoastal? You decide. Watch the video below.

Stay away from the water! Don’t rent any kayaks or go canoeing in the Intracoastal! Don’t go near the water to take any pictures of the Oystercatchers at Snook Islands either!


“The Raft Race is very popular and a favorite in Lake Worth and I feel very bad that this is happening but the fact is there is a health issue”
—Quote in Palm Beach Post, dated June 29th, 2016, just 5 days prior to the NAPC Raft Race.

If the “fact is there is a health issue” in our Intracoastal why did the tests from the South Florida Water Management District come back with negative results for any so-called ‘toxic algae’ from Lake Okeechobee last July? Another quote:

“Creating a place for paddling, fishing and nature observation is a side benefit of the restoration work. The Snook Islands Natural Area features a boardwalk and gazebo overlooking the mangrove islands, educational kiosks, day-use boat docks, a fishing pier and a kayak launch on the northwest side of the Lake Avenue Bridge.”
—Quote in The Coastal Star, dated May 3rd, 2017, 24 days ago. Learn more about reporter Willy Howard’s “Paddling the habitats of Lake Worth Lagoon” using this link.

Remember all those false and misleading news reports last year? Because of all that nonsense has this year’s 16th Annual Great American Raft Race been cancelled? Has anyone heard any news?

And a frightening thought: did Lake Worth’s own beloved Flolfie work along with the press and news media to cancel last year’s Raft Race? You decide, “DJNA BUSTED!”*

Is this really Flolfie or an impersonator?

*DJNA  =  Downtown Jewel Neighborhood Assoc. Use this link for more information, e.g., the Board of Directors, email address, and the phone number. The DJNA is one of 14 neighborhood associations in the Neighborhood Assoc. Presidents’ Council (NAPC). For the NAPC’s Facebook page use this link.

Press Release. Starting next Friday: “Local Artists will shine in Juried Exhibition at the Cultural Council Galleries in City of Lake Worth.”*

“Lake Worth — The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County† is expanding recognition of artists who live and work in The Palm Beaches with the Cultural Council Biennial 2017, opening on Friday, June 9 at the Cultural Council galleries in Lake Worth. The goal of this juried show, which runs through September 2, is to broaden the range of exposure to artists and their artworks.”

This exhibition is a FREE public event. The Cultural Council is located at 601 Lake Ave. in Downtown Lake Worth. Open Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00–5:00. Plenty of FREE parking is available.

For more information contact Judith Czelusniak at 561-471-1602; email: Judith@palmbeachculture.com

The show is juried by Jennifer Inacio, Associate Curator at the Perez Art Museum Miami. Palm Beach County artists submitted 627 original pieces for consideration. Inacio chose 49 artists and 45 two-dimensional and three-dimensional artworks. Jurying was assisted by Juried Art Services, West Palm Beach.
     Cultural Council Manager of Artist Services Nichole M. Hickey said, “With our bi-annual juried art exhibition, the Cultural Council expands the horizon for more artists to be involved with our organization. We are excited to host this and see artists’ names and works that we have not been exposed to before. The Cultural Council Biennial 2017 is a perfect opportunity to engage with the community and learn more about professional artists living or working in Palm Beach County.”


“This Biennial juried exhibition reflects the Council’s commitment to develop and nurture talented local artists and expose their work to collectors and the community,” said Cultural Council of Palm Beach County President and CEO Rena Blades.


*Artists participating in the exhibition include: Lee Andre, Gerri Aurre, Bruce Bain, Cynthia Bartosek, Jeff Blakely, Judith Blotnick, Wendy Boucher, John Bowen, Anthony Burks, Dana Donaty, Linda Finch, Alyona Firth, Isabel Gouveia, Glenda Green, Jay Harmon, Kimberly Heise, Joseph Horton, Martin Johnson, Dolores Kiriacon, Sarah Knouse, Lorenzo Laiken, Natalya Laskis, Dorotha Lemeh, Sandy Lerman, Todd Lim, Joan Lustig, Jane Mcintyre, Henriett Michel, Rick Newton, Louise Noakes, Missy Pierce, John Rachell, Sylvia Riquezes, Rochel Schiffrin, Art Siegel, George Steinman, Lorrie Turner, Oksana Urban, Tanya Witzel, Flora Zolin.
†The Cultural Council presents exhibitions featuring Palm Beach County artists and provides additional programming at its headquarters in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building, an iconic Streamline Moderne former movie theater in Downtown Lake Worth. Also at the Cultural Council headquarters are the Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store featuring products by Palm Beach County artists and the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center, a VISIT FLORIDA designated Florida Certified Tourism Information Center.

Mr. Hardy’s campaign manager, Tricia Mischler, was worth every dime.

Meet Mr. Omari Jamal Hatchet Hardy:

Now District 2 Commissioner Omari Hardy.

Commissioner Hardy is the first one to turn in his campaign’s “Termination Report”. Then-citizen Mr. Hardy raised a total of $12,465. Tricia Mischler received $6,000 for “Campaign Management”. Hardy and his campaign team worked a very good ground game. And they made an lot of very good decisions. And because of that he won. Everyone who worked in every capacity, most importantly the volunteers, deserve a lot of credit.

To go over all the campaign reports use this link and scroll down.

Anyhow, congratulations Tricia Mischler! And it doesn’t hurt having an excellent candidate who stays on message as well.

The former commissioner in District 2, Mr. Chris McVoy, PhD, has yet to file his termination report; however his last report turned in, the “G3”, shows a total of $13,091 in monetary contributions.

Meet the former commissioner in District 2:

It probably didn’t help very much that the editor at the Post wrote Chris McVoy, PhD, was a “gadfly”.

Sun Sentinel article: “Lake Worth students relish high tea with the Guatemalan consul”

Follow the City of Lake Worth’s Guatemalan Consul Mario René Azmitia on Facebook. The consulate is located at 1926 10th Ave. North. The phone number is 561-660-6261. See the image below for more helpful information.

But first, the curious number and statistic in the Sun Sentinel:

“15,000 Latinos live in Lake Worth, or 42 percent of the population”.

Some questions:

• How many of the Latinos are Guatemalan?
• Some Guatemalans don’t consider themselves Latino, what percentage is that?
• In the 2010 Census, those reporting as “White alone” as his/her race was 60%.
• As “Black or African American alone”? 20%.
• For sake of comparison, is the Guatemalan population in the City of Lake Worth greater than the Haitian population? Or less?

Read more about this below and why this is important.

You may recall another recent article about our Guatemalan community in the City of Lake Worth published in the Miami Herald.

We recently learned from Miami Herald reporter Francisco Rodríguez that Guatemalan refugees and migrants here in the City of Lake Worth are being targetted by predatory lawyers, property owners charging outrageous rent for substandard, over-crowded conditions, and when it’s time for an appointment with immigration officials . . . “[T]he Guatemalan consulate, which recently opened an office in Lake Worth in Palm Beach County, also confirmed that drivers are charging between $150 and $300 for the trips.”

Excerpts from the Sun Sentinel article are below. Click on image to enlarge.

“Estamos en la aperatura de un consulado de Guatemala en Lake Worth! Gracias por este apoyo para nuestras familias que antes pagaban $300 para llegar al consulado en Miami.”

[Translation: “We are at the opening of a Guatemalan Consulate in Lake Worth! Thank you for this support for our families, that before had to pay $300 to get to the consulate in Miami.”]

Here are two excerpts from the article in the Sun Sentinel by reporter Lois K. Solomon (with emphasis added):

Guatemala’s new diplomat in Palm Beach County made it clear to Lake Worth elementary school students on Monday: He is here to help their families.
     The Guatemalan government opened a consulate in Lake Worth last month to assist native Guatemalans with passports, identification cards and birth certificates so they don’t need to travel to the larger consulate in Miami.

and. . . 

     Assistant Superintendent Eddie Ruiz [South Grade Elementary in City of Lake Worth] said the district is working with each of these communities to encourage parental involvement. He said staffers focused on the Haitian community this year, with parent lessons on how to help with homework, analyze a report card and communicate with teachers.
     He said they will reach out to Guatemalan parents in a systematic way next year.
     [Mario René] Azmitia told the students he wants their families to be successful in the United States.
     “My goal as consul is to make sure anything you aspire to do, I will support you and get others to support you as well,” he said through a translator.

What’s still very unclear is how many “native Guatemalans”, refugees, and migrants are actually in the City of Lake Worth. How many of them cannot speak either English and/or Spanish but only the Mayan languages Quiché, Kanjobal, Poptí’ or Mam?

When you read the numbers in both the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel you do not get a clear answer.

Remember, in the Sun Sentinel story is this line: “15,000 Latinos live in Lake Worth, or 42 percent of the population”. If, as reported, “Palm Beach County’s Guatemalan population is estimated at 25,000, with a big concentration in Lake Worth” — then how many Guatemalans live in what’s called the “Lake Worth Corridor” — an unincorporated, census-designated area west of the City that is referred to accurately as “Suburban Lake Worth”?

Both reporters are counting Guatemalan people that live “in Lake Worth” and those as well in the Lake Worth Corridor (and probably other cities as well: Palm Springs, Greenacres, and Lantana).

Simply put, how many Guatemalans actually live “in Lake Worth” that are in dire need of help?

Remember: Native Guatemalan migrants and refugees are indeed in a very serious crisis.

Many are vulnerable to predatory lawyers, substandard rental property, over-crowded conditions, and too many Guatemalans subject to price-gouging — especially those who cannot speak either English or Spanish — to receive the language tutoring they so desperately need how can we truly understand or fix the problem if we don’t know how many people need help and where they are located so the resources can be provided them?

Maybe the next article in the Sun Sentinel or Miami Herald will help to explain that.