Reflections on Hurricane Katrina

A new volume of essays edited by Carol De Vita, Senior Research Associate, After Katrina: Shared Challenges for Rebuilding Communities zeros in on recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast region and underscores lessons for rebuilding after future disasters. To be sure, there are signs of progress, but the volume notes that basic infrastructures that can attract and retain residents are still missing. By the start of 2007, only about half of the public schools in New Orleans were open, 30 percent of the childcare centers had returned, and just 17 percent of the buses in the city were back in operation. The volume includes essays on affordable housing, helping children and families rebuild their lives, arts and culture, public and environmental health concerns, rebuilding assets, and preparing for the next disaster.

Other publications in the After Katrina Series include: A collection of essays on ";Charities' Response to Disasters: Expectations and Realities" in which the authors discuss the strengths and weaknesses of charities' respones to the Gulf Coast hurricanes, lessons learned from previous disasters- the September 11th attacks and the Asian Tsunami- and how well those lessons were applied.
Also, an annotated bibliography
The Urban Institute and the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations organized a national roundtable in Washington to hone in on the policy issues related to the rebuilding of New Orleans. The March 19 policy roundtable hosted by the Urban Institute featured about 40 experts from a wide range of groups tied to disaster response: federal, state, and local offices, practitioners and advocacy groups. The keynote speech was by Walter Isaacson, president of the Aspen Institute and vice-chairman of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. Isaacson challenged nonprofits to step up to the plate to do more to help rebuild New Orleans and\n shape the future of the Gulf Coast region. \Click here for the complete Urban Institute After Katrina series.
Hurricane Katrina Roundtable The Urban Institute and the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations organized a national roundtable in Washington to hone in on the policy issues related to the rebuilding of New Orleans. The March 19 policy roundtable hosted by the Urban Institute featured about 40 experts from a wide range of groups tied to disaster response: federal, state, and local offices, practitioners and advocacy groups. The keynote speech was by Walter Isaacson, president of the Aspen Institute and vice-chairman of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. Isaacson challenged nonprofits to step up to the plate to do more to help rebuild New Orleans and shape the future of the Gulf Coast region.
Click here for audio of the event.

Hurricane Seminar - Wednesday, May 9, 2007 - 6:30 p.m. - Shuffleboard Court Bldg.

Water Restrictions

Below is is an informative post made by Walter Baker on the Lake Worth Talk discussion board. While I was walking my dogs yesterday, I witnessed many people with even addresses hand watering and washing their cars - right time of day, but wrong day - only those with odd address numbers should have been doing those activities. I expect this drought will be getting worse and the more we follow the guidelines now, the better it will be for all of us in the long term. Please make sure that your neighbors know what the rules are for use of sprinklers and hand watering!

Now that a Phase II water shortage has been declared, and in concert with Lake Worth Resolution No. 60-2005, anyone using more than the base equivalent service unit (ESU) of 5,000 gallons of water a month will incur a 30% surcharge to their water bill beginning with bills rendered on May 1, 2007.

Ordinance No. 2007-21, adopted by the City Commission on April 3, 2007 provides for certain penalties to individuals and business who do not abide by the mandatory restrictions set forth by the SFWMD. Violators will incur the following penalties:

• First Violation: Warning or $25 fine


• Second Violation: $50


• Third Violation: $100


• Fourth Violation: $500 (criminal offense)


• Residents and Businesses with Odd Number Addresses - Wednesday and Saturday 4:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. with Irrigation System5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. for Hand Watering


• Residents and Businesses with Even Number Addresses Thursday, and Sunday 4:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m. with Irrigation System5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. for Hand Watering


• In the event SFWMD declares a Phase III water shortage, further restrictions will be issued and customers who consume more than the base ESU of 5,000 gallons per month will incur a 45% surcharge to their water bill. Residents and local businesses are urged to conserve!


• To report a water restriction violation, contact the Lake Worth Police Department at 561-586-1611 and select option #2. DO NOT call 911.

South Florida Water Management District Website - Click Here

The following is a news release from their website:

No quick end to drought in sight Lake Okeechobee keeps dropping as South Florida Water Management District works to stretch limited water supply

Mussel shells seem out of place alongside desert-like cracks in a dry landscape, but the mismatched combination is what's found on Lake Okeechobee shores as drought grips South Florida. "Statewide, Florida is experiencing one of its driest seasons on record since 1895, and it's possible that the summer rainy season won't bring enough water to end the drought," said Ben Nelson, state meteorologist with the Florida Division of Emergency Management. "Our main concern is that we'll have a La Niña develop this summer in the equatorial Pacific," Nelson said. "La Niña typically means drought in Florida."

Nelson issued the weather warning at a press conference held with South Florida Water Management District officials at Jaycee Park Pier in the Lake Okeechobee Recreation Area on Tuesday.With the drought already one year old, a La Niña system could prolong it through the end of 2007.

A La Niña occurs when cooler than average waters are recorded in equatorial Pacific waters. This shifts the jet stream northward, preventing storm systems and rain from impacting Florida in the fall, winter and spring, said Nelson. Even if Florida receives average rainfall this summer, that won't be enough to break the drought if the wet months are followed by unseasonably dry weather. In the last 18 months, South Florida has received just 49.31 inches of rain, almost 17 inches less than the 30-year average of expected rainfall."

It is critical that South Floridians follow the water restrictions so that enough of the limited natural resource is available for drinking water and environmental needs," said Chip Merriam, Deputy Executive Director at the South Florida Water Management District. Florida last experienced a multi-year drought in 1999-2001. Lake Okeechobee water levels dropped to a record low of 8.97 feet in May 2001. Tuesday, the lake level was 9.66, less than one foot from that record low. The current drought is hitting South Florida harder than 1999-2001 drought, because rainfall has been scant statewide.

During the last drought, rainfall in Central Florida was enough to carry South Florida through the lean times. Water flowing from the Kissimmee River Valley helped to recharge water supplies in Lake Okeechobee. With statewide rainfall shortages for much of 2006, there isn't enough water in Central Florida to help alleviate drought here. The result is a strain on water supplies from surface sources like Lake Okeechobee, rivers and canals, and South Florida’s shallow aquifer. Lake Okeechobee is low enough that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hasn't ordered major water releases since January 2006.

The most recent pulse environmental releases ran from only December 2006 to February 2007.

Effects of the drought are most visible around Lake Okeechobee, from vibrant green grass growing in canals where water once flowed, to channel markers that appear to have sprouted on land. The district has also closed four navigation locks to boaters because the low water levels are a hazard. "There is a silver lining in the drought for Lake Okeechobee's wildlife and vegetation," said Susan Gray, Deputy Department Director for Watershed Management. "Low lake levels are giving beneficial submerged and emergent plant species a chance to re-grow, and water managers may now have the opportunity to remove some of the phosphorus-laden muck from the lake bed."

Neat Links - America's Favorite Architecture and Blueprint for America

I wanted to get this up right away as I just stumbled on it through my gmail account. I will offer more commentary on it tonight. The excerpt below is from the Google Blog (yes, they have one of their own). Check out the "America's Favorite Architecture" site, but as it relates to Lake Worth - the Blueprint of America link has some great information on other communities and how they do Master Planning and use some tools provided by Google (Google Earth and Sketch-up) as tools in the process.

More later, gotta get back to work now.

New 3-D layers from AIA on Google Earth
Tuesday, April 24, 2007 at 6:23:00 AM Posted by RK Stewart, FAIA, President 2007, American Institute of ArchitectsArchitects are pretty passionate about architecture -– no surprise there. However, we've come to find that the American public is too. Starting today, there are two new Google Earth layers with which to explore architecture’s most popular structures and take away some ideas to help enhance the communities we live in. As president of The American Institute of Architects (AIA), I’m ecstatic to announce our partnership with Google Earth to launch these new layers in celebration of our the 150th anniversary.Check out this video on YouTube to watch us navigate these layers from Google headquarters.Fly to America’s Favorite Architecture, a layer featuring the American public’s favorite architecture (as selected though a national poll announced earlier this year). View all 150 structures, including many with just created 3-D models of the buildings, ballparks, bridges, and memorials that characterize architecture in the eyes of Americans. And then explore the second layer, Blueprint for America. Blueprint is a community service effort funded by the AIA, in which AIA members donating their time and expertise are collaborating with community leaders and local citizens to enhance the quality of life in their community. You’ll be able to track the progress of these projects on Google Earth as they unfold over the next year and, we hope, become inspired to take action where you live.

The Organizational Importance of Honesty

The following is a link to an interesting article (click here). This is from the Opportunity Knocks.com website. I had the link posted on my TalkBlog, associated with Lake Worth Talk.com and thought that I would post it here as well. Many have commented positively regarding the article and find it enlightening as it relates to our situation here in Lake Worth.

For example, one of the quotes at the beginning of the article is as follows:

"We have all experienced the public lie that goes unchallenged. It may be baldly
untrue but somehow accepted as the basis for action with life and death
consequences. Some of our experience of public lies may be based on differences
in values or perceptions, but sometimes what is said just simply violates the
facts—this is disheartening and drives people out of public participation."

Remember too to tune into "Truth Matters" tonight from 8 to 9 p.m. on Lake Worth Talk.com (see link in right-hand column). Go the home page and select Live Broadcasts to hear the show live. If you can hear it live, the shows are archived and can be reached from the homepage under Reruns.

Thanks and I hope you are enjoying the shows!

Retha Lowe's "Thank You" Celebration

Yesterday, I headed out to La Bonne Bouche and joined a lot of great people in celebration of Retha Lowe's successful campaign and re-election to the District #1 City Commission seat. Thank you Retha and her campaign team for a wonderful reception.

I also want to acknowledge the many supporters of my campaign that were also in attendance. Thank you for your kind words of support and encouragement to stay involved.

Good luck Retha - may you have another successful term in office!

Lake Worth Lagoon Symposium - May 16th at Palm Beach Atlantic

Click here for more information.

I have already registered. If you do so before May 4th, you will be assurred a "free lunch". Let me know if you are interested in going. If so, we can arrange a car pool there. This should be a great program! Hope to see you there.

City Commission to Discuss Wireless Technologies...

Common Ground...

Every person has a unique perspective. And yet, the things we all have in common are far more numerous than our differences.

Behind every difference of opinion, behind every disagreement, behind each conflict there is common ground. And that common ground can be the starting point for resolving the conflict.

Finding common ground does not mean giving in or forcing the other person to accept your point of view. Instead, it means discovering the areas in which you already share a similar perspective.

It is well worth the effort to find things upon which everyone can agree. For that sets the stage for true understanding.

Often, every person seeks the same ultimate outcome, and the disagreement is about the details of how to get there. Even when you are unable to agree, it is always possible to understand.

Seek to focus on that understanding, and work to find common ground. It is from that point that everyone involved can begin to create real value for all.

-- Ralph Marston

From Robert Genn - An Idea for Florida?

"One thing about Indianapolis," says the taxi driver as we pass by the almost hundred-year-old Indy 500 racetrack, "there's plenty of parking." I'm noticing that perhaps more than any other mid-sized city in the USA, Indianapolis embraces the automobile. There's urban sprawl in all directions. First-rate commuter roads head off over former farmlands into further subdivisions. Here and there, remnant woodlots or marshy bogs slope down to meandering rivers. Trying to save some of these remaining lands is why I'm here.

The Central Indiana Land Trust is one of 1,100 US organizations in the business of reserving and preserving natural lands and their threatened ecosystems. By purchase, gift, legacy or easement, the organizations round up parcels so future generations will be able to see what countryside was like.

We're having an art show--a fundraiser to draw attention to the cause. The Trust has chosen 15 prominent painters and asked them to paint on the Trust's lands. Each artist has contributed two works--most of them are plein air oils. These Hoosiers area hardy bunch; around here they've reinvented outdoor painting with gusto. I'm one of the jury. We get to hand out cash to the winning painters. More than three hundred supporters show up for the opening. It's a bash.Long ago and far away, Thomas Moran helped convince Teddy Roosevelt that the USA needed National Parks. Anyone who beheld one of Moran's panoramas of the Grand Canyon could see that the place needed protection. Many other artists such as John James Audubon and Ansel Adams have been instrumental in saving the picturesque and the natural. It seems to me that painters, more than any others, recognize the presence of sacred grounds.Going into a landscape and setting up an easel is an act of faith that just might bring further grace to the wild and beautiful. Unlike hunters and fishers, who also have a vested interest in preservation, artists take without taking. A painting made outdoors is a sacred event.

Long ago and far away, a passing hiker watched me paint a modest swamp near Mt. Rainier in Washington State. When he finally spoke to me, he did so in a whisper, as if he was in a cathedral. "Thank you," he said. "Now I see the beauty of it."About that time I began to see what my role might be, how we all had a job to do, and how we needed now to be more responsible.

Best regards,

Robert

Tonight's Truth Matters Show on Lake Worth Talk.com

Hey folks.

As you know by the previous post, my friend Andrew is in town. Just for kicks and giggles, he will be joining me tonight on the show. I plan on reviewing last week's show - we covered a lot of material ont he basics of the Comprehensive Plan. I will also be talking about what happened at last Tuesday's City Commission meeting - both the Compass matter and the non-appointment of yours truly to the Stakeholders Advisory Committee. We will also be taking your questions from the discussion board.

So, it is a little departure from the format. We will get back to "normal" next week - when I plan to go into more detail about the relationship between the Comprehensive Plan and the Zoning Code - we'll also start exploring the various districts within the zoning code and looking at the City's Zoning Map.

Please join us on Lake Worth Talk.com this evening from 8 to 9 p.m. Thanks - hope to hear from during the show!

One Visitor's Perspective...

Between work and a visit from a long time from from Dallas this week, I've had little time to post anything here. We had a great time at Karaoke Thursday night and I've posted some pictures from that evening. My friend, Andrew, is a person I first met right after I moved to Florida from Michigan. We met cause he happened to work with my partner-at-the-time and we have been close ever since.

Andrew and me at the Mad Hatter

We hear a lot about people moving out of Lake Worth - especially from those that like to see the glass as more than half empty. Andrew is someone who wants to move back to Lake Worth. He moved out of the area in the early 90s, received his Masters Degree in Social Work from a school in Iowa (where his family is from) and then moved to Dallas. He is at a point in his life now that he would like to return here, as most of his family is now gone and the "family" that he does have is still in the area, most of those people live in Lake Worth.

His situation is such now that he is looking for an apartment in the low $700/month range. We looked at some properties yesterday - sort of drive-bys. Some on North J - didn't like - and some in an around the downtown area. One right across from the former Mayor's house and another one in a nicely kept historic apartment building in the Downtown Jewel neighborhood (those two were o.k, maybe better than o.k.). He'll follow up on those today.

We'll also make it to the Art Cars exhibit on J Street today.

Madame Sue-Nami and Andrew at Karaoke

My point in telling you this story - and there is a little more beyond the apartment story - is that there are still decent "affordable" rental housing units in the City of Lake Worth that can attract quality people that will be able to contribute to our community. This is a good thing.

The other part of the story is that he spent some time yesterday at the beach - later in the afternoon. Last night, he couldn't stop talking about how "sad" it is to look at the pier and how after the hurricanes - it is still not repaired. I explained to him how FEMA is involved, the contract is let and work should be starting "soon". That still didn't satisfy him. Beyond the pier, he went on to say the "dogged-eared" condition of the buildings shows that the City hasn't thought that it is important to maintain/repair or replace these important public buildings on our most important property. He went on to say that to see the pier in that condition told him that City government has failed to maintain something in an acceptable condition and that broadcasts to the world that the City "just doesn't care" and that "bleeds over into other areas" related to citizen morale, crime and most poignantly, represents "City-sanctioned blight". He also agreed with me that it represents an important part of the City's heritage that is important to preserve.

I told him he could have been me on the campaign trail talking about the beach.

And, to be honest and to give you some assurance that I am not making up the story, he doesn't like some of the townhouses along Federal.

So the moral of the story - in order to keep our City so that it is considered an attractive place to move back to-we need to make sure our public properties are in good shape - especially our flagship beach property.

Results from Last Night's Commission meeting...

After much discussion, the City Commission decided to enter into a lease agreement with Compass for use of the soon-to-be former Senior Center. Vespo, Clemens and Golden voted in favor of the lease. Commissioner Golden seemed to talk around the issue a lot, but ended up voting in favor of it.

In response to Commissioner Jennings' suggestion that Compass pay more money because they have the resources to do it (Message to Commissioner Jennings - more money from Compass to the City would take away money that Compass uses to serve those in need of services), Commissioner Golden threw out the idea that instead of $1,000 a year, why don't we ask for a $1,000 a month. (Note to Commissioner Golden - Your employer, the Lake Worth Community Development Corporation enjoys a $1 a year lease of a City property, including a building. How about those financials Jo Ann?) This from a Commissioner that talked about the importance of process and playing on an even playing field.

Democracy requires constant vigilance.

At least, the Commission made the right decision and Compass can move forward with their plans. Thank you Compass for deciding to relocate to the City of Lake Worth!

Compass in Downtown Lake Worth

This is what was e-mailed from me to the Commissioners prior to the 10/17 Commission meeting (six months ago) - I am re-posting here and now in advance of the Commission meeting tonight.:

Dear Mayor, Commissioners and City Manager:

I offer this in support of negotiating a lease with Compass to use the current Senior Center. A new Senior Center is being readied by Palm Beach County and is planned to open in the Fall of 2007. This will leave this City facility vacant.

Compass is a mature social service organization that serves a significant portion of Lake Worth residents. Tony Plakas of HomeRule Strategies, LLC has done a great job outlining the strengths of the organization and the services provided. I'd like to take a moment and highlight the benefits of such a move:

• Compass would establish a use for the building that is consistent with the original intent of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974.
• People using the services and support that Compass provides would create another destination and attraction for people to come to our downtown area - adding to the City's vitality. Using the building as just another set of City offices would not have the same effect. Compass also has many evening activities as well as providing educational and cultural events for the Lake Worth community.
  
• Resources, staff, volunteers will provide a ready supply of materials and support during times of hurricanes - all can be called upon to render needed help when the situation arises.
• Meeting spaces for public and private entities would be available.
  
• Compass is self-supporting and not reliant upon City funding. They have the resources to maintain the building and grounds in an appropriate manner.
• Compass' funding sources bring "other" money into the Lake Worth economy. It serves as a portal for all sorts of other governmental and private resources and programs for those in need.
• It is consistent with the Master Plan direction in this area of the City and will likely be near future mass transit opportunities when passenger mass transit service is established on the FEC railroad. It is already on Dixie Hwy. and Palm Tran's most utilized route.
  

Reserving this existing building for City offices would be ill-advised and represent a short term "make-do" measure. Compass is ready to go and start a campaign to raise capital for a new facility. The time to act is now.

Let's do our best to make Compass feel at home and welcomed in the City of Lake Worth.

Sincerely,

Wes Blackman

Beach and Casino Land Use Designation - Response from the State of Florida

This past week, the City received the following response from the State of Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) regarding the creation of the Beach and Casino Future Land Use District and Future Land Use Plan amendment. I plan to discuss it during Truth Matters and will also post it there on the Truth Matters blog on Lake Worth Talk.com. You can use the link immediately to the right of this post to get you there. I am finishing up posting items for tonight's show - the first in what should be a series of shows on comprehensive planning and zoning in the City of Lake Worth.

The show runs from 8 to 9 p.m. on Lake Worth Talk.com.

If you are unable to click on the images to make them larger - you can either use your zoom - if you have IE 7 or another browser with zoom capability - or you can e-mail and I can foward them to you.

It's my understanding that the response to this letter will be presented at the May 2, 2007 Planning and Zoning Board meeting. The City Commission will consider the item upon recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Board

Here are the documents from DCA: