Theodore Roosevelt

"Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong."

Someplace where independent thought and expression is discouraged:

What is meant by "getting political?"

Another local blogger is suggesting that the Finance Advisory Board is "getting political."  What exactly does that mean?  First of all, the City Commission is elected through a political process.  "Politics" are defined roughly as getting things done through a governmental process.  Through politics, we express our opinions.  People appointed to advisory boards are meant to offer their opinions on issues faced by the city related to their specific board's function.

What I have found is that the term "getting political" in Lake Worth is usually used as a negative epithet.  Part of why we appoint people, also a political process by the way, to an advisory board is to solicit their unique perspectives based upon where they live, their professional experience and their intelligence.  Suddenly we hear about a board or someone "getting political" in Lake Worth when that person's or board's opinion may be at odds with the current policy promulgated by the Commission or the administration.  Some times, the independent thought that can occur at these advisory board meetings is the first indication that there may be a problem.  Advisory boards can act as "guard rails" around a sharp curve or a noisy inversion of a canary in a coal mine.  Anything should be game for discussion as it relates to input necessary for better policy decisions in the future.  This is the strength of independent thought and is something that should be encouraged.

What many would like to have is a series "rubber stamp" advisory boards that don't question policies or directions in which the city is headed.  See the previous post on political machines.  We are not served well as a community when opinions of those on appointed boards can be predicted based upon who appointed them or whose campaign they worked on.  I remember hearing the complaint from Commissioner Golden that, while I was on the CRA, the "bashing" of the Commission had to stop.  Well, it may have, but is the city better for it?

So, my message to anyone on an appointed board in Lake Worth is to not worry about "getting political" - instead focus on having original thought and be capable of expressing the results of your critical thinking.  Many times it is not the answer that counts but the asking of the right question that is important.

Newsworthy items from around the state and the nation...

Compassionate Code Enforcement in Cape Coral

Martin County considering competing against Comcast for broadband cable customers
Quote from article:  "We're the little guy; they're the giant," Ciampi said. "It would be similar to other municipalities that run their own (electric) utilities competing against FPL. I think that makes perfect sense that the county look at opportunities for revenue generation that does not involve taxpayers."

Bondholders Left in the Dark - Concern Grows Over Lack of Disclosure by State and Local Governments
Quote from WSJ article: "Amid governments' financial woes, meanwhile, angry investors are finding themselves blindsided by bad news.  Those concerns are reflected in a forthcoming study that shows that public issuers routinely file information about their financial health well beyond the date they promise to bondholders, if at all."

West Palm Beach - Top City for hospital care in nation?

Definition of "Political Machine"

A political machine (or simply machine) is a disciplined political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses (usually campaign workers), who receive rewards for their efforts. Although these elements are common to most political parties and organizations, they are essential to political machines, which rely on hierarchy and rewards for political power, often enforced by a strong party whip structure. Machines sometimes have a political boss, often rely on patronage, the spoils system, "behind-the-scenes" control, and longstanding political ties within the structure of a representative democracy. Machines typically are organized on a permanent basis instead of for a single election or event. The term may have a pejorative sense referring to corrupt political machines.^[1]


Read more here.

Lake Worth's Bamboo Room, a rock and blues venue, set to reopen next month

Good News! Click title for link to article.

In what sure is the beginning of a trend...

The city loses the first set of lawsuits from its various labor unions.  This shows that the city's unilateral decisions, in this case to rescind benefits, don't hold up in a court of law.  Money that was "saved" in the FY2009-2010 budget will now have to be applied and then some to the current FY2010-2011 budget.  So much for the city thinking that it is above the law.

Click here for the order.  Click here for another take on the matter.

South Grade Elementary School Garden

Hello Everybody,

Please join us on Saturday, January 29, 2011 as we begin work on the South Grade Elementary School Garden.

We will be meeting at 8:30 AM in the parking lot on the west side of the school. Tasks will involve laying the landscape edging, mulch, pavers and filling garden bags. Planting will take place at a later date.

Please let me know by Thursday, Jan 27th if you will be coming.

Thanks!
Erica

January 29, 2011
8:30 – 12:00 PM
South Grade Elementary
716 South K Street, Lake Worth

Bring hats, shovels and gardening gloves
 
Erica Whitfield
Project Coordinator
Robert Wood Johnson
Healthy Kids Healthy Communities Program
561-969-5880 or PX 45880
School District of Palm Beach County
3300 Forest Hill Blvd C-225
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
Erica.Whitfield@palmbeach.k12.fl.us

No one seems to have read this part of the Zoning Code recently...

23.28.06.00. - Prohibited and exempted signs.

23.28.06.01. Prohibited signs.

A.

Animated signs. (Except time and temperature.)

B.

Snipe signs.

C.

Billboards.

D.

A-frame, sandwich, sidewalk or curb signs.

E.

Streamers, twirling objects, balloons or any other air or gas filled figure or sign, or any other similar items.

F.

Search lights.

G.

Swinging signs.

H.

Outdoor advertising of any kind or character where any live animal or human being is used as part of the advertising and is visible from any public street or public place.

I.

Any unauthorized sign on city property.

J.

Any portable signs or signs attached to trees, utility poles, trailers, roller casters, or any unapproved supporting structures.

K.

Any sign or advertising structure displaying obscene, indecent and/or immoral matter.

L.

Any sign which becomes unsightly. Signs which contribute to unsightliness or are inappropriate as deemed by the building official may be appealed to the board of sign appeals.

M.

Abandoned signs.

N.

Vehicular signs.

O.

Any sign which contains or consists of a three-dimensional sculptured figure which is an emblem/logo of the business to which it is accessory or which represents products manufactured or sold by said business.

P.

Flashing sign.

Q.

Any other sign not specifically authorized by this article.

R.

String of light bulbs, except as provided in section 23.28.05.02 K.(4).

There are a lot of A-frame signs throughout the downtown and up and down Dixie Hwy.  They are all prohibited by the zoning code.  The city has a number of them out at any time advertising recreational programs, bonfires at the beach, etc.  If we are going to allow them, can we change the code so that they are no longer prohibited - or can we change the regulations so that they are only permitted in certain areas or at certain times?  I know many businesses that have been fined in the past for A-frame signs.  In fact, when I was on the Planning and Zoning Board, we specifically acted to allow A-frame signs for a finite period.  This came during the economic slump after the 9/11 incidents.

Or, is it better to allow the city administration and City Commission the ability to selectively enforce regulations - based upon who gave what contribution to whom, etc?

Some say bridge repair spells doom, gloom for Lantana businesses

Click title for PBP article. I have heard about this coming down the pike. How are we taking advantage of this to promote our downtown commercial area? The bridge work will coincide with the projected reconstruction schedule of the Casino building at the beach.  Oh, and it looks like Jane Loves Cheap Furniture has closed.

PBCAS Lecture Thursday Jan 27 7pm

The Palm Beach County

 Archaeological Society

Invites you to Attend a Lecture Entitled:

The Bog Bodies of Florida's Windover Pond- Floridian Health and Healing: 7,000 Years Ago

Presented By: Dr. Michelle Williams

The Windover site is a Floridian mortuary pond which produced the well-preserved remains of 168 individuals. This remarkable discovery allowed archaeologists to take a comprehensive look at life and health 7,000 years ago. Dr. William’s lecture will discuss potential medicinal plant usage among Native Floridians by comparing pathologies identified in the bodies recovered from Windover Pond with the potential medicinal plants associated with them.

Michele Williams, Ph.D., RPA is the Director for the Southeastern Region of Florida Public Archaeology Network.  Her specialty within archaeology is the use of plants by prehistoric Native Americans.

  

Thursday January 27^th at 7PM

West Palm Beach Public Library

411 Clematis Street, WPB

                                For More Info: 561-215-7909

Behind the razor wire with contrite Mary McCarty: 'I took my life for granted. I had a wonderful life. And I blew it'

Click title for link to PBP article.

Click here for cool site that compares U.S.standard of living to other countries.

It would be interesting to have one for cities too.  Remember, the 2010 Census information by locality is due out next month.  Stay tuned!

Lake Worth needs no consultant: Switch to sheriff's office has paid off for city

Shock and awe! The PBP gets it right for once. Click title for link. One of the key lines in the opinion piece:

But the decision to explore whether to get rid of the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office or reduce its presence is a misguided, risky approach.

Click here for news on Genesis Neighborhood Association being selected as a "Featured Community" on the Neighborhood Link website.