Click title for link to PBP article. More whistling by the graveyard by our Mayor. Does anyone know if he has left town yet? Nobody seems to hear from him on a day-to-day basis. The exception seems to be the Mayor's planned coffees, or this morning's meeting with potted plants. Oh, and then there is the State of the City address coming up next week where we will all be relieved to hear how things are not "really very catastrophic" here in Lake Worth. Sometimes I think that our Mayor made some sort of deal with the devil where he promised to be ineffectual throughout his entire term to help the forces of darkness continue to make headway.
The point to all this about the judgement against the city is this: Why did the City go to the mat with this issue? Why pay for the attorneys, upsetting our workers and violating union contracts? That has a real cost. Then we find out that the decision to stiff employees for out-of-pocket medical costs wasn't material anyway. I'd like to see what the City spent to defend its indefensible position. Who made the decision to go against the contract in the first place?
Monday, January 31, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
FYI - Comments have been going to my G-mail spam folder. Correcting the problem now.
I think it's back to working as it should. Let me know by e-mail (wesblackman@gmail.com) if you have placed a comment and don't see it come up within a reasonable time. I turn away very few.
Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Association - Alley Clean-up
Good Afternoon Friends & Neighbors!
Please join the Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Association tomorrow morning for an alley clean-up!
Who: Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Association
What: Alley Clean-up
Where: Alley-ways behind G & H St. beween 3rd & 10th Ave. North
When: Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 8am. Please meet and park in the rear of the Burger King parking lot.
Garbage bags, bottled water and pickers will be provided. Please bring gloves! If you have any questions, you can contact me at jessica@tropicalridge.orgor 561.635.7766.
See you there!
Click here for letter to City Commission from loyal reader regarding dogs being allowed in Lake Worth parks.
I do not share all of this reader's views, but I think that a six month analysis of any change that would allow dogs in parks would be a good idea.
Top Secret
This is from my tracking software that is part of the blog. Besides the numbers (thank you for visiting), I thought it was interesting to see the variety of platforms that access this blog. I just changed from my Blackberry - which was almost useless for Internet items - to an Evo now. This allows me to approve comments - assuming that is working o.k. - while away from my computer. I can also easily access the blog and post from the EVO too - it happens to fit perfectly on the screen when the keyboard is slid out.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Some other thoughts about the role of advisory boards...
One of the frustrations of being an engaged resident of Lake Worth, and at times for the members of the City Commission, is the amount of meetings that take place during the typical working hours of the weekday. Most of these are "work sessions." During these sort of meetings, action cannot be taken. However, many time "consensus" is reached during these sessions - which in my opinion stretches what should be allowed during "work sessions." But, whatever the case, many things are discussed at these meetings that could be handled by one or more of the city's advisory boards.
Here is a link from the city's website showing the number and type of advisory boards. I already notice that it isn't a current list since the Finance Advisory Board, Community Relations Board and Marketing Task Force aren't included on the list.
If the city were serious about getting the best ideas, it really could use its advisory boards in a more productive way by parceling out some of the items dealt with by the City Commission in work sessions to these boards - asking them for a report back on a given topic. That is, unless you are afraid of the answer that you will get in return. Remember, this Commission is one with a sitting City Commissioner that led a petition drive to repeal ordinances. That Commissioner seems unable to recognize this fact as the city goes forward utilizing what is enabled in those ordinances. This is not an example that representatives who are supposed to speak for the "people" should follow.
Public opinion is not a political plaything.
You either are listening to the "people" or you aren't. Using the array of advisory boards is one to way to do that better. Otherwise, you are regurgitating ideas amongst the Commission and senior administration without any additional input. Remember too that public comment is not allowed during work sessions. I guess the current format fits the current regime's vision of public involvement just fine - or it would change.
Here is a link from the city's website showing the number and type of advisory boards. I already notice that it isn't a current list since the Finance Advisory Board, Community Relations Board and Marketing Task Force aren't included on the list.
If the city were serious about getting the best ideas, it really could use its advisory boards in a more productive way by parceling out some of the items dealt with by the City Commission in work sessions to these boards - asking them for a report back on a given topic. That is, unless you are afraid of the answer that you will get in return. Remember, this Commission is one with a sitting City Commissioner that led a petition drive to repeal ordinances. That Commissioner seems unable to recognize this fact as the city goes forward utilizing what is enabled in those ordinances. This is not an example that representatives who are supposed to speak for the "people" should follow.
Public opinion is not a political plaything.
You either are listening to the "people" or you aren't. Using the array of advisory boards is one to way to do that better. Otherwise, you are regurgitating ideas amongst the Commission and senior administration without any additional input. Remember too that public comment is not allowed during work sessions. I guess the current format fits the current regime's vision of public involvement just fine - or it would change.
Click here if you want to see the back-up for Palm Beach County's Evaluation and Appraisal Report for its Comprehensive Plan.
It will be the first item on the Board of County Commissioner's workshop of January 25, 2011. I am still going through it, but it is a good example of what a professional planning staff is capable of. I am sure there are items that might impact what Lake Worth will become in the future. I'll share any revelations after reading the back-up information.
Mark Shields - PBS
"There was one observation that was made this week I just have to pass on to you by a friend of mine, Allen Ginsberg, who is an historian up in Maine. And he said, this week, we saw a white, Catholic, Republican federal judge murdered on his way to greet a Democratic woman, member of Congress, who was his friend and was Jewish. Her life was saved initially by a 20-year-old Mexican-American college student, who saved her, and eventually by a Korean-American combat surgeon."
Palm Beach County property values down 5 percent; commercial hardest hit
Ominous - click title for link to PBP article. Remember, Lake Worth's commercial properties are also saddled with the highest electric utility rates in the state. The decline here in Lake Worth will be much more than the 5 percent predicted for the County as a whole. No breakdown by municipality, but one would think that those numbers are available to the cities for help in budget preparation and forecasting.
Update: I just called the Property Appraiser's office and a breakdown by municipality is not available yet and this is just a general projection at this point in time.
Update: I just called the Property Appraiser's office and a breakdown by municipality is not available yet and this is just a general projection at this point in time.
Lake Worth's HR director leaving $98,000 job to pursue other options
Click title for link to PBP article. Guess Mr. Howard wasn't given the press release on the recent adverse decisions against the city regarding its labor unions. An objective reporter would have mentioned that in this piece - alas. Check out some of the comments at the end of the article. Perhaps the "other options" include maintaining her sanity?
The brain-drain continues from city staff. I am currently reading Bloodlands: Europe between Hitler and Stalin by Timothy Synder. This is beginning to recall the targeting and persecuting of the intelligentsia.
Mayor Varela State of the City Address 2011
Lake Worth Mayor, Renè A. Varela, will be issuing his second annual State of the City Address on Wednesday, February 9th, 2011 at 7:00 pm in the Lake Worth Playhouse.
During his address, the Mayor will provide a report on the current condition of the City and outline his plan and vision for improvement. Highlights of the speech will include updates on the current state of the City’s finances, utilities, blight and crime statistics; providing Lake Worth residents and business owners with a better understanding of where the City currently stands and how these challenges can be overcome. The address is designed to be a continuing commitment by the Mayor to deliver an annual State of the City Addresses to the residents and business owners of the City. Mayor Varela feels that this effort extends the promotion of transparent government and keeps the community informed and up to date on the progress being made. The event is free of charge and open to all interested residents of the City.
During his address, the Mayor will provide a report on the current condition of the City and outline his plan and vision for improvement. Highlights of the speech will include updates on the current state of the City’s finances, utilities, blight and crime statistics; providing Lake Worth residents and business owners with a better understanding of where the City currently stands and how these challenges can be overcome. The address is designed to be a continuing commitment by the Mayor to deliver an annual State of the City Addresses to the residents and business owners of the City. Mayor Varela feels that this effort extends the promotion of transparent government and keeps the community informed and up to date on the progress being made. The event is free of charge and open to all interested residents of the City.
Good News! Rotary Donation to LW Athletic Director
Hi Wes,
Thanks for the info on the need for a high jump/vault pit cover at LW High. I started the process for possible support after reading here.
The LW Rotary Past Presidents fund was able to help with $500.00. The LW High AD received the check today. Again, Rotary was happy to support this worthwhile community need. LW Rotary has been active in the LW community since 1925. Thanks for getting this in motion through your blog.
John Endruschat
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