Regarding the audio hum from the dais, Selection Committee Meeting last night.
"What seemed to be a low frequency hum was present last night as the Selection Committee met at City Hall. Some of us use wide range speakers for computer playback, which amplify low frequencies.
It was particularly noticeable when residents were speaking, since the automatic gain in the system was being suppressed by the hum, causing a slightly lower volume than we are accustomed to at home. This hum can not be heard in the chamber.
Upon closer examination, it appeared that Commissioner Mulvehill’s laptop was leaning directly against the microphone.
The end result was difficulty hearing the residents comments at the podium, since the auto gain lowered the usually crisp and clear statements by citizens of Lake Worth.
Five minutes before the meeting ended, the laptop was closed up, and the hum disappeared. Simply, the cause was the fan running in the laptop.
This can be verified by viewing playback of the meeting.
It is recommended that Commissioners and guests pull their laptops away from direct contact with the microphones, in order to avoid this problem at future meetings."
This from a person who is a Life Member, Society of Broadcast Engineers “SBE”
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Trailer for ‘Parker,’ filmed in Palm Beach, now on YouTube
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This was filmed in the area during September of 2011 - the film will be released in January of next year. Click title for link to the Palm Beach Daily News article for more details.
Next Step for Seven50: Work Group Road Show - Seven50.org
Click title for link. This looks like a worthy effort in what is called a southeast Florida Prosperity Plan - covering seven counties over the next 50 years. These are a series of interactive work groups - the one in Palm Beach County will be taking place on November 16th from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Vista Center - near Okeechobee Boulevard and Jog Road. Let me know if you are interested in going. Perhaps we can share a ride?
Palm Beach County, FL Supervisor of Elections
LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE FOR THE NOVEMBER 6TH ELECTION. CLICK TITLE FOR LINK TO SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS WEBSITE.
Florida League of Cities Webinar on Amendment 4
Click title for link to a webinar that will take place tomorrow (10/10) from 2 to 3 p.m. It will deal with potential impacts to cities if Amendment 4 passes. Amendment 4 seeks to change significant parts of the property tax assessment system in the state and would give an additional exemption for first time home buyers. But that isn't the only change. You can learn more tomorrow - reserve your space by following the instructions found on the linked page.
Jane Howard
"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family: Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
Monday, October 8, 2012
One of the 1400 plus vacant, blighted structures in the city...
We came across this "house" along Cochran Drive this past weekend. The neighbor across the street, with a nicely manicured yard, said that it has been in this condition since 2004. She said that every year or so someone (?) comes by and puts a blue tarp where there used to be a roof. She also said that she has talked to many people in the city about this property and has had zero response, so she just doesn't call any more.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
A blast from the past...look at the quote while it lasts...
Click title for link to a PBP article that appeared the day after the 2010 Lake Worth City Commission election, which brought us the representation of Commissioners Mulvehill and McVoy to the dais. The following comes from the article. We are now aware of the tragic flaw present in this line of thinking:
Vice Mayor Jo-Ann Golden said the election of McVoy and Mulvehill should allow the commission to continue projects such as the casino renovation instead of stopping to question the plans or change directions.
"We're looking toward the future, and we're not going backward again," Golden said.
As we review the materials for Tuesday's City Commission meeting, we are reminded that it would have been a good idea to have someone with a critical eye on the Commission that was willing to question the project as it proceeded. Apparently, any sort of inquiry was squelched at the highest levels, including our former city manager who stood in front of the information gate. We will be living the result for many years.
Now how about that seawall?
Vice Mayor Jo-Ann Golden said the election of McVoy and Mulvehill should allow the commission to continue projects such as the casino renovation instead of stopping to question the plans or change directions.
"We're looking toward the future, and we're not going backward again," Golden said.
As we review the materials for Tuesday's City Commission meeting, we are reminded that it would have been a good idea to have someone with a critical eye on the Commission that was willing to question the project as it proceeded. Apparently, any sort of inquiry was squelched at the highest levels, including our former city manager who stood in front of the information gate. We will be living the result for many years.
Now how about that seawall?
Lake Worth to discuss problems with casino building
Click title for link to PBP article announcing a special City Commission meeting to discuss what appear to be "problems" with the casino building and pool. Problems, what problems? The meeting is scheduled for this Tuesday at 6 p.m. Make sure to check out the back-up material - especially the revised seven page long punch list of items on pages 11 through 17. The initial punch list is dated July 27, 2012.
Below is the list of deficient items in just the ballroom space:
Ballroom 2.03
100. Air Conditioning not working at the time of this inspection. It was 87 degrees in the
space.
101. Install missing panic hardware at door #203
should therefore have panic
102. Install missing astragal at door #203
103. Several doors have mismatched door sweep fasteners. Please match as required.
104. Seven (7) Ceiling access panels on the west side of the room appear to be warped
Address the door/framing system of the panel doors.
105. Adjust the smaller ceiling access panels. The doors do not appear to close properly.
106. There appears to be numerous (at least nine (9)) small holes drilled in the wood floor
along the eastern portion of the space. These appear to be air holes drilled in the floor to
allow moisture to escape from under the wood flooring. These floor boards ne
replaced.
107. Pair of doors #203-13 has two (2) holes drilled into the top of the door stiles.
Repair/replace doors as required.
108. Replace corroded exterior door pulls at pair of doors #203.13.
109. Address the numerous gaps at the perimeter of the floor/wo
in paint finish.
110. Wainscoting butt joints are inconsistent throughout the space. The appearance of the
inconsistencies needs to be addressed.
111. Retouch wainscot stain finish at the N/W corner of space.
112. Replace header door trim above door #203
the trim piece.
Below is the list of deficient items in just the ballroom space:
Ballroom 2.03
100. Air Conditioning not working at the time of this inspection. It was 87 degrees in the
space.
101. Install missing panic hardware at door #203
should therefore have panic
102. Install missing astragal at door #203
103. Several doors have mismatched door sweep fasteners. Please match as required.
104. Seven (7) Ceiling access panels on the west side of the room appear to be warped
Address the door/framing system of the panel doors.
105. Adjust the smaller ceiling access panels. The doors do not appear to close properly.
106. There appears to be numerous (at least nine (9)) small holes drilled in the wood floor
along the eastern portion of the space. These appear to be air holes drilled in the floor to
allow moisture to escape from under the wood flooring. These floor boards ne
replaced.
107. Pair of doors #203-13 has two (2) holes drilled into the top of the door stiles.
Repair/replace doors as required.
108. Replace corroded exterior door pulls at pair of doors #203.13.
109. Address the numerous gaps at the perimeter of the floor/wo
in paint finish.
110. Wainscoting butt joints are inconsistent throughout the space. The appearance of the
inconsistencies needs to be addressed.
111. Retouch wainscot stain finish at the N/W corner of space.
112. Replace header door trim above door #203
the trim piece.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
For those that think Commissioner McVoy "knows the Charter..."
There was a comment just left under another post which asserted that Commissioner McVoy "knows the Charter." In recent campaign appearances, Commissioner McVoy has stated that it is impossible for the city to sell any part of the utility since "the Charter prevents it."
Well, Commissioner McVoy, lets look at what the Charter really says about that. Under "Article IV - Administrative" appears this wording under Section 9:
Well, Commissioner McVoy, lets look at what the Charter really says about that. Under "Article IV - Administrative" appears this wording under Section 9:
The city commission shall not sell, lease, transfer or convey or otherwise dispose
of any public utility plant or plants owned by the city without the affirmative vote
of a majority of the city electors upon an ordinance stating the terms and conditions
of such sale, lease, transfer, conveyance, or disposition.
So, dear readers, this language is consistent with the mantra we hear coming from this Commissioner on the height issue: "Let the people vote." Far from prohibiting the sale of the utility, the Charter allows the sale through the affirmative vote of the electorate.
And, while we are at it, in 1996 a referendum appeared on the ballot that passed which became part of the same Article as the above:
East of Dixie Highway within the city no building or part thereof shall be constructed
which exceeds a vertical height of sixty-five (65) feet above grade. West of Dixie
Highway within the city no building or part thereof shall be constructed which exceeds
a vertical height of one hundred (100) feet above grade.
Only rarely do you hear anyone mention this provision since A) this appeared on the ballot and was added to the Charter by an affirmative vote of the electorate (i.e, the People spoke) and B) it doesn't fit in with preventing Lake Worth from becoming like Manhattan in some people's eyes. It should also be noted that the Comprehensive Plan and the zoning code never were changed to allow a maximum height anywhere close to 100 feet anywhere in the city.
Furthermore, and Commissioner McVoy knows this as well since he has been part of various petition drives, the Charter can be amended through referendum by a petition process that is outlined within its own text. So in many ways the Charter is a living and breathing document that is subject to the will and desire of the electorate at any given time. What is or is not permitted now may not be what is or is not permitted in the future.
And, lest we not forget, the Charter also mandates that the City hire an Internal Auditor which reports to the City Commission. The City hasn't had one since former City Manager Susan Stanton - fiercely supported by Commissioner McVoy - eliminated the position since "we didn't need anyone pointing out more problems." Funding of that position was thought to be "optional" by the previous city attorney, based upon availability funds in the budget. The position remains unfilled to this day.
And, lest we not forget, the Charter also mandates that the City hire an Internal Auditor which reports to the City Commission. The City hasn't had one since former City Manager Susan Stanton - fiercely supported by Commissioner McVoy - eliminated the position since "we didn't need anyone pointing out more problems." Funding of that position was thought to be "optional" by the previous city attorney, based upon availability funds in the budget. The position remains unfilled to this day.
Click here if you would like to review the various provisions of the Lake Worth City Charter yourself.
New Times' South Florida Web Awards
The following e-mail landed in my inbox early last evening. I am humbled to report that this blog is included as one of five best blogs in Palm Beach County. It won a similar title back in 2009 and there are those that think it is worthy of consideration again! Congratulations also goes out to AnnaMaria Windisch-Hunt for her Lake Worth Every Minute blog which is similarly nominated this year. You have until October 26th to place your vote. If you look in the right-hand column of the blog, you will find an image that by clicking on it will take you to the page where you can submit your vote. I'll keep you posted as I am aware of further developments.
Here is the e-mail I received:
Here is the e-mail I received:
New Times' South Florida Web Awards
Congratulations, Wes!
I'm Alex Rodriguez, with the Miami and Broward-Palm Beach New Times. I'm pleased to inform you that you've been nominated for our first annual South Florida Web Awards!
You and other finalists were nominated for the best Palm Beach blog. We love your stuff!
Winners will be announced at Fort Lauderdale's Greenroom, (109 SW 2nd Ave. Downtown Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312) on Saturday, November 3rd. We'll have more details to pass on as the date approaches.
In the meantime, add our button to your site so people can vote for you.
Don't forget to post it on Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr and Instagram.
Feel free to use the hashtag #SFLwebawards with this short link to build awareness of your honor! http://bit.ly/
Congrats again. Now, get to voting. Good luck!
Alex Rodriguez
Assistant Web Editor
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