Gary Stein: "Will South Florida taxis clean up their act?"

First, if you support Uber and other similar transportation options here in Palm Beach County here is how you contact your county commissioner and there is also a form letter to use if you wish.

Now to Gary Stein, an editor at the Sun Sentinel. He has some issues with taxis in south Florida. Here are some:

If taxis and taxi service were good, they wouldn’t have to worry about competition from Uber or Lyft or anybody else.

• But cabs smell.
• They often don’t have working air conditioning.
• Sometimes the credit card machines are broken.
• The drivers can be surly, and not know directions.
• It can take a long time to get one to pick you up.
• And the prices can be double what Uber charges.

And you really wonder why people deluged the county with complaints when Uber left?

The Flawed Casino Complex: Picture of Lake Worth Casino and Beach Complex by Skyline Aerials, LLC

I found the photo below this morning on a Facebook page of an aerial photography company. This is, of course, after the renovation (or 90%+ demolition) of the property. 

It helps to point out a few things. One is that the pool and pool building take up as much, or more, of the property than the Casino structure. Another is the lack of parking immediately surrounding the building. What the photo does not show is the difference in elevation between the parking at the bottom of the picture and the higher elevation of the Casino building. The closest parking to the building is the permit parking area for residents. On the extreme left of the photo is Kreusler Park and its parking area. 

Not to be missed is the Atlantic Ocean which can be seen in the top portion of the photo. It is the second largest ocean on the planet. This tiny complex is part of a 5 million person plus metropolitan area that is made up of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

From this birds-eye view, the pool represents a large amount of land occupied by something that does not create nearly enough revenue proportionate to the prime space it occupies. Some would say that since this is a "park" revenue should not be the overwhelming concern here. And you can think that way if you want to, but realize that someone (the Lake Worth taxpayer and other users of the beach) have to spend money directly or indirectly to make up for that lost portion of revenue. In other words, the pool can be thought of as an opportunity cost. 

What is the city giving up for the pool to be in this location and take up this much space? And then the question that should be asked is: Is it worth it?

Remember, I enjoy the pool immensely and use it on a regular basis. However, we need to look at this 'amenity' with a critical eye.

If you zoom in on the aerial, you see one of the many design or operation flaws and the impact that it has on the aesthetics and the impression people get when they visit the Casino building:

Along the north side of the road is where most pedestrians travel from the parking area to the Casino building which is on top of the dune. See the dark stain that starts around the loading/trash collection area to the building? This is the standard condition here. It's worse when we haven't had rains, but you can see how the garbage residue is washed down the hill, alongside of where people first experience our beach complex. I bet this is especially true for tourists, as many would seek out this area to park as it is the first one you see upon entering the property. Biking through this area is not pleasant and can sometimes be slippery. The smell is not the best either.

Remember, the location of the building was determined by the policy decision to "save the building", which actually was never really saved. So, in the end, it really could have been placed anywhere on this 19 acre property. It's refuse area could have been designed and covered to have minimal contact with the public. Lastly, do you notice the dock where large trucks park to off-load their deliveries? That's right, there isn't one. 

Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches Expands Further Into Lake Worth

The Lake Worth Herald has this news about Meals on Wheels in Palm Beach County:

     Pam Calzadilla, executive director of Meals on Wheels of the Palm Beaches, is pleased to announce the expansion of services provided to residents of the Lake Worth area.
     “We’ve been happy with the success of our growth in the central Lake Worth area and now we’re able to expand to provide freshly prepared nutritious meals to homebound seniors as far west as Congress Avenue,” Calzadilla said. “We know there’s a huge need in that area.”
     Thanks largely to a grant from the Quantum Foundation and collaboration with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lake Worth, which serves as a distribution site, Meals on Wheels was able to expand into Lake Worth in March of last year. Now, with the latest expansion, Meals on Wheels can reach more homebound seniors, including many living in the Lake Osborne area.

[PINNED POST] The Obtuse Blogger (TOB) at the podium in Lake Worth City Commission meeting, 7/30/2015

For those of you who missed the performance by TOB. . .

Proceed to watch TOB in action below, to the music "Flight of the Bumble Bee".

I know, the performance is very funny. What's not so funny are images such as the following one that TOB posted on her blog:

[RE-POST BY REQUEST] Explained: how those long lists of crime are deceptive and inflate the false perception of crime

[Crime in Lake Worth is a big topic in the City but not in the way it's been talked about in the past. There seems to be a general disgust in the community with how crime is reported and the amount of crime in the western communities that gets attributed to the City, unfairly. The Obtuse Blogger (TOB) for instance, although she's lived here for 80 years or so, is someone who should know better but remains ignorant of the City's borders. This particular post below is a big hit with my readers and was requested to re-post. So here it is:]

One of the standard stock images used by The Obtuse Blogger (TOB) introducing readers to her tediously long list of crimes.

Another day and another tediously long list of crime by The Obtuse Blogger (TOB); this is nothing new. An alert reader of my blog printed out this particular list and sent it to me with one street in highlighted: the 2000 block of Collier Ave. We'll get to that later.

How many readers of her blog do you suppose see that long list and say, "Hey, I'm gonna check if these are really crimes and if they happened in the City?" Would suspect that number to be zero. Here are some 'crimes' TOB lists:

• 7 Beverage Violations (violations are not crimes)
• 2 Drunk Pedestrians 
• 2 Disturbances (car stereo too loud?)

The crimes TOB gives between 2000 and 2400 Lake Worth Road? I'll give her the benefit of the doubt on those; that area is a mix of City and unincorporated Palm Beach County (U-PBC). Without even trying too hard here are some crimes that she lists that occurred outside the City of Lake Worth:

• 1100 block of Lake Geneva Drive
• 1700 block of Katherine Court
• 2500 block of Lake Worth Rd (condo complex in U-PBC)

The message seems to be when fact-checking her list of crimes is the same message PBSO gives at every neighborhood meeting: LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS! The message just never seems to get through. The number of vehicle burglaries? 13.

Now for the home burglary on the 2000 block of Collier Ave:

Image from Google Maps. Note Collier Ave is the east/west street with the 'red pin' in the center.

Collier Ave is only two blocks long located off of Lake Osborne Drive. West of the red pin in the image above is the City of Lake Worth. East of the pin is U-PBC. That area is a "pocket" of U-PBC located within the City. Note that TOB's best friend in the universe lives in the 2100 block of Collier Ave. After TOB living in the City for what, 80 years now, she still doesn't know that the east part of Collier Ave IS NOT in the City? Absurd. But it gets added to the list anyway. 

The next time you see one of those long lists of crime in the City be skeptical. 

A message brought to you by the Lake Worth Neighborhood Association Presidents Council (NAPC).

The Amish on bikes: a looming threat to America?

There are many issues facing the country and now we learn there is another one. An Amish bishop has decreed that the Amish can now ride bikes. Now adults who have never ridden a bike have to learn how. Or maybe the kids can learn and then teach the parents. They'll figure it out; the Amish are a resourceful bunch. 

In the meantime there is going to be an adjustment period with the non-Amish community. Read how the people of Kentucky are dealing with this. Here is an excerpt from the article:   

     "There are a lot of them out there, hundreds of them," said Daviess County Chief Deputy Gary Allison.
     "That lack of experience, that a lot of people put together riding bikes as kids, is something they don't have and that adds to the danger."
     "I don't know exactly how many bikes we have now, but I know it is quite a few," added Gabhart [Daviess County Commissioner Nathan Gabhart].
     "I believe we have around 10,000 Amish in the county. That's the last figure I heard, so the bicycles are rampant out there and the bicycle techniques are perhaps less than desirable. It just seems like there is a safety issue."

[UPDATE: CITY OF WEST PALM BEACH RESPONDS] West Palm Beach examines density allowed by its zoning code.

[UPDATE: The City of West Palm Beach responds to "inaccurate accounts" about their Planning Board meeting tomorrow night. Click here for the city's response. The city contends there is erroneous information in the account below.]

From the group known as Citizens for Thoughtful Growth (CTG).

PLANNING BOARD MEETING 
TUESDAY AUGUST 18, 2015 
6:00pm CITY HALL

Dear Concerned Citizens:

The Planning Board is convening on Tuesday August 18 at 6:00pm for its monthly meeting, but an extremely important topic will be addressed that will affect neighborhoods and areas East of I-95 North from Palm Beach Lakes Blvd to the City Limits and South from Okeechobee Blvd to the spillway. Significant changes are proposed to increase density and decrease Planned Development requirements.

During this meeting, Rick Greene, the Development Services Director for the City of West Palm Beach, will be presenting proposed changes to the Zoning Code. Make no mistake: These changes involve the very issues CTG filed a lawsuit over and are a direct result of our litigation!

Here is a link to Mr. Greene’s presentation to the City Commissioners with some of the proposed changes the City Staff wishes to make to the Zoning Code:

CTG wants to work closely with the City of West Palm Beach in amending the Zoning Code to ensure predictability and objectivity in the approval of all future projects by the City. CTG’s goal is still to have thoughtful growth with an emphasis on protecting and preserving our beautiful waterfront and neighborhoods.

CTG also wants all citizens to be a part of this important conversation. It is imperative that the City host community-wide workshop sessions with interested and concerned citizens to ensure the changes to the Zoning Code consist of changes the citizenry actually supports and understands.

We urge everyone to come to the Planning Board meeting on Tuesday August 18 to hear the presentation, voice your opinion and implore the City to have a productive and constructive dialogue with the citizens to better determine how best to amend the Zoning Code. This presentation to the Planning Board is a great first step, but we NEED more public discourse before changes can be made to our Zoning Code that will affect every citizen in our great City.

CTG

Note: This is the group that filed the lawsuit to stop the Chapel-by-the-Lake high-rise condominium project.

The charming Lake Worth Casino building during a rain storm

This is a video taken with my phone of the charming Casino building during a storm at the BEACH! yesterday. Diners who were sitting outside and passers-by had to scramble out of the way of the cascading water.

This structure, which I sometimes jokingly refer to as the "Gift That Keeps On Giving", is courtesy of a previous city commission. Here is a picture of them when the complex first opened:

The Casino complex is now a confirmed business failure and the City cannot pay back the money borrowed to construct this albatross. 

Also note there has never been a reunion by the "visionaries" pictured above to celebrate their work. Very telling isn't it?

Mayor Jeri Muoio on the closing of Flagler Drive: "It's going to be painful."

This is from the city of West Palm Beach's website. The mayor holds a weekly press conference; a good way to keep the public aware of what is happening. Here is an excerpt:

     During her weekly media briefing, Mayor Muoio urged residents to “plan accordingly” starting Monday when Flagler Drive near the North Bridge shuts down for a year and a half.
     “It’s going to be painful,” said Mayor Muoio.
     But she followed up by saying the Florida Department of Transportation road work will also “be a good thing” when it’s done.
     Beginning Monday [8/17], FDOT will shut down Flagler drive from 4th Street up to the bridge for nine months while they raise the height of the roadway by three feet. The reason is to have the bridge and Flagler Drive meet so that drivers can enter and exit the bridge directly from Flagler Drive.

Mr. Lepa's Home Improvements and the Mean Girls Go On the Attack Again

The Other Blogger (TOB) and the Mean Girls are very unhappy with Mr. Lepa again and this is why.

Last Wednesday (8/12) Mr. Lepa appeared before the Lake Worth Historic Resource Preservation Board and you can see what he was requesting here (go to page 222 for the beginning). Here are some of the improvements he's made to his home:

He's done everything right, going through the proper procedures and the permitting process. You would think the residents of Lake Worth would be happy about this? Some people will not be happy about anything. Below is an earlier picture TOB took of Mr. Lepa's home:

Along with the 14 anonymous comments registering their displeasure with Mr. Lepa, Ms. Anderson penned 3 additional silly comments and "Weetha Peebull" chimed in with 2 more even-sillier comments. But only 1 of the comments made any sense, and it was this one:

 The comment continues:

The commenter refers to 805 N. Lakeside, a house 1 block North of Mr. Lepa. Here is a GoogleMaps street view of 805 N. Lakeside:

Looking for a school in West Palm Beach? Have you considered the Palm Beach County Jail?

As part of my continued effort to demonstrate the absurdity of The Palm Beach Post using NeighborhoodScout (NHS) to report on crime in Lake Worth decided to do some poking around the NHS website about the city of West Palm Beach, where the paper is headquartered. When you look for schools in West Palm Beach look at two that are listed:

Two 'schools' in West Palm Beach.

Did you know that, according to NHS, West Palm Beach is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States? According to NHS it is:

According to NHS 94% of cities in the United States are safer than West Palm Beach.

The city of Riviera Beach is twice as safe as West Palm Beach according to NHS. 

Instead of NHS being cited as an expert source for local news and information the public should instead be cautioned about dubious websites whose data collection methods are unknown. That's the real news story.

Edward G. Ryan, chief justice of Wisconsin Supreme Court, address to graduating class at University of Wisconsin, 1873

"The enterprises of the country are aggregating vast corporate combinations of unexampled capital, boldly marching, not for economic conquests only, but for political power. The question will arise, and arise in your day, though perhaps not fully in mine: Which shall rule -- wealth or man; which shall lead -- money or intellect; who shall fill public stations -- educated and patriotic free men, or the feudal serfs of corporate capital?"

Collage from last night's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Movie at the Cultural Plaza

From Walkable West Palm Beach—Support ridehailing services like Uber and Lyft: Email the County Commissioners

Walkable West Palm Beach is an outspoken supporter for ridehailing services. (Read past content). The County Commission votes on whether to allow these services to operate in Palm Beach County on Tuesday of this week. Please send a supportive email to BCC-AllCommissioners@pbcgov.org which will email all county commissioners.

A sample support email is included below, courtesy of Complete Streets Palm Beaches:

Honorable Commissioners,

We ask that you embrace ridesharing and work with Uber, Lyft, and similar companies to ensure continued access to safe, reliable and affordable transportation options, while also providing greater economic opportunities for our citizens. New technologies call for new regulatory approaches and we hope that you follow down that path and not stifle innovation.

Safety is our primary concern, noting that Uber and Lyft’s entry into markets have correlated with a drop in DUI arrests and a decline in drunk-driving crashes in cities across the country including Philadelphia, Seattle, and across California. Ridesharing drivers have the ability to respond to demand in real-time, connecting riders with a safe and reliable means of transportation when they need it the most.

Furthermore, Uber has a $1M primary insurance policy that covers all trips, and conducts federal, state and local background checks going back 7 years. Even further, riders and drivers have the ability to rate one another, ensuring that both are having the best experience possible.

Our secondary concern is the cost of ridesharing versus traditional vehicle for hire options, which have semi-regulated fare prices. Uber and Lyft operate without this price floor and are able to provide more competitive price options to travelers.

We urge the county to craft modern regulations that embrace more choice and opportunity for everyone and create a permanent home for job-creating technologies such as ridesharing.

Here it is, Kevin Thompson's Lake Worth 'crime' story

The story finally hit the print edition in today's (Sunday, 8/16) edition, in the B section below the fold. 

Here is a link to the article. I still have not received any further information from NeighborhoodScout about the method for data collection, specifically from zip code 33461. 

This is a continuing story and I encourage you to check back to this blog for more on this. It's my contention that the City of Lake Worth has been treated very unfairly by both the website and the Post reporter who used this data to put the City in a bad light. 

What does encourage me is the angst by Mayor Pam Triolo and City Manager Michael Bornstein about this situation. For too long now it's fallen on a few brave sets of shoulders to defend the City against the unfair and inaccurate reporting by the news media. It's time for the City to step up and defend themselves. The City of Lake Worth has enough problems. We don't need the black eye for what happens in the suburban communities in Palm Beach County. 

And it's time for the news media, including The Palm Beach Post to get over their long-held and false biases about the City: