The movie Hogzilla: A movie directed by Diane Jacques (now a candidate for mayor of Lake Worth—this is NOT a joke)

Here is a link to IMDb (Internet Movie Database) for all the movies Diane Jacques is credited with being involved in.

For some reason she didn't include this movie, Hogzilla (below), in her bio she supplied to the Lake Worth NAPC Candidate Forum held on Wednesday, 1/6. She made mention of other made-for-television stuff in the late 1990's though but not Hogzilla. I wonder why? In the candidate bio supplied prior to the debate writes she is "a veteran film and television producer."

Anyhow, enjoy the movie trailer for HOGZILLA!
Note the line near the end of the trailer:"The Other White Meat Bites Back!"

Palm Beach County to consider a large ATV (all-terrain vehicle) park near 20-Mile Bend

Ron Bukley at the Town-Crier has this news about a possible ATV park in western Palm Beach County (PBC). Here is an excerpt from the article:

     Palm Beach County has several projects underway in the area of 20-Mile Bend, including a new bridge, improved roadways and possibly a park for all-terrain vehicles. [emphasis added]
     Improvements are in progress on County Road 880, which includes rebuilding the canal bank that runs alongside it. There are also plans, currently set for 2019, to replace the old swinging truss bridge built there in 1937.
     Last month, Palm Beach County agreed to purchase almost 40 acres of land west of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office shooting range from the South Florida Water Management District for $404,000 to complete a triangle of county-owned property in the area. Other proposed uses besides an ATV park include an emergency communications tower.

Are there any ATV parks in PBC now? I don't know the answer but if there isn't one there should be. Even in places like Wisconsin where the snowmobile should be king the sales of ATV's is far outpacing that of snowmobiles. Plus in the article cited there is a high interest among baby boomers for UTV's (utility vehicles) that can be used on ATV trails. Stay tuned for more on this development and can already imagine the line for public comment at the PBC Commission.

"The Big Story" from Jennifer Kay at the AP: "Wildlife officials want to relist manatees as 'threatened' "

The manatee population has rebounded in a spectacular way and the status of the animal may be upgraded from "endangered" to "threatened". Here is an excerpt from the AP article:

     The population of Florida's iconic manatees has recovered enough that the species no longer meets the definition of "endangered" under the Endangered Species Act, federal wildlife officials said Thursday.
     The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have proposed relisting the slow-moving, speed bump-shaped marine mammals as a "threatened" species, which would not change any current protections for manatees.
     "Based on the best available scientific information, we believe the manatee is no longer in danger of extinction," Michael Oetker, deputy regional director for the wildlife service, said at a news conference at the Miami Seaquarium, which has rescued, rehabilitated and released manatees back into the wild for decades.

Video: New Lake Worth resident says, "I Love Lake Worth" (and a short message to those few negative realtors in our City)

Realtors and the real estate business in Lake Worth are/is very busy these days and anyone who's talked to a realtor knows how true that is. However, there are a couple realtors in the City saying things like homeowner so-and-so "can't wait to get out of here" and you-know-who "thinks Lake Worth is going downhill" and so it goes. This talk is only coming from a few realtors and in no way represents our fine group of real estate professionals here. A large majority of realtors are optimistic about the City as well they should be.

The claims by homeowner so-and-so and you-know-who may or may not be true but think you, the realtor, should concentrate on selling that person's house as quick as you can so we can get new, positive residents to move into the City. You'll hear one of these positive, uplifiting residents and what she had to say at the City Commission meeting on 12/8/15 vis-à-vis the re-zoning of the historic Gulf Stream hotel to move that project forward. [Update: The zoning change was approved at second reading on 1/5/16.]

Any homeowner can be bitter about anything at any given time. It could be a contentious code complaint or a neighbor dispute. Or maybe the homeowner was severely affected by the Great Recession or a City election didn't go the way they wanted or maybe they were just having a really terrible day. Who knows.

In the 28:22 long video (at the end of this post) of public comment you'll hear residents both in support and opposed to the re-zoning of this property:

The white arrow is pointing to a tiny white dot: that is the property subject to the re-zoning request.

However, what I would like you to concentrate on is what a resident has to say at the 3:40 mark to the 5:50 mark. She recently purchased a home in Lake Worth and she says, "I Love Lake Worth". You get the sense she's traveled a lot and seen many places; she never expected to buy a home in Lake Worth but she did because she sees so much "potential" here. 

She references the South Palm Park neighborhood in the City and talks about how historic preservation can revitalize a city having seen it happen with her own eyes—twice. You see, old buildings have the "potential" to do great things when the public policy is in place, the political will is there to make it happen, and residents put aside what's happened in the past to focus on the future. 

At the 10:45 mark Mayor Pam Triolo reads into the record the comments from those that either couldn't attend the meeting or weren't interested in speaking at the podium. That continues until the end of the video. At the 16:00 mark to 18:00 the mayor reads the comments by Yours Truly into the record.

So, without further ado, the video and pay special attention to the 3:40 mark to the 5:50 mark where a new City resident says, "I Love Lake Worth":

What are "christopaths"?* A definition from The Christian Left

What is a "christopath"? Here is the definition: "A christopath is someone who is using Christianity as a cover, a clever pretense to push right wing political aims."

The Christian Left strongly opposes the christopaths and here are some excerpts from their Mission Statement:

We are The Christian Left. We’re all around you. We’re among the people. Take a look. We’re part of the Body of Christ. We’re Christians. We’re Liberal. We make no apologies. In fact Jesus' ways are “Liberal.” That’s why He was killed. The Pharisees and the Sadducees were the conservatives of their time. This is clear.

[and. . .]

We’re not waiting for some earthly leader to come and make everything alright - that man already came. When He comes back, there will be no doubt who HE is. Everyone, without exception, will know. Until then, we are part of the Body of Christ. We’re not ‘Communists’ or ‘Marxists’ either. We reject all such labels. We will not be profiled or pigeonholed and we will not ‘Be Quiet.’ We’re Christians.

[and lastly. . .]

[T]he Christian Left believe homosexual sex to be overemphasized when compared with issues relating to social justice, or even matters of sexual morality involving heterosexual sex. Bottom Line: We welcome ALL to their place at God’s table, just as they are. All means ALL. No exceptions. We reject all attempts to define our Faith by the two wedge issues of Gay Marriage and Abortion.

*Please Note: Any similarities about "christopaths" and a self-proclaimed 'pastor' who believes the City of Lake Worth, FL, is "cracking down" on his church and Jesus are coincidental.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Press Release from the Lake Worth Street Painting Festival on February 20–21

[Please take note: If you have any difficulty finding a hotel room in Lake Worth, which is very possible at this year's festival, our municipal neighbor to the north, West Palm Beach will be happy to serve you. Contact their Visitor Center and learn more. Thank You, Wes.]

Contacts: Nadine Burns, 561-358-8501
Maryanne Webber, 561-301-5476
www.streetpaintingfestivalinc.org

22nd Annual Lake Worth Street Painting Festival in Downtown Lake Worth
      More than 600 artists will use the asphalt as their canvas to transform the streets of downtown Lake Worth into a temporary outdoor gallery of art February 20–21 during the 22nd Annual Street Painting Festival. The paintings—made only of chalk—remain only until traffic returns to the streets and the tires act as giant erasers and the next rain washes them away.
     The Lake Worth Street Painting Festival claims bragging rights as the world’s largest, covering more area than any other festival of its kind, and is the proud recipient of the 2014 Council's Choice, Muse Award for Cultural Excellence.
      This “outdoor gallery” is located on Lake and Lucerne Avenues, spanning between Dixie and Federal Highways. It all starts at 10:00 AM each day and ADMISSION IS FREE.

• Parking is available throughout the downtown area, and Valet Service will also be available.
• Take Tri-Rail to the Festival or Park & Ride: A Free festival shuttle makes timely loops from the Lake Worth Tri-Rail station and Palm Beach State College, Lake Worth Campus to Lake Worth City Hall in downtown from 10 AM to 6 PM both days.

     Kick back and enjoy continuous live music on the Festival's Main stage, located at the Cultural Plaza at Lake Avenue and M Street and don't miss the Festival Food Courts and downtown restaurants, accommodating culinary tastes and thirsts as diverse as the artwork.
     The Street Painting Festival is produced by Street Painting Festival Inc., a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization in cooperation with the City of Lake Worth. Proceeds support the Street Painting Festival event and benefit scholarships offered to graduating high school students, as well as community projects associated with the arts.

[To read the entire press release use this link and scroll down for "Street Painting Festival".]

Don't forget! The Lake Worth BEACH! bonfire is TOMORROW (Friday, 1/8)

pic.twitter.com/FZekTwIGMi

— Lake Worth Casino (@LakeWorthCasino) January 6, 2016

To read more about the Lake Worth BEACH! bonfires and how to find other events happening in the City use this link.

More on the Gulf Stream hotel vote by the Lake Worth City Commission from The Lake Worth Herald and The Palm Beach Post

First off, there was a huge turnout at the City Commission meeting in support of the Gulf Stream hotel and their rezoning request. And these people showed up and stayed well past 8:00 p.m. on a weekday on a cold and drizzly south Florida night. That is a huge statement and can't be ignored. The first report in the Post made no mention of this and am happy to say the latest and final edition does report on the number of folks that came out to support our historic Gulf Stream hotel; more on that later.

Below are two excerpts from The Lake Worth Herald on last Tuesday's City Commission vote to save the Gulf Stream hotel:

     Lake Worth City Commissioners held a quazijudicial hearing on zoning changes for a portion of the property belonging to the Gulfstream Hotel.
     The zoning change will allow Hudson Holdings to add an additional five story hotel building and a two story parking garage.
     Residents and business owners testified before the commission both pro and con the zoning change.
     Ralph Brooks, an attorney representing Roseann Malatakes, a neighbor of the Gulfstream property and Linda Mahoney and Andrew Swain who live one block away from the property, testified before the commission that he disagrees with City Attorney Glen Torcivia who opined state statutes prohibited the Building Heights Referendum held in Lake Worth because it was a charter amendment.
     The majority of those opposing the zoning change based their testimony on the referendum. The referendum was never filed with the state by the City because State Statutes prohibited the charter amendment. [emphasis added]

[and. . .]

     The ordinance passed by a 3-2 vote with Commissioner Christopher McVoy basing his dissension on the referendum position taken by Brooks and Commissioner Ryan Mayer dissenting without comment.

The "heights vote" was declared "null and void" by the state legislature. Read more about that here and also learn about the debunked myth about the "overwhelming" support to limit the heights around the Gulf Stream hotel which was anything but "overwhelming".

Here is an excerpt from the Post article on last Tuesday's (1/5) quasi-judicial hearing:

     As expected, City Hall’s commission chamber was packed, with many residents lined up outside to listen or weigh in on an issue that has, on occasion, divided the city.
     Most in attendance were in favor of the plan to transform the six-story, 106-room Gulf Stream [emphasis added], opened in the 1920s, but vacant the past 10 years, into an 87-room hotel with a downstairs restaurant, a champagne room and a rooftop skybar. The Delray Beach developer [Hudson Holdings] would manage the Gulf Stream along with the restaurant and bar.
     “This is something that’s missed in downtown,” said Barbara Aubel, one of two dozen residents who spoke. “I hope we don’t get in the way of the project. We need this to be a better area and an active building, not just a hulk of an old hotel that should be in a horror movie.”

Going forward we're going to need people to keep SHOWING UP! at meetings. This was a remarkable turnout and it made a huge impact. Remember, there are at most 10–12 people who are the hardcore trying to send the Gulf Stream hotel on a date with the wrecking ball. Don't let them be the only ones at City meetings claiming to be the voice of "the people". 

Thank You everyone for SHOWING UP!

The quote by Dustin Zacks at the Lake Worth City Commission meeting: "Honorable ladies, honorable gentlemen, and Wes Blackman"

I attended the debate at the Lake Worth Playhouse last night and several people came up to me and called me "honorable" and it took a little bit before I figured out why. At the City Commission meeting on Tuesday, 1/5, Mr. Zacks started out his remarks at public comment by saying this, "Honorable ladies, honorable gentlemen, and Wes Blackman". Probably 99% of people who heard what was said and saw the video (below) missed the joke and also didn't see the "look" into my camera. Anyhow, here's to you Big Brother.

Mr. Zacks later in his comments proposed a proclamation that Lake Worth NOT BE "Down Wit OPP". But more on that later.

In the video below are many outstanding comments and encourage you to watch the entire 28 minutes. However, two stand out that would like you to focus on:

The 1:30 mark to 2:00: A woman has her thoughts on the homeless situation in the City. She has children and is very concerned.

The 10:30 mark to 12:40: Michelle Sylvester from the Lake Worth Business Alliance has very tough words for commissioners Ryan Maier and Chris McVoy. She doesn't hold back and thinks these two commissioners aren't doing nearly enough to support the business community.
Now to Mr. Zacks (at the 13:15 mark to 14:10) and his idea that Lake Worth proclaim to not be "Down Wit OPP". He was cleverly poking fun at Commissioner McVoy's proclamation opposing the TPP:

McVoy is not down with TPP but it's not known what his position is on OPP.

So, should the City of Lake Worth be "Down Wit OPP" and also down with TPP? Or up with OPP and also up with TPP? Or not be "Down Wit OPP" and up with TPP? Should a workshop be scheduled to discuss TPP and OPP or would it be better to have two separate workshops? Oh, I forgot. What exactly is "Down Wit OPP"?

A song from the 1991 album titled, "Naughty by Nature" will explain what "Down Wit OPP" is:
Learn more about the former rap group Naughty by Nature using this link. A very interesting story in American music history:

"O.P.P." is a song by American rap group Naughty by Nature. It was released in August 1991 as the lead single from their self-titled debut album Naughty by Nature. The song was one of the first rap songs to become a pop hit when it reached number 6 in the U.S. and number 35 in the UK in 1991. Its declaration, "Down Wit' OPP" was a popular catchphrase in the U.S. in the early-1990s.

Now you know what "OPP" is. Now how many of you have any idea what "TPP" is?

From Vox: "How Chipotle made hundreds of people barf"

If you're not a reader of Vox you're missing out on one of the most ingenious and interesting news outlets in America today. You may or may not agree with their conclusions but how they represent their viewpoints is very clever. In the case of Chipotle and all their troubles of late this news by Vox is explained concisely, in just under 4 minutes. Enjoy the video but try not to watch right after lunch and especially if you ate at Chipotle today:

About the video: "After hearing a trickle of reports about food poisoning over recent months, millions of lunch-seeking Americans are probably wondering: Is it safe to eat at Chipotle?
     The bad news is that public health investigators haven't identified the source of the E. coli that sickened almost 60 Chipotle customers in 11 states. By the time they started testing the restaurants and the employees, they couldn't find a trace of the bacteria.
     But that may be a blessing in disguise because without a specific ingredient or supplier to blame, Chipotle has to inspect everything."

Leave it to ABC25/WPBF: They got it wrong again

There was a terrible mobile home fire and all the news outlets got the location correct. . .except one: ABC25. You can always count on them to get locations wrong anywhere in the vicinity of the City of Lake Worth and central Palm Beach County generally. Here is the news from The Palm Beach Post and a short excerpt:

     A firefighter checks on a mobile home gutted by fire before dawn Wednesday morning at a mobile home park west of Lantana. According to Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, two people were taken to the hospital. Captain Albert Borroto says that the call came in at 2:15 a.m. to reports of a fire inside the Lantana Cascades mobile home park.

Here is ABC25's false news report:

LAKE WORTH [emphasis added], Fla.—Palm Beach County Fire Rescue pulled two people from a mobile home fire in the Lantana Cascade community Wednesday morning.
     According to officials, firefighters were faced with narrow roads and a lack of fire hydrants within the community when they arrived on the scene around 2:30 a.m.

It's usually here where there's a short lesson on municipal borders and what is unincorporated Palm Beach County. However, in the case of ABC25, that effort is pointless.

The Cottages of Lake Worth Home Tour on Sunday, January 24th: Tickets available now

Tickets are available using this link and here is more information about our historic Cottages of Lake Worth. 

If you wish you can follow the Cottages of Lake Worth on Facebook or call 615-330-1819 for more information. 

Click on image to enlarge.

The Self Guided and Walking Tours you can enjoy at your own convenience and leisure.

The Cottages of Lake Worth are small houses that serve as guest, holiday, vacation, or primary residence. They can be of any number of architectural styles, but in Lake Worth styles include Mission Revival, Frame Vernacular, Masonry Vernacular, Bahamian, Craftsman, Art Moderne, Art Deco and Contemporary. Many of our approximately 1,000 cottages are on 25 foot wide lots, under 1,000 square feet and built prior to 1939.

After Henry Flagler extended his rail line south from West Palm Beach to Miami in 1896, a land development plan was created for a town between the railroad and the lake. Finnish, German and Canadian pensioners who purchased agricultural lots west of town, also received a 25 foot wide lot within the City of Lake Worth close to the beach. 

The mission of the Cottages of Lake Worth is to introduce the citizens and visitors of Palm Beach County by celebrating and promoting the history of these unique structures and its people and to assure that this legacy is passed on to future generations. 

The Cottages of Lake Worth program includes a driving and walking tour and brochure with map, which will include descriptions of individual featured cottages. 

Inside many of our Cottages you would find original tall arched ceilings, Dade County Pine floors, wood bean ceilings and original plastered interior walls patterned and textured from neighboring Sea Grape leaves. Some have original fireplaces, lighting, doors, hardware, glass door knobs and mortise locks.

Visit Lake Worth and learn more about these little architectural treasures on our little City lots!

A comment from "JustAnotherDiner" at The Palm Beach Post in the latest article on the Gulf Stream Hotel

Here is a comment made by "JustAnotherDiner" on the article by Kevin Thompson at the Post:

"I have been a property owner and resident of Lake Worth for almost 30 years. I have listened to the arguments since moving here - those wanting to keep Lake Worth "affordable for the people" (depressed), and those looking to improve. I have witnessed people moving into the area seeing the "potential" of Lake Worth, only to leave in just a few years because of the lack of progress. I have voted for development since day one.... renovation of the beach casino, allowing development of the north/south corridor, bonds to improve the infrastructure of Lake Worth. Nothing short of a fight the entire way. Nothing makes me happier than seeing this progress move forward. I wish to thank my 3 commissioners who voted for this current proposal - and at the same time voice my disapproval of the 2 dissident votes. We have a rare treasure in Lake Worth - Close proximity to "metropolitan areas", easy access to multiple airports, walking distance to our public beach, a charming downtown with shops, restaurants, community theater, and a growing art influence. We have our problems with certain activities - which with vigilance, proper over site [sic] from our commissioners, and our police force, I feel can be overcome. Those of us who have bought homes here have a vested interest in the betterment of our community. My thanks to the principles of Hudson Holdings and the foresight of 3 of our commissioners."

Here is how the City Commission voted: 
Mayor Pam Triolo voted Yes
Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell voted Yes
Commissioner Andy Amoroso voted Yes
Commissioner Ryan Maier voted No
Commissioner Chris McVoy voted No

Having read the article by the reporter it's interesting he writes of "angry protests from some residents" but doesn't mention anything about the most remarkable thing which everyone noticed: The high number of people who came out in support for the rezoning of the Gulf Stream hotel property. Why that went unreported is anyone's guess.

Anyone who has been around or dealt with zoning issues knows that, most of the time, it's the opposition who always turns out in large numbers and it's very difficult to get supporters to show up at meetings. Last night's City Commission meeting was very different. It was so unusual that Bonnie Miskel, a well-known and long-time attorney representing the owners of the Gulf Stream hotel remarked, and I'm paraphrasing, said "she'd never seen anything like it before".

Yesterday was a memorable day in Lake Worth and demonstrates there are many people willing to do the heavy lifting to help make our City a better place to live.

Where O Where Are the Challengers to the Elected in Lake Worth?

The challengers have been keeping a very low profile but that will end tonight. There is a debate tonight (1/6) at the Lake Worth Playhouse and you can read about that here. Here are the choices on election day, March 15th:

• Mayor Pam Triolo is being challenged by Gary L. Antieau and Diane Jacques.
• Vice Mayor and District One Commissioner Scott Maxwell is being challenged by the Anarchist Ryan J. Hartman.
• District Three Commissioner Andy Amoroso is challenged by Frank McAlonan.

Unfortunately, won't be able to attend this evening with my trusty video camera but I'll get reports and share them on this blog. [UPDATE: Change of plans and I'll be able to attend the debate this evening.]

Of course, what everyone is interested in seeing is if Anarchist Ryan Hartman appears and if he tries to shed his Anarchist past and take on a mainstream, hipster look to get elected. Below is this Anarchist before the City Commission defending the rights of the homeless to sleep and perform other bodily functions in our City parks in front of your children and tourists:
Hopefully, homelessness and crime will be issues of debate tonight. Maybe the challengers Gary L. Antieau, Diane Jacques, and Frank McAlonan will comment on the efforts by the Anarchists to undermine PBSO and increase the homeless population in Lake Worth? Are they opposed or do they support these efforts in the City? You can't have it both ways.

A sign at a protest in Lake Worth. The Anarchists were very well represented.

The NAPC Candidate Forum is TONIGHT (Wednesday, 1/6) at the Lake Worth Playhouse

Rules for the debate are below.

Mayor Pam Triolo, Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell, and Commissioner Andy Amoroso have accepted to debate any and all challengers.

The Lake Worth Neighborhood Association Presidents Council (NAPC) will hold a candidate forum on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at the Lake Worth Playhouse.

The Playhouse is located at 713 Lake Avenue and the doors will open to the public at 6:15 PM. Candidates for Mayor and Commissioners for Districts 1 and 3 have been invited to participate in the question and answer forum. The Forum will begin at 6:30 PM and is expected to end at 9:00 PM.

The event is open to the public and there is no admission charge.

Questions have been formulated by representatives of the NAPC Member Neighborhood Associations and no questions will be taken from the audience.

In keeping with the Florida Government in the Sunshine laws, the forum has been officially noticed as a public meeting at which questions regarding issues that may come before the City Commission will be asked and may be answered. Minutes of the public meeting will be provided to the Lake Worth City Clerk following the event.

To provide a clear view for everyone in the audience, no campaign yard signs or banners will be allowed inside the Playhouse and campaign literature may only be distributed outside the theater.

As a public meeting, anyone from the public or the press may photograph, video or record the event. All those in attendance will be asked to courteously refrain from flash photography and to be mindful not to block the view of the audience when doing so and will be reminded if the need arises.

The Lake Worth Municipal election will be held Tuesday, March 15, 2016.

Questions regarding the election, precinct locations, absentee ballots and voter registration may be directed to the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office at (561) 656-6200. The NAPC is a not for profit organization incorporated in the State of Florida. The NAPC neither endorses nor opposes any candidate.