Why Jeff Clemens never lost an election, and the things Clemens and others have to do you'll never appreciate. . .but really should reconsider

FYI, if you're a new visitor to my blog national politics isn't dealt with very much because I know what my readers are interested in. If they want to learn about national politics there are many sources available to fit taste and preferences. Sometimes I'll mention state politics but really only in how it affects my City, Lake Worth, and more broadly Palm Beach County.

Lake Worth is a non-partisan City for elections and you don't indicate if you're "(R)" or "(D)" or even "(I)". The Independents are those people we all know and love who have conviction and strong beliefs. They're always right square in the middle of the road at the ready to make hard decisions. The last two sentences you might want to read again. And again.

State Senator Jeff Clemens has to do the unthinkable if you're a Progressive Liberal Democrat like me. (Damn! I just lost readers!) He isn't the only one but I'm just using him as an example. The 'unthinkable' that Clemens has to do is go to Tallahassee and work with Republicans, many of them Conservative, and play nice. He has to smile a lot too. Because if he doesn't then cities like Lake Worth won't get the stuff we need. It's a simple as that. Did you know Clemens has never lost an election? It's true.

I couldn't do what Clemens has to do and neither could most people ergo why he's a state senator and you're not. It's already been proven that Governor Scott was elected because the Liberals, Democrats, and Progressives in Palm Beach, Miami-Dade, and Broward counties didn't perform and the entire state of Florida has to pay the price. They talked a big game though. Big enough and convincing enough that even Charlie Crist believed it. And because of that lack of performance Crist lost. Now when Clemens goes to Tallahassee he's not clicking his heels and yelling, "Yippee".

As a side note, while everyone was making the easy choice for who to challenge Gov. Scott the Lake Worth headquarters for the Nan Rich campaign was my living room and part of my Florida room too. I believed then and still believe now Nan Rich could have beat Gov. Scott. But she wasn't given that chance.

So you've been reading this blog post and wondering, "Wes, what the hell is your point?" My point is simply this: If you love and care for Lake Worth sometimes you need to just trust people. And trust they love Lake Worth just as much as you do. And I know many people who go to Tallahassee to lobby for Lake Worth, and smile, and make nice, and play nice would much rather be anywhere else in the world but in Tallahassee, like Afghanistan for example.

But Tallahassee is where the money is and hard choices have to be made. So when somebody comes knocking on your door in Lake Worth and says that Pam Triolo, Scott Maxwell, and Andy Amoroso are spending too much time in Tallahassee say to yourself, "Thank God somebody is."

President Obama was faced with a similar dilemma. He wanted to accomplish things and he knew in order to accomplish those objectives he had to work with people he didn't want to. That's why he was re-elected. The sad reality is for Lake Worth to succeed we need Gov. Scott and the Republicans more than they need us. The Republicans in Tallahassee know they have nothing to fear from the Progressive Liberal Democrats in south Florida. Complaining about Republicans may make you feel better but it's not helping anyone and it's not helping Lake Worth either.

A reminder. . .Press Release from City of Lake Worth—The debate is TODAY! [and a question from Wes Blackman, if I may]:

NOTICE OF CITY COMMISSION ATTENDANCE
 
Please be advised that Mayor Triolo, Vice Mayor Maxwell, and Commissioner Amoroso will be attending the Bryant Park Neighborhood Association Meeting at the time and location below. Additionally, other City Commission members may be in attendance, but not participating in the discussion:

Bryant Park Neighborhood Association
Monday, January 25, 2016 at 7:00 PM
Beach Club Restaurant [located at the City's golf course]
One 7th Avenue North
Lake Worth, FL

[I have a question: At the upcoming debate we'll hear a lot of new ideas on better ways to move the Gulf Stream hotel project forward. . . but why did you wait until now to tell us when the City has been asking for new ideas for many years now? Aren't these new ideas "null and void" now after so many opportunities to present these ideas has not been taken advantage of? Just asking the question.]

UPDATE: Kathleen McGiveron and Dennis Dorsey's Lake Worth CAUT PAC—What's the latest?

[Stay tuned for more on this later. If you recall, Citizens Against Unfair Taxation (CAUT) won the "2020 Bond Vote" by 25 votes in 2014. That's why that pothole in front of your house isn't getting fixed and your street is too dark at night. Money was contributed to their PAC so it would appear they're getting ready to unleash a wave of negative propaganda against Lake Worth and hurt any progress to move forward. They won the first time. How do you feel about that? Below is the original blog post from last November:]

Below is the latest CAUT treasurer report from November. No $1,000+ checks recorded from the Great Walled City of Atlantis for their next effort in Lake Worth—as yet. But it shouldn't be long now. Stay tuned for the tail to try wagging the dog once again, possibly in the form of a 'new' newspaper. 

Use this link to see all the PAC's in Palm Beach County. My personal favorite is former Lake Worth Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill's Forced to Farm PAC.

The image above is courtesy of Tom McGow depicting Mulvehill during her "Green" phase; of course, now she's in the Ag Reserve lobbying for wider roads and more buildings.

Yes, I saw it. Now you can stop asking me if I read it

Yes, I saw the 'humorists' column written about Lake Worth and the absurd notion there is a "curfew" in the City. After reading the first paragraph with the first talking point I put the paper down and went on to other things. Sometimes the best thing to do is just ignore it and not draw any attention to it. Just forget about it and enjoy your day or if you want to learn more read about 'Mr. Snarky' who recently attended a City Commission meeting in Lake Worth.

An idea for the quirky, charming little City of Lake Worth: The "Chamber Pot Salon"

Part of PR, selling your service(s), and attracting new clients/foot traffic is a clever name—one that sets you apart from the competition. If you didn't know Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo, Commissioner Andy Amoroso, and Commissioner Ryan Maier all have businesses in our downtown. All of you who have been paying attention know Maier's position on public urination: as long as no one sees it "It's not that big a deal".

Mayor Triolo and Commissioner Amoroso have a very different opinion. They think public urination is a very big deal and should be discouraged, especially in front of children, a topic Amoroso has talked about many times.

So. . .I have a suggestion that can solve this dilemma and find the 'common ground'. Why doesn't Maier promote his downtown business as a community urination center? Anyone who doesn't have access to a public toilet can be directed to Maier's business to relieve themselves.

He can promote it as a quick "in and out" service. Everyone is welcome no matter what their current situation. And he could rename his business "The Chamber Pot Salon" to draw attention to the services he offers.

Toilets, defecation, and urination should be an important topic but it's avoided for obvious reasons. The organization World Toilet is trying to change that notion and they've been featured on CNN, The Economist, and Forbes. Here is an excerpt from an article titled simply, "Why Toilets"?:

     We use them every day – at home, school, work, restaurants, shopping malls – yet we seldom talk about them. [emphasis added] The silence around the issue of toilets and sanitation has deadly consequences.
     At current rates of progress, the UN Millennium Development Goal (MDG) target for sanitation remains the most off-track of all, leaving one-third of the world’s population without access to improved sanitation. Sanitation is a basic human right yet slow and insufficient progress leaves billions around the world prone to illness, poverty and abuse.
     Despite compelling evidence that shows the benefits and great returns of investing in sanitation, it continues to be an ‘unglamorous’ subject for many policy-makers. The area of water (an equally important subject), on the other hand, receives more funding and attention on the global development agenda.

There are other people who also think urinating in public is "not that big a deal" like Maier does. These people can also chip in and help. They can hang signs on their front door that they are also a "Chamber Pot" facility and the public is free to come in and relieve themselves to spare the public from having to deal with this public insult. If one location gets too busy a PortoPotty can be placed out of sight in the back yard to handle the extra traffic. Porta Potty is a business in the area that would be happy to help. Please call them at 877-628-3258 to get your free estimate today.

If you have any more ideas please send them to me; my email address is in the right-hand column on this blog.

This idea could really end this debate about public urination and everyone can be free to focus on other issues that are also vitally important to our community.

It's not my intention to offend anyone but will conclude with this: My suggestion is going to really "piss" some people off. However, understand there are a lot of people who are also really "pissed off" by the suggestion that public urination is "not that big a deal".

From former Lake Worth Commissioner Cara Jennings' deposition on August 19, 2011

FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT IN AND FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA
CASE NO.: 50-2009-CA-039320

CITY OF LAKE WORTH,

Defendant.

Question. I've got to ask you this one too, and it seems like an appropriate time: Have you or are you or have you at any time been an avowed anarchist?
Answer [Cara Jennings]. I am an Anarchist. I identify with that political philosophy, yeah.

The "War on Religion" Show in Lake Worth, Florida: Part 1, Acts 1–3—The plot, actors, and props

[Just because. . .a blog post from November 20th, 2015. The anticipated "War on Religion" show hasn't began yet but it's still early. Fresh blog content below. Enjoy! As always, Thank You for visiting my Lake Worth blog!]

On Friday, January 30th, 2015 (Vol. 1/Issue 3) in Margaret Menge's now-defunct (always-FREE, delivered-FREE, advertising-challenged) tabloid, she wrote the words below in her "House Editorial". In her pitch she gave clues to the nonsense that was to come about her "larger truth" vis-à-vis pastor Olive and the curiously named 'Common Ground' church:

     Media bias is often more to do with what newspapers decline to cover than what they do cover. There is almost no coverage whatsoever of churches or of faith in most American newspapers, except in articles about the African-American community. Churches don't get written about. Looking back at old newspapers one time, I saw newspapers reprinting whole Sunday sermons from a local church as a regular thing.
     I'm not planning to do that in these pages. But I do want to write about our churches, and the faith of the people who attend them. And I want to write about many other things, as well, to tell the larger truth of our community, and to make a more complete record of what is happening here.

There are so many churches in our 6 square mile City of Lake Worth that do so much for the community; way too many to name here. And most of us in Lake Worth, including myself, are very appreciative.

On Friday, February 20, 2015 (Vol. 1, Issue 6) Ms. Menge made good on her promise to tell her "larger truth". Unfortunately a local TV news station and some that were duped in the national press picked up on the nonsense before the real story could be told. It was a black eye the City didn't deserve:

CBS12/WPEC's Kathleen Walter with her news segment on February 26th, 2015, about 'pastor' Olive and his Common Ground (no 's') nonsense. Interesting to note, and completely off topic, the segment aired 12 days prior to election day.

A "soviet-style crackdown"? So much for searching for the "common ground" (no 's').

Now you know the real story.

As far as churches and religion not mentioned in newspapers? Each week's Lake Worth Herald dispels that ridiculous notion. There is almost no news coverage about faith by the media? Did Ms. Menge ever hear of Pope Francis? And as far as sermons not printed in entirety in newspapers any longer. . .a thing called the internet made the effort unnecessary. And so did email. And Facebook. And YouTube. And Twitter. . .

[Stay tuned for Part 2 of the War on Religion Show. Just in time for the March 2016 elections in the City. Remember, Menge's first tabloid appeared out of nowhere on January 16th and went downhill from there.]

Come see "High Society" at the Lake Worth Playhouse in downtown Lake Worth and try Callaro's too!

Here's what people are saying about High Society:

      "A wonderful performance Thursday evening .It was very much enjoyed by our women's group. The costumes were lovely and the songs were beautifully performed. I always enjoy the shows here."
     "Very enjoyable show."
     "The venue was very nice. All seats are good. Well done performance!"

The Lake Worth Playhouse is located on Lake Ave a short walk from the Cultural Council. Here is a synopsis of the show:

• Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter.
• Book by Arthur Kopit.
• Additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead.
• Based on the play "The Philadelphia Story" by Philip Barry: Imagine that Philip Barry had written "The Philadelphia Story," his classic 1939 romantic comedy, not as a play but a musical, with Cole Porter as his collaborator, and you have ... HIGH SOCIETY! 

Downtown Lake Worth has lots of restaurants and plenty of free parking. It's election season so you're going to hear a lot of silly things being said about Lake Worth and most of it is nonsense, like the crime rate for instance (which is down considerably), and no, tall buildings are not popping up everywhere. So come into Lake Worth and visit one of my personal favorite restaurants very close to the Playhouse: Callaro's Steak House!

tonight it's happening at Callaro's brr... pic.twitter.com/ZnOWPdcFFy

— Callaros Steak House (@CallarosSteak) January 18, 2016

Get ready for more stray dogs and cats roaming our streets in Lake Worth and elsewhere?

In what may have unintended consequences for city's like Lake Worth the county's animal shelter is changing the rules for dropping off unwanted animals. We all can hope that people turned away from the shelter will take the animal back home for a "two-week waiting" period or, just as likely, the animal will be dropped off in a neighborhood somewhere and become a problem for someone else.

Andy Reid at the Sun Sentinel has this article that, unless I missed it, hasn't been news publicized anywhere else. If it has been reported send me an email which you'll find in the right-hand column of this blog and will provide a link to that information for my readers. Here is an excerpt from the Sun Sentinel article:

     Palm Beach County's animal shelter is making it harder for people to give up their pets, in a new move aimed at saving more unwanted dogs and cats.
     People trying to get rid of their pets may now face a two-week waiting period before the crowded shelter will take them. [emphasis added]
     The goal is to get people to reconsider unloading their pets at the shelter, or find an alternative home where they wouldn't face the risk of being euthanized.
     "There are times when giving up your pet is a rash decision," said Dianne Sauve, the county's director of animal care and control. "Oftentimes, (people) may solve the problem on their own. ... Sometimes it's just giving people the resources that they need."

[and. . .]

     Shelter space constraints limit how long dogs and cats can be held awaiting adoption before they are at risk of being euthanized. The shelter last year euthanized nearly 1,300 dogs and about 4,200 cats, according to the county.

If you're interested you can read about what feral and stray cats are doing to the native bird species here in Florida. Cats should be kept indoors or on a leash if taken outside.

Is there a "curfew" coming to Lake Worth? No. CBS5/WPTV dispels that myth reported by their "News Partner": The Palm Beach Post

Watch this news segment by Brian Entin to learn more about what is happening in Lake Worth

vis-à-vis the efforts by the City to make parks safer and reduce criminal activity at night. Here is an excerpt from the text of the news segment:

     A new ordinance in Lake Worth will not allow people to be in some public areas [emphasis added] during the overnight hours.
     The areas include the Cultural Plaza and the space around some city buildings.
     The ordinance will not actually go into effect until commissioners vote to decide the exact times to enforce the rules.

Here is the video from WPTV:
Please share this information with your friends and neighbors in Lake Worth. Thank you.

Note that in the news article by Kevin Thompson, the City's beat reporter, the word "curfew" is not mentioned at all. Then why add the word to the headline?

Use this link to learn more about this important situation.

[PINNED POST*] The City of Lake Worth doesn't need to hear this from an elected representative:

[Pinned Post: Please scroll down for the latest content below. As always, Thank You! for visiting my blog, Wes.]

As of Friday, January 22nd, there are 53 days until election day (March 15th). If you haven't been paying attention to what is happening in Lake Worth politics it's about time you started. In the video below is Maier at the City Commission meeting on 1/19 that was all about the homeless and nothing about the neighborhoods that are in such need for services and funding (Maier speaks first and then Commissioner Amoroso responds):
So, it's OK for people to urinate on the front door of businesses as long as nobody sees it?
*"Pinned" means this blog post is kept near the top of the blog because so many people are requesting to read about this situation. Please scroll down for new content. Thank You! for visiting my blog, Wes.

Reward increased to $25K to solve the murder of Cynthia Moffett (and one more reason you should't get your news from ABC25/WPBF)

PBSO released the following video on YouTube to hopefully generate more leads to solve the murder of Cynthia Moffett: If you get your news from ABC25/WPBF this is the false information they report to the public:

Moffett was killed March 23, 2006, while working at the Forest Oaks Golf Club in Lake Worth. Deputies believe she was shot and killed during a robbery between 5 and 6 p.m.

Why is this important? This murder occurred way out west in unincorporated Palm Beach County west of Jog Rd. and east of the Florida Turnpike, south of Wellington. Somebody who lives in that area may have seen or heard something and ignored it because they think, wrongly because of ABC25, that the murder occurred many miles away in the City of Lake Worth.

If you know anyone who lives in that area of the county please forward this information to them. Somebody may have that crucial, tiny clue that can solve this murder. PBSO detectives believe whoever committed this crime is familiar with the area and possibly lived in the area and maybe still does.

If you think you know something that can help contact or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-458-8477.

Question: Can Palm Beach County's Climate Change and Sustainability Coordinator offer Lake Worth some guidance?

Natalie Schneider is Palm Beach County's Climate Change Coordinator. We have heard a lot about the issue of Sea Level Rise (SLR) and the responsibility of local governments like Lake Worth have to take it on.

I attended a meeting that included candidate Ryan Hartman and Lake Worth Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell. Three elected Lake Worth representatives (Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell and commissioners Ryan Maier and Chris McVoy) attended the Climate Change Summit in Key West recently and they all returned with their observations and ideas for proceeding forward.

Mr. Hartman when asked about this said he was prepared to reach out to Maier and McVoy but wasn't interested in talking to Maxwell about this subject. My question is this: Should the county's Climate Change Coordinator set guidelines going forward on who sets policy concerning SLR?

Clearly, anyone who knows the situation Lake Worth is in financially knows that the City is very limited in what it can contribute to solving the problem of SLR. And some guidance going forward would be very helpful.

Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell's view on SLR is not extreme by any means:

Maxwell is not a "denier" and he, like almost everyone, is searching for the answers to the problems we face in Lake Worth, Palm Beach County, and the state of Florida.

The question is simply this: What should the role of local governments be to solve SLR and should those burdens be carried by each City individually or should the county take on that burden, set the policy, and give cities the ability to focus on present issues that face each resident each and every day?

What we also need to keep in mind is that if the 2020 Bond had passed, we would be designing all of our new infrastructure to TODAY'S standards. All of the elevations and hydrology related to the improvements would have to take sea level rise into account. The point is that if we don't have this kind of infrastructure funded, we are going to maintain our existing infrastructure to the standard that it was designed. That may be a 1930 standard, a 1956 standard or a 1974 standard. Any new infrastructure designed by licensed civil engineers would take into account current projections and design accordingly. Doing nothing by saying "no" to the bond keeps the City in the past, without a way to adequately address sea level rise projections. If those 25 people had voted the other way, we would be on our way to meeting the sea level rise challenges.

Breaking News: Palm Beach County's First-Ever Cultural Concierge Coming to the Cultural Council in Downtown Lake Worth

Below is great news, not just for Lake Worth, but for the entire Palm Beach County. For additional information contact Judith Czelusniak at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County: 561-471-1602 and use this link for additional contacts. The Cultural Council is also on Twitter and Facebook. Following are excerpts from the Press Release:

THE PALM BEACHES OFFERS VISITORS FIRST-EVER CULTURAL CONCIERGE PROGRAM

Cultural Council of Palm Beach County Connects Tourists, Hotels and Arts Organizations to Curate the Perfect Cultural Experience for Travelers

Lake Worth, FL, January 19 – The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County is taking the visitor experience to an unprecedented level with the introduction of the innovative, new Cultural Concierge program. The first project of its kind in the global tourism industry, this free service will provide travelers with never-before-offered access to insider recommendations, exclusive amenities and customized experiences.

The Cultural Concierge will work with tourists, visiting groups, travel professionals and event planners to ensure that every visitor to Palm Beach County can take full advantage of the more than 42,000 cultural experiences available in the destination. Palm Beach County is Florida’s Cultural Capital™ and home to myriad museums, art galleries, performance halls and more.

“This partnership, where the hospitality industry works together with the cultural community to provide truly customized experiences for travelers, is breaking new ground in the travel industry,” said Marilyn Bauer, director of marketing and government affairs at the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County. “We designed this program to better serve visitors, and we expect to increase cultural tourism, support arts organizations and stimulate economic growth through the distinct cultural opportunities offered with this service.” 

[and. . .]

Guests who wish to utilize this new service can use this link, or contact the concierge via email at (copy and paste): Concierge@PalmBeachCulture.com or by telephone at (561) 214-8082.

[and. . .]

The Cultural Council presents exhibitions featuring Palm Beach County artists and provides additional programming at its headquarters in the historic Robert M. Montgomery, Jr. Building in downtown Lake Worth. Also at the Cultural Council headquarters are the Roe Green Uniquely Palm Beach Store featuring products by Palm Beach County artists, and the Jean S. and Frederic A. Sharf Visitor Information Center, a VISIT FLORIDA designated Florida Certified Tourism Information Center.

The Cultural Council galleries, visitor information center and store are open 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

[Update] Good Luck, Jupiter, and hope you work things out and everyone becomes happy once again

 [Update: Everyone in Palm Beach County, including all your friends in Lake Worth, wish the people of Jupiter the best. However, if the latest news is any indication, they're not going to find a solution any time soon to solve their pressing issue of the day. Here is the latest from Bill DiPaolo, "Harbourside’s war of words escalates with memo, newspaper ad":]

Anyone familiar with Lake Worth knows a lot of people have moved away and been replaced by new residents. It's nearly impossible to find a house to buy in the City for many who are looking to live here. So where did all the former Lake Worth residents go? From the looks of it many of them have moved to Jupiter. It's still "dysfunction junction" here in Lake Worth (things have gotten much better) but when the City arrives at a point where it HAS to make a decision they manage, somehow, to trip or stumble in the right direction.

Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. It's all very entertaining here and that's part of the reason this blog continues to remain so popular. Anyhow, I drove up to Jupiter during the construction of Harbourside and it was an impressive tour I took of the facility, not yet open:
Since Harbourside opened there have been a few hiccups you might say. They can't have music outside any more and there is another issue that's popped up in another part of town. Bill DiPaolo, the Post's reporter in Jupiter, has job security.

Dear fellow Palm Beach County municipal friend, Jupiter, there's nothing I can do to help you through your vexing issues of the day except this: Try just sitting back and enjoy the show. It's not going to last forever and some day you might wish you had more entertainment and distractions going on to liven things up a little.

It's a guilty pleasure when the focus is off Lake Worth and aimed like a laser beam at one of our more affluent cities. Some of you in Jupiter might be upset you can't listen to music outside at Harbourside but here in Lake Worth we have one of the most iconic and historic hotels in the country and two of our commissioners and a few City residents want to tear it down.

So, to all the good people in Jupiter, I can feel your pain. And good luck solving your issues of the day. And please hope and pray your neighbor to the south, Lake Worth, can muster the courage and effort to save one more of Palm Beach County's historical treasures: the Gulf Stream hotel.