Coming Attractions..."TRUTH MATTERS"

Next Sunday (April 15) I will start my Internet radio program called "Truth Matters". It will air from 8 to 9 p.m. every week on Lake Worth Talk.com, right after the Live Show with Jim Stafford.

Content will focus on current events and topics related to the City of Lake Worth. I plan to do a lot of education on the role of zoning, land use law and historic preservation to clear up a lot of misconceptions. We will explore how other communities have met the challenges of redevelopment and how they have successfully attracted investment dollars. We'll examine market forces and how they affect the quality of life that we experience here in Lake Worth, along with global and national trends. We'll also look into green building and its role in the future redevelopment of our City.

I am hoping to use this as a venue to educate in order to prepare residents for the large number of Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code changes that will be considered by the Planning and Zoning Board and the City Commission later this year. We can even use the show to go over the changes proposed as a result of the Master Planning process that has been on-going for the past two years.

It will be interactive and I plan on using this site, in combination with the Lake Worth Talk discussion board, to field questions. Great news - as of today Lake Worth Talk is offering blogs on that site. So, I can post all show related information there under "Truth Matters". I will be testing out various formats this week. But that will turn out to be a great place to display items that we are talking about on the show - and allow for the interaction - like a classroom!

All this is part of an attempt to get out an objective, timely and reliable set of facts regarding the various situations we face here in the City of Lake Worth. I am hopeful that this will help combat the efforts of those seeking to manipulate reality through misunderstandings or outright distortions of fact.

It should be a fun and interesting time. If you have suggestions on some of the topics we should cover, let me know.

The first show will cover the basics of Growth Management legislation in the State of Florida, the importance of the City's Comprehensive Plan and Future Land Use Map, Future Land Use designations, the Zoning Code and Zoning districts within the City of Lake Worth.

Thanks - and let's look forward to a better Lake Worth!

District #1 Meeting on Crime

I missed last night's meeting at Brogue's due to my following of the Gulfstream project being reviewed by the Planning Board at the same time. The meeting at Brogue's has gotten excellent coverage on Channel 5. When they run that story, they also promote the above meeting tonight. The church is at the northeast corner of E and 9th Avenue South and is the major polling location in District #1.

This is in response to our crime wave and gang violence, made even more urgent through the multiple shootings last week (the evening of the run-off election) in the area. Please try to attend as a show of solidarity against the ravages of violent crime.

Let's Ban or Limit Political Yard Signs...

I just see political signs as being a waste in a campaign. They're expensive and do disappear - sometimes due to natural causes and over a period of three months that can mean even more money. Which means more fundraising and increased reliance on PAC contributions.

Signs don't vote, people do.

Some candidates insist that a homeowner put one in their yard, etc. - which is uncomfortable for some people to accept. I also know that many businesses along Dixie were told that even if they didn't want them there, they had to stay - the reason given was that it was a "City thing" or that it was in the right-of-way, etc. They are a pain to pick up afterwards and none of them are really environmentally friendly - a lot of waste stream created for a very short period of time. And they create a lot of visual clutter. They also clue in the opposition of who your supporters are.

It also encourages school yard behavior "oh, he touched my sign..."

Now, if we prohibited them entirely, there might be constitutional issues - freedom of speech, etc.

I don't know if it will go anywhere, but that was my pet peeve during the election - anything related to signs.

I brought this up at the City Commission meeting last night under Public Comment on non-agendaed items.

PZHRPB Meeting Tonight regarding the Gulfstream Hotel Property

Below you will find a copy of the staff report in response to the request to demolish a contributing historic structure on property owned by the owners of the Gulfstream Hotel. You will notice that staff is encouraging the relocation of the structure and the applicant says that they have someone interested in moving it - so demolition would be the last resort. I post this here as I have had trouble with the City's website recently and wasn't able to download the Planning Board packet for tonight's meeting. You should be able to click on the images and make them larger and more legible. If that doesn't work, I can e-mail them to you. Just contact me at wesblackman@gmail.com

I won't post them here due to space constraints, but I also have the other staff reports related to all of the Gulfstream items including Community Appearance and their variance requests. Let me know if you are interested in those and I can send them out via e-mail, as well.

City Commission Goals Formulation...

The City of Lake Worth has commissioned Dr. Ralph Lewis to assist in the development of Commission goals for the period 2007-2012. These goals will be based on input from citizens, professional staff, and elected officials and identifies: 1) strategic service areas, 2) goals, 3) measures and/or Milestones, 4) strategic initiatives.

The Commission goals will enable the City Commission to identify service areas for the City; prioritize major initiatives; effectively allocate human, financial and capital resources; select goal-specific strategic initiatives to support your major policies and ongoing operations.

Public Forums will be facilitated by Dr. Lewis to allow participants to provide input concerning their priorities concerning: quality of life factors that they view important, priorities for government functions and services, and their vision for the City of Lake Worth in the year 2012.
Public Forum dates are: Many of us received this message from the City. The dates originally proposed had the public forums beginning next week. At last night's Commission Meeting it was decided to postpone this to a time after the new City Manager is hired and in place. The best guess for when this will be is the middle to later part of May, 2007. I'll be sure and let you know what the new dates, times and places will be.

Dr. Lewis is a retired member of the Public Administration faculty at Florida International University with extensive experience in strategic planning and management.

Venus and Mars Say "Hi"

Here we are, out for a walk today. That's Venus looking towards the camera; Mars is on the left.

This is Venus on the move - she's so low she's kind of like a hovercraft, very badger-like.

This is Mars. It was hard to get him to look at the camera - this is the best one.

User Stats on this Blog

Sometime in early February, I installed tracking software on this blog. Before, I had no way to guess how many people were using it and using it on a regular basis. I did know that my message was getting out there, but had no idea to what extent. The above table shows that since early February, there have been 1506 "unique" visits to this blog - people entering the site through a specific computer. This probably is an over-estimate of the total people using the site as IPs can be dynamic and people access the site from more than one computer. Of those unique visits, most people (58%) return every day or so to check it for new material and to read the latest entry.

This information is portrayed graphically below:
The chart below indicates that most visitors to the site stay for approximately 1 to 5 minutes:

Another interesting statistic is that around 800 come to the site from no other page on the Internet. This means that number of people likely have this blog saved in their "Favorites".

Just thought you would be interested in how this site is being used. I hope that you find the information here useful and that you keep coming back. It represents my effort to get the word out on important matters happening in the City of Lake Worth.

Thanks for visiting!

Well-wishes and kind thoughts...

Here is an assortment of some of the responses I have received since Tuesday. Thank you for your expressions of appreciation and support. It really does mean a lot to me and I am humbled by your response.

Wes,

We are so disappointed by the election results in your race but
congratulateyou for a great, positive campaign. We hope you'll try again in the
futureas we believe you would make a great public servant for LW.Keep in touch
and get some much deserved rest.

Best Regards,


Vicki Wooldridge & JoAnn Ferrieri

You did a hell of a job, but as you said the other dissenters went over to her
side. You did a first rate campaign !

Dave and Steve

Hey Wes-

Just want to congratulate you for giving the campaign 200% and
let you know how appreciative everyone is for your efforts.

Now get some
rest!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOU DESERVE IT :-)

Sincerely--

Bill Martin

This is just a small set back, hang in there, you need to get to the Bar
more often and start persuading those sorry few that did not see it your way.


Good effort,

Marc
Marc Federau, LIC

Hi Wes:

Before going to bed last night, I checked the Palm Beach
Supv of Elections web site, and saw that you had narrowly lost yesterday’s
runoff election.

I was sorry to see the news – I know you worked
extremely hard, and from what I saw and heard you did everything right. I’m sure
it’s particularly disappointing when you worked so hard and when the race
consequently became such a major part of your life.

But for a first
attempt I think you did great – you were one of the two finalists, and even then
lost by only 4 percentage points.

I hope you don’t give up – I know that
the majority of candidates aren’t elected the first time around, but instead
their first race establishes them in peoples’ minds, so that they’re not a
stranger next time around.

Approximately half of the voters in Lake
Worth found you to be the best candidate in your first time out, and I think
that’s quite a compliment.
If you choose, I’m sure you can build on that in
the future.

Congratulations on a great race. Hopefully you gain some satisfaction
knowing how well you did as a newcomer to Lake Worth electoral politics, and
hopefully you’re comfortable that you did the best you could as the new face on
the ballot.

Take care – Paul

By the narrowest of margins the good folks of Lake Worth lost a battle
yesterday. You can rest assured it was not for a lack of trying on your part, as
we were very proud of your drive, dedication, stamina and perseverance during
what seemed like a never ending race.

Despite the vote, you are a valuable asset to LW and even though this particular door has closed (for now), there is another opening just ahead.

Call when you catch your breath and if you need ANYTHING just let us know.

Love ya long time!

M
& C + a

HEY WES, ITS TAZ. I AM SO SADDENED THAT YOU DID NOT WIN THE SEAT. I HOPE YOU WILL NOT GIVE UP THE FIGHT HOWEVER. LAKE WORTH TRULY DOES NEED YOUR STRENGTH AND INTELLIGENCE.

Wes and Jo Ann,

I am sorry the results were not in your favor on Tuesday. You ran a great campaign and I am sure your issues and leadership will continue to resonate in the city.

Best wishes,
Rick

FYI: The reference above to "Jo Ann" relates to my campaign consultant.

Swearing-in 3:30 p.m. Today at City Hall

Here is the last of the former Commission prior to the opening of the meeting.

Former Mayor Marc saying good-bye.

Former Commissioner Burns gives her farewell.

Our new Mayor Jeff Clemens being sworn-in.

Jo-Ann Golden takes the oath of office.

Pictures from Run-off Election Day

Here we are at the beginning of the day. This is Matt Thomkins and Mike Calhoun showing the colors at St. Andrews Episcopal.

I spent some time with Retha and the 9th Avenue South and E Street precinct. This was right before lunch and the barbecue was already going strong.
Here's Coach Nancy with Angus. She just got off work and suited Angus up for a walk in appropriate attire for the day.
Here's Angus' better side, showing the colors.

Here's our new Mayor - didn't know that then.

The Drautz - Golden folks.

Adios Nancy and Angus, thanks for dropping by!

Refreshing...

Whatever you do, make it an offering to me – the food you eat, the sacrifices you make, the help you give, even your suffering. – Bhagavad Gita

We can’t give anyone joy or security by increasing her bank account or adding to his collection of vintage wines. Of course, a well-chosen gift given at the right time is always welcome, but whatever the gift, we should guard against the nagging expectation of getting something in return. The moment we expect reward or recognition, we are making a contract.

Even parents and children suffer from this contractual relationship. Parents can help their children tremendously by avoiding the “I did this for you, therefore you do that for me” approach, encouraging them instead to follow their own star.

In the spiritual lore of India, it is said that God whispered only one word in our ears when he sent us into the world: “Give.” Give freely of your time, your talent, your resources; give without asking for anything in return. This is the secret of living in joy and security.

The Thought for the Day is today's entry from Eknath Easwaran's Words to Live By. (Copyright 1999 and 2005 by The Blue Mountain Center of Meditation.)

Run-off Results by Precinct - District #3 Race

Remember, you can click on the images to make them larger and more legible.

Link to replay of Lunch Box Show - the day after the election

Just click here and you can hear my appearance on the Lunch Box show with Walter Baker and Jim Stafford - the day after the election (look for "Lunch Box 3 28 on the play list). Thanks for inviting me over guys, it was nice to chat with you. I'm looking forward to starting my weekly show on LakeWorthTalk.com. I am thinking of calling it "Truth Matters".

As soon as I have the day and time of the show, you all will be the first to know!

Letter from the State of Florida regarding the City's Evaluation and Appraisal Report

You might remember, back in January, the City sent up a very large and exhaustive report evaluating and appraising the status of our existing Comprehensive Plan. This is required every seven years and is a preliminary step to the re-writing of our Comprehensive Plan. You might also recall that the Mayor, and to a lesser degree Commissioner Jennings, thought we were sending up an incomplete document that required more study and public meetings. The Mayor even made a remark that here is Lake Worth sending up something that is inadequate and just plain "wrong".

Well, ladies and gentleman, here is the response from the State of Florida saying that the Evaluation and Appraisal Report is "sufficient" - bureaucratic speak for a "clean bill of health". So, another check in the victory column and another step forward for the City of Lake Worth.

Timeline for Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Regulations

This is just in from the consultants regarding the review schedule for the new Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code. I'll let you know what the meeting schedule is when I find out.