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If you visit here regularly, you might have noticed the great expanding and contracting banner that leads the top of the blog. Today, it seems to be settling on a shorter version of the banner, rather than a taller one. It is intended to be the taller version. The Blogger help desk is full of complaints from people about it and they say something is in the works. In the meantime, we can watch as it shrinks and stretches from time to time.

But this attention on the banner gives me an opportunity to talk about the content of it (the picture) and a lingering, incipient City policy that you may not know about. It took me by surprise and to my knowledge it has never been discussed in a public forum.

To the right is the "official" City of Lake Worth "logo". On one of the early editions of my campaign flyers, I included this "logo" on the top of the back part of the hand bill. I was told by the clerks office that the City logo could not be used on campaign materials and that it had to be removed. So, we took the time to sufficiently cover each one of the offending pieces of literature with a sticker that obscured the image. In future editions of the same flyer, we removed the image completely. This being done even though the City does not have a copyright on the image and nothing is written down (in the form of an ordinance or a resolution) relating to restricting the use of this image. The rationale given for this "policy" was it might confuse people that somehow the City was endorsing the candidate - which, of course, is an absurd notion that the City would be endorsing any candidate. Furthermore, aren't all candidates running to represent the people of the City of Lake Worth and, as such, wouldn't the logo of that organization have a place on material related to any candidate? At the end of the day, it really didn't matter as the campaign complied with the "directive" given.

However, the issue reared its head again as one of my campaign mailers used an image of City Hall (the building at 7 N. Dixie Hwy) as the background and it included the City logo that can be seen on top of the electronic sign on the front lawn of the City Hall. Then I was told by the Clerk's office that a campaign couldn't use the image of a City building as part of its campaign materials and that, again, I used the logo. So, just so everyone is aware in case you plan to run for office - you cannot use the graven image of a City building in your campaign propaganda. Again - even though this is not part of any ordinance or resolution or state law or anything like that.

Imagine if this policy were carried out on a state and national level - no use of the flag, any government building in any promotional materials.

Given this, it would be well worth our while to set out strict policies about the use of the City's logo and other images. I really think that it is out-of-bounds to exclude images of the City's own buildings as that may be, and was for my campaign , one of the key parts of a candidate's platform. City buildings are public property and images of them would fall into the public realm, I believe. And, if the City is serious about protecting the use of its logo, then it should go about getting it copyrighted and be ready to act on any infringement of that copyright.

And, while we're at it, we should create regulations to better restrict the use of political yard signs. As our focus is on election related matters due to the coming ballot issues on January 29th, it might be a good time to do that now.

So, coming back to the banner used on this site - I decided to use the image of the former Casino building as the banner due to its symbolic importance as being on the City's flagship property and how it represents the aspirations of the City - realized or not. It is also not recognizable as a City building - in an attempt to avoid any infringement on this "policy". It's even harder to recognize now in its truncated version. And right now I am not running for anything.

Thought that you might be interested in this issue. And, just as I was finishing this post, the banner is back to its proper dimension. We'll see if it stays like that.

City Announcement re Office Closures

Over the next two (2) weeks, implementation and training of Lake Worth's core software program for several City operations will require the closure of the Lake Worth Building and Business License, as well as Code Compliance offices. The Building and Business License as well as Code Compliance offices, telephones and inspection services will not be available on the following dates:

January 11, 2008 - Building Services and Building Licenses
January 18, 2008 - Building Services and Building Licenses
January 22, 2008 - Code Compliance

Department operations will resume at 8:00 a.m. the following day when the departments shall reopen for business as usual. Customers requiring inspections, business licenses, or any other related service provided by any of the aforementioned departments are requested to contact the respective department prior to the dates noted above.

Building Services and Business Licenses Basement Level at City Hall (7 N. Dixie Highway) 561-586-1644

Code Compliance 130 N. Dixie Highway (former Gallo Building) 561-586-1652

Exception: The City Cashier (located in the basement level at City Hall) will be available for transactions.

We apologize for the inconvenience and know that you share in our common goal to provide the best service possible to our community.

Lake Worth Election Analysis - 2003 to Present

Thought this might be helpful to re-post given the ballot measure coming up on
January 29th. More on this later.

Wow, what's it like to have time on your hands? I'm starting to wind down after Tuesday and actually have time to do things other than campaign. The above is some information we used in my campaign about voting trends and turn-outs. It's interesting to review just to refresh your memory about what has transpired in the recent past.

A few notes here. The ultimate winner of an election is highlighted in yellow. Winning vote totals are in blue print. Also, the line that says "Total Votes" - the column on the far right has the percentage change between the general election and the run-off.

Kind of neat to study for a while. If you come up with any revelations, let us all know by clicking on the comment label below this post. And sorry, I didn't have the results of the District #1 race or Mayor's race from 2003. If you have access to those, let me know and I can include that here too.

From the Onion...

Somebody Should Do Something About All the Problems

Why isn't anyone doing anything about all the problems? We're living in a time with super computers and underwater sea stations and million-dollar laboratories. And still, everyday when I watch the TV news shows I see all sorts of problems!

KaBoom! Playful City Grant Award

Unfortunately, we (Lake Worth) didn't win the grant. But we got the "Golden Kazoo Award for the Best Collective Footwork".

We'll have to try again next year. The video below was released at 1 p.m. this afternoon. - Longview, Washington - Atlanta, Georgia - East Cleveland, Ohio were the three big winners.

Where has all the money gone?

Long time passing. Where has all the money gone, long time ago? Where has all the money gone? Gone to consultants every cent. When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?

Click here for PB Post article.

I remember last year about this time, during my campaign for the District 3 Commission seat, talking about the perception that "Money was flying out the windows at City Hall and there is no accountability". Well, here we are about a year later and the internal auditor's report is out pointing fingers at the problem - almost half a million dollars spent that was not approved or authorized by any City Commission action. There is now talk of the possibility of pressing criminal charges over the unauthorized expenditure without competitive bidding.

Let's look beyond the issue of these landfill related expenditures for a moment. What led the City to be in this most unfortunate circumstance? My money is on a series of weak City Commissions dating back 15 or 20 or more years. Over time, the polarity has been reversed so that the City Commission answers to City staff. This culture is one where the Commission ends up being the public relations arm of a City staff that knows best and is unchallengeable.

In this instance, staff omitted information or contorted information to continue unauthorized spending. Where were the questions from the Commission? Where was the overall policy related to the strategic vision for the landfill? Mayor Clemens is quoted as saying any sort of redevelopment of the landfill would be a "waste of taxpayer money". Nice sound bite, Jeff. But what is the City going to do with this substantial amount of acreage along its southern boundary line that isn't a waste of taxpayer money? Could we have a discussion on that please? Why not call a special meeting on just that issue?

And, let's have a series of meetings about establishing a policy related to procurement of professional services! Let's find a way to conform with State law as it relates to issuing contracts for professional services so that we are not under the control of Mock Roos (City staff asserts that the City's civil engineer is not subject to the bidding requirements under state law since the relationship started in 1957 - WRONG!).

This is where the hole in the SS City of Lake Worth is. Let's stop bailing out the water and fix the leak once and for all.

Something for the Kool-Aid Drinkers Among Us...

So long Sharon...

If you read the Palm Beach Post today in the local section, you discovered that Sharon Jackson was released from her City of Lake Worth duties on Friday. She was the main staff support for planning and zoning issues for the City. In the article, Mayor Clemens acknowledges that the department was shorthanded (an understatement for a city the size of Lake Worth). I was surprised to hear that they have a replacement ready to start on Monday morning. Anyone think about a national search?

I am not sure if most of you are aware but Sharon and I go way back to when I first moved here. Back in 1989, I moved to Florida and worked for the City of West Palm Beach - in their Planning Department. Sharon was a senior planner in the department and during my time with the City - almost four years - we worked on many projects together. Our career paths then went their separate ways, only to cross again in Lake Worth during my tenure as Chairman of the Planning, Zoning and Historic Resource Preservation Board. I even interviewed for the position of Planning director for the City when Ed Breese left. When I applied, there was only one applicant for the position and Paul Boyer was about to offer the position to me. I encouraged him to go back out and find additional qualified people. My goal was to make sure we had the best Planning Director possible - and how would we know if I was the only one who interviewed for the position. And, besides that, it just didn't look right.

So Paul Boyer chose Sharon and the rest is history. I am glad things worked out the way that they did as it allowed me to establish my own planning practice and, had I been chosen as the city's planning director, would not have had the opportunity to run for the City Commission seat last March.

Things are meant to happen for a reason and I am sure that Sharon will be fine. In fact, someone just left a message for me that they have some opportunities that may interest her. As far as the City's new planning director - I do not know Marc LaFerrier and have not had many projects in Broward County or Ft. Lauderdale where other people I know many know him. Again, I hope that the City ended up with the best planner they could find - but was he the only one considered? In any case, good luck Mr. LaFerrier!

And, to Sharon, may you have good luck and success in in all your future endeavors.

Beach Visit - 1/04/08

I visited one of our long time commercial establishments at the beach this evening. Just got a hankering for a slice of pizza so I wandered into the New York Pizza Department. Excellent selection of slices and left satisfied after spending a little more than $5. It seemed like most of their business was coming from the island. How much business you ask? Well, I was the only one dining in the establishment - the rest was take out. There were no other stores open and there were a total of six cars (including mine) on the entire 19 acre property. Parking lots were empty as the ocean roared.

News Flash: We are not adequately using or promoting our beach front property. Let's hope the pool gets finished on time and that the project moves forward from there. If not, then we need to do a better job in promoting the asset that it is and the long time establishments that we have there.

Playful City USA - Grant Award Announcement - 1/08/08

You cast your vote...now come see which Playful City USA Communities received the 2007 Video Grants!

You don't have to wait for the Oscars! Visit playfulcityusa.org/grant on January 8th at 1PM (EST) to watch the Playful City USA Grant Awards Show!*

Find out who won the $25,000 grants to promote their agenda for play, see who won distinguished awards for their efforts and join our movement to bring play back into the lives of all of our children through Playful City USA!

But Don't Wait!
Start taking action for play today by becoming a Playmaker and find out how to help your community become a 2008 Playful City USA.

*The Playful City USA Grant Awards video will be viewable at any time after 1PM (EST) on January 8th.

Note: This is a follow-up post from one that encouraged you to vote for the Lake Worth grant. Voting is finished so I hope you got your vote in. Check back on the 8th and we'll see who won!

Crime Prevention Tips - Traveling Criminals

This is an e-mail sent out by Joel Morganstern of the City of Lake Worth Police Department. He is the C.O.P. administrator.

Hello Everyone,

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Years. I just wanted to pass along another Crime Prevention Tip, as this is the season for it.

Be aware that this is the beginning of the season for our older population and traveling gypsy criminals and others seeking to scam older citizens out of their belongings. Please keep an eye out for “workers” or “contractor” types in or near where our elderly residents reside. These people seek out the elderly and put on their shows. Look for subjects doing paving, roofers, insect or weed control, or just out on foot scoping the area out. If the contractor is for real, they are required to be licensed and registered and have a permit do business within city limits. Look for signage or lack of, and out of state tags. These subjects are usually mistaken for Hispanics, but are largely Romanian travelers. Your first contact may be with a very well dressed individual. If you are suspicious of their activity in your area, i.e.; soliciting, knocking on doors, driving around repeatedly, please call the police. These “professionals” usually demand a large sum of money up front in order to start the job, and once paid (in cash) you will not see them again.

Examples:

Usually working in teams of two or more, they will often distract the homeowner, while another enters or wanders through the house looking for valuables.

Often impersonating a pest control service doing business for a neighbor, they will accidentally spray the solution onto the hands of the victim and warn the victim to remove their jewelry to place in a milk solution to keep the jewelry from being damaged. When distracted, they will remove the jewelry from the milk solution.

Roof examiners will often spray a chemical onto your roof and try to convince the victim that they need roof repairs, usually costing thousands of dollars in upfront costs.

These “professionals” will often mark their territory by leaving a “dab of paint” along the curb. This sign will let their co-workers know that the resident is “ripe” or “vulnerable” for their home improvement scam.

Often impersonating a “potential buyer” for a home similar to your model. The elder man and woman will ask if they can see your home furnished, since the one they are interested in is empty. Once inside, they will split up or distract the homeowner. Usually, jewelry and cash will be found missing at a later time.

Be a good neighbor and if you have an elderly person living next door, ask them to contact you should they be made aware of the need for home improvements by a stranger.

Please feel free to pass this on to anyone you know.

Joel

Lake Worth Lagoon Listening Meeting

Two items of interest for supporters of the Lake Worth Lagoon:

1) NEXT LAKE WORTH LAGOON LISTENING MEETING

A Lake Worth Lagoon "Listening Meeting" has been scheduled to receive verbal or written comments on the 2nd draft of the 2007 Lake Worth Lagoon Management Plan.

WHAT: Lake Worth Lagoon Listening Meeting

WHEN: January 23, 2008 ~ 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: Vista Center

2300 No. Jog Rd. - 1^st Floor Public Meeting Room

West Palm Beach

From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., there will be an Open House. The public comment period will be from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

For DIRECTIONS to Vista Center, go to: http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/erm/contact.asp. To review the plan, go to: http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/erm/enhancement/lwlagoon.asp. Written comments to the plan may be submitted via email to LWLMP@co.palm-beach.fl.us anytime after December 28, 2007 through February 8, 2008. For more information or questions about the management plan or the listening meetings, please contact Alessandra Medri at 561.233.2512 or amedri@co.palm-beach.fl.us.

2) HOT OFF THE PRESS! Vol. 12(4) of ERM's newsletter Environmental Times has just been released. For an electronic version of the newsletter, go to:

http://www.co.palm-beach.fl.us/erm/Images/PDF_Documents/news/winter2007.pdf

Palm Beach County's Planning Effort - Urban Redevelopment Area

It's always wise to know what is going on in the geographic area known as unincorporated Palm Beach County. In many ways, it is the three ton gorilla that may just roll over on you if you're not careful!

This meeting being annouced through the above flyer is part of a complete Urban Redevelopment Area plan for a 30 square mile area that skirts the western edges of the City of Lake Worth - it actually includes the majority of the Lake Worth Park of Commerce.

This is a particular troublesome area for any jurisdiction to address. It is made up of a low-density, automobile friendly (read: SPRAWL) development. Through the process, they want to encourage the redevelopment and intensification of properties along the Congress Avenue and Military Trail corridors. Some of the tools they will be using include the concept of mixed-uses (like our city's Gateway District) and "liner roads" that will provide parallel and joint access along each side of the corridor. Additional greenspace would be added along the edge of the roadways.

I personally refer to it skeptically as the "Champs Elysees Plan" as it represents a grand plan. But, as pioneer urban planner Daniel Burnham said, ""Make no little plans. They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably will not themselves be realized." (Moore-1921)

The County used Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council staff to assist in the development of the plan. How practical it will be to implement (with the amount of established uses along both corridors) and the large amount of relatively small properties, has yet to be seen. I know that it has already complicated the efforts of many property owners in blocking the redevelopment of their properties - many of which are eyesores or vacant.

And, let's not forget the "real" Champs Elysees - the wonder of city planning that it is:

Joel Burns Elected to Fort Worth, Texas City Council

(This was one of my classmates during the Victory Fund training in Houston in 2006. He won his race in a run-off against an opponent that made his sexuality an issue.
This is an e-mail announcing his swearing in. Congratulations Joel!)

It's official! This afternoon, I was sworn-in as the Fort Worth City Councilman for District 9 by Justice John Hill in a small ceremony at home surrounded by a small group of family and friends.

I can't think of a better way to start the New Year.

Since my special election run-off victory on December 18th, I have been meeting daily with constituents, city leaders and city staff in preparation to take office. When former Councilwoman Wendy Davis called me this morning to inform we that she is now working full time on her State Senate campaign, thus creating a vacancy for our district, I didn't want a day to go by that our district was not represented.

Though I officially took office today, my first Council meeting will be Tuesday, January 8th at 7 p.m., at which time a traditional ceremonial swearing-in will occur. I invite all of you join me in the City Council chambers for this occasion Tuesday.

As I look back on the amazing experience this campaign has been – from my announcement on August 10th through today's swearing-in – I want to once again thank the more than 130 of you who gave of your volunteer time, and the more than 500 people – from around the District and around the country – who made donations large and small; donations that allowed me to communicate with voters. We ran the strongest campaign of any first-time candidate in the recent memory in Fort Worth.

Thank you to everyone involved in our campaign victory and for helping to make history here in Fort Worth.

And to everyone in District 9, I say as I did as the results came in December 18th: Thank you for your trust in me. I promise to honor it. Thank you for commitment to me. I promise to return it.

I am honored and truly blessed to serve District 9 and am ready to get to work for our great city and the neighborhoods I represent.

Joel

Toronto's Smallest House is Up for Sale!

If....

· You live alone or with one other person (or an extremely small dog!!!)

· You don't have much stuff (barely more than a homeless person!!)

· You miss that cute little apartment you lived in while teaching English in Japan

…then this is the place for you!

Photo taken by Alexandra Samur, courtesy of Torontoist. Click the photo to see the Torontoist post.

This house, located near the intersection of Dufferin Street and Rogers Road is believed to be Toronto's smallest house. Occupying what used to be a driveway, it's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom house that sits on a parcel of land 7.25 feet (2.2 metres) wide and 113.67 feet (34.6 metres) long and has an interior area of just under 300 square feet (under 28 square metres). The asking price is $179,900.!!!!

Here's another look at the front:

Here's the living room, looking towards the front of the house:

Here's the living room again, looking towards the back…

Here's the kitchen. Note that despite the small space, they've managed to fit a washer and dryer into the place:

Here's the bedroom. It comes with a Murphy bed , which is a necessity in such a space. This is what it looks like with the Murphy bed down:

…and here's the bedroom with the Murphy bed retracted:

You also get some patio space out back. Here it is, looking towards the front of the house…

…and here it is looking towards the back:

Here are the house's listed features:

· "Completely Re-Done Top-To-Bottom, Front-To-Back!"

· Tumbled stone entrance walk

· Renovated Bath

· Renovated kitchen with newer stove, new cabinets and new stacked washer/dryer

· Bedroom with Murphy bed + "Built-Ins" — doubles as den!

· Walk-out to fenced patio

· 100-amp service

· 2 satellite dishes and receiver

· "Window A/C Available"

By the way, I am showing you this for the novelty of it and not as anything I am promoting.
The links work if you want to check out the actual listing.