Slideshow from Yesterday's Grand Opening of Compass in Lake Worth

The machinations and posturing of Lake Worth politics - like the Japanese Kabuki dance - (only much less refined)

Actual Ribbon Cutting from Today's Grand Opening of Compass Community Center

I must point this out. Look which Commissioner is front and center for the photo-op - none other than Commissioner Cara Jennings. Let the record show that Commissioner Jennings voted against the lease for the Compass Community Center. For some reason her "right hand man" javier del sol is with her - along with elected officials and board members. Remember this come election time please.

I am glad that 4 of 5 of our city elected leaders were there. Everyone loves a success but don't be fooled. Again, Commissioner Jennings voted "no" on the lease to Compass.

Mayor Clemens' Remarks today at the Grand Opening of the Compass Community Center

Compass Board Chair Kerensa Butler reads Letter from U.S. Congressman Hastings at Grand Opening

In honor of Compass' Grand Opening today @ 5 p.m. ish...

Comment offered by former Commissioner Dave Vespo on 86% water rate increase

Wes,

Keep in mind, 13.25% each year for 5 years actually equates to an 86% increase to the contract customers.

It is similar to how interest compounded monthly derives an annual yield higher than the actual rate except this compounds annually for five years.

You know how each year around budget time we see a bar graph purporting to show our electricity as competitive with other utilities? It will not be possible with our water rates by the fifth year no matter how we distort the graph!

This will become an issue as soon as people start seeing the bill.

(ed: Note that the second reading of the ordinance that will raise water rates 86% is scheduled for April 7)

Eight Palm Beach County road projects survive bickering over stimulus cash

Excerpt (click title for link to full article):

"It was truly a sham of a process," said Jeff Clemens, Lake Worth mayor and planning board member, who also came away empty-handed. "There was no good basis as to how they ranked those projects."

Cities that wound up with a share of the stimulus included Riviera Beach, Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, which had delayed the planning board's decision by missing the original deadline to submit stimulus proposals.

Clemens had proposed spreading the money across as many cities as possible, partially funding projects in cities that could afford to pick up the remaining tab.

But that and various other approaches to more fairly divvy up the stimulus cash failed, as board members grappled against a deadline under the uncertainty of whether partially funding more projects would meet legislative approval.

City Announcement: Help us En-vision a Great Lake Worth Beach!

LW Beach Vision Workshop

City Hall Conference Room, 7 N. Dixie Highway

Saturday, March 21^st

2 p.m. - 8 p.m. (stop in for 5 minutes or the whole day!)

The city has a five million dollar grant from Palm Beach County to improve our public beach site and we want your input on how to spend the money! Join us for a day long design workshop with our site plan design team Michael Singer studios. The design team will have sample drawings of possible improvements to the beach. We welcome your input on these initial designs. Sample designs will include many improvements such as changing the width of the loop road, building a parking deck to increase greenspace, dune restoration and park improvements.

This is a workshop to design the park and parking sections of the beach, NOT the casino building. We will be discussing the building at a later date.

Bring your ideas! Bring your neighbors! Bring the kids! Join our community collaboration to create the best public beach!

Please visit the City's website at www.lakeworth.org to complete an online survey regarding this project.

For more information, contact Jason Bregman of Michael Singer Studios at 561-865-7683 or via email at: jab@terramimic.com.

Many people have asked about recall provisions in Lake Worth

It turns out that we default to Florida Statutes. Click here for link to applicable section.

Grounds must be based upon at least one the following:

1. Malfeasance;

2. Misfeasance;

3. Neglect of duty;

4. Drunkenness;

5. Incompetence;

6. Permanent inability to perform official duties; and

7. Conviction of a felony involving moral turpitude.

The way I read the statute one would need to gather 1,000 signatures. There are many other specific requirements identified in the state statute, including the provision for a 200 word defense statement prepared by the person who is subject to the recall.

Definitions:

Malfeasance: conduct by a public official that cannot be legally justified or that conflicts with the law. An unlawful act: an act carried out by a public official that cannot be legally justified or that conflicts with the law

Misfeasance: in law, the abuse of lawful authority in order to achieve a desired result.

State of Florida website: FlaRecovery.com

New website with message from Governor Crist - click title for link.

Compass – City of Lake Worth - A relationship with possibilities...

Copy of article (below) prepared by yours truly for the Compass newsletter. The Grand Opening of the new center is tomorrow starting at 4:30 p.m. Please drop by and see all the fantastic work that has gone into this city building. Formal ceremony is at 5:30 p.m.

Compass and the City of Lake Worth face a future full of opportunities. Last year, I had the opportunity to meet with the Board of Directors of Compass. I shared some of the broader trends and possibilities that the community will experience in the coming years. The gist of the discussion was the fact that Compass will now occupy a city-owned building is only the beginning of a long term, successful and synergistic relationship. The building finds itself in the center of a city with a rich history, an established gay and lesbian community and one that is positioned within the coastal geographic center of Palm Beach County. In short, Lake Worth and Compass are uniquely placed to take advantage of programs, policies and progress related to heightened environmental awareness in the world's population.

Founded in 1912, Lake Worth already has six distinct local and national historic districts. Restoration and new construction sensitive to the historic nature of those districts is regulated by the City's Historic Resource Preservation Board. This reflects the citizens' understanding of the authentic character of the city and the need to preserve that trait. Even so, creativity is encouraged in property owner's attempts to re-use and adapt these historic structures to reflect present day realities. The Compass building nearly sits in the shadow of the current Lake Worth City Hall which is housed in an ornate building, complete with towers and turrets, that originally served as the City's Municipal Auditorium. It is part of the Old Town National Historic District. Thus, our city's past creates a special fingerprint that is as distinct and unusual as a good portion of the city's residents.

Other physical qualities distinguish Lake Worth from more run-of-the-mill cities in the south Florida region. You would be hard pressed to find another municipality that has preserved as much public land along bodies water than Lake Worth. From it's own signature Atlantic Ocean beachfront property - with a special history all of its own - to the public golf course and Bryant Park along the west edge of the Lake Worth lagoon, Lake Worth offers more public water access and views than any other community its size. Even with these strengths, downtown Lake Worth still retains its small town look and feel.

In the next five to ten years, Lake Worth stands to gain from renewed emphasis on the importance of mass transit. The eastern rail line through the city (Florida East Coast) is likely to host a new short hop transit service to other downtown locations throughout the south Florida region. This will bring new opportunities for development with a transit, as opposed to single passenger automobile, orientation. Already there are private and public initiatives underway to make Lake Worth a leader in the green building and planning movement. Compass is now uniquely situated to be a participant and a beneficiary of all that is to come. I am sure that nothing but good can come from this collaboration.

Palm Beach County to vote on stimulus-funded wish list

Palm Beach mayoral contenders facing off in court this morning

Actions of former Utility Task Force Chairman called into question...

Click title for link to e-mail from city manager consultant to the city attorney on her interaction with a one-time local favorite city manager candidate.

We need a new phrase for "beyond the looking glass." It somehow seems inadequate to describe what is going on in our city.