Lake Worth Beach City Limits

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Busy Day Today!

Just got back from fun barbeque pep rally to get people fired up for the election on Tuesday. I have some computer issues with my laptop - it's soon to enter Hospice care. So, I dropped by the super-deluxe David Bohnett Cybercenter at Compass. They're open from 3 to 7 on Saturdays - a community resource that's nice to know about! On top of that, I had some issues - that I think are now resolved - with my wesblackman@gmail.com account. So, if you have sent a recent e-mail, it may take longer than usual to get back to you. Thanks for understanding!

I have a lot of "Wes" t-shirts - perfect to wear while you bop around beautiful downtown Lake Worth or when you volunteer on Election Day. We will need sign wavers at polling locations and on street corners leading up to the election. E-mail me if you want to volunteer! Thanks - last set of mailers were sent out yesterday - total of four. You should get the last ones today or on Monday.

Only days away to a better Lake Worth! Keep smiling and remind your friends and neighbors to vote on Tuesday!
Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Wes Blackman for City Commissioner District #3

Friday, October 30, 2009

Reality...from a supporter's e-mail:

This is my little rental property in Lake Worth, with a cemetery in the back yard. Because of all the vacant [for sale] condos here, rents have plunged by 20-30%.

Subject: The Recession Hits Home | What's your property worth? | PalmBeachPost.com

http://projects.palmbeachpost.com/homevalues/view/38434428050000260/

Taxes are oppressive and electricity is 30% higher than F.P. & L. since the City owns the Utility. Code enforcement requires annual inspections @ $184.00 each apartment.

Just had two sales in Lake Worth as follows:

1. Original price Dec. 1989 $160,000. Sale price July 2009 $102,000. 905 S. Ridge Street, Lake Osborne Park, Lake Worth 33460 SF-1,250

2. Original price April 2006 $175,000. Sale price July 2009 $19,500. 1502 S Federal Hwy, Saga Apts Condominium CO-840

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Update via BlackBerry:

Reminder: You have until 12 midnight to donate to the campaign - use PayPal link to right. Thanks to all who already expressed their support through their donations. Final push is on! E-mail wesfor3@gmail.com to volunteer.

Lake Worth Herald Endorsement (used with permission)

Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Wes Blackman for City Commissioner District #3

Please pick up a copy of today's (10/29) Lake Worth Herald

I received their endorsement and it contains a good summary of why to vote me in as the new City Commissioner for District #3.
Political Advertisement Paid for and Approved by Wes Blackman for City Commissioner District #3

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Anonymous comment left under previous post...

we try very hard to live here but my question how can i help my family for thankgiving and chreismas can you help you are here for us i have 3 grandsons and 3 chrildren and we would love to have the holidays as you do

Could you e-mail me at wesblackman@gmail.com and identify yourself? I would like to talk to you and see how I can help. It was left just a few minutes ago - the time now is 3:23 p.m.

Quiz: Which are different from the rest?

Indira Ghandi

“We have believed - and we do believe now - that freedom is indivisible, that peace is indivisible, that economic prosperity is indivisible”

The Palm Beach Post = Pyongyang Times?

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Click here for a live stream to the City Commission meeting(s) mentioned below.

Another middle-of-the-day City Commission meeting...

The time of day for these meetings does not allow for adequate public notification, input or attendance - this is a big part of my campaign platform. Being held at Compass also prevents streaming of the meetings over the Internet - unless they have recently found a way to do that.

The above is a joint meeting of the City Commission and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) to discuss the Cultural Renaissance Program - this is the effort that the CRA developed while I was on the board to use arts and cultural activities, groups and individuals as a way to promote redevelopment in Lake Worth. Part of this includes the $25 million grant application for Neighborhood Stabilization Program - 2 monies to convert vacant, foreclosed or derelict homes to property owners who don't exceed 120% of median income - essentially the bulk of the workforce in this area. Apparently some of the people on the current City Commission are threatened by a program that might actually improve the conditions of a large area of our city. I hope to attend the meeting.

Quickly following the joint City Commission/CRA meeting, will be a City Commission work session that will discuss the proposed noise ordinance for businesses in the downtown. I have read through the draft ordinance and it does not seem too onerous in relation to the actual "real world" decibel readings that were taken sporadically around the downtown - including our famous "Noise Walk/Commission Meeting" through the downtown. It actually helps clarify what was a vague part of our Code. However, it will all come down to the need to enforce it - which takes time away that the sheriff and code enforcement tasks/emergencies. I am concerned that this could become another way to threaten or intimidate businesses within our downtown - who have enough trouble already staying in business, paying their electric/water bills and providing a fun entertainment outlet for many people in Palm Beach County. Let 's not make this an anti-business declaration.

Click links for back up material from City. Since the second meeting is advertised as a work session, no action can be taken. The Noise Ordinance will have to be brought back to the City Commission for final action.

Also note that both meetings are at the Compass Community Center.