Saturday, March 12, 2011
Nuclear Plant To Revive Ghost Town
With nuclear plants in the news again, I thought this might be of interest. Click title for link to Preservation Nation article.
From Mad Men to Motor City, Advocates Hope Web Video Steers Rail Projects
A little promotion from the people of Mad Men for high speed train travel. Click title for TechPresident.com article on the promotional effort. Click here for link to support high speed rail and get a bumper sticker to tell the world.
Check this video out too regarding the Detroit light-rail project: A little home grown effort to promote one of the alternatives. Light-rail is one of the options being considered for the FEC (east) railroad tracks through south Florida coastal cities, including Lake Worth.
From the article, pointing out how other states are jumping for the $2.4 billion that Florida turned down:
While citizens in Detroit debate how to rebuild their urban infrastructure, high-speed rail discussions nationally are of critical importance. The Obama administration seems dead serious about spending billions on upgrading rail infrastructure coast to coast. Florida Gov. Rick Scott turned down $2.4 billion in federal money last for high-speed rail initiatives in his state, and legislators across the country have taken to Twitter to try and build a case for U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to divert that money to their districts. Last month, Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) started an act.ly petition targeted at LaHood's Twitter profile — riding on the back of an official letter, of course. In California, Rep. Mike Honda and Rep. John Garamendi also circulated a petition via Twitter.
In remarks yesterday, LaHood said he had a long list of people hoping to get the money Florida has rejected.
"There is line outside my door of governors, senators and congressmen," he said Thursday while speaking before the Senate Appropriations Committee's Transportation and Housing and Urban Development subcommittee, according to an item in The Hill by Keith Laing.
Sounds a little like the discussion regarding the takeover of the CRA and the potential loss of the city's $23 million grant award, doesn't it?Note to those who support tree-sitters and 3 story height limitations: You are essentially doing the same thing as Governor Scott in not supporting a viable rail alternative in south Florida. Height is a component of density. In order to support the success of mass transit alternatives along the coast - in areas that have already been environmentally disturbed, communities along the transit corridor need to allow density near the railroad. This would encourage its use as a convenient alternative to the single passenger automobile and help ensure the financial success of the mass transit system. And at the same time, the density and height required would provide incentive for redevelopment that would return money to the city's general fund. Going down the current path of saying "no" to everything and limiting height to 3 stories does not represent "sustainable" development. If anything, it represents selfishness on the part of our elected officials that would encourage the waste of land and effectively push development further west toward more environmentally sensitive areas.
Continue to perpetuate the myth that you are pro-environment by limiting density and height to the future peril of our city, region and natural environment. Try being a leader and tell the public the purpose behind wise land use decisions that support transit alternatives.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Norman bill would make farm photography a first-degree felony; animal-rights groups outraged
More proposed horrors courtesy of our state legislature. Click title for link to article.
NSP-2 RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION SUB-CONTRACTOR QUESTIONNAIRE
NEW!!! Are you interested in working with the CRA as part of the NSP-2 program? Contractors and individuals should download and submit the following Section 3 questionnaire and forms:
Click here for link to questionnaire.
Click here for Section 3 qualification forms.
For more information:
Click here for link to questionnaire.
Click here for Section 3 qualification forms.
For more information:
Contact Mike McManaman or the CRA office
Lake Worth CRA
29 South "J" St.
Lake Worth, Florida
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Representative Clemens representing his district...
Click title for details.
CONTACT: Beth Hartnett-Murphy
(850) 488-0260
MEDIA ADVISORY
CONTACT: Beth Hartnett-Murphy
(850) 488-0260
MEDICAL USE OF CANNABIS PRESS CONFERENCE
Representative Jeff Clemens (D-Lake Worth) will hold a press conference at 11 a.m. Thursday outside the 4th Floor House chambers to discuss legislation he has filed to legalize the medical use of cannabis.
House Joint Resolution 1407 calls for the Legislature to place a measure on the ballot for voters' consideration. Several health care professionals and people with debilitative conditions are expected to join Representative Clemens at the press conference.
Details of the event are:
11 a.m. Thursday, March 10
Fourth Floor Capitol, outside the House chambers
Tallahassee
Mark Hollis
Communications Director
Democratic Office, Florida House of Representatives
Communications Director
Democratic Office, Florida House of Representatives
No to Jack Nicklaus Golf Trail: Golf courses have a place in Florida but not in state parks - OrlandoSentinel.com
More land use and natural area preservation horrors proposed by our state legislature. It's going to be a long four years. Click title for link to Orlando Sentinel op-ed piece.
High-speed rail ridership study found line would have made profit - St. Petersburg Times
Despite studies that showed the high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando would make money, Governor Scott refused federal money that would have funded it. It reminds me of hearing my opponent during the last campaign say that "We don't need to do any more studies." Another corollary to this is the reluctance by the Commission, and especially the City Manager, to hire an Internal Auditor that would be answerable to the City Commission. The City Manager maintains that we don't need anyone pointing out more problems. Well, perhaps we need a check and balance over the biased and sometimes questionable approaches to financial "solutions" offered by our city administration. It also reminds me of the spirit expressed by the former Hometown Democracy movement - it would have allowed an ill-informed public to make the ultimate decision regarding land use issues - regardless of the data, analysis and facts that supported those decisions. Click title for St. Petersburg Times article.
Sea turtle nesting and sewage news
March 1st marks the beginning of sea turtle nesting season in Palm Beach County. Come help us celebrate the return of these ancient seafarers to our beaches on Saturday, March 12th, at the Boca Raton Gumbo Limbo Nature Center for the 6th annual Sea Turtle Day. This is a great event with educational displays and fun for the whole family. Visit the Reef Rescue booth, we will have plush sealife mascots and fish masks for the kids and where you can learn more about coastal ecology and coral reef conservation.
Hot topics:
- Invasive lionfish control.
- Coral reef anchor damage.
- And most disturbing of all; the move by the Florida legislature to derail the 2008 sewage ocean outfall legislation. We told you last week that a bill was filed by State Senator Miguel Diaz de la Portilla of Miami to delay the implementation of the 2008 legislation and allow the continued dumping of sewage into Florida waters until 2030. Well it just got worse, on March 8, the bill was introduced to the FL Senate as a first reading. This bill is moving forward and only you can help stop this misguide piece of legislation.
Fun sea turtle links for kids:
Palm Beach County Reef Rescue
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Association - March Update
Hello Friends & Neighbors!
The Tropical Ridge Neighborhood Association has been busy and we have lots of news to share. Read on to get the scoop:
TRNA Meeting Signs - One of the Association's first quarter goals was to update the existing yard signs with the *new* location of TRNA meetings - Compass Center. After researching several different vendors, President Ryan Anderson purchased custom-made waterproof stickers. Once they arrive, they will be affixed to the signs and distributed to interested residents. If you would like a yard sign, please emailryan@tropicalridge.org
TRNA Banners - Local graphic designer David Savage has created two new potential banners. These bold and colorful banners can be seen at www.tropicalridge.org/banners. All three potential designs can be viewed and we ask that you vote - once - for your favorite. Comments and suggestions on modifications can also be submitted along with your vote.
TRNA Banner Locations - Banner Committee members Steffanie Mayo & Carolyn Deli have submitted their suggestions for banner locations. You can view their 12 selected spots here. The Association will be purchasing a total of 14 banners; 12 for immediate display with 2 reserves.
Code Enforcement - Another first quarter goal of the Association was to systematically address ongoing code enforcement issues in the neighborhood. During the first two weeks of January, Block captains selected the worst offenders and submitted them through the City website. Phone call and email follow-ups have been with Edgar Caraballo (ecaraballo@lakeworth.org) or his boss Genia Baker(GeBaker@lakeworth.org). Unfortunately, we have not received any updates since February 17th. You can click here to view a spreadsheet of the properties and follow-up actions taken along with Edgar's response.
Kids Park - The City-owned lot on 6th Ave. North between D & E St. has long been a nuisance to near-by residents. Rodents, feral cats and negligent dog-owners along with some people using the property as an open-air compost pile have contributed to residents on-going frustration. After years of complaints, the Public Works department stepped in and cleaned-up the lot. Unfortunately, the City Manger has waived the mandatory site-plan and site maintenance plan required for use of City-owned property and,without notifying adjacent residents or the Association, turned it over to the same exclusive group that failed to maintain it.
The Association is recommending that this park be turned into a Kids park. With a combination of CRA donations and other local support, we can purchase playground equipment and turn this property into a true COMMUNITY asset. We are asking residents to write their Commissioners and City Manager and tell them that you want a safe, local place for kids to play. For more information about the proposed park and to find out how you can help make it happen, email jessica@tropicalridge.org.
TRNA Donations - The Tropical Ridge has recently received two very generous donations - $100 from Mary Lindsey and $50 from Linda Allen. Thank you so much for your continued support of the Association! If you would like to contribute please visit us here.
Facebook - If you are not already a fan, please become one at http://www.facebook.com/LWTRNA
Upcoming Events -
1. March 15, 2011 - 8:30 - 11:30 pm - Lake Worth Towers - Spaghetti Dinner Fund Raiser by PBSOto benefit Mrs. Harris to assist with medical supplies and home improvements - $7.00 per person includes Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner, Salad, Non-Alcoholic Beverage and Dessert.
2. March 17, 2011 - 3pm - 12am - Downtown Corridor - St. Patty’s Day Celebration
3. March 26, 2011 - 2-4pm SOSA, meet @ South Grade Elementary - NAPC Community Crime-WalkProgram - PBSO will be present and residents from all neighborhoods are invited to walk.
4. March 26-27, 2011 - 12:00 - 6:00pm - Downtown Corridor - Pride Festival
5. April 2, 2011 - 7:00am - 11:00pm - Bryant Park - Reggae Festival
That's all for this month! We'll see you April 4, 2011 at 7pm for the next TRNA Meeting!
St. Pete Beach voters give development decisions back to City Commission - St. Petersburg Times
The town that experimented with Hometown Democracy ended it yesterday by removing the required referendum on development issues. Comprehensive Plan changes can now be made by the elected officials instead of the electors. Click title for link to article.
Sound familiar?
Michigan's solution to local communities in a "financial emergency" - Could Governor Scott be getting the same idea?
Crisis creation as a catalyst for moving "real" priorities forward. Do we not see that played out here in LW? Could these candidates win if they campaigned on their real agenda? It is not just the province of the Republican Party - it is true for our local anarchists too.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Project
Dear friends and volunteers, because of your votes I have moved forward in the Prilosec sponsorship and should be receiving my packet from them soon. Now I need your votes even more! Please use this link to go to facebook and vote for my plan with Dockers to win $100K so I can continue to help our communities!
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Robert Waples
Neighbors Helping Neighbors Project
Rebuilding Together of the Palm Beaches
Volunteer to make a difference today!
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