Pics of "Protest" up until 5:45 p.m.

Lake Worth Residents To Protest Firing Of Transsexual City Manager - Politics News Story - WPBF West Palm Beach

Opportunists looking to make an "issue" where there isn't one. Have you no shame? Click title for link.

And then there is this odd e-mail from Ms. Stanton to Loretta Sharpe.  Did anyone else get one of these?

The attachment is this document.

Brought to us by the same people who were against the "politics of division" and for "One City, One Future." - Right.

From CBS 12 News on FaceBook this morning:

"Outrage is growing over a pair of proposed towers in South Korea.. because some say they mimic the World Trade Center exploding. The Dutch architects behind the project say what they're trying to show is a cloud.. connecting two luxury apartment buildings. They apologized.. but said they will not alter the design." Thoughts?

Note:  Not intended for those offended by buildings three stories or higher, the word "luxury" or anything beyond the borders of Lake Worth.

Agnes M. Pahro

‎"What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present, hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace."

I know, I know, we don't want to be another Delray, but...

I received this from an alert reader this morning:

This press release concerns one of Delray Beach’s rough neighborhoods. They are spending a lot of money to clean up this part of town and make it more business and resident friendly. There is a proposal for a hotel to be built on Atlantic Ave in between I95 and downtown too. The hotel will be pretty close to I95 and in the same general area – which they are referring to as the Southwest Area Neighborhood. I’ve said before that I am not a big fan of Delray Beach, but they sure know what the heck they are doing when it comes to these kinds of things. LW could learn a thing or too.

CITY OF DELRAY BEACH

MEDIA RELEASE

Southwest Area Neighborhood
Road & Utility Infrastructure Improvement Projects

December 12, 2011: The City of Delray Beach, in partnership with the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), Palm Beach County and the State of Florida, is currently working to complete roadway and infrastructure improvements that are part of the Southwest Area Neighborhood Redevelopment Plan.

Auburn Avenue
This $1,276,201 improvement project will be completed on Auburn Avenue (Auburn Drive to SW 8th Street), SW 12th and 13th Avenues (SW 8th Street to SW 10th Street), SW 8th Street (SW 14th Avenue to SW 12th Avenue) and SW 10th Street (SW 14th Avenue to SW 12th Avenue).

The project includes design, roadway resurfacing and reconstruction, sidewalks, landscaping and irrigation, paver crosswalks, drainage improvements, on-street parking and new bus shelters. In addition, new water and sewer infrastructure will be installed throughout sections of the project area which will replace old clay piping with ductile iron and PVC piping, ensuring the safe delivery of potable (drinking) water and wastewater collection.

Partial funding will be provided under a grant from the State of Florida's Disaster Recovery Initiative (DRI) Program and will reimburse the City up to $790,059 for construction improvements. Remaining funds will be provided by the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency ($104,305 - design) and the City's Public Utilities Funds ($381,837 - design & construction).

This project, which is expected to begin in January, is estimated to be completed by June 2012.

SW 12th Avenue - Auburn Avenue - SW 14th Avenue
This $1,773,984 project will be completed along SW 12th Avenue (SW 4th Street to West Atlantic Avenue), Auburn Avenue (SW 8th Street to SW 4th Street) and SW 14th Avenue (SW 10th Street to SW 8th Street).

The project includes design, resurfacing, curbing, sidewalks, on-street parking, drainage (including swales), water main upgrades, landscaping and irrigation, paver crosswalks, decorative street lights (SW 1st Street to West Atlantic Avenue), roadway signage and new bus shelters.

The large majority of construction funding for this project is provided by a Palm Beach County grant for $1,000,000. Remaining funds are being provided by the Delray Beach Community Redevelopment Agency ($449,620 - design & construction) and the City of Delray Beach's Public Utilities Funds ($324,364 - construction).

This project is currently under construction and is expected to be completed by the end of January 2012.

NOTE: On December 6, 2011, the City Commission approved a Contract Addition in the amount of $55,674.20 to support the reconstruction of existing parking spaces within the area and potable water service (i.e., meters and associated piping) relocations. Funding for these projects will be provided by the CRA ($47,574.20) and the City's Public Utilities Fund ($8,100). To view the City Commission's Agenda and/or the pre-recorded video of the December 6, 2011 City Commission meeting, visit www.mydelraybeach.com and select Video and Audio under City at a Glance.

Contact:
City of Delray Beach
Public Information Office
(561) 243-7190
PIO@mydelraybeach.com

City Commission:
Nelson S. "Woodie" McDuffie, Mayor
Angeleta Gray, Vice-Mayor
Thomas Carney, Deputy Vice-Mayor
Adam Frankel, Commissioner
Dr. Jay Alperin, Commissioner

MyDelrayBeach.com

Follow CityDelrayBeach on Twitter

Timeless...

W. Clement Stone

“Have the courage to say no. Have the courage to face the truth. Do the right thing because it is right. These are the magic keys to living your life with integrity.”

The latest from the loyal opposition...

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We need your help and support this Tuesday to show the new Commission that we are paying attention and do not support what they are doing.  Gather at City Hall at 5:30 p.m. this Tuesday, when they will be discussing the hiring of a new City Manager.

After just three weeks on the dais the newly-elected majority of the city commission fired city manager Susan Stanton. This was a poor decision, hastily made ( see link to the Palm Beach Post editorial:   http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/editorials/lake-worths-firing-of-stanton-is-a-bad-2019051.html).

Even more important, the process was secretive and undemocratic.  The motion to fire was not on the agenda.  Neither the opposing commissioners nor the public were prepared to present counter arguments or express dissent.

To many who witnessed the event, it appeared that the decision was made outside of and prior to the Commission meeting, under the direction of vice mayor Scott Maxwell. Newly elected commissioner Andy Amoroso immediately seconded Maxwell's motion to fire Stanton and when asked for his reason, his response was "My motion is reason enough."

Really?

Even those who dislike or disagreed with Stanton should question a decison that will cost the city $125,000 for breaking her contract plus the expense and time of finding a new city manager. At no point in the meeting was the cost of the decision even discussed.

Is this a sign of things to come?  We need to support Commissioners McVoy and Mulvehill and let the Maxwell Cabal know that at the very least, they must put such decisions on the agenda and allow for public input. The citizens of Lake Worth deserve no less.

Please join us on Tuesday Dec. 13, 5:30 pm at City Hall to show the new commission we are paying attention!

We hope to see you there!

Aerial Photos of Casino Building Construction - November Morganti Report

Downtowns define cities but making them thrive is tricky

Sun-Sentinel article on some south Florida downtown areas and Lake Worth gets a few nice mentions. Click title for link.

More Lake Worth Holiday Parade 2011 Videos

November's Progress Report from Morganti - Casino Building

Click title for link. This is from the report:

You can't get a C of O without sewer, water and permanent electric.  The "Owner" referenced above is, in another word, "us."  The beach redevelopment part of the project needs to catch up - when is the building opening again?

Pics from the week of 12/9/11:

East side of Ballroom area

Retail area

Second Floor - looking south

Second Floor - looking west

You never know who you are going to bump into...

After the Holiday Parade, I wandered out to a local watering hole and soon began talking to two gentlemen.  One happened to be a former two-term City Commission Craig Sherrit from Wilton Manors.  We began the conversation as I overheard him refer to our lovely City as "Lake Worth-less" - sort of like waving a red cape at a bull.  When I mentioned my involvement in Lake Worth and two attempts to run for a Commission seat, he admitted that Lake Worth did have some nice neighborhoods.  I mentioned that I had been on the Planning and Zoning Board for eight years and he immediately said, "I didn't do any of that - that is political death if you want to run for anything.  It's best not to be on those boards cause you build up a lot of enemies."  I told him the damage had already been done and he may indeed be correct.  We got talking about the firing of our City Manager last week and he said that they have had the same City Manager in Wilton Manors since 1998.  Everyone seems to be happy with how the City is run - for the most part.  They have the same basic government as we do - a Commissioner/Manager form with a weak Mayor.  The Commission seats carry four year terms, but the Mayor is elected every two years.  He liked the longer terms.  His two terms then means he was on the Commission for eight years - and he just got tired of the grind of meetings after meetings and chose not to run again.  They also moved their elections from March to November while he was in office, so he gained an extra eight months like one of our past Commissions.  He invited me down for a full tour and I just may take him up on it.  Thought you'd be interested in the exchange.

Lake Worth marches to its own drummer

Click title for link to PBP article on the Holiday Parade. The video above is of the City Commission float. Commissioner McVoy absent.

[CPNA] TODAY Santa in our Cultural Plaza and TONIGHT "Light the Night" Holiday Parade

Downtown Lake Worth positively sparkles today with Santa's Workshop and the Children's Festival in the Cultural Plaza, sponsored by the City of Lake Worth and the Lake Worth Kiwanians. Festivities begin at Noon and last all day until 8:00 pm tonight. Santa Claus has promised to be there too!

You'll want to spend the day and share in all the activites up and down the Avenues. Shop windows and shelves are fully decked in Holiday Splendor and Great Gifts, many from our own local artists and craftsmen.

The 44th Annual Lake Worth Holiday Parade "Light the Night" starts at 6pm. If you'd like to be a part of the parade and walk together with friends from Neighborhood Associations all over the City, please be at the corner of Federal and 2nd Avenue North at 5pm. Please wear your College Park T-Shirt if you have one and if not, we'll have some on hand!

Happy Holidays!