Lake Worth Commissioner John Szerdi walking City street with supporters

Batter Up!

Here is what Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post wrote about the Governor's Baseball Dinner in West Palm Beach yesterday:

     The annual Governor’s Baseball Dinner came to West Palm Beach for the first time Friday night, with a warm welcome to two new spring training teams on the verge of moving to Palm Beach County and pledges to try to lure teams in Arizona back to Florida.
     “I want to make sure every (team) that’s in Arizona is eventually back here where they belong, where spring training belongs, in the great state of Florida,’’ Gov. Rick Scott said to cheers from 500 people under a large white tent on the east end of Clematis Street. 

Some pics from last night's John Szerdi Fundraiser...

District 4 Commissioner John Szerdi had a fundraiser in his district last night and it went very well. Everyone had a wonderful time. 

Next week Commissioner John Szerdi will be having a fundraiser/rally at the Lake Worth Castle. Also, famous downtown artist Rolando Chang Barrero at 711 Lucerne Avenue will be having a Meet&Greet for Commissioner Szerdi (date/time to come, check back later). 

View of Bryant Park and Intracoastal waterway.

Herman Robinson (left) with Commissioner John Szerdi and his wife, Jamey.

June Evans (left) with City of Lake Worth Mayor Pam Triolo.

 

Lake Worth District 4 Commissioner speaking to the crowd.

Real good turnout. Standing room only.

Mayor Pam Triolo speaks to the assembled crowd. 

Commissioner John Szerdi with wife Jamey (red sweater) with friends/supporters.

Happy Valentine's Day, Dennis!

Lake Worth Herald: editorial titled "Who is pulling the strings"

In yesterday's Lake Worth Herald editorial truer words were never stated. He clearly references District 2 Commissioner McVoy and District 4 candidate Ryan Maier. Here are three short excerpts:

     Lake Worth voters need to think for themselves and select candidates that put forth the ideas they believe will keep Lake Worth progressing. Candidates who can stand on their own feet and not play "follow the leader".
     Lake Worth had to endure too many years of stagnation and some of these candidates think stagnation is a good thing.

[and...]

     One candidate [Ryan Maier] appeared to have his face in his ipod far too much during the candidate forum, apparently being coached by someone else. When he spoke, he used the same words we have heard before.
     Don't be misled by knocks on the door with smiling faces, they are quite capable of telling untruths. Don't listen to a candidate telling you how bad the opponent is, make them tell you in no uncertain terms what "they" will do.  

[and lastly...]

     Fixing Lake Worth isn't going to be free, or even cheap but it has to be done. We are living with the results of not wanting to take care of what we have and it is time we fix it.
     There are two candidates [Commissioner John Szerdi and Candidate Serge Jerome Jr.] who realize the need to make Lake Worth a better place, what it takes to do that, and they are willing to work to get it done. There are other candidates who are put forth by those who chose to neglect the infrastructure and "bones" of our fine city and they aren't even thinking for themselves.
     Just listen, it will be obvious. 

Slideshow: Difficulties in sending Lake Okeechobee water south

In today's Palm Beach Post is a must watch slideshow by the South Florida Water Management District.

This slideshow is part of an article written by Christine Stapleton. From the article:

     South Florida Water Management District officials made no commitments to several dozen environmental activists who begged them Thursday to buy land south of Lake Okeechobee for Everglades restoration, and for the first time they laid out the hurdles and risks they face in making such a buy.
     “It’s not as simple as buying land and moving water south,” said district board member James Moran. “To come in here and lecture us — just buy the land and move water south —if it was that simple it would have been done already.”

[and...]

     As the meeting got underway on Thursday, the Corps announced it was increasing releases from the lake into the estuary and river because recent rains have pushed the lake level to 14.81 — about a foot higher than it was at this time last year.

An "Emerging Risks Team Report" by Lloyd's of London is very pessimistic about the future of the Herbert Hoover Dike. The report is only 22 pages and is an alarming read.

Here is an excerpt from the Lloyd's of London report:

A report was commissioned by the South Florida Water Management District in 2006 to review the stability and safety of the Herbert Hoover Dike around Lake Okeechobee. 

Report concludes “The current condition of Herbert Hoover poses a grave and imminent danger… … [The dyke] needs to be fixed. We can only add that it needs to be fixed now, and it needs to be fixed right. We firmly believe that the region’s future depends on it.” 

Tony Doris at the Post and a swift correction

West Palm Beach Commissioner Kimberly Mitchell is challenging Mayor Jeri Muoio for Mayor of West Palm Beach. Tony Doris at the Palm Beach Post wrote this story titled, "Mitchell, Muoio battle in West Palm Beach mayoral debate" on Wednesday (2/11) of this week.

The next day, Thursday, the Palm Beach Post issued a "CORRECTIONS & CLARIFICATIONS" to Mr. Doris' story. 

Here is what Mr. Doris wrote on Wednesday that needed 'Correction & Clarification':

     The mayor [Mayor Muoio] pointed repeatedly to [Commissioner] Mitchell’s participation in projects in which her ex-husband, lobbyist Richard Pinsky, was involved, including an effort to build a Wal-Mart in the south end of the city. Community members ultimately made it known that they didn’t want a supermarket at the site.
     Mitchell responded that having grown up in the city, she knows many people but also knows how to say no to them. “He’s my ex-husband, too, so that means we didn’t always see eye to eye,” she quipped.

 Here is the swift correction in the Palm Beach Post:

     A story Wednesday about the West Palm Beach mayoral race gave the impression that City Commissioner Kimberly Mitchell, a candidate for mayor, supported the construction of a Wal-Mart store in the city's south end. Mitchell opposed the store at the 811 S. Dixie Highway site. The story also incorrectly reported that her ex-husband, Richard Pinsky, was involved with the Wal-Mart project. Pinsky did not represent the developer and also opposed the project. The article appeared on Page B1 of the Local section.

Note that the "Corrections & Clarifications" in the Palm Beach Post only appear in the printed edition, on page A2, the "BACK OF THE FRONT" page.

Concert tomorrow in Bryant Park, 3rd Annual B.e. Easy Music and Arts Festival

Click link for short video of last years event. Here is a story about tomorrow's concert in the New Times.

From the article:

     The musical lineup includes a list of bands with good vibes. There's headliner Nahko and Medicine for the People, Cope, Sawgrass Express, and Ancient Sun. When we asked Evans why the fest is being held on Valentine's day, she replied truthfully, "To be honest, Nahko and Medicine for the People were in town on that day. We love their positive message and thought it is perfect for our event. This event is an outpouring of love and a celebration of life, so Valentine's Day is perfect!" Indeed it is.

IF YOU GO:
B.e. Easy Music and Arts Festival. 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, February 14, at Bryant Park, Lake Ave and Golfview Road, Lake Worth. Tickets cost $25. Visit beeasymusicfestival.com

Quote of the Day: Lake Worth Commissioner John Szerdi

"One of our greatest resources [in our City of Lake Worth] is our Historic Cottages."
~ District 4 Commissioner John Szerdi

Commissioner John Szerdi at the South Palm Park Neighborhood Association forum on the importance of our Lake Worth Cottages, how unique they are to our City, and why they attract tourists and dollars. Commissioner Szerdi hit this one Out of The Park.

Due to assets like our Cottages, Lake Worth is a destination city attracting people from all over the world. Take a stroll one weekend at our beach and stop a few people for a chat. You will find that people are visiting our beach and City from all over the world.

OK, Everglades EarthFirst! Your frenetic schedule has worn me out, I need a break

For some strange reason, Yours Truly, is the de facto press officer for the folks at Everglades EarthFirst! (EEF). How did that happen? I've made fun of them, highlighted their stumbles, made fun of their "horizontal" leadership...and that's just for starters.

Just the other day I published a page from Lake Worth Commissioner McVoy's campaign showing the commissioner giving money to Peter "Panagioti" Tsolkas, the President/CEO of Everglades EarthFirst!.

And still they send me updates, via Flocknote.com, of protests they have coming up. This latest protest is scheduled for tomorrow from 4:30 to 6:30 in Palm Beach Gardens, across the street from the Scripps Research Institute:

The only thing different about this protest, as opposed to the other two hundred and seventy-three (273) protests in Palm Beach Gardens, is the reference to "the march". 

Is EEF planning on obstructing traffic tomorrow? Arrests? Will PBSO need to show up and employ their newly-learned tactics when civil disobedience gets out of control? Good questions to ask yourself the next time you wonder why you have to pay so much in taxes for PBSO protection. 

Here is more information about the expansion of Scripps into the Briger Tract from the Scripps website:

Final notice, EEF! I need a break. Have you tried Margaret Menge? She has a newspaper and is looking for torches to carry. 

The Sunshine Law is not meant to squelch debate in front of the public...

Below is a picture of the Guide To Palm Beach County Code Of Ethics, 2014 Edition, page 19. Note the picture is taken in the sunshine. Here is a link to the Florida Government in the Sunshine Manual, also referred to as the Sunshine Law. 

Here is a challenge for anyone who feels up to it: show me where it says an elected official cannot endorse or attend a fundraiser for another elected official.

The short answer is this: those rules do not exist. There is nothing inappropriate about Mayor Pam Triolo, for instance, attending a fundraiser or Meet and Greet for Commissioner John Szerdi. However, it won't stop some from trying to confuse people about what the Sunshine Law covers and what it does not. 

For instance, a few months ago there was a hue and cry because Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell was seen having lunch with Congresswoman Lois Frankel in the downtown. "He's violating the Sunshine Law!", a local loudmouth cried. The Sunshine Law does not cover members of Congress. 

You'll hear whispers of breaches of ethics and accusations of Sunshine Law violations however these are baseless. The reason for these accusations are simple: our Mayor Pam Triolo, Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell, Commissioner Andy Amoroso, all elected officials, have endorsed Commissioner John Szerdi for re-election. 

Two Lake Worth volunteer chairs, Chair of the Planning & Zoning Board and the Chair of the Historic Resource Preservation Board, support Commissioner John Szerdi for re-election.

Some would have you believe an elected official or a member of a city advisory board, because of their position in the community lose their First Amendment rights. This is absurd and the people making these accusations are irresponsible. 

Was Commissioner Cara Jennings violating the Sunshine Law or being unethical when she campaigned for candidate Suzanne Mulvehill?: 

Check out the irony here. At Monday night's South Palm Park Candidate Forum, the issue was raised that three elected officials were in the room. This was not a regular meeting of the Commission and therefore they could not talk about "things likely to come before them in the future." When this issue was raised, by Commissioner McVoy by the way, the city officially posted the meeting: as required by the Sunshine Law. The other requirement is that minutes be taken. This is how the minutes of Monday night's meeting would have looked:

Commissioners John Szerdi, Christopher McVoy attended a neighborhood association meeting on February 9 at 6 PM. Each of them presented their positions on various issues facing the city residences in the audience members. They were each asked several questions and responded with answers.The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM.

This is the level of absurdity to which this was taken. They were not taking action on any items. No vote was taken. There was a larger and more diverse crowd than usually show up for regular Commission meetings, where action actually takes place. Think of that: New faces! The entire city was invited and people were there from multiple neighborhoods. Those that attended were asked to identify themselves and what neighborhood association they belonged to at the beginning of the meeting. Then, on top of all that, there was an enterprising gentleman there with a video camera that captured the entire candidate forum and quickly had it available on YouTube for everyone on the Interwebs to view at their leisure.

There have been candidate forums in each and every regular election cycle in Lake Worth for as long as I can remember. We have had incumbent Commissioners and the Mayor either present, or part of the group that is campaigning for re-election. This has never been an issue before. Why is it now?

The specter of "violating the Sunshine Law" hung over the group so that discussion of what the city may do or what candidates would do related to an infrastructure bond issue was simply not discussed, "as this was on shaky ground." Other items specifically were not discussed that may come before the City Commission. Isn't this why people come to candidate forums in the first place? They come to find out the stance of those who may be representing them on the dais. If this "specter" doesn't dissipate, the public will be deprived of debate and discussion of the more important issues of our day.

I believe that is counter to government in the sunshine.

Anonymous Comment Left Under "Sunshine" Post Above

[Earlier today, 2/12, I wrote a post about the Sunshine Law and how the law is being misinterpreted by some to keep the public uninformed on major issues facing our city. Under that post an anonymous, informed person wrote the following comment:]

I have it on good authority that McVoy was given proper and specific legal advice on how to effectively and properly deal with his "Johnny come lately, self righteous" concern about potentially violating the Sunshine Law. 

However, HE CHOSE TO NOT INFORM officers of NA's of this remedy, instead, he suggested that the candidate forums would be a direct violation of the Sunshine Laws and to protect himself and all others involved, he could not "ethically" participate in the South Palm Park meeting.

The email he sent to the neighborhood officers to this effect is probably available should someone like to see it.

Curiously he attended the meeting, AT THE LAST MINUTE, only after being informed by one of his "handlers" in a attendance; either Steve Elman, Jo-Ann Golden, Gael Silverblatt, Lynda Mahoney, Richard Stowe, et al, that his opponent had, in fact showed for the meeting and he'd better get his butt over to the meeting after all.

The significance of this is that Commissioner "Squeeky McClean" had recently attended a neighborhood association meeting where he knew his opponent was not going to be present.

And yes, this/his NA appearance came just days after Commissioner "McClean" had attend a four hour ethics class at PBSC where apparently he was finally able to get in touch with his ethical side.

Bottom line is this man attempts to hide behind the Sunshine Law to avoid being present to be held accountable for his record of wanting to increase taxes, increase electric rates, get rid of PBSO and BEING PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEFEAT OF THE 20/20 ROAD AND INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN THAT JUST RECENTLY COST ANOTHER LAKE WORTH FAMILY THEIR HOME TO A FIRE THAT COULDN'T BE SAVED BECAUSE OF LACK OF FIRE HYDRANT PROTECTION!

Other things to consider are, he and his anarchist leaders, costing the city millions of dollars in legal fees and settlements over such things as the beach.

So yes, if I were him, I'd be looking for any loop hole or angle to avoid facing the citizens of Lake Worth during campaign season.

Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Community Partners Receive $500,000 Catalytic Grant for Neighborhood Improvements

Press Release:

Lake Worth, FL
February 12, 2015

The Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and Community Partners (also known as Housing Partnership Inc.) were recently awarded $500,000 in catalytic grant funds for neighborhood and community improvements in Lake Worth.

The CRA and Community Partners partnered in 2014 to apply for these competitive funds to be used in the most economically distressed areas of Lake Worth. This partnership was one of only 11 applications to be funded nationwide.

These funds are granted to organizations in order to spur economic development in hard-hit communities, provide new affordable housing and to create new jobs and businesses.

Funds received from this grant will be specifically used for the following purposes:

 To provide financial fitness counseling for those living or planning to live in Lake Worth. 
 To create Individual Development Accounts, which are special savings accounts that match the deposits of low- and moderate-income people. These accounts can then be used for educational purposes, purchasing a home or starting a business.
 To offer foreclosure prevention classes and education for low- to moderate-income families.
 To provide neighborhood safety features throughout the neighborhoods, including but not limited to new lighting and sidewalks.
 For branding and marketing initiatives.
 Renovation or rehabilitation work for owner-occupied residential units.
 Creation of a micro-loan program for new or existing small businesses.

The CRA and Community Partners have begun planning the above mentioned projects and will be publicizing how the community can get involved later this year. All funding must be expended within 18 months.

Additional information regarding this grant or any of the other Lake Worth CRA’s neighborhood initiatives can be found by visiting the CRA’s website or by calling the CRA office at (561) 493-2550.

4th Annual FLOLFING (FLOrida urban mini-putt-putt goLFING*) Tournament coming up soon!

FLolfie arrives and is seen at the Tri-Rail Station, the beach and a concert at the Lake Worth Waterfront Amphitheater. DJNA's  (Downtown Jewel Neighborhood Association) 4th Annual *FLOLFING Tournament is coming up on Saturday, March 21st.

This 9 Hole Course is a home and garden tour with a DJNA twist. Volunteers make their own hole at their homes and Flolfers go house to house to play a round. Food, Drinks and Winner’s Purse etc. Please check link in paragraph above for official rules.

Did the full-page ad by Ironhorse Property Owners Assoc. have an effect?

On Monday, 2/9, the Ironhorse Property Owners Association purchased a full-page ad in the Palm Beach Post expressing their opposition to trash being hauled in from sources outside Palm Beach County; a full-page ad is very expensive. The Post reporter Joe Capozzi wrote about this and referenced a part of the ad: a little girl holding a doll and wearing a gas mask:

Yesterday the Palm Beach County Commission voted 5 to 2 to allow a Broward County trash hauler to bring trash to the Palm Beach County incinerator. No one will ever know how effective or ineffective that full page ad was, although it drew the ire of one commissioner:

     McKinlay [County Commissioner Melissa McKinlay], in public comments before her vote, criticized Ironhorse for using a photograph of a small girl wearing a gas mask in a full-age newspaper ad the association bought Monday to oppose the plan.
     “That was horrendous,’’ she said. “That is not what will happen with this facility.’’
     After the meeting, Gundermann [Don Gundermann, president of the Ironhorse Property Owners Association] reacted to McKinlay’s comments. “I think she’s a little sensitive. That was legitimate point we were making,’’ he said.

You decide, is Commissioner McKinlay being "a little sensitive"? I don't think so, but that's just me.

Some of the older generation might remember this presidential TV ad from the 1964 campaign that also featured a little girl. Many think this ad is what tilted the election toward Johnson. This ad happened to be highly effective. So there it goes.

By the way, some commissioners as reported by Joe Capozzi had some choice words for Drew Martin, who made some inflammatory claims on behalf of the Sierra Club:

     [But] commissioners shot back at some speakers, including Drew Martin of the Sierra Club, who said the plan will create pollution that will cause cancer.     

    “What we emit is highly regulated. We don’t poison people around here,’’ said Commissioner Hal Valeche, who voted against the plan. “I wish you would be a little more restrained about your claims about what the Solid Waste Authority is doing to residents’ health.’’