Saturday, April 9, 2016

The latest news about Braves Spring Training baseball in John Prince Park (and remember to Stay Excited folks!)

Here's the latest from Joe Capozzi at the Post on Braves Spring Training baseball in John Prince Park:

     "The Braves this spring attracted 103,574 fans over 16 games, an average of 6,473 per game, at Champion Stadium (capacity 9,500) at Disney’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, according to the Florida Sports Foundation."

[and. . .]

     The Braves also said their Palm Beach County complex would bring in millions in economic benefits.
     Friday’s [April 8th] meeting came four days after more than 30 supporters [emphasis added], wearing Bring Home the Braves shirts, told county commissioners to strike a deal with the team. About 12 opponents also showed up, mainly to voice concerns about putting the complex in a public park.
     The three Braves officials flew in from Atlanta on Thursday and had dinner at Callaro’s Steak House in downtown Lake Worth, where they met briefly with Mayor Pam Triolo and City Manager Mike Bornstein.

Have you been to Callaro's lately for lunch or dinner? Check it out some time soon:
Below are two videos you'll be interested in. The first one has a technical problem that needs to be worked out. Not sure what happened to the audio:
For those who strongly support Spring Training in John Prince Park keep up the faith! Go grab those colorful baseball caps, pay attention to any and all upcoming meetings, and be ready for a celebration somewhere with Mel and Vinnie singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame!":
Remember:
"It ain't over till it's over."
—Yogi Berra

Again, just raising the question: Why were the words, "a self-proclaimed anarchist" edited out of the story about Cara Jennings?

Below are two images from the Post's online edition:
This image is from Wednesday (4/6). Note the words, "self-proclaimed anarchist" in the second paragraph.
This image is from the next day (4/7) and also as it appears in the print edition (page B1, below the fold). The reference to "anarchist" was edited out.
Everyone knows this is leading up to a grand editorial by the Post, so stay tuned for that tribute. For that exuberantly gushing praise to happen they'll have to ignore all the terrible things she did to this City as an elected commissioner, like the gutting of the code enforcement department. The work continues to this day to repair that damage, which was done intentionally during terrible economic times here in Lake Worth. Anarchists, if you didn't know, aren't big fans of code enforcement.

Cara Jennings' video was written about previously on this blog and you can read that using this link.

So why was Jennings in Gainesville? The consensus among people I've spoken with is she skipped out of Lake Worth after her chosen candidate in the last election, Ryan Hartman, was trounced by Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell. There's much wringing of hands among the Anarchists and their supporters over how badly they misjudged the mood of the public; it's no surprise Jennings would seek a friendlier place to hang around for a while til things settle down.

The other consensus is that Jennings really screwed things up by using the word "asshole" in the video. Her message was mostly a good one and needed to be stated (and I happen to agree with her on issues such as ObamaCare and Medicare), but using that word took the focus off the issues and made Jennings the focus instead. That's too bad.

"The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low that every person of sense and character detests and despises it."
—George Washington

But with Jennings' politics it's always been about the Cult of Personality anyhow; no big surprise there:

Friday, April 8, 2016

State Sen. Jeff Clemens will be at meeting in Lake Worth this Saturday morning, April 9th

"The Lake Worth Democratic Club (LWDC) will host State Senator Jeff Clemens on Saturday April 9th at Brogues DownUnder, 621 Lake Avenue.

It's a morning meeting: 10:00 am!

Senator Clemens will give us a legislative update on the wild and curious year in Tallahassee this past winter. He'll take questions and I'm sure you'll have some. . .

After the club meeting please stay, meet the Zone Leaders, and learn about our map to success in the November General Election.

Sam Goodstein
President, LWDC"

If you didn't know, State Senator Clemens is on Twitter also (he can explain this Tweet if you don't already know; a truly sad day for Lake Worth):

Every now and then a TV news crew comes to Lake Worth, and. . .

This is a real good Lake Worth news segment from Katie Johnson at CBS5/WPTV. Here is an excerpt from the text of the story (link to site):

 LAKE WORTH, Fla. - A group of 4th graders from North Grade Elementary is going to Disney World next month, thanks to the help of some local firefighters.
    John Resch is a firefighter with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue at Station 91. His son is a student at the elementary school.
     When John found out the cost of the trip was $110, he realized not every child's parents could afford to send them to Epcot.
     "We at the fire department, and in the community, raised a lot of money so everyone in this class gets to go on the Epcot trip," John said.
     He added, "We really think all these kids should have the same opportunities as any other kid."

Here is the video, Enjoy!

Volunteers needed tomorrow (Saturday, 4/9) to help clean up the Snook Islands and Lake Worth Lagoon shoreline

The information below comes from our City's paper of record and oldest business (founded in 1912), The Lake Worth Herald: 

     "Volunteers are needed for the Great American Cleanup effort in Lake Worth on Saturday, April 9th.
     Join your neighbors to help clean up the shoreline of Lake Worth Lagoon and Snook Islands area, adjacent to the Lake Worth Municipal Golf Course. 
     The area is littered with old tires, broken bits of lumber, plastic and paper trash. All are welcome to participate in this cleanup effort spearheaded by Golf Course Shoreline Clean-up April 9 the Kiwanis Club of Lake Worth in conjunction with Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful.
     Volunteers will meet at the clubhouse (located at 7th Ave. N. and the Intracoastal) at 8 a.m. You don’t have to be a Kiwanis member to join in the effort, but volunteers must be 18 years old or accompanied by a parent."

Here is more information from the article in the Herald:
  • All participants are asked to park in the golf course parking lot the morning of the event. 
  • Golf carts will be used to shuttle volunteers to the cleanup locations along the length of the shoreline. Plenty of garbage bags and latex gloves will be provided.
  • Volunteers should wear old clothes, closed-toed shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats if possible.
  • Keep Palm Beach County Beautiful is assisted locally by the Solid Waste Authority.

Lake Worth's Reggae Fest in Bryant Park begins today (April 8th) and continues tomorrow

Below are excerpts about this news from The Palm Beach Post's beat reporter for Lake Worth, Kevin Thompson (Have your own exciting community news you want to share? The reporters contact info is below):

     "Reggae Fest, hitting Bryant Park Amphitheater on April 8 and 9, has a new look, organizers say.
     Hoping to make the festival bigger, AOS Live, the event management company that took over Reggae Fest this year, added a larger main stage in the grass field by the Intracoastal to go with the concert band shell stage inside the park. Also expect to see more national acts, including Matisyahu and Black Uhuru.
     'We want to bring in heavy hitters who normally skip over this town,' said Matt Krug, AOS Live co-owner. 'We’re stepping it up. Before the festival had local acts you could find in any bar.' "

[and. . .]

     “Not only does it bring out Lake Worth residents, but we draw people from all over [Palm Beach] county who would never come to Lake Worth,” Krug said.

Use link in the first paragraph above for admission prices and other ticket information.

If you have something going on in your community in the little City of Lake Worth, suburban Lake Worth (including Palm Beach State College) and Greenacres here is how you contact the Post reporter:
Email: kthompson@pbpost.com
561-820-4573
Twitter: @kevindthompson1

Thursday, April 7, 2016

The "Invasives and Exotics" event is TODAY at the Lake Worth Public Library

Many experts will be on hand for this event made possible by the City of Lake Worth.
Suzanne M. Holmes, the City's Public Services Coordinator, has exciting news (below) about the Tree Board. Here is her contact information:
  • Phone: 561-586-1720
  • Fax: 561-586-1750
  • sholmes@lakeworth.org
"Lake Worth, FL – This year’s talk entitled Invasives and Exotics takes place Thursday, April 7, 2016 at the Lake Worth Public Library on 15 North M Street in beautiful downtown Lake Worth. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Presentations begin at 6:30 and continue until 8:00. Refreshments will be served. 
     Admission is free and everyone is welcome.  
     The evening’s discussions will focus on the impacts of exotic and invasive plants to South Florida and how South Florida natives allow beneficial insects, birds and butterflies to flourish:
     'It’s great to have our City Tree Board speaker series return to the Lake Worth Public Library in downtown Lake Worth,' said City of Lake Worth Horticulturalist, David McGrew, staff liaison to the board. 'The speakers will explain the exotic pest plant problem we face in South Florida.' "
Located in central Palm Beach County, Lake Worth is a dynamic, multi-cultural city with an individualistic style.  People are drawn to the city by its acceptance of different cultures and lifestyles, historic districts, hip downtown and colorful arts district.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

The City of Lake Worth's water line infrastructure program: What you need to know

Use this link for maps and other helpful information. The image above is of one area in the City being improved.
The latest City of Lake Worth newsletter, Worth Noting, was recently published and contains a lot of helpful information about water line replacements. Use this link to read the newsletter; if you don't receive the newsletter sign up using this link and it will be delivered to your email inbox.

Here is an excerpt from the news:

"Lake Worth has started a 6 year project to replace 22 miles of the 2″ watermains throughout the city. The new water infrastructure will use 4-inch, 6-inch or larger PVC pipe which is durable, clean and long-lasting. They will be able to move greater volumes of water with increased pressure at the tap—think Happy Showers!
  • Year 1 of the water infrastructure project has been designed by professional engineers, bid & awarded for construction.
  • Year 2: Currently under design. Construction should commence in 2017.
     Improving infrastructure is expensive, and dividing the project across six years will allow the City to make the most cost-effective decisions about design, bidding and construction.
     Residents may experience minor traffic delays during construction, as many of the water mains are located under roads. The City will continue to inform residents about where and when construction will be taking place ahead of time."

Short video: A few of the speakers at the Palm Beach County Commission yesterday (April 5th)

Below is a list of speakers in the video that spoke in support of the Braves Spring Training baseball facility at John Prince Park. I wasn't able to attend the County meeting but was kept informed of what was happening. Later on and throughout the week will have videos of the meeting that occurred later on Tuesday at the Lake Worth City Commission meeting.

Was told that a number of those who showed up in opposition behaved quite rudely at the County Commission meeting and one of those people can be seen at the 9:40 mark in the video. The woman was probably unaware she was on video but this should serve as a wake-up call for people who attend government meetings: Behave yourself. How you act could reflect very badly both on the City of Lake Worth and the issue you are there to support or oppose (as well as all the other people in your group).

Here are the list of speakers so you can fast forward through the video if you wish:
  • Starts off with Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell
  • At 2:50 is Lake Worth business owner Dave Palumbo
  • At 5:00 is Mr. Mitchell
  • At 7:15 is Mr. Greg Rice 
  • At 9:30 is Lisa Maxwell
  • At 10:50 is former Lake Worth Commissioner Nadine Burns
The video is recorded off a TV screen so the quality is a bit poor but the audio is quite clear. Enjoy!

From the Post's Joe Capozzi: "Braves sweep doubleheader of public opinion" at the Palm Beach County Commission and Lake Worth City Hall

To no ones surprise, Katie McGiveron's promised outpouring of strong opposition to a Spring Training facility in John Prince Park never materialized. The majority of the 'Residences of Lake Osborne' are clearly not in lock-step with her self-proclaimed 'neighborhood' organization, ROLO. Who ROLO represents is actually a very narrowly focused and tiny group with a few specific, self-interested goals. Period.

To hammer that point home, below are two excerpts from The Palm Beach Post news (link to article):

     "In a doubleheader of public opinion, the Atlanta Braves came out winners Tuesday in their bid to build a spring training complex at John Prince Park in suburban Lake Worth.
     Braves supporters, wearing blue tomahawk T-shirts and holding 'Bring Home the Braves' signs, outnumbered opponents of the park plan by a 3-to-1 margin [emphasis added] at two separate public meetings."

[and. . .]

     "But more than 30 people wore the blue tomahawk T-shirts, waved Braves pennants and held '#palmbeachisbaseballcountry' signs in support of a plan to build a $100 million stadium complex in the park west of Interstate 95 near Lake Osborne. About the same number of supporters showed up outside Lake Worth City Hall.
     'It’s going to be family-oriented. I can go on my paddleboard with my glove and catch a baseball,' said Beth Scragg, who said she launched the Bring Home The Braves Facebook page, which had more than 1,000 likes."

The opponents to a baseball facility in John Prince Park have to rely on clever deception and unsubstantiated claims to bolster their size. That's been clearly demonstrated. So be prepared for more theatrics going forward from ROLO. Stay tuned as they say.

Below are two cool Tweets you'll enjoy sent out from the County Commission meeting yesterday:

Cara Jennings: An anti-government Anarchist wants more government services from Florida Governor Scott

The theatrics of Cara Jennings (the co-leader of Everglades EarthFirst! [EEF!]) have been well-chronicled on this blog. If you didn't know, her and EEF! have suffered a long list of defeats of late, including here in the recent City of Lake Worth elections. It was only a matter of time before they tried to gain relevance and much-needed attention once again.

Parts of the message delivered to Rick Scott at that coffee shop in Gainesville (see below) were good and needed to be said but it was given by the wrong person and in the wrong way. Calling the governor an "asshole" isn't a good approach to get him listening to one's concerns. If you've followed Jennings' antics over the years you know that the word "asshole" is one of her favorites directed at people she disagrees with. It's a conversation stopper, you might say.

For example, my friends at EEF! like to paint Your's Truly as one of those 'right-wing radicals' (as they do with almost everyone they oppose) and nothing can be further from the truth. I'm not a fan of Gov. Scott and did my part to try and defeat him at the polls. Why? I'm a big ObamaCare supporter and think Medicare needs to be greatly expanded. It was, and still is my contention that Nan Rich could have defeated Scott but she was never given that chance, realistically. The 'powers that be' settled on the safe choice, Charlie Crist, and the rest is history.

Anyhow, the latest theatrics by Jennings is in Gainesville and below are two excerpts from Arek Sarkissian at Political Fix Florida:

     "[Gov. Rick] Scott walked into the Gainesville Starbucks across the street from the Hippodrome. It’s a study spot for students who don’t mind rubbing elbows with some of the city’s homeless population, who live in a nearby tent city. The local socialist society also regularly holds informational sessions over a card table set up along the street. Downtown is also home to Gainesville’s sort-of punk scene. Finally, that particular Starbucks is a meeting spot for plenty of activists before they head over to the nearby city and county commission meetings."

[and. . .]

     "Jennings later wrote on her Facebook page that she was already upset that Scott had signed a bill that provided tougher restrictions on abortion clinics and restricted funding, albeit a small amount.
     'And then today, the governor walked right into the coffee shop I was at…and left with no coffee,' Jennings wrote."

So Jennings again has managed to get herself more media attention and hopefully this won't reflect too badly on our City of Lake Worth. And maybe from now on she'll be more careful throwing around the word "asshole". After a while people might come to discover who the real a**hole is.

One question to consider: Did that camera just happen to be there at that coffee shop to record Cara Jennings? It was a professionally shot video. Watch for yourself and you decide:

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Pinned Post*: Message from a family in Lake Osborne community of Lake Worth in support of Atlanta Braves Spring Training baseball

*A "Pinned Post" is kept at, or near, the top of the blog for as long as deemed necessary by Your's Truly. Please scroll down for new content and, as always, Thank You for visiting my blog, Wes.

From: Andrew Elder
Sent: Monday, April 4, 2016 11:21 AM
To: Pam Triolo; Scott Maxwell; Christopher McVoy; Andy Amoroso; Ryan Maier
Subject: Braves Support

 Mayor Triolo, Vice Mayor Maxwell and Commissioners,

 My family and I are residents of Lake Osborne and have recently been reading about all the negativity towards the proposal of the Braves spring training facility. I understand that many of the detractors will be in attendance at the next local meeting and probably few of the supporters will actually be there.

Please feel free to use this email as a glowing endorsement from the young families of Lake Worth. 

Lake Worth is missing something of this style and fashion and it would benefit us immeasurably in terms of entertainment, land value, and general enhancement. As a family that has been to Abacoa literally hundreds of times over the years, a place like this in Lake Worth could be a true catalyst for positive change in our town. I know it will be a long decision process, but lets bring the Braves to Lake Worth (from a long time Cubs fan!).

 Have a beautiful day,

 Andrew Graham Elder

[Note: The proposed Braves facility would not be located within the municipal limits of the City of Lake Worth but in the County's John Prince Park nearby. Nevertheless, the positive impacts on Lake Worth would be tremendous, as the email above points out.]

Remember, be polite to your elected officials, no matter what side you're on in the debate about the Braves in John Prince Park

Personally, I'm not worried about the supporters of an Atlanta Braves Spring Training facility in the County's John Prince Park being disrespectful. I know they can be counted on to act properly.

But the opponents of the Braves are an entirely different story. For example, see how low they can go the last time the subject of Spring Training baseball came up in John Prince Park:
County Commissioner Shelley Vana is one of the most respected leaders in Palm Beach County. Cheap shots like the one above is how the opponents hope to draw attention to themselves. Ignore these divisive tactics.
Don't be like the opponents who are on the verge of panic! Smile, be polite, and state your case respectfully and passionately. And hope to see a big turnout tonight at City Hall in Lake Worth at 5:30.

Press Release: The School District of Palm Beach County, Office of Communications

Use this link to read the entire press release titled, "District to launch new regional offices on July 1, moving additional $5.5 million to schools". Here is an excerpt:

Posted on April 4, 2016 
WEST PALM BEACH – Four regional superintendents will be named to oversee the School District of Palm Beach County’s new regional offices, as part of District-wide reorganization that will shrink the number of District administrative jobs and move $5.5 million to schools with the highest economic need. They will begin their new roles on July 1.
     This reorganization will move the District from five area offices to four regional offices, shifting additional money and resources to schools, and allowing the District to better align with its new strategic plan. The strategic plan focuses on improving outcomes for students by increasing reading on grade level by third grade, ensuring high school readiness, increasing the graduation rate and fostering post-graduate success.

From the South Florida Business Journal: "Second Wawa planned in this South Florida city"

The city can't be Lake Worth because we haven't gotten our first Wawa yet. Here are two excerpts from this article in the South Florida Business Journal by reporter Brian Bandell:
     Deerfield Beach could get a second Wawa convenience store and gas station.
     The Pennsylvania-based company, known for its fresh food and coffee, has been lining up dozens of locations for its entry into the South Florida market. On April 7, the Deerfield Beach Planning and Zoning Board will consider a proposal by Wawa to put a store at 20 S.W. 12th Ave. – just south of Hillsboro Boulevard and west of Interstate 95.
[and. . .]
     Fort Lauderdale also has two Wawa stores planned. Other cities with Wawa locations on the way include Miami Gardens, West Palm Beach, Pompano Beach, Palm Springs, Davie, Sunrise, Riviera Beach, and Parkland.
West Palm Beach and Palm Springs have Wawa's on the way and both of them are our municipal neighbors. How long before the little City of Lake Worth makes the list? Keep your fingers crossed and hope we get some great news from the reporter some time in the near future:
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