"Baseball, soccer fields unveiled at Lantana’s new sports complex" and Lake Worth's City Manager Michael Bornstein is mentioned

Post reporter Alexandra Seltzer has this article on Lantana's new sports complex and below are two excerpts:

     "With the sun shining and a slight breeze to keep players cool on Thursday, it was a perfect day to play baseball, and in Lantana, there are finally fields to do so.
     Mayor David Stewart dressed in Marlins gear and carried a Louisville slugger youth baseball bat, and 'Take Me Out To The Ballgame' played in the background while town officials, developers and residents gathered on North Eighth Street to cut the ribbon to Lantana’s new sports complex."

[and. . .]

     "It took about 14 years to get the Holley property to where it could be developed, Stewart told the group of about 40 people. Four men have been governor since the journey started. Stewart reminisced of when it was he and former town manager Michael Bornstein, now Lake Worth’s city manager, trying to get the state to clean up the property and made many trips to Tallahassee." [emphasis added]

Beating a dead horse: the failed San Francisco housing experiment and soaring costs for housing

Followers of this blog will have read about the failed housing experiment in San Francisco many times over. The 'dream' actually turned out to have a "Shakespearean Flaw". By limiting growth and housing they increased demand in a culture that now prefers to live in cities; once the Great Recession ended the writing was on the wall, as they say, and the San Francisco dream to 'save' the  city failed.

Housing in San Francisco is at such a premium that costs have soared for apartments, condos, homes, etc. How much? This article by Gizmodo titled, "Could You Save Money By Commuting to San Francisco From Las Vegas?" says it all; here's a short excerpt:

     "Many of San Francisco workers are being priced far out of the city due to the housing shortage. But how far? According to one person’s calculations, rents are so high, it would be worth it to move to Las Vegas and fly back to San Francisco for work.
     Supercommuters—people who live in one city and fly to work in another—have been growing in numbers due to the seemingly incongruous trends of dirt-cheap airfare and outrageously high costs of living. But these choices usually have to do with family situations or job changes; it rarely pencils out economically. But sometimes, when cities are really expensive, it does."

Commissioner McVoy isn't the champion of transparency he claims to be: "The secrecy bothers McVoy—even though he voted for it"

The quote above is from The Palm Beach Post. More on that a little later.

At the end of this blog post is a happy picture taken at the Lake Worth Casino some time in late 2012. Those were very happy days but didn't last very long. It was taken before the reality hit that the Casino business plan was a failure and the project would end up costing the taxpayers huge amounts of money to keep it operating.

Below are excerpts from this article by Alexandra Clough on March 5th of last year. It was a fair and factual account of the now-ended "Invitation to Negotiate" (ITN) process and possible ways to help our struggling Casino/Beach Complex. Below are a two excerpts:

     Lake Worth’s restored casino complex boasts a winning view of the ocean. To the city’s coffers, however, the beachside center is a poor financial bet: It doesn’t make enough money to pay off $6 million borrowed for the 2013 redo.

[and...]

     The secrecy bothers McVoy — even though he voted for it [emphasis added]
     Last week, McVoy says he didn’t know the ITN would be so hush-hush: At the time he voted, McVoy said its description was “fuzzy . . . I would not say it was very adequately explained.”

But he voted for it anyway? The vote was a unanimous one.

Note that Commissioner McVoy, PhD, voted "Yes" for secrecy. Nothing "fuzzy" about this. Later, as part of the ITN process, all the information was made available to the public.

So the next time McVoy delivers one of his master classes on transparency and openness remember how he voted when it came to the ITN and his attempt to explain that vote by claiming it was "fuzzy".

Note that the Casino complex is now a confirmed business failure.

One-time special event at the Cultural Council: Evening Jazz Concert on Saturday, April 30th

"The Cultural Council of Palm Beach County will host a one-time-only concert featuring international jazz vocalist and recording artist Yvette Norwood-Tiger and her Jazz Ensemble, in honor of International Jazz Day. The ensemble features pianist and musical director Rick Moore of Jupiter Jazz Society, Burt Boice on contra bass, and Jose Roman Duque on drums, plus special guest trumpeter Michael Mackey, who is a senior at Dreyfoos School of the Arts."

More information:

• Location: Cultural Council of Palm Beach County, 601 Lake Ave. in Lake Worth 
• Time: 7:30–9:30
• Admission: $15.00 per ticket (tickets may be purchased at the door or by phone in advance. Call 561-471-2901)

Penny Sales Tax to be Considered by the Palm Beach County Commission

This coming Tuesday, the Palm Beach County Commission will be deciding whether or not to put a 1 cent sales tax on this coming November's ballot. It will have a life of ten years. The revenue from the increased sales tax would go to fund certain School Board needs, infrastructure improvements and repairs, along with some additional funding for tourism and cultural institutions.

The important part for Lake Worth is that the revenue created would be allocated to all the municipalities in Palm Beach County. This would be based upon each individual city's total taxable value. It is estimated that would mean an additional $2 million per year for Lake Worth, based upon current figures. That money would be used for many road projects less the Park of Commerce. It would also allow the city to aggregate the future revenue stream into a lump sum at the beginning.

Since part of the burden would be placed upon tourists visiting Palm Beach County, a portion of the money generated would go to tourism and cultural institutions in order to make the area even more attractive.

Please contact all of your County Commissioners about the need to put this item on the ballot in November. The concern is that if the County Commission chooses not too, the Palm Beach County School Board would go after the same 1 cent increase. That could leave us paying the same amount and not getting the infrastructure improvements needed in the municipalities.

Here are some of the cities that want this to proceed to the ballot: Atlantis, Belle Glade, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Greenacres, Highland Beach, Jupiter Inlet Colony, Lake Clarke Shores, Lake Worth, Lantana, Loxahatchee Groves, Pahokee, Palm Springs, Royal Palm Beach, South Bay, South Palm Beach, Wellington, and West Palm Beach.

There are 7 county commissioners in all. The City of Lake Worth and surrounding areas are represented by Commissioner Shelley Vana. If you would like to contact her about this issue use this link and look on the right-hand side of the web page.

Starting Monday, May 2nd: More projects to fix the City's aging water system

To read more about this project use this link. Below is more information about the next phase:

Starting Monday, the city will start replacing more aging, 2″ water mains at four locations. The areas are:

• 17th Street South from Lakeside Drive east to dead end.
• The alley between South J Street and South K Street from 12th Avenue South to 11th Avenue South.
• The alley between M Street and South N Street from 13th Avenue South to 11th Avenue South.
• The alley between North L Street and North M Street from 8th Avenue North to 7th Avenue South.

The work is part of a $17 million, six-phase project the City says will be finished in six years. The first phase was completed last month.

The City said the work starting Monday should be finished by Nov. 28. Affected hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The City is encouraging people from parking in the area or placing items there.

City Commission agenda next Tuesday and what tactics will commissioners Maier and McVoy employ to delay and obstruct City business?

A lot will depend on whether everyone is present, or not. If you recall, Mayor Pam Triolo wasn't able to attend the last meeting due to a scheduling conflict. Ryan Maier and Chris McVoy took advantage of this and forced an important agenda item to go through the process, again. (Use this link or go to the next blog post to read about all the time and effort this will cost the City.)

Read about what these two commissioners did and watch the video by looking in the right-hand column of this blog for "Political Monkeywrenching: Taking advantage of absences at government meetings".

Below are excerpts from the agenda for the City Commission next Tuesday with some interesting items highlighted. To see the entire agenda, use this link and scroll down for "May 3, 2016 Regular Meeting" and click on "Full Version". 

City of Lake Worth Commission Agenda

City Hall Commission Chambers, 7 North Dixie Highway

Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016, 6:00 PM

1. Roll Call

2. Invocation or Moment of Silence: Moment of silence at the request of Commissioner Ryan Maier

3. Pledge of Allegiance: Led by Vice Mayor Maxwell

4. Agenda: Additions/Deletions/Reordering

5. Presentations (there is no public comment on Presentation items)

A. Introduction of Commission on Ethics Executive Director Mark Bannon and answer any Commission questions

B. Bryant Park Neighborhood Association

C. Sheriff's office update by Todd Baer

D. Historic Resources Preservation Board Update

[and later. . .]

10. Public Hearings:

A. Ordinance No. 2016-13 - First Reading and First Public Hearing - amend various sections and tables of the City's Land Development Regulations

B. Ordinance No. 2016-15 - First Reading and First Public Hearing - amend Downtown (DT) zoning district, permitted uses table and amend various sections of the City's Land Development Regulations.

[and. . .]

13. Lake Worth Electric Utility
A. Presentation (there is no public comment on Presentation items)

1) Update on the Siemens project.

2) Update on the electric utility system

What can everyone expect at the meeting next Tuesday? 

Will there be more delay and obstruction tactics employed on Tuesday? This image is from a CIA manual showing "General Interference with Organizations". Tactics are to talk "at great length", "raise the question", and advocate "caution". Remind you of anyone?

Tax dollars and City resources wasted as a result of political delay tactics and monkeywrenching

Below is from next Tuesday's (May 3rd) City Commission meeting, a chronology of events leading up to commissioners Ryan Maier and Chris McVoy tactical delay of an important agenda item and how much time, money, and effort will be needed to move this forward, again.

Maier and McVoy took advantage of Mayor Triolo's absence and you can read about and also watch a video of what they did using this link. Now. . . this is what the City has to do to fix all this:

The proposed amendments provide clarification, edits and additions to the LDRs’ definitions; notice requirements for public hearing; site plan review; zoning districts; development standards; off-street parking; sign code; and, landscape regulations.
     On February 3, 2016, the Planning & Zoning Board, at its regularly scheduled meeting, discussed the proposed amendments to the LDRs and voted 7-0 to recommend approval to the City Commission.
     On February 10, 2016, the Historic Resources Preservation Board, at its regularly scheduled meeting, discussed the proposed amendments to the LDRs and voted 5-0 to recommend approval to the City Commission.
     At its meeting of April 5, 2016, the City Commission voted 3-1 to approve the changes to the LDRs providing that modifications to the original home occupation section were removed.
     At its meeting of April 19, 2016, the motion to approve the ordinance died for lack of a second. Also, the motion to reschedule hearing to a date certain failed for a lack of a second. Consequently, the proposed ordinance has been re-advertised and is being heard as a first reading during a public hearing.

How were Maier and McVoy able to accomplish delaying and costing the City all this money and time? They just sat there, smiled, and said nothing. If you didn't know, both of those commissioners are up for re-election on March 14th, 2017. That will be your chance to let them both know how you feel about tactics and antics such as this.

Must read article about sober homes from the Post's Joe Capozzi: "Sober Home Invasion"

For the entire article use this link. The article is quite long and has a lot of very important information. Here are two excerpts:

     "Welcome to the suburban front line in the national heroin epidemic.
     It's right outside the living room window in neighborhoods across Palm Beach County, where homeowners say they're living under siege from a clandestine invasion of sober homes — an incursion spawned by the gold rush of the lucrative addiction treatment industry.
     From a gated development in Wellington to the oceanfront in Delray Beach, they say they're finding needles near their driveways, staying up nights because of lights and sirens and, in worst cases, watching the medical examiner wheel corpses from the house next door."

[and. . .]

     "Of the 199 sober homes across the state that voluntarily registered with the Florida Association of Recovery Residences, the vast majority — 118 — are in Palm Beach County, known for decades as the addiction treatment capital of America.
     But the actual numbers are much higher because many sober homes don't register with FARR. For example, 15 are registered in Lake Worth, but city officials say the actual number could be as high as 75."

This coming Monday, May 2nd, is a very important meeting that your elected representatives need to know about. Use this link to learn more.

Meet Jamie Brown, the little City of Lake Worth's Director of Public Services

The short video taken below of Jamie Brown starts off a little shaky. This was part of his performance at the Lake Worth Has Talent show at the Lake Worth Playhouse last November. Mark Easton, the publisher of The Lake Worth Herald, had to quickly switch cameras to get Jamie Brown's performance of this Blues classic:

Great job! Watch the Allman Brothers and their version of the classic song "Soulshine":

The Compass Center in downtown Lake Worth: A few of their upcoming events

The Compass Center is located on Dixie Hwy. right across the street from Publix. You'll see a colorful utility box on the corner:

Here are upcoming events:

• May 3rd: Great Give is a day of online fundraising for non-profits in Palm Beach & Martin Counties. Use this link to help Compass with their fundraising.
• May 25th from 6:00–8:30 at Honey in downtown Delray is our next Pride Business Alliance mixer. To register use this link.
• May 27th: Compass Youth and friends have their Equality Prom at Compass. 

The Compass Mission: Compass aims to diminish stereotypes by challenging long-standing misconceptions about the character of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Come and play pickleball in Lake Worth! Make plans for next Wednesday.

Here is a letter from a big fan of pickleball in Lake Worth (he's also a big fan of the lowercase letters too):

"recently (due to a reference in the Palm Beach Post), i discovered the pickleball program run by your rec dpt at one of your many parks

while a big fan of Lake Worth for many reasons for many years, this discovery only furthered my appreciation of your city's progressive vision

you've done it right, and you've done it well - both the courts and program supervision are excellent (it must feel great to be so far ahead of the curve!)

just about the only way you could improve the current program, and i apologize for even bringing it up since knowing you, you've probably already thought of this and are implementing it even as i write, would be to add lights for evening play

bill cragun"

To learn more about Pickleball use this link and here is a video from NBC Nightly News!

Lake Front, Palm Beach (Sanford's Post Card Collection), 1918

Latest on development in the Ag Reserve and what's all that about a former Lake Worth elected and the "Forced to Farm" PAC?

Here is the article from Post reporter Wayne Washington and an excerpt:

     "The Palm Beach County Commission gave final approval to comprehensive plan changes that could spur more residential and commercial development in the Agricultural Reserve, a 22,000-acre farming and conservation zone west of Boynton Beach and Delray Beach.
     Commissioners voted Wednesday on two changes, one that makes it easier for small landowners in the reserve to sell developers the development rights attached to their property. The other change grants three specific property owners — Delray Growers, Steve and Rose Homrich, and Jim Alderman — the right to have commercial development on their property."

If you didn't know, former Lake Worth Commissioner Suzanne Mulvehill, the champion of resiliency, sustainability, anti-development, etc., while a commissioner here later became Chair of the Forced to Farm PAC that was organized to loosen regulations on land development in the Ag Reserve. Try to wrap your head around that one.

Image by the inimitable Tom McGow from May, 2010.

By the way, here is the Forced to Farm website. When you go through the site you learn there are many misconceptions about the Ag Reserve, like this one:

You might remember that Mulvehill, when she was running for elected office in Lake Worth, campaigned along with Cara Jennings. Can you say, "awkward"?

Vote for "Positive Change"?

"Something Out of Nothing" exhibit at the Palm Beach County Cultural Council until May 21st

"Artists are constantly challenged to create something new or innovative, a piece that is provocative or simply representational, a work that moves the viewer, explores ideas, expresses beliefs, confronts a movement. 'Something Out of Nothing' illustrates the diversity of 15 artists in Palm Beach County who have embraced these very concepts. Each artist in this exhibition was challenged to create a work specifically for this show or to display work that has recently been created and not yet exhibited. This exhibition is a testament to the creative process and the tremendous talent that is found within Palm Beach County."

The exhibition is at the Cultural Council, Main Gallery, 601 Lake Ave. in downtown Lake Worth. Call 561-471-2901.

The Cultural Council galleries, visitor information center and store are open 10:00–5:00, Tuesday through Saturday. For more information on exhibitions use this link.

Admission is free.