[UPDATE] Classical music in City's Cultural Plaza and why do so many in the media focus so much on just the homeless?

UPDATE: If you get the Post Sunday print edition, there's a wonderfully satirical letter to the editor by Lake Worth resident Helene Jarvis (it's not yet online as of 7:00 a.m.). It concerns Frank Cerabino's silliness, which is nothing new; this time it's about the homeless, again (see below). Jarvis isn't a fan of Cerabino's political satire and neither are a lot of other people.

But. . . what is truly satirical is a satirist writing for a newspaper that continues to lay off copy editors/staff and can't even print its own newspapers (the Sun Sentinel does that for them). Check back later for excerpts from Jarvis' letter and trust me, she writes some truly clever satire. Anyhow. . .

If you want to learn more about classical music in the Cultural Plaza you can ignore Cerabino's spin and get the whole scoop in The Lake Worth Herald. If you don't get the Herald you can subscribe using this link or go to the City's downtown news stand across the street from the County's Cultural Council to pick up the print edition. Walk in and a nice man named Andy will be happy to help you. He's the one wearing the baseball cap.

Below are two excerpts from the article dealing with the classical music being played in the City's Cultural Plaza that appear in this week's print edition:

     "The City of Lake Worth has taken the lead of other cities and began piping classical music into the downtown Cultural Plaza. Monday morning, 
     Commissioner Andy Amoroso received a complaint from the owner of an apartment in The Lucerne, a condominium complex located downtown, just a block from the Cultural Plaza. Amoroso said he made a call and the volume was turned down a little and the complainant was satisfied.
     Amoroso said that was Music to Make Plaza 'Cultural' the only complaint he had received among nearly fifty comments from people who appreciate the music. 'Brilliant!, Great, I love it!, It's really nice, are just some of the reactions I have received from passersby.' Amoroso said." [emphasis added]

[and. . .]

     "There have been accusations the City is playing the music to make it uncomfortable for homeless to sleep in the park or nearby. City Ordinance makes it illegal to be in the park between midnight and 8 a.m.
     In the absence of City Manager Mike Bornstein, Utilities Director Jack Borsch fielded questions about the music. Borsch stated the music was an attempt to make the Cultural Plaza feel more like a Cultural Center and it is a way for the City to draw people to the area and bring the arts community together."

Pretty much sums it up doesn't it?

"There Oughta Be a Law"—Lynn Anderson

For the whole family: The Fiesta de los Hispanos coming to Lake Worth

Below is a press release from the City. Please share this information and get the word out about the Fiesta de los Hispanos:

Contact: Eddie Mercado

Phone: 772-626-4297 or 561-509-6247

Email: eddiepsl@aol.com

When: Saturday, May 21st from 11:00–9:00 pm

Where: Bryant Park

THIS EVENT IS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Additional information: Daisy Productions would like to notify you gates will open at 11:00 and music will be played until 9:00 pm. To comply with the City sound ordinance music, volume will be reduced promptly at 8:00. There will be no road closures associated with this event. For questions about parking and/or shuttle please contact Eddie Mercado (see contact info. above).

A reminder: How bad is the financial situation at the Lake Worth Casino complex? Really bad

Most glaring in this report (below) that City Manager Michael Bornstein presented to the City Commission late last year is that the loan ($6 million+) is not getting paid back anywhere near as promised by previous elected officials (aka the 'visionaries', see below). As part of the business plan originally proposed, the Casino complex would be making enough money to pay $500,000 a year back it borrowed. When you add that to the projections, the red line in the graph below would be, as they say, "off the charts".

The Casino business plan was a failure from Day One.

In order to save money and keep the BEACH! operating the City and staff are on a shoestring budget. Much maintenance is being deferred and those costs are not going away—just pushed down the road.

In order to fix this situation a previous commission left us with, some, including current Commissioner McVoy, PhD (who was on the dais at the time the Casino project was bungled), came up with this 'grand' pitch: Raise electric rates to fix the problem. A problem that wouldn't have been a problem had this past commission done their jobs right in the first place:

For too many past City administrations, the Electric Utility was the "cash cow". As you can see above, some would like to go back to those days. The pitch above by Maier and McVoy failed.

Do I have to remind everyone who is responsible for all this? Here are those 'visionaries':

Once again, here are some of the problems with our 'charming' Casino complex and this does not include the problems with the municipal pool and the seawall which was never properly inspected.

More on 'Gentrification!' (aka, the "Wolf at the Door") and more information for the Bearers of Myths in L-Dub

For more on the Wolf at the Door look in the right-hand column of this blog for, 'Gentrification!' & politics of fear: Latest effort to undermine City's street lighting project. Those who cry the loudest about gentrification (which is too often confused with people just wanting to improve their neighborhood), seem to be just fine with all the poverty that surrounds them. But did you know this:

The image above is from this article titled, "Poverty is a bigger problem than gentrification" Below are two excerpts:

"Poverty displaces more people than gentrification and is a bigger, more intractable problem, according to research by City Observatory."

[and. . .]

"For every one poor neighborhood that gentrified between 1970 and 2010, 19 remained in poverty. In addition, many neighborhoods that were formerly wealthy become poor over time (often slowly, so people don't notice)."

So it would seem those who are all concerned about 'gentrification' aren't focusing entirely on the real problem: poverty. Question: Wouldn't they do more good working with organizations like the CRA, for example, instead of fighting them every step of the way?

From the Palm Beach Post editorial board—Opening up endless future possibilities. . . "on the other hand"

"Give me a one-handed economist!  All my economists say, On the one hand. . . on the other."
—Quote by Harry S. Truman, the 33rd President of the United States

Here's the latest from the stalwart Post editorial board today (5/14):

     "Two weeks ago in this space, we urged a spirit of compromise [emphasis added] that would enable the Wawa to operate without degrading the quality of life for the neighbors.
     But we have come to learn more about the neighborhood. And the more we learn, the more we can see that it’s an area deserving of special protections."

Just think of the possibilities now. The editor(s) at the Post can come out now in full support of Sheriff Bradshaw and PBSO. They can support sending water south from Lake Okeechobee, change their mind, and then change their mind again! Or, how about the penny sales tax? They can now say it was wrong to take the money for cultural activities off the November ballot. Western sprawl? Great idea!

Or consider this: What if an elected body, let's say the current majority on the Lake Worth City Commission, for example, does some things the editors don't agree with. Now they can change their minds. And it's OK now.

Remember this next time elected's have to make hard decisions. . . and they get roundly criticized by the Post editor(s) from the comfort of their armchairs. On the other hand. . .

This weekend, why not check out the City's pool? It's still there and so is the BEACH!

Below are just three of my many videos to choose from on my YouTube channel (for a wide selection see below). Most of these videos don't get a tremendous amount of attention since they're mostly of Lake Worth City Commission meetings and other topics about this little City; so the audience is, well, not very large.

However, this video of the Lake Worth's pool got a lot of attention and there's recent news too. See if you can spot Your's Truly and the new pool manager, Sally Welsh:
This next one is Commissioner Andy Amoroso smacking down claims made by a few in the Residences (not the "Residents") of Lake Osborne (ROLO). In a funny side note, in City offices and around town this 'neighborhood association' is referred to as "The Hermit Kingdom":
The video below is a special treat for everyone who fell for the empty promises by Commissioner Maier on wanting to bring more opportunities to the City. Maier's Big Idea hasn't been brought up one single time since he was elected; he's been a commissioner for well over a year now:

If you become a subscriber (use this link and click on "Subscribe") you will get notification of new videos as they are uploaded to YouTube. 

The next City Commission meeting is this Tuesday, 5/17, in City Hall beginning at 6:00. Maybe Maier will bring up his Big Idea again about a "new college" in the City or maybe one of his former supporters will remind him.

Braves Spring Training baseball and news from the Great Walled City of Atlantis

Haven't heard any news of late about a baseball stadium in John Prince Park? Just assumed nothing is happening? Think again. When more information about this becomes available will let you know. From the City of Atlantis' website:

City of Atlantis
260 Orange Tree Drive
City Council Workshop
Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 6:00 p.m.

From the minutes of the meeting:

Mayor Kintz called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. 

[and. . .]

     Mayor Kintz opened the discussion of a baseball spring training facility and homeless resource center in John Prince Park. [emphasis added] County officials are pursuing the Atlanta Braves to build a spring training facility in the park along 6th Avenue. County officials are also considering putting a homeless center in the park across from JFK Drive. By consensus, a Resolution in support of the spring training facility will be brought to Council at the April 20th meeting.
     Meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.

Where to get accurate information about what's happening in Lake Worth: Have you thought about going to the City's website?

There was so much mis- and disinformation about the recent union negotiations you can see how the public was so confused. But how many people thought to put down the paper, ignore social media and the blogs and just go to the City's website? Going forward, when the 'next big thing' comes along check out the news the City has on the issue before you draw conclusions from other sources that have their own particular "ax to grind", as they say. Here's an excerpt from the link above on the City's official site for news and other information:

"It has come to our attention that members of the public may not have accurate information regarding the status of the City’s negotiations with the three unions representing the majority of its employees: IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers—mostly electric utility/water employees); PEU (Public Employees Union—general employees); and PMSA (Professional Managers and Supervisors Association). The City has been actively engaged in properly noticed negotiations with all three unions. These meetings take place in the sunshine. Notices are posted in City Hall relating to the dates and times of same."

More important community news from The Lake Worth Herald in this week's (5/12) edition

Read below about a very important Haitian American Conference at Lake Worth High School addressing the issue of education in the Haitian community.

Also in this week's issue of The Lake Worth Herald is the County Update by Commissioner Shelley Vana, news on "Dollars for Scholars" at the high school, the "Simply Lake Worth" art exhibit, a list of events, a wonderful montage from Mayor Pam Triolo's "National Day of Prayer", and so much more including ads for local businesses and the latest going on at the Cultural Council.

To subscribe to the Herald use this link or visit the City's news stand at the corner of 'L' Street and Lake Ave. in the downtown to pick up the print edition. Below is the news on the upcoming Haitian American Conference:

     "Parents, students, teachers, community leaders and the community at large is invited to attend the State of Education of the Haitian and Haitian-American Students Conference at Lake Worth High School, May 14, 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This is a free event.
     The theme of the conference is Improving Educational Outcomes and the Quality of Life for Haitian Americans.
     Dr. Edwidge Crevecoeur Bryant will be the keynote speaker. Discussions at the conference will include graduation results and Haitian and Haitian-American students, strategies for engaging Haitian parents and the community, concerns related to educational issues, information regarding the new District Strategic Plan and how it will affect Haitian and Haitian-American students and options and opportunities through Adult Education."

To read about the sponsors and other information there is more in the Herald article. The Lake Worth Community High School is located at 1701 Lake Worth Road.

"Palm Beach home an orchid paradise". Article by David Rogers in the Shiny Sheet

To read the entire article in the Palm Beach Daily News (aka, the Shiny Sheet) use this link. Here is the video that accompanies the story about Polly Reed's garden:

On City Manager Bornstein: Has his "stamina" been tested? Oh, and a little about critics of the City's CRA

[This is a re-post updating the tenure of Michael Bornstein which thankfully continues. If you've been following recent developments in Lake Worth please also read the blog post that follows this one. And Thank You for visiting.] 

"Michael Bornstein seems to be a happy soul and seems to be happy with the job," [Barbara Jean] Weber said. "I suspect his stamina has not yet been tested."

—Ms. Weber quoted by former City beat reporter Willy Howard in a Palm Beach Post article titled, New City Manager Michael Bornstein makes welcome changes in Lake Worth, 6/3/2012

Today (5/12/16) marks 1,487 days since City Manager Michael Bornstein was hired on April 16, 2012. There is nothing significant about 4 years and 26 days except as a matter of perspective. The previous city manager, Susan Stanton, was fired on December 6, 2011 after just 953 days on the job.

There remain the sycophants in this City who continue to lionize Stanton, attempting to resurrect her tenure with delusional logic, misinformation, and outright disinformation. Below are some initiatives by Stanton her supporters will not tell you about or wish you would forget:

• The "Day Labor" Center (succeeded)
• Gutted the Code Enforcement Department (succeeded)
• The "Street Light" Assessment (failed)
• Pay to Park in Downtown (failed)
• Red Light Cameras (failed)
• Eliminate PBSO and restore the LWPD (failed)
• The Regional Sewer billing fiasco (super fail)
• Casino complex fiasco (another super fail)

A local blog at the time, referencing the coming holiday season and the firing of Stanton earlier in the month (December 2012), wrote:

     "In this joyous season, I am celebrating the potential for renewal in Lake Worth which began with a bold move to clean out city management from the top down.
     From Paul Boyer, Bob Baldwin to Susan Stanton… inept, corrupt, wasteful and often cruel leadership disregarded the public and common sense honesty and openness.
     Yes, I know there are those who are disappointed to see Stanton fired but dwelling on one side of her performance while ignoring the other side of the story… is delusional."

Under Stanton, the relationship between the business community and the City was strained, to nonexistent. Under direction of then-sitting commissioners (Cara Jennings, Jo-Ann Golden, and Suzanne Mulvehill), Stanton gutted code enforcement and sent neighborhoods already on the brink on a downward spiral for almost three years. What was undoubtedly one of the worst decisions was playing the role of obstructionist and trying to thwart the CRA's acquisition of NSP2 funds.

Stanton, along with Commissioners Golden, Mulvehill and Jennings, DID NOT want the CRA to acquire the $23 million dollars available to rehabilitate the City. It was only action by the CRA to apply for the funds that allowed many blighted areas of our city to be home to new residents and families. Subsequently, due to the NSP2 funding, the CRA led by Joan Oliva has received national recognition for their outstanding efforts.

So, the next time you hear the critics of the CRA go on and on how they coulda woulda have done a better job understand this is all just delusional revisionism created to alter the past.

Remember what the Post editorial board said about the majority City Commission recently all re-elected by landslides. . .

. . . and all the 'satire' in the world can't change that fact, Jack. Or, errrrrr, I mean Frank:

"Lake Worth's current leadership has kept its eyes on the right goals", wrote the editor at the Post.

What a Lake Worth commissioner left out when he sounded the alarm about "Climate Refugees"

You can read about the 'Climate Refugees' that aren't refugees at all by reading this article in "The Gray Lady". Below are two excerpts:

     But even a plan like this — which would move only about 60 people [emphasis added] — has been hard to pull off. Three previous resettlement efforts dating back to 2002 failed after they became mired in logistical and political complications. The current plan faces all the same challenges, illustrating the limitations of resettlement on any larger scale.

[and. . .]

     “Ain’t nobody I talk to that wants to move,” said Edison Dardar, 66, a lifelong resident who has erected handwritten signs at the entrance to the island declaring his refusal to leave. “I don’t know who’s in charge of all this.”

And for more from Commissioner Chris McVoy, PhD, from the file, "Would you believe me if I told you. . ."

Also note the seawall 'protecting' the Casino was never properly inspected prior to construction of the 'renovated' structure.

A Look Back: JoAnn Golden at the Lake Worth City Commission employs Rule #8 from the "Rules for Radicals"

Here is Saul Alinsky's Rule #8:

"Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new."

After all the political wedge tactics, staged protests, and divisiveness created by JoAnn Golden (using her family's enormous wealth), she said the following at the City Commission meeting on Tuesday, 3/22:

"It's been a very divisive time and I hope we can get back to being a city that we're all proud of."

Can you believe it? To read all about this use this link.

As the little City of Lake Worth moves forward with crucial infrastructure projects and other initiatives it's very important not to be distracted by the media who have, for the most part, little or no idea what is happening in this City. For example, read the following blog post.