[UPDATE] Congratulations Tom Sutterfield! Somehow he got the Post to endorse his opponent, Barbara McQuinn.

The Palm Beach Post endorsement has been the kiss of death for Tom Sutterfield. Somehow he was able to shake off the Post editorial board and get them to endorse Barbara McQuinn instead for School Board District 1. McQuinn and her supporters apparently decided to keep the endorsement instead of trying to get the Post to take it back. Seems they don't see it as an insurmountable obstacle.

UPDATE: Now there's more news. McQuinn responds to Tom Sutterfield (see below). You can see this for yourself using this link, at the end of an article by Sonja Isger in the "Comments" section.

The reporter writes that Sutterfield is trying to, "take a second shot at the School Board after his last run for a different district, out of Boynton Beach, failed." What's not mentioned is who Sutterfield lost to. He got clobbered by Erica Whitfield. More on that after this response from Barbara McQuinn:

"I am saddened that a local school board race has resulted in relentless, defamatory robo calls about me that my family and many others have received over the past two weeks.
     Mr. Sutterfield says he cannot speak to what the PACs have done. He has no accountability for his campaign? I take total accountability for mine.
     I did not say he's profiting from charter schools; the management companies of the 3 boards he sits on profit from the students.
     I was not a director of a charter school; I was a volunteer board member.
     I am not against charter schools. There are excellent charter schools that offer innovative programs that students cannot receive in their district-assigned school."

[and. . .]

     "Finally, I have not failed students. Please visit my website www.votebarbaramcquinn.com to learn the true facts about my educational career and my endorsements from law enforcement, elected officials, the Classroom Teachers and Administrators Associations, and the Palm Beach Post.

Thank you.

Barbara McQuinn, Candidate for School Board District 1"

When Sutterfield ran against Erica Whitfield in 2014 he got the Post endorsement and then got clobbered by Whitfield. In the primary last August he got the Post endorsement once again and it wasn't enough. When the Post came calling the third time it was, 'Whoooaaaaa! Not me again.'

Stay tuned as they say. The election is this coming Tuesday.

School Board member Erica Whitfield at her victory party in 2014 after clobbering Tom Sutterfield.

“For Palm Beach County Commission, Dave Kerner would make real difference”. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board

To read this endorsement use this link.

In their endorsement, The Sun Sentinel stated, “electing Dave Kerner would give the Palm Beach County Commission a major upgrade,” and after spending four years in the Florida House, it has “helped him understand the relationship between state government and the counties.”

"The Cottages of Lake Worth" book was delivered yesterday. Remember, this all began with an idea back in 2009.

Stay tuned for a feature article in The Lake Worth Herald next week. Publisher Mark Easton showed up and was there when the driver from Wilson Trucking arrived. Kudos to the driver for doing an excellent job.

Everything went off without a hitch. Once the books were safely put away Janice finally relaxed. Books are selling now as Christmas gifts, one order came in yesterday for ten. If you would like to have a book suggest you order as soon as possible.

Call Janice at 561-586-6617 to order the book. Or send an email to: TheCottagesOfLakeWorthBook@gmail.com

Remember City of Lake Worth residents, there is no shipping charge. Arrangements will be made to get the book into your hands.

Also please consider one of these ways to tour our charming "Cottages of Lake Worth":

Use this link to learn about the self-guided tours, by walking, bike, or by car.

It was back on Nov. 10th, 2013, when Palm Beach Post reporter Lona O'Connor (now retired), wrote a wonderful article about the Cottages of Lake Worth giving this effort a huge boost. From the article:

     A small group of residents, led by Roger Hendrix, is working on a plan to catalog, publicize and organize tours of the cottages.
     “The idea came to me in 2009 when I moved here from Tennessee,” said Hendrix, who still retains his Volunteer State accent. “I wanted to feature one of our best assets.”

Congratulations everyone. A job well done.

Tomorrow: The Lake Worth CRA invites everyone to celebrate Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

For the event schedule see below.

For more information contact: 
Emily Theodossakos, etheodossakos@lakeworth.org
Cary Sabol, csabol@lakeworthcra.org
Phone: 561-493-2550

“Lake Worth, FL; October 26, 2016 – The Lake Worth Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and LULA Lake Worth Arts in cooperation with R Dot Photography, will be hosting the first annual Día de Los Muertos festival on Saturday, November 5th.
     Día de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a traditional time meant to honor deceased relatives, celebrate the living, and entice the spirits to visit with flower-decked altars and offerings of food. One of South and Central America’s most distinctive holidays, Dia De Los Muertos, is considered a day of cheerful celebration rather than one of mourning.
     Keeping with that spirit, LULA Lake Worth Arts invites the public to enjoy this FREE evening event which will be full of fun for the whole family. Join us on Saturday, November 5th at the newly renovated Lake Worth Arts Center located at 1121 Lucerne Avenue.
     The Day of the Dead celebration will feature authentic Central American cuisine, traditional folkloric dances, a classic car show, a processional walk, cultural arts and crafts, and children’s activities. The public is also welcome to wear their Halloween costumes to the event.
     The Armory Art Center will host an exhibition titled, 'Va!' that consists of several community built decorated altars. Featured artist Kyle Smile will also be hosting a secondary arts exhibition. The fun begins at 4:30 pm.” 

The schedule of events is listed below:

• 4:30 pm—Processional walk will begin at Lake Worth City Hall, 7 North Dixie Highway. Procession will end at the Lake Worth Arts Center located at 1121 Lucerne Avenue.
• 5:00—Welcome by Mayor Pam Triolo
• 5:15—Live entertainment from Mariachi Pancho Villa
• 6:30—Live dancing by Fraternidad De Bolivianos
• 7:30—Music by DJ Marimba
• 8:00—Live entertainment from Marimbistas Maya Sin Fronteras

To learn more about LULA, use this link.

To all the loud critics of City's November 8th referendum: Where's your plan? You've had over 2 years to create one.

Critics of the failed "LW2020" bond back in August 2014 had a great opportunity and squandered it. They could have come up with their own plan but they never did. And they've had over 2 years to come up with one. That begs the question: Why not? 

"Maybe we can get Commissioner McVoy to point out what he proposed."

And. . . 

"I want to hear his [McVoy's] plan. I haven't heard his plan."
 —Citizen/reporter Peggy Fisher questioned both Mrs. McGiveron and McVoy at a City Workshop about their plan to fix the roads and potholes. See this for yourself in the short video (3rd one) at the end of this blog post.


Also, interrupting meetings because you don't agree with something isn't a proper plan either. If you recall, Mrs. McGiveron, the leader of CAUT PAC, shut down a City Workshop in July with this inappropriate outburst:
Now, to all the vocal critics of the City's November 8th referendum to fix the roads and potholes. . . where's your plan?

One of those critics, McGiveron, instead of a offering a plan or a way forward to fix the streets and all the potholes was fortunate enough to get quoted by Kevin Thompson, the Post's beat reporter:

" 'Where the Tropics Begin' was the old Lake Worth motto," she [McGiveron] said. "Sit down, shut up and open your wallets is our new motto."

Pretty clever, huh? But there's a problem folks: clever motto's, shutting down City meetings, and not offering any realistic solutions won't do a thing to fix the City's streets and infrastructure.

Interestingly, following that outburst out in the hallway, McGiveron accepted a challenge from Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell. She agreed to craft her own plan and present it at the July 19th City Commission meeting:

"I [Vice Mayor Maxwell] challenge you. You give me a ballot initiative and I will present it to the commission. That was your offer, Katie. Give it to me. I would love to see it."

Did McGiveron complete the challenge with almost 2 weeks to do so? No. The citizen/reporter at the scene, Peggy Fisher, got it all on video. You can hear Maxwell for yourself at the 6:35 mark in this video:
Here is what we learned at July's Workshop:

• Since the "LW2020" bond failed in 2014 it will now cost $9 million more to fix the City's roads
• At a minimum the City will need $40–50 million
• More delays will drive up future costs

Just being a critic isn't enough. And just saying we need more meetings isn't enough either. If you don't think a bond is the right approach to fix our roads then what is? That's what is lacking in the opposition to the City's referendum: any leadership whatsoever. Another video below from Peggy Fisher at the July Workshop and you can hear her say. . .

"Maybe we can get Commissioner McVoy to point out what he proposed." And "I want to hear his [McVoy's] plan. I haven't heard his plan."

Exactly (proceed to the 1:35 mark to see if McVoy even tries to answer the question).

[UPDATE] The City of Lake Worth doesn’t have an advisory board on crime.

CRIME UPDATE: News from Hannah Winston at The Palm Beach Post, article datelined Nov. 4th titled, “PBSO detectives investigating 65 cars with slashed tires in Lake Worth”, an excerpt:

     “This will not be tolerated in our neighborhood,” the the Royal Poinciana Neighborhood Association of Lake Worth said on its Facebook page. The group serves homeowners in an area bounded by Lake Avenue, Sixth Avenue South, Interstate 95 and Dixie Highway.
     Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 800-458-TIPS (8477).


No City advisory board on crime? And the City doesn’t have an advisory board for Sober Homes. Or heroin. And no advisory board on literacy. And not one for the Zika Virus either. But the City is moving ahead with an advisory board to monitor the Blueway Trail on the C-51 Canal? A waterway that’s not even in the City and over which the City has no jurisdiction whatsoever? This is a real bad idea and here’s why:

In The Palm Beach Post, a “Point of View” dated November 2nd by Stuart and Brian Fischer of Boynton Beach titled, “Cities, associations should take steps against Zika”; good reasons to form an advisory committee in Lake Worth don’t you think?

“[T]oday that battle has become much more than an inconvenience. It has become a looming health crisis as the Zika virus has invaded the tri-county area. Strategies involve much more than swatting mosquitoes, burning specialized candles, and having cans of spray handy.”

And if you’ve read Pelican Pete this week, he doesn’t seem too keen on a C-51 Canal Advisory Board either.

“An advisory committee with no one to advise...just what was created...Think the State or County will listen to them? The Blueway project doesn’t need a Starr performer...and doesn’t want one.”

The City Commission decided to move forward and it was a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Andy Amoroso dissenting at the meeting last Tuesday, November 1st.

What’s the basic problem with an advisory committee such as this? It makes the City and its elected leaders seem disconnected and out-of-touch. Of the 40,000 or so residents of Lake Worth maybe at most 2,000 (5%) know what the Blueway Trail even is. But if you asked those 2,000 residents what’s a major concern for them in this City how many would say, “the Blueway Trail”?

Will this turn out to be a “really, really bad idea”? We’ll have to wait and see. And hope this doesn’t distract from so many other serious issues that need to addressed. And also hope this doesn’t become another target of opportunity for the ever-present critics in this City trying to derail all the progress going on.

In this week’s Herald: “Lake Worth Scottish Rite Honors Distinguished Members and Citizens”

This week also has an article and photos about “Read for the Record” last Thursday at the Sacred Heart School (410 North ‘M’ Street).

“The Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite held its annual award ceremony on Wednesday, Oct. 26 to acknowledge members of the Lake Worth Valley Lodge.”

[and. . .]

     “The John Frederick Lund award was presented to outgoing General Secretary, illustrious Mike Cribbet, 33 degree, for his many years of devoted service and a special first time ever commendation was presented by the Knights of St. Andrews to Laura Simmons and Cathy Cribbet.
     Mark Easton, publisher of The Lake Worth Herald, Lake Worth’s oldest business, also received a Special Community Service Award for his service to Lake Worth.
     The Lake Worth Valley Lodge of the Scottish Rite is located at 2000 North D Street, and serves the entire community with a monthly Community All-You-Can-Eat for $5 Breakfast, meeting space for neighborhood associations and generously hosts the Gray Mockingbird Community Garden.”

Note: Links and highlighted text above added by Yours Truly.

Tonight at our Library: Come out and meet actress, director, and writer Cynthia Morrison

To learn more about this local author and very interesting person, use this link.

About the novelette: “Adelia, a grecian prisoner of ancient Rome must win her freedom in order to find existence with her Roman love Germanus. She is unaware of the greatest obstacle to face her after she acquires this hard earned liberty.”

Video: How cool! City Commissioner Andy Amoroso talks about being vetted by the Secret Service and meeting Hillary Clinton

Andy Amoroso got to meet the real Hillary Clinton last week at Palm Beach State College. Unlike the cardboard ‘Hillary’ he greeted last month at his store on Lake Ave.

The short video (below) is highly entertaining. Amoroso’s been very involved in the Hillary Clinton campaign here in Lake Worth and the local Clinton campaign organizers wanted him to be part of the welcoming group at Palm Beach State College last week. He actually got to meet Hillary Clinton and briefly spoke with her. He complimented her, “hair looks great”, and wished her a Happy Birthday too.

There are other videos from last night’s City Commission meeting and to watch them use this link. One of the benefits of these videos is you can see and hear for yourself what happened sans the filters of the press and social media. Unfortunately, as is too often the case, things get taken out of context and relatively simple procedural matters can get blown out of proportion.

To be alerted when new videos are uploaded, become a subscriber by clicking on the red “Subscribe” button near the top of the page.

Enjoy the video:

Florida Flow Fest 2016: Next Saturday and Sunday in Bryant Park in the little City of Lake Worth

Planning to attend from out of town? Need a hotel room? Please contact our good friends in West Palm Beach: VisitWPB or the West Palm Beach Visitor Center located at 100 North Clematis Street (open 10:00–7:00 every day of the week, 561-659-8814). 
 

"Join us at Bryant Park in beautiful Lake Worth on November 5th and 6th for 2 days of flow arts/circus arts, dance and yoga." This festival is FREE. However, workshops are $40 for one day and $60 for both days. Use this link for more information.

The City Commission Workshop at the Casino tomorrow—Advice from The Great Walled City of Atlantis: Tear down the Casino building?

Please note: Parking is free for this event. The City Commission Workshop begins at 6:00 in the Ballroom on the 2nd floor of the Casino. Once you've walked from your car catch your breathe if you have to (Mama Mia's won't mind), then either take the stairs or one of the elevators. To learn more about this meeting use this link.

The Great Walled City of Atlantis is west of John Prince Park for those of you unaware. If you drive down 6th Ave. South leaving the City of Lake Worth and make a left (heading south) on Congress Ave. you'll see a very large wall. Behind that wall lies that mythical city.

There's a breach in that wall for cars to go through and a guard shack too. Two former mayors of Lake Worth live there and many former residents who left (or abandoned the City, if you will) back in the 1960's and 1970's. But I digress. Below are a few excerpts from a Letter to the Editor last year about our Lake Worth Casino building written by a resident from behind those walls to the editor of the Post:

     [T]he first time someone took me to Lake Worth Beach, I had found heaven. The sunshine, the sand and the few steps to the ocean — Lake Worth Beach had it all.
     Then a revision [the 'restored' Casino complex] mucked up the works; it added shops, places to eat and a little shopping. I could hear the sand, sunshine and the ocean, all crying. [emphasis added]

Later. . .

     Handicapped parking is inadequate as well. Bring back a short walk for families and seniors — not climbing up what seems like mountains to the disabled (try it with a cane or a walker), and then dodging cars to get your toes in the sand.

Then the letter writer has this cryptic line in the form of a question:

     [S]olicit debt help, and give us back a little part of paradise? Perhaps take the money from the investors and fix our streets and bridges, which are far more in need of help.

Is the writer suggesting that the Casino building be torn down? Seems like it. That some debt instrument be created to save us from the mountain of debt the taxpayers of Lake Worth are forced to shoulder by all those planning mistakes back in 2009/2010?

The letter writer is spot on about the handicapped access and the unsafe parking/traffic patterns at the Casino complex. It is a terrible mess. It breaks your heart to see the elderly and handicapped having to walk up that 'mountain' to the beach and THEN having to further put themselves at risk "dodging cars". It is very unfair and very unsafe and also a miracle there has not been a tragedy to date.

So who is responsible for this mess?

You're looking at them.

Lake Worth’s secret Le Dîner en Blanc (“The White Dinner”) is on Sunday, November 13th. Where? It’s a secret!

A secret until the night prior or morning the day of. What is a “White Dinner”? Michelle Young has this very good explanation. Here’s an excerpt:

“. . . the first official Dîner en Blanc took place in the Parc de Bagatelle in the Bois de Boulogne [in 1988], started by a man named François Pasquier, who invited a few friends to the Bois de Boulogne one day in June on his return to France after being abroad. To find each other in the park, they all wore white. The dinner was such a success that they decided the next year, each person would invite some other friends and the event grew organically into the 10000+ dinner it is today.”

Le Dîner en Blanc in Lake Worth will take place at 7:30. Or so. Hopefully under a full moon. The cost is $5 per person. You can come alone or bring as many people as you want. Hint: It's a lot easier and more fun as a foursome. Below are more details:

• I told you!
• It’s
• a
• secret!
• But here is a cool video to give you an idea.

Following the November 8th referendum to fix the roads and potholes, our municipal elections follow on March 14th, 2017

November 8th is a crucial vote here in Lake Worth (go to top of right-hand column to learn more) and so are the municipal elections just 125 days later, in March of 2017. Two commissioners, Ryan Maier (District 4) and Chris McVoy (District 2) are both up for re-election. . . if they choose to have their names on the ballot again.

Nevertheless, several challengers have already decided to run for those 2 seats and Herman Robinson is one. Several more are mulling a run and before long the stage will be set for next March. November 29th at noon will tell us a lot how serious those people are. Why is November 29th important? Continue reading:

Imagine yourself in the image above replacing one of the two on the right side. Mayor Pam Triolo, Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell (white shirt, blue tie), and Commissioner Andy Amoroso (left) were all re-elected by landslide victories last March.

If you are a voter and reside in Districts 2 or 4 you're already on your way to qualifying. Here are the district boundaries:

• District 2. All that territory lying west of Dixie Highway and north of Lake Avenue.
• District 4. All that territory lying east of Dixie Highway and south of Lake Avenue.

Candidates for city commissioner shall file the paperwork with the city clerk:

. . .no earlier than noon on the last Tuesday in November [November 29th], nor later than noon on the second Tuesday in December [December 13th]

To find out more information here is how you contact the City Clerk:
Pamela Lopez, City Clerk
7 North Dixie Highway
561-586-1662
Email: plopez@lakeworth.org
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 am–5 pm

Wish everyone a joyous All Saints’ Day and Día de Todos los Santos

About All Saints’ Day in the United States:

     All Saints’ Day, which is celebrated globally, is closely tied with All Souls’ Day, which was first instituted at the monastery in Cluny, France in 993 CE* and quickly spread among Christians.

[and. . .]

     Many Latin American communities in the United States hold celebrations around November 1 and 2, linking with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (November 2). These celebrations are part of the Day of the Dead, also known as Día de los Muertos.

Celebrate Día de los Muertos this Saturday in Downtown Lake Worth. Gather at City Hall (7 North Dixie Hwy) and celebration begins at 4:30. For more details use this link.

*CE = Common Era. Learn more at Wikipedia.

Hard to believe. This Thursday just may be “THE” day. The Cottages of Lake Worth books are en route.

Janice (center) shows off the book to City Manager Michael Bornstein and Delores Key, the City's Economic Development Manager.

After all the meetings, paella parties, home and cottage tours, neighborhood get-togethers, late and early morning phone calls, head scratching over whether one picture is better than another, getting the words just right, celebrations, and sadly a few funerals too. . . the book will finally be here in just a few days.

If you’ve been following this, the books were delivered to Port Miami aboard the container ship “Swordfish”, and was anyone’s guess how long before the container was opened and shipment sent on it’s way. Many have been a nervous wreck, tracking this like a little child following Santa on Christmas Eve. But that's understandable. It’s been a long hard road.

This was a community effort. Don’t forget that. But this was also about leadership as well and hard decisions. Many of those decisions fell on Janice’s shoulders not because she wanted to be a leader, but because when everyone sat around wondering what to do about this or that, all eyes slowly gravitated towards Janice.

She’d laugh. Make a few funny comments. Try to get a consensus and then make a decision, maybe even after a few days, or longer. And things kept moving forward towards the goal. So many people deserve acknowledgement for this book. But for me, Janice deserves special acknowledgement.

Some egos got bruised along the way. But what do you expect in Lake Worth? Bruises heal. This book is something everyone should be proud of. A tremendous effort. And none of this would have ever happened were it not for our very special cottages here in the little City of Lake Worth.