Did you know West Palm Beach’s downtown redevelopment roots go back over 20 years? And what about Lake Worth’s “potential”.

Last year I stumbled upon this New York Times article from back in 1997. It was when former-Mayor Nancy Graham was in office.

Mayor Graham ushered in many changes. I first worked for the city of West Palm Beach beginning in 1989 as a planner on staff there. I left for my next job about a year after Mayor Graham assumed the office. Back in 1989 downtown West Palm Beach was not a destination. It was a place to avoid. We can all see the changes from then until now.

Many projects initiated or pushed forward by Nancy Graham are mentioned in the NYT article. They include the fountain on Clematis Street and the blowing up of the former Holiday Inn on a New Year’s Eve which made way for the amphitheater and open space.

The article also mentions City Place and calling in Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk to prepare the downtown master plan, making way for the continuing redevelopment that we see in West Palm Beach. It also points out the change in government structure from a manager/commission form of government like Lake Worth has today, to a strong mayor form of government that West Palm Beach still maintains to this day.

But here in Lake Worth, just across the canal from West Palm Beach, we continue to hear the “mantra of fear” from some quarters, a resistance to change of any sort, keeping many parts of our City frozen in time. Missteps or past mistakes by other cities are cited as reasons to delay and delay and delay some more. New projects that should instill hope are instead picked apart. “Bad things might happen.”

However, if you look around our Downtown and many neighborhoods in this City of Lake Worth, it’s easy to see how we can vastly improve and still retain our identity as a unique community.

West Palm Beach and Lake Worth are neighbors but we’re vastly different. West Palm Beach is the regional hub of activity in Central Palm Beach County. Lake Worth is a small satellite. For example, many in the local press and media don’t really even know what and where the actual City of Lake Worth is let alone understand what makes us so very unique from all those communities out west, places “in Lake Worth” that are not in our City at all.

Fortunately, we have “ambassadors” such as West Palm Beach Commissioner Shanon Materio who also runs a very successful business on Dixie Hwy. in Lake Worth. And there are many others who understand the dynamics of our two cities. We can learn a lot from the city of West Palm Beach. And will dare say, our City of Lake Worth has a lot to offer our neighbor.

Going forward, especially after the elections last March, I’m optimistic more people are looking around and seeing that “potential” our City has. That’s also exactly why some here in Lake Worth who like to throw around “the ‘P’ word” like cheap confetti continue to be confused and dismayed by those election results, which were indeed “seismic”.

Because while they’re trying to score a few political points everyone around them is looking towards a brighter future for this little City. A City that has all that potential we have all talked about for the last 20 years.

“Gee wiz, JoAnn, did we really forget to fix the pool?”

If I told you a former Lake Worth commissioner, elected three times since 2010, who lost a re-election bid last March — who contributed mightily to the failed plan at the Beach back in 2010–2012 — and claimed just last February to have found an expert with the solution to fix our now-closed and decrepit pool, and. . .

• Has a PhD in science.
• Is a firm believer in sea level rise.
• Is a firm believer in climate change.
• Is a supporter of “Green” technology.
• Was a supporter of “Best Practices” in our City.
• Is a supporter of “sustainability” and “resiliency”.
• Was someone who demanded accountability at all levels of City government. . .

. . . supported building a large public structure east of the Coastal Construction Line and immediately west of a beach on the Atlantic Ocean WITHOUT PILINGS? You wouldn’t believe it would you?

The former Casino was never “renovated”. It was 94% demolished. The structure was Greenwashed too; remember the water cistern? Eliminated. The pool? Never part of the ‘grand plan’ in 2010.

That’s right. Former Lake Worth commissioner, and now-citizen Chris McVoy, PhD, supported constructing the ‘new’ Casino building without pilings. And to make matters worse the seawall protecting the Casino was never properly inspected.

Five years ago the ‘architects’ of our Beach and Casino complex were so happy and giddy.

So much for the ‘scientific method’.

“Gee wiz, JoAnn, did we really forget to fix the pool?”

With the pool closed, opportunities going forward. By the way, did you know the Casino is operating on a temporary CO after all these years?

The closed pool is a positive. It’s a way forward to fix many vexing problems.

The fundamental question is: Does our City need a pool at the Beach? Who benefits?

Or build a community pool somewhere else in our City for everyone to have access?

The City Commission Work Session is tonight at 6:00 to deal with some of the issues at the Beach:

Presentation by Kimley Horn regarding the condition of the pool

Hope springs eternal and I’m confident 2017 will be the year to put most of the issues at the Beach to rest, like the issues with the 2nd floor of the Casino, discussion about what to do with the crumbling municipal pool, parking, traffic, handicapped access, and the list goes on.

Although the Beach is owned by the City it really is, as Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell called it, a “regional beach”. In other words, since our Beach and Casino complex are losing so much money every year, City taxpayers are in effect subsidizing the Beach for visitors, tourists, and others around Palm Beach County.

Or put another way: the City was subsidizing the now-closed pool for people who live in nearby condo communities and high-rises, with pools too small, to use for lap swimming or for their guests and family to use while on vacation. 

What’s different now is the City Commission seems determined to tackle these problems head on. I’m told one of the electeds at the Budget Workshop on March 9th uttered the phrase “complete overhaul” when referring to the Casino/pool complex. 

Did you know the Casino is still operating on a temporary Certificate of Occupancy (CO) after all these years? Would that be called a “permanent temporary” CO? The structure has still not been LEED certified (a State requirement) and to this day the seawall has never been properly inspected.

However, the biggest glaring problem will not be solved for a very long time. Why? Because the fundamental problem is the Casino is in the wrong place. Instead of being in the center of the Beach property it occupies the far northern part. But did you know there was once a solution to this problem? There was.

The public was never given the chance to see another plan:

Remember the Greater Bay site plan? A Casino structure in the center of the property with a parking garage and a new pool. This plan was never presented to the public for consideration. The City later had to settle a lawsuit for $1.6 million.

It’s this $1.6M that’s never mentioned when the cost of this whole boondoggle back in 2010–2012 is added up. Yes, that’s right. That’s on top of the $6M loan the City of Lake Worth took from the Water Fund to construct the “renovated” Casino, a loan that can’t be paid back.

Now that the pool is shut down let’s consider other options for that space. A way for the City to make money and be more convenient for the visiting public: construct a parking garage with easy, convenient access to the Casino.

First understand, what you’ll read and see in the photos below is not the fault of Benny’s on the Beach, Fire Rescue, truck drivers, a trucking company, or any retail establishment/restaurant at our Casino and Beach Complex.

The closing of the City’s municipal pool adds another whole dimension to these issues. In a bad way? No. Actually the pool being closed may be one of the solutions to all these problems created by a prior administration back in 2010. Below is one of many examples of very poor planning when the ‘newly renovated’ Casino was constructed. Here is the problem:

While having lunch at Benny’s an emergency vehicle responded to a call at the Beach.

This emergency vehicle impeded one lane of traffic and meanwhile. . .

. . . another vehicle was making a delivery. Only a narrow lane was open for two-way traffic. One car at a time with pedestrians and bikes using the road as well.

Parking for large commercial trucks is inadequate at the Beach and there is also no loading dock at the Casino structure to handle large vehicles. This planning issue simply wasn’t addressed, or was ignored, by a previous City administration. And. . .

“Are you kidding me? Spent all this money for lunch here and can’t even see the ocean!”

Was at the Beach, just sitting down for lunch. . .

This truck pulled up and parked with a loud “hiss” of air brakes. . .

. . . and a little later so did this one.

More deliveries. . .

This is not the fault of any business operating at the beach or the truck driver. It’s due to faulty site planning back in 2009 and 2010.

Not exactly the best use of a bike lane, is it?

The ultimate solution is making physical changes to the property that would provide better and more accessible areas for delivery vehicles and the public.

So here we are.

Get involved and contact your elected leaders. New ideas are welcome.

Take note parents and families: “TOUCH DOWN!” The season starts today.

Are you ready for some football? Click on image to enlarge:

Season starts today. Registration locations:

The “Norman” J. Wimbley Gym, 1515 Wingfield St. in the City of Lake Worth: 561-540-5133 (use this link for the hours at the gym).

City of Lake Worth Leisure Services Office, 501 Lake Ave. in the Downtown: 561-533-7363.

Learn the trick below, how to get your letter published: Write a positive Letter to the Editor (LTE) about our City of Lake Worth.

Last Sunday in the Post somebody from Boynton Beach wrote a Letter to the Editor complaining about such-and-such and so-and-so here in the City of Lake Worth. I know. Who cares what somebody in Boynton thinks about our City. Don’t they have their own problems?

Reacting negatively or getting miffed about something you heard or saw in The Palm Beach Post doesn’t solve anything. Remember the Hoffman’s Chocolate nonsense and when City’s Code Enforcement was blamed for the Gulfstream Hotel not undergoing a promised renovation? Did you get angry? Why didn’t you write an LTE?

Or the Post article about Lake Worth being just a “jumping off place”, only “music and booze”? That article made the print edition last year and was titled,

Lake Worth art gallery owner: “Didn’t make sense to stay open anymore”

Did you write an LTE? Not long afterward, by the way, came the news about “Art Studio Cafe” opening in Downtown Lake Worth and the studio is getting rave reviews. Stop by and say “Hi” to another exciting, truly innovative artist in our little City. 

Anyhow, if you’re tired of reading all those negative, ridiculous LTE’s. . .

Here is an example of a positive LTE that was published after Hurricane Matthew last year:

It only takes a few minutes to write a positive LTE about our little City. But how to get the letter published? Learn “The Trick” below, so easy you won’t believe it.

If you have something thoughtful, positive, and well-reasoned to write instead of the typical negativity with open-ended and circular questions, then please follow the instructions below. Learning “The Trick” will greatly increase your chances of getting your letter published:

• Keep your LTE to 150–200 words in length. The “shorter the better” is a good rule.
• An LTE submitted by email (see below) is the best method and remember to include your phone number and complete address.
• Engage like-minded “average citizens” to write LTE’s on the same subject.
• Listing your credentials will help greatly.

Then always follow-up!

This is the mistake people make. That’s why you always see those LTE’s from the same people over and over again: They know the trick!

• Follow up your LTE with an email or fax later that day or the next morning.
• Then later, call the editorial department and explain why your letter is important.
• Don’t be timid! Stay pleasant and respectful but make a strong pitch.
• To seal the deal, just ask outright, “Are you planning to publish my letter?”.

So get cracking and have your positive LTE published in the Post, maybe even in next Sunday’s paper:

• Email: letters@pbpost.com
• Fax: 561-820-4728
• Phone: 561-820-4441

Want to help refugees and migrants in crisis? You don’t need to leave the country. Our Guatemalan community right here in Lake Worth needs help.

Churches, community and neighborhood groups, and a grass-roots effort could be the solution to solve this problem: finding more people to tutor Guatemalan refugees in either the English language, Spanish, or both. Imagine even the basics, like interacting with a City of Lake Worth PBSO deputy or seeking help in a medical emergency, is nearly impossible for so many in our City.

We recently learned from Miami Herald reporter Francisco Rodríguez that Guatemalan refugees and migrants here in the City of Lake Worth are being targetted by predatory lawyers, property owners charging outrageous rent for substandard, over-crowded conditions, and when it’s time for an appointment with immigration officials:

     By train, the roundtrip ride costs $22 [on Tri-Rail]. But out of fear, not knowing the area and not speaking English — sometimes neither Spanish — many Guatemalan migrants hire drivers in the community who charge as much as $350 to take them to immigration appointments in Miramar in Broward County or other meetings in Miami-Dade, wait for them and return home.
     The Guatemalan Maya Center, which helps migrants in the Lake Worth area, has documented many cases of gouging. The Guatemalan consulate, which recently opened an office in Lake Worth in Palm Beach County, also confirmed that drivers are charging between $150 and $300 for the trips.

Spread the word in Lake Worth and make sure this news gets out as well:

“Estamos en la aperatura de un consulado de Guatemala en Lake Worth! Gracias por este apoyo para nuestras familias que antes pagaban $300 para llegar al consulado en Miami.”

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/article150160947.html#storylink=cpy

[Translation: “We are at the opening of a Guatemalan Consulate in Lake Worth! Thank you for this support for our families, that before had to pay $300 to get to the consulate in Miami.”]

Worth another look: Why it’s generally unwise to be disrespectful to City employees.

Watch the video below taken by a resident in the little City of Lake Worth and then read the legal opinion regarding the ‘concerns’ that are raised.

“This is In response to your request for a legal opinion regarding the emails from Suzanne Squire below.”

Here is the header line of the email; the text follows below.

Ms. Squire [emphasis added] states that she did not receive an “opt out” form to opt out of having her property included in the designation of the Northeast Lucerne Townsite Local Historic District. 

The Northeast Lucerne Townsite Local Historic District was created in December, 2002 when the City Commission approved Ordinance Number 2002-38.

Prior to the adoption of this ordinance and in accordance with the Lake Worth Code of Ordinances, the city took the steps required to implement the Lake Worth Comprehensive Plan as mandated by F.S. Ch. 163

1. A survey and inventory of historic resources within the city was done. The nomination of the historic district was based upon the survey.

2. In July of 2002 a Courtesy Notice was sent to all property owners within the proposed district. This Notice advised property owners of their ability to oppose the creation of the district. The Notice stated that if a majority of the eligible property owners oppose creating the historic district, no action would be taken to create the district, at that time. There was no ability to “opt out”. If less than a majority opposed the designation, the process of designation was moving forward.

3. Public hearings were then held. The Historic Resources Preservation Board held a hearing on August 21, 2002, and finding that the area met the code criteria for designation, recommended that it be approved by the City Commission.

4. The City Commission had two readings of the Ordinance approving the Northeast Lucerne Townsite Local Historic District, the second being a public hearing with notice pursuant to Statute, on December 17, 2002. At the second hearing the Commission declared the Ordinance duly passed and enacted.

5. The Ordinance Designating the Northeast Lucerne Townsite Local Historic District was then recorded in the public records of Palm Beach County at OR Book 14675 Page 1418.

6. Appeal of actions taken by the City must be made within thirty (30) days of the action taken. Given that the ordinance creating the historic district occurred in December, 2002, the appeal period has long since expired

7. There is no provision in the Lake Worth Code of ordinances to “opt out” of a historic district. 

Barbara Alterman 

TORCIVIA, DONLON,
GODDEAU & ANSAY, P.A.

Vegetation Amnesty Week begins today in the little City of Lake Worth.

Vegetation items are: Bagged leaves, grasses, and tree or shrubbery cuttings incidental to the care of your lawn and garden that are capable of being containerized.
     Vegetation amnesty week allows residents to dispose of large amounts of vegetation prior to the commencement of Hurricane Season (not to exceed 12 cubic yards per residential property).
     All vegetation should be placed curbside on the regularly scheduled pick-up day and the City of Lake Worth’s Refuse Division will remove it at no charge.

What the City will pick up:

Tree branches less than 2″ inches in diameter, branches and palm fronds less than 4′ feet in length, and stumps less than 15″ inches in diameter and/or less than fifty (50) pounds.
     Please use the green container with the black lid for all vegetation that will fit inside the container.

• For questions contact the City of Lake Worth Public Services Refuse Department at 561-533-7344. Jamie Brown is the Public Services Director, 561-586-1720; email: jbrown@lakeworth.org
• For more information about vegetation contact David McGrew, the City’s Horticulturist at 561-586-1677; email: dmcgrew@lakeworth.org

For information about the City’s four zones for vegetation pickup, see below.

Get ready for Hurricane Season (officially begins June 1st): Vegetation Amnesty Week is Monday, May 22nd–Friday, May 26th.

For the City’s zone map use this link.

• Zone 1: Monday, May 22nd.
• Zone 2: Thursday, May 25th.
• Zone 3: Friday, May 26th.
• Zone 4: Tuesday, May 23rd.

Greenacres is on Facebook! Twitter too! Will city move up in Post’s “Ranking Palm Beach County’s cities, from worst to best”?

Here is one of the first messages on the Greenacres’ Facebook page:

“We are very excited to be able to distribute information to you about upcoming meetings, events, and notices.”

“Although you can’t post comments here, we want to hear from you!” Call 561-642-2000 or send an email to: socialinfo@greenacresfl.gov

Here’s another Facebook message:

Greenacres Food Truck Invasion - last Wednesday of every month in Samuel J. Ferreri Community Park. The next one is May 31, 2017 @ 5:30-9:30pm.

Learn more about our neighboring city to the west below.

By the way, The Palm Beach Post’s ranking of cities is overdue this year. Will this latest news from the City of Greenacres move them up in the rankings? In April of 2016 Greenacres came in at #20. Remember that list “worst to best” last year? See below for excerpts.

Maybe the editors are waiting until the latest news about more staff layoffs at the Post wears off and raising paper delivery rates too. And still unexplained, why did the Post shut down their Tallahassee news bureau? Will the cities in Palm Beach County and elected officials get to “rank” The Palm Beach Post following those decisions?

Anyhow, check out the new City of Greenacres’ website too, starting with Mayor Joel Flores and the 2 district councilwomen and the 2 district councilmen:

The City of Greenacres has a Council-Manager form of Government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials (Mayor and City Council) with the managerial experience of an appointed City Manager. The Mayor and five (5) City Council members serve as the legislative body of the City enacting legislation, setting policy, approving the budget, and comprehensive plan to guide the growth of the City.

So. Following this latest news about the City of Greenacres on social media is that city a lot of everything now? If you recall, last year Frank Cerabino at the Post wrote the City of Greenacres is “a little bit of everything and a lot of nothing.”

And Cerabino also wrote Greenacres had a “dollop of Hispanic”.

“In the middle of Palm Beach County’s suburban sprawl . . . between the glitzier Wellington and the cooler Lake Worth”, wrote Cerabino.

Anyhow. Below are more not-so-flattering observations from ‘The Satirist’ last year if you happen to live in these cities and towns:

• Belle Glade: “For the overwhelming majority of local residents who aren’t talented and driven enough to make it to the NFL”
• Haverhill: “goes out of its way to put out the unwelcome mat.”
• Highland Beach: “another coastal sliver of a municipality that goes out of its way to put out the unwelcome mat.”
• Mangonia Park: “marked by the biggest, ugliest eyesore in the county”
• Atlantis: “there are times you must venture beyond the feudal walls.” Good point.
• Boynton Beach: “perpetually overshadowed and trying to catch up.”

Will all the cities in Palm Beach County (now 39 total) ever be given the opportunity to rank the Post some day?

Forum and Public Discussion: “West Palm Beach’s Growing Traffic Challenges”.

Click on image to enlarge:

Use this link to learn more.

This meeting will be hosted by Town of Palm Beach Mayor Gail Coniglio, West Palm Beach Commissioner Shanon Materio, and Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard.

Who should attend:

• Urban planners
• Traffic planners
• Developers
• General public
• Neighborhood associations
• Land use professionals

Topics include:

• Infrastructure overview
• Future development
• Road closures
• Pedestrian safety
• Innovative solutions

Please spread the word:

Until early July, at the earliest, this blog is: “AN OFFICIAL ELECTION-FREE ZONE”.


In other words, past elections will still be studied and analyzed, but future elections WILL NOT BE CONTEMPLATED until after the July 4th Raft Race or at some point thereafter.

Why? City residents need a rest.

Some have already “declared intent” to run for either mayor or commissioner in the little City of Lake Worth on Election Day, Tuesday, March 13th, 2018. However, declaring “intent” to run for elected office is sort of like declaring ones intent to run down Dixie Hwy. naked for the 6:00 news.

“Declaring”, if you didn’t know, formally allows one to raise money and proves you live in the City and are a registered voter. Until it actually happens, and one is formally “qualified” and on the ballot to run for election, it’s a moot point mostly but does get the attention of the news media, political junkies, others thinking of running, and maybe even the person sitting in that Commission or mayor’s seat presently.

Does anyone remember Mr. Succe? If you were paying close attention earlier this year you understand the question.

Commissioner Herman C. Robinson, if you recall, declared very early to run for the District 4 open seat in the last election. And he didn’t even try to seriously raise money until after the qualifying period (the dates are below) to get on the ballot. And if I recall correctly, Mr. McNamara declared his intent to run for mayor very early as well.

Long faces:

Do you remember Post reporter Willy Howard? The inimitable Mr. Tom McGow was there that night in 2009 at “The Cottage”, 522 Lucerne Ave., now the much-improved venue C.W.S. Bar + Kitchen in our Downtown.

Do you know what and when the “qualifying period” is? That doesn’t even begin until November. The first step is contacting the City Clerk after deciding to run.

That election in 2009, ahem, was one where ‘the issues’ were priority #1 here in this City. Not:

Our local Anarchists at the time, forever entertaining, were recruited to convince people René Varela was an evil “Dolphin Dealer”. Appropriately, this protest was held outside the Lake Worth Playhouse.

Anyhow. . .

What I’m sensing in the City right now is this: There is a severe case of “voter fatigue”.

People are tired of it and need a rest. And many are still trying to figure out what happened in the last election. Interestingly, while people are “tired of it all”, going forward there is no lack of interest in what’s happened in the past in this City politically. The traffic to my blog bears that out.

There will be another election next March. And then one in March of 2019. And then in 2020 there is a year off for rest and reflection. A lot of voters in this City still don’t know terms for elected officials will be increasing from 2 years to 3. The referendum making that happen passed last March quite easily. A lot of people I talk to don’t know a thing about that. Yet.

Past elections really show nothing at all about whether jumping into a race early is a good idea or not. Ultimately, that’s determined by the voters. It could be seen as a signal of weakness or a signal of strength. A coin toss right now, 50/50: Either an elected official is a formidable opponent or trying to ward off challengers. A challenger may see name recognition, a huge advantage for any incumbent, a big hill to climb and believe needs a big head start.

The qualifying period is 2 weeks here in the City of Lake Worth. That is how you get your name on the ballot. That begins on November 28th (the last Tuesday of that month) and ends on December 12th, the second Tuesday in December. That’s a long time away, especially in politics.

So. “What could go wrong?” A lot (for example, see Josh Gad in the video below). And “I’ve never seen that before!”. . . Well, we all probably have. Many times before.

But we’ll be off to the races again soon enough. Just not until after the July 4th Raft Race on this blog. And hopefully the only issue with dolphins after July 4th will be the Miami Dolphins and the “Wild Catch” will the one that gets them into the playoffs and maybe even the Super Bowl.

The theme for this years July 4th Raft Race is “Under The Big Top!”

Have you started constructing your raft yet for July 4th?

News from the Town-Crier: “Officials Confident State Road 7 Plans On The Fast Track”.

Now that all these new communities have been created out in western Palm Beach County it’s the job of local, County, State governments and agencies to provide the infrastructure, for example, hurricane evacuation routes. Despite that the “City of West Palm Beach has led the effort, fighting the connection tooth and nail, to the tune of more than $2 million in legal fees”, State Road 7 is almost a certainty to be under construction in the near future.

To read the entire article by reporter Julie Unger, datelined May 19th, use this link. Here are some excerpts:

     In late March, Florida Administrative Law Judge Bram Canter wrote a long-awaited 51-page analysis not only building the coffin for every argument against the road’s extension, he hammered in almost all of the nails. [emphasis added]
     “In that order, the judge’s role was to determine if FDOT complied with all of the applicable permit criteria and all of the pertinent environmental protection criteria in order to qualify for the State Road 7 extension project,” Fumero [John Fumero, special outside counsel to FDOT] said. “The judge categorically determined that the FDOT, in all cases, either met or exceeded all of the permit criteria and all of the environmental requirements.”
     All eyes now turn to the SFWMD. The order, Fumero said, will be presented to the SFWMD for entry into a final order. If that order is issued, which many expect is likely, it will adopt the recommended order and constitute the issuing of a state permit authorizing the extension.

and. . .

     “The State Road 7 project is needed to alleviate traffic issues in and around The Acreage area and to create hurricane evacuation routes,” Fumero said. “Right now, for this part of western Palm Beach County, they need additional evacuation routes.”

and. . .

     “We’re glad that the judge saw that there’s a public purpose and it’s not causing the harm that others were claiming. It is definitely a needed project for the western communities,” Royal Palm Beach Village Manager Ray Liggins said.

Please proceed to the next blog post and consider this:

How can we find ways to revitalize the “Urban Core” in cities like Lake Worth when even more new communities are on the drawing board out in western Palm Beach County like Arden, a “new master-planned community in Palm Beach County” west of the Village of Wellington?

City Press Release. CANCELLED: Tomorrow’s “3rd Annual Beach Clean-Up and Dive Against the Debris”.

“Due to the unfavorable weather forecast and probable ocean conditions for Saturday, May 20th the City of Lake Worth has had to cancel the Annual Pier Clean up and Dive Against Debris.”

For more information contact Doug Yoakum, the City’s Aquatics Manager at 561-718-4304; email DYoakum@lakeworth.org
or
Ben Kerr, the City of Lake Worth’s Communications Specialist at 561-586-1631; email: bkerr@lakeworth.org

“Should we be getting ready? It’s only 47 days until the July 4th Raft Race.”

The theme for this year’s Neighborhood Assoc. Presidents’ Council (NAPC) 16th Annual July 4th Great American Raft Race is “Under The Big Top”:

• Noun: “A large tent at a circus under which the main attractions are featured. Used figuratively to refer to the location where a primary or major event, show, or attraction is held.
• Adjective: “Featured as the primary or major event, attraction, show, etc.” 

We’ll have two new electeds in the race this year: District 2 Commissioner Omari Hardy and District 4 Commissioner Herman Robinson.

Don’t forget what local beat reporters and TV news media did last year to cancel our Raft Race. Don’t let that nonsense happen again.

Remember last year? That ridiculous ‘news’ published in the Post that wasn’t true at all?

“The raft race is a glorious mixture of fun and games and I hate thinking it should be cancelled”. It never did need to be cancelled.

And also don’t forget the sponsors last year who stood by the NAPC and did their best to make it a great holiday weekend after all.

Click on image to enlarge from last year’s Raft Race.

“Thank You to Our Generous Sponsors”.

Tonight: Guest speaker Michael Bornstein at the Mango Groves Neighborhood meeting.

UPDATE: At tonight’s meeting will be another guest speaker as well. Mr. Chip Guthrie will give a brief talk about the very successful “first appearance” initiative here in the City. This is where the public shows up at hearings for those arrested for prostitution, street crimes, etc. The judge learns how much citizens in this City care about solving these vexing issues, e.g., on Dixie Hwy.


“The May meeting of the Mango Grove Neighborhood Assoc. is at 7:00 tonight at Blue Front BBQ.* Everyone is welcome to attend.
     This month’s guest speaker will be Lake Worth City Manager Michael Bornstein. Mike has been the city manager in Lake Worth since 2012. He has been professionally involved in local governments here in PB County for over 25 years. He came to us after serving the as town manager in Lantana for 12 years before coming to Lake Worth.
     We hope to see all our neighbors and friends Thursday evening with our city manager at Blue Front BBQ.”


“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 reporter Willy Howard on June 3rd, 2012, in a Post article titled, “New City Manager Michael Bornstein makes welcome changes in Lake Worth”, published 1,859 days ago. Mr. Bornstein was hired by the City on April 16th, 2012.


*Did you know the Blue Front BBQ (1132 N. Dixie Hwy.) used to be “Kristine’s”? The Blue Front is a significant historical structure here in the City of Lake Worth. One of the few remaining survivors of what’s called the “Mom & Pop” era of roadside architecture, the dining and motel era prior to the construction of I-95.