“POINT OF VIEW: Water managers are good at keeping public land public”.

Newton E. Cook, an officer and executive director of the United Waterfowlers Florida (UW-F) had this “Point of View” (POV) published in The Palm Beach Post yesterday (two excerpts below).

About UW-F:

United Waterfowlers Florida fights for the rights of all waterfowlers throughout the state of Florida.
     UW-F is the VOICE of Florida duck hunters in numerous meetings and hearings across Florida. We take a three-tiered approach to improving duck hunting by focusing on conservation, access, and legacy.

A little background: On June 9th happened to come across a press release from the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) and posted the news on this blog: “Additional recreational acres in western Palm Beach County”. What happened next was astounding. My blog went off the charts, and also interestingly, did not receive one single negative comment or even a nasty email.

However, because of this POV by Mr. Cook, tomorrow’s Sunday Post will almost certainly have a contrarian-POV by either Drew Martin or maybe even one of “The 19 Best Environmentalists in South Florida”. Stay tuned, as they say.

Without further ado, two excerpts from Mr. Cook published in the Post:

People flock to the Sunshine State to enjoy the abundant opportunities to enjoy Florida’s natural lands and waters. However, if properties have a “No trespassing” or “Closed to the public” sign, citizens and visitors are prevented access. These closures are particularly vexing on public lands paid for by taxpayers. Floridians and visitors want generous access to Florida’s public land. The word you hear at the public meetings on recreation opportunities are, “access, access, access.” [emphasis added]
     I applaud the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) Governing Board for members’ decision during the June 8 meeting to open the new 17,000-acre EAA 1 Flow Equalization Basin (FEB) in Palm Beach County to public access a year earlier than usual following completion of construction.

and. . .

     Currently, 86 percent of district land is open to the public for a wide mix of recreational activities.
     The SFWMD constructs parking, kiosks, camping areas, wildlife viewing decks, restroom facilities, boat ramps, corrals and many other improvements for visitors. However, the most important offering is the simple “Open to the Public” signs found at the SFWMD gates.
     Other government agencies should look to the SFWMD for an example of how to manage the taxpayer-owned natural lands in their care. Too much land in government control has restrictive rules regarding access for the public.

More proof Delray Beach is in decline and the City of Lake Worth is in ascendance.

How do we know this to be true? After reading this blog post use this link to find out.

When NBC5/WPTV reporter T.A. Walker gets into the act trying to steal some of our LDub* vibe you know we’re having a big impact (news report below). The first bombshell, if you recall, was when GarlicFest (formerly held in Delray), tried to find a location within our little City but couldn’t find one big enough. So they settled on the next best thing: John Prince Park just outside the City limits.

Reporter T.A. Walker knows the Skate Zone is not “in Lake Worth”:

Palm Beach Skate Zone is South Florida’s only Ice and Roller Skating Rink and is conveniently located just off the Florida Turnpike exit at Lake Worth Road. Address: 8125 Lake Worth Road, Lake Worth Fl. 33467.

The City of Lake Worth only has two Zip Codes: 33460 and part of 33461.

All the reporters at WPTV know about Zip Codes here in Palm Beach County.

This is just a blatant attempt by WPTV to try and steal some of our LDub and Hipster vibe. Why? Who knows.

However, once again this demonstrates why “municipal branding” is so important. You may recall recently on this blog what the city manager in the Village of Wellington said:

One of the reasons for doing community marketing is because the village needs to make sure that people are aware of the things the village does well, which include schools and parks, Schofield [Village Manager Paul Schofield] said.
     “We’re looking for a program that communicates our family lifestyle, the things that are unique about Wellington and our willingness to respond to the changing needs of our residents,” Schofield said.

Without further ado, the false news report at WPTV titled, “Meet the Dub City Roller Derby girls who practice at Skate Zone in Lake Worth”:

LAKE WORTH, Fla. - Please forgive all the 1980s references in this story. Roller Derby, yes that thing you may remember from the ‘80s, is still alive and well at Skate Zone in Lake Worth. And the team representing South Florida is called Dub [as in “LDub”; see footnote below] City.

This just proves the point.

Everybody wants to be a part of our City of Lake Worth!

*What does LDub (or “L-Dub”) mean? It’s slang for “Lake Worth”. The “L” is short for “Lake” and the “Dub” is short for “double-‘u’ ” as in the letter “w”, hence the term LDub.
     Have to keep reminding myself there are a lot of new residents in the City who don’t know this stuff. Welcome to LDub dude!

Just because. Worth Another Look: A positively positive person about Downtown Lake Worth.

Smacking down the perpetual “Negative Nelly’s”, the image below was posted to Facebook following that nonsense about Hoffman’s Chocolate closing their Downtown location due to “not enough business”.

Click on image to enlarge:

And don’t forget! If you’re a true chocolate lover visit Kilwin’s Chocolates. They have two locations: One at THE BEACH! and another location at 512 Lake Ave as well.

Lake Worth, Florida in 2009: Shhhhhhhhhhhhh! Stop that noise downtown! Quiet!

Following multiple efforts to make our Downtown “Quiet as a Dead Thing”, then-Commissioner Golden got trounced by Andy Amoroso in 2011; he remains the District 3 commissioner to this day.

Below is a classic photoshop by former Lake Worth blogger-extraordinaire Tom McGow of JoAnn Golden back in August of 2009. Remember when the mantra in our City was:

“There will be no merriment and beatings will continue until morale improves around here!”
 

After Golden lost her race to Andy Amoroso in 2011 she then complained of wolves, errr, vultures at the door, “wanting to suck the life out of every possible cubic foot of Lake Worth’s sky, water, sea, land, anything they can get.”

Who exactly are the “vultures”?

I guess that would be anyone who wants our City’s Downtown to be a lively and vibrant place to be. A place where the public, visitors, and tourists actually want to visit and see. And come back again. And again.

Are you a new (or recently new) resident to the little City of Lake Worth? The City’s Annual Raft Race explained:

The editor at The Lake Worth Herald — from an editorial in 2015 — explains all this wonderful, spectacular and complete nonsense: the Annual July 4th Raft Race. . .

. . . and what of that City ‘spirit’ west of I-95 two years ago?

Of course, everybody wants to win and play by the rules. The only problem with the rules is the simple fact there are none. Well, there really are, there is the rule about not using store bought marine vessels, or having motors, you know, rules that make a raft a homemade raft. Other than that, it’s pretty much wide open for interpretation and creativity.
     The vast majority of the neighborhood associations enter rafts in the race, giving neighbors the opportunity to work together to build their entry and get to know each other better.

and. . .

     Through the years, there have been pranks pulled on groups by other groups in attempts to derail well laid plans. All in good fun.
     Winning the race is highly coveted, after all, it gives bragging rights to the victor for a whole year.
     Some of the best shows from the raft race happen after the race, when teams will complain and protest actions of another team. Yes, there will actually be protests, based on rules that do not exist. These protests will be heard and immediately be discarded, as they should. This is all for fun, there is nothing but bragging rights waiting at the finish line and there is no reason to get hot under the collar because someone got one over on you.

and. . .

     There are some in town who think it is all nonsense and, well, it is. Isn’t it great Lake Worth residents, usually pitted in ugly political nonsense can take time to enjoy life, even if just for one day. It is a shame that every neighborhood association can’t find the spirit to participate in one of the best days of the year in Lake Worth.

So. The point?

There will always be the “Negative Nellies”. There will always be those who will complain. Ignore them and focus on building your raft! The Kick-off “Captain’s Party” is on June 25th.

Have you picked your captain yet?

Today and tomorrow is that somber, bleak flea market near Lake Worth High School nobody knows about.

Why doesn’t anyone know about that flea market in distress near Lake Worth High School?

Why can’t they boost attendance? Do any of the organizers have the Internet available? Have they considered advertising other than having a reporter write a negative article about how bad things are at the flea market.

Who would want to go after reading about how bad and depressing things are?

Is there a solution to help these people?

Yes! The Palm Beach Post has the solution. It’s called the “Five Tips”.

The organizers need to learn the “Five Tips” and these tips really do work. Here are tips #1 and #2 from Antonio Fins, the business editor at The Palm Beach Post:

• Tip #1. Know whom you want to reach out to, the editor writes, “. . . the trick is reaching to the right journalist.” For example, sending information to a beat reporter may not be the best option. Have you considered a business reporter? An entertainment reporter?
• Tip #2. Who’s your audience? “So, tell us how many followers do you have on Twitter? How many friends/fans do you have on Facebook?”

To read tips #3–5 use this link.

So many people, neighborhoods and businesses here in our little City of Lake Worth have used the “Five Tips” and very successfully too. The Post even published a “Special Series” about our City!

Featured on the back cover: Meet the iconic Mr. Greg Rice during Our Centennial Year in 2013.

Remember that 12-page “SPECIAL KEEPSAKE SERIES” delivered on Sunday, March 26th, in The Palm Beach Post? Do you still have it? I DO!!!

Do you remember when Lake Worth’s beat reporter from the Post wrote about our City’s “hipster vibe”? Why not try promoting the flea market near the Lake Worth High School as a new “Hipster” venue here in our City?

Read more about that below and remember: Monday is the next Lake Worth Very Very Special Monday Collector Print Edition (LWVVSMCPE).

There are only 6 Special Cities in Palm Beach County and. . .

Delray Beach IS NOT a Special City any more! Delray has been eclipsed by the City of Lake Worth.

Remember you evil developers: Don’t even think about coming into our Special City “and messing with the city’s hipster vibe”. And that includes our Beach!

      
The Post beat reporter wrote: 

“Since the casino [sic] reopened in 2012, the city has been trying to figure out how to fill the vacant space. While some residents embrace the idea of a $15 million expansion by a local developer, others in this artsy town don’t want to see a big developer coming in and messing with the city’s hipster vibe. Stay tuned. . .”

If you go to the flea market today near the Lake Worth High School and don’t find what you are looking for, skip on over to World Thrift, the comments on Facebook? Marvelous! World Thrift is the greatest thrift store east of the Mississippi River according to the New Times, located at 2425 N. Dixie Hwy. Call 561-588-4050 for more information.

When you visit the flea market near Lake Worth High School or World Thrift try to “coordinate” your purchases.

This is an example of Hipster Anarchist Millennial style. Note the written instructions, “Please empty outhouse bucket when filled. . .”.

Charming, isn’t it?

If you weren’t aware, following wave after wave of good news coming from our little City, the philosophy of Apatharchism has firmly taken hold here. Adherents include former 60s-style Anarchists, Millennial-Anarchists, Anarch sympathizers, and affinity members once focused only on the bad news, doom and gloom, and the “Wolf at the Door” that never appeared.

And guess what all you Hipsters? The July 4th Great American Raft Race is just 24 days away! So ride your LDub ‘fixie’ to the flea market or World Thrift today. Here are some fashion tips:

Note how scarves are used as a fashion enhancer. Look at the shoes!

Not sure what a Hipster is? Use this link to find out.

Purses, trendy belts, big sunglasses, and dots!!!!

Look around. What are all the other Hipsters wearing? Learn new fashion tips and remember, “don’t be messing with the city’s hipster vibe”!

“Palm Beach State College to continue Upward Bound with $1.35M Grant”.

To learn more about the “Upward Bound” program use this link. Here’s the latest news in this week’s Lake Worth Herald:

Palm Beach State College has been awarded another five-year $1.35 million federal grant to continue its Upward Bound program that helps steer high school students on the path to higher education.
     The College will receive $270,375 a year for the program that serves 65 participants per year from John I. Leonard, Lake Worth and Palm Beach Lakes high schools. Upward Bound is one of the programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education and collectively known as TRIO. It targets low-income and first generation college students. 

and. . . 

     “I’m very excited that we have another opportunity to roll up our sleeves and serve deserving students by helping them enroll in a college of their choice,’’ said Jim Culver, Upward Bound director. “Palm Beach State College provides an excellent platform for me to continue serving in this capacity.” 

Pick up the print edition of the Herald at 600 Lake Ave. in Downtown Lake Worth.

The City’s newsstand is right across the street from the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.

NonProfits in City of Lake Worth. DON’T DELAY: Begin your grant applications for up $25,000.

Here are just a few of the grantees last year, grants from “Quantum in the Community” that helped nonprofits here in our City:

• Gray Mockingbird Community Garden. 
• Salem Haitian Lutheran Church. 
• Arms of Hope Community, Inc. Here is recent news about Arms of Hope here in the City of Lake Worth:

The Lake Worth community has come together to support a nonprofit, helping the founder, Patrick Livingston, make incredible progress with his vision for Arms of Hope.
     Livingston will be the first to tell anyone that cooking in the soup kitchen last summer was brutal. There was no air conditioning. The dining area was uncomfortable for guests, too, but now things are much different.
     “It’s a huge difference, a huge difference. Night and day from when we sat here last year,” Livingston said.

To learn more about “Quantum in the Community” and to see if you qualify use this link or call 561-832-7497.

Small, grassroots nonprofits here in the City of Lake Worth can receive a share of $750,000 in Palm Beach County. For the past 6 years Quantum Foundation committed $4 million for this project.

Here are the details:

Applicants: must be registered as a 501(c)3; have been working in Palm Beach County for at least six months; have an annual operating budget no higher than $500,000; and must provide basic needs like food, clothing, shelter, utilities and transport to the county’s most vulnerable residents.
     No one organization will receive more than $25,000 of the $750,000 total.
     All applications must be submitted using the Foundation’s online system by Aug. 18. Funding announcements will be made the week of Oct. 16.

City Commission meeting next Tuesday: “Changing the time limit for public comment”.*

Resolution No. 26-2017 — amending the Rules and Procedures for Commission Meetings for Non-Agendaed Items

Summary:

The resolution would amend Rule 6, Debate of Motions; Voting, changing the time limit for public comment from two minutes to three minutes during Public Participation of Non-Agendaed items.

Background and Justification:

The City Commission adopted Resolution 56-2013 to amend Rule 6 of the Rules and Procedures to allow the public to speak on consent agenda items (which are not removed by the Commission for discussion) during Public Participation of Non-Agendaed items for two minutes per speaker.
     The City Commission desires to afford the public three minutes to speak during Public Participation of Non-Agendaed Items.
     The proposed resolution would make this change from two minutes to three minutes for Public Participation of Non-Agendaed Items.

Motion:

I move to approve/not approve Resolution No. 26-2017:

Whereas, the City Commission has adopted rules and procedures for its meetings which include procedures govern public participation; and,
Whereas, based on Chapter 2013-227, Laws of Florida, the City passed Resolution No. 56-2013 to update its rules and procedures for public participation at City Commission meetings; and,
Whereas, the City desires to update its rules and procedures for public participation by amending the language added by Resolution No. 56-2013 to allow three (3) minutes for public participation on non-agendaed items; and,
Whereas, the City Commission’s adoption of rules and procedures for its meetings is necessary to comply with applicable law and preserve the professional-nature, orderly conduct and proper decorum of all such meetings and serves a valid public purpose.
Be It Resolved. . .

*For instructions on how to give Public Comment at the City Commission use this link, which includes an instructional video as well.

TONIGHT: Everyone is invited to the Mango Groves Neighborhood Assoc. meeting.

Please remember, “Loose Lips Sink Rafts”.

Whatever intelligence and information gleaned from any neighborhood meeting is fair game and can be used to sabotage any neighborhood’s raft.*

About this week’s meeting:

Our District 3 Commissioner Andy Amoroso will be our guest speaker tonight at 7:00. He will be giving us an update on Sober Home legislation and other important issues here in our City. We will meet at Blue Front BBQ located at 1132 N. Dixie Hwy.
     Please spread the word. Everyone is welcome from every neighborhood. Invite your neighbors and we look forward to seeing everyone.

To learn more about the Mango Groves Neighborhood Assoc. use this link.

*Be very suspicious of anyone asking questions about this year’s Great American Raft Race on July 4th. The #1 Raft Race rule is THERE ARE NO RULES.

Exception to Rule #1: There is a rule about “not using store bought marine vessels, or having motors, you know, rules that make a raft a homemade raft. Other than that, it’s pretty much wide open for interpretation and creativity.”

Exciting news about Adopt-A-Family and artist Sharon Koskoff.

“We are thrilled to announce that Adopt-A-Family was one of 25 local nonprofits selected to participate in the The City of West Palm Beach’s “Aesop’s Tables” presented by the Art in Public Places Program. Local artist Sharon Koskoff illustrated the fable “The Mischievous Dog.”
     The tables will be on display and open for the public to enjoy on the waterfront in downtown West Palm Beach all summer. The tables will be auctioned off at the Summer in Paradise Finale on August 31st. We hope to see you there.”

To read more about this project use this link to read the article by Palm Beach Post reporter Linda Haase titled, “Picnic tables as storyteller? Aesop’s Tables put classic tales to test”.

Press Release: “Commissioner Andy Amoroso Appointed to Serve on Florida League of Cities.”

The Florida League of Cities has appointed City of Lake Worth Commissioner Andy Amoroso to serve on the 2017–2018 Transportation and Intergovernmental Relations Legislative Policy Committee.

“Municipal officials are the driving force behind the League’s legislative success. In addition to setting the legislative priorities, the League’s policy committee members help to provide League staff with a better understanding of the real world implications of proposed legislation,” said Florida League of Cities Legislative Director Scott Dudley. “We appreciate their willingness to serve, as there is a significant commitment of time and energy that goes into developing a policy direction for our legislative efforts.”

Founded in 1922, the Florida League of Cities is the united voice for Florida’s municipal governments. Its goals are to promote local self-government and serve the needs of Florida’s cities. Florida’s cities are formed by their citizens and governed by their citizens. The League is founded on the belief that local self-government is the keystone of American democracy.

Lake Worth news from Willie Howard: “Paddling the habitats of Lake Worth Lagoon”.

Willie Howard is a freelance writer and licensed boat captain. Reach him at tiowillie@bellsouth.net

Below is former Post reporter Willie Howard covering the City of Lake Worth election beat in 2009. Use this link and see if you can spot former Mayor Jeff Clemens, now State Senator Clemens.

By the way, Mr. Howard must be just as mystified as everyone else the Post is not reporting anything at all about the Blueway Trail project.

Anyhow, below are two excerpts from The Coastal Star datelined May 3rd. To read the entire story by Mr. Howard, which includes news about this year’s Lake Worth Lagoon Fishing Challenge, the STAR tournament, upcoming events, and the “Tip of the month” use this link. Without further ado:

     Anglers fishing around the islands of the central lagoon can catch snook, mangrove snapper, barracuda, sheepshead and small bait fish along with the occasional redfish and spotted sea trout.
     Restoration islands near the Lake Avenue Bridge include the Snook Islands project, [emphasis added] completed in 2005 (and later expanded); the two Grassy Flats islands on the east side of the lagoon near the Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course; Bryant Park Wetlands islands south of the bridge near Lake Worth’s Bryant Park; and the Jewel Cove project southeast of the bridge across from Lake Worth Beach.
     To date, the county has overseen 49 environmental restoration projects in the Lake Worth Lagoon, the 20-mile-long estuary that stretches from Ocean Ridge to North Palm Beach.

and. . .

     Creating a place for paddling, fishing and nature observation is a side benefit of the restoration work. The Snook Islands Natural Area features a boardwalk and gazebo overlooking the mangrove islands, educational kiosks, day-use boat docks, a fishing pier and a kayak launch on the northwest side of the Lake Avenue Bridge.

and. . .

      Least terns nest on the Grassy Flats islands.
     That’s significant because least terns had never been found nesting on the ground in Palm Beach County until the Grassy Flats islands were completed in 2015. Previously, the threatened terns nested on the flat roofs of department stores and warehouses, where the nests were not likely to be disturbed.
     Ten pairs of least terns nested on the beach at Grassy Flats in 2015; another 31 pairs nested there last year. Because of bird nesting, paddlers and other boaters are not allowed to stop and walk around on the restoration islands.


Thank You for the wonderful news about our little City!

Do you remember former Post reporter Willie Howard? If not, learn more below about the history of Post beat reporters here in the little City of Lake Worth. If you’re new to the City of Lake Worth you may have learned by now elections in this City can be very entertaining. However, it’s nothing compared to years like 2008 and 2009. For example, what happened to former mayor René Varela:

 “No Dolphin Dealer Mayor for Lake Worth”. Please note: This is not a joke. An actual protest outside the Lake Worth Playhouse.

Remember Lona O’Connor who first reported about The Cottages of Lake Worth? Beat reporter Chris Persaud who won several prestigious journalism awards? Learn more using this link.

My Dear Friend, Dustin.

Oh My! “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”. ☝

This Friday in our Downtown Cultural Plaza!

“The adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards seventy years before Harry Potter reads his book in school.”

More feature movies coming in July — “Screen on the Green  ‵ 17” — sponsored by LULA Lake Worth Arts and the City of Lake Worth.