The Pool, the Golf Course and the Moon

Last night's Moon

The moon wasn't full last night. Full moons are traditionally associated with temporal insomnia, insanity (hence the terms lunacy and lunatic) and various magical phenomena such as lycanthropy but nevertheless, we did get some strange commentary from Commissioner Jennings. She called in to the meeting and stated that she didn’t know if she could justify fixing our pool or spending money on our golf course at the expense of other recreation when we had so many budget constraints.

The workshop was informative and I was impressed with all of our Staff. Rachel did a great job on her Sustainability Program. Next came the golf course with Michael Moskowitz of our Finance Department and Chris Waller, our golf pro. We were reminded last night on how close we came to outsourcing our golf course. At the time, I, along with others spoke in favor of hiring a golf pro to turn it around and Chris has done that. I am really excited about our course and the direction it is heading. Commissioner Maxwell mentioned the poor food at the restaurant and personally, I have always found the food great and served in large portions.

The course is now profitable and the restaurant is also. They will be rebuilding 9 holes, sign a lease for 80 new golf carts and will creatively enhance marketing and advertising of the course, one of the most important assets we have in this City and one that will drive tourists here.

Our pool was discussed and spending $57,700 to fix the pump house in order to get it ready for summer activities. We have already missed out on national meets because we had NO pool cover and therefore could not heat the pool. We recently turned down a group from Finland. Thanks Greater Bay. The vacillation in cost estimates regarding the pool pump house repairs was never brought up but the new Facilities Manager came up with a “game plan” to use in-house staff.

Only two commissioners stood up last night. Commissioner Maxwell said in no uncertain terms, “I want to see the pool kept open.” Mayor Varela said it was “critical” to get it repaired earlier than 10 weeks. We had a commissioner already bringing up raising prices and another one suggesting a waterslide. Let’s not get the cart before the horse here. The City Manager again said she didn’t know where she was going to get the money. Just get it and please make sure that Staff does not allow our property to ever get into this condition.

All in all, I could not understand why this was all discussed at a workshop other than to just cause a delay. The pool repairs need to start now but instead we must wait until the next meeting where commissioners can vote on it.

If we are ever going to turn Lake Worth around, we had better take care of the reasons why people want to come here. This city is so unique to have these wonderful properties. These are the assets that will make Lake Worth a tourist destination and bring in lots of money. It will not be the library that Commissioner Jennings is worried about or some soccer field for little Johnny. People will be coming to Lake Worth for our beach, our golf and our Olympic pool, the only one on the ocean on the entire east cost of our country. Use the money from the billboard mafia. You have my permission.