Saturday, August 24, 2013

Sidewalk Cafes in Lake Worth

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Decided to stroll the Avenue last night after having had dinner in our downtown. The restaurants and bars were filled. A few of the stores remained opened, the ones who hope/want to make some money. I have to say that it was disappointing to see all the cigarette butts on the sidewalks and trash strewn about. Talked to the manager at Toojays and he says they sweep twice a day but to handle all of the trash it would take a full-time employee. They even have a container to extinguish cigarettes and instead of people using it, they stomp them on the ground. Butts were spotted directly around the drains. It is discouraging. Perhaps an ordinance can be enacted for littering and a fine imposed. Its time has come.

Known as the vice mayor's office away from the office

Dave's Last Resort seems to be one of the the biggest offenders in our city for blocking the sidewalks.  Tuesday, Ordinance 2013-43 was passed on the First Reading to enforce ADA compliant laws.  There has to be a four foot unobstructed pathway down the sidewalk. This ordinance was scheduled to come back to the commission on September 3.


Some of the restaurants are using space not owned by them as sidewalk cafe space. Tables, chairs and planters must be six feet away from the curb according to FDOT.

The question is, who will be enforcing this?  Will the PBSO be on hand to enforce our law?

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Didn't see one sheriff there last night.

Anonymous said...

THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON A LONG LONG TIME--THE STATE GOT INVOLVED YEARS AGO--AND HERE WE ARE TODAY IN DOWNTOWN LAKE WORTH WITH NO CHANGE AT ALL---WELCOME TO LAKEWORTHLESS WHERE ANYTHING GOES--EVEN CRIMINALS ARE WELCOME IN OUR DOWNTOWN---KAVA BAR --WHAT A TRASHY BUSINESS WITH TRASHY PEOPLE--HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN A PERSON WITH CLASS THERE--THEY ALL LOOK LIKE DRUG ADDICTS LOOKING FOR THEIR NEXT HIGH---IF THIS BUSINESS IS STILL THERE IN A YEAR--ANOTHER INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE BE DONE,BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY THEY WILL MAKE ANY REAL MONEY IS ANOTHER CRIMINAL SCAM--YOU TAKE MY WORD---MARY BETH

Anonymous said...

you mean amarosa's friend?

Anonymous said...

Lynn, these business' are suffering through another long, hot summer. They must be thrilled to have people there spending money. Why would you pick this time of year to start a crusade against them? It's borderline heartless IMO.

Lynn Anderson said...

Awh gee, anonymous--tell it to city staff--tell it to the city commission---those businesses are BREAKING THE DAMN LAW...no problem for you??? It has nothing to do with the "time of year." It has nothing to do with a "crusade."
The city commission is stopping them from breaking FEDERAL LAWS and if they don't--YOU, the taxpayer, will bear the consequences.

Anonymous said...

That's the problem in this town. Some people really believe that they are above the law. The city is at last taking steps to correct all of this. People, many are taxpayers, have the right to walk down the sidewalk. With this new ordinance, it will end the kavasutra with their outside band and tables on the curb and some of the sleaze that hangs out there. We need to clean up our image in LW.

Anonymous said...

why doesn't Maxwell tell Dave that he is breaking federal laws. there is a conflict of interest here.

Anonymous said...

I agree with you 4:02 p.m. Our city image is rotten and that has got to change if I am going to stick around.