Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Last night's Politically Correct or Incorrect moves

Comment Up
Some on the dais wore pirate gear and Deborah Andrea
 recited a poem even speaking like a pirate dissing blogs.
 It was, after all, International Talk like a Pirate Day

Politically smart moves last night--it's the beginning of the election season but politicians have to play the game all year long. The commission DID read a proclamation for Constitution Week that they threw on the Agenda at the last second. That was a politically correct move.

Memorial Field and its renaming was not pulled for public commentary even though a few commissioners were asked to do so. This is an example of something that should never be on the Consent Agenda without public commentary. Who put it on Consent? There needs to be a process when someone asks the city government to change a name on city property. The Commission wouldn't even allow the public to weigh in. The Osborne Community and some of its leaders packed the chamber just in case. Personally, I think Mary Lindsey should have something named for her. The Commission played its politics here, a politically correct thing to do for one segment of our city.

An Ordinance was finalized on the sidewalk cafes in our downtown that affects the city's right of way. Several of the restaurants have not been in compliance and there are times when no one can walk on the sidewalk least of all someone passing in a wheelchair. William Waters asked for 48 inches of leeway for the ADA compliance but Vice Mayor Scott Maxwell asked for the 42 inch minimum as he frequents one establishment that seems to be the biggest offender. Politically smart if you want to stay in good standing with the businesses...perhaps not so smart if you want to stay in good standing with all the people who walk our sidewalks in the downtown, you know, the people who actually spend the money. Triolo, Amoroso and Szerdi agreed to the 42". It passed on a 4/0. McVoy was absent from the meeting.

Citizen Mr. Timm, once again, was the only one with some sense implying that it was never going to work out. Havana has literally painted a line on the sidewalk delineating what is their property and what is the city's. No one in front of that establishment can get confused. In reverse, this is why DOT has speed limits of 30mph knowing everyone will go 35mph. If you make the ADA compliance figure at 42", there is NO wiggle room whatsoever. People will be breaking this law all night long and who will be there to enforce it?

So, the political season has begun!

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was one of the citizens that asked Commissioner Maxwell (my new favorite feline) to pull the item about changing the name of the ball field off of the consent agenda for public comment.
This item did not belong on a consent agenda. This just highlights the complete disdain for the citizens of Lake Worth that this Commission has.
Who even put this on the consent agenda in the first place? Pathetic, Scott.
Katie Mcgiveron

Anonymous said...

Quirky little town, got that one right. Thank God for blogs.

Anonymous said...

Katie's right. I don't care if they change the name on the ball fields to
Walt Disney! It should not have been something placed on the consent agenda.

Anonymous said...

LIKE MANY OTHER ISSUES THIS HAS ADDRESSED BEFORE AND LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE IN THIS RUN DOWN CITY WITH SO MANY POOR AND CRIMINALS----RESULTS AS WE ARE USE TO-----NOTHING---ANDY SINCE YOU ARE DOWNTOWN AREYOU AFRAID TO OPEN YOU MOUTH TO THE BUSINESES PEOPLE--GET A SPINE AND START WITH YOUR FRIENDS KAVA BAR---PROVE YOUR NOT USELESS

Anonymous said...

You are right about Mary Lindsey, she does so much in this city and cares. Wish she would be our mayor, she would deserve that honor and be more respectful of the citizens she represents than Pam does. Mary is top notch, Go Mary, thanks for all you do for our great little city.

"Personally, I think Mary Lindsey should have something named for her."

Joseph said...

If Pam and the comm. really cared about PEOPLE in this city they would make sure we have sidewalks in all parts of downtown between Lake and Lucerne Ave. On C, D, and E Streets between Lake and Lucerne Aves there are many parts without a sidewalk and we have to walk in the road for God's sake. It puts both the drivers and the pedestrians in danger. These are high pedestrians areas for people who live, work, and shop just west of city hall, with many immigrants and minorities. The city leaders could care less about all of us over here. I have been after Pam, the CM, and leaders for years about this issue. They are non-responsive and do NOTHING. This is all shameful how they are, what an embarrassment. Their vote not to comply completely with ADA is a sin.



"Politically smart if you want to stay in good standing with the businesses...perhaps not so smart if you want to stay in good standing with all the people who walk our sidewalks in the downtown, you know, the people who actually spend the money. Triolo, Amoroso and Szerdi agreed to the 42". It passed on a 4/0. McVoy was absent from the meeting."

Anonymous said...

This sidewalk thing and walking downtown is such an issue. The people in this city just are not cared for, it is all about businesses, Andy is just to blame in front of his place on Fridays you can't pass by either with his puppet circus act he has going on, you have to walk in the road to pass by. Andy is a comm. and he is not even respecting ADA or our laws. Dave's (Scott Maxwell's big hangout and why he caved) is the worst, you cannot pass by there without going on the roads. Brogues, Havana, and Kava all are bad about blocking pedestrians from walking by. And now that new bar on J Street between Lake and Lucerne is blocking a lot with smokers all hanging out and that street sidewalk is very narrow. Pedestrians should not have to smell all that smoke. Stay 25 ft away from the public smokers, its the law.

Anonymous said...

Hey, I love the puppet Man on Friday nights! And I agree with the comments about Mary Lindsey-Mary and I don't agree on every political issue here in town (who does)! But she really does so much for the people of Lake Worth! Thank you Mary ! Katie Mcgiveron

Anonymous said...

Katie, I love it when you lighten up. (favorite feline comment)

I agree that Mary Lindsey should be recognized for her tireless commitment to the city. She is a real inspiration. She could never be elected. Too much common sense and would be more knowledgeable on many of the subjects to let stupid things get by.

As far as the sidewalk cafe' issue, this is how Deerfield Beach does it: http://www.jbsonthebeach.com/images/weekend-lunch-header.jpg

It's not that hard folks. Require a physical barrier at the point to allow pedestrian traffic.

Renaming our parks should NOT be on consent. Can we all say "meow"?

Anonymous said...

They want to educAte us again/ Is this like the heights referendum? get real.

Anonymous said...

Katie from what I heard you were the only one that asked that it be removed. If I am wrong, Lynn could you give us a list of the others?

Anonymous said...

I think Mary Lindsey could be elected.

Anonymous said...

8:39 Mary Lindsey is honest ,dedicated and smart. I wish she would run. She would be a mayor for the people.

Anonymous said...

Anon at 8:19-
I don't have access to that info. I'm not a Commissioner and I don't get their calls. There could have been fifty requests to pull this item for discussion, or just me. So what if I was the only person requesting that an item be pulled for public comment? We are all supposed to be represented by our Commissioners.
Katie Mcgiveron

Anonymous said...

it certainly is apparent. She was talking only about that bully blogger.