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Lake Worth's Best Local Newspaper!Friday, March 13, 2015

The Lake Worth Tribune

W o e rth k a L Domine, ut videam FRIDAY, MARCH 13, 2015

Coming Up Sunday, March 15 St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 12 noon in downtown Lake Worth Activities following the parade until 10 p.m. Sunday, March 15 Parrot Cove Home Tour from 2-6 p.m $25 in advance, $30 at the door www.parrotcove.org 533-6751

Vol. 1 • Issue 9 Published in Lake Worth, FL

Ryan Maier Defeats John Szerdi 57-37 Percent

Left and Right Unite to Elect Populist Ryan Maier Szerdi’s Resounding Defeat a Blow to Mayor and Commission Majority The young woman either fell or jumped from the balcony of this sixth floor condo. (photo by Margaret Menge)

Monday, March 16 Special Meeting to Certify Election and Administer Oath of Office to Maier, McVoy at 5:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall Tuesday, March 17

City Commission Meeting

at 6 p.m. at City Hall

Saturday, March 21 Public Meeting: Financing Infrastructure in Lake Worth ‘The Road Ahead’ “An open discussion on financing options to resolve Lake Worth’s infrastructure needs” at 1 p.m. at City Hall.

Ryan Maier with supporters at Mamma Mia’s Pizzeria at the beach, Commissioner Christopher McVoy and Ryan Maier cheer along with shortly after learning that he’d won his commission race by a landslide. their supporters on hearing the election results read on Tuesday Standing next to Maier is Jo-Ann Golden, a former commissioner. night. (photos by Margaret Menge) City Commission – District 4 Maier Szerdi Frost

1434 935 132

57.34 % 37.39% 5.25%

By Margaret Menge

It was a blowout election, with first-time candidate Ryan Maier defeating Commissioner John Szerdi 57

percent to 37 percent – and even beating Szerdi soundly at the polling place three blocks from Szerdi’s home by more than 2-to-1. “We ran a campaign on transparency,” said Maier to his supporters gathered at Mamma Mia’s Pizzeria at the beach on Tuesday night. “Obviously, it was so des-

perately needed in this city.” “I look forward to the next two years, working hard for all of you, making this the kind of city you want it to be.” “I am your voice in City Hall,” he told them. Maier hugged a number of those gathered, who included former commission-

ers Jo-Ann Golden and Cara Jennings, and at one point, wiped his eye. “I feel awesome,” Maier told the Tribune, when asked how he felt. “I’m ready to start tomorrow,” he said of becoming the city commissioner repre-

McVoy Wins Re-Election With 64 Percent of the Vote By Margaret Menge

Ryan Maier and Commissioner Christopher McVoy at Mamma Mia’s on Tuesday night. (photo by Margaret Menge)

City Commission – District 2

Two-term city commissioner Christopher McVoy Christopher McVoy 1636 64.33% 907 35.67% was easily re-elected on Serge Jerome, Jr. Tuesday, winning 64 per“Plan for the next eleccent of the vote, compared tion,” he told the crowd of to 36 percent for first-time about 25, telling them to go candidate Serge Jerome, Jr. “We are not a normal city. home and call their friends, People come here because we to build a bigger group for are different,” said McVoy in next time. “We have two people a short speech to supporters after the election results were now,” he said, saying Ryan announced at Mamma Mia’s Maier can propose things Pizzeria at the Lake Worth on the Commission, and he can then second them. The Beach on Tuesday evening.

Café/Party Venue/Gathering Spot/ Office Co-op is a Meet Place for a New Generation, a New Age

By Margaret Menge

tables out front. Inside it’s nice and bright, and feels unlike any other space in Lake Worth. More urban. More European. Wander in to the large room on the left side and have a seat if you want at one of the long tables. This is a gathering space and a work space. If you’re a freelancer, preferably an artist of some sort, you can pay a reasonable monthly rent to use it to meet clients when you need to. A few creative types who do wedding planning will be

By Margaret Menge

A woman in her early 20s fell or jumped from the balcony of an apartment on the sixth floor of The Lucerne condominium building in downtown Lake Worth early Tuesday morning, and was killed after hitting the pavement in front of Starbucks. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office says an initial investigation found that the woman was using her laptop computer on the outside balcony of the sixth-floor apartment when she went over the railing and fell to the sidewalk. The incident is being investigated to determine whether it was a suicide or an accident. The Sheriff’s Office says there are no signs of foul play. The investigation is still open, pending an autopsy and toxicology test results. PBSO did not provide the

City Gives the OK to Pray at Coffee Shop

‘Social House’ to Open Monday

Wondering what’s going in to the old art gallery building on the 500 block of Lucerne Avenue? It’s a restaurant. No wait, it’s some sort of office coop. No, it’s really a wedding planning business. And a wedding venue. It’s all of these. And it’s going to be very interesting. Social House opens this Monday at 512 Lucerne Ave., and all are welcome to stop by for a coffee, a beer, or a glass of wine in the little café on the right side of the building. Look for the café

majority on the Commission, the mayor and commissioners Amoroso and Maxwell can vote “no,” he said, but they’ll pay a price. “They’ll be voting against the spirit of Lake Worth, and it will cost them in the next election,” he said. The next election for commission will be held next March, when the mayor and two other commissioners will be up for re-election.

Woman Dies in Fall from 6th Floor Balcony of The Lucerne

Laura McGlynn, the creator and co-owner, with her husband Eric, of Social House at 512 Lucerne Ave. The McGlynns moved to Lake Worth from Miami in 2009, looking for some place a little quieter. (photo by Margaret Menge)

some of the first to move in. Social House is an idea that sprang from the mind of Laura McGlynn, a 35-yearold former software designer who moved up to Lake Worth in 2009 from Brickell, the downtown Miami neigh-

borhood of mostly high-rise condos that saw rapid gentrification and development, and then suffered a huge crash in prices in 2008-2012. “We were trying to go somewhere quieter,” says

It seems a lawsuit against the city has been averted, narrowly. Common Grounds Coffee Bar on South J Street, which was visited by code compliance officer a few week back who told them: “This is your last Sunday!” is now about to be given the OK to continue having worship services on Sunday mornings. Pastor Mike Olive of Common Ground Church, who owns the coffee shop, complied with the city’s request that he fill out a form for an accessory use.

Four city employees showed up to inspect the building on Monday, including William Waters, Director for Community Sustainability. Olive said the inspection went well, and that the city employees were helpful. “It was nice talking to somebody,” he said. “That was the first time I had the opportunity.” The most recent letter from the city, which Olive said he hadn’t received until late last week, even though several members of the media had received it,

Page 2

The Lake Worth Tribune

Friday, March 13, 2015

Man Hit by Train at 12 Avenue North

By Margaret Menge

A man was struck and killed by a freight train just before 6 a.m. on Tuesday morning at 12th Avenue North in Lake Worth. “A guy on drugs. He walked out in front of the train,” said a man directing traffic on 10th Avenue North. “This is Lake Worth. It happens all the time.” The long freight train sat on the tracks, blocking traffic from 6th Avenue South to 13th Avenue North as crime scene investigators took photographs and gathered other evidence. One investigator took a number of pictures of the tracks, including pictures of what appeared to be a yellow tarp with tape on the edges that sat in a clump on the rail on the east side of the track. Drivers trying to go west on 10th Avenue North were diverted north on G Street and back out to Dixie Hwy. Anyone looking to get on I-95 going north had to go up to Forest Hill Boulevard, to the next interchange. The train was blocking east-west traffic until about 8 a.m., when it began to move, clearing the way for rush hour. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has not released any other information about the incident, saying the investigation is ongoing.

A crime scene investigator takes a photo of what looks like a yellow tarp on the tracks at 12th Avenue North where a man was struck by a train and killed just before 6 a.m. on March 10. (photo by Margaret Menge)

van, lit a match, and threw it in. The owner of the van, Mr. Perera, told police that his son had been homeless since he’d been told to leave their residence. The woman who called police said the son, the man with the machete, had been living in the laundry room of the apartment complex.

BLOTTER MONDAY, MARCH 2

Missing Kid: A grandfather told police that he’d picked his grandson up from Lake Worth High School and dropped him off at home on the 1700 block of 12th Avenue South, but that when he arrived home that evening, he was gone and could not be located. The grandson was described as a white mail, 6’2”. The grandfather told police that his grandson has bipolar disorder and has been off his medication. He was previously reported missing the week before, but was found. Stolen Vehicle: A man told police he parked his 1993 BMW in back of a home on the 400 block of South F Street while he went inside to pick up his friend to go to church on Feb. 28, and that when he came out 5-10 minutes later, he saw the car driving away, with a white female in the driver’s seat. The man, Emad Atta, told police that he’d left the keys in the car, and that he believed the woman driving it had red hair, and lives on the same block. Theft From Vehicle: A man told police that he was working on a roof at 1 Lake Avenue (the Gulfstream Hotel) with a co-worker while their trucks were parked in the alleyway. When they returned to their trucks in mid-morning, they found the windows had been broken and several items removed from both trucks, including money, lunch bags and a cell phone charger. A 3-foot-long metal pipe was found on the ground near the door to one of the trucks.

TUESDAY, MARCH 3

Stolen Tag: A man told police that the license plate had been stolen from his truck while it was parked in the driveway of his home on the 400 block of North F Street. Stolen Motorcycle: A man staying in a halfway house on the 700 block of South J Street told police he was in the process of moving to another halfway house when his 2001 Honda motorcycle was taken from the fenced-in yard of the house. Suspicious People: A deputy responded to the 300 block of South Lakeside for a report of three people exiting a white van and walking toward the park. An officer drove by in an unmarked vehicle, and observed a black man, a white woman and a white man getting into a white van on South Lakeside Drive. He ordered the driver to stop, but the driver put the van in reverse, and struck a vehicle behind him, and then sped off, going north on Lakeside Drive with the lights off. The vehicle and two of the occupants were found a short while later in an alley. The woman, Stephanie Winkle, was found to have a warrant out for her arrest. Disturbance: A man who’d gone to the City Hall Annex at 414 Lake Ave. to pay his electric bill became very angry when told that he had to pay a disconnect fee and could not pay it with a check. He cursed at both female employees and made comments about them having to go home at night. Fire: Police responded to the 200 block of North B Street for a report of a fire. The apartments were evacuated. The cause of the fire was found to be a pot that was left on a stove. No foul play was suspected. Man With a Machete: A woman called police about a man in the parking lot of her apartment complex on the 1100 block of 19th Avenue North who was using a machete to break open the front driver’s side window of his father’s blue Dodge Caravan. After breaking the window, he poured a liquid into the

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4

Deceased Person: A deputy responded to an apartment on the 600 block of South Federal Hwy. where a man named Andrew Fader was found deceased. The tenant told police that Fader came to his house late the night before saying he’d been kicked out of his girlfriend’s house because he’d relapsed and started using drugs again. He said he wanted to stay the night, and the tenant told him he could sleep on the couch just outside the unit. He told police that Fader told him he was going to do “911 shots and die.” The next morning, the tenant tried to wake Fader up, but he was unresponsive. Suspicious Vehicle: Deputies were called to the 1800 block of Wright Drive for a suspicious vehicle. A check of the vehicle, a 2011 black Hyundai Sonata, found that it was reported stolen to the Doral Police Department. It was towed from the scene. Suspicious person: A deputy responded to South Palm Park for a report of someone sleeping on a park bench. A check of the man’s name, Ryan Thomas Walpole, showed he was wanted on a felony warrant for violation of supervised O/R. He was arrested. Driving Without a License: While investigating a traffic accident, a deputy found that one of those involved in the accident, a man named Jorge, was driving without a valid license and had a fake insurance card. He told the deputy that he had purchased the fake insurance card from a business on 10th Avenue North for $250. He said he could not recall the name of the business or where it was located. He was transported to the county jail.

THURSDAY, MARCH 5

Theft: A woman living on the first block of South Palmway reported to police that two of her outdoor plants had been stolen from in front of her apartment. She said there is a garage between her unit and the laundry area, and that several men rent the garage for use as a “man cave.” She said sometimes the men get drunk and become belligerent, and that several months prior, one of the men put his hands on her. Child Sexual Battery: A DCF investigation found evidence of child sexual battery between an 11-year-old and a 4-yearold and 8-year-old. Statutory Rape: An investigation found that a sexual relationship had transpired between a 19 or 20-year-old man and a 14-year-old girl, that may have begun when the girl was 13 years old.

FRIDAY, MARCH 6

Drugs Turned In: A man living on the 500 block of South Dixie Hwy. turned in his marijuana to a deputy, saying he no longer wanted it as was going into detox and wanted to be rid of it. It was submitted into evidence and destroyed. Stolen Vehicle: A man told police that he parked his 2002 Nissan Altima on the side of his cousin’s residence the night before and in the morning it was gone. He said he may have left the keys inside the car. Stolen Vehicle: A man told police that a car he’d just bought, a 1999 red Toyota Corolla, was stolen from the driveway of his home at 504 5th Ave North. He said he thought the previous owner of the car, a woman named Maria, may have taken it. Stolen Vehicle: A woman came to the District 14 substation to report that her 1995 Chevrolet Cavalier had been stolen from in front of her home on the 1200 block of South N Street. Stolen Rifle: A man living on the 400 block of North F Street told police that he recently noticed that his AR-15 semiautomatic rifle and two 30-round magazine clips were missing from a hiding place in his couch. He said two girlfriends knew the

location of the rifle, but he would not give their contact information to police. Threats: A man living on the 1600 block of South Federal Hwy. told police that people had been chasing him with guns for the past five days. He said he had been living in an apartment there, but that the person who rents the room had kicked him out. He complained of chest pains, and was transported to JFK Medical Center.

SATURDAY, MARCH 7

Stolen Vehicle: A woman told police that her daughter’s 2000 Dodge Durango was stolen from the street in front of their home on the 1600 block of North L Street. The woman said the windows were up, the doors locked, and the keys were inside the home. She told police that the son of the previous owner of the home had said he would return and take their property. Stolen Vehicle: A man living on the 400 block of Wright Drive told police his ex-girlfriend had stolen his Chrysler PT Cruiser. He said she’d come over, saying she was hungry, and that he’d given her food. He then went in the bathroom, and when he came out, found the woman, Britnee Hall, in his bedroom. He checked his hiding places and found his money, credit cards and bank cards missing. He confronted her, and called 911, and she ran out of the house. Shortly after, he looked outside and saw that his PT Cruiser was missing from the driveway. Police located Britnee Hall, and saw her about to get into the PT Cruiser. A deputy placed her under arrest and returned the missing items, which were found on the seat of the vehicle, to the victim. Hall was charged with grand theft auto. Burglary: A woman living on the 200 block of North L Street called police to report a burglary in progress. She said she’d just returned home from dropping a friend off from work, and had walked in her front door to see a man running through her hallway with a tan towel over his head, block his face. She immediately closed the front door and called police, and said as she exited the house, she heard the rear door slam. No items were found to be missing, and there was no sign of forced entry. The woman told police she could have left the back door unlocked. Theft of Pet: A woman told police she was sitting outside of her home on the 600 block of South J Street with her new brindle pit bull puppy when the puppy went around the corner of the building and out of sight. A lady on the corner told her “They just stole your dog.” She saw a white Ford driving away, and yelled for the driver to stop, but he made a rude gesture and drove off. Stolen Ring: A woman living on the 1000 block of South Federal Hwy. told police her diamond ring had disappeared from a kitchen drawer. She said she suspected a tenant, who was staying in the apartment with her and her husband. He had been three months behind on rent, but had paid all of his back rent on March 1. Assault: A woman said she was walking along North Dixie Hwy in the early morning when an SUV driven by a Hispanic man pulled up alongside her and pulled her in. He drove her to the area of Nottingham and Miller Street at which time she said, in broken English “business.” She said she was able to escape from the SUV and run across the street and hide until a West Palm Beach Police car drove by and she flagged it down.

SUNDAY, MARCH 8

Burglary: A man living on the 600 block of North Palmway told police he went to work around 6 a.m. on March 5, and returned home at around 1 p.m. to find a screen had been removed from a window that had been left open. On March 8, he noticed that his Sony flat-screen TV was missing from the entertainment center in his living room. A DNA swab was obtained from the homeowner and from a mixing board that had been turned on and pulled out from under a desk.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Most of the windows were replaced on the Birthday Cake Castle in the last month, with new, black aluminum six-over-six windows installed to replace one-over-one white vinyl replacement windows.

The Lake Worth Tribune

Page 3

Women look over the loggia, or Florida room, decorated with blue-dyed orchids and setees and chairs upholstered in robin’s egg blue fabric.

What’s Inside the Birthday Cake Castle?

Vanilla frosting on the outside; Inside it’s rich, delicious and really fresh! By Margaret Menge

Has looking at the Birthday Cake Castle ever made you hungry? Hungry for a peek inside? Now’s your chance. The Birthday Cake Castle, or La Florentia, opened as a Red Cross Designer Show House last week, and is open seven days a week for self-guided tours through April 4. The home has been transformed over the last few months by more than 20 star interior designers. It really is a remarkable transformation. When it was on the market between 2012 and 2014, photos in the multiple listing service showed rooms decorated in the Arab style, with gilt-armed sofas, lots of marble and formal drapes. The designers have quickly brought it around to a modern American style – a high style -- with tufted headboards, etched glass dressers, and many surprises…like a Florida room filled with setees and chairs in the most startling robin’s egg blue. It’s one of the first spaces you walk into from the front door. On the walls,

The back yard leading from the castle to the dock and the lagoon has remained mostly grass, with several large urns and various plantings on both sides of the walkway.

painted a more watery shade of blue, are bright-blue-dyed orchids in little pots, and they’re hanging from the ceiling as well. The effect is enchanting – springtime in Versailles. A study off the main living room is painted high-gloss dark navy – a dark navy so dark that it looks black. It’s a look that has popped up in home design magazines over the last couple of years. And it seems to work, even though it may seem like an odd color choice for a room in a home in South Florida. One of the most interesting things about the house is its layout. On the second floor

above the main living room is a charming sitting room, and just one large bedroom and bathroom – the master. And up above this is the turret, reached by a narrow stone staircase. You go down again, all the way down and over and through the kitchen to reach the staircase that takes you up to what is called the old master bedroom, with a balcony overlooking the pool and the Lake Worth Lagoon. But back to the turret… only two or three people are allowed up at a time, given the narrow staircase. If you’re lucky you’ll have a moment alone up there to gaze down on the park below, and imag-

ine, for a moment, that it is yours. You’ll be tempted to fold down the wood floor panels to cover the staircase, to seal yourself up in this charming little tower. The Birthday Cake Castle was designed by Sherman Childs, who studied under architect Addison Mizner, famous for the many Mediterranean Revival buildings he designed on Palm Beach. Childs was the 39th settler to arrive in Lake Worth, according to historical records, arriving from Minnesota with his family. La Florentia was built in 1925. It has been known as the Birthday Cake Castle since 1954, when former spy and foreign correspondent Upton Close gave it to his wife Margaret Fretter Nye as a birthday present. The home, which sits next to the Bryant Park playground, with a high white stone wall in between, had been on the market for $2.5 million. It was purchased in 2014 by Scott Levine for $1.9 million. (Farouk Hammad, the last person to live in the home, had bought it in 1996 for $490,000.) Property records show that the title was

transferred to a bank in September of 2014, just before Levine bought it. Levine has told designers that he intends to live in the house with his family. But through April 4, it will be open seven days a week

for tours as a Red Cross Designer Show House – Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Last tours start at 3:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 at the door – cash, check and credit accepted.

Mayor Holds Election-Eve Press Conference Behind Locked Doors ►Tribune Not Invited ►Mayor Declines to Answer Key Questions: 1.Who Decided to Issue the ITN? Where? When? 2.Who Decided to Open it up to Building More at the Beach? By Margaret Menge

Mayor Pam Triolo held an election-eve press conference in her office behind locked doors in City Hall on March 9, inviting only a few local television stations and political supporter Wes Blackman. The Lake Worth Tribune was not notified of the press conference, and Commissioner Christopher McVoy, who had been in City Hall that morning meeting with City Manager Michael Bornstein, says he also was not told about it. The mayor read from prepared remarks, explaining the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN)

that was issued for the Lake Worth Beach and Casino Complex. As detailed in the Page 1 story in last week’s Lake Worth Tribune, three proposals have been received, she said, and are being evaluated by the ITN Committee. “Let me clarify the following issues which are being distorted and these misrepresentations are being reported as fact,” said Mayor Triolo. “Here are the facts,” she said. “The need to resolve the financial sustainability at the Casino has been openly discussed and an issue of concern for the past three years; An ITN process was chosen to provide flexibility and creativity among proposers to

ensure the best options for the commission to consider; Nothing in the ITN includes the beach – the public areas of the beach will not and cannot be contracted away or sold by the commission. Any rumor stating otherwise is a lie; The Inspector General’s office is notified of all the meetings and has attended; The city’s land use regulations greatly limit the extent of commercial use at the Casino; Issues regarding the cone of silence contained in the ITN are being reviewed by the city attorney and will be addressed. The cone of silence was addressed publicly in two meetings in which commissioners Maxwell, McVoy and Amoroso nominated

themselves. Eventually, Commissioner Amoroso was voted for unanimously. Commissioners were then informed they would only hear the ideas presented after the committee finished its process.” The committee, she said, has not yet made a recommendation to the Commission. When it does, it will be during a public meeting. “The City Commission is under no obligation or requirement to act on the recommendation,” she said. “In closing,” said the mayor, “there is a process in place, it is working, it is limited to resolving the issues surrounding the Casino and pool functions, and any discussions of the recommended proposal or proposals will be public. Some in Lake Worth are trying to use this process to address the Casino and pool problems as a tool to scare others and foster distrust for their own reasons. I am asking the citizens of Lake Worth to not give into this bad behavior and rise above the politics of

divide and conquer building something and instead help us more at the beach. foster a community There was no disof cooperation and cussion in any City accomplishment.” Commission meetNo one present ing about doing anyhad any questions thing other than askfor the mayor. ing for proposals for The Tribune sent someone to manage Mayor two questions to the ballroom and the Pam Triolo Mayor Pam Triopool. lo after learning of the press “There were no red flags conference and reviewing the at the time,” says Lynn Anmayor’s remarks. They are: derson, a blogger who has 1. Who decided to issue an attended almost every City ITN and when and where did Commission meeting for the this discussion take place? last several years and careful2. Who decided that as part ly reviews all agenda items. of this ITN the city would ask She says she does not believe for proposals that included that the executive brief about expanding the Casino com- the ITN was included in the plex? When and where was backup to the October meetthis discussed? ing. “They slipped it in,” she As pointed out in the Page says, though acknowledging 1 article (“Sound of Silence”) she can’t prove that’s true. in last week’s Tribune, just Commissioner Christopher one word in the executive McVoy told the Tribune that brief the city says was in- he thinks the mayor’s press cluded in the backup materi- conference amounted to al for the City Commission “electioneering” and said it meeting last October would seemed “very strange” that have given any indication he was not told that it was that the ITN was asking for happening, considering his proposals that might include interest in the beach.

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The Lake Worth Tribune

A Golfer’s

Paradise!

Friday, March 13, 2015

“Mad Men” Style Home on the Lake Worth Golf Course and the Intracoastal

4272 Sq. Feet 4 Bedrooms 4 Baths Large Pool 2½ Lots Priced to Sell at:

$795,000

Located at 402 North Lakeside Drive in Lake Worth

Open House Saturday & Sunday 2-5 p.m.

Rinker Realty, Inc. • Dee McNamara • (561) 801-3310

“Woman Dies in Fall From 6th Floor...” woman’s name in response to a public records request but did confirm that the woman was in her early 20s. Employees at Starbucks told the Tribune that the woman was a college student who was visiting her mother

or another relative at The Lucerne while on Spring Break. A deputy with the Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene after someone called to report an unresponsive female lying on the sidewalk at 1:27 a.m. on Tuesday, March

10. By the time businesses opened on Lake Avenue that morning, the scene had been cleared. But blood stains remain on the sidewalk and on the curbing in front of Starbucks as a reminder of the tragedy that occurred here.

“ ‘Social House’ to Open This Monday” McGlynn of their move north from Miami-Dade. She had lived in Boynton Beach, and remembered Lake Worth from coming to the Street Painting Festival. “I love the feel we have here, where it’s a little quieter, but there’s still so much to do,” she says. “It feels like the Keys here to us.” When she was getting married, McGlynn designed stationery for her wedding, and so got started with a side business, designing wedding stationery, which ended up being a full-time job. McGlynn and three other wedding professionals – a planner and two photographers – rented a small cottage on Dixie Hwy., just south of the Norton Museum. But it was cramped.

“We started looking for a bigger space…but what we realized is, when you get a bigger space, it’s hard to recoup those costs,” she said. So she and her husband, a commercial real estate broker, started looking for a building to buy. When they found the former Margot Stein Gallery building at 512 Lucerne, everything “coalesced around the space.” Social House will be a multipurpose space, where small weddings can be held in the back, where they’ve installed Palm Beach-style square pavers and planted coco plums and other native plants and trees around the perimeter. The café will be open beginning on Monday, March

Commissioner Christopher McVoy with a supporter on Tuesday night. (photo by Margaret Menge)

“Ryan Maier Defeats John Szerdi 57-37...!” senting District 4 – the southeast quadrant of the city. Maier got 1434 votes, compared to 935 for Szerdi and 132 for Craig Frost, who was on the ballot, but had not campaigned. “I’m thrilled,” said Tree Board Chair Richard Stowe, who had come to Mama Mia’s to celebrate with Maier and Commissioner Christopher McVoy. The “silent majority” of Lake Worth voters, he said, took a stand and came out to vote for Maier. “It’s a big deal for us,” said Laurel Decker, who filed suit against the city in 2013 for not amending the city’s charter after a majority of voters voted to amend it to limit heights in the downtown to 45 feet. “We’d like to get the dais back, and get the city moving forward again.” “I think what it shows is one, we want to keep the beach public and two, we want transparency in government,” said Maier-McVoy supporter Victoria Pearson. The news of the private meeting between developer

Hudson Holdings and the Gulfstream Condominium owners in late February and the developer’s proposal, detailed at that meeting, to build a 40,000-square-foot business conference center and private beach club at the Lake Worth, emerged as a top issue in the closing days of the Maier-Szerdi race. Maier, who went door-todoor campaigning almost every night and every weekend starting Jan. 1, said that in the last week, the beach is what most people wanted to talk about. The beach, issues of transparency and the bond united the political left and the political right in Lake Worth, with both sides working to elect Maier and re-elect McVoy. There were actually two election night parties for the McVoy and Maier campaigns. The progressives were at Mamma Mia’s at the beach with both candidates. Those on the right who had helped Maier and McVoy and supported their candi-

dacies gathered at the Pizza Palace in the Publix Sabor shopping center on Lake Worth Road. They included former Mayor Dennis Dorsey, blogger and conservative Lynn Anderson, Katie McGiveron, and a number of others. “We all get along,” said Laurence McNamara, a former mayoral candidate who is friendly with both sides. “There was no animosity.” He said the two sides joined together to fight “potential corruption of Lake Worth government” and that they were in agreement in their opposition to the bond. “I believe what it shows is that two groups were supporting those two candidates and you see how well they did,” he said. Ryan Maier will take the oath of office on Monday, March 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall. His first Commission meeting will be the very next night, Tuesday, March 17 starting at 6 p.m.

16, but for limited hours. Monday and Tuesday it will be open only during the day, until 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday it will be open until 9 p.m. There will be only limited food to start, but more as time goes on. McGlynn and her husband Eric, who is a partner in the business, built a large kitchen from scratch, and have hired a baker who will bake in house. Food will be locally sourced, and organic. Natch. The business is already off the ground, with a beautifully designed website at www.socialhouselw.com and an inquiry for a wedding with 90 guests to be held here later this year. For more information, call (561) 444-9636.

Like to Sell?

Advertising Salesperson Needed Seeking high-quality individual to sell newspaper ads. Work locally, get to know our local business owners, and help their businesses succeed. Previous newspaper ad sales experience or Yellow Pages ad experience a plus. Please send your resume and cover letter to: mmenge@lakeworthtribune.com

Pastor Mike Olive, with his hand raised, at the ‘Pray, Not Protest’ outside City Hall on Saturday. (photo by Margaret Menge)

“City Gives OK to Pray at Coffee House” mentioned safety concerns with worship services being held in the coffee shop, and noncompliance with ADA requirements. But Olive said during the inspection, there were no safety concerns or ADA compliance issues raised. He said he paid $160 for the accessory use application, which is in addition to the Use & Occupancy permit that Common Grounds Coffee Bar already had.

“Hopefully, it’s moving to a point of resolve,” he said. The city, he said, told him the maximum occupancy would probably be 99, but that it would be the fire department that would have the final say on this. At the “Pray, Not Protest” event on the steps of City Hall on Saturday, Pastor Olive referred to a boycott of the coffee shop, and a number of people present criticized the city for coming

down on the church. Michael Santiago, who wore a purple “Love > Hate” T-shirt, said he was there because of Commissioner Andy Amoroso’s attack on his church and his coffee shop. “Who is he? Now, does he work for me? Or do I work for him?” he said. “You’re just a commissioner. You’re going to be leaving before long if you piss enough people off.”

Friday, March 13, 2015

The Lake Worth Tribune

Page 5

EVENTS CALENDAR FRIDAY, MARCH 13 Bonfire on the Beach from 6-9 p.m. at the Lake Worth Beach. “Wooden You Like a Turn?” Wood Turner Demonstration from 6-10 p.m. at the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery at 15 South J Street. Featuring Blake Patterson. “Arsenic and Old Lace” at 8 p.m. at the Lake Worth Playhouse at 713 Lake Ave. For tickets go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org or call 586-6410.

For more information go to downtownjewelneighborhood@ gmail.com. “Send in the Queens” drag show fundraiser at 8 p.m. at the Lake Worth Playhouse. Tickets $35. All proceeds to benefit the Playhouse. Call 586-6410.

Join the Fun!

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

Lake Worth’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade

SATURDAY, MARCH 14 Lake Worth Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Old Bridge Park, on the east side of the Lake Worth Bridge off Ocean Avenue. Fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, farm-fresh eggs, Florida honey, and music. Sidewalk Sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Lake Avenue. Benefit for Jerry Stambaugh from 2-6 p.m. at The Beach Club at the Lake Worth Golf Course at One 7th Avenue North. Food buffet, raffles and live music by bands “The Mighty Quinn” and “South of Southern.” Benefit for long-time Lake Worth resident Jerry Stambaugh, who lost her home and belongings in a fire on North Palmway in January. “Arsenic and Old Lace” at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Lake Worth Playhouse at 713 Lake Ave. For tickets go to www. lakeworthplayhouse.org or call 586-6410.

Romancing the Great American Songbook at 4 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church at 100 North Palmway. Performance by the Dave Gibble Quartet with Dave Gibble on trumpet, Mark Marineau on piano, Dave Tomasello on bass, Karl Ott on drums with vocalist Lisanne Lyons. Tickets $20. Includes punch and nibbles.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25 “Las Vegas Legends” at 8 p.m. at the Lake Worth Playhouse. A musical tour through Jimmy Mazz’s all-time favorite songs from the Las Vegas Strip, by the Rat Pack, Tony Orlando, Bobby Darrin, Tom Jones, Lou Rawls, Neil Diamond and Elvis. Tickets $29-$35. Call 586-6410.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27 Lake Worth’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade is Sunday, March 15 at 12 noon on Lake Avenue. Activities to follow all afternoon and evening until 10 p.m.

SUNDAY, MARCH 15 St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 12 noon in downtown Lake Worth. Benefitting Wheels for Kids. Activities all afternoon following the parade. “Arsenic and Old Lace” at 2 p.m. at the Lake Worth Playhouse at 713 Lake Ave. For tickets go to www.lakeworthplayhouse.org or call 586-6410. Parrot Cove Home Tour from 2-6 p.m. starting at Believer’s Victory Church at 10th Avenue North and North Lakeside Drive. Adults 21+. Admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Limited number of tickets. Buy online at www.parrotcove.org or call 533-6751.

an intermission spotlight by John Brosius. Food trucks and vendors, wine and beer garden, specialty items. Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery ‘Birthday Party’ from 6-10 p.m. at the gallery at 15 South J Street, featuring sculpture by JoAnn Nava. Wine, cheese and music. “Send in the Queens” drag show fundraiser at 8 p.m. at the Lake Worth Playhouse. Tickets $35. All proceeds to benefit the Playhouse. Call 586-6410.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21

TUESDAY, MARCH 17

Lake Worth Farmers Market from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Old Bridge Park, on the east side of the Lake Worth Bridge off Ocean Avenue. Fresh produce, baked goods, crafts, farm-fresh eggs, Florida honey, and music. Lake Worth Cottages Bicycle Tour at 3 p.m. to tour homes built 1912-1935. Styles include bungalow, frame vernacular, Spanish colonial revival and art deco. Call 4800160 for reservations. FLOLFING Tournament, sponsored by the Downtown Jewel Neighborhood Association. Nine-hole-course home & garden tour with a DJNA twist! Tee off is between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.-ISH. FLOLFERS pay $20 each. Beverages and snacks provided. First hole is at 207 South M Street.

ABBA MANIA at 8 p.m. at the Duncan Theater at Palm Beach State College. Exclusive engagement. All seats $35. Call 868-3309.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19 BINGO at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall at 2315 North Dixie Hwy. in Lake Worth. The public is invited to attend. Food available. For questions call 582-4616.

FRIDAY, MARCH 20 Evening on the Avenue from 6-10 p.m. in the Cultural Plaza, featuring the Jon Zeeman Band (jazz/blues) with

PEEPS Show from 6-10 p.m. at the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery at 15 South J Street, featuring art using the classic marshmallow Easter candy, PEEPS. Bob Born, the inventor of PEEPS, is one of this year’s judges.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28 Teen Open Mic Night at 6:30 p.m. at Common Grounds Coffee Bar at 12 South J Street. Showcase your talent: music, spoken work, comedy. Sign-ups at 6:30 p.m.

April 3

************ UP AHEAD ************

Good Friday Passion Pageant from 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. in the Cultural Plaza. Free. April 4 Easter Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Bryant Park, near the band shell. Easter Bonnet Parade begins at 11 a.m. Bounce house, music, games, food, vendors and prizes. Send information about your events to The Lake Worth Tribune for publication on the EVENTS Calendar! Email mmenge@lakeworthtribune.com or bring information to the newspaper’s offices at:

129 N. Federal Hwy, Suite 200A.

Benefit for Jerry Stambaugh � March 14th Neighbors have organized a benefit party on Saturday, March 14 at The Beach Club for long-time Lake Worth resident Jerry Stambaugh, who lost her home, several cats and almost all of her belongings when her house on the 300 block of North Palmway caught fire on the evening of Jan. 9. The benefit party will be held at The Beach Club at the Lake Worth Golf Course from 2-6 p.m. on Saturday, with a dinner buffet, raffles and live music by bands The Mighty Quinn and South of Southern. Donations of $10 per person are requested. Stambaugh had lived in the house at 313 North Palmway since 1955, when she

moved into it with her family when she was a teenager. The fire began just after 9 p.m. on Jan. 9, and flames quickly engulfed the home. According to fire investigator Marvin Hubert of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue, the fire was caused by an “unspecified electrical issue.” After the fire, Stambaugh stayed with friends and in a hotel. For the last month, she’s been renting a small cottage on North M Street. She told the Tribune last month that she is planning to rebuild on the lot on North Palmway. The burned home was recently razed, and grass planted.

Jerry Stambaugh lived in the home on the 300 block of North Palmway from 1955 until January of 2015, when it severely damaged in a fire. (photo by Margaret Menge)

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Pool Open Thursday through Sunday

Spring Break Camp at the Playhouse

The Lake Worth Municipal Pool is open through the winter, on Thursday and Friday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 noon, and Saturday and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Swimming lanes are available for those wanting to swim laps. Seasonal passes are available. The pool is at the Casino building at 10 South Ocean Boulevard. Call 585-6858 during hours of operation for more information.

The Lake Worth Playhouse is hosting a “One Week Wonder” Spring Break Camp from March 16-20 for children ages 8-13. The camp will meet from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. every day, with kids working to produce “Once Upon a Crime, the Trial of Goldilocks.” A performance will be held on Saturday, March 21 at 11 a.m. The cost is $200 per child. Call 586-6410 to register.

Page 6

The Lake Worth Tribune

Friday, March 13, 2015

OPINION House Editorial

Letters to the Editor

Politicians Behaving Badly I am not satisfied with the explanations of the Invitation to Negotiate that I’ve heard so far -- that it is being handled by a committee; that the committee must operate behind closed doors; and that nothing has yet been decided… that the ITN committee is only going to make “recommendations” to the Commission. Who decided that the city would issue an ITN in the first place? As far as I can see, the first time the topic of the ITN came up at a City Commission meeting the ITN had already been issued. Who decided to issue it? When was it discussed that this was something the city wanted to do? In what public meeting? And who decided that the ITN would ask for proposals for our beach that included proposals to build something more at our beach? When and where was that discussed in a public meeting? I have left Mayor Pam Triolo voicemail messages asking these questions, and also sent an email to her on March 9, right after hearing about her press conference, and reviewing her remarks. I was interested to see the following phrasing in the mayor’s remarks: “An ITN was issued…” and “An ITN process was chosen.” These are written in the passive voice. Writers who seek to write well are usually taught never to use the passive voice. Why? Because it is unclear. Here, it seems the passive voice is used to be intentionally unclear. The ITN did not issue itself. Who issued it? Who decided to issue it? Who chose an ITN process? When and where and in what public meeting was it decided to use this process? I am not interested in

Memo To All Elected Officials: Guess what? I'm pro-development. Yes, you read that right. I like to see improvements of all kinds to a place I call home (at least for now). Guess what else? I'm anti-overdevelopment. You read that right, too. You don’t have to be an architect or environmentalist to understand what fits and what doesn’t. All it requires is spacial imagination. The Gulf Stream rehab? It’s about time. The Hummingbird? You betcha. Both are long overdue. Historical buildings always deserve another shot. Both will do well in my estimation. The three or four-story

waiting for the ITN process to play out, given that developer Hudson Holdings said very clearly that they expect to have an answer from the city about their plans for a 40,000-squarefoot building -- to include a private beach club and business conference center – by the end of March. This is coming up fast. I am interested in seeing this process, which was wrongly begun, scrapped, and a new one begun. That new process should start with public meetings about what, if anything, the residents of Lake Worth would like to see added to the Casino Complex, and what, if anything, they would like to see happen to our ballroom, the second-floor restaurant space that has remained vacant, and to our pool. The danger in going forward is great. Even with the election of Ryan Maier, the pro-development interests still have a majority on the Commission -- Mayor Pam Triolo, Commissioner Scott Maxwell and Commissioner Andy Amoroso. The Commission could easily approve the 40,000 Casino addition with a 3-2 vote. The Planning & Zoning Board, meanwhile, is chaired by real estate investor Greg Rice and heavily weighted with pro-development members. The Hudson Holdings plan would likely get easy approval here also. I’m very clear on what the ITN is and what is happening now. What I don’t know is how it came about. I’d like to know. I’m sure you would, too. Is asking questions tantamount to behaving badly? I’ve never thought so. I’d like to get some answers.

Gulfstream parking garage on the corner of Lake and South Lakeside? Nope. Too much on too little land. Scale back and pare down that plan. Try modesty for a change. A new beach convention center bought at public expense? Nada. Who asked for it? Why do I care if hairdressers, buggy salesmen, Realtors, dentists, attorneys, and assorted politicians blow in and out of our little burg a few times a year? What is the brand spanking new Casino building rebuilt for anyway, but small conventions? Ever try to walk across Lake or Lucerne these days? It’s like a Daytona 500 pileup. I have actually stopped in the middle of the road at pedestrian yield signs. I throw

my hand up to stop and point to the sign. Some cars slow or stop. Others speed up looking for road kill. So, what happens when mega loads of conventional tourists abound and flood our streets? Will they know the rules of the roads and keep their mitts off the horn? Calm me down, please. Look, I asked what the priority infrastructure needs are of this little city. I still haven’t got answers. Road surfaces and sidewalks almost everywhere are pitiful. It’s a good thing the Street Paint Festival is downtown. It would be too difficult to chalk over neighborhood potholes. I don’t even want to guess at subterranean utilities.

Worst comes first, I’m told. Focus on your feet, not the air, if you catch my drift. Do a smaller bond, but do it right. Do it for posterity. We’ll give you credit. It’s been said that developers are like pythons. As soon as one prey is consumed, another is constricted. Well, I don’t want to be a big snake’s lunch. I’m not big on being digested. By the way, this was written before the election. My official advice to the winners and other sundry officials is to do no harm to the common citizen of Lake Worth. After all, I’m one of them. And let the sun shine in on all of us. -Dan Vasone South Lakeside Drive

Ryan Maier’s mother, Debra, campaigned with her son on North K Street on Tuesday.

A veteran holds signs for John Szerdi and Serge Jerome while Commissioner Szerdi talks with a supporter in the background.

A large sign over the Szerdi tent on Lucerne Ave. announces the beach will stay public. Jamie Szerdi, John Szerdi’s wife, is seen campaigning at left.

Dee McNamara, right, campaigns for McVoy and Maier in style on South M Street.

Marshall Pass campaigned for John Szerdi on Lucerne Avenue next to Maier-McVoy supporter Gael Silverblatt.

Helen Marino and Katie McGivernon campaigned for Maier and McVoy on 12th Avenue South, across from Lakeside Methodist Church.

— Margaret Menge, Editor and Publisher

Got News? Don't wait! Call 801-NEWS, or email mmenge@lakeworthtribune.com The Lake Worth Tribune welcomes Letters to the Editor.

Letters Policy Write us a Letter

• Letters should be no more than 250 words* and should pertain to something that has been published in the paper. • Letters should include the name, address and phone number of the letter writer. (Addresses and phone numbers are for verification purposes only, not for publication.) • Letters may be edited for space. Letters should be sent to: mmenge@lakeworthtribune.com or mailed to The Lake Worth Tribune, P.O. Box 85, Lake Worth, FL 33460 * Those wishing to write a longer piece for the paper on a particular topic related to Lake Worth may call the newspaper offices at (561) 586-6643 to inquire about writing an Op-Ed.

Editor and Publisher / Margaret Menge mmenge@lakeworthtribune.com

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Friday, March 13, 2015

The Lake Worth Tribune

Page 7

They’re Reading The Tribune All Over Town! Our readers tell us they can’t wait for the new edition of The Lake Worth Tribune to come out every week. They say they read every single word of it. That’s great to hear, readers! You make it all worthwhile. So here’s a shout out to you, with some pictures we snapped around town of a few of you caught in the act - reading the Trib!

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Page 8

The Lake Worth Tribune

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Friday, March 13, 2015

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