March 27, 2015

Lake Worth's Best Local Newspaper!Friday, March 27, 2015

The Lake Worth Tribune

W o e rth k a L Domine, ut videam FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015

Coming Up Sunday, March 28 PrideFest Parade starting at 11 a.m. on Lake Avenue Wednesday, April 1 Planning & Zoning Board Meeting at 6 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers at City Hall Friday, April 3 Good Friday Passion Pageant from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Cultural Plaza Saturday, April 4 Easter Egg Hunt and Bonnet Parade From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

In Bryant Park Bonnet Parade at 11 a.m.

Sunday April 5

Vol. 1 • Issue 11 Published in Lake Worth, FL

Woman Who Died in Fall From Lucerne Was a Young Mother, Aspiring Model

By Margaret Menge

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has identified the woman who fell or jumped from the sixth-floor balcony of The Lucerne on March 10 as 23-year-old Meagan Sullins, who also went by the name Meagan Vance.

Sullins had been in Lake Worth since late last year, staying with her mother on South K Street, according to friends. She’d left Austin, Texas, where she was from, and left behind her baby girl, Schyler, with the baby’s father.

On the night of the tragic event, Meagan had been drinking with a friend, Justin Holmes, at Havana Hideout on Lake Avenue.

She’d left briefly to go up to the sixth floor-condo in The Lucerne condominium building, where she’d been staying for a couple of days with a

Doug Yoakum, a Lake Worth Ocean Rescue lifeguard, ran down the beach on the afternoon of March 19 to revive a woman who’d been pulled from the water by other swimmers. (photo by Margaret Menge) Meagan Sullins with her infant daughter, Schyler, in a photograph posted on her Facebook page.

Meagan moved to Lake Worth in late 2014, leaving her daughter behind in Texas with the father.

man named Larry, known as “Larry the lawyer.”

Holmes, a cook at Havana Hideout, said he was out on the street when Meagan fell through the air.

“I saw her hit the ground,” he said. She rolled over, he said, and groaned. Emergency crews were called. But it was too late.

The Palm Beach County

Sheriff’s Office has not released the official report of the incident, as the investigation is still open pending a

CHANGE: Maier Gets ITN Cancellation on Commission Agenda,

After 10 Minutes of CPR, She Gasps for Air

Majority Votes Him Down 3-2

By Margaret Menge

“The Invitation to Negotiate has allowed for the submission of multiple proposals for an unknown amount of development on our public beach. There is great public concern, which I’m sure we’ll hear some of this evening, about this taking place out of the public eye.”

-Commissioner Ryan Maier on March 24, City Hall

▶ Mayor, Maxwell, Amoroso Block Cancellation of ITN, Vote to Continue With Beach Build Process ▶ Triolo Allows One Public Workshop Meeting Before Vote on ITN Recommendation to Build at the Beach

Commissioner Ryan Maier speaks from the dais at the City Commission meeting on Tuesday, March 24, about the need to put the cancellation of the Invitation to Negotiate on the agenda for the meeting, given that the ITN Committee’s recommendation could be voted on at the next meeting. (photo by Margaret Menge)

By Margaret Menge

No sooner had the City Commission meeting begun on March 24 than new Commissioner Ryan Maier spoke up about his addition to the agenda: The consideration

of a motion to cancel the Invitation to Negotiate process.

The Invitation to Negotiate, or ITN, was issued on Sept. 9 before it had ever

been discussed at a public meeting. It was revealed last month that Hudson Holdings, owner of the Gulfstream Hotel, has proposed to build a 40,000-square-foot

TICK TOCK TICK TOCK 40,000 sq ft Building at the Beach a ‘Done Deal’ by the End of March?

By Margaret Menge

It’s almost the end of March. Do you know where your beach is?

Steve Michael from Hudson Holdings told the Gulfstream Condominium owners on Feb. 25 that Hudson Holdings expected to have an answer from the city “by the end of March” on their proposal to build a 40,000-square-foot conference center and private

beach club on the one-acre parcel south of the Casino building in Lake Worth.

“Once we are past the ITN, we’ll move very fast,” he’d said.

The ITN Committee meets on March 31 to evaluate the replies to the Invitation to Negotiate and pick one. Following this, they will have one public meeting, as re-

Veteran Lifeguard Saves Woman From Near Drowning

quired by law, before making a recommendation to the City Commission on which proposal the city should choose.

The City Commission majority is strongly pro-development, with Mayor Pam Triolo and commissioners Scott Maxwell and Andy Amoroso (who sits on the ITN Committee) almost always voting in synch.

addition to the Casino building through that ITN process – a revelation that took most residents of Lake Worth by surprise and became the biggest issue in the closing weeks of the City Commission race.

Mayor Pam Triolo at first said she wanted a chance to look at it, and to read the back-up materials. And Commissioner Scott Maxwell said there is a process for public comment as the ITN Committee is required to have a public meeting before making its recommendation to the City Commission.

But commissioners Maier and McVoy pushed the point -- saying the issue had to go on the agenda for this meeting as a vote to approve the ITN Committee’s proposal could come at the very next Commission meeting in April.

The last meeting of the ITN Committee will take place on

March 31, said City Attorney Christy Goddeau, when the committee members will evaluate the proposals and likely pick one. The ITN Committee would then be required by law to have least one public meeting before

On Thursday, March 19 the ocean was rough, with lots of rip currents. The lifeguards who work for Lake Worth Ocean Rescue had a big enough job keeping watch on all of the spring breakers and other vacationers at the Lake Worth beach that day, and pulled a number of people out of the water who were near drowning, including two children.

But they also dashed to help a woman who’d been pulled up on the beach in front of one of the private condominiums to the south of the Lake Worth beach, off of city property.

“A guy came running up

Hudson Holdings on The Gulfstream: ‘This Is Our Most Special Project’

By Margaret Menge

Steve Michael, one of the two co-founders of real estate investment firm Hudson Holdings, owners of The Gulfstream Hotel, appeared before a packed room at The Beach Club on Monday, March 23 for a meeting of the Bryant Park Neighborhood Association.

“We are doing a total renovation,” he said of the firm’s

plans for the historic hotel.

He emphasized that the firm is “local” – based in Delray Beach – and is committed to historic preservation. In the case of the Gulfstream Hotel, he said, they are committed to keeping every historic detail possible.

“We’re long-term invesContinued on Page 3...

Page 2

The Lake Worth Tribune

Friday, March 27, 2015

Sacred Heart School Gets Ready to Build New Day for Lake Worth’s 70-year-old Catholic School New Look for Federal Highway

By Margaret Menge

Sacred Heart School had a groundbreaking on Friday, March 13, for a new building to be built on the school’s property on North Federal Highway, in between 4th and 5th avenues.

The building, called a gymnatorium, marks a major turnaround for a school that just five years ago was in danger of closing.

And it will not only make a big difference for the school, but for a prominent block just up the road from the heart of Lake Worth’s downtown.

Principal Candace Tamposi says it’s always been a goal of hers to help make the entrance to Lake Worth beautiful. To this end, along with placing the Mizner-inspired open-air building on the Federal Highway side of the block, they’ll take down the chain-link fence that now surrounds the outdoor yard and replace it with a more architectural fence, maybe of wrought iron.

The visitor’s entrance to the school will be changed from North M Street to

Rev. Quesnel Delvard, pastor of Sacred Heart Church (middle) with philanthropists Barbara Messier (far left), Adriana Smigiel (left), Frankie Stevens (right), Richard Schmeelk and William B. Finneran (far right) at the official groundbreaking for pavilion on March 13. (photo contributed)

Federal Highway, although children, staff and parents will still enter the school from North M Street.

The school will also benefit from the change.

“Our address is going to change to Federal Highway, which means people will be able to find us a lot easier,” Tamposi told the Tribune this week.

The gymnatorium, or sports pavilion, will be a place for sporting events

like basketball and soccer games, and will also be a space for performing arts, like the Music Fest the school holds every year. It will be open-air, but there will be lights and ceiling fans, which will be powered by solar panels, ideally, says Tamposi.

The need for the new building is clear.

The children who attend Sacred Heart School have never had a space big

enough to play a basketball game. So the school’s basketball team has never been able to have a home game.

The space the students have been using for a gym is Madonna Hall, the building on the corner of North M Street and 5th Avenue North that is really a cafeteria and assembly hall, not a gymnasium.

The gymnatorium will have room for a regulation basketball court, plus

Vehicle Burglary: A man reported his right passenger window smashed and cash and items taken at City of Lake Worth baseball fields at 900 22nd Ave North.

Boat Burglary: Ten boats were burglarized on the 1800 block of 2nd Ave North.

Vehicle Burglary: A man reported items valued at approximately $3000 were stolen from his vehicle while it was parked at the Lake Worth Beach at 10 South Ocean Boulevard.

Vehicle Burglary: A woman reported her car window had been broken and a number of items stolen while the car was parked at the Lake Worth Beach at 10 South MONDAY, MARCH 16 Ocean Blvd.

Stolen Tag: A woman told police the license plate had Assault: A woman was seen battered in a video outbeen stolen from her car, while it was parked on Holiday side of Sneakers Bar at the 300 block North Dixie Highway. She was treated at JFK Medical Center.

Drive.

Stolen Tag: A person told police the license tag had Theft: A woman reported that someone stole her cambeen stolen from a vehicle on the 500 block of South A era from the Lake Worth Beach.

Street.

StolenTag: The manager of Babcock Furniture report- FRIDAY, MARCH 20 ed the license plate and decal was removed from a busi- Stolen Vehicle: A man reported that his white Dodge ness vehicle from the 1600 block of South Dixie High- Caravan had been stolen from the 200 block of 3rd Ave South just before sunset. An eyewitness reported that way. he’d seen three black men breaking into the van, and TUESDAY, MARCH 17 had asked them what they were doing, but was not able Theft: A man reported a laptop and laptop bag had to stop them.

Stolen Tag: A woman reported a stolen license plate been stolen from a vehicle at Lake Worth Towers.

Attempted Burglary: A man living on the 900 block from the 1200 block of South D Street. of North A Street reported an attempt to remove the Stolen Tag: A man reported a stolen license plate from chain link to enter his back yard. Damage was minimal. the 1700 block of Sunset Ave. Drug Possession: Police stopped a vehicle at 17th Ave Stolen Tag: A woman reported a stolen license plate South and South Dixie Highway that had pulled over, from the 500 block from 25th Ave North. with the driver talking to a known prostitute. On doing Stolen Credit Card: A man reported that his credit card a search of the vehicle, a deputy found a backpack that had been stolen from the Lake Worth Beach. contained syringes, cocaine, Roxycodone, Oxycodone, Attempted Theft from Vehicle: A woman saw a man Ambian pills, Tylenol, and many small plastic baggies. taking items from her car. He fled and was arrested by Stolen Tag: The leasing manager of Wayne Akers told a sheriff’s deputy on the 500 block of South N Street. police the dealer tag had been stolen from a vehicle Theft: A woman at the beach noticed that her Jimmy Choo purse had been stolen from under her beach blanparked on the 2000 block of 10th Ave North.

Stolen Bike: A man told police the bike he’d borrowed ket while she was swimming at the Lake Worth Beach. and left in the rack front of the First Baptist Church at The purse and items in it were valued at $100.

Assault: A woman reported being assaulted during an 231 South M Street had been stolen. argument over food on the 700 block of Truman Avenue.

BLOTTER

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18

Stolen Decal: A man told police the decal was removed from the license plate of his vehicle, parked on the 1500 block of Barton Road.

Theft: A number of items were stolen from a home on the 1100 block of North L Street, including a stove, dishwasher, and AC Unit.

Theft: A children’s bicycle was stolen from the 1000 block of South G Street.

Criminal Damage: A man reported damage to the chain link fence surrounding the Salem Haitian Church on the 1000 block of South Dixie Highway.

Trespassing: A man was charged with trespassing in a condemned building in 1300 block of South L Street.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19 Burglary: A woman reported a burglary from her home in the 1100 block of South K. Items taken included furniture, TV, vacuum cleaner, and jewelry.

Theft: A man reported marine gages and electronics from his boat at the 1800 block of 2nd Ave North.

SATURDAY, MARCH 21 Drug Possession: Illegal drugs were found during traffic stop in the 600 block of South D Street.

Home Invasion: A man living on the 100 block of North D Street heard a noise in his house, went to check his bedroom, and found a Hispanic man there. The man ran out of the house holding the homeowner’s wallet.

The homeowner chased after the man down C Street. He saw a deputy driving by and flagged him down, asking for help. Other units responded and searched the area.

The burglar was found hiding behind a wall at 1500 Lucerne Avenue (Lake Worth Towers). He was identified as Daniel Lucas Vail. There was a warrant out for his arrest for Failure to Appear. He was arrested and taken to the Palm Beach County Jail.

SUNDAY, MARCH 22 Vehicle Burglary: A woman reported that her purse had been stolen from her car while it was parked briefly at a friend’s house on the 400 block of North B Street.

bleachers, says Tamposi.

The playground that’s now in the school’s outdoor yard will remain, as will the outdoor basketball court. But with the new building, everybody will be able to get out of the sun, and the rain.

The budget for the gymnatorium, says Tamposi, is $600,000-$700,000.

“We’re almost there to raise the last bit of money,” she says.

The Addison Mizner-inspired building was designed

by REG Architects, the West Palm Beach firm that de-

signed the new Lake Worth Casino. The firm is headed

by Rick Gonzalez, AIA. Tamposi told the Tribune this week that Gonzalez is now working on the engineering plans for the building, and that they expect that the building can begin to be built around September of 2015.

Sacred Heart School was founded in 1944, and is the only Catholic school serving the families of Lake Worth. The school is a diocesan school, falling under the Diocese of Palm Beach.

$12,000 Raised for Sacred Heart School at Annual Tea Party

Frankie Stevens, Carla Cove and Candace Tamposi, principal of Sacred Heart School

Sacred Heart School held its annual Tea Party at the St. Andrews Club in Gulfstream on March 4, raising over $12,000 for student scholarships. The Tea, underwritten

by U.S. Trust, was attended by nearly 150 guests.

Kindergartners sang for the sang for the guests: “This Little Light of Mine.”

Now in its fourth year, the event, hosted by Carla Cove and Frankie Stevens, provided an opportunity for all those in attendance to learn more about Sacred Heart School.

“We are the school that

helps those children who are eager to learn but could not afford it, those who have leaning differences and those that are gifted,” said Candace Tamposi, principal of the school. “Proceeds from this events allows us to provide scholarship assistance to those children that want to work hard and prepare for life, college and heaven.”

For more than 70 years, Sacred Heart School, located on North M Street in Lake Worth, has been educating children from Pre K to 8th grade.

Love News?

Reporters Wanted

Looking for local news hounds to work as freelance reporters for The Lake Worth Tribune. Must have courage and curiosity, along with a college degree. Must also be able to pass a writing/editing test. Weekend and evening availability a plus!

Send resume and cover letter to: mmenge@lakeworthtribune.com.

Friday, March 27, 2015

The Lake Worth Tribune

Page 3

Elegant Lady ALTERATIONS

byOlga

We’ve expanded our services.

Now providing

DRY CLEANING services

Olga Salazar

One stop for alterations and dry cleaning!

“Hudson Holdings on the Gulfstream...”

(561) 533-5575

500 Lake Avenue

(on the corner of Lake Avenue and M Street) Drop off dry cleaning Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

tors,” he said, saying Hudson Holdings has only sold properties two or three times over 30 years.

“We’ll be there operating it,” he said of The Gulfstream, “We’ll be here in the community…This is our most special project.”

The historic 1925 Gulfstream Hotel, he said, would get a “total renovation” with 114 rooms reduced to 90.

He didn’t offer any information about Hudson Holdings’ plans for a “second hotel” to be built next to it, plans that he’d talked about last month with owners of the Gulfstream Condominiums, but did reference a parking garage to serve “both” hotels as well as the retail shops on the property. He also talked about a restaurant to be built on site, a restaurant that Hudson Holdings would own and operate.

And then he opened it up for questions.

“Frequently people who live in my neighborhood have been telling me that people with bed rolls are seen going in,” said a woman in the front row who lives on the same block as the Gulfstream Hotel. She said the vagrants have been seen climbing up on Porto-Potties and climbing into the second-floor windows of the hotel. She asked why the security guard that was once there was let go and has not been replaced.

“We really don’t have a security guard, because there’s nothing there but an empty building,” said Michael.

“I’m sorry, but my comment is a negative one, too,” said a second woman sit-

ting at the next table over.

‘You’re not keeping up the property.” She talked of trash on the vacant lot, and debris and a falling-down fence.

Michael declined to answer a question from the Tribune about when the firm first approached the city about building something at the beach.

“I can’t answer that. We’re in an ITN process,” he said.

When questioned by someone in the audience about the timeline, Michael said that the firm is now designing the “second building”; that they expect to submit drawings to the city in 60 days; and that they expect to be able to start work on the Gulfstream renovation and building six or seven months after that.

In his introductory comments, and in his responses to questions, Michael was decidedly vague, offering very little information about the firm’s plans for Lake Worth other than what is already known.

In addition to renovating The Gulfstream, building a second hotel next to it, and proposing a $30 million, 40,000-square-foot addition to the Casino & Beach Complex, Hudson Holdings owns a significant parcel of land on Lake Worth’s south end, at the entrance to the city on South Federal Highway.

Palm Beach County Property Records show that the firm bought four apartment buildings there in June of 2014 – at 1425, at 1503, at 1630 and 1618 South Federal. Two are on the west and two are on the east side of the street.

What will happen here?

It may be a while before residents find out.

When asked by one resident Monday night about what was referred to in a news report as a 65-foot “structure” to be built next to the Gulfstream, Michael, almost comically, would not say what was meant by “structure.”

A long table of people on one side of the room, with John Szerdi at its head, closest to the front and to Michael, jeered some residents who asked questions, and applauded loudly for Hudson Holdings, giving a strange cast to what had been billed as an informational meeting about the Gulfstream. The table included Jon Faust of Coastline Realty and the Neighborhood Association Presidents Council (a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization) -- who shook hands with Michael before the meeting as though greeting an old friend -- real estate investors Herman Robinson and Greg Rice, Peggy Fisher, Mark Easton of the Lake Worth Herald, and Commissioner Scott Maxwell, among others.

Steve Michael, according to news articles, is a former hedge fund manager and a former member of the Chicago Board of Trade.

According to Hudson Holdings’ website, he partnered with New Yorker Andrew “Avi” Greenbaum to form Hudson Holdings. Greenbaum is responsible for the developing the firm’s vision, while Michael is responsible for execution of this vision.

The firm is named for the Hudson River, which Green-

Steve Michael of Hudson Holdings at The Beach Club on March 23. (photo by Margaret Menge)

baum says he used to see from his New York office.

Hudson Holdings is based in Delray Beach, where it is working on the Sundy House development, having won the approvals from the city

to build on a historic property in the middle of Delray’s downtown. Former Lake Worth City Commissioner John Szerdi is the architect on this project. He told the Tribune earlier this year that

he’d had the opportunity to be the architect for The Gulfstream renovation, but that he’d turned it down to avoid any appearance of impropriety, given that he was a sitting commissioner.

Lake Worth Library Calendar Closed Sundays and Mondays TUESDAY, MARCH 31

THURSDAY, APRIL 2

▶Munchkins Storytime for children ages 2-4 from 11 a.m.-12 noon in the City Hall Annex meeting room. The letter “W.” Watermelon craft. Book will be “Weeds Find a Way” by Cindy Jensen-Elliot. With children’s librarian Cindy Ansell. Children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE.

▶Munchkins Storytime for children ages 2-4 from 11 a.m.-12 noon in the City Hall Annex meeting room. The letter “W.” Watermelon craft. Book will be “Weeds Find a Way” by Cindy Jensen-Elliot. With children’s librarian Cindy Ansell. Children must be accompanied by an adult. FREE.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1 ▶Bookworms Storytime for children 5-12 from 3:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. in the City Hall Annex meeting room. Call Miss Ruth or Miss Cindy to sign up at 533-7354.

The Lake Worth Public Library 15 North M Street in Lake Worth For additional information, please call

(561) 533-7354

CLASSIFIEDS 5000 copies of the paper distributed every week to homes and businesses in Lake Worth! Call (561) 586-6643 $12 For up to 22 Words ($1 Each Additional Word) Ad must be Pre-paid by Wednesday at Noon. Boxed Classified: $9.20 Per Column Inch.

Community Please call (561) 586-6643 to submit your ad for a COMMUNITY EVENT.

Apartments Call (561) 586-6643 to submit your classified ad for APARTMENTS for RENT. Call (561) 586-6643 today to post your ad here.

For Sale!

ARTISTS: Best Classic Dulce easel #880200, large, floor standing. Make offer.

Call: 588-5623.

Sale/Rent Houses Call (561) 586-6643 to submit your classified ad for HOUSES for RENT/SALE and get results!

Services!

Services!

Dating

REALTORS: I specialize in you! Client Open House packages. Sell sheets.

Custom fliers. Business cards. Advertisements. Door hangers. Website and maintenance. Promote yourself.

Promote your clients. Call (561) 351-0820.

Call (561) 586-6643 to submit your classified ad for DATING and get results!

Call (561) 586-6643 to submit your classified ad for SERVICES and get results!

Repair of all major appliances! Competitive rates — $45 service charge for local calls. Call for details. TNG Appliance. 30+ years of experience! (561) 469-9280.

Jobs!

Part-time BARTENDER needed. Send a resume to: F. Kelley, 3599 23rd Avenue South, Suite #11, Lake Worth, FL 33461.

Door-to-door newspaper delivery in Lake Worth every Friday 9-3. Approx. $10 an hour. Must live locally and have transportation. Call (561) 586-6643 for more information.

FREE! Tile-top dining table with four chairs. Call Julie at (561) 215-5152.

Call (561) 586-6643 to submit your classified ad for ITEMS FOR SALE. Call (561) 586-6643 to submit your classified ad for ITEMS FOR FREE OR ITEMS FOR SALE and get results!

Page 4

The Lake Worth Tribune

Friday, March 27, 2015

“Woman Who Died in Fall From Lucerne...” toxicology test. But Holmes says detectives who interviewed him told him that it appeared Meagan had passed out and fallen back and over the railing of the sixth floor balcony.

In the days that followed, a number of friends expressed deep distress, and confusion.

“If she jumped, I didn’t see this coming at all,” Sean Vanorsdale said last week.

This week, he spoke to the Tribune again, saying he was sure she wouldn’t have taken her own life.

“I don’t understand why the police automatically said, ‘No foul play,’” he said. “It’s either an accident or it was intentional…There’s something fishy about the whole thing,” he said.

“She was highly creative and incredibly smart,” he said of Meagan. But says she was having a hard time in Lake Worth. “As soon as she got here, things just went downhill very fast for her.”

He said Meagan was drinking a lot, and that he’d tried talking to her about getting treatment. He says he thinks if she’d been able to get help with her drinking, things would have turned around for her.

“I guess the best way to describe her would be a great girl that was going through a tough time and didn’t have too many people to count on,” he said.

“She was one of my best friends here,” says Holmes.

He and others indicated Meagan had gone up to the sixth-floor condo early on March 10 to make a phone call on her Apple laptop computer, which she’d been using as a phone since she lost her mobile phone.

Eye witnesses have reported that the laptop computer fell with Meagan and hit the pavement in front of Starbucks with a sound so sharp that some people who heard it thought it was a gunshot.

Meagan’s mother, Maraki Mu, initially posted to Facebook that Meagan had made the biggest leap of her life.

A fast simple loan process

When the banks say no, we say yes.

Meagan Sullins in a professional modeling photograph, posted to the website modelmayhem.com.

Meagan Sullins in a posed shot leaning on a railing on a high balcony.

But a couple of days later, she posted another message, which seemed to reflect PBSO’s idea of what happened.

“Dear Family and Friends,” she wrote on March 12. “Many of you are aware of Mea Mea’s passing from this life on Tuesday, March 10, 2015. Mea fell accidentally from a balcony while sitting on a high bar stool beside the rail of a friend condo. She spent most of the weekend out playing, dancing and talking during the music festival here with friends she made in Lake Worth area.”

On March 14, a memorial service was held for Meagan in Austin, Texas. Another service was held in Lake Worth on Friday, March 20 at the Lake Worth Beach. About 15 friends gathered with Meagan’s mother to release two

doves, remember Meagan with words, and create a mural in her memory.

Meagan Sullins had moved to Lake Worth late last year.

On her LinkedIn page, she lists her occupation as “graphic designer/web designer” and her employment as marketing director for a restaurant in Austin called The Upper Decks. Friends said as far as they knew, she had not worked since moving to Lake Worth.

In addition to graphic design, Meagan, according to her online postings, had done some modeling. On her page on a website called Modelmayhem.com, she has a number of photographs from professional photo shoots and some from advertising campaigns.

“I am a professional equestrian, graphic/web designer and an amateur outdoors woman (i.e. cycling, hiking, backpacking, running, woodworking, water sports, etc),” she writes on the site. “Past employers will say I example consistency, dependability and thoroughness, both professionally and personally.

With a bit of guidance and direction, I know I can confidently assist in the production of beautiful images.”

Meagan was six feet tall, and slim with long, red hair and bright eyes. Friends said when she walked in a room, everyone would turn to stare.

A makeshift memorial to Meagan appeared late one night on a tree outside of Starbucks, where her life ended suddenly.

“Veteran Lifeguard Saves Woman...” to the tower, saying somebody was in trouble down there,” says Doug Yoakam, who was manning the southernmost Lake Worth lifeguard tower. Yoakum took off running to help.

A young woman was lying on the beach, unconscious, not breathing and with no pulse. It didn’t look good.

“She was laying on her side, not doing anything,” says Yoakum.

He started CPR on the woman immediately. After a few minutes, one of his colleagues showed up, and they traded off doing it.

“We probably did it for 10 or 15 minutes, and all of a “I was like ‘Stop, stop,

Business Loans without the hurdles

check for a pulse.’”

And then the woman took a gasp.

“I was real stunned when she started moving,” says Yoakum. “I couldn’t believe it.”

Yoakum, age 45, has been working as a lifeguard for 23 years, and has been with Lake Worth Ocean Rescue for almost a year and a half.

He’s taught CPR to other lifeguards.

He says this was only the second time in his career that he had to administer CPR, and the other time, it was a man in his 90s who had a heart attack. He didn’t make it.

This time was different. It

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

was a first for Yoakum.

“I was just in shock that she actually made it,” he says, noting that it’s usually said that a person can’t survive more than two minutes after the heart has stopped beating.

This was much longer.

He doesn’t know the woman’s name, or what happened to her. But says paramedics with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue had arrived and begun checking the woman after she revived. He got a text later that day saying the woman was in stable condition and recovering.

“I felt good that there was somebody there that had been doing this for a long time,” says Yoakum.

The woman, he found out, had been spotted floating motionless on top of the water by a lady on the beach, who went in after her with another woman. The two had pulled her up onto the beach, where she lay when Yoakum reached her.

Yoakum says in CPR training, they’re taught to not stop doing CPR until someone else shows up to take over. This time, it made all the difference.

Business Loans Merchant Financing Credit Card Processing Invoice Factoring NO PERSONAL GUARANTEES

Business Advantage A Division of Palm Beach Commercial

561-284-6507 129 North Federal Hwy. • Suite 200B Lake Worth Fl 33460

“CHANGE: Maier Gets ITN Cancellation...” making a recommendation to the Commission.

It’s possible, she said, that they could have this public meeting before the April 7 City Commission meeting.

“If it’s at all possible that that could happen on April 7, then I think that this is an emergency, and if it were allowed to go to that point, it would be a huge mistake for the city,” said Maier.

“I certainly respect your concern for transparency, and making sure everybody has their public voice,” said Commissioner Scott Maxwell. “But clearly, you don’t think that this commission would move forward without properly having public input on this ITN…You’re right, It is possible it can be put on the 7th, but it’s also possible that we can be hit by a meteor on the 7th.”

Commissioner Christopher McVoy spoke slowly and pointedly about the need for more meaningful public comment on something involving a new building at the beach.

“When we worked as a city on the building that is now at the beach and on the beach grounds in the past,” he said, “there were months of public meetings and charrettes, and it was not a process where a final design or 90 percent drawings were brought and said, ‘Hey do you think this is Ok? Can we go ahead?’ It was a process where there was lots of input along the way. There was awareness in the community about what was being done. There was an opportunity to make changes to the plan.”

McVoy said that in the fall, when the City Commission voted to appoint Commissioner Andy Amoroso to the Invitation to Negotiate, he was not told that

the ITN was concerned with anything other than finding someone to manage the empty upstairs of the Casino, and do something with the pool.

“There was no discussion at that time that I was made aware of of building additional space, conference centers, any of that. So when that became public information, my concern level went way up, and the public’s concern level went way up. And at that point, we are at a point now where we need to stand up as elected officials and allow our community to have a very open process of what we are going to do there.”

“I know nothing about building additional space,” said Mayor Pam Triolo. “I know what the items are in the ITN and what’s going to be brought back to us and then we can say Yes, No, Poo Poo, why, what, whatever. That’s the process.

So what’s the issue, other than… I don’t understand why we’re at this place. It makes absolutely no sense to me. Because everybody was here, and everybody agreed to it…”

The process, she said, “is supposed to be in a cone of silence.”

It went on like that. Until they voted.

Only Amoroso voted against adding the cancellation of the ITN to the agenda to be discussed at the meeting. It was added after the other items listed under new business, and though McVoy tried to get the mayor to agree to move it up, to accommodate the many members of the public who had come to speak on the issue, she declined.

The Commission didn’t get to the issue of the ITN until after 10 p.m.

Many residents had left by that time, and their comments were read by the Mayor. Others came up to the microphone and spoke for themselves.

Maier talked about the beach as the “cornerstone” of the city. “This is the wrong way to go,” he said of the ITN process.

“I am not in favor of developing anything on the beach that large,” said Amoroso, apparently referring to the proposal for a 40,000-square-foot addition to the Casino building. “We inherited, in my opinion, a flawed business plan,” he said of the Casino complex.” There’s no certificate of occupancy on the building, he said, because when it rains, water comes in sideways and floods the ballroom.

“My point is you have a beach that doesn’t work,” he said. “To say it doesn’t have to make money, it should at least break even.”

“I’ve just about had it,” said Mayor Triolo. “Everyone has gone back and forth nine thousand times.”

‘We’ve got to stop dividing this community,” said Commissioner Maxwell.

“We’ve got to stop taking issues like the beach, and all other wedge issues, and lying and distorting the reality…”

“Here we go again,” was heard from the audience.

A vote was held at 10:37 p.m. on the motion to cancel the ITN. Maier and McVoy voted YES. Mayor Triolo and commissioners Maxwell and Amoroso voted NO. City Manager Michael Bornstein announced that the records of the closed-door meetings of the ITN Committee would be made public on April 2, after the committee’s work has concluded.

Page 6

The Lake Worth Tribune

Friday, March 27, 2015

OPINION House Editorial

Letters to the Editor

Easter Week I’m taking off next week, Holy Week, to reflect on the passing of Our Lord.

In Catholic churches we sing a song every year: “Were You There?” I believe it’s a negro spiritual that was adopted by many churches. Its various verses ask: “Were you there when they crucified my Lord?” and “Were you there when they nailed him to the tree?” and “Were you there when they laid him in the tomb?”

It really makes it personal.

Because you imagine what it would have been to be there in that crowd of disbelievers, who were so turned around, so totally wrong about the man who was before them. They thought he was a pretender, when in fact he was the Lord God himself, the savior of the world, the one whose arrival on earth had been prophesied down through the ages.

It also speaks to being a witness. Are you watching?

Are we all watching? Are we really thinking about what we are seeing?

The words Domine, ut videam are printed every week under The Lake Worth Tribune on the “flag” on Page 1.

They were chosen at the last moment, though they had been kept in my mind for some time. Videam is a form of a Latin word I learned when researching Calvary United Methodist Church at First Avenue South. I found in the city’s property file for the building that there had once been a Methodist school there called Troywood Videam. I typed both of these words into Google, and found just about nothing referencing such a school ever having existed there, but did find the meaning of the word Videam – “that I should see” or “that I might see.”

It was interesting to me that Russian, which I stud-

To the Editor: The election is over. The people have spoken. But what the heck did they say?

As a gullible anarchist quasi-retiree, I will try to tell you.

We want a brake on overdevelopment and the process to get it. Give me a break.

I wasn’t born yesterday.

Though, sometimes I wish I was.

Hudson Holdings is doing an end around the public process by appealing their case to neighborhood groups here and there, willy nilly. It’s like a political campaign from the private sector. Some call it divide and conquer. Why can’t public officials be invited and privy to their wonderful plans?

Does Hudson mean to say that they may not rehab the Gulfstream if they don’t get their way on the parking garage and convention center?

Isn’t that sort of block by blockmail? Why can’t they just come forth at City Hall and introduce us to the entire enchilada? Perhaps, there will be repercussions from the majority? I’m having a bout of traffic congestion, if you follow my logic.

What about the bond issue?

Does anyone know what was in it? How can you vote on something no one knows anything about? Would the

ied in college and spoke in 1993 and 1994 when I lived in Moscow, also uses this same root for “to see.”

In Russian the infinitive is videt. In the first person singular it is conjugated to “veezhu.”

When we talk about sight, and seeing, I think we often mean not just seeing with the eyes, but seeing in a deeper way, with a willingness and a desire to see and know what is true, and to reject what is false.

There is no line about to be drawn to any news events of this week.

But in this Easter season, it is worth thinking about sight, and thinking about whether we refuse to see what is true, or to acknowledge it.

Many of us will line the streets and cheer for the PrideFest Parade, organized by Compass, which was given a city building in our downtown, while our churches labor under the city’s requirements that they pay large fees and submit to zoning review and city inspections for the first time in 100 years for some of them.

The city has said it’s a life-safety issue, and this is why they must inspect churches. But if we look closer, we would probably see that it is the churches that are in the life safety business, as Pastor Mike Olive has pointed out, and it is the city that seems intent on something else altogether.

bond be spread out to all the districts evenly? Or would it only favor new commercial property developers in favor of their own interests?

Believe it or not, I liked all of the candidates who I heard at ye old Playhouse. There was not one dishonest soul among them. They stated their positions and we stated ours in return...don’t run us over with a bulldozer.

Tip O’Neill said that all politics are local. He helped save Cape Cod from itself.

It was amazing how he and Ronald Reagan got along so famously considering their opposite views. That’s what we gullible anarchists want: compromise between competing factions. But do no harm to the common gal and guy while you’re at it.

There will be another election soon. Let’s see who gets it and who doesn’t in regard to the public sector over the year ahead. We settle our differences at the ballot box, not by intimidation. Ya gotta love this country for that. Let’s not become a banana republic.

And save Elvis the Alligator, Lake Worth’s new mascot and public pet. He actually reminds me of someone I know.

Addendum to this letter after the Bryant Park Neighborhood Association meeting

at the golf course or, what I learned; 1-Hudson Holdings guarantees loving restoration of the Gulfstream Hotel (where Al Capone once stayed).

2-Hudson will hire locals for the hotel and pay their taxes.

3-Hudson can't say much about their plans, especially about the parking garage and convention center.

4-A former commissioner was free to tell the crowd to be patient with Hudson and that Dave’s Last Resort was hurt by Gulf Stream’s closing a decade ago.

5-Two newly elected commissioners were not allowed to talk on public land, but a private representative of Hudson was allowed.

6-The meeting was a waste of time and energy.

-Dan Vasone South Lakeside Drive To the Editor: I commend Commissioner Ryan Maier for adding the Cancellation of the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) item to the Commission agenda at his first commission meeting.

The discussion and vote that took place was timely. I support Commissioner Maier’s proposal to cancel the ITN due to inclusion of the word “expand” in the contract.

Adding that one word mixes need with want. Maintaining and leasing the vacant second floor Casino space is needed: Adding commercial space to the beach complex is a desire.

Seeing that three members of the City Commission were unwilling to take that step last night, I hope the Commission will reject the proposals when they are unveiled and instead focus on renting the vacant Casino space.

-Richard Stowe North Federal Hwy. To the Editor: I have been a Lake Worth property owner and resident for 15 years. The only way to make this a better city is to increase the police presence, cut down on crime, and make our communities Safe!

If the commission wants to issue a $50 million bond for police, I will vote yes. The pot holes are a far cry from the Real problem in this city.

Let them keep patching the roads, while they “clean up the streets.”

I often joke about where I live, telling people it’s the “Best City in the Union.” I think it actually can be one day, if we make it a safe place to live, work and play.

Sincerely, -J. Stewart North O Street

— Margaret Menge, Editor and Publisher

Got News? Don't wait! Call 801-NEWS,

The original Lake Worth Casino & Baths opened in 1922, replacing the two-story bathhouse that had stood until 1919, when it burned down.

The Brelsford family deeded the oceanfront property to the City of Lake Worth, and the Atwater Kent family contributed additional land in the 1940s to make a total of 19 oceanfront acres owned by the city.

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

Creative Director / Nancy Pobiak

Don’t Miss Out on the Biggest Stories of 2015!

1 Year Subscription: Only $39!

Delivered to your home every Friday / 52 Weeks a Year

Special Subscription Deal for Newspaper’s First 60 Days!

Complete this form below, enclose a check made payable to: The Lake Worth Tribune Inc., and mail to: Lake Worth Tribune, Inc. • P. O. Box 85 Lake Worth, FL 33460 Name: Address: City:

P.O. Box 85 • Lake Worth, FL 33460 Published in Lake Worth, Florida at the offices of The Lake Worth Tribune.

129 North Federal Highway • Suite 200A • Lake Worth, FL 33460 • Phone: (561) 586-6643

Phone: Email:

State:

Zip:

Friday, March 27, 2015

The Lake Worth Tribune

Page 5

EVENTS CALENDAR “Wizard of Oz Sing-A-Long” at 7 p.m. at The Lake Worth Playhouse. Sing along to iconic songs like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” as Dorothy is whisked off to the land of Oz in a tornado. Tickets - adults $12; children $8.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29 All You Can Eat Hot Breakfast from 8 a.m.-11 noon at the Lake Worth Scottish Rite Masonic Center at 2000 North D Street. Everyone is invited! Tour the Gray Mockingbird Community Garden afterward and buy fresh produce, freerange eggs, fresh local jams and jellies and goat cheese. 4-H demonstrations, too.

PrideFest from 12 noon to 6 p.m. in Bryant Park, presented

by Compass Gay & Lesbian Community Center. Tickets are $8 pre-sale or $10 at the door. Go to www.compassglcc.com.

Studio Artwalk from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at the Urban Art Lofts on Lucerne Ave. and F Street, featuring fine art, photography, crafts and live music. A chance to see Lake Worth’s art lofts!

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

Good Friday Passion Pageant from 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. in the Cultural Plaza. Free.

Evening on the Avenue from 6-10 p.m. in the Cultural Plaza, featuring Wonderama (pop) with an intermission spotlight by Cassidy Diana. Food trucks and vendors, wine and beer garden, specialty items.

The annual PEEPS Show is Friday, March 27 from 6-10 p.m. at the Clay Glass Metal Stone Gallery at 15 South J Street. Judges are Patricia Born, Bob Born (inventor of PEEPS), Greg Rice and Mayor Pam Triolo. PEEPS treats will be served all evening along with wine and cheese. All are invited.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4 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, farmfresh eggs, Florida honey, and music.

Outdoor Art Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Cultural Plaza downtown. Sponsored by the Lake Worth Art League.

Easter Egg Hunt from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Bryant Park, sponsored by the City of Lake Worth. Cost is $1. Bring your own Easter basket to collect eggs! Bonnet Parade at 11 a.m. Wear your best bonnet. Also, bounce house, crafts, food vendors.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27 Ocean View Charity Gala from 6-11 p.m. at the Lake Worth Casino Ballroom, hosted by Studio Dance of Lake Ave. To benefit the Organization for Family Improvement.

Live music, dinner and dancing, with a ballroom show performed by Studio Dance dancers. Tickets $50 per person.

Call (561) 577-1793.

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.

SUNDAY, APRIL 5

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

Outdoor Art Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Cultural Plaza downtown. Sponsored by the Lake Worth Art League.

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, farmfresh eggs, Florida honey, and music.

PrideFest Parade from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Lake Worth.

PrideFest from 12 noon to 6 p.m. in Bryant Park, presented

by Compass Gay & Lesbian Community Center. Tickets are $8 pre-sale or $10 at the door. Go to www.compassglcc.com.

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.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8 “The Wind in the Willows” at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at the Lake Worth Playhouse. Take a wild ride with Mr. Toad and his friends Ratty & Mole in this adaption of Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s book. For grades K-8. Adults $8. Children $6. Go to the Box Office at 713 Lake Avenue or call (561) 586-6410.

THURSDAY, APRIL 9 BINGO at the American Legion at 6:30 p.m. The public

The classic film “The Wizard of Oz” starring Judy Garland as Dorothy will be shown on the big screen at The Lake Worth Playhouse on Saturday, March 28 at 7 p.m. Everyone will be invited to sing along to the classic songs, following subtitles printed on the screen. Dress up as your favorite character for the costume contest to be held before the movie. Prizes will be given out for the best costumes. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for children. All are invited.

is invited to join Legion Post #47 at 2315 North Dixie Hwy. for BINGO and light refreshments. Call (561) 582-4616 with questions.

“Cabaret” Preview Night! at 8 p.m. at The Lake Worth Playhouse at 713 Lake Avenue. Dinner & A Show includes dinner at Couco Pazzo. Tickets $23 and $27 for show only.

Call the Box Office at (561) 586-6410.

FRIDAY, APRIL 10 “Cabaret” Opening Night! At 8 p.m. at the Lake Worth Playhouse at 713 Lake Avenue. Tickets $38. Call the Box Office at (561) 586-6410.

SATURDAY, APRIL 11 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, farmfresh eggs, Florida honey, and music.

“Cabaret” at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Lake Worth Playhouse at 713 Lake Avenue. Tickets start at $29. Call the Box Office at (561) 586-6410.

Sunday, April 12 “Cabaret” at 2 p.m. at the Lake Worth Playhouse at 713 Lake Avenue. Tickets start at $29. Call the Box Office at (561) 586-6410.

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.

Summer Camp at the Playhouse Sign your child up for summer camp at The Lake Worth Playhouse. The first camp, from June 8-27, will work on “Shrek, The Musical.” The camp will meet Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Playhouse. Performance dates are June 25 and 26, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and June 27 at 2 p.m. The second camp session will meet for four weeks, July 6-August 1, Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kids will work on the show “Narnia.” Performances will be July 30-August 1 at 2 p.m. Both camps are for ages 8-14. Cost for each is $600. To register call (561) 586-6410.

Pool Open Thursday through Sunday The Lake Worth Municipal Pool is open 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.

Tour the Birthday Cake Castle The Birthday Cake Castle, which has been transformed into an American Red Cross Designers’ Show House, is open for tours through April 4. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Monday-Saturday and Sundays from 12 noon to 4 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person or $25 per person if arriving in a group of 10 or more. Cash, check, and all major credit cards accepted at the door.

Got News? Don't wait! Call 801-NEWS, or email mmenge@lakeworthtribune.com

Car Clinic Auto Services & Tires

RE/MAX “ON

” THE AVENUE One of the Top 100 Offices in the North American Continent

7001 Norton Avenue, W.P.B (aproximately 1.5 miles from our current location)

W

N S

Norton Ave.

E

South Dixie Hwy.

We are moving to a new location Feb. 2 . nd

Maddock St. Barnett St.

Don Ramon’s

New place, same great service! (561) 547-4700 Open: Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 5:30p.m.

Saturday from 8:30a.m. to 12:30p.m. Closed on Sundays. www.CarClinicLakeWorth.com

®

Offices in 95 Countries for International Representation

Havana’s

Forest Hill Blvd.

Prestige Realty

®

Complimentary Market Analysis Foreclosure Lists Available Residential or Commercial

JAINE VISCOME Real Estate Consultant

Graduate Realtors Institute Accredited Buyer’s Representive

Certified Negotiation Expert Certified Distressed Property Expert

(561) 301-3303

*All Offices Independently Owned and Operated.

Friday, March 27, 2015

The Lake Worth Tribune

Page 7

Residents Speak Up on the Motion to Cancel the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) for the Lake Worth Beach & Casino Complex Joan Farrell South Palmway “I wish to go on record to say I want our public beach to remain public. Please listen to what the voters want and keep private overdevelopment away.” (Read by Mayor Triolo) Loretta Sharpe South Palmway former candidate for City Commission

“I want to know, Mayor Triolo, whether Commissioner McVoy stumbled into this meeting or was invited.

And if he was invited, I’d like to know who invited him at what time. When did he know about this meeting?

Number two, I don’t know if everybody on this commission knows, but we can’t sell any part of the beach.

We had a referendum many years ago that all city-owned property must be leased 19 years, 364 days. You all know it? Ok. I hardly think, that the Gulfstream, when they find that out, is going to build anything at the beach, or any other contractor is going to build anything at the beach and turn it back to the city after 19 years, 364 days.

I mean, you’re talking about probably $200 a square foot to build in front of the coastal construction line. Maybe $500 a square foot. And you really think they’re going to build 20,000-40,000, 30,000, 35,000 square feet? And then turn it back to the city?

There’s something wrong with this whole thing. And I was here when Commissioner McVoy nominated himself to be a liaison to this ITN Committee. I was in the room. And I was in the room the next time it came up. One was September. One was October. I don’t know why he’s so shocked about the whole cone of silence. I just don’t understand it. If I had walked into a meeting that was an ITN meeting, and I saw it was an ITN meeting, I would leave, if I wasn’t supposed to be there. Thank you.”

Katie McGiveron Collier Avenue “I was shocked when I found out that Hudson Holdings was planning on putting a private beach club at our beach. Hudson Holdings came in and they were going to redo the Gulfstream and everyone was very happy about that. I heard the same speech last night as I heard eight months ago.

From the comments I heard from the residents, HH seems to be a slum landlord.

They’ve done away with security. They’ve allowed graffiti, and blight and homeless people moving in and out of that building.

They don’t seem too reliable. I’m basing this on the comments of the residents that live there. Now, it cost us $1.6 million to get rid of the last people who tried to steal our beach. How much is it going to cost to get rid of Hudson Holdings? Now I want to know, and it will come out...they had every chance last night to be transparent to the public, and

they didn’t want to be. I’d like to know who brought up with the whole idea of a private beach club in the first place. Was this Hudson Holdings? Was it someone else? Was it a commissioner? I do not want a private beach club. And it bothers me that the anger seems to be not at the takeover of our beach, but at a commissioner, who went into a meeting, and found out about it by accident. There seems to be no anger at secret meetings. And these are secret.

And how dare you have a secret meeting, any kind of process, when it concerns at 40,000-square-foot anything at our beach. No. No. Believe me, I walked door to door and if you think this is going to fly, it’s not.”

Dan Barnett “Even the remote possibility of having a private club at our public beach is completely unacceptable to the residents. I don’t think the Commission will find any support among the public for that. We have a global problem of money flowing to the top, and the rest of society being left behind. And when the money flows to the top, that means they can buy up every beautiful thing in the world if the people don’t stop them from doing that.

So the idea of a private club at a public beach is totally unacceptable.”

Laurence McNamara North Lakeside Drive “In 2004 Lake Worth citizens voted 9-1 for a charter amendment proscribing the sale or lease of any part, or all, of our beach. This seated Commission majority has lost the last three elections, the most recently by a landslide, yet you have offered an ITN which has been answered with a plan from an out-of-town developer, to build a 40,000-squarefoot modern structure south of our existing beautiful new Casino. From 2004

through 2010, several plans were presented and multiple charrettes were held, all of which were rejected until the plans for the present building were approved by both the citizens who participated and the sitting Commission. The citizens wanted what now is on our beach, and limited its size so as to not destroy the natural ambience of our beach park. The proposal to erect 40,000 square feet of modern concrete would destroy the crown jewel of Lake Worth. Please reject it out of hand. Thank you for your attention and consideration.”

(Read by Mayor Triolo) Ginny Powell North Palmway “I am concerned about potential private projects at our public beach. Let’s have the same public comment on this issue. It does not appear that’s been happening. Keep beach public, please. Thanks.”

(Read by Mayor Triolo) Laurel Decker “I, like everyone else, I’m excited about the Gulfstream being restored. And I hope the new structure down Lakeside will comply with the voters’ idea of what the charter says – 45 feet. But about the beach, I say Hands off our beach. In another city, an ITN offering to allow this sort of development might be a good idea. But I don’t think it’s a good idea in Lake Worth. The manger said on the news that we can’t afford to support the beach, that the beach is losing money.

It looks like, when our numbers come in for 2014, that we won’t lose money, that we’ll be beginning to make money. And through our own projections, in a budget that you all approved, we show the beach fund having a $4 million fund balance by 2018, at which time we can probably work out the pool area ourselves, like we did with the beach Casino. You know, the pool area has been,

forgive me, crappy for a long time. I think, you know, we had a crappy beach area for 30 years and we finally got it fixed. I think we can live a few more years with the pool area the way it is, and fix it ourselves, and not sell out to private development.

Year over year the revenues are climbing dramatically in the parking fund…The projected 2014 revenues for the parking fund are 65 percent higher than the plan that we approved back in 2009 or 2010. So the beach should be able to support itself and get back on track. In 2016 it looks like it will pay the full half-million-dollar debt payment. It’s making the interest payments. It’s also paying back the advances from other funds. Thank you.”

Gael Silverblatt North O Street “I think the ITN process is flawed because the City Commission did not vote on sending it out before staff released. Nor was there any public comment on it before it was released by staff.”

(Read by Mayor Triolo) Steve Ellman South Palmway “I think it would be helpful if the Commission would provide some clarity about the ITN process - specifically, when, where and how the idea for the ITN originated, who authorized city staff to begin drafting the ITN, when and how was the Commission brought into the loop. And as a second group of questions: The city publicized the ITN through a posting on the municipal website; on the website DemandStar.com or dot org, I don’t know which it is, and I believe just one ad in the Post. Did it run more than once? It seems like minimal outreach to me. I’d like to know what else the city did in terms of cultivating responses to me. The fact that we only got three responses is just astounding to me. It’s

one of the unique jewels, one of the last undeveloped oceanfront areas in South Florida, and I would think a lot of businesses would be interested in coming in one way or another. And I know specifically of one very successful local entrepreneur who, according to what he told me, was involved in negotiations with the city about a beach project, who had no idea about the ITN. So again, I mean, how did this idea originate? Who authorized staff to begin work on it? When was the Commission informed? And how much outreach was done?”

Peter Timm “Yes, I was here for both of those meetings last year.

And at no point, at no point, at no point did I hear anything of a code of silence, from anybody, did I hear about a code of silence. Did I hear anything about a secret meeting? No, I heard nothing about a secret meeting. I knew that you were going to discuss it…but nobody told me it was going to be secret.

Nobody. Not a soul. The only secret meeting that I know you have is when you go into for legal…I don’t know any group that we have here in the city…that holds secret meetings. Nobody holds secret meetings.

And nobody has a code of silence…Why did two different newspapers know all about this before we knew anything about this? Isn’t that strange? I think so…I hope we never have a code of silence from anybody sitting on that dais again. This should never, ever happen.”

Cara Jennings former commissioner “Good evening. As you are all aware, your job as a Commission is to set policy. You’re the policymakers - not the city manager.

I’ve looked back through public meetings the last few months and could not find minutes for a meeting where

you direct the city manager to create an ITN. With all due respect Mr. Bornstein, I think you’ve exceeded your role in this situation.

To meet with commissioners individually to discuss something as critical as our public beach is really inappropriate. You said yourself that this is rarely used on a local level. You said that at the commission meeting when you brought it forward. And mind you, not for approval. And please correct me if I’m wrong, Clerk, but I can’t find in the minutes where you all ever voted on an ITN. All you did is vote to appoint Commissioner Amoroso to the board. And you gave very little input on it even at that meeting. But at that meeting, Mr. Bornstein, you said that this is rarely used on a local level, more on a state level. And perhaps that’s because of Sunshine Law. Because on a state level, those elected officials are not obligated to the same Sunshine regulations that you all are. So I ask the same question a few other people have: Where in the public record did you direct staff to create an ITN? Where is it in the public record that you voted on the ITN, or for its proper publication? The process of creating this ITN was flawed.

Having a private process in regard to management or development on our public beach is not appropriate for the city of Lake Worth and all of you should know better. Anyone who continues to support this ITN is really out of touch with what the public wants. You have the authority to cancel it tonight. I hope you proceed and do that. Schedule a special meeting to review the financial figures and discuss where to go from here. And really going forward, these need to be totally public processes. Your manager should not be talking to you about the beach in one-on-one meetings, and then bringing an already developed document out to the public.”

Page 8

The Lake Worth Tribune

erful Wond orth W Lake

Friday, March 27, 2015

The Lake Worth Tribune recommends to our readers these outstanding Lake Worth businesses found on the map below, chosen by the staff of the newspaper to participate as charter advertisers owing to their high level of customer satisfaction.

Special, Super Sized...

Brunch Buffet $23.95

Reservations suggested, though not required.

the Open to !

Public

Wond Lake erful Wort h

??? ed???

Unemploy Underemployed Unhappy???

Learn the Art of Professional Sales From an Instructor With Over $100 million in Closed Sales!

FREE ½ Hr. Training Session at Your Residence

IST

References and Testimonials Available

INSTITUTE OF SALES TRAINING

Call Today: (561) 805-0792 Hourly Rate • Morning, Afternoon and Evening Hours

(Located at the Lake Worth Golf Course)

One 7th Avenue North • Lake Worth, FL

Call: (561) 585.8976 or visit: BeachClubLakeWorth.com

Join Us for the Buffet...April 5th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.!

Got News?

Don't wait! Call 801-NEWS or email mmenge@lakeworthtribunecom