As Usual, Dirty Politics in WPB

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Carona Virus
According to the NY Times “The U.S. first identified cases among travelers who had flown in from Wuhan, China, in the middle of January. Officials worked to contain them. There is some evidence that the virus began getting a bit of traction around the end of January.”

The USA has been suffering for over a year as the country shut down, businesses close, people losing their jobs, school closing, children paying the price.

Millions of Americans standing in line for hours in the hopes they will be tested to see if they are infected with the virus. I witnessed hundreds of automobiles lined up on Haverhill Rd. hoping to be tested at the ball park. Many were tested until they ran out of test kits only to return and once again wait in line, always hopeful.

West Palm Beach, Florida

Thousands of residents depend on public transportation to move around making it impossible to drive to a testing site, or the sites are not located around their neighborhood so walking miles isn’t an option.

Thousands more don’t own a computer making it impossible to make an appointment until a group of young men & women reached out to help the elderly and others.

I live in a community consisting of 187 homes and the majority of residents are people of color. We are all concerned with the Carona Virus and I have no knowledge of how many residents have been tested. My home is located in District 2 and we will soon be voting for a new City Commissioner. Either Deandre Poole or Shalonda Warren will represent us.

Skipping ahead.

THE MISSION:

“The mission of the Mayor’s Task Force for Racial and Ethnic Equality is to identify and help address issues of racial/ethnic equity through education about racial and ethnic inequities, research of best practices, and issuance of policy/funding recommendations to address racial/ethnic inequity in the City of West Palm Beach.”

“The Task Force is in line with Mayor James’ vision of working to create a “Community of Opportunity for All”, whereby any citizen can achieve their dreams in West Palm Beach.”

KEY ISSUE AREAS:

“Criminal Justice, How can West Palm Beach build racial/ethnic equity regarding the criminal justice system, including policing?
Education & Workforce Development, How can West Palm Beach build racial/ethnic equity regarding education and workforce development?
Finance, Banking & Industry, How can West Palm Beach build racial/ethnic equity related to wealth-building, banking, business development and jobs?
Health: How can West Palm Beach build racial/ethnic equity regarding health access and healthcare

Real Estate & Housing: How can West Palm Beach build racial/ethnic equity related to housing and real estate?”

You can read the entire Mission Statement here: https://wpbequalitytaskforce.org/

I don’t need to inform readers of how bad it was in 2020 as we have lived through it or I should say most of us. Over 30,000 have died of the virus in FL. and the number keeps growing.

Dec. 11,2020 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized the first COVID-19 vaccine for use in the country and government states who will receive it and when.

Happening Now:

Everything you have read so far is leading to the latest story and information I have received and I want readers to be aware of.

Andros Isle: District 4

Double click flyer to enlarge.

A gated community located in the western section of the city with 912 homes and approximately 1,800 residents.

Ms. Shalonda Warren, CEO of Sickle Cell Foundation, managed to sponsor a Carona Virus testing sight in Andros Isle. The message to residents reads.

Sponsored by Shalonda Warren, a candidate for WPB City Commission.

Free testing for Andros Isle residents only. (proof of residency required)

2/27/2021      9:00 AM to 1:00PM     Appointment required

FYI: Mayor Keith James resides in Andros Isle, and endorsed Ms. Warren for City Commission.

Here is a question for Ms. Warren. Why didn’t you arrange this testing in District 2 where many residents look like you and the mayor?  1800 residents that will bring you some votes.

If you had to go outside your district why not in other areas of the city where people of color struggle to be tested? How about Roosevelt Estates or Pleasant City. Again I repeat myself where most of the residents look like you and the mayor.

Here is a question for Mayor James. Did you organize the Racial and Ethnic Equality in order to start campaigning early for your re-election as Mayor? I remind you of the key issue  Health: How can West Palm Beach build racial/ethnic equity regarding health access and healthcare?

Why Andros Isle, why not a black community, and who is paying for the tests?

District 4: City Commission. Joe Peduzzi running for re-election and is being challenged by Jonathan E. Jones. I am receiving emails from Mr. Jones and he’s telling me “Elected Officials” have failed the city over State Road 7 extension. Personally I am upset with Mayor and Commissioners for spending millions of taxpayer dollars fighting the extension for years.

Yesterday I received another flyer telling me “Elected Officials” have failed the Police Dept. and Firefighters for not coming to an agreement on a new contract. Mr. Jones is 1/2 right “Elected Officials” have failed the Police Dept. and Firefighters and it hasn’t been the commissioners but Mayor Keith James who has failed both departments with his take it or leave it attitude.

Both the Police and Firemen have endorsed Peduzzi for re-election. They know they have his support.