The Last Straw?
When you received your water bill in Oct. 2022 you also received an insert which reads.
Single – Use Plastic Straw Ban. If it’s underlined it’s to draw readers attention to what I consider important.
WPB is taking action: Ordinance 4836-19 is in effect
“As part of the City’s effort to reduce plastic litter, beautify our community, protect native fauna, and lessen the economic impact of litter abatement, the sale, use and distribution of single-use plastic straws and stirrers in the City of West Palm Beach is prohibited. Do your part to help – kindly remind businesses that these items are not allowed in our city. Violations are considered Class 111 and may incur $125 fine per occurence .{SIC} Our goal is not to collect fines, but to keep plastic out of the environment. For more info or to report a violation, please email Sustainability@wpb,org. Visit wpb.org/plasticfree to find a guide to the ordinance along with recommended and allowed alternatives.”
The city wants you to report violators. When I read that my mind went straight to a city employee named Jason McCarty, a city employee who was deputy chief of information technology and was fired in 2021 for smoking marijuana — even though he been authorized by his doctor to use it legally for medical reasons.
McCarty, a 50-year-old father of two was tested last month after two employees from the city’s risk management department thought he acted suspiciously as he walked past them during lunch, claimed to smell pot near his car and reported him.
McCarty denies smoking pot at work. He had held his job for five years and had a spotless record, but the city has a strict policy against marijuana use, even when used legally and outside working hours.
In 2019, the city revised page 13 of its 15-page employee drug-use policy to read, “The use of marijuana by city employees, including medical marijuana, with or without a prescription, is prohibited.” A prescription is not accepted as a valid explanation for an employee’s positive drug test result.
The policy also says any employee who reasonably suspects a co-worker of illegal drug use and doesn’t report it can be fired.
So the city wants me to report if McDonald or Wendy’s uses plastic straws when I order a soda, city employees who don’t report a co-workers can be fired. Wasn’t that a one time requirement in Nazi Germany?
Of course it’s about the $125 fine, along with doubling parking fees, raising fees for outside dining.
If you believe City employees, and I do, they are working under hostile working conditions and many employees endure the offensive conduct as it becomes a condition of keeping their job. People have difficulty trusting each other and work in an environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile or abusive.
If the city wants to keep plastic straws and bottles out of the environment go to Tallahassee and ask that plastic bottles in Fla, have a return policy. Simply done?
Buy a case of water with 24 bottles, and pay a one time deposit of $.05. 24X5 = $1.20. Return the bottle to the store and receive $1.20 in return.
You will not find anyone walking down the street or along the ocean tossing nickles around, especially in these times when administration is raising fees. Next will be a cover charge to attend City Commission Meetings.
Halloween coming, please remind children NOT to eat their treats until parents inspect the candy. Bad people out there. Keep kids safe. Read channel 5 story below
https://www.wptv.com/news/region-c-palm-beach-county/west-palm-beach/west-palm-beach-fires-employee-over-legal-medical-marijuana-use
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WPB Loses Two More Valuable Employees!
More fallout from the Sunset Lounge, this time the City has lost two valuable employees,WPB Procurement Official Paul Bassar, and Kathleen Walter, Communication Director.
Keith James was sworn in as Mayor in 2019 and Frank Hayden was the City Procurement Officer for many years until he was re-assigned to the Office of Economic Opportunity.
James & Johnson then hired Nathaniel Rubel and shortly after Paul Bassar. In three years the City has had three Procurement Officers, now looking for a forth. An employee who wishes to remain anonymous mentioned “they were pushing Paul to do something with those bids he didn’t want to do so he just resigned and from what I understand went back to work for the Federal Government.”
Who is Paul Bassar.? Obviously a man of integrity.
Education:
University of South Carolina Bachelor’s degree: Interdisciplinary Study.
Strayer University: Master’s Degree: Public Administration.
“Paul Bassar As a Senior Procurement Analyst my primary responsibility is to provide customer service in the area of contract administration (both pre-award and post-award) and day-to-day guidance, both written and oral, to a wide variety of senior leaders, managers, team leaders, and users throughout Consular Affairs.”
Aug. 3, 2022 A letter sent to Mr. Ben Bush, Co- Owner of Mad Room Hospitality, LLC from WPB Procurement Official Paul Bassar.
“It has been brought to my attention that Mad Room Hospitality, LLC, violated the terms and conditions of the RFP and the City Code of Ordinances by contact with the Mayor and a City Commissioner.”
The Mayor being Keith James, and Commissioner Peduzzi.
The story was written by Terry Parker, Investigative Reporter for channel 25 (WPBF) after Vita attorney Malcolm Cunningham obtained emails from Mad Room to James and Peduzzi, thanking them for their support; which Cunningham pointed out was also a violation of the city code prohibiting any contact until the contract was executed. Parker’s story can be read below, and if you are interested in reading the the emails between the parties which WPBF has included please click on the link “Read the letter here:”
Who is Kathleen Walter? In my opinion a woman who has been there, done that, and can’t do it and longer.
Kathleen Walter hired by Mayor Jeri Muoio in Dec. 2016 as the Cities Communication Director.
Below is an excerpt from the PB Post, and the entire story can be read below.
“West Palm Beach has named WPEC Channel 12 reporter Kathleen Walter as the city’s new communications director.
Walter, a Smith College graduate, also worked for WPTV, WPBF and News Max, and served as public relations director for Hospice of Palm Beach County and communications director for the Dori Saves Lives Foundation.
She earned a bachelor’s in English from Smith College, and graduated magna cum laude from Florida Atlantic University with a master’s in political science.
Walter’s bio on the WPEC website lists her as an investigative reporter, anchor and political analyst who has interviewed heads of state, including Presidents Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush, as well as legislators and presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Mitt Romney.”
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/2016/12/25/mayor-picks-tv-reporter-kathleen/6985542007/
I sincerely wish Mr. Bassar and Ms.Walter the best life has to offer in moving forward with their lives.
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Sunset Lounge Open House
The event was held on Saturday 10-8-2022 @ 11:00 AM and there were to be 2 showings.
A presentation by Dr. Alisha Winn on “Historical background” and she spoke on the “Styx” when people of color lived on the island of Palm Beach and what became of them. A story on the Styx can be found at the end of the story and draw your own conclusions as to which version is believable those of African Americans or the Palm Beach Historical Society’s version.
Looking around an elderly gentleman caught my attention by the name of Arthur L. Freemon, who walked with the aid of a walker, and he was on the dance floor swaying with music only he could hear and a serene smile on his lips. I made it a point to introduce myself and we spoke for a while. I asked if he attended the Lounge when it was opened and he shared a story with me and gave permission for me to share with readers. His story.
Mr. Freemon was in the service and on some type of training mission when the day was over some of his friends were planning a trip to the Sunset Lounge to unwind and invited him to go. He declined saying he was tired and just wanted to go home. His friends insisted, and he again declined the invitation and went home.
He was home for a short time when a knock on his door found his friends outside asking him to join them saying don’t make us come in and take you out by force. He relented and joined them for a trip to the Lounge. My next question was “did you have a good time?” He responded “it was the best night of my life, I met my future wife that night, and we danced the night away, and that was 47 years ago.” The Sunset lounge held good memories for Mr. Freemon and he was excited it was about to be reopened.
The picture above shows the 2nd. floor where diners ate while watching the dancers below them and the space under the 2 centered windows is where the band set up.
Happy residents at the Open House checking out the dance floor. Double click pictures to enlarge.
Jade Jarvis, Anchor/Reporter for Channel 25 (WPBF) has written a story concerning the City’s Open House for the Sunset Lounge and reads in part:
Saturday, community members in West Palm Beach got their first look at the renovations inside the historic Sunset Lounge since they started back in 2019.
The project is several years in the making and officials said there’s still a ways to go before it can open its doors officially.
“It’s been a long time in the making, but this is a location that wasn’t just a music venue. And it wasn’t just a lounge. It was really a place that meant so much to the community and was a place that gave people a sense of purpose and place,” Christy Fox, a West Palm Beach city commissioner, said.
The entire story is below and when you open the link you will find 2 more links and I encourage readers to take the time to read Previous Coverage on “Judge orders West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James to give deposition in Sunset Lounge lawsuit” and “Vita Lounge LLC files lawsuit against West Palm Beach for disqualifying it from running historic Sunset Lounge”
https://www.wpbf.com/article/community-members-invited-inside-sunset-lounge-for-sneak-peek/41565457
Below is a story on the Styx and includes quotes from former City Commissioner Richard Ryles, Everee Jimerson Clarke and Derrick McCray. Clark and McCray are decedents from folks who lived in the Styx.
https://cbs12.com/news/local/the-folklore-surrounding-the-styx-of-palm-beach
“Officials said construction project fees estimate to be $16 million.”
As hard as I tried I couldn’t see where 16 Million was spent and it’s reassuring to me that the City’s Internal Auditor is continuing to audit the project.
The Sunset Lounge is extremely important to the African American community and the City needs to step up and do the right thing by finishing the project so older residents can stroll down memory lane as they did Saturday and the young can began making their memories.
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Coffee With A Cop 10/5/2022
The event was held at the new Salento Coffee Shop (formerly Dunkin Donuts) in the City Hall Courtyard. I noticed colorful chairs and tables outside and hope they are there to stay.
City Commissioners made an appearance along side the Police Officers and talked to residents who voiced concerns, and thanked them for their service. They were there to listen and listen they did. The event was a success with approximately 100 residents coming and going.
The highlight for me was meeting an old friend “Moose”
Moose, a Bloodhound, was donated to the WPB Police Dept. when he was 3 months old and I remember thinking at the time will he ever grow into his large ears, nose and feet? He did! Moose and his “mom” Officer Jen Hardiman entertained many visitors who wanted to pat him and ask questions. Moose goes home every evening with Jen and helps locate kids and senior citizens who wander away from home, and there have been success stories. Moose got thirsty and bent down to get a drink of water when I noticed his ears floating in the water and started laughing when Mom Jen pulled out a towel and started wiping his ears and face. They make great partners and Jen keeps in shape walking him. Moose showed me his best side (profile) and my apologies for chopping off Jen’s head. I should not be allowed to use a camera—–ever. Double click to enlarge pictures.
I met some nice residents and one woman by the name of Shannon Hunihan was introduced to me and she is the Chief Marketing Officer for Mint ECO Car Wash and the company washes the Police Cars for free. No charge, obviously a supporter of our first responders. We had a conversation and she told me the great deal offered to all with a dirty car. I will take advantage of a good deal and will share with readers they have 3 locations listed below along with monthly deals.
Southern Blvd & Dixie HWY 316 Southern Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL.
Okeechobee & FL-Turnpike West 1950 Golden Lakes Blvd, West Palm Beach,
Indiantown & I-95 220 Maplewood Drive, Jupiter, FL.
I included their website for convenience and there are great values to be had, such as:
Shine Package Plus $35.00/month unlimited trips to the car wash.
Shine Package $30.00/month unlimited trips to the car wash.
Clean $20.00/month unlimited trips to the car wash.
If you bring your car in 10 times a month, they will wash it, no additional charge.
https://www.mintecocarwash.com/
Speaking of cars, my only disappointment with the event was being able to park on Clematis street near the event. The City has removed many metered and handicapped parking spaces and what is left is hard to come by. There was a Police car and a WPB city van parked in metered spaces along with undercover police cars. I complained so lets see what happens.
If you have been following the stories on the Sunset Lounge the City is having an open house.
Historic Northwest Community Meeting & Sunset Lounge Open House
Historic Northwest Community Meeting & Sunset Lounge Open House
Date: 10/08/2022 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Sunset Lounge
609 8th Street West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
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