James Many Broken Promises
Can you remember back to Mayor Keith James campaign? He said he was going to keep the city moving in the same direction it already was moving as he was supportive of the direction the City was going.
Has he been keeping his campaign promise??? Lets check, and double click his campaign promises. One lie after another, but it got him elected.
After taking office, his very first act was to dismantle the African American advisory board. During his campaign they challenged his lack of involvement in issues that faced their community. Instead of stepping up, he eliminated everyone who would challenge him on that board. Everyone looked like James.
Internally, he created two new Assistant City Manager Positions, a Director of Safety and Security (code name for personal body guard) and a Director of Neighborhoods first position. This cost taxpayers in WPB in excess of a half million dollars. I watched James abuse taxpayer dollars for 8 years as a city commissioner with his constant travel. Well now he travels with his private security all over the country. Now taxpayers pay for 2 which includes travel, hotel rooms, food, rental cars and every other nickle they can squeeze out of us.
His next act was to go after the police chief, Sarah Mooney, even though he told the Police Benevolent Association and former Mayor Geri Muoio he would not replace her. This lie was told in order to get their endorsement. When he was challenged, he said that was not what he said. Another lie.
His next change was to the Community Redevelopment Agency. He pushed Jon Ward out the door stating he wanted to go, “in a different direction”. Saying this is nonsensical as the CRA has more large projects underway in the past few years than in the last 20. While looking for a new CRA director, he promoted the Assistant CRA director, Allison Justice, to “acting” CRA director. In the hiring process for a new director, James publicly attacked his acting director saying he was not impressed with her attention to detail. Even though, it was her attention to detail that made the new Clematis Street what it is. He went on to say he wanted the CRA to go in a different direction, but never says what that direction is. Would you be surprised to know he left her as the Acting Director when no one accepted his job offer?
This bit of news really upset me, and I want City Commissioners to pay attention. Next he replaced the Clean/Green team in the Historic Northwest Neighborhood with Property Works. This team was created to offer African American men from the neighborhood who may have had problems with the law a place to have a job and make themselves marketable. These young men worked city own lots and mowed lawns, trimmed trees/hedges and cleared lots of debris This program was created as a grass root program being run by the Northwest Community Consortium which is lead by Teresa Johnson. Ms. Johnson was a former member of the African American Advisory board that was eliminated as Mayor James first act.
The city gave a contract to an outside vendor which replaced the young men who were left once again with no job—no income. City Commissioners voted approval for the new contract. Were they told the contract was to replace young men who needed a hand up not a hand out. These young men all looked like James.
When Assistant City Administrator Scott Kelly retired, he promoted Department Director Poonam Kalkat as acting Assistant City Administrator. She is a strong female, so is it any wonder that he chose a male from Miami over giving her the position? Do we really have to recruit from Miami? Is there no one qualified in WPB?
I just learned that Ms. Morse was terminated from her position May 2020 by Mayor Keith James via City Administrator Ms. Johnson. Another “strong” woman James can’t deal with.
The latest casualty is his administration is Community Engagement Manager, Wendy Morse. She retired as WPB Police Captain after 25 years of service to the city. When Mayor Jeri Muoio reached out and asked her to accept a new position as Director of the Office Public Life, a newly formed department created by the city. Wendy accepted the position in Nov. 2017.
Ms. Morse responsibilities was to engage in dialogue with different neighborhoods and bring their concerns back to the city for the betterment of the neighborhoods, while interacting with all city departments on projects that would affect the public realm and specifically in the Northwest area, and to enhance safety. Can you see a pattern here about James treatment of women? How about his lack of care for the Northwest Community? He has continued to dismantle every program to deal with the community at a local level.
I reached out to neighborhood leaders and was told she was well respected and as one neighborhood president, Carl Flick told me she was “amazingly helpful” made herself available to residents and will be missed. It takes a long time to learn about the processes and community in the City of West Palm Beach government. Every time Mayor James replaces a long time employee we all loose. It costs time and money that we do not have to spare in these days of budget decreases.
Take for example Mayor James Director of Neighborhoods First, Tiffany David. The only “Neighborhoods First” Project she has done has been an illegal dumping project, which the Police, Code Enforcement, and Public works already had. In fact, the CRA under Jon Ward and Allison Justice purchased cameras so criminals in the Northwest Neighborhood who dump could be prosecuted. Have you driven around the Northwest Neighborhood lately? There is trash everywhere. So much for her only program. She has not endeared herself to the community and spends her time running around after James telling him how great he is. For this, she makes nearly 100K/year. Many community members have logged complaints against her because she won’t return phone calls, cancels meetings at the last minute, and overall has let the community down.
Ms. David attended a meeting with The North End Coalition of Neighborhoods (NCON) with James who spoke briefly and left telling residents Ms. David would answer their concerns.
James wasn’t out of the parking lot when David left the meeting.
A story written in Nov. 2019 concerning David is below if you missed it.
https://wpbwatch.com/2019/11/are-city-commissioners-expecting-to-much/
The city is working on the 2021 budget and we have already been told there will be cutbacks including possible layoffs due to James incompetience. Last one hired, first one fired. See my suggestion below.
Texts Responsive to 119 request – GreenJ
Thank you Lake Worth
This story is a follow up from the recent story titled “James Fails The City Again!” James canceled a Peace Cookout at the last minute and Lake Worth generously offered to host the event. Here is what I witnessed.
Approximately 200-250 people attended and I believe the low turnout was due to the last minute change of venue from WPB to Lake Worth.
Mr. Mayo provided food, tents, table and chairs and a band. Everything WPB demanded before the permit was issued. I hope Mr. Mayo gets a refund for the cost of the permit.
There were invited speakers and one young man impressed me. His name is Ricky Aiken and he established “Inner City Innovators” Below was copied from their web site. Double click picture’s to enlarge.
“Inner City Innovators was born from a need. A deep need to help the youth of communities, centered in the neighborhoods of West Palm Beach, Florida.
With a rising crime rate, and shootings happening right and left, our Executive Director, Ricky Aiken, saw that the time for change wasn’t two years or ten years into the future, it was now.”
Mr. Aiken is committed to making a difference with young men living in the north end of the city who were in danger of making bad decisions that would impact the rest of their young lives. This takes money. Where does he get the money to keep the program running? Public donations and sponsorship from businesses in the area. Not one penny from the City of WPB to keep young men who look like Mayor Keith James out of trouble and on the right path. See web site https://innercityinnovators.org/
Also at the event was the Lake Worth Mayor and 3 LW Commissioners, along with our own Commissioner Cory Neering and former Commissioner Shanon Materio.
After a while it started to rain and that’s when all hell broke lose and people running to the band area and dancing their hearts out. These ladies could really move, and they kept me and others entertained. I must add the band was great and I even recognized some of the songs they played from my days. Nice walk down memory lane for me.
It was a great event that went on without a problem. I did notice 3 Sheriff deputies were on hand but were not needed
I would like to address the 5 WPB City Commissioners here:
Please do what you can to open the city meetings to the public. You do realize that James will keep Zoom meetings as long as possible so he wont have to look/listen to the common folks.
James Fails The City Again!
I don’t ask much of my readers but I’m asking you to read the attachment included with this post before reading the rest of the story. Double click to enlarge.
Rodney Mayo is well known in WPB. He owns many restaurants around the city and that includes a few on Clematis St.
Mr. Mayo is the man who asked police last Sunday to let the protesters disband on their own. That did not happen.
James signed a Declaration of State of Local Emergency (curfew) followed by an “Amended” Declaration at the request of the Police Chief. The curfew was to be enacted from 9:00PM until 6:00AM. At this point the Mayor and police were the only ones with knowledge of the curfew. Noticed by a reader both Declaration were not “stamped” by the Clerk, which may have made it invalid. I’m not sure it needs to be recorded but interesting fact. WPB Watch readers are the best.
Police officers addressed the crowd by a mega phone and an armored vehicle that looked like a tank and told them to disperse because of a curfew that had been imposed that no one knew about. Right after that, police opened fire with rubber bullets and tear gas canisters. In a press conference James denied tear gas was used until Mr. Mayo showed the police the empty canister and the police admitted a mistake was made and the wrong canister was used. A week later we are still waiting to hear from James.
Soon after being sworn in as Mayor his first directive was to hire a gentleman names Gregory Key at a salary of $125,000.00/year. Mr. Key’s job description is “security.” By security I mean James personal security.
Talk around City Hall is he is obsessed with his security and after finding a poster in his office left by a staff member he was seen running up and down the hallways demanding to know who was in his office. A card reader was then installed on his office door. End of “open door” policy.
Mr. Key accompanies James everywhere If James travels, Key is with him.
Believe me James likes to travel. As a Commissioner I watched him abuse taxpayer dollars for 8 years. Fortunately for the taxpayer the Corona Virus slowed him down. We pay for both men’s air travel, housing, food and other expenses. James always takes care of James.
The man is obsessed with his own safety so don’t go to protest expecting him to appear and speak. You will observe the Second Coming before you observe James. He is safer in his gated community, where he’ll stay.
If you read the attachment you know Mr. Mayo jumped through every hoop the city requested, only to have James cancel the event at the last minute once again letting down the people who look like him.
Well all is not lost. A church in Lake Worth is only too happy to host the peace event that West Palm Beach refuses to. Sunday from 12 to 4PM at 2000 No. D Street in Lake Worth. Bring your appetite and good manners.
A sincere thank you to the City Officials of Lake Worth allowing the event to be held in your city.
Did James Overstep
Florida Alert! West Palm Beach Mayor Bans Carrying Firearms for Self-defense & Bans Sale of Guns/Ammo
Well it appears Mayor Keith James has upset the NRA (National Rifle Assoc.) The Federalist and America’s 1st. Freedom. The good news is they have millions of readers in Florida.
DATE: June 4, 2020
TO: USF & NRA Members and Friends
FROM: Marion P. Hammer
USF Executive Director
NRA Past President
City of WPB Amended Declaration of State of Local Emergency
I.” The sale of, or offer to sell, with or without consideration, any ammunition or gun or other firearm of any size of description;” Read James Declaration below:
https://www.wpb.org/home/showdocument?id=1189&fbclid=IwAR2JWkVQCawz8gvjbMH5-enyl-
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“Florida Mayor Bans Sale Of Guns And Ammo During State Of `Present Danger”
JUNE 3, 2020 By Madeline Osburn The Federalist
“In declaring a state of local emergency due to riots and civil unrest in the city of West Palm Beach, Florida, Mayor Keith James banned all sales of guns and ammunition Sunday. He also declared all citizens are prohibited from possessing firearms in public places.” Read story below:
” James cited a Florida statute that allows public officials to strip law-abiding citizens of their Second Amendment rights by preventing the sale and public possession of firearms.” Read the Statue below:
https://www.lawserver.com/law/state/florida/statutes/florida_statutes_870-044
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“West Palm Beach, Florida, Bans Firearms Sales and Public Carry”
by Garrett O’Leary, Assistant Editor America’s 1st Freedom June 3, 2020
“The mayor of West Palm Beach, Fla., declared a state of emergency on May 31 that banned the sale of firearms and ammunition as well as the right of citizens to carry a firearm for personal protection in public unless they are members of law enforcement.” Read the story below.
“Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order in April that exempted firearms and ammunitions manufacturers from the state’s restrictions during the COVID-19 crisis.
Florida Governor’s Order Supersedes All Local Orders – Firearm Industry Can Remain Open Throughout Florida”
Read Gov. DeSantis executive order below:
http://www2.nssf.org/l/127421/2020-04-02/3z122b
Good vs. Evil
Police Officer Chauvin, who is white, kept his knee on George Floyd’s neck, who is black, for eight minutes and 46 seconds while three police officers Thomas Lane, J. Alexander Kueng and Tou Thao looked on and did not intervene to aid Mr. Floyd and their inaction helped caused the death of Mr. Floyd.
Officer Chauvin had eighteen conduct complaints filed against him with only two resulting in reprimands. Sixteen times he was told his actions were acceptable which eventually led to the death of George Floyd. Well, that action was not acceptable and that led to our country, and the entire world, being in turmoil. How was this cop still in uniform?
I listened to a Police Chief in another state who said that any cop who found Mr. Floyd’s death acceptable “needs to turn their badge in now”
I watched another cop with a young black man on the ground, face down, and a second cop placing handcuffs on him when I noticed the cop had his knee on his neck when the other cop took his pants leg and moved his knee to the young man’s shoulder. As I’m writing this another video showing yet another cop doing the same thing.
Protester’s vs. Looters
There is, and always will be “strength in numbers” and when people have had enough of injustice they have one way to bring attention to their cause. They come out by the thousands and protest, and that gets the attention of people in a position too rectify the situation.
Smashing windows, burning property, and looting stores that has accompanied peaceful demonstrations make some hesitant to support the protesters. We must remember looters and peaceful protesters aren’t the same people and we should never paint them all with the same brush.
Protesters have formed a line to protect a police officer from harm when he was separated from his unit and threatened. Ask yourself who they were protecting him from. Certainly not law abiding citizens just trying to make us a better country but from people taking advantage of a situation to drive a deeper wedge between the police and black residents.
It is impossible for me not to support the police but I was brought up being told by my parents if someone is bothering you find a cop, they will keep you safe. How sad black parents feel they can’t tell that to their children.
In my opinion the WPB police are the best in the state and I have watched them interact with young black children in the Peace Walk and also the “Coffee with a Cop” program. Both programs benefit the police and the residents.
I don’t want to see college students tazed and dragged from their cars. I don’t want to see the police run down in the street and murdered by people who only have the desire to pull this country apart. We are smarter and better than that.
The majority of police are decent hardworking people who come to our house when called, who work to keep us safe, and want to go home to their families at the end of their shift. I repeat we should never paint them all with the same brush.
I commend all the Police Chiefs who have taken a knee with the protesters in solidarity now is the time to stand up and take a hard look at the men/women in your command and begin the process of removing the bad apples from service. State Attorney’s need to prosecute the bad ones and Police Unions need to stop defending their actions.
City Hall Fails It’s Most Vulnerable Residents
I wanted to write this story since Feb; and started writing it in May when a firestorm in Minneapolis over the murder of a black resident named George Floyd by a white Police Officer Derek Chauvin took place. Now is the time and here it is.
Mayor Muoio had an idea to improve the lives of young black men in the northend of the city where crime is rampart and shootings are normal. Any attempt to bring police and residents together was in my opinion well worth the effort.
It’s called the “Peace Walk” and a program that has been in existence for the last 5-6 years. It is a simple plan where residents, escorted by police officers, walk the streets wearing yellow “Peace in the Streets” t-shirts and yard signs with the same message, left in yards with homeowners permission. We talk with the residents in the area and let them know about programs available to them.
Young black men struggle with various problems such as being raised in a single parent household (usually by the mother with no father to guide them) high school dropouts, incarceration, violence, racism and gangs attempting to recruit them. Can you understand their frustration in not being able to see a light at the end of the tunnel?
The city works closely with the Urban League of PBC and their Mission Statement is: “To assist African Americans and other minorities in the achievement of social and economic equality.”
On one Peace Walk we were asked by the Urban League to assist in distributing forms for employment to all black resident aged 18-25.who were looking for work. Here is my experience with one young man.
Me: Young man are you looking for work?
YM: Yes, I could sure use a job.
Me: I have a job application you can fill out.
YM: Yes I sure will. Handed him the application, which he took and sat down to fill it out while I stood with a cop and chit-chatted.
After a while he stopped writing and stared at the application, got up, walked to me and handed me the form while stating “I can’t finish this because I’m a convicted felon.” It’s not as much what he said but the way he said it. I could hear defeat in his voice.
Me: You are exactly the man we are looking for. A felony wont be used against you for employment. The cop spoke up and verified what I had stated. Big smile, he took the application back and continued to fill it out.
After a few minutes he got up and walked into the house, application in hand. I wondered if he was done. He came back out with 2 cold bottles of water saying it’s hot and we must be thirsty. We drank, he wrote and I walked away feeling good with the belief we had accomplished something.
My only regret is my failure to follow up. I hope he was successful in his bid for a new job.
Our last walk was in February when the Carona Virus hit and everything changed. This walk was also different because it was the first time we walked without a police escort in one of the most dangerous area of the city. At the next City Commission meeting I complained about the lack of police presence. Mayor said he has nothing to do with the police and their schedule.
I don’t know if the program is helping, it certainly isn’t hurting when young men see us in their neighborhood and people and police are taking an interest in them, engaging in conversation and asking what the city can do to help. The more I thought about it I realized James is gearing up to stop the walk program and the loss of the police escort was the beginning of the end.
These 2 pictures show children interact with the police. The police on the Segway gave the young man a ride around, and the child was beyond happy. When he turned back there was a line
waiting their turn. They all got one. Double click the picture to enlarge and notice the children’s faces.
If you have read this far, please take the time (4:31) to turn on the sound and listen to the video below. Say’s it much better than I can.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CAvtTbYg4ZP/
If the mayor of WPB can’t help people who look like him, please stay out of the way of people who are willing to try and help the most vulnerable among us.
Broadstone Locklyn Apts. Enough is Enough
The City of WPB has awarded most of our water views to developers so it only makes sense they must now spread out throughout the city, and they have now reached my area west of 95 on 45th. St. and Village Boulevard. Here’s the story.
The Family Church located at 3600 Village Blvd. has sold a large section of their property to Broadstone who plans to construct 6 buildings 4 stories high and consist of 280 rental apartments of 1,2, and 3 bedroom and the rent from $1,775.00 to $2,375.00/ month. I am going to use 2 cars per apartment for a total of 560 additional cars traveling Village Blvd. daily. This development has been approved by the city.
Another development is the Metrocentre Apartments at the southwest corner of 45th Street and I-95. Developers are proposing 322 units next to what used to be the Culinary Institute. Once again using 2 cars per apt. means an additional 644 cars traveling 45th St. 560+322=1,204 additional cars leaving Village and 45th. St. traveling to their destination. My development, Spencer Lakes, residents now complain about the problems when they try and leave the development and can only exit on Village.
Metrocentre Apartments is seeking a land use plan and zoning change, and I just received notice from the city on 5/18/2020.
“City Commission will conduct a Public Hearing on Monday, June 15,2020.” Also stated “the meeting will be held virtually via Zoom video conferencing.” 28 days until the meeting and the city is not ready to meet the public in chambers. Well I contacted the County Commission with one question. “Could you please advise me when the County will resume public meetings.”
The county responded immediately.
“BCC meetings have been held in person, and open to the public since the CV19 crisis started.
Within the Chambers we are practicing social distancing so not every chair is available for seating, and masks must be worn inside the Governmental Center. You can still fill out a comment card and address the Board for 3 minutes.
We have a Workshop today at 9:30am.”
My opinion: James will hold Zoom Video conferencing until the end of his term or he is removed from office, whichever comes first. He wont have to listen to the nay-sayers or gadfly’s. Both of these developments are important to me and the area where I reside.
City Commissioners: If a couple of you are nervous about public meetings then you Zoom in, but open the meeting to residents in City Chambers even if it means putting pressure on the mayor.
I attended a Planning Board Meeting in City Hall and it appeared to be set up for “social distancing”
Decisions OIG or COE?
On March 23,2020 I attended the CRA meeting and then the City Commission meeting when Commissioner Christine Lambert stated the City’s Ethics Officer gave the OK for her to vote on a WGI contract. At that point I knew I would file a complaint and had a choice between the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) or the Commission on Ethics (COE) both departments established after City & County Commissioners were removed from office and received prison terms. Both departments have commissioners who are appointed to their positions, and I have dealt with both. I have absolutely no confidence in the COE so my decision was easy. File the complaint with the OIG. Below is the e-mail filing the complaint and the OIG response.
—–Original Message—–
From: Sandy Matkivich <[email protected]>
To: inspector <[email protected]>
Sent: Fri, Apr 17, 2020 10:09 am
Subject: Commissioner Lambert
3/23/2020 City Commissioner Lambert voted to approve 2 items, one on the CRA and the companion item on the City Commission meeting. Lambert was sworn into office in 2018 and 4 months later her husband Monty Lambert was hired by WGI as Senior Business Development Manager. Lambert and WGI will both benefit from her vote. I have included the agenda for both meetings, and the meeting was televised.
3/23/2020 Special CRA Meeting Item #2 Fiscal Note: $20 million from bond proceeds. Lambert stated City’s Ethics Officer stated OK for her to vote on the issue.
Final CRA Meeting Agenda 3_23_20
3/23/2020 City Commission Meeting Item #8 (Consent Calendar #5-13) When items are placed on the Consent Calendar they are usually passed with no discussion. The agenda reads in part.
“The City retained Wantman Group (WGI), to perform a traffic study, investigate road conditions, and recommend a sustainable typical section. The scope of work includes but is not limited to: drainage improvements, street lighting, ADA access, landscaped median, midblock crosswalk enhancement, traffic signalization, smart city technology, and sidewalk and bike access.”
Fiscal Note: Funding will be provided by the CRA Bond proceeds and the Capital Acquisition fund.
FINAL City Commission Agenda _03_23_20
Below is the response from the OIG to my complaint:
Peter Cruise is Chair of the COE and will look into my complaint concerning Lambert.
I am not comfortable believing the investigation will be fair? The picture is of Commissioner Lambert biking with her friend Peter Cruise.
Christine Lambert sitting on Peter Cruise lap at a recent picnic. His hands look cozy.
Good news/Bad News.
4/20/2020 City Commission Meeting listed 11 items, all on the Consent Calendar. Items placed on the Consent Calendars generally are passed without discussion as in the $180,000.00 payout to a city employee in an attempt to cover up misdeeds by the city.
5. Resolution No. 111-20 “authorizing a letter of support to the Florida Department of Transportation for the Lane Elimination planned for the Broadway Improvements Project from 25th Street to 45th Street. Transportation staff is proposing to submit a Lane Elimination Application to the Florida Department of Transportation to eliminate vehicular travel lane(s) on Broadway from 25th Street to 45th Street.” Item #5 more fully explained below.
9. Resolution No. 110-20 “approving the City’s intent to engage in mandatory conflict resolution procedures in an action filed against the Palm Beach Transportation Planning Agency regarding an amendment to its Long Range Transportation Plan that added a project extending and widening State Road 7.” City still fighting the State on State Rd. 7 wasting tax dollars. Read the City’s agenda below:
http://REVISED%20FINAL%20City%20Commission%20Agenda%20_04_20_20.pdf
Another failed campaign promise from Mayor Keith James, when in an effort to gain votes, he stated he was going to mend bridges between the County and City.
I attended a Commission meeting recently when a County staff member appeared before the city and spoke of a concern over a project the city was voting on that night. He spent his 3 minutes explaining how it would impact the city and county and asked them to consider their vote. When his time was up James stated he did not appreciate the county sending staff to the city to express their views as the city didn’t send city staff to speak at county meetings. In my opinion James didn’t want the public to have the information given by the county, same as he wont allow City Commissioners to ask questions of staff.
In what I believe was Mayor James attempt to embarrass the County James called a press conference and “implored the county to get us these testing kits”
“I implore you, get us these testing kits. We are trying to save lives,” Mayor Keith James urged in a news conference Friday aimed at Palm Beach County leaders.
County administrator Verdenia Baker and Mayor Dave Kerner addressed James’ accusations together to WPBF 25 News.
They said the county has no control over testing kits — the state denied the city’s request for 1,000 kits.
“We get tests from the state, and we have to follow rules of the state,” said Baker. “The city did ask for 1,000 kits, we sent that to the state, the state did not honor that request. We can’t control that.”
Baker said the county has plenty of both drive-thru and walk-up testing sites for everyone in the county — including those in African-American and other vulnerable communities.
Read the WPBF 25 news story below.
Item # 5 from Commission vote on 4/20/2020. With gridlock throughout the city while they continue to overbuild and neighborhoods speak out with legitimate complaints and concerns, which go unheard. The State is weighing in on their attempt to narrow, as in removing lanes on South Dixie Highway. This is a win for the NSNA (Northwood Shores Neighborhood Association) who have for over 20 years attempted to have the city follow through on promises made including the constant flooding on Flagler Drive, and recently how narrowing Dixie would negatively affect their neighborhoods. The good news is obviously the State has an eye on WPB and Mayor James. A little over one year in office and James not only has the County upset, now the State is looking at us while investigating Mayor James.
“State rejects West Palm Beach plan to narrow South Dixie Highway, saying it would jam traffic.”
WEST PALM BEACH — “One year after state officials approved a dramatic narrowing of a stretch of South Dixie Highway in West Palm Beach, they’ve changed their minds, saying it would aggravate traffic on the busy artery and adjacent roads.” Read story below
https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/20200505/not-so-fast-why-state-stopped-west-palms-plan-to-narrow-south-dixie-highway
On 4/27/2020 I published a story titled “Show Some Compassion!” when Mayor James announced he was temporally ending the Hurricane Season Vegetation Amnesty Program. I would like to think that story moved City Commissioners and City Administrator to request James have a change of heart. He did. Residents don’t have a couple of months to prepare but we do have 12 days to get ready to save our pocketbook.
WEST PALM BEACH, FLA. (May 6, 2020) — “In preparation for the 2020 hurricane season, the City of West Palm Beach is pleased to announce that Hurricane Season Vegetation Amnesty will start on May 25, 2020 and continue through June 5, 2020.” Read the City’s press release below.
Show Some Compassion!
On Sunday 4/26/2020 the wind, rain and lightning came fast and furious with little warning. Winds were reported at 60 MPH and 71 MPH at the airport. To be classified as a hurricane, a tropical cyclone must have one-minute maximum sustained winds of at least 74 mph. What we didn’t have was a hurricane but we did have damage in my neighborhood as the pictures will show.
The city always allowed residents two months April and May to prepare for the hurricane season and granted amnesty where the city would pick up yard waste at no extra cost to residents. This was the time we pruned back trees to allow the hurricane winds to pass through with little or no damage, and many residents took advantage of the city’s “gift.” Now neighbors are hesitant to trim back trees not knowing how they will pay for the pickup. I suppose if we are hit with a hurricane trees will come down on roofs, cars and possibly block streets.
Well Mayor Keith James decided the city was losing money and decided to eliminate the amnesty due to the Carona Virus. Cheap excuse.
Thousands of people out of work through no fault of their own, with no paycheck, desperately trying to apply for unemployment benefit or waiting for a check from the Federal Government. Both are slow in coming. Folks are panicked about paying their rent, mortgage, car loan and utilities.
FPL realizing the seriousness of the Carona Virus is giving customers 25% discount on their bill in May. Insurance companies are going to refund up to 25% on our car insurance bill.
What’s the city doing? There not going to shut off water on delinquent customers, but the late fees will continue to mount. How about the city stop collecting late fees and give folks a chance to catch up.
The City Commissioners, all 5 of them along with the City Administrator should put pressure on James and try to talk some sense into him. This is not the time to reach deeper into our pockets but to show compassion for folks who are already suffering. Double click on pictures to enlarge. These homeowners will be charged a minimum of $100.00 for removal.
