What Is It Going To Take? Answer, You
The third Thursday of every month the City of West Palm Beach holds a “Peace in the Street” march led by Pastor Jones and the October march was very encouraging due to the fact the folks marching outnumbered the police officers who escort the walkers through the roughest section of the city.
At the last walk many young children had conversations and questions for the police, and it was a joy to witness the give and take between young people and the officers.
While walking back to the cars and passing a large empty lot some movement caught my attention and I spotted Assistant Chief Spatara passing all the walkers on a full out run, and he kept looking over his shoulder at whatever was behind him.
I’m ashamed to admit fear set in and I’m waiting for someone to yell “gun” it all happened so fast. I stopped walking and froze. Chief Spatara stopped running also, turned and caught a football thrown by a young man. The Chief was playing football with a couple of teenagers. No fear, no intimidation just a couple of guy’s playing ball. ? Breakthrough.
There were many very young children who made signs and carried them the length of the walk. One young boy carried a sign that read “Kill Crime–Not Each Other”
I was encouraged by the attendance of the young and old until it was reported four people injured by gunfire in the Northend of the city. It just wont stop.
On Friday (10/27/17) Chief Mooney organized another march down Sapodilla where the gunfire originated within the last 2 weeks. Residents and seniors showed up and it was a decent crowd considering it was put together rather quickly.
There are so many decent, law abiding residents living in a crime infested area who along with City Hall and the Police Dept. are desperate to find a solution to the problem concerning shootings and drugs.
Someone-somewhere has ideas on how to make it better. Maybe it’s you. Do you think “outside the box”? Do you think you may have an idea that could improve the situation? Are you willing to share your ideas with the police dept. and together find the much needed solution to improve life in this area of the city?
Are you aware there have been 23 people murdered in WPB since January?
True Story:
I was shopping when I looked up and saw a middle aged black woman, and we made eye contact. It was obvious to me she was upset and had been crying. I asked her if she was OK and she said yes, and the tears started flowing again. I asked if there was anything I could do. She said she was having a problem with her son and was very upset with him.
This is her story as to why this mother seemed at her wit’s end.
He’s 23 years old, was raised to be respectful, God fearing, and independent. A year ago he was out with his friends when he was shot and left paralyzed from the waste down. If that weren’t bad enough he admitted to his mother he knew who the shooter was, and she begs him every day to tell the police who did it. He refuses. She told him give her the name and she will go to the police. He refuses. His mom told me he isn’t in a gang. I find it hard to believe.
My opinion:
Here is a woman who raised her son, clothed and fed him, educated and changed his diapers and prepared him for the world he would enter.
Now it should have been her time to relax a little, maybe do a little traveling, enjoy her life. She will always be his mother so she moves her son back home, and the ritual starts over. She once again cooks his meal’s and changes his diaper’s.
I can’t help but wonder if the person who shot him also shot and killed others. More mother’s in pain over the loss of a loved one when a simple phone call may have prevented more heartbreak.
The world has changed and not necessarily for the better. You have heard many times “See something–Say something. Please make that phone call, it could save a life. As the young man’s sign read “Kill Crime–Not Each Other”
The police can’t fix crime without residents help, and the residents can’t fix crime without the police. Work together and make life better for all.
Residents Win/ Developers Lose
On Sept. 25,2017 the residents won a battle with developer Related, and while residents celebrate Related must be in shock due to the fact elected officials historically have done whatever necessary to insure their projects are approved.
City Hall was filled to capacity and the overflow watched the meeting in the Flagler Room which lasted until 11:00 PM. Many young, not old enough to vote residents wore t-shirts endorsing the OBD (Okeechobee Business District) project and sat in chairs in the commission chambers. When a resident came into the room they were asked which side they were on and if they were in favor of OBD a seat magically became available to them in the packed Commission Chambers.
Related sent residents 3 very impressive and expensive in appearance fliers promoting “One Flagler” and asked residents to check the box if you would approve the project. There was no box to check if you would NOT approve the project. Related’s second flier boasted “Endorsed by 2,500 West Palm Beach residents.” Now would be the time to mention WPB has over 107,000 residents.
The city spent over half a million dollars on a Mobility Study, and it’s not been completed or approved by the City Commission for one project namely Related’s “One Flagler” a 25 story tower on the waterfront, a site residents voted on 2 different occasions the buildings were not to exceed 5 stories.
This was spot zoning at it’s worst.
Rick Greene, Director Development Services, gave the presentation telling residents how great the project would be for the city, followed by a longer presentation by the director of the Mobility Study who gave the presentation the city wanted residents to hear. No downside. Mr. Greene should be made aware he draws his paycheck from the city of WPB and not Related.
“Coalition for Reasonable Development” sent 1 flier which showed the other side of the coin and any resident who rides the Okeechobee corridor would be aware this was the more honest opinion. Here were their Key Observations:
25% of all crashes in WPB occur in downtown.
33% of all crashes in downtown occur along Okeechobee Blvd.
28% of all fatal or serious injury crashes in downtown occur along Okeechobee Blvd.
From 2014-2016, 2,714 crashes occurred in the downtown at a rate of 2.5 crashes a day.
The city has paid even more money for studies on how to correct the traffic situation downtown and sponsor bicycling, walking and taking public transportation to alleviate the situation, while approving more construction in the downtown area.
One project under consideration is the “One West Palm” to be built downtown on Quadrille Blvd; by developer Jeff Greene; (not to be confused by City Administrator Jeff Green). This project will include two 30 story buildings consisting of 209,000 square feet of office space, hotel, and retail, along with 328 luxury apartments. Now here I am assuming that 328 luxury apt’s. would be purchased by couple’s both having their own vehicles. Can you picture these couples dressed in formal wear, jumping on their Schwinn or Raleigh bicycles and traveling to the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts to enjoy a show or Opera Night? May very well get bicycle grease on their tuxes or mink coats.
I have an idea I would share with readers. How about instead of handing developers large tax breaks the city require a one million dollar fee for every floor they build over 5 stories. The project mentioned above would bring an additional 50 million dollars to the city coffers. The city put’s 1/2 into the general fund and 1/2 into a police/ firemen fund to purchase much needed equipment. The city has a fire ladder truck being held together by duct tape and a prayer. I just witnessed a police cruiser where the 4 rims were so rusted out I would be afraid to drive it, and the officer’s computer handle was broken which made it hard to carry. In the city’s lean years the police/fire department gave up benefits to help the city with it’s budget. Well times are better so lets give these benefits back, and give them the equipment they need to get the job done.
In closing I would like to thank Commissioner’s Moffett, Neering, and Materio for listening to the residents and the facts and voting against the OBD. Commissioner Moffett will be running for re-election in March, and I ask voters to remember her vote Monday night. I heard a comment from Commissioner Materio and couldn’t believe my ears. She stated she did not believe Mr Green’s comment that this was not a case of “spot zoning” Good for her and us.
Also a Thank you to Coalition for Reasonable Development along with Citizens for Thoughtful Growth and Preserve WPB Citizens Coalition for their over site, keeping residents informed. Last but not least, the many residents who took the time to call, write and appear before the city commission to let their thoughts and feelings be known. This was a true grass roots endeavor, and you are to be commended for your effort.
WPB Non-Ad Valorem Tax
City Commission meeting held on 8/28/2017 item #18 on the agenda was Ordinance No. 4725-17 finding a special benefit and authorizing a non ad-valorem special assessment for Residential Solid Waste & Recycling collection services; and Resolution # 274-17 setting the assessment rate and approving the Assessment Roll”. What does that mean?
The city, with the help of Scott Kelly, Assistant City Administrator, found a way to reach deeper into our pockets and have a portion of residents bills namely “Residential Sanitation” which consist of Garbage & Trash and Recycling placed on the tax bill.
If you examine your bill from the city you will find 4 sections that resident are billed for and I offer my bill as an example.
(1) Residential Water:
Service Charge $21.43
Usage $2.41
Utility Tax $2.39
(2) Residential Wastewater:
Service Charg $12.24
Usage $3.61
(3) Residential Sanitation
Garbage & Trash $16.00
Recycling $2.85
(4) Residential Stormwater
Service Charge $13.17
First question: What is with the “Service Charge”? $46.84 total. Why not call it what it is?
So the city will remove $18.85 from our monthly billing and add $219.96 to our tax bill. I did not plan on this and already am short dollars to pay my tax bill in November, and how dare they bill us a year in advance for services not received. Their explanation “other cities do it” so that makes it alright?
Well the good news it didn’t pass to be placed of the tax rolls this year, but it is a certainty for next year. So this year we will pay the $18.85 monthly, and place the same amount in our monthly budget for 2018. There is some good news the recycling fee will be reduced from $2.85 to $2.33 saving residents a whopping $6.24 a year. I don’t know what people will do with their savings but I intend to have a gourmet meal at McDonalds.
I was one of several residents who spoke out about passing the non ad-valorem tax and placing it on our County tax roll. Mr. Kelly said it would save the city money on the billing by removing #3 from the monthly billing. How is that going to save the city money by removing it? Residents will still receive a monthly billing. I believe once the city places #3 on the tax roll they will find a way to raise one of the other 3 or invent a new one to take it’s place.
The bill I receive from the city is my highest bill including FPL.
I am one of thousands of retired workers living on Social Security and being responsible I pay my bills on time and never spend more money than what I receive. I pay my tax bill in November to save 4% of my total bill.
The last tax bill I receive I start to budget my money for the next tax year. This year I budgeted $123.00/ month, now it has jumped to $141.00 thanks to the city.
I can’t wait to see how the city will add the $18.33 we will be saving from our monthly bill. The last line in the notice received from the city speaks volumes. “”A rate study will be undertaken in 2018 to determine the needed level rates for future years”
So the city is giving you a heads up—–It’s coming, be ready,
Both Commissioner Ryan & Materio spoke up for the residents. Commissioners Neering & Moffett stayed mute, while Commissioner James asked if they could pass it and have it take effect next year. The answer was no.
Back to School
The city asked for volunteers to welcome children back to school, and I received an invitation to participate at the Northmore Elementary School. I accepted the invitation and it was a memorable occasion and I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend a couple of hours.
After parking my car the first thing I noticed were police officers waiting for the buses to arrive with the children.
I asked why they were there and they said to welcome the kids back to school, and when the buses pulled up they spread out and talked to as many of the kids as possible. Is it possible the next generation wont fear the police and know them as friends who can help if they have problems?
I asked where the volunteers were and was shown an area where 11 of us lined up to applaud and welcome the kids back to school. I didn’t realize there were many more volunteers at another entrance to the school. Turnout was wonderful.
You could tell the kids that were coming to school for the first time. The kindergartners looked scared to death, afraid of the unknown. The older children were all smiles and walked down the path and gave a hi-five to all volunteers. The parents also all smiles thanked us for being there.
What was a surprise to me was the number of fathers who accompanied their children to their first day of school. For many years that was always “mom’s job” and seeing dad’s so involved was 
heartwarming.
At one point in time Northmore was on the list for 20 worst schools, until Principle Vonda Daniels and her dedicated staff of teachers turned it around.
On 8/14/2017 at a City Commission meeting Mayor Muoio presented Ms. Daniels, along with Ilene Silber, Education Consultant with a Proclamation for “Attendance Awareness Month” Much deserved.
A special Thank You to Commissioner Neering for extending his “Ties that Bind” program, to include welcoming children back to school, and Matt Chambers for overseeing the volunteers, and it was no surprise to see Commissioner Moffett in attendance, who shared with me Mr. Green, a businessman donated 400 I-Pads to the school.
More Learning Opportunities
Get a Jumpstart on a trade and Career path at North Tech Pre- Apprenticeship program where you can learn Welding, Electrical, Carpentry, Plumbing or HVAC.
Classes are held Monday & Wednesday night from 6-9:30 PM.
Registration will be held Tuesday 8/22, Wednesday 8/23, and Thursday 8/24 from 6-8 PM
For more information please call 561-842-1063
The Vickers House, in partnership with PBC School District, will be offering GED/ABE classes to anyone interested in continuing their education.
Registration: August 14-25.
Tuition cost: $30.00 per semester, which will be waived if homeless or receiving food stamps.
Class schedule begin (Mon.) August 28,2017 ends Dec.15, 2017.
For more information please call 561-804-4970.
Youth & Young Adult Program (Must be ages 17-24) where you will learn Development Leadership skills, Receive money management training, Participate in field trips and community service activities, Explore interest and careers, Earn valuable credentials and engage in mock interviews and resume buildings.
Next class begins Sept.11,2017.
For more information please call: 561-340-1060 ext. 2361
Above are 3 learning opportunities. Just reach out and take a chance to improve your life.
The future of our waterfront is at stake!
Many of you have been following the major issues with Okeechobee Blvd and the proposal to change the land use and zoning to allow Related to build high rise at the Christian Science Church property, which currently has a 5 story height limitation. If you haven’t seen the article by Tony Doris in the Palm Beach Post, we have included the article at the end of this email.
So what is new?
A Mayor-Commission work session is scheduled for Monday July 24th at 10:00 AM at City Hall. While the public may not speak at this session, it is important to have people in attendance to hear the comments and be sure the Mayor and Commissioners know that the public is concerned about this issue.
The future of our waterfront is at stake!
Below is a brief piece that explains why the Commissioners requested the session. It should be noted that not only were the Commissioners not informed, the public wasn’t either. The only information that has been made available is from Related and their representatives. As you might expect, their focus has been on everything but the huge changes that must be made to accommodate their project. Interesting. Read the following articles below and see you on Monday July 24 at 10:00 am!
From the Palm Beach Post:
Word that the Mayor Jeri Muoio’s staff was moving ahead with a plan that could put an office tower near the waterfront sent city commissioners’ phones ringing this week.
Commissioner Paula Ryan said she’d fielded 700 emails on the hot-button issue. The mayor said she also had a folder filled with inquiries.
Problem was, the commission hadn’t been filled in so there wasn’t much they could say on the matter — the mayor’s Development Services staff had been treating it as an administrative matter at this stage and planned to bring it to the commission in the months ahead, after going through the Planning Board and Downtown Action Committee.
That’s going to change.
At Commissioner Shanon Materio’s request, Muoio this week agreed to schedule a mayor-commission work session on the plan, which would allow developer Related Cos. of New York to build a 25-story office tower on a site near the waterfront currently limited to 5-stories.
It was Related that came up with the idea but the city took the ball and ran with it, citing a shortage of first-class office towers with which to attract employers. Since spot-zoning — changing the zoning to favor a specific parcel, even if at odds with current zoning — isn’t Kosher, Related proposed that the city create a whole Okeechobee Boulevard business district that would include its site near the First Church of Christ, Scientist.
Materio said the point of her request was to slow the approval process down a bit, so that commissioners, the city’s policy-making body, can have a better sense of where the administration is headed before the plan goes to the other boards.
“We have no idea right now of what is being put together,” she said.
Plans for waterfront tower advance despite public’s ‘no’
Voter referendums can’t dictate a city’s ability to set its zoning.
By Tony Doris Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
The 25-story office tower project known as One Flagler would rise next to the First Church of Christ, Scientist, about 300 feet west of Flagler Drive. CONTRIBUTED
WEST PALM BEACH — Despite a voter-approved ban on building skyscrapers on West Palm’s downtown waterfront, the city is pressing forward with a plan that would allow one developer — Related Cos. of New York — to do just that.
Related in April submitted an application to create an Okeechobee Business District that would allow the CityPlace developer to build a 25-story office tower 300 feet from the waterfront.
The city, pressed by a citizens’ group this past week about how a developer could create a district that governs other people’s property, said it planned to return the application and initiate the change itself.
The move puts the city in the position of reworking its state-mandated long-term growth plan, known as a comprehensive plan, to suit a developer, using the developer’s application as a guideline, to advance a city goal of adding much-needed office space.
What about the 5-story limit? A court precedent from a few years ago, stemming from city efforts to redevelop the old City Hall site, said voter referendums can’t dictate the city’s ability to set its zoning, according to Development Services Director Rick Greene.
The city commissioners would have to approve the plan for it to be enacted. Greene and his staff are working on its wording and expect to place it before the five-member board by the end of the year.
Related officials, along with land-use attorney Harvey Oyer III, have spent months trying to sway opponents to support their project, known as One Flagler. It would rise next to the First Church of Christ, Scientist, about 300 feet west of Flagler Drive.
They’ve boasted about hiring the One World Trade Center architect to design it, about their plan to preserve the historic church designed by a vaunted African-American architect and to help the city with solutions to downtown congestion.
The new business district that would include Related’s site is meant to serve as a center for high-paying jobs and to encourage high-quality, innovative design “to create a distinctive skyline,” according to Oyer’s application. The district would add consistency and predictability to an area currently subject to “a hodgepodge of varying zoning regulations,” he wrote.
The plan “ensures the perpetual public view of the waterfront by restricting buildings within 300 feet of the west right-of-way line of Flagler Drive,” according to the application.
Officials with Related Cos. of New York, along with land-use attorney Harvey Oyer III, have spent months trying to sway opponents to support their project, known as One Flagler.
“It’s nothing new that the city wants more Class A offices, whether this building or any other office tower in the city,” said West Palm’s economic development director, Christopher Roog.
On July 20 Roog will keynote a luncheon of the Florida East Coast Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, an event sponsored by Related.
“Our presenter will talk about Related’s project and its impact on the construction economy as well as the City of West Palm Beach,” said a flier for the event. “It’s not an endorsement of the Related project,” Roog told The Palm Beach Post. “We want them all. We don’t have any capacity.” Is it the city’s plan or developer’s plan?
Nancy Pullum, who heads watchdog group Citizens for Thoughtful Growth, said the interaction between the city and developer has the public confused.
On the one hand, Related has spent months making elaborate presentations before groups of residents, the city Planning Board and Downtown Action Committee, selling the project and having Oyer craft the Okeechobee Business District plan to create a high-rise corridor from Rosemary Avenue to Flagler.
On the other hand, the city, rather than acting as an independent evaluator of the proposed project, says it is initiating the plan for the district, which clearly was invented to allow Related’s tower.
Is this the city’s plan, the mayor’s plan or Related’s plan? Pullum asks, “Who’s pushing this anyway?”
One architect of the 5-story limit, lawyer Reginald Stambaugh, said there’ll be a political price if the city ignores the people’s will.
“The waterfront was protected and has remained protected with the referendum intact,” said Stambaugh, who drafted the original language of the referendum question. “If the city representatives want to change that, then they’re up against the residents, who overwhelmingly voted to limit the heights along the waterfront.”
City has followed procedure in past
Development Services Director Greene said that just because his department is drafting an Okeechobee Business District plan doesn’t mean his boss, the mayor, will endorse it or commissioners will vote for it.
And it’s not unusual for the city and a developer to work together, he said. The Related application was meant to help his staff understand what the developer wanted, so staff could take it into consideration as they draw up the city version, he said.
“We asked Related to submit the application but realized they could not get owners’ consent for all the properties within the proposed corridor, so the city thought it best for us to move forward with the application.”
Related attorney Oyer confirmed that.
The city followed the same procedure on a number of occasions, Greene said. For example, it did so with developer Jeff Greene’s (no relation) One West Palm project, a proposal for two 30-story towers on Quadrille Boulevard, several blocks west of the waterfront, which also required a zoning change and a change to the city’s comprehensive plan for downtown.
The city incorporated some of what that developer liked and “tightened up the language,” Rick Greene said.
“It happens more times than you would think,” he said of the cooperation between the city and a developer.
That might be so, but developer Jeff Greene has threatened to cancel his $250 million project if the city rewrites its height rules to allow Related’s competing tower with waterfront views he can’t match.
This is the second time in the past year that the city has moved to create a district that would allow high-rises in the 5-story area.
First the city crafted a plan to designate a Flagler Waterfront District, a north-south section of downtown where it would ease height limits to encourage top-flight office construction.
Despite support for the district from the chamber of commerce, Business Development Board and Related, downtown residents flocked to public meetings to complain that 30-story towers there would block condo views, grid-lock streets and destroy the city’s small-town ambience.
“We are now ‘going back to the drawing board’ to rethink how to add this office space in the Flagler Financial District while keeping in mind our stakeholders’ feedback,” Mayor Jeri Muoio said in November after the city’s Downtown Action Committee recommended against the plan.
The latest plan, the Okeechobee district, amounts to “trying to do a work-around,” in watchdog Pullum’s view.
The two districts, the old north-south one and the new east-west one, have just one property in common: the site where Related wants to build.
If you have no interest in what is happening in this particular part of the city, how will you react when developers take an interest in your neighborhood and see dollar signs.
The waterfront is the jewel of West Palm Beach and we, the residents,taxpayers and homeowners are losing our right to visit beaches along with our quality of life.
Of course we can always drive along the water front, but do it fast before the next high rise appears and blocks the view, and remember what we once had and lost due to lack of attention or caring.
Time To Give Back
America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan on Dec.7,1941, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt was quoted as stating “a date which will live in infamy”
Another date that should “live in infamy” is September 9, 2001 when 19 hijackers and a few others in a cave in Afghanistan planned and carried out the attack on America causing the death of nearly 3,000 Americans which included:
343 firefighters (including a chaplain and two paramedics) of the New York City Fire Department.
37 police officers of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department.
23 police officers of the New York City Police Department.
8 emergency medical technicians and paramedics from private emergency medical services.
The above figures do not represent the thousands of other first respondents who still fall ill to this day due to respiratory and cancer causing carcinogens inhaled on that faithful day, running into buildings in their attempt to save lives and in the process losing their’s. Why do I bring this up now? For 2 reasons, let me explain.
When a fire broke out in London England 79 people living in the 24 story Grenfell Towers lost their lives, and many more injured with severe burns, and the death toll is expected to rise. I watched the news, saw the inferno, and said a prayer for the victims. Then I read Sunday’s paper and the article on Developer Jeff Greene and his plans for WPB.
Mr. Greene has 8 projects in the work, and I will mention a few.
Micro Apartments=550 Banyan Blvd.=12 stories.
Clematis Place= Clematis St.= 12 stories
One West Palm= 550 No. Quadrille Blvd. It is written this is his biggest project with 2 towers, each 30 stories high, 209,000 square feet of offices, 328 luxury apartments, hotel and retail. I am assuming the luxury apartments will be on the top floors. Mr. Greene has the OK from the ,city to build, but is waiting on a decision from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) but doesn’t anticipate a problem.
What could kill Mr Greene’s project? Related Co. plans to build a 25 story tower near the waterfront, on a site zoned for 5 stories and is pushing the city to allow the construction. If the city allows the project to go forward, Mr. Greene states “I probably wont go ahead with the project. I don’t feel like competing with a building right on the water unless he gets a big tax break to compensate”
The city has allowed so much construction, there is no where to go but up, and after 30 years of living in WPB, I now live in a possible flood zone. It’s a shame they cant make concrete to absorb water like the land can. Water has to go somewhere, and if it crawls into your home that’s really a shame.
If you read this far, thank you, here is one point I wish to make and it concerns the WPB Fire Dept; The fire dept; along with the police dept; are and always will be my heroes for reasons mentioned above. They are selfless individuals who put our safety above their own, and rush into danger while others are trying to escape. I believe both departments are in financial trouble, and would offer a couple of solutions.
First the city has 3 Fire Truck Ladder’s, and they can extend 100′ capable of reaching 8-9 floors if they can get close to the building. For every 10′ away from the building, that’s 10′ they lose in height.
One truck is in the process of being disposed of due to the cost of keeping it operational, and needs to be replaced. (To damn old and falling apart).
If the ladders cant go beyond 8-9 floors, why would the city allow 30 story buildings? Simple answer, the developer want to make as many millions as possible on the project.
Instead of Mr. Greene asking for “a big tax break” why not thank the city for all he’s received by purchasing a much needed fire ladder truck, donating it to the city, and have a nice tax write off for himself, not to mention the great publicity he would receive.
I imagine these trucks run hundred’s of thousands of dollars, and the city could hire much needed help in both the fire and police dept. if they didn’t lay out money for the new truck. I see it as a win-win.
If you read this blog on a regular basis, you know I ask readers to vote no on all new taxes the city, county and state ask for because I believe they could do a better job of handling our tax dollars.
Homeowners soon will be asked to vote for another $25,000.00 Homeowners Exemption, bringing it to $75,000.00.
I am a homeowner, and will vote the exemption down if the city promises they will use the tax dollars to fully fund the WPB Fire & Police Dept. with the needed manpower and equipment.
Mayor Muoio please ask Mr. Greene to purchase and donate the Fire Truck.
I Don’t Get It
May 10,2017 I had my 2nd. ride with a cop, and rode a different shift. 10:30 PM until 3:00 AM. Officer Bryan Vautin was the officer in charge of my safety as we rode the north end of the city where crime can be observed daily.
We talked as he rode me into sections of WPB I never knew existed,while he pointed out different sights and troubled areas of the city.
Bryan’s first stop took us to an area off the beaten path where he said folks do drugs, and abandon stolen cars. He spotted 2 people sitting in a car and stepped out to investigate.The young man handed Bryan a joint smoked down to the roach clip, and Officer Vautin mentioned the driver was extremely nervous for having such a small amount of pot.
He asked for his drivers license and discovered it was suspended,same story with the young lady in the car.
Officer Vautin asked the young man if he had a problem with a search of the car, and was told no he didn’t have a problem with it. At this point a second officer had arrived for backup.
Officer Vautin found a gun, loaded with 10 rounds. The young man said he bought it about a year ago from someone he didn’t know. When Bryan ran the gun it came back as stolen from Riviera Beach. Both officers questioned the young man and he was adamant he didn’t know the name of the man who sold him the gun.
Officer Vautin confiscated the gun and said it would be tested against gun crimes committed. I asked him what would happen if the gun was used in a robbery or murder within the year the man claims he bought it.
The information would be turned over to detectives who would investigate further. The young man had no outstanding warrants and no felony convictions and the police did not arrest him, while telling him to call for a ride and not drive the car. Young man got a break.
Officer Vautin continued on patrol when a call came over the radio saying another officer on patrol saw a flashlight come on in a business, that was possibility being burglarized. The call came at approximately 2:00 AM. He wasted no time responding to the call and when we arrived there were 4 cruiser ahead of us. The business was a one story and officers set a parameter around the building.
Across the street from the business were very large storage containers and Officer Vautin was asked to climb the container to insure someone wasn’t breaking in by way of the roof.
I witnessed officers shining flashlights into the building, when I heard an officer report the back of the building had a garage door, and it was opened approximately 3 feet. Another officer reported he could see a woman inside.
I watched Officer Vautin climb down from the container and run toward the building. Officers identified themselves and told the woman to come to the door which she did.
Unfortunately I wasn’t surprised when the business owner verbally abused the officers because they woke her up. (she sleeps in the back room of her business)
Officers witnessed suspicious activity and investigated, which most people would be grateful for. Not this owner. The owner was yelling loud enough I heard her across the street.
Police requested her to place a sign in her window with a contact name and phone no. explaining they would have called the phone and asked if someone had permission to be in the building. She said she would not post any sign’s in her window, and her phone no. was not the cops business. I can’t comprehend how anyone can be so angry when police are concerned about a possible burglar breaking and entering, and risking their lives to protect her property. She should have witnessed Officer Vautin climb to the roof of the storage containers, (if he fell may very well have broken his neck) to enable him to view the roof in an attempt to protect her business.
This was my second ride with a cop and both times I witnessed officers shown absolutely no respect by people of color.
I don’t get it.
The most shocking scene I witnessed this night was the number of young kids (I’m talking young teens) riding bicycles and walking the streets in groups of 3-4 at 2:30 AM. Where are the parents of these young children who walk the streets doing God knows what?
I don’t get it!
The third Thursday of every month a “Peace in the street March” led by Rev. Kevin Jones. At the May walk I met a new lady who joined us from Century Village. Folks come from all over the city to walk but most times police outnumber the marchers, and you will rarely see a marcher who lives in the north end neighborhood.
I don’t get it!
One of the greatest inventions in my lifetime was the television, a small round screen, black & white. The curse of the TV are the commercials but recently two commercials caught my attention.
Pepsi Cola commercial showed a group of black protestors holding signs reading
“peace” “love” and “join the conversation.” The protestors were facing a line of Police Officers when a young black woman (Kendall Jenner) broke from the line, walked to an officer and handed him a can of Pepsi
It’s not clear what the smiling, attractive demonstrators are upset about, the only clues being their placards. I absolutely loved the commercial, and watched it twice, before the nightly news reported Pepsi had pulled the commercial do to an uproar from the “Black Lives Matter” movement.
Pepsi Cola stated their intention was “Trying to project a global message of unity, peace and understanding. Clearly we missed the mark, and we apologize, we did not intend to make light of any serious issue. We are removing the content and halting any further rollout. We also apologize for putting Kendall Jenner in this position.”
I don’t get it.
“Watch Your Med’s”
Shows an older gentlemen opening his medicine cabinet, and taking a pill. When he closes the cabinet it shows a young woman taking one on his pills.
The other shows an older woman, on crutches, opening her cabinet and swallowing a pill. When she closes the cabinet, there is a young man swallowing a pill.
This commercial runs often, and when cities recently ran a program allowing people to turn in their expired or un-used medication records were broken on the amount turned in.
This one I get.
Cops & Scholars
In the summer of 2015, 10 people were murdered and 28 were wounded in the City of WPB.
Two years later most cases remain open, though the police know the gang members involved, their hands are tied due too lack of cooperation and eyewitnesses coming forward. I want to tell you about one particular officer named Sgt. William Nealy.
Sgt. William Nealy, who has won multiple awards and recognition for his work with kids definitely thinks “outside the box” when it concerns juvenile’s. If you take the time to speak to this officer his passion and devotion to the problem facing young men and woman come through loud and clear.
Sgt. Nealy has over a decade working with Juveniles and patrols many of the most dangerous sections of the city mainly the Tamarind Avenue corridor, where the shootings mentioned above happened.
Every person Nealy stops and asked what can be done to stop the violence, they all say the same things: jobs, activities for the kids and, above all else opportunity. Some of the men say their past criminal histories keep them from employment. They say kids have nothing to do when they’re out of school. Here is how the city has responded.
Jobs
“Mayor’s Village Initiative/Workforce Development Program.”
The goal of this program is to connect residents to employment, to assist them in overcoming any barriers to obtaining employment and to provide educational/vocational training.
Career Source Palm Beach County assist the youth and young adults meet the education and career goals through various programs. The year-round work readiness program helps eligible youth ages 16 – 24 who are not working and attending school to:
Develop leadership and work maturity skills
Explore career pathways
Receive money management training
Engage in mock interviews and resume building
Earn over $900 during a five-week program
Activities for the kids:
Youth Empowerment Center’s (YEC) are located at Gaines Park and the Pleasant City.
YEC’s incorporate enriching team-specific program from kids 12 to 19 years old. These facilities feature a multipurpose building for programs and activities, audio/video and recording labs, computer labs, playground area, gymnasium and outdoor basketball courts and other outdoor sports amenities.
Police Athletic League (PAL) is a juvenile crime prevention program that relies heavily upon academics and recreational activities to create and maintain the bond between police officers and kids on the street.
Gang Resistant Education and Training (GREAT)
The Great Program is intended as an immunization against delinquency, youth violence, and gang membership. The educational training is geared for children fifth grade and above.
Urban Youth Empowerment Program aims to help young adults who have been involved in the adult criminal justice system, juvenile justice system and are high school drop-outs reached their educational and career goals.
Past criminal histories that keep them from employment also have a couple of programs.
Juvenile Arrest and Monitoring. (JAM)
The purpose of JAM is to establish to alleviate criminal activities committed by juveniles under supervision of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice. Juveniles on JAM are closely monitored by West Palm Beach Police Department officers.
Neighborhood Accountability Board
This program is geared for youth between 12 – 18 years of age who have committed a first time misdemeanor offense. NAB is based on the principles of Restorative Justice. The participants are referred by Law Enforcement or the State Attorney’s Office.
Upon completion of the program the pending charges will not be documented on court records.
Reduction Intervention Prevention (RIP)
this program is geared toward first-time felony offenders between the ages of 13 to 24 years of age. The goal is to provide them with the necessary resources and mentoring in hopes that they will become productive members of the community.
Sgt. Nealy is a firm believer cops should step out of their cruisers and talk to the youth in the area creating trust between the two.
In August Sgt. Nealy and officers will be presenting “Operation Youth Violence – R.I.P. (Reduction, Intervention, Prevention)” at the 2017 International Gang Conference in Chicago.
When you have a program that works, other cities want to know about it, and I am thrilled that West Palm Beach can assist Chicago.
I know we can’t save all these kids, because some of them don’t want to be saved, but if we all go out and take one boy or girl by the hand, take the time to talk to them and lead then in another direction we can change a life. Sounds good,but few will do it for many reasons.
Willing to try are Sgt. Nealy and the officers committed to an added program called:
“Cops &Scholars”
This program is aimed at encouraging the inner City’s youth to focus on high academic standards. The youth who show academic improvement over a period of time will be rewarded with a sit down meal at local restaurants paired with offices, in uniform. Their goal is to encourage the youth of West Palm Beach to strive for higher academics.
This program I can help with by sending a check to help cover the cost of the meal. If you can join me please send your check and in the memo section add “Cops & Scholars” and our contribution will be designated for that program.
West Palm Beach Police Foundation
P.O. Box 851
West Palm Beach, FL 33402
Contributions can also be made at the web address below.
http://www.wpbpolicefoundation.org.
Walk A Mile In Their Shoes-Before Complaining.
On Jan. 28, 2017 I attended “Coffee with a Cop” and the focus was on the young children that attended with their parents.The event was held on a Saturday when children had the day off from school and attendance was high. There was face painting, visits with the police dog, fingerprinting the young for possible future identification, eating ice cream, and kids from very young to very old atop a motorcycle. Everywhere you looked police were interacting with children, answering their questions, and handing out badges. You could feel the energy flowing with everyone smiling and laughing. It was a true, feel good educational morning.
Later that night I was scheduled for a ride-a-long with a cop. I asked for, and received the north end of the city.
It started with roll call and officers were told to be on the lookout for a man who had a warrant issued for his arrest, and was known to frequent the north end of the city.
After roll call I was introduced to Officer Chris Malta who I was assigned to ride with.
Chris has been with the police department for 10 years, has worked in narcotics and he also assist in training new recruits. Chris told me he loved being a cop, and has a strong interest working with juveniles.
Chris’s first instructions to me was to stay in the cruiser, keep my seat belt buckled, unless he summoned me out. He insured me if a foot chase was necessary he would not leave me alone to pursue a suspect. His job that night was to keep me safe, assist officers where needed, and be on the lookout for the man that had an arrest warrant.
Within 30 minutes of my ride-a-long on the corner of 13th and Sapodilla the cruiser abruptly came to a stop, and before I could ask a question Chris jumped from the car and started talking to a man who was leaning into another car talking to a woman. The unknown woman sped off, and barely missed hitting Chris.
Another cruiser appeared driven by Officer Daniel Fuchsman, two years with the force to assist Chris.
The suspect was moved to the sidewalk and questioned by officers. Next thing I see the man is placed in handcuffed and searched. From his pockets the officers removed 15-20 bags which I was told was marijuana, and he was placed in the backseat of the cruiser.
A scale was placed on the hood of the car, the drugs were weighed, and there turned out to be less than 20 grams which Chris explained represents a misdemeanor.
Chris was familiar with the suspect, and mentioned he had multiple arrest for drug possession and distribution.
Now I must mention both cop and suspect were respectful of one another, both were soft spoken, and it appeared the suspect knew Chris was doing his job, and he was unlucky enough to get caught with drugs on this particular night.
The man was being arrested but not booked into jail, instead would be issued a court summons to appear.
While Chris was finishing the paperwork, a woman appeared and questioned why her son was in handcuffs. Obviously a call was made to her informing her that her son was in police custody. Chris recognized the woman and explained her son was arrested for possession of drugs, was not going to jail but being issued a court summons. Her reaction? “This wasn’t worth getting out of bed for”
The first call over the radio was for a women who complained about domestic violence and wanted her live in boyfriend removed from her apartment. Chris and Daniel both responded to the call. After a few minutes Chris motioned for me to join them.
Apparently the boyfriend physically abused the woman, but left before the police arrived. I learned there were children in the apartment to witness the incident.
Chris took pictures of the woman’s face and hands, and advised the woman to call police immediately if he returned.
The second call was Loud Noise Disturbance. Blocks away you could hear the music and a man singing loud enough that you were aware he was using a megaphone.
Chris advised him to turn down the music and stop using the megaphone. The man protested, loudly, always answering questions through the megaphone.
Chris told the man he didn’t want to arrest him, but would if he didn’t stop disturbing his neighbors. The music was turned down and the megaphone put away.
The third call was from a man who wanted his wife arrested for stealing his wallet and cell phone and she refused to return the items.
Chris responded to the call and we saw 2 men sitting in lawn chair’s on the sidewalk. Chris asked if either of them called the police, and the older man responded he had.
After our arrival we were joined by Daniel.
Chris asked what the problem was, and the man was adamant they arrest his wife for stealing his property.
A woman appeared on an upstairs porch asking what the problem was and it turns out she was his wife. Chris said he would be with her in a minute and tried to continue the conversation with her husband, while the wife continued asking what the problem was.
Chris went to speak to the wife while the husband sat quietly and waited. After a while the man’s front pocket lit up, he removed a cell phone and had a quick conversation.
When Chris returned he handed the man a wallet and was asked if they were going to arrest his wife, and was told no.
He became extremely belligerent, loud, jumped from the chair, waving his arms, while both officers backed up, and walked away yelling and demanding to see their watch commander. The man sat back down while both officers attempted to talk and keep him calm . He again demanded to talk with the watch commander, and Chris assured him he was on the way. The man jumped up again, and raising his hands over his head, started yelling “hands-up, don’t shoot” and I’m thinking what the hell?
Neither officer made a move, threatening or otherwise, and both officers were extremely courteous, patient and professional.
What I witnessed was a resident showing total disrespect for a couple of cops doing their job. My opinion was the man was out of control, and “baiting” the police, who stood and waited for the watch commander.
Outcome: Watch Commander arrived, listened to what the man had to say, and repeated what was previously reported, the wife would not be arrested. Police reward: More verbal abuse.
In the course of a few hours I saw a cop nearly run over, a resident refusing to turn down the music until he was told he could be arrested,and another resident verbally abusing cops for refusing to make an arrest.
This night I met a third officer William Nealy, who’s passionate about children and youth violence. Officer Nealy has won awards and letters of praise for his work in this area.
A story will be coming soon on what the WPB Police Dept; and Officer Nealy are doing to attempt to help juveniles get back on track.
A special Thank You to Officer Donawa who assisted me in setting the appointment for my ride along, and Chris and Daniel for keeping me and the city safe.
God bless and watch over them all.
What are Commissioner’s Thinking?
How is West Palm Beach City Government run?
The Mayor makes policy for the city.
The five City Commissioners are entrusted with tax payers dollars and I expect them to be diligent and conscientious with their decision’s to spend, not throw away tax payers dollars. I expect government responsibility, and wise decisions made too provide for the future of WPB.
The City Commissioners also sit as the CRA board.
Here’s the story.
1/9/2017 at a Special CRA meeting developer Michael Masanoff informed city leaders he needed $114 million taxpayer dollars to build a Transit Oriented Development project in downtown West Palm Beach and three City Commissioners voted their approval for the payout over the strong objections of the city’s Finance Director, City Administrator, and CRA Executive Director.
Mayor Muoio vetoed the commissioners vote, but unfortunately it may not over. Below is an open letter to residents from the mayor explaining her decision. Please take time to read her message. At the end of her letter I have listed the commissioner’s name and e-mail address, along with my comment. Please take the time to send them an e-mail and express your thoughts.
An Open Letter to Our Residents from West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio
Yesterday, for the first time as Mayor of the City of West Palm Beach, I exercised my authority to veto a vote by our city commissioners.
The commissioners, serving as members of the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board, voted Monday to give away $114 million dollars in future tax revenue to a private developer.
The developer, Michael Masanoff, wants to build a mixture of residential, office and hotel space in an area just north of the downtown TriRail station. His project is commonly known as the Transit Oriented Development (TOD). Monday Mr. Masanoff asked the CRA to give him $114 million dollars in return for building his project.
The deal gives Mr. Masanoff one hundred percent of tax revenue created by the project for twenty-nine years. We would receive no property taxes created by the project until approximately 2045.
The vote to give away the tax dollars was 3-2. Commissioners Paula Ryan, Shanon Materio, and Keith James voted in favor of the payment. Commissioners Cory Neering and Sylvia Moffett voted against it. As the Chairperson of the Board, I do not vote. The Board’s approval came over the strong objections of the city’s Finance Director, City Administrator, and CRA Executive Director. All three testified the project does not warrant such a level of funding.
Even in our city’s darkest economic times, we have never given away one hundred percent of our tax revenues to a developer.
CityPlace, built at a time when no developer would consider construction in or around the acres of blight that afflicted our downtown, only received eighty percent of the tax revenues as an incentive. Surely today, with billions of dollars in new development in the pipeline, we do not need to use $114 million dollars of public money to convince a developer to build in our city.
I have heard the argument that this is essentially “found” money only generated because of the project. Supporters claim there would not be $114 million dollars if it were not for the project. Do we really believe the only way for a project to succeed in today’s economy is to receive a $114 million dollar government handout?
Michael Busha, the Executive Director of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, even while testifying in favor of the TOD, admitted that he had never heard of this level of public support being offered for a private sector project.
The precedent set by this level of public subsidy is irresponsible and dangerous. And with all due respect to my colleagues on the dais who claim this deal sets no precedent, they are not fielding the calls to my office from other developers outraged at the preferential treatment.
No incentive package for a developer has ever approached anything close to $114 million dollars. Even the multi-use project planned for our old city hall site, for example, is receiving less than $3 million dollars in public incentives.
My decision to veto the funding is not easy. A transit-oriented development supports many of my administration’s goals. Alternative modes of transportation, walkability and reducing carbon emissions are all priorities close to my heart. I support the project. But I do not believe we should give away $114 million dollars of the public’s money to get it.
I applaud Commissioners Cory Neering and Sylvia Moffett for seeing the error of granting such a deal, and I hope their colleagues on the CRA Board have a change of heart should this issue return for additional consideration.
Mayor Muoio
On 1/17/2017 there will be a Special CRA meeting and the City Commissioners may attempt to override her veto.
The 3 commissioners who voted in favor of the developer are Commissioners James, Materio and Ryan.
Two commissioners who voted on the side of the taxpayers are Commissioners Moffett and Neering.
Mayor Muoio’s term as mayor will end in 2019, and I will bet there are a minimum of 2 and possibly 3 are considering a run for her seat. Do they expect this to be forgotten, or brought up over and over again at election time. The commissioners hold their seat because people believed they would work for the good of the people, not every developer that comes down the pike. Here are their addresses and please remember “Silence means Acceptance. It will take 4 votes to override Mayor Muoio’s veto.
Mayor Jeri Muoio [email protected]
Commissioner Keith James [email protected]
Commissioner Shanon Materio [email protected]
Commissioner Paula Ryan [email protected]
Commissioner Sylvia Moffett [email protected]
Commissioner Cory Neering [email protected]