Boat show’s pitch for big tent at Meyer Amphitheatre is on hold.
Larry Keller Special to The Post July 16,2021 Link can be found below.
Below are excerpts from the story, my comments in italic.
Cast: Rena Blades, director of community and government relations for the boat show
Informa Markets, manages the Boat Show.
Amelia Ostrosky, Esplanade Grande condominium association board chair
“A proposal floated by producers of the Palm Beach International Boat Show to remove palm trees, level a berm and make other changes at the park that is home to the Meyer Amphitheatre is dead in the water — for now.”
“Boat show manager Informa Markets pitched a plan last month to the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority to alter the park in ways that would enable it to erect an enormous tent at the annual event. The DDA board said it needed more information.” Good for the DDA
“We have tabled that for the foreseeable future,” said Rena Blades, director of community and government relations for the boat show.
The amphitheater, officially the Meyer Amphitheatre at Sunfest Park, opened 25 years ago on a 2.4-acre city-owned site near Flagler Drive and the Intracoastal Waterway. It has been a popular scenic venue for everything from SunFest and other festivals to the annual 4th on Flagler celebrations for Independence Day. And, of course, the annual boat show.”
Boat show would like to expand but ‘the challenge is we’re landlocked.
“This year’s four-day event featured more than $1.2 billion in boats, yachts and accessories of all sizes from 8-foot inflatables to the $66 million Quantum of Solace measuring 238 feet long with a helipad, a nightclub, an elevator, a gym and a pool.”
“The boat show has become really popular, not only with attendees but with vendors,” Blades said. “People like the scale of this boat show. The challenge is we’re landlocked … there’s no way to expand the number of vendors so we can give people more of what they want.” More of what people want, or more of what you want?
Hence the desire for more tent space.
“Informa proposed flattening a berm or hill that is 5 to 6 feet high on the eastern edge of the park, removing stairs and eight light poles and uprooting more than a dozen coconut palms. They were to be replanted at the western side of the park, where oak trees and another berm would remain.”
“The proposal would have moved the fence that currently is erected near the sidewalk on Narcissus Avenue during boat shows to a place farther inside the park, creating more space for residents to walk their dogs.” No mention if the fence would be returned to it’s original position.
What residents thought of the boat show’s idea.
“Boat show representatives met with association boards and residents at two nearby condominiums in recent months, Blades said. One of them, the 15-story Esplanade Grande with a rooftop pool and hot tub, overlooks the amphitheater and the Intracoastal Waterway. Some units sell for $2 million and up.”
“My takeaway was there was a fair amount of support for it, Blades said. “I think the residents felt listened to for the most part.”
“The Esplanade Grande condominium association board chair, Amelia Ostrosky, recalled it differently. “We were basically all on board” in opposition to the plan, she said.”
If this plan proceeded to the City Commission for a vote the statement made by Ms. Blades above would have been repeated and there would be a good chance of passage simply because people didn’t pay attention, woke one morning asking other neighbors what’s with the huge tent in the park? Oh! look, the berm’s gone, the streetlights are gone, I wondered why it was so dark in the park last night. Someone stole the City’s Coconut Palm trees. What happened? I repeat, you didn’t pay attention.
“But Esplanade Grande residents had two primary objections to the proposed changes. “We definitely were not in favor of removing the berm,” Ostrosky said. It functions as sort of natural barrier to young children and dogs playing on the amphitheater lawn from venturing onto nearby Flagler Drive, she said.”
“The other major concern was the tent, which residents were informed would be 40,000 square feet” (1 acre = 43,560 Square feet) As mentioned above the park is on 2.4-acres city-owned site, meaning residents own it.
“Ostrosky said. They were told it would be in place a maximum of 26 to 30 days a year for various events, but neighbors worried it might be extended more days.” I tend to agree with the neighbors and once it’s up complaining wont help.
“There is always a concern about such a massive tent,” Ostrosky said. “We were concerned the beauty of the park would become a tent site.”
“At one meeting of condo residents, a group of people was “generally grumpy that there’s a tent there at all,” Blades said. I would imagine they were a little more than grumpy. They showed up, spoke up, pushed back and the outcome can be read below.
“Our team just felt like ‘Let’s not deal with this right now, and we’ll give it more thought and improve on these other things we’ve heard about, like the traffic flow.’ We’ve left it at that.”
This story was written in July 2021, James was serving his first term as mayor, my opinion is don’t push this now, wait until his second term then he’ll take care of the boat show and Informa.
Check out the boat show home page and see facts and figures.
https://www.pbboatshow.com/en/home.html
Read the entire PB Post story below.
Far From Over
Terri Parker’s Exclusive Story on the Marina
Channel 25 (WPBF) Investigative Reporter, Terri Parker had the exclusive story on Safe Harbor who filed a protest against the City of WPB for voting for a “world class marina.” Below are excerpts from Ms. Parker’s story, and the link can be found below.
“The lawyer for Safe Harbor – the world’s largest marina builder and operator filed an official protest against city commissioners’ choice of City Harbor to build a “world class marina” on the downtown waterfront.”
According to the city charter, the mayor may only vote in the case of a tie in a commission meeting.
While James characterized the meeting as a “evaluation committee” it was posted as a special commission meeting.
The protest also said a representative for Informa, which manages the yearly boat show, improperly lobbied commissioners and the mayor on behalf of City Harbor.
Informa designed the dock plan for City Harbor, according to the protest and was listed as a partner in visual handouts.”
Ms. Parker’s story can be read below, and I have included the link if you care to view the meeting which lasted for 3:34:40 and hear Andrew Duel from Informa the company that manages the boat show made a presentation. Time start 56:28.
City leaders are willing to give up our water views to a for profit company and allow them to build a marina for the wealthy boat owners and it’s a hot topic being watched by residents and the media.
Below you will read a letter to the editor of the PB Post by Mr. Mike Schmidt and an email sent to city leaders by Aaron Wormus. Both men have expressed their views on the marina. I thank them both for speaking up.
Now the rest of us that are upset about our possible loss of access to the water.
When the City Commission meet to discuss and vote on the issue, I’m betting Channel 5, 12, 25 and the PB Post will be present to report on the story. It’s a hot issue, and residents are concerned, but are we concerned enough to attend the meeting and speak up. If the city runs true to form invited guests will attend the meeting praising city leaders for their leadership.
Public speaking is a hard thing to do, believe me I know. When I first started to address the Mayor (Lois Frankel) and City Commissioners I was a nervous wreck, and hoped they couldn’t hear my knees knocking. When you stop and think city hall belongs to all of us and we allow leaders the use of the building for a few years hoping they will protect residents. Few do.
If you don’t agree with the city’s plans, please find the courage to attend the meetings and speak up. Your silence means acceptance.
Mike Schmidt letter to the editor P.B. Post.
“I read Kim Miller’s article in the Palm Beach Post about the City Council’s plan to permit a private business to build a for-profit marina at the waterfront park in downtown. It seems incredible that any attempt to take public parkland and sequester it for private, for-profit use of a very exclusive few would blithely proceed without any meaningful attempt to get the public’s opinion. Imagine if someone wanted to take a substantial chunk of Howard Park or Gaines Park and convert it for the exclusive use of the yachting class. There would be a tremendous public outcry of ‘gentrification,’ ‘elitism,’ ‘neo-colonialism,’ or whatever disparaging ‘ism’ you could possibly imagine.
Making matters worse is the obvious stealth and secrecy of the whole deal, a very deliberate attempt by mayor and council to NOT inform the public, which carries the reek of public officials thinking about their own interests and not the general public’s — or at the very least, the public officials appear to be the handmaidens of a very few self-centered profiteers.
Look, I’m not trying to be naive: the typical practice with development is to keep it on the downlow and get city approval before ‘public comment’ can have any meaningful effect. Then the city hosts a pointless, cosmetic meeting to give the appearance of democracy, listens to a bunch of objections with glazed eyes and nary a care, because the project is already approved and the public can stuff their objections.
It’s an old game, we’ve all seen it before. But if this is how the mayor and council are proceeding with this project, their credibility as public servants will be nil. Don’t be surprised if all city officials who shepherded this marina project are accused of lack of ethics, corruption, and a general contempt for their constituents. How else is the secrecy and stealth to be interpreted?
Let’s also not waste each other’s time or insult the public’s intelligence by trying to pretend that ordinary people will enjoy access to the marina once built. We all know that the people who own expensive boats have zero incentive to allow the public on their docks, and no expensive marina is an exception to that rule. There’s no escaping that a beautiful, unique park and view of the waterfront, designed and intended for the public and enjoyed by hundreds of thousands every year, will be substantially obstructed for the private pleasure of a scant few extremely wealthy folk.
Please don’t decide on this project without proper public input. Please don’t ruin the beautiful, tourist-friendly, existing waterfront that is a unique, irreplaceable, signature feature of downtown. Please don’t turn downtown West Palm Beach into the poorly-planned, helter-skelter mish-mash of gated marinas that is Fort Lauderdale.”
Mike Schmidt is a resident of West Palm Beach.
Aaron Wormus email to city leaders.
Dear Mayor James,
“I work at the Citizens’ Building overlooking the Downtown Waterfront, and I live in the South End – Every day I walk my dogs, Jackson and Pixel, along the beautiful Flagler Drive.
We are blessed that through the years West Palm Beach leaders have made choices that have protected, preserved and nourished our waterfront. Our beautiful lake attracted the first settlers, birthed our city 128 years ago, and IF protected will continue to be part of our veritable paradise for generations to come.
Please stop all negotiations for a new commercial marina on our downtown waterfront. It’s not worth it, at any price.
Thank you for your continued service to our community.”
Best regards,
Aaron Wormus
330 Winters St, West Palm Beach, FL 33405
(561) 809 8507
Terri Parker story can be read below.
Special City Commission Meeting held June 5, 2023, ran for 3:34:40, and presentation by Andrew Duel from Informa the company that manages the boat show made a presentation time start 56:28. Meeting can be seen & heard below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_Y1yWMn0LI
Before I close one more piece of information. Attorney Malcolm Cunningham who successfully defended Vita in the Sunset Lounge lawsuit is the attorney for Safe Harbor. Speaking of the Sunset Lounge how are negotiations coming along? That question for Mayor Keith James.
The end
WPB Mayor Keith James Ethics Probe
“Three veterans of the Palm Beach Post are joining forces to venture into a new dimension of news delivery: the email newsletter.
The Stet Media Group got its name from an old copy-editing term meaning “let it stand” — back when editors wielded red-ink pens — and former Palm Beach Post News colleagues Pat Beall, Carolyn DiPaolo and Joel Engelhardt are taking a stand for journalism with some new bells and whistles.
The trio are putting their collective 75 years of Palm Beach County reporting experience to use dishing up public-interest stories unavailable anywhere else,
Financing is uncertain for Stet Media Group, but a trio of journalists are betting it will catch on.”
There aren’t to many things in life that frighten me but the thought of losing a trio that is courageous enough to shine a light on politics that few others are willing to do. I support them with a monthly contribution and if honest news is important to you, please consider donating. We need Stet.
What you have read so far I included the link below along with Joel Engelhardt story on Mayor Keith James ethics case. Below are excerpts from the story which Stet tells us is part 1 of a 3 part series
“Exclusive: Documents shed new light on 3-year ethics probe into WPB Mayor Keith James
Former city administrator says in deposition he took the fall to ensure mayor’s benefactor kept no-bid security contract.
A state ethics probe dating to one of West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James’ first acts in office in 2019 remains active even though an investigator has twice urged it be dismissed.
Investigative reports submitted to the Florida Commission on Ethics contain no references to the 2021 deposition of former City Administrator Jeff Green. In it, Green describes his own removal from office by James as a political calculation to keep a benefactor happy.
That benefactor, Willie Perez, is the local head of the security company that received the contract.
A Stet review of those 2020 interviews also reveals that while James said he didn’t know what Green was doing to assure Perez got the contract; Green said the mayor was involved every step of the way.
The still-active investigation could force the mayor to appear at a hearing before an administrative law judge, ushering in a new round of embarrassing disclosures that could prove harmful to his political legacy.
Or it could end in a fine or the most serious action available to the Ethics Commission: removal from office.”
There is so much more to the story, and I encourage you to read and absorb it. I finally have hope for WPB.
Stet Media Group Pat Beall, Carolyn DiPaolo and Joel Engelhardt
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Mayor Jeri Muoio was the first!
As you may be aware the City of WPB passed an ordinance that in order to feed the homeless a permit to distribute the food to more than 25 people or they could face a $500 fine or 60-day jail time. Two organizations have been issued a warning, FNB (Food not Bombs) and “We Care About People Inc, President Canta Chestnut. If either organization request a permit, and if it’s granted, they can only feed twice a year in one location.
Homeless, homeless, homeless, that’s all I hear from City Hall so at a recent City Commission meeting I invited the Mayor and Commissioners to join us at the next feeding hoping they could put a face to the homeless. My invitation was not accepted.
FNB (Food Not Bombs) feed the homeless on the 100 block of Clematis St. every Saturday @ 4:30. Canta Chestnut still makes the rounds feeding the homeless.
Saturday, June 24, 2023 I was traveling down Clematis St. to the 100 block in order to watch the process, and see if the police would make an arrest. They did not, but I was upset by the time I reached my destination.
Passing City Hall I witnessed an ambulance parked, stretcher on the sidewalk with a body totally covered with a white sheet. At the foot of the stretcher a backpack and other belongings, much like the homeless carry to a feeding.
If the human being under the sheet was indeed a homeless person, He ate dinner Saturday night with the man who created him and I believe he received the softest pillow to lay his head on.
WPTV Chanel 5 Posted at 4:43 PM, Jun 20, 2023 Entire story can be found below.
“New parking meter revenue will support homeless initiatives”
“The City of West Palm Beach has authorized the use of extra parking meter revenue to help support homeless initiatives within the city.”
“The City of West Palm Beach has authorized the use of extra parking meter revenue to help support homeless initiatives within the city.
A city ordinance will allocate $39,745 in parking meter revenues to funding various projects geared toward impacting the lives of people within the community experiencing homelessness.
In a statement the city released, Mayor Keith James said: “We believe in the power of collaboration and the potential of every individual. By redirecting parking meter revenues towards homelessness initiatives, we are taking proactive steps to tackle this pressing issue head-on. Our goal is to provide vital resources, support services, and pathways to stability for those who need it most.”
Is it possible residents may have judged Mayor James to harshly, is he trying to help the homeless population after all?
WPTV Chanel 5 Posted at 5:45 AM, Aug 14, 2018
“Leftover time on West Palm Beach parking meters will help homeless”
“A new program in downtown West Palm Beach is helping the homeless, and it has to do with how much time you put on the meter.
The West Palm Beach City Commission gave unanimous approval to establish a program that transfers unused parking revenue to the city’s Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD).
There are more than 200 sensor-enabled street meters, which can detect the arrival and departure of vehicles.
The meters are programed to clear any remaining time balance when the first car leaves and the next car parks and earmark that balance for donation.”
“The ‘Recaptured Meter Time Revenue’ program is innovative, thoughtful and collaborative,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Jeri Muoio “I am proud of the city employees at both the parking administration and the HCD Departments for their forward-thinking approach to support our homelessness initiatives, which remain a top priority.”
As more meters are replaced, the city anticipates an annual increase in donations.
Former Mayor Jeri Muoio and City Commissioners approved the plan in 2018, Jeri Muoio last year in office, and City Commissioner voted unanimously to approve and Keith James was a member of the City Commission at the time.
What happened to donations for over four years? If you paid attention you are aware the city’s Chief Financial Officer, Mark Parks, was fired and removed from City Hall by security when the budget meeting began soon after Mayor James was elected. So who replaced Mr. Parks? City Administrator Faye Johnson took to the podium and gave all presentations for the upcoming budget while Mark Parks sat in the audience. Who put an end to the donations to aid the homeless?
I asked a question above, Is it possible residents may have judged Mayor James to harshly, is he trying to help the homeless population after all? I will answer my own question. No, I do not judge him to harshly, you decide for yourself.
Do you have, and love a dog? Do you consider them a part of your family? Do you walk them daily? If you answer yes to the questions are you aware oh how hot the ground is? Onto Google. How hot is the sidewalk at 90 degrees?
“If you are walking your dog on the sidewalk, you are exposing them to very, very hot temperatures, which could be dangerous to their non-protected paws. A temperature of 90 degrees means that the concrete is around 125 degrees and asphalt is about 140 degrees.”
This picture was taken on Sat. June 24th. one homeless man had no shoes, the other just had socks.
The end
Another city employee fired
Ms. David was previously employed by Rick Asnani of Cornerstone Solutions, the political consultant that was instrumental in electing the Mayor and all five City Commissioners.
Ms. David worked tirelessly on James election campaign, and after he was elected to his first term he created a new department named Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods Initiative and Advisory Group and named her Director at a starting salary of $95,000.00/year.
WPB Watch ran a story on Ms. David in Nov. 2019 and can be read below. The story begins with former City Commissioner Materio’s frustration with being unable to have the city respond to questions asked of her by residents in her district, and leads into Ms. David.
If you take the time to check it out you will see the name Catherine Ward mentioned. Today she is City Commissioner for District 1.
Below was taken from the city website.
Fast Facts
“The Mayor’s Neighborhood’s Initiative will do the following to create a culture that focuses on neighborhood collaboration and partnerships:
It will receive and track various community concerns and requests from residents
It will identify appropriate City resources to help close unresolved issues
It will help improve community relations and customer services
In June 2023 Mayor James announced that Sybille Welter would become the new City of West Palm Beach Director of the Mayor’s Neighborhoods First Initiative and Advisory Group. In this role, Ms. Welter oversees the initiative and communicate the concerns of residents, community groups, and local businesses in the City of West Palm Beach. She also develops and maintains a response program that receives and tracks various internal and external community concerns and requests in the City, identify appropriate City resources, and develops methods to improve community relations and customer service. Ms. Welter will also liaise with City Commissioners to help them raise awareness in our community of how the city resolves issues in our neighborhoods.
“Focused on creating a community of opportunity for all, my vision for West Palm Beach is a city that is resident-driven,” said West Palm Beach Mayor Keith A. James. “I am committed to creating a customer-friendly culture that focuses on neighborhood initiatives, regional collaboration, and community partnerships.”
Look for more here on the projects and progress that the Mayor’s Neighborhood Initiative undertakes during 2023!”
In my opinion, Ms. David did not come close to doing a decent job for the city or it’s residents and I believe it was time for her to move on. What I don’t understand is why it has taken Mayor James 4 years to realize it, when it was obvious in Nov. 2019.
I wish Ms. Welter much luck in her new position.
WPB Watch Published 2019/11/06 “Who is Tiffany David”
https://wpbwatch.com/2019/11/are-city-commissioners-expecting-to-much/
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WPB City Understaffed
Shortly after Keith James won his first election as mayor, and before he was sworn in WPB employees began resigning from their job. It’s important to understand they worked with Keith James for 8 years as a City Commissioner and they knew him well.
I noticed more and more people absent and I placed a PRR (Public Records Request) for how many employees left the job, and was shocked when I received a response. The number was 275, and sense the report was issued more left.
Then the city started firing people, and more employees disappeared. Two employees that shocked me was Chief Financial Officer Mark Parks who was escorted out of City Hall by security guards at the start of the city budget meetings. Can’t place this one on James but on his newly appointed City Administrator, Faye Johnson. When I snooped around I was told it was a power grab, and James did nothing to prevent it.
Ms. Brooks, a woman of color, who worked in the City Commission office was terminated after 38 years of service to the commissioners and city. The timing of her firing came in February, the month we celebrate Black History Month. James gets the credit for her dismissal.
Here is where the story is leading.
Hurricane season: June to November:
One of the city’s suggestions is to have residents prune back trees and leave refuse for the city to collect, while warning residents not to trim if a hurricane is predicted. Makes sense to me.
The city gives Oak trees to residents to plant and many take advantage of the free giveaway. Well these pretty little trees grow into monstrous trees in a matter of a few years, as one has done in my development, and grew tall enough to block the street light making it a dangerous area. I contacted the city, explained the situation and asked the city to trim the tree back. Please double click picture to enlarge.
The tree is planted in the swale (area between the sidewalk and street) which is city property. The city trimmed the section around the street light and nothing more.
I complained. The city sent Mr.Greg Mihalko, a Certified Arborist to speak to me. He said the tree had a good canopy, was healthy, and the city would not trim it back.
The picture with the story is the tree in question and I ask readers to notice how the tree stretches across the road and sidewalk. Picture was taken a month ago, and with the rain upon us the tree has grown even more.
Across the road is an elderly couple (90’s) and we quite often see the city ambulances and firetrucks at the house tending to them. If the tree or large branches come down blocking the street it will hamper the fire dept. effort to reach them. If the branch over the sidewalk comes down and kills someone, what then?
The city, before James and Johnson, always aided residents with trimming back trees in the swale. What happened? I found out. The city always had a 3 member crew and trucks to service all of WPB, and they are down to one crew. Crew is made up of 3-4 employees. Think about that.
And if residents want to remove a tree, think twice. The city now fines people who remove a tree. Look what a business was fined for removing 3 trees on Clematis St.
Please double click picture to enlarge.
IA Department. (Internal Audit)
The IA dept. is responsible for auditing all city dept. looking for fraud, waste and abuse. If they find something it is presented to the Mayor, City Administrator and City Commissioners for correction.
I attended the IA meeting May 25, 2023 and learned that the city’s external auditors (Plante Moran) would not renew their contract due to lack of staff and the city is sending out RFP (Request for Proposals) for a replacement.
At the meeting I questioned how many employee’s the IA had and was concerned that Plante Moran would not renew it’s contract.
To be fully staffed the internal audit dept. needs 7-8 employees. They have 2. Beverly Mahasso, Chief Internal Auditor, and 1 Senior Staff Member, Muhammad Ramjohn.
MIA 5-6 employee’s. I was upset and questioned if the City Commissioners were aware, and if they were, why wasn’t something done about the situation.
The IA dept. is the only dept. that the City Commissioners oversee, and for 8 years that included City Commissioner Keith James.
For the IA to perform an audit they request information and documentation from the dept. being audited. It was time for the CRA audit.
Jon Ward was the director of the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency and when he was approached he stated the Internal Auditor had no right to audit his department. Really? Tax payer dollars, and the IA has no right to audit. Red flags all over the place. CRA has many millions in their budget that needs to be accounted for.
In Oct. 2019 Mr. Ward handed his resignation to Mayor James.
The IA completed part 1 & 2 of the CRA audit and reported they are working on part 3
June 12, 2023 City Commission meeting the IA dept. submitted 2 reports to the commission and it was time to use my 3 minutes to speak up. I mentioned what you have read above and also questioned if enough money was in the budget to support the IA staff.
City Administrator, Faye Johnson stated there was enough money in the budget, the problem was having people apply for positions.
That makes sense. The city has a terrible history concerning how they treat their employees and people talk, the word gets out concerning the firing of good employees, how many resigned learning James was elected and how utterly vindictive he is. Ms. Johnson’s reputation isn’t much better.
The end
New Marina To Swallow up our Waterfront
This story was written by PB Post journalist Wayne Washington and I believe he has done an excellent job on giving residents a full picture of the how WPB does business. Below is the story, and my comments will be in BOLD Italic, if underlined it’s to draw your attention.
“”WPB selects bid on new marina Winner has the backing of boat show’s operator”
Wayne Washington Palm Beach Post USA TODAY NETWORK
“West Palm Beach will begin negotiations with City Harbor LLC to build a $16 million marina off Flagler Drive that will generate an estimated $324,000 per year for the city and protect one of its signature cultural events, the Palm Beach International Boat Show.”
“Backing from Informa, the international events firm that puts on the boat show, was critical to City Harbor’s proposal, which beat out one submitted by Safe Harbor LLC, the largest owner and operator of marinas in the world.”
How is it possible Informa can work with City Harbor LLC and not with Safe Harbor and leisure Resorts? Is Informa making decisions concerning our waterfront?
“This is a very exciting day for our city,” Mayor Keith James said. “Just the opportunity to discuss having a worldclass marina on the front door of our waterfront is extremely exciting.”
“The marina negotiations are a major step forward in a process that started two years ago, when City Harbor made an unsolicited bid to expand the city’s two docks into a marina.”
Two years ago James was mayor, and were just learning about it now?
“Rather than accept City Harbor’s proposal, the city announced its intention to consider other proposals for a marina. ”
It’s the old story being repeated. James wants City Harbor’s but for appearance sake lets have other proposals.
“Three firms submitted plans and projections — City Harbor, Safe Harbor and Leisure Resorts LLC, which ultimately dropped out of the running.”
I want to know why Leisure Resorts LLC dropped out of the race. My opinion wouldn’t allow the city to use them or play their games.
“James and city commission members held a special meeting on Monday to decide whether to rank and choose a bidder and begin negotiations, delay the process or end it.”
The meeting was held at 9:00 AM when most people are at work. Good not to have folks against the proposal attending, even though they weren’t allowed to voice an opinion.
“Commissioner Christy Fox argued in favor of delaying a decision to give the public more time to weigh in, but her colleagues voted to rank and choose a bidder and begin negotiations. Fox initially refused to rank either bidder, but, after City Attorney Kimberly Rothenburg told her she was required to offer a ranking,”
“she joined James and three of her Commission colleagues in ranking City Harbor first and Safe Harbor second.”
Commissioner Fox between a rock and a hard place. Shame the other commissioners wouldn’t back her up and ask for more time to inform residents. If she was forced to vote she could have chosen Safe Harbor. It’s a learning lesson.
“Commissioner Cathleen Ward, who had noted the far larger revenue projections Safe Harbor included in its proposal, ranked Safe Harbor first and City Harbor second.”
Can’t argue with that. Commissioner Ward bucked the system. I hope she and her district aren’t punished to severely for doing the right thing.
“Why did West Palm choose City Harbor for the marina?”
“The way the city decided to move forward with City Harbor — no request for proposals process, no public meetings with dueling proposals upon which the public could comment or shape — appeared to frustrate Fox, just as it frustrated a Downtown Development Authority board member, who spoke to The Palm Beach Post anonymously because of fears of retribution.”
“Normally, with a project like this, the city would do all sorts of outreach,” the board member said. “I’m all for a publicprivate recreational use, but the public should have been involved in specifying what that recreational use was.”
The above paragraph is most telling, and please pay particular attention to what the Downtown Development Board member had to say concerning retribution. Mayor James has the reputation of being vindictive if you cross him. I want to bring readers attention to agenda item #9.3 on tonight’s (6/12/2023) agenda. it can be found at the end of the story. Don’t peek!
“The city has seen other large development projects hit snags as they undergo public scrutiny and feedback.”
I believe this will also hit a s”snag” but only if residents find the courage and their voice to speak up at City Commission meetings. Your silence means acceptance.
“The most notable instance of that occurred with the Sunset Lounge, a 1920sera supper club the city has rebuilt with at least $16 million in public money. Multiple firms vied for the lounge’s management contract, and, after one was selected during a contentious, protracted public meeting, the city later determined the firm its violated anti-lobbying rules.
The city moved to the second-place management bidder, but determined that it, too, violated anti-lobbying rules. The first management bidder sued, arguing that it did not violate rules against lobbying. A judge ruled in its favor, but the legal questions surrounding who would manage the lounge has delayed its re-opening.”
Mr .Washington makes excellent point and comparison. The city lost it’s lawsuit in the Sunset Lounge and residents haven’t heard if the city is negotiating a new contract or how much taxpayer dollars were wasted on a frivolous lawsuit.
“West Palm Beach avoided that type of drama with the rebuilding of its municipal golf course.
After a redevelopment project at the golfing site failed to get financing, James reached a handshake deal with Seth Waugh, chief executive of PGA of America, who asked for an exclusive period during which he would raise money to redesign the facility.”
James is a Harvard Law School grad. What the hell is a handshake deal? If Seth Waugh takes James at his word, he’s in for a rude awakening.
“Waugh said he raised $53 million in donations to rebuild the course, which has drawn rave reviews from golf experts. But Waugh has refused to disclose who, specifically, paid for its reconstruction, and high prices at the course have drawn complaints from some golfers. It’s not clear if the city has the authority to alter rates at a course it, technically at least, owns.”
This wont pass the smell test. What is Waugh hiding, and why should that be acceptable to the city and residents?
“James said he was motivated to move forward with Waugh’s vision for the golf facility because it included numerous community benefits, particularly for children.”
Now James is using children. The very man that is attempting to starve the homeless out of existence. James is not known for his empathy.
“That, he said Monday, is the reason he backed City Harbor’s proposal, which foresees various programs at the marina that would give children and those who aren’t wealthy equal access to the water.”
“Equal access to the water” When James and City Commissioners are through you won’t even be able to see the water, let alone have access.
“What would the new West Palm marina feature?”
City Harbor’s proposal included sightseeing cruises from the marina, as well as ecotours, educational trips for children, a water taxi, day fishing trips and dive excursions.
“West Palm Beach would retain ownership of the marina under City Harbor’s proposal, which includes 84 slips for vessels as long as 130 feet.”
Sounds like the city is allowing a dam to be built.
“City Harbor has proposed a 100-year management contract, though that term is subject to negotiation.
Safe Harbor’s proposal is significantly different. It pledged to build a $34 million marina and retain ownership of it.
The firm’s plans call for dinner and sunset cruises as well as water taxis at a marina that includes 97 slips for vessels as long as 284 feet.
Safe Harbor said it would pay the city a $500,000 acquisition fee for a 40-year lease with options for two 15-year extensions. The firm estimates its real estate taxes would be $250,000 per year, and it has promised to give the city $986,000 per year, which it estimates would equate to about 12% of its gross revenues from the marina.
Commissioners noted that Safe Harbor’s proposal offered the city more money.
Commissioner Christina Lambert said, while she appreciates “the additional revenue that is on paper” as part of Safe Harbor’s proposal, “for me, that wasn’t the primary goal of this project.”
She added: “Many times, we’re presented with projects and we’re looking at evaluating who is the best partner for the city, and, sometimes, we choose the one that isn’t the most revenue for the city.”
“Safe Harbor, which came up with a marina project after City Harbor, was fighting an uphill battle once officials for the Palm Beach International Boat Show told commissioners City Harbor’s marina plan was the only one that worked for the boat show.”
I would like to know who invited the boat show to the meeting to voice their opinion in favor of City Harbor being the only one that worked for the boat show. Who got what?
“What is the impact of the Palm Beach International Boat Show?”
“One study showed that the 2022 boat show had a statewide economic impact of $1 billion. Residents and others from far and wide crowd onto West Palm Beach’s waterfront each spring, providing a steady stream of patrons for downtown restaurants and bars.”
After questioning from James, Safe Harbor officials said they had discussions with the boat show and that its marina project would be a fit.”
So who is lying? Obvious to me is when boat show officials appeared at the meeting and stated City Harbor being the only one that worked for the boat show.
“From where I sit, I wasn’t satisfied with the answer to the boat show question that I asked,” he said. “There were a lot of word gymnastics there that didn’t really address the issue. There must be a reason why the boat show went with one of them and not the other.”
Really, ya think?
“Boat show support for City Harbor’s plan was critical, as James and other commissioners cited it in discussing the dueling proposals.”
That would be James and his bobble heads trying to please the master.
“The boat show is very important to our city,” James said. “It’s a tremendous economic driver. And anything that can be done to ensure the future of the boat show of our city, I think, is in the city’s best interests.”
Boat show not so important to the city as it is to James. What does he get out of the deal? My opinion the boat show will never move from WPB. I compare the boat show to Related. While they are both making millions off the City of WPB neither will look the gift horse in the mouth.
Wayne Washington is a journalist covering West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach and race relations at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support our work; subscribe today.
https://palmbeachpost-fl.newsmemory.com/?publink=0a9c2ecd1_134abf5
City Commission meeting to be held 6/12/2023
“9.3. City Commission approval is requested for the Mayor’s appointment of Timothy K. Harris to the Downtown Development Authority for a term of three (3) years to expire on July 1, 2026. Mr. Harris will fill the seat of Ms. Cynthia Nalley. It is required that the Commission confirms this appointment.
Originating Department: Mayor’s Office”
Could Ms. Nalley be the Downtown Development Authority board member, who spoke to The Palm Beach Post anonymously because of fears of retribution. I don’t believe in coincidences . If you double click the text message between Mayor James and Gregory Key you can read what occurred when Mr. Clemente wouldn’t support the mayors decision to replace Police Chief Mooney with Police Chief Frank Adderley. Double click the text message to enlarge. This is the guy running the City of WPB into the ground.
The end.
Feeding The Hungry Part 2
June 10 2023 I attended the FNB (Food not Bombs) feeding of the homeless on Clematis St. when a WPB police car drove slowly by. I knew there was going to be a problem.
The homeless lined up to be fed, and for some this was their first meal of the day. I positioned myself close enough to the serving table where clothing was arranged for the taking. The most commonly asked for item was socks.
As I sat and listened I heard over and over again “thank you & please” coming from the homeless. Someone from FNB managed to acquire a donation of socks and everyone received 2 pairs. I will never take socks for granted again.
When the feeding was ended, and the volunteers began breaking the tables down, I started to “police” the area picking up trash that may have been left in the area after the feeding. It was a waste of my time.
The WPB Police Dept. showed up and it was Officer Smith the same officer that previously issued a warning to Canta Chestnut for feeding the homeless.
Officer Smith, who was polite and respectful, but meant business, asked for identification while we all stood staring at her. Her next statement was show me some identification or you’re all going to jail. Here it was, the threat of jail along with a $500 fine.
A volunteer with FNB named Carly Prinzo who was quoted in a story reported by channel 5 and was part of the 1st. story on feeding the homeless. Chanel 5 gave her name as “Carl” and I will correct the error. Her name is Carly Prinzio, and here is her previous statement to channel 5.
“Spokeswoman Carl Prinzio said her group will reject this permit requirement, calling it a blatant attack on their freedom of expression.”
“It’s definitely just straight up awful,” she said. “It’s ridiculous. You are criminalizing people for sharing food with the hungry, really? Of all the different issues you could be tackling in the city of west palm beach, this is what your spending your resources on?
“Why not address the issues of food insecurity, affordable housing. Those are what causes the problems that we have so they are just out of their mind coming after us for sharing food. It makes no sense for any of us.”
Carly Prinzio showed Officer Smith her identification and was rewarded with a warning to stop feeding the homeless. None went to jail.
While speaking to us, a group of well dresses people passed by and said something to Officer Smith. She replied to them if they wanted to comment please come over her camera was on. They continued walking down the street. This is important and I will explain below.
Canta Chestnut
I’m continuing her story because I finally received my PRR. (Public Record Request)
Below was part of the story.
5/30/2023 City Commission meeting.
“One of the speakers was a woman named Canta Chestnut who is president of “We Care About People Inc” who have prepared healthy meals and distributed them from the back of her car for years. On April 27, 2023 she received a written warning from police to stop or she would receive a $500.00 fine or 60 days in jail, or both. She spoke passionately to the elected officials.” The officer who served the warning was Officer Smith. the same that issued a warning to Carly Prinzio from FNB.
Ms. Chestnut provided me with a copy of her warning, and on Friday, June 2, 2023 I sent a PRR to the police dept. requesting a copy of the police report and the camera video.
June 8, 2023 After an email to the PD informing them I will file a complaint with Barbara Peterson of Florida Center for Government Accountability (FLCGA) I received a response.
The PD responded with a document called a CAD a Computer Aided Dispatch report. That does not sound like a police report to me. See here. Canta Chestnut Police report
As for a copy of the body camera worn by officer Smith I was advised “BODY WORN CAMERA NOT ON FILE. NO BODY WORN CAMERA” 
I don’t believe the PD response. Why would Smith tell a crowd of people to come over if they wanted to make a comment, her camera was on but off when she issued a warning to Canta Chestnut no record of it.
When James held a comment card, and said he would not read it from the Free Press I placed a PRR for the card, and the City Clerk responded with she didn’t remember it. My complaint to FLCGA and I soon received a copy of the card. Having problems receiving a PRR? I suggest you report it to FLCGA.
I would suggest to the mayor and city commissioners a cops job is hard enough with public trust and putting them under a microscope. Remember the saying “Don’t kill the messenger.” Smith is doing her job, if she doesn’t there’s a reprimand. Caught between a rock and a hard place.
When a cop issues a warning they are the ones who are demonized not James who headed the ordinance and his puppets, the city commissioners who voted approval.
Channel 5 WPTV Joel Lopez Posted May 30, 2023 updated May 31, 2023
“I don’t intend to stop, because I don’t think you have the right to infringe on my First Amendment right to practice my religion,” Chestnut said. “We are to take care of those less fortunate. We’re to feed the hungry, clothed the naked. We’re supposed to provide shelter.”
The entire story and interviews can be seen below. Please be patient with the ad that appears before the interview.
Below are pictures taken of the area around Clematis St. after the June 3rd. feeding .
Area was clean, trash put in the containers after they finished their meal. James pay attention to the 3rd. pic.of street that needs repair. I don’t believe it was caused by the homeless.
Want to see trash? Drive down Village Blvd; and through my development Spencer Lakes and look at bags and cups from McDonald’s, Wendy’s and Arby’s, not by the homeless but by the teenagers who are used to mama picking up after them.
In closing I received the response below from a WPB Watch reader after reading Part 1 of the story. WPB needs more residents like this caring individual.
Feeding The Homeless in WPB Can Be Dangerous Part 1
Channel 5 WPTV Briana Nespral Posted May 28, 2023
“Food Not Bombs to fight new West Palm Beach ordinance requiring permit”
“For the past 16 years, Food Not Bombs has been serving food, including lasagna, to the homeless every Saturday in downtown West Palm Beach.
Food Not Bombs is a worldwide organization that shares food with the hungry in more than 1,000 cities in 654 countries in protest to war, poverty and destruction of the environment.
But a recent ordinance approved by the City Council requires a permit for large group feeding events. If the permit is violated, the group said individual members face the possibility of a $500 fine and/or 60 days in jail.
Spokeswoman Carl Prinzio said her group will reject this permit requirement, calling it a blatant attack on their freedom of expression.
“It’s definitely just straight up awful,” she said. “It’s ridiculous. You are criminalizing people for sharing food with the hungry, really? Of all the different issues you could be tackling in the city of west palm beach, this is what your spending your resources on?
“Why not address the issues of food insecurity, affordable housing. Those are what causes the problems that we have so they are just out of their mind coming after us for sharing food. It makes no sense for any of us.” Read the entire story below.
5/30/2023 City Commission meeting lasted 2:34:45 and was an emotional one and Channel 5 attended with cameras rolling. The entire city meeting link is posted below and I ask readers to scroll to the end of the meeting and listen to “Public Comment.” There were 4 residents who made comments all focused on feeding the homeless.
One of the speakers was a woman named Canta Chestnut who is president of “We Care About People Inc” who have prepared healthy meals and distributed them from the back of her car for years. On April 27, 2023 she received a written warning from police to stop or she would receive a $500.00 fine or 60 days in jail, or both. She spoke passionately to the elected officials. I was to be one of the speakers making public comment on feeding the homeless and this was the first time I heard the name Canta Chestnut and it wont be the last.
Randall is a member of Brighten the Corner org and is also a “Street Chaplain” who also made a passionate comment. I met Randall 5/20/2023 at the FNB feed the hungry event and he was with 2 licensed hair stylist who were kind enough to donate their time to give homeless people a haircut. Please take the time to check out his website.
https://brightenthecorner.org/about/
Comments from the public start @ 1:53:00 end @ 2:05:52 Sandy 1st. speaker, 2nd.Sterling, 3rd. Canta and 4th.Randall
Comments from commissioners
Warren 2:06:03 to 2:08:26
Ward 2:8:30 to 2:12:27 Commissioner Ward claims residents in her district complain “kids can’t walk to their own school, out of fear, can’t ride their bike” Am I supposed to believe her statement? She’s a politician so I will question it. Onto Google with a question. how many teachers accused of molesting students in Florida? Published Oct 4,2022
“Nearly 270 public educators were arrested on child sex-related crimes in the U.S. in the first nine months of this year, ranging from grooming to raping underage students.
An analysis conducted by Fox News Digital found that from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, at least 269 educators were arrested, which works out to roughly one arrest a day.
The 269 educators included four principals, two assistant principals, 226 teachers, 20 teacher’s aides and 17 substitute teachers.”
In my opinion children are safer with the homeless population than they are in the classrooms.
I have a friend for many years who with her husband have a very successful business, and were blessed with two children. Every holiday their friends and family gather at their home for the holiday meal and conversation.
One Thanksgiving she and her two young children went to a “soup kitchen” and volunteered to feed the homeless. When someone asked why? She explained she never wanted her children to take for granted what they had and people less fortunate didn’t even have a meal for the holiday. She wanted to teach her kids empathy. Know what? It took! Both her kids have learned a lesson many years ago, the apple don’t fall from the tree. To me that is the other side of the coin.
Fox 2:12:29 to 2:17:59
Lambert 2:18:03 2:22:21
Peduzzi 2:22:23 end 2:25:12
James start 2:25:16 to 2:34:18 James is proud of the work he’s doing with the homeless.
Please pay attention to what Ward & James have to say about feeding the homeless.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOaDIbAoueo
There will be a follow up story on feeding the homeless.
In closing if the city leaders can’t find empathy and understanding concerning the homeless, can the city’s leaders not punish the people who do?
The end.
1400 Henrietta Avenue & Dreher Park Discussion
Update: 11:15 AM
A reader responded to the story informing me there was a Boys and Girls Club
in Gaines Park, which is true. Here is why I still believe the club should be placed
on Henrietta Ave. A bus will take children to the Boys and Girls Club in Gaines Park
and getting home is their responsibility. Remember the reason for Henrietta Farm
was due to many residents who didn’t have transportation to shop at Publix, 2 miles away.
1400 Henrietta Av. to Gaines Park 1501 N Australian Ave. Walking distance
18 min. (0.9 mi) via 15th St. N. Australian Ave.
20 min. (1.0 mi) via 14th St. Windsor Ave. 15th.St. N. Australian Ave.
24 min. (1.2 mi) via 14th. St. Palm Beach Lakes Blvd N. Australian Ave.
I wouldn’t want my child walking home with the traffic on Palm Beach Lakes Blvd. and N Australian Ave; or want them walking on 14th.15th. or Windsor Ave. due to crime.
These directions are for planning purposes only. You may find that construction projects, traffic, weather, or other events may cause conditions to differ from the map results, and you should plan your route accordingly. You must obey all signs or notices regarding your route.
City Commission meeting held 5/1/2023.
9.1 “Resolution No. 72-23 finding that City property located at 1400 Henrietta Avenue is not needed for City purposes, declaring the property as surplus, and authorizing the disposition of the property through negotiation of conveyance to the West Palm Beach Housing Authority.”
Background Information:
“On July 17, 2006, the City of West Palm Beach accepted the conveyance from Palm Beach County, without charge, of property at 1400 Henrietta Avenue. By deed restrictions, use of the Property was initially limited to the development of affordable or workforce housing.
In 2011, Palm Beach County agreed to amend the deed restrictions to allow for the utilization of the property to suit other neighborhood needs such as use as an urban market garden, a community center, a recreation center, cultural facility, or park.
From September 2013 to October 2021, the parcel was leased to a third party in attempts to establish an urban market garden for the purpose of providing sustainable farming education, job training, and employment opportunities.
However, as addressing affordable housing in the West Palm Beach continues to be a high priority need, City staff is of the opinion that it is in the best interest of the City to develop the site under the original conditions of the conveyance by the County.
At the December 9, 2022 Mayor/Commission Work Session, the City Commission expressed support of a partnership with the West Palm Beach Housing Authority (WPBHA) for the redevelopment of the 1.5 acres site as an affordable rental housing development for families. The presentation is provided in the agenda item.”
The third party was named Stewart Bosley who developed Henrietta Farms.
10/16/2021 Bosley’s lease was due to expire when he received notice his lease will not be renewed by the city. (James)
9/24/2021 Mr. Bosley had a crew of volunteers to work on the farm that weekend, and when they arrived they found their locks were cut off and replaced with new city locks with 3 weeks remaining on the lease.
I needed an update from Mr. Bosley on what was lost by closing the farm. I asked, he responded.
“To answer your question about the lost planting seasons. This is what was supposed to happen at Henrietta Bridge Farm:
2021 September 1st planting-1500-2000 units
2022 January 2nd planting-1000 units
June 3rd planting-Summer Hemp…cut down, added to compost for soil remediation.
September 1st planting-1500-2000 units
2023 January 2nd planting-1500 units
Seedlings are started in greenhouse: Collards, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, green peppers, squash, beans, melons.
Not included in the above were the plants in the flower garden to attract bees, a variety of herbs & a large banana patch.
There were over 50 fruit trees planted at the north end of the farm, many of which are dying because no one is attending to them.
Lastly, the distribution site of food to the community via Farm Share and PBC Food Bank has been discontinued by the Farm closing.
As of May 1, 2023, the property is still vacant and nothing beneficial to the black community has taken place. If the Henrietta Bridge Farm was still in active operation, many hundreds of low income families would have access to fresh produce & fruits…All within walking distance of their homes.”
By now WPB residents are aware Mayor Keith James is responsible for Permits and Leases. If you displease him, you’re in trouble. If you’re able to bend a knee, you have hope.
All that could be told about Henrietta Farms has been told, so why another piece on the farm? Not wanting to offend anyone, but I believe if it doesn’t affect our area, the public has a short memory, and it’s leading up to another item on the 5/1/2023 agenda.
9.2 “Resolution No. 103-23 finds by the City Commission and declares property within Dreher Park as surplus and no longer needed for City purposes and authorizes City staff to negotiate lease terms with the Boys and Girls Club.”
Background Information:
“Over the past three years, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County has been evaluating the needs for services throughout the region and West Palm Beach. They identified the southern end of the City, specifically in District 5, where the vast majority of the youth from Belvedere Elementary, Palmetto Elementary, Conniston Middle, and Forest Hill High Schools are economically disadvantaged and are not testing to grade level in either reading or math proficiencies.”
“The Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County started investing in the youth at Conniston Middle School and Forest Hill High School offering programs after school on the schools campuses.
“To serve students in District 5, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County desires to open a club in Dreher Park. They have been meeting with the community, neighborhood associations, and City staff to determine the best location for a new club to be built.
The Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and the community have shown support for the request from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County for approximately 1.6 acres, more or less, in the Northwest area of Dreher Park.”
“The Mayor recommended the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County continue to reach out to the community for feedback and to continue to coordinate with the Cox Science and Palm Beach Zoo Center.” Both are located in Dreher Park.
Dreher Park: Amenities: Information from the WPB website found below.
“Bathrooms, Benches/Seating, Decorative Fountain, Disc Golf Course, Dog Park, Fishing Pier, Multi-Purpose Fields, Picnic Pavilions, Picnic Tables, Playground, Public Art, Walking/Biking Trails”
What are the residents living in the area willing to give up in order to build a Boys and Girls Club?
https://www.wpb.org/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/73/155
I have reached out to people concerning the Boys and Girls Club and all had favorable comments, and praise was abundant. The problem was the location in Dreher Park.
As you read above, “the Boys and Girls Clubs of Palm Beach County has been evaluating the needs for services throughout the region and West Palm Beach.
They identified the southern end of the City, specifically in District 5, where the vast majority of the youth from Belvedere Elementary, Palmetto Elementary, Conniston Middle, and Forest Hill High Schools are “economically disadvantaged and are not testing to grade level in either reading or math proficiencies.”
Thousands of students are not testing to their level all over PBC, made worse by Carona Virus which caused schools to close down temporarily.
According to the city website. “The Historic Northwest district is perfectly positioned for rebirth. Located just north of downtown, the neighborhood boundaries extend from Banyan to Palm Beach Lakes, west to Tamarind Avenue and east to Rosemary Avenue.”
The most violent sections of the city. My opinion, a Boys and Girls club is needed in this area to help children who also are not “testing to grade level” and as faith would have it the city declared the property located at 1400 Henrietta Avenue is not needed for City purposes.
Could it be intended for a Boys and Girls Club, instead of affordable or workforce housing which the city plans to do.
Henrietta Farm 1.5 acres. Boys and Girls Club in Dreher Park 1.6 acres.
Is rent expensive in West Palm Beach?
Average Apartment Cost in West Palm Beach, FL
The average rent for apartments in West Palm Beach, FL, is between $2,250 and $3,495 in 2023. For a studio apartment in West Palm Beach, FL, the average rent is $2,250. When it comes to 1-bedroom apartments, the average rent in West Palm Beach, FL, is $2,715.
These apartments were meant to be affordable housing, and a friend in real estate verified the figures were correct.
Mayor James, by closing Henrietta Farms took food from children’s bellies, now would he deny them a Boys and Girls Club, a safe place for them to go instead of the dangerous streets?
City Commissioners, please ask yourself that question.
The end!