Artist Alley, 500 Block Clematis & Subculture Coffee Building
April 18, 2023
City Commission meeting held 4/17/2023. The first thing I noticed when arriving was the presence of 5 police officers in the city courtyard. Inside the building 5 more officers. There are always 2 officers at the City Commission meeting and my first thought was what’s going on when I realized residents were going to attend the meeting over the closure of the 500 block of Clematis St. Was Mayor James expecting civil disobedience therefore more police officers in attendance. Happy to tell readers nothing happened except residents gave their opinion on James not renewing the permit. Statements in bold are to draw your attention. My opinion will be in italic.
Three local TV stations 5,12 and 25 were present and each told a story, and between the 3 it pretty much explains the situation, and I encourage readers to read their stories.
Channel 5 “At the beginning of the City Commission meeting Monday night, the mayor stated he was not renewing the permit.” Appears to me the mayor has his mind made up before hearing the approximate 40 people who were there to comment.
“The failure to renew a road closure for the 500 block, that is what has happened,” James said. “The permit runs out at the end of this month. An application was made to renew that permit for another six months, a road closure permit which falls within the mayor’s jurisdiction to approve or deny, and I have denied that motion.” Read the story below.
Channel 12 “The notice comes from the Parks and Recreation Department, citing unreasonable danger to those in attendance, as well as noise complaints”.
“CBS12 News called several employees with the Parks and Recreation Department for clarity on their claims for this area, but they have yet to call us back. We also spoke to Mayor Keith James’ team, but they referred us back to the Parks and Recreation Department“. For those who aren’t familiar with the term “passing the buck” and “throwing someone under the bus” you have an understanding of both terms.
Channel 25 “I have not been able to meet with anyone. I keep getting transferred. The heads of all the departments are just saying Our hands are tied. One of them said, ‘You made your bed, now you gotta lie in it.’ So they all know what’s going on,” Mayo said.
WPBF 25 News tried to speak Mayor James after the meeting to see if what he had heard changed his mind in any way. A spokesperson for the city said the mayor did not want to comment“. What could he possibly say to justify his actions?
“He also said the city has now decided not to renew his lease for the Subculture Coffee building on Clematis Street in September this year”. This has come as a complete surprise to me as I always assumed Rodney Mayo owned the building. He does not, he leases it from the city and James will not renew his lease, so Mayo has to shut down operations. So let’s look at the facts. Rodney Mayo challenged Keith James for the mayoral seat. Judge decided Mayo doesn’t live within city limits and disqualified him. First time in the history of WPB Mayoral election cancelled, and James has another 4 year term. As I stated in the City Commission meeting the only thing worse than a sore loser, was a sore winner, and that’s Keith James. Since then James has hurt Mayo, along with other businesses and residents by closing Artist Alley, refuses to allow further permits for the 500 block of Clematis and now James will not renew his license for Subculture Coffee building. I would have to be deaf, dumb and blind not to see retaliation from Mayor Keith James.
https://www.wpbf.com/article/west-palm-beach-drag-queens-protest-clematis-permit-denial/43624511
Below you will find a video of the City Commission meeting which ran 2:10:29. (2H 10M 29S)
39:07 Public Comment began with a statement from Keith James stating it was his decision not to renew the permit for 500 block of Clematis St.
41:27 1st. public speaker began, and we heard comments from 10 residents.
1:01:36 James asks the City Clerk “any more cards, we turn to comments from the Commission.”
1:01: 46 The City Clerk tried to tell James she had more cards, twice, when he didn’t acknowledge her, I believe it was Commissioner Ward who said Mr. Mayor, when he finally turned and the clerk told him she had 27 more cards, where members of the public do not wish to speak,but want their comments to be part of the record.
1:02.08 People in the audience said that was not true they wanted to address the commission.
1:02:36 James said pass the cards down, he read more names and each had 3 minutes to make their point. Their little ploy didn’t work.
1:45:54 Time for City Commissioners to make their statement. Here is my opinion.
Commissioner Warren, Nominated as President of the City Commission. When James is absent, Commissioner Warren assumes the responsibility of the mayor. Supports the residents.
Commissioner Fox, supports the residents and received a hardy applause.
Commissioner Ward, supports the residents, made other heartfelt comments, and once again the residents gave hardy applause.
Commissioner Lambert, I believed walked the middle of the road.
Commissioner Peduzzi, reminded the audience this was the mayor’s decision, and he supported the LGBTQ community, but didn’t commit either way to the 500 block.
Commissioners the residents are aware who’s decision it was to stop the permits for Artist Alley and the 500 block of Clematis St. and now not renewing the license for Subculture Coffee building. The mayor makes policy, and unfortunately he abuses the privilege.
Do you have any idea what you think and verbally express is very important to the residents? It was a pleasure to watch you break from the establishment and speak out. Thank you!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8ES5NK3byQ
The end.