Last Man Standing!

Thank God!

What Do I Have To Do To Get Your Vote, Call Code Enforcement?

Money to Burn. . .

“I am proud and honored to have been endorsed by the Professional Firefighters/Paramedics of Palm Beach County,” Ramiccio said.

“I will work hard to ensure that we retain our county fire rescue contract with the city so that the health and safety of our citizenry is never at risk,” said Ramiccio.

More than half of county’s fire-rescue employees earn more than $90,000

“The county fire-rescue department’s average base salary was $90,776 in 2010, and the average gross pay was $93,144. Those are averages for all of the department’s roughly 1,450 employees, from secretaries to the chief.”

“In comparison, the average salary for a firefighter in Florida is $50,010, according to the national Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s less than the post-probation entry-level pay of $52,119 for a Palm Beach County firefighter.”

From The Palm Beach Post (click here to read the article)

 

Spin Doctor

Please explain your ethics violations.

“It was politically motivated to hurt my re-election campaign in 1999 yet voters re-elected me overwhelmingly.”

The hearing on Tom’s ethics violation was not held until Mach 31, 2000.

The result was handed down on August 2, 2000.

Tom lost the next election.

 

The Emperor Has No Clothes

“I will not fire the city manager without having worked with her for a minimum of three months. I will then evaluate her goals and objectives and make a careful decision then.”

Um, wouldn’t that take a vote by the Commission?

“Sell to FPL.”

Again, wouldn’t that require a vote by the Commission?

“Fees for Bryant Park are reasonable for the entertainment value they deliver. Depending on the event, I believe that fee agreements need to be fair and equitable to all involved.”

What amount of money did you personally make from Chamber sponsored events in Lake Worth and how much did the City receive?

“The CM should reduce her salary an show good faith and leadership by example. Many of our city employees made sacrifices. Those sacrifices should be shared at the top as well.”

During the economic downturn did you reduce your salary at the Chamber and reduce the percentage paid to you from the profits of events held on City owned property?

Back To The Future?

Many in Lake Worth may not know about Tom Ramiccio’s past and others seem to have selective amnesia.  To learn more Click Here

Armed and Dangerous?

Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.

Happy Birthday Commissioner!

History Lesson

During a recent meeting about the beach property Vice Mayor Golden took issue with plaques to be installed there that portray only white faces.  She said that prior to the sixties black people were not welcome in all areas of Lake Worth.

Local blogger Lynn Anderson wrote,  “Let’s face it–Aside from the political pandering, Commissioner Golden is just not too keen on history. She has said that. But then why does she bring up “historical facts” that aren’t even relative or even true?” Click here to read the entire post.

It appears that the Vice Mayor’s take on history is closer to the truth than Ms. Anderson’s.

The first article on the right is from June 21, 1963, the second  is from June 28, 1951 and the third is from January 12, 1954.

As far as those plaques are concerned, let’s let history speak for itself.

Will Red Light Cameras Get A Green Light?

From page 42 of the Proposed Operating Budget Fiscal Year 2010/2011

2. Red Light Cameras

To compensate for the loss of revenue in the General Fund and offset the increasing cost of police protection, the Administration is proposing the installation of red light cameras in Fiscal Year 2011. Though the program was brought to the Commission approximately two years ago and progressed to the point of Commission approval, a contract with the selected vendor was never executed. In light of the State legislation passed in April, whereby the use of automated camera equipment to cite traffic offenders was legalized as a moving violation and no longer a local code enforcement citation, the Administration can now recommend the installation of this technology.

By far, the most important reason to implement a red light camera program is for the safety of Lake Worth’s citizens, visitors and passers-through. Research has shown a significant drop in right-angle collisions as well as the resultant fatalities or injuries once the cameras are in place and operating. Secondary benefits associated with camera related reductions in traffic fatalities and injuries are the savings in healthcare resources, police enforcement and other emergency services that would normally respond to what could now be avoidable collisions. City staff is working with the selected vendor to revisit the traffic studies performed two years ago and to develop revenue estimates for paid citations, research specific collision studies, determine the amount of expense the City will incur in order to implement the program, as well as to determine the intersections to be designated for camera installation.

As a point of information, the designated intersections discussed two years ago are as follow:

• WB 10th Ave N I-95 N Off-Ramp (3 lanes)

• EB 10th Ave N I-95 S Off-Ramp (3 lanes)

• EB 6th Ave S S Dixie Hwy (3 lanes)

• EB 6th Ave S South A St (3 lanes)

• WB 10th Ave N North A St (3 lanes)

Since the program is still currently in the planning stages, staff has recommended a very conservative revenue estimate of $100,000 for FY 2011. There is a good chance that considerably more revenue will be generated, but relying on that in these uncertain economic times would not be in the best interests of the City. Over the next few weeks, staff will be gathering the necessary information for the City to make a fully informed decision as to how best to implement the Red Light Camera Program in Lake Worth.