L-Dub voters reject City Commission final say on long-term leases at beach, golf course, public lands downtown
In a landslide, Lake Worth Beach voters retain their authority to determine major developments on public land; 2 other ballot questions pass
LAKE WORTH BEACH voters on Tuesday sent a resounding message to the City Commission: Hands off our public beach, golf course and other city-owned land.
In a landslide, voters rejected two charter amendments that would have given the City Commission final say on leases of up to 99 years on city-owned land, stripping voters of that authority.
On Question 2, for long-term commercial leases (but not hotels) at the beach, nearly 79 percent voted no and nearly 21 percent voted yes.
On Question 3, for long-term leases on public land west of State Road A1A, nearly 77 percent voted no and 23 percent voted yes.
“I think there’s a clear mandate here: The residents of Lake Worth Beach care and value their public lands very much and they want to have input on its future,’’ said Kim Stokes, president of Lake Worth For All, a grassroots group that spearheaded an opposition campaign.
“Even with all the confusing language and distractions, the people saw it for what it was and they have spoken,’’ she said. “They want our public lands to be available for all of us and they want input in its future.’’
Mayor Betty Resch, who supported the charter changes, said she respects the decision by voters.
“The people have spoken and we need to listen,’’ she said. “We all joined in our love of the city and we all want what’s best for the city and we’ll just take it from there. Breathe in, breathe out, move on.’’
Voters did not say no to everything on the ballot. Two other charter amendments passed; a fifth question failed:
Question 1, updating the city charter to reflect that the county supervisor of elections certifies city elections, was approved with nearly 55 percent of the vote.
Question 4, mandating that a search for a new city manager must start within 90 days of a vacancy, passed with nearly 59 percent.
Question 5, updating the charter to reflect the fact that the city no longer has police and fire departments, finished with a tie — 50 percent for both no and yes. It fails because a measure needs a majority vote to pass.
Voter turnout was 23 percent of the city’s 14,401 registered active voters, a decent showing considering there were no commission races on the ballot.
But the results were a crushing defeat for supporters who said the two lease amendments were needed to give the city sustainable revenue streams and renovations to public facilities at no cost to residents.
At public meetings earlier this year, Resch and other elected leaders warned residents about property tax reforms being worked on in Tallahassee that could take a significant portion of revenue from Lake Worth Beach and other municipalities across Florida.
“We have very challenging times ahead and I hope that the people who voted against it realize that they’ve shut off one possibility of a funding source for the city,’’ the mayor said.
Opponents dismissed those concerns as speculative scare tactics.
“I hope and pray I am wrong about what’s coming down the road for us from Tallahassee,’’ said City Commissioner Anthony Segrich, who shared those dire financial forecasts at three town halls he hosted to support the referendums.
“We will face a very much uphill battle in accomplishing” much-needed renovations to the golf course, City Hall Annex and infrastructure, he said.
In exit poll interviews today, some voters said they were turned off by the city’s controversial $48,500 public information campaign, which opponents criticized as flawed and biased.
The most glaring concern: The ballot language, approved by the commission on a 4-1 vote last year, gave no indication that passage of the two amendments would have transferred final say on long-term leases to a majority of the commission, stripping voters of authority they already have.
That transfer of power also was not mentioned in city-written public information brochures or in the first two of four town halls hosted by a city-hired contractor. City officials only acknowledged that power shift after persistent questioning from residents at the town halls.
“I don’t think we should let anyone decide on a 99-year lease other than us,’’ Nellie Evans said after she voted at Believer’s Victory Church at 918 Lakeside Drive. “We have paradise here. Don’t ruin it,’’ she said.
John Loudon, who owns the Sabal Palm House Bed and Breakfast, said he voted in favor of the lease changes because he believes they would have helped spur much-needed improvements in Lake Worth Beach.
“I want to see best use and smart development,’’ he said. “I understand the concerns about not wanting to become Delray (Beach). I don’t want to become Delray but Lake Worth Beach can do better.’’
Loretta Shatto echoed Loudon’s sentiment after she cast yes votes at St. Andrews’s Episcopal Church.
“I’d like to see the city cleaned up and I’d like to see new development that will bring in businesses,’’ she said. “I know many people don’t want to see change but change can be positive.’
Musician Julian Cassanetti said he voted no to preserve Lake Worth Beach’s funky and unique character.
“Keep Lake Worth Beach the way it is,’’ he said. “All of South Florida has become unaffordable. Lake Worth is like the last bastion of an unspoiled affordable seaside community.’’
Marshall Fleury was blunt when asked why he voted no. “I don’t want them screwing with my beach,’’ he said.
(This article was updated to reflect revised totals by the Supervisor of Elections that resulted in a tie vote for Question 5.)
If the city doesn't have enough money to operate, what better time to downsize Govt. They can start by getting rid of the now overly aggressive Sheriff Dept which is operating on Color of Law and go back to a smaller Police Dept.
Hallelujah