Lease approved 3-2 for Jeff Clemens Illegal Alien Hiring Hall in Lake Worth

The following report may be a bit long but please take the time to read this as this report shows the absolute indifference to the rule of law and the scary future we face.  This issue is so much more than just Lake Worth. 

On September 2, 2008 the Lake Worth City Commission voted 3-2 in favor of approving a lease with The Mentoring Center, Inc. to operate a 'Resource Center' in order to clear the streets of job seekers.  Typically, about 80% are illegal aliens.  Voting For, was Mayor Clemens and Commissioners Jennings and Golden.  Voting Against was Commissioners Lowe and Vespo.

The meeting was heated and people greatly overflowed the small chamber room.  The proponents were plentiful, well organized and held up small signs.  Opponents were plentiful, spoke well to the issue and made a good showing.  A special thanks to the Jupiter folks who told their horror stories and to several folks who drove from Florida's West coast. 

During public comments the pro-center side unleashed one of the most despicable name-calling attacks ever witnessed by FLIMEN VP Caulkett.  There was a continuous volley of "Hitler, Germany, racist, xenophobe and anti-immigrant" name-calling toward those who oppose the center.  The Catholic nun from Jupiter El Sol spoke.  A Palm Beach Community College (PBCC) spokesperson stated the center is supported by the PBCC.  The local ACLU (Anti-American Civil Liberties) representative drew loud boos.  The ACLU stated that it would be unconstitutional for Lake Worth to have an anti-solicitation ordinance and not have an alternative means to garner employment.  FLIMEN is investigating this claim.   The children of the ACLU representative, about 8 and 10 years old, spoke of the need to take care of immigrants.  

Someone from West Palm Beach spoke for the need of a center there.  As previously reported by FLIMEN, the City of West Palm Beach (WPB) has already sponsored a meeting to discuss opening a center in WPB.  Activists there should monitor and oppose any anti-solicitation ordinance which is the first step toward opening a center.

After public comments, Lisa Brown, COO of The Mentoring Center, Inc.,  gave a long presentation on the services to be provided.  She indicated that some funding will be provided by Office Depot.  Their partners are PBCC, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Palm Beach County Coalition for Immigrant Rights, Catholic Diocese of Greater Palm Beach and others.  Computers will be donated by the Palm Beach County School District. The list of services was astounding and includes; FCAT preparation, language training, health education, financial literacy, citizenship training, immigration legal services, and computer skills training.  She stated a typical day for a day laborer would be:

6-9 AM                 Jobs
9-12 Noon          Workshops including computer training and literacy
12 Noon - 3 PM Recreation including bridge, art, and shuffleboard
5-7 PM                 Adult Ed

Ms. Brown concluded her presentation by stating the center will make "more productive citizens" so it is clear that their goal is to provide a path to citizenship,  a defacto amnesty.

During commission discussion both Commissioners Lowe and Vespo stated that they did not oppose the concept of a center hall but had serious problems with the lease and location.  Commissioner Lowe complained that the lease was handled "by the committee" and deserved greater discussion.  She complained that the city has given away too many public properties, especially those intended for seniors.  She stated that the center will be duplicating existing services and that this is not the right time in light of the city having not finished the budget and having to cut 47 jobs.    She said she "hears the good things" but is a "doubting Thomas."  Commissioner Lowe noted that many day laborers arrive in Lake Worth on buses from Boynton Beach and Lantana and they would not be eligible to be at the hall.   She further stated that policing of the area "did not work" for the last five years so "this is not the solution." 

Commissioner Vespo brought up the issue of costs and zoning.  The city will be paying utilities and maintenance of the building.   The building will be leased for $1 per year, revocable on 30 days notice. He stated concern for recreation and lack of services for seniors by noting that the city ended the trolley service and moved the Senior Center to a Western area. 

The City Attorney noted that the city already has other city-owned parcels with improper zoning and the proposed center is no different.   

It appears as though the pro-center commissioners were going to try ignore the zoning problem but could not.   After approving the lease with an amendment to restrict the hall to Lake Worth residents the commission voted to initiate the rezoning process.   Despite all of the previous work done, the Commission was unaware that changing the zoning from PROS to P would require the city the bring the old building up to code for accessibility, fire and egress, a potentially huge expense.  Mayor Clemens stated he would vote against the center later if the cost were exorbitant.  

Personal Comments from FLIMEN VP Caulkett:

My three words to describe the meeting are "despicable, frightening and anarchistic."   The name-calling was hateful, the city extremely poorly run in so many ways, and the absolute indifference to our law made the evening one I will never, ever forget. 

Anarchy is defined as "lawlessness brought about by the failure or government" which begs the question "Aren't we now in a state of anarchy?"  Think about it in light of the fact that Commission Jennings proudly proclaims to be an anarchist.  By the way, this time she did seem to recite the pledge which could be because she is seeking re-election. 

After the meeting I chased The Mentoring Inc. COO Lisa Brown to ask who was paying for all of the services of the center.  She disputed the rumor that the center will be applying for any local, state or federal grants, but frankly I do not believe her.  She stated that the services are all "in-kind donations."  Clearly taxpayer funding is being diverted away from citizen services to illegal alien services through at least PBCC and PBC School District funding. 

In light of the severe Lake Worth budget cuts of 47 employees, the secrecy of operation's funding, the decline of  services for senior citizens and diversion of taxpayer's monies, it is unfathomable to me that the center may open. 

Although far along in the process the center is not yet a done deal and can still be stopped but it will take a lot more citizens to fight this.  FLIMEN can help with organization and information but ultimately a massive citizen revolt is needed. 

Dave Caulkett, VP FLIMEN

September 3, 2008