By jb

July 1, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

wow, you’re a county official… your budget increases 57%, going from 2.8b to 4.4b in 5 yrs…. and you somehow think you have the right to keep spending that kind of excess $ without any check on it? even worse, you assume it will keep increasing every year with no end in sight?

And about the Sheriff…. all that money, and heinous crimes are still being committed every day! What are you doing with the money? Obviously, not much.

By Rob Johnston

June 27, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

Wow,great comments. Any new on my original post regarding the facilities management. Why is she making $175K? That is totally out of line. What are the others in the four nearby counties making for the exact same position? Fire HER, I’ll do her job ever better for $100K. Thank you.

By Rob Johnston

June 25, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Wow, great article. I am trying to post, but where?

County’s top earners: I understand, sort of, all but one: Audrey Wolf, director of facilities…… Now that is just totally ridiculous. $175K, come on. I have to object to this salary for this job. How do I go about it? Thank you for a great article. Rob J

By dc

June 24, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

Greed,Greed, Greed! When will the ” officials” learn that the rest of us have finite resources. We WILL move on!

By west palm beach native

June 24, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

this is the south.my family came to palm beach county in 1930 from Brooker FL.as a native of palm beach county i have seen alot of changes,due to extenuating circumstances.but this is still the south.we have always had alot of element from the north come here to warm up in the winter. i’m ok with that as long as they respect our southern culture.

By Monster of a Problem

June 24, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

Monster of a problem

By LESTER J. DAVIS

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Friday, June 22, 2007

ROYAL PALM BEACH — Jeff George’s super-size pickup is so big the truck fills the length of his driveway and spills onto the sidewalk in front of his house.

The horn on the 12,000-pound monster of a truck sounds identical to the blare from an approaching train.

Monster of a Problem

The lastest entry….

By Our future?

Jun 24, 2007 4:58 PM

You know what I get out of all of this after reading quite a few posts?

The embarrassment of so many of these posts by obviously immature males and females in their 20s and 30s yakking back and forth about who’s going to kill who, and who’s going to bash who, all over some spoiled brat’s truck, a person that is an obvious huge let down to his father.

If this is any indication of the quality of our younger generation today, it is so very sad. What a complete failure.

Ladies in your 20s and 30s who are sticking up for little boys on this blog…..Run away, don’t walk away, and now, and secure a better future for yourselves without these losers. These little boys can only bring you down. They aren’t men, not even close, by anyone’s standards.

I have nothing against anyone wanting to own a nice truck, however, you have to admit, the testicles on the back really does make one think the driver of that vehicle is very hard up for a woman. You may think not, but that’s what everybody sees. Your objective has totally backfired on you and is making you a laughing stock on the road. People are not looking at you thinking you’re some tough guy, they are laughing at you thinking what a total fool you are.

As to some of you trying to prove some sense of southern heritage, by flying your worn out confederate flags and/or just by driving a truck, and thinking that somehow makes you think people will look at you as some sort of native, southern boy or girl, again, that backfires on you everyday.

The south left south Florida years ago, and that post a couple of days ago by the person who grew up in Boca Raton in the 1950s summed it up perfectly. I should know. I was born in West Palm Beach in 1951 and remember a very different south Florida, and the real old south, not this fake old south some of you are falsely trying to hang on to today. Get over it. If you want to be something like that, you better move a little farther north, because that false attitude will only leave you frustrated, bitter, and lessen your chances of real success in this area of the state.

As to these little boys on here trying to be big, think of how small and meaningless you have become when comparing yourselves to men and women your same age, mature, and full of real guts, fighting overseas at this very moment that some of you are still trying to get over your hangover from last night.

I hope that angers you. It should. You couldn’t hold a candle to people of such caliber. As it stands right now, most of you do not have what it takes to be brave, proud, and successful, and ladies, get out while the getting is good.

Rex G. Proud Florida Native from the “real” Old South Florida

By Drunk Sailor

June 24, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this

Hard to believe. By your comments you must be on something. Could be the drug for your knees.

By Drunk Sailor

June 24, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this

We should invite ROSE also. Let’s start drinking tomorrow at 7 am . Im sure you 2 have nothing to do, and is bad to drink alone

By susan

June 24, 2007 7:07 PM | Link to this

to the drunk:i only drink water.

By Drunk Sailor

June 24, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this

I want to drink what you drink Susan….. What time do you start?? 7 am??

By susan

June 24, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

The New Georgia

Issues Office of the Governor Executive Appointments The Governor

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Monday, April 17, 2006 Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774

Governor Perdue Signs Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act

ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today signed into law the Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act (SB529). The bill was sponsored by State Senator Chip Rogers in the Senate and carried in the House by Representative John Lunsford.

“This bill makes it clear that Georgia is a welcoming state that wants to treat our guests with Southern hospitality,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “But we cannot tolerate activity that distracts us from our ability to embrace those who come here legally.”

SB529 requires citizenship verification for individuals using Georgia’s public services to ensure they are legally eligible to receive those services. It also requires citizenship verification of state employees and employers with state contracts and subcontracts. The bill requires that businesses compensating undocumented employees more than $600 a year may not claim wages as an allowable business expense, and requires a six percent state withholding tax for all nonresident aliens. The bill gives law enforcement agencies the tools they need to work more closely with federal officials to enforce immigration laws in Georgia. Georgia’s new immigration law will help ensure Georgia’s public safety by giving law enforcement the authority to crack down on human trafficking and check the legal status of anyone charged with a felony or DUI.

“We recognize that immigration is ultimately a national issue that needs a national solution,” said Governor Perdue. “Because we need to know who is living here in Georgia, and for that matter, who is living in our country.”

Fact Sheet: Georgia Security and Immigration Compliance Act

Verification of Residence

Requires that entities verify legal U.S. residence for local, state or federal benefits administered by a state agency or a political subdivision of the state where residence is a requirement and where the individual requesting benefits is older than age 18.

Exempts prenatal and emergency care (same exemptions as federal exemptions for residence verification)

Requires that all individuals receiving state benefits sign one of two affidavits, either stating the individual is a U.S. citizen or a legal alien.

All “legal alien” affidavits must be checked in the federal SAVE program database to verify lawful eligibility for public benefits.

Provision is effective July 1, 2007.

State Contracts

Requires contracts for state agencies, departments and instrumentalities of the state and contracts and subcontracts thereof to use the federal BASIC Pilot program for newly hired employees to verify lawful employment in the United States.

Employer must perform employment check post-hiring;

Effective July 1, 2007 for employers with 500+ employees, effective July 1, 2008 for employers with 100+ employees and July 1, 2009 for employers with less than 100 employees.

Prohibit tax benefits

Specifies that undocumented employee compensation over $600 a year may not be used as an allowable business expense.

Allows Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) to promulgate rules and regulations;

Applies only to those hired after January 1, 2008;

Provision is effective January 1, 2008.

Withholding Tax Requirement

Requires six percent state withholding tax for all nonresident aliens.

Requires six percent state withholding tax for 1099 employees who cannot provide a taxpayer ID number, who provide an incorrect taxpayer ID number or who provide a nonresident taxpayer ID number.

State requirement is similar to federal requirement;

Provision effective July 1, 2007.

Law Enforcement Training

Authorizes the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Commissioner to enter into an MOU with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) concerning the enforcement of immigration laws.

Directs the DPS Commissioner to coordinate with law enforcement entities to choose appropriate peace officers for training; States that state law enforcement training is contingent on funding by federal government;

Authorizes the trained law enforcement officers to enforce federal immigration and customs laws while performing their authorized duties;

Provision is effective July 1, 2007.

Human Trafficking

Creates the offense of human trafficking and contributing to human trafficking.

Penalty: 1-20 years; 10-20 years if the victim is under age18;

Georgia human trafficking language is similar to federal language;

Provision is effective July 1, 2007.

Legal status verification for those charged with felony or DUI

Requires that jail personnel check the legal status of those who are charged with a felony or DUI and notify Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if the individual is not legally in the United States.

Practice already occurring in Georgia state prison system; Provision effective July 1, 2007.

Immigration Assistance Regulation

Limits what services a for-profit immigration assistance company can provide and criminalizes certain actions. Requires that such businesses post signs stating they are not lawyers and cannot provide legal advice.

Restricts these individuals/businesses from using the terms notary, lawyer or attorney in advertising (may use term “notary public” if certified)

Misdemeanor for first offense of non-compliance; high and aggravated misdemeanor for second and subsequent offenses within 5 years.

Provision is effective July 1, 2007.

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By Drunk Sailor

June 24, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this

Susan? What time can I stop for a drink. Im sure you start early.

By susan

June 24, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

due to the influx of illegal aliens,we need more law enforcement,and emergency medical professionals.until the state starts implementing laws to make it harder for these illegals to come here,the law abiding citizens have to pay! Georgia has new laws as of July 1 to make it harder for the illegal aliens to reside in the state.

By Ali Sunnai

June 24, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

** Typical American Trash. You are no worse than the swine you consume all of you pigs have logged on and contributed your pathetic solutions to the ALLAH has forbidden you to take usury, therefore all interest obligation shall henceforth be waived. Your capital, however, is yours to keep. You will neither inflict nor suffer any inequity. Allah has Judged that there shall be no interest and that all the interest due to Abbas ibn ‘Abd’al Muttalib shall henceforth be waived… problem at hand. Your nation is divided by Race and Class.

By CUT SPENDING

June 24, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

Why is there a 77% increase in library spending over one year? Most everything one could possibly need or want is FREE on the web! Library spending must be slashed!

What the heck is “risk management”, and why does it have the largest spending increase of 131%?

The Sheriff’s & Fire Departments have practically the lowest increase! Why? They are the ones who need more money! Everything else must be eliminated or cut drastically!!!

I notice that Greene cannot say “no” to her district, what about the rest of Palm Beach County! The rest of the county should suffer on her district’s behalf? She (and the other Commissioners) already have a huge slush fund. GIVE YOUR SLUSH FUNDS BACK TO THE TAXPAYERS!!!

By FIRE COMMISSIONERS

June 24, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

**More scare tactics, they are only talking about cutting police & fire departments.

Why don’t the commissioners eliminate unnecessary managers, school boards, pencil pushers, etc.

Why don’t the commissioners eliminate their slush funds?

Why don’t commissioners eliminate “beautification programs”, expensive government office buildings?

Why do we so many commissioners? Eliminate most of the commissioners & their defined benefit pension plans, healthcare, perks & staff!

We do not need more than 3 commissioners! Fire the rest of them!**

By Rose

June 24, 2007 5:50 PM | Link to this

That’s how blacks are -they just keep producing babies and know that they don’t have to pay for their prenatal care thru the “needle” at the end of their lives at Starke…WE are paying ….And I am VERY TIRED of paying for other people’s bad, irresponsible behavior….Of course Ms Green can’t say no…How would she get elected if her lazy constitutents did not live off the dole and reward her with their votes…

By Mike Arnold

June 24, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this

In part 2: save our homes case studies the new property tax proposal seems to be shifting the very basis from “assessed” value to “market” value? These are very different numbers. As many know the “assessed” value, from a county taxation viewpoint, is a very different figure from the “market” value” with the market value usually being the greater of the two. Does a higher basis for assessment coupled with a higher exemption equate to lower taxes? Maybe, but not for long….

By jj

June 24, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this

Excellent comment Bobby D.

By hjon

June 24, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Cut money for the Sports Commission. In the past they have taken trips to China to unsucessfully bring sporting events to PBC. The Exec. Director Gerry Baron Makes $100,000 a year. His predessesor made over $300,000 a year. They hired an attorney at taxpayers expense to threaten a disabled person on a fixed income. Money was missing from their petty cash in the past. They continue their ways and then say they don’t have enough employees for the law to be enforced. They are corrupt.

By susan

June 24, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

the illegal aliens who do not contribute to the tax base,are making the american people suffer.we are supporting the large families they have.schools.healthe care,emergency services,our court system,etc etc etc.they use all of these services,and its free to them.we are rewarding them for breaking our laws.i hope our president in 2008 ajudicates these law breakers once and for all,and makes them stay out of our country.we have no room here for lawbreakers.their many kids are growing up to have no respect for our laws,b/c the parents have taught them its ok to lie,cheat,and steal.

By bobby d

June 24, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this

I hate to be an optimist in the midst of this vitriolic rant, but for me, it is absolutely wonderful that main-stream politics are now about real political issues: taxes,the tax payer and government waste. For far too long those in power have successfully distracted everyone in to thinking that we elect politicians to decide: whether we can pray in school or not (as long as they still give tests, there will be prayer in school), how many reindeer need be present to make a “holiday display” secular enough, and abortion. I hope those who are now politically outraged will remember when things die down that this incremental, yet slow and steady governmental seize and dedication of tax dollars will occur as everyone is being distracted by the next “swiftboat” show. Neither party is immune. My prayer for all of those who now have anger is that they realize the problem they are facing is the product of institutional incrementalism. Thus, anger is misplaced. Work dilligently, be heard, be respectful, and stand for something bigger than yourself. Hopefully in the end we will have better control over OUR government.

By Eli Lilly

June 24, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this

Thank God we have someone as honest an intelligent as Bob Weisman overseeing county operations. That man is the gem of this county.

By Greg

June 24, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this

if Bradshaw can’t cut his budget then less get someone who can

By Chick Litt

June 24, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

Hey,

People are LEAVING Palm Beach County because of the high cost of living; therefore a like reduction should be reflected in schools, the need of for more police, the need for more fire rescue. PEOPLE ARE LEAVING!!

Re-negotiate contracts, reduce the forces. Reduce the librarians, reduce personnel.

PEOPLE ARE LEAVING!!!

By jj

June 24, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

$48 million and they are this worried? Compared to a budget of $4.4 Billion? The budget doubled in 4 years. did the population double in four years? Why does this have to come out of basic, necessary (and emergency) service budgets? We, the people, have had to find a way to cut 10% or more out of our budgets to afford the property tax increases of the last 5 years, not to mention gas, water, electricity, telephone service, etc.

By UMGOOD

June 24, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this

* PARK AVENUE BBQ * YA’LL SURE ARE BIG SPENDERS. THOUGHT YOU WERE GONNA SAY HE HAD A COUNTY ISSUED CREDIT CARD AND YOU WERE HIS WAITER AT CITY CELLAR

By JoeC

June 24, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

It is definately time to cut off FREE Care for all of these ILLEGAL ALIENS.. It makes me sick that I pay so much in taxes every year. I work hard and get no breaks in life. These CRIMINALS dont pay a cent in taxes yet they ride our system like a free hooker.

Time to make the Illegals have a reason to become legal citizens. Time for them to pay the price to live in America like the rest of us Hard Working Americans!!!!

By D/C, Jerry Catoe, PBG

June 24, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

Palm Beach County can reduce cost by giving ALL EMS transport to AMR AMBULANCES and Assign all of thier RESCUE/ABULANCE personnel to ENGINE AND TRUCK companies. This would increase personnel on the FIRE APPARATUS, much like ORLANDO does. The monies earned from EMS transport does not match the expenses of RESCUE/AMBULANCE COSTS!!!!!!!!!!

By CutCutCut

June 24, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this

CUT ANY AND ALL TAX FUNDED SERVICES TO ILLEGAL ALIENS

CUT the perks for County Officials

CUT PERSONAL USE of all County vehicles… I LOVE when I see my neighbor getting out of his county car at PA BBQ with his whole family on a Saturday night… Glad I could pay for his gas

Make county employees more efficient… Don’t you love waiting on line while they talk to friends & family on the phone, and to each other

By taxpoor

June 24, 2007 9:35 AM | Link to this

Let’s see now, a $4.4 billion budget and they must cut $48 million; that’s 1%; don’t strain yourself; hardly worth a front page story

By Boca Voter

June 24, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

Welfare is just a part of the problem. How about Burt aaronson building a 40 Million dollar golf course for his buddies in west Boca. How about all these real Estate Lawyers who make big bucks off these land deals. Then we the tax payers have to dig into our pockets and pay for schools, police, firemen, etc. to cover these areas. New development does not cover the cost of additional infrastructure. That feeds the current problem more than you realize. Time to vote these people out. Show up on election day and send a message.

By Bobby Mac

June 24, 2007 8:03 AM | Link to this

Commisioners can start out by giving up their slush funds. That would be a good will gesture.

Unfortunately for them, great for us, none of them should be in office after their next election.

We need an independent big 4 CPA firm to come in and analyze the spending increases from 2000 to the current numbers, report large increases, make recommendations for reductions and report any abuses. They should report to the Clerk of Court, not the commissioners.

The open check book days need to end!

By democrat

June 24, 2007 6:59 AM | Link to this

I am a democrat and work for a social service agency. It disgust me how many people just soak off our system. The sad thing is you can’t punish the kids. Welfare reform is needed big-time. Health care district is good for those who need it but it should be temporary and you must be actively involved in some progrms to get off. GET OFF YOU ### people

By democrat

June 24, 2007 6:59 AM | Link to this

I am a democrat and work for a social service agency. It disgust me how many people just soak off our system. The sad thing is you can’t punish the kids. Welfare reform is needed big-time. Health care district is good for those who need it but it should be temporary and you must be actively involved in some progrms to get off. GET OFF YOU ### people

By Addie Greene lies

June 24, 2007 6:56 AM | Link to this

Miss Greene needs to shut her mouth. The biggest percent of Section 8 housing, out of all of Palm Beach County, are in her district. For those who do not know, section 8 is when a lazy SOB on welfare gets free to little rent. I know of a female who has 5 different children from five different fathers, and she pays $1 (one) dollar a month in rent!!! When I suggested to her she have her tubes tied after the last child, she went to the welfare clinic to ask about it, and was talked out of the proceedure by some idiot there. The female “professional” told her is was a “racist proceedure meant to stop black women from populating the Earth”! This is the mentality of the people who help keep our taxes going up by paying for all the welfare.

By RT

June 24, 2007 6:27 AM | Link to this

TO Green—you forgot all the housing projects in the county which we pay for. The residents pay a very small amount for the rent and the county or city takes up the rest. These projects also, end up costing us money in the amount of crime there is there—which means more police and when the places are damaged they get fixed up on our dime.

By green

June 24, 2007 5:53 AM | Link to this

WELFARE WELFARE WELFARE!!!! It’s simple. Tell Addie Greene and all the lazt people in her district to go get a job and quit producing offspring when they do not have the means to support them. Look at your home owners tax statement. Over 30% goes to “Health Care District” That is WELFARE. Illegal immigrants getting free medical, lazy adults who can work but do not want to getting free care. Crack cocaine addicts going to the free methadone clinics, like the one on the corner of Lake Worth Rd and So Congress. Look at all the losers walking in there EVERY SINGLE Morning getting their free methadone!!!! Turn it off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!