Anthony Segrich: Vote Yes on 2 and 3 March 10 in Lake Worth Beach
City commissioner offers case for why allowing leases of up to 99 years on public land will help Lake Worth Beach evolve
Guest column by Anthony Segrich, a Lake Worth Beach City Commissioner
My days are frequently filled with the passionate voices sharing cherished memories of children learning to swim at the beach pool, beautiful greens at the golf course, and a vibrant historic City Hall reminding me to keep “L-Dub” weird, quirky, historic, and small.
A stark contrast exists between those memories and current reality. Our abandoned beachside pool; our casino building’s unfinished spaces; our golf course, literally sinking, its greens flooding, and its cart paths an off-roading course; our historic annex sits rotting, rendered off-limits by asbestos and mold; our roads crumble under the weight of neglect.
We are beset by former leaders and community organizers shouting, “No to All.” This reflexive sentiment has driven our city toward ruin. They refused to fund basic road maintenance, delayed the critical task of finding a permanent city manager, and allowed our most precious assets to rot—all while claiming they were protecting Lake Worth Beach.
Devastating legislative “headwinds” threaten our city’s survival. The elimination of property tax on homesteaded properties (a projected $8.2 million loss), alongside the restriction of utility funds (a projected $16.4 million loss) could create a staggering 46 percent budget shortfall of $24.6 million.
To survive, we need investment.
Unfortunately, a vocal minority coalition vilifies individuals who have the means and the heart to invest in Lake Worth Beach, chasing potential partners away like Frankenstein’s monster, with pitchforks and lawsuits.
We need facts, not fear.
FEAR: You will lose public access to the beach and golf course.
FACT: Not true. There are many safeguards protecting public access, including deed restrictions, contractual obligations, land development regulations, our comprehensive plan, Florida law, and more.
FEAR: “They” will sell your beach and golf course.
FACT: Not true. Extremely important safeguards are enshrined in the city charter that prohibit the sale or transfer of city property. Furthermore, Ballot Question No. 2 adds an additional safeguard specifically prohibiting hotels and condos at the beach.
Why do we need leases of up to 99 years? The charter restricts leases to 20 years and 30 years. Large commercial projects require 39-year depreciation and longer land lease schedules. Investors will not gamble millions of dollars on a public vote for lease terms on land they do not own.
This is not a matter of opinion. This is the factual reality of modern investment. History proves it: We have seen zero public votes and zero projects on city-owned property in two decades.
Young parents pushing strollers and entrepreneurs opening shops in L-DUB deserve to make their own memories, but they can’t do that in a city of ruins. They shouldn’t have to look at an abandoned pool and rotting buildings and wonder why.
A YES on No. 2 vote would revitalize our casino beach and pool complex for residents and tourists.
A YES on No. 3 vote would revitalize the golf course, creating the revenue we desperately need; modernize our facilities housing first responders; and restore the historic City Hall Annex.
Our city cannot survive more “No to All”. It is time to update our charter.
Let’s build a Lake Worth Beach that is as vibrant in reality as it is in our memories.
Say it with me… Yes on 2 and 3!