Opponents of Riviera Beach marina lease
win spot on Nov. 2 ballot

By Willie Howard
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Posted: 4:49 p.m. Monday, Aug. 16, 2010
 

RIVIERA BEACH — Residents opposing a city plan to lease part of the marina to Rybovich for 25 years had enough petition signatures verified today to place questions about the marina's future in front of voters Nov. 2.

City Clerk Carrie Ward said the Palm Beach County elections office stopped counting after verifying the 2,052 signatures from registered city voters needed to place a proposed charter change on the ballot.

"We made it," said Emma Bates, chairwoman of the Citizens Task Force and organizer of the petition drive.

"There's going to be an all-out campaign to get people to vote for it," Bates said. "I think we're going to do pretty good."

On Nov. 2, city voters will be asked to decide whether the charter should be amended to include a prohibition on the use of the marina for a "commercial boat repair operation." The proposed charter change also would restrict use of submerged lands at the marina and would include requirements that the city own and operate the marina, Newcomb Hall, Bicentennial Park and Spanish Courts, a motel south of the marina.

Ward said she will present the outcome of the petition drive Wednesday to the city council, which has been considering for months a plan to lease the southern part of the marina to Rybovich for a megayacht service yard.

Councilman Shelby Lowe said the referendum demonstrates that residents didn't understand how they would benefit from the proposed lease to Rybovich.

"It only works when everybody is involved," said Lowe, who has long pushed for a community boating center that would give more residents access to the water. "That place is not going to prosper unless you put people first."

County Commissioner Priscilla Taylor, who wrote a letter to Gov. Charlie Crist opposing the proposed lease, said she was glad residents will have a chance to weigh in on the future of the marina.

"The residents should be heard," Taylor said.

Yes Priscilla - The residents should be heard. We told you DON'T RAISE OUR TAXES!!!!
Riviera Taxpayer
 
 
@Councilman Lowe, if the residents don't understand, it's because you've done a really poor job of explaining the lease, what's in it and who really benefits. Or maybe they really do understand!!
Oldtimer
 
 
Some of the same elected officials that are pushing this project ran on a platform of STOPPING previous redevelopment plans. They even used some of the same tactics that others are useing now. The irony of it all!!
It's gone full circle
 
 
How exactly is the residents,workers,and current customers going to benefit from this deal??!! I see more jobs lost,not gained! I see no place for people to go,like the tiki bar and the boats docked there! I see crooked politicians only being pampered there if this deal goes through-also,probably some bribes/kick-backs! Why do politicians forget about citizens as soon as they take office!!!
how?
 
 
This is an embarrassment to the City. There is absolutely no one else seeking to pay the City to lease any of it assets while the City is running a huge deficit. I hope that we remember this when City employees are laid off, firefighters get fired, the Sheriff takes over the police, our taxes are raised and all development comes to an complete stop. We will remember Emma Bates and Fane Lozman then.
West Side
 
 
It is ironic that the current council members blocked the construction of a hotel at the ocean mall with the help of people who want to destroy the city but want to turn the marina into a boat "junkyard' .The Riviera Bch marina should look like five Sailfish marinas with many restaurants and places for people to enjoy the waterfront. Carlos, who work for Rybovich is a scam artist. Don't forget this is Wayne "the conflict" Richards deal, who is again selling out the people of Riviera Beach.
observer
 
 
Where are the three mental midgets from Singer Island now? Tony, Bill, and the brain surgeon Chipster. They stopped real redevelopment, tried to put a junkyard on the mainland, and would love to make the waterfront a junkyard now too.
What a joke
 
 
@what a joke - Too bad they stopped the junkyard on the mainland. It would have been an upgrade to the area!
HaHa


 

So Emma Bates received money from Lozman. Now it makes sense. I couldn't figure out why Emma and so many young kids had the petitions. They were even outside liquor stores in the evening getting signatures. They were doing it to get money. What a shame. Exactly how much did Mayor Masters receive? Since he got Viking to buy a new roof for his church, did he get Fane Lozman to paint and recarpet his church? Got your number Emma and Masters. GREED pure and simple on the backs of taxpayers.
I can see clearly now
 
 
Marina RFP written so ONLY Viking could apply so QUIT saying no one interested in leasing space at marina! Instead, tell us how you think RB will benefit by spending $59 MILLION to purchase equip. for Rybovich & build sales offices for Viking. Viking told RB up front - NO retail, NO restaurants, no nothing until the "market is right" (which means not until RB has spent $59 MILLION we don't have on stuff for Viking). Think how taxes will go up pay off $59 MILLION you moron!
Pollute our city even more


 

African Grey any reason you hide in the shadows and post your trash? I have always posted under my own name. I wonder why you are afraid to post under yours?
Fane Lozman
 
 
 
The Riviera Beach Municipal Marina is a public facility donated by Charles Newcomb in 1913 to be used solely for recreational purposes. What is complicated about that to understand? Every other linear foot of waterfront in Riviera Beach (not including Singer Island) is used for industrial purposes. Putting an industrial shipyard in the City marina and reducing the square footage for public use by 40% is ludicrous. The final and adopted Treasure Coast redevelopment plan never had a shipyard!
Fane Lozman
 
 
I am awestruck by the complete lack of understanding for what this Rybovich project can do for associated businesses in Riviera Beach. The owners of these megayachts keep me and many other local companies in business. However, 80% of our work is in Ft. Lauderdale because Lauderdale is megayacht friendly. So when my guys go to Lauderdale on a daily basis, they purchase gas for the trucks, parts from local distributors, lunch everyday at different establishments etc. in Lauderdale. (Cont'd)
Marine Businesswoman
 
 
Imagine if just our one little company could shift its business to Riveria Beach? How many new marine-related companies, restaurants etc would we support? Now multiply that number. By the way, we are also small boaters ourselves - there is more than enough access to the waterways. I suggest we start electing politicians who have a modicum of business sense. I wouldn't blame the boys at Rybovich for telling Riviera Beach to take a walk. The City should wake up before it happens.
Marine Businesswoman