Stuart continues to be a mess.

We cover extensively in this edition what has been going on with the hollowing out of the city government by Collins, Giobbi, and Reed. They fired City Manager Mike Mortell at the last meeting ending his 20+ years as a volunteer, elected official, and employee service to a place he has repeatedly said he loves.

Since the Boss and his Politburo took the commission majority they have acted with lawless impunity. The tearing up of our Land Development Code and passing one that is in violation of state statute says it all. Their hiring and funding an environmental department consisting of an attorney that hired more attorneys is the biggest joke yet.

At least $300,000 has been spent since August when Ruth Holmes was hired. What does it say when city employees (supposedly 16 of them) are terminated to afford their cockamamie budget. It isn’t that Boss Collins didn’t have 4 more additional patronage jobs besides Ruth Holmes that he used city funds for. He went behind the city manager’s back and made sure that 4 new fire/rescue employees were hired because he considers their union his political ally.

I have been calling for the governor to remove the three before they can do more damage to the city. Now others are taking up the call including Ted Astolfi, the CEO of the Economic Council (He is speaking out as a Stuart resident.) State Representative Toby Overdorf has also taken up the cause and is looking into the criminal irregularities.

We have a wonderful edition with stories on not only Stuart but Indiantown, Sewall’s Point, and the Martin County School District.

Elysse Elder was appointed County Attorney succeeding Sarah Woods. I wish Elysse a long and happy tenure in that position.

Our columnists will give you their take on politics, nonprofits, medicine, and so much more. We are always looking for others, especially someone that can write about restaurants and food. But anyone that has a hankering to pen a piece should let me know.

So, sit back while you read this week’s edition and have a cup of coffee.

Have a great Sunday Morning!