It is amazing how fast the clock is ticking down to the end of the year.

On October 21st early voting begins for this pivotal election. If you are reading this, you probably are not a low propensity voter. If you are like me, you can’t wait to do your civic duty. I have given you a few local recommendations for your consideration in today’s edition.

My first vote was cast in 1971, and I remember that I was urged to vote for a few judges by my elders. I don’t know if anything else was on the ballot or not. In 1972, I pulled the lever for Nixon at the Charles Evans Hughes High School Annex on West 18th Street between 7th and 8th Avenue. I have voted in every election since.

Voting has been a lifelong habit with me. Maybe it is because I have always been somehow involved in politics from a young age. It was ingrained to my core that voting was my duty as an American. It is the least a citizen can do. I hope you do go to the polls, or vote by mail, or vote early. It is the least you can do.

As I wrote in the last edition, we are going to a monthly format in October, November, and December instead of twice a month. The edition is bigger than usual but read it at your leisure and take your time. We have all our columnists, and we have included reports from the individual local governments if there was something interesting to report.

Indiantown is being sued for their “bull in the China shop” approach to data centers. The county is also doing a moratorium, but it is a much more subtle approach. Stuart is recovering from their “annus horribilis” after firing Mike Mortell and then Finance Director Joly Boglioli. There are still a few more shoes to drop there. And we will report them here.

So, sit back, pour yourself another cup of coffee, and dive into your edition of Friends & Neighbors.

Have a great Sunday Morning!