We are heading into prime hurricane season. The most dangerous time for Martin County is the next two months…from mid-August to mid-October. Fortunately, predictions are that this may be one of our quietest seasons in years. Only one Cat 3 or higher is expected to hit the U.S. mainland this year.

I emphasize the word one and not the word only because being hit by a Cat 3 is devastating even if it doesn’t happen anywhere else in the U.S. Many people who have moved to Florida in the past couple of years may believe that hurricanes are not that big of a deal. They are wrong.

A few years ago, Stuart did not have a hurricane but a tropical storm. In that “minor storm” I lost the top of my seawall, as well as the electric, water, and part of the boards to the dock, and leaders and gutters. It doesn’t take much.

My mother, who was a native Floridian, would watch the barometric pressure to gauge the severity of the coming storm. When she was growing up, there wasn’t much warning. No hours of television coverage were blasting direction and speed because there wasn’t any television. They didn’t even name storms until she was an adult. All she had was the barometer hanging on the wall.  I’m not sure which is better…too much information or just that single barometer.

Early voting started on Saturday. If you haven’t already done so, make sure you have a plan for voting. Again, to the newest Floridians especially in Martin County, our local elections are all decided in the primary, which is the August 18th election. Everyone running is a Republican. Because of that, all registered voters regardless of party affiliation can vote. This is your one and only chance to have a say in your local government.

In this edition, we are running for the third and last time candidate statements. The candidates in their own words had an opportunity to give their rationales for seeking office in Friends & Neighbors. There is also a section where I explain who I think are the candidates to vote for in this election and why.

This week we have our columnists…Pastor Chad, Frank from the Humane Society, Stacy on North Carolina and Andy Noble. Christine Storm introduces herself as the new interim CEO of Helping People Succeed, Carol of United Way has an in-depth column on their dial-a-ride program and Brent Hanlon reviews the new Fantini Restaurant in Palm City.

Sit back, pour yourself another cup of coffee, and enjoy your edition of Friends & Neighbors.

Have a great Sunday Morning!