July 21, 2024

First, I want to thank all the people that responded to our online fundraising campaign. It is a testament to our community that we can afford to go on with our work.

As we grow closer to the August election, I thought it was important that I spell out why we do not endorse candidates. You can read the reasons under a section of the same name. We have all our regular columnists from VanRiper to Dr Michele. These people work hard to impart a little expertise to you, the reader. Don’t forget to check put our guest columnist, Supervisor of Elections Vicki Davis and our new columnist, Karen Ripper from Council on Aging.

Friends & Neighbors is your source of what is going on in local government. We may touch on state and national, but we really excel at reporting locally. The insights you can’t get anywhere else.

Send us your thoughts and concerns. If you have a problem that hasn’t been answered let us know and we will see if we can find a solution. Think you want to join our roster of columnists. Let me know, I would be glad to have a discussion.

Have a good Sunday morning.

Donald Trump was not the first president or candidate to have been the subject of an assassination attempt.

Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, and Kennedy were the four U.S. presidents who were killed (all shot) while in office. Theodore Roosevelt, who became president upon the assassination of McKinley, later was shot when he was campaigning to be elected president once again in 1912 but lived.

T.R.’s distant cousin, Franklin Roosevelt, was president-elect when someone shot at him in 1933 killing Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak. Truman was staying at Blair House during a White House renovation when two Puerto Rican Nationalists burst in and tried to kill him in 1950. During his term, President Ford had two attempts made but both failed.

President Reagan was shot in 1981 but lived. George H.W. Bush was in Tbilisi, Georgia, when a grenade was thrown but failed to go off. Robert F. Kennedy was shot and killed while running for president in 1968. George Wallace in 1972 was shot and paralyzed while seeking the office.

Former President Donald Trump was very lucky that a quick turn of his head saved him from death. But isn’t that all it was…blind stupid luck between Trump’s life and death. At a little over 150 yards, it was not a difficult shot with the rifle the assassin was using. The would-be assassin was untrained and young, yet he did kill one person and seriously wounded two others.

You can say that assassinations and attempts are as American as apple pie. Violence against U.S. presidents and candidates is a political tradition. Gun violence is the leading cause of death for children in this country. I wonder if there is any correlation between the two?

For about a month from around June 15th to July 15th, Stuart empties out of people.

The snowbirds have left for the northern climes where it is nice and cool. (By the way, the temperature in Greenwich, CT, the location of my second home, is 89 degrees today.) Many of those who live here year-round have left for a vacation elsewhere. The mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee have some pull. And those with kids are also on family vacations before the start of school in August.

Go to a restaurant and no reservation is needed. Drive through town and the time is cut in half as compared with the winter drive time. I would love this all year round except for one thing…the government and many people would be bankrupt. Our economy, along with our population, has grown. It is dependent on having this diversification.     

I don’t consider myself an old timer after living here for only 20 years and visiting for 10 years before my fulltime move here. I have heard about unpaved roads such as Indian and Cove. The end of town was where today’s Best Western is now located. My wife moved here in 1971 with her family and shopped at the Stuart Department Store.

Those in their 60s, 70s, and 80s who were born here tell me about the flower farms on Federal Highway. The segregated schools and the clean waterways. They talk about Sheriff Holt riding his horse through the county and how we were the last in Florida to have I-95.

It all sounds really good. The old days…when the population was maybe 5000 in Stuart and 35,000 in the entire county. But is that what we should long for?

Most of the people who say “Enough is Enough” are nostalgic for an era that they never knew. They either weren’t born yet or were living in the Midwest or Northeast. For the most part, the transplants were the ones who had good union jobs up north or worked for large corporations. They have pensions and have sold their old homes for much more than what it cost to buy here until recently.

Even since I arrived 20 years ago, I have seen the cost of homes go up substantially. Yet for the most part, the jobs are still not anything more than in the service industries. Our population has become larger with the transplants, but our economic base has not kept up.

At this time of year, it is what it was like when my wife moved here. Before people like me decided to have a little piece of paradise and become a resident. People in their condos and HOA’s want plenty of choices in restaurants, doctors, and everything else. And don’t tax them too much.

Too bad most people, especially the ones complaining, don’t see the irony in any of that. 

.The universe has a perpetual running clock. It never stops. It never winds down. The clock keeps ticking and time goes by.

Sometimes we try to mask the passage of time, but it is no good. If we are lucky, the aging process begins on our bodies and only toward our end begins to impair our brains. But for some, the mind becomes our weak point first.

I have friends I have known for 60 years. Do I see them as they appear today or are they, in my mind’s eye, the kids of my early youth. The mind is flooded with memories of time gone by.

An old Irish folk song from the turn of the 19th century is “Johnny I Hardly Knew Yee.” Those words became more pronounced to more Americans when Kenny O’Donnell and Dave Powers, (JFK friends and staffers) wrote a book titled “ ‘Johnny, We Hardly Knew Yee’: Memories of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.”

Kennedy was a man cut down in his prime. It is assumed he would have gone on to do great things. Instead, he was killed by an assassin’s bullet. And according to most, never was able to live up to his potential.

JFK will always remain 46 years old to us even though we hardly knew him. Yet the clock has kept ticking in the nearly 61 years since his death. If he had lived Kennedy would have surely died by now for, he would have been 107 years old. Yet he remains forever young at least in my mind.

I was in grammar school when Kennedy died. 61 years later I am retired after a long career. The clock has not stopped for me. Most of us in our seventies would not believe we could have the rigor to be president. I know that I can’t do today what I could do at 50. Nor would I want to do most of it. 

Robert Browning wrote: “Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, the last of life, for which the first was made. Our times are in his hands who saith, ‘A whole I planned, youth shows but half; Trust God: See all, nor be afraid!”

I don’t believe my wife and I are yet ready to sit in our chairs and contemplate our mortality. Neither should we nor anyone our age be entrusted with the fate of the nation. A person our age should end their terms of service and not begin new ones. The clock ticks for all and common sense would tell us that everything has a time. One needs to read only Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3 to have a full appreciation of the clock we all must live by. 

Our politics has somehow come down to two ancient men vying for the leadership of the nation. I have my opinions about both these men. I wish there were someone else to cast a vote for. It doesn’t look like that will happen.

The nation is in perilous times and because two people refuse to acknowledge the passing clock, they see themselves not as they are but what they were. And just like children are reluctant to take the car keys from parents, in American politics no one is able to speak the truth for reasons ranging from their own power lust to misguided love.

We will make the best choice we can, but neither will be America’s best choice. When they look in the mirror, do they see themselves as they are or were?   

In our last edition, we printed the statements of candidates who are running both for local and state offices. Each of the candidates received at least two but in some cases three emails asking them for their headshots and 450-word statements. We used the email addresses listed on their campaign documents.

There was only one candidate running for a local office who did not submit anything. And that is unfortunate. Only one candidate for a state office submitted their statement.

Friends & Neighbors has been asking for candidate statements for several election cycles. We do not endorse candidates because we feel it is not our responsibility to tell our readers how to vote. Our job is to give readers the information as provided by the candidates. Voters can make the judgment of whom to vote for.

We do not edit the candidates’ responses in any way including spelling and grammar. If the candidate can’t bother to use spellcheck or have someone look at their copy, that provides another piece of information about how they might govern. But at least those candidates bothered to submit something. What does a non-submittal mean?

To me it means that those candidates don’t care enough about you. They are taking your vote for granted. That is a mistake as I see it.

We will re-run candidate statements in our next issue. I hope state candidates who have not submitted will do so within the next week. We did receive one additional statement from Phyliss Brown of Indiantown so it will be included.

Brian Moriarity, who was elected unopposed to the school board, was asked to submit a statement about what he hopes to accomplish during his term. He wrote that he will be submitting a statement.

Vernestine Palmer, from Indiantown, was also asked to submit, but by the time the statements were due, there was no one running against her for the seat formerly held by Guyton Stone. I offered her the same opportunity as Moriarty. She was appointed by the council to the unexpired term of Stone. Since she is a council member, I sent a request for a statement outlining what she wants to accomplish to her official email at the village. I have heard nothing. That also should tell her constituents in Indiantown something.

Our readers are probably the most politically engaged residents in the county. Friends & Neighbors gives the information and lets the reader draw their own conclusions. I feel confident you can make up your own minds and do not need to see things through filtered lenses.

“The completion of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County’s state-of-the-art workforce collaboratory on the campus of Stuart Middle School will ignite limitless possibilities for Martin County children. This meticulously designed space will empower students to dream, design, innovate and achieve, lighting the way for countless generations to come.” – Michael Maine, Martin County School District superintendent of schools

We’re all familiar with the concept for “dressing for success.” But what about “settings for success?” Places—like our new flagship Stuart club—where everything from the physical location to the design features to the various functionalities exists to prepare the end users to achieve outcomes that exceed their imaginations.

Opening Day—ideally just after Labor Day—is almost upon us. When we officially welcome the first members through the famous Boys & Girls Clubs’ blue doors, it will represent the culmination of a remarkable journey that began in earnest back in 2018.

Our board of directors—then led by Bill Whitman—fully embraced our commitment to closing the opportunity gap for ALL children across Martin County, particularly those most in need of help. They recognized that a new club in the heart of Stuart could fill countless community needs—especially if conveniently located by Stuart Middle School.

Martin County School District graciously gifted us a 3.4-acre parcel. Elected, business and community leaders understood the need and embraced the vision. Residents generously contributed the funding.  

Thanks to them, Kathryn Parsons, our current board chair—and so many more people than there’s space available to list—we’re weeks away from opening a 48,000-square-foot (39,000 square feet under air) building. It will feature 14,000 square feet of workforce development teaching and training labs equipped for skills training in relevant trades and technologies such as HVAC, construction, supply-chain management, automation, cloud computing, drone piloting and virtual reality with multiple applications.

In addition to the certified teachers who provide academic instructions to our members, we’ll team with business leaders and our partners with the school district, Indian River State College, the chambers, Economic Council, Business Development Board and more for facilitators with real-world experience to enhance the lesson plans and tap the members’ emerging talents.

Our full-size gym—complete with bleacher seating—also accommodates a performing arts stage. Trust me, you’ll want to catch a game or show in this setting. Private philanthropists invested in a special feature—a ceiling that lights up in a variety of colors to dazzle onlookers. This “little something extra” encapsulates the overall facility atmosphere of inspiration and limitless possibilities.

The club will serve hundreds of new members and impact thousands of additional young people through our various programs in the area We’ll even offer days when the gym will be available for the community to enjoy.

Community and collaboration made the realization of this dream possible. And community and collaboration will help ensure that the countless young people this new club serves can eventually discover that their own dreams—no matter how lofty—are well within their reach. It just takes people believing in them, encouraging them, pouring into them—and a place where they can realize how brightly they shine.  

Keitch Fletcher's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Martin County Reads, or Does It?

“There has been a paradigm shift in the way reading is taught” according to David Heaton, CEO of Martin County’s Children Services Council.  Phonics worked!  According to Education Week “Studies have shown that explicit, systematic instruction in how letters represent sounds—phonics—is the most effective way to teach kids how to read words.” https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/why-putting-the-science-of-reading-into-practice-is-so-challenging/2022/07.   Of course, everyone over 50 years old was trying to tell our educators that all along.  So be it. 

How are we going to address Martin County’s abysmal third grade reading level of 51%?  Superintendent Maine assured me that he is working to address it with the help of some of his friends…the CSC being one of them.  I visited with Kiana Kelly, Martin Reads Coordinator and Laura Haase, Director for Program Operations for the CSC to find out how.    They revealed that to really “move that needle” it would cost $900,000 PER SCHOOL! 

They need teacher coaching and literacy coaches, parental engagement liaisons and on and on.  What our school district and associate interveners such as the United Way and the Boys and Girls Clubs and many, many more are up against is staggering.

The influx of immigrants in Martin County may not be obvious to most people.  But the statistics reveal that it is more and more so.  Pt. Salerno Elementary is nearly 100% Hispanic now.  

The cultural differences seem unsurmountable.  Hispanic moms, for example, want to keep their little ones at home and are reluctant to send them to pre-kindergarten programs.  Once in school, Hispanic boys don’t want to be disciplined by female teachers.  Black boys don’t respond well to white, male teachers.  

According to Mr. Heaton, House of Hope is trying to address the pre-kindergarten jitters.   The Business Leadership Institute, a brainchild of David Heaton’s certifies owners of child care centers and even the home-based ones in business acumen so they can improve the quality of their services.  But it’s hard to reach all of them. They estimate that there are over 50 in Martin County.  The Early Learning Coalition has coaches who help teachers.   The Education Foundation funds learning labs.  There are many spokes in the wheel. 

It’s a holistic issue says Kiana Kelly, “needing attention by parents, teachers and the entire system”. 

But the first issue to be addressed isn’t the ignorance of the children.  It’s the ignorance of most of the residents of the Martin County.  Here’s a little test…

1. Did you know that less than 23% of kids at Warfield Elementary are able to read at level by the 3rd grade?
2. Did you know that not only do Pt. Salerno and Warfield Elementary have severe problems with reading proficiency, but so do Seawind Elementary, JD Parker and Pinewood Elementary?
3. Did you know that St. John’s County (think St. Augustine) is #1 in reading proficiency in the state and they’re only at 72%! 
4. Did you know there are over 70 languages spoken in Martin County schools now?

You can’t address a problem unless you know there is one.  We’re in deep doo doo, folks.  You may be retired and not worried about Martin County schools, but you will be when our jails cannot hold those who never learned to read.  Third grade reading proficiency is directly linked to prison population.  According to the Governor’s Early Literacy Foundation, The Department of Justice states, “The link between academic failure and delinquency, violence, and crime is welded to reading failure. Over 70% of inmates in America’s prisons cannot read above a fourth-grade level.” https://governorsfoundation.org/gelf-articles/early-literacy-connection-to-incarceration/

Darlene VanRiper’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors nor the Martin County Taxpayers Association's viewpoint.

“I don't want to set the world on fire. I just want to start a flame in your heart.” These are the opening lines from The Ink Spots’ 1941 song “I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire.”

Trying to accomplish a big goal at once can be daunting and discouraging because big goals take a lot of time before any results can be seen. Like it or not, we are in a world of instant gratification. Whatever we want is available at our fingertips and can be delivered to our doorstep within two days.

We have been conditioned to a convenience-oriented life. Because of this, if we do not see results from our efforts quickly, we are likely to give up.

But what if we set many smaller goals that together will lead to the accomplishment of the larger goal? Smaller goals are more quickly accomplished, and the results are more quickly seen thus keeping us engaged. As the common saying goes, “There is only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time.”

Earlier this month I joined a team of youth and adults from my church. Our short-term goal was to spend 11 days on a mission trip to a church and school in Grand Cayman. While we were there, we painted classrooms, built desks, cleaned up hurricane debris, and other chores, and we put on a weeklong Vacation Bible School (VBS) and youth camp for the children of the community.

There were 16 of us, so we would go to separate locations to hand out flyers for our VBS and camp. We waved and greeted each person with a smile and a handshake and that made us stick out in a good way. We were starting flames. As the week went on people would stop us wherever we were and tell us they had seen us, and they would want to talk with us.

We had over 60 kids attend our program which is awesome because there was not a program before we came. What is even more awesome is the church is now starting a youth ministry to keep our efforts growing. Our small, short-term goal is now being used as the steppingstone for a large, lasting program that will continue forward.

Whatever it is that you want to accomplish, you don’t need to set the world on fire. Just start the flame.

David Hafner’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Just a few weeks ago, House of Hope welcomed over 100 supporters to the ribbon cutting of our packing house at Growing Hope Farm in Palm City.

We are grateful that so many people took the time to visit, tour the farm, and hear an update on our mission. The farm continues to grow in size and in impact. We now have over 92,000 cubic feet of hydroponic greenhouse space, raised beds for conventional growing, a grove of about 70 fruit trees, and of course the packing house. At any given time, there may be over 21,000 plants on site in different phases of growth.  All of this is nestled on the property of Palm City Farms Produce & Market, thanks to a fabulous partnership.

Our newest greenhouse is nearly complete as well. The structure is up, and irrigation and plants are complete in the first section. This house will have a focus on fruits, and we have already planted cantaloupes, watermelons, zucchini, okra, and bush beans. It is quite a sight to see melons growing vertically. In the coming weeks we will prep the rest of the new house for fall berries, including strawberries and blueberries.

We work hard at the farm to minimize our environmental footprint by composting, capturing rainwater for irrigation, using recirculating methods in the greenhouses to minimize water loss, and re-using the water in the packing house to irrigate our grove. All of this, combined with our recycling efforts at our thrift store and food warehouse, helped us to win an Environmental Stewardship Award from Keep Martin Beautiful at their recent annual event.

Our dedicated staff and volunteers harvest the farm twice each week. Once the new house is fully planted and established, we expect our yield to approach 2,000 packages of produce every week. Growing Hope Farm is a major reason why we are able to positively influence the health of our clients and community through diet. Last year we distributed nearly 1.3 million pounds of food, with about 40% of it being fresh fruits and veggies.

The food is accessed by clients in our four-client choice food pantries, and shared with over 30 food partners across Martin, St. Lucie. and Okeechobee Counties. The generous support of our community allows us to provide all of our services at no cost to clients and partners. 

Do you want to bring some of our produce home? It is for sale at Palm City Farms Produce & Market and at our Hope Shop at 2525 SE Federal Highway in Stuart. If you would like to learn how to support our mission, and help us to empower residents to overcome hunger and hardship, or if you or someone you know would benefit from our services, please visit us at www.hohmartin.org.

Rob Ranieri’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Have you heard about Klotho??
 

There have been some major breakthroughs in anti-aging medicine as of late and one that many scientists are excited about is the discovery of a protein that has been named Klotho after one of the Greek goddesses.

She was the youngest of the three fates.  She spun the thread of the lives of all mortals, as well as being the one who decided when a person would be born as well as when they would die
 

As happens often in science the discovery of this protein was the result of an accident. Researchers were introducing a foreign gene into the cells of mice (believe it or not we share the vast majority of our genes with mice, so we are not that different). Back in the 1990’s Japanese scientists were studying hypertension and when they introduced a gene that coded for a molecule involved in heart failure, something happened. 

One of these mice started to behave like an old person.  It developed the abnormal walking pattern seen in people with Parkinsons, its genitalia atrophied, and its blood vessels started to develop extensive calcifications.  Its bone density diminished, and it developed emphysema.  Whereas most mice live several years these mice died after two months!!

The scientists realized that it wasn’t the gene they inserted that caused this problem but rather that they had interrupted another gene and it caused a roadblock. The researchers decided to call this gene, klotho

When the scientists blocked klotho’s expression in mice the animals would develop premature aging but when the gene was over expressed , the mice would live longer.  It was found that the klotho protein was only made in a few sites in the body such as the kidney and the brain. The changes to the mouse were all encompassing which led the scientists to think that klotho might behave more like a hormone.

The exciting news is that our klotho protein is 85% identical to the mouse! The scientists have found that an insufficiency of klotho is associated with kidney problems, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. In addition, they have found that metabolic problems like diabetes and osteoporosis are also associated with low klotho levels. This doesn’t mean that low klotho levels necessarily cause these diseases, but it is definitely an area for future study

Since klotho appears to be the master regulator of aging the next question is how do you increase your levels?? There are some animal studies showing that turmeric and resveratrol as well as ginseng root, dong quai and other herbs may increase the levels.

What we do know for sure is that exercise increases klotho levels . The concentration of klotho goes up significantly after exercising regularly for at least 3 months!!

Obviously much more research needs to be done but keep your ears pealed to learn more about this protein and how with future medical advances we may learn other ways to combat aging!!!

Michele Libman’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Many of my friends have been asking me about the information they've been seeing, especially on social media, posted by Realtors, about business in our world - going forward.

Under a settlement with plaintiff's attorneys, and hopefully the Department of Justice, Realtors will now be required to get all buyers to sign an agreement to compensate them, prior to seeing a property. That's the easiest way to put it. I truly believe it'll be more complicated before it gets simpler.

This is an example of the most common announcement that I have seen:

PSA TO ALL HOME BUYERS: On August 17th a Realtor CAN NOT show you a home unless you have a signed agreement with them.  Usually, it’s not a problem and we can zip over, show it to you and be done, however, starting August 17th no Realtor will be able to unlock a door for you without you first signing that agreement. This will be nonnegotiable for any person with a Realtor designation. The usual form between buyer and Realtor is a Buyer's Representation Agreement (however any written agreement to show a property will suffice. It doesn’t have to be a buyer's rep. A buyer’s rep (if that’s what you sign) is basically your contract between you and that realtor saying you will be using them to buy a home and breaking down the roles, duties and responsibilities owed to you by your agent etc. This is not something we want to do, but are being required to do.

Picking the agent you want to use to help you buy a home is an important decision and not one that should be forced upon you just to see a home. The good news is that we get to decide when it expires, so although you may have to sign one, if you’re not ready yet to fully commit to a Realtor, you can always request an agreement that expires in a day, a week, a month, etc.. Lastly, please don’t yell at your local realtors if they want you to sign something before showing you a home. We don’t have a choice.

The change is coming fast to our real estate industry, but it still has a bit of uncertainty. The current Department of Justice has still not signed off on this agreement. It is my opinion that the Department of Justice has a vendetta against the Realtors which will eventually affect all commissioned salespeople in the United States. I still cannot understand why they chose to disrupt a business model that had worked perfectly for over 100 years

John Gonzalez’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Keeping Pets Safe from Cane Toads

Summer is here, which means cane toads (also known as bufo toads) are on the move. These toads are most active late at night or early in the morning, especially when the ground is damp or wet. It’s very important to know the risks that cane toads pose to our pets, so that we can keep them safe during this season.

Cane toads can easily be mistaken for native frogs, so it’s essential to educate yourself on the difference between the two. According to the University of Florida, some of the key attributes for Cane toads are that they are larger than three inches (young are smaller), their poison glands are enlarged and somewhat triangular, they don’t have knobs or crests on top of head, and they have ridge around eyes and above the nose.

In the event that your pet does come into contact with a cane toad, you’ll need to act quickly. Severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of toxin ingested and the size of the animal that attacked the toad. The University of Florida states that signs of cane toad poisoning in pets include unusually pink or red gums, drooling or frothing at the mouth, pawing at the mouth, seizures, and sometimes cardiac arrest. Immediate veterinary attention is crucial, as prompt treatment can significantly improve the chances of survival.

Knowing where cane toads are typically found and when they are most active can help you minimize the risk of exposure for your pets. They are particularly common in yards, golf courses, and school campuses. It’s important to regularly inspecting your yard, sealing potential entry points, and removing any standing water that could attract these pests. Additionally, you should try to keep your pet indoors during the evening and night hours when cane toads are most active.

Never hesitate to seek professional assistance if you suspect your pet has been exposed to the dangers of cane toads. If you are not already established with a regular veterinarian, our shelter can provide a list of recommended vets for you. Just visit our website at www.hstc1.org/resources or call us at 772-223-8822.  

If your yard or place of work is invaded with cane toads, you may need to seek professional assistance. “Toad Busters” is a proud supporter of the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast and is highly recommended. You can learn more about Toad Busters at www.toadbusters.com.

References by: The University of Florida (https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW432)

Frank Valente's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

There are amazing people in our world.

We are all overwhelmed with the sad and negative events that continue to occur. You can’t watch the news, read a paper, or look online without seeing missing children or pets, catastrophic natural disasters, illnesses and death among friends and family, and crime issues. It is enough to make the most optimistic person wonder, “What is going on in our world today?”

I was recently on vacation in Harbour Island in the Bahamas. I was entrusted with the cash for purchasing fuel, (not a good move). I kept that money in my belt bag, (formerly known as a fanny pack), with me constantly. After a lovely morning on the pink sand beach, we drove back to our accommodations by golf cart. My belt bag was in my beach bag, which I inadvertently left on the back seat.

When we got to the house, I reached for my belt bag and realized that it had fallen out on the 1.7-mile ride! We immediately traced back our route but did not find the black bag. We went to the local police station to file a report. The very kind officer could see I was in distress, and he offered to drive the route with us again. Sadly, we still did not locate the bag.

We pulled up to our rental and as I was talking to the police officer, a small truck pulled up. Out stepped a gentleman carrying my bag! He handed it to me and said, “You are lucky I found it. On a Friday afternoon a bag with all that cash would have been a great find for anyone!”

I couldn’t stop hugging this wonderful man. When I asked him how he found me, he said that he saw me driving around and I looked sad and depressed. All the cash, my driver’s license, and credit cards were returned safely.

I don’t even know how much money I gave him as a reward, but I explained to him that he was a special man, and that Karma would take care of him. I suggested he take his family out for dinner and let them know about his terrific deed.

As embarrassing as this story is I wanted to share it because it reminds us of the amazing people in our world. I know that if I were to find money like that, I would do whatever I could to find the rightful owner and I know many of you would do the right thing, too.

We never know what someone else is going through and a smile or a kind gesture goes a very long way. Let’s keep celebrating that there are awesome people in this world and that many of them live in Martin County!

Missi Campbell’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

It is July 15TH, and the surf fishing has been very up and down so far this month

A persistent southeast wind has dirtied the water, brought in some slime weed, and on certain days made the beach break 3 to 5 feet and basically unfishable. I have had to do a bunch of driving on mast days looking for some clean water and beach accesses free of weeds. The whiting and the croaker have been the main targets of most surf anglers along with the catch and release snook sharpies that have been bending some rods also.

The key this summer is to be fishing the hours around the high tide mark with the first two hours of the outgoing yielding the best fishing. I had my grandson, Christian, down for a few days and he managed to catch a snook of a lifetime from Glasscock beach . The 42-inch, 30-pound snook ate a live croaker he was live lining and the picture that is attached to this column says it all.

Christian was fishing a 4500 Spinfisher Live liner spinning reel paired with a nine-foot brand new Quantam Strive spinning rod. 15-pound test monofilament was the main line, and my fishing fanatic grandson played that beautiful fish like a pro. A quick picture and a timely release let this beautiful breeder swim away in great shape.

If you find a beach where the croaker are located be sure to bring a slightly heavier setup like we used to play tug of war with these big snook. A 4/0 circle hook put ahead of the dorsal of the live croaker is all that is needed. As far as the whiting and croaker are concerned Chartreuse/Shine, Flesh Shrimp Fishbites tipped with a small piece of shrimp will put you on the whiting and croaker bite.

Some days they have been right in the first trough and other days, 40 to 50 yards off of the beach. The key is to find the distance the schools are holding off of the beach and I will place my bait at the 40-yard mark and bring it in a yard at a time until I find where they are holding. As we get further into July.

We should start seeing the glass minnows come down the beach and the large croakers and tarpon will be feeding on this natural bait. Clean water and a calm surf will be what we hope to find in the second half of this month and these conditions should produce some great surf action.

Good luck and catch em up.

Paul Sperco’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

In one of the first columns I wrote for this publication, I expressed my concern regarding the dismantling of public education as a threat to our Republic and here we are, a little over a year later, dangerously close to losing our American democracy.

Why do so many Americans not grasp the evil that lurks among those who are pushing for an autocratic form of government and the effect this will have on our personal freedoms? I have to agree with people who believe this has been a coordinated effort by those who fear and feel threatened by people who are different.

Whether it’s the way others look or the beliefs they have that may be different from theirs, these people believe their own control, values, and wealth are threatened. I can only think that, as a country, we have failed to educate this generation with the knowledge and understanding of how countries such as Hungary, Venezuela, and others have moved from a liberal democracy to an illiberal democracy to authoritarian dictatorships. Have we forgotten the history of Adolph Hitler’s rise to power, the horrors of the concentration camps, and the extermination of more than six million Jews, as well as other human beings who did not fit Hitler's perverted vision?  Can this happen in the United States of America?

This coordinated effort, over the last 50 years, has worked to dismantle, not only public education, but also “the current government that regulates business, provides a social safety net, and protects civil rights”.  In line with this continued effort, a conservative think tank has developed Project 2025, which is a 900-page conservative policy agenda that includes anti-abortion advocacy, voter suppression, anti-climate policies, and anti-LGBTQ advocacy with 44 pages focused on the U.S. eliminating the Department of Education among many other extreme proposals. It includes:

• Title I funding which supports low-income students would be provided through state grants that would have no regulation or oversight with the intention that this funding would disappear in a decade;
• Passing a federal parents’ bill of rights that would give parents stronger standing in court. (Although parent engagement is important to the success of children, parents must serve as partners not authoritarians over teachers, schools, students, and society, including taxpayers, and public education.);
• Federal special education funds would be given to school districts as grants with no strings attached, or even to savings accounts for parents to use on private school or other education expenses which would all be unregulated;
• Scaling back the federal government’s ability to enforce civil rights laws like Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination, and Title VI, which prohibits race-based discrimination; and
• Eliminating the recent Title IX revision, which explicitly prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

As Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward said, “It is not hyperbole to say that Project 2025 would be a wrecking ball to public education in this country, and it seeks to radically undermine and undercut the ability of people to get a quality education in this country, and then even goes further and seeks to transform our public education system and our public schools into ideological extremist spaces.”

To protect our children, grandchildren and future generations we, as American citizens, must work to sustain the principles of our Republic:

1. Rule of Law which ensures equality and justice for all;
2. Free and Fair Elections which allows citizens to choose their leaders;
3. Protection of Human Rights which safeguards individual liberties; and
4. Separation of Powers by distributing authority among branches of government to prevent abuses. (Testbook, Sept. 1, 2023)

It is crucial to our Republic that we use the power of our vote in both the August and November elections. To make the best educated decision when you exercise your right to vote, it is critical that you research the candidates. The school board election is non-partisan which means all registered voters have the opportunity to choose the school board candidates they believe will best serve the needs of our children.

The Martin County School Board Election will be decided in the August 2024 Primary.

Victoria Defenthaler’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Council on Aging Martin Offers 4 Keys to Successful Aging

Stay healthy. Eat well, Be active. Get help. These simple but profound statements form the foundation of everything we do at the Council on Aging Martin.

We’re committed to being the trusted, comprehensive source for quality and compassionate services for the seniors of Martin County and their families.  Council on Aging is the hub for senior resources - and the community’s officially designated Lead Agency for Aging.

This year marks half a century since Council on Aging Martin was conceived. Fifty years ago a group of citizens got together and decided that seniors in our community needed help to age safely and successfully. They established the local Council on Aging, brought Meals on Wheels to our area, created the first Adult Day Care service, and eventually opened the beautiful, welcoming Kane Center as our home.

We’re now serving more than 8,000 seniors with health and wellness activities, opportunities for social connections, memory and care giving programs, and nutrition offerings that still include that very first critical community outreach, Meals on Wheels.

What’s the best way to honor all of those who created the Council on Aging Martin and fostered its growth for five decades? Our board of directors believes it’s by changing and growing. Seniors are not the same today as they were in 1974. Their needs and their expectations are different. And so we set to work during our anniversary year to rebrand and improve how we look and how we communicate with our community.

You may have noticed our new logo. It’s fresh, modern, and cheerful. It’s four colors tell a story. Each color within our new logo links to one of our key service areas: green for Health & Wellness, red for Social Connections, golden orange for Meals & Nutrition, and blue for Memory & Caregiving. And our new tag line says it all: Council on Aging Martin is YOUR hub for senior resources.

More than how we look, though, is what we do. And we do a lot! From giving seniors a place to gather for fun and socialization to providing primary care, a memory enhancement program, a day center for people with mobility or cognitive challenges, and opportunities to eat together at congregate meal sites, the Council on Aging is making a difference in the lives of people who value successful aging for themselves and those they love.

We’re grateful to Tom Campenni and his Friends & Neighbors publication for giving us the opportunity to share with you the many programs and services Council on Aging offers. Some of them you may want or need to use right away – for yourself or your loved ones. Others you may want to think about for the future or tell your neighbors about.

I’m excited about our upcoming columns where I’ll fill you in on how we can assist you and your families to Stay healthy...Eat well...Be active…and Get help when you need it, all from the Council on Aging Martin.

For more information on Council on Aging Martin, visit our website coamartin.org call us at 772-223-7800, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Karen Ripper’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Golf Cart Accidents In Florida

Golf carts have become a popular mode of transport across Florida. However, the increasing prevalence of golf carts on our roads has led to a disturbing rise in related accidents.

Understanding Golf Cart Accident Dynamics in Florida

Recent data from the Florida Highway Patrol indicates a significant rise in accidents involving low-speed vehicles, including golf carts, nearly doubling since 2020. These accidents are not just statistics; they represent real people who suffer real injuries. From collisions on public roads to unexpected incidents in private communities, the potential for harm is vast, particularly in areas like The Villages, often dubbed the "golf cart capital of the world."

Golf cart accidents can result in minor bruises and severe, life-altering injuries. Their unique open design makes them less protective in crashes, particularly at intersections or on roads shared with faster, more massive vehicles. Moreover, the lack of mandatory insurance and licensing for these vehicles in Florida complicates the aftermath of such accidents, often leaving victims uncertain about their recovery options.

Steps to Take Following a Golf Cart Accident

If you find yourself involved in a golf cart accident, immediate actions can significantly impact the outcome of your potential claim:

• Seek Medical Attention: Health should always be your top priority. An immediate medical evaluation is crucial for your health, and documenting your injuries is vital for future claims. Moreover, a comprehensive medical report can substantiate your claim, emphasizing the severity and impact of your injuries.
• Report the Accident: Ensure the accident is reported to the authorities. A formal report can serve as critical evidence in your legal case.
• Document Everything: Take photographs at the scene, gather contact information from witnesses, and keep a detailed record of what happened. This information can be invaluable in reconstructing the events leading up to the accident and establishing liability.
• Consult a Lawyer: Early legal advice can be the key to effectively facing the claims process. A lawyer can help you understand your rights and the following steps. They will also strategize the best course of action based on the specific details of your case, potentially increasing your chances of a favorable outcome.

Why Florida Might Consider Changing its Laws

The ongoing debate in Florida regarding regulating golf carts highlights a need for change. Some cities have already implemented mandatory insurance and licensing for golf carts, a move many residents believe enhances safety. Adopting similar regulations statewide could lead to better accountability and safety on the roads, reducing the number of accidents and ensuring that victims have clear avenues for compensation.

Drivers in Stuart and throughout Florida often feel overwhelmed by the presence of golf carts that pose a constant threat. Until regulations are put in place to control the use of these vehicles, drivers must remain vigilant at all times.

Gene Zweben’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

The theme for this election cycle is ‘Vote 2024 - It’s Your Choice!’ and the primary election to be held on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, is quickly approaching.  Elections staff and I are committed to providing all registered Martin County voters the opportunity to have a voice in this election and to make sure every vote counts.

Races on the primary election ballot include federal races to local races. To make sure you are familiar with the ballot prior to casting your votes you can access sample ballots at www.MartinVotes.gov. Florida is a closed primary state so you will be issued a ballot that coordinates with the party affiliation of record whether you vote by mail, vote early, or vote on Election Day.

If voting by mail, please visit our website at www.MartinVotes.gov and click on the ‘Track Your Ballot’ link which allows you to see when your ballot was mailed, the address it was mailed to, and when your voted ballot was received in the office.  Remember, your ballot must be returned to the Elections Office by 7:00 p.m. election night.  Additionally, if you vote by mail, the signature on file may need to be updated. Signatures do change over time, and we are required to verify the signature on your vote by mail envelope with the signature in the voter registration database. If your signature has changed, now is the time to contact the Elections Office to update your signature.

Early voting for the primary election will take place for eight consecutive days from August 10 -17, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm daily in two locations, the Martin County Elections Office in Stuart and the Elisabeth Lahti Library in Indiantown.

Finally, Election Day is your last opportunity to let your voice be heard in the August 20 primary election. If voting on Election Day, you must vote at your assigned polling precinct. To confirm your polling location, visit www.MartinVotes.gov and click on the ‘Where Do I Vote’ tab.  As a reminder, please have available signed, photo identification when voting in-person.

Martin County is counting on YOU!  Every vote counts and all elections are important. Ensure your voice is heard by casting your vote in the August 20, 2024, primary election.

For more information visit www.MartinVotes.gov or call the Elections Office at 772-288-5637.

See you at the Polls!

Vicki Davis’ opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

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THE LURE OF GIVING AND WINNING REELS IN ANGLERS

FOR THE 10TH ANNUAL ARC/KDW FISHING TOURNAMENT

Stuart, FL. –Fishing, fun and festivity. That’s what folks experienced at the ARC of the Treasure Coast’s 10th Annual KDW Offshore Fishing Tournament held last month at the Pirate’s Cove Resort and Marina in Stuart.

After postponing the event for two weeks due to weather, anglers were ready to reel in the biggest Kingfish, Dolphin, Wahoo, Grouper, and Snapper for cash prizes up to $10K.

Kingfish king and first place bragging rights went to Jim Hathway for reeling in a 19.6 pounder.

Bryce Alkire took home the biggest Dolphin at 5.65 lbs.

The Wahoo winner is Ryan McComas for his 16.22 lbs. catch.

and Travis Scott is our Snapper superstar with his 14.9 pounder.

The Lady Angler winner is Karlee Aultman.

And the Junior Angler prize was awarded to Caleb Buys.

Money raised from the tournament supports ARC of the Treasure Coast’s programs and services for more than 1000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Thanks to our generous partners for sponsoring the event including Florida Insurance Trust, HMY Yacht Sales, Jordan Dynamics, Duffy’s, Robert Erneston Produce, John Rizzotto GC, LLC, Snook Nook, Manero’s, Ponn’s Landscaping, Boar’s Head Treasure Coast Provisions, Boar’s Head Indian River Provisions, Breakthru Beverage, Frito Lay, and Publix.

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About ARC of the Treasure Coast: The ARC, (Advocates for the Rights of the Challenged) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering children and adults with I/DD through residential, vocational, educational, behavioral, and other healthcare services.  ARC provides support, assistance, and training that enhances the abilities of children and adults with disabilities to thrive each day and achieve their fullest potential.

United Way Awards

Banner Lake Inc. recently received not one, but two generous awards from United Way of Martin County. One award was gifted to Banner Lake Early Learning Center and the second was for our summer program, Beyond Summer Slide. United Way of Martin County generously awarded $1,951,237 in Community Impact Grants to local organizations.

Local programs where chosen based on their dedication to improving the education, health, and financial stability of Martin County residents. Some of these such programs included: 4C’s Club, Caring Children/Clothing Children, Career Connect Martin, Little Lights Dentistry, and Martin County Healthy Start Coalition. We are so pleased to have our dedication to the community recognized. Thank you, United Way of Martin County, for your incredible support and generosity, not only to us, but to our community as a whole. We look forward to continuing to work with United Way of Martin County to help our community thrive.

STUART, Fla. – House of Hope is the grateful beneficiary of Mariner Sands Golf and Country Club’s 2024 Charity Week, a week of events that Mariner Sands residents stage every year to raise funds for community nonprofits.

The $70,500 awarded to House of Hope will support Project HOPE: Helping Others Progress through Empowerment, which helps individuals and families to receive basic help like food and clothing, financial assistance for items like rent and utilities, and opportunities to change their lives and become self-sufficient.

The grant will also help to support House of Hope’s Centers for Enrichment, especially the programs at the KinDoo Center for Enrichment in Indiantown. Classes and programs at the Centers for Enrichment in Golden Gate, Jensen Beach and Indiantown include English as a Second Language, Kindergarten readiness, smoking cessation, homework help, art classes, and more.

The Mariners Sands Charity Week 2024 committee members met with House of Hope representatives in House of Hope’s hydroponic greenhouses on the site of the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City

“The number of our neighbors who need help continues to grow,” said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “This past year alone, we assisted 21,000 people, distributed almost 1.3 million pounds of food including fresh fruits and vegetables, welcomed 625 individuals to programs at the Centers for Enrichment, and reached 4,700 children and adults with nutrition education and gardening programs. That’s a huge undertaking, and we can only do it with the help of generous community members like the residents of Mariner Sands.”

"We are delighted to partner with the House of Hope and contribute to their impactful work within our community," said Jack Flanagan, President of Mariner Sands Charity Week. "This grant exemplifies our shared commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of those in need here in Martin County"

House of Hope is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year by encouraging the community to think 40 – 40 items donated to help those in need of hurricane supplies, 40 school supplies for children in need, 40 items donated to the House of Hope Thrift Stores that benefit House of Hope programs, and contributions of any amount to keep House of Hope on the forefront of assisting and empowering Martin County residents trying to overcome hunger and hardship.

To learn more about House of Hope or to make a donation, visit House of Hope’s website at www.hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673.

About House of Hope

Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Martin County residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 21,000 people each month, helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance, as well as longer-term case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future. 

The organization has service centers in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach, with thrift stores in Stuart, Hobe Sound, and Indiantown. House of Hope’s Centers for Enrichment at Golden Gate in Stuart, in Jensen Beach, and at KinDoo Family Center in Indiantown offer free programs, technology, and workshops designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall well-being.

House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the community. For more information, visit hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

STUART, FL – United Way of Martin County is excited to announce that its Ride United Program has been awarded a $21,222 grant from United Way Worldwide. Martin County is proud to be one of 55 United Way organizations across the nation to receive this vital support and one of only four in Florida - receiving the highest grant amount among Florida recipients.

Ride United addresses critical transportation needs in Martin County, providing temporary and complimentary rides to community members. Since its inception the program has achieved remarkable success:

• From August 1, 2022, to June 30, 2024:
  • 342 Unduplicated Riders
  • 2,093 Rides Completed
  • $18.06 Average Cost Per Ride

By offering reliable transportation, Ride United ensures that lack of transportation is not a barrier to accessing essential services such as medical appointments, employment opportunities, and educational resources.

"We are incredibly honored and grateful to receive this grant from United Way Worldwide," said Carol G. Houwaart-Diez, United Way of Martin County President and CEO. "The funding will enable us to expand our Ride United Program, helping even more community members overcome transportation challenges."

PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY

Ride scheduling is available during operating business hours (Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.). Morning, evening and weekend rides are available upon pre-scheduled request. To obtain a ride, eligible participants must:

• Be a Martin County resident
• Travel to/from a Martin County location
• Have a critical service need (medical appointments, employment opportunities, educational resources, food procurement)
• Be 18+ years old or accompanied by an adult
• Schedule rides during operating business hours (Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.)

IMPACT & INFO

The program has already demonstrated a profound impact on the community, and with this new grant, it is shifting into high gear. United Way of Martin County is committed to building a stronger, more resilient community, and this grant is a testament to the effectiveness and importance of our programs.

For more information about Ride United or how you can support the program, please visit www.unitedwaymartin.org/RideUnited or contact our office at 772-283-4800.

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About United Way of Martin County
United Way of Martin County’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community. Since 1972, the United Way has been working to create long-term social change and provide support to Martin County residents by investing in programs that strive to: enhance healthy living, improve education, and support financial stability. To learn more about United Way of Martin County, visit www.unitedwaymartin.org. 

The Stuart/Martin County Chamber would like to thank United Way of Martin County and the Community Foundation of Palm Beach/Martin Counties for their recent grant awards to The Martin Chamber Foundation, the Chamber’s only 501c3 charity. The Martin Chamber Foundation was established in 2023 to support economic prosperity for Martin County residents by strengthening and growing workforce development, education & entrepreneurship. More specifically, the Foundation is tackling one of our area’s toughest challenges – a prepared and connected workforce – with a program called Career Connect Martin.

Photo Left to Right: Carol Houwaart-Diez, United Way of Martin County CEO, Gina Master, Workforce Development Coordinator, Angela Hoffman, Vice President, Time Kinane, Career Coach, Elliot Paul, United Way of Martin County Chairman

These two grants will fuel the Career Connect Martin program, providing individualized workforce skill development and on-the-job training for our community’s most vulnerable job seekers. Program participants gain the competencies, confidence, and the connections to land great jobs that offer security and growth opportunities.  IN addition, Career Connect Martin is a non-traditional business accelerator, augmenting the human resource management needs of small companies. Career Connect helps hire, train, and retain employees. Companies with employees who are well-trained and well-supported have a 24% higher profit margins.

We are excited to strengthen our reach and grow the program’s capacity with a renewed focused on internal structure, clear measurable objectives, and even better training tools for participants. With the support of United Way of Martin County and the Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin Counties, Career Connect Martin will enhancement our economy and improve the quality of life for our participants and their families.

More about Career Connect Martin:

With support from the Martin County Board of County Commissioners, the Stuart/Martin County Chamber started Career Connect Martin in 2022 to help unemployed and underemployed residents gain new skills, overcome employment barriers, and connect to local businesses struggling to hire, train and retain employees.

With an 83% Success Rate in the first two years, the Stuart/Martin County Chamber realized the importance of continuing Career Connect Martin. As a result, the Martin Chamber Foundation, a 501c3 charity was established as a means to continue the work. To learn more about the Martin Chamber Foundation and how it supports economic prosperity for Martin County residents, visit www.martinchamberfoundation.org

Back to School Bash at The Children's Museum

Date: Saturday, August 24th, 10 AM - 2 PM
Location: The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast, 1707 NE Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach, FL 34957
Presenting Sponsor: Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
Supporting Sponsor: Publix Charities

Jensen Beach, FL — July 1, 2024 — The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast is thrilled to announce the eagerly awaited Back to School Bash, presented by Cleveland Clinic Martin Health and supported by Publix Charities. This exciting event will take place on Saturday, August 24th, from 10 AM to 2 PM at The Children's Museum, promising a day of family-friendly festivities and educational fun.

Families are invited to kick off the upcoming school year with a memorable celebration featuring a wide array of activities:

• Petting Zoo: Delight in meeting and greeting adorable animals.
• Pony Rides: Enjoy a scenic ride (additional cost applies).
• Juggling Shows: Marvel at the talents of our skilled jugglers.
• Face Painting: Unleash creativity with imaginative face painting.
• Bounce House: Bounce around and revel in the excitement.
• Community Partners: Discover valuable back-to-school resources onsite.

Admission is as follows:

• Members: Free entry.
• Non-Members: Discounted, nonrefundable tickets available online in advance.
• General Admission: Available at the door on the day of the event.

Please note that pony rides will incur an additional fee.

"We are thrilled to host the Back to School Bash, thanks to the generous support of Cleveland Clinic Martin Health and Publix Charities," said Christina McIntosh, Community Outreach and Events Coordinator. "This event promises to be a highly engaging family friendly activity, offering families an opportunity to create lasting memories while gearing up for the school year ahead."

Mark your calendars and join us for a day of laughter, learning, and community spirit. Let's make this back-to-school season the best one yet!

To purchase advance nonrefundable reduced price tickets, please visit https://secure.paperlesstrans.com/childrensmuseumtcbtsbash

About The Children's Museum:
The Children's Museum of the Treasure Coast provides interactive exhibits and educational programs designed to inspire curiosity and creativity in children

Pup Crawl to delight dog lovers while helping shelter animals

STUART, Fla. — One of the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast’s favorite summertime activities is its annual Pup Crawl. Presented by Wagnolia’s, the 10th annual event will be held from 4:30-10 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, in downtown Stuart. Check-in and registration will take place at the promenade near Spritz City Bistro, 61 SW Osceola St.

Participants, who must be 21 years or older, and their pups will gain VIP access to six dog-friendly bars in downtown Stuart and receive one free drink at each stop along the way. The cost is $30 in advance or $40 the night of the event. This year’s theme is Heroes vs. Villains. There will be a costume contest, raffles and camaraderie among the strollers.

The participating restaurants are Duffy’s Sports Grill, Hudson’s on the River, Lush Lounge, Spritz City Bistro, Stack: Burgers & Bourbon, and Taco Shack Bar & Grill.

“This event is always a lot of fun for the participants as they stroll through downtown Stuart with their dogs, knowing they are raising money for a great cause,” said HSTC Communications Manager Sarah Fisher.

The event is dog-friendly but all dogs must be kept on a non-retractable leash and the owner must make sure the dog is properly cared for at all times. Pet owners must be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion, aggressive behavior, overstimulation and other problematic areas as pet health and safety are essential. Pets will not be permitted indoors at any of the establishments so participants with dogs are encouraged to have a buddy system.

Additional support is generously provided by Camp Bow Wow and Paw-gistics. For more information on sponsorship opportunities, contact Ashton Standish at 772-600-3216 or astandish@hstc1.org.

About the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast – The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast (HSTC) is a no-kill animal welfare organization located at 4100 SW Leighton Farm Ave. in Palm City, FL. Since 1955, it has been the leading advocate for animal protection and well-being in the Martin County area. A 501(c)3 private, nonprofit organization, the HSTC is independent and locally operated and relies on donations to support its programs and services. Follow the HSTC on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/humanesocietyTC and Twitter at https://www.twitter.com/hstc1. For more information, visit https://www.hstc1.org or call (772) 223-8822.

Treasure Coast Hospice Celebrates Great Place to Work Certification

Recognition Marks Fifth Year in a Row

STUART, Fla. (July 8, 2024) – For the fifth consecutive year, Great Place to Work Institute and its senior care partner Activated Insights have recognized Treasure Coast Hospice with certification as a Great Place to Work. The certification process involved surveying 100% of employees from across the organization and evaluating more than 60 elements of team members’ experience on the job. These included employee pride in the organization’s community impact, belief that their work makes a difference, and feeling their work has special meaning. Rankings are based on employees’ experiences, no matter who they are or what they do.

“Being recognized as a Great Place to Work for the fifth consecutive year is an incredible honor,” said Treasure Coast Hospice President and CEO Jackie Kendrick, CHPCA. “This achievement is a testament to our team’s commitment to our mission, our patients and families, and each other, and it underscores the importance Treasure Coast Hospice places on fostering a supportive and collaborative environment for our staff.”

The recognition marks the fifth year in a row that Treasure Coast Hospice has been certified as a Great Place to Work. This year, 92% of staff members responding to the survey said that it is a great place to work compared to 57% of employees at a typical U.S.-based company.

According to the 2024 survey results, 98% of employees said they “feel welcomed” upon joining the team and 96% responded that their “work has special meaning.” Other reasons Treasure Coast Hospice was chosen as a top place to work were because staff rate the service delivered as excellent, are proud to tell others where they work and feel good about the ways the organization contributes to the community.

“We applaud Treasure Coast Hospice for seeking certification and publicly sharing its employees’ feedback,” said Dr. Jacquelyn Kung of Great Place to Work’s senior care partner Activated Insights. “These ratings measure its capacity to earn its own employees’ trust and create a great workplace for high performance.”

About Treasure Coast Hospice

Treasure Coast Hospice is a non-profit community organization of skilled professionals and dedicated volunteers whose mission is to provide access to compassionate, caring, expert and professional hospice and grief support services to patients and families at the end of life. Founded in 1982, Treasure Coast Hospice has grown to serve more than 4,000 patients annually in Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee counties. Thanks to the generous support of our community, the Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation is able to fund comprehensive hospice and grief support programs for Treasure Coast Hospice, including three Inpatient Units for those who need a higher level of care, the specialized pediatric program Little Treasures, music therapy, massage therapy, virtual reality experiences, individual and group bereavement services, and Camp Good Grief for children who have experienced the loss of a loved one.

About Activated Insights and Great Place to Work

Activated Insights is the senior care affiliate of Great Place to Work, the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through its aging services certification program, Activated Insights helps Great Place to Work recognize outstanding workplace cultures in the aging services industry and produce the annual Fortune "Best Workplaces for Aging Services™” as well as other Great Place to Work Best Workplaces lists for Millennials, Women, Diversity, Small & Medium Companies, and various regions. Through its employee engagement platform, Activated Insights helps clients create great workplaces that outpace peers on key business metrics like revenue growth, profitability, and retention. 

House of Hope Awarded 3 Community Impact Grants from United Way of Martin County

STUART, Fla. – With more than 21,000  people depending on them for assistance every month, House of Hope gratefully accepted three 2024 Community Impact Grants awarded by the United Way of Martin County in June.

The three grants, totaling $110,750, will support Project HOPE, which offers an array of cost-free services including basic needs, case management, financial assistance, clothes closets, and referrals to other resources in the community that assists clients with developing plans to become financially independent and self-sustaining; Client Choice Pantries and Food Bank services, which provide individuals and families with dignified and efficient access to healthy and nutritious food and supports 30 other agencies in the area with food and supplies, all at no cost; and Centers for Enrichment, where individuals can take advantage of free classes and services focused on health and wellness, education, English literacy, career readiness, access to technology, and arts and culture.

In presenting the award, United Way of Martin County President and CEO Carol Houwaarts-Diez said of House of Hope, “Your dedication to empowering Martin County residents and addressing critical needs is game-changing.”

House of Hope has made its mark on the community not only with the number of people served but also the innovative ways it has created to meet its mission. “Food is vital,” said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri, “and we’re proud that we were able to support our community by distributing 1.3 million pounds of food last year. And that food is made more nutritious thanks to the fresh fruits and vegetables we produce on our Growing Hope Farm.”

“But it’s more than the food itself,” Ranieri continued. “It’s the many services we bring together to help our clients set goals for themselves and lay out plans that will lead them to a healthy, empowered future.”

This year the United Way awarded 38 community impact grants to 27 nonprofit agencies in Martin County, totaling $958,000. An addition $992,437 was allocated to support other local non-profit program services through direct designations and funding for the United Way's internal programs, including Leaders United, Students United, Ride United, Volunteer United, United Way Holiday Project, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).  That’s a total of $1,951,237 invested in the community in just one year. House of Hope has been a United Way partner since House of Hope was founded in 1984 and continues to work closely with the United Way leadership to address critical needs throughout Martin County.

United Way President & CEO Carol G. Houwaart-Diez, House of Hope staffers Deidra Kinnaman, CEO Rob Ranieri and Amy Belisle, and United Way Board Chair-Elect Elliott Paul celebrate the 2024 Community Impact Awards to House of Hope. Photo Credit: Sevin Bullwinkle.

House of Hope is now celebrating its 40th anniversary in a typical House of Hope way – by finding new opportunities to serve people in need. Currently, the staff is inviting the community to donate 40 items for its hurricane-preparedness pantry or 40 items for the school supply drive. “The needs are endless,” Ranieri said, “but fortunately so is the generosity of our community.”

To learn more about House of Hope or to make a donation, visit House of Hope’s website at www.hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673.

About House of Hope

Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers Martin County residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 21,000 people each month, helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, financial assistance, as well as longer-term case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future. 

The organization has service centers in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach, with thrift stores in Stuart, Hobe Sound, and Indiantown. House of Hope’s Centers for Enrichment at Golden Gate in Stuart, in Jensen Beach, and at KinDoo Family Center in Indiantown offer free programs, technology, and workshops designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall well-being.

House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the community. For more information, visit hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

COMMISSION MEETING JULY 9, 2024

The commission voted to approve a comp plan amendment to allow the county to abandon 5400 sq feet of right of way to have the Hobe Sound Train Station placed there.

The station is presently at Becker Farms which is now the Discovery Project. It was moved there almost 70 years ago. Darlene VanRiper wrote a column about it in our last newsletter. You can see it here  

The station will be returned to Downtown Hobe Sound and placed several hundred feet from its original location.

Human Resource Director Heather Dayan gave a presentation about the problems of recruiting employees for the county. Her focus was on the non-uniformed departments. Apparently, the hardest jobs to fill were entry level and professionals such as engineers.

Gen Z will make up 75% of the workforce in 2025. There average time in any one job is 2 years and 3 months. By comparison, the Baby Boomers were 8 years and 3 months. Gen Zers are looking for the highest amount of pay and work life balance. According to Tim Buckley, the county’s employment consultant, the private sector can adapt much more quickly than the government.

Pay is better in the private sector. He illustrated that with an employment poster from Buc-ees. They start cashiers and stockers at $18 an hour. A department manager at up to $33 an hour and General Managers over $200,000 per year. They also have immediate benefits. However, at that employer their staff also work much harder than they would in any government office.

Another interesting statistic is that for every 100 jobs in Florida, there are only 53 people to fill them. To see the entire presentation go here 

Contained in the OMB items was a contract to hire the Treasure Coast Planning Council to go through all the previous western land studies, bring them up to date, and amalgamate them. There would also be a public outreach component to their contracts. This was discussed previously, and the commission approved doing this.

Commissioner Heard was adamantly against the study. As she has expressed many times, her belief was to just use the comp plan…the one that was written nearly 40 years ago. Ciampi was against it because he claimed half the people would like what the Treasure Coast Planning Council came up with and the other half would hate it.

I thought the purpose of a study was not to have a popularity contest but to see the best way to move forward. The vote was 3-2 with Heard and Ciampi dissenting.

At the end of the meeting, Administrator Don Donaldson asked if one of the commissioners would go to Washington to advocate for grant funds for the new Bright Line bridge across the St. Lucie… not the station but the bridge. The bridge that is vital to the people of Palm City, the boating community, and Stuart. There were no volunteers.

Once again, the commission has spoken by their inaction. I discussed how the commission wants to leave no fingerprints wherever possible in our last edition…and this is another example of that sentiment. You can read the story here 

CRA REPORT JULY 11, 2024

The Community Redevelopment Agency isn’t showing any slack moments with the announcement of its latest accomplishment “The Patio at Palm City Place” open and ready for events and visitors.  Last month’s grand opening was a grand success.  And now the CRA will be applying for grants to hold public art and music events there.  With this project’s completion, Commissioner Ciampi gets a point over on Commissioner Smith in their tongue in cheek rivalry between districts. 

The RIO sewer project has been completed! 

The old Hobe Sound Train Depot (circa 1890) is inching closer to the return to its rightful spot from out on Bridge Road to A1A in downtown Hobe Sound.  A real piece of history, it will serve as a draw for visitors as well as a depository for historical documents.  Maybe by September?

The Golden Gate El Camino project which will consist of a multi-modal system of pedestrian and bike trails linking paths throughout that community will not only enhance leisure activity in the area, but will provide safe routes as well.  Bids are coming in at between $3.5 M and $5M to make it happen.

The Investment Program offers funds (tax dollars) collected from businesses and residents within the CRA areas to qualifying commercial properties for exterior improvement projects.  The CRA will reimburse 80% of the costs up to $20K per property for design and construction.   This program is not merit based so all incomes laying within the CRA areas are encouraged to apply.  The Stuart Plaza is the most recent success story.  The condo association was able to paint the entire business complex and replace the landscaping.  They spent $22k and were reimbursed $20k!  If you want to drive by its at 3450 – 3498 SE A1A in Stuart.  

A few weeks ago, MARTY staff explained to the commission that fourteen buses will need to be replaced at $500,000 each by 2027. That is $7 million for a system that had 92,669 trips in FY 2023. It costs the county $32.62 per trip to deliver a service that appears to be used by very few people.

Why is it Indian River County, a county like Martin County in size and demographics, can have 1,239,241 trips at $4.35 per trip? It is purely a matter of rider convenience by being free, running more hours a day, and having routes devised so that 92% of the public are within ¾ of a mile of a bus stop.

Martin County’s service runs less frequently with fewer routes. For a transit system to be embraced by the public, it must have more than just buses. It needs to have convenient stops so that most passengers can easily walk from the bus stop to their destinations carrying their packages. Some people are literally miles from the nearest transit stop.

The Martin County United Way’s pilot project, Rides United, uses Lyft as their provider and gives individual rides to residents. In the first nine months, they have had 2044 rides costing $18.10 per ride. If we use 92,669 trips MARTY provided at the same cost that is $1,677,308.89 without owning a piece of equipment or having employees.

Is using a private service instead of a public one on a grand scale possible? Probably not. However, using the private sector to deliver transit within Indiantown, Stuart, and the CRAs probably so. We keep the fixed routes like from Indiantown to Stuart and a Federal Highway Route with only very few bus stops. At the bus stops there could be a pre-arranged private service booked by the county available for the “last mile.” It may be possible to reduce our costs and increase our demand.

On the MARTY routes, people could use those for free but book a private vehicle and pay $5.00. The Lyft or any other such service could be waiting at the end of the route to take them within the control area of Stuart, Indiantown or the CRA. The county would pick up the difference over $5.00 and all booking would be done online.

We need to try many different pilot programs to see what increases ridership without increasing the amount of money to cover the shortfall. I am not pretending to be a public transit expert. I do know that what we are doing now is not working.

As Published In Martin County Moments

CITY COMMISSION MEETING JULY 8, 2024

The regular commission meeting was preceded by the first budget meeting.

The budget director, Louis Boglioli, was there with his usual thoroughness. The millage has been a constant 5 mills for many years. If it is left at that level (which it should be), it will result in a little over $17 million in ad valorum. That doesn’t even pay for the fire and police budgets. This is consistent with how things happened in other years.

The rate of increase in taxable value is now less than in the previous two years because most of the new projects have come online. As a result, going forward if there is no new development, there will have to be either millage increases or budget cuts. And that is without any recessions or a drop in property values.

Funding for the CRA has increased by $517,000. As usual there are no official state numbers yet of what things like sales tax will be. Collective bargaining contracts are not resolved. And the budget presented is without any of the manager’s cuts. There is $1.2 million more in expenditures than income. That is about the amount it is out of whack on the first pass in most budget cycles.

The number of fire fighters and police officers in the budget are more than last year. Some of that is due to the opening of another fire station in North Stuart. But that must be watched very carefully, or the city could end up like the county with the tail wagging the dog…much of it due to commissioner meddling. (See the next story)

And increases are not because of some massive population growth. From 2001 until 2024 and with 2025 projected to be the same, Stuart has grown by 228 residents per year or 1.4%. That is right in line with the rest of the county. At that rate, Stuart’s projected built-out population of 23,900 will take another 25 years to happen.

So, when we hear dire predictions of Armageddon, the long-term statistics tell the story. The increase in traffic is not due to Stuart’s growing but rather the increase growth in St. Lucie and Palm Beach Counties residents who are going through our community to work and play. That is not going to stop.

You can see the presentation here 

Then there was a presentation by Joe Gillio about trying to clean and public use of Poppleton Creek Lake, which is a storm water treatment area. It was created by the city to take the runoff from roads and developments. The STA was subject to limited chemical spraying to control weeds before the experiment. It still is.

There are non-native plants, and they should continue to be sprayed. Other grasses such as tapegrass should be planted and expanded. There are other recommendations in the report that can be read here 

During public comment, Stuart Loyd, a Cabana Point resident, which is not located in the city, spoke about the removal of campaign signs from the rights of way and he claimed also private property.

City Manager Mortell informed Code Enforcement to remove all signs (campaign or not) from the public right of way and throw out the signs. Mr. Loyd pointed out a section of the code where it said that such signs removed should be returned to the candidate.

The section of code cited was passed prior to a 2015 U.S. Supreme Court ruling (Reed vs. Gilbert, Arizona) where the court ruled and according to Mortell’s email to Loyd which was sent after the meeting “The Court ruled unanimously that a local ordinance in Gilbert, Arizona, which imposed stricter regulations on signs based on their content (such as political signs compared to other types), violated the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech. The decision emphasized that content-based regulations are subject to strict scrutiny, meaning they must serve a compelling governmental interest and be narrowly tailored to achieve that interest. The ruling reaffirmed the principle that government regulations of speech must be content-neutral to withstand constitutional scrutiny, ensuring equal protection for all forms of expression.”

In other words, all signs must be treated equally and there is no such thing as a candidate sign. Perhaps the city attorney should craft a change to the code removing the now unconstitutional language from the code. The commission can therefore then vote to remove it.

Having been a candidate, I know a thing about signs and their placement. And yes, I placed them in the rights of way knowing that they would be taken down at some point and placed behind a dumpster at the city garage to be retrieved.  Though you were never able to salvage all your signs, many of them were right back in the right of way. I suspect as a former elected city commissioner, Mortell knows the game as well.  

Two other things I have noticed in this election cycle, signs are not playing such a large part in campaigning. They have become increasingly expensive and there are diminishing returns and sign pollution. The other is that social media is playing a larger and larger role. That is where advertising dollars should be spent.

As a taxpayer I also know that if our code enforcement people are picking up signs, they can’t do their real jobs. I will also say that candidates know they are doing something that should not be done. Most, if not all, are relieved about this development. In Stuart, the best thing you can do to be elected is knock on every super voter’s door. Talk to people and look them in the eye.

SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP AND SPECIAL MEETING JULY 9. 2024

I never placed much stock in business plans or, for that matter, strategic plans. I see them as a way to feel like something is being done but it just is one more thing to place on a shelf to gather dust. The district has been working on the latter for some time.

The district has involved many people besides school district personnel. The staff have broken up the creation of the plan into sub-committees with different focuses. It is a massive undertaking.

There are many dollars spent in hard and soft costs. And all involved have done so with sincerity and the greatest of good intentions. I can’t help thinking if it is taking resources away from the prime objective which is the education of our kids today will it be worth it.

Bureaucracies thrive on just this type of thing. Consultants grow rich and the results are usually fairly cookie cutter. The school district is no exception to the rule of bureaucracies. It is the largest in the county.

Board member Pritchett said she would like to see quarterly reports and that those reports have a narrative not just checked boxes. Perhaps it will work differently this time.

You can see the presentation here

The staff was tuning up policies for the district. One policy that the board looks like they are keen on implementing is regarding student cell phone use at school. Unfortunately, what was presented to the board for ratification was not what they said they wanted.

Quite simply the board wants the same punishment for any grade from 1st until 12th. The phone is taken away from the student and a parent needs to retrieve it. That is unequivocal. And if it continues, the board already has a policy for continued rule breaking.

Member DiTerlizzi wanted the cell phone returned to the student at the end of the day. The rest felt that would defeat the entire idea. If the student is caught, then they are deprived of the use of the phone for the rest of the day. Free to do it the next day without parental involvement.

The point is that the parent who is paying for the phone has a responsibility just as the child does. In many of her comments on this and other matters, Powers believes in personal responsibility. The others agree.

The inconvenience to the parents of either missing work for an hour or coming at a lunch break or by appointment with the principal is more than adequate. Cell phone use has become a large point of contention in schools. The district has the obligation to enforce this ban during school hours if they believe it will lead to a better learning environment.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING JULY 16, 2024

There was very little new news from this meeting.

One thing that ties into one of our letters this week from Dick Landrum relates to the Martin County High School pool. Dick wanted us to go further in uncovering why the district was less than truthful about what it would cost to fix and keep the pool open. I replied to him that the pool was going to remain open and so there is no story.

Landrum spoke during public comment at this meeting, and wanted an answer directly from the board to his question about why they had such a ridiculous amount as the repair cost. The board never answers during public comment. But at the end of the meeting, Amy Pritchett asked the staff where the pool renovation was.

Staff answered that the $1.2 million figure that was initially mentioned was a ballpark figure. They are going to have a contractor and pool consultant look at everything, and if the board agrees, then go out to RFP. But it seems at this point the pool will remain open.

When staff first brought the pool to the board’s attention, it did cause some board members to ask if it was worth keeping the pool open when they heard the $1.2 million estimated cost. The public also spoke at several meetings urging the board not to close the pool. Superintendent Maine then announced that the pool was remaining open.

And that is why Friends & Neighbors answered Mr. Landrum the way it did because there was no story. The pool was open and there was no expenditure of $1.2 million. I didn’t see where the district or board was trying to hide anything.

Government works much differently than business. I knew at some point if they were going to spend money on a pool renovation, it would be made public somewhere. I would have questioned whether the anticipated expense could be justified. There is nothing to report on unless the district closes the pool, or the RFP reveals that the amount needed is $1.2 million.  

Martin County test scores rose slightly this year.

Maybe I am missing something, but improvements of one or two percent are not exactly earth shattering. According to a press release put out by the Martin County School District, Dr. Maine said:

“The assessment results released today highlight the tremendous progress we are making as a school system. This data is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students, faculty, staff, and supportive community.” Wow, you would think that our kids are performing in the 90th or better percentile.

That isn’t the case. The statistics the district released that they found so impressive are the following:

• “Student achievement in Mathematics (all grades) has increased from 54% to 56%, and exceeds the state average of 55%.
• Student achievement in Grades 3-5 Mathematics has increased from 60% to 61%,and exceeds the state average of 58%.
• Student achievement in Grades 6-8 Mathematics (FAST and BEST EOC) has increased from 56% to 57%.
• Student achievement in Middle School Algebra has increased from 83% to 88%, exceeding the state average of 83%.
• Student achievement in High School Geometry has increased from 45% to 52%.
• Student achievement in English Language Arts (all grades) has increased from 50% to 52%.
• Student achievement in Grades 3-5 English Language Arts has increased from 53% to 55%, and exceeds the state average of 54%.
• Student achievement in Grades 6-8 English Language Arts has increased from 47% to 48%.
• Student achievement in Grades 9-10 English Language Arts has increased from 50% to 52%.
• Student achievement on BEST Writing indicates that 76% of students earned a Level 6 or higher, which exceeds the state average of 74%.
• Student achievement on BEST Writing indicates that 27% of students earned a Level 7 or higher, which exceeds the state average of 24%.
• Student achievement in Science has increased from 50% to 58%, and exceeds the state average of 53%.” 

The statement goes on to say that Martin County ranks #1 on the Treasure Coast in both Algebra and Civics. It is also above state averages in several other categories. Impressive if the scores weren’t so low to begin with both in the past and now.

Either Florida has some unreasonably high standards or there is something seriously wrong with the educational system in the state. According to the data, it looks like being in the low 50 percentile is average. When I went to school, that was a failing score and by a lot.

Perhaps celebrating our students’ scores rising from 54% to 56% and the state average at 55% should be considered a great achievement. I would consider it abysmal. What I consider low scores are not the fault of the school system alone. Parents and society have a large part to play. There should be no celebrating a little better than a 50% outcome.

If I were a member of the Martin County School Board, I would be asking some very hard questions. I wouldn’t be buying into the hype of this as anything more than a statistical blip. What is an acceptable district score? What is an acceptable score for each student? I hope this isn’t what we are settling for in Martin County. 

COMMISSION MEETING JULY 16, 2024

Chief Tina Ciechanowski was given a proclamation for 35 years of service to the town. The chamber was full of her friends and supporters from her years of service. She has held every uniformed position in the department.

Tina has always been available to every resident. Many of the civic affairs that take place in the town are done with her involvement and dedication. She is also a graduate of the F.B.I. course for local police chiefs which is a very rigorous program.

Thank you, Chief.

COUNCIL MEETING JULY 11, 2024

Swampfest happened and it was either too successful or not that much…or maybe both.

We were told by an organizer at the meeting that it was heavily patrolled, and that the staff was overly concerned by the way things happened. Council Member Palmer said all needed to come together. Dipaolo was there for each day and didn’t see a problem. However, there were things being done that were not on the permit plan like serving alcohol and setting up a stage on an athletic field.

The Sheriff’s representative said there were two arrests, one was for a firearms violation. Mayor Gibbs-Thomas stated there is a contract between the village and the organizers. Everyone needs to follow the procedures. Even though the Sheriff said it should be over by 7 pm, the council made an exception until 10 pm.

Some of the organizers had said when they applied for their permit that Swampfest had outgrown the Booker Park location, and next year it would be moved. Now it seems they want to remain there.

The LDRs are being re-written to move the individual permit approval process to staff rather than the council. Staff would be the ones to check the boxes similar to the way in which most permits are issued in other places. However, the manager appeared to be angry since her staff was, she claimed, being berated by people at the festival.

I am sure this is not the last we will hear of this.

Budget Director Florio gave a less than sunny budget forecast going forward. 86% of the ad valorum is from personal property taxes (FPL). This is not a new development but a more and more troubling one. Gas taxes declined by $200,000 since 2022 and won’t be back up to the higher levels for years. As interest rates go down, the village will be making less and less over the next few years.

Florio also said that the cost to provide services will be greater than the ad valorum going forward. The cost match of grants is hard for the village to match which could result in fewer grants being accepted. Hiring qualified people continues to be a problem because of both pay and location.

You can see his presentation here

I just returned from 10 days in Connecticut.

Most of this edition was written and researched there. My conversations with elected officials and staff were done by telephone. Since so much business is done that way, does it matter whether I am sitting in Stuart or someplace else to have them?

To a large extent, reporting in many organizations is done that way…sitting in a home office or a newsroom to listen to and watch feeds or meetings. But for the most part, the reporters haven’t taken the time to learn about the men and women who are in government and what motivates them.

I often go to lunch with people 3 or 4 times per week. You learn much when you share a meal with someone. You talk about their kids and their vacations. What we are doing at our homes. You begin to develop friendships which means you develop trust.

You can be the best researcher or government expert there is, but without that deeper understanding, you may miss why things happen. You don’t understand a person’s motivation behind something they are doing. But as someone who reports and comments, that doesn’t mean you pull punches.

I have strict rules about what is on and off the record. If someone says something in public, it is fair game. If I say we need to go on the record, what is said is also fair game. Yet most of what I hear stays with me and goes no further. And I do not deviate from those few simple rules.

It was nice to have a change of scenery. Though for most of my time away, I just traded one desk in a room for another. The temperature hit 90 degrees or above everyday which is not much different than here.

Yet for the purposes of Friends & Neighbors, being as close to my subjects the better.

Tom’s Articles

From Medium

"Another Example of How The U.S. Does Not Believe In Free Markets" 

Here 

From Martin County Moments

"How Much Can A Public Transportation System Cost"

Here
 

Other Articles

Substack By Jason Garcia: "How home insurance companies in Florida sidestep rules meant to prevent excess profits"  

Here

The New York Times: "The Best Plan for Housing Is to Plan Less" 

Here

The New York Times: "The American Elevator Explains Why Housing Costs Have Skyrocketed"

Here

The Washington Post: "Vatican ex-communicates Archbishop Vigano for refusing to recognize Pope Francis"

Here

Florida Phoenix: "If a presidential nominee drops out what happens to states" ballots"

Here

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