October 20, 2024

This edition has several stories about how the City of Stuart is operating under the new commission.

After just 2 months, the new majority has many people wondering what is going on. Shouting from the dais at audience members is not becoming. I will continue to be a voice speaking out and more importantly writing against this behavior.

In between I often post articles on our Facebook page. I will continue to do so. Those that threaten to no longer subscribe to this newsletter because of what I have written…please do. I would do it for you, but I don’t keep emails by name.

This is a free publication, in other words no paid subscriptions. It costs me money to publish. No loss to me.

If you do not agree with me and write a comment or send an email telling me why civilly. But threats of not looking at the Friends & Neighbors page or unsubscribing are kind of stupid. Because you reading me is up to you. And I am not going to change one word or any thought because of a reader going away.

In this edition we do have several stories on Stuart, the county, and the school board. We also have all our nonprofit announcements, government information and columnists.   

Have a great Sunday Morning!

Like many people I have been driving since I was a teenager. Even when I lived in the middle of the largest city in the U.S., the Big Apple, I had a car or at least access to one. For us, much of life was finding the elusive street parking space.

There was alternate side parking, no parking until 6 PM, no standing, 2-hour meters that over the years evolved into 15-minute ones. It wasn’t easy yet I and thousands of others managed, and others are still managing today. When younger, we somehow learned to ride bikes through all the traffic and smog.

I remember as a kid one hot humid languid Saturday summer afternoon. I just couldn’t take the oppressive heat in the apartment any longer. I went outside to get away from it and it was no better on the sunny afternoon sidewalk. Maybe it was because it was a Saturday, there didn’t seem to be traffic on the street either. It was eerily quiet…even on the avenues.

I went down to my building’s basement and brought up my bike. I began riding the bike on the nearly empty streets. The breeze from riding was cooling. Because there were few cars and trucks, it was liberating not to worry about traffic. It was a feeling I hadn’t felt before or since.

I was a character in one of those black and white movies on TV. (By the way, we only had a black and white set so it wouldn’t have mattered if the picture were in color or not.) The films about after the world ends and only a few survivors are left. More than 60 years later, I still remember that Saturday afternoon.

New York would never be like that again for me. No smog or pollution. It was a once in a lifetime experience.

I wonder if any other person experienced something similar. I was totally alone. I didn’t alert my brother to come with me. There was no visit to a friend or cousin’s that day. I knew if I told one other person that I would have spoiled the experience.

It is funny what one remembers. I went to grammar school and junior high for eight years, nearly ten months a year and I can only now remember a handful of individual experiences. That is the nature of our memory. Does anyone want a Madeleine de Proust? 

Is grant money free? You are hearing that refrain more and more lately from people. Many think that it is tax money that a local government is accepting as a sort of scam or welfare payment.

If Martin County accepts grant money from the Feds to build new sewers, is that money just another form of funds from tax dollars? Well, yes, it is just that, and it comes from Washington and consists of money from the American taxpayers. And don’t let anyone tell you differently.

But when people say it is still tax dollars, they may be right but by not accepting the grant doesn’t mean the funds go back into a general fund. No, that money has already been appropriated for a specific purpose. If Martin County doesn’t take it, some other county or local government will.

The entire purpose of grant money is for communities to spend it on a project that Congress wants to fund. It meets the parameters that Washington imposed. Because of the government system the U.S. has, Congress is not able to do everything that they want without the help of the locals. Washington relies on local government to select the road or a bridge to build or a park to fix or new employee to hire, with the intention of furthering a national purpose. It isn’t a waste of tax dollars if used for the intended purpose.

Grants are a way for your tax money to be allocated in the most efficient way. Washington or Tallahassee is far removed from the people. Indiantown or Stuart is very close to their constituents. Who is going to do a better job of making sure the project is something that is needed?

Grants are not free money. Grant money consists of allocated funds that the American taxpayer has deemed needed for specific types of projects to benefit their local community. They have done so through their participation in the election of their federal or state representatives. But it is more than just benefitting a local community because a road or a bridge and, yes even a train station, have benefits that impact citizens far outside the local area where the project is located.

Obtaining and receiving grants in a competitive process spread everyone’s tax dollar for something that federal and state government believes furthers the common good. It is not some boondoggle but an efficient way of allocating resources. The argument that grants are wasteful is just plain wrong if the grant is used for the intended purpose.

Since last weekend, we have been watching Milton’s approach.

It will probably be devastating for the west coast of Florida as it comes ashore. That side of the state has been seeing more and more major storms recently. The gulf is now 86 degrees Fahrenheit. The conditions are ripe for the perfect storm.

As much as I care about Floridians on the other side right now, I am much more worried about the Treasure Coast. It seems that Indian River County will be hit worse than we will be in Martin. I know this may seem heartless to say, but better them than us.

Living on the river, it doesn’t take much for the water to now come over our seawall and bring the flotsam of the river with it. Unfortunately, it isn’t only when we have a hurricane that it happens. With rising sea levels, a good King Tide can do it also.

From what the reports are, it won’t be too bad here…tropical force winds which are like any Nor’easter we had back in Connecticut or New York. At first thought, we were going to leave the furniture on the outside porches. As usual, I became a big chicken and brought in the cushions and light stuff and placed the furniture against the walls or over on its side.

Since we have had rain for the past five days that has nothing to do with Milton, the ground is saturated. We are slated to have another several inches that may cause flooding. Still, I am not very concerned in advance. This is probably the first time in over 20 years that I am not worried (much) about the storm. I guess then something calamitous will happen.  

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It has been nearly 24 hours since Milton passed.

For we on the Crescent, as my neighbor calls those of us living on St Lucie Crescent, it wasn’t bad at all. We didn’t have a loss of power or flooding. Except for some downed branches, it was like no hurricane at all.

That is not so true where tornados touched down. Port Salerno looks devastated. Everyone can prepare for a hurricane. You watch the storm as it progresses. I ask where is the cone? What does the spaghetti models show.

When my phone went off with the tornado warning was when it became dangerous and frightening. Would it touch down on the Crescent? The TV kept saying there is a spout here or a spout there.

My wife noticed a massive funnel cloud across the river in the North River Shores neighborhood. We were both looking out the den windows watching to see if it would come across to us. There are only three internal spaces in our home: our 2-bedroom closets and the pantry. Every other room and closet have at least one window. The pantry has an outside wall as does one of the bedroom closets. Our option would have been down to one.

Luckily for us, the funnel cloud stayed on the other side of the water. The Spanish Lakes development up in Fort Pierce wasn’t so lucky. Six people died there.

How many homes were destroyed? Of those that were hit, did their owners have the right insurance or any insurance at all? Is this the price to be paid for living in paradise?

As we age, my wife and I ask ourselves how long can we remain in our home of 20 years? Even if there is never any major damage, how will we cope with having to rebuild the dock or seawall once more? Is it time to downsize, and move into a condo?

With all the new rules, expense, and uncertainty of condo living brought on by the Surfside collapse, would we be jumping from the pan into the fire? There is much uncertainty about living in the Free State of Florida.

Governor DeSantis has been great during these back-to-back storms. He exhibited the competence that he did before being bitten by the presidential bug. I was glad to see he didn’t believe that the Feds could control the weather or that FEMA was trying to steal anyone’s home. Though he still wouldn’t buy into man-made climate change.

But in my opinion, DeSantis can deny climate change all he wants if he continues the water and resiliency policies he has championed. Because once you are governor, what you call things are not as important as what you do to fix a problem. In this case, the governor has been very effective.

On the ground in Martin County, we were lucky despite the targeted devastation. We aren’t like Tampa or Bradenton or Sarasota. So, we need to count our blessings. There are still 6 weeks left in storm season. Let’s hope the Feds don’t become mad and turn on the weather machine to create something. I think we would be better off just saying thank you to the Lord for sparing us now and hopefully in the future.

Florida's Constitutional Amendments On November's Ballot

By Noreen Fisher

I volunteered to write a balanced explanation of the ballot items proposed by the State Legislature that will appear on the November ballot. I am not reviewing Amendments 3 and 4 because their ballot languages, approved by the court, is quite clear. I have been a board member of the League of Women Voters in New York and in Florida and I am a past president of the Martin County League.   In addition, I was a local, elected official in New York, eventually serving as Mayor of Scarsdale. I am not a lawyer.

There are three ways that amendments can be placed on the Florida ballot.  

The least common are amendments proposed by the 37-member Florida Constitution Revision Commission which was created in 1968 and convenes every 20 years to review the Florida Constitution and propose revisions.   We can expect to hear from them again in 2037.

The second method of getting an amendment on the ballot is by Citizen Initiative.  Sponsors must gather signatures from voters representing at least 8% of the votes cast state-wide in the last presidential election (in 2024, 891,523 valid signatures were required); and 8% of the district-wide votes for at least half of the State’s 28 congressional districts.  If these and other hurdles are passed, the proposals are referred to the State Attorney General, who is required to submit them to the Florida Supreme Court for review for compliance with certain constitutional and statutory requirements.

The third and most often used method of placing an amendment on the ballot is through the State Legislature.  Amendments must receive 60% of the vote of both the Florida Senate and the Florida House to be placed on the ballot.  Unfortunately for us, there is no requirement that these amendments include a clear and appropriate summary.  In 2024, we have four legislatively sourced amendments. 

Amendment No. 1.  Partisan Election of Members of District School Boards.

Amendment No. 1. would make school board elections partisan going forward, meaning that school board candidates would be nominated for the general election by parties through partisan primaries and would appear on the ballot with party designations, such as Republican or Democrat.

Florida school board elections have been nonpartisan since 1998.  Florida is one of 41 states with nonpartisan school board elections.   Four states provide for partisan elections and five states provide for either nonpartisan or partisan elections depending on the district.

Over 90% of school boards in the USA are elected under a nonpartisan system. 

Supporters Say:

Partisan school board elections will contribute to transparency.   A candidate’s party affiliation may predict how they will vote on school board issues and voters should be aware of a candidate’s party affiliation

Partisan school board elections are a logical outgrowth of the politicization of education.

Other local races (sheriff, county commissioners, constitutional officers) are partisan races. School boards should be no different. 

Opponents Say:

All registered voters, regardless of their party registration or nonpartisan status can currently vote in nonpartisan school board elections by right. Nearly 4 million nonpartisan voters in Florida would be excluded from voting in school board primary elections with this change. 

Florida is a closed primary state.  A write-in candidate closes a primary election such that only those in that party can vote in the primary.   This has happened in our County Commissioner elections.  A closed primary with only Republican candidates, for example, would disenfranchise almost 50% of the registered voters.  (as of Aug. 4, 2024,  53% of registrations in Martin County were Republican and 47% were Democrat and Other).

Nonpartisan boards may have more incentives for collaboration and compromise.  The focus should be on local education needs and issues and not party platforms. 

Partisan elections increase the incentive for non-residents to run.   New legislation passed in 2023 permits candidates from outside the county to run for local school board. Non-resident candidates may focus more on a political agenda rather than on local needs.

Partisan school board elections may result in fewer highly qualified candidates as candidates without major party support may be reluctant to run.

Amendment No. 2.  Right to Fish and Hunt.

Amendment No. 2 would declare fishing and hunting, including by the use of traditional methods, to be a public right and the preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling fish and wildlife, while not limiting the authority granted to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The right for Floridians to fish and hunt is currently protected by Florida Statute 379.104.

“ Chapter 379 Section 104 Right to hunt and fish.

379.104 Right to hunt and fish.-The legislature recognizes that hunting, fishing, and the taking of game are a valued part of the cultural heritage of Florida and should be forever preserved for Floridians.  The Legislature also recognizes that these activities play an important part in the state’s economy and in the conservation, preservation, and management of the state’s natural areas and resources.   Therefore, the Legislature intends that the citizens of Florida have a right to hunt, fish, and take game, subject to the regulations and restrictions prescribed by general law and by s. 9, Art. IV of the State Constitution.”

As of Jan. 2023, 23 states have constitutional provisions providing for the right to fish and hunt.   Vermont constitutionalized such a right in 1777; the other 22 states adopted the right to hunt and fish amendments since 1996.  Two additional states protect the right to fish but not to hunt. 

Eleven states specify that hunting and fishing shall be the “preferred” means of managing and controlling wildlife and fish.

Supporters Say:

Florida is considered the “Sportfishing Capital of the World” and attracts more than 4.3 million anglers, contributing nearly $14 billion in economic output and supports more than 120,000 jobs.

This Amendment will permanently preserve Floridian’s right to hunt and fish. Floridians use fishing and hunting to provide for themselves and their families.  This Amendment ensures that Florida will never outlaw fishing and hunting unlike some proposals in other states.

Opponents Say:

Floridian’s right to hunt and fish is already protected by law under Fl. Statute 379.104.

The language of this amendment goes too far. 

            The inclusion of “including by the use of traditional methods” opens the door to methods of fishing and hunting that have been heavily regulated or outright banned as inhumane and destructive to the environment and/or native wildlife. Examples include steel jaw traps, gill nets, spears and spearfishing. 

             No other right in the Fl. constitution is described as a “public right”.   There is a concern that this would trump other rights, —like the right to possess and protect property.  The original legislative proposal stated that  “ this section shall not be construed to modify any provision of law relating to trespass or property rights”, however this language was dropped by the Legislature.   Does this mean that hunters can freely trespass and hunt on private property in their pursuit of game? 

            Passage of this amendment as a “public right” could open Florida waters to foreign commercial fishing vessels. A “public right” is not restricted to Florida citizens.

            The Amendment declares that hunting and fishing are the preferred means of responsibly managing and controlling wildlife.   Historically the preferred means to conserve fish and wildlife is to limit hunting and fishing through season limits, catch limits, size limits etc.   Most Florida native wildlife is in decline.   How does this impact the authority granted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to regulate hunting and fishing to manage declining wildlife populations?

Amendment No. 5. Annual Adjustment to Homestead Exemption Value.

Amendment No. 5. authorizes an annual inflation adjustment to the second $25,000 homestead exemption to account for positive changes in the Consumer Price Index.  A deflationary movement does not get recorded.

Property tax (millage) rates are applied to the assessed value of real estate to calculate the property taxes due.  In Florida there are homestead exemptions that reduce the assessed value for primary residences by the amount of the exemption.   Every primary residence is eligible for a $25,000 homestead exemption and applies to all taxing authorities.

Another $25,000 homestead exemption is applied on a property’s value between $50,000 and $75,000 of assessed value which exempts that amount from all taxes except school district taxes.

This amendment provides for an annual inflation adjustment for the value of the homestead exemption that applies to non-school taxes (the second $25,000).  The adjustment would be made on Jan. 1 (beginning in 2025)  based on the percent change in the CPI (Consumer Price Index).

It is estimated that the change would reduce property tax revenue for local governments and non-school taxing districts by $22.8 million in the first year of implementation (2025).

Supporters Say:

This amendment could lead to more savings for property owners who apply for homestead property tax exemptions.

 Opponents Say:

The economic impact of this Amendment on local governments and other entities who rely on property tax revenue as their main source of funding will put pressure on these entities to increase millage rates.

Amendment No. 6.  Repeal of Campaign Financing Requirement

Amendment No. 6 proposes to repeal Section 7 of Article VI of the State Constitution which authorizes public financing for candidates running for Governor or the three elected Cabinet officers (the Attorney General, Chief Financial Officer and Commissioner of Agriculture) who agree to campaign spending limits and other restrictions.

Florida enacted a public campaign financing law in 1986. In 1998 this provision was approved by voters as an Amendment to the Florida Constitution. 

Florida is one of twelve states with a public campaign finance program for candidates running for governor and lieutenant governor.   Florida is the only state that provides public financing for the races for elected cabinet officers. 

The concerns that drove the passage of public campaign financing are explained in Florida Statute 106.31 which states that the “purpose of public campaign financing is to make candidates more responsive to the voters of the State of Florida and as insulated as possible from special interest groups.” The original campaign financing statute will also be repealed if this Amendment passes.

Under current law, candidates who apply for public funding must meet several reporting and financial tests and spending limits in order to receive funds.  In 2022, approximately $13 million was spent on public campaign financing support.  According to the National Association of State Budget Officers, Florida’s FY2022 total expenditures were $111.0 billion.

A 2010 effort to repeal Section 7 of Article VI failed with 53% voter approval.  60% approval is required to repeal.

Supporters Say:

This amendment allows the voters to decide if the State should spend general revenue funds helping candidates run for office instead of using these funds to help our constituents:  like education, healthcare, water projects, beach restoration etc.

Opponents Say:

Public money levels the political playing field and encourages candidates to seek support from broad groups of voters.

Public money encourages a more diverse candidate pool enabling candidates with less wealth or more limited access to financing to mount a campaign.

Without access to public money, only the wealthy or well connected can afford to run.

Afterward

It is not my intent to persuade you to vote one way or the other but to give you background and questions to consider.    I have found the website www.ballotpedia.org over the years to be very balanced.  This website lists who has registered with them as Supporters and Opponents if you want to follow up the different viewpoints.

You, the voters, are in control. You decide what is memorialized in the Florida State Constitution and what is not.   Changing State Statutes is not hard, changing what is in the State Constitution is hard.

Democracy is not a spectator sport. Vote.   

Experience vs. Opportunity. Such is the catch-22 that ensnares many young people up until around (interestingly enough) age 22. That’s when you’re eager for good job opportunities but lack meaningful experience—but can’t get meaningful experience without good opportunities.

Caught in this loop, many sought college educations to fill the gap. Till recently. Reports from 2023 show enrollment in vocational programs rising by as much as 16 percent. Gen Z is expected to turbocharge the trend. For usually much less than half the cost of college, trade school graduates are developing skills the marketplace not only needs but craves.

At Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County (BGCMC), we’re now offering an exciting new Workforce Development program that offers our members—while they’re still in high school—experience, education, certifications, on-the-job training, even job placement.

Virtually every employer today shares the same challenge—a shortage of talent. Fortunately, we have tons of talent among our total members of 1,800 plus and the more than 6,000 young people impacted by our outreach programming.

This new program will chisel that talent into strong hires for local employers, serving our broader goals of helping them become career-ready, homeownership-able and entrepreneurially adaptable.

We’ve teamed with Florida Training Services (FTS) so club members ages 16 to 18 can take construction courses—spanning as many as 180 hours as a pre-apprentice—in skilled trades such as carpentry, electrical planning and HVAC. We’re working with the National Center for Construction Education & Research and currently offering such courses at Indiantown High School.

Upon completion, we partner with FTS on job placement. While working, they can devote nights and weekends to acquiring additional specialties and certifications. In time, they’ll have the experience to attract the opportunities of their choosing.

The program offers disciplines as diverse as our members. The FAA-compliant drone course covers an eight-week period culminating with a certification test at Witham Airport. After learning, among others, map coordinates, navigation techniques and weather patterns, certified drone operators can compete for jobs in real estate, insurance inspection and more.

Our fashion design curriculum—taught exclusively at our new Stuart club by established designer Sabre Mochachino—encompasses sketching, designing, fabric instructions, sewing and creating their own garments and accessories.

For our entrepreneurship course, we’re working with TheTeeShirtStore.com. Participants learn marketing, budgeting, even how to manage a bank account. In addition to their own logos and designs for T-shirts, hats, hoodies, and all kinds of apparel and merchandise, they must create a website showcasing their wares.

When a customer places an order, TheTeeShirtStore.com handles the printing and shipping. Still, the young entrepreneurs must learn to, well, mind the online store. That means product updates, promotions, inventory and—after earning it— saving and reinvesting at least $400 annually to keep their website current.

Other incredible courses are on the way, including advanced manufacturing. Our generous donors, sponsors and partners make the program’s training and hands-on educational opportunities possible.

The participants, in turn, gain invaluable experience, building meaningful skills and abilities that appeal to prospective employers so they can step into a promising future—and slip free of that dreaded catch-22.

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

Read This If You Can….

I was invited by the Children’s Services Council to preview the documentary “Sentenced”.   It was not about prison sentences, but it might well have been.  It was a heartbreaking story told by people who never learned to read.  They might not be serving prison sentences, (Many illiterates are, as lack of reading ability is the leading indicator of future incarceration.) but they were sentenced to be “stuck” in a life of poverty.  One cannot advance past a menial labor job if one cannot read.  One cannot advance to be a waitress or a cashier. 

I was reminded of being in a foreign country where few people spoke English.  I recalled feeling lost and a bit insecure.   I felt helpless because I constantly had to stop passersby and ask if they could direct me.  I felt a bit foolish.  I’d look at signage and wonder what it said.  I felt a sigh of relief when I was back in my hotel room, but isolated. Of course, I couldn’t understand what was being reported on the news, so I just felt a bit out of place.  If you can’t read, you feel this way ALL of the time.

If you’re a kid you may fall behind for a myriad of reasons.  Perhaps your parents never learned to read.  (According to the documentary the mother’s ability is the most crucial.)  Perhaps your folks speak a different language so they cannot help you learn to read English.  Perhaps there was trauma such as abuse or drug use in your home. 

Even mild trauma causes learning disabilities.  Many such traumas go unidentified and untreated.  Maybe your parents are on drugs, so you act as their parent.  Maybe you’re too busy looking after your siblings.  Eventually, other kids make fun of you. Ashamed, you stop trying to learn. 

If you can’t read at grade level by the time you are 9 years old, you have only a 25% chance of ever catching up.  In this country 1.3 million 4th graders cannot read at grade level.  If you miss school regularly, your chances of dropping out double every year.  Each year’s class of dropouts will cost the country over $200 billion during their lifetimes in lost earnings and unrealized tax revenue (Catterall, 1985)

Growing into an illiterate adult you can’t think about your future because you don’t have one.  You just deal with the day to day.  One in five adults cannot read well enough to get a job which will support a family.  You can’t afford a dentist or decent housing. 

Pretending to read only gets you so far.  Eventually you are found out and fired.  You are desperate and attempt to teach yourself to read. Impossible.  You are talented but no matter, you will never be an entrepreneur if you cannot read.  You simply cannot make any of your dreams come true, ever.  On top of that, statistically you face a lifetime of health issues and premature death.   In the US 43 million adults cannot read. 

Blame it on the teachers, unions, neighborhoods, parents, drugs or whatever you want.  This is our problem as a country, as a state, as a county.   David Heaton, CEO of the Children’s Service Council, assured us that “all scenarios [presented in the film] exist right here in Martin County.”  Remember, only 52% of Martin County’s 4th graders read at grade level. 

What to do?  If you can read, you can help.  Go to Teachakidtoread.com.  Or call Kiana Kelly, Martin Reads Coordinator, at 772-288-5758.  Get some friends together and make it a group effort.   Calling all retirees!  Change a kid’s life, change yours along the way. 

“Once you learn to read, you’ll be forever free”.  Frederick Douglass

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

The Secret of True Crime Drama

At Book Mania a few years ago, I discovered thrillers and murder mysteries. I had never read this genre of fiction, but quickly saw the attraction of it. Now my interest has turned into an obsession, and I am rewatching tv shows  that I loved years ago, “The Closer” and “Major Crimes.”

I watched these two shows because of my fan-girl love of  Kyra Sedgwick and Mary McDonnell.

It is so fun to watch the early shows: the level of misogyny, racism, and bare-knuckle infighting among resolute, but flawed public servants. These shows are both gritty and funny. Seeing big stars in bit parts is a plus.

I now watch all kinds of Dick Wolf shows, because of my sister’s love of police procedurals.

I am more likely to watch a murder mystery, true crime docudrama, or documentary. It helps if they are funny.

I have been pondering this hobby. I have lost a lot of people: my husband, many family members, old friends, old lovers.

I have cleaned out too many houses.

How random and hollow death is.

But in the fictional world of true crime, there is always someone to blame.

That comforts me.

Nicki van Vonno’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

As I manned my station in the Martin County Emergency Operations Center, I could tell by the deluge of incoming calls that the weather was deteriorating rapidly and Hurricane Milton was on the way.

As a cooperative extension agent, I have duties assigned to me by both the University of Florida and the Martin County government. One such duty is to serve at the Martin County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) when the need arises. As Hurricane Milton’s impact on Martin County became eminent, I was alerted that my division was activated and I needed to report to the EOC.

When I arrived, things were slow for a while. This was good as it was my first time responding to an emergency activation. I took time to refresh myself on how to operate the system. Then I helped arrange a pet food delivery to the county’s only pet friendly shelter, which is located at the Willoughby Learning Center. Then there was a lot of waiting, watching the storm, and speculating where Milton would make landfall.

At 11am there was a weather update with all the counties that were to be affected by Hurricane Milton and the agencies that were staging to offer aid once the storm rolled through. During this meeting the EOC filled with Martin County’s decision makers and division heads as they gathered to get updates and report on things in their respective areas.

In the room there were representatives of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue, Transportation, School Board, Public Works, Florida Power and Light, Village of Indiantown, Sewell’s Point, and others. Once the meeting ended the room drained to a skeleton crew as everyone else headed back to complete their tasks and manage their field divisions.

Not long after that we received information that a tornado made its way through western Indiantown near J&S Fish Camp. Then at the 1pm press conference, Sheriff Snyder reported there were two more touchdowns off the Martin County Grade. At this time, the hurricane itself had not yet made landfall, but we were monitoring a band that was pushing through. Tornado reports continued, including one that flipped a tractor trailer on Interstate 95.

Right around 4:30pm the calls ramped up quickly. Downed power lines, structure fires, traffic lights out, trees and debris blocking roadways, the computer screen was lighting up with needs across our community. As I was reading the different reports and looking for ways I could assist, I saw the status of the reports changing as the different departments were collaborating and rapidly sending resources to assist.

Not only was I witnessing this great response on the screen, but I was also seeing it amongst the staff if the room as section representatives exchanged information and deployed appropriate measures. It was almost an art to see how well our county’s staff reacted in the face of emergency and I was proud to be in that room amongst them.

The 5pm weather update had national weather experts shocked at what they witnessed across our community. The size and quantity of tornadoes was unprecedented. What we experienced with Hurricane Milton had not been seen before and hopefully will not be seen again.

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

House of Hope: The Need is Urgent! How to Help Storm Victims

Hurricane Milton and the tornadoes that ripped through our community literally shredded the lives of many of our Martin County neighbors. House of Hope is on the front lines of working with these individuals and families, and we know firsthand that the situation is dire – and urgent!

Think about what you would lose if a tornado ripped through your house. You would of course be grateful as long as you only lost things, not people. Then the reality would set in of just how much would need to be replaced and rebuilt.

Right now we’re working with people who escaped with the clothes they were wearing and nothing else. They need clothes, shoes, toothpaste, deodorant, towels, medications, eyeglasses, and all of the basics of daily life before they can even begin to think about long term needs.

Cars were damaged, leaving people with massive repair bills and no way to get to work and continue to earn a living. Rental units, already hard to come by in our community, are at a premium.

Thanks to the generosity of our community over the past four decades, House of Hope has built programs and partnerships that are enabling us to act immediately to help storm victims. But we’re struggling.

Have you said to yourself that you wished you could help? Here’s a way to help today! We need donations of food, clothes, shoes, housewares, and toiletries. Even more, we need gift cards and cash donations to meet the need for items that we simply don’t have in stock, like eyeglasses and medications.

As we look down the road at long term needs, the challenges are daunting. Transportation and affordable housing have long been in short supply in our community. Every day we work with people who want to work but have difficulty getting to jobs without a reliable transportation system. They can’t buy a car until they have a job. They can’t get to a job until they buy a car.

Rebuilding a damaged structure is difficult for anyone of any income level. When you’re just able to make ends meet, the challenge to rebuild from scratch is almost unthinkable. The ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) study that the United Way recently conducted demonstrated that more than 40% of our community is living at the edge, without savings to fall back on in times of crisis. If you live paycheck to paycheck, how do you begin to rebuild?

The storms were strong, but the people we work with – and our entire community – are stronger. We can come together and help them weather this storm and rebuild their lives. You are a vital part of their recovery and their source of hope. Please contribute what you can.

I invite you to keep up to date on the community effort and the ways to help by visiting our website hohmartin.org/disasterrelief.

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

I recently listened to a fascinating interview between Peter Attia, M.D. (a world-renowned expert on longevity medicine) and Marty Makary M.D. who is a surgeon and a researcher at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Dr. Makary recently authored a book called Blind Spots: When Medicine Gets It Wrong and What it means for our Health.

They talk about how for decades no one has questioned many accepted conventions in medicine and just practiced group think. In this conversation they discussed several areas where medicine got it wrong including the whole peanut allergy epidemic, the idea that all cases of appendicitis require surgery, and that ovarian cancer may actually originate in the Fallopian tubes and not the ovaries to name a few. These are some of the highlights I thought I would share.

Those of us who grew up in the 1970's-1980's remember bringing peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to school daily for lunch. We didn't have many kids who had peanut allergies. Now we have a peanut allergy epidemic. How did this happen??

In 1999 Mt. Sinai Hospital did a study and found the prevalence of peanut allergies to be one half of one percent. The vast majority were very mild. Because of this, The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement for children aged 0-3 to avoid peanuts. They also told pregnant and lactating females to avoid peanuts too.

They thought they could minimize allergies by avoiding exposure but in fact the opposite happened!! Within a year we saw peanut allergies begin to soar and become more severe to the extent where kids who were even in a room with peanuts could have a severe anaphylactic response. We now know that there is something called immune tolerance where when you are exposed to something early in life you can tolerate it better.

However this recommendation became Dogma.. and now 1in 18 kids in the US have severe peanut allergies. This is not a phenomenon seen in the rest of the world. The recommendation has since changed where parents are now told to expose their young infants to peanuts again but there hasn't been the educational push to make this common knowledge.

Another dogma that has held in medicine is that all patients with appendicitis require surgery as treatment. A recent study showed that a short course of antibiotics is 67% effective as long as the patient doesn't have a ruptured appendix or a stone in the appendix. If antibiotics don't work, then surgery is the preferred option. This has become standard care in Europe but doctors in America have been slow to pick this up. On the same topic is giving antibiotics to all surgical patients.

Most hospitals have a protocol requiring pre antibiotics, even though most surgeries are now being done with minimally invasive methods (laparoscopically) and have low risk for post operative infections. In fact, there is now new research showing that some of the post op infections may be because these pre operative antibiotics are destroying the healthy, necessary bacteria in the gut and altering the gut microbiome. There is now research showing that pre and probiotics before surgery may be what is needed to prevent these infections and not the antibiotics.

We know that over 60% of antibiotics given in the outpatient setting are unnecessary. This not only leads to antibiotic resistance but even more worrisome is a new study that just came out of the Mayo Clinic showing that antibiotics given to children under the age of 3 is linked to an increased incidence of chronic diseases such as asthma, learning disabilities, and obesity.

There was a 20% increase in obesity in the children who had taken antibiotics in the first two years of life, 21% increase in learning disabilities, 32 % increase in attention deficit disorder, a 90% increase in asthma and a 270% increase in Celiac Disease!! Other studies have shown an association between antibiotic use early in life and an increased risk of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease which makes sense due to the alteration of the gut microbiome. The more courses of antibiotics the child took the higher the chance of developing a chronic disease.

There are several other areas of medicine that are touched upon in this conversation but one of the most fascinating to me is the idea that ovarian cancer may come from the Fallopian tubes and not the ovaries. What this means is that all the women who are having their ovaries removed for cancer prevention may in fact be having the wrong organ removed. The data has become so strong that women who present to Johns Hopkins asking to have their tubes tied , they are actually removing the Fallopian tubes to reduce the risk of developing ovarian cancer.

There are several other topics covered in this interview but I would recommend getting Marty Makary's book to learn about the rest!!

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

Rain and wind go away - raise my rates another day.

I have lived in Stuart during hurricane seasons beginning with Hurricane Andrew. I remember taping my windows and feeling confident I was prepared. The next day, after landfall in Homestead, I was convinced that a roll of masking tape was not sufficient protection from a Cat 5 hurricane. Later, I was in my own home through Francis, Jeanne, and my favorite (sarcasm intended) Wilma. Learning a little more from each experience about hurricane preparation and the importance of watching a storm.

Wilma crossed the state from southwest to north, hitting around Marco Island and heading Northwest through Stuart. I was involved with many of Florida’s water committees and understood Lake Okeechobee and its history. My fear from Wilma was that the course she took nearly caused what was feared most - a storm that forced all the water in the lake to one end and then let it loose and forced it to the other end, after the eye passed. There was a strong possibility that Wilma was going to be that storm. If all the water rushed to the south of the Lake, it would have been catastrophic and deadly to the towns of Pahokee and Belle Glade.

Wilma came into Stuart as a small Cat 2 storm. I was prepared and not particularly concerned. During the passing of the eye, I even got in my car and checked on a friend's home. Everyone I know says the same thing, “the backside of Wilma was scary!” Reminding me again, be prepared for a storm.

If you are new to Florida, here is my advice. Know how to secure your home. Check your protection and know that it operates correctly and that all the pieces and tools are handy and ready to go. If you do not know how it all works, ask a professional. There are agencies, Realtors, neighbors, and companies that will assist you. If you ask for help two days before a storm - it may be too late to secure your home. If you are physically unable to secure your home, begin now to look for someone or a company (there are a few) that will be on standby for you and your family. Ask your Realtor for a referral.

Let's all hope that the most recent storms do not have significant impacts on our homeowners insurance. The Governor and Chief Financial Officer have both stated that the insurance market is strong and will survive these storms. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and victims of the recent hurricanes and our local tornados. Be prepared and be smart, prepare your home and check your homeowners policy - make sure you are ready to weather our next storm.

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

Lost and Found Pets

The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast takes in over 2,000 lost animals a year. Our staff works tirelessly to try and reunite lost animals with their owners, but unfortunately, we are not always successful, and the animal ends up being put up for adoption. It’s extremely important to be prepared in the event that you lose your pet, as nobody ever expects these circumstances to happen.

Losing a pet can be an incredibly distressing experience but knowing what steps to take can help you navigate this challenging situation. If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of having lost your pet, the first thing to do is to search your local area thoroughly. Call out their name and check familiar spots where they might go. It's also advisable to inform your neighbors and ask them to keep an eye out.

Posting on social media platforms and local community groups can increase visibility, as many people are willing to help reunite lost pets with their owners. Martin County residents are urged to post a lost or found pet on Animal Service’s official Facebook Group page called “Lost & Found Pets of Martin County”. This page is managed by Martin County Animal Servies and is the best resource for lost and found pets on social media. Remember, not everybody uses social media, so posting physical flyers around the neighborhood is extremely important as well.

On the other hand, if you find a pet that appears lost, approach the situation with care. Check for identification tags or a collar that may provide contact information for the owner. If no identification is found, consider bringing the pet to our shelter at the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast. We have microchip scanners that we can use to scan and check for a potential owner. We can also make a “Found Report” for that pet in the event their owners call us. If our shelter is closed, finders can take the pet to Pet Emergency of Martin County for overnight boarding and our staff will pick up those pets in the morning.

In addition, preventing pets from going missing in the first place is crucial. Regularly checking fences and securing outdoor areas can minimize escape opportunities. Training your pet to respond reliably when called also helps keep them safe during outings.

Most importantly, microchipping plays a vital role in ensuring pets are returned home safely if they wander off or get lost. A microchip is a small device implanted under your pet's skin that contains unique identification information linked to your contact details. This simple procedure dramatically increases the chances of being reunited with your furry friend should they go missing, making it an essential step for every responsible pet owner. We offer lost cost microchipping services for your pet at the HSTC. Simply give us a call at 772-223-8822 to schedule your pet’s microchip implant.

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

Milton and Martin County

Milton had no idea who he was messing with when he decided to send us his abundance of tornadoes. We are Martin County! We band together to help our community in the face of hardship and disaster. Look around at what has occurred locally since Milton. People always talk about the “Martin County difference” and we are seeing it in action right now! Character truly Counts in Martin County!

There are way too many people that lost their homes, businesses, and personal belongings in the destruction of Milton. But our community members have stepped up in big ways to assist our neighbors. Whether it was to provide a place to stay during the storm, debris removal, temporary construction, or even just a shoulder to cry on, Martin County residents rose to help those in need.

Many of our local non-profits shifted to handling emergency necessities. Elev8 Hope, House of Hope, 25 United, Place of Hope, the United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County, and countless others redirected their efforts to provide immediate assistance to our friends in need

.

Our first responders are top notch. They were out before, during, and after the storm providing care and rescues for our residents. Our deputies were cleaning debris out of roadways to make sure that emergency vehicles could proceed into damaged areas.

Then there are those that are providing everyday functions to keep us all moving forward.

The newscasters, weather teams, and reporters did their best to keep us informed for everyone to remain safe, calm, and prepared.

Our local government officials spent countless hours making sure that we were all prepared for the storm.

Florida Power & Light and their team of linemen for returning everyone’s power.

Martin County School District personnel that left their families to stay at school sites that became hurricane shelters.

Martin County staff for clearing roads for traffic.

Waste Management for collecting trash and debris as quickly as possible.

Insurance personnel supporting their clients to assist with claims being filed and providing immediate responses to telephone calls, texts, and emails filled with questions

Individual homeowners should be grateful for their landscapers, pool cleaning services, and others that came to work following the storm to bring their homes back to normal.

Martin County is the best place to live and raise a family because of the people who call Martin County home. As a 50-year resident, I am honored to call Martin County my home.

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

Hurricane Milton has come and gone.

If there is any doubt as to the power that Mother Nature can dish out just remember the unbelievable tornado activity that we experienced last week. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone affected by the storm, especially to the family members and friends that lost loved ones. I personally hope to never see a storm like that again and I am sure everyone agrees with that statement.

As far as fishing on our local beaches, there has been little activity in the past couple of weeks mainly due to conditions and weather. We are about to experience our first "cold" front of the season late this week and that usually triggers movement from the schools of mackerel, bluefish, and most importantly, pompano.

Starting this month right until May, pompano will be the number one targeted species along our coastline. If you have not broken out your twelve- and thirteen-foot surf rods, the time has come. I always start my pompano seminars with this sentence, " There are two major reasons you do not catch pompano, 1 - you cannot reach them, 2- you are fishing in off colored or dirty water". 

All of us that target pompano for a living put the 10-foot rods on the garage wall for the season because you will have to reach the second bar or trough in order to catch pompano consistently. The 12- and 13-foot surf rods allow you to place your baits from 80 to 100 yards off and that is the area where you will get most of your bites.

The whiting and croaker will also be available during the fall and winter and if you prefer to fish your 7-foot light spinning rod setups, target these two great eating fish. The first trough, 10 to 20 yards from the surf will hold these two, especially around high tide.

Next month I will get into the specifics of bait, gear, locations, and times to catch pompano. The one constant as far as the bait is concerned will be having an assortment of Fishbites in your tackle bag as they will be your go to bait.

Good luck this month and catch em up.

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

“Let’s make our nation more political!”  

Said no one, ever.

Then why on Earth would we choose to make Florida schools more political than they’ve already become?  Unfortunately, this will be an option on November’s ballot. 

Florida's school board elections have been nonpartisan since 1998 after a constitutional amendment passed with over 64% of voters voting in favor of nonpartisan school board elections.  Florida voters from all parties overwhelmingly voted to keep the focus on local educational issues rather than political party ideologies and agenda.

And during this election, like the surprise guest no one invited, enter Amendment 1 on Florida’s November ballot.

Amendment 1 aims to reverse progress in Florida by making school board elections partisan again.  If voters approve Amendment 1, school board candidates would be required to declare a party affiliation when they file to run.  This will increase political campaign spending, make primary races closed to thousands of voters, and narrow the choices of voters at the ballot box. 

When party affiliation and ideology are the focus, candidates are basically forced into choosing a “side”, and often with topics that have nothing to do with local educational decisions.  Aren’t we ALL tired of that? 

No matter your party affiliation, we all have a shared experience as voters.  Republicans wish Democrats would open their eyes to the faults of the Democratic party and leaders, and stop blindly following the party’s lead without independent thought.  Meanwhile, Democrats wish Republicans would open their eyes to the faults of the Republican party and leaders, and stop blindly following the party’s lead without independent thought.

There is a universal cry….”Stop being sheep!”

Amendment 1 will undoubtedly create more sheep. 

We all know there are career politicians.  The school board race is an “entry level” office for someone to begin their political career. That’s one reason we have seen so many school board candidates with ZERO relevant experience in public education run for school board.  In a partisan world, if they don’t toe the line of their political party, they’re not going to be moving forward in the future.  They are incentivized to keep their party happy and their decision-making will be held hostage to the agenda of their party.  And make no mistake, both parties have strong agendas for our public schools right now. 

Don’t we want more independent thinkers who are willing to look at the local issues, the local impacts, the local community, and make decisions on what’s best for Martin County, instead of what’s best for ANY political party’s agenda for public education?

Vote No on Amendment 1.  Encourage independent thought.  Allow local control.  Prevent political agendas and ideologies from dictating local decision-making.

Sydney Thomas' opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

What To Do If You've Been Hit By A Personal Watercraft In Florida

The aftermath of a personal watercraft accident can be overwhelming, mainly when it results in severe injuries or fatalities. We aim to guide you through the legal process and explain how you can face these challenging times.

The Impact of Personal Watercraft Accidents

Being hit by a personal watercraft can have devastating consequences. The force of the impact can cause severe injuries and even fatalities. Understanding the implications of such accidents is the first step in seeking the justice and compensation you deserve:

• Health Implications: Victims of personal watercraft accidents often face severe physical injuries, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, and internal injuries. The immediate and long-term medical care required can be extensive and costly.
• Legal Implications: The legal aftermath of a personal watercraft accident can be complex. Determining liability, gathering evidence, and negotiating with insurance companies are critical steps that require professional legal guidance.

Understanding the Causes of Personal Watercraft Accidents

Knowing the common causes of personal watercraft accidents can help in building a strong legal case. These causes often include:

• Operator Inexperience: Many accidents occur because operators lack the necessary experience or training to handle the watercraft safely.
• Excessive Speed: High speeds make it difficult to control the watercraft, increasing the risk of collisions.
• Reckless Maneuvering: Sharp turns, stunts, or other reckless behaviors can lead to loss of control and accidents.
• Alcohol Use: Operating a watercraft under the influence of alcohol impairs judgment and reaction times, significantly increasing the risk of accidents.
• Collision with Objects: Accidents can occur when a watercraft strikes stationary objects like trees, docks, or riverbanks.

Types of Injuries from Personal Watercraft Accidents

Injuries from personal watercraft accidents can be severe and life-altering. If a personal watercraft has hit you, it is crucial to recognize these injuries and seek prompt medical attention. Common injuries include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Collisions can lead to head injuries, causing concussions or more severe brain trauma.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: The impact can damage the spinal cord, potentially resulting in paralysis or long-term mobility issues.
• Fractures and Broken Bones: The force of a collision often leads to broken bones, requiring extensive medical treatment.
• Internal Injuries: High-impact accidents can cause internal bleeding and damage to organs, which may not be immediately apparent.
• Lacerations and Abrasions: Sharp objects or debris can cause cuts and scrapes that may require medical attention.

Steps to Take After Being Hit by a Personal Watercraft

If you’ve been hit by a personal watercraft, taking the right steps can significantly impact the success of your claim. Here’s what you should do:

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Your health is the priority. Get a thorough medical examination to document your injuries, which will be crucial for legal action.
2. Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all medical treatments, accident-related expenses, and how the injury impacts your daily life. This documentation will be vital when filing a claim.
3. Contact a Lawyer: A lawyer will provide you with the necessary legal advice and begin working on your case immediately.

Personal watercraft accidents can lead to impactful physical and legal challenges. It's essential to approach the situation methodically to ensure that your rights are protected and justice is sought. Remember, the road to recovery and resolution may be long, but being informed and prepared can make the journey more manageable.

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

Staying Active for Healthy Aging:

Helpful Tips from the Council on Aging

Get up, keep moving, and stay active! That’s good advice at any age, but especially as we get older. Physical exercise increases life expectancy, improves memory, enhances bone density, improves the immune system, and makes you feel good - about yourself and your life.

Keeping your brain active is essential too, and so is social interaction. Even worse for your health than sitting in a chair all day is feeling lonely and isolated. In fact, a recent study found that loneliness and isolation are as much a risk to healthy aging as obesity and smoking.

The Council on Aging Martin has lots of opportunities at the Kane Center for seniors to be active and engaged. You don’t have to train for a marathon or solve Rubik’s cube. You just need to show up, enjoy yourself, exercise your muscles, learn new things, make friends, and age joyfully.

Lisa Bharath, who directs our Kane Center wellness programs, has seen the difference our safe, fun, affordable activities can make. “I’ve seen people chase away the loneliness in their lives and get their spark back. They may come here for a quick conversation, but they stay for friendship and a sense of belonging. One gentleman described the Kane Center as ‘the place of the alive and living.’ Hear that hum of happy voices all around us? He’s right.”

We call our Kane Center calendar “Happenings” because there is indeed always something happening.

Looking for an exercise program that would be great fun in a supportive atmosphere? Take your choice: you can join us for line dancing, Zumba, Tai Chi, chair Yoga, toning and stretching classes, or senior fitness classes.

Eager to find card players who love a good game? We have groups playing pinochle, cribbage, poker, canasta and euchre.

Readers and knitters are welcome as well. Project Linus, for example, is a nonprofit group of quilters, crocheters and knitters who meet at the Kane Center and make blankets for children in need throughout Martin and St. Lucie County.

Another group meets twice a month in a vibrant book club where ideas, discussion, camaraderie and laughter are always appropriate.

Movies, concerts, dances and special events …the Kane Center is a hubbub of activities day after day, week after week. And we’re always open to new ideas that meet the needs of our active seniors.

The Kane Center can add a bit of excitement to your life, give you a chance to make new friends, and make you feel better physically and emotionally. Or maybe it’s the perfect answer for a family member or neighbor looking for new activities.

Our calendar is on our website at www.coamartin.org along with an invitation to become a Kane Member. We hope to see you soon.

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

Conclusions On Amendments

Amendment 1 Changes school board elections from nonpartisan to partisan …will not be weighed in on by the MCTA as we see no tax implications.

Amendment 2 establishes a state constitutional right to hunt and fish.  While it seems unfathomable that such an amendment would ever be needed since Florida’s economy would be heavily impacted without these activities, the MCTA comes out in favor of this amendment.   According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, recreational fishing, hunting and wildlife-viewing alone generate $10.1 billion annually.  Further stats from the FFWC reveal:

• Saltwater Fishing - $5.1 billion, 51,588 jobs
• Freshwater Fishing - $2.4 billion, 23,480 jobs
• Total Fishing - $6.1 billion (some anglers don't specify fresh or salt so the total is less than the sum of freshwater and saltwater), 52,945 jobs
• Generated $358 million in Federal tax revenues
• Generated $316 million in state and local tax revenues

Florida is known to be the fishing capitol of the world.  We see only the upside to this amendment and the MCTA supports a YES vote on this amendment.  But, remember the MCTA is interested primarily in tax benefits.  There are cons we have read about, so you may want to do further research to make your decision.

Amendment 3   Legalize the recreational or personal use of marijuana.  Proponents claim that it will provide $195.6 million in tax revenue. They have raised $90 million dollars to advertise their position with Trulieve, a marijuana dispensary company already owning medical marijuana dispensaries in Florida, the main contributor.  In 2023, the 23 states and Washington D.C. which legalized recreational marijuana generated $4.2 billion in annual tax revenue.  This is considered a “sin” tax because the state realizes that the product’s use has a negative impact on society by creating burdens on the healthcare system and through loss of productivity.  They reason that the higher the tax, the greater they will discourage the usage.  In 2012, Colorado and Washington were the first states to legalize recreational use and both expected a large increase in tax revenues. They did not materialize, both states experienced a shortfall in predicted revenue. In addition, tax revenue from alcohol and tobacco declined.

An article in PharmoEconomics stated, “In Washington, our research estimates 40%, or $56 million dollars, was siphoned off liquor, wine and cigarette tax revenue from July 2014 to June 2015. Both states did earn more taxes overall than before legalization, but the total increase is not as large as politicians predicted.  California, Oregon and Colorado have experienced a slowdown, and even a decrease, in marijuana sales and tax revenue.  As these markets mature, the average price for marijuana is dropping. Lower prices are leading to the decreases in sales tax revenues. Marijuana prices in Colorado dropped 60% from 2014 to 2023. Colorado has been losing tax revenue ever since, and Washington’s case is not much different.”2 The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City had similar findings: “tax collections related directly to marijuana sales increased, but tax collections from alcohol and tobacco sales declined following legalization “3  “ Using tax revenue data in states that legalized it for adult use, we find that cannabis tax revenue per capita in the years following legalization was, on average, $19 per capita per year. Our estimates for the reductions in alcohol and tobacco tax revenues suggest a $5 reduction (-$2 alcohol, -$3 tobacco) in tax revenue per capita per year. Combining our estimates with the implied increase in tax revenue from cannabis sales suggests a “net” increase in tax revenue from cannabis of approximately $14 per capita per year, implying that after accounting for substitution between alcohol and tobacco and cannabis, legalization generates a modest increase in tax revenues.

The KC Fed found other impacts:

o It appears that legalization increases the median house prices

o Legalization triggered a population increase on average increase of 1.65%

o Substance use disorders increased by 17%

o Substance use arrests increased by 13%

o Homelessness increased by 35%

The economic benefits were larger for states that legalized earlier and those that legalized later had smaller estimated benefits.

In terms of other negative side effects:

o The percentage of 12- to 17-year-olds using marijuana is higher in every legal

marijuana state than the national average.

o Research shows that smoking one marijuana joint is as damaging to the lungs as

five tobacco cigarettes.

o The Highway Loss Data Institute found an increased crash risk in legal marijuana

states and said collision claims in Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington

increased 6% as compared to states that don’t have legal marijuana

o Employees who screened positive for marijuana use had 55% more industrial

accidents, 85% more injuries, and absenteeism rates 75% higher than those who

tested negative, according to a study done on postal workers. 4

MCTA’s CONCLUSION:

Legalization of recreational marijuana will increase the tax revenue to the state while there will be an erosion of the tobacco and liquor tax revenue.  The net financial impact will be a positive.  However, we fear that the additional costs to society through increased teenage drug use, traffic accidents, industrial accidents, homelessness and substance abuse disorders will offset the positive cash flow which will be generated by legalizing recreational marijuana. That is not a risk MCTA is willing to undertake. We are NOT supporting this amendment. ____________________________________________________________________________

PharmoEconomics 2021 What are the Economic Costs to Society Attributable to Alcohol Use? A

Systematic Review and Modelling Study by Jakob Manthey1,2,3 · Syed Ahmed Hassan4,5 · Sinclair Carr2 ·

Carolin Kilian1 · Sören Kuitunen‐Paul6 · Jürgen Rehm1,2,4,7,8 Accepted: 12 April 2021 / Published online: 10 May 2021 © The Author(s) 2021

2 THE CONVERSATION 2024 Marijuana tax revenues fall short of projections in many states,

including Colorado Published: April 15, 2024 8:28am EDT by Boyoung Seo, Asst. Professor of Economics,

Indiana University

3 Economic Benefits and Social Costs of Legalizing Recreational Marijuana, by Jason P. Brown, Elior D.

Cohen, and Alison Felix∗ Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City† June 7, 2024

4 Should Recreational Marijuana Be Legal? Britannica ProCon Organization: Last updated on: 2/1/2023 | Author:

ProCon.org

Amendment 4   Provide for a state constitutional right to abortion before fetal viability.  The MCTA declines to comment on the moral implications of this amendment.  We will only say that the MCTA is against state subsidizing abortions with public funds which is not included in the context of this amendment but may or may not lead to such consideration.

Amendment 5   Provide for an annual inflation adjustment for the value of the homestead property tax exemption.  The state legislature passed the first homestead exemption in 1934.  There have been several after culminating with the 2006 exemption to $50,000.  The MCTA thinks this amendment makes sense based on the intent of the homestead property tax exemption.  According to the Consumer Price Index a dollar today is worth .56 cents less than a dollar was worth in 2006.  Therefore, in order to accomplish the original intent, the exemptions should be tied to inflation.  We support a YES vote on this amendment.

Amendment 6   Repeal a constitutional provision providing for public campaign financing for candidates who agree to spending limits.   This law has been around since 1988 and is a perfect example why a law should have sufficed rather than a constitutional amendment.  Now attempting get rid of it is very difficult.  “Since 2010 it has steered more than $33 million in taxpayer money to political campaigns.  In 2010, the last time Floridians considered ending the program, a majority of voters wanted it gone, but the ballot question failed because it did not receive 60% support.”*   While money is necessary for a candidate to be competitive, it certainly doesn’t ensure success.  The MCTA has attempted to do research to find out how many candidates receiving public funds have actually won.  It is not apparent.   We support a YES vote on this amendment.

*https://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article289077104.html#storylink=cpy

MCTA's opinions are their own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

By: Daniel R Braden AIAPA

There is an unfortunate secret in Martin County.

The Community Redevelopment areas of Martin County are burdened with unneeded regulations. Those regulations add tens of thousands of dollars to communities that are supposed to be helped by them. The regulations also require you, the private homeowner, to have your floor 21” above the finished grade.

This is with out regard of your property elevation. It means you must have at least 3 steps into your home. The state of Florida has a large aging population that this hurts. 20% of the country’s population has some sort of physical disability. This has been brought to the attention of the government and the commissioners for the last three years.

I have been told that single family homes are not required to meet the Americans with Disabilties Act. This is true.

However, should we as a society make it harder for people. There is no reason for this requirement of 21” above the finished grade except the folks who wrote this thinks it looks nice.  The CRA document is hundreds of pages yet I have not found one mention of the cost to the citizen. We are in dire need of work force and affordable housing.

The requirements include:

A stemwall footing $15,000.00.

Front porch $15,000.00,

Decorative siding $5,000.00 and details.

So a house that should cost $300,000.00 plus land now cost 15% more. This because someone wants a certain look. The 21” requirement is through out the six CRA districts. If your house is being built between two existing homes you are still required to put it 21” higher than your neighbor. This is not consistant with fitting into the neighborhood. Two years ago the local American Institute of Architects requested changes to the 21” requirement.

The people who are educated and licensed to practise architecture were ignored on this point.The Justice Department wrote to H.U.D. stating that zoning laws cannot discriminate against people with disabilities.The Martin County attorney has this information and the response is to get an alternative compliance waiver.

It is morally and ethically wrong to tell people to ask special permission to be allowed to live in their private home and to be able to age in place. We are all getting older. We should be able to stay home. The CRA needs to be seriously overhauled and the cost to private homeowners discussed.

Daniel R Braden’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Banner Lake Early Learning Center Opens a New Classroom

The staff Banner Lake Early Learning Center are happy to be able to open a second modular classroom. This 1,056 sq ft modular classroom is the new home of Tiny Cubs, our older 3's class. To better suite student needs and classroom sizes, many classes are moving to different rooms around the campus. Since the Tiny Cubs class is moving to a modular classroom, we can add a second infant class! Our Lovebugs classroom will provide care to infants from 6 weeks through 12 months. There is a tremendous shortage for infant care seen nation-wide and is reflected in our own community. Banner Lake Early Learning Center addresses this need by offering quality, tuition-free education, and care to under-resourced families in St Lucie and Martin Counties. There are not enough other programs in our community to meet this need. Of the six early learning centers within a 10-mile radius to us, only two accept infants, for tuition. In many cases, even if a family makes it off the waitlist for these coveted spots, they often cannot afford to pay the tuition of these other programs. Banner Lake has sustained wait lists as well. In fact, 80% of waitlist infants will never make it into our school, and at least 50% will stay on the waitlist until they age out. Each of these infants represents a family that cannot go back work after having a baby.

To help meet this need, we proposed to expand infant care from one class to two, doubling our capacity to serve. This project required funding for the physical classroom space, learning materials and furniture, and three years of funding for teacher salaries. We would like to thank the following partners and sponsors for making this project a reality. Thank you, Hobe Sound Community Chest, Lost Tree Foundation, Community Foundation of Palm Beach Martin, Community Foundation of Martin St. Lucie, Joe Namath Foundation, United Way, Borden Walker, and the Martin County Board of County Commissioners. The Early Learning Coalition of Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties also contributed to outfit the classroom through Expand your Center. We are so proud to be able to work with our generous partners to care for our tiniest community members and their families.

Celebrating Leadership: Chamber Recognizes Business Impact at Annual Chamber Installation & Awards!

Martin County, FL.— The Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce welcomed 250 guests to their annual Installation & Awards Gala on September 14th presented by Ashley Capital. The backdrop of this exciting event was the beautiful Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa. Chamber President/CEO Joe Catrambone and Dr. Lisa Grassam-Smith, Chair of the Board of Directors emceed the evening consisting of recognitions, dinner, dancing, and casino gaming. The honorable Senator Gayle Harrell conducted the installation and oath of office for the 2024-2025 Board of Directors.

Executive Board:
Chair, Dan Hulen, Fifth/Third Bank Merchant Services/Worldpay
Past Chair, Dr. Lisa Grassam-Smith, Grassam Spine & Wellness
Chair-Elect, Eric Kiehn, C&W Technologies
Vice-Chair, Candace Lopes, Skin Serenity Spa
Vice Chair, Chuck Geary, Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC
Treasurer, Gordon Proctor, Carr, Riggs & Ingram CPA

Directors:
Dan Brady, Water Pointe Realty Group/SP
Marshall Critchfield, Florida Power & Light
Carol Houwaart-Diez, United Way of Martin County
Wayne Filowitz, WRPB Studios
Zack Gazza, Hobe Sound Farms
Jeff Gustafson, Coquina Cove at Martin Downs
Jeremy Harris, Growth Squad
Ryan Huff, Huff Enterprises LLC
Commissioner Stacey Heatherington, Martin County BOCC
Lt. General Frank Libutti
Jill Marasa, Ashley Capital
Michael Maine, Superintendent Martin County Schools
Brandon McAlister, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health
Dr. Brian Moriarty, Loving Chiropractic of Stuart
Stephen Quintyne, Coral Shores Behavioral Health
Michael Schemel, Indian River State College
Steven Shultz, Edward Jones Investments
Chris Smith, PhotoGraphics
David Snyder, Evergreen Private Care
George Stokus, Martin County Government

Newly Elected to 2024/25 Board of Directors:
Gary Guttveg, DreamWorks Companies
Trisha Hawthorne, TD Bank
Tami Karol, Tami Karol Insurance Agency
Susan King, Martin Funeral Home

While the delicious steak and lobster dinner was enjoyed by guests, Dr. Lisa Grassam-Smith presented the following awards.

Outgoing Board Member to Amber Woods of Treasure Coast Toyota, Volunteer of the Year to Kelly Dean of Rexel, Employer of the Year to Chris Smith of PhotoGraphics, Chairman’s Award to Martin County Commissioner Doug Smith, Public Sector Business Advocate Award to former City Commissioner Troy McDonald, and Private Sector Business Advocate Award to Jill Marasa of Ashley Capital.

Stuart/Martin County Chamber’s President & CEO Joe Catrambone closed the program by granting the President’s Award to Carol Houwaart-Diez of United Way of Martin County and Eric Kiehn of C&W Technologies. Finally, Mr. Catrambone presented a chamber tradition - the “Toots Armellini” Business of the Year Award - to Owen Insurance Group. Agency owner Gary Owen accepted the award to roaring applause. Mr. Owen is a Martin County LEADERship class 31 graduate and an active chamber sponsor, a role model to new business owners and guide for residents and business owners looking to navigate the complexities of the insurance industry. He is a staunch advocate for insurance education and started a non-profit to help citizens learn more about the insurance industry.

The Stuart/Martin County Chamber Board of Directors and staff would like to congratulate these award recipients.

Additionally, the annual Installation & Awards Gala is made possible by generous event sponsors. The Chamber thanks the following sponsors for their commitment to celebrating leadership in Martin County.

Presenting Sponsor Ashley Capital; Silver Sponsors Hobe Sound Farms, Florida Power & Light, DreamWorks Companies, Carr, Riggs, Ingram CPAs and Advisors, Owen Insurance Group, and Martin Funeral Home; Bronze Sponsors Fifth Third Bank Merchant Services/WorldPay, 4Ever Young Anti-Aging Solutions, WM (Waste Management), TD Bank/Stuart, C&W Technologies, Lesser, Lesser, Landy & Smith, PLLC, Serenity Stuart, Level 4 Telcom, Evergreen Private Care of Florida, 2J Data, Rexel, Just Gold Jewelers, and Comcast Business; and Copper Sponsors LaConte Engineering, Aycock Funeral Home/Young & Prill, Recovery Insurance Adjusters, PhotoGraphics, Representative Toby Overdorf, Florida House District 85, Loving Chiropractic of Stuart, and the Business Development Board of Martin County.

Board Of Directors

About the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce:
The Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce is the voice of business in the community. Playing a significant role in the economic climate, the Chamber’s purpose is to inform, unite and promote business. The Stuart/Martin Chamber acts as the front door to the community offering maps, welcome guides, visitor information and a community event calendar. For business members, the Chamber provides opportunities for leadership, networking, advertising, and essential advocacy locally, in Tallahassee and in D.C. 

13-Year Old John Morgan Helping to Make Life Better for Hibiscus Children
 

Martin County, FL – John Morgan exemplifies what it means to be an inspiration.  At just 13 years old, this 8th grader has become a role model for other youth. John's selfless compassion and unwavering dedication to helping other kids in our community is a bright light for the Hibiscus children.  For the past four years, John has collected donations and raised awareness for the kids living at the Tilton Family Children’s Shelter in Jensen Beach. 
 

Recently, John collected over 360 books to donate to the Hibiscus Shelter Library, recognizing the transformative power of reading in the lives of vulnerable children.  Reading can provide not only an escape but also tools for empowerment, social and emotional growth, cognitive and language development, stress relief, and a lifelong love of learning.

John’s efforts extend far beyond books. His journey with Hibiscus began in 2020 when, at just 10 years old, he learned about the organization’s mission. Immediately moved by the challenges faced by the children, John launched a campaign to collect gifts and toys to brighten the children’s holidays. He knew that while most children eagerly anticipate the holiday season, some children faced a different reality. Every year since then, he has personally collected an impressive array of Christmas gifts, toys and games. His initiative began with writing heartfelt letters to friends, family, and classmates requesting donations. The response was overwhelming, prompting him to expand his efforts by placing donation boxes in his neighborhood. 

The joy on the children's faces when they wake up on Christmas morning to find special gifts under the tree is immeasurable. The contributions of this extraordinary young man have brought the magic of the holidays to children who may otherwise never have experienced such joy, leaving a lasting imprint on their hearts.

In addition to holiday gifts, John has helped fulfill the Shelter's summer needs, gathering essentials like towels and sunscreen. If he can't collect certain items, he generously purchases them with his own money. John has even engaged local businesses during the Hibiscus Teddy Bear Fundraiser. 

Patrice, John’s mom, describes him as a social, sports-loving kid who always roots for the underdog. John is not only passionate about helping other kids but is also a natural leader. At the age of ten, he won a Character Counts award at his school, and he was recently nominated as the President of the National Junior Honor Society. 

Hibiscus Children’s Center is deeply grateful to John for being an exemplary role model for other youth and for making a difference in the lives of the Hibiscus children.   John is a true hero and friend to children and we are incredibly proud of his accomplishments and his caring heart!

For more information about Hibiscus Children’s Center and helping children in our community, please visit HibiscusChildrensCenter.org.

STUART, Fla. –A Thanksgiving dinner with all the fixings is a cherished American tradition. For thousands of food-insecure Martin County residents, though, the celebration is a financial impossibility without help from the community.

House of Hope is once again stepping in to help with its annual turkey drive and its goal of serving a holiday meal with all the trimmings to families in economic need. In the true spirit of the giving season, community members are invited to drop off a frozen turkey and any other food or monetary donations to any House of Hope pantry by November 15. Groups, organizations and neighborhoods are encouraged to conduct a food drive in their community to help those in need.

“Boxed and canned items are always in demand,” according to House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “Vegetables, stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy – all of the things that help to make a meal festive are needed by our families. Thanks to our operations at the Growing Hope Farm, we’re also able to add fresh fruits and vegetables to our meal packages.”

In an innovative approach to getting fresh food to their clients, House of Hope developed hydroponic greenhouses as well as conventional in-ground beds and an orchard at their production farm in Palm City. “We’re growing our own,” Ranieri said, “so we can be sure our clients benefit from fresh produce along with other staples in their diet.”

The demand for food assistance remains high. “This year we have distributed over 1.1 million pounds of food through our four food pantries and the thirty food pantry partners that collect food from us regularly,” Ranieri said. “Our food bank partners are soup kitchens, shelters, smaller pantries and youth programs in Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee Counties. They use House of Hope food to reach thousands more in need.”

Donations of turkeys and other foodstuffs or monetary donations can be brought to the House of Hope offices at 2484 SE Bonita Street in Stuart or any of the House of Hope food pantries in Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound and Indiantown by November 15. Monetary donations can also be made online at https://www.hohmartin.org/donate.

“With the generosity of our community and the harvests from our farm,” Ranieri said, “we can make this Thanksgiving one that’s filled with the spirit of gratitude and also healthy food.”

Families or individuals in need can contact House of Hope at 772-286-4673 to learn about eligibility and registration deadlines.

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 volunteers are eager to serve holiday meals to friends and neighbors in need this Thanksgiving. You can help by donating turkeys or other foodstuffs at a House of Hope pantry by November 15 or by making an online donation at  https://www.hohmartin.org/donate.

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.

Humane Society presents a winning combination for shelter animals

STUART, Fla. -- The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast's Whiskers for Whiskey event attracted a sell-out crowd on September 25 at the Chef's Table. By night's end, more than $8,500 was raised to benefit the care of the shelter animals.

Bobby Knapp of Southern Glazers Wine & Spirits provided details about the featured whiskey from Rabbit Hole Distillery of Kentucky. Guests enjoyed chef-prepared four-course pairings that accompanied each pour.

Roberto Lugo, Jon Brown and Eric Duffy

Gabe and Deb Miron were the lucky winners of a raffle prize that included a dinner for two at the Chef's Table and bottle of Rabbit Hole whiskey, courtesy of Libations Mobile Catering Co.

Berto Vasquez, Amy Peterson, Liza & Chris Cromwell

"We are grateful to the Chef's Table and our sponsors, Stuart Magazine and Tankersley Chiropractic, for making this evening possible," said Sarah Fisher, the humane society's communications manager. "Events like this help to provide support for our shelter animals."

For more information about future events, contact Community Events Specialist Alyssa Bean at 772-600-3215 or Events@hstc1.org. Or visit the website, www.hstc1.org/events.

Keaton Perry, Taylor Waits, Carra Crehan, Candace Callahan, George Olsen and April Brumley
 

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.

Impact100 Martin Launches New Season of Philanthropywith Goal of $500,000 in Grants

Stuart, FL – Impact100 Martin will launch its 2024-25 season of passionate and compassionate philanthropy this November with a high energy kickoff and a challenging goal: increase membership to 500 members and award five $100,000 community impact grants.

“We’re going into our eighth season of making a lasting difference in our community with game-changing grants to local nonprofits,” said Maureen Cotter, President of Impact100 Martin. “Our members have demonstrated how $1,000 from each Impact member can be leveraged into $100,000 grants. By reaching 500 members this year, we could infuse half a million dollars into the community in one year. That’s impactful!”

The keynote speaker for this year’s kickoff is Carrie Morgridge, a prominent philanthropist, author and advocate for education and community improvement, and a founding member of Impact100 Martin. She and her husband John founded the Morgridge Family Foundation in 2008, and their work has evolved over the years, from funding programs that are close to home, to investing in wide-scale solutions that can potentially impact millions of people and animals and improve outcomes for communities and our planet.

Morgridge is the author of three books, including Every Gift Matters: How Your Passion Can Change the World and Courage Money: A Guide to Becoming a Venture Philanthropist. She has twice been invited to speak on the TED stage.

In just seven years, the members of Impact100 Martin have contributed more than $1.8 million in grants in five focus areas that are essential to building strong communities: Arts & Culture, Education, Family, Health & Wellness, and Environment, Preservation & Recreation. 

“Part of the power of Impact100,” Cotter said, “is that each member has an opportunity to dig deeply into the projects that our applicants propose and cast a vote for the one she believes is strategic and sustainable, with measurable goals and outcomes. At our grants showcase last spring, we could all see that the decisions we made resulted in meaningful change within our community.”

The kickoff begins at 5 pm at the Kane Center on the campus of the Council on Aging Martin on Salerno Road on Thursday, November 7. For more details about the event, membership opportunities, and successful Impact100 Martin grants, visit

info@impact100martin.org.

ABOUT: Impact100 Martin is a nonprofit organization with a mission of creating positive, lasting change in the community through collective giving. Founded in 2017, it is a chapter of the national Impact100 Movement founded by philanthropist Wendy Steele to transform communities through the power of women’s philanthropy. It is a member-driven organization that awards grants in $100,000 increments each year to local nonprofits in the areas of Arts & Culture; Education; Family; Health & Wellness; and Environment, Preservation & Recreation.  Detailed information about membership, grants, and community impact is available at the website www.impact100martin.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Impact100MartinFL.

Martin County PAL Operation Nutcracker

Martin County PAL invites you to participate in our upcoming Operation Nutcracker!

Purchase a Nutcracker for $100, put your personal touch on it, and showcase your

creation at our Nutty Cocktail Party on Thursday, November 21st, from 5:30 PM to

7:30 PM at our facility - 1284 SW 34th St, Palm City.

Each decorated Nutcracker will be auctioned off during the event, with proceeds directly

benefiting our LEAD after school program!

Want to make an even bigger impact? Check out our sponsorship options:

• Cheer Sponsor ($500): Includes a 15” Nutcracker to decorate.

• Feast Sponsor ($500): Includes a 15” Nutcracker to decorate.

• Entertainment Sponsor ($500): Includes a 15” Nutcracker to decorate.

• Community Give-Back Sponsor ($250): Helps fund 50 Nutcrackers for

PAL youth to paint and deliver to assisted living facilities during the holidays.

Every Nutcracker sold and decorated is a step toward giving back to our community in a

meaningful way. Don’t miss your chance to get involved, have fun, and make an

impact!

Entry deadline: November 20th. For more details, please contact us today at

info@martincountypal.org or visit our website www.martincountypal.org

Rallying for Recovery - A Message to our Community      
 

As a funding organization dedicated to bringing financial and human resources to our community, we collaborate with local funders—including  Bank of America, Children’s Services  Council, Community Foundation of Martin and St. Lucie, Community Foundation of Palm Beach and Martin, Hobe Sound Community Chest, Lost Tree Foundation, Mariner Sands Charity Week and of course United Way of Martin County—to assess our community’s current needs and determine how best to support them

Following recent disasters, such as the tornadoes accompanying Hurricane Milton, our community has come together to help. Many people who were spared from devastation are eager to give back and support those in need. 

In the aftermath of such weather disasters, we work closely with local, state, and federal agencies to assess community needs and provide necessary support. We rely on established human service providers like House of Hope and the Salvation Army, whose missions focus on empowering individuals and families year-round. These agencies have the expertise and capacity to ensure everyone receives help without duplicating services.

While we all want to assist our community—an admirable aspect of humanity—it’s vital to be strategic in our efforts. By coordinating our resources, we can allow those experienced in providing support to lead recovery efforts.

The road to recovery will be long for many in our community. While immediate assistance is crucial, we must also consider long-term recovery. Here are a few suggestions on how you can help now:
 

• Help an elderly neighbor clean up their yard.
• Help the communities that have been hit the hardest clean debris.
• Donate cleaning supplies, gift cards (small denominations $10 - $25) to House of Hope or Salvation Army. (they have processes so that there isn’t duplication) or canned goods and canned meat.
• Donate to anyone of the funders to assist in long term recovery. (Okay I am biased here United Way would be my choice  (I may be biased, but I recommend United Way since we are Martin Board of County Commissioners charity of choice, United Way is the disaster recovery organization that manages fund distribution and deploys volunteers as necessary.) 
• Donate diapers, wipes and baby formula to Martin County Healthy Start.

This list isn’t all inclusive but it gives you an idea of what to do.

While many quality organizations are helping, we must channel our resources to the largest providers that can effectively assist individuals and families now and in the future. They have the staff, case managers, and infrastructure to make a lasting impact.

Let’s work together as one community to support our friends and neighbors. Thank you for your consideration. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call me at 716-531-5510 or my office at 772-283-4800. I would love to answer any questions you may have.

A real game of chance.  Shutter up or not?  By the time it gets to us it’ll be a Cat 1, so?  Even after enduring hurricanes since 1996 when I moved here, I still ask myself those questions.  I began to understand that even in a Category 1 hurricane the tornadoes spun off are a terrifying threat.  

I spent about ¾ of an hour in my pantry under my stairs between 5:00 and 6:30 pm during the continuous tornado threats of Milton.  I wondered if a tornado hits my house will I be impaled with the toilet bowl plunger I noticed in the corner.  Not how I envisioned my last moments.

I made it through to the morning after.  No power.  WHY doesn’t FPL bury the lines?  I ask myself this every time we experience an outage.  Millions of Floridians without power again. 

I had some yard debris and while unshuttering (a new word to be associated only with the hurricane experience), a friend called and said I ought to take a ride through Port Salerno.  So, I did.

I will never complain about picking up yard debris or unshuttering again.  To call the quaint little fishing village a mess on every block would be an understatement.  It was dangerous. 

Power lines hanging down from wooden power poles snapped like twigs.  Roofs off, trees split by wind.  People walking around a bit dazed trying to decide where to begin.  Sherriff’s vehicles and utility trucks throughout.   And on one block a tent was set up to serve food.  A big sign “free meals” blowing in the aftermath. 

While people are remarkable and I am always amazed at our resilience and at the fact that our bodies are so strong and so weak simultaneously, I can’t guess how long it will take Port Salerno to get back to normal.  Poorer residents, some without insurance I am sure, will never fully recover.

About two years ago while going through government websites, I found that Representative John Snyder had submitted a grant request to provide state money to Three Lakes to build a tunnel under Kanner Highway to connect their property on both sides of the road.

I wrote that there would be no benefit whatsoever to anyone but Three Lakes if the state provided tax dollars to a developer to further the project. Snyder pulled the request and the developer at the time said they would fund the tunnel if they decided to build one.

The tunnel must have been too expensive because I found in Martin County’s Proposed Development Project Status an item to build a bridge over Kanner Highway instead of the tunnel. Staff has approved the bridge amendment. And at this point I cannot determine if any FDOT funds will be used. This is coming before the commission on October 22nd.

When I originally championed this development and Rural Lifestyle, I believed it would save Martin County from hundreds if not thousands of homes being built which would have resulted in urban sprawl. Rich people (and I understand memberships start at a million bucks) playing golf is not a big deal for the 1200 acres that would be kept as open space. I still believe it.

The rich can be childlike in their ability to see things from only their perspective. Then like any child you need to keep tabs on what they are doing. Anyone who has or has been around kids knows they find it hard not to get their way. That goes for rich people too. And the owners of this golf facility are rich…one is a billionaire.

We keep our eye on the kids to make sure that permission to ride their bike doesn’t become permission to ride their bike on Kanner Highway instead of what you thought would be your cul-de-sac. It is in a 10-year old’s nature to use what we say and take greater liberties than what was intended.

The same goes for the rich. They can take the permission given to build a tunnel for golf carts and try to make it into a bridge to accommodate not just golf carts but cars as well. That is why we review the development department’s projects list.

This is not an indictment of anyone, only a heads up. I hope the present and incoming commissioners are paying attention. For the commission will be the final decision makers. Approving this would be a bad decision.

If the commission approves the Apogee bridge over Kanner Highway, it will be a sad day for our county.

The farms and ranches fronting Kanner Highway and Bridge Road in western Martin County will soon all but disappear. It is economics and the citrus blight which has caused this outcome. That is the main reason I believed in Rural Lifestyle. It preserved the country character of the area while allowing the landowners the ability to develop their property.

Contrary to what some people believe, once farming and ranching were no longer economically viable, the land was not going to remain undeveloped. There were two main ways to develop it. Either by building thousands of cookie cutter homes a la St Lucie County or a few high-end ones attached to a golf course. I know which one I preferred. The options about doing nothing or ranchettes were never going to happen.

A main concern of mine and others, like Commissioner Hetherington, was to make sure development could not be seen from the road. At the time of the project’s approval, Apogee (or Three Lakes as it is known) promised they would heavily plant the roadsides and build up the berms to honor that commitment of keeping the rural character of the road. They have done just that.

As part of the application, they wanted to build a tunnel for golf carts under Kanner Highway to connect both sides of their property which consists of no homes but three golf courses and amenities including golf cottages. Last year, I discovered they wanted to use state funds to build the tunnel and did my best to bring it to the attention of the public and the funding was subsequently killed.

At the time, Three Lakes said they would pay for the tunnel. I guess it became too expensive so now they are proposing a bridge over the roadway. It would accommodate autos and golf carts.

I heard it would only be 12 feet high. I don’t know whether that is true or not, but if so, it would curb the ability of tractor trailers to use that road. The marine industries would then be unable to ferry boats from the western yards to the IRL. What about Indiantown? A vital transportation hub would be severed.

Even if it were taller and most transportation would fit under the bridge, what does it do to the footprint needed on both sides of the highway. There would be massive infrastructure. What is going on here?

Lastly and most importantly, the point is that the rural character of the road disappears. All for the sake of a bridge because the billionaire developers of the club are too cheap to build their tunnel without government money. And if that is the case, how about just a plain old road crossing with stop signs for safety?

I can’t believe the Martin County Commission will approve this. It is hubris on the part of the owners of Three Lakes to think that it will be approved. They said they wanted to be good neighbors. Their actions have not proven that out.    

Port Salerno and New Monrovia have suffered devastation not often seen in our area.

Tornadoes come fast and are randomly destructive. Your house can be untouched, but your neighbor’s home will be completely destroyed. There is no rhyme or reason for who is chosen. It just happens wherever the funnel cloud touches down.

Although Port Salerno and New Monrovia were badly hit by the Milton tornedoes, I didn’t hear about anyone losing their life. Our neighbors in Fort Piece were not so lucky where 6 people died. The roll of the dice, I guess.

It seems most of the properties that were destroyed were built with pre-Andrew codes. Does that mean a home like mine is more likely to be spared? I don’t know the answer and am not anxious to test out the premise.

Just like hurricanes, tornedoes have been part of the landscape in Florida forever. Yet though more devastating, the chances of a tornedo occurring were remote in Martin County. Is that changing also? Are we becoming part of what is known as the “Tornado Belt”?

The intensity of storms has become worse in the past few years. On the Treasure Coast, we have been lucky so far since we haven’t had a direct hit. I hope our luck holds, and they land in other places. But what happens if tornadoes become more prevalent? Are we prepared or will we see more results like Port Salerno?

CITY COMMISSION OCTOBER 14, 2024

This is only the 4th meeting with the new majority, and I am sure it will go down as the worst one yet. I am not addressing policy but decorum. There is nothing that would be recognized by Colonel Henry Martyn Robert, the author of Robert’s Rules.

When you are in kindergarten, you expect chaos. The kids are five years old. At a government meeting, what is the excuse? Mayor Rich tries to follow Robert’s Rules but with not much success. Commissioner Clarke, who for years just seemed to ramble, has become the grown-up commissioner. She tries to move things along but when others don’t want to move along, anything Clarke and Rich do doesn’t really matter.

Giobbi and Reed have challenges in being commissioners that could be insurmountable. They were picked to run by their handlers specifically because they would be malleable to the will of their chief handler, Chris Collins. Collins has plotted for years to be the guy in charge. He has achieved that with his messianic complex in full view.

His agenda is to close the city down. Maybe it’s because he equates new people and their ways as wicked. In his Gospel writing about Jesus’ “Sermon on the Mount,” Matthew states that “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”  

Mammon is a biblical term for wealth. Jesus tells His followers to beware. They are not to abandon Him in pursuit of earthly riches. They will then lose their place with Him in the afterlife. In the Middle Ages, the meaning of mammon morphed into a demon that was most associated with one of the deadly sins, greed.

Brightline will be transformative in bringing those sinful outside influences to Stuart in Collins’ mind. He makes a similar argument with multi-family structures with people living in close proximity to each other which invites evil. For the most part, people who aren’t traditional families live in those vertical sinful cells. This is his mission to prevent true Stuartians (as defined by Collins) from ending up as the Jews of Masada being overrun by the infidel pagan Romans.

What I haven’t figured out yet is if the chaos he promotes is one of his tools or his nature. It may be he can’t control his impulses. He most recently lashed out from the dais shouting at Brightline representatives at this meeting. I suspect it is a tool and a flaw.

Boss Collins will become mayor in 6 weeks’ time in all probability. For all intents and purposes as the true puppet master, he already is calling the shots. When his mayoralty becomes official, we will know if the chaos dies down. Because once mayor, Stuart retreats a little more from today to the Collins version of yesteryear.     

At the October 14th commission meeting, Mac Stuckey once again gave his presentation about hiring an environmental attorney to sue for clean water. The defendants to Stuart’s suit will be decided in several years.

It was almost the same presentation that he gave a couple of years ago to a different commission trying to have them do the same exact things. He had high hopes at the time, but common sense prevailed, and it was decided to work with our government partners to secure the same goals.

Mr. Stucky, who came here as a boy in 1956, found a virtual paradise. And the water surrounding the city, county and Florida in general is no longer as pristine. I don’t believe anyone would dispute that.

Last time Stuckey just wanted the city to hire an environmental attorney. This time he wants to make it a charter officer which means another commission will not be able to close the department. The attorney will not report to the city manager as other employees do but will report directly to the commission. The only way a charter position can be created or eliminated is through a referendum. The referendum can cost $20,000 to hold.

The department will cost the city $500,000 a year to start. They are budgeting the attorney at $300,000 which is more than what the current city attorney makes. According to Stuckey, it will take a year or two before any litigation will be filed. By then, the city will be in for a million dollars…the cost of about ten public safety employees for a year.

He cites a case in the early 1930s as a cause of action in his presentation. He also uses the Federal Water Pollution Control Act that states it is national policy that the discharge of toxic pollutants in toxic amounts be prohibited.

I don’t believe the city has a cause of action. Before committing to a charter officer, which Stuart can’t dismiss, the first thing to do would be to hire 5 Washington or Florida environmental law firms and ask what they recommend and determine if the city has a cause of action in an opinion letter. If it costs $100,000 for an answer, it would be much more prudent before committing to millions of dollars.

Once again, it isn’t about what is best for the city, it is what Boss Collins thinks is best. In the two plus years he has been a commissioner, he has ignored all suggestions. For he knows more than anyone else. The 19,000 people who call the city home are only his flock to be led to the promised land as he charts the course through the desert as a modern day Moses.

I have been told that the county and other agencies will begin to cut a wide swath around Stuart. In the last several years, the Feds, state, and local governments and organizations have been working in concert. And things have improved mightily.

Collins goal of cutting Stuart off from the rest of the world is being accomplished. It isn’t clean water but clean control. At some point, the charter amendment will come up for a vote. We will need to vote no and wrestle our city back from the Prophet Christopher.

You can see Stuckey’s presentation here 

In his remarks at the October 14th commission meeting, Commissioner Reed demonstrated either no understanding of how government works, was being disingenuous with what he said, or is a guy that needs to learn how to conduct himself as an elected official. It could be all three.

Perhaps his prepared remarks were in answer to a story I published right before the meeting. (You can read it here.) Or it could be Reed is completely ignorant of the facts or only sees the facts as he and his Facebook friends conceive of them. Take your pick.

He went on a tirade to suggest that all government business is controlled by “unelected bureaucrats.” Reed suggested that those same bureaucrats are doing so behind closed doors. He stated that why was he singled out to meet with Brightline, city staff, county staff, and Commissioner Jenkins behind closed doors. It is time Reed, who prides himself on his research, understands that nothing nefarious happened by having such a meeting.

The reason he was the only city commissioner at the meeting was that no other commissioner on the Stuart board could be there under the law. That is why Commissioner Jenkins from the county was the only county commissioner there. Often those seeking to build a project or do business meet individually with commissioners and explain in detail what they want to do.

Reed must believe that the City of Stuart, Martin County, and Brightline’s relationships didn’t occur prior to his “inauguration” as he put it. He must understand the concept that the world didn’t begin the day he was born and won’t end the day he dies.

For years, there have been countless commission meetings at both the county and city level concerning the Brightline station. He even cited some of them in his remarks. What Reed really means to say is that it doesn’t matter what prior commissions voted. It is what Leader Collins, and politburo members, Reed and Giobbi want. Anything before “AD This Commission” is assigned to the dustbin of history.

Reed’s insinuation that Jenkins tried to bully him is absurd. Jenkins not only has more than 30 years on Reed, he also has been in elected office for 8 years and has been active in Martin County government, a contributor and board member of local charities, and a successful business owner for longer than Reed has been alive. Physically, the imposing Harold Jenkins comes up to Sean’s shoulders, is more than 30 years older, and is at least 200 pounds lighter.

The station costs were always going to be $20 to $30 million for Stuart. What Boss Collins and Minions Reed and Giobbi don’t want to acknowledge are grants would pay for 80 to 90 percent of the total cost. That is what Assistant County Administrator George Stokus told the BOCC on December 12, 2023, as Reed mentioned in his remarks.

There was no backroom deal or secrecy about it. All the agreements were out there to be read by anyone. I wrote an article on the agreements and provided them a few weeks ago. You can read the story with the agreements here.

I honestly believe that both Reed and Giobbi are not qualified to sit up there and make multi-million-dollar decisions that affect the lives of every Stuart resident, property owner, and businessperson.

Collins has the smarts, but he has an agenda that is unfathomable. It seems he wants to prevent the city from having one more house, business, or building. Boss Collins believes he is doing the Lord’s work by shafting everyone else. 

You can read Reed’s remarks here 

The Brightline train station in Stuart never had a chance of moving forward under the current Stuart City Commission.

This was obvious to anyone who was looking at the issue with a dispassionate eye. Boss Collins didn’t want it, so it was not happening. Minion Giobbi could not text fast enough from the dais to get all the instructions on her talking points to deny the request. Some thought Reed had made a good faith effort to understand Brightline, the proposal, the deal and how it fit together. The people who thought they could educate him didn’t know him.

Collins kept talking about some mythical deal that the county and Brightline had. “Pay Half” he kept shouting from the dais to Brightline in the audience. Go to Fort Pierce, he screamed. The first time that has ever occurred. Boss Collins’ way of killing descent may be to stifle any other view than his own.

Reed had accomplished reducing Stuart’s proportion of the maximum contribution from $30 million to $20 million at the county meeting he attended. At this commission meeting, a representative of Brightline reduced the city’s maximum contribution to $5 million. Reed also got a guarantee of 8 stops per day instead of the original 4.

That was still not enough for Reed who said he wanted to know what the fares would be as part of the agreement. He felt it was his right to make sure they weren’t too high. The next time a restaurant comes in for approval will he make sure the menu prices are what he believes they should be?

The other reason that Reed couldn’t vote yes was because no one from the Department of Revenue in Tallahassee would get back to him with what the tax assessment would be for the station and garage. Mr. Reed, please explain to me what difference that will make? Whether it is going to bring Stuart additional revenue of $5,000, $10,000, or $30,000…so what. Any amount is better than what is being collected now on those parcels, which is zero.

It was clear that Giobbi didn’t receive clear instructions in her texts or hadn’t read and understood the package. She didn’t comprehend that the city was not responsible for the entire $60 million. Manager Mortell endeavored to explain it for what seemed like the tenth time.

Of course the real power, Boss Collins, was never going to let this be approved. His insistence that Brightline needed to pay half the cost as in the settlement agreement between the county and the company is an erroneous statement, and Collins knows it. To make that point crystal clear, Martin County wrote to Brightline in March saying they did not expect any contribution from them.

That doesn’t matter for no concessions would have changed the outcome of Collins and his politburo. If Brightline and the county agree that the city only would pay $5 million at most, the financial liability is capped at that amount. Where the rest of the money comes from is sort of immaterial, isn’t it? The narrative is the narrative, and the boss knows from what he speaks.

The real reason Brightline and the county think the gross numbers for a station are irrelevant is because the Biden administration and Congress have appropriated $8 billion in grant funding for passenger rail. The grant for the station must be in by mid-December which is why there is a rush to finish making the deal that has been going on for years.

There is great certainty that at least 50% of the cost will be paid by grants. With Stuart as part of the deal, the probability of funding goes to 80%. It is Federal money, and they like to give it to local governments for things that meet the Feds goals such as passenger rail.

Brightline is so certain the money would be forthcoming that both Martin County and Stuart can back out if the grants are not given. When do you declare victory, Boss Collins? If you don’t want it anyway, you never do.

Boss Tweed

To Boss Collins, it doesn’t matter whether a thousand people spoke in favor of the station. He doesn’t want it because it may bring people here that he feels should not be here. He fears more apartments. He fears that those alternate lifestyle people will come. You know…the ones who don’t have opposite sex partners or natural blond hair. They would threaten his heaven on earth depiction of Stuart as a 1950s perpetual summer place.

The vote was 3-2 against. Laura Giobbi followed instructions to the “T”. Sean Reed was either doing a pretense of fact finding and dealing, or he is like that mythical voter that is undecided. They are always waiting for just another something to get them to pull the lever one way or the other.

The people of Stuart and Martin County were the losers. The businesses, restaurants, and hotels that won’t see any increase in their bottom lines are poorer. As are the people who bought property Downtown in anticipation of the station. Taxes will go down since the properties are less valuable. The City will not receive those increases of property taxes, sales taxes or new people.

It is expensive to keep the 1950s. Boss Collins doesn’t care about constituents even though he keeps talking about the mythical majority that likes his policies. The ones only Facebook has. Ultimately it is the fault of those that didn’t come out to vote that gave Collins his politburo. Don’t complain now that you are living and working in the town of Boss Collin

Senator Gayle Harrell has been a friend of Stuart’s forever. No one could doubt it. She has been a reliable source for obtaining funds through the state budget process for Martin County and Stuart.

One of the reasons is because both locally elected officials and staff have asked for grant funding that was used for the intended purposes. Her latest effort resulted in $500,000 to institute the Guy Davis Park Master Plan. The plan that is nearly coming to fruition now.

After nine long years, countless staff hours, community meetings, meetings of the CRB, CRA, East Stuart Historical Committee, and City Commission, a consensus had been reached on what was to be contained there. That grant was to help fund the $7 million project.

Last year Attorney Jordon Showe asked that a piece of the area that had not been included in the design be set aside for a skate park. Showe said that if the city would find the space, he would raise the funds for the construction. That was how it was to move forward without impeding on the allocated $7 million for the Guy Davis Park designed over the past nine years.

Boss Collins was only Commissioner Collins last year. There were four other commissioners to keep him in check. He is apparently a skateboarder and he and Showe are kindred spirits. All of a sudden, the funds that were supposed to be raised privately for the project went up in smoke. When Showe was asked at the meeting, he said the effort had failed.

Why raise private funds when Boss Collins can get you all the money needed to have your wishes come true? Remember that grant from the state that Harrell secured to go toward the original Guy Davis plan. Let’s take that the Boss said. Not only should the money go toward the Boss Collins Skate Park, but Boss Collins also decreed I want it built now. Build it before another thing at the long-planned Guy Davis Park.

There is nothing wrong with a skate park. I am not doubting that it will be used. It is a good idea. What about priorities? During the long process of planning, community meetings, discussions and setting the phases no one mentioned skateboarding. Now Boss Collins has spoken, and his word is law.

Mayor Rich tried to have the Brightline agenda item moved up to accommodate the many people who wanted to speak. At the last meeting, Brightline didn’t come up until the end. Most people had gone home by then. The Boss and the two other politburo members were good enough to agree to it, but only if the skateboard item was heard first. The true power had spoken.

Because it is being built ahead of the integrated plan for the park, there will need to be a separate drainage system that will have to cost more than if it were part of the park. The same goes for the specimen trees that will need to be replaced as per code on the site because, presently, where would you try to transplant them when the construction on the rest of the park is separate?

If built earlier, staff also mentioned that the skateboard park would need to be fenced off during construction of the rest of the park. It could not be used. If the park is integrated into the final design, it will end up opening 3 months later. Boss Collins said it needs to be done now even if it costs more money,

And the Boss said the city will have plenty of money for the skate park overruns when the sales tax initiative passes. The guy that is going to saddle the city with a whole new environmental legal office to the starting tune of $500,000 a year, and now is going to use the environmental initiative to buy sensitive lands to fund his skate park overruns.

If you read this, Senator Harrell, you should be making an investigation into the use of the grant funds for a project that wasn’t part of the Guy Davis Park that you thought you were obtaining funding. I have serious doubts whether Guy Davis Park will ever be built. Boss Collins couldn’t care less about Guy Davis now that he has his skateboard park.

I don’t think anyone could have predicted how bad the new majority on the Stuart Commission would be. Their ineptitude is amazing. Let me give you an example.

Some in the business community and the pro Brightline station contingent believed that Sean Reed could be persuaded to vote in favor. If that were to occur, the station would become a reality by a vote of 3-2. Were they wrong!

At a meeting at the county building last week, “Pay to Play” Reed (see the origin of the name here was invited to meet with a county commissioner, Brightline, county staff, and city staff. They spent a considerable amount of time with Reed outlining a proposal whereby the city and county would sign a modified agreement with Brightline. However, a clause in the new agreement (Section D Paragraph 7) allows the parties to terminate the agreement if the federal and state grants failed to materialize. The grant submissions are due by December, so time is of the essence.

After the participants had spent a considerable amount of time going over the deal with Reed, it appeared he wasn’t understanding the significance of the concessions by Brightline the deal entailed. He blew up and said things that no elected commissioner should say to a county commissioner who is his counterpart. Reed will not be welcomed by county staff with open arms in the future.

One of the big objections to the station of Boss Collins, Reed, and Giobbi was the unknown cost. Everyone now knows the upside amount which is $20 million (a $10 million reduction from the previous commitment of $30 million) for the city and $15 million for the county. At the same time, the concession from Brightline is that the parties can cancel if the grants aren’t awarded besides the $10,000 reduction in the city’s upside.

If I were Reed, I would be taking credit for getting Brightline to give this concession and reduction. Instead, he apparently insulted a county commissioner, staff and Brightline. Several participants told me that they thought the county commissioner and Reed would come to blows.

The city and county have escape hatches. The unknowns are becoming less and less. So why wouldn’t Reed be jumping up and down and declaring a victory? I don’t think he gets it. There is compromise all the way around. And that is what most deals look like in business.

Reed purports to be a businessman, but I couldn’t find any business that he owns. He has claimed that he is the owner of a couple of day care facilities, but it seems his mother is in charge. For a young man of 33, he has spent hours since taking office wandering aimlessly in the corridors of city hall. Not exactly what many other commissioners who have jobs or businesses do.

Maybe “Pay to Play” Reed has another business in mind. We saw it most recently when he tried and failed to have as part of a resolution inclusion of how much money and to whom an applicant had made campaign contributions. He then voted against the applicant even though it was explained by staff that it would not be appropriate. ( A nice way to say perhaps illegal.) That is something that could be construed as campaign interference.

I know he will not be getting a job offer with county staff anytime soon…probably ever! 

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING OCTOBER 15, 2024

School Board Meetings open with an invocation by a pastor. So it was with great surprise that this one began with an invocation by Stuart City Commissioner Chris Collins and his two precocious and adorable daughters.

Collins is a chiropractor by profession and not a religious minister. Why was he chosen when Martin County has dozens of places of worship led by men and women of God? The county does not seem to have a problem finding ministers to perform their invocations.

I think we are inching closer not to the Constitutional ideal of a place free to worship but rather a theocratic dangerous place. The Taliban of Afghanistan and the mullahs of Iran are religious, and all must pray in the manner that those religious and government leaders deem appropriate. With this past election, I believe we have moved another step closer to that outcome.

Last August, the poor voter turnout for the election resulted in the makeup of our current city commission. It has become easy for some to take advantage of that turnout to push their followers to become elected officials. We see that in the City of Stuart and soon at the school board when Brian Moriarity takes his seat.  He was elected without opposition.

An invocation should be non-controversial. We may be entering a time where nothing will be that. I wrote to the board trying to find out about the process for becoming the one to give the invocation.

Board Member Michael DiTerlizzi is stepping down after 12 years. He has represented Palm City. Prior to this, he was a county commissioner for 8 years. The board and district wished him well in his retirement.

Murray Middle School had some severe damage due to last week’s tornadoes. The district is working hard to repair the band and chorus room, the Ag Center and other areas that were severely damaged. The campus reopened on Monday along with the other schools in the district. A remarkable accomplishment.

I wrote the Board to ask how they chose those that give the invocation. Last week Commissioner Chris Collins, a chiropractor, gave it. Why he and not you and I. Maybe all of us should be on the list. 

I have not heard back yet.

Dear School Board Member:

I was wondering what the qualifications are for someone to give the invocation at a meeting.

At the last one, I saw that Commissioner Chris Collins was chosen accompanied by his two children. As precious as the girls were, I know that they had not been ordained. If qualifications are necessary, what were they for Pastor or Reverend or Father or Rabbi Collins? What denomination does he follow if any?

To ask the Lord to bless the meeting and its attendees, must you be more than just a friend of the family so to speak? Otherwise, some may see having non-ministerial citizens, even if devout, as a mockery of the purpose of having the invocation. A good, well-crafted prayer takes experience to present. Without the underlying theological training, it seems hollow to the ear and unfulfilling to the soul.

Becoming a Catholic priest can take up to a decade or more. A rabbi studies no less than six years but, depending on the branch of Judaism, it could be twice as long. A Lutheran minister studies 8 to 9 years, a Presbyterian one studies 7 to 8 years, an Iman in America studies 6-7 years.

In non-denominational churches, the call to ministry varies. Some congregations require formal training others do not. Is Chris being called under those auspices?

I think it is only fair that if Chris is praying over the board at this very public of government meetings, you should allow the invocation to be given by anyone who purports to have the Spirit whether trained or not. I would like the opportunity to do so.

My qualifications include my membership in a Catholic choir years ago singing the Mass in Latin and later in English along with many hymns in both languages. I also spent time in a novitiate. Further, I am an ordained minister by the Universal Life Church. Under those auspices, I can conduct services including performing weddings and memorial services.

In all seriousness, has Martin County become that bereft of ministers, rabbis, and priests? If you are going to have invocations, then at least allow those who have devoted their lives to carrying the Word of God to the people provide them. Pastors with recognized churches are anything but scarce in Martin County.

If your current policy is to have friends of friends performing a divine obligation in a very public setting, then I see public backlash and a lawsuit in the offing.

COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 8, 2024

The board instituted a ZIP on dock structures.

A couple of years ago, there was extensive discussion about what constitutes a dock structure. The result for the code ended up concentrating on non-permanent boat coverings. They had to be made of steel poles and a soft cover that could be taken down with an approaching storm.

Now apparently someone wants to put a more permanent structure on a dock. What type of dock structure was not discussed. There is no way to know from the conversation on the dais whether someone wants to construct a boat garage or a tiki hut. Right now, nothing like that is mentioned in the code. The ZIP will be in effect for 60 days.

Joe Capra, the town engineer, has a new and much cheaper plan to control storm water on South River Road and Mandalay. The initial cost was $250,000 but now utilizing yard drains, storm water will funnel to an inlet off Marguerita Road.

The commission rescinded their June 18th vote for the $250,000 expenditure and authorized $30,000 for this solution.

The town won a summary Judgement of Foreclose on 12 East Highpoint Road. This has been going on for several years because the owner of the home refused to remove a fence and other structures that he did not have a permit for erecting. With fines and lawyers’ fees, the amount is several hundreds of thousands of dollars. There will be a shade meeting to discuss next steps.

COMMISSION MEETING OCTOBER 3, 2023

Drew Bartlett, the Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District, made a lengthy presentation. An important takeaway from the presentation was that most of the projects currently under way are in Martin County. There is certainly a commitment to us and our environment.

There was also a brief discussion about the half-cent sales tax proposal to buy ecologically threated parcels mostly in the southern part of the county. If passed, it will raise $18.3 million a year for ten years or $183 million. That is a good deal of money.

Once passed, the county could use bonding to buy land at today’s prices. Since about 37.5% of sales tax is paid by those who live outside of Martin County, almost $7 million a year will be paid by nonresidents who clearly are Martin County shoppers and diners.

Commissioner Scott said she was in favor of the buying of land but didn’t trust the county commission not to do something else with the money as they did last time…like build Splash Water Park. There is some debate as to whether the commission exceeded the referendum’s authority, and she is right that there is a great mistrust of the county commission. But in this case, part of the ordinance language includes the creation of the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee made up of a majority of citizens not appointed by the commission to screen the purchases.

Town Manager Garlo was evaluated by the commissioners. He performed outstandingly according to his bosses. So much so that he received a 10% bonus.

It must be exceedingly hard to be a town manger on Jupiter Island. And Bob Garlo seems to be pleasing his bosses. His present salary of $250,000 may seem high, but it isn’t when compared to the demands of Jupiter Island. Though a small town in size and population, it is a full-service shop, and it only has the carriage trade as clientele.

Later in the meeting, the town attorney said that he would have to check whether the way the town wants to pay the bonus is legal under Florida Statute. It isn’t. Chapter 215 Section 425 has a distinct prohibition against bonuses paid retroactively. But I am sure that it can be overcome and paid out legally.

There also was a discussion of making sewer available to the north part of town. Every time septic to sewer is a topic, the same battles and talking points are mentioned not only here but all over. At present, there is no mandate that you hook up to sewer if it is available. If a septic system fails, a new permit will not be issued, and the property owner must hook up.

Commissioner Field said that at some point the legislature will mandate hookup. He went on that the town should be setting an example and has an obligation to do so. Noblesse Oblige at its finest. Field also mentioned that septic systems contribute significantly to pollution in the Indian River Lagoon. Well said, Commissioner.

By Taryn Kryzda 

Former Martin County Administrator & Current Indiantown Village Manager

On Oct. 3, I attended the Jupiter Island Town Commission meeting for a presentation by Drew Bartlett, executive director of the South Florida Water Management District. Drew provided an overview of the projects they have completed as well as the ones they expect to finalize next year.

Prior to Mr. Bartlett’s presentation, the Town’s legislative person gave a short presentation on the Land and Water ½ cent infrastructure sales tax initiative that will appear on the Nov. 5 ballot. Jupiter Island Commissioner Anne Scott cited her “serious concerns” about the new Martin County Commission using sales tax monies inappropriately “as they have in the past.” She then said that “the last time the commission got its hands on conservation money, it built a waterpark.”

She’s referring to Sailfish Splash, and her statement could not be more untrue.

I served as county administrator when the last ½ cent infrastructure sales tax was approved. The ballot language read: ‘To purchase conservation lands to protect the Indian River Lagoon, St. Lucie river and drinking water sources; to preserve and restore natural areas, wildlife habitat and beaches; to create and improve parks, other recreational opportunities and trails for walking, hiking and biking; and for municipal prioritized conservation, recreation or infrastructure projects; subject to citizen oversight, zero spending on administration and annual independent audit, shall Martin County levy a ½ cent sales tax for 5 years?’

Upon the ballot’s approval, county commissioners committed 50 percent of the ½ cent to purchase conservation lands as defined in the referendum.  The other 50 percent went to fund recreational projects identified in the park master plan. The park master plan included a competitive swimming pool, as the pool at Martin County High School was deficient for competitive swimming meets and practice. During the discussion of a competitive pool, it was determined that to make the pool self-sustaining, an amusement component should be included for families to enjoy. The master plan was revised. The waterpark component was added to the project and recommended for funding through the sales tax.

While the previous conservation sales tax initiative covered land conservation and parks improvements, the current proposal is limited to the former.

The Nov. 5 initiative could raise more than $18 million a year to purchase and maintain up to 43,000 acres of conservation land in unincorporated Martin County. A citizen-oversight committee will identify the initial properties, which can only be sold voluntarily. More than 37 percent of the tax revenue is projected to derive from tourism, limiting the impact on residents.

Further, groceries and medications are exempt from the tax. Finally, it only applies to the first $5,000 of a major purchase. It will also generate revenue for local municipalities.

It would be a shame if this initiative to conserve land fails due to misrepresentation of the facts. In the 35 years of my employment with Martin County Board of County Commissioners, I can attest that every sales tax initiative generated revenue that was used as intended per the language established in each ballot, approved by the Board and passed by the voters of Martin County.

To make statements that would suggest otherwise is reckless, puts future initiatives at risk and threatens an opportunity to conserve the natural Martin County we love.

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

The City of Stuart is becoming unrecognizable.

In all the time I have known the employees of the city, I have never seen them more dismayed. Even more than when Manager Ross came to town. This is not a good sign in any way. I would not be surprised to see an exodus of some of our best in the next few months.

It is no fun to work in a place that you dread coming to every day. Morale is in the toilet. And that is only after 2 months of the new commission.

People believe that government employees are lazy and/or incompetent. I have found that it is not true at all. Like in the private sector, about 80% want to put in their time, do good jobs, and go home. 10% are incompetent, don’t care about what they are doing, and eventually will be dismissed.

The other 10% are exceptional. They are the ones that take advanced courses, earn their master’s degrees, and will end up as department heads. Even if they are not yet department heads, they are the up and comers. These are the employees I am talking about.

These are the employees who will accomplish what the commission’s policy is. They are also the ones that are not going to cut corners or flout the law because a commissioner wants it that way. These people are in demand. They will look for new jobs and easily find them.

Once you lose core dedicated people like them, your city ceases to function very well. Maybe the new commission doesn’t care about these dedicated people. The citizens should because once they are gone, it will not be easy for someone to take their place, and there is no guarantee that they work in that high-performing 10%.

Professionals meet and connect with each other. Once a place has a bad reputation, it gets around. And Stuart is fast getting that reputation.

Neighboring towns and counties are looking at Stuart and calling it a joke. They use the behavior of the commissioners on the dais as a lesson on how not to behave. The city is dangerously close to becoming a parody. It may already be there.

Tom’s Articles

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The Washington Post: "Between Harris and Trump, it's hard to tell who's worse on economic matters"

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The New York Times: "Why Owning (and Buying) a Florida Condo Has 'Turned Into a Nightmare'

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The Washington Post: "Trump wants to take back manufacturing Jobs. It won't work."

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