
January has turned out to be a very busy month. In the coming week it will only be more so.
Monday is Martin Luther King Day and the 2nd inaugural of Donald Trump. Many people are wondering what is in store for America in a second Trump Administration. Some are pinning all their hopes on the incoming president solving all the problems that plague us. Other are making out it will be Armageddon.
I am going to take a wait and see approach to him the second time around. Trump was elected and the country should give him a chance before condemning everything he wants to do. That is the least all Americans can do.
In this week’s edition it should be entitled “you can’t make this stuff up.” The county and Stuart are once again at odds. Chair Heard wants to make the same mistake again regarding CRAs.
Please make sure you are peaking into our Facebook page. We have articles that will keep you informed throughout the month.
I want you to look at our columnist. Dr. Michele does a deep dive into why alcohol is carcinogenic. David Hafner goes into the history of citrus. The Humane Society speaks about the Mutt March. Not to mention the rest with updates on organizations and what is going on.
If you want to join our columnists, please let me know. The more information we can get out there the better. The same goes for your nonprofit organizations. If you have a press release or event let us help publicize it.
Have a great Sunday Morning!
When younger, there are more crises that you face or at least you perceive them to be crises. Many people and (me included) have made mountains out of molehills numerous times. As you become older, you have less of a tendency to do that.
It doesn’t mean your threat assessment of life’s little hurdles may not differ from others. A good example is the threat of a hurricane. Once I read or see it broadcast, I am all ready to spring into action. Maybe it was my days volunteering at the Red Cross (when we had a Red Cross) that alerted me to the potential seriousness of an event like that. It could be because of all the years I spent ready to go to the emergency center. I create a plan and then listen to the updates as they come out to determine implementation points.
On the other hand, my wife would wait until the first breezes of the storm begin blowing to become ready. She says the paths change so often that why become alarmed before you must. Of course, she is right much more than I. Yet I don’t call what I do alarmist just making sure we are ready…in case.
My planning for several scenarios might be because of my business career. You need to have a plan to have a successful business and to anticipate different scenarios. I always tried to plan out at least five years in advance. Most of those projections never happened. But planning allowed me to move forward in the immediate.
Some may call my method the antithesis of seizing the day. I would respond that I was always willing to change on a dime if necessary or for a better opportunity. You need to make sure planning doesn’t become dogmatic, and you don’t follow it when circumstances change. You adapt. With that in mind, I like my method.
I believe people are born and inherently have those traits that they exhibit throughout their life. Because I see the worst, I am a born pessimist. That way I can be so glad when the opposite occurs. My wife will always find the rainbow in any storm and is the optimist in our family.
The one thing both of us now do as we have become older is not to look too far into the future. At least for me, I don’t need to plan so far out any longer. I guess that is what you call living in the moment.
In 2023, the median age in the United States was 38.5 years. That is more than double the country that has the youngest median age of 15.1 years which is Niger. It seems the richer the nation is the older its population.
If you look at Europe, Iceland, which I consider a European nation, is the youngest at 37.8 years and Monaco is the oldest in Europe and the world at 56.2. The number one reason that the U.S. is so young as compared to Europe and the rest of the developed world is immigration. The greatest reason our population has grown is because of newcomers coming into the country.
Immigrants accounted for 84% of the 1% growth rate in 2023. Native born Americans have a falling birthrate and a rising deathrate due to age. My age is nearly double that of the U.S. median. You can’t run an economy with just old people.
Yet if the Trump administration has aggressive enforcement you may see up to 650,000 immigrants leave in the first year. That will certainly put an upward pressure on wages and inflation. There will be less taxes collected on every level if that were to occur. Social Security would also have less money being contributed.
States like California and New York would have seen their populations change even more drastically without immigration. Seventeen states had more people die than were born. Florida is estimated to have 747,000 undocumented migrants that paid $1.8 billion in state and local taxes, proportionately per capita contributing the same as native born Americans.
The State of Florida will be particularly hard hit if there is vigorous enforcement. Three of the largest industries in the state…construction, agriculture, and hospitality…rely heavily on undocumented immigrants to fill jobs. If only 10% or 20% of them were to leave, it would lead to shortages of workers and drive-up costs and depress tax revenue.
Japan and Italy are two of the advanced nations with the oldest populations. Within a decade, there will be severe labor shortages there. Both governments deter new immigrants from entering whether legally or not. What happens to them may be a harbinger for the United States.
By 2033, the Social Security system will only be able to afford to pay 80% of the benefit cost derived under the formula. For the more affluent that may be fine but, for the majority of beneficiaries for whom the program is their major source of income, it will be devastating. We need more people paying into the system and that can only be immigrants because of the native-born low birthrates.
One in five Americans receive Social Security benefits. Do you think any politician is likely to cut the deficit there? I don’t believe that and I know no one who does.
People are mostly remembered about how they leave.
That may seem a strange thing to write but think about it for a minute. You can be great in a job, elected office, or a volunteer position, but if you stay too long that is what you will be remembered for. Joe Biden stayed too long.
That is how Joe will be remembered. The history books will name his achievements as a senator, vice-president, and president but the last sentence will be he had to step down from running for a second term because he was too old to do the job. Not a great way to be memorialized.
There is an art to know when to leave the stage. Every great performer believes he should leave with the audience wanting more. Some of us innately understand the concept, others do not.
Mostly pols do not have the good sense to go. California Senator Diane Feinstein clearly did not possess all her faculties in the last years of her career. South Carolina Senator Strom Thurmond is another example of not even knowing where he was or what he was voting for the last few years he was in the Senate.
Feinstein had many accomplishments, but we only now know her as the senator that seemed to be lost when questioning witnesses before the Judiciary Committee that she led and was forced to step down from. Many good and accomplished people forget that time does not stand still.
When first running in 2020, Joe Biden said he was only going to be there for one term. He was a transitional person from his generation and the boomers to Gen X and the millennials. But then he forgot the part about being transitional.
Ask any comedian and they will tell you that timing is everything. Knowing when you should enter a relationship, take a job, leave the scene, or retire determines how you will ultimately be remembered. Do you want to be remembered for making your own decision to leave when the time was right or being forced out by others. Just ask Joe.
For as long as there has been a Democratic Party, there has been the belief especially among Democrats that they represent blue-collar workers. With the election of Trump for a second time, that has been proven not to be true. But it really hasn’t been true for quite some time as is evident by the rise of Republicans in many different blue-collar districts that were once solidly Democratic.
Since Lyndon Johnson was in the White House, the government has tried to keep U.S. Steel in business to preserve jobs for American workers by various tariffs, subsidies, and quotas. All to no avail. In 1943 at the height of WW II, the company had 340,000 employees while today there are 22,000 and shrinking.
The company is a perfect example of why the government should stay out of markets. They make them less efficient. By stopping the purchase of the company by Nippon, Biden showed how union bosses and supposedly the people they represent aren’t always in alignment. To be fair to the Dems, incoming President Trump also said he was not in favor of the purchase.
U.S. Steel put itself on the market. No other American firm bid. Japanese-owned Nippon Steel pledged to invest $2.7 billion for new blast furnaces in the older mills, honor all union contracts, and not close any plants including giving the government veto power for the next decade. It sounds like a win for the shareholders of the public company, both union and non-union employees, and America. Then why did President Biden kill it over the objections of his advisors.
The Japanese company has been operating mills in the U.S. for more than 40 years. Japan is our key ally in East Asia and a reliable trading partner. It isn’t as if they would spend all this money to modernize and then look to close plants in the future.
As usual, the decision was not because it was best for the “working man.” The union bosses are mad because Nippon did not include them in the negotiation with the company even though they are recognizing the unions’ contracts. They would rather have no deal to preserve jobs because the union hierarchy believes they were slighted.
Biden had plenty of time to kill the deal before the election. Why did he do it two weeks before leaving office? I guess a payback for union support. It wasn’t because the rank and file will be better off or even turned out for him in the election.
Should Trump come back in and try to resurrect the sale? If he wants to deliver for those who voted for him he should. Or will he allow his xenophobia to rule the day?
Probably within the next few years, some of the plants will close and workers will lose their jobs because of this action. That is the Democrats’ legacy…kow-tow to union chiefs and forget about the union members themselves. Is there any wonder why Trump won in the places these plants are located?
At the same time, Trump and the Republicans need to put aside ideology and do what is best for American companies, their employees, and the American people. The Japanese are not China or Russia. The plants are not going to be disassembled and sent to Japan. During round two of the Trump presidency, are we going to see his myopic vision or his being a statesman? I hope for the latter, but I fear the former.
Remember when people didn’t do so many stupid things? I really can’t remember but maybe the people that you know are smarter than the ones I do. Perhaps even a bit quicker when trying to beat a speeding locomotive.
Since late December, there have been three completely avoidable accidents regarding Brightline. Each occurred because of stupid behavior. It baffles the mind why these incidents even happened.
On December 28th, a Delray Beach Fire Rescue ladder truck went around a down railroad gate resulting in a crash that injured 15 people. It wasn’t as if the gate was broken or malfunctioned. It was probably a route the driver of the fire truck has taken many times.
On January 8th, a car drove around a closed gate as a train was coming through North Miami. Fortunately, the passengers in the auto did not suffer life threatening injuries. Yet what about the train passengers and engineer that witnessed it. It must be traumatic.
Then on January 9th in Indian River County, a man and a woman were walking on the tracks to a nearby homeless encampment. Both seemed intoxicated. And then along came a Brightline choo choo. Only the woman suffered injuries.
In none of the incidents I describe did the train ever leave the tracks in search of cars, trucks, or people to hit. (I say this with tongue in cheek.) Why would anyone want to try their luck against a speeding train? Have we lost all common sense?
One might say that if Brightline wasn’t there, none of this would happen. But that is not true. Freight trains that can take a long time to pass have been around for over a hundred years on these very tracks. On the other hand, Brightline takes a minute or two to go through an intersection. But why would people or fire trucks be bypassing downed gates or walking on active railroad tracks.
It is true that in most instances with other high-speed trains, there are what are known as sealed corridors. People do not have easy access to tracks. That system really works well if the tracks are either elevated or below grade. Once both roadways and tracks are at the same level, then people can gain access to the entire network.
The railroad owns the crossings. If they decide to revoke the right of way where the road crosses the track, then you can solve the problem of irresponsibility but that would result in a bifurcated town or county. It would almost make one think that the Berlin Wall was back.
How especially could a first responder ignore the down gate? It is fine that he wanted to get to the incident quickly, but by not following protocol, he put others at risk, caused damage to both the train and truck, and never made it to the incident at all. There is no wonder that it was reported his license had been suspended previously.
I bet many of us have witnessed drivers trying to beat the odds. Why they think they can do so is perplexing. What is even more perplexing is why they would even want to try.
Recent studies share the same findings: An alarming number of adolescents today suffer with anxiety.
Some report figures as high as 32 percent; others “only” 21 percent, but even the latter is double the rate reported just 10 years ago.
Our familiarity with the issue at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County (BGCMC) dates back much further. Understanding the challenging circumstances many children in our care endure, we’ve long emphasized mental wellness practices—and employed them consistently, comprehensively, and creatively in age-appropriate fashions using professionally led principles. That’s why during covid we worked so diligently to remain connected to our members through daily meal deliveries, virtual club sessions and in-person activity as early and as safely as possible.
The more than 720 members in our four clubs and more than 6,000 we reach through programs such as our AmeriCorps mentors in local elementary and middle schools get to experience the BGCMC values of academics, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. Boiled down, it turns out that when others accept as you are, invest time in you, and expect the best for you and from you, it produces a calming effect that hedges against the generalized anxiety often found in children from unstable home environments.
For specific concerns, our social service specialists come in. BGCMC has on staff licensed mental health counselors certified in Youth Mental Health First Aid and Question, Persuade and Refer—acclaimed methods for recognizing signs of more serious conditions and preventing self-harm, even suicide. Our counselors also work closely with staff members, ensuring they’re adept at listening and responding in ways that promote emotional well-being.
The future is frightening when you feel confused, threatened, and shut out of all it has to offer. But there’s no reason why our members can’t become successful in their fields of interest. They just need a chance to explore and discover those interests.
From our culinary program to our partnerships in the public and private sectors as well as academia, club members get to learn about entrepreneurship, computer coding, augmented/virtual reality technology, drone operation, fashion creation and so much more. Acquiring and refining marketable skills bolsters a sense of agency and independence and reduces anxiousness about their career choices.
Studies on adolescent anxiety cite factors ranging from fears about the next school shooting to overconsumption of screen time. Each child’s situation is as unique as they are, so we’re sensitive not to oversimplify any solution. But we believe in the time-tested value of educating, encouraging, and empowering them to overcome any obstacles they face—internal and external alike.
Keith Fletcher's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
Florida is a major producer of oranges, especially orange juice. Florida oranges are often considered some of the best in the world due to our favorable climate and growing conditions. So why is our citrus production declining?
Florida citrus began its decline in 2005, the year the citrus greening disease Huanglongbing (HLB) was detected. During the 2012-2013 growing season, Florida growers harvested 133,600,000 boxes of oranges. The number continued to decline each year down to the 2021-2022 season when growers harvested 41,050,000 boxes. That’s a 70% drop over ten years. (A box weighs about 90 pounds.)

Alico Citrus is a large citrus grower with land holdings over 8 Florida counties. A little over a week ago Alico made the announcement that they are stopping their citrus operations at the end of this current season. In a press release, Alico stated, “Our citrus production has declined approximately 73% over the last ten years, despite significant investments in land, trees, and citrus disease treatments, and the current harvest will likely be lower in volume than the previous season.” They credit the hurricanes of 2017, 2022, and 2024, along with damaging citrus diseases and financial viability for their stop in the citrus industry.
Though Alico’s shuttering is huge, if you have been paying attention to the signs this is no big surprise. It was somewhere around 2017-2018 that the Louis Dreyfus Citrus Plant in Indiantown closed operations and the last commercial groves in Martin County were pushed over in 2021. I rode around in the bed of a pickup truck through that last grove in 2020 capturing footage for a video I created about what will come if we do not support our local agriculture industry. Unfortunately, I was right.

In 1970, the U.S. produced nearly 50% of the world’s oranges. This number dropped to 25% by 2000 and was at 5% for 2023. Much of that share reduction has been taken by Brazil (35%), China (16%) and the European Union (12%). 2014 was the last year the U.S. was a net exporter of citrus. Since then, we now import more citrus than we export.
Though Universities are working to create new varieties of citrus so our growers can stage a comeback, it may be too late for the Florida citrus industry thanks to our booming real estate market. With 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, developers are grabbing up land wherever they can. Unfortunately, often the sellers are in the agriculture sector, farmers who are trying to recoup some of their losses by selling their most valuable asset. For many it is a heart wrenching necessity that stands between continuing the farm and losing it all.
In the case of Alico, they intend to sell 25% of their 53,371 acres for commercial and residential development, with 10% of that targeted for the next five years. Now, it would be easy to say they are selling out or they are taking the easy path, but it is only fair to share the steps Alico has taken over the years to be good stewards of their land and to be good neighbors:
1. Alico estimates approximately 75% of its current land holdings are likely to remain agriculturally focused for the foreseeable future.
2. Approximately 40,000 acres of the Alico Ranch were sold to the State of Florida since 2017 for environmental easements.
3. Alico donated 760 acres of land in 1992 to establish Florida Gulf Coast University.
I hate to see the failing of such a viable industry and a symbol of our great state. So many others, like tomatoes, blueberries, and peppers, are on the same trend if we as consumers won’t do our part to intentionally buy local produce. Check your food labels for country of origin.
David Hafner’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
Dear Tom,
I intended to send you a piece, but it was sad. Instead, I worked on a
Holiday newsletter inspired by the ones I get from friends.
I worked on it while my daughter was here and finished it up but realized I forgot the most important fact was that my brother died in Sept. Kinda sad, like I said.
I will get back on track for the next edition.
For Christmas, I received a book on "The Godfather" and watched a tribute to Coppola and then watched "Apocalypse Now."
Who remembered Martin Sheen was so good looking??? I also saw "A Complete Unknown" with my kid who had to google Bob Dylan to see how fetching he was when he was young.
Anyway, Movie Jones has a lot to say and,
Now Jimmy Carter has passed. So, history is calling too.
Thank you for publishing this online paper. Here's looking at you, 2025.
Take care,
Nicki
Nicki van Vonno’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
Keeping Your Pets Safe and Comfortable During Cold Weather
It’s been quite cold outside – even for Florida! As the temperatures drop, it’s crucial to take proactive measures to keep our pets safe and comfortable this season.
One of the lesser-known dangers during cold weather is the tendency of cats to seek warmth in car engines. Cats are naturally curious and may crawl into these warm spaces, putting themselves at risk when the vehicle is started. To prevent this, it’s good practice to tap on your car hood or honk the horn before starting your engine, giving any hidden feline a chance to escape. In the event that you start your car and discover a cat hiding, make sure to take the cat to a nearby vet as soon as possible, as most likely they will have burns or other medical needs that will need immediate attention.
Additionally, providing extra bedding for your pets can significantly enhance their comfort during colder months. Ensure that they have a warm, insulated space where they can snuggle up and stay cozy. This is especially important for outdoor animals, like colony cats, who may not have access to heated shelters.
According to the Humane Society of the United States, building or purchasing insulated shelters for outdoor cats is extremely beneficial for their well-being. These can be made from materials like wood, a Styrofoam cooler, or plastic which help retain heat. Ensure that the shelter is small enough to conserve warmth but not too large as that can cause heat to escape. Adding straw as bedding is beneficial since it provides insulation and helps keep moisture at bay. Blankets and towels tend to absorb body heat and are not recommended for outdoor, insulated shelters.
Understanding your pet's breed can also play a vital role in keeping them safe in cold weather. Some breeds are more resilient to low temperatures due to their thick fur coats – like huskies, while others may be more susceptible to the cold and require additional protection such as sweaters or jackets when outdoors. Small and elderly dogs are more sensitive to the colder climates. Be sure to limit the time outdoors on extra cold days and watch your pet’s behavior and body language to know when they are ready to come in.
By being mindful of these factors, you can help ensure that your furry friends remain safe and healthy throughout the winter season. And don’t forget – if you need someone to snuggle up with this winter, make sure to stop by our shelter in Palm City or any of our partnering mobile adoption locations as we have plenty of furry paws and wet noses who would love to cuddle with you!
Frank Valente's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
Alcohol and Cancer
While everyone was busy celebrating the holidays... probably with a drink in hand. You may have missed the news that the Surgeon General has suggested putting a warning label on alcoholic beverages about the risk of developing cancer from drinking. When warning labels were placed on packs of cigarettes in 1965 it led to a dramatic decrease in smoking rates. As the saying goes, knowledge is power.
Most Americans are aware that too much alcohol can lead to liver problems and cirrhosis, but I don't think it is very well known that alcohol causes cancer. In fact, alcohol is the third most preventable cause of cancer behind tobacco and obesity.
There are seven types of cancer that drinking alcohol increases your risk for. These include breast cancer (women only), throat cancer, mouth cancer, liver cancer, laryngeal cancer and colon and rectal cancer. Basically, any surface the alcohol touches as it goes through your system is affected. In addition, for men only, pancreatic cancer is also increased with alcohol use.
There are four ways that alcohol can cause cancer. Alcohol breaks down into acetaldehyde which damages DNA in multiple ways causing an increased risk of cancer. Alcohol also induces oxidative stress which also damages DNA, proteins, cells and increases inflammation. The third way is that alcohol alters levels of multiple hormones including estrogen, which can increase the risk of breast cancer in women. Finally, alcohol can lead to greater absorption of carcinogens. For example, if someone is smoking at the same time they are drinking, the carcinogens from the cigarette dissolve in the alcohol. The alcohol alters the cells in your mouth and throat, and this leads to the carcinogens being more easily absorbed.
In addition, since women metabolize alcohol slower, their risk from alcohol is slightly higher.
In addition to the cancer risk alcohol is detrimental in several other ways. Most people are familiar with alcohol's effect on the liver and that long term abuse can lead to cirrhosis. People may not realize however the alcohol can also affect the heart, the brain, and several other organs.
There is something called holiday heart which is when the heart goes into an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation after someone binge drinks. Atrial fibrillation is a dangerous condition in that it can lead to blood clots in the heart which can break off and cause blood clots in the lung (pulmonary embolism) as well as strokes. In addition, alcohol can also cause a condition called cardiomyopathy which is a weakness of the heart muscle and can lead to heart failure.
Alcohol can cause inflammation of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. This actually can be a life-threatening condition if complications arise, and people don’t get prompt treatment. Alcohol can lead to gastritis which is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach and can eventually lead to gastric ulcers. Believe it or not alcohol can also lead to erectile dysfunction.
Finally, alcohol can also have detrimental effects on the brain and can lead to alcohol induced brain damage. This can cause memory loss and the inability to complete tasks. People can become incapable of controlling their finances or remembering how to cook a meal.
Unfortunately, if you have been drinking alcohol consistently over a long period of time you can’t just stop cold turkey as that can also lead to medical issues. The most well-known of these complications are the DTs or delirium tremens. This is actually a life-threatening condition that causes extremely high blood pressure, elevated heart rate, elevated temperature, a change in mental status and agitation. This is a condition that requires an ICU setting to treat.
In summary there are many health issues that are related to drinking with cancer, being the ones that most people are unaware of. However, with all that being said... with regard to cancer... cigarette smoking still has a 20% higher risk of leading to cancer than alcohol. So, if you have a drink on occasion it is not going to cause cancer but people should be aware it is not just a benign pastime.
Michele Libman’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
Martin County, along with most counties in most states, is facing a serious housing crisis. That crisis is especially daunting for our fixed income and low wage earners, with the need far outpacing available inventory of safe and affordable units for rent or sale. I am sure that this is not new information for most of our readers.
What is new information is that House of Hope is getting ready to launch our Home Sharing Program. We are actively seeking homeowners and landlords to connect to our program. This is the latest program addition to our HOME (Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone) Initiative. If you are a homeowner and you have an interest in renting a room in your home, we would welcome the opportunity to work with you. If you are a property owner and are seeking qualified tenants to lease a house or apartment to, we would welcome the opportunity to work with you as well.
Whether you are seeking a tenant to rent a room, an apartment or a house, we have a pool of qualified applicants to help you fill your space quickly, efficiently and safely. Our clients in the program will go through background checks, credit checks, and have their finances reviewed by our Housing Coordinator or a member of our Case Management team to minimize risk and set both the landlord and tenant up for success. Home sharing provides many benefits to the landlord, including:
• Extra income to offset rising expenses connected to homeownership
• Safeguard and potentially increase retirement savings
• Stay in your home and community longer
• Companionship
If you are a homeowner interested in connecting to qualified tenants, please email us at Housing@hohmartin.org to start the process.
House of Hope believes that safe and stable housing for all residents is a cornerstone of a healthy and vibrant community. We believe in HOME (Housing Opportunities Made for Everyone). In addition to Home Sharing, we address this in several ways: Our financial assistance program works to keep people housed, healthy and safe. We have strong partnerships with local shelters run by other area nonprofits including supplying them with healthy food for their residents.
Our Housing Committee and House of Hope leadership are working with local governments, other nonprofits, funders, for profit businesses, and leaders in the land development arena to create process, policy, and opportunity to bring more affordable housing inventory to our area. We also now have a full time Housing Coordinator dedicated to developing relationships with local landlords, assisting clients with finding housing to match their budgets, and developing new programs to get and keep people housed safely.
We will continue to strive to add more tools to our toolkit to address the critical need for housing in our community. As always, we are grateful for the support of our community and the many ways our neighbors impact our mission to empower residents to overcome hunger and hardship. To learn more about us please visit our website at www.hohmartin.org.
Rob Ranieri’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
I am looking forward to 2025. I am hopeful that the housing market will experience a new robust energy and that mortgage interest rates will begin to fall. Interest rates, construction costs and insurance are the key components in the housing market. The higher they rise the more a home (or payment) will become. A + B + C = affordability.
No matter what we call affordable housing, it is defined as the home the average person can purchase and maintain. I am convinced that many people still think it is a home that is grand and move-in ready. The truth is the only way to determine affordability, in my opinion, is based on the income of the person(s) buying the home. It cannot be forced by the government or agencies that want to make us all feel good.
When I was young, I went to meet with the developer of St. Lucie West. At the meeting he threw a large binder on the desk and said it was an “affordable housing study" that he had to conduct prior to the approval of his project. He stated, “I spent thousands of dollars on this report, and I can sum it up in several words, GET A ROOMMATE”. The point was that to make any home affordable you must have two incomes … the 50’s are over.
Affordable housing, work force housing, attainable housing are all synonyms for the same concept. I do not believe we can “create” affordable housing but there may be room for ideas that would help builders and developers, however many of these ideas put less expensive housing next to an expensive neighborhood. This causes angst amongst the neighbors. As our available inventory declines, pricing goes up - basic economics. So, how do we make housing affordable in a high demand market is the real question.
Reducing regulations for some housing could be an option for reducing the costs. Government donated land for certain homes that are deemed for qualified income criteria is an option. The problem comes when the home becomes more valuable and the neighborhood becomes less affordable - unless there is a deed restriction tying the sale to an income requirement, which is counter intuitive to our market economy and private property rights.
The subject is broad and creates long debates. I moved to Martin County in 1990 as a renter, in Sunset Trace. Moving here allowed me to become a resident and active citizen of our county. I have become a homeowner and even own several affordable rental units in our hometown. Affordable housing must include clean safe rental units.
John Gonzalez’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
Mapp Road Continues to Improve
I love to drive along Mapp Road in Palm City since all the improvements. The road and landscaping are very beautiful. The trees in bloom add color and character to the street. The wide sidewalks are often filled with children and families enjoying walks and bike rides. The beautiful fountain has lights that change color, and the fishing pier is a highlight for many young fishermen.
There is a wonderful path around the pond that provides an opportunity for lovely strolls in the early morning or evening. The addition of concrete cornhole boards, checkerboard tables, and ping pong tables are free for people to use, just bring your own materials such as checkers and bean bags.
The completion of The Patio at Palm City Place has been added as a venue for events such as the Palm City Chamber of Commerce’s Holiday Village and the upcoming Patio Playlist Music Series. There will be monthly concerts that are free of charge for residents and guests to come and enjoy the music and the outdoors. You can bring lawn chairs or blankets and plan to enjoy a picnic or purchase food from the food trucks or neighborhood restaurants.
The first Patio Playlist Music Series was held on Friday, January 17th. Carla Holbrook, a celebrated local vocalist, entertained the crowd with her amazing talent. The second in the Patio Playlist Music Series will be Loriana Colazzo and a few of her musical proteges. This will take place on Friday, February 21st beginning at 6:00PM.
These events are presented by Martin County District 5 Commissioner Ed Ciampi. There will be food and beverage trucks available. Commissioner Ciampi hopes that these events are more than just a concert. His vision is a celebration of community that provides time and opportunity for neighbors and friends to come together, share good times, and support local talent. The spectacular views beneath the stars will enhance our time together.
So come out and enjoy all that Palm City has to offer. Bring your blankets and chairs, pack a picnic or grab take out at a local restaurant, and settle in for an evening of family, fun ,and community!
Missi Campbell’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
What Will 2025 Bring for Public Education?
As of January 12, 2025, several bills have been introduced in the Florida Legislature that could significantly impact K-12 public education.
House Bill 123: Charter Schools and Property Management
HB 123 focuses on charter schools and school district property management. It introduces the concept of "job engine charter schools," allowing municipalities to establish charter schools designed to address workforce needs. Additionally, the bill requires school boards to submit a five-year plan to the Department of Education before occupying any newly purchased property.
A "job engine charter school" offers technical skills programs such as welding, coding, or healthcare certifications. It sounds like Indiantown High School.
My take
I see this as steering more students away from post-secondary education, which aligns with the agenda of our next president.
Senate Bill 136: Teacher Compensation Reform
SB 136 proposes significant changes to the pay structure for public school personnel. The bill eliminates the requirement for cost-of-living salary adjustments (COLA) and allows school boards to base part of teacher compensation on performance.
This could lead to a high-performing teacher in Martin County receiving a pay raise for achieving strong student growth scores. However, teachers working with challenging student populations may struggle to meet performance metrics, potentially leading to pay disparities.
My take
This could go either way in Martin County. Seeing as half of our board aligns with defunding public education and has a tense relationship with the union, it has potential to go sideways.
Senate Bill 74: Universal Free School Meals
SB 74 proposes a Universal Free School Breakfast and Lunch Program.
All students would receive free breakfast and lunch regardless of their family's income. This program could improve attendance and academic performance, as students are better able to focus without worrying about hunger.
My take
If kids are hungry, they literally can’t learn. I understand concerns about cost and waste, as well as the nutritional value of the food itself, but overall, it seems compassionate and like the right thing to do.
House Bill 99: ESOL Graduation Requirements
HB 99 addresses graduation requirements for students enrolled in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) programs. The bill proposes adjustments to ensure these students have equitable opportunities to meet graduation standards.
High schools with a high ESOL student population might see increased graduation rates.
My take
I think it’s important to address the ESOL student population, but I’m concerned with lowering expectations and placing them on different tracks than their peers. Will these students be pushed into those “job engine charter schools?”
2025 will certainly be a big year.
Sydney Thomas' opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
It is the middle of January and just like that the holidays are behind us.
I certainly hope 2025 treats all surf anglers better than the fall of 2024. Dirty water, lots of wind, and big surf was the norm from this past October on, and the hope is for things to change in our favor. The anticipated winter surf run of pompano is showing signs of possibly developing as the water north of us in the Daytona and Melbourne area has finally dropped out of the comfort zone for our Florida pompano, and the pompano, bluefish, and Spanish mackerel are definitely showing. We have also been hit with a few substantial cold fronts and some of the schools of the above-mentioned species are being caught in the Juno and Jupiter area.
The key to catching pompano during the winter is the ability to put your bait 80 to 100 yards off the beach and find stretches of clean water that the pompano prefer. The number one selling surf rod for the past two years has been the Florida Surf Anglers Over the Bar series in the 12- and 13-foot models.
The Penn Spinfisher Longcast reels in the 6500 and 7500 sizes, and the new Quantum Strive and Benchmark 8000 models are a perfect addition to put you in the pompano catching group. Fishbites has two new baits: the EZ Flea Electric Chicken and the Ghost Shrimp, which have been the two hot baits so far this season. There is some life along our Martin County beaches as my catch list today included pompano, bluefish, jacks, and whiting.
Besides fishing the long rods for the pompano keep a light setup ready like a 7-foot medium action rod paired with a 3000 or 4000 size spinning reel to put a silver spoon on and cast to breaking bluefish, jacks, and mackerel. The pompano run is starting late so hopefully this year's fishing will run through the month of May. Here are some of the beaches that have been providing some action: Tiger Shores, Stuart Beach, Santa Lucea, and Bryn Mar. Happy New Year to everyone and let's hope the fishing keeps getting better as we get into the upcoming months. Good Luck and Catch Em Up.
Paul Sperco’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
Why Medical Treatment Matters After an Accident
Accidents can change your life in an instant, and the decisions you make afterward can significantly impact your recovery and financial stability. In Florida, seeking medical care within 14 days is essential to preserve personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, which can cover medical expenses regardless of fault. Acting quickly is key to safeguarding both your health and your legal rights.
Florida's 14-Day Rule
Florida law requires accident victims to seek medical treatment within 14 days to maintain eligibility for PIP benefits. This time-sensitive rule ensures that your medical costs are covered, but if you miss this window, you may lose access to these benefits and face costly out-of-pocket expenses.
Delays in seeking treatment can also complicate any claims you may file later. Prompt action is essential for both your recovery and the strength of your case.

Why Seeking Immediate Care Is Vital
Taking care of your health should always come first. Even if you feel fine immediately after an accident, certain injuries—like concussions, whiplash, or internal bleeding—may not show symptoms until days or even weeks later. Early medical evaluation can catch these hidden injuries before they become more serious.
Medical records created shortly after the accident are also invaluable. They establish a clear connection between the accident and your injuries, making them critical evidence for any personal injury claims.
How Medical Records Strengthen Your Case
Medical documentation is essential for demonstrating the severity of your injuries and the care required for recovery. Properly maintained records can:
● Provide clear evidence linking your injuries to the accident.
● Strengthen your claim during insurance negotiations or legal proceedings.
● Counter-insurance tactics that aim to minimize your injuries or reduce settlements.
By ensuring every visit, diagnosis, and treatment is properly recorded, you create a strong foundation for your claim.
What to Expect During Medical Treatment
Recovering from an accident often involves multiple steps, which may include:
● Emergency care for immediate injuries.
● Follow-up visits with specialists for detailed evaluations.
● Physical therapy to aid recovery.
● Imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRIs, to identify underlying issues.
It’s also essential to follow your doctor’s recommendations for treatment. Skipping appointments or treatments not only jeopardizes your health but can also weaken your personal injury claim.
Finally, organize your medical records, receipts, and bills. These documents are crucial when seeking compensation for your injuries.
Gene Zweben’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
Memory Problems? Council on Aging Martin Has Solutions
Having problems with your memory? You can do something about it!
Just like other parts of your body, your brain can be strengthened, no matter what your age. In fact, as you get older, it’s more important than ever to exercise your brain and boost your mental functions, including your memory.
At the Council on Aging Martin County, our Memory Enhancement Center is a beehive of activity from Monday through Friday. People enrolled in the memory enhancement program at our Kane Center are playing word games, testing themselves on trivia questions and math problems, learning new things about science, dancing, and laughing, all in the interest of boosting their brain strength and increasing the sharpness of their memory.
The program is scientifically based and makes use of the latest neurological studies in how the brain functions and how memory is preserved and improved. For instance, a study in the Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society shows that the most socially active seniors have a 70% reduction in their rate of cognitive decline compared with their less social peers. So in our Memory Enhancement Center groups, the interactions that have everyone making new friends, sharing new experiences, and enjoying life are in fact as essential to brain health as adequate hydration, good nutrition, specific brain exercises, and appropriate medical care.
Our program director Phyllis Brown tells us how much fun the program participants have, even doing things they might not ordinarily do. “They feel engaged, they feel important, and they know that they still have a purpose in living,” Phyllis says. And throughout the mental and physical exercises, they are increasing brain function and memory.
Participants come to the program from all sorts of avenues – referral by a primary care physician or neurologist, family members or neighbors who are concerned about memory decline, Council on Aging and community support groups, and the Brain Matters program located on our Kane Center campus.
Individuals are also welcome to come in on their own. They’ll find themselves warmly received and invited to join a group of people with similar memory challenges. There’s a group for everyone at every level of memory strength.
There is a lot that can be done to help seniors remain active, engaged, and able to live meaningful lives. At our Memory Enhancement Center, we’re committed to helping people feel good about themselves, socialize for their mental and physical well-being, and lead their best lives as independently as possible for as long as possible.
If you know someone concerned about memory issues, please suggest to them that they contact our Memory Enhancement Center at 772-223-7843 for a tour or consultation, or visit our website www.coamartin.com for more information. It will make a positive difference in their lives and the lives of those who love them.
Karen Ripper's opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
The Power of Early Intervention: Why Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a game changer for families
In the whirlwind of parenting, particularly in those early years, every parent could use a little guidance. Whether it’s learning how to navigate sleep schedules, fostering early literacy, or providing the emotional and development support that our children need to thrive, the challenges seem endless. That’s where the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program comes in—a proven resource that empowers parents and caregivers to provide the best start for their children, from infancy through age five.
At its core, the Parents as Teachers program is designed to provide parents with the knowledge, support and tools necessary to give their children the very best developmental start in life. This home-visiting program delivers personalized coaching and resources to help understand their child’s growth, development and emotional needs. Through PAT, parents gain confidence, receive expert advice and form a critical partnership with trained educators who are dedicated to strengthening families and boosting child development.
The first years of a child’s life are the most crucial for cognitive, emotional and social development. Studies show that children who receive enriching experiences in their early years are more likely to succeed academically, socially and emotionally as they grow. The PAT program understands this and equips parents with the tools to turn everyday interactions—such as playtime, reading and conversation—into learning opportunities.
Through regular visits, parents receive personalized guidance on topics such as language development, early literacy, social skills and even positive discipline strategies. The beauty of PAT is that it doesn’t simply hand parents a one-size fits all solution. It tailors its approach based on the child’s specific developmental stage, ensuring that the support is both relevant and timely.
It's easy to overlook the challenges parents face, particularly those in underserved communities or families dealing with multiple stressors. But these challenges do not diminish the need for a child’s optimal development, in fact, they make it even more essential. Parents as Teachers is a program that meets families where they are, offering critical support without judgment. The program reduces barriers to access by providing services in-home or through virtual means, which is particularly helpful for families who lack transportation or resources to attend group sessions.
There is a growing body of evidence that illustrates the importance of early childhood education. Children who participate in programs like PAT often show significant gains in language skills, social-emotional development and cognitive abilities. These skills form the foundation for later academic achievement and success in life. In fact, many graduates of the PAT program demonstrate improved school readiness, lower rates of special education and reduced instances of grade repetition.
The value of PAT cannot be overstated. For those who acknowledge that every child deserves a bright future, this program offers the support parents need to give their child the best chance of success. The program is an investment in children and parents. Parents who participate are not only shaping their children’s lives, but they are also shaping the future of our society—and that is a powerful thing.
For more information about Hibiscus and our services, please visit us at www.hibiscuschildrenscenter.org.
Matt Markley's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
By Martin County Taxpayers
One may think that kids ought to enjoy being kids for a while before entering school. One may muse that the Department of Education appears in the delivery room with a catcher’s mitt. Obviously, parents these days are too busy working to do much in the way of pre-school preparation.
The difference between kids prepared for kindergarten and those who are not becomes apparent with the child’s ability to take orders, stay focused, follow a schedule and practice civility toward other kids. These are things which cannot be measured by testing. It is particularly important for English language learners (immigrant kids) to get this kick start. According to Jennifer Corkern, Director of Pre-Kindergarten Programs for the Martin County School District “Exactly 50% of our Title 1 VPK [voluntary pre-kindergarten] students are English Language Learners, this compares to 20% of students in non-Title 1 VPK classrooms.” A Title 1 student is one entitled to free or reduced lunches.
This is the first year that VPK has been offered in all Martin County elementary schools. And the School District would like VPK “wrap around” or what amounts to 6 hours instead of 3 (students stay until 1:50pm instead of just until 10:50am) to be available to all Martin County VPK Students. What can be tested and has been tested by FAST or the Florida Assessment for Student Thinking has found that “Students attending a full day of VPK scored an average percentage score of 85.9 on the FAST assessment and students only attending during VPK hours scored an average of 71.1 percentage points.” The students are tested 3 times a year to procure this data.
“Wrap around” VPK for all would cost a lot. Currently parents who utilize “wrap around” pay $360 a month for 10 months. MCSD will ask the State to pick up the bill. There would be no means testing should the state accommodate them. It is thought an additional 292 kids would take advantage of the program. It’s an ask of $1,051,200.
There have been, Jennifer tells us, children entering the school system with post Covid problems such as speech delays or baby talk not to mention the many behavioral challenges. She is hearing this from across the state. VPK wrap around could help solve these issues which will only continue to perpetuate and grow more serious. One wonders how many more years we will feel the consequences of Covid.
Martin County Tax Payers' opinions are their own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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Council on Aging Martin Begins Mobile Outreach Service to Martin County Seniors
STUART, FL - A brightly colored bus with the Council on Aging Martin County logo emblazoned on it is now bringing services directly to seniors in neighborhoods throughout Martin County.
“We realized how difficult it can be for some of our vulnerable seniors to get to us,” Council on Aging Martin President and CEO Karen Ripper said. “The best solution for helping those in need is for us to go to them and provide them with services and links to resources right in their neighborhood.”
Board Members, staff, funders, public officials and supporters joined together on January 7 for the official ribbon cutting for the bus, made possible with funding from Impact100 Martin, the Wong Family Foundation, and Cleveland Clinic Martin. The United Way of Martin County is providing funding for the social worker, the “Navigator,” who is staffing the van.
Council on Aging Martin County Board Members, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate the launch of the Elder Mobile Outreach Program bus on January 7. The bus is already making an impact in neighborhoods throughout Martin County.
In just four weeks on the road in Hobe Sound and Stuart, the Elder Mobile Outreach Program staff has already assisted more than 80 individuals with resources like securing affordable housing, referrals to Meals on Wheels or the Adult Day Club at the Kane Center, enrollment in the GUIDE program for people with dementia and their caregivers, medical consultation and screening from the Day Primary Care Center, and assistance with everything from unpaid utility bills to loneliness and isolation.
“Our overriding goal is to help seniors remain in their own homes,” Ripper said. “With the right resources, they can cope with the stresses of aging and continue to live in their home with a sense of safety and security. It’s a blessing to them as well as to their families and the community.”
The Elder Mobile Outreach Bus will continue adding stops to its itinerary, including Hobe Sound and Indiantown. “By meeting people in their own neighborhoods,” Ripper said, “we will relieve some of the stigma of asking for help and overcome any transportation challenges. Our community will be healthier as we address problems before they become catastrophes for seniors and their families.”
For more information about the Elder Mobile Outreach Program and other services of the Council on Aging Martin County, visit www.coamartin.org.
About the Council on Aging of Martin County
The Council on Aging of Martin County is the community’s hub for senior resources and the county’s Lead Agency on Aging. Founded in 1974, the organization offers expertise, programming and support for older adults and their families to help seniors maintain lives of quality and purpose. Services include Day Primary Care Center, Memory Enhancement Center, Adult Day Club, Meals on Wheels, care management, caregiver support, and a robust offering of educational, cultural, fitness and wellness programs.
The Kane Center located at 900 SE Salerno Road in Stuart is the Council on Aging of Martin County’s headquarters and is also an event venue available to the public. It serves as a special needs hurricane shelter when necessary. The Council on Aging of Martin County also operates senior outreach facilities in Hobe Sound, Jensen Beach, East Stuart and Indiantown. A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, the Council on Aging receives funding from state and federal agencies and relies on philanthropic support from the community, including other agencies, private foundations and individual donors. For more information, visit www.coamartin.org.
ArtsFest 2025:
Saturday & Sunday, February 8 & 9, 2025
Saturday 10AM-6PM, Sunday 10AM-4PM
Plan for a day filled with fine art, food, music, Stuart CHOPPED, and more all for $5! Our annual ArtsFest celebration will be back February 8 & 9 to bring the cultural heartbeat of the community together and display the arts in all their forms: Visual, performing, literary, and culinary - all in one place along East Ocean and Memorial Park! Whether you’re admiring an artist’s brushstroke, savoring a gourmet dish, or jamming to a local band, ArtsFest intertwines the various ways in which creativity comes to life.
To find out more or get involved visit ArtsFestStuart.org
34th Annual All Florida Juried Art Show: https://www.martinarts.org/court-house-cultural-center/currentexhibitions.html
Exhibit dates: January 10 - February 26, 2025
Opening & Awards Reception: Friday, January 10 | 5:30PM–7PM
A 34-year legacy exhibition showcasing recent art by all Florida artists in all media. Exhibited works span the mediums of watercolor, ceramics, acrylic, oil, photography, clay, encaustic, wood, metal, glass, and intaglio from 44 artists from Tallahassee to Miami.
Juror's Lecture: Saturday, January 11 at 11AM
Artist Talk presented by KYLE, juror for the 34th Annual All Florida Juried Art Show. Learn how a transparent, thoughtful approach to art evaluation can elevate both the judging process and the artists' experience in the competitive art world. KYLE is represented by ArtSpace/Virginia Miller Galleries in Miami. To learn more about the juror visit: Kylefineart.com
Free and open to the public. Registration requested for in person attendance: https://www.martinarts.org/resources/cultural_calendar.html/event/2025/01/11/chcc-gallery-34th-annual-all-florida-juried-art-show-juror-s-talk-/484562
COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR PALM BEACH AND MARTIN COUNTIES
ANNOUNCES NEW PAC MEMBERS
Philanthropic Advisory Council Features Trusted Financial Advisors Providing Leadership and Guidance
West Palm Beach, FL (January 16, 2025) – The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties, a nonprofit organization that leads partnerships with donors, nonprofit organizations, and community members to solve the region’s chronic and emerging issues, today announced five new Philanthropy Advisory Council (PAC) members. The Philanthropic Advisory Council is a collaborative group of trusted advisors providing the Community Foundation with leadership and guidance to best serve the nonprofit’s clients and the community.
“Our PAC members serve as trusted advisors, championing their clients' goals to drive meaningful change in our community,” said Mary Katherine Morales, Vice President for Philanthropic Services at the Community Foundation. “Their insights and collaboration allow us to create opportunities that inspire greater philanthropic participation and amplify impact. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and partnership.”
The newly appointed members are:
Matthew Cohen, Principal of Prodos Capital Management LLC in West Palm Beach
Matthew Cohen has a diverse background which includes M&A, principal investing, real estate and politics. Prior to joining Prodos, Cohen was Director of Investments at AlphaTerra Partners, Senior Associate at Delancey Street Partners, and an Analyst at UBS Investment Bank in the Mergers & Acquisitions Group. Cohen also served as an integral member of Senator John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign and Governor Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign. He received both his MBA and BBA from The George Washington University.
Elizabeth Marshman, Associate Vice President, Trusts, Estates & Private Clients at Freeman's | Hindman in Palm Beach
Elizabeth Marshman brings more than a decade of art business experience with an extensive sales and fundraising background, focusing on fine art and luxury acquisitions. She served as Special Events Sales Manager at The Colony Hotel and Director of Marketing & Social Media with DTR Modern Galleries and M Fine Arts Galerie. A native Virginian and member of the DAR, Marshman earned her bachelor's degree in history from Roanoke College, a teaching certification from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and has master's degree in art business from Sotheby's Institute of Art in New York City. She is currently a member of the Palm Beach Young Professionals, Palm Beach Chamber of Commerce, Palm Beach Symphony Young Friends Executive Committee, The Town of Palm Beach United Way Allocations Committee and served as the Chairwoman for the Town of Palm Beach Business and Executive Committee.
Robert D’Angelo, CFA, Director, Wealth Advisor at Cresset in West Palm Beach
In his role, Robert D’Angelo works with clients to deliver tailored investment solutions and keep them well informed along the way. He is committed to providing the full resources of his firm to help clients achieve their financial and lifestyle goals. D’Angelo has spent most of his career working with high-net-worth families, most recently with Altrius Capital Management in North Carolina and Bernstein Global Wealth Management in New York. In both roles D’Angelo was responsible for advising on asset allocation, portfolio analytics, and building customized financial plans. He is a CFA® Charterholder and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from Virginia.
Genevieve George, CFP, CPA, CFE, CDFA, Senior Financial Advisor at Hamilton Capital in Palm Beach Gardens
With 18 years of professional experience, Genevieve George is passionate about helping individuals and families plan, build and protect their wealth. She works with her team, in partnership with the client, to shape their goals in the areas of building wealth, charitable giving, college savings, retirement, divorce and estate planning, and everything in between. George aims to be a true resource, going above and beyond whatever aspect she is managing. Mostly she enjoys connecting with her clients, diving into the details of their financial affairs and building trust in the accomplishment of monumental goals.
Samantha Vassallo, CTFA, Managing Director and Wealth Advisor at Truist Bank in Boca Raton.
Samantha Vassallo has 29 years of experience assisting senior executives and other affluent individuals with financial and wealth management services, including comprehensive financial and estate planning. She manages the private wealth relationships of clients with the most complex investment, lending, and trust and estate needs and offers the highest level of personal service in the areas of banking, credit, trust and estate planning, and asset management. Vassallo finds that being a client advocate and taking an exceptionally creative and customized approach helps her achieve the goals of her clients’ financial, family, and philanthropic needs. Vassallo earned her Certified Trust and Fiduciary Advisor designation and is a graduate of the American Bankers Association Graduate Trust School. She has also been recognized by Barron's as one of America's Top 100 Women Financial Advisors in 2023.
To learn more about the Community Foundation PAC, please visit https://yourcommunityfoundation.org/philanthropic-advisory-council/,
About the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties is a nonprofit organization that leads philanthropy locally. The foundation provides charitable expertise and vehicles to increase the investment options on behalf of individuals, family foundations, and corporations. Since 1972, the foundation has distributed nearly $250 million in grants and scholarships aimed at closing the area’s opportunity gaps. With its vast network of donors and nonprofit partners, the foundation supports initiatives that improve youth and education, economic opportunity, thriving communities, and crisis preparation and response. Learn more at https://yourcommunityfoundation.org.
Humane Society of the Treasure Coast begins 70th anniversary celebration with its annual Mutt March
STUART, Fla. — The year 2025 marks the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast’s 70th anniversary. There will be a series of events to commemorate this milestone, starting with the 21st annual Mutt March Festival and 5K and 10K races on Saturday, Jan. 18, at Memorial Park, 300 SE Ocean Blvd. The races will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the festival will be held from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
The Mutt March Festival is free to attend. The cost of the races is $35 for the 5K and $45 for the 10K. To register for a race, go online to https://hstc1.org/MuttMarch-Register. Packet pick-ups will take place from January 14-17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the humane society’s Palm City shelter at 4100 SW Leighton Farm Ave. All event proceeds benefit the shelter animals’ care.
The event is dog friendly; other domestic pets are not permitted to attend. Activities to entertain both people and pups include a group walk, a flea-‘less’ market, adoptable animals, food trucks, a pet costume contest, AKC Canine Good Citizen Testing, a kids’ Zone, a lure course, a Camp Bow Wow doggy playground and raffles.
The public is also invited to create a “pack,” which is a fundraising team that raises funds for the shelter animals. For more event information, visit the website, https://p2p.onecause.com/muttmarch2025.
The Mutt March is generously sponsored by Sunny 107.9 FM, Camp Bow Wow, Metal Ops, LLC, Groza Builders, Apex Pavers & Pools, TC Palm, Johnson Honda of Stuart, Ace of Carts and Seacoast Bank.
For event questions, email Alyssa Bean at Events@hstc1.org or call 772-600-3215. For sponsorship opportunities, email Ashton Sorrentino at ASorrentino@hstc1.org or call 772-600-3216.
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 Invites Community to
Impactful Conversations on the Environment
Stuart, FL – The innovative work being done to protect our unique environment and expand recreational opportunities in Martin County is the topic of the February 13 “Impactful Conversations” event sponsored by Impact100 Martin.
Three local experts on environmental initiatives and outdoor recreational opportunities will discuss everything from the Explore Natural Martin program to artificial reef deployment and Guided Ecotourism programs during the program at the pavilion at Indian Riverside Park at noon on the 13th.
Panelists include Vincent Encomio, Florida Sea Grant Extension Agent with the University of Florida IFAS Extension; John Maehl, Environmental Resource Administrator for the Martin County Board of Commissioners; and Kevin Kirwin, Deputy Director for Martin County Parks and Recreation.
The public is invited to join the conversation at a cost of $15 that includes a boxed lunch on the deck of the pavilion. Guests can register at www.impact100martin.org.
The 400+ members of Impact100 Martin are celebrating their eighth year of making $100,000 Impact Grants to local nonprofits who propose bold solutions to the challenges facing Martin County. Grants are given in five focus areas: Arts & Culture, Education, Family, Health & Wellness, and Environment, Preservation & Recreation.
Impact100 Martin has awarded more than $1.8 million in grants since its founding.
“Our members themselves make the decisions about which organizations will receive grants each year,” said Impact100 Martin President Maureen Cotter. “Our ‘Impactful Conversations’ series helps us all to dig deep into local needs and hear from experts in our focus areas so we feel assured that we are making wise decisions.”
The inaugural Impactful Conversations series in December focused on “The State of the Arts.” Cotter described the event as eye-opening. “We continue to learn more and more about our community and the impact that our philanthropy can have on the quality of life in Martin County.”
To learn more about Impact100 Martin, membership opportunities, and the impact that $1.8 million in women’s philanthropy has had on Martin County, go to www.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/events/ or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Impact100MartinFL.
Molly’s House is thrilled to invite you to one of the most exciting events of the season—the 2025 Polo Classic presented by the Herold-Cadorette Family! This unforgettable fundraiser takes place on Saturday, March 1, 2025, at the beautiful Port Mayaca Polo Club.
Experience thrilling polo matches, the sparkle of champagne at our interactive divot stomp, and the joy of gathering with friends and family at your reserved table. Savor a unique paella lunch, prepared on-site and paired with an open bar, making this event as delicious as it is memorable.
Molly’s House, a nonprofit in Stuart, FL, provides affordable accommodations for families traveling for medical care. By attending the Polo Classic, you’re helping us continue offering comfort and compassion to families in need.
Tickets and tables are now available! Reserve your spot today and be part of this extraordinary event. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://one.bidpal.net/2025polo/welcome or www.MollysHouse.org
We can’t wait to share this remarkable day with you!
Hibiscus Children’s Center Hosted
“An Evening in Paris” to Benefit Children
Martin County, FL – “An Evening in Paris” was a fabulous affair held at the beautiful Hutchinson Shores Spa & Resort. This lovely event benefited the children served by Hibiscus Children’s Center and helps to provide critical services to improve their lives. Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, gourmet dinner and dancing to the sounds of DJ Brian Lemen. A highlight of the evening was the Casino where guests had fun rolling the dice and our top three highest rollers won exciting prizes!
Children living at Hibiscus Children’s Center receive life-changing services including educational and literacy services, medical and dental services, and mental health counseling. Hibiscus often receives children at all hours of the day and night. The stress endured from being removed from their home is traumatic. They walk through the doors of Hibiscus and into the staff’s hearts and the healing begins. It is because of your unwavering support that Hibiscus continues to provide safe haven and life changing services every day to vulnerable children.
Hibiscus Children’s Center is deeply grateful to our generous sponsors: Merci Beaucoup -
Braden & Braden Architects & Planners, Joan Damson, Michael & Nancy Del Priore, Richard & Deb Kessler, and Ted & Pat Tiemeyer; Bon Chance - Albert M Covelli Foundation and Jo Covelli, B.D. & Jane McIntyre Foundation and Charles McIntyre, Robert Crandall & Ellyn Stevenson, RBC Wealth Management - Pam Dallas & Gordon Nearing, Frank & Patricia Noonan and Richard & Nancy Zappala; LaVie En Rose - John & Andi Brennan, Sally Batz & Henley Sandidge, Dr. Al & Pam Gardner, Elizabeth Herold, Dick & Molly Hoffman, David & Joyce Powell, and Robert Weissman Foundation; Can Can – John & Muffin Adamiak, Richard & Nancy Cassell, Timothy & Maureen Cotter, Richard & Cathleen Lennon, Kate Mikkelson – Edward Jones Investments, and RE/MAX of Stuart.
Special Thanks to event co-chairs Kelley DeCowski and Kate Mikkelson along with their dedicated committee of volunteers. Thank you to our Call to the Heart Auctioneer, Mark Greene. Hibiscus Children’s Center thanks every sponsor, supporter and volunteer who is helping to make a difference for the children and give them a brighter future filled with hopes and dreams.
For more information about Hibiscus and how you can get involved to help children or to tour the Hibiscus Shelter, please visit us at HibiscusChildrensCenter.org or call Lori Swift, Director of Special Events, at (772) 334-9311, ext. 121.
Martin County PAL’s Galentine’s Sip N Press – The Ultimate Ladies’ Night Out for a Great Cause!
Ladies, Are You Ready to Celebrate Galentine’s Day in Style?
Get ready to gather your best friends for a fabulous and creative evening at our upcoming Galentine’s Sip N Press – Boujee Trucker Hat Party on February 6th! This special Sip & Press event is the perfect opportunity for a Galentine’s celebration, where you can design your own custom trucker hat, enjoy drinks from an open bar, indulge in delicious food, and connect with other amazing women.
For just $50, you’ll receive a trucker hat and 5 patches, with the option to upgrade your look with additional patches for only $10.
Prefer to join us just to socialize and enjoy the evening without making a hat? We’ve got you covered! Social-Only Tickets are available for $30, giving you full access to the event, including drinks, food, and great company.
Whether you’re showcasing your creative side or simply enjoying a fun and festive evening, this event promises to be the ultimate ladies’ night out of the season.
Event Details:
When: February 6th, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM
Where: 1284 SW 34th St, Palm City, FL
How to Get Involved: All proceeds from this event will directly support Martin County PAL and our programs that help shape the leaders of tomorrow.
Limited spots are available, so don’t wait. Reserve your spot today!
Visit www.martincountypal.org to register today. For more information, contact info@martincountypal.org.
“How Secure is Our National Security?”
2025 Rappaport Speaker Series Begins on February 13
Whether it’s wildfires or a hurricane threatening to take down the power grid or a crippling cyber-attack by a bad action from a foreign country, our national security is under constant threat.
Juliette Kayyem, a national leader in homeland security and crisis management, will address the question “How Secure is Our National Security?” as the first presenter in this year’s Rappaport Center Speaker Series. The program is open to the public at Temple Beit HaYam in Stuart on February 13.
Juliette Kayyem is a Senior Lecturer and faculty chair of the Homeland Security Project and the Security and Global Health Project at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. She served as the Assistant Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security and is the recipient of many government honors, including the Distinguished Public Service Award, the Coast Guard’s highest medal awarded to a civilian. Currently she is also a national security analyst for CNN.
Kayyem has written and spoken extensively about the threats and vulnerabilities that the nation and in fact the globe now face from natural disasters as well as vulnerabilities in the nation’s critical infrastructure and cyber security. Her most recent book, The Devil Never Sleeps: Learning to Live in an Age of Disasters, is described as an “engagingly urgent blueprint for rethinking our approach to disaster preparedness and response.”
T
ickets are available online for $35 at www.RappaportSpeakerSeries.com. The conversation with Professor Kayyem will be moderated by Blake Fontenay, columnist for TC Palm, and will begin at 7 p.m.
The Rappaport Center Speaker Series is supported by the Phyllis & Jerome Lyle Rappaport Foundation through a grant to Temple Beit HaYam to increase dialogue and understanding within the broader community. It has featured speakers like David Gergen, advisor to both Republican and Democratic presidents; Marty Baron, former editor of The Washington Post; and Mitch Albom, author famous for his books including Tuesdays with Morrie.
“It is our great pleasure to invite the community to join us at Temple Beit HaYam each year to hear from significant thought leaders and engage us in dialogue,” said Rabbi Matt Durbin. “We’re grateful to the Rappaport family for creating and sustaining this unique forum for intelligent conversation.”
More information about Kayyem and the Rappaport Center Speaker Series is available at www.RappaportSpeakerSeries.com, www.tbhfl.org, and www.facebook.com/RappaportCenterSpeakerSeries.
About The Rappaport Foundation
The Phyllis & Jerome Lyle Rappaport Foundation is a nonprofit that partners with leading institutions in Boston and beyond to promote and nurture emerging leaders in the fields of public policy, neurodegenerative disease, mental health and the arts. The Foundation has a long and proud history of supporting emerging leaders, including civic leaders who improve the lives of their constituents and communities, medical researchers who have unlocked the mysteries of the brain, mental illness and Alzheimer’s disease, and artists who enrich lives, ignite imaginations, and challenge us to see the world in a new light. In Stuart, Florida, it sponsors the Rappaport Center Speaker Series to encourage thoughtful dialogue on issues of national and international importance.
About Temple Beit HaYam
Temple Beit HaYam is a Reform Jewish Congregation committed to Torah (life-long Jewish education), avodah (worship through prayer and observance) and gemilut chasadim (the pursuit of justice, peace and deeds of loving kindness). Founded in September 1993 in Stuart, Florida, by a group of dedicated Jewish families, the congregation opened its Temple building in Monterey Commons Professional Park in January 2000. In addition to worship services, the Temple offers Hebrew and religious training to youngsters from kindergarten through high school, has active Sisterhood and Brotherhood programs, and extends its outreach to the Treasure Coast community through concerts, lectures, and other events.

I urge those who are reading this newsletter to send an email expressing their opinions on subjects. When a reader sends one, it will be included if I find it relevant and I have adequate space. I may edit the letter because of length and clarity. You don’t have to agree with me to have your letter in Friends & Neighbors. All you must do is send it to TOM CAMPENNI or fill out the form on the website.
Ruth Lewis
I did not find statements about Kellie’s visit to Indianwood accurate at all there were numerous complaints from residents about the effects of the poorly care given and the health issues some quite detrimental given to residents comments from residents in Indianwood
Carol Scarola
Who wrote ‘Final Thoughts’ in the Martin County digital newspaper?!
It was stupid, ignorant…..and the facts were incorrect! We need to stop posting this kind of ‘print’ in our local circulation!!
My reply is in this edition's "Final Thoughts"
Chuck
First off, I would like to thank you for your tireless, and often thankless, dedication to producing FRIENDS and NEIGHBORS. Having been married to a professional journalist/reporter who wrote for one of the oldest and largest newspapers in the Northeast, I understand the long hours, tireless research, pavement pounding, nonstop phone calls and emails one must endure to survive in this chosen career. A career that ensures the freedoms of our democracy, guaranteed by the Constitution and one that is under constant attack by this incoming administration who, if they had their way, would silence all their critics and stifle opinion that is not shared by them. We would end up with the type of news agencies that are present in Russia, North Korea, and China to name a few where the only news one sees is that which is approved by their controllers, and any dissenting reporting would be met with imprisonment, poisoning or merely ‘disappearing’.
Having gotten that out of the way, I thank you for the coverage and the inclusion of the videos relating to the Collins incident. This smacks of the same heavy-handed ruling class of the aforementioned incoming administration. The use of scare tactics, overblown and inaccurate reporting of the truth, and the belief that the Police ‘force’ can be used to their own personal advantage. Kind of like the politician that gets pulled over for speeding, and the first words out of their mouth are, “do you know who I am”? Similar to calling the Police Chief as though he is his personal protector.
That being said, after watching the videos I was left with more questions than before I watched them. One being, that I was under the assumption that taking videos in public spaces was not an illegal or prohibited activity. Mr. Pryce was engaging in a valid, legal, and Constitutionally protected manner, which is related to his profession in real estate/development. Secondly, I have to wonder if that ‘treehouse’ is a permitted structure, and if its presence so close to the public right of way is in any violation of city code. It certainly is an eyesore, in my opinion, and I’m glad I am not one of his neighbors who must endure the sight of it on a daily basis. One can only wonder if a neighbor of his would choose to erect something that he objected to personally, would he utilize the code enforcement officials as his own personal regulatory division, as he did with the Police Department. And on a very minor note, since he is the face of local politics, I would assume that he would be aware that when the American flag is displayed vertically, the stars are to be in the upper left corner.
A routine plat dedication for part of the first stage for Newfield gave Sarah Heard another chance to rail against one of the best things that have happened to Martin County in a long time.
A plat is a map that shows the boundaries, lots, roads, and other features of the subdivision. It allows the developer the right to sell individual parcels, to have deeds, and for those individual parcels to be recognized and taxed by local government.
What it is not is a site plan. The site plan is and was approved to allow for what will be built on individual parcels. Here is where the commission looks and sees whether this conforms to all codes regarding setbacks, etc. That was done several years ago.
As the county attorney for land development said, this is a purely ministerial act. It is not a second bite at the apple. The county surveyors verify the dimensions on the plat and the development staff check to see if the plat and the site plan match and that is it. In most places it is on the consent calendar that is how routine and uncontroversial this is. But not in Martin County.
The developer’s “A” team was not there. Who they sent could be very competent, but a different skill set is needed to parry with a commissioner. Staff were also taken off guard. Heard knew exactly what she was doing by trying to make a point about density (already approved) by stating she did not have enough information to vote yes.
The vote was 4-1 with Heard dissenting.
With the plat to approve the Newfield farm it was harder for Heard to have an objection so there she voted yes. If I were the developer and staff the next time a plat comes up, I would have a thousand pages of information provided in the agenda packet. I know much of it will be irrelevant, but no one would be able to claim they couldn’t vote yes because of too little information.
The last time Sarah Heard was chair and she had the majority on the board, she succeeded in disbanding the CRA Board and having the commission become the CRA Board. With the Ciampi/Jenkins election the old order was restored. At this meeting, she said she wanted to once again have the BOCC become the CRA during commissioner comments.
She stated that the people elected the commission to allocate money and should not have individuals appointed by the commission do it. In the abstract, I would agree with her. Martin County is no ordinary county, however. Martin County acts as a municipality in many instances. If this were any other place, Hobe Sound and Palm City and the other CRAs would be independent political entities, just like Stuart or Sewall’s Point, with elected boards to rule them.
Indiantown was once a CRA of Martin County. When the Heard board took away the little freedom Indiantown had, an independence movement sprang up there. Along with squashing their economic development, the BOCC ignited a spark in the people of Indiantown to be free of that commission’s heavy handedness.
The same year that Indiantown became incorporated, Hobe Sound tried also. Again, one of the big factors was the BOCC removal of neighborhood control of the CRA which allowed those areas to exercise a little political power. We are there again.
One of the big complaints of Heard is that she doesn’t know what is going on in the CRAs. Well, she could attend an NAC meeting or the CRA meeting itself to find out. It isn’t a mystery. What the CRA could do is make a presentation to the commission every quarter on pending projects.
Please remember that the members are appointed by the commission. They are there usually after serving in their NAC. They are residents of a CRA or own property or a business there. They want to serve their communities.
So maybe Heard wants to have a few more municipalities instead of CRAs. A good way to do it would be to yank the little power that isn’t in the control of the BOCC. I trust people like Ciampi, Capps, and Hetherington have better sense than to follow down a path that has been tried and proven unsuccessful.
It didn’t take long for Stuart to have its first murder of the year.
At half past five in the afternoon on the first day of the new year, a man was stabbed in Smith-Turner Park on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. He later died of his wound at HCA Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce. I don’t know the reason for the altercation, nor does it matter. It was a senseless killing in our city.
Smith-Turner Park was a dilapidated lot that was masquerading as a park in 2014. That is when a group of residents of East Stuart along with Paul and Paula Nicoletti got behind an initiative to turn the lot into something more than a patch of overgrown vegetation. And they succeeded in their goals.
Lawrence Turner and Richard Smith were East Stuart kids that were drafted into the army. They both ended up in Vietnam where they made the ultimate sacrifice in 1968. There were no public funerals for the two Black soldiers that gave their lives for their country. Though the Supreme Court had knocked down segregation, it still existed in Stuart, Florida, and the South.
Almost 50 years later, Paul Nicoletti, the Stuart city manager and a retired army colonel pushed to have the park cleaned up, and Paula worked tirelessly to make sure it was named for Turner and Smith. She even helped raise the money for some of the improvements. My wife and I donated a bench.
I remember the Memorial Day that the park was dedicated. Both the Smith and Turner families were there. The late James Christie, then a city commissioner, led the ceremonies. It was a hot day.
It is a passive park. You can watch the ducks, and a few souls fish from the dock. A few residents from the veterans’ apartments up the block sometimes go there. You also see the young and not so young men of East Stuart in the park.
Battles over turf, slights, women, or drugs take over the parks of East Stuart at times. A place dedicated to the sacrifice of Turner and Smith in the long-ago Vietnam War is drawn into another type of war with the same senseless killing. Only this time there are no helicopters that will take the boys into battle, only ambulances and the trauma hawk to take the casualties to the hospital.
How do you stir up a hornets’ nest? Send a letter telling someone they are in breach of an agreement.
That is exactly what the county did by sending a letter from the county administrator to the Stuart city manager asking for a letter of support for the grant application for the Brightline station. Boss Collins nearly had a conniption. A letter of support is usually a no brainer, but nothing is a no brainer anymore.
The tone of this letter itself is a masterful example of what not to do when trying to have someone do something for you. It was written by a lawyer in the best legalese to try and intimidate the Stuart Commission. I can’t understand the purpose of the tone.
It is true that when dealing with Collins and his two acolytes, being nice carries no weight. But the letter has a broader audience than the Boss and his cronies. It is part of a battle for the people’s support of what the BOCC wants to do. And when waging a war for public support, the citizens and voters must feel that the actions that are to be taken are those done as allies not advisories.
Because what Martin County was asking wasn’t for the city government to become partners, spend any money, or even endorse the idea. It was only to have a letter to attach to their application stating that they would like to see the county receive a grant. This common courtesy is done many times throughout the year by governments.
The county’s threatening action because the city is in breach of an Interlocal Agreement is ridiculous. The same letter Donaldson sent to every other municipality should have been the one they sent to Stuart. This letter was a tactical mistake that Boss Collins succeeded in using to not give the letter.
Both sides could be found in breach of the agreement. While the city reneged by cancelling, the county never followed through by transferring the property that the agreement called for to Stuart. Collins said just that during the commission meeting…neither side has clean hands.
Manager Mortell and Mayor Rich want to see an agenda item on this matter. Of course, the Boss along with Politburo Members Reed and Giobbi do not. Collins does not want to fill the chamber with the pro-Brightline folks again. But I believe that people may come to the next meeting and speak during public comment if inclined.
Boss Collins is becoming a little dictator on the dais. He was extremely rude to Mortell and to anyone with whom he disagreed. That is what happens in the closed loop the City of Stuart has become.
Collins continuously says things that are not correct. Sometimes the facts coincide with what he is saying, but when they don’t, he just makes up facts that suit his narrative. For example, he said that Brightline was going to pay for half the station with their funds. That was not in the 2018 agreement nor any subsequent agreement.
What that agreement did say was that the county would pay for half the cost, up to $15 million. That doesn’t mean the balance would be Brightline’s to pay. Chris, you can claim the 2018 settlement states something else, but that won’t make it true.
Neither party is going to take the other to a court of law. But while the city is independent from the county, it doesn’t mean the two entities do not work together in many ways. That relationship just became much harder because of the Boss Collins style. Isn’t that too bad?
In the above story regarding the county asking for a letter of support for a grant for the Brightline station, all the discussion occurred during the “Commissioner Comments” section rather than as an agenda item.
Increasingly, I think the comments by commissioners show that they are losing their grip on reality completely. So, while I usually don’t share specific quotes, I believe this time I really must.
The good news is that Boss Collins and Laura Giobbi write them down, so they present what they believe is a cogent narrative. Gobbi’s comments were a two-page document that she read from the dais. Her first concern was to address the homeless population.
I don’t believe any of us would disagree that there is a homeless population in the city and Martin County:
“Starting on January 1, 2025, Statute 1365, will make it illegal for people struggling with homelessness to sleep outside on public land. Municipalities are mandated to provide camping areas, which must be approved by the Florida Department of Children and Families and include security, behavioral health services, and bathrooms with running water.”
Giobbi has confused the bill number with where it is in the Florida Statutes which is 125.0231. It is now prohibited for local government to set aside any public property that allows public camping or sleeping on designated land without certification from the Department of Children and Families which has specific standards and procedures. Stuart always had policies that prohibited public camping. Therefore, Stuart must do nothing but continue enforcing their current policies. The statute does not mandate the creation of public camping areas.
She goes on:
“Second, reasonable (I do not think affordable defines what we need) housing is needed for the residents of Stuart and those who work in Stuart. This is an almost unattainable goal since value of land, cost of materials for construction, high interest rates for loans etc. have made this very challenging. This situation was further complicated by the “Live Local Act” passed by the State in 2023 which took away Home Rule.”
Unless with this statement Giobbi has done a complete turnaround and is now for housing to be built, reasonable or otherwise, she is schizophrenic in her thought process. The more housing that is built means supply increases, and demand falls, which leads to cheaper prices. She has said that she would not approve of any multi-family development and currently is a proponent of the ZIP to prevent any such housing.
The “Live Local Act” was passed in Tallahassee to bypass approvals by locally elected bodies because too many were forbidding multi-family development. The legislature was trying to promote apartments to be built on industrial land not being used. It certainly did take away home rule in this area but to serve the greater good by stopping NIMBYs like Giobbi from preventing multi-family.
“Third, loss of local access to maternity and neonatal intensive care affective April 2025. It appears that Cleveland Clinic did not have to adhere to a Comment to Community Services when they acquired Martin Memorial. Residents of this City and County must now travel, at a minimum 35 minutes if you happen to be lucky enough to go into labor during non-peak hours and in off-season.”
I am not going to dispute anything she stated there.
“The continued focus on shaming & blaming the newly elected Commissioner and the Vice-Mayor has become a sport in the City and County. There are enough fingers to point at as to the who and why; but that is a subject for another day.
We are a great City, and I was hoping that after some people’s initial disappointment that their candidates did not win that we would come to together as a community to work with each other to keep the uniqueness of Stuart………….Stuart.”
Having said that, I want all you nay-sayers out there to understand that I did not run for a seat on the Commission as some-burning desire to be a politician or to return to the workforce with a fairly committed schedule. I do not give a darn what you say; but stop embarrassing yourselves by continuing to go behind the scenes, through back doors, back stabbing and half-truths. I ran because I believe that The City needed to go in a different direction. For those of you who believe in Stuart, we need you to continue to rally around us and continue to get the word out there via Social Media, Send letters to the Editor of local newspapers etc. For those of you who believe in this vision, we need you to attend meetings, be vocal. For you nay-sayers, I cannot speak for the other commissioners but I do not really care what you say about me; but you better make sure that it is not half-truths and or lies. Stop embarrassing yourselves by continuing to go the press with half truths, false misleading statements. Those who are not on your band-wagon are aware of who you are, and why you are continuing this course of action. The more aware everyone becomes of your game, the less likely you are to make an impression, except to those that hide in the dark with you.”
The naysayers, as you call them, are not shaming and blaming Boss Collins or you and Reed for no reason. In the few months since you were elected, you and your fellow travelers have demoralized the city staff, our business community, and many residents of the city and Martin County by your behavior. Let me also add that the excellent relationship Stuart had with the county has now been nearly obliterated by you and your politburo members.
You know nothing about the place that you are attempting to govern, and it shows at every meeting with your statements and actions.
As to why you ran or how hard you work, you choose that path. Portraying yourself as a martyr will not bring any sympathy. In fact, I have never seen three commissioners who are less a part of this community as a whole. You attend a third of the events that you should. A part of your job is to be at two, three, or four events per day.
I and others oppose your policies and your lack of knowledge about our community. The very first quote above shows you couldn’t even be bothered to read the statute you cite incorrectly regarding sleeping in public parks. How are you supposed to guide the city if you can’t learn basic facts before you speak? And the place to learn is not on a Facebook page but rather by reading the law.
“Please note that the interlocal agreement broken several times on the part of the Brightline & the County, BUT The City is being threatened due to refusing to sign a letter of “Support” for a Grant Application for a Brightline agreement signed only by the County. Not sure what good a “coerced” letter of support will do or what weight it will hold”
Your last paragraph is factually wrong besides being incoherent. I will just let speak for itself.
You can see Giobbi’s statement here
And Collins here
Sewall’s Point has a water problem. There is too much of it.
For some time now, One Mandalay has had drainage issues. It seems to be caused by a couple of factors. Homes are being built that are larger and higher and have more impervious surface than in the past. The water has to go somewhere, and it always ends up at the lowest point which is Cindy Lucas’ home at One Mandalay.
The town engineer, Joe Capra said he is just trying to have rainwater not invade people’s homes. One Mandalay’s interior is dry. On the other hand, the yard is far from that. Is that good enough?
Many people in Sewall’s Point and Martin County don’t want to acknowledge sea level rise. They don’t want to acknowledge that the earth is getting hotter. They don’t want to acknowledge that storm events are more ferocious. We are now dealing with how we mitigate the results.
The town has a fund of $250,000 to do mitigation projects while they wait for grants to raise the road and do something with drainage. The governor does not want individual legislative bills for these projects. He has concentrated the money in DEP. To some extent, politics has now been taken out of grants.
While the town waits to hear from the state, we have Ms. Lucas and One Mandalay. Capra met with the commissioners individually at the property to hear their ideas. Mayor Kurzman is in favor of deeper swails on the properties so that more water is contained uphill from Lucas. Tidikis said if the property owner doesn’t want swails, then he should pay the difference to have rock and pipe with holes in it to carry the water away. Fender favors having the water piped to the storm drains.
Capra just said the water must go somewhere, and it is better in the yard than in a house. Mayfield feels the $70,000 number that was thrown around is a lot of taxpayer dollars for one home. Capra said what may happen is the water now in her yard would go to the neighbors. Lucas retorted she doesn’t care about the neighbor.
In a few years, Sewall’s Point will have more and more of these problems. Perhaps the roads will have all the grant money to raise them but the homes and yards in the east sloping toward the river will flood. There isn’t enough money to prevent it from happening. And Mayfield will prove to be right in not bending to the pressure.
The motion was made by Tidikis and seconded by Kurzman after passing the gavel to spend up to $70,000 on One Mandalay. The vote was 4-1 with Mayfield voting against. I wonder how many other homeowners in the town won’t care about their neighbors either as they try to get a piece of the shrinking pie.
The commission has decided to have a Saturday workshop meeting in the next few weeks to elicit comments from the public about speeding on both North and South Sewall’s Point Road.
On South Sewall’s Point Road, the problem may have more to do with enforcement than a speed limit change. North Sewall’s Point Road is a county road. The speed limit there is 35 MPH.
The speed limit on the road before entering the town is 25 MPH all the way through the rest of Martin County. For some reason, when they lowered the limit on Indian River Drive, the county stopped where the road runs through the town.
The workshop is being held on a weekend when more residents may attend. If the commission with the public’s buy-in wants a lower speed limit, then the town will need to begin talks with Martin County to do that.
Commission Meeting January 9, 2025
The Jupiter Island elections will be held March 18th. Qualifying to appear on the ballot will be February 14th to February 18th.
The commission was asked to give policy recommendations to Cummins Cederberg regarding the coastal construction control line and the dune line. Should they create more lots (no)? How about making more non-conforming lots (no)? They were able to give some basic policy direction so that the consultant can continue with the work.
They spent some time on discussion. As they get closer to coming up with using the current 2019 drawn line or the 2000 one or something else, the commission will exhibit more dissension. If they are not extremely careful, there will be Bert Harris’ claims that in some instances would be justified. There will definitely be more legal action.
The town attorney stated that they are seeking to dismiss the lawsuit against Mayor Townsend brought for Sunshine and public records violations. It has been 2 ½ years since this began. If in all this time the case hasn’t been proven, it is time for it to be dismissed.
Anne Scott was the commissioner at “Coffee with the Commissioner” this month. I don’t know whether she has done it before, but she said from the dais that she won’t be doing it again. That is a fair judgement to come by given the mostly sparse attendance. Other commissioners such as Field think it is a good idea and will continue being one of the commissioners in attendance.
The coffees were originally set up to be with the mayor. This has evolved with the current commission so that it is no longer just the mayor but other commissioners taking up the duty on a one at a time basis to avoid Sunshine violations. Scott is the only one that is so vehemently opposed, though Taddeo also echoed Scott since the attendance is so sparse.
For some reason, a good idea has been turned into a major production. I think during COVID they continued the program but remotely. Once COVID was over and publicly attended meetings were once again possible, the town also kept the virtual live meeting component. This probably has contributed to a lack of in-person attendance.
The town has also made this into another formal meeting because it is virtual, at Town Hall and has many staff members attending. Scott is right that for two, three or ten residents, this is an expensive undertaking in staff time. She also brought up the cost of having the meeting recorded and being virtually live.
However, is stopping the coffees the answer? Scott said she would set up office hours if anyone wanted to see her. What about just having the coffee without staff present and no recordings? With such an intimate group why is it necessary to make such a big deal?
Scott believes that people are out to get her and maybe there is some truth to that because of the pending litigation from so many parties. But could it be caused by her utter disdain for people that disagree with her point of view. And why must she take such umbrage to someone she calls a “flack” for attending these public meetings? Perhaps it is because he is just a white-collar working guy doing the job he is being paid for doing? The “flack” is hired to be there and is no different in that regard than any employee of the town.
Every Jupiter Island commissioner at times sounds like either Thurston or Lovey Howell III from the old show “Gilligan’s Island.” Joe Taddeo remembers something about being a regular guy but having money (and lots of it) does change your perspective. Even those who say their families have been on the Island for generations didn’t go to MCHS or even the Pine School for that matter. They don’t mingle with the real locals.
Yet four of the five are trying to do the right thing even with the legal battles they are fighting. Agree or disagree, being a Jupiter Island Club member or not, there seems to be the right intention on the commission’s part.
One commissioner is just plain mean and disagreeable in what that commissioner says and conveys at least from the dais. The principle of noblesse oblige, a referred responsibility of the privileged to show generosity and nobility to others less fortunate, is certainly lacking in her. And if you are going to sound like the fictional Howells at least act as they would.
On December 4, 2024, the town received a letter from Dena and David Testa’s attorney regarding the Waterfront Setback Line (WFSBL).
Their attorney stated that the town’s consultants, Cummins and Cederberg (C&C), are approaching the study all wrong. They raise interesting points. One of which seems to imply that they are failing to consider the sensibilities of the town’s residents.
“Yet what is “reasonable”—and what science is relevant—depends entirely on residents’ vision for the future of their community, including how much more beachfront development they want on the Island.” That is directly from page 1 of Testa’s attorney’s letter. That appears to me the old “Pull Up the Drawbridge Because I Have My Ocean Front House, Too Bad for You” approach.
In November, the attorney for the owners of the 300 block lots of South Beach Road wrote a letter regarding their position. Since it seemed that C&C were saying the science is on the 300 block owners’ side, then they should proceed according to their study to determine where the WFSBL should be. And if the town neglects to follow, there will be millions in Harris claims.
I think both sides are losing sight of what is best for the entire town. It is too bad that everyone’s first level of defense is a legal one. I guess it is better than one side shooting the other to settle their differences. Unfortunately, this entire episode would probably have been avoided if everyone wasn’t so damn rich. If the parties only had limited financial resources, a compromise would have happened long ago.
As I wrote in the last edition, building on a barrier island should never have been allowed. The photos I included show homes on Hutchinson Island falling into the ocean. And yet the building continues. You can see the story here
Jupiter Island is certainly wider, and I don’t think anyone believes that whatever is built will end up in the ocean. Then what would be a reasonable position to take? I believe the commission is on to something with following the science in an impartial way. If C&C ends up with a WFSBL that is rooted in scientific fact, then who can ask for more?
It would have been nice before this controversy began to have a referendum on where the line should be. That did not happen, and I am not so sure it could. However, putting aside the exaggerated Bert Harris claims, there still are property rights that can’t be ignored.
No one likes to have a house next door where none was before. That doesn’t mean there should not be any forever. Let the study be finished, and then the commission should be guided by the findings.
You can see the letter here
In Answer To a Letter
I received a letter from a reader that stated that what I wrote in the last edition in “Final Thoughts” was something she disagreed with. She wanted to know who had written it and felt that things like what was written should be banned from local circulation.
First in this publication if you don’t see someone’s byline then you can assume I, Tom Campenni, wrote it. Because as the publisher, editor, reporter, and janitor at Friends & Neighbors, I am it. Of course, there will be some articles that some readers might not like which is their right as a reader and an American.
When it comes to banning, that is different. There is no local, state, or federal board of review that must approve what is published either in a printed format or an electronic one. At least so far in America.
There are a few things you can do if you disagree with something you read. You can write to me, as this person did. I would hope that the writer would explain what the opposition was to what I had written…this writer did not.
If I charged for Friends & Neighbors, a reader could decide to cancel the subscription and deprive the publication of money. Thousands just did that with The Washington Post because the owner, Jeff Bezos, decided not to make any endorsements in the presidential race. Alas there is no fee to read anything we publish so there is no option to withhold financial support.
Lastly, if you really disagree, you can choose not to read the publication. That would be something every subscriber could do. You would be closing yourself off from a point of view that you may not agree with. In my opinion, that is something too many of us are doing… resulting in believing only what we want and hearing only things with which we agree.
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GET THE WORD OUT
Friends and Neighbors of Martin County is your eyes and ears so that you know what is going on in Martin County’s municipal and county governments. I attempt to be informative and timely so that you may understand how your tax money is being spent. Though I go to the meetings and report back, I am no substitute for your attending meetings. Your elected officials should know what is on your mind.
Tom Campenni 772-341-7455 (c) Email: thomasfcampenni@gmail.com
Tom’s Articles
From Medium
"Old Enough"
"The Disconnect"
"Trump, the Press & Us...Nothing Has Changed"
From Martin County Moments
"Stuart's First Murder of the Year"
"Whatever Happened To Common Sense"
Other Articles
The Wall Street Journal: " 'The Godfather Part II' at 50: The Price of a Family's Power"
Time Magazine: "Coukd Trump Really Rename the Gulf of Mexico?"
The Washington Post: "Alcohol effects may increase with age as brain changes"
Scientific American: "Dress for Success: How CLothes Influence Our Performance"
The Washington Post: "Forget 10,000 steps. 7 suprising tips for step counters"
The Wall Street Journal: "The Challenge for Made-in-America Bikes? Made-in America Partd"
Time Magazine: "L.A. Fires Show the Reality of Living in a World with 1.5 Degrees C of Warming"
The Wall Street Journal: "How Health Insurers Racked Up Billions in Extra Payments From Medicare Advantage"
TCPalm: "Multi-building apartment complex would bring affordable housing to Martin County"
The Washington Post: "Will Yellowstone National Park erupt? Scientists have new answers."
The New York Times: "What Happens When There Are Fewer Spaces to Park"
The Wall Street Journal: "Trump's Tax Cuts Were Good. A Flat Tax Would Be Better
The Wall Street Journal: "Is Living on Top of a Costco the Answer to Affordable-Housing Crisis?"
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