August 3, 2025

Believe it or not I do not own an iphone. I never liked Apple products, so I stuck to other brands. It probably goes back to when they first came out and what everyone tried to explain to me was how intuitive they were to use. Everyone of course except me.

After years of using a Kindle, I heeded my wife’s insistence that for reading magazines and newspapers the ipad was a better choice. I agreed and so for the past decade that is my only Apple product use. Please believe me, I use it for no other purpose.

If you are trying to reach me, please don’t use their messaging, phone, or whatever else they have. I won’t see it. Just email me which is the easiest way.

Some readers are still sending snail mail. Don’t waste your time with that either. For the purposes of Friends & Neighbors there is nothing I can do with anything that is not digitized.  If you want to comment on anything, send it through the newsletter site and I will get it.

This week we weighed through the preliminary budget for Martin County, the chaos continues at Stuart, and the Martin County School District approved the SRO contract. Hafner lets us know about Ag., Pastor Chad has a piece on the nature of religion, Bill West, Andy Noble, and Clay Scherer write about what is on their minds.

We have all the rest of our columnists, constitutional officers, and nonprofit notices to let you know what is happening in their world.

Pour yourself another cup of coffee and take a gander at our latest issue.

Have a great Sunday Morning!

When I was a Boy Scout, it was very different than being one today.

From what I can see, much of the paramilitary aspect has gone away. We spent half of our meetings drilling. There were no moms or girls in scouting. Fathers were the backbone of the adult leadership, but I also remember that we had little to do with the adults.

I recall my first camping trip. My troop tried to go on a weekend hike once a month even in the dead of winter. However, my first was in June, and it was at Harriman State Park outside of New York City.

Like most of the hikes in which I participated, we would meet at our scout meeting place and then a charter bus would take us to where we were going. My first arrival that June evening was timed to coincide with darkness falling. For a boy from New York City who had just turned 11, the woods can be a dangerous place.

As we hiked with our flashlights beaming on the dirt below our feet, we marched in a single file. There were probably 30 of us broken up into what were called patrols. I had been assigned to the Panther Patrol. Each was led by a patrol leader and an assistant patrol leader. If we did not follow orders, we could find ourselves doing extra duty or marching back and forth as punishment.

That night I followed the kid in front of me and marched to our designated campsite. I had my pack with poncho, sleeping bag, plastic ground cover, mess kit, canteen, spare clothes, and my allotted food. I also carried some troop paraphernalia. We had no tent since we were sleeping under the stars this weekend.

Those from our patrol that were going on the hike would always meet on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon before to make a menu and then going to buy the groceries. A jar of instant Tang and Kool-Aid were our drinks. It was an accepted rule that beans and franks were at least one meal with donuts being another.

For the Italian in us, we had Chef Boyardee with a canned vegetable that no one ate. I always hoped that Saturday lunch would be the franks because I was never a huge fan of the Chef. Every once in a while, Dinty Moore Beef Stew was substituted in. I always tried to take a hunk of pepperoni and provolone because this other stuff was disgusting.

On that very first hike, our patrol leader was trying for a merit badge of some sort. He had to take a compass to do some dead reckoning and find his way back to the camp. One of the adults had brought a car, I guess, because 6 boys piled into it and after a while we were dropped off and our fearless leader was told to find his way back. His patrol was in tow.

He led us into the woods and off we went. He appeared to know where he was going with his topographical map and compass. Alas that was just an illusion. After a few hours, we knew we were thoroughly lost.

Worry hadn’t set in yet since it was only mid-morning. Though we had no food, we did have our canteens. At some point around lunchtime, a vague panic set in. Hunger will do that to boys.

Then we heard what we believed to be the sound of cars. Tires on pavement do make a distinctive sound. If we could find a road, we would eventually find our camp again or maybe a state trooper.

After what seemed like eternity, we found the road. The question was which way should we go. Our fearless leader said this way after consulting his compass. We were not anxious to take direction from our very own “Wrong Way Captain Peach Fuzz” (a cartoon character from the Rocky & Bullwinkle cartoons). Though reluctant, we followed orders…as I said it was a paramilitary organization.

Luckily, he was right and after miles of what seemed to be further marching, we found the entrance where we had entered the night before. That was my introduction to being a scout.

All in all, scouting was a worthwhile early teen journey. I liked it because it was a place where boys were free from parents and trying to impress girls. I even enjoyed the marching. When you earned another rank or merit badge, you could honestly say it was about merit.

Those hikes were cheap entertainment even then for less than $5 for food, you could be away from the comforts of home for a weekend. One thing I always did after dropping my gear at home was go to a luncheonette or candy store and for a quarter have a vanilla malt and for another one have a bologna sandwich on a hard roll.

There is a little conspiracy theorist in all of us. But for some, it is more than a little.

I may occasionally have the thought of a conspiracy theory racing through my mind. I ultimately come to the same conclusion that human nature prevents secrets from staying secret. And to have a conspiracy, you need secrets.

The supposed Epstein Conspiracy is a prime example of why those promulgating nonsense end up living to regret it. I do not think that there was some prime plot to kill Epstein to keep him silent. Nor do I think President Trump, at least in this case, did something that was illegal though perhaps his actions were immoral.

Epstein and his girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, were big league creepy pedophiles. No doubt middle-aged men like Trump, Clinton, Prince Andrew and others were drawn to the young girls that Epstein provided. Epstein was the kind of guy who could show off by having those kids all over him in public in front of ogling old men.   However, during the exhaustive investigation, if a big powerful person could have been charged, it would have happened.

President Trump and for that matter President Clinton are notorious hound dogs. I wouldn’t put it past either of them to be handsy and not take no for an answer when pestering a female. Let’s remember that Trump was called a rapist by a judge in the E Jean Carrol trial.

I also know that if he had slept with an underage girl and the proof was contained in the record, he would have been prosecuted or at the very least the Democrats would have leaked it and provided the evidence. The same goes for Clinton when the Republicans had the chance.

And now Trump has filed a lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal for saying that he contributed a drawing to Epstein’s 50th birthday present, but I do believe that he did. Trump is known as a doodler and some of his drawings have been auctioned off for charity. What he did was in poor taste but not illegal. Frankly, the bottom he has is so low that this behavior is more than believable.

Will Murdoch settle? Who knows. I would say that he probably was the one who had the final call on publishing the story. I also think as a news organization they are one of the best. If this does proceed, Mr. Trump will be under oath, though I realize that means very little to him. It still could mean a perjury charge if he lies.

All in all, Trump’s behavior, the crazy belief in coverups, and people’s insatiable desire for mystical stories to believe are nothing new. Though any study of human nature would explain that we are incapable of keeping secrets. To have a conspiracy, the secrets must come first.

Governor DeSantis and President Trump made a deal for SFWMD to assist the Army Corps of Engineers to expedite the Everglades Agricultural Reservoir which would curb Lake Okeechobee discharges into the St. Lucie River.

The two men spoke about it when they toured Alligator Alcatraz detention facility deep in the Everglades earlier this month. According to the deal signed, responsibility for some of the construction such as a few pump stations and the Blue Shanty Flow Way will be given to SFWMD staff and contractors. Florida will supply technical expertise along with construction management and other public works.

Governor DeSantis has been an advocate for these projects and in many ways the most conservation-minded governor Florida has had. He is anxious to see the EEA completed after decades of delays and underfunding. Yet then he undermines his serious environmental credentials with something like Alligator Alcatraz.

Alligator Alcatraz is a detention center to house illegal migrants on the footprint of an airport that was never competed. However, without any permits or public hearings, DeSantis decided to build a tent city without water or sanitation where thousands will live and work. This will ecologically hurt the Everglades. You can’t have thousands of people there without damaging the fragile environment.

Is DeSantis an environmentalist that every once in a while, for political purposes, must perform stunts like this to boost his MAGA cred? Or is he just someone who will sacrifice the Everglades and South Florida’s ecosystem to show how cruel, which in MAGA world equates to toughness, he can be.

There is absolutely no reason to put anything in the middle of the Everglades when there are so many other areas where something like this could go. Why are Florida taxpayers footing the bill for a federal responsibility? Something is seriously wrong when the governor of our state believes that a place like Alligator Alcatraz will boost his standing in the 2028 presidential sweepstakes.

For all the good that is being done in the EAA with the building of the reservoir, it doesn’t outweigh the damage that a project like this detention area can do. Some solid environmental and ecological accomplishments are being thrown away because of stunts like this.

Come on, Governor DeSantis…there is a small chance that you will ever be elected president especially after your total collapse in 2024. But there would have been a real shot that your legacy would have been your care of Florida’s waterways. History usually overlooks the good and emphasizes the bad. And believe me what is going on at Alligator Alcatraz is very, very bad.

In a recent poll 63% of Floridians said they would support scrapping the property tax. 82% of respondents, 65 and older, would agree. 80% of homeowners would say goodbye to funding local government that way.

As a Floridian, a senior, and a homeowner, I agree we should do away with property taxes. The only problem is how do we fund police, fire/rescue, parks, libraries, schools, and all local government. Tallahassee relies on sales taxes to fund what they do keeping about 90% of sales tax collections.

It is easy for the governor and legislature to make a bogey man out of property taxes. They don’t really use them. Since there is no state income tax, then how is government to be funded? Or is it just a sign of our inability to see us as members of society rather than all individuals.

Through the years the state has created a web of exemptions and caps which have left our property tax system as a perverse monster. The entire idea that two identically assessed properties should have different amounts of taxes levied is against what a property tax is supposed to be. It is a very simple idea…the owner pays according to the value of the property.

Beginning with the homestead exemption, we have decided that the property tax has become a policy tool for all sorts of social reasons. Some examples would be to keep seniors in their homes; help first responders, the disabled, the widowed, and a myriad of other citizens; and to keep voters in their homes. In a more egalitarian era, the market would decide that outcome.

So just like an income tax, we now have certain classes of people exempt from paying their fair share. All of which allows for vast discrepancies in collection. People hate property tax so much that the legislature can use it as a tool to make sure that their real enemy (local government) will come to heal.

All taxes are unfair to some extent. Property tax is no different. Yet if we hate income taxes to such an extent that Florida has a constitutional prohibition about having one, then how do we fund schools and all the rest? Sales taxes are regressive and hurt the widow, elderly and poor much more than the rich.

Is the propaganda of a big bad tax grab just too much for most voters to comprehend? Be careful what you wish because it can end up costing much more money than you think.

From fields to fashion, farming, and ranching are no longer just part of rural life. They’ve become cultural cornerstones influencing fashion, social media, and even Hollywood. As public interest in where food comes from continues to grow, the industry is experiencing a cultural rebranding that’s bringing new voices, new values, and newfound visibility.

The traditional image of the farmer, older, male, and isolated, is giving way to a more modern reality. Today’s farmers and ranchers are diverse, innovative, and increasingly online. They are also tech-savvy, and socially engaged. Through social media platforms, many of them have become "agvocates," using storytelling to connect with consumers, share real-life farm experiences, and correct misconceptions about food production.

The public is responding, not just by listening, but by dressing the part. Farm and ranch fashion has gone mainstream. The “ag aesthetic” or “farm-core” trend is now a fixture in urban style, with Carhartt jackets, cowboy boots, denim, and wide-brimmed hats showing up far from the field. Brands like Ariat, Wrangler, and Tractor Supply have seen a surge in popularity outside rural communities, driven in part by celebrities and influencers embracing Western style.

Pop culture has played a major role in fueling this fascination with ag life. Hit TV shows like Yellowstone and its spinoffs 1883, 1923 have captivated audiences with their portrayal of ranch life, land battles, and strong agricultural themes. These shows have romanticized the lifestyle while also exposing viewers to the struggles and values of rural America. Clarkson’s Farm, a British series that follows a city-slicker celebrity attempting to run a farm, has humorously showcased both the joys and the harsh realities of modern agriculture.

The movement isn’t just cosmetic, it’s deeply rooted in changing values. Agriculture is becoming more inclusive with women, minority, and first-generation farmers finding new opportunities and representation. Grants, training programs, and networks are supporting these voices, helping diversify the future of the industry.

At the same time, consumers are asking more of their farmers. They are prioritizing local food, transparency, and eco-friendly practices. As a result, sustainability has become a central pillar of modern agriculture. Regenerative techniques like rotational grazing, cover cropping, and reduced tillage are being adopted not only to care for the land, but also to meet market demand.

Mental health in ag is also gaining attention, especially as rural stressors like weather uncertainty, isolation, and economic pressure grow. Conversations around mental wellness, once taboo, are now finding space in the industry thanks to national campaigns and local support networks.

Today, agriculture is about more than growing food. It's about shaping culture, inspiring style, and building connection. Whether it's on your dinner plate, your favorite TV show, or the latest runway trend, agriculture is planting its roots firmly in the center of society, and it's flourishing.

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

Dental Care for Your Pets at HSTC

The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast is offering dental services for both canines and felines in the community. We are pleased to now provide cost effective dental services and believe that every furry friend deserves a healthy, happy smile!

Dental care is crucial for our pets, and we're here to ensure they receive the best treatment possible. In fact, regular dental check-ups can help prevent a range of problems, from bad breath and yellowing teeth to painful gum disease and even heart and kidney disease. Just like humans, cats and dogs can suffer from dental issues that can lead to these serious health problems if not addressed.

We offer a comprehensive range of dental services designed to keep your pets' smiles bright and healthy. Our vets provide dentals for our in-house animals’ multiple times a day, so you can rest assured that your pets are in good hands with plenty of experience. Our vets can remove tartar and plaque and even extract teeth that are beyond repair. We can also provide radiographs to identify any potential oral health issues that could be lurking beneath the surface, giving us a complete picture of your pet's dental health.

Prices and packages vary. To give you a better idea of what to expect, we've broken down our pricing into two categories based on your pet's weight. Prepaid "routine dental package" includes dental scaling and polishing and pre-surgical bloodwork. For this, a pet under 30lbs is $300 and over 30lbs is $350. Additional fees may apply if your pet needs more detailed work like extractions. A pricing breakdown can be found on our website at hstc1.org/Dentals.

Our excellent and highly experienced veterinary team is ready to help your pets achieve optimal oral health. The need for quality dental care is great, and we want every pet owner to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity.

Also, in addition to our new dental services, we also offer low-cost spay and neuter services for dogs, cats, and rabbits, seven days a week. If you or someone you know needs to schedule a spay or neuter surgery, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We understand the importance of accessible and affordable pet care, and we're here to help.

Be sure to schedule an appointment today. Space is limited! Visit hstc1.org/Dentals to learn more or contact our Spay and Neuter coordinator, Nicole Pinkham at Nhpinkham@hstc1.org for any questions. She'll be more than happy to assist you and provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision about your pet's health. 

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

Welcoming the Stranger

Immigration is one of the defining issues of our time—but for followers of Christ, it is more than politics. It’s a matter of faith, compassion, and obedience to God’s Word.  With the construction of “Alligator Alcatraz” I thought it might be time to take another look at what scripture has to say about immigration. 

Throughout Scripture, we are reminded that God loves the foreigner and calls His people to do the same:

“The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.” – Leviticus 19:34

Jesus deepened this call when He said,

“I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” – Matthew 25:35

When we see immigrants and refugees—not as burdens, but as people made in God’s image, our hearts are transformed. Every person, regardless of their background, carries divine dignity. As people of faith we are called to respond not with fear or judgment, but with love, grace, and action.

So how do we respond? We must, at a minimum, pray for those displaced by war, poverty, or persecution and for wise leadership.  We should serve by volunteering with ministries that support immigrants and refugees. We should listen to the stories of those who are displaced.  For some, listening is the hardest thing to do because we are bombarded with slanted media coverage that often affirms our own biases.

Let us not forget: Jesus Himself fled violence as a child, becoming a refugee in Egypt. When we care for immigrants, we are caring for Christ.

May we be a community that welcomes the stranger, loves our neighbors, and reflects the heart of God to all people.

Chad Fair's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Beyond Brains: The Power of Emotional Intelligence

Throughout my life, I was always the person my friends could trust to share their deepest secrets, fears and heartaches.  I felt their pain, provided comfort and offered advice. I’ve always been like this - serving as an unofficial counselor, cheerleader and therapist for others – and using those same techniques for myself as well.  This was long before I knew the words to describe this skill: having a high dose of emotional intelligence and empathy.  This ability to understand and connect with others has translated seamlessly into my professional life, helping me build rapport with employees, clients, and colleagues alike.

What Exactly Is Emotional Intelligence?

Emotional intelligence (also known as EQ or EI) isn’t about being smarter than anyone: it's the ability to understand your own feelings and the feelings of others in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges, and defuse conflict. Think of it like your internal compass, helping you navigate the often choppy waters of human interaction.

It’s not about agreeing with everyone or becoming a doormat; it's about genuinely trying to see the world from their perspective. When you can understand why someone is reacting a certain way - even if it's different from your own - you unlock better communication, stronger relationships, and a whole lot less unnecessary drama.

Sadly, the people who are most lacking in emotional intelligence are the ones least likely to be interested in reading this column – and the ones who need it most!

Why Does EQ Matter?

In the professional world, your IQ might get your foot in the door, but EQ opens up all kinds of possibilities, with companies increasingly considering emotional intelligence in their hiring and promotion practices. 

Leaders with high EQ inspire and motivate their teams, foster collaboration, and handle difficult conversations with grace. They’re the ones people want to follow.  EQ helps team members understand and respect each other's emotions which decreases conflict and increases productivity.

EQ helps you tailor your message to your audience, listen actively, and pick up on non-verbal cues. This means fewer misunderstandings and more effective interaction. 

High EQ also aids in recognizing and managing your own stress, preventing burnout and promoting a healthier work-life balance.

The benefits of emotional intelligence are even more impactful in your personal life:

• Richer Relationships: Understanding the emotions of the people you love and constructively expressing your own feelings creates more meaningful connections. For example, when your spouse seems quiet, your EQ prompts you to ask, "You seem a bit distant tonight, is everything alright?" leading to a more open conversation.
• Increased Happiness & Better Mental Health: Being in tune with your emotions helps you cope with life's ups and downs, bounce back from setbacks, and improves personal fulfillment and well-being.
• Better Conflict Resolution: EQ gives you the tools to approach disagreements more calmly, listen empathetically, and find mutually agreeable solutions.

The Good News is Anyone Can Boost Their EQ

Unlike IQ, which tends to be more fixed, emotional intelligence is something you can learn. It takes practice and self-reflection, but the payoff is huge. Whether it’s part of your DNA, or something you’re lacking, it’s a skill you can develop and strengthen over time. 

Some simple tips for boosting your EQ:

• Practice self-reflection: Take a moment each day to check in with yourself. How are you feeling? Why? Journaling can be a powerful tool here.
• Listen actively: When someone is speaking, truly listen to understand, not just to respond. Pay attention to their tone, body language, and underlying emotions.
• Seek feedback: Ask trusted friends or colleagues for their honest observations about how you communicate and interact.

So, go ahead and start honing your emotional intelligence. It's not just a buzzword; it's a powerful tool that can enrich every aspect of your life.

I took one of those quick online quizzes and scored an 88 out of 100 - highly emotionally intelligent. Want to see what your own EQ score is? Click here to take the same Psychology Today survey I did.

Shoot me an email at stacy@fireflyforyou.com and let me know what your score was!

For more info on emotional intelligence, check out this article from Mental Health America: here.

Stacy Weller Ranieri's opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

The (not so) Silent Majority  - July 2025

It is hard to believe we are still talking about water quality in the St. Lucie River around Stuart.  If there was ever an issue which has broad support and drives locals to action, it’s the river.  But it has always been this way.  When I was a kid growing up here it was often a topic of conversation or even in the local news.

I still remember well the lessons taught to me by Mr. Pittman at the school district’s Environmental Center some 45 years ago (sadly, Mr. Frank Pittman passed a few years ago) and Mr. Mark Perry at the Florida Oceanographic Society.  Some of you probably also remember. 

Even as kids sitting on the floor of a classroom we were learning about sources of pollution into the St. Lucie and Indian Rivers and changes among the marine plants and animals.  It was exciting to learn about (and sometimes get to touch) the creatures inhabiting the river.  It is just incredible that after this much time and with such strong support, a satisfactory solution hasn’t been implemented.

As someone who enjoys being on (or in) the water, the condition of the river is important to me.  In my early days growing up in Stuart, we didn’t have access to boats much.  We rode our bicycles to local fishing holes.  Believe it or not, there used to be a city pier.  It was a long concrete dock extending west out into the water behind what was a gas station (and bait shop) at the southern base of the old Roosevelt bridge at about 1st St.  I suppose that area is now part of the Sailor’s Return complex.  Lots of locals would cast and sit there, even at night.

Another great spot was Krueger creek; especially at the mouth (heck, we even used to jump off the old original bridge and swim in it!).  In those days there were no houses on the west side and if you were lucky, you could sneak in and cast a line out from the edge of the land.  On the east side, was just grass and a few coconut palms back from a seawall. 

It was here where I lost my first fishing rod to a big fish.  I laid it down on the grass for a moment while I attended to another fishing rod next to my bike and tackle box.  Sure enough, a big fish hit the first rod, dragged it across the grass and over the edge of the seawall into the creek. 

I turned and tried to chase it, but I wasn’t fast enough.  I just had to watch the disaster happen.  From this I learned to use my bicycle as a rod holder and avoid such calamity in the future.

At the mouth of the creek was the very old wooden dock associated with the original location of the Florida Oceanographic Society.  This was the best location in town for Sheepshead as long we didn’t overstay our welcome with Mr. Perry.  Using a hand line with extra strong leaders we would fish the wooden pilings.  Back then, they would be packed with barnacles, the favorite food of sheepshead.  That’s all long gone now, but you can still see remnants of this dock and the rock pier associated with it. 

I sure hope we find a solution for the river before it’s too late.

Clay Scherer's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Chasing After Days

I have watched the soap opera “Days of Our Lives” since I was a small child. Most of my family is dead, killed by coal dust, tobacco and liquor. We call it cancer these days.

Days is an odd show. NBC decided to cancel it and so now fans must stream it on Peacock. The show films months in advance so fans have been waiting for months to see the shows about John Black’s death.

The actor who played John Black, Drake Hodgen fought a fierce battle against prostate cancer. Up until the end he was receiving experimental treatment, and the story is they filmed two versions of his character’s death– one where he pulls through and one where he does not.

It is so great to see how they have handled his lingering painful death with respect and dignity, allowing us to see all the facets of the strange character that Drake played as John Black all these years.

For some reason I can recall specific scenes and pieces of dialogue at the drop of a hat. I have attended numerous in-person events over the years sponsored by Starstruck, gone to see the “Days Players” twice, gone to the event on the West Coast that is so sad and even flew to New Jersey recently to attend a two-day event there.  At that event, I was so disappointed by the event organizer’s sub-par activities that I don’t know that I will ever attend his events again. He and his partner are in their 70’s too, and as one of them told me, “It’s just not that much fun anymore.”

They used to be the only company who did these events but now you can do events in the Carolinas, in Canada, at sponsored events in your local area and on-line. 

Frankly, my dear, I have other summer viewing plans.

Sophia just gave birth to her son and left him at a fire station!  Baby paternity and baby swaps are Days’ bread and butter!

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

As the President & CEO of United Way of Martin County, I want to talk to you about something close to my heart: the power of giving.

Every day, I see the difference your support makes in our community. I see parents who can find safe, affordable childcare. I see kids getting the help they need to succeed in school. I see struggling families finding ways to put healthy, nutritional food on the table. And, most importantly, I see someone who cares – all because people like you choose to give.

Giving isn’t just about money; it’s about believing in each other. It’s about saying, “I care about my community, and I want to help.”

That’s what United Way does. We bring people together to make real change happen. Instead of focusing on just one issue, we look at the big picture – because problems like poverty, hunger, and lack of education are all deeply connected. We work with local nonprofits, businesses, schools, and volunteers to find solutions that make a lasting difference.

When you give to United Way, your donation stays local unless you ask us to send it elsewhere. That means your gift is helping your neighbors, your coworkers, and maybe even your friends and family. We make sure your money goes where it’s needed most, carefully reviewing the programs we fund and holding agencies accountable for results.

Big or small, your gift matters. A few dollars a week through payroll giving, a one-time donation, or a major gift all come together to create something powerful. When we give together, we can do more than any of us could do alone. That is the power of collective impact of dollars. This year, United Way’s Impact on Martin County will be a $2,009,949 investment into funded programs, local projects, designated gifts, disaster relief recovery efforts and more.

Thanks to your support, we’ve helped thousands of people in our community. But the need is still great. There are families working full-time who still can’t afford housing. There are children who are falling behind in school because they don’t have the resources they need. There are seniors who feel isolated and alone. These are real people with real struggles – and they need our help.

That’s why I’m asking you to give if you can. And if you already do, thank you. Maybe you can increase your gift or encourage a friend or coworker to join you. Every bit helps. Every dollar counts. And every act of giving brings us closer to a stronger, more caring community.

If you have never given, reach out to me and let’s talk. We all want to live in a place where everyone has a fair chance at a good life. That’s what United Way is working for – and we can’t do it without you.

Thank you for being part of the solution. Thank you for Living United.

As always, if you have questions or need more information about United Way of Martin County please feel free to reach out to me at work, 772-283-4800, via email, chdiez@unitedwaymartin.org or our website, www.unitedwaymartin.org.

Carol Houwaart-Diez’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Zoned Out

Martin County added $792 million in new taxable property value last year. Nearly $650 million of that came from residential development. Just $92 million came from commercial or industrial projects.

This imbalance has fiscal consequences. Residential growth drives demand for services — schools, roads, emergency response — but doesn’t always pay enough in taxes to cover the cost. According to data shared at the Business Development Board’s July meeting, residential property makes up 78% of the county’s tax base but only pays about 74% of the total bill.

Industrial property tells a different story. It takes up just 4% of the land in Martin County, yet it contributes around 26% of the ad valorem tax revenue. These businesses often invest in more than just land and buildings — they add high-value equipment and infrastructure. In fact, the value of their machinery can sometimes exceed the value of the building itself. That equipment is taxed separately through what’s known as tangible personal property, or TPP. It’s a growing part of the tax base — and one that stays local.

Martin County already has dozens of manufacturers, marine service providers, and specialty industrial firms. These are not flashy operations. They don’t make headlines, but they do make a difference. They train workers, create stable jobs, and invest in long-term operations. Their contributions extend beyond their property lines — into schools, roads, and public services that benefit everyone.

But many of the businesses struggle to find space.

For years, manufacturing expansion has been difficult. The industrial-zoned land required for this use is scarce. What’s left is surrounded by residential growth with prices to match. Existing zoning rules favor residential development, which drives this imbalance even further. When there’s no place left to grow, even established companies have to make hard choices — stop investing or move somewhere else.

These businesses aren’t asking for special treatment. They’re asking for a chance to stay and grow. And they desperately want Martin County to make space for them.

This community has always valued quality over quantity. We don’t need more traffic, more sprawl, or more strain on services. We need to keep what’s working.

The right companies are already here. They’re paying into the system, creating jobs, and building long-term value…and you never even knew it.

Let’s make room to keep them here.

Bill West’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Safe and Sound?  Public Safety and Policing in Martin County Today

  Martin County continues to enjoy lower crime rates than many parts of Florida, but residents are increasingly asking: How safe are we, really, and where is law enforcement headed?

Crime Trends & Overall Safety

According to state criminal justice data, Martin County reported a sharp drop in both violent and property crime from 2019 to 2020 - violent crimes declined 30 percent and property crimes roughly 17 percent per capita.  Yet, county rankings place it around 31st‑32nd among all Florida sheriff’s offices in overall policing score, reflecting higher-than-average arrests for low‑level offenses and unresolved homicide cases.

New Leadership, New Focus

In January 2025, Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek was sworn in, promising to build on the legacy of his predecessor (William Snyder) while introducing innovative tools like high-tech body cameras designed to draft narratives quickly while speeding up reporting within the field.  Budensiek’s priorities include curbing transient criminal activity (“wrong‑exit” offenders) and enhancing response capabilities.

Tech & Intelligence: Real‑Time Crime Center

The Sheriff's Office has invested in a Real‑Time Crime Center, where analysts draw from live data - crime reports, social media, public records - to detect suspicious activity and support deputies in near real‑time.  This helps reduce response times and address incidents such as missing children or burglaries more efficiently.

Community Policing & Youth Programs

Martin County maintains a strong Community Policing Unit, with deputies patrolling neighborhoods like Jensen Beach, Palm City, and Indiantown - on foot, bikes, and vehicles.  These deputies lead neighborhood watch programs and safety presentations, building trust and proactive engagement with residents.

Meanwhile in Stuart, the East Stuart Youth Initiative, run in partnership with the city and nonprofits, provides at‑risk youth with after‑school programs, counseling, gang and substance‑use prevention, and life‑skills education - all aimed at reducing juvenile delinquency before it starts.

Re‑Entry & Rehabilitation Efforts

The Martin County jail now offers education, substance‑abuse programs, GED certification, and re‑entry planning coordinated with public defenders and social services.  The Re‑Entry Program helps eligible inmates secure housing, employment, and basic needs upon release, reducing recidivism.

Where Do We Stand?

Martin County is not immune to challenges: unresolved violent cases, scrutiny over low-level arrests, and concerns around accountability score low in statewide comparisons.  But the current strategy - combining data‑driven policing, visible officers in the community, youth outreach, and rehabilitation - reflects a growing emphasis on prevention and partnership.

The Bottom Line

From statutory declines in crime to community-first programs, Martin County’s public safety infrastructure is evolving.  While scrutiny around arrests and police transparency persists, local initiatives led by Sheriff Budensiek and allied agencies are working hard to keep Stuart and the broader Treasure Coast both safe and connected.

Andy Noble’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Celebrating a Year of Success

June 30, 2025 marks the end of our fiscal year, like so many others.  For us at Helping People Succeed, we take a pause to reflect and celebrate our successes for those we serve in the community as we wrap up each year. 

Recently, we were able to do so at our Annual Board Celebration where we gave out 3 distinguished awards to members of our community who represent who we are, what we do, and why we do it.  I think their stories will strike you as a great reminder of the power of doing collective good, so I am sharing those with you today. I hope you enjoy!

Philanthropy in Action Award: Bill Crandall

Bill Crandall has become, not only an avid supporter, but a good friend to Helping People Succeed. He is an advocate of ours within the community – introducing our programs to other nonprofits that can gleam from our services – and vice versa.

We witnessed Bill’s philanthropy in action at our last Pinot & Picasso event where he challenged the crowd to match a proposed gift he was about to make! Little did we know (or Bill for that matter!) that the challenge became a significant matching gift of his own We are honored and proud to be one of the many charities Bill supports and to present to him the Philanthropy in Action Award!

Tom Warner Advocacy Award: Dwayne and Lisa Rexroad, Owners of Hippie Daze

Dwayne Rexroad and his wife Lisa are the owners of Hippie Daze in Okeechobee and Dwayne is also one of the managers at Hampton Inn in Okeechobee. Through his businesses, Dwayne has been a model employer to several of our Employment Clients, guiding them through multiple Work Based Learning Experiences and On the Job Training Assignments, culminating in offers of full time employment!  Says Beth, his Employment Consultant: Dwayne is so deserving of any award that could be bestowed upon him. He is not only a great mentor, he is a good man and has done so much for our clients in Okeechobee. I would be honored for the opportunity to nominate him for a Community Award.” 

Success in Action Award: Paige Goad and family

Paige has been enrolled and actively engaged in Healthy Families since April 2021 and has even served as a representative of Healthy Families on a Healthy Start focus group to address issues/barriers related to access and equity in health care.  She has been interviewed by the Executive Director of Healthy Families Florida regarding her experiences with Healthy families and the support and resources provided.  Paige takes a lead role in Healthy Families parent support group “On Our Way to Excellence” and supports other moms, connecting them to community resources.  She coordinates parent play groups among Healthy Families participants, speaks highly of Healthy Families program within the community and refers families to the Healthy Families program.  Paige is a smart, strong, incredible mom who is so very committed to being the best parent and partner she can while helping other moms and caregivers along the way.  Working with both our Healthy Families and Baby Steps teams, Paige is a model of Success in Action!

Kara Stimpson's opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Residents in the Village of Indiantown recently received ballots in the mail asking if they support the “Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption.”

That’s a wordy way to describe what’s basically a tool that municipalities and counties can take advantage of to help attract investment and stimulate job creation.

One of our responsibilities here at the Business Development Board is administering the exemption program for Martin County, which like many neighboring communities has offered it for at least 15 years.

Recently, I addressed the village council about the exemption, which must earn voter approval to move forward. Ballots must be returned by Aug. 18. My presentation sought to clarify what the exemption is and what it isn’t, which I’ll summarize here.

The exemption DOES:

• Temporarily reduce some local taxes for new or existing businesses seeking to expand operations (companies must add at least 10 jobs with wages equal to or higher than the county average to be eligible).
• Uphold transparency and oversight by requiring businesses to earn a majority vote of the village council to receive the exemption.
• Benefit existing businesses by enabling them to exempt up to 100 percent of the assessed value of their improvements and any tangible personal property stored onsite.
• Prompt sustained higher-wage job creation by requiring creation of jobs in manufacturing or other targeted industries.
• Hold companies accountable by enforcing annual reporting and requiring payment of any exempted taxes—plus interest—if companies fail to create or maintain the promised jobs.

The exemption does NOT:

• Make a cash payment.
• Serve as an automatic benefit, as businesses must be approved by the village council to receive it.
• Decrease the existing tax base, as it only temporarily exempts the value of new facilities or expansions of existing businesses and added tangible personal property such as equipment.
• Impact the value of raw land, which is excluded from the exemption.
• Affect taxes for the school district or other taxing authorities.
• Allow businesses to go backward and exempt any previous expansions projects.
• Last indefinitely, as it must be reapproved every 10 years via voter referendum.

How it helps

The ability of any community to build up its economy generally boils down to the business climate. The business climate encompasses such factors as geographical location, transportation options, site availability, workforce potential, regulatory environment, and quality of life issues such as affordable home inventory and good schools.

The Village of Indiantown performs well on business climate metrics. It’s also receiving appropriations from the state for utility infrastructure improvements, which will help attract a variety of employment and residential opportunities.

Even still, every community is influenced by the national economy, investor confidence, interest rates, trade agreements, and various factors beyond their control. Options such as the Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption is within a community’s control—right down to residents voting to make it available and the council determining whether businesses receive it.

These safeguards—balanced with the benefits—would only add to the Village’s appeal as a destination for businesses and entrepreneurs.  

William T. Corbin's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Amy Eason, Martin County Environmental Resource Engineer, told the July 24 Rivers Coalition meeting how the county was addressing sea-level rise. They look at three factors that create flooding: sea level rise, rain runoff and storm surge from hurricanes, and assess how every project (such as the recent raising of MacArthur Boulevard) can mitigate those factors as far as 75 years in the future. It’s a big job… 

Drew Bartlett, the Executive Director of the South Florida Water Management District, then gave an update on their projects. One of the biggest: Raising 6.7 miles of the Tamiami Trail to allow a whole lot more water to flow from Lake Okeechobee and the Northern Everglades past the man-made barrier and into Florida Bay. It hasn’t been completed yet, but the “River of Grass” is already getting bigger and bigger – which is what Mother Nature originally intended.

He also mentioned the current problems in the St. Lucie River are coming from discharges from the north and not, as usual, from the west. They have been forced to discharge water from the C-23 and C-24 canals into Ten-Mile Creek and the North Fork this summer, so it’s the North Fork that is currently suffering from too-much sediment. Unfortunately, the two new reservoirs that will alleviate this problem won’t be operative for at least another two years. Bartlett then gave us status updates on five other ongoing/just completed projects, and also mentioned the District hasn’t observed any adverse Alligator Alcatraz-related impacts on their operations.

Another speaker noted, almost as an aside, that the highest sugar subsidy increase in history was tucked somewhere deep inside the now-signed 980-page “Big Beautiful Bill”.

The next Rivers Coalition meeting will be in September. Back in two months…     

Walter Deemer's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Live healthier: Gastrointestinal diagnostics and treatment for a variety of ailments

August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month, which brings our attention to digestive issues and what options, from nutrition to medical diagnosis and treatment, are available at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.

Digestive diseases are common reasons for people to come see us. Here are things to know about Cleveland Clinic Martin Health services to help you with digestive health.

Accurate diagnosis and treatment of digestive issues

Sometimes, digestive symptoms can be due to heartburn, strictures, or lesions. Sometimes it can be due to gastroparesis. While not widely known, this condition can have a significant impact on daily life, so it’s important to identify, understand and properly manage it.

Benjamin Ngo, M.D., a board-certified gastroenterologist at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, who specializes in digestive health and gastrointestinal disorders, says common symptoms of gastroparesis are stomach discomfort, nausea or trouble digesting food.

Gastroparesis slows or stops the movement of food from your stomach to your small intestine. Normally, muscles in the stomach work to grind food and push it forward through the digestive tract. With gastroparesis, these muscles don’t function properly, leaving food in the stomach longer than normal.

Symptoms can vary from person to person, but the most common are nausea, vomiting, feeling full after only a few bites of food, bloating, abdominal pain or discomfort, poor appetite and weight loss. These symptoms can overlap with other digestive conditions, so it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider if you notice persistent issues.

Gastroparesis can affect anyone, but people with diabetes may be at greater risk, especially those who struggle with blood sugar control. Other risk factors include previous stomach surgery, GI infections, certain medications that slow digestion and some neurological diseases. Without appropriate and timely treatment, complications can occur, including weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration, acid reflux and blood sugar complications and stomach obstructions.

Some diagnostic and treatment options locally include:

• Multiple primary care practices in Stuart and Port St. Lucie
• Gastroenterology practices in Stuart and Port St. Lucie
• GI procedures, including colonoscopies, at 509 Riverside in Stuart and St. Lucie West
• Bariatric & Metabolic Institute consults at Family Health Center in Stuart
• General surgery and abdominal surgery at Martin North and Tradition Hospital
• Colorectal surgery at Tradition Hospital

Advanced endoscopy services

In addition to GI procedures available at 509 Riverside at Martin North and in St. Lucie West, advanced endoscopy services are now available at Tradition Hospital. The addition of a new endoscopy room at Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital enhances our ability to provide high-quality care for our patients. The endoscopy room is designed with state-of-the-art equipment to support a wide range of endoscopic procedures, ensuring greater efficiency, improved patient comfort and enhanced outcomes.

“The addition of this room reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding our services and delivering the best possible care to the community” said Carlos Romero-Marrero, MD and Medical Director of GI services at Tradition Hospital.

We’re dedicated to helping you achieve optimal digestive health through advanced care and specialized services. Whether you’re experiencing persistent gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms or seeking expert guidance for weight management, our team is here to support you.

Rishi P. Singh's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

MCEA recently participated in another successful New Educator Orientation (NEO), where over 75 new teachers gathered to learn all the things they will need to be successful in their classrooms this year. What was special about this gathering was that it was the first one held since Martin County regained its A rating from the state – a true testament to the hard work and dedication of the teachers, students, and parents of Martin County!

The sad part about the NEO festivities is that it reminds me that while our hardworking educators are pouring their heart and souls into the success of our county’s youth, their very profession and the work they do is under attack.

There has been a laundry list of legislation passed in Tallahassee over the years that has targeted our profession and has attempted to take away the voice of educators in their workplace. The most recent of these was SB 256, which was passed in 2023 and took away payroll dues deductions from unions and increased their membership requirement for recertification to 60%. When that law was passed, Florida ranked 48th in average teacher pay, and two years later, we are sitting firmly at number 50. The number of teacher vacancies across the state has also remained steadily over 4400 during that time.

Another impact of SB 256 was that it has triggered a number of elections across the state amongst those unions who did not meet the 60% threshold. These elections are paid for with taxpayer funds and have created an administrative burden for the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission (PERC) who oversees them. Interestingly enough, in those elections, the existing teachers’ unions have a winning record of 121-0. What’s more is that these elections aren’t even close, with 93% of teachers, on average, voting to keep their union!

So, with all these attacks on teacher unions failing, it begs the question… Who is actually getting hurt by these harmful policies?

First, it is the teachers who are directly impacted because it is their voice in the workplace that is being taken away, but it is our students who suffer the most because teachers’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions. 4400 classroom vacancies statewide mean tens of thousands of children aren’t receiving the instruction they need and deserve. The state does not offer grades for that statistic, but if they did, it surely wouldn’t be an A.

Lastly, this isn’t just a problem happening elsewhere. It’s impacting us in Martin County too. We used to average 150-plus teachers at NEO each year, and the number of teachers in our bargaining unit has shrunk from 1224 in 2022 to 1068 today.

Matt Theobald's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Back to School 2025: Setting Our Kids Up for Success

It is hard to believe but the back-to-school season is here again! As parents and caregivers, we play a key role in helping our children transition smoothly from the relaxed pace of summer to the structure of the school year—especially for those navigating mental health challenges.  Here are some updated tips to help your family prepare for a successful start to the 2025–2026 school year:

Start Your Routine Now  Start adjusting sleep and wake times at least two weeks before school begins. Gradually shifting bedtime and morning routines helps reduce stress and makes the first week of school feel more manageable.

Set Up What Your Child Will Wear -  Pick out a week’s worth of outfits with your child and organize them in labeled bins or drawers by day. Fewer decisions in the morning can mean less anxiety and a smoother start to the day.

Practice Managing Mental Health Issues - Collaborate with your child’s therapist to identify grounding techniques they can use when feeling overwhelmed. Practice these daily—whether it’s deep breathing, mindfulness, or visualization—so they become second nature.

Identify a Trusted Adult - Help your child choose a “go-to” staff member—like a teacher, counselor, or school nurse—who they can approach when feeling anxious or upset. Role-play how and when to seek support to build confidence.

Use a comfort item - If your child struggles with separation, consider a small comfort item like a family photo, a note in their backpack, or a wearable reminder (like a bracelet) to help them feel connected throughout the day.  Make sure it is an item that is allowed by the school.

Manage Your Own Feelings - Children are incredibly perceptive. If you're feeling anxious about the transition, try using your own calming strategies—whether it’s journaling, breathing exercises, or talking to a friend. Modeling emotional regulation helps your child feel more secure.

Ask For Help - Many schools offer access to therapists in the schools. Ask your school if your current therapist can come see your child or if one can be assigned and how your child can access them.

As we step into the 2025–2026 school year, let’s remember that preparation, patience, and presence go a long way. Every child is unique, and with the right support, they can thrive both academically and emotionally. Here’s to a fresh start, new opportunities, and a school year filled with growth, resilience, and joy!

Anne Posey's opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Join Keep Martin Beautiful in the Effort for Trash-Free Seas

Tennis balls, toothbrushes, corks of all sizes, pizza boxes, fishing lines and a surfboard fin. These are just some of the items, plus the usual assortment of glass, metal and brightly colored plastic litter, that hundreds of volunteers found along Martin County’s beaches and waterways during last fall’s International Coastal Cleanup.

In all, volunteers cleaned 30 miles of beaches and waterways, filled 423 trash bags, and collected nearly 2,000 pounds of litter and marine debris.

There’s always more to do! Keep Martin Beautiful is now preparing for the 2025 International Coastal Cleanup. This is a global effort led by the Ocean Conservancy in an unending mission for trash-free seas. From every part of the globe, including Martin County, people will take to the beaches and waterways on September 20 from 8am to 11am to remove trash before it harms our marine life, wildlife and the humans who depend on healthy waters.

Volunteers keep careful track of what they pick up through the easy-to-use CleanSwell© mobile app, or traditional paper data cards. Logging the litter provides important insights year to year and helps policy makers see trends and work toward solutions.

Recent data confirms that the biggest nationwide problem continues to be plastic foam including plastic foam cups, plates, and takeout containers. It’s one of the worst types of plastics. Think of what happens when you pick up plastic foam. Big pieces break into smaller pieces. They eventually become microplastics - tiny plastic fragments that are now ubiquitous in the environment. They’re in our food, water, and incredibly prevalent in marine life across all levels of the food chain, from the smallest plankton to large marine mammals. Microplastics are even found within human organs and can cause inflammation, cellular damage, and impacts on various bodily systems.

How can you help clean our waterways and protect our piece of paradise?

While addressing microplastics is a larger global issue, here is a simple, tangible way to care for our own watery backyard:

Volunteer with KMB on International Coastal Cleanup Day, September 20. Recruit family, friends, civic and school groups and your own place of business to join you. Keep Martin Beautiful will provide cleanup supplies and T-shirts (while supplies last) and keep track of the type and amount of trash that volunteers collect. Preregistration is required so we can ensure that volunteers are assigned to areas most in need.

Support Our Efforts. The International Coastal Cleanup also offers a great opportunity for businesses and organizations to show their support for environmental stewardship in Martin County through sponsorship. Sponsors receive significant exposure through our social media platforms, digital marketing and promotion of the event, as well as logo placement on volunteer T-shirts. For more info on how to be a part of this “think global, act local” event, go to keepmartinbeautiful.org/international-coastal-cleanup

Tiffany Kincaid's opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Be Innovative Not Intimidated by Technology

Technology keeps changing how we do business, delivering both exciting advancements and daunting challenges at an unprecedented speed. Some people see these shifts as opportunities for growth, while others feel overwhelmed and hesitant. Which camp are you in—and could a change in mindset open new doors for you?

Innovation vs. Intimidation

With advances like cloud computing, automation, and AI, businesses face a clear choice: embrace innovation or be held back by intimidation. The innovators leverage new tools to streamline operations and boost competitiveness. Those who hesitate risk falling behind. What makes the difference? Attitude—choosing to see disruption as potential instead of a threat.

Understanding the Fear Factor

Many hesitate because they worry about high costs, skill gaps, cybersecurity, or simply making a wrong choice. These are valid concerns, but they shouldn’t keep you from moving forward.

Strategies to Shift from Fear to Opportunity

• Start Small: Don’t overhaul everything at once. Choosing one process that you know should be better, maybe spreadsheet and document collaboration—and build confidence step by step.
• Invest in Learning: Equip yourself and your team with training. The more you know, the less intimidating new technology becomes. Watch YouTube videos to get an idea on how something might work.
• Seek Guidance: You don’t have to go it alone. Consult IT experts. The days of relying on a “techie” are over. You need a partner to guide you in your journey, keeping things manageable and secure.
• Focus on Problems, Not Products: Use technology to solve real pain points, not just to chase trends. AI is great, but it has to have purpose in your operation otherwise you are throwing money and time away.
• Think Long-Term: Remember that most challenges are temporary. The long-term benefits—like efficiency, security, and flexibility—can be substantial.
   

Benefits of Innovation

Adopting new technology brings faster processes, better security, a stronger market position, and increased employee engagement. Innovation isn’t just about new gadgets, it’s about a smarter, future-ready business.

Reflect on Your Approach

When the next IT advancement comes along, ask yourself: What problem could this solve for us? What’s one small way we could try it out? By welcoming change, you turn anxiety into an advantage.

The question isn’t whether technology will keep changing, it always will be, it’s whether you’ll innovate or be intimidated. Choose to innovate, with some help, and explore, learn, and lead. It’s your choice and I hope your choice is innovation.

Eric Kiehn’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Nature Rx in Martin County

When things start to go to pot— kids screaming, phone dinging nonstop, A/C on the fritz— do you have a way to hit the reset button? What if I told you it could be as simple as stepping outside? 

Unlike social media, which helps us check out, nature gives us an opportunity to check-in.

I led a beach meditation walk recently at Stuart Beach, followed by a gentle yoga flow led by Holly from Banyan Soul Yoga. When the participants arrived, there was some tension, some residual home and work stress carrying over.  After an hour and a half on the beach, everyone looked like the stress had quite literally melted off of them; their postures were more relaxed, their eyes brighter.

A 1980s study in Japan took overworked, stressed out people and brought them into the woods for shinrin yoku, or forest bathing. The results showed a significant decrease in all the markers your doctor cares about: blood pressure, heart rate, stress hormones— all this after only 15 minutes. 

This landmark study has been replicated worldwide, and the results are consistent: getting outside is good for our health. The longer we’re relaxed in the woods (or on the beach), the better the results—but even 10-15 minutes can make a difference. 

To get the benefits of “forest bathing” you don’t necessarily need to go to a park, but studies have shown the wilder the space, the greater the benefit. Here in Martin County, we have quite the menu to choose from. 

If you’re looking for some inspiration on where to go, here are some suggestions:

• Stuart Beach for sunrise walks and meditations
• Halpatiokee Regional Park for forest immersion
• Seabranch State Preserve for quiet trails (paved and not) and bird watching

These places exist thanks in large part to local conservation efforts, volunteers, activists, and policy-makers dedicated to maintaining the Martin County difference.

The next time you feel overwhelm creeping in, head on outside for some forest— or ocean— bathing. Even better, incorporate it into your regular routine as preventative care. A stroll down a sidewalk, a quiet riverbank, or a swim in the sea can work wonders.

We can all benefit from a little extra time outside. In Martin County, you’re never far from a little natural peace.

Kara Grace Muzia's opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Celebrating 60 Years of the Older Americans Act

July 14, 2025, marks the 60th anniversary of the Older Americans Act (OAA)—a landmark piece of legislation signed into law in 1965 that created the first national framework for delivering home and community-based services to older adults. Six decades later, the OAA continues to be a vital source of federal funding and programming that empowers older Americans to live independently and with dignity.

A Legacy of Support and Independence

The OAA plays a crucial role in helping older adults remain connected to their communities and age in place. Through a network of state and local agencies, the Act funds essential services such as:

• Nutritious meals (including home-delivered and congregate meals)
• Transportation assistance
• Personal care and homemaker services
• Support for family caregivers
• Health and wellness programs
• Adult day care
• Elder abuse prevention and education

Local Impact: Palm Beach and the Treasure Coast

In Florida, OAA funding is administered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and distributed locally through the Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, Inc. This nonprofit organization is dedicated to promoting, supporting, and advocating for the well-being and independence of seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers.

Need Help? Call the Helpline

The Agency operates a toll-free Helpline staffed by trained professionals who provide personalized assistance, information, and referrals to community resources. Whether you're an older adult, a caregiver, or an adult with a disability, the Helpline is here to support you.

• Phone: 1-866-684-5885
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Languages: English, Spanish, Creole (with access to additional translation services)

Dwight D. Chenette's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Building a Safer Martin County—Together

Red Cross delivers preparedness education and disaster response in partnership with Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County

The American Red Cross continues its strong commitment to the families of Martin County through hands-on preparedness education and disaster response efforts.

Spring Outreach: Teaching Safety in Just Two Minutes

In March and April 2025, Red Cross volunteers visited all five Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County sites to deliver a quick but impactful “2-Minute Teach.” During dismissal, we connected with more than 100 families, sharing vital information about home fire safety and hurricane preparedness. Families were also invited to schedule a free smoke alarm installation—one of the most effective ways to reduce fire-related injuries and deaths.

Summer Learning: Prepare with Pedro

In June, we brought our "Prepare with Pedro" program to the Indiantown and Hobe Sound club locations. More than 50 students in kindergarten through 2nd grade learned the basics of hurricane preparedness through an interactive, age-appropriate session that emphasized safety in a fun and memorable way.

Responding When It Matters Most

So far in Fiscal Year 2025, the Red Cross has:

• Responded to 12 home fires in Martin County

• Assisted 38 individuals with emergency support

• Installed 40 free smoke alarms in local homes

From teaching young children how to stay safe during storms to helping families recover after house fires, the Red Cross is here for Martin County every step of the way.

Thank You to Our Community Partners

We are grateful to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County for their ongoing collaboration, and to every volunteer and donor who makes this work possible.

Want to get involved? Become a Shelter Hero and help provide comfort and care when disaster strikes.

Together, we are creating a stronger, safer Martin County.

Traci Mitchell's opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Martin County government has some of the best staff anywhere. Yet do they sometimes seem unfocused and confused? The Martin County Taxpayers Association believes you can’t blame them.

The fault lies with the members of the BOCC. They refuse to give a consistent vision for how we should be governed. Every project, development, and initiative are treated as a “one off” instead of how it will interact with other ones elsewhere in the county finances. To put it bluntly, there is a lack of discipline by our commissioners.

Since the commission lacks a common goal, tax money is spent without regard to how it fits in the overall picture. One moment they can be appropriating money for an item not in the current budget and at the same meeting cutting projects that were appropriated. How would you expect staff to respond?

The way that they do is to count. If there are three votes they go ahead. That happens even if the project is not part of the budget for the year. The result is an inconsistent county administration caused by the commission’s behavior.

Commissioners are not supposed to put their thumbs on operations, but they do so all the time with sometimes disastrous results. Lobbying by citizens, employees, and department heads can easily derail the budget.

Another thing that the commission refuses to do is set Levels of Service based on what can be paid for. When I hear a commissioner say that the residents deserve the best, he does the residents a disservice. The commissioner’s job is to set those parameters not by the best but what can be paid for with the county’s revenue stream.

I will often hear staff say our residents demand a high level of service. That is a way for a department to claim a higher portion of the budget pie. Taxpayers are looking for the commission to set a level of service that is supported by the revenue collected. Their job is to educate not placate. They set an example for staff and residents to follow.

For several months, MCTA has been asking for Fire/Rescue to commission a study on what their needs are and how many of those needs can be met within our budget. A study does not have to be something placed on the shelf that has no effect. Again, it is up to the commissioners to lead in this regard.

Every year the commissioners are asked to list priorities. Instead of something that can be worked on by staff, it has become a hodge/podge of ideas. Each commissioner is asked to submit five ideas, and they give 25. This is neither realistic nor helpful to the county administrator. Frankly, it is a big waste of time.

Commissioners should be limited to three priorities, but we should call them projects. They should be concrete projects that staff can spend a year working on to achieve. For example, completion of paving the roads in XYZ community. It is finite and it can be budgeted for. This becomes a road map for 15 projects that can be accomplished. No pie in the sky nonsense like a desire to see Willoughby Extension completed.

It would be up to the administrator to say no to a commissioner when they bring up a 4th project later in the year. It is also incumbent on the commissioners not to try and have an unbudgeted item passed because residents want something. That is not good leadership. It is pandering.

There may be an occasional emergency that must be dealt with during the year. That is why we urge the budget to contain money for that. It should be separated from the unallocated reserves. but not so large that it would be a tempting target to raid.

It is commissioners that are responsible for our undisciplined approach to spending taxpayers’ dollars. They need to be held accountable to set levels of service and priorities we can afford to pay to have. Otherwise, no good intention is enough to make us a well-governed community.

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

THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION MARTIN-ST. LUCIE AWARDS RECORD-BREAKING $7.32 MILLION IN GRANTS AND SCHOLARSHIPS IN FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025

The Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie, in conjunction with its Fundholders and partners, has announced that it awarded $7.32 million in grants and scholarships from July 2024 through June 2025.  This is the largest annual philanthropic investment yet for The Foundation, which awarded $5.9 million in its last fiscal year. 

“We’re proud to say that over 82 percent of our grant funding and 97 percent of our scholarship funding was invested right here on the Treasure Coast in Martin, St. Lucie and Okeechobee Counties,” said Elizabeth A. Barbella, President & CEO.  The grant and scholarship awards included:

• $1.13 million to nonprofit organizations for food, clothing, shelter and transportation. 
• $974,345 to nonprofit organizations focused on youth development.
• $944,663 in scholarships.

• $635,292 in grants to mental health and health and wellness nonprofit organizations.
• $556,516 to arts and culture nonprofit organizations.
• $541,000 in grants to 11 nonprofit organizations from our local Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund. 
• $405,082 in grants to nonprofit organizations serving foster youth.
• $376,750 to nonprofit organizations serving those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
• $98,000 in contributions were pooled in The Foundation’s Holiday Magic Fund, providing 810 individuals with basic living essentials.

To learn more about supporting nonprofit organizations and academic and faith-based institutions locally and nationwide through The Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie, call 772-288-3795 or visit www.tcfmsl.org.

About The Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie

The Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie impacts communities through inspired philanthropy, strategic innovation and leadership.  Founded in 1988, The Foundation is the largest community foundation grantor to Martin and St. Lucie Counties.  Together with its Fundholders and partners, The Foundation invests over $7 million annually in local nonprofit organizations, creating important, lasting changes for the enrichment and betterment of our community.   For more information, visit www.tcfmsl.org or call Elizabeth A. Barbella, President & CEO, at 772-288-3795.

Marlene K. Filer Celebrities Fore Kids Endowment Established to Support

Treasure Coast Hospice’s Little Treasures Pediatric Program

(STUART, Fla. July 18, 2025) – The Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation has announced the establishment of the Marlene K. Filer Celebrities Fore Kids Endowment. Created by local philanthropist Marlene Filer, the endowment honors the legacy of Filer’s organization, Celebrities Fore Kids, which has raised more than $3 million for children’s programs in Martin County since 1997. The new endowment at the Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation will support special circumstances or financial needs of patients and families cared for by the Little Treasures Pediatric Program.

Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation Director Agnes Palmer; Pediatric Program Manager Oralea Marquardt, LCSW, ACHP; Marlene K. Filer; and CEO Jackie Kendrick, CHPCA

“The creation of the Marlene K. Filer Celebrities Fore Kids Endowment is another inspiring milestone for our organization,” said Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation Director Agnes Palmer. “It reflects Marlene’s deep compassion for the children in our community and ensures that Treasure Coast Hospice will be able to continue to offer comfort and support to our pediatric patients and their families for years to come. We are truly grateful to Marlene for her extraordinary generosity and dedication to our mission.”

The announcement was made during the Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation’s annual Rose Ball event, which raises funds to support the Little Treasures Pediatric Program.

Established in 2014, Treasure Coast Hospice’s specialized pediatric care program, Little Treasures, focuses on enhancing the quality of life for children facing a life-limiting illness and providing support for their families. The Little Treasures Pediatric Program addresses medical, psychosocial, spiritual, and financial concerns by providing intensive pain and symptom management along with guidance, education, and support from an interdisciplinary team.

The Marlene K. Filer Celebrities Fore Endowment will be managed by Seacoast Bank.

For more information or to contribute to the Marlene K. Filer Celebrities Fore Kids Endowment, please contact the Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation at 772-403-4547 or Foundationinfo@TreasureHealth.org.

About Treasure Coast Hospice

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

Education Foundation of Martin County adds new board members

STUART, Fla. — The Education Foundation of Martin County is pleased to announce the addition of two new board members: Patty McAuley, vice president and banking center manager of Seacoast Bank, and Danielle Wertz, education coordinator of FPL’s Manatee Lagoon.

A banking center manager and small business lender at Seacoast Bank for 25 years, McAuley is involved with several local nonprofit organizations and is looking forward to getting involved with the EFMC.

“I have lived in Martin County for 34 years and both of my sons received their education in the Martin County School System,” said McAuley. “They are now both thriving young men, in part due to the education they received. I am excited to be able to give back to the school district that has been so good to my family over the years.”

Wertz’s relationship with the Education Foundation spans many years, first as a beneficiary and now as a supporter. Before her current role with Florida Power and Light Company, she was a Martin County teacher.

“From my very first year as a new teacher, the Education Foundation was an incredible source of support that helped me succeed in the classroom,” said Wertz. “Through the Foundation’s generosity and that of our wonderful community, I benefited from their new teacher events and was blessed to have several classroom adoptions throughout my teaching career. These experiences not only enhanced my students' learning but also reminded me of the power of community investment in education.”

McAuley and Wertz join the rest of the EFMC’s board, including its newly elected executive committee: President Jennifer DiTrapani-Gimbal, DVM, Hobe Sound Veterinary Clinic and Ocean Breeze Animal Hospital; Vice President Kelley Decowski of RE/MAX of Stuart; Treasurer Michael Moehring, CPA, MBA, CHFP of Parrish Medical Center; and Secretary Tyson Waters of Fox McCluskey.

For information, about the Education Foundation of Martin County, visit the website, www.EducationFoundationMC.org or call the office at 772-600-8062.

The Education Foundation of Martin County is the Martin County School District’s strategic non-profit partner with the mission of enriching and enhancing educational opportunities and support for students and teachers in Martin County’s public schools. As an independent group, the Foundation promotes this effort by raising and distributing private and corporate funds through several established programs, including classroom enrichment grants, literacy and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math) programs, professional development for teachers, special initiatives, scholarships and programs to recognize outstanding teaching. For more information, visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org.

House of Hope Receives Three Community Impact Grants from Martin County United Way

STUART, Fla. – Martin County residents working to overcome hunger and hardship just got a huge helping hand from three United Way of Martin County Community Impact Grants awarded to House of Hope.  

The United Way has been supporting the House of Hope mission for more than three decades. The 2025 grant awards, totaling $119,250, will support House of Hope’s Client Choice Pantries, Project HOPE (Helping Others Progress through Empowerment), and the Centers for Enrichment.

“We’re grateful for the ongoing investment of the United Way of Martin County and their confidence in our efforts to strengthen the safety net for our clients,” said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “Thanks to tremendous community support like these United Way grants, House of Hope has become very innovative in how we produce and distribute fresh food, educate our clients, and help them make connections to break their cycle of poverty.”

Food insecurity remains the reason that over 70% of clients seek assistance from House of Hope. The agency operates four Client Choice Pantries throughout Martin County--in Indiantown, Hobe Sound, Stuart, and Jensen Beach--where people can receive food assistance. To meet the need throughout our community, this grant supports the annual distribution of almost 1.2 million pounds of food through House of Hope’s pantries and nonprofit food bank partners who operate soup kitchens, shelters, smaller church pantries and other programs through Martin County. The distributed food includes donated items, fresh produce from House of Hope’s Growing Hope Farm, and nutritionally balanced meals from House of Hope’s Elisabeth Lahti Nutrition Center. 

Project HOPE (Helping Others Progress through Empowerment) seeks to move individuals and families past a crisis situation, stabilize the household, and work with clients to develop a plan toward economic self-sufficiency. Project HOPE assists qualified Martin County residents with rent/mortgage, utilities, prescriptions, medical co-pays, and other household or transportation expenses. Family Centered Coaching strategies are used to help clients be their best advocate along this path to financial stability.

The Centers for Enrichment are hubs of activity in Stuart, Jensen Beach, and Indiantown. The Centers provide self-improvement classes focusing on health and wellness, nutrition education, English literacy, and school and job preparedness to help participants overcome common obstacles to financial stability. As an additional resource, House of Hope’s Workforce Coordinator offers one-on-one job coaching to help clients search for, apply for, and secure living wage employment.

All programs and services of House of Hope are provided at no cost to the individuals, families, or partners served by the organization.

“Our community continues to feel economic stress and food insecurity,” Ranieri says. “Every month we reach a new milestone in the number of people we serve, the meals we provide, and the financial assistance we distribute. The annual United Way Community Impact Grants make a tremendous difference to our own organization, to other nonprofits in our community, and to all of the people we serve. They help us deliver real, measurable impact, and we’re proud to partner with them  for a better future for all of Martin County.”

About House of Hope

Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers community residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 31,000 people each month, helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance, case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future, and nutrition education programming that supports a foundation of healthy choices throughout the community. 

Sunset Concerts at the Gallery – “A Simple Life” with Mike Faurot

Tuesday, August 12, 5:30 – 6:30PM

Court House Cultural Center: 80 SE Ocean, Stuart, FL 34994

Join us for August’s Sunset Concert featuring a crowd favorite from ArtsFest and OPUS Alumni! Watch Mike Faurot as he makes his gallery debut with his signature homegrown southern blues. Admission is just $5 for non-members and free for MartinArts members.

Click here to register: https://www.martinarts.org/programs-events/sunsetconcerts.html

Volunteer Opportunities at the Military Museum

Are you passionate about history and eager to make a difference? Join us at the Military Museum as a volunteer!

About Us: The Military Museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the rich history of our armed forces. We offer engaging exhibits, educational programs, and special events to honor the bravery and sacrifices of our military personnel.

Volunteer Roles:

Docents: Guide visitors through exhibits and share fascinating stories.

Event Assistants: Help organize and run special events.

Educational Program Support: Assist with workshops and educational activities.

Administrative Support: Help with office tasks and visitor services.

Requirements:

Enthusiasm for history and military heritage

Strong communication skills

Ability to commit to a regular schedule

Willingness to learn and engage with visitors

Benefits:

Gain valuable experience and skills

Meet like-minded individuals

Contribute to preserving history

Enjoy exclusive museum perks

For more information, visit our website or contact 

As of July 1st, The MARTY Bus System has a new operator, Senior Resource Association. It seems to be running just as badly as it did under the last operator.

It is true that some of the buses are smaller, which makes sense given that the larger ones were never full. However, the smaller buses do not accommodate bicycles which many riders use to get to the bus stop which can be miles from their home. The operator runs the vaunted Indian River County service. That one is not only known as excellent but has had accolades to its efficiency for years.

MARTY has been an absolute failure since its inception. It is a money pit without end. I don’t see it ever doing what a transit system is supposed to do. The prime job is to move a multitude of people from point A to B in an efficient manner.

So why can Indian River do it and Martin County cannot? Just look at the network of roads. Martin County does not have many thru roads. It does not operate with a grid pattern but one that can go miles without any other intersections. Indian River riders are within a mile or so of the nearest bus stop. In Martin County the rider can be five or more miles.

The county commission should stop wasting resources on this bad system. It needs to go into partnership with nonprofits such as the United Way that runs a limited Lyft door-to-door operation for less than a ride on the MARTY costs. There is a very limited mass transit need, and the county just must accept that residents don’t want one or will use one only with enough critical mass.

What is another three years of losses because that is the duration of the contract with the Senior Resource Association. Or will we bite the bullet and move on? I have a feeling that for whatever reason, we will stay in stuck mode.

One of the things that most governing bodies do is give the go ahead for a builder or developer to register the plats for the development’s individual lots upon completion.

By doing so, it allows the developer to place the land on the tax rolls in its new capacity and sell the individual parcels. The commission would have already agreed and approved the site plan with the lots outlined and what would be built on them at earlier public meetings.

The reason that plats are not assigned until after the project is completed is just because many projects may have all the approvals, but it doesn’t mean the project will be built. Everyone may be anxious to see the homes built, but because of circumstances, they are never completed. Then it would be a nightmare to try and undue the situation with then different sized lots.

When the next developer or owner comes along in the future, that would all have to be unwound before he could ask permission for his project to be approved. There have been several court decisions that said that the issuing of plats is strictly ministerial, and there is very little that the commission could do to stop issuance.

Then why wouldn’t it be done by staff? That is the same conclusion that the Florida Legislature came to in a bill signed into law by the governor. They ordered it to be done by the designation of a staff person to issue them. This is symptomatic of how 

This was Sarah Woods’ final meeting as the county attorney.

The commission decided to choose her successor by conducting an outside search which is being done internally. The search committee will consist of 4 members…3 county employees including Don Donaldson. The fourth, who is an outside person, will be Denise Nieman, the former county attorney for Palm Beach County.

Until a replacement is hired, Elysse Elder who was Woods deputy will be acting county attorney. She also will be interviewed for the job. Ms. Elder, whose specialty is land use, should have a leg up with some of the commissioners.

Ms. Woods retired once before from this position. She was lured back because the commissioners could not find any applicants, they liked better. I think this time, retirement will stick.

While I sometimes did not agree with Ms. Woods, she was always very professional and did what was best for the county. I believe most people would agree. Thank you for all the hard work.

As usual, when the budget is going to be discussed, even tentatively only two members of the public were in the chamber to speak.

What saved Martin County from a tax increase instead of a small decrease were the very projects so many people criticized when approved. As places such as Discovery and Newfield come online, the taxable values of those places soar. If you take just Discovery, people with homes that will never be homesteaded will add millions in revenue.

The budgeted income will be $763,103,070 with 45% of that total coming from ad valorem taxes. On the expense side, 19% will cover the constitutional officers with the sheriff constituting most of that. 61% of the total budget is allocated to public safety. The county will add 11 new Full Time Equivalent employees, and the Sheriff will add 10 deputies for the jail.

The budget outlined is formulated on the county maintaining the present levels of service. No one, including the commissioners, ever seemed to ask what level of service they should be setting as the benchmark. That old chestnut of “our voters demand a high level of service” was voiced by several commissioners. Since no voters were there to differ, it must be true.

OMB Head Stephanie Merle

One of the newer commissioners, Blake Capps, appeared to have read the budget book or at least the narrative contained therein. He had comments that were not platitudes and questions that showed he was not just speaking to hear himself. Capps showed what being prepared really looks like.

Our three veteran commissioners made some comments but since they have been through this before, their questions and comments were highly predictable. 

The sheriff was first to explain his budget. He had 14 members there from his department’s senior management to back him up. His people need to be paid more otherwise they will go elsewhere to work, he said. The sheriff also suggested that the Martin County’s Sheriff’s Department is not only the best in Florida but in the country. (No empirical evidence was given to back up that statement.)

He went on to say they are a force to be reckoned with. 52% live outside of the county. To prove his point, he said there are currently 66 vacancies. Apparently, we need more deputies for the jail, but how is Budensiek going to recruit them? And even with 66 current vacancies, the county seems to have a low crime rate.

Capps, Heard, Hetherington, and Ciampi all were supportive of the sheriff’s budget. They said that the high level of service is what the residents expect. There was no talk about seeing where the budget could be cut. They agree with the sheriff.

Commissioner Vargas wanted them to “tighten their belt.” She made no suggestion where to cut…for example, if we have 66 vacancies and crime is still low, then are all those positions needed? That would have been a great question and one where the sheriff would need to say something to justify the budget dollar raise. The vote to tentatively approve the sheriff’s budget was 4-1 with Vargas dissenting.

The administration department had a 10.38% increase. There were no new employees. The bulk of the increase was due to higher contributions to the state retirement plan which was mandated in Tallahassee. Capps cited Page 101 which was where the department was outlined. Capps moved for approval and Ciampi seconded. Vargas said, “nothing is sacred” and was the no in the 4-1 vote.

Chair Heard threw in a monkey wrench by stating that the public works facility was being evicted from the airport on orders from the FAA which has ultimate jurisdiction of Witham Field. Several years ago, the county bought a 30-acre piece of land off Kanner by the Gateway project for the new public works facility which will cost between $80 and $100 million to build. Heard wants to look at the fairgrounds, but the less than 12 acres just wouldn’t be big enough. Water and sewer would have to be brought to the property.

Capps then brought up that the county, by its own conservative policies, has plenty of room to borrow. That doesn’t consider different grants, etc. that may be applied for. Staff was asked how long the county does have before being evicted and were told about five years. Hetherington stated that money can be moved around to accomplish that goal in time.

Donaldson was asked to critically look at the timeline and see about a private/public partnership. He will check the CIP and come back with possible suggestions. Vargas wanted to go back to the budget and asked about the need for an EV Charger. “Not a bottomless pit,” she said.

Fire/Rescue has an 11.5% raise or a total budget of nearly $74 million. The operating budget increased by ½ percent. However, using grant funding to offset costs for FY26-28, 18 new positions will be incorporated into the department. As the department has placed three men on a rescue (ambulance), they have succeeded in not sending the fire truck on every medical run.

The commissioners, except Vargas, once again stated the level of service our taxpayers demand requires increases. No one questioned whether it can be paid for over the long haul or not. Once again, the motion to approve that tentative budget was 4-1 with Vargas offering no suggestions on how and what to cut and voting no.

At the end of hearing all the tentative budgets were approved, mostly 4-1 with Vargas voting no. Commissioner Ciampi asked, does Commissioner Vargas have any suggestions on where the budget should be cut? He and the others would love to hear her ideas. All she could say was that spending was already too high, and she doesn’t like raising taxes though the millage rate is less than last year so there was actually a decrease.

Commissioner Capps moved to approve a tentative overall millage rate of .7183 less than last year.  The vote was 4-1 with Vargas opposed.

If people are going to oppose the county budget and tax rate, then they should have spoken out at this meeting. To me it is unjustified to show up and demand cuts in September. Voicing of concerns and offering suggestions needs to happen in the April and July meetings. That also goes for the commissioners too.

In September, when the adoption is final, the hard work should be over. To do it from the floor then results in chaos and poor government. You could see things like cuts across the board or devastation to departments that are not part of public safety. Any citizen with an idea of a cut, this meeting was the time to state how and why.

My own recommendation would be to have public workshops to explore how the budget could be reduced. Instead of commissioners always saying that our residents want high levels of services, how about studying what that means overall? Just saying no is a poor substitute just as saying yes is.

You can see the budget here.

Sometime in 2028, Stuart City Hall will have completely moved to the Wells Fargo Building on Ocean Boulevard.

Even now most departments have moved there. The place is almost empty. The city manager, development department and the commission chambers are all that are left. Since I became involved in Stuart, some have been trying to move the government from the spot. Now it will be a reality.

New City Hall

The movement periodically arises. I was a member of the city hall task force in 2013. Then many wanted the move so the site could be developed. At that time, Stuart was close to acquiring the restaurant site next door. Once that acquisition was complete, the city owned the entire peninsula.

You are going to hear about tearing down the building and the land becoming a part of the park. I bet the guy crying loudest about doing that will be Boss Collins. The same guy that wants to DOGE many of the people maintaining the parks we have now.

There will be some who will be mad that the move occurs at all. They will claim that City Hall should not be moved even though for the past half dozen years it has slowly been doing just that. Those people will claim they heard nothing about it.

Today's City Hall

Then there will be those claiming that a boutique hotel should be there. Some will talk about luxury housing or more retail. I have a great idea how about we repurpose the existing building.

For some time, Martin Arts has been trying to raise money to refurbish the old high school building. The price tag keeps climbing, I believe it is now at $30 million. Why not locate downtown instead?

Their dream is to have a larger performing arts theater than the Lyric. That is probably not a realistic possibility. What is now the commission chamber would make a lovely small intimate performing venue. Art can be displayed on the walls, which would give it a Guggenheim feel to the museum.

What I consider the best part is it becomes part of Downtown. Tourists and locals could spend an hour looking at the newest exhibits and then having dinner or a drink afterwards. The old asbestos-filled high school is a mile from Downtown. By moving the arts center to the existing City Hall, it would immediately become part of our quaint Florida Downtown.

Old High School & Supposed New Home For MartinArts

To make this all happen would require almost nothing compared to the now impossible dream of restoring Stuart High School. I believe this is something that will add to our tourism and the bang for the donor buck is immense. What is stopping this from happening?

When Boss Collins was still wearing diapers, Martin County and the City of Stuart struck a deal.

The deal was quite simple…to save what was then the Martin County Court House, which is today known as the Cultural Court House and Gazebo Park from the wrecking ball. Both were slated to be turned into a giant parking lot to accommodate the code parking requirements for the new Martin County Court House.

The city fathers at the time liked not having parking lots all over town. They believed that a city was not the plaything of cars but rather people and cultural institutions. Unlike today’s Boss and Politburo, who believe in the sanctity of the auto which in their minds deserves parking spaces and more parking spaces, the city commissions of the 1980s wanted the arts and green parks surrounding Downtown Stuart.

 So, a compromise was struck for the building of the courthouse to have the parking that was needed be the current courthouse lot plus the surrounding area. In modern parlance, the county received a waiver from the parking requirements, and the public benefit was Gazebo Park and the Cultural Court House not being demolished for asphalt. For 40 years, everyone honored the deal until the Boss.

Collins will do anything to sabotage a Brightline station. He is pathological about seeking every pretext to stop it. He even tries to conflate the side agreement between Brightline and the county into something it is not.

If the courthouse were built today and not 40 years ago, the parking requirement would be 403 spaces according to City Manager Mortell. But this is not 40 years ago, and regardless the deal was already struck to allow the current parking to be sufficient based on whatever the parking requirements were then. It seems that staff could not provide any information regarding that.

Brightline had said that they wanted 200 parking spaces as part of the deal to locate the station Downtown. If that ultimately is what is decided by the county and the company, that has nothing to do with parking requirements for building the train station as required under the code. Originally Brightline was going to build a multi-family building. Mortell said at the meeting that may have been the reason for the 200 spaces.

But I suspect they just want to charge for parking. And there is nothing in the code that states that Martin County can’t turn over the operation of their lot to Brightline to operate and charge people to park there. There would be internal problems perhaps for courthouse personnel, but nothing prevents them from doing so.

The crux of the matter is by building the station how many additional parking spaces must be provided according to the code. Two numbers were given…8 and 33, it was too hard to follow how the numbers were derived. Let’s take the larger number of 33, where those parking spaces come from will be what Brightline and the county decide.

It can’t be from spaces that have already been counted for the courthouse. All the rest is none of the city’s business. Nor is it Stuart’s business whether they charge for parking or not in their lot.

Collins understands all of this, but the answers are not what he wants to hear. He and his Politburo are not the champions of the people that they believe they are. Costco where all the phony reasons to try and stop that project proved bogus so too is this made up controversy with the parking lot.  See any monumental traffic jams on Kanner yet?

The people of Stuart did not vote for the chaos that has engulfed the city in the last year. Boss Collins has done such a good job that he believes he can take his schtick to the entire county. Maybe he knows he will not be re-elected in Stuart and so he needs to move on. I hope the voters of Martin County are looking at his record and conclude the same. Let the chaos go away.

For a guy who wants to cut costs, Chris Collins sure knows how to throw money out the door.

His latest idea to waste the taxpayer’s money is to join a lawsuit to overturn SB 180 which was passed unanimously in the Florida Senate, with only one no vote in the Florida House, and signed into law by Governor DeSantis. It wasn’t very controversial when it passed. The claim is that the law is unconstitutional.

The minute the Boss had his Politburo, who have been in office since last August, he passed a Zoning In Process that stopped not only all development but permits for businesses, changes that new owners and tenants needed to open, and almost everything else that wasn’t a single-family home. Talk about unconstitutional…what about ownership and property rights.

Without going through the steps outlined in several statutes on how LDRs must be changed, they just plowed ahead. At one point, Collins even said we don’t need public comment to slow things down. Spoken like a true man of the people.

The Florida Constitution clearly states that local government has the right of Home Rule except that no ordinance can be contradictory to any state or federal statute. Nowhere does the Florida Constitution state that passing any statute limiting Home Rule is impermissible by the legislature.

Municipalities only exist because the legislature gives them their charters. According to the boss’s theory the state can’t step in and make sure that individual rights are not being infringed on by out-of-control local governments.  How does the Boss or any other municipality get around that?

If the lawsuit is successful and the statute is ruled unconstitutional by the courts, Stuart doesn’t need to join as a party to have the benefits. The statute will be struck down for the entire state and we could save thousands on legal bills.

There is another hurdle to going forward with the changes to the LDRs. They were done in violation of other state statutes regarding how they must be changed. In fact, many of the LDR changes are contrary to Stuart’s Comprehensive Plan.

Boss Collins spends taxpayer money at the drop of a hat. He has already increased the budget for next year by $300,000 for his environmental attorney who begins working for Stuart this month. So far, no one has any concrete idea of what she is going to do.

At the same time, if Collins gets his way, he will be firing the employees that maintain our parks and roads to pay for his boondoggles. That is the man of the people for you.

During his commissioner comments, he specifically said that Stuart had no one representing the residents in Tallahassee. But Collins is looking at it from his myopic point of view. Until this year John Snyder, Toby Overdorf, and Gayle Harrell brought millions of state dollars to the city and its residents. They stopped the state from turning parks into golf courses. Their desire to continue with the Boss in charge may have diminished.

Further, they are more than representing landowners and other Martin County residents who share their beliefs in trying to prevent Boss Collins and his Politburo from taking away our property rights. Many constituents went to Tallahassee and pleaded to stop that cabal from infringing on those rights. Perhaps the Boss and the Politburo are the ones not representing most Stuart residents.   

The SRO contract for the next three years was approved by the school board at a special meeting July 29th.

Some of the key points are that Sheriff Budensiek will consult with the district but have final determination on staffing under this agreement. Staffing will consist of:

           2 SROs per high school

              1 SRO per middle school

              1 SRO per elementary school

              1 SRO at Spectrum Academy

              1 SRO at Willoughby Learning Center.

After consulting with the school superintendent, the sheriff will determine SRO staffing for after-school activities. The sheriff has assigned 6 full time supervisors comprised of 2 corporals, 3 sergeants, and 1 lieutenant. If there is an absence due to illness or training, a relief SRO will be assigned.

The basic amount to be paid by the district to pay for 25/26 is $4,550,000; 26/27 $4,777,500; 27/28 5,016,375.

School days are back August 11th for students.

You can see the entire contract here.

The commission needed to amend their ordinances to allow for plats to be reviewed administratively.  The Jupiter Island commissioners had the same concerns as every local body. It is being done because of a new state statute.

The courts had already ruled in the past that plats being designated on the tax map are ministerial only. In almost all instances, they cannot be denied. The local governing body approved what the subdivision will look like when they approved the site plan. This is only for the lot owners to receive a deed and more importantly for the municipality to collect taxes once a property is purchased.

There is an ongoing discussion about whether “Coffee with the Mayor” should continue. Few residents attend and is there anything to be gained by continuing the practice. The coffee has now become “Coffee with the Commissioner” so that the burden would not have to be on just one person.

More discussion is needed, and they decided to wait until residents start returning in the late fall.

Right now, public comments from those not in the audience at the commission meeting must be sent by email and will be included in the record. Commissioner Field wants to have real time comments but the system they have won’t accommodate it. He thinks they could go back to the old one they had.

With the other system, there is the possibility that people could hack in and say embarrassing things if the comments are unfiltered. Since it is a public meeting, everyone has the right to speak. It would not just be for residents.

I also think the system they now have is tied to more than just broadcasting and taping the meeting. The old system was not as good as this one for viewers who are not present at the meeting. There is more than just an accommodation so that an occasional resident who can’t come to a meeting can be heard in real time.

Jupiter Island tends to have a back and forth between the commissioners and speakers during public comment. Vice Mayor Scott stated that public comment doesn’t mean a public discussion. She is correct in that regard.

According to the Municipal Research & Services Center, a non-profit organization providing advice to local governments and how to effectively use Roberts Rules, “The public comment period is not a time for dialogue. A meeting of a public board is not a MEETING OF THE PUBLIC. It is a MEETING OF THE BOARD that is held in public. The purpose of the public comment period is for the board to receive input from its community.”

The town drew one step closer to combining Impact Review and Board of Adjustment into one board.

During the discussion regarding the ordinance. Scott consistently stated that the LDRs needed to be updated and have a complete overhaul. Mayor Townsend said that Kimley-Horn had already been contracted to do just that.

Field believes an attorney should be the one to do it. Kimley-Horn is not just an engineering firm as many may believe. They have over 7500 employees and 100 offices in the U.S. They have the expertise to look at the LDRs and make changes that would be approved by the board. Their website is here.

Buchanan Ingersol & Rooney (now referred to as Buchanan) is a national law firm with Florida offices in Miami and Fort Lauderdale. That is the preferred firm that Field wants to use. It appears that both Buchanan and Kimley will be billing to look at the LDRs.

Scott did not want to move forward until other matters had been resolved like the mistakes she found in the ordinance. Some other suggestions were to have term limits and an attendance requirement since currently there is frequently a lack of a quorum. The mayor wants the commissioners to look at the current roster of board members and come up with suggestions for who should remain on the new board which will be called Development Review.

Field made a motion to proceed to second reading with Tadeo seconding. The vote was 4-1 with Scott dissenting.

Then another matter that Scott wants to address is how the appeal process should work. It was decided that the majority could vote to hear the appeal. But to overturn the decision of the board, it would take a super majority voting to do so.

This will all come back for a final vote probably at the next commission meeting in September.

Tom’s Articles

From Medium

"How Will We Fill Our Jobs"

HERE

From Martin County Moments

Hypocritical...Don't You Think?

HERE

"Trump & Desantis Make A Deal"

HERE

Other Articles

The Economist: "A historical guide to surviving and thriving in the court of Trump"

HERE

The New York Times: "Amid Devastating Winter Losses, Another Threat For U.S. Beekeepers"

HERE

The Capitolist: "Florida officials celebrate opening of reservoir for Everglades restoration"

HERE

The Washington Post: "See the geothermal greenhouses growing tomatoes through cold winters"

HERE

Paul Krugman on Substack: "About That Japan Deal"

HERE

The New York Times: E.P.A. Plans to Revoke Legal Basis for Tackling Climate Change"

HERE

TCPalm: "Study finds Martin County is one of the most expensive areas in Florida to buy a home"

HERE

The Washington Post: "How Trump dominates and corrupts the private sector by George F. Will

HERE

Wall Street Journal: "The 'Smart' Restrooms That Can Solve America's Public Bathroom Crisis"

HERE

Wall Street Journal: "The Problem With Using Sugar in Soda: The U.S. Doesn't Make Enough"

HERE

Time: "Why Tomatoes Are Becoming a Lot More Expensive"

HERE

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