May 10, 2026

We are at the beginning of an election season.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Martin County, the City of Stuart, and the Village of Indiantown. The voters will be offered important choices of candidates to determine our future. I haven’t seen a more critical election in the 20 plus years I have been voting here.

The candidates have distinct personalities and beliefs. At least one is a very dangerous choice. No one candidate is the perfect choice that I or you would agree with their every decision.

Friends & Neighbors has not endorsed candidates in the past. We won’t this year. However I will tell you whom I am voting for or would vote for if I lived in their jurisdiction. I will explain why I made those choices.

We will still invite the candidates to send us a statement of why they are running and what they intend to do. It will be in their own words without being edited. We will start running their submissions after the qualifying period from early to mid-June. I will be contacting the candidates using the email addresses listed on their official paperwork. If it is incorrect or is not a regularly used email, then they should contact me directly with their submissions.

In this week’s edition, we start out with a story explaining to the reader what is going on with Brightline. It is much more complicated than what Little Boss Reed and some believe.

We have all our columnists giving their perspectives on various subjects. Clay Scherer explains a true democracy, Switzerland. Pastor Chad on listening and understanding, Stacy Ranieri on imposter syndrome, MCTA on Quiet Zones, and all the rest of our great columnists.

So, sit back, begin reading and perusing, and pour another cup of coffee.

Have a great Sunday Morning!

To understand the railroad that runs through Martin County, compare it to studying Egyptian hieroglyphics before the discovery of the Rosetta Stone. Or perhaps more apt is Churchill’s quote about understanding the Soviet Union (Russia) “a riddle wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma…” What is usually left out of that quote is the final words…“but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest.”

While the City of Stuart under Reed is playing tiddlywinks, Collins is blasting about his next checker’s move, Martin County is thinking of this as a chess game, and while Florida and the Feds are plotting politically, the two entities making up rail service, FEC and Brightline, are in an entirely different game of corporate brinkmanship. They are looking at their own interests.

The letter sent to the city by FEC that Little Boss Reed plastered all over Facebook (you can see it here ) was just a “wink” furthering his game of Stuart tiddlywinks while doing so much more for FEC in their game with Brightline.

Nothing in that letter really was untrue. It is the position of the owner of the tracks (FEC) that there is an agreement with the Coast Guard that the Stuart Railroad Bridge must be in the up position a certain amount of time each hour…even when a train stopped at a station is in close proximity.

Brightline and by default Martin County have taken the position that since the train will be at a siding (the station) and not directly on the track, the bridge does not need to be down. The proposed station is less than a mile from the bridge. It takes about 8 minutes to raise or lower the current bridge (note that before the new control system was installed, it took about 18 minutes.) It would be very difficult to comply with the current agreement with the Coast Guard because of the amount of time the bridge would have to be open.

Here is where all the “enigma” stuff comes in. FEC wants a new bridge, and they were almost there before the Biden Administration gave the last $40 million to Democratic California for its rail project and stiffed Republican Florida going at the very end of his administration. That is part of the political game that is currently being waged by Florida and the Feds to complete the set of grants to allow the bridge to be built.

Brightline was of course “all board” with the bridge until more pressing problems concerning their finances reared up. (More of that will be covered in a subsequent story.) Through FEC’s lawsuit with Brightline (which most people I spoke with believe will be dismissed), FEC wants to pressure their rail tenant into working their levers of influence for bridge replacement.

Regardless of what Brightline states publicly, they believe the Stuart station is a money maker. And they need the money. Right now, their operation is doing just fine without a new bridge. FEC believes the bridge is essential to their freight operation. Neither of the entities can increase capacity without the bridge being down for longer periods of time.

A new bridge as envisioned will be able to allow 90-95% of the boat traffic to pass underneath without raising it thus negating Coast Guard and Marine Industries concerns about boat passage. This is what the hubbub is all about.

                                                            Rosetta Stone

Reed, Collins, Martin County, and the City of Stuart are pieces to be played in this “Game of Thrones.” Unfortunately, at least for the city and their elected officials, they don’t have any understanding of this. They believe what they write or speak matters. It doesn’t. They are going to be used by the real power centers to be their vessels for the outcomes the State of Florida, the Trump administration, Congress (especially Congressman Mast), Brightline, and the FEC want and can agree on.

Smoking has likely killed more people than alcohol or drugs throughout history.

That doesn’t mean it is a good idea to ban the sale of cigarettes to an entire generation. Britain believes that permanently banning the sale or supply of tobacco products to anyone born in 2009 and after will eradicate the disease of smoking. The health secretary claims that this will be the first smoke-free generation.

The aim may be good, but the likelihood it will succeed is slim to none. Though Britain does not have recreational pot, they do have medical weed. However, just as in most of the western world, marijuana is a widely used substance either legally or illegally like in Britain.

In 1965, 70% of men and 40% of women smoked in Britain. Today the rate is 10.6% of the population. The drop wasn’t through criminalization or banning of products but by education.

In the United States in 1965 52% of men and 34% of women smoked. Today just 10% of the population smoke. Just like so many vices, the poorer the person, the more likely they will be a smoker. Nearly 25% of low-income groups smoke, and in rural areas 27% are smokers.

As a child, every adult in my family lit up. The air was thick with the blue haze of cigarette smoke in our home. No one ever thought of cracking a window in winter to let out the haze.

Kids as young as 7 were seen copping cigarettes from their parents and smoking outside on the street. Anyone could buy a pack, and I remember when they raised the price from 27 cents to 30. Every one of my relatives thought it was a calamity.

In my high school, the seniors had a smoking lounge. (Two tables in the back of the cafeteria where seniors could gather.) I wonder when it was discontinued. In line with the general public, 50% of my class smoked cigarettes. We were addicted by graduation.

In college we smoked in the classroom, in the cafeteria, and everywhere else but the library and elevators. The thoughtful students brought ashtrays with them to class.

The office and jobsite were also a smoking zone. The nonsmokers would never say a word. The blue haze hung on.  

Then gradually because of the government’s educational campaigns, Americans decided to quit in droves. I did.

Once smoking became a vice for fewer people, it became easier to pass laws restricting where someone could smoke. Of course, this has taken decades. I don’t think you will ever eradicate the use of tobacco entirely.

Just when you think young people won’t take up the habit, Hollywood begins showing heroes and heroines imbibing. Once again, it is cool to inhale poison as you contemplate life. Counterculture characterization at its finest.

But by criminalizing smoking for an entire generation, you glamorize its use. The best thing we can do through our government is continue the educational campaign. Wherever possible, restrict where it is possible to smoke.

Each individual must make his own decisions about tobacco use. I think it is insane not to vaccinate against diseases. Yet our country is moving away from requiring mandatory vaccinations. With marijuana, we went from “Reefer Madness” to giving people the option of using recreational pot. The same can be said for how we treat the use of alcohol in our society.

We should ban no substance but allow individuals to choose their poison. Just make sure there is a constant little voice in the backs of their heads explaining why it is wrong.

CareerSource estimates that the Treasure Coast lost 3,500 jobs spread over multiple industries in the last year. The unemployment rate ticked up to 5.7% from 5.1% a year earlier. 500 fewer jobs in construction, 900 in hospitality, and 900 in business services all contributed to the decline.

Martin County has the lowest unemployment rate on the Treasure Coast at 5.3% up from 4.7%. We also pay the highest wage at $59,405 in 2024 (the last year data is available) from $56,517 in 2023 which translates into 5.1% increase. That is also the highest percentage increase on the Treasure Coast. Florida’s average was $69,505 in 2024.

We have the smallest population of the 3 Treasure Coast counties at 165,666 for 2024 which was less than a 1% increase over the previous year. We are part of the Port St Lucie MSA. St. Lucie County dwarfs our population with 390,670 residents, a 3.9% growth over the previous year.

Many federal dollars are allocated by MSA including transportation grants. This leaves us at a distinct disadvantage since we are part of the greater Port St. Lucie area. What our data tells us is that we are not an engine for growth on the Treasure Coast. We are subject to the economies of the entire area.

Some elected officials and residents are very happy with Martin County’s sleepy reputation. One of the Stuart commissioners didn’t even want the silly “Best Seaside Town” award to be said aloud too loudly…afraid that other people might come as she did, such a short time ago. I hope she and others with that belief are wealthy because neither Stuart nor Martin County will be able to pay for government services at levels these very people want.

Is there any reason to point out that those still working and our children and grandchildren are forced to leave because there are limited job opportunities and housing. Florida has 23.4 million people. Martin County has 165,666. Is it reasonable to believe that as the rest of the state fills up, Tallahassee is going to allow Martin County to continue to ignore its goals of increasing residents. We have likely only seen the beginnings of state preemptions on zoning and LDRs.

By instituting the buying of parcels in Western Martin County, we have done our best to preserve agriculture and environmentally sensitive land. It becomes easier to stop sprawl by us doing just that. However, to preserve a tax base, a future for our children, and ease our reliance on property taxes, we must have denser development in the eastern part of the county.

What Martin County will look and be like depends on our willingness to accept a realistic vision. One that considers a diverse and growing workforce, jobs and housing for our young population, and enough new development to accommodate that growth. Without a realization of that, our fate will be decided by the State of Florida instead the residents of Martin County. 

“Mom and Dad, please build me my own school where I can be a star.” In rich enclaves, the children of billionaires are having that wish honored especially from Palm Beach to Miami.

Billionaire real estate developer and failed politician, Jeff Greene, is building his very own exclusive school in West Palm Beach. There are two teachers per class, and dismissal is by a precision-timed digital queue. The school has flight simulators and 3-D printers. And like another billionaire who slaps his name on buildings and objects, it is known as the Greene School.

According to the Wall Street Journal, it isn’t only billionaire Greene who is building private exclusive schools for the uber wealthy. Developer Stephen Ross and the former WeWork chief, Adam Neuman, are also building exclusive schools. This is a phenomenon that separates the run of the mill hedge fund managers from the billionaires flooding South Florida.

These students are not the ones who take the $8,000 vouchers that are now given out for private schools in Florida. South Florida has been home to many exclusive schools. Maybe if there was more room for families coming from other places, their number would have sufficed as they had for years. Not now!

The elite schools of the Northeast always underplayed the wealth of their students. The ethos was that of the Bush family. It is an American Puritanism. Being a showoff was frowned on.

Earlier families of means decided that being an American of financial substance came with a responsibility to other Americans and to America. George Bush flew combat missions. His son decided that it was better to stay home.

I guess my generation looked at ourselves not as one of millions of Americans, but depending on how much wealth we had, an American of a certain social class who didn’t even have to know what a “corner store” was. It has even become more class conscience in our children and grandchildren.

All four of FDR’s sons served in combat in World War II. Theodore Roosevelt’s sons also fought in both World War I and II. Quentin was killed in aerial combat over France in the first war. Archibald was wounded in both wars. Kermit committed suicide when he was an intelligence officer serving in Alaska. Teddy was a brigadier general that died of a heart attack soon after leading the first wave of troops onto Utah Beach. He was 56 years old. Both Eric and Donald Trump Jr. did not enlist or serve.

The Roman poet Horace thought that dying for one’s country was sweet and proper. “Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori.” An American billionaire president thinks it’s for suckers. You can call it the rich man’s thinking divided by those born before and after World War II.

Now it is all about wealth and making sure that everyone knows you come from families of billions not just from hundreds of millions. America is not a place of service and Noblese Oblige but one of ostentation and coveting more material wealth. It is them and us. Rich and Poor.

It is an immoral way to raise children. Education is not about flight simulators but about values. Values are not something any of our schools really teach anymore. Studying the classics is nice but emulating their meaning is the point. Perhaps the subject should go back to being part of the curriculum again.

It seems that the newest event space in Washington will be Trump’s ballroom at the White House.

After the tragic events at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, the Trump Administration is claiming that the construction of the ballroom should be expedited as a national security matter. What would the process be for any organization, such as the correspondents’ association, to rent the space for an event? Is it going to be called Mar-A-Largo North?

Will the White House now have a banquet department? Can anyone rent the place? Will the president have to be attending the event? Does that mean the president will only attend events held at the White House? What about Mar-A-Lago, which could also be a security nightmare with members walking around?

This is not meant to be a piece on whether the ballroom should be built or not. However, I am in the camp of thinking how silly it is. But trying to use this instance of a gun toting intruder to bolster the argument of whether a White House Ballroom should be built or not is ludicrous.

Here is an idea. How about stopping the notion that everything has to revolve around the president, any president. It is the White House Correspondents’ Dinner…not the president’s dinner for the correspondents. Like so many things, I think the association has forgotten that.

Perhaps the president and his cabinet in attendance is what the White House Correspondents Association needs to make it a TV spectacular instead of a private affair to give those who cover the powerful a night off from seeing administration and congressional muckety-mucks. Is there any wonder that the public has no respect for the press? They see no difference between the press and the pols they cover. It is all about them against us…insiders and outsiders.

Power is an enticing aphrodisiac. The press is seen as an extension of the power structure by many. They should be separated from the people they are assigned to cover. This dinner fosters two things contempt and sycophancy.

The president, vice-president, attorney-general, and other administration officials should stay home or have their own party. They do not add anything to the evening. Even the news organizations themselves should stay home.

Paramount, trying to curry favor with the administration for their merger with Warner Brothers, had a table. Secretary of Defense Hegseth and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller were guests. I wonder if any reporter who covers the White House was seated at the table.

Everything that is wrong with the Washington elites was evident. There was not a failure of security since the assailant never even got near the ballroom. The failure was an event like that itself.

The White House Ball Room will have seating for a little over 900 people. This event had 2500 attendees. No wonder everyone thinks the food stinks and is cold and the acoustics are horrible. Just another intimate catered affair.

Americans are increasingly paying attention to where their food is grown, and more often, they are choosing to support American farmers and ranchers. The growing preference for American-grown foods is not just a passing trend; it reflects deeper concerns about food security, quality, and the future of our rural communities.

Recent insights highlighted by the American Farm Bureau Federation show that while farmers are producing more than ever before, consumer demand must keep pace to make farms financially viable. Productivity alone doesn’t sustain a farm, markets do.

Consumers are recognizing that choosing American-grown produce means more than just buying food. It means investing in local economies, supporting farm families, and ensuring a stable food supply. When American families prioritize domestically grown food, it strengthens rural communities and keeps farmland in production for the next generation.

This growing demand also comes at a critical time. Farmers across the country are facing tightening margins due to high input costs, labor shortages, and global competition. At the same time, farmland continues to disappear, often lost to development. Strengthening domestic demand is one of the most effective ways to help keep farms profitable and keep that land in agriculture.

Policy is beginning to reflect this shift in consumer awareness. Earlier this year, the United States Department of Agriculture announced updates to the voluntary “Product of the USA” label. The new guidance ensures that products carrying this label are derived from animals born, raised, and processed in the United States, giving consumers clearer and more accurate information about where their food comes from. This change helps build trust and allows consumers to more confidently support American producers.

Clear labeling matters because today’s consumers want transparency. They want to know how their food is grown, where it comes from, and who produced it. When labels accurately reflect origin, it empowers people to align their purchasing decisions with their values.

But demand doesn’t grow on its own. It requires awareness, education, and access. Programs that prioritize American-grown foods in schools and nutrition programs play a key role in building consistent demand. At the same time, conversations between farmers and consumers- whether at farmers markets, through social media, or in community spaces- help tell the story behind the food.

The bottom line is simple: Americans want American-grown produce, but that demand must be supported and sustained. Every purchasing decision is an opportunity to reinforce the value of domestic agriculture.

If we want to preserve farmland, strengthen rural economies, and maintain a secure food supply, the time to act is now, before more farms are lost and more land leaves production. Supporting American-grown agriculture isn’t just about today’s meals. It’s about ensuring that future generations have access to food grown by American hands on American soil.

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

The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast is a place of hope, second chances, and new beginnings – none of which would be possible without the incredible support of our community. When shelters and community partners come together, the result is something truly special: more lives saved, connections formed, and a shared commitment to compassion that reaches far beyond shelter walls.

Partnerships create long‑term success, sustainability, and meaningful impact. They help fill critical gaps so we can meet both immediate and ongoing needs for the animals, and expand services for the community.

By working with other nonprofits, community groups, and local leaders, HSTC can promote responsible pet ownership, spay and neuter programs, behavioral training, and lost‑and‑found reunification efforts that help prevent animals from ever needing shelter care in the first place.

Each relationship creates a ripple effect of compassion, inspiring greater awareness, deeper involvement, and a growing network of resources.

We proudly collaborate with many businesses and other nonprofits to support and enrich the lives of our neighbors, enabling more stable, lasting outcomes for people and their pets. These community connections offer resources for those experiencing financial hardship, homelessness, or domestic abuse, who need supplies and veterinary services.

Community partnerships turn shelters into shared spaces of pride, where residents feel personally invested in the welfare of animals in their area. When a community rallies around its shelter, it sends a powerful message that compassion matters here.

We are proud to serve Martin County residents and never lose sight of the community’s trust in carrying out our mission. Your generosity and support inspire others to get involved, creating a powerful chain reaction. One kind act sparks another, leading to positive, life‑changing outcomes for the greater whole.

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

There’s a quiet shift that happens when we move from judgment to curiosity. It doesn’t make headlines. It won’t win arguments on social media. But it has the power to change conversations and maybe even hearts.

Jesus seemed to live in that space.  Again and again, when others rushed to label, dismiss, or condemn, Jesus slowed things down. He asked questions. He listened. He noticed people others overlooked. In a world that thrives on quick takes and hot judgments, Jesus chose curiosity.

Jesus used the power of questions to break down walls,  Think about how often Jesus responded with a question.  “Who do you say that I am?”  “What do you want me to do for you?”  “Why are you afraid?”

Questions create space. They invite relationship. They open doors that judgment slams shut.  When Jesus meets the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4), he doesn’t begin with condemnation. He begins with conversation. He asks for a drink. He engages her story. And in that curiosity, transformation begins, not just for her, but for an entire community.

Curiosity didn’t water down truth. It made space for it to be received.  Judgment Is Fast. Curiosity is faithful  Judgment is easy. It’s efficient. It helps us feel certain, even righteous.  But it often keeps us at a distance.  Curiosity, on the other hand, requires humility. It asks us to admit, “I might not know the whole story.” It slows us down long enough to see a person, not just an issue.That’s harder work. But it’s holy work.

James reminds us: “Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” (James 1:19, NRSV). That’s essentially a call to curiosity. Listening first. Seeking understanding before forming conclusions.  The world doesn’t need more critics.  Let’s be honest—there is no shortage of judgment in our world.  But the church is called to be different.  Too often we fall short of that calling but we are called to be different.  We follow a Savior who ate with sinners, touched the unclean, and saw potential where others saw problems. He didn’t ignore sin—but he also refused to reduce people to it.  Imagine what would happen if we approached people the same way. Instead of: “What’s wrong with them?” we asked, “I wonder what they’ve been through?”  Instead of:  “How could they believe that?” we asked,  “Help me understand how you see this.”That shift doesn’t compromise truth—it reflects Christ.

Curiosity is not about agreeing with everyone. It’s about caring enough to understand them.  It builds trust. It lowers defenses. It makes room for real conversations instead of surface-level debates.  Jesus didn’t shout truth from a distance. He embodied it up close.

In a judgment-heavy world, curiosity is a quiet form of courage.  It takes courage to listen when you’d rather correct.  To ask when you’d rather argue.  To stay engaged when it would be easier to walk away.

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

About twenty years ago, I was sitting at my kitchen table, working from home.

My firm, the Firefly Group, was still new. It was just me. No team, no office. When the phone rang with an opportunity that felt bigger than anything I had taken on before, I remember leaning in, pen in hand, trying to keep up as I listened.

The truth is, I didn’t fully understand what I was being asked to do. And yet, by the end of that call, I had been recommended as the right person for the work.

I hung up thinking, Why me?

I went to the meeting, got the job, and walked out equal parts excited and unsure of myself. Looking back, that feeling had nothing to do with whether I was capable. It had everything to do with stepping into something new, complex, and important before I felt entirely ready.

There’s a name for that feeling: imposter syndrome. That sense that you don’t quite belong, that maybe someone made a mistake, that at any moment you’ll be found out. It’s incredibly common and for a long time, I assumed it was something to push through or get over.

But over the years, I’ve come to see it a little differently.

In the kind of work I do in marketing and communications, you’re constantly stepping into unfamiliar territory and getting up to speed quickly. You don’t walk in knowing everything. You have to listen, learn, connect the dots, and then help others make sense of it in a way that brings people along. At first that can feel like being in over your head, but it’s not. It’s simply the work itself.

The subject matter changes but the skill set doesn’t.

And that distinction matters, because it means you’re not pretending your way through something. You’re relying on your ability to learn, adapt, and navigate complexity in real time. What feels like uncertainty is often just the process of growth happening while you’re in motion.

Recently, I found myself facing another complex, high-stakes issue, and for a brief moment that old question surfaced again: Do I really belong here?

But this time, the answer came quickly: YES!

Because experience teaches you that you don’t have to have all the answers.  You just have to learn, ask good questions, trust yourself to navigate what comes next.

So you don’t have to wait until you feel completely ready to move forward. More often than not, confidence is built by moving through the experience itself.

That’s not imposter syndrome. That’s what growth feels like.

Have you ever experienced imposter syndrome? I’d love to hear your story! Send me an email at stacy@fireflyforyou.com

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

At the edge of Indiantown Marine Center's working waterfront, a parcel of donated land sits waiting. Indiantown Marine gave it to Indian River State College to build a marine training facility. A Travelift operator, a diesel mechanic, and a bottom painter work the yard within sight of it. The gift came from a donor who sees the need for a skilled workforce to be developed.

Martin County's productive industries run on specific skills: the ability to laminate fiberglass without trapping air, to hold a machined tolerance to the tenth of a thousandth of an inch, to run avionics diagnostics on a turboprop or wire a marine electronics suite by feel. The scale of what those skills support is worth understanding. Martin County's marine sector runs at seventeen times the national average in industry concentration and employs roughly ten thousand people across a $1.2 billion annual economy. Daher is committing thirty million dollars to TBM and Kodiak aircraft assembly at Witham Field. Precision manufacturers like Pace Machine & Tool, Garlington Landeweer, and Armstrong Nautical Products supply defense systems, custom yachts, and marine components to buyers who expect exacting work. Each of those companies is growing its workforce, and each is drawing from the same limited pool of trained local talent.

The county is responding with coordination that matches the scale. The REACH Center at Witham Field, rising from the old Grumman cafeteria, brings aviation, marine, manufacturing, and healthcare training under one roof. IRSC's ACE machining bootcamp places graduates directly with local manufacturers; Pace Machine has hired from the program and continues to mentor its graduates. Chapman School of Seamanship, Florida's designated maritime school, runs a Yamaha outboard certification program ranked among the top eight in the country; graduates move directly into the industry or into the Coast Guard through a lateral entry pathway the two institutions created together. Indiantown High School is threading marine career pathways into its curriculum, with the working waterfront visible from the campus.

Each stage connects to the next. A student runs a lathe for the first time, earns a credential, and finds work in Martin County because the work is here.

These industries built their footprint over decades. Building the workforce to sustain them will take more time and commitment.

Back at Indiantown Marine Center, the donated parcel is still open ground. The training facility is coming. All hands on deck.

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

The abrupt resignation of Chris Collins as Mayor and City Commissioner of Stuart, Florida has left more than a vacancy - it has left questions of his leadership.

According to recent local reporting, Collins stepped down as both Mayor and as a City Commissioner at the City of Stuart at the end of April to pursue a seat on the Martin County Commission, challenging incumbent Stacey Hetherington’s seat.  The move was swift.  The transition – immediate and self-serving.  And the implications – significant for Stuart and its residents.

Public office is not designed for convenience.  It is built on continuity, accountability, and commitment to the people who elect you.  When an elected official leaves mid-term - not due to necessity, but to seek higher office - it invites appropriate scrutiny.  Not because ambition in general is wrong, but, because timing reveals one’s priorities.  As Mayor too, Chris Collins was given responsibilities unlike others to lead, and now, his ambitions and self-interests shift to the Martin County Commission and a board seat while abruptly resigning. Leaving the residents of Stuart (as well as Martin County) whom he has harmed greatly to-date, only to seek a higher platform to bring his rigid views and politics.

This moment is best understood not through rhetoric, but through contrast.

Hetherington, elected in 2022 and currently serving her term through 2026, has built her role around balance - working to protect Martin County’s environmental character while also engaging in the economic realities that shape its future.  This is something Chris Collins neither understands nor cares about personally.  Stacey’s involvement in community organizations, infrastructure dialogue, and regional decision-making reflects a governing approach rooted in consistency and follow-through.

That doesn’t mean every decision of her’s is universally supported.  It means the job is being done.

Leadership at the county level requires navigating complexity: growth pressures, housing affordability, infrastructure demands, and environmental stewardship. These are not solved by ideology alone.  They require engagement, patience, and a willingness to stay in the seat long enough to see decisions through.

That is where Collins’ decision becomes more than a career move - it becomes a pattern worth examining.

Collins has cultivated a limited base aligned with a strong no-growth, preservation-first philosophy.  That viewpoint resonates with many who want to protect Stuart and Martin County from overdevelopment...a worthy cause.  Those concerns are legitimate and deserve appropriate and responsible representation.  I can honestly say I am thankful his reign and imposition are finally gone.

But leadership is not defined by the position you take - it is defined by the responsibility you keep.  Serving as Mayor one day and resigning the next to pursue another office creates a perception that the role itself was temporary. That the work underway was secondary.  That the office was not an obligation to fulfill, but an opportunity to leverage for himself and his few constituents.

Voters should take note.

Because the question in this upcoming race is not simply about policy positions.  It is about governing behavior.  Do you want leadership that remains engaged through the full term, working through difficult issues over time?  Or, leadership that moves on when the next opportunity presents itself?

The future of Martin County will be shaped by decisions that require discipline, continuity, and long-term thinking.  That kind of leadership is not proven by what you pursue next.  We always will elect the government we deserve…

And, it is always proven by what you finish, Chris Collins.

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

Local election season is beginning to gear up.  I’m sure there will be lots of debate about who is running and why they should be supported.  But before I spend any time on that, I wanted to share some additional perspective after having lived overseas for a bit.  I shared some stories early in my columns and a few of you have requested I share more from my experience.

I am often asked what kinds of things do I miss about living in Switzerland.  This is not easy to answer because its not just one thing.  I miss the people.  I miss the food.  And I miss the system, for a lack of a better word.  We were very lucky to have established great relationships with some local Swiss and they introduced us to their friends and ultimately we had a great local social network which we still maintain (we went back for a visit last November).  Swiss people, like some other Europeans, may have a reputation among Americans as being a little stand offish but this is really a false stereotype in my opinion.  The behavior is probably not unlike our behavior when we interact with foreign nationals here in the US.  It takes a little while to get know someone.

It’s hard to generalize but the Swiss are strong supporters of independence and being responsible and respectful.  I mentioned this in a previous column.  They generally feel everyone should be smart enough to support themselves.  They pretty much expect that you have common sense and that you will follow the rules, because that is what you have been taught and has been reinforced in the culture.  You won’t find much in the way of personal Injury attorneys in Switzerland because the laws are not designed for you to sue someone else due to what they consider to be your own fault or lack of common sense.  It really is a refreshing view of expecting citizens to be responsible for themselves.  But this is engrained in their culture from an early age. 

Parents expose their children to the outdoors early on and encourage them to take moderate risks to learn confidence and decision making.  One example I used to enjoy at the beginning of the school year was watching a parent teach a child how to cross streets in busy intersections.  I would come upon this during my walk to work. You see, children in Switzerland often walk to school so they need to learn to navigate streets, riding trams/trains, and so on. 

So there was a 4 or 5 year old standing alone at the corner, carefully watching the auto traffic, the street level tram traffic, and cyclists to determine when to utilize the striped walk across the intersection.  Autos and bikes must stop at the yellow striping, but not trams.  In an intersection where you have 4 or 5 streets crossing and multiple tram lines, bus routes and pedestrians it could be tricky.  But on the other side of the intersection was the parent, keeping a watchful eye on their child to see if he/she was looking the right way and or navigating the paths correctly.  And if everyone follows the rules of the road, it works out pretty well all day long.  I think this was a pretty good way to prepare the child for the future. 

By Marc Schlumpf, www.icarus-design.ch    (ex. of live, outdoor direct voting)

 These traits are also expressed and exhibited by the Swiss form of government.  It’s a direct democracy.  When you get a chance, look it up sometime. Its pretty cool.  The residents participate directly in making decisions about policy.  There is a legislative branch composed of elected officials representing states (Cantons) as well as based on population, but they primarily debate topics and with the executive branch, ensure basic machinery of government is functioning.  Major questions are submitted for vote to the entire registered population.  Several of my friends would go to vote or submit the paperwork for a vote on a regular basis.  Sometimes as frequent as once a month.  Think about that.  In order for the system to work you really need dedicated, responsible, and well informed citizens.  It’s in the culture.  They feel obligated and responsible to be informed about topics and participate in votes.

I wonder what that would be like here in the US.  Would people commit the time to participate on such a regular basis?    Would they commit even more time to learn and understand topics so they could express an informed vote?  Would they care?  This might be a key difference.  The Swiss are passionate about freedom and they care a lot about their lifestyle and system of government.  The Swiss system isn’t perfect but I do think we could learn a few things from them

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

The Martin County Taxpayers Association (MCTA) in conjunction with “Quiet Zones for Martin County” sponsored a forum to discuss Quiet Zones being implemented throughout the county. Quiet Zones are railroad crossings where trains approaching them no longer must sound their horns as long as four-arm gates and other safety equipment have been installed.

Thinking has been evolving on this front over the last few months since a commission vote earlier was against the implementation of Quiet Zones. At that time, a majority of commissioners believed that there was a danger in allowing them. Residents may have also believed that once. Today, they are more in the camp of allowing them.

The forum was opened by Matin County Taxpayers Association president, Kevin Powers. It was hosted by Harry & The Natives in Hobe Sound. Hobe Sound has many Florida East Coast Rail (FECR) crossings. 

MCTA’s sign-in sheet for the event showed 173 names, but I counted more than 200 people in the standing-room-only audience. There were county residents from Jensen Beach to Tequesta all interested in finding out more about Quiet Zones. The turnout was nothing short of phenomenal.

Dr. Robert Schiller, a forty-plus-year-resident of Martin County, was the lead-off speaker. He is Mariner Sand’s point person on the subject. Schiller was followed by Commissioner Stacey Hetherington.

Hetherington gave some brief remarks but said she was there to listen to the residents and to assist in having their questions and concerns answered. To do that she brought two county experts on the matter, County Administrator Don Donaldson, an engineer by training, and Jim Gorton, the head of public works.

The questions were inciteful and came from residents across the county. I am surprised that so many of our attendees were from the Jensen Beach area. Only one person at the event spoke against Quiet Zones.

It appears that Martin County residents who attended are in favor of Quiet Zones. The next steps as explained by Donaldson and Gordon would be for the commission to authorize staff to explore the possibility. The crossings under Stuart’s control need to apply either jointly with the county or independently to the Federal Rail Administration.

Don’t be surprised that at a commission meeting not very far in the future, Commissioner Hetherington pushes for a discussion on the problem. While we take no position either for or against, it is important that residents be made aware of the pros and cons of quiet zones. This forum did just that and more educational events will be needed.

The Martin County Taxpayers Association is an independent 501c3 organization that is almost 76 years old. Our organization wants to keep the taxpayers, residents, and citizens of Martin County informed. To learn more about us, go here https://mctaxpayers.org/

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

At United Way of Martin County, we know that financial stability is the foundation for a strong and thriving community. That’s why our Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program continues to be such an important resource for local individuals and families during tax season.

This year, our VITA program once again provided free, IRS-certified tax preparation services to residents across Martin County. From hardworking families and ALICE households to seniors on fixed incomes and individuals with disabilities, our volunteers ensured that neighbors in our community could file their taxes accurately, safely, and at no cost.

For many of those we serve, tax refunds are more than just a yearly occurrence—they are a critical financial boost. Through VITA, eligible taxpayers are able to claim valuable credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and Child Tax Credit, often resulting in significant refunds. These dollars go right back into our local economy—helping families cover essentials like rent, groceries, childcare, and transportation.  This year, the program served 394, saving our neighbors approximately $120,000 in tax preparation fees and they received $431,274 in refunds!!! 

But the impact of VITA goes beyond the numbers. It’s about dignity, trust, and empowerment. Our volunteers take the time to sit with each client, answer questions, and provide guidance, ensuring that every individual feels confident and respected throughout the process. For many, it’s the first time they’ve had access to trusted, no-cost financial services.

Programs like VITA are only possible because of the incredible dedication of our volunteers, community partners, and supporters. Their commitment helps keep more money in the pockets of Martin County residents and strengthens the financial health of our entire community.

We would like to thank our volunteers who make this program accessible to our community:

Site Coordinator:        Debbie Connolly

Tax Preparers:              Brenda Bennett

Todd Cederberg

Debra Coffey

Lori Cogen

David Corthell

 Donna Hamilton

Marilyn Maritt

Keith Quintavalle

Laurie Toben

Marie Tout-Puissant

Interested in volunteering next tax season or learning more about how VITA can help? We invite you to connect with us and be part of this meaningful work.

Exciting news coming in June:

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce the upcoming launch of our new Volunteer United software database! This June, local nonprofits seeking volunteers and community members looking for meaningful ways to give back will have one central place to connect. We’re thrilled to expand our services and strengthen our role as the hub for volunteerism in Martin County, making it easier than ever to match passion with purpose.

For more information on United Way of Martin County, please visit our website www.UnitedWayMartin.org or email me at chdiez@unitedwaymartin.org.

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

The summer is upon us!  While the summer months bring with them a slower pace, excitement for many about trips and vacations and time with family and friends, do you know that for some populations, summer can be a time of great anxiety and uncertainty because some services also slow down or take a break?  This can mean, for many of our friends and neighbors, a change to needed supports.

For us at Helping People Succeed, we pay close attention to this, particularly when it comes to our youth services.  We intentionally stand in this summer gap to ensure children with mental health needs, families with case management needs, and youth with disabilities all receive programming to support them.  We are proud to be offering 9 summer camps this year!

We often hear people talk about the “summer slide” referring to youth losing ground in reading and math skills over the summer months, and it is important to support summer programs that help to alleviate that slide.  But, I urge you to think about other sorts of “summer slide”, for example, mental health summer slide.  For many of our youth mental health clients, their therapy occurs at their school during the school day as this is easier for families and ensures accessibility, safety, and integration into the school day.  But what happens when school is closed for months at a time over the summer? 

This is why we host summer camps with a therapeutic focus to ensure that not only academic slide is considered, but also the social-emotional and mental health needs of youth.  Our camps provide licensed therapists, case managers, and teachers every day to ensure our campers have their wholistic needs met over the summer, all while having fun.  Our camps ensure kids who sometimes have difficulty succeeding at more traditional summer camps have a place to feel safe, supported, and encouraged, all without a drop in much needed services.

And how about youth with disabilities?  Summer can also be a struggle for families as they adjust to their child being without their normal routine.  Our camps are a great option for any child with an IEP or 504 to have a sense of routine and individualized support all summer while focusing on learning the skills needed to be successful in school, at home, and in the community.

We encourage you to spread the word and to consider a donation to support our work to keep all of our youth, especially those who are often overlooked, be safe, supported, and serviced this summer!

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

We were recently invited to a wine pairing dinner. One of those beautifully orchestrated evenings where every course arrives with a perfectly matched pour. It was informative and thoughtful, but it’s also the kind of experience that can be a bit intimidating for a lot of people. Not because of the food because everyone understands good food.  It’s the wine.

I’ve spent most of my career around hospitality, and if there’s one thing I’ve seen over and over again, it’s how quickly wine can make otherwise confident people second-guess themselves. The moment a bottle is presented, or a sommelier starts describing “notes of stone fruit and a hint of minerality,” you can almost feel people retreat a bit.

But here’s the truth. Wine isn’t supposed to feel like a test.

That dinner reminded me why wine pairings, when done right, are actually one of the best ways to learn - without realizing you’re learning.

Take the opening courses. There were light, bright flavors that included crispy vegetables, a little salt from caviar and a bit of richness from crème fraiche. It was paired with a sparkling rosé. You don’t need to know anything about the wine to understand why it works. The bubbles cut through the richness. The acidity kept everything fresh. It just felt right.

Then came a course that proves this point even more clearly: grilled octopus with a little heat and acidity in the vinaigrette, alongside fresh greens and citrus. Octopus is one of those dishes people don’t quite know what to do with when it comes to wine. But it was paired with a bright, citrus-forward white, and everything clicked. The wine mirrored the lemon notes, softened the spice, and kept the dish from feeling heavy. It didn’t compete with it. It connected it. And that’s really the goal of any good pairing.

It’s not about memorizing regions or vintages. Just paying attention to what happens on your palate.

As the courses progressed, so did the wines. A clean, unoaked Chardonnay alongside a delicate scallop dish. Earthy mushrooms and pasta paired with a more structured red blend. When it was time to serve the Wagyu, the Cabernet matched with it was bold enough to stand up to the richness but didn’t overpower it.

None of this requires a certification to appreciate. It’s just pattern recognition. Light with light. Rich with rich. Acid balances fat. Tannins soften with protein.

That’s it. That’s the whole “secret.”

What I appreciated most about the evening wasn’t the complexity - it was the clarity. Each pairing made sense without explanation. And when wine makes sense, it becomes enjoyable instead of intimidating.

Because here’s where people get stuck. They think they’re supposed to know how to get it right. Order the right wine, use the right words and have the right opinion.

But that’s not what enjoying wine is all about. Does the wine make the food taste better? Does it make you want another sip?  That’s what matters.

If you take anything from a wine pairing dinner like this, it shouldn’t be the names of the bottles (most people won’t remember them anyway). It should be the feeling of how things worked together.  A crisp white that made seafood taste brighter. A red that made a rich dish feel more balanced. A pairing that turned something as tricky as octopus into something completely approachable.  A dessert wine that made you slow down with each small sip.

So the next time you’re looking at a wine list, don’t overthink it. Start simple. Try matching the weight of the wine to the weight of the food. If you’re unsure, lean toward something with a little acidity. It’s more forgiving than you think.

And if you find something you enjoy, remember it.  What were you eating? Why did it work for you?  That’s how you build your own palate.  Not by studying wine. By experiencing it. And ideally, by doing it over a really good meal. But in the end, it’s not about the science of wine or what a sommelier tells you. It’s what tasted good to you!

Do you have a favorite wine you’d like to share with me?  Send me an email at dinewithbrent@gmail.com.

Brent Hanlon’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

It’s good business to bet on Martin County’s economy.

When local companies decide to become a BDBMC Investor, they’re demonstrating their confidence in our local industries and their belief in the Business Development Board of Martin County to help serve, support and diversify the economy.

Recently, Bank of America renewed its commitment as a BDBMC investor, again coming in at the highest level of support. Colliers followed suit at an elevated level. At the same time, Eclipse Landscape Architecture & Planningbecame our newest BDBMC investor.

We’re extremely grateful for the support of each of these companies and the many other BDBMC Investors. While the benefits vary based on the level of investment, the value we offer in return includes, among others, opportunities to participate in Pulse business visits, invitations to groundbreakings and special events, promotional spots and tickets to the annual Martin County Business Awards.

Nominations being accepted

Speaking of the awards ceremony, the 2026 Martin County Business Awards will take place in October at Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa in Jensen Beach. Bank of America is generously serving again as our presenting sponsor.

Previous categories include, among others, Youth Entrepreneur of the Year, Headquarters of the Year and Company to Watch. We may have some exciting news to share soon about the event that should really inspire attendance—and this is an event that’s sold out for the last six years straight!

Your regular business briefing

If you want to stay on top of what’s happening in the local business community, consider signing up for our newsletter Martinomics. It’s an easy, short read, delivered for free each month to your email inbox.  There’s always something neat and interesting to learn in each publication, including updates about the innovations of local, advanced manufacturers, the expansion plans of legacy companies, and the programs our partners are offering to assist businesses and entrepreneurs achieve their goals.

Additionally, the calendar of industry events makes networking easier. (It’s also a great way to ensure you never miss my Executive Director’s Message.) Please visit www.BDBMC.org to sign up.

Making news on economic opportunities

Apparently, news reporters enjoy the Executive Director feature as well. That’s a great reminder that I need to remain extra vigilant about my grammar. Last week, WPTV reached out regarding my piece about the rising trends of expanding and incoming industrial sites in Martin County. Cassandra Garcia interviewed me about the role that such sites can play in higher-wage job creation and a more diversified tax base.

It takes a Village

A big “Thank You” goes out to our valued partners at the Village of Indiantown, Indiantown Chamber of Commerce and Indiantown Economic Council.

We enjoyed hearing about and seeing all the exciting projects coming online in the Village—particularly Sedron Technologies’ Integrated Regional Biosolids Management & Renewable Energy Facility.

This incredible facility will treat more than 330,000 tons of biosolids per year through an advanced process that drastically reduces energy consumption, removes PFAS chemicals and converts the byproduct into renewable fuel.

It says a lot about the leadership of Indiantown that Sedron selected the village to host its plant, which will help sustainably address one of the biggest challenges that society faces.

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

Tiny bubbles

Make me happy

                                    -- Don Ho

At the Rivers Coalition meeting last month we learned all about muck: the unhealthy stuff at the bottom of the St. Lucie River. As much as four feet of it.

This month, we learned how to get rid of it.

There are two main ways: dredging and using nanobubbles.

Dredging gets rid of the muck – but takes a long time (five years, in the case of the Manatee Pocket). Then there’s a problem of what to do with it. There’s a lot of it: 525,000 dump truck loads in the entire estuary. And the muck contains a lot of harmful stuff, so it can’t be dumped just anywhere.

Enter a company called Moleaer. They get rid of muck using nanobubbles.

Nanobubbles are gas bubbles less than 200 nanometers in diameter: 2,500 times smaller than a grain of salt. They behave differently than conventional bubbles, remaining stable in water and delivering gas (oxygen) with exceptional efficiency where it’s needed: at the very bottom.

The nanobubbles provide a massive boost of dissolved oxygen where "good" aerobic bacteria live – in the muck. These bacteria then go into overdrive, eating the muck much faster than they normally would.

Alas, nothing’s perfect.
* It takes time to get rid of all that muck. Lots of time.
* And money. It’ll take $15 million to treat an initial area between the Roosevelt Bridge and the Evans Crary Bridge to Sewall’s Point.
* And getting the money takes time too. If things go well, the appropriation will be in the fiscal 2028 budget. (Yes; 2028.)
* The estuary is much, much bigger than the lakes and ponds they typically treat.

The bottom line: Since we’re no longer getting harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee (the most polluted lake in the country), we can start looking at trying to get rid of the muck from all the past discharges. But just like stopping the discharges, it won’t be a quick and easy process.

To learn more about nanobubbles, go here: https://www.moleaer.com/en-us/nanobubbles

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

For 41-year-old Heather Leonard, it began as a normal workday in Stuart, Florida. She had no known history of brain aneurysms, no family history and no warning signs.

Shortly after 5 p.m., Heather stood up from her desk and suddenly became nauseated. Moments later, she collapsed. A coworker called for help. Heather was experiencing a ruptured brain aneurysm, a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate treatment.

Paramedics took her to Cleveland Clinic Tradition Hospital, where the Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center team quickly evaluated her and began care. As a Joint Commission-designated Advanced Comprehensive Stroke Center, the hospital is equipped to treat complex stroke and aneurysm emergencies with advanced imaging, neuro-intervention, neurocritical care and coordinated rehabilitation.

Heather’s care team included Jeffrey Miller, MD, endovascular neurosurgery; Fouad Abuzeid, MD, neurocritical care; and Marc Alain Babi, MD, MBA, neurocritical care specialist. Dr. Miller performed endovascular coiling, a minimally invasive procedure used to treat the ruptured aneurysm and prevent further bleeding.

“Time and coordination are critical in complex stroke and aneurysm emergencies,” said Dr. Babi. “Heather’s case shows the value of having advanced stroke capabilities close to home, supported by a multidisciplinary team that can rapidly diagnose, treat and manage these high-risk neurologic conditions.”

                                             Marc Alain Babi MD MBA_

After the procedure, Heather spent about two and a half weeks in the Neuro Intensive Care Unit, where her team monitored her for complications such as vasospasm, managed her blood pressure and closely tracked her neurologic status.

As she improved, Heather moved from the ICU to a hospital floor and later continued rehabilitation at Encompass Health in Stuart. Therapy helped her rebuild strength and address early challenges with memory and writing.

Heather experienced headaches and weakness after the event and learned that controlling her high blood pressure would be an important part of her recovery.

Over time, her writing, memory and strength improved. Today, she has returned to work with a home health agency in Stuart. Her recovery is especially meaningful because she has a background in nursing and previously worked at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health.

Heather says recovery from a ruptured aneurysm is not only physical.

“Surviving my aneurysm changed me in ways I’m still learning,” she said. “I may look the same on the outside, but recovery has been just as much mental as physical. The fatigue and cognitive challenges aren’t visible, but they’re real. I’m learning to slow down, listen to my body and redefine what strength looks like.”

                                                     Heather Leonard

Her story highlights the importance of recognizing neurologic emergencies, calling 911 immediately and having access to advanced stroke and neurocritical care when every minute matters.What is a brain aneurysm?

A brain aneurysm is a weakened or bulging area in a blood vessel in or around the brain. Many aneurysms never cause symptoms. But if one ruptures, it can cause bleeding around the brain, called a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and may lead to hemorrhagic stroke.

A ruptured brain aneurysm is a medical emergency. Symptoms may include:

• Sudden, severe headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Weakness
• Confusion
• Vision changes
• Loss of consciousness
• Other stroke-like symptoms

Treatment depends on the aneurysm’s size, location, shape and the patient’s overall condition. Options may include:

• Endovascular coiling: A minimally invasive procedure that places tiny coils inside the aneurysm to reduce blood flow and help prevent further bleeding.
• Microvascular clipping: Surgery to place a small clip at the base of the aneurysm and stop blood from entering it.
• Flow diversion stents: A mesh-like device used to redirect blood flow away from the aneurysm.

Risk factors and prevention

Not all aneurysms can be prevented, but certain factors may increase risk, including:

• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Family history of aneurysms
• Certain inherited connective tissue or vascular conditions
• Excessive alcohol use

To help reduce risk, patients should monitor and manage blood pressure, avoid smoking and limit excessive alcohol use.

Dr. Chirag Choudhary's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

One of my favorite parts of the annual Keep Martin Beautiful Environmental Stewardship Awards happens before the program even begins.

During cocktail hour, I always find myself looking around the room and smiling at the incredible mix of people gathered together for a common purpose. Environmental advocates chatting with waste management employees. County and city government representatives catching up with educators and business leaders. Volunteers, students, nonprofit leaders, landscapers, restaurateurs, conservationists, and families all sharing stories and conversations.

This year, we had guests as young as nine years old and others well into their 80s.

And while they all came from different backgrounds and experiences, they shared something important in common: a deep love for Martin County and a genuine passion for being good stewards of our little piece of paradise.

That’s what makes this event so meaningful each year. It’s a reminder that protecting and improving our environment isn’t the responsibility of just one group or organization. It takes all of us working together in ways both large and small.

Held on April 30 at Willoughby Golf Club, the 2026 Environmental Stewardship Awards celebrated individuals, businesses, and organizations that are turning commitment into action throughout our community. What stands out year after year is that environmental stewardship in Martin County isn’t just an abstract idea. It’s practical, hands-on, and driven by people who care deeply about the place they call home.

That spirit was especially evident when past award recipient Mike Gonzalez returned to present the Outstanding Adopt-A-Road Award. His remarks reflected the simple but powerful idea that caring for our environment starts with giving back to the land and community that give so much to us.

Each of this year’s honorees represents a different way to make a positive impact - through conservation, education, innovation, beautification, sustainable business practices, and community improvement. Together, they demonstrate that real progress happens when people stay engaged and take initiative.

2026 Environmental Stewardship Award Recipients

• Beautification: Conchy Joe’s Waterfront Restaurant Restoration Project
• Green Business Leader: Ed Griffith, Hutchinson Shores Resort & Spa
• Seeds of Stewardship: Mattamy Homes for the Newfield community
• Outstanding Adopt-A-Road: Bryan Buxton
• Youth Impact: Young Friends of the Everglades for the Edudome Experience
• Youth Champion: Julie Boynton, Julie’s Tropical Charms
• Community Improvement: Martin County Community Redevelopment Agency for the Palm City Place & Patio Project
• River Advocate: City of Stuart & Coastal Conservation Association Florida for Vertical Oyster Gardens
• Innovation: Apogee Golf Club
• Conservation Champion: Martin County Forever & Martin County Board of County Commissioners
• Wendy Lee Parker Award: Milton Leggett

The diversity of this year’s recipients is proof that environmental stewardship can take many forms. Whether it’s planting native landscapes, restoring shorelines, reducing waste, educating young people, or simply showing up consistently to help make our community better, every effort matters.

Martin County is special because so many people here care enough to get involved.

As we celebrate this year’s honorees, I hope it also inspires others to find their own way to contribute. Volunteer for a cleanup. Support local conservation efforts. Mentor a young environmental leader. Pick up litter on your street. Plant something native. Attend a meeting. Speak up for the places you love.

Small actions, repeated by many people over time, are what keep Martin County beautiful for generations to come.

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

When I talk with local business owners, one theme comes up again and again: uncertainty. Not panic — just that quiet question in the back of everyone’s mind: What happens if something goes wrong tomorrow? A cyberattack, a power outage, a storm, a system failure — we’ve all seen how quickly a normal workday can turn upside down.

That’s where business resilience comes in, and what I have preached for years. It’s become one of the most important conversations today.

For years, the focus was on prevention. Keep the bad stuff out. Lock the doors. Build higher walls. The problem is that technology has changed, and so have the risks. Cybersecurity experts openly acknowledge that no system is perfectly secure. The real difference between businesses that suffer long-term damage and those that bounce back quickly comes down to how prepared they are for disruption — and how fast they can recover.

Technology is the enemy and the savior in all this. Cloud-based systems, for example, allow businesses to keep data ready and accessible even if your physical office is unavailable. If a server fails or a building is inaccessible, people can still work, customers can still be served, and operations don’t grind to a halt.

Cyber resilience is another shift we’re seeing. Instead of asking, “How do we stop every possible attack?” businesses and people are asking, “If something happens, how do we keep running?” This means having a reliable disaster recovery plan in place, a clear path to that recovery, and technology that allows critical systems to be restored quickly.

Artificial intelligence is now starting to support these efforts as well. AI tools can help spot issues earlier, automate responses, and reduce the time it takes to react when something doesn’t look right. Used properly, it allows small IT teams — or even no internal IT team at all — to stay one step ahead.

At the end of the day, business resilience isn’t about fear. It’s about confidence. It’s knowing that even when challenges come — and they will — your business is positioned to weather the storm, whatever the storm is, and serve your customers, that tomorrow will come and the business will still be there.

And I know that from my point of view as a business owner, that peace of mind, being resilient, is what most people and business owners are really looking for.

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

A child who’s struggling academically can always benefit from dedicated tutoring.

And if that tutor learns a little about the child’s life along the way, the additional context can inform a more holistic teaching experience.

Finally, if the tutor can tie the lessons to the child’s natural interests, comprehension and improved performance are sure to follow.

Thankfully, there’s a program that unites all of the above and then some. It’s fueled Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County’s sustained improvements in academics—and more—for local children in need for nearly eight years.

21st Century Community Learning Centers grants power the acclaimed academic and personal enrichment opportunities we provide to the more than 1,000 young people in our daily care at our five clubs and the thousands more we reach annually.

This whole-child approach meets the students right where they are academically, linking to their classroom lesson plans and addressing the areas of greatest need.

Our Hobe Sound Club is paired with Seawind Elementary and Murry Middle; our Port Salerno Club works with Pinewood Elementary and Dr. David L. Anderson Middle. Our Indiantown Club coordinates with Warfield Elementary and Indiantown Middle. Our Greater Stuart Club teams with J.D. Parker Elementary and Stuart Middle. Our Club based at Jensen Beach High School remains exclusive to its students.

We work with young people who are:

• Learning English (alongside their siblings)
• Performing below grade level in core classes such as English/Language Arts, math and science and/or scoring poorly on state assessments in those disciplines.
• Cutting class, acting out and showing early signs of dropping out

In addition to small-group and one-on-one instruction, we offer a variety of hands-on enrichment and STEM activities that spark creative and critical thinking. Our workforce training programs present them with introductory or in-depth engagement with drone piloting, coding, culinary, electrical, construction, HVAC and skills and trades. As they progress, they can earn certifications, hourly wages, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities.

Remaining focused on anything—even a topic you like—is difficult when you’re hungry. Nearly 90 percent of our Club members qualify for the district’s free/reduced lunch program. We step into the gap by providing daily a healthy snack and meal—two meals during the summer—before sending our members home each weekend and over holiday breaks with backpacks full of healthy food staples.

The results are undeniable. In the 2023/24 school year, 91 percent of students in the program improved academically; 94 percent increased their English Language scores and 74 percent improved attendance.

All BGCMC programs are free to our members—but effort is expected and not just from the young people. Academic enrichment requires family engagement. We integrate parents and caregivers to the undertaking through workshops and literacy activities.

Raising expectations—and equipping them to rise accordingly—shows young people that the life they’ve dreamed of is also the one they’re capable of. Such realizations are the direct result of this community’s enduring generosity. 

Keith Fletcher’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

In this 1984 book, internationally recognized biologist and writer E.O. Wilson described human beings intrinsic connection to nature. He theorized that, because humans evolved in nature, we have a biological need to connect with it, and coined the term “Biophilia,” translated from Greek meaning the “love of life and the living world.”

We’re wired to be in contact with the natural world around us.

This is not a new concept. Civilizations have recognized the importance of living in connection with the natural world for thousands of years:

Egyptians around 1550 BC had a complex network of “pleasure gardens” designed for the purpose of de-stressing.

Cyrus the Great around 500 BC commissioned gardens for the crowded urban capital of Persia (Iran) to improve his citizens’ health and increase the sense of “calm” in his city.

In more recent history, science has entered the fray, notebook and pencil in hand, to more closely document this connection between humans and their surroundings.

A Japanese study in the 1980s showed 15 minutes in nature will decrease all the markers that doctors care about: blood pressure, heart rate, stress hormones. 

Another study took people with highest level of stress and found a significant drop in anxiety, depression, and hostility after only two hours in the woods.

The studies resounded so loudly and clearly, a special term was created to describe the phenomenon: shinrin-yoku, “forest bathing.”

Those findings were compelling enough that researchers pushed further, leading groups of people into the woods with bad hearts, kidneys, or immune systems. No hiking or strenuous activity required; the patients simply shuffled about and generally “bathed” in the forest. 

Each group showed improvements. People with heart disease saw blood pressure drop to the levels a doctor may pass as healthy. Diabetics had blood sugar levels get close to a normal level. People with weak immune systems started pumping out 150% more “natural killer cells,” the cells that kill off infections that are trying to kill you. No calisthenics required.

The Japanese have done 100+ studies on forest bathing and their near always positive findings incited a global research trend. Here in the States, research institutions such as University of Michigan and Stanford jumped on the human health and nature connection, and the results are in: getting outside in a green space improves memory, decreases rumination and depression.

So the next time you’re feeling out of sorts: head to one of Martin County’s beautiful parks. Whether you prefer the green spaces provided by the trees or the blue of the sea, it only takes a small portion of your day to make you feel better, and more grounded.

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

Older Americans Month: Champion Your Health

Celebrated every May, Older Americans Month is led by the Administration for Community Living under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.  Established in 1963, Older Americans Month is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving older adults in our communities.

This year’s theme, “Champion Your Health,” focuses on prevention, wellness, and personal responsibility as cornerstones of healthy aging. It encourages older adults to take an active role in their health — advocating for themselves, accessing preventive care, and making informed decisions that support independence.

How can individuals take charge of their health at every age?

• Stay up to date on preventive care and screenings.
• Build and maintain social connections that support emotional well-being.
• Choose nutritious, minimally processed foods.
• Incorporate regular physical activity to maintain strength and mobility.
• Practice daily habits that support mental health and resilience.

The Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, Inc. (Agency) is a local non-profit that plans, coordinates and funds services to support older adults and their caregivers. The Agency operates a helpline staffed with specially trained professionals who provide vital information and resources to older adults, persons with disabilities and their caregivers.  The Helpline may be reached tollfree at 1-866-684-5885.

The Agency also has an established network of providers who provide home and community-based services to qualifying seniors and caregivers.  In the Treasure Coast Lead Agency providers include the Kane Center/Council on Aging of Martin County, Council on Aging of St. Lucie, Okeechobee Senior Services and Senior Resource Association in Indian River County. 

Know Us Before You Need Us

The Area Agency on Aging is dedicated to promoting the well-being and independence of seniors, adults with disabilities, and their caregivers. We offer resources, support, and advocacy to help you live safely and independently.

📞 Helpline: 1-866-684-5885
 

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

As the month of May begins, the American Red Cross Palm Beach & Treasure Coast Chapter is emphasizing hurricane and wildfire preparedness and education across South Florida. With the Atlantic hurricane season beginning June 1, this time of year is critical for helping residents understand risks, take preparedness actions, and ensure local response systems are ready before disasters occur.

In recent weeks, the chapter has supported Thunderbolt exercises and hands‑on shelter simulations to strengthen readiness across the Treasure Coast. In partnership with Hobe Sound Church Street Chapel, volunteers participated in a Red Cross Shelter Exercise—an interactive training designed to prepare volunteers to effectively operate an emergency shelter during a disaster. These exercises allow participants to practice setting up and managing shelter operations, safely feeding residents, and providing comfort and support to individuals and families displaced by emergencies in a controlled environment.

The chapter is also working closely with Martin County Emergency Management to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season and confirm that sheltering commitments remain in place. While partnerships and planning are essential, the ability to support residents during disasters ultimately depends on people power. Volunteers are the backbone of the Red Cross response, and additional volunteers from Martin County are urgently needed to support sheltering and disaster response operations. Without volunteers, the Red Cross simply cannot deliver its mission to residents when emergencies occur.

Community outreach and preparedness education remain a priority throughout May. The Red Cross will be present at the Martin County Employees Health & Wellness Fair on Friday, May 1, at the Blake Library, sharing information about Red Cross services, volunteer opportunities, and family preparedness resources.

CALL TO ACTION: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED IN MARTIN COUNTY

Hurricane season is approaching—and local volunteers are essential.

Whether supporting emergency shelters, assisting families after disasters, or helping behind the scenes, volunteers play a vital role when our community needs help most.

Learn more by attending the Virtual Volunteer Information Session (Open House)
WHEN: Second Wednesday of every month  |  5:30 – 6:30 p.m.   |  Held via Microsoft Teams

Registration information is available at:
https://www.redcross.org/local/florida/south-florida/volunteer.html

Educational outreach may also include participation in the Clark Learning Center’s annual “Crane Con”, where outside organizations traditionally offer student training sessions. In past years, Red Cross preparedness and Hands‑Only CPR education have supported this event, with sessions typically held between May 1–May 6.

As May concludes, it is also an important time to highlight Service to the Armed Forces, one of the Red Cross’s core mission areas. Through programs like Restoring Family Links, the Red Cross helps reconnect families separated by conflict, disaster, or other emergencies. Sharing this information ensures service members, veterans, and their families know support is available when it matters most. To learn more, visit: Reconnecting Families.

Preparedness starts now—and community resilience begins with informed, trained, and committed volunteers.

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

Mother’s Day.  I’ve been doing my usual routine: watching stories about mothers. Seems we are all the rage in the streaming world. It’s a mixed bag.

The tv/movie buzz is astounding, driven in part by the The Devil Wears Prada2 phenom. Who doesn’t want to gaze at those stars and watch a sniveling creature get her just desserts? Where’s the motherhood?

Miranda’s a great mom, and the sniveling one is a bad mom. I attended the movie along with other white-haired women, younger women of all shapes and hues and two men who accompanied their wives. The movie is a lot of fun and hey the Net gala is tonight.  Great product placement.

I watched my soap and am happy to report that the Days of Our Lives writers gloriously concluded a years long saga about an abandoned baby. The mother left her baby at a fire station and then became obsessed with who adopted the child.  This woman was placed in a mental health facility to recover and was presumed mute. When a younger child who was suffering from a traumatic shooting incident is placed in the same facility, the mute Sophia,  befriends this child, grooming her to be her accomplice.

When Sophia turns 18, she checks herself out, leaving her young friend behind. Behold a backer appears promising her a new life if she kills somebody, the very person she hates most.  She takes the job, following her backer’s instructions: here’s the gun, here’s your disguise,  write the suicide note, escape out your window leaving the note. Meet me by the river for your payment: money and documents to start your new life after you fake your death. Sophia can’t help but be too clever for her own good. She follows the plot, as evidence builds that she has committed various crimes.

Her backer? The original mother from hell: Rachel’s mother. She hits Sophia on her temple. It was all a ruse to ensure Sophia dies, a suicide, ensnared by her own madness.

Happy Mother’s Day to the first woman trainer to win the  Kentucky Derby: Cherie Devault on Golden Tempo, the chill horse with the rock star jockey.

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

Okay, so picture this. You've got an employee who never calls in sick, never needs a coffee break, remembers every single email you've ever sent, and can knock out a week's worth of data entry before you finish your morning cup of coffee. Sounds like a fantasy, right?

Well, friend, meet Agentic AI. It's very real, and it's kind of blowing my mind.

"Wait, Isn't That Just... Regular AI?"

Nope! And this is the part that gets fun. Most AI tools you've probably used are basically a really smart encyclopedia. You ask it something, and it gives you an answer. Done. That's it.

Agentic AI is a whole different animal. Think of it less like a search engine and more like a digital assistant who actually does stuff. It has what they call "agency",  meaning it can use tools, hop into software, and take action based on a goal you give it.

Here's a real example. You tell it: "Find me five new leads, send them a friendly intro email, and get a meeting on my calendar." And then, it just... does it. It digs into LinkedIn, talks to your email, checks your calendar app, and makes it happen. While you're literally doing something else. Wild, right?

The Good Stuff (And There's a Lot of It)

Let's talk about why business owners are getting SO excited about this.

It takes over the boring stuff. You know all those tasks that eat your day alive? Updating spreadsheets, filing invoices, sorting through support tickets? Hand. Them. Over. Your agentic AI will handle it without complaining once.

It can actually sound like you. If you give it access to your communication tools, it can draft and even send responses in your voice. So your business keeps moving even when you're out living your life. (And yes, we deserve to live our lives.)

It watches your business so you don't have to. Because it's looking at your data in real time, it can catch things like a sudden dip in sales and either alert you immediately, or, if you've set it up that way, kick off a marketing campaign automatically to fix it. Like a business co-pilot who never blinks.

Okay But... The Not-So-Great Stuff

Alright, I'm not going to sell you something without telling you the whole truth, because that's not how we do things.

AI can still make mistakes, and now those mistakes can do things. Regular AI gets facts wrong sometimes (we call those "hallucinations"). Cute term, scary reality when the AI actually has access to your bank account or your professional email. A wrong move there isn't just an oops, it could cost you money or your reputation.

You can't always see WHY it did what it did. This is what people call the "black box" problem. If your agentic AI fires off a weird email to your most important client... "the AI did it" is not going to go over well. You need to know what it's doing and why.

So, How Do You Use This Without Losing Your Mind?

Here's the good news: You absolutely don't have to choose between being tech-savvy and being safe. You just need some guardrails. Think of it like teaching a new hire: you don't hand them the keys to everything on day one.

Keep yourself in the loop. This is huge. Set things up so the AI can draft the email or prep the payment, but YOU hit send or confirm. Don't hand over full autopilot on anything important. Not yet, anyway.

Only give it access to what it actually needs. If it's helping you manage social media, it has zero business knowing your banking passwords. Keep those boundaries clear.

Check the logs. Most agentic platforms keep a history of everything the AI has done. Make it a habit to peek at that regularly. It's like checking your bank statement, a little boring, but very important.

Lock down your security. If AI is connected to your accounts, your login protection matters more than ever. Two-factor authentication isn't optional anymore; it's essential.

The Bottom Line

Agentic AI is like getting a really powerful engine for your business. Steered right, it can take you further and faster than you ever imagined. But like any powerful tool, you want to ease into it, start small, keep your eyes on the controls, and build trust with it over time.

The digital workforce is here, babe. And the business owners who learn to work with it,  wisely and safely, are going to have a serious edge.

Interested in learning more? Drop me a line at Chriss@ChrissDavidAndAssociates.com

Chriss David’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

No Room to Park, No Room to Breathe

On Friday and Saturday nights, Port Salerno's beloved Manatee Pocket pocket bursts at its seams — and for years, local residents have been asking: when does someone actually do something about it?

It is a Friday evening in Port Salerno. The sun is melting into the Manatee Pocket, live music drips across the water from two or three directions at once, and the smell of fresh-caught grouper follows you down Dixie Highway. The Two Georges is packed. The Pearl is humming. Shrimpers is full. Mangia is hopping.

And somewhere — three blocks away, four blocks away, five blocks away — you are circling in your car, again, wondering where on earth you are going to park.

If you have been to Port Salerno on a weekend night in the last several years, you know this feeling intimately. It is not a matter of bad luck or bad timing. It is a structural crisis — a booming, beloved destination without the infrastructure to support the crowds it draws.

And despite years of debate, dueling proposals, community organizing, and political tension, the parking problem in the Port Salerno Pocket remains stubbornly, maddeningly unsolved.

The question that hangs over this historic fishing village like a sea fog is simple: When is enough, enough?

Port Salerno did not set out to become the Treasure Coast's most popular waterfront dining and entertainment district. It evolved that way — organically, authentically, the way real places do. For decades, it was defined by its working waterfront: serving as the original hub for the South Florida commercial fishing industry, and today it is home to the last remaining commercial fishing dock in all of Martin County - and one of the last on the South East Coast of Florida. That identity — raw, proud, salt-and-diesel — is baked into the street grid, the architecture, and the soul of the place.

But Port Salerno is also gorgeous. The Manatee Pocket, a sheltered bay stretching from the village toward the St. Lucie Inlet, has become a magnet for boaters, tourists, and Treasure Coast locals seeking a genuinely good night out. Add weekend live music, yoga, fishing charters, a walkable Key West vibe and you have a destination that draws people from Palm Beach to Vero Beach and everywhere in between.

The problem is that the streets of Port Salerno were designed for a working fishing village. Park Street, Railway Avenue, Commerce Avenue, Dixie Highway — these were never intended to serve as the parking perimeter for a regional entertainment destination. And on a busy Friday or Saturday night, every single available space within walking distance of the water — legal or otherwise — is filled well before 7 p.m. Residents on Park Street watch their neighborhood transform into a parking lot. Commercial fishermen find their boat-access lanes clogged with tourist vehicles. Businesses lose customers who simply cannot find a place to leave their car. And everyone involved has been asking for a solution for years.

Port Salerno's restaurant and entertainment district — centered on the Manatee Pocket waterfront — draws thousands of visitors on weekend nights, yet operates with parking infrastructure built for a quiet fishing village. No structured public parking lot, no shuttle system, and no clear solution has been implemented as of 2026.

The good news is that Port Salerno is bursting at its seams.   It is beloved by the residents, fishermen, tourists and the county administration and commissioners.   Everybody loves Salerno!  We have our problems but the good news is that we are thriving.   

The next article will be about the bad….a little history on how we have come to be where we are and the people responsible.  

Stay tuned.

J. Corey Crowley's opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

Exciting news! After the success of our “Locals Only” summer savings program last year, we have decided to partner with Visit St. Lucie and Visit Indian River once again to bring the program back for Summer 2026!

This innovative savings initiative brings exclusive deals to Treasure Coast residents to inspire regional visitation, promote staycations, and drive revenue for our local hotels, businesses, and attractions during the quieter summer months. It also serves as a token of appreciation for our residents by bringing them exclusive discounts they won’t find anywhere else.

What is makes this program unique?

• We will invest funding into a regional marketing and PR campaign that will drive traffic to the central “Locals Only” landing page hosted on FloridasTreasureCoast.com
• Each Tourism Office will also have a dedicated Locals Only page on our respective websites with all listed deals for additional exposure
• A valid ID/driver’s license is required as proof of residency to redeem each deal – individuals must be a resident of Martin, St. Lucie, or Indian River County to get each deal (making this program truly for “locals only”)
• Regional residents can redeem deals in all 3 counties – so a Stuart resident can redeem a Locals Only deal in Fort Pierce, a Vero Beach resident can redeem a discount in Hobe Sound, etc.
• We are looking for fun and unique offers to highlight what makes our region so unique and are reaching out to hotels, restaurants, attractions, tour operators, and retail establishments to bring the program to life
• All tourism-facing businesses are welcome to submit a special offer for the duration of the campaign (starting in June through September 30)

To participate, please email your Locals Only deal details to info@discovermartin.com – we’ll need the following information from you:

• A customized special offer to feature on the landing page – some examples we saw last year included:
  • Treasure Coast resident discounts at hotels
  • Get a free appetizer with the purchase of an entrée  
  • Discounted admission price to attractions
  • $10 off every $100 spent at boutiques
  • Buy one cocktail get one free
  • 20% off private sailing excursions
• The better/more attention-grabbing the deal, the more likely people will be to redeem
• Share any blackout dates, additional exclusions, and/or custom booking links if applicable
• Please include a photo for us to use on the dedicated campaign page

Some other things to keep in mind:

• The program will officially launch in June and deals will need to be valid through September 30
• To redeem each deal, residents will have to mention “Locals Only” at respective establishments and show a valid ID as proof of residency
• If participating, please ensure your employees are made aware of the Locals Only summer savings program to maximize adoption and minimize confusion
• Promote the program from your own channels (on-site signage, social media, e-blasts, etc.) to build buzz and boost awareness
• Submit your offer details to info@discovermartin.com by Friday, May 22

Thank you – please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions. Looking forward to another successful campaign!

‘SPOTTING’ THE SIGNS

MARTIN COUNTY FIRE RESCUE WELCOMES DALMATIAN THERAPY DOG

TO SUPPORT FIREFIGHTER MENTAL HEALTH

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Martin County Fire Rescue is proud to introduce its newest member, Mango. This adorable dalmatian fits right into the fire services for obvious reasons, but his presence serves a greater purpose. As a newly trained therapy dog, Mango will be dedicated to helping firefighters navigate the emotional toll of their job.

Mango’s owner, Chief Chris Kammel, understands firsthand the weight firefighters carry after responding to traumatic calls.

“Firefighters are trained to be strong for others, but that doesn’t mean we don’t struggle ourselves,” Chief Kammel said. “Mango is here to remind our crews that it’s okay to take a moment to breathe and heal.”

Mango will soon be available to firefighters following difficult calls and as needed. His presence is designed to create a safe, calming environment where firefighters feel more at ease opening up about their experiences.

RC of the Treasure Coast Transports Guests to Italy at 23rd Annual “Evening of Entertainment: Una Notte A Roma”

(Stuart, FL) - The ARC of the Treasure Coast captured the romance, flavor, and timeless magic of Rome,
Italy during its 23rd Annual Evening of Entertainment: Una Notte A Roma, held Saturday, April 18, at the elegant Jupiter Beach Resort & Spa.

John & Irene Flora, Keith Hernandez

The unforgettable evening reached its pinnacle with the presentation of the prestigious Rembrandt Award to longtime supporters John and Irene Flora. Awarded annually, the Rembrandt Award honors individuals
whose extraordinary commitment to the ARC’s mission, empowering people with intellectual and developmental disabilities goes above and beyond. For more than two decades, the Floras have generously sponsored and championed the Evening of Entertainment, leaving a lasting impact on the organization and
those it serves.

              Lorianna Colozzo, Emily, Krystal, Jamie and Kelli Lightbourne

Margret Fladie and Chris Bergeman

Guests were warmly welcomed by emcee Kelli Lightbourne, Mrs. Florida and Mrs. USA, who set the tone for an enchanting night. The audience was treated to captivating performances by Lorianna Colozzo and Franco Corso, who brought classic Italian songs and duets to life. A show‑stopping surprise delighted attendees when three talented young women from the ARC joined Lorianna on stage for a joyful rendition of “That’s Amore!”, earning a standing ovation and hearts full of pride.

Judy Chakal and Ralph Chackal

The evening’s success was made possible through the generous support of premier sponsors, including Flora Fine Foods, Orvino Wine Imports, Boar’s Head, Treasure Coast, Indian River, Palm Beach, Showcase and Silver Star Provisions, Dick Busto and Pam Minelli, Publix Supermarket Charities, Jordon Dynamics, Park Shore Drug, Capstone IT, Ferreira Construction, Florida Insurance Trust, Publix, and First Citizens Bank.

Dick Busto and Pam Minelli

Beyond glamour and entertainment, Una Notte A Roma serves a powerful purpose. This signature fundraising event supports the ARC of the Treasure Coast’s life‑changing programs for children, adults, and families throughout the region. These programs create pathways to independence, inclusion, and opportunity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities helping build a stronger,
more inclusive Treasure Coast.

For more information about ARC of the Treasure Coast, please contact (772) 283‑2525 or visit www.arctreasurecoast.org.

Hats Off to Banner Lake

This sold-out event took place on April 8th at the Pelican Club, where 300 guestsgathered for an unforgettable evening of entertainment and community spirit.

Despite the rainy weather, guests showed their unwavering support for the Banner Lake school and community. The evening began with a lively cocktail hour, giving attendees time to mingle before dinner and the show.

Students delighted the crowd with performances, dressed in red and black flapper outfits and dancing to upbeat, fun songs that set the tone for the night.

After dinner was served, the entertainment continued with Magic by Mio, a world-class magician and mentalist. Mio captivated the audience with interactive performances that invited guests to participate throughout the show. He even provided cards so everyone could learn and perform their own card tricks. Participants ripped cards—and even tossed some on the ground—only to watch in amazement as they were able tobring the two halves of the original card back together.

The excitement continued as volunteers joined Mio on stage, helping him guess cards, select numbers, and even open a FedEx package that astonishingly matched a volunteer’s answer. For his grand finale, Mio borrowed a bill from a guest, levitated it, and after a series of mind-bending moments, revealed it inside a freshly sliced orange.

It was the perfect way to showcase a little magic for the very people who make themagic happen every day at Banner Lake.

If you would like to schedule a tour of our campus please call 772-402-5167

Hibiscus Children’s Center Brings Hope to Children
Through Mental Health Services
 

Treasure Coast - Each May, communities across the country recognize Mental Health Awareness Month, shining a light on the importance of emotional well-being—especially for children and families facing trauma.

At Hibiscus Children's Center, mental health care is at the heart of healing. Each year, Hibiscus provides critical mental health services to more than 700 children and families through its residential and community outreach programs.

Hibiscus therapists specialize in treating trauma-based disorders, behavioral health challenges, and supporting victims of abuse. They also equip children and families with essential coping skills—tools that empower them not only to heal, but to advocate for themselves.

Equally important is fostering trust. Hibiscus therapists work to create a safe, supportive environment so children and families know where to turn in times of need. That trust often brings families back when new challenges arise.  “Our therapists have had discharged families in the community return for services when new issues come up,” said Robin Dankyi, LMHC, Sanctuary Training Specialist. “This is a testament to the trust they have in our work—and proof that what we do truly matters.”

Mental health counseling is at the core of Hibiscus’ residential services.  At just 13 years old, Maya arrived at Hibiscus Village struggling with emotional and behavioral challenges rooted in past trauma. From the very beginning, a professional therapist worked closely with Maya helping her process what she had experienced and helping her build healthy coping skills.  One of the most important messages Maya heard was simple, yet powerful: this was not her fault.

With consistent support and care, Maya began to make meaningful progress. Over time, she learned to better regulate her emotions, and her negative behaviors steadily decreased. What once felt overwhelming became more manageable as she gained confidence and control.

Hibiscus staff celebrated every step forward and encouraged Maya’s growth and resilience. They were thrilled when Maya was placed with a loving relative. 

For more information how you can get involved to help children, please visit us at HibiscusChildrensCenter.org or call the Hibiscus Community Mental Health Program for assistance at (772) 340-5750, ext. 170.

$100,000 grant to Humane Society will fund life-saving diagnostic technology for shelter animals

PALM CITY, Fla. — The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast has received a $100,000 grant from Impact100 Martin to bring advanced diagnostic technology to its surgical clinic — an investment expected to speed lifesaving treatment, reduce animal suffering and shorten shelter stays.

Beth Brownell, Brigite Babine, Nancy Wong, Lori Tucker, Ashton Sorrentino and Sue Whittington

The funding was announced at Impact100 Martin’s annual grant awards event on April 16, where Humane Society of the Treasure Coast Director of Operations Lori Tucker delivered a live presentation describing the organization’s need for advanced diagnostic equipment. Voting followed and seven nonprofits were selected as finalists, with five ultimately receiving $100,000 grants and the other two receiving $36,000 grants.

The humane society will use the $100,000 grant to purchase a new digital X-ray machine for its surgical clinic. This imaging device will enable its staff to more expeditiously and accurately diagnose medical issues and reduce prolonged suffering and lengths of stay at the shelter, which will result in positive outcomes for the animals.

Members of the Humane Society staff: Shelly Marino, Courtney Zanetti, Dr. Erin Arruda, Frank Valente, Lori Tucker, Ashton Sorrentino, Jessica D’Ambrosio and Tara Pregnolato

“The Humane Society of the Treasure Coast serves more than 8,000 animals each year through the generosity of our community,” said HSTC President & CEO Frank Valente. “We are deeply grateful and humbled to receive this grant, which will help alleviate animal suffering and save lives. Thank you to the Impact100 Martin members for their philanthropy, vision and impact, and support of our mission to provide compassionate care to the animals.”

For more than 70 years, the Humane Society of the Treasure Coast has been a place of care, comfort and second chances for animals in Martin County. To strengthen its no-kill mission and better serve both pets and people, the humane society has embarked on a renovation project to improve its Palm City shelter. The addition of a digital X-ray machine will directly support the nonprofit organization’s lifesaving work and further enhance the services provided to the community. To learn more about its initiatives, visit https://hstc1.org/RenovationProject.

Humane Society of the Treasure Coast Director of Operations Lori Tucker delivered a live presentation to Impact100 Martin members describing the organization’s need for advanced diagnostic equipment

Photo Credit Liz McKinley

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

About Impact100 Martin – Impact100 Martin is a nonprofit organization with a mission of creating positive, lasting change in the community through collective giving. It is a chapter of the national Impact100 Movement founded to transform communities through the power of women’s philanthropy. It is a member-driven organization that Awards Grants in $100,000 increments each year to local nonprofits within five categories: Arts & Culture, Education, Family, Health & Wellness, and Environment, Preservation & 

Record Garden Expo Blooms into Scholarships for Local Students

Since its founding in 1950, the Jensen Beach Garden Club has been a quiet but enduring force across the Treasure Coast - enhancing public spaces through beautification projects while supporting local nonprofits that serve families and at-risk children. Today, that legacy continues through a strong commitment to education, environmental stewardship, and community engagement.

That mission was on full display this spring as the Club hosted its 5th Annual Garden Expo on March 7 at its new location in downtown Stuart’s Memorial Park. The event welcomed approximately 2,600 attendees and raised more than $34,000 - making it the most successful fundraiser in the Club’s history. With the help of dedicated community partners, including Jensen Beach High School Jr. ROTC and local Boy Scouts, and a remarkable increase in donations at the door, this year marked a milestone: for the first time, 100% of proceeds will be reinvested into scholarships, environmental education, and community programs.

At its Annual Meeting on April 16, 2026, the Club awarded three $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from Jensen Beach High School, along with a $1,500 continuing scholarship to a previous recipient.

Erin Gimbal will attend Berry College to pursue a double major in Environmental Science and Pre-Law, with plans to become an environmental attorney. A leader in the Earth Savers Club and a counselor at the Environmental Studies Center, she has been actively involved in shoreline restoration efforts alongside the Garden Club and ORCA. Erin is passionate about addressing environmental challenges facing the Indian River Lagoon, Lake Okeechobee, and Everglades restoration.

Henry Baker will attend the University of Florida to study Environmental Engineering. As President of the Earth Savers Club and a counselor at the Environmental Studies Center, he has led projects including mangrove planting, beach cleanups, and hands-on environmental design work. Henry is committed to developing practical solutions that protect Florida’s ecosystems and support sustainable communities.

Isabella “Izzy” Fenniman will attend the University of Florida to pursue a career in marine biology. Through her work with River Kids and the Florida Oceanographic Center, she has led outreach efforts and environmental initiatives focused on marine conservation and water quality. Izzy is dedicated to protecting coastal ecosystems and promoting greater awareness of the connection between community actions and ocean health.

Sarah Ladd, a previous scholarship recipient, continues to excel at the University of South Florida, where she is majoring in Marine Biology with a minor in Environmental Science and Policy. She is on track to graduate early in 2028 and remains focused on advancing her studies in environmental science. Sarah is committed to applying her education toward long-term solutions that protect natural resources and strengthen environmental policy.

The Jensen Beach Garden Club remains committed to investing in the next generation of environmental leaders while continuing its longstanding tradition of service to the community.

Save the Date – Next Year’s Expo will be on February 27, 2027, at Memorial Park in Stuart

More about our charitable giving on Facebook and Instagram, or visit

https://www.jensenbeachgardenclub.com/charitable-giving-in-2026

Dinks, Drinks & Pickleball Brings High-Energy Fun to Jensen Beach—All for a Great Cause
 

Martin County, FL — Get ready to serve, sip, and support! The Martin Chamber Foundation invites the community to rally for a night of action-packed fun at Dinks, Drinks & Pickleball, a lively indoor tournament benefiting the Career Connect Martin program.

Taking place on Thursday, June 25, 2026, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Diadem Jensen Beach, this  one-of-a-kind fundraiser blends friendly competition with a party atmosphere—complete with music, 
costumes, and community spirit.

A Tournament Like No Other
Whether you're a seasoned player or just learning the game, all skill levels are welcome in this  high-energy, round-robin format. Teams of two will compete in fast-paced, timed matches, rotating opponents each round for maximum play and excitement. The top teams will advance to a playoff showdown to crown the ultimate champions.

Adding to the fun is the event’s signature twist: “Switch When the Music Stops.” With a live DJ spinning throughout the night, players will rotate courts when the music cuts—keeping everyone on their toes and the energy sky-high.

Dress the Part, Win Big
This isn’t just a tournament—it’s a full-on themed experience. Teams are encouraged to match their team theme with their attire, from musical genres to favorite decades, with prizes awarded for the 
best team costumes.

More Than Just a Game
Guests will enjoy drink tickets, appetizers, raffle prizes, and plenty of opportunities to connect—all while supporting a powerful mission. Proceeds benefit Career Connect Martin; a workforce development program of the Martin Chamber Foundation that helps local residents gain 
skills, training, and access to meaningful employment.

•  Team Registration: $100 per team (includes tournament entry, t-shirts, 2 drink tickets per 
player, and appetizers)
•  Spectator Tickets: $25 per person (includes 2 drink tickets and appetizers)
A variety of sponsorship opportunities are also available, offering local businesses a chance to 
gain visibility while making a meaningful impact.

Impact100 Martin Awards Five $100,000 Impact Grants to

 Local Nonprofits for 2026

STUART, Fla. (April 17, 2026) – With the combined strength of a record-breaking 572 members, Impact100 Martin awarded five $100,000 grants to local nonprofits at its  Grant Awards Celebration on April 16.

Presentation of the grant finalists, carefully vetted in advance by the organization’s Grants Committee, took place during the celebration at Temple Beit HaYam. Members voted for the five grant proposals that they believed would do the most to create transformative change in the community.

The projects receiving $100,000 Impact Grants for 2026 are:

Martin County CareBag, CareBag Mobile Shower Unit

Hope Center for Autism, Hope in Motion

Kiwanis Club of Stuart, Kiwanis Park at Woodlawn: “Music in the Park” and ADA Swing Project

Humane Society of the Treasure Coast, Purchase of New Digital Ray Machine for Veterinary Clinic

Environmental Studies Council, River Scout II: A New Voyage

Two other finalists, Education Foundation of Martin County’s NextGen Veterinary Clinical Simulcation and Skills Lab Project and Hobe Sound Nature Center’s Wildlab on Wheels were named Merit Recipients, and each received $36,000.

The women of Impact100 Martin awarded five $100,000 Impact Grants to local nonprofits, along with an additional two $36,000 Merit Grants, during its annual Grant Awards Celebration in April. The philanthropic funds are designed to create transformative change in the community.

The Impact100 model of collective giving is simple: members contribute $1,000 a year to be pooled together into a grant-making fund. For every 100 members, Impact100 Martin awards one $100,000 grant.

 In applying for the grants, local nonprofits are encouraged to “dream big" and present projects that will have a lasting impact in Martin County.

After a rigorous vetting process, members review all of the supplemental material from each finalist, hear their presentations, and then vote on which projects to fund at the organization’s annual Grant Awards Celebration in the spring. Grants are awarded within Impact100 Martin’s five focus areas: Arts & Culture, Education, Family, Health & Wellness, and Environment, Preservation & Recreation. 

Founded in 2017 by a group of local women passionate about making substantive change through philanthropy, the organization has grown over the past nine years to reach a membership goal well over 550.  It has contributed $2.9 million in grants to local nonprofits.

“Impact100 is built on the idea that women coming together can create meaningful change,” said President Sue Whittington. “It is exciting to see that spirit alive and growing here in Martin County. Every member takes her vote very seriously, knowing that we are impacting the quality of life for today and for the future.”

Whittington also described the “ripple effect” of the grants, inspiring nonprofits to think big, bring partners together in new collaborations, and leverage additional grants from other philanthropic sources.

All of the projects that received awards in past years, as well as those receiving grants for 2026, are described on the Impact100 Martin website, www.impact100martin.org.

To learn more about Impact100 Martin, membership opportunities, and the impact that $2.9 million in women’s philanthropy is having on Martin County, visit www.impact100martin.org.

ABOUT:

Impact100 Martin is a nonprofit organization with a mission of creating positive, lasting change in the community through collective giving. Founded in 2017, it is a chapter of the national Impact100 Movement founded by philanthropist Wendy Steele to transform communities through the power of women’s philanthropy. It is a member-driven organization that awards grants in $100,000 increments each year to local nonprofits in the areas of arts & culture, education, family, health & wellness, and environment, preservation & recreation. Detailed information about membership, grants, and community impact is available at the website www.impact100martin.org, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Impact100Martin or on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/impact100-martin-county.

Sweet Success: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-themed gala raises funds for Martin County education

PALM CITY, Fla. — Hundreds of people who support local schools, students and teachers recently went on a fantastical tour of their own at the Education Foundation of Martin County’s Evening of Excellence | Bids for Kids gala. Presented by Morganti, the event featured Charlie Bucket and Willy Wonka’s magical chocolate factory. This elegant fundraiser, held at Harbour Ridge Country Club in Palm City, attracted a sell-out crowd and raised $200,000. 

Brittany and Joel Spiece, Jessica and Stephen Sines, Tara and Brent Martin, Kalie Jones, and J. D. Lewis IV (photo by Doreen Poreba)

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see so many people come together to support our students and teachers,” said Lisa Rhodes, executive director of the Education Foundation of Martin County. “Nights like this remind us that when a community invests in education, everyone benefits. The impact of this gala will be felt long after it ends.”

James and Sandee Jo Crocker (photo by Paul Careccia)

The evening began with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, sponsored by Hedrick Brothers Construction, as guests walked through the candy-coated wonderland while perusing the largest silent auction on the Treasure Coast. They bid on more than 500 extraordinary treasures before professional auctioneer KC Daniel conducted an exclusive live auction that featured once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Auction items included gift baskets, vacation getaways, spa treatments, golf packages, jewelry, artwork, fishing charters and restaurant certificates. All proceeds support educational enrichment programming for students. 

- Front row seated L-R:  Nicole Roberts, Kerri Allen, Heather Thomas Back row standing L-R: Van Roberts, Joe Keating, Stacey Helms, Ben Coats, Nadine Costigan-Williams (photo by Doreen Poreba)

Other top event sponsors included CROC Enterprises LLC; Gehring Group, Brown & Brown Public Sector; Jacquin & Sons Construction; Keiser University; Proctor Construction; PBK; Sandhill Cove Retirement Living; AT&T; Tami Karol Insurance; FPL; Anthony D. George, Jr. P.A.; Meola Technology, Inc.; Treasure Coast Psychiatry; Conchy Joe’s Seafood; The Dolphin Bar & Shrimp House; UDT; Florida Blue/USABLE; STS Aviation Group; Ocean Breeze Animal Hospital and SwissMango.

Paul Meola, Nancy Loveless, Jennifer and G Millhollin (photo by Paul Careccia)

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 programs, professional development for teachers, special initiatives, scholarships and programs to recognize outstanding teaching. For more information, please visit www.EducationFoundationMC.org.

May is shaping up to be an exciting month for sports across the Treasure Coast, with premier competitions in swimming, softball, baseball, triathlon, and community celebrations of athletic excellence taking place throughout Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin Counties.

At Play Treasure Coast Sports, our mission is to position the Treasure Coast as a premier sports destination by attracting and supporting events that drive visitation, elevate community engagement, and generate economic impact throughout the region. Event owners and tournament directors benefit from world-class venues, preferred hotel partnerships, and event grant opportunities designed to help events succeed.

May 2-3 — Treasure Coast Swimming "Go For the Gold" Invitational
North County Aquatic Center

The Treasure Coast Swimming “Go For the Gold” Invitational is one of the region’s premier age‑group swim meets, bringing together athletes from across Florida for a weekend of competition, sportsmanship, and community pride. Hosted at the North County Aquatic Center, the invitational provides swimmers of all levels the opportunity to race in a championship‑quality facility known for its fast water and excellent layout.

May 9-10 — USSSA Sailfish Splash Softball Tournament
Halpatiokee Park & Pineapple Park

The USSSA Sailfish Splash Softball Tournament is one of the Treasure Coast’s longstanding competitive softball events, drawing youth teams from across Florida and the Southeast for a dynamic weekend of fast‑pitch action. Now in its 33rd year, the tournament showcases emerging talent across multiple age divisions—providing young athletes with a high‑energy, well‑organized environment to compete, grow, and excel.

May 15-17 — Perfect Game Summer Kickoff
Lawnwood Baseball Complex

The Perfect Game Summer Kickoff brings top amateur baseball talent to the Treasure Coast for a competitive early‑season showcase at the Lawnwood Baseball Complex. As part of Perfect Game’s nationally recognized tournament series, the event attracts elite youth and travel teams looking to test their skills, gain exposure, and launch their summer season against high‑caliber opponents.

May 17th — Escape from Hutchinson Island Triathlon
Stuart Beach

The Game On Races “Escape from Hutchinson Island” Triathlon is one of the Treasure Coast’s signature endurance events, offering athletes a uniquely scenic and challenging race experience along Florida’s Atlantic coastline. Competitors take on an exciting combination of open‑water swimming, coastal biking, and beachfront running—making this triathlon both a physical test and an unforgettable tour of Hutchinson Island’s natural beauty.

May 18th - E. Michael Stutzke High School Scholar Athlete Awards Ceremony

McAlpin Fine Arts Center at IRSC

The E. Michael Stutzke High School Scholar Athlete Awards Ceremony is a cherished annual tradition on the Treasure Coast, celebrating exceptional student‑athletes who excel both in the classroom and in their respective sports. Named in honor of E. Michael Stutzke—an influential leader in local athletics, education, and community service—the awards spotlight students who embody dedication, perseverance, academic achievement, and strong character.

May 22–24 — Dr. Aspi Doctor Memorial Swim Invitational
Anne Wilder Aquatic Complex at IRSC

The Dr. Aspi Doctor Memorial Swim Invitational is a treasured annual event on the Treasure Coast, honoring the legacy of Dr. Aspi Doctor—an influential figure in Florida swimming known for his dedication to youth development, sportsmanship, and competitive excellence. Hosted at the Anne Wilder Aquatic Complex at Indian River State College, the invitational brings together swimmers from programs across the state for a weekend of high‑level racing in one of Florida’s most respected aquatic facilities.

May 23–25 — JRTC Memorial Day Invitational
Jackie Robinson Training Complex

The Memorial Day Invitational at the Jackie Robinson Training Complex is a popular annual youth baseball tournament held over Memorial Day weekend in Vero Beach, Florida. This event will be a 3-day baseball tournament with teams traveling from around the country. The tournament includes multiple age divisions (youth through high school), pool play, and championship bracket games.

The CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) is a budgeting tool that lists non-recurring budget items over a period usually 5 to 10 years.

It gives prioritization to those capital projects that the county needs or wants to do. While it is certainly a budgeting tool, the only items that will be funded are those in the current budget year being approved. The 2027 budget that begins October 1, 2026, will incorporate a final list of capital projects when the budget is approved.

What the public should remember is that an expenditure on anything is only a reality when the commission has it in the current year’s budget. That is especially true when it comes to capital items. The taxpayer should be more concerned with recurring expenses that Martin County must pay such as labor contracts, pension obligations, and other employee benefits.

No one should be alarmed by the BOCC approving a Capital Improvement Plan running into millions or even hundreds of millions of dollars. What they have done is recognized needs and are planning on how to meet those needs. The only thing to be concerned with is what is being proposed for FY-2027, and how these projects will be paid.

When the commission votes at this stage (which they did at this meeting), it isn’t final. Everything must come up again with the entire budget for the year which is voted on sometime this summer. That is when a clearer picture will emerge.

If the money is not available through grants, enterprise funds, or ad valorem, the commissioners with the help of staff will have to decide which projects go back on the list for the future.

The Martin County Taxpayers Association and I have held the position that when the Public Safety portion of the budget is more than 50% of the budget, other departments are being shortchanged. It isn’t only about the cost of current employees but also the future cost associated with retiree benefits which are payable long after someone stops working. The only reason the blue states of the North are in such a mess is because of generous benefits to their employees. There really isn’t much difference…only Florida started providing such generous benefits later.

 A commissioner is a policymaker who accomplishes that by serving on a board of five. The county administrator and his staff are the ones managing the day-to-day operations. It is never a good idea when a commissioner forgets that and begins interfering with day-to-day operations.

During the CIP discussion, Eileen Vargas stated that she was managing closely the rebuilding of the Jensen Beach café. She was making sure that every penny was being spent responsibly. This all came up when the rebuilding expense caused by a recent fire was being discussed under the CIP.

The most amazing thing Vargas said was that if a commissioner had any questions to contact her aide. I thought with her election we were going back to a type of government where commissioners stay in their lane and staff in theirs. It doesn’t appear so, at least in District 1.

You can see the CIP presentation here 

On October 31st, 2025, the county received an unsolicited bid from Building Tomorrow’s Schools, a nonprofit, to build Martin County’s Maintenance and Operations Facility through a Public-Private Partnership (P3).

Under Florida Statutes Section 255.065(3)(c), there is a process for reviewing and accepting these type bids once it is decided to use the Public-Private Partnership process. The state has recognized that the typical procurement process is drawn out, which is to protect the public from being fleeced. Local governments normally use the more cumbersome process of soliciting bids and advertising for vendors when buying everything from pencils to vehicles.

However, when it comes to certain infrastructure, Florida, like other states, recognizes the need to not spend years and countless extra dollars to find an architectural firm through the solicitation of bids, then chose an architect, and once the design is ready, put those plans out to bid with contracting firms and finally select a builder. A contract like that is known to often have cost overruns.

The beauty of an unsolicited P3 arrangement is that the private company designs and builds the project for a fixed amount. Any cost overruns are the builder’s responsibility. And instead of a typical project taking years to design and build, this one will be operating within 18 months of the commencement of construction.

The other advantage to a P3 agreement is that the costs are locked in, and because of streamlining the process, the overall costs are much cheaper. The county estimated their costs for doing a typical build would be $700 a square foot. Building Tomorrow Schools have come in at $533 per foot.

It isn’t as if the county has been given a take it or leave it proposition. After consultation, the private company came back with a plan. Martin County then looked at it and negotiated further, and a contract was written. According to the county, the company met all their requests and did not raise the price.

Building Tomorrow Schools is the same company that built Indiantown High School in record time. So, they are a known quantity though this is the first P3 that Martin County is participating in. The speed of the design is an advantage since most of the public works’ facility is currently located at the airport, and the FAA has told the county that the facility must move. The facility is antiquated, falling apart, and it is a disgrace that county employees must work under such conditions.

The new 114,000 square foot facility will be built in 18 months, which will satisfy the Feds’ timeline for the facility leaving the airport. It will consolidate Public Works and the Parks and Recreation Department’s equipment. There will also be a 4,000 square foot hazardous waste storage building besides other needed department features.

The $74 million price tag will be paid by a $10 million buy down using part of the ½ cent sales tax that is presently being collected. This is not the money that voters approved to buy conservation lands last year. It is from an existing portion of sales tax receipts. The remainder will be financed using a 20-year bond, a savings of about $27 million over other options.

Commissioner Capps motioned to move forward and Ciampi seconded. For some reason, Vargas said several times that three bids were needed to protect the taxpayer. However, that would be the conventional method where the county would have to bid and select an architect and then pay the architect to draw plans and specifications even before a contractor could make a bid. Proceeding that way would have added at least two years to the process. That doesn’t even consider whether there will be an outside construction manager to oversee the project, which is usual. The selection of which also must go through competitive bidding.

The state encourages P3 arrangements because they have determined that it protects the taxpayer and eliminates many steps in the building process. The number of projects utilizing this process is growing rapidly throughout the country. Boca Raton and Cape Coral have updated their codes to make P3s standard with the traditional method.

That doesn’t mean this method has been without problems with financial and construction disputes. But so too has the “Design-Bid-Build” method. When it comes to construction, there is no sure way of avoiding all problems.

Commissioner Vargas voted no on both the P3 and the financing aspect. You can see the presentation and contract here 

Mayor Boss Collins resigned as the mayor and a commissioner from the City of Stuart early this afternoon.

His plan is to run for County Commission District 2, the seat presently occupied by Commissioner Stacey Hetherington. For some time now the Boss has been making outlandish and inaccurate Facebook posts about Hetherington both personally and on her record. He is spreading his noxious type of politics to Martin County.

If his small number of fans believe that his form of politics and leadership is what they want they will have the opportunity come August to vote for him. I bet that most Martin County voters will see his brand of increased costs, corruption, and chaos and want it to be kept as far away from county government as possible. The City of Stuart has been in a death spiral since Mike Mortel was fired last October through the courtesy of Boss Collins.

City Hall has become the place where nothing is done. This is the result of the actions of Boss Collins and his Politburo. It is now time to reverse this trend.

Hooray! Collins is gone from the city but not our county. In this coming election the voters of Stuart can vote for the return of sanity by electing and re-electing Rich, Matheson, and Clarke to the Stuart City Commission. In the county they can vote for Hetherington who has represented us admirably for the last eight years. Let’s move past the Collins’ blight and return to normalcy.

Martin County has a new printed “newspaper.” I think the name is Local, but I am not sure from the masthead. It is a free quarterly publication that you will be able to pick up although locations where it will be available were not listed.

                                     Boss Tweed

I welcome another point of view on the scene, and I read the 16 pages. It has some kinks to work out but that would be expected. It does have ads and even a restaurant review. Though it purports that it will keep the reader informed on all governments, it mainly concentrated on Stuart in this issue.

For some reason, it appears that they equate my fierce opposition to Mayor Boss Collins as a form of really admiration for him. Though the writer is not identified, their amateur psychoanalysis couldn’t be farther from the truth. I find nothing about the Boss admirable.

Freud

In fact, Chris Collins is everything that is wrong with a political figure. He flouts the law by still insisting that the illegal LDRs be kept in place. There has never been even a Comp Plan amendment filed which is required under statute. If anything, he is someone who needs to be defeated at the ballot box. If elected to the county, he and his sycophants will bring nothing but chaos, corruption, and increased costs to the county as they have to the city.

I call it like I see it. I am not running for office. I am here to give you, the public, the truth. Even if the Boss Collins fan club doesn’t like it.

If you see this newest example of erstwhile journalism at a store, please take a read. But then read your copy of Friends & Neighbors for the news and the facts. Facts that seem a little light in the newest purported news outlet.

Boss Collins has come and gone from the City of Stuart. Off to increase cost, corruption, and bring chaos to our county government. The new city manager, Michael Giardino, was sworn in at the April 27th meeting, which was Collins’ last meeting.

This meeting had a quiet start with Giardino not saying much that night. That would be expected since he is new to the city, the county, and Florida. He will have a steep learning curve. A few mistakes at the beginning should be expected.

One thing he did say was that he was in complete alignment with the policies of the commission. Does that mean he agrees with the Land Development Code that was instituted by Boss Collins, Little Boss Reed, and the Ever-Faithful Giobbi in violation of Florida Statute and that he will continue to allow it?

I have given up on the integrity of City Attorney Baggett whose job is to make sure that all laws are followed. As an Officer of the Court, how can he allow the city to be in violation of Florida Statute? The property rights of every property owner in Stuart are being illegally restricted. Is Mr. Baggett’s job more important than his integrity and oath?

Giardino will also have a duty to faithfully follow the law. Will he? I don’t know…only time will tell.

For now, I am anxious to see where Giardino takes the city. Unfortunately, with Boss Collins and maybe with Little Boss Reed, the staff and other commissioners have forgotten that we have a “weak mayor strong manager” form of government. No one elects the mayor except the other commissioners, and it is strictly ceremonial and to preside over the commission meetings.

Like it or not, the city manager is the face of the city. That is why who is the manager is so vitally important. We need to see whether Giardino wants to be that face and can do so successfully.

Stuart has a reputation.

Most of us know Stuart as the “Sailfish Capital of the World” or “Happiest Seaside Town.” They are all good names to have. The names promote tourism and visitors. It is great marketing for our restaurants and Downtown shops.

We have a different reputation with Tallahassee and other FL counties and municipalities. We are known there for our unlawful development code, rules, and defiance of state laws. Yes, the City of Stuart breaks the law every day that our code, zoning, and comp plan do not conform with Florida Statute.Boss Collins even asked what the state could do about it from the dais. They can do plenty but have chosen to ignore our illegality. I guess we are just not important enough to warrant their interceding.

The statute gave private property owners the right to sue for violations and even awarded them legal fees. Yet even though that provision was in the statute, those affected chose to do nothing. That isn’t the Boss’ weakness, that is ours.

Collins gambled that the state would deem us too insignificant for intervention. You can bet if this was Orlando or we had a Democrat commission, removals would have occurred. But not here…a backwater that doesn’t deserve to be protected from having lawbreakers in charge.

The Boss considers his term a success. He and his Politburo eliminated anyone that could stand in his way like former manager Mortell. They counted on a supine city attorney to ignore their lawlessness. Even those who owned property and came to the meetings to protest this illegal imposition did not exercise the remedy the state gave them.

When Collins asked what they could do to him, he knew the answer. Local citizens would complain and do nothing. When he belittled them from the dais, yelled over public speakers, or just lied, and nothing was done to stop him; he became even bolder in his illegality.

City Attorney Lee Baggett gave him the ability to recuse himself from a vote that clearly was in violation of the law that required him to vote. All so he could give his friend a variance but say he never voted for one as a commissioner. Another violation of his oath and the law.

Stuart has decided that breaking the law has no penalty. If Collins is now elected to the county, it even has a reward. Who is at fault?

Yes, the state took away the self-determination and home rule of local government when SB 180 was enacted. I don’t like it, but that doesn’t mean you ignore the ramifications of the law. Most of Collins’ defenses, except for one in a lawsuit trying to invalidate SB180 costing thousands of dollars, have been stricken by the judge. The only thing that has been consistent in this court case and others has been the judges know that Collins is breaking the laws of Florida even if the state doesn’t care.

If you do not want to bring the Boss Collins form of governance to the county, then it’s easy. Do not vote for him. His corruption, increased costs, and chaos will follow wherever he goes. In Galatians 6:7 scripture states, “…A man reaps what he sows.” That line of scripture can apply to communities also.

Dear Tom,

I kindly ask that you ensure the accuracy of your information before publishing.
Your assertion that I have animosity for Mr. Daniels is not correct. We enjoy a good relationship. I meet with him prior to each meeting and bring up my concerns.

Regarding the Change Orders, they were being brought to the commission after the work had been completed. The explanation was “timing”.  The two critical change orders out of seven were within Mr. Daniels approval limits. The balance should have been brought to the commission before the work was initiated. We have had two special meeting so far this year when timing was critical. Why not a third?

Couple that with the fact that Mr. Daniels did not approve these and no explanation as to who did was given. Are the contractors authorized to commit the town to over $120,000 in change orders? I do not think so.

Regarding your characterization of the pumping of ground water into the IRL as a construction accident is a mischaracterization. On the March 23rd incident, the contractor had a permit but was not following the requirements. Water samples were taken but only for turbidity and that was days after the pumping stopped. There are three levels of oversight, the town manager, Captec and Culpepper and Terpening. None picked up on the fact that the contractor was not following the permit requirements to pump water into the IRL.

The second illegal pumping into the IRL occurred on Easter Weekend. The contractor did not have a permit, and the effluent was coming from near a septic system drain field--the smell was nasty.  Again, the water was tested for turbidity a day after the pumping was stopped and not for any noxious elements.

These violations were not on the agenda until I requested that they be added; they would have gone unnoticed by the residents (except for those who resided near the pumping plumes). My fellow commissioners refused to consider sending a letter to the contractor notifying them that any fines or remediation would be the contractor’s responsibility. Instead, the expense will fall on the Sewall’s Point taxpayers.

Regarding the newsletter, it was a timeline of emails about three incidents on which the follow up for environmental issues was poor. I asked the question are we (the commission) walking the walk or just talking the talk

Frank Tidikis’ opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

There was a change order for Jamie Underground for $147,760 to supply manhole covers that another contractor on a project wanted to be paid more for. Manager Daniels approved the change and was asking the commission to ratify it.

Commissioner Tidikis motioned that a process be instituted to allow Daniels to make the change and then notify the commission by email. Daniels would have his authority by a resolution. Tidikis was proposing that in these instances the manager would have the final say.

Mayfield seconded the motion for discussion. It seemed to be a way to formalize the process that is happening now. Mayfield had no problem but did not want to slow up the construction. The other commissioners said the same thing.

Daniels is quite comfortable with the procedure the way it is. It seemed Tidikis had a good idea to me. I wonder if Daniels saw it as a trap. I don’t think that is the way Tidikis meant it to be. He withdrew his motion, and the commission approved the change order unanimously.

ECONOMIC COUNCIL OF INDIANTOWN ANNOUNCES CEO TO LEAD ORGANIZATION

New leader will be Business Ambassador for Indiantown
INDIANTOWN, Fla., April 15, 2026 – The Economic Council of Indiantown (ECI) announced the appointment of Kloee Ciuperger as its new Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant step forward in advancing the organization’s mission to foster a vibrant, resilient, and sustainable local economy.

In this role, Ciuperger will lead efforts to strengthen economic development initiatives, support local businesses, and guide strategic growth while preserving the unique character and heritage of the Indiantown community. She brings deep-rooted ties to the region, along with extensive experience as the founder and principal of a government relations and grant writing firm.

“I am honored to join the Economic Council of Indiantown,” said Ciuperger. “There is a clear opportunity to continue to cultivate a thriving local economy by supporting small businesses, attracting diverse investment, and leveraging the community’s unique assets. I look forward to advancing thoughtful, measured growth that maintains the beauty and charm of Indiantown while creating lasting economic opportunity.”

Ciuperger previously served as a Legislative Coordinator for the Martin County Board of County Commissioners, where she played a key role in advancing state and federal policy initiatives and strengthening intergovernmental partnerships. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law.

“Kloee brings the right mix of experience, perspective, and commitment to this role,” said Kevin Powers, ECI board member. “She understands how to balance growth with the values that make Indiantown what it is, and we’re proud to have her helping lead that work.”

The Economic Council of Indiantown remains committed to building an economic future rooted in partnership, innovation, and sustainability.

About The Economic Development Council of Indiantown: The Economic Development Council of Indiantown is dedicated to fostering sustainable economic growth and enhancing the quality of life in our rural Florida community. We aim to create a vibrant and resilient local economy by supporting small businesses, attracting diverse investments, and leveraging our unique regional assets. Through collaborative partnerships, innovative strategies, and a commitment to community-driven development, we strive to build a prosperous future for all residents while preserving the distinct character and natural beauty of our area. To learn more, visit www.economiccouncilindiantown.org.

It seems the irrationality of some knows no limits.

This big fear of data centers and the false narratives it engenders is bringing a panic situation to the residents of Indiantown and surrounding areas. And why? Not because of rational reasons but irrational ones.

FPL is asking for a Future Land Use of Light Industrial on a recent annexation. Any final site plan must go back to the village for approval. There are no financial impacts either with any increased electric rates or water and sewer usage. If the village can supply water and sewer, then the projects will hook up. If the village does not have the capacity, then the answer is no.

It is 5700 acres without any significant land features. By right, the property can have 114,000 dwelling units. The owner is giving up the right to develop the property residentially. What can be done is what the Light Industrial Land Use allows.

Though nothing is currently proposed, a data center is likely on part of the property. Tesoro Groves is not to be confused with Silver Fox which is in pre-development. The village is looking for this type of development. This property is already on an existing commercial road.

Both the state and federal governments will need to grant permits before development takes place. FPL already has a Solar Energy Center on some of the land. FPL has placed a maximum on development that is below the threshold of what they would be fully entitled to.

With SB 484 becoming law, all data centers in Florida must conform to the bill. Bill attached 

At this point there is no need to go into that bill because no data center has been proposed.

The PUD has other restrictions that are more than what straight zoning would allow. Is FPL getting a bad rap by the same few that are always NIMBYs? Yes, I think they are. Research into data centers suggests that if they are built with the latest technology, they will not create any adverse effects. There is no continuous use of new water, electric generation will be paid solely by the applicant and cost other rate payers nothing, and even my biggest fears of noise have been abated through advanced technology.

However, it isn’t the uses that may go on the 5700 acres that would have resulted in a no vote if I were on the council. It was the fact that final site plans will not come before the council but be approved administratively.

That is what the current LDRs state according to both Village Manager Kryzda and Director Freeman. If a final site plan calls for a data center, then there will be a community meeting. If all the criteria are met, the final site plans will be approved without council involvement.

It is also true that it isn’t only this project that will or has been approved this way in Indiantown. Yet everyone should be keenly aware that doing approvals in this manner seems less than transparent. If this were a true PUD, then the council and staff should have bargained for public hearings before any site plans. They didn’t.

I am disappointed because certain NIMBY actors will use the lack of council involvement going forward to cry that special deals were made when none were. Because of SB 180, the LDRs can’t become more restrictive at present the provision about only administrative approval should be struck from the code. But did anyone have a real negotiation? It doesn’t appear that they did. The applicant agreed to forego residential development, the same could have been done to ensure public hearings with site approvals.

The vote was 5-0 to approve. An approval that I would have been eager to see if there were public hearings for final site plan approvals. If anything is built that becomes a problem, then Indiantown will be set back as an industrial hub. I believe a harder deal could have been struck between the village and applicant.

Because of SB-180, nothing in the LDRs or Comp Plan can be changed until October 2027. I understand both staff and the council wanted to update the regulations regarding site plans. The Silver Fox PUD has been withdrawn by the applicant in Indiantown.

Some may think that is good news. Let me tell you the 2 reasons that it is bad news. One is that the owner has a right to build a much larger data center than what was proposed with the zoning they already have.  Second, if they check all the boxes which I don’t think there will be a problem doing, the plans will never come close to having any public scrutiny. All that will be required is a staff review.

NIMBYism has done it again. They have managed to put aside a compromised settlement and convinced the owner not to work with the village and its residents. Nothing was stopped, only the people’s ability to influence what is built.

Under former manager Howard Brown and the past council, the original LDRs and comp plan gave too much authority to staff. So much that once zoning and land use is given, most site plans do not have to be approved by the council. That means no public hearings.

Since Silver Fox already has a land use and zoning that allows data centers, the last chance at any elected council oversight through the PUD process has been negated by the fear of being hollered at by those more intent on hearing themselves speak than solving problems. Property rights are a real thing in Florida and the United States.

The council wants final site plan approval, but their hands are tied by state law at present to change the codes.

With the pulling of the plan by the applicant for the 2 million square foot data center, the people screaming the loudest may end up with buildings much larger than once envisioned. The NIMBYs just showed everyone what can happen when compromise and dialogue go away.

It never ceases to amaze me how people think local elected bodies can do whatever they want. Property Rights be damned!

Some constituents want to ban a home being built on a lot that the neighborhood is using as an unsanctioned park. A shopping plaza or hotel or even a Publix wants to build on property they own and is zoned for that use. People think the council can just say no. Believe it or not, the council can’t.

One often hears from a member of the public, “we are losing all our green space.” The problem with that statement is it isn’t “our green space.” The individual speaking or the county doesn’t own the land, but a private entity does. One that paid their money to buy, has been maintaining the property and is paying taxes. The owner now wants to develop the property by following the comp plan, FLU, and LDRs.

And I love when a member of the public pulls out the old threat that the offending official won’t be re-elected if the council member doesn’t heed the warning. As if being an elected official today is such a big deal. Believe me it isn’t.

When are people going to understand that there are No Kings in America! I am not even writing about the guy down south in Mar-A-Lago. I am referring strictly to Martin County and every commission and council which must follow the rules. Boss Collins from the Stuart City Commission wanted to be the one exception, but he is soon falling back to earth with his resignation.

Most of these problems occur when people believe that elected officials can do anything, especially when it comes to land use decisions. They can’t. There are codes in place that minimize what they can do.  

At the April 30th meeting, it was the 2nd reading for the recently annexed FPL property having a land use assigned. Having a land use is not optional. It is something that must be done. This property was assigned to agricultural when it was part of unincorporated Martin County, which is not compatible with Indiantown’s land use categories going forward.

The two choices for the village were light industrial or, with the landowner’s permission, to have a PUD designation.  A PUD allows both parties to negotiate terms for development. If the PUD was not agreed to, then by right, the developer could have a data center without going through any public scrutiny. Silver Fox, the other supposed data center, pulled out of negotiating their PUD agreement and now is going forward as a development right to have a data center. Now it will only be governed by the LDRs. There will not be any negotiated benefits.

This FPL parcel or Tesoro Groves as it is known as was not pristine native Florida habitat. Though some people confused this parcel with the one on Silver Fox, there is not pristine fauna and flora here. We were told by staff that much of it had been planted in sugarcane.

I am not happy the way the Indiantown codes are written that final site plans do not go back to the council for approval as they do in other jurisdictions. If this were in a dense city, then it would not matter as much but with large vacant tracts, I think it does.

I believe that the council will change these codes once they are able. Because of SB 180, there is a moratorium on any changes until October 2027. Unlike the Boss Collins Outlaw Stuart Commission that has ignored state statute, the rest of the county has complied including Indiantown.

With the PUD, Council Member Onsager has been able to increase the indemnification that FPL is providing for the village from $1 million to $5 million at this meeting. She has solicited a promise that a data center will pay 100% for building increased electric generation. The governor has promised to sign SB 484, which regulates data centers and will go into effect on July 1st. But if he does not, the data center will follow the provisions of the bill regarding data centers. That includes provisions about the use of water and permitting. You can see the bill here

Council Member Williams-Palmer was mad. She was tired of being accused by a few of being on the take. She was tired of the incivility and the name calling.

Vernestine assured everyone that she and the others were not doing anything untoward. She didn’t sound like a queen or even a duchess. She was just a fed-up community member tired of having her record impugned when trying to do good.

All evening during public comment, the public used their three minutes to tell falsehoods (whether intentionally or not) repeating what they gleaned online. They had no idea what they were saying. Most of it was just nonsense.

According to those speakers, we do have Kings in Martin County. They are elected officials. Village elected officials are not all powerful. They must follow the rules like everyone else. Only they don’t get to just spew lies, falsehoods and silliness.

The vote was 5-0 to adopt the PUD.

Penny Townsend is stepping down as the mayor and as a commissioner of Jupiter Island effective May 19th.

Mayor Townsend has served Jupiter Island faithfully for the past several years. What she has accomplished after a tumultuous election a few years ago should be much appreciated. She brought stability and patience to even today what can be at times described as a difficult commission.

She also represented Jupiter Island to the broader world. It seemed for years the commissioners of the town never bothered to be part of different government associations. Townsend changed that and provided a face and name to those organizations especially the Florida and Treasure Coast Leagues of Cities. I hope someone else steps up and carries on her work.

At a special meeting on May 20th, a new commissioner will be chosen by the others. I hope it is someone that can see the bigger picture. The next story illustrates why.

Once again, the county administrator, fire chief, other assorted county staff, and Commissioner Blake Capps trotted out to present another revised plan for the Hobe Sound County Beach Ocean Rescue Pavilion. I have seen plenty of county presentations to other governments, but the obsequious nature of this one was a doozy. As a county resident, I was embarrassed for our employees having to do everything but genuflect in front of the dais.

For the past couple of years, the county has been trying to build new facilities for the rescue personnel and the public. It has not been an easy slog. Somehow the county addressed many of the town’s concerns.

Most of us, whether we went to public beaches or exclusive country club pools, remember lifeguards as high school and college kids making some extra money in the summer. That is still the case in most places, but not here in Martin County where the kids are gone and professional lifeguards with advanced medical training are employed. We can debate whether the added expense is warranted but that doesn’t mean any employee, even if they were kids, should have to put up with failing facilities located in this rich town.

Imagine having to eat your meals, change clothes and use the toilet without separation in a cramped room. That is what the staff has had to go through here. This is all while the Jupiter Island Commission has made the county continuously tweak its plans for the new building for the last several years.

Martin County has adapted their plans several times to accommodate the commission. A variance is now needed because in December of 2025 the town has once again changed its Waterfront Setback Line. The current east building is 55.5 feet while the eastern most building proposed, a pavilion, is 55.3 feet. Basically, no change…except the line by the town commission since this all began.

The county said they would hook up to sewer. That is a good idea and when Martin County said that they were told that the utility, SMRU, would be building the line to serve the island. SMRU, which is owned by the Town of Jupiter Island, is no longer doing so. As Administrator Donaldson explained, the utility could not service just one customer. He did commit to hooking up when it is made available by SMRU.

Commissioners Scott and Field berated the county staff. Field even said that the county promised to go off septic something that can’t be done because of a change in plans directed by his commission. Then Field went off topic and brought up the bridge. A presentation was made by the state that the bridge is adequate for current traffic. He was angry that he wasn’t consulted privately about that too.

Field went on to state that he represents the people of Jupiter Island, and they don’t want others to come into town to use the beach. The beach may be on Jupiter Island, but it is called Hobe Sound Beach because it predates the incorporation of the town. It was given to the county in 1944 by the developers of the island. Field ended his remarks by asking, “What is in it for us?”  Scott said to place the buildings on a few spots in the parking lot.

Of course, less parking means fewer people from Hobe Sound or elsewhere in the county can intrude on the elite’s serenity. The town and county commissions have an agreement to allow overflow parking at Town Hall on the weekend and holidays. Though Field and Scott may not care and have threatened to cancel the agreement, having at least 240 spaces for beach parking results in the town having millions in federal grants for various programs like beach renourishment.

This is not about setback lines, which have continuously changed over the years. It is about controlling the island…even the parts owned and maintained by the county for all county taxpayers. I think Taddeo, Warner, and Townsend understand that you can only push the county so far. Like all good leaders, they have exhausted their power to make the design of the facility better. It is no different than what county commissioners have done during a developer negotiation.

Field and Scott throwing their tantrums just seems petty. That is another reason the “Hoi Polloi” love to stick it to the entitled when they can. They are just getting back at the people who want to take away their free beach.

You can see the county’s presentation here 

Tom’s Articles

From Medium

"The Newest Event Space"

Here

From Martin County Moments

"The Treasure Coast Is Behind"

Here

"Martin County's First P-3"

Here

"Resignation"

Here

Other Articles

Medium: "Denmark Just Brought Putin's Nightmare to Life"

Here

The Center Square: "Everglades Restoration 5 years ahead of schedule"

Here

Wall Street Journal: "Ken Griffin Pushes Back After Mamdani Features His $238 Million Penthouse in Tax-the Rich Video"

Here

The Capitolist: "Florida ranks as one of the strongest state economies in new report"

Here

Wall Street Journal: "Florida's Population Boom Fizzles as High Costs Drive Away Middle Class"

Here

The Economist: "How Hungary can now lead the fight against illiberalism"

Here

Washington Post: "What Washington Learned From Losing"

Here

TCPalm.: "Porty St. Lucie homes less affordable than in South Florida, study says"

Here

Florida Phoenix: "Sen. 'Darth Vader' wants to rewrite the state's growth management laws"

Here

The Economist: "Why eldest siblings are brainier"

Here

Florida Phoenix: "Counsel for DeSantis tells lawmakers they can ignore Fair Districts Amendments in approving new map"

Here

Paul Krugman Substack: "The Logic of NACHO"

Here

Washington Post: "Why developers can't afford to build affordable housing"

Here

The New York Times: "The Last Days of Butter Ridge"

Here

Florida Phoenix: "DeSantis' new congressional map faces first legal challenge

Here

The Economist: "Voters say they want young candidates. In practice, they do not"

Here

Copyright ©  May 8, 2026 Friends & Neighbors of Martin County, LLC., All rights reserved.