Tom Campenni
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IN THIS EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER
I am a little on edge about the future.
Perhaps the war in Ukraine has something to do with it. The general direction of the nation does not look promising. Politics and political ideas have spread to every facet of our society. No matter what the topic of conversation, it all comes back to that.
As the 2022 elections heat up, we will see more talk of disenfranchisement, owning the libs, and woke culture. America was once a place that worked. It has moved a long way from that. Elected officials once hung out in clubhouses where you could reach out and touch them. No more. Like CEOs of corporations, they no longer are part of the companies they run. They are much too rarified to deal directly with the hoi polloi.
State and local elected officials will begin to make the rounds and show the flag but that is for show. They know that the bulk of their money will come from outsiders and dark money. Most people won’t remember the votes those elected officials took since the last election. Besides in our neck of the woods, if the R is after your name, you are good as gold to win another term.
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I am looking for someone in who is a stockbroker or financial consultant to pen a column once a month. The same goes for a general contractor or builder. Reach out to me with your contact information so that we may discuss it.
If you have a question about what is going on in your neighborhood drop me a line. I will see what I can do to help connect you with the right government official. This newsletter is all about helping and informing Martin County residents.
Everyone should read Marcela Camblor’ s column this week. It is so on the mark after last week’s decision by the Stuart commission regarding Silverthorne. Moms for Liberty write about their legislative wins. We discuss the Guardians workshop that was attended by 100 people out of 160,000 Martin residents. I once again ask, where was our county government?
The CEOs of Boys and Girls Club and United Way discuss their latest projects. Jackie Holfelder has her monthly “In the Spotlight” section. And all the news from our governments along with notices from our constitutionals and other entities.
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A SAD DAY
As I write this, I am out of town. Because of that, I missed going to the Guardian’s public meeting for the “Rural Lifestyle” amendment.
The meeting was only available on Zoom to view partially. The “breakout” sessions were not viewable at all. I was not available to watch the live portion. I guess, like most of Martin County, I am out of luck. There are no more informational meetings scheduled. The recording is not on Martin County’s website, and I haven’t seen it on the Guardian’s either.
Most of us are just as much in the dark as we were a month ago when the amendment was sent to Tallahassee for approval. Questions that were asked by the public at that meeting were only posted with supposed answers right before the Guardian meeting. I went on the county website and had trouble finding them.
I am a big believer in finding the right balance for development. This amateur attempt at providing information is galling. If this is the best our commission and their staff can do, then there need to be big changes. If I were to cynically believe that this public darkness was on purpose, then Martin County is in real danger.
I spoke with the president of the Guardians last week and offered him the opportunity to write an op-ed for this newsletter explaining their position. While I received nothing so far, I hope I do have a piece for our next edition. Because like many. I do not understand what their position is on this matter.
This amendment will not have my support until it is thoroughly explained to the people of Martin County. And, not by advocacy groups but by the county itself. There should be meetings across the county. This is disgraceful and any commissioner that insists on ramming this down our throats should be taken to task at the next election.
Heard and Hetherington voted no in sending the amendment to the state for review. They should vote no when it comes around again along with the rest of the commission unless extensive citizen informational meetings are held throughout the county. If the commission wants public by-in, then how about letting the public into the room?
ADDENDUM: I received this morning (Friday, Apr 1st) a link to the Guardian’s presentation on the rural lifestyle amendment. Unfortunately, I need to put this edition to bed to be ready for Sunday. I will view it and have something for you in our next edition.
B/T/W: another reason it should have been done at the county. It would have been televised, recorded and instantly available.
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WHAT IS LEADERSHIP
On the site Next Door, I encountered a posting that said, “Will Smith for President.” It was started because someone wrote “Will Smith for President. That is how you get your point across.”
It immediately devolved into some sort of elitist and entitled Hollywood brawl with a little racism thrown into the mix. How sad and unfortunate that bad behavior would illicit such a response. This should be seen for what it is…a glorification of violence and an idea that might makes right. It is a moment for all of us to look at not only what happened but why people need to define this behavior as anything else.
Many of us know how it feels to “be on.” Comedians are always that way. They see a chance to crack a joke and nine times out of ten, they will take the opportunity. Jada Pinkett Smith has been very public about the severity of her alopecia. Did Chris Rock know or remember that fact?
The real question that was asked in this post was about Will Smith’s response. It was unquestionably the wrong one. It was anything but presidential. In my book, it was just a stupid criminal one. Pinkett Smith’s honor was not upheld by her husband’s action. If anything, it was diminished as was my opinion of supposedly good-natured Smith.
A little later when he accepted his Oscar, Smith could have taken the opportunity to say a few words about his wife’s disease, apologize to Rock and we would have been better off. Rock would be the one apologizing for being insensitive, and the Academy Awards would have regained a little of its diminishing stature.
This is not the Middle Ages where warrior kings lead our armies into battle. The greatest strength of leaders is not their ability to vanquish foes by use of their personal strength. The last true military president of the United States was Eisenhower elected 70 years ago. And even General Eisenhower never was in active combat.
“Bitch slapping” someone is anything but my idea of a president. As I wrote in my Next Door post: “The joke was idiotic and Smith’s response was to use violence. Not presidential…not Christian…not politically liberal or conservative. Just a sad commentary on our society. I haven’t watched that show in 30 years and this has certainly not given me a reason to return. Bob Hope must be turning over in his grave singing “Thanks for the Memory. “And a despicable memory it is.“
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OTHER OPINIONS
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NON-PROFIT PERSPECTIVE
By Carol Houwaart-Diez
United Way of Martin County President-CEO
Remember being a child and the excitement you felt about starting the school year with a new pack of crayons or freshly sharpened pencils? Did you feel encouraged to test them out at school on the first day? This is something that all children should experience in their learning journey.
Now, imagine a child who is struggling and being teased by other students for not having what they need in class. They might feel ashamed or like they don’t belong. They might feel embarrassed asking to borrow a pencil or paper every day.
Studies show that children having school supplies of their own can improve grades, creativity, attitudes towards learning, behavior, peer relationships and self-image. We know that education is the first step to overcoming poverty, so a single pack of pencils and paper could truly be the gateway to a bright, promising career.
Considering that 46% of Martin County students are eligible for free and reduced lunch, it is likely that these households also struggle to provide other essential items, including school supplies.
To address this, United Way is working with community partners to provide our most vulnerable students with the top 10 supplies they need to succeed in school. For the past two years, our Tools for Success program provided nearly every student with needed school supplies to assist during the pandemic. Next year, we will direct resources to our most vulnerable students who qualify for free and reduced lunch. It takes many agencies, funders and concerned community members to come together to make this type of impact.
We have been meeting for several months to strategize and prepare for the upcoming school year. I am proud of all the partners who are coming to the table and our hard-working teachers who are assisting us with this project. Before United Way took on this initiative a few years ago, most teachers were spending anywhere from $250 – $500 annually out of their own pockets to ensure their students had the necessary school supplies. Many teachers still buy extra just in case their students might need them.
As one of the most generous communities in our nation, coming together to make this project happen is good for children and families and is beneficial for our overall community. Yet, collaboration is harder than it sounds. Community groups often act in isolation against complex problems, spinning reinvented wheels. In its role as a convener, United Way unites all sectors to establish collaborative solutions that have long-term impact on this community.
Tools for Success is another example of the benefits of a strong, healthy United Way in Martin County and the service we can provide for our community. I will continue to share some of the amazing work we do in Martin County and how we encourage our nonprofit partners to collaborate. It should not be a competition as we all have the same goal in mind — Helping our community be the best it can be. When we all work together, great things can happen.
An African proverb that I think of often says “If you want to travel quickly, go alone. If you want to travel far, go together.”
I hope if you are considering coordinating a school supply drive, you will reach out to my office and be a part of the bigger solution. Collectively we can serve so many more students and families in Martin County.
To learn more or to volunteer with United Way of Martin County, please visit our website www.unitedwaymartin.org.
Carol Houwaart-Diez’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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VANRIPER’S VIEWS
By Darlene VanRiper
What the heck is happening to our culture?
I have noticed an unsettling trend lately which I believe is reaching out to younger people with the intent to encourage them to want and need less. While parenting I did try to encourage my son to be thrifty and frugal. I was raised not to “waste” money though many of my youthful expenditures were warranted in my mind. But I was also raised to want more for myself and in turn I encouraged my son to want more for his family.
When I was young and walked by a particularly impressive home, I was raised to think…” I will work hard and maybe one day I will be able to afford that house.” Not so with today’s youth. I see “tiny” homes now being marketed to our young people as a home limiting their “carbon footprint.” So, that “dream” home of yesteryear is now the residence of a villain usurping everyone else’s atmosphere.
I recently saw a commercial for clothing clearly targeting our youth. It is touting the virtue of lasting longer so “we buy fewer clothes”. Shall we wash them less, so we save our lakes and rivers from phosphates? I’m sure the youth of today would say yes.
While I do not want any water to be polluted or air for that matter… I was also raised to question why we couldn’t come up with a better product with fewer pollutants. So, I could buy more of that.
Even more disturbing is the conversation I recently eavesdropped on. Couldn’t help it, I promise. Someone explaining that every empire in history has fallen. “So, why shouldn’t we?”
I find this attitude of acceptance wholly unacceptable. Talk to anyone who has lived in Cuba or a satellite county of the failed USSR and ask them just what we may anticipate. The most ardent defenders of the U.S.A. seem to be those who have legally immigrated to our shores.
They have experienced not so benevolent dictatorship. Their hard-earned money has been simply taken by their government. Their travel limited by their government. Their freedom of speech quashed by their government.
I recently saw a presentation where a woman from Venezuela showed a before picture of her beautiful 5-bedroom country estate. It was immaculate in a bucolic setting. The post Chavez takeover of Venezuela after picture showed a grovel with strangers moved in at the government’s behest.
I am not saying such a thing will happen in the United States. But this attitude of acceptance of just about anything even of our “empire’s demise” is a dangerous sign. Should we not be instilling in our youth an attitude of achievement over adversity? Is that no longer the American way?
Darlene VanRiper’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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PINE’S PONDERING
By Tom Pine
At the March 22, 2022, county commission meeting one of the two big spenders on the commission, Ciampi helped his reelection in 2024 by giving the Palm City Chamber of Commerce a dollar a year lease for 324 square feet of office space for what the county called a “Public Purpose Lease” in the local community center. The vote was 4 to 1 with Commissioner Heard descending, which is not unusual because Commission Heard is very conservative when it comes to spending our tax dollars.
This is the type of spending that is usually hidden in the consent agenda by the county administrator which then leaves the taxpayer completely in the dark as to where our tax dollars are being spent, for what purpose, and to whom the benefactors are.
I don’t know the terms of the lease or when it happened because it was probably passed in the consent agenda but there is also a sweetheart deal with the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce to rent office space in the local community center there.
Are these local Chambers of Commerce in some kind of financial trouble? Of course not. They are the business community of Martin County and often walk in lock step with the majority of commissioners. No, it’s just a way for some county commissioners to say thank you for supporting them through thick and thin and of course their support of the destruction of the Martin County Growth Management Plan.
According to the county’s definition of the consent agenda. These items are considered “ROUTINE “and are enacted by one motion. So, this is Routine in Martin County, to give free rent to select groups that commissioners hand pick. SICK GREED is what it is.
I have written and spoke about the consent agenda many times, questioning how it varies by millions and millions of dollars from meeting to meeting if we are paying routine bills, now I understand. It’s just like any other slush fund. It’s used to hide where are tax dollars are being spent.
Some apartments along Indian River Drive are presently being gutted and rebuilt without any building permits being visibly posted which is required in Martin County.
A few months ago, I posted a story about a local man selling Hot Dogs from a cart in front of our local convince store. He had all the necessary permits, but he dared to put a small sign advertising his business in the easement when he was there and was regularly harassed by Code Enforcement.
Yet here on Indian River Drive we have apartments being gutted, at times dumpsters present when needed, dry wall stacked outside and NO permits visible and no Code Enforcement???, how convenient.
Once these apartments have all new dry wall and are freshly painted their value will increase dramatically, but “Buyer Beware” these are very old apartments and more than likely there is a very good chance that much of the wood is rotten even in the one they completed. Did they upgrade the electric too???
This time it’s a relatively small lot on Dixie Highway in Rio that was once again completely clear cut. So, I am starting to think the two big spenders on the Martin County Commission, Smith and Ciampi which are also the same two commissioners that constantly attack the comp plan must have inadvertently eliminated any protocols for land clearing.
Truth To Power
Tom Pine’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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HAFNER’S CORNER
By David Hafner
The Rural Lifestyle land use designation has been a big topic of discussion as of late.
At the time that I wrote my last article for this newsletter I was on the fence about this new land use. Since then, I have met with Tom Hurley and Rick Melchiori from Becker Holding Corporation to better understand what Rural Lifestyle is.
For a developer to use the Rural Lifestyle designation the property must be at least 1,000 acres contiguous and 70% of that land must be maintained as open space. Roads and parking lots do not qualify as open space. With a 1,000 acre parcel the developer can build at a density of 1 home per 20 acres. For a property to be considered for a density of greater than 1 home per 20 acres, but no more than 1 home per 5 acres, an additional 50% of land over the land to be developed must be signed into either a conservation or agricultural easement for perpetuity.
For properties going into agricultural easement the buildable value is no longer part of the land value which should make it more affordable for bonified agriculture to farm the land. For properties designated as a conservation easement the developer must maintain the easement as to not put financial burden on the county to keep up with the parcel
I am comfortable supporting this land use designation for a few reasons. It will remove the buildable value from lands where the density of the development is over 1:20 making the land more affordable for farming.
I support property rights, and as much as I want to see all agricultural lands left as farms it is unfair for me to tell someone what to do with their land.
It is not guaranteed that a project that fits the criteria for a Rural Lifestyle land use will be granted the right as it is a case-by-case determination by the board of county commissioners.
I truly believe this is an example of smart growth that keeps open spaces open.
Martin County’s rural lands can be developed as they sit right now at 1 home per 20 acres with no obligation to preserve any green space. Rural Lifestyle is a good middle ground.
David Hafner’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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FLETCH’S PERSPECTIVE
By Keith Fletcher CEO & President of
Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County
While we all know there’s no such thing as an overnight success, a recent Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County standout sure made a “same-night success” look possible.
At our recent Youth of the Year awards ceremony, Fredd G., 17, not only received the top recognition, but also an internship with a prominent local architectural firm.
Raul Ocampo of ADC Architects in Stuart was in attendance at the event. He was so impressed after hearing about Fredd’s achievements (president of Torch Club and Students Working Against Tobacco, captain of a soccer team, excelling in our Culinary Program), and hearing him speak—that he reached out to me to offer the internship.
“No. 1, it was his demeanor that really stood out,” says Raul, “the way he presented himself, very confidently, as someone who believes in himself. That no doubt comes from the structure around him—that has to do with his family and Boys & Girls Clubs and what they mean in his life.”
Another quality that caught Raul’s attention. Fredd’s dreams of becoming an architect.
“Here’s a kid who at 17 already know what he wants to do with his life—although I knew at 15, so I got him beat by two years,” Raul jokes.
Raul’s firm—which works with Boys & Girls Clubs in Martin, St. Lucie, and Palm Beach counties—will offer Fredd opportunities to learn the dynamics of development, grow familiar with essential industry software and visit construction sites to see how plans on paper come to life.
One of those construction sites might be our new flagship club in Stuart, which Raul is helping us create. The new club will feature workforce labs. In forums facilitated by local employers, innovators and entrepreneurs, the kids will learn about key trades and technologies and even earn certifications vital to attracting good job opportunities.
When provided the place, proper preparation and people who care, kids can attain the knowledge, achievements, and confidence that will position them to attract good opportunities. If they continue to put in the love and the work—over many days and nights—success will indeed be the result.
And it will be a success that the community who believed in them and invested in them will share.
Keith Fletcher’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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PLANNER’S PERSPECTIVE
By Marcela Camblor
To Grow or Not to Grow…
Too much growth, too quickly can be overwhelming. Disjointed growth is not why people chose to live in Stuart or Martin County. No growth and no change aren’t the goals either, or is it legal.
Growth can be especially aggravating and perceived to be even more intense than it actually is when the buildings that come out of the ground bear no resemblance in scale and character with the unspoken, collective, “small town feel” vision most who live here have.
A few weeks ago, Stuart commissioners responded to the opinion that growth is too intense, and that too many residential units have been proposed/approved by “hitting the brakes” and determining that no land-use amendment will be considered (approved) if the site is outside the Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) boundary.
What exactly does this mean, and can changes to land use be halted forever?
The State of Florida has one of the most comprehensive land use planning programs in the country. In 1985, Florida enacted the Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act. This Act requires that all local governments adopt, maintain, and implement land use plans and development regulations for all future development actions. The same Act that requires future land use maps contains language that states these land uses are intended to be changed.
Stuart’s land use designations date back to this era. And while there have been changes over the years – mostly due to annexations, individual land use amendment applications and the creation of the CRA, the vision for the future uses in the city were imagined almost four decades ago. That was before slow but consistent changes in the way we live, work, and shop happened, and before drastic changes brought upon by a pandemic revolutionized everything we knew to be “normal.”
Even without a pandemic, experience has demonstrated that even the best land use ordinances become outdated. Periodic revision is essential if any ordinance is to establish and maintain a rational land use pattern.
Since the authority and responsibility for establishing and implementing future development lies with local governments, necessary revisions to adapt to a changing and evolving world should be proposed and conducted by the local government. However, the private sector usually moves faster (not always better) and adjusts more rapidly to market necessities, so the typical amendment is initiated by property owners who would like to use their land in ways not permitted by the regulations but more in tune with market demands.
This pattern of privately initiated amendments is very time consuming, expensive, hinders affordability, generally results in disconnected development, and often fails to meet the expectations of environmental groups and residents alike. And instead of focusing on implementing a great community vision, elected officials and appointed boards find themselves reacting to disjointed planning amid constant opposition.
Historically, the City of Stuart embraced these privately initiated land use amendments and has been more than welcoming to private requests for annexations. The premise for accepting these has generally been that development belongs in the city, and intensifying uses where infrastructure already exists is the best way to ensure the preservation of our natural systems and an Urban Service Boundary that remains unmoved. That is until the music stopped…
Clearly, we have reached a heightened degree of discontent with the direction in which some development is headed. Even supporters of balanced growth see buildings pop up here and there and wonder how that was approved. Mind you, no project in the city is approved without excruciating scrutiny.
Most projects in the city have to go through the Planned Unit Development (PUD) approval process. A “negotiated” and largely unpredictable approach to planning. But hitting the breaks on land use changes does not make the very real development needs go away. Nor does it guarantee that building on what an obsolete land use map dictates will make the community happy. Or that the PUD approach to planning will ever result in a cohesive pattern of development. “Hitting the breaks” is a respectable short-term approach, but it is not the ultimate solution.
I have always been an advocate of long-term community planning and visioning. I believe that the city owes the same level of visioning and predictability to areas outside the CRA as those inside of it. This can be accomplished through extensive community visioning sessions and ultimate, public-sector initiated changes to the outdated land use map. While Stuart (hopefully) embarks in the process of updating obsolete land use patterns, projects should be carefully reviewed and approved on their own merits.
Whether they are inside or outside the CRA line. Projects that further corridor revitalization with a true mix of uses that capture trips, reduce car dependency and foster balanced mobility should be a priority. Developments that focus on place making, improving the public realm, and providing tangible community benefits should continue to move forward. Projects that build upon existing assets, take incremental actions to strengthen communities, and build long-term value to attract a range of investments should be considered. Proposals that gate, segregate, disconnect or disrespect the public realm should not move forward, regardless of location.
America’s “Happiest Seaside Town” should be happy, and beautiful, both inside and outside an invisible line in an obsolete map.
Marcela Cambior’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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MOMS FOR LIBERTY
By Julie Marshall
Moms For Liberty
Moms for Liberty had some real victories nationwide in the month of March.
Governor DeSantis signed two important pieces of legislation that M4L was supporting. The first bill, HB 1467, called the Curriculum Transparency Bill, provides transparency into curriculum as well as library books and anything presented to our children while in public school. This bill also places term limits on School Board positions. Currently, there are no limits on how many times a person can run for the seat. This bill limits that to 12 total years. In most cases, this equals 3 terms.
HB 1557, The Parental Rights in Education bill supports a parent’s right to direct the upbringing, education, and medical care of their children. This bill was outlined in last month’s newsletter. In summation, this bill will prohibit public schools from discussing gender issues and sex to children in grades Kindergarten through 3rd Grade.
At our recent local membership meeting, MaryLynn Magar, Martin County Republican Executive Committee (REC) spoke to the group about REC’s mission and presented Senator Rick Scott’s 11 Point Rescue Plan, www.rescueamerica.com.
Of particular interest, were his points on Education, Color Blind Equality and Family. MaryLynn invited anyone to attend REC meetings and become a member. Meetings are the third Thursday of each month at the Flagler Center at 6 p.m.
We then had the pleasure of listening to Emilie Sullivan, a sophomore at Jensen Beach High School. Emilie is enrolled in a program called AVID, (Advancement Via Individual Determination). AVID is a 4-year program that is an in-school, academic prep designed to give students the skills necessary to be ready to enter college.
Emilie was told by her teacher that this program was being eliminated due to “funding issues.” Having invested 2 years in the program, she was devastated. Part of the program enables students to secure scholarships, after 3 years in the program. Emilie is on track for these scholarships and was determined to keep the program alive.
She spoke to her teachers, the principal and reached out to school board members. In fact, the program had not been eliminated and the funding issue was not accurately stated. Through her thoughtful, polite, and open dialogue, the AVID program will remain for her and the other students who had invested so much of their time to this curriculum. We are proud of Emilie for putting herself out there to solve a problem.
Julie Marshall’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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It is governmental budget season. The new fiscal year begins October 1st.
Although it is six months away, many governments are already nearly done and will begin getting approvals from their boards for their next year’s budgets. The school board has had several budget meetings. The county is putting the final touches on their budget. City of Stuart and other municipalities are also fine tuning their numbers.
July is when the tax rolls are certified. TRIM notices go out 55 day later. It is a never-ending cycle that governs the year for taxing authorities.
Thanks to property values going higher, I would think there will be no rate hikes this year. At the same time, prices have skyrocketed for the public as well as for government. Think about the number of gallons of gasoline that the sheriff’s office purchases in a year.
As the different budgets are made available, the Martin County Taxpayers Association will examine them and point out where savings can be made. Our main function is to make sure that the average taxpayer is receiving a bang for his tax buck. We have been doing it for 72 years and hope to continue for another 72.
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CONSTITUTIONAL CORNER AND OTHER GOVERNMENT NOTICES
And from our Supervisor of Elections:
From The Clerk of The Court:
From the Property Appraiser
Tax Collector
From The City of Stuart:
From Martin County:
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Dottie Brown writes:
Just wondering Martin County or anyone in one anywhere can they do anything at all about the increase in home insurance it’s getting a little out of hand we just put a brand new roof on our home last year we were raise $1700 this year we’re both on Social Security this is a little hard for us to do
Our next one is from Audrey Taggart:
Apparently, there are those who are considering the idea of whether or not to continue paying school board members a salary and benefits. Some wonder if board members would continue to serve if not paid?
I believe I can answer the query since I resided in one of the 50% plus states which do not pay school boards. Most elections are hotly contested for many reasons: parents wish to improve the quality of education, others use it as a steppingstone for future elected office, some for their business’s name recognition, ego gratification, and so on. Too numerous to mention the rest. You get the idea.
In that same state, local elected officials do not earn a salary, nor are benefits attached. They had been in the past. This was a magnet for business operators: insurance, real estate, attorneys, heating/cooling specialists and others to run for local offices. Hence, the policy was abandoned years back. State law changed to: if a business owner wrote his/her family’s health insurance as a business expense, s/he had to provide same to employees. Today there is a small stipend for local commissioners to cover expenses. This change has not made any impact. There are still plenty who wish to serve.
Term limits are never a bad idea. Our Founding Fathers never envisioned a “politician.” They expected citizens would take a turn at governance and then go back to their “real life’s work.”
Regularly there are letters asking about Martin County’s lack of interest is quality of life issues: water mains, river quality, etc. Some liken the current BOCC members with fiddling while the county burns. The claims are the BOCC is more interested in subsidizing money pits: water park, fancy golf course, empty buses traveling on Martin County roads, concessions at beaches run by BOCC rather than restaurateurs, etc.
A friend lives in downtown Orlando across from a beautiful lake where one may rent a pedal boat in the shape of a swan; library, nice restaurants are abundant around the park area. A charity set up a food station for the homeless. They arrived, took up residence in the park surrounding the lake and now senior citizens are accosted, residents knocked off their bicycles, handbags ripped off women and the elderly. If you build it, they will come.
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COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 22, 2022:
Fire/Rescue proposed that automatic remote-access-controlled gates be installed at all HOA unmanned entrances. It would cost roughly $2,000 per gate. There are about 200 such entrances throughout Martin County. The proposal calls for everything to be completed within 3 years. The ordinance only applies to unincorporated Martin County.
Knox boxes, as they are commonly known in the industry, will allow the responding units to gain access while remaining in the truck instead of having a fire/rescue person get out of the rig and unlock the gate manually wasting possibly valuable time. It passed 5-0
About 6 months ago, there was only one bidder to transport recyclables from the Martin County transfer station to St. Lucie County’s material recovery facility. The price is $334.00 per load. Since there was only one bid, the commission asked for a review in 6 months, so the review is occurring now.
Staff ascertained other counties were paying from $34.62 per mile to $5.62 which is a large spread. Martin County, if broken out the same way is paying, $15.18 per mile. Martin County Public Utilities has determined that they could do it for $4.35 per mile. The Board approved buying the trailers needed to have the transporting of recyclables done internally.
In another matter of “you scratch my back, and I will scratch yours,” Martin County has leased the community center building in Charlie Leighton Park for $12 per year for twenty years plus a ten-year renewal to the Palm City Chamber of Commerce.
Did I miss something or isn’t the Palm City Chamber of Commerce a private organization? Why should the taxpayers subsidize them? This trend started with the Jensen Beach Chamber taking over the Jensen Beach Civic Center for another sweetheart lease. Smith and Ciampi are paying off their supporters with taxpayer dollars. It is indefensible.
Heard immediately pointed all of this out. Why should a public building be rented for nothing per year to a private entity? The nonsense that Ciampi spouted about the building being empty is because the parks department is not adequately programing the site. As Heard again pointed out the civic center in Port Salerno (her district) is used almost every day. The board is not holding the staff responsible for doing their jobs for the public. Or were they directed not to program there?
Chambers of Commerce are businesses representing businesses. When are the people going to be represented? Isn’t that what the commission is the people’s representatives. Like the entire state of Florida, this county is being taken over more and more by special interests. They will say that they are being business friendly. In my mind, it has the air of corruption.
The motion was made by Ciampi seconded by Hetherington. It passed 4-1 with Heard dissenting. The lease can be found here
VALUE ADJUSTMENT BOARD MARCH 21, 2022:
I don’t usually report on this board…not because it isn’t interesting but because of time constraints. However, since I did write about the disagreement between the Hobe Sound Farmers Market and the property appraiser in another edition, listening to that hearing was important.
The magistrate for the Value Adjustment Board found that the property appraiser was correct in not allowing an agricultural classification for 7 acres that was used for the market out of the total farm of 129 acres. This hearing was to determine whether the appraiser and magistrate were incorrect to not grant the classification of agricultural because the use was or was not agritourism.
The board determined in a 3-2 decision that it should go back to the magistrate for reconsideration. The attorney for the board agrees with the magistrate’s decision. The magistrate will look at the information already in evidence and see whether his opinion was right or not.
I do not know whether Zach Gazza and his wife Catherine are correct in their interpretation of the agritourism statute. The experts in this are the property appraiser, her staff and attorney, the magistrate, and the Value Adjustment Board attorney. They are all in agreement that the Hobe Sound Farmers Market is not an agritourism business for last year as determined by the statute.
The entire argument for the classification can change from year to year. The difference between the agricultural and commercial classification is $2,000 additional real estate taxes for those 7 acres. The Gazzas made the determination to close the market voluntarily. No government entity forced them to cease the market’s operations. They can re-apply for the agricultural classification for the 7 acres and may already have done so.
At some point in the future, the land that is not in agriculture could be subject to a higher valuation. Projects like Discovery may ultimately force that to occur. Would a businessperson rather pay $2000 or thousands for legal fees? Something doesn’t make sense.
Jenny Fields, our appraiser, is someone who takes her job seriously but goes out of her way to be helpful. What she will not do is bend the rules. I would hope that the Gazzas can show her office that they do now comply with the agritourism statute.
I don’t know why the market couldn’t be opened tomorrow. They have their business tax receipt. The increase real estate taxes until this is resolved is less than $40.00 per week. A successful business does not close over that amount.
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COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 28, 2022:
What is Stuart to do when the antiquated rail bridge across the St. Lucie is not going to be replaced.
Of course, the answer for the commission is to write letters to state and federal officials supporting their meager efforts to try and minimize the worse of the consequences. I noticed in this instance that the City of Stuart doesn’t even bother to send anything to the governor and our legislators knowing full well that they will do nothing.
Congressman Brian Mast has had a proposed amendment introduced regarding the operation of the bridge similar to what the railroad must do in Fort Lauderdale with the New Bridge. The bridge will have to be up 30 minutes out of every hour so that boat traffic is not significantly impaired.
That is better than nothing, but it will not solve the bigger problem of the need for a new bridge. And the only way that will be done is by federal funding for the replacement of the 95-year-old single track span there now. In order for the appropriation to be past, Mast will have to carry it through Congress and gives his wholehearted support.
In the meantime, the city will hope and pray that the decrepit bridge will not break down too often. The incredible disengaged county commission will not become involved and work to try and secure funding even though thousands of their residents are boaters. Their staff is more than proficient to do much of the heavy lifting with Brightline and the Feds. They just need the go ahead.
City Manager Dyes tried to get the marine industry involved but, like so many of the interest groups in Martin County, they are basically ineffective. The railroad could do more, but they do not have the millions needed to build a new bridge. In the meantime, the occasional letter will go out from the commission to show that they are still engaged.
You can find the letter here
Silverthorne is a development that has bad timing. If it had been proposed at any other moment, it probably would have been a winner.
Meritage Homes, the builder of Silverthorne, presented an excellent plan for 77 town homes being built for sale where commercial and residential meet. The zoning was for commercial, and the builder needed to have the use changed to residential. It is too bad he could not build this project as of right.
Martin County and the City of Stuart are not dynamic places. Change comes slowly. The old adage, “two steps forward one step back” applies here in spades. We are seeing that now with the aversion people have to more homes being built. That is happening in the city, and it will happen in the county especially with the debacle of the introduction of the Rural Lifestyle use.
The county actually wanted this development to occur. The county commission and staff have done nothing but rake the city over the coals for approving so much housing. That is despite their list of approved projects that dwarfs Stuart’s and many of those projects are the very definition of sprawl.
Meritage was willing to pay for road improvements that the county wanted to see in addition to the county road impact fees. Those county fees are generally parsimoniously spent within Stuart city limits.
Meritage was loudly denied approval at the LPA meeting in November. They went back to the drawing boards and completely redid their plan. In my opinion, it should have gone back to them before proceeding to the commission as it was such a different project. Meritage encompassed many of the LPA recommendations. I can’t say what transpired during staff and commissioner meetings with the applicant, but I cannot believe their positions were not made clear.
Over the past six months each commissioner has said that they were not in favor of approving any more housing outside of the CRA for at least a year. The only one that did not make that pledge was Meier. The vote reflects the commissioners’ public statements from the dais. It is nice to see that they each kept their word to the public.
The vote was 4-1 to not approve the project with Meier in opposition. (By the way motions are usually not made to deny but rather no motion is made at all) You can see the excellent presentation here
However, there were many recent residents of Meritage projects that spoke in favor of this one. It seemed the speakers were not longtime residents of the city, and they had not yet been infected with NIMBY. At the same time, two longtime critics spoke out in opposition to the project…Linda K. Richards, not a resident of the city, and Robin Cartwright who is a resident. They both seem to believe that no new buildings should ever be built, property rights be damned.
In an abundance of caution, the commissioners want to see what happens when some of the approved projects come online. No doubt the national housing trend will be true here as well…. they will find that more housing is needed not less. The commissioners gave their word to wait, and I am happy to see that they will keep it. Isn’t that refreshing to see in a politician?
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SCHOOL BOARD MEETING MARCH 22, 2022:
The second charter school to be operated by Treasure Coast Classical Academy was approved by a vote of 4-1 with Defenthaler voting against approval.
Courtesy of TCCA
In some ways, it is a good thing she is not running for re-election. It seems she is caught in a different place in time. Martin County is not as vocal in its parents’ rights and school choice advocacy as some Florida districts. It is, though, just as concerned as other districts.
Defenthaler claimed she could not vote in support because existing schools are not full. Martin County does not need another school. Existing schools are not filled because the students and their parents are voting with their feet for alternative education. When you have nearly 2000 students clamoring to attend a TCCA charter school in a district of 18,000, there will be empty desks in the existing schools that the district controls.
I have written that the district itself should have a charter in the TCCA mold. I believe there is the school board votes for that to happen. Yet upon reflection, the reason TCCA works is because it is innovative. There is nothing innovative about the district. Like Defenthaler, it is caught in a time warp where parents knew their place and educators were the only ones knowledgeable enough to call the shots.
The board approved the referendum to continue the increase of ½ a mill. It will be in place for another four years if passed. Most of the money will go for teacher bonuses to make sure the district has competitive pay. With Chair Li Roberts once again in support, it may even pass again.
You can find the resolution here
The board also approved a medical plan for district employees using ESSER funds to pay for the increase. ESSER funds are not going to be there forever. They are funds from the federal government to supposedly help pull us through COVID.
I am sympathetic to premium increases. It is a universal problem in the U.S. and one that is a heavy burden on businesses and local governments alike. But could those funds have been used for something else? I guess it is easier not to upset anyone or make the employees pay any more if we have “free money” around.
SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET MEETING MARCH 29, 2022:
The board went through the upcoming budget for next year with Carter Morrison. This is not the final budget which should be coming within the next couple of weeks. When it is available, the newsletter will spend more time on that subject.
During this meeting, a board member brought up that the school district was mentioned during Governor DeSantis’ press conference for the signing of the “Parental Rights” bill into law. The district had an old form still on its website that does not conform with a parental rights law passed in 2021. (I could not find it)
According to Superintendent Millay, the form was not used and that every student plan must be signed by a parent agreeing to the plan’s implementation including anything having to do with LGBTQ issues. Nothing can be done without their knowledge and agreement.
Then why was the form still on the website after a year? Just one of those bureaucratic things. No one should expect the school board members to be intimately involved in district procedural forms. They are policy makers. It is up to the superintendent to carry out their policy within existing law.
At the same time the school board supervises Dr. Millay. If they feel he is not carrying out their directives, then indirectly they are responsible. Since Millay took over in November 2020, he has had to deal with COVID and being the first appointed superintendent. We are now at the eighteen-month mark of his tenure. His honeymoon period has expired.
Neither the governor nor his staff is going through school district websites to see if they are complying with the law or not. Someone must have told them that the outdated form was there. Martin County schools do not need this type of publicity. The letter from the district explaining itself to the governor is reproduced below.
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COMMISSION MEETING MARCH 23, 2022:
Joe Capra explained that the FDOT had examined the three bridges owned by the town. All three need to have work performed. In 2020, a company was hired but did not do the work contracted. It appears like so much else in the COVID era there was not enough bodies, or the estimate was not realistic. They abandoned the project. Capra is recommending that Sunshine Land Design do the work on the three bridges for $127,342.
An appraisal was done for the Reilly parcel at 78 South Sewall’s Point Road. They asked the appraiser to value three different scenarios. The scenarios were:
- the entire property: $2,170,000,
- buying 11,071 sq feet and a 4,054 sq feet drainage easement (Scenario 1): $618,500
- buying 11,071 sq feet perpetual easement on the retention portion plus drainage easement (Scenario 2): $593,500
The purpose of the appraisal is that the town needs to buy the property to place adequate drainage for South Sewall’s Point Road. The town currently does not have any property that suits that need. Campo stated that there were other comparable parcels that the appraiser did not use when determining value. He also noted that it was a Palm Beach firm and not a Martin County one.
Campo then cited several recent sales. The Reilly parcel is on the water. I don’t think any of Campo’s comparable parcels mentioned were on the water. The four lots in the appraisal were waterfront properties. As to whether the appraiser is based in Palm Beach or Martin, it should not make a difference. Unlike selling real estate, appraising real estate is straight forward.
However, since a second appraisal is necessary before the town can purchase property, having one done by a local firm is fine. What happens if Mrs. Reilly decides not to sell for the price offered if she deems it too low? The appraisal can be found here
There was also a discussion about dock coverings. It seemed every commissioner had a different opinion. Fender wanted to leave the ordinance as written. Others wanted to have some standards to protect the sea grasses. There are several coverings that were built without permission or permits or inspections. While the manager said he understood what the commission directed the staff to do, I am a still a little perplexed as to the direction.
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COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 24, 2022:
A rather routine correction to the quorum requirements for the Planning & Zoning Appeals Board from three to four members caught my attention.
After endless discussion of how many members needed to vote one way or another to have something passed, the issue of a board vacancy came up. Hernandez proposed and gave a bio of Nayeli Perez, a mother of two with many other fine attributes that were completely immaterial as to whether she could fulfill her responsibilities as a board member. One attribute that Hernandez specifically cited as a reason to have her was that she was Hispanic.
Many things in this village come down to race and ethnicity. The council woman is a big believer in using both in making selections. At the League of Treasure Coast Cities, Hernandez made no friends when she claimed she was being kept from an officer position because she was Hispanic. The current president of the local league, who will be next year’s Florida League president, is Hispanic and a woman.
Government employment, elected office, and being a member of a voluntary board should not be determined by race or by being of a particular ethnic group. When things like this are said, where are the other council members letting Hernandez know that her criteria are wrong? What about Vose and Brown interrupting this nonsense to reinforce that the Village of Indiantown does not have racial or ethnic quotas. This is just bad governance and perhaps illegal to pick one applicant over another with the determining factor being ethnicity.
The presentation is here here
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In The Spotlight
by Jackie Holfelder
Remembering Ollie Harvey
Ollie Harvey was dedicated to improving opportunities for children in the East Stuart community and she founded the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Building Bridges to Youth in the early 2000s to help her commitment become a reality.
Unfortunately, after years of offering tough love and helping provide the tools for “her children” to have a successful life, Harvey passed away in 2017 at the age of 60 after suffering a series of strokes.
Paula Nicoletti, Jackie Holfelder, Karen Dyess, Bobbie Scott, Polly Campenni and Brenda Matheny had lunch recently to commemorate what would have been Ollie Harvey’s 65th birthday. photo by David Dyess
A few weeks ago, a group of women met in Stuart to commemorate what would have been Harvey’s 65 birthday and to share stores and memories.
Polly Campenni, Karen Dyess, Brenda Matheny, Paula Nicoletti, Bobbie Scott and I all were involved with Building Bridges to Youth in different capacities and witnessed Harvey’s dedication firsthand.
Matheny suggested that we look into the logistics for having an outdoor event for kids in East Stuart, filled with activities and community participation – an event that would echo the spirit and heart of Ollie Harvey.
None of us are newbies to the nonprofit world and we realize that it will be a very big undertaking, but we’re determined to see if we can make it fly!
Stay tuned to In the Spotlight for more details.
Inspired by Elev8Hope
As a fan of Elev8Hope and RinaMarie Shpiruk and her family, I stay up-to-date with the creative ways people support the students and families served by the nonprofit.
For any of you not familiar with the volunteer-run 501(c)(3), it’s primary focus in on students in Martin County who are homeless, at risk or otherwise in need of immediate support.
Over the years, Shpiruk has built a network that includes employees of the Martin County School District, members of the Martin County Sheriff’s Office and other individuals who can verify that those that Elev8Hope is helping are truly deserving of the effort.
Often, these individuals literally only have the clothes on their back, so in addition to cash donations, volunteers and supporters offer a variety of items and services to offer love and sustenance.
An example is a group of ladies from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Stuart who make magnificent quilts for Elev8Hope.
As Shpiruk says, “These women spend hours and hours creating these masterpieces for kids they will never meet. They will never hear their stories, their crises, or see their faces when they are wrapped in stitching of love.”
If you have a talent or skill that you think could fill a need at Elev8Hope or Ms. Rina’s House of Blessings, please send it to me (along with your contact info) and I’ll be happy to pass it on to Rina.
Photo provided. Two of the Quilters from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Stuart
Sandhill Cove Foundation Set to Award Scholarships
On May 4, the members of the Sandhill Cove Foundation will present the 7th annual awarding of its scholarships.
The Foundation is an independent, tax-exempt public charity, set up by Sandhill Cove residents in accordance with Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Service. It reserves 98-percent of income for qualified awardees.
Photo by Jackie Holfelder 2021 Sandhill Cove Foundation Scholarship recipients
Recipients are staff members or children of staff members, and they can use the award to further their education ay any accredited junior college, college, or vocational institution.
Residents of Sandhill Cove Retirement Living, which is where the Foundation is housed, say that the scholarship program renews their sense of purpose. They find themselves becoming emotionally involved in the lives of the recipients, cheering them on in their successes.
Creek District Sidewalk Mosaic Program
Have you heard about the exciting Sidewalk Mosaic Program being spearhedaded by the Creek District?
There will be several new mosaics installed in the area and there’s an oppotunity for you to be directly involved in its selection or – better yet – the creator of one.
Woman Supporting the Arts is funding the program and MartinArts is donating materials.
All adults aged 18-plus are welcome to enter an original design for consideration.
Photo provided Dahlias
If selected, once the installation of the mosaic art work at its designated location has taken place, the artist will be awarded a $650 check from The Creek District of Arts & Entertainment, a public unveiling ceremony celebrating their work, social media features, and a press release to local news outlets.
For complete details, visit www.thecreekdistrict.org/mosaic-program.
Jackie is always looking for a good story…you may reach her at: jackieacolumn@gmail.com
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FINAL THOUGHTS
FLORIDA LEGISLATURE AND ALL THAT JAZZ
The Florida legislative season is over (not including the special session called.) Was it productive?
That depends on your point of view. If you are local government, the worst of your fears were abated. Yet isn’t that always what happens? The legislators put forth a bill stripping the locals of power (e.g., being able to pass any business regulation). Then through intense lobbying by Florida League of Cities or some other organization, the legislature backs off and only passes half of the content that was in the original bill. Everyone then can say they did their best.
One bill this session that allows local governments to ban smoking in parks only applies to cigarettes but not cigars. The cigar interest group must have a strong lobby. It does follow the legislative pattern of keeping the reigns tightly in their grasp even when giving something away.
If you believe in parental rights, it was a very good session. The parental rights bill became the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The governor and legislature should have passed two bills…one on curriculum and one on sexuality. I agreed with one and even some of the other. Yet it will have a chilling effect on schools, including their bottom lines, since parents can sue and recover costs.
Despite passing an elections law bill last year, the legislature passed another one this year with the governor’s backing. It establishes an agency to investigate voter crime. There was no election fraud in Florida in 2020. According to the bill’s sponsor, if there are dedicated enforcement agents, they can find the crime. Can the secret police be far behind?
Years ago, the Democrats became proponents of the nanny state. They had no problem telling businesses and individuals what to do. In the past decade, the Republicans have also begun to infringe on individual and private businesses rights. For instance, the governor believes that masks are nonsense, and he has no problem telling private businesses to stop requiring them within their own confines. The parties may disagree on what people should and should not be allowed to do, but both would curtail individual rights and freedoms while supposedly protecting us and at the same time giving us liberty.
No amount of saying liberty makes it so. “Don’t tread on me” does not have the caveat of unless I disagree on what you’re doing or perhaps thinking. Republicans were supposed to have a libertarian streak. That has all but vanished. Like Democrats, their orthodoxy has gotten in the way of their ideals.
Both parties favor restricting what individuals and private businesses do. A repressive government is a repressive government whatever political label is given to an elected official. And in more and more instances, our state is choosing to limit discussion, debate, and deliberation if it clashes with the orthodoxy of the politburo that we call state government.
It reminds me of that old Bob Fosse biopic “All That Jazz” which to me is artifice over substance.
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GET THE WORD OUT
Friends and Neighbors of Martin County is your eyes and ears so that you know what is going on in Martin County’s municipal and county governments. I attempt to be informative and timely so that you may understand how your tax money is being spent. Though I go to the meetings and report back, I am no substitute for your attending meetings. Your elected officials should know what is on your mind.
Tom Campenni 772-341-7455 (c) Email: thomasfcampenni@gmail.com
ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Articles Tom wrote:
From Martin County Moment:
“A Deal In The Works”
“The Emperor Has No Clothes”
From Medium
“School Vouchers Can Prevent School Censorship”
“Christian Nationalism For America Is A Fallacy”
Other Articles:
The Capitolist: “Jeff Brandes’ think tank: Live Local Bill will help, but bigger changes needed to fix affordable housing crisis”
The New York Times: “How To Clear 500,000 Ferel Cats From New York Streets”
Trump’s Indictment
Florida Phoenix: “Statehouses debate who should build EV charging networks”
The Washington Post: “Tracing the power of Casey DeSantis”
GLOSSARY
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)
Annual Medium Income (AMI)
Basin Action Management Plan (BMAP)
Best Management Practices (BMP)
Board of County Commissioners (BOCC)
Business Development Board (BDB)
Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)
Career & Technical Education (CTE)
Center For Disease Control (CDC)
Centum Cubic Feet (CCF)
Children’s Services Council (CSS)
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
Community Development District (CDD)
Community Redevelopment Board (CRB)
Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA)
Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR)
Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP)
Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
Emergency Operation Center (EOC)
Equivalent Residential Connection (ERC)
Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU)
Evaluation & Appraisal Report (EAR)
Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA)
Fixed Asset Replacement Budget (FARB)
Federal Rail Administration (FRA)
Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)
Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC)
Florida Inland Navigation District (FIND)
Full Time Equivalents (FTE)
Future Land Use Maps (FLUM)
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
Hobe Sound Local (HSL)
Indian River Lagoon (IRL)
Land Development Code (LDR)
Lake Okeechobee Regulation Schedule (LORS)
Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSUM)
Local Agency Program Certification (LAP)
Local Planning Agency (LPA)
Martin County Fire/Rescue (MCFR)
Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO)
Martin County Taxpayers Association (MCTA)
Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU)
Municipal Service Taxing Unit (MSTU)
Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY)
Organization For Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD)
Parks & Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB)
Planned Unit Development (PUD)
Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
Preserve Action Management Plan (PAMP)
Request for Proposal (RFP)
Residential Planned Unit Development (RPUD)
Right of Way (ROW)
Secondary Urban Services District (SUSD)
South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD)
South Martin Regional Utility (SMRU)
State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP)
Storm Water Treatment Areas (STA)
Tax Increment Financing (TIF)
Urban Planned Unit Development (UPUD)
Urban Services Boundary (USB)
World Health Organization (WHO)
Zoning-In-Progress (ZIP)
