Tom Campenni
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IN THIS EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER
The end of February is already in sight. What is euphemistically called “season” will end next month. But do we still have as many seasonal residents as in the past?
It seems to me that snowbirds are less prevalent than they were a few years ago. Stuart and Martin County have more full-time residents with each passing year. Those that have a second home elsewhere don’t use that home in the same way they did once. More of us visit our northern places regularly for short periods of time throughout the year.
We retired folks have busy lives here. We volunteer, sit on boards, maybe have part time jobs, and have family and friends in Martin County. Fewer of us retire and just play golf or tennis. Our roots are in Martin County.
There are still those who rent an apartment or house for a winter month and vacation. Those people are here to get away from the winter for a time. Eventually some of those folks will spend more and more time here. We will convert them from vacationers to snowbirds and eventually some to residents with a place somewhere else.
In this week’s newsletter Jackie Holfelder devotes her entire column to Julie LaFrance Lentine and her fight to come back from COVID. It is a portrait of strength and the effects of a devastating disease.
The Martin County Taxpayers Association offers an analysis of the Stuart Fire Department.
Capt. Paul Sperco tells us where there is good fishing and how to catch them. Missi Campbell gives us the latest on Palm City. Tiffany Kincaid from Martin Beautiful fills us in on her upcoming event. Dr. Libman gives us the latest medical news.
McChrystal explains his hatred of speed bumps. The news from the Business Development Board is offered by Joan Goodrich. The latest information from our constitutional officers and others is included as well. And Hafner, VanRiper and Pine give us their opinions.
Finally, the latest on what is happening in the governments of Martin County. All here in Friends & Neighbors.
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GOVERNING PHILOSOPHY
What is a governing philosophy?
Should government act as a business? That is something you hear all the time. While that may sound good…just think about that idea for a moment.
Government should provide services that the private sector cannot. The real estate market provides a good example. There is a market economy when it comes to building homes or apartments. The private sector is looking to maximize profits in their development projects. Those who are unable to afford those units will still need to shelter somewhere. Public housing or rental assistance programs have been created to meet those needs.
In Martin County our government cannot build public housing or help those who need rental assistance very much. Much of what is known as affordable housing is a nonstarter for the private sector because the return on investment is inadequate. Society has a need, but we haven’t found a way to fulfill that need adequately currently.
For a while vouchers were the method used by the federal government to subsidize rent in private buildings for those needing assistance. There aren’t enough vouchers currently to meet the demand for that assistance. The feds need to do more. Housing is clearly someplace that government is needed.
But there are other places in our county that government is acting as a private business…the golf course and beach restaurants. These operations are clearly capable of being operated by the private sector. Then why is government involved?
In both instances the county’s Parks & Recreation Department is doing an excellent job in running these operations efficiently and at a profit according to county staff. But is it the county’s obligation to be in competition with the private sector?
Our county commission believes that it is. We have 5 Republican commissioners. In the old days, being a Republican meant you were the party of small business. You championed it. In Martin County this is no longer the case.
Today, the county (without saying the words) operates these 2 endeavors as if our society was an outgrowth of Socialism. The government owns the “means of production.” Marx and Engle would be proud of the way the BOCC and their staff have taken two hot dog stands and a golf course and cut out the private sector.
It appears that these entities are running very well. They are making money. They are charging market rates to the residents and taxpayers of Martin County.
Yet government doesn’t exist to make money but to provide needed services that citizens cannot afford, or that private industry cannot do so profitably.
We often hear the term that the county is giving the public an experience. Philosophically is that what the government should be doing? Should they not just allow those that cannot afford to play golf or have a soda at the beach the opportunity to do so?
This is not government going amuck as much as commissioners playing with other people’s money…your tax dollars.
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FILL IN THE BLANKS
As Martin County becomes more built out, it becomes important that we are more careful with the parcels that are left.
That is why I am bit concerned with the rush for the new rural lifestyle designation to be approved. It seems to have been written in a hurry in response to two projects which needed specific exemptions rather than a new land use designation. While I have no problem with either of the two projects, I think to have an entirely new classification needs much more public input and explanation than what has happened so far.
I was an early proponent of the Discovery project on Bridge Road. It will have very high-end homes similar to Jupiter Island. It has amenities that will make it very desirable. For the county, it will generate millions in new real estate taxes with very little demand for services since, for the most part, these homes will be third and fourth residences for the owners.
There is also a project known as Three Lakes on Bridge Road that will run all the way to Kanner. The project will have three golf courses plus an executive course. There are no member homes though there will be cottages for members to rent when coming to play. It will be 95% open space. I believe that too is an excellent use for our western lands.
Both will fall under the rural lifestyle classification. But that classification can also bring homes to the area. There are stringent restrictions on both the number of homes and the amount of open land needed. I haven’t even begun to think about running water and sewer lines outside the Urban Services Boundary which appears that can be done under this classification.
REAL WETLANDS Pinterest
I feel it is being rushed through without giving residents enough time to digest this new classification. The buy in of a few supposed environmental groups in my mind is not enough. I want the average citizen to also think it’s a good idea. Here the county is lacking vital input.
When a new code classification that will require comp plan changes without public input is written, there is great opportunity for a battle. In an earlier newsletter, I suggested that this process of creating a new land use category should be turned over to the Treasure Coast Planning Council or a similar type of agency to help write it and then do the public outreach needed.
I think that both Discovery and Three Lakes could be done through one-time exceptions. The impact of those projects will be slight, and there is no need to hold them up. When you decide to do things without proper vetting, the process will devolve into that old pro and anti-development argument.
There will always be people who don’t want anything developed. And there are those who have never met a parcel that shouldn’t have something slapped on it. For most of us, we just want to look at all the options, as well as the unintended consequences, before we are comfortable with making a change. I hope the BOCC feels the same way. Or it may come back to bite them at election time.
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OTHER OPINIONS
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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD BENT
By Joan Goodrich
CEO BDBMC
Joan Goodrich from BDB
Recently, we featured one of Martin County’s many standout business leaders in our reoccurring feature, Speaking with the CEO. A portion of the interview keeps coming back to me, particularly as we’re launching our exciting new campaign, Now’s the Time.
Philip Jay “PJ” Anson, Jr., is president of STS Aviation Group. Headquartered in Jensen Beach with operation facilities in Palm City, STS Aviation Group employs more than 3,000 people across the country and helps engineer, maintain, and repair aircraft for every major airline. Further, the company manufactures, distributes, and supplies parts to said aircraft—and provides airlines with essential personnel.
PJ pointed to a pivotal moment in the success of this remarkable juggernaut.
“We were once primarily a staffing business but 9/11 pretty much stopped our business,” PJ said. “That forced the diversification. Everything shut down. People weren’t flying. We said, ‘We can’t have this happen to our company again.’ I would say in every situation, in every crisis, there’s opportunity, but you just have to be able to see it.”
Bold, savvy leaders such as PJ recognize opportunities even amid the obstacles. Oddly, even amid good times, we can easily overlook the opportunities around us. Jeff Leslie, new board chair of the Business Development Board of Martin County, is galvanizing our organization through his compelling characterization of the countless incredible assets our community represents to local and new businesses. Some include:
- Location between South Florida and Orlando
- Ample shovel-ready sites at reasonable prices
- Easy accessibility to fiber optic communications infrastructure
- Public, private, and nonprofit collaborations in preparing the local workforce
- Strong support by our elected officials
- Amazing quality of life in our sense of community, natural resources, outdoors recreation options and schools.
PJ lived in Nashville when he acquired the company with partners—one of whom lived in Sewall’s Point—in 1997. His love of fishing and the lure of living near the water proved an irresistible appeal. Once discovering what a wonderful place Martin County is to live and work, PJ helped share that message in a role, fittingly, on the BDB board.
“In talking to CEOs who were interested in coming down here, I’d say, ‘Let me tell you why you want to be here. The quality of living, the schools, etc., is phenomenal,’” he remembered. “People come here and see what it is, and their families get to see it. In my experience, you’re not going to talk him into it just because it’s going to save him money. When it comes to moving his company, a CEO wants to know what his life is going to be like in the area.
Two key decisions—where to headquarter, and when to diversify—shaped the success of one of our top businesses, positively impacting the livelihoods of thousands and travel experiences of countless more.
Timing, of course, is everything. So, if you’re ready to put it all together—combining the best for your work life with the best for your home life—Martin County is calling. And Now’s the Time.
Joan Goodrich’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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VANRIPER’S VIEWS
By Darlene VanRiper
The Florida State House voted to approve House Bill 1467. It will allow for more transparency and scrutiny of educational materials by parents.
Parents will be included in committees which will “grade” instructional materials. With most of student’s educational material being online today, most parents don’t know where to find it. But this bill will require that “elementary schools publicly post a list of all materials maintained in the school library or recommended or assigned as part of a school-or grade-level reading list.”
It will also require “school districts to provide access to all materials for public inspection as allowed by law and to publish a list of all materials available to students on the school website in a searchable format.” Another parent friendly aspect is that it will require that “school districts annually submit to the Commissioner of Education a report identifying materials adopted by the district school board for which the school district received an objection for the school year and [requiring] the DOE to publish removed or discontinued materials as a result of an objection.” As a bonus, “The bill does not appear to have a fiscal impact on state government and has an indeterminate fiscal impact on local school districts.”
Some would say parents shouldn’t be involved in this choice because they are not trained. However, I would venture to say that only interested parents will apply to be on these committees or attend the committees as observers. One would have to conclude that such interested parents would be educated enough to know whether material is of value or is attempting to sway a student’s point of view on particular issues.
After all, as Supreme Court Associate Justice Potter Stewart wrote in 1964 (Jacobellis v. Ohio) that “hard-core pornography” is hard to define but “I know it when I see it.”
Darlene VanRiper’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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PINE’S PONDERING
By Tom Pine
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Robert Kaidy, a Naval Architect with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. He started his career designing boats and ships for the United States Navy.
Originally founded in Miami, Florida Seavee Boats designs every vessel with the customer’s input in mind. They moved to Medley, Florida in 2020 into a new manufacturing facility and headquarters. There they build Seavee Boats in lengths of 27’ to 45’.
Stuart Composites was founded in 2014 by Robert Kaidy, a senior Naval Architect with 24 years of experience in the Marine Industry and Jason Scruggs a senior composites fabrication expert joined Mr. Kaidy in 2019. They opened their new facility in December of 2021 in the previous location of SPS Lumber on Dixie Highway in Rio which opened in 1958.
At this location they start by building Plugs and Molds which is called Tooling, these are the first steps in the boat building process. They also sell these plugs and molds to other boat builders.
They have also developed Infusion, which is an Aerospace type of construction. They have developed their own Technology which builds a much lighter and stronger boat, and it is also a much cleaner type of manufacturing.
They presently employ sixty people and expect to have about two hundred people employed at this location within five years. They presently produce about one boat a week with a two-to-three-year backlog. They build two models at this plant, the Seavee 290B and the Seavee 270z. They are presently hiring.
At the Martin County commission meeting of February 22, 2022 staff will once again present yet another attack on our Martin County Growth Management Plan. One can only assume the attacks on Chapter 2 a few meetings ago was just a warmup.
It shows loud and clear that Martin County Government staff does not work for the Martin County taxpayers, but in fact they work solely for the Martin County commissioners. Two commissioners in particular have been chopping at the bit to develop western Martin County, Commissioner Smith and Ciampi who are both well informed on how to get what they want from staff.
I also believe at this meeting staff will make a presentation to the commissioners for an increase to our sales tax on the November 8, election day.
If this commission moves ahead with yet another attack on our Comp Plan it will be one more reason why I will Vote NO to any increase in our sales tax. If anyone is concerned about the continuing attacks on are Comp Plan, first email your commissioner and let them know your feelings on the matter, second come to the February 22, 2022 meeting it starts at 9:00 AM.
If our commissioners were at all concerned about what we the taxpayers think of our Comp Plan, let’s put a question on the November Ballot. Should Martin County Growth Management Plan be put in a lock box. Yes or no. Where it would only be changed if the voters approve.
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
As you are reading this, the rides and attractions at the Martin County Fairground are being disassembled and transported to their next destinations.
The fairground is returning to its other use as a space for non-profits to stage events, families to celebrate life events such as weddings, quinceañera, bar mitzvahs and bat mitzvahs, and a place where so many other community events can be held. Though the “63rd Annual Martin County Fair and Youth Livestock Show” has come to an end, the relationships and community involvement from the Martin County Fair is year-round.
The rides, food, and entertainment are great draws to get people in our gates, but for me the important parts of the fair are often the underrepresented parts. The college scholarships that the fair awards and the crowning of Miss Martin County Fair on the opening night- Congratulations Miss Martin County Fair 2022 Summer Ernst!
The livestock projects that are completed and sold to the highest bidder, bringing an end to a year’s worth of hard work and dedication from our local youth. Opportunities for the public to learn about agriculture and the important place it holds in Martin County. Organizations, including House of Hope, Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County, UF/IFAS Extension, SPAM Robotics, and the NAACP, that set up informational booths to share their programs and projects. Where our youth can feel pride from a job well done.
Speaking of the NAACP, the Martin County Fair is building our relationship with the Martin County NAACP to shine a light on African American accomplishments in our country. Hopefully you saw their informational exhibit that shared some great facts about African Americans throughout our history. I look forward to working with President Jimmy Smith to create an exhibit for next year’s fair that tells the underrepresented story of the African American cowboy.
The Martin County Fair is the oldest non-profit organization in Martin County and runs all year long. The 15 members of the board of directors and our countless association members and volunteers work hard to make the Martin County Fair a shining star in our community and a place for other non-profits to come share their missions. We aren’t just selling corndogs, we’re supporting our community, and we need the community to support us back.
David Hafner is a member of the Martin County Fair Board of Directors
David Hafner’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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KEEP MARTIN BEAUTIFUL
By Tiffany Kincaid
Executive Director
If you’ve ever picked up a piece of litter and thought, “More people should do this to keep the community looking beautiful,” there’s good news.
Keep Martin Beautiful is a local, nonprofit, environmental organization that harnesses the energy and passion of volunteers to make a difference in Martin County. The work our volunteers engage in is tangible and impactful. Activities like removing marine debris and litter from our beaches and parks. Revitalization and beautification projects in vulnerable neighborhoods such as Golden Gate, Banner Lake, and Booker Park.
Founded in 1994, Keep Martin Beautiful is an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Florida Beautiful. Even though it’s before my time, I know many of you will remember the famous television commercial with the Native American (Iron Eyes Cody) on the side of the road surrounded by litter with a tear streaming down his cheek. It was the most recognizable public service announcements of all time and part of the environmental movement that began in the 1970s and continues to this day.
Great American Cleanup? That’s Keep Martin Beautiful. International Coastal Cleanup? That’s Keep Martin Beautiful. Adopt-A-Road? Yes, that’s also us. And many other small but meaningful projects taken on by individuals or neighborhoods are also supported with KMB supplies and materials and promotional support.
Keep Martin Beautiful gathers data about these efforts, which paint a picture of a community serious about picking up trash, reducing waste, and being good stewards of our environment. In the past year alone, more than 1,500 volunteers collected nearly 10,000 pounds of litter and donated about $100,000 of time in service to Martin County.
This important work only happens because of the dedication of committed people and organizations willing to get involved. To showcase some of those who have been especially active in environmental efforts during the past year, Keep Martin Beautiful hosts the Environmental Stewardship Awards. This year, the Awards Ceremony will take place on Thursday, April 28, at Sailfish Point Oceanfront Club.
Do you know someone making a difference to improve our environment who deserves to be recognized? Has your business made new technological choices to be more energy or water efficient? Is there a beautification or community improvement project your civic or youth group recently completed? Now is your opportunity to recognize them – or even give yourself some credit! There is no fee to submit a nomination and self-nominations are welcome. Nomination forms, previous year’s winners, and other details are available on our website.
I hope for those of you not already familiar with Keep Martin Beautiful that this gives you a sense of what our organization does. There are many ways you can get involved and we look forward to sharing more details about our programs and activities in future columns. Until then, please contact us at info@keepmartinbeautiful.org, 772-781-1222, or visit our website at www.keepmartinbeautiful.org
Tiffany Kinkaid’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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MICHELE’S MEDICAL MOMENT
By Michele Libman M.D.
Is the Pandemic over?
Provided Dr. Michele Libman
Now that the Omicron variant spike appears to be waning people want to be getting back to some sense of normal… travel reservations are up… concerts are happening and even in super strict California they are hosting over 100,000 spectators at the Super Bowl!! So, are we out of the woods?
Unfortunately, The WHO is currently monitoring 4 different sub-variants of Omicron. The one we are hearing the most noise about is sub variant BA.2 or the Stealth Omicron variant as it is not picked up as well on the rapid tests. It is currently the dominant strain being seen in Africa which is where we first heard about the Omicron variant in the first place. Just like with the original Omicron strain it doesn’t appear that this strain congregates in the lungs.
The most common symptoms of the Stealth variant appear to be a dry or scratchy throat, a runny nose, sneezing, muscle aches and fatigue. We are also seeing some skin manifestations such as unexplained hives, a rash similar to heat rash, chapped or sore lips and discoloration of the toes.
It is unknown at this time if people who were infected with the original Omicron variant can get reinfected with the stealth variant. It appears that a 3rd dose of vaccine (booster shot) appears to be 91% effective against hospitalization in the first 3 months after the shot but the effectiveness drops to 78% after 4 months. Although 78% protection is still way better than zero.
For most people the Omicron variant is mild, especially those who are young and are vaccinated. However, since it is so contagious, we are seeing much higher number of cases and the death rate now is actually higher than it was last spring when Delta was peaking. It appears to be particularly lethal to the elderly (over age 75), the medically vulnerable, and the unvaccinated. We are currently averaging about 2600 deaths per day.
However, despite this high death rate it appears that many states are coming to the realization that it makes more sense to protect the medically vulnerable and not lock everyone down. Mask mandates are disappearing at schools and many indoor venues in Democratic controlled states.
There are currently some effective treatments such as the monoclonal antibody Sotromivab and an oral medication Paxlovid which is indicated for those at high risk of progressing to severe disease. However, it must be taken early in the disease course and is not currently available in our local pharmacies.
I think it has become abundantly clear that Covid is here to stay. Each person needs to determine what degree of risk they are willing to take. Those who are medically vulnerable, and elderly should continue to mask up and get vaccinated. Remember however that the biggest risk factors for having a worse outcome from Covid is having underlying medical conditions of which obesity is high on the list. The best thing you can do to reduce your risk of having a bad outcome is to start exercising, eat a healthy diet, and get vaccinated!
Michele Libman’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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McCHRYSTAL’S MEANDERINGS
By Frank McChrystal
Tim Gallwey, the father of modern sports psychology, has nicknames for the two main enemies that prevent you from reaching your full potential.
The first is the “uh ohs”. The “uh ohs” are simply fear and they are the easiest to overcome once you learn that failure is just part of the process. Much harder to overcome are the “ho hums”. The “ho hums” are simply boredom and must be overcome daily. I’ll consider the writing of this article an exercise in overcoming the “ho hums” as I dive deep into the earth-shattering topic of speed bumps. Who knows where this exercise will lead, but I have a feeling the sarcasm meter will be high.
Speed bumps are relatively new to Stuart and Martin County. Our local leaders bought in to speed bumps and other “traffic calming” about 20 years ago for one and only one reason. They are cheaper than traffic cops.
Speed bumps have become a budget saving necessity, especially now that we are making sure all our roads are scenic experiences. Apparently in Stuart and Martin County, speed limit enforcement is not a high priority worth human intervention.
One of my objections to speed bumps is they are not equal opportunity offenders. If you’re an off-duty firefighter in a fifty grand F-250 or one of our humble governmental leaders in a 70 grand European SUV, speed bumps are virtually nonexistent. For the rest of us, they truly do exist in various forms. My other main objection is that all of us pay for the misbehavior of a few. And lastly, slowing down and speeding back up does not help my gas mileage. Uncle Joe reminds me of that.
Thank God speed bumps are evolving in the direction of doing their job without beating up our vehicles too badly. It’s all about that exact spot, the transition from flat street to speed bump. A smooth transition prolongs the life of both the speed bump and your vehicle.
The newer speed bumps slow you down not with a violent impact at transition, but a perfect height at the crown that will launch you airborne at the right speed. Of course, with the right vehicle priced beyond reality for most, that’s just plain fun.
The cold hard reality about speed bumps and traffic calming is that they don’t work. It’s just human nature. Traffic calming measures remind us that speeding tickets are just a distant memory. Racing in the street has become the norm. Tesla vs European SUV is the vogue competition around town. And the classic Mustang vs Camaro is quite hilarious. These machos are tooling around with automatics, thinking they’re cool.
Well, this exercise in overcoming the “ho hums” is coming to a close and it might as well be with another dose of sarcasm. As we cry foul at the defunding of police in the libtard cities of LA, Chicago, New York, and Minneapolis; “Those who live in glass houses……” seems relevant.
Frank McChrystal’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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PALM CITY HIGHLIGHTS
By Missi Campbell
Executive Director of the Palm City Chamber
The Palm City Chamber of Commerce had the opportunity to install our new Board of Directors at our Salute to Service 43rd Annual Installation Gala on Saturday, February 5th.
We were privileged to honor all veterans but especially Mr. Seymour Hoffman, our 100-year-old World War II veteran.
This event reminded us all how our country has been shaped by the amazing men and women of our military. The gratitude and respect that was on display at our event was overwhelming.
The 2022 Board of Directors under the leadership of President Christina Franco with Hampton Inn and Suites, has a strong agenda for this year. The mission of the Palm City Chamber of Commerce is to serve as the principal advocate of the community and its businesses, acting as the catalyst in promoting the economic development of the Palm City area, stimulating jobs, and improving the quality of life.
We believe that this can be attained in a variety of ways especially focusing on many of our nonprofits. Martin County has many needed and necessary nonprofits that provide support and guidance for our community members. As the Community Chamber, we promote our local nonprofits so that they can benefit from the generosity of the amazing residents and visitors of Martin County.
We have instituted a Nonprofit of the Month program so that we can highlight a different nonprofit each month. This month we are recognizing Family Promise of Martin County. This organization helps struggling families get back on their feet. They have requested fuel gift cards so that their families can get to work. If you would be interested in assisting, please contact the Palm City Chamber of Commerce.
The Palm City Chamber of Commerce will be hosting our 3rd Annual Cow Plop Bingo on Sunday, February 27th at the Rockin H Ranch on Boat Ramp Avenue in Palm City. You may be wondering, “What exactly is Cow Plop Bingo?” It is a fun family event centered around a guest winning $1,000 cash! We have a field at the venue divided into 300 squares. You can purchase your own “land parcel” for $50 and if the cow “plops” in your parcel you win $1,000.
This is fun for children of all ages as we all cheer, “Poop, poop, poop!” to the cow. The grid is created randomly so it doesn’t matter what number you get; all numbers have the same opportunity to make the owner a thousand dollars richer. You can purchase “land parcels” at the Palm City Chaber of Commerce, from a Board member or Ambassador, or by calling us at 772-286-8121.
Missi Campbell’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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FISHING TIPS
BY Capt. Paul Sperco
Here it is the middle of February, and our local fishing is getting better week by week.
The days are getting longer, water temperatures will start to climb, and the baitfish will start to increase in numbers. The variety of species you can target and your chance of having a successful outing will increase on a daily basis.
On the offshore scene right now cobia, blackfin tuna, sailfish, kingfish, and vermillion snapper are all being taken. I spoke with Capt. Chris Battjer from Palm City this week and he had just returned from a successful trip on his Das Boot with Joe Philips.
They managed to put two nice blackfins, a nice cobia, and some vermillion snapper in the fish box. They found their tuna in 330 feet of water and the cobia and snapper in 135 feet off St Lucie Inlet. The local surf fishing for pompano has been good also when conditions permit.
We have experienced a few fronts that dropped the water temperature to around 70 degrees in the last couple of weeks and that has sent more pompano down our way from up north. The days when the wind backed off there were pompano caught up and down the beaches from the lower half of South Hutchinson Island, Hobe Sound, and Jupiter.
Electric Chicken Fishbites continues to be the hottest bait on the pompano scene. My son Randy and I caught a cooler full of pompano up to 3 pounds last Wednesday and seventy five percent were taken on Electric Chicken. I have been told that this bait has been a little difficult to find, but I do know the Snook Nook in Jensen Beach just got restocked.
Along with the pompano surf anglers are catching bluefish, Spanish mackerel, whiting, croaker, and jack crevalle. If you want to have some fun target the bluefish and mackerel in the early morning and throw a 3/4-ounce spoon on a light 7-foot spinning rod with a 3000 or 4000 size spinning reel. That’s fun.
The best pompano fishing will start to shift from an early morning bite to the afternoon when we get closer to March. The hour or two before high tide to the first hour after will the most productive. The end of February, March, and April are traditionally the most productive months of the pompano season so get ready to hit the beaches.
The area’s biggest surf fishing tournament, the Indian Riverkeeper Sandspike Shootout will be held on February 26 and 27. Last year’s tournament was a huge success mainly due to the effort that Mike Conner puts into and running it, and this year it appears the participation will surpass last year’s numbers.
You can register online by going to Indian Riverkeeper Sandspike Shootout. Prizes will be awarded for the top four heaviest pompano and whiting. If you have any questions call Mike at 772-521-1882 or email him at keeper@theindianriverkeeper.org.
Paul Sperco’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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CITY OF STUART FIRE RESCUE ANALYSIS
At the last Martin County Taxpayers Association board meeting, Stuart Fire Chief Vince Felicione, along with Chief of Operations Troy Bowser and Stuart Commissioner Troy McDonald, gave a presentation about the department.
McDonald wanted to make sure that the community knew that Stuart and Sewall’s Point (to whom the city provides fire rescue services) is the beneficiary of a rating from the Insurance Service Office (ISO) of 1. Very few departments in the entire United States can boast of achieving that. It saves money on fire insurance for the residents and shows that the department has risen to the highest level of achievement.
Felicione stated that the department has 43 employees virtually all of whom are paramedics. Many come to the department with that training saving Stuart the expense of certifying their credentials.
The city is about seven square miles in size and generates 7500 calls for fire rescue services a year. Stuart Fire Department is opening a third station in north Stuart. It was revealed by the city after this meeting that it will be located on Green River Parkway and should open by the end of next year. Currently, there is a temporary facility with a rescue vehicle in North Stuart.
Like the county, the city has also applied for a federal SAFER grant to hire six more fire fighters to staff the new station. A subsequent discussion with the chief revealed that within the last three years, 8 Stuart fire employees have gone to work at the county with another 4-5 possibly leaving in the next few months.
The county does pay more which has enticed some fire/rescue employees to leave the smaller department. Both departments also lose personnel to both St. Lucie and West Palm Beach in addition to other departments further south. It is our contention that it becomes easier for employees to commute longer distances because of the unique nature of fire departments’ 24-hour shifts. We may examine this arrangement in a subsequent article.
Stuart had $180,000 in overtime in the past year mainly due to COVID. The negotiated contract with the union allows for a minimum of 2 years’ service for a new hire before they can move to another department. The city feels that provision is enforceable on the employee. The county, which has similar language, does not believe it is worth the expense of trying to keep the employee.
There is a new interlocal agreement between the county and city. The agreement is for each department to handle calls within their own jurisdictions. This was meant to cut down on cross-jurisdictional calls. It is too early to tell whether it will or not. The departments are dispatched by the county’s emergency dispatch system which is paid by the county’s general fund.
It is difficult to sort out whether income from responding to calls at assisted living facilities are adequate or not. Both departments are entitled to reimbursement from insurance companies and government services such as Medicare. Whether the income is sufficient may be in question because of the nature of the response. The county will send more equipment and therefore it could be more expensive.
There is much more to examine in both departments to see whether our taxes are being spent appropriately and whether any savings exist.
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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 School District:
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Our first letter is from Marcela Camblor regarding my reporting on Sewall’s Point in the last newsletter:
Thank you.
If I could just correct the record on one item, I did not stand up at the SP meeting to say the TCRPC could do the work. I had to correct an erroneous statement by the town’s consultant who stated as a fact that the TCRPC did not do “that kind of work because as a reviewing agency they were conflicted out.”
The consultant could have checked with the RPC or checked the Florida Statutes before stating as a fact something that is grossly inaccurate. That’s all.
All the best.
The second letter is from Walt Deemer:
SB 2508 is the Environmental Resources bill that was introduced in
the State Senate in mid-session this week. It has created quite a
firestorm; the State Senate is pushing for the bill and the Governor,
along with a host of environmental groups, is very much against it.
The following is just in from LWVFL State Natural Resources chair
Judy Hushon:
“A very bad bill was introduced this week and was passed 2 days later
by the Senate Appropriations Committee (2508) This bill bypassed all
discussion and input by the public and legislators. The governor is
angry. It undoes the LOSOM settlement on Lake Okeechobee and raises
the lake level to benefit Agriculture, returning us to the same old
place. It also threatens the Everglades Restoration Project. There
is opposition mounting and I assume the Governor will veto but we
will need to assure there are enough votes to avoid overpassage with
a 2/3 majority vote. There may be an action alert on this bill
before the floor votes – stay tuned.”
We will keep you posted.
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STUART COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 14, 2022:
I do not usually cover fluff. I keep it to what the commission is discussing and approving.
Once a month in Stuart there are employee recognitions. At this meeting there was a recognition of the 40th anniversary of employment for Milton Leggett who is the public works director. He became a part-time city employee in 1980 even before he graduated high school. Leggett found a home and never left.
In 1982 he became a full-time employee and began to climb the ranks. He did brief sprints in the parks department but ended up in public works where he was steadily promoted. By October 2020 Milton became the public works director for the city.
Now having 40 years on the job is a feat. But that is not why I am writing this. I am writing it because even after 40 years Milton still loves his job. Even though today I am no longer a commissioner if I send him a text or give him a call, he responds immediately…and that includes nights and weekends. That is dedication.
Many public employees are thought of as uninspired. Milton Leggett is not one of them. And that is why I wish him another 40 years on the job.
One of Leggett’s responsibilities is to keep the city’s ponds which are really storm water retention areas clear of weeds. The commission has voted not to use glyphosate. Milton put together a pilot program to see whether the city can use least caustic chemicals and other means.
The Hospital Pond, which is approximately two acres, is where the pilot program is taking place. Mayor Matheson has enlisted the services of ORCA to monitor the program. You can find the presentation here
If you really want to get involved in the nitty gritty you can read further about integrated control here
MONTEREY MEDICAL
A few weeks ago, the commission voted to increase parking for the buildings at Monterey Medical Center.
The commission allowed the applicant to do so but they insisted that they keep the 30 off site spaces located in the garage next door. With the increased parking on site that they are building the applicant had enough spaces on the property to meet the parking requirement. It is against code to require the applicant to keep those off-site spaces.
The applicant’s attorney threatened legal action if the commission did not rescind the requirement. The commission did and avoided the lawsuit.
During the entire procedure beginning with the application, I thought that the commission was not given all the facts from their staff regarding what was permissible and what was not. It should have never come down to this. At least it appears to not have turned into a lawsuit.
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SCHOOL BOARD MEETING FEBRUARY 15, 2022:
Keith Fletcher from Martin County’s Boys & Girls Club addressed the board.
He gave them an update on the organization’s activities. Fletcher delved into the facility they are building in conjunction with the school district on Martin Luther King behind Stuart Middle School. The big focus at the facility will be vocational classes for adults as well as children.
Anthony Anderson said that Fletch has been great to work with, and he was happy with the progress so far. Anderson is right that the organization has so far been able to do what was promised including raising the necessary funds for the building.
As traditional enrollment has continued to shrink, several elementary schools have more capacity than needed. The board discussed open enrollment for those schools (Crystal Lake, Seawind, and Hobe Sound) that have space available. Jensen Beach High also has availability.
Several motions were made to open the schools for anyone in the district plus, in some instances, outside Martin County. They also discussed the new apartments being built and how current open slots may be filled as they come online. So far, staff admitted that there have been fewer new students than expected. I think that trend will continue.
I also believe that the move toward kids attending non-traditional public schools will only grow. Parents want a greater input in their children’s education, and our district does not seem to be working toward that. The state is making more and more conditions where parents can become involved in their children’s education.
What will be a test for Martin County is whether kids from the St. Lucie County district take advantage of open enrollment. If not, even the district’s claim of having “A” rated schools may begin to sound hollow.
You can find the schools that and their census here
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SEWALL’S POINT SPECIAL MEETING FEBRUARY 8, 2022:
Dan Hudson
The first item of business was approving Interim Manager Dan Hudson’s contract. He will receive $12,000 per month with the same leave and sick policy as other employees. Hudson will also have a town-provided cell phone. The contract can be terminated at any time by either party.
Then the commission turned to finding a permanent manager. There were three options. Hudson could do the search. The commission could hire a retained search firm. Or the ICMA retired managers could lead the search.
The town attorney said he spoke with the ICMA, and they wanted to emphasize that they were volunteers. As volunteers they wanted everyone to know that they take vacations or may be doing other things. It will take longer for them to sort through things.
Campo wanted to hear a pitch from a recruiting firm. Mayfield is open to anything. She had spoken to Colin Baenziger, head of a search firm, when the commission was negotiating with Berger earlier. His fee would be between $25,000 and $30,000.
Tompeck was leaning to doing it themselves with Hudson and employing a volunteer town committee to help. Campo again wanted a pitch from a search firm and to hear from the ICMA. Fender added some sort of schedule should be part of it.
John Tompeck
There was a motion to hear from up to four search firms and to look at a hybrid with the town manager and the ICMA working together. It passed 5-0.
Then they discussed the citizen committee. Kurzman was in favor of having each commissioner appoint one person. Then Campo brought up having an LPA composed of citizens instead of the members being the commission. There was also mention of a charter review committee. There had not been one for 20 years. But then as usual the commission digressed.
The salary range was undecided. The commission was talking about $110,000 to $120,000. The attorney was looking at $120,000 to $140,000. Kurzman had a list of salaries from other towns but that only reinforced the idea that manager salaries have a huge range.
The manager’s basic salary range is only part of the equation. Other factors can enter compensation decisions. For example, is there a police department or public safety employees under the auspices of the manager? How large is public works? A smaller staff is not always better because that means the manager will be burdened with routine tasks. Are there grants that must be administered? These management requirements may require broader skills and experience and could require higher compensation.
I would bet that the next manager will make more than the last and be harder to find. Sewall’s Point will see. The commission is all over the place. It seemed everything was open to discussion with talk of the LPA and a charter committee. The mayor needs to narrow the discussion to finding a manager and how that is done. Otherwise, it will be a longer process than necessary.
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INDIANTOWN COUNCIL MEETING FEBRUARY 10, 2022:
The village moved one step closer to building their new village hall.
REG, the winner of the bid for designing the hall, has now negotiated a contract with Indiantown to begin the first phase of the design process. The amount for phase one is a little over $32,000. The contract and original scope of services is here
Indiantown is moving forward in its quest to be a full-fledged entity. Indiantown will be in fine shape if its largest taxpayer, FPL, continues to be there. In the village’s rush to grow up, is it going to fast? I am cautious, so I would say yes. But the council and manager are of the belief that quick movement for things like a town hall are in the community’s best interest.
The village is diversifying its tax base, but it probably is several years away from having phase one of Terra Lago come online and bringing in tax money. I hope their luck holds out.
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SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 11, 2022:
Commissioner Michael Brooks has resigned.
Michael Brooks
It was inevitable that he did. As I wrote in the last newsletter, his constant recusals made him a non-entity on the commission. His resignation letter is here
The commission is now looking to fill two seats. Even in this community there is such a thing as the Public Records Law and being liable to tortuous interference of a contract. As these issues move through the court, it was apparent to all that Brooks’ tenure on the commission was coming to an end.
JUPITER ISLAND COMMISSION MEETING FEBRUARY 16, 2022:
When there are only three commissioners on the dais, it can be a lonely place.
Yet it was up to Pidot, Collins, and Townsend to pick Heck’s replacement today. Heck resigned from the commission earlier. Three people expressed interest in the position. The board spoke about what qualifications they believed pertinent to the job. It seemed that the commission thought the applicant needed experience on town boards and with LDRs.
When the public spoke, one commenter thought it would be appropriate for the applicants to state their position on the 2019 setback line and that they would vote to keep it. Pidot thought that would be inappropriate as did the town attorney.
The three applicants were Marshall Fields VI, Joe McChristian Jr., and Tucker Johnson. It was done by written ballot and the results were read by the clerk. On the first ballot, each candidate received one vote. A second ballot was done and McChristian was elected.
He will be sworn in at the March meeting and will hold that position until the next election in March of 2023. McChristian will be at that meeting to choose Brooks’s replacement with the rest of the commission.
I am hopeful that the Jupiter Island Commissioners are done with recusal on votes for anything but what is allowed under statute. There needs to be five people weighing the options for the town going forward. And following public records and sunshine laws when doing so.
THREE LAKES
A second good project (after Discovery was at an earlier meeting) was presented to the commission. It is the Three Lakes Golf Club.
Interestingly, even though the Jupiter Island Commission has no jurisdiction in the matter, the developers were running it past the town. Politically, anything that will be on Bridge Road needs to have their buy-in. And there doesn’t seem to be any reason not to get it.
It is on Bridge Road and goes to both sides of Kanner Highway. It is comprised of 1217 acres, and there will be three full size golf courses and one executive course. There will be (at most) 72 cottages that can be rented by the members when they are using the golf courses plus accommodations for staff next to the industrial zoned KO Waterside parcel on Kanner. And here is why it is so great for western Martin County…there will be no homes built.
That means that 95% of the property will be green space including the courses. 3% will be hardscape. The irrigation water will come from the St. Lucie Canal. And the stormwater will be 100% kept on the property. Plans are for them to have their own wastewater treatment and potable water.
Most of the property now is not undeveloped land. It has been used for agricultural purposes for years. Ag pays very little in property taxes and does not need to meet the same storm water requirements as other classifications. This is a win for Martin County which will have much greater tax revenue. But since no homes are being built, there will be very little need for county services.
It will come in under the Rural Lifestyle classification if that classification is approved by the commission. You can find the presentation here
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In The Spotlight
by Jackie Holfelder
Julie LaFrance Lentine’s Amazing Tale of Determination
My column this week is a bit different than those I’ve done to date.
Rather than being a roundup of information about Martin County nonprofits, it’s a conversation I had last week with a huge friend and supporter of local nonprofits, Julie LaFrance Lentine, and the battle against Covid she’s been waging since last September.
Her formerly-owned Taco Shack and catering talents have supported innumerable fundraisers over the years and her generosity is legendary.
So many of you are interested in how she’s doing – her recent Facebook post garnered more than 600 comments of support – that I was thrilled when she agreed to let me share her story.
Early in September 2021, Julie developed an annoying headache and then a slightly runny nose. After a few days with those same mild symptoms, Julie went to Martin South (I know it’s Cleveland Clinic, but writer’s prerogative allows me to call it by its former name!) to get tested for Covid – primarily because she wanted to be sure she wasn’t exposing any potential catering clients to the virus.
She was shocked when she tested positive, but not overly concerned because she had no fever and just didn’t feel badly.
Julie got prescriptions for the medications that were being used for treatment at that time, sent home to self-isolate and told to come back to the ER if she felt worse.
Things remained pretty much status quo for a week – until she had a yearning for a Chick-Fil-A milkshake and chicken sandwich with extra pickles and realized she couldn’t smell or taste them.
After that, in pretty rapid order, her low-grade fever of 98 or 99 rose to 101 and a sore throat, cough and other symptoms started to appear.
On September 13, Julie’s mom drove her to Martin South, where Julie says her vitals were taken and – literally within one minute – she was whisked into a room because her oxygen was so low.
She was transferred to the Covid floor at Martin North, but still wasn’t nervous because the medical treatment she was receiving was so excellent she was sure she’d be able to go home in a few days.
That night, as her cough worsened, a respiratory therapist placed a heavy Bi-Pap mask on Julie, who is very claustrophobic and afraid she’d panic. But when she took her first breath – the machine forces oxygen into your lungs – it gave her so much hope, she was certain she’d live.
After a week with the BiPap mask, things still weren’t improving. The maximum time she could have it off to eat or drink was 30 seconds and then her oxygen would plummet.
It’s important to know that Julie is a nonsmoker, has no underlying conditions, no asthma or compromised lung function.
It was then that talk of intubation began, along with her pleading against it. Dr. Keith Begley, whom Julie describes as a wonderful human being, came to see her every day. He explained the dangers of excessive use of the Bi-Pap machine, including cardiac arrest from the constant pressure of the oxygen on her lungs.
Her mom and son Nick were allowed to see her before the intubation, which was an extremely dangerous procedure because there was such a small window of time between when the Bi-Pap machine could be removed, and the intubation completed.
At the time, Julie was given a 1 in 5 chance of survival. Before starting the procedure, Dr, Begley said, “Are you ready?” Julie responded, “I don’t want to die”, to which he replied, “I’ll do everything I can to save your life.”
And that’s the last thing she remembers before being placed in a medically induced coma for 3-1/2 weeks.
As she fought with her very being, Julie very slowly and gradually improved, and eventually the ventilator was replaced a feeding tube in her stomach and a tracheotomy to help her breath more easily.
Gradually, her lungs started to improve, and her oxygen was decreased incrementally. What she has been left with is severe and painful neuropathy in her feet – so debilitating that she has been in a rehab center in Fort Pierce since Christmas Eve, basically learning to walk again and build the strength in her upper body.
Julie receives physical therapy twice a day and navigates the halls with a walker, channeling that positive energy of hers to rebut the suggested use of a wheelchair.
And even though there’s no definite date set yet, when she returns to her own home, she’ll find what her mom and son reconfigured into a “Healing Home”.
After 84 days in the hospital and an ongoing stay at the rehab center, Julie LaFrance Lentine is certain that God spared her for a reason, and she’s thrilled to get a second chance at life.
Photos provided by Julie LaFrance Lentine
Julie can’t be more grateful to – or complimentary about – the medical care she received. She hopes, that because she’s relatable and so many people know her, that her amazing story may inspire others who are fighting an uphill battle, any uphill battle.
Her doctors told her she’s a miracle child and she has vowed that she will never stop fighting. And if you know Julie LaFrance Lentine, you know she never will.
Jackie is always looking for a good story…you may reach her at: jackieacolumn@gmail.com
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FINAL THOUGHTS
LIVING IN A BUBBLE
Here in Martin County, we believe that we can be in our own bubble. That we can remain untouched by trends happening outside the county. That is no longer true.
We are subject to the laws that come down from both Washington and especially Tallahassee. And Tallahassee has no qualms in dictating what local government can and cannot do. Some of their mandates may be the results of local government, itself, dictating to their citizens and businesses what is permissible. A prime example was Stuart’s straw ordinance.
None of the commissioners who voted to put that ordinance in place thought that it was anything more than a gesture toward removing plastic from the environment. But it did influence local businesses by costing them money to find a substitute. That ordinance was not what made the legislature pass a bill requiring financial impact statements, in some cases, before local government can pass new ordinances. It was something that could be pointed to as an example of overreach.
We often hear the phrase, “there ought to be a law,” but I am not so sure that is correct. The best government is that which restrains itself from trying to right every perceived wrong. Empty gestures are just that…empty gestures.
All around the country, state legislatures are stepping in to mandate greater density within local jurisdictions. This is in reaction to local governments keeping far too much land zoned for single family homes. There is no doubt that we have a housing shortage…and we especially have an affordable housing shortage.
Martin County and Stuart have those that would use the pretense of environmental concerns to try and stop constructing needed higher-density housing. We can easily build homes that will sell for hundreds of thousands of dollars and, in more and more cases, for millions of dollars. Large parcels for rich people. Does this serve the people?
The process of discouraging multi-family and accessory units being built is discriminatory. It burdens the poor and minorities from living in the county. We can pretend that we are looking after the environment and our “small town charm,” but in essence it is stopping people from living here.
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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)
