FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS JANUARY 15, 2023

Tom Campenni

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IN THIS EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER

We are now halfway through the first month of 2023.

The coming year’s lists of predictions have all been made and published. I didn’t do that in the newsletter because predictions by most of us turn out to be wrong. Of course, individual prognosticators only remember when they are right. And they seldom forget to tell you how right they were.

COURTESY PINTEREST

Like last year, the year before, and every year I can remember, there will be political differences between us. If they would only stay differences and not hatreds, then it would be healthy for society. That has not been the case for the past few years.

“Own the libs” or “Neanderthal conservatives” are not helpful to ironing out our differences. It seems highly unlikely that any of those invectives will change minds. But in today’s world, changing minds isn’t the point, is it?

It is all about holding onto that small minority who want to be spectators in the coliseum watching the blood sport of incendiary politics continue. With the Republicans now in control of the House, there could be some chance of accomplishing more conservative legislation. That would mean both sides would have to do some horse trading. Are Democrats and Republicans able to do that or just throw pointed verbal barbs at each other?

No one can argue that our immigration system isn’t broken. If everyone wants to change it, then it is eminently doable. Most agree on the “Dreamers” being granted at least green card status and a way to become citizens. Most know that there are not enough judges to hear asylum cases which again would be another easy fix. More immediate adjudication would not allow most of these claimants to remain in limbo (and in the country) indefinitely. Republicans and most Democrats believe that enhanced border security is important. So right here is the start of a fix on immigration.

One thing that no one is predicting is that Congress will come together to fix immigration. Or for that matter will anyone give our government any chance of tackling any of our problems. No legislator sees an upside to that.

Congress can show the American people that problems can be solved rather than just point out flaws. Just like everyone else, I am waiting for a better outcome than the current chaos being offered. I predict my wait will be a long one.

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A SMALL MIRACLE FOR 10^TH STREET

On December 17^th Stuart PD participated in the annual “Miracle On 10^th Street” celebration. They handed out toys to the East Stuart community kids. On Thursday December 22^nd Stuart PD formally arrested Lonnie Bee Smalls for the first-degree murder of senior citizen Mattie Lou Jones who was sitting in her living room on that same block of 10^th Street on Thanksgiving evening when a stray bullet found her.

He was also charged with the attempted first-degree murders of three others which occurred at the same time. Two victims were shot and one escaped injury. Within an hour and half of the incident, Smalls was a suspect and was arrested on a violation of probation six hours after the incident. He was held in jail without bond.

The investigation is ongoing, and there will probably be more charges filed perhaps against Smalls but probably several others as well. I spoke with Chief Tumminelli this morning. He gave me no additional information than what was in his press release. I would suspect by reading between the lines of that press release, there are multiple law enforcement agencies involved not just Martin County’s. This can turn out to be a large, involved case.

Thanksgiving weekend saw a raft of shootings in the city…most of it outside of the East Stuart neighborhood. Most of them had to do with the perpetrator being mad at the victim and having access to a gun.

Age is no predictor of rage. Two senior citizens were shot and killed by another senior during a dispute in a condo. Another was shot by a high school student who unlocked his parent’s gun box and shot his friend. And a convicted felon shot someone at an apartment complex for a still undetermined reason on my part.

Smalls turned 19 while he was sitting in jail. He was born on Dec 10^th 2003. He had been arrested and convicted of crimes numerous times. Lonnie Smalls couldn’t care less about taking a human life…even a grandma sitting in her living room watching tv. If convicted, he will likely face the death penalty but will, at the very least, spend the rest of his life in prison.

Within less than 2 hours, Tumminelli and the rest of the department knew who the culprit was and 6 hours later had him behind bars. It is obvious that they are on the job to serve and protect. Justice, in most cases, turns slowly and even with everything proceeding expeditiously in this case, it took a month to formally charge Smalls.

In his statement, the chief said that he hoped the arrest brings “some closure for the Jones family.” And if it does, that would be the small miracle on 10^th Street. A real miracle would be if 10^th Street stopped being a shooting gallery.

That miracle on 10^th Street has more to do with what the people of that block, the rest of East Stuart, and all the citizens of Stuart are willing to tolerate. The present level of violence especially with guns should be unacceptable to our community.

As Appeared In Martin County Moment December 24, 2022

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GOVERNMENT ACTING AS BUSINESS

Just a little over a year ago, TCPalm had an article about a $595 million development which will have a Wavegarden facility.

It will initially be a simulated surfing park in Phase 1. It will also have 28 vacation rentals and maintenance building. The Fort Pierce City Commission approved the development at the beginning of 2022. There is no comparison with Martin County’s much smaller Splash Water Park.

However, unlike Martin County’s Splash Water Park which is government owned and operated, the Fort Pierce endeavor is privately owned and financed. The article claimed that Wavegarden has numerous projects throughout the world. Besides surfing and a wave pool, there will be a rock-climbing wall, cliff diving, and a TopGolf.

This shouldn’t take away from Martin County’s water park or new TopGolf facility at the county golf course. Both are very well done, and if someone is looking for that type of entertainment, little old Martin has it here. Yet compared to what will be offered to our north, how do we compete?

The question is not how we compete, but should we ever have been in that business? This is not to say Martin County’s staff didn’t give us bang for our buck but maybe our buck should have never been spent for that purpose. The staff was following commission direction, and they did a good job with the resources they had.

What we in Martin County have never answered is what should government do? Is the responsibility of the Parks and Recreation Department to build and operate with tax dollars what clearly belongs in the sphere of private enterprise? Or should those funds be used for more mundane things such as ball fields and community pools?

Years and years ago there, were small family-owned amusement parks throughout the country. Once places like Disneyworld opened, those “mom & pop” parks closed because they could not compete. They didn’t have the resources to go up against the big boys.

It is much harder for government to close shop and sell the land for new apartment projects as many of those smaller businesses did because the water park has a pool used for community events. TopGolf is at the new county golf course, it is not like we shouldn’t have a place for people to play old fashion golf.

In the end, our county needs to determine what the role of government is. Not only for things like golf and amusement parks but also for everything our government currently provides. There is one thing I know for sure… government competing with private industry is a losing proposition.

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THERE STILL IS A LONG WAY TO GO IN MARTIN COUNTY

Martin Luther King Day is tomorrow. Martin County still has a long way to go before his dream of the color of a person’s skin not mattering is achieved.

COURTESY PINTEREST

The most recent example of this occurred at the Martin Downs Golf Club in Palm City on New Year’s Day. Graffiti appeared in a tunnel on the course that disparaged not only Blacks but Jews. The owner of the course is Stanley Campbell who is Black. The members of the Yahoo brotherhood once again are front and center in Palm City.

A column by Blake Fontenay in TCPalm featured an interview with Campbell who stated this is not the first time that vandalism has occurred. Racism, anti-Semitism, and the animosity towards the gay community is nothing new. These are certainly not the values that King taught nor are they Christian or family values either.

We should welcome people like Stanley Campbell regardless of the color of their skin. He is everything we claim to want in a citizen. A veteran, entrepreneur, and family man. Being black is not a disqualifying attribute nor is being gay or a Jew.

Martin County needs to fight against prejudice of every kind. It isn’t brave to spray paint racist symbols and tropes on walls. This was probably done by young people. Children are empty vessels that see nothing but equality. It is the adults that teach them prejudice and hatred. Oscar Hammerstein wrote the lyrics in “South Pacific” for a song entitled “You Have To Be Carefully Taught How To Hate.” That is something adults need to keep in mind.

So, as we celebrate the birthday of Martin Luther King, let’s remember inclusion not the rhetoric of exclusion. Some are searching for how to pull us apart instead of bringing us together. Nothing is more reprehensible than using the freedom that we possess to limit someone else’s.

There is always a period when it seems we are falling into the past. Fear of those we do not know can be very frightening. Dr. King knew this and that is why his message was of hope and not despair. Stanley Campbell is our hope and those who vandalized his property are our despair. Thankfully, hope inevitably overcomes despair.

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OTHER OPINIONS

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NON-PROFIT PERSPECTIVE

By Carol Houwaart-Diez

United Way of Martin County President-CEO

For those who don’t know, I’m from Western New York, specifically a small town called Lewiston in Niagara County.

When you’re from that area, there are a few things that stick with you no matter where you go, and one of them is being a fan of the Buffalo Bills and Sabres. Last week, we all watched in shock on national television as Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin collapsed during a routine tackle and went into cardiac arrest. At that moment, the game became secondary, and we were reminded of how fragile life is.

It was humbling to see professional athletes weep and hug at the gravity of the situation. What was even more moving, though, was seeing the circle of protection that these men formed around the paramedics and medical personnel working on Hamlin to shield them from the cameras.

Regardless of your faith, it was truly amazing to see sports broadcasters, fans, players, coaches, and the media rallying around this player with prayers and openly asking others to pray for him. This young man’s tragedy touched and united so many people. To date, the foundation set up in his name, which supports young people in the town where he grew up by providing them with toys, has raised over $8 million.

Again, this shows the power of people coming together to support each other.  Mr. Hamlin’s health has improved, and things are looking brighter.  We continue to send our thoughts and prayers to him, his family, and all members of the Bills Nation.

This incident got me thinking about human nature and the kindness that comes out in people when we are united. Can you imagine if we came together in Martin County and rallied around the needs in our community? There are already a number of non-profits in our community that you can support, and millions of dollars are invested annually in Martin County to improve the quality of life for those who need services. Imagine what could be achieved if we stopped seeing it as “us against them” and instead looked at our community as a united whole. We would all benefit.

My hope for the world is that everyone will join forces to work on issues, but the reality is that this doesn’t happen very often. I don’t understand why, but it’s frustrating when so much good could come from working together. But then I see what happens when one tragic incident occurs while we’re watching our favorite sports team, and we all come together. It should not take a tragedy for us to unite, support each other, and work toward a better future.

As we begin the year 2023, I’m asking each of us to consider coming together, not just in the wake of a tragedy, but simply as humans who want a better future for everyone in our community.  My motto is and will always be #LiveUnited.

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

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VANRIPER’S VIEWS

By Darlene VanRiper

MAY I SEE YOUR RESUME PLEASE

May I see your resume, please?

What does it take to become a Presidential Cabinet Member?  Evidently not much.  I began wondering because of the Southwest Airlines debacle.  Some are placing blame on Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.  I don’t know how much blame to accredit him.

But it did make me curious as to his qualifications. Common sense would suggest that one must have some background in oh, I don’t know…transportation, maybe?  This guy takes home $221,400 per year of our tax dollars and nowhere, that I can find, is there proof that he knows anything that would make him up to the task of Secretary of Transportation.

According to his official government website “His work on transportation as mayor was nationally recognized, including an award for innovative streetscape design” which made the streets more “walkable”. He was mayor of a city with 101,000 inhabitants.  For perspective, Martin County has 158,000 citizens and Southwest provided flights for 123.3 million passengers in 2021.

In 2000, Buttigieg won an award for an essay…on Bernie Sanders. His degree is in philosophy, politics, and economics…not urban planning. From 2009 to 2017, he was an intelligence officer in the United States Navy Reserve.  I’m still waiting to see any hardcore transportation experience.

Buttigieg’s own campaign defended his record, saying he “devoted resources to a variety of programs to create affordable housing, fund home repairs and increase shelter capacity for homeless residents”.  See anything about transportation?  What is in this guy’s resume that would make anyone jump to appoint him Transportation Secretary?

In February 2021, the new secretary tweeted that he would be “working to ensure safety and make transportation more equitable while fighting climate change and creating jobs”. Certainly, there was an equitable chance of getting stranded.  Certainly, all those planes NOT flying went miles toward saving the planet.  Certainly, more janitors were needed to clean up after all the stranded people in the airport.  Whew, next challenge, please.

I don’t care if the airline chaos was Buttigieg’s fault or not.  My point is that our elected officials are supposed to be hiring people who are up to the task.  TASKS TO BE PERFORMED FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.  Not just political payoff for suspending a campaign and endorsing their future boss.

Let’s think about how we can fix this, because it has become painfully clear to “thousands” (I can’t find a real count) of stranded passengers, that it needs fixing.  Perhaps the new House should come up with standards. Yes, I know Cabinet members must be confirmed by the Senate, but this tends to become more political theater than anything else.

I’d like to see some boxes and backgrounds checked as well as some real experience going forward.  Perhaps suspending a campaign should DISqualify Cabinet contenders. Afterall, right there is a failure.  Should we, the people, reward that?

Darlene VanRiper’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.

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Nicki’s Place

By Nicki van Vonno

Shark Bait

I am a shark.

I simply cannot read just one book.

I am reading a memoir of an elderly couple; the first in a series of books on Joan of Arc, Regine Pernoud’s “Joan of Arc By Herself and Her Witnesses;” and “Attack at Daylight and Whip Them: The Battle of Shiloh” by George A. Mertz.  I am still chugging along on the “The Great American Railroad War” by Dennis Drabelle; one of the protagonists is the founder of my hometown. I just finished “George Washington’s Secret Six,” by Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger for a Book Club I lead.

My daughter told her boyfriend that I obsess over a topic until I move on. I listened to a wonderful webinar on Joan done for Smithsonian Associates. I was searching for some of the movies that have been made about Joan. Who would not follow Ingrid Bergman or Leelee Sobieski into battle to crown her king? Since confession is good for the soul, I confess I love movies like I love books.

It’s a family tradition.  Our entertainment was family trips to a drive-in. My sister took me and a friend to see West Side Story when it came out. I was a film showing member of the Student Activities Film Committee in college!  Ask me about the film breaking during the climax of two movies one year!

“Joan of Mongolia” for example, is a film I want to see.  I haven’t found it on a streaming service yet, but it led to Regine’s work.  I am finishing Regine’s translation and transcription of Joan’s trial, and true to form, I also have her biography of Joan.  Finally, I have Mark Twain’s novel “Joan of Arc,” which Twain declared the best of all his books. Twain was, as I am, fixated by Joan; Twain spent years researching her life and the lands she trod.

My best gift was my daughter’s visit. We went through her art history books from college. Some will get shipped to her, some will go the Book Depot run by the Martin Friends of the Library and some will go the arts center planned at Stuart High School.  Then there is my pile.  Last night I picked up Craig Harrison’s “The Mirror of the Artist” and Denis’s Dutton’s “The Art Instinct,” but fell asleep after watching “She Said” and “The Menu.” Talk about swimming with sharks…

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

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HAFNER’S CORNER

By David Hafner

Happy New Year! As I am writing I am sitting poolside in San Juan, Puerto Rico enjoying some Tacos Al Pastor and a sunny, breezy day that is very much like what we experience in Martin County.

Though I am in a paradise tropical location this is not a vacation. I am here attending the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention. Farmers and ranchers from nearly every state are here to share ideas, stories, and a feeling of camaraderie. Farm support companies are here to better understand the needs of their customers and to gain new customers.

I am here to continue my never-ending pursuit to understand broader agricultural topics and find ways to share that knowledge with the non-farming community. As part of that goal, I am joining a panel discussion with farmers from Arizona and North Carolina in giving a workshop on “Bringing Everyone to the Table” in agriculture so all feel like they are part of the bigger picture no matter the size of the farm.

The conference will wrap up on Wednesday and I will begin a 3-day tour of PR’s agricultural lands. The tour includes stops at Bayer Crop Science’s facility, the University of Puerto Rico’s agricultural experiment station, the farm of Asociación de Agricultores de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico Farm Bureau) with President Héctor I. Cordero Toledo, and an environmental segment that involves the island’s mangroves and experiencing bioluminescence.

The way food is grown from one region to another is often very different, so these learning experiences are very important to expanding my agricultural knowledge. It is also important that I from time to time check back on how a region is growing because as science advances, so does the way food is grown.

Just as I need to refresh what I know about farming so must you. When is the last time you challenged the thoughts, you carry about farming? Are they based on something you heard 10, 20, 30 years ago? If so, there is a very good chance what you know about farming is very outdated.

Farmers care very much about being sustainable for the environment and for the next generation who will one day take over their farm. Farmers have taken to all social media platforms which makes it very easy to find them. Just enter “farming” in the search bar.

To conclude this article, I listened to a session with Jenniffer González-Colon, Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico’s Congressional Representative) as she spoke about PR’s agriculture and rural priorities. As her session wrapped up, she said something that took me by surprise. In our country I see a lot that I think is wrong in our politics and it’s almost enough to make me

want to give up on our political system. Even with all that going on here, González-Colon ended by saying Puerto Rican’s are holding strong to the hope that they will be voted in as the 51^st state and be added to the Union. As bad as we perceive it to be here, we still live in a great nation and others dream to be a part of what we have.

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

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BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARD BENT

By Joan Goodrich

CEO BDBMC

Movies and books have popularized the imagine of a vigilant spotter stationed in the ship crow’s nest scanning the horizon with a telescope before shouting, “Land, ho!”

In Martin County, any search for the Land of Opportunity begins by looking at the water. After all, our regional marine economy generates more than $305.3 million a year and provides more than 3,300 industry jobs to area families.

Those job numbers will grow even greater thanks to the recent unanimous approval by the Martin County Board of County Commissioners on an expansion proposed by Willis Custom Yachts.

Since purchasing American Custom Yachts in 2021, Willis Custom Yachts—created by Mark Willis and Brooks Smith—has sought to boost its position in the marine industry.

Occupying a 35-acre operation just west of I-95 with plans to add 30 more acres—in addition to its 2-acre waterfront site in Stuart—the approval enables the creation of a 130,000-square-foot expansion. That breaks downs to 90,000 square feet of manufacturing space and a 40,000-square-foot facility dedicated to marine services.

As an expanding member of the essential marine industry—which we list among other local economic pillars such as aviation, agriculture, healthcare, information technology and clean energy as “Hubs of Excellence”—the Business Development Board worked to assist the company early on. In addition to business advocacy, our role included availing Willis Custom Yachts to one of the key items in our updated Jobs Toolkit—expedited review.

Having already grown its workforce by nearly 50 percent, Willis Custom Yachts will continue to add talent to its 140-plus workforce. The company is recruiting technicians for mechanical, fiberglass, electrical work and more.

Helping fill those jobs—an aspect of our Talent Advancement initiative—is a team effort enjoined by our partners in economic development, including the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast, Economic Council, Stuart Martin County Chamber, Martin County School District and others.

Thankfully, key business and elected leaders realized years earlier the need to cultivate a local workforce for our core industries. Even as we focus resources and concentrate efforts, the demand—which currently outplaces supply—will soon offer some remarkable and rewarding opportunities for those fortunate individuals savvy enough to realize that their ship, literally and figuratively, is indeed coming in.

Martin County Commercial Real Estate event

Is any topic more talked about around town—or across the state—than real estate? We’re excited to lend something meaningful to the conversion with an expert panel at our 2023 Martin County Commercial Real Estate Forum.

Held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 26 at IRSC’s Chastain campus in Stuart, the forum will feature local and state experts as they share their outlooks and insights on trends to watch as well as opportunities to anticipate.

Speakers include:

Kenneth Krasnow, Vice Chairman, Institutional Investor Services Florida, Colliers

1. Joe Kulenovic, Vice President, International, Enterprise Florida

Cathy Chambers, Economic Development Director, FPL

Doug West, President-General Manager, Willis Custom Yachts

For more information and to reserve your seat at the CRE Forum, please visit BDBMC.org or call (772) 221-1380.

Joan Goodrich’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint

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KEEP MARTIN BEAUTIFUL

By Tiffany Kincaid

Executive Director

Keep Martin Beautiful Invites You to Take a Shot at Healing the Planet

How can we solve our environmental challenges and help our planet heal? Each year, the Earthshot Prize Council, a global team of influencers, asks this question of innovators and environmentalists around the world, discovers the best of the best and brings them to an award ceremony.

This year’s winners came up with truly world-changing projects.

One team developed a cookstove widely used in Africa that uses less charcoal and produces 70% less pollution than traditional charcoal stoves.

Another team is using a natural process to take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and capture it in peridotite, an abundant rock found around the world.

A team from India created a Greenhouse-in-a-Box to help small farmers increase their plant yields using less water and fewer pesticides.

The 2022 grand prize winner is a team that is developing a sustainable way to use seaweed and plant-based materials as an alternative to the plastic that is clogging our seas and endangering our environment.

These are amazing projects. They show what human ingenuity can do when faced with a task as monumental as saving the planet.

Not many of us are in a position to create global solutions and scale them up to where they affect the entire planet, but Keep Martin Beautiful knows the power of local efforts to protect our environment and an “act locally, think globally” attitude.

At our Environmental Stewardship Awards ceremony last year, for example, we honored local efforts like the House of Hope Traveling Nutrition Garden that teaches adults and children where their food comes from and how to grow it. The City of Stuart won an award for installing a canopy of native trees in Shepherd’s Park. Project LIFT got the judges’ attention for using recycled vehicles to teach young people a useful trade and keep unwanted vehicles out of the landfill.

Every week in Martin County, residents pick up litter along our roadsides in our Adopt-A-Road program. And we’re already gearing up for the annual Great American Cleanup, which is set to take place over three months from March 20 through June 20.

We each have a shot at taking actions that make a difference. Keep Martin Beautiful urges you to be aware, look for opportunities to protect the environment, and work together to heal our planet.

To learn more about the Earthshot Prize projects, visit earthshotprize

To learn more about Keep Martin Beautiful and how you can get involved in the Great American Cleanup and other volunteer opportunities please go to keepmartinbeautiful.org,

info@keepmartinbeautiful.org

or call 772-781-1222.

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

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HELPING HAND

By Suzy Hutcheson

CEO Helping People Succeed

Many people believe that individuals with disabilities are not able to save for their future and are totally caught in a system that discourages them from any options.

However, in December of 2014 The Stephen Beck, Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) was passed. ABLE is a program that allowed each state to offer tax-free savings and investment options to encourage individuals with a disability and their families to save private funds to support health, independence, and quality of life.

Florida’s legislature passed the Florida Achieving a better Life Experience Act on May 21, 2015. This state law established ABLE United to oversee Florida’s qualified ABLE program. Money contributed to an ABLE account is generally disregarded with determining eligibility for federal benefit programs such as Supplemental Security (SSI) and Medicaid.

The mission of ABLE United is to encourage and assist the saving of private funds to help persons with disabilities cover costs that support their health, independency, and quality of life—just like everyone else.

The ABLE savings program coupled with the Employment First Initiative enables and encourages individuals with disabilities to live everyday lives—employed and enjoying the resources available in the community. Employment First has the purpose that all individuals including those individuals with the most significant disabilities are capable of full participation in the workforce.

Through Helping People Succeed, individuals with disabilities can chart their path to employment and community involvement. By determining what the individual would like to do and what their abilities are, employment options are considered, and placements are accomplished.

Over the past two decades employment for people with disabilities has become a reality for many on the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee. If you have a disability or know someone who does, please refer them to Helping People Succeed. Call Shannon Wilson at 772.320.0770 or email to swilson@hpsfl.org.

Brittany

Between the ABLE Act and Employment First, Helping People Succeed can assist individuals with disabilities imagine and succeed with their dreams.

For additional information on ABLE United, look at their website: ableunited

For additional information on Employment First, look at dol.gov/

For additional information on Helping People Succeed HPSFL

Suzy Hutheson’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint

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CONTEMPLATIVE CHRISTIAN

By Pastor Chad Fair

Immanuel Lutheran Church

That’s What it Should Look Like

By now you’ve all heard about Damar Hamlin, the safety from the Buffalo Bills.

After a routine tackle he got up, adjusted his face mask, and promptly collapsed to the ground.  Frantic players waived medical staff to him.  Damar’s heart stopped beating but Bills athletic trainer Denny Kellington quickly initiated CPR and was able to revive him.

A few days later Damar was able to talk with his teammates and even watched their last game.  The miraculous story was being talked about by everyone from sports fans too little old ladies at Panera Bread.  As fascinating as this story is it’s not the medical or even the sports side of the story that is so captivating to me, although they both are.  It’s the faith side of the story.

While Damar was motionless on the field a huge huddle of players and staff took a knee to pray.  If you’ve been to an NFL game or watched the telecast at the end of the game you’ve likely seen a group of players gather together to pray on the field.  It’s common.  But never before have I seen so many people take a knee and pray.

After too long of a wait the game was cancelled.  While exiting the stadium, fans from both teams joined hands in prayer.  For the next few days, every single caller I heard phoning into sports talk radio offered a prayer before they made their comments.  One sports commentator actually prayed during a TV show, not a moment of silence but a spoke a prayer.

As a pastor, this was pretty amazing to see.  People were openly displaying their faith all over the place.

Sadly, public Christianity has been largely about hate, judgement, and condemnation, rather than love, hope, forgiveness, and inclusion.  But here it was right before my eyes, people of faith coming together for a positive cause, praying for healing.  While I don’t know for certain, I’m willing to bet they didn’t stop to first check denominational allegiance, gender, sexuality, race, or ethnicity.  They simply directed their prayers and the power of their faith toward one thing, healing Damar Hamlin.

It didn’t stop there, donors flocked to Damar’s charity and last time I heard had donated over $6,000,000 to his charity for kids.  What a profound, real-life lesson of what faith can and should be in the world.  People of faith joining together to make a positive difference with no hate or judgement or condemnation.

In my study of Jesus, that’s what I believe we are called to be, a community of believers working to spread a positive message of hope and love and compassion.

It may not last, but I can’t help but dream of a world where what we got a glimpse of can be a reality for longer than a week.  Too bad it takes a tragedy for us to see it.

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

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MICAH’S MOMENT

By Micah Hartawoski

SOLAR TREES

Florida Power and Light has this shiny tech: Solar Trees 

This incredible technology harnesses the power of the sun and converts that energy into something useful for humans (electricity) and provides a bit of shade where sun-weary Floridians can park their card, or post up and sit for a break.

A solar tree costs between $22,000 and $32,000 depending on the type of tree it is. That does not include the installation. But when you think of the benefit, FREE ENERGY, that feels like almost a steal; an incredible new tool to add resiliency to our infrastructure. What an incredible day and age to be living in; where we have a structure that can provide so many benefits in its immediate location (shade) while also providing an energy benefit. A testament to man’s technology and the power of human innovation!

But what if I told you we already have a structure like this, that is in some ways even more powerful…

What I mean to say is, we should all be planting actual trees.

It sounds simple and straight out of the 1970s to say it, but it remains true. I don’t mean to say that tree planting is a panacea for global warming- particularly when considering planting trees in ecosystems that should not have trees like deserts, arctic tundra, etc.

I also believe that solar energy will be a critical path forward in a resilient energy grid (really, I just resent FPL’s gimmicky “Solar Trees™”). Yet trees remain an incredible and underutilized tool in our infrastructure, particularly in South Florida.

Yes, trees convert CO2 into oxygen and sequester carbon in their roots and trunks. They provide habitat for beautiful birds living in or migrating through our area. The right tree planted well provides a wind block and protection from severe storms and hurricanes (a counterintuitive idea for many).

Micah Hartowski, a literal treehugger

They provide beauty and a sense of tranquility and refuge. Most importantly perhaps (in my mind), they provide deep and relief-giving shade and cooling via evapotranspiration

A tree planted in the right place can block the sun and reduce a homeowners electricity bill. The difference in temperature on a summer day between a tree-shaded area and one without can be in excess of 25 degrees. That is incredible.

Yet, to look at the way FPL and lawn crews hat rack trees

in our area, you would think that they’re enemy number one. People raise concerns about power lines, shedding leaves, bumpy sidewalks, and driveways (never mind the fact that sidewalks in South Florida are awful to use without shade). Some folks would have you rip out all trees in favor of 2-inch Bahama grass and the occasional palm.

With FPL’s approach to trees and solar power, I imagine they’ve floated the idea to start a program where the customer pays them to take down any real trees and install one of these new Solar Trees™ which will basically create the energy the customer would have saved had the real tree grown and continued to provide shade.

Trees do need to be managed and maintained, and that challenge is why many municipalities, businesses, and homeowners are wary of them. Concerns regarding the costs of arborists, or the loss of the sacred American front lawn lead people to favor shrubs and grass over a sturdy live oak.

Yet that mindset is pennywise and pound foolish. Consider the potential savings on energy use in the home, the relief provided by a well-established tree, and the net benefit in creating municipal infrastructure (flexible sidewalks, buried power lines, etc.) that support trees as a critical component of that infrastructure.

Those maintenance dollars would yield cooler cities and cooler homes, public areas that are more beautiful, and a municipality that’s more resilient. Now that’s a pretty good investment; I’d almost call it a steal.

Micah Hartowski’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint

10

MARTIN’S MARINE INDUSTRIES

By Tom Whittington, President

Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast

I hope you made it to our 49^th Annual Stuart Boat Show!

One more day, Sunday January 15. Come see us at the show today!

As president of the Marine Industries Association of the Treasure Coast, owner of the Stuart Boat Show, I want to share the impact our local boat show has on our Happiest Seaside Town.

Thank you, City of Stuart and all the counties, towns, and residents of the Treasure Coast. This show helps your community.

For 49 years, this “small town” boat show has brought both economic value and a seaside flair to Stuart, Florida. Revenue from the show realized by the MIATC is returned to our community every year.

During this past year alone, we supported:

• Project Lift’s Workforce Bootcamps
• Chapman School of Seamanship’s Yamaha Training Center
• Advocacy for Vessel Access and Safety at St. Lucie railroad bridge
• Treasure Coast Waterway Cleanup
• Treasure Coast Christmas Boat Parades
• Competitive Health Insurance solutions for our association members

The Stuart Boat Show is ranked as one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast United States by the Southeast Tourism Society and is the largest boat show on the Treasure Coast. More than 200 local, national and international exhibitors will be at this year’s show displaying the latest models of motor yachts, including a 106-foot Burger, cruisers, center consoles, fishing and pontoon boats as well as personal watercraft, electronics, engines, boat lifts, fishing gear, and all the accessories that go with the boating lifestyle.

Festivities include a variety of music, food, and beverages as attendees mull over what to outfit their boat with next.

The Stuart Boat Show is produced by family owned and operated Allsports Productions, which sees attendance reach 22,000 over the Friday through Sunday weekend.

The show is staged along NW Dixie Highway with entrances at NW Fern Street at the North end and just over the causeway from SW Albany Avenue at the South end. Dixie Highway will be closed to traffic during the weekend show.

There’s plenty of parking with shuttle bus service both North and South of the show.

Witham Airport off Monterey Road and the grass lot on the corner of Dixie Highway and NW Wright Blvd.) Parking is only $5 and the free shuttle bus service will take you directly to the show entrance.

Take advantage of the online ticket sale prior to the show when the adult ticket price is $14. Showtime ticket prices are $17 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. Infants are free. A special $14 entry fee is available for veterans. Sorry, but no pets are allowed in the show.

The MIATC wants to thank the City of Stuart and Martin County along with many sponsors for your continuing support.

For three days in January, the Stuart Boat Show is a festival of boating that brings together those who love the lifestyle no matter what age or experience level.

It’s fun for everyone. Please don’t miss it!

Tom Whittington’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint

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CONSTITUTIONAL CORNER AND OTHER GOVERNMENT NOTICES 

And from our Supervisor of Elections:

From the Property Appraiser

With websites now replacing business store fronts, the Martin County Property Appraiser’s Office is keenly aware that a comprehensive and innovative website significantly impacts the office and level of public service.

Do you want to learn about the tools and resources available to you on our award-winning website?

Please watch this educational video – WEBSITE TOOLS & RESOURCES

Tax Collector

NON PROFIT NOTICES

Stuart/ Martin County Chamber of Commerce News

Earn and Learn Career Training Program is a ‘Win-Win’ Deal

MARTIN COUNTY – With an unemployment rate of only 2.4 percent, labor participation looks strong for Martin’s economy. Unfortunately, the truth is more painful to hear. Although residents are earning an income, families can’t afford to survive, let alone thrive here. A whopping 44 percent of households are living paycheck to paycheck. Residents are underemployed and left wondering how they will cover the 12% increase on their grocery bill.

Career Connect Martin is the Stuart/Martin Chamber’s free, workforce development program addressing underemployment and striking ‘win-win’ arrangements for jobseekers and employers. For jobseekers hoping to expand their resumes—and their bank accounts—Career Connect offers paid training positions with great local companies, professional coaching, and one-on-one skill building. Such positions—called Trial Employment Opportunities—are available across multiple industry sectors and provide pathways to sustainable careers. For employers, the program helps with labor recruitment, retention, and supports in-house training programs. Employers have salary and other related expenses covered during the Trial Employment period—mitigating some of the costs of hiring and training new people.

Obstacles such as the cost of childcare, transportation or to purchase required supplies, tools, and attire, can limit a person’s ability to secure a good job. “Career Connect Martin allows us to embrace the individual goals of a career-seeker,” says Angela Hoffman, the Stuart/Martin County Chamber’s director of workforce development. “This helps them overcome barriers that have held them down for years.”

Collaboration with the area’s human services partners is one way the Career Connect model meets the unique needs of each jobseeker. With a strong family and clear mind, participants start a new career.

It worked for Kentura, who came to Career Connect after being unemployed for several months. Kentura and her young son carpooled with a relative each day. Unreliable transportation was a huge strain and led to her unemployment. Knowing she needed help, she came to Career Connect and was placed with The UPS Store of Hobe Sound, an employer close to home and committed to her development. As a customer service representative, she was earning, learning, and was eventually promoted to a new role. Thanks to her new salary helping to cover insurance, and a partnership with United Way of Martin County and Project Lift, Kentura was gifted a reliable vehicle. The car was donated to Project Lift and refurbished by the non-profit’s students.

Kentura’s success story solidifies that how we reconnect the available labor force to the businesses that so desperately need employees has changed forever. With the support of partners. Career Connect Martin has uncovered a “win-win” formula.

To join Career Connect Martin as an employer or a jobseeker, visit careerconnectmartin or call 772-287-1088 x 103.

I am writing this memo on behalf of the Stuart Corvette Club “SCC” to thank our sponsors Dyer Chevrolet and Zen Auto, our partners Keiser University PSL the Elliott Museum, and our club members who so generously helped SCC raise funds to accomplish our mission of donating to our local charities.

The Stuart Corvette Club was formed in 1988 as a Florida not for profit corporation exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning of Section 501 c of the IRS code.  A social club made up of Corvette enthusiasts dedicated with a mission of friendship and support for various local charities.  Generous support from our sponsors, partners, and club members hard work at fund raising car shows allowed SCC to give more to our charities this year than ever.

SCC a club of only 90 members donated a total of $10,825.00, 592 pounds of food and lots of toys to local charities we support … Treasure Coast Hospice, Treasure Coast Food Bank, Martin County Council on Aging, Children of Ukraine, Martin County Toys for Tots, and the SLC Sheriff’s Canine Unit.

My deepest appreciation to all the hard work from our members, sponsor and partners.

Jerry Petriw

President, Stuart Corvette Club

The first letter is from Bobbie & Walter Deemer LWVMC Environmental Issues Co-Chairs asking that I print this appeal from Diane Goldberg::

It is not enough to say you support the ‘Right to Clean Water’

amendment. We need volunteers to go to different events and get

signatures. Florida Audubon’s reason for not supporting the measure

is not lawsuits. They don’t think the Florida Supreme Court will put

it on the ballot, but St Lucie Audubon does support it and I have

personally gotten hundreds of signatures and brought them to the

Supervisor of Elections (you need a form for authorization for the

SOE). I can’t do this alone in Martin, St Lucie and Indian River

Counties. I’ve attended DEP zoom meeting where they said they don’t

have the funding for staff and supplies to monitor and fine

polluters. BMAPs and TMDL are not being adhered to. I expect this

initiative to get our legislators to provide more funds to the DEP,

WMDs, and FWC.

Please help me get volunteers in these counties to help me. I can be

reached at digoldberg@bellsouth.net & 772-343-8666. See more info at

www.floridarighttocleanwater.org.

Thank you,

Diane Goldberg

The next letter is from Zach Gazza:

Tom,

I write in order to correct an article you published in your December 8^th, 2022 newsletter from Kyla Shay, Trailside HOA President “TRAILSIDE A SPECEAL REPORT”. I understand that Ms. Shay is frustrated that she (and other trailside residents) are recently inconvenienced by their Palmar neighbors using their privately owned property, however, I have to correct some very important misinformation that she wrote, and you published.

Ms. Shay wrote “Most of the lots that were sold within Pal-Mar on a title search show there is no ingress and egress on the lot….There is no legal recorded easement for ingress and egress…” This is not true. I have actually emailed these easements to her to try and help her understand that every lot in Palmar has legal access via recorded easement.

I have included a snap shot of one of the plat pages, which shows the dotted line ingress egress and utility easements connecting every property (the Pal-Mar drainage easements are shown in dark blue).

In addition to the recorded Plat, the ingress egress easements (along with drainage and utility easements) are available for anyone to see online. By visiting the Martin County Clerk’s Office Official Records Search Page, one can search for Book 220 Page 457. This particular recorded ingress egress easement gives Pal-Mar landowners the right to use the easement that runs along Trailside’s southerly border. Language includes: “….. An easement for ingress, egress, utilities, and drainage 50.00 feet in width, the North line of which is the North line of the Northeast ¼ of Section 12, Township 40 South, Range 40 East.” It is also important to note that both Martin County and South Florida Water Management District own lots in Palmar, and enjoy use of these very same easements in order to access and maintain their properties.

Thank you for the opportunity to make this correction.

The next from Lynn Macauley

Tom,
Thank you for including news of the Pet Store Ordinance in your last newsletter. I am so glad the ban on pet sales was kept in place. I noticed in the text of the Commissioners’ meeting that in December 2021 they were asked by an animal rescue organization to draft an ordinance banning retail sale of dogs and cats. Do you know what animal rescue organization that was?

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THE LAND OF NO…OR JOBS AND RESIDENTS

At the next Governor’s Council meeting on January 17th, there should be a decision on whether the Kanner PUD moves forward or not.

I am always amazed that some believe that the government can forbid a parcel of land from being developed. There are tweaks that can occur, especially when the PUD process is involved, but no local government can put a stop to private property rights.

The developer in this case has gone out of his way to give the city and its residents amenities like roads and lakes that are not required. Most of the beauty of the project (and yes, it is beautifully designed) was the hard work of then commissioners Merritt Matheson and Mike Meier along with current commissioners Troy McDonald, Becky Bruner, and Eula Clarke. They worked with one of the most accommodating developer’s and now owner ever.

I have also read hundreds of emails from city residents stating emphatically that they support this project. The minority of those who believe the development is incongruent with our city and county are many fewer in number. Most of their objections are from ill-informed views of the project or outright misconceptions.

Then there are the other more insidious few that would be against anything anywhere. They would have been called the Levelers during the English Civil War or Luddites during the early Industrial Revolution. Today they are the NIMBYISTS wanting all change to go away.

They fear change because they can only envision their way of life for everyone continuing decade after decade regardless of changes in society. They don’t care about jobs. Rather than embracing diversity, they fear people’s differences. They don’t believe there is a place for everyone but rather feel there is no place for anyone who disagrees with them.

NIMBYISTS fear people who want to live in apartments over what they see as the American dream of owning a single-family home with plenty of perfect green grass. Everyone should have a car. They believe that busses, walking, and bicycles are only for those who can’t afford a car…the poor people.

The truth is their view is neither sustainable nor good for the city or county. Costco was supposed to be in Palm City. The NIMBY crowd chased them to Stuart and now there is a hideous collection of retail development on the Palm City site originally planned for Costco. The jobs created are few and pay much less than those of Costco. There are large parking lots instead of greenery. There will be no new tax-paying residents resulting from this development because no housing of any sort has been built. This is not better.

As mentioned earlier, there are hundreds of emails in support of the project. Everyday people who need to make a living are in favor of it. Groups as diverse as the NAACP and the Chambers of Commerce want to see it happen. In this instance, Stuart has its own Rainbow Coalition speaking in favor. This response is much preferred over the drab sullen insular opposition in the land of no.

As It Appeared In Martin County Moment

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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.