Tom Campenni
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IN THIS EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER
When your read about the various government meetings in our county, it should be as if you are there.
Though Friends & Neighbors is not a newspaper in the traditional sense, it does strive to convey what happened at the meeting. It is not a verbatim account of every agenda item. When an agenda item is reported here, it does not go into every word that was said. If someone wants that level of detail, then they can easily watch every meeting on You Tube or the government’s website. Better yet, attend the meeting.
What I do is the next best thing. I write about agenda items that I think are important for readers to know about. I give the facts and tell the reader my opinion. I never quote staff or elected officials who tell me things behind the scenes without their expressed permission. I use those conversations as background to have a fuller understanding.
But what I tell everyone is if they say something in a public meeting or gathering, then they are on the record and thus I can write about it. It is amazing how many elected officials take offense about that simple fact. The same goes for how thin the skin is. Politicians are in the public arena. They should evaluate what was written. And then be able to have criticism roll right of their backs. The best ones do.
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In this edition we are introducing our newest contributor Nicki van Vonno. Nicki was Martin County’s Director of Growth Management until she retired recently. What people do not know about Nicki is that she is a very good writer of both fiction and nonfiction. Here, her column will be nonfiction.
We also have Rick Hartman from One Martin contributing a piece on the Rural Lifestyle Amendment. One Martin recently did a series on their perspective regarding it. You can find a link to their website embedded in their piece to read the entire series.
Jackie Holfelder highlights several nonprofits in her section. Carol from United Way has a poignant column on her own struggle with the paradigm of race and skin pigmentation. Fletch from Boys & Girls explains their partnership with IRSC and the new charter in Indiantown.
Moms for Liberty and MCTA have their columns. Marcella Camblor writes about Stuart’s density calculations. Hafner and VanRiper are here with their thoughts as well as Pine. Remember if you have an idea for a column, please let me know.
We continue with our Trailside/Pal-Mar in-depth reporting including a piece from Kyla Shay, the Trailside president, on what Memorial Day weekend was like there. And of course, we have our accounts of the different government meetings we attended.
Don’t forget to make sure your Friends & Neighbors are signed up for their free copy of our newsletter. Look for our updates between editions on our Facebook page.
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WHEN DOES IT END?
It has become an unpleasant practice for me to write something in every edition about either racism and or a gun massacre.
Two editions ago it was about “white replacement theory” fears. While grocery shopping in Buffalo, Black Americans were mowed down by a deranged young white man who was all of 18. Last edition we had six middle schoolers spelling out the “N” word and taking a picture to post on social media right at our very own Hidden Oaks Middle. That little incident even made “Saturday Night Live.”
This week’s story is about 19 children and 3 adults being murdered. One of those who died was the 18-year-old shooter. It appears that on his 18th birthday and a few days thereafter, he went to a gun dealer and legally purchased two assault type weapons along with hundreds of rounds of ammunition. He cannot buy a beer or a cigarette in Texas until age 21, but a weapon of mass destruction is no problem.
What does that tell us about our culture? We will protect an 18-year-old from possible cancer and his liver from cirrhosis in old age, but we won’t protect little kids from being mowed down in classrooms. That is freedom run amuck!
Both the shooter in Buffalo and the one in Uvalde were wearing body armor. A retired police officer in Buffalo, who acted as the armed security guard at the TOPS supermarket, was unable to stop the well-protected shooter and ended up giving his life as well.
As I write this the facts about when and how law enforcement intervened or did not are fluid. It is beyond dispute that they were not following the current nationwide policy on how to confront a shooter. It is true that the shooter had better weaponry compared to the officers, but how about the nine- and ten-year-old kids along with their teachers that were being mowed down while it appears law enforcement waited.
Parents and other concerned citizens gathered outside urging the police to act. Calls were coming in from kids trapped in the same room as the shooter. Apparently, the shooter fired over 100 rounds in about a minute before entering classrooms 111/112 which are connected by a bathroom.
Yes, law enforcement that arrived on the scene in the first fifteen minutes were woefully outgunned. I remember when regular cops traded in their 38 Smith & Wesson revolvers for 9 millimeters because they were being out matched by the bad guys. That was about 20 years ago. Should patrol officers begin to look like they are patrolling Fallujah instead of towns in America?
This is not a problem that our officers could possibly solve. Our schools should not look like prisons. Our groceries, movie theaters, churches, and synagogues should not become places where people die because they showed up to partake in American life. Ask anyone from any other nation about our obsession and they just say Americans are bonkers.
How much do we need to spend on security before we are a police state? Or because we allow an unlimited supply of fire power to anyone who can purchase it, have we created a perfect economy for gun manufacturing, with our craven elected officials yelling everyone should be toting a firearm to protect themselves against everyone else?
This is not freedom but tyranny.
We live in a tyrannical state when one must be afraid for our children’s safety in school…any school. It is a logic patented after that of Orwell’s 1984 to think it is rational to have armed teachers, principals, or janitors. If regular officers need backup, what about Mrs. Smith, the 5th grade teacher with her Glock?
We have just seen that even trained law enforcement professionals apparently can’t always stop a well-armed malevolent individual. Guns are not sacramental and the unfettered possession of them is not part of our Second Amendment. The state can have reasonable controls as was determined by the Supreme Court.
I own guns and most of my friends do. We know that ownership of weapons is a responsibility not to be taken lightly. Most gun owners also realize that there is a need for background checks, education, and perhaps mandatory range training. Only craven politicians that are beholden to irresponsible lobbyists cannot understand that.
In order to drive a car, people must take a written and a road test. Shouldn’t we have the equivalent with another dangerous apparatus before placing it in the hands of Americans. Our schools do not need to look and feel like prisons. Nor are we safer as a society by all of us carrying firearms. When the leading cause of death for children is being shot, we have a serious problem.
In the last few days, statistics have been thrown around about most Americans believing in sensible gun ownership regulation. Why aren’t elected officials listening? Because most voters who want some commonsense measures are not telling their state and federal elected representatives that they will not vote for them without tangible results on this issue.
Voters need to be loud, persistent, and mean what they say on this issue. Party affiliation should be left aside…. losing young lives, old lives, and middle-aged lives by the use of assault weapons and body armor in the hands of domestic terrorists should no longer be acceptable to any American regardless of party.
(As Published in Medium)
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WE HAVE GOOD THINGS TOO!
Sometimes, we forget what a great place Martin County is to live.
Much of what other news sources and this newsletter do is to tell you what is happening. That mostly entails informing you of things that are not always pleasant. Some of that news can be to tell you about danger such as the problems of Trailside.
With all the bad, there is plenty of good to report. Martin County is full of non-profits and generous individuals trying to make things better. For all the governmental intrigue, most people in government want to make a positive difference.
And then we have the people who live here. Most want to be able to raise their families within a good school system, have good jobs, and a decent place to live.
Others of us that are well past that part of our lives just want a place to retire and have a little recreation. Perhaps give back to our community. And enjoy as is said the autumn of our years.
Most of the jobs that are created will be from small businesses or perhaps teleworking. I teleworked for 15 years going to a New York office only a few days a month. As technology gets better, more and more of our residents may do that while enjoying our lifestyle.
We will never be a Palm Beach or a St. Lucie County. Our population will not skyrocket to the point that we won’t know our neighbors. The City of Stuart, the rest of the county’s municipalities, and unincorporated Martin County are perfectly poised to take advantage of our great life. More transplants will begin to call our county home. Are we ready to embrace those new people or will we be the ones to say no new people can settle here? Only time will tell.
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NEWFIELD MAY HAPPEN
Over the past year, I have been afraid that Knight Kiplinger’s new town in Palm City may not happen.
I am glad to report that while it took some time to find the right developer to build the town, it is still on track. It will take about 15 years for the entire build out. Building something from scratch encompassing 5 square miles is really a lifetime project.
At the announcement of the selection of Mattamy Homes to be the prime developer on the Newfield site yesterday, Mr. Kiplinger wisely took his time recounting the years of preparing the public for this moment. He spoke to anyone who would listen about his vision. If someone stopped him in the parking lot to ask a question, he was glad to give an answer.
Interestingly, he considers Newfield an infill project. I never saw it that way, but it is to some extent. There is development on all sides of the site. Even though it is a large area, it is owned by one entity and 77% will remain open space with a 70-acre farm.
Under the old zoning, the alternative would have been 5- or 20-acre ranchettes which is nothing but sprawl. It would also appear that Kiplinger would not have been able to make much money using that scenario once infrastructure was considered. By building a town, he makes something worthwhile on his investment, the county gets about 4,000 more housing units of all types, and we have an urban/suburban/rural expanse in Palm City.
When Commissioner Ciampi spoke, he mentioned that Mattamy Homes should probably keep in mind the development was approved because of “Knight Vision.” And that is so very true. Over time, there will be tweaks to the vision to fit future needs and technology. One thing that should not be forgotten is the original concept. Let’s make sure that when approvals are needed at the county, the developer has kept Knight’s vision.
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OTHER OPINIONS
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NON-PROFIT PERSPECTIVE
By Carol Houwaart-Diez
United Way of Martin County President-CEO
I had planned a different June article until recent events made me change my mind.
For background information, I grew up in an affluent community in Western New York, very similar to Martin County. My family was the only diverse one in my small school district called Lewiston Porter. Over the years, I have been called nearly every racial slur you can think of; you name it, I most likely have been called it. It wasn’t until 4th or 5th grade that the first African American moved into my school district. I look back at that time in my life, and I remember how hurtful it was to be called something because of my skin color.
Carol as a child
I have never understood why I was picked on for something I had no control over. However, I believe that my experience led me to find my calling: fighting for every person, regardless of their color, gender, sexual orientation, or any other label humans put on other humans that we may not even understand. My experience, as hurtful as it was at the time, is most likely why I love my job helping people today.
We have had two mass shootings within two weeks. It looks like one was racially motivated, but they both are related to mental health issues where there were previous indicators that the person was struggling. And then, there was last month’s incident at Hidden Oaks Middle School, where my daughter attended school just a few short years ago.
Many expressed disbelief and shock that something like this could happen in our beautiful Martin County. Well, I have news for you, studies have shown that this type of behavior is actually more prevalent in small towns like ours. Maybe it is because more diverse populations tend to go to bigger cities, but we have a storm brewing in our little Martin County.
My daughters have experienced it at their place of employment after school. I must tell you, the mama bear in me wants to intervene and defend them from the people who make ignorant comments. We need to stop kidding ourselves that people don’t think or feel this way or make excuses that kids will be kids. Until we all say it is not okay to behave this way, this type of behavior will continue.
In a few short weeks, I will be heading back up north for my high school reunion. I will most likely be laughing and talking to those same people who made a portion of my childhood miserable. They will tell me things like, “I just love your skin color,” or “I am so jealous that you look healthy all year round,” or some other crazy statement. I will smile and maybe, just maybe, I’ll look them in the eye and tell them too bad their younger self didn’t say or feel that way.
Carol’s Family
We need to be better than all the noise around us. We need to set the example for others and teach our kids that the melanin in our skin does not define who we are inside. Once we do this, Martin County will truly be paradise for all who live here.
Carol Houwaart Diez’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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VANRIPER’S VIEWS
By Darlene VanRiper
Put Down that Menthol Cigarette…Regardless of the Consequences!
First, let me just be clear that I do NOT support smoking…anything. Smoking is about the worst thing you can do to your body. My grandmother died of lung cancer and my mother developed cancer of the throat from smoking.
Non-the-less, I ran across an intriguing article by the Tax Foundation* and thought I would share some of the more interesting points with you. The pending bill to pass a ban on menthol cigarettes is wrought with unintended consequences which our representatives should contemplate prior to casting their vote.
In Florida, the market share of menthol cigarettes is 38%. Florida charges $1.339 per pack as an excise tax. The state’s total revenue decline, should this bill pass, would be a whopping $307,925,101 per year! The total cigarette excise tax revenue on all cigarettes in FY 2021 in Florida was $970 MILLION. This money is spent to support biomedical research, teacher training, funding the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and some money is distributed to the general fund.
“Well,” some would say, “So what. Our state’s economy is doing well. It’s a sacrifice we must make to save the lives of those who would otherwise risk death from smoking”. Not so fast. When this ban took place in Europe, 90% of menthol smokers simply switched to non-flavored cigarettes or other (non-taxed) tobacco products or they purchased smuggled products to continue this insidious habit.
Same result in Massachusetts and Canada. So, these taxpayers still had to bear the costs associated with smoking i.e. the hospitalizations of the uninsured or underinsured and productivity losses. The estimated average annual cost of a smoker to an employer in the U.S. is $5,816. Smokers are absent 6.5 more days per year than non-smokers. In terms of lost productivity, the estimated costs of smokers in the U.S. is around $151 billion and around $US 6 billion for non-smokers as a result of secondhand smoke exposure. **
My main concern is the unintended granddaddy of them all…enriching drug cartels. It has been estimated that 20% of menthol smokers will purchase illicit or smuggled products to ease their craving. (Note that the reporting is voluntary, so likely under-reported.) If the ban is national, they will not be smuggling from neighboring states.
Canada has banned menthol cigarettes, so our northern neighbors won’t be a source. Mexican drug cartels must be salivating with the anticipation of offering a new product. If you watch Rotten, a documentary series offered by Netflix regarding food, you will be surprised to learn that the Mexican cartels have started a “protection” racket with avocado farmers in their country. When the cartels realized that avocado sales were booming in the U.S., the Mexican farmer had to pay. Realize then, that these criminals look for ANY way to make money…not just fentanyl. I, for one, am tired of my country being a constant source of revenue for these bloodsuckers.
So should our legislators, (and I have no knowledge of their thoughts on it), vote against this ban, realize that they just may have considered ALL the unintended consequences.
* Tax Foundation, Comments on Tobacco Product Standard for Menthol in Cigarettes, May 19, 2022, by Jared Walczak
**Institute for Health Research and Policy, April 2019
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
DARK SKIES
There is a portion of the flight path when you are flying into south Florida, where there is no light at night.
You may see the moonlight reflecting off the ocean. But when you look west, it is dark. The dark sky hides the land from the people on the plane that passes overhead. No twinkling dots of light, no ribbons of lit concrete. There appears to be “no there” down there.
That is Martin County. Our dark sky is a beacon of hope to a heaving heated planet. We drape our lights, set back from our wetlands and streams, and tax ourselves to buy and protect the endangered habitat. “Enjoy our good nature” is our motto.
Martin County is like Russia, “a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma.” Winston Churchill in 1939 spoke eloquently to the Western sense of Moscow as the “other” – an inscrutable and menacing land that plays by its own rules, usually to the detriment of those who choose more open regulations. Martin County is like that, the OTHER, a coastal community with a four-story height limit, strict wetland, and habitat protections, and 115,000 acres of land in public ownership.
This year’s Comp Plan controversy reflects a recent trend with ag land in Martin County, letting rich people create playgrounds in ag land. In the last 10 years, applications for golf courses have been approved and there are more landowners waiting in the wings. Becker B-14 Grove, LTD and Hobe Sound Equestrian LLC is just the latest and there are more coming. It comes with promises of money to be contributed for the purchase of more environmentally sensitive land and enormous tax benefits.
As usual this application became the fight of the year. Opponents portray it as busting the urban boundary by expanding water and sewer services which leads to the worst offence: dismantling the County’s Comp Plan. While the Guardians of Martin County seemed in favor of the proposal, Maggy Hurchalla’s opposition was instrumental in arousing the opposition. Her death only days before one of the public hearings on the application only served to underscore the fragility of life and of our environment.
It’s not good land use policy planning or good utility service planning. But if the offer of cold hard cash to protect and restore our environment pans out, then I say take the money and leave my skies dark.
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
Does the Village of Indiantown need a brand-new village hall or is the council putting the cart before the horse regarding the real needs of their citizens?
Before the Village of Indiantown was incorporated in 2017 there was a working group of people who oversaw the needs of Indiantown and reported back to Martin County with what those needs were. This working group was the Indiantown Neighborhood Advisory Committee (NAC). Once a month the committee would convene and engaged members of the Indiantown community would gather to share what they saw as needs in the community.
I attended these meetings starting in 2013 and up until the committee was dissolved due to the village incorporating. Common topics included beautifying the community, getting much needed infrastructure improvements (like paving Farm Rd and installing streetlights for children walking to school), adding community enhancements like a farmers’ market, and finding a way to update the very outdated and failing water treatment plant. This committee and its efforts were funded by Martin County so when incorporation was complete the funds and the committee were no more.
In 2020 the Village of Indiantown took a huge financial step in purchasing the Indiantown water treatment plant with the goal of bringing the much-needed upgrades this facility needs. I supported this move as it was a long time in the works and the water quality in Indiantown is horrible.
Then the village started talking about another big budget item while the water plant and the village’s aging water infrastructure was, and still is, far from acceptable. Now the village council majority wants to build a municipal complex that rivals Martin County’s in size. At the village council’s May 26 meeting they received a presentation from REG Architects with a proposed budget of between $15.3 million and $18.7 million and a timeline of two and a half years to build the Village of Indiantown’s new village hall.
It makes me wonder, with a relatively small footprint and population why does the village need such a large complex… unless they are planning to annex. I have heard no discussion at their meetings that would allude to this, but it is the only thing that makes sense to me when I wonder why the Village of Indiantown is pushing forward with the village hall project before they deliver consistently clean water and fully functioning fire hydrants to their constituents.
David Hafner’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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PLANNER’S PERSPECTIVE
By Marcela Camblor
Stuart’s “Hidden” Density
Ghost units. Half units. Double-dipping. “Non-transparent” or “intellectually deceiving planning”. These are a few of the terms and expressions used by some to refer to residential units derived from the City of Stuart’s only attainable housing residential density incentive program.
Density is an extremely contentious topic, but in recent years, to many, it has gained a positive connotation. Interestingly enough, precise density is the one thing in development that you can’t visualize once a project is built.
Residential density is measured as dwelling units per acre (du/ac). The maximum density in the City of Stuart is determined by the comprehensive plan, and it is decided on a parcel-by-parcel basis each time a project is proposed. This approach to “cohesive” planning merits its own separate discussion.
The City’s residential density incentive program that is the subject of some local controversy states that units proposed within an Urban Planned Unit Development smaller than 900sf count as a “half unit”, and those under 1,100sf count as 3/4 of a unit. So, for example, a one-acre parcel that has a maximum allowable density of 10 du/ac can house 10 units of any size, 13 units under 1,100sf, or 20 units under 900sf. The last two options yield a developed area of +/_ 18,000sf. The first, conventional option, could be a building of any size, anywhere from 15,000 to 35,000 sf. There is no limit to unit size if not participating in this program, and generally, when participating in the program, developers opt to mix a few smaller units with a majority of more conventionally sized ones.
Critics of this program suggest that these 1/2 and 3/4 incentive units should be counted as a full unit, and either simply increase the underlying maximum density or do away with the incentive program completely. These same critics appear to believe that this program only benefits developers.
So why not just increase the underlying density? Because, as per the example above, one large unit is different from two small units. Because given the opportunity to build two units without size restriction, most developers will maximize the size of each of those units. And because the State of Florida has (again) limited local governments’ ability to mandate housing affordability and this voluntary program provides some relief.
As a result of our state-imposed limitations, housing affordability programs are fundamentally voluntary, so local governments need to get creative and resort to a “carrot approach” to achieve any level of attainability. Examples of these voluntary programs include increased height allowances, reduced parking, and open space requirements, free or discounted land incentives, straight density increases, etc. However, most of these approaches to affordability require publicly funded monitoring and access to these units is difficult for the end-user to unearth.
Developers voluntarily participate in Stuart’s half or small-unit program because, while building two small market rate units instead of a larger one of the same combined size is more expensive, this may be slightly more profitable. And because this approach allows for the incorporation of a mix of unit sizes that appeal to a larger segment of the population while still maintaining a good land value to development cost approach.
Stuart’s attainable housing approach is brilliant. While this policy is not perfect, and it does not solve all our housing problems, it is a smart approach so that moderate-income households can find suitable housing in desirable neighborhoods or developments. The community benefits when the housing stock is diverse. The purpose of this program is not to increase developers’ profit, but to deliver more, truly, and perpetually, non-government monitored, inclusive, attainable residential units. Smaller units within the same development will always sell or rent for less than larger ones.
With the amount of backlash programs like this one receive, it is no wonder we have a housing affordability crisis. This ½ and 3/4 density calculation procedure is an approved policy of the City’s land development regulations. It is clear and transparent. It is not hidden. And it was not secretly inserted into the code by developers. Nor is it intended to deceive the community.
If this program seems too obscure to some, or appears too inclined towards developer benefit, we need to focus on determining new strategies to ensure housing attainability. Simply making statements in support of housing affordability during public meetings will not address the predicament we face.
Marcela Cambior’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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HERE WE GO AGAIN
By Rick Hartman
President One Martin
To Our Friends and Neighbors,
Martin County stands indecisively at a crossroads that could very well shape its future for the next 50 years. Do we continue as we have, or do we recognize the issues facing residents and make changes to address them?
One question asked by Stuart City Commissioner Mike Meier at the recent Joint Meeting of Martin County, the City of Stuart, city, the Village of Indiantown and the School Board illustrates the most pressing dilemma, “Who will we allow to live in Martin County?”
As incomprehensible as that question is in a free society, he hit the nail on the head. We are restricting residents to only those who can afford to purchase a home here, now averaging more than $650,000, as we build more and more assisted living facilities and storage units for the mega-wealthy.
The answer, the solution, to our county’s crisis in providing affordable housing for those on whom we depend for the services we and our families need lies within our Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, according to an elegant, thought-provoking address by County Commissioner Ed Ciampi that launched the joint session of local governments.
The commissioner said we must have the courage to make small changes to the Comp Plan, not radical ones. Just the kinds of changes that make sense, such as allowing a second story apartment atop a garage.
We believe one of those small changes also would be approval of the Rural Lifestyle Amendment; however, any change will meet an onslaught of fear-mongering and misrepresentation of facts, so indicative of Martin County’s history.
This is not the first time, however, that someone recognized that small changes to the Comp Plan are required if we are to sustain our quality of life. It also is not the first time that the myth-makers insisted we’d be on the path to the “Browardization” of Martin County if we changed a thing.
Over the past 25 years, Florida university scientists – experts in geology, water quality, land planning, growth management, and the environment – suggested the vital steps Martin County needed to take to protect what we love, to ensure a sustainable future.
Even the 1000 Friends of Florida environmental organization, which partnered with the University of Florida and the Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services in the Florida 2070 project, recommended changes to public policies to ensure Martin County’s sustainable future. https://1000fof.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/FOF-1124-Martin-County-Workshop-Flyer-9-18-web.pdf.
One Martin has compiled a comprehensive look at the various studies and recommendations over the past 25 years, and the responses to them, in our series, “Here We Go Again.”
Please read and share this six-part series with your friends and neighbors, so we can disarm the myth-makers with facts, and foster respectful discussion that will lead to an informed decision.
The real threat to the “Martin County difference” is to ignore that history and to continue as we have with our heads buried in the sand.
To read the entire series on our website click here: Here We Go Again Series
One Martin is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization dedicated to creating a more informed citizenry, building a more prosperous community, and providing opportunities for civil discussions on topics of importance to Martin County.
Rick Hartman’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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MOMS FOR LIBERTY
By Julie Marshall
On May 16, at our monthly Moms for Liberty meeting, we hosted Dr. John Millay, Superintendent of Schools for the Martin County School District.
Dr. Millay was very generous with his time, giving us 1 hour and 20 minutes. Prior to his question-and-answer forum, we listened to a short presentation by Deborah Monks of Defend Florida. She also provided a handout for anyone interested in becoming a canvasser for Defend Florida. It would require a two-hour commitment two times per month.
Deborah spoke to us about election integrity and cleaning up the voter rolls. The fastest way to do this is to check with family and friends, advise them to go online to their local Supervisor of Elections sites, and check for their own information’s accuracy. If they find anything that is incorrect, report it immediately. She commented that in numerous cases, voters discovered that their elder deceased parents were still on the voter rolls.
Dr. Millay was frank in his words; he does not take sides and works right in the middle. He was firm in his commitment that he follows the law. He acknowledged that there is a “culture war” going on in the education communities and stressed that he must remain nonpartisan to do his job properly.
There were questions about student resources, the millage tax, property taxes, and teacher oversight. One of the members was concerned that the general public doesn’t really comprehend the difference between the millage and the sales taxes, and how that money will be spent. Dr. Millay explained that the ½ mil tax, up for renewal on the August 23 ballot will fund school safety, mental health programs, and teacher recruitment and retention. The sales tax that was approved for 7 years in 2018, pays for facility improvements like Jensen Beach and Palm City elementary schools and new athletic fields and facilities at South Fork High School.
Dr. Millay was asked about the “Student Support Guide” that Governor DeSantis criticized back in March. The Governor stated that Martin County was not in compliance with his directive that parents must be informed and agree with any changes to their child’s plan. Dr. Millay assured the group that Martin County always notifies parents when creating any student plans.
Members are looking forward to the National Summit that will be held in Tampa on July 14 through 17. The keynote speaker will be Governor DeSantis.
Julie Marshall’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
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TAXABLE VALUE IS NOT ALL THERE IS
There was recently an article in TC Palm regarding “historic” increases in property valuations. The nearly 10% increase across the county’s municipalities property valuations in aggregate does not mean Martin County will have 10% more real estate tax money being collected.
Because of caps and exemptions, the increased amount flowing into government coffers will be less than what it seems by looking at just the raw data. If you combine that with the inflationary pressures that Martin County and municipalities have experienced, I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a breakeven to maintain the current level of services.
Government is suffering even more than the private sector in recruiting and retaining employees. Planners and engineers plus custodians, park employees, and other maintenance workers are in short supply. There are signing bonuses and other incentives to find enough qualified employees.
Last year there were less money allocated in the budgets of Martin County public works and other non-public safety departments because of last minute changes made by the BOCC. MCTA is hoping that will not occur this year. One of Martin County’s practices is to build new projects without allocating money for maintenance of properties already in its possession.
Martin County only had a 5.3% increase in property values. That reflects the dearth in new homes even though more than average and commercial projects that were built in the county last year. Stuart had a 12.3% increase due to new projects being completed. Ocean Breeze’s 38.9% jump was because of Sea Walk development being finished. I can see a large decrease in the tax rate going forward for that municipality. Sewall’s Point and Jupiter Island are at about a 10% increase in valuation due to new homes and existing renovations.
The outlier in the crowd was Indiantown which lost 5.5% in value. This is despite new projects and increased prices for existing homes. FPL, the largest taxpayer with paying over 80% of the village’s taxes, had less personal property on hand. Village Manager Brown is not recommending any increase in taxes. He is right since there will be additional projects coming online this year and next which will increase future taxes.
While it is great that we are experiencing a boom in values today, MCTA is cautious about whether tax income will be sustainable in the future. We could be heading into a recession which would decrease valuations and put other new projects on hold. There was another study done stating that Martin & St. Lucie Counties were in the top five of overvalued rental markets. This could be beneficial in reducing rents when a downturn happens but also could reduce property values that would translate to lower real estate tax revenue.
Increased taxable value does not equate with taxes going up by the same percentages because of the overabundance of exemptions built into our real estate tax code. Once the different limitations and tax caps are factored into taxable values it becomes a very different picture. Just like with the federal income tax system, Florida’s real estate tax system produces no two taxpayers that pay the same amount of taxes based on their taxable value or income.
MCTA believes that tax rates should remain stable next year. Governments are preparing for another exemption being passed in November which will mean less taxes being collected. This is a wait and see period.
9
PINE’S PONDERING
By Tom Pine
On September 24, 2019, the Martin County Commission gave the public sidewalks in downtown Jensen Beach to the business community / Chamber of Commerce of Jensen Beach to use as they see fit at no coast.
I asked the property appraiser if these business in downtown Jensen Beach that are using the public sidewalks for their own personal gain are paying property taxes on this newfound seating capacity.
It appears Mulligans does pay taxes on some of their newfound property but that Jan’s Place does not appear to be paying taxes on their government owned property. To be sure one way or the other the property appraiser said a survey would have to be completed.
The Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce was given the Jensen Beach Community Center to use as they see fit. I have no idea of the details because it appears to have been approved in the Consent Agenda / the County Slush Fund.
The vacant lot just west of the Community Center is owned by the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce where for close to a year they were fundraising to build their own building. As I recall the fundraising billboard at one point claimed to have collected twenty thousand dollars towards their new building. That was before they got the sweetheart deal for the use of the Community Center.
Now the Chamber of Commerce is going to transform that lot into a small park with four trees and other plantings. In order to accomplish that feat on May 16, 2022, the parking spaces in front of that lot we’re all blocked with a chain link fence.
Just west of that lot is the Jensen Beach Barber Shop. I spoke with the owner about the fencing, and he told me originally, that they would be leaving two or three spaces open for his older patrons, but it seems somebody higher up the leadership ladder had different plans, so there are no parking spaces in close proximity to the barber shop.
As of May 30, 2022, no work has started except for the blocking of all parking spaces in close proximity to the barber shop and the owner of the barber shop does not belong to the Chamber of Commerce. Something smells here and it’s not roses.
The owner of the barber shop shared a story from last year where he had a sign and a Christmas tree in front of his store and a representative of the Chamber of Commerce asked him to remove it, he didn’t and in short order code enforcement was there to force the issue even though right around the corner the same violation was present. It made no difference. As I have stated in the past code enforcement routinely picks winners and losers.
There is one major difference between mob bosses of yesterday and the Chamber of Commerce of today. The Chamber of Commerce uses the government as their enforcers with the help of the county commissioners that they endorse and get elected.
Jensen Beach Commissioner Smith has not won the popular vote in own district in several election cycles but with the help of the Chamber of Commerce, special interests and the use of ghost candidates he continues to win.
Truth To Power
Tom Pine’s opinions are his own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
10
FLETCH’S PERSPECTIVE
By Keith Fletcher CEO & President of
Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County
Art studios. Gyms. Classrooms. Computer labs. Performing arts stages. Gardens. Kitchens and culinary skills training centers. Such are just a few of the numerous functions Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County serve. We can now add “high school” to the mix.
Indian River State College’s new Indiantown High School will honor our Bill & Barbara Whitman Boys & Girls Clubs facility this August with its inaugural cohort of 75 ninth graders. The majority of students already call the rural village in Martin County home and they’re extremely excited to participate in what will be a one-of-a-kind educational environment.
Eventually, IRSC will build a 60,000-square-foot charter high school on 25 acres off Citrus Boulevard. In the meantime, we’re happy to provide an equipped venue, ensuring the students’ educational journey begins without unnecessary obstacles or delay because if we’re serious about preparing young people for the future, we’ve got to move at the speed of the marketplace. Right now, the marketplace is moving at a speed that threatens to leave many behind—particularly those of modest means.
The effects of the pandemic and all its unique impacts on students’ scholastic experience are emerging and measurable. More than 20 states report dips in graduation rates in 2021. Florida’s laudable and steady two-point annual increase in graduation rates slipped last year to only a tenth-of-a-point increase.
We’re proud of the fact that 100 percent of students enrolled in Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation are expected to graduate. And at Boys & Girls Clubs of Martin County—in concert with key partners such as IRSC—we’re preparing them for success beyond graduation.
For far too long, society celebrated college as the primary path post-high school, communicating indirectly to broad backgrounds of young people that alternative educational options and career choices fell short of the ideal.
Indiantown Charter High School, rather, will distinctively prepare young people for trades, vocations and career options that are indispensable to the marketplace, fulfilling economically and emotionally and inherently liberated from significant student debt.
This gels extremely well with BGCMC priorities, capabilities, and curriculums. Our incoming Stuart flagship club plans advanced workforce labs where elementary-, middle- and high-school students will learn—alongside our already robust culinary and hospitality program—HVAC, welding, computer coding, drone certifications and more. We hope to help ready numerous future Indiantown High School graduates.
Knowing how dedicated IRSC leadership is to be bringing the physical Indiantown High School to reality, we doubt we’ll have the privilege of seeing the 2022/2023 class finish at our club. But when they do don cap and gown and walk to receive their diplomas—and certifications—you can bet we will be in the audience at Indiantown Charter High School, cheering their accomplishments and standing ready to help however possible in whatever comes next.
Keith Fletcher’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 Clerk of The Court:
From the Property Appraiser
Tax Collector
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Our First letter is from Tom Steele
Your stance on the Disney situation is interesting, given you didn’t give a s**t our government shut down private businesses, and prevented people from going to church or their freedom to assemble during covid. Even down to how many people you could have in your own home during the holidays. I guess the Constitution only applies under certain conditions.
Next Letter from Audrey Taggart
Obviously it is not guns that cause school shootings. The reason is fatherless, emotionally disturbed male students who were jockeyed along in government schools from grade to grade without dealing with – even recognizing their problems. If students who did not come near to mastering the standards for their grade level were interviewed, assessed, evaluated by a trained professional evaluator there could be some intervention.
(Douglas HS in Parkland, Sandy Hook Elementary School, Ct., Robb Elementary, Uvalde, TX.)
Removing God, religion, prayer from schools may is another reason.
And warehousing children (Douglas HS in Parkland had 4,000 students) puts the icing on the cake.
Schools must be restructured.
Looping” is one way to easily restructure government schools. Kindergarten teacher remains with his/her students until 6th or 8th grade, then “loops” back to kindergarten and repeats the process.
In this way, teachers and students and families really make a connection. Teacher gets to know the families, more give and take, etc.
Often when a secondary teacher passes a student in the hallway (even on the last day of the semester) some do not even recognize their own student since they may teach 6 or more classes per day with 25 per class.
This sort of practice/procedure is the antithesis of what schools ought to be.
When unions dictate strategies, techniques in schools the goal is to improve the working conditions of the teacher, not the STUDENT.
What is wrong with this picture?
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And Alice L. Luckhardt
Three cheers to all who supported the removal of the fake lighthouse. The Marina developers removed the lighthouse plan and will plant a tree in that spot. The Marina then got approval from the city commissioners.
It just shows – let your voice be heard.
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JOINT MEETING BETWEEN SCHOOL BOARD, BOCC,
STUART COMMISSION, INDIANTOWN COUNCIL JUNE 2, 2022:
Joint meetings are usually a dull affair, but recently they have had a theme. This week’s theme was how to build housing for the homeless, workforce housing, working poor, etc.
Most of this population is commonly known as the ALICE population. It stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed individuals and families. They live paycheck to paycheck. Most make too much to qualify for any subsidies. These are the people who wash our dishes, work as clerks in our stores, and some are even teachers and other government workers.
There is no doubt that the need is great. Just like the housing needs are in St. Lucie County, Palm Beach County, Florida, and the entire country. And there were many speakers who told of the need.
Ed Ciampi, who got this placed on the agenda, gave the presentation. He too had all the right phrases and catchwords. Ciampi is calling his program the Starfish Initiative from a children’s story.
Recognition of the need is the first step. But what I didn’t hear was any solid proposal for moving the initiative forward. I heard phrases such as “tools in the toolbox” and “we need to do everything possible.” What does “everything” really mean. Stuart’s Meier elaborated on Florida’s pre-emption of localities being allowed to require a percentage of units in a new project to be devoted to this population. They can only do so if the government reimbursed the developer the costs of the subsidy.
Both political and economic capital must be spent to accomplish even the smallest progress. Immediately, the county and Stuart could authorize accessory dwelling units as of right in one-family neighborhoods. While that would not solve the problem alone, it could help young people and seniors to find affordable apartments. You can read about such units here
There needs to be federal funds made available to have much of an impact. They can consist of tax credits, Section 8 funding, and other grants that could help make progress toward helping the ALICE population. I ask again…is there the political will in Martin County? Maybe we will find out.
BOCC MEETING JUNE 7, 2022:
Could there be a little light at the end of the tunnel for the people of Trailside and the rest of us in the county regarding the anarchy known as the Pal-Mar Water District. I hope so.
Martin County will once again have a seat at the table on that district’s board which will be Commissioner Jenkins. Palm Beach County has one of the seats for a member of their county commission. The other three seats are for landowners. As one of the largest landowners, Martin County has a lot of votes. The agenda item at this meeting was to transfer a 25% interest in one of the lots to Assistant County Administrator George Stokus.
Stokus will then be eligible to become a board member of Pal-Mar if elected. The deed will only be in effect if he remains a county employee. This is something Martin County has done in the past. Stokus would stand in for the people of Martin County that have invested millions to own land in Pal-Mar to preserve it and not as is happening currently having that land destroyed.
How much damage that has been done to this ecological sensitive property is hard to know at present. This is due to what has happened by those that believe they have the right to kill every animal, drive pick-ups, and four wheelers anywhere they want. As a by-product they indiscriminately shoot thousands of rounds into the Trailside subdivision. This should have never happened, and I hope our commission won’t let it happen again.
The motion was made by Jenkins and seconded by Heard. It passed 5-0.
Patti Page had a best-selling record when I was a child entitled “Doggie In The Window.” For most city kids their exposure to puppies were through the windows of pet stores. In the song as well as the window, we were told to look for the animal with the waggly tail. Though my family never had a dog when I was young and only briefly as I became older, I always looked through the window and smiled.
Little did I understand how much those cute little animals’ lives were not what I thought. In recent years, many counties and towns have outlawed the sale of dogs and cats through pet stores. If you want a pure bred, then you should go to a reputable breeder that can give you papers proving the dog’s heritage. You are paying thousands of dollars for that pet, and you want to make sure it is as healthy as possible.
Martin County is the last place on the Treasure Coast that pet stores are allowed to sell dogs, cats, and rabbits. Two such stores opened in the past year prompting the county to do something. It also must institute the ordinance prior to July 1st in order not to trigger a new pre-emption from the state allowing businesses to demand compensation if a new ordinance affects them.
At the last Animal Care & Control Board meeting (full disclosure my wife is a member) they recommended that the commission out law the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits and allow the existing stores one year to come into compliance. The timeline of a year was debated by the members with some wanting six-months. The stores would be able to facilitate adoptions of animals by aligning with recue groups but could not make any money off the adoption.
The county working closely with Stuart, where the two stores are located, and other municipalities will have the ordinance be county wide with municipalities opting out if they desire. All animal control is handled by the sheriff. Making enforcement of this ordinance their responsibility.
Ciampi thought the year was too long so his motion to accept was for 6 months and included unannounced inspections of the entire stores by animal control. The motion was seconded by Heard and passed 5-0.
Speaking of animals…there was also a chance to bring backyard chickens to outside rural Martin County. No fear the idea was not well received except by Ciampi so went nowhere.
The commission also approved having the distance from a school that a sex offender can live being increased from 1000 feet to 2500 feet. The measurement will be a straight line from house to school. If they presently live between 1000 and 2500 feet those offenders will be grandfathered. However, if they seek a new residence, they must be 2500 feet.
Landlords are now responsible for running a background check on tenants to make sure a sex offender is not living within the statute’s prescribed distances. If the offender is registering with the sheriff’s office as they are supposed to do why is the owner of a property responsible to make sure that the offender is obeying the law?
The motion passed 5-0.
TRAILSIDE A SPECIAL REPORT
TRAILSIDE & COUNTY MAY 27, 2022:
This was going to be the meeting where the residents of Trailside received some answers about their ongoing problems with the Pal-Mar shooters. I have named these miscreants as the “Hole in the Wall” gang of Martin County.
If nothing else, Martin County administration is taking this seriously. The incoming County Administrator, Don Donaldson, ran the meeting. John Maehl, the Ecosystem Restoration and Management Manager, was there. So was County Attorney Sarah Woods. The district commissioner, Harold Jenkins, was away but he sent his executive aide, Colleen Pachowicz.
The wheels of government are slow. To correct what is going on in Pal-Mar will take a while to accomplish. The county is working methodically, and for those who live in Trailside, it will never be fast enough.
It seems the county will be code enforcing the worst and most easy to prove offenders first…those who are clearly in violation such as constructing buildings. One of the reasons that it takes so long is that there isn’t a plat system but rather everything is by metes and bounds. To legally go after the owner, a survey must be done to make sure they are enforcing at the right “address.” This is going to take up to a year to go before the magistrate for a hearing and receive a judgement. A year of living in Trailside with thousands of rounds being fired in your direction is an interminable time.
For the past few years, the county has not had a seat on the Pal-Mar board because of a taxing dispute. That hopefully has been resolved. With the Martin County seat back and then another seat because of the vast acreage that is owned by the county, more order can be introduced to the lawless area. A little hope at least.
Martin County should also be bidding at every tax sale. It doesn’t matter that there are private individuals bidding outrageous sums. The county’s goal is to stop the degradation of environmentally sensitive lands. Isn’t it cheaper than having staff spend thousands of hours this way?
Perhaps an examination of the business practices that allow the breakup of these lots by the state is in order. Representative Snyder and Senator Harrell need to bring the case to FDLE and Governor DeSantis’ administration
While slow, at least the county has a plan to tackle this problem. Who apparently has no plan is the sheriff. It is being treated as “no big deal and nothing we can do.” While Martin County sent their deciders to this meeting, there was no such person representing the sheriff’s department.
Depositphotos
Sheriff Snyder was not there, nor his Chief Deputy, John Budensiek. Nor was any major, captain, lieutenant or even sergeant. There was a lone deputy that is one of those who patrol out there when called.
Usually if there is a situation where there is increased crime in a neighborhood, law enforcement responds by increasing patrols where it is occurring. Someone stealing valuables in cars or even breaking into people’s homes during the day when the homes are unoccupied to take jewelry and electronics is bad. Isn’t someone shooting hundreds of rounds indiscriminately in your direction worse? The one thing both Martin County staff and Trailside residents could all agree with was that if the shooting could be curtailed, the condition of Pal-Mar would immediately improve.
With helicopters, drones, more deputies, and other technology, this problem would be infinitely better. When are the Trailside residents going to receive the same law enforcement protection as the Palm City residents have received against the pillowcase bandits? In both cases, those committing the acts are overwhelmingly from outside the area. The differences are one group is stealing valuables and the other shooting at people.
By Kyla Shay
Trailside HOA President
Pal-Mar – Another Week to Endure
This past Memorial Day weekend was again a long weekend to survive.
Saturday’s shooting was extremely close to Trailside’s boundary. Without backstops, we never know when one of our buildings, animals or ourselves may be shot. We have no idea which direction the shots are headed in. With the previous building damage, the large amount of expended bullets littering our bridle path and (adjoining) south canal, we have cause to be extremely concerned.
We have asked the Sheriff’s Department for assistance many times. We call 911. Most likely we will not have a response from a deputy to even take a report. We log our calls. When we question the Sheriff’s Department, we are told “if a deputy doesn’t respond to your address for a report, file a complaint” or, “are you stating you want a deputy to respond?” Calling 911 and asking for a deputy as the shooting is close by and we don’t feel safe, means a deputy should respond. This is one reason why the 911 system was created!
Emails to the Sheriff go unanswered. When we asked for a meeting with Martin County Staff and Sheriff Snyder, a deputy was sent in the sheriff’s place. It is not the deputy’s fault he was sent, but where is the sheriff? Our concerns are obviously not his priority.
A few weeks ago, I was told to expect a telephone call from Sheriff Snyder. It’s been three weeks now. My telephone has not rung with a call from Sheriff Snyder. Trailside’s opinion is the Martin County Sheriff’s Department won’t do much, or anything, to help us until someone is seriously injured or killed and maybe not even then. Our opinion has not changed from our two fruitless meetings with Martin County staff and the sheriff’s department.
Certain structures of the Pal-Mar Water Management District are being used as elevated shooting towers and to also view racetracks for ATV’s, “side-by-sides,” and trucks. In the last two weeks, a friend of a Pal-Mar lot owner took his dune buggy out to Pal-Mar. It sunk to its axles in the sand of the ditch. Eventually, it was dug out. What damage was done to the district’s property?
Is anyone from the Pal-Mar Water District honoring their responsibilities? Do they even care about damage to their ditches and easement? Trailside HOA would like a copy of Pal-Mar Water Management District’s liability policy. The district themselves are courting danger and liability by allowing activities on their property which are endangering Trailside lot owners and causing property damage within our borders.
Shots fired can cause a horse to bolt, startle or throw their rider. Would YOU ride a horse under these conditions? Shots entering our borders have caused property damage. Every day when we hear the shooting, we wonder if today will be the day one of us is shot and perhaps killed. The district’s stance on ignoring their own responsibilities and liabilities makes the entire district, including top management, complicit for the damage being caused.
Last week, persons within Pal-Mar shot into prepared, activated Tannerite®. It causes a loud percussion, a shock wave. For those who are not aware of the Tannerite reaction when a bullet is shot into it, think…bomb. The sound is extremely loud. The ground shakes all around.
Here are a couple of short YouTube videos so you can better grasp the situation
We have horses and cattle. The recent explosions caused the animals to startle and bolt within their pastures. Several horses ran into fences. The cows actually ran through a couple of fences into adjacent pastures. Why is this being allowed within Pal-Mar?
THIS IS NOT A GAME. This is not fun for us. Is it even legal to discharge Tannerite outside of a designated detonation area? It seems the lot owners/guests/invitees of Pal-Mar are deliberately being disruptive and dangerous to Trailside residents and our animals.
Further, FWC is responsible, and accountable, for allowing persons into Pal-Mar. Are they monitoring that only legal lot owners are utilizing the property and the access road? In the past, lot owners had to have a key to let themselves in. Now the gate is open. Anyone can enter with impunity. I have left five messages for FWC Management in our area. I have yet to get a return telephone call. Emails also go unanswered. And I have logged all my calls and e-mails.
We have met with Martin County Staff. They are working on this multi-faceted problem. However, will it be fast enough to save our lives? The wheels of the legal process move very slowly at any governmental level.
Trailside lot owners who are here legally have serious concerns. We are concerned about our health and safety. We too pay our taxes to Martin County. A county which has a responsibility to “protect and serve,” to ensure we are treated equally and fairly with a right to our safety and security.
Kyla Shay’s opinions are her own and may not reflect Friends & Neighbors viewpoint.
Martin County’s Own “Hole In The Wall”
The legislature passed a bill that the governor signed into law which increases the penalties for those convicted of committing a burglary outside their home county. It was sponsored by our own Representative John Snyder in reaction to criminals coming to Martin County from down south. The famous “pillowcase” bandits.
I don’t know if it will stop the thefts, but if they are caught by Sheriff Snyder (John’s dad) and his deputies and convicted, then they will stay behind bars a little longer. It probably will be beneficial for us, so I am for it. And if there is one thing the sheriff has been, it is insistent that those coming from Miami/Dade or Broward pay the price of invading Martin County and committing mayhem even of the non-violent kind.
The sheriff even has what is known as the “Tact Team” to arrest those from other places accused of crimes here. Again, I believe a good use of taxpayer dollars to protect the citizens of Martin County. That is why we spend millions of dollars on law enforcement each year so that we can feel safe.
Now imagine out-of-county criminals breaking the law in another way. They come to Martin County every week from down south. Instead of breaking into someone’s home and burglarizing it, they threaten residents by indiscriminately shooting thousands of rounds which penetrate people’s fields, yards, barns, and homes. So far, no wounds or deaths but it is only a matter of time. This is what the homeowners of Trailside must deal with.
Trailside is an old equestrian community just north of Martin County’s very own “hole in the wall,” known as Pal-Mar. The original “hole in the wall” is in northern Johnson County in Wyoming. During the late 19th and early 20th century it was where Butch Cassidy and his gang and other criminals held up between hold ups. Lawmen seldom ventured through the pass much as Martin County deputies seldom venture to catch the lawbreakers of Pal-Mar.
The sheriff’s department response to the residents of Trailside is that they cannot do anything about this mayhem. They cite a lack of a statute to stop this craziness. Local governments have been pre-empted from any regulation of firearms.
Whoever thought that supposedly law-abiding Martin County would have its own lawless enclave filled with Dade and Broward residents able to do anything they want with impunity. The “bandits” destroy the homeowners of Trailside’s peace and their ability to be safe in their homes. Pal-Mar with thousands of acres of biological and ecological sensitive lands has become the home to destruction. Martin County supposedly the home of staunch environmentalist is ignoring the destruction of Florida wetlands.
The department has told the Trailside residents that they can’t know who is firing the indiscriminate shots. The perpetrators of this free-for-all are people that have decided not only to disregard common sense gun safety but also destroy the wetlands of Pal-Mar with their vehicles and four wheelers. They are building cabins on their ¼ acre tracts without permits (no permits are permitted under zoning) and moving dirt even though that isn’t allowed.
The sheriff is a very religious man. He often talks about his faith and even when he presented to the commission about allocating funds for body cameras, he spoke about how he prayed before making his decision. Perhaps he should pray about his decision to do nothing for his constituents at Trailside. If the indiscriminate shooting continues by those from out of county, Snyder may be praying at a resident’s funeral.
(As Published in Martin County Moment)
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STUART CITY COMMISSION MAY 23, 2022
My favorite discussion item was back…traffic on Palm City Road.
What nobody wants to admit is that Palm City Road is not a local neighborhood road. It is a vital artery connecting Port St. Lucie, Palm City, and places north through the city. Most of the traffic on Palm City Road is because of development outside of Stuart.
Since I have been watching this for more than the past decade, I have seen stop signs, speed bumps, speed humps, tables, flashing lights, and I cannot remember what else to slow and control traffic flow. The city lowered the speed limit to 25 miles per hour. It is a speed that is not only hard for a driver to maintain but seldom are drivers doing so.
The newest iteration of control was supposedly going to be a four-way stop at Manor Drive. Staff stated that because of a raised cross walk installed a couple of years ago right before the intersection, the stop sign could be dangerous. They suggested putting a four way stop at Indian Groves. McDonald moved for that and for removal of the raised cross walk and then installation of a four way stop at Manor. He wanted to tie it in with having the money appropriated at budget time. It died for lack of a second.
Stop signs are not meant for traffic control. Dazzling lights at crosswalks to alert motorists are not traffic control. All of this is not traffic control. Like McDonald, Meier, and Matheson, I live off Palm City Road. I am on that road several times each day. Sometimes, it takes a very long time to be able to turn onto the Palm City Road from a side street. I understand people’s frustrations.
The only way to make Palm City Road more neighborhood friendly is to have a complete street program. Landscaping, roundabouts, and a road diet will reduce speed. Once again, removing speed bumps and then trying something else only is a waste of taxpayer dollars.
Perhaps because there was no second to the motion and as Bruner said she was tired of spending taxpayer dollars on one scheme after another, the commission may be getting it. Enforcement for speeding is a deterrent. The city manager and the commission need to get the police to buy in to that premise.
Do you wonder sometimes why developers make their own lives hard? I know I do. The Atlantic Marina project was perfect. It had all the elements of success.
Commissioners and the public loved it. There was just one thing that would have prevented its passage and that was the addition of an 83-foot tower being added masquerading as an art piece. I know the developer was told by commissioners they would not approve the tower. Then why stubbornly keep it in the proposal?
Hubris or ego come to mind. I thought the point was to get something approved. The tower was not central to the project. By cutting it out, nothing was lost.
When after a long presentation by the director of development, the applicant then began his presentation. For some odd reason instead of leading with the good news the tower was not included, the applicant waited until halfway in his presentation to do just that. I just wish the developer would have done it prior to the meeting so that the people who came just to speak against that one thing could have saved a trip.
The motion to approve without the tower was made by Clarke and seconded by Bruner. It passed 5-0. The presentations can be found here
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SCHOOL BOARD BUDGET MEETING MAY 31, 2022:
The board continues to meet with District CFO Carter Morrison to iron out the new budget.
As of now, there will be a slight rate increase in taxes mandated by Tallahassee. Any other increase is due to assessed values rising. The increase will be less than $50 for most taxpayers.
Many taxpayers do not realize how much of the budget, curriculum, and other decisions including things like who is eligible for bussing is decided by the Department of Education in Tallahassee. Those who believe they can become school board members and change much about the policies are going to be disappointed.
The district projects 18,982 students including 1538 enrolled in charters. Remember that these are projections and true figures will not be known until after school starts.
The budget for a school district is not easy to get a handle on. It is composed of many different funding sources. Year 2021/22 was over $404 million including federal payments. Much of that is dictated by programs where the district acts as a pass-through agent and it is significant.
There are the meal programs, administration, and a variety of other things that are not part of any money that goes into the classroom. Until the final budget is passed and after adjustments are made, the numbers are fluid. The district believes it will be $147 million that will be spent in district-controlled classrooms for 2022/23.
The presentations that were part of the agenda package is here
SCHOOL BOARD WORKSHOP JUNE 7, 2022
This is the type of meeting where Li Roberts shines.
Numbers…Numbers…Numbers! Roberts sometimes went so fast that it was hard for me to keep up. One thing is certain…there is money coming in from the additional millage that was approved four years ago. My question is what will happen when it goes away or will it ever?
The half mill for next year is about $13.6 million. Most of it will go to salaries but also toward security personnel including a new category of employee known as a security officer. The security officer will not be sworn law enforcement or be armed. The officer’s job will be to man the front door and greet visitors. He/she will also look at the school cameras and alert the SRO to possible trouble. The cost to add one person in each school is over a million dollars in total.
There are more psychologists and other mental health professionals slated as well as stipends for teachers who coach and mentor student clubs. However, the bulk of the money goes to every teacher and other employees for a total of about $11 million.
While I am in favor of pouring the money into the classroom, that security piece takes several million dollars. No school board member wants to look at a parent or another member of the community if something goes wrong and say we should have put more money into guarding the children.
With the placing of new security officers, are our children going to be any safer? It has not proven out that SROs have stopped mass shootings anywhere. We continue to militarize schools and education. It seems no one is willing to analyze whether more money for security will make the schools safer.
Will the voters renew the half mil? I don’t know. At this point, I have not decided how I will vote. Two things ought to be considered. The board has spent the money as they said they would, and since the new referendum’s language gives the board the discretion to collect less than the ½ mill, will they keep the millage at .45 mills. That means as circumstances change the percentage could be lower but never above ½ a mill.
You can find all the information including how teacher’s pay stacks up with St Lucie County here
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SEWALL’S POINT COMMISSION MEETING MAY 24, 2022
At the end of the meeting, I heard from the dais in a passing comment that the purchase of the property at 78 South Sewall’s Point Road had fallen through.
The reason was not given. Was the price offered too low? Was the price offered the result of an appraisal? Did it take too long to come to fruition? Did the seller just change her mind? And, of course, now what are the alternative plans to provide adequate drainage for the roadway?
There needs to be answers to these questions. We all know that dealing with government is almost impossible. For most of us, including commissioners who are accustomed to making decisions and plowing ahead, we become frustrated by the process. In this case, there were other governmental entities involved that would fund the purchase which made time almost stand still. All that needs to be examined.
The commission finally had the new comp plan back with the comments from DEO and other reviewing agencies. It appeared that DEO wanted to have included a more thorough water supply explanation even though the town purchases their water from Martin County. Easy enough to comply with that requirement.
There was a question about how much waste is generated. Again, easy enough to do even though Martin County picks up the town’s waste. There were a few other suggestions, but they were not requirements. The board will vote on the final plan at the June meeting.
Lastly, the commission took the contract for the new city manager that the attorney had drawn up based on the commission’s previous discussion. Mayfield continues to believe that the salary of $110,000 is too low. After discussion, it was decided that the attorney has some flexibility in the negotiations. Mayor Tompeck believes that a performance plan should be part of the contract so that some sort of “bonus” structure can be part of the deal. The other commissioners thought it made sense. The vote was 4-0 with Campo absent.
COMMISSION MEETING JUNE 2, 2022:
June 1st and 2nd was supposed to culminate with the commission selecting a new town manager. It did not turn out that way.
There were four finalists who the commission had selected for in-person interviews. One withdrew yesterday and two other candidates withdrew after their meetings with commissioners today. Lynn Ladner was the remaining candidate to hang in there.
Campo asked whether the interim manager would stay, and the answer was yes. Apparently, no one was bowled over with Ladner because it was obvious, she was not even mentioned for selection. Fender did not want to go back to the list of candidates who did not make the final cut. He felt that they were already weeded out. He was looking for a new pool to select from.
Mayfield liked the search process that they had and was a bit confused about whether another fee would be charged. It would not.
Campo wanted the recruiter to have a debrief session with the candidates who withdrew. He said the town was a special place. I don’t know if I buy the latter, but he is right in wanting to know why candidates backed out. Maybe they will be honest and tell the real reasons.
I wonder if it could be the money. Though the commission was upfront and adamant that the salary was a firm number, was it the right number. However, it would be unusual for candidates to think they could not negotiate upward. When they saw they could not, perhaps they decided to pass on the job. I don’t know whether it is a reason or not, but it is something to investigate.
These things take time. It is not unusual for a search for a position like this to take 6 months or more. With Hudson in the interim role, the commission can afford a little time to find the right town manager.
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COUNCIL MEETING MAY 26, 2022
A public comment delivered in the form of an email was read. In it, the writer stated that the village has moved away from the government lite approach that was promised by the incorporators. There is no doubt about that.
The elected council is in the big government camp. It has been the same five council members since incorporation. Together, they hired someone as their village manager that is carrying out the big government vision of the council. Everything points to a continuation, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see another doubling of the village’s employees to 70 or more in the next three years.
The ones who were elected to the council were not those who were instrumental in incorporating the village. The incorporators ceased to matter when the voters chose the current council. Susan Gibbs-Thomas could have been a government lite member, but she is constantly a lone voice in that direction.
That belief in small government has been left for dead. The only question is whether, at some point, the village goes whole hog and has its own police and fire departments. For most other village departments, the belief is bigger is better. Big government also means big flash and subsidization of costs by their fairy godmother, FPL. Which brings us to the new village complex.
Conceptional plans were rolled out at the meeting. The administration building, along with the community building, will be over 39,000 square feet. A water park is also being considered located between the two buildings, but no price was given for it. Also contemplated is a fire/rescue station, police station, and aquatics center in the future.
There could be a third floor for the administration building for future growth adding an additional 10,000 square feet. The cost of the two buildings currently planned would be $15.3 to $18.7 million and if the third floor is added, $3.8 million more. While building costs now range from $300 to $475 per square foot, the architect consultant believes it will be brought in at $375 per square foot. It takes 33 months from council approval to completion using the consultant’s timeline.
This is not government lite. I would suspect that the council will approve the plan and add a considerable amount of debt to the village. There will be some talk about grants paying for some of it.
Is this project necessary? Depending on who you ask, village government is growing at a speedy pace. Is this what was intended when people voted to incorporate? Is it time to have a vote to see whether the citizens want to go into further debt? There was some rationale for the water and sewer plant. The numbers that were given to repair the facility were proven incorrect. To bring the waterworks up to speed will cost many millions. Now many more millions are being thought about for a new city hall and gym.
This should go to the voters to decide. They can overwhelmingly support this or reject it. It is too big to entrust to the council. Let’s see if there is a mandate to appropriate this money and continue with big government or look at government medium as an alternative. Lite is past coming back.
You can see the presentation here
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The next meeting will be June 13, 2022.
COMMISSION MEETING OF JUNE 1, 2022:
The first item the commission discussed was their Errors & Omissions Policy. Currently, they have $5 million defense and settlement coverage with a $25,000 deductible. The commission is really worried about Bert Harris claims due to pending litigation and the likelihood of future litigation. The agent will come back with further alternatives.
The Board is closer to deciding about dock lighting and golf carts. For the past few months, the commission has discussed what should and should not be allowed. The question to be decided for dock lighting is whether there should be a time frame to come into compliance. At some point, everyone’s dock lights will need to be replaced due to corrosion by the elements. Should that be the time that the lights come into compliance or sooner? As to golf carts, the commission wants to keep the driving age at 14. Both will go out to the residents for comments. They are attached here
The preliminary budget is attached. There is an increase of about $900,000. It appears much of that goes for payroll. The budget also includes $800,000 of expense for electric undergrounding that will be paid off in 2027. Once that is done, there should be enough to stop using reserves in the budget. According to staff, the reserve accounts currently have more than the town needs. That is why they have been using it to fund operations in the past few years. You can find the budget presentation here
In The Spotlight
by Jackie Holfelder
Exciting Times at Dunbar Early Learning Center
We were happy to hear about the great things happening at Dunbar Early Learning Center, thanks to Nicala Tyo, the Director of Programs.
Here’s what she shared with us:
“Dunbar Early Learning Center, located in Hobe Sound, is bustling with excitement! The center is filled with children aged six weeks through pre-K. Dunbar’s mission is to help them transcend trauma through a transformative teaching process which equips every child with a love of learning and the social and emotional compass to be resilient. Much has gone into making Dunbar a premier educational organization and their facility depends on fundraising, so that students attend for free.
“A very successful gala that was held in February, 2022, raised $200,000; additionally, $500,000 of ARPA funding was secured, with a $25,000 match from Commissioner Jenkins. This funding will provide updates, that mitigate the spread of germs and illness.
Photo provided (Front) Avril Zamparo, (middle) Charles Modica, Nicala Tyo, Wendy Reynoso, Sally Zunino, Borden Walker, Lisa Modica, Joe Namath, Brookes Thomas and (rear) Joseph Blaney
“Joe Namath and The Joe Namath Foundation presented Dunbar with another $25,000 after he learned about the impressive work being done here.
“Dunbar has also received grants from the Early Learning Coalition and private funders, allowing it to provide top-notch care for families in the community.
For more information, contact Nicala Tyo, Director of Programs at ntyo@dunbarchildcare.org.
Kudos to Christopher Carnes
Christopher Carnes, a recent graduate of South Fork High School, was the winner of a prestigious Pathfinder Scholarship Award, which is presented by the Palm Beach Post. He received third place honors in the Community Involvement category.
Although he’s still a teenager, Christopher has been a committed and dedicated volunteer in Martin County for years. He was a youthful student of Visionary School of Arts (VSOA) and now is a respected teacher at the 501(c)(3). Many of the paintings he has created for VSOA have been auctioned off or sold to benefit local nonprofits.
Photo provided Christopher Carnes
He has won awards from MartinArts, Audubon of Martin County, the Martin County Fair, and the Stuart/Martin County Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Home, Garden & Orchid Show.
Christopher is also president of Students4H20, promoting its Plastic Bag Initiative and organizing its annual WaterFest event.
Congratulations on this impressive award, Christopher.
Congratulations to Lisa Baxter!
Photo provided Lisa Baxter
One of the nicest people on the Treasure Coast has an exciting new job. Lisa Baxter, who was a member of the sales department of WQCS for a decade, has joined Volunteers in Medicine as Community and Donor Relations Manager.
Lisa’s warm personality and impeccable work ethic are sure to be a great fit at the nonprofit, the mission of which is to serve residents of Martin County with household incomes are under 200-percent of the federal poverty level and have no other access to health care.
Congratulations Lisa!
From Stuart, Florida to South Sudan, With Love
When I came across a Facebook post by my friend Sue Whittington about this very important Rotary project, I needed to know more.
Sue is a very active member of Stuart Sunrise Rotary (among about 500 other Martin County nonprofits!) and she graciously shared this article she had written about this important undertaking.
In the interest of full disclosure, I’ve edited it a little bit for length, but the words are Sue’s.
“It all started with the book “A Long Walk to Water.” Author Linda Sue Park brought to life the story of Salva Dut, a Rotarian and one of the Lost Boys of Sudan. The book was on the reading list in the Martin County School District and attracted the attention of Adriana Mancini, founder and president of Students4H2O.
“Mancini, now 23, has been a philanthropist and activist for all things environmental, especially water, since age 10. She started Students4H2O to ‘enhance education, stewardship and citizenship for all students in our community.’ The group is founded on the belief that every individual matters, and a sustainable community will lead to a sustainable planet by following the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“Goal #6: Clean Water and Sanitation, is a particular focus for Sutdents4H2O. Mancini educated her students and their families about the story of Salva Dut.
“Dut has dedicated his adult life to helping provide clean water in his home country of South Sudan so that young girls could go to school instead of walking all day to get clean water for their families. Since inception, Water for South Sudan (WFSS) has drilled more than 500 wells, and two of those wells are a direct result of Mancini’s inspiration and efforts.
“She created and launched a fundraising effort across schools in the Martin County School District in the fall of 2019. The global pandemic caused the cancellation of the concluding event – a personal appearance by Salva Dut at the local historic theatre – but didn’t stop the success of the campaign. A new well costs $15,000 to drill and students4H2O raised more than $20,000 that provided not only a complete new well and repairs, but enhancements to an existing well.
“Mancini wanted to capitalize on Salva Dut’s Rotary ties. Sue Whittington, longtime member of the Rotary Club of Stuart-Sunrise, is a Students4H2O board member. Mancini and Whittington discussed how Rotary could be involved and within three months, the 30-member club had exceeded its goal of raising more than $15,000 to build a new well.
“Stuart-Sunrise Rotary Club members Rocco Fiore and Tom Whittington approached the club’s Foundation board for a $5,000 match; then ignited club members and community friends with the story behind Water for South Sudan and Students4H2O. The donations started flowing, made in honor of Adriana’s birthday and people who had never engaged with the club before were writing checks.
Photo provided Celebrating the well in Sudan provided by Stuart Sunrise Rotary Club, Students 4H20 and Clark Advanced Center
“Students4H2O works with the City of Stuart to host WaterFest each spring, where schools and organizations have booths dedicated to environmentally responsible activities that anyone can do to help improve water quality. In 2022, Elissa Rowley, Development and Communications Coordinator for the Water For South Sudan, travelled from Rochester, New York to spend a day visiting select schools and to attend Water Fest as part of the Students4H2O booth. One of the schools she visited was Clark Advanced Learning Center, which has a Rotaract Club sponsored by the Rotary Club of Stuart-Sunrise.
“The model of Students4H2O created by Mancini was a perfect partnership for the Rotary Club of Stuart-Sunrise, one that attracted the attention of a global humanitarian organization like Water For South Sudan. We hope this is just the beginning of students working with Rotarians to create meaningful, lasting global change.”
Jackie is always looking for a good story…you may reach her at: jackieacolumn@gmail.com
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GOVERNOR VETOES WASTEFUL APPROPRIATIONS
Governor DeSantis has vetoed $3.1 billion of the $109 billion budget passed by the legislature. Most of what the governor did veto should have been vetoed.
As a fiscal conservative, I completely agree with the action the governor took. Too bad he couldn’t just have said the reason he took his pen and scratched off those appropriations was because he has the taxpayers’ interest and their backs. That would have been enough said.
The Tampa Bay Rays wanted $35 million for a new training center. Why the state should pay for any benefit to a private business is wrong in my book. A veto is a no brainer as far as I am concerned. By inserting a political reason, DeSantis negated the conservative one.
The Tampa Bay Rays spoke out against gun violence and donated to a charity. The club has a perfect right to do so. By inserting that he vetoed the bill because they used their rights under the First Amendment, the governor looks like an authoritarian dictator instead of a fiscal conservative.
DeSantis implies if the Rays had spoken out taking the governor’s preferred position, then they would have received the state money. This is more in line with the crony capitalism of Putin than America. Friends of the powerful get billions of state money and enemies get none. Is this the way we want officials to give out our tax money?
Another thing I noticed at the governor’s “veto party” was the way state legislators stood there and watched their budget be shredded. Again, I am not disputing that the governor shouldn’t have vetoed what he did. But a governor not looking to score supposed cheap political points would have had his legislative affairs staff whispering in legislative ears that he would not support this or that in the budget. In most cases, legislators would not have worked on many of those appropriations.
It was humiliating to the legislators to be reduced to shills and just another cog in DeSantis’ re-election campaign. Edwin Edwards, the very corrupt governor of Louisiana, once said that the only way he could lose was to be found in bed with a dead girl or a live boy. DeSantis is pretty much in the same position. His 2022 re-election is a sure thing.
He is all about a 2024 presidential run. By authoritarian and un-American actions like punishing business for speaking out, he will be driving some potential national voters into the arms of the Democrats. DeSantis just needs to stick to conservative positions and stop the other stuff.
Only Trump can be Trump and we see how that ultimately turned out. Our governor could be the next president if he stops being a bully. Businesses could be his best allies.
Remember when Republicans were the champions of the free market system? Remember when they thought small government was the best government? Remember when the First Amendment’s right to free speech was a bedrock idea of the party? I wish DeSantis would remember it.
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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)
