It is very exciting times for the City of Stuart. With the purchase of the old Triangle parcel and the possible building of a new city hall, change is in the air. But whose vision for the city will we be realizing? Is there a consensus of the residents for what is to happen? The present commission and the city manager are envisioning a radically changed downtown landscape. A new city hall, four story parking garage, hotel and convention center are the ideas being discussed. Does the future of Stuart look like Delray? How do we the residents get to decide our fate instead of the select few?

We need to recognize that Stuart is no longer some small town. The proposed city budget for 2014 is approximately $20,000,000.00. There are 17,285 full time residents with an increased population of 21,000 in season. Which means the per capita budget number is approximately is $1000 per person. That $1000 does not include the county or school board per capita costs. The city has 275 employees or one for every 70 residents. So city residents pay a premium to live in Stuart.

Sleepy little Stuart has and is continuing to grow and become more and more something different from its past. That is a good thing not something to be feared or dreaded but to be embraced and celebrated. The future of the city demands that we plan for growth. But do we allow the growth to occur with the ideas of a few or do we, as citizens and taxpayers, decide Stuart’s path.

We with all of Martin County elected and changed the county commission last year to reflect our desire to live differently than the rest of South Florida.  Martin County now has a smart growth majority commission which is dedicated to preserving the character of the county. It now is time for the voters of the city to do the same. Either we through whom we elect to the city commission decide the fate of Stuart or the developers, their minions and the connected few will.  Do we want a Stuart to reflect our values and vision or will we passively allow others to decide our fate?