From the April 20th Friends & Neighbors Newsletter. To subscribe to your free subscription send email to thomasfcampenni@gmail.com

SARAH’S TRIAL

Sarah Heard’s trial ended in an acquittal on all charges.

I am of mixed feelings about it. I am happy that she will remain on the Commission. If found guilty, she could have been removed by Governor DeSantis. Though he would have been on stronger ethical grounds than his other removals, I still would have thought that removal was a mistake. Heard was just re-elected even with the charges and trial pending. It is undeniable that the voters had spoken.

More importantly, she was found not guilty. The jurors in the case voted that she had not violated the public records laws as charged. Whether you agree or not with the verdict the matter is now closed. It is time, at least in this instance with Heard, that all of Martin County moves on.

Commissioner Heard is a dedicated elected official. She thoroughly reads the agenda packet and understands the issues. When it comes to watching taxpayer dollars, no other Martin County Commissioner comes close to scrutinizing the bottom line like Heard. I don’t agree with her being consistently against any new projects, but, at times, she brings up points that should be investigated and discussed.

Unfortunately, because of her opposition to almost all new development, she doesn’t have the influence she should. Many development people consider her a “no” vote, so they do not try to change her mind. She might be able to get something of importance to her with these projects if her vote wasn’t so predictable.

For the next 3 plus years, Sarah Heard will be a County Commissioner. She may even be there longer if she runs again and is re-elected. There are no term limits for Commissioners which is something that should be changed. I know she will continue to be a fiscal conservative. I just hope she is more balanced in her outlook on development projects especially in the CRAs and within the USB.