Category Archives: Martin County

The Razzle-Dazzle of All Aboard Florida

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How do you sell an old tired product? If you are All Aboard Florida, you take an antiquated and money-losing idea and make it seem fresh and alluring. You tell the public that it will bring jobs and tourists. You will proclaim that the product is needed and that it is a demand waiting to be fulfilled. You commission a few bogus studies and send some campaign contributions to the right people. You obfuscate and mystify facts and truth. Your mantra is that you are privately funded at the same time you go to the government and the taxpayers for the capital to modernize your infrastructure. That is in spite of the fact that your company has $64 billion in capitalization. Chutzpa is my way to describe this type of veracity.

I assume that All Aboard Florida thought they would have some opposition to this plan. They believed they could just steam roll over the locals because of their corporate power and connections. With a little public relations effort, they knew that we on the Treasure Coast would fold with the inevitability of their blitzkrieg. Well, it hasn’t happened that way. A grass roots effort was begun and residents didn’t quite see themselves as being powerless against this corporatist onslaught. Most elected leaders for our area at the federal, state and local levels sided with their constituents instead of that very special interest.

This entire idea of the return of passenger rail is shrouded in nostalgia. For that notion reminds the American people of a time that is generations removed from how we actually live today.  It reminds us of a time before interstates and airplanes. A time when autos did not dominate because they were unreliable and the roads did not allow for fast and speedy travel. In effect, a time that ceased with the end of World War II and modern America. To AAF the future is here in an early 19th century mode of transportation.

AAF wants us to believe that we citizens are standing in the way of progress. That it is we who are nostalgic to keep our way of life in spite of all the good things that the train can bring as it speeds at 70 or 100 or 110 miles an hour through our towns. If that is the way that AAF measures progress, then please let us not be part of their modernity. We are not asking that the Treasure Coast remain frozen in time, for change is inevitable. What we are saying is that we do not want to face the future by subsidizing an un-needed passenger rail service because that mode of transportation has not been profitable in almost a century. The costs in our money and way of life cannot be justified.

 

Growth, Population And Sustainability

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Our county and city will be changing. That is a fact. It is not whether changes will occur but how the changes will occur. We can both anticipate and guide the growth or we can allow for unprepared and ill-conceived plans to happen. Some residents will say that growth is unnecessary and if we just say no it won’t transpire, but that is wishful dreaming. That attitude will only lead to things we know we don’t want such as sprawl.

Stuart is, by definition as a city, a place of greater density than other areas of the county. We should encourage development that will increase our population.  Without population increase, the city will not ultimately be sustainable. While business development is important, it brings very little in new taxes directly to city coffers. Few people realize that sales taxes that are collected in the city do not go to Stuart directly but are re-bated by Tallahassee as a percentage of our population. In effect our businesses collect much more in tax than we receive back.

The city’s sustainability is only assured through residential population growth. That is why I believe it is so important to gear our development toward residential use. That may not always be possible, but that should be our goal. While I want to see Stuart maintain its business friendly reputation, I believe that at this stage of our growth we need to aim to increase our population.

Turning toward the county government, I would like to see a continuation of our slow growth policies in the western part of the county. It makes very little sense to encourage sprawl which will only bring increased taxes to pay for services which are outside the Urban Services Boundary. Inside the USB, new residential and commercial development is needed within a sustainable framework. Density should be allowed within the county’s CRA boundaries. Infill development needs to occur to inhibit sprawl outside the USB.

We live in a wonderful place with caring and thoughtful citizens. It is incumbent on all the elected representatives that they make sure that the best interests of the residents are paramount. This will only occur if we plan for the future in a cohesive manner. Nothing happens in a vacuum. One type of project will result in others being developed to compliment and augment what has already happened. Therefore it is important to remember this principle when we approve new projects.

Written For Florida Not All Aboard Website

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As a kid in the mid-to late-1950’s, I vaguely remember taking round trip train
rides from New York to Hollywood, Florida. For the first meal on board, which was
either made by my Florida grandmother or my New York grandmother, the food
was pretty good. Subsequent meals, however, were not. I either slept sitting up
on a bench seat or my head was in the lap of a parent. I couldn’t tell you if it
took one day or three for those journeys.
Travel by rail did revolutionize our country. But, it never was free from
government subsidy. From their very early days, railroads received free land from
state and local governments. In the mid 19th century alone, the total was over
200 million acres. The railroads used that land as collateral to sell bonds to
investors.
Railroads were losing money and going broke from their beginnings, and in the
Panics of 1873 and 1877, many railroad companies became insolvent. The Panic
of 1893 was largely brought about by overbuilding and shaky financing of
railroads. Nearly 25% went bankrupt. This resulted in consolidation of lines into the
hands of a few men like J.P. Morgan and James J Hill. Ultimately, the
government tried to break up these monopolies but only partially succeeded.
In the 20th century, railroads began their long decline because of our interstate
highway system and easily affordable air travel. What I remember as a child
was the last gasp of widely available interstate rail travel. While I am sure some
Americans may think with nostalgia about train travel, like airlines today it was a
way to get from point A to point B. Railroad travel though shrouded in mythical
romance like so much of the American past was never very romantic.
All Aboard Florida is just one more myth. It is one more fantasy which is being
spun out to Floridians and especially to those of us on the Treasure Coast. When
our country was young and we had boundless stretches of unoccupied land,
where the tracks were laid didn’t matter. We are a hundred years past that.
Stuart and Martin County are not places on the 19th century prairie or Florida
Savannah. We are in the 21st century with cars, trucks and planes not horses
and wagons.
When do our governments in Tallahassee and Washington begin to take into
consideration, we, the people, instead of big corporations with the right
connections? The supposed property rights of one hedge fund cannot trump
the rights of 19 million Floridians. Laws that may have been apropos in 19th century America cannot be allowed to be used as an excuse to ruin the lives of
the people of Stuart and Martin County in the 21st century.

Our Indian River Lagoon

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Another summer is fast approaching the Indian River Lagoon. With the humidity of our tropical season will come the rain.  In spite of all the protests, the rallies and the work by so many people, are we any closer to ending the dumping into the rivers than we were last year? On paper and with the politicians’ promises, we are.  But, in actuality, if we have a rainy summer, the same thing will happen again.

The people on the rivers have been complaining for over 80 years about the degradation of our marine and animal life. But somehow the problem persists. There was a funeral for the lagoon on Saturday morning, and we had speakers promising to end the death once again. They say recovery is a slow process and they are right. I can accept the slow return of nature’s life, but when do we stop the causes of her death to allow the rebirth?

Rachel Carson said “The question is whether any civilization can wage relentless war on life without destroying itself, and without losing the right to be called civilized.” The United States is sacrificing so much of its birthright so that a few corporations (with the help of our government officials) can supplant the future for the sake of short sighted financial gain. Man does not have the right to allow greed under the guise of economic development or jobs to destroy our environment.

Our boating, fishing and recreational industry brings many billions of dollars in income and thousands of jobs to our state. Most of us would not be here without the water. We do not have the right to allow its death at our hands. We need to change the people who make the laws if they do not stop her death. Promises of a future time when pristine water will return are no longer enough without meaningful programs being enacted and sufficient funds being allocated.

Planning for the Future

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The Stuart Centennial celebration is upon us. As the Centennial Chair, I am proud of the job that the city staff has done to make next week possible. Planning for this began several years ago under a different commission and city manager. Planning for the future is something that we need to do — not just for something like the centennial — but also for the future of our city.

I am a firm believer in the free market. But the market can only function if government provides the tools needed for its success. Government officials or bureaucrats cannot know whether a hair salon or clothes store should be in a particular location. What government can provide are clear rules and helpful employees to enable the business owner navigate the bureaucracy.

When a person wanting to open a new business seeks the proper licenses and permits, there should be one person he or she can turn to in the bureaucracy to assist in contacting the right departments. In fact, it would be my hope (in most instances) that the city’s economic development director could assemble the different departments needed at one time. This would streamline the process for the business owner tremendously.

It is the government’s responsibility to make sure the water is working, police are patrolling and the roads are taken care of. It is the government’s responsibility through zoning and codes to make sure that our residential neighborhoods are protected. Our citizens have spoken out for a certain quality of life. It is not the bureaucrat’s job to circumvent that by allowing outdoor rooftop bars and music venues, for instance, contravening the residents’ wishes.

We must plan if we want to continue to enjoy living in our city. That doesn’t mean we stop progress and change. We can have both and continue to maintain the good things about living here. I believe in the free market deciding what businesses should be opened. And, it surely does not mean that we have to allow everything a business owner wishes to the detriment of the community as a whole.

Our Passionate Community

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I have been very busy in the past two weeks attending a myriad of meetings, events and forums. You wouldn’t think that a place as small as Martin County could produce so much high drama. But it does. Perhaps it’s because it is an election year for some of the commissioners in each of our elected bodies. But I don’t think so. No, I think it is because so many people who call Martin County home are passionate about the place.

Most of the residents are transplants from somewhere else. We have found our little piece of heaven and want to preserve it. A few are from old Florida families. They grew up in Miami or Broward and know what over-development can do. Even fewer were born in Martin and have never lived anywhere else. But whether you sought this place out or are here by an accident of birth, we all know we have a good place to live.

That is why we disagree and argue about the future of the county and city and community in which we live. Some strive to maintain what we have, and others seek to improve it. That is where the rub comes in and the disagreements happen. Is it an improvement to build a new city in our west? Can we really entice jobs by providing subsidies? Or will an immigration and customs house at the airport be beneficial to us?

Most people on either side of an issue passionately believe that what they are advocating is the correct path for us to take. We should not demonize someone because he or she is on the other side of a particular issue. Our supposed “enemy” today may be our “ally” tomorrow on another issue. Rather, it is important that once the disagreement has been settled, we remember the community comes first.

E-MAIL SENT TO FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION RE FECI

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As a resident of Stuart, Florida, I am writing to state that the proposed “high speed” passenger train service between Miami and Orlando will seriously affect our quality of life on the Treasure Coast without any discernible benefit to us. The tracks bisect our community (as they do many others), and with 32 trains a day, will create a significant challenge for us when going from one side of town to the other.

At the same time, the railroad bridge which crosses the Saint Lucie River in Stuart will need to remain in the up position for most of the day. This will seriously hamper boating which is a key industry to our community and region. Because of this, property values for me and others who are on the “wrong” side of the bridge will lessen causing further erosion to our real estate tax base.

I am a proponent of rail service.  The disruptions I have outlined could be mitigated with a stop in Stuart. This would allow our citizens to take advantage of fast rail service to either Miami or Orlando without the inconvenience of driving to those destinations. With a stop in Stuart, visitors from other parts of Florida and tourists from all over the world could come to Stuart to shop in our stores, dine in our restaurants and take advantage of our beautiful waterfront.

I understand that FECI’s goal is to go from Miami to Orlando in three hours. However, FECI has already acknowledged that the trains must slow down considerably as they pass through Stuart because of the bridge and track configuration. A stop would take an additional 2 to 3 minutes, and they would only need to stop if there were passengers embarking or disembarking from the train.

As a corporate citizen, FECI, should help all our communities not just a few big cities. If they do not voluntarily elect to exercise good citizenship, then it is the government’s responsibility to insure that the vast majority of the citizens are not harmed by the action of any one citizen.

A COUNTY MYSTERY

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Geographically, Stuart is a tiny part of Martin County. But in the minds of most people, it is their name for all of Martin County although it comprises a little over 8 square miles of the county’s 753 square miles. I have been at meetings where people state they live in Stuart, but in reality they live in unincorporated Martin County.  Perhaps this is one of the reasons why there is such animosity toward us from county officials? Instead of working in tandem for the good of all residents, they behave as if Stuart is their competitor.

I have spoken with city commissioners and have been to nearly every commission meeting and workshop in the past year, and they are just as confounded as to why this attitude exists. An example is the latest counter offer proffered by the county to settle the TIF disagreement. (The TIF was explained in some detail in an earlier post.) Suffice it to say the county offer made no sense for two reasons.  First, their offer involved a third party, the gas pipeline company, not a party to the agreement.  And, second, it would cost the county more money than just paying the city what is rightfully owed for no discernable benefit except paying the city less.

There is much that I admire about four of the five present county commissioners. I am a staunch defender of their growth policies and the comp plan amendments. For the most part, I believe that they are truly fiscally conservative. But there is a blind spot when it comes to the City of Stuart. This prejudicial stance is hurting every county resident.

In order for their plan of preserving western Martin County to succeed, it depends on not only preserving the Urban Service Boundary but also on a strong and energetic Stuart. A dynamic city where the residents of Martin and the entire Treasure Coast can come to work, shop and be entertained is to everyone’s benefit. We are not rivals nor is Stuart the bad step child. Working together we can accomplish so much more than expending energy with petty grievances.

 

THOUGHTS ON COLORADO, DEVELOPMENT AND THE SALES TAX

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I was reading my earlier posts, and there is one instance where I really was wrong, and that was the Colorado Avenue upgrade. While I am still not a fan of traffic circles, I think that the narrowing to two lanes, pedestrian crossings and center median have contributed much to the revitalization of the entire street from Federal Highway to Confusion Corner. Now, with the planned addition of public art to the avenue, this will really be a great introduction to downtown.

When the current sales tax initiative was first brought up, I supported a more limited ½ cent for a three- to five-year duration.  I now believe it should be a full cent for ten years. The county and city infrastructure is crumbling before our eyes. Without a prolonged and targetted income stream to address these problems, planning and implementation will not happen. Because of the uncertainty of future funds, only projects for the favored few will be done instead of projects for all of our benefit.  With the right language in the statute, we can make sure that the proceeds won’t be used for another Splash Park.

Here are a few things I did get right. The idea of a Customs and Immigration facility at the “county” airport should be, once and for all time, scrapped. The same oligarchy that is always crying against expansive and expensive government wants to have the tax payers pick up the bill for their convenience. Besides the separation of powers in our constitution which clearly leaves this function to the federal government, we do not need to vote ourselves one more unfunded mandate to pay.

The BDB still needs to be weaned from the taxpayer’s treasury. There is no earthly reason to continue to support an organization that business people themselves won’t support with their own funds. Business will organically develop when they believe that Martin County and its cities have expedited permitting processes, good schools and is a great place to live. The worst thing we can do is subsidize any business entity with the promise of jobs or tax revenue at some future date. It is the same crony capitalism that we deplore in Putin’s Russia.

I will continue to speak out and fight for the maintaining of our county’s Comp Plan. Sprawl happens when we allow the supposed benefit of building for building sake and the “they will come” mentality to overlook sound economic judgment. Within the Urban Service District, Stuart and the other municipalities are where new and repurposed development should be encouraged. At the same time, Martin County and Stuart need to come together in common cause. Stuart is not a step-child that needs the county’s permission to perform as a government. The commissions and their staffs, especially on the county side, need to operate for the good of all residents.

Now that development is heating up, we will once again face challenges to maintain the Martin County way of life and the “Old Florida” ambiance of Stuart. Developers will try to breach the four story height limit through seemingly innocuous means such as roof top entertainment. We need to toughen not only the granting of Special Permits but how often and how many can be given in any one year. Legitimate restaurants and other establishments that operate within the parameters and the spirit of the law should be encouraged. At the same time those that use a mechanism meant to foster one-time events (such as block parties) as their business model should be stopped from ruining an entire neighborhood’s tranquility.

Outdoor music venues need to erect soundproofing barriers around their areas and position their speakers differently to minimize sound being carried beyond the venue’s boundaries. There is no constitutional right to have music blaring to the detriment of others who live nearby. I want to encourage people coming Stuart to enjoy themselves, but there are responsibilities that businesses have to the community as a whole.

I also would like to see in Stuart a mandatory meeting by the Development Office between developer and the neighbors when any new projects come before the city. There are instances where the plan being presented is more advantageous in terms of density, parking and setbacks for the neighborhood than what the developer has “as right” to build.  If both sides are talking to each other there would be less chance that a good plan is misunderstood. A little advanced planning could go a long way to solving problems before the politics take over.

 

 

LETTER TO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

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I believe that the following e-mail sent to the county commissioners expresses my opinions on the sales tax, new passenger trains and proposed customs house:

Dear Commissioner:

There are three issues I would like to address with you.

The first is “All Aboard Florida” owned by FECI a company of the Fortress Group which has real estate worth $62 billion under management presently. In 2002 the group had $2 billion. Obviously, there is much more to their operation than a railroad. FECI’s, Flagler Company describes itself on its web site this way:  Flagler is one of Florida’s oldest and largest full-service commercial real estate companies. The company owns, manages, leases, or has under development more than 7 million square feet of Class-A office and industrial space located in strategic markets throughout the state. Flagler also owns 2,500 acres of Florida land with entitlements in place for in excess of 14 million square feet of development. Additionally, Flagler provides world-class, third-party real estate services including brokerage, property management and asset management to a prestigious roster of corporate, private and institutional clients.With more than a century of experience specifically in Florida, a business model built on the concept of stability and innovation, and an integrated service line, Flagler is the strongest choice for any organization seeking a Florida partner in commercial real estate.

“All Aboard Florida” can be a loss leader for their parent for years in order to further and accomplish what I believe their real goal… real estate development. As Commissioner Scott stated yesterday at a Martin County Chamber event, railroads in this country are almost sovereign. A full scale battle against this behemoth is not winnable in my opinion. It may be much more to our advantage to work with the Coast Guard and our legislative delegates to minimize the impact of the trains and to continue to lobby for a stop in Stuart which is the most logical place on the Treasure Coast.

My second issue is the sales tax. As I stated at Tuesday’s commission meeting, I would like to see a 10-year one cent proposal. It needs to be tightly written so as to make sure that the proceeds are used for the intended uses only. You are right that past commissions used the money for favored projects such as building the outrageous water park.  At first, I supported a three-year limitation but upon further thought, it seems that will not allow enough time or resources to really make a difference to the infrastructure deficit. A shorter span may result in just “favored projects” being planned and completed which will leave most of the public seeing little benefit in voting once again to extend the tax three or five years hence.

Lastly I want to address the Customs facility. I object to us as a county having anything to do with this for multiple reasons. First, no matter how a deal is structured (either with private entities or by using the airport fund), any shortfall for any reason will need to be made up by the county. It is ultimately the responsible party in this instance. Secondly, we have seen time and time again that no matter what assurances we receive from Washington as to how the facility is to be operated and that any local obligations will remain consistent, we all know that the federal government can rewrite the deal obligating us to spend funds for things never contemplated at any time. We may not even be able to close the facility at our discretion.

I don’t believe that we, as a county, should be maintaining and paying for a facility that clearly falls under federal authority. There is no ambiguity as to who will be in charge of enacting and enforcing regulations and laws pertaining to trade and immigration. It is a federal responsibility. For argument sake, even if we agree that it may be beneficial to a few of the county’s residents and businesses, it does not mean that it should be done. It has always amazed me that the biggest proponents for governmental subsidies, quotas and tax breaks are supposed conservative, free-market-oriented wealthy individuals and businesses. The free market is great unless they must operate within its parameters. This is one such instance where we should not allow the favored minority to trump the interest of the majority.