Category Archives: Our Future

THE CUSTOMER IS NEVER RIGHT

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When I was in Ireland recently, I received an email from my credit card company stating that my card had been frozen due to the hacking of a merchant that had my card information in its database.

It wasn’t anything I had done, nor did it matter that I was overseas and had notified my credit card company prior to leaving. Here I was with an email that informed me to contact the card company by phone immediately. I called the credit card company at the 800 number and was immediately re-routed to India. I had to have a text message sent to my cell phone in order to verify my identity by use of a special pin. “Zeke,” my representative, asked the usual…last 4 digits of my social, security questions and the card’s number with its 3-number verification code. I was told that a new card would be sent to me immediately and that my card had been cancelled.

They wouldn’t tell me which merchant had been hacked or if any other information was compromised. I tried to explain that I was away from home without a method of payment. I did have an American Express card, but it isn’t as widely used in Europe. All my pleas were to no avail. Luckily, my wife’s card on the account had not been cancelled.

A few days after I returned, a new card came in the mail, and I was left with the task of changing the many automatic payments that are charged each month to the new card. I immediately applied for another card with a different issuer to have as a backup. A supposed economic catastrophe averted.

This morning, I received a dreaded text from the same card issuer while I was sitting in my son’s kitchen in New York enjoying a cup of coffee.  The text informed me that my card had been placed on hold. The culprit this time was Facebook that had charged for ads that I had indeed authorized.

I immediately called the number provided with the secret code that identified me. My friend in India, “Adam” this time, elicited once again my last 4 social security digits, security questions, the card’s number and verification code. Adam asked me my name, and I told him my first and last, but I neglected to give him my middle initial. A full-scale alert was averted when I knew that middle initial upon further questioning to make sure that I was actually me.

This time I was able to prevent my card from being cancelled once I verified all. He insisted on running through my other information including a home phone number. When I told Adam I no longer had one, there was another moment of panic before he accepted that fact and removed the number.

Later, I signed on to Facebook to verify the ads were paid. Facebook was not about to rerun the charge through the old credit card. I had to provide a new credit card which I had from the new issuer. It immediately went through. About an hour later I went to place another ad but couldn’t because…does it matter?

The Facebook dilemma will be solved. Because what I boost on Facebook is of a “political nature,” all must be approved by their censors. I understand that. I could be a Russian bot!

It just seems to me with credit cards, banks, Facebook, and every other large institution we deal with, being the customer doesn’t mean much. Algorithms, secret formulas, and the hard and fast rules that must be followed by the misnamed customer service reps, are more important. The adage that the customer is always right is no longer valid. Isn’t that a shame?

 

When Are We Old Enough?

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I am a libertarian.

My philosophical bent leads me to the belief that government should stay out of our lives as much as possible. As an adult, if I want to take drugs that should be my affair. The same goes for drinking alcohol or the smoking of any product. As long as I am not hurting any other individual, I should be free to do as I please.

Society does have an obligation to make sure that children are protected, and I agree with that limitation. But when does a child stop being a child? What is the age when a person is old enough to decide to poison himself?

I grew up in New York. At that time, you could legally drink at 18, and there was no age restriction on the purchase of cigarettes. Like many other kids, I did both those things years prior to leaving high school. To place things in an historical perspective, at that time, 50% of the population smoked instead of the current 15%.  People smoked everywhere, including during congressional hearings and we even did so during college classes.

More people drank to excess since the laws regarding drunk driving were seldom enforced, and it took a much higher blood alcohol content to be considered impaired. It was more socially acceptable to a greater segment of the population than now. Society has changed.

Raising the age to legally purchase products does prevent young people from using those products; 80% of lifelong smokers begin before the age of 18. Studies have proven that drinking has a different effect on teenagers than on older adults. Does that mean the state should prevent the use of tobacco and liquor to promote a healthier state? We have tried that prohibition with illicit drugs and alcohol a century ago without much success.

Is it the government’s responsibility to prohibit self-destructive behaviors? If so, America should have many more gun control restrictions than it currently has. The United States has a puritanical nanny streak that goes back to the Pilgrims.

Our society loves to tell a person how to live his/her life (though that is a topic for another day). I want to concentrate only on what age people should be considered “old enough” to make their own decision.

In the last state legislative session, there was a movement afoot to raise the age to 21 for the purchase of tobacco and vaping products. It failed and, as a libertarian, I am happy about the result. I think it is absurd to allow people to vote, marry and join the armed services but then suggest they are not capable of deciding whether to have a drink or cigarette.

In the last half century, we have decided that childhood should continue into a person’s 20s. Because of our irrational healthcare system, a man or woman can continue to be on his/her parents’ health care plan until 26. When is a person old enough to make his/her own decisions about everything and stand on their own two feet?

Being a libertarian, I believe the government should give all individuals as much personal freedom within as few parameters as possible. Shouldn’t there be a greater emphasis on personal responsibility? I understand that government needs to have a minimum standard age in order to protect children. Eighteen sounds about right.

At 18, you may still be financially tied to your parents, but you are now either working or in college or maybe both. Are you more likely to do a stupid thing at 18 than at 21…absolutely! You are also more likely at 25 than at 35. We should not be using government and laws to enact prohibitions that need to be left to the individual’s judgement.

Taken For A Ride (From May 19th Newsletter)

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How many of us have health insurance for ourselves and our dependents whose premiums are paid entirely by our employer?

I would bet not one of us is that fortunate. This is the new benefit that will be given to the senior employees of the Village of Indiantown, including the Council. No other government employees in Martin County have medical benefits to match. I doubt if anything like this is offered to any elected official.

The stated purpose was to hire and retain employees. Council Member after Council Member said so. So how many employees does the Village have? There are two. Harold Brown and Susan Owen, the Clerk. Mr. Brown’s benefits are pursuant to his contract. That leaves one full-time employee.

How many does the Village expect in the future? From what I can see the Development Director, Public Works Director, Financial Director and probably the Parks Director will be outside contractors which fulfills the “Government Lite” philosophy that has been touted. So, the main beneficiaries of 100% paid medical premiums for employee and dependents would be the part-time elected Council.

Whether you are a federal, state, or local elected official, there is no longer any such notion that you want to serve your community and move on. There are two Martin County Commissioners that have now been there for decades. This is their career. City of Stuart has two Commissioners that are approaching a decade in office receiving $18k a year with medical and retirement benefits. Stuart Commissioner Leighton also works for Martin County Courts.

With a population of less than 6,000 residents, the Village of Indiantown has a budget of $55,000 for its 5 Council Members for salaries. Now, they will add to that cost the most generous medical package in at least the County if not the state. This is what is wrong with government. Indiantown is not a rich community. The median household income is $38,000 per year and almost 25% of the population is at or below the poverty line.

I guess the “public servants” aren’t in those numbers anymore.

(To Subscribe To Your Free Newsletter Send Your Email Address To:

thomasfcampenni@gmail.com)

 

Staurt’s CRA Has A Problem

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The area encompassing Stuart’s CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) is large for a city its size.

Not only is it large, it encompasses different neighborhoods with different economic and physical needs.  The CRA was meant to arrest blight and to bring economic development by investing tax funds collected within those areas in improvements such as infrastructure to enhance revitalization. Those are worthy goals and should be supported.

I believe Stuart has become complacent in how those funds are being used. Two agenda items from the last Community Redevelopment Board Meeting (CRB) are illustrative. In both instances, it seemed that staff could not wait to give away tax money for rather superfluous projects. The projects had the added benefit of being easy to administer for staff and requiring no imagination to put into effect.

The first was spending $277,000 to put a median on 3000 feet of Federal Highway from the Roosevelt Bridge to Northwest Baker Road in the northern part of the City. When I read the agenda item, the first thing I noticed was the following:

“The Community Redevelopment Agency allocated funding in the amount of $100,000 for the Federal Highway Gateway Beautification Project in the CRA Budget for FY 2019. The CRA contracted with engineering consultant Kimley-Horn to prepare landscape design for the Federal Highway Gateway Beautification Project.”

This project already exceeds what is in the budget by a substantial amount. It then goes on to state how the expenditure is broken down:

“Funding Source:
Total Project Cost – $277,179

  • Design Cost – $33,440 (under contract)
  • Estimated Construction Cost – $243,739”

Stuart has already spent a third of the budgeted amount of $100,000 on design. Then it will need another $244,000 to complete the medians and landscaping. However, not all funds are coming from the CRA:

“Funds to come from the following funding sources:

  • CRA – $143,739
  • City’s Tree Funds – $100,000”

In the spirit of finding the funds somehow, staff is tapping the Tree Fund which is what developers pay into when mitigation is needed for removing trees and not replacing them on site. If you notice the cost is still at $177,000 more than what was in the budget.

The rationale to do the project is to cut down on supposed accidents and foster a sense of neighborhood. This is a commercial corridor.

I am not saying it isn’t something that should be done. Many things should be done. It is a matter of spending limited tax resources to achieve the best outcomes. But if this is a City priority, then something is wrong. And I mean very wrong.

The second item was allocating funds to businesses within the CRA using the Business Improvement Reimbursement Program. This is where businesses within the CRA can apply for up to $10,000 of matching funds to pay for the costs of exterior improvements. The purpose is to allow business owners in “blighted” areas the funds necessary to improve their facades.

According to the agenda item, the last project was:

“On January 28, 2019, the CRB/CRA approved an application for the replacement of obsolete and deteriorated windows at the Geary Professional Building in the amount of $10,000.  This project was completed.”

This building is on East Ocean across from the Court House.

The grant requests this time included Luna’s for a new awning and Colorado Inn for new windows. The Inn did not receive the grant because no one was present. This is not a criticism of any business owner that takes advantage of a lawful program. I would do the same thing.

But is that the purpose for the use of tax dollars. You are taking money from neighboring commercial owners and residents to give to other owners and residents? One of the recipients said that he was so glad he had met the CRA administrator on the street so he could be told of the program.

Both these examples show the un-seriousness of how the CRA program is administered. There doesn’t seem to be an objective; but, rather, just people checking boxes. The tram no longer has a funding source. It will be $90,000 short. I would argue that a better way of spending Tax Increment Financing (TIF)dollars is the continuation of the tram using those dollars while a permanent solution to the shortfall is found.

I would argue that TIF should be used to make sure that sewer to septic is advanced within the CRA. Athletic and other projects are advanced at Stuart’s Community Center. That actual infrastructure is built above and below ground. Blighted properties purchased, rehabbed and then sold back to the private sector. I can think of a multitude of uses that would be more important and more within CRA guidelines than giving businesses funds and putting in landscaped medians on state roads.

Implementing these things would require a real plan…not something that is drawn up to check a box. This would take a vision not just lackadaisically going from project to project. Where are the Commission and City Manager in this? Government too often does the easy thing. I believe it does so because it is not their money. The only skin they have in the game is the next election or to hang on until retirement.

Our City deserves better than that!

 

 

 

 

 

And So It Begins (From The Martin County Taxpayers Association

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Here is a piece I wrote for the Taxpayers Association. To read more go to:  https://mctaxpayers.org/articles-2/

The governments of Martin County are beginning their budget processes for the upcoming fiscal year.

As they begin to put together their operating, capital improvement plan, and enterprise fund budgets, the public will see that there will be increases in various taxes and fees.  It is a bit early to tell where and how these increases will manifest themselves. Given the state of the various governments finances and the services they will need to provide, it is hard not to believe that taxes will be higher in the coming year.

The Martin County Taxpayers Association has begun analyzing and gathering information regarding the upcoming budget year for the various governments of the County. It is important that the individual taxpayer understands why increases will be proposed and whether they are justified. The Taxpayers Association can analyze the numbers, but it isn’t always easy to know whether a proposed project is necessary. Further, many times, we do not have the expertise to know whether a less expensive alternative exists.

That is why having more citizen volunteers that can delve into the minutia of a subject is necessary.  For example, if you currently or in a former life worked for a road construction company, perhaps you could look at a proposed road improvement and help us point out a less expensive alternative. As in the private sector, government needs to evolve and improve the way it provides services to their clients, the taxpayers.

The Martin County Taxpayers Association is a volunteer organization that can only be as good as the members willing to help in this work. While we have a dedicated board, the association can always use more help in our legislative, observation and membership committees.

Each resident and citizen is a consumer of government services. Some may take advantage of one service more than other residents (e.g., the library system).  If that library user thinks there is a way to provide all or part of the library services in a more cost-effective way, we would welcome an opportunity to partner with him/her to help determine where potential savings or efficiencies exist. If need be, we could show an interested volunteer where in the budget that item is listed. Our organization is an entirely volunteer group, so our strength comes from having a diversity of expertise and a willingness to use that expertise for the benefit of all taxpayers.

This organization believes that we are a partner with elected officials and their staffs to help provide better government for as low a cost as possible. We are not an anti-tax organization but rather a smart tax organization. Every dollar collected from the taxpayers should be used to buy the best level of service. This is what the citizens of the County deserve.

 

The Future of East Stuart

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The East Stuart Neighborhood is uniquely positioned in the City of Stuart.

It is the historic home of the African-American community. As such, it has a rich and storied past that should be remembered and cherished. But the past may be getting in the way of its future. Like many such neighborhoods throughout the United States, most people have refused to see and accept what has changed in the past half-century.

During legal and enforced racial segregation, African-Americans had no choice but to live, work, shop, and play within very confined geography. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, and business owners were the pillars that lived within these communities. No matter how much money, education, or business acumen you had, you were forced to live your life within the confines of that segregated world.

With the end of legal segregation, the need to live in racial isolation is no longer necessary. More and more, economic standing dictates what neighborhood one calls home. African-Americans can now shop and eat wherever they can afford. College-bound students can attend any higher learning institution, not just traditionally black universities.

However, racism has not disappeared…far from it. It rears its ugly head all too easily and often. Slavery, which is America’s original sin, is still a stain upon our collective souls. But that is a moral, ethical, and religious discussion, not an economic one.

The continued hope of a rebirth of African-American businesses in the East Stuart neighborhood is very unlikely under current conditions. Simply put, there are not enough current residents with enough income to support anything more than the few existing stores. The few times that new venues have opened, they have been under-capitalized and under-patronized. Revitalization will only occur when there is an increase of residents who have more income.

There are currently 62 vacant lots within the roughly one square mile of East Stuart. What is also true is that there are substantially more buildings that need repair. Under the direction of Manager Dyess, the City has tried to address that issue with a revamping of the zoning and building code to allow for more flexible development. Unfortunately, he has met with community and political opposition.

Those in the community that believe that change is bad or, conversely, that somehow the government is going to fund some imaginary rebirth are simply dreaming. The City of Stuart has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on infrastructure to allow the private sector to have the bones of redevelopment. With the proposed code changes, those in the private sector will be able to build a much more flexible product.

In order to be successful, a couple of other things must happen. One is that the Commission must stop pandering to a few and sacrificing the many. No matter what the good intentions are, setting a policy of isolation will only fail. Setting a policy of isolation will only accelerate the decline of East Stuart.

There is a place for low- to moderate-income housing. However, that doesn’t preclude more expensive-style construction. It would be a mistake to target building only for one economic class. If you are hoping for a renaissance of population and businesses, you need to have a more economically diverse neighborhood.

What no one should expect is for the neighborhood to remain exclusively African-American. Like other neighborhoods that began as ethnic enclaves, such as a Little Italy, Chinatown, or even Little Havana, over time other groups take up residence. East Stuart can be known for its African-American vibe. In fact, it can be an economic driver for new businesses and jobs. A restaurant, music, and art scene can be encouraged to enhance the African-American culture to the benefit of all.

Now is the time, with the new code, to build an exciting new future for East Stuart which honors the past but is created for a more wide-ranging future.

 

COMMISSIONER STACEY HETHERINGTON ON HOME RULE

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COMMISSIONER HETHERINGTON FELT STRONGLY ABOUT THIS AND SENT IT UNSOLICITED. I ALSO FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT HOME RULE THEREFORE I AM PUBLISHING HER OPINION:

As a newly elected county commissioner, I am often asked: “Is it what you expected?” and “What is your priority?” I’ve been surprised about a number of things since taking the oath as your county commissioner, but the greatest disappointment is the state legislature’s continued attack on local government, commonly called Home Rule.

In fact, our citizens’ right to make decisions locally is under siege.

Home Rule allows counties and cities to make their own rules of governance, instead of relying on the state legislature. It ensures that enforcement of those local rules will be “at home,” and that any necessary changes as a county or city grows reflects the trust of residents in their local leaders.

In 1968, Florida voters amended the state constitution to delegate Home Rule authority to municipalities and counties. For a good number of years, that decision by the voters was honored and respected. In the past 15 years, however, that previously demonstrated respect by the state legislature has eroded. Each year the legislature ratchets up its attack on Home Rule by attempting to move authority from the local level to the state. This current year is no exception.

Several bills were introduced in the first week to micromanage every aspect of government and life in local communities. Instead of making your voice heard at City Hall or to the County Administration Building, residents would need to travel to Tallahassee, where legislators seem to believe only they know what’s best for you..

They seem to prefer “cookie cutter” solutions for every community, regardless of differences in need, character and values. Although I have been an elected official for a short time, I am a third-generation native of Martin County. I can assure you that we are not all the same, and the cookie-cutter approach will not work. You know just as well, even if you are not a native, that Martin County has little in common with Broward, Tampa, Miami or Jacksonville. Rules made with Jacksonville in mind may do harm to our own community and vice versa.

Who can better understand and determine what is best for our community? Your county and city elected officials, or elected officials in Tallahassee? You and I know the answer, but state legislators keep voting themselves more and more power over our communities by decimating our Home Rule authority with increasing pieces of legislation designed to transfer those powers to the state.

Be sure to read proposed House Bills (HB) 3 and 5, which I consider to be a reckless assault on towns and taxpayers. If enacted, they would prevent Florida’s towns and taxpayers from making their own decisions about matters as basic as taxes or certifying contractors. It even prevents local communities from creating laws that govern any kind of business — from gas stations and liquor stores to strip clubs and pot shops.

After serving my first few months as your county commissioner, this attack on Home Rule is the greatest single crisis I’ve witnessed for local government. It not only needs to stop, it needs to be reversed. 

I’m not sure how the state legislature believes it has the authority to usurp the will of the voters of Florida granted to them by the 1968 Constitutional Amendment, which created Home Rule, but do it they have. We must work together to protect local decision-making by rejecting House Bills 3 and 5, and the most effective way to do that is to contact the committee members who will be reviewing these bills to see if they should advance. Your voice is needed now more than ever.

Stacey Hetherington

Martin County Commission, District 2

Waiting for the Train

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I am in the Virgin/Brightline Station in Miami waiting for my train to return to West Palm Beach.

Sitting in the station and looking out onto the street, the once neglected neighborhood is being reborn with new rental, office and condo buildings. The station will be the hub for not only transportation but also for revitalization of this neighborhood. Thousands of new residents, businesses and tourists have begun to flock to the area.

No one believes in or wants such massive development in Martin County. However, it wouldn’t be bad thing (on a much-reduced scale) for Stuart. Instead of thousands of apartments, how about a couple of hundred? A hotel of a hundred rooms instead of one of thousands. New businesses would open to service new residents, and the visitors that would come for a day or two.

We went to Miami Beach for the weekend. We had done this in the past and had driven to get there, which was a nightmare. This time we took the train from West Palm and it was cheaper and less aggravating than driving and paying for parking which was $44 per day plus tax at our hotel. The last time we went, we didn’t drive our car once while we were there but rather used Uber or Lyft. We did again this time.

For years, I fought against the train. Now that Martin County has accepted Brightline/Virgin, so have I. It would be foolish to continue a fight that will not be won in the courts. I have taken my own advice and decided to let the market determine the fate of this business.

In the meantime, I believe it is in the interest of Martin County and Stuart to work in partnership with Virgin/Brightline to mitigate any problems. We need to use this as an opportunity to bring residents, businesses, and tourist dollars to the area. Virgin Trains are no more the enemy than the people who want to build Savannah Place or Seminole Bluffs. In those instances, we work with them to achieve the best possible project. The same should be done with this business.

We can have the best possible outcome by taking this more inclusive stance. There are several possible sites for a station to be located which would be to Stuart’s best advantage. For those worried about development of the possible City Hall site, I agree that would be the worst of the options. The peninsula only has one way in or out. That is not where the biggest bang for the buck would be.

Second best would be the fairgrounds. The cons are it is not near downtown nor does it offer the economic advantages that should and could be maximized. When that site becomes available, it should be used in conjunction with the airport to add more light industrial space. These are high-paying jobs, and the more we can cluster them together, the more synergy will be derived.

The ideal spot is the Erneston/East Coast Lumber Yard properties adjacent to MLK Blvd and Dixie Highway. There is the opportunity for finally constructing a parking garage on the Court House parking lot. It would be an economic stimulus for East Stuart and a tie-in to the Colorado Avenue corridor. It is eminently walkable to downtown. We could have the tram meet each train. There is room for new businesses, a hotel and residences without adding to the problems of overcrowding downtown.

As I finish writing this, I am still at the Miami station overlooking newly constructed buildings and a few empty lots. More and more of the area is being relieved of blight in this CRA neighborhood. If Brightline ends up going belly up tomorrow, these buildings will remain. The people that have moved here will stay. The businesses with their offices aren’t going anywhere.

The same would happen in Stuart and Martin County. The developed real estate stays. Most of the economic benefit of the new construction remains. That is why we need to work with this company. It is in our own best interest.

Home Rule Comes With Responsibility

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I favor the concept of home rule.

Home rule is nothing more than allowing localities the right to govern themselves. The best government is that which is closest to the people. The decisions that can be made at that basic level are those which the citizens can influence the most. That is why it is so perplexing when the “Lords of Tallahassee” continuously try to circumvent the Florida constitution to the detriment of their constituents.

But with home rule comes home rule responsibilities. Too often we encounter local commissions and councils that are not following all the rules. This is especially true when it comes to sunshine and public records. The debacle with the arrest of three Martin County Commissioners is an example.

From websites to Facebook pages, there are rules that must be followed. On every website the budget and audited financial statements must be posted. There should be a way to contact the elected office holders listed. It should not be like solving a puzzle to make a public records request or find out information. And those public records or information requests should be handled expeditiously.

When a constituent writes or telephones, his/her query should be returned in as little time as possible. One of the reasons that local government is so important is to make sure that citizens can be heard. Take away the ability to have their grievances and concerns addressed and you take away one of the most important reasons for local government to exist.

The larger the population of a municipality, the more it needs to strive to communicate and do so effectively. Televising and streaming meetings over the internet should be done as a matter of course. Websites should be intuitive to navigate and information easily obtainable. Interactivity and the ability to submit forms and requests online should be simple for citizens to accomplish.

Elected officials need to consult with their constituents on an ongoing basis to solicit their opinions and determine where those citizens think government should be going. Home rule isn’t a one-way street. Good local government means that local officials and their staffs are committed to more than just the slogan of home rule.

What Do Stuart & NYC Have In Common?

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What do Stuart have in common with New York City?

At first look, it would seem not much. There are blocks in New York that seem to have as many residents as all of Stuart. There are no tall skyscrapers here, unless you count four stories as a skyscraper. And, while one is known for the hustle and bustle, the other is not. NYC is the “Big Apple” and Stuart is “the best seaside town.”

What they do have in common is a supposed dislike of anything new.  Any change is met with skepticism and foreboding. Just look at what happened with Costco here and Amazon there.

Both Costco and Amazon were offering to set up shop and provide relatively high-paying jobs for each area. In both instances, the NIMBY and “government by tee-shirt crowds” were right there to protest the new. A few politicians brought the rhetoric to demagogic heights of untruths, including economic guru Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Never mind that the majorities of citizens in both cases were in favor of the projects.

The United States is now in a world of alternate facts. Anyone can have his/her own reality. Instead of basing an opinion on provable statistics, when those statistics get in the way of what we want to believe, then we go with the heart and never the head. If it is economic, then apparently very few people (including our elected leaders) can remember that without taxpayers, there are no tax revenues. You need both sides of that equation to operate government.

So, in New York, Amazon is a dead deal. It died because the business was only providing $150,000 jobs to those who were qualified and would not commit to provide jobs to those who weren’t. You can’t be a tech employee if the extent of your knowledge is playing video games.

There are some serious problems with infrastructure and transportation that need to be addressed in Long Island City, the chosen location for the Amazon project. The state and the city should have committed to spending the bulk of the $3 billion slated for tax credits to funds for improving local infrastructure. That would have been much more palatable to existing neighbors and Amazon’s new workforce which would have overwhelmed the roads and public transportation in the area.

Politicians are not known for bravery. They may want to do what is right, but, when any opposition appears, they cave. Once in a while, a few elected officials will have a stiff spine even if it means not being re-elected. But as we have moved away from elected office being a civic duty to a lifetime job, showing fortitude can be an expensive proposition.

New York City has closed the book on Amazon. For all its supposed big city sophistication, they blew it. They allowed the clamoring few to rule the day. Stuart hasn’t quite definitively lost Costco yet. It may still come back. Costco may still want to provide some good-paying jobs that, in our case, can be performed by the bulk of our workforce.

Our local elected officials should run and not walk to be of assistance. They should not be throwing up roadblocks and demands that are not rational or economically feasible. The City does not have $3 billion in “giveaways” to give away. Nor should municipalities trip all over themselves to do so. At the same time, the City staff and Commission need to see businesses as economic partners, not the enemy.

Stuart has a chance to do something that will enhance the City and Martin County. We need to embrace the new and seize those opportunities. To be a city means to have development and economic progress. We are not a museum set in time. Stuart began as an economic and residential hub of the County, and we should want to see it become that again.