Thank you, Denny, for your words of support in yesterday’s Stuart News (6/8/2014).
Category Archives: Other
Stuart’s Long-Awaited Smith-Turner Park
For most Americans, Memorial Day is the first day of summer. We have a cook out or go to the beach. It has evolved into just another day off from work, but in truth, it is the closest we have to a religious observance in our secular country. For it is on this day we, as Americans, are to honor all those that have sacrificed their lives for our freedoms.
As a kid, I can still remember old timers referring to it as Decoration Day. This was conceived as a day to remember the fallen of the Civil War. But eventually it became a day to remember all those that died in every American war. Veterans in their ill-fitting uniforms marched in parades. Children took part as did anyone that wanted.
Parades and memorial services have ebbed and grown over the years to match the mood of the nation. The day hit its nadir during the height of the Vietnam War when all things military, including past and present service members, were held in low regard by many. Fortunately, those days have receded into memory and the military people are thanked for their service.
For nearly 50 years, two young Stuart service men that died in the Vietnam War were never honored. Richard Smith and Larry Turner each gave his life for the United States in a war that most Americans hated. And that was one of the reasons that their sacrifice was not rewarded. But that was not the only reason they were unrecognized.
For these two soldiers were African-Americans in a place still mired in racism at a time that still had some sanctioned segregation. It was not fair or right…it just was. The armed forces were long integrated by then, but unfortunately not our community. In some ways, it still isn’t. But on this Memorial Day, Stuart took one step closer to righting this particular wrong.
Through the efforts of Commissioner Jim Christie, City Manager Paul Nicoletti, and so many others regardless of race, we came together to honor these fallen soldiers almost 50 years after their deaths. On Memorial Day, we dedicated Smith-Turner Park in final memory to their sacrifice. But it was more than that. It was an opportunity to help heal the sins of our past. Some of us in Stuart spent the day as it should be spent remembering our fallen heroes.
Time Is Of The Essence
Last week, I was reading a NY Times article about New York City’s Mayor, Bill DeBlasio, and his first hundred days in office. Nothing he said was really surprising. However, one thing that did resonate was a question regarding his legendary lateness. (He kept the reporter waiting for almost an hour.) The question posed was whether Mr. DeBlasio thought this tendency to keep people waiting was appropriate. He replied that President George W. Bush was very punctual but he got us into two wars. That was a curious response, I thought, and totally off the mark.
Just like President Bush, I am a stickler for being on time. I was taught it was disrespectful to be tardy for an appointment. I always thought that someone else’s time was as important as mine — whoever that person might have been. I think that people who are compulsively late are inconsiderate to say the least. Being late has a multiplier effect, throwing off the schedules of unforeseen others.
It is a trait of passive aggressiveness that signals to others that “I am important because I can make you wait.” An individual who has so little regard for the time of others sees a group and not a person. This may explain Mr. DeBlasio’s rhetoric of “two cities”. His policies speak to one group of citizens against another. They are not in this struggle as one New York. Rather, one group is a loser and the other a winner.
In the U.S., there are no group rights–only individual ones. We can speak of the rights of the individual or the responsibility of citizenship. Not even important elected officials should see themselves as more worthy of consideration than an everyman. One does not have to agree with someone’s policy to respect him or her as a person. I would submit that someone who is perpetually late holds others with disrespect regardless of agreement on policy.
All Aboard Florida is NOT for All!
I must admit, my opinion on FECI has evolved. When I first heard about the re-invigoration of passenger trains, I loved the idea. For years, I had been extolling the virtues of passenger rail service instead of driving or flying. FECI stated that they would provide this service with no government money subsidy. They were going to install new technology that would minimize the disruptions to us. I thought the bridge over the river would be modernized which would have resulted in shorter times to raise and lower it. We could even be lucky enough and get a stop in Stuart which could act as an economic booster.
Unfortunately, it appears none of this will happen. The Treasure Coast is to be sacrificed for the glory of increased economic benefit to Miami, Orlando and, to a lesser extent, for Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The most FECI can promise is that Florida as an economic entity will do better while we, here, pay the price. Besides being bypassed by the behemoth, the company will not only be receiving incentives for building massive buildings in the big cities but they also have received the right of way to build out to Orlando Airport and over $200 million dollars of Floridian tax dollars.
Washington will also be giving them “loans” so that they can modernize their track bed along the route. By law, these loans are only possible if they are to improve track that will carry passengers. To my mind, “All Aboard Florida” is not about moving people but it is a way for FECI to develop real estate and be ready for the increase freight anticipated by the widening of the Panama Canal.
Most recently, I listened once again to another presentation from “All Aboard Florida” at a Martin/Stuart Chamber luncheon during and after marveling how tone deaf a company can be to Treasure Coast residents. They must either believe that they have both Washington and Tallahassee in their back pocket (which is more than probable) or they just don’t believe we matter very much. Their goals do not include anything for us as was evident in their presentation.
So the Fortress Group, a hedge fund that is the parent of FECI, extolls the virtue of the market unless they have to compete in a free market. This entire farce may have been created as a way of getting taxpayers to subsidize a private company’s expansion. Perhaps it is time that we actually give capitalism a chance to work. It shouldn’t only be the little guys that have to compete. If it were up to me, no company or industry would receive one dollar in tax payer money to operate. Unfortunately, Washington and Tallahassee would rather use your dollars to give to companies so that the politicians can receive pennies back in campaign contributions.
A Perfect Stuart/Martin County Weekend!
There is never a shortage of things to do in Stuart and Martin County, and this past Saturday was no exception. After a few hours at my office in the morning, I headed over to the City of Stuart’s employee picnic in Flagler Park to say hello. What a great setting for people to have to enjoy themselves. Who can ask for more than the Saint Lucie River as a back drop for an event? The band was great and the food looked superb. Once again, Seacoast Bank sponsored the event. They are a good corporate citizen of Stuart, Martin County and the entire Treasure Coast.
Next, I attended the 14th annual Citizens Growth Management Forum at the Morgade Library. Speakers included Maggy Hurchalla, Mark Perry, Commissioner Sarah Heard, Ginny Sherlock and several others. Donna Melzer is a force of nature when it comes to protecting Martin’s Comp plan and irrational development. I am a firm believer in protecting the Urban Services Boundary. It makes no sense to allow sprawl west of it when there is so much density that can still happen within that Boundary. The only thing sprawl would accomplish would be to increase our taxes.
All one needs to do is look at Federal Highway. Not only are there tracts and tracts of vacant land but also half empty shopping centers, buildings and other low density uses such as fast food restaurants on large underutilized parcels. Until these properties are occupied, repurposed and paying all the real estate taxes they should, it is insanity to have more such underused real estate developed.
Saturday evening, Polly and I attended the Battle of the Gospel Singers. Talented church choirs, groups and individuals came together to perform at Jensen Beach High School for the benefit of Gertrude Walden Child Care Center in East Stuart. It was one of those great occasions where the folks of the Treasure Coast came together in celebration of one of our treasured organizations and worthwhile causes.
Stuart and the Arts
When one thinks of Stuart, you immediately have a picture of the water. Of course the city is known for its spectacular views of the St. Lucie. But the city is also becoming known for more than boating and fishing. Because of some dedicated people, Stuart is also becoming known for the arts.
Last Friday I attended a luncheon as a guest of Women Supporting the Arts. This group of local women is dedicated to not only supporting local artists but also in bringing public art to the city. They have purchased one of the bird sculptures that will grace the re-borne Colorado Avenue. They have also adopted a ceramic tile project for East Stuart.
Under the auspices of Mrs. Hardy’s Building Bridges organization, the children and senior citizens of the East Stuart Community have under the guidance of local artist Maggie Blizzard painted hundreds of tiles with meaningful and beautiful pictures. In the next few weeks they will be placed around the gateway sign to East Stuart on Martin Luther King Blvd. It was Polly and my great pleasure to donate the remaining amount needed to complete this phase of the project.
This is what makes our community so unique and beautiful. Many of us who call this place home have decided to donate our time, treasure and talent to making our city a better place to live. East Stuart has a unique place in our history. It is important that we all come together to embrace that community along with all our neighborhoods to make Stuart a better place to live and work.
NOISE ORDINANCE: COMPROMISE CAN BALANCE RIGHTS
At it’s January 13th meeting, the Stuart City Commission began passing a revised amplified sound ordinance. The current one is unenforceable being much too subjective. The current ordinance’s enforcement depends on an officer’s perceptions. We don’t rely on perception when it comes to issuing speeding tickets. We shouldn’t for sound either.
The commission with the help of staff is attempting to establish a framework so as to balance the right of enjoyment for all residents, guests and visitors. This is not an easy thing to accomplish. All too often we complain (and I am no exception) about our rights being infringed upon. But in society especially when you live and work in a city there also are responsibilities. One of which is to consider the rights of others.
As I am writing this I am listening to “Grand Funk Railroad” which was a rock band of my youth. I know the music is above 65dB. Yet no one is complaining. There are no police at my door. If I were to put my speakers on my back deck at the same decibel level, my neighbors certainly would not be happy.
And here is the crux of the matter; is my right more important than my neighbors’. Do we owe each other some consideration and respect since we live, work and play in such close confines? Whether you own a business, performer, live in the city or all three there needs to be respected consideration of others.
What the commission has proposed is not unreasonable. I don’t know if it is too stringent or not enough. I do know that there is neither unalienable right to play loud music nor to have absolute quiet. The revised ordinance should take effect and then can be revisited if needed.
published Jan 25 2014 in Stuart Times
SLAPP SUIT
When did it become acceptable to be sued for expressing an opinion? Was there a suspension of the 1st Amendment when it came to petitioning your elected representatives? Or has the state of Florida been so corrupted by corporate interests that the average citizen must be in fear of reprisal by speaking his mind on matters before governmental bodies? Are the interests of the big and moneyed that afraid of someone like Maggie Hurchella that they need the ridiculousness of a SLAPP suit to silence her.
The state of Florida supposedly prides itself on “Open Government.” Somehow, the very idea of silencing an individual for petitioning and addressing her government if she disagrees with those powerful interests seems ludicrous. Do we have “Open Government” for everyone but the individual? The use of the courts as a vehicle to stop legitimate petitioning of one’s government is tyrannical in purpose. It is a corruption of due process that should send waves of disgust through every American.
For too long, both the legislative and executive branches of government on the state and federal level have divided the American people using faulty syllogisms and logic to ferment artificial divides. While at the same time they have eroded our liberties as individual citizens in order to protect the entrenched powers. This is all shown to be true in the farcical SLAPP suit.
Is someone like Ms. Hurchalla, whether through writing or by speaking at public meetings, so menacing to companies worth hundreds of millions of dollars that she should be silenced by the courts? Has Florida become a state resembling those depicted in the works of Koestler and Kafka? Does uttering opinion and sharing one’s beliefs with their government, to be equated when directed against the interest of the powerful, as so dangerous as to be treated as a wrongful act?
Even if one were to presume that someone such as Maggie Hurchalla was mistaken in everything she said or wrote to her government, are her words so powerful that she should be sued for her opinion? Is the price one pays for a political disagreement thousands of dollars in attorneys’ fees? This is judicial intimidation of the worse sort by instilling fear and to prevent invoking one’s first amendment rights. Slander and libel are not in question, but free speech is in our state. There is no place for this type of judicial travesty.