The Holidays

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The “busy time” of the year is upon us. Soon we will have family and friends at our homes or travel to theirs. Chanukah has already begun with the lighting of the Menorah. Most Christians have their trees lit and outside decorations hung. Kwanzaa will begin on December 26th.  Yes, it’s a time for community, carols, family celebrations and gift giving.

It is also a time of introspection and reflection. A time to take stock in what the past year has brought and what the New Year will hold in store. Memories play an important part during the holiday season – memories of when you were a child, a young parent or, now, a grandparent. Incidents from a particular Christmas Eve or Christmas Day come from the recesses of our minds bringing a bit of warmth, gladness and sometimes a longing sadness.

Some memories of long-ago meals or gatherings still make me smile. I have to watch at least one movie version of Dickens’ Christmas Carol so that the seasonal spirit descends. I want to hear a few religious carols and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” Though long gone; Frank, Bing, Perry and Nat need to still be crooning for Christmas to be Christmas.

I still read Clement Moore’s “The Night Before Christmas” at dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day as our grown children and their significant others provide the sound effects. Perhaps when I read it this year our infant granddaughter Margot will begin to embrace this family tradition.

Then there is the New Year’s Eve celebration. For many years when we lived in Connecticut, a group of my high school buddies, their spouses and kids (when they were still around) would come to our house and we would have a many-course dinner with paired wines. The house was a great old New England Victorian built in the 1850s, very much suited to celebrating, especially when we had a bit of snow. Now, for the past couple of years, we join a couple and celebrate at their club.

All too rapidly the holiday goes by and we must face the New Year. When I was up north I always thought of January as the beginning of winter. For much of November and the entirety of December, I was enmeshed in preparing or celebrating. In Florida after New Year’s, I anticipate the traffic being a bit worse and the restaurants more filled.

So, for 2018, I want to wish everyone a happy and a safe year. What the coming months will bring is anyone’s guess. Since it is still a fortnight away, we can think about the future as it becomes the present. I want to enjoy every moment of the holiday season.

Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, and a Joyful Kwanzaa to all! I will talk to you in the New Year.

Our Martin County Future

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What do we expect the future to bring for Stuart and Martin County? If we look at our current County Commission, we know that it is about to experience change to its composition. With the indictment of Commissioners Heard and Fielding on public records violations, there will probably be different people sitting in those seats. This could occur this year by resignation or removal by the Governor or next year at the ballot box.

Both Heard and Fielding have a distinct point of view on development that precluded growth outside the Urban Services Boundary (USB). They also fought development within those boundaries. I agree with much of their philosophy outside the USB boundaries. I differ with them within those boundaries. If you want stop sprawl, and both say that is their stated goal, you need to allow density within the USB.

Sprawl occurs when you have mono-functional development. Under the current Comprehensive Plan, 20-acre ranchettes are allowed. It may be that you won’t be able to see your neighbor, but this is development away from jobs and shops. Regardless of the type of housing, you still will need roads, schools and other services. The people who live in these scattered communities will need gas stations and stores.

Therefore, if you want to keep agriculture, you need to concentrate population and growth within our cities and towns. If you want Martin County to avoid what occurred in South Florida and the I-4 corridor, then we need to plan better for sustainable development. The blanket “no” so often heard by businesses from the county needs to be tempered to allow for reasonable and smart growth.

At some point the Urban Services Boundary will need to be expanded. But, for now and the immediate future, let’s have infill development and re-purpose properties that are no longer economically feasible. Our half-empty 1960-type retail strips and our aging housing stock need to be re-developed. More and more people want to be part of a community, to know their neighbors and walk to a store. Isn’t it rational that we not be tied to mid-20th century development patterns?

I am not advocating some central plan where we herd everyone into condos. I am saying that we need to look at trends to determine what type of lifestyle we will have in 10, 20 or 50 years. Infrastructure is expensive to build and maintain so, before we commit to expanding Martin County’s, we need to look to what the future will bring.

As we look at the Martin County of the future, do we continue to do things in the same way or open our minds to a more wholistic approach? Do we look at one project coming forth at a time or do we have a Comprehensive Plan that can be used as a planning document for growth instead of a document that impedes it? Stuart should be a center of a new urban dynamism. Along with our sister cities, we should be where the action is. We should be the engines of economic and population growth. Martin County should be thinking of why county government exists. It should exist not to provide urban services but to function as political subdivision of the state. Let new cities be formed out of all the current county CRAs.

There will be nearly 21 million Floridians by the end of 2017. Does anyone really believe that Martin County will be left out of having an increasing population? Just in the past two months there has been an influx of more than 200,000 Puerto Ricans fleeing the ravages of Maria and bad government. People from the entire U.S. want to live and work in our state. Eventually some subset will find Martin County. Let’s be prepared.

 

Stuart Needs to Take Care of Stuart

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As many of you may have read or heard, the Martin County School Board made a presentation at the last City Commission Meeting. They essentially wanted Stuart to turn over Sailfish Baseball Fields and the Public Works Complex gratis for their new administration building. They would then sell their current six-acre location and keep those proceeds.

I am against the City giving away the 11 acres that comprise the ball fields and public works complex.  Then, in perpetuity, we would receive no taxes, fees or any other revenue for this most valuable site. It is anything but a “home run” for us. In my book, it’s not even a single. Not to mention their proposal would have us sharing (and contributing to maintain) a few new ball fields which we would only be allowed to use when the school board wasn’t.

This is something I could never support. No taxes and no ball fields, how could any Stuart elected official be for it? Some might say that the administrative building contributes to the economy of Stuart. To a very limited extent that is probably true. But to imagine that a new building is going to bring shops and restaurants to the area is not credible. The existing complex on East Ocean Blvd has not resulted in any shops or restaurants around it. What would cause a different outcome?

This may seem a radical notion but why does the School Board need to be within city limits? In 1950, when Stuart comprised 40% of Martin County’s population, there was perhaps a reason. But today when Stuart only accounts for 10% of the population there is no compelling reason. The vast majority of their staff lives outside the City. Further Stuart has 1% of the total land mass of Martin County. How can we afford to give up taxable land to another government entity and not even be paid for its value? Never mind the lost tax revenue and the loss of our ball fields.

As a custodian of Stuart residents’ money, how could I possibly do that? How can I ask Stuart’s 10% of Martin County’s total population to contribute such a valuable asset to the other 90%? We are not still a rural county with Stuart being the home for those who “live in town” and where the money is. That was true when the County was incorporated in 1925 but it is no longer true today. Communities that are outside the City, such as Sailfish Point, Jupiter Island and even Sewall’s Point, are where the wealth is.

If we are to maintain our quality of life we need to make sure our assets are used for City residents. We need to have our recreational fields under our control. We can’t just give away our assets. We need to be independent and do what is best for Stuartians. Yes we are part of Martin County. We pay both County and School Board property taxes. Therefore, we do not need to also subsidize further those governmental agencies since we are already paying our fair share. I cannot in good conscience claim to represent the people of Stuart and then give away those assets. That is unconscionable.

 

 

Snowbirds & What They Bring

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I live on the St. Lucie River where the mooring fields are located. In the last few weeks I have noticed (as in past years) that there are more and more boats on the balls each day. By January 1st, there will be a couple of hundred boats on the mooring balls and in the marina. Some people will live on their boats. Others will live on land in apartments or homes.

These “snowbirds” will eat in our restaurants, buy goods in our stores and use the Stuart tram as a mode of transportation. They will provide additional jobs for those working in our stores and restaurants. Sales taxes will be paid on the food ordered to eat and any purchases made. In general, our boaters and all seasonal visitors arriving from New England, Canada or wherever will become part of our community for as long as they are here. I gladly welcome them to the City.

Many of us that stay year-round will complain about increased traffic. Or how they will need a reservation to have dinner at their favorite restaurant. But, isn’t that a good thing? Isn’t it better to have more people paying taxes and putting permanent residents to work? Dollars that are brought in from up north are new dollars coming into our local economy. “Snowbirds” or, as I like to say, part-time residents add vibrancy to our town. They contribute to our tax base and our local charities. They are members of our organizations and clubs. They are just like the rest of us who are here year-round except they are with us for only five, six or eight months a year.

When I look at Stuart, I like the fact that our part-time residents share the space. I wouldn’t mind more of them. But I also want more full-time residents who will return after college and raise their families within our borders. I want to see entrepreneurs move to Stuart and open businesses. Artists should be making art and living here. More children need to be playing in our parks and in front of their homes. Seniors should be able to take advantage of our numerous parks and recreation center.

Stuart needs people of every income strata, race, occupation, age and persuasion. I want to welcome all to our stores and places of worship. Cities should be places of diversity and understanding…tolerant and embracing. Maybe even a little quirky and original — such as only having a four-story height limit.

 

A Little Understanding

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When Martin County passed a comp plan that tightened its four-story height limits in 2013, I applauded the action. Along with the clear majority of county residents, I support that height restriction in the county — and in Stuart. Do I think the recent change passed by the Board of County Commissioners will result in the limit going away? I don’t! In fact, what I have come to understand is that the actions taken may strengthen the four-story maximum height limit by removing the possibility of legal challenges to it.

What I now appreciate as a City Commissioner is how one action can have the opposite effect from what was intended. Trying to apply a universal rule is quite difficult, especially when it comes to land use or zoning. I believe it is much better to approach each application individually. Unfortunately, there needs to be some “as-of-right” development and zoning so that there is not a bottleneck every time a house is to be built or a business is to be opened. “As-of-right” development is development which is in compliance with all regulations and, therefore, does not need any discretionary action for approval.

We can shape zoning and neighborhoods by the liberal use of neighborhood overlays. I have been working with the new City Manager regarding having neighborhood meetings so that the City can narrowly focus on what residents want within distinct boundaries. In the immediate, and I would say long term future, it is important that we preserve our residential home areas and for the City to concentrate on commercial and multi-family development within our economic corridors such as Federal Highway and Kanner Highway.

We do need to grow larger and more diverse to maintain our vibrancy as a City. Our population ratio in comparison to Martin County’s will continue to diminish, which will make our long-term viability less and less sustainable. So much of the revenue the City receives is based on the percentage of Stuart’s population as compared with Martin County’s overall population. Our political clout as a City becomes less and less as the percentage of voters continues to decrease as a ratio of total voters in the County.

We can continue to enjoy our status as the most livable city on the Treasure Coast and thrive economically and politically. But nothing is done within isolation. Stuart, Martin County and our nation are going through a great period of technological change. Many people just want to return to the “good old days.” While much about the past should be remembered and revered, we should not be in fear of the future. If we want to actually maintain the best that we have, we will only ultimately do so by looking ahead.

 

My Governing Philosophy

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My Governing Philosophy

I could not adequately represent the voters and residents of Stuart without having a clear and understandable set of governing principles. By that, I don’t mean the kind of empty platitudes you see on campaign literature. Rhetoric such as “strong leader” or “good government” are nothing more than hackneyed phrases and mean nothing. When choosing a candidate is the voter ever looking for a weak leader or bad government?

When gauging a true philosophy, one could look to party affiliation. In today’s world, a political party is more tribal in nature than a set of principles to guide a decision. Gallup, in a recent poll conducted in early October of this year, shows that 24% of the electorate consider themselves Republican, 31% Democrat and 42% Independent. As we have seen there is a wide gap in philosophy between the Brannonites and the McConnell wing in the Republican Party and an equally large gap between Bernie Sanders followers and those of Hillary Clinton with the Democrats.

So here is my governing philosophy in representing the people of Stuart:

I will always be your advocate with the City’s staff in solving a problem. When voting on a matter, I will do what I perceive is best for all of Stuart over one individual or group of individuals. I will not vote in favor of something just to “get along.” I will not condone the frivolous use of tax dollars. That does not mean I will vote to cut or not raise taxes when doing so is appropriate. We need to pay for services that the City provides in a manner that does not spend down our reserves. That’s one of the reasons I voted against the current budget.

In representing you, the citizens of the City, I will fight for your interests. Even if by doing so I make enemies within our staff, at Martin County government, the state legislature, and my fellow board members. I don’t take campaign contributions, so I am not beholden to anyone. I am not running for a higher office, so I don’t need to subordinate your interest to achieve that goal. I do not work or operate a business within Martin County, so there is nothing to suggest I have an ulterior motive in any vote I cast.

I want to help our existing businesses, and any new businesses that come to town, succeed. We cannot have an economically healthy or vibrant city without a strong and diverse base. But every job created or business opened needs, in some way, to add to the overall good of the City. Presently we have more jobs based in Stuart than residents actually employed in those jobs. We need, through innovative policies, to make it possible for more residents to be able to work and live within our boundaries.

In short, my governing philosophy is you. The residents, voters, and citizens of the City of Stuart are my concern.  All the ethics codes enacted and sunshine laws passed do not amount to a hill of beans if the people we elect have no inner sense of right or wrong. The mark of responsibility is how you act consistently, whether the public is watching or not.

Remarks To The Martin County Legislative Delegation

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When did Florida’s towns and cities become the enemy to some of our legislators in Tallahassee? The state mandates that counties exist and every person in Florida lives in one…it isn’t an option. But only the residents of an area can come together and petition to form municipalities. They do so, as we are now seeing with Indiantown, because citizens want local control over zoning and the ability to pass ordinances to reflect their sensibilities. They are willing to tax themselves in order to live in communities to exert that control through democratically elected local boards.

The state definitively has the right to make sure that all Floridians are treated universally fair and equitable. It is your duty to make sure that the people’s constitutional rights are not violated. That the criminal code is applied to all fairly and that our courts are just and impartial.

Tallahassee has a responsibility to make sure that our lakes and rivers are healthy and clean. State government needs to make sure that all Floridians have the ability to attend top-notch colleges and universities. You should be the agent to build and repair our highways and regulate standards in professions. Those are state obligations.

But is it the responsibility of the legislature to prohibit Sewall’s Point from regulating short-term rentals or Stuart the amount of their business fee. Is it not better for the residents of cities to have local rules to deal with local problems? Why should a legislator that is elected in Pensacola have a say over how the people of Jupiter Island or Ocean Breeze want their communities to look and how the amount of tax their citizens pay.

50 years ago by a statewide vote of the people “Home Rule” was enshrined in the Florida Constitution. Though the legislature does have the right to pre-emption, it was a right that was to be used sparingly not, as a wholesale assault on the people’s right to local self-government. Pre-emption is not there to for a legislator to mandate what he feels is best. And Pre-emption was certainly not meant to forestall an ordinance that a business or industry does not want to comply with.

The vast majority of municipalities were formed so that urban services could be provided. Today the motive may include the people’s right to determine the pace of growth and commercialization where they live. If you believe in the rights of self-determination, then anytime pre-emption is used to circumvent that right, then pre-emption is not used in a manner intended.

Floridians voted to empower themselves with the right of local self-government. It is the only form of government that is voluntary in nature. Citizens choose to pay taxes to live in self-governing municipalities. They want to be able to have communities that they control through municipal ordinances and codes. Why would you want to deny the people that right?

Well Worth The Time & Effort

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I am sitting in Reagan International Airport waiting for my flight as I write this. For the past two days, I have been in Washington with my colleagues from the Florida League of Cities meeting with the Florida Congressional Delegation about issues that affect cities. Unfortunately, the Senate was in recess this week so both Senators Rubio and Nelson were absent. We did have an opportunity to speak with their staffs. Our Florida League of Cities team split into three groups and we were able then to meet with nearly the entire delegation except for one congressman (his choice).

Meeting with either state or federal legislators needs to be done on an ongoing basis. It is a matter of forging a relationship with those individuals. By the establishment of a rapport, it then allows us to speak to them with candor. This is important when discussing municipal matters. It is only through repeated contacts at home and in Tallahassee or Washington that we can explain our positions and educate these members as to our issues. While most of our legislators may have some knowledge of our issues, they may not have the depth and nuance necessary to make an informed decision.

When a local elected official is willing to engage with a legislator in their offices in either Tallahassee or Washington, that legislator has a more receptive attitude to the explanation of why we need them to vote in a certain way. It is part of an educational process for the legislator. I have noticed their capitol offices are more attuned to the discussion of policy. Back in their district offices, the staff is concerned with constituent services.

By my taking the time to engage legislators and representatives in both Tallahassee and Washington, I know I represent Stuart better. I educate our state and local representatives on matters that are important. At the same time, I learn what is important to them. Though at times, partisanship does intrude on our discussions, for the most part, it is about policy. It is important that we keep it on that level.

When it comes to municipal issues, I have noticed that there is no Republican or Democratic way of getting a road paved or a sewer connection. I am an unpaid lobbyist to make sure that the City of Stuart has the opportunity not only to have a seat at the table but is heard. I am happy to take the time from my own business and life in Stuart to make sure that happens.

The Reasons for Local Self-Government

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Governments on the Treasure Coast performed well during and after Irma. The reason they could do so was because our local governments have budgetary reserves. Those reserves can pay for storm-related costs such as debris removal, shelters and employee overtime. Imagine what would happen if our counties and cities did not have the ability to manage their budgets with contingency reserves.

If a bill that was considered by the Legislature last year, and will probably be back this year, had passed, cities and counties would not be able to have those reserves. Our communities would not be able to address these problems as fast or efficiently.

In another instance of how important it is to keep governmental decision-making as close to the people as possible …

How would you feel if a commercial business opened in the house next door to you, in your residential neighborhood? It could be a bar or a convenience store. Worse it could be a topless bar or an adult book store. I am sure as your Commissioner, I would hear from you. You would demand that zoning laws be enforced. A bill that was filed last year in the Florida Legislature, but only narrowly defeated, would have precluded local governments from stopping those businesses from opening next to your home, church or children’s schools.

These are just two examples of how Tallahassee is attempting to take away your ability to live in communities that you control through local government.

Whether you call it “Home Rule,” “Self Determination” or “Local Control,” the powers in Tallahassee are in full court press to strip you of those rights. They have already precluded you from deciding whether you want short term rentals, sober homes and the ability to stop media companies from erecting 5G towers within the right-of-way. Now they want to take away the ability of local governments to address millage rates, budgets and other rights and responsibilities that should stay with us locally.

 

America was built on the concept of individuals who come together locally for the opportunity to form self-governing bodies for their communities. We do not want elites from afar regulating what we can do in our own towns and cities. The people do not want to have those that do not live in their cities dictating to them. If a locality wants to have regulations that ban “short term rentals,” they should be able to do so.

The State’s constant erosion of our right to have the local government that the people want and desire will result in the tyranny of the minority against the people. As long as localities are not infringing on the constitutional rights of the individual or those rightful powers that are reserved to Tallahassee and Washington, then both should stay out of local affairs. This fight is not about one governmental body against another but against the right of the people to live in and make decisions for their own communities.

Stuart & Housing Part 2

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In my last blog post, I explained why Stuart lacks housing and what the implications of the housing shortage are. In my estimation, Stuart is not even building enough new housing to replace its existing stock. Without ample new housing coming on line, the needs of our community will not be met and will result in economic paralysis. This will minimize our future development as a dynamic cultural and business center. Without adequate population, Stuart will not be able to maintain existing services and viability.

There is a misconception that by adding housing to our existing residential neighborhoods, they will undergo a transformation that will affect the character of those neighborhoods. However, by using zoning overlays, the City can maintain residential neighborhoods with the traits that the residents deem most desirable. Stuart should look to increase housing in those areas that are not presently being utilized for primarily residential use. There are ideal main thoroughfares where we could have housing developed coupled with other economic uses.

For example, from the Roosevelt Bridge south to at least Kanner/Colorado could be one area of redevelopment. Both the Seacoast and the Bank of America buildings are ripe for mixed use development as is the Publix Shopping Center.  Another opportunity for both housing and mixed use development is along Colorado from Kanner Highway to Confusion Corner. The single story aging structures are either vacant or not used for their highest and best uses. That also includes the neighborhood to the east of Colorado. Ocean Avenue should also be explored as a corridor that should redevelop. The hospital, which owns more and more property for doctors’ offices, should begin looking at constructing buildings with medical offices on the first floor and housing for their nurses and other staff above.

Many people think that economic development means only bringing business to Stuart. Well businesses alone will not generate enough taxes to pay for the services that are consumed by the employees of those businesses. Without adequate housing, eventually the businesses will relocate outside of the City. For any city to be a vibrant center, there needs to be a balance between residents, business and entertainment. It has been proven over and over again that without the three legs of the stool, a city atrophies and eventually loses its purpose for being.

Stuart has to be a City that extends its housing for all groups. We cannot afford not to do so. Our goal must be to maintain and encourage a downtown that is appealing to the tourists but also attracts young families to make their homes there. We need workforce housing along with more apartments for the affluent. Stuart can have it all if we do not bury our heads in the sand and ignore what should be a bright tomorrow.