Local Governance

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Florida often speaks about government being in the open and in the sunshine. Of course when it comes to the legislature, there are so many exceptions that it is, for all intents and purposes, meaningless. Our county and municipal commissions operate in sunshine. However, with a strong unelected administrator in charge of the day-to-day operations of government, the public is still too often in the dark. The only time we may be aware of an issue is when the matter is opened for discussion at a commission meeting.

There is something quite undemocratic about an unelected executive. The system was devised to weed out ineptitude and corruption. The rational was that government would be run by professionals, and the oversight of such would be the elected commission. But this seldom works in practice. In our county’s recent past, our administrators and managers have been decent and hardworking individuals who had the interest of their communities in their actions. Without a strong-willed and diligent commission to check the power of the administrator or manager, arrogance, insularity and disregard for the citizens can happen.

Our commissions need to take a more pro-active stance in regard to governance. This will insure the true will of the people will be followed. Professionalism in government is needed. You want a trained water expert in charge of our water plant and a trained policeman to enforce the law. Governance and policy must be left to elected officials. Those officials need to make sure that when their policies are enacted, they are not subverted by the bureaucracy.

How Did “All Aboard Florida” Go So Wrong?

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How did “All Aboard Florida” go so wrong? I have gone from being excited about the return of passenger train travel on the Treasure Coast to one unhappy resident. How could they possibly have turned off so many people in such a short period of time with such a great idea? I have to say that feat was not easy.

There will always be a small minority who dislike change no matter what is proposed. Then, you have the people who are against something because they have either a prejudice or their facts are wrong. I am neither of these. The saga of “All Aboard Florida” is wrong because the company is not being honest about their true intentions to the people of the Treasure Coast.  Passenger trains are just the rouse being used to be able to borrow $1.5 billion or more from the federal government to lay a new track bed in anticipation of increased freight traffic. Will FECI double track through Stuart? Are they going to close our Florida Street crossing? These and other questions have yet to be answered.

I keep hearing that the railroad was here first, and that is absolutely true. Without it, Stuart possibly would not be Stuart today. Yes, railroads have enormous rights but then shouldn’t these rights granted in the 19th century adjust to the realities of 21st century Florida? We are currently the third most populous state in the nation. When the railroad was built, there were very few people on the Treasure Coast. While Stuart prides itself on its “old Florida charm,” we live in the 21st century. Today’s population cannot be held hostage to a 19th century reality.

The property rights of the railroad are important, but neither can you destroy the property rights of the people who have come here in the intervening 125 years. For the past 50 years, the railroad has operated as a sleepy little freight line with a limited amount of trains mostly travelling at night.  In the intervening years, Florida’s population has gone from less than 5 million to over 19 million with Martin County’s population growing from 17,000 to 148,000.  What was once acceptable can no longer be tolerated. There is no absolute right for anyone or any corporation. Our government should be there for the protection of the vast majority not a minority of one railroad.

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.

The Key to Economic Development

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How can government help economic development in the private sector? Is it by planning which type of businesses should be encouraged? Should subsidies be given to attract a developer or business owner to enter our community? These are questions that need to be discussed by governments and citizens.

I do believe there are some things that government does well. One of the things it can do is encourage a vision. Not a vision that picks which business goes where, but rather a vision for the type of community in which the residents want to live. The worst possible thing that government can do is to think that it can pick losers and winners when it comes to which businesses and buildings should be opened or built.  Some officials in Stuart continue to tout the idea of a hotel locating in downtown. They think that all they need do is provide the right incentive and some developer will build and successfully operate a hotel. I have one simple question.  If that is the case, why hasn’t a hotel been built?

Some will argue it’s because they would need to take the City Hall-Spoto site to do so. While another excuse is that our four story height limit discourages that development. Perhaps a developer-operator could be found if we allowed a taller building on the city hall site with its picturesque view. However, the real problem with that is Stuart would sell its soul and economic future to enable one developer possible success.

If Stuart is to thrive into the future, its government cannot think that one project of dubious worth that requires us to give up more of our waterfront and our specialness is the key. This would be our Digital Domain, and it is exactly the wrong way to encourage economic development.

Most people who decide to live here do so after being seduced by our life style as a result of spending time here as tourists. The very thing that brings them here is what some want to destroy in the name of economic progress. The only sustainable development is that which is organic in nature. Bureaucrats are not equipped to know what business should be encouraged.

What a government can do is have fast tracking of projects. There should be individuals in government dedicated to shepherding projects through the different departments to get them approved, built and opened. The only time government should stand in the way of a project is when it is clearly not in the city’s interest. The government places parameters such as the height limit or zoning which is how we maintain our quality of life. The marketplace will ultimately dictate what will succeed and what will not.

Time Is Of The Essence

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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!

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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.

Stuart’s Centennial

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Stuart’s Centennial Celebration is building toward a climax during the week of May 3rd through May 10th.  As the Centennial Chair for the city, we have planned that week to be when we celebrate with a gala, proclamations, time capsules, speeches, a parade and a free festival in Memorial Park. So far this year, we have celebrated our past with pageants, lectures and shows. The week of May 3rd through 10th will be the week we celebrate our present. But we should also think about our future.

Where will the city be in a decade or two or a hundred years from now? What should our aspirations and goals be and how do we put in place the policies and programs to achieve them? A city is organic that does evolve on its own with or without conscience guidance by its inhabitants. The evolution that occurs can result in a Stuart much as it looked in the 1970s. Our citizens became complacent and allowed outside forces to shape its destiny. Downtown almost became extinct.

We only began to emerge and foster the identity that we have today beginning with our own Jeffersonian period of the 1980s. I believe that Stuart is once again poised at a cross roads. Do we affirmatively shape our destiny or do we do nothing and allow outside forces to do so? These outside forces are not necessarily developers with grandiose plans. That is an easy threat or opportunity to control. No…the forces that will emerge to influence our community will be because of changes in technology, demographics, and life style.

History is meaningful to our community. It does help explain how we evolved. But the Stuart of 1914 is not the Stuart of 1925 or 1960 or even 2000. Look how much has changed even in the past decade. We should remember the past, but live in the present and plan for the future. Stuart, as any place, must serve the residents that are here and be attractive so that new people and businesses want to locate and be here. As we celebrate our birthday we need to think about our future.

Small government and local control

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Do the political parties possess a philosophy any longer? Except in a flash of rhetorical oration, I don’t think they really do. Once elected and in control, whether Republican or Democrat, they do the bidding of the people filling their campaign coffers. One prime example is the Florida legislature.

I thought Republicans were for small government and local control.  And, I thought that meant the more than could be decided by the people and through their county and municipal elected bodies the better. Laws are best passed by those that are closest to the citizens they represent. For some reason, this principle of Republican thought has not guided our so-called Republican legislators.

Senate Bill 1464 and House Bill 703 want to take away local control in land and water use. Then the big developers and farm interest need not bother with our county and city commissions. These so called Republican legislators want to give their friends in high places the ability to achieve what they can’t achieve locally. This is not the Republican way or philosophy.

This is not a matter of whether you are pro- or anti-development. This goes to the very essence of the power of the people through their local commissions to control their destiny. It is not only the complete opposite of Republicanism, it is undemocratic. If these bills pass and the governor signs them, then what is the point of electing (or even being) a Republican?

Joe Negron has said he will not vote for these bills. Representatives Harrell and Magyar must follow suit, along with Governor Scott, and reject this legislation. This pre-emption of local control of its own destiny is kowtowing to special interest. I, for one, will hold these legislators and governor accountable in November. If former Governor Chris is all things evil because of his lack of philosophy, then are these people any better?

A Perfect Stuart/Martin County Weekend!

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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.