Martin Co. Info

Re: Today’s Agenda, new Agenda item: D. Ballantyne (Commissioner Campi)
and proposed (scheduled?) Commissioner (ad-hoc?) meetings (Commissioner Hayes).

Dear Commissioners:

I believe the addition of an Adenda iten to discuss the future of the County Administrator is inappropriate. I thought there is/was a workshop scheduled to address the issues there-in. Why not leave it at that. Commissioner Campi can ask to withdraw that Agenda addition.

Commissioner Hayes suggestion of “weekly scheduled meetings” is thoughtful and worth consideration. I would suggest that conversations with staff on issues are allowed pre meeting, and not a violation of “Sunshine”. “Work Shop Meetings” seem to address that issue.

P.S. Time being of the essence I will address the reasons why the County Administrators position should not be addressed now and why he should stay-on regardless @ my website

The aforementioned: The writer recalls the loss of Russ Blackburn and the refusal of the Administrators Assistant Dan Hudson, now Stuarts Admin., to be a candidate for same. One could suggest that once again we now have "politics as usual". I am surprised that a newly elected Commissioner has asked that Mr.. Ballantyne resign.

Why am I "surprised". In my opinion Mr.. Ballantyne has displayed a willingness to work with all and in some cases make hard decisions. The overpaid* fire Dept. staff is not his fault but one he inherited, as would be top heavy staff.

One of the reasons his and other County & Town administrators are seemingly overpaid, and their stockings stuffed with overly generous walk away benefits if the use of primarily one head hunter. I refer to Collin Baezenger & Associates. Mr.. Baezenger and his staff propose overly generous contracts in order to get or retain those who seek government job opportunities.

His company seems to be Florida's number one headhunting service. I followed that company when the Town of Sewall's Point and martin County was searching for administrators. The Town of Sewall's Point is also stuck with in my opinion a grossly overpaid position in Town Manager. If it was a case of what the traffic will bear then, it is not so now. maybe it is possible to renegotiate contracts. In the case of Sewall's Point I know what I would do. I do not know the details of Duncan Ballantynes contract but I do know the mental & human toll on Mr.Ballantyne & family must be significant if not tragic. I know they chose the position and are aware of the risk, it is however disturbing to onlookers like me. maybe Mr. Campi's request is an effort to take advatage of the times. Ok I guess? But at what real cost?

* Overpaid; After a hurricane the guys doing my yard pointed out to me a wisp of what appeared to be smoke drifting out my neighbors home across the street. I walked over and first thopught I observed concrete dust from the tile tile roof floating in the air. Further inspection revealed that it was indeed real fire smoke or in this case smoldering smoke. I called the fire dept. and after the dust had settled and with the fire out and the home secured a White hat fireman stayed on along with a neighbor a friend of the owner. I walked over and asked the fireman in the White hat why he was still here? he responded that he was "waiting fro the Fire Inspector who was in Miami to come and inspect". I provided a lawn chair for the lady. Approx 3 hours later the inspector showed. Determined that a fish tank circulator pump had it's wiring short or overheat and it dropped some spark or smolder goop (hot) onto a sofa. The smoke I observed was from a smoldering sofa that most likely would have burst into flames?

Turns out the White Hat is one of the fireman making $ 140,000.00? a year. Prudent management would have sent a lower ranked employee on site to watch, or, have the Fire Inspector call the White hat guy and say hey "I'm 15 minutes away meet you there".

Recently elected Commissioners take their seats. Commission Chair to be appointed. Please read the following:

         Why Sarah Heard, aka "Dr. "K-NO-W" should not be appointed Chair. The following letter is being hand delivered to the
         Commission offices this A.M. prior to meeting. The writer used Venture Industrial Park as an example of Commissioner
         Heard's anti growth philosophy. The writer tried to link all of the Commission Meetings to the actual video from MCty.
         web site unsuccessfully. Will post them here-in later.

         The Letter:

To: New Martin County Commissioners
& incumbent Commissioner’s Susan Valliere & Doug Smith

Congratulations to the new Commissioners and a thank you to those who have served in the past.

I write on behalf of my kids & grandkids, and the counties as a whole. I am hoping that your service will lead to a future in Martin County for them.

Their future in the County might very well be dependant on decisions you all make. I am hoping that those decisions will help sustain existing business and result in new business coming to the County, small and otherwise.

It is important that you choose a Chair that will help lead in that effort, pro business. While tenure might very well be a consideration, as per the Stuart News endorsement of Sarah Heard, past performance should be the ultimate criteria.

Mrs. Heard’s constant/regular “No’s” have become all to predictable. I have come to calling Sarah “The Best, Simply The Best” & “Dr. K-No-W” at my website. She seems to have great difficulty what constitutes a “benefit” to the County or Community as a whole.

She is the “Best” dressed and the “Best” prepared to find most any detail that will derail a pro business project. One could write about many but I will use “Venture Park” as a prime example. After several attempts ( Sept 07, Oct. 07 & more and May. 20, 08) and many objections (“K-No-W”) the applicant finally gained approval, 4 – 1, of course another “K-No-W” . His closing comments were a thank you to the Commission & staff.

The applicant then addressed Commissioner Heard directly stating that ratable’ (tax revenue) s & jobs are a “benefit’ to the County. That he lived in Martin County that his kids went to school in Martin and that he pays taxes to Martin. He then stated that he named his Industrial Park “Venture” because it would be and that Venture Boat Company had tried to open in Martin but Venture Boats was shot down by the Commission and they moved on to St. Lucie County! Presumably Venture Boats got “No”.

He left the podium with no comment from Commissioner Heard. Venture is but one of many many “K-No-W’s! Another was Adams Ranch and her refusal to “Yea” the Adams Ranch obvious, common sense, request. Her boorish ‘Good Ole Boys” remark was un called for. 4 – 1 for Adams!

Commissioner Heard’s position on most any pro business project carries on. The Commission should carry on as a whole under new progressive leadership. Vote “K-NO-W” on Heard.

Don Gleichman
219 9848
web writer @ www.sewallspointer.org.

P.s. I have refrained from a letter to the Ed on this subject and was very hesitant to write. Given the importance of the position and the Counties precarious economic situation I decided to proceed.

July 14, 2008

From the Florida League of Cities - Article on Cape Corals "trailer parking meter' fees. I.e. charge out of Towner's for using another town's facilities. In this case boat ramps. We should be charging St. Lucie & Palm Beach County fro using * OUR ramps. Scroll down to page 37. after opening the link next line. "

Sheriff cuts 26 positions page # 30
Here Click to download attachment
* "Our" being that portion paid fro via ad valorem taxes.

Monday Feb. 4, 2008

   What do the following all have in common? Lower property taxes (almost) every year since 2003.
   A county declining growth rate same years.
   A very large decline in building permits.

Martin County Home web site click links below.
"Government" gets you to important offices like tax collector & property assessor

Monday Oct. 15, 2007

Simply put, Hometown Democracy is a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a vote on any land-use changes that conflict with a local government's plan for growth. If a developer wanted to put a Wal-Mart Supercenter in a spot designated for agriculture, it would be the voters - not local officials - who would have to okay it.
Click it - Slow-growth group sets out to voice growing dissent

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Commissioners Vote To Allow Clustering In Western Lands - OMG!

Some really strange statements (bizzare ?) Running for office - Lee Weberman, " Not necessary". His statement prior to any public input either from a professional or plain Jane audience member. Indicates he really believes the 1000 poll vote. His hired re-election agent says: "Just Say No", it's a "no brainer" see this poll? It should have been a Yes if you want C.E.R.P.' Comprehensive Everglades Restoration!

Commissioner Heard aka Dr. K-no-W makes some blatant for her, mis-statements on closing, only to be corrected by Commissioner Valliere and staffer Vicki Van at the direction of Valliere. Sarah there isn't any increase in density, period! There is a huge increase in preserved lands, in perpetuity and contiguous, or is that concurrent? It appears the amendment is a "no brainer" Lee.

The usual suspects made their usual obnoxious appearances. None more so than Master Gardener Summers, from Plant City. We missed any statements from Mr. Shore as we tuned in 15 after. 6 hours later not having heard from him we assume he was first up or shut up after Ms. Carol D blew him/ them out of water in her letter to the Ed. Carol Davies? Nice job Carol.

More later, still in recovery after 6 plus hrs.of sheer hell. As a county staffer who is a friend of some of my ex's said to me after I said I watched MCTV 20, he said Don you need to get a life. That was a year ago.

Short Summary: opposition can be good as it sometimes manages to bring out or point out some necessities. In this case one could say more detail. That of course is not to say they would not have been covered anyway. The often seen belligerence, displayed by some from the public diminishes their credibility, almost always! It goes to the Dep't of Community Affairs in Tallahassee for review, then back to the Commission. The supporting Commissioners directed staff to work closely with DCA. More public input to follow, OMG!

Friday July 20, 2007

LPA shoots down "Vallierre Amendment to bad. green shirts et al say moving to fast, poorly written etc., etc,. Only 3 spoke in favor of. To bad. It is a good foundation for Western protection from urban sprawl. Frank Wacha tried to send it back to staff for re-write but lost 2 - 1. Its a common sense approach to preserving environmentally sensitive lands. See Nancy Smiths piece on clustering in England, Stuart News Wednesday. Will post it here in it's entirety. Later

Blake Library "Consensus Inc." Meeting July 9, 2007

The web writer attended this meeting. Aprrox. 60 in attendance by head count, mine. The theme quickly became a beat up Commissioner SV w/ many references to note that The other Commissioners had been invited several times but declined all invitations to appear. It was noted by Chairman ? Tom Fullman, primary spokesman at the dias, that the "Valliere Amendment' had been changed in name to the "Atlantic Ridge Amendment". Comments were not without sarcasm.

The speakers refrained from abusive and loud language (the request of the Chair prior to taking questions) and it was evident that their main concern was urban sprawl often referred to as the Counties to the South, Broward & Palm Beach, and County to the North i.e., St. Lucie. Who's residents by the way have invaded our (Martins) boat ramps and beaches, oops!, sorry for the loud. We can thank a newly elected St. Lucie Cty. Commissioner (Grande) for a lot of that mess. Sorry for the digression. More on that later

Unfortunately after a complaint from the audience for not being able to hear the problem continued. Most always an issue at these meetings. Moderators need to pay attention to that issue and address it regularly!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are obviously truly concerned citizens at these forums. Surely all will not be appeased, nor should they. Hopefully, some of there effort will bear fruit. County Commissioners and Staff most always seem responsive to most issues, save for the most bellicose.

The meeting was held to a reasonable length of time, concluding was difficult, the Chair tried, some wanted mic time, more or some.

The following presented as handout at Blake Library meeting of the “Martin County Consensus, Inc. Monday July 9, 2007. They were the substance of the meeting.

Valliere Amendment

This amendment eliminates the minimum 20 acre law everywhere.

This amendment allows 2 acre lots throughout the entire agricultural area.

Any owner of Agricultural land anywhere in Martin County may elect to cluster and propose a future land use amendment on the remaining unclustered land to Institutional Conservation. Staff proposes to modify the definition of Institutional Conservation to clearly allow construction of stormwater treatment/ drainage areas on these "conservation" lands. Can these stormwater areas be used for the sole benefit of the cluster?

This "conservation" tract may be conveyed to a "public entity". "public entity" is not defined.

There are NO requirements that the proposed tract to be conveyed to the "public entity" have any environmental significance or be on any lists for prioritized conservation land acquisition. A state or local acquisition list could include right of way for any new road or the widening of an existing one, such as 609 or the tree-canopied part of 714.

There is no mention anywhere of how much the land to be conveyed will cost the "public entity". Will the developer sell for market cost to the public?

All Agricultural land is also eligible for TDRs using agriculture protection easements to be deeded to the Board of County Commissioners. There are no provisions for perpetual protection. There are no requirements for bonafide agriculture to continue on that sending area. Removal of all development rights from the sending area is not a requirement.

This amendment, for the first time, allows Planned Unit Developments throughout the entire agricultural area. If agriculture easements or conveyed lands are part of the PUD, they stay with the PUD.

The current right in the Agriculture future land use to develop at one unit per minimum 20 acres may be transferred (at maximum density) to another property in the PUSD or SUSD. Those transferred densities will be added to the maximum densities on the receiving land. There is no prohibition of future density or intensity increases on the receiving property.

A “Consensus Inc.” Critique?

Valliere Amendment at a Glance

• Allows 2 acre lots throughout the entire agricultural area in the county

· Destroys the Urban Services Boundary - Allows and gives incentives for urban development throughout the county.

· Fiscally harmful for taxpayers - Compare status quo with the cost of delivering urban services to the 2 acre "villages" dotting the 200,000 acres of rural Martin County.

· Land not required to be donated. Presume The seller will expect prices as close to market rates as possible.

• Land will be sold to a public entity, not to a state, regional, or local government.

• There is no environmental benefit required.

• There is no benefit to our rivers required.

· If land is sold for conservation, that land need not be on anyone's prioritized list for acquisition. In fact, it need not be for conservation. It could be For right of way purchase for a highway or any other List of local, state, or federal "needs". For example, the Western Corridor, Highway 609, or 4-laning 714 through the scenic tree-canopied area.

• The conservation land, if part of a PUD, remains part of the PUD.

· The conservation land can include stormwater treatment/ drainage areas, presumably for the sole benefit of the clustered development.

· The 2 acre clusters can also include agriculture easements on the non-clustered tract. These agriculture easements are controlled by the Board of County Commissioners' discretion.

· There is no requirement that the agriculture easements remain in bonafide agricultural production. They are still ag. tax exempt.

The following is a draft by Martin County staff, as the reporter/poster understood it.

Atlantic Ridge Amendment

This amendment donated 1958 acres of environmentally sensitive land targeted for acquisition on local and state conservation acquisition lists. It will bridge the gap of 2 currently isolated portions of publicly owned Atlantic Ridge, thereby creating a contiguous public land of 7840 acres that restores vital habitat and the watershed of Kitching Creek, Jonathan Dickinson State Park, and the Loxahatchee River.

The goal of this amendment is public benefit. To that end, it requires that for every acre converted to the PUSD, at least 2 acres must be conveyed to a state, regional, or local government agency as part of an established conservation program for conservation use and permanent preservation.

Simultaneous with the conveyance of the conservation land to the government agency, the Board of County Commissioners will transmit a Future Land Use Map amendment change to Public Conservation.

All lands conveyed shall be essentially donated - conveyed at a price no greater than the closing costs (title insurance and documentary stamps), thus insuring that this is a donation for public benefit.

At least 90% of the land to be conveyed for public benefit shall be land listed for acquisition by a state, regional or local government as part of an established conservation program. These shall include Save Our Rivers, Florida Forever, and the Indian River Lagoon Plan.

Lands to be converted (the receiving area) must be contiguous to the PUSD for a distance of at least 1000 feet and already in the SUSD as of December 2006. All of the receiving area will become PUSD.

After the land is converted to PUSD, it will never be eligible for any future land use amendment proposal to increase the density or intensity of its use.

· Preserves Urban Services Boundary - only the land inside the urban boundary gets switched from Secondary to Primary

· Land must be adjacent to the urban boundary. No additional densities are allowed.

Hence, the cost of the infrastructure improvements necessary for the new development are equal to or are less than the previous Improvements.

• Requires land to be donated to a state, regional, or local Government
agency.

· Must provide environmental benefit. The land to be donated for public benefit must be land listed for acquisition by a state regional, or local government agency as part of an established conservation program.

· 1958 acres of environmentally sensitive land prioritized for state and local conservation land acquisition is donated, fee simple, to local, state, or regional government as part of an established conservation program.

Simultaneously, the Board of County Commissioners will transmit a Future Land Use Map amendment change to Public Conservation.

· Additionally, nearly half of the remaining acres of the Developable portion are a critical natural slough. It will be preserved and restored, where necessary, in perpetuity as part of a Preserve Area Management Plan.