Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Sally SwartzSeptember 13, 2015

Victories in the ongoing battles between Martin County residents and governments and Lake Point – plus an unrelated win upholding Martin’s protective growth plan – gave county residents reason to celebrate last week. Forbes 400 billionaire George Lindemann Sr. and his millionaire son, George Lindemann Jr. are developers of the Lake Point rock pit in […]

Sally SwartzAugust 4, 2015

It’s skunk week in Martin County. Not to malign Florida’s real skunks, but their human imitators have left an odiferous trail countywide this week. On the hit list: A respected environmental group, Martin County government, and residents who have fought developers who don’t want to follow the county’s protective growth rules. The stinkers: Sugar industry […]

Sally SwartzAugust 3, 2015

Martin County School Board isn’t the only government trying to pick the pockets of retired teachers and other school employees. But stripping retirees of health care benefits guaranteed by previous school boards unfairly burdens those on fixed incomes. The strategy also could wind up costing the school district more money than it saves, School Board […]

Sally SwartzJune 22, 2015

Martin County residents tangled with the Florida Department of Transportation bureaucracy last week over FDOT plans for an ugly, six-lane highway with concrete noise walls as the entrance to the county from Interstate 95. As usual, FDOT – with the help of its copycat bureaucracy, the localMetropolitan Planning Organization — won. Residents who live near […]

Sally SwartzJune 15, 2015

Don’t try to control or shut off public comments at Martin County Commission meetings, residents told commissioners at a workshop last week. Commissioners had planned the workshop — a discussion with no official action — away from TV cameras to talk about new “rules of procedure,” which commissioners adopt each year at a November organizational […]

Sally SwartzMay 20, 2015

Every few years, someone who doesn’t know how much Martin County residents love their beaches comes up with a new plan. In 2003, joy-killer bureaucrats wanted to limit beach hours and make swimmers, fishermen and surfers conform to a confusing set of ever-changing rules. They finally figured out lifeguards are too busy guarding beaches to […]

Sally SwartzMarch 25, 2015

A controversial $1.6 million customs facility business owners wanted Martin County to build and operate at Witham Field is dead. The facility would have allowed aircraft and boat owners to pay to clear customs at Martin’s airport instead of checking in for free at federal facilities in West Palm Beach or Fort Pierce. Last week, […]

Tag: Martin County Commission

Sally Swartz: Lake Point project opponents get some wins

Sally Swartz: Stinky lawsuits befoul Martin County development fights

Sally Swartz: It’s time to keep promises with educators

Sally Swartz: Bureaucracies, like road builders, keep steamrolling along

Sally Swartz: County commission’s new rules fall flat with residents

Sally Swartz: Preserve free parking and open access to Martin County's beautiful beaches

Sally Swartz: Customs facility at Witham Field 'fails at the starting gate'