Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Sally SwartzApril 15, 2015

They spell out “Buy the Land” in live bodies along a Stuart beach. They gather in standing-room-only crowds at South Florida Water Management District meetings, traveling from Miami aboard Tri Rail and car pools from the Treasure Coast. They travel to Tallahassee by the busload for rallies on the Capitol steps. Last week, singer Jimmy […]

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, […]

Sally SwartzMarch 18, 2015

There are good reasons for Martin County to be involved in lawsuits, speakers at the county’s 15th annual Citizens Growth Management Forum said. A few: Defending Martin County’s quality of life. Defending against challengers who say Martin’s protective growth rules don’t apply to them. Standing up to bullies. The forum, held at Robert Morgade Library […]

Sally SwartzMarch 11, 2015

Florida’s newest Critical Wildlife Area, a tiny bird island in the Indian River Lagoon near Sewall’s Point, has survived erosion, hurricanes and the curiosity of boaters and fishermen. Now it faces a challenge – again – from an early dumping of Lake Okeechobee’s murky water. The 1.5 acre spoil island, created from sand dredged from […]

Sally SwartzFebruary 25, 2015

Last week, two Treasure Coast governments pledged cash to fight All Aboard Florida, and a private group revealed new plans. At meetings in Martin and Indian River counties, commissioners said they’ll spend a total of $4.2 million to battle the Miami-to-Orlando high speed passenger rail service. AAF has stops in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm […]

Sally SwartzFebruary 24, 2015

Last week, two Treasure Coast governments pledged cash to fight All Aboard Florida, and a private group revealed new plans. At meetings in Martin and Indian River counties, commissioners said they’ll spend a total of $4.2 million to battle the Miami-to-Orlando high speed passenger rail service. AAF has stops in Fort Lauderdale and West Palm […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 18, 2015

He worked for six Florida governors and two presidents, helped found 1000 Friends of Florida, and is active in the Everglades Foundation and the Natural Resources Defense Council. His resume is impressive. But the Apollo School Foundation, kicking off a new speaker series, wanted Nathaniel Reed, 81, well-known as a storyteller, to share his childhood […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 11, 2015

A children’s coloring book produced by the sugar industry starred in a two-county controversy last week — one that raises questions about how corporate propaganda gets distributed. The book, “A Journey with Sugar Cane and Sugar Beet,” was given to a Palm City Elementary School kindergarten class by a Stuart dentist. The dentistry firm is […]

Sally SwartzJanuary 20, 2015

A viaduct for the rich, Martin Health System firing volunteers, and a Martin County land buy to solve a neighborhood problem: Truth or fiction? By definition a rumor mixes both. Consider these three tales, which all fall into the category of “interesting if true, but interesting anyway.” The first: Jupiter Island plans to build a […]

Guest AuthorJanuary 20, 2015

A viaduct for the rich, Martin Health System firing volunteers, and a Martin County land buy to solve a neighborhood problem: Truth or fiction? By definition a rumor mixes both. Consider these three tales, which all fall into the category of “interesting if true, but interesting anyway.” The first: Jupiter Island plans to build a […]

Tag: Sally Swartz
Reps. Steve Womack and Jason Crow. Image via AP.

Sally Swartz: In fight to buy sugar land, Joe Negron needs to step up

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

Sally Swartz: Why Martin must stand up to development bullies in court

Sally Swartz: Dumping dirty water threatens Bird Island

Sally Swartz: To oppose All Aboard Florida, here comes the money train

Sally Swartz: To oppose All Aboard Florida, here comes the money train

Sally Swartz: Nathaniel Reed's Old Florida included movie stars and snakes

Sally Swartz: Coloring book is sugar-coated corporate propaganda

All Aboard the rumor train in Martin County

Sally Swartz: All Aboard the rumor train in Martin County