Stormwater Program Protects Lagoon
The Indian River Lagoon is an incredibly diverse and fragile body of water intrinsic to what makes our county a very special place.
Fortunately, we have a division of county government dedicated to the good health of the Lagoon, the Clean Stormwater Program. Its staff seeks to educate everyone on this matter through the monthly publication of their newsletter, "Turning the Tide".
We wholeheartedly support these efforts to protect our Lagoon and will be carrying their newsletters on our website. For further information please visit www.ircstormwater.com
Voting 2012
Registration
If you are not registered, you may request and obtain a voter registration application in person, by telephone, or by fax at the Supervisor of Elections office.
4375 43rd Ave., Unit #101
Vero Beach, Florida 32967
Phone: (772)226-3440
Fax: (772)770-5367
Voting by Mail - Absentee Ballot
You may request by telephone that a Voting by Mail Ballot be mailed to you by calling the Supervisor of Elections at 772-226-3440. When you give them your mailing address, remember that the post office will not forward a Voting by Mail Ballot. You must give them the address where you will be at the time. You will be advised of the date(s).
If you asked for a "Vote by Mail" ballot in the past, you must make a new request for this year.
If you prefer, fo to the Supervisor of Elections website www.voteindianriver.com where you will be able to complete and submit a request to recieve a Voting by Mail Ballot.
The IRNA Celebrates Eight Years of Accomplishments
The April newsletter highlights IRNA activities over the past eight years supporting managed growth and economic initiatives. This issue also includes advocacy to support quality of life for homeowners living at the border of the Urban Services Area.. To read more, click here.
SCPS
The South County Preservation Society was formed when numerous new sub-divisions banded together to fight a proposed demolition-debris crushing facility within a mile of their homes. Click here to read more about SCPS.
Sale of Vero Beach Electrical System
The Indian River Neighborhood Association has taken no position on the proposed sale of the Vero Beach Electrical System to Florida Power and Light. The rumors to the contrary are false. Click here to read more.
All it Takes is Three Votes
Today there is no state oversight and very limited regional review for changes in local growth plans. All it takes now is just three local votes to forever change the face of Indian River County. Click on All It Takes is Three Votes Article to read this most important message.
State Growth Management Dead
As expected, Governor Scott signed into law HB 7207. We are now faced with no checks and balances on local government decisions. The ability of citizens to challenge local decisions is almost gone and rural lands are now open for sprawling development. Our elected representatives and the Governor have been very thorough.
We thank our members who wrote, called and emailed the Governor urging him not to sign this bill and asking him instead to create a bi-partisan committee to reform growth management. Please click on the link below for a very interesting analysis of a bill that will go down in infamy
St. Petersburg Times -- An obituary for Florida Growth Management, June 5, 2011
Local governments will soon restructure their planning and development processes to reflect the new law. Without the former protections that were in place our local vigilance to amendments on growth plans is more relevant than ever before.
As always, we look forward to hearing from our members on these matters. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
Website: www.indianriverna.com
Phone: 772-794-IRNA(4762)
Email: info@indianriverna.com
The Three Legged Stool
Today’s political climate is volatile. Frustrations and anger abound. Politicians look to ride this emotional wave by over simplifying complex issues with rhetoric and hyperbole. In this environment, the voting public is being asked to court the extremes of politics and ignore the basic, central issues that make our community desirable and viable. Angry, divisive politics can only yield angry divisive politicians and bad government. Slogans and bumper stickers are a poor substitute for good governance. What is missing is balance!
Our quality of life rests on the metaphor of the Three Legged Stool. Imagine a stool based on three legs of equal length and substance. Were any of the legs out of proportion, whatever rests atop is no longer stable.
The three legs supporting our Quality of Life are:
A Robust and Diverse Economy One that is capable of providing good jobs and stable employment. Such an economy can survive the ever changing ebb and flow of business activity. A sound educational facility such as IRSC coupled with a business friendly environment can lead to a more sustainable economy. There are no shortcuts, no pixie dust to sprinkle on the problem. There is no substitute for planning and hard work. If we allow fringe politicians to gut our land use plans and not insist that population growth pay for itself, our economic leg will be out of proportion, unbalancing the stool. Remember, it is now a proven fact that uncontrolled residential building can never be the basis for a sustainable economy. It has failed us, just as we predicted.
An Open, Transparent and Responsive Government The good old boy network has allowed unmanaged growth to unbalance our economy in the past. Backroom deals designed to grant favors to political campaign donors in exchange for favorable legislation threatens the things we love about our community. Public hearings, proper notice to the community and accountability are needed in local government. Without this, we are out of balance, and our Quality of Life is, once again, unstable.
Respect for Our Environment We live in a beautiful part of the world. The Indian River Lagoon and our beaches provide habitat and enjoyment for plants, animals and the people of Indian River County and our many tourists who add to our economy. Responsible stewardship of this environment is vital to our Quality of Life. It cannot and must not be allowed to be exploited by an uncaring and greedy power structure.
The Indian River Neighborhood Association is the only non-partisan, non-profit organization in the county that speaks to and supports balance in today's angry political environment.
IRNA Brochure
See our new IRNA colorful and exciting brochure.
IRNA on the Radio
Every Monday morning on WTTB 1490 at approximately 8:20 am, Bob Soos will interview Honey Minuse, Chair of the IRNA Executive Committee, on his show "Morning Magazine". They will discuss issues that are current and effect the people of Indian River County. These issues impact all of us and will ultimately be determined by a political vote in the county and the municipalities.
You can catch the show every week on our website here.
