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.
IRNA's Position on the Vero Beach sale of it's electric utility
In response to questions that members have asked about the IRNA'S position on the Vero Beach sale of its electric utility and the referendum we refer you to the following statement by John Higgs
I write this to set the record straight.
The Indian River Neighborhood Association has taken no position on the proposed sale of the Vero Beach Electrical System to Florid Power and Light. The rumors to the contrary are false.
Some false rumors seem to persist. As far as I know this one was first started by Charlie Wilson in his 2009 campaign for Vero City Council. At the time I responded by quoting a portion of a letter to the editor that was published more than a year earlier. It stated that the IRNA Board "Called on the [City] Council to address the Electric issue. The electric utility plant on the river is an embarrassing eye sore, is only marginally used and needs tens of millions of dollars to modernize; and the utility rate structure unfairly burdens county residents, has resulted in substantially higher rates being paid by all users as compared to the rates paid by county residents using other utility providers and lacks customary regulatory oversight".
It is gratifying that our 2008 call that the electric issue be examined is finally underway, but we have no position on the sale or how one should vote on the referendum.
It is true that some politically active members of the IRNA who live in Vero believe that a sale should be approved if a proper deal or deals can be made but they are acting as individuals and not spokespersons for the IRNA. As far as I know no members of the IRNA leadership oppose the sale. It is also true that these same Vero Beach members have voiced reservations about the referendum. They believe the referendum is legally flawed and if passed would not meet the Charter requirements that an actual lease must be approved by the voters. This is because no lease exists or will exist at the time of voting. Notwithstanding their view that the referendum is legally flawed, they continue to support a sale at a fair price. My personal view is that it would be good if this legal dispute could be resolved so the vote on the referendum could be a clear up or down vote on whether the negotiations should continue with the understanding that any final deal would be subject to voter approval.
There are members of the IRNA leadership living outside Vero who are forced to buy power from Vero who believe they have suffered too long with high electric rates set designed to subsidize Vero's budget. They believe this is very unfair and is a slightly new twist on the old complaint of "taxation without representation". This happens to be my personal view. For the record, if the proposed sale is not consummated I hope that Indian River Shores can free itself of the existing franchise arrangement that arguably might bind the residents of the Shores to Vero's electric system after the present contact expires. If the sale is not consummated and the efforts to free non City residents from Vero electric are successful, that utility will clearly be less valuable and this is another matter the City of Vero must consider.
The mission of the IRNA is to preserve our wonderful way of life in all parts of Indian River County and to protect us all from poorly planned growth and development. The IRNA has consistently avoided taking positions on non-growth issues in other political contests. Nothing has changed. The IRNA has no position on the sale.
JOHN HIGGS, CHAIRMAN
Indian River Neighborhood Association
SCPS
SCPS
Our Friends in South County
The South County Preservation Society LLC came into existence when they were threatened by a proposed recycling and crushing facility in their midst. They are united, as we are, in the preservation of the quality of life in Indian River County. The IRNA is working closely with them on many issues.
Please visit their website to get to know what the South County Preservation Society is all about. Click on SCPS to visit the website.
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
Read the April Newsletter
Click here to read the April newsletter, which covers the following:
Our Committment: The IRNA did not start the local recession. In fact without our efforts there would be even more tract houses that no one wants or can afford that are now both a burden and threat to our community
A Win for the Neighborhood: When the neighborhoods of Indian River County's south side learned of the plans for a recycling/demolition plant on Oslo Road, they sprang into action.
Vero Beach Sports Village: At a recent Indian River Neighborhood Association luncheon, Pat O'Conner, CEO and President of Minor League Baseball told a packed room at CJ Cannon's of the plans and accomplishments of the former Dodgertown complex, now known as Vero Beach Sports Village.
Volunteers Needed: We need your help. Not only for the money that you contribute each year to be a member but also your help as a volunteer to work with us.
State of the County: At the IRNA March 31st Luncheon, our guest speaker was Indian River County Administrator Joe Baird
Trouble in Tallahassee: The citizens and taxpayers of Florida are in trouble.
Open and Transparent: The sale of the City of Vero Beach electrical system has too often been a political football with much posturing and little end in sight.
Please Donate to the IRNA: The issues we speak to demand much time and attention.
Vero Beach Sports Village
At the IRNA February 24th luncheon Pat O'Connor, President of Minor League Baseball, told a captivated audience of his plans for Vero Beach Sports Village. The Press Journal covered this event and the story has been posted online. You may read the entire article by clicking here: Vero Beach Sports Village to expand offerings, MiLB chief tells crowd
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 organization in the county that speaks to and supports balance in today's angry political environment.
JOBS PLANNED FOR INDIAN RIVER COUNTY
The Indian River Neighborhood Association has always advocated a vibrant, business friendly environment and encouraged light industry and wise commercial growth to support both economic viability and sustainable job creation. We welcome Mr Carter and the INEOS New Planet BioEnergy venture to Indian River County.
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.
