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April 2011 Neighborhood Newsletter
Our Commitment
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. The IRNA stated years ago that a sustainable economy with good paying jobs could not be based upon a model of building tract houses to the middle of the state. We were among the first to say that not only was this economically impossible but it would make our area more like South Florida which would discourage proper sustainable economic development.
The IRNA has long recognized the County needs a new approach to providing good paying jobs. And we have done our share in bringing this about.
To be brief we were among the first to support Piper staying here and Commissioner Peter O'Bryan's Tax Abatement Program. We were an early supporter of INEOS BIO/New Planet Energy and we are continuing to work with Indian River State College to provide incredibly qualified mentors for its local entrepreneurs program.
All of these projects will preserve the quality of life that we treasure and this quality of life is key to attracting and keeping businesses that will provide long term, good paying jobs. Minor League Baseball is an example of a type of business that will add to the local economy that would only consider locating in a pleasant place. Read on...
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. The neighborhoods of Citrus Springs, Arbor Trace, Diamond Lakes, South Lakes, Legend Lakes and others were quickly organized by Citrus Springs HOA president Nick Ligori and Diamond Lakes resident Bob Imhof. In less than three weeks, the pair, along with many, many others, organized a well planned, well executed drive to convince the Indian River County Board of County Commissioners to deny a special exception for land use on land zoned Agricultural -1.
As in the Ocean Concrete situation, the issue was one of compatibility with the surrounding neighborhoods. Planned use of the property included crushing of concrete, and mulching of wood from demolition projects. The effects of this use, concrete dust, noise, water contamination and pest infestation could have had severe consequences for surrounding property owners, including a local organic farm, and several residential neighborhoods within a mile of the proposed site.
The Indian River Neighborhood Association offered its help and in speaking to the Board of County Commissioners in a room overflowing with red shirts, IRNA Executive Director Brian Carman warned the commission that there is too much unknown about the project and that the risk was too great to allow it to proceed. In these circumstances, he stated that the special exception not be given. The Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to deny the special exception.
Congratulations to the neighborhoods of south county for a job well done!
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. Not limited to baseball, Vero Beach Sports Village hosts football, soccer and other sporting activities in its first class accommodations.
The economic benefits of this activity are felt across the county with hotel stays, restaurant patronage and other tourism activity. Mr. O'Conner stated that in March and April over 500 college level baseball games will be played in the complex. There is more to come with girls soccer, little league baseball, lacrosse and others.
Our county is fortunate to have Minor League Baseball and the Vero Beach Sports Village as a growing part of the area's economy. For more information go to www.vbsportsvillage.com.
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. Do you have administrative skills or public relations experience, or communications experience? If so we could use your help. Would you like to help us with fund raising or membership? If so let us know. Would you like to help us develop educational programs or position papers on relevant issues? If so, you could help us make a difference. Have you been a practicing attorney, participated in local government or municipal planning? If so we could use your talent. We need all of these skills and more if we are to maintain our leadership role within the county. Please volunteer to help make Indian River County an even better place to live. Please call IRNA Executive Director Brian Carman at 794-IRNA (4762) for inquiries or to volunteer.
State of the County
At the IRNA March 31st Luncheon, our guest speaker was Indian River County Administrator Joe Baird. Mr. Baird gave our members and guests reassurance that our county was in good financial shape and well positioned to continue that status in the coming year.
2009 - 2010 were difficult years for the county with staff having to make tough choices on headcount and services. The downturn in housing values led to a $10.2 million loss in ad valorem taxes in the county. The result was a staff reduction of 45 positions, including two department heads and an overall budget reduction of almost 28%. The good news is that we in Indian River County are not facing the more draconian choices as many of our neighboring counties must do.
The next two years will still have some tight spots, said Mr. Baird, but nothing like we have experienced in the past.
Trouble in Tallahassee
The citizens and taxpayers of Florida are in trouble. Several bills (primarily House Bill 7129 and Senate Bill 1122) are being seriously considered in Tallahassee and are aimed at undermining our state's hallmark growth management system that was established in 1985 to bring under control Florida's then "anything goes" development days.
Among other things, the legislation currently advancing through Tallahassee (1) would seriously weaken state oversight of large scale, local developments by dismantling the Department of Community Affairs and eliminating upwards of 300 planner positions, (2) would remove the state requirement that new developments not be allowed unless needed improvements, such as roads and schools, are funded and built, (3) would make more difficult the ability of local communities to have the developers, at least in part, pay for the cost of such improvements, and (4) would place roadblocks to frustrate citizen input in the planning process.
This is a misguided effort to create sustainable job growth. It simply is not credible to blame our growth management system, as many legislators are doing, for Florida's regrettable position in the nation as the state with among the highest number of vacant homes and unemployed workers.
The Florida Director for Defenders of Wildlife said it well: 'this legislation knocks the foundation out from under a responsibly built future. Floridians aren't looking for more traffic, more sprawl or to shoulder the cost of new development. Our elected officials should instead enhance growth management effectiveness-to protect water, wildlife woodlands and working lands for those of us who depend upon and enjoy the resources of this wonderful state."
No one opposes legislation to create sustainable jobs or to eliminate burdensome governmental processes. We do not however want to return to the days of tax payer subsidized new development or to days of disregard for the impact of new development on our water supplies, our natural environment and our quality of life in Florida.
We all need to write our legislators and express our concerns.
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. The matter has now taken a serious turn. Florida Power and Light has submitted a letter of intent, inviting the City to enter into negotiations for the sale of the system.
All interested persons, be they elected officials or not, whether they profess to favor the sale or not, agree that the City should do what is in the best interest of the City, the voters and the users of the system. The sale is a complex matter and its financial impact not readily understood and already the subject of much debate. To its credit the City Council has hired an independent consultant, experienced in utility matters in the State of Florida, to appraise the value of the system and to advise the City on other matters important to reaching an informed decision. That is a good start.
As the city proceeds it is vitally important that the negotiations and deliberations be done with complete transparency. Redacted contracts and confidentiality agreements are not the way to do the public's business. Once the financial impact of the FPL offer is understood, the Council needs, through public meetings, to make the public aware of the essential facts of the sale of the system and to hear the public views and concerns. In that manner a final decision can be credibly made that will be in the best interest of the public and will have the public's support.
Please Donate to the IRNA
The issues we speak to demand much time and attention. This requires your support. We are not funded by anyone except our membership. Your financial help is vital to our ability to maintain a clear voice of reason in these difficult times. Donations can be sent to IRNA, PO Box 643868, Vero Beach, FL 32964. You may also join the IRNA and make donations on line at www.indianriverna.com. Thank you!
