Unity in Our Community
In light of the recent attempted assassination of former President Trump, we are reminded of the importance of the values that bind us together as a community.
At the Indian River Neighborhood Association, we believe in the power of disagreeing without being disagreeable. Many of the issues we face, such as clean water and clean air, have broad consensus. Most Americans, regardless of political affiliation, want what's best for their families and their community. Quality of life is a shared priority across the political spectrum.
There is no place for violence in our politics, at any level. When passions run high, it's crucial to find ways to cool down and reflect. We encourage taking a walk in nature, and taking advantage of one of our wonderful parks and trails in Indian River County, which can provide a much-needed respite and a chance to see things from a different perspective. Being outdoors can often flip a perspective and help bring clarity.
The IRNA is proud to be an organization where people from across the political spectrum come together. We have liberals and conservatives, Democrats and Republicans, and others working side by side. You may be surprised at how often we all agree!
We firmly believe that Americans agree on most of the issues. The media can make it seem like Red America is vastly different from Blue America, and vice versa. But at the end of the day, we all share core American values of freedom and liberty, equality, democracy, the rule of law, and so much more.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by violence. We hope that peace will prevail and that we can strive to convince each other of our causes' righteousness through dialogue and understanding, and maybe a bit of arguing.
Let us continue to build a community where mutual respect and understanding guide our actions and conversations.
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To engage with the community and ensure informed voting in the upcoming County Commission election, the Indian River Neighborhood Association (IRNA) and the Clean Water Coalition of Indian River County (CWC) reached out to all candidates with a comprehensive set of questions. These questions focused on critical issues such as water quality, sustainable growth, and intergovernmental relations.
We emphasized the importance of transparency and detailed responses, asking candidates to limit their answers to 300 words per question. Each candidate received the same set of questions simultaneously, ensuring a fair and unbiased process. (The text of the email that was sent to every candidate is available here.) The aim was to provide voters with clear insights into each candidate's stance on vital local issues without endorsing any specific candidate, adhering to our status as 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations.
This initiative underscores our commitment to educating the electorate on the positions and plans of those running for office, thereby fostering a well-informed voter base ahead of the election.
For your information, the document with questions that was sent to all the candidates is available here. Every candidate was emailed at least twice if we did not receive a response from them. Further, we left a voicemail with any candidate who did not respond back.
We have organized the responses we received below for you. If there is no link in their name, it means we did not receive answers from them. The file that was returned to us was uploaded with no edits, other than to convert it to a PDF for standardized viewing.
District 1
District 3
District 5 (Only Republicans can vote in this race)
Keith Ridings
TCPalm has also released their Editorial Board recommendations and you can find it here.
We encourage all voters to review the candidates' responses carefully and participate in the upcoming election to ensure their voices are heard.
The IRNA and CWC will distribute these answers in our upcoming newsletters, so there's no need to worry about reading or remembering all the details right now. There's plenty of time to review the candidates' positions before the election!
Sebastian Inlet Bridge cost jumps from $60 million to $103 million (TCPalm) - Replacing the Sebastian Inlet Bridge is now estimated to cost $103.4 million, nearly 75% more than initially planned, and will include added features such as bike lanes and pedestrian sidewalks, with construction expected from 2026 to 2030.
Indian River County borrows $25 million to conserve threatened lands (TCPalm) - Indian River County will spend $25 million to purchase and protect environmentally sensitive lands, costing homeowners $19.56 per year and to be repaid by 2044, following a voter-approved 2022 referendum to borrow $50 million for conservation efforts.
Monday deadline to change party affiliation for Aug. 20 voting (Vero News) - Non-Republican voters in Indian River County must change their party affiliation by Monday to vote in the August 20 primary elections for sheriff and District 5 commissioner.
Top Indian River lawmen seeking sheriff job debate in TCPalm meetup (TCPalm) - Eric Flowers, Milo Thornton, and Keith Touchberry are competing in the Republican primary for Indian River County sheriff, with the winner facing a write-in candidate in November.
Indian River write-in mess has shades of 2016: Look at similarities (TCPalm) - Write-in candidates have closed the August 20 primary elections for Indian River County sheriff and District 5 commissioner to non-Republicans, affecting nearly half of the county's voters, who must change their party affiliation by July 22 to participate.
Election chief dismayed by Republican write-in candidate's primary ballot ploy (Vero News) - A recent tactic to close a County Commission primary to non-Republicans by using a write-in candidate has led to widespread concern and debate about the ethics and effectiveness of this approach in limiting voter participation.
Fellsmere Water Control increases fees to $37.22 after November flood (TCPalm) - The Fellsmere Water Control District has raised its annual assessment by 28% to $37.22 to fund necessary ditch and canal maintenance, following a $1.2 million canal cleaning project that depleted its funds.
Deep Dive: Seagrass shows signs of life in the Indian River Lagoon (VoteWater.org) - Seagrass in the Indian River Lagoon has increased by 24% from 2021 to 2023, with the largest growth in the northern areas, despite still being only 30% of the healthy 2007 levels, thanks to improved water quality and favorable environmental conditions.
In the "Sharks of the Dead Zone" episode, which aired recently, "Shark Week" scientists explore the Indian River Lagoon, revealing alarming conditions. Bull sharks, once common, are now rare due to dead zones caused by pollution and algae blooms. Biologist Craig O’Connell and Dr. Tiara Moore investigate the impact on these sharks and their survival in this deteriorating environment.
You can log in with your cable provider and watch here: https://go.discovery.com/show/sharks-of-the-dead-zone-discovery-atve-us
It is also available to purchase on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/show/SCdfF8uBhC_j1k9MVsytyl0g?season=1&sbp=CgEx
Meet VoteWater's Gil Smart: "I didn't come to paradise to watch it be destroyed" (VoteWater) - Gil Smart, VoteWater’s Executive Director and former journalist, moved to Martin County in 2016 and is dedicated to combating environmental and political crises related to water pollution, using his investigative skills to advocate for stronger regulations and enforcement.
Brevard Zoo announces the start of construction for manatee rehabilitation center construction (Space Coast Daily) - Brevard Zoo is expanding its manatee rescue and rehabilitation capabilities with a new facility expected to be completed by the end of the year, thanks to grant funding and donations, to address the high manatee mortality rates in Brevard County and provide critical care more efficiently.
Skeptics see little benefit from law helping with hurricane prep grants (Vero News) - A new Florida law offers grants of up to $175,000 for condominium associations to strengthen their properties against hurricanes, but practical difficulties, stringent application requirements, and the delayed availability of the application process until fall 2024 have led to skepticism about the program's efficacy.
Warehouses, development create jobs, taxes, economic diversity in St. Lucie County (TCPalm) - The rapid expansion of over 8 million square feet of warehouse space along the Treasure Coast since 2021 brings both economic benefits, such as jobs and tax revenue, and significant drawbacks, including increased traffic, environmental degradation, and low-paying jobs.
Florida agriculture fuels coastal algae blooms. How much remains unclear (Miami Herald) - While Florida agriculture contributes significantly to nutrient pollution fueling coastal algal blooms, the effectiveness of the state's Best Management Practices (BMPs) in reducing this pollution remains unclear, with challenges in compliance, monitoring, and the need for additional measures to meet water quality targets.
EV batteries degrade faster in hot weather: What owners can do (Green Car Reports) - Hot weather accelerates EV battery degradation by intensifying unwanted chemical reactions, but owners can mitigate this by parking in shade or garages, keeping batteries half charged, choosing vehicles with lithium iron phosphate batteries, and utilizing active thermal management systems by keeping the car plugged in with a charge limit set.
Textbook authors told climate change references must be cut to get Florida’s OK (Miami Herald) - The DeSantis administration directed textbook authors to remove or modify references to "climate change" in science books, demanding citations for statements about human-caused climate change and removing "political" statements, leading to concerns that students will miss out on critical education about global warming.
Is there a wrong way to talk about climate change? (Grist) - Effective climate change communication requires steering away from fossil fuel propaganda and fostering empathetic, trust-building conversations to inspire action, while recognizing that diverse approaches can coexist in driving climate action.
Loss of oxygen in lakes and oceans a major threat to ecosystems, society, and planet (ScienceDaily) - Aquatic deoxygenation, caused by climate change and pollution, is a significant threat to ecosystems and society, affecting species' physiology, leading to dead zones, and disrupting global stability, thus necessitating urgent action and inclusion in Planetary Boundaries.
New York's Green Amendment Guarantees the Right to a 'Healthful Environment.' Activists Want the State to Enforce It (Inside Climate News) - New York’s Green Amendment, which guarantees the right to a healthful environment, faces enforcement challenges as state officials argue for discretion in its application, highlighting the need for clear implementation to protect environmental rights and setting an example for other states like Florida considering similar amendments.
We love sharing innovative ideas that could have a big future impact. Here's one such story.
The Nelson Fitness Center at Brown University is piloting energy-generating workout equipment, thanks to a proposal by a student in a Climate Solutions course. This initiative involves six new machines—two treadmills, two stair climbers, and two rowing machines—that convert human exertion into usable electricity, offsetting energy consumption.
The project began in a course focused on practical climate solutions. The student proposed the idea by combining her studies in economics and international affairs with her passion for sustainability. After thorough research, she found a company that makes such equipment and conducted surveys showing strong student support.
Collaborating with an engineer, she quantified the potential impact, finding that the machines could offset around 2% of the building's emissions. Following approvals and additional studies, the equipment was installed for a six-week trial to evaluate its effectiveness.
The machines also educate users by displaying the amount of energy they generate, fostering a better understanding of energy use. If successful, the program might lead to community events focused on sustainability. This project exemplifies how student initiatives can drive real change and inspire others to make sustainable choices.
Kenya mangroves' hidden beehives combat logging (NPR) - To protect mangroves from illegal logging, Kenyans in Mombasa have integrated beekeeping, using concealed beehives as natural deterrents while also benefiting from the production of high-quality honey, highlighting the importance of combining conservation with community livelihood initiatives.
Scientists Release New Research on Planted Mangroves’ Ability to Store Carbon (Environmental News Network) - Planted mangroves can store up to 70% of the carbon stock found in intact mangrove forests after just 20 years, according to new research by U.S. Forest Service ecologists and global partners, highlighting their significant role in carbon absorption and storage.
Air Pollution Harms Pollinators More Than Pests, Study Finds (Environmental News Network) - Air pollution disproportionately harms pollinators, such as bees, moths, and butterflies, reducing their foraging efficiency by 39%, while crop-destroying pests remain largely unaffected, posing significant risks to agriculture and food security, according to a new study published in Nature Communications.
Study raises concerns after finding pesticide contamination in 'overwhelming majority' of popular breakfast cereals — here's what you need to know (The Cool Down) - A recent study by the Environmental Working Group found that 92% of non-organic oat-based foods, including popular cereals like Quaker Oats and Cheerios, contain the pesticide chlormequat, which is linked to reproductive issues, highlighting why some consumers are considering organic options to minimize exposure.
New Solutions to Keep Drinking Water Safe as Pesticide Use Increases Worldwide (Environmental News Network) - Water scientists from Australia and China have developed a more efficient method for removing organic pesticides from drinking water, addressing the rising contamination risks due to a 62% increase in global pesticide use over the past 20 years, which poses significant health threats.
Microplastic pollution increases sea foam height and stability (ScienceDaily) - Microplastics increase the height and stability of sea foam, which can enhance air-water exchanges, promote cloud formation, and reflect sunlight, potentially offering some climate benefits despite the broader negative impacts of microplastic pollution.
How home insurance companies in Florida sidestep rules meant to prevent excess profits (Jason Garcia on Substack) - Home insurance companies in Florida use complex corporate structures and internal transactions to shift profits to unregulated affiliates, effectively sidestepping regulations designed to prevent excess profits and leaving the insurance companies themselves undercapitalized and vulnerable.
Six ancient building technologies that are making a big comeback (The Cool Down) - Ancient building technologies like Roman concrete, stone blocks, cob, adobe, green roofs, and seaweed insulation are being reimagined for modern, eco-friendly construction projects.
Startup debuts first full-scale plant for batteries that could replace lithium-ion — with cheaper materials, faster production times, and more safety (The Cool Down) - Natron Energy has launched the first full-scale plant for sodium-ion batteries, offering a cheaper and safer alternative to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale electric products, supported by a $20 million federal grant, with similar initiatives emerging in China and Sweden.
Want your voice to be heard? Use this link to easily contact elected officials—from your city council to the President. Your voice can make a real impact. While the IRNA may occasionally prompt you to contact specific officials about urgent issues, we keep this list handy for your convenience. Can't find who you're looking for? Just let us know; we're here to help connect you with the right people.
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