The Martin County
Defender
The e-newsletter for aware citizens – No. 131
Commissioners explore ways to cut PTO
Present Paid Time Off policy is not sustainable
On 10-21-09, the County Commission held a workshop to discuss various options for trimming costs related to vacation and sick days. Current policy allows employees to accumulate those hours for Paid Time Off (PTO). They can receive cash payments for up to 160 hours if they have used 40 hours of vacation and have 200 hours remaining. This is more or less typical of numerous other counties that were surveyed. However, private industry was not surveyed. A number of employees spoke out against any reductions in PTO.
There are plenty of residents who believe that there should not be any PTO. They advocate a “use it or lose” vacation policy, while sick days may be banked against future catastrophic needs, but without payout. Some governments, such as Sarasota , have eliminated payouts, or as in Collier County , stopped them temporarily. Martin Memorial has stopped PTO cash payouts. Most counties still have them.
In an attempt to find a balance between reducing costs and still protecting county employees, Acting County Administrator Taryn Kryzda recommended a reasonable, though imperfect, four-point plan:
- Retain PTO for current employees, though some rules may be modified..
- Have a reduced schedule for new employees. That may save about $1,000/yr per employee.
- Reduce the maximum cash payout on separation to 400 hours, though 600 hours may be accumulated.
- Remove the 30-day paid leave option.
Commissioners were favorably inclined toward the recommendations, though they did voice two modifications. First, they thought that employees should be allowed to cash out a limited, moderate dollar amount, which favors lower paid workers. Second, they wanted to protect long time employees about to retire.
No Commission in more than eight years has confronted the PTO issue. The Commission is to be commended for doing so, though our dire economic situation gives them little choice. PTO for fire/rescue personnel are not covered by the above policy change because of their union contract.
Fiscal irresponsibility and political dread have marked years of Commission decisions concerning inflated fire/rescue salaries
Most past and present commissioners have shown a cavalier attitude in spending tax dollars – other people’s money – on fire/rescue salaries and benefits. They have never had the courage to stand up to demands by the politically influential fire union. Nor have they bargained hard at contract time. The Martin County Taxpayers Association has done an excellent job in reporting the numbers. Here are just a few highlights in their recent report:
“The average total cost of a fully qualified firefighter/EMS employee is more than $103,000 each … and they have another 5 percent and cost-of-living raise in their contract … The [retired] chief departed receiving almost $183,000 … he takes to his new job more than $12,000 per month and includes lifetime cost-of-living adjustments and benefits.”
What about the Paid Time Off deal?
“Up to 10 weeks of vacation time can be accumulated and sold back … 15 weeks of sick time can be accumulated with 50% sold back … Most of this time was accumulated by personnel who work two 24-hour shifts per week. These banked hours equate to nearly 65 years of accumulated time off for 349 employees.”
Pay spread between federal and private pay has been increasing dramatically
The pay differential between federal civilian employees and those in private industry has been increasing year after year during both Republican and Democratic administrations. In 2000, fed employees earned $76,187, while private employees earned $45,772, according to the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Economic Analysis.
By 2008, the spread between the two had doubled: feds earned $119,982 vs. $59,909 private.
When will the public say ENOUGH?
Survey of land development politics reveals local opposition across U.S.
The fourth annual Saint Index© survey, conducted by Saint Consulting Group, tracks attitudes toward real estate development projects. The Saint Index© quantifies and tracks the politics of land use, spotlighting who actively opposes and supports real-estate related projects and why.
Key findings in U.S. poll:
Opposition to local development remains strong. 74% oppose new development in their community.
78% oppose a landfill development in their hometown, making it the most unwanted type of local real estate project in America . A casino is the second most unwanted local project -- 77% opposed.
59% say they are more likely to support new commercial projects in their hometown given the current economic situation.
Asked what type of development project they'd most like to see in their community, 31% said "none" -- by far the most common response.
One in five American families have actively opposed a development project.
The most active "NIMBY's" are age 46-55, college or post-grad educated, own their home, and have an annual household income of $75,000 to $99,000.
Key reasons for opposition to a project are protecting the environment (22%) and protecting the value of a home or real estate (21%). Other reasons for opposition include fear of too much new traffic (19%) and protecting community character (18%).
One in three Americans uses the Internet (blogs, emails, chat groups) to research and stay informed on local land use issues. 21% use the internet to communicate with neighbors and public officials regarding local land use issues. Among those who have graduate degrees, earn over $100K, or are under the age of 35, these numbers are significantly higher.
Americans are cynical about the relationship between developers and politicians. 69% believe the relationship between developers and elected officials makes the land use approval process unfair.
72% would grade their community C or worse when it comes to deciding what does and does not get built.
25% say their local planning and zoning regulations are not strict enough.
87% say that a candidate's position on development and growth is important when deciding for whom to vote.
The poll involved interviews with 1,000 American adults nationwide, conducted during the last quarter of 2008. The maximum margin of error is plus or minus 3.1% at the 95% confidence rate.
Painful record numbers of unemployed
New figures released by the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation estimate the number of unemployed people in Florida at 1,012,000. That's out of a labor force of about 9.2 million. It marks the first time Florida has topped 1 million unemployed people this recession, and it helped bump Florida 's unemployment rate up to 11% in September.
NOTE: The costly federal stimulus has not improved employment because it has done little for small business, the prime creator of jobs.
Never forget what triggered the recession:
OVERDEVELOPMENT AND SUB-PRIME LOANS STARTED THE FORECLOSURE AND BANK FAILURE AVALANCHE!
“What is $1.42 trillion? It’s more than the total national debt for the first 200 years of the Republic, more than $4,700 for every man, woman and child in the United States . It’s the federal budget deficit for 2009, more than three times the most red ink ever amassed in a single year” - Associated Press [Once radical healthcare “reform” kicks in, a $1.42 trillion deficit may seem tame.]
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For a free subscription to The Martin County Defender, send request with “Subscribe” in the subject line to: mcdefender@gmail.com
Comments and requests to unsubscribe may be sent to this same address.
Al
Al Forman, Editor 10/23/09
The Martin County Defender is published and Copyright 2009 by WordsmithAmerica, Box 1828 , Palm City , FL 34991 . Al l rights reserved. No part of this issue may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording for public or private use, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. NOTICE: Al l correspondence not bearing legal copyright notice which is sent to the Defender or its editor is subject to being edited and published.
All previous issues of the Defender are archived at our website:
The Martin County
Defender
The e-newsletter for aware citizens – No. 132
WAAM drops lawsuit against airport plan
On 10-22-09, Witham Airport Action Majority (WAAM) filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of its petition challenging the adoption of Comp Plan Amendment 06-34. The Amendment was adopted by the Commission on 12-9-08. Principal changes include a new Airport Layout Plan reflecting current airport boundaries, runway configurations, and airport related development.
The Amendment, which now goes to the Department of Community Affairs for its final order dismissing the WAAM petition, states that the airport is intended only for general aviation use and not for scheduled commercial airline service.
Future Group peddles distortions about Hometown Democracy Amendment 4
Floridians for Smart Growth, a front for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Builders, Associated Industries and other developer related special interests, has spent millions to oppose Amendment 4, which will be on the 2010 ballot. One of the Smart Growth tactics is to visit credulous local business groups, and pitch a line of bull about Amendment 4.
Martin County’s Future Group, which has quite a few good people in it, has, unfortunately, swallowed those tall tales. Now they are parroting them. Let’s examine verbatim phrases found in a few statements made recently by Future Group.
FUTURE GROUP FICTION: “Special elections for every and/or any change to the local comprehensive plan at taxpayers’ expense.”
FACT: Amendment 4 applies only to Comp Plan land use changes.
FUTURE GROUP FICTION: A small town on the west coast of Florida , St. Pete Beach in Pinellas County, has already attempted to adopt a local version of Hometown Democracy … when voters approved four pro-growth changes, supporters for Amendment 4 sued to overturn the election.”
FACT: The St. Pete Beach law is NOT “a local version of Hometown Democracy.” The latter kicks in only after proposals have been thoroughly examined, public input taken, and the change passed by the Commission. The St. Pete law does not require that. The litigation is the result of deceptive labeling and a violation of process required by state law.
FUTURE GROUP SEMI-FICTION: “An administrative law judge who has reviewed the case says State law was followed.”
FACT: That is true, in part. The Administrative Law Judge ruled that the comp plan changes in St. Pete don't violate the growth management act. However, that case did not raise the question of whether the Comp Plan changes adopted via the St. Pete petition drive violated state law, or whether the ballot title and summary were deceptive. That case is pending.
FUTURE GROUP FICTION: “Adoption of Amendment 4 would be a disaster.”
FACT: That’s an unsupported opinion. The hard fact is that unbridled overdevelopment – which could have been avoided if residents voted on changes - has led to the disastrous recession we are all enduring.
FUTURE GROUP ATTITUDE: “I have an open mind.”
FACT: That’s a good thing. Future Group demonstrated this attitude by listing in its newsletter the Oct. 26 talk at the Blake by Amendment 4 co-author Lesley Blackner. It is hoped that they will come around to trusting the wisdom of our citizens to guide the growth of our community with their votes. A founding father had that trust in citizen control two centuries ago [see below].
Quote by Thomas Jefferson
“The further the departure from direct and constant control by the citizens, the less has the government the ingredient of republicanism . . . the mass of the citizens is the safest depository of their own rights."
The awakening of a city Commissioner concerning the value of Amendment 4
Many politicians do not look favorably upon Amendment 4 because it means sharing power with voters. However, when some commissioners truly think about what benefits – and what threatens - their communities, their opposition may melt away. After all, such important matters as Constitutional Amendments and sales taxes are put to a general vote, so why not Comp Plan land use amendments that impact quality of life?
Here is a letter sent to the Orlando Sentinel by a former commissioner:
After a recent Volusia County vote moving forward with approval of a plan for future development of a new town on 59,000 acres, I will no longer oppose Amendment 4. Originally, I had been against it (amendment 4) and joined the local Chamber to fight it, but after much research, I believe it’s the right thing for Florida . I represented the City of Deltona on the city council and looking back at that city today, I wish that I had done things differently when it came down to development. Look at that city today. It’s littered with foreclosures. We let the developers run wild at the expense of its citizens. I look forward in working with the promoters of Amendment 4 because I don’t want the future of our children turned into a parking lot.
Regards,
Joe Perez
(former Deltona City Commissioner)
First they came for Fox News ….
Chicago dirty politics has established a foothold in Washington , D.C. The blatant White House effort to de-legitimize Fox News as a news organization – despite the fact that 13 of its 16 program hours are balanced news reporting rather than one-sided opinion – is outrageously un-American. The White House punitive approach toward Fox News serves as a warning to all media to toe the pro-Obama line … or else. A free and independent press is our bulwark against government tyranny, something that matters little in Windy City politics.
It is heartening that some journalists at both broadcast and print media, people of liberal and conservative persuasions, people who have expressed pro- and anti-Obama sentiments, have spoken up to oppose the White House vendetta against Fox. So far neither the Stuart News or the Palm Beach Post have uttered a word of disapproval.
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For a free subscription to The Martin County Defender, send request with “Subscribe” in the subject line to: mcdefender@gmail.com
Comments and requests to unsubscribe may be sent to this same address.
Al
Al Forman, Editor 10/26/09
The Martin County Defender is published and Copyright 2009 by WordsmithAmerica, Box 1828 , Palm City , FL 34991 . Al l rights reserved. No part of this issue may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording for public or private use, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. NOTICE: Al l correspondence not bearing legal copyright notice which is sent to the Defender or its editor is subject to being edited and published.
All previous issues of the Defender are archived at our website:
The Martin County
Defender
The e-newsletter for aware citizens – No. 133
Commission reaches out early to find solutions to FY2011 budget problems
WE SOLICIT YOUR IDEAS
Martin’s five commissioners and Acting County Administrator deserve a light round of applause for seeking ways now – not waiting until the last minute - to solve the anticipated FY2011 budget shortfall we all know is coming. At the 10-27-09 Commission meeting, several good ideas were put forth for obtaining suggestions from residents.
Workshops and town hall meetings were discussed. So was a citizen’s committee of residents with notable and applicable financial experience. The strategy is to expand the knowledge pool beyond the usual suspects. Budgeting is politics, but perhaps some of the most egregious abuses could be minimized if there is wide citizen involvement.
The DEFENDER has thousands of bright, creative readers. We can all help in the development of next year’s budget. Here’s how:
If you have a good, specific idea on how the county can save money or increase revenue, tell us about it. We will edit the useful suggestions into one presentation for county officials.
GUIDELINES: Maximum 150 words. Ideas that are practical and specific. No vague generalities. Including your name and town is encouraged, but not required. Your email address will remain confidential.
PROCEDURE: Send an email to: mcdefender@gmail.com, explaining your idea clearly and concisely. Type “Budget” in the subject line. Hit SEND. That’s all there is to it.
We have great faith in the collective smarts of our readers. Let’s hear from you.
Martin pioneering digital processing of development review to speed approvals
The application review process for a new development is incredibly complex for laymen. If you visit the county website (www.martin.fl.us) and click on Development Review, you will be confronted with an array of forms, reports and procedures that are required to assure orderly growth management. In 2007, the county decided to streamline the process. A major step to achieve this is to simplify the forms and convert them to digital.
In the next few weeks, the county Information Technology (IT) Department will release a pilot program built from scratch. It will allow applicants to fill in the forms online. Digital processing will speed and standardize the procedure, reduce staff keystroke errors and input time, and build an easily accessible Development Review database. IT’s digital program may take a year or so to evolve into final cost effective form. It is not meant for Comp Plan Amendments.
The county offers one-hour training programs to familiarize applicants with the pilot program. Anyone interested to learn more should contact Project Services Manager Denise Eldredge (288-5675) at edeldredd@martin.fl.us.
Piling on development extensions adds element of uncertainty
The influence of developers over the County Commission was demonstrated when commissioners allowed approved projects to be held over for three years before being built. Who knows what conditions will be then? To make matters worse, developer influence in the state legislature pushed the SB 360 bill into a law [see DEFENDER No. 112] that loosens local control. It provides for a two year construction extension, among other provisions that dilute city and county growth management.
So is the state’s two years in effect? Or the county’s three years? Or is it two plus three, or five years? A number of counties and municipalities have sued the state over 360, so is everything held in abeyance? Meanwhile, the county is accepting extension applications. What a mess.
Stuart News ponders ag-to-industrial conversion, but fails to ask the most important questions
“Solution to a problem?” wonders the Stuart News editorial discussing the proposed conversion of 1,782 Consolidated Citrus acres in western Palm City from agricultural to industrial [see DEFENDER No. 130]. After quoting the glowing anticipation of the Chamber of Commerce president and the landowner’s VP, the editorial goes on to pose these questions:
Would Martin Highway have to be widened?
Will the tree canopy on Martin Grade be protected?
Will utilities be provided by a package plant or Port St. Lucie?
All valid, but relatively niggling little questions compared with the important questions that the editorial should have asked:
Will this be the precedent and pattern for massive conversion of ag to industrial land?
In practice, will this essentially undermine the Urban Services Boundary that prevents sprawl?
Will this raise taxes to pay for added infrastructure, especially when Impact Fees (except for roads) have been abolished to appease developers?
Will the proposed canal bridge connecting the 1,782 acres to Port St. Lucie’s huge nearby industrial complex be the start of Western Martin Industrial Megopolis?
Inquiring minds want to know.
Florida Consumer Confidence levels off, but …
Florida consumers expressed the same level of economic confidence in October as they did in September. The Consumer Confidence Index Level, based on a University of Florida survey, is 72. The benchmark base is 100 measured in 1966.
However, lower than projected holiday sales are likely to produce reduced sales tax revenue, causing a $2 billion-plus budget deficit for the Legislature to fix this coming spring with major spending cuts.
The stimulus mirage
“A child care center in Florida said it save 129 jobs with the help of stimulus money. Instead, it gave pay raises to its existing employees. Elsewhere in the U.S. , some jobs credited to the stimulus program were counted two, three, four or even more times.
“The government has overstated by thousands the number of jobs it has created or saved with federal contracts under the president’s $787 billion recovery program.” – Associated Press
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For a free subscription to The Martin County Defender, send request with “Subscribe” in the subject line to: mcdefender@gmail.com
Comments and requests to unsubscribe may be sent to this same address.
Al
Al Forman, Editor 10/30/09
The Martin County Defender is published and Copyright 2009 by WordsmithAmerica, Box 1828 , Palm City , FL 34991 . Al l rights reserved. No part of this issue may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording for public or private use, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. NOTICE: Al l correspondence not bearing legal copyright notice which is sent to the Defender or its editor is subject to being edited and published.
All previous issues of the Defender are archived at our website:
The Martin County
Defender
The e-newsletter for aware citizens – No. 134
Hunting camp zoning change approved
COMMISSION HAS NO AUTHORITY OVER “CANNED” HUNTS
J&R Outfitters has operated a hunting preserve on Fox Brown Road for 20 years, with facilities for overnight guests. That makes it a hunting camp, which is allowed in some agricultural zones, but not in J&R’s A-2 zone designation. Ag zoning has been inconsistent over the years. For example, A-2 does not allow shooting ranges, but A-20 does.
All that technical land use stuff got lost in the protests against hunting, especially supposed “canned” hunts of imported exotic species within fenced preserves. At the 11-3-09 meeting of the Commission, opponents expressed ethical and safety concerns. They demanded that the Commission ban such hunts. Some speakers said J&R hunts were not canned. Apparently the protesters and some commissioners were not aware of what the law says.
Senior Assistant County Attorney Krista Storey did an excellent job explaining that the State Constitution and Statutes gave that authority to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC). Representatives of FCW, as well as the Department of Agriculture, fleshed out the details of state authority. Martin County was reported to have five licensed hunting preserves. FWC requires a minimum of 200 acres for a hunting preserve. J&R has about 4,000 acres.
What the Commission had to decide was whether to change the A-2 zoning to allow lodging for overnight guest hunters. The Local Planning Agency (LPA) had recommended approval on 9-17-09. After hours of discussion, the Commission voted 4-to-1, Heard opposed, to allow a hunting camp lodge with meals on the already licensed hunting preserves, including J&R. That provides guidance for the county attorney office to craft an ordinance that will come before the Commission for final approval on 11-17-09.
Weberman – not a good candidate for the County Commission
Lee Weberman announced his candidacy for the District 4 Commission seat ably filled by Sarah Heard for the past seven years. He’ll move into the district to comply with residency requirements – and to try to learn something about what’s going on there.
Weberman’s announcement letter reflects the same ill-tempered personality that marked his tenure on the Martin County Board of Commissioners. When he sat on the Commission, he was insulting and abusive to citizens who expressed opposing views, as well as being rude to another commissioner. Weberman has said that he discounts citizens who come before the commission regularly. Behavior counts. People were fed up and voted him out in the last election in spite of incumbency and an overflowing campaign chest four times as rich as his opponent.
Weberman says he’s willing to learn from his mistakes. Right. So he kicks off his campaign by using uncivil words like “poisonous” and “pathetic” when referring to Heard’s efforts. The leopard never changes its spots because it’s part of the beast. Nor is there any change in his egocentricity. His boastful announcement repeats the personal pronoun “I” 15 times in the letter’s 16 sentences.
Weberman is right about one thing, when he says: “I’m going to offer residents a clear alternative to the incumbent.” Let’s look to history to make that comparison.
DEVELOPMENT
Based on a long string of votes, it is fair to call Weberman the Developer’s Candidate. He voted in favor of almost every request by developers. His votes contributed to the burst overdevelopment bubble that triggered the current recession. The growth machine contributed generously to his campaigns. In contrast, Heard has been very selective, voting in favor only of those projects that would benefit the community, and not adversely impact the environment or resident pocketbooks.
SPENDING
When county proposals to spend more, spend more, spend more came before Weberman, inevitably his repeated response was yes, yes, yes. More staff – yes. Costly fire-rescue contracts – yes. Hugely expensive roads we do not need – yes. In contrast, Heard has always questioned county expenditures. Even newspaper writers who don’ t particularly like her grant that she has been the sole budget watchdog on the Commission. She works to keep taxes down.
CHANGES TO THE COMP PLAN
Weberman is naturally opposed to Hometown Democracy Amendment 4, which gives residents the final approval of land use changes in the Comp Plan. He would not hesitate to vote with other developer influenced commissioners to water down Comp Plan protections. Thus, giving residents a veto vote conflicts with how he would like to rearrange the Comp Plan to suit campaign contributors.
COMMERCIAL VERSUS RESIDENTIAL
Remember the summer of ’08 when residents opposed the Hinckley plan to build a gigantic boat warehouse that would loom over nearby homes (and adversely affect values)? Weberman voted in favor of the warehouse – which is in the very district he now wants to represent. How’s that for hubris? Heard, or course, opposed it.
THE SWEETHEART FIRE UNION CONTRACT
While the county was struggling financially in the summer of 2008, Weberman voted to give fire union members 5% raises until 2011. Budget watchdog Heard voted NO.
APPRECIATION OF THE SUNSHINE/PUBLIC RECORDS LAW
Minutes of Commission executive sessions are exempt from public scrutiny until the subject covered is resolved. Then the Public Records Law kicks in. Last year, the transcript relating to a developer-driven land use change revealed some questionable comments made by Weberman in Executive Session. He thinks such Executive Session records should be permanently kept secret. So much for transparency.
The financial contributions Weberman will take in from developer related interests will produce a loud campaign voice, but it will not represent the voice of Martin residents. Heard’s voice fights to preserve our quality of life, and to keep a lid on county budgets.
The 1990-page House healthcare bill is mind boggling in size and concept
People arguing pro and con about the 1990-page House healthcare draft bill are often inclined to quote the comments of experts with their own agendas. I thought it would be more enlightening to read the Pelosi document for myself, take notes, and inform readers about what I saw with my own eyes.
Typical notes I made included: “p33 allows increases in group insurance rates; p92 says that 5 years after start all employer plans must comply with government mandates; p129 covers end of life planning; p446 limits hospital readmissions; p532 limits Medicare Advantage; p650 provides for counseling;” and so on.
I thought that grouping by subject might help. So some notes read “TAXES: p297 says 2.5% tax imposed for not buying a government approved plan; p313 imposes 8% tax on firms in addition to other taxes; p337adds an upper income 5.4% surcharge; p339 places a 2.5% tax on medical devices such as heart pacemakers and replacement knees;” and so on.
I found my favorite tax sentence in the bill on p338: “The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax imposed by this chapter.” Welcome to politician-think.
Reading the details of this extraordinary seizure of 17% of America ’s economy was mind numbing. I was hit by MEGO (My Eyes Glazed Over), and stopped taking notes at p877. I just could not go on reading past p1011.
Whether the added taxes imposed by this bill would be $700 billion, and the cuts in Medicare would be $500 billion, as various experts claim, I can’t be sure. I did conclude that this radical House draft (Senate draft is unavailable both to the public and to many Senators) allows government control to insinuate itself into the most vital personal nooks and crannies of our lives with seemingly unlimited edicts. Even with all this, the impartial Congressional Budget Office says the bill still leaves millions uncovered.
The trillion dollar cost of this program could easily escalate. Should we assume that the United States budget can not collapse the way California has? Matter of fact, the liberal Washington Post had a detailed article on Nov. 2 titled “Could America Go Broke?” by Robert J. Samuelson. Very scary, and worth reading at:
I keep wondering why Congress isn’t taking incremental steps that would not jeopardize our economic future. It would have the united support of most Americans, instead of radical steps that are so bitterly divisive.
Read the entire Pelosi draft for yourself at:
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For a free subscription to The Martin County Defender, send request with “Subscribe” in the subject line to: mcdefender@gmail.com
Comments and requests to unsubscribe may be sent to this same address.
Al
Al Forman, Editor 11/5/09
The Martin County Defender is published and Copyright 2009 by WordsmithAmerica, Box 1828 , Palm City , FL 34991 . Al l rights reserved. No part of this issue may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording for public or private use, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. NOTICE: Al l correspondence not bearing legal copyright notice which is sent to the Defender or its editor is subject to being edited and published.
The Martin County
Defender
The e-newsletter for aware citizens – No. 135
School superintendent forms KEY citizen committee to gain public insights
School Superintendent Nancy Kline has formed the KEY (Kids, Education and You) Committee of community leaders “who can offer feedback and information regarding new initiatives and critical issues facing the district.” 45 invitations were sent out, and 26 leading citizens were available and planned to attend the first KEY meeting this week.
The stakeholder group will meet three times during the school year to identify goals, evaluate what has been accomplished, and share information. This is a constructive step toward solving various problems that confront the school district.
A Florida challenge to Federal authority
“You might call it pleading the 10th. Northeast Florida lawmakers, alarmed at the increase in the size and power of the federal government, have joined a movement aimed at asserting states' rights based on the 10th Amendment. ‘The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people,’ says the amendment, the last one adopted as part of the Bill Rights.
“Drawing on that language - which has been a flashpoint in conflicts between the federal and state governments almost since its adoption - the resolutions being proposed would serve as ‘a notice and a demand to the Federal Government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective immediately, from issuing mandates that are beyond the scope of these constitutionally delegated powers,’ in the words of a resolution in the Florida House.” -Brandon Larrabee in the Florida Times-Union’s jacksonville.com.
Thought for the day
Not everyone who agrees with you is your friend.
Not everyone who disagrees with you is your enemy.
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For a free subscription to The Martin County Defender, send request with “Subscribe” in the subject line to: mcdefender@gmail.com
Comments and requests to unsubscribe may be sent to this same address.
Al
Al Forman, Editor 11/11/09
The Martin County Defender is published and Copyright 2009 by WordsmithAmerica,
Box 1828 , Palm City , FL 34991 . Al l rights reserved. No part of this issue may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording for public or private use, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. NOTICE: Al l correspondence not bearing legal copyright notice which is sent to the Defender or its editor is subject to being edited and published.
All previous issues of the Defender are archived at our website: