Costco proposal impetus for residents to organize against overdevelopment
Four years ago, the battle against the Kanner Commercial Planned Unit Development, where Costco is being constructed, began. This unsuccessful attempt to halt such high-density expansion provided invaluable lessons about the growth dynamics in our region, which seemed unchecked and unchallenged.
The Costco project became a wake-up call for Martin County, igniting a renewed sense of awareness within our community and ushering in a new era of political engagement among concerned citizens.
United in solidarity, we have emerged as a formidable force for change and conservation, dedicated to preserving what many refer to as the Martin County difference. Our collective efforts aim to ensure that future developments align with the values and needs of our community, safeguarding its unique character for generations to come.
In the wake of this battle, numerous outlets have emerged, transforming the landscape of communication and advocacy. Social media platforms, websites, forums and podcasts have become vital channels for expression and information dissemination. Previously silent citizens have raised their voices and actively engaged in community issues.
This shift in dialogue has played a crucial role in the recent election of new commissioners, who are now called upon to address the concerns of their constituents. Furthermore, organizations dedicated to environmental change are experiencing surges in membership and event attendance, indicating a growing public commitment to sustainable practices and policy advocacy. These new platforms have energized the community and reinforced the importance of participation.
In retrospect, disconcerting as it may be, the Costco project on Kanner surprisingly reveals a silver lining. Ironically, it has inadvertently catalyzed a positive change concerning urban planning and responsible growth in Martin County. What was once seen as a setback may inspire a more conscientious approach to our community’s future. It has swayed public opinion and the pendulum of progress in a new direction.
Nick Gulotta, Stuart
Locals, both for and against a proposed Costco wholesale store with an 18-pump gas station, speak out during a Local Planning Agency meeting Thursday, April 29, 2021, at City Hall in Stuart. The project, located between South Kanner Highway and Southeast Willoughby Boulevard, also includes a 398-unit apartment complex and retail and restaurant space. Following the discussion, the project will come to the City Commission no sooner than May 24.
Fix decrepit conditions on northern Vero Beach boardwalk
Our Jaycee Park boardwalk in Vero Beach needs help.
Anyone who has used the much-enjoyed boardwalk the past two years is well aware of the hidden hazards lurking about. Neglected, wooden trash bins on the ground, wrapped in faded warning tape, left to rot in the sun and salt air, serve as an unpleasant reminder to visitors and locals alike: “Does anyone really care about this mess?”
Sure, we’ve been told time and again, beach replenishment and beach clean-up projects are defined by “available funding.” And I get it; state government projects are linked to federal government projects, which are linked to poor oversight management and a lack of responsibility by, well, most everyone.
These days, it’s easier to plead ignorance and/or laziness, and not do anything, rather than solve simple problems, even on a temporary basis.
Take the rotting boardwalk trash bin for instance: Can’t we simply find a city maintenance worker and pay that person to discard the debris?
Have you ever tried to walk on the so-called sidewalk, just in front of the boardwalk parking spaces? Probably not, for fear the sand might cave-in and drop you 4 feet beneath the boardwalk.
These little oversights can’t be that hard to solve. The bigger issue might be, what do paying visitors think of our community when they see this type of waste and neglect? Surely after two-plus years we can pick up a busted fencepost.
John Ryan, Vero Beach
Cleveland Clinic cardiology solid; more help on way
I have to respond to a letter criticizing Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital cardiology going “downhill.”
I just had cardiac artery bypass grafts (three) performed at CCIRH. All staff members were amazing, from the surgeons to the aides for the entire seven days I was an inpatient.
While it does take a while to get an appointment, that is across the board in our area, not just CCIRH. Our experience with Cleveland Clinic has been that once you have become an existing patient, responses and referrals are amazing.
Yes, a lot of doctors are leaving the area. Keep in mind, some go concierge to avoid dealing with insurance: Take a good look at your next explanation of benefits and see exactly how much they receive. Others do retire, move for various reasons, and your health insurance may get into contract disputes and eliminate them completely from your plan.
We have a Florida State University medical school satellite nearby and a northern medical school is opening an on-campus satellite at CCIRH within two years. At least 60% of medical students set up practice near where they intern. These are not “tech” schools with eight-week, here’s-your-certificate programs, so there is a lag time. Our nearby population is exploding faster than the medical profession can expand.
Our primary care physician has 1,900-plus patients, which is above the local ratio of 1,200, plus or minus. This is still a lot better than when we lived in Broward County and our primary doctor had 8,000-plus.
The addition of Orlando Health via takeover of Steward and its affiliated locations in Orlando should also lower some of this burden.
Jeff Hamilton, Sebastian
Moore recognition shows community commitment to education
School District of Indian River County Superintendent David Moore did it again.
Just hours after being named 2025 Florida Superintendent of the Year, he earned the Florida STARSuperintendent award for engaging business and philanthropic leaders in our public schools.
Indian River County has never been home to a Florida Superintendent of the Year. And, while theSchool District of Indian River County has long benefited from our generous community, we havenever had a foundation wholly aligned with the superintendent’s and school board’s strategicpriorities.
Moore earned statewide recognition for galvanizing private sector support and launching The Indian River Education Fund (The Fund). The honor carries greater weight considering The Fund was launched six months ago.
Bill Penney, CEO of Marine Bank, Matt Rundels, managing director of Northern Trust, and John Calcagno, CEO of Piper Aircraft, form a trifecta of private-sector leadership as The Fund’s founding board of directors. The community encouraged the creation of a new foundation and David Dyer, business titan and school board member, accepted the board’s nomination to serve ex-officio.
The intellectual acumen at The Fund’s board table reflects the private sector’s confidence in Moore’s leadership. He nearly doubled the number of A schools and catapulted the district from amiddle-of-the-pack state ranking to a top-10 school district. It also symbolizes the Indian Rivercommunity’s deep commitment to public schools in a time of unparalleled education optionsavailable to families.
Moore and The Fund are betting on leadership and innovation as the key levers to building a portfolio of schools that will make the school district the best choice for families in Indian River County.
Innovation costs money and requires thought leadership. The Fund aims to provide both. Better schools are everybody’s business.
Janet Knupp, Vero Beach
Thanks for Brightline, but stop whining about election
Enough whining over the election already. Voter turnout was impressive, now let the chosen one perform. Proof is in the pudding.
Doesn’t anyone feel good about a new concerned focus on U.S. debt and deficit spending? I agreed, there are no points for Donald Trump on this yet, but the potential is there. Might Robert F. Kennedy Jr. make progress toward healthy diets when others have failed?
Outside the box thinking is OK in my book, but implementing ideas in our special-interest environment will remain a real challenge. Point is, let’s hope for and focus on progress in these and other areas. No whining, no gloating.
Regarding Brightline, I’ve commuted to Fort Lauderdale and Miami on the train this year and have also had four round-trip opportunities to Orlando. I’d welcome a station here in Stuart. Thank you, Martin County, for stepping up.
Greg DeJohn, Sewall’s Point
Take heed of what happened to Palm Beach County deputies on side of road
The tragic and senseless recent killing of those three amazing motorcycle deputy sheriffs should be a warning to us all to slow down and drive more responsibly.
Terry Fletcher, Vero Beach
Evolving athletes will cause American football to change
Let’s talk some American football.
In the old days — I’m 80-plus, so you do the math ― there were two kinds of football players: big guys, who were pretty strong, but slow, and small guys who were fast.
There’s a principle in physics known as momentum. Momentum depends upon the product (multiply) of mass (weight) times velocity (speed). So, we had slow big guys and fast small guys and momentum was often not a significant issue.
Today, we have big guys who are still strong, but much faster and little guys who are stronger and really fast. Momentum’s major effect is upon impact, which is when two objects collide. We are seeing more and more football injuries because the impact-momentum consequences have become much more significant.
The rules at all levels are being modified in an attempt to minimize these consequences. While I do love old-fashioned tackle football at all levels, I believe the end is in sight. I wish this was not the case, but I believe we will be watching a flag football Super Bowl in the not-too-distant future.
Physics really does run the show. I really hope that I’m wrong on this one.Gary M. Lavorgna, Vero Beach
Biden pardon a middle-finger salute to Democrats
I have no love for Joe Biden, to say the least. That said, as a father, I fully understand and appreciate why Joe pardoned his son. I’d do the same for my son, too, as would any other dad worth his salt.
What Joe did not have to do is lie about it by saying one thing, then doing the opposite. I’m beginning to think this is his way of giving his own party the proverbial finger for how he perceives he was mistreated. No matter which way you look at it, he comes off as foolish, dishonest and petty; a disgrace to his country.
All Joe accomplished was putting to rest any doubt whatsoever that he is a habitual liar, and his entire administration was nothing more than a bad joke. I think anyone who thinks or says otherwise at this point is hopelessly out of touch.
Barry Godofsky, Port St Lucie
What will happen if some of Trump’s appointments confirmed?
What is going to happen to our country if we choose any worse people than Kash Patel for FBI director, and Pete Hegseth for defense director?
In the past, most presidents chose people who were qualified for the office, not “cronies.” Donald Trump wants people who give him 100% loyalty, regardless of their qualifications.
The Senate had the guts to suggest it would reject Matt Gaetz. Will it have the “guts” to reject some of Trump’s choices for the good of our country, or are they afraid of Trump’s retribution?
A government can’t run like a business. We don’t need someone who is inexperienced in running a government. We only have to look back to 2016-2020.
Rita Wolper, Stuart
What’s point of offering bribes?
Would you know if a person or group consistently took advantage, forming nepotist-based relationships? Would you question the methods of interaction that nepotism forms? What about? To target who/whom?
Would you question if bribes are made to individuals? Individuals and agencies? Organizations? Programs? Businesses? Educational programs? Religious organizations?
To do what with? To bring another or others down? To stalk or alter goals?
I do not think highly of bribery nor behind-the-back nepotist relationships. I think that a person or group who pretended to bribe (in my name) is more enacting in a form of identity theft or illegal use of personal identification. (Telling a lie to get ahead.)
There are individuals who bribe as if to play the upper hand. I guess through the powers of money, some feel they can persuade an unwilling person to do something, to manifest an audience in some world lived in, defeating the purpose of goals, perhaps.
With bribery, it always appears as if there are separate sets of rules for those chosen by those in power that no one would figure it out.What are some of the things a person or group who bribes imagines they can do by persuading with the powers of money?
Force an unwilling person into inferiority? Control a mind? Pretend that the social realm convinced something will be the judgment in the end?
So: If bribery manifests an audience, or gets its way, are you sure that is how judgment would honestly work out in the long run?
Anna Santacroce, Fort Pierce
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Stuart Costco keys growth activism; Vero Beach boardwalk | Letters
