Stumpy's survival. Martin County Calusa Creek development OK; living on railroad tracks not
Why Calusa Creek Ranch is good for everyone
As a third-generation Floridian and longtime Martin County resident, I appreciate how parts of my state and hometown still retain that old Florida charm.
Preserving areas like our vast wildlife corridor is not only critical to the infrastructure of our state, but should also be a component of development as Florida matures. That’s why I support the Calusa Creek Ranch development being considered in west Martin County.
The new owners of the land, Ken and Suzanne Bakst, plan to preserve more than 91% of the natural habitat on the land located just 10 miles west of Hobe Sound. The Baksts built one of the most beautiful golf courses in America, the Friar’s Head Golf Course in Riverside, New York. That course is breathtaking and world renowned for how it meticulously maintains the natural environment throughout the property.
It’s no secret that Martin County is known for being ultraconservative when it comes to growth. But it is inevitable that development will continue, and the best way to move forward is with visionaries who understand the value of preserving and enhancing the natural aesthetics of the area. The Ranch will help protect the agricultural areas, wetlands and nearby waterways.
This 4,000-acre development is being thoughtfully planned so its 175 homes, two golf courses and cattle ranch maximize open space and create a buffer for those traveling past the community.
The Ranch has the potential of being the jewel of the Treasure Coast. The owners estimate the $25 million tax revenue Martin County will receive each year will ultimately net the community billions of dollars in positive fiscal impact over three decades.
Now, money isn’t everything, but this kind of well-planned growth is smart business. Perhaps even more important is that it helps preserve the essence of old Florida for future generations.
Brandon Tucker, Martin County, is executive director of the Florida Landowners Association.
Keep housing away from railroad tracks
There is an ugly history of the consequence of people living in low-income housing adjacent to railroad tracks. Many of these areas become crime-ridden and slums, resulting in an identity of coming from "the wrong side of the tracks."
It is imperative to know this history and not repeat it.
Credible, peer-reviewed global research identifies mental health problems, particularly depression and anxiety, have been created by living next to the railroad tracks. This is because the noise and vibrations from trains interrupt the sleep cycle. It is directly related to circadian rhythms, which regulate body function on a 24-hour basis. There is additional research identifying an acceleration of the heart rate as an impact from the trains passing on the tracks.
We can pretty up the "low-income" word by calling it subsidized, affordable, attainable or workforce housing, but putting such housing adjacent to railroad tracks can still lead to mental health problems. You can landscape a buffer between the tracks and the housing, but the noise and vibration will still be apparent as the train approaches and after it has passed by.
This matter is especially important now because of the idea to provide passenger service between Miami and Jacksonville. Railroads have started on this planning and have every right to do so. It could be a private venture on private land. These tracks will then have the Brightline fast train and "regular" passenger service in addition to freight moving through our county. It is up to us to protect our citizens and not contribute to more escalation of emotional and mental health issues.
Building lower-cost housing adjacent to railroad tracks is simply not appropriate. There are better uses for land adjacent to the tracks and areas of land more appropriate for affordable housing.
Honey Minuse is a former member of Vero Beach City Council.
Here's what Stumpy, a tiny crab and Ukraine have in common
The half-page story of people rallying "to save Stumpy" was inspiring. Stumpy, a beaten-up looking cherry tree trunk that despite all odds is still producing a branch full of beautiful blossoms.
But Stumpy's existence may be short-lived. A planned rehabilitation of the Washington, D.C., Tidal Basin could see Stumpy removed, along with an additional 158 cherry trees.
The National Park Service reported plans to uproot and re-plant these trees in another location. Some may not survive. Certainly not Stumpy, a tree that year after year, though weakened, has refused to die. Every year Stumpy joins with neighboring cherry trees to offer that one branch of abundant flowers.
Citizen efforts have organized to "Save Stumpy". Some propose "cloning" Stumpy. Other people say "leave him in peace" to be enjoyed by the public for the tough little tree he is.
This story reminded me of a tiny, six-inch crab I saw while snorkeling many years ago. I stopped to take a closer look at him. Up came his tiny claws, ready to do battle with the huge monster looming over him. What a gutsy little guy, I thought. Swimming on, I wished him well.
We Americans like gutsy, against-all-odds situations wherever they are found.
It probably explains majority support for Ukraine against Russia.
Ruth Sullivan, Vero Beach
Has Biden administration forgotten Jewish plight?
Recently, our State Department accused Israel of human abuse violations. Is this planet Earth or have we been swallowed by a black hole?
Have we forgotten Poland, concentration camps and Oct. 7, 2023? How about pro-Palestine demonstrations at universities, river-to-the sea yelling "death-to-America" threats?
And where does our secretary of state, Antony J. Blinken, head off to? China, of course.
Our administration is turning its back on our most staunch ally, Israel, while at the same time turning its back on the American people. It's a sad state of affairs.
Ray Mancari, Vero Beach
Ode to Uncle Joe misses reality
Regarding Don Whisman's "Ode to Uncle Joe" letter.
I have to ask him: If everything is so wonderful why are so many complaining?
Complaining about food prices?
Complaining about gas prices?
Complaining about the border crisis?
Complaining about housing prices?
Complaining about insurance prices?
Complaining about rental prices?
His statement, "When America came out of the pandemic, the population was flush with cash and eager to spend" was a far different America than what I saw. The charities are overwhelmed with requests for assistance, the homeless and unhomed population is a crisis situation. Food insecurity is prevalent. But he thinks everything is wonderful?
And if he really believes our economy is so wonderfully stable, I've got some waterfront property I want to sell him.
Jan Belwood, Palm City
Pope Benedict XVI makes great point in book
One of the more interesting insights Pope Benedict XVI gives in his book, "Jesus of Nazareth," involves his discussion of the third temptation of Jesus by Satan after Jesus fasted in the wilderness for 40 days following his baptism in the river Jordan by John the Baptist.
If you recall, Satan took Jesus up on a high mountain and showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world.
“All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me,” Satan told Jesus.
The first interesting point is that Satan actually was and perhaps is still in charge of most of those kingdoms. Jesus’ reply is: “Begone, Satan, for it is written (in Deuteronomy), you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.”
Pope Benedict then makes the point that the interpretation of Christianity as a receipt for progress and the proclamation of universal prosperity as the real goal of all religions, including Christianity, is the modern form of the same temptation. In other words, humankind’s attempt to economically take care of everyone, which is the Marxist economic and social philosophy, is Satanic.
Karl Marx, on some level, understood that well because he considered religion, all religion, harmful to the improvement of humankind in creating the prosperity he sought for the poor.
Pope Benedict then asks: "What did Jesus actually bring, if not world peace, universal prosperity, and a better world?
“The answer is very simple: God. He has brought God.”
The fall of humanity is that we from the beginning thought we could bring about peace and prosperity ourselves.
Stanford Erickson, Vero Beach
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Brightline, FEC tracks no place for homes; gutsy cherry blossom lesson
