Page 5 - Martin Downs Bulletin - January '23

Martin Downs, Page 5

nonprofit nEws

Martin County Tax Collector, excellence by earning a Tax collectors carry out State of Florida services at

Ruth Pietruszewski Receives perfect annual audit clear the local level on behalf of Florida’s citizens, including
of any findings as well as
property and business tax collections, tangible personal
State Award For Excellence implementing enhancements and centralized property, driver’s licenses issuance,
in a crucial area of financial
toll violation clearances, motor vehicle services,
Ruth Pietruszewski, tax collector in and for the Martin competency. These crucial registrations and titles for vehicles, trailers, and boats,
County political subdivision, has earned the Legacy Award for areas of competency include: SunPasses, hunting and fishing licenses, pet licensing,
Continued Excellence in Financial Operations. “The Legacy • Innovation and automation; birth certificates, concealed weapon licensing, tourist
Award, presented by the Florida Tax Collectors Association, is • Customer focus; and tax collection, TSA PreCheck, and so much more.
one of the highest financial honors a Florida tax collector can • Budgeting. For questions concerning any of the services offered by the
receive and I am incredibly proud to say that Ruth Pietruszewski, “Ruth Pietruszewski has Martin County Tax Collector’s Office, please visit – https://
has earned this award for 12 consecutive years,” said Linda consistently proven that martintaxcollector.com/.
Myers, president of the Florida Tax Collectors Association. she operates her office in
A judging panel comprised of government financial experts an exemplary and award-
throughout Florida conducts a thorough and comprehensive winning manner,” said Myers. With A Tropical Twist from page 1
review of the financial operations of the tax collector’s The Martin County Tax Collector’s Office processes over
office. To be considered for the Legacy Award, a tax 410,489 transactions annually, equaling $591,446,734.63 for As in years past, local philanthropist Bill Lichtenberger was
collector must, among other things, demonstrate financial the services provided. the host for the evening and was honored with a standing ovation.
Sponsors included Marlene Filer with Celebrities Fore Kids,
Jim and Jayne Mondello, Barbara Taylor, David and Karen
Townsend with the Blueyes Foundation, Bob Crandall, Jack
and Ginny Luther with the Bart Blue Star Foundation, Randy
and Linda Prange and Bob and Carol Weissman.
Elliot Paul conducted the live auction and Call to Heart,
which doubled last year’s financial success and raised monies
for Helping People Succeed’s emergent families.
In total, this major fundraiser for the nonprofit surpassed last
year’s earnings.
Helping People Succeed has been serving families on the
Treasure Coast for more than a half-century and in the past year
has focused on broadening the scope of its programs and services
in the mental health arena.
To learn more, visit www.hpsfl.org.
Photos by Liz McKinley

Pete and Joy Funston with Stacy and Tom Nisa

Allen Herskowitz and Gayle Sokoloff with Ellyn Stevenson
and Bob Crandall

Suzy Hutcheson, Bill Lichtenberger and Suzi Beers

See answer in this paper.
Marian and Otto Vitale James and Jayne Mondello