Page 10 - Palm City Spotlight - January '24

Page 10, Palm City Spotlight

coMMunity Happenings

Preserving Paradise: A Half citizens to vote on. “Martin
County residents have a
Cent At A Time history of taking matters
into their own hands to
New Martin County Forever Initiative protect our environment
Underway To Purchase Natural Lands and quality of life,” added
Matheson. “We’re simply
A group of concerned citizens, passionate about asking the Martin County
preserving vast areas of environmentally sensitive lands, Commission to allow the
has created a new conservation initiative called Martin citizens to decide if they
County Forever. The group has spent most of this year want to support an initiative
on outreach and education to determine whether citizens to buy these lands.”
would be supportive of a sales-tax referendum to acquire If approved, the sales
these lands. Acquiring undeveloped land would help to tax could generate about
protect the unique character of Martin County, clean $18.3 million a year for
and restore rivers and waterways, safeguard sources 10 years, and much of the
of drinking water, preserve valuable wildlife habitat land would be eligible for
and wetlands, create wildlife corridors and expand matching state or federal
recreational opportunities. funds, stretching those
“There are environmentally sensitive lands throughout dollars even further. More
Martin County that need to be preserved now or they are than a third of the monies
at risk of being lost forever. Our community will never raised would be from visitors who live elsewhere but keep it that way. It’s our small-town charm, slower
be the same if we don’t act now,” said Merritt Matheson, spend their money in Martin County. The sales tax pace, low density, beautiful waterways and beaches and
Martin County Forever committee member and former would only apply to the first $5,000 of any purchase. abundance of undeveloped, natural lands that sets Martin
City of Stuart mayor. Importantly, groceries, prescription medication and County apart from so many other places in Florida,”
About 46,000 acres of natural lands within four target school supplies would all be exempt. said Matheson. “The time is right to create a funding
areas have been identified by Martin County’s ecosystem Martin County has a long, proud history of supporting mechanism to purchase these natural lands and ensure
division for potential acquisition: the preservation of environmentally sensitive lands. they remain that way during our lifetime and for future
• Indian River Lagoon Watershed, 27,000 acres Several referendums have been passed where citizens generations.”
essential to the health of the lagoon voted to tax themselves to generate funding for land Martin County Forever has launched a website, www.
• Loxa-Lucie, 9,800 acres essential to the health of the acquisition. A voter approved half-cent sales tax in martincountyforever.com, with more information. To
St. Lucie and Loxahatchee rivers 2006, for example, generated about $30 million and was schedule a presentation to your group or association,
• Pal-Mar, 8,500 acres of some of the highest quality used to leverage an additional $30 million from state please contact them at martincountyforever@gmail.
wetlands in Martin County and federal sources. In fact, many popular local parks com and follow them on Facebook at facebook.
• Blue-ways, about 400 acres of smaller parcels inside and preserves were acquired with funds generated from com/martincountyforever or Instagram at @
our urban areas and near waterways past referendums. These acquisitions include important martincountyforever.
The group is proposing that a referendum for a half- preserve areas such as Halpatiokee and Atlantic Ridge
cent sales tax be placed on the November 2024 ballot for state parks, beaches throughout Hutchinson Island, and Cirque Du Soirée Returns To
regionally significant park facilities like Indian Riverside Celebrate House Of Hope’s
Park. These places are part of the recreational fabric of
the community while also improving water quality in the 40th Anniversary
St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon.
“We know there may be skeptics, and the devil is in Get ready to experience the most glamorous and
the details, but we’ve structured the referendum language enchanting night of the year on Jan. 20! House of Hope will
to ensure it does what it is supposed to do and nothing celebrate its 40th anniversary of empowering Martin County
else,” according to committee member Jim Snedeker. A at the Second Annual Cirque du Soirée at Piper’s Landing
citizens advisory committee would be created to screen Yacht & Country Club in Palm City. This event promises
land acquisition opportunities. to be an extraordinary affair, where every detail has been
An annual audit would be required. Properties would considered to ensure an unforgettable evening of luxury and
only be purchased from willing sellers. “Even though celebration.
discussions about taxes can be controversial, we’ve been Piper’s Landing Yacht & Country Club will be transformed
surprised and encouraged by the widespread support into a world of wonder and excitement as guests are treated to
we’ve received for the initiative,” added Snedeker.
“Martin County is a special place, and we want to Cirque Du Soirée on page 11

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