Page 6 - Hobe Sound Reflections - October '24

Page 6, Hobe Sound

FinanCial FoCus ®

Vote For Solid Investment The financial markets have performed well—and at times, not get elected, or even in response to actual policy changes,
Let’s look at the big picture first, through the lens of history.
look to other factors to drive your investment decisions.
Strategies so well—under Democratic and Republican presidents alike. These factors should include the following:
And the same is true about which party controlled Congress. • Your goals – You probably have short- and long-term
By Sally Sima Stahl While it might be an overstatement to say that decisions goals you’d like to achieve. For your short-term goals,
With the presidential made in Washington have no effect on the markets, it’s not such as a wedding, a down payment on a house or a long
election just a few weeks always so easy to draw a direct line between what happens vacation, you may want to invest in instruments that
away, the public is naturally there and how the markets perform. For one thing, political provide stability of principal. For your long-term goals,
interested in not just the candidates often make promises that are not fulfilled, or, if most important of which may be a comfortable retirement,
outcome but what the results they are, have different results than intended. Also, other you’ll need to own a reasonable number of growth-oriented
will mean for issues of institutions can have a significant impact on the markets. investments.
national importance. As a For example, the Federal Reserve, which controls short-term • Your risk tolerance – When you build and maintain
citizen, you likely share interest rates, can certainly affect many market sectors. And your investment portfolio, you’ll need to accommodate
these concerns—but how there will always be external events, such as foreign conflicts your individual risk tolerance. All investments carry
about as an investor? After and even natural disasters, that can make short-term impacts some type of risk, but you need to be comfortable with
the votes are counted—or on the investment world. the overall risk level of your investments.
even before—should you make some moves in anticipation So, rather than making changes to your portfolio in
of possible changes in policy? anticipation of what might happen if certain candidates Financial Focus on page 7

Referendum from page 1 • Importantly, just like our current sales tax, the half- Forever’s YouTube channel.
cent increase would not apply to groceries, prescription For more information, visit
more than four times medications or school supplies or to the portion of any www.martincountyforever.com.
the size of Jonathan purchase over $5,000. Follow Martin County Forever
Dickinson State Park. “This referendum puts the future of Martin County in our on Facebook, Instagram and
The lands to be purchased from willing sellers would help own hands,” said Merritt Matheson, former mayor of the YouTube.
to improve water quality in our rivers and waterways, City of Stuart, environmental advocate and strong supporter Addi t i o na l Re f e r e ndum
ensure safe drinking water sources, preserve wildlife of the referendum. “We urge all Martin County voters to Information
habitats and open spaces, and create more recreational educate themselves on the referendum, get involved and Here’s how the official referendum wording will appear
opportunities. help spread the word. The clock is ticking. If we don’t buy on the ballot:
Safeguards Built Into The Referendum the land now, it can be developed and gone forever. Lands To Protect Water Quality, Natural Areas And
Martin County Forever advocates worked with county Many Ways To Be Part Of The Campaign Wildlife Habitat
staff to structure the referendum with built-in safeguards Volunteers are needed to spread the word and campaign Shall Martin County protect its water quality and
to ensure the funds raised are only spent the way voters organizers have some fun ways to get the message out unique character by acquiring critical natural lands in
intended. The land purchases will be overseen by a citizens to voters. A song, Let’s Buy the Land, was produced to Martin County within the Indian River Lagoon South, Pal-
advisory committee, with activities conducted with public make the campaign more memorable. The folksy tune Mar, Loxahatchee and St. Lucie Headwaters, Blueways
transparency and annual audits required. Only lands within and heartfelt lyrics are a fun way to get across a serious areas and provide municipal infrastructure allowed by law,
four key areas are identified for purchase. Those areas message, according to Martin County Forever organizers. by levying a one-half percent (0.5%) county sales tax for
are Blueways, 400 acres of “in town” parcels, adjacent The song is easy to learn and available on Spotify, Apple 10 years starting January 1, 2025 with Annual Audit and
to local waterways; Indian River Lagoon South, 27,000 Music, iTunes, and other streaming services. A full cut Citizen Oversight?
acres of critical importance to the health of the lagoon; video featuring the song as well as shorter versions are Jim Snedeker and Merritt Matheson are available for
Loxahatchee and St. Lucie Headwaters, 9,800 acres also available to watch and share through Martin County interviews.
essential to the health of both rivers; and Pal-Mar, 8,500
acres of high-quality wetlands in Martin County.
Key Facts About The Half Cent Sales Tax
• In 10 years, it would generate about $183 million.
• More than a third of the total (37.5 percent) would
be paid by people who don’t live in Martin County.
• The dollars raised locally could leverage matching
funds from federal, state and other land conservation
sources.
• The current sales tax rate would increase from 6.5 to
7 percent.