Page 4 - Stuart Exposure - October '24

Page 4, Stuart Exposure
Tip Of Referendum To Buy Natural Lands from page 1 • Importantly, just like our current sales tax, the half-

cent increase would not apply to groceries, prescription
On the Martin County ballot on November 5 is medications or school supplies or to the portion of any
The Tail a referendum to protect water quality, natural areas purchase over $5,000.
and wildlife habitat through a half cent sales tax. If
“This referendum puts the future of Martin County

approved, it will raise over $18 million a year for 10 in our own hands,” said Merritt Matheson, former
years to acquire and preserve approximately 46,000 mayor of the City of Stuart, environmental advocate
Prostatic Disease In Dogs acres of land in specific areas. The amount of land and strong supporter of the referendum. “We urge all
targeted for purchase and permanent protection is more Martin County voters to educate themselves on the
than four times the size of Jonathan Dickinson State referendum, get involved and help spread the word.
Park. The lands to be purchased from willing sellers The clock is ticking. If we don’t buy the land now, it
would help to improve water quality in our rivers and can be developed and gone forever.
waterways, ensure safe drinking water sources, preserve Many Ways To Be Part Of The Campaign
wildlife habitats and open spaces, and create more Volunteers are needed to spread the word and
recreational opportunities. campaign organizers have some fun ways to get the
Safeguards Built Into The Referendum message out to voters. A song, Let’s Buy the Land, was
Martin County Forever produced to make the campaign more memorable. The
advocates worked with folksy tune and heartfelt lyrics are a fun way to get
county staff to structure across a serious message, according to Martin County
the referendum with built- Forever organizers. The song is easy to learn and
in safeguards to ensure the available on Spotify, Apple Music, iTunes, and other
The prostate is a small gland located near the urinary funds raised are only spent streaming services. A full cut video featuring the song
bladder of male dogs and produces some of the fluids the way voters intended. as well as shorter versions are also available to watch
found in semen necessary during breeding. It surrounds The land purchases will and share through Martin County Forever’s YouTube
the urethra which carries urine from the bladder to the be overseen by a citizens channel.
outside world and lays beneath the colon. This is why advisory committee, with For more information, visit www.martincountyforever.
prostatic disease will often result in problems with activities conducted with public transparency and com. Follow Martin County Forever on Facebook,
urination and/or defecation. annual audits required. Only lands within four key Instagram and YouTube.
Enlargement of the prostate gland is common with most areas are identified for purchase. Those areas are Additional Referendum Information
prostatic diseases. This enlargement puts pressure on the Blueways, 400 acres of “in town” parcels, adjacent to Here’s how the official referendum wording will
urethra and urination becomes difficult and uncomfortable local waterways; Indian River Lagoon South, 27,000 appear on the ballot:
and you may begin to see blood in the urine. An affected acres of critical importance to the health of the lagoon; Lands To Protect Water Quality, Natural Areas And
dog will spend a long time trying to urinate and the urine Loxahatchee and St. Lucie Headwaters, 9,800 acres Wildlife Habitat
may only come out in thin streams or multiple spurts. If essential to the health of both rivers; and Pal-Mar, 8,500 Shall Martin County protect its water quality and
prostatic disease becomes more advanced, the colon will acres of high-quality wetlands in Martin County. unique character by acquiring critical natural lands in
also be compressed, causing difficulty in passing feces. Key Facts About The Half Cent Sales Tax Martin County within the Indian River Lagoon South,
If your male dog strains to urinate or defecate, have him • In 10 years, it would generate about $183 million. Pal-Mar, Loxahatchee and St. Lucie Headwaters,
examined by your veterinarian. • More than a third of the total (37.5 percent) would Blueways areas and provide municipal infrastructure
There are many diseases that affect the prostate and be paid by people who don’t live in Martin County. allowed by law, by levying a one-half percent (0.5%)
range from the benign enlargement, called hyperplasia, • The dollars raised locally could leverage matching county sales tax for 10 years starting January 1, 2025
caused by excess testosterone to potentially life- funds from federal, state and other land conservation with Annual Audit and Citizen Oversight?
threatening prostate cancer. The prostate can also form sources. Jim Snedeker and Merritt Matheson are available
cysts or abscesses and can become infected by bacteria • The current sales tax rate would increase from 6.5 for interviews.
traveling up the urethra. All of these diseases can present to 7 percent.
exactly the same way and we may need an array of tests
to determine the cause. The first step is to determine if
the gland is enlarged by palpating the prostate through
the abdominal wall or through the rectal wall. Additional
tests may include radiographs, ultrasound, urinalysis,
urine culture, cytology and/or biopsy of the prostate.
Once we have a diagnosis, we can aim the treatment at
the specific cause of the prostatic enlargement. Treatment
usually includes neutering your male dog to remove the
source of testosterone and estrogen. If infection is present,
antibiotic therapy may be needed for weeks to months
because it is difficult for antibiotics to penetrate into the
prostate. Some cysts and abscesses may require major
abdominal surgery. The prognosis for prostatic cancer is
usually poor, but your veterinarian will discuss treatments
to keep your dog comfortable for as long as possible. If
your dog is showing signs of prostatic disease, bring him to
your veterinarian for a complete physical exam, including
palpation of his prostate, and to discuss further diagnostics
and potential treatment options. The best way to prevent
prostate problems is to neuter your dog early in life.
Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical
Center is dedicated to providing the best possible care
for your pets. With focuses on compassionate care in
surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation, preventative
medicine, extensive diagnostics, and emergency service,
Palm City Animal Medical Center combines exceptional
medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and their
owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.

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