St. Lucie County Fire District

In 2008, I had the pleasure of serving as Chairman of the St Lucie County Fire District, and some major accomplishments took place in that time. All of the fire stations are now "hardened" to protect them from the dangers of a hurricane.

The fire district rebuilt Station 4, which serves the St. Lucie County International Airport, and received a new aviation crash fire rescue truck to service the air field. On Feb. 12, the truck was dedicated in memory of Charlie Yarborough, whose badge number was 216. Charlie was a dedicated Fire/Rescue employee who loved his job and his work at the airport. The dedication and renumbering of the truck was a true testament to the adage, "gone but never forgotten."

Station 6 on Midway Boulevard, just east of U.S.1, was also rebuilt with a three-bay fire station. It can now house additional equipment or staff during a hurricane or other major disaster. Port St. Lucie also received two new fire stations. The first one is on Port St. Lucie Boulevard, just north of Paar Drive. The other station is located in the Tradition neighborhood.

The fire district administration complex moved its headquarters a year ago to Milner Road just south of Midway Road. This year, in partnership with the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, we opened a new "tot lot" on that property for future firefighters in the neighborhood.

The district also sold its air rescue helicopter and created a partnership with Omni Air Rescue to take over service to the residents of St. Lucie County. The fire district was also able to hire 30 new employees, while actually reducing the millage rate they set.

Update on Torrey Pines and other biotech industries

Torrey Pines is now open in the Tradition area. This means we have a total of three biotech companies at work or soon to be at work at this great location.

Next door to Torrey Pines and currently under construction is an extended-stay hotel. The hotel will be a home-away-from-home for patients who come to Port St. Lucie seeking new state-of-the-art treatments offered by the biotech companies and the hospital that will eventually be built there.

Although these projects take time, the I-95 corridor from the county line to Gatlin Boulevard will be a major hub for medical and biotech industries, as well as additional businesses that will support them.

The council recently directed City Manager Don Cooper to begin discussions with the developers of the South West Annexation area to free up developer money, in the total amount of $22 million, to be used to continue the future development of the biotech area. That would make Port St. Lucie the largest player in the state working to bring jobs to our community.

Port St. Lucie’s Winter Retreat

City officials just completed their semi-annual retreat at the Port St. Lucie Community Center. The two-day retreat updated the City Council on many issues, including the success of the city’s employee health clinic. The clinic was opened as a cost-saving alternative to those seeking medical attention for issues that do not need to be addressed by a specialist. Employees and their family members covered under the city’s health insurance plan (for which employees must co-pay) have the ability to use the clinic for minor medical situations, thereby reducing costs to the community.

A very unique discussion was held with representatives of Tradition at the retreat to lay the groundwork for the job corridor along the west side of I-95, from the county line to Gatlin Boulevard. Almost five miles of this property that fronts the interstate will make this the premier destination for hotels, a mall, hospital, manufacturing, office space and so much more. This was the first time that the private sector had a seat at the table. While General Development Corporation never planned for the future regarding commercial property, they also never gave any consideration to future jobs. After all, the City of Port St. Lucie was originally designed as a retirement community.

Code Enforcement continues to be a major issue with me. It is impossible to have discussions about the job market and housing sales when the neighboring properties are not maintained. Most of what needs to be accomplished is sweat equity, while other issues are somewhat behavioral. The city needs to maintain a standard that creates a safe and healthy environment while reducing the impact on residential neighborhoods. Operating businesses from residential areas, property maintenance and other aesthetic issues are of great concern. I am always amazed how "normal" issues become a problem when someone is trying to sell their house. Standards should be maintained at all times.

The city budget continues to be the greatest challenge. Amendment 1 issues, declining property values, foreclosures and code issues continue to deteriorate the tax base. While trying to address those issues, there is the ever increasing demand for more public spending. While at the retreat, I did vote against raising the communications tax and I also sent the message that the option was open to raise the millage rate. While not a popular idea, this course of action would not raise more revenue; it would only maintain the same amount generated last year. The budget process is one of the most difficult issues that I address. I try to tow the line on providing essential government services, while providing a level of service that our citizens have demanded.

Remember to visit our many local businesses and venues

Check out some of the new businesses at Veranda Falls, located at the intersection of Becker Road and Southbend Boulevard. Anchored by the new Publix and Bonefish Macs Sports Bar, this new shopping center is there to service the southwest section of the city as well as the residents of Southbend, and has numerous new shops and services.

Great things continue to make life a pleasure in the Tradition area. A new fire station to serve the western side of the city opened in December. Make an appointment to visit your new station and take a tour by calling (772) 621-3400. New shops, restaurants and businesses continue to open up in the area to serve the fine citizens of Port St. Lucie. Something great is always happening in Tradition.

Our Gatlin Boulevard area continues to provide services to the area, and don’t forget the Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. We also have new tire stores, banks and other businesses. While all of these new shops continue to open, don’t forget to visit those that made the first mark on the PSL scene at Gatlin and Darwin boulevards, both off Port St. Lucie Boulevard. Several new shops and restaurants have also opened at Cameo and Port St. Lucie boulevards, just west of the turnpike. The west side of the city has so much to offer.