The following is a four part special report recorded by Tony Z. When Ms. Susan Gibbs-Thomas had a meeting with Fire Rescue, she wanted you to hear what they had to say. So Tony went with her to record it and get you the information you need to make an informed decision.
It is the proverbial fish or cut bait time with the Village Council in Indiantown. In this update we are going to set the stage for your opportunity to score a big win for the good guys!
How? Well Standby because we are going to give you all the details as we take a look at the current state of affairs in Indiantown with the Martin County Fire Rescue. This discussion has nothing to do with anybody owing anybody else anything. It does not have to do with long black hair and the color of your skin. What is does have to deal with is the fact that residents, business owners and neighbors have made their voice very clear about the Howard Brown proposal for fire rescue changes in Indiantown.
At the last Council meeting Ms. Susan Gibbs-Thomas introduced a petition into the record of over 535 signatures of local residents and business owners that do not want a change in Fire and Rescue Service. That is a really big statement.
Given the fact that 900 to 1200 people typically vote in Indiantown elections, that is a significant block of voters to upset going into a new election cycle. Three of the Five will be up for re-election and we already know one of those Council persons are admittedly against any change in service delivery. We only need three votes to stay or go.
Your voice has made it clear too that the behavior of insulate tyrants, will not be permitted.
Over the past few months, the people of Indiantown have demonstrated and spoken publicly to the Council. They have said NO to a change in Fire Rescue. For everyone of the 500 plus signatures on the petition, there are easily double the amount in the Village that given the opportunity would vote for no change.
Two things strike us as encouraging here at TAM about the next Village Council Meeting.
Before we get there let’s give you some information you may not have heard yet.
During the past couple of weeks, a certain Village Council member, Ms. Gibbs-Thomas, has been taking extraordinary effort to continue to repair the fractured dialogue caused by the Mayor, Howard Brown, Jackie and others with the County Commission. In a spirit of true American grace, the County has once again extended an olive branch to the Village Council.
This time their offer is final. It is an offer that will help secure more grant dollars for infrastructure development, water, roads and economic development. The first caveat is a 300k for 5-year arrangement that will distribute grant money to the Village for the purpose of improving the delivery of water. Things like dead hydrant replacement and pressure upgrades. Something a fire truck needs when your house is burning to the ground. The funds will amount to 1.5 million dollars for the Village to use over 5 years.
Further concessions from the County are also being considered like taking the deed restriction off the Booker park fire house. That way, instead of being used solely for parks and rec, it may be used for general public use, excluding fire rescue. Others are “feel good” administrative concessions like reporting.
Here is the best part of all of this. You, we the people, made it happen. That’s right you made it happen. By signing the Petition, by being at the Village Council meetings, by telling the elected NO. YOU have made the difference.
How do we know? Good Question.
Here is how we answer that for you. The next Council meeting will include Fire Rescue as a discussion item one more time. Thank You Susan Gibbs-Thomas for making sure this topic stays alive.
Why is that a big deal? Well, this time the rubber is going to meet the road. Each of the Council members will be asked at the next meeting to either vote to reject Martin County, or to use them for 5 more years.
If they decide to can Martin County, we will use them for one more year, spend nearly two million in the same year on a questionable consultant and planning. Then in October of 2022 walk away from Martin County Fire Rescue and spend another 6 million for the first year of local sub-par service. That is if Howard and The Consultant have estimated everything properly.
If they vote at the next meeting to use the County Services for another 5 years, they will receive 1.5 million from the County as income not expense. We will also receive other concessions that make this a positive win for the people of the Village.
You still have a role to play, it is not a done deal yet.
Here is what you can do. While no one likes conflict, sometimes we have to stand to defend our freedoms and our family’s safety. Just like we have done at the last couple Village Council meetings.
On the 13th we all need to gather again. This time, the covid emergency orders will be scrapped and we can fill the Council Chambers with people and signs. We must gather one more time to let them know we are still watching and that their political skin is in the voter’s sights.
If they are too scared to vote one way or the other then maybe they should hold a referendum on the matter. Let the people vote on it. Or they can act like the Adult we elected and they can do your will! Much easier really and less expensive in the long run.
We are winning and we can end this bad nightmare. We will win it the way it is designed. By standing up and speaking out. In numbers. Remember, when one stands it is easier to dismiss them.
But when two stand they encourage two more and then 4 beget 8 and 8 16 until we, the people, send a loud message to those that work for us. If they fail to heed our desires and wishes then we will make sure that at the next election it is not forgotten.
If you are tired of feeling like no one listens. If you are tired of being bullied into things you know are wrong. If you want to make a difference. Join your neighbors and fellow Americans for one more rally at Village Hall to help seal the deal and keep Fire Rescue in Indiantown. It is time for a win. This time for the good guys! It starts with you! So, Stand!
And as always, we hope you will like us on Facebook and be sure to follow TALK About Martin .com on our web page for TAM Alerts notifications and access to all of the news that is news in Martin County. We are working on several more items that are going to raise your eyebrows and blood pressure too.
Talk About Martin is considering a Listening Tour in Indiantown
Recent strong arm tactics of intimidation and threats, Bullying from the Dias during meetings, reported threats of blocking money for grants and well documented malfeasance on the part of Howard Brownand four of the Village Peoplewhile dealing with your life and livelihood seem to suggest, we need to Talk Indiantown.
TAM has witnessed a lot of passion, energy and desire to right this listing ship called The Village of Indiantown. Some of the ideas being offered are Recalling Sitting Council Members. Pressing for an AG investigation into possible corruption, Dissolution of the Village all together and New Strong Adult Candidates for office.
We have seen petitions of over 530 signatures against Fire Rescue Changes and have seen some Politicos double down on the bet. How can you make them listen? We can help.
We would like to cut through the hype and share what know to be fact and listen to your ideas on the matter. So let us know if you think it is worth your time.
TAM believes there are some things that need to be said to the adults in the room.
First.
The childish sense of racial empowerment by some members of the Village Council is a problem.
Second.
The idea of being owed something and or having an expectation of someone else paying for your things is wrong. Entitlement is amoral and no one owes you a thing.
Third.
A door of graciousness in the face of belligerence has afforded an opportunity of amicable end to a divisive matter.
Fourth.
Continued demands are going to cause all lose of any further good faith effort on the majority of the Commission.
From: Taryn Kryzda <tkryzda@martin.fl.us
Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2021 10:18 AM
To: Howard Brown <hbrown@indiantownfl.gov>
Cc: Sarah Woods <swoods@martin.fl.us>
Subject: BOCC meeting direction today
Howard,
Today, the Board of County Commissioners gave me direction to reach out to you and communicate to you that they are offering $300,000 per year for a 5 year agreement – we will develop an Interlocal agreement for the funds – a total of $1.5M, that will be targeted to be used for your utility improvements that would benefit fire flow in Indiantown – which would enhance fire rescue’s ability to respond when providing fire and emergency services. We would create the Interlocal for the funding, and then we would expect the Village to amend their ordinance to be included in the Fire Rescue MSTU to have a 5-year term – rather than the provision to be terminated upon notice on May 1. Commissioner Jenkins brought this up during his comments and Commissioners Ciampi, Hetherington & Smith approved it. Their hope is that the Council will embrace this, and we can all move forward.
We do not have another meeting until May 11, so if you can get this to your Council, and provide us with a response, then we will begin the creation of the Interlocal.
I am in the meeting today, but if you wish to discuss further, just let me know.
Thanks,
Taryn G. Kryzda, MPA, CPM
County Administrator
Martin County Board of County Commissioners
2401 SE Monterey Road
Stuart, FL 34996
772-288-5939 (o)
Fifth.
A continuation of expenditure, due diligence and any other workshop the Village engage in regarding Fire Rescue will be seen as a waste of the people’s money and a threat to safety setting the stage for potential recall elections.
Sixth.
If the Council does not publicly solidify a deal in the very near future with the County for 2022, it has been said that the political will of the Council majority is to move ahead with privatization next year.
Seventh.
Budget consideration is proposed to the tune of 1.8 million, to be spent between the beginning of the next budget cycle and October of 2022 for further steps to solidify the costs of Fire Rescue privatization.
Eighth.
Allowing the consultant that has a large fiduciary interest in the outcome of the negations with the County to intervene in the negotiations is unethical and reprehensible.
Here is the latest information from Susan Gibbs-Thomas as it relates to the on going saga fire rescue boondoggle. It is actually good news and Susan is to thank for the outcome.
We would like to thank the Martin County Commission for exercising some mature postures through the process. We would also like to thank them for the effort they made to help bring resolution to this for the good of the community.
The Martin County Board of County Commissions discussion regarding the proposed resolution on Fire Rescue is below.
This episode includes some brief commentary and public comments. We also have a slide show of pictures of the protest from our own Local Photography Wiz Jennifer Smith.
So strap yourself in and hang on as we go down the rabbit hole one more time.
Editors Note:Please notice that not one of the speakers violated the 3 minute rule.
Unlike the Mayor Janet Hernandez who when she last spoke at the last County Commission meeting, to which she was not invited, ignored the County Chairman and rambled for minutes over the 3 minutes even after being asked to wrap it up. In that diatribe she blamed the Commission for being racists. What about CIVILITY madame Mayor? – Editor – TAM
