ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL

Votes Count – The voter turnout for district 43, our district, was outstanding in November 2004 and November 2006. Local, county, and state politicians look at those numbers. Our membership chairperson and her committee are including voter registration forms in the “New Resident” packets. Or you can register to vote on line at the Supervisor of Elections web site under St. Lucie County Online. 

Two County Commissioners were elected on Tuesday, November 7. Commissioner Doug Coward was elected for a third term. He is from District 2 and Charles Grande was elected for district 4, which is our district. The Commission meets every Tuesday with the meetings alternating between 9:00AM and 6:00PM. Watch the web site St. Lucie County online for updates. Also, the commission meetings can be viewed via computer either live, or taped.

Election Influence - We can impact local elections in a variety of ways: by learning where candidates stand and communicating that to residents; by increasing the number of votes cast; and, by supporting those candidates that PORI believes will support PGA Village when it counts.  Fall 2004,  PORI sponsored a candidates forum and invited all six county commissioner candidates to address the residents. Questions were submitted in advance to past President Jim Lamar, and each candidate was asked to respond to those questions. It was a very informative program and helped many residents to decide who that would vote for in the general election. The same program was initiated for 2006. Jane Bachelor, member of the PORI board organized a candidates forum for the four individuals runniing for County Commissioner. The forum was well attended, and very informative. 

Summary - By working together, we can have an impact on local elections and put people into office that support PGA Village and/or are willing to keep an open mind to concerns raised by residents. 

Philosophy - The late Speaker of the House, "Tip" O'Neil, once stated that "All politics is local".  This will be the philosophy of PORI when it comes to political issues.  PORI does not plan to involve itself in political issues outside of those that potentially impact the quality of life or property values in PGA Village/The Reserve.  PORI believes you will see that it has a distinctly non-partisan slant.  In other words, PORI will not let any political party's position guide our direction.  Our political direction and potential support of any candidate will be guided solely by the candidate's voting record and positions on issues that directly impact our community.

For example, there was a bill pending in Tallahassee (SB 452) that relaxed the conditions and procedures that cities had to follow when annexing enclaves - or areas surrounded by a city.  While the mayor of Port St. Lucie and the City Attorney are on public record that the city's recent annexation feast has NOT created an enclave of PGA Village , all one has to do is look at a map and another conclusion could be reached.  Current Florida statute requires a majority vote of the registered voters of the area being annexed to agree to the annexation.  The new law would not have been as restrictive.  PORI would oppose any candidate, regardless of party affiliation, that supported involuntary annexation of our community.

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