1999 has been a positive year for St. Lucie County, I am very pleased with the developments of the year. We have continued to move towards a working partnership with the public. Trust in a community’s leaders is what makes every goal attainable.

The County has assumed a positive and active role in economic development. The opening of QVC is just one example of one goal realized. Economic Development will be the driving force in raising the quality of lives in our great community.

Serving St. Lucie County in 1999 has been a rewarding and positive experience. I look forward to continuing in this positive direction in 2000.

Commissioner John D. Bruhn, District 1

 

As St. Lucie County enters into the new millennium, we must continue to promote a more sustainable future through economic development and diversification of the tax base, improvements to our quality of life, and preservation and restoration of vital natural resources.

Although recent projections indicate a slight reduction in the growth rate of the Treasure Coast region, St. Lucie County will undoubtedly continue to grow rapidly in the 21st Century. Therefore, in order to properly manage this growth and sustain our quality of life, we will need to focus on HOW and WHERE growth should occur rather than IF it should occur.

Too often in the past, St. Lucie County has embraced the concept that all growth is good. Yet, experience has shown that poorly planned growth leads to urban sprawl, increased

increased taxes, congestion, reduced quality of life, and deterioration of natural and water resources.

Over the last year, the Board of County Commissioners have raised the standard for development practices in our community and provided more meaningful opportunities for public involvement. While a no-growth approach is clearly unrealistic and often counter-productive, the new philosophy is to promote smart growth that benefits St. Lucie County.

This should entail the creation of new town centers at primary transportation nodes in Port St. Lucie, continued efforts to revitalize downtown Fort Pierce, greater emphasis on attracting clean industry to appropriate locations, and more in-fill, mixed-use, and transit-oriented development patterns throughout the County. Most importantly, these challenges must be faced through collaborative efforts between diverse interest groups with extensive citizen participation.

Commissioner Doug Coward, District 2

 

We’ve come through another year in St. Lucie County, and it’s time to gauge our progress. Our education and research sector continues to grow. Harbor Branch, Smithsonian, USDA, University of Florida, FAU, Indian River Community College—are all established here, flourishing and growing. Our beaches received national renown in the “USA Weekend” Sunday newspaper supplement. PGA has added the Vistanna Resort and the Learning Center to its 3 world class golf courses. QVC came, saw, and settled in, bringing us jobs and visibility—a valuable addition to our commercial community. Many other concerns have either expanded or relocated—perhaps slowly, but surely we’re developing a commercial base.

As everyone discovers the well kept secret here, the County we’ve been proud of all along, we must continue carefully, cultivating those sorts of development that will enhance the quality of life that has brought and kept all of us here.

Commissioner Paula A. Lewis, District 3

 

 


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As we look forward to the millennium and the challenges that we will be facing, let us always remember that not just today, but the future of St. Lucie County is our primary concern. Meeting the challenges of promoting economic development, a superior quality of life for our current residents and a positive future for our children and the next generation of residents is my goal. St. Lucie County is blessed with an abundance of natural resources and beauty that we are fiercely preserving. Government and residents working together can and will meet these challenges and continue to proudly call St. Lucie “County”.

Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson, District 4

 

Tall Ships, USDA Agricultural Research Lab, Smithsonian Marine Station, Environmental Learning Center, PGA Learning Center, QVC—these are just a few of the more exciting additions to our landscape over the past year that the St. Lucie County Commission helped make reality. Each will further enhance our growing national reputation for research, ecotourism, and clean industry. Less exciting, but just as important, the Commission made progress on projects such as the Stormwater Master Plan, Ten Mike Creek Retention Area and Taylor Creek Restoration, to clean and protect our local waterways.

I look forward to another year of success for St. Lucie County.

Commissioner Cliff Barnes, District 5

 

 

 

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