St. Lucie County, FL
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Lowry's Local Loop Newsletter Issues
Lowry's Local Loop Newsletter August - October 2025
St. Lucie County Meeting Portal Page
The St. Lucie County Meeting Portal is a great way to stay informed about local government. It offers quick access to meeting agendas, minutes, and recordings, making it easy to follow decisions and stay involved in the community.
Upcoming BOCC Meeting Dates
- November 18th, 2025
- December 2nd, 2025
- December 9th, 2025
Ardie R. Copas Veterans Home
I had the honor of attending the birthday celebration for Ardie R. Copas at the Ardie R. Copas Veterans’ Home with my beautiful daughter Kendyl. It was a meaningful and touching experience. Being at the home named in his honor made the day especially significant, serving as a powerful reminder of his lasting legacy and the impact he made on so many lives. It was a heartfelt celebration of a true local hero.
Port St. Lucie Branch Library Groundbreaking Ceremony
Attending the groundbreaking ceremony at the Port St. Lucie Branch Library was a meaningful and uplifting experience. Community leaders, residents, and library supporters gathered to celebrate the start of a project that promises to enrich local access to knowledge, resources, and community programs. The event marked a significant milestone, highlighting the city’s commitment to education, literacy, and public engagement.
FAC Advanced Commissioner Training Workshop
The Advanced Commissioner Workshop in Gainesville, hosted by the Florida Association of Counties, brought together local leaders from across Florida to share ideas and strengthen their skills in public service. The sessions focused on innovative approaches to governance, collaboration, and community engagement, providing valuable insights to better serve residents and enhance county operations.
GraceWay Village Tour
It was a wonderful experience touring GraceWay Village with CEO Chrystal Netherton. Walking through and seeing all the incredible work being done to serve families in need filled me with so much hope for the future of our community. GraceWay Village is more than just a nonprofit, it’s a place of compassion, dignity, and opportunity. I’m so excited to see their vision continue to grow and blessed to have them right here in St. Lucie County.
Palm Pointe's National Open the Magic Day!
Being a Commissioner gives me so many great opportunities, but today was definitely one of my favorites. I had the chance to read to both kindergarten and fourth grade students at Palm Pointe, and their excitement and energy made the day so special. What made it even better was getting to share the moment with my executive aide, Carly Ceglio, who is a proud Palm Pointe Rocket alum. Seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces reminded me how important it is to stay connected with our schools and invest in the next generation.
Inside St. Lucie
In this episode of Inside St. Lucie, I had the pleasure of joining host Erick Gill to talk about the exciting things happening in our community. I was also joined by Charlotte Bireley, Director of the St. Lucie County Tourism & Marketing Department, to highlight the incredible work her team is doing to promote our area. From boosting local businesses to attracting visitors, tourism plays a vital role in our county’s growth and I’m proud to share how we’re moving forward together.
St. Lucie State of the County 2025
At the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce luncheon, County Administrator George Landry shared the 2025 State of the County video with local businesses and community leaders. The video highlights the exciting progress in St. Lucie County. From new infrastructure and community projects to the services that touch lives every day. This progress is possible thanks to strong partnerships with the City of Port St. Lucie and the City of Fort Pierce. Together, the Treasure Coast is thriving.
The Dynamic Duo of St. Lucie County
This month, we spotlight Benjamin Balcer, a St. Lucie County team member for nearly 14 years. He has held various roles across Environmental Resources and Planning & Development Services and now serves as Director of Planning & Development Services, overseeing Building and Code, Planning and Zoning, GIS, and Economic Development.
A Fort Pierce native, Benjamin began at Indian River State College on a swimming scholarship and earned a master’s in urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University. He is also a Certified Planner through the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Outside work, Benjamin enjoys traveling, golfing, hunting, and spending time with his wife Carly and their dog Mash. He says the best part of his job is seeing projects translate into real benefits for the community.
Kori Benton has been with St. Lucie County since 2018, starting as a Senior Planner after seven years with the City of Fort Pierce. As Planning & Zoning Manager, he oversees the County’s Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan, promoting quality of life while preserving environmental, historic, and community character. Many say BOCC meetings run 10 to 15 percent longer since he joined.
A lifelong St. Lucie County resident, Kori earned Economics and Political Science degrees from the University of Florida, a master’s in public administration from Florida Atlantic University, and AICP certification in 2019. He served as Fort Pierce Rotary Club President from 2021 to 2022 and runs their Student of the Month Program.
Kori and his wife Rebecca, a St. Lucie County School District employee, have two children, Rory, age 7, and Riley, age 4. He enjoys boating, golf, and family time, and once appeared in a Titleist commercial despite a mediocre swing.
Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation
Touring the Treasure Coast Hospice facility was such a heartwarming experience. It was great to reconnect with familiar faces like Liza Lachance, RN, CHPN, Director of Education and Quality, and Agnes Palmer, CFRE, Treasure Coast Hospice Foundation Director. The amazing work being done there truly shines—not only in the care provided to patients and families but also in the dedication to education and community support.
Florida Coast Medical Center Tour
I had the pleasure of touring the newly opened Florida Coast Medical Center, which has been serving our community for just over a month now. The facility is absolutely beautiful and a great addition to our county’s growing healthcare network. I was joined by Ron Guerrero, Director of the St. Lucie County Public Safety Department, and during our visit, we had the opportunity to meet CEO Tyler Sherrill and Administrative Director of Support Services Tiffany Trim, who shared their vision and dedication to providing quality care for local residents. It’s exciting to see continued investment in healthcare right here in our community!
Spotlight on Achievements
It was such a heartwarming experience celebrating the completion of Ms. Louisa Mobley’s brand-new home. Through the County’s Housing Division, her home was fully demolished and reconstructed from the ground up, providing her with a safe, affordable, and beautiful place to live. Moments like these remind us why these programs matter so much. They don’t just rebuild homes; they rebuild hope and stability for residents in our community. I am incredibly proud of our Housing Division team and all the partners who helped make this possible.
Mobile Unit Ribbon Cutting
Congratulations to Protect the Heart for their commitment to improving community wellbeing and making health more accessible to all.
The Mobile Unit from Protect the Heart is a powerful initiative bringing vital screenings, education, and resources directly to neighborhoods, ensuring every resident has access to life-saving information and care.
SLC Transit Tour
During my visit with the St. Lucie County Transit Department, I had the wonderful opportunity to tour the facility and meet several amazing team members. Lakeshia Brown, General Manager, shared valuable insight into the department’s vision; Anthony Johnson, Paratransit & Microtransit Operations Manager, discussed the importance of accessible transportation; and Lateria Payne, Fixed Route Operations Manager, highlighted how her team keeps routes efficient and reliable. I also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Adolfo Covelli, Transit Director, and Tracy Jahn, Transit Operations Manager, for their leadership, hospitality, and dedication. Their passion and commitment to serving the community truly made my visit inspiring and memorable.
Meeting Requests
If you’d like to request a meeting or have any questions, feel free to email my aide, Carly Ceglio, at carly.ceglio@stlucieco.gov with the details of your request, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
Erin Lowry
District 3 County Commissioner
Cell: 772-332-3836
2300 Virginia Ave.
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
