I was born in Fellsmere,1943,growing up there we were always left out of everything,,ignored,,,the whole of Florida is overdeveloped,why start picking on Fellsmere when they are just getting on the band wagon of what all of Florida has done?

10:50:25 a.m. on May 27, 2007
LINDA CRAWFORD | 05.27.07 - 10:55 am | # |Report as offensive

Public hearing on the annexation is June 7th, 7:00 p.m. 21 S. Cypress St. Fellsmere.

7:58:46 p.m. on May 27, 2007
LEANNA TAYLOR | 05.27.07 - 8:03 pm | # |Report as offensive

It is amazing how a small town, politically conservative editorial staff can suddenly move towards big, liberal, centralized government. Reasoned research, analysis and rational conclusions, not rants, would be better for our editorials.

When Mr. Nunemaker made his statement about Sebastian annexation, he was simply saying as a gentleman, that Fellsmere would not react with hysterical emotions such as Mr. Wolff had earlier expressed. That's a good thing!

Fellsmere Joint Venture's voluntary annexation to Fellsmere was 100% in compliance with Florida law and in direct response to Mr. Wheeler's leadership decisions. This initiative was not even remotely connected to any interlocal agreement (ILA). And to the contrary, the Cities are in the inter-local agreement process only because Wheeler and the IRNA bypassed common sense and good strategy, therefore bringing them into the process.

Can't you consider the possibility, that having been forced into the ILA process, that it is in the Cities best interests to assist Fellsmere in this growing period? Have you ever heard of neighbors helping neighbors?

As for Sebastian now being "against" annexation, I can remember a few short years ago when they were less than half the geographical size they are now, with 40% of today's population. They had no city manager and no planning staff, but grew the size of their staff as the community grew, including a lot of annexation. That is how most communities grow!

A one year moratorioum may not mean much to the PJ, but it means a lot to staff members charged with getting into the trenches and doing the dirty work of ILA negotiation. I dare say none of this would be happening if Wheeler and the IRNA had looked at the possile side effects of their strategy, and connected a few dots. No, large land onwners, most of whom have been here for 5-8-10 decades, are not to blame. You may not like it, but "rights" apply to them also.

Wheeler and the IRNA can take all the credit for not understanding and considering the cause and effect of the FJV zoning decison, the precedent set by buying development rights from the Sextons, the attempt to down zone agriculture land and the infringement via a charter, on the Cities' sovereignty.

The charter effort may have been a fiasco from the perspective of the IRNA and Wheeler, but it was a giant energizer for getting the Cities to join together as never before, and to bring agriculture interests together with more cohesiviness than anyone would have dreamed of a mere six months ago.

I assure you that all the parties are serious about arriving at a meaningful ILA. The cities and their experienced staffs are a huge asset to Fellsmere as they try to address all the issues which were thrown on them. I don't know anyone who wants to see them go like Palm Bay or Port St. Lucie. Do you know a better way to keep them from that mistake than to help them plan their growth? For those communities who have "been there", we can't afford to not help Fellsmere.

And, if the PJ wants to see them fail, simply continue with your attitude of dis-respect and put downs. But if you want to help lead and shape the community of 2050, reading and understanding Florida Statutes is a good place to start.

4:43:45 p.m. on May 30, 2007
WARREN WINCHESTER | 05.30.07 - 4:48 pm | # |Report as offensive