Today I’d like to give three hoots and hurrahs for the $50 Million Bond Referendum that IRC voters, who evidently want to keep our quality of life, passed by 67%! Having the county purchase environmental, agricultural, and historical lands will be a great advantage because this will enable us to connect some of our greenways by the agricultural lands so that animals will have corridors to pass through. Also agricultural lands along rivers can be purchased to allow us to restore the rivers so that immediate yard runoffs won’t pollute the river.
There are so many people to thank who contributed to its success. First, the Land Acquisition Advisory Committee that recommended its passage to the Indian River County Commission that approved putting it on this November Ballot. And to 37,755 Indian River County registered voters who voted for preserving our future. Our children and their children will forever be thankful for what we have done here.
In spite of the storms, educating the public was done by an ad hoc committee called “Land & Water for Future Generations” composed of Will Abberger, Judy Avril (Treasurer), George Blythe, David Cox, Ken Grudens, Lynn Larkin, (Chair), Tom Lowe, John Orcutt, Jim Welles, Gene Winne, Myra Zilahy, and Ex- Officio Pam King. Will Abberger of the Trust for Public Lands who produced some excellent mailings to the public gave great financial support. Lynn Larkin, Dr. David Cox, Ken Grudens, the new director of the Indian River Land Trust. appeared in TV debates and gave talks in the community.
In addition, I was proud of PIAS Board efforts to insure its success. At one point, when the Bond Referendum appeared to be in trouble, PIAS in a few hours produced and funded a one minute ad that appeared on 60 TV cable stations per day in the last week before the election. Please consider contributing money to help with the expense of producing the ad (around $5,000). We appreciate contributions already made from the Friends of the St. Sebastian River and the Pelican Island Preservation Society for the ad, but additional funds are needed.
On a sad note Indian River County wildlife and habitats received much damage in the hurricanes. For instance, ORCA will require much effort to clear the walking and canoe trails. Sadly, ORCA’s land mark tree, the record biggest Slash Pine in the US was toppled by Hurricane Jeanne. However, with the passage of the bond referendum to preserve future environmental lands, our future looks bright.
Richard Baker, President (November 2004)