The Stuart News from Stuart, Florida • 15

MONDAY JUNE 18 '2007 SCRIPPS THEASURE'COASfNEWSPAHEHS Bb State Gov Charlie popularity stays sky-high Free eonfemiee on hurricane preparedness Being prepared is the key to surviving a hurricane but the approach that each of us takes to prepare is as diverse as the community in which we live i i A PRESIDENTIAL OPPORTUNITY? Gov Charlie Crist's victory last year when Republicans across the country suffered crushing defeats combined with his stratospheric approval ratings in the most populous swing Btate in the country have fueled speculation about his potential as a candidate for higher office The political chatter intensified this spring when the state Legislature made an election law change that seemed tailored for Crist The provision eliminated the law that elected state officials resign their current jobs If they seek another office but the change applies only to candidates for federal office It means Crist have to resign If the 2008 Republican presidential nominee tapped him as a naming mate or If Crist in the middle of a second term seeks the presidency in 2012 Crist downplayed the notion when the Legislature passed the change and added it to a long list of election law modifications Mcol Rae political science professor at Florida International University said Crist could make sense as a vice presidential candidate for a conservative presidential hopeful like Mitt Romney or Fred Thompson allowing him to reach out to moderates while helping solidify the electoral votes from a mega state Still Rae said skeptical Crist will end up on the national ticket next year He'd only have been governor for 18 months by next nominating convention You take a risk Governor Crist for all his skills we know if he's ready for the major Rae said Senate Minority Leader Steven Geller D-Cooper City also see a Crist vice presidential candidacy in 2008 But he said if a Democrat wins the presidency next year he thinks Crist could easily be a presidential candidate in the following election in 2012 If a Republican wins next year he said Crist could People with disabilities are faced with numerous and unique challenges that must be addressed well in advance of an emergency situation Public officials from Martin County and local non-profit agencies have banded together with the Florida Department of Health Disabilities Task Force taking a proactive approach -to this issue A free conference will be held from 8:30 am to 430 pm June 29 at the Wolf High-Technology Center at Indian River Community College Chastain Campus Keynote Speaker Mike Lyons chief weather specialist for WPBF 25 will begin the meeting Panel discussions will be held on legislation preparation response and recovery Each panel discussion will include an audience question and answer section A continental breakfast and lunch door prizes and preparedness information will be provided Pre-registration is requested so call (772) 221-4936 or (772) 221-8860 Please indicate any accommodations you may need Late registrations will be accepted if space is available Salvation Army seeks volunteers The Salvation Army of Martin County needs volunteers Residents interested in helping those in the community should go to 901 Johnson Ave Stuart to fill out an application Volunteers needed include one afternoon a week from noon to 330 pm answering telephones and greeting clients or helping out at the Thrift Store 413 SE Monterey Road The Saturday night soup kitchen also needs volunteers to prepare serve and dean up from 4 to 7 pm at 100 Martin Luther King Blvd For more information call (772) 288-1471 From staff reports tain Crist won't be able to maintain such lofty ratings getting to that stage where a very successful honeymoon is over and the challenge is can he sustain that popularity when he has to make tough Rae said Even Chip LaMarca chairman of the Broward Republican Party and a Crist champion said some decline is inevitable think it's sustainable You look at any percentages or any polls over time there are going to be issues that are going to divide he said Also unknown is whether centrist approach alienates the more conservative elements of his party Rae said the governor needs to the support of his Republican base while at the same time continue his up-till-now successful efforts to reach out to the center and not When the 2010 election gets closer Geller said the Democrats could benefit if Crist is forced to move to the right to placate the Republican base easy for us as Democrats to attack these partisan right-wing Republicans who try to govern through the politics of he said Karen Thurman chairwoman of the Florida Democratic Party said too soon to draw any long-term conclusions about popularity or chances for reelection If the much-vaunted property tax changes that passed the Legislature last week produce noticeable savings in tax bills or if 'they result in deep cuts to popular services BY ANTHONY MAN I Sun-Sentinel FORT LAUDERDALE On a steamy Sunday afternoon in September Gov Charlie Crist stopped at the Greek Islands Tavema for a few bites of food and stumped for votes Two days before his overwhelming victory in the Republican primary Crist wowed potential voters On a Sunday afternoon almost 10 months later Crist is governor And diners at the Greek restaurant like most voters throughout Florida love him The latest Quinnipiac University Poll which surveyed 1174 Florida voters from May 29 through June 4 showed overall approval rating is 70 percent with a disapproval rating of just 12 percent The Republican governor enjoys sky-high approval ratings not only from voters in his own party (90 percent) but among independents (99 percent approval) and Democrats (63 percent approval) The margin of error was plus or minus 29 percentage points Voters even credit him with being far more principled than most politicians with 60 percent believing Crist making decisions based on right and 25 percent thinking he makes decisions based on what he thinks will be popular For politicians in general the public thinks they make decisions based on principle just 19 percent of the time and choose what they think is most popular 69 percent of the time Crist an ideologue and he goes out of his way to work with Democrats something former Gov Jeb Bush was runm EVERYBODYREADS RAYMOND Florida locals rather than tourists customers think very highly of he said So does Kantzavelos who said his opinion has nothing to do with the Greek ancestry People want lower property taxes lower insurance premiums and lower gasoline prices he said still waiting to see the Anthony Man can be reached at amansun-sentineLcom or (954) 3564560 such as police fire-rescue and schools Thurman said Crist could get some blame is sue months into this President Bush at one point had very high ratings OK And down to 32 So you never know what the environment will be three years she said Restaurateur Sam Kantzavelos who served Crist shrimp and lamb chops last September said he hears a lot of political talk among his customers especially this time of year when they're mostly South MY MCMUY UOm (OIUUNISI Every Sunday and throughout the week BScrippc Treasure Coast WnMiiiistAwJNiiNf TCWNRn CITY OF STUART NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING STUART CITY COMMISSION NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY ANNEXTION AND ADOPTION OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT AND OFFICIAL ZONING MAP AMENDMENT loath to do been a centrist People are tired of the politics of division and he has tried to govern from the said Senate Minority Leader Steven Geller D-Cooper City Nicol Rae professor of political science at Florida International University said those qualities with a pleasing personality and a sunny disposition" make for a popular governor A question for politicians and analysts in both parties: How long does it last? Republicans and Democrats are cer- ORDINANCE 21 1 1-07 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF STUART FLORIDA ANNEXING TWO PARCELS OF LAND CONSISTING OF 178 AND 176 ACRES OWNED BY JAMES AND DONNA GOODM AN LOCATED AT SE MONTEREY ROAD AND BEING MORE FULLY DESCRIBED IN EXHIBIT ATTACHED HERETO AND CONCURRENTLY AMENDING T1IE COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE PLAN OF TIIE CITY OF STUART TO COMMERCIAL PURSUANT TO THE COMPREHENSIVE LAND USE AMENDMENT LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND THE CITY OC STUART ZONING MAP TO BUSINESS LIMITED DIRECT IONS TO THE CITY CLERK PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROV IDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE AN FOR OTHER PURPOSES A public hearing on the first reading of this Ordinance 2111-07 was held on June 11 2007 Second Reading and adoption of this Ordinance will be held on June 25 2007 The public hearing will be held at 5:30 pm! or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard in the City Hall Commission Chambers 121 SW Flagler Avenue Stuart Florida EVERYBODYREADS RAYMOND lllUlilHEMlilllllillITTmM Every Sunday and throughout the week BScrippaTr Copies of all documents pertaining to the proposed ordinance and petition for Voluntary Annexation including the complete legal description by metes and bounds are available in the Development Department City Hall 121 SVV Flagler Avenue Stuart between the hours of pm Monday-Friday The public is invited to attend Any person deciding to appeal any decision made at the hearing ill need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings made All interested parties may attend said meeting and offer comment In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) anyone who needs special accommodation for this meeting should contact the ADA coordinator at 288-5306 at least 48 hours in advance or the meeting excluding Saturday and Sunday Kevin Freeman Development Director Publish Local Display Ad Affidavit Required 6 13 07 and 6 18 Q7 AFTERCARE PLANNER Just one of nine benefits receive with all Dignity Memorial Funeral and Cremation Plans Available only at Aycock Funeral Homes Stuart Jensen Beach upiter Port St Lucie'Ft Pierce 772-287-1717 ill SCRIPPS Treasure Coast Newspapers rvuycockhmenihoaeamj Se ic? 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