Vince Benevente

I am looking forward to again serving the people of Indialantic as your new Councilman.

 

In my eleven years living in this Town, I have always been active in Town affairs.  I started with being Vice President and then President of the Homeowners’ Association.  I ran for Council in 1992 and won.  When no longer on the Council I became Chairman of the Town’s Code Enforcement Board.  I again ran for Council in 1995 and won.  Following that term, I became a member of the Board of Adjustment.

 

I love living in this Town with my wife Rose, who serves on the Parks and Recreation Committee, so as you can see we both have the Town’s interest at heart.  We have three sons and four grandchildren.

 

Things I would like to address in the coming months include:

1. Shoring up the shore line and improvements of Riverside Park

2. Get the causeway to look better when entering or leaving Town of Indialantic

3. Address the flooding and drainage problems on our streets

4. When voting on Council matters, our personal feelings should be put aside and vote for the good of the  Town.

 Again, I say  I am really looking forward to serving with my fellow Councilmembers and hope that we can make great strides to better our community

 

Bruce Bogert

 Having been invited to itemize some of my plans for the Town during my two-year term on the Town Council, I would like to see completion of the 4^th Avenue improvement, the beginning of the 6^th Avenue improvement and the continuation of repaving and beautification of the streets.

 

Some problems that I think we will face in the future are:  (1) drainage; (2) erosion of the beach; (3) commercial area parking; and (4) increased traffic through our town.

 

I have not yet spoken with all the department heads at this time, so I do not have a complete picture of all the needs of the town.  However, I intend to remedy this situation during the next several weeks.

 

I do want to take this opportunity to thank those who had the confidence in me to encourage me to seek a seat on the Town Council.  It is a little overwhelming to find this support from the very people for whom I have such a great respect.  I want to thank you and look forward to working with you and other members of the Town Council.

POLICE BEAT

Since this is our last newsletter for 1999, I have to remind all residents that with the holiday season approaching, statisticshistorically indicate an increase in burglaries and thefts during this time of year.  I am asking residents to remember that although we are a small community, major crimes do occur.  Here are some recommendations to help keep you from becoming a victim of crime

1)       If you have an alarm system activate it even if you’re only leaving for a short period of time

2)       If you’re going on vacation, have the mail and newspaper delivery stopped

3)       Leave a light on in your home, preferably on a timer

4)       Keep trees and hedges trimmed low near windows so criminals cannot hide behind them

5)       Never give personal information over the telephone such as social security number, maiden name, etc.

6)       If someone offers you a deal that’s too good to believe, don’t believe it

7)       Check references before hiring contractors

8)       Don’t send money in response to any police solicitations over the telephone.  No matter what you’re told the money does not help your local police department

9)       If you witness activity that makes you suspicious, don’t hesitate to call the Police Department

If you have any questions or wish to have a Crime Watch meeting at your home, please call the Police Department at 723-7788.  Have a safe and healthy holiday season.

On September 29, 1999 the Town Council adopted its FY 99-00 budget of $2,021,095 for the fiscal year beginning October 1 and ending September 30.

Within its framework, the budget provides for street and drainage projects, improvements to Riverside Park and Nance Park/Boardwalk, and 2 new police vehicles.  There is also money allocated to accommodate a small (2%)cost of living increase in staff salaries as well as a merit pay system.

Copies of the budget are available for public review in the Clerk's office at Town Hall 

From Councilman Bob Hartman
A Final Report to the Citizens of the Town of Indialantic-by-the-Sea

   The last two years for me have been, in the words of the ancient proverb, “interesting times.”  I am glad I took those two years to serve the residents of Indialantic and I have learned a lot from them. Keeping in mind my campaign promises, I have listened to what our townspeople and local businesses have said.  I have continued to push for the basics – public safety, improved roads, adequate drainage.  I have advocated lower taxes and fees while maintaining a high level of service, less government interference in citizens’ individual daily activities, and improved access to public records which can lead to improved government oversight by citizens.  I have also encouraged real consideration of public input when it comes to infrastructure and other significant change for the betterment of the community and our quality of life.

     We now have a sunset committee for ordinances – done right it is a good way to place a check on the growth of government and keep up with changing times.

     This year so far we have passed fewer than six ordinances, at least a temporary trend toward less government.

     Last year we rolled back your town taxes and this year your town tax rate is the same as last year.

     There’s an environment of openness now at Town Hall where the Public Records Law is followed with alacrity and the public is courteously listened to.

     North Riverside Drive has finally been paved thanks to our current manager achieving the needed cooperation with the county.

     I have tried throughout the past two years to be positive and upbeat in my demeanor in meetings and in my conversations with town employees, the administration, and the public.  I have also tried to be positive and informative in my writings such as this newsletter and in letters to Florida Today, not using them politically to complain about, tear down, or lie about town employees, fellow members of the council, or the administration.  Of course Florida Today would like to stir up controversy to sell more papers, but we don’t have to play along.

     I would recommend to the members of the new council a mature approach – a team-building, upbeat one.  I have seen this type of attitude developing in our mayor as he has moved from councilman to mayor much as the Palm Bay mayor recently said he noted in himself under similar circumstances.  Having different views and ideas for the town is to be expected. Councilpersons are, after all, usually elected by different voters who have different expectations for the town.  Each councilperson, however, is there to serve the entire town.   And they should be at least courteous to each other and to their bosses, the public.  Because when civility is disregarded, as when someone tries too hard to inflexibly push through only their own misguided programs, to mulishly block the good programs of others, or to reach so hard for reelection that honesty and fair play are forsaken, we end up with something negative like what came to be known, even by those outside of town, as the one-sided “1998 Indialantic War.” 

   The public has a right to expect thought and some degree of wisdom from its leaders.  Instead of catering to special interests and playing reelection politics, those in public service should provide for the basics and never forget courtesy.  We would be better off if all our elected officials would pay attention to such things.

     I can be contacted, even after November 16, by phone at 953-3974 or by e-mail at bhartman@brevard.net and I am setting up a web site:  www.bobhartman.org.   I wish the new Indialantic Council well.   They and all those in public office have an awesome responsibility – the stewardship of the public trust.

Bob H.

Our Town

Eric S. Meserve                                 

Town Manager

Happy Holidays to everyone! We hope everyone has a safe and joyous holiday season.

The joint project agreement between the State DOT and the Town is moving forward. The agreement will provide a right turn lane from Fifth Ave. onto Riverside Drive South.  Additionally, the agreement will provide an extension of the left turn lane from Fifth Ave. onto A1A. The agreement for necessary right of way acquisition is scheduled for Council consideration in December.

Holiday lights and fixtures will adorn the light poles along Fifth Ave. this season. We expect them to be up by Thanksgiving. Kudos to the Town Council and Parks and Recreation Committee for getting the old rusted boxes replaced for the new season.  The theme will be holiday stockings. We invite all of the businesses to participate in the theme this year.

The Fifth Ave. median is being thinned by transplanting some of the chord grass to the Causeway median and various parks. The landscaper from the original project is advising us on a voluntary basis.

The A1A resurfacing project is coming up. This project will include a sidewalk on the west side of the road. A public information meeting is being held, by FDOT, November 30^th at the Melbourne Beach Community Center 6 – 8 pm.

A new traffic light at Grosse Pointe Drive is scheduled for a December installation. This light will be the mast arm variety.

New street and traffic signs will begin appearing throughout the Town. Public Works personnel will be installing the green and white signs very soon. The reflectivity should increase visibility to the motorist and pedestrians. Town logos will be placed on the signs at the intersections of major roads.

Sewage at the intersection at Miami Ave. and Riverside Drive has been a problem recently. The Town Engineer, Public Works Director and I met with Mr. Richard Martens, Brevard County Resources Director, recently.  Mr. Martens agreed that this area should be a top priority for the televising, cleaning and repair to tighten up this line. The infiltration and inflow must be reduced and the pipe cleared to prevent further backup.

Host a coffee or get together? Businesses interested in hosting a coffee or gathering where residents can meet the Town Manager and hear an update on existing projects are invited to contact the Town Manager. Some members of the Town Council have expressed a willingness to attend some of these sessions individually as well.  Residents that might wish to host a similar coffee for their neighbors or building are also invited to contact the Town Manager.

Hurricane damage from Floyd and Irene affected the Town to a large extent. We have submitted four projects for reimbursement under Hurricane Floyd. These requests include personnel costs, supplies and two major projects. The projects are the replacement of the Emergency Crossover at the end of Fifth Ave. and the restoration of Riverside Park. If approved, the Federal Government pays 75%, State 12.5% and the Town 12.5%.

Hurricane Irene caused much more damage to our infrastructure and both shorelines. We are working with FEMA now to write up the projects. If you suffered damage to your home or business due to Hurricane Irene, you are urged to call FEMA at 1-800-462-9029 to register. Please do this as soon as possible to maintain your eligibility for SBA loans or grants, if you qualify.