BY MILT THOMAS 

Many Indian River County residents are scratching their heads over the decision as few months back by both our County Commission and Vero Beach City Council to reject participation in the Seven50 project. It was created to draft a long term comprehensive plan for economic development and quality of life in the southeast Florida region.  Even more incredulous, they not only rejected participation in the project itself, but also turned down any form of participation in the pre-planning discussion process.

Some people in our community – hopefully a minority – apparently have “philosophical” problems with the project, that it somehow relates to a takeover of our government by the United Nations.  I would like some of whatever they are smoking.

A more logical reason, one that has been used a number of times in the past, is that by participating, our interests would somehow become subservient to those of the larger counties south of us. In reality, by not participating, we are insuring that our interests will not only be subservient, they will be ignored altogether.  Thankfully, the Indian River County Metropolitan Planning Organization and progressive City of Fellsmere agreed to participate on our county’s behalf, with Sebastian, Orchid and the Indian River County School Board willing to wait and see how the Seven50 project advances.

We actually have a historical precedent for rejecting participation in projects for the public good. Over the years, one or more of our elected representatives in Tallahassee, after achieving a position of influence among legislators, expressed disappointment when Indian River County officials would send no requests for funding on any projects. The rationale seemed to be that we could take care of ourselves and didn’t need any money from the state or federal government. But wasn’t that money our fair share of taxes paid to government? Did we not earn at least some of it for the good of our citizens? Of course, the money was still spent. I’m sure the other Florida counties appreciated our gift to them.

Governor Scott followed the same practice of turning down federal money, preferring to see it in the coffers of other states. After all, why would we need more education funding when our education system is ranked among the worst? At least he is compromising his stand by proposing more money for education, but Florida taxpayers will get to fund it all.

This historical precedent of non-participation actually goes back to our country’s origins. In 1763, Spain traded Florida to the British in exchange for Cuba. Most Floridians opted to go with the Spanish to Cuba, so the British aggressively recruited new settlers to come here. When the 13 original colonies decided they had enough of British rule and began making plans to revolt, Floridians decided not to join them. No sir, we were not going to participate in some federal scheme to usurp our rights as a sovereign British colony.

Instead, we fought alongside the British during the Revolutionary War.  As a result, we maintained the status quo and let those other 13 colonies plan for the future. Yes sir, we showed them.

Now maybe that comparison is a bit of a stretch, but let’s take a look at the issues that impact Indian River County as well as the other six counties participating in the Seven50 project: transportation, housing, healthcare, water resources, environment, education, recreational, social and cultural activities.

To ignore our common interests because of fear such cooperation will lead to taking away our rights and a United Nations takeover of our government is nothing short of clinical paranoid schizophrenia.

On the other hand, if we feel that all the counties from St. Lucie south can make decisions about their future and that will have no impact on our county, then we might as well invite the British over for another tea party.