put up or shut up

Exactly WHAT BS information are you talking about? Are you referring to the 415k that we spent on the bathrooms? That came from a Freedom of Information request, from City Hall. Are you referring to the $125 a square foot and 140k that those bathrooms SHOULD have cost? That comes from a licensed General Contractor with over 25 years of construction experience, in addition to my insurance company. Ask ANY insurance company OR experienced General Contractor what the usual and customary construction costs are for new construction in S Fla. Ask Skip Reed, the City's GC. IF you want a detailed, line-by-line explanation of the costs involved in the bathrooms, when you see me in the street just ask to see it. I will be happy to oblige, as I have shown DOZENS of residents, including other contractors. Is there ANY doubt the numbers quoted are accurate and current? If so, lets see your numbers and your rationale behind them. Put up, or shut up. Dr. Mel P. Johnson

spending wisely

Having more money is almost always a good thing. Spending wisely and judiciously is the problem. If we continue to throw away our money like we did with the CC addition and the bathrooms it will be gone before we know it. We need acountability and transparency in city operations and we need it now. There are those in the construction community who believe the new gym can be built for less than three million bucks. Does anybody have any further information on this? Dr. Mel P. Johnson

double standard

I am merely agreeing with the posters opinion of his views. He said that "in a sick kind of way" he wants me to win. Those are his words, not mine. It is interesting to me that those who complain that the people who post here, but dont sign their names, are cowards. Yet somehow, IF that was true, it doesnt apply to THEM, when THEY dont sign their names! Dr. Mel P. Johnson

sick desires require haldol

Acknowledging that you are sick and have sick desires is half the battle to getting better. I am glad that guy has acknowledged he has sick desires. Now if he can only get some Haldol and a couple years of psychotherapy perhaps he could become a productive member of society. I have dealt with the mentally unbalanced for a large part of my adult life and am not overly concerned about a mentally unbalanced person commenting on me. I just wish he would finally make some sense occasionally, and grow a pair so he could sign his name so we would know who this brave poster is. Dr. Mel P. Johnson

Rain Barrels

abendwolke - I typed (55 gallon drums) into the Craigslist search and found over a half dozen ads. You could also post a wanted ad in the farm & garden section and let those with the barrels email you. Thats what I did. At least four people with drums available responded.

Rain Barrels

msmarion, I don't know if you have a rain barrel yet or not. After Michelle posted about her rain barrel I stopped by the UF Yards & Neighborhoods Program in Martin County (288-5654). If you attend a 40 minute program they give you a rain barrel. The coordinator expects to have a class within 30 days. The last class was held at the T.C. Mall a week or so ago. She'll send you a notice if you provide your address for the wait list.
Its worth a visit to the extension office if you're in Stuart someday: very friendly people, great info from UF and some nice plants from area Master Gardeners.

commentary

At the Senior Center today Bob Best asked how many, of the over 100 present, had ever taken a ride on the free bee shuttle. TWO hands were raised. Isnt there a better way to spend $120,000 a year? Also, most seniors are retired and on fixed incomes so they have great difficulty when the City keeps raising their taxes and fees. Is there anybody who doesnt believe the city will raise taxes and fees AGAIN this year to make up for the 1.3 million deficit that Gym has warned about? Gym, I can tell you where at least 630k disappeared to. If he could retrieve THAT money the deficit would be cut in HALF! What do you say, Gym? Dr. Mel P. Johnson