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ST. LUCIE WEST • TRADITION
YourVoiceWeekly.com VOL. 2/ISSUE 30
YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER
Politicking prohibited in PSL city hall
FRIDAY, MAY 30, 2014
Game on at Mako
Nicole Rodriguez Staff writer
nrodriguez@YourVoiceWeekly.com
PORT ST. LUCIE — Members of the public who wear campaign gear to city council meetings could potentially be jailed, city officials said. “That’s extreme, but that’s certainly an option,” interim city attorney Pam Booker said. “That’s something we don’t want to occur.” An audience member in violation of policy will first be asked to remove the gear, Booker said. If they refuse, they will be asked to leave and if defiant again, arrested, Booker added. Props, signs and apparel that advocate for the election or the defeat of a candidate are prohibited from city hall, officials said. That’s been the case for several election cycles, Councilwoman Michelle Berger said at an April 28 meeting. The policy’s purpose is to maintain a professional atmosphere, Berger said. “We’ve always had a very strict rule in the city of Port St. Lucie that we don’t engage in campaigning within the city (hall),” Berger said. Banned attire includes the phrases “Vote for...,” “Re-elect...,” “Support the ‘political party’ nominee,” “Cast your ballot for...,” “Defeat...” and “Reject the incumbent.” The Martin County Board of County Commissioners has a similar policy that prohibits politicking in commission chambers. The repercussions are also similar. “In the event a person were to bring in a sign, prop, or other instrument during an official meeting, the Bailiff or other County personnel will ask the person to remove the article,” policy states. “If the person refuses to do so, the Bailiff or other County personnel will ask the person to leave the premises.” A heated exchange between a Port St. Lucie City Council member and a public commenter over his pro-mayor T-shirt sparked a debate over the definition of “campaign apparel.”
See SHIRTS page 11
Christian Nopal Pena, 11, and Derek Colton, 12 go head-to-head during a Mako Soccer League game Saturday, May 25 at McChesney Park in St. Lucie West.
Mitch Kloorfain chief photographer
Lawsuit: Crosstown Bridge crushing blow to environment Nicole Rodriguez Staff writer
nrodriguez@YourVoiceWeekly.com
PORT ST. LUCIE — Environmental opponents of the proposed route the Crosstown Bridge will take are hauling the federal government to court. A lawsuit filed earlier this month by a
Pompano Beach attorney on behalf of the Conservation Alliance of St. Lucie County and the Indian Riverkeeper alleges the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration broke the law by approving the construction of the six-lane bridge across the North Fork St. Lucie Aquatic Preserve and Savannas
See CROSSTOWN page 9
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