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Politics

Ballard Partners Has Served Us Well -- Martin Officials Respond

May 1, 2016 - 6:00pm
Brian Ballard
Brian Ballard

Gabriella B. Ferraro, communications manager for Martin County, posted an explanation and defense of the county's lobbying programs and its lobbyist after Sunshine State News published Nancy Smith's April 29 column, "Brian Ballard's Worth the Disappointment, Reasons Martin Commission."  The SSN column followed a story in the local Treasure Coast News that reported Tallahassee lobbyist Ballard not only is Martin's chief lobbyist, but he lobbies for one of Martin's prime antagonists, All Aboard Florida.

The following is the Martin County release, "Martin County citizens benefit from successful lobbying programs," as it appears on the county website:
  
"Martin County recognizes the value of our lobbyists, both at the state and federal level, and the access and opportunities they provide to advance our legislative priorities. The County has been fortunate to be represented by one of the State's premier government relations firms, Ballard Partners, for the last decade. Utilizing a team approach, Martin County staff works with our Legislative Delegation and lobbyists to accomplish goals. The cross connections and networks of our lobby team are what make our legislative program successful over the long-term.
  
"Ballard Partners has been instrumental in helping Martin County secure hundreds of millions of dollars in state funding for projects that improve our local environment, economy and quality of life. You can find these projects in neighborhoods across the County. Here is just a sampling.
  
"In the 2016 Session, key legislative and budgetary accomplishments worked on by Ballard Partners included funding for Everglades Restoration Projects critical to Martin County (C-44 - $60 million) and vital funding components associated with Legacy Florida, $1.7 million for the Britt Road Bridge Project and $700,000 for the All-American Ditch Stormwater Quality Retrofit Project for Palm City.
  
"In 2015, Ballard Partners helped Martin County secure $49 million for C-44 and $2.8 million for Bathtub Reef/Sailfish Point Beach Renourishment Project and $1.5 million for septic-to-sewer conversions in North River Shores. And in 2014, Ballard Partners obtained funding for the Senate Select Committee on Indian River Lagoon and Lake Okeechobee Basin, which made recommendations to improve the environmental and economic health of the St. Lucie River and the Indian River Lagoon. The final State budget that year incorporated more than $231 million for these waterways and $3.18 million to fund maintenance (dredging) of the St. Lucie Inlet.
  
"There was never a conflict of interest with Ballard Partners in 2013 and 2014, in fact at that time Martin County was advocating for Amtrak passenger rail on the Florida East Coast tracks. County Commissioners felt this type of service would improve our economy (via a potential stop and a tourism draw) and reduce the wear and tear on our aging transportation infrastructure. At the same time, the Board of County Commissioners asked both the Federal and State governments to provide funding for safety enhancements as required by the project, explore further enhancements such as replacement of the Railroad Bridge, provide funding to cover the cost of all crossing upgrades, maintain existing lease cost levels for local governments and explore other partnerships. All of this was requested so Martin County residents and visitors might directly benefit from the proposed service. Additionally, County Commissioners asked that broadband access be provided to local governments along the corridor.
  
"In 2015, after it became clear that All Aboard Florida (AAF) would not stop in Martin County or on the Treasure Coast, and the project would negatively impact our community, the Board of County Commissioners took a position against AAF and allocated $1.4 million to fight the project through litigation. At that time, Martin County assigned another member of our lobbying team to monitor legislative and budgetary issues that could negatively impact the County's position on AAF.
  
"In addition, in February 2016, County Commissioners asked staff to return with information on establishing a contract with a public affairs specialist/lobbyist to add to our lobby team to enhance and expand the County's ongoing opposition to AAF, in concert with our legal and public relations strategies. Staff is preparing this item and plans to bring it to the County Commission for consideration in May.
  
"We have a long, trusted relationship with our lobbyists, including Ballard Partners. We retain Ballard Partners to work on other important issues for the County and we are proud of their proven track record, delivering success after success for the citizens of Martin County."

Comments

What? I'm sure our State Senator(s) and Representatives call our lobbyists after each Session and thank them for getting these appropriations! Come on! How about our elected legislators do their jobs fight for our fair portion of state dollars - wouldn't that be how the system is supposed to work? What do they do up there in Tallahassee if they are not the reason we get appropriations? If it really is the lobbyists, then let's get rid of our Republic and just let the lobbyists dole out the money - think of the time, energy and drama we could save if we cut out the middle man - elected Representatives who, according to our County report, seem to do nothing in the process!

What?!?!

Money makes the world go round. And it is the gas in the engine that drives Florida politics. Ballard is old Florida power and bundles big contributions for Republican campaigns at the highest levels. Ballard's father-in-law is Jim Smith who is a former Florida Attorney General who was a very prominent Democrat and changed to Republican Party affiliation once that became fashionable. The Republican Party has been so dominant for so long that people forget the old Democrats like Jim Smith. I have been in Florida for a long time. The parties in power may change, but if you want to understand power in Florida politics, follow the money.

Mary McCarty (thief) and her husband both got Convicted by the FBI. Brian Ballard is her brother. Mary McCarty was a Palm Beach County Commissioner and a crook her list of charges were 40 pages long. Her brother knew she was a crook.

"Oh what tangled lies we weave, when we practice to deceive !" WS

Instead of wasting $1+ million to lobby against AAF, the county should lobby for road overpasses to minimize the effect AAF might have on auto traffic there. All along the CSX inland rail lines near US-301, the FDOT has been building such overpasses for several years to prepare for more rail traffic due to the Panama Canal widening. A similar approach can accomodate AAF. Why would Martin county want more tourists spilling over from Orlando and S. Fla, anyway? The Treasure Coast should differentiate itself from that market, not join into it.

Oh Florida Gurl, the FBI could care less about what goes on here in Floriduh. Even so-called state attorneys are doing away with their specialized teams combatting political corruption! Check out Orange/Osceola County's Jeff Ashton! It took him less than two months to determine he didn't need to fight political corruption! And, he's running for office again! GO TRUMP!

Total and complete BS....they are all crooks and liars. Guy is taking money with both the left and the right hand, how can this be legal. Someone needs to call in the FBI.

Comments are now closed.

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