OCEAN BREEZE PARK — America’s oldest, active mayor, Dorothy Geeben, died Monday night after complaining of a cold. She was 102 years old and would have turned 103 in March.

“We had a council meeting on Monday,” said David Myers, president of the Ocean Breeze Town Council. “She was supposed to be there, but called into to say she wasn’t feeling well. She thought it was a cold. About 1:30 p.m., the paramedics went to her home and took her to Martin Memorial Medical Center where she passed away.”

Myers said Geeben devoted much of her life to Ocean Breeze Park and its residents.

“She was very active in keeping the park when plans were announced to sell it,” Myers said. “She fought hard to keep our homes.

“She was a kind, sweet woman who always had a smile.”

Gregory Minchak of the National League of Cities in Washington, D.C., said Geeben was definately the oldest, active mayor in the country before her death.

Stuart Mayor Mike Mortell said Geeben’s passing “will leave a huge void in this community. She always had such a positive attitude and attracted positive attention to our area. We will all miss her dearly.”

Martin County Commission Chairman Doug Smith, whose district includes Ocean Breeze Park, called for a moment of silence on memory of Geeben at the start of Tuesday’s commission meeting.

“Let’s just take a moment to remember Dorothy Geeben, who was the mayor of Ocean Breeze who passed away.

“It was a terrible loss. She was a wonderful person and a wonderful mayor.”

Geeben attracted attention, appearing on the “Today” show and in numerous publications. But she was proudest of her efforts to save the then faltering Jensen Beach Christian Church, where she was an active member.

“Mayor Dorothy” as many people called her, moved to Ocean Breeze Park with her first husband in 1952.

Beginning in 1976, she was elected president of the council for 31 years until the death of Mayor Ruth Hoke, daughter of Gene Hoke, town founder and first mayor, in 2001. Geeben was appointed to fill the post and continued to serve until her death.

The U.S. House of Representatives recognized Geeben as the nation’s oldest mayor in April 2008. The Meals on Wheels Association of America survey also recognizes her status. National Conference of Mayors officials said that while they don’t keep a record of mayors’ ages, they know of no one who is older and still actively running a government.

Funeral plans are incomplete, as are plans for a memorial service at town hall.

By Joe Crankshaw

Staff Writer George Andreassi contributed to this report.

PORT ST. LUCIE - In a turnabout decision, the City Council Monday night gave an initial 4-1 vote to increase the property tax rate by 11 percent.

The council also unanimously approved a 2009-2010 revised total budget of $430 million.

A final vote on the property tax rate and budget is scheduled for a 7 p.m. Sept. 28 public hearing at City Hall.

Last week, the council made a last-ditch effort to avoid an earlier proposed 26 percent property tax increase and held a special meeting to discuss using half of the city’s general fund reserves to help offset a more than $18 million deficit in the general fund.
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PORT ST. LUCIE — City property owners may be able to avoid a proposed 26 percent increase in their property taxes.

During a special meeting Wednesday, the City Council unanimously agreed to use half of the city’s general fund reserves to keep the property tax rate at its current rate of $4.22 per $1,000 of taxable value. The council will formally vote on setting the property tax rate during scheduled 7 p.m. public hearings Sept. 14 and Sept. 28 at City Hall.

Using the city’s median home price of $112,000 with a $50,000 homestead exemption, an average city property tax bill using the current rate would be $261, excluding taxes from other agencies, such as the school and fire districts.
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FORT PIERCE — Resident Linda Salisbury fought for years to get city hall to begin televising public meetings so she could watch her elected officials in action from the comfort of her home.

In July 2006, Salisbury got her wish.

But with the city facing a $3.6 million deficit in the budget next year, Mayor Bob Benton said he’s going to suggest at an Aug. 4 budget workshop that the city do away with televising live meetings to cut costs.

The city budgets $150,000 to televise meetings and bills the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency and Fort Pierce Utilities Authority a portion for meetings, Finance Director Gloria Johnson said. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — City property owners will see their taxes go up, and the Port St. Lucie City Council and a workers’ union will see their pay remain the same, all to help the city out of an $11 million deficit.

“The is the worst budget year that I’ve experienced,” Vice Mayor Jack Kelly said.

At the final day of its budget retreat, the council Friday unanimously approved a 26 percent property tax increase, boosting the rate from $4.22 to $5.34 per $1,000 of taxable value. (more…)

PORT ST. LUCIE — The city has released its own video on YouTube to address allegations from the Treasure Coast Tea Party that their civil rights were violated during the city’s Freedomfest on July 4.

Organization members were put into a special area near a sign stating Port St. Lucie did not back their views or opinions.

The 2 minute, 21-second video, titled “Port St. Lucie and Freedom of Speech,” features city Communications Director Ed Cunningham disputing the allegation.

Cunningham says the sign was “created to separate city government from individual political agendas” and that “free speech is alive and well in this city and was in fact practiced heavily at the Fourth of July Freedomfest celebration.”

The video is in response to one the Treasure Coast Tea Party posted on YouTube over the weekend saying the city “harassed” them by creating the special section and placing the disclaimer sign near them.

Members of the group have demanded an apology from the city and intend to address the issue at the City Council’s July 13 meeting.

Treasure Coast Tea Party member Karon Nunes said Mayor Pat Christensen and Council member Jack Kelly have sent e-mails apologizing to the group.

By Jim Turner, TCPalm.com

PORT ST. LUCIE — Mayor Patricia Christensen and her husband and campaign treasurer, Frans Christensen, have paid $5,000 in fines to the Florida Elections Commission as part of an agreement over charges of campaign violations.

According to the agreement signed by the couple on June 4, the two failed to report a $500 contribution from Homes of East Lake Village LLC in August 2006, and two $500 donations from The Painting Pros LLC in August and October that same year.

The commission agreed to charge the couple $5,000 in fines, which was paid last month, according to an official.

The commission is set to approve the agreement and payment at its August meeting.