![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/aea35e90f504632e1112b3657b61e36b.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\nStuart, Martin County victims in Brightline Harold Hill deal<\/p>\n
“The Music Man” (1962) is the story about con man Harold Hill, who sells musical instruments to residents of a mythical river city community and skips town without teaching people how to play them.<\/p>\n
Stuart is that mythical river city and Brightline is Harold Hill.<\/p>\n
Brightline, a private company that has yet to show a profit, wants taxpayers to pay $85 million for a train station. It has no skin in the game and there are no measurable outcomes for the local economy. Taxpayer support for a new river crossing bridge follows the same premise only with a different artist, a foreign-owned railroad company.<\/p>\n
Several years ago, Tri-Rail experimented with commuter rail to Stuart. Brightline is not commuter rail. The Tri-Rail ridership did not meet expectations and service was not extended to Stuart.<\/p>\n
As part of that experiment, I reviewed plans for a train depot at the same location in Stuart proposed currently for a train station. My assignment as a crime-prevention specialist was to include crime-prevention analysis for the proposed train depot.<\/p>\n
“Thomas the Train” shows more viability than Brightline or Florida East Coast Railroad.<\/p>\n
“Take the Last Train to Clarksville” and I’ll meet you at the station.<\/p>\n
Marty Jacobson, Port St. Lucie, is a retired Stuart police sergeant<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A rendering of the Stuart Brightline station included as part of the federal grant application Martin County submitted February 2026 seeking nearly $70 million to build an $87 million project.<\/p>\n
Movies insightful, helpful. Try ‘Gaslight’<\/p>\n
I’m writing to comment on the article,<\/a> “Press play, feel better: How beloved films can support your mental health.”<\/p>\n I’ve been a supporter of using films for cinematherapy for years. Movies have a way of presenting emotions and behaviors in a way that makes them more understandable and relatable. One film I highly recommend for anyone is the 1944 classic, “Gaslight.”\u00a0It is a study in human behavior worth seeing.<\/p>\n Most people today are familiar with the term “gaslighting,” but not many know it originated from a film. “Gaslight” chronicles the slow, mental decline of a woman being abused by her husband, a person she trusted.<\/p>\n He manipulates her behavior to the point where she feels she has gone insane. He shames her for her sudden “forgetfulness” for losing things when it is he who has moved the items. He alters her view of reality by calling what is not real as real, and cuts her off from friends and family. She becomes depressed, confused and unable to function until thankfully, help arrives.<\/p>\n The term “gaslighting” gets thrown around often today in our culture. People call reality how they\u00a0want others to view it and necessarily what it is. Up is down and black is white. Some believe this altered version of reality, particularly if it’s from a trusted source.<\/p>\n I hope folks get a chance to see this film.<\/p>\n Joan Dickinson, Jensen Beach<\/p>\n March 2026 in photos: ‘No Kings’, county fairs, breaking news<\/p>\n 1 of 30<\/p>\n Demonstrators attend a “No Kings” protest against U.S. President Donald Trump administration’s policies, March 28, 2026, at the corner of U.S. 1 and Orange Avenue in downtown Fort Pierce, Florida. Andi Poli, St. Lucie County Democrats Chair, counted at least 2,000 people were standing in protest by 3 p.m.<\/p>\n Here’s what No Kings protesters are ashamed of<\/p>\n A letter writer asked readers <\/a>who participated in No Kings protests to list why they\u2019re ashamed of Donald Trump. Here\u2019s my list:<\/p>\n I\u2019m ashamed that our president is:<\/p>\n Someone found liable in civil trials of sexual abuse and fraud.<\/a><\/p>\n The person I believe led the Jan. 6, 2021.<\/p>\n A central figure in the Epstein sex files.<\/p>\n Someone who started an unnecessary war.<\/p>\n The person responsible for denying access to Medicare, Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies.<\/p>\n The person who went to court for permission to deny food stamps for millions.<\/p>\n The person trying to end the constitutional right to birthright citizenship.<\/p>\n Responsible for a Supreme Court that ended legal abortion.<\/p>\n Someone who has alienated more than half a century of NATO alliances.<\/p>\n The person who threatened to annihilate an entire civilization.<\/p>\n Someone who weaponized the Department of Justice.<\/p>\n Responsible for policies leading to skyrocketing consumer prices.<\/p>\n In addition, I\u2019m ashamed:<\/p>\n The Trump\/Kushner families have enriched themselves by untold amounts of money since his return to office.<\/p>\n Immigration and Customs Enforcement,\u00a0under this president’s management, is killing innocent Americans.<\/p>\n Congress continues to take recesses while we\u2019re engaged in a war it didn\u2019t authorize.<\/p>\n Our government has demonized the words diversity, equity and inclusion.<\/p>\n We attack other sovereign nations when we have so many problems of our own.<\/p>\n Trump supporters will ignore this list, claiming I suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome. Let me be clear: I am a proud victim, carrier and spreader of TDS. My hope is that all sufferers of this condition write letters and share their lists.<\/p>\n Brian Cowan, Port St. Lucie<\/p>\n Ashamed? Let’s add to the list …<\/p>\n What am I ashamed of?<\/p>\n I am ashamed of Donald Trump.\u00a0I am ashamed of his blatant narcissism to brand all things within his malevolant grasp with his name: federal buildings, The Kennedy Center, currency, the East Wing monstrosity, the proposed Arch of Trump dwarfing the Lincoln Memorial, the banners with his scowling mug.<\/p>\n Years ago, he said it was a mistake that George Washington never left his “brand” on anything.<\/p>\n “What about Washington, D.C.?” he was asked?\u00a0Sadly, that only challenged his narcissism.<\/p>\n There is more and greater of which to be ashamed, but that would take volumes to enumerate.<\/p>\n Howard Brown, Port St. Lucie<\/p>\n No reason to water down Paul Revere story with wokeness<\/p>\n The piece by Karissa Waddick<\/a> started well, with interesting details about Paul Revere risking his life, as described by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s tremendous poem.<\/p>\n The writer lost my interest when she left describing the priceless details of our nation’s birth to go on a woke tangent about Donald Trump, Martin Luther King, “King’s Days,” women’s suffrage, Mei-Hua Hall, etc.<\/p>\n None of these people or movements would have had their moment if it weren’t for the courage and determination of our forefathers fighting for the freedom that enabled them.<\/p>\n Jean Shropshire, Vero Beach<\/p>\n Is this what you believe about national politics?<\/p>\n Americans have to be wearing blinders and ear plugs if they believe:<\/p>\n The Trump family is not absolutely enriching itself at the expense of the American people.<\/p>\n America’s reputation around the world is not deteriorating.<\/p>\n Members of this administration do not care more about pleasing Donald Trump than they do about helping the country.<\/p>\n The administrative policy towards immigration is not meant to be more about supporting Trump’s political base than it is about American values.<\/p>\n Trump does not want to make himself a dictator.<\/p>\n The wealthiest of Americans are not now dictating American policy.<\/p>\n Read widely and vote wisely.<\/p>\n Donald Doscher, Stuart<\/p>\n What was Trump campaign promise on wars?<\/p>\n Remind me again of (King) Donald Trump\u2019s campaign promise to never start a new war if elected.<\/p>\n Vikki Truskoski, Fort Pierce<\/p>\n April time to consider alcohol troubles<\/p>\n April is Alcohol Awareness Month, a national observance created to increase understanding of alcohol-related issues, reduce stigma and highlight pathways to recovery. Nearly four decades later, the need for awareness and action remains urgent.<\/p>\n An estimated 27 million adults \u2014 about one in 10 \u2014 experienced alcohol use disorder in the past year, along with hundreds of thousands of adolescents. Across all ages, nearly 28 million people are affected, making alcohol one of the most common substance use challenges in the United States.<\/p>\n Excessive alcohol use contributes to roughly 178,000 deaths each year, shortening lives by an average of 24 years. Alcohol-related deaths remain significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels and have risen steadily over the past decade.<\/p>\n Despite the scope of the issue, treatment gaps persist. In 2024, more than 52 million Americans needed treatment for a substance use disorder, yet only about one in four received care. Stigma, limited access and misunderstandings about what treatment involves often prevent individuals from seeking help.<\/p>\n At Coral Shores Behavioral Health, we see every day that recovery is possible \u2014 especially when care addresses both substance use and mental health. Alcohol misuse rarely exists in isolation. It is often connected to depression, anxiety, trauma or other behavioral health conditions. Integrated, trauma-informed care allows individuals to heal more fully by treating the whole person, not just the symptoms.<\/p>\n Alcohol Awareness Month is a reminder and a call to action \u2014 for communities to talk openly about alcohol use and for individuals to seek help without shame. Coral Shores Behavioral Health has been honored to serve this community for more than seven years. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available.<\/p>\n Recovery is real. Treatment works. No one has to face alcohol use disorder alone.<\/p>\n Stephen Quintyne is CEO of Coral Shores Behavioral Health, Stuart<\/p>\n Join the Conversation:\u00a0TCPalm is committed to publishing a diversity of opinions. Email us at\u00a0TCNLetters@tcpalm.com<\/a>. Letters are subject to editing, must not exceed 300 words and must include your name, address and a daytime phone number to confirm the letter is for publication. We only publish names and cities with the letters.<\/p>\n