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The River Doesn’t Belong to a Political Party; It Belongs to All of Us, St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon

Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch
A newly elected Congressman Partick Murphy holding recycled FDOT signs painted by the River Kidz. The flag sign was taken to Washington DC and displayed in the front office, 2012.
Newly elected Congressman Partick Murphy holding recycled FDOT signs painted by the River Kidz. The flag sign was taken to Washington DC and displayed in the front office, 2012.

I support politicians that work in the interests of the St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon. The river doesn’t belong to a political party; it belongs to all of us.

Image 2014, bullsugar.org.

Just over a month ago, I wrote a blog entitled, “Why I Support Senator Joe Negron,” a Republican, (http://jacquithurlowlippisch.com/2014/08/26/why-i-am-such-a-big-supporter-of-senator-joe-negron-indian-river-lagoon/),  and today I am writing in support of Congressman Patrick Murphy, a Democrat.

I am a registered republican.

To me, people are more important than their political affiliations.

From the beginning Patrick Murphy displayed that he wanted to work with everyone. After winning Florida US House District 18, he came to Martin County and met with leaders of all municipalities and the county, together.  He introduced  himself and ask us what issues were most important to us. The health of the St Lucie River/Indian River Lagoon was the top agreed choice and Patrick got to work.

Looking back, little things say a lot.

I recall I was impressed that he wasn’t afraid to get his “hands dirty.” He immediately participated in an oyster restoration event in Ft Pierce with St Lucie County Commissioner, Chris Dzadovsky. Dzadovsky ended up suffering from a skin infection due to an oyster cut during the oyster deployment….Congressman Murphy quickly caught on to the seriousness and the extent of the Martin, St Lucie river problem and how much the river’s improvement meant to the local people.

Another plus for me was that he quickly befriended the River Kidz and took their call for “getting involved, speaking out, and raising awareness”seriously. Some members even went to Washington DC to participate in his IRL meeting with congressional leaders. Now that’s a first!

Patrick’s list of accomplishments is broad including pushing hard for monies for the C-44 Storm Water Treatment and Reservoir for C-44 basin runoff; and CEPP, the Central Everglades Planning Project that if ever approved will divert about 12% of Lake Okeechobee’s water south, and monies for the National Estuary Program’s revamping. The list goes on, please see image below.

Flyer of Murphy’s IRL “Action and Advocacy.”(Click to enlarge.)
Side two of flyer.
Congressman Murphy in Washington DC with River Warriors, River Kidz and commissioners, and others, for session on IRL.  In spite of a government shutdown,  many congressional leaders met with the group. (Photo Nicole Mader, 2013.)

I know over time there is a lot more to do. But the young congressman is off to a great start and most important, we have developed a relationship with him. We must keep this relationships going.  For in the end, no political party will save the river; it is only people and their relationships that can do that. 

Patrick at fundraiser held in the Town of Sewall’s Point by Karen Cahan. Sewall’s Point is known as a “republican enclave,”  2013.
Speaking on behalf of Congressman Murphy at his campaign headquarter in Stuart, 2014.

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Campaign commercials I have done in support of Congressman Patrick Murphy, Democrat and Senator Joe Negron, Republican, 2014.

Congressman Patrick Murphy commercial IRL: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdODyl-tFE0&feature=youtu.be)

Senator Joe Negron commercial IRL(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLDSi4EsPJU)

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