Welcome to our e-newsletter from The Merchant Strategy. Our offices are at 1804 North Dixie Highway, Suite B, West Palm Beach, FL 33407 

The Strategist

TMS Helps Grillo Golf Management Earn County Commission Support

TMS was retained by Grillo Golf Management to help owners Vincent “Vinny” Grillo and Nick Pisano navigate the county zoning process, individual meetings with Palm Beach County Commissioners, and ultimately a Commission vote as they sold their golf course to Mattamy Homes. Golf course conversions are becoming more common but are none-the-less challenging and stressful. These gentlemen negotiated community upgrades for residents and communicated beautifully with their neighbors throughout the process. “They have gone out of their way to address all of our concerns…  I am on the board of directors and know that almost everyone on Lucerne Lakes south have advised us of their support”.  Jayne Subwick, Lucerne Lake South.  The County Commission voted in favor of rezoning.  We wish Vinny and Nick well!

Sharon is enjoying her service on FAU's LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy (LCPEA) Board of Directors Focusing on researching ethics and providing training for local governmental agencies, the academy is located within FAU’s School of Public Administration. This program offers academic courses in ethics at Bachelors, Masters & Doctorate levels. Named after LeRoy Collins, Florida’s 33rd governor, known for his ethics and honesty, LCPEA is dedicated to restoring trust in government institutions.The Academy’s objectives are to:  increase understanding of local government and how it functions, promote high ethical standards of public service, provide an informational base for more informed policy making and develop the capacity of local officials to govern effectively. One activity supported by the LCPEA is the National High School Ethics Bowl (NHSEB). Several times Sharon has served as a judge. Similar to a debate tournament, students study cases and study how issues should be addressed. The tournament judges how they answer questions about the cases and their analysis of each situation. To learn more about FAU’s LeRoy Collins Public Ethics Academy, please see their webpage, email, or call (561) 297-4049.

Did You Know?

Remember being asked to fill out the 2020 Census? Never really understood why? Populations of cities, counties and states are counted to ensure we all get equal representation. Redistricting Is the redrawing of Congressional, State legislative districts, County and City commission seats. This is  to adjust for uneven growth rates in different parts of the state. Districts determine which voters participate in which elections.   Reapportionment Is the redistribution of seats in the United States House of Representatives among the 50 states, based on the decennial census. Each state gets at least one seat. Effective with elections in 2022 Florida gets 28 representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives, an increase of one from last decade. Every state has two U.S. Senators to represent the entire state. This is not based on population Both of the processes are based on the census that is taken every ten years. For more information see Florida Redistricting. This link will take you to the website created by the Florida House of Representatives and Florida Senate and will give you maps, timelines and a flow chart of the entire process.

Sally Says, by Sally Merchant Chief of Security

So my Mom took me to the dog spa again, like this is a good thing.  Twice! I am a guard girl, for Pete’s sake.  I finally get smelling really good and they stink me up!  Ugh. I also had to go with Mom to get her car serviced. Mr. Bello looked tasty, but Mom said I couldn't bite him in his own shop. Mrs. Bello is nice. She understands the value a good girl like me might bring if Mr. Bello is ever not nice...Mom went off with Aunt Lisa and my Aunt Bon stayed with me. If I just hold out for a little while, she thinks I won’t eat my food without cheese.  And she thinks I am fabulous, even when I bark my face off. Uncle Todd has competition now and will have to step up his game. Speaking of food, I am thankful for Thanksgiving. Canines everywhere are preparing to assist their humans. I mean who wants to mop turkey gravy or chunks of meat off of the floor? I am a professional food hoover. Mom tries to hide leftovers in with my dog food, but I am able to sort and just eat the good stuff. If you know anyone who needs my food skills or has leftovers that need to be taken care of call on me.That's all for now. Sally. P.S. I know the stuffed guy's a rooster..

Email Sally Here