Good Morning, Sunland
It's Tuesday! And I just want to give a big thank you to everybody who reads this newsletter, who shares this newsletter. We've had a lot of new people come into the newsletter over the last week, and I feel like I should say thank you more. So that's exactly what this is. I appreciate anybody who tells a friend, tells a family member about this newsletter. Can't wait to continue making Sunland great!
📅 One-tap calendar: Testing something new - all this week's events in one tap. Check it out here.
📝 Programming note: There will be no newsletter Wednesday, Thursday, nor Friday this week. So after today, I'll see you on Monday!
💜 People Pass Shoutout: Thank you to everyone supporting Sunland through the People Pass. Your support keeps this work moving. If you want to join, you can do that here.
Alright…
Ja’Min Devon
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📍 912 N 25th St, Fort Pierce
🚦 The Main Squeeze: Fort Pierce to Name New Police
Chief by December 8th
What's happening: Fort Pierce is set to recommend a new police chief to the City Commission on December 8th, ending a search that began when former Chief Diane Hobley-Burney resigned in May.
The timeline: City Manager Richard Chess conducted first-round interviews with seven finalists Monday and Tuesday. He'll narrow the field to three or four candidates for a public meet-and-greet on December 2nd, then conduct second-round interviews on December 3rd before making his final recommendation on December 8th.
The finalists:
Local candidates:
Eric Chan, Police Major, Fort Pierce Police Department
Caleb Gillette, Acting Deputy Chief, Fort Pierce Police Department
Milo Thornton, Deputy Sheriff, St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office
Out-of-state candidates:
Michael Dieppa, Police Chief, Chamblee, Georgia
Mirtha Ramos, Former Police Chief, DeKalb County, Georgia
Vernon Hale, Former Assistant Chief, Prince George's County, Maryland
David Smith, Commander, Prince William County, Virginia
How it works: Under Fort Pierce's city charter, City Manager Richard Chess makes the hire with approval from the City Commission. The Fort Pierce Police Officers Union endorsed Caleb Gillette in October. According to Hometown News, 57 people applied for the position with a starting salary range of $128,250 to $212,000.
The context: Former Chief Diane Hobley-Burney resigned in May after rank-and-file employees issued a statement of "lost confidence" in her leadership. She had been Fort Pierce's chief for 10 years. Deputy Chief Robert Ridle has served as acting chief and plans to retire in 2026. He did not apply for the permanent position.
Public input: The city is hosting a "Meet and Greet" with finalists on Tuesday, December 2nd at the River Walk Center, 600 N. Indian River Dr., from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Chess called it "an important opportunity for our community to engage directly with the candidates."
What's next: Final recommendation to City Commission on December 8th.
Your take: Should Fort Pierce hire from within or bring in outside leadership? Drop your thoughts here.
🥳 What’s Happening: 5 Out of Town Events
Tuesday, Nov 25
🎨 Vero Beach Art Club Gallery & Marketplace – Immerse yourself in vibrant creativity with 15+ artists featuring paintings, sculptures, mixed media, and custom jewelry at 1903 14th Ave, Vero Beach. Open Tuesday–Saturday. | 11 AM–3 PM | Free | Details
Friday, Nov 28
🎄 Christmas on Main Street – FREE family fun with annual tree lighting ceremony presented by Stuart Main Street and Historic Downtown Business Association at Downtown Stuart Riverwalk. | 4–7 PM | Free | Details
Saturday, Nov 29
🎄 4th Annual Holiday Grinch Fest – 100+ local vendors, food trucks, meet the Grinch and friends at Wickham Park Regional Pavilion, Melbourne. Free admission and parking. | 11 AM–4 PM | Free | Details
🍖 Backyard BBQ & Cookout Holiday Reunion – Catch up with old friends with food trucks, full bar, hookah, live performances, souse competition, BBQ competition at 4664 Schall Way, West Palm Beach. | 3–11:30 PM | Free–$47.64 | Details
Sunday, Nov 30
🎭 Twas the Night Before...by Cirque du Soleil – Cirque's first holiday show based on "A Visit from Saint Nicolas" with thrilling acrobatics and holiday classics at Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach. | 12 PM | Ticketed | Details
🧾 Last Drop: Until Monday!
🐻 Judge allows Florida bear hunt to proceed – Court denies injunction sought by Bear Warriors United with Dec. 6-28 season moving forward. Opponents claim 45 of 172 permits bought by advocates who won't hunt. Bear hunt ruling
💍 New Year's Eve weddings at St. Lucie Clerk's Office – Clerk Michelle Miller officiating ceremonies Dec. 31st with photographer packages starting at $70. Slots available every 30 minutes from 8:30am-4pm in festive setting. Wedding event
🗑️ PSL Thanksgiving trash schedule reminder – Thursday collection moves to Friday, Friday to Saturday. Only three holidays affect solid waste pickup: Thanksgiving, Christmas and July 4th. Collection schedule
🎓 Florida international enrollment holds steady – UCF and FSU increase international students despite 17% national drop. State hosted 46,720 international students spending $1.5B last year. Student data
🦃 Thanksgiving dinner costs drop 5% this year – Classic feast for 10 averages $55.18 with 16-pound turkey down 16% to $21.50. Third straight year of declines though still above pre-2022 levels. Holiday savings
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