 That’s our garbage, how dare you recycle it!
By Lisa Gansky In the sunny enclave of Palm Beach County, a saga recently unfolded that epitomizes the age-old struggle between individual liberty and bureaucratic intervention. It’s the tale of Melissa Corichi, affectionately known as the “Worm Queen,” and her environmental endeavor, Let it Rot. Let it Rot was a small business focused on composting organic waste through vermiculture, which is the process of using worms to break down food scraps and create nutrient-rich worm castings for soil enrichment. Operating in Palm Beach County, Florida, the business aimed to reduce landfill waste by collecting organic material from local residents and businesses, composting it, and selling the resulting compost. In April 2022, Melissa received an alarming call from the Solid Waste Authority (SWA) of Palm Beach County. They demanded an inspection of her farm headquarters and ordered her to cease operations within the county. “I was initially surprised and confused,” Melissa recalls. “After operating for 8 years and growing the collection business to 250 customers, I was getting ready to scale up my operation. But they told me businesses like mine aren’t allowed to exist in Palm Beach County.” The SWA's argument was rooted in the Flow Code, a regulation that grants SWA exclusive control over waste processing. They accused her of undermining their waste-to-energy initiatives by diverting organic waste from incinerators, even though Let it Rot focused on composting using worms—vermiculture. The implications of this monopolistic enforcement are far-reaching, with the SWA claiming all rights to the waste produced in the county. For Melissa, the situation quickly escalated, with SWA regulators visiting her clients and issuing threats of daily fines for engaging with her service. “It felt like they were implying I was stealing from them by offering my service,” Melissa said. "They even went to my family's property and harassed them, searching everywhere I had previously worked." The repeated cease-and-desist orders not only disrupted her business but also posed personal threats, pushing her into a tragic decision to shut down her operations entirely. Melissa’s business was an innovative solution to a growing problem—composting organic waste to create worm castings, a valuable soil additive that could have significantly reduced the county's landfill burden. Melissa believes her operation should be exempt from regulation under Chapter 62-709 of Florida state law, which provides exemptions for small-scale composting. “We only processed less than 50 tons of food waste annually,” she notes. Despite this, the SWA’s broad interpretation of the Flow Code superseded her state exemption and severely limited her ability to continue working. “I can't even bring my neighbor's food scraps to my yard for my compost without breaking the law,” Melissa laments. While she continues to compost her own food waste, the scale of her former business is no longer viable. "All my worms have died due to lack of food sources. I still compost my own personal food waste, but unfortunately, that's all I can do." Despite the hardships, Melissa remains an advocate for teaching others about composting and vermiculture. "There are a lot of well-intentioned people out there," she says, "but most of them don't have the space, budget, or desire to compost on their own. That’s why my pick-up service was such a blessing to many." She now offers consulting services and teaches classes on composting and sustainable gardening across South Florida, hoping to empower others with the knowledge they need to live more sustainably. This issue should concern everyone in Palm Beach County. It touches on core values that span the political spectrum. Liberals, who care about environmental sustainability, should see this as an opportunity to support greener practices that divert waste from landfills and incinerators. Conservatives, who believe in the power of small businesses, should take a stand against government overreach that crushes entrepreneurial spirit. Libertarians, who champion personal liberty, will recognize this as an atrocious violation of the right to freely operate a business without unnecessary governmental intervention. The road ahead for Let it Rot remains uncertain, but there may be hope on the horizon. Melissa has been monitoring new EPA emission regulations that could impact the county's waste-to-energy facility. "Composting is a better alternative to burning food waste. I hope there’s a way to change the laws here and allow commercial composting to thrive." As she reflects on her journey, Melissa offers a word of advice to others facing similar regulatory challenges: "Don't give up. Sometimes industries have to be disrupted before change can happen, and that isn’t always easy." Though the loss of her business was devastating, Melissa continues to push forward, hoping to one day make commercial composting legal in Palm Beach County. Until then, she remains active in the environmental community, working with food pantries to recover food donations and feed her flock of chickens and turkeys. For those interested in learning more about worm composting or supporting Melissa’s cause, she invites them to follow her on social media, attend her classes, or subscribe to her email updates through her website.
Melissa’s Available Classes:
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By Steve Beson, Wellington Resident, Husband, and Father
My name is Steve Beson, and I’m a proud husband and father of two living right here in the Village of Wellington in Palm Beach County, Florida. Like many parents, I want what’s best for my children—clean water, safe food, and the freedom to make health decisions for our family. That’s why I’ve joined Stand for Health Freedom, a growing movement of citizens across the state and nation who are working to restore medical choice and end the practice of mass-medication through public water fluoridation. Thanks to the efforts of Stand for Health Freedom and local advocates across Florida, communities from Brooksville to Titusville have started to wake up and remove fluoride from their water supplies. But here in Palm Beach County—one of the most prosperous and politically active counties in the state--our local governments continue to quietly add industrial fluoride chemicals to the drinking water of over a million residents, including those of us in Wellington and many other municipalities. It’s time we demand better. What Is Water Fluoridation—and Why Should You Care? Water fluoridation is the outdated practice of adding fluoride chemicals—usually a byproduct of the phosphate fertilizer industry—to the public drinking water. It was introduced in the 1940s under the theory that ingesting fluoride could reduce childhood cavities. But here’s the truth:
Fluoridation Is Mass Medication Without Consent Unlike chlorine, which is added to make water safe to drink, fluoride is added to treat the people drinking it—not the water itself. It is the only chemical in our water supply meant to alter your body rather than protect against a waterborne disease. That makes fluoridation a form of forced medication, and that’s where I draw the line. Because even if fluoride were perfectly safe and effective (which it’s not), the decision to consume it should always be up to the individual—not the government. A Violation of Libertarian Principles As a Libertarian, I believe in personal responsibility, limited government, and bodily autonomy. That’s why the Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County’s platform resonates so strongly with me: “We believe in a free-market economy that brings abundance and prosperity; a dedication to civil liberties and personal freedom that distinguishes our country... Libertarians cherish the American heritage of liberty, enterprise, and personal responsibility. We recognize the responsibility to preserve this precious heritage for future generations.” Water fluoridation stands in direct opposition to these values. It removes your choice. It removes your voice. And it gives unelected health bureaucrats and water district officials the power to medicate your family without your consent. This is not liberty. This is not America. We Need Your Voice Now If you agree that forced fluoridation must end, I invite you to join me and Stand for Health Freedom in this critical fight for bodily autonomy and transparent government. Email me directly at [email protected] to get involved. Then write your local city or village council members—especially if you live in a fluoridated municipality like Wellington, West Palm Beach, or Delray Beach. Tell them you want an end to this practice. And be sure to contact your Palm Beach County Commissioners and demand they end the practice which has been in place since 2005:
Let them know: Fluoridation is outdated, unnecessary, and unacceptable in a free society. Together, we can take back control of what goes into our bodies and our children’s bodies. Let’s make Palm Beach County a leader in health freedom—not a relic of medical authoritarianism. For liberty and for our future, Steve Beson Wellington, Florida Husband. Father. Advocate for Freedom. #####
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Boca Raton, FL – August 1, 2024 – This month, Palm Beach County voters will have the opportunity to decide on County Question 1, which proposes granting Economic Development Property Tax Exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing ones. This would be accomplished by giving the County Board of Commissioners the authority to grant such exemptions to favored businesses. Proponents argue that it will foster economic growth and create new full-time jobs, which sounds promising at first glance. No one is opposed to economic growth or job creation; however, voters would be wise to look beyond the lofty goals and scrutinize the underlying assumptions. The proposal assumes tax exemptions will not merely facilitate growth that would occur anyway. Rather, the assumption is that such growth would not exist at all and would be fostered into existence by the exemptions. Otherwise, the exemption would just be a potential windfall for business owners without commensurate gains for the community. An additional presumption is that County Commissioners possess the prescience to identify which businesses will maximize benefits from these exemptions, a task fraught with uncertainty despite their good intentions. There is also an important but often overlooked trade-off: if the County forgoes tax revenue through exemptions, either residents will face increased taxes or diminished services, or both, albeit marginally. Would County Question 1 still seem as noble if reframed as “an authorization to slightly raise taxes or reduce services to boost profits for favored businesses?” Beyond these concerns, the question implies that current property tax levels stifle economic growth—a notion that warrants closer examination. Instead of patching the issue with selective exemptions, perhaps the solution lies in recalibrating property taxes across the board to foster a more business-friendly environment for all. In considering your vote, weigh not only the potential benefits but also the real-world implications and alternatives. Let’s ensure any decision aligns with long-term economic health and fairness for all residents of the county. The Libertarian Party of Palm Beach recommends a NO vote on Question 1. 2024 Primary Election Schedule:
Media Contact: Diona Kozma, Chair Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County Email: [email protected] About LP Palm Beach: LP Palm Beach is an affiliate of the Libertarian Party of Florida (LPF), dedicated to promoting the principles of individual liberty, limited government, and free markets in Palm Beach County. For more information, visit lppbc.com. This release was penned by Frank Montes, Treasurer, Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County. ##### ##### FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Libertarian Party of Palm Beach Endorses Chase Oliver for President and Mike ter Maat for Vice President Lake Worth, Florida – July 18, 2024. At the LP Palm Beach bi-monthly business meeting this week, the party endorsed Chase Oliver as the Presidential nominee and Mike ter Maat as Vice President.The pair were nominated at the Libertarian National Convention in May. Oliver, from Georgia, previously gained national attention by forcing a runoff in the 2022 Georgia Senate race, highlighting the growing impact of Libertarian candidates. Ter Maat, a long-time Florida resident before his move to Virginia, served on the Hallandale Police Department for a number of years. His early career centered around finance and economics. He worked with commercial banks and he also served as a financial economist at the White House Office of Management and Budget. LP Palm Beach Chair and LP Florida Region 13 Representative Diona Kozma stated, “We endorse Chase Oliver and Mike ter Maat because they are dedicated to protecting individual rights and promoting economic freedom. Their commitment to reducing government intrusion and empowering citizens aligns perfectly with the principles of the Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County.” Alternate LP Florida Region 13 Representative Landon Cahow, who was a volunteer on the ter Maat campaign and has since joined the Oliver/ter Maat joint team, said, "I fully support and endorse Chase Oliver and his running mate Mike ter Maat as the Libertarian Party presidential and vice-presidential candidates. As a libertarian, I find both Oliver and ter Maat to be staunch libertarians to their core, and I believe they are the best ticket selection for any voters, particularly registered Libertarians, as well as any liberty-minded voter regardless of party affiliation. The time is as important as any to show solidarity within the Libertarian Party and for liberty as a whole through our nation. Oliver and ter Maat fully represent liberty in their joint platform, and I am proud to give them my full support." Media Contact Diona Kozma Email: [email protected] About LP Palm Beach LP Palm Beach is an affiliate of the Libertarian Party of Florida (LPF), dedicated to promoting the principles of individual liberty, limited government, and free markets in Palm Beach County. For more information, visit lppbc.com. #####  Chase Oliver speaks at the Libertarian National Convention in Washington DC in May 2024. © Lisa Gansky By Lisa Gansky
Many of us remember a time when friendships transcended political differences. Since 2016, however, the political landscape has become so polarized that Americans are now divided into two groups: Democrats and anyone who isn't a Democrat. We as Libertarians, although quite distinct from Republicans, find ourselves lumped into the latter category. For clarity’s sake, I use “we” and “us” to include anyone that isn’t a Democrat, liberal, or leftist. We’re a broad group with some very different beliefs and values, but we’re all included in that “not a Democrat” bucket. Since the assassination attempt on Donald Trump last week, we've witnessed a disturbing new trend. Conservatives, angered by the ill wishes directed at Trump, are retaliating online against those who expressed hateful sentiments. But revenge is not the answer. It perpetuates a toxic cycle where the pendulum swings back and forth, both sides inflicting harm on one another when it’s their turn. It swung far to the left during COVID, with so many who didn’t agree with the narrative finding themselves banned from social media, or even fired from their jobs for their social media posts. And now it seems to be swinging the other way. But if this hateful behavior is continued by us, when the pendulum inevitably swings back the other way, Democrats will relish in canceling us again. That's why we should do all we can to stop it right now, making cancel culture a distant memory. We should resist the temptation to retaliate and treat others as savagely as they have treated us. Yes, revenge may seem gratifying and perhaps even warranted, but it is ultimately an empty and destructive act. Instead, we should rise above and stop this harmful tactic in its tracks. One account I've followed and enjoyed for some time, @LibsOfTikTok, has recently been encouraging their followers to cancel individuals who wished harm upon Trump. They have also celebrated when these individuals lose their jobs. But this approach is incredibly toxic. It is not a victory to see an elderly cashier fired or a family provider lose their livelihood. Such actions hurt not only the individuals but also their families too. This newfound joy that so many conservatives are finding in canceling others is quite alarming. It undermines the very essence of the First Amendment. While we may not like what others say, they have the right to say it. Engaging in cancel culture erodes this fundamental freedom and fuels further division. By indulging in cancel culture, it's easy to forget the humanity of those we target. Each act of cancellation has a ripple effect, causing unnecessary suffering and increasing animosity. When we engage in this behavior at scale, as @LibsOfTikTok has done, we rapidly deepen societal divisions. Freedom-lovers should stand against doxxing and canceling those with differing opinions. These tactics erode the First Amendment and are tactics often used by those we oppose. We should strive to be better. Now is the time to come together and end cancel culture. This toxic practice is unsustainable and divisive. We must establish new norms and rules that protect free speech for everyone, regardless of political affiliation. Pursuing vengeance now only means the cycle will continue, with each side seeking revenge when in power. This path leads to further authoritarianism and division. Instead, let us take the higher road. We have the chance to end cancel culture and protect our freedom of speech, one of our most sacred rights. Let us seize this opportunity to rise above revenge and build a more compassionate and understanding society. By doing so, we can create a kinder and better future for generations to come. In the heart of Palm Beach County, a conflict brews that strikes at the core of Libertarian values—freedom, property rights, and resistance to unnecessary governmental intervention. The residents of Loxahatchee and The Acreage, known for their rugged individualism and dedication to a rural way of life, find themselves under siege by local government actions that threaten to transform their community through the enforcement of restrictive codes.
For decades, this community has thrived as a mixed-use haven, where small businesses, farming, and residential life coexist harmoniously. The freedom to run a business from home, keep animals, or park a collection of vehicles on one's property was not merely a convenience but a foundational pillar of their way of life. Suddenly, Palm Beach County has deemed this lifestyle unacceptable, imposing regulations more suited to urban environments, disregarding the unique character of our rural areas. The Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County stands firm against this overreach. These actions by the county not only infringe upon the right to use one's property freely but also represent a dangerous encroachment of government into the lives of individuals. The essence of Libertarianism is the belief in minimal government intervention, advocating for the rights of individuals to live their lives as they see fit, provided they do not harm others. The county's sudden shift in policy, without meaningful dialogue with the community, embodies the very tyranny we oppose. The time to act is now. The community's response to these arbitrary and unjust codes will be a testament to our resilience and commitment to freedom. We call upon every Libertarian, every advocate of individual rights and property freedom, to stand in solidarity with the residents of Loxahatchee and The Acreage. Attend the critical County Commissioners' meeting on February 22nd, 2024 at 8am, to voice our collective opposition to these restrictive codes. Your presence is critical, as previous meetings have shown that a strong community turnout can influence the decisions of our commissioners. Sending emails to the commissioners is another critical way to make our voices heard. It is important that these communications reflect our individual perspectives, yet stand united in our message: we will not accept the transformation of our community by unwarranted regulations. As the meeting looms, let us remember the stakes. This is not merely a local zoning dispute but a fight for the fundamental liberties that define our nation. Wear your red shirts as a vivid symbol of our solidarity, follow our Facebook page for updates, and consider donating to our cause. Together, we are a powerful force for freedom and fairness. Let us stand united, not just as residents of Loxahatchee and The Acreage, but as Libertarians, as champions of freedom, in the face of this challenge. Tomorrow, we have the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to these principles in action. Let us make our voices heard and reclaim the rights that are rightfully ours. For those interested in attending the meeting, it starts at 8am on February 22, 2024 in the Commissioners' Chambers at 301 N Olive St, West Palm Beach, FL 33401. The Chambers are located on the 6th floor; the security guards will direct you. Keep up with the latest details at https://www.fixourcodes.org/. County Libertarians Support Saving Residents Tax Money: VOTE NO on County Questions 1 and 29/26/2022 The Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County (LP Palm Beach) supports saving tax money for Palm Beach County residents and urges all registered voters to vote “NO” on Questions 1 and 2 in the general election on November 8, 2022. Both questions will impact how much county residents pay in taxes, and voting “NO” will help decrease these taxes, allowing residents to keep more of their money. Higher taxes and more government spending will not make housing more affordable. Question 1 on the ballot proposes $200,000,000 in new debt for the county government to construct “workforce housing.” A better solution is to implement a Workforce Housing Tax Credit (WHTC) for the property taxes of low-income homeowners. “There is no need for the county government to obligate taxpayers to the tune of $200 million in debt for this temporary problem,” said Karl Dickey, Chair of LP Palm Beach. “The county government should focus on reducing spending, lowering taxes, and cutting regulations to make housing more affordable. Instead, they are doing the opposite. Government intervention will only complicate the issue further.” Existing state and federal incentives can assist low-income residents in purchasing and maintaining their homes, but this is outside the scope of the current ballot measures. Question 2 proposes to increase the millage rate on property taxes by 1 mill of ad valorem tax, equating to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value. The county is already collecting an additional 1% sales tax, which will not expire until 2026, half of which supports the county school system. This increase will disproportionately affect the poorest residents, as renters lack the homesteading protections available to homeowners. The Palm Beach County School System already receives ample funding from federal, state, and county sources to cover school safety, teachers, and operational needs. We anticipate the return to a 6% sales tax in 2026 when the 1% surtax expires. The current 7% sales tax negatively impacts the poorest residents. We should not continue to increase taxes when the county has sufficient reserves. Press Release: September 26, 2022 For our printable PDF voter guide go here.
The Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County has not recommended candidates or issues in every race; however, every effort has been made to make these recommendations from a Libertarian Party stance. If a name is next to the office up for election, then that means that candidate checks most of all the boxes from the Libertarian point of view. If you see “NO RECOMMENDATION” then that means no candidates in the race could be recommended from the Libertarian point of view. Florida Amendment 1: YES Florida Amendment 2: YES Florida Amendment 3: NO U.S. Senate: Dennis Misigoy (Libertarian) U.S. House District 20: Drew Clark U.S. House District 21: NO RECOMMENDATION U.S. House District 22: Dan Franzese U.S. House District 23: NO RECOMMENDATION (Joe Budd rated highest) Florida Governor: Hector Roos (Libertarian) State Senator District 24: NO RECOMMENDATION State Senator District 26: Steve Byers State Senator District 30: NO RECOMMENDATION State Representative District 89: NO RECOMMENDATION State Representative District: 90: Roz Stevens State Representative District 91: NO RECOMMENDATION State Representative District 92: Dorcas Hernandez State Representative District 93: Saulis Banionis State Representative District 94: NO RECOMMENDATION County Commission District 2: NO RECOMMENDATION County Commission District 4: Marci Woodward County Commission District 6: Sara Baxter County Question 1 ($200 million debt): NO County Question 2 (ad valorem levy): NO May 18, 2022
The Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County (LP Palm Beach) has proposed practical solutions to address the soaring costs in Palm Beach County’s housing market, affecting both renters and residential buyers. LP Palm Beach Chair, Karl Dickey, stated this morning, “Recently, the county government was exploring the idea of instituting rent controls, and thankfully, they dismissed the idea as it would have only benefited high-income renters. We agree with county Mayor Weinroth that we need more inventory, and we have better solutions.” The county government would not have been able to institute rent controls even if they had wanted to, as it would have been unlawful and unconstitutional. Numerous studies, including one from Stanford University, indicate that rent controls would have only caused scarcer housing and higher prices—the direct opposite of its intent. While Palm Beach County is not immune from the law of supply and demand, the county government and its inclusive cities could help increase affordable housing by eliminating restrictive zoning, which further reduces housing supply and raises housing costs. Government’s restrictive regulations reduce housing supply, which is mostly responsible for the shortage of housing available to meet demand. Researchers at Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania have found that housing price differences between cities are not due to variations in land prices or construction costs but to regulatory differences, primarily zoning and building restrictions. Similar research from the Lincoln Land Institute found that “house prices in cities with stricter regulatory policies rose 30 percent to 60 percent relative to less-restrictively regulated cities over a 15-year period.” According to the National Association of Home Builders, every “$1,000 increase in home price leads to about 232,447 households priced out of the market for a median-priced new home.” Adrian Moore, in an article about Sarasota, Florida, pointed out that government subsidies further cause housing prices to rise. Moore writes, “What really drives housing affordability is supply and demand. We have no shortage of demand in Sarasota. Supply is the problem. Like so many places, Sarasota has throngs of people who have moved here, purchased their home, and now want to put a stop to any more growth. They got theirs, and now they want to shut the gate on everyone else. This stance is unfair and morally bankrupt. Moreover, it simply violates the property rights enshrined in our Constitution, which are crucial to our way of life.” Another important solution to help reduce costs for renters and homeowners is to reduce government spending, reduce millage rates, reduce property taxes on investor property, and lower rent for tenants. As we enter budgeting season for local governments, local politicians must resist the temptation to further intrude on the real estate market and instead loosen regulations while reducing their spending to lower property taxes via the millage rate. Local governments are already poised to receive some of the largest taxable incomes they have ever seen due to the large number of parcels selling for record prices. Reducing the millage rate is practical and helpful. Dickey added, “We should not be running to the government seeking solutions every time a crisis rears its ugly head. It is often the government that creates the problem in the first place, and even more often, government’s ‘solution’ will make the crisis worse and more prolonged. Loosen restrictions on the real estate market, reduce government spending, and let the market work itself out. We have other helpful measures and look forward to the county government, as well as its 39 cities, towns, and villages, adopting more practical solutions.” The Libertarian Party of Palm Beach County (LP Palm Beach) has again come out against Palm Beach County’s panhandling ordinance as a violation of the Constitutional rights of county citizens. In 2015, LP Palm Beach came out against the ordinance warning that it was unconstitutional and was rebuffed by county commissioners by this ordinance’s enactment. Represented by the Florida Justice Institute, Clarence Richter has recently filed a lawsuit seeking damages in federal court, which could put county taxpayers on the hook for millions of dollars for violating the constitutional rights of county citizens.
LP Palm Beach Chair Karl Dickey said today, “The county and some municipalities are acting in direct violation of the First Amendment by putting citizens in a cage simply for expressing free speech and/or asking for money from the public while on public property. We call for Palm Beach County Commissioners and all cities in the county to repeal their panhandling ordinances, which violate the U.S. Constitution. Our elected officials took an oath to defend the Constitution, and instead are trampling all over it.” Palm Beach County Court Judge Sherri Collins has already declared the county ordinance unconstitutional in a separate criminal case heard in November 2021. Nonetheless, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office has continued to enforce the ordinance by arresting and fining people under it. Press release March 25, 2022 |
AuthorLP Palm Beach County Archives
March 2025
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