An assortment of Lemmon Drops culled from a trip to Birtherville with Donald Trump:
• Sebastian resident Mark Lund was ecstatic when a deal was worked out so his daughter and her family could move in to the house across the street.
Getting insurance for his daughter's home has been a hassle, though.
"It's a historic home (built in 1900)," he said. "Nobody will touch it, except for Citizens."
Ah, yes, Citizens Property Insurance, the so-called "insurer of last resort" in Florida. It's a government corporation funded by state taxpayers.
Most homeowners have a sob story about sharp increases in their insurance premiums. The increases this past year have been particularly irksome.
Put yourself in the shoes of Lund's daughter, Tiah Casher, who works as a housekeeper at Disney's Vero Beach Resort.
Her annual premium went from $1,660 to $2,947.
"Nothing has changed," the father said. "Nothing!"
Tiah's husband is a welder, but he's out of work right now. They have two sons.
Such a sharp increase is a budget-buster for them.
"We're not going to be able to pay it," she said. "There's absolutely no way. I don't know what we're going to do."
The payment — whether annual, semiannual or quarterly — is due a week from today.
If a hurricane strikes, they'll be in even deeper trouble — because the hurricane deductible is a whopping $9,515.
"It's crazy. It's out of control," Lund said. "(Citizens) can do whatever they want."
Is it any wonder so many people bristle over the cost of insurance in Florida?
• In this space on Sunday, you may recall, I asked if you're taking advantage of everything Indian River County's public libraries have to offer.
I explained that we checked out "The National Parks: America's Best Idea" — the acclaimed PBS series by Ken Burns — from the main library and watched it over the holiday weekend.
In sort of a wink and a nod to those on a tight budget, I noted it didn't cost us a penny.
Almost predictably, a reader called Tuesday with two complaints about what she calls "our beautiful library."
Both complaints had to do with the area in front of the building.
She parked in one of the handicap spots and was disgusted to see "thousands of cigarettes butts" near the benches. The smell was awful too, she said.
I went to the library Wednesday morning, and discovered she wasn't exaggerating.
The mulch area underneath the bushes had a layer of cigarette butts. (No one was smoking when I was there, but the distinctive smell of cigarettes was in the air.)
Her other complaint had to do with what appear to be homeless people occupying the benches near the drop-off box.
My wife can relate to that complaint. On her way to work Monday morning, shortly before 5 a.m., she returned the "National Parks" DVD by using the overnight drop-off box. She was startled to find two people on the nearby benches — one was stretched out sleeping, and the other was staring straight ahead.
Assistant County Administrator Mike Zito, who oversees the local libraries, says there have been "ongoing issues with the homeless." However, he couldn't recall any serious incidents in recent months.
It's a delicate balance, he said, because it's a public facility. He estimates there is a group of four to six "regulars" who use the main library — be it for the Internet or to read the newspaper.
Those causing problems are asked to move on, he said.
"They're routinely told — some comply, some don't," he said.
The library staff will contact the Vero Beach Police Department if a problem arises, he said.
Sleeping on the benches in front is "certainly not permitted," Zito said.
Because no library staff members are there overnight, Zito says it's up to the police department to monitor the library grounds.
I'm pretty sure the families of those who donated money to the library — their names are on the benches ("In Memory of John L. & Myrtle Skinner McCall," says one plaque) — didn't expect the benches to be used in this manner.
• Jennifer Resch, the Storm Grove Middle School science teacher diagnosed with metastatic melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer, is humbled by the outpouring of support from the community.
She'll begin intense treatment next week.
On Tuesday evening, there was a benefit dinner for her in the Storm Grove cafeteria. More than 250 tickets were sold.
"I just had to say how amazed I was by last night and (how) thankful for all the support and love this community has shown me ... AMAZING!" she said Wednesday in an email.
Russ Lemmon is a columnist for Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers. This column reflects his opinion. Contact him at 772-978-2205 or russ.lemmon@scripps.com. He will appear on WTTB 1490 AM's "Morning Magazine" at 8:50 a.m. Friday.
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