Gifford makes progress

This is Paul Janensch with a Treasure Coast Essay about Gifford, the racially diverse community north of Vero Beach.  Next Monday, January 16, Gifford will put on a Martin Luther King Day parade up Old Dixie Highway from 37^th Street to 45^th Street starting at 10 a.m.  Of Gifford’s 7,500 residents, more than half are African Americans.  Many families have lived there for generations.  Progress is being made on a Gifford Neighborhood Plan adopted by Indian River County and supported by the Progressive Civic League of Gifford to upgrade streets, sidewalks, drainage, playgrounds and housing.  Along 45^th Street, a facelift has been completed, and drainage improvements are under way.  What’s the key to get things done?  “Persistence,” says Joe Idelette of the Civic League.  I’m Paul Janensch.