A recipe for bad government? Contrary to The Recorder editor Mark Pettus’ opinion, this amendment is an opportunity for Floridians to decide whether or not we will continue to grow at the frenzied pace that happened from the time the Florida State Legislature enacted Florida’s Growth Management in 1985.

 

Amendment 4, Florida Hometown Democracy, is simply an opportunity for voters to decide whether or not they will exercise their right to "rein in" government(s) and developers/land speculators from their virtual monopoly over growth and land uses.

Will we continue to have business as usual when county, municipal, and state governments continue approving major new, leap frog development affecting the quality of life in Florida? Or will voters exercise their political right to control future development that threatens to swamp Florida with unsustainable development?

On Nov. 2, Florida voters will decide these questions. Government hasn’t controlled growth so why continue to trust their judgment?

The Florida Constitution, Bill of Rights, Section 1, states, "All political power is inherent in the people." We, the people, have practiced and believed in representative government, electing willing candidates to represent our best interests. We expected good decisions from them to help improve the quality of life for ourselves, our children and future generations. Unfortunately they didn’t do what was expected in terms of citizen’s interests.

In the 12 years I’ve lived in St. Johns County there’s been unprecedented, massive growth that negatively affects this county with urban sprawl, congested roads, crowded schools, reduced services and the increased taxes higher taxes we now have. What happened here was done everywhere in Florida.

Despite the existing negatives from past growth decisions and huge glut of unbuilt or empty developments the industry continues to push for more land use changes and development.

Is there a better solution? The status quo suggested by Pettus isn’t the answer, nor has he suggested one. The commissioners quoted have no answer either.

Commissioners quoted in the story said: "there was some extremely poor planning that went on in St. Johns County between 1995 and 2007," or "A development may drop a $1 million on (public relations) … and the anti-development people won’t have that kind of money" and "it’s the wrong answer to the right question." Solutions? None offered.

The mentioned twelve year period of commission abuse of power, produced numerous Future Land Use changes that led to the urban sprawl, congestion, school crowding and the increased property taxes we now have.

The front page story of the Feb. 26 issue of The Recorder (part three of a three-part series) reports on politicians accused of influence peddling and other public corruption matters. Other Florida newspapers are rife with stories of ethics violations and criminal activity by elected officials. Political payoffs, closed door meetings, and the outright lies being reported by the media have people fed-up with politics as usual.

Government has had the power to control growth for years and they haven’t. Over development, gridlock, lack of jobs, out of control budgets and political corruption have been serious problems for years and government still has no answer except build baby build.

Its obvious representative government hasn’t worked in Florida or St. Johns County. If they can’t/won’t govern in the best interests of Florida then voters/citizens have no choice but to take charge. Amendment 4 is a viable solution to the growth problem.

Developers/land speculators are now inundating all local and state governments with new development requests and major comprehensive plan/land use changes because they’re afraid the voters will reestablish government, of the people, by the people, and for the people. What’s wrong with that?

Anti-Amendment 4 businesses -- the entire development industry, planners, attorneys, chambers of commerce, real estate interests, and most elected officials -- say Amendment 4 makes voters vote on all changes approved by local government(s). This is absolutely not true.

Amendment 4 specifically states that only comprehensive plan land use changes approved by county commissioners/local governments be subject to approval by voters at the next general election. Citizens should read Amendment 4 to see exactly what it says versus what opponents say. Opponents want business as usual. Amendment 4 is an opportunity to change the present system.

Pettus suggests electing better officials. This is easy to say but hard to do. Let’s be honest -- money buys influence and politicians are the targets of influence peddling.

A politician’s life cycle is to get elected and then re-elected. Election campaigns cost money and special interests contribute big money to political candidates. Developers/land speculators tend to view campaign contributions as investments and these investments secure greater profits.

A former three-term commissioner/chairman, instrumental in the massive over development during much of the 1995-2007 growth period is running again for the District 4 seat (Ponte Vedra) and he doesn’t even live there. If the sitting commissioner doesn’t seek election we may have a commissioner by default after winning the primary.

In District 2, a former county administrator is running for the commission seat and another former commissioner from the 1995-2007 period is rumored to be running again. Why?

Campaign contributions for former (and present) county commissioners show huge amounts of money from developer-related businesses that far exceed donations from ordinary citizens. Compared to contributions to losing candidates we know why few qualified citizens running for election are seldom elected.

Money buys elections and, in my view this is exactly why voters should vote for Amendment 4. Money doesn’t go to people’s choice candidates who pledge to represent the community’s best interests, therefore they seldom win elections.

We currently have 60,000 homes approved but not yet built. Why do we need more? We need to know: what, where, when and how this county can thrive with new jobs and strategic planning. They have no plan! Why not? Either we decide to be competitive for job growth or admit we’ll never be more than a bedroom community to Jacksonville.

When Amendment 4, Florida Hometown Democracy, passes in November, citizens will regain the voice that was lost to the development industry and local government. Vote for Amendment 4 and give yourself a vote on growth.


Al Abbatiello