Originally Published: November 2007
Miami Monthly
Should voters have the power to make decisions about the future of their communities?
TV historians and some of us with memories longer than we like to admit to, recall that the late, great Johnny Carson once hosted a quiz show called "Who Do You Trust?" This name kept occurring to me as I pondered the latest news from the Florida Hometown Democracy (FHD) movement. This grassroots, nonpartisan group is asking voters, "Who do you trust to manage growth and development in your community?"
Until now, this trust has rested squarely with our elected officials. Let's see how they have done: Traffic gridlock. Massive high-rises next to single-family homes. An almost completely condo-lined coastline. A critical shortage of water. Tightly stretched police, fire and sanitation services. An embarrassing lack of parks and open space.
How did this happen? There are plenty of reasonable sounding laws designed to prevent these problems, the hitch is that these laws are as easy to change as a TV channel, maybe easier. In over 200 years, the U.S. Constitution has been amended 27 times. That is a small fraction of the number of amendments to our growth management laws that are proposed, and usually approved, every month. The results of this system are as clear as they are unacceptable.
Now, the good folks of FHD suggest a solution: Take the power to regulate growth away from the politicians and give it to the people. They are circulating a petition to put on the ballot a proposal that would require public approval of all major changes to the land use laws.
Opposition from the "Pave the State" folks has been loud, angry, and most recently, dirty. Expected outbursts and misinformation came at once from megadevelopers and their related interests.
Then, in September, former speaker of the State House John Thrasher (now lobbyist for pro-growth types such as Disney, Associated Industries of Florida, and the St. Joe Co.) sent a letter to people who had already signed the petition. He politely inferred that they were morons, and should revoke their petitions. This is low, even for Florida. FHD will not raise property taxes, ruin the state's beauty, or lead to increased utility bills, as Thrasher's letter stated.
Less expected has been the opposition to FHD from "The People's Governor" Charlie Christ. If the people's governor does not trust the people, what does that say?
FHD must collect 611,000 verified petitions by January 31, 2008 to qualify for the November 2008 ballot. If you trust yourself to make decisions about the quality of life in your neighborhood more than you trust the politicians and lobbyists, it is time for you to get involved. You can download the petition from floridahometowndemocracy. com, or request one by calling toll free 866-779-5513.
Who do you trust? This time the game is for real.
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