Originally Published 21 August, 2007
Treasure Coast Palm
Should it come as any surprise that Robert Minsky, former longtime mayor of Port St. Lucie, opposes Florida Hometown Democracy?
Port St. Lucie -- epicenter of the devastating real estate meltdown -- typifies what happens when you have government of the developer, by the developer and for the developer. You get developers gone wild followed by an epic housing hangover.
Mr. Minsky may think that everything is hunky dory in Port St. Lucie, but I can't let his misinformation about Florida Hometown Democracy stand.
He wonders who will pay for the "additional referendums that will be required" Mr. Minsky, there will be no "additional referendums." A comprehensive plan amendment that is approved by the city commission will then be placed on the next regularly scheduled ballot. This won't cost the voters more than a little extra ink on the ballot.
We can't say the same about the hog-wild sprawl that Mr. Minsky champions. How much are the taxpayers paying for that?
Mr. Minsky says we should trust our commissioners because they put a lot of time and research into a proposed land use change before they vote. However, commissioners are not required to have special training to vote on proposed land use changes. Sometimes they agree with the planning staff and sometimes they don't. Comprehensive land use planning is not brain surgery. Right now, the development machine uses high-priced hired guns to spin razzle dazzle and silence Joe Q. Citizen.
These growth wizards use words like "vested," "concurrency," "mitigation," "quasi-judicial," "development rights" and too many commissions hypnotically nod approval.
With the advent of Florida Hometown Democracy, proposed plan changes will have to be debated in plain English.
What Mr. Minsky doesn't want you to know is this: Comprehensive plan amendments are political decisions that should not be granted unless the public interest is advanced, or at the least not harmed. The U.S. Supreme Court and the Florida Supreme Court have ruled that if the electorate is not pleased with the manner in which our elected officials are representing us, we the people can take that power back.
Mr. Minsky says that when a proposed comp plan change is up for vote "a tremendous effort and expense comes into play." Well yes, the developers' hopes of squeezing as much profit out of an acre is at play.
Mr. Minsky also says voters are too emotional to vote on these matters. Yes, voters get emotional seeing their quality of life bulldozed to feed the development machine and getting stuck with the bill. They should get emotional. It's called caring about your life, your community.
Our elected representatives are doing a great job representing developers. Einstein famously said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. That's why we need Florida Hometown Democracy on the 2008 ballot.
Go to www.floridahometowndemocracy.com or call 866-659-5513 for petitions. Do your share to change the politics of growth once and for all.
Blackner, a Palm Beach attorney, is president of Florida Hometown Democracy Inc.
Comments(4)
#1 Posted by LDouglas on August 21, 2007 at 7:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought Mr. Minsky's column made a good advertisement in favor of Hometown Democracy.
We all hear the news coming out of there and can clearly see how the residents have not had proper representation from their commissioners.
From that news, we can also clearly see how "growth" has only benefitted a few at the expense of the rest of the community- in not only money but in quality of life.
Gangs, low performing over crowded schools, high HIV/AIDS and pregnacy rates among teens, high taxes, flooded real estate market etc. etc.
They had their chance. As it says at the Hometown Democracy web-site-
"Now is the time to save Florida's future!
Let the people vote."
http://www.floridahometowndemocracy.com...
#2 Posted by Brynn on August 21, 2007 at 8:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If you have young children or grandchildren and are concerned about the future of their education, you should sign the petition.
My oldest is a senior this year and has 3 classes out in portables. Last year they had only 6 or 7 and now it's almost 30. They've just started construction on a new wing but as usual, there was no planning ahead for growth.
They registered about 300 new students bringing the number up to about 2700. The halls are so jammed, he can barely get through. Even if he wanted to buy lunch, the lines are too long.
They call the portables a village. Last year they elected a mayor for it and this year they'll elect a governor.
It would be funny if it wasn't so important but at least it seems to make the kids feel better about attending classes there- which in turn keeps their parents happier.
Another thing equally bothersome is I recently found out that at a local elementary school, teachers must now get permission from the principal or vice principal before being allowed to make copies. I realize they need to cut spending but what's next?
#3 Posted by ke4miv on August 21, 2007 at 11:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Mr. Minsky also says voters are too emotional to vote on these matters. "
Mr. Minsky also thinks voters are too stupid to vote on these matters.
#4 Posted by iwantsumtoo on August 21, 2007 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
HELL YEAH LETS CONTINUE TO LEAVE THE HELM TO THE LIKES OF "THE MINKSY GROUP"
Its ironic that on the same day "THE MINSKY GROUP" founder is given yet another forum to spew his b/s....
Ive often wondered if Scrips publisihing is indeed a biased publication, seeing how often they allow him to spread the same rhetoric is enlightening.....
|
