Originally Printed On April 25, 2007
YOUR OPINION
Ocala Star Banner
If an invading army were destroying and polluting our state, real Floridians would hunt it down. Why, then, isn't there more outrage when developers and complicit government officials promote schemes that destroy and degrade what's best and beautiful in our state?
Years ago, Tallahassee required all Florida cities and counties to forge comprehensive growth management plans to prepare for the growth now hitting us. However, many Florida officials - on behalf of developers - have undermined those plans.
To their credit, several local commissioners have awakened to the damage being done, but many of their counterparts across the state continue making a mockery of growth management. This happens every time they agree to remove land-use restrictions so developers can rip out what's left of our state's natural world.
Worse yet, many of these officials also override or ignore objections from their own professional planners, and publicly scold citizens who speak out against the constant downgrading of the quality of life in their neighborhoods.
But there's a solution, one developers hate and are spending millions to defeat, called the Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment.
This measure would permit citizens to vote on land use changes elected officials make to growth management plans. This amendment, however, could not be used to take away a landowner's vested property rights. Nor does it affect zoning. Instead, it provides oversight when elected officials try to sabotage existing land use rules.
This amendment empowers citizens, instead of a few county commissioners or city council members, to make the final decision as to the limits of growth in their community.
Everywhere, Florida patriots are donating money and petitioning to get this amendment on the 2008 ballot. You should too.
Please download and sign the petition at www.FloridaHometownDemocracy.com, or by writing:
Florida Hometown Democracy.
PO Box 636,
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170-0636.
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