I disagree with The Post Editorial Board's criticism of Amendment 4, Florida Hometown Democracy, on the November ballot.
Events keep showing that we need this basic "government of the people, by the people, for the people." It would give voters power over development of their communities and make politicians and developers listen. Developers still would be able to submit projects, and politicians still could approve them, but voters would have final say over those changes.
In Palm Beach County, the public must have the power to say yes or no, since "public servants" routinely disregard public consensus and give developers power, property value and taxpayer dollars to expand Browardization westward to the Everglades. It is heartbreaking.
A recent comprehensive plan change gave the owners of Lion Country Safari theme park in western Palm Beach County the option to change from commercial recreation to 254 urban sprawl houses, quadruple the number of houses allowed in a rural area. County Commissioner Jess Santamaria was presented with public policy to deny the change, but called it "jargon" and voted to allow the park to disappear. Only Commissioner Karen Marcus upheld the county comprehensive plan against the six other commissioners when she voted no.
