Katie McGiveron and I met Florida Hometown Democracy (FHD) supporters in New Syrmna Beach yesterday with those attending coming from across the State, from the Panhandle from as far south as Ft. Lauderdale in order to get an up-date and meet fellow sympathizers who worry about growth and sprawl throughout Florida. The meeting was attended by those who have a keen interest in letting the people decide on what land use changes they want in their community, not leaving it up to politicians. Across from us was seated, Joyce Tarnow, President of Floridians for a Sustainable Population.
Our attorney, Lesley Blackner and her partner in FHD,Attorney Ross Burnaman, led the meeting.
Florida Hometown Democracy has been in front of the State Supreme Court on seven occasions. It has three suits pending at this time. As you may be aware, The Florida Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries as well as many builders’ organizations spent five times what FHD had to defeat this grassroots initiative.
Back in 1985, the Florida Growth Management Act became law and mandated comprehensive planning. Why? It became law in order to protect Floridians from over-development. Its intent was that future amendments be few and far between. (It is supposed to be hard to amend a comp plan!)
Back in 1985, the Florida Growth Management Act became law and mandated comprehensive planning. Why? It became law in order to protect Floridians from over-development. Its intent was that future amendments be few and far between. (It is supposed to be hard to amend a comp plan!)
So why didn’t the Florida Growth Management Act protect us? Over the years, the Legislature has made it easier and easier to amend comp plans, by carving out loop holes, like proposed plan amendments that do not have to go to Tallahassee for review, etc. But the real problem is this: comp plan amendments, like all land use changes, are POLITICAL DECISIONS MADE BY ELECTED OFFICIALS. When our commissioners vote on a proposed comp plan change, (a Comp Plan is simply a law that says what you can and can not do), they are supposed to be representing the greater good of the public
Through the years the public interest was discarded by politicians in bed with greedy developers and those in that industry. The well being of the community, the citizens' quality of life, our beautiful environment, everything that makes our communities a desirable place to live has been sacrificed at the alter of the growth machine. Politicians got in the way of sensible growth.
Katie McGiveron, Chair of Save Our Neighborhood, Inc.
All the shady politics and money under the table deals will come to a screeching halt when FHD gets passed. Developers will now have to work within the law. The people will now have the say as to what happens in their community and how they want it to look, not corrupt politicians. This will NOT stop building. What it means with Florida Hometown Democracy is that the voter decides on how he wants his community to look, not just a couple of politicians influenced by builders. If the majority of the voters want the change, then it will happen. If the majority says they don’t like the change, then it won’t. Simple.
We have now made a lot of progress in Lake Worth by over-turning the 3 to 2 vote. We will no longer see a high-rise across from Benny’s, as an example. I would like to see the zoning at the beach remain as it was, Public Recreation and Open Space, and refurbish the building we have in place. Hopefully, this will go forward and the proposed change to our Comprehensive Plan to BAC will sit on the shelf in Tallahassee.
We look to have Florida Hometown Democracy on the ballot in year 2010 and we will be asking for your help.
Through the years the public interest was discarded by politicians in bed with greedy developers and those in that industry. The well being of the community, the citizens' quality of life, our beautiful environment, everything that makes our communities a desirable place to live has been sacrificed at the alter of the growth machine. Politicians got in the way of sensible growth.
Katie McGiveron, Chair of Save Our Neighborhood, Inc.All the shady politics and money under the table deals will come to a screeching halt when FHD gets passed. Developers will now have to work within the law. The people will now have the say as to what happens in their community and how they want it to look, not corrupt politicians. This will NOT stop building. What it means with Florida Hometown Democracy is that the voter decides on how he wants his community to look, not just a couple of politicians influenced by builders. If the majority of the voters want the change, then it will happen. If the majority says they don’t like the change, then it won’t. Simple.
We have now made a lot of progress in Lake Worth by over-turning the 3 to 2 vote. We will no longer see a high-rise across from Benny’s, as an example. I would like to see the zoning at the beach remain as it was, Public Recreation and Open Space, and refurbish the building we have in place. Hopefully, this will go forward and the proposed change to our Comprehensive Plan to BAC will sit on the shelf in Tallahassee.
We look to have Florida Hometown Democracy on the ballot in year 2010 and we will be asking for your help.
