Junk Journalism at The Palm Beach Post

PAPER PROMOTES LIES AND DISTORTIONS ABOUT HOMETOWN DEMOCRACY AMENDMENT 4 -- AGAIN

On 11-22-09, the Palm Beach Post published an anti-Amendment 4 editorial that could have been written by lobbyists or publicity flacks for the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Associated Industries, or their front, Floridians for Smarter Growth. They represent the views of developers. They are scared. They see the handwriting on the wall: A poll by Orange County Realtors found that 71% of respondents favor Hometown Democracy Amendment 4. People want a voice in how their communities grow.

The town that debunked nothing

THE LIE: The title of the Post’s fear mongering editorial was, “The town that saved Florida – St. Pete Beach debunked Hometown Democracy.” The Post’s scribblers went on to declare falsely that the “town has been a test case for what Florida Hometown democracy would inflict on the entire state.” They called it “St. Pete’s version of Hometown Democracy.”

THE TRUTH: A developer-backed Political Action Committee wrote up misleading petitions to change the St. Pete Comp Plan. It passed. Unlike Hometown Democracy Amendment 4, it did not provide that a referendum on a plan change shall occur only at the end of the state-mandated review and public hearing process – after commissioners had approved a land use change. State law has long held that no land use change can occur without two public hearings. A4 has safeguards and public examination not found in St. Pete Beach. So it is not surprising that the town amendment was challenged.

The “everything” lie that should be beneath a reputable paper

THE LIE: The Post’s editorial fiction states: “Local voters would have to vote on every change to a city or county comprehensive plan … The proposed Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment would require referendums on even the most inconsequential changes.”

THE TRUTH: Even the Post recognizes that A4 does not cover many changes, such as zoning and variances that are made regularly without Comp plan Amendments. The pernicious factor is their unsupportable claim that it applies to “every” Comp Plan change. A Comp Plan has many elements, but the only one mentioned in A4 is “land use,” referring to the Future Land Use Map, the key element that affects the over-development that has ruined Florida. Read for yourself the A4 ballot summary that will appear on the 2010 ballot:

BALLOT SUMMARY: Establishes that before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or amendment shall be subject to vote of the electors of the local government by referendum, following preparation by the local planning agency, consideration by the governing body and notice.

Believe your own eyes and your understanding of clear English, as approved by the State Supreme Court, instead of deliberate misinterpretation by developer puppets. Note that “land use” is the only element mentioned. The full amendment states it seven times. Nowhere is there any mention of any other elements found in Comp Plans. That includes Intergovernmental Coordination, Schools, Economics, Capital Improvements, Drainage, Waste, Transportation, Recreation or numerous other Comp Plan elements that can be changed without voter approval. Only land use is covered.

What is the Post motive in misleading readers?

One thing is clear. They are not motivated to produce an honest journalistic report. If they were, they would have invited the president of Hometown Democracy to visit with their editorial board to answer their questions. They never did. They would have asked people in St. Pete Beach professional reporter style questions, instead of being confrontational to force answers they wanted. So we can only speculate about their motives from the evidence.

First, the Post’s political orientation has long been leftist. Such folks like government control under elitist influence. Ordinary folk are either too dumb or not to be trusted – they think. However, the U.S. Supreme Court has faith in voters. In 2003, the Court ruled that voters are presumed to be competent about matters of local government. The Court said if voters so choose, they can demand to vote on local land use issues, that power is delegated by the voters to local government, and voters can take that power back if they so choose.
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Second, Post advertising is way down, so they suck up to developers by worrying about landowners who want more development rights, and developers who “would be penalized.” It is well to remember that real estate ads account for about one quarter of newspaper ads.

Some newspapers understand that A4 empowers residents to decide how much growth burden they are willing to bear. The Naples News said the following on 11-24-09:

“Hometown Democracy, Amendment #4 to the state Constitution, provides that voters control growth. It is beginning to look attractive, if not blatantly seductive, at least to the taxpayers of Florida.

Don’t let developers or their newspaper mouthpiece tell you that it’s good to put all of your trust about growth in officials whom they control. Trust your own judgment. Protect your home value. Keep your taxes in check. Vote for Amendment 4 in 2010.

Al Forman
Editor
The Martin County Defender