Worst of times better with Amendment 4

'Worst of times' better with Amendment 4

Attorney Christian W. Waugh wrote about a hypothetical look into the future without Amendment 4 (New Voices: "A tale of two cities: With, without Amend. 4," Orlando Sentinel, Saturday).

Strangely, his hypothetical analogy is identical to what it would be like when Amendment 4 is passed: "Orlando will welcome new residents who come for the jobs created in health care, transportation and hospitality." Nothing changes because those growth plans are already in place.

Waugh further stated that, with Hometown Democracy, "developments would be subject to the whims of those who have zero economic interest in them."

In other words, he is saying that the people who live in and around developments have no economic interest or say-so in how their community grows?

Contrary to his statement, Amendment 4 gives community residents the right to decide how their community will grow to meet their interests, needs and resources, and to vote on changes made to their local comprehensive growth plans.

Waugh is well on his way to setting his place at the political table of the same old order of politicians who have preceded him in our Legislature and local commission boards. His "thinking" needs to change to lead Florida's next generation in a new direction.

Dori Sutter
Seminole-Orange County Coordinator, Amendment 4 Campaign 2010

Note: The above was recently published in the Orlando Sentinel.

Look to Hometown for True Democracy, another good article as to why we need Florida Hometown Democracy.