Aimee (pronounced ah-may) was at the Republican meeting on Thursday night. She attends all political meetings as she is the Regional Director for the Vote No group, something she will not ever admit. Afterall, when you are debating a mom, a homemaker and someone who is a volunteer for Florida Hometown Democracy and who travels even out of Palm Beach County on her own dime when asked, it must be a little embarrassing to tell everyone that you are a paid employee/contractor of the Florida Chamber of Commerce's backed group--the group that believes drilling for oil off our beaches is a good thing.
We all know that this group with the bold and convincing name (who doesn't want lower taxes and a better economy?--you would have to be nuts, right?) has over $7 million and working on $15 million to defeat FHD, this grassroots initiative. They can pay their people well and have them placed all over the State.
I picked up the palm card they had there--striking difference to Florida Hometown Democracy. Whereas FHD's is made from copy paper with the truth--their card is on slick shiny heavy grade paper and FULL OF LIES. Here are the lies and our replies:
1. Fewer Jobs--A study by a leading economist shows that Amendment 4 will cost tens of thousands of jobs.
FHD says: That study to which they refer by (the Washington Economic Group) was bought and paid for by the Chamber of Commerce & is not a credible assessment according to other economists. Florida's current 11.5% unemployment (higher here in PB County) was brought on by over-development and the subsequent crash.
FHD says: That study to which they refer by (the Washington Economic Group) was bought and paid for by the Chamber of Commerce & is not a credible assessment according to other economists. Florida's current 11.5% unemployment (higher here in PB County) was brought on by over-development and the subsequent crash.
2. Weaker Economy--A local version of this idea proves that Amendment 4 will hurt small businesses and working families.
FHD says: The local version that proves Amendment 4 is workable and desirable is Yankeetown. The St. Pete Beach lie from our opposition was not Amendment 4 at all. Had Amendment 4 been in place, there would be no law suits. Click here to read the truth on St. Pete Beach.
FHD says: The local version that proves Amendment 4 is workable and desirable is Yankeetown. The St. Pete Beach lie from our opposition was not Amendment 4 at all. Had Amendment 4 been in place, there would be no law suits. Click here to read the truth on St. Pete Beach.
3. Higher taxes--Amendment 4 will require tax increases to pay for endless elections and lawsuits. That's the last thing we need in these tough economic times.
FHD says: Higher taxes are caused from developers jumping Urban Boundary Lines. The high costs for infrastructure and social services are not covered by impact fees. An estimated 40% to 50% of these costs will be paid by current residents. The Florida legislature passed 360 earlier this year that would have waived impact fees in certain communities. (Now overthrown by the recent court ruling) Land Use Amendments under Amendment 4 would go to referendum at the next general election. Developers would no longer be compromising one or more commissioners to change a land-use for their self-interests...they would have to convince all of the voters--a much more expensive proposition.
Construction jobs will still continue if developers will build within the Comp Plan. There is no need to convert more raw land to development as current Comprehensive Plans throughout the State will permit construction for several decades.
FHD says: Higher taxes are caused from developers jumping Urban Boundary Lines. The high costs for infrastructure and social services are not covered by impact fees. An estimated 40% to 50% of these costs will be paid by current residents. The Florida legislature passed 360 earlier this year that would have waived impact fees in certain communities. (Now overthrown by the recent court ruling) Land Use Amendments under Amendment 4 would go to referendum at the next general election. Developers would no longer be compromising one or more commissioners to change a land-use for their self-interests...they would have to convince all of the voters--a much more expensive proposition.
Construction jobs will still continue if developers will build within the Comp Plan. There is no need to convert more raw land to development as current Comprehensive Plans throughout the State will permit construction for several decades.
That's what they have--money and lies and dirty tricks--a difficult and nearly impossible combination to defeat. There really should be some ethics in politics but when dealing with the Chamber of Commerce and some big businesses, you are going up against an entire corrupt system that is responsible for the mess we are in.
2 comments:
You forget to mention the politicians that really are the cause of the mess.
Joe in Jenson
Palm beach county-4 out of 7 Commissioners Arrested/jailed.So far. We now have a palm beach county commission that was APPOINTED, not ELECTED by the taxpayers of Palm Beach County. Yet these appointed Commissioners are making bad, unnecessary land deals(Lion Country Safari dirty deal ,for example) and making a complete mockery out of what was once a nationally recognized and awarded Comprehensive land plan!
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