On Nov. 2, voters will decide whether they want the power to pass or reject a proposed land-use change; if the change is consistent with their town's comprehensive plan, it's a no-brainer.
On the other hand, what if the proposed change is not what they envision for their community? Then they will hold the power to vote against it.
It is no wonder that the development lobby is terrified of Amendment 4 passing. For years they have bulldozed, bamboozled, schemed, and tried mightily to convince voters that only elected officials and lobbyists were smart enough to understand land-use decisions. As an elected official, I say nothing could be farther from the truth.
Special interest groups are frantically lining up to endorse pro-development candidates in Ponce Inlet. In my eight years in politics, I have never seen pro-development interests so desperate; they seem to think their endorsement of a candidate who passes their litmus test will fool the voters.
Few can dispute the fact that over-development in Florida is arguably the biggest contributor to the economic challenges facing us now and conceivably for the next two to three years. As responsible land-use planning and managed growth make good sense for any community, so does Amendment 4.
Goudie is mayor of Ponce Inlet.
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