Keep power in hands of people; pass Amendment 4

Palm Beach Post
October 31, 2010

Why vote YES on Amendment 4? Simple. It would give decision-making power back to the people who have a vested interest in the future and growth of Florida - the voters.

We've all heard complaints about big government. This is a chance to take back some of that power, at least on a local level. We are allowing county commissioners to make exceptions to comprehensive land-use plans. By passing Amendment 4, the voters would decide if and when exceptions should be made. Passage of Amendment 4 would put more power in the hands of voters, not big-spending developers and opportunistic county commissioners.

If Amendment 4 does not pass, we will see suburban sprawl and urban decay as developers push westward. I moved to South Florida in the late 1960s. I've seen the development move north from Miami and west, like a cancer consuming every available parcel of land. For years, I've driven past displaced dead animals on the sides of the roads, as two lanes became four, then six.

It's time to put the brakes on this insanity, time to reevaluate quality-of-life issues. Exceptions to comprehensive land-use plans should be decided by the voters and not be put up for sale to the highest bidder.

MARY PRICHARD

West Palm Beach