Sunday, October 24, 2010
Carl Hiaasen on Amendment 4
Carl Hiaasen, wrote of Florida's over-development predicament, "… It's hard to imagine a system for managing growth that could possibly be more dishonest, or deaf to the public interest, than what we have now.
Nobody with half a brain believes that development pays for itself. Study after study shows that residents are the ones who pay big-time for sprawl, which is why taxes are so brutal in Florida's most densely populated counties."
Remember these words on November 2. We need a seat at the table.
Nobody with half a brain believes that development pays for itself. Study after study shows that residents are the ones who pay big-time for sprawl, which is why taxes are so brutal in Florida's most densely populated counties."
Remember these words on November 2. We need a seat at the table.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Town Hall Meeting in Lake Worth on Utilities
The Town Hall Meeting on Lake Worth Utilities "Understanding the Costs and Benefits" was held this morning at the Calvary United Methodist Church.
Commissioner Scott Maxwell arranged the meeting that lasted over two hours with questions from the public. He mentioned that he wants to reduce the cost of our utility bill by 25% over the next three years and it must be done by policy by the Commission. He further stated that it was overly convenient to use Utility funds to operate our City as we have the highest rates for businesses in the State. "We need to change policy and the responsibility is with me and the rest of the Commission," he said. He failed to mention that it was he who originally obligated us to FMPA and expensive power. This Commission voted to end this Contract with FMPA and we will have a new provider in a few years. What could have turned out to be a political meeting for Commissioner Scott Maxwell was brought back on track and to the original focus by Staff.
City Manager, Susan Stanton, said in her Letter to the City Commission on June 25th that the City cannot continue to divert revenue from the Utility in an effort to pay for general government functions and high operating and personnel costs. The entire Commission agrees with this and is waiting for a Plan from Staff that will be presented to the Commission sometime in April 2011, according to Utilities Director, Becky Mattey.
Lake Worth has 26,000 utility customers and has devised a Conservation Program to help all those in reducing their utility bills. Printed material was available and covered information from how to read your meter, free energy kits, and the rebate program for all those buying energy efficient appliances. Joel Rutsky mentioned the importance of cleaning your a/c filter monthly.
Thanks to Staff for putting in a lot of work and giving up hours of time on a Saturday to give citizens an overview of Public Power that was presented by Utilities Director Becky Mattey and Assistant Utilities Director, Clay Lindstrom, Conservation Management by Joel Rutsky and Customer Service by Alvin Colbert.
The Chamber of Commerce IS political
Comment Up
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has contributed at least $565,000 to the Vote NO group, Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, a PAC affiliated with the Florida Chamber of Commerce in order to defeat Amendment 4. Their PAC has raised over $15 million dollars to defeat the amendment. Chambers across the State were shipped Vote NO signs and they have told their members how to vote. How can there be so many sheep?
At the Chamber's Political Forum at Atlantis Country Club, Executive Director Beth Johnston began the panel discussion by stating that the Chamber does not support any political candidate. Johnston must have had her fingers crossed when uttering that statement because the Chamber gave a $200 donation to the BAC PAC whose only mission is to support Blockson and Maxwell and defeat McVoy and Mulvehill through whatever means necessary, even lies and libelous mailers.
As the Chamber is supporting candidates and opposing a state-wide ballot initiative, the City of Lake Worth needs to immediately--
1. cut off any funding, whether cash, grants, or use of property, to the Chamber
2. no free use of city parks for their events--they pay like anyone else
3. no free city services at these events such as public safety and sanitation collection
Taxpayer money can no longer be used for a partisan operation such as the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce as thousands in this City do not agree with their politics and citizen tax dollars are helping to support an organization diabolically opposed to their views.
I want the City Commission to make a Resolution that no more tax money or give-aways for events be afforded to the Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce.
The Florida Chamber of Commerce has contributed at least $565,000 to the Vote NO group, Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, a PAC affiliated with the Florida Chamber of Commerce in order to defeat Amendment 4. Their PAC has raised over $15 million dollars to defeat the amendment. Chambers across the State were shipped Vote NO signs and they have told their members how to vote. How can there be so many sheep?
At the Chamber's Political Forum at Atlantis Country Club, Executive Director Beth Johnston began the panel discussion by stating that the Chamber does not support any political candidate. Johnston must have had her fingers crossed when uttering that statement because the Chamber gave a $200 donation to the BAC PAC whose only mission is to support Blockson and Maxwell and defeat McVoy and Mulvehill through whatever means necessary, even lies and libelous mailers.
As the Chamber is supporting candidates and opposing a state-wide ballot initiative, the City of Lake Worth needs to immediately--
1. cut off any funding, whether cash, grants, or use of property, to the Chamber
2. no free use of city parks for their events--they pay like anyone else
3. no free city services at these events such as public safety and sanitation collection
Taxpayer money can no longer be used for a partisan operation such as the Greater Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce as thousands in this City do not agree with their politics and citizen tax dollars are helping to support an organization diabolically opposed to their views.
I want the City Commission to make a Resolution that no more tax money or give-aways for events be afforded to the Lake Worth Chamber of Commerce.
Demonstration in Riviera Beach
City governments all across Florida make it extremely difficult to impossible for residents to have a voice. If a city council wants something, you can bet that any opposite opinion from residents will either not be heard or what they say will not phase that city council in the slightest.
On Thursday, Amendment 4 advocates joined with the Save Our Marina folks in Riviera Beach for a banner waving demonstration on Broadway and 13th, right near the Marina. We got a million honks. Finally people are realizing this is the people's marina, and not an industrial boat yard for the billionaire, Huizenga.
The situation in a Nutshell:
Rybovich and partner wanted public land at the waterfront in Riviera Beach.
The City Council of Riviera beach wanted them to have it for 25 years
The residents wanted to keep it public as it always has been
The City said "no way" and voted to change the land-use on a 4 to 1 vote
The citizens formed a PAC, gathered signatures that were certified and got the issue on the ballot.
The City was ticked off and sued the citizens to get it OFF the ballot.
Rybovich was ticked off and sued two of the citizens.
They all went before Judge Fine yesterday at 8am.
The City had 5 lawyers whose argument was the 5 acres or less
Does this all sound familiar?
Rybovich Riviera Beach LLC, owned by the Huizenga family, wants to establish a megayacht service yard at the south end of the marina. On June 2, the Riviera Beach City Council was about to vote on a 25-year lease of the south end of the city marina to Rybovich Portside LLC for a mega-yacht service facility but Rybovich forgot to register the name with the State, so a Riviera Beach resident grabbed it.
The Council ultimately voted to change the land-use for Rybovich.
Rybovich and an associate schmoozed the Council that caved (including Dawn Pardo the activist whose referendum lowered the height of Catalfumo's building at the beach.) So, The Citizens Task Force of Riviera Beach collected 5,000 signatures in about 3 weeks. The Supervisor of Elections stopped counting when the required number was verified (about 2,500) ." The referendum maintains public control of these areas.
On the Ballot:
CITY OF RIVIERA BEACH - QUESTION
AMENDMENT TO CITY MARINA PROPERTY
Shall The City Of Riviera Beach Charter Be Amended To Provide That The Use Of Dedicated Submerged Public Lands At The City Marina Remain Limited To Municipal Park And Recreational Purposes According To Florida Dedication No. 24438-A; (2725) the Municipal Marina Properties, Newcomb Hall, Bicentennial Park, And Spanish Court Shall Be Owned, Managed, And Operated Solely By The City Of Riviera Beach; The Municipal Marina Properties Shall Not Permit Industrial Commercial Boat Repair Operations? (YES) (NO)
Residents in a community should not have to work this hard to fight City Hall but it is the norm. Amendment 4 would have totally decided the issue...change the land-use and lease out city property to a fat-cat or keep the waterfront property and sub-merged land in public control. People should decide land-use changes...they should never be political votes.
Vote YES on 4 on November 2. It's a must.
Hunter's Moon
Full MoonSome trivia on Hunter's Moons--
"Legend has it Native Americans used the advantage of this particular moon to track and kill their prey further from their homes to get ready for the pending winter ahead.
While the Hunter's Full Moon is not brighter, bigger or more yellowish in color than other moons of the year, it does share a special characteristic with the Harvest Moon.
Both moons rise on successive evenings approximately 30 minutes later each night, instead of the usual 50 minutes as seen from the northern hemisphere. This is due to where the moons are located on ecliptic of the sky at this time of year.
There is no long period of darkness between sunset and moonrise, again giving hunters the advantage of more light to track their prey longer each day." Source: WKYC.com
Are our Business Leaders incompentent, brain dead or both?
ARE OUR BUSINESS LEADERS INCOMPETENT, BRAIN DEAD -- OR BOTH?
By: Jan Bergemann
Citizens for Cyber Justice
When listening to the so-called business leaders one can only wonder. None of them, to my knowledge, claimed to be a direct descendant of Einstein, but they love to call themselves business leaders -- claiming to run successful businesses.
Under "successful business" I don't understand a business that needs stimulus money to stay afloat -- handouts paid from taxpayers money. But the leadership of the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) absolutely takes the cake among these business leaders! Many of their members are going bankrupt, have to dismiss their employees and FAR donates $4,825 + million to a cause that does exactly the opposite of what is needed to help FAR's members. Never before in Florida's history has there been such a huge amount of empty homes and condos; there is a huge inventory of homes owned by banks and mortgage companies on the market -- and Realtors are flooded by owners desperately wanting to sell their home and condos.
This whole AMENDMENT 4 campaign clearly shows one fact: It's a lot more expensive to spread lies than stating facts. It's a shame that all this money is being wasted for a cause pursuing POWER and GREED. But isn't that what's all about for the opponents of Amendment 4?
Please read the whole article. It's an eye-opener!
Article
Friday, October 22, 2010
Amendment 4 gives citizens a real say on development
Palm Beach PostOctober 20, 2010
Three years ago, my friend was collecting signatures for Florida Hometown Democracy. I signed the petition and left town. When I came back, another bunch of friends were passing out fliers all over South Florida to spread the word: We were going to get a chance to vote on whether or not to let developers continue to have free rein in Florida. I was committed to just that: having a say in what happens in the place I've called home for 18 years.
After Amendment 4 passes, if your city commissioners vote on a change to the seven-year master plan - which, by the way, is a fairly long and expensive undertaking - then it has to go to the voters for a yes or no vote at a regularly scheduled election. We have a chance here too good to pass up. How can people in Palm Beach County be happy with higher property taxes paid for by us instead of the people who aren't buying the houses and condos sitting empty?
SUKI deJONG
Boynton Beach
Basic Rule of Politics
Basic Rule of Politics--
Never Lose a Friend By Trying to Placate Your Enemies
The reason why I like Col. Allen West is that he is a stand-up guy and no phony--no flip-flopper. What you see is definitely what you will get.
We have seen people get elected to office and no sooner do they take the pledge, they turn on you like a New York minute. Even our Lake Worth mayor flipped his allegiance and compromised his principles. This is one confused politician.
There is also a campaign contributor in this city who did the same thing. Stood up for everything right-- and now he supports the opposite side that he actually previously detested--was directly responsible for the Florida Election Commission's intervention with the Retha Lowe decision and her ultimate fine as well as the law suit against Greater Bay. The people he is now supporting want to knock down the pool, have Greater Bay back on our property in order to give us another $13,000 pool cover made out of bubble wrap. One confused individual. Vengeance and wrath.
Mayor, please tell your preferred candidates that they don't know what in heck they are talking about and that your votes from the dais this year (that are, incidentally, in direct opposition to Blockson's and Maxwell's political hype), actually mean something...that your decisions were and are in the best interest of this City...that you were not kidding. Actually, I would like you to take the moral road and endorse Mulvehill and McVoy.
Never Lose a Friend By Trying to Placate Your Enemies
The reason why I like Col. Allen West is that he is a stand-up guy and no phony--no flip-flopper. What you see is definitely what you will get.
We have seen people get elected to office and no sooner do they take the pledge, they turn on you like a New York minute. Even our Lake Worth mayor flipped his allegiance and compromised his principles. This is one confused politician.
There is also a campaign contributor in this city who did the same thing. Stood up for everything right-- and now he supports the opposite side that he actually previously detested--was directly responsible for the Florida Election Commission's intervention with the Retha Lowe decision and her ultimate fine as well as the law suit against Greater Bay. The people he is now supporting want to knock down the pool, have Greater Bay back on our property in order to give us another $13,000 pool cover made out of bubble wrap. One confused individual. Vengeance and wrath.
Mayor, please tell your preferred candidates that they don't know what in heck they are talking about and that your votes from the dais this year (that are, incidentally, in direct opposition to Blockson's and Maxwell's political hype), actually mean something...that your decisions were and are in the best interest of this City...that you were not kidding. Actually, I would like you to take the moral road and endorse Mulvehill and McVoy.
Florida Taxwatch is a Sham for development Interests
Press Release October 22, 2010
Contact: Wayne Garcia waynegar@gmai.com 813/468-1925
FLORIDA TAXWATCH, A SHAM "non-partisan" FRONT FOR DEVELOPMENT INTERESTS
The latest so-called economic study put out by Florida TaxWatch is just another attempt on the part of the No on 4 Growth Machine to make up "facts" to scare voters. With the earlier No on 4 study discredited recently by university economists and PolitiFact, they have ginned up another "estimate" that is as flawed as the earlier so-called study by the Washington Economics Group, which is an economic "advisor" to the Florida TaxWatch organization.
What has cost Florida untold jobs and higher taxes is the current system of growth. As Nathaniel Reed, a prominent conservationist and growth management advocate, said in his recent endorsement of Amendment 4, "Amendment 4 would end the boom and bust cycle of Florida real estate speculation and provide a more stable economic platform, resulting in more investment in our state, not less." As a 1999 study showed Florida's comp plans have room for growth for over 100 million Floridians to move here. To say that growth will stop if local governments can no longer willy-nilly change their land use plans is ludicrous given the amount of room for new growth in existing comp plans.
Florida TaxWatch is far from an independent broker in this campaign. Several of its board members, with ties to the development industry, have given money directly to the No on 4 campaign, and others are openly fighting against Amendment 4. TaxWatch is an arm of Florida's retail and development industries and, as such, is very much a part of the No on 4 effort.
To give an idea of how intertwined the opponents of Amendment 4 are with TaxWatch, one of the founding members of TaxWatch is Publix, and it has given $200,000 split among the two PACs fighting A4: Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy and Floridians for Smarter Growth.
Here is listing of dates and data obtained from the Florida Division of Elections campaign finance database:
Via Florida Mainstreet Merchants PAC to Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy PAC
2010 First Quarter 03/11/2010 $ 75,000 PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS _Plus_ $125,000 to Floridians for Smarter Growth
2009 Fourth Quarter 12/12/09 $ 125,000 PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.
_Publix has two members on the current TaxWatch board, as well as a founding member._
_Robert E. Coker of U.S. Sugar is on the Executive Committee of Florida TaxWatch which has given $75,000 to Amendment 4 opposition_
2007 Second Quarter 4/9/07 $25,000 UNITED STATES SUGAR CORPORATION
2007 Second Quarter 5/29/07 $25,000 UNITED STATES SUGAR CORPORATION
2007 Fourth Quarter 11/19/07 $25,000 UNITED STATES SUGAR CORPORATION
The upshot is that TaxWatch is not an independent watchdog group, it is the creation of Big Business in Florida and it has been doing its bidding in opposition to Amendment 4. Still, several media reports printed Florida TaxWatch disinformation and described the organization as "neutral" or "non-partisan". Another outrageous lie from the people who want to keep citizens from voting on how their communities will develop.
Chairman Dr. Stephen Morrell, Professor of Economics and Finance Andreas School of Business,Barry University, Miami, Florida
Executive Director of the Center for Competitive Florida at Florida TaxWatch
Florida TaxWatch,Tallahassee, Florida
Vice Chairman R Antonio, Dean and research professor of economics, St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, Florida--Principal Advisor,, The Washington Economics Group, Coral Gables, Florida
TaxWatch Board of Trustees Elects Executive Committee
The Florida TaxWatch Board of Trustees at its December 2007 annual meeting elected the following TaxWatch members to serve on the TaxWatch Executive Committee:
David Smith, Chairman & CEO PSS World Medical, Inc.
Dominic M. Calabro, President & CEO, Florida TaxWatch
Chairman-Elect Martha Barnett, Partner Holland + Knight
Marshall Criser III, President AT&T
Alan Ciamporcero, President Southeast Verizon
Immediate Past Chairman Mike Jennings, Vice President Prudential Financial
Member at Large John D. Baker, President and CEO, Patriot Transportation Holding, Inc.
Member at Large Barney Barnett, Vice Chairman Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Member at Large Robert E. Coker, Senior Vice President - U.S. Sugar Corporation
Member at Large Steve L. Evans, Florida TaxWatch Chief Operating Officer, former TaxWatch Chairman, and retired IBM Vice President
Member at Large Ed Hannum, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at AvMed Health Plans
Member at Large Martha Korman, President and CEO, National Graphics Imaging
Member at Large Ron LaFace, Shareholder Greenberg Traurig
Member at Large David Mann, Executive Vice President at SunTrust Florida
Member at Large Paul Noland, Senior Vice President, Walt Disney World Resort
Member at Large John B. Zumwalt III, President and CEO, Post Buckley Schuh & Jernigan, Inc.
TaxWatch Membership Elects New Members to Board of Trustees Florida
TaxWatch Members at its December 2007 annual meeting elected the following TaxWatch members to first time terms on the Florida TaxWatch Board of Trustees:
Peter Harris, ADG
Bill Herrle, National Federation of Independent Business
Cindy O Connell, Hill & Knowlton
Bill McBride
Mary Lou Rajchel, Florida Trucking Association
John Andrew Smith, Smith & Smith Consulting
Mark Wilson, Florida Chamber of Commerce
Contact: Wayne Garcia waynegar@gmai.com 813/468-1925
FLORIDA TAXWATCH, A SHAM "non-partisan" FRONT FOR DEVELOPMENT INTERESTS
The latest so-called economic study put out by Florida TaxWatch is just another attempt on the part of the No on 4 Growth Machine to make up "facts" to scare voters. With the earlier No on 4 study discredited recently by university economists and PolitiFact, they have ginned up another "estimate" that is as flawed as the earlier so-called study by the Washington Economics Group, which is an economic "advisor" to the Florida TaxWatch organization.
What has cost Florida untold jobs and higher taxes is the current system of growth. As Nathaniel Reed, a prominent conservationist and growth management advocate, said in his recent endorsement of Amendment 4, "Amendment 4 would end the boom and bust cycle of Florida real estate speculation and provide a more stable economic platform, resulting in more investment in our state, not less." As a 1999 study showed Florida's comp plans have room for growth for over 100 million Floridians to move here. To say that growth will stop if local governments can no longer willy-nilly change their land use plans is ludicrous given the amount of room for new growth in existing comp plans.
Florida TaxWatch is far from an independent broker in this campaign. Several of its board members, with ties to the development industry, have given money directly to the No on 4 campaign, and others are openly fighting against Amendment 4. TaxWatch is an arm of Florida's retail and development industries and, as such, is very much a part of the No on 4 effort.
To give an idea of how intertwined the opponents of Amendment 4 are with TaxWatch, one of the founding members of TaxWatch is Publix, and it has given $200,000 split among the two PACs fighting A4: Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy and Floridians for Smarter Growth.
Here is listing of dates and data obtained from the Florida Division of Elections campaign finance database:
Via Florida Mainstreet Merchants PAC to Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy PAC
2010 First Quarter 03/11/2010 $ 75,000 PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS _Plus_ $125,000 to Floridians for Smarter Growth
2009 Fourth Quarter 12/12/09 $ 125,000 PUBLIX SUPER MARKETS, INC.
_Publix has two members on the current TaxWatch board, as well as a founding member._
_Robert E. Coker of U.S. Sugar is on the Executive Committee of Florida TaxWatch which has given $75,000 to Amendment 4 opposition_
2007 Second Quarter 4/9/07 $25,000 UNITED STATES SUGAR CORPORATION
2007 Second Quarter 5/29/07 $25,000 UNITED STATES SUGAR CORPORATION
2007 Fourth Quarter 11/19/07 $25,000 UNITED STATES SUGAR CORPORATION
The upshot is that TaxWatch is not an independent watchdog group, it is the creation of Big Business in Florida and it has been doing its bidding in opposition to Amendment 4. Still, several media reports printed Florida TaxWatch disinformation and described the organization as "neutral" or "non-partisan". Another outrageous lie from the people who want to keep citizens from voting on how their communities will develop.
Chairman Dr. Stephen Morrell, Professor of Economics and Finance Andreas School of Business,Barry University, Miami, Florida
Executive Director of the Center for Competitive Florida at Florida TaxWatch
Florida TaxWatch,Tallahassee, Florida
Vice Chairman R Antonio, Dean and research professor of economics, St. Thomas University, Miami Gardens, Florida--Principal Advisor,, The Washington Economics Group, Coral Gables, Florida
TaxWatch Board of Trustees Elects Executive Committee
The Florida TaxWatch Board of Trustees at its December 2007 annual meeting elected the following TaxWatch members to serve on the TaxWatch Executive Committee:
David Smith, Chairman & CEO PSS World Medical, Inc.
Dominic M. Calabro, President & CEO, Florida TaxWatch
Chairman-Elect Martha Barnett, Partner Holland + Knight
Marshall Criser III, President AT&T
Alan Ciamporcero, President Southeast Verizon
Immediate Past Chairman Mike Jennings, Vice President Prudential Financial
Member at Large John D. Baker, President and CEO, Patriot Transportation Holding, Inc.
Member at Large Barney Barnett, Vice Chairman Publix Super Markets, Inc.
Member at Large Robert E. Coker, Senior Vice President - U.S. Sugar Corporation
Member at Large Steve L. Evans, Florida TaxWatch Chief Operating Officer, former TaxWatch Chairman, and retired IBM Vice President
Member at Large Ed Hannum, Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer at AvMed Health Plans
Member at Large Martha Korman, President and CEO, National Graphics Imaging
Member at Large Ron LaFace, Shareholder Greenberg Traurig
Member at Large David Mann, Executive Vice President at SunTrust Florida
Member at Large Paul Noland, Senior Vice President, Walt Disney World Resort
Member at Large John B. Zumwalt III, President and CEO, Post Buckley Schuh & Jernigan, Inc.
TaxWatch Membership Elects New Members to Board of Trustees Florida
TaxWatch Members at its December 2007 annual meeting elected the following TaxWatch members to first time terms on the Florida TaxWatch Board of Trustees:
Peter Harris, ADG
Bill Herrle, National Federation of Independent Business
Cindy O Connell, Hill & Knowlton
Bill McBride
Mary Lou Rajchel, Florida Trucking Association
John Andrew Smith, Smith & Smith Consulting
Mark Wilson, Florida Chamber of Commerce
Three events tomorrow
1. Commissioner Scott Maxwell is having his 2nd Community Meeting on Saturday, October 23, 2010, at 10:00a.m. in order to discuss and understand the costs and benefits of Lake Worth Utilities. Originally he was going to have District 1 Community Meetings. Now he is calling them Town Meetings...for the entire city.
This meeting will be held at the Calvary United Methodist Church at 301 1st Avenue South, Lake Worth.
2. Also tomorrow is the Conservation Plan that is being developed through a $199,400 contract in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This meeting is from 9am until Noon at The Lake Worth Golf Course.
3. And finally, there is a Meet and Greet at Murry Hills at 9:30 for McVoy and Mulvehill.
This meeting will be held at the Calvary United Methodist Church at 301 1st Avenue South, Lake Worth.
2. Also tomorrow is the Conservation Plan that is being developed through a $199,400 contract in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This meeting is from 9am until Noon at The Lake Worth Golf Course.
3. And finally, there is a Meet and Greet at Murry Hills at 9:30 for McVoy and Mulvehill.
The Florida of Tomorrow -- Citizens Will Control Growth
October 18, 2010Joyce Tarnow
Cross City, FL
No pipe dream any longer. Citizens will be able to control growth in their communities if we can reach enough voters to tell them about their opportunity to pass Florida Hometown Democracy’s Amendment 4 on November 2nd. Without having the big-time funds needed for mass-media advertising, we’re counting on you folks in Sierra, civic associations, Audubon groups, garden clubs, and hunting and fishing clubs, among other supporting organizations. We might even be able to garner support from large ranch owners, since so many of them have already indicated their values by selling conservation rights on thousands of acres. (See last Fall’s issue of Nature Conservancy magazine for a marvelous spread on Florida’s cowboys and ranchers.)
Maybe you didn’t hear about Hometown Democracy seven years ago when the effort first kicked off. That was the spring of 2003. Since then a lot of dedicated people have worked very hard to gather over a million signatures of Florida-registered voters to put Amendment 4 on the ballot. Nearly $2 million dollars was raised to get the campaign this far, including a significant contribution from Florida Sierra. Over 140 environmental and civic organizations have endorsed Amendment 4.
Now, we need YOUR help and YOUR dollars, to beat back the very wealthy and politically powerful Growth Machine to make sure 60% of voters say “Yes” when they go to vote. The folks who overbuilt our state, with the help of compromised elected officials at all levels, crashed our economy. A number of large development corporations have received millions of taxpayer Stimulus dollars and then gifted opponents of Amendment 4 with hundreds of thousands of dollars. Having them continue in control of land-use changes will only insure the further destruction of our resources, the devaluing of our homes and the hit on our taxes. We deserve a vote before they hand us the bill for their extravagant profiteering.
YES on Amendment 4 www.floridahometowndemocracy.com
Spreading the message on Amendment 4
House in Palm BeachThe owner of this house wanted 50 Amendment 4 signs delivered
Klein smears West and takes Voters for a "ride"
Comment Up
According to The Florida Independent,You remember just recently when Florida Democratic Party spokesman Eric Jotkoff (yes that's spelled correctly it's not jerk) called these guys "thugs."
According to The Florida Independent,
the men appear much friendlier than they did in the video, in which they intimidate the videographer and march him back to his car then take down his license plate.
Meanwhile, The Miami Herald reports that Klein says he received an email from a biker magazine editor who says he wants to give Klein a “good ass kicking.”
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Lisa Maxwell and the Single Family Residential neighborhood
A Mob with PitchforksAs Lisa Maxwell said last night, the people from Sunset were a mob with pitchforks. I suppose they were not supposed to attend her Planning & Zoning Board meetings where she wanted to change the land-use in that neighborhood at the end of Sunset Drive for two out-of-town land speculators.
We want Commissioners to represent the rights of citizens, respect the single family neighborhoods and adhere to our Comprehensive Plan.
Another reason for Amendment 4.
Nathaniel Reed Endorses Amendment 4
Former Assistant Secretary of the Interior endorses Amendment 4. Read about it HERE.
Progress Florida endorses ‘Hometown Democracy’ Amendment 4
Progress Florida — according to its website, “a nonprofit organization promoting progressive values through online organizing, media outreach, and networking with Florida’s leading progressive organizations” — just announced via press release that it is endorsing Amendment 4, the so-called “Hometown Democracy” amendment that Floridians will vote on this November.
Progress Florida, 80,000 online activists strong, endorsed Amendment 4, which, if passed in November, would give Floridians the opportunity to veto or approve major changes to their communities’ growth plans.
Progress Florida is a non-profit, statewide organization supporting progressive solutions for Florida. Visit them at Progress Florida.
Progress Florida, 80,000 online activists strong, endorsed Amendment 4, which, if passed in November, would give Floridians the opportunity to veto or approve major changes to their communities’ growth plans.
Progress Florida is a non-profit, statewide organization supporting progressive solutions for Florida. Visit them at Progress Florida.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)