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An Opinion By Jan Bergemann Published October 2, 2007
Florida's citizens should make sure that we keep DEMOCRACY in place -- and that our state is not sold to special interests. We citizens have to realize that we must protect ourselves and our vested interest.
That's
why we need to support FLORIDA HOMETOWN DEMOCRACY, a petition worth
fighting for. St. Petersburg Times columnist HOWARD TROXLER wrote (quote):
"Hometown
Democracy is the ultimate citizen revolt! And
if Hometown Democracy passes? Then those who want to build things in
places in
WHAT IS HOMETOWN DEMOCRACY? Hometown Democracy is the grassroots organization behind a statewide petition asking for an amendment to the Florida Constitution. Under this amendment, comprehensive plan amendments will be presented to the voters for their decision. Twenty years
ago the Growth Management Act was delivered to the people of Florida as a
salvation to the problems of continual growth.
It is hard to believe that 20 years ago these problems were
recognized in light of the out-of-control explosion of growth that we see
today. At the time the
hope was that the new state law would bring rationality, planning, and
expertise to the business of growth. The intent was
to prevent greedy local politicians from irresponsibly flooding fragile
ecosystems with back-to-back subdivisions without considering the
consequences. The hope was
that it would ensure the preservation of Florida, and that mindless,
directionless, and irresponsible growth would not destroy our beautiful
state. Many people
believe that whatever the “growth management” legislation may or may
not have
hoped to accomplish, it clearly has failed.
The Act is still on the books, yet it has not protected Floridians
from the bulldozers and the erosion of our quality of life. Let us be clear, The Growth Management Act never was intended to STOP growth, its intent was to MANAGE growth and to ensure that the proper infrastructure be in place before the bulldozers hit the ground. STILL
IN DOUBT WHY YOU SHOULD SUPPORT HOMETOWN DEMOCRACY? If former House Speaker John Thrasher forms a political committee called SAVE OUR CONSTITUTION, INC., joining forces with Barney Bishop, head of business-backed Associated Industries of Florida (Remember the fight over property insurance reform?) -- that opposes this proposed amendment, then you, as a citizen, should know exactly what you are dealing with: SPECIAL INTEREST SCARED THAT CITIZENS MAY GAIN DECISION POWER. It seems easy to "buy" legislators, especially local! See Palm Beach County: The Feds had to come in to send 5 county commissioners to jail, because local law enforcement wouldn't deal with it! A letter sent out by this "Honorable" former speaker John Thrasher says: "Warning! ‘Slick lawyers' and ‘special interests’ are tricking citizens into signing petitions for a development-limiting amendment that actually helps ‘big developers.’ "Guess who the 'electors' will be. The special interests and their slick lawyers will rig the system to put our future in the hands of their cronies," Thrasher's letter claims. Comment from an article in the Miami Herald (quote): "Thrasher's deceptive and slimy letter is proof of the panic that has set in among those who've made a fortune raping the state and are afraid of losing their sweet ride."
If you haven't made up your mind to support this amendment -- these slimy tactics should finally convince you to take action -- sign the ballot and make a small donation -- in order to fight the well-funded special interests.
NEVER FORGET: IF WE DON'T HELP OURSELVES -- NOBODY ELSE WILL HELP US! This
is exactly what DEMOCRACY is all about: GOVERNMENT BY THE PEOPLE! PARTICIPATE BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!
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