Letter: Florida Hometown Democracy will 'finally give amendment decisions back to the people'
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
The Florida Hometown Democracy meeting was held Jan. 31 at the Vero Beach Garden Club — and it was done very professionally. Sorry to say I had a little trouble finding it at first, so I arrived a little late and the meeting already was in progress. I signed up for their very good lunch, but what was more appetizing was the information forthcoming.
Our president, Lesley Blackner, reported to us that FHD is doing well — more so than the opposition has expected. The misinformation the opposition is spewing against FHD would make anyone question the organization.
Truthfulness seems to a quality FHD opponents lack when they tell residents to vote against Amendment 4 in November because citizens will be forced to vote on everything, and we will have special elections for these amendments.
They know that isn’t true because county comprehensive plan amendments are reviewed every seven years. If FHD becomes law, the votes needed will occur during normal election cycles, not incurring any extra costs.
The second item they won’t tell residents is that they will vote on amendments after density amendments are approved, making taxpayers the last word in land use. That’s what county commissioners and the Florida Legislature fear and don’t want. They dislike the idea of losing the power they’ve always controlled. It negates their influence.
When governments votes on land-use amendments, they are making decisions for the taxpayer. Commissioners have made decisions that aren’t always in the public’s interest. That three former Palm Beach County commissioners are in jail says it all. When they make selfish decisions, it usually means higher taxes and a lower quality of life.
Florida Hometown Democracy will finally give those amendment decisions back to the people.
