Act now to save Volusia County

I have watched for 16 years with increasing, silent despair as Volusia County has been transformed from a lush, tropical gem into bleak, mile upon mile of pavement and cookie-cutter concrete boxes. I've witnessed my own neighborhood change as a nearby subdivision expanded, destroying dozens of acres of forest and driving away the herd of deer that visited my backyard each evening.

In just the last few weeks, this newspaper has published articles about the dramatic decline in once common Florida bird species, a proposed DeBary marina/housing development which will unalterably affect the St. Johns River, and new road construction that will soon connect to Old Dixie Highway, effectively destroying the once-peaceful Ormond Loop.

This is but a sampling of our county's desecration. I have come to realize that the time for only watching has passed. I implore each informed citizen to take action now, while real change is still possible. Visit FloridaHometownDemocracy.com and sign a petition, join the Sierra Club, attend a County Council meeting, but do something about these issues that affect us all, or explain to your grandchildren one day why you did nothing.

Corey Piser
Ormond Beach