What got Floridians to the place they want final say over growth
By AGNES WITTER
COMMUNITY VOICE
Daytona Beach News Journal

The Florida Hometown Democracy constitutional amendment is back in the news and will no doubt be on the ballot in 2008. Rather than questioning how we should vote, citizens and elected officials alike should be questioning why such drastic action was deemed necessary.

The fear of uncontrolled growth is the answer, and with good reason. Recently a map showing what Florida will look like in 40 to 50 years was published in newspapers around the state. It was a reality check for some. Growth is a done deal. The question is at what price.

Uplands, the primary source of aquifer replenishment, are also the main choice for building construction. As we continue to build on and pave over them, is it any wonder we've been warned the aquifer will not support the influx of expected new residents, and that alternative sources for potable water must be secured? Will it come from the St. Johns River or the ocean? The decision has been made. It will be both.

Congestion and gridlock, already a daily occurrence, must be solved. The cost of providing new roads will grow exponentially as the price of oil and cement increases with world demand. Escalating costs have already forced local and state government cutbacks on planned road development, expansions and repairs.

Citizens believed that establishment of Florida Forever and local programs such as Volusia Forever would allow us to purchase lands we felt were necessary to preserve the essence of Florida and provide the needed habitat for our wildlife to survive. While the surge in land prices encouraged by uncontrolled annexations and re-zonings of agricultural lands have diminished the effectiveness of such programs, critical habitat already purchased in some areas of the state has been encircled by subdivisions and golf courses, literally assuring their slow death.

Florida law demands the market price we pay to acquire land must be based on an appraisal of its highest and best use. When forced to compete against large corporate investor/developers with our limited financial resources, what chance do we have?

Over the years, we've watched the banks of our lakes, rivers and streams become lined with structures and their waters become cesspools for the runoff and sewerage funneled into them while tons of nitrogen have washed off their banks from meticulously manicured, evergreen lawns, affecting entire marine ecosystems. While new laws and technology have helped to end some of this abuse, it still goes on. Taxpayers are and will be paying, for untold years to come, the enormous costs to remediate past and future damage.

Perhaps if elected officials had been better stewards of this land we call Florida, there would be no reason for some to feel an amendment giving development decision-making power directly to the people is necessary. Citizens perceive our governing bodies, both local and state, as still conducting business as usual and many have decided enough is enough.

However, we must give credit where credit is due and place blame where blame belongs. Visioning programs were conducted throughout Central Florida in which all citizens were invited to participate. The objective was to create a vision for the future growth of our area. While many dedicated people did participate, the location and times of these programs made participation impossible for many who otherwise would have attended, thus failing a major portion of the populace. Likewise, a major portion of the populace has failed the state, counties and cities. Excuses for lack of knowledge in local issues and/or participation in council meetings range from, "I'm too busy," to "I didn't know about that," to "I don't have time to read a newspaper."

Positive steps can be taken that would make the Florida Hometown Democracy amendment unnecessary but unless citizens start caring enough to participate in local government and those governments make it easier for their citizens to participate, the 2008 election may bring about changes that no one will be happy with in the long run.

Witter is administrator of www.Edgewater-Voices.com, a virtual town hall and community forum for the residents of Edgewater.