Those in favor of Amendment 4 say this is in response to the wild unchecked growth we have experienced.
Let's look back. When I arrived in Volusia County in January 1986: Granada was a two-lane road and there was nothing between where Clyde Morris Boulevard is now and I-95. I moved into the county, now part of Ormond Beach, and had two wells for water and a septic tank.
Clyde Morris was extended to Granada, and opened up a corridor for senior housing, doctors' offices and homes.
On State Road A1A, from the Ormond Beach line to Silver Beach, we had a rundown McDonalds, a strip club and a line of mom-and-pop motels (we can thank hurricanes for getting rid of the worst of the motels and hotels).
Let's not forget how these same folks fought the building of what is now the Hilton (then the Marriott, built by the much-maligned David McGrath) and add in the shops and new hotels. This rampant growth turned an "A1A slum" into something we can be proud of.
The changes in Port Orange are spectacular: The new Pavilion west of I-95, along with Crane Lakes -- and Dunlawton is now more than two lanes.
I haven't mentioned the growth in New Smyrna Beach and Edgewater, which has improved the southern part of our area, or the west side of the county -- but drive around and you will see we are better than we were.
There are those who came a few years ago, loved Volusia County as it was and want it never to change. The fact is Florida, in general, and Volusia County in particular are, by their nature, a mecca for new families and retirees and they won't tolerate the old and crummy and demand the change.
Those that came before can't pull the area over their heads like a blanket and pretend it will never change. Sorry, that's not human nature.
Would any of us want to go back to the good old bad days of 25 years ago? I don't think so. So, why condemn our children to a Volusia County that doesn't change? That's selfish, and shortsighted.
With that rampant growth the Amendment 4 folks hate so much, came improvements that were needed. If what I have described is wild rampant growth, then we need more of it.
So, vote no on Amendment 4 and let's keep getting better.
