VIEWPOINT ~~ Amendment 4: 'Hometown Demagoguery'
I think one of the candidates in the recent Fernandina Beach city election said it best. When asked at a candidates' forum if she was in favor of Amendment 4 she recounted that she had asked a local advocate of the amendment why he was so strongly in favor of the constitutional amendment. He responded that the amendment was needed because Nassau County kept electing the wrong people. Her very thoughtful response was "then elect the right people."
Locally, I think Amendment 4 is promoted by a minority of activists who, unable to elect "the right people," see an opportunity for a small, organized group to control the economic future of our community. And the clever "Hometown Democracy" label is just so much lipstick on this pig.
"Hometown Demagoguery" better describes the hope of this group to marshal the support of a small minority of voters to stifle various economic initiatives in our county. This is not the economic climate for Florida to experiment with this dangerous idea. The consequences of adoption could be particularly severe for Nassau County.
So what is Amendment 4? It will require a local referendum on each county's and municipality's state-mandated comprehensive plan. In addition, it will require that every amendment to the approved comprehensive plan be submitted to the electorate for their approval.
Now, think about a company considering relocating to Nassau County and bringing its jobs with them. Let's call them Newco. Let's say Newco has found a parcel of residentially zoned land that would make an ideal location for their new facility. Because our residential market is overdeveloped for the distant future, Newco can get a terrific deal on the land. That deal makes the economics of their move work.
Today, that company would approach the county's Economic Development Office, which would work with them to process the land use and zoning change through the county's Planning and Zoning Board and the Board of County Commissioners. Those are the same entities that created the county's comprehensive plan. Their comprehensive plan created over a two-year process never anticipated Newco's use. If they had, the comp plan would have been designed to accommodate Newco's plan.
Now, they will recommend change to the plan to capture the new opportunity and jobs for Nassau County. That's the way the current process works.
Now think of yourself as part of Newco's management. What do you think is the likelihood that you would plan to move your business to Nassau County if you had to make all your plans subject to a vote at the next regular election or a special election? What do you think your land seller's reaction will be if you need to make your purchase subject to a referendum? What effect do you think those requirements will have on land values and tax assessments in Nassau County generally? Why go through all of that when you can relocate to Camden County Ga., with none of those restrictions? That's why Nassau County is especially vulnerable to the negative consequences of Amendment 4. The competitive jurisdictions with no Amendment 4 requirements are right next door!
Nassau County is an area in transition. Ours is an agricultural and tourism-based economy. Those are not high-paying industries. Today, Nassau is also a bedroom community for the Jacksonville metro area. Jobs pay less here, and 50 percent of our citizens commute longer times to better paying jobs in surrounding jurisdictions. Although a high percentage of our residents own their homes (80.6 percent) about one-third live in mobile homes. We can do a lot better than that.
I believe we have elected high quality leaders committed to creating a better future for the county and our residents. I think those leaders need the agility to capture opportunities as they arise. I do not think we should hobble our elected leaders and their appointed administrators with the economically destructive requirements of Amendment 4. Please vote for a positive future for Nassau County when you vote No on Amendment 4.
