Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy, Inc.

Rogers Towers shareholder Wyman Duggan was the speaker at yesterday's combined meeting of the Beaches Division of the Jacksonville Regional Chamber of Commerce and the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce. The subject? Amendment 4.

Duggan, a land use attorney, told the crowd of nearly 90 that the proposed constitutional amendment would be devestating for Florida.

The controversial amendment would require voter approval of any change to a municipalities comprehensive plan. Duggan said that would include public schools, road construction and properties set aside for conservation.

"In St. Johns County, there were 16 changes to the comprehensive plan in the last two years," Duggan said. "In Duval, there were 250 in the last three years. Think of the cost of taking all of those amendments to voters."

Countywide elections in Duval County cost an estimated $3 million, Duggan said.

In a new twist to the argument against Amendment 4, Duggan raised the prospect of countywide votes on issues certain neighborhoods are passionate about.

"[The] Craig Field extension would probably pass in a countywide vote," Duggan said, speaking of the controversy that's surrounded Craig Field, where residents have resisted efforts to extend the runway.

Duggan predicted there would be 20 - 40 amendments per year that Duval voters would need to vote on - all of which would have 75-word ballot summaries.

We'll have more on the Amendment 4 debate as we move closer to the November election...