Candidates want to reverse decline of South Manatee
Source:
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Date:
June 4, 2010
"Vote NO on Amendment 4" Campaign Announces Co-Chairs For Sarasota and Manatee Counties
Source:
PRNewsChannel
Date:
May 20, 2010
Clergyman, businessman, and environmentalist to lead opposition to Amendment 4 in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
May 20, 2010 / ORLANDO, Fla. / Demonstrating the diversity of opposition to Amendment 4, Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy (the "Vote No on 4" campaign) today announced the names of its Co-Chairs for Sarasota and Manatee Counties. The group includes the Reverend Don Roberts, a United Methodist Clergyman active in social and business circles; Jon Thaxton, a respected environmentalist and Sarasota County Commissioner; and Mike Burton, an environmental scientist and Managing Principal for Natural Resources and Rural Lands at WilsonMiller. Today's announcement comes two weeks after the campaign released the names of its Southwest Florida Co-Chairs.
TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Charlie Crist is being urged to veto the Legislature’s latest attempt at regulating shadowy political committees, with critics saying the measure may give local governments a new weapon to fight a controversial growth management proposal on the November ballot.
It is safe to say that the Chambers of Commerce in Lake County are fairly cautious and conservative when it comes to taking stands on controversial public policy issues. We are "generalists" in make up as our memberships reflect the full breadth and scope of our communities. It is difficult to get a Board of Directors of 21 people to agree on a complex issue, let alone 800 members. That is where leadership comes in, due diligence in researching an issue, and having the best interest of our communities in mind overall when taking on the issue at hand.
CLEARWATER – Amendment 4 is like broccoli; people either like it or they hate it. There’s no middle ground.
Last month, the Sand Key Civic Association considered taking a position on the controversial measure, which will appear on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot. But the SKCA board members realized that they didn’t have enough information with which to make an informed decision, so they invited two experts to debate the pros and cons of the proposed amendment.
At the zenith of the housing bubble, Florida was an investor's paradise, the American Dream on steroids. Sandwiched within the profligate consumption of resources and adjustable mortgages was a profound belief that the Sunshine State embodied "the pursuit of happiness." • "Happiness," which the Founding Fathers equated to owning property, is having a tough go of it. In 2008, home values in Florida dropped by a third and forecasters rank metro Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and West Palm Beach among the nation's 10 worst real estate markets.
Things are heating up when it comes to Amendment 4, which would make every comprehensive plan change subject to the populace approval. In other words, voters would have the opportunity to approve or veto the local governments’ comprehensive plan amendments during a election.
In his April 19, letter to the editor, Howard Gibbons describes himself as a ‘controlled-growther.’ What Mr. Gibbons fails to realize is that, under Amendment 4, smart, well-coordinated growth would become impossible. Rather than remedy the problems Mr. Gibbons describes, Amendment 4 would exacerbate them.
The kettle was boiling last week when the Beaches chapter of the First Coast Tea Party met at the Neptune Beach Library to discuss Amendment 4 and hear from Angie’s Sub owner Ed Malin, who caught national media attention after putting a political message on the sign above his business.
Two Jacksonville City Council members, Daniel Davis and Art Graham, spoke against Amendment 4 at the meeting, telling attendees it would be a disaster for Florida.
Proposed Florida Constitutional Amendment 4, also known as “Hometown Democracy,” will be on the ballot in the fall.
There has already been a lot of buzz being generated. But what is it all about?
Helping to Stop Admendment 4
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