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Opinion page:
VIEW POINT
29 Jan 2011 Beware DCA's
demise
From: Orlando Sentinel
The rush to gut growth management could give Florida
projects it doesn't need.
Despite reports that indicate Florida's extremely
friendly to business, Gov.
Rick Scott and legislative leaders continue to
accuse the Department of Community Affairs of making the
state inhospitable to those who want to work here.
Never mind the most recent report, from BizCosts.com,
that shows Florida tops among states whose regions have
the lowest operating costs and most favorable business
climates. And never mind that DCA OK's more than 90
percent of development projects that come before it,
amounting in the past four years to approvals for 2.7
billion square feet of commercial space and enough
housing for 2.4 million people.
Mr. Scott last week pilloried the state's growth
oversight agency for its "job killing regulations." And
after meeting with the governor, Senate Community
Affairs Chairman
Mike Bennett said he thinks DCA will be combined
with other departments, perhaps with those that oversee
the environment and transportation. And he said DCA's
ability to review projects will be cut.
Even Senate Majority Leader Andy Gardiner, who has
supported growth management and who said on Thursday
that DCA "has a vital role," forecast that the
department is "going to change pretty drastically." He
added that "the bureaucracy can slow down something —
maybe even a good project — and we have an obligation to
make sure that's not necessarily the case." (See Mr.
Gardiner's comments on Monday at OrlandoSentinel.com/opinion)
But get rid of DCA, or turn it into something that
for all intents and purposes is DOA, and it's the
outrageous projects — not the "good project" — that soon
could have the run of the place.
These are the fewer than 10 percent of projects in
Florida that DCA slows or shelves because they don't
square with local growth plans that seek to discourage
sprawl, traffic gridlock, crowded schools and the
squandering of water and other resources.
They're projects like Destiny, more than 41,000 acres
in south Osceola County at Yeehaw Junction, smack dab in
the middle of nowhere. It's a monstrosity that could
well have led to the construction of 100,000 new
residential units had DCA not raised substantial
concerns, including the fact that there was no need for
the project. The county withdrew its plans.
They're projects like the Farmton colossus, 58,000
acres in a remote part of Volusia and Brevard counties,
which would offer about 23,000 homes to … whom? Good
question. When DCA reviewed it, the project neglected to
include adequate plans for the roads, utilities and
schools needed to support it. Its location also posed a
threat to state-protected wildlife and wetlands. DCA
rightfully knocked it down.
And they're projects like the so-called Northeast
District in Osceola County, another gratuitous
development of about 12,000 acres south of
Orlando International Airport that would offer about
32,000 residences. Its promoters insisted the homes are
needed to house Orange County's medical city work force.
Osceola already has approved enough development to
accommodate growth for the next 105 years, however. And
DCA noted the development could create sprawl and harm
wildlife and the water supply.
Officials at DCA wrote last month that the Farmton
and Northeast District developments actually have more
state reviews or hearings ahead of them. And Destiny,
they noted, could rise from the dead.
If DCA isn't there to greet them — or if a grossly
diminished DCA takes the agency's place — there may be
no stopping bad projects.
|
By Adam Kaufman,
except from the Fernandina Beach News-Leader
Ron Sapp: It's the feds. It is the
federal government that is responsible for the
"deplorable condition" of the post office building
("City to bail out feds on post office," June 16).
It is those guys who while taking our tax dollars "have
made a conscious and deliberate decision not to maintain
the post office." Well, kind of, sort of, but, as you
clearly and obviously know, not precise or accurate, and
a patent mischaracterization.
Until the adoption of the Postal Reorganization Act of
1970 during the Nixon administration it is true the
Postal Service functioned as a regular tax-supported
agency of the federal government. According to the laws
under which it now operates the Postal Service is a
quasi-independent federal agency mandated to be revenue
neutral. Since 1982, under the Reagan administration,
the USPS has been required to be self-sufficient and has
not directly received taxpayer dollars.
Again, the USPS receives no tax dollars and is mandated
to be self-supporting. The USPS relies on the sale of
postage and other "postal products" and services rather
than taxes to pay for operating expenses. The USPS
operates the post office/Customs House building and
represents itself as the potential seller of the
property. This is more than a nuanced distinction.
Notwithstanding the clever turn of the phrase,
preservation of the post office is not a bail out of
"the federal government" in reverse. It ain't exactly
the "feds."
I believe you are correct that somehow "all of the
groups and individuals who have an interest in
protecting and preserving the post office building ...
have to be included in the effort." In part, that is why
the Amelia Island Fernandina Restoration Foundation has
committed to engage in a
fundraising effort and will match up to $50,000 to
create a
fund of $100,000 for restoration when the city acquires
the post office building for municipal purposes.
It has become evident over time that the USPS neither
has the interest, capacity nor the will to maintain the
building let alone to accomplish the task of
preservation and restoration. It is the considered
opinion of many who have spent time on the issue that
until title to the building is passed to an entity that
has the ability and commitment to seek funding and
grants from federal, state and private sources for
preservation and restoration, it cannot and will not
happen.
We both live within walking distance of the post office
and I know you are concerned about the preservation of
"a landmark building, one that's historically and
architecturally significant," a building that is "very
important to our downtown." Perhaps not only do we share
the fear of the "wrecking ball" but also concomitantly a
fear that if we do nothing the wrecking ball will not
come and what will remain will be a derelict building on
Centre Street in the heart of downtown.
It probably should be noted that this letter is being
sent to the News-Leader by e-mail and is indicative of
what USPS faces as it tries to remain revenue neutral
and why post office facilities around the country are
being abandoned and closed.
The Amelia Island Fernandina
Restoration Foundation is committed to saving the post
office, a building that has been designated a historic
endangered structure. We need the perspective and
thoughts of all who care. Individual membership is $15,
less than the current cost of 35 Forever Stamps.
Adam Kaufman is vice president of the Amelia
Island Fernandina Restoration Foundation. |
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__________________**______________
|
By Larry Meyers,
excepted from Fernandina Beach News-Leader
Every once in a blue moon, an issue
arises which is better decided by the voters. A recent
example was the bond issue for the Egans Creek Greenway
and, going way way back to the 1950's, there was the
funding proposal to provide for additional sewage lift
stations and improvements to the municipal sewage
treatment plant. The latter helped make it possible for
Fernandina and Fernandina Beach to combine. On all of
these issues, the voters considered the community and
the environment and the best use of tax dollars. Then
they voted.
Now comes the issue of the historic federal post office
in downtown Fernandina Beach. Built in 1912, this
beautiful historic building is in need of some $4
million of upgrades and renovations. This is your
classic fixer-upper project. And once restored, this
architectural beauty requires high maintenance.
An undertaking of this magnitude and the life cycle
financial impact on the city deserves the opinion of the
voters. The voters have shown in the past that they are
prepared to look at major issues and make a decision.
Why is there so much reluctance to let the voters decide
this one? Let's put this issue on the ballot.
One reaction is, well, we can't have every issue decided
by the voters; that is why they elected city
commissioners. How often have we heard, "Well, I'm a
commissioner and I'm prepared to make the tough
decisions." Well, this is not a routine little issue
like where to have 15-minute parking downtown or the
route for a parade. This is a multimillion-dollar
fundraiser, pledging the taxpayer assets toward issuing
a capital bond issue. Please let the voters of
Fernandina Beach be heard.
Larry Myers, Fernandina Beach |
|
|
_____________**______________
Dear Friends of
Barnabas,
I
shall try to
make this brief,
but will not
promise!
I
know many do not
want to get
involved in the
City's politics,
but in support
of
Barnabas, please
consider the
following.
I
was totally
shocked when I
read in the News
Leader yesterday
that the FB City
Commission
okayed giving
the Council on
Aging $150,000.
I immediately
started
calling the
Commissioners.
1. As a
taxpayer I
am opposed to
obligating any
funds for what
is not
absolutely
necessary until
they know what
the budget is
going to be.
2.
That awarding
$150,000 funds to
help the COA
buy the property
on N.
14th
Street is
ludicrous. The
County
Commission has
refused to sign
off on
abandoning a
street that cuts
the property in
half. Until
that is
settled....and
until the County
has been awarded
a grant and
raised
matching
funds it is a
totally moot
point.
3. I
identified
myself as a
Barnabas
volunteer and
explained how
and why this is
such a difficult
time for
Barnabas and why
I would implore
them
to consider
helping Barnabas
due to the
rising cost at
the health
centers with
greatly
increased
numbers of
patients, the
inflation of
groceries...the
reduction
in
donations to New
to You...and the
increasing
demands for
assistance
with fuel
and gasoline
costs.
4. My
last plea was
for the
Commission to do
something for
the needy
children in the
City. One
Commissioner
said if they
didn't help the
COA
it would cost
the city
millions and
millions of
dollars to
provide those
services. I
told him that
simply was not
true, everyone
over age 62 is
getting
either Social
Security or SSI
(blind,
disabled, over
age 62) I
worked at the
State of Indiana
Commission on
Aging for 8
years and am
also aware
of the federal
money that comes
to the COAs. I
sent him a copy
of the Barnabas
Needs with
Susan's
underlined note
and got back a
nice
email
from him this
morning
Back to
the children. I
told him I
thought the
needy children
in the City are
being ignored by
the Commission
and the City
should find
funds to provide
opportunities
for them,
starting with
the swimming
pools. I have
often been at
the desk when
parents came to
pay for the
children
using the
pool for an
hour...it is $5
a child, a
diminishing cost
is added for
attending
siblings.
People who are
struggling to
make ends meet
are not
there. The
children of
Fernandina that
need help the
most are
receiving the
least. I
suggested he
talk to Susan
about hungry
families
Now, what
is the point of
all this?
Particularly if
you live in the
City, please
consider
calling the
Commissioners.
Even if you
don't live in
the City you
can
express your
concern for
Barnabas and
explain all they
do. I have
the
feeling there
are new
Commissioners
who know
practically
nothing
about
either Barnabas
or the Council
on Aging. Susan
Steger and Ken
Walker
would especially
appreciate
support.
Mayor Susan
Steger, 261-4372
Vice Mayor Eric
Childers 261-0116
I may go to the
next Commission
meeting to ask
them to
reconsider.
AM
Jump,
Fernandina Beach
|
______________**______________
One of the
main reasons
I love to
live in
Fernandina
Beach , is
the free
beach
access.
Most
mornings I
wake up with
the sun and
head to the
beach for a
two hour
walk,
meeting
other locals
along the
way and
catching up
with
things.
Sometimes I
walk for
miles,
sometimes I
sit and
ponder the
ocean.
But it’s a
free time
for me, no
plans, go
with the
flow. A
relaxing,
creative,
open-ended
start to my
day.
“But wait!
Now I have
to put money
in a parking
kiosk! Do I
have enough
money on
me? Correct
change?
Dollar
bills,
coins? Will
I stay on
the beach
for one
hour, or
two, or
three? Oh
no, I only
paid for two
hours and I
got
distracted
and I’m
still two
miles away
from my
parking
meter. Now
I’m going to
get a
ticket!
More money!”
So much for
relaxation.
So, let’s
say it costs
me three
dollars each
day I walk
the beach,
maybe $21
more or less
extra out of
my pocket
each week.
Well, so
much for
eating lunch
out with my
friends that
week. Guess
my favorite
restaurant
will have to
lose my
business,
and the
business of
most
everyone I
know too,
who also
walk the
beach for
“free”
exercise and
must count
their
dollars.
“Well, at
least I can
go to the
library and
get a book.
That’s free,
still,
right? Oh
no, I
forgot, I
have to pay
for parking
downtown.
Another few
dollars for
a free
library
book. Guess
I’ll just
run into the
library and
get my book,
and skip a
visit to the
coffee shop
and a
downtown
walk through
the shops
and along
the marina.
I just don’t
feel like
spending
another $5
for these
once-free
pleasures.
I’ll get my
book, and
meet my
friends at
the coffee
shop over at
my end of
town, and
shop at
Walmart
where
parking is
free.”
And so it
goes. I’m
not the only
one in our
town that
has been hit
by the
recession.
Most
everyone I
know has
been
furloughed,
cut-back,
laid off, or
living on a
reduced
income due
to rising
taxes,
lowering
investments,
failing
pensions,
rising
medical
bills,
whatever.
But all of
us up until
now have
been able to
tell one
another, “At
least we
live in a
great place
with a
wonderful
free beach,
a charming
downtown
with great
restaurants,
shops and a
marina that
we can
stroll
around for
hours. We
have a great
quality of
life.”
Or we did,
anyway.
Parking fees
will kill a
lot of our
enjoyment.
And,
downtown
businesses
will feel
the impact
too, and
close at a
faster rate
than ever.
If people
have to pay
to go to the
beach, to
park to
board the
ferry to
Cumberland
Island , to
go to the
library, to
visit the
shops
downtown,
some just
won’t be
able to
swing it.
And we all
will lose.
“Oh, so
forget
parking
fees. The
public hates
that,”
thinks the
City
Official.
“Let’s just
sell off the
public land,
the open
space the
City owns.
That will
cover the
shortfall.”
And, so,
these assets
will be
gone, and
gone too are
remaining
glimmers of
hope of more
public
greenspace
in our
already
crowded
island.
I feel that
it is time
for the City
to face the
hard
decisions
that the
private
sector has
thrown upon
the rest of
us. Why
should
government
staff be
insulated
from the
recession at
the cost of
the
taxpayers?
Slimming
budgets
impacts
employees,
there’s no
doubt about
it, and
that’s too
bad. But
all of these
decisions to
increase
revenue for
the City
negatively
impacts
everyone
that lives
here, we the
taxpayers,
who already
support the
city.
Enough is
enough.
|
Pat Foster-Turley, Fernandina
Beach
___________**____________
02 Sep
09
Tough Times--tough decisions
Viewpoint from News-Leader
What a year this has been. We
have seen a decline in our property values, our investments have been battered,
and our retirement accounts have taken a severe hit. The cost of electricity
has almost doubled on the island in the last 18 months. Last year our city
government handed us a tax rate increase, a twenty percent hike in the cost of
trash pick-up, a twenty five percent plus increase in sewer fees and over the
last three years the cost of simple permits have almost quadrupled.
The city administration has
suggested several “revenue raising” measures to fund the coming year’s budget.
Sounds like business as usual in City Hall. They include the sale of city owned
lots, increasing out utility tax, raising the tax rate again and a new “storm
water” tax of $4-$8/ a month for each homeowner. Let’s take a look at each
issue individually.
Selling 10 city owned vacant
lots to balance the budget is not a bad idea, it is a terrible one. First,
property values are at a 10 year low, and our return will be minimal. Second,
the local real estate market is flooded with vacant lots for sale. Five years
ago there were 30 lots for sale on the island in the Multiple Listing system.
Today there are 135. The city does not need to compete with the private sector
by trying to sell lots in these difficult economic times. Third, we borrowed $6
million in 2001 to preserve green space. Fourth, what do we sell next year to
balance the budget? Any one with an ounce of business sense knows that you do
not sell assets to finance re-occurring costs.
As far as raising the utility
tax, our electric bills are high enough with out the city tacking on additional
fees. Comparing my residential electric bill for July 2008 to this July, I had
an increased dollar cost of 45% due to higher rates and higher usage caused by a
warm summer. Since the city charges a flat rate of 4% their franchise fee
dollars have already gone up the same 45% by virtue of the higher charges. I
would think that should be enough to satisfy even the greediest bureaucrat.
I am all for better drainage,
and don’t mind our tax dollars going to finance those worthwhile projects, but a
blanket tax is unfair to the many people that live in subdivisions that already
provide measures to contain their own storm water. Many of us paid for storm
water retention when we purchased our homes and lots, with the improvements
mandated by the city before the subdivision plats were approved. We continue to
pay a yearly fee to maintain these improvements through our home owners
associations. Double taxation is not fair.
Additionally, let’s not try
to balance the budget by sticking our hands in the pockets of the youth athletic
leagues participants. I can’t think of a better reason to spend tax dollars
than the development of our children. The youth baseball and soccer leagues are
run by hundreds of volunteers who give thousands of hours of their own time to
work with children in the community. The values, such as hard work, integrity
and sportsmanship that are taught to these kids are invaluable now and in the
future. The least the city can do is maintain the fields of play as a show of
support. They would have to maintain them in any case.
For every dollar the city take
out of the hands of citizens, we have one less dollar to visit our favorite
restaurant downtown, buy a pizza or grab an ice cream cone. Our local merchants
need our patronage so they can weather the economic crisis. As a city we have
lived on the growth in the last 15 years. The growth boom has stopped, and is
not coming back for several years, if ever.
Tough times call for tough
decisions, and we are in tough times. I sat on the commission the last time we
experienced an economic downturn in the 2000-2003 budget year. After the
9/11/01 attacks tourism suffered and we were faced with a $1 million dollar
deficit. We eliminated several positions, all but one through attrition. But
we also built Seaside Park, North Beach Park and the Hickory Street practice
fields, with the help of grants, money from the county and the volunteer
services of some people in the construction business. From what I remember, we
didn’t raise taxes or fees, just put our nose to the grindstone and made do with
what we had. And we did just fine. This commission should expect no less from
their staff.
Joe Gerrity, Fernandina Beach
__________**_____________
02
Sep 09 Tax increases
(excerpted from News-Leader)
In regard to the continuing debate about raising taxes or
cutting spending, I can only relate to what a responsible individual or family
would do in the same circumstances. When income becomes limited, spending must
be curtailed in order to meet the most basic needs - food, shelter, clothing.
Although we might desire much more, and may possibly have been accustomed to
much more, the reality is that we must distinguish between true needs and wants.
At the present time, there are many who are either jobless, or relegated to a
diminished income, and these are the citizens being asked to pay more in taxes
to fund non-critical projects while personally they are seeking every possible
way to cut costs in order to make ends meet. This economic situation is not one
any of us would have chosen, but the reality is that we are now faced with a
need to set priorities, and live within the means of our income, both as
individuals and as a community.
Fred McNeal, Fernandina Beach
_________**__________
|
|
Where Have All the Leaders Gone?
Excerpt reproduces passages from Lee Iacocca's Where Have All
the Leaders Gone?
New York: Scribner, 2007. ISBN 1-416-53247-1.
Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's
happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming
bloody murder. We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship
of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing
us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less
build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around
and nods their heads when the politicians say, "Stay the course."
Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America,
not the damned Titanic. I'll give you a sound bite:
Throw the bums out!
You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker,
and maybe I have. But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize
this country anymore. The President of the United States is given a
free pass to ignore the Constitution, tap our phones, and lead us to
war on a pack of lies.
Congress responds to record deficits by passing a huge tax cut for
the wealthy (thanks, but I don't need it). The most famous business
leaders are not the innovators but the guys in handcuffs. While
we're fiddling in Iraq, the Middle East is burning and nobody seems
to know what to do. And the press is waving pom-poms instead of
asking hard questions. That's not the promise of America my parents
and yours traveled across the ocean for. I've had enough. How about
you?
I'll go a step further. You can't call yourself a patriot if you're
not outraged. This is a fight I'm ready and willing to have.
My friends tell me to calm down. They say, "Lee, you're eighty-two
years old. Leave the rage to the young people." I'd love to — as
soon as I can pry them away from their iPods for five seconds and
get them to pay attention. I'm going to speak up because it's my
patriotic duty. I think people will listen to me. They say I have a
reputation as a straight shooter. So I'll tell you how I see it, and
it's not pretty, but at least it's real. I'm hoping to strike a
nerve in those young folks who say they don't vote because they
don't trust politicians to represent their interests. Hey, America,
wake up. These guys work for us.
Who Are These Guys, Anyway?
Why are we in this mess? How did we end up with this crowd in
Washington? Well, we voted for them — or at least some of us did.
But I'll tell you what we didn't do. We didn't agree to
suspend the Constitution. We didn't agree to stop asking questions
or demanding answers. Some of us are sick and tired of people who
call free speech treason. Where I come from that's a dictatorship,
not a democracy.
And don't tell me it's all the fault of right-wing Republicans or
liberal Democrats. That's an intellectually lazy argument, and it's
part of the reason we're in this stew. We're not just a nation of
factions. We're a people. We share common
principles and ideals. And we rise and fall together.
Where are the voices of leaders who can inspire us to action and
make us stand taller? What happened to the strong and resolute party
of Lincoln? What happened to the courageous, populist party of FDR
and Truman? There was a time in this country when the voices of
great leaders lifted us up and made us want to do better. Where have
all the leaders gone?
The Test of a Leader
I've never been Commander in Chief, but I've been a CEO. I
understand a few things about leadership at the top. I've figured
out nine points — not ten (I don't want people accusing me of
thinking I'm Moses). I call them the "Nine Cs of Leadership."
They're not fancy or complicated. Just clear, obvious qualities that
every true leader should have. We should look at how the current
administration stacks up. Like it or not, this crew is going to be
around until January 2009. Maybe we can learn something before we go
to the polls in 2008. Then let's be sure we use the leadership test
to screen the candidates who say they want to run the country. It's
up to us to choose wisely.
So, here's my C list:
A leader has to show CURIOSITY. He has to listen to
people outside of the "Yes, sir" crowd in his inner circle. He has
to read voraciously, because the world is a big, complicated place.
George W. Bush brags about never reading a newspaper. "I just scan
the headlines," he says. Am I hearing this right? He's the President
of the United States and he never reads a newspaper? Thomas
Jefferson once said, "Were it left to me to decide whether we should
have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a
government, I should not hesitate for a moment to prefer the
latter." Bush disagrees. As long as he gets his daily hour in the
gym, with Fox News piped through the sound system, he's ready to go.
If a leader never steps outside his comfort zone to hear different
ideas, he grows stale. If he doesn't put his beliefs to the test,
how does he know he's right? The inability to listen is a form of
arrogance. It means either you think you already know it all, or you
just don't care. Before the 2006 election, George Bush made a big
point of saying he didn't listen to the polls. Yeah, that's what
they all say when the polls stink. But maybe he should have
listened, because 70 percent of the people were saying he was on the
wrong track. It took a "thumping" on election day to wake him up,
but even then you got the feeling he wasn't listening so much as he
was calculating how to do a better job of convincing everyone he was
right.
A leader has to be CREATIVE, go out on a limb, be
willing to try something different. You know, think
outside the box. George Bush prides himself
on never changing, even as the world around him is spinning out of
control. God forbid someone should accuse him of flip-flopping.
There's a disturbingly messianic fervor to his certainty. Senator
Joe Biden recalled a conversation he had with Bush a few months
after our troops marched into Baghdad. Joe was in the Oval Office
outlining his concerns to the President — the explosive mix of
Shiite and Sunni, the disbanded Iraqi army, the problems securing
the oil fields. "The President was serene," Joe recalled.
"He told me he was sure that we were on the right course and that
all would be well. 'Mr. President,' I finally said, 'how can you be
so sure when you don't yet know all the facts?'" Bush then reached
over and put a steadying hand on Joe's shoulder. "My instincts," he
said. "My instincts." Joe was flabbergasted. He told Bush, "Mr.
President, your instincts aren't good enough." Joe Biden sure didn't
think the matter was settled. And, as we all know now, it wasn't.
Leadership is all about managing change — whether you're leading a
company or leading a country. Things change, and you get creative.
You adapt. Maybe Bush was absent the day they covered that at
Harvard Business School.
A leader has to COMMUNICATE. I'm not talking about
running off at the mouth or spouting sound bites. I'm talking about
facing reality and telling the truth. Nobody in the current
administration seems to know how to talk straight anymore. Instead,
they spend most of their time trying to convince us that things are
not really as bad as they seem. I don't know if it's denial or
dishonesty, but it can start to drive you crazy after a while.
Communication has to start with telling the truth, even when it's
painful. The war in Iraq has been, among other things, a grand
failure of communication. Bush is like the boy who didn't
cry wolf when the wolf was at the door. After years of being told
that all is well, even as the casualties and chaos mount, we've
stopped listening to him.
A leader has to be a person of CHARACTER. That
means knowing the difference between right and wrong and having the
guts to do the right thing. Abraham Lincoln once said, "If you want
to test a man's character, give him power." George Bush has a lot of
power. What does it say about his character? Bush has shown a
willingness to take bold action on the world stage because he has
the power, but he shows little regard for the grievous
consequences. He has sent our troops (not to mention hundreds of
thousands of innocent Iraqi citizens) to their deaths — for what? To
build our oil reserves? To avenge his daddy because Saddam Hussein
once tried to have him killed? To show his daddy he's tougher? The
motivations behind the war in Iraq are questionable, and the
execution of the war has been a disaster. A man of character does
not ask a single soldier to die for a failed policy.
A leader must have COURAGE. I'm talking about
balls. (That even goes for female leaders.) Swagger isn't
courage. Tough talk isn't courage. George Bush comes from a
blue-blooded Connecticut family, but he likes to talk like a cowboy.
You know, My gun is bigger
than your gun. Courage in the twenty-first
century doesn't mean posturing and bravado. Courage is a commitment
to sit down at the negotiating table and talk.
If you're a politician, courage means taking a position even when
you know it will cost you votes. Bush can't even make a public
appearance unless the audience has been handpicked and sanitized. He
did a series of so-called town hall meetings last year, in
auditoriums packed with his most devoted fans. The questions were
all softballs.
To be a leader you've got to have CONVICTION — a
fire in your belly. You've got to have passion. You've got to really
want to get something done. How do you measure fire in the belly?
Bush has set the all-time record for number of vacation days taken
by a U.S. President — four hundred and counting. He'd rather clear
brush on his ranch than immerse himself in the business of
governing. He even told an interviewer that the high point of his
presidency so far was catching a seven-and-a-half-pound perch in his
hand-stocked lake.
It's no better on Capitol Hill. Congress was in session only
ninety-seven days in 2006. That's eleven days less than the record
set in 1948, when President Harry Truman coined the term
do-nothing Congress. Most people would expect to be
fired if they worked so little and had nothing to show for it. But
Congress managed to find the time to vote itself a raise. Now,
that's not leadership.
A leader should have CHARISMA. I'm not talking
about being flashy. Charisma is the quality that makes people want
to follow you. It's the ability to inspire. People follow a
leader because they trust him. That's my definition of
charisma. Maybe George Bush is a great guy to hang out with at a
barbecue or a ball game. But put him at a global summit where the
future of our planet is at stake, and he doesn't look very
presidential. Those frat-boy pranks and the kidding around he enjoys
so much don't go over that well with world leaders. Just ask German
Chancellor Angela Merkel, who received an unwelcome shoulder massage
from our President at a G-8 Summit. When he came up behind her and
started squeezing, I thought she was going to go right through the
roof.
A leader has to be COMPETENT. That seems obvious,
doesn't it? You've got to know what you're doing. More important
than that, you've got to surround yourself with people who know what
they're doing. Bush brags about being our first MBA
President. Does that make him competent? Well, let's see. Thanks to
our first MBA President, we've got the largest deficit in history,
Social Security is on life support, and we've run up a
half-a-trillion-dollar price tag (so far) in Iraq. And that's just
for starters. A leader has to be a problem solver, and the biggest
problems we face as a nation seem to be on the back burner.
You can't be a leader if you don't have COMMON SENSE.
I call this Charlie Beacham's rule. When I was a young guy just
starting out in the car business, one of my first jobs was as Ford's
zone manager in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. My boss was a guy named
Charlie Beacham, who was the East Coast regional manager. Charlie
was a big Southerner, with a warm drawl, a huge smile, and a core of
steel. Charlie used to tell me, "Remember, Lee, the only thing
you've got going for you as a human being is your ability to reason
and your common sense. If you don't know a dip of horseshit from a
dip of vanilla ice cream, you'll never make it." George Bush doesn't
have common sense. He just has a lot of sound bites. You know —
Mr. they'll welcome us as
liberators no child left
behind heck of a job
Brownie mission accomplished Bush.
Former President Bill Clinton once said, "I grew up in an alcoholic
home. I spent half my childhood trying to get into the reality-based
world — and I like it here."
I think our current President should visit the real world once in a
while.
The Biggest C is Crisis
Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is forged in times of crisis.
It's easy to sit there with your feet up on the desk and talk
theory. Or send someone else's kids off to war when you've never
seen a battlefield yourself. It's another thing to lead when your
world comes tumbling down.
On September 11, 2001, we needed a strong leader more than any other
time in our history. We needed a steady hand to guide us out of the
ashes. Where was George Bush? He was reading a story about a pet
goat to kids in Florida when he heard about the attacks. He kept
sitting there for twenty minutes with a baffled look on his face.
It's all on tape. You can see it for yourself. Then, instead of
taking the quickest route back to Washington and immediately going
on the air to reassure the panicked people of this country, he
decided it wasn't safe to return to the White House. He basically
went into hiding for the day — and he told Vice President Dick
Cheney to stay put in his bunker. We were all frozen in front of our
TVs, scared out of our wits, waiting for our leaders to tell us that
we were going to be okay, and there was nobody home. It took Bush a
couple of days to get his bearings and devise the right photo op at
Ground Zero.
That was George Bush's moment of truth, and he was paralyzed. And
what did he do when he'd regained his composure? He led us down the
road to Iraq — a road his own father had considered disastrous when
he was President. But Bush didn't listen to Daddy. He listened to a
higher father. He prides himself on being faith based, not reality
based. If that doesn't scare the crap out of you, I don't know what
will.
A Hell of a Mess
So here's where we stand. We're immersed in a bloody war with no
plan for winning and no plan for leaving. We're running the biggest
deficit in the history of the country. We're losing the
manufacturing edge to Asia, while our once-great companies are
getting slaughtered by health care costs. Gas prices are
skyrocketing, and nobody in power has a coherent energy policy. Our
schools are in trouble. Our borders are like sieves. The middle
class is being squeezed every which way. These are times that cry
out for leadership.
But when you look around, you've got to ask: "Where
have all the leaders gone?"
Where are the curious, creative communicators? Where are the people
of character, courage, conviction, competence, and common sense? I
may be a sucker for alliteration, but I think you get the point.
Name me a leader who has a better idea for homeland security than
making us take off our shoes in airports and throw away our shampoo?
We've spent billions of dollars building a huge new bureaucracy, and
all we know how to do is react to things that have already happened.
Name me one leader who emerged from the crisis of Hurricane Katrina.
Congress has yet to spend a single day evaluating the
response to the hurricane, or demanding accountability for the
decisions that were made in the crucial hours after the storm.
Everyone's hunkering down, fingers crossed, hoping it doesn't happen
again. Now, that's just crazy. Storms happen. Deal with it. Make a
plan. Figure out what you're going to do the next time.
Name me an industry leader who is thinking creatively about how we
can restore our competitive edge in manufacturing. Who would have
believed that there could ever be a time when "the Big Three"
referred to Japanese car companies? How did this happen — and more
important, what are we going to do about it?
Name me a government leader who can articulate a plan for paying
down the debt, or solving the energy crisis, or managing the health
care problem. The silence is deafening. But these are the crises
that are eating away at our country and milking the middle class
dry.
I have news for the gang in Congress. We didn't elect you to sit on
your asses and do nothing and remain silent while our democracy is
being hijacked and our greatness is being replaced with mediocrity.
What is everybody so afraid of? That some bobblehead on Fox News
will call them a name? Give me a break. Why don't you guys show some
spine for a change?
Had Enough?
Hey, I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here. I'm
trying to light a fire. I'm speaking out because I have hope. I
believe in America. In my lifetime I've had the privilege of living
through some of America's greatest moments. I've also experienced
some of our worst crises — the Great Depression, World War II, the
Korean War, the Kennedy assassination, the Vietnam War, the 1970s
oil crisis, and the struggles of recent years culminating with 9/11.
If I've learned one thing, it's this: You don't get anywhere by
standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action.
Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for
our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I'm
raising in this book. It's a call to action for people who, like me,
believe in America. It's not too late, but it's getting pretty
close. So let's shake off the horseshit and go to work. Let's tell 'em
all we've had enough.
Origins: The
above-quoted editorial, offering a scathing condemnation of the Bush
administration and condemning a lack of strong leadership in the
U.S. government, hit our inbox mid-April 2007, attributed to
82-year-old businessman Lee Iacocca (best known for his tenure in
the automotive business as the head of Ford and then Chrysler).
The attribution was correct, and the timing was no coincidence, as
the text was an
excerpt from the opening of Iacocca's just-released book,
Where Have All the Leaders Gone?, written with Catherine
Whitney and published by Scribner.
E-mailed versions of this excerpt were later altered through the
insertion of two denigrative passages referencing Democratic
presidential nominee Barack Obama that were not written by Lee
Iacocca and were not part of the original work:
The URL for this page is
http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/iacocca.asp
|
_________________**______________
-
22 April 09 Sparking passion for
'sustainable' growth
By Steve Nicklas, For the News-Leader
What do the public responses to the contemplated boycott of
Felix Jones and closing of local beaches have in common?
One potent word: passion
These two incidents have a commonality - they elicited a public outcry that has
not been seen around here in years. It is not often that hundreds of citizens,
brandishing written signs and unwritten wrath, appear in force at government
meetings. And these passionate protests were effective in overturning the Jones
boycott and beach closings.
A calm of indifference is the norm to political events here. However, underneath
this surface of apathy, passionate forces are uniting in a groundswell of
change. One of these positive forces was in action this past weekend.
A group known as the Amelia Island Institute spent most of Saturday
brainstorming over innovative pathways to change. The group, engineered by local
architect Randy Rice, focuses on sustainable, practical growth that is friendly
to the environment.
This has been almost a foreign topic for Nassau County. But
that's where Amelia Island Institute fits in, promoting proper water and land
and energy uses. Rice moved here from the Atlanta area, where he lived and
breathed the daily gridlock and grind of the overcrowded bedroom community of
Gwinnett County.
Rice witnessed the explosion of growth in Gwinnett and the painstaking pitfalls
of traffic, crime and overtaxed resources. Like many of us, he does not want to
see this horror movie again - especially not here.
There are other citizens' groups operating here with similar objectives and
agendas. These include the Concerned Friends of Fernandina, the Sierra Club and
the Amelia Island Association, among others. In addition, a committee
quarterbacked by the local chamber of commerce concocted a visionary plan for
future growth of the county.
These are all non-profit entities pushing beneficial plans. They are driven by a
desire to improve and protect when it comes to use of natural resources.
It is never too late to start intuitive planning for the future. While growth
has slowed here, it will again accelerate as the economy improves. This will put
further strains on our resources - our roads, our waterways, our lands.
One slide from a presentation during the Amelia Island
Institute program showed the frightening impact of urban sprawl - a housing
subdivision with chaotic roads and crammed-in houses. This subdivision sits on a
once-rural parcel where people used to fish and frolic.
Another speaker shared a shocking statistic. It would take another ice age to
replenish the Floridan Aquifer. Most of us would probably not like to wait for
that momentous event. Conserving and reusing water is probably a preferable
alternative.
The time is now to plan. Citizens' groups play an important role because they
can shape public opinion - which plays to politicians. Coordinated efforts like
this one by the Amelia Island Institute, held at Fernandina Beach City Hall of
all places, are important steps in the right direction.
The event was well-attended and well-planned. Conspicu-ously absent in the
morning session were any of the Fernandina Beach or Nassau County commissioners.
The outing was publicized weeks in advance, so it was not a secret.
Passionate outcries from the masses are heard by politicians. Our county's
environment is precious, yet perishable. It must be, and can be, protected and
nurtured - with the persuasion of passion.
Steve Nicklas is a financial advisor who lives on Amelia Island. He can be
reached at 753-0236.
-
16
APRIL 09 'Amelia Off the Grid'
(excerpted from the News Leader)
Sometimes in trying times, seemingly simple actions can
result in tremendous rewards.
In the first half of 1942, German U-boats sunk 108 ships right off our
coast. U-boats would wait in the dark until they saw ships silhouetted by
the lights of coastal cities. They would then simply advance and attack
these merchant ships with guns or torpedoes, resulting in over 1,100
casualties. The History of United States Military Operations in World War II
describes part of the cause of this slaughter:
"One of the most reprehensible failures on our part was the neglect of local
communities to dim their waterfront lights, or of military authorities to
require them to do so, until three months after the submarine offensive
started. When this obvious defense measure was first proposed, squawks went
up all the way from Atlantic City to southern Florida that the 'tourist
season would be ruined.' Miami and its luxurious suburbs threw up six miles
of neon-light glow, against which the southbound shipping that hugged the
reefs to avoid the Gulf Stream was silhouetted. Ships were sunk and seamen
drowned in order that the citizenry might enjoy business and pleasure as
usual."
On April 18 1942, an order was given by the Eastern Sea Frontier that put an
end to waterfront lights and illuminated pylon signs. This seemingly small
action saved the lifeline for the Allied forces in World War II.
While today we may not be in a world war, we are in another kind of battle
that centers on the environment, quality of life, economic prosperity and
the use of resources that make that prosperity possible. For example, today
America imports 70 percent of the oil we use. We also operate under a
billowing trade deficit. Some of the dollars we spend to fill our cars make
it into the hands of radicals who wish that America didn't exist. So in this
sense we are in a serious struggle that has cost over 4,000 American lives
just in Iraq, as we try to maintain stability in one of the oil rich areas
of the world. But are we like some of those people in 1942 who wanted to
maintain their convenience or are we willing to make changes that can
enhance the security of our economy and environment while promoting peace
for our country?
On this year's April 18, you have an opportunity to
join with members of your community to help mend some of the reprehensible
failures of our day. I would invite your participation in "Amelia Off the
Grid: a Workshop for a Sustainable Community." This all-day event, hosted by
the Amelia Island Institute, is designed to highlight the most pressing
resource issues we face locally and provide grass roots ideas to change our
local ordinances to reward sustainable activity. It will also provide
individuals with powerful information regarding tax credits and other funds
currently available that will pay for up to 30 percent of certain home
improvement activities.
"Brainstorm" committees for grants and funding, land use, water quality
issues, energy and waste/recycling are forming now that will address
critical aspects of our community sustainability. The goal for each of these
groups is to develop consensus on action items that would provide both an
environmental and economic benefit to the community as a whole as well as
provide ideas for you individually that can save you money on energy costs.
The workshop is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Fernandina City Hall. For more
information contact Marjorie Weibe-Reed at 491-0072 or e-mail
ricearch@bellsouth.net. Come
join us as we find new ways to "dim the waterfront lights" for the safety
and prosperity of our generation.
Randy Rice/Amelia Island
Randy Rice is an architect who lives and works on Amelia Island.
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Back
to Top
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01
Nov 08 City Property on Simmons Road:
Council on Aging? NO!
Dear Commissioners--
I have heard rumblings of a possible plan to locate
a new Council on Aging building, parking lot, etc.
on City property on Simmons Road--that piece of
so-called "excess golf course land." I sincerely
hope that this is not a serious idea.
The parcel in question is zoned recreation. It is
currently a viable area of native vegetation and
mature trees, harboring a significant abundance and
diversity of native wildlife. It borders the golf
course and adjacent housing developments and is the
only significant patch of greenspace left in this
part of the island. Many of us hope that this area
will remain green space, and be enhanced with a
recreational low impact hiking/biking trail that
will enhance our community. Such a trail, behind and
bordering the golf course could (and should) provide
residents with a safe recreational path to the
beach. Right now, as it is, Simmons Road is too
dangerous with no sidewalks, bike paths, etc. and
there is no plan by the county any time soon to make
such amendments.
Besides this, the area, as it is, with trees,
vegetation and wildlife, enhances the wildlife found
on our island, and is a necessary stepping stone for
migratory birds and butterflies that many island
residents enjoy.
If, instead, this natural area is turned into a
large parking lot and a building of significant size
to meet the Council on Aging's needs, the area will
be concreted over and ruined for all time.
The Council on Aging is a wonderful institution,
providing much needed services for our community and
it deserves a good new location and facility to
continue on in its good work. But destroying a
valuable green space in the residential middle of
the island is not called for. I agree with you,
Eric, that an existing building in an already urban
location close to all city amenities is a much much
better choice for this facility.
Please don't act to destroy what little green space
the city still owns on the island. Instead, it
would be great if some action could be taken to once
and for all preserve this green space and provide a
low impact recreational hiking/biking trail there
instead. In a bigger picture, this could also be
included in the Greenway as part of an island wide
system of trails for everyone's enjoyment.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look
forward to your reassurances that this area will
continue to be preserved for wildlife and the many
nature watching citizens who call Fernandina Beach
home.
Sincerely,
Pat Foster-Turley
|
_____________**______________
Commissioners,
Unfortunately I will
be out of the country this week and be unable to appear in person before you on
this item. I request that you deny this
request on First Reading for the following reasons:
·
The motives of this group are no secret - to stop vehicular traffic and other
usage of the beach in front of their units. It was this group that enlisted the
help of Nassau County Commissioner Mike Boyle last year that led to the initial
proposal to close
Peter’s Point and other oceanfront county parks from sundown to sunup. After a
thunderous outcry of oppositions from citizens all over Nassau County,
Commissioner Boyle withdrew the proposal admitting that it “was a bad mistake”.
·
The group will try to paint a picture of frequent incidents of loud behavior &
reckless driving on the beach, trash left on the beach, vandalism at the park,
etc. While there is no question that this happens from time to time, Nassau
County Sheriff Tommy Seagraves testified last year on this matter before the
Nassau County Commission, that complaints and police citations are no more
frequent at Peter’s Point or any other oceanfront park than any other area of
the county. He repeatedly said that this was “an enforcement issue”.
·
In response to the complaints from the owners (please note the deliberate use of
the word ‘owners’ and not ‘residents’), Sheriff Seagraves significantly
increased the amount of beach patrols, particularly at Peter’s Point. At one
point for about 6 months after the initial brouhaha, Nassau County had a marked
“Beach Patrol” vehicle at Peters Point almost the entire time from morning
through midnight. It now appears that the dedicated Beach Patrol vehicle plan
has been abandoned (probably due to the high cost); but the park is still
patrolled diligently by unmarked and marked Nassau County police officers.
While Nassau County will still have jurisdiction of the beach access roadway and
Peter’s Point, if annexed, it will be the responsibility of the Fernandina Beach
police department to respond to complaints about action in front of the
Sandpiper units and north to the present City limits line. I don’t know how
many 4-wheel drive police vehicles the City currently has, but it will need one
to be available every shift, every day of the week to be able to patrol this
area. I just have to wonder whether the $150,000 - $165,000 cited as additional
revenue to the City will be outspent in servicing this group of “high
maintenance” property owners.
·
I have only lived in our wonderful City for 8 years, but I have no recollection
of ever having seen an involuntary annexation before the City Commission. From
the comments made by Mr. Drew Scott when this item was originally scheduled, he
is opposed to this annexation. It would appear that since some of the owners
couldn’t get the “contiguous” requirement worked out on an individual property
owner basis, they resorted to this method of annexation in an effort to get
their way. On one hand these owners scream for their private property rights,
yet they have no concern at all in treading over the rights of those property
owners that have already said no.
·
While there is the argument for some protection of their property rights, these
owners should be reminded that ALL owners in Nassau County have been paying over
the years for the various beach renourishment projects that have provided great
economic benefit to these property owners. Additionally, the beach driving and
use of the beach at night has been going on for many decades and existed when
all these owners purchased their property. Any lack of diligence on their part
is their responsibility, not the City’s.
I do have some level
of sympathy for these property owners in that they are entitled to the quiet
enjoyment of their property; but I believe they already enjoy that environment
despite the stories you will probably hear. When I am in town, I usually do a
nightly beach walk parking at Peters Point and either walking north to Seaside
or south down to American Beach so I am in this area quite frequently and in a
position to state that the acts that they will try to convince you are everyday
(or night) are in fact, quite infrequent – especially now that Nassau County has
stepped up their presence at Peters Point. I would have no problem with Nassau
County restricting night driving / parking on the beach, but that is something
these owners need to deal with the County on, not put the burden on the City.
A personal example
might give you some insight into the mindset of some of these owners. Last
summer, I was returning to my car about 10pm on a Friday night where it was
parked under the parking lot lights at the north end of the Peter’s Point
parking lot. As I was coming off the walkway I noticed a lady standing behind
my car with a notepad in her hand. Fearing that someone might have hit my car
while I was walking, I quickened my pace and as I got up to my car I said
“Excuse me, can I help you?” She immediately glared at me and asked me in a
most confrontational tone “What are you doing here?” I said “ Excuse me, I was
just out for my nightly walk on the beach, is there a problem?” She said
“You’re not supposed to be here.” A bit bewildered, I told her I didn’t
understand what she was talking about and she repeated more emphatically “You’re
not supposed to be here.” I then asked her why I wasn’t supposed to be there
and she told me that the park closed at sundown. I told her that she was
mistaken that the park was open 24 hours a day and her response was “That’s not
what the real estate agent told us when we purchased our unit!” So it is clear,
that at least some are being sold on the location by providing a false sense of
exclusivity. Others have noted the small percentage of owners of the Sandpiper
properties that are actually residents. I suspect that many of them rent out
their
I am sure that the
advocate’s attorney, Mr. Jacobs, will paint a picture of minimal impact that the
annexation would have and possibly promise the City that it could be in a
win-win situation of getting the additional property tax revenue but still have
the ability to control the activities that can take place on the beach within
the City limits. But I’m sure the reason these well-moneyed folks hired Mr.
Jacobs was that they knew that he was the one that worked his influence on the
State legislature on behalf of Amelia Island Plantation, the Ritz-Carlton &
others, to get the state law changed that severely restricted driving on the
beach south of Peters Point. I would hope & trust that our City Attorney would
clearly understand the limitations on the City under the existing state statutes
and be in a position to advise you.
Thank you for your
time in listening my position. I again hope that you will kill this resolution
from any further movement forward at Tuesday night’s meeting.
Dave Lott
993 Ocean Overlook
Drive
Fernandina Beach FL
32034
_______________**______________
The
power of one
|
There seems to be no shortage of contentious issues floating
around Nassau County these days: those opposed to (and in
favor of) a tree ordinance for Nassau County; those in favor
of (and opposed to) keeping fresh water an integral part of
the Egans Creek Greenway on Amelia Island; proposed
development of Crane Island and/or Florida A1A, and so on.
It never ceases to amaze me how one person’s voice — and
actions — can have such profound influence on the critical
decisions to be made.
When our county commissioners were to consider a proposed
tree ordinance for the entire county, a few outspoken
residents from west Nassau came before the commission to
argue about their rights as property owners. Their voices —
and concerns — were clearly more persuasive than those who
had hoped to preserve the county’s natural beauty and
resources.
In Fernandina Beach, a single resident has effectively
prevented any actions to stem the flow of saltwater into
Egans Creek south of Jasmine Street by filing a petition
with the St. Johns River Water Management District, leaving
the City Commission somewhat helpless to answer to the
hundreds of residents advocating for fresh water.
And here in our own subdivision, a group of neighbors
banded together to form a subassociation that would ensure
proper upkeep of conjoined townhomes and exterior
landscaping, realizing that the purchasing power of a group
would be more beneficial than each homeowner could afford
separately. But one property owner took exception to the
plan, and filed a lawsuit to prevent its implementation.
Three years have now passed, with no resolution in sight.
In all of the above cases, only one thing seems to be
missing — the ability to have an intelligent, meaningful,
noncombative dialogue about the issues.
In a world of sound bites, talk show hosts who don’t know
what it means to listen, and polarized politics with debates
that really aren’t in the true sense of the word, having
true dialogue isn’t as easy as it might seem.
Often times, it will require an impartial facilitator to
set and enforce some simple ground rules: only one person
should talk at a time without risk of interruption; if the
listener has an issue with what has been said, he or she
should respond with a question, rather than a rebuttal, to
seek elaboration and clarification. This process should
continue until there is some consensual agreement about what
the issues really are, and whether there is any middle
ground that might satisfy both parties.
Next time you’re tempted to argue with someone or
challenge their beliefs, I encourage you to give the
dialogue technique a try. Ask some questions, make some
attempt (even half-hearted) to understand the other’s
position and motivation, and above all, be civil. It likely
won’t be easy, but you might be pleasantly surprised by the
outcome. |
___________**_______________
This
is an open letter to city commissioners that I invite the News Leader
to publish as well.
To Fernandina Beach City Commissioners:
Please be advised that we do not support any further waste of tax money to
study the Greenway situation.
The city commissioners do not even need to consider wasting our tax dollars
on further studies but need to
continue to put pressure on FDOT and St
Johns' River Water Management to get this ridiculously delayed job done.
The commissioners may recall, because several commissioners, were in
attendance at the FDOT Greenway meeting back in October, it was unanimously
decided by more than 150 taxpaying residents that the Greenway should be
returned and restored to fresh water habitat at FDOT's expense.
We do not support or need any further study of the problem at the Greenway
as the previous Spence study has always supported as you know, that the
southern greenway should be fresh water. In fact, it could now be easily
argued, as was said at the FDOT meeting that the entire greenway should be
returned to a fresh water habitat.
We should either construct a weir at Jasmine or seal the salt water gates at
Atlantic Avenue before any further damage of flora and fauna occurs on our
island.
To reaffirm: the taxpaying residents of Fernandina Beach want fresh water
habitat at the Greenway which we have paid for with our tax dollars.
The city commissioners do not even need to consider wasting our tax dollars
on further studies but need to continue to put pressure on FDOT and St
John's River Water Management to get this ridiculously delayed job done.
Let the Fernandina Beach City Commissioners display their resolve by
supporting their citizens in seeing that our Greenway is restored and
returned to fresh water habitat.
Sincerely,
Tom Cote-Merow
____________**____________
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06 Jun 07 County
traffic mess and Crane Island destruction
I think we need to pin down some realities such as:
1
No more roads can be built due to geography, topography, and
finances;
2
No roads can be widened without huge property acquisition
costs and damage to trees and ambiance;
3
Road densities must be realistic relative to trip times,
accident rates, road rage;
4
Parking must not consume undue time to find places;
5
Impact of dwelling construction on traffic must be measured
island wide and all of it must take A1A into account, with no artificial 1.5
mile radius nonsense;
6
Hurricane evacuation times must not exceed 72 hours under any
circumstances and should not exceed 48 hours;
7
Current hurricane evacuation times posted by the county are
false due to developer influence and must be corrected publicly;
8
The intersection of A1A and the Parkway will become one of
the most dangerous in NE Florida when the shopping center is built across from
the Hess station because the traffic patterns will be conflicting and confusing;
9
The streets cannot be forced to take more traffic unless they
are made one way end to end or traffic is required to drive close together at
speeds less than 15 mph;
10
The addition of traffic stop signs and traffic lights will
cause people to race from light to light and sign to sign causing the accident
rates to skyrocket;
11
As traffic densities increase and delays grow, road rage will
grow exponentially and accidents and incidents will skyrocket;
12
The need for additional emergency vehicles will grow;
13
A1A cannot be widened because too many properties have been
constructed too close to the road and acquisition of that land would break the
bank;
14
A1A could be widened in some places by using the median strip
and jersey barriers, which would be ugly as hell and ruin the appearance of the
approaches to east Nassau County;
15
Widened roads will result in additional accidents from
vehicles changing lanes suddenly to make right or left turns;
16
Tuscany
traffic will cause a very dangerous situation on the west end of the bridge as
people seek to go west from Tuscany;
17
A traffic light at Tuscany will cause problems with trucks
stopping and starting, with many of them ignoring the traffic signals
altogether;
18
Continued construction of townhouses and condos without more
roads will cause traffic gridlock such that trips that now take 15 minutes will
take 45 minutes or more, causing road rage and accidents;
19
The response times by emergency vehicles will become so long
that loss of life and property damage will cause insurance problems, lawsuits,
and voter rage;
20
Widening Buccaneer trail to connect Plantation South with
Plantation North will cause destruction of a treasured canopy road just north of
Fletcher/Gerbing roads;
21
Roundabouts for four lane roads will cause a huge increase in
traffic accidents as people turn from the wrong lanes;
22
The construction of a marina on Crane Island at the end of a
runway will create a potential fire hazard of monumental proportions since an
aircraft crash into the marina would cause a fire that would take every fire
truck for 50 miles around to put out, especially with townhouses built within
just a few feet of the edge of the marina;
23
Crane Island holds the seeds of some very
imaginative lawsuits against the city;
24
Crane Island impact on insurance rates could be
catastrophic for the island;
25
The Plantation Corporation will certainly create the
circumstances whereby the airport becomes thousands of dwelling units, including
hotels, clubs, condos, and townhouses, and add perhaps hundreds of cars to the
roads, causing the Plantation to demand the widening of the Parkway and
Buccaneer Trail, with fatal results for the ambiance of both;
26
Impact fees charged to developers are a fraud because they
are insufficient to contribute anything to road construction and thus allow the
commissioners to go ape with the money for frivolous projects;
27
Nassau
and Florida are broke, as is the Federal Government, so pipe dreams that the
public will fund the ancillaries for developers must disappear;
28
When the roads fill up to sensible standards of density, all
dwelling construction must stop, period, no matter the threat of lawsuits;
29
When the traffic limit is reached, the developers must get
the word that no more dwelling construction will be permitted, period;
30
No more roads mean no more dwelling construction when the
roads fill up;
31
Definitions of traffic densities must be publicly controlled
and publicized so that the BOCCs cannot circumvent them with constantly changing
definitions to suit developer demands.
I
suspect east Nassau has about 10 years before it is sent to hell by the
developers and the corrupt commissioners and their corrupt staffs.
So far it
seems to me the people of Nassau don’t give a rat’s a-- about what is happening
to their quality of life. So, they are going to
get it
right in the a--.
Don Jones,
Fernandina Beach
_____________**______________
Casting aside all the personal
aspersions and innuendo that only served to take focus
away from the real issues confronting the Egans Creek
Greenway, I wanted to respond to Joe Palmer's piece
that appeared in the May 4th
News-Leader and correct some of the
misinformation it contained.
Before the salt marsh restoration project between
Atlantic and Jasmine, saltwater intrusion south of
Atlantic was prevented by the use of back-flow
prevention devices on the pipes under Atlantic. These
devices allowed the fresh water flowing north through
Egans Creek to empty out during outgoing tides, while
blocking salt water from flowing under Atlantic Avenue
during incoming tides. These devices performed quite
well as evidenced by the forested wetland containing
coastal hardwoods and oaks that flourished between
Sadler and Atlantic for many, many years.
Despite frequent questioning during the salt
marsh planning process, the Florida Department of
Transportation insisted that such devices were not
necessary to be installed on the pipes under Jasmine. We
all know now that the FDOT was wrong and. to their
credit, they have agreed to right their wrong the best
they can.
Saltwater is not "seeping" into the area south of
Jasmine as Mr. Palmer leads you to believe.
Go stand on either side
of Jasmine by the north Greenway walkway entrance and
you will see twin 3-foot
diameter concrete pipes with thousands of gallons of
salt water flowing unimpeded under Jasmine on every
tidal cycle twice a day.
As far as the allegations of
Concerned Friends of Fernandina and the Nassau County
chapter of the Sierra Club "browbeating a timid FDOT,,
speaking for Concerned Friends, I could only wish that
we had that power and level of control. I can assure you
that if we did, the original salt marsh restoration
project would never have been expanded outside the 25
acres that was originally proposed.
Talk to Mr. Spence and see if he shares Mr.
Palmer's characterization of a timid FDOT as they have
threatened to take his property through eminent domain
if he didn't sign their agreement about fixing the
erosion in his back yard.
There is no question that the Egans system has been
significantly altered by man through the ongoing
development of Amelia Island and within the City of
Fernandina Beach. However, when the citizens of
Fernandina Beach approved a $6 million bond referendum
in 2001 (the majority of the funds designated for the
purchase of lands for conservation that make up the
Greenway), the community spoke with its wallet about the
value and the need for the permanent protection of this
land.
All the professionals retained by the FDOT, as well as
Dr. Munsell McPhillips and Mr. Robert Prager, have said
that the damaged area could be returned to its previous
freshwater forested wetlands or it could be converted to
a salt marsh. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
Concerned Friends of Fernandina believes that the
freshwater-based, forested wetland has more value to the
community for a number of reasons, but primarily due to
its scarcity on our island and within our city. Amelia
Island has thousands of acres of salt marsh wetlands,
but its forested wetlands is dwindling by bits and
pieces every week and the 50-80 acres already affected
is a huge loss that will take years to recover. We all
know that value of trees with regard to air quality and
erosion prevention and wildlife habitat, but did you
know that the water absorbed and held in trees in a
wetland area helps control flooding and elevated ground
water levels much more than marsh grasses?
Mr. Kavanaugh has made his
preference quite well known that the entire Egans Creek
estuary be converted to a salt marsh.
Fortunately, his view is in the isolated minority
as evidenced by the comments at the March FDOT workshop
to gauge community input where more than 80 citizens
attended and not a single person spoke in favor of a
salt marsh. Mr.
Kavanaugh also made his views known at the April city
commission meeting where he was the only person to speak
in favor of a salt marsh. It was the city commission,
not Concerned Friends or the Sierra Club, that passed
Resolution 2007-66.1 that directed FDOT to immediately
work to stop further damage as well as to develop a
permanent plan to restore the area south of Jasmine to
the forested wetland that existed prior to the salt
marsh project. It was in response to this first
directive that FDOT sought a permit from St. Johns River
Water Management District to place a back-flow device on
the Jasmine pipes to stop any further saltwater
intrusion. It is a disappointment that rather than
accept the fact that his position did not prevail and
the city's leadership has given clear direction of its
goal for the area, Mr. Kavanaugh
acted within his lawful rights and filed an objection
during the permit application process that will result
in a minimum delay of two months before the FDOT can put
the back-flow devices in place to stop any further
damage. We are confident that
SJRMWD will approve this permit at their June meeting.
The newly created Greenway Oversight Committee has an
important and challenging task ahead as they work with
the city, county, state and federal agencies in
developing a comprehensive management plan for the
Greenway. Just as the
beach and river are jewels in our City's
crown, the Greenway has been an overlooked unpolished
gem waiting for the proper resources and management to
restore its grand beauty. We applaud the
City's leadership in taking
these steps and hope that dedication will not waver.
Dave Lott lives
adjacent to the Greenway and is on the steering
committee for Concerned Friends of Fernandina as
well as serving on the City's
waterfront committee.
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