Nathaniel P. Reed Endorses Amendment 4

Highly respected conservationist Nathaniel P. Reed has come out and endorsed the Florida Hometwon Democracy-backed Amendment 4.

I have pondered the pros and cons of Amendment #4 for months. I have listened to expert land use planners and attorneys who warn that the amendment is not perfect and might have “unanticipated consequences”. I have listened to the proponents who are dissatisfied with the obvious consequences of the existing system. They have been repeatedly ignored by their elected officials who promised careful consideration of development plans and then allowed projects that are unsound and will cost the existing taxpayers a fortune.

As I have traveled the state I have seen the cost of bad development decisions by local government who have made Florida the foreclosure capital of the nation. I am struck by the continued efforts by the development community to convince county and city officials that they can restore Florida’s economy by doing more of what made it crash.

The suggestion that Amendment 4 will cost the taxpayer’s money is laughable when you look at the untold millions the current system has cost us. Overbuilding has left Florida’s economy in shambles. It is the major reason that property taxes have skyrocketed. It is the single biggest factor in uncounted environmental damage to Florida’s natural systems. Every study ever done shows that bad growth management costs citizens in money and quality of life.

I have been involved in the state’s once meaningful comprehensive planning program for 30 years, beginning with then Governor Bob Graham’s efforts to produce a new vision on how Florida could grow and prosper with due regard to livability and protection of unique areas that make our state uniquely beautiful.

During the intervening years the mad, insatiable desire of the development community has overwhelmed local concerns and produced a Florida that is uglier than it ever should have become. We have lost the promise of thoughtful development that create livable communities and substituted “pay for play” as the standard for development approval.

There are faults with Amendment #4, but with the evisceration of the Department of Community Affairs that once was the hallmark of sound decision making, I am at the stage where I believe that we need to take a chance. We need to send a message to our elected officials that communities have a right to control their destiny.

My vote for Amendment 4 represents my discontent if not disgust with the return to an era of uncaring, anything goes development without caring for local input or the impact on our remaining undeveloped land.

Nathaniel Reed

What Reed is saying is however imperfect he may think Amendment 4 is the lack of proper growth management makes be amendment's passage a must.

Amendment 4 Monster Ad

The latest Florida Hometown Democracy ad has a Halloween theme. The Dozer" ad is hard to top. The "Monster" ad is fun, but doesn't convey the gravity of how growth has gone unchecked in Florida.

New Florida Hometown Democracy Ad: Dozer

This gets my vote for second best ad of the Florida election season. Florida Hometown Democracy released an ad promoting Amendment 4. The image of a voter get run over by a developer's bulldozer is to the point and clever. Political ads are suppose to be simple and memorable. This ad fills that function. Ads by Kendrick Meek and Bill McCollum illustrate what haapens when a campaign tries to be too slick.

1,000 Friends of Florida Changes Amendment 4 Position

Good news for Florida Hometown Democracy: 1,000 Friends of Florida have changed their official position on Amendment 4 from against to neutral. 1,000 Friends of Florida still believes Amendment is problematic. The organization is also unsatisfied with how growth management is handled in Florida.

The not-for-profit 1,000 Friends of Florida "still believes that there are flaws with Amendment 4," board member Nathaniel Reed said. "However, we also recognize that the on-the-ground results of the existing growth management system are far from perfect and need major improvement. In the face of this dilemma, we understand how the debate over Amendment 4 may serve as a catalyst for change."

1,000 Friends of Florida is concerned that voters will not approve projects that are good for local communities. That is the risk with democracy. The exchange of giving people the power is that the people will sometimes make the wrong decisions. Richard Nixon was elected president twice and the republic still survived.

The official ballot summary.

Establishes that before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or amendment shall be subject to vote of the electors of the local government by referendum, following preparation by the local planning agency, consideration by the governing body and notice. Provides definitions.

This does not mean every new street light or stop sign must be voted on. Major development plans will be voted on by referendum. Wayne Garcia of Florida Hometown Democracy explained these referendums will be set during regular elections. No special elections will be made. I think that is mostly true. However, what happens when a zoning referendum comes up in an off election year. There will be cost incurred.

I say the price of horrible taxpaid zoning plans would be worse. The Hillsborough County Commission got rid of impact fees for parts of the county. Instead of developers paying for the cost of new roads that expense belongs to the taxpayer. The Commission passed this because developers pump campaign contributions into Commission races. Developers are against Amendment 4 because it would end this sweetheart deal.

Florida Hometown Democracy Interview

Florida Hometown Democracy founder Leslie Blackner and campaign’s communications director Wayne Garcia talk to WMNF about Amendment 4. The amendment will allow Florida voters to vote on land use changes. Garcia explains, if approved, the amendment will allow voters to decide on major projects. Voters will not have to go to the ballot to decide if a traffic light or a bus stop. You can listen to the interview on WMNF. Click the audio link at the top of the page.

Horrible Newspaper Endorsement For Thrasher

The Florida Times-Union endorsed John Thrasher for Florida Senate district 8. The newspaper cited Thrasher's work as a lobbyist as one of the editorial board's reasons for the endorsements.

He has the experience as a former speaker of the House and as a lobbyist to get things done. It makes no sense to send a political neophyte to Tallahassee in such an important post.

The fact that Thrasher is a lobbyist provides so many potential conflicts of interest. The fact that the Florida legislature refuses to bar members from serving as lobbyists says serious reform is needed. Thrasher worked as a lobbyist for developers against Florida Hometown Democracy. FHD placed Amendment 4 on the ballot.

Establishes that before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or amendment shall be subject to vote of the electors of the local government by referendum, following preparation by the local planning agency, consideration by the governing body and notice. Provides definitions.

Short answer: Land use plans must be approved by voters and government officials. FHD formed to stop the influence of developers on elected officials. Local citizens will have a chance to vote on referendum.

Thrasher is the Chairman of Save Our Constitution. Tampa Tribune political reporter William March cited a misleading letter Thrasher sent out against FHD.

“The special interests (many of them out-of-state) have much to gain from passing this Amendment,” the letter says. He says the amendment would allow them to “turn our beautiful state into a dumping ground for special interests.”

Thrasher’s letter says the amendment “turns all power over use of Florida’s lands to certain ‘electors,’ ” without explaining that “electors” is the legal term for registered voters.

“Guess who the ‘electors’ will be,” it says. “The special interests and their slick lawyers will rig the system to put our future in the hands of their cronies.”

Amendment 4 does exactly the opposite of what Thrasher claims. FHD cited Florida Division of Elections numbers of organizations donating to Save Our Constitution.

• Florida Transportation Builders: $50,000

• Florida Association of Realtors: $50,000

• Floridians for Conservative Values: $25,000

• Wal-Mart: $25,000

As a member of the Florida House of Representatives, Thrasher was publicly reprimanded on the House floor. As a member of the legislature, Thrasher was not allowed to lobby a state board. That didn't stop Thrasher from lobbying the Florida Board of Medicine on behave of the Florida Medical Association.

After Thrasher left the Florida House, he was not allow to lobby his colleagues for two years. Thrasher organized a luncheon for House members in 2001 and lobbied them on behave of his various clients. Thrasher was forced to pay a $500.00 fine for his violation.

The Florida Times-Union really should not have sold Thrasher's lobbying experience as an asset.

Florida Hometown Democracy News

Florida Hometown Democracy has placed Amendment 4 on the Florida ballot. The amendment summary is below.

Establishes that before a local government may adopt a new comprehensive land use plan, or amend a comprehensive land use plan, the proposed plan or amendment shall be subject to vote of the electors of the local government by referendum, following preparation by the local planning agency, consideration by the governing body and notice. Provides definitions.

Voters will have a say by vote on how local governments decide land use issues. Developers have successfully use their lobbying power to influence local elected officials to ignore environmental and smart-growth management.

Florida Hometown Democracy has hired Mitch Kates to be the campaign manager. FHD needs 60 percent of the voters to approve Amendment 4 to place it on the state constitution. Kates has represented progressive candidates and helped Kevin Beckner get elected to the Hillsborough County Commission.

FHD has also hired Wayne Garcia new communications director. That translates into Garcia will be communicated with traditional media and bloggers to help raise awareness on FHD. Garcia has also worked as a campaign consultant. Garcia has been all over the place politically. I am rather surprised he is working with FHD.

From the press release:

"Mitch and Wayne will help us bring our campaign to a higher level, adding new energy and expertise as they work alongside scores of volunteers to counter Big Development's lies and tell the truth about how Floridians can have their say," Lesley Blackner, president of Florida Hometown Democracy, the sponsor of Amendment 4 on the statewide ballot Nov. 2.

The horrible SB 360 is a prime example of how developers can write legislation and get politicians to support a bill that is against the interest of the people. SB 360 getting the Growth Management Act of 1985. The Republican legislators who cry about big government took power away from local governments to decide land use issues. The state can overrule local government by developing land they deem economoic development projects. SB 360 sponsor Sen. Mike Bennett said more houses needed to be built in Florida to turn the economy around. The problem was Florida was in a crushing mortgage crisis. Houses were not selling. Bennett and other members of the Florida legislature were looking for excuses to repay developers for their campaign contributions. Bennett and Rep. Ron Reagan run the PAC Citizens For Housing & Urban Growth. Construction and home builders have contributed over $33,000 to Bennett's campaigns.

The citizens of Florida need Amendment 4 to pass. The current Republican legislature attempted to approve offshore drilling before the Deep Horizon spill. They cannot be trusted to make sound decisions on growth management and environmental issues. Voters need to support Amendment 4 for the sake of Florida's future.

Florida Hometown Democracy on 2010 Ballot

Florida Hometown Democracy has pushed for a state amendment to allow voters to have greater say over land use issues. Gov. Charlie Crist signing SB 360 effectively repealed the Growth Management Act of 1985. Smart growth management is needed more than ever in Florida. Fortunately, the FHD amendment will be on the ballot in 2010.

Here is the press release.

WE’VE MADE IT!!
On Monday, June 22, 2009, the Florida Division of Elections certified Florida Hometown Democracy's proposed constitutional amendment for the November 2010 ballot as Amendment 4! This certification follows the Florida Supreme Court’s recent emergency order striking down the petition revocation scheme created by the Florida Legislature.

Florida Hometown Democracy submitted 711,168 valid petitions throughout the state to qualify for the ballot.

Blackner also wants to thank the many, many Floridians who have gotten this important reform to this threshold. “We all collected petitions, donated money, talked to our friends and family to make this happen. Now we have to make sure Hometown Democracy gets to where it needs to be: in the Florida Constitution.”

Blackner reminded Floridians to beware of the deceitful proposed amendment hiding under the name “Floridians for Smarter Growth.” "This ridiculous proposal pretends to give a vote on growth but the devil is in the details: voters get a referendum on a comprehensive plan change only if 10% of the voters go in person to the supervisor of elections office to sign a petition within 60 days of passage. It discriminates against many, many Floridians, including the home-bound and military deployed abroad, who are excluded by design from participating in any such petition process," she added.

ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FHD vice president Ross Burnaman told the Tallahassee Democrat Amendment 4 would only apply to long term growth plans.

"It does not apply to zoning, rezoning, variances, subdivision plats or building permits," Burnaman said. He said business interests opposed to the amendment were distorting its purpose and effect, by warning that it would destroy jobs and halt virtually all growth.

"They said that about the minimum-wage amendment, too," said Burnaman. "That’s a red herring."

Opponents of FHD attempted to smear the group by using fake strippers. The target was FHD supporter Joe Redner.

Florida Hometown Democracy News

Florida Hometown Democracy sent out an email to me. (How did I get on their list?) FHD has 595,000 petition signatures. 611,009 are needed to get on the ballot. If the FHD amendment become laws, registered voters will decide land use zoning issues. This horrifies the business community.


Thrasher sent out a misleading letter labeling FHD a special interest and the amendment putting land use decisions into the hands of "electors." The problem with current reviews of growth management and land use is that politicians make the final decisions. Citizen voices are drowned out. Florida's growth problems are increasing. The true electors solution is to create more growth and an infrastructure that can't support population increases.

Jim Johnson argues that FHD will kill the economy. What FHD will do is get citizens involved in growth management. Johnson provides no evidence to support his claims of FHD killing Florida's economy. This is the same blogger that claims tax-subsidized sports stadiums help the economy because professional athletes buy gas, in the area. This blog has cited several studies that sports stadiums do not help local economies. Johnson provides his economic strawmen arguments without data.

The Financial Impact Estimating Conference does financial estimates for the Florida Legislature. The FIEC sent this letter to (then) Attorney General Charlie Crist.

The direct impact of this amendment on local government expenditures cannot be determined precisely. Over each two year election cycle, local governments cumulatively will incur significant costs (millions of dollars statewide). Costs will vary depending upon the processes employed by cities and counties in obtaining approval for plan amendments. The direct impact on state government expenditures will be insignificant. There will be no direct impact on government revenues.

Pro-business groups are suddenly saying economic growth will disappear. From an economic standpoint, we don't know that since there has never been anything like FHD to use as a case study model. The problem with Florida's economy is it is a growth monster that needs new people moving into the state. The housing crisis proved how bad an idea is a strictly growth economy. Voters can decide what is good for growth, the economy and environment under the FHD amendment. That scares the hell out of the establishment.