Posted by
Rich on Sunday, February 10, 2008 8:22:33 AM
The Sarasota Herald-Tribune in its editorial, "
Hometown Democracy initiative"
laments that the petition drive to put the amendment on the Florida ballot
in November failed. We are happy it did because the initiative has nothing to do
with hometown democracy, rather it would restrict our flexibility to
adjust to local market conditions.
We have learned from our military experience that "no plan survives first contact with the enemy".
According
to Tom Pelham, Director of the Florida Department of Community Affairs,
"The problem is too many plan amendments. Although the Growth
Management Act originally provided that local plans could only be
amended twice a year, the Legislature subsequently created 32
exceptions to the twice-a-year limitation."
Tom that is not a
problem that is what we call democracy working. Our legislators
recognized that changes need to be made at the local level and
therefore approved exceptions. That is what we elect them to do.
We do, however, agree with Tom that the so called Hometown Democracy initiative is "draconian".
There is no problem with our plan. The problem is no plan can predict the future.
As
the Herald-Tribune admitted, "Cities and counties should be able to
amend their plans to respond to changing economic conditions,
demographics, consumer trends, community needs and other factors."
Comprehensive
plans cannot anticipate all of these changes nor should they. That is
what amendments to the plan, and other tools of local government such
as zoning changes, are for.
Sarasota County Commissioner Jon
Thaxton said: "It is the perception of ... voters that the current
long-range planning process is neither long-range nor reliable."
Jon we would say to those voters they are right and wrong. Plans can be long range but never will be reliable. Get used to it.
Market
demands should drive the comprehensive plan not government. Investors
will not invest if they do not have the ability to quickly meet the
demands of consumers. Government likewise should use every means
available to adjust quickly to meet consumers needs.
We trust
Commissioner Jon Thaxton and his fellow county commissioners to do what
is right with the tools they have. We should not take tools away from
them, like the ability to change the comprehensive plan. We have the
super majority now in place in the city and county. That is enough.
We believe the most effective, responsible and responsive government is government closest to the people.