Linda Stewart’s did get one thing right in her answer to the Candidate Debate for District #4 Lake County Commissioner panel on Thursday night:
“Many people believe elected officials know everything and elected officials don’t.”
It is certainly true in your case, Linda.
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The Right Side of the Lake
Amendment 4
The proposed Florida Constitutional Amendment 4 “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 a vote of the electors of the local government by referendum, following preparation by the local planning agency, consideration by the governing body and notice.”
I have studied the consequences of Amendment 4 very carefully, and I encourage you to visit the Florida Department of State website and do the same. Comprehensive plans are to be valued and respected. A vast amount of citizen and business input goes into its formation.
Prior to 2006, the County heard around 12 text and map amendment requests a year. In 2006, a moratorium was placed on requests until our new comp plan could be adopted. Amendment 4 still allows for two request cycles a year, and if passed, two special elections will be held in addition to the normal public hearings giving all voters in Lake County an opportunity to vote for or against the land use change. I naturally have concerns about budgeting such an expense.
On the other hand, I am very concerned about OUR property rights. While we hear a lot about the property rights of the landowners that will request a change, what about our rights if that change is going to affect us, the citizens? What if that change affects our property values and our quality of life? I like the idea that Amendment 4 would put the control in the hands of the citizens whose lives would be affected by that change. I’ve seen what has happened to quality of life in other counties whose commissioners were heavily influenced by their special interest group contributors. Money often seems to speak louder than citizens’ welfare and quality of life.
I invite you to research this amendment yourself. It is very difficult to get an unbiased opinion on this. Many baseless and inaccurate claims are being made by people with agendas. Please do your homework and form your own opinion before you vote on this important issue.