The Readers: For Sale, One State, Everything Must Go

By far, the column that drew the most reader reaction this week was last Sunday's, headlined: "For sale: One state, everything must go." It was based on the approval of a big new airport for the Panhandle to spur development, and its enthusiastic reception by state and business leaders. I tied to local decision-making, including the Hillsborough County Commission's decision to weaken wetlands protection.

I know groups are pleased that the wetlands division wasn't eliminated, but I fear that it was severely 
weakened.  We will have to see.... My God.  Can't Crist and the legislature imagine the horror that orthwest Florida will become?  Have they no vision at all, or do they just foresee moving out of the state when the damage  is done? Keep on, please, lighting that candle in the darkness.  -- Katherine Wyly

Not long ago I had a conversation with one of Florida's largest developers. I mentioned to him that our neighborhood (in St. Petersburg) home owner's association was opposing one of his potential commercial developments. The parcel in question was open land on which it was proposed to build a large grocery store, smaller commercial units, and town homes. It was his response to my objections to the proposal that spoke volumes to me: "Well, something is going to go there!" ...What specific actions do you propose for individual citizens to take to stem this selling of Florida? -- R. Wayne Bowen, St. Petersburg

What specific suggestions? The flip answer is, "Stop electing the same kind of politicians." But that is easier said than done, since much of the money that gets candidates elected comes from pro-development interests. The system is kinda rigged in their favor. A more drastic approach, as I mentioned in the column, is the Hometown Democracy movement, which is seeking a constitutional amendment that would require direct voter approval of major growth decisions. This movement has REALLY got the development industry scared, which attracts me to its merits...

The St. Joe Company and their good ole boys have, in the past few years, changed a good part of the panhandle.  Traveling along US 98 you can see the so-called progress, from St. Marks thru Panama City.  It's very sad to see.  Alligator Point  and Cape San Blas with "starter mansions". St George Island is covered with condos and houses right up to the national wildlife preserve. I had reserved judgement before saying much about our new governor, even after all the "talk" about his environmental mandates.  He certainly is starting to show his spots with the naming of his new Fish and Wildlife commission and the Panama City Airport deal. -- Marsha and Bob Cochran

What, you weren't satisfied by the solar panels on top of the governor's mansion?

And lastly, this trenchant note:

Your column in Sunday's paper reminded me of the famous quote from John Dewey: "Government is the shadow cast by business over society." -- George (Bob) Shipman