WHERE WAS INFORMED DISCUSSION ON PLAN SEVEN50?

from Felicia Bruce

Letter to the Editor

St. Lucie News Tribune

Sunday, November 17, 2013

SHOOTING DOWN SEVEN50? Can reason, research be dismissed so easily?

Sharing the common goal of making the world better for our children is at the heart of progress. Yet at a St. Lucie County Commission special session one would have thought that it was only “us” vs. “them.”

The few who called for sharing a vision of a better county, for a collective approach to problem-solving, were ridiculed, mocked, interrupted and rudely received. Civil discourse was not the mood of the evening. And it was the 80th hour of such public commentary.

The controversy sparking this: a research document that required no vote.

The group standing up to be counted against compromise is a property rights association calling itself AC4PR.

Using buzz words to inspire fear, dozens of speakers claimed a global conspiracy inspired by socialists, communists and the United Nations. They offered conclusions derived from pseudo science and expressed their collective fear of a changing region.

Change may be inevitable, but it can be difficult, and cooperation can be a challenge for anyone but that makes partnering more compelling.

Expressing views in negative, judgmental terms, giving inaccurate evidence and making arguments emotionally makes for a suspect debate.

Add outrageous claims of global conspiracies; disparage all dissent, and it is only more difficult to find the common ground, do what is right for all who live here.

As presented, the Seven50 Plan was a stark contrast. It was competent, professional, statistical and all-inconclusive. Every constituency was represented. Every priority included: education, business, agriculture, recreation and leisure.

It would mean a regional perspective for protections for the quality of our air and water. It would be a comprehensive vision reflecting the uniqueness and preserving our quality of life.

If reason and research could prevail, the commissioners would have used this research document wisely. Instead, they voted to defeat reason and research.

HAS SOMEONE LOST INTEGRITY?

from Richard Silvestri

Much to my alarm the BOCC voted tonight.  Much to my extreme disappointment AC4PR won.  The Seven50 Plan was rejected.  The vote was 4/1 with Paula Lewis the only vote to keep it.  The question of having a vote was raised by Todd Mowery with Frannie Hutchinson making the motion seconded by Kim Johnson.  This action denied any chance to have REAL input.  All they ever saw and heard were from scores of AC4PR people talking their Koch Bros and Glenn Beck phantasms.   

Those with a more sane opinion were limited to past performance and tonight of about 25-30 minutes from me and 10 or 15 minutes since August from John Debus and tonight from  Evelyn WARFIELD who spoke once before, Jerry BUECHLER, Steve Melecki speaking a second time, Art Appisomian, Teresa Toulon.  Thanks to these people for coming again tonight and to Erika Alvarez, Felicia Bruce and friends Teresa brought tonight.  Erika has also been present several times.  If my stats are off or left anyone out, I apologize. 

What concerns me now very much is AC4PR will use this vote and the denial in IR CO to sway other counties to opt out.  Also they can now say four of five SLC Commissioners have voted that Global Warming is not real.  It also fuels Big Carbon's movement to squash Global Warming Theory (which is not a theory) advocacy.  There is no doubt AC4PR has counterparts throughout the country doing this same thing for Big Carbon.  Tonight's victory will give them all (Koch Bros, Tea Party, Heartland Inst., Cato Inst. but you get the point.) great strength.

Why should any of us mentioned here care?  Good question because it appears no one else does.

For the two Democrats on the Commission:  "Inconsistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adorned my philosophers, statesmen and divines." And this:  Christ said, "Tell a man 'Yes.' when you mean 'Yes.'; and tell a man 'No.' when you mean 'No.'"

Bob Crowder has more to say about integrity in his opinion letter in Today's Tribune.  AND HE IS A REPUBLICAN!

Earth Rights and Recovery Talk

from Greg Wilson

The Seven50 Plan and the SE FL Regional Climate Change Action Plan (RCAP) are serving as national models of how to address climate change impacts through sustainability planning on a regional scale.

 Jan Booher will be speaking at the Treasure Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, 21 SE Central Pkwy, Stuart, FL 34994,Monday night October 21st, 7:00 to 8:30.  Jan is knowledgeable about this plan and has been working with this group for over 2 years. There will also be music and a new song about the Indian River Lagoon by DockStreet Band.

Please come and hear the facts. It is time our leaders took a long term view in leading this region rather than the short term.