| NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE ISSUE?
-
Gaylan's Corner! - Opinions, comments and Notes from the
field - by Gaylan King
-
BED TAX/CONFERENCE CENTER HISTORY OF EVENTS
- The Freedom Committee's goal is to repeal county ordinance 89-23 that has spawned the
Tourist Development Counsel (TDC) and bed tax (increase), and is also designed to fund the
proposed conference center. The TDC was created with this ordinance and therefore,
by law, will be disbanded with OR 89-23's repeal. In order to do this, a referendum must
come to a vote before the people.
There are four major areas on this website that are designed to do four
things:
1. Present the
FACTS supporting our case that
the Conference Center will be a financial burden to the taxpayers of Okaloosa County.
2. Provide a
HISTORY of the entire Bed Tax
increase/Conference Center and give an historical scope to the issue.
3. To present
OUR POINT OF
VIEW as an opponent of the Bed Tax Increase/Conference Center and it's
supporters.
4. To provide a
FORUM
in which others can share their point of view. |
This morning's NWFDN had a headline on the editorial
page that read: "Agencies don't go away on their own. And
regulations are more likely to be broadened by those who administer them than to be
removed when they cease to serve a useful purpose."
Gosh, for a fanciful moment I thought they were writing about the TDC! Oh,
well.
I've spent the last several days reviewing the larger picture, the Florida State
Statutes, particularly Chapter 161. It deals with growth along coastlines, barrier
islands, sand dunes, erosion, beach re-nourishment, etc. What I found was a well-intended,
logical body of law which, if followed, would have helped to maintain Florida's reputation
as a tropical paradise, with room to enjoy it!
However, when you look around the Emerald Coast, or what's left of it, you see
compelling evidence that these very state laws are routinely broken for the benefit of
those with enough influence (read money) to buy that service. Go ahead, give me another
good reason!
How many times has the "service level", the amount of traffic allowed
by law, been lowered on Highway 98. This actually allows more traffic, and some developer
can then "legally" squeeze in another subdivision.
You've probably seen the pictures
posted in one of my columns in Gaylan's Corner. I walked that beach this
afternoon (Tuesday, the 24th) and witnessed how the sea oats are clearly evident on both
sides of Silver Shells Condominiums, but have been completely removed - along with tons of
beach sand - in front of their buildings. Even if they swear they'll put it back,
they can't duplicate the network of roots that they've severed.
The law clearly states how important these systems of dunes are to preserving
the beach and repelling storm surges. I'm sure the Silver Shells people could
produce the proper permits that allow what they're doing, but therein lies the rub.
They've clearly been allowed an exception to the law, as written, along with many others
who "obtained" similar distortions of the law. We must put a stop to this
and to those officials who accommodate such trash!
This situation reminds me of an old John Prine song, where a child asks his
father:
"Daddy won't you take me back to Meullenburg County, Down
by the Green River where paradise lay."
"I'm sorry my son but there's no use in asking, Mr. Peabody's coal train done
hauled it away."
I believe that I saw Mr. Peabody's coal train at work on our beach, this
afternoon.
No "Cheers!" today,
Gaylan
