Uncontrolled growth, along the Emerald Coast, must be stopped...

I spoke at a remarkable luncheon yesterday (Thursday, 5 July) with the Republican Women's Club.  It was remarkable for their generosity, a sense that these women are movers and "do-ers", and their unity of spirit.

They represent all that is good about politics at the action level, and I want to publicly thank them for their hospitality and the lift they gave The Freedom Committee.

There was a general consensus that the uncontrolled growth, along the Emerald Coast, must be stopped; I completely agree.  It is pure insanity to believe that anyone will want to come here if the present conditions persist. How could any sophisticated developer believe that they are not killing the "Golden Goose"?

I've broken the code.  The TDC brags about going from 6,000 to 13,000 rooms (it's closer to 14,000); then they whine about not making enough profit because of "more fingers in the pie". Their answer is always the same: spend more money; advertise more; bring in more people - at any cost; and when they come, the developers then build another 13,000 rooms and we start the dismal cycle over again. This is greed in it's purist form!

I drove around our fallen paradise today; it is an absolute crime that has happened here. It's time to throw all of the Rascals out!  Elections are just around the corner. Go to the archives; check the campaign promises. Is anyone in City or County government "preserving our way of life"? How many "Tax Stoppers" were there on the County Commission the night they doubled the bed tax? Are enough of us finally ready to do something about this debacle?

Say, "Amen!"

- by Gaylan King

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