While traveling, I like to read the local newspapers. It helps put things in perspective. I came across this legal advertisement (hit to enlarge it) about Master Plan changes in Yankeetown, Florida. I don’t know much about Yankeetown but they have it right when it comes to Master Plan changes; yes, the people get to vote. At least they vote on amendments that are “remedial”, which seem to be text changes rather than specific projects. Text changes are important because they set future policy. Text changes may seem boring but the impact can be great. For example, changing a road classification from rural to urban or minor to major can change that sleepy, rural, 2 lane road in front of your house into a 6 lane highway. Text changes need to be scrutinized as carefully as more obvious ones, like moving the UDB.Florida Hometown Democracy advocates that everyone in Florida should have the right to vote on Master Plan changes in their neighborhoods. Don’t laugh at Yankeetown, they are way ahead of Miami-Dade in practicing democracy. Congratulations Yankeetown, you have something many of us are denied.
4 comments:
Remedial amendments are required when the state determines that a local comprehensive plan is "not in compliance." So, little Yankeetown is fixing a technically illegal comprehensive plan here. Just like evil Miami-Dade County, Yankeetown is acting contrary to state law! Call Michael Pizzi now!
By the way, their population is 629, yes 629.
Miami-Dade AND Broward County need fixing. We need citizen participation in planning our cities and not get the beach-lined- with-empty- UNSALEABLE Monsters that are better called SKELETONS. They sit their and laugh at their greed ridden builders.
Yup, lots of changes are in store for little Yankeetown, and Inglis, as the Levy county commission just changed zoning on a portion of the Goethe Forest to accomodate Progress Energy's two new nuclear power plants and all the associated construction. They may soon be sandwiched between two nuclear plants - Crystal River is just a few miles south. Ah amenities!
I just have to say, I live here, and this town is a piece of crap. The Mayor just illegally kept herself in office two more years, when there should have been candidates to replace her. The election two days ago was fixed and folks who live here were denied their right to vote. The government here in this little town of 400 is corrupt and most folks don't care, because they are here to hide out, do drugs or just screw around and live off the state. There is only one store, two restaurants and absolutely no retail stores. The town council, who are a bunch of thieving assholes, don't want any development to happen. As far as the citizens being allowed to vote on things...the council doesn't advertise meetings where a vote is going to be taken, so no one shows up to the meeting, they vote how they want and then the citizens can't do shit about it. It's not as cool as you think it is...it's a joke.
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