Voters! by gimleteye

Dear Voters,

I've been reading blogs from Homestead (see link at right) and readers' views about upcoming municipal elections.

These lead to a single question: why isn't overdevelopment--especially in context of the collapse of the housing bubble-- the ONLY issue in municipal campaigns this fall? Not just Homestead, but everywhere in Florida?

The Sunday Herald touched on the competition in the City of Miami, between the incumbent Angel Gonzalez, a pro-growth ally of Mayor Diaz, and a young challenger, Mike Suarez. I don't know either. But I do know what the current city commission did because I drive by it every single day: condominiums soaring into emptiness and taxpayer hell. The distortion of civic values. Liar loans and mortgage fraud. It all starts with actions by local legislatures, so why not hold them accountable now?

In both cases, Homestead and the City of Miami, zoning and building permits were issued with next to no discussion about whether these helped or harmed the community at large.

Let's be clear: the collapse of the housing bubble is not an exercise without cause, like spontaneous generation. The bubble was spurred by the greed of Wall Street, by local bankers, builders and elected officials in their pockets. The collapse is dragging down the entire economy.

Who is responsible for turning the role of government from the purpose of the health, welfare and safety of people to the health, welfare and safety of people seeking zoning changes and building permits?

As result of your local elected officials beholden to special interests, there is a decade excess in inventory in condos and a multi-year excess of single family homes.

Amidst the economic uncertainty--that will hit home in 2008, count on it-- are you better off today, than you were before the current wrecking crew came into city hall?

The costs of additional services-- police, fire, roadways, water--all paid for by existing taxpayers. The costs to your quality of life, through traffic congestion, all imposed on you by zoning decisions of the people you voted into office.

The fraud and corruption that influences so much of the local and county commissioners' work: supported by your votes.

So when you have a chance to vote, why wouldn't you hold accountable your public officials or the interests they serve?

Sincerely,

Bewildered