Destroying beauty
Wednesday’s Community Voices piece by G.G. Galloway was an attempt to defend the unbridled growth that is taking place in Ormond Beach. The News-Journal neglected to mention that he is on the Planning Board and part of the problem.
Our natural beauty and character are being destroyed because in 2009 the City Commission gutted our wetlands restrictions and tree ordinances, clearing the way for the destruction of wetlands and old-growth forests (both deterrents against flooding). The result is what we see everyday driving down Granada Boulevard: clear-cutting and the proliferation of strip malls. The commissioners are routinely approving rezoning and ignoring the public outcry.
Galloway states that our second-largest export has been our kids. Are they going to stay for jobs that chain gas stations and fast food restaurants provide? These businesses do not pay a living wage. Furthermore, look around. How many strip malls have 100 percent occupancy? How many of our young people are going to stay in a community that looks like every other community rather than the unique city they grew up in?
Change is inevitable, yes. But change does not have to mean destruction of wildlife habitats and gridlock. This is not a young vs. old issue. It is one of quality vs. quantity and runaway growth vs. intelligent, low impact growth.
Citizens will have the opportunity to challenge the City Commission in November. Words won’t change what is happening in our city. Votes for change will.
Pam Novy, Ormond Beach
A crowded future
G. G. Galloway’s recent article in your perspective column reminds me of the classic saying, “the fox is guarding the henhouse.”
Galloway, a successful commercial realtor and businessman, says that change is inevitable and necessary and that we should just embrace it. What’s prompting his comments is the current controversy in Ormond Beach regarding what many think is a too-rapid development of the area without enough forethought to the environment and the well being of our residents.
I just can’t imagine what the already heavy traffic on Granada Boulevard is going to be like when projects like Margaritaville kick in. Not enough is being done to improve the infrastructure to support these changes. Welcome to South Florida!
Stewart Liebelt, Ormond Beach
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Go with Scott
My mother gave me advice almost 50 years ago about voting: “Don’t pay attention to what politicians say, look at what politicians do. Vote accordingly!” We have a Senate race in our state where we can compare what candidates Sen. Bill Nelson and Rick Scott have done during their time in office.
Nelson voted against giving me a tax cut and making our country more competitive in the world. Nelson abstained from voting to prevent abortions after 20 weeks. Over 85 percent of babies survive after 26 weeks, and over 20 percent of babies survive after 22 weeks. Allowing abortion of babies up to full term (39 weeks) cannot be called birth control. How can Nelson “abstain” from a vote to stop this abomination? He seems to be blindly following the leadership of his party in the wrong direction!
Scott has encouraged job creation and growth during his time in office. Florida’s jobless rate in November 2010 was 10.8 percent, and today the jobless rate is 3.9 percent. Over 1.5 million new jobs were created in Florida since Scott became governor. My vehicle tag fees, license renewal fees, cell phone taxes and cable taxes have all gone down while Scott was governor.
Scott has worked to make my life and the lives of all Floridians better. I haven’t seen anything that Nelson has done to make my life better. I’m following Mom’s advice in November. I’ll vote for the person who has done something for me and my fellow Floridians: Rick Scott.
Ben Fitzpatrick, Ormond Beach