In the reporting that this reporter and others for CL have done in covering Amendment 4 (a/k/a Florida Hometown Democracy), one thing has come through crystal clear. That is, despite the misgivings that citizens, and especially progressives, have about Florida's growth management laws as well as their anger at local county governments for their reluctance to stand up to developers, not everybody who you might think would support the measure actually does.
Which is why it's significant to report that one growth management organization – 1,000 Friends of Florida – is now reversing their previous opposition to the legislation, at least somewhat.
In a nuanced press release, the group's chairman, Nathanial Reed, says the group is no longer opposed to the measure, but is now neutral.
“The Board still believes that there are flaws with Amendment 4,” notes 1000 Friends of Florida Chairman Emeritus Nathaniel Reed. “However, we also recognize that the on-the-ground results of the existing growth management system are far from perfect and need major improvement,” he explains. “Amendment 4 may be the catalyst that is needed to promote positive change.”
This article appears in Sep 9-15, 2010.