Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment (sign the petition)

[gulfcoastliberal]

My local paper had a viewpoint that informed me of this proposed state amendment that gives voters the final say to changes in their community's comprehensive land use plan. This would pry decisions away from corrupt county commissions and instead allow the public to decide. Unfortunately you must print out the petition and send it in, no online. But this is quite important if you don't want another enormous development paving over a field near you.

Here's their FAQ and the link: http://floridahometowndemocracy.com/

Q: Can I sign the petition on-line?

A: Sorry, but no. State law requires that you fill in the petition with a pen and mail it in to us at:

Florida Hometown Democracy, Inc.
P.O. Box 636
New Smyrna Beach, Florida 32170

If you are having trouble downloading the petition, please call us tollfree at: 866-779-5513 and we will mail petitions to you. Please note that state law now requires that we must get your petition to the supervisor of elections for processing within 30 days of the date you sign the petition. So please mail all petitions to us promptly.




Q: When does the petition drive end?

A: We must collect 611,000 verified petitions by January 31, 2008 to qualify for the November 2008 ballot. Please help us make the ballot by collecting petitions from registered Florida voters.




Q: What does the Florida Hometown Democracy petition say?

A: This amendment - if adopted - will give you, the Florida voter, the right to decide whether your city or county Comprehensive Land Use Plan should be changed. Currently, city councils and county commissions make those decisions




Q: Why is this amendment needed?

A: Currently, it's just too easy for wealthy developers to obtain comprehensive plan amendments - all they have to do is persuade a majority of a city or county commission to grant a change. Because comprehensive plan amendments determine the destiny of a community for generations to come, it is vital that changes to a comprehensive plan truly reflect the concerns of the voters. This will be accomplished through the Florida Hometown Democracy Amendment.




Q: What is a Comprehensive Plan?

A: Comprehensive Plans and the planning process were created by act of the Florida Legislature back in 1985. Known as the Growth Management Act (Chapter 163, Part II, Florida Statutes, The Local Government Comprehensive Planning and Land Development Regulation Act), it requires all local governments (i.e., all counties and municipalities) to adopt a Comprehensive Plan to guide their future growth and development.




Q: How does Florida's Hometown Democracy Amendment work?

A: Florida's Hometown Democracy Amendment simply replaces county or city commission votes to adopt or change a comprehensive plan with votes by the citizens. In other words, it lets the people vote. Here's how it works.

Each comprehensive plan amendment will be listed as a referendum election item and scheduled for the next regular election. By having the issue addressed at the same time as the general election releaves the need for a special election and doesn't increase the cost of doing so. No special elections will be necessary - so no special purpose funds would need to be expended. If a community so desires, a referendum could even be held by mail.

Florida's Hometown Democracy Amendment gives the keys of stability back to the voters, allowing the will of the people to lock or unlock changes to existing land use categories.

In summary, with the Florida Hometown Democracy amendment, the voters will decide if a proposed change will make their community a better place to live. If the majority vote yes, then the change happens. If the majority vote no, then the change doesn't happen. Its as simple as that.




Q: How can I learn more about my local comprehensive plan & what it means for my future?

A: Each City and County in Florida has a Comprehensive Plan. May we suggest that you begin by familiarlizing yourself with your own local government's comprehensive plan(s) - you many be surprised by what it says.

Some localities will post their comprehensive plan on their web site, or make them available to you by request, even emailing copy to you through the internet. Try contacting your local government's planing department or clerk's office by phone. Some governments make hard copies available to you at your local library. Either way, the Florida Sunshine laws guarantee that these plans are to be accessable to you.




The United States is the bastion of democracy.
It's time to bring democracy back to where it really matters -
to the places where we live.

The Florida Hometown Democracy amendment seeks to put the people back in charge of the places where they live.