1492: The earth is round.
1543: The earth revolves around the sun.
1776: All men are created equal.
1860: Slaves must be emancipated.
1920: Women have the right to vote.
2010: Hometown Democracy.
Let’s make it happen! Only 110 days until Election Day! If you haven’t donated lately, please donate today. This is a once in a lifetime reform.
Amendment 4: Give Citizens Vote
July 13, 2010
Clarence Anthony's June 19 op-ed column "Amendment 4 Would Create Chaos" about Hometown Democracy Amendment 4 shows how scared big business and their politician friends are by the possibility that regular citizens might finally get some oversight on their cozy dealings. They will spend anything ($6 million so far) and say anything to try to deny us our right to vote.
With Amendment 4, we're simply saying: Give us citizens a seat at the table - a vote. If I have to pay taxes to extend the schools, police, fire, water, sewer and roads to all these new developments that politicians keep approving, I want to vote on it. Is a new development affordable to our community? We should get a vote before we're forced to pay.
Amendment 4 is just an add-on to the existing process. Here's how it would work: Local city or county commissions would study, hold public hearings and vote on proposed changes to the overall land-use plan (local comprehensive land-use plan) just like they do now. The new step is that once a commission approves a plan change, voters would get to approve or veto it at the next regularly scheduled election day. That's it. No special elections required.
Amendment 4 only applies to changes to the overall master growth plan. It doesn't require votes on minor changes like rezonings, variances or individual development approvals. In other words, you won't vote on every little thing.
This is a nonpartisan citizen's reform movement, and it will be on the statewide ballot this November. You can learn the facts by going to our website, www.floridahometowndemocracy.com.
ANDREW B. QUINN
Tea Parties for Amendment 4
