Updated 8/26/2024
If you have not watched the Yellowstone TV series, spoiler alert. Seasons four and five offer up a very stark drama that is hitting really close to home in Manatee County when it comes to fighting off inappropriate development without all of the Hollywood gunfire and explosions. Florida is the 3rd largest populated state in the nation and has the 4th largest economy, and the money that has been pouring into our voting parties this election cycle has been staggering. Kevin Van Ostenbridge ran for the at large commissioner seat 7, and was backed by development companies, had over $200,000 in campaign funding. That $200,000 was not generous donations, those were investment dollars for more votes that would make more money for developers. Other seats around the state have gone into the millions for campaign primary donations, these numbers are scary and telling of our times and what is at stake.
One of the top money makers in Florida is tourism, it’s undeniable that our beaches, fishing, and amusement parks are some of the best in the world. “In 2015, the tourism industry contributed $51 Billion to the state GDP”. However, agriculture has been a constant in Florida’s economy well before tourism, famous for our oranges but, “also a major producer of watermelons, vegetables, hay, tobacco, cotton, and sugarcane. The agriculture industry in Florida employs 2 million people and contributes more than $104 billion to Florida’s economy every year.” Florida has a rare environment that is uniquely qualified to produce a wide variety of agriculture materials at times of the year when the rest of the United States is unable to grow crops in a conventional way. Florida has always been wealthy in land and beauty, but the majority of its population has always been blue collar and hardworking, that is until Florida started to receive a massive wave of new residents moving to the state in the 1970’s and the rate of new residents has not slowed since then. Florida has grown 50% in the last 20 years.
Only 14.1% of residents in Florida work in the agriculture industry, and this creates a huge divide when it comes to what the residents of the state think are important when it comes time to vote. We have many wealthy residents that have moved to our state full time or only stay here a few months out of the year. They are drawn here by the beautiful views, pristine waters, clean air, and spacious landscapes. Many new residents want great views from a restaurant, easy access to shopping, healthcare, and air conditioning. The new residents’ desires and the money they are willing to pay are changing the dynamics of Florida’s character and it’s reaching a breaking point. This shift is pushing Florida and its governing bodies into a trend of land exploitation, focusing on profitability over environmental conservation and protection.
The soul of our state is at hand, underhanded proposals to build out hotels and sporting facilities in our state parks to cater to the wealthy and vacationers is an example of the high dollar influence at the highest levels of office corrupting our states integrity. The impacts in Sarasota county and throughout the state regarding flooding in established communities that have never flooded are proof of reckless leadership. The reports on the Lake Manatee Damn condition and release is the testament that existing residents are taking a back seat to attracting new residents no matter the cost. True Floridian’s however, know the importance of conservation land to protect our waters, wildlife, air quality, and benefit protection against rain and storms.
The state is hanging at the edge of the cliff. The next few years of voting cycles decides what our state looks like in the next 80 years. Once land is developed it is never returned to its prior natural form. Look at the housing calamity in Detroit where even in 2022 there are still over 55,000 vacant houses. Nobody will assume the cost to demolish them and pay for clean up to make the land available to any type of garden or agriculture project. Once you develop land, it’s ecological capability is forever zero. New residents to the state don’t understand the impacts of allowing dense housing near rivers or along water fronts because they only see opportunities of a new condo, restaurant, and builders see financial gain. When that happens all Floridian’s lose. Every newly arrived Florida home owner wants their home to be the last one built.
It’s okay that everyone wants to be a part of Florida, take in its beauty and call this wonderful state home. It is the greed and corruption from the builders and investors that needs to be controlled. These are the people who see our precious Florida as something to exploit for money, and these high dollar companies often financially support commissioners and council members who have final say on whether rezoning is approved and how many houses can be placed on a lot. Go out and visit your State’s beautiful parks and go for a hike, even just for an hour. Go and visit Lake Manatee State Park or Myakka River State Park and see how big oak trees, pine trees, and maple trees should be, take in the abundance of wildlife. Understand that nature isn’t this thing that is supposed to happen somewhere off in the distance but rather it should be all around us all the time and we need to work around it and with it. This will not only be healthy for you to forest bathe, but also give you perspective on how nature should look, and how unhealthy the landscape is that is sprinkled through our town and roadways. Bahia grass and Crape myrtle trees are not what we should see along every roadside.
Photo credit: Crescent Bar G Cattle Services
Go make a difference, find our who your commissioners are, look up what’s happening on the agendas and show up to the meeting to speak! Post the agenda to your local community social media websites with a link to make a comment. This is not glamorous work, it’s long and requires effort. The scene is like season 5 of Yellowstone when John Dutton is being sworn in as governor, he takes a really long pause before he says “I do”. He doesn’t want the job, but he knows the only way for him to protect his family, way of life, and surrounding ranches is to do the hard thing. Fellow residents of Florida… it’s time to do the hard thing, rally the neighborhood, show up to the meetings, present facts on why some new building developments are great and other need to be adjusted and reworked. Make sure the commissioner who was elected to represent you knows how you feel and how their vote should be casted to represent your community. Be counted and ensure the open space, clean air, and clean water is there for your children to grow up in.
“Clara Brewer: I’ve never seen anything like it.
John Dutton: Well there isn’t anything like it.”
Make sure the Manatee county we have left retains character and ecological health for the next generation.
-Written by Janyel Taylor
The Veranda View 