If you ain't got the money, don't but the farm. Unless they hit the lotto, they're doomed.

1:25:04 a.m. on June 7, 2007
GUY BARBER | 06.07.07 - 1:30 am | # |Report as offensive

Public hearing on the annexation is tonight, 7:00 p.m. 21 S. Cypress St. Fellsmere.

7:02:47 a.m. on June 7, 2007
LEANNA TAYLOR | 06.07.07 - 7:07 am | # |Report as offensive

Water.

As agricultural land it stands that that 18,000 could be turned into about 3600 homes. After annexation it could be turned into 54,000 and upwards.
Where will the water come from? Directly from the aquifer, draing it even more? And at what expense?

Power.
FPL needs to build a new power plant. Thankfully the polluting coal plant they had planned near the Everglades was just turned down by the Florida Public Service Commission. So another type power plant will need to be built, no doubt more expensive. Guess who gets to pay for it? Us, existing customers.

7:03:33 a.m. on June 7, 2007
LEANNA TAYLOR | 06.07.07 - 7:08 am | # |Report as offensive

Jobs.

We know growth doesn't provide quality jobs. Setting aside some free land will not attract quality businesses. It takes lots of incentives which translates into tax money. Look at what we're offering to keep Piper- an established company. Look at what St. Lucie county had to offer Torrey Pines. Remember, whether it comes locally or from the State of Florida- it's still our money.

Pollution.

Think of the pollution 3600 homes spread or clumped on 18,000 acres would be versus 54,000 or more homes on 18,000 acres. Another 50,000 or more cars on our roads. Think of the Indian River Lagoon with it's sick dolphins. Can we fix it while continually adding to the problem?

7:04:12 a.m. on June 7, 2007
LEANNA TAYLOR | 06.07.07 - 7:09 am | # |Report as offensive

Crime.
The crime in Palm Bay is so bad that it regularly makes the Orlando news on tv.

Look at the news we see coming out of Port St. Lucie- grow houses, gangs with national ties, gangs like the Bloods, Crips, and Latin Kings, among other crimes.

Violent crime is up in major cities across the country. It's blamed on not only the increase in gangs and guns but lack of funds to "fight" it.

If growth is so good and pays for itself, then why are we short of funds for something as important as fighting crime and protecting us?

In about 14 years Sebastian has "grown" by about 12,000 people, so with that "increased tax base" why have our taxes gone up instead of down?

Why are the schools busting at the seams? Do you know how much it costs to build new schools and run them?

Their 4 laneing Sebastian Blvd. How much longer before it has to be 6 laned?

At a time when we seriously need to get our property and other taxes under control, is not a time to increase the burden on us by turning agricultural land into mega housing developments.

7:04:51 a.m. on June 7, 2007
LEANNA TAYLOR | 06.07.07 - 7:09 am | # |Report as offensive

"2. Two-thirds of Fellsmere voters want the right to vote on expanding the urban service area. Annexation would lead to such an expansion. It's obvious the majority of residents want controlled growth."


(I'm tempted to say "two-thirds of 18 voters?", but I won't!)

I couldn't find the precinct-by-precint results, but did two-thirds or Fellsmere voters REALLY vote for referendum, or did the editorial writer take liberties and extrapolate from the county-wide 71% vote?

9:08:50 a.m. on June 7, 2007
MARK MUCHER | 06.07.07 - 9:14 am | # |Report as offensive

Precinct numbers, Mark.

3:23:09 p.m. on June 7, 2007
LARRY REISMAN | 06.07.07 - 3:28 pm | # |Report as offensive

Plan on makin a killing on their property? Why else would anyone do something like this?

4:53:07 p.m. on June 7, 2007
KERRY COCHELL | 06.07.07 - 4:58 pm | # |Report as offensive

Kerry,
Fellsmere Joint Venture makes a killing now.
They get $8 million a year in farm subsidies.

Plus a reduced property tax.

Of course, they want more.

5:52:47 p.m. on June 7, 2007
LEANNA TAYLOR | 06.07.07 - 5:57 pm | # |Report as offensive

Larry,

Thanks for the clarification!

Sometimes I feel the opinion page does a better job researching things than the news... (Except the headline writer(s), of course!)

6:32:23 p.m. on June 7, 2007
MARK MUCHER | 06.07.07 - 6:37 pm | # |Report as offensive