We do have a few local leaders who listen to the pubic and are not afraid to vote for what is right and wanted by their constituents. Monday, June 27, the Board of County Commissioners in Inverness was unanimous in telling Tallahassee and the Florida Department of Transportation that they wanted to remain a rural county and thus implying that the get-richer shenanigans of Thomas Peterffy, Bill Galvano and cronies would not work in Citrus County.
Throughout the several public meetings held where this road was discussed, local opposition was numerous and strong. Opponents came out repeatedly and vocally. Resistance was ably organized by Sierra Club, with Cris Costello and Michael McGrath, and several environmental groups, including OSFR, attended the meetings.
At Monday’s meeting, as a presage to what was coming, Commissioner Jeff Kannard made a remark after public comments ended, that he would oppose all four alternatives presented. Michael McGrath sums it up as follows: “They voted to oppose all four routes. Carnahan made the original motion, it was quickly seconded by Commissioner Davis, and then it was unanimously approved after some discussion in which they all agreed that the facts and input presented to them by the public made it clear that they should be opposed to all four of the routes.”
Bill White Mayor of Dunnellon Dan Hilliard Withlacoochee Aquatic Restoration
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
