Unlike the timid and intimidated commissioners in Marion County, the members of the Dunnellon City Council are not afraid to wield their power to control their destiny. They see the boondoggle that the FDOT is trying to foist off on our state and they are telling them they want none of it.
Where Marion spouted some big but empty talk and then just rolled over, the Dunnellon City Council showed real leadership. Indeed they have a voice and they have spoken loudly and clearly.
If all the local governments would have this type of backbone to represent their constituents, the DOT would just shut up and go away.
Read the original article here in the Ocala Star Banner.
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
Dunnellon City Council to state: We don’t want northern extension of the Florida Turnpike
DUNNELLON — The Dunnellon City Council on Monday unanimously approved a resolution objecting to the proposed northern extension of the Florida Turnpike.
During a special meeting held at City Hall, council members agreed that the resolution should be signed by Mayor Bill White and immediately presented to the County Commission, which on Tuesday is scheduled to debate and ultimately decide what stance it will take on this controversial matter.
A copy of the resolution also will be sent to Gov. Ron DeSantis, the secretary of the Florida of Department of Transportation, the FDOT project manager for Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, the president of the Florida Senate, the Florida speaker of the house, and other appropriate parties.
The meeting started at 9 a.m. and lasted an hour. Several people who came to the podium told the council that they were not in favor of the project, which features four proposed routes that would extend the turnpike north and west of its current northern terminus in Wildwood.
![These are the four new proposed routes for northern Florida Turnpike extension. North A and North B routes (red and blue) impact southwest Marion County more than Central and South (yellow and purple). Though these are the four proposed routes, the study areas is all of Marion, Levy, Sumter and Citrus counties (outlined in dark green). [FDOT map]](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/presto/2021/11/23/NOSB/f0da9dc6-0d9e-4d9b-8577-9b4c87fdb319-Screenshot_20211122-091934.png?width=300&height=303&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp "f0da9dc6 0d9e 4d9b 8577 9b4c87fdb319 Screenshot 20211122 091934 In: True Leadership Can Still Be Found In Dunnellon | Our Santa Fe River, Inc. (OSFR) | Protecting the Santa Fe River")
The speakers said state officials should have conducted an independent study on the proposed paths and more strongly considered expanding existing roads. They also said the project would destroy homes and the environment.
Michael McGrath, a representative from the Florida chapter of the Sierra Club and the No Roads to Ruin Coalition Steering Committee, applauded council members for holding Monday’s meeting and taking a strong stance against the proposed road.
McGrath said it’s clear that Dunnellon residents are overwhelmingly opposed to the four proposed paths, and he hope all the local governmental bodies whose communities will be affected by the roadway will unite in opposition.
City Council members Jan Cubbage, Louise Kenny, Valerie Hanchar, Anita Williams and the mayor all voted yes for the resolution.
White, in a presentation to the council and those in attendance, showed pictures of what could happen if the roadway comes near the area. He said it would leave a “scar” on the community for a considerable time, and traffic in the area would be severely impacted if the roadway is allowed to come close to Dunnellon.
Nearly two weeks ago, the five council members had directed staff to put together a resolution signaling their intent to fight the measure.
That meeting was attended by more than 100 people. They packed the auditorium.
Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.
