Letter to the editor: Let Indian River commissioners know your view on urban boundary

November 23, 2005

We have a unique beautiful county, and a majority of the voters wants to preserve our environmental, historical and agricultural lands as proved by the recent $50 million bond issue passing by 67 percent.

The county commissioners were elected to represent them and not go against their wishes. Requiring a voter's referendum to move the urban service line would ensure this.

Our current commissioners campaigned to hold the urban service boundary. Growth and sprawl advocates with their seemingly unlimited funds and lobbying will eventually be able to get a 3-2 decision to move it west. Once the line is moved westward, it cannot be moved back, because that would be a "property taking."

The referendum will help control our growth in the county. If left to the voters, I am sure a majority does not want another Port St. Lucie west of county's urban service area. Please call 226-1490 or e-mail your commissioners to reconsider and support a referendum:

• Wesley Davis: wdavis@ircgov.com (against allowing the voters to decide).

• Tom Lowther: tlowther@ircgov.com (against allowing the voters to decide).

• Art Neuberger: neuberger@ircgov.com (against allowing the voters to decide).

• Sandra Bowden: sbowden@ircgov.com (for).

• Gary Wheeler: gwheeler@ircgov.com (for).

State representatives also must approve a referendum. So, people, if you want a voice in how we should live in our county, call your representatives in Tallahassee requesting their support for a referendum by the voters of Indian River County on whether or not to move the urban service line:

• Stan Mayfield: 778-5077.

• Ralph Poppell: (321) 383-3484.

Call today. If the public does not get behind this and take their power back as voters, our natural treasures including agriculture will be lost forever.

Richard Baker
president
Pelican Island Audubon Society