How Deep is a Hole?

Sitting in traffic these days gives you a lot of time to think. I was trying to turn North onto US1 from Kanner, and after the third light cycle, I started questioning some of the things being told about development. A recent study showed that Kanner Highway is currently at 33% capacity. Those numbers come from the local traffic engineering firm and are regurgitated through the city and county commissions. The traffic engineering firm is paid to develop numbers that allow for further development. If the engineering firm’s traffic study contradicted the development needs, they wouldn't get paid and would be out of business. So, there is an incentive to produce a favorable outcome. The same goes for environmental studies.

How do they come up with their numbers? If we are at 33% now, what does 100% look like? Is it perpetual gridlock? Will the roads collapse and break apart? Or is it like the national debt ceiling: when we reach it, we raise the number? How would they quantify such a number? Is it an average from the entire day or just peak times? Does it include portions of the roadway out in the middle of nowhere? What is the determining factor in concluding such a formula? It seems as arbitrary and ambiguous as the question, how deep is a hole?

Florida has long been a stronghold of independence and freedom. Because of its unique landscape and diverse environment, growth and development have differed from other states. Most Florida communities have long fought to balance growth with preserving nature. Florida’s free spirit and the love of its natural beauty have kept it a special place to call home. We endure intense weather and annoying critters. Sometimes, it is not easy to immerse yourself in Florida life. One makes an inevitable sacrifice to survive and thrive in Martin County. We have limited culture and access to entertainment. Things erode and deteriorate quicker here. Mildew and corrosion are an everyday part of life. Bug bites and sunburn are things you get used to. Despite these pitfalls, there is a bright side to this lifestyle. We choose to overcome these hazards to earn a place here. It is why people are suspicious of newcomers unfamiliar with our way of life. There is an instinct to protect this delicate wonder because we have learned to understand its fragility over time. It is anguishing to witness the demise of something you love. The concurrent cost of development is bankrupting the environment. The devastating number of trees that have been cut down this year alone should be cause for alarm. Displaced wildlife is having a disastrous impact on the entire ecosystem. Yet, some do not see the problem. Some only see progress and betterment. They will condemn and criticize anyone who speaks out about this devastation. It is a travesty that there are sides to this debate. There should be only one thought and one solution: controlled growth and a plan that addresses critical environmental concerns. There is a necessity for both, and we’d better figure it out sooner than later.

Would-be residents and vacationers are taking precedence over everything. Economic decisions now supersede pertinent responsibilities. The pressure to satisfy this demand for living space in our already overcrowded town is causing a shift in priorities. It seems that the result of this cannot be undone.

Our elected officials are supposed to defend the well-being of our state. They are supposed to keep developers in check. They are to maintain balance, protect our way of life, and preserve the environment. Engineers and consultants have a responsibility to be unbiased in their reporting.

Newly signed legislation is stripping Florida communities of their independence and being imposed by the one politician who boasts freedom above all else. Our beloved governor has taken his tenacious fight against radical ideology and is now setting an authoritative command over all of Florida with the same vigor. The economic benefit of development is bolstering his record and funding his reign. He is betraying Florida citizens. Everyone is selling us out for their thirty pieces of Silver.