The American Dream

Imagine owning a private jet, allowing you to travel with your family anywhere at a moment's notice. Envision vacationing in stunning locales across the world's most exotic destinations. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have residences in various locations to bask in ideal climates? Drive your dream car and enjoy freedom from financial worries. Now, think about how you would sustain such a lifestyle. What would be your main priorities? If your business involved land development, you would be forced to choose between environmental concerns and profits.

Most development is undertaken by out-of-state interests who lack an understanding of South Florida's complex ecosystem. When faced with environmental issues and pesky preservationists, what is the first action developers take? They hire attorneys and engineers to identify and exploit potential obstacles and loopholes, enabling them to navigate the permitting process with ease. This creates a us-versus-them scenario, where the focus shifts to achieving a goal rather than addressing the moral obligation of conservation.

We live here, making us the stewards of this land. We cannot depend on those who don’t understand our plight or believe that the government knows best and will act correctly. It is up to us to fight against the sacrifice of nature for monetary gain. Environmentally sensitive land cannot be protected while being trampled upon. It is our duty to defend our natural heritage. Our health, happiness, and well-being depend on clean, pollution-free water.

Smart and responsible growth requires a plan, strong officials to enforce it, and a diligent community to hold them accountable. It’s time we say no to those who come here to take advantage of us. Those who seek to line their pockets and plunder our natural resources will not stop maximizing the profit potential of every acre of land. Have you seen the price of jet fuel lately?