Gulf Oil Spill - Take Action

GULF OIL SPILL – TAKE ACTION NOW

Incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon and Senate President Mike Haridopolos have been the biggest proponents of offshore drilling in the legislature. The tragedy of the massive oil spill in the Gulf should be a wake-up call to both, that doing so would be a disaster for Florida’s environment and economy. Sign the open letter via Progress Florida to Rep. Cannon and Sen. Haridopolos demanding to know: will they still push for offshore drilling next legislative session?

LATEST ACTIONS
Help rescue Florida’s coastal birds, via Audubon of Florida.
Oil Spill Alert: Take Action for Manatees and Other Wildlife, via Save the Manatee Club.
Help protect marine wildlife from BP drilling disaster, via Gulf Restoration Network.
Stop offshore drilling, via Environment America.
Oil Spill Threatens Critical Nesting Habitat, via National Wildlife Foundation.
Enough is enough!, via Sierra Club.
Tell White House to Reverse Offshore Drilling Plans!, via Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.
Tell President Obama to Reinstate the Ban on Dangerous Offshore Drilling, via Defenders of Wildlife.
Gulf Spill Disaster - Stop Offshore Oil Drilling, via Center for Biological Diversity.
Help prevent another drilling disaster, via Defenders of Wildlife.
Tell officials: fight for Florida’s beaches, via Emerald Coastkeeper.
Save both coasts from offshore drilling, via Oceana.
Gulf oil spill – we told you so, via True Majority.
Obama must call a time out on Arctic drilling, via Earthjustice.
Protect the arctic from oil drilling, via The Wilderness Society.

ACTIONS OPPOSING OBAMA’S DRILLING PLAN
President Obama, Drilling Is Not the Answer, via Friends of the Earth.
Tell President Obama You Oppose Offshore Oil Drilling, via Endangered Species Coalition.
Don’t Sacrifice the Oceans in the Name of Climate Change, via Oceana.Demand that President Obama protect our oceans from oil drilling, via Center for Biological Diversity.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES OF NOTE
Hands Across The Sand website; their Twitter page is here.
Protect Florida’s Beaches, recently launched coalition website.
Protect Florida’s Beaches on Facebook.
Think, Baby, Think blog via Protect Florida’s Beaches.
Don’t Drill Florida website.
Don’t Drill Florida Facebook page.
Save Our Shores Florida website; their Twitter page is here.
Floridians Against Big Oil social network.
Save Our Shores Florida Facebook page.
Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition website.
Environment Florida offshore drilling page.
Southern Alliance for Clean Energy offshore drilling page.
Skytruth blog, an excellent source of info.
Not the Answer blog, courtesy Surfrider Foundation.
Eye-opening map of oil and gas leases and infrastructure in Gulf of Mexico, via MMS.
EnergyFLA.com, online hub of drilling proponents; their Twitter page is here.

Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"

Gov. Crist signs SB 360, shows his true colors are anything but "green"

Editorial cartoon by Jim Morin, Miami Herald

Crist signs controversial growth bill
By Jim Ash
Tallahassee Democrat
Gov. Charlie Crist, a U.S. Senate candidate who frequently crosses the state for high-profile bill signing ceremonies, took a far different approach Monday when he signed a controversial growth management bill vehemently opposed by environmental groups.

Crist signs bill loosening controls on growth
By Paul Quinlan
Palm Beach Post
Related editorial: The governor can't hide
Gov. Charlie Crist bucked environmental groups and local governments Monday by signing a bill that development interests say will discourage urban sprawl and jump-start Florida's stalled building industry.

Crist signs growth-management bill (includes audio)
By Mitch E. Perry
WMNF Community Radio Tampa
As we reported last night, without ceremony Gov. Charlie Crist has signed Senate Bill 360, also known as the Community Renewal Act, into law.

Critics decry growth bill
Staff Report
Daytona Beach News-Journal
Gov. Charlie Crist signed a growth management bill Monday supported by business and development interests but opposed by environmentalists and local governments.

Crist's environmental image takes a hit
By Beth Reinhard
Miami Herald
Gov. Charlie Crist waited until 5:05 p.m. tonight to quietly send out a press release saying he had signed a "growth management'' bill that environmentalists say will result in worsening sprawl.

Crist refuels the bulldozers
By Kenric Ward
TC Palm
Gov. Charlie Crist cleared the way for developers by signing Senate Bill 360. Watch out, Treasure Coast.

Governor Gridlock
Editorial
St. Petersburg Times
Gov. Charlie Crist just made it easier to pave over what's left of Florida.

Reckless rollback
Editorial
Florida Today
Brevard County residents, you've just been had. And you can thank Gov. Charlie Crist and Republicans in the state Legislature for guaranteeing that you'll get stuck with the bill for more urban sprawl and traffic gridlock when growth returns to Florida.

Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"

Plans For "Mahan Massacre" Withdrawn

See the exciting update below and thank you to everyone who signed our petition!


Plans For "Mahan Massacre" Withdrawn
WCTV News Tallahassee
October 27, 2008

Following a resounding recommendation against approval by The Florida Department of Community Affairs (DCA) the proposed ‘Mahan Massacre’ development has been withdrawn prior to a final vote scheduled tomorrow before the Leon County Commission.

The decision came in response to community-wide pressure to halt the project, including nearly 1,000 petition signatures from concerned area residents.

“This is a victory for Tallahassee and for everyone who cares about preserving the rural character and way of life in this area,” said Damien Filer, Political Director for Progress Florida.

A September 12th letter from DCA listed urban sprawl, site suitability, transportation impacts and energy-efficient land use patterns as reasons to reject the development.

Despite this defeat, the developer, Rockaway LLP, has said they plan to come back with a revised plan. Filer urged opponents of the “Mahan Massacre” to remain vigilant.

Background

Located at the intersection of Mahan drive and Wadesboro road, the proposed ‘Rockaway’ development has been called "the poster child for urban sprawl," by Tallahassee City Commissioner Debbie Lightsey.

The Tallahassee City Commission voted unanimously to oppose this massive new development located outside the Urban Services Area, and the Planning Department for the city and county said this level of development is out of compliance with our own comprehensive plan. The Leon County Water Resources Committee also recommended denial.

Despite this opposition, and the opposition of a dozen neighboring residents who waited for hours to testify against the development, the Leon County Commission voted 5-1 to move forward with amending Leon County's growth plan to accommodate the wishes of one politically connected and deep-pocketed developer. Commissioner Cliff Thaell was the only one who voted against it. (Commissioner Bob Rackleff was out of town but strongly opposes this development.)


RELATED NEWS
Rockaway proposal withdrawn before commission vote
By Bruce Ritchie
Tallahassee Democrat
The controversial proposed Rockaway development project will be withdrawn before a final Leon County Commission vote tonight, a project representative said Monday.

RESOURCES
Recommend reading: Green Empire: The St. Joe Company and the Remaking of Florida's Panhandle by Kathryn Ziewitz and June Wiaz.
Join the Progress Florida network if you are in Florida.
Support Hometown Democracy if you are in Florida.
Support Hold The Line if you are in the Miami-Dade area.



Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"

Nearly one thousand petitions delivered urging halt to Mahan Massacre

Thank you to everyone who signed the petition to stop this misguided proposal. In addition to the press coverage below, the story was covered by WTXL ABC News and Florida Public Radio.


Group delivers petition against Mahan Drive development
By Julian Pecquet
Tallahassee Democrat
August 28, 2008

Department of Community Affairs Secretary Tom Pelham on Thursday received a petition with close to 1,000 signatures opposing a proposed development on Mahan Drive.

Damien Filer, political director for the nonprofit Progress Florida, delivered the petition, which requests that the department oppose allowing up to 500 homes —10 times what’s currently allowed — on 509 acres of rural land at the corner of Mahan Drive and Wadesboro Road in eastern Leon County.

The Leon County Commission gave preliminary approval to the land-use change earlier this year despite staff’s recommendation to deny it. The state now gets the chance to weigh in before final approval on Oct. 28.

“We hope that (the state) will recognize what the Tallahassee and Leon County Planning Department found —that this is a bad idea,” Filer said. “We shouldn’t have massive amounts of development in places that are intended to be rural.”

Filer said about 930 had signed the petition as of earlier this week, with more people signing on every day.

After meeting with Pelham, Filer took the petition to the county courthouse to share it with commissioners.

Commissioner John Dailey said the commission welcomed the petition and could yet be swayed by residents’ concerns.

“We always take citizen input into account,” he said. “I look forward to seeing the petition.”


WCTV News coverage:




RELATED INFO
Support Hold The Line if you are in the Miami-Dade area.
Support Hometown Democracy if you are in Florida.
Recommend reading: Green Empire: The St. Joe Company and the Remaking of Florida's Panhandle by Kathryn Ziewitz and June Wiaz.



Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"

A victory for the Everglades....maybe

Today the Everglades are a little safer from poorly planned development.

Thousands of Floridians from around the state signed the Progress Florida/Hold The Line petition to Gov. Crist urging his Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to reject two developments, including a Lowe's big box retail center that threatened the Everglades. On Friday July 18th DCA did exactly that.

But our work isn't done. Lowe's, who still wants to cement urban sprawl to the edge of the Everglades, plans to fight this decision.

"We feel confident that the decision will be overturned,'' declared a Lowe's attorney in response to the DCA's decision.

There are 111 Lowe's stores in Florida but there's only one Everglades.

We need to send a message to Lowe's right now and tell them to protect the Everglades, not pave it.

We've made it very easy to send a message to Lowes CEO, simply click the picture below:

It seems like every day, some politically connected developer is proposing an unsustainable, poorly planned development somewhere in Florida. This time they're trying to expand westward into the increasingly vulnerable Everglades. Lowe's has 15 vacant acres inside the UDB, yet they are fighting to build outside the UDB on top of critically important wetlands at the edge of the Everglades.

This change in Miami-Dade's comprehensive plan was rejected by the DCA. That decision represents a major victory for the Everglades and for smart growth. However, it may be short lived if Lowe's has their way. That's where you come in.

We need to send a message to Lowe's right now and tell them to protect the Everglades, not pave it.

To send your message right now, simply click here.

The voice of Floridians made the difference in the DCA's decision, and it can make the difference again by putting pressure on Lowe's to drop their legal efforts that threaten the Everglades.

NOTE: You can listen to Florida Public Radio’s coverage of this issue by clicking here.

Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"

Leon County: Help stop the Mahan Massacre!

Tallahassee-area residents: CLICK THE PICTURE BELOW TO SIGN THE PETITION!



If you thought the Fallschase development on Mahan Drive was an abomination, wait until you see the newest plan another big developer has for this once picturesque, unique gateway into Tallahassee.

Known as the "Rockaway" project, this proposed development will allow up to 500 residential units in a rural area currently zoned for 50.

Making matters worse, the Leon County Commission has given preliminary approval to change the county's official blueprint for growth to allow it.

Please take a few seconds to sign a petition to Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Secretary Tom Pelham, urging him to oppose this change to Leon County's growth plan that only benefits one deep-pocketed developer. Then, please forward this Email to your family and friends. Follow this link to sign the petition:

http://progressflorida.org/page/s/mahanmassacre

If you're tired of more traffic, more pollution, more overcrowded schools and more taxpayer dollars needed to pay for the impacts of poorly planned growth, then take action today.

Located at the intersection of Mahan drive and Wadesboro road, the proposed "Rockaway" development has been called "the poster child for urban sprawl," by Tallahassee City Commissioner Debbie Lightsey.

The Tallahassee City Commission voted unanimously to oppose this massive new development located outside the Urban Services Area, and the Planning Department for the city and county said this level of development is out of compliance with our own comprehensive plan.

Despite this opposition, and the opposition of a dozen neighboring residents who waited for hours to testify against the development, the Leon County Commission voted 5-1 to move forward with amending Leon County's growth plan to accommodate the wishes of one politically connected and deep-pocketed developer. Commissioner Cliff Thaell was the only one who voted against it. (Commissioner Bob Rackleff was out of town but strongly opposes this reckless development.)

Because the proposed development by Rockaway LLP of Jacksonville is outside the city limit, the county commission's vote is the one that counts. Now, the state DCA will review the proposed change to Leon County's Comprehensive Plan and that's where you come in.

Please take a few seconds to sign a petition to DCA Secretary Tom Pelham, urging him to oppose this request to change Leon County's growth plan to benefit one deep-pocketed developer. Then, please forward this Email to your family and friends. Follow this link to sign the petition:

http://progressflorida.org/page/s/mahanmassacre

We have the power to change Florida when we work together. That's why Progress Florida exists -- to give progressive Floridians a stronger voice at the state and local level. Progress Florida offers busy folks fast, easy, and fun ways to make a difference and win progressive solutions for Florida. Learn more by visiting www.ProgressFlorida.org


Sincerely,

The Progress Florida Team

PS: We're powered entirely by grassroots energy, creativity and support. If you have any questions, please visit our site or reply to this email. To make a donation online, go to: http://progressflorida.org/contribute


Progress?


RELATED INFO
Support Hold The Line if you are in the Miami-Dade area.
Support Hometown Democracy if you are in Florida.
Recommend reading: Green Empire: The St. Joe Company and the Remaking of Florida's Panhandle by Kathryn Ziewitz and June Wiaz.



Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"

Please sign the Progress Florida Everglades petition!

Please take two minutes for the Everglades.




Pave what's left of the Everglades?

Dear Friend,

Governor Crist can stop this. But he needs to hear from us right now.

Nearly a century of draining, diking and digging have destroyed half of the historic Everglades. Now South Florida officials have just approved two new developments that will allow urban sprawl to continue its march right up to the edge of the Everglades. They're jeopardizing billions in federal funding for Everglades restoration.

The Everglades belong to all of us, not a few wealthy developers. Send a message to Governor Crist -- urge him to stand up to the developers and protect the Everglades. Click here to sign the petition:

We have the power to change Florida when we work together. And that's why Progress Florida exists -- to bring grassroots Floridians together and give us a stronger voice at the state and local level. Progress Florida offers busy folks fast, easy, and fun ways to make a difference. Stopping big developers from paving the Everglades is just one of our first online campaigns.

It seems like every day, some politically connected developer is proposing an unsustainable, poorly planned development somewhere in Florida. This time they're trying to move Miami-Dade County's Urban Development Boundary (UDB) so they can further expand their tentacles into the increasingly vulnerable Everglades. The Miami-Dade County Commission has approved the new developments despite objections from planning staff, a veto by Mayor Carlos Alvarez, and thousands of citizens and organizations mobilized by the "Hold the Line" coalition. Not only would eliminating the UDB impact the Everglades; it poses a serious threat to drinking water supplies; would cause further traffic problems; and pave wetlands critical for flood control.

This change in Miami-Dade's comprehensive plan must be stopped by Gov. Crist's Department of Community Affairs (DCA.) That's where you come in.

Please sign the petition to Gov. Crist urging him to stand up to deep-pocketed developers and protect the Everglades. Then, you'll be given the opportunity to ask your family and friends to help by forwarding this message to them.

To sign the petition, click on this link or copy and paste it into your browser: www.progressflorida.org/SaveTheGlades

Thank you,

The Progress Florida Team - Mark, Damien, Ray and Jon


Are you in Florida?
Click here to sign up with the Progress Florida network and start making a difference today.
Recommended reading: Crashing the Gate: Netroots, Grassroots, and the Rise of People-Powered Politics by Jerome Armstrong and Markos Moulitsas.
Disclosure: Some Progress Florida staff members are also founding members of Wildwood Preservation Society.

Wildwood Preservation Society is a non-profit 501(c)(4) project of the Advocacy Consortium for the Common Good. Click here to learn more.

"it's all connected"