Lawmakers are ignoring the line in the sand
Read the recently published Point, Point, Counterpoint article as published NWF Daily News >>
Quote from David Pleat:
Not a single local elected official, be it our local state representatives or senators, held a town hall or other public forum to tell our community about this historic and important decision to open up all federal waters off our coast as set forth in these resolutions, nor to seek the input of the population. It is a blatant move by our elected officials to ignore our local business, civic and government communities, as well as individual citizens.
Also, in late breaking news, the Florida Senate has filed a bill (SB 2622) last Friday which would allow oil drilling from the beach to the 10-mile mark with easements to the shore for transportation and pipelines and above ground oil rigs three miles from beach. A similar bill passed the House last year by overwhelming majority. If this bill passes the House and Senate and is signed by Gov. Christ, it becomes law July 2010, this summer.
This is a full frontal assault on the soul of Florida’s heritage, history, economy and natural environment.
Quote from Capt. John Fink
I wonder if we know what we have.
I have worked in the oil fields of Louisiana and Texas. They are a mess, as any Destin boatman who has worked out there will tell you. I don't think there is any way to make the operation clean. Production is the prime value there — and drives everything. People make mistakes. I went to California and stood on the beach at Santa Barbara where tar balls wash up in the sand.
I was the only one there. Nobody goes to that beach.
People ask me what Destin was like in 1967, and ask if I'm disappointed in all the changes that have taken place since then. All the condos and the like, they do not bother me. Because when I walk out to the water's edge and look south onto the sea, the view is the same as it ever was.
