They say it's going to be a 10-story building. Right next to the Everglades. And, they act as if they're surprised that the "environmentalists" are outraged. Well, let's look at the map ...
It's just a little triangle of land. The Sun-Sentinel says it's 22 acres. It's not much, I suppose, but it's right there next to the Everglades. Next to a major canal. Next to a water conservation area. Next to an area that already has more traffic than they know what to do with. And, they want to build what?
I don't normally weigh in on these issues. I've known since I arrived here in 1974 that Florida belongs to the developers. But, this time is different. You see, I received an e-mail from Grant Campbell, an advocate for Audubon, early last week, right before Earth Day. When I read about the "re-zoning issue" related to this project coming before the Sunrise Commission, I thought other people in my inner circle would want to know about it. So, as I've done many times before, I forwarded it (blind copied, of course) to the commissioners I work for along with my boss and fellow workers and close friends and associates who care about these things. And, I used my "business" e-mail address, as I usually do. And, that, I thought, was the end of it.
A week later, on the day before the Sunrise hearing, I got a telephone call at my office from the developer's attorney, Dennis Mele. He was irate that I had sent this e-mail "around!" I told him I had shared it with my inner circle, including my employers. He said I had given Campbell's e-mail "credibility."
Whoa! Mule!
He said there weren't going to be any warehouses. He said this project had been "approved for 20 years." To which I responded, "Just because it's been approved for 20 years doesn't necessarily make it the right thing to do." And, he responded with an abrupt, "You need to do something!"
What the heck did he think I could do? I am nobody! I'm just the lowly "outreach" person. The one who visits schools and teaches little kids about the Everglades and how to keep our waterways clean. Anyway! I simply said, "I appreciate the call. I have to go now. Good-bye."
The next morning (Tuesday) was pretty dicey. My boss got phone calls from the commissioners in protest to my forwarding the message. (Now, remember, I had forwarded it to all six of them, too, as I've done with many other issues of note related to water management. But I suspect they didn't read it.) And, my boss requested a copy of my original e-mail message plus any responses I had received. Three responses, all from teachers. Oh! And, the December 2008 article in New Times titled "Everglades Land Grab." I had the information ready for him when he got to the office because I knew he'd be wanting it. And, then ... I waited.
The long and short of it is, my boss disagrees with the project, but realizes as I do that there's nothing we can do. He agreed that it had gotten people talking, which was a good thing. What wasn't good was that I'd sent it from my office e-mail address. Hence, the "credibility" that Mr. Mele had alluded to. And, therein lies the rub.
My name was on the message, NOT the commissioners. I could easily find another job doing something else, but I believe in what I do as an environmental educator! I don't like the idea of a 10-story anything being built right next to a water conservation area! I am genuinely concerned that it will open the door to further development in the Everglades! But, I am supposed to separate what I do professionally from who I am as a "private citizen." And, this is a concept I do not understand!
I'm writing this as a private citizen concerned about Florida's Everglades. I work for six elected officials who make decisions and set policy related to water management within our district boundaries. Those boundaries do NOT include the parcel in Sunrise. But, the Everglades belongs to all of us and as a teacher, I speak for the students and teachers I work with who care very much about this wonderful, magical, one-of-a-kind ecosystem!
As the Red Queen in Alice in Wonderland says: "Off with their heads!"
