One of the guidelines for Boca and Delray magazines is that we stay out of politics, and I take that to mean we remain nonpartisan. I don’t think it means that we can’t write the occasional blog about something we feel strongly about—and the Ag Reserve is one of my hot buttons.
Actually, I think it may be one of yours, too, as we all voted to preserve this acreage as agricultural land in 1999. Almost all of us. Our county commission is very close to scratching away at the mandate we gave them (they are suppose to work for us, right?) by making it a little easier for developers to assemble the land necessary for development.
Paulette Burdick, the lone commissioner who is trying to uphold the voters’ wishes, reached out to me as she says the Ag Reserve vote is now in the “11thhour.”
I am reprinting her letter in full here, and I hope you will pass it on. Go!
Here it is:
In 1998, the county commission adopted an Ag Reserve Master Plan. In March 1999, Palm Beach County overwhelmingly approved a $150 million bond issue – $50 million for the acquisition of conservation lands, water resource lands, and lands for open space, and $100 million for acquisition of agricultural lands to preserve farming in the Ag Reserve.
The citizens of PBC voted to limit the land use with the express goal of preventing overdevelopment, safeguarding our water supply and guaranteeing a source of fresh vegetables.
Tell our county commissioners they need to stick to the Master Plan and deny all requests that benefit a few landowners and developers at the expense of the interests of the public. It is critical that the promise made to taxpayers toPreserve Our Ag Reserve is kept. Unfortunately, we have to remind our commissioners that we, the tax paying public, do not want our prior commitment to the Ag Reserve modified because of the desires of a few landowners and developers. We do not want the continued Browardization of Palm Beach County.
Why Preserve Our Ag Reserve? The Ag Reserve is a unique piece of farmland:
- It is the #1 winter vegetable growing area east of the Mississippi, supplying our restaurants, and grocery stores.
- 2. Climate – the only productive farm land in the US that does not freeze.
- 3. Food security is a concern of everyone.
- 4. CROS Ministry’s gleaning project assists our Food Banks with feeding the hungry. If we lose Ag. Reserve land, we lose thousands of lbs. of food that go to the hungry.
Why Preserve Our Ag Reserve? Agriculture in PBC has a $2Billion economic impact and provides 12,000 jobs. The purpose of the Agricultural Reserve is to preserve agriculture by preventing sprawl and needless over-development. Farmers are free to sell their land, but they should not expect special government interventions that line their pockets while corrupting a vulnerable county resource.
There will be a Critical Meeting: Monday Oct 26th 9:30, 301 N. Olive Ave, WPB, County Commission chambers 6th Floor.
Your presence is meaningful to an elected official. When the public is present at a meeting, elected officials make better decisions. If you are unavailable to attend the meeting, their e-mail addresses are below. Please share your concern with friends and family on your Facebook page.
Let your voice be heard. The commissioners represent you and 5 of the 7 are campaigning for reelection or other elected offices.
