Port Charlotte May Not be Poor for Long
It was
pointed out recently that Charlotte County lies between the
two richest and fastest growing counties in Florida: Collier, one
county removed to the south. and Sarasota, our immediate neighbor to
the north. It is
understood that someone, sometime, will get off
the interstate while zipping between the
two hot spots to see what's in the middle.
Even
the big-time Tarpon fishermen flying in to the Charlotte County
Airport will take a second
look at State Road 776 as they slow down to read the new signs
welcoming A: The Cleveland Indians. ' B:
Manchester United, or C: well, probably not
much else would slow them down en route to the waiting Silver King,
unless they are startled
by the construction that may be the new dream business and social
center of Charlotte County.
Those
who own commercial property elsewhere obviously oppose the new growth
patterns focusing on the area the county
plans on acquiring. Many current residential property owners
in the affected area also oppose the plan.
Even the interpretation of "property seizure by eminent domain"
statutes may cause a disruption in the county's proposed financing.
The proposed new center faces challenges just 01.0;
all major growth projects.
It was
also pointed out that the anti-growth people still have considerable
leverage in Charlotte County, regardless of the hidden agendas that
only surface after the start of construction or the passage of
favorable laws. One thing
is certain: Charlotte County will grow, regardless of the skills of
planners or the vision of developers. In
20 years Port Charlotte will he
as different as it was 20 years ago.
How it
grows in comparison to Collier and Sarasota counties is obvious:
climate and water will always bring the seasonal resident or the
retirees who need a service support economy, while quality of life.
which includes schools. employment and health. will bring the
permanent wage-earning residents and their families.
Focusing
on real issues of fiscal responsibilities and duties to the future of
the community. rather than creating
governmental empires or responding to financial or "political"
pressure is always a difficult realization for any governmental body
created of lay people. empowered by popular
vote. Professional government employees, whether known as bureaucrats
or not, are the mainstay of any government, on the federal, state and
county levels. Through experience and education. they are the
implementers, the approvers, the doers of
government.
They
know the boundaries of regulation. They are the dream makers or dream
killers. They are the people at the heart of the
decision-making process who research and
analyze data, prepare and submit
reports and surveys that arc used by the decision makers. They may
report to the elected officials and are required to follow whatever
rules and regulations
are dictated to them, but the interpretation and implementation of
those rules are the reality of government. They are the true builders
of tomorrow.
Let 's hope they do a
good job because Po' Charlotte won't be poor long.
George
Mindling ©
2003
