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EAR Update
Last updated April 13, 2009
From the Alachua County Comp Planning Department:
The joint Board of County Commissioners/Local Planning Agency (Planning Commission) meetings on the Evaluation and Appraisal Report on the Comprehensive plan are now completed and we are moving into the public hearing stage of the EAR process. Staff is compiling the input received from the joint meetings to form the proposed list of recommendations for inclusion in the draft Evaluation and Appraisal Report document. The public hearing with the Local Planning Agency that was tentatively scheduled for April 22 to review the proposed recommendations and draft document is now planned for their May 20 regular meeting. More details and confirmation of this date will come in the next few weeks. As always, check our EAR Website for the most recent news and information related to the EAR process.
Community Health Element Update
Last updated April 2nd, 2009
WWG has some exciting news report with regard to our advocacy of a community health element to be included in the Alachua County Comprehensive Plan. After partnering with other community organizations, including WellFlorida Council, WWG is proud to report that the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners approved pursuing a stand-alone community health element. Additionally, WWG President Kendra Siler-Marsiglio presented justification for a community health element at the 4As Healthcare Committee meeting on February 19th and received an endorsement for the proposed element.
EAR Public Hearings
Last updated January 6th, 2009
WWG has been involved the past several months in the EAR process (see projects). Alachua County planning staff have announced a series of public workshops designed to get community feedback on a number of issues related to the Alachua Comprehensive Plan, specifically in the areas of: community facilities/services, economic development, agriculture/greenspace, land use/transportation, urban area/housing, and resource protection. Please see the WWG calendar for more information or download the schedule as a .pdf.
Women for Wise Growth Endorsements
Last updated Nov 1st, 2008
Earlier this month Women for Wise Growth held a well-attended forum at Oak Hammock. The forum helped inform the public and ourselves about issues surrounding the six amendments, the benefits and drawbacks of the three local referendums, and Tim Cunha's and Cliff Stearns' philosophies, platforms, and priorities regarding energy, the economy, scientific research, and healthcare as they run for District 6 in the United States Congress.
Based on the forum and our research, we arrived at the following recommendations:
1. Vote "yes" for AMENDMENT 1, AMENDMENT 3, AMENDMENT 4, AMENDMENT 6, and AMENDMENT 8.
2. Darken the "No" circle for AMENDMENT 2. Although AMENDMENT 2 concerns us for several reasons, we were struck by one in particular since it significantly affects a large demographic in Florida: amendment 2 can hurt seniors who reside together but choose not to remarry for financial reasons.
This point was brought to our attention at the forum by Senior Justice Ben F. Overton.
If you wish to learn about the amendments before voting, law students enrolled in the Constitutional Law Seminar in the Levin College of Law at the University of Florida prepared an informative and objective presentation under the supervision of Justice Overton. The presentation can be accessed at www.law.ufl.edu/pdf/2008_proposed_amendments.pdf.
3. Darken the "yes" circle for all three local referendum: Wild Spaces & Public Places, Alachua County School Funding Initiative, and Registration of Protected Public Places.
4. Vote for Tim Cunha for United States Congressional representative for District 6. Tim Cunha's extensive knowledge and expertise regarding issues of healthcare, scientific research, the economy, and energy, give us confidence that he will serve us well as we navigate through these uncertain economic times.
Vote Yes for the Wild Spaces and Public Places Referendum!
On November 4th, a referendum will be held during the general election to determine whether Alachua County Forever, Alachua County's land conservation program, will be extended for another two years. Women for Wise Growth supports the program's continuation and encourages Alachua County residents to vote yes to help conserve land and water resources. For more information, please read the Wild Spaces and Public Places Political Action Committee's website.
Alachua County Evaluation and Appraisal Report
Go to Alachua County's Evaluation and Appraisal Report website to get information about public meetings and how you can become involved in giving the County valuable feedback for how to manage future development. Also, keep your eyes and ears open for the City of Gainesville's Evaluation and Appraisal Report workshops in the upcoming year.
Vote Yes on Amendment 4!
Vote to help conserve Alachua County's natural resources by saying yes to Amendment 4. Need more information about Amendment 4? Check out Citizens for Conservation Land's website for more information.