Letter: St. Johns River's future depends on community
Don Beattie
Publication Date: 02/27/08
Editor: If you are concerned about the future of the St. Johns River, here are a few facts you should know. A River Summit was held at World Golf Village on Jan. 25. Your elected representatives serving on the Regional Planning Council and other important people (decision makers?) were invited to attend. The large u-shaped head table had seats for 54. When the meeting started, 20 minutes late, only 16 of the seats were filled. One by St. Johns County Commissioner Tom Manuel and another by John Delaney, former Jacksonville mayor and long-time champion of the river. One hour after the meeting started, half the seats were still empty.
The 144 seats for the public were all filled, in fact it was standing-room-only along the walls. The public was there on time although there would be no opportunity to ask questions directly. (You could fill out a card and a few were selected for answers.)
Presentations were not very illuminating. The St. Johns River Water Management District is studying the impact of almost certain water withdrawal. Not exactly the objective of former Mayor Delaney who continues to propose that the river be restored to the condition in which it was found 200 years ago.
Many years ago I attended Brooklyn Dodgers baseball games. Fans and the media used an affectionate term when they referred to the team.
They were called "dem bums" whether they were good or bad players.
So what does the River Summit tell us? Not very many elected officials cared enough to be present. For the voters of the seven counties represented at the summit there is a recourse. Come November you can vote "dem bums," (in this case not a term of affection) who do not represent your interests, out of office. A very simple procedure.
Don Beattie
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