Vote yes on Amendment 4

If you want the right to decide for yourself whether you are going to have to pony up more tax dollars out of your pocket for the increased millage rates that result from more huge development projects, vote "Yes" on Amendment No. 4 this fall.

Hometown Democracy is not (and has never been) against sensible growth that gives jobs. What it does do is give us the choice on whether to change the existing comprehensive plan. This only makes sense.

We are the ones who have to live with the bills for more schools, road repair, fire and police protection, etc. We have to drive in the increased traffic and sit stopped at more lights. Even if homes are vacant, the stoplights are not taken down.

Of course, it is no surprise that Bob Widmar would be all for letting him and others who sit on our planning board decide rather than us! They are unelected, but they are given plenty of power over our lives. I prefer to have that power myself; and I want the choice to approve, or disapprove, major development. He makes it sound like there will never be another chance to build all sorts of houses, if we don't approve a development right now! Please.

Realistically, how great have these decision makers been? Do you laugh or cry when you see the houses on the north side of Elgin being moved? Some recently built! How about the multimillion dollar unforeseen costs on the dredge project?

How good was the planning over the years, when we see that our county leads in job loss due to the fact we had way too many of our eggs in the building industry basket rather than to diversify jobs?

It disturbs me to no end that the deciders think they are so farsighted when they consistently fail in so many areas.

Hometown Democracy is about freedom of choice. I will be sure to vote yes for my freedom and yes on Amendment No. 4!

Jennifer Sullivan

Spring Hill