More on 4

Why to make sure you vote: Got this via email:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2JDsnb9yN0



And, from our local "Vote Yes on Amendment 4," this reminder:

Don't get mad, get Greg

In the middle of all the complacency and shyness about speaking up these days, we need people willing to speak up for the common good.

Take Greg Gimbert, for example. He got mad a few years ago, when he saw Daytona trying to ruin the town even farther than what it was already, and he got active in opposition to land-use changes that would allow massive increases in density.

Then, he fought for the Volusia Growth Management Commission to have some spine and say no to developers who want it to change its rules and give away any power it has to actually curb bad growth. That was successful, to date. Now, if only the Commission would actually do its job.

The latest — He, Ron Bynum and a bunch of friends took Amendment 4 matters into their own hands, and are urging voters to say yes to giving themselves some say in local land regulation.

The billboards are up. Here's my favorite, a good reason not to just trust our future to politicians:

Cool cat, Greg. Five purrs to you.

Caught in the act

Yes, Sandy's caught in the act!  This is at the Old Enterprise Festival last Saturday. Rog Lee plays in the background. He's in agreement, "Vote Yes on 4."

Cooler weather

It looks like Hurricane Paula will stay well to the south of us, brushing Cuba. And though we're back in the mid-80s, it's supposed to cool off a little, sunny, with a high around 81 and overnight lows in the upper 50s.

That means perfect weather for the Old Enterprise Festival 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, at Mariner's Cove Park in Enterprise. My roommate Molly will be there to judge the doggie -costume contest.

As for me, I'd be happy listening to Rog Lee and eating the good food, but I don't think I'll get to go.

How 'bout a kitty-costume contest next year? No, scratch that. Too undignified for us felines.

Running scared over Amendment 4

UPDATE 5 P.M. — If you're not sure how you want to vote on this, here's a factoid that may help, either way: THE VOTE NO people are listing the Florida Tea Parties as joining them in opposition to the amendment.

PREVIOUSLY REPORTED:

Miami Herald columnist and author Carl Hiaaseen has a column today called "Running scared over Amendment 4."

He said, "The same people who helped ignite the housing crash and mortgage meltdown are absolutely terrified of giving citizens actual control over growth in their own communities."

They're scared of the voters who are sick of corruption, bad planning, greed and elected officials who always cave in, "making a farce of land-use regulations."

Hmmmm. You'd think Hiaasen lives in Volusia, not in Dade County.

Meanwhile, the County Council is taking applications for two openings as its representatives on the Volusia Growth Management Commission.

Dwight Lewis has been reappointed, after taking some time off to run, unsuccessfully, for a seat on the council.