lu·di·crous
Gov. DeSantis must veto S.B. 180 and stop this so-called "Alligator Alcatraz."
One thing I've learned during my seven months as an elected official is pressure works.
Case in point: Earlier this month a decision to continue our Freebee ridesharing program was raised on a Tuesday. After some debate, the yes or no decision was tabled until Thursday. During the 48 hours between Tuesday's decision and Thursday's vote, council members were deluged with hundreds of emails, calls, and texts from citizens demanding we keep Freebee.
The result of this pressure? While I cannot be certain we had enough votes to continue Freebee on Tuesday, we certainly did on Thursday — it passed on a 5-0 vote.
Now we need to apply pressure on Tallahassee to stop two measures which are absolutely "ludicrous."
We ran on guarding against overdevelopment and protecting our water. So, Senate Bill 180 which adds 900 new developments throughout the Keys and Attorney General James Uthmeier's proposal to build a prison in The Everglades must be stopped!
‘When’s it going to stop?’ Bill could open Florida Keys to new development — Miami Herald
… Senate Bill 180, which primarily focuses on hurricane recovery and emergency response, would also allow up to 900 new developments over the next 10 years in the Florida Keysthrough a small change in the mandatory evacuation window for Monroe County, pushing it just a half hour back from 24 hours to 24.5 hours…
… Steve Friedman, an Islamorada commissioner, called the concept of adding this much new development “ludicrous.” “None of the residents that live here, unless you own property, really want this. Nobody wants more development,” he said. “When’s it going to stop? It was supposed to stop in 2023. We have to draw the line in the sand somewhere”...
Florida Attorney General proposes "Alligator Alcatraz" as immigration detention site in Everglades — CBS Miami
... Many are rejecting the idea, citing environmental concerns — including Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades, Eve Samples.
"This site is really important to Friends of the Everglades. It's actually the reason Friends of the Everglades was founded by Marjory Stoneman Douglas in 1969, to stop what would have been the world's largest airport from being built right there," said Samples.
"We call on the governor to put a stop to this proposal right now. It's a terribly bad idea..."
We need 5 minutes of your time to guard against overdevelopment and protect our waters:
Thank you for helping us apply pressure against these ludicrous proposals!
Stay vigilant,
Councilman Steve Friedman
#NowOrNeverglades
PS — Important meeting tomorrow — Founders Park Draft Master Plan Workshop and discussion regarding the park's baseball field — Tuesday, June 24, 5:30pm, Founders Park Community Center.
More details here via Monroe County School Board member Sue Woltanski.
Islamorada news.
Freebee wins!
I was honored to make the successful motion to continue Freebee — what we like to call a workforce transportation program. — Steve
Proud to have led the effort to pass this critical measure!
Complaints lodged against Village Council members, charter officers have a set procedure — Keys Weekly
“… The addition came after councilman Steve Friedman during a March meeting requested the council to direct the village attorney to come back with proposed personnel policies and procedures to address and resolve any future staff complaints against the manager, attorney or member of council…
“… Friedman said the goal is to avoid the previous process involving then-manager Rob Cole, which resulted in complaints presented to the village council for action without any investigation or recommendation made to council members regarding such complaints. On Jan. 7, the council voted 4-1 on a severance-for-resignation agreement with Cole…"
Not just a swamp: Everglades worth $31.5 billion to local economy each year, study finds — Miami Herald
Behind the scenes with Everglades Executive Director Eve Samples
... Great day on the water talking about the importance of sending fresh water south through The Everglades into the Florida Bay...
Happy birthday to my dad!
Thanks for being THE example of what it means to be a great father, partner, grandfather, fishing buddy, advisor, friend and so much more. — Steve
You are the change. Keep doing what you’re doing Steve.