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Letter from George Nuggent
As commissioner I'm
one who, to my knowledge, has never been correctly
accused of being pro-growth. During my campaign, over
three years ago, I expressed my concern about the
exploding population in the South Florida region and the
growing number of visitors visiting the Keys. I opposed
the unbridled vacation rental operations going on
throughout the Keys that were destroying the sanctity of
our neighborhoods. I support the tightly regulated plan
of the Rate Of Growth Ordinance, known as ROGO that
inhibits the amount of growth that can take place in
Monroe County.
However, as someone
who took an Oath of Office to defend both the State and
Federal Constitution, I am compelled to, by promise and
law, respect the Property Rights of
landowners.
Although the County
Commission approved unanimously the DRI for Hawk's Cay,
that was brought before the Commission by Mr. Singh - it
was challenged successfully by the Department of
Community Affairs. Those who argued against the DRI
prevailed, I respect that.
Then, the Dept. of
Community Affairs entered into a settlement agreement
with Mr. Singh/Hawk's Cay that, allowed for the transfer
of units (referred to as transferable development rights)
to the property. I would point out this was between the
State and Hawk's Cay.
I personally can
understand the concern residents have for additional
development on Hawk's Cay, I do also, however, to me,
this is a property rights issue.
The only thing I
found attractive about this project from the beginning
were the benefits to Duck Key i.e., new roads, off island
collection system for waste water, bike paths, street
lights, etc.
Because I have
several friends that live on Duck Key, when I heard of
this proposal, I invited Mr. Singh, John Wolfe, June
Helbling, Adam Mink to a meeting to discuss the benefits
of this project for Duck Key residents andto make sure
promises would be kept. I've never done anything "out of
the sunshine" concerning this project. I've tried to keep
my feet in the residents shoes all the way.
The arguments I've
heard about not needing wastewater treatment just don't
hold water, the State has mandated Monroe County will
provide Advanced Wastewater Treatment for everyone. The
most economical, and just about only, way to provide this
treatment is with a central collection system.The most
economical way to provide this treatment is to use an
existing, already sited system. I would shudder to think
how much controversy would come from trying to find a
site ON Duck Key for a collection system. And, in light
of the fact that we have $1.78 million dollars of federal
money and an already existing $2 million dollar system,
to throw into the pot to help reduce the cost, it just
seems to me that, this makes this proposal that much more
logical to do.
I'm truly convinced
that if the emotion of Mr. Singh's involvement be backed
out of the discussion - you would see that there are many
more benefits than drawbacks.
with kind regards,
I remain
Sincerely,
George R.
Neugent
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