By Cyndi Stevenson
Voters expect a better debate than the long and disappointingly deceptive campaign attacks my opponent has been publishing.
Let’s look at the truth about my record on managing growth:
•I twice sought a moratorium on growth around the Interstate 95/County Road 210 interchange, forcing a plan to solve the traffic problems. I helped obtain state funding of the 9B extension to US 1, a huge traffic-reliever when built.
• I proposed that we require a supermajority of the commission before adding more growth in the Comprehensive Plan or allowing high-rise buildings on the coast.
• I voted to require developers to contribute more to roads and schools. My opponent’s "plan" for growth is to create a 99-home loophole that will simply fragment growth into chaotic smaller developments that will let developers out of providing infrastructure.
• Since 2005, I have advocated a St. Johns Rural Land Plan to help keep wildlife corridors and productive farmlands.
• I opposed Ashford Mills, Rivertown, Elkton and Mariposa—all major development proposals.
More details can be found at www.votecyndi.com.
Have I supported specific developments? Yes, when it was in the public interest. Silverleaf, for instance, agreed to build CR 2209 parallel to I-95. We urgently need to divert traffic from the I-95/210 interchange. Just as important, without 2209 to connect to, the state wouldn’t fund the 9B extension, our only hope for large-scale traffic relief.
We are putting solutions in place for roads, schools and parks. Meanwhile, growth has virtually stopped.
Real people are worried about their jobs, their investments and just how far our slumping economy could fall. We are doing something about it, with tax cuts and economic development.
The proposed water bottling plant would have used as much water as another housing development, but would have created 250 quality jobs. Does it make sense to want those jobs in another county—where the plant still would pump the same water out of our aquifer?
My opponent can attack me for not sharing his extreme views, but at a time of economic danger, someone has to try to be the voice of reason. My thanks to the voters for the opportunity to serve. I ask for your vote Aug. 26 so I can continue to work for you.
Republican Cyndi Stevenson is the incumbent District 1 county commissioner and is seeking reelection to a second term.
