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| Better than most, as Florida goes - 1/16/2007
Our local politics have change dramatically in recent years. There is a local revolution going on and it is ugly for anyone paying close attention or with a vested interest in a business here. We have a very large, seasonal population, many living in condominiums, largely oblivious to local government, so you can live here happily and not care. The fight is over redevelopment. The City and local tourism interests believe their 50 year-old hotels deserve to be rebuilt to newer, contemporary standards to stay viable. The only way the math adds up for this to work is greater height. A large, if not majority of the locals firmly oppose height and have made unprecedented gains in taking over City Hall and bringing any redevelopment to a halt. Unfortunately, the alternative, as allowed by 1988 law, is more "big box" condominiums. There are strong, passionate, angry and hurtful views on both sides of the arguements. Someone is right and someone is wrong. Property values, taxes and quality of life are at stake. There are people here who will oppose change at any cost. They, and all the rest of us, may one day become victims of their unintended consequences. If you're thinking of moving here, do your homework to be certain none of this will impact you.[read more...]
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| Better than most, as Florida goes - 1/16/2007
On the beach we're both warmer and cooler than the mainland and, surprisingly, we're drier, too. I'm native to the area and am pretty tired of the heat and humidity, but I'm mindful that in January, there's no better place in America to be. Air conditioning is essential to survival here. You may use your heater seven days a year. Of course the wild card here is a hurricane, with "the season" technically lasting six months. This area has been missed year after year with no apparent reason...we're very fortunate. A hit here would be catastophic, and is the cause for real anxiety come late August. And property insurance? Good luck. So yes, we're paradise to many, and argueably so. But it comes at a cost.[read more...]
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