• Trouble logging in? Send us a message with your username and/or email address for help.

Bill authorizing Drilling w/in 3 miles filed last night

New posts
SWGB said:
No, he's he mayor of Destin and understands that drilling would destroy Destin and its economy.
Click to expand...

He resigned as Mayor to run.

Yep, he gets it - which is why he is not suffering from the aforementioned affliction so common to politicos. :biggrin:
 
TreeFrog said:
I Emailed Gov. Crist, Sen. Gaetz, and Rep. Coley on Sunday night. Here's the (lighly edited) text of what I sent:



Dear Gov/Sen/Rep Crist/Gaetz/Coley,

My family are your constituents, residing in Santa Rosa Beach, Walton County. We strongly urge you to vote against SB 2622.

It is clear and unquestionable that the economy of the region you represent is heavily dependent on tourism and on investment in real estate and vacation homes.

In that light, it is reckless to risk the livelihoods and property values of your constituents by voting for a bill that will allow oil drilling within three miles of shore. Such a rig would be plainly visible from the beach.

Yes, I've read the text of the bill. I know there will be a publicized meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund before granting leases. Let's be realistic here. We both know that once the "cat is out of the bag", there's no stuffing it back in. And that the Board Meeting is highly unlikely to result in denial of a lease application, just because local citizens oppose.

The time to act is now. This bill is wrong for Walton and Okaloosa Counties, not to mention much of the rest of Florida.

Vote against SB2622.

TreeFrog's name and address in signature line




I got an auto-reply from Crist, the only response I've ever gotten to an EMail to the Gov's office.

No answer so far from Gaetz.

The following just arrived from Rep. Coley:



Thank you for expressing your concerns about oil drilling in Florida's Gulf of Mexico. I really appreciate the input. Last year the Florida House passed legislation that would authorize the governor and cabinet to accept a $5 million non-refundable application fee for a company to explore the oil drilling possibilities; it did not authorize drilling. As you expressed, the asset of the Gulf is one that cannot be compromised. Because energy independence is extremely important, I am diligently studying all facets of the issue. However, I cannot stress enough my commitment to protecting the military mission, the tourism industry, and the environment in the panhandle.
I have actively attempted to educate myself on this issue. I invited Representative Dean Cannon, last year's House sponsor, to the Panhandle to see how important the beaches are to our economy and to learn how important the military presence is to the entire region. We both learned a great deal. This is an emotional issue in District 7 because many of the inland counties support drilling. I want to assure you, however, that I have listened to the concerns of the people that would be most affected by the issues - those living on the coast- and will not support legislation that would harm our tourism base or our military presence.
Representing a district with nine counties requires that I listen to all constituents so no issue is a simple one. Please know that I am committed to be a strong voice for all of District 7.

Sincerely,

Marti Coley
Click to expand...

Look familiar? Its deja vu all over again:roll:

Dear 30A Skunkape,

Thank you for expressing your concerns about oil drilling in Florida'sGulf of Mexico. I really appreciate the input. Last year the FloridaHouse passed legislation that would authorize the governor and cabinetto accept a $5 million non-refundable application fee for a company toexplore the oil drilling possibilities; it did not authorize drilling.As you expressed, the asset of the Gulf is one that cannot becompromised. Because energy independence is extremely important, I amdiligently studying all facets of the issue. However, I cannot stressenough my commitment to protecting the military mission, the tourismindustry, and the environment in the panhandle. I have actively attempted to educate myself on this issue. I invitedRepresentative Dean Cannon, last year's House sponsor, to the Panhandleto see how important the beaches are to our economy and to learn howimportant the military presence is to the entire region. We bothlearned a great deal. This is an emotional issue in District 7 becausemany of the inland counties support drilling. I want to assure you,however, that I have listened to the concerns of the people that wouldbe most affected by the issues - those living on the coast- and will notsupport legislation that would harm our tourism base or our militarypresence. Representing a district with nine counties requires that I listen to allconstituents so no issue is a simple one. Please know that I amcommitted to be a strong voice for all of District 7. Sincerely, Marti Coley

:bang:
 
worldpeaceone said:
Ms. Coley voed FOR the bill 1219, it included one million application fees not five and it did not guarantee any florida jobs or protect military. Now, after voting for an historic bill last session she is wanting to study the issue while suggesting the district is for it. You cannot profess an interest in protecting our environment and economy and military while voting to put it all at risk. How many times does Col. McClintock at Eglin have to tell our elected officials it will affect his mission? They are just posturing and stalling for time till they vote yes again.
Click to expand...


That is correct Wp1!!
 
Skunky, I figured it was a boilerplate reply. My original EMail didn't say anything about "compromising the resource" of the Gulf. You'll note I didn't even bring up whether to drill or not, only the 3 mile limit, which wasn't referenced in the reply. I'm tempted to Email back and ask for a unequivocal clarification on her stance. "A stong voice" doesn't say "against", does it?
 
TreeFrog said:
Would it be safe to assume that the text of this was written by Florida Energy Associates, not by the good Senator's staff?

So was this passed?
Click to expand...

Says was introduced to Senate March 2 and sent to some committees. Says no vote history available so I'm assuming not voted on yet.
 
30A Skunkape said:
They are all cowards who have sold their souls to finance their perpetual campaigning. Take a stand. Grow a set. However you want to put it, anyone who has a vote on an issue that has such permanent repurcussions and will not tell you straight-up where they stand is behaving like a cockroach running for cover when the lights are flipped on.
Click to expand...

wonderful post skunky.

thanks to everyone for keeping us up to date on this issue. your letters are inspiring. it is making me sick but its just too important to sit back and let happen. I think we have an obligation to protect our little part of the planet - and not just for tourism dollars.

is our dependence on foreign oil so tragic that we absolutely must urgently drill on Florida coasts? why aren't we hearing more about this critical reason for drilling in Florida? I hope more is revealed about what is really going on between Big Oil and our so called representatives.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
New posts


Sign Up for SoWal Newsletter









Share this page




                               
Back
Top