How we lost local power thanks to the people we elected

One major theme of this excellent Panel Discussion held Dec. 10 in Venice, Florida, is how the people we elected to represent us have in fact been empowering developers.

We the People are far more helpless to protect our environment and our local vision of the land thanks to state reps who've transferred our legal powers to developers we no longer can constrain.




Panel Discussion Moderated by Suncoast Searchlight reporters Derek Gilliam and Josh Salman with panelists:

Tom Knight, Sarasota County Commissioner

John Meisel, West Villages Improvement District Board Member

Nick Pachota, Mayor of Venice

Susan Schoettle, Former Assistant Sarasota County Attorney

Jon Thaxton, Director of Policy & Advocacy, Gulf Coast Community Foundation

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