UPDATE ASPHALT PLANT
To Our over 3500 Friends and Neighbors who have signed in opposition of this dangerous location to our community!
Going against plain common sense, expert traffic engineering analysis, and dozens of viable, hard facts uncovered over months of work-- detailing the many, many issues with the County's codes and zoning practices as it pertains to the proposed asphalt plant, the Special Magistrate has agreed with the multiple, flawed decisions made by the Walton County Staff and Walton Board of County Commissioners (BCC).
The judge has agreed with the County Staff, and ruled restarting a 15+ year dormant asphalt plant, on a two lane road with no turn lanes, and 60 mph speed limit, for 60 to 80 or more 70,000 pound trucks a day, with wetlands on the property, draining to already impaired waterways, and within 1/2 mile of thousands of current and planned residences is a good idea. Or as 'they' will tell you, the County Staff, or your County Commissioners "what could we do, no matter how terrible a project is, if some developer can point to some part, any part of our very flawed codes, we have to vote for it, it’s what we do, what we have always done!"
So, the next step is the judge's ruling makes it to the BCC agenda at one of the next meetings, they will most likely put it on the Consent Agenda, which means no more chances for the public to have a say. Because as the Judge ruled, and the BCC has agreed, public comment really is just a lot of hearsay and is not to be considered in any County decision.
One more note, this is a health and safety travesty for thousands of residents and visitors. All five of your County Commissioners know this, yet they have done everything to assist this project moving forward and nothing to question it--- You can let them know hiding behind outdated, haphazard and chaotic zoning and now this magistrate ruling, knowing the public was denied standing to prevent FACTS...does not absolve them from their VOTE and their constituents will remember this at upcoming elections-if any of them are arrogant enough to run!
In on-going efforts, the Alliance has raised the issue all the way to the Florida Secretary for the Department of Transportation. To include notification of Florida State Senators. We have clearly and on the record detailed the flaws in the process and decision not to require turn lanes, and the associated liability for all the parties to the decision. So, it will be very easy for the legal team representing someone seriously injured or killed, not if, but when, the first serious accidents caused by their lack of rigor and due diligence occur. We are waiting for FDOT Secretary of Transportation feedback.
What is still in work/where you can get involved if desired?
Petition the BCC to move the item off the consent agenda and open the floor for public comment. It may not be information permissible in their new magistrate process, but you can let them know, they have completely and totally abdicated their duty as our elected public servants. And if they do have the political 'courage' to open the floor, show up and let them know what you think of their 'process'. It’s the least we can do for our elected officials!
What else can you do?
Be very, very cautious anytime you drive on deadly Hwy 20 in and around Freeport. Be on the lookout for 70,000 pounds, fully loaded with hot asphalt, speeding down the road at 60 (or more) miles per hour. As well as barreling thru our HWY 83A loop neighborhoods bringing in aggregate off barges to the site.
Get out and vote in the next local election. And don't forget our entire Freeport City Council and Mayor, who also washed their hands of any responsibility on this matter.
File your petition to run for Freeport City Council. Walton County Commissioner. Jump into the arena and work to bring common sense back to the government closest to us.
Take the County to Court. Others have done it, and the scorecard of late, is all in favor of the people.
Signed,
Protect the Emerald Coast Alliance