‘Proof is in the pudding’
To the editor,
The July 6, 2011 guest commentary, written by Larry Schopp of COTI, states the citizens of Sanibel have made “a movement to the center.”
The stated reason for Mr. Schopp’s article was the council’s recent approval of a redevelopment plan for the Resort Housing District. He explained that rather than insist on a rigid standard, the City Council — following the Planning Commission’s recommendation — passed, acceptable to all parties, a reasonable plan.
I hope Mr. Schopp’s observation, which all of us can embrace, is an indication that COTI’s past anti-development position is changing and they are moving to the center.
However, the “proof is in the pudding.”
I await their positionin future elections. If they continue their past mantra, i.e. if our endorsed candidates are not elected, there will be high rises on the beaches, a Dairy Queen on every corner, and goodness knows what color of roofs we might encounter. Time will tell!
If we do have a real move to the center, restrictions on property rights will be determined by the council, making their decisions on the facts before them, and not be biased by the most vocal group who appear before them.
Despite my misgivings, Mr. Schopp’s commentary is certainly a step forward that we should welcome. Our goals are the same — Sanibel is unique and we all want to preserve it.
Dale E. Armstrong
Sanibel and Columbus, Ohio