We have been hearing for some time that a thousand new residents land in Florida every year. That seems a little hard to believe and to comprehend what that means for state and local infrastructure, environment and economy.
Yet Rob Wile had an article in the Miami Herald on 31 December 2020 saying Florida added 241,256 residents between July 2019 and July 2020 according to U. S. Census Bureau.
If this rate continues as it has, Florida will add nearly a million residents every four years. How can the state and local governments absorb this tide of people while growing infrastructure, protecting environment and expanding economy? Responsible people anticipate and get ahead of a problem rather than deny it. Jefferson County Commission’s no toll road resolution appears to have accepted the emotional reaction of constituents who deny reality and say not here.
People will continue to move here in ever greater numbers in the future. We and our government are obligated to prepare for a changing future, to protect our way of life and to control development because it will happen whether we get ahead of it or not.
Phil Calandra