I have degrees in Math and Quantitative Analysis but what qualifies me to comment on ARI’s presentation is my work experience for multiple technical companies where I saw thousands of four color slide presentations all having an agenda. This experience is a PhD in Presentations.
There is no doubt ARI chairman made a political statement in opposition of the Toll Road when questioned at the end of the presentation. The audio of the BOCC meeting can prove it.
The ARI board signed article is an artful mix of fact and misleading commentary. The writer must have a PhD in Spinology. Let’s review each point:
• Agree; ARI is a fine organization that does excellent work as I noted in my March 18 letter to the editor. See their website.
• Agree; ARI discovered an artifact c. 14,000 years old.
• Agree and Disagree; Sites locations are precise to geographic coordinates. The graphic and commentary implied the toll road would disturb sites.
• Missing fact; DOT and M-Cores must by law incorporate into their planning and implementation impact study results for all the sites recorded by state and federal agencies. New sites discovered during construction halts work so they can be evaluated and addressed.
• Disagree; Monticello and Jefferson County simply do not compare to St Augustine and especially to the photos and statements in the presentation.
• Disagree and agree; I never said it was okay to violate the law and disturb graves. The African American cemetery that I referenced at the end of the dirt portion of Dills Road with the fence across is owned by an ARI board member.
• Agree and Disagree; Wetlands are very important and need protection especially as wildlife habitat. Aquifer recharge areas are important. The Toll Road is not the threat to wetlands and recharge as has been claimed. With projected population growth the state’s total environment is at stake. Protect one piece and condemning another is not thinking of long term balance and management. DOT and M-Cores as already noted must by law, including the Toll Road statute itself, do what they can to protect habitat including wetlands.
• Agree and Disagree; Hurricane Michael definitely caused massive structural damage to homes and businesses as well as flattening pine lands. I repeat damage to state and federal highways was non-existent with the one exception highway 98 where it is within feet of the water. Between Houston and the Florida gulf coast I have lived in hurricane territory for over 20 years, I get hurricanes.
M-Cores process is exactly where we want it to be and that is in planning and evaluation. The presentation information was already in their hands and by law must be accounted for in recommendations. There is an over abundance of prudence on their part.
The ancestors of local multi-generation families and my immigrant parents were not afraid of change. They went into the unknown and changed their lives in the most profound way. Change is coming from population migration and from property owners exercising their right to develop their land. Change cannot be stopped and it’s irresponsible to think it can.
No one wants urban sprawl in Jefferson County. I don’t believe that the people who move here want that either. We should not be afraid of ‘them’. What we should do is use the tools we have to shape how our total community will look. We should accept the opportunity to put some economic life back into our community and help our citizens to achieve higher prosperity.
Sincerely,
Phil Calandra