[PJ-Comix]

Election 2000 was the year Gov. Jeb Bush announced his controversial decision to restore FL's Ocklawaha River.

I actually once knew one of the guys fighting the damming of that river in the first place. He was one of the handful of folks in Florida to do so and was considered a crackpot at the time. I knew him because he was a sports coach from whom I learned tennis and took baitcasting lessons. Coach Philpott. He was no dreamy-eyed liberal either. Just a sports fisherman who hated what they were doing to that river. At the time he was considered engaged in crank activity. Now I guess he would be considered a visionary.

[summer]

From editorial:

"Election 2000 was the year Gov. Jeb Bush announced his controversial decision to restore FL's Ocklawaha River."

From PJ's reply:

I actually once knew one of the guys fighting the damming of that river in the first place. He was one of the handful of folks in Florida to do so and was considered a crackpot at the time. I knew him because he was a sports coach from whom I learned tennis and took baitcasting lessons. Coach Philpott. He was no dreamy-eyed liberal either. Just a sports fisherman who hated what they were doing to that river. At the time he was considered engaged in crank activity. Now I guess he would be considered a visionary."

PJ, thank you very much for taking the time to write and include that background info on this matter. And, yes, I agree that your friend, Coach Philpott, would be considered a visionary.

BTW, as you probably know, Gov. Jeb Bush and others in his family, especially his dad, are also sports fishermen, like Coach Philpott.

Perhaps that fact helps to explain, in part, Gov. Bush's decision here -- to side with environmentalists against the wishes of his own party, and restore the river.

Thanks again for writing. :)

[summer]

I thought you might be interested in reading reply #50 on this thread, from PJ-Comix. BTW, I want to post some fascinating additional political info for you two, but it will take awhile! :)

[summer]

FYI - You might find some of the following article quite interesting, in terms of just how devastating the rift was that existed by Election 2000 between FL environmental acitvists and Dem leaders, especially Al Gore, but also including other Dems such as FL's current US Senator Bob Graham.

Interestingly, the FL environmentalists found support from certain Republican leaders, who likewise opposed the proposed airport.

In light of Al Gore's much touted environmental background, I almost had to laugh when reading how Al Gore couldn't even host a ralley for his campaign in SW FL during Election 2000. He was advised that protesters would definitely be there, angered by his refusal to support the FL environmentalists. In addition, he was repeatedly warned by some local leaders that he could lose FL in Election 2000, if he didn't state a position on the Homestead airport issue.

The article is the 2nd one listed on the FL environmental activist website I mentioned in my editorial, "no airport". Below is a link to this article - "Collison Course" -- detailing Al Gore's environmental woes in FL:

Feature Story published November 23, 2000 in the Miami New Times:

"Collision Course"

by Jim DeFede



Award-winning columnist Jim DeFede chronicles how the Gore campaign tried and failed to muster support from South Florida environmentalists prior to election day due to Gore's political pandering to developers and power-hungry Democrats.

[summer]

Hi, I thought you would enjoy reading the essay I wrote here. Of course, I realize I could be wrong! :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

FYI. :)

[summer]

People seem to like this thread! FYI... :)

[summer]

Hi, I thought you might enjoy reading this essay I wrote. I would greatly your feedback! Thanks, summer :)