Multiple residents have written letters to Ocala-News.com over the last several days to share their opinions about overdevelopment in the area. Here are a few of those letters:
“We must act. I appreciate improvement, I appreciate variety, but the ceaseless development of finite land must stop. The rubber stamping of every proposed housing development, new gas station or car wash, needs to be assessed. The thought of my beautiful home being totally urbanized breaks my heart. The domino effect that has happened in places like The Villages is killing what’s left of a culture. Replacing said culture with contrived and tacky lifestyle communities that I don’t believe are sustainable in the long term. Agriculture is dying, our natural beauty being replaced by curated and manicured spaces like golf courses. Thankfully, we have protected lands in Florida, but it’s not enough. Locals and descendants of pioneer families are being priced out of places their families have lived for generations. Young people providing trade services are having a hard time progressing on, because of the price of real estate. This new development isn’t for them, it’s for people with nothing invested in the area, but the money they bring. Most of the people coming are fleeing the Hell they’ve helped create or have been complicit in through their apathy. I have to admit, I feel tempted to pray for some pretty nihilistic stuff, Blow Blow Seminole wind! Save what’s left of our Florida.” – Trent Sapp, Silver Springs
“You are ruining Ocala by allowing housing development to run amuk. People come here for the open pastoral atmosphere not to see housing developments at prices they can’t afford. The builders come in and tear down every tree in sight and walk off having over developed a neighborhood where homeowners can’t compete in the real estate market.” – Barbara Post, Ocala…