My Ecobroker Certification part #2

Michael, let me first correct you and let you know that it is Ines, not Rick who made the statement.

Not only have I read the articles, but I totally agree with them.  Have you not seen the low quality zero-lot line developments being built in Florida today?  Developments with total disregard for context, scale or sustainability?  Quality builders don't want to destroy the Everglades, quality developers are not complaining.  Don't talk to me about my back yard.  I studied architecture and urban planning at the University of Miami.  So what you are saying, and please correct me if I am wrong, is kill the manatees, destroy the turtles, get rid of shore line vegetation and for what, for crappy overpriced construction?

Michael - I truly believe that being an extremist in never healthy - there is middle ground - you can build without affecting the turtles, manatees and other wild life - you just need to be considerate.   I can still drive by speed boat in The Intracoastal, I just need to follow the "slow-speed, minimal wake" ordinances.

Dena, Greendrinks? Come visit Boston or go to any pub in South Boston on St Patricks Day if you want to see real green drinks! As for the publisher that agrees with me just goes to prove my point that you folks are in another world when it comes to developement and you would rather see a salamander live or an hear an owl hoot then see a man with a skill in the trades earn a living to support his family. But then again you folks are pro welfare too so the man that loses his job and living to the owl then can go collect unemployment and then welfare which is basically my tax dollars and I'm just to sit quiet about it?

Michael:

I find it kind of strange that you use Florida in your examples of the green movement slowing growth, since for the past eight years the states Governor was one of the biggest pro-growth guys around. Have not heard anyone calling Jeb a Big Green environmentalist. In addition, the legislature there has been Republican for the past 20 years. There has been so much growth in Florida in the past 20 years that it has contributed to the current depressed market that has been around for the past 2 years since the bubble burst. I think the few remaining sea turtles, manatees, and shore line vegetation might only have a few years left but only because the market has slowed. I think you need to pick a better example where the green movement has been more influential in stopping growth.  

Ines:

I totally agree with you on the middle ground concept, but have not really seen that demonstrated in Florida in the 30 years that I lived there and was basically the primary reason I left as it is for the ten thousands of Floridans moving out to areas like northern Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.    

Ines, Your speed boats pollutes the water, kills manatees and turtles all the and helps destroy the vegatation. Hmmm sounds hypocritical. Sour grapes you didn't get the architectal contracts because your green ideas are out of context, your scales don't provide for profits and miss the maximum and best use for the buildable land. Quality builders always want the prime land but the real problem is you are in a Right to Work state and without skilled labor unions in the work force you have poor quality. Cheap labor from illegal aliens is part of the problem as well as the Southern slave labor mentality. Now can you find me a good waterfront condo where I can see the manatees and turtles play? I am thinking of a getting a place in Hallandale?

Whoa Michael, I live in Florida and I freakin suffer from the impact of uncontrolled growth here.  Everytime a builder develops on sensitive land, i.e. swamp land, all they have to do is build a dinky pond to make up for the disaterous impact on the environment their "planned community" has.  Our swamps are filters for our undeground water.  We NEED them.  The Everglades is a perfect example of such.  And Michael, I'm damned sick and tired of not being able to enjoy the views of the ocean because of condo development.  People like you have taken away my enjoyment of Florida.  ALL of our swamp land, ALL of our animals here in Florida contribute to our eco-system and our quality of life.  I can't wait to see the look on your face when all is gone and this state is in true distress.  Gee Michael, don't knock on my door looking for clean water.  I conserve and apparently you don't.

Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!

A proud Palm Bay Florida environmentalist

Bill I used those examples because of Ines. I have more examples.

Terry I had a place in Vero Beach. I enjoyed shopping at Nordstroms in Melbourne and dining at the Crab Shack. We visit once a year to visit Mickey & Minnie, say hello to Shamu and help make the Sunshine Stae a great part of this country. How in the hell can you people be anti growth when you look at what Disney had done for you in the middle of no where at one time? I have been going to Florida since 1972 and see all the wonderful growth and prosperity. I am sure it will continue despite your minority views.

Michael:

Love to hear those other examples.

Dena:

Great post, even if you did not think it would generate such great discussion.

And what is everybody doing up at 1:13am EDT? I had coffee at 9pm, that's my excuse. 

Michael, WONDERFUL growth?  In whose lifetime?  YOU are a tourist.  YOU do not have to live here.  Mickey and Minnie have contributed to this problem because of TOURISTS like YOU!  Why don't you stick to stuff in your own state?  If you want it to go to hell in a handbasket then fine, but leave us in Florida alone! We have enough problems in this state without the input from TOURISTS!

Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!

Terry, Let me remind you that tourism in the leading industry in the State of Florida followed by medical and then agriculture according to YOUR STATE information. You need the tourists...the retirees to buy homes..the homes you stage! Talk about the biting the hand that feeds you.

Gee Michael, what makes you an expert on what industries support our state?  YOU have no clue!  Tourism USED to be our bread and butter. Things have changed here.  Do your homework.  Retirees are not TOURISTS.  And I have never staged the home of a retiree, because they are here to stay.  I feel sorry for your children because they are going to be left your legacy.  As I said before, stay out of what is going on in Florida.  You don't have to live with the consequences of rampant development. and its environmental devastation.

Terry Haugen - STAGE it RIGHT!

             When we line up on "opposing sides" we erect barriers that could prevent calm and assertive action that benefits all concerned....  Could  we agree instead that we are on the lookout for what is in the best interest of  our clients?

              From that perspective, the enormity of issues around the "Green Movement" may be too cumbersome for our discussion.

              But ask a young couple about their desires for their toddler. Is it important to them that s/he crawl around on non-toxic flooring?  Here is where we might see the problem solvers arrive...and that includes all of us.

 

Michael - I have to say that I find your caustic personality intriguing and interesting.  And as I said before, I am not an extremist and do not consider myself a hypocrite either.  There is a way to coexist with nature without having to take over.

I did get the architectural contracts and worked with incredible firms, with DOT as well as on my own.  Which greedy developer decided that zero lot lines were the best use for buildable land?  Who said you cannot make a healthy profit without sacrificing design, scale and quality.  It's so sad that in the future we'll be looking at "architecture of the 2000's" and we'll have nothing to show....just gaudy, poorly built, horrible cookie cutter developments falling apart.

Also, there is no housing shortage here...I encourage you to come over to the Miami skyline and take a look at the 100's of cranes from buildings going up.  Developers got so greedy that they cannot even finish a lot of these buildings.  What we have a shortage of is low-income housing, should we stick that in the Everglades?

About the cheap labor from illegal aliens....we're back to cheap developers not wanting to pay for skilled laborers....It's again about their maximum profit.

I think we have to agree to disagree here Michael - and I am so pro good developments, just can't find many here.  There are definite Hallandale condos where you can see Manatees and Dolphins - I have not seen any turtles...  : )

All I can say is "WOW".  I just came across this blog (linked from another blog) and I am amazed at what I have read in the string of comments.  Mike . . . lighten up a little.  As a REALTOR who has represented builders and developers for 25 years, I can tell you straight up that the best are embracing the concept of "GREEN" and recognize that concept is what their clients (the buyers) want and are looking for.

Regards,

Jay Burnham, VP
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
North Shore, Massachusetts 

 

 

 

 

something I intend to get soon!