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Thursday, November 29, 2007

Sarasota Aproves $51 Million Land Boondoggle

Sarasota County Commission approved one of the largest land acquisitions in their history, adding 12,376 acres of land to the already extensive Myakka River State Park corridor. But yet again our state has seen a County Commission buy land rights while allowing the land owners to preserve ranching rights. Large land owners have been continually feeding off county coffers across the state by unduly using their influence over commissions to arrange land buy outs while either preserving ownership through easements or continued agricultural rights.

The deal will allow the owners, the Carlton family, to retain cattle and horse operations, grass, sod, energy crops, maintenance of a hunting camp and five areas totaling 325 acres that may be converted to improved pasture. The family also will have the right to construct seven single-family residences, each on five acres of land. The Carltons also retain their right to sell their property off in seven increments of a minimum of 1,000 acres each. The county has first refusal of the buyouts. Will the residents trust them with this kind of funds in the future. How many times will the public be willing to pay for the same thing?

This deal is reminiscent of property easement buyouts in Indian River County where Commissioners spent millions to purchase land which the public has no access to. Running cattle and growing sod which is an exotic invasive species is not preserving sensitive lands. How much has the Carlton family donated to County Commissioner elections? You can be sure they will donate some of their newly acquired income.

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