I think calling this a charade is off base. Let's go back a moment to how this all started. Communities decided on their own to put in restrictions. The FWC stepped in and asserted the law that the state has control and so the FWC stopped some local ordinances that would have been very anti-anchoring and cruising. They have also had many representatives trying to push through very restrictive laws. To this point they've done two things. First they put in the pilot program in select locations to test some possibilities. No law changes for the state, just a pilot to see. Second they have said they will look at revised state laws. The survey isn't anti boater. It's simply ideas that various sides have presented and getting a perspective of how the public views it. To their credit they didn't attempt to limit input to Florida residents either. It's not like a vote, it's getting opinion and responses. There has to be some framework to set what cities can or can't do and what is reasonable. Now the word "reasonable" has different definitions for us all. I'm both a boater and a waterfront homeowner. I suspect many homeowners would strongly disagree with some of my answers on the survey and many boaters would strongly disagree with others. That is all fine. But the FWC is still addressing what started the entire issue and that is certain communities wanting to move on their own. The FWC has done several things to try to gather opinions. If they didn't do so, it might all fall in the hands of some state representatives with pretty radical views.
I look forward to seeing the results because among other things it might help us find out how many people take the extreme views. Is it a lot or is it just that the ones who do are very loud and in positions to push for action? Ultimately, like most laws and rules there will be a compromise. I have no idea what that will be. But I personally think we're all better off with the FWC attempting to handle this with study and opinions than cities going out on their own or the state legislature passing something very disturbing. Holding meetings and distributing surveys just doesn't impress me as something offensive. I'd say most of the time government moves without doing either.
From all I see Florida remains a friendly place for boaters with a choice of anchorages, moorings, and marinas.
As an example of how individual's form views, FLIBS just ended and I know people in my neighborhood wanting it eliminated because our street is congested for a few days. I'm sure one of them will end up going to the city council to complain. Won't get anywhere. Oh and FLIBS has been around for years while they just bought their home a year ago.
I look forward to seeing the results because among other things it might help us find out how many people take the extreme views. Is it a lot or is it just that the ones who do are very loud and in positions to push for action? Ultimately, like most laws and rules there will be a compromise. I have no idea what that will be. But I personally think we're all better off with the FWC attempting to handle this with study and opinions than cities going out on their own or the state legislature passing something very disturbing. Holding meetings and distributing surveys just doesn't impress me as something offensive. I'd say most of the time government moves without doing either.
From all I see Florida remains a friendly place for boaters with a choice of anchorages, moorings, and marinas.
As an example of how individual's form views, FLIBS just ended and I know people in my neighborhood wanting it eliminated because our street is congested for a few days. I'm sure one of them will end up going to the city council to complain. Won't get anywhere. Oh and FLIBS has been around for years while they just bought their home a year ago.
