Gabrielle Russon
Democrats are pouncing on the uproar regarding plans to develop pickleball courts, disc golf courses and new lodging at Florida state parks.
“Ron DeSantis has lost his damn mind if he thinks Floridians are just going to sit back and let him bulldoze our beautiful state parks,” said Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried in a prepared statement.
“The bipartisan backlash to the ridiculous plans put forward by FDEP should remind him that Floridians of all political opinions can agree on one thing: we have to protect our state’s natural beauty from overdevelopment.”
DeSantis’ proposal to build golf courses, pickleball courts and a 350-unit lodge at several Florida state parks has sparked protests and has both Republicans and Democrats speaking out against it.
“We are in this situation because of Republican greed — and we have been here before,” Fried said. “Rick Scott and Republican legislators proposed a similar bill in 2011, so it’s no surprise we’re back here again. Rick Scott’s former FDEP Secretary is one of the lobbyists behind the plan today. The Florida Democratic Party stands with all Floridians in the fight to save our parks.”
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) plan known as the “Great Outdoors Initiative” was supposed to roll out next year.
“In addition to increasing the number of campsites, cabins and lodges on park property, the initiative will increase the number of outdoor recreation opportunities available at Florida’s state parks, including pickleball, disc golf, golf and paddling,” the plan said.
However, DEP’s meetings were postponed until September amid a wave of complaints as people rallied to save their parks.
U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Scott, along with U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, all Republicans, wrote a letter to DeSantis criticizing the plan.
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, called the park proposal “a terrible idea” and urged DeSantis to “keep our parks natural.”
“I know you love our Florida environment. We campaigned together on saving the environment in 2018. I saw your sincerity firsthand, up close,” Gaetz posted on X to DeSantis. “Please use your excellent leadership skills to kill this anti-Florida Man initiative.”
34 comments
meilleur abonnement IPTV
August 28, 2024 at 5:20 am
Your blog is a true hidden gem on the internet. Your thoughtful analysis and in-depth commentary set you apart from the crowd. Keep up the excellent work!
Day 37
August 28, 2024 at 6:10 am
Poor Nikki. She never misses a chance to take a swipe at our fine Governor. He would still easily defeat her in an election if they were matched up. With that being said, that was a bad decision by DeSantis.
Dont Say FLA
August 28, 2024 at 7:53 am
Rhonda always does great in fantasy elections. In real elections, however, our little meatball got 0 of the last 99 counties where he, ahem, cough cough, “competed.”
And that amount of rejection, plus Jessica Darlynn being picked over Rhonda for VP, is why Rhonda now worka with an apparent goal of undermining the MAGA political party they wanted so desperately to be part and partial to.
You go, girl. Rhonda, you go! Crash that Turnip J Truck like you was driving over a hillcrest in Tennessee!
Dont Say FLA
August 28, 2024 at 8:00 am
“worka with an apparent goal” was just a typo.
I meant to type “works with an apparent goal,” not a slur disparaging any culture (or lack thereof)’s stereotypical accent.
I extend my sincere apologies to anyone I offended with my unfortunate typo.
And to anyone else who might have thought it was funny for Rhonda to talk like a New Jersey pizza chef, I agree.
rick whitaker
August 28, 2024 at 8:14 am
DON’T SAY FLORIDA, i hope desantis never steps a foot in my state of tennessee. desantis is unfit for everything, would you hire him.
Dont Say FLA
August 28, 2024 at 8:23 am
Rhonda did go to Tennessee once for his so-called Presidential campain.
Their State of Florida SUV motorcade’s big black SUVs all crashed into each other, enough of their drivers not knowing how to drive over the crest of hill which blocks the view ahead where traffic was backed up (surprise!)
I might hire Rhonda to be a clown for a kid birthday party, but I would never leave them unattended if you know what I mean
rick whitaker
August 28, 2024 at 8:29 am
DON’T SAY FLORIDA, i had forgotten about the reckless driving floridian. we got over it. floridians crash up a lot on our highways.
Ocean Joe
August 28, 2024 at 8:16 am
There are times when our “wildly popular” governor is indefensible, and this is one of them.
Day 37
August 28, 2024 at 8:21 am
Agreed
A. D.
August 28, 2024 at 8:58 am
I agree, we are not sure who presented this ridiculous idea. I hope Governor DeSantis vetoes this and a mistake by some newbie. Keep our Parks as they are.
JustBabs
August 28, 2024 at 11:09 am
Desantis is one sneaky SOB, and greed and power are his only goals. He ignores the citizens of Florida and lives for serving corporations. He already snuck a deal to provide 324 acres of a state park parcel to a “Canadian” golf developer, separate from this announcement, without the required public notice for comments.
ELVIS [FKA EARL]
August 28, 2024 at 6:29 am
So true Day 37,
This whole thing was set up as a vast left wing conspirecy which would have worked to discredit Florida Republicans had I, ELVIS [FKA EARL] not have busted it up by “NIPPING IT IN THE BUD”.
The Left put so much time, effort, and money into this scam that now that I, ELVIS [FKA EARL] busted up their weak-@ss scam they are reluctant to let it go.
As I’ve stated before, I, ELVIS [FKA EARL] am so proud of myself for SAVEING FLORIDA from the Dook 4 Brains Left and their petty scam.
FURTHERMORE:
There are rumors abound that I, ELVIS [FKA EARL] will be called to the Trump White House soon after Inaguration to be rewarded for “SAVEING FLORIDA FROM THE DOOKS” at a Sage Event in which Trump and his Lovely Wife will install the Presidential Medal Of Honor” around my Sage Kneck!!!!
ELVIS [FKA EARL]
* America, in case your wondering, yes its the same Golden Medal which President Trump awarded to Rush Limbaugh. *
Mr. Speaker
August 28, 2024 at 6:42 am
Thank you Elvis for saveing Florida, we cant win without The Sunshine State. This epic save, Elvis, is even more significant than my contract with America.
I’ll be there when Trump gives you your very own presidential medal of honor and lead the Nation in bending it’s collective knee in your honor.
Thank you for single-handedly saving America,
Mr. Speaker
rick whitaker
August 28, 2024 at 8:31 am
earl, go back to bed and change your diaper first.
Ocean Joe
August 28, 2024 at 8:17 am
Sorry Earl, this whole thing is about greed and selfishness, as usual.
rick whitaker
August 28, 2024 at 8:21 am
EARL SHITTS AKA ELVIS, no one has to do anything to discredit florida republicans, they don’t have any credibility. i thought you were supposed to be a political sage. you sound more like a political cultist clown.
rick whitaker
August 28, 2024 at 11:12 am
EARL AKA ELVIS, if you are agreeing with day 37, then you are dumber than i thought.
Bill Pollard
August 28, 2024 at 11:16 am
Earl, as one would say in Britain to someone annoying, I say to you, “On your bike!”
Otto Matic the Soldier
August 28, 2024 at 6:50 am
My Gawd, people, we’re talking about pickleball courts fuh gawd’s sake! You libs hoot and dance about “our democracy” and the minute you get a chance to reasonably and logically discuss a minor point or two regarding scrub pines and saw palmettos you just ricochet like wild AR15 bullets into these embarrassing displays of hysteria. Pickleball courts! No, not Armageddon! Pickbleball!
SUPER ELVIS [FKA EARL]
August 28, 2024 at 7:01 am
Thank you for your service Otto,
I am honored to have saved Florida from this vast left-wing conspiracy to keep Florida the Free’est State in America. And gurantee Trump in The White House!
Thanks again Otto….. SALUTE …..,
ELVIS [FKA EARL]
rick whitaker
August 28, 2024 at 11:22 am
EARL THE NUT, i agree with bill, earl, ” on your bike “
Phil Morton
August 28, 2024 at 7:12 am
No idea what pickleball is but it sounds weird and I ain’t fer it, I’m agin it. Especially in our state parks.
Dont Say FLA
August 28, 2024 at 8:01 am
It’s a variation of tennis but for really old, really fat people
Day 37
August 28, 2024 at 8:46 am
Ha! Ha! Yes pickleball is the latest rage. I remember when tennis was. Courts were always full and there was already a wait. I drive by empty tennis courts every day. Roller hockey was a rage back in the 90’s. It faded away too and now all of those spots have been converted into pickleball courts. This sport will die off as well some day.
Ocean Joe
August 28, 2024 at 8:14 am
You left out golf courses and hotels. But that’s OK, you leave out January 6 and climate denialism when you worship Trump. Minor points, right? Existential. One to democracy, one to a sustainable planet.
Pickleball is a fad, much beloved by old fogeys. There are already plenty of courts. Nobody needs to desecrate areas designated for public use, especially those habitats for wildlife. Go back to the Villages!
Our politicians are always for sale, our public lands and waterways should never be.
JustBabs
August 28, 2024 at 11:12 am
Pickleball is a recreational sport and belongs with local parks and rec, in it’s own sports setting. Not within the wonders of nature.
ScienceBLVR
August 28, 2024 at 7:15 am
Don’t it always seem to go
That you don’t know what you’ve got ’til it’s gone?
They paved paradise
Put up a parking lot.
Put up a parking lot for Pickleball? He!! No!
Dont Say FLA
August 28, 2024 at 8:09 am
Rhonda managed to redevelop everybody’s uterus, so why not try for golf courses instead of state parks?
LexT
August 28, 2024 at 8:25 am
This was all done wrong. I like the general idea of getting more people into our state parks so that people can visit nature. But the implementation was awful. It was done without any notice or normal warnings or public input. I can see where some sights might need a lodge, but the Anastasia State Park proposed lodge is approximately 100 feet from the largest hotel in St. Johns County. There is already a hotel here, we don’t need a new one. If they were going to do this sell it to the public. Make 5-50 acres for every acre converted be reserved for new parks.
JustBabs
August 28, 2024 at 11:15 am
Move human development into nature and nature is doomed. Florida is the worst for constant toxic treatments to kill…everything that bothers the squeamish, sucking up the water resources to maintain that unnatural beauty, and leveling everything to create more drainage problems and cause flooding in the surrounding areas. Leave it pristine.
ELVIS
August 28, 2024 at 8:40 am
Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Very Much America,
It’s normal for most of you to be overcome with jelousy at me, ELVIS [FKA EARL] for all of my unbelivable, good looks, charm with the Ladies, and my Sage Political Wisdom.
CONGRATS Y’ALL ARE ALL NORMAL:
I wear your jelousy as a Sage Badge of Honor.
Yours Truley,
ELVIS
George S Greene
August 28, 2024 at 11:01 am
Wow lots of Ronnie D hate here. You Neomarxists should be glad he’s term limited or he would win his next election by a million votes instead of a million and a half when he crushed your boy Chaingang Charlie.
Cheesy Floridian
August 28, 2024 at 11:04 am
Highly doubt it. Charlie wasn’t anything special and neither is DeSantis.
JustBabs
August 28, 2024 at 11:22 am
Charlie was 100 times a better governor than Ronnie. He actually included Floridians in his leadership decisions, aka he gave sh– about citizens. When we had the first insurance crisis, Charlie took action for the consumer. Ron just figures as long as the insurance industry is still making enough profits to transfer/stash those profits over to their parent corporations, it’s all roses in Florida. He follows the insurance corporation’s requests to the letter. If need be Ronnie will just throw more of the taxpayers’ revenues to the insurance provider. “DeSantis signs billion-dollar insurance industry subsidy; but will ordinary homeowners get help?”
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