Dear Friends,
In case you missed it, The Stuart News printed a Guest Column I submitted to them in response to a Guest Column written by Mr. Peter Upton last month. In his column he unfairly blames farmers for local water problems and made other disparaging remarks about our local business community. I felt I had to respond. His column continues an alarming trend where others are blamed for problems that originate right here at home.
Here is the link to my TCPalm Guest Column. I’ve also included my words below:
The discussion about water isn’t about being pro-sugar or anti-sugar. It’s about sticking to the facts, and the facts show that water quality problems are compounded here locally and buying land south of Lake Okeechobee wouldn’t have prevented the toxic algae blooms in 2016. Whenever paid environmental activists like Bullsugar, the Everglades Foundation and their associates don’t agree with the facts, they claim there is some “sugar conspiracy.”
The reality is that these groups have created a false narrative that blames others, primarily farmers, for what’s happening in Martin County. But there’s no evidence to support that assertion. Name another Martin County issue where outsiders are given as much blame as farmers for our water issues. If there’s a pothole on Ocean Boulevard, residents don’t blame people in a far off community. Instead, we address the issue locally...