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MamaMia
If the residents in Apopka don't have a clear vision of what direction the city is headed, is it any wonder they are confused? During former Mayor Joe K's administration, I attended several of the vision meetings about the Apopka City Center, and many of the city council meetings that followed the vision meetings, concerning the city center to be. Former Mayor, Joe K. had hired a professional group out of south Florida to do the vision process, and present the plans to our residents. Yes, I was excited about what was to be coming in, as proposed for The Apopka City Center, after sitting through the hype, we heard at the meetings. Then, all kinds of ideas started getting tossed around, like not just one city center, we will have multiple city centers, one at the new hospital area, one at the Kelly Park area, one at the Highland Manor, one at Station St. , and another proposed city center at Kit Land Nelson Park/Edward's Field. Ideas, that were now going to happen! At one council meeting , former Mayor Joe K. even proposed buying billboard space all the way down throughout south Florida, to advertise, "Come to Apopka! " I thought he was joking, but he wasn't.....The citizens, and council members too, were mislead on what was going to happen with the Highland Manor house. Mayor Joe K. told the council, to let's go ahead, and approve the city center, and we will come back, at a later date, to decide the fate of the old historic home, whether to move it, sell it, or demolish it. Taurus, the city center developer had said repeatedly they did not want the home. Later, Mayor K. said he had it already worked out, and Taurus was taking over the Highland Manor, and the decision was not brought back to the council to decide it's fate, as he had stated.
Deception,? Well you decide, for yourself.
Another thing, it was made very apparent in the city center meetings, that eminent domain procedures would be implemented, if the city wanted certain properties. I was disgusted to see the lady Mayor K appointed over the visioning project, draw a big red circle on a blueprint of the area down at the dog park, specifically around the row of homes across from the dog park, and she stated that those homes could be demolished, and then the city could put in a parking garage for events! This was not a lady from south Florida, but an Apopka resident, at a different meeting. It
made me very angry that anyone could have so little disregard for someone else's home! If anyone thinks I am lying/misinforming people, then strike me dead with lightning right now! Economic development can be a good thing, but there is a dark side to it all. Plus, INCREASED property taxes, for those with already stressed out finances, due to inflation, not to even go there on the new property insurance mandates the FL. lawmakers and governor passed! I encourage everyone to read the letter to the editor, in the Apopka Chief, this past Friday's edition, Dec. 16th, 2022. It was an excellent letter, spot on, and so truthfully written, by Francine B. She tells it, like it is.
Monday, December 19, 2022 Report this
Correction:. Misled, not mislead, is what I meant. I need to find my reading glasses.
