Amendment 4I am quoted as refuting a report (reference to the article "Hometown Democracy-or Not?" in the September 23rd edition of the Clearwater Gazette) quoted and used by Kathleen Peters of the Clearwater Chamber to scare people into voting NO on amendment 4. What is left out is the fact that I refuted the report based on two studies that refuted and called the report garbage. The entire study was also bought and paid for by the Florida Chamber so they could use it in this scare tactic manner, in my opinion. The report used by Ms. Peters is by the Washington Economics Group www.weg.com. The report by WEG has been refuted and critiqued by two UCF economic professors Dr. Mark Soskin and Dr. Bradley Braun and they called it "garbage in, garbage-out" and an exercise of pseudo-science. Another response was by the Nassau Analysis Group who also stated the entire report falls apart for various reasons. All of this information and much more is available on ballotpedia.org or just search for Florida amendment 4 or comprehensive land plans. I would like it made clear that I strongly questioned Ms. Peters and her only response was she was not aware of who wrote the report she was quoting, she did not know who paid for it and did not no that it had been strongly refuted and called garbage by two UCF professors and the Nassau Analysis refuted it. When I refute someone's data I back it up with why. Ms. Peters is using scare tactics that don't pass the smell test in my opinion. And anyone interested can contact the professors, the Nassau group and/or read the entire study on ballotpedia.org. It also shows who the big money donators for and against Amendment 4. And we all know if you really want to get to the truth you often just need to follow the money. Please make it clear to your readers why I refuted Ms. Peters' data via the WEG report. And encourage readers to attend a public debate on this issue. I have attended 3 debates and the vote no side has been strongly defeated based on the responses of the people attending these debates.
Regards,
|