Ellie’s News July 2, 2024
Hope this note finds you all enjoying your summer.
The one thing we seem to be able to count on is that change is a constant.
While I don’t usually like to talk about politics, we are in the season of politics with a host of local actions and election related moves.
On June 11th, Mike Owen, our District 4 Hillsborough County Commissioner, resigned to pursue election to state office as State Representative from District 70 replacing Mike Beltrane who is not seeking reelection.
Christine Miller, a Republican, and president and chief executive officer of the Plant City Chamber of Commerce, jumped from the crowded countywide District 6 race to run for Owen’s District 4 seat.
Then on June 26th, Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Christine Miller to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners to Mike Owen’s vacated seat as commissioner in District 4
The field of Commissioner candidates as of June 26th is:
Office: County Commissioner, Dist. 2
Patricia Altagracia Alonzo (DEM)
Office: County Commissioner, Dist. 4
Office: County Commissioner, Dist. 6
This real-time information is available online at : https://www.votehillsborough.gov/CANDIDATES/Local-Candidates
We’ll need to pay close attention and seek in person candidate opportunities in the coming months to confirm their position publicly relative to development in Sun City Center. I encourage everyone to do so. I will also be speaking with some of our politically involved and connected folks in the community to get their take.
Johnathon Chavez called me on Wednesday and met with me privately and expressed his support for our cause.
I would suspect that given that our Commissioner seat is influx, ClubLink will not file any development rezoning application for Sun City Center until at least next year when the dust from the elections settles.
On the Pebble Creek Golf Course judicial appeal on the 5 – 2 vote denying rezoning approval for that residential development project in New Tampa, the original decision was quashed. See attached ruling.
Now the Commissioners must elect a new course – perhaps an appeal to the court’s decision, a reversal of their position or reopening the matter. The ball is in the Commissioners hands at this point. We have to wait and see.
In the interim, I suggest that we all flood the Commissioner with letters of support for preserving both Sun City Center and Pebble Beach from more residential development of existing golf course green spaces. That can be done via email via the County’s website.
We live in an awesome country that needs us all to be involved, participating citizens to create the future of our community, country and the world. Please do your part and be an informed voter and advocate for what you believe is fair, just and best for the common good of all our citizens.
That’s all I have for now folks!
Keep cool and enjoy your 4th of July.
Ellie Anderson
312-282-7337