PRESS
RELEASE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 2002
CAMPAIGN FOR FLORIDA'S SCENIC BEAUTY BEGINS
Citizens launch Constitutional Petition drive after Legislature overturns local billboard controls. The Florida Division of Elections has approved the format for a constitutional amendment petition form that is designed to conserve and protect Florida's scenic beauty. This comes one month after a new law takes effect that overturns local control over billboard blight, to the bitter disappointment of cities, counties, garden clubs, environmental organizations, neighborhood organizations, and citizens across the state.
According to Marion Hilliard, who is spearheading the campaign for scenic beauty, "Hawaii, Vermont, Maine and Alaska have no billboards. These states take pride in their scenic beauty. In contrast, Florida's countryside and urban centers have become ugly billboard jungles, and Florida's roadways an endless yellow page advertisement."
In 1968, just a few years after the passage of the federal Highway Beautification Act, the Florida Constitution was revised to provide that "It shall be the policy of the state to conserve and protect its natural resources and scenic beauty." (Article II, Section 7, 1968 Florida Constitution). "However, the lack of teeth in the constitution for conserving and protecting that scenic beauty has proven disastrous over the past three decades. Florida's beauty has been degraded by and for special interests," according to Mrs. Hilliard.
Local citizens will volunteer to protect Florida's natural resources and scenic beauty. The citizens of this state have previously undertaken the initiative path to protect its natural resources, including marine resources (1994 initiative) and the Everglades (1996 initiative). According to Campaign Coordinator John Crescimbeni, "Floridians of all walks of life support the conservation and protection of both natural resources and scenic beauty. The time has come for the citizens of this state to take vigorous action to conserve and protect Florida's scenic beauty from the special interests. Our scenic beauty is disappearing every day."
CONTACT PERSON:
Mark Goldstein
Cell: 352-256-4573
Work: 352-375-0607
Marion Hilliard
Home: 904-264-6619
For more information, go to www.scenicbeauty.org.