June 11, 2006

Dear Commissioner Payton,

 As you are probably aware, there is a proposed development in Dunnellon called the Rainbow River Ranch, which is to be built on the old Cubbage property adjoining the Rainbow River. This development has been very controversial, as it has received opposition from the Rainbow River Conservation group, the Florida D.C.A. and D.E.P., and Dunnellon Online, a local internet publication of which I am the publisher.

  I am writing to elicit your views on the development, so that my readers can be better informed. It is our opinion that the project will have a deleterious effect on the Rainbow River, as well as a negative impact on the town of Dunnellon itself. There has been inadequate planning for the additional drain on sewer, electric and traffic resources, all of which will be negatively impacted by the development.

  As Dunnellon is located in Marion County, we would like to know where you stand on the issue. We will publish your reply verbatim, with no omissions or revision.
Thank you for your time, and we look forward to hearing from you.

Cordially,

Robert Randall Burke
Publisher
Dunnellon Online
www.dunnellononline.com\

Update: June 22, 2006

  Still no response from the Commissioner. Perhaps I should have included a check for a thousand dollars - maybe that would get a response.

  This is precisely why the voters should vote out ALL incumbents. They do not represent us, they represent the wealthy developers who provide the milk of politics - money.

  If the commissioner responds, we will print his response, but we are not holding our breaths.

Update: July 6th, 2006

  Still no response. This is representation? I think not.