THE FINALE-PLUM CREEK TIMBER: THE REST OF THE STORY

TOMORROW EVENING, THE ALACHUA COUNTY COMMISSION WILL BEGIN FINAL HEARINGS ON WHETHER OR NOT TO APPROVE PLUM CREEK TIMBER'S AMBITIOUS PLANS TO BUILD A CITY IN THE SWAMP.  AFTER INITIALLY BEING REJECTED BY THE LOCAL PLANNING COMMISSION, THEY QUICKLY WITHDREW THEIR APPLICATION FROM FINAL COUNTY COSNIDERATION AND REGROUPED, USING THE STATE LEGISLATURE AS A MEANS OF WORKING AROUND COUNTY RULES.  THE REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST THEN RESUBMITTED A NEW PLAN, CLAIMING IT WAS FAR DIFFERENT. IN REALITY, THE CHANGES MADE DID NOT REFLECT UPON THE MAJOR AREA IN QUESTION BUT NOW HAD A NEW WAY TO GO FORWARD WITH THE HELP OF STATE LEGISLATION CHANGES IMPACTING THE LOCAL COMPREHENSIVE PLAN.

TONIGHT'S FINAL PRESENTATION OF GEORGE SIBLEY'S PLUM PUDDING WILL DETAIL HOW THE LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY THEN CHANGED IT'S MIND DUE TO CHANGE IN A FEW MEMBERS AND WITH THE CHAIRMAN, A KNOWN ENVIRONMENTALIST, CHANGING HER TUNE AS WELL. IT IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF POLITICAL LOBBYING, CAJOLING AND THE LACK OF WILL TO STAY THE COURSE WHICH IS SO OFTEN FOUND IN APPOINTED LEADERS IN THE MODERN POLITICAL WORLD. THE SHOW BEGINS AT 6PM AFTERWHICH IT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON DEMAND.  AND THEN TOMORROW THE LIVE ACTION BEGINS WITH THE HEARINGS.  WE HOPE YOU'LL JOIN US.