A New 'Campaign'
 
 
 
October 21, 2004
 
By M. Sullivan-Hartung
 
The Golden Gate Gazette
 
11725 Collier Blvd., Unit C
 
Naples, FL 34116
 
239-353-0444
 
 
To submit a Letter to the Editor: newsroom@goldengategazette.com

The final Presidential debate had a political rival on October 20, as the Property Rights Action Committee (PRAC) kicked off its "Vote Yes For Jesse!" campaign, complete with buttons, at Max Hasse Community Park.

Southern Estates resident Jesse Hardy has become a folk hero for property rights groups, nationwide, as he fights state condemnation of 160 acres of homesteaded property in the middle of the state's massive Everglades Restoration Project. He purchased the land 28 years ago.

PRAC organizer Cindy Kemp stressed the need for immediate action as the August 31 deadline for Hardy to work out a deal with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has come and gone.

The DEP has filed paperwork to take Hardy's property by eminent domain.

PRAC is taking part in a massive marketing campaign to spotlight various property rights issues around the country.

Country music singer Michael Martin Murphey has been following Hardy's case, along with Environmental Conservation Organization Vice President Henry Lamb.

Kemp and her husband, Mark, recently visited Lamb in Tennessee to get some additional ideas on how to assist Hardy.

A 30-city tour called "Storm Over the Rangeland Tour" will begin next spring with concerts planned in 30 cities around the country all focusing on various property rights issues.

Locally, a benefit concert for Hardy featuring Murphey and other supporters is planned for next spring, with location, date and time to be announced.

In addition to his problems with the state, Hardy is requesting an extension of a three-year conditional use from Collier County that will allow him to continue his fish farm operation on his property.

In 2001, Hardy received an aquaculture permit from the Agriculture Department granting him permission to dig four lakes, totaling 80.7 acres, for the purpose of fish farming, despite numerous protests from the environmental community.

The 68-year-old disabled Navy veteran makes his living from selling the fill from excavation of the ponds.

The first hearing on the extension will come before the Collier County Planning Commission at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, October 21, in the commission chambers at the Collier County Government Center.

Following a decision by the Planning Commission, the matter will come before Collier County Commissioners on November 16.

Hardy was on hand October 13th to answer questions from the audience and request their support by attending the two upcoming hearings.

"If they take my property, then yours could very well be next," Hardy said. "It would also be setting a terrible precedent that environmentalists could come and rob you of your property, all in the name of 'saving it' for 'the environment'!"

Hardy reiterated his dream of one day opening his fish farms to the public for family recreation in an unpolluted environment.

"I've come to the conclusion that we cannot continue to live off the Gulf; we've nearly fished it to death," he said. "We need other alternatives, and I believe my fish farms could provide a public use benefit to the local residents."

For more information, call Kemp at 239-352-9033 or email kgwestside@yahoo.com.

For information on Hardy go online to www.jessehardy.com.

Copyright 2004, Tuff Publications, Inc.

http://www.goldengategazette.com/articles/2004/10/20/front/top_stories/news03.txt

Also see the Eminent Domain http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/emdomainfrms.htm, Everglades http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/everglades/evergladesfrms.htm and Articles By State/Florida  http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/floridafrms.htm buttons at http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org for more about Jesse Hardy.