Recent Controversy Surrounds State Proposal to Develop Florida Parks A state proposal to develop several parks in Florida, including Jonathan Dickinson State Park, has sparked controversy following its leak to the public. The proposal, which includes plans to add holes of golf, pickleball courts, hotels, and disc golf at eight parks, was touted by the state as part of a campaign to increase park visitors called the "Great Outdoors Initiative". James Gaddis, a whistleblower who leaked the plans and was subsequently fired from his job at the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, has spoken out about the secretive process behind the proposal.
According to Gaddis, the state's Office of Park Planning was given a directive to map out the projects in late July, without explanation or input from other employees. Gaddis, a cartographer... claims that he and his colleagues were told not to discuss the project with each other or with co-workers. Gaddis has stated that when he presented draft plans, they would often be returned with edits that he believes were relayed from the governor's office to the DEP. He has also claimed that one of his bosses referred to the individuals behind the plan as the "givers", further highlighting the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the proposal.
The plans have been met with criticism by environmental groups and local communities... who argue that the development of the parks would have a negative impact on the environment. Gaddis has characterized the proposal as "flagrant environmental destruction", and has expressed frustration at the lack of explanation from the state about why the plan was put forward.
Further investigation has revealed that Ryan E. Matthews, a former interim secretary of undefined of Environmental Protection under former Gov. Rick Scott, "is listed as a representative of undefined undefined lobbyist records." Matthews is currently working for the law firm GrayRobinson.
The controversy surrounding the proposal has raised questions about the transparency and accountability of the state's decision-making process, "and has sparked calls for greater public engagement and input on park development plans."
A state proposal to put 45 holes of golf at Jonathan Dickinson State Park was leaked to the public in mid-August along with plans to add pickleball courts, hotels and disc golf at eight other parks throughout Florida. Following the leak, the state tried to get ahead of the controversy, touting the plans as a campaign to increase park visitors called the "Great Outdoors Initiative".
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