SARASOTA, FL – The Sarasota County Democratic Party (SCDP) applauds the community activists who successfully lobbied the County Planning Commission to deny an application on Thursday for a recycling facility near Celery Fields. “The Party stands along the side of its community citizens and all voters on this issue.”

The planning commission voted unanimously to deny that application for a recycling center near Celery Fields just east of Interstate 75 after a months-long campaign by community residents and local organizations, including the SCDP.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/news/20170601/planning-commission-sides-with-protesters-against-recycling-facility (Photo Credit: Herald Tribune Staff/Zach Murdock)

“This facility should never have been proposed for that location,” said SCDP Chair JoAnne DeVries. “The rezoning or sale of public lands for light or heavy industrial use near an internationally recognized wildlife preserve and bird sanctuary was a terrible idea from the very beginning. And it would not only be harmful to the Celery Fields, but also to the residents of nearby neighborhoods, what with the increased truck traffic and toxic pollution that would result.”

DeVries noted that the matter is not yet fully resolved, since the application now goes to the full Sarasota County Commission, which is not bound by the decision of the planning board. “The SCDP will continue to oppose the application,” DeVries said, “and I hope our fellow citizens continue their opposition as well.”

The SCDP passed a resolution in March opposing any rezoning or sale of public lands for light or heavy industrial use at the proposed recycling facility’s location at Palmer and Apex Roads.

The SCDP represents more than 94,000 Democrats in Sarasota County. To learn more about the Sarasota County Democratic Party visit www.sarasotadems.org

For Additional Information, contact
JoAnne DeVries, Chair
Sarasota County Democratic Party
joanne.devries@sarasotadems.org