HWF, we have both lived downstream of phosphate mining all our lives (in your case in your county). Is Hardee better as a result of it, or worse?
The river I grew up on - right out my back door now, died a little bit with every one of those 30 Phosphate Spills since 1935 (and those are their industry's figures, not mine). The 1967 and 71 spills I witnessed wiped out a dozen or more species of fish and hundreds of square miles of grass flats that are critical to an estuary. The grass has never returned. Taht is WRONG and we as a State and the Feds have allowed it for 100 years. And, surly you know people in Hardee who have had health problems who live near mining operations. If not I can put you in touch with some.
It is both Federal and State, and I've been a registered Independent most of my voting life I am not a party hack. Scott will likely win, but I won't vote for either. But I am voting for a whole lot of other candidates local and state who can have an impact. In fact we made sure that Geri Wexsler, MOSAIC's land use attorney in the DeSoto zoning change hearing, didn't do very well running for Charlotte County School Board, even though she out spent the other two candidates. She missed the cut by finishing 3rd in the primary.
The establishment, PACs and Profit have ruled in Florida on behalf of Phosphate, Sugar, Citrus, and Cattle economies at the expense of other segments such as Tourism, the Hospitality industry, commercial and sports fishing and our health and environment because they've been allowed to contaminate our aquifer. That's not fair. Its not right.
And by the way, if you agree with everything Jam stated, where have your contribution posts been keeping us informed about Hardee, socres and games? I know nothing about them this year.