My email just now to the local association for responsible development:
Thank you for letting us know about the icebreaker event. We had somehow missed getting the initial invitation.
Last year’s venue, the Plaza on A1A, was excellent. Not only in terms of the venue itself, but also in terms of being accessible by multiple modes of transportation.
I noticed that this year’s venue is not on a bus line, and, being on LPGA, it is also not safe for bicycling or walking (lack of sidewalks). And it would be an expensive taxi ride.
Not to be a sourpuss, but it does strike me as ironic that an organization dedicated to responsible development is having its icebreaker out in LPGA-land, which is arguably the epicenter of irresponsible, sprawl development that leaves people totally dependent on the private automobile.
I may splurge on the taxi. Or else I could take Votran to Tanger Outlets, and then stumble-walk in the grass along LPGA for the 1-2 remaining miles. But Votran from Tanger only runs till about 7pm so I would have to take a taxi back, or else possibly just get really ambitious about my pedestrianism. (It’s actually not that far a distance, if only it weren’t so unsafe and unpleasant because of the lack of sidewalks.)
I still may make it because the event is so worthwhile and was so good last year. But in the meantime I just wanted to offer this viewpoint.
People without cars exist! And many of us are very staunch advocates for responsible development.
From next year on, I hope you will restore the event to the Plaza or some other location that is accessible by multiple modes of transport.
And, VCARD members and friends, I hope we all will push harder to not allow any more developments that are only accessible by car.
Jenny Nazak
Daytona Beach Permaculture Guild
“Although the problems of the world are increasingly complex, the solutions remain embarrassingly simple.”
— Bill Mollison, co-founder of the permaculture design movement
UPDATE: I got a response from the Executive Director, reminding me of something I had forgotten: that the venue where the event took place last year is still recovering from being damaged by hurricane. Also, she invited me to suggest possible future venues.
And, I decided to attend, as a mini sponsor. It’ll be an opportunity to promote a permaculture take on responsible development. And I will also be taking the opportunity to turn the trip out there into a research field trip. Navigating that last mile as a pedestrian!