To the editor:

For all of Lee County: Conservation 20/20 referendum. When in doubt, vote no.

Could the county put $30 million, every year, to better use than Conservation 20/20? How about roadway improvements or pay down stadium debt to reduce wasteful interest costs. How about dredging Big Carlos Pass? How about organizing and optimizing the conservation lands already purchased? Remember, this is $30M every year. When in doubt, vote no.

The straw poll held in 1996 said the program would last seven years. Well, buying swamp land and overpriced cattle grazing land that nobody else would buy “worked so good” they just kept doing it. They kept doing it behind your back, for another 14 years. When not trustworthy, vote no.

Get ready voters; Lee County has another “non-binding referendum” on the ballot. Don’t be foolish, they will continue buying land without concern for how you voted. So, just vote no.

The resolution sweet talks you about conservation land and water quality. If you believe that just look at the Caloosahatchee. This is all about big money land deals for a select few. Oh no? Why not limit the cost per acre to $5,000 or less? Why are there no land donations? Why do some people get $152,000 per acre for over 100 acres? Consider how environmentally important a three-acre parcel for $3,000,000 must be.

The new ordinance has no expiration date, no goals or limits. If you vote yes you will hear “well you voted for it” forever and ever. So, just vote no.

All the goals stated in Conservation 20/20 have been met or exceeded. There is nothing to gain. You are being played for a fool. Eliminate doubt, vote no.

Steve Crane

Cape Coral