BOCA RATON, Fla. (October 30) — They stood out in the sea of tailgating Florida Atlantic University fans, wearing the bold, bright, “Big Red” of the opposing Western Kentucky University Hilltoppers.
“Even now, in late October, the water is a chocolate brown, almost black,” said Michael Hudzina, of Palm City, Florida, near Stuart.
The Hudzinas are just one family of the thousands whose lives and hopes have been turned upside down because politicians have refused to implement the most critical components of a plan they themselves laid down 16 years ago.
These are folks who have worked hard and saved their money, all in the hope of spending their golden years in the Florida sunshine. They are the men and women who make this state tick, whose dreams of beaches and boats and fishing in Florida’s eternal summer propel real estate sales and fill hotel rooms.
But in 44 different locations across the Florida peninsula, they have lived for most of this year under a State of Emergency, afraid even to go near the water.
They deserve better, and they know it. That’s why, everywhere we go on this Road Trip to Restoration bus tour, whether in Miami, Orlando or Stuart, folks are literally standing in line to sign the Now or Neverglades Declaration. They demand action, and those politicians who ignore them will do so at their peril.
Come next March, when members of the new Florida Legislature travel to Tallahassee, they ought to stop by Palm City and pay a visit to Michael Hudzina and his family.
They’ll be easy to spot. They’re the ones cleaning the hull of their brand new boat, removing the dark brown stains from the toxic sludge.
Next stops: West Palm Beach and Coral Gables.