Letters needed to help get Pamela Jo Hatley on our Planning Commission

Our Planning Commission reviews development proposals and makes recommendations to our county & city governments about what kind of development to allow where. They help plan how our transportation systems will fit into our communities and whether our natural resources will be protected, or not, as we grow. Several seats are about to open up on this important board.

Hillsborough County Commissioners have been known to fill these seats with their cronies within the development industry — especially if they think no one is watching. (The Planning Commission is currently overweighted with developers.) We need to urge them to appoint Planning Commissioners who will represent the best interests of our whole community — not just developers’ interests — as we plan for future growth.

Please urge our County Commissioners to appoint Pamela Jo Hatley to the Planning Commission.

I know Pamela Jo very well. I have consulted her on several planning & zoning issues, and I’ve admired her in action as she skillfully represented citizen groups & homeowners associations at public hearings regarding planning & land use. I know her to be wise, fair, calm under pressure, skilled in conflict resolution, and eminently well-qualified to represent us on our Planning Commission (see letter below).

We can also count on her to protect the environment from needless bulldozing. She was instrumental in ensuring the protection & preservation of Cone Ranch when she served on the Cone Ranch Citizens’ Advisory Panel.

Here’s a sample letter to make it easy for you to help support Pamela Jo’s application to serve US on our Planning Commission:

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To Hillsborough County Commissioners:

Al Higginbotham <higginbothama@hillsboroughcounty.org>, Mark Sharpe <sharpem@hillsboroughcounty.org>, Ken Hagan <hagank@hillsboroughcounty.org>, Kevin Beckner <becknerk@hillsboroughcounty.org>, Sandy Murman <murmans@hillsboroughcounty.org>, Victor Crist <cristv@hillsboroughcounty.org>, Les Miller <millerlj@hillsboroughcounty.org>

Subject: Please appoint Pamela Jo Hatley to the Planning Commission

Dear Commissioners,

Please appoint Pamela Jo Hatley to the Planning Commission, as she is eminently well-qualified to represent all Hillsborough County citizens in matters involving planning and land use.

Pamela Jo Hatley is an attorney who practices environmental & land use law, and who is in the process of becoming certified in alternative dispute resolution. As a Ph.D. student at USF she studied urban planning theory & history, and she taught a growth management course in the urban & regional planning program. Her dissertation is focused on citizen participation in community-based planning in Hillsborough County. She is a member of both the American Planning Association and the Florida Planning & Zoning Association.

A strong advocate for citizens & communities, she is open-minded and fair to all sides. Her education & experience in land use law, together with her training in conflict resolution, would make her an invaluable asset to our Planning Commission. Her appointment would help provide balance and preserve public trust in this board.

Sincerely,
Your name & address

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