Coletta pushes Tallahassee for I-75 exchange, ATV park
Jim Coletta spent much of the first week of February visiting the Florida Legislature conveying the concerns of the voters of District 5, Collier County.
While other commissioners were in Tallahassee to enjoy the meetings and social events of the Florida Association of Counties annual gathering, Coletta was also promoting issues that matter in his district.
In the photo, Commissioner Coletta shares a light moment with State Sen. Garrett Richter, R-Naples.
During his few days in Tallahassee, Coletta met with Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon, Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos and with the staff of Gov. Rick Scott.
He discussed with each of them the proposed I-75/Everlgades Boulevard interchange as well as pushed for creative land use alternatives for an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) facility in eastern Collier County.
“This interchange is a critical public safety need,” said Commissioner Coletta, of the I-75/Everglades Boulevard exchange. “We have identified this area as in dire need of an evacuation route in event of wildfires or hurricanes.”
He also suggested that current ramps be left place, not removed.
“I’ve got it! This is not my first rodeo,” said Cannon, who added he was formerly a developer’s attorney. “We’re definitely in shape on that issue.”
Continuing to look for an 800- to 1,200-acre site for the use of all-terrain vehicles (ATV’s), and possibly transforming a surplus parcel into a regional ATV park with partnering resources, Coletta asked Speaker Cannon for his support of the lease/purchase of a dormant facility. Coletta was referred by the Speaker to the Department of Corrections as well as the administration in the Governor’s office.
Senate President Haridopolos met Commissioner Coletta the morning of Feb. 2. He discussed both the ATV and Everglades Boulevard/I-75 Interchange with him too.
Coletta heard from Sen. Haridopolos a similar administrative remedy for the ATV issue.
“That’s absolutely a no-brainer,” said the Senate President about Everglades Boulevard/I-75 Interchange about the existing ramps and acceleration lanes the Commissioner requested remain in place. “I will call the Department of Transportation (DOT) to voice my support for this project.”
Sen. Mike Bennett, President Pro Tempore, committed also to Commissioner Coletta’s I-75 interchange. He was in agreement with an administrative solution to an ATV park. He also confirmed SB 704, sponsored by Sen. Bennett, includes provisions for recreational cabins (hunting camps), which is among Collier County’s 2012 State Legislative Priorities.
Coletta had meetings at the FDOT with Bob Romig, State Transportation Development Administrator, DOT Assistant Secretary Richard Biter, and District 1 Secretary Billy Hattaway in Tallahassee on Feb. 3. The purpose of the meeting was to update and ask for FDOT's input on the Everglades Boulevard/Interstate 75 Interchange Study. The county is currently developing a traffic analysis impact justification report (IJR) to demonstrate the need for an I-75 interchange. Upon successful completion of the IJR and Cumulative Effects Evaluation (CEE) studies, FDOT indicated it is prepared to begin the Project Development & Environmental Study (PD&E).
Coletta continues to think and plan creatively for ATV users displaced by the necessary and beneficial ecosystem restoration efforts in Picayune Strand State Forest (the South Blocks). He reminded the state lawmakers of promises made to ATV users by both the Collier County Commission and the State of Florida. He is the only Collier commissioner working to make sure those promises are kept.
Coletta also renewed his effort to lower taxes. He met with commissioners from around the state and had a conference with Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orland0, the sponsor of House Bill 1005, which if adopted would be an important first step toward eliminating, for good, the tangible personal property tax. Without this tax Collier and Florida’s other 66 counties would become more attractive to relocating businesses.
