January 19 marked the first great political surprise of 2004 when the results of the Iowa Caucuses were reported. The political process is in full swing. The citizens of Florida must wait until March 9 to express their wishes in a presidential preferential election. The voters of Cedar Key will elect two commissioners May 4. Superimposed on the Cedar Key election is the political, philosophical and hopefully interactive Comprehensive Plan revision process.
This year registered voters will be able to vote for President, Vice President, U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative and various state and local officials. Levy County voters will have at least four options for sheriff. But Cedar Key citizens have the opportunity to take more direct action in shaping the future of their town. The citizens of Cedar Key in the next few months can help revise the Cedar Key Comprehensive Plan. The Comp Plan is intended to guide the future character and quality of life in Cedar Key. A team of professional planners will be hired to organize the revision process. But it is the responsibility of the citizens to participate and make the plan a true reflection of where we want to go.
Cedar Key will receive a large and growing influx of money over the next twenty-eight years due to the Community Redevelopment Agency, the CRA. The Comp Plan should guide the use of CRA money. Some money will go for sidewalks, better streets and a better marina. Some CRA money will go to improve the fire and police departments. If the citizens have fresh ideas of how to make Cedar Key a better place to live, now is the time to speak up.
The CRA money is your tax dollars coming home from Bronson. Let`s spend it wisely. To date, citizen attendance at the Local Planning Agency meetings has been very limited. Let`s not have the revised Comp Plan be one of 2004`s political surprises. Please attend the Comp Plan revision meetings announced in Cedar Key News. And speak up. | 
