The term "political economy" is short hand for a system where individual economic interests interact with the goals and actions of a community as a whole. A community's Comprehensive Plan is a document that attempts to state the goals of the local political economy. Public hearings August 17, 24 and 31, and additional hearings in September will influence the final form of Cedar Key's Comprehensive Plan. There will no doubt be those who want to keep our island as it is, those who say growth is inevitable and those who say growth is desirable. The search for a route to the silk and spices of Asia influenced the political economy of Europe. The search for gold and silver dominated the political economy of the New World. The issue of free versus slave labor precipitated four years of civil war in the United States. Economics and politics cannot be separated. However, rational people should be able to avoid warfare over economic interests. Hearings, rational discussion, are a logical way to determine the political economy of Cedar Key. A good editorial describes a problem, outlines alternative solutions and makes a recommendation. The problem at hand is planning the political economy of Cedar Key. The competing interests are maintaining the fishing village character versus becoming a cookie-cutter retirement enclave or a major tourist destination. Cedar Key News recommends that everyone who recognizes the importance of planning Cedar Key's future express an opinion in the next two months of hearings or forever hold his or her peace. Attend the Local Planning Agency and City Commission hearings. Speak your mind. Now is the time for all good citizens to come to the aid of their community. | 