The Democrat's Aug. 29 editorial, "Opponents of St. Joe use poor approach," reflects misunderstanding of the potential impacts of major developments in the region. It also misinterprets the Panhandle Citizens Coalition's approach to persuading developers and government officials to take adequate time for complex development planning.

It is important to note that the editorial agrees with us the St. Joe Co.'s projects will bring sweeping changes to the Panhandle and obviously have a major impact on this region. We differ in what approach should be taken to properly plan for these developments.

While our coalition's concerns may be "too generic" for the Democrat's editorial board to judge, local and state government officials are quite familiar with the impact these large developments will have on water quality and quantity, sewage capacity, stormwater runoff, traffic, roads, hurricane evacuation routes and shelters (largely nonexistent in the most adversely affected areas), schools, fire and police services, medical facilities, quality of life for current residents, low-income families, and on and on.

When these concerns have previously been raised with both the St. Joe Co. and various local governments, neither have significantly altered the company's plans, despite hearing from numerous citizens wanting changes - thus the need for a different approach that is still working within the system.

These local governments also understand they do not have the funding to pay for improving infrastructure to support the proposed massive developments. What's more, our coalition does not think taxpayers should have to foot the bill to leverage profits for developers.

The editorial suggestion that state officials do not have the authority to stop private development is inaccurate. The courts have many times upheld the right of government entities to impose moratoria on development when warranted.

Extensive comments by state agencies on St. Joe Co.'s various developments in the region, including the Department of Community Affairs report on SummerCamp in Franklin County, would more than justify a pause for adequate planning and development.

The question is whether our officials have the courage to do it. Whose interests do top officials want to protect - the general population or powerful corporations? The electorate, or high-dollar campaign contributors? The editorial assertion that the SummerCamp project is on hold until the Franklin Comprehensive Plan is overhauled is premature. This status is subject to change at any time by the county commissioners, some of whom were quite willing to approve the development in the absence of an updated Comprehensive Plan.

The coalition has not asserted its authority regarding the expired plan. Other projects, including the Bay County sector plan that encompasses 75,000 acres, are on fast-track for approval without necessary infrastructure and environmental provisions, including water-quality protections.

Millions of dollars in public funds have already been spent on the proposed Panama City-Bay airport relocation, while questions on whether this relocation is even necessary remain unanswered.

The editorial suggests we sit passively by and depend on officials who, at the local level have allowed special interests control planning, and at the state level, have weakened planning statutes and DCA oversight.

Countless other Floridians, especially in South Florida, are standing up to local governments and fighting bad development decisions. The recent court decision that requires demolition of a $3.3 million apartment complex in Martin County because it was incompatible with nearby single-family homes was the result of ordinary citizens taking the initiative to stop bad development from destroying their community.

Panhandle Citizens Coalition does not accept business as usual. We are working within the system in a different way, one that produces favorable results for the people, not those who have benefited from the way the system has previously worked. We will not be intimidated by big corporations, developers, ill-informed media, or government officials in this battle to save the very life of the Panhandle.

John Hedrick is chair of the Panhandle Citizens Coalition based in Tallahassee. He can be reached by phone at (850) 421-2483 or by e-mail at johnhedrick13@yahoo.com.