James Call

Democrat Capitol Reporter

Environmentalists filled the Leon County Commission Chambers Thursday night to urge their state legislative delegation to fight to protect state parks and work to ban fracking statewide.

Sen. Bill Montford, D- Tallahassee, along with two other Leon Democrats, representatives Lorrane Ausley and Ramon Alexander and Rep. Haley Beshears, R-Monticello, invited the community to the meeting as they prepare for the 2017 state legislature’s spring session.

The issue for about 15 of the 34 people who spoke centered on the environment. They want a ban on fracking or oppose commercialism of state parks or a mix of the two.

Eleven speakers specifically mentioned fracking. Kim Ross of the Floridians Against Fracking Coalition noted the state’s estimated reserve of oil and gas is not great enough to put at risk Florida's drinking water and tourist-attracting beaches.

“If we want to protect our resources and advance energy independence let’s support solar and look up and not down for our energy,” said Ross. She represents a coalition of 55 groups.

As she left the lectern, Montford called her back. He noted there are a lot of anti-fracking bills filed for the session and advised everyone, including his fellow lawmakers, to read them carefully.

“I’m not sure your group would be pleased with some of them,” said Montford, a former middle-school math teacher launching into a short civics lesson. “Some of them may be called anti-fracking, when indeed, you may not very well be in support of that particular bill.”

About this time each year lawmakers hold a public meeting to give residents a chance to state their case for or against different proposals and issues. Residents and representatives of different interest groups urged support for public schools and higher education. Advocates made the case for increased funding in mental health, and services for newborns, foster children and the elderly.

Tallahassee City Commissioner Gil Ziffer urged the lawmakers to look out for “our youngest and our oldest who need the most help."

Environmentalists were the most organized group in the meeting. Four separate times speakers asked those who support a ban on fracking, clean water or state parks to either stand or raised their hands. Nearly 100 people showed solidarity with their statements.

Rep. Beshears in his opening remarks encouraged the residents to speak their minds.

“We’re here to listen, not to talk,” Beshears said. “We always take something away from here. We always get ideas from these meetings.”

The Florida Legislature will convene its spring session March 7. Pre-session committee meetings will continue next week at the Capitol.

Reporter James Call can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on Twitter @CallTallahassee.