I've claimed Volusia County as home since coming here at the age of 5 in 1959 -- I graduated in DeLand and then spent 20+ years in the military. Unfortunately, I decided to return here to live -- a place I used to feel comfortable and safe. As stated in other posts, rising taxes, fees, etc., have taken there toll since moving back in 1992.

My ire with the "East" began with the move to no driving on the beach and has grown from there. Granted anyone who has lived here for any length of time has seen that our population has grown tremendously in the last 25 years. Growth has created a large drain on resources, land and water --- and as happened in the wild west, I guess the fight will come down to water. The cost will be absolutely prohibitive. I'm considering retirement now but with all the rising costs and the possibility of water costs consuming half of my retirement it's probably a good idea to "cut and run." And yes "Georgia is on my mind" -- pardon the pun. But, who will be able to afford to live here -- better yet, who will want to live here. Maybe the actual reasoning behind this ridiculous movement by the East is to limit growth - or should I say, systematic culling of the population!

How in the can approval be given for a water bottling company to suck untold millions of gallons of water, along with new golf courses, and ferneries etc. Addtionally, how can approval be provided for all of the landscaping for municipal green areas etc., without regard to the impact on residents. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure our that water is essential to life -- whether it be green grass and trees, or you and me!