Grassroots Campaign Stops U.S. 1 Expansion Plans

At the September meeting, the County Commission took a 180, unanimously rejecting an amendment that would have empowered FDOT to expand portions of U.S.1. 

Just a few months ago, 4 out of 5 commissioners supported this amendment. This month, they unanimously rejected it.

Commissioners Lincoln and Rice — who voted for this amendment months ago — spoke about the influx of calls and letters they received over the past week, urging them not to pass this amendment. 

Last Stand's grassroots push generated at least 85 emails to commissioners, plus dozens of phone calls. Last Stand also helped produce a group letter representing 24 local organizations, all unanimously opposed to the amendment. 

Commissioner Rice said that, while many elected officials taking office hoping to represent the will of the majority, sometimes it’s hard to tell what that is. 

But thanks to you, and dedicated community groups in the Keys and beyond, the public consensus was clear: protect paradise, don’t pave it. 

And that was the difference. 

In a time when so many feel unheard or unrepresented, yesterday was a powerful reminder: local government is closest to the people, and when we show up, we can shape the future.

It doesn’t always work—we’ve seen that. But this time, it did. And we have to keep trying, no matter how stacked the odds seem.