IF YOU THINK BRIGHTLINE'S LATEST DEAL SMELLS BAD, YOU'RE CORRECT, The Treasure Coast Newspapers Editorial Board states regarding the high-speed passenger rail's latest deal in which they received approval from the Orange County Commission - which converts more than 100 acres to wetlands along the Beachline Expressway for their Miami to Orlando extension - thanks to John Miklos. Miklos is the environmental consultant who represented Brightline before the Orange County Commission and also happens to be president of an environmental firm Bio-Tech Consulting and the chair of the governing board of the St. Johns River Water Management District, the agency charged with reviewing the Brighline wetlands proposal.
Yikes.
When TC Palm asked how taxpayers "can be confident environmental permits receive adequate scrutiny in instances where the chair also represents the applicant," they were informed that the permit is "reviewed and issued by several staff." Right, because the chair of any government organization doesn't have influence over their staff.
Read more here.
Original Article written by the Editorials of Treasure Coast Newspapers/TC Palm.