WELLINGTON, Fla., Nov. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --The following is a statement by Mat Forrest, Executive Director, Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance:
A misinformation campaign surrounding the latest court filings in the ongoing legal dispute over the Equestrian Village has sparked considerable confusion and unwarranted concerns.
The Jacobs family has held firm in their support of dressage and the upcoming events scheduled this season. To say anything different is simply disingenuous. The fact of the matter is that the developer is focused on diverting attention away from their failure to comply with even the most basic requirements relating to code, compliance and their prior approvals. This is an ongoing issue from the outset of the Equestrian Village development.
If the developer would simply go through the process established by the Village as set forth in the Village Charter and the Comprehensive Plan, and get the appropriate approvals officially, dressage would be preserved in Wellington forever. This is a public process and it should be transparent.
While the updated action challenges the legality of the Stipulation Agreement for a temporary permit for the 2012 Global Dressage Festival, the fate of this year's season remains squarely on the shoulders of the developer.
There are terms in the Stipulation Agreement between the Village and the developer - not the Jacobs family - that, if violated, would force the closure of the Equestrian Village. It is up to the Village to assure compliance. These conditions relate primarily to being a good neighbor and adhering to the rules and regulations of the Village. The amended complaint focuses on the need for transparency in the process and we are glad the Village has acted on that message. In addition, the Village Council has the responsibility to hold the site's developer accountable to abide by the rules and regulations of the site.
Unfortunately in the past, there was no due process and you can't suspend permitting rules, overlook problems with the site plan and ignore the public's right to be heard.
The Village Council's decision to schedule a public hearing on proposed settlements is an important step in that direction.
SOURCE Wellington Equestrian Preservation Alliance
