EDGEWATER -- Dorothy "Dot" Carlson, a leading environenmental voice from Edgewater who spoke out not only on city, but county and state environmental concerns such as keeping development in check and protection of wild animals, died Oct. 6, of lung cancer. She was 59.
There are many accolades and accomplishments regarding Carlson's work by hersel and as the founding member of the Edgewater Citizens' Alliance for Responsible Development aslso known as ECARD. Here are two such examples of her efforts from the meeting minutes of the Jan. 22, 2007, Edgewater City Council meeting, downloaded from the Internet:
Dot Carlson, 1714 Edgewater Drive, President, on behalf of ECARD, stated she was present to monitor any discussion of the lawsuit filed against the City over the recently adopted Charter height amendment. As sponsor of the amendment, it is ECARD’s intention to join the City as an interverner in the case and their attorney has communicated their intention to defend with the City Attorney. They are convinced the Charter amendment is completely lawful and fully expresses the will of the citizens of Edgewater and that the Council is empowered and obliged by the City Charter to defend it against a legal challenge. Since the plaintiff’s proposed development in this case is admittedly full vested and therefore not impacted at all by the new height cap, they must conclude their intention in pursuing this lawsuit is to challenge the height cap. They question whether or not they have legal standing to pursue the suit and that at the very least they will waste thousands of taxpayers’ dollars in doing so.
Ms. Carlson commented on a photo Council received of a damaged gopher tortoise. Mayor Thomas asked when it was taken and where. Ms. Carlson informed him the photo was taken in Titusville and was sent to her by Ray Ashton. She feels they need to do to stop incidental takes in the City of Edgewater. It is being done in other cities and counties. This is cruel. This gopher tortoise died instantly. The ones that are buried alive do not die instantly. Mayor (Mike) Thomas asked Ms. Carlson if she was aware that the State already has laws in effect and the County is coming up with another set of laws, more stringent. Ms. Carlson informed him she knew. Mayor Thomas commented on needing to enforce the law.