Jeff Whichello

Florida Authors & Publishers Association 2016 Presidents Award


Politicians contended for prestige beneath an environmental spotlight while government agencies pushed their personal land grab agendas on the hopeful South Florida community of Ochopee. Since the 1920s pioneering families came to the area with the common belief of making a life in an America free from oppression: an airboat and swamp buggy venture, tomato farmers, restaurants, bars, a general store, a campground, and a motel. When environmentalists in league with government came to take, it was the common person, the one who scrambled every day to feed their family who suffered. The only one with a stake in it, they had something to lose.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YsQVKCOwPjU