Letters to the Editor

+ It’s Time we say ‘enough time’
Dear Editor:
The most recent city Charter Review Committee recommended extending the amount of time allowed to collect signatures for citizen-initiated referenda from 90 days to 180 days to provide for greater chance of success. Citizens voted approval. So the proposed new strong mayor charter proponents have enjoyed twice the number of days to collect signatures as for any previous referendum. 

Recent media articles tell us more than 2,000 signatures have been submitted to date (57% of the required signatures), and proponents hope for an extended final deadline. Actually, the number of valid signatures submitted is 1,719. That’s 48% ... less than half. Yet proponents still believe they deserve more time.

It is disturbing the figures provided the media are not accurate and that people are attempting to finesse an already generous process. But … most disturbing of all ... it has not been divulged that the new strong mayor can meet with commissioners outside of the sunshine. Worse yet, the new strong mayor cannot be recalled, because Florida statute provides only for recall of elected municipal officials who serve on governing boards. I don’t believe some of the proponents of this charter are aware of the monster they are creating. I know some who have signed the charter petition are experiencing buyer remorse … too late. 

Please study this charter carefully before you sign any petition. I believe if you do so, you will politely, but firmly, turn down the signature gatherers and not sign away our city.

Gretchen Serrie
Chair of the 2010-11 City of Sarasota Charter Review Committee

+ It’s past the time
for the proposed charter
Dear Editor:
The fourth group to try to change our form of government to a new charter has not raised the necessary petitions to go on our ballot. This is the first petition to have 180 days to collect signatures. A recent change in our city charter increased the days from 90 to 180 days. So far It’s Time Sarasota has collected less than half the number required to put the issue on the ballot. The June 23 county/city meeting was their last opportunity for the November ballot. Our constituents voted against it by a large majority three times and this fourth effort is a lack of respecting the will of the majority. 

There was an article about Sarasota topping a list as the best city in the nation and that we are No. 1. Very exciting and a tribute to the special place it has become under our present form of government. We must be doing something right! 

Lynn Robbins
Sarasota

+ Consider the ramifications
Dear Editor:
Recent contributions to County Commission candidates show how developers and special interests can avoid the spirit of campaign finance laws approved overwhelmingly by citizens by using limited liability corporations and, likely in the future, PACs.

It should, therefore, not be surprising that Diana Hamilton, proponent of a new Sarasota city charter, said in a recent article, “Volunteers have been knocking on doors but finding many people sour toward electing a strong mayor.”

Three times in recent years citizens voted down by wide margins various elected-mayor proposals, none of which gave the mayor the strong powers this one would.

Significantly, this proposed mayor would be exempt from Florida’s Sunshine Laws, enacted to prohibit officials from backroom deal-making. Thus, this mayor, with veto authority over all ordinances and appropriations, could meet freely and privately with individual commissioners.

This proposal was drafted in private meetings, without community input, by a small group of people, a significant number of who have strong ties to the development community.

Before signing a petition to put this on the ballot, please consider the ramifications of placing this much power in the hands of a single elected official.

Carol Reynolds
Sarasota