Last year, the Charter Review Commission brought forward numerous changes to the City Charter. One major change was the move from odd to even years in voting for city council. In 2017 the turnout was around 18%. Due to the fact that 2020 is a Presidential, Congressional, State, County and City election, the expectation is to triple the past miserable turnout. That was the good news. The bad news was that the Council elected to table other suggested changes and to not re-open the Charter Commission. WHY, YOU ASK? Let’s face it, in Cape Coral, if you are a current elected official, you’re extremely hard to beat due to the old boys club. What’s the Old Boys Club? Some would say the founders ensured the charter kept them in control. Voting at Large (meaning): each resident voting for each seat was fine for a small town. Now we are the …
Hide and Seek is not always a children’s game! Some of Our Council likes to play as well. In the budget a year ago, Council would not lower our millage rate because FEMA owed us $18 million in Hurricane Irma damages and they had to protect the funds taken from the current budget. They said they may never get that money back from FEMA. As of 10/8/19, we have received $9.7 million with another $6 million expected, for a total of $15.7 million. Those funds should go back where they came from, the budget! New rules, a new game – let’s spend it on our wish list: Possible $20 plus million for projects. Yes, there are more meetings needed for additional staff feedback and voting. THE MONEY SHOULD ONLY GO BACK TO WHERE IT CAME FROM 1) Assisting the City’s Charter Schools with Athletic Field(s) construction – Estimated $3 million …
What is a Bully Pulpit? Regarding Citizen Input at Council meetings: Definition of bully pulpit (Websters): A prominent public position (such as a political office) that provides an opportunity for expounding one’s views. It appears to many that some Cape Coral Council members have shortened the definition to “BULLY “ Have you ever watched public input at a council meeting? If not, please do so at least once! EACH AGENDA STARTS WITH THE PLEDGE by Council PLEDGE OF CIVILITY: We will be respectful of each other even when we disagree. We will direct all comments to the issues. We will avoid personal attacks. If you speak at a council meeting, be aware: Don’t mention a council member by name. You will get the gavel and maybe a threat to be removed. They say they are a body and ask us to speak to the body. When I have voted, I …
