Respectfully submitted by State Representative Spencer Roach Last week, I was the only Republican on the Criminal Justice Subcommittee to vote no on HB 183, which permits elected officials to carry concealed weapons in public meetings over which they preside, such as city council and county commission meetings. I applaud the bill for recognizing that “gun-free zones are killing fields,” as stated by NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer during her testimony in support of the bill. Several elected officials also testified in support of the bill, stating that at times they feared for their personal safety at public meetings attended by angry constituents; some even reported receiving death threats. Having recently received a death threat myself, I believe their concerns are credible and highlight the risk of harm that exists in attending public events. But the risk is not isolated to elected officials. So how can we ask our constituents to …
Eunice “Lovey” & Thurston Owl III are the Owls that live next to the Chamber of Commerce at the foot of the Cape Coral Bridge on Cape Coral Parkway East. Contrary to rumor and what some un-informed City Council Employee may have said (to me) The Cape Coral Chamber Of Commerce does NOT WANT THE OWLS DISTURBED. In fact… are assisting in working on setting up an “Owl Cam” so that people can view and be educated about the Burrowing Owl. Let’s dispel some rumors – Lies – Misrepresentations OWLs are not moved or relocated to a new home. When the “City” tells you that they are “relocating” some owls… what they are actuallly doing is destroying the owls’ burrow… immediately forcing the now homeless owls to find a new place to live. The Cape Coral Chamber Of Commerce has not asked for — and does not want — the Owls …
The recent controversy regarding investigations into IRS penalties and related matters first publicly disclosed in a special Cape Council meeting on January 2nd represents a challenging, and possibly very expensive, set of circumstances with which the city must now deal. Without getting into any reported details of the matters referenced, and emanating from no less than three prior probes, the nature of the administrative and criminal investigations underway should raise flags of caution in how Council proceeds on these matters. Prudence dictates allowing those astute in conducting these investigations (one criminal and one administrative) to run them to ground and, when complete, their findings can be the basis for Council action. It was prudent for Council to rapidly and publicly surface the matter. Against common public opinion, it was equally prudent for Council to wait on taking any actions in dealing with those allegedly involved until the third party, outside …
