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Letter to the editor

Today's Letters: Democracy rises on charter issues

By LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published September 23, 2007

As a member of the city of Clearwater Charter Review Committee, I was pleased to see democracy in action at the Sept. 11 public hearing on possible changes to the city charter.

The residents who spoke were overwhelmingly opposed to two committee recommendations: removing the referendum requirements regarding development of open space and Coachman Park.

On Thursday, the Charter Review Committee met and reversed its decision to change the open space protections in the charter but was deadlocked on the vote regarding development in Coachman Park. There will be another vote on this recommendation at the next meeting.

As one of a small minority of committee members who opposed these changes, I do believe most of those who voted in favor believed they were acting in the best interests of the city. Many still believe that progress equals more building.

This is the old way of thinking. Today's challenges are exponential population growth, destruction of natural habitat, uncontrolled sprawl, water shortages and global warming. More high-rises and strip malls are not the answer. Preservation, development of alternative energy and controlled population growth are some of the answers.

I believe we have the intelligence and ingenuity to implement these solutions; now we need the will. We have to change the way we do things and demand our leaders do the same.

Thank you to the more than 25 residents who took the time and effort to attend this public hearing; your voices were heard.

Elizabeth Drayer,Clearwater

Expand council membership to 7

Clearwater's charter review is in progress. We do not know the qualifications of the people on the Charter Review Committee or their backers. We would like to know this.

We do know they proposed to give the City Council more power. All the people I have asked who live in Clearwater do not want to give the council any more power. Any time our city land is involved (lease or purchase) I think most of us want a referendum.

We need to start having the people around us decide to run for the council now. They need to sign up and get signatures to run for the three seats that will be open for election early next year.

The seats that will be open for election are those held by John Doran, George Cretekos and Mayor Frank Hibbard. We the people need to get multiple people to run for all positions so we have a choice.

I would like to see the Charter Review Committee propose adding two more council members to the City Council so the members would have less work. Have seven instead of five. Is that possible?

I hope we can encourage more folks to run.

Cheryl Hopler, Clearwater

Your voice counts

You may submit a letter to the editor for possible publication through our Web site at www.tampabay.com/letters, or by faxing it to (727) 445-4119, or by mailing it to Letters, 710 Court St., Clearwater, FL 33756. You must include your name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length.

[Last modified September 22, 2007, 21:41:00]