CTLAC

Let's put the upcoming ballot issues on the blogging table and give anyone that so desires an opportunity to express their views on the merits or shortcomings of any or all these issues.

Let’s forget the talk about confusion and talk issues. The choices we have to make in November about Charter Amendments are actually quite simple.

Number of Commissioners – This amendment is back in the signature gathering stage.  If it makes the ballot, then we can vote yes to go back to the 5 members it is now, eliminating 2 at-large positions that will be added in November.

One of the things that wasn't covered in the CAN Debate last week is something that I am very curious about.  It's the last paragraph of the Petition sponsored by the CPVR to increase the requirements to do away with an elected position to a Super Majority Vote. I've read it several times and to me it basically will wipe out the CTLAC Amendment provided it gets on the ballot and it passes.  I am interested in anyone else's interpretation on what this paragraph means.

"This amendement shall be effective immediately upon approval by the electors of Clay County, and shall be effective as to any question on the November 2008 general election ballot and thereafter"

Bloggers: 

The premise is this: The Citizens Petition Initiative of the Clay County Charter is broken. Members of the 2005-2006 CHarter Review Commission wanted to amend it during the Charter Review Session but yielded to those loud voices of CTLAC. We decided to pick a fewer number of fights to fight so we could focus on what was important to us: the 5+2. Whether another amendment would have passed or not is not relavent. What is relavent is what is happening this election cycle.

LETTER FROM RAVINES RESIDENT RESPONDING TO ROY LYONS PETITION:

Saturday, 15 March 2008

My Opinion – My Letters Section

Lyons used same tactics at Ravines that he is accusing citizens group of using.

I find it interesting that Roy Lyons is complaining about the manner in which the voters of Clay County were asked to sign the CTLAC petition. The tactics were the same used at the Ravines by Lyons and his group intent on protecting the beauty and life style of the Ravines from the devastating act of potential development.

Now that the beauty and lifestyle have been preserved, many of the residents are complaining that they only signed the petition because they wanted to get rid of the petitioners. Many were also misled or misinformed by the idea that someone was waiting in the wings to buy and improve the golf course. That was often repeated as a validation for bankrupting the owner.

I went to the meeting of Citizens for Term Limits and Accountability Committee at the Fleming Island Library Wednesday night, hoping to meet in person some of the bloggers who've been complaining that the political action committee doesn't hold open meetings.

The conspiracy theorists had contended that CTLAC should, despite no legal basis, hold its meetings in the open because the PAC is proposing amendments to the County Charter.  Open the discussion to the public, like the recent official government Charter Review Commission that is required by law to hold open meetings.  That way, the theorists said, people would be able to see that CTLAC for what it really is - a small group of disgruntled people with questionable motives.

A few thoughts for the weekend ...

The discussion about the Outer Beltway here on the blogs is the most intelligent, easy to understand and informative than anything I've read, heard or seen among the many, many public presentations on the always-changing project. The blog contributors should be thanked, of course, but let's not forget My Clay Sun for providing this awesome community forum for the exchange of ideas and information. ...

Bill Garrison, familiar to MCS bloggers as Baxley and a member of the most recent Clay County Charter Review Commission, is stepping into the lion's den Monday night. He's going to be at the Fleming Island Library to talk about Charter Amendments relating to the composition of the County Commission with Citizens for Term Limits and Accountability. Since the topic is likely to come up for a vote in November's election, it would be a good time for folks to hear some reasonable discussion on the issue. ...