Fairhope, Alabama
LET THE REFERENDUM PROCEED AS SCHEDULED
Its disappointing the city council has chosen to essentially intervene on behalf of the opposition and ask the courts to call off or delay the October 2nd government reform referendum, effectively pulling the rug from under the grass-roots group organizing it ... and the over 800 citizens who signed their petition (in only 2 weeks time).
Elections are sacred, we know of no other instance where one has been called off after being duly scheduled (except for weather disasters) and hope the court will not set an unwise precedent by not allowing this one to go ahead too.
Many have fought and died protecting our right to vote where the people decide the issue one way or another in a democratic fashion as they see fit; any one of them may change their mind as new facts become available in the intervening two weeks.
Giving the opposition more time to organize, if that's the real end game as has been suggested, is a slap-in-the-face of proponents who have diligently followed the timeline prescribed by the Judge of Probate two months ago.
Afterward, private individuals may challenge the result in the usual manner ... or the city ask courts for direction as necessary: its not the place of city government to choose sides before the vote.
Citizens always have the option to petition for another election as well.
By promoting more chaos and division and rebuking those whose only agenda is better government, the city council is only making Fresh Start's point that reform is sorely needed.
Those objecting to districts routinely vote in other elections that have long had them without objections, county commission and school board for instance.
In the face of rapid growth and development, it is extremely important Fairhope's government be the most effective and efficient as possible; a succession of election cycles have failed to bring that about.
EDITOR
LET THE REFERENDUM PROCEED AS SCHEDULED
Its disappointing the city council has chosen to essentially intervene on behalf of the opposition and ask the courts to call off or delay the October 2nd government reform referendum, effectively pulling the rug from under the grass-roots group organizing it ... and the over 800 citizens who signed their petition (in only 2 weeks time).
Elections are sacred, we know of no other instance where one has been called off after being duly scheduled (except for weather disasters) and hope the court will not set an unwise precedent by not allowing this one to go ahead too.
Many have fought and died protecting our right to vote where the people decide the issue one way or another in a democratic fashion as they see fit; any one of them may change their mind as new facts become available in the intervening two weeks.
Giving the opposition more time to organize, if that's the real end game as has been suggested, is a slap-in-the-face of proponents who have diligently followed the timeline prescribed by the Judge of Probate two months ago.
Afterward, private individuals may challenge the result in the usual manner ... or the city ask courts for direction as necessary: its not the place of city government to choose sides before the vote.
Citizens always have the option to petition for another election as well.
By promoting more chaos and division and rebuking those whose only agenda is better government, the city council is only making Fresh Start's point that reform is sorely needed.
Those objecting to districts routinely vote in other elections that have long had them without objections, county commission and school board for instance.
In the face of rapid growth and development, it is extremely important Fairhope's government be the most effective and efficient as possible; a succession of election cycles have failed to bring that about.
EDITOR
Comments
They say they just want to delay it awhile so people can understand.
What's wrong with that.
If my tax dollars weren't involved by being spent on attorneys while valuable time and resources are being wasted it would be hysterical. Its not.
Anyone who would vote on something without being perfectly clear about exactly what it will do and the impact it will have is a fool.
And for those who are saying "its the new people who want to change things"? They need to do their research and find out who is behind this latest debacle and Fresh Start Fairhope. They ain't new. These are the people that brought you the airport.
You want more of that???