The people’s voice?
To the editor:
Last weekend, Ralph LePera (in letters to the editor) continued his vehement denunciations of both The Road Ahead contract and me, personally. He declared this rapidly growing movement of the people to be a clueless, pseudo government with an agendaand he is absolutely correct!
We are clueless to understand the “spend and tax” mentality that persists among both the City Administration and the incumbent candidates – a budget and millage rate that we cannot afford, utility rates and construction costs among the highest in the state and the relentless pursuit of “revenue diversification” that only serves to diversify the routes to the same wallets (those of our citizens). This central issue inspired the contract tenet – Reduce Spending to a more affordable 2005 level. Mr. LePera, to state that our financial problems as a city are solely a result of the recessionary economy only echoes the current administration’s lack of accountability for a core problem that we urgently need to fix.
The Road Ahead is a true “grass roots” movement that has given the people a voice. That voice reflects the government “of the people” that has been enabled by the internet and the emergence of social networking. It shares information and ideas – what a simple, but powerful concept. John Sullivan’s pledge to practice the contract’s fundamental principles of responsible governing certainly resonated strongly with the voters. The Road Ahead’s “agenda” unquestionably gained full legitimacy in answer to Sullivan’s campaign slogan “had enough yet?” It would seem that he understands more than candidate Burch does.
Indeed, the contract’s first tenet – Reform The City Administration, does call for an end to the manipulating and deceptive practices used by the City Administration. LePera criticizes that tenet as “disparaging,” while I characterize it as profound. When City Administration aggressively promotes a contentious press release that announces an inflammatory 92.5 percent utility rate increase without the knowledge, review and approval of City Council, then Houston, we have a huge problem. That well-orchestrated event immediately pitted the existing ratepayers vs. the largely undeveloped north part of the city and boxed the Council into an ugly corner. Readers – could it be any clearer?
In reference to LePera’s denigration of my presentations to Council that “were debunked by people far more knowledgeable,” I can only conclude in awe that those same people must also be far more knowledgeable than Ken Simonson, chief economist for the Associated General Contractors of America and Christopher Hessenthaler of Fitch Bond Ratings, to name just two of my sources. Perhaps LePera would consider nominating the long-time chairman of the Financial Advisory Committee for induction into our “far less knowledgeable hall of shame” based on Mr. Foye’s abrupt resignation earlier this year, after declaring that the City Administration is “fiscally reckless” and that the City Council is “fiscally irresponsible.” Readers – have you “had enough yet?”
What LePera fails to realize is that, as the self-appointed voice of our failing administration and incumbent candidates, he is rapidly becoming the poster child for the contract’s message of much needed change – constructive, positive change that will re-establish Cape Coral as an affordable place to live and work that offers a great quality of life.
All are welcome to contact me at TheRoadAheadCC@gmail.com, where my name has always been clearly posted, contrary to LePera’s misleading insinuations of secrecy.
Gary King
Cape Coral