Voter turnout and the ‘contract’
To the editor:
It’s curious to me that all of the proponents of candidates believe that a large turnout in the election will be good for them. I guess we’ll find out by 8 p.m. or so on Nov. 3 just who the “silent” and “vocal,” majority” or “minority” really are.
An interesting thing is now occurring with respect to the “Contract With the Cape.” I’d judge that those who are speaking most vehemently against it have never even read it. To say that it is conjured up by some “special interest group” is ludicrous. It was developed by an as open and all inclusive segment of the residents as it possibly could be. It seems to me that the people against it really represent the “special interests.” As I said in a previous letter, if I’m beholding to some “special interest group” for having signed on to it, I’m proud, because that “special interest group” is the residents!
Voters, please read it! If you do, it’s difficult for me to understand why you would be against it. I have not been in any venue that when the first tenet, “Reform The City Administration,” has been espoused, that there was not overwhelming acceptance and applause.
How can anyone argue with the second and third tenets, “Reduce Spending” and “Restore Public Trust.”
The fourth one is perhaps the most important: “Make Cape Coral Truly Commercial Development Friendly.” There are many facets to this. One is to stop sabotaging the efforts of our Economic Development endeavor by changing our culture from a “you can’t do that” attitude to one of, “What is it you want to do? Let’s see how we can work this out.” Other aspects of this include infrastructure to support commercial development; and streamlining, simplifying permitting processes. These subjects deserve a treatise of their own. Stay tuned.
If you’re not familiar with Florida Prop. 4 that will be on the November 2010 ballot, it has the potential to make further development of our city cumbersome, if not almost impossible. Thus it is incumbent on us to “Develop A Comprehensive Plan/Vision For Cape Coral At Build Out” before that Proposition has the chance to become law.
Finally, don’t you think that we should finally learn what is going/has gone on in the utility projects and “Complete the UEP/FEP Forensic Audit?”
Tell me folks, how can you be against these principles? It would seem to me that those who are, are indeed aligned with some “special interest” that is not the residents.
Pete Brandt
Cape Coral City Councilman, District 2