It's your government and it's your money they are spending! Get involved by speaking out on the issues. Also visit Civic's web page @ http://capecoralcivicassociation.org/
There was no revelation in reading Mayor Feichthaler’s comments in today’s Breeze regarding Sharon Harrington’s “flexibility” on moving the city elections to November of odd numbered years. Mrs. Harrington has been willing to do that ever since council complained about our low voter turn out. She confirmed her willingness to do this during her own election last November.
posted by Civic at 5/18/2005 04:25:00 PM
The Civic Association was formed in 1962 predating the City of Cape Coral. Civic was instrumental in the city's incorporation in 1970 and continues to be involved in community issues on behalf of the residents. This site allows you to share your thoughts on issues. If there is a topic you would like published send us an e-mail and we'll consider posting it. The CCCA meets on the 4th Tuesady of the month at the CC Yacht Club pavilion, main ballrom fom 7-9 p.m. Civic meetings are open to the public. Be Aware, Alert and Informed!
2 Comments:
In a message dated 5/23/2005 4:14:12 PM Eastern Daylight Time, leevote1@gate.net writes:
Dear Mr. LePera,
I was extremely disappointed when I read your e-mail along with the attached position the Cape Coral Civic Association has taken regarding your city elections. I find it hard to believe that an association as important as yours would take a stand on an issue without knowing all of the facts and basing that opinion on misquoted media statements and incomplete information.
However, I would like to rectify the problem by inviting you and several of your members to come to my office in Fort Myers so I can discuss the issues with you. I will be happy to provide you with exactly the same information that was provided to all of the municipal mayors and/or clerks last week during our meeting.
I understand the frustration of low voter turn out, but situations prevail today, although different from several years ago, that make putting city elections back on the general election ballot in the even numbered years extremely impractical and dangerous to the overall integrity of the elections process.
Yes of those that voted, 82% voted in the non-binding referedum that they would like to see their elections moved, and for those 12,000+ voters I understand their desire to see a change. But, we have over 320,000 registered voters in Lee County and we need to focus on what is in the best interest for all of them as well as those residing in Cape Coral.
Please contact my office so that we can set up a time for a demonstration and discussion of the election issues that we discussed with the mayors. I'm confident that after meeting with my staff and I, you will have a better understanding of why we are all trying to reach a reasonable comprise. You can reach me at 339-6300. I look forward to the opportunity of meeting with you.
Sharon L. Harrington
Supervisor of Elections
Lee County Florida
Civics' response to Ms.Harrington
Dear Mrs. Harrington,
Thank you for your recent response to Civics’ e-mail concerning election dates. We can understand your disappointment relative to the Cape Coral Civic Association position that does not agree with your continued refusal to restore city elections to November of even years. If we may suggest, your disappointment is no more or no less than the voters disappointment when your predecessor first made the decision in 2001 that she would no longer conduct city elections in the fall of even years.
Civics’ position is nothing new. This position has been consistent with the position taken on the issue since the day it first surfaced. City elections should run concurrent with Federal, State and County elections. The non-binding voter referendum on April 5 reaffirmed that our position expressed the pulse of the community.
We have had two city elections since the City Council responded to your predecessor's edict and provided her with the enabling ordinance (on a 7-1 vote) to conduct city elections in the spring of odd numbered years. The predictions and the worst fears of Civic and others who opposed changing the election date have since been fully realized with an abysmal voter turnout in all municipalities. Cape Coral voter participation in the city elections in 2000 was over 65%. In the subsequent city elections in 2003 and 2005 voter participation was 20% and less than 18% respectively. Surely it must be obvious to you that low voter turnout is directly related to the change in what most people consider the “normal” election date.
You made statements in your response to Civic that require a response. You stated that Civics’ position has been taken without knowing all of the facts.
Civics’ e-mail of 5/18 made reference to the fact that there was nothing new in the Mayor's statement that you were “flexible” to changing the election date to November of odd numbered years. We stated that there was no revelation in this information. If you recall, this has been your position and you so stated that position during your own election campaign last year. Is that not fact?
Civic also stated; “The Ivotronic voting machines are not limited by ballot size…” Is that not also true?
One of your comments that gave Civic cause for concern was, “I understand the frustration of low voter turn out, but situations prevail today, although different from several years ago, that make putting city elections back on the general election ballot in the even numbered years extremely impractical and dangerous to the overall integrity of the elections process.”
• We find these comments alarming and ask you cite specifics of exactly what these situations are today that make municipal elections in even years, “….dangerous to the overall integrity of the elections process.”
You also commented about the non-binding referendum in the city and offset the importance of this by expressing your concern for the total number of voters in Lee County.
• Yes, you should have concern for all the voters in Lee County. However, of the 320,000 voters you cited 83,000 of them live in Cape Coral. You also included Then there are the registered voters that you included from the other municipalities that are also affected, another 57,000 of them. We suggest that if we had a county wide referendum on the issue, and not just the City of Cape Coral, we would have seen similar numbers where 82% of our total county voters would tell you our elections traditionally belong in November of even numbered years as Congress first envisioned Election Day in 1854.
Civic appreciates your offer for a separate discussion but we will inform you that Mayor Feichthaler publicly discussed his meeting with you at a recent Committee of the Whole meeting. Basically other than your concern for ballot size there wasn't any other rationale given as to why city elections could not return to November in even years. Civic cannot agree that this is sufficient reason to ignore the importance of our municipal elections having the maximum exposure to the electorate. This can only be accomplished with the inclusion of local city elections with Federal, State and County elections at a time that most people accept as being our traditional voting date.
We hope that you will keep an open mind on the issue. Clearly what we have is not working. The alternative of November of odd numbered years, we believe, will still fall far short of the historical numbers when compared to voting in November of even years.
Sincerely,
Ralph LePera, President
Cape Coral Civic Association
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