City Web Page Part II

July 22, 2005 letter sent to the news media.
The CC Civic Association was in the news this week as a result of city council's action to specifically remove Civic from being listed on the city's web site under “local organizations.” Civics’ position has always been that only governmental entities should be linked to our taxpayer funded city web site. Civic does not believe that its web site www.capecoralcivicassociation.org or any other non-governmental entity should be linked to the city web site nor did we ask to be listed in the first place.
That being said, on Monday, July 18, a majority of city council exercised its power to remove Cape Coral's oldest civic organization from the city's web page. You might ask why?
According to council member Boyd, he doesn't believe any person or group having “opinions” (contrary to his) should be allowed to link to the city web page. Council member Tim Day said; “only one group comes to mind” and he then proceeded to make outrageously false claims about the content of Civic publications as a basis for his actions. Others in support of this action were council members Bertolini, Jeffers and Rosado who said; “anyone critical of council needs to be penalized.” Prior to the vote, council member Stevens asked if the motion was to be “that discriminatory” to only remove Civic. Boyd’s response was yes.
Civic has long monitored local government policies, issues and the votes of our elected officials. Most of what is printed in its Chatline newsletter (printed for the benefit of our members) is nothing more than a report of council member votes or an account of their behavior during public meetings. If the elected officials don't like what they are reading then maybe what they are admitting is they don't like seeing the things they have done, in print. Since the opinion or account of council's action in this letter is to appear in the news media (as are many opinions, editorials and political cartoons) does this suggest that the city web page needs to remove its link to the media as well? Of course not, or then again, maybe so according to the rationale of some elected officials.
How many times have you heard it said; “I may not like what you have to say, but I will defend your right to say it?” This is what our democracy is all about. It is the very foundation of this nation and it is contained in our first amendment as freedom of speech. It is obvious that a majority of the elected body is sensitive to what is written about them, but rather than defend the principles that this nation was founded upon they chose to act in a vindictive, prejudicial and discriminatory manner. Remember, only Civic was removed. Remember the basis for removal is that a majority doesn't like what Civic has to say about them. I can only conclude that the majority on council are either ignorant of their oath of office, that includes defending the United States Constitution, or they have preference for third world thinking. We wonder who will be next on council's hit list?
nfortunately for the citizens of Cape Coral these are the officials we’ve elected to serve and defend our rights. Fortunately Cape citizens still have Civic to monitor and report on your city government and the behavior, comments and decisions of your elected officials. Public officials place themselves in the public eye, opening themselves to both criticism and praise. And then they have the nerve to cry when the public voices an opinion. Go figure!
Ralph LePera