CCCA Anniversary
October 2, 2005 The Cape. Many issues remain same for civic group. Association addresses problems facing city, By Don Ruane News-Press. The future looks a lot like the past for the Cape Coral Civic Association, which is marking its 42nd year as an incor- porated organization in Florida. "When you look back at the scrapbook, the more things change the more the same issues seem to crop up," said association President Ralph LePera. "Sometimes part of the problem is there are so many issues you have to decipher what issues you want to go after," LePera said.While the group was incorporated in 1963, it's actually been following the issues in Cape Coral since 1962, when the association formed and picked Verne Schlegel as its first president. Back then the association was the venue where residents discussed the issues of the day. Association leaders carried their issues to the Lee County Commission for attention. But that changed 35 years ago when Cape Coral was incorporated as a city, LePera said. The association's role changed from quasi-government to providing information and taking part in local deliberations before the city council. There still are dual taxation issues to debate, such as why Cape taxpayers support two police agencies -- their own police force and the county sheriff's office, LePera said. There are local budget issues, such as setting aside hundreds of thousands of dollars for a public safety building that hasn't been approved by voters, instead of using the money to reduce the tax rate, LePera said. "Quality of life issues remain very high on Civic's list," said LePera, who is married to City Councilwoman Alex LePera.
While city officials frequently speak about their areas of service at the association's monthly meetings, LePera said he would like to see more town hall meetings with council members to improve communications. "We're not trying to be troublemakers," he said. "It's supposed to be about presenting a point of view."
The association's board of directors usually decides which issues to pursue, although LePera doesn't hesitate to use the latitude he has to act. "The president is the spokesman for the association. It can get you into trouble," Le-Pera said. "I don't like to double-speak." LePera is a staunch defender of the organization. He said he won't tolerate baseless attacks against it. Those who try will get a response, he said.
While the association is older than the city, it hasn't grown as the city has. The city's population went from 102,000 in the 2000 census to an estimated 144,000 today. There were 350 members when the association first formed, but now its membership is around 250 people. Joe Curran, an avid letter writer to newspapers on various issues, said he's been a member since the 1980s. It was a good place for someone as curious as he is to "nose around." Curran said he's lost some of his enthusiasm for getting involved in city issues, but he still attends some meetings for the social side of the get-togethers. He was there last Tuesday when the association celebrated its anniversary with a party. It was attended by elected city and county officials as well as city department directors. About 90 people attended.
But times have changed and membership didn't keep up, LePera said. "You had people back then who weren't as apathetic," Le-Pera said. "People were more involved, more patriotic and more enthusiastic." People are busier today and some work two jobs, he said. It's not as easy to instill the enthusiasm about working for the good of the city. The association is trying to reached the plugged-in generation. It has a Web site where a monthly newsletter is posted along with contact information for city and county officials. There's also a link to a chat line where the association posts brief items and invites readers to comment. The board will consider posting items submitted by readers.
But the majority of members still are retirees who moved to the city during the 1980s and 1990s. LePera said he hopes more residents who moved to Cape Coral after 2000 will join, he said. More media attention to the group's activities would help, but it's also important for the group to be on the right side of the issues, even if that means being on the wrong side of the vote, LePera said. "Former president Larry Murphy had a saying," he said. "A 5-3 vote doesn't make it right."
More members will be attracted if the group properly expresses the thoughts of the city's grass-roots population, LePera said. Member Marci Gower, 39, joined about nine months ago. "It's really important for Joe Citizen to be involved. You don't want to be just an observer," said Gower, who became more involved in city issues after she received assessments for the installation of new utility lines to serve her southwest Cape Coral neighborhood. There's more tension and concern about being judged when speaking at a city council meeting than at the civic association's meetings, Gower said. "You find others with the same ideas about what's good for the city, Gower said. "It's a back-and-forth discussion." The civic association's goal, she said, is to act as a check on government so people can feel secure about their public officials. The association has been around for more than 40 years and should be embraced by the city, according to Gower. There should be a link to the association on the city's Web site, she added. Gower sees a bigger association ahead as members bring neighbors to meetings and talk about the group's benefits. "As the city grows, Civic will grow again," Gower said.
CAPE CORAL CIVIC ASSOCIATION PROFILEWhile city officials frequently speak about their areas of service at the association's monthly meetings, LePera said he would like to see more town hall meetings with council members to improve communications. "We're not trying to be troublemakers," he said. "It's supposed to be about presenting a point of view."
The association's board of directors usually decides which issues to pursue, although LePera doesn't hesitate to use the latitude he has to act. "The president is the spokesman for the association. It can get you into trouble," Le-Pera said. "I don't like to double-speak." LePera is a staunch defender of the organization. He said he won't tolerate baseless attacks against it. Those who try will get a response, he said.
While the association is older than the city, it hasn't grown as the city has. The city's population went from 102,000 in the 2000 census to an estimated 144,000 today. There were 350 members when the association first formed, but now its membership is around 250 people. Joe Curran, an avid letter writer to newspapers on various issues, said he's been a member since the 1980s. It was a good place for someone as curious as he is to "nose around." Curran said he's lost some of his enthusiasm for getting involved in city issues, but he still attends some meetings for the social side of the get-togethers. He was there last Tuesday when the association celebrated its anniversary with a party. It was attended by elected city and county officials as well as city department directors. About 90 people attended.
But times have changed and membership didn't keep up, LePera said. "You had people back then who weren't as apathetic," Le-Pera said. "People were more involved, more patriotic and more enthusiastic." People are busier today and some work two jobs, he said. It's not as easy to instill the enthusiasm about working for the good of the city. The association is trying to reached the plugged-in generation. It has a Web site where a monthly newsletter is posted along with contact information for city and county officials. There's also a link to a chat line where the association posts brief items and invites readers to comment. The board will consider posting items submitted by readers.
But the majority of members still are retirees who moved to the city during the 1980s and 1990s. LePera said he hopes more residents who moved to Cape Coral after 2000 will join, he said. More media attention to the group's activities would help, but it's also important for the group to be on the right side of the issues, even if that means being on the wrong side of the vote, LePera said. "Former president Larry Murphy had a saying," he said. "A 5-3 vote doesn't make it right."
More members will be attracted if the group properly expresses the thoughts of the city's grass-roots population, LePera said. Member Marci Gower, 39, joined about nine months ago. "It's really important for Joe Citizen to be involved. You don't want to be just an observer," said Gower, who became more involved in city issues after she received assessments for the installation of new utility lines to serve her southwest Cape Coral neighborhood. There's more tension and concern about being judged when speaking at a city council meeting than at the civic association's meetings, Gower said. "You find others with the same ideas about what's good for the city, Gower said. "It's a back-and-forth discussion." The civic association's goal, she said, is to act as a check on government so people can feel secure about their public officials. The association has been around for more than 40 years and should be embraced by the city, according to Gower. There should be a link to the association on the city's Web site, she added. Gower sees a bigger association ahead as members bring neighbors to meetings and talk about the group's benefits. "As the city grows, Civic will grow again," Gower said.
¸ Founded: 1962
¸ Incorporated: 1963
¸ President: Ralph LePera
¸ Board of Directors: Sal Grosso, George Hopgood, Rillie Hickey, Ed Steinberg
¸ Trustees: Claire Lucibello, Artie Vitale, Nick & Betty Roberto
¸ Members: 250
¸ Meets: 7 p.m. fourth Tuesday, Cape Coral Yacht Club
¸ Online: capecoralcivicassociation.org
Note: It was nice of Senator Saunders to send us the note. Unfortunately on the local level City councilmember Day had to make some disparaging remarks about civic during a council meeting. See Civic response posted in comments.
posted by Civic at 10/06/2005 04:17:00 PM
1 Comments:
Civic responds to Day's comments at council Oct. 11, 2005.
Good evening mayor and council.
Last week, during council reports, a council member took issue with my comments in a news story commemorating Civics 42nd anniversary. Why he of all people, would have interest in a story about Civic is beyond me and further, I fail to see how my opinion offered in that story is related to city business requiring council’s attention. In any event….What the council member cited was part of a sound bite and…. In general, what I said was that people back then were less apathetic, more patriotic and more enthusiastic.
To understand my opinion I offer the following:
Apathy: Can there be any question of today’s apathy when less than 20% of the registered voters vote in city elections and council members can be elected with less than 10% of registered voters?
Patriotism: While it is right and proper that we honor our veterans with ceremonies & parades, most of our elected city officials and other city leaders are MIA’s at these events. As a veteran, I proudly participate in parades and ceremonies held each year at Coral Ridge Cemetery, at the Iwo Jima Memorial and the VFW. Unfortunately, too many people don’t, they are too busy to remember those who have served and they stay at home. It is also so ironic that the same council member who criticized my comments only shows up for a parade during his election campaign and skipped other Veteran events. I find no patriotism in being an opportunist.
Enthusiasm: I think the previous examples give reason for my remarks of people today being less enthusiastic about our city. This same point was punctuated in the media over the weekend by an ex-mayor who harkened back to Cape’s formative years, before there was a city council, with a challenge today and I quote “for Cape Coral to regain that pioneer sprit.”
To the council member, who suggested that I apologize or write a letter retracting my comments, I don’t believe an apology is warranted. AS for his comment, that what I said was “a stupid and ignorant thing to do.” The remarks are typical from this person who has a habit of insulting members of the public and the Civic Assn., which was the driving force behind the incorporation of Cape Coral. While he accuses me of being stupid and ignorant, his own comments that “Being a city council member is a step above being on mosquito control”, speaks volumes to the issue of stupidity and ignorance. It also speaks to his lack of respect for his office and yes, it speaks to his lack of respect for the rest of you as well. It is unfortunate that he and others on council last week found his remarks and actions to be funny. I can assure you the public failed to see the humor. What the public saw was another example of boorish and unprofessional behavior from this council member from the council dais. Creating constant controversy, having nothing to do with city business, should not be the purpose for city council meetings.
As for Civic, In spite of the efforts of that individual and others on council who choose to demean and slander Civic with baseless allegations, our membership continues to grow. And YES, more people do come to Civic meetings than come to your council meetings. You would do better to attend to the issues of your constituents when they ask for your help. That is your job!
Thank you for your time.
R.LePera
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