1371 chose to vote

Mr. Garcia said last night that the Council "chose" to allow the people to vote on annexation. That isnt really all that accurate, as Council had numerous oppurtunities to allow the people to vote over the past couple years, but didnt take them. The people should have voted on the new gym, but werent given the oppurtunity by the Mayor and Council. They only now come to that conclusion NOW because 1371 people signed a petition and FORCED them to allow a vote by the people. The people will get to vote IN SPITE OF the Mayor and Council (except for Dotson), NOT because of them. Mr. Garcis NOW says lets do due diligence. WHY has he NOT been in favor of doing due diligence for the past several years? Why has he NOT pressed to have town meetings on the issues of police response times, pollution, mitigation fees, the FEC properties, and the zoning questions prior to campaign season? Its better late then never, I guess, but it COULD make a person wonder because SEVERAL other people, including his opponent, have been calling for due diligence for YEARS! Why did Mr Garcia NOT call for due diligence for the new gym? Why did he NOT call for an examination and discussion of the Pistorino report and option, like his opponent did? Looking at the Pistorino report WOULD have been an example of doing due diligence, but he said NOTHING. NADA. ZERO. ZIP. It is scary to think that this Mayor and Council, that hasnt done ANYTHING close to due diligence (looked at ALL the options) in the past four years or so, is NOW going to be in charge of explaining to the taxpaying residents what their options are?? HOW would they possibly know? They have spent the past several years pushing hard their personal agendas and made a concerted effort to NOT address all the issues, in spite of Mr Dotsons efforts! Has ANY of the other Council members addressed ANY of the potential annexation issues in any depth? even mentioned them? Who wrote a letter addressing ALL the issues in some detail? Mr. Dotson. Who asked for DERM to come out and discuss possible pollution issues? Mr. Dotson. While a call for due diligence and discussion of ALL the options is certainly WAY overdue by Mr Garcia, its about three years too late, and rings of political expediency more than any serious belief in that process.