commentary

My first impression of the email that may, or may not, have come from the police was skepticism. I mean, the police have NEVER sent an email to the entire community before! In my 50 years in the Springs I do not remember the police endorsing any candidate in the past, either. Its possible, but not probable. I also thought it odd that NONE of the officers of the FOP signed their names, as you might expect, or that a spokesman was designated to speak for them. Surely there will be questions and they need a spokesman to answer them. When I heard that Garcia was behind all this I became VERY skeptical! ALL the cops were so in favor of the WHATEVER BILLY WANTS group they didnt even vote for THEIR OWN 2 retired cops? Mr Espino is on record as saying publicly that 13-15 new police positions will be opened up IF annexation passes. That could have a large impact on an officer who is interested in career advancement, and who could blame them? Career advancement is generally a good thing, as long as its not at the expense of the residents. It is unfortunate that the FOP did not list any reasons why they, as an organuzation, were endorsing the candidates they did, other than the fact that the careers of their members would be enhanced. What is the FOP's position on pollution in those areas to be possibly annexed? What about mitigation fees? Current property values out there, as compared to the rosy 2008 numbers that has been presented so far? Zoning issues? All of these are valid issues about annexation that have NOTHING to do with the possible career advancement issue of our much-appreciated police force. It will be interesting to see if the current position is a result of political power from above, or an honest and rational expression of how our officers think about the entire annexation issue, and what is best for our community. Dr. Mel P. Johnson

FOP on annexation

It is clear that the MS police does an outstanding job for the residents. It is not clear that they are fully informed about all the annexation issues. The Water and Sewer services were turned over to the County because they had been seriously and stupidly neglected for the past 20 years by several Councils and had become more than we wanted to handle. Annexation COULD be a good option for MS IF the County commissioners ever decide to allow it to happen; IF the mitigation fees are within reason; IF the proposed lands are not polluted and require costly cleanups; IF the FEC property ever comes available to us; and IF we could have control over the zoning, to insure that NO residential highrises and/or low income housing is allowed to occur there. Hoping all those things will happen to our benefit will not make it happen. The pollution issues alone need an independent, unbiased expert to advise us regarding the possible cleanup costs involved, at the very least. How can we make another multi-million dollar decision without know all the unvarnished facts and options?
This is in response to an open letter to the public taking a pro-annexation stance by the FOP. I am glad to see the police taking an interest in the City's business but believe that they have only heard part of the story at this point, the Council's.