Open Letter to Mayor Gib Coerper

Alachua Post, September 16, 2001
By A. ANDERSON

Mr. Coerper,

I am writing to you in this open forum because there seems to be no other way to ask you, as Mayor, some very simple questions. Questions that, I believe, others are asking also. I would appreciate an open, honest and forthright answer. In the past I have written you at City hall and I am still waiting for a reply, public or private. I hope this letter will spark a dialog and bridge the gap between citizens and their elected representatives that has grown wider over the years. Many of the citizens of Alachua have lost confidence in the city’s ability to represent them and lead this community. In our Country’s time of need for unity and strength, we all must be honest and true. The first step is finding the truth. The choice is clearly yours to make, lead by example or rule by opposition. Our current format at the Commission meeting leaves little room for citizens to ask questions and receive answers. The Commissioner Comments portion is designed for the Commissioners to launch or direct only their personal agenda, (good or bad) and not designed to answer any questions. If the citizens of this community have questions relating to the growth, direction or fiscal health of this community and we are not permitted to ask these questions of you and receive answers, whom do we ask? Where do we turn? Is it your position that we do not need to know? My questions are as follows:

Mr. Mayor, what is the current over all plan for our community in terms of development, fiscal responsibility and what or how do you envision this community in 5 years hence? At recent workshops conducted by Mr. Lowell Garrett it was stated numerous times that this city MUST prepare a 5 year capital improvement plan. Why is that not addressed in the budget and why has there been no citizen input allowed in the formation of such a plan? Do you intend to have more secret projects at our expense?

Mr. Mayor, I believe that the city has built walls to shut the citizens out of the process of determining our own future. Why has this been permitted? What steps could you take to remedy this? It seems to me that each time the citizens bring up an issue of concern, we see the city react with delays or the introduction of other items of possible greater concern, why? Is the city trying to hide something?

Mr. Mayor, I have seen you demand civility during the Commission meetings and have had people escorted out when their view do not coincide with yours, yet, you have allowed open insubordination against Commissioner Robbins and Commissioner Burgess on numerous occasions from Mr. Morgan and Ms. Cain. Why do you permit this? Your silence on this constitutes consent, I believe. Why? Have you not silenced Ms. Robbins on occasion yourself? Do you feel this is a healthy form of debate? A few months back a city employee was sent home for three days without pay for merely addressing the commission during a workshop. The city manager was quick to dock Mr. Mauzy's pay and silence him but no such action has been taken toward Anthony Morgan or others. Why is this favoritism allowed?

Mr. Mayor, I feel that Alachua West is a "done deal" and little can be done to change this. How do you justify using tax money to subsidize private industry? What can the remaining citizens expect to receive for their sacrifice in terms of quality of life, decrease in city services increase in traffic and possible health concerns?

Mr. Mayor, can you provide any reason why our current tax bill will increase some 11+% if the revenues generated from Dollar General exceed our ‘investment’? Is the city gearing up for "Industrialization"? Where is our new Comprehensive Plan?

Mr. Mayor, could you please help me to understand why the resistance from City Hall has increased and the sprit of cooperation with the citizens has decreased so drastically in the past months?

Mr. Mayor, can you explain why the CFO has been left to determine what adjustments will be made to the current budget and not the Commission or the citizens?

Mr. Mayor, can you justify why it may be necessary for some of our citizens to forfeit their homes and lands to accommodate Alachua West?

Mr. Mayor, how can a common citizen ask for an item of concern to be added to the Commission agenda for discussion or action?

Mr. Mayor, I have many more questions and I would welcome any opportunity to discuss them with you in any form, at any time, and in any way. Help me (us) understand where we are and where we are going. I am willing to make any arrangement necessary to accommodate your schedule. I am not asking for any special privilege any special allowance. I am only asking for some basic answers so I can make a reasonable decision as to whether your city has a future to offer me, my family and my neighbors. I will forward you my address and phone number, separately, so arrangements can be made. If you do not or cannot answer, I will understand and I will make my decisions based on that. I await your reply.

Ron Anderson, Citizen

See September 16, 2001 issue of Alachua Post for original article.