Tavares, FL Oct. 4, 2017
Local conservative pundits Ralph Smith (WLBE Talk show host), Richard Pettis (gun rights advocate) and Eustis, FL City Council member Anthony Sabatini are upset that tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 5 at 6pm, the Eustis City Council will discuss approving a resolution 17-64 "Supporting all legislative efforts to protect and strengthen the rights of Florida citizens to government themselves under Municipal Home Rule powers...".
So Ralph and Richard made a short video HERE (edited and uploaded by this author) encouraging their Facebook followers to attend the Eustis City Council meeting on Thursday night to voice opposition.
Some reasons cited include:
- At least three of the liberal City Council members have voted against conservative issues championed by Sabatini, inlcuding gun rights, voter registration rules, etc. So, if the majority are for supporting home rule, it could be misused by them.
- Watch their video above.
- Follow their links below and read Anthony Sabatini's comment on the resolution.
- Remember awhile back when cities tried to enact gun restrictions - it was put down by state legislation. Thus liberals want home rule to enact politically correct rules.
READ the Eustis agenda items related to this resolution, including the resolution 17-64, a staff report and cover letter, and an analysis by the Florida League of Cities.
Here are some other resources, mostly supporting Home Rule, which makes me suspicious if the Main Stream Media supports it.
Florida Statute 166.011 Short title.—This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Municipal Home Rule Powers Act.”
Columbia County, FL page on History of Counties and Home Rule
Tampa Bay Times - Fighting City Hall - State push angers cities
Palm Beach Post Commentary about Home Rule under siege
The city doesn't really specify WHY they are voting on this resolution, but I think it comes from the Florida League of Cities and has to do with some reductions in home rule by the Legislators, and a proposed bill, HB-17, which was considered by liberals to cut back on their ability to implement desired local rules.
Opinion:
It seems that Home Rule can be abused by either party, and legislators can be lobbied by statewide businesses or industries to prevent local city sanctions, such as sign design rules that conflict with national logos and signs for franchises like gas stations.
So, part of the issue is liberals using it to implement politically correct rules, and part is by state or national lobbying to prevent fractional rules that vary from city to city over regional or national businesses.
So, come to the Eustis City Council on Oct. 5 at 6pm to see the issue discussed, or Eustis is one of the few cities to provide live streaming, so watch the video live or later by visiting the Eustis.org website.
Vance Jochim
FiscalRangers.com
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