1989 - 05-01-89 Special Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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eon 1? ors 723 Mr. Dossenbach, who labored long and diligently as our board committee on this important issue, are likewise to be commended as is Leonard Barefoot who contributed to research and support for said committee. Representative Dennis Clicker has been especially helpful in assisting our Board of Commissioners as has Senator Bill Staton and the other members of our Legislative delegation. They have pledged their support to implement the wishes of the Lee County Board of Commissioners. I remind you, however, that time is of the essence. There is a deadline stated in Mr. Wicker's letter to me dated 26 April 89. If Anyone, male or female, Republican or Democrat, of any race, wishes to know my opinion or position I hope they will ask me. Albert Cox is his own and only spokesman. While I'm on this subject permit me to add, that contrary to Saturday's Sanford Herald, this commissioner has not "feared such a suit" and is not "working on restructing the present system" due to fear. My support of our board committee's recommendation results from the fairness of said recommendation in that it provides both races, both masculine and feminine genders, and both political parties access to participation in county government. I invite all of you to join me in implementing this recommendation and to forget the cliches, the black/white issues, the alphabetical logos/acronyrns, and other divisive measures. Join me, too, in being glad that we are all Lee County Americans. Tonight's board action should not be interpreted as a response to legal action reported in Saturday's Sanford Herald. Tonight's agenda was determined by the Chairman and the County Manager the first of last week and delivered to all commissioners Wednesday, 26 April 89. Please give this board credit for addressing the Voting Rights of both races, both genders, and both political parties. I submit to you, the voters and citizens of Lee County, that this is a fair and equitable solution of these concerns. Now, I ask the "silent majority" to make themselves heard in support of this needed resolution. At the best, tonight's Sanford Herald paraphrased my remarks. I did not make the statements represented as quotes in this issue. The reporter is close, but that only counts in horseshoes. So again, I repeat, ask me if you care for my opinion or position. Again, too, I want to acknowledge and thank the editor for a fair analysis of our board committee's recommendation in tonight's edition. Commissioner William C. Stafford commenting on the Board's efforts to work up a plan, stated that he had originally favored submitting any proposal to the people by way of referendum, but that since various parties had brought suit in Federal Court over the matter, he thought the - 2 -