Citizen Acknowledges Down's Fight
- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - March 1, 2012
Today's Citizen ran an article about community activist Sandra Down's open challenge to the City of Key West regarding reigning in the City's Tree Commission. Downs, who has been on a crusade to inform the public of just exactly how the City Tree Commission has been functioning, was recently fined $5,000 for removing a tree for a customer in an emergency situation, with a permit pending as per regulation.
Downs argues that the Tree Commission has become a revenue raising arm of City government that has over stepped it's bounds and authority, and she is calling on City officials to reign them in. Of note is the fact that public record of the meeting in which Downs was fined has seemingly been deleted or destroyed, adding fuel to the fire. For detailed coverage of the entire story, blogger Sloan Bashinski has been covering the events in detail at http://goodmorningkeywest.com/. I would do the entire story injustice if I tried to summarize the detail with which Bashinski has been covering it, I recommend you take a look.
The most glaring truth in today's Key West Citizen's article was this little gem...
Folks, when people are afraid of their government to the point that they fear retribution that can affect their livelihood, we have a real problem. All City Officials should be concerned and consider Down's claims with the utmost of seriousness. Regardless of the outcome of any appeal, or the validity of any particular fine, when public records get destroyed and the general public fears retribution from the long arm of government...Houston, we have a problem!
I look forward to having Sandy Downs and Sloan Bashinski on the Naked Conch Hour on KONK Friday March 16 at Noon! Tune in then!
- Naked Conch - Posted by Matt Gardi - March 1, 2012
Today's Citizen ran an article about community activist Sandra Down's open challenge to the City of Key West regarding reigning in the City's Tree Commission. Downs, who has been on a crusade to inform the public of just exactly how the City Tree Commission has been functioning, was recently fined $5,000 for removing a tree for a customer in an emergency situation, with a permit pending as per regulation.
Downs argues that the Tree Commission has become a revenue raising arm of City government that has over stepped it's bounds and authority, and she is calling on City officials to reign them in. Of note is the fact that public record of the meeting in which Downs was fined has seemingly been deleted or destroyed, adding fuel to the fire. For detailed coverage of the entire story, blogger Sloan Bashinski has been covering the events in detail at http://goodmorningkeywest.com/. I would do the entire story injustice if I tried to summarize the detail with which Bashinski has been covering it, I recommend you take a look.
The most glaring truth in today's Key West Citizen's article was this little gem...
Some local landscapers said they agree with Downs' assessments but would not speak for attribution, citing fears of reprisal from city officials.
Folks, when people are afraid of their government to the point that they fear retribution that can affect their livelihood, we have a real problem. All City Officials should be concerned and consider Down's claims with the utmost of seriousness. Regardless of the outcome of any appeal, or the validity of any particular fine, when public records get destroyed and the general public fears retribution from the long arm of government...Houston, we have a problem!
I look forward to having Sandy Downs and Sloan Bashinski on the Naked Conch Hour on KONK Friday March 16 at Noon! Tune in then!
No comments:
Post a Comment