I would like to thank Mayor Coerper for his response to my recent letter published in the Alachua County Today.  I believe it is important to discuss these issues as a community, and having a commissioner who is willing to participate is essential to understanding the philosophy and judgment of those we elect.

I agree that Alachua has been a forward looking city. The City’s investment in infrastructure and business friendly atmosphere have helped us grow and prosper. In fact, it is not accurate to say that I ever have been against the City investing in infrastructure. I have been on the Downtown Redevelopment Board whose function is exactly that. I have also supported the new waste water treatment plant; I have defended the new city complex; and I didn’t say I was against the new Santa Fe campus here. 

So, what is the difference then? The difference is overspending. When the State comes in and looks over our shoulder, that’s a sign.  When we take money from reserved funds to pay our bills, that’s a sign.  When we spend a million dollars more than budgeted on a new city hall, that’s a sign. I’ll let pass, for this discussion, that a new city hall really isn’t an investment, but really an expense.  Many times politicians use the word investment, when it’s really just an expense, because it sounds better. When you get in the shape we’re in now, it’s hard to explain it as investment. Responsible people don’t “invest” their way into financial trouble.

Let me repeat what I have said before. I believe this new commission and administration is on the right track. I just want us to learn from past mistakes. I want a recognition that the trouble is not under taxing but overspending. I want us to recognize we got carried away, and I want an acknowledgment from our elected officials that the money they spend is not theirs. It belongs to the taxpayers, and that makes it essential that elected officials spend it wisely.

As far as my complaints being only about the last few years “during the worst economy since the Great Depression.” I need to remind you that this spending took place while revenues were increasing.  And just to be clear it was the “same devastating news” but we were one of only eight Florida cities to fall into this category.  With over 400 cities in Florida, we are one of the two percent to be looked at by the state.

To the point that I was able to make a good living and build my “dream house high on the hill because ‘The Good Life Community’ succeeded,” I invested my own money; I took all the risk myself, and I lived very frugally and still do. In fact, I think I could argue the opposite happened. “The Good Life Community” became that because I and others rebuilt it.  I started a successful business, rebuilt dilapidated buildings for new business, cleaned up neighborhoods, and built new homes. All of this added to the tax base that then goes into making the City successful. I and other taxpayers make this “The Good Life Community.” It is my money, the taxpayers’ money, that the City uses to “invest” and I would like for it to be done responsibly.

Duane Helle

Alachua, Fla.

National Night Out was celebrated in the City of Alachua on Tuesday, August 3, at Criswell Park, at the same time as many other neighborhoods and cities celebrated across the nation.  It takes a community to unite in order for an event like this happen, and that is exactly what happened Tuesday night in Alachua, when we gave crime a “Going Away Party.” 

Shortly after 5 p.m., police officers, city officials, residents and children gathered under the shade at the park to share food, laughter and each others' company.  Balloons and silly bands were a popular item for the children, and the adults enjoyed hearing the sounds of the children playing, which is exactly what should be going on in a city park.

Sometimes, unfortunately, the sounds of children at play are replaced by criminal activity.  We set out last night to let those involved in the criminal activity know that we don’t want them in our neighborhoods, in our parks or on our streets. 

I would like to thank Horace and Shelisia Jenkins for working with the Alachua Police Department in planning this event.  I would like to thank The Christ Central Ministries for their support and dedication to making the Community better.  A special thanks to Alachua Police Department and Bob’s Citgo for the donation of the food, and Michael “Catfish” Washington and his staff at the Recreation Department for helping with the set-up and clean-up of the event. 

Thank you for all who attended:  residents; Mayor Gib Coerper; Vice Mayor Gary Hardacre; commissioners Orien Hill, Ben Boukari, Jr. and Robert Wilford; former City of Alachua mayor Jean Calderwood; City Manager Traci Cain; City of Alachua officials and staff; Chief Joel DeCoursey; Lieutenant Patrick Barcia; the Police Explorers and the children of the community.  

We must work together to keep Alachua safe for our children and the generations to follow. 

Detective Carrie B Lund

Crime Prevention Officer

Alachua Police Department

In response to the Alachua County Today article on Amendment 4 that ran last week, I’d like to explain why I support the measure. Hometown Democracy Amendment 4 will give taxpayers the right to vote on changes to already existing comprehensive land use plans. These are plans that have been determined years ago to guide the growth of our communities in a planned and thoughtful way to protect us from land speculators that make a profit on quick developments and increased sprawl.

The opposition will continue to use scare tactics to convince voters that they will be confused and burdened with hundreds of technicalities on their next ballot. That’s just not the case. The opposition is a campaign of politicians and big real estate executives that benefit from the easy passage of new projects- yet we’re the ones left to pay the price.

I’m voting yes on Hometown Democracy Amendment 4 on the Nov. 2 statewide ballot because I want a seat at the table – a chance to vote on how my home and my town are affected by growth. As a taxpayer, I deserve it.

For more information, you can visit www.floridahometowndemocracy.com.

Kathy Marsh

Gainesville, Fla.

The City of Alachua, for the 36 years I’ve lived here, has invested in its future.

In the mid-1970s, a new wastewater and water system was put in.  The cry from some was “you’re overspending.” While Alachua was moving forward, other cities balked at that decision and it shows we made the right decision.

In the mid-1980s, Alachua made the decision to change the look of Main Street from an unattractive boarded up near dead center of town and activity to the vibrant beautiful downtown we’re all proud of today. But the cry from some was “you’re overspending.”

In the mid-to-late 1990s, the start of a job center that has created a thousand-plus jobs, a change in ownership and direction of the Progress Park, today is known as the Sid Martin Center, and is receiving world-class recognition.

Santa Fe College is a jewel to our community affording our citizens an opportunity for higher education.

We have a nationally recognized recreation center with volunteers second to none.

All of this would probably not have happened if the city leaders had decided not to invest in Alachua’s future; it’s been proven time and time again that businesses are more attracted to a city that showed a willingness to invest in its infrastructure.

Mr. Helle’s letter to the editor last week in the Alachua County Today deals only with the last two or three years, and fails to mention that not only Alachua, but the every state and community in America has faced the same devastating news, “we’re in the worst economy since the Great Depression.” Alachua survived the 1930’s and it will survive this, only to become better.

I did not see a letter from Mr. Helle lamenting the lower taxes. Mr. Helle has been a successful businessman here since about 1987, right after Alachua decided to invest in itself and change Main Street.  The nature of his business depended on the success of “The Good Life Community,” it allowed him to make a good living and profits and also build his dream house high on the hill.

Without Alachua investing in itself, I doubt if those dreams would have come true.

As a longtime resident, and someone that has been involved in a positive way for many years, and now as mayor, I will continue to encourage investment in our “Good Life Community.”

Time to Focus on the Future,

Gib Coerper, Mayor, City of Alachua