[1]Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group Newsletter #9.
The Great Debate.
Prepared by the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group
Okay…some of the anti-city group are accusing us of being “afraid” to debate them. Let’s set the record straight:
We have always welcomed the opportunity to participate in a structured debate. In fact, when the idea was proposed last month, we immediately contacted Michael Eng (Executive Editor of the East County Observer) to see if he would be interested in developing the rules for and moderating the event. He agreed, and our team members have agreed to his proposed rules. The debate will be scheduled for early May.
Perhaps more importantly, since the idea of becoming a city was first proposed, we have extended several offers to the anti-city constituents to address their concerns. They have adamantly refused to even meet with us. Their response was, “It is a waste of time to meet because even if the financials really are favorable, we would still be opposed to incorporation.”
Please look very carefully at the objectives of each group:
Dialogue about Lakewood Ranch becoming a city has been ongoing for many years. Approximately four years ago, the LWR Civic Action Forum (a non-partisan group of volunteers) decided that perhaps the time had come to see if cityhood for LWR was feasible. They raised money and hired a nationally recognized expert consultant to conduct a study. They were ready to abandon the whole idea of cityhood if the study showed it to be unfeasible. Contrast this unbiased approach with that of the anti-city group.
The anti-city group was against the concept of even studying the possibility of LWR naturally evolving into cityhood. No matter how favorable the report might be, they were going to be against it, despite the facts, despite the objectivity, no matter how thoroughly or frequently the report was reviewed.
With these facts, it is ludicrous to say that we don’t want to debate. In fact we welcome the opportunity, because we believe we are standing on very firm ground, and have the validation to prove it.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO GET INVOLVED
Forward this email to your friends and neighbors within LWR to ensure they are informed.
If your neighborhood or group has not yet attended a charter draft presentation meeting, please contact us via email at IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com. We will be happy to arrange a presentation.
If you are interested in joining the Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group, please contact us via email at IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com
If you want more detailed information on the pros and cons of incorporation, the incorporation process, FAQs, the charter, etc. visit our website at www.lwrdv.com/incorp [2].
IF YOU DID NOT RECEIVE THIS EMAIL DIRECTLY FROM US AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE ON OUR EMAIL LIST, PLEASE RESPOND WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO IncorpStudy@lwrdv.com [3].
Lakewood Ranch Incorporation Study Group
www.lwrincorporation.com [4]
Posted as a public service announcement by REAL Magazine. REAL Magazine takes no position on the incorporation of Lakewood Ranch.
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