The League of Women Voters of Alachua County/Gainesville Opposes Amendment 1

March 16th, 2009

Letter to the Editor, Gainesville Sun, March 16, 2009 - (Find this letter and more online at http://www.gainesville.com/section/opinion)

League opposes Amendment 1

The League of Women Voters of Alachua County/Gainesville met with proponents and opponents of Charter Amendment 1. Subsequent internal discussions among League members yielded a clear response: The League of Women Voters of Alachua County / Gainesville opposes Charter Amendment 1. Our reasons are based on League’s principles of equal rights and good government:

First, passage of Charter Amendment 1 would remove anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered people in Gainesville. The League believes that no person or group should suffer legal, economic, or administrative discrimination. There should be secure equal rights and opportunity for all.

Secondly, the City of Gainesville Charter should not be amended to address disagreement with a City ordinance. Changes needed in an ordinance should be made directly to that ordinance. City Charter should serve as a guiding document for the community, as state and national constitutions do for those levels of government.

Finally, passage of Charter Amendment 1 would restrict the City of Gainesville from enacting additional future provisions to its own anti-discrimination laws. Should Amendment 1 pass, future changes to Gainesville’s anti-discrimination laws would need to be enacted by the state legislature. The League believes that local governments should have all powers not expressly prohibited by the Constitution or by general law.

Gainesville should retain home rule to determine what is best for its citizens.

Furthermore, the League does not feel that Amendment 1 addresses a public safety issue. The existing ordinance does not legalize criminal behavior or illegal acts. The proposed charter amendment provides no additional protection from illegal acts. This charter amendment, which restricts home rule, adds unnecessary language to our charter and condones discrimination, is bad public policy.

Rosalie Bandyopadhyay,
President
League of Women Voters of Alachua County/Gainesville

More information about the League’s stance on Charter Amendment 1

Also, Click Here to See Who Else is Urging Voters to Vote NO on Charter Amendment 1

Re-published with permission. All Rights Reserved - The Gainesville Sun - http://www.gainesville.com/section/opinion

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