Along with the 2004 LBTS Voters-Rights Amendment, one of the new
'CIC's greatest accomplish-
ments was the introduction by petition - and the passage, despite fierce campaigns by developers and
pro-development commissioners, of a townwide 44 ft. height limit in 2006. This charter amendment will prevent our barrier
island from overdevelopment, limit further congestion along A1A, and preserve the Town's low-rise image. The amendment also
includes a provision that takes residential rezoning out of the hands of the Commission and requires referendum votes on any rezoning
whatsoever in residential areas.
At the March 2006 municipal elections we also endorsed two new commission
candidates, Jim Silverstone and Jerry McIntee. That endorsement helped Jim and Jerry win landslide victories over two old-guard
incumbents, Dave Wessels and Ed Kennedy. CIC members have been well-pleased with our choice of candidates and the level of integrity,
honesty, and quality-of-life leadership the two have brought to the dais. Unfortunately, continued hard-line opposition by the
Old-Guard majority on the commission continues to bloc many CIC-supported pro-voter inititives.
As Commissioners, Silverstone and McIntee proposed term limits for commission members - an idea old-guard commissioners Parker, Yanni,
and Clark at once rejected. That prompted the CIC into further initiative action. We organized a petition signed by 712
voters for a term limits charter amendment which passed by an overwhelming 74 percent of the vote at the November 2006 general elections.
Despite the absolute clarity of that amendment that it would take effect at the 2008 municipal elections, the old-guard commission
members Parker, Yanni, and Clark railroaded through an ordinance that preposterously re-interpreted the amendment to mean it would NOT apply to Parker or Yanni at the 2008 elections, thus over-turning the clear will of LBTS voters.
The CIC will also be playing an active role in the January 2008 municipal elections. We plan to endorse candidates
for commission and for Mayor who we believe will be responsive to the will of the people, and do everything in their power to
"work towards progress while respecting our small-town traditions" - the primary goals and objectives of our CIC!
Please click
on
Campaign '08' for ongoing updates on the campaign and candidates.
