The most recent city Charter Review Committee recommended extending the amount of time allowed to collect signatures for citizen-initiated referenda from 90 days to 180 days to provide for greater chance of success. Citizens voted approval. So the proposed new strong mayor charter proponents have enjoyed twice the number of days to collect signatures as for any previous referendum.

Recent media articles tell us over 2,000 signatures have been submitted to date (57 percent of the required signatures) and proponents hope for an extended final deadline. Actually, the number of valid signatures submitted is 1,719. That’s 48 percent...less than half. Yet proponents still believe they deserve more time.

It is disturbing the figures provided the media are not accurate and that people are attempting to finesse an already generous process. But…most disturbing of all...it has not been divulged that the new strong mayor can meet with commissioners outside of the sunshine. Worse yet, the new strong mayor cannot be recalled, because Florida statute provides only for recall of elected municipal officials who serve on governing boards. I don’t believe some of the proponents of this charter are aware of the monster they are creating. I know some who have signed the charter petition are experiencing buyer remorse…too late.

Please study this charter carefully before you sign any petition. I believe if you do so, you will politely, but firmly, turn down the signature gatherers and not sign away our city.

Gretchen Serrie was the chairwoman of the 2010-11 Charter Review Committee