Angry residents met with Gainesville City officials to try to stop construction of a proposed new garage for the city`s fleet near their homes at a town hall meeting Tuesday evening.
The presentation by city officials at the Public Works Department began by establishing a "Pledge of Conduct" stating that everyone would be respectful, avoid personal attacks and keep comments directed at the issues.
The struggle to have the city`s new planned garage moved to another location has been going on for over seven months, said Barbara Ruth, a member of the Stephen Foster Neighborhood Protection Group that has helped lead the fight against the new garage.
After much discussion the Alachua City Commission on recommendation from the City Manager decided to hold the April 10th election and extend the deadline for three challengers to correct deficiencies in their filing paperwork.
UPDATE: All three challenging candidates have been disqualified. There will be no election in Alachua for 2007.
On Friday, February 23, 2007 three candidates declared their intent to run for two Alachua commission seats currently held by Bonnie Burgess and Jean Calderwood. Challengers, Lowell Byrd plans to unseat Jean Calderwood with Charlie Grapski or Mike Perkins looking to win the seat held by Bonnie Burgess.
Today, February 26, 2007 the request for qualifying candidate`s paperwork by Charlie Grapski`s campaign was not provided by Alachua officials.
News: Formal Complaint filed on Police Chief in City of Alachua
Formal Complaint filed on Police Chief in City of Alachua
Mon, Feb 19th 2007 News
February 19, 2007
Clovis Watson Jr., Police Commissioner, City Manager, City Clerk City of Alachua P.O. Box 9 Alachua, Florida 32616
Dear Mr. Watson, I am corresponding with you today for the purpose of notifying you as the Police Commissioner that I would like to file an Official Complaint against the Alachua Police Department. And more specifically a complaint that Chief Robert Jernigan has failed to perform critical job duties. Chief Jernigan has continually failed to identify current crime patterns, gather pertinent data and institute an action plan to solve current area crimes. Chief Jernigan's poor leadership has resulted in a continual monetary loss for area businesses. Time has come for accountability at the Office of "Chief of Police".
