“I have followed the dog park issue in the Lumpkin Sunshine and must say that it is disappointing that some people don’t seem to understand the value of this type of park. Most cities in central Florida have a dog park either as a stand alone like ours or as a fenced off portion of a larger park.

It appears there was concern about maintenance, city crews do maintain the park but their work is minimal. I believe you will find that people who care enough about their pets to take them to an off-leash dog park tend to be conscientious they keep the park clean and help take care of it.

From first hand experience I can tell you that after the hurricanes in 2004 we had to turn away volunteers who wanted to help clean up Paw Park and get it back open, that wasn’t the case with the other parks in the City.

Our dog park occupies almost a full City block. It has spawned a dog centered business nearby with others in the works.

Sanford prides itself on being a dog friendly city and we have a great dog park.

Please go to the link below to read about Paw Park.

http://www.pawparksanford.org/ Good Luck in getting your own paw park.

Larry Robertson

Elections in July 2010 and 2012 can resolve the issue. Want to take your government back? You have four months to find and elect better commissioners. All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.

On Raber’s form, there is a warning of fine and/or imprisonment for false swearing for any petition circulator who violates an oath to ensure that, among other things, petition signers are residents of the county and have read the petition’s statement of purpose.

Most Americans understand that the “right of petition” is protected by both the U.S. and state constitutions. The government can take no action which might serve to prevent or chill any citizen’s exercise of the right to petition his government.

In my opinion, no law nor edict of government can dictate the form that this type of “petition” must take. A citizen has the absolute right to petition the government alone or in concert with others; verbally or in writing; and, if in writing, on a billboard, a piece of paper or a dirty napkin.

Moreover, a petition of this type has no legal weight or effect. It is merely an expression of the sentiment of a segment of the populace. It is unlike a formal petition where the identities and/or qualifications of the petitioners must be confirmed; such as a petition by a percentage of a community’s property owners to seek annexation into a city. A form for that type of petition would be appropriate and proper.

The Lumpkin Commission Chairman is using the police power of government to squelch the citizens’ participation in the public process. In “formalizing” the petition process, he attempts to create the justification and authority to impose a criminal penalty where no such authority is justified or appropriate. Of course, I believe that Raber’s form is unconstitutional.

His malicious intent has apparently been evidenced in recent public meetings where he mocked the petition process and even proposed an “I want my taxes raised” petition… that the Commission voted to approve without even knowing on what issue they had actually voted!

It is a sad day in Lumpkin County when an elected official’s arrogance trumps constitutional rights. The county should IMMEDIATELY rescind this form and accept the Blackburn Park petition and others for what they are– the exercise of a free people’s right to inform and influence their government in whatever manner is required and appropriate.

SANDY STEELE