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Ruth Rauch speaking to Anna
Maria City Commission |
Last fall, in an effort to find more candidates for public office who will help Move To Amend in their local jurisdictions, Manasota Move To Amend undertook a "Pledge To Amend" campaign. The three Bradenton Gulf Island cities - Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach, and Holmes Beach - were all having elections. We approached all the candidates to determine where they stood concerning reducing corporate power, getting money out of politics, and creating a democracy of the people, by the people, and for the people.
We found a lot of support in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach candidates, but no on-the-record pledges. The candidates in Bradenton Beach were otherwise occupied with a very close Mayoral race. That race between the current and former Bradenton Beach Mayor resulted in a tie that was
decided by a card draw. True story.
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| Diane Canniff at the podium |
City of Anna Maria resident, Ruth Rauch, was revved up to find others in the city who shared her views about the need to amend the U.S. Constitution. She had made it her New Year's resolution to tackle the issue. Last night, Ruth spoke to the Anna Maria City Commission during the Public Comment period. After explaining the national importance of reducing corporate power and money in politics, she delved into local ramifications. She brought up the 2013 Manatee County referendum that proposed a sales tax increase to pay for health care programs in Manatee County. The opposition to this tax was largely funded by out-of-county dark money - funds that are spent by organizations that are not required to disclose their donors. Diane Canniff, also an Anna Maria resident, followed Ruth at the podium. She mentioned a large development company who is taking the City to Federal Court. The company is one of the plaintiffs claiming violation of their First and Fourteenth Amendment rights.
After listening to these residents, a commissioner asked that the issue be placed on next month's meeting agenda. Sweet!
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| Some Early Arrivers for Anna Maria City Commission Public Comment Period |
