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October 20, 2006

John Simmonds - a Republican?

By Ed Martin

People are talking about council member John Simmonds who is, by the way, a Democrat, not a Republican as falsely reported in the Herald-Tribune, Oct. 20. Simmonds comments during this week's debate were confused and confusing.

In summary, Simmonds said that one development has caused all the problems out on Laurel Road and cited the Venetian Golf and Country Club, (sic). It appears he meant the Venetian Golf and River Club since he mentioned large acreage being used at a density of 2 units per 1.3 acres.

Just before that he said the "crowd" that is causing all the trouble are county residents, not city residents, then went on to talk about the development causing all the problems. Well, the Venetian Golf and River Club is in the city, one of the annexations that he has been favoring. It is unclear to me what Mr. Simmonds was trying to say, but blaming Venice's growth travesties on the county or on the Golf and River Club is nonsense. Many small cities have very successfully stopped growing out or up and, believe it or not, are among the nicest in the nation. It is the city's policies that need changing.

At city council meetings I have attended I have found Mr. Simmonds confused about facts enough times to raise concerns and I find those concerns shared by some city hall insiders including folks supporting him. For my views on my endorsement of Ernie Zavodnyik, see the archives section of this website.

Ed Martin has been a speech pathologist, teacher, administrator, government leader, professor of public policy and writer, and a director of three corporations. In Venice he is active in church, interfaith, neighborhood, foundation and charity activities. He can be reached at:

ed@insideveniceflorida.com

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