A Man Of His Convictions

By Bill Yanger

Another in a continuing series of imagined conversations over coffee at the Rod & Reel Pier. Any resemblance to persons or personalities, real or imagined, is entirely coincidental and mostly unintended.

Good morning

Is it?

Huh?

Is it a good morning?

Well…seems so. Sun’s shining, I ain’t wearin’ that ratty sweater for the first time since Halloween and the traffic is backed up only halfway down Pine.

Yeah, I guess, but…

But what?

But, just seems…I don’t know...sure, the sun’s making me squint again and I love that but don’t it feel like there’s a cloud hanging low and dark around here?

Cloud…oh, got it. Right. You mean all that email in the sunshine shi…uh…stuff with that new commissioner and the convict guy from Sarasota?

Exactly what I mean. What the hell’s going on around here?

What’s going on? Nothin’ new really. A classic Florida clash of growth or no growth, development or no development, Disney-ized towns or real towns with real people…you know. People get real serious when it comes to makin’ money. And people get just as serious when it comes to protecting their town, especially this one.

Shadow Government? Which One?

Recently a small but vocal group of people, the same people who opposed my candidacy for Anna Maria City Commissioner, have accused me of violating Sunshine Laws and called for my resignation. Their claims are baseless, false, and possibly slanderous.

So why are they lying? Because, in the words of one of my opponents, I’m “scary.”

What are they afraid of? Simply, one meeting at a time, one issue at a time, we the people are making a difference. What some call “a shadow government” others call a strong, informed, active group of like-minded citizens committed to preserving Anna Maria. Call them what you will; I represent them with pride.

Most of us knew back in November the election was going to be a watershed moment. It may sound like hyperbole, but many said it was the most important election in the history of Anna Maria.

We are now witnessing the desperate acts of “the losers.” This current controversy is not about Sunshine Laws or public records disclosure. It’s about discrediting the residents and elected officials of Anna Maria who dare to stand up to those who’ve made a mockery of our Comprehensive Plan and our Land Development Regulations and say, “Enough is enough.”

Thank you to all who have voiced your continued support.

Harry Stoltzfus

Anna Maria City Commissioner