St. Pete Beach: City sues citizens

One of the more curious situations that crops up frequently is the efforts of elected bodies to stop the citizens they represent from forcing them to do what the citizens want. The candidate for office once elected quickly transforms from a representative of the citizens to a representative of the government.

The city of St. Pete Beach, Fla., has filed suit against five residents who say they are opposed to a redevelopment plan officials claim will increase population and tax bases.

In what appears to be another case of eminent domain, with the city claiming an unchangeable right to redevelop the quiet beachfront community, officials say they retained legal services after the rebellious residents collected signatures on a petition demanding the issue be put to a vote, WTSP-TV in Tampa-St. Petersburg reported yesterday.

According to the city's charter, citizens can call for a vote on "any adopted ordinance," but city officials decided to sue because they say the state won't allow citizens the right to vote on a redevelopment plan like the one under consideration.

What's more, they have denied they are using taxpayer funds to sue taxpayers.

"It's not about suing citizens," Mike Bonfield, St. Pete Beach city manager, told WTSP. But, he admitted, "that's the only legal mechanism we have in the legal system.

But Linda Chaney, one of the five residents behind the petition drive, said city officials "are using the unlimited funds of the taxpayers dollars to stop the taxpayers from voting and expressing their will on their own city."

Bonfield repeated, however, "it is not a matter of suing people, it's making sure what is put in front of the residents is valid."

If the city is not using taxpayer funds to finance this suit then the city must have some income that does not come from the citizens. I for the life of me can't think of what that would be. Fees, interest, fines and such are still derived from the citizens for the use of the city for the benefit of those same citizens. The scramble to sweep up as large a pile of funds on the part especially of local politicians has become an end unto itself. Trying to prevent citizens from exercising some control over this can only increase the cynicism of the electorate.