NORTH PORT – Representatives for the West Villagers for Responsible Government filed a lawsuit in circuit court Friday that would allow voters who live west of the Myakka River to decide if they want to separate from the city.
The litigation seeks a court order that would force the city to accept a petition to hold a referendum on the issue. Residents are seeking the contraction, in part, because they do not feel they receive adequate services from the city for their taxes.
Residents attempted to submit the petition on April 29, shortly after the North Port City Commission unanimously rejected a petition for contraction, citing five reasons why it was not in the city’s best interest to do so, as well as the results of a feasibility study conducted by Fort Lauderdale-based consultant Munilytics.
Joseph Garren received 30% of the vote and Walt Grzenikowski about 10%.
“I’m ecstatic that I won, but to win by such a pretty good margin, I’m ecstatic over that – over the top,” White said, shortly after learning the results of the race. “Even up until I went home today at 6:30 p.m., I was not sure how this was going to turn out; it’s hard to gauge people when you talk to them or when you see them.
“I’m so thrilled to be able to do this for the city I’ve lived I for over 30 years, and to serve people in a different capacity,” she added. “I’m still going to do what I love to do, which is work with people all the time.”
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