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Home My WebLink About2010 05 14 Mail:Letter from Florida League of Cities U �, E Of RECEIVED ■ _ MAY 1 4 2010 CITY OF WINTER SPRINGS OFFICE OF THE ITY CLERK ice. cr._ 301 South Bronough Street • Suite 300 • P.O. Box 1757 • Tallahassee, Fl 32302 -1757 • (850) 222 -9684 • Fax (850) 222 -3806 • www.flcities.com May 11, 2010 Dear Municipal Official: As election season swings into high gear, many of you are getting requests for endorsements from various candidates for the Florida Legislature and for other state offices. As a respected leader in your community, your endorsement holds great value. In the continuing fight for home rule, we talk a lot about holding our legislators and state officers accountable. Even so, every year we see more state intrusion into local matters, more efforts to take away your ability to serve your citizens effectively, and less respect for the public service you perform. Please remember that your endorsement is one of the most powerful accountability tools you possess. To make the most of this tool, please consider the following: • If a candidate or legislator asks for your endorsement, ask the person where he or she stands on key municipal legislative issues. • If you have already given your endorsement, meet with that person to find out where he or she stands on our issues. Condition your continued endorsement based on the answer you get. • If the candidate says he or she is committed to supporting proposals that hurt municipal home rule, ask the person to at least help you address specific problems in order to mitigate the harm from such proposals. • Be specific — vague promises by candidates to "protect cities" or to "support home rule" are insuffi cient. We hope you will maximize the value of your endorsements in the fight for home rule. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions. Sincerely, President John Marks Mayor, City of Tallahassee President John Marks, Mayor, Tallahassee First Vice President Joy Cooper, Mayor, Hallandale Beach • Second Vice President Patricia J. Bates, Mayor, Altamonte Springs Executive Director Michael Sittig • General Counsel Harry Morrison, Jr.