Fort Myers, FL
As a follow-up to my Thursday Stoneybrook sign story, board member John Jack posted several responses to the story and to residents who also wrote letters. I thought his response was worthy of a headline so I moved it to the front page. Of course, that also means I have to add my much anticipated commentary to a story worthy of front page status.
What caught my attention was that Jack, who I support by the way, said Gateway residents should pay all the expenses when the signs come down. And he said those signs WILL come down. Of course, that was front-page news because, here we are minding our own business, and now we have to pay for this mess.
We had nothing to do with Stoneybrook's parking issues, just like we had nothing to do with the Country Club's Wetland issue. But here we are again on the hook for someone else's mistake.
Here is John Jack's Letter
"I am not afraid to say who I am on this blog. I am John Jack, a board member for SB. I wanted the Sign issue to be part of the agenda items every week. If the signs installed are not in accordance with the proper Zoning codes (residential), we will look for compensation from GSD for the funds it took to install the signs, lawyer fees and any other costs that are incurred because of this issue.
However, to set the record straight, Bill Knight has nothing but been accommodating on this issue. He even went as far as stating that he was reluctant in installing these signs but the request came from the SB board (prior to my involvement). The days of personal agenda are hopefully behind us.
The decision for the signs will be reversed; the code for residential zoning is clear. Unfortunately, the consultants that were used were citing the wrong zoning code. I believe that once they look into it, Bill Knight will do the right thing.
For those that have not figured it out now, I will always fight on behalf of the majority of the residents, regardless if it fits with my personnel point of view or not".
Jack says former board member Warren Davies put the pressure on Knight to install the signs. The big question that remains is if District Manager Brian Lamb says a board motion was needed to install the signs and there isn't one, how did this happen? Was it legal to begin with? And of course, nobody outside of Stoneybrook should pay a penny for anything that has to do with the cost of those signs, whether it $5.00 or $500.
