Dear Neighbor,
Citizens for Preserving Naples (CPN) has been organized for over a decade. We are a group of citizens from all neighborhoods across the City dedicated to upholding our City Vision and advocating for the unique interests of our residents.
Preserving Naples’ unique charm and protecting our natural resources while maintaining economic vitality through smart redevelopment and thoughtful City planning is central to our quality of life and our future.
CPN supports decision-making at the local government level. The concept of Home Rule in Florida is a model that keeps decision making closest to our citizens.
However last week the Florida Senate passed Bill 250, intended to support those hurt by Hurricane Ian. Yet it includes restrictions, pre-empting local government authority. This has raised concern in Naples and other Florida cities about unprecedented restrictions on local governance.
Naples City Manager Jay Boodheshwar said the “so called resiliency bill” could stifle the City’s ability to become more resilient by prohibiting beneficial land use changes in the wake of Ian.” We learned that City Council will review the text to properly consider the legislation.
As one resident said, “Our citizens should have the right to tell their locally elected officials what they want and our City Council should have the authority to govern accordingly.”
The Florida League of Cities states: “The most precious power a city in Florida has is its’ Home Rule powers. The ability to establish its form of government through its charter, and to then enact ordinances, codes, plans, and resolutions without prior state approval is a tremendous authority. To further be able to enforce them “at home” and to make necessary changes as a city grows is a great reflection of the trust that citizens have in their respective city leaders.”
https://www.floridaleagueofcities.com/docs/default-source/Civic Education/historyofhomerule.pdf?sfvrsn=2
Citizens for Preserving Naples is dedicated to serving you as a resource for information that affects your interests as we advocate for an excellent quality of life for our residents.
Please visit our website for more information about CPN and to access useful resources. https://citizensforpreservingnaples.org/
Tell us what is important to you; contact us at: https://citizensforpreservingnaples.org/contact
And, as always, tell your City Council what matters to you most: council@naplesgov.com